Celebration of Makara Sankranthi, Pongal 2010
In Hindu temples drums resound and bells ring. Conch shells and clarinets usher in the joyous occasion. It provides the farmers a break from their monotony of traditional farming. The festival is celebrated for a period of four days in Tamil Nadu. “Bhogi”(celebrated January 13th) is the day when old clothes are got rid off and it is the beginning of a new life. On the second day, that is Pongal (celebrated January 14th) fresh milk is boiled early in the morning and is allowed to spill over. Savories and sweets are prepared and people visit each other’s home and exchange greetings. The third day known as Mattu Pongal is the day to offer thanks to the buffaloes and cows as they are made use of for ploughing. On the last day, which is Kanum Pongal, people go out on a picnic.

Colorful Rangoli designs decorate the houses and the front porch of the houses. People wear new clothes and buy jewelry. Women wear gold and silver ornaments.

Rituals of Makara Sankranthi
As a symbolic gesture with regard to bountiful harvest rice is cooked in new pots till it spills over. In the temples rice is cooked, chanting of prayers herald the festival and vegetables, sugarcane as well as spices are offered to the Gods. To exonerate themselves of previous sins, the devotees consume the offerings. Farmers also worship some crops in the form of puja. People bathe in holy waters and worship the sun. The belief is that a person who dies on this day will go to heaven.

Makara Sankaranth is a joyous occasion for farmers as well as ordinary people. It is day to be thankful for what we have- good food. For farmers, it is celebration of bountiful harvest.

Rangaranjan also said that there would be any impact of the recent events in Dubai on the economic activity of the India. According to him, domestic demand drove the economy mostly and there was less dependence on external factors.

The growth target of 6.5 % can be achieved as it is backed by the industrial and service sectors, which he claims, “will be stronger in the second half and will make up for the impact of weak monsoon on agriculture in the third quarter,” he added.

The Indian economy is, no doubt, geared towards good recovery after the recession period. It is hoped that that the economic growth would be such that people would feel reassured again that things will be alright. Naturally, the recession caused much setback economically and many suffered financially. Investments in the industrial sector was low and the markets also recorded a low rate of turnout. Unemployment became a common feature.

The coming year, that is 2010 will be better it is felt. Employment opportunities will increase and the purchasing power of the people will improve. The slump in the market will lift.

The meeting, which was also attended by the Indian environment minister, Jairam Ramesh was held at China, whereas in many emerging countries participated. This decision was taken by the Indian government in order to show that it was not in any way a hindrance to the ongoing talks on climate change which shall be held in Copenhagen on December 7th. The minister said at the meeting that “I don’t think we can sweep (aside) the fact that China, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, and peer group countries have put down voluntary, unilateral, non-legally binding, quantitative targets.”

Earlier China had decided to willingly bring down its energy intensity by 40-45% from 2005 levels in the next decade. The Chinese had decided upon as a response to the decision taken by US to reduce its own emissions by 17% below the 2005 levels by 2020.

This move on the part of China, India and the US is to off set the pressure from other developed countries and NGOs which are very much concerned about global climate. These countries have often set up the so called “global green Agenda”.

Commenting on the meeting and China being the host of the meeting, Ramesh said,” This is a leadership-cum-public relations drive by China. The message of the meeting is that China wants to lead and it has fulfilled its international obligations. They have called the meeting from a position of strength as they have already announced emission targets.”

It is evident that China has a “high-energy intensity level” on account of its higher reliance on the manufacturing sector. On the other hand, the economic growth of India is dependent upon the service sector.

The conference at Beijing consists of key developing countries that include South Africa as well as, India and Brazil has been called by China.

China has, of course, made it very clear that its cut in carbon intensity would be purely on a voluntary basis. This was stated by China a day after the US had given an indication that it would offer a target that is fixed for reducing greenhouse gas. This would obviously imply that India has to do much more in this regard.

This decision of China will have an impact on the outcome of the negotiations concerning climate change. It is feared that India would come under a lot of pressure from the possibility of US and China joining hands on the issue. India may face the risk of getting isolated at the Copenhagen meeting.

Earlier, Brazil extended a conditional offer to reduce its emissions through forestry on the condition that it is provided with international funding to control the deforestation of the Amazon forests.

China, India as well as other economies that were emerging have not been asked by the developed nations to adopt complete emission cuts.

Changes in climate are of much concern to all nations. Weather fluctuations have their impact on the economy of the country. Global warming has affected the climatic conditions of a country in many ways. The Indian economy is very dependent upon season rainfall. Any changes in the pattern of rainfall can play havoc with the economy.

The Union Minister Jairam Ramesh as well as other officials will be attending the meeting at China.

Both India as well China had earlier signed a MOU with the United States on issues related to climate as well as energy. The meeting will be reaffirmation of the stance taken by the key players in the G77 block according to sources. South Africa as well as Brazil along with other smaller nations will also be part of these discussions. It will be a one-day deliberation.

No doubt, some doubts have raised that China as well as India may break off from developing countries and align themselves with the US.

Brazil, which happens to be one of the four major economies within the G77 block had off late made a proposal to lessen its emissions primarily through deforestation that has been reduced by external support.

Few G77 countries have accused the developed countries of playing a “divide and rule” policy in the arena of G77 nations. Perhaps this meeting being held by China will reduce such apprehensions among countries which have been as partners in climate negotiations so far.

It is quite evident that China is now becoming host for important meetings. It is obviously likely to play more important role in world affairs. Much of the world developments perhaps in the future may be influenced by what China has to say.

