General Affairs
PM Modi, Smriti Irani To Address Seminar Of Schools Run By RSS-Affiliated Body
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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address principals of senior secondary schools attached to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Vidya Bharti Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan during a seminar to be held later this week, its organisers said today.
During the annual 'Akhil Bhartiya Pracharya Sammelan' or teachers' seminar, PM Modi will address the principals of around 1,300 such schools of the Sansthan on 'Key role of principal in social and academic scenario' on February 12.
Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani will also address the seminar on the same day separately. The seminar will be held between February 11 and February 14.
"Focus of the seminar is that...senior secondary principals are responsible not only for imparting education to students, but their role is important also in the present social hierarchy... The social issues comprise politics, culture and financial policies," said the Sansthan's national secretary Shiv Kumar.
Queried about allegations by opposition parties on "saffronisation" of educational system in the country under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Mr Kumar stressed that schools under the outfit are affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and state boards and follow syllabus set by the two bodies.
To another question, he said the upcoming seminar has "nothing to do" with HRD's new educational policy. Mr Kumar though added the Sansthan has submitted its suggestions to the HRD Ministry on the policy.
In the past, Mr Kumar informed, ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had addressed a similar seminar organised by the Sansthan in 2001.
"Besides, Union Ministers (from non-BJP Governments) too have attended such seminar in the past," he added.
The Sansthan runs 12,363 formal schools, located across the country barring few Union Territories and states like Daman and Diu and Mizoram, he informed.
RSS is the ideological mentor of the BJP.
Mr Kumar was flanked by the Sansthan's All India General Secretary Lalit Bihari Goswami and joint organizational secretary JM Kashipati.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address principals of senior secondary schools attached to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Vidya Bharti Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan during a seminar to be held later this week, its organisers said today.During the annual 'Akhil Bhartiya Pracharya Sammelan' or teachers' seminar, PM Modi will address the principals of around 1,300 such schools of the Sansthan on 'Key role of principal in social and academic scenario' on February 12.
"Focus of the seminar is that...senior secondary principals are responsible not only for imparting education to students, but their role is important also in the present social hierarchy... The social issues comprise politics, culture and financial policies," said the Sansthan's national secretary Shiv Kumar.
Queried about allegations by opposition parties on "saffronisation" of educational system in the country under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Mr Kumar stressed that schools under the outfit are affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and state boards and follow syllabus set by the two bodies.
To another question, he said the upcoming seminar has "nothing to do" with HRD's new educational policy. Mr Kumar though added the Sansthan has submitted its suggestions to the HRD Ministry on the policy.
In the past, Mr Kumar informed, ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had addressed a similar seminar organised by the Sansthan in 2001.
"Besides, Union Ministers (from non-BJP Governments) too have attended such seminar in the past," he added.
The Sansthan runs 12,363 formal schools, located across the country barring few Union Territories and states like Daman and Diu and Mizoram, he informed.
RSS is the ideological mentor of the BJP.
Mr Kumar was flanked by the Sansthan's All India General Secretary Lalit Bihari Goswami and joint organizational secretary JM Kashipati.
BJP Claims Lalu Prasad Flouted Poll Code, Urges Election Commission To Act
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PATNA: BJP today urged the Election Commission to take notice of an alleged comment by RJD president Lalu Prasad in the run-up to Harlakhi bypoll that "only those voting for secular alliance will get pure, tap water".
"This is a threat to voter and violates model code of conduct which is in action in the Harlakhi Assembly constituency of Madhubani district, which would see voting on February 13," BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.
"EC should take notice of Lalu Prasad's comment and act against him for violation of model code," the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council said on the sidelines of 'Janata Darbar' held by him at his official residence.
Incidentally, providing free water through pipe to every household formed a part of "seven resolves" of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar which the secular alliance government has adopted in its programme for good governance.
Mr Prasad had reportedly made the comment that those who voted for secular alliance would get pure tap water and those who voted for BJP would have to drink water from handpump and well at Darbhanga yesterday before leaving for Harlakhi to address election rally in favour of Congress candidate Mohammad Shabir.
The bypoll to Harlakhi was necessitated by the death of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an ally of the BJP, legislator Basant Kushwaha before taking oath.
Referring to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's statement in Vaishali last week that despite urban electorate not voting for him like those in rural parts, his government was working for development of cities and town, he said, "These are examples of verbal threats to people to vote for secular alliance for development".
