Schools help to reduce cracker demand this Diwali

Owing to successful anti-crackers campaign launched by school authorities across metros and other large cities vis-à-vis hazardous affects of firecrackers on health and environment has led to a fall of 20-25 per cent in its sales this Diwali, according to a just-concluded ASSOCHAM survey.
“Many schools across urban India have taken an oath from their students during the morning assembly prayers to discourage children from bursting crackers and enjoy a safe and an eco-friendly Diwali thereby doing their bit to save the planet,” according to a quick survey conducted by The ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF) during over past 25 days.

 

“Though, there has been a general rise of 10-15 per cent in crackers’ prices, the decline in their demand is being majorly attributed to growing awareness amid children who have vowed to abide by their oaths to shun firecrackers,” said Mr D.S. Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM while releasing the chamber’s survey.
The ASDF team interacted with about 150 schools and over 1,000 schoolchildren at 15 prominent cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Pune and Surat with a view to ascertain as to how schools are playing a significant role in discouraging kids against bursting firecrackers that are grossly unsafe and pollute the overall environment. The survey was conducted during October 1-October 30.
Almost all the school authorities said they are carrying out various activities and campaigns to educate and explain to the kids about how bursting crackers is harmful and its ill-effects on health and environment through pictures and visuals, highlighted the ASSOCHAM survey.
Majority of the schools said they have conducted ‘oath ceremonies’ during the morning assembly prayers to dissuade children from using firecrackers in school premises and even while celebrating the festival at home.
The ASSOCHAM team also interacted with about 200 traders, retail and wholesale firecrackers’ dealers to ascertain the market scenario at the aforesaid locations.
Majority of wholesale and retail merchants said that steep rise in crackers’ cost is the primary reason that is keeping the buyers away as many enthusiasts have slashed their budgets and this has lead to a lull in the business as sales have declined by about 25 per cent year-on-year.
“Crackers is the least important thing on the to-buy list of customers, besides the rising inflation has left lesser money in their hands to buy other important household stuff,” said Mr Rawat. “Poor supply due to strict enforcement of fire safety regulations, input price inflation, unabated rise in fuel prices leading to escalating transport charges, labour shortage, rising wages and other such multiple factors are hurting the growth prospects of firecracker industry.”
Growing environmental awareness and restrictions by the local administration together with strict licensing norms are other key factors that have collectively led to a gradual slump in demand-sale of firecrackers during Diwali over the years, complained many traders while responding to the ASSOCHAM survey.
“There has been considerable increase of at least about 15 per cent year-on-year in the cost of crackers across all varieties, besides, many traders even said if such a downtrend continues they would quit the business from next year, in fact many people have quit this seasonal activity because of constant slowdown in the business,” said many shopkeepers and repined that it no longer remained a lucrative business proposition.
 Most of the retailers operating throughout the year in this trade said they rely mostly on wedding season and other auspicious occasion to recover their investments.
Considering that downfall of firecracker sales has been going on for past few years now, many shopkeepers even said they have piles left from last year and thus haven’t really ordered more crackers this year, highlighted the ASSOCHAM survey.
Illegal imports of firecrackers from China are further hurting the profit margins of the industry as they are eating into their share of revenue.
The domestic firecracker industry which as per estimates is worth over Rs 1,500 crore has been constantly grappling for a few years now. The town of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is accounts for over 90 per cent of fireworks production in India with over 9,000 units in both organized and unorganized sectors.

NRIs back Jayalalithaa for PM post

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa has been rated and adjudged as the best person suited for national leadership, according to a poll conducted among NRIs, who also chosen Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the next strong contender for PM post.

In an opinion poll conducted among NRI community, which included managers, engineers and business people, Jayalalithaa was the face of Indian leadership with 86 marks followed by Narendra Modi at 81 and Rahul Gandhi at 53 marks.

The poll was conducted by Dr. Pon Mohaideen Pitchai, an NRI and senior HR and management advisor from Dubai, via e-mail and telephone, mostly with the participants in GCC countries including Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, Australia, Canada, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and also India.

Over 75 per cent of the respondents said that both of them are the best among other available leaders and can be an alternative to fill the current leadership vacuum. The survey compared the leadership levels on various criteria from academic education, experience to leadership skills and mass support.

