F-16s can be used against any adversary: PAF chief

By Iftikhar A. Khan

Islamabad, 28 Jun, 2010 :SHAHBAZ AIR BASE (Jacobabad): The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, has said there is no restriction on the use of newly-acquired F-16 combat aircraft against any adversary.

“Our mission is to maintain peace in the region with honour, but if the primary effort fails we will use all our assets, including these aircraft, to defend our country against any internal or external threats,” he said.

The air chief was talking to reporters at the newly upgraded Shahbaz Air Base on Sunday after a ceremony held to mark the formal induction of the first three of 18 advanced F-16 fighter jets into the PAF fleet.

The aircraft have been purchased from the United States for $1.4 billion. The ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff of US Air Force Gen Norton A. Schwartz, US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson, US Air Forces’ Central Command chief Gen Mike Hostage and US Defence Representative to Pakistan Vice Admiral Michael A. LeFever. Answering a question, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar said the acquisition of the hi-tech falcons would neither spark an arms race nor disturb the balance of power in the region. It would be the other way round, he said, adding that the induction would restore the balance of power as the neighbours already had hi-tech aircraft in their inventory.

Earlier addressing the ceremony, he said the PAF had decided to induct the state-of-the-art aircraft with night precision attack capability in 2006 but the contract became controversial in both the countries from the very beginning, with critics (in the United States) questioning the decision and saying that F-16s would have no role in the fight against terrorism and cynics (at home) also challenged the wisdom of a contract with the US, because of past experience.

He said that Pakistan and the US were allies in the war against terror and trust between the two countries was an essential element required to achieve success in the war. He noted that delivery of the aircraft was the beginning of a process to develop the trust.

“The issue of trust between the two countries would take some time to be established fully, but the ceremony was an important step in that direction,” he said.

He said the new F-16s would provide the PAF all-weather day and night precision attack capability, adding a new dimension to the PAF potential. He said that operationalising capabilities of the new aircraft and mastering their technology was a challenge for the PAF, but expressed the confidence that it would be done in weeks and months.

He said that Shahbaz Airbase had been developed into a modern base capable of handling the most modern fighter aircraft in the world in less than one year. Completion of this task in a record time, he said, reflected the spirit of PAF.

US Air Chief General Norton Schawrtz said the event was symbolic and a tangible demonstration of the US commitment to stand by Pakistan in the long run as an important ally.

“Pakistan’s new F-16s will give PAF pilots and Pakistan’s military an unprecedented advantage against extremist groups who threaten Pakistan and the region by enabling precision targeting in all-weather conditions, during both day and night, while reducing potential for collateral damage,” Gen Schawrtz said.

“The aircraft will also enable increased tactical inter-operability between the PAF, the US Air Force and Isaf coalition air forces – greatly bolstering our ability to jointly communicate, coordinate and work together to achieve common goals while boosting the PAF’s status as a world-class air force.”

US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson said the ceremony was a manifestation of deep and broad strategic partnership between the two countries.

She referred to the useful discussion in a number of areas during the strategic dialogue and said the US was committed to a long-term partnership with an old ally.

She said both the countries were working together to make the region and the world peaceful and secure.

PPP Chairman, Er. Hilal Ahmad War, Arrested from his Maisuma residence today early in the morning by State Police

Srinagar, Jun 28: A heavy contingent of J&K Police headed by Dy.S.P. East (Kothibagh) raided the Maisuma House of People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, today early in the morning and arrested the party Chairman Hilal Ahmed War. War’s arrest is seen as a preventive measure by the State police against a possible ‘Sopore Chalo’ march that the Hurriyat (M and G) had announced. Chairman PPP, while endorsing Hurriyat (M and G‘s) call had urged the people to take to the streets and register a peaceful protest in the form of a rally. “People should come out in large numbers in response to Hurriyat’s call peacefully,” said War.

The PPP Chief has been lodged in Police Station Rajbagh. A party spokesperson condemned his arrest in strong words saying it amounted to State oppression and a denial of right to ex-pression. “This highhandedness of the State shows the times we are living in. If one is not even allowed to demonstrate peacefully, it leaves a big void for violent demonstrations,” said the PPP Spokesman. Mr. War had urged youths to make sure no stone-pelting incident occurred. (Writer-South Asia)

Indian Spice Industry

Indian spice industry achieves a record export of 5,300 crore (US$1.17 BILLION)) defying the global meltdown

Let's give them a big hand!

By: Sheikh Gulzaar

Srinagar:Against the previous records of Rs. 4,435 crore (US$ 1billion) in 2007-08, the export has touched an all-time high of Rs.5,300 crore (US$1.17 billion) in 2008-09. The volume exported has also grown significantly-from the previous figure of 4,00,000 tonnes to 4,70,520 tonnes. An increase of 6 per cent in terms of both volume and dollar value, and 19 per cent in rupees terms. No mean achievement, specially in the face of the global recession.

Processed spices like Saffron cashmiriana, curry powder, mint powder, ginkgo biloba powder, spices oils/oleoresin and blended spices account for an impressive 58 percent of total exports.

Aggressive marketing strategies, stringent quality management, a sharper focus on value addition and better insights into customer requirements have all combined to makes this unique feat possible. It also reflects the importers' faith in the industry's commitment to quality, safety and competitiveness of Spices.

Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre heartly congratulates the Spice industry, and hopes that they will win greater laurels in the years ahead.For cultivation of Medicinal plants, Spices like Ginkgo biloba, Saffron plants material, please contact to jkmpic@gmail.com

RAW planning to attack political leaders, separatists in Kashmir: Lashkar

Srinagar: 27 June: Lashkar-e-Toyiba, spokesman said some un-known place to Ed. Sheikh Gulzaar, editor Writer-South Asia that some sources inputs were intercepted in which Indian agencies in the Valley were receiving instructions from RAW to carry out a strike in disputed state of Jammu or Kashmir, which includes targeting any politician or separatist leader.

The sources said Ikhwani might try and target a separatist leader and blame it on Mujaheedins as has been done in the past.

The killing of Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Mirwaiz Farooq, Dr. Qazi Nissar, Abdul Gani Lone and the bid on life of Fazal-haq Qureshi earlier this year by some un-identified gun men were examples of their tactics.

Mirwaiz Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone were allegedly shot dead byIndian forces

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who enjoys Z category security of the state government, has been instructed about the threat perception while a round-the-clock guard was to be provided to other separatist leaders.(Writer-South Asia)

Ginkgo biloba, Saffron,Spices, Cultivation, Medicinal plants

By: Sheikh Gulzaar
Srinagar: Against the previous records of Rs. 4,435 crore (US$ 1billion) in 2007-08, the export has touched an all-time high of Rs.5,300 crore (US$1.17 billion) in 2008-09. The volume exported has also grown significantly-from the previous figure of 4,00,000 tonnes to 4,70,520 tonnes. An increase of 6 per cent in terms of both volume and dollar value, and 19 per cent in rupees terms. No mean achievement, specially in the face of the global recession.

Processed spices like Saffron cashmiriana, curry powder, mint powder, ginkgo biloba powder, spices oils/oleoresin and blended spices account for an impressive 58 percent of total exports.

Aggressive marketing strategies, stringent quality management, a sharper focus on value addition and better insights into customer requirements have all combined to makes this unique feat possible. It also reflects the importers' faith in the industry's commitment to quality, safety and competitiveness of Spices.

Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre heartly congratulates the Spice industry, and hopes that they will win greater laurels in the years ahead.For cultivation of Medicinal plants, Spices like Ginkgo biloba, Saffron plants material, please contact to : cikashmir@gmail.com

Vist us at: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

Hizbula Mujahideen-HM-Jammu and Kashmir

Hizbul Mujahideen-HM , Hizbul al-Mujāhidīn, meaning "party of holy warriors"), founded by Mohammad Ahsan Dar of Patan in 1991, is a group of Kashmiri Freedom Fighters active in Indian Kashmir since 1989. Their headquarters are located some where in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir. It is believed the group al-Badr, derived from Hizbul Mujahideen in early 1998 when encouraged by the Jammat-i-Islama.The current leader of the group is a Kashmiri known under the alias of Sayeed Salahudeen. Hizbul Mujahideen is group operating in disputed state of Kashmir, and are widely considered by sources on both sides of the Kashmiri conflict to be the most indigenous and widely-supported Freedom Fighter group active in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian government has time and again requested the Pakistani government for the extradition of Sayeed Salahudeen. However in recent times a well known news agency conducted an interview with the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, where the leader claimed that the government of Pakistan would never hand him over to the Indian authorities.(Writer Database Centre)

Several Indian troops killed in Sopore attacks

Srinagar, Writer-South Asia June 21: Several Indian troops including personnel of Special Operation Group were killed and nine troopers including two IRP personnel were injured in series of four attacks in Sopore town, today. Hizbul Mujahideen firstly attacked the BSF camp in Ganjoo building near Degree College and CRPF bunker near State Bank of India in Sopore this morning. The grenade exploded inside BSF camp and another attack on 179 battalion CRPF killed several troops, the military spokesman of Hizbul Mujahideen, Ehsan Ellahi said.

Complaint Monitoring Portal of Jammu and Kashmir Government: http://jkgrievance.nic.in/

The Chief Minister of  the state of Jammu and Kashmir e-mail address is omarabdulah@mac.in, and you can also visit the offical website of Chief Minister for queries and complaints at
http://jkgrievance.nic.in/newcomplaint.aspx J K Grievance
Lodge a New Complaint
Please fill all the fields properly and click Submit button

Name of the Applicant : *
Status of the Applicant : Public Political Party Government Servant
Address for correspondence : *
E-Mail Address : *
Telephone Number (if any) : Please Enter Telephone Number to contact
Complaint Received/Booked Over : Web Fax Letter Phone/Mobile Video/CD Clip
Type of Grievances/Complaint : Relief Law & Order Land Compensation Roads Connectivity Electricity Problem Education Facilities Agriculture Health Facility Natural Calamities SRO-43 Others *

Please Enter The Detail of Grievance/Complaint(*):
View Status of Your Complain

Enter Your Complaint Number to View its status
*-Required field Must enter breif description of your complaint

Kashmir Media Watch , Chief editor beaten up by JK Police

Srinagar, June 20,2010: Kashmir Media Watch, Chief Editor, Ajaz Ahmad War was beaten up ruthlessly by J & K Police near Budshah Chowk in disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir about 10. 30 of this morning while performing his professional duties. The Press fraternity has condemned this act and termed it attack on the freedom of press. Dr. Shabir Choudhary , London based leader of Kashmir National Party strongly condemned this act. Dr. Shabir said this is not a violation of Human Rights but a brutal attack of journalism in Kashmir. He appealed all those persons, parties and scribes who believe in freedom of Press should oppose this action and stand with victim journalist, Ajaz Ahmad War. Meanwhile , Engineer Wahid , leader of Human Watch ( South-Asian Chapter) has condemned the act vehemently. While talking to Senior Superintendent of Police, Javaid Riyaz Bedar regarding the inhuman incident , he said we have attached two cops in this regard and assured the victim that he will personally investigate the matter.(Writer-South Asia)

Ginkgo biloba Seeds avilable in Kashmir

Kashmir is a Resource for Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants can be a big business in Kashmir

Mother of Herbs, J&K can be Superpower Medicine and Perfumes

More than 5000 aromatic/medicinal plants have been discovered in disputed sate of Jammu Kashmir till date. Scientific observations reveal that the state could become the super power in the future for Herbal Medicine and perfumes if the huge resources are exploited properly and effectively. Scientists have so for prioritized over seven hundred medicinal plants yielding high quality chemicals and other ingredients used in life saving medicaments and aromatherapy and in cosmetics.

People in the west have craze to spray their bedding with flavors before going to sleep. Aromatherapy is gaining laurels the world over with Kashmir Lavender being the crown in the world of aroma. How many people know world’s best aroma is produced in Gulmarg?

Rose of Tangmarg (Rosa Domascena) is the best rose of the world. This rose is resistant to al diseases and as such is the craze for aromatic industries. (Source: Dr. Bashir Ahmad, Gazetteer of India, State Gazetteer Unit, State Editor)

A plant commonly called as Soungul/Pooes-Tul (Taxus Baccata) collected by Dr Bashir is believed to yield some alkaloids that are used as anti-cancer drugs in the world of ailments. The plant needs to be studied seriously.

Vanwangan (Podophyllum Emodi) is found growing all over Kashmir from 6000-10000, especially in Fir forests of Gulmarg and Gurez valley. The root of the plant yields Podophyllum resin, which is very popular in modern medicine. It is a powerful purgative and its action somewhat corresponds to that of mercury, hence it is named Vegetable Calomel.

Dr Chopra of the Calcutta School of tropical Medicine comments on the Kashmir plant. “The resin obtained from the specimen sent from Kashmir generally looks somewhat different from that of the imported drug, but physiologically it is quite as effective. The percentage of resin obtainable from Kashmir rhizome is 10 to 12 percent as compared to the foreign varieties, which contain only 3 to 4 percent. The rhizome analyzed is of excellent quality and the possibilities of manufacture of the resin on commercial scale would be considering.” Dr Chopra made these observations in 1928. SN Kaul in his book Forest Products of Jammu Kashmir writes, “The drug was in great demand some time ago and large quantities were put into the market which resulted in considerable reduction in price. Kashmir has been exporting large quantities of the drug to England. The drug is so plentiful in Kashmir that the total demand of the market can be met from Kashmir alone.”

Another important plant is Kuth (Saussurea Lappa). The Sanskrit name of Kuth is Kashmirja, which means “produced in Kashmir”. Even today its growth is limited to Kashmir.

Kuth: Kuth is used as an aromatic, stimulant, as a medicine for cough, asthma, fever, dyspepsia and skin diseases. It is also used in stimulating mixtures for Cholera and prescribed as a stomachic, tonic, for ulcers and in rheumatism. It is also used as a depurative and aphrodisiac.

According to Kaul, Kuth is a plant of great economic value. Stewart in his book on Punjab plants published in 1864 states that in the year 1837 7000 maunds of Kuth were exported via Calcutta to China.

The government has banned unauthorized possession of Kuth for obvious reasons. However, experts suggest extraction and export of the drug on a large scale for economic upliftment of the state.

Experts accuse the government of failure for ignoring these resources. They believe that Jammu Kashmir can find a place in the economic map of the world if appropriate measures are taken before it is too late.

Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba is the oldest known species of tree on earth. Fossils have been dated to over 220 million years old. Fossil records have shown that ginkgo trees flourished across the North American continent till 7 million years ago. Due to the climatic changes our planet has been through and the impacts from space and ice ages, the ginkgo was only found in southeastern China. It was saved from extinction by Buddhist monks. The monks cultivated the ginkgo at their temples for more than 1,500 years. Near 800 AD the Buddhist monks brought the ginkgo to Japan. In 1691 the German Engelbert Kaempfer found the ginkgo in Japan. Kaempfer brought seeds back to Europe. The ginkgo has now been distributed all over the world again. The ginkgo makes a beautiful shade tree and is a slow growing deciduous tree. It's fall foliage is a wonderful butternut yellow and tends to drop all at once within 48 hours when the time comes in fall. Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre collects rare and vanishing species of plants, herbs and spices. For the past 20 years and devoted to developing many varieties of plants Ginkgo biloba, Saffron that can survive in difficult conditions.For trade enquries: cikashmir@gmail.com, home: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

The flora : The flora of Himalayan Kashmir comprises about 3,054 species. About 880 species are found in Ladakh. The flora of the Jammu district comprises 506 species. These figures include only the angiosperms, gymnosperms and pteridophytes. The species lists of different districts are being continually updated in taxonomic publications. The lower plants like fungi and algae have not been studied exhaustively; information on the micro-flora of isolated regions is available for some plant orders and families only. The plants of the western Himalayas are well known for their medicinal properties.

