Our petition has gathered over 88,000 signatures

Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 12:43 PM
We have a long fight ahead. But we will win

Photo courtesy Facebook

Dear Rector,
Yesterday was a sad day as we woke up to the heartbreaking news of the death of the 23-year-old medical student who was subject to a brutal gang rape, beaten and then dumped on the road on the night of December 16. 
Today, we share the same feelings of sorrow, hopelessness, anger and frustration. Yet, I believe that while this is a time for grief, this is also a time for action. This is a time to say: enough. 
Our petition has gathered over 88,000 signatures. It is important to make every voice count and to send a strong message that we will not continue to tolerate sexual violence against women. 
Tomorrow, at 10 am, I am going to the office of Justice J.S. Verma who is the head of a three-person committee that will submit its findings and recommendations on issues of safety of women. I will be submitting our petition with all the signatures (yes, all 2,700+ pages!). 

It is important to keep this campaign going. I am writing to you once again to request you to sign this petition and forward this email to your friends and family.

The Justice Verma Commission is accepting submissions until January 5. We don't have a lot of time. If you would like to make additional suggestions, please leave a comment as 'reasons for signing this petition'. I will be collecting all the comments and submitting them to the committee.

We have a long fight ahead. But we will win. 

With warm regards,

Namita Bhandare via Change.org
A letter from Namita Bhandare 
PS:  Help us reach out to more people by forwarding this email to your friends or share it on Twitter and Facebook.

Daughter Delight

Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 10:31 PM//12/20/2012 10:55 AM CST

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Richard Winstead hugs his daughter during a homecoming celebration on Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, Nov. 17, 2012. Winstead is assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 141, which completed a deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
(Dod) Daughter Delight

The amphibious assault ship

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), foreground, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), center, and the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), all assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG), steam in formation in the Atlantic Ocean Dec. 10, 2012. The Iwo Jima ARG was under way conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Scott Youngblood, U.S. Navy/Released)                         12/10/2012

CMC Charismas Camp Fire

Another colorful presentation by CMC artists

Ludhiana,16th December, 2012 (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) The CMC family celebrated Christmas with good cheer and religious fervor. The high point of all the Institutional Christmas Programs was the “CHRISTMAS CAMP-FIRE” held in CMC Children’s Park on the evening of Sunday the 16th of December 2012 witnessing a gathering of about 1400 people including staff and their families joined by friends and well wishers of CMCH.

The items included singing of Christmas Carols by choirs, and choreography by small children. The neighboring churches i.e. the Orthodox Chruch, Marthoma Chruch and CNI Chruch also participated in the programs. Christmas message was delivered by Rev. Darbara Singh of CNI Kalvari Chruch, Ludhiana.

The dignitaries present included Director, Dr.Abraham G Thomas, Associate Director, Dr.Kim Mammen, Medical Superintendent Dr.Kanwal Masih, General Superintendent Mr.Ashley Isaiah.

The Director in his address greeted the gathering and wished everyone A Merry Chrismas and a blessed new year. 
CMC Chrismas Fire-2012 Ludhiana

DOD Clarifies Post-secondary Education Expectations

12/06/2012 02:09 PM CST

By Amaani Lyle American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 - The Defense Department has issued new policy guidelines intended to provide better protection for members of the military and veterans who seek tuition assistance for post-secondary degrees. The department's revised voluntary education partnership policy specifies the expectations and agreements that colleges, universities and technical schools must adhere to in order to receive DOD underwriting, said Carolyn Baker, chief of voluntary education for DOD's military community family and policy office. The guidelines, part of a new memorandum of understanding, "ensure certain protections for military members [so] that they have a quality education," she added. Tuition assistance is a benefit available to Guardsmen, reservists, active duty members and veterans allowing a degree from a Department of Education-accredited college or university. To receive it, participating institutions must sign the MOU, and provide the student with clear information about financial procedures, course information and graduation rates. "[The MOU] protects service members in providing them with information so a service member can make a wise choice as to the institution [they attend]," Baker said. "We ask that all institutions provide service members with an education plan that states [course requirements] and evaluates credits earned at other schools [so] the service member can move forward and actually obtain their degree." The new guidelines clarify oversight, enforcement, and accountability for educational institutions receiving military tuition assistance, Baker said. Currently about 2,000 institutions participate in the tuition assistance program and Baker said she encourages more to do the same. The overall initiative supports the executive order establishing the President's "Principles of Excellence," Baker said. Those were issued in response to reports of aggressive and deceptive targeting of service members, veterans, and their families by some educational institutions after the Post-9/11 GI Bill became law. The guidelines pertain only to institutions accepting Title 4 funding, Baker said.

Related Sites: DOD News Release DOD Memorandum of Understanding Related Articles: DOD to Improve Voluntary Education Safeguards

Dhaka to hand wanted separatist leader to India

Despite trade disputes and water-sharing spats, the two South Asian neighbours made remarkable strides in security co-operation in recent years.
By Shahriar Sharif for Khabar South Asia in Dhaka
October 20, 2012

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) member scans a stretch of the India-Bangladesh border August 13th on the outskirts of Agartala in India's northeastern state of Tripura. The two nations are finalising an extradition treaty allowing each to turn over wanted criminals and terrorists. [Jayanta Dey/Reuters]

Bangladesh and India are drawing closer to inking an extradition treaty that would formally enable them to hand over wanted criminals and terrorists sheltering in their respective countries. The home secretaries of India and Bangladesh held two days of talks in Dhaka Monday and Tuesday (October 15th-16th) to share final drafts of the long-awaited treaty.

But even without such formal mechanisms and despite their differences on many other fronts, the two neighbours have shown a willingness to co-operate on certain security issues because violence has affected both countries so deeply.

In late September, more than two weeks before the latest round of extradition talks, Bangladesh announced it planned to hand over wanted separatist leader Anup Chetia, who has been languishing in a Bangladeshi prison for more than a decade.

"We are going to repatriate Anup Chetia by this December, and the process has already started," Bangladesh Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir recently confirmed to Khabar South Asia.

Leader of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), Chetia was arrested in Dhaka in 1997 and sentenced in 2000 to five years in prison for illegal entry and possession of fake passports. He has remained in custody in Bangladesh ever since.

A member of the Indian delegation attending the recent talks in Dhaka voiced his country's pleasure at the decision.

"We are happy with the proactive attitude of Bangladesh towards countering terrorism in this region," Shambhu Singh, joint secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, told Khabar. It has finally agreed to hand over Anup Chetia to us by the end of 2012 and sought some time to finalise and sign the extradition treaty with India."

Even if the treaty is not signed by December due to technical and legal complications, Chetia's transfer could well go ahead via an informal mechanism.

He could be released along the border and immediately picked up by the Indian Border Security force (BSF) members, who would be alerted beforehand by Bangladesh authorities.

This unwritten formula has been applied in the past two years to more than two dozen wanted terrorists handed over to the authorities in both countries.

To reciprocate Dhaka's gesture, New Delhi expressed its willingness to deal with Bangladeshi fugitives living in India.

"We're also working to catch the criminals and will take appropriate action," BSF chief U. K. Bansal told reporters in Dhaka last month after meeting his Bangladesh counterpart.

Bangladesh has particularly sought the extradition of Risaldar Moslehuddin and Captain Majed, both believed to be hiding in India. In 1998 they were sentenced to death in absentia along with ten others for murdering Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founder and father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Although bilateral disputes over trade tariffs, border issues and water sharing remain unresolved, Dhaka and New Delhi have made considerable progress in fighting terrorism.

"Terrorism is not an India or Bangladesh problem. It is now an issue afflicting the entire South Asia and even the world," Mohiuddin Ahmed, a former diplomat, told Khabar.

"It is in their own self-interest that they have come together to fight the menace, despite the fact that they have not been able to resolve some major bilateral issues."

Another area where the two countries have made some progress is in fighting drug smuggling. In recent times, India, acceding to Bangladesh's request, has dismantled many illegal factories along its border manufacturing Phensedyl, a syrup widely used as an intoxicant by Bangladeshi youth.

"We gave them a list of 79 illegal Phensedyl manufacturing factories across the border last year and India has dismantled most of them," Mohammad Iqbal, Director General of Narcotics Control Department, told Khabar.

He said this year another list of 62 such factories has been given to Indian authorities, who promised to take action.

"Their co-operation has really helped us a lot to crack down on Phensedyl use among the youth largely because the smuggling of the syrup has been drastically reduced," Iqbal told Khabar.

Chandan Das in Jamshedpur contributed to this article.

Dhaka to hand wanted separatist leader to India 

India Offers for Turkmenistan

To Build IT and Educational Infrastructure 
On the second day of his two day visit to Turkmenistan, the Minister for Communications & IT Sh Mr. Kapil Sibal held bilateral discussions with the leaders of Turkmenistan in-charge of Education/IT and Transport/Communications. 

In his meeting with Mr. Sapardurdy Toyliev, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers of Education and Information Technologies, Sh Sibal reiterated India’s support in building infrastructure for providing better education through ICT application and services. Promising to provide technology and capacity building initiatives, Mr. Sibal offered India’s help in setting up an Educational Satellite which will be inter -connected to National Knowledge Network through which professors from top Indian Universities can deliver direct lectures to Turkmenistan students. 

Offering, the low cost tablet “AKASH” to Turkmenistan students, Sh Sibal said a joint venture between Indian and Turkmenistan companies can be formed which may manufacture the low cost tablet in India. Indian side will design the necessary hardware and software of the tablet fulfilling the needs of Turkmenistan. Besides supplying the low cost tablet to Turkmenistan , the joint venture Company can market the product to other International markets too. 

During the meeting, Sh Sibal also offered India’s help in setting up International Schools in Turkmenistan. Central Board of Secondary Education International (CBSEI) schools may be set up in Turkmenistan where students can be imparted education by Indian teachers who may be deputed from India to Turkmenistan for this purpose. 

In his reply, Mr. Sapardurdy Toyliev suggested taking forward these ideas for mutual cooperation through experts of both sides who can met in the near future to work out the modalities. 

Sh Sibal also met Mr. Rozymyrat Seyitkulyev, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on Transport & Communication. He said India can help Turkmenistan in setting up its Satellite system, OFC network, GPS network for navigation for Shipping Industry etc. Mr. Bayramgeldi Ovezov, Minister of Communications was also present in the meeting.(PIB) 19-September-2012 12:05 IST 

******

Joint Press Communique

Ministry of Defence, Republic of India and
The Ministry of National Defence, People's Republic of China
At the invitation of Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony, General Liang Guanglie, State Councillor and Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China is on an official visit to the Republic of India from 02 to 06 September,2012.

Defence Minister Liang and his delegation visited Mumbai and Delhi. He inspected a Guard of Honour at South Block, New Delhi.

The two Defence Ministers had an extensive exchange of views on defence and military exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed the regional security situation and international issues of common interest and concern. Both Ministers agreed that expanding bilateral cooperation between the Defence Ministries and Armed Forces of India and China helps enhance mutual trust, deepens friendship and promotes comprehensive development of the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. The two Defence Ministers agreed to work together to enhance mutual trust in the security field and continue to maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas. They noted that the leaders of India and China have designated 2012 as the Year of India-China Friendship and Cooperation.

The two Ministers reached the following consensus on defence and military exchanges and cooperation to be conducted in 2012 and beyond:

(a) Strengthen high level exchanges between the two Defence Ministries and the Armed Forces of both sides. The Chinese side invited the Defence Minister of India to visit China in 2013. RakshaMantri thanked the Chinese Defence Minister for the invitation and conveyed that the timing of his visit could be settled through diplomatic channels.

(b) Promote exchange of visits by personnel at different levels and in various fields.

(c) Establish a mechanism for exchange of visits by young officers from the Armed Forces of both sides.

(d) Conduct the next round of joint military exercises at the earliest.

(e) Strengthen border security cooperation between the border troops of the two sides so as to enhance and maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas.

(f) Strengthen exchanges in personnel training, academic research and between educational institutions of the Armed Forces of both sides.

(g) Promote port calls by naval ships of the two sides and conduct joint maritime search and rescue exercises.

(h) Further enhance and strengthen cooperation between the Naval forces of both sides, in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.

(i) Work together to maintain peace and stability of the Asia- Pacific region.

The Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie called on Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

The Minister of National Defence, People's Republic of China, General Liang expressed appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended by the Ministry of Defence, Republic of India during the visit. (PIB)   05-September-2012 11:52 IST

An operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan

Combined Force Arrests Suspected Taliban Explosives DealerCompiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2012 - An Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a suspected Taliban explosives dealer during an operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The detained explosives dealer is believed to be responsible for
coordinating the purchase and transfer of explosives and other bomb-making equipment for Taliban insurgents throughout the region, officials said.

Prior to his arrest, the suspect had acquired several components for building homemade bombs, officials said.

The Afghan special operations unit also detained three other suspected insurgents and seized more than 40 pounds of illegal narcotics as a result of this operation.

In another Afghanistan operation today, a combined force arrested a suspected Taliban IED expert, detained several other suspects and seized military uniforms, firearms and explosives in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The arrested IED expert is believed to be a leading figure in the movement and provision of explosives for attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces throughout eastern Nangarhar province.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Shabeer, a Haqqani network leader, following a Sept. 2 precision airstrike in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. Shabeer was believed to have been coordinating a high-profile attack using vehicle-borne bombs and other weapons. A post-strike assessment determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized Afghan army uniforms, an assault rifle and IED components during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized a firearm during a search for a Taliban leader in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents in Logar's Pul-e Alam district.

In Sept. 2 operations:

-- In the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province, International Security Assistance Force troops found and destroyed 1,190 pounds of wet and dry opium and detained four people.

-- During a search for a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province, a combined force killed multiple insurgents and seized an 82 mm recoilless rifle.

-- A coalition airstrike killed multiple armed insurgents during an operation in Logar's Pul-e Alam district.

Also on Sept. 2, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the Aug. 30 arrest of a Taliban insurgent in the Hisarak district of Nangarhar province. The insurgent is accused of using his status as a member of the Afghan National Police to conduct a May attack that killed two coalition service members. Prior to his capture, officials said, he was attempting to join the Afghan army.

In Sept. 1 operations:

-- A combined force killed an insurgent, detained numerous suspects and destroyed an explosives and weapons cache during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- In the Wali Muhammad Shahid Khugyani district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader.

-- A combined force detained numerous suspects during a search for a Taliban bomb maker in the Washer district of Helmand province.

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

The Governance and taxation structure

   Punjab needs to fundamentally change-PPP A meeting of the Sanjha Morcha was held this morning at the residence of former Chief Minister S. Surjit Singh Barnala.

     The decision of Government of Punjab to impose punitive and savage taxes on the people of Punjab was discussed threadbare. The Sanjha Morcha is of the considered view that Punjab needs to fundamentally change the governance and taxation structure.

      It was felt that the piecemeal imposition of taxes is not a solution to the debt and deficit faced by the Government. It only distorts the economy and makes it uncompetitive while burdening the common man with unconscious able taxes

        Punjab needs a political solution to come out of this economic mess. It was also felt that before imposition of taxes, Government of Punjab must decrease its lavish and unproductive expenditure base.

        Therefore, it was decided that a memorandum will be presented by the leadership of Sanjha Morcha to the Hon. Governor on 14th September, 2012 requesting him to ask the Government of Punjab to withdraw these taxes immediately failing which it was decided to launch a Jail Bharo agitation on the lines of call given by the Morcha at the Barsi of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. The Morcha activists will court arrest at all district headquarters on 21st of September, 2012. We will build an “Andolan” on this issue as we feel that there are more taxes in the pipeline.

      Insofar as the call given by the Congress Party to join their Dharna, it was felt that the time is too short for us to be a part of this Dharna. However, we are thankful to the Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh for this invite and view this step as a development in the struggle to build up consensus against the anti people policies of the Punjab Government.

       Besides S. Manpreet Singh Badal, President of the Peoples’ Party of Punjab, the meeting was attended by S. Gurpreet Singh Bhati, Senior Vice President, Shri Bhagwant Mann, Sh. Abhey Singh Sandhu, S. Kuldip Singh Dhose of the PPP and Dr.  Joginder Dyal and Bant Singh Brar of CPI and Com. Charan Singh Virdi, Ranbir Singh Virk and Vijay Mishra of CPI(M). Smt. Surjit Kaur Barnala , S. Gaganjit Singh Barnala with S. Baldev Singh Mann represented SAD (Longowal), said Arunjot Singh Sodhi spokesman PPP.

Qaddafi's Female Bodyguards | Official Trailer

Urgent Appeal to Media and Press in the North east

Appeal on behalf of the north east community

                                                                                                                                                              Courtesy photo

This is an urgent appeal on behalf of the north east community living in Bangalore and other cities outside of the north east. As you are aware the situation in many cities has been tense fuelled by rumours of potential violence as well as stray incidents, which have resulted in many people leaving these states and returning to their respective homes in Assam and elsewhere.

As the trains start arriving in Assam and elsewhere there will be an urge to interview people to get a sense of what has been happening and we fear that some of thee stories may be based not on facts but on hearsay and rumour. We urge the media to exercise refrain in the way they carry the stories. The reality of the situation in Bangalore for instance is that community leaders and representatives from the north east and the Muslim community have been hard at work to build trust between these communities and restore peace here. If there any backlash that takes place in Assam as a result of the stories that are carried there is a danger of there being repercussions in cities like Bangalore.

We urge the media to be aware of the important role that they have in trying to bring back trust within all the communities and report without sensationalizing anything which could be used by troublemakers. The media in the north east has played a very vital role in promoting democratic values and ensuring the safety and security of people and we hope that at this critical hour all of you will join hands in promoting a more peaceful and stable future.

Friends and members of the north east community in Bangalore. (Courtesy:kracktivist)

Social Media Networking Sites being Misused

Home Minister Expresses Concern  

Union Home Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde has expressed concern to his Pakistani counterpart over the issue of social media-networking sites being misused by elements based in Pakistan to circulate false pictures and stories so as to whip up communal sentiments in India and has sought Pakistan’s full cooperation in checking and neutralizing such elements. Shri Shinde expressed these views when Mr. Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan spoke to him today over telephone. This was the first direct contact between the two Ministers.

Shri Shinde thanked Mr. Malik and conveyed his Eid wishes to him and the people of Pakistan. The Union Home Minister expressed the hope that the occasion would herald an improvement in Indo-Pak relations.

The Interior Minister of Pakistan briefly spoke of the pending issues between the two Ministries and re-iterated his commitment to bring the masterminds and perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack to justice. He assured full mutual cooperation in this matter. Mr. Rehman Malik also invited Shri Shinde to visit Pakistan to sign the revised Visa agreement which has now been agreed to by both sides.

Both concluded the discussion by agreeing to continue the mutual cooperation and to work towards rooting out terrorism in all its form and manifestation.(PIB)  19-August-2012 1

Social Media Networking Sites being Misused

Home Minister Expresses Concern  

Union Home Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde has expressed concern to his Pakistani counterpart over the issue of social media-networking sites being misused by elements based in Pakistan to circulate false pictures and stories so as to whip up communal sentiments in India and has sought Pakistan’s full cooperation in checking and neutralizing such elements. Shri Shinde expressed these views when Mr. Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan spoke to him today over telephone. This was the first direct contact between the two Ministers.

Shri Shinde thanked Mr. Malik and conveyed his Eid wishes to him and the people of Pakistan. The Union Home Minister expressed the hope that the occasion would herald an improvement in Indo-Pak relations.

The Interior Minister of Pakistan briefly spoke of the pending issues between the two Ministries and re-iterated his commitment to bring the masterminds and perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack to justice. He assured full mutual cooperation in this matter. Mr. Rehman Malik also invited Shri Shinde to visit Pakistan to sign the revised Visa agreement which has now been agreed to by both sides.

Both concluded the discussion by agreeing to continue the mutual cooperation and to work towards rooting out terrorism in all its form and manifestation.(PIB)  19-August-2012 16:29 IST

London Olympic Bronze Medal winner

The President felicitates Smt. Mary Kom 

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee felicitates Smt. Mary Kom, the London Olympic Bronze Medal winner in Women’s Flyweight Boxing, at a function, in New Delhi on August 18, 2012.

