1. President inaugurated Nakshatra Vatika at Rashtrapati Nilayam Gardens
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Nakshatra Vatika at his official Rashtrapati Nilayam Gardens in Bolarum, Secunderabad. The vatika (garden) has plants representing planets, zodiac signs and stars. The layout of ‘Nakshatra Vatika’ has been developed in various geometrical combinations corresponding to the Sree Chakra of Vedic astrology on a 0.91 acre plot.
About Nakshatra Vatika
• In the core, the formation is square shaped and accommodates nine squares to represent the Navagrah (Planets).
• Each square is planted with a particular tree/plant variety that represents the respective planet and is placed as per the astronomical direction.
• The first inner circular band is divided in 12 small circles at parts of 30º each corresponding to the 12 Rashi (zodiac sign).
• Each has a plant that represents the particular zodiac sign.
• The outer circular band consists of 27 parts of 13º- 20’ each with small circles which represents each a Nakshatra (Stars), planted with a representative tree/plant of that particular star.
• In all, 48 trees/plants representing nine Navgrahs, twelve Rashi and Twenty seven Nakshatra are present in the Garden.
• Beside these, the Peepal tree, Banana tree and Bilva have been also placed in appropriate locations in the Vatika bringing the total to 51 trees/plants.
The Nakshatra Vatika will be the second specialised garden within the complex of Nilayam Garden, which already has a Herbal Garden into it.
The Garden will be open to public along with other gardens of Nilayam in the first week of January 2016.
2. China nominated Jin Liqun, former Chinese Finance Minster, for the post of AIIB President
Former Finance Minster of China Jin Liqun was in news as he was nominated by China to be the first president of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
At present, Jin (65) is Secretary General of AIIB's interim secretariat. Earlier, he has held positions at the World Bank and was the first Chinese national to serve as a vice president at the Japan-controlled Asian Development Bank (ADB).
During his 5-year-long tenure at ADB, Jin headed its programmes for South, Central and West Asia and private sector operations.
3. Microsoft to develop digital villages, cyber-security centre in Maharashtra
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Microsoft’s office in Seattle. He also visited Microsoft Cybercrime Center, a statement from Chief Minister’s Office said. Fadnavis met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and appreciated the contribution of data centres for ‘Make In Maharashtra’ initiative, it added.
They discussed cloud services, technological help for MSMEs and technological solutions for implementing Right to Service Act. Nadella appreciated the state’s initiative to bring transparency in the administration, the statement said. Microsoft also agreed to support ‘digital village’ scheme in Maharashtra and to develop ‘Smart MIDC (industrial colony).
The location of the smart MIDC would be selected shortly. The software major also agreed to adopt a village in Melghat, a tribal area, for providing ‘tertiary health services’. Microsoft is also looking to develop ‘Safe Maharashtra’ mobile application which would track vulnerable people so as to provide security.
The Chief Minister also met the CEO of Boeing, Raymond Conner, and discussed expansion of its operations at MRO plant at Mihan, Nagpur. Boeing agreed “to take a hard look” at Nagpur MRO for greater direct expansion and involvement of Singapore Airlines as well as also agreed to steer training initiatives in Nagpur and elsewhere in Maharashtra.
4. Indian scientist Kamal Bawa elected fellow of Royal Society
Noted Indian conservation biologist Kamal Bawa will be formally admitted to the prestigious Royal Society as a fellow on July 10 for his “pioneering contributions to understanding the population biology of tropical forest trees”. Bawa, a professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, joins former and current fellows such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and about 80 Nobel laureates.
5. India, Uzbekistan released Joint Statement to intensify security cooperation, exchanges
India and Uzbekistan released a Joint Statement (JS) to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. The JS was released during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Uzbekistan from 6 July to 7 July 2015. He visited Uzbekistan on the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
PM Modi is on an eight-day visit to five Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan from 6 July to 13 July 2015. During the journey, he will also visit Russia to attend BRICS summit and SCO summit at Ufa on 9 July and 10 July 2015.
Details of the Joint Statement
• The two sides agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and political dialogue to promote mutual understanding on bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
• The two sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
• They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of defence and cyber-security.
• The two sides agreed to take joint measures to expand and diversify the bilateral trade through facilitating participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business forums and other joint business activities in Uzbekistan and India.