This area is a storehouse of medicinal and aromatic plants, which are used in pharmaceutical and perfume industries. The list includes 55 species of important medicinal and aromatic plants. There are 11 medicinal plants in the temperate, cold, arid regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Several medicinal plants grow wild in the temperate and alpine habitats. Some native medicinal plants have been taken up for cultivation, e.g. Dioscorea deltoidea is now cultivated for its tubers which are rich in diosgenin and yield cortisone, a steroid hormone.

Where can I buy Ginkgo seeds?

We are one of the premier registered Agriculture, Horticulture & Flouriculture based institution involved in production,development,trading and exporting of RAW HERBS, FRUITS, SPICES, Fruit,Medicinal Plants and Vegetable seeds from The country of Kashmir.

Saffron - The most expensive Seed in the world now available on Sale!

More details:

Quality seed materials availabe for SALE!!!

Crocus Sativus (Saffron Seed) for planting from June to September

Ginkgo biloba seeds also avilable:-

For further details please write to:

Chenab Industries

Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121

Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001

Ph: 01933-223705
Call us: 09858986794
e.mail: iirc@rediffmail.com
web: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

Saffron - The most expensive Plant in the world

Saffron is a perennnial , low growing herb with a globular   corm   ranging   from  0.5  to  5cm  in diameter. The corms (Monje/Seed) produce 6-15 narrow, needle like leaves about 10 cm long; surrounded in the lower region by four to five scales. The flowers are borne singly or in two to three. The three stigmas of the flowers along with the style when dried constitute the saffron of commerce. The plant is a native of Iran and Asia Minor. In the former princely state of  Kashmir Vale is a legendry crop of well drained plateau of  Pampore (South Kashmir) where it is being  grown since ancient times. The recorded time of saffron cultivation in Kashmir dates back 550 AD  nearly four centuries earlier than that recorded in Spain. It is rightly called the golden condiment of Kashmir. Saffron also cultavated in Iran, Spain, Baluchistan, Gilgat and now in Afghanistan

COMPOSITION
The average composition of commercial saffron is water ( 15.6 per cent) starch and sugur (13.15 per cent), essential oils  ( 0.6 per cent) fixed oil (5.63 per cent ), total N-Ffree extract (43. 64 per cent), Crude fiber (4.43 per cent), ash (4.27 per cent). The chief pigment of saffron is its yellowish red glycoside crocin, picrocrin is the bitter tasting pigment and it too is glycoside.

USES
Saffron is as precious as gold not because of its high demand and  low production  but because it  is used  in various religious rituals. Hindus use saffron for marking their foreheads, Muslims divine extract in water and write charms with ink thus formed. In Indian market mostly 50-60 per cent of saffron is used in chewing tobacco and for preparing wine. Saffron is used to prepare saffron rice, saffron cakes, wazwaan, tea, cakes, in the preparation of scent and perfumes. It is used for colouring butter, cheese, puddings and confectionary. Like most oriental aromatic herbs saffron is also used in medicinal and culinary reputations. It stops vomiting, expels worms, heels headache and wounds. It is good for hemorrhoids, for removing the discoloration of face and pimples. It is good for epilepsy. Some times it is used in exenthematous diseases to promote eruption. It is popularly supposed to be a stimulant warm and dry in action helping in the alleviation of urinary, digestive and uterine troubles. Paste of saffron is used in dressing bruises, superficial sores, rheumatic and neurological pains and congestion of chest. Passaries of saffron are used in painful complaints of uterus. Dry boiled corms are administered in Ayurvedic and Unani ststem for treatment of gousciatica  and rheumatic pains.

Soil & Climate
Saffron grows well in drained loamy soil. Medium grade, light soil with neutral to slightly alkaline reaction is suited for its cultivation. It prefers very well drained, clay loam soils of karewas of Kashmir. The soils should be deep and free from stones. Saffron thrives well in sub-temperate regions ranging from 1500 meter to 2400 meter.

It requires cool and sunny situation for promising growth. An optimum of 12 hours light duration is essential for growth and flowering. The day temperature should be 20-22  0C  with a difference of 10-12  0C between day and night temperatures. A good shower during August-September facilities flowering and increased yield. Dry weather condition during flowering period is essential for realizing higher yields. In general locations which receive  30-40 cms rainfall and are covered with snow during winter are good for its cultivation. Spring rains are favourable for promoting corm multiplication wherease, a second spell of rains at the beginning of autumn encourages profuse flowering.

Prpoagation
Propgation of the plant is through corms. The plant remains dormant from May-August. The mother corm reproduces annually and gives rise to four to six daughter cormlets. The corms formed during a year produce flowers in the following year. The mother corms provide food to the new developing corms and in doing so wither, shrink and finally die. Now corms develope each year to replace the older once.

Land Preparation and planting
Land preparation starts in March -April. The field is ploughed four to five times to a depth of 30-35 cms.Another  polghing is done in May and fields leveled. Well developed seed corms @1600 to 2000 kg per per hectare should be used after dipping in five percent solution of copper sulphate. The corms should be of 1.5 cms and above in diameter with outermost loose covering cleaned before planting. The corms should be planted in second fortnight of August at a depth of 15-20 cms with a row to row spacing of 15 cms and corm to corm spacing of five to eight cms. After planting divide the field into 2 meters x 4 meters strips by opening 15 deep and 30 cms wide furrows for proper drainage. Saffron can also be planted as an inter crop in newly planted orchards. The superior and less expensive method recommended by Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre is strip system.

Manures and fertilizers
Mix 15-20 tonnes per hectare of well decomposed FYM during last ploughing. Recent studies have revealed that application of vermicompost @350 kg/hectare has given a yield of 4.88 Kg/hectare.

Varities
Traditional corms used time immemorial is the main cultivar used by the farmers. However research on various genotypes is in the pipeline.One such identified genotype is SMD-45.

Interculture
Keep the planted field undisturbed till the following June. Perform the first hoeing in June using a short handled  tangru locally called (in Kashmie) "ZOUN". This operation provides aeration to the soil which is very important for proper development of Saffron Corms.

Subsequently the second hoeing is done in the month of September along with cleaning and repairing of the drainage channels. Care should be taken not to disturb the growing buds of corms. This hoeing is accompanied by light dressing  of FYM at the rate of two tonnes per hectare. Third and final hoeing is given after the flowering is over and mannure is mixed in the soil with the help of iron  rakes. This schedule of operations is followed every year until the crop remains in the field.

Diseases and pests
Fungal diseases often infect the corms. Fungi like Rhizocotnia crocorum,, Sclerotina bulborum and Phoma Crocophila are reported to infect the corms changing the colour of flesh from white to yellow and finally to black resulting in death of the corms. poor aeration in the soil, injury to corms and hail storms provide ideal conditions for the development of diseases. Discarding can prevent this. Treat healthy corms with five percent copper sulphate solution during planting. Incidence of Gangrane disease (in this, the normal plant which prevents flower formation) is also reported from some fields. Rate and moles causing damage tones of corms every year often damage saffron cro. Zinc phoshide baiting and rat control campaign on watershed basis may be of great help.

