Bangalore, Jul 14 (UNI) India's leading Mining and Construction equipment manufacturer Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) has bagged export orders worth Rs 44.50 crore from two African countries.
The orders comprised of 35 equipment worth Rs 21.50 crore from Tunisia, and Rs 13 crore for 18 equipment from Malawi, according to a BEML release here today.
The Equipment ranged from Small Size Bull Dozers to Back Hoe Loaders, Wheel Loaders and Hydraulic Excavators.
Recently BEML had bagged Mining Equipment orders from Indonesia worth of Rs 207 crores.
BEML has established its presence in more than 52 countries and has been consistently focussing on the international business activities with major thrust on Asia Pacific, Middle East and African markets.
To increase its overseas market penetration, BEML has set up its Offices in China, Malaysia and Brazil.
BEML has Order an Book of Rs 4000 Crore and with the expected orders in the pipe line, soon the Order Book will cross Rs 5000 Crore. BEML plans to achieve a sale of Rs 3600 Crore in the fiscal year 2008-09.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Scottish pupils helping youngsters in Malawi
Education is something many of us take for granted but for the children of Malawai it's a life line that could help pull the country out of poverty. With the help of some Scottish school pupils, charity Mary's Meals is helping to not only feed the mouths of world's poorest but also using the opportunity to feed their minds.
The youngsters from Holyrood School in Edinburgh arrived in Malawi to a warm welcome. They brought with them over 2,000 backpacks donated by children from Scotland. Each contained a set of simple tools that Scottish pupils may take for granted.
Education important to malawi youngsters
Pencils, pens and paper are a rare treat for children in a country where almost half of its population lives below the poverty line.
Peter Nkhata from Mary's Meals said: "Each time when we come to a new school, the enrolment goes up quite a lot. In some cases we have registered up to 20% increases. And we know that children wouldn't come to school before would come to school to get a meal.
For the youngsters from Glasgow, handing out the backpacks was an emotional occassion. Sharandeep Singh from Holyrood Secondary, Glasgow said: "I've rarely come across a kid without a
Education linked to feeding programme
smile and I think that's something that will stay with me forever. Anna Campbell from Holyrood Secondary, Glasgow said: "It's not the same - hearing about it and then actually being out here. Totally changes your perspective of what the whole project's about."
Many thousands of children queue up at lunchtime to be served a bowl of nutritional porridge that has all the vitamins in it they need to stay alert not only throughout the day but also to keep them healthy in the long-term.
The feeding programme has been such a success that schools in countries like Malawi have seen increases in attendance of up to 30%. Without the promise of a square meal every day many of the children would not attend school. They wpuld spend most of their time begging or scavenging for food.
Experts say the only way these youngsters can expect to escape the poverty trap is through education.
The youngsters from Holyrood School in Edinburgh arrived in Malawi to a warm welcome. They brought with them over 2,000 backpacks donated by children from Scotland. Each contained a set of simple tools that Scottish pupils may take for granted.
Education important to malawi youngsters
Pencils, pens and paper are a rare treat for children in a country where almost half of its population lives below the poverty line.
Peter Nkhata from Mary's Meals said: "Each time when we come to a new school, the enrolment goes up quite a lot. In some cases we have registered up to 20% increases. And we know that children wouldn't come to school before would come to school to get a meal.
For the youngsters from Glasgow, handing out the backpacks was an emotional occassion. Sharandeep Singh from Holyrood Secondary, Glasgow said: "I've rarely come across a kid without a
Education linked to feeding programme
smile and I think that's something that will stay with me forever. Anna Campbell from Holyrood Secondary, Glasgow said: "It's not the same - hearing about it and then actually being out here. Totally changes your perspective of what the whole project's about."
Many thousands of children queue up at lunchtime to be served a bowl of nutritional porridge that has all the vitamins in it they need to stay alert not only throughout the day but also to keep them healthy in the long-term.
The feeding programme has been such a success that schools in countries like Malawi have seen increases in attendance of up to 30%. Without the promise of a square meal every day many of the children would not attend school. They wpuld spend most of their time begging or scavenging for food.
Experts say the only way these youngsters can expect to escape the poverty trap is through education.
Malawi Commissions its First Uranium Mining Project
Malawi’s government has commissioned the country’s first uranium project, an effort that is expected to boost the economy. The mine will be located in the northern district of Karonga. The approval of the Kayerekera Uranium Project came after critics withdrew their court injunction against it. Voice of America English to Africa Service’s Lameck Masina reports on its expected benefits.
Economists say the ten-year project is expected to boost Malawi’s foreign exchange earnings by 20%. It’s set to begin in December and will be managed by the Australian mining company Paladin Africa Limited.
Prominent economist Goodall Gondwe is Malawi’s minister of finance. He says the project is expected to contribute greatly to annual export earnings, “You [we] are looking at more than 40% addition to our export now. This is huge. It means [if] this project is successful, we will in fact pass the one billion US dollar mark in exports and the impact of that on the economy is enormous.”
Until now, tobacco has been Malawi’s main export, contributing most of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The new mine may change that, producing an expected 100 tons of uranium every year.
But civil society organizations opposed the government’s decision to grant a license to Paladin Africa Limited. They said the company had not addressed possible environmental and health problems.
They said gas released from the mines could cause a number of illnesses, including cancer, kidney infection and brain damage. They also expressed concern over the wastewater from the mines.
But the government said Paladin had met all legal requirements and all the environmental issues had been dealt with. Unconvinced, the NGOs obtained a court injunction to prevent the government from approving the project. The case was settled out of court amid allegations from other civil society groups that their representatives accepted kickbacks to back down.
Undule Mwakasungura is the executive director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, one of the NGOs that strongly opposed the project. He explains the change of heart, “The discussions have been very honest, very honorable and I believe that it is important that at a certain point decisions should be made for the interest of the country. And this is what we made. The issue of motivating us with money was not there. Whether we are corrupt or not, it’s up to the people of Karonga to judge us. But I believe we have made a better decision for the interest of this country.”
Mwakasungura says both the government and Paladin have agreed to address all the concerns raised by the civil society organizations.
John Borshoff is the managing director of Paladin. He says his company will adhere to the terms of the out-of-court settlement. They include the establishment of a new NGO, which will be part of a broader monitoring group that will keep an eye on the environmental and health impact of Paladin’s mining operations.
The company has also amended its social responsibility program, which now includes the allocation of $8 million towards upgrading the water supply for the surrounding communities.
Only five countries in the world produce and export uranium -- Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, Namibia and Russia. If the Kayerekera Uranium Project succeeds, Malawi will join them.
Economists say the ten-year project is expected to boost Malawi’s foreign exchange earnings by 20%. It’s set to begin in December and will be managed by the Australian mining company Paladin Africa Limited.
Prominent economist Goodall Gondwe is Malawi’s minister of finance. He says the project is expected to contribute greatly to annual export earnings, “You [we] are looking at more than 40% addition to our export now. This is huge. It means [if] this project is successful, we will in fact pass the one billion US dollar mark in exports and the impact of that on the economy is enormous.”
Until now, tobacco has been Malawi’s main export, contributing most of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The new mine may change that, producing an expected 100 tons of uranium every year.
But civil society organizations opposed the government’s decision to grant a license to Paladin Africa Limited. They said the company had not addressed possible environmental and health problems.
They said gas released from the mines could cause a number of illnesses, including cancer, kidney infection and brain damage. They also expressed concern over the wastewater from the mines.
But the government said Paladin had met all legal requirements and all the environmental issues had been dealt with. Unconvinced, the NGOs obtained a court injunction to prevent the government from approving the project. The case was settled out of court amid allegations from other civil society groups that their representatives accepted kickbacks to back down.
Undule Mwakasungura is the executive director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, one of the NGOs that strongly opposed the project. He explains the change of heart, “The discussions have been very honest, very honorable and I believe that it is important that at a certain point decisions should be made for the interest of the country. And this is what we made. The issue of motivating us with money was not there. Whether we are corrupt or not, it’s up to the people of Karonga to judge us. But I believe we have made a better decision for the interest of this country.”
Mwakasungura says both the government and Paladin have agreed to address all the concerns raised by the civil society organizations.
John Borshoff is the managing director of Paladin. He says his company will adhere to the terms of the out-of-court settlement. They include the establishment of a new NGO, which will be part of a broader monitoring group that will keep an eye on the environmental and health impact of Paladin’s mining operations.
The company has also amended its social responsibility program, which now includes the allocation of $8 million towards upgrading the water supply for the surrounding communities.
Only five countries in the world produce and export uranium -- Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, Namibia and Russia. If the Kayerekera Uranium Project succeeds, Malawi will join them.
Malawi prepares for fourth mobile licence; but still to announce winner of third
Applications for Malawi’s fourth mobile licence are being accepted until July 25, even though the third licence auctioned in March is yet to be awarded.
Celtel Malawi’s handset prices dropped to US$18 after the government removed customs and excise duties on imported phones.
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) received five bids for the third licence to join the existing operators Celtel Malawi and Telkom Networks Malawi (TNM).
The uncertainty of the situation raises concerns for the known bidders of the third licence - Malcom, Megatel Communications, Globally Integrated Networks, Econet Wireless and US-based Millenium Global Telecom - which without knowledge of the outcome of the third licence, may be unsure of their strategy for the fourth.
MACRA advised it will grant licences for the third and fourth mobile network operators as soon as the government appoints a new board of directors for the regulator, after the dissolution of the previous one.
Meanwhile current market leader Celtel announced it had dropped handset prices by 35 per cent, reducing the price of its subsidised ZTE A61 dual-band GSM handset from K3900 (US$28) to K2499.
Celtel Malawi’s acting commercial director, Saulos Chilima said the operator had invested K90 million in the initiative and that the cellco’s pricing structure had also been revised.
Earlier in June, the country’s finance minister Goodall Gondwe declared the removal of a 25 per cent customs and excise duty on imported mobile phone handsets. However the government did introduce in its place a 10 per cent domestic excise tax on airtime.
Celtel Malawi also publicised its plans to invest US$90 million over the 2008/09 financial year in upgrading its network and extending coverage to all parts of the country.
The mobile penetration rate of Malawi is around 10 per cent of the 14 million residents, with Celtel announcing they had reached one million subscribers last week.
Recycled bikes making a difference;
In the small southeast African nation of Malawi, adults and children ride bicycles for work, for travel or even to reach medical attention. And some of their bikes come from Peterborough.
The local branch of Africycle Canada collected more than 150 bikes at The Third Space, on the corner of Park and Wolfe streets, Saturday afternoon.
"We collect bikes and pack them in a shipping container to send to our Africycle shop in Malawi," said David Blondel.
"These are bikes that come from people's sheds, garages and basements. We keep them out of the landfill and recycle the bikes into a community that really needs them."
In Malawi, Blondel said, "people use bikes for everything, work, travel, to get to medical care."
In Africa you see entire families piled onto bikes, or people carrying goats or tables or food on their bikes, Blondel said.
"The profits made by Africycle in Malawi are used to fund a school for disabled children and a water project."
The local team is part of the national Africycle network established four years ago in Uxbridge, Ont.
"We are trying to introduce quality bikes to communities in Malawi," Blondel said explaining an old used North American bike is of better quality than new bikes found in Malawi.
Mike Siddall, from Uxbridge, is one of the founders of Africycle Canada and he was on-hand for the bike collection Saturday.
"The last collection from Peterborough arrived in Malawi in June," Siddall said.
He was at the Africycle shop in Malawi when the shipment of 600 bikes arrived to help teach local staff how to prepare them for sale.
"We couldn't get them ready fast enough," Siddall said. "Even if we could get 2,000 bikes to the shop this year we wouldn't keep up with demand."
The key, Siddall said, is Africycle sells better quality, refurbished bikes at a cheaper price.
"And the money raised is injected back into their own community to help the kids who really need it," he said.
The Ride for Africycle tour around Lake Ontario from Friday to July 26 is a major fundraiser for the organization, he said.
Blondel will be one of seven riders gearing up for the 1,000 kilometres ride around Lake Ontario.
For information on the ride, about Africycle or to donate visit their web-site www.rideforafricycle.com.
The local branch of Africycle Canada collected more than 150 bikes at The Third Space, on the corner of Park and Wolfe streets, Saturday afternoon.
"We collect bikes and pack them in a shipping container to send to our Africycle shop in Malawi," said David Blondel.
"These are bikes that come from people's sheds, garages and basements. We keep them out of the landfill and recycle the bikes into a community that really needs them."
In Malawi, Blondel said, "people use bikes for everything, work, travel, to get to medical care."
In Africa you see entire families piled onto bikes, or people carrying goats or tables or food on their bikes, Blondel said.
"The profits made by Africycle in Malawi are used to fund a school for disabled children and a water project."
The local team is part of the national Africycle network established four years ago in Uxbridge, Ont.
"We are trying to introduce quality bikes to communities in Malawi," Blondel said explaining an old used North American bike is of better quality than new bikes found in Malawi.
Mike Siddall, from Uxbridge, is one of the founders of Africycle Canada and he was on-hand for the bike collection Saturday.
"The last collection from Peterborough arrived in Malawi in June," Siddall said.
He was at the Africycle shop in Malawi when the shipment of 600 bikes arrived to help teach local staff how to prepare them for sale.
"We couldn't get them ready fast enough," Siddall said. "Even if we could get 2,000 bikes to the shop this year we wouldn't keep up with demand."
The key, Siddall said, is Africycle sells better quality, refurbished bikes at a cheaper price.
"And the money raised is injected back into their own community to help the kids who really need it," he said.
The Ride for Africycle tour around Lake Ontario from Friday to July 26 is a major fundraiser for the organization, he said.
Blondel will be one of seven riders gearing up for the 1,000 kilometres ride around Lake Ontario.
For information on the ride, about Africycle or to donate visit their web-site www.rideforafricycle.com.
Is President hitting it out with divorced former First Lady ?
Is Malawian President Bingu Mutharika doing the Madiba Act?
Well not that he is turning 90 or being jailed for 27 years, Mutharika is reportedly hitting it out with former Zambian First Lady, Vera Chiluba.
Nelson Mandela, divorced his wife, Winnie and settled for Mozambique former First Lady Gracai Machel, the widow of Mozambican President Samora Machel.
Weekend reports from Malawi say hardly a year after the death of his Zimbabwean wife of 40 years, Ethel Mutharika, Mr. Bingu Mutharika is linked with Vera Chiluba.
Vera was divorced from Zambia’s ex-ruler Fredrick Chiluba in late 2001 on allegations of adultery.
She was suspected to have been in an illicit affair with a business tycoon, Archie Mactribouy. She was Chiluba’s second wife and had nine children together.
Sexy gifts
According to a Malawian publication, the two have been exchanging “sexy gifts” and Vera has sent the Malawi ruler several presents ranging from men’s underwear to her own knickers as well as potency pills.
It says its source disclosed that Vera has been visiting the Malawi leader at the New State House, a claim which a State House source in Lilongwe confirmed.
"We have been hosting Vera,” a journal quoted an officer working at State. It added that a senior aide to Mutharika said the matter was "mere speculation" until it becomes “official”.
Not marriage material
The President’s brother Prof Peter Mutharika, reportedly advised Bingu to be in love, but not to marry, according to sources close to the Head of State.
The publication says that another State House informant disclosed that Vera was last seen as a special guest of Mutharika a week before the Malawi leader flew to the Egyptian Holiday Resort of Sharma El-Sheikh for the 11th session of the African Union Summit.
She was here before the President left for Egypt," said the source.
However, Mutharika has been linked to several high ranking government women namely Majorie Ngaunje [former health minister], Anna Kachikho [Women’s minister] and Patricia Botomani Kaliati [Information Minister] since the death of his wife.
