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International Odissi dance festival concludes
- It was an assembly of the largest number of dancers from all continents except from Africa
- It also set a world record by putting up a combined presentation by 555 Odissi dancers who performed for 28 minutes as a befitting beginning to the international Odissi dance festival
Telecom sector still at the crossroads
- Pointing towards lacunae in the national telecom policy for the massive spectrum scam in 2008, Mr. Sibal had promised a ‘clear and transparent regime' to address all issues plaguing the sector.
- The National Telecom Policy is likely to be announced in mid-2012.
- Some Issues:
- The most controversial issue being one-time charge for the spectrum that old operators have been possessing.
- How will the DoT address the growing need for more spectrum is still unclear even as its efforts to get radio waves vacated from defence forces have failed so far.
- The biggest twist has been the differences between operators and the DoT over intra-circle roaming, the issue which is now in court.
- The government also continues to struggle while dealing with security-related issues.
- Though the BlackBerry issue has taken the backseat for now, monitoring of social networking websites and Internet content has put the government in the dock.
- Similarly, no major progress has been made on the issue of electromagnetic radiation from growing number of towers and skyrocketing sales of mobile handsets.
- However, on two fronts — introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) and check on unsolicited telemarketing calls — the DoT has delivered.
- While the new policy talks about expansion of MNP from circle to pan-India level, it also promises to end national roaming that would make calls cheaper.
- Proliferation of broadband is a major task in hand, streamlining the functioning of loss-making Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., which includes bringing in the voluntary retirement scheme for its three-lakh employees and a public issue to improve the financial health of the telecom PSU, will be a big challenge for the Minister.
Army publishes coffee-table book on shrines of Kashmir
- As part of its continuing effort to strengthen the bond with people in the Valley, Army has published a coffee-table book on shrines of Kashmir.
- The book, titled ‘Iconic Shrines of Kashmir', highlights the rich religious diversity and communal harmony in the Valley
Non-Hindus can enter Jagannath temples, except shrine at Puri
- Puri King said that there was no restriction on the entry of non-Hindus into temples of Lord Jagannath across the globe, except the 12th century shrine at Puri “As Puri is the original seat of the Lord"
- The restriction on the entry of non-Hindus has been an issue as views are divided. While ISKCON devotees had been demanding entry, the temple administration has denied permission.
