Ahmedabad, 24 May, 2012

Presented above are two videos. The first video presents protest events organized in Ahmedabad today against petrol price hike.The second video contains voices of common man, and BJP MP against petrol price hike of Rs 7.50.

Ahmedabad, 24 May, 2012

Presented above are the pictures of protest events organized in Ahmedabad today against petrol price hike. Look at the innovative ideas of protest.

Ahmedabad, 24 May 2012

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is helping India’s Self-Employed Women’s Association, SEWA, provide energy-efficient cook stoves and solar lanterns to more than 200,000 of its members in the state of Gujarat, pioneering sustainable clean energy solutions for the poor.

IFC will provide a partial credit guarantee for a $5 million loan that an Indian private sector bank is providing to SEWA-sponsored Grassroots Trading Network for Women. The loan will be further utilized for on-lending to SEWA members to purchase the clean energy lanterns and cook stoves. IFC is also advising Grassroots Trading Network on building a loan product line, setting up information systems and processes for managing loans, and on training staff to serve the low-income customer better. The project is expected to generate carbon credits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to one million tons of carbon dioxide over the life of the project.

SEWA Director Reema Nanavaty said, “This project is called Hariyali, meaning green, because it will provide green livelihoods to poor rural women members of SEWA.” The project aims to create a replicable business model for application in South Asia and other parts of Asia and Africa.

The project will deliver several development benefits, such as reducing the expenses on firewood, kerosene and electricity, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases from smoke inhalation, and improving ambient lighting for children to study.

“Our partnership with SEWA is a unique clean energy project that will address the health, environmental and energy challenges faced by people at the base of the pyramid,” said Karin Finkelston, IFC Vice President for Asia Pacific. “The project will launch a new financial product for the purchase of clean energy products by women in rural India.”

India is facing a surging energy demand. Rural areas in particular are becoming large consumers of energy for lighting and cooking. A growing number of Indian companies are providing access to alternative cooking and electricity solutions for rural base-of-the-pyramid households. The annual market for solar lanterns and energy-efficient cook stoves is estimated at $500 million and $400 million, respectively.

About SEWA

SEWA was founded in 1972 to organize women workers for full employment and self reliance. It has a membership of 1.3 million women from across nine states of India. For more information, visit www.sewa.org

About IFC

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. We help developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, providing advisory services to businesses and governments, and mobilizing capital in the international financial markets. In fiscal 2011, amid economic uncertainty across the globe, we helped our clients create jobs, strengthen environmental performance, and contribute to their local communities—all while driving our investments to an all-time high of nearly $19 billion. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Ahmedabad, 23 May 2012

Presented above are the photographs of few petrol pumps in Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening. As soon as the price hike of Rs 7.50 per liter was announced in media, and people came to know that the new price will be effective from midnight, they rushed to petrol pumps to fill the tank at old lower rate. All along the Wednesday evening there were long queues seen on various petrol pumps. Some private petrol pumps declared that stock was over, some petrol pump decided to give only limited quantity of fuel to each vehicle. At some placed there was traffic jam outside the petrol pump due to long queues ending at the main road.

Ahmedabad, 23 May 2012

Following are the pictures of a function of Red cross in Ahmedabad where Gujarat Governor Dr Kamla Beniwal and Chief Minister Narendra Modi shared stage. Dr. Kamla Beniwal who is presently facing allegations of land grab in Rajasthan found an opportunity to say something to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister too reacted to her.

Press release

Ahmedabad, Wednesday: Gujarat Governor Dr Shrimati Kamlaji inaugurated Vatsalya
Varishth Nagrik Grih built by Gujarat branch of Indian Red Cross Society for 90 senior
citizens here today.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that selfless service is rated very high in Indian
culture and Gujarat preserved the high traditions as there are a number of voluntary
organizations busy in the service of the poor, needy and deserted senior citizens. She
expressed great happiness at the Red Cross Society contributing its mite as a matter
of pride for all. She lauded the notable contribution by Tanti Foundation for Rs.7-crore
donation.

The Governor and Chief Minister took round of the complex. It has facilities for health
checkup, entertainment, library, ATM, prayer room, naturopathy dispensary and
physiotherapy centre.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi described senior citizens’ home like Vatsalya Dham as
the need of the hour in modern family life. He profusely congratulated Mr. Tulsi Tanti,
besides this senior citizens’ home, for his another unique contribution to the society on a
different front in the form of renewable energy.

He said that Gujarat ranks high in the field of service ingrained as it is in the blood of its
people. It is reflected in blood donation and eye donation, too. However, he regretted,
adversaries continue to malign Gujarat without any pretext.

The Chief Minister lauded the initiative of Red Cross Society in research and treatment
of sickle cell anemia as well as thalassemia. He said that Gujarat Government is also
keen to provide relief to patients suffering from such deadly diseases.

Mr. Tulsi Tanti spoke on the need for joint family system. Organisation’s Chairman
Gautam Shah welcomed the guests. Indian Red Cross Society Gujarat Branch
Chairman Madhuben Nayak gave details about the society. Secretary General S. P.
Agrawal and International Red Cross Society’s Rose spoke also spoke. Organisation’s
Bhaveshbhai Acharya proposed a vote of thanks.

