Need for urgent action to combat Smuggling and Counterfeiting: K V Thomas

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, May 4: Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof. K.V. Thomas has congratulated FICCI-CASCADE on the initiative to involve children in generating awareness about the problems of counterfeiting and smuggling.

Speaking at the grand finale award ceremony of the five-day long fifth Hum Kishore Festival, Prof Thomas said "as the largest and oldest apex economic chamber and leader in policy thinking and initiatives FICCI can play a key role in creating awareness. The 5th Hum Kishore Festival is an apt and symbolic gesture which will go a long way in creating awareness among consumers.”

The Minister, who presided over the award ceremony said "the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling has risen enormously and is particularly hurting developing countries like India.”

He handed over the prizes and running trophies to the winning students from the participating schools in Delhi and NCR.

The 5th Hum Kishore Festival involved and engaged the youth of the country in the campaign against counterfeit and smuggled goods by creating awareness as to how these problems impact every citizen.

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI-CASCADE stated that, “Counterfeiting is a $ 600 billion a year problem, which has growth over 10,000 per cent in the past two decades. This menace is one of the key contributors towards black money generation, which finds further use in nefarious activities, including terrorism.”

Mr Rajput said “The youth of the country provides an important medium to inform about and also guide the purchasing habits of consumers. This initiative is one of several that will be taken up by FICCI CASCADE to engage the youth in the nation-wide campaign against counterfeit and smuggled goods.”

The five day long festival was held at three centres simultaneously in the National Capital Region, St. Columba’s School, Lancer’s Convent School and the National Centre for Adolescents at Dwarka.

Thousands of students from 100 schools participated in the various events including plays, painting competitions, slogan writing etc. FICCI-CASCADE Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy joined hands with Urivi Vikram Charitable Trust (UVCT) to organize the 5th Hum Kishore Festival.

The annual festival, which takes up different social themes every year, took up “Fight Smuggling and Counterfeiting” as the festival theme for this year.

5th ‘Hum Kishore’ Festival 2012 Inaugurated

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, April 30: The 5th Hum Kishore Festival was today inaugurated at three centres simultaneously in the National Capital Region, St. Columba’s School, Lancer’s Convent School and the National Centre for Adolescents at Dwarka.

FICCI-CASCADE Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy has joined hands with Urivi Vikram Charitable Trust (UVCT) to organize the 5th Hum Kishore Festival. The annual festival, which takes up different social themes every year, will conclude on May 4. The festival theme this year is “Fight Smuggling and Counterfeiting”.

Thousands of students from almost 100 schools in the Delhi NCR region are participating in the festival.

The students highlighted the problem of counterfeit and smuggled goods and their impact on the economy through skits, painting competitions, essays and various other competitions. The competitors will be given attractive cash prizes, take away gifts and running Trophies in 14 events.

The Grand Finale awards ceremony will take place on May 4th at FICCI auditorium.

The 5th Hum Kishore Festival looks to engage the youth of the country and involve them in the campaign against counterfeit and smuggled goods by creating awareness as to how these problems impact every citizen.

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI-CASCADE stated that, “This Committee represents the best possible partnership between government, industry and society. All united towards a common ill.”

He further mentioned that, “Counterfeiting is a $600billion a year problem, which has growth over 10,000 per cent in the past two decades. It impacts all walks of life with share of fake/ counterfeit medicines estimates at 15-20% of the total Indian market, soft drinks at 10% and fake cosmetics, toiletries and packages foods at 10-30%.”

Delhi students to take up cause against counterfeit and smuggling

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, April 27: Students from (NCR) National Capital Region will take part in various competitions organised as a part of the “5th Hum Kishore Festival” with aim of drawing public attention to the dangers posed by patronizing counterfeit and smuggled goods.

FICCI-CASCADE Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy has joined hands with Urivi Vikram Charitable Trust (UVCT) to organize the 5th Hum Kishore Festival. The annual festival, which takes up different social themes every year, will take place from April 30 to May 4. The festival theme this year will be “Fight Smuggling and Counterfeiting”.

Chairman, FICCI-CASCADE, Anil Rajput, informed that thousands of students from 100 schools in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Ghaziabad including schools like St. Columba’s, DPS, Rayan International and others will be joining the festival. As a part of the festival they will debate and highlight the theme through plays, paintings and other forms the theme of the festival.

He said all of us sometimes knowingly or unknowingly buy fake as well as smuggled products. What we don’t realize that every time we do so, we risk our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Further encouraging demand of such goods leads to loss of jobs as well as loss to exchequer.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) took the initiative to dedicate a forum by establishing the Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy (CASCADE) to this cause. FICCI-CASCADE is part of its campaign to create awareness amongst the youth has agreed to join hands with Urivi Vikram Charitable Trust (UVCT) in awakening the youth towards this important social issue.