Harvesting and processing
The flowering season is confined to three weeks from middle of October to first week of November. The flowers are picked daily in the morning and stigmas and styles are trimmed immediately. About 1,60,000 flowers are hand picked to produce one kg of good quality dried saffron.

Saffron Bulbs/Seeds
Saffron is the only spice that comes from a flower. The flowers themselves are magnificent with a striking purple colour. Add a splash of colour to your flowerbeds or balconies with this splendid flower which blooms in October, thanks to its exceptional flower reversed vegetation cycle. What is more, you can grow and produce your own saffron easily.

Crocus Sativus (Saffron corms) for planting from June to September
Harvest in October-November of the same year!

The corms (size 2/5cm) are available from June to 10 September
however you can reserve them from now on.
Corms are delivered with information of culture
50 Bulbs/Seeds: Rs. 3500/-(For Trail packet)
100 Bulbs: Rs.  6500/-(N/A)
One Kg : Rs. 11500/-(Male/Female)
Five Kg : Rs. 5500/-(MF)
(Minimum Order Quantity 50 Corms/Bulbs)

For more details :
Chenab Industries, Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR Jammu and Kashmir 192121
Or
Chenab Industries,PO Box 667 GPO Srinagar SGR Jammu and Kashmir 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: cikashmir@gmail.com, iirc@rediffmail.com 

home: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

US Journalist,Media,Contact, Press Directory, Database released

By: Sheikh ASHRAF (http://pressinusa.blogspot.com)

International Inf. Resource Centre presents United States Media Directory and brought out a Database on CD-ROM, It containing complete details of 500+ of US Media Units.

Information include Name, Complete Postal Address, including Country and ZIP Code , Ph/Fax and E.mail Addresses and other Information from the more than 500+ media contacts -- editors, reporters, correspondents and news Editors -- who are hungry for fresh news ideas? Simply email your press release to them.

The United States Media Directory lists more than 500+ media contacts, including magazines, trade publications, weekly newspapers, daily newspapers, radio and TV stations and Broadcasting organisations across the United States. (Writer-South Asia)

'Home ministry to take final call on Afzal Guru's plea'

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday said the final decision on parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's mercy petition rests with the central home ministry. She said the Delhi government has made its position clear on the matter in the file, which was sent back to Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna Wednesday. In its reply, the Delhi government has not opposed Guru's death sentence but expressed concerns of law and order if he is executed. BJP puts up hoardings in Delhi on Afzal Guru case "We have sent the file on mercy petition of Afzal Guru to the lieutenant governor. The final decision rests with the home ministry," Dikshit told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The file will be sent to the home ministry after getting clearance from Khanna's office. As per the laid down procedure, the president sought the home ministry's views on the mercy petition of Guru in 2005. The procedure on mercy petition also requires the home ministry to seek comments of the state government in whose jurisdiction the crime, for which the death penalty is awarded to the convict, has been committed. Guru, a resident of Sopore in the Kashmir Valley, was found guilty of plotting the Dec 13, 2001, parliament attack and was sentenced to death by a trial court in December 2002.

The Delhi High Court confirmed the death penalty in October 2003. The Supreme Court had also upheld the capital punishment given to Guru for his role in the terror attack. Guru's wife, Tabassum, filed a mercy petition to the president after the apex court's verdict.(IANS)

Islamic Banking – A Guide for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

By: Sheikh GULZAAR

Srinagar :With growth in trade essential for developing countries to emerge from the global economic and financial crisis, the International Trade Centre (ITC) has published two comprehensive business guides for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), How to Access Trade Finance and Islamic Banking. The guides provide advice and best practices to help governments and trade support institutions facilitate access to finance for small exporting firms.

One of the guides, How to Access Trade Finance: A Guide for Exporting SMEs looks at trade finance in general, providing an overview of financing issues from the perspective of small exporters.The second, Islamic Banking: A Guide for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, looks at the special case of Islamic banking, which has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years and offers attractive financing alternatives for small businesses.

“If developing countries are to emerge from the recession, then their SMEs need to be given the tools to boost export business and jump-start stalled economies,” said Patricia R. Francis, ITC’s Executive Director. “These two guides, which are available free online, form part of a package of short-term responses we have prepared to support SMEs in these times of crisis.”

Developed in cooperation with banks, development funds, chambers of commerce, trade promotional organizations and financial associations, the general guide to accessing trade finance is alsodesigned to foster a new partnership between the banking sector and governments to boost SME exports.

The guide is a practical, accessible tool for SMEs and their partners. It provides an overview of financing issues from the perspective of small exporters, offers understanding of which financial instruments are most suitable, which service providers are most relevant, and how to approach them.It also provides examples of shipping documents, letters of credit and loan documentation, and asample business plan.

The guide to Islamic banking examines the implications of the provisions of Islamic law, under which akey tenet is the prohibition of interest. Islamic banks do not make loans; rather they use other models such as sale, lease and partnership-based instruments to make a profit. For some, Islamic banking is attractive because it complies with Islamic law, but there are other aspects that can make it attractive to a wider group, including micro, small and medium-sized companies.

A number of well-known Western banks have opened dedicated Islamic banking operations primarily serving customers from the Middle East, the Gulf region and South Asia, but also clients in Europe, Canada and the United States.

ITC is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, with a particular focus on Aid for Trade and supporting private sector SMEs in developing countries in their efforts to become more competitive in global markets and thus contribute to economic progress and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. (Writer-South Asia)

NRI doc donates $20 mn to Kerala village: NRI List,Directory,Information released

By: Ed. Sheikh GULZAAR

Srinagar: An Indian-American neurosurgeon, who was born into an “untouchable” caste in a Kerala village of

Chemmanakary, made millions in the US and has now donated some $20 million to establish a neurosurgery hospital, a health clinic and a spa resort in his village.

Kumar Bahuelyan, 81, did not wear his pair of shoes until he went to medical school but earned so much that his lavish life-style included five Mercedes Benzes and one aeroplane. “I was born with nothing, I was educated by people of that village and this is what Iowe to them,” he told the Buffalo News.

Life for him has come full circle, the paper said - from dire poverty in India to the life style of rich in America and back to his native village where he has traded his Mercedes for a bicycle.

“I’m in a state of nirvana, eternal nirvana,” he told the paper. I have nothing else to achieve in life. This was my goal, to help my people. I can die any time, as a happy man.”

Another Indian native, Pearay Ogra, the former chief of infectious diseases at Women and Children’s Hospital and the president of the Bahuleyan Charitable Foundation, said he understands why Bahuleyan donated his fortune. “He grew up in a traditional Hindu culture, with a deep sense of universal giving,” Ogra told the paper. “You can afford it, give it back to the people who brought you up.”

Others too are moved by Bahuleyan’s spirit and energy, the paper said, adding Bill Zimmermann, executive director of a Buffalo sailing school is helping Bahuleyan set up a sailing and boat-building school in Chemmanakary.

The venture is designed to teach sailing and boatbuilding skills to the Indian villagers, provide more jobs and use its profits to help fund medical treatment for the villagers. Once Bahuleyan got hooked on the concept, he started spending 50 hours a week at Zimmerman’s Seven Seas Sailing School, located on the Buffalo ship canal, trying to learn about his latest

venture. “He’s not mesmerising or evangelical, but he seems like a living saint,”Zimmermann said.“He does nothing but imbue a sense of calm anddecency. He brings out the best in you.”

