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Speeches of Farooq Abdullah and Narendra Modi at IIMA(Video)

DeshGujarat — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:36:16 +0000

Ahmedabad, 25 August 2011

Presented above are the speeches of central minister Farooq Abdullah and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at IIM Ahmedabad. Both speeches are very interesting. Enjoy the video.

Arun Jaitley continues to shine:His latest speech in Rajya Sabha(Video)

DeshGujarat — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:12:53 +0000

New Delhi, 24 August 2011

Major points of Gujarat MP and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley’s 24 August

This debate takes place at a time when a popular movement against corruption has provided us with a historic challenge. The message of these extra-Parliamentary protests is loud and clear. India is no longer willing to accept corruption as a way of life. India expects the Parliament to take effective steps so that corruption and graft in society can be eliminated.

There is a crisis of credibility. The credibility of Government is at an all time low. People are losing faith in the Government. It is therefore time for us to seriously introspect. We must restore the credibility of politics and governance. We must eliminate discretions and wage a war on corruption. Time has come to penalize the corrupt so that there is a deterrent against it.

When de-licensing took place and controls were eliminated, one expected that with the role of Government coming down, corruption would be eliminated. Unfortunately, it did not happen. The expansion of economic activity, expanded the areas and quantum of corruption. Land became a major source of corruption. From acquisition to release, to change of Land users, to sanction townships, discretions in relation to land became major source of corruption.

Mining transferred a natural resource, belonging to the people, into a few hands. Taxes and royalties were meager. The ‘First Come First Serve’ policies in relation to mining, placed these resource in the hands of those, who traded in minerals rather than use it for value addition. Allocation of natural resources like Spectrum, Oil and Gas, allotment of tenders and contracts in relation to highways, ports and other areas became matters of Government discretion. The exercise of discretion gave way for arbitrariness and corruption. Private sector education expanded the base of education but resulted in huge capitation fees, in disciplines where the capacity was scarce. Allotment of liquor contracts was another area where corruption flourished. In the environment of corruption and graft, dealing with revenue departments, municipalities, ration department became a nightmare for citizens.

Other institutions: Institutional health, in terms of integrity, suffered. Accountability norms in judiciary are much lower than needed. Paid news has corrupted a section of the media, which was originally intended to safeguard public interest. Investigative agencies like the CBI are now used for political purposes. There are innumerable cases where investigations are used for political purposes.

Sixty four years after independence, we are still far from a mature and transparent method of political funding. Even though donations to the political parties was incentivized by tax breaks, a large part of the politics of the world’s largest democracy is funded through black money.

The UPA rule: The track record of the UPA Government has worsened governance. It inducted tainted ministers. It got CBI to collude with the BOFORS investigations. The cash for Oil coupons in the Volcker case brought discredit to the Government. Two continuous votes of confidence succeeded in Parliament on account of monetary influences. The 2G scam remained covered up for three years, and it shook the public consciousness. The CWG and its accompanied corruption shocked the public mind.

The enormity of corruption, in the UPA Government is directly proportionate to the public anger that resulted in the enormity of protests that ensued. Instead of addressing the problem, when Round one of Anna’s fast took place, the Government practiced deception on the Civil Society. After the initial dialogue, they discarded team Anna, and brought out a Ministers’ draft. The Ministers’ draft lacked vision. If this draft had been reasonable, the problem of this enormity would not have occurred. Why was the appointment mechanism tilted in favour of the Government so as to rig the appointment of Lok Pal. It was logical to include the Prime Minister without his national security and public order functions in the Lok Pal. Some states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have drafted citizens’ grievances mechanism. Why should the Government be reluctant to adopt such a mechanism? There is a strong rationale to make the CBI and CVC independent. How can the Government alone have the power to remove the inconvenient Lok Pal.? This power should be with the Supreme Court or through an impeachment process. Why should the whistleblowers not get protection? Why there should not be special bench in every High Court to deal with corruption cases? Why should the punishment to a complainant who makes false complaint be higher than the punishment accorded to the guilty for corruption? How do you include NGOs, which are not funded by the Government into the ambit of the Lok Pal? These are all serious defects of the draft, which after consultations with the political parties, should be rectified provided everyone bears in mind that the final bill should be compatible to the Constitution of India.

Today Anna Hazareji’s fast has entered the 9th day. His health has steadily deteriorated. We are all concerned. Its high time the Government put its act together and arrive at a mutually acceptable position that inspires confidence of the public.

Naika, Machhu-2, Ashapura dams overflow

DeshGujarat — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:42:33 +0000

Naika, Machhu-2, Ashapura dams overflow
Surendranagar, 11 July, 2011

It’s raining in almost all parts of Gujarat for last three days, and Surendranagar district that was badly needing rain – when this week began – has been blessed with great amount of rain in last three days.