(PIB photo) 18-August-2012

Sports Ministry Felicitate Heroes of London Olympics 2012

Heroes of London Olympics 2012

Presents Special Cash Awards to Medal Winners 

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports felicitated heroes of London Olympics 2012 at a function organized at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here today. Six medal winners namely, Mr Sushil Kumar, Mr Vijay Kumar, Mr Gagan Narang, Ms Saina Nehwal, Ms M C Mary Kom and Mr Yogeshwar Dutt  along with their parents and 47 Athletes  and 17 Indian and foreign Coaches who participated at recently concluded London Olympics 2012 were  the special guests at today’s function. Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports presided over the felicitation ceremony, which was attended by  representatives of Indian Olympics Association, National Sports Federations, officials of the Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India ( SAI). More than 2000 young sports persons of  “COME & PLAY SCHEME” of  SAI and children from several schools added colours to the ceremony.
           At the function, six young talented sports persons of “Come & Play Scheme” presented cheques of Special Cash Awards to each of medal winners of London Olympics, 2012. The Cheques of cash award of Rs. 30 Lakh each to two Silver medal winners, namely, Mr Sushil Kumar and Mr Vijay Kumar and of Rs. 20 Lakh each to four Bronze Medal winners, namely, Mr Gagan Narang, Ms Saina Nehwal, Ms M C Mary Kom and Mr Yogeshwar Dutt were given away under the “Scheme of Special Award to Medal winners in international Sports events” of the Sports Ministry.
           After the felicitation function, six medal winners along with rest of members of Indian contingent to London Olympics  and more than 2000 young sports persons of “Come & Play Scheme” and school children marched to Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate  and paid the floral tributes to the martyrs.
           While speaking earlier at felicitation ceremony , Shri Ajay Maken, lauded the athletes and their coaches for their extra ordinary performance at London Olympics. Keeping in view, best results achieved under “OPEX London 2012” ,Shri Makan announced that a programme on similar lines “OPEX Olympics -2020” would be launched  with a target to get 25 Medals.  As a part of the programme, all athletes would be provided international and domestic exposure, foreign coaching and other infrastructural facilities, he added.
Brief Achievements of Medal Winners at London Olympics are as follows:-
a) SUSHIL KUMAR
India's star grappler Sushil Kumar won the men's 66kg freestyle category silver in the London Olympics.
Sushil thrashed Akzhurek Tanatarov of Kazakhastan 9-6 in the semifinals to become first India wrestler to reach the final of Olympic.  After taking 3-0 lead in the first round, Sushil was down by his opponent in the second round. However, the Indian wrestler fought back to score 6 points in the final round, finishing with the score of 9-6 at London's Riverbank Arena.  Sushil had earlier defeated Ikhtiyor Navruzov of Uzbekistan in his quarterfinal bout.  Sushil Kumar won his opening bout against Ramazan Sahin of Turkey, who had won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
(b) VIJAY KUMAR
Army sharp shooter Vijay Kumar fought a nerve-wracking battle with five other top marksmen to clinch the silver medal in the men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event at the Olympic Games.
Vijay Kumar beat back the challenge of world champion Alexei Klimov of Russia, Chinese duo of Ding Feng and Zhang Jian and German Christian Reitz in the 40-shot final to finish runner-up in a thrilling finale behind Cuba's Leuris Pupo who shot his way to the gold with a world record equalling score of 34.
The 26-year-old Army subedar from Himachal Pradesh found the target 30 times out of 40 attempts in the series comprising eight rounds of five shots each.
(c)  GAGAN NARANG
Opening the medals account for India, Gagan Narang won the country its first medal in the London Olympics 2012. Narang bagged a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle event.
Narang has won numerous medals in the ISSF World Cups, World Championship, Commonwealth Games and the ASIAD, besides creating a new world record in 2008.
(d) SAINA NEHWAL
    Saina Nehwal gave India its maiden medal in Olympic Games badminton .
    Her opponent  folded up with a dodgy knee after leading 21-18, 1-0, but Saina was on the threshold of entering the zone from where she might have dominated this bronze playoff, getting her tiring opponent to play long rallies, even as she stumbled, slipped and asked for water breaks.
(e) MARY KOM
India's star woman boxer MC Mary Kom, fivetime world champion ensured a piece of history for herself and the country by fetching a bronze in the flyweight 51kg category.

"Magnificent Mary", from Manipur,   was the lone Indian in fray when women's boxing made

its Olympic debut in the London Games.
(f) YOGESHWAR  DUTT
Yogeshwar Dutt put up a brilliant display of powerpacked freestyle wrestling in the Olympic Games and won a bronze medal.
The 29-year-old experienced grappler from Sonepat in Haryana showed tremendous fighting spirit and exhibited excellent technique against three very strong rivals in the repechage rounds to clinch India's fifth medal of the Games.(PIB)                                     16-August-2012 17:57 IST

Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the Nation

 The PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the Nation'

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the Nation on the occasion of 66th Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi on August 15, 2012.  (PIB photo)      15-August-2012