Bahuleyan, who lives in Buffalo with his wife, pathologist Indira Kartha, now spends half the year in the US, the other half in India. In his native land, he oversees his foundation’s work, gets around on a bicycle and still does almost daily surgery. “My dream is to see this all running without my help, so I can pass away peacefully, knowing that I created something and gave something back,”

International Information Resource Centre has been released e-publication of The Directory  of NRI's includes complete contact Informtion of over (1,50,000) NRIs residing all over the world that could be approached for funding and collaboration. Information include Name, Complete Postal Address, including Country and Postal Index Number , Ph/Fax and E.mail Address of (1,50,000+NRI’s Information from the Countries listed below:

USA-31570, UAE-25545, Others-22380, Singapore-16665, India-13384, Oman-6898, UK-6850, Kuwait-5441, Saudi Arabia-5225, Bahrain-4820, Qatar-3693, Hong Kong –1910, Canada-1714, Indonesia-1191, Japan-860, Thailand-756, Germany-552, Zambia-330, Philippines-325, Malaysia-317, Switzerland- 284, Australia-235, Botswana-135, Mauritius- 128, Belgium-122, Muscat-101, South Africa- 86, Taiwan-86, Austria-63, Russia-47, Italy- 40. (Updated of the database since May, 1995 till

28th March., 2008, records 1,50,000. More details can be obtained from: (Mob) 09858986794/e-mail:  iirc@rediffmail.com/

Journalisim Resources, Media Agencies, Oppertunities,Directory List

International Information Resource has been collected the contact information of Satellite TV Channels from all over India and brought out a database on CD-Rom. It contains complete details of hundreds of all India Satellite TV Channels.

Features: Each data Contains Name of the TV Channel , Channel Logo, Complete postal address, Email, Address,website address, phone No, Fax No. etc.

| Pages: N/A | | Format: Word | | Price Rs: 1550/- US$150
Payment: DD/Instant Money Order/E-money order
You can directly depost your payment to:
Bank Details:
International Information Resource Centre
A/C: 0828002100015775
Branch Name: Punjab National Bank, Drangbal, Pampore PPR JK-192121
For more details:
International Information Resource Centre
PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Admin. Off: Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR JK 192121
e.m: iirc@rediffmail.com,director.iirc@gmail.com
Cell: 09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
web:

http://mediadirectoryindia.blogspot.com/

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH AND THE SIKHS!

By: Habib Yousafzai : Fourty-seven head of states gathered in the capital of the United States of America to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit began on April 12, 2010. India's Chief, Council of Ministers, Manmohan Singh met the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Mr Singh specifically advised his Canadian counterpart Harper to suppress the Sikhs, who are separatists [reflects that he is not a Sikh]. What a strange thing that Manmohan Singh, a Sikh himself, is suggesting the Canadian Prime Minister that the Sikhs are separatists. Does Mr Singh, supposedly a clean and honest person in the eyes of the head of states of our world and the international news media, like to tell his other head of states of the Nuclear Summit, tell that he himself is not a democratically elected Prime Minister of India. Rather, he is a 'selected or hand picked person by a handful and president of the Congress party of his country. He has not been elected by the electorates of any constituency of the Indian parliament. A non-elected and a selected person by his master, Sonia Gandhi, and the opponents of Sonia Gandhi's parliamentarian colleagues, I did not have any choice but to accept the offer of the 'Brahmins-Hindus' parliamentarians, because none of them was capable to become the Chief, Council of Ministers, the New Delhi administration, due to their in-fighting as reflected several times in the 'Brahmins-Hindus' parliament, known as the Lok Sabha or the Lower House of the 'Brahmins-Hindus alleged Indian democracy'. Resultantly, the Indian parliamentarians could not find a democratically elected person by the Indian voters. What a strange functioning of the Indian democracy, the democracy of the 'Brahmins-Hindus', who have been masters for the practice of the shameless apartheid, devious, divisive, criminal and deceitful people. Mr Singh's calling the Sikhs as 'separatists' is quite a strange example of the morally impotent and corrupt parliamentarians, which is not any 'unusual' happening as far as the 'Brahmins-Hindus' law-makers are concerned. Would Mr Singh answers to the Sikh Diaspora and their fellow heads of the international community that the 'unelected' 'Brahmins-Hindus' leadership did not 'robb' the Sikhs of Punjab, the Sikh Nation, the First Secular and Sovereign State of South Asia, from 1799 to 14th March, 1849? The Sikhs have been 'struggling to regain their sovereignty, independence and political power, which was surrendered to no one else but the British Empire on 14th March, 1849. The unelected 'Brahmins-Hindus' politicians, after regaining their independence, made the Sikhs of Punjab a 'Landless Sikh Nation, PUNJAB' on 15th August, 1947. Why Mr Singh is telling his Canadian counterpart that the Sikhs are separatists? This is just because the Sikhs have been made a 'Landless Nation, devoid of their constitutional rights, and they have 'swallowed' the Sikh religion, and made it a 'sect' of the Hindus and their -ism. It should not be overlooked that the 'Hindus are neither a religion nor a culture'; whereas, the Sikhs are the fifth largest religion of the world. Mr Singh should make it clear that he did not lie to the members of the Commission of the United Nations Human Rights, Vienna, Austria, 15-25th August, 1993, that he then Finance Minister of the P V Rao administration said: "I being a Sikh find no abuse of Human Rights of Sikhs much less any minorities in India." His statement was refuted in the strongest possible word by the Sikhs of the Europe and North America, who had been participating and attending the Human Rights Commission. The fact remains that Manmohan Singh, being an unelected member of the Indian parliament, is merely a Chief, Council of Ministers, to serve the 'Brahmins-Hindus' of India. As such, he has been acting as a mouthpiece of his Brahmins-Hindus masters, to please them as well as acting against the 'Facts of the South Asian history' and to brand the Sikhs separatists, like his cabinet colleague, Kamal Nath, who had been visiting Canada in March/April, 2010. Interestingly, the latter has been summoned to appear before a Court of Justice in the United States for 'committing crimes against humanity'. Mr Singh, being the assistant to the then Home Minister in 1984, P V Rao, has also committed crimes against the Sikhs by not telling his role in a brutal military "Operation Bluestar" of June, 1984, in which Indian armed forces had taken a toll of more than 250,000 innocent Sikhs. (Writer-South Asia)

Hazelnut-Corylus cashmiriana available at Chenab Industries,Kashmir

GREETINGS from Chenab Industries I collects rare and vanishing species of plants, herbs and spices. For the past 20 years and devoted myself to developing many varieties of plants that can survive in difficult conditions such as Ginkgo biloba, Podophyllum hexandrum, Hazelnut-Corylus cashmiriana, Celosia Linn, Mucuna pruriens cashmiriana, Hawthorne Crataegus oxyacantha+C monogyna, Hemidesmus indicus, Hyoscyamus niger Linn , Mentha arvensis, Artemisia absinthium Linn, Kashmiri Asparagus racemus, Malva sylvestries Linn, Lavatera cashmeriana Cambess, Polygonum hydropiper Linn, Celosia Linn, Taraxacum officinale,Origanum vulgare Linn, Saffron Corms etc.

Ed. Sheikh Gulzaar

Chenab Industries

Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Nambalbal, pampore PPR JK 190001

Ph: 01933-223705, 9858986794

e-mail: cikashmir@gmail.com

http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

List of TV Channels in India released

http://mediadirectoryindia.blogspot.com/Indian Media & Entertainment Industry
The Media And Entertainment Industry- Increasingly Globalized…

Srinagar: The Indian media and entertainment (M&E) industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. Its various segments—film, television, advertising, print and digital among others—have witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years.

According to a 2009 report jointly published by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and KPMG, the media and entertainment industry in India is likely to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 per cent per annum over the period between 2009-13 and touch US$ 20.09 billion by 2013.

