Eco Recycling Ltd launches E-waste Mukt Bharat

India is home to a mammoth magnitude of e-waste arising mainly from the abandoned, obsolete or broken electrical or electronic devices. Thanks to India’s fast increasing load of e-waste originating from household consumption, enterprises and imports. All these put together, India’s E-waste is expected to grow to 20 million MT by 2020 from 3.2 million MT in 2015 consisting of monetary value of recoveries from e-waste to the tune of USD 4 billion (INR 25,000 crore) and expected to touch to 20 million MT by 2020.

A Social Drive called as ‘E-waste Mukt Bharat: Swachh Bharat’, hopes to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Mission of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’. Ecoreco envisage setting up 100,000 “Eco-Bins” across India in educational & spiritual places to facilitate individual and other small e-waste generators to ‘Deposit e-waste for Disposal’ with ease, effective & economic way of provide robust ‘E-Waste Collection Centres’ to the masses, so that every item of E-waste generated, be it a chip board, mobile handset or a mobile battery, can be thrown in allocated areas at various destinations.

Eco Recycling Ltd (Ecoreco), a BSE listed Company (Scrip Code: 530643) is India's first and leading professional E-waste Management Company. As the industry pioneer and market leader, Ecoreco provides an end to end seamlessly integrated solution for e-waste management to Multi-National Companies (MNC), Indian Multi-National Corporates (Indian MNC), other Corporates, Retailers, Bulk Consumers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Government Departments, NGOs, Households, Philanthropy Organisations, Educational Institutions and all other entities willing to discard their e-waste in an environment friendly manner.

Founded by Mr B. K. Soni, Chairman and Managing Director of the Company, Ecoreco has ISO 9001, 14001 & 18001 Certified Facilities. To meet the international standards and practices, Ecoreco preferred technologies from US, Europe & Japan to develop India-centric solutions. Ecoreco has developed its in

house technologies for recovery of Precious and Rare Earth Metals from the complicated e-waste, Recycling on Wheels Facilities for Data Destruction and Lamp Recycling Facilities for on-site & off-site services amongst other value added services.

Today, Ecoreco boasts of a unique business model that has evolved to meet changing customer needs and regulatory requirements of the India’s e-waste management industry. Its end-to-end services start from Removal of the asset from the client’s premise, Inventorization, Packing, Reverse Logistic, Data Destruction, Asset Recovery, Dismantling, E-waste Recycling, Lamp Recycling, Precious Metal Recovery, Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Implementation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Enabling on pan India basis as well as in other neighbouring countries either directly or through its association with World Class E-waste Recycling Companies.

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2015 NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards

New Delhi, October 6, 2015–Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI)  announced the winners of the 2015 NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards.

The awards ceremony, held at the Hotel Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, was attended by more than 125 guests representing India's top scientific community. The awards were presented by Dr. R. Chidambaram Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India & Chairman Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet.

Elsevier first launched the Scopus Young Scientist Awards in 2006.In India, theprogram was officially institutionalized within its scientific community through Elsevier's collaboration with NASI in 2009. The program honors young researchers who are building their careers in academic research and helps them gain recognition of their work.

This year’s NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards program attracted nearly 650 applications from multiple premier research institutions acrossIndia. Applications were judged by a panel of 32 subject experts from India's academic community. Elsevier provided quantitative analyses using data from Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature.Furthermore, the jury looked at criteria such as:

·         Quality and number of publications;
·         Nature and uniqueness of research;
·         Outcomes of research;
·         Impact on society;
·         Vision of the researcher.


Special consideration was also given to novel and innovative ideasthathold potential for commercial application.

Per discipline, the award winners are:

Agriculture
Dr. GnanavelVenkatesan
Scientist
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Nainital

Dr. Swarup K. Parida
Staff Scientist
National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi

Biological Sciences
Dr. Suvendra Nath Bhattacharyya
Principal Scientist
CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata

Chemistry
Dr. Subi Jacob George
Associate Professor
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore

Earth, Oceanographic & Environmental Sciences
Dr. Tarun Gupta
Associate Professor
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Engineering
Dr. SubhransuRanjan Samantaray
Assistant Professor
Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar

Mathematics
Dr. UK Anandavardhanan
Associate Professor
Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai

Medicine
Dr. Rajnish Kumar Chaturvedi
Scientist
CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow

Physics
Dr. G. V. Pavan Kumar
Assistant Professor
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Pune

Social Sciences
Dr. Subharati Ghosh
Assistant Professor
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

“NASI Scopus Young Scientists awards are now considered as a premier recognition of hard work, innovations and aspirations of young scientists of India” said Professor AkhileshTyagi, President, NationalAcademy of Sciences, India. “We are proud to associate with Elsevier for the same as they encourage healthy competition, instill confidence and help establish credibility of first steps taken in the pursuit of scientific excellence.