• They called for partnership in creating favorable conditions for investment by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including in the framework of the Special Economic Zones "Navoi", "Angren" and "Jizzakh".
• They agreed to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation in transport & communication and agreed to explore various options to enhance surface connectivity between them.
• They agreed on the proposal to set up telemedicine links connecting medical institutions in Uzbekistan and India for medical consultations, exchange of experiences and teleconferences.
• A new Programme of Cultural Cooperation for the period 2015-2017 was inked and the two sides called for its full and timely implementation to expand cultural exchanges.
• The two sides agreed to implement practical measures under the framework of the bilateral Agreement on cooperation in tourism was signed during the visit.
• Both the sides called for comprehensive reforms of the UN structures, first of all, its Security Council, including expansion in both categories of membership. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
• They agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
6. USA, Brazil issued Joint Statement on Climate Change
Presidents of the United States of America and Brazil Barack Obama and Dilma Dilma Rousseff respectively issued a joint statement on climate change in Washington, the USA.
The joint statement includes individual commitments towards reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions and bilateral mechanisms to protect the planet from the adverse effects of climate change.
Takeaways from the joint statement on climate change
• The USA and Brazil each intend to increase the share of renewables – beyond hydropower – in their respective electricity generation mixes to the level of 20 percent by 2030. This means the USA and Brazil will need to triple and double, respectively, their share of renewable energy in the next 15 years.
• The USA will reduce GHG emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025.
• Brazil intends to restore and reforest 12 million hectares of forests by 2030.
• Both the countries agreed to work multilaterally in the Montreal Protocol to consider promptly amendment proposals to phase down HFCs.
• A Joint Initiative on Climate Change will be implemented through a new high-level United States-Brazil Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation on issues relating to land use, clean energy, and adaptation, as well as policy dialogues on domestic and international climate issues.
• A bilateral joint Program on Forest and Land Sector Investment will be launched to improve the conditions for attracting investments in sustainable forest management and forest restoration, encouraging the provision of ecosystem services, building resilience, mitigating climate change, and contributing to improved income streams for farmers.
7. Japan committed $6 billion to Mekong region countries at 7th Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo
Japan committed 6.1 billion US dollars (750 billion Japanese Yen) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Mekong Region countries for the next three years. The decision was taken by Japan during the seventh Mekong-Japan Summit held in Tokyo.
The decision to provide the development aid to Mekong countries was taken in line with the Development Cooperation Charter approved by the Japan’s Cabinet in February 2015. The Mekong region countries include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The aid of 6 billion US dollars was part of the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation (MJC2015) that was adopted as a new strategy for Mekong-Japan Cooperation in the next three years.
The new strategy for Mekong-Japan cooperation will be based on the four pillars of
• Strengthening Hard Connectivity (land/maritime/air Connectivity)
• Strengthening Soft Connectivity through advancing industrial structures and human resource development
• Sustainable Development towards the Realization of a Green Mekong, and
• Coordination with Various Stakeholders
Besides, Mekong region countries supported Japan’s proposal to designate November 5 as World Tsunami Day with an aim to raise awareness of the importance of tsunami disaster prevention and deepening common understanding of tsunamis.
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Nakshatra Vatika at his official Rashtrapati Nilayam Gardens in Bolarum, Secunderabad. The vatika (garden) has plants representing planets, zodiac signs and stars. The layout of ‘Nakshatra Vatika’ has been developed in various geometrical combinations corresponding to the Sree Chakra of Vedic astrology on a 0.91 acre plot.About Nakshatra Vatika
• In the core, the formation is square shaped and accommodates nine squares to represent the Navagrah (Planets).
• Each square is planted with a particular tree/plant variety that represents the respective planet and is placed as per the astronomical direction.
• The first inner circular band is divided in 12 small circles at parts of 30º each corresponding to the 12 Rashi (zodiac sign).
• Each has a plant that represents the particular zodiac sign.
• The outer circular band consists of 27 parts of 13º- 20’ each with small circles which represents each a Nakshatra (Stars), planted with a representative tree/plant of that particular star.
• In all, 48 trees/plants representing nine Navgrahs, twelve Rashi and Twenty seven Nakshatra are present in the Garden.
• Beside these, the Peepal tree, Banana tree and Bilva have been also placed in appropriate locations in the Vatika bringing the total to 51 trees/plants.
The Nakshatra Vatika will be the second specialised garden within the complex of Nilayam Garden, which already has a Herbal Garden into it.
The Garden will be open to public along with other gardens of Nilayam in the first week of January 2016.
2. China nominated Jin Liqun, former Chinese Finance Minster, for the post of AIIB President
Former Finance Minster of China Jin Liqun was in news as he was nominated by China to be the first president of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
At present, Jin (65) is Secretary General of AIIB's interim secretariat. Earlier, he has held positions at the World Bank and was the first Chinese national to serve as a vice president at the Japan-controlled Asian Development Bank (ADB).
During his 5-year-long tenure at ADB, Jin headed its programmes for South, Central and West Asia and private sector operations.
3. Microsoft to develop digital villages, cyber-security centre in Maharashtra
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Microsoft’s office in Seattle. He also visited Microsoft Cybercrime Center, a statement from Chief Minister’s Office said. Fadnavis met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and appreciated the contribution of data centres for ‘Make In Maharashtra’ initiative, it added.
They discussed cloud services, technological help for MSMEs and technological solutions for implementing Right to Service Act. Nadella appreciated the state’s initiative to bring transparency in the administration, the statement said. Microsoft also agreed to support ‘digital village’ scheme in Maharashtra and to develop ‘Smart MIDC (industrial colony).
The location of the smart MIDC would be selected shortly. The software major also agreed to adopt a village in Melghat, a tribal area, for providing ‘tertiary health services’. Microsoft is also looking to develop ‘Safe Maharashtra’ mobile application which would track vulnerable people so as to provide security.
The Chief Minister also met the CEO of Boeing, Raymond Conner, and discussed expansion of its operations at MRO plant at Mihan, Nagpur. Boeing agreed “to take a hard look” at Nagpur MRO for greater direct expansion and involvement of Singapore Airlines as well as also agreed to steer training initiatives in Nagpur and elsewhere in Maharashtra.
4. Indian scientist Kamal Bawa elected fellow of Royal Society
Noted Indian conservation biologist Kamal Bawa will be formally admitted to the prestigious Royal Society as a fellow on July 10 for his “pioneering contributions to understanding the population biology of tropical forest trees”. Bawa, a professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, joins former and current fellows such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and about 80 Nobel laureates.
5. India, Uzbekistan released Joint Statement to intensify security cooperation, exchanges
India and Uzbekistan released a Joint Statement (JS) to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. The JS was released during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Uzbekistan from 6 July to 7 July 2015. He visited Uzbekistan on the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
PM Modi is on an eight-day visit to five Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan from 6 July to 13 July 2015. During the journey, he will also visit Russia to attend BRICS summit and SCO summit at Ufa on 9 July and 10 July 2015.
Details of the Joint Statement
• The two sides agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and political dialogue to promote mutual understanding on bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
• The two sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
• They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of defence and cyber-security.
• The two sides agreed to take joint measures to expand and diversify the bilateral trade through facilitating participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business forums and other joint business activities in Uzbekistan and India.
• They called for partnership in creating favorable conditions for investment by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including in the framework of the Special Economic Zones "Navoi", "Angren" and "Jizzakh".
• They agreed to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation in transport & communication and agreed to explore various options to enhance surface connectivity between them.
• They agreed on the proposal to set up telemedicine links connecting medical institutions in Uzbekistan and India for medical consultations, exchange of experiences and teleconferences.
• A new Programme of Cultural Cooperation for the period 2015-2017 was inked and the two sides called for its full and timely implementation to expand cultural exchanges.
• The two sides agreed to implement practical measures under the framework of the bilateral Agreement on cooperation in tourism was signed during the visit.
• Both the sides called for comprehensive reforms of the UN structures, first of all, its Security Council, including expansion in both categories of membership. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
• They agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
6. USA, Brazil issued Joint Statement on Climate Change
Presidents of the United States of America and Brazil Barack Obama and Dilma Dilma Rousseff respectively issued a joint statement on climate change in Washington, the USA.
The joint statement includes individual commitments towards reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions and bilateral mechanisms to protect the planet from the adverse effects of climate change.
Takeaways from the joint statement on climate change
• The USA and Brazil each intend to increase the share of renewables – beyond hydropower – in their respective electricity generation mixes to the level of 20 percent by 2030. This means the USA and Brazil will need to triple and double, respectively, their share of renewable energy in the next 15 years.
• The USA will reduce GHG emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025.
• Brazil intends to restore and reforest 12 million hectares of forests by 2030.
• Both the countries agreed to work multilaterally in the Montreal Protocol to consider promptly amendment proposals to phase down HFCs.
• A Joint Initiative on Climate Change will be implemented through a new high-level United States-Brazil Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation on issues relating to land use, clean energy, and adaptation, as well as policy dialogues on domestic and international climate issues.
• A bilateral joint Program on Forest and Land Sector Investment will be launched to improve the conditions for attracting investments in sustainable forest management and forest restoration, encouraging the provision of ecosystem services, building resilience, mitigating climate change, and contributing to improved income streams for farmers.
Japan committed 6.1 billion US dollars (750 billion Japanese Yen) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Mekong Region countries for the next three years. The decision was taken by Japan during the seventh Mekong-Japan Summit held in Tokyo.
The decision to provide the development aid to Mekong countries was taken in line with the Development Cooperation Charter approved by the Japan’s Cabinet in February 2015. The Mekong region countries include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The aid of 6 billion US dollars was part of the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation (MJC2015) that was adopted as a new strategy for Mekong-Japan Cooperation in the next three years.
The new strategy for Mekong-Japan cooperation will be based on the four pillars of
• Strengthening Hard Connectivity (land/maritime/air Connectivity)
• Strengthening Soft Connectivity through advancing industrial structures and human resource development
• Sustainable Development towards the Realization of a Green Mekong, and
• Coordination with Various Stakeholders
Besides, Mekong region countries supported Japan’s proposal to designate November 5 as World Tsunami Day with an aim to raise awareness of the importance of tsunami disaster prevention and deepening common understanding of tsunamis.
1. President inaugurated Nakshatra Vatika at Rashtrapati Nilayam Gardens
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Nakshatra Vatika at his official Rashtrapati Nilayam Gardens in Bolarum, Secunderabad. The vatika (garden) has plants representing planets, zodiac signs and stars. The layout of ‘Nakshatra Vatika’ has been developed in various geometrical combinations corresponding to the Sree Chakra of Vedic astrology on a 0.91 acre plot.
About Nakshatra Vatika
• In the core, the formation is square shaped and accommodates nine squares to represent the Navagrah (Planets).
• Each square is planted with a particular tree/plant variety that represents the respective planet and is placed as per the astronomical direction.
• The first inner circular band is divided in 12 small circles at parts of 30º each corresponding to the 12 Rashi (zodiac sign).
• Each has a plant that represents the particular zodiac sign.
• The outer circular band consists of 27 parts of 13º- 20’ each with small circles which represents each a Nakshatra (Stars), planted with a representative tree/plant of that particular star.
• In all, 48 trees/plants representing nine Navgrahs, twelve Rashi and Twenty seven Nakshatra are present in the Garden.
• Beside these, the Peepal tree, Banana tree and Bilva have been also placed in appropriate locations in the Vatika bringing the total to 51 trees/plants.
The Nakshatra Vatika will be the second specialised garden within the complex of Nilayam Garden, which already has a Herbal Garden into it.
The Garden will be open to public along with other gardens of Nilayam in the first week of January 2016.
2. China nominated Jin Liqun, former Chinese Finance Minster, for the post of AIIB President
Former Finance Minster of China Jin Liqun was in news as he was nominated by China to be the first president of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
At present, Jin (65) is Secretary General of AIIB's interim secretariat. Earlier, he has held positions at the World Bank and was the first Chinese national to serve as a vice president at the Japan-controlled Asian Development Bank (ADB).
During his 5-year-long tenure at ADB, Jin headed its programmes for South, Central and West Asia and private sector operations.
3. Microsoft to develop digital villages, cyber-security centre in Maharashtra
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Microsoft’s office in Seattle. He also visited Microsoft Cybercrime Center, a statement from Chief Minister’s Office said. Fadnavis met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and appreciated the contribution of data centres for ‘Make In Maharashtra’ initiative, it added.
They discussed cloud services, technological help for MSMEs and technological solutions for implementing Right to Service Act. Nadella appreciated the state’s initiative to bring transparency in the administration, the statement said. Microsoft also agreed to support ‘digital village’ scheme in Maharashtra and to develop ‘Smart MIDC (industrial colony).
The location of the smart MIDC would be selected shortly. The software major also agreed to adopt a village in Melghat, a tribal area, for providing ‘tertiary health services’. Microsoft is also looking to develop ‘Safe Maharashtra’ mobile application which would track vulnerable people so as to provide security.
The Chief Minister also met the CEO of Boeing, Raymond Conner, and discussed expansion of its operations at MRO plant at Mihan, Nagpur. Boeing agreed “to take a hard look” at Nagpur MRO for greater direct expansion and involvement of Singapore Airlines as well as also agreed to steer training initiatives in Nagpur and elsewhere in Maharashtra.
4. Indian scientist Kamal Bawa elected fellow of Royal Society
Noted Indian conservation biologist Kamal Bawa will be formally admitted to the prestigious Royal Society as a fellow on July 10 for his “pioneering contributions to understanding the population biology of tropical forest trees”. Bawa, a professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, joins former and current fellows such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and about 80 Nobel laureates.
5. India, Uzbekistan released Joint Statement to intensify security cooperation, exchanges
India and Uzbekistan released a Joint Statement (JS) to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. The JS was released during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Uzbekistan from 6 July to 7 July 2015. He visited Uzbekistan on the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
PM Modi is on an eight-day visit to five Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan from 6 July to 13 July 2015. During the journey, he will also visit Russia to attend BRICS summit and SCO summit at Ufa on 9 July and 10 July 2015.
Details of the Joint Statement
• The two sides agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and political dialogue to promote mutual understanding on bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
• The two sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
• They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of defence and cyber-security.
• The two sides agreed to take joint measures to expand and diversify the bilateral trade through facilitating participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business forums and other joint business activities in Uzbekistan and India.
• They called for partnership in creating favorable conditions for investment by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including in the framework of the Special Economic Zones "Navoi", "Angren" and "Jizzakh".
• They agreed to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation in transport & communication and agreed to explore various options to enhance surface connectivity between them.
• They agreed on the proposal to set up telemedicine links connecting medical institutions in Uzbekistan and India for medical consultations, exchange of experiences and teleconferences.
• A new Programme of Cultural Cooperation for the period 2015-2017 was inked and the two sides called for its full and timely implementation to expand cultural exchanges.
• The two sides agreed to implement practical measures under the framework of the bilateral Agreement on cooperation in tourism was signed during the visit.
• Both the sides called for comprehensive reforms of the UN structures, first of all, its Security Council, including expansion in both categories of membership. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
• They agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
6. USA, Brazil issued Joint Statement on Climate Change
Presidents of the United States of America and Brazil Barack Obama and Dilma Dilma Rousseff respectively issued a joint statement on climate change in Washington, the USA.
The joint statement includes individual commitments towards reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions and bilateral mechanisms to protect the planet from the adverse effects of climate change.
Takeaways from the joint statement on climate change
• The USA and Brazil each intend to increase the share of renewables – beyond hydropower – in their respective electricity generation mixes to the level of 20 percent by 2030. This means the USA and Brazil will need to triple and double, respectively, their share of renewable energy in the next 15 years.
• The USA will reduce GHG emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025.
• Brazil intends to restore and reforest 12 million hectares of forests by 2030.
• Both the countries agreed to work multilaterally in the Montreal Protocol to consider promptly amendment proposals to phase down HFCs.
• A Joint Initiative on Climate Change will be implemented through a new high-level United States-Brazil Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation on issues relating to land use, clean energy, and adaptation, as well as policy dialogues on domestic and international climate issues.
• A bilateral joint Program on Forest and Land Sector Investment will be launched to improve the conditions for attracting investments in sustainable forest management and forest restoration, encouraging the provision of ecosystem services, building resilience, mitigating climate change, and contributing to improved income streams for farmers.