NRI’s analysis says that Narendra Modi can bring big impact on economic development than Manmohan Singh. He is good in implementing the economic measures. He will turn around the government administration.

“NRI’s were of the view, that, “The nation needs improvement in Infrastructure, health, water and energy. This cannot be achieved without FDI. To have foreign direct investment (FDI), India needs more governance and accountability in government role. Both Narendra Modi and J Jayalalithaa can bring such integrity and accountability. Jayalalithaa has that will power and determination. Definitely J Jayalalithaa has the vision of Lee Kuann Yew of Singapore,” a statement from the poll organisers said.

“Lee has often stated that Singapore’s only natural resources are its people and their strong work ethic. Jayalalithaa can easily follow Lee way. When she took over as CM in 2011, she had set objectives of making Tamil Nadu “Numero Uno” among the Indian states. Her vision of Tamil Nadu 2013, will aim to increase its GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) at a growth rate of 11 percent or more per annum,” it said.

If we look at the competencies of Modi, there are some qualities which makes him apart from others, viz, he is not a caste-based leader, possesses good governance attitudes and skills, very energetic in working towards people’s welfare, clear vision of economic development, can lead the nation towards success through talent development, best communicator, ability to attract people, organizational capabilities, can direct, lead and control an administration, Pitchai said quoting the survey results.

On the other side Jayalalithaa possess some special traits, which make her the strongest contender, he said, adding, “These persona’s are integrity and ethics in administration, clarity of understanding social values and behavior, deep understanding of crucial issues, diplomatic skills, social and economic knowledge that helps in delivering best results, multi-linguistic knowledge to address the whole nation, decisiveness and willingness to make unpopular decisions, good formal education, political skills and sincere concern towards the people’s welfare.”

J Jayalalithaa focuses more on Social Benefits than long term economic measures. Modi was rated 10 on 10 in economic knowledge, whereas Jayalalithaa secured 9. Under the parameters `Mass Support’, `Party Influence’,` Faith in Secular Democracy’ and `Perfectionism’, J Jayalalithaa was rated the best with full 10 marks. Modi has secured full marks of 10 in four factors such as Education, Experience, Perfectionism and Economic knowledge, Rahul Gandhi’s representation has scored only 3 marks in Experience.In ‘Leadership Skills’ Narendra Modi has been awarded 7 marks whereas Selvi J Jayalalithaa is leading with 8 marks.

“Current politicians must mirror youthful ambitions, ideals and aspirations. Otherwise, our country will find itself trapped in the old and obsolete. For progress to come, prosper and continue we need progressive leaders. This survey has been conducted among the NRIs all over the world who with their roots in India know the reality of Indian politics and leadership abilities. It is a representation of the opinion of observers of Indian and International political scenarios, revealing their confidence in Narendra Modi and J Jayalalithaa’s ability,” added Pitchai.

Haryana tops average rural household monthly expenditure

Haryana has ranked on top with highest average rural household monthly expenditure on education worth over Rs 373 during 2004-05 and 2009-10, apex industry body ASSOCHAM said.

“While Odisha has ranked lowest with average rural household monthly expenditure on education worth just about Rs 52,” according to a study titled ‘Evolution of Indian Rural Markets: During 2004-05 to 2009-10,’ conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

“Although we have made great strides in improving India’s education scenario, much ground still needs to be covered as our education system is still plagued by low enrollment rates, lower attendance and retention rates, high teacher absenteeism, irregular classes, poor teaching standards and other related issues,” said D.S. Rawat, national secretary general of ASSOCHAM while releasing the study’s findings. “The government needs to shift its focus on increasing enrollment rates and also reducing school drop-outs in rural areas which is also a significant problem.”  

“Gujarat has clocked massive growth rate of about 126 per cent in rural household monthly expenditure on education across states during the aforesaid period,” according to the study prepared by ASSOCHAM Research Bureau.

Punjab, though ranks second with about Rs 305 worth of average rural household monthly expenditure on education but the state ranks lowest with just about 10 per cent growth rate.

Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are other states where the rural households on an average spend more on education.

While in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Assam average monthly household expenditure on education is low. “This portrays a wide inter-state variation in household expenditure on education,” said Rawat.

Analysing the aspect of growth in household monthly expenditure on education during the five years to 2009-10, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have registered high growth rate between 52-93 per cent.

While household expenditure on education in rural areas increased a lower rate between 17-23 per cent in Assam, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha during the five years after 2004-05, highlighted the ASSOCHAM study.

“There is no dearth of world class quality higher-education institutions in urban centres but the need of the hour is to improve both primary and higher education scenario in rural sector.,” said ASSOCHAM.

Veteran Singer TM Sounderarajan Passes Away

Chennai: Thuguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Sounderarajan, popularly known as TMS passed away on Saturday at his residence after a prolonged illness. He was 91 and survived by his wife and two sons

.

Born in Madurai in a Sourashtra community, he remained a king of playback singer in the Tamil film industry for over six decades. He gave his voice to most of the actors such as M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao, Gemini Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, Jaishankar, Rajkumar, A. Nageswara Rao, Ravi Chandar, Nagesh, Ranjan, Kantha Rao, T S Balayya, Jagayya,Rajani Khanth, Kamal Hasan etc from 1946 till 2007. 

In 2010, he also rendered his voice for the Tamil Semmozhi Meet Anthem which was composed by A. R. Rahman.

Early life

Dr TMS was born in a Sourashtra community in Madurai and was the second son of Meenatchi Iyengar. He was born in prominent prohitham family and his elder brother was great vedic scholar. He had been training his voice since the age of 7. He first learnt carnatic music from Chinnakonda Sarangapani Bhagavathar, a music teacher from Sourashtra High School, Madurai. Later, he learnt carnatic music from Arayakkudi Rajamani Iyengar for two years and started giving stage concerts at the age of 23.The first carnatic musical presentation at SathGuru Samajam,Madurai in the year 1945 with violinist C.R.Mani and Mridangist S.S.VijayaRatnam. He started singing in stage concerts in the voice of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar.

He was married at an early age. he lived in his home at Mandaveli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu till his last breath.

TMS had to really struggle in the beginning to get a breakthrough because he was getting rejected by the music composers and recording technicians because his voice was cracking and showed variation in higher pitches.(Oru Pann-Paattu Sarithiram:Vamanan). Whilst he was working for six months in the house of Sunderlal Natkarni, a director in the Central Studios, hoping to get a chance and the director recommended to S. M. Subbaiah Naidu to give TMS a singing chance. In 1946, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu gave TMS sing five songs in the style of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar for the film of P. V. Narasimha Bharathi starrer Krishna Vijayam, though the songs were noteworthy from 1946, the film was released only in 1950. The hit song was Raathey Ennai Vittu Odathedi and he was paid Rs 625 for that. In the same year 1950, G. Ramanathan made him to sing Annamitta Veettiley for an unknown actor in the film Manthiri Kumari. In 1951 TMS acted and sang Theeraatha Thuyaralley as a beggar in Devagi again by G. Ramanathan. In 1952, Susarla Dakshinamurthi gave TMS sang two duet songs in Valayapathi which are Kulir Thaamarai Poigaiyai Kanden and Kulungidum Poovilellaam both with K. Jamuna Rani. TMS had the opportunity to sing songs which wrote by Bharathidasan.

Even the songs are well received, there was no further chance for TMS. Then TMS came to the HMV studio where K. V. Mahadevan recorded two devotional songs for which he was paid Rs 80. K. V. Mahadevan requested TMS to go seek chance in the AVM Productions which was looking for new voices. TMS sang two songs for the film Chella Pillai. One was solo Podanum Kulla Podanum and the other is a duet with M.S. Rajeswari, Naadu Nadakkira Nadayiley under R.Sudharsanam Master's composition. The film was released only in 1955.These music composers helped and trained the determined and ambitious TMS, who was able to overcome his voice problems to a good degree with time.

In 1954, Maruthakasi recommended TMS to sing in Aruna Pictures Thooku Thookki. Till then C. S. Jayaraman used to sing playback for Sivaji Ganesan and Sivaji doubted the suitability of the voice but TMS was willing to sing three songs free. TMS and Sivaji Ganesan were introduced to each other and in the short conversation TMS studied the voice of Sivaji Ganesan. TMS sang Sundari Soundari and Eratha Malaithaniley, imitating the voice of Sivaji Ganesan to the closest possible. G. Ramanathan who was the music director for this film was so much pleased and gave TMS the chance to sing all the songs for Sivaji Ganesan. All the songs were instant and great hits and TMS became famous overnight.