Youngsuk "Y.S." Chi, Chairman of Elsevier, said, “I congratulate this year’s winners who continue to advance research excellence in India and all around the world. At Elsevier we are honored to support these award recipients and other stakeholders across the Indian scientific community with highest quality content and cutting edge digital solutions. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting time for Indian Science, and tonight’s event is a celebration of this country’s commitment to driving forward innovation and growth through research”.

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Text of PM’s statement to the Media at the Joint Press Briefing with German Chancellor Dr.Angela Merkel

Chancellor Merkel,

Members of German delegation,

My colleagues,

Members of the media,

It is a great pleasure to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel and her eminent delegation to India.

On behalf of the people of India, I warmly congratulate Germany on the 25th anniversary of German reunification. At this important milestone, you can look back with pride on what you have accomplished at home and abroad. Chancellor Merkel, your leadership is a source of confidence and reassurance at a difficult moment for Europe and the world.

You have chosen to visit India despite many preoccupations in your region. The strength of your delegation reflects the importance you attach to relations with India and the seriousness with which you approach the Inter Governmental Consultations. Your commitment holds the key to progress in our relations. So, thank you very much!

The mechanism of Inter-Governmental Consultation is certainly unique. And, it has brought about all round growth in our relations. In addition, in the course of the past year, our two sides have deepened our engagement. We see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of India’s economic transformation. German strengths and India’s priorities are aligned. And, so is our mutual goodwill.

Our focus tends to be on economic ties. But, I believe that in a world of seamless challenges and opportunities, India and Germany can also be strong partners in advancing a more human, peaceful, just and sustainable future for the world. We have a rich history of engagement. We share values, comfort in our relations and a sense of responsibility to the world.

Today, we have met for around three hours. We will continue our dialogue here and in Bengaluru tomorrow. I was very pleased with our discussions and the broad range of outcomes.

German response to our development agenda is very encouraging. We can look forward with confidence to increased investment, trade and technology partnerships in manufacturing, infrastructure and skill development. German engineering and Indian IT skills can create the next generation industry that will be more efficient, economical and environment friendly.

1600 German companies in India, and growing in number, will be strong partners in creating a global work force in India.

German cooperation and assistance in areas like smart cities, Clean Ganga and waste management have taken a concrete shape. So, has our cooperation in education, from engineering to humanities.

I admire German leadership in clean energy and commitment to combating climate change. This is an area where we have convergence of views, and rapidly growing cooperation. We have agreed on India-Germany Climate and Renewable Alliance with a long term vision and a comprehensive agenda of combating climate change. I place great value on Germany’s assistance of over one billion Euros for India’s Green Energy Corridor and a new assistance package of over a billion Euros for solar projects in India. We also intend to deepen research cooperation in clean and renewable energy, and energy efficiency. To contain temperature rise we must also change our temperament.

We look forward to a concrete outcome at COP21 in Paris that strengthens the commitment and the ability of the world, especially of poor and vulnerable countries, to transition to a more sustainable growth path.

Our partnership will also grow in areas like defence manufacturing, trade in advanced technology, intelligence, and countering terrorismand radicalism. These are important security dimensions of our expanding relationship.

I welcome Germany’s strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes. As we discussed in the G4 Summit in New York, Chancellor and I are committed to pursue reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council.

We have a common perspective on this region; the turbulence in West Asia; Europe’s challenges; and, shaping a peaceful and stable Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. I especially thanked her for Germany’s invaluable support for peace, security and development in Afghanistan.

Finally, a very special word of gratitude to Chancellor Merkel and the people of Germany for the return of the 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar from Jammu and Kashmir. She is a symbol of the victory of good over evil.

This also suggests that in this age of transitions and turmoil, India-Germany partnership will be a force of good for the world.

It is a saying common to both our cultures that friendship is a plant that needs to be watered. I am confident that after this extraordinary session, the tree of our friendship will blossom.

Thank you.

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INS Trikand Visits Istanbul, Turkey

As a part of Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to West Asia, Africa and Europe, INS Trikand entered Istanbul today 04 Oct 15 for a three day visit. During her stay in Istanbul the ship will engage extensively with the Turkish Navy. Apart from professional interactions, a number of sports and social engagements are also planned, which would go a long way in enhancing co-operation and understanding towards mutually beneficial issues of maritime interest.

Indian naval ships are regularly deployed as part of the Indian Navy’s mission of building ‘bridges of friendship’ and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries as well as to address maritime concerns of the region including piracy in the Gulf of Aden. In addition, Indian Navy has also been involved in capacity building and capability enhancement of friendly navies in the Indian Ocean Region, besides providing assistance in hydrographic survey, search and rescue and improving maritime domain awareness. A notable recent employment of the Indian Navy was for the evacuation of over 3000 Indians and citizens from 35 other countries from strife-ridden Yemen(in April 2015).

