Women helpline started 181 Toll Free

Dikshit last week announced the setting up of the helpline in the wake of gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman Dec 16. The woman died Saturday.

Women in distress can seek any help from the round-the-clock facility.

It's much-vaunted helpline for women suffered technical glitches soon after launch Monday. Mobile phone users could not connect to its toll-free number 181 before evening.

For a better part of the day, a long beep greeted callers on the helpline which is being operated from Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s residence.

A government official explained: “Since 181 is a toll-free number, it takes time for other mobile network providers to get connected to it.”

The 24x7 helpline was announced a few days ago as the government faced the wrath of a country that unsubscribed forcefully from accepting that its women will be groped in public places, harassed on buses, and sexually assaulted while an apathetic police force and administration fail to course-correct.

The number '181' can be dialled from landline and mobile phones.

The helpline will operate from the Chief Minister's office and will be connected with all the 185 police stations across the city.

One Nation-One License - National Telecom Policy

 

The Govt of India today approved a National Telecom Policy 2012, which will replace more than a 12 years old telecom regulations and now mobile service  users will be able to avail FREE Roaming and keep their Phone Numbers even if they switch service providers anywhere in the country with the Nation Wide Intra Circle MNP, proposed in the new Telecom Policy.

The cabinet has approved the new National Telecom Policy with some changes from what was proposed earlier, The New Telecom Policy recommends one Nation, one license policy across services and service areas to abolish Roaming charges. The distinction between local and STD calls would vanish, as the policy aims at a ‘one-nation-one-licence’ regime.

With the implementation of new National Telecom Policy,  Now Telecom operators/Mobile Service providers would not require any separate licences for operations in various parts of the country and a single licence would suffice.

Under the new telecom policy, telecom ministry also provisions for inter-circle Mobile Number Portability (MNP) i.e. Full MNP, which involves changing an operator while retaining the same phone number in different telecom circles.

Ahmedabad’s BRTS Lighthouse Project

Ahmedabad’s Janmarg chosen by UN as a showcase project to demonstrate that addressing climate change is not a burden but an opportunity to improve people’s lives Janmarg will be a Lighthouse Project as a part of Momentum for Change Initiative launched by the UN Secretary General in 2011.

Janmarg the only project in India among the 9 Lighthouse Projects chosen by the UN from all over the world.

Janmarg will be a Lighthouse Project as a part of the Momentum for Change Initiative, which was launched by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the 2011 Durban round of UN climate change negotiations. The Light House projects recognize the actions and progress, indicating a positive environment, transforming an impression of slow progress.

It also notes the poor transport infrastructure in Ahmedabad earlier, which made the need for a transport system like Janmarg the need of the hour. Momentum for Change acknowledges the difference Janmarg has made in mitigating in impact of air pollution and creating an overall positive impact on urban development.

This recognition by the UN comes as a prestigious feather in Janmarg’s cap. Since October 2009, when Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagged of Janmarg, the system has been a catalyst in the city’s growth and has brought in a paradigm shift in the sphere of innovation in urban public transport across India.

When Shri Modi assumed office in 2001 he realized the importance of an effective transport system for Ahmedabad, which is India’s 7th largest city and houses over 5 million people. This is when the idea of Janmarg came and today, under his guidance the BRTS is a universally hailed transport system touching the lives of the people. At the same time, it is doing its part in making the world a greener and cleaner place to live in.

Almost all leading international financial centres from London, Paris, New York have mass transit infrastructure in place and this is exactly what Shri Modi is seeking to achieve for Ahmedabad for which Janmarg is only the grand beginning.

WWF - Save Our Tigers

The tiger, our national animal and one of the most magnificent creatures in the world, is also one of the most endangered. The species roam proud and without fear in the jungles yet face a serious threat from humans. According to the WWF, tigers are amongst the ten most endangered species on earth.

The animal which is on the threshold of extinction is also the spirit of the Indian jungle, the symbol of India's natural heritage. The tiger plays a key role as it is at the top of the food chain and if the tigers go extinct, the entire eco system would break down.

Saving our tigers means saving the entire forest, including all the other animals in it.Today India has only has 1411 of these magnificent creatures left in the wild.

The main threats to the tiger’s survival include deforestation, poaching, habitat loss and population fragmentation. In recent times the demand of tiger bones from China for the manufacture of medicines and wines has resulted in mass poaching, thereby causing a great alarm regarding the tiger’s survival. New demand across Southeast Asia for the skins, teeth and claws of this ‘big cat’ is endangering the species. The volumes are significant and there is little enforcement action against poachers and dealers who trade these items.

