Japanese man ends 6,000km Africa rickshaw trek in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN - A 34-year-old Japanese man arrived in Cape Town to end a more than 6,000-kilometre journey from Kenya to South Africa on foot while pulling a rickshaw.

Yuji "Gump" Suzuki was emotional as he thanked his supporters for their backing during his latest quest which started in the Kenyan capital in July and took him through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

"I couldn't make it without you guys," Suzuki said. "I am running for fun. I have been travelling for nine years already and I get the power from you guys so I give you guys power, too. That's my life."

AFP | RODGER BOSCH

Among his other journeys, Suzuki has already pulled his two-wheeled cart from China to India (2016-2017), for 2,500 kilometres in Europe (2017) and 5,100 kilometres across the United States (2022-2023), according to his website.

His rickshaw weighs more than 100 kilograms.Suzuki wears a version of Japan's traditional tabi socks while on his journeys, which he posts about on social media. Japanese man ends 6,000km Africa rickshaw trek in Cape Town

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Vedanta-Foxconn to set up $20 bn chip factory in Gujarat

Metals to oil conglomerate Vedanta Ltd and Taiwan's Foxconn on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state, to set up a $20 billion (Rs1.54 lakh crore) semiconductor project. The facility consisting of a semiconductor production plant, a display fab unit, and a semiconductor assembling and testing unit, to be set up near Ahmedabad, will be eligible for government subsidies, including on capital expenditure and electricity. 

The plants, which will be set up on a 1000-acre land, will start production in two years, reports quoting Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal said.

Gujarat chief minister Bhupendrabhai Patel said the venture would create more than 100,000 jobs, and the state was prepared to extend any support to the project, which it won in a close race with neighbouring Maharashtra.

Vedanta, which is looking to diversify into chip manufacturing, will finance the project while Foxconn will provide the technology.

The central government has agreed to increase incentives beyond an initial $10 billion proposed for investments in semiconductor manufacturing, as it aims to become a key player in the global supply chain for chips.

Semiconductor chips, or microchips, are essential inputs of many digital consumer products - from cars to mobile phones and ATM cards. The Indian semiconductor market was valued at $27.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of nearly 19 per cent to reach $64 billion in 2026.

A massive shortage in the semiconductor supply chain last year affected many industries, including electronics and automotive, as none of these chips is manufactured in India.

To cut dependence on imports from nations like Taiwan and China, the government brought a fiscal incentive scheme for manufacturing semiconductors in the country. Vedanta-Foxconn is one of the successful applicants for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductors.Besides Vedanta’s Gujarat facility, an international consortium ISMC and Singapore-based IGSS Ventures are setting up plants in the southern states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Source: u

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Rs.550 crore given for alternate medicine systems: Azad

New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) More than Rs.550 crore have been given to various states for establishing centres for alternate medicine like homeopathy and ayurveda as part of the National Rural Health Mission, union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Friday. For mainstreaming of alternate systems of medicine under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), grants-in-aid amounting to more than Rs.550 crore have been given to the state and Union Territory governments, Azad said, addressing a function here. The money would be used for establishment of new facilities of homeopathy, ayurveda, siddha and unani streams of medicine in 803 primary health centres, 113 community health centres and 24 district hospitals, and for upgradation of 379 such hospitals and 415 dispensaries. “We have a pluralistic healthcare delivery system, where the government provides opportunities to every recognised medical system to develop and be practised, with a view to provide integrated and holistic healthcare,” he said. “We are open to patronising best practices and proven standards for the benefit of the people. That is why naturopathy is also a recognised system in India,” he said. State governments like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have recognised naturopathy. Azad said India had incorporated traditional medical services in the public health delivery system since the 1960s. Source: Dainik-Disha

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Reliance divests ETV Channels investments to TV18 Broadcast Limited

