‘7’
PRESIDENT ISSUES NOTIFICATION SETTING IN MOTION PROCESS OF GENERAL ELECTIONS
    The President issued today a Notification under Sub-Section (2) of Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, calling upon the Parliamentary Constituencies , as programmed by the Election Commission in the first phase of general elections, to elect members in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and of the rules and orders made thereunder. With today’s Presidential Notification, the process of General Elections to the 13th House of the People (Lok Sabha) has been set in motion.

    In the first phase of general elections, 146 Parliamentary Constituencies will go to poll on September 5,1999. Of these, 13 Parliamentary Constituencies will be in Andhra Pradesh, 2 in Goa, 26 in Gujarat, 10 in Haryana, 2 in Jammu & Kashmir, 15 in Karnataka, 24 in Maharashtra, 13 in Punjab, 10 in Rajasthan, 19 in Tamil Nadu, 7 in National Capital Territory of Delhi and 1 each in Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Pondicherry.
 
 

'10'
APPOINTMENT OF STATE COMMISSIONER FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
    On the stance of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, New Delhi, Kerala State has appointed Shri K. Rajgopal as Commissioner Disabilities. Kerala is the fourth State to have a full-fledged functionary in this capacity. In most of the States, this responsibility has been given to officers in additional capacity who often because of their preoccupations are not in a position to spare enough time for this vital area.

Hitherto, three States of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan have full-fledged Commissioner Disabilities.

Under Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 States are stipulated to appoint Commissioner for Disabilities who will coordinate the functions of various agencies and monitor the utilisation of funds distributed by the Central Government.
 
 

' 8'
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE BELT
    Conditions are favourable for, the skies becoming clear by the time of the solar eclipse, over Maharashtra; southeast Madhya Pradesh; Orissa and Andhra Pradesh except over Gujarat where some cloudiness is likely. Today’s solar eclipse is occurring at a time of peak monsoon rainfall activity. The shadow of the moon will pass across parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa in the afternoon between 4.40 and sunset. Climatologically cloudy to overcast skies are expected in most parts of these States during the entire month of August.

    Though the average number of bright sunshine hours range from 3 to 5 hours per day over central parts of the country, the state of the sky is determined by the synoptic weather situation prevailing on a particular day at a particular place.
 
 

'15'
INDIA AND JAPAN CALL FOR INCREASED ECONOMIC COOPERATION
    A Japanese delegation led by Mr. H. Arai, Vice Minister for International Trade and Industry today called on the Union Finance Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha in New Delhi. Both the leaders discussed among other things, bilateral economic relations, pending trade issues and ongoing Japanese aided development projects. Welcoming the Japanese Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha recalled the traditional and strong relations between India and Japan and said that there is a promising future for Japanese investment in India. He said that the Government has taken a number of pro-active steps to boost foreign investment. They include; FDI through automatic routes, removing hassle factor in administrative procedures and giving various concessions on excise, customs and import duties. He said, India considers Japan a special and very important partner in economic and trade relations.

    Shri Yashwant Sinha briefed the visiting dignitary about the ongoing border problem between India and its neighbour, Pakistan. He told the delegation that the tension was created because of the less than friendly attitude of India's neighbour. It is very unfortunate that there is military engagement between India and Pakistan which will not help either economies more so of Pakistan. The Finance Minister said that India's view points on the issue has been highly appreciated by the international community including Japan. Underlining the need to boost further economic relations between India and Japan, Shri Sinha said that the time and situation in India is ripe for Japanese investment in infrastructure and other core sectors in India. The Finance Minister also discussed about the ongoing Japanese aided projects which were not implemented since last year due to the Pokhran test.

    The visiting dignitary, Mr. H. Arai, agreed to the views of Shri Yashwant Sinha on the need to increase bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. He said that there is a lot of scope for the Japanese investment in infrastructure and other core sectors. The Japanese delegation also gave a representation on various issues including customs duty, tax system, foreign currency policy, infrastructure, new Automobile Policy, restriction of domestic trade and simplification of investment procedure.
 
 

'11'
NAQVI CALLS ON YOUTH TO WORK FOR MAKING INDIA A SUPER POWER
    "Dream to make India a super power can only be realised if revolutionary changes are brought about in the work culture." This was stated by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi while inaugurating the Fifth Foundation Day of Ishan Institute of Management and Technology at Greater Noida today. He said that to prepare the young generation for the next millennium, a culture of professionalism and excellence shall have to be developed. Young minds shall have to be exposed to the practices, codes and philosophies of developed countries.

