Kollam port becomes hub of cargo operations

      The Kollam Port in Kerala will be soon becoming the hub for cargo operations with shipping services from Colombo to Lakshadweep. The Government would appoint a special officer to check the emigration processes in view of the specified cargo services. This was being started by the minister of Ports after meeting the delegation from Colombo in the Ashramam guest house.
      The delegation discussed all the important aspects of the cargo services from Kollam port and the minister assured that the services would be started without any delay.
       The minister assured to take immediate steps to elevate port to Cargo terminal by speeding up the emigration processes.The Government also plans to start cargo services from Lakshadweep. But the services like independent berthing facility, security for warehousing and facility for refuelling ships.
       The authorities are also demanding other facilities like immigration, piloting and plant quarantine facilities. The port fees is also to be modified so as to attract many shipping companies. With all these facilities done, Kollam will become the hub for cargo services for transporting cashew, sand and petroleum products.

PM Modi launches "Main Nahin Hum" portal

 

 

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering of IT professionals on Wednesday and emphasised the role of IT sector on India's development. In his speech, he told that that the youngsters are wonderfully leveraging the power of technology. He also added that it's a great sign where youth uses technology not only for themselves but also for the welfare of other people. He also said that the Government may introduce many schemes,but the success of any initiative lies on the public involvement.He also touched 'The Swachh Bharat' plan in his speech.
      PM Modi then launched 'Main Nahin Hoom' portal and mobile application.This portal works on the theme 'Self4society' which will enable the IT professionals to join hands together for social causes.This Main Nahin Hum portal mainly aims at catalysing greater collaboration towards the betterment of the weaker society. This aims at using the power of technology.

Source: oneindia.com

Indians under IT scanner

     

        The Income Tax department has set up an investigation on around 7500 Indians who owns high ended properties like prime houses in Dubai. The Intelligence and criminal investigation wing of the IT department has collected informations about the Indians who invested in real estate and their sources of income for such investments.
       According to Dubai land development report, around 1387 Indians have invested about AED 3 billion in Dubai land assets in the first 3 months of 2018. In the five years from 2013 to 2017, Indian nationals have bought properties worth AED 84 billions in Dubai.In 2017 alone, there was an investment about AED 15.6 billion in Dubai.
        It is not illegal for Indians to own properties in abroad. According to FEMA, residents and NRIs are allowed to buy immovable properties in abroad. But, it is mandatory to disclose the foreign assets to disclose in IT returns as per Indian tax rules. Under Black money Act, any undisclosed assets are being taxed at 30 percent. There are also monetary penalties about 300 percent with criminal prosecution for non disclosure.
        On an investigation platform made by Indian Express along 49 non profit organisations, it was found that , from entries around 181 countries, the Indian formed a sizable chunk  with 5800 linked to the properties of top sites in Dubai. It includes Palm Jumeirah, Motor City, Dubai Marina etc.

Tamizhiyakkam-A new movement to unite tamils

       To bring together all the tamilians around the globe and all the Tamil organisations , a new movement called Tamizhiyakkam was launched on Monday in Chennai.
       Leaders of all political parties in the state participated in the event. Mauritius President Paramasivam and Guyana Prime minister Moses Veerasamy also participated in the event and gave their felicitations.
        Mr.Moses expressed his hope that the future youngsters will learn about Tamil culture, tradition and language. Mr.Paramasivan expressed his joy in joining the movement  and recalled how tamilians strives hard to protect Tamil from the threat of other languages. The founder president  of the ovement and Vice chancellor of VIT said that the people will come to know the richness of our language.
        Tamil nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr.O.Paneer Selvam,  Minister for Tamil culture, Mr.Pandiarajan, M.K.Stalin, Mr.Anbazhahan, Puducherry CM Narayana Samy, other political leaders like Vaiko, Thirumavalavan, Nallakannu and Thirunavukkarasar offered felicitations.

Vistadome coaches by South Western Railways

 

         With the aim of boosting tourism and attracting more passengers, the south western railways has taken an initiative to operate vistadome coaches with air conditioned glass top on the trains through major tourist routes in the state. The Tourism and catering Directorate has asked the IRCTC to find out the potential routes for the vistadome to operate.
        The IRCTC has also identified the potential routes under request based on scenic beauty of the places. The identified routes coming under south western Railways include, Bangalore- Karwar, Bangalore-shivamogga, Bangalore-Goa, Bangalore -Mangalore, Bangalore-Mysore and Bangalore- Hampi.
         The Vistadome coaches are to be attached to the existing trains running. The coaches will have 40 reclining chairs which could turn around 360 degrees. LED lights, oven and a small refrigerator along with the glass roof are the added features. 

Highest Tiranga at Haj house

      Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mr.Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, unfurled a big Indian Tricolour flag at the Majestic Haj house on Wednesday.The flag measured about 20×30 feet and 350 feet above the ground.

        This flag is considered to be the highest flag on the building near to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus in south Mumbai , on the terrace of any building of such height in the country. This flag is made by the flags company which is specialised in  making big flags. The flag is made of non fading polyester.
        The Haj house with 19 floors was constructed in 1987 for the purpose of boarding and lodging of Haj pilgrims. Mr.Naqvi inaugurated a viewers gallery in the Haj house to enable the panoramic view of south Mumbai.

Naidu's hopes on next Dhussera

       Chief Minister Chandra Babu expressed his full hope that thousands of families would be able to celebrate next dhussara on the next Vijayadhasami festival in Amaravati as the construction work and development of the capital would be reaching a significant stage at that time.