WWF to create a Support Initiative Fund and to work in the protected areas of the Brahmaputra Valley.

The Support Initiative fund will be used to cater to the justified demands of the forest officials, government authorities and local communities in and around Tiger landscapes. These could range from capacity building for government and forest departments, infrastructure development, providing emergency relief to creating awareness on anti-poaching amongst communities.

The work in the protected areas of the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam is instrumental in studying the pressures on the Tiger, identifying priority areas for its dispersal, establishing a database for tiger conservation and training and motivating forest staff.

To raise awareness about the cause and persuade public opinion towards tiger conservation, we undertook a pan-India campaign on TV, Outdoor and digital (www.saveourtigers.com ,www.facebook.com/stripeythecub, www.twitter.com/saveourtigers ).

Taking “Save our Tigers” a step further, we have partnered with Kids for Tigers, the Sanctuary Tiger program. It is an action-based environmental education program in schools across India urging children to protect the tiger and hence the environment. It is important to start early hence our aim is to impart knowledge to school children. This will mobilize them to actively join our endeavor to save the Tiger.

135th Jagannath Rath Yatra - Ahmedabad

When the 135th Jagannath Rath Yatra will start on Thursday morning, more than 20,000 personnel from police and paramilitary forces will be on their toes to make sure that the chariots get a safe passage. The senior police officials in the city will conduct a dress rehearsal on Tuesday morning to inspect the arrangements and meet the local leaders.

"This year, there will be over 20,000 personnel and officers of the city and state police, along with paramilitary forces, on duty on the 22-kilometer-long route. The cavalcade of chariots, trucks and tableaux, will be nearly 1.5 km long.

Every year, the chariots were embedded with GPS system so that it can be monitored by the police officials. This year, 14 police vehicles will also be equipped with the transmitters. The police said that these vehicles will be placed in the caravan after a gap of every 15 vehicles so that at the time of emergency, the nearest team can be intimated and deployed immediately.







Before the chariots pass, four teams of the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) of 50 personnel each will comb the nearby areas and give a go ahead. The houses which have become dangerous due to their dilapidated condition have been served notices by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). "At every such building, a policeman will be deployed to prevent people from climbing up the building to ensure it doesn't crumble under their weight," said an official.

Ahmedabad to Mumbai Bullet Train

Headlines Today has learnt that despite the industry's demands, the government has not been considering any stimulus package. It feels conditions of the exchequer not healthy enough to support any financial stimulus.

However, according to sources, it has been aiming to speedily clear infrastructure projects given that more than Rs.1 lakh crore worth projects have been pending.

The government has decided to undertake a special drive to award contracts and commission new infrastructure projects. A special national level body to facilitate and monitor important infrastructure projects of national importance was also in the offing.

The government plans to ease funding for infrastructure projects and make long term financing available to these projects. Among other proactive steps the government has been planning open acreage licensing policy for oil and gas exploration.

After the recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) rap on the plummeting state of economy the government has been jolted into action. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would on Wednesday hold a meeting of senior ministers to find ways to boost the economy.

Key measures, like stalled economic reforms, were likely to be discussed in the meet, which would be attended by senior ministers, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The government has been looking to provide a massive boost to key infrastructure projects to bring the ailing economy back on track.

Among other steps the government has been looking to clear three international airports at the meeting. The meet might also see nod to the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

Government has also been looking to clear two deep water ports and fixing new economic target, apart from reassessing last year's target.

The government has been jolted into action after the Congress top brass, in the recently concluded CWC meet, expressed concerns over the failing economy affecting the party's chances in coming state polls.

Celebrities Wedding Photos

Amarnath Yatra 2012

The much awaited Starting Date for Registration of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra 2012 had been announced.The Registration process will start from 7th May, 2012. This information is shared by Official Sources to the Jammu Based News paper Daily Excelsior.

Where to Register ?

For carrying out the Registration Process, the Board dad approved the designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Yes Bank, District Co-operative banks and 100 post Offices.Earlier the Registration Process for yatra is handled by banks only, but this time the services of post offices are also taken for the Registration process.

Official Sources told that post offices have been included only to provide facilitation to yatris at the places where there is non-availability of Designated bank branches.This is a welcome step by Shrine Board as it will definitely help those yatris who will have to travel distance of 100's of Kms for carrying out the registration process.

Earlier the Shrine Board had announced the Dates for Amarnath Yatra 2012. If you would like to perform Amarnath Yatra in 2012 and are unaware about the registration process, then you must go through our previous post on Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration.