    Talking about the necessity of reaching the scientific knowledge to the common men, Shri Naqvi pointed out that in this gigantic task the educational institutes and academicians have to play a major role. He also cautioned that it would not be wise to adapt western achievements in toto. We need to adapt them according to Indian conditions. He further said that India has suffered heavily for missing in the industrial revolution and today when the information revolution is riding the world, India has to take lead and make up for earlier losses.

    Highlighting India's recent diplomatic success, Shri Naqvi said the world has already started acknowledging the increasing clout of the country and the resolute will of the people. The policy of the Indian Government towards Pakistan, expressed through Lahore Bus Yatra and the restrain at Kargil, both have won massive international mandate. India has shown to the world its commitment for peace and at the same time its commitment to defend national interests. On the occasion Shri Naqvi called upon the youth of the country to contribute actively in the development process as it is younger generation that would take over rein of the country in coming millennium.
 
 
 

'9'
ARJUN AWARDS 1998 ANNOUNCED
MS. JYOTIRMOYEE SIKDAR GETS RAJIV GANDHI KEHL RATNA AWARD 1998-99
    The list for awardees of Arjun Awards 1998 , the Dronacharya Awards 1998 and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 1998-99 have been finalised. The Dronacharya Award goes to Shri G.S. Sandhu, the boxing coach and to Shri Hargobind Singh and Shri Bahadur Singh, both are athletics coach. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 75,000/-, a statuette of Dronacharya and scroll.

    The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this year goes to the Athlete Ms. Jyotirmoyee Sikdar. The Award carries a cash amount of rupees one lakh besides a scroll of honour and a plaque.

    The Arjun Awardees finalised are: Ms. Neelam J. Singh (athletics); Ms. Rachita Mistry (athletics); Capt. Siri Chand Ram, VSM (athletics); Shri S.D. Eshan (athletics); Shri Paramjit Singh (athletics); Shri T.V. Pauly (body building); Shri N.G. Dingko Singh (boxing); Shri Rahul Dravid (cricket); Shri Nayan Ramlal Mongia (cricket); Shri Baichung Butia (football); Ms. Pritam Rani (hockey women); Smt. S. Omana Kumari (hockey women); Late Sh. S. Surjit Singh (hockey); Shri Baljit Singh Dhillon (hockey); Shri Mohd. Riaz (hockey); Shri Baldev Singh (hockey); Shri M.K. Kaushik (hockey); Shri Narender Singh (judo); Shri Ashan Kumar (kabaddi); Shri Biswajit Palit (kabaddi); Ms. Shoba Narayana (Kho- kho); Ms. Roopa Unnikrishnan (shooting); Shri Manavjit Singh (shooting); Shri Bhanu Sachdeva (swimming); Shri Subramanian Raman (table tennis); Shri Satisha Rai (weightlifting); Shri Kaka Pawar (wrestling); Shri Rohtas Singh Dahiya (wrestling).

    In the physically handicapped category the Arjuna Award winners are Ms. Anju Dua and Ms. Ranjini Ramanujam.

    The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the year 1997-98 goes to Guru Nanak University Amritsar. This University had won this trophy last year also and will be receiving it for the 14th times since its inception. Apart from the main trophy, the University will also be given a cash prize of Rs. One lakh and a Replica of the Trophy. The cash prize is for the purchase of sports equipment by the university.

    The second and third positions go to Punjab University, Chandigarh and the University of Calicut, Kozhikode. These Universities will be given cash prizes of Rs. 50,000/- and Rs. 25,000/- respectively to be utilised for the purchase of sports equipment.

    The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, instituted as a Running Trophy in 1956-57, is awarded annually to the University which has given best all-round performance in various sports competitions during the year.

    The Arjuna Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- a bronze statuette of Arjuna and a scroll. Arjuna Award was instituted in the year 1961 to honour outstanding sportspersons. The Awards are given every year for consistently excellent performance at the national and international levels. Dronacharya Award instituted in 1985 to honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sports persons or teams and enabled them to achieve extraordinary results in international events during the three years preceeding the awards. This award is also given to those coaches who have made a life time contribution towards the sports.

    Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award instituted in 1991-92 is given for the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sports person in a year. For the year 1997-98 the award was given to Shri Sachin Tendulkar, renowned cricket player.

    All these Awards will be given at a grand function by the President of India to be held on 1st September, 1999.