With its varied allied sectors, agriculture is undeniably the largest source of revenue for millions across the length and breadth of India. Contributing a momentous figure to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation, sustainable agriculture that offers rural occupation and environmentally sustainable expertise, agricultureis essential for a comprehensive development of a nation. Did you know that over the years the Indian agriculture sector has witnessed a green revolution, a white revolution, a yellow revolution and a blue revolution? Here's how each era is defined:Green Revolution:The period whenagricultureinIndiaincreased its yields due to improved agronomic technology.White Revolution:Operation Flood, the world's largest agricultural development program by Verghese KurienYellow Revolution:The growth, development and adoption of new varieties of oilseeds and complementary technologies.Blue Revolution:Management of water resourcesthat steered humanity to achieve drinking water and crop irrigation security.Agriculture, India's principal private-sector enterprise engages over 119 million farmers and an additional 144 million landless laborers. In India according to the saying,"Uttam kheti, Madhyam vyapar, Kanishtha naukri"agriculture iseven deemed to be the most reputable industry. The above saying implies - supreme is farming, business is medium and servitude is the least desirable.Agriculture as a business: Is it OR Is it not?Firstly, cultivation is the only kind of business around the world which has both production and is accompanied by variable cost risks. Here are some examples why we made the above statement. A businessman who makes steel might bump into problems like worker & transporters strikes, instability in prices, variation of raw material, natural calamities etc. Yet these disturbances are incidents that happen once in a blue moon.Conversely for a farmer, production hazards are almost an everyday occurrence. There may be no rains during the sowing season or for the duration of germination and growth periods. Furthermore pest attacks, hailstorms during crop maturity and enormously fluctuating price crashes can wreak havoc to the lives of farmers. These factors are the ones that make both production and price risks commercially unviable for farmers.Secondly, agriculture is the lone kind of industry wherein you purchase everything retail and sell everything wholesale. If you are an e-commerce giant, you buy wholesale, but sell retail. Farmers are the only bunch who pay in retail for everything, no matter what the product is... from tractors to small machinery and seeds. But, they are obligated to trade their produce at wholesale prices.The best way to get around this prejudice is to have farmer-producer cooperatives that will obtain all the requirements for the farmers... seeds,agricultural products, fertilizers etc from producers in bulk and make them obtainable by farmers at indiscriminate rates. However, the sad reality is that in a country like India where the middleman plays a huge role, such organizations are rare.The time will soon come may be when our farmers will begin demanding ways to get aroundcertain laws that given them and bring about another revolution.I am a web Marketing guy & loves to write about Digital Marketing & Web, and spend most of my time in searching and reading about web and technology related articles. I am currently writing aboutmarketing for startups& how to generate more leads.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sudhi_Ranjan_Das/316716
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Secrets of Bonding 130: Borrow From Peter to Pay Paul
It's only human nature. You have a problem, a need. A financial issue has come up and the timing is inconvenient. So if you just move things around, you can handle the problem and back-fill later.For construction companies managing multiple projects, not every job goes smoothly. Construction work is complicated with many variables and uncontrollable elements. Sometimes the only solution is to throw money atthe problem. When cash flow on the project is"temporarily" insufficient, there is a natural temptation to borrow money out of another healthier contract, with the intention of paying it back at a later date. Is this bad?Trust FundsFrom a legal standpoint, money a general contractor (GC) holds, that is destined to pay the subcontractors (plumber, electrician, HVAC, etc.) he hired on the project, is held "in trust" for the benefit of those subs. The law says it istheirmoney, and the GC must safeguard it. Therefore, any money in this trust fund category cannot be"loaned" to another of the company's projects.Bonded ContractsWhen a Performance and Payment Bond covers acontract, the payment section of the bond guarantees that suppliers of labor and material will be paid. This includes the subcontractors that were hired by the GC. The bonding company is guaranteeing that the trust funds will make it into the hands of the subs.If money has been diverted into another project by the GC, and subs remain unpaid, they are entitled to make a claim against the payment bond. Sureties are risk averse and strive to avoid all bond claims. Underwriters are well-aware of the "Peter Paying Paul" scenario where the funds are never restored and a payment claim results.Protective MeasuresBonding companies may take steps to prevent such misapplication of funds. One is Joint Checking. Under this procedure, the project owner (paying for the work) issues joint payee checks in the name of the GC and the sub or vendor. Now there is absolute certainty that the funds will get to the sub as intended.This procedure does not cost money to implement (other than the administrative expense), but is dependent on the willingness and continuing participation of the project owner.Another protective device is the use Funds Control, also called a Funds Administration. Thinkof this as a professional paymaster who pays everyone on the project, including the GC. Money goes from the owner to the funds administrator, who then issues all the checks. By avoiding the GC's handling of the money, there is no risk of funds flowing to another contract.The funds administrator charges a fee, which is paid by the GC. For this procedure to be successfully implemented, the owner must officially agree to pay the funds administrator instead of the GC.ConclusionWhen it comes to money handling on construction projects, many people have a stake in the process. The GC's obligation is more than to simply complete the work. They have a fiduciary responsibility to handle funds properly and assure that deserving parties are paid. That'swhat the bonding company expects, and it's simply the right thing to do.Steve Golia is an experienced provider of bid and performance bonds for contractors. For more than 30 years he has specialized in solving bond problems for contractors, and helping them whenothers failed.The experts at Bonding Pros have the underwriting talent and market access you need. This is coupled with spectacular service and great accessibility.Contact us today and discuss how you start a new bonding relationship for your company, or increase your current bonding capacity. Call 856-304-7348.Visit usClick!Not available in all states including Idaho.