‘YUVA TRAINS’ for youth

‘Yuva Trains’ targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country is all set to roll out soon in early 2010, at a time when youth has become the political buzzword of the ruling Congress party. A passenger will be charged between Rs.299 and Rs.399 depending on the distance he travels.

‘The total chargeable fare for Yuva passengers inclusive of all other charges like reservation fee, Superfast charge and development charge would not exceed Rs.299/- up to a distance of 1500 kms and Rs. 399/- for distance beyond 1500 up to 2500 kms,” said spokesperson for the Ministry of Railway.

Initially the service will be launched as a pilot project with two separate weekly trains will run between Mumbai to Delhi and Delhi to Kolkata. The extension of Yuva Trains to other areas of the country will depend upon its success rates.

Children between 5 and 12 years will continue to be charged half fare. The benefit of Yuva Train fares will be met by only those unemployed persons who fall between 15 and 45 years and fulfill certain criteria.

To fulfill the criteria of Yuva so as to avail the concessional fares, a person will have to produce certificates issued under National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) and valid Registration card issued by a Government run Employment Exchange. And if age is not specified in these certificates, a person will have to get an age certificate like Identity Card, Ration Card, Driving License., Passport, educational certificate, certificate from local bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality or any other authentic and recognized document on which date of birth is recorded.

Initially, 60 per cent of the total number of coaches will be earmarked for ‘Yuva’ category. The remaining will be earmarked for general passengers (non-Yuva). The trains will be fully airconditioned with one chair car. Tatkal scheme would not be applicable in Yuva Trains.

Yuva Trains is the brainchild of Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee who had announced in this year’s Railway Budget that “these trains dedicated for the young generation will be introduced between major cities to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between these cities”.

Ruchika case: Justice delayed, Justice denied

Judicial system, one of the three main pillars of our democratic system, is itself in question today. It is the sheer delay in disposition of cases that has forced many to point fingers on its functioning. And if, after a long delay a victim and its family get inept justice, what can be said then — justice or injustice? Repetitive, common, but one of the unfortunate feature of our legal system has once again put today judiciary in bar with the conviction in Ruchika Girthora, molestation case.

The budding 14-year-old Panchkula resident tennis player Ruchika was molested by former Haryana director general of police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore almost two decades ago in 1990 that ultimately propelled her to commit suicide three years later. August 12 proved the darkest day in Ruchika’s life when Rathore attacked and molested her at his HLTA office. Failed to bear the incessant pressure to withdraw the case against the IPS officer and the following continuous mental harassment of her and her family finally forced her to end her life. Rathore, now 66, was also then head of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA). On Monday, Special CBI magistrate J S Sidhu convicted Rathore under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and handed him six months of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs.1,000.

The over-delayed and inappropriate justice caused outrage among activists and created uproar in Parliament Tuesday with everyone saying the quantum of punishment was “too little, too late”. “A criminal who committed that crime in police uniform and escaped justice for 19 years was rewarded with promotion after promotion. And, 19 years later this criminal has finally been found guilty. What is the punishment - just six months,” CPM MP Brinda Karat, who sought a fast-track justice system in sexual harassment cases involving minors, raised the burning question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

What caused this delay and how this delay could be tackled is the question of hour that needs to be answered to avoid repetition of such delays. To win the confidence of the people in the judicial system, all the four pillars legislature, judiciary, executive and media should act in tandem.

However, in recent years judiciary has won the confidence of people with the disposal of cases against some influential defendants when justice meted out to the vulnerable victims, as happened in Jessica Lal murder case, Nitish Katara murder case, Uphaar case and some others. Chief Justice of India, K G Balakrishnan, has himself pointed out many times the need to expedite the disposal of cases and to streamline the justice delivery system.

Inordinate pendency of cases, which is the biggest problem in disposition of cases, inadequate number of judges, pathetic infrastructure of lower courts, lethargic police investigation are some of the immediate issues which cause delay in meting out justice.

The judges’ conference, held in August this year, deliberated on a number of steps to get rid of flaws in judicial system, and for reduction and elimination of backlog of cases with provisions of speedy trial of criminal cases. Among other steps, it was badly needed to improve infrastructure in the lower courts and to set up more evening courts in subordinate judiciary. It was also felt to strengthen vigilance cells in the high courts, and the senior judges would be entrusted to review the progress made in setting up of vigilance cells in each district to keep a tab on the functioning of lower judiciary.

