Sunday, April 05, 2009
	to download high quality photograph for print The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh paying floral tributes to Late Babu Jagjivan Ram on his 102nd Birth Anniversary, at Parliament House, in New Delhi on April 05, 2009. Photo no.CNR - 25683

Tirupati Pilgirims to Cheer;More Facilities.More visits (due thanks WWW.Tirumala.org)

Inauguration of Facilities for Pedestrian Pilgirms

Dr. K.V.Ramanachary, Executive Officer, TTDs has inaugurated the 8 pilgrim waiting compartments in VQC-II along with some pilgrim facilities for the pedestrian pilgrims on the auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami in Tirumala.

Tirumala 3 April (P.R.O) Dr. K.V.Ramanachary, Executive Officer, TTDs has inaugurated the 8 pilgrim waiting compartments in VQC-II along with some pilgrim facilities for the pedestrian pilgrims on the auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami in Tirumala.

Speaking with Media Dr. Ramanachary said that for the benefit of the pedestrian pilgrims, the TTD has arranged counters at Galigopuram in which receipt for darshan of the Lord will be issued for each and every pilgrim. The pilgrim can utilize the free lockers at PAC-II, where free tonsuring and free meal facilities are also available. He further informed that compartment no.13, 14, 15 are earmarked for the pedestrian pilgrims at VQC-II, besides luggage centre, cell phone deposit counters are also arranged for the benefit of the pilgrims. The estimate cost of 8 compartments is Rs.10 crores and the structural portion is of Rs. 7 crores.

He thanked the Sri Satagopan of Mysore and Sri Ravisanna Reddy of Mega soft, Chennai who prepared software for the programme. He also thanked the Engineering Department, EDP Department and others Departments who involved in this project.

TDs Spl Officer Sri A.V.Dharma Reddy, C.V&S.O Sri PVS Ramakrishna, Sri VSB Koteswara Rao, Chief Engineer, Sri Bhaskar, EDP Manager, Sri Jaganmohan Reddy, Exe Engg and others have participated.

G20.MINUTES TO CHERISH.A HISTORIC (THANKS PIB.NIC.IN)

PM’s statement to the press at the conclusion of G-20 Summit
	16:2 IST

Following is the text of statement of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to the press at the conclusion of G-20 Summit at London on April 2nd, 2009: 1. We met in London at a significant moment for the world economy and therefore for the world as a whole. I am grateful to Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the initiative that he has taken to host this second Summit of leaders of the G-20, and for the excellent arrangements that were made for our meetings. 2. The purpose of this Summit meeting was to take forward the search for solutions to the economic crisis facing the global economy today. The world is going though the worst recession since the Great Depression. We have fared much better than others though we are also affected. This is a global crisis requiring global solutions. 3. Earlier today and yesterday evening, we discussed various ways in which the crisis can be addressed. All countries have used monetary policy. An effective fiscal stimulus is also being resorted to by all major economies. There was agreement that credit flows to developing countries also must be restored. There was also agreement that we must tackle the crisis in a way which does not create other problems for the future. For instance, protectionism or restrictions on the free flow of trade and persons would be counter productive. Nor can development be halted or sacrificed in the search for solutions to the financial crisis. Hence the need for special attention to the needs of developing countries. 4. I was happy to note that our views received wide acceptance and support. 5. We emphasised the need to make good the decline that has taken place in capital flows to developing countries by providing adequate resources to the international financial institutions. I am happy to say that the G-20 have agreed to expand the resources of the IMF and the ADB and to also bring forward the quota review in the IMF. The leaders have also agreed to a fresh issue of SDRs. These are positive decisions. Together they involve a massive provision of $ 1.1 trillion tar emerging market economies. India does not need IMF funding but we have been in favour of expanding IMF resources as this will help developing countries that need assistance. It will restore confidence about emerging markets. 6. We also discussed and agreed on broad direction for improvements in regulatory and supervisory structure for the world’s financial system. These will take time to take effect but they are very important. They will be carried forward by the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) and the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision, the two key standard setting bodies. India is now a member of both bodies. Broadening representation in these bodies is an important improvement. The directions of the reform of financial regulation and supervision that have been agreed are in line with our own thinking in India. 7. This meeting has shown the utility of the G-20 Leaders’ process, and we took forward to the next Summit meeting of G-20 leaders in the second half of the year, and to the early implementation of what has been agreed today. There is a continuing need to redefine the role of our institutions of global economic governance to deal with the problems of today and to reflect contemporary realities. 8. As you know, I also had an opportunity to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday, where we reviewed our bilateral relationship and discussed ways of taking India-UK relations forward. India and the UK enjoy a close partnership in diverse fields of human endeavour. We are determined to and confident of carrying this partnership forward. 9. Earlier this afternoon I met with President Barack Obama of the United States of America. This was our first meeting and was marked by exceptional warmth and cordiality. We reviewed our bilateral relations. I thanked President Obama for all that he has done in the US Senate and outside in the past few years to make possible the transformation of India-US relations, and to bring to fruition our civil nuclear initiative. Today we discussed several positive and constructive steps to take the India-US global partnership forward. 10. We discussed regional and global issues, including the threat that terrorism emanating from our nei9hbourhood poses to all free societies, and the international efforts that are required to deal with this problem. We had a significant convergence of views and approaches in this regard. President Obama informed me of the new comprehensive US strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. I welcomed his clear enunciation of the problems and the goals. India will continue to play a constructive role, working to build peace and stability in our periphery. 11. I leave London satisfied that my bilateral and other meetings have been productive and useful, and that the 0-20 Leaders Summit has shown a way forward. The process of overcoming the global crisis will not be easy. Given the goodwill and the meeting of minds among leaders that was possible in London over the last two days, the world has a basis to begin solving the crisis. The international community can and must work together to do so. *** AD