Day Makes Difference for Deployed Siblings

From a 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team News Release 

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2012 - Army Sgt. 1st Class Mica Snell and his brother, Army Staff Sgt. Justin Snell were born and grew up in Derby, Kan. Less than two years apart in age, they went to the same schools at the same time and more often than not, had the same friends.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Mica Snell, right, and his brother, Army Staff Sgt. Justin Snell, get together at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, July 10, 2012. Courtesy photo

Justin moved to Green Valley, Ariz., when he was 16 and graduated from high school there, while Mica stayed and graduated from Derby High. After high school, Mica attended two years of college before joining the Army in early 2001. After Justin graduated, he went to the University of Arizona for three years. When Mica joined the Army, he enlisted as a Patriot launching station enhanced operator and maintainer. He was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, and took advantage of the location, visiting Justin numerous times in Arizona.
Like many big brothers, when his Justin came to him and said that he wanted to join, Mica advised him to first finish school. And if Justin was still interested in the Army after graduating, he should seek an officer's commission, Mica advised. Like many younger brothers, Justin didn't listen and enlisted anyway, as an infantryman.
Mica was still at Fort Bliss when Justin joined and was assigned to the 112th Signal Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2005. Later that year, Mica was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team and what followed would be a time in his career he's never forgotten. He and Justin were able to train together, jump together, attend unit functions together and Justin was even able to pin Mica when he was promoted to staff sergeant.
Soon after, the brothers would be separated by multiple deployments and changes of duty stations that made seeing each other almost impossible. After a deployment to the Philippines, Justin deployed in November 2005 and was assigned to the scout platoon of 1st Armored Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Bliss.
"In the summer of 2009, Justin called me and told me that he was getting married in Houston and wanted me to be his best man," Mica said. "Of course, I accepted and met him in Houston. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see him for over four years."
Before Justin returned from his first deployment, Mica had been deployed to Iraq. Justin returned to Fort Bragg, switched units and deployed to Iraq before Mica returned to Bragg. Justin followed suit, changing units and quickly deploying to Iraq for 12 months.
The deployments continued, and the brothers continued to just miss each other.
In 2008, Mica was assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, in Vicenza, Italy, deploying to Afghanistan's Logar and Wardak provinces in May 2010.
After the 173rd's return from Afghanistan, Mica stayed busy and began to prepare for his next deployment, less than two years away. During that time, Justin called to tell Mica that he would be walking in his footsteps, as his unit would also be in Logar and Wardak.
The closer it got to Mica's next deployment, the more he was able to find out, ultimately learning that the 173rd was headed back to Logar and Wardak. More importantly, Mica's unit would be replacing Justin's.
"I can remember driving to Rome with my dad during Thanksgiving of 2011, and at that time I knew there was going to be a chance we could meet," Mica said.
That feeling became stronger when Mica found out the brothers would be moving through the same outposts and operating bases at the same time.
"I knew we could meet when I found out that I was going to [Forward Operating Base] Altimur, and that Justin was moving from his combat outpost to Altimur during the same time that I was going to be there," Mica said. "When we left Aviano, there was no doubt I was going to see him."
Mica and soldiers of the 173rd left Aviano Air Base, Italy. Expecting to arrive at the transit center in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, in less than 10 hours, the soldiers instead found themselves in transit for almost a week.
While the days passed by, Mica feared that his opportunity to see his brother was passing with them.
When he finally arrived at here, Mica already was tracking his brother's movements, and knew Justin made it to nearby Altimur. The brothers were separated by no more than a short drive.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mickey Rutledge, command sergeant major of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team's 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, stepped in and bridged the gap. Rutledge let Mica stay in place here an extra day. That extra day was all the brothers needed, as Justin rolled in shortly after.
The 1st Battalion representative there brought joy to another Snell family member, bringing the brothers to the other side of base, where they could have a hot meal and call their mother to let her know her boys were safe.
"There it is again," Mica said. "Another amazing experience in my career that involved my brother, the greatest warrior I know."  

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

At the Global Nutrition Meet

Smt. Krishna Tirath  at London 

 The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women and Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath with the Secretary of State, UK, Mr. Andrew Mitchell, at the Global Nutrition Meet organised by UK and Brazil, at London on August 12, 2012.  (PIB photo)       13-August-2012

Officers's Anthem

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and newly commissioned Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants stand for the national anthem at the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School commissioning ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., Aug. 10, 2012.