PM calls for unity, announces anti-terror measures
New Delhi |
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Chairperson, UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi Visit the J.J.hospital to see the injured during the recent terror attack , in Mumbai on November 27, 2008.
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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the setting up of a Federal Investigating Agency and measures to strengthen maritime and air security in the wake of the terrorist savagery in the country's financial capital Mumbai.
"In the face of this national threat and in the aftermath of this national tragedy, all of us from different political parties must rise above narrow political considerations and stand united. We should work together in the interest of the country at this critical juncture," he said in his opening remarks at an all-party meeting in New Delhi.
Manmohan Singh convened the meeting to take stock of the security situation and ways to strengthen the intelligence machinery in the country following three days and three nights of Mumbai terror that killed 183 and injured over 300. While noting that "several measures are already in place to deal with the situation", he underlined that much more needed to be done "and we are determined to take all necessary measures to overhaul the system".
"We are further strengthening maritime and air security for which measures have been initiated. This will involve the navy, the Coast Guard and the coastal police, as well as the air force and the civil aviation ministry. "The anti-terrorist forces of the country will be further strengthened and streamlined. The National Security Guard (NSG), the principal anti-terrorist force of the country, will be given additional facilities and the size of the force is being augmented. Steps have also been initiated to establish another four NSG hubs in different parts of the country. Additionally, the special forces at the disposal of the centre would be appropriately utilised in counter-insurgency operations."
NSG commandos fought pitched battles against the terrorists, who India says came from Pakistan, after the heavily armed gunmen took control of two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, killed many in cold blood and took many more hostages. Two NSG commandos died in the operation. The government has also finalised a set of legal measures based on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission which includes the setting up of a Federal Investigating Agency, the prime minister told some 20 political leaders from the treasury and opposition benches. Manmohan Singh said that unlike the recent terrorist attacks across the country, the Mumbai nightmare was different in several aspects. Source: IANS
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Children’s Day celebrations
4 November 2008, New Delhi |
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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s 119th birth anniversary and Children’s Day was celebrated by the Embassy on 14 November by the conduct of a Children’s Painting Competition-cum-Exhibition at the D.P. Dhar Hall. On exhibition were over 100 paintings of children from classes I to XI from four schools in Moscow (School 1279 (Tagore School), School 19 (Hindi School), School 1239 (English School) and Embassy of India School). The programme started with floral tributes being paid to the portrait of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru by the Ambassador and Representatives from the various schools. They also spoke on the occasion. Participating Schools also presented dance items during the programme to the utter delight of the guests.
Prizes were given away to the winners of the painting competition by the Ambassador. The judges for the painting competition were Mr. Vasily Zhivotyagov, Painter and Member of the Russian Union of Artists; Mrs. Asha Bhadauria, Secretary of Indian Women’s Association (IWA) and Counsellor (Information) in the Embassy. Children and teachers present on the occasion were also gifted a copy each of the ‘Discover India’ kit in Russian prepared by the XP Division, MEA. The programme ended with a reception. On the occasion of Pandit Nehru’s birthday, flowers were also laid at his busts in the premises of the JNCC and at the Lomonovsky Prospekt in Moscow. |
Commonwealth Games to showcase our youth power
15 October 2008, Hyderabad |
The 2010 Commonwealth Games will see a major show of youth power. The gen next will be seen managing flow of traffic, information kiosks and guiding tourists at heritage sites during the mega event. For the purpose, a 20,000-strong force of volunteers is being roped in from colleges and universities. The Organising committee for the Games has already started a recruitment drive for students, who would be linked to a major ‘Sports Management System’ with data on games, venues and other operations. The tourism and culture ministry is chalking out a ‘learn and earn’ scheme for the youth. As per the plan, about 3,000 students will be imparted a special training in tourism promotion and monument conservation. The students will be deployed at strategic spots during the 15-day long event in the capital. A sports ministry official points out that youth were engaged on a large-scale in the Asiad Games of 1982 but there was no modern technology at that time to co-ordinate their tasks. The forthcomig Commonwealth Games will see modern technology enhancing the use of India ‘s youth power. Nearly 8,000 players from 71 countries will participate in the event to be hosted here in October 2010. |
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Four seasons, seen through ballet performances
On the Cultural side, the Nritya Sabha Foundation, Moscow, a group of Russian dancers who trained in Indian dance schools, presented a Ballet titled ‘Ritu Chakra’ on 11 November depicting the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter in various Indian classical dance styles. The programme was held at the ‘Saad Hermitage’ theatre in Moscow with the Embassy’s support. The presentation began with the traditional lighting of a lamp by H.E. Mr. P.P. Shukla, Ambassador of India. The presentation was widely appreciated.
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Padmashri Dr. Madan Lal Madhu felicitated
The Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre (JNCC) organized a function on 12 November in the Embassy to felicitate Padmashri Dr. Madan Lal Madhu to mark 50 years of his work in Moscow. Dr. Madhu has been in Moscow since 1957 and has translated Russian literature into Hindi. His Hindi translation of the complete works of Pushkin was released during a ceremony at the New Delhi World Book Fair in 2008. Dr. Madhu was awarded the Padmashri Award in 1991, and the Russian Order of Friendship in 2001. H.E. Mr. P.P. Shukla, Ambassador of India honoured Dr. Madhu by presenting him a shawl. Ambassador also congratulated Dr. Madhu and his wife, Mrs. Tatiana Nikolaevna, on the 40th anniversary of their marriage. Dr. Madhu thanked the Embassy and his friends and colleagues of long years for their constant support. A musical performance was held at the end of the programme, and ended with a reception.
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Seminar on language and culture
The Russian State University for Humanities (RSUH) organized a two-day Seminar on 20 and 21 November on “Oriental Languages and Culture” in which participants from several countries presented papers. Mr. Manish Prabhat, Director JNCC spoke on the “Teaching of Hindi in Russia” at the Plenary. The RSUH in one of the leading institutes in Moscow offering Hindi language courses.
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Control room for foreign Missions
Control Room set up in Ministry of External Affairs to assist Indian and Foreign Missions in the wake of terror attacks in Mumbai. In the wake of terror attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, a Control Room (CR) has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to assist Indian and Foreign Missions.
The CR would be manned round – the – clock and may be contacted at the following numbers:
+91 11 2301 5300
+91 11 2301 2113
+91 11 2301 3537
Fax: +91 11 2301 8158
"It was an attack by highly trained and well-armed terrorists targeting our largest city. They came with the explicit aim of killing large numbers of innocent civilians, including foreign visitors. They sought to destroy some of the best known symbols of our commercial capital.
"The ordeal at Mumbai, which occupied the attention of the entire nation, has finally come to an end. All of us share the grief of those who have lost their loved ones in this dastardly and brutal attack and also the pain and anguish of those grievously wounded. We cannot lessen their grief. But we will do all we can to alleviate their suffering. I give you my solemn assurance that we will look after the needs of those who survive this horrible tragedy."
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