MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AGAINST AVIAN FLU
Colombo

Death of poultry had been reported from Navapur Taluka of District Nandurbar, Maharashtra. Preliminary investigations had indicated the possibility of Newcastle (Raniket) disease but confirmed as Avian Influenza H5N1 by High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal.

A series of strategic actions have been initiated immediately on confirmation of Avian Influenza. The contingency plans have been put into operation. These actions include declaration of infected [3 Kms.] and surveillance areas [upto 10 Kms], absolute ban on movement of poultry or its products in infected areas, closure of poultry and egg markets and shops, destruction of affected poultry followed by proper disposal and vaccination of birds in the surveillance area etc. Containment operations will extend to cover some poultry in adjoining areas in Uchchhal Tehsil of Surat district in Gujarat State also.

It is the policy of the Government to compensate for loss of poultry on account of culling and destruction of diseased and healthy birds in the infected area.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India deputed its Rapid Response Teams to Maharashtra on 16th February and to Gujarat on 19th February, 2006. The teams are in the field and assisting the State health authorities in carrying out active surveillance to identify suspected cases among contacts of infected poultry. Adequate quantity of Tamiflu and personal protective equipments are available to meet any exigency.

There is active surveillance for those who had come in to contact with poultry and all those reported to have symptoms of even upper respiratory tract infections are isolated and kept under observation following strict infection control practices. There are however no reports of any human cases of Avian Influenza.

Earlier, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had initiated a number of preparedness measures which includes monitoring by inter ministerial group, national consultation and preparation of contingency plan which has been circulated all States and districts, stockpiling of oseltamivir [Tamiflu] and personal protective equipments etc.

The present outbreak of Avian Influenza in poultry is localized to a limited area in Navapur Taluka of Nundurbar District in Maharshtra. There is no cause for panic. The Government is keeping a close watch on the situation. Other States have also been alerted to remain vigilant. There is no need for any country to impose travel restrictions to India. This is also in consonance with the International practice followed by other affected coutries.

For any assistance, round the clock control rooms are functioning from EMR Division [Tel. No. 23061302; FAX: 23061457] and from National Institute of Communicable Diseases [Tel. No. 23921401; FAX: 23913028] of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The situation is being closely monitored and is under control.

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High Commission of India launches the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship Scheme
Colombo

The High Commission of India is proud to launch the Mahatma Gandhi scholarship scheme for Sri Lankan students studying at the ‘A' level. 100 scholarships will be granted every year proportionately among meritorious students from southern, western, central, eastern and northern regions of Sri Lanka.

The scholarship will consist of a grant of SLR 1,500/- per month. In order to compete, a student should be between 15 and 20 years of age; should have minimum aggregate marks of 70% at the ‘O' level exams; his/her parental income should be below SLR 240,000/- per annum and he/she should have confirmed admission to Class XI.

The High Commission of India and the Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka, will select the students for grant of scholarships. Applications will be sought through advertisements in Sri Lankan newspapers every August. A total of 300 students will be short-listed on the basis of merit and called for interviews. Short-listed candidates will be paid conveyance charges for appearing at the interview subject to production of journey ticket upto a maximum amount of SLR 500/-. The suitability of the candidate and his financial status/background will be verified during the interview.

The scholarships will be disbursed in two annual instalments. The first instalment will be paid on selection and the second instalment will be disbursed after the scholar produces proof of his/her having got 50% marks in Class XI exams.

According to the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka, Mrs. Nirupama Rao, "the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship Scheme is intended to assist talented young Sri Lankans from all regions of Sri Lanka in the pursuit of their educational goals. Through the years, the Government of India has actively participated in the extension of scholarships to Sri Lankan students for study of various disciplines in Indian universities. The Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust or CEWET, with which the High Commission is closely associated, has also assisted needy students in the plantation sector of Sri Lanka. The new Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship Scheme will further cement friendship and understanding between India and Sri Lanka".

February 23, 2006

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FOREIGN STUDENTS AND ITEC DAY
Colombo

High Commission of India in Colombo organized a function on February 22, 2006 at Hotel Taj Samudra to observe "Foreign Students and ITEC Day". Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Hon'ble Mangala Samaraweera was the Chief Guest on the occasion. A cultural programme was also organized to mark this occasion. Two former ICCR scholars Mr. Gayan Jeyasinge and Mrs. Chamila Edward presented flute and vocal recitals. Nearly six hundred alumni of ICCR and ITEC attended this programme.