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steven_Golia/152522
Beauty Tips & Ideas: Nail Fashion Guide
Nails take the attention of designers and trendsetters all year round. High-end brands come with several launches every season, just to ensure we have all the colors and designs that we desire at all times. With all the nail colors and polish available in the market, which are the ones we should adopt this summer?Summer is the time you choose colors you'd steer clear from the rest of the days of the year. Unexpected, bright, trendy, neon... are all adjectives of the colors of your time at the pool and during festivals and vacations. Go for colors that are less predictable; grab some hot pinks, blue navy, turquoises, oranges, metallic...So what's the latest in nail color trends? What are the newest summer nail arts? What about the nail shapes and lengths? Here are some beauty tips and ideas.Minty FreshLight green come along with bold blue to highlight summery days at the beach and fresh light cocktails. Don't forget the seafoam green, or what it is also known asblue-green that looks beautiful on natural nails.Blushed ShadesNail polish colors ranging from light pinks to sweet purples all come in handy this season.Polish in LoveClassic reds, cherry reds, red nacre... nevergo out of style! Reds are nail-color staple no matter what the season is. So if you areaddicted to red, choose cranberry red this summer.Melon to Earthly FeelLasting from last year, oranges and nudes still take over thenail polish colorsworld! Choose a touch of peach for a 70's feel.Navy BluesThe dark navy blue nail color hits the market, and comes with much glitter.The new polishes are perfect for both fingernails and toes, and also look great with different outfit styles such as classicsand fashionable jewelry.Best Nail Shapes For This SeasonThis season, nail shapes don't have to be really tall and pointy to be adorable. Short, square nails come in handy, especially with dark hues such as dark navy. Trim, natural- shaped nails are also in fashion this summer. They are best for nude colors and beiges. Rounded nails are taking much attention this year, as they area hit from the past, and they are best with gray nail polishes. Long, almond-shaped nails are not a necessity this summer, yet they are required with red nail polishes.Share the nail shapes, colors or designs you mostly rely on in summer.The Makeover by Kotex is a blog to read about latest fashion news, beauty & simplemakeup tips, entertainment & celebrity news, relationship & fitness tips. Now with Kotex new mobile app, your complete makeover is at the tip of your fingers. You can now check your menstrual calendar, movie guides, but also win valuable gifts and a lot more, straight from your pocket.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kay_K/2278160
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Experience True Freedom
I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes I can be a prisoner to my ownthoughts and forget that I have the freedom to choose. Choose a different thought. Choose a different experience. Choose adifferent interpretation."I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind." ~Antoine de Saint-ExuperyFreedom means many things to many people. Wecan view freedom politically, as having the opportunity to vote for particular ideas, people, or parties which best represent our views. Closely tied to this is the notion of freedom of speech, where one has the liberty to voice their personal opinion or perspective. Others understand freedom in a financial context, where people seekto free themselves of financial debt, outstanding credit, and burdensome loans.How many of us are prisoners of our own thoughts, our own stories?Yesterday I spent the day getting all stressed about something that I really had no control over. Why get stressed about things we can't control? And who is controlling my life, anyway: me or my thoughts?Sometimes my thoughts are just well practiced habitual ways of thinking. But that doesn't always mean they are right.I have been, at times, a prisoner to my thoughts. I've now garnered enough awareness to know if what I am thinking is serving me or not. And when I get to this place, I'm able to make a decision. After all, our brain is not concerned about what is right for us, it's always looking out for what can go wrong.Which thought feels better? What interpretation serves me the best?Because honestly, "things always work out for me" and "I just got screwed" can be equally true.But which thought serves us better? Which one puts out the kind of energy we want to embrace in the world? Everything can be a jumping off point for something new, if we are willing to choose the best interpretation and move forward.If "I just got screwed," it means someone else takes dominion over my life, and that is a stance that is not empowering. But if, "things always work out for me," then I dictate my life because I know my future holds a different experience.We can choose our thoughts if we have enough awareness to recognize that our thoughts do not run our life. Then we can choose differently-this is freedom.Freedom of interpretation, freedom to dictate our own lives, freedom to choose thoughts that work for us can liberate us from our own limiting self-made constructs.I highly suggest reading "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. I'm not