"This means that around 1.30 crore people who voted for the BJP and NDA in the Bihar elections would be left out of development work of government headed by Nitish Kumar," Mr Sushil Modi said.
PATNA: BJP today urged the Election Commission to take notice of an alleged comment by RJD president Lalu Prasad in the run-up to Harlakhi bypoll that "only those voting for secular alliance will get pure, tap water"."This is a threat to voter and violates model code of conduct which is in action in the Harlakhi Assembly constituency of Madhubani district, which would see voting on February 13," BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.
"EC should take notice of Lalu Prasad's comment and act against him for violation of model code," the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council said on the sidelines of 'Janata Darbar' held by him at his official residence.
Incidentally, providing free water through pipe to every household formed a part of "seven resolves" of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar which the secular alliance government has adopted in its programme for good governance.
Mr Prasad had reportedly made the comment that those who voted for secular alliance would get pure tap water and those who voted for BJP would have to drink water from handpump and well at Darbhanga yesterday before leaving for Harlakhi to address election rally in favour of Congress candidate Mohammad Shabir.
The bypoll to Harlakhi was necessitated by the death of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an ally of the BJP, legislator Basant Kushwaha before taking oath.
Referring to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's statement in Vaishali last week that despite urban electorate not voting for him like those in rural parts, his government was working for development of cities and town, he said, "These are examples of verbal threats to people to vote for secular alliance for development".
"This means that around 1.30 crore people who voted for the BJP and NDA in the Bihar elections would be left out of development work of government headed by Nitish Kumar," Mr Sushil Modi said.
Jammu And Kashmir Governor NN Vohra Meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh
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NEW DELHI: Amid continuing political uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor NN Vohra today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and discussed the way forward in the state which is under central rule.
The Governor briefed the home minister about the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, his meetings with various stake holders in the state and a few administrative issues, official sources said.
They also discussed about the way forward for Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.
Jammu and Kashmir is without an elected government since the demise of the then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7. Mr Sayeed, then PDP patron, had headed a coalition government with BJP for 10 months before his demise.
As neither PDP nor BJP staked claim to form the next government, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state on January 8.
Last week, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had demanded that the Narendra Modi government should create "conducive atmosphere" by committing confidence building measures (CBMs) for the state, failing which she will not form the government with BJP.
Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said that Ms Mehbooba Mufti cannot keep the entire state "guessing" and must form a new government or be bold enough to snap alliance with BJP and face polls.
NEW DELHI: Amid continuing political uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor NN Vohra today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and discussed the way forward in the state which is under central rule.The Governor briefed the home minister about the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, his meetings with various stake holders in the state and a few administrative issues, official sources said.
They also discussed about the way forward for Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.
Jammu and Kashmir is without an elected government since the demise of the then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7. Mr Sayeed, then PDP patron, had headed a coalition government with BJP for 10 months before his demise.
As neither PDP nor BJP staked claim to form the next government, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state on January 8.
Last week, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had demanded that the Narendra Modi government should create "conducive atmosphere" by committing confidence building measures (CBMs) for the state, failing which she will not form the government with BJP.
Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said that Ms Mehbooba Mufti cannot keep the entire state "guessing" and must form a new government or be bold enough to snap alliance with BJP and face polls.
Pollution Breaching Right To Happy Life; Urgent Steps Needed: President
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NEW DELHI: "Distressing" pollution levels in cities have "breached" people's right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.
Addressing a conference, he said climate change has moved centre-stage in policy formulation and its ill-effects are visible in the abnormal behaviour of nature in recent times.
The President said citizens of this country have a right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life.
"This right appears to have been breached by the distressing pollution levels in our cities. Mitigation of the dangers to environment calls for holistic changes whose permanence can only be ensured if people become active participants. Governors can play a catalysing role in such efforts," President Mukherjee said in his inaugural address to a two-day conference of Governors being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The pollution in the national capital and in some other cities across the country has deteriorated in recent time, strongly requiring urgent steps to check it.
The President said with 2015 declared as the warmest year ever in recorded history, climate change has moved centre-stage in policy formulation.
"Its ill-effects are visible in the abnormal behaviour of nature in recent times. The unprecedented floods that submerged Chennai in December last year resulted in untold human suffering and economic loss," he added.
"We must make our disaster management systems more scientific and keep them in a state of preparedness to minimise damage and provide relief when nature's fury strikes," he said.