Media News Line: Mumbai: RIL today announced that a part of the interest owned by it in the ETV Channels is being divested to TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18). As a part of the deal, Infotel Broad Band Services Limited (“Infotel”), a subsidiary of RIL, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with TV18 and Network18 Media and Investments Limited (Network18) for preferential access to all their content for distribution through the 4G Broadband Network being set up by it. As per the Memorandum of Understanding, Infotel shall have preferential access to (i) the content of all the media and web properties of Network 18 and its associates and (ii) programming and digital content of all the broadcasting channels of TV18 and its associates on a first right basis as a most preferred customer. Infotel is setting up a pan India world class 4th Generation Broadband Network using state of the art technologies. Infotel expects to take a leadership position in content distribution through broadband technology through a host of devices. Digital content from entertainment, news, sports, music, weather, education and other genres will be a key driver to increase consumption of broadband. RIL, through investments of about Rs.2600 crores, by its group companies, currently holds interest in various ETV Channels being operated and managed by Eenadu Group viz. (i) 100% economic interest in regional news channels, namely ETV Uttar Pradesh, ETV Madhya Pradesh, ETV Rajasthan, ETV Bihar and ETV Urdu channel (“News Channels”) (ii) 100% economic interest in ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Gujarati and ETV Oriya (“Entertainment Channels”) and (iii) 49% economic interest in ETV Telugu and ETV Telugu News (“Telugu Channels”). A part of the above investments comprising of 100% interest in News Channels, 50% interest in Entertainment Channels and 24.50% interest in Telugu Channels is being profitably divested to TV18 Broadcast Limited. Network18 and TV18 have today announced that both the companies are raising funds for the acquisition of ETV Channels through a Rights Issue. Independent Media Trust (“Trust”), a trust set up for the benefit of Reliance Industries Limited, has agreed to fund the Promoters of Network 18 and TV18 to enable them to subscribe to the proposed Rights Issue announced by both the companies today. The Promoter Companies of Network18 and TV18 and the Trust have entered into a Term Sheet under which the Trust would be subscribing to the Optionally Convertible Debentures to be issued by the Promoter Companies. Reliance will leverage its deep understanding of the Indian markets - consumer insights, technological expertise, and the ability to build & manage scale - to make this a “win win” partnership. This will create value and be accretive to the shareholders of RIL. Source: Media News Line

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Salman suggests Charity Competition

Bollywood’s ‘Tiger’ Salman Khan holds the belief that people should compete for doing charity. Salman said, “I feel there should be competition in this area (doing charity). I am sure everyone would be doing charity. I think everyone should open a charitable trust and then see where it reaches…to what level.” Salman who himself has started a charitable trust called ‘Being Human’ Foundation spoke about the inflow of it’s funds. “We do offer help to those whoneed money for education, cancer and ailments. From the industry Sanjay Dutt, Karan Johar have donated something. But we are not taking any help as such… money is coming from clothing (from the stores).” Salman owns stores of his clothing line ‘Being Human’ in Belgium, France, Middle East and Spain. Salman officially launched the flagship store for ‘Being Human’ in Mumbai on January 17. Prior to this two exclusive brand outlets were soft-launched in Mumbai and one each in Ludhiana and Ahmedabad. Source: Bollywood3

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Out of 421 GCs passing out of IMA

Gentlemen Cadets (GC) from the country passing out at this year’s Indian Military Academy (IMA) parade on December 8, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum share with a total of 76 GCs coming from the most populous state of the country.The demographic statistics of GCs passing out of 131 regular and other parallel courses released by the IMA today had Uttar Pradesh topping the list followed by Haryana with 50 GCs. Uttarakhand stands third with 46 GCs (10.92 per cent). The youth of the small hill state of Uttarakhand with a population of over 1 crore have shown excellent results in terms of its representation in the academy in recent years.There are 30 GCs from Maharashtra, 25 from Rajasthan, 23 from Madhya Pradesh, 22 from Himachal Pradesh, 20 each from Punjab and Delhi and 11 from Kerala. Similarly, 14 GCs from the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir will pass out whereas four GCs are from the terror-infested Manipur in the North-East. Nagaland and Tripura have one GC each. There are 10 GCs from West Bengal and 13 GCs each from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Five GCs are from Tamil Nadu and nine are from the southern state of Karnataka.The Union Territory of Chandigarh has four GCs. Jharkhand too has five GCs. Five GCs are from Gujarat, four are from Assam, two from Chattisgarh, five GCs are from Orissa and two GCs from Meghalaya. Among other highlights of the parade, there is one GC from Nepal who has opted to join the Indian Army. According to the Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty, Nepalese citizens can be absorbed as commissioned officers in the Indian Army. Source: Atrashastra, Image: photobucket.com