The 5th Hum Kishore Festival looks to engage the youth of the country and involve them in the campaign against counterfeit and smuggled goods by creating awareness as to how these problems impact every citizen.

Chairman FICCI-CASCADE Anil Rajput said “This Committee represents the best possible partnership between overnment, industry and society. All united towards a common ill.”

He said “Counterfeiting is a $600billion a year problem, which has growth over 10,000 per cent in the past two decades. It impacts all walks of life with share of fake/ counterfeit medicines estimates at 15-20% of the total Indian market, soft drinks at 10% and fake cosmetics, toiletries and packages foods at 10-30%.”

Mr Anil Rajput stated Urivi Vikram Charitable Trust (UVCT), a national level NGO and a registered society, pursuing a mission to strengthen economic and social empowerment of adolescents and young adults, launched the ‘Hum Kishore’ Festival, in the year 2008, to be held annually, with an endeavour to help Gen Next develop into socially responsible & economically productive citizens.

The festival will feature a large number of competitions, like skits, dance, music debate, elocution, painting and other creative disciplines to enable the students to showcase their talents and highlight the menace of counterfeit and fake products in society. The competitors will be given attractive cash prizes, take away gifts and running Trophies in 14 events.

The main venues for the competition include the National Centre for Adolescents at Dwarka, co-hosts St. Columba’s School and Lancer Convent School. The Grand Finale awards ceremony will take place on May 4th at FICCI auditorium. FICCI-CASCADE and Narayana Group of Educational Institutions are the lead sponsors of the Festival.

Beckham's 9-month-old baby offered job

LONDON, April 28: Victoria and David Beckham's daughter Harper has been offered a job to become a brand ambassador of a personalised baby gift company. My1stYears.com has written a letter to the nine-month-old daughter, inviting her to become the face of the the brand, reported Contactmusic.

"Both your parents are fashion icons, and we can see no reason why you shouldn'tstart your own career in the fashion industry even at your young age," the letter read.

"Due to child labour laws we cannot negotiate a contract or salary directly with you, that is why your Mummy and Daddy have been copied in on this letter. We are happy to speak with them about your fee; however, we are prepared to pay you a significant amount to be the face of our new range," the letter further added.

Delhi Festival to Fight Counterfeiting, Fake Goods

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, April 24: To fight counterfeiting and fake goods, FICCI-CASCADE Committee is organizing the five-day 5th Hum Kishore Festival in Delhi NCR from April 30.

The Festival, organized by Urivi Vikram Charitable Trust, would see participation of over 10,000 students from over 100 schools. The festival theme this year is to "Fight counterfeiting and fake goods"

The students will participate in various activities including dance, debate, painting etc to showcase their talents. The competitors will be given attractive cash prizes, take away gifts and running trophies in 14 events.

FICCI-CASCADE Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy and Narayana Group of Educational Institutes are the lead sponsors of the festival.

The main venues for the competitions include National Centre for Adolescents at Dwarka, co-hosts St. Columba's School and Lancer's Convent school. The Grand Finale awards ceremony will take place on May 4th at FICCI Auditorium.

Australian website to help Indian students choose best college

NEW DELHI, April 10: Indian students willing to pursue their studies in Australia will now be able to use a new website, MyUniversity (myuniversity.gov.au), which will assist them in selecting the best university and course.

Launching the website, the Australian Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Senator Chris Evans, said students will now have access to relevant, up-to-date information to help them make the right choices.

Encouraging Indian students to consider studying in Australia, by using the new website, the Australian high commissioner to India, Peter Varghese, said "MyUniversity will help Indian students to make the right choice as part of their overall research in deciding on the best course and institution for them."

Students will be able to compare universities on a range of indicators, including course details, entry scores, results of student satisfaction and graduate destination surveys, student-to-staff ratios, information about access to student services and campus facilities, and employment outcomes.

"Indian students looking to obtain a high quality education through an Australian study experience are now armed with greater information than ever before," added Varghese.

Australia-India Council offers fellowships

NEW DELHI, April 10: The Australia-India Council (AIC) announces the opening of applications for two fellowship programs - Young Media Fellowships & Australian Studies Fellowships.

The Young Media Fellowships program provides career development opportunities in Australia for promising young Indian print and television journalists. The AIC will award three Fellowships in 2012, which will each provide a financial grant of AUD $7,000 (approx Rs 3,15,000) to cover international airfares, domestic travel, accommodation and other expenses. Recipients will spend three to four weeks in Australia researching and writing stories for publication or broadcast in India.

