‘Food security can be achieved only by agri, rural development’
The important goal of food security can be achieved only through rapid agricultural growth and multi-dimensional rural development, PresidentPratibha Patil said in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
"Food security is an important goal, particularly in the contemporary world, which faced a serious global food crisis earlier this year. This can only be achieved through rapid agricultural growth and multi-dimensional rural development," she said, while delivering the golden jubilee address at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD).
To enhance agricultural productivity, land development and irrigation are necessary, she said.
She, however, said there should be optimum utilisation of land as land is a scarce resource.
Efforts must also be made to improve land quality and to restore soil health, Patil said.
Encouraging farmers to adopt improved agricultural practices, she said making innovative farm implements available to them would go a long way in improving farm productivity.
Stressing on the need for providing irrigation facilities, the President favoured building small structures like farm ponds, village tanks, nallah bunds, besides de-silting of existing water bodies to improve their water storage capacity.
"Apart from government programmes, these activities can also be undertaken through ’shramdaan’ by motivating people," she said.
Noting that the rural communities in India face many challenges and opportunities, the President said rural
development institutions should provide "creative" answers to such challenges.
An important assignment for the institutions and rural development managers would be to make new technologies available to the rural communities, she said.
"Technological interventions that are gender sensitive and link the weaker sections of society to the national
mainstream are the need of the hour," Patil said.
Underscoring the vast repository of traditional knowledge in the country, she said it is important to understand and value it.
Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh expressed confidence that poverty and unemployment in the country can be eliminated by taking up rural development programmes in a big way.
The budget for rural development has been enhanced from Rs 16,000 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 73,000 crore in 2008-09.
The UPA government has launched several programmes, including NREGS and ‘Aam Admi Yojana’ for increasing the earnings of people in rural areas, Prasad said.
Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari appreciated the role of the NIRD in the development of rural areas in the country.
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New Delhi childrens Activities
New Delhi is one of the best places in the country in terms of children-friendliness . It is one of the greenest capitals in the world, with lots of gardens and parks in which children can play and run around with other children. Additionally, there are plenty of theme and amusement parks that are good fun for the whole family.
Appu Ghar
This is India’s first amusement park. Opened in 1984, it is found in the city’s area known as Pragati Maidan. It is a top family destination in New Delhi with its 22 rides, newly opened waterpark named OYSTERS, food centres and shops. Known as India’s Disneyland, Appu Ghar attracts visitors from around the world and is a big hit with children.
Children’s Park
Located close to India Gate, this park has a unique policy of refusing entry to adults attempting to enjoy its facilities without children. It is full of swings, slides, and even boasts a small aquarium. Truly a place for kids, the children’s park is a great spot for them to play with one another.
Buddha Jayanti Park
If you are looking for a good picnic spot, then this part of the city is ideal with its beautiful flowers and gardens. The park was founded on the eve of 2,500 years of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the highlight here is a plant of Bodhi-Briksha brought from Sri Lanka – a cutting of the original plant under which the Buddha found enlightenment.
Mughal Garden
The Mughal Garden is part of the grounds on which the presidential palace is built. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the garden is open to public from February to March.
Musical Fountain at Ajmal Khan Park
Popular with children who are delighted by the spectacular show of a fountain is programmed to display lights, music, and water in a coordinated fashion, Ajmal Khan Park welcomes more visitors during the dusk hours during which the fountain is switched on. The park is open everyday, but the fountain display is good for only 2 hours after sunset, and is not available on Tuesday.
National Rose Garden
A tribute to the rose – the National Rose Garden of India is filled with an incredible array of roses from around the world. During December and January when the roses are in full bloom, the garden sees the most number of visitors enjoying the beautiful sight. Another popular spot with rose lovers is Hauz Khas opposite Safdarjang’s tomb.
National Science Museum
Located adjacent to the Pragati Maidan, the National Science Museum is ideal for a fun and educational day out. Adults and kids alike will delight in learning about science and unravelling some of the world’s more intriguing scientific mysteries.
National Zoological Park
Also called the Delhi Zoo, this park was opened in 1959 and is widely known as one of the best zoos in Asia. The animals here are housed in compounds designed to bear a close resemblance to their natural habitats. The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and bird species from around the world.
Rail Transport Museum
The British brought the rail service to India, and the Indians have embraced it with much love, to the extent of erecting a museum to commemorate the train and educate the public on its history of development and its role in history. The exhibits include a regal dining car dating from 1889 and the Prince of Wales’ saloon from 1876.
Shalimar Garden
Enjoying a special place in history, Shalimar Garden was where Aurangzeb the Mughal king was crowned emperor in 1658. The charming pavilion in the centre, called Shish Mahal, was built by Shah Jahan and some of the original painting is still visible.
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum
Opened in 1954, this doll museum houses more than 6,000 dolls from 85 countries. It also contains an impressive collection of Japanese dolls. Approximately a third of the dolls here are from India and they are created by the best craftsmen of the country. Also here are the BC Roy Children’s Library and a children’s play corner.
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Delhi Metro stops construction activity at Inderlok station
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has stopped construction activity at the Inderlok station in the Civil Lines zone of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
The action comes in the wake of a notice served on DMRC by the civic body charging it with indulging in construction work for commercial use without getting the building plan sanctioned.
Last month the MCD had sent a notice to DMRC asking it to stop commercial development of the land at the Inderlok station. It sent another notice later warning that it would seal the premises if work was not stopped immediately.
“We have now stopped construction work at the station and informed the MCD about it. The work being carried out is part of the integrated Metro station project at Inderlok,” informed a senior DMRC official, adding that Lieutenant-Governor B.L. Joshi has also been requested to intervene to sort out matters.
During its survey at the site a month ago, the MCD had found that the contractor carrying out the work did not have a sanctioned plan for the project. Apart from serving notices on him, power and water distribution companies were asked to take appropriate action against the builder.
A tussle is going on between the MCD and DMRC with the former accusing the latter of indulging in commercial development of land allotted to it by the civic body for constructing the Metro Rail infrastructure, a charge that has been repeatedly refuted by DMRC.
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Delhi Sports Actvity
swimming
Top-end hotels have the nicest pools, but most are off-limits to nonguests. However, some of the less swanky top-end hotels welcome outsiders (for a fee that throws in a towel for the day). Alternatively, you could take a dip in the public pool in the Talkatora Gardens.
golf
The Delhi Golf Club (ph 24362768; Dr Zakir Hussain Marg), near the Oberoi, charges a mind-boggling US$45.00 / US$60.00 on weekdays/weekends for 18 holes. Avoid weekends when the greens can get busy.
tennis
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (Khanna Tennis Stadiums, Africa Ave, Safdarjang Enclave) and the Delhi Development Authority Sports Complex (August Kranti Rd, Siri Fort) offer court and equipment hire to non-members.
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activity
activity
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