Panetta Commends Jacoby

 For Northcom Fire Assistance
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
 WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 - In an afternoon call to the commander of U.S. Northern Command, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commended Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. for leading the Defense Department's effort to support the fight against Colorado's raging wildfires.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command, for an update on the Colorado wildfires threatening Colorado Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy, June 28, 2012. DOD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  The secretary also commended National Guard and Northcom support to the National Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho, which coordinates firefighting efforts. Jacoby updated Panetta on the effort to quell wildfires affecting Colorado Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the secretary instructed the Northcom commander to provide assets to the extent they are needed by federal or state authorities. The Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs has burned more than 18,500 acres of land, forcing the evacuation of at least 32,000 people and threatening more than 20,000 structures in the area, including many homes of military families. Four C-130 aircraft equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems have so far flown 47 sorties dropping more than 100,000 gallons of fire retardant. Acting under immediate response authorities, the Army has provided bulldozers, other heavy equipment and hundreds of soldiers to cut fire breaks. Twenty two fire trucks from five military bases, including the academy, have joined the effort. Military personnel are providing housing, meals and medical care at temporary shelters on Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson. Panetta praised the Colorado Springs community for its resilience during the crisis, and Jacoby noted that the academy remained open to in-process the class of 2016. The secretary concluded the call by asking Jacoby to keep him informed as firefighting efforts continue.

Biographies: Leon E. Panetta Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. Related Sites: U.S. Northern Command Related Articles: Northcom Continues Fire Suppression Efforts Air Force Reserve Crews Join Fight Against Colorado Fires

First Lady Touts Spouse Licensure Successes

By Lisa Daniel and Amaani Lyle American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 26, 2012 - Continuing her efforts to ease employment challenges from duty-related moves, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn in Chicago today as the state became the 23rd to facilitate the transfer of military spouses' professional licenses. Obama joined Quinn at the Illinois National Guard Armory, where the governor signed the "Military Family Licensing Act" into law. Military spouses are the "folks who are giving their heart and soul to this country every single day," Obama said. "Every time our country asks them to pick up their families and move across the country at a moment's notice, they do it and they do it with pride." The first lady also reminded spectators that homefront duties remain -- and increase -- for working military spouses while their uniformed husbands or wives serve overseas for months or years on end. "On top of all that, they are some of the best volunteers in their communities," Obama said. "They still find time to participate on the [Parent-Teacher Association], in their parish council, to support the Little League and the Girl Scouts. So we owe it to these individuals to get this licensing issue right." The first lady said she intends to renew the call to action for all U.S. states to facilitate license transfers for military spouses. "This is an eminently solvable problem," she added. Getting states to ease the transfer of professional licenses for military spouses is a key issue for the "Joining Forces" campaign Obama started last year with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden. They've set a goal of having all 50 states ease the burden of accepting military spouses' out-of-state licenses by 2014. In states without the eased restrictions, military spouses spend too much time compiling and transferring documents and being retested, and many decide it's too much trouble, Marcus Beauregard, the Defense Department's state liaison chief, told American Forces Press Service in a June 22 interview. "We started looking at how to truncate that time," he said. States require licenses for those in virtually every medical occupation, as well as teaching, social work, cosmetology and other fields, and the requirements vary from state to state, Beauregard said. Of working military spouses, one-third work in fields that require licenses, and most of those are medical, he said. To ease the burden, some new state laws allow military spouses to transfer an out-of-state license with an endorsement of the office that issued it, Beauregard said, while others will accept the licenses with documents that validate the license or the holder's clean business record, and other states issue temporary licenses for spouses to do business. "We don't ask them to lower any standards," he said. "We just ask them to encompass military spouses in licensure more quickly." Teachers, generally, must go through a different process through each state's Board of Education, Beauregard said. Attorneys also have not been part of the legislative effort, as their licenses must be approved by each state's Bar Association. Last year, spouses in the legal profession created The Military Spouse JD Network, which lobbies the American Bar Association and state Bars to make attorney licenses more portable for military spouses, officials with the network said. Military spouses whose work requires a license should prepare well ahead of a move by having a copy of their current license, as well as any documents needed to show the license is in good standing , Beauregard said. "They need to be prepared for that transition, and hopefully, we will have the processes in place now to make it happen more quickly," he added. While processes vary from state to state, Beauregard said, license approvals usually happen in the state's division of occupational licensing, as part of a consumer protection office, or a state board of health or education. Since its launch, the Joining Forces initiative has helped significant numbers of military spouses and veterans alike, the first lady said today in Chicago. "I want all of our military families to know that America does have your backs," she said. "It is really a country that appreciates and cares about your service. Whether it's fixing this licensing issue, or helping you find a job, or making sure that you and your family have the health care and benefits you've earned, we are working hard every day to serve you as well as you have served this country."