going to go into detailabout the book though I will tell you that it is based on ancient Toltec wisdom and offers a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.The Four Agreements1. Be Impeccable With Your Word2. Don't Take Anything Personally3. Don't Make Assumptions4. Always Do Your BestIf we want to be successful, we have to maintain our locus of control".We have the freedom to decide what we do with information, how we interpret our life, how we dictate our future, change our minds, or make new decisions.All of it is a choice. Our choice.And in choosing, we find freedom.I realized that I could do this in every area of my life and come out ahead.This is freedom.Was this helpful?There are others out there that could use this advice, feel free to share around and drop me a comment if you found this helpful!Did This Help You? If so, I would greatly appreciate it if you commented below and share on Facebook.Own The Life's Lifestyle BlogSkype: ownthelifeEmail:adam@ownthelife.orgConsidering a Lifestyle Change? Check out my Work with Me tab and Survey athttp://www.ownthelife.orgwhere we Help People Everyday.If you enjoyed this post on Experience True FREEDOM, retweet and comment pleaseArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Adam_Thibert/2299074
Simple Ways to Use Social Media for Business
What do you use social media for in your daily life? Have you ever wondered if you could turn into a millionaire by just using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp? Well, if your answer is yes in the first place, and you don't know how to grow your business and become a millionaire using social media, you need to start working on these incredible platforms to make the most of them.People use social media to communicate with their colleagues, share interesting photos for fun, or to critique others. But, apart from that, you can use sites like Facebook to promote and grow yourbusiness. You can advertise on these websites ata favorable price, or share the products and services of your company with your audience for free.Technology is rapidly growing, and the social media networks are becoming full-blown business growing channels. As a business ownerusing sites like LinkedIn to your advantage can help in boosting the business. Connections madethrough social media are deeper than in any othermedium. The key point here is for you to focus onhow, and ways you can use these platforms effectively to increase the visibility of your business brand and your personal brand as well.You can do this by setting goals for your campaign, get focused and let your colleagues have a chance to share your passion. By using the simple ways highlighted above on growing your business, you will with no doubt achieve success regardless of the channel you are going to use. Follow the ways below and see your business grow.Before you can start using these websites, you need first to identify the best platform for your business. The platform that works for your colleague might not work for you as well.As many sites are coming up and vying for your attention, it can be hard to keep up with them. While having accounts on various sites can be advantageous for staying creative and fostering innovation, it can also be hard to choose which platform to use or post your content.It is, therefore important that you do the following:*.Familiarize yourself with the main social media platforms that your target audience uses.*.Avoid dumping your content across all channelsfor the sake of doing so.*.Lastly, concentrate on the platforms where you have the highest chance to engage with your target audience.Once you have identified the platform of your choice, now you are free to engage your audiencein a reasonable manner. It does not end there either, if you use a channel for a few months and don't seem to make something out of it or enjoy, then stop using it. Take your time and find another platform that can work for you.Well, if you are an upcoming business owner, now you know how you can grow your business. Your friends MUST read this article. Please do notforget to SHARE with your relatives on Facebook and Twitter. Read more here:http://www.ludear.WordPress.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ludiah_Onami/2279924
Thursday, July 14, 2016
From the archives: An Interview with Abdul Sattar Edhi, 1987
December 1986, will be remembered as a watershed. This is the month when Operation Clean-up was launched in Karachi's Sohrab Goth area. Caches of narcotics and ammunition were discovered. Residents were asked to pack their belongings and shift to a nearby village. Many were arrested. The operation prompted violence and many died in the clash against the army.While Karachi burned, Abdul Sattar Edhi was left with the responsibility of pickingup the pieces. Edhi ambulances were everywhere, his team of doctors on twenty-four hour call, his workers retrieving corpses and providing relief often at the risk of their own lives. Edhi was now a household name — the lone voice of sanity in an increasingly insane order.Here, he speaks to theHeraldand shares his views on the bloodshed, its aftermath and practical measures to deal with the situation:Q. What are your views on the Karachi carnage? What do you think really happened and why?Abdul Sattar Edhi.What happened was the work of the drug and death dealers. Every country has their share of these people. The places they attacked, and the manner in which they were attacked, clearly shows how organised these people are. Their modus operandi in all cases was identical. First, they came in groups of five to ten and shouted slogans inciting a particular ethnic groupliving in the area to join up with them. Once they managed to get these people with them, they started firing at random. When residents of the area emerged from their homes, they opened fire on them, stopping only when their victims fled. The mob then moved in, ransacked houses, looted them and finally set them on fire. They did not discriminate in their choice of victims or the methods they employed to conduct this massacre.Q. What do you think will happen next?Edhi. This will not end. But one can try tocontrol it. I have made a few suggestions to the administration, but I don’t run the country, so it’s for them to decide whether they’ll implement them or not. I believe that honorary judges