Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Anand Sharma calls for harnessing opportunities in Mines, Agriculture and Infrastructure Sectors in NIGERIA
New Delhi: January 15, 2010
Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, in his keynote address, at the India-West Africa Business Seminar in Nigeria, has emphasised the strategic relationship between the two countries and called upon the businesses of the region to forge new partnerships. He also stressed on the need for Indian business community to harness the immense opportunities in the mining, metal, energy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors. The seminar was attended by more than 300 business persons from India and Nigeria. Earlier, Shri Sharma along with his Nigerian counterpart also inaugurated the "Made in India" exhibition, with participation from 50 Indian companies. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ECOWAS and FICCI was also signed. The Namaskar Africa 2010 was especially topical since Nigeria is India's largest trading partner in Africa with the overall trade at $ 10.2 billion in 2008-2009. Among other prominent participants were Nigerian Minister of Commerce & Industry and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs besides the President elect of FICCI and President of ECOWAS, the economic grouping of 15 Western African countries.
Shri Sharma also held a bilateral meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Minister Chief Achike Udenwa. Both the ministers discussed the bilateral commercial relations and ways of forging relationship in the areas of agriculture, textile, power, infrastructure and energy. The Nigerian side especially requested the Indian side for assistance in these areas. The important role the Indian Pharmaceutical industry play in the healthcare system in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general was also discussed in detail and duly recognised by the Nigerian Minister.
Shri Sharma later delivered key note address on "Significance of Africa-India Partnership in Emerging World Order" at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), a prominent think-tank on international affairs in Nigeria.
rj/mrs/dk/kol/15:39 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Environment and Forests
CPCSEA National Conference begins today
New Delhi: January 15, 2010
The use of primates in experiments saw a downward trend in 1990 which is reversed today. Inaugurating the National Conference of Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) 2010 here today, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent charge) said, "Recent data shows the use of primates in experimentation is showing upward climb. With the development of Human genome research, activities of commercial establishments and industries and modern methods, there is growing demand of primates in experimentation. But we need not open the floodgates to use animals in experimentation in the name of academic knowledge."Referring to the exhibition organized by InterNICHE, the Minister said," this wonderful exhibition shows what a modern technology can do to bring about a revolution in methods of experimentation. It shows ways of complete transformation in replacement and how modern technology can be used to address the concerns of animal lovers all over the world. Because of international concern, concerns of animal rights activists, civil society organizations, NGOs etc in our own country, we have growing awareness and consciousness in our commitments to use animals."
Talking about reduction, refinement and replacement (theory of RRR), the Minister said, "We are still in the first phase, i.e. reduction phase. We are making tentative steps to enter refinement phase. We must refine our methods, and replace animals in experiments. The Indian culture respect all forms of life, human as well as animal life. We will show respect in use of animals in experimentation. We have great deal of political commitment towards animal welfare." He expressed the hope that India will become pioneer to reduce use of animals in experimentation by adopting non-animal methods of experimentation. Shri Jairam Ramesh appreciated the participation in this conference at individual expenses and said it demonstrates deep commitment for the cause of welfare of animals.
The Minister also released a book titled Standard Operating Procedures for Institutional Animal Ethics Committee(IAEC) published by Animal Welfare Division under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It has been designed to bring out uniformity in the working IAEC so that consistent views are taken while reviewing the proposals entailing use of animals for experimentation. This manual explains in clear and simple terms, the CPCSEA approved procedures and rules position. They look at the methodologies in using small animals for experimentation. It shows codified standard operation procedure to be followed by each of the 1300 Institutional Animal Ethics Committees.
Earlier welcoming all the participants, Shri M F Farooqui, Joint Secretary and Chairman of CPCSEA said this will be a very useful and interesting conference and it will set a trend for everyone to synchronize and harmonize our aspirations in both, development with the need to be kind to animals while dealing with the experimentation on them and lesser use of animals.Referring to the Golden Sach's report, Shri M F Farooqui further said, by the 2050 India would be among the three big economies in the world along with U S A and China. If we go on this hectic path of growth, we will become economic giants in the field of innovations, scientific environment etc., he added. This will require large investment in knowledge economy. He added that the rate of growth is very high in the field of pharmacology, microbiology, plant physiology, agrology, IT fields. This will create a great pressure on us to see that the practices which we follow in these researches are consistent in regard to be concerned and be humane to give minimum possible pain and use lesser number of animals in any experimentation. Referring to our traditional knowledge, the message of non-violence, to the world, our scientific temper documented in the form of the knowledge in Ayurvedas, Siddha and other traditions, he said that we have lost the message somewhere down the line. We need to devise new ways and face the challenge of using fewer animals in experimentation. He said with progress of IT sector in the country and incorporating social and industrial responsibility, we will be able to be humane and kind to animals.
kp/dk/kol/15:39 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Defence
Sagar Parikrama: Mhadei crosses half way mark, Reaches Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, Uk
New Delhi: January 15, 2010
1. INSV Mhadei, with Cdr Dilip Dhonde at the helm completed over 14,000 Nm of voyage and arrived Port Stanley, Falkland Islands today.
2. Cdr Dilip Dhonde had sailed from Christ Church New Zealand on 12 Dec 09 and travelled about 5000 nm (9000 Kms) in the third leg of his voyage.
3. INSV Mhadei, the 56 foot sloop was flagged off from Mumbai on 19 Aug 2009. The Indian Navy's project 'Sagar Parikrama' which literally means 'circumnavigation by sea' in Hindi is the first such attempt by an Indian.
4. This is a feat often compared to conquering of Everest yet ironically one that requires greater mettle and much longer time. It is an exercise that tests the human limits of endurance and tenacity and is a challenge like no other. The perils of the capricious sea and the vagaries of the unpredictable weather in a lonely sailboat become the canvas where this Herculean challenge to the human spirit unravels. So punishing are the demands of an adventure of this magnitude that less than 300 people the world over have succeeded in it till date, with this being the first 'Indian' attempt. On Mhadei, during the voyage, Commander Dilip Donde will cover about 21600 Nms (38,880 kms) under sail.
5. Mhadei is likely to start the next leg of her voyage on 29 Jan 2010. The next port of call and the last en-route halt will be Cape Town, South Africa.
pvs/akr/dk/kol/15:40 hrs.
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment