Highlights of the Chief Minister’s Sub-group report on rationalization of Centrally sponsored Schemes

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s Sub-group report on rationalization of Centrally sponsored Schemes
Following are the highlights of the Chief Minister’s sub group report on rationalization of centrally sponsored scheme under the aegis of NITI Aayog which was constituted on March 9,2015 by the Prime Minister in pursuance of the decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog held on 8th February, 2015:
Formation of the Sub-Group
· The Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on the rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) was constituted on March 9, 2015 by the Prime Minister in pursuance of the decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog held on February 8, 2015.
· Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Manipur, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Lt. Governor of A & N Islands are Members of the Sub-Group. The Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh is Convener and CEO, NITI Aayog is Coordinator of the Group. The Sub-Group undertook extensive consultations with the Central Ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, NITI Aayog and States and UTs including those which were not represented by their Chief Ministers/ LGs in the Sub-Group. In addition, at the instance of the Sub-Group, CEO/NITI Aayog undertook regional consultations at official level at Kolkata, Chandigarh, New Delhi and Hyderabad with States/UTs. The Sub-Group itself met four times and has finalized its recommendations on the basis of such extensive consultations. In this endeavor, the Sub Group has been assisted by a Working Group of senior officers drawn from NITI Aayog, Central Ministries and States/UTs.
· It is matter of great satisfaction that despite such wide ranging consultation, this report has the broad agreement of not only the member chief ministers but also of the non-member states

Guiding Principles

· The formation of the Sub-Group is testimony to the resolve of the Union and the States /UTs to work as Team India in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism towards realisation of the goals of VISION 2022 when we will celebrate the 75th year of Independence. The objectives of the VISION are broadly: (a) providing basic amenities to all citizens in an equitable and just manner for ensuring a life with self-respect and dignity, and (b) providing appropriate opportunities to every citizen to realize her potential.

· For realising VISION 2022, the Governing Council of NITI Aayog is engaged in developing the contours of the National Development Agenda. CSS are key instruments for meeting the objectives outlined in the National Development Agenda.
· The sectors covered under the National Development Agenda are critical to the transformation of India and the outcomes will transcend State boundaries. Since a significant amount of Plan Transfers to States/UTs are routed through CSS, and since many CSS interventions are in the social sectors, it is imperative that they are designed to be effective and outcome-oriented. Moreover, they should be adequately funded and their implementation should be sufficiently flexible to enable the States to efficiently implement them according to local requirements and conditions.

Provision for CSS in Union Budget of 2015-16.

· In the Union Budget for 2015-16, CSS are classified as Central Assistance to State Plan (CASP). In 2014-15, budgetary provisions were made for 66 CSS of which 17 large schemes were designated as ‘flagship’ programmes.
· With effect from BE 2015-16, following the acceptance of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission (FFC) by Government of India, the devolution to States has increased from 32% to 42% of the net Union Tax Receipts. In absolute terms, it is estimated that this entails additional devolution of Rs. 1.78 lakh cr to the States. As a result, the fiscal space available with the Union Government to fund CSS has shrunk.

· The 14th FC has recommended that sector-specific transfers from the Union to the States/UTs should be confined to sectors like education, health, drinking water and sanitation. However, in view of the preponderance of CSS being interventions in key sectors of national importance, the Government of India has retained 50 of the 66 ongoing CSS in Budget 2015-16. The balance are being either taken into the Central sector, or reformulated as new Umbrella Schemes or have been transferred to the States.
· Hence, post-14thFC devolution, the BE for Central Assistance to State Plan (CASP) has been reduced from Rs. 3.38 lakh cr in 2014-15, to Rs. 2.05 lakh cr in 2015-16. The BE for CSS has reduced from Rs. 2.52 lakh cr to about Rs. 1.69 lakh cr (excluding provision for CSS for UTs).
Rationalisation of CSS: Perspectives of Centre, State and UTs:
· Henceforth only Schemes/Programmes in CSS in key identified sectors will comprise the National Development Agenda.
· The number of Schemes/Programmes should be reduced for improving their visibility and impact.
· Investment in Core Schemes/Programmes should be maintained at least at their current level.
· While deciding the funding pattern, special dispensation needs to be given for North Eastern and Himalayan States and UTs.
· States should be given flexibility in the implementation of the Schemes.
· Given their critical role in successful implementation of Schemes, the support from the Centre for remuneration of grass-root workers like ASHA, Aanganwadis, Contract Teachers etc. should be maintained at present levels for at least two years.
· The processes and procedures for release of Central Assistance (CA) to the States under these Schemes should be simplified.
· There should be a degree of certainty regarding the availability of funds and Central Assistance likely to be available under these Schemes in the medium term.
· Projects/activities that are already sanctioned earlier under these schemes should be completed for which adequate provisions should be made.
· NITI Aayog should emerge as a platform for addressing problems in implementation of Schemes/Programmes under the National Development Agenda.
Major Recommendations at a glance:
· Focus of CSS should be on the Schemes that comprise the National Development Agenda where the Centre and the States will work together in the spirit of Team India.
· Sectors/ tasks/objectives like Poverty Elimination including MGNREGA and Schemes for social inclusion; Drinking water and Swachh Bharat Mission; Rural Connectivity including Electrification; Access Roads and Communications; Agriculture including Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Irrigation; Education including Mid Day Meal; Health, Nutrition, Women and Children; Housing for All: Urban Transformation and Law and Order and Justice Delivery System would be Core Sectors as they constitute important elements of the National Development Agenda. MGNREGA and Schemes for Social inclusion would be accorded highest priority.
· Accordingly, existing CSS should be divided into: Core and Optional schemes.
· Amongst the Core Schemes, those for social protection and social inclusion should form the Core of the Core and be the first charge on available funds for the National Development Agenda.
· Ordinarily, in any sector there should be one Umbrella scheme having the same funding pattern for all its sub-components.
· Investment levels in Core Schemes should be maintained so as to ensure that the optimum size of the programme does not shrink.
· Funds for Optional Schemes would be allocated to States by the Ministry of Finance as a lump sum and States would be free to choose which Optional Schemes they wish to implement. Additionally, the States have been given the flexibility of portability of funds from optional schemes ( should it choose not to utilize to utilize its entire allocation under that head) to any other CSS component within the overall allocation for the state under CASP.
· From now onwards, the sharing pattern should be:
For Core Schemes
a) For 8 NE and 3 Himalayan States: Centre: State: 90:10
b) For other States: Centre: State: 60:40
c) For Union Territories: Centre: 100%

For Optional Schemes
a) For 8 NE and 3 Himalayan States: Centre: State: 80:20
b) For other States: Centre: State: 50:50
c) For Union Territories: Centre: 100%
· Existing funding pattern for schemes classified as Core of the Core should continue.
· Remuneration for ASHAs, Aanganwadi and Contract Teachers to be protected. However, Central Assistance (CA) may be capped at existing level for the next 2 years in this regard.

(Provision for incomplete projects: all works begun in projects in existence in 2014-15 in which work has been awarded till 31 March 2015 should be funded on the existing pattern for the next 2 years.
· Flexibility in Schemes and Institutional mechanism: 25% allocation in a Scheme should be flexi-fund, to be spent in accordance with Ministry of Finance guidelines.
· Design of CSS should be broadly like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) with a large number of admissible components in a scheme, and the States being free to choose components to suit their local needs.
· Cost norms in construction component of schemes should be decided by States subject to capping of allocation by the Centre.
· Releases of funds should be simplified, based on yearly authorization. Actual release of cash would be on quarterly basis. .
· Releases should be based on Utilization Certificates of the installment prior to the last installment to a State/UT.
· The Ministry of Finance would make Scheme-wise allocations for Core Schemes. In each Core Schemes, there would be transparent criteria for State allocation of funds. There would also be transparent criteria for the lump sum allocation to States for Optional Schemes. These criteria to be evolved by NITI Aayog in consultation with State Governments and central Ministries.
· NITI Aayog to have concurrent jurisdiction in monitoring of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the States and Central Ministries.
· Third-party evaluation by NITI Aayog

BIS elects Raghuram Rajan as its vice-chairman

BIS elects Raghuram Rajan as its vice-chairman
Raghuram Rajan, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor who has been a vocal votary for increased co-ordination among central banks, has been elected vice-chairman of the Bank of International Settlement (BIS). Mr. Rajan will have a three-year term as vice-chairman of the BIS.
“Rajan joined the BIS Board of Directors in December 2013. Jens Weidmann, Chairman of the BIS Board, welcomed Dr. Rajan in his new role and thanked him for his continued service to the Bank,” the RBI said in a press release.

First such RBI Governor
Mr. Rajan is the first Indian central bank Governor to become the vice-chairman of BIS.
BIS is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and acts as a coordinating body among central banks to ensure global monetary and financial stability. The BIS board meets at least six times a year.
The BIS board comprise all central bankers. The board includes U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda.
Mr. Rajan was appointed Governor of the RBI in September 2013, and was given a three-year term. This new role of Mr. Rajan will surely boost his chances for an extension next year, according to central bank watchers.
Tiding the currency crisis
The former International Monetary Fund chief economist, who is widely credited for predicting the global financial crisis of 2008, was appointed RBI Governor amid a currency crisis in 2013 which he was able to tackle soon after he assumed charge. He was also able to bring down inflation from double digit levels in the last two years and had proposed radical changes in the areas of monetary policy and banking reforms in India.
Mr. Rajan has been a strong critic of unconventional monetary policies such as quantitative easing and keeping interest rates at near-zero level for long, and he also believes that the sooner central banks recognised the importance of coordination, the more sustainable global growth would be.
“The current non-system in international monetary policy is, in my view, a source of substantial risk, both to sustainable growth and to the financial sector,” Mr. Rajan said in a speech at an event organised by the Institute of Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, Tokyo, last year.
Problem of collective action
“It is not an industrial country problem, nor an emerging market problem; it is a problem of collective action,” he added

India's GSAT-15 Communication Satellite Launched Successfully

India's GSAT-15 Communication Satellite Launched Successfully

GSAT-15, India’s latest communications satellite, was launched successfully by the European Ariane 5 VA-227 launch Vehicle in the early morning hours of today (November 11, 2015). The 3164 kg GSAT-15 carries communication transponders in Ku-band as well as a GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands.

After a smooth countdown lasting 11 hours and 30 minutes, the Ariane 5 launch vehicle lifted off right on schedule at 0304 hrs (3:04 am) IST today. After a flight of 43 minutes and 24 seconds, GSAT-15 separated from the Ariane 5 upper stage in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 250 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 35,819 km, inclined at an angle of 3.9 degree to the equator. The achieved orbit was very close to the intended one.

ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took over the command and control of GSAT-15 immediately after its separation from the launch vehicle. Preliminary health checks of the satellite revealed its normal health.

In the coming days, orbit raising manoeuvres will be performed to place the satellite in the Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) by using the satellite’s propulsion system in steps.

After the completion of orbit raising operations, the two solar arrays and both the antenna reflectors of GSAT-15 will be deployed. Following this, the satellite will be put in its final orbital configuration. GSAT-15 will be positioned at 93.5 deg East longitude in the geostationary orbit along with the operational INSAT-3A and INSAT-4B satellites. Later, it is planned to experimentally turn on the communication payloads of GSAT-15. After the successful completion of all the in-orbit tests, GSAT-15 will be ready for operational use.

Text of PM’s address to the British Parliament

Text of PM’s address to the British Parliament

Lord Speaker,
Mr. Speaker,
Mr. Prime Minister

I am delighted to be in London. Even in this globalised world, London is still the standard for our times. The city has embraced the world’s diversity and represents the finest in human achievements. And, I am truly honoured to speak in the British Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for opening the doors to us, here in this magnificent setting of the Royal Court. I know that the Parliament is not in Session. Prime Minister Cameron looks relaxed and relieved.

But, I want to remind you, Mr. Prime Minister, that you owe me royalty for an election slogan. I know that you are hosting me at the Chequers this evening. But, I also know that you will understand if I am fair to both sides of the floor. Especially since British MPs of Indian Origin are evenly balanced between the Treasury and the Opposition benches. So, I also extend my good wishes to the Labour. Indeed, since these are still early days after the election, my warm congratulations to the Members of the House. And, greetings to the eminent leaders of Britain and great friends of India present here today.

So much of the modern history of India is linked to this building. So much history looms across our relationship. There are others who have spoken forcefully on the debts and dues of history. I will only say that many freedom fighters of India found their calling in the institutions of Britain. And, many makers of modern India, including several of my distinguished predecessors, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Dr. Manmohan Singh, passed through their doors.

There are many things on which it is hard to tell anymore if they are British or Indian: The Jaguar or the Scotland Yard, for example. The Brooke Bond tea or my friend late Lord Ghulam Nun’s curry. And, our strongest debates are whether the Lord’s pitch swings unfairly or the wicket at Eden Gardens cracks too early. And, we love the Bhangra rap from London just as you like the English novel from India.

On the way to this event, Prime Minister Cameron and I paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi outside the Parliament. I was reminded of a question I was asked on a tour abroad. How is it that the statue of Gandhi stands outside the British Parliament? To that question, my answer is: The British are wise enough to recognise his greatness; Indians are generous enough to share him; we are both fortunate enough to have been touched by his life and mission; and, we are both smart enough to use the strengths of our connected histories to power the future of our relationship.

So, I stand here today, not as a visiting Head of Government, given the honour to speak in this temple of democracy. I am here as a representative of a fellow institution and a shared tradition.

And, tomorrow, Prime Minister and I will be at the Wembley. Even in India, every young footballer wants to bend it like Beckham. Wembley will be a celebration of one-half-million threads of life that bind us; one and half million people - proud of their heritage in India; proud of their home in Britain.

It will be an expression of joy for all that we share: values, institutions, political system, sports, culture and art. And, it will be a recognition of our vibrant partnerships and a shared future.

The United Kingdom is the third largest investor in India behind Singapore and Mauritius. India is the third largest source of Foreign Direct Investment projects in the United Kingdom. Indians invest more in Britain than in the rest of European Union combined. It is not because they want to save on interpretation costs, but because they find an environment that is welcoming and familiar.

It takes an Indian icon, Tata, to run a British icon and become your nation’s largest private sector employer.

The UK remains a preferred destination for Indian students. And, I am pleased that an Indian company is taking a thousand British students to India to skill them in Information Technology.

We are working together in the most advanced areas of science and technology. We are finding solutions to the enduring human problems of food and health security, and seeking answers to emerging challenges like climate change.

Our security agencies work together so that our children return home safe and our increasingly networked lives are not prey to the threats on cyber space.

Our Armed Forces exercise with each other, so that they can stand more strongly for the values we represent. This year alone, we have had three exercises together.

And, in the international arena, your support has made it more possible for India to take her rightful place in global institutions and regimes. And, it has helped us both advance our common interests.

Mr. Speaker,

Strong as our partnership is, for a relationship such as ours, we must set higher ambitions. We are two democracies; two strong economies; and, two innovative societies.

We have the comfort of familiarity and the experience of a long partnership. Britain’s resurgence is impressive. Its influence on the future of the global economy remains strong.

And, Mr. Speaker, India is new bright spot of hope and opportunity for the world. It is not just the universal judgment of international institutions. It is not just the logic of numbers: a nation of 1.25 billion people with 800 million under the age of 35 years.

This optimism comes from the energy and enterprise of our youth; eager for change and confident of achieving it. It is the result of bold and sustained measures to reform our laws, policies, institutions and processes.

We are igniting the engines of our manufacturing sector; making our farms more productive and more resilient; making our services more innovative and efficient; moving with urgency on building global skills for our youth; creating a revolution in Startup enterprises; and, building the next generation infrastructure that will have a light footprint on the Earth.

Our momentum comes not just from the growth we pursue, but from the transformation that we seek in the quality of life for every citizen.

Much of India that we dream of still lies ahead of us: housing, power, water and sanitation for all; bank accounts and insurance for every citizen; connected and prosperous villages; and, smart and sustainable cities. These are goals with a definite date, not just a mirage of hope.

And, inspired by Gandhiji, the change has begun with us – the way the government works. There is transparency and accountability in governance. There is boldness and speed in decisions.

Federalism is no longer the fault line of Centre-State relations, but the definition of a new partnership of Team India. Citizens now have the ease of trust, not the burden of proof and process. Businesses find an environment that is open and easy to work in.

In a nation connected by cell phones, Digital India is transforming the interface between Government and people.

So, Mr. Speaker, with apologies to poet T.S. Eliot, we won’t let the shadow fall between the idea and reality.

If you visit India, you will experience the wind of change.

It is reflected in the surge of investments from around the world; in enhanced stability of our economy; in 190 million new bank accounts of hope and inclusion; in the increase in our growth to nearly 7.5% per year; and, in the sharp rise in our ranking on Ease of Doing Business.

And, the motto of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, is our vision of a nation, in which every citizen belongs, participates and prospers.

It is not just a call for economic inclusion. It is also a celebration of our diversity; the creed for social harmony; and, a commitment to individual liberties and rights.

This is the timeless ethos of our culture; this is the basis of our constitution; and, this will be the foundation of our future.

Mr. Speaker,
Members and Friends,

The progress of India is the destiny of one-sixth of humanity. And, it will also mean a world more confident of its prosperity; and, more secure about its future.

It is also natural and inevitable that our economic relations will grow by leaps and bounds. We will form unbeatable partnerships, if we combine our unique strengths and the size and scale of opportunities in India.

We will see more investment and trade. We will open new doors in the Services sector. We will collaborate more – here and in India - in defence equipment and technology. We will work together on renewable and nuclear energy.

We will explore the mysteries of science and harness the power of technology and innovation. We will realise the opportunities of the digital world. Our youth will learn more from - and with - each other.

But, a relationship as rich as this, with so much promise as ours, cannot be measured only in terms of our mutual prosperity.

Mr. Speaker,

Ours is an age of multiple transitions in the world. We are yet to fully comprehend the future unfolding before us. As in the previous ages, it will be different from the world we know.

So, in the uncharted waters of our uncertain times, we must together help steer a steady course for this world in the direction that mirrors the ideals we share.

For, in that lies not just the success of our two nations, but also the promise of the world that we desire. We have the strength of our partnership and the membership of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the G-20.

We live in a world where instability in a distant region quickly reaches our doorsteps. We see this in the challenges of radicalization and refugees.

The fault lines are shifting from the boundaries of nations into the web of our societies and the streets of our cities. And, terrorism and extremism are a global force that are larger than their changing names, groups, territories and targets.

The world must speak in one voice and act in unison to combat this challenge of our times. We must adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN without delay. There should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations. There should be a resolve to isolate those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them honestly. And, we need a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent and, every effort to delink religion and terrorism.

Oceans remain vital for our prosperity. Now, we have to also secure our cyber and outer space. Our interests are aligned across many regions. We have a shared interest in stable, prosperous and integrated South Asia, drawn together in a shared march to prosperity.

We want an Afghanistan that is shaped by the dreams of the great Afghan people, not by irrational fears and overreaching ambitions of others.

A peaceful, stable Indian Ocean Region is vital for global commerce and prosperity. And, the future of Asia Pacific region will have profound impact on all of us. We both have huge stakes in West Asia and the Gulf.

And, in Africa, where, amidst many challenges, we see so many promising signs of courage, wisdom, leadership and enterprise. India has just held an Africa Summit, in which all 55 countries, and 42 leaders participated.

We must also cooperate to launch a low carbon age for a sustainable future for our planet. This is a global responsibility that we must assume in Paris later this month.

The world has crafted a beautiful balance of collective action – common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities.

Those who have the means and the know-how must help meet the universal aspiration of humanity for clean energy and a healthy environment. And, when we speak of restraint, we must not only think of curbing fossil fuels, but also moderating our lifestyles.

We must all do our part. For India, a target of 175 GW of additional capacity in renewable energy by 2022 and reduction in emission intensity of 33-35 % by 2030 are just two of the steps of a comprehensive strategy.

I have also proposed to launch during the COP 21 meeting an International Solar Alliance to make solar energy an integral part of our lives, even in the most unconnected villages.

In Britain, you are more likely to use an umbrella against rain than the sun. But, my team defined the membership of the Solar Alliance in more precise terms: you have to be located within the Tropics.

And, we are pleased that the United Kingdom qualifies! So, we look forward to an innovative Britain as a valuable partner in this endeavour. Prime Minister Cameron and I are, indeed, very pleased that cooperation on affordable and accessible clean energy is an important pillar of our relations.

Mr. Speaker,

This is a huge moment for our two great nations. So, we must seize our opportunities, remove the obstacles to cooperation, instill full confidence in our relations and remain sensitive to each other’s interests.

In doing so, we will transform our strategic partnership, and we will make this relationship count as one of the leading global partnerships. Ever so often, in the call of Britain’s most famous Bard that we must seize the tide in the affairs of men, the world has sought the inspiration to act. And, so must we.

But, in defining the purpose of our partnership, we must turn to a great son of India, whose house in London I shall dedicate to the cause of social justice on Saturday. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, whose 125th birth anniversary we are celebrating now, was not just an architect of India’s Constitution and our parliamentary democracy. He also stood for the upliftment of the weak, the oppressed and the excluded. And, he lifted us all to a higher cause in the service of humanity; to build a future of justice, equality, opportunity and dignity for all humans; and, peace among people.

That is the cause to which India and the United Kingdom have dedicated themselves today.

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2015

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2015

            Union Public Service Commission will be conducting the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2015 at 08 Centres from 21-11-2015.  The Commission has uploaded the e-Admit Cards on its website (http://www.upsc.gov.in.).  The candidates are advised to download their   e-Admit Cards and take a printout thereof.  The candidates will have to produce the printout of their e-Admit Cards at the allotted venue for appearing in the examination.  In case the photograph is not visible or available on the e-Admit Cards, candidates are advised to carry  identical photographs  for each session alongwith  proof of Identity such as Identity Card, Voter Identity Card,  Driving License, Passport  etc. to the venue of the  Examination.  No paper Admit Card will be issued for this examination by the Commission.

Leaders of China, Taiwan meet for first time since 1949

 The leaders of China and Taiwan shook hands ahead of a carefully managed meeting in Singapore that will mark the first summit since the two sides clashed in a civil war seven decades ago.

Watched by a gaggle of photographers and reporters, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou greeted each other before the start of closed-door discussions where they will address each other as “mister” to navigate the complex protocols that accompany their talks. They shook hands and waved to the cameras.
Xi told Ma that the two sides are “one family” and cannot be pulled apart, as they began a landmark summit on Saturday in Singapore.
“No force can pull us apart,” Xi told Ma. “We are one family.”
The tete-a-tete, which comes before Ma leaves office in a few months, ensures the politically divisive China issue remains at the center of Taiwan’s January presidential election. Ma’s Kuomintang, or Nationalist party, has caused unease with voters by bringing the two sides closer economically, and the party’s candidate is trailing in opinion polls.
For Xi, the meeting may help Communist Party leaders in Beijing secure gains that have seen the country become Taiwan’s biggest trading partner. The talks come at the end of his state visit to Singapore and ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Manila later this month.
Singapore previously hosted talks in 1993 that followed an agreement by China and Taiwan to acknowledge the existence of “one China” while keeping their own interpretation of what that means.
The talks are being held in a room at the Shangri-La hotel at a long table with black office chairs. The table has a white cloth and is adorned with pink and red flowers, and each seat has a notepad, water bottle and teacup in front of it. Name cards show Ma will sit opposite Xi with each to be flanked by six officials.
After the meeting the two men will have a low-key dinner — where they will split the bill — before flying out. Ma brought with him several bottles of Taiwanese liquor that may make an appearance at the meal. Bloomberg

Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)

Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)

A new programme called SATYAM-“Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation” has been launched to strengthen research in the areas of yoga and meditation. An objective of SATYAM is to harness knowledge obtained in academic institutions and other related agencies for finding Science & Technology -led solutions that would enable us to cope with stress and strain associated with fast changing social, economic, environmental and professional circumstances. Cutting-edge research under SATYAM will seek to identify various issues and challenges related to human well-being and address them. The programme will encourage research in two major thematic areas: (1) investigations on the effect of Yoga and meditation on physical and mental health, and (2) investigations on the effect of Yoga & meditation on the body, brain and mind in terms of basic processes occurring therein.

Given the ever increasing prevalence of physical and mental health problems, the holistic approach of Yoga and meditation is believed to have the potential to find beneficial treatment that is relatively safer and more cost-effective.