should be appointed in all the various mohallas. They should be assisted by a committee comprising people from the mohalla, representing every ethnic community in the area. Unemployed menfrom the community should be appointed as guards; their salaries should come from a mandatory fee of five rupees paid by every family residing in the area. The judge should have at his command a heavy arsenal and the authority to use the weapons if the need should arise.Furthermore, I’ve also told people to gather large amounts of stones and keep them on the roofs of their houses, so that if a situation of the kind were justwitnessed arises again, they can use these in self-defense. For every five of them that gets shot, they’ll at least get one from the other side. Every human being has the right to self-defense.Arif Mahmood, White StarQ. What role has the government played?Do you give any credence to the allegations of government collusion withthe “subversives”?Edhi. There are conflicts within the government. The people responsible for the carnage have infiltrated every organisation, every section of society. They are everywhere, including the government. Their strength is immeasurable, and they have no soul. They will go to any lengths, use any means to perpetuate their evil designs.As for the government, even when they arrive at the scene of a crime, they take at least two or three hours to take action. How can they be effective? To enforce the law you cannot afford to waste a minute. There were reports that most of the incriminating evidence had been removed from Sohrab Goth before the authorities arrived. Certainly, large quantities of arms and drugs were removed, but not two or three days earlier — just a few hours before the army went into action. I don’t know if it was planned this way, but in those crucial few hours it took the forces to get “organised,” the crooks made off with all the evidence. These people are always on the alert anyway, and they know all the routes out of that area. The army wasn’t given orders to start raiding or shooting till much later. So what couldyou expect? Even when they impose curfew, it takes them hours to get organised enough to enforce it. So obviously, there’s no protection. This is the system we exist in. Nothing ever gets done until innocent blood has been shed.Q. There have been allegations of severeharassment of Sohrab Goth residents by the authorities at the time of the action. Did you hear any evidence of such incidents?Edhi. Well, this is only natural. When you’re being forcibly shifted, you can’t expect to be driven out in a Mercedes or carried out on a velvet litter. And there were several very wealthy people living there as well – people who owned four to five cars each – so obviously, they arenot going to be satisfied with the treatment handed out. But now that they’ve been shifted, I’ve heard several people – the more sensible ones at any rate – saying they are glad they’ve been separated into different groups.Also read: Operation overkill – How not to improve law and order in KarachiQ. The government promised the SohrabGoth evacuees compensation. Apparently this has not been forthcoming, and you’ve been left holding the baby. Is this true?Edhi. There were different groups in Sohrab Goth: The Persian-speaking Afghans, Pakistani Pathans, some Punjabis and Urdu-speaking people, and lastly, the Kutchis – vagrants who have neither any faith, nor principles, nor even any fixed place of residence. Now they’ve all been shifted to different camps. The KDA has allotted them each a 60-yd plot and here at least these people can be watched.The Afghans have their own commissioner to see to their needs. We’re not responsible for them. They’ve also been given a lot in foreign aid. For the Pathans, Punjabis and mohajirs, I haven’t seen any arrangement, either short-term or long-term, so far. The government has made a lot of promises, but I don’t know if it will actually do anything. For the next few days we’ll supply them with the basics, as we have been doing. I’ve been given special fundsfor the purpose from different agencies. But these are only temporary, emergency measures.Herald archive 1987Q. The government seems to have abdicated all responsibility for the welfare of the affected people to you. How do you feel about it?Edhi. In the west, governments take careof their own. In third world countries like ours, there’s no such arrangement. But it’s a two-way street. Theawaamdodgestaxes, defrauds the government, and the government in turn lines its pockets to allow this to happen. You get the government you deserve, and meanwhilethe poor and the needy get left out in the cold. So there’s a crying need for social workers from private quarters. The day this mutually beneficial arrangement stops, there’ll be enough funds in the national coffers to start taking care of the people. That day, I’ll become redundant and relinquish my job to the state. But since this isn’t likely to happen,I have no choice in the matter. It’s a responsibility I have taken upon myself, and I’ll carry on doing it under any circumstance.Q. There has been an overwhelming public response to the disaster. How do you feel about it?Edhi. I’ve always received this kind of response. It’s not new. But what’s been inspiring this time is the spirit in which they’ve sent their money. I got a hefty cheque with a letter from somebody in Jeddah, saying that the money was to beused for all those affected,Pathansandmohajirsalike. The money has poured in and keeps coming.Q. Have you utilised any of these funds to expand your operation?Edhi. No, because our expense has multiplied. The ambulances have been inconstant use, twenty-four hours a day. Several of them have been damaged, sometimes by the crowds as they converge on those carrying relief items. There’s been a vast amount of fuel used.And then there’s an endless demand for provisions. So we’re just about managing to cater to the needs of the moment. Sometimes, my workers even tell me to stop aid in a certain area because people are now cashing in on the situation. I have lists of the victims ineach area. Several of these, however, have run away. But there are others who take their place, so you get people who take three times their share of rations.Nevertheless, I just tell my workers that Ihave been given funds for a particular purpose, and even if we sometimes make mistakes, the funds will be used for that purpose. But it is true that people exploit the situation. There are three kinds of people who surface in these situations: the chronic beggars, those who hop on to the bandwagon on such occasions, and the actual victims. You have to discriminate between them and ensure that the really deserving get their share.This was originally published in the Herald's Annual 1987 issue. To read moresubscribeto the Herald in print.The writer is a former staffer at the Herald
