1,000 solar rickshaws to ferry Commonwealth Games athletes

NEW DELHI: New delhi would deploy at least 1,000 solar rickshaws to ferry over 7,000 athletes and their delegates during the Commonwealth Games in October.

A joint project between Delhi government and the central government-run Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), these zero carbon vehicles will help players commute inside the Games villages and reach sporting venues from Metro stations.

According to a senior scientist at CSIR, "Its a unique initiative, where both innovation and concern for environment will be on display". "We hope the initiative will be a huge hit among athletes from across the globe. The fleet of 1,000 solar rickshaws will reduce the carbon foot print and provide hassle free travel to our guest sportsmen," said Kumar, who has been coordinating with the city government.

These rickshaws are the greenest transport vehicles and help the cause of Green Games as promised by the Delhi government. These are optimally designed, pedal operated, motor assisted green pedicabs which draw their power from overhead solar panels.

Over 7,000 players and delegates from over 70 countries will reach Delhi to be a part of the Commonwealth Games Oct 3-14 in the national capital.

These vehicles were developed by CSIR's Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute based in Durgapur.

Kumar said he and his team are working hard to popularise the vehicle and set to hold a rally in its favour. "We are going to hold a rally of at least 50 solar rickshaws in Delhi to create awareness among people about the vehicle that reduces human drudgery and improves environment."

India’s travel industry to expand 5-6 % in 2010

According to InterGlobe Technology Quotient, a leading global travel and technology distribution company, India’s travel industry is likely to grow at 5-6 % 2010, a little higher than the expected global average of 4.5 %.

ITQ CEO J B Singh said, “We expect a steady growth of close to 5-6 per cent for the travel industry of India. A bit above the expected global average of 4.5 per cent”.

He said that the Commonwealth Games in October would drive travel volumes both, inbound and intra India and also boost India’s image as a travel destination.

Singh said that 2009 was a year of many changes in the travel economy for India as overall global markets went down by as much as 15 per cent due to the economic downturn.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in January were estimated 4.91 lakh, an increase of 16.4 per cent over the year ago period. Overseas arrivals had contracted by 17.6 per cent in January 2009 compared to the same month last year.

According to Mr. Singh, adoption of technology is an important factor, which can also help the growth of the Indian travel business. “In 2010 alternate booking solutions via new technologies like mCommerce and taking the travel agent online will have a great impact,” he said.

Singh said the enhanced capacity with aircraft induction as well as reconfiguring of aircraft to full economy would provide greater production in the domestic space. The growth in budget hotels in the organised sector would be another stimulant for the travel industry, Singh said.

MTNL : The Telecom Service Provider for Commonwealth Games 2010

New Delhi: The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTNL) has been finalised as the Telecom Service Provider for the Commonwealth Games 2010. Rs.182 crore has been approved as budget by the Cabinet on Thursday for MTNL for this purpose.

MTNL will provide a robust, effective and failure-proof system of telecommunication. This system will cater to the need of transmission of Games Data, Security Data, High Definition (HDTV) Broadcast signal etc. between Sports venues, International Broadcasting Centre, Main Press Centre, Master Control facilities etc.

With this support of Rs.182 crore from the Government, MTNL will establish an exclusive and dedicated telecommunication network to be obtained on Wet Lease inclusive of supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance and providing professional services.

The proposed network will comprise of two separate networks; the first network will provide coverage to all Games Applications, Administrative and Games Real Time Application, Video Surveillance for security agencies, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Internet Services at all the designated venues alongwith management system. It will be called the Managed Data Network (MDN).

Whereas the second network will provide an exclusive coverage for video application to facilitate Uncompressed High Definition Studio to Studio, video transport from stadium to IBC and Cable Access TV (CATV) Broadcast Network. This network will be called the Broadcast Network (BN).

MTNL has planned network with multiple redundancy using high capacity Internet Protocol / Multi Protocol Label Switching (IP / MPLS) Technology. MTNL would also provide Dark Fibre alongwith IP/MPLS at no cost to the Government.

India Assures Top Level security to World Athletes

NEW DELHI: Amidst the rising terrorist threats against the Commonwealth Games, India has assured tight security for upcoming sporting events including, Indian Premier League cricket and hockey World Cup.

Home Minister P Chidambaram said India would not be deterred from hosting events. He said, "We are committed to provide security to everybody, including coaches, players, officials and whosoever participates. Nobody would be allowed to dictate terms to us."

But some athletes had second thoughts about competing in India after a bombing Saturday night killed 11 people in a bakery popular with foreigners in the western city of Pune.

Concerns grew after the Asia Times Online Web site published a message, reportedly from a Kashmir-based guerrilla commander linked to al-Qaida, warning countries not to send athletes to play in October's Commonwealth Games, the upcoming IPL cricket season and the field hockey World Cup later this month.