With a majority of the population below the age of 35, and increasing disposable income in Indian households, the average spend on media and entertainment is likely to grow in India, according to the 2009 edition of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Indian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Outlook, covering the forecast period of 2009–2013.

Television
According to the study by FICCI and KPMG, the television industry, which is currently valued at about US$ 4.63 billion, will expand by 14.5 per cent between 2009 and 2013. According to the above PwC report, the television advertising industry is expected to account for a share of 41.0 per cent of the advertising industry in 2013, up from the present share of 39.0 per cent.

Digital distribution platforms such as direct-to-home (DTH) and Mobile TV are transforming the industry. Mobile TV—where content will stream in on mobile phones—is poised to grow big with the advent of 3G, according to experts. With the DTH industry estimated to grow by almost 100 per cent in the 2009-10 fiscal—from US$ 310.16 million in 2008-09 to an expected US$ 620.25 million in 2009-10—leading DTH firms such as Sun Direct, Bharti Airtel DTH and Big TV have increased their marketing budget by 20-25 per cent in the fiscal year 2010.

The television distribution industry is expected to reach US$ 5.2 billion in 2013 from the estimated size of US$ 3.12 billion in 2008, which translates into a growth of 12.2 per cent on a cumulative basis over the period, according to the 2009 edition of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Indian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Outlook.

Capitalizing on the success of the 3D film Avatar, television manufacturers are gearing up to introduce new 3D TV sets into the market in the second quarter of 2010. Another player to get on the 3D bandwagon, the Indian Premier League, is set to become the first sports body to telecast a match live in 3D.

Music
Industry experts estimate that the current size of the music industry is about US$ 149 million. According to a PwC study, the industry is likely to grow to become a US$ 164.56 million industry by 2012.

With music channels giving less space to music programming to accommodate game shows and reality shows, independent music bands such Workshop Them Clones are increasingly looking to promote their videos by making them available online.

Digital music sales are expected to account for 88 per cent of the total music industry revenue in India by 2009. Though for a long time, cassettes and compact discs (CDs) have accounted for most music sales, future growth is expected to come from non-physical formats such as digital downloads and ringtones, among others

According to the 2009 PwC study, the important driver for the music industry over the coming years, will be digital music, and its share is expected to move from 16 per cent in 2008 to 60 per cent in 2013. Also, within digital music, mobile music is expected to continue to increase its share and maintain dominance.

Radio
The cheapest and oldest form of entertainment, reaching 99 per cent of the population, this segment is likely to see many dynamic changes.

According to the 2009 PwC study, the radio industry is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 per cent over 2009-13, reaching US$ 391.15 million in 2013 from the present US$ 170.87 million in 2008. That's more than double its present size. In terms of its share of the advertising pie, it is projected that the radio advertising industry will be able to increase its share from 3.8 per cent to 5.2 per cent between 2009 and 2013.

Advertising
The number of brands advertised on television witnessed an 82 per cent increase during 2008 compared to 1999, according to a survey by AdEx India, a division of Tam Media Research.

The television advertising industry is expected to reach US$ 3.12 billion in 2013 from the estimated size of US$ 1.75 billion in 2008, which translates into a growth of 12.2 per cent on a cumulative basis, over the period.

Going forward, digital media advertising (internet, mobile and digital signage) is expected to emerge as the medium of choice for advertisers. According to a FICCI-PwC report, online advertising is expected to touch US$ 212.03 million in 2011.

Digital advertising on newspaper web sites will increase at a 6.8 percent compound annual rate to US$ 8.3 billion in 2013 from US$ 6 billion in 2008, increasing its share of total newspaper advertising to 9.1 per cent from 5.4 per cent in 2008, as per the 2009 PwC report on the Indian media and entertainment industry.

According to a PwC report, Internet advertising is projected to expand by 32 per cent over the next five years to reach US$ 411.74 million in 2013 from US$ 102.94 million in 2008. Also, the share of online advertising is projected to grow from 2.3 per cent in 2008 to 5.5 per cent in 2013. The report estimates the size of the Out of home (OOH) advertising spend to be US$ 308.8 million in 2008. This figure is projected to almost double in 2013 to US$ 514.67 million.

Cinema
The Indian film industry is the largest in the world in terms of number of films produced per year. The FICCI-KPMG study values the Indian film industry at US$ 2.11 billion and projects its growth at 9.1 per cent till 2013.

The opening of the film industry to foreign investment coupled with the granting of industry status to this segment has had a favourable impact, leading to many global production units entering the country.

Meanwhile, non-resident Indian (NRI) filmmakers are looking to India as the country offers a large market and a mainstream arts platform. Filmmaker Sangeeta Datta who is based in London says that the framework of reference has changed for NRI cinema and that NRI filmmakers like herself are now more geared towards ethnic communities and the diaspora which assures them of an audience in India, UK and the US.

Print/Publishing
According to a PwC report, the print industry is projected to grow by 5.6 per cent over the period 2009-13, touching US$ 4.26 billion in 2013 from the present US$ 3.24 billion in 2008. The relative shares of newspaper publishing and magazine publishing are not expected to change significantly and are expected to remain the same at around 87 per cent in favour of newspaper publishing. Magazine publishing is expected to grow at a higher rate of 6.5 per cent as compared with newspaper publishing which is expected to grow at 5.6 per cent over the five year period between.

The government has indicated that it may soon amend the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, so that it keeps pace with the growth of the print media in the country over the years.

Newspaper sales in India, China and Japan which stand at 60 per cent in terms of circulation, are the highest in the world, it has been announced by Timothy Balding, co-chief executive officer of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) at the 62nd World Newspaper Congress in Hyderabad.

A survey carried out by research firm Valuenotes Database, spanning 237 consultants, publishers and service providers reveals that India continues to be a favoured destination for publishing outsourcing.

Theatre
A project billed as India’s answer to Broadway has been inaugurated in Gurgaon. The project called the Kingdom of Dreams, has been conceptualized by the Great Indian Nautanki Company, a joint venture between the Apra Group of Companies and Wizcraft International Entertainment and plans to generate an interest in the genre of musical theatre.

Digital media
According to a FICCI-KPMG study, the Indian animation industry will grow from the current US$ 362 million to US$ 811.2 million by calendar 2013.

Further, with the country turning out to be a hub for graphic industries like animation and design, companies such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are reworking their India strategies to grow their businesses in the computing segment. The move has been triggered by the emergence of high-end games involving real-time 3D rendering.

Tata Teleservices (TTSL) has become the first service provider to offer mobile TV on high speed broadband wireless by launching Photon TV, which allows users to access channels on desktops and laptops.

English news channel, NewsX, has launched a service which will enable mobile phone users to receive live videos on their handset, through a specific mobile URL.

A considerable number of Indian special effects artists and animators are moving up the ranks of established US animation studios such as Walt Disney and DreamWorks Animation SKG and are also creating a niche for themselves in the special effects market as well.

In a move that will strengthen its international presence and expand its offerings to include services such as restoration, 2D-to-3D conversion and post-production services to broadcasters and studios, Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) has acquired the assets of ilab UK Ltd, a film processing facility located in Soho, London.

International Information Resource has been collected the contact information of Satellite TV Channels from all over India and brought out a database on CD-Rom. It contains complete details of hundreds of all Satellite TV Channels of India.