Twenty-three Governors and two Lt Governors of states and union territories are attending the conference.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and some other ministers are expected to address the conference.
NEW DELHI: "Distressing" pollution levels in cities have "breached" people's right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.Addressing a conference, he said climate change has moved centre-stage in policy formulation and its ill-effects are visible in the abnormal behaviour of nature in recent times.
The President said citizens of this country have a right to lead a healthy, happy and productive life.
"This right appears to have been breached by the distressing pollution levels in our cities. Mitigation of the dangers to environment calls for holistic changes whose permanence can only be ensured if people become active participants. Governors can play a catalysing role in such efforts," President Mukherjee said in his inaugural address to a two-day conference of Governors being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The pollution in the national capital and in some other cities across the country has deteriorated in recent time, strongly requiring urgent steps to check it.
The President said with 2015 declared as the warmest year ever in recorded history, climate change has moved centre-stage in policy formulation.
"Its ill-effects are visible in the abnormal behaviour of nature in recent times. The unprecedented floods that submerged Chennai in December last year resulted in untold human suffering and economic loss," he added.
"We must make our disaster management systems more scientific and keep them in a state of preparedness to minimise damage and provide relief when nature's fury strikes," he said.
Twenty-three Governors and two Lt Governors of states and union territories are attending the conference.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and some other ministers are expected to address the conference.
Kremlin Rebukes Angela Merkel Over Syria Criticism
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MOSCOW: The Kremlin today issued a rare rebuke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel a day after she criticised Russian air strikes in Syria.
In Ankara on Monday, Merkel, referring to air strikes including those carried out by Russia, said "we are horrified in the face of this human suffering."
Her comments represented some of the sharpest criticism yet of Russia's aerial campaign by Merkel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Merkel should carefully watch what she said on the Syrian crisis.
"We once again call on everyone to be very careful and responsible in their choice of words, given the already delicate situation in Syria now and the Syrian settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Despite complaints from the West and the Syrian opposition, Russia had not received any credible evidence of civilian deaths from air strikes, Peskov said.
He also said no voices had been raised in protest against the "barbaric actions of terrorists" when they assaulted Syrian regime forces in the past.
"No one made any statements of this kind at the time," Peskov told reporters.
Syria peace talks were suspended in Switzerland last week as the West and the Syrian opposition accused Moscow of targeting civilians and seeking a military solution to the nearly five-year war.
Asked on Monday whether Russia would press ahead with its bombing campaign in Syria if the peace talks resume, Peskov declined to comment.
Fears mount that Syria's mainstream opposition rebels risk total collapse after a Russian-backed regime advance that severed their main supply line to the city of Aleppo.
MOSCOW: The Kremlin today issued a rare rebuke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel a day after she criticised Russian air strikes in Syria.In Ankara on Monday, Merkel, referring to air strikes including those carried out by Russia, said "we are horrified in the face of this human suffering."
Her comments represented some of the sharpest criticism yet of Russia's aerial campaign by Merkel.
"We once again call on everyone to be very careful and responsible in their choice of words, given the already delicate situation in Syria now and the Syrian settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Despite complaints from the West and the Syrian opposition, Russia had not received any credible evidence of civilian deaths from air strikes, Peskov said.
He also said no voices had been raised in protest against the "barbaric actions of terrorists" when they assaulted Syrian regime forces in the past.
"No one made any statements of this kind at the time," Peskov told reporters.
Syria peace talks were suspended in Switzerland last week as the West and the Syrian opposition accused Moscow of targeting civilians and seeking a military solution to the nearly five-year war.
Asked on Monday whether Russia would press ahead with its bombing campaign in Syria if the peace talks resume, Peskov declined to comment.
Fears mount that Syria's mainstream opposition rebels risk total collapse after a Russian-backed regime advance that severed their main supply line to the city of Aleppo.
Business Affairs
Sensex holds 24,000-mark, but down 266 points; Nifty ends below 7,300 as global rout worsens; IT stocks drag
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Extending losses for the second day, the S&P BSE Sensex shed 266 points but managed to close a tad above its key 24,000 mark in trade on Tuesday, while broader CNX Nifty ended below its key 7,300-mark.
The benchmark indices were dragged by IT stocks after a disappointing quarterly forecast from Cognizant Technology, India's third-biggest software company, while fears of a global slowdown led investors to dump risky assets.
The 30-share index ended the day at 24,020, down 266.44 points, while broad-based 50-share index quoted 7,298, down 89.05 points at close.