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Modi Sworn in Gujarat CM for 4th time

Ahmedabad: Narendra Modi, who led the BJP to an emphatic victory in the assembly elections, was today sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister for the fourth time. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Kamla Beniwal at an impressive ceremony at Sardar Patel Stadium. Modi was sworn in along with seven ministers of Cabinet rank and nine Ministers of State. Nitin Patel, Anandi Patel, Raman Vora, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Saurabh Patel, Ganpat Vasawa, Babhbhai Bokhiariya took oath as Cabinet ministers, while Purshottam Solanki, Parbat Patel, Vasuben Trivedi, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Liladhar Vaghela, Rajnikant Patel, Govind Patel, Nanubhai Vanani and Jayanti Kavadiya took oath as Ministers of State. A galaxy of top BJP leaders and those of its allies were present. Those in attendance included BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, senior leader L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, party's leaders in the Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Raman Singh. The presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, added grist to speculation about a possible realignment of her AIADMK with BJP led NDA. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, RPI leader Ramdas Athawale were also present. As expected, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been keeping distance from Modi, as also his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, were conspicuous by their absence. However, Bihar BJP president C P Thakur attended the ceremony. Modi's mother Heeraben, who was also present, was seen flashing the victory sign. Modi greeted all prominent leaders present at the ceremony before taking oath in Gujarati amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Victory be to mother India).Source: ITVNews, Image: photobucket.com

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‘Best of Luck Nikki’, Shruti Seth and Cyrus Broacha unveil India’s 1st Disney branded Jet Airways plane

Disney Channel India, the number one entertainment destination for kids and families in India, and Jet Airways unveiled a Disney-themed aircraft wrapped with images of Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto at Mumbai International Airport today. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse joined the ceremony to unveil the colorful aircraft that marks the culmination of Disney Channel’s ‘Jet Set Go’ Campaign. The Boeing 737-800 from the fleet of Jet Airways, India’s premiere international airline, will be in the air beginning July 10th. Mickey and Minnie were joined by the entire cast of Disney Channel’s popular locally produced shows – ‘Best of Luck Nikki’, ‘Suite Life of Karan and Kabir’ and ‘Art Attack’. The stars congratulated the 37 winning kids and their families who were headed for one of the Happiest Places on Earth: Hong Kong Disneyland Resort! “At the heart of Disney DNA is our passion for telling the world’s best stories and providing unique experiences for kids and families. Jet Set Go is one such initiative which has seen a phenomenal response from all corners of the country,” said Vijay Subramaniam, Executive Director – Disney Kids Network, Disney UTV. The Disney Channel’s ‘Jet Set Go’ campaign generated a record-breaking 6 million entries that were submitted from all over India,Vishakhapatnam (Andhra including Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Pradesh), Bareilly (U.P.), Surat (Gujarat), Hisar (Harayana), Bhubaneshwar along with Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Jaipur, Pune and Kolkata. 37 winning families were awarded the grand prize of an all-expense paid trip to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort where they will be able to meet all of their favorite characters. "We're delighted to welcome the 37 winning families tothe Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and help make their dreams come true with magical Disney experiences. They'll be joining the growing number of Guests who visit from India. In the 2011 fiscal year, the Resort experienced an 8% increase in Guests from India over the previous year, with over 70% indicating the intention to revisit in the future,” said Wendy Chu, Director, Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “We believe these numbers will continue to grow as the Resort continues to expand, with the launch of Grizzly Gulch on July 14 and the debut of Mystic Point in 2013, we’re eager to continue working with Disney Channel India to put imagination in action and create memorable moments for all our Indian Guests.” “Jet Airways is delighted to collaborate with Disney through this unique opportunity to deliver a creative and memorable experience to kids and their families. Exterior aircraft branding creates a bold visual impact for all airport guests and personnel. We are happy to see the results and will look for more opportunities to create unique experiences for JetKids in the future,” said Mr. Manish Dureja, Vice President, Marketing - Jet Airways. LAST UPDATED ( FRIDAY, 20 JULY 2012 06:20 )‘Source: Page3