Amarnath yatra 2012 helicopter fare

A Good News for all those Amarnath Yatris who wish to pay obeisance at the Holy shrine of Amarnath Ji by Helicopter is that Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB ) had slashed the rates for Helicopter services operating at Baltal and Pahalgam Routes.The rates are slashed in order to attract more and more pilgrims to the Holy Shrine.This information is shared by CEO SASB, Mr Navin Kumar Choudhary.

It is worth mentioning here that Helicopter Services are available on both the routes i.e Pahalgam and Baltal.If you wish to perform Amarnath Yatra 2012 by Helicopter then you can read more about Helicopter Service offered by Shrine Board at the Links given below
Amarnath Yatra Helicopter Service.

Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter Booking

Helicopter Charges from Baltal Route: The one way helicopter charges for yatris who wish to perform yatra from Baltal route are slashed by 40 % this year and now the revised rates for Baltal to Panjtarni routes will be Rs 1445/ per passenger.In 2011, the rates were Rs 2425/- per passenger.

Helicopter Charges from Pahalgam Route: Similarly, the one way helicopter charges from Pahalgam route are also reduced by 35 % and now the yatris will have to pay Rs 2355/- instead of Rs 3495/- as of last year.

Amarnath Yatra 2012 Dates announced-Yatra from 25th June 2012.

The much awaited dates for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2012 had been announced.Amarnath Yatra 2012 will commence from 25th June, 2012 and will commence on 2nd August, 2012,there by making the duration of Yatra to only 37 days.These recommendations are made by the Advisory Committee of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2012 headed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji.It is worth mentioning here that advisory committee was set up in July 2011 to advise the Government over the Schedule and duration of yatra.

The Board had directed the CEO Shrine Board to start the timely registration and Effective management of the yatra.The Pratham Poojan will done on the day of Jhestha Purnima which falls on 4th June, 2012.There is also a possibility that Yatra can be preponed a few days earlier than June, 25 , in that case the CEO will arrange the speedy Registration of Yatris either through Online Registration mode or On-Spot Registration.

Medical Certificate is mandatory for Yatris

Due to growing number of deaths of Pilgrims during the Yatra, the Shrine Board had decided that each pilgrim will have to carry a Medical Certificate issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) to ensure that he/she is medical fit to perform the yatra.The Advisory board had directed the CEO, Shrine Board to issue clear cut instructions to each and every intended yatri to undergo a medical check up in order to ensure his/her medical fitness for performing Amarnath Yatra 2012.It is worth mentioning here that is 2011, 107 people had lost their lives due to cardiac arrest.

Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter Booking

Amarnath Yatra Helicopter Service is provided by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and it is a really a welcome decision considering the fact that cave is situated at an altitude of 3888 mt (12,756) ft above sea level.In 2012, the Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin from the last week of June, still the Official announcement is awaited.In order to provide Helicopter service to pilgrims for the Upcoming Amarnath Yatra in 2012, Shri Amarnath Ji shrine Board has invited tenders from the Helicopter Operators, the detailed tender document can checked at this link
Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter booking.

The Helicopter booking for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2012 will start soon after the pilgrimage to Amarnath Ji begins.Interested yatris who wish to avail Helicopter Service for Amarnath Yatra 2012 must check this page and Official Website regularly for Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter booking and Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter fare.The Helicopter Booking for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2012 is likely to be available under two schemes: (As mentioned in the Tender Document for Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter Services)

1. Advanced Booking for Amarnath Yatra Helicopter Service
2. Current Booking for for Amarnath Yatra Helicopter Service

(I) Advance Booking: Under the Advanced booking system, each Helicopter Operator is liable to provide 50 % of the seats per day per/ per trip.Here are few points that yatris must undergo who wish to book Helicopter tickets for Amarnath Yatra under advanced booking system.
The Helicopter Operator with respect to each route shall provide Online booking facility for 50 % of the Helicopter Tickets under Advanced Booking System.This means that 50 % of the tickets available under Advanced Booking System can be booked Online from the Helicopter Operators Website after making the payment through the Payment gateway.

The remaining 50 % of the Helicopter tickets under the Advanced Booking System can be booked by the Six Tour and Travel Agents registered with J&K state tourism department.These six agents will be nominated by the Helicopter operators.The details of these travel agents will be notified on the websites of Helicopter Operators for the Information of General Public and the same is intimated to board by the Helicopter Operators.

(II) Current Booking: The current booking system is also called Tatkal booking System.Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) will notify the process for booking Helicopter Tickets under current booking System at the later stages of yatra or at the time nearing the the actual Amarnath yatra 2012 dates.

