In his address to both Houses of the Indian Parliament, the visiting US President made an unambiguous reference to terror and Pakistan and unequivocally endorsed India's position for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Obama served a speech with both intellectual and emotional appeal. And also substance. On the UNSC seat Obama said, to much applause from Indian lawmakers assembled in the Central Hall of Parliament, that Washington looked forward to a reformed Security Council that reflected current global realities. "Indeed, the just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate...I look forward to a reformed U.N. Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."
"So we look forward to working with India--and other nations that aspire to Security Council membership--to ensure that the Security Council is effective; that resolutions are implemented and sanctions enforced; and that we strengthen the international norms which recognise the rights and responsibilities of all nations and individuals," Obama said.
He talked of continued cooperation between India and the United States on tackling the global menace of terrorism, and shared interest in the Afghan-Pak region. "The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan -- or the region -- to the violent extremists who threaten us all," Obama sad. The US President has said earlier that the US would pull out of Afghanistan in 2011.
The strategy on global terror and to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region," he added.
Obama said, "We must also recognize that all of us have an interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic -- and none more so than India. In pursuit of regional security, we will continue to welcome dialogue between India and Pakistan, even as we recognize that disputes between your two countries can only be resolved by the people of your two countries."
Much of this visit has been focused on economic cooperation between the two nations and a shared interest in global prosperity, and Obama spoke at length about forging "a defining partnership with India in the 21st century".
"As you carry on with the hard work ahead, I want every Indian citizen to know: the United States of America will not simply be cheering you on from the sidelines. We will be right there with you, shoulder to shoulder. Because we believe in the promise of India," the US President said, speaking almost as it were to the people of India.
"It is no coincidence that India is my first stop on my visit to Asia, for in Asia and around the world, India is simply not emerging, India has emerged," said Obama, quoting from Tagore's Geetanjali, and making a reference to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. President Obama spoke of how he has been influenced by Gandhiji's principle of 'be the change you seek in the world.'
"I am mindful that I may not have been standing before you as the President of United States had it not been for Gandhi and the message that he shared with the world," said Obama, who is the first African-American President of the United States.
Barack Obama ended his speech on a crescendo," Jai Hind!, and long live the partnership between India and the United States," and got a standing ovation.
The US President became the first foreign dignitary to sign the "Golden Book" in Parliament. This is a visitor's book introduced by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Meira Kumar.
"We admire the tenacity of the American spirit and its capacity for introspection and course correction," said Ansari, welcoming President Obama. The Lok Sabha Speaker spoke of the "compulsion of our times to work together to eliminate the scourge terrorism" as she thanked the US President and all those present.
The development of technology for producing Laser Guided Bomb is part of ongoing research towards achieving self-dependency in the defence area being done in IRDE, a lab of DRDO, Scientist and Public Relation Officer of IRDE told PTI.
The LGB uses a laser designator to mark or illuminate a target. The reflected laser light from the target is then detected by the seeker which sends signals to the weapon's control surfaces to guide it towards the designated point, he said.
Bangalore-based Aeronautics Development Establishment (ADE) has developed the guidance-kit for 1000-pound LGBs and these are designed to improve the accuracy of air-to-ground bombing by IAF.
The guidance kit of LGB consists of a computer control group (CCG), guidance canards attached to the front of the warhead for providing steering commands and a wing assembly attached to the aft end to provide lift.
India had already carried out two successful flight trials of LGB for the IAF to test the effectiveness of the guidance and control systems at Chandipur integrated test range in Orissa early this year.
LGBs are manoeuvrable, free-fall weapons requiring no electronic interconnect to the aircraft and attack the target with higher accuracy and reliability.
The LGBs were first developed by USA in 1960s. Later, Russia, France and Britain also developed them.
NEW DELHI: In a major step towards changing the pattern for the civil services entrance exams, the Union Public Service Commission on Monday announced a new syllabus for the preliminary exam, replacing the optional subject with an aptitude test.
The new syllabus, applicable for the 2011 exams, will have two papers. The first will be general studies, which includes current events, Indian history, geography, polity, economic and social development, general issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change - not requiring subject specialisation - and general science.
The second paper, which will be the aptitude test, will include aptitude skills including comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, decision making and problem solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy and English language comprehension skills of class 10th level.
The second paper for the prelims earlier consisted of questions from one of the optional subjects to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects.
The Oct 3-14 multi-discipline sporting event, which was marked by aggressive yet healthy competition, between competing nations ended on a note of harmony and friendship as India's hospitality overshadowed the storm of scandals and the controversies that broke out even before the Games began.
“A truly memorable celebration," is how Commonwealth Federation Chief Mike Fennell is quoted as describing the closing ceremony and the Games.
The three-hour closing ceremony that began at 7 pm at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium enjoyed the energy of the 60,000 spectators and the athletes of the participating countries.
The martial arts of the country was displayed in a segment called 'Agni', which culminated with the song 'Saare jehan se acha '. 2010 school children presented ‘Vande Maataram' to the world. A light and sound show and a spectacular show of fire works also were part of the ceremony.
The cultural programme that followed with song and dance was planned and choreographed on the theme ‘Music of Universal Love' . Prominent singers like Shaan, Kailash Kher, Sunidhi Chauhan, Usha Uthup, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan crooned some popular Bollywood numbers along with a few English tunes.
The highlight of the closing ceremony was when the 'golden moments' of the 12-day event was played out on the world's largest helium balloon hovering over the stadium.
The Commonwealth Games' organising baton was also handed over to Scotland, which will play host in 2014 games. Celebrating this opportunity, a Scottish team put up an enthralling performance, which some even contend was better than the rest of the Indian programme.
In comparison to the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was a let down. The interest of the international athletes was completely ignored in the planning and the ceremony, therefore, ended up like a 'big fat Indian wedding', some media reports note.
Commonwealth Games 2010 - Medal Tally