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Maruti to spend Rs4,000cr on new plant at Mehsana

Domain-B: Maruti Suzuki India said today that it will set up a new manufacturing facility at Mehsana in Gujarat at a cost of Rs4,000 crore. The factory is expected to be up and running by 2015-16. The new plant will be set up in phases, with a capacity of 250,000 units in the first phase. Further expansion will be based on market demand, with a capacity to produce two million units envisaged. Maruti said in a statement that it had ''signed state support agreement (SSA) with the government of Gujarat for purchase of land near Mehsana to set up an all-new manufacturing facility''. The Gujarat government has allocated around 700 acres for the proposed plant, it added.  ''This land purchase by the company is in line with long term management view on expansion of its manufacturing facilities in India to meet future market demand,'' Maruti said. Based on demand, the manufacturing facility near Mehsana will be added to the company's existing plants at Gurgaon and Manesar in Haryana, it added. Although widely known as simply Maruti, the company is 54.2 per cent owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. The company on Friday reported a 5 per cent fall in its monthly vehicles sales for May compared to the same period last year. Source: Domain-B

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Sunita Williams heading back to space again

Washington: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams is all set to return to the International Space Station, where she spent a record six months in 2006. Daughter of an Indian American father from Gujarat and a Slovenian mother, Williams is currently making final preparations for a July 14 launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to a NASA announcement. She will be a flight engineer on the station's Expedition 32 with Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency and Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. On reaching the space station she will take over as commander of Expedition 33. Williams and her colleagues will be aboard the station during an exceptionally busy period that includes two spacewalks, the arrival of Japanese, US commercial and Russian resupply vehicles, and an increasingly faster pace of scientific research, the US space agency said. Williams is the second woman of Indian heritage to have been selected by NASA for a space mission after Kalpana Chawla and the second astronaut of Slovenian heritage after Ronald M Sega. She holds three records for female space travellers: longest spaceflight (195 days), number of spacewalks (four), and total time spent on spacewalks (29 hours and 17 minutes). A 1987 graduate of the US Naval Academy, Williams served in various roles as a Navy officer before being selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1998. She received a master's degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995. Source: News Bullet, ***

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GIPL develops smart phone based surveillance, tracking system