Related Sites: Joining Forces Special Report: Military Family Support Military Homefront Spouse Employment Information Military Homefront State Licensure Information

Meet the challenges faced by the countr

A call to strengthen the party organizations by CPI 

With a call to strengthen the party organization to meet the challenges faced by the country in the wake of neo-liberal policies, which have brought country’s economy to doll drums and also to struggle against mafias and attempts to spread fundamentalism in the state, the 21st District  Conference of the CPI Ludhiana unit held under the chairmanship of a presidium constituted by Dr Arun Mitra, Com. O P Meha, Com Amrik Singh, Com Gurnam Gill and Com Jit Kumari elected Com Kartar Singh Bowani as the district secretary unanimolusly and Dr Arun Mitra and D P Maur as Assistat Secretaries. Dr Joginder Dayal-member Central Executive Committee and Com Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal State Secretary participated as observers. 130 delegates participated in the conference. District Secretary Com Kartar Singh Bowani presented the report of activities in the past and the achievements of the party. After his report a vibrant debate was held on the present political situation in the state and the country and the state. The delegates also discussed the steps to be taken to strengthen the party and take the message to the masses. Dr Dayal gave a detailed account of present political scenario and Com Nirmal Dhaliwal stressed on the need for a strong organization. The report was passed unanimously. District conference also elected a 63 member district council Conference also elected a 15 member delegation to participate in the state conference to be held at Ludhiana from 7th to 9th July 2012. The conference decided to participate in a big number in the pre state conference rally on 7th July.
(Dr Arun Mitra)
Asstt. Secretary 

Airstrike Kills Taliban Leader in Afghanistan

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, , June 22, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition airstrike killed Nabi Rahman, a Taliban leader and explosives expert, during an operation in the Watahpur district of Afghanistan's Kunar province today, military officials reported. Rahman had coordinated the movement of insurgents in the region, provided explosive materials and training to insurgents, and planned attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. After the strike, the security force conducted a follow-on assessment and confirmed Rahman had been killed, officials said. Officials said no civilians were harmed and no property was damaged. In other Afghanistan operations today: -- A combined force killed several insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Baghlan province. The security force also detained numerous suspects and seized one AK-47 rifle with a grenade launcher, one pistol, some ammunition and more than a dozen grenades. -- In the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Zabul province, a combined force killed an insurgent weapons trafficker and one other insurgent. The security force also seized several AK-47 rifles and a grenade. -- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained a Taliban weapons facilitator in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The security force also detained several other suspects and seized a weapon. -- A combined force detained several suspects and confiscated multiple AK-47 rifles during a search for a Taliban leader in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province. -- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained a Haqqani leader and several other suspects in the Musa Khel district of Khost province. The leader is linked to the planning of the June 20 suicide bombing in Khost province. -- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Haqqani leader. He is another Haqqani leader linked to the June 20 suicide attack in Khost. -- A combined force detained a Taliban leader who specializes in IEDs and two other suspects in the Wali Muhammad Shahid Khugyani district of Ghazni province. The leader was involved in the construction, transportation and placement of IED's used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also provided information to senior Taliban leaders in the region. And on June 21, a combined force discovered a cache containing 1,995 pounds of hashish in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The drugs were destroyed.

Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force

New targets by old friends

India and Russia set US$ 20 BN bilateral trade target by 2015
India plans to invest US$1 trillion in infrastructure in next five years: Anand Sharma
India keen to participate in Pharma 2020 programThe Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma today addressed a group of political and business leaders from Russia and India at the third “India-Russia Business Dialogue” which was held under the umbrella of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2012.

Speaking on the historical bonds between the two nations, Shri Sharma said that India and Russia today share a “special and privileged strategic partnership” which permeates the entire spectrum of economic activity.

Highlighting the fact that the GDP of both the countries is over US$ 3 trillion, Shri Sharma further added that the bilateral trade between India and Russia in 2011 was in the range of US$ 9 billion. “We have set for ourselves an ambitious target of reaching US$ 20 billion by 2015. However, there is a need to diversify the trade basket between our countries as the current profile of trade is dominated by commodities with large imports of iron, steel, fertilizer and oil from Russia. We need to expand the trade basket to have more value added products,” he underlined during the event.