Market breadth remained negative with 20 of the 30 Sensex components ending the day in red.
Cognizant forecast its slowest quarterly revenue growth in 14 years, adding to mounting worries about clients keeping a tight lid on technology spending.
"The last bounce from 7200 was bought by a section of investors and now they seem to be selling at higher levels, they're getting justification from the ongoing global selloff," said Arun Kejriwal, founder, Kris Research.
"Economy seems to be bottoming out, but that will at least take one-two quarters to reflect into earnings of the companies," Kejriwal added.
Late on Monday, India reported GDP figures that suggested India's economic growth slowed in the last quarter of 2015, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to expedite stalled reforms in the next session of parliament when it presents its annual budget.
Asian share markets were scorched on Tuesday as stability concerns put a torch to European bank stocks and sent investors stampeding to only the safest of safe-haven assets. Japan's Nikkei posted its biggest daily drop in nearly three years on Tuesday, with banks taking the brunt of the sell-off, while a stronger yen dragged down stocks across the board.
Extending losses for the second day, the S&P BSE Sensex shed 266 points but managed to close a tad above its key 24,000 mark in trade on Tuesday, while broader CNX Nifty ended below its key 7,300-mark.
The benchmark indices were dragged by IT stocks after a disappointing quarterly forecast from Cognizant Technology, India's third-biggest software company, while fears of a global slowdown led investors to dump risky assets.
The 30-share index ended the day at 24,020, down 266.44 points, while broad-based 50-share index quoted 7,298, down 89.05 points at close.
Market breadth remained negative with 20 of the 30 Sensex components ending the day in red.
Cognizant forecast its slowest quarterly revenue growth in 14 years, adding to mounting worries about clients keeping a tight lid on technology spending.
"The last bounce from 7200 was bought by a section of investors and now they seem to be selling at higher levels, they're getting justification from the ongoing global selloff," said Arun Kejriwal, founder, Kris Research.
"Economy seems to be bottoming out, but that will at least take one-two quarters to reflect into earnings of the companies," Kejriwal added.
Late on Monday, India reported GDP figures that suggested India's economic growth slowed in the last quarter of 2015, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to expedite stalled reforms in the next session of parliament when it presents its annual budget.
Asian share markets were scorched on Tuesday as stability concerns put a torch to European bank stocks and sent investors stampeding to only the safest of safe-haven assets. Japan's Nikkei posted its biggest daily drop in nearly three years on Tuesday, with banks taking the brunt of the sell-off, while a stronger yen dragged down stocks across the board.
Gold surges Rs 710 to top Rs 28,000-level, hits one-year high
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Gold prices on Tuesday regained the Rs 28,000-mark by soaring Rs 710 - its biggest single-day surge this year - to trade at its highest level in over one-year on bullish trend in global markets and buying by jewellers.
The precious metal had gained Rs 825 in the last eight days.
Depreciating rupee against the dollar that made the imports costlier and shifting of funds from weakening equity to bullion also supported the upside.
Silver also reclaimed the Rs 37,000-mark by rising whooping Rs 1,180 to Rs 37,230 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.
Bullion traders said sentiment got a boost after gold rallied for an eighth straight day topping USD 1,200 an ounce for the first time since June in global markets as increased concern about the state of the global economy hurt equity markets and boosted demand for safe haven assets.
Globally, gold rose 0.5 per cent to $1,195.66 in Singapore. The metal jumped to $1,200.97 an ounce on Monday, the highest since June 22.
In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity zoomed by Rs 710 each to Rs 28,585 and Rs 28,435 per ten gram respectively, a level last seen on January 21, 2015.
Sovereign followed suit and jumped up by Rs 200 to Rs 22,900 per piece of eight gram.
Following gold rally, silver ready also registered a hefty gain of Rs 1,180 to Rs 37,230 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 1,110 to Rs 37,200 per kg.
Silver coins also spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 53,000 for buying and Rs 54,000 for selling of 100 pieces.
Gold prices on Tuesday regained the Rs 28,000-mark by soaring Rs 710 - its biggest single-day surge this year - to trade at its highest level in over one-year on bullish trend in global markets and buying by jewellers.
The precious metal had gained Rs 825 in the last eight days.
Depreciating rupee against the dollar that made the imports costlier and shifting of funds from weakening equity to bullion also supported the upside.
Silver also reclaimed the Rs 37,000-mark by rising whooping Rs 1,180 to Rs 37,230 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.
Bullion traders said sentiment got a boost after gold rallied for an eighth straight day topping USD 1,200 an ounce for the first time since June in global markets as increased concern about the state of the global economy hurt equity markets and boosted demand for safe haven assets.
Globally, gold rose 0.5 per cent to $1,195.66 in Singapore. The metal jumped to $1,200.97 an ounce on Monday, the highest since June 22.
In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity zoomed by Rs 710 each to Rs 28,585 and Rs 28,435 per ten gram respectively, a level last seen on January 21, 2015.
Sovereign followed suit and jumped up by Rs 200 to Rs 22,900 per piece of eight gram.
Following gold rally, silver ready also registered a hefty gain of Rs 1,180 to Rs 37,230 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 1,110 to Rs 37,200 per kg.
Silver coins also spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 53,000 for buying and Rs 54,000 for selling of 100 pieces.
Sundar Pichai gets $199 million in stock grant, biggest ever given to a Google executive
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Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai now figures in among one of the world's highest-paid executives after search engine's parent company Alphabet Inc awarded him restricted stock worth about $199 million.
According to a regulatory filing by Alphabet, the US-based company awarded Pichai 273,328 Class C Google stock units on February 3.
The valuation is based on the stock's closing price on that date, though subsequent declines in Alphabet shares put the current value at about $182 million.
On the same day, Pichai sold 375 Class A common shares at a price of $786.28 each, and 3,625 Class C capital stock at a price of $768.84 each, the filing said.
The award is the biggest ever given to a Google executive officer whose equity grants have to be reported in filings, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
It is Pichai's first award since taking over the company's highest-grossing unit.
Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai now figures in among one of the world's highest-paid executives after search engine's parent company Alphabet Inc awarded him restricted stock worth about $199 million.
According to a regulatory filing by Alphabet, the US-based company awarded Pichai 273,328 Class C Google stock units on February 3.
The valuation is based on the stock's closing price on that date, though subsequent declines in Alphabet shares put the current value at about $182 million.
On the same day, Pichai sold 375 Class A common shares at a price of $786.28 each, and 3,625 Class C capital stock at a price of $768.84 each, the filing said.
The award is the biggest ever given to a Google executive officer whose equity grants have to be reported in filings, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
It is Pichai's first award since taking over the company's highest-grossing unit.
Aye to Net neutralists but work just begins, says expert
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On Monday afternoon, India's telecom regulator finally put to rest the fiery net neutrality debate in India -- by ruling against zero rating and differential tariffs.
Zero rating lets Airtel users use Facebook, for instance, free of data levies, while charging for access to other services or websites.
This violates net neutrality, which says there should be no differential pricing -- free data for one service, but priced for another -- based on the content or web sites.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has now forbidden such "discriminatory pricing" by whatever name it may be called.
The watchdog's ruling is clear and sharp, and a blow to Facebook's high-stakes Free Basics platform, born as Internet.org, as well as to Airtel Zero and other zero-rating platforms tried out, or planned, by telcos.
The year-long battle between the heavyweights, including telecom giants and Facebook, and a bunch of volunteers under the SaveTheInternet.in banner, was fiery, and seemingly unequal.
Facebook ploughed in an estimated Rs 300 crore into its three-month campaign defending Free Basics. Against it, though, the lone volunteer-activists gradually managed to drum up a great deal of public support.
A spokesman said Facebook was "disappointed with the outcome, but we will continue our efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the internet and the opportunities it brings".
Expectedly, the activists were ecstatic.
"This is a historic outcome," said Kiran Jonnalagadda, a co-founder of the SaveTheInternet.in movement.
"For the first time, India leads where the US and Europe will follow. Many thanks to TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma for backing such an important ruling as his first major act in office."
The TRAI ruling got widespread applause, including from tech association Nasscom, which had given a submission supporting net neutrality. Its Internet council chairman Sanjeev Bikhchandani said the ruling would "help address apprehensions of young start-ups fearing lack of a level playing field."
Entrepreneur Arvind Jha of TiE said the collective power of 7,000 start-ups (whose founders had written to the PMO supporting Net Neutrality) and a dedicated team of volunteers has won over Facebook's ad blitzkrieg running into hundreds of crores of rupees.
So have David and the good guys vanquished Goliath, ending the battle?
