India, Mauritius to join hands to combat piracy: President

President Pratibha Patil on Sunday said India and Mauritius would join hands to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean as she arrived Port Louis on a five-day State visit

SEBI favours self regulation model for wealth managers

In its new set of rules for an estimated USD-1 trillion wealth management industry, SEBI is planning to set up an intermediary regulatory body with representation from among the wealth managers themselves.In the proposed self-regulatory model, the market watchdog will put the onus entirely on wealth managers for compliance to the regulations and the new entity to be created under Sebi's guidance would work as the first-stage regulator as also market development authority, a senior official said. 

FDI in services dips 22% to USD 3.27 bn in Apr-Feb last fiscal

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country’s services sector declined by about 22 per cent to USD 3.27 billion (Rs 14,958 crore) during April-February last fiscal, according to the industry ministry data.The services sector (financial and non-financial services) had attracted FDI worth USD 4.18 billion (Rs 20,015 crore) during April-February, 2009-10.

Ritualistic Ranga Pravesha stirs up traditional Assamese culture in Delhi

It was a rare occasion in the National Capital recently, when an enthusiatic audience experienced the enthralling Sattriya performance of Sanjukta Barooah Swargari, an eminent disciple of Adhyapak Bhabananda Barbayan of Uttar Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli,on the occasion of her Ranga Pravesha.Indian dances express enthusiasm and jubilance and showcase regional lifestyles with a special flavour of a particular culture. Sattriya Nritya, is one among eight principal classical Indian  dance  traditions. Created by Assamese Vaishnava saint Srimanta Shankardeva  in 15th  century Assam, the dance form of Sattriya is known for encompassing its rich traditional rituals which is displayed in form of a composite  art  of  Ankiya  naat ( a form of Assamese one-act plays) blended incredibly with music, poetry and story-telling and is usually  performed  in Sattras,  as Assam's monasteries  are  called.

PM, Sonia emphasise need to strengthen panchayats

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and NAC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has emphasised the need to strengthen Gram Sabhas for effective participation of people in governance.Addressing a function on National Panchayat Diwas in New Delhi on Sunday, Singh said the government was considering increasing the capacity of Panchayats so that they can discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Satya Sai Baba passes away

Popular Spiritual leader Satya Sai Baba is no more. A formal announcement was made to this affect at Puttaparthi in Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Director Dr A N Safaya told a crowded news conference that Sai Baba breathed his last at 7.40 this morning. He has been ailing at the super specialty hospital at Puttaparthi since the 28th of last month with multi-organ disfunctioning.A team of doctors and experts have been making all out efforts to improve his health condition all these days.

85 per cent polling in 2nd phase assembly elections in West Bengal

In West Bengal, over 85 per cent voting was recorded for second phase of assembly elections in the state. The second phase of poll took place in 50 seats covering Murshidabad, Nadia and Beerbhom districts on Saturday. 

India calls for global cooperation to tackle menace of piracy

The Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur said that there is a need for global cooperation to tackle the menace of pirates as the sea route trade was vital for all countries.

Talking to reporters in Chandigarh, she said the Somali pirates had extended their reach several miles offshore. On Indian sailors in the captivity of Somali pirates, She said that the government has seized of the matter and will take appropriate action in this regard.

President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil's five day state visit to Mauritius, starting today

India and Mauritius will discuss a whole range of bilateral, regional and international issues during President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil's five day state visit to Mauritius, starting today. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, Secretary(west), Ministry of External Affairs, Vivek Katju said, the President's visit is part of the process of exchanges at the highest political level between the two countries.