Ahmedabad, State-run Gujarat Info Petro Limited (GIPL) has developed an unique software based system for smart phone enabled surveillance and tracking, finding diverse applications in sectors like forest and agriculture. This system will be of great help in conservation of endangered spices of Asiatic lions (in Gir) and other flora-fauna found in forests of Gujarat. "We have developed an unique MIS system on GIS base for surveillance and tracking. It can be run on a windows operated mobile phone to identify exact location of the trouble prone areas in dense forests," GIPL CEO Vijay Sharma said. "The system which updates the server over the air (OTR), eradicates the need for physical filing of data on a computer, and can also conduct digital surveys of the agricultural fields," he said. Management Information System (MIS), till now has been confined to laptop and desktop usage. It is widely used by the industry as a ERP solution, for effectively managing the organisations. Superimposing, MIS data on Geographic Information System (GIS), for quick referencing had been a challenge so far for the ICT sector. "A forest beat guard armed with such a software driven mobile phone can help check acts of poaching, fire, tree cutting, encroachments on forest land, by clicking a picture of the site and sending it through SMS to the server," he said."The moment a picture (with the location, longitude and latitude) lands on the server an alert is generated to the concerned person and rescue teams can be rushed to the exact spot in very short time," Sharma said, explaining how the system operates. "Using the GPS feature the location of forest beat guard can also be tracked, through PDA (smart phone) based mobile surveillance system, so that the forest department can keep an eye on whether they are performing their duties or not," Sharma said. GIPL, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the state run Gujarat State Petroleum Corportation (GSPC). The company has developed the technology for Gujarat Forest Department.The company is in the process of developing a system based on similar technology for the Gujarat Seed Certificate Corporation that would help in conducting surveys of the agricultural fields. "We are developing a system for the state Seed Certificate Corporation that would help in surveying the field area and also help estimate its potential yield," Sharma said. The states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharasthra have evinced interest in adopting this mobile based invention for surveillance and tracking. The company recently bagged the best innovation award instituted by state ICT body Gujarat Electronics and Software Industries Association (GESIA). The project has been supported by the Gujarat's Forest Department.  Source: Indian Express

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Custom Jeans to launch Custom Junior early next year

Launched in 1994, Custom Jeans is a product infused with creativity and innovation. The brand stands out in the denim category for its innovations. The collection initially was more basic and sober but now it has been changed to designer wear. Building upon the success, Custom now plans to launch a denim line for kids early next year. It would also introduce fashion pants and a limited collection of identical denims called Papas and Boys jeans in January 2012. Amit Tanna, Director, Shreeji Works, makers of Custom Jeans explains, “I have always had the urge to make denim for juniors, to fulfill my dream, Custom Junior will be launched at the January 2012 garment fair. Right now we are manufacturing a limited range, which we will introduce in the markets that accept our brand.” Apart from the garment fair, they plan to hold road shows in Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai. They also plan to use existing distributors of Custom Jeans to distribute the kids’ range. Read Full Story At Fashion United

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Grass with Gandhi’s blood to be auctioned in UK

Grass with a drop of Mahatma Gandhi’s blood and soil from the place where he was assassinated in 1948 in New Delhi are among the rare items to be put up for auction in the UK on April 17. Other items include a pair of Gandhi’s round-rimmed glasses, a ‘charkha’, a 10 inch 78 RPM Columbia disc of Gandhi giving his spiritual message signed by him, and original photographs of Gandhi visiting London in 1931. The items, along with letters in English by Gandhi to Raghavan, Sgt NER Poduwal in Rangoon, and letters by Gandhi in Gujarati and a prayer book in Gujarati are expected to fetch nearly 100,000 pounds in the auction conducted by Mullock’s in Shropshire. The highest guide price — 10,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds — has been set by the auctioneer for three items in the collection: the pair of glasses, ‘charkha’ and a casket containing the soil and blades of grass from the spot where Gandhi was killed. The soil and blades of grass were collected by one P P Nambiar, who describes the samples in a provenance, and are placed in a small wooden casket containing a small glass topped box. The description of the item says: “The casket comes with a letter of provenance by P P Nambiar dated September 24th, 1996 saying that the recipient..has today received the most sacred of all relics a fraction of the pinch of soil I collected on January 30, 1948 from the spot where the Father of our nation M K Gandhi fell to the bullets of his assassin.” Mullock’s says that the item is also accompanied by a copy of ‘True but never heard before’ by P P Nambiar, which is a personal account of collecting the soil sample on the day Gandhi was murdered. It quotes Nambiar’s words...”in my search I found a drop of blood on the grass almost dried”. Image Link Flickr, Source: Indian Express