The reality may be more nuanced than that. A battle much bigger than activists versus Facebook is up ahead: Providing Internet access to nearly a billion Indians who are offline, or nominally online, today.
First, the nuances.
Facebook is responsible for a great deal of the Internet penetration in India. Of the 300 million mobile users who make up over 90 percent of India's internet base, 56 percent use WhatsApp daily, and 51 percent use Facebook, according to a TNS survey released last October.
So, at least two out of every three Internet users in India use mobile data -- purely to use one or the other of Facebooks apps, including WhatsApp. It would be great to find a net-neutral way to let users access the apps or sites they need to (which may include WhatsApp or Facebook), free, or cheaply.
The Net neutrality movement, and now TRAI, have shot down Free Basics, which would have got Facebook and a few select apps free of data charges to subscribers of one telco (Reliance Communications).
But TRAI hasn't yet suggested what alternatives could be used to provide cheap or free Internet access to the hundreds of millions of mobile users who are unable or unwilling to pay for mobile data.
And no! They don't have access to even wireline broadband.
The watchdog did ask that question in its consultation paper. So we're all hoping it will yet come up with some workable ideas.
There are several options as well.
For instance, letting telecom companies offer a certain amount of free data for all, or using apps like Gigato which allow sponsors to top-up data, free, for prepaid users of specific apps: that recharged data can then be used for accessing any website or app.
Then there's Digital India, which aims to put Wi-Fi into towns and villages, letting smartphone users access the internet free or cheaply.
Former journalist Pierre Fitter puts it well: "Good that all Web content will be treated as equal. Now comes the important bit: making sure everyone can access the Internet."
On Monday afternoon, India's telecom regulator finally put to rest the fiery net neutrality debate in India -- by ruling against zero rating and differential tariffs.
Zero rating lets Airtel users use Facebook, for instance, free of data levies, while charging for access to other services or websites.
This violates net neutrality, which says there should be no differential pricing -- free data for one service, but priced for another -- based on the content or web sites.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has now forbidden such "discriminatory pricing" by whatever name it may be called.
The watchdog's ruling is clear and sharp, and a blow to Facebook's high-stakes Free Basics platform, born as Internet.org, as well as to Airtel Zero and other zero-rating platforms tried out, or planned, by telcos.
The year-long battle between the heavyweights, including telecom giants and Facebook, and a bunch of volunteers under the SaveTheInternet.in banner, was fiery, and seemingly unequal.
Facebook ploughed in an estimated Rs 300 crore into its three-month campaign defending Free Basics. Against it, though, the lone volunteer-activists gradually managed to drum up a great deal of public support.
A spokesman said Facebook was "disappointed with the outcome, but we will continue our efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the internet and the opportunities it brings".
Expectedly, the activists were ecstatic.
"This is a historic outcome," said Kiran Jonnalagadda, a co-founder of the SaveTheInternet.in movement.
"For the first time, India leads where the US and Europe will follow. Many thanks to TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma for backing such an important ruling as his first major act in office."
The TRAI ruling got widespread applause, including from tech association Nasscom, which had given a submission supporting net neutrality. Its Internet council chairman Sanjeev Bikhchandani said the ruling would "help address apprehensions of young start-ups fearing lack of a level playing field."
Entrepreneur Arvind Jha of TiE said the collective power of 7,000 start-ups (whose founders had written to the PMO supporting Net Neutrality) and a dedicated team of volunteers has won over Facebook's ad blitzkrieg running into hundreds of crores of rupees.
So have David and the good guys vanquished Goliath, ending the battle?
The reality may be more nuanced than that. A battle much bigger than activists versus Facebook is up ahead: Providing Internet access to nearly a billion Indians who are offline, or nominally online, today.
First, the nuances.
Facebook is responsible for a great deal of the Internet penetration in India. Of the 300 million mobile users who make up over 90 percent of India's internet base, 56 percent use WhatsApp daily, and 51 percent use Facebook, according to a TNS survey released last October.
So, at least two out of every three Internet users in India use mobile data -- purely to use one or the other of Facebooks apps, including WhatsApp. It would be great to find a net-neutral way to let users access the apps or sites they need to (which may include WhatsApp or Facebook), free, or cheaply.
The Net neutrality movement, and now TRAI, have shot down Free Basics, which would have got Facebook and a few select apps free of data charges to subscribers of one telco (Reliance Communications).
