Illegal Trade In 2012 Resulted With One Trillion Dollar Loss

Illegal trade in 2012 resulted with one trillion dollar loss

International trade volumes and profitability would encouragingly receive a welcome stimulus in case the e-customs 'Single Window' concept was popularised around the world.  

Furthering on the fact that this would then provide what is necessary to accomplish three main concerns related to cross-border trade namely, reducing costs and cross-border transit time while also scrutinizing illegal trafficking of goods, and even intensify border security. This crucial factor have come into existence as a reason that experts and leading customs officials manifested upon the development of the customs sectors within their own countries and regions in a session titled ‘E-Government, An Added Value to Trade,’ at the Middle East debut of the 2013 WCO IT Conference and Exhibition held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The discussion was know to have been kept within proper limits by David Evans who happens to be the Head of Tax and Customs Business Unit, Worldwide, BULL Information Systems.

Mark Hill from Digital Coding and Tracking Association (DCTA), while keeping it as a  keynote speech, said that according to official statistics, the global loss as a result of illegal trade reached about one trillion dollars in 2012, deprivation resulting from piracy reached over than US$250 billion, while deprivation resulted by cigarette smuggling topped US$600 billion, and global tax revenues fell by US$40 billion. He kept it as a special mention that this situation requires cooperation, solidarity, and coordination between countries to put an end to illegal trade while improving legislation, apply new laws, and adopt the latest technologies, e-government applications and tracking solutions which should be as an addition to applying international standards for technology and linking them across-borders using mobile applications as an example, while also creating records for products to ease their tracking and therefore ensuring easy exchange of information and procedures to abolish or reduce illegal trade and smuggling.

An universal means of digital communication

Emphasizing on the new trends in trade and customs, Nick Small, Director IT Solutions, Crown Agents, said that Customs officers must actuate in the manner of spirit the capabilities of new generations and not find new technologies challenging for them, especially with the rapid growth of technology capacities, and with the extensive use of the internet and mobile phones to communicate. He stressed on another factor that the number of mobile phones sold have been hitting more than 1.7 billion units and regarded as likely to reach two billion by 2015 furthering with the growing interest for social media and making it evident as an universal means of digital communication. This trend would undoubtedly act as a contributor significantly to the application of e-solutions and e-government while also add new value to trade.

Nick Small was also known to have emphasized on the need for cooperation between governments and other businesses via the internet and social media, as public and businesses expect their governments to exchange information and data with them using the single-window while making it a crucial point out for customs administrations to keep pace with the technical progress and to respond to the requirements of trade.

Tom Butterly who is the Deputy Director of the Trade and Sustainable Land Management Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) mentioned that the implementation of single windows, particularly in developing countries, has proven a success story. During his presentation titled ‘Single Window 10 Years On' he emphasized about the fact as to where are we now and where are we going?

While keeping it explanatory about a concept of a single window he continued saying that ‘A ‘single window’ is a nationwide facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point which otherwise is one of the key objectives of spreading out strategically an e-government platform in order to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. On the contrary,  if information happens to be electronic same as  the case when using an e-government portal then in that case individual data elements can only be submitted once.

In his presentation titled ‘Single window, Benin cse’, Elie Sawaya, Deputy Managing Director, Bureau Veritas, Congo DR, continued saying that ‘Benin can serve as a great example for successful implementation of the single window system. Lack of visibility over customs revenues and supply chain efficiency were persistent issues for the Benin government earlier. Subsequently, the implementation of the Port Single Window they have registered a boost in states revenues while also elevated operational transparency having almost all improved with efficiency in the supply chain, while Cotonou port waiting time went down from eight days to 48 hours.

The three-day conference which was an event which has brought together over 1,000 senior decision makers representing the World Customs Organization and customs departments of more than 100 countries, including specialists in customs, security and information technology  had a deliberate focus on sharing views, experiences and best practices between global border security agents and other government entities such as customs, environment ministries, municipalities, health authorities, and immigration while it also looked upon the discovery to broaden communication channels between stakeholders to help maintain safer economies and societies inclusive of discussion topics related to customs operations such as control and inspection systems, as well as transport and logistics as the forum’s agenda.