Article 39-A of the Constitution directs the State to secure equal justice and free legal aid for the citizens. The State, however, has failed squarely on addressing some very basic issues — quick and inexpensive justice and protecting the rights of poor and the vulnerable. The Constitution guarantees the right to speedy trial but the judiciary has so far been incapable to ensure it effectively. The NDA government during its regime had created few fast-track courts, but those little numbers have made a marginal difference. The creation of more and more number of fast track courts and the establishment of gram nyayalayas (village courts) is the need of the hour.

Time has come for all the concerned persons to sit and discuss ways to introduce and implement such laws to deal with such issues so as justice be meted out to innocent litigants in quickest time; and, at the same time, we should not forget that delay drains even a just judgment of its value, leaving behind the old but wise adage “justice delayed is justice denied”.

Sushma succeeds Advani as LS Leader of Opposition

New Delhi

Putting all speculation to rest BJP stalwart L K Advani stepped down as leader of opposition giving way to Sushma Swaraj to become the first female politician to be appointed as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.

The 82-year-old veteran leader is elected Chairman of BJP parliamentary party. “This is a new chapter in my life,” said Advani, the author of “My Country My Life”.

"If they think that I will quit activeness and politics, then it is all wrong. I think that I became a rath yatri at 14 when I was just out of high school and became a Swayam Sewak.... This rath yatra would go on for life," Advani said.

In another top level changes in the party, Rajnath Singh quit as the party president. Maharashtra BJP chief Nitin Gadkari will replace him as the next president. The development in the party took place in consultation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the party's ideological mentor.

Gadkari's elevation to the top organisational post in the party is expected to be announced after the party's parliamentary party meeting on Saturday.

The replacement of the top leaders has come at a time when the party is itself divided facing internal bickering and blame-game since BJP’s debacle in the parliamentary election. The generational change in the leadership also seemed inevitable to meet the future political challenges and to attract the young voters closer to BJP against the Congress advocating youth leadership.

Advani who scripted the rise of BJP from the mid-eighties could not fulfill his dream of becoming the prime minister in the 2009 parliamentary polls. Advani joined RSS in 1942 at the mere age of 15 and later associated with Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Advani was information and broadcasting minister in the Janata Party government. He became home minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in 1998 and served as deputy prime minister from 1999 and 2004. The BJP-led NDA remained in power at the Centre from 1998 to 2004.

French Ice Cream lands into hot water

New Delhi

If Shakespeare were alive, he would have said “what is in publicity” instead of “what is in name”. Publicity is all about in transaction of any fresh business today. Whether good or bad, doesn’t matter. All that matter is to gain popularity by fair means or foul. It just happened with Haggen-Dazs ice cream parlour and ‘international-quality’ ice-cream landed it in hot water, when the parlour at Saket here kicked off its business under the tagline “EXLUCIVE PREVIEW FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS! Access restricted only to holders of international passport.”

The controversy all started with the touchy tagline displayed at a South Delhi mall soon spread like wildfire and the owner had to take down the signboard. Arindam Haldar, director, Haagen-Dazs apologized for creating the unintentional controversy, saying “No one was turned away because of nationality.” He further expressed his viewpoint, “Haagen-Dazs is here to tap the Indian market but the sign post clearly smacks of apartheid. And I wonder what went through the minds of creative heads at TBWA, the agency that worked out the teaser campaign.”

The message was intended to suggest that Indians can enjoy, for instance, a taste of the French Riviera, here Häagen-Dazs, without traveling to France. “Unfortunately the reference to the international passport holder on the poster may have led to a significant miscommunication. This was completely unintended and we apologize for creating the misimpression that may have hurt our sentiments as Indians," he further clarified.

IIM-Indore professor found slain in campus residence

Indore

An IIM-Indore professor Amrita Pancholi was found slain in her flat at the institute’s residential campus on Friday morning. Several stab injuries have reportedly been found on her body.

The 32-year-old professor was perhaps attacked on Thursday night with sharp-edged weapons by unidentified assailants. DSP (Crime) Jitendra Singh, who is investigating the case, said she was stabbed repeatedly all over the body nearly a dozen times which caused fatal.

Singh said that the body has been sent for autopsy. The motive behind the murder is not yet known, investigations are however on, he said. He, however, not ruled out an insider’s hand in the murder as security around campus is very tight.

Amrita Pancholi belonged to Udaipur, Rajasthan. She had been working as an associate professor in Human Resources Management for over a year. She was also working as a consultant on behalf of the IIM-I for at least three major Corporate Houses.

ULFA chairman Rajkhowa sent to 9-day cop custody

GUWAHATI

The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, self-styled deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah and bodyguard of Rajkhowa, Raja Baruah has been sent to nine days of police custody Thursday for their connection related to explosion in Paltan Bazar, Bharalumukh, and Bhangagarh police stations areas here.

The trio was produced amidst unprecedented security cover away from media glare in a special camp court inside the Guwahati central jail. Chief Judicial Magistrate Rabin Phukan sent them to nine days police custody instead of 14 days custody asked by the Assam Police.

“The investigating authorities had sought 12-day police remand, but the court granted them nine days police custody,” said Bijon Mahajan, legal counsel of Rajkhowa and Baruah.

Earlier in the day, Rajkhowa’s brother Rajkonwar met him inside the jail premises. Later on interacting with media, he said the ULFA was ready for peace talks with the government. He, however, said that not any forward movement in the peace talks took place during the last 12 days of police remand.

On Dec 5, Rajkhowa, Raju and Raja Baruah, and wife of ULFA foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury surrendered before Indian authorities at Dawki in Meghalaya. Later they, except Sasha, were arrested and sent to 12-day police custody.

Earlier on Nov 30, Bangladesh Police arrested Rajkhowa somewhere near Dhaka and handed over to the Indian authorities.

A look on Arabinda Rajkhowa:

Born to freedom fighter Umakanta Rajkonwar and Damayanti Rajkonwar, Arabinda Rajkhowa alias Mijanur Rahman Choudhury is the chairman and co-founder of the outlawed outfit ULFA.

By profession a school teacher Rajkhowa was also the vice-president of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front and a leader of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) before he founded ULFA.

PM departs for Copenhagen for Conference on Climate Change

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh departed for Copenhagen Thursday to take part in the ongoing Conference on Climate Change to keep his promise to US President Barack Obama to help in formulating a pact to combat climate change.

“I am leaving today to attend the 15th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen (UNFCCC),” said Dr. Singh.

His departure however delayed by about two and a half hours after a loader vehicle hit the door of the cargo hold of the aircraft, causing minor damage. Sources said that neither the Prime Minister nor any of the other passengers had boarded the Boeing 747-400 aircraft by the time incident occurred.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who rushed to the airport instantly, said later that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident by both Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). “A minor damage was caused by the loader vehicle to the cargo door of the aircraft," a statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

The UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol embody the international agreed regime for addressing the global challenge of climate change. The UNFCCC is founded on the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. At the 13th Conference of Parties in Bali, the Parties had agreed to launch an Action Plan to enhance the implementation of the UNFCCC. The Bali Action Plan seeks to ensure full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC through long term cooperative action of the Parties upto and beyond 2012.

It is India’s view that global warming is taking place and its adverse consequences will impact most heavily on developing countries like India. As a responsible member of the international community, India is therefore fully committed to working with the rest of the world to preserve and protect our environment. This is our common heritage, and this is what we must bequeath to our succeeding generations.

At the same time, climate change cannot be addressed by perpetuating the poverty of the developing countries. Every citizen of the globe has equal entitlement of the global atmospheric space. It is in keeping with this principle that I had earlier announced in Heiligendamm in 2007 that we will maintain our per capita emissions at a level lower than the average per capita emissions of developed countries.

We have, as a responsible member of the international community, announced that we will reduce the emissions intensity of our growth by 20-25% in 2020 as compared to 2005. India has also launched a comprehensive Action Plan on Climate Change and the eight National Missions have been set up. We are willing to do more provided there are credible arrangements to provide both additional financial support as well as technological transfers from developed to developing countries.

”I look forward to constructive deliberations in Copenhagen which meet the collective aspirations of all humankind and enable us to move forward in the global efforts to combat climate change,” Dr. Singh said.