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Electrical Protection Saves Money
Many owners of a wide range of business types are realizing that upgraded electrical protection equipment in the form of industrial surge suppression devices can significantly impact the bottom line in a positive way. The continual push towards improved business functionality has found great success through elimination or reduction of replacement costs associated with equipment damage through electrical surges and lightning strikes. Asone of the biggest costs associated with many industrial businesses like wind energy producers,solar farms, hydro-electric plants, cellular networks and a host of other industries that utilize connected computer equipment and data processors, surge damage reduction is always being considered. Now, through improvements tothe surge suppression systems that were originally created for light industrial or residential use, industries like these are able to save thousands of dollars every quarter. This money was once set aside for ongoing and expected replacement of equipment damaged by lightning and surges, and now can be allocated to the bottom line or business expansion.Many industries must factor surge related damage into their business plans in order to set their prices for the products or services they produce. Because of the remote placement and physical structures associated with many industrial installations, lightning strikes are common and are planned for. While the damage that is caused to equipment at the strike point itself is nearly unavoidable, the subsequent damage to attached equipment as a result of the surge produced is not necessary if it can be effectively interrupted. In the past, the power lines that joined the control equipment and the actual devices that were exposed to the elementsprovided the weak link in lightning damage prevention. The interruption of the surge produced by a lightning strike may have been possible, but would then require either resetting of the surge suppression devices themselves, or potentially replacement of them. During the period in between strike and resetting, the systems are generally offline and not producing. This situation caused prices to be forced to be inflated in order to compensate for the expected strike damage.Today's surge protection devices are able to withstand a far larger surge than in the past, and are able to protect higher levels of equipment than ever before. There is even a line of SPDs being manufactured that never needs resetting orreplacement, allowing uptimes to be extended to longer timeframes than ever before. Money is being saved through electrical protection devices,and that money can be used to increase profitability or provided to customers in the form of lower prices.Electrical protection devices from Raycap can save your business time and money. Contact Raycap today for more information.http://www.raycap.com/electrical-protection/Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Raymond_Santopietro/371042
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Mysterious banners urging COAS to take over put up across country
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/PESHAWAR:A little-known political party of Punjab put up banners in 13 cities across the country on Monday with its leaders urging Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif to impose martial law and form a government of technocrats.The banners have been put up in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Hyderabad, etc, by the Move on Pakistan party and unlike its earlier campaign requesting the army chief to reconsider his retirement plan due in November the message is quite ominous this time around.A banner hanging at a traffic intersection on the thoroughfare between Chief Minister House and the Rangers headquarters in Karachireads: Janay ki baatain hui puraani, Khuda k liye ab ajao (Talks of leaving are now old; for God’s sake now come).Read:Banners requesting COAS to stay removed in RawalpindiAli Hashmi, the central chief organiser of the party, told Dawn that the goal of their campaign was to suggest to the army chief that after imposing martial law a government of technocrats should be made in Pakistan and Gen Raheelshould himself supervise it.While the official mouthpiece of the army — the Inter-Services Public Relations — remained silent, analyst Amir Rana believed that the latest move strengthened the view that something was cooking up.Interestingly, the banners sprang up overnight on all major thoroughfaresin the 13 cities, even in cantonment areas, despite the presence of several checkpoints and extra security.Mr Hashmi claimed that his party’s banners were removed in Lahore and Faisalabad in the morning.The Move on Pakistan party — whichhas little grass-root support — has been registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan for the pastthree years and a Faisalabad-based businessman, Mohammad Kamran, is its chairman. He runs a number ofschools and ‘businesses’ in Faisalabad, Sargodha and Lahore.The party came into the spotlight in February when it put up posters and banners across the country asking the army chief not to retire and “helpin eradicating terrorism and corruption”.Though five months back the party maintained that it was not inviting the army to take over, this time it said that “there is no choice but to enforce martial law and form a government of technocrats”.Mr Hashmi said that the absence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from the country for more than 40 days proved that there was no need of a political government. “Those who have been running the country will keep running it.”Regarding his future plans, he said: “We have been considering holding rallies from Faisalabad to Lahore and Karachi to Sukkur in the second phase to convince the army chief that he should intervene for the betterment of the country and nation.”Analyst Rana said that there could be some forces behind the persons responsible for the latest campaign.