Work to curb effects of climate change: Prince Charles to NGOs

Prince Charles waters a sapling that he planted at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.

Dehradun: Prince Charles on Thursday advised NGOs engaged in rehabilitation efforts in Uttarakhand to work on minimising the effects of climate change and preventing a natural disaster of the scale that hit the state in June. 

The Prince of Wales, who along with his wife Camilla Parker Bowles began his nine-day India visit from Uttarakhand yesterday, gave the advice to representatives of NGOs who met him at the Indian Military Academy here on the sidelines of a function held in the royal couple's honour at the institute. 

"His highness expressed satisfaction at the contribution made by nearly 40 odd NGOs in putting life back on track in the flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand and advised us to work especially on minimising the effects of climate change for disaster mitigation and prevention of a calamity like the one which hit the hill state in mid-June," Jayant Kumar, programme head of CASA, an NGO engaged in relief operations in affected areas said. 

Earlier the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were received at the gate of the academy by its Commandant Lt Gen Manvendra Singh and his wife and ushered into the historic Chetwode Building where the Prince viewed a training exercise while the Duchess watched equestrian activities. 

The royal couple later met and interacted with IMA cadets, officers, their wives and students of the Rashtriya Indian Military College at Batra Mess on the IMA campus. 

IMA Commandant Lt Gen Manvendra Singh also presented the royal couple with a memento and described it as his proud privilege to receive them at the institute. 

He said their visit will further cement the ties between the two countries and their armies. 

The royal couple also presented a sword to the IMA Commandant as a memento. 

The Prince of Wales then visited the Forest Research Institute and toured its Timber Museum. He was conferred with an honorary degree by the institute.

Govt buys Gandhi’s archive for $1.28 million

Contains documents of his controversial relatioship with architect Hermann Kallenbach

Mahatma Gandhi’s prized documents and photographs, including those on his controversial relationship with architect Hermann Kallenbach, were saved from going under the hammer as India bought the treasure trove for a whopping $1.28 million.

The archive, which belonged to Kallenbach, Gandhi’s close friend and German Jewish bodybuilder, was to be auctioned at Sotheby’s today but it was cancelled after the back-channel talks by the Indian Government with the auction house and the family members of Kallenbach helped India take possession of the rare documents.

The documents will now be housed at the National Archives of India in New Delhi.

An agreement was finalised in consultation with Ministry of External Affairs and National Archives of India and was signed by the three parties — Government of India, Sotheby’s and the family of Isa Sarid, the grandniece of Kallenbach.

“The acquired material would be housed in the National Archives of India,” Culture Minister Kumari Selja said in a statement in New Delhi.

 Though the Sarid family, which owns the treasure trove, quoted $5 million as price for the archives, finally an amount of $1.28 million was paid.

“The payment of £8,25,250 ($1.28 million) has been released to Sotheby’s and the lot has been withdrawn from auction and sold to the Government of India,” the statement said.

 The archive, which is likely to be a rich source of information on Gandhiji for researchers and historians, was recently examined by a team of experts from the Ministry of Culture, who described it as “very well preserved and of inestimable value.”

 The archive includes several letters that throw fresh light on the controversial relationship between Gandhiji and Kallenbach, one of the foremost associates and friends of Gandhiji during his time in South Africa.

The auctioneer’s Catalogue Note on the archive said that it “is richly informative of the important (and occasionally misunderstood) friendship between the two men, and is a key biographical source for Gandhi.”

The archive includes “poignant letters” by the deeply troubled Harilal, Gandhi’s first son, and reveals Kallenbach’s deep friendship in particular with Gandhi’s second son Manilal, who remained on Phoenix Settlement in South Africa, and his third son Ramdas.

In the statement in New Delhi, Ms. Selja said the Government of India attaches the highest importance to the archival materials and artefacts relating to the leaders of national movement.

A five member Committee led by Prof Mushirul Hasan, Director General, National Archives, was earlier deputed to London to examine the archival material for authenticity and historical value.

The Committee had recommended that in view of the historical importance of the material, the entire archive may be acquired as a matter of highest priority.

In London, Sotheby’s said the deal was concluded in a “private transaction.” However, it did not disclose the amount the Indian government paid for the documents.

Philippine Brides, Don't Be a Fool

 

What to know when considering a Philippine Bride

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical "emergencies" where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she's a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia's site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you're dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!


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