Content resource: an adaptation from Khaleej Times

Image resource: Safe the world

(AW:Samrat Biswas)

 

Panchayat Is Also In Facebook

Now, panchayat is also in Facebook

Even-though they faced injustice while they also gained aspirations, but could'nt raise their voice. Therefore, a group of educated tribal youths from Madhya Pradesh have taken a decision to take matters of the community into their own hands, and made Facebook a platform to exchange views and find solutions.

Furthermore, the 'National Indian Tribal Yuva Shakti' page which have been created nearly seven months ago, on the social networking site has already attracted more than 5,000 members, while hundreds of them will come face-to-face for the first time next week to discuss various issues, including tribal land acquisition by big companies and loss of tribal access to land and other natural resources. The group has decided to organise a Facebook Tribal Meet in Barwani district on May 16, which is likely to be attended by more than three hundred people from Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat. During the meet, the members will be able to discuss their ordeals, issues facing the community, and flaws in redressal mechanism.

Hiralal Alawa, a student of AIIMS, Delhi, and coordinator of the group said that the one-day meet will be held in the community hall of Barwani Nagar Palika which will be attended by nearly 300 youths from seven states, including Madhya Pradesh. They have set up a seven-point agenda of discussion and talks. He further added that they have over 5,000 members, and many of them have shown their interest to attend the meeta  on the contrary they have technical issues and have to invite only a few hundred of them.

Alawa said that in the meet, there will be interactions among youths who will be expressing, clarifying and interpreting their problems having one of the interesting aspects of the event is that, a problem-solving approach will be used to encourage them to make generalisations about various problems. The 30-year-old further continued saying that almost a decade back, it was too risky to be identified as a person who is raising the voice of the tribals which is no longer a taboo to talk about it on Facebook.

Having as a fruitful conclusion, Hiralal, who happens to be a student of AIIMS, Delhi and specialises in immunology branch, urges to share podium with mainstream celebrities and influential businessmen who will be able to understand the problems the tribes face in the country.

Now, even  panchayat is going digital!

That's really Cool!

(AW:Samrat Biswas)

 

Patience is the key

Morning Cable Health Tips: Patience is the key

"Homoeopathy medicine + patience = a smiling cure"

Choice is left to us now, what to choose?

By saying which I mean that …"It's not just about having homoeopathy medicine but also having it from the right person".

There is a predominant fact that many of us don’t have that trust factor when it comes to Homoeopathy medicine. Infact, we sometimes speak out showing frustration on our face that it’s a time taking process! As if the world is not going to exist from the next moment. It’s nothing but lack of awareness or may be lack of realization of one’s impatience which is furthermore a serious disease. Patience is the key

Homoeopathy is a medical area which needs no surgery but only patience for it to cure us completely from the very root of the disease. Treatment happens through Liquid/Powder/Pills with self composed formulations. If we can promise ourselves of maintaining patience then perhaps we might not have to think any more but have the medicine as per the instructions given by the Doctor and lead a happy healthy life.

Homoeopathy can cure minor problems like fever, cold and hair loss to chronice problems like Arthritis, Cancer and sodias even Spondilitis, Backache, Allergies, Migrane, Eye problems.

There is also another prominent fact about Homoeopathy that it only has effect on us but no side effects if taken with perfect expertise combination, which means it’s not only important to have Homoeopathy medicine but also having it from the right person is equally vital. The proper combination from the right expert can be like a magic. It gets over before we realize! There are certain instructions which are generally given by the Doctors while we have Homoeopathy. Some of them are like garlic, onion and other equally powerfully flavored items should be avoided or taken only after being boiled. Furthermore, there should be some time gap maintained between the intake of the medicine and the food items.

If we can maintain the above mentioned points then we can undoubtedly be sure to get treated completely from Homoeopathy medicine from the root of the disease, forever!

Let us not fall into any controversy rather further ourselves toward this honest motive, at the most you might end up loosing 500 bucks if at all, otherwise gain from a lifetime success while ruining your chronic disease forever!

Choice is yours, Happy health!

Image source: Homoeopathy

(AW:Samrat Biswas)

 

"NO TIME FOR ME" 

"Let us enjoy our children for what they are And not for what we want them to be".

Todays materialistic lifestyle accompanying with busy schedules of parents are increasingly depriving their children of their company and therefore, they are growing up encompassingly protective in their own world.

Furthermore, a study by Assocham Ladies League (ALL) shows that more than 65 percent of youngsters between the age of eight and 24 get to spend less than one hour with their parents. As a result of which there comes a situation where youngsters become aloof, introverted, impatient and intolerant, explained the study.