But TRAI hasn't yet suggested what alternatives could be used to provide cheap or free Internet access to the hundreds of millions of mobile users who are unable or unwilling to pay for mobile data.
And no! They don't have access to even wireline broadband.
The watchdog did ask that question in its consultation paper. So we're all hoping it will yet come up with some workable ideas.
There are several options as well.
For instance, letting telecom companies offer a certain amount of free data for all, or using apps like Gigato which allow sponsors to top-up data, free, for prepaid users of specific apps: that recharged data can then be used for accessing any website or app.
Then there's Digital India, which aims to put Wi-Fi into towns and villages, letting smartphone users access the internet free or cheaply.
Former journalist Pierre Fitter puts it well: "Good that all Web content will be treated as equal. Now comes the important bit: making sure everyone can access the Internet."
Air India hikes domestic ticket cancellation charges by Rs 500
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National carrier Air India has revised upward its domestic flight ticket cancellation charges by Rs 500.
After the proposed revised charges come into effect from coming Monday, the government-run carrier would deduct as much as Rs 2,000 in case of "no-show" by a passenger at the time of a domestic flight departure, sources said.
The move comes days after budget airline SpiceJet hiking its ticket cancellation charges to Rs 1,899 from Rs 1,800 earlier.
"Air India currently deducts Rs 1,500 from the ticket cost if passengers decide not to undertake the pre-booked journey. However, it has decided to increase this amount by Rs 500 from February 16," they said.
The airline has already issued the circular with revised charges to travel agents early last week, they said.
Among all the domestic airlines, budget carrier AirAsia India has so far the lowest ticket cancellation charges at Rs 1,502.
National carrier Air India has revised upward its domestic flight ticket cancellation charges by Rs 500.
After the proposed revised charges come into effect from coming Monday, the government-run carrier would deduct as much as Rs 2,000 in case of "no-show" by a passenger at the time of a domestic flight departure, sources said.
The move comes days after budget airline SpiceJet hiking its ticket cancellation charges to Rs 1,899 from Rs 1,800 earlier.
"Air India currently deducts Rs 1,500 from the ticket cost if passengers decide not to undertake the pre-booked journey. However, it has decided to increase this amount by Rs 500 from February 16," they said.
The airline has already issued the circular with revised charges to travel agents early last week, they said.
Among all the domestic airlines, budget carrier AirAsia India has so far the lowest ticket cancellation charges at Rs 1,502.
General Awareness
India plans to eliminate malaria in 11 years, ahead of global target
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The government India and global developmentagencies launch a programme to eliminate malaria in 11 years from the whole world.
Key Highlights
- The malaria elimination program is framed under three categories which is decided by the number of cases annually occurred.
- Malaria elimination is defined as a situation where a given area – district or state – records no indigenous transmission of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium
falciparum, the two parasites responsible for the disease. Once all districts achieve that, a country is said to have eliminated malaria.
- In category-1 states should have one of annual parasite incidence (API) at both state and district levels.
- In category-2 are states where overall API is less than one but in some districts it is more than one.
- Under the category – 3 states where API is more than one at both state and district levels.
- Category-1 states includes Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
- Category-2 states are Nagaland, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, UP and West Bengal.
- Category-3 includes Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli
About Malaria
- Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans which belonging to the Plasmodium type.
- Symptoms of malaria includefever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches.
- Malaria usually begins ten to fifteen days after being bitten.
- There is no vaccine for malaria
- It can be prevented only by medications, mosquito elimination and the prevention of bites.
- WHO target : 2030
- The government India and global developmentagencies launch a programme to eliminate malaria in 11 years from the whole world.Key Highlights
- The malaria elimination program is framed under three categories which is decided by the number of cases annually occurred.
- Malaria elimination is defined as a situation where a given area – district or state – records no indigenous transmission of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium
- In category-1 states should have one of annual parasite incidence (API) at both state and district levels.
- In category-2 are states where overall API is less than one but in some districts it is more than one.
- Under the category – 3 states where API is more than one at both state and district levels.
- Category-1 states includes Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
- Category-2 states are Nagaland, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, UP and West Bengal.
- Category-3 includes Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli
About Malaria- Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans which belonging to the Plasmodium type.
- Symptoms of malaria includefever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches.
- Malaria usually begins ten to fifteen days after being bitten.
- There is no vaccine for malaria
- It can be prevented only by medications, mosquito elimination and the prevention of bites.
- WHO target : 2030
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