India and Turkey share deep historical connections. The bilateral relations have been strengthened by exchange of visits by leaders of both countries in recent times. The two countries share common values including commitment to secularism and democratic principles. The current visit seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries and to strengthen the existing bonds between India and Turkey. Bilateral naval relations are expected to strengthen further due to the planned visit of a Turkish warship for the International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam, India in Feb 2016.

INS Trikand, commanded by Captain Vinay Kalia, is a state-of-the-art warship of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors capable of addressing threats in all the three dimensions – air, surface and sub-surface. The visiting ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, with its Headquarters at Mumbai. 

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First Meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex Committee on Oct 5

The first meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) will be held on 5th October, 2015 in New Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by Union Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari. The members of the NSAC include Vice Chairman NITI Aayog, Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, Union Cabinet Ministers of Finance; Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation; Urban Development; Railways; Agriculture; Rural Development; Civil Aviation; Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; Environment, Forests & Climate Change; Commerce and Industry; Tourism. Secretary, Shipping is Member Convener.

The broad agenda of meeting includes discussions on constitution and scope of NSAC, Concept of Sagarmala and decisions of Government of India relating to Sagarmala, action taken on setting up of Sagarmala Institutional Mechanism, engagement with Maritime States & Line Ministries, progress on the elements of Sagarmala Programme, identification and implementation of projects, critical role of State Governments in project identification & implementation, role of Ministries in project identification & implementation.

The prime objective of the Sagarmala project is to promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. The project aims at (i) Supporting and enabling Port-led Development through appropriate policy and institutional interventions and providing for an institutional framework for ensuring inter-agency and Ministries/Departments/States’ collaboration for integrated development, (ii) Port Infrastructure Enhancement, including modernization and setting up of new ports, and (iii) Efficient Evacuation to and from hinterland. 

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Pranab Mukherjee paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 146th birth anniversary, at Rajghat, in Delhi on October 02, 2015. The Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu is also seen.

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Narendra Modi paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 146th birth anniversary, at Rajghat, in Delhi on October 02, 2015. 

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Vice President Hamid Ansari pays homage to Gandhiji

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari paying homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 146th birth anniversary, at Rajghat, in Delhi on October 02, 2015. The Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu is also seen.

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Khadi is the Symbol of National Unity

Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for MSME said that Khadi is the symbol of National unity and integration; hence every citizen should purchase Khadi. After inaugurating “Khadi Utsav” organized by Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, here today, the Minister said that Khadi is able to compete in today's global marketplace and to realize the vision of Gram Swaraj, it is necessary to develop Village industries. He emphasized that Khadi exhibitions should be organized in every district of the country. He also stated that the visionary Prime Minister is well aware the importance of Khadi, therefore he evocated to the people to purchase Khadi.

Shri K. C. Tyagi, Chairman, DRPSC on Industry in his address congratulated everyone associated with Khadi Programme. He told that Ministry of MSME is competent enough to provide employment to lakhs of people.

Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament congratulated everyone on Gandhi Jayanti and appealed to the people specially women to wear Khadi Saree.

Shri Arun Kumar Jha, CEO and Commissioner KVIC told to media that the objective of “Khadi Utsav” is to revive the dormant Khadi production which was famous for its sophistication and fineness, as well as to rejuvenate various the artists, who are generally working as ‘Job Workers’ now. In the Exhibition which has been setup, the products comprising Khadi sarees, dress material and other ethnic products would be a delight for the connoisseur of fabrics and fine art.

On this occasion a colorful Khadi Fashion Show was also organized by the Students of International design institute in association with designer of Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan KVIC, New Delhi. The Khadi Products directory was also released by the chief Guest on this occasion. The special discount on the sale of Khadi products shall also be offered to the customers on the occasion of ‘Gandhi Jayanti’.

Dr. Anup K. Pujari, Secretary, MSME, Shri S.N. Tripathi, Development Commissioner, MSME, Shri B.H.Anil Kumar, Joint Secretary, MSME, senior officers of the Ministry and KVIC, representatives of Khadi institutions, entrepreneurs and representatives of Press & Media were also present at the occassion.

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President’s Message on the Eve of Unification Day of Germany

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Germany on the eve of Unification Day of Germany (October 3, 2015).

In his message to His Excellency Dr. Joachim Gauck, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and the people of the Federal Republic of Germany on the occasion of your Unification Day.

Germany is our valued partner. Our relationship is based on key complementarities and has evolved into a multidimensional Strategic Partnership encompassing a rich tapestry of cooperation.