Ahmedabad, 22 May 2012

Reiterating its demand for removal of Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal from her post over an alleged land scam, BJP today threatened to launch an agitation, if she did not tender her resignation in next three days.

BJP general secretary Kirit Somaiya, who is also the coordinator of party’s Anti Corruption Cell, had yesterday alleged that Beniwal had tried to acquire a huge piece of land in Rajasthan by submitting false information about herself. Somaiya, who had yesterday held a press conference in Rajkot on the same issue, today briefed reporters here.

He reiterated the charges against Governor, saying she had submitted ‘false’ information about herself being a farmer in order to acquire a piece of land in Rajasthan.

“Beniwal has given information to acquire the land by saying that she is a farmer and spends sixteen hours daily in farming. The information is totally incorrect and false as how can a person like a Governor spend 16 hours daily in the farm,” Somaiya told reporters here.

“Either Beniwal should resign from Governor’s post or an inquiry should be ordered against her to find out her role in the case”, he said.

If she does not respond in the next three days, then we will discuss the issue in our national executive meeting to be held in Mumbai and plan out agitational programmes against her, he added.

Ahmedabad, 22 May 2012

In a press conference held at BJP headquarter in Ahmedabad, BJP’s national secretary Kirit Somaiya said Pranab Mukherjee’s recent white paper was actually a black paper. With facts and figures, he raised a question whether Rupee, Dollar fluctuation is UPA’s scam? He demanded probe in this regard on behalf of the party. Somaiya lashed out at UPA for hiding the names of black money owners supplied by European nation.

Ahmedabad, 21 May 2012

Star cast of the film Yeh Khula Aasman was on visit to Ahmedabad on promotion tour. The film is produced by Gitanjali creations. The story of the film revolves arond Avinash, a young intelligent boy going through an extremely challenging phase of life due to his academic failures. He feels an immense vacuum which unfortunately his busy parents are unable to fill. In desperation he visits his grandfather (Dadu, a role played by Raghubir Yadav) after several years.

Being the best kite runner of his era, Dadu subtly imparts lessons of life using the ‘kite’ as a metaphor for ‘life’. Under Dady’s company Avinash discovers many unexplored yet invaluable facets of life finding true friendship, love and inspiration to lead a life full of hope, joy and success.

The role of Avinash is played by Raj Tandon while the centre of attraction of the film, a beautiful girl Anya Anand plays role of Muskaan.

The film is directed by Gitanjali Sinha. Anand Milind are music director of the film.

Ahmedabad, 21 May 2012

Presented above are the pictures of 100s of new trees planted over the reclaimed land of Sabarmati river front between Ambedkar bridge (Vasna-Pirana river bridge) and Vasna barrage.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated plantation of about 7,000 trees of 100 species to create an urban forest over 60,000 square metres of land near Vasna barrage on Sabarmati Riverfront. Majority of trees will be indigenous ones like Vad, Pipal and, Neem.

The plantation drive is expected to be completed during the current season. With proper watering and caring, the civic body expects 100% survival ratio of the plants. Further, a nursery will be set up for cultivating saplings to be planted in various gardens along the riverfront. The area of a dense urban forest will be off limits for motor vehicles and will have tracks for visitors only.

Ahmedabad, 21 May 2012

Allan J. Lichtman, Professor and Chair of the Department of History at American University in Washington, D.C. will deliver lectures at three different public events in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagr on May 24-25. Following are the details of the events.

Thursday, May 24
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Topic: U.S. Elections: The Keys to the White House
Venue: Ahmedabad University’s Amrut School of Management.

Time: 18:30 (6:30 p.m.)
Topic: “U.S. Elections: Ethics and Transparency”
Venue: American Corner at Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), ATIRA premises,
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Marg, Ahmedabad 380 015

Friday, May 25
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Topic: The Keys to the White House
Venue: Main Building, SPIPA Campus, Satellite Road, Opposite ISRO, Ahmedabad 380015

Time: 15:00 (3:00 p.m.)
Topic: The Keys to the White House
Venue: Infocity Club Auditorium, Gandhinagar

Ahmedabad, 20 May 2012

Eminent Gujarati critic, writer and president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Bholabhai Patel today died here at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness.

A recipient of Padma Bhushan award, Patel was known for his travelouges and his book ‘Vidisha’ had earned him accolades.

Expressing grief over the demise of Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said it was a big loss to the Gujarati literature.

“Demise of great author Bholabhai Patel, president of Gujarat Sahitya Parishad is a big loss to Gujarati literature. May his soul rest in peace,” Modi wrote on social networking site tweeter.

Paying homage to the author Chief Minister said that late Bholabhai Patel had deep study of Gujarati, English, Bangali and Sanskrit literature and for his whole life he remained a man of letter of these languages. His profundity is reflected in his literary works. With his demise we have lost a literary figure who gave great contribution in the field of Gujarati literature. Chief Minister lauded late Bholabhai Patels’ contribution for elevating the repute of Gujarat Sahitya Parishad.

“My deepest condolences, I feel sad, may his soul rest in peace prayers,” he said.

Shri Bholabhai’s body was taken to Gujarati Sahitya Parishad campus, where noted authors, poets and office bearers of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad paid tribute to him.

Gujarati Sahitya Parishad is a literary institution for the promotion of Gujarati literature. In the past, it had been headed by iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi.