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Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India rightly focuses on West Asia' that was published in Newsband

India rightly focuses on West Asia

New Delhi is laying its focus on West Asia in the coming year. This is clear from the high-profile visitors and visits planned for this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine and possibly Iran. Leaders from those countries and more are expected to come to Delhi as well. India is bidding for a place as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Hence this is not a region India can afford to take its eyes off.

The WANA (West Asia, North Africa) region is home to more than seven million Indians who account for more than half of all remittances to India, adding up to $70 billion. India’s energy dependence on the region is well known. The turmoil of the past few years in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen has unleashed untold sufferings on Indians working there. India had signed the landmark joint strategic vision document with the U.S. to monitor the South China Sea region to uphold international rule of law. The same logic would apply for India’s role in West Asia

India has to tread carefully and follow a diplomatic strategy to avoid any confrontation and maintain peace in West-Asia. Already, West Asia is simmering in discord and any little flare-up might jeopardise the global peace. Better sense should prevail with both countries for the benefit of mankind.

India cannot be a mute spectator in the developing situation. India has to get involved in the West Asian hotspot, and it also has a moral duty towards keeping peace apart from helping the warring parties which have traditionally had a millennia (and longer) friendly relationship with us. The resolution of the crisis before it becomes a full-fledged 'sectarian war' is important for us since we want to stop it before it singes us as well. As we are focussed on an economic trajectory, we need to do everything to cover the flanks as otherwise we would be unintentionally hit by these flare-ups.

We need to play a leading role in West Asia so as to retain our sphere of influence. As India becomes more powerful economically & militarily, there will be demands on its diplomacy too.

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Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Indians not happy about hike in visa fee by US' that was published in Newsband

Indians not happy about hike in visa fee by US

The Barack Obama administration has made a decision to raise the visa fee for skilled professionals seeking temporary work in the U.S. This is set to hit Indian companies in the IT sector. The expected losses could be at about $400 million a year. However, Some Indian IT majors such as Infosys have said the American move will not impact the sector much.

The hike in the visa fee could be owing to Americans fearing about jobs ‘going to foreigners’. But the hike has raised concerns in India. Although India has the options to take retaliatory steps or move the World Trade Organisation’s dispute settlement panel, the best course would be to amicably resolve the issue at the diplomatic level.

Just as there is a labour-surplus in India, the capital-rich U.S. has a looming labour shortage. Let us try to see from American point of view. Although it could be argued that hike in visa fee is a measure taken in light of the US elections, it also needs to be thought as a measure that there is adequate skill pool in US to carry out the tasks and therefore higher fee is needed to be paid if Indians are to go to the US. As the saying goes - Supply and demand needs to be balanced. If there is enough supply locally and not too much demand why get workers from overseas. This is a measure to restrict the flow of Indians to US and this could be thought as there is not enough demand to get the Indians at low visa fee and therefore there is a reason to hike the visa fee.

On the one hand it is strange how every Indian IT company thinks it cannot survive without access to the US market while economists are telling us how the US economy is in decline. Also, with an aging indigenous population, sooner or later the USA is going to be forced to import Indian workers. Why not wait for them to do so on their own?

Another thing is India is a better choice for the USA as a powerful ally in the Asia-Pacific region rather than Communist Dictatorship China. Hence USA should not provoke India by hiking the visa fee. The US should acknowledge the contribution of Indian IT companies for the welfare of American citizens. Visa fees can be controlled to support talent exchange between two countries. And the fact that Indians play a major role in US across all the sectors should not be ignored by the policymakers.

But before accusing US for the hike in visa fee, we should not forget that America is giving us free internet and free Facebook. Hence we should think thousand times before accusing America although it gives freedom to accuse as well. This is authentic democracy. Here is something for India to learn.

Dinesh Kamath's news '“NrityaKala Tilakam-2015” – An exclusive event on the India Traditional Dance Forms in Navi Mumbai.' that was published in Newsband

“NrityaKala Tilakam-2015” – An exclusive event on the India Traditional Dance Forms in Navi Mumbai.

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: In Major City Foundation & Priya Ads (Ads is addition) has decided the theme ‘NrityaKala Tilakam 2015’- an annual traditional dance form presentation & competitions among various schools from Navi Mumbai & Raigad and in various age groups such as Years - (Below 10 yrs), (10-15 yrs), (15-18 yrs), (18 +yrs) on 16 January, 2016 at CIDCO Auditorium, Sector 30A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai from 5:00 pm onwards.

Dance in India comprises varied styles of dances in the country. As with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dances originated in different parts of India, developed according to the local traditions and also imbibed elements from other parts of the country. Classical dance In India had developed a type of dance-drama that is a form of a total theater. The dance acts out a story almost exclusively through gestures. Most of the Classical dances enact stories from Hindu mythology & each form represents the culture & ethos of a particular region or group of people. ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy for performing arts, recognizes eight distinctive traditional dances as ‘Indian Classical Dances’, these are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi & Sattriya (Assamese).

Traditionally, dance as a profession or a hobby was discouraged, but with the changing trend and exposure to these various art forms among schools children by virtue of professional trained classes by the Gurus / Masters has brought hundreds and thousands of younger generation back to this great Indian traditional dance form. These children are now ably supported by their respective families, friends and even schools; however there has never being an exclusive event showcasing the talents and even an Inter school competition on a big platform and on a high magnitude.

“The event highlight is the Grand felicitation of Various Mahagurus who has accomplished over 25 yrs of teaching experience and various Gurus who are teaching various Indian traditional classical dance forms. Many Mahagurus shortlisted for first ever NrityaKala Tilakam 2015, prestigious awards are: Mahaguru. Smt. Aabha Menon (Bharatanatyam), Ms.Alka Lajmi (Bharatanatyam), Smt. Ambili Prasanan (Bharatanatyam) , Smt.Indulekha Nair (Bharatanatyam), Jayashree Nair (Bharatanatyam) , Mamata Biswas (Odissi), Mary Mac Mohan Paul (Bharatanatyam), Nivedita Mukherjee(Odissi), Padamashri Lakshminarayanan (Bharatanatyam), Prateesha Suresh (Sattriya), PRC Nair (Mohiniyattam), Rama Chadra Muthy (Kuchipudi), Sathyavathi Srinivas (Kuchipudi), Sushma Gopinath (Bharatanatyam), Tapasi Mishra (Kathak), Thara Varma (Kathakali)

The lists of Gurus to be felicitated are: Guru. Smt. Anuradha Jalnawalla (Bharatanatyam), Dr.Sarmistha Chattopadhyay (Odissi), Mridula Pradosh (Bharatanatyam), Nagalaxmi Mani (Bharatanatyam), Nila Damle (Kathak), Shamal Pawar (Bharatanatyam), Shriti Nair (Bharatanatyam), Shyama Sugish (Mohiniyattam), Sudeshna Sengupta (Kathak), Suhasini Rahul (Bharatanatyam) & Vidya Venkateshwaran (Bharatanatyam).

Many Mahagurus will be seen performing together on a theme song “Vande Matharam” & Gurus on “Mile Sur Mera Tuhmara”. There are over 30+ students nominated by various schools who will be performing for this year’s NrityaKala Tilakam 2015 gala event and the finale will be the Top Dance Academies participation from across Navi Mumbai & Raigad.

It is a ‘Priya Ads’ initiatives (Specializes into recognition & awards, and concept advertisement). In the recent past they initiated highly successful social events viz. A health event on d ‘National Doctor Day’-‘Aarogyam Dhanasampada 2014 &2015’ & an Educational event on the ‘National Teacher Day’-‘Vidhyaiva Sarvadhanam 2015’.

All are invited to participate in this magnanimous event & mission of ‘Dancing to Live’.  

Dinesh Kamath's cartoons on 'Alooramji' that were published in Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Ridlr launches mobile ticketing for NMMT buses' that was published in Newsband

Ridlr launches mobile ticketing for NMMT buses

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Ridlr announces an agreement with Navi Mumabi Municipal Transport Corporation to offer mobile ticketing service for NMMT buses in Mumbai. This is the first ever online ticketing platform that will enable people to book bus tickets through mobile phones.

Commuters will now be able to book NMMT bus tickets by using the Ridlr app. The process is as simple as selecting the destination and paying through the mobile wallet for an e-ticket. This ticket is then to be shown to the conductor for validation. Currently, being piloted on selected routes, eventually the solution shall be rolled out across all NMMT routes.

Speaking on the occasion, Shirish Aradwad, Transport Manager, who has been spearheading strategic technological innovations at NMMT started, “This move is in line with the Corporation’s commitment to offer a better commuting experience to the residents of Navi Mumbai.”

“We saw people facing multiple issues during their daily commute such as waiting in long queues, spending a lot of time at booking counters and struggling with change to pay for tickets. This is when we thought of deploying technology that equips people to book tickets through their smartphones. Presently, Ridlr offers ticketing solution for NMMT & Mumbai Metro and very soon we are going to be available on BEST and other transportation bodies. We want to make it a one stop app for all public transportation needs,” said Brijraj Vaghani, CEO at Ridlr.

Further Sanjay Pattiwar, Additional Commissioner – NMMC added, “With growing demand and popularity of the bus routes, mobile ticketing is sure to add to the convenience of the commuters.”

Ravi Khemani, co-founder & CTO at Ridlr shared his views on this development stating, “We are aiming to save people’s time by getting rid of paper tickets and long queues. Effortless ticketing would not only enrich over-all commuter experience but also benefit the transport corporation by ensuring fare collection from all the passengers.”

The authorities anticipate, availability of an alternate mode of ticketing along with conventional paper tickets would be of great help to the users. A Simple process and ease of access will entice users to switch to mobile ticketing for their daily commute.

About Ridlr:

Ridlr is a commuting app providing you real time information for diverse transit modes, including train, bus and metro in your city along with mobile ticketing needs. Ridlr also gives its commuters live traffic updates so that the commuters can steer clear of congestion by taking alternate routes and make their commute stress-free.