During her divorce, Vera Chiluba asked for a settlement of $2.5 billion (more than three quarters of her county’s Gross Domestic Product) in addition to a share of concrete assets including six houses and a farm, she is also reported to have demanded over 400 cows, sheep, and goats. Since it is unknown exactly how much the ex-president was worth or how he was able to acquire the money this case has not yet been settled and Vera is living off government assistance. She was also reported to have refused to surrender her diplomatic passport.
Wasaga drowning robs family of 'one in a million'
Family and friends gathered yesterday at the Darusalam mosque in the Don Mills Rd.- Overlea Blvd. area to say good-bye to a Toronto man who drowned at Wasaga Beach.
Irfan Jogiat, 20, died Saturday after the dinghy he was in was blown into the deeper water off the popular Georgian Bay beach and he went into the water. Although two passersby attempted CPR, they were unable to resuscitate him.
"We're six siblings but he was one in a million," said Farhana Jogiat Khote, his 24-year-old sister.
"It's a big shock for us. He was a hero to many."
"We believe it was to be. God decides when it is time for everyone to go," said Khote.
Many of those who gathered at the Pine Ridge Memorial Garden in Pickering, where Jogiat was buried, had difficulty letting go.
"Nobody was willing to let the coffin go," said Khote.
"They just stood there for hours, waiting and mourning."
She described the outpouring of support for the family as amazing.
"It's phenomenal the amount of friends he's made and the lives he's touched."
His family immigrated to Canada in November 2004 from the small African nation of Malawi. It was that heritage that earned him his high school nickname.
"He was known as Malawi and his brother Mohammed as mini-Malawi since he kept teaching the other students about the country," Khote said.
EDUCATED OTHERS
Jogiat had recently graduated from Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute where he was known among friends as a great fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as being a player and coach for local hockey teams.
Educating others was an important part of Jogiat's life. He would spend his spare time away from his studies tutoring young children in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood his family called home.
"The community is really reaching out to us. He left an immeasurable amount of impact on those around him," his sister said.
The Muslim religion played an important part in his life as he earned the title of Hafiz at the young age of 11. The honour is reserved for those who have memorized the entire Koran.
Jogiat hoped to one day become an aviation technician.
"He liked to look up into the sky at planes," said Khote.
"He didn't want the hassle of being a pilot so this was the closest thing for him."
Irfan Jogiat, 20, died Saturday after the dinghy he was in was blown into the deeper water off the popular Georgian Bay beach and he went into the water. Although two passersby attempted CPR, they were unable to resuscitate him.
"We're six siblings but he was one in a million," said Farhana Jogiat Khote, his 24-year-old sister.
"It's a big shock for us. He was a hero to many."
"We believe it was to be. God decides when it is time for everyone to go," said Khote.
Many of those who gathered at the Pine Ridge Memorial Garden in Pickering, where Jogiat was buried, had difficulty letting go.
"Nobody was willing to let the coffin go," said Khote.
"They just stood there for hours, waiting and mourning."
She described the outpouring of support for the family as amazing.
"It's phenomenal the amount of friends he's made and the lives he's touched."
His family immigrated to Canada in November 2004 from the small African nation of Malawi. It was that heritage that earned him his high school nickname.
"He was known as Malawi and his brother Mohammed as mini-Malawi since he kept teaching the other students about the country," Khote said.
EDUCATED OTHERS
Jogiat had recently graduated from Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute where he was known among friends as a great fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as being a player and coach for local hockey teams.
Educating others was an important part of Jogiat's life. He would spend his spare time away from his studies tutoring young children in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood his family called home.
"The community is really reaching out to us. He left an immeasurable amount of impact on those around him," his sister said.
The Muslim religion played an important part in his life as he earned the title of Hafiz at the young age of 11. The honour is reserved for those who have memorized the entire Koran.
Jogiat hoped to one day become an aviation technician.
"He liked to look up into the sky at planes," said Khote.
"He didn't want the hassle of being a pilot so this was the closest thing for him."
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