Obama called India to be a “rising and responsible global power”. Obama focused on exhaustive as well as expansive agenda to be set up between the two countries that dispelled any view held by New Delhi that it had been marginalized.

Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh is on three- day visit to India to improve ties with US on the eve of 26/11.

The meeting was held on a cold and bleak day dampened the usual ceremonial welcome given to the Indian Prime Minister. But the atmosphere was made cozy by the warm remarks made by the US president that US still had much love for the Indians.

President Obama said that India would be playing ” a pivotal role” in the meeting up to future challenges. He said,” the US welcomes and encourages India’s leadership role in helping to shape the rise of stable, peaceful, and prosperous Asia. Obama also acknowledged quite implicitly, perhaps this being the first time as far as Washington D.C. is concerned, that the United States has made the mistake in its approach towards India’s neighbor, Pakistan. “There were probably times when we were just focused on the (Pakistani) military – instead of (engaging its) civil society.”, he admitted. This was in reply to query whether the policy of the US of providing arms to Pakistan had permitted the latter to become a adversary that was heavily armed.

The only hassle in the meeting between the two leaders was with regard to residual issues, nuclear in nature that included a fuel processing agreement.

Both the leaders paid much importance to their promise of having major engagements in the coming 21st century.

Dr. Singh it so appeared felt like averting the chances of Obama administration taking offence at India’s action to lowering the dollar exposure of its own foreign exchange reserve. Dr. Singh while endorsing the economic resilience of the American economy said that that the setbacks it was now suffering were temporary. Dr. Singh appreciating the dollar said “as far as I can see right now, there is no substitute for the dollar.” He said his feeling ” is that we have not entered an era of irreversible shift in economic strength of the United States.”

These comments were expressed by Dr. Singh in an interview given to Fareed Zakaria on CNN.

Off late the world is looking up to China and India as major global markets. The US President Barack Obama recently visited China. Now that the recession is getting over, both the economies are recovering slowly, although US is still facing economic problems in terms of recovery from recession.

Both China and India, it is often predicted are likely to dominate the world scene in the coming future.

India and US will be signing a pact on sharing of intelligence as well as counter-terrorist during the visit. Details are of course not being divulged, but importance is being given to the pact as the CIA Director Leon Panetta had come over to New Delhi to discuss details with his counterpart in India before its finalization. The agreement can include the exchanging as well as stationing of more intelligence personnel in the two countries, which includes mobile units that would facilitate better interaction.

The US has shown the initiative for the up-gradation of intelligence after Washington had finally been able to realize why it should not distinguish the terrorist group of Pakistan Lashkar-e-Taiba from the Al-Qaida also of Pakistan.

The Prime Minsiter will be in the US capital on November 26th , the day the Mumbai carnage took place, and this the US is well aware of..

The union health ministry has carried out an analysis of H1N1 flu infections till November 8th. It was observed that the virus had infected almost 3,000 more men as well as women-8997 men as well as 5,933 women. But judging by death figures 258 women have died on account of the infection as compared to 248 Men. India till about November 8th has recorded about 14,930 positive cases of H1N1 infection,with 506 deaths. No doubt, the latest figures that are available till the time of November 20, the number of infected Indians had reached about 16,201 while about 543 deaths had been recorded.

Till November 8th the state of Maharashtra had recorded the highest number of deaths that have been caused by HINI flu (212). This has been followed by Karnataka (119), AP(46), Gujarat (43) and Kerala (22). When it comes to positive cases of H1N1 infection Delhi is highest on the list with around 3,853 cases followed by Maharashtra (3,728) cases,TN (1,665), Karnataka (1,513), Kerala (1,096) and Haryana (739). Andhra Pradesh has shown a record of 686 positive cases if H1N1. Only five stages have not recorded a single case of H1N1 infection. They are Lakshwadeep, Sikkim,AP, Dadra and Nagar Haveli as well as Tripura.

The Union health minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad says that India has already spent RS.332 crore to combat HINI flu. Financial assistance given directly to the states has been in the form of Tamilfu that is being supplied and training being given to state officials.

China as well as India as emerging market economies are well geared to accelerate strong and stimulus measures. Japan’s recession stage is now over and its economy will be picking up again, says OECD.

Many of the developed nations are now looking up to India and China to act as “engines of global growth”. South Korea’s recovery is the strongest from the present global slump within the 30-nation OECD sphere that is led by experts claims the organization.

The OECD, which includes Japan as well as South Korea as members but not China or India further says, ” Highly stimulatory economic policy will continue to support growth over the near term.”

As far as India is concerned the OECD claims that growth would be around 6.1% in 2009 as well as 7.3% in 2010, which will rise up to 7.6% the following year. In March, The OECD predicted an expansion of 4.3% for India in the year 2009.

“Vigorous growth has resumed in China” thanks to sizeable monetary and fiscal stimulus”, says OECD. The group also increased its growth forecast of 8.3% for China in the year 2009 and 10.2% in 2010. Sometime March the prediction made with regard to China’s growth was at 6% to 7% in 2009.

The spending spree backed by the Chinese government will of course support rapid growth in the coming future, but the pace will slacken on the withdrawal of these sweeping measures and the growth rate will settle at 9.3% in 2011. claims the OECD.

India’s economic growth has been hampered due to the dry monsoon which has been worst in the past four decades. Judging by economic data the ” growth momentum is strengthening.”