"If they do, they will be responsible for the consequences," guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri was quoted as saying.

In response, Australian cricket great Shane Warne said he was reconsidering playing in the IPL if the threats were proven to be credible.

Warne, who is set to leave later this month for India to captain-coach Rajasthan Royals, was quoted in Thursday's The Daily Telegraph newspaper in Sydney that the threat by Pakistani-based militants had him worried.

"The threats of the past 24 hours have certainly got me thinking twice and is of deep concern to athletes across a number of sports," Warne said.

He advised the organizers to consider moving the tournament if the threats are credible.

"We moved it last year at short notice and it can be done, and there is no way organizers will risk the safety of players and officials," he said.

South Africa hosted the Twenty20 IPL tournament last year due to safety concerns in India relating to a general election.

Meanwhile, Indian hockey officials said the government was taking every precaution to secure the men's World Cup starting Feb. 28 and police planned to brief embassy officials about their security plans.

"There is absolutely no need to panic. The commonwealth games security arrangements are foolproof and are taken care at the highest level," the Press Trust of India quoted hockey chief Narinder Batra say saying Thursday.

Australia's field hockey team confirmed Thursday it would take part in the World Cup after being assured there has been "no change to the threat environment" in the country.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation said it was sending two representatives to Delhi on Thursday to assess security, as the Pakistani government cleared its team to play.

The English Hockey Board said it planned to take part and the New Zealand field hockey association also said it would send its team, though it delayed its departure after the terror warning was made public.

Perry Crosswhite, head of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, said Australia was committed to attending the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

"We are going to these games," Crosswhite said Thursday. "We have to continue this way. Unless something happens that does not allow the games to go ahead, we will have a team there."

Ecological Code for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 unveiled

The XIX Commonwealth games in Delhi is all set to be the first ever completely green sporting event. Advancing in this context, today the landmark ecological code for the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi was unvieled, which aims to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in all the stadiums.

The ecological code were released by Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit along with Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organising Committee. Mr. Kalmadi said, "this measure would go a long way to limit the carbon footprint in Delhi and would strive to make the XIX Commonwealth Games pollution free."

He added, "Releasing of the code is the first step towards ensuring that we are successful in our mission of conducting the first ever green games in the history of the Commonwealth Games. The Organising Committee is deeply and passionately committed towards preserving and restoring the environment and establishing a benchmark for low carbon sporting events and will be successful in showcasing Delhi 2010 as sustainable "Green Games".

Also present there was Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Chairman & Green Games Sub-committee OC CWG Delhi 2010, who also acknowledged the Organising Committee 2010 Delhi initiative to launch the drive towards green games concept, educating people and creating awareness for environmental protection.

In his concluding remark, Mr. Kalmadi, gently reminded everyone on the importance of preserving our environment, he said, " Paidh Hai to Sher Hai"

Smt. Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister stated that "all stadia are being constructed to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in stadia during the games." "There is also focus on bio-diverse plantation to offset the carbon footprint", she added.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, reiterated that the XIX Commonwealth Games would be the "greenest Commonwealth Games ever." He further went on to add that "the games would leave a legacy beyond roads and infrastructure; one of greater consciousness of the environment."

Spas & gyms to be rated for Commonwealth Games 2010

New Delhi:After rating the eating joints in delhi, the wellness services, gymnasiums, spas and other such centres running in the capital will soon be rated on the basis of their quality ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2010 to ensure better standards.

NABH, The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, a constituent board of Quality Council of India, has started the process of bringing fitness centres under the grading system.

All gymnasiums, spas, skincare centres, cosmetic care centres, fitness centres and immunisation centres are eligible to get accreditation, according to NABH.

"All wellness centres can fill application form and our specially constituted committee subjected to satisfactory inspection of the facility will give them a certificate of quality services," said Girdhar J Gyani, Secretary General, Quality Council of India.

No effect of Pune blast on Australian Games officials

MELBOURNE: After the blast in Pune, security fears have mounted enormously and the Australian Commonwealth Games officials here have sought more information from the government ahead of the Delhi Commonwealth Games in October this year.

Perry Crosswhite, CEO of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, said he has asked the foreign ministry to give more details about the security in India. He said, "We are renewing our request for information. I have been in touch with foreign affairs this morning".

He said his concerns were not increased by the attack which has been linked to the Pakistan-based terror outfit.

The bomb, hidden in a backpack under a table, exploded on Saturday at the German Bakery restaurant, which is a magnet for young Indians and foreign tourists.

Crosswhite said the athletes would not face the same security risks faced by everyday tourists.

"All the areas where our team is going to be - the village, the airport - are all going to extremely secure". Foreign Afairs ministry has already issues an advisory to all its citizens asking them to exercise caution while they are travelling to India.

The blast killed nine people while upto 57 were left injured which also include a number of foerign citizens.