The Australian Studies Fellowship aims to allow Indian scholars of Australian Studies to undertake research in Australia. Applicants must be employed as academic staff or be undertaking research degrees from a recognised Indian University. The awardees will spend up to 10 weeks in Australia between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

The Australian high commissioner to India, Peter Varghese, said, "These two AIC Fellowship Programs provide an excellent opportunity to Indian journalists and scholars to discover and develop a better understanding of contemporary Australia. These programs are designed to encourage long term networks between Indian and Australian journalists and scholars."

"Programs like these promote people-to-people linkages between our two countries and further strengthen the bilateral relationship," he added.

Applications for both the programs close on April 30, 2012.

DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme Announces 30 Winners’ For 2012

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, March 29: The DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme concluded another successful year by announcing 30 winners’ for the year 2012. The decision to double the number of finalists’ from 15 to 30 was taken on account of the large number of applications received, as well as the excellent quality of innovations. The programme received over 800 applications from across India, from sectors as diverse as nano-technology, bio-medical engineering, tele-communications and solar power.

Underlining the programme commitment to enhance the growth and development of India's entrepreneurial economy, The DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme organized pan-India roadshows conducted in 20 cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Bhubaneswar ,Patna, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Kharagpur.

As part of the programme, in depth training on technology commercialization was provided to top 50 innovators during a Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Workshop conducted during March 12-16, 2012 at Goa. In depth market analysis reports were done for the top 50 technology innovations.

Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology stated, “India has been an innovative nation and our people have been at the forefront of development of many path breaking, inclusive and cost effective innovations. There is now a need to commercialize and scale our innovations and the DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme precisely aims to do that”.

Dr. John D. Evans, Corporate Vice President, Technology and Innovation, Lockheed Martin Corporation stated during his address that, “Lockheed Martin is proud to be part of this program for the last 5 years. Through this activity, we have witnessed the impressive innovative capability and spirit in India. This program is one example of how, through partnership, we can use technology and innovation to address the worlds challenges”.

Addressing the audience, Mr. H.K. Mittal, Secretary- Technology Development Board and Advisor & Head- National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board stated “DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme is a unique public private partnership to scale and commercialize innovations that targets inclusive growth and aims to build a congenial eco-system for innovations and innovators to grow.”

Dr. Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director, Indo-US S&T Forum stated that “The DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Program has been helping Indian innovators since last few years to showcase their science and technology led innovations for a wider reach. IIGP has fostered the entrepreneurial spirit in Indian innovators for wealth creation and economic growth. The IUSSTF is very pleased to be partner in this program. The US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund provides an opportunity to joint India-US teams of innovators to commercialize their technologies for societal impact. It is very satisfying to note the high quality of innovative ideas presented this year. I wish success to innovators in commercializing their technologies /ideas.”

Welcoming the guests, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Secretary General, FICCI said “The India Innovation Growth Programme is a unique partnership between the government, industry and academia. It creates an ecosystem for facilitating the birth of new ideas, nurturing them and converting these ideas into high value products and services. FICCI is committed to expand the outreach of the programme to engage more innovators even in smaller cities and ensure that many more innovations are commercially successful”.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Sid Burback, Director, University of Texas, IC2 Institute said “This year’s finalists have demonstrated the depth of world class technology that is being developed in India. We are pleased to continue to take a role in this historic program”.

The India Innovation Growth Programme was launched in March 2007 by Lockheed Martin, FICCI and the University of Texas, IC2 Institute. It was joined by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and the Indo-US S&T Forum November 2008 onwards. The aim of this programme is to accelerate innovative Indian technologies into markets in the United States and around the world. The India Innovation Growth Programme is the only programme of its kind, because of its focus on teaching and using world-class Commercialization strategies. Since its introduction in India, the programme has received an overwhelming response from innovators, inventors, scientists, and researchers working across diverse sectors throughout India.

Australia relaxes student visa regime

MELBOURNE, March 23: Faced with dwindling international enrollments, Australian government has announced a slew of changes to its student visa regime including the doubling of working hours limit.

Also from tomorrow, all visa applicants, regardless of country of origin, applying to study in Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral degrees at participating universities, will be treated as though they are lower risk and will need to submit less evidence in support of their visa application.

From March 26, more flexible work conditions for all student visa holders will be introduced, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, said yesterday.

All students will be entitled to work a maximum of 40 hours over a two-week period, rather than being restricted to 20 hours each week.

Post graduate research visa holders will be entitled to work an unlimited amount of hours per week once their course has commenced, he said.

Welcoming the new rules, Australian High Commissioner to India, Peter Varghese in New Delhi said, "These streamlined visa arrangements recognise the strong record of Australia's universities in attracting high quality students and will not only reduce the complexity of the visa application process but also result in faster processing of student visas."

He said there is a very strong commitment from all sides to ensure these changes lead to a steady and sustainable growth in high-quality Indian student enrollment.