Archives 2024

Parliament Stalled Over FDI Issue


Parliament remained stalled for the seventh consecutive day as opposition and a section of ruling alliance members created uproar on foreign direct investment in retail and various issues leading to adjournments in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha till noon.No sooner Speaker Meira Kumar called for the Question Hour signaling a start to the day’s proceedings than members rushed to the aisles demanding a rollback of the controversial decision to allow FDI in retail.Some members of the ruling Congress as also of the Telugu Desam Party were seen waving placards demanding creation of a separate Telangana State.Members of the Trinamool Congress, a key partner in the government, were also seen waving placards and raising slogans on rollback of the decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail.The TDP, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Shiv Sena members rushed to the well of the Lok Sabha while others continued their protests from the aisles.The Speaker’s repeated pleas of “Let us run the House” failed to restore order as members continued their protests. Apparently sensing the mood, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till noon.In the Rajya Sabha, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Janata Dal(United) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members were on their feet shouting slogans against the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retailing even before Chairman Hamid Ansari took his seat.”FDI vapas lo, vapas lo,” they shouted as Mr. Ansari took up the first listed question.

Members from Kerala moved into aisles raising the issue of safety of the Mullaperiyar dam in the State. R.N. Pany (BJP) and other members from his party trooped into the well creating din.Mr. Ansari then adjourned the House till 12 noon.Parliament has not transacted any significant business since the Winter Session began on November 22.The Parliament was adjourned for the seventh day on Wednesday with the opposition refusing to allow proceedings before the government accepted its demand to reverse decision on FDI in retail.As soon as the two Houses assembled the opposition members were up on their feet demanding an adjournment motion to discuss the FDI issue.With the members refusing to heed to the Chair, both the Houses were adjourned till noon.However when the Houses reconvened, the ruckus continued leading to adjournment for the day.Earlier in the morning, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee briefed Congress MPs on government’s policy on the issue.This after the divide within the Congress once again came to the fore on Tuesday.

Party MP from Uttar Pradesh Sanjay Singh openly opposed the government’s FDI decision and sought a rollback.Meanwhile, the BJP has stepped up its attack on the government.Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj has questioned why the government is running away from a discussion on FDI in retail.Taking a dig at the government Sushma said in a tweet, “This means the government does not have majority support in the Parliament on this decision.”Sushma further tweeted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is isolated on this decision.She said, “His cabinet, his party, his alliance partners, his supporting parties – nobody is with this decision. He should first convince them before commenting on the Opposition.”

political transparency

The Advantages Of A ‘green’ Business
Over the last few years, there has been much publicity on ‘going green’, and making our homes or businesses more environmentally friendly. Many people are changing to “green” business technologies for different reasons. There are several different studies, such as the study published by the Retail Systems Research, sponsored by Intel, which cited different advantages of green businessES. The study said that those companies or retailers who have outperformed their competition are building or practicing environment-friendly strategies. Aside from that, operation costs were also reduced. Although, it may appear that going ‘green’ could actually increase expenditure, since ‘green’ products tend to be more expensive, businesses and homeowners would eventually feel that they are saving more money in the long run. Let us take the example of a delivery company. They have started using digital record keeping and communication through e-mail.

Eventually, such practices paid off. Their 30,000 strong-company was able to save about 2 million pounds a year just by reducing paper transactions to two pages a day. Simple practices like these may not be appealing initially or may appear insufficient, but surprisingly, they eventually deliver results. The conclusion is, going ‘green’ can help your business save more. Even Microsoft are saying that owners, businesses and residences could save 90 every year on electricity just by switching their computers into hibernate mode when not in use. The government is also recognizing the efforts of the private sector in building a safer environment. There is a federal stimulus bill in 2009 which offers incentives and tax reductions to business who are practicing ‘green’ methods on reducing their energy consumption by as much as 50%. This stimulus bill is said to have about 50 billion in funds to promote cleaner energy. Apart from that, there are consumers who stick to brands and companies that they know are taking the environment into consideration. Customers are starting to pay attention to the choices they are making. Which is why it would pay to advertise the company’s environmental stance. There are different organizations and PR companies that could help businesses let the world know how they are taking eco-friendly steps. They could help in sensitively promoting your business and instil social awareness and responsibility among audiences and consumers.

Consumers are starting to take an interest in ‘green’ products and companies since they show that they are safer to use and they are making a contribution to the environment. ‘Green’ businesses are not only getting more attention from possible customers but from possible investors, also, according to Dow Jones Sustainability Index. What caused this shift? According to Forest Reinhardt, disasters from the past have contributed to social awareness, such as oil spills and gas leaks which killedmany people and at the same time created a geological hazard. Emerging global problems caused by a series of human activities and effects which are possibly irreversible are also contributing factors. Following green business practices and strategies would benefit not only businesses, but the entire population. Business owners and managers are part of a community which would benefit by making ‘green’ and smart choices.