7. Japan committed $6 billion to Mekong region countries at 7th Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo
Japan committed 6.1 billion US dollars (750 billion Japanese Yen) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Mekong Region countries for the next three years. The decision was taken by Japan during the seventh Mekong-Japan Summit held in Tokyo.
The decision to provide the development aid to Mekong countries was taken in line with the Development Cooperation Charter approved by the Japan’s Cabinet in February 2015. The Mekong region countries include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The aid of 6 billion US dollars was part of the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation (MJC2015) that was adopted as a new strategy for Mekong-Japan Cooperation in the next three years.
The new strategy for Mekong-Japan cooperation will be based on the four pillars of
• Strengthening Hard Connectivity (land/maritime/air Connectivity)
• Strengthening Soft Connectivity through advancing industrial structures and human resource development
• Sustainable Development towards the Realization of a Green Mekong, and
• Coordination with Various Stakeholders
Besides, Mekong region countries supported Japan’s proposal to designate November 5 as World Tsunami Day with an aim to raise awareness of the importance of tsunami disaster prevention and deepening common understanding of tsunamis.
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Nakshatra Vatika at his official Rashtrapati Nilayam Gardens in Bolarum, Secunderabad. The vatika (garden) has plants representing planets, zodiac signs and stars. The layout of ‘Nakshatra Vatika’ has been developed in various geometrical combinations corresponding to the Sree Chakra of Vedic astrology on a 0.91 acre plot.About Nakshatra Vatika
• In the core, the formation is square shaped and accommodates nine squares to represent the Navagrah (Planets).
• Each square is planted with a particular tree/plant variety that represents the respective planet and is placed as per the astronomical direction.
• The first inner circular band is divided in 12 small circles at parts of 30º each corresponding to the 12 Rashi (zodiac sign).
• Each has a plant that represents the particular zodiac sign.
• The outer circular band consists of 27 parts of 13º- 20’ each with small circles which represents each a Nakshatra (Stars), planted with a representative tree/plant of that particular star.
• In all, 48 trees/plants representing nine Navgrahs, twelve Rashi and Twenty seven Nakshatra are present in the Garden.
• Beside these, the Peepal tree, Banana tree and Bilva have been also placed in appropriate locations in the Vatika bringing the total to 51 trees/plants.
The Nakshatra Vatika will be the second specialised garden within the complex of Nilayam Garden, which already has a Herbal Garden into it.
The Garden will be open to public along with other gardens of Nilayam in the first week of January 2016.
2. China nominated Jin Liqun, former Chinese Finance Minster, for the post of AIIB President
Former Finance Minster of China Jin Liqun was in news as he was nominated by China to be the first president of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
At present, Jin (65) is Secretary General of AIIB's interim secretariat. Earlier, he has held positions at the World Bank and was the first Chinese national to serve as a vice president at the Japan-controlled Asian Development Bank (ADB).
During his 5-year-long tenure at ADB, Jin headed its programmes for South, Central and West Asia and private sector operations.
3. Microsoft to develop digital villages, cyber-security centre in Maharashtra
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Microsoft’s office in Seattle. He also visited Microsoft Cybercrime Center, a statement from Chief Minister’s Office said. Fadnavis met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and appreciated the contribution of data centres for ‘Make In Maharashtra’ initiative, it added.
They discussed cloud services, technological help for MSMEs and technological solutions for implementing Right to Service Act. Nadella appreciated the state’s initiative to bring transparency in the administration, the statement said. Microsoft also agreed to support ‘digital village’ scheme in Maharashtra and to develop ‘Smart MIDC (industrial colony).
The location of the smart MIDC would be selected shortly. The software major also agreed to adopt a village in Melghat, a tribal area, for providing ‘tertiary health services’. Microsoft is also looking to develop ‘Safe Maharashtra’ mobile application which would track vulnerable people so as to provide security.
The Chief Minister also met the CEO of Boeing, Raymond Conner, and discussed expansion of its operations at MRO plant at Mihan, Nagpur. Boeing agreed “to take a hard look” at Nagpur MRO for greater direct expansion and involvement of Singapore Airlines as well as also agreed to steer training initiatives in Nagpur and elsewhere in Maharashtra.