Surendranagar district’s Naika dam started overflowing today in the afternoon after heavy rain in its catchment areas of Chotila and Muli talukas.

Naika dam’s 15 gates out of total 34 are opened to release overflowing water.

Gautamgadh, Kukada, Godavari and Shekhpar villages located in the down stream are alerted for possible flood.

District’s lifeline like Bhogavo river has got new life with water flowing in it and level increasing rapidly.

Similarly, Machhu-2 dam located near Rajkot district’s Morbi town is overflowing. Ten gates of this dam are opened by the administration to release extra water.

Rajkot district’s Ashapura dam has also started overflowing. This dam is located near Gondal.

Low lying villages in downstream areas are alerted.

Working time of school teachers extended for two hours

DeshGujarat — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 08:09:01 +0000

Working time of school teachers extended for two hours
By our special correspondent
Rajkot, 2 July, 2011

Keeping the suitability of the school time for students in mind, Gujarat government has changed primary teacher’s working time to 8 hours. The addition of 2 more hours in their routine has caused resentment in the teachers. The new schedule is effective from July 1.

Before July 1st, the duration of a shift of a teacher was 11AM to 5 PM which is now 10AM to 6PM. Many teachers had to take their infants to schools along with them. Teachers complained that the new schedule has affected their family lives and that their children and their family members have been put in a very inconvenient spot.

The teachers also added that it will be impossible for them to prepare lunch by 9AM and reach school by 10AM, and it has not been announced that when will the teachers get a break for lunch. The teachers said that just like regular employees they should also be given a One hour recess to consume lunch.

In addition to that, the teachers also stated that the people who work for 8 hours a day get a holiday on the 2nd and 4th Saturday but the teachers have not been notified of any such holidays. The teachers said that the most convenient time for students across the state will be 8 AM to 1PM, which is also suitable for the students during summer, winter and Monsoon

Gujarat’s Babubhai Panocha qualified for the London Olympics

DeshGujarat — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:53:54 +0000

Gujarat’s Babubhai Panocha qualified for the London Olympics
Ahmedabad, 27 June, 2011

With impressive performances at the 18th Dublin International Grand Prix of Race Walking, Gujarat’s Babubhai Panocha has qualified for the 20 km walk at the 2012 London Olympics along with other Indian sportsman Gurmeet Singh.

Babubhai and Singh have also made the cut for the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea from August 27.

National champion Gurmeet Singh clocked 1:22:05, finishing 9th in the 20km event held at Phoenix Park, Dublin Sunday. Gurmeet bettered the ‘A’ standard of Olympic qualification 1:22:30.

Babubhai Panocha returned a personal best of 1:23:04 and finished 11th. He bettered the ‘B’ standard of qualification (1:24:30). China’s Wang Zhen (1:19:46) won the event.

The race was held under trying conditions with a heat wave making it difficult for the competitors to finish the race. Only seven of the 18 walkers completed the race. Finland’s Antti Kempas won the race in 4:02:37.

Coast Guard to commission a new interceptor boat at Okha

DeshGujarat — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Coast Guard to commission a new interceptor boat at Okha
New Delhi, 17 June, 2011

Security of Gujarat’s Okha coast will be powered by a new interceptor boat now as the Indian Coast Guard is to get a new interceptor boat this Saturday.

According to a statement issued on Friday Defence Finance Secretary Dr. Vijayalakshmy K Gupta will commission the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) C-152 at Okha on the Gujarat coast tomorrow.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will get a new interceptor boat Saturday for deployment along Gujarat’s Okha coast to tackle 26/11-type terror threats and piracy closer to the shore and prevent illegal activities in Indian waters, a statement issued by Defense ministry said Friday.

“Defence Finance Secretary Dr. Vijayalakshmy K. Gupta will commission the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) C-152 at Okha on the Gujarat coast tomorrow in presence of ICG north-west regional commander Deputy Inspector General B.S. Yadav.

The 30-metre boat, built by Surat-based ABG Shipyard, has a displacement of 90-tonnes and has an endurance of 500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 25 knots. It can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots for responding to urgent calls at sea.

“The boat, specially designed for close-coast and shallow-water operations, will immensely help to augment the surveillance capability of the Coast Guard on the Gujarat coast,” the release said.

Commandant R. Vijay is the first commander of the boat, which will be manned by a 12-member crew.

Post-November 2008 Mumbai terror attack, ICG is undergoing a force accretion to augment its surveillance capabilities to meet its enhanced tasks and responsibilities effectively.

The present force level and manpower are planned to be doubled by graduated procurement with proportionate infrastructure development and augmentation of trained manpower.