“Some elements always remain ready to find ways to come close to the armed forces and make an alliance with the establishment,” he said, adding: “Although a change cannot be brought with such moves, it strengthens the doubt that something is going on.”The issue was widely discussed on TV talk shows and on the social media.The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, however, was cautious in making any comment.At a private TV programme, Ministerof State for Privatisation Mohammad Zubair said that the army chief had already expressed his intention that he would not seek an extension in his tenure. “He [Gen Raheel] is the head of a great institution. I’m sure the person who will replace him will be equally professional and competent.”He said that only legal experts couldsay what action be taken against those putting up such banners and posters.Pakistan Peoples Party leader and Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information Maula Bux Chandio said in a press talk that Gen Raheel would take a decision in the best national interest.He, however, asked the army chief not to pay any heed towards the advice or suggestions of sycophants.Meanwhile, when asked whether theinscription on the banners amounted to sedition, a Peshawar police official said in a lighter vein that the message on the banners was vague and the organiser of the party might be asking the army chiefto come to Peshawar.Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Selecting the Right Contract Research Organisation in Clinical Trials
Clinical research is extremely valuable andan essential part of investigating new treatments and bringing them to the market. However, to do this effectively it is important to have the right professionals on board to run these trials around the world.This is because not only is the relationshipthe pharmaceutical company has with the Contract Research Organization important,but also the ability, management skills, timing and budgeting of this organisation are critical too.Although some pharmaceutical companies can afford to only outsource some of the necessary processes of a trial,others will entirely outsource to a Contract Research Organization (Contract ResearchOrganization) for their clinical research. In either case, here are some of the most important aspects of doing this.Firstly, the geographical reach of the Contract Research Organization is very important, as this determines the selectionof participants available to take part in the research and also the disease profiles ableto be studied. Many developing countries in the world offer ideal patient profiles, as there can be a mix of different diseases, from infectious diseases to 'modern day' diseases such as heart disease and cancer.Therefore, finding a Contract Research Organization that has an appropriate reachin a particular region of the world is important. This matters not only for certaindisease profiles, but also for patient enrolment and retention. In many cases it can be very difficult to enrol and keep patients, but a Contract Research Organization with a strong influence in a geographical location can make a huge difference.An example of this would in Latin America,where clinical trials and research are only just starting to develop in a significant way. With the right understanding and contacts within countries in this region of the world, the right Contract Research Organization can boost participation and retention in clinical research trials for the pharmaceutical company that it represents.Quality is another very important aspect of clinical research in ensuring that all trials are carried out in accordance and adherence to relevant legislation and regulation. This can seriously affect the validity of any results obtained, yet not all research in different regions the world maybe up to scratch.Furthermore, the pharmaceutical companythat is looking to carry out the research willbe based in a country where specific standards are required. From North America and Europe right through to Far East Asia, there are different criteria and standards to meet, and specific regulation to follow.The right Contract Research Organization in clinical research will need to make sure that it has knowledge of all the relevant protocol and regulation to abide by when carrying out trials for a pharmaceutical company. If not, this could lead to invalid and low quality results and therefore an immense waste of investment.Looking at the experience of a particular Contract Research Organization in carryingout successful research in their region of the world will be an indicator of whether regulation and protocol can be abided by, and will also be an indicator of successful patient recruitment and retention rates. This information can therefore be very valuable to pharmaceutical companies when making their choice.In addition to this, a strong indicator of future success is the Contract Research Organization's ability to communicate clearly and effectively every step along the way with the pharmaceutical company thatis looking for the research to be carried outon their behalf. Therefore, any contracted should make sure that excellent and efficient communication is present from the beginning for best results.FOMAT Medical Research is one of the world's premier medical research companies. It specializes in developing and managing clinical trials in South America as well as providing them with technology to assist their sites with their trials. FOMAT currently has its headquarters in the United States with regional sites in Ecuador and shortly in Peru and Argentina with English-speaking management teams, investigators and clinical coordinators working at all of their locations. The company's international sites count more than 10 million patients many of which have not participated in clinical trials before. For more information on FOMAT Medical Research and the services it provides to the medical community, visit them on the web athttp://fomatmedical.com/Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nicholas_Focil/2072915
Is Export Trade Finance Important Today?