     He checked the progress of the construction works in the capital city and instructed the CRDA officials to prepare an action plan with a specified target which is to be completed before next Vijayadhasami. He instructed the AP CPRA to issue expression of interest for  facilitating the entire solutions for the construction services.
      Mr.Naidu also checked the layout plan of the first phase of the construction city in Nekkallu village in the capital city with  147 acres. He stated that about 90% of the works has been tendered out.CRDA commissioner told that, about 59% of works are under execution, 31% of works under tendering process and the remaining 10% is under Pre tender stage. He also stated that about road network with utilities will completed by January 2019 and housing facilities for 4000 officials would be completed within February 2019. Naidu stated that Amaravati would be the first future city to serve as a hub for all major cities in India. He expressed his hope, this would create about 11-14 lakh jobs in the next 25years . He assured of creating about 70000 jobs in the next three years in the capital city.

Google Doodle celebrates Tabla maestro's birthday

         Google Doodle, the search engine giant celebrates the 110th birthday of Tabla Maestro Pandit Lacchu Maharaj, on Tuesday, 16th October.

       Pandit was born in Banaras,  a famous city in Uttar Pradesh , on october16,1944.His father was Vasudev Maharaj. He was the fourth in twelve siblings.Lachhu Maharaj was a simple and easygoing person, who never voluntarily received any respect. He inculcated the tradition of playing tabla in the whole Banaras.Even now, his disciples play tabla all around the world.
      He received Sangeet Natak Akademi award in the year 1957. It is one of the prestigious award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national Academy for music, dance and drama.He died on July 27th,2016.
Source: oneindia.com

IKEA lays foundation in Bangalore

IKEA's expansion- next outlet in Bangalore:

    IKEA is one the Swedish home furnishing giant, which has an enormous growth in its life cycle. It started its first store in Hyderabad. This store was opened with an investment of 1000 crores ,five years after receiving the government approval in 2013. IKEA plans to invest 10500 crores to open 25 stores in India by 2025.
    Just after opening its first store, now it plans to open its next outlet in Bangalore. It would be followed by navi Mumbai and Delhi. The store in Bangalore would be closer to Nagasandra Metro station and would cover over 4,00,000 square feet.
     IKEA has over 7500 products, out of which 95% comes under global range and 5% designed based on local life styles of Indian consumers. IKEA officials conducted survey in more than 1000 homes with different income level, different sizes to understand the needs and aspirations of the Indian customers. It has developed over 2000 home products decorating the Indian shelves. Moreover, IKEA restaurants also serves the Indian tongues with good taste.:-)

India wins UN Human Rights council Election

India succeeds in UN election with highest votes:
       The UN General Assembly with 193 members held an election for the new members to the UN Human Rights council. The eighteen new members were to be elected by absolute majority through secret ballot system. The countries competing needed a minimum of 97 votes to get elected for the council.

 
       India was competing for a seat in Asia-Pacific Bahrain, Bangladesh, Fiji and Philippines were also vying for a seat along with India.As there were Five seats and five nations vying for the seats, India's election to the council was almost certain.
       By getting 188votes in Asia-Pacific category,being the highest number of votes, India was selected to the United Nations' Human Rights council for a period of 3 years ,starting from Jan1, 2019.The newly elected members will serve a term of 3years beginning from Jan 1,2019. India was already been a member of the council in 2011-14 and from 2014-17.In accordance with the rule it had served consecutively for 2 terms, it was not eligible for immediate election.
       Addressing the PTI, India's permanent representative to the UN ambassador, Mr.syed Akbaruddin has told that this success reflects the country's standing in the international community.

SCO meet in Tajikistan

Sushma Swaraj to lead Indian delegation:

     The 17th council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting  of the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) is to be held in Tajikistan on 11-12 October this year. The External Affairs Minister Ms.Sushma Swaraj Wil be representing India and to lead the Indian delegation.
      Last year, the CHG meeting was held in Russia, in which also, Sushma led the Indian delegation.This is the second meeting since India along with Pakistan,joined SCO in June 2017.
    PM Narendra Modi led the official delegation to the SCO summit of heads of state in China on June 9th and 10th. India has participated in nearly 12 meetings ever since it joined as a full fledged member.The CHG forum enables India to engage with other member countries and other observers.The meeting will discuss about the development of SCO and share their views on international and regional issues.

Cyclone Titli needs immediate evacuation

Odisha CM orders for immediate evacuation:
    The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mr.Naveen Patnaik, held an urgent meeting over the cyclone Titli on Wednesday in Bubaneshwar.

      The CM has ordered the collectors of the districts,Gangam, puri, khurdha, Kendrapara and jatgsinghpur to take serious actions for immediate evacuation of the people. So far 1000 people have elbeen evacuated from Gopalpur area in Gangam district as the landfall due to cyclone is likely to hit in the early morning of Oct 11.
     The meteorological centre of Bhubaneswar has issued a 3days heavy rainfall warning in the state of Odisha due to the cyclone Titli.
      The Indian meteorological department has stated that the cyclone Titli has formed over west-central Bay of Bengal.This cyclonic storm in wet bay of Bengal  has moved north-northwestwards and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.It is very likely to intensify further during the next 18 hours and move to Odisha coast and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh  between Gopalpur and kalingapatnam.Then it would move towards Gangetic West Bengal and weaken gradually.