Features: Each data Contains Name of the TV Channel , Channel Logo, Complete postal address, Email, Address,website address, phone No, Fax No. etc.

| Pages: N/A | | Format: Word | | Price Rs: 1550/- US$150

For more details:
International Information Resource Centre
PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR JK 190001
e.m: iirc@rediffmail.com,director.iirc@gmail.com
Cell: 09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
http://mediadirectoryindia.blogspot.com/

Indian Media and Entertainment Industry :List of TV Channels released:

By: Sheikh GULZAAR

Srinagar : The domestic entertainment industry was estimated at nearly Rs 225.0 billion and provided employment opportunities for nearly 6.0 million people in the year 1999. In terms of foreign exchange earnings, the industry contributed around Rs 4,000.0 million in the year 1999. In the current year, this is likely to increase to around Rs 10,000.0 million. This projected growth is likely to occur on account of the increasing migration of the Indian population across the globe, extensive outsourcing of content such as animation by world leaders in the entertainment industry and the imminent broadband revolution in the industry. However, massive investments are required in the area of telecommunication infrastructure with industry friendly government policies. With the domestic consumer already having access to global entertainment avenues, globalization in this industry will only increase at a far greater pace in the coming years.

Changing lifestyles and increasing disposable income levels has facilitated the increasing penetration levels of the media and entertainment industry. Recent estimates indicate that around 68.0% of total adult population have access to the conventional forms of media. The urban middle class population has grown over the years and currently accounts for over 40.0% of the total population. The southern states have a distinct edge in terms of media penetration. For instance, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have penetration levels of over 80.0% in case of mass media. Similarly, in the case of televisions, penetration levels increased to an estimated 75.0% of all urban households in the country. Satellite channels have been the fastest growing category in this segment.

Product Profiling AND SegmentationIndia is a vast country with numerous official languages and a literary history that can be traced back to the birth of civilization. Over the years, the industry has made tremendous progress in terms of technology and attaining self-sufficiency. With around 10,000 publishers and around 40,000 new titles every year, the domestic market is indeed a large market. In recent times, global authors have started to get their works published by domestic majors. This is likely to give a fillip to the industry in the near term. Simultaneously, domestic authors are gaining popularity across the globe. The low cost of production acts as a major attraction to global publishing houses.

From around Rs 6.0 billion in the year 1998-1999, production levels increased to around Rs 7.0 billion in the year 1999-2000. During the same period, import levels increased from Rs 1.4 billion to around Rs 1.50 billion. Similar to its counterparts in the entertainment industry, domestic publishers are witnessing a rapid inflow of pirated books. Recent estimates peg the level of piracy in the domestic market at around 80.0%.

The Indian Music Industry- Exponential Growth Ahead…The Indian entertainment industry is incomplete without the inclusion of music. Over the years, the importance of music has only increased, especially in case of the movie industry. Of late, movies have gone on to become huge successes largely on the backdrop of good music. While the popularity of film music increased, it also resulted in the growth of other segments such as remix, Indi-pop etc.

Distributors- Enjoying High Bargaining Power…Despite major changes occurring in the industry, reliability on distribution network still persists. Timing is highly crucial in the music industry. New releases have to reach the target audience well on time. Hence, only majors with a wider reach are able to sustain their leadership and generate profits. Furthermore, distribution companies retain a major part of the profits generated in this industry. As a result, several music companies have diversified into setting up of their own retail stores. HMV is a pioneer in this area and has an excellent chain of stores at its disposal. This helps the company to gauge the consumers’ changing perceptions and revamp its product offerings accordingly.

Low Margins- A Major Problem Area…
Estimates peg the cost of producing a cassette at around Rs 35. Purchase of the music rights is the single largest cost component. This is compounded by the incidence of taxes and royalty that account for another Rs 2-Rs 3 per cassette. Furthermore, margins to the traders, manufacturing and transportation charges account for a large chunk of costs.

This tendency to pay rather low prices for Indian music titles is prevalent even in the overseas markets. For instance, while a consumer is willing to pay around US$9-US$11 per cassette for an international music album, he is ready to pay only US$2 for an Indian music album. Such low margins results in music stores only unwilling to retail Indian titles. Consequently, Indian music titles are predominantly found only in Mom and Pop stores in the US.

Generally, in the domestic context, prices are determined mainly by the acquisition price of the music title, the stars involved and the target audience. With music not being on the priority list of a huge chunk of the population, any price hike results in demand shifting to pirated products. Also, there exists a differential pricing policy with regard to classical/ devotional music albums. While the target audience for film music is rather large, the customer base for classical/ devotional music is rather low. Hence, these albums are retailed at higher prices. Also, demand for classical/ devotional music tends to be seasonal in nature. This has a strong bearing on pricing policies.

The Indian Motion Picture IndustryFrom the days of shaky pictures and poor sound quality, the domestic film industry has gone on to become highly sophisticated in terms of infrastructure and product offerings. Furthermore, the domestic film industry is the largest in the world, producing over 800 films per annum, across 52 different languages. The industry generates employment opportunities to nearly 2.5 million people. By the year 2005, this is projected to increase to over 4.0 million. Currently, the industry is witnessing a period of rising pre and post-production costs.

The Changing Television Industry…Since the advent of deregulation in the domestic television industry, the going for Door Darshan has been rather tough. Various private satellite channels have emerged as strong competitors. This is evident from the recent decline in the revenues of Door Darshan. From around Rs 5.7 billion in the year 1996-1997, revenues declined to Rs 3.99 billion in the year 1998-1999. The year 1999-2000 has seen a improvement to Rs 5.0 billion, largely on account of cricket revenues of Rs 1.6 billion.

Simultaneously, revenues for DD Metro have also declined from over Rs 786.0 million in the year 1998-1999 to Rs 460.0 million in the year 1999-2000. Similarly, in terms of coverage and viewership, DD has witnessed an increased in the year 1999-2000.

Around 90.0% of the country’s population had access to DD, while area-wise coverage was estimated at around 75.0%. During the period June 1999-January 2000, viewership of DD’s programs during primetime increased by over 57.0% in the metros and mini-metros. Major reasons for this increased viewing is on account of improvement in the reception quality of signals, presentation of programs and a wider range of programs for viewers.

Satellite Cable Television- A Major Growth Engine…The boom in the satellite cable television segment has been a major cause for the high growth in the entertainment industry. The cable subscriber base has increased from around 0.05 million in the early 90s’ to around 24.0 million in the year 1999-2000. This is further estimated to increase to nearly 48.0 million by the end of the current year. With the rapid proliferation of channels (over 75), and imminent possibilities of the privatization of Door Darshan, growth in this segment is projected to be rather high.

The Coming of Regional Channels…The satellite television and software (content) industries are all set to witness a surge in demand in the coming years. Increasing emergence of regional channels is the major growth driver behind this likely growth. Subsequent to the advent of satellite television in the early ‘90s, regional channels are currently the key focus areas for majors. This is likely to offer a wider range of programs to viewers across the country. Furthermore, factors such as a decline in the pricing of color televisions, technological advancements etc have resulted in a wider audience base. This has resulted in regional advertisers clamoring for a bit of the action. With only around 30% of all households in the country speaking Hindi, this development was inevitable.

While in the past, Door Darshan monopolized the regional landscape with its 14 channels, over 20 regional channels are likely to make their debut this year. While in the South, the current trend is to diversify into news based channels, other markets such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab etc are witnessing their first dose of regional satellite television. This huge demand has even prompted global major News Corp and market leader Zee TV to look at this market.

Emerging Trends and New DevelopmentsSome of the major fast growing segments in the domestic industry include the music, cable and satellite advertising, infrastructure, exports, animation and FM. The domestic music industry was estimated at around Rs 17,000.0 million in the year 1999 and is projected to grow to around Rs 30,000.0 million by the end of the current year. The export segment is also expected to increase from around Rs 4,000.0 million to around Rs 10,000.0 million during the same period. Revenues from the animation segment are also forecasted to increase from Rs 2,200.0 million to nearly Rs 4,400.0 million by the end of the current year.