In the same year, meanwhile T. R. Ramanna and T. R. Rajakumari started the RR Films. As the film Koondukkili was under production stage, TMS was given a chance to sing only chorus. It should be noted that Koondukkili was the only film where MGR and Sivaji acted together. Tanjai Ramayah Dass was very impressed with the golden voice of TMS, and he requested the story and dialogue writer Vindhan to give a chance to sing a full solo. TMS had sung Konjum Kiliyana Pennai under K. V. Mahadevan's composition. That was the first song by TMS for Sivaji Ganesan.

But as the song was recorded MGR heard it, was so much impressed and intended TMS to be his permanent singer. He was used in MGR’s next movie Malaikkallan where TMS sang Ethanai Kaalamthaan Ematruvaar Intha Naattiley written by Tanjai Ramaiyah Dass and composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu.

During this period, TMS got opportunity to sing few films films like Vedan Kannappa, Rishi Sringerand Neela Malai Thirudan

Right from the beginning TMS was excellent for imitating the voices for most of the heroes he sang for. From 1955 onward Sivaji insist for TMS singing for him. Since then, TMS was mainly doing the playback for MGR and Sivaji till the end of 1977 and 1995 respectively.

The first musical concert abroad in Malaysia in the year 1957,then continued all over the world almost 50 years.

He was the most popular male playback singer in south India and the 'uncrowned king' in Tamil film industry for playback singing in 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and also in 1980s.

Source: Wikipedia

China has big stake in India’s growing market: ASSOCHAM

Chinese stake in the growing Indian market is increasing massively and the current annual trade surplus of over USD 40 billion (about Rs 2,22,000 crore) may touch USD 44 billion by at the end of the current year, an ASSOCHAM analysis of the bilateral trade has shown.

Without suggesting for a moment that India should strain its   ties with China, ASSOCHAM said, “It is in the best interest of the two neighbouring countries that their relations improve and are cemented through expanding commercial engagement”.

Expressing confident the two countries would be able to resolve their strategic differences during the visit of Chinese Premier next month, ASSOCHAM said, against its mammoth imports of USD 50 billion from China alone, India’s exports of merchandise goods were far short at USD 12.41 billion during April-February, 2012-13 (the latest disaggregated data) to that country.  For the fiscal 2012-13 as a whole while imports from China may well exceed USD 57 billion while India’s exports to that country may not exceed USD 14 billion.

The trend in the financial year of 2012-13 has more or less followed that of the previous fiscal when China ran a trade surplus of USD 40 billion despite repeated concerns raised by the Indians at the highest level.

“At a time when Chinese economy, like most other economies of the world, is slowing, its exports to India would be of vital interest to the Chinese dispensation. In a way, the economic engagement is the best way to bridge all other differences. China alone accounts for over 11 per cent of India’s total imports making it a high stake commercial interest for the neighbouring country,” ASSOCHAM commented.

Electronics, machinery, precious pearls and other commodities are the principal items of import from China. In the last fiscal (11 months for which disaggregated data is available), of the total imports of USD 141 billion of five top items of imports , China alone accounted for USD 22.80 billion.

When it comes to exports, main items which are shipped to China are petroleum products, transport equipment, machinery and drugs and pharmaceuticals.

In the fiscal 2012-13, the exports to China are estimated to have been lower than that in the previous fiscal.

A large trade imbalance has been a matter of concern and should again be raised at the highest level with the Chinese leadership. The Indian exports of several items, especially drugs and pharmaceuticals face trade barriers in China.

A large-scale dumping of Chinese goods has hurt interest of the Indian businessmen and manufacturers in their own markets. Most of the damage has been done to the small and medium enterprises which find it difficult to compete with the economies of scale from aggressive exporters.  Be it toys, worship idols, lightings, tubes, the Chinese goods are all there.

In the recent past, the Chinese commercial aggression has not limited itself to small and medium scale items, but to heavy engineering. The home-grown PSU and private firms such as BHEL and L and T have suffered a lot at the hands of Chinese power equipment manufacturers. The story is somewhat similar in the telecom gear.

“Net-net, it is more in the interest of the Chinese to stay commercially engaged maintaining the best of strategic and political relations as well, “ASSOCHAM said.

