Prime Minister Manmohan at Copenhagen Summit

On Friday at Copenhagen, India stood firmly on the side of the developing world, the small island nations and the Least Developed Countries, as they will be the worst sufferers of the disasters of climate change, as the Copenhagen Climate Summit reached its final hours, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said global regimes tackling climate change must take sustainable development into account.

He announced the cuts India will be going ahead with regard to the targets for the years 2020 / 2022, and outlined clean technologies, strategies to limit deforestation and increase forest cover, implementing solar energy resources based energy solutions and overall strategy to combat climate change, regardless of what the rich countries are committing. Watch the video for the key areas he addressed.

Earlier Manmohan Singh said, "As we embark on future negotiations, we'd do well to take stock of what we have learnt in the last two years. I draw 3 lessons: First, the vast majority of countries don't support any renegotiating or dilution of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in particular the principles of equity, the common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities to act against climate change…”

Manmohan Singh emphasized the importance of the Bali Action Plan worked out in 2007, saying, "The plan commits us to enhancing the implementation of the convention (UNFCCC). To settle for something that would be seen as diminished expectation and diminished implementation would be a very wrong view to emerge out of this conference."

On Kyoto Protocol, under which rich countries have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, he said it should ‘continue to stand as valid legal instrument. Parties (countries) have to stick to their commitments.’

On India, the Prime Minister said, "as we're among countries most likely to be severely impacted by climate change", and he explained the steps taken unilaterally by India; ‘the eight missions’ including the ambitious solar mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, and ‘the reduction in emissions intensity per unit of GDP by 20 per cent by 2020, compared to 2005’.

"We will deliver (on these actions) regardless of the outcome of this conference, but we can do even more if a supportive global climate regime is put in place," he said, and continued, "It is a difficult task. I hope we can all play positive and constructive roles to bridge differences for an equitable outcome. India won't be found wanting in this regard."

River Ganges at Haridwar

River Ganga (Ganges) in Haridwar, India, originally uploaded by click.man.

Here is one of the most beautiful photos of the River Ganges at Haridwar, a highly revered holly place in India. It is one of the most visited and cleanest places on the route of the meandering Ganga, a favourite destination for tourists from around the world and India. Haridwar is situated quite close to New Delhi with International Airports and many hotels for foreign tourists. From New Delhi Haridwar is just a few hours by taxi and other means of transport, and it is situated in the beautiful Himalayan foothills.

Home security systems

Sometimes news of break-ins and destruction of property and life disturb me very much, even though the affected persons are unknown to me. The reason is quite simple. Such unforeseen tragic incidences can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere, if their homes are not well-protected by installing the best home security systems. Some people either do not care about home security or may be using systems that either do not work, or outlived their utility. Such systems are as good as having no security systems at all.

I know that ADT alarm system is very popular in North America. I tried to find out why most of the homes, commercial and government establishments use ADT home security. It did not require the knowledge of rocket science to find out why a particular system is better than other. They have the latest systems not only to ward off burglary, but also to detect fire, smoke, carbon monoxide and other causes of serious hazards. Their trained professionals and interconnected monitoring centers keep a watch on your home and family 24 hours a day, every day. If anything goes wrong concerning your home they alert the local authorities including the police and you. ADT monitoring ensures that your home is secured always, whether you are at home, away on work, or on a holiday.

They offer easy-to-use home security equipments, ADT alarms, keychain remote and the digital keypad and their affordable monthly monitoring fees make home security easily available for any household. In case you want to understand more, their customer-friendly security consultants are just a phone call away, ready to guide and help you.

There is good news that they have special security promotions for the people in Chicago Illinois area. At very low rates, they monitor burglary, fire and medical emergencies and help you protect your family and valuables. All it takes to find out the latest the security offers is a call to ADT Chicago home security expert who will guide you through the offers currently available.

After all the experience of over a century, technologically advanced home security equipments and their highly trained security professionals assure you of the best you can do to secure your home.