For businesses concentrating only on the domestic market, they may miss out on different opportunities the international market offers. If you make a foray into the international market, you may increase your profit as well as protect your business from the negative effects of slowed-down growth. Apart from that, this will allow you to diversify your portfolio.Among the most crucial ingredients for success in the exportation business is export trade finance. Exporters want to get paid for their products as fast as possible. On the other hand, customers from foreignmarkets would want to delay payment untilthey've received the products or perhaps resold these. To become competitive, your company must be capable of offering payment terms which are very attractive topossible partners.Important Factors To Consider When Selecting The Best Financing OptionThe amount of time in which the product isfinanced- This is considered the most important factor to consider. Experts highly emphasized that your choice of financing will be greatly influenced by how long you'll wait before receiving the payment.The cost of financing options- If there are several financing options to choose from, you have to look into them meticulously, most especially the interest rates. Be reminded that these costs can greatly influence the products' price along with your potential profit.Risks- Transactions are not created equal.There are those that are riskier than others. Experts have emphasized that the riskier the transaction is, the more you'll find it hard to finance. Economic and political stability can actually compound orincrease these risks.Amount of orders- If you are receiving plenty of orders, your working capital might not be sufficient to meet such increased demand.Getting Expert HelpYou can actually get help from commercialbanks with an international department when it comes to dealing with theexport trade finance needsof your company. Choose banks that are familiar with the export business. These banks will provide your firm with a wide range of internationalbanking services.After finding this kind of bank, consider scheduling a visit with the international department for you to know and be aware of the different matters like your export plan, banking facilities, services, and the applicable charges. In case your partner importer fails to pay for the transaction, your business will bear the responsibility of paying for the loan. With the use of instruments like letters of credit as well as credit insurance, you and your chosen bank can greatly benefit from the improvement of the export receivables' quality.Export trade finance is indeed very important. Businesses may also find business guarantee funding important to ensure business success.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Danica_I_Bridges/1867626
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Management Calendar for Rhodes Grass Hay
Rain may affect your harvesting plan. Check weather report regularly in Monsoon Season and harvesting at 1.75'-2' heightis better than cut over 3' crop. In high temperature, use moisture meter to check moisture. Over dry or more sun exposure can cause bleaching of crop. Never Spray urea after harvesting, it may increase decomposition level and change the color but not affect the Crude Protein % in crop. 6-10 kg urea broadcast with last irrigation before cut in high temperature can give more greenish color and high crude protein level in green plant.Land Preparation and Sowing1. Level the land through Laser leveler and put gypsum in case of salinity or alkalinity in soil as mentioned in Soil Test reports2. Put the decomposed FYM before 2-4 weeks of sowing3. Fresh FYM application before sowing is not a good practice and may be harmful if sowing continue above 45 C4. Sowing season starts from February when night temperature is not less than 15 C5. Sowing continue till October. In Lower Sindh Rhodes grass sowing is also recommend in Oct-Nov6. Sowing in Sandy soils is not recommended in June & July. It may affect your germination and root development, also effect irrigation cost.7. 8 Kg seed is recommended for good hay yield with 1 bag of DAP & Urea8. Seed broadcast is recommended in evening in June & July months.9. 25 Kg Urea is recommended with 3rd irrigation after sowing/ Apply urea in splits with each irrigation10. 70% germination is complete in 8-10 days after sowing but germination completes till 14th day.11. Broad leaves weeds can be eradicate through weedicidesin 1st and 2nd cut. Later on grass cover the patches12. Small Patches (up to 2') in field will be cover till 3-4 cut.1st Cutting to on word1. 1st cutting will be ready in 50-60 Days.2. 2'-2.5' crop height will consider best for harvesting however 10% flowering is also sign of harvesting3. Recommended cutting height is 4'' above soil surface4. Harvesting less than 4" can cause slow growth in next cuttings and may cause roots burning in high temperature5. 2nd to onward cuts will be ready in 28-30 days6. 2- 4 irrigations will require in one cut according to weather or soil surface7. Split doze of 25 Kg urea with alternate irrigation shows good result.8. After every 3rd cut, 50 Kg NPK (20:20:20) with 5 Kg Zinc Sulphate will be better instead of Urea. Organic Fertilizer can be used to cover the deficiency of Micro elements9. Zinc Sulphate must apply after cutting. Never apply Zinc when crop height increase to 8"10. In high temperature or due to drought stress, flowering starts earlier. Irrigate the field on immediate basis and put 25Kg Urea11. Rhodes grass crop can bear standing water up to one week12. Hay yield in first two cuts will be less than 2 ton. But on average 2 ton Rhodes grass hay can be achieved easily13. In 3rd cut, hay yield can be achieved to 2 ton/ acre. Hay isthe 20% of green fodder14. Green olive color hay with less than 15% moisture is considering Quality A. It has above 11% crude protein15. Take 5-6 days for Mowing, racking and baling. More time in this process can affect your total cuts.16. Irrigate the field immediately as your field will be clean17. Rain may affect your harvesting plan. Check weather report regularly in Monsoon Season and harvesting at 1.75'-2'height is better than cut over 3' crop18. In high temperature, use moisture meter to check moisture. Over dry or more sun exposure can cause bleaching of crop19. Never Spray urea after harvesting, it may increase decomposition level and change the color but not affect the Crude Protein % in crop20. 6-10 kg urea broadcast with last irrigation before cut in high temperature can give more greenish color and high crude protein level in green plant21. Clean the field manually after baling or with V shaped Mower before irrigation. Hay residues in field may effect on regrowth & fungal infestation22. Harvest the last cut in November- December and leave the field without irrigation but apply small dose of decomposed FYM in field23. Manage your last cut with weather severity, again limited plant growth may effect crop field in severe frost or fog season24. Patches appearance in field will be due to mower balance, cutting below 4", salinity issue or due to land levellingAll these recommendations are for heavy to sandy loam soils under flood irrigation system in for Central Punjab to lower Sindh.March 2016ByM Salman Naeem & M ShahbazSource:Pakissan Team
Maulana Abdus sattar Edhi laid to rest amid 19-gun salute
KARACHI: The country’s top civilian and military leadership including President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, the political leadership as well as thousands of mourners on Saturday attended the funeral prayers of the country’s charity king, Maulana Abdus Sattar Edhi at the National Stadium Karachi, after which the great philanthropist was laid to rest at the Edhi Village followed by 19-gun salute and military guard of honour.