Online Availability of Arab News Bringing in Changes


Earlier, during the time of dictators, there were strict restrictions on the expression of views and publication of news. People had made it a habit to live a silent life. They had no right to oppose even on injustice. Arabian women were more wretched species in the country that had no right to decide even their own future. But, sooner or later, the destiny of the dark is to disappear and give way to the lights of hopes for better tomorrow. This is exactly what taking place in Arab today. The continent is experiencing the warmth of change-rays coming from all over the world, inspiring Arabian individuals, and spreading light in their lives. Thanks to the online availability of Arab news that every Arabian can access to, and share his or her views online. It has revolutionized the whole world today and Arab is no exception.

The online Arab news is reaching to every household with the excess of internet, and to every individual holding a mobile or an i-Pod. There are several online magazines of Arab people, being published for Arab people, by Arab people. This makes them aware of the political, economical developments taking shape in and out of Arab continent, and how it is affecting their social life. This awareness then forms a view in their mind, and many like-minded people get a step ahead to exchange their views through online forums available on the Arab news portals. The easy and fast process of exchanging views inspires them very much to do it. The process doesn’t stop here. Many online magazines and news portals also provide comments from experts in every sector, which further enhances knowledge of individuals, and corrects their understanding of the affairs, if so is required. Thus it strengthens their confidence of the topic, and encourages them to participate in such events more openly.

Not only men, but Arabian women are also equally participating in such online venues and registering their pros and cons towards anything which is affecting their entity. It is true that not all parts of the continent are using internet so profusely to bring about changes but some economies have really opened door to the foreign views by allowing free access to internet. Some extremist countries are still restricting the free use of internet and any such facility which might augment the awareness of locals and challenge the dictatorship of so called leaders. However, the wave is continuously flowing on its way and it is sure to reach every nook and corner of the continent; sooner or later though. If you are an Arabian and want to share your views towards the developments in your region, join online forums available on some of the very good Arab news portal online. You can meet several people who agree with your views and they will support your views by adding their own views to it. This will provide a common platform for you to raise voice against evils and contribute to the welfare of current and coming generations.

A Return of Death Penalty in The Philippines


Today’s crime and violence rate in the Philippines is said to have distressingly increased over the past few years. And part of what made it disturbing is the act itself which involves rape and murder of minors. Because of this, the Congress will now decide if death penalty by lethal injection should be returned to address today’s increasingly disturbing crime and violence rate in the Philippines.UPLB VictimsAcording to Philippines Current Events The first victim of a heinous crime of both rape and murder was Given Grace Cebanico, a 19yrs old student of UPLB taking a Computer Science Course. Her body was found on Apec Road at the outskirts of UPLB with stab wounds, her hands cuffed and her mouth gagged with a handkerchief.Though crime has been partially served, in which the first suspect, a tricycle driver, is already serving his sentence, while the other suspect, a security guard, is still at-large, friends and families felt that justice has not yet been truly served while the other suspect of the rape-slay case is still at large, while the other one is serving years in jail.

According to Philippines News Today another victim of rape and murder was a 14yr old Sampaguita vendor, Rochel Geronda, which was found in Los Banos, Laguna on Wednesday morning, Fenruary 29. The victim’s body was seen in a banana plantation in Barangay Batong Malaki.Other than Given Grace and Rochel Geronda, another victim was Rey Bernard Penaranda, an agriculture student in UPLB who was murdered by holdup men.Ray Bernard Penaranda, an agriculture student, was killed at about 1:30 a.m. along F.O. Santos Street in Barangay (village) Batong Malake in Los Banos, Laguna. Although all three suspects have already been nabbed by the Police, friends and families still feels that justice has not yet been truly served while these three still lives.Sta. Mesa Rape-Slay CaseRecently, a 7 year old girl was found dead in a house in Sta.

Mesa which was also been allegedly raped. Though the suspects, a minor and an adult, were caught for the crime, their expressions tell that they are not afraid of their jail time, that the crime they looked proud of the crime they committed.Death Penalty as a SolutionThese crimes and other more were the reason why death penalty by lethal injection is to be discussed in the Congress if it is applicable to take this measure again. However, many have suggested that lethal injection is not enough to frighten these criminals. Many suggest using a more heinous form of death penalty to stop this increasing crime-rate in the Philippines. For more information visit to our site at