The High Commissioner of India Mrs. Nirupama Rao who spoke on the occasion said that, it is heartening to see alumni of ITEC and ICCR scholarship programmes gather in large numbers to celebrate ITEC Day and Foreign Students' Day. On the occasion of Foreign Students' Day India commemorates the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was one of the architects of free India, her first Education Minister and who was instrumental in the setting up of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

She mentioned that Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme popularly known as "ITEC" was launched in 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India. Under ITEC and its corollary SCAAP (a programme of assistance meant for Commonwealth Countries in Africa) about 154 countries in Asia, East Europe, Africa and Latin America are invited to share in the Indian Developmental experience acquired over five decades of our existence as a free Nation. India spends about INRs.500 million annually on ITEC activities. Since 1964, India has provided nearly US $2 billion worth of technical assistance to developing countries.

The High Commissioner added that Sri Lanka is one of the largest beneficiaries of the ITEC programme. Every year, 50 slots are awarded to Sri Lanka. Training under this programme is one of the important facets of our multi faceted relationship. This is in addition to 100 similar slots under the Colombo Plan and BIMSTEC scholarship schemes.

She said that approximately 70 students are offered ICCR scholarships every year to study in the Indian universities and institutions in different courses.

She also said that we all live in a knowledge society where the development process is steered as much by technological innovations as by a constantly evolving human resource base. While India missed the opportunity of direct participation in the industrial revolution, India is in the forefront of the knowledge revolution. We have the second largest pool of technological human resources including perhaps, the largest pool of IT professionals. Whether it is cutting edge technologies like ICT and nano- technology or space sciences or rural technology, India has a robust framework which supports and propels her growth trajectory.

She pointed out that India like Sri Lanka, is also a developing country and can not offer grants-in-aid to match those of the developed countries. It does, however, possess manpower skills and technology more appropriate to local requirements and the stage of technological development of developing countries. There is thus a compatibility which leads itself to easier absorption of the courses and technologies offered, causes less dislocation to the participants, both cultural and geographical and thereby produces more effective results and happier and more satisfied professionals. She quoted, as the Late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar said, our bilateral relation have reached a ‘state of irreversible excellence'. ITEC and ICCR scholarships are a testimony to that.

High Commissioner of India referred to several measures funded by India to enhance cooperation in the field of education and training were also agreed upon. These include the Mahatma Gandhi scholarship scheme for 100 deserving Sri Lankan students every year, the upgradation of libraries and science laboratories in the Upcountry areas, the setting up of a Chair in Contemporary Indian studies in Peradeniya University and commissioning of a field study on vocational training centres.

The Foreign Minister, Hon'ble Mangala Samaraweera, in his address to the gathering, recalled the stellar role played by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in India's freedom struggle and in nation-building post-independence.

The Foreign Minister also stated that the ITEC and the ICCR scholarships provided by the Government of India were an important benefit which young Sri Lankans should avail of more and more. He went on to recall the many illustrious Sri Lankans who had studied in India.

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Sri Lanka - India Joint Working Group on Fisheries

The Second Meeting of the Sri Lanka - India Joint Working Group on Fisheries was held in Colombo on 31st January 2006. The discussions took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere in keeping with the close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The discussions centered on possible ways and means of strengthening the measures being undertaken by the two countries to prevent inadvertent straying; securing the release of fishermen and boats in custody in Sri Lanka and India; mechanisms for dealing with incidents involving fishermen in the Palk Bay Region as well as bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector.

During the discussions, the Indian side informed that action is being taken to secure the early release of 24 Sri Lankan fishermen held in custody in India. Currently, there are no Indian straying fishermen in Sri Lankan custody.

The two sides agreed that the fisheries resources of the two countries provided enormous potential for cooperation and discussed the possibilities of investment in the areas of deep-sea fishing, fisheries harbour development, laboratory testing, enhancing product value, training and resources survey.

The Indian delegation was led by Mr. Mohan Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and the Sri Lankan delegation was led by Ms. Geetha de Silva, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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