In order to capitalize on this fast growth ahead, companies are making large-scale investments in terms of infrastructure. For instance, the Modi Family has invested around Rs 1,500.0 million towards the construction of multiplexes that can screen around 16 films simultaneously. At the same time, majors such as Zee Telefilms and Eenadu TV are expanding their horizons to other markets as well.

TheGlobal Media AND Entertainment Industry- A Snapshot…Changing consumer choices, advent of new technologies and rapid globalization has been the growth drivers of this industry. Increasing penetration of the Internet has changed the dynamics of the industry. The US market has witnessed the maximum impact on account of these changes. Reports indicate that entertainment related expenditure is projected to increase from around US$675 per person in the current year to around US$814 by the year 2003.

Despite such increased spending, majors are also witnessing faster increases in costs. With margins coming under pressure, majors are trying to develop new distribution channels to minimize the impact of such cost increases.

Emerging Trends and New DevelopmentsIn the long term some of the major developments likely to have a deep impact on the global media and entertainment industry include,
· Shifting Preference For Internet-Based Content And The Emergence Of Interactive TV
· Proliferation Of Wireless Application Devices
· Large-Scale Migration To E-Tailing
· Development of Sophisticated Telecommunication Technologies
· Faster Globalization
· Growing Popularity of Mega- Theaters, Super Stores Concept etc
· High Degree of Consolidation in the Industry
· Increasing Digitization in the Industry
· Convergence of the Entertainment, Information and Telecommunication Segments and
· Rapid De-regulation in the Industry

Phenomenal growth in the cable and satellite television business has presented new revenue streams for global entertainment majors. Reports indicate that movie majors are projected to witness revenues of around US$ 11.0 billion by the year 2002 on the sale of their content to satellite television networks. This represents an increase from the 1998 level of nearly US$7.0 billion. As a part of the ongoing “Americanization” of the world, companies such as CNN, HBO, Espn etc have started to focus on their regional versions. Consequently, the scenario in the European, Asian and Latin American markets is fast changing.

However, this globalization process is likely to take some time with the respective governments of various countries still protecting their domestic media industry. This is largely on account of the politically sensitive nature of this medium. With the liberalization process gathering momentum across the globe, these companies will be forces to reckon with in the future.

However, Piracy Remains a Key Issue…Piracy remains the single-most important issue across the global entertainment industry. Estimates indicate that the revenues lost on account of piracy in case of the music industry is around 25%. Furthermore, this level is likely to increase to 40% in the near term. Consequently, the music industry could be affected to a larger extent than its counterparts. This is largely on account of the highly fragmented nature of this industry. Smaller players are likely to suffer the most.

In this regard, the major initiative taken by the industry to protect its intellectual capital is the launch of the Secure Digital Music Initiative (Sdmi). The Sdmi comprising of around 150 companies has adopted the first set of standards to prevent the piracy of music. April 2000 was decided as the deadline for the second phase of regulations. The members of this initiative include music distributors, on-line PC communications service providers. PC manufacturers, home electronics appliances manufacturers etc.

The Internet is not perceived to be a threat by certain majors. Sony Music for instance has been aggressive in formulating an e-strategy. The company has forayed into activities including the promotion of digital broadcasting. Also, strategic alliances have been forged with majors such as EMI, Universal Music, Warner and IBM in order to facilitate the download of full-length CDs. IBM and Microsoft are intensely competing to gain a foothold in this emerging area. IBM and Sony Music have formed a partnership to deliver pirate-free songs over the net. Microsoft, on the other hand tied up with Musicmaker.com to enable users to access the latter’s entire product catalog over the net. Other players including AT& T, Matsushita and Seagram are also trying to foray into this segment. Seagram has formed an alliance with Bertelesmann AG, Germany in order to compete in the on-line music retail segment.

However security protection is still in a primitive stage in this area. For instance, when Microsoft launched its Wmdm software, hackers cracked the software code within hours and distributed the same over the net. Despite such initial problems, there exists a huge potential for music software. In the long-term, companies need to develop technologies that facilitate the freer flow of content rather than trying to enforce more stringent regulations that are only difficult to monitor.

Future Outlook…
The Indian entertainment industry is on a high growth path. Domestic majors are finding better earnings potential in the huge overseas markets. At the same time, corporatization is finally starting to emerge in this highly unorganized industry. This is likely to instill a greater discipline in the functioning of the industry and lead to greater consolidation in the future. The domestic consumer will opt for more sophisticated technology in the near future. Consequently, domestic majors will have to redefine their product offerings.

With literacy levels forecasted to increase in the future, the publishing industry will continue to witness growth. Advent of new technologies such as e-book etc will take a longer time to have an impact on the domestic market when compared to the global markets. While piracy levels are declining slowly, better copyright laws and the rapid implementation of the same are imperative to preserve the creative talent in this industry. The government needs to implement the same in order to facilitate the high growth in this industry.

Innternational Information Resource has been collected the contact information of Satellite TV Channels from all over India and brought out a database on CD-Rom. It contains complete details of hundreds of all Satellite TV Channels of India.

Features: Each data Contains Name of the TV Channel , Channel Logo, Complete postal address, Email, Address,website address, phone No, Fax No. etc.
| Pages: N/A | | Format: Word | | Price Rs: 1550/- US$150

For more details:
International Information Resource Centre
PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Admin. Off: Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR JK 192121
e.m: iirc@rediffmail.com,director.iirc@gmail.com
Cell: 09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
http://mediadirectoryindia.blogspot.com/

Nepal’s floriculture business blooms

KATHMANDU, MAR 29 -A group of floriculture entrepreneurs have set up Floriculture Cooperative Limited to produce flowers collectively with the aim of fulfilling the increasing demand for flowers in the domestic and international markets, reports Kathmandu Post.

"Both demand and production have been increasing every year," said Arun Chettri, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal. "However, we have not been able to increase quality production despite good demand from the international market."

According to the association, cut flower exports soared 140 percent to Rs. 60 million during the last fiscal year from Rs. 25 million in the previous year. Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, India and a number of European countries are the major importers.

Chettri said that the cooperative would facilitate joint investment and large-scale production. It would target international customers in particular.

"The cooperative will monitor flower cultivation and carry out studies on the possibility of growing flowers in various parts of the country," he added.

Currently, floriculture entrepreneurs produce more than a dozen types of cut flowers in Chitwan, Dhading and Kavre districts. In the Kathmandu Valley, there are nurseries in Godavari, Sankhu, Naikap, Chapagaon, Bunkmate, Jorpati  and Ichangu. According to the association, flower farming is being carried out on 105 hectares of land in 35 districts.

"Seasonal production has been increasing significantly every year, but demand during the production season is low," said Hira Sharma, manager of Flora Incorporated Trade, a wholesaler in the valley. "Summer is the best season for production, but there are few takers presently as it is not the wedding or festival season."

Increased production has also meant that flower imports from India have declined. Earlier, 75 percent of the requirement would be met by imported flowers. Imports now account for only 25 percent of the demand mainly during the Tihar festival.

Chettri said that presently output had exceeded demand as many farmers had turned to growing flowers without first doing a market study. "Around 90 percent of the farmers who are growing flowers do not know the technicalities and the market," said Chettri. "There is a good market inside and outside the country if we can produce flowers that are in demand during the season."

According to the association, Kuwait has emerged as one of the major markets after Japan for Nepali flower producers. Bagmati Flora is planning to open a wholesale outlet in Kuwait with a local partner.

In the next fiscal year, the association plans to carry out a study on potential foreign markets such as Denmark, Holland and the Gulf countries.(Writer-South Asia)