Thanks .DDPL and Macau

Press release

March '2009

CNTO & MGTO organise business lunch to lure Indian tourists to China and Macau

China National Tourist Office (CNTO), New Delhi and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), India jointly organised a business lunch at Le Meridien hotel, New Delhi on March 26, 2009, marking the beginning of the upcoming holiday season. His Excellency Zhang Yan, ambassador of China and Sujit Banerjee, secretary tourism, government of India, were the main guests at the function. SanJeet, general manager, MGTO, gave a welcome speech which was followed by a lamp lighting ceremony by all the top dignitaries that included the Chinese ambassador, the tourism secretary, Alice Wang, director - CNTO, New Delhi. Some eminent personalities present on the occasion were Shahram Saber, regional director - Asia, PATA; Kabir Vasudeva, executive director, PATA; Rajendera Kumar, honourary secretary, FHRAI; Subhash Goel, chairman - tourism committee, ASSOCHAM; PP Khanna, general secretary, ADTOI; Sanjay Kothari, ADG (T), government of India; and Dammu Ravi, private secretary, to the minister of tourism. Moreover, all top travel companies such as Dewan Travels, Carnation Travel Services, Trail Blazer, HRG Sita, Swagatam Tours, Destination Direkt, Travelite (India), Dream Horizons, TUI and Mercury Travels, among others attended the event. Airlines representatives from Cathay Pacific and China Eastern were also present. CNTO and MGTO presentations were followed by a question and answer session, which was followed by a prize distribution ceremony for each respective office. Addressing the gathering, ambassador Zhang Yan said, "The two directors of tourist offices in India have done a fantastic job. Tourism provides fillip to a country's economy and is especially important in the backdrop of current recession. "Quoting World Tourism Organisation report he said that China has maintained its fourth position in tourism in the last four years. "We are the two largest populations of the world attached by ancient cultures and have common boundaries. We see challenges in further developing tourism and China needs to create more variety and packages to attract tourists. I am sure we can together create more opportunities. I also believe that improved tourism exchange will enhance mutual trust," he added. The ambassador also emphasised that Chinese tourism industry should create more avenues for improved traffic from China to India because of its unique culture, exotic land and great food. Expressing his views Sujit Banerjee said, "Both the countries carry a heritage which no country in the world can match. With over 1.3 billion Chinese and 1.1 billion Indian population and our economies growing at nine and eight per cent respectively, the countries can be great source markets for each other. We need to take the two agreements signed on tourism exchange forward in a wider context." The tourism secretary also said that India can learn a great deal from China and Macau in not only developing tourist traffic but also in creating sound tourism infrastructures like hotels. After his speech, Chinese dancers thrilled the audience with a scintillating performance. Meanwhile, Alice Wang, informed, "India figures in the 15th -17th category as a source market for China and we plan to work on special packages and drive India to the top 10 league. We are working closely to promote meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions segment and business travel from India. In 2008, 51.4 million overnight foreign visitors travelled to China out of which four lakh were Indians. There are certain Chinese food items that satisfy the Indian taste for spicy food. Besides, China has a lot to offer from heritage sites to mountains, beaches, rivers and winter sports. "Wang further said, "CNTO will play an important role as non-diplomat and will work closely with the Indian travel industry." Also speaking on the occasion, SanJeet said, "Macau is a melting pot where East meets West. Indians do not need visa to go to Macau. Besides, the one-city destination offers virtually everything an Indian visitor can aspire for; be it vegetarian food, shopping experience, water or adventure sports, entertainment, there is always an option to cater to every taste." He also informed that despite the economic meltdown, the destination registered a growth of 33 per cent in January over the same period last year. In 2008, Macau received 84,000 visitors from India, registering a growth of 85 per cent over 2007. As the members of the travel fraternity were requested to drop their visiting cards in a fish bowl, a lucky draw was taken out and the winners were given away prizes, courtesy CNTO and MGTO. Alice Wang gave the vote of thanks, which was followed by a lunch. Finally, an egg tart box was presented to all the guests who attended the programme.

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For more information please contact SanJeet Email: SanJeet@sanjeet.in Macau Government Tourist Office, India 1110, 11th Floor, Naurang House K.G. Marg, New Delhi - 110001 Phone: 91-11-41669277 www.macautourism.gov.mo

IAF. IST APRIL. REPEAT PERFORMANCE.(THANKS PIB.NIC.IN)

	Wednesday, April 01, 2009
	to download high quality photograph for print The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major with other dignitaries and Crew of the aircraft during the First Operational Flight of the Boeing Business Jets at Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi on April 01, 2009.

Thanks Karnataka GON Info dept.

GOVERNOR EXTENDS RAMANAVAMI GREETINGS

Bangalore, April 1, (Karnataka Information) Governor Sri Rameshwar Thakur his greeted the people of the State on the auspicious occasion of Sri Ramanavami Festival. His message says “I heartily extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Karnataka.

Sri Rama is the personification of supreme wisdom fairness, equanimity, humanity and righteousness. That is how Rama Rajya has come to signify exemplary good governance. Let us strive in all sincerity to follow and imbibe the values that Sri Rama stood for so that we have enlightened citizenry and a good society”.

INCIDENTLY In the name of H.E governor the Rama is hidden what a co-ordination