A national day of mourning was announced throughout Pakistan on Saturday and the national flag flew at half-mast on the demise of Maulana Edhi, an icon of social service and a symbol of simplicity, who passed away in a Karachi’s hospital at the age of 88 due to respiratory and renal failure a day earlier.
Sindh and other provincial government’s have announced three days of mourning from Saturday till Monday on the demise of Edhi. Traders in Karachi announced to close markets for two days in mourning while the Karachi city administration closed down all public recreational places including the zoo and Safari Park for three days as a sign of mourning and to pay their homage to the late philanthropist and humanitarian.
A state funeral had been arranged for Edhi’s final journey as his body, wrapped in the green national flag, was given a 19-gun salute, military guard of honour, carried on a state carriage to his final resting place from the national stadium where the country’s top civilian and military leadership laid floral wreaths on his grave while a final guard of honour was presented besides prayers and other religious rituals.
Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Services Chiefs of the Pakistan Navy and Air Force, Commander 5 Corps, DG Rangers Sindh Gen. Bilal Akbar, Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, Maulana Edhi’s son Faisal Edhi and thousands of mourners had gathered at the National Stadium Karachi to offer the Namaz-e-Janaza of Maulana Edhi, which was led-by Maulana Ahmed Khan Niazi.
Strict security arrangements due to the presence of the country’s top military and civilian leadership prevented thousands of mourners from attending the funeral prayer of Edhi as people had been asked to come to the venue before 11:30 am due to security reasons while hundreds more could not attend the funeral prayers due to the closure of the road leading to the National Stadium and lack of public transport from down town city areas to the place of funeral prayers.
A state carriage draped in the national flag carried the body of the humanitarian icon to Edhi Village on the Super Highway in a convoy of the Pakistan Army, Navy, Rangers, Sindh Police, and Edhi Foundation’s ambulances where he was laid to rest in a grave prepared by Edhi himself in 1990.
Director General Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akbar, Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force officials, Sindh Police officers and the civilian leadership and family members of Maulana Edhi, including Faisal Edhi, were present at the time of the burial of the Maulana, whose body was carried to his grave by the Pak Army’s Jawans and a final gun-salute and guard of honour was presented while two Ulema offered prayers.
Following the state funeral, common people, the Edhi Foundation’s volunteers and employees and government functionaries were allowed to pay homage to the late social worker and humanitarian. People not only prayed at the grave of Maulana Edhi but also chanted slogans in favour of the Pakistan Army for according a state funeral to the late humanitarian.
Earlier the body of Maulana Edhi was taken to the Edhi Foundation’s headquarters in Mithadar from the Edhi Morgue at Sohrab Goth after a bath and after his family saw his face for the last time. The Pakistan Navy, Sindh Police and Rangers shifted his body to the National Stadium via the Lyari Expressway for the funeral prayers.
Strict security arrangements had been made by the Sindh Police and Sindh Rangers as thousands of security personnel had been deployed throughout the city to ensure the protection of common people as well as VIPs, who flew from Islamabad and Lahore to Karachi to pay homage to Maulana Edhi.
Civilian and military bomb disposal squads swept the National Stadium and its surroundings and military helicopters flew in the area to keep an eye on the situation while snipers had been posted at elevated positions around the venue of the funeral prayers.
Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai said in January that she had nominated Edhi for the Nobel Peace Prize 2016 as she believed he was the most deserving person.
“Edhi’s services and sacrifices are unparalleled. He has been serving humanity irrespective of class, creed or gender,” she had told reporters in Birmingham.
Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf said Abdus Sattar Edhi deserved a Nobel Peace Prize during his life.
He further said Edhi was more deserving of the Nobel Prize than Mother Teresa and added that his death was a great loss to Pakistan.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday expressed her deep sense of grief over the death of Abdus Sattar Edhi and praised him for dedicating his entire life to the service of mankind.
She conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and Edhi Foundation.
The final resting place of Maulana Edhi had been selected by Maulana Abdus Sattar Edhi himself in 1990 when he made arrangements for his own and his wife’s burial near the mausoleum of one Munawar Ali Baig at the Edhi Village, who was a long-lasting companion of Maulana Edhi.
A grave was already dug at the Edhi village, which was given final touches on Saturday morning before the arrival of the Maulana’s body and following funeral prayers, he was laid to rest at the grave he had prepared for himself, the Maulana’s son Faisal Edhi added.