Nine new ICG stations are planned to be established by 2012 wherein each station will have two interceptor boats to undertake search and rescue, close-coast patrol and respond to fast developing situations at sea.

More assets will be based in these stations depending upon infrastructure and availability of operational logistic support facilities, the release said.

US Navy warning centre issues cyclone formation alert

DeshGujarat — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:59:39 +0000

US Navy warning centre issues cyclone formation alert
Ahmedabad, 9 June, 2011

The US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) has issued a cyclone formation alert in the Arabian Sea in line with its watch for further intensification of the weather system in east-central basin.

According to JTWC, formation of a significant tropical cyclone is possible within a 160 NM radius of 18.7N 69.E within the next 12 to 24 hours. Available data does not justify issuance of numbered tropical cyclone warnings at this time. Winds in the area are estimated to be 28 to 33 knots. Metsat imagery at 082032z indicates that a circulation center is located near 18.7N 69.8E. The system is moving northwestward at 01 Knots.

In its remark about this situation JTWC further says, the area of convection previously located at 19.1N 69.7E is now located near 18.7N 69.8E, approximately 180 NM west of Mumbai, India. Animated infrared satellite imagery shows persistent deep convection along the southewestern quadrant of the low level circulation center (LLCC).

If eventually possible cyclone moves northwest then it will be heading towards the Gulf of Eden; if north it would go towards Karachi, Pakistan; and if northeast towards southwest or south Gujarat.

Tropical cyclone formation alert picture
TCFA grafic

Gujarat SSC Board 10th result 2011 on 2nd June

DeshGujarat — Mon, 30 May 2011 13:22:11 +0000

Gujarat SSC Board 10th result 2011 on 2nd June
Gandhinagar, 30 May, 2011

Gujarat SSC Board 10th result will be declared on Thursday, 2nd June this week.

The procedure of diploma admission will kick start next day on 3rd June for 46,000 engineering seats in Gujarat. The online registration process will start from 6th June and will end on 16th June while provisional merit list will be announced on 21 June.

Those wanting to get admission in diploma engineering courses will be given a book and pin number between 3-15 June.

Coast Guard commissions new station in Gujarat at Mundra

DeshGujarat — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:34:59 +0000

Coast Guard commissions new station in Gujarat at Mundra
Gandhinagar, 19 May, 2011

A new Coast Guard station was opened at Gujarat’s Mundra in Kutch district to shore up the coastal security apparatus close to maritime border with Pakistan.

The station, ICGS Mundra, was commissioned by Coast Guard Director General Vice Admiral Anil Chopra.

‘The new station at Mundra will play an effective role in undertaking joint coastal patrols along with the marine police, customs and fisheries departments to thwart maritime security threats in the sensitive coastal region of Gujarat,’ a Coast Guard press release said here.

Commandant R.K. Srivastava has been appointed the first commanding officer of the station.

The commissioning was witnessed by Coast Guard northwest region commander Deputy Inspector General B.S. Yadav, besides officers and men of the Indian Coast Guard and representatives of various state government agencies.

The Coast Guard also plans to soon open another station at Pipavav in Gujarat.

At least 50% compulsory for admission in eng,pharma,hm,archi

DeshGujarat — Sun, 08 May 2011 12:11:54 +0000

At least 50% compulsory for admission in eng,pharma,hm,archi
Gandhinagar, 8 May, 2011

As per the new rules announced by the state education department for the academic year 2011-12, science students of standard 12 will have to secure at least 50% marks in Science/maths subjects to get admission to degree engineering, degree and diploma pharmacy, hotel and tourism and architecture courses in Gujarat. This rule has been implied following the new guidelines of the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE).

As per the new rule, marks of practicals will be considered while calculating the 50% score which means that for admission in degree engineering course, students will need to have 200 out of the 400 total marks including 100 marks each for physics, chemistry and mathematics, and 50 marks each for the practicals of physics and chemistry. Similarly for degree and diploma in pharmacy, students have to acquire 225 marks out of 450 aggregate marks of theory and practicals to secure admission. These include 100 marks each for physics, chemistry and biology theory papers and 50 marks each for their respective practical papers.

The students of National Institute for Open Schooling (NIOS) as well as those of International Board are also eligible to apply for admission into all the technical courses in Gujarat.

More Gujarat specific census data to be announced on 4 April

DeshGujarat — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:50:11 +0000

More Gujarat specific census data to be announced on 4 April
Ahmedabad, 1 Aprilh, 2011

While some Gujarat specific provisional census 2011 data were released yesterday in New Delhi along with the data of other states, Gujarat’s city wise provisional data of census 2011 will be declared on 4th April.

A press meet in this reference is scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad in this connection on 4th April.