Football—Delhi League 2009-10 to begin

Former Delhi League Champions New Delhi Heroes Football Club shall open the campaign in DLF – SAIL- ONGC DSA Annual Senior Division League Championship- 2009 against Shastri Football Club on 20th December at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi.

The team has reshaped its squad for the campaign ahead. The new draft has eminent key players like Harvinder Singh, former National Player, Amjad Ali, Jiten Rai, Rashid Mehdi, Manish Khatri and Bhuvan Chander Joshi to name a few.

“The team looks a lot more balanced side and the squad has depth. We have players challenging for every position and that is really important. The new players have added strength to the team. We hope to do well in this championship,” RC Deswal (GM, ND Heroes FC) said.

The league matches will also be played at Air Force Football ground, situated at Race Course, New Delhi. Top 14 clubs of Delhi will be battling it out for the top honor. The league will be played on a round robin format and the ranking of each team will be decided on the basis of points earned in the round robin league. The two bottom teams will be relegated to ‘A’ division next year.

The other participating clubs this season are - Hindustan FC, Indian Nationals FC, Tarun Sangha FC, Ahbbab FC, Garhwal Heroes, Simla Youngs , Shahdra FC, City FC, Shastri FC, Moghuls SC, Royal Rangers, Youngmen SC, Gorkha Heroes F.C.

Dell making money from Twitter

In today’s Internet era, social networking sites are not only gaining popularity among online users, but have also been proving beneficial for many businesses, including computer manufacturer companies. These days’ lots of business are using the social networking tool to interact with customers and potential employees, and thereby increasing businesses leaps and bounds.

Twitter, one of the famous social networking sites, has multiplied the sales of Dell, the world’s second largest computer maker. Dell on Tuesday announced that it has racked up $6.5 million in sales of PCs, accessories, and software with the help of Twitter. In June, 2009 it had just $3 million in sales, but within six months Dell has more than doubled its sales via Twitter.

Dell said that Twitter is the best way of promotion and a very vibrant channel for them. According to Dell, 1.5 million followers follow Dell’s Tweets. Dell has especially employed over 100 people who send out the tweets over 35 different channels across 12 different countries, including U.S., Brazil, China, and Japan among others. In addition to Twitter, Dell also utilizes Facebook, Orkut, MySpace and YouTube as marketing avenues.

India signs MoU on climate change

Taking a positive leap towards combating climate change India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Governments of Italy, Canada, Denmark, Norway and China regarding cooperation on climate change including clean development mechanism projects.

The MoU is intended to stimulate development and bilateral cooperation in the field of clean development mechanism (CDM). While the agreement signed with China focuses on promotion of mutual understanding and coordination on climate change related issues, including international negotiations and bilateral cooperation in areas relating to energy efficiency, renewable, power, clean coal and other sectors of mutual interest.

It is to be noted here that no such agreements have been signed so far with the USA, Sweden and European Union, said Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Jairam Ramesh in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The MoUs will help build confidence between India and partner countries and promote development and implementation of CDM projects as well as coordination, mutual understanding and joint strategies on climate change related issues.

India has been advocating compliance of the provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which enjoins upon the developed countries to UNFCCC to provide finance and transfer of technology to developing countries to enable them to respond to climate change.

The current negotiations at Copenhagen are aimed, inter alia, at deciding institutional arrangements for development and transfer of clean technologies through technology cooperation and provision of financial resources to developing countries to enable them to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

Parties are currently engaged in negotiations under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol in order to reach agreed outcomes at the 15th Conference of Parties scheduled in Copenhagen in December 2009.

However, the intentions of developed countries into the process of combating climate change have not been encouraging so far. Advanced countries want to scrap the protocol. But developing countries are keen to have it continue, and are asking the rich countries to what extent they have complied with the protocol and what they are willing to commit under it. In fact, the fundamental difference over whether the Kyoto Protocol - the current treaty under which rich countries have to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) that are causing climate change - should continue or be scrapped remained.

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangatha: an overview

The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) is an autonomous community based non-political youth organization of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The NYKS was set up in 1972 as Nehru Yuvak Kendra under the erstwhile Ministry of Education. The NYKS today prepares over 11,000 youth leaders every year. Nearly 17000 trained volunteers enrolled every year. Not less than 139 Rural Information Technology Youth Development Centres ( RITYDCs) are associated with it; and it currently has 500 offices all over the country at district headquarters. At present, it has 2.16 lakh village level youth clubs and 80 lakh non-student rural youth affiliated to it in 13-35 age group.