The study added that as predominant fact, parents are reaching home much later in the evening and leaving home much earlier in the morning and the consequences of this are that

with the growing number of nuclear families, there is no one to look after the children in their absence.

According to the ALL Global Chairperson Harbeen Arora, since violence and abuse emerge from complex causes, we require participation of multiple stakeholders in addressing the issue. The practices of responding to complaints and victims must become more sensitive and supportive, and civil society is ready to help in such endeavors.

In fact, the study emphasized on the fact that the majority of youth spend less time in and with their families resulting in displaying relationships. Most of the respondents rarely shared any problems with their parents. In the way just indicated, problems of communication, inadequate expression and lack of parental support have been recognized as factors associated with behavioural problems in children and adolescents.

Interestingly, Urvashi Butalia Director & Co-founder, Kali for Woman said that rape and sexual violence are not merely women’s issues rather they are a symbol of the deep-seated violence that women and other marginalized people tend to experience every day in our society. Therefore, a mindset change is required while there is a need for inculcating values for respecting women in our education and culture.

At the concluding phase the study firther added that abuse and violence in families not only affects the psyche of a child but also hampers growth and development and as a result of homes  where domestic violence is occurring children are also more likely to exhibit violent and unusual behaviour and tend to be intolerant and impatient.

That's perhaps an unavoidable truth when it comes to the present day scenario that the children have to undergo with a heavy load on their shoulder, and a heavy volume of study in their young brain.

Yes, blissful childhood is now a thing of the past, it's no more into existence which is disgraceful!

Finally,

“Let their childhood be enjoyable through playing! Explore through playing! Learn

through playing! And grow through playing!”

(AW:Samrat Biswas)

 

Lord Ganesha In Brinjal

Reincarnation of Lord Ganesha in brinjal

 

Dozens of devotees are gathering a makeshift temple set up by an Indian caterer in Leicester after he found a brinjal that looks like Lord Ganesha.

To go further, the Sun reported that Praful Visram, 61, discovered the brinjal in a box of vegetables and now proudly displays in the backroom at his workplace while he claims Lord Ganesha has blessed him and he is simply honouring the divine wish by putting it on display.

Praful was quoted by The Sun that his wife, Rekha, saw it and recognised the similarity with Ganpati Bappa — Lord Ganesha In Brinjal. They immediately placed it with reverence in the temple at work as it has been a blessing for them and they hope it will bring them luck and prosperity.

Furthermore, Praful who runs a catering unit said that that this has been sent to them and they shall treat this with the respect it deserves. Nowadays, Praful and his family are joined by his catering staff twice a day to worship the divine vegetable.

Praful added that he said word has spread and over 80 people have turned up to worship the elephant-faced aubergine and it is said to have been spreading good feeling throughout the community.

Devotees worshipping the vegetable believe it to be a reincarnation of Ganpati Bappa and have vowed to give the brinjal a full Hindu funeral, once it decomposes according to the report.

To conclude, one of Praful’s worker Bacash said that there is no doubt that it looks like the God.

Let us not fall into controversy whether it's a reincarnation of Ganpati Bappa or not it is undoutedly something enough to make people be holy!

A belief is what matter!

(AW:Samrat Biswas)

Satyajit Rays 92nd Birthday

Google Doodle celebrates Satyajit Ray's 92nd birthday ! 

Satyajit Ray honoured with Google doodle on 92nd birth anniversary

To honour the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's contribution to movies and literature, Google India has come up with a doodle to commemorate his 92nd birthday on Thursday. Furthermore, the doodle is based on a scene from Ray's first film Pather Panchali (from the Apu trilogy) where Apu and Durga are running through a field where Kaash flowers (a typical vegetation heralding the advent of autumn in Bengal) are in full bloom.

According to Sandeep Menon, director-marketing, Google India, they are constantly inspired by great stories and people and their humble tribute captures a scene from Ray's first film. Visitors to Google India homepage will be greeted with information on Ray's life and movies.

As the interesting fact remain, top searches on Google were 'Satyajit Ray movies', 'Satyajit Ray Institute' and on his widely loved fictional detective character Feluda.

To conclude, Singer Jagjit Singh was the last Indian to feature on Google Doodle in February.

The versatile genius filmmaker has left us long back but remained in our heart and soul forever!

(AW:Samrat Biswas)