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Mahavir Jayanti

The most significant of all Jain festivals, Mahavir Jayanti rejoices the birth anniversary of Vardhaman Mahavir, the originator of Jainism and the 24th tirthankar (spiritual guru) of the faith. Mahavir was born sometime in the 7th century BC, and his birth anniversary is celebrated with much dedication at Jain temples across the country. Shrines and temples are decorated with
flags for the event, and on the day of the festival, the idol of the tirthankar is given a ceremony bath before being taken out, ensconced in a cradle, in a grand pageant. The tradition of donating money, food and clothing to the poor is also a vital feature of celebrating Mahavir Jayanti. Important Jain shrines such as Sri Mahavirji in Rajasthan; Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat; Parasnath Temple (Kolkata) and Pawapuri in Bihar host major celebrations to mark Mahavir Jayanti. ***

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Uninor offers RED FM channels across India on mobile

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By: Swati Arya, Patna: Uninor has announced a first of its kind tie up with RED FM powered by Hungama Mobile, to bring the radio experience in various languages for its customers. The tie-up will enable Uninor customers to enjoy a wholesome music experience, in their preferred language from their hometown radio station, now easily accessible on mobile handsets, for example a Gujarati in Bangalore can listen to the RED FM of Ahmedabad or a Bengali in Mumbai can listen to the Kolkata radio Station. Customers can avail this Value Added Service by simply dialing toll free number 55935 from their Uninor number. The customers can access 8 RED FM stations from across the country for a maximum charge of Rs 10 for a week with usage upto 100 minutes. Customers will enjoy nonstop music without any advertisement breaks. The service would be easily available at different pocket friendly subscription charges from Rs 10 to Re.1 bundled with free minutes of music streaming. Read Full: Uninor offers RED FM channels across India on mobile ***

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Fish, serpents, birds take off in Gujarat’s kite festival

News Leaks, By Mohammed Anas: Huge colourful fish, serpents, birds and superheroes weaved intricate patterns in the sky as around 300 enthusiasts from the country and abroad took part in Gujarat’s International Kite Festival that is fast becoming a major tourism event. The kite festival has given the kite industry of Gujarat a boost of a whopping Rs.175 crore, said an official. This year enthusiasts came from 24 countries and nine Indian states. While it gives the participants a platform, the local kite flyers have emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the international festival. “Gujarat is emerging as the hub of kite flying,” said Vipul Mitra, Principal Secretary in Tourism department. According to the figures, the kite industry had a turnover of more than Rs.100 crore. “A survey in 2007 showed the kite industry crossed the turnover of Rs.100 crore,” Gujarat Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said. Based on the survey’s projection, the turn over of the kite industry, which is basically a cottage industry, is now around Rs.175 crore, said an official from the tourism department. “Over 60 thousand people are employed in this industry,” said Mitra. The local flyers have benefited from this festival, Chairman of Ahmedabad Kite Foundation Ujal I. Shah said. “When international artists come here, we learn from their models, and they are impressed with our kites as well, which are economic to make,” he said. Indian kites are characterized with sharp thread, which is coated with glass powder to cut the thread of other kites, something unknown to people from abroad. “We want our traditional kites to be promoted,” added Shah. The international kite festival was started in Gujarat in 1989, it was publicised by Gujarat government since last few years. Source: News Leaks

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Air India flights hit as pilots take mass sick leave

Cash-strapped national carrier Air India seems to be headed for another showdown with its pilots over alleged non-payment of their salaries and allowances. A section of the airline's pilots called in sick this morning, affecting flight operations in Delhi and Mumbai. Operations in Kolkata and Chennai are said to be normal so far. At least 14 Air India flights scheduled to depart from Delhi have been cancelled and two have been delayed so far after 18 pilots called in sick in Delhi. Another eight eight flights to Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Leh, Bangalore, Bagdogra, Amritsar and Kolkata were cancelled after 12 pilots reported sick in Mumbai this morning. "We have clubbed the early morning flight to the above destinations with the flights operating later in the day," an Air India official said. Protesting non-payment of their salary and allowances, a section of Air India pilots had on Friday decided to go on a "no-pay-no-work" agitation from midnight Friday. Source: domain-b.com, Image: flickr.com

