Indo-U.S. Startup Accelerator Workshop Assists Aspiring Entrepreneurs

New Delhi: Recognizing that U.S-India business ties are fundamental to the success of many international initiatives, the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum, the U.S. Embassy, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and 91 springboard, organized the Indo-U.S. Startup Accelerator Workshop to develop innovative solutions to address common startup challenges.  The workshop took place at FICCI, Federation House, New Delhi November 22-23, 2013.

Aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with investors, venture capitalists, and mentors, the two-day event was inaugurated by the U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell, Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, and Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST.

Over 180 innovators, startups, entrepreneurs and investors participated in the workshop, including awardees of the U.S-India Science & Technology Endowment Board, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-FICCI-DST Millennium Alliance, DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Program, and the Stanford India Biodesign program.  In addition to discussions on how to manage challenges that arise with financing and revenue generation, securing intellectual property protection, and developing products and services, the concluding session provided select startups with an opportunity to pitch their ideas to angel investors and venture capitalists for funding.

Going forward, the Department of Science & Technology, the U.S. Embassy, FICCI, Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum and partners including USAID, plan to develop an institutionalized acceleration program.  The program will assist startups in their journey to become revenue generating businesses.  FICCI and the Technology Development Board also announced that they will organize additional workshops in specific sectors, such as manufacturing, and that they will be conducted in all major cities across India to assist startups and increase their odds of success.

US Consul General Michael Mullins makes maiden trip to Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: As part of the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad’s “America Days” travel to various destinations in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, U.S. Consul Michael Mullins made his first trip to Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas November 24-26.

“Since my arrival in Hyderabad a few months ago, I have eagerly anticipated the opportunity to travel to the beautiful state of Odisha and to meet with its dynamic community, business and educational leadership,” said Mr. Mullins.  “I look forward to future visits and learning more about various aspects of this vibrant state.”

During his visit, Mr. Mullins met with Odisha Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and Odisha Governor Senayangba Chubatoshi Jamir.  He discussed with business advocacy organizations their activities in support of stronger business relations between the United States and India.  He spent time with the students of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, where the U.S. Department of State supports an English Language Microscholarship program. He also travelled to Konark, where he observed areas damaged by Cyclone Phallin, met with non-governmental organization leaders, and visited the magnificent Sun Temple.

The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad officially opened to the public in 2009 to provide U.S. Citizens’ Services and U.S. visa application opportunities to residents of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.   Additionally, the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad facilitates educational advising for persons interested in studying in the United States, cultural and educational exchange for students and working professionals, and dialogue between officials of the United States government and Government of India.

Matric students appear Test exam in new pattern

BHUBANESWAR: Matric students of different schools under the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) in the State on Wednesday appeared Test examination in new format.

According to the new format, the students were given 100 marks for a subject (objective and subjective 50 marks each). For the first time, the students appeared examinations having optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets which were introduced by the BSE for better evaluation.

The question pattern was designed by the Odisha State Secondary Teachers Association (OSSTA). On the first day, the students sat in the examination for MIL (Odia).

Though the board had already given sample booklets for practice, students said, the Test examination would fill confidence among the students. “This test will help the matric students to be acquainted with the question pattern and inspire them to do better in the final examination in February,” said BSE official sources. 

India and the United States Working Together in the Fight Against Terrorism

NEW DELHI: “The U.S. and India are close partners in the fight against terrorism,” stated a U.S. Embassy security officer at the recent graduation of 22 Indian police tactical officers and supervisors following the conclusion of a U.S. course on antiterrorism on November 1.

As part of a partnership with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy New Delhi sponsored a five-week crisis response course.  The session was conducted by instructors from the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program in Virginia.

Through this course, Indian police participants developed familiarity with U.S. counter-terrorism techniques including firearms and crisis management.  Each day participants focused on applying the skills and tactics learned to the local environment in India.  "This was a very physically demanding training program," noted a U.S. trainer, who added: "This training will significantly enable course participants from Indian police to counter terror attacks."  The U.S. Embassy Spokesperson noted: “The  real added value of this program happens when the trainees return to India and train other police.”

Protect Arctic, civil society organizations urges Indian leaders

BHUBANESWAR: Civil society members along with the environmental NGO, Greenpeace India gathered today in Bhubaneswar to discuss India’s role in promoting peace and science in the Arctic region and extend solidarity to the Arctic 30, who have been arrested following a peaceful protest at Gazprom’s oil rig to stop drilling in the Arctic.

