India and Myanmar should Work together

22-January-2013 19:07 IST
Shri Antony conveyed the importance placed by India 

The Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony calls on the President of Myanmar, Mr. U. Thein Sein, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on January 22, 2013. (PIB photo)

Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today called on the President of Myanmar U Thein Sein in NayPyiTaw. Shri Antony conveyed the importance placed by India on enhancement of bilateral ties in all fields, including defence. He noted that the recent exchanges of visits between both countries at political and other levels had imparted a new momentum to the bilateral relationship. 

In the case of defence in particular, the defence minister noted that the two sides were working to consolidate ties, in mutual interest of both. He informed that the visit of all three Service Chiefs of India to Myanmar in the last 18 months reflected the desire of the Indian government to strengthen ties. These visits and other exchanges in the recent times had provided each side a better understanding of mutual concerns, needs and strengths. Shri Antony stated that as neighbours which share a land and maritime boundary, both sides should work together to address common concerns. 

The Myanmar President welcomed the enhancement of bilateral ties between both countries in all fields. He stated that Myanmar can also play the role of a bridge between India and South-East Asia. 

The President also assured that Myanmar will not allow its territory to be used by anti-India insurgent groups. He welcomed the development of cooperation between the Armed Forces of both sides to deal with challenges along the land and maritime boundaries between both countries. 

Earlier, Defence Minister met the C-in-C Defence Services of Myanmar Armed Forces Vice Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who also hosted a lunch in his honour. The C-in-C welcomed the enhancement of exchanges and interactions between the Armed Forces of both countries. In particular, he stated that such exchanges would be useful in maintaining stability in border areas. He also looked forward to enhancement of exchanges between the Navies and Air Forces of both countries. 

Yesterday, Shri Antony met the Defence Minister of Myanmar Lt Gen Wai Lwin. During these meetings, both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest and also discussed measures to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the Armed Forces of both sides. Enhancement of measures of closer and regular contacts between border forces were also discussed. 

HH/NN

We are going to continue this for next four years

01/21/2013 01:30 PM CST                                                      Tue, Jan 22, 2013 at 1:08 AM
First Lady, Dr. Biden Vow to Continue 'Joining Forces'

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2013 - Lauding Americans' increased outpouring to service members, their families and veterans, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, have vowed to continue leading the Joining Forces initiative during the next four years with a goal of creating a national culture of appreciation and support. The mission of Joining Forces is "to rally this nation to support our military families to make sure that we are supporting them – our troops and our veterans – as well as they have supported us," Obama said during an exclusive interview with Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Josh Hauser, a Pentagon Channel correspondent. "Our belief is that everyone can do something," she said. "And we have seen the country step up in ways big and small." Joining Forces has mobilized every sector of society by encouraging employers to hire veterans and military family members, promoting efforts to cut through red tape to transfer professional licenses as military spouses move between states with their loved ones, and giving teachers the tools to help military children, the first lady noted. "People have really reached out, and we have gotten such great response. We feel pretty good about that," Biden said. "And we are going to continue this for the next four years – to keep pushing that and plugging away. ... We hope this continues in our culture for years to come." As they prepared to kick off the presidential inauguration weekend by hosting a tribute to military families Jan. 19, Obama and Biden told Hauser they've seen increasing understanding among the American people of the contributions and sacrifices service members and their families make every day. "There is growing appreciation, but I think there is still more work to do," Obama said. "We want to keep shining that spotlight." Recognizing the end of U.S. military operations in Iraq and the drawdown in Afghanistan, the first lady said support for service members, veterans and military families is more important than ever. "That is not when it ends. That is when it begins," Obama said. "Because as families are making that transition to civilian life, it is going to be more important than ever before for us to show them how valued they are to us – and not just in words, but in deeds." Obama and Biden said they are struck as they meet with military families by their strength and resilience, and the maturity and adaptability of military children. "They are learning to juggle responsibilities, dealing with their emotions and dealing with the highs and lows of life in very stressful, emotional conditions," she said. "And they are succeeding. They are successful, smart, bright young people." The skills they are learning now will give them a leg up when they face other challenges in life, and an appreciation of the tradition of service that has made America great, Obama said. "Our military kids are the best that the country has to offer. So we want to make sure they know this, and they can talk about their skills in a positive way," she said. "And we want to make sure the country can appreciate and understand the uniqueness that these kids bring to any task, to any group, to any situation, so that we embrace that."   Initiative during the next four years with a goal

Related Sites: Joining Forces  Pentagon Channel Interview Special Report: Military Family Support Special Report: Inauguration 2013

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