4. Indian scientist Kamal Bawa elected fellow of Royal Society
Noted Indian conservation biologist Kamal Bawa will be formally admitted to the prestigious Royal Society as a fellow on July 10 for his “pioneering contributions to understanding the population biology of tropical forest trees”. Bawa, a professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, joins former and current fellows such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and about 80 Nobel laureates.
5. India, Uzbekistan released Joint Statement to intensify security cooperation, exchanges
India and Uzbekistan released a Joint Statement (JS) to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. The JS was released during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Uzbekistan from 6 July to 7 July 2015. He visited Uzbekistan on the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
PM Modi is on an eight-day visit to five Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan from 6 July to 13 July 2015. During the journey, he will also visit Russia to attend BRICS summit and SCO summit at Ufa on 9 July and 10 July 2015.
Details of the Joint Statement
• The two sides agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and political dialogue to promote mutual understanding on bilateral as well as regional and international issues.
• The two sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
• They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of defence and cyber-security.
• The two sides agreed to take joint measures to expand and diversify the bilateral trade through facilitating participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business forums and other joint business activities in Uzbekistan and India.
• They called for partnership in creating favorable conditions for investment by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including in the framework of the Special Economic Zones "Navoi", "Angren" and "Jizzakh".
• They agreed to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation in transport & communication and agreed to explore various options to enhance surface connectivity between them.
• They agreed on the proposal to set up telemedicine links connecting medical institutions in Uzbekistan and India for medical consultations, exchange of experiences and teleconferences.
• A new Programme of Cultural Cooperation for the period 2015-2017 was inked and the two sides called for its full and timely implementation to expand cultural exchanges.
• The two sides agreed to implement practical measures under the framework of the bilateral Agreement on cooperation in tourism was signed during the visit.
• Both the sides called for comprehensive reforms of the UN structures, first of all, its Security Council, including expansion in both categories of membership. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
• They agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
6. USA, Brazil issued Joint Statement on Climate Change
Presidents of the United States of America and Brazil Barack Obama and Dilma Dilma Rousseff respectively issued a joint statement on climate change in Washington, the USA.
The joint statement includes individual commitments towards reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions and bilateral mechanisms to protect the planet from the adverse effects of climate change.
Takeaways from the joint statement on climate change
• The USA and Brazil each intend to increase the share of renewables – beyond hydropower – in their respective electricity generation mixes to the level of 20 percent by 2030. This means the USA and Brazil will need to triple and double, respectively, their share of renewable energy in the next 15 years.
• The USA will reduce GHG emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025.
• Brazil intends to restore and reforest 12 million hectares of forests by 2030.
• Both the countries agreed to work multilaterally in the Montreal Protocol to consider promptly amendment proposals to phase down HFCs.
• A Joint Initiative on Climate Change will be implemented through a new high-level United States-Brazil Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation on issues relating to land use, clean energy, and adaptation, as well as policy dialogues on domestic and international climate issues.
• A bilateral joint Program on Forest and Land Sector Investment will be launched to improve the conditions for attracting investments in sustainable forest management and forest restoration, encouraging the provision of ecosystem services, building resilience, mitigating climate change, and contributing to improved income streams for farmers.
Japan committed 6.1 billion US dollars (750 billion Japanese Yen) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Mekong Region countries for the next three years. The decision was taken by Japan during the seventh Mekong-Japan Summit held in Tokyo.
The decision to provide the development aid to Mekong countries was taken in line with the Development Cooperation Charter approved by the Japan’s Cabinet in February 2015. The Mekong region countries include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The aid of 6 billion US dollars was part of the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation (MJC2015) that was adopted as a new strategy for Mekong-Japan Cooperation in the next three years.
The new strategy for Mekong-Japan cooperation will be based on the four pillars of
• Strengthening Hard Connectivity (land/maritime/air Connectivity)
• Strengthening Soft Connectivity through advancing industrial structures and human resource development
• Sustainable Development towards the Realization of a Green Mekong, and
• Coordination with Various Stakeholders
Besides, Mekong region countries supported Japan’s proposal to designate November 5 as World Tsunami Day with an aim to raise awareness of the importance of tsunami disaster prevention and deepening common understanding of tsunamis.
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