Relevancy of Information: The information presented in this article is presented "As Is" and source of the information is the Tender Document for Helicopter Services 2012.Readers are requested to check the relevant sources (Like SASB Official Website ) for Complete Information regarding Amarnath Yatra 2012 Helicopter Booking.

Although the care has been taken to provide the information as accurately as possible, but there may be some errors.

Updates: We will update this page, once there is any change in the procedure for Booking Helicopter Tickets for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2012.So Keep checking this page for more updates on Shri Amarnath Yatra 2012.

Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration form

Amarnath Yatra, one of the most popular pilgrimages in the country.The Amarnath yatra usually begins in the month of June - July every year and ends on the day of Raksha Bandhan.The duration of Yatra is approximately 45 to 60 days.In order to perform, Amarnath Yatra, yatris need to get themselves registered with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, the authority for conducting the Amarnath Yatra 2012

In 2012, Amarnath yatra is expected to begin in the last week of June 2012 and will conclude on 2nd August 2012.The registration for the Amarnath Yatra 2012 will start approximately 40 to 45 days before the actual yatra date.In 2011 the Amarnath Yatra registration started on 10th May, 2011 so we can also expect the Amarnath Yatra 2012 registration around this time

Devotees performing Amarnath Yatra for the first time often get confused About How to register for Amarnath Yatra 2012 or How to Obtain the Amarnath Yatra Registration form.For the benefit of Devotees, we have published the Complete Procedure for Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration ( including Amarnath Yatra 2012 Online Registration )

Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration form

The Registration form is the only document that allows you to get registered for Amarnath Yatra.The Registration form for the Amarnath Yatra 2012 can be collected from the designated counters of Bank branches of J&K Bank and other designated banks.Apart from the designated counters the Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration form can also be downloaded from the Official Website of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board.

The duly filled in Registration form must be submitted along with the Requisite Registration fees at the designated counters specified for Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration.After submitting the Registration form, the Yatris will be given a Yatra permit.The Yatra permit is mandatory document for performing the Amarnath Yatra 2012.Without the yatra permit, the yatris will not be allowed to perform yatra either at Baltal or at Pahalgam routes.

The Amarnath Yatra 2012 Registration form can be downloaded from this page, soon after it is made available by the Official Authorities on their website.Meanwhile you can check the Amarnath Yatra 2011 Registration form from the link given below.

Route Map or Road Map of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2012

The Yatra of Shri Amarnath Ji can be performed via two routes or two roads.In this post on Amarnath Yatra Route map, we will discuss in detail How the Yatra can be performed at the Two routes or on the two roads.The two routes for performing Amarnath Yatra are

1. Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam Route
2. Amarnath Yatra via Baltal Route

Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam Route

This route is longest and also traditional route for performing amarnath Yatra.The distance between Pahalgam and Holy cave is approximately 40-42 Kms (One Side).Here are few points that yatris must undergo who wish to perform yatra via pahalgam route.

Pahalgam -Chandanwari - Pissu Top - Sheshnag - Panchtarni - Holy Cave

The starting point of Amarnath Ji Yatra via this route is Pahalgam.Pahalgam is located at a distance of 43 Kms from the holy cave.

After starting the yatra from Pahalgam the next point is Chandanwari.Chandanwari is located at a distance of 16 kms from Pahalgam.The distance is covered by Local Transport on this route.

After reaching Chandanwari, the next stoppage is pissu top.Pissu top is at a distance of 3 kms from chandanwari.After chandanwari the next point is Sheshnag, the Sheshnag is at a distance of 11 kms from the Piss top

Next point after reaching Shesh nag is MAHAGUNAS again a distance of 4.6 Kms.After reaching MAHAGUNAS and again covering a distance of 9.4 Kms, one reaches Panjtarni

Panjatarni is at a distance of 6 Kms from the Holy cave

Amarnath Yatra via Baltal Route or Road

Baltal - Domail - Barari - Holy Cave

The Amarnath Ji Yatra via Baltal route is the shortest and preferred choice of most pilgrims as it is possible to complete the yatra from this route in only one day.The distance between the Baltal and the holy cave is only 14 Kms.So the devotees can perform the darshan same day and return to base camp the same day.But Baltal route is also narrow and difficult to traverse as compared to Pahalgam route

The starting point of yatra via this roue is Baltal which is located as a distance of 14 kms from the holy cave.The next point is Domail which is 2 kms from the baltal.After that yatris can proceed towards Barari which is again at a distance of 6 kms from Domail

On reaching Barari, one must travel 4 kms and reach sangam.The sangam is only at a distance of 3 kms from the holy cave.In this way one can reach Holy cave via Baltal