Objectives:

.To form Youth Clubs and involve the youth in nation building activities.

.To develop their values & skills so that they may become responsible and productive citizens of India.

.To act as a catalytic agency in reaching the benefits of Central and State Government Schemes to the rural community in general and the youth in particular.

.To inculcate in the rural youth the spirit of voluntarism and cooperation.

.To utilize NYK'S large Network for development and promotion of programmes in priority sectors such as employment generation, literacy, family welfare, environment conservation, national integration, gender equality and women's empowerment.

Road Map for Future:

.Implementation of National Youth Policy

.Implementation of Rashtriya Sadbhawana Yojana

.Implementation of the schemes for adolescents Disaster Management and preparedness

.Red Ribbon Express

.District Resource Centres (establishment of Library and other infrastructure with the help of Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation)
.At least one self reliant Youth Club/ Mahila Mandal in each of 5.5 lakh Indian villages
.Empowerment of youth clubs through IT networking

.Establishing one Rural Information Technology Youth Development Centre in each district
.Establishing 5000 Youth Development Centres all over India by the end of X Five Year Plan

.Covering the entire districts of the country by Nehru Yuva Kendras by the end of X Five Year Plan

.Extending the network of NYKS in all the tribal areas of the country

.Employment generation of youth through joint collaboration with Khadi & Village Industries Commission

During the current year (2009-10) the NYKS have been doing the following functions and activities in various States, as was stated by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Pratik Prakashbapu Patil in the Lok Sabha today. He further said that an amount of Rs.87.25 crores has been released till date this year against the earmarked funds of Rs.112.00 crores

Functions & Activities:

•Youth Awareness Campaign.

•Capacity Building of Youth for Social Sector Programmes.

•Skill Up-gradation Training Programme for Women in 100 border/tribal/backward districts.

•Incentives and Awards to Youth Clubs.

•Provision of Sports Material for youth clubs.

•Sports Promotion Programme.

•District Folk Cultural Festival.

•Celebration of Important National/International Days & Weeks

•District Youth Convention.

•Grant-in-aid to Youth Clubs

For further information visit: http://www.nyks.org/

India and Russia ink N-deal beyond 123 agreement

The two old friends India and Russia inked the expanded civil nuclear deal and three defence pacts. The nuclear pact between the two countries goes far beyond the 123 agreement that India entered with the US early this year. Both the countries expressed grave concern over the increasing threat of terrorism and pledged to combat the terrorism together. They also cemented ties on a wide range of interest encompassing N-trade, shared Af-pak perceptions and a plan to boost commerce to $20 billion by 2015.

The agreement between the two countries concluded in Moscow on the official visit of the PM Manmohan Singh to Russia at the invitation of Russian President Medvedev for the Annual Summit from Dec 6 to 8, 2009.

The umbrella agreement for expanding civil nuclear cooperation will give New Delhi the right to reprocess spent fuel, taking the pact “far beyond the 123 agreement” inked with the US, official sources commented Sunday.

“Our views are similar on a global issues and our cooperation can extend to cooperation at international level. We will be sharing intelligence and information gathering,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who ends a three-day visit to Moscow on Tuesday, said.

Expressing concern over the "grave challenge of terrorism" the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said, “There is a common threat that India and Russia face. We should consolidate our anti-terror base. We will provide concrete help in anti-terror activities.”

"The situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan underlines the importance of this... Terrorism is the biggest evil of current and last century," added Medvedev.

India and Russia pledged to work together for global non-proliferation, stressing that the proliferation of nuclear weapons and its possible link to terrorism poses a threat to international peace and security, undermines security of states, and complicates progress towards nuclear disagreement.

The two countries are convinced that the international community should enhance efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

“Both Sides call upon the international community to comply with the provisions of international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols including the principle, 'either prosecute or extradite', regarding the persons accused of committing acts of terror. The Sides strongly call for an early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The Sides intend to further develop Indian-Russian bilateral cooperation in combating new challenges and threats, including such cooperation within the framework of the India and Russia Working Group on Combating International Terrorism.”

On UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen, India and Russia underscored the urgency of effective international action to combat climate change, and affirmed their readiness to continue to work constructively for the success of the conference in accordance with the principles and provisions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Bali Action Plan.

Highlights of the MOSCOW PACTS:

a) 4 N-reactors to be set up by Russia in Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu); site for fifth identified in Bengal
b) plan to boost trade between both countries to $20 billion by 2015
c) 10-year deal on weapons, aircraft and maintenance contracts from 2011 to 2020

Winners of 22nd National Photo Content announced

Devendra and Narayan D Patel have been announced winners of the 22nd National Photo Contest organized by Photo Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on the theme “Badhte Kadam: A vision of hope”. Both the winners were given a cash award of Rs.25,000 each along with a citation and plaque.

Devendra from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh and Narayan D Patel from Vadodara, Gujarat have bagged the first prize for their pictures Empowering village and No title in Black and white & Colour section respectively.

The Second prize for the contest went to Santosh Kumar Jana of Midnapore, West Bengal and Pravesh Chaursia of Indore for their picture Badhte Kadam and Education for all in Black and white & Colour section respectively. Each was given a cash reward of Rs.20,000 and citation and plaque. Dibyendu Dey Choudhury and Shyamal Das of Kolkata were given Rs.15,000 as the third prize for their picture Hopes and Dreams and towards Market in the Black and White and Colour section respectively..

Apart from that the commendation awards of Rs.5,000 each along with citation and plaque were conferred to a number of artists Avijit Datta, Buddhadeb Saha, Subhashis Basu, Supriya Biswas, Chetan Soni Kuntal Kumar Roy, Jayanta Roy, Nimai Chandra Ghosh, Saurabh Mittal, Kailash Mittal, Sandipan Majumdar, Somenath Mukhopadhyay, Abhijit Dey, O.P. Soni, Kaushik Padaria, Kaushik Majumdar, Anindya Majumdar, Anil Kumar Vastal, D.N. Baraskar and Jayanta Shaw.

A total number of 1575 photographs were received from 391 participants from 24 States and UT’s. A high level Jury comprising noted photographer G.B.Mukherji from Delhi, eminent photographer Jyoti Bhatt from Gujarat, Professor S. Pradeep Kumar, Head of the Department of Photography & Visual Communication, JNTU College of Fine Arts, Andhra Pradesh, T. Narayan, National Photo Editor of the Hindustan Times Group and Debatosh Sengupta, Director, Photo Division screened all the entries and selected the three prize winning entries as well as the ten commendation prizes in each section keeping in view of the quality, spontaneity as well as the theme of the Photo Contest.

Visit World Heritage sites through Google

The international corporation GOOGLE and UNESCO has signed an agreement for making possible for Internet users to virtual visit several World Heritage sites. People can now visit 19 of the 890 World Heritage properties via Google’s Street View interface. All the other sites on the List will be shown on the Google Earth and Google Maps interfaces.

Sites inscribed on the World Heritage List -- the Palace of Versailles in France, the historic centre of Prague in the Czech Republic and the old town of Caceres in Spain, for instance can now be explore online.

The 19 sites are located in Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. Street View provides nearly spherical panoramic (360° horizontal and 290° vertical) views taken by cameras mounted on vehicles. Once obtained, these images are overlaid on Google Maps’ satellite views – the process can take several months. When the specially-equipped cars cannot reach sites to be photographed, tricycles are used.

“The alliance with Google makes it possible to offer virtual visits of the sites to everyone, to increase awareness and to encourage participation in the preservation of these treasures,” said UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova.

“Cultural and natural heritage sites are an irreplaceable source of inspiration and fascination. This is an exciting project and we're thrilled to be working with UNESCO to make more World Heritage sites universally accessible and useful to all,” said Carlo d’Asaro, Google’s Vice-President for Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

At UNESCO’s suggestion, Google will soon be visiting and photographing other sites on the List. The focus is on harder-to-access sites, which will be photographed with the permission of site managers. They can then be appreciated by millions of people who might never have the opportunity to visit them otherwise. The sites are located notably in South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the Netherlands.

In future, Google and UNESCO will also work together to provide online access, via Google Maps, YouTube and Google Earth, to maps, texts and videos pertaining to UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves, to documentary heritage inscribed on the Memory of the World Register and to endangered languages.