Greenpeace’s ship, the Arctic Sunrise was also seized by the Russian authorities. 28 Greenpeace activists, a photojournalist and a videographer have been charged with piracy and hooliganism.  They can face a jail term of up to seven years. They are currently in the prison at Murmansk, Russia.

The members also highlighted the key role that India could play in securing the protection of the wider Arctic for the pursuit of scientific research and international peaceful collaboration. ‘The crew of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise took part in a peaceful protest expose the threat of oil drilling and climate change in the Arctic. Due to the retreating ice, new areas are being made accessible for industrial exploitation which will further endanger the already threatened environment of the Arctic. The melting of the ice in the Arctic will be catastrophic for all of us.

The world leaders must take the magnitude of the situation into account and work together to save the Arctic rather than destroy it’, said Biswajit Mohanty, Conservationist, activist.

A number of legal experts from around the world have commented on the seizure of the ship, Arctic Sunrise as well as on the piracy and Hooliganism charges on the Arctic 30.  Also, the government of the Netherlands has filed a request for Provisional Measures with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), requesting it to order the release of the Arctic Sunrise vessel and all on board.

Discussing India’s role in the Arctic, Pari Trivedi, Media Officer, Greenpeace India elaborated that, ‘India’s capacity as an observer on the Arctic Council and our deep interest in the issue of climate change gives us an opportunity to show global leadership, in calling for the Arctic region to be made a natural reserve, shared by all nations and devoted to peace and science. The Indian leaders can join the world in creating a positive message to safeguard the fragile environment of the Arctic.’

Renowned Sand Artist, Sudarshan Patnaik also shared the podium to speak for the Arctic 30 and said that, ‘The Arctic 30 have protested peacefully on behalf of all the countries and their people. I am deeply moved by their action to save the planet from environmental destruction and wanted to show solidarity for their release. Hence I am going to create a massive sand art in Puritomorrow to highlight the cause. The future of the Arctic is the future of our mother Earth and what better way to demonstrate this than the art that is a part of me.’

Greenpeace India urges the Indian leaders to protect the Arctic and extend solidarity to free the Arctic 30. Greenpeace has practiced non-violent activism from its initiation and will continue peaceful protests to release the Arctic 30 who are prisoners of conscience who took such action on behalf of all humanity.

Rayagada burn victim’s condition worsening

--Police to take arrested SI on remand

BHUBANESWAR: Health condition of Tikiri UP school teacher Itishree Pradhan, who got serious burn injury, was deteriorating very fast. She was critical according to the doctors of Seven Hills Hospital at Visakhapatnam.

On Thursday, she stopped talking and failed to respond which created fear among the family members. But the doctors were trying their best, sources said.   

Meanwhile, Rayagada SDPO Y Jagannath Rao said that police would take arrested Netrananda Dandsena, main accused in the woman school teacher burning case, on remand to unearth important information. Dandasena was arrested by the Rayagada police from Seshakhal on the Andhra-Odisha border on Wednesday evening.

Rao said that they would arrest the accused who set the teacher on fire by pouring kerosene.

Notably, it was the third incident of burning after Royat Colony and Anjiapeta incidents.

Vigilance awareness week celebrated in Odisha

--424 public servants convicted in 5-yr: CM

BHUBANESWAR: “During past five years, as many as 424 public servants have been convicted by the Vigilance Courts and 145 public servants have been dismissed from service on grounds of corruption,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attending the observation of Vigilance Awareness Week-2013 held here on Thursday.

Patnaik said that Vigilance Department’s proactive action has encouraged people to lodge complaints against corrupt public servants. As a result of such activism, the department was able to register 402 criminal cases last year and launched prosecution against 705 public servants, he added.

“I am happy to learn that conviction percentage in Vigilance cases has reached a record 58 percent this year, which is much better than all other cases,” said Patnaik, adding, “Odisha is the first State in the country to enact the Special Courts Act towards achieving its goal to check corruption.”

Gracing the occasion, Vigilance department director KB Singh said the increased transparency, competition, and leveraging of technology leads to decline in corruption. “Let us join together and work untiringly for eradication of corruption in all spheres of the life and provide transparent and efficient administration,” Singh added.

Among others, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra, CVOs of different departments and retired senior officers were present.