India's participation as Partner Country in the Hannover Messe-2015 underlined our commitment to further intensify and strengthen our engagement with Germany. I am confident that the visit of H.E. Chancellor Angela Merkel to India for the 3rd Intergovernmental Consultations will take our partnership to the next level by deepening and expanding our collaboration in a range of sectors of mutual interest.

Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your well-being and good health, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Germany”. 

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Prime Minister’s Function: Distribution of LPG Connection in Dumka

Today Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Dumka, Jharkhand. On the occasion, five thousand households from BPL category were handed over LPG connection. Hon’ble Prime Minister personally handed over LPG connections to four households at the event.

Hon’ble Prime Minister, while appealing to voluntarily Giving Up LPG subsidy on the day of Urja Sangam on March 27, 2015 had promised that the subsidy savings will be utilised to Give Back LPG connections to mothers and sisters from poor families. Today during the event he again reiterated the appeal and appreciated that above 30 lakh people have already given up LPG subsidy in such a short time.

Under this Give Back scheme, Government of India has contributed Rs. 1600 per LPG connection to BPL household while Government of Jharkhand has contributed Rs. 918.50 per household connection.

Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan accompanied Hon’ble Prime Minister on the occasion.

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Forum for India Pacific Island Countries

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in the Forum for India Pacific Island Countries (FIPIC) Family Photo, in Jaipur on August 21, 2015.

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Fragrances from the North East

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal addressing at the inauguration of the Three-day North East Film Festival on the theme of “Fragrances from the North East”, organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, in New Delhi on August 21, 2015.

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The Sinless Victim Book presented to Vice President Ansari

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari being presented a book entitled “The Sinless Victim”, authored by Mohammd Yaseer Abbasi, in New Delhi on August 19, 2015.

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63rd Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smt. Smriti Irani holding a press conference on the 63rd meeting of the Central Advisory Board Of Education (CABE), in New Delhi on August 19, 2015. The Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Member Secretary, CABE, Shri V.S. Oberoi, the Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Dr. Subash C. Khuntia and the Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri A.P. Frank Noronha are also seen.The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Prof. (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria and the Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Member Secretary, CABE, Shri V.S. Oberoi are also seen.

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Herbalife India felicitates the Indian Contingent of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games

Herbalife International India Pvt Ltd, a leading global nutrition company along with Olympic Medal Winner, Mary Kom, felicitated the Indian contingent to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, held from July 25-August 2, 2015, in Los Angeles, United States. As part of its support for the Indian contingent, Herbalife has provided the necessary athletic training suits and apparel kits for the athletes and team officials for their achievements at the Special Olympics World Games. The sponsorship is in line with a global initiative in which Herbalife partners with LA2015, the Organizing Committee for the Games, to assist in meeting the nutritional needs of athletes and coaches from 165 countries.

There were 214 athletes from the Special Olympics Bharat team, who brought back 47 gold, 54 silver and 72 bronze medals.

Addressing the press conference, Ajay Khanna, Vice President and Country Head, Herbalife International India Pvt Ltd said, “Herbalife India is proud to be associated with a cause that promotes awareness of acceptance and inclusion. We are also extremely proud of the Indian contingent’s achievements at the games - and congratulate all the athletes. In addition, as a global nutrition company, we advocate the importance of nutrition for a healthy and active lifestyle. Our support for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games is indicative of this commitment.”

At the press conference, Ms. Mary Kom reiterated, “To be a winner, one must be highly focused, especially in the sphere of sports. To stay focused, a healthy mind and a healthy body are both absolutely essential. My partnership with Herbalife has benefited me immensely in ensuring this. The Herbalife nutritional food products that form a regular part of my dietary regimen have been an immense help to me to maintain the strength and concentration that I require to excel in boxing, my chosen discipline. I am sure that the support and encouragement from Herbalife for the Indian contingent will be a boost to the aspirations of these young and talented athletes.”

Air Marshal Denzil Keelor, CEO, Special Olympics Bharat said: We are delighted to welcome back our Athletes from the World Summer Games at Los Angeles. They arrived full of joy, excitement and thrill at this great experience they had. The 214 athletes came back with 173 medals. I would like to congratulate the athletes for their grand performances and also the coaches and trainers who worked so hard to ensure success. Let’s now look ahead, focus on our mission and strive to achieve all our targets involving as many Athletes as we can through our local, district and state level programs. As sporting excellence cannot be achieved without appropriate healthcare, I look forward to a continuing association with Herbalife in the years to come.

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First Lady Smt. Suvra Mukherjee passes away at 74

First Lady, wife of President Pranab Mukherjee, Smt. Suvra Mukherjee passed away today (Aug 18,2015) in New Delhi at 74. She was admitted in hospital following illness. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the mortal remains of Smt. Suvra Mukherjee, First Lady, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 18, 2015.

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