Ganges River Dolphin: soons or shushuk

The Ganges Dolphin

Ganges Dolphin, originally uploaded by thomasb2.

Ganges River Dolphin (known as Soons by locals in India shushuk in Bangladesh) is a subspecies of river dolphins mainly found in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. A similar subspecies the Indus River Dolphin is found in Pakistan. These are found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries and the Indus River and its tributaries Beas River and Sutlej River. The Ganges river dolphin is recognized by the government of India as its National Aquatic Animal.

These river dolphins have long pointed noses like all river dolphins with their teeth visible in the upper and lower jaws even when the mouth is closed. Adult female dolphins are larger than male dolphins. The species feeds on a variety of shrimp and fish including carp and catfish.

These river dolphins have been adversely affected by the use of the river systems by humans in by polluting them intolerably. Pollution by fertilizers, pesticides and industrial and domestic effluents are responsible for the death of many fishes and dolphin populations. Though they are protected species, they are caught by fishermen and their oil and meat are used as a liniment, as an aphrodisiac and as bait for fishing. Both the subspecies are listed by the IUCN as endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species.

The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India, a 50 km stretch of Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, is the only protected area for the Gangetic dolphins. Now only few hundreds of the river dolphins are remaining and half of Gangetic dolphins found here.

Classified as “endangered” in the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species & included Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, they are among the oldest creatures in the world along with crocodiles, sharks and some turtles.

The Buriganga in Bangladesh, Dhaka's lifeline from times immemorial and where Gangetic dolphins were abundant in the past, is now threatened by pollution and encroachment, with about 80% of Dhaka's sewage flowing into the river untreated. The flow of water in the Buriganga is very low except during the monsoon season, when it is flooded. Here when the water quality is not at its worst, river dolphins can still be sighted.

Manmohan Singh meets Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama toasted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the lawns of the White House at the first state dinner of his presidency to celebrate the "friendship" between India and the US. "Aapka Swagat Hai (you are welcome)," said Obama in Hindi.

A.R. Rahman’s live performance of 'Jai Ho' from the multiple award-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire resonated in the Whitehouse marquee during the predominantly vegetarian dinner. Indian dancers performed to the music of A.R. Rahman. The 300-plus strong guest list at the state dinner included some of the most powerful and talented Indians and Americans. Actors Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood, legendary director and producer Steven Spielberg, Hollywood filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, Indian music composer and singer A.R. Rahman, writer Jhumpa Lahiri, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, author Thomas Friedman and new age guru Deepak Chopra were some of the celebrity guests. Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Obama's aides like White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, senior advisor and assistant to the president for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs Valerie Jarrett were among those present at the gathering. Indian billionaires Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, Indian-Americans like Indra Nooyi, Anish Goel, South Asia expert in Obama's National Security Council Rajat Gupta were the other notable guests.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said the two countries must find new pathways of international cooperation that respond more effectively to grave challenges confronting the world, and said, "A strong and sustained engagement between our two countries is good for our people and the world. We are embarking on a new phase of our partnership".

Indian Dancers perform at the White House

P112409PS-1624, originally uploaded by The White House.

Indian dancers perform at the State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in honor of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House on November 24, 2009. The dancers performed to musician A.R. Rehman's live song 'Jai Ho' from his Oscar-wining score for the blockbuster "Slumdog millionaire".(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Please note the terms of usage of the photo as appended below the photo: This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with President Obama

091124-A-6595V-, originally uploaded by U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos.

In honor of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India and his wife, Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the first official State Dinner of the Presidency at the White House on November 24, 2009.

Himalayan lake in Tibet

Tibet - Himalaya, originally uploaded by Stephankarg.

Planning for the best all inclusive holidays

Having a memorable holiday is the best way to unwind and re-energize our body and mind, apart from spending quality time with family and friends, or whoever are our companions on such a trip. In fact , most people meticulously plan their holidays, be it to the Himalayan hill resorts, Guatemalan highlands, Maldives, or some of the most popular and romantic destinations in Spain, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, or some other long haul holidays.

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