ASSOCHAM Excellence Awards for 40 Institutions

New Delhi: Rai University, Manav Rachna International, NIIT University and VIT University among forty educational institutions across India have been awarded for their exemplary contribution to quality education. 

Giving away the awards at an ASSOCHAM event in New Delhi, Minster of Human Resource Development Dr. M M Pallam Raju said, “The country’s need to improve the gross enrolment ratio in higher education, a lot has been done but a lot more needs to be done.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) awarded 40 institutions for its role to impart quality education for an employable workforce to harness its demographic dividend and to cater the need of industry. 

Dr. Raju awarded Rai University and Manav Rachna International with the prestigious best Award for upcoming universities of the year 2013 in recognition of their immense contribution to the cause of quality education delivery mechanism with emphasis on world-class research and innovations in enhancing the development of quality education, with employability.

In an event organized by ASSOCHAM National Excellence Awards, NIIT University- Rajasthan won the award for best private university in use of technology in teaching-learning practices.

Fore Schools of Management has successfully won the best business school in the year 2013 for developing multiple skills including managerial decision-making, problem solving, analytical reasoning, communications, creativity and innovation.

VIT University, Vellore has bagged the ASSOCHAM best higher education provider of the year for its outstanding contribution in imparting technical education and instilling high patterns of discipline to the students in order to make them technologically skilled and ethically strong.

In addition to this, Delhi School of Business has been appreciated the best institute in use of technology in teaching-learning practices, Best Private university of the year was presented to Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar.

The entire process of evaluation and assessment has been conducted by the Jury with highest tenets of transparency and accountability. The jury members were Surendra Singh, Former Cabinet Secretary, GOI, Prof Sukhdev Thorat, Former Chairman of UGC, Bhartendra Singh Baswan, Former Education Secretary, Ministry of HRD, M N Krishnamani, President Supreme Court Bar Association and  Ritu Beri, Fashion Designer & Philanthropist.

The other speakers present at the award ceremony were Mr. Rajkumar Dhoot, President, ASSOCHAM, Mr. Vinay Rai, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM National Council of Education and D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM.

10,000 Indian Students Unleash Creativity on Windows at AppFest

Over 10,000 students across India joined hands to create 3000 full apps at the Microsoft Student AppFest, a coding event enabling them to develop their ‘dream app’ ideas alongside professional developers using the latest Microsoft technologies.

The Appfest at Saroj Sadan University of Mumbai, Kalina was inaugurated by Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International. 

 Jon DeVaan, Corporate Vice President, Windows Development at Microsoft said, “Developers are at the center of Microsoft’s success. And India is home to some of the world’s most talented developers. We are focused on enabling developers to succeed as they build the next generation of apps. I can’t wait to see some of these apps being built at the Windows Appfest.”

With the participation of 250 students from each college across India, the response amounts to over 60,000 collective hours of coding. An estimated 3,000 full apps were imagined and created during the one-day code-a-thon.

The goal of the event was to ignite the imagination of students from colleges representing the full spectra of Indian academia by offering the chance to design the perfect app with guidance from professional developers. 

Young tech-enthusiasts were given the freedom of casting their app-vision on the latest Windows 8 and Windows Phone platforms; building, designing and testing bespoke apps geared at phones and tablets while receiving guidance and support from Microsoft mentors, trainers and Student Partners to realize their creation.

Speaking at the AppFest Dr. S S Mantha, Chairman, AICTE, said, “Opportunities like these are the game changers in today’s world. These are the skills that the future generations need to understand and learn in a globally collaborative world.”

Dr. Rajan Welukar Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai spoke about the link between both the IT and the education industries, saying, “University of Mumbai is keen in creating competent skills in students as per the need of Government, Industry and other Social Sectors. Conducting workshops on application development for the students by the leading industries thus facilitates them to achieve the expertise required. We are bringing up new specialized courses such as IT infrastructure management in collaboration with industry to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Appfest by Microsoft being conducted across fifty centers in India and being inaugurated here in University of Mumbai will stand as a landmark for achieving the above objectives.”

Participation at the Appfest was from colleges such as IIT Mumbai, Ahmadabad but also saw representatives from a plethora of vibrant academic and engineering colleges from Tier II and Tier III cities.