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Bosch to invest Rs2,200 crore in India in two years

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Auto components maker Robert Bosch plans to invest Rs2,200 crore in India in the next two years to enhance its production capacity and to develop new technologies for the domestic market. Bosch achieved sales of Rs11,000 crore in 2011. It said the investment was in line with its strategy to increase the focus on localising its products and maintaining a growth of  20 - 21 per cent over the coming years in India. Further, Bosch announced it would invest Rs140 crore to support research activities at universities in India in the next 10 years. "Between 2012 and 2013, the Bosch Group plans to invest some 22 billion rupees (Rs2,200 crore) in India. Most of these funds will go into further expanding our local activities," Bosch Automotive Group chairman Bernd Bohr told reporters. He added a major portion of the investment would go towards increasing the production capacities of its existing facilities located in Nashik, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. "As Asia's emerging economies develop, demand for small, low-cost vehicles will continue to grow. In response to this trend, we continue to focus our efforts on developing affordable technologies that meet local needs," he said. Source: domain-b.com : Bosch to invest Rs2,200 crore in India in two years

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Gir forest officials observe "human behaviour" among lions

News Track India: Gir, (ANI): Forest officials in Gir have observed rare behavioural pattern in a pride of Asiatic lions, exhibiting characteristics similar to humans. Two adult male lions seem to rule 32 felines, keeping a close eye on the sub-adults. The two adult lions guarded the group, which ideally comprises of one to three adult females, their cubs and sub-adults. They move around the forest and assume the role of protectors to father the other lions. In an interesting observation, these lions express their feelings just like humans, with a large display of emotions and inter-personal bonding forming the highlight of their day- to-day behavioural pattern. According to a forest official, as the male lion starts growing up, his family chases him to venture out and form his own pride. "There is a rule in the case of lions and according to this rule, once the male cub grows, then he has to leave his group and then only does breeding happen. We have also observed that a male cub sits separately, 14 lions sit in a group and two male adult lions who are the rulers sit separately," said Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Conservator, Gir Forest, Gujarat. Due to joint efforts of the state government as well as forest authorities, there has been a substantial increase in the population of lions in Gir. The pride of 32 lions in the forest is the largest pride to be ruled by two male adults. The Gir forest is one of the renowned wildlife sanctuaries in the country as it is home to Asiatic lions, which can only be found here. (ANI), Source: News Track India, Image: flickr.com

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Gujarat Tourism To Take Amitabh Bachchan Ads Overseas

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Easy Destination Blog: Gujarat tourism has decided to take ad campaign featuring Amitabh Bachchan overseas. Ever since the launch of "Khushboo Gujarat Ki" campaign, Gujarat tourism has posted  very  strong  growth.  The

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campaign was launched in October 2010 acorss India. Among first destinations promoted by Amitabh Bachchan was Gir National Park, that saw huge surge in tourists thanks to the ad campaign. Several other  places

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were promoted following that including Gandhi Circuit, Kutch and the Somnath    Temple.   The    third    stage    of   campaign   will   feature   more

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destinations like Saputara, the only hill station in Gujarat. The success of the campaign has made Gujarat tourism to take the campaign global. Gujarat tourism  officials  confirmed   this  during  the  Travel  Agents  Association  of

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India, annual award show. Gujarat tourism was honored with the award of best tourism department in India beating Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The state tourism  department  has  take  several  steps  like  organizing  events,

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festivals, tourism  fairs and road shows in several cities across the world to promote Gujarat. Tourism Secretary of Gujarat, Vipul Mitra told that tourism growth  of  Gujarat  is 14 per cent  over  the  past  one  year.  The  majority  of

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growth from domestic sector was made possible by the Amitabh Bachchan. Its worth noting that Congress party  slammed  Mr  Bachchan  for  promoting

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Gujarat tourism.But  today thanks to him, thousands of tourism jobs have been created in the state. Source: Easy Destination Blog

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