India is also planning to invest US$ 1 trillion in the infrastructure sector alone in the next five years. For this, Shri Sharma welcomed Russian participation to build a strong infrastructure base in India. “We are also building gas and oil pipelines and Russian companies have considerable expertise in pipeline construction technologies which will greatly be valued. In the telecom sector, of course, we have seen the emergence of flourishing partnerships between India and Russia which will see investments of over US$ 1.5 billion in the coming years” said Shri Sharma.

During his address, Shri Anand Sharma informed that India aims to double its food processing capabilities in the next five years with the establishment of 64 fully equipped Agro Processing Zones and Food Parks. He said that Russia “can be an invaluable partner to develop cross sectoral linkages in the entire value addition chain from agriculture to retail, packaging and logistics.” “I am confident that the coming weeks will see the emergence of political consensus on liberalizing FDI in Multi-brand retail which will open immense opportunities,” Shri Sharma added.

With the rolling out of the National Manufacturing Policy last year, Shri Sharma showed his interest to invite Russian companies both in the development of industrial townships as well as in investments which will flow into these zones.

We are keen to participate in the Pharma 2020 program of Russia where Russian Government has ambitious plans in developing pharmaceutical industry with an objective to reducing healthcare cost,” said Shri Sharma.

The event was co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of Russian Federation, Mr. D. Rogozin. Mr. Cheremin, Chairman, Business Council for Cooperation with India; Mr. Adi Godrej, President, CII; Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to Russian Federation and business leaders from Russia and India attended the event.   (PIB)       21-June-2012 16:20 IST
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Appeal to help 7 year old Nagma

Help Nagma for successful stem cell transplantation 
Ludhiana, 15th June, 2012 (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) 7 year old Ms Nagma (Hospital No: -C-7372377) is diagnosed to have severe Aplastic Anemia, a disease in which all her blood cells stop their production from the bone marrow. Patients with aplastic anemia require multiple blood transfusions and may have life threatening infections and bleeding as the cells to protect the body from these are absent.Appeal to help 7 year old Nagma

            Her only hope for cure is Haematopoietic stem cell transplant with cure rate of 80-90 % is done at the right time. She is fortunate to find a full house HLA match in her younger sister. The estimated expense of a stem cell transplant is approximately cost Rs. 8 to 10 Lakhs. Her father is a truck driver and is unable to meet the daily needs let alone bear the cost of transplant.
Parents who have 3 daughters is keen to proceed with the treatment of their eldest daughter. Christian Medical College is providing free bed charges and is arranging some free facilities and medication. However, the added expenses need to be met. This is a request to all the well wishers to donate for this young girl and give her a second chance to live. If any one is willing to contribute for the same please contact Clinical haematology office – 0161-5037957 (cmcbmt@gmail.com) or All drafts/Cheque may be taken in favour of “Christian Medical College Ludhiana, Society” and please write  Nagma - C-7372377 at the back of the cheque.  All your contributions would be acknowledged.

Guard Members Battle Western WildfiresBy Army Sgt. Darron Salzer National Guard Bureau ARLINGTON, Va., June 13, 2012 - Citizen-soldiers and airmen from five states are working alongside civilian first responders as they continue to battle wildfires in Colorado and New Mexico, according to National Guard officials. Click photo for screen-resolution image A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation, drops 500 gallons of water from a specialized bucket onto the Lower North Fork Fire in the vicinity of Conifer Colo. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Bethany Fehringer (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. New Mexico Army National Guard members are still battling the Little Bear wildfire near Ruidoso, N.M., which is approximately 35 percent contained, officials said. The number of New Mexico Guard members has increased from 117 to approximately 218 since June 11, officials said. The New Mexico Guard has deployed three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, two equipped with Bambi buckets and one on standby for medical evacuations. Guard members in New Mexico are also performing roving walking patrols, setting up traffic control points, and handing out information to residents who could be affected by the wildfire, officials said. Guard members in Colorado are continuing to battle the High Peak wildfire near Fort Collins, officials said. There are approximately 90 Colorado National Guard soldiers and airmen providing support and performing missions such as communication support, refueling, and security. Additionally, the Colorado Guard has deployed UH-60 helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets, said officials, who said the fire has destroyed approximately 46,600 acres. The Kansas National Guard and Nebraska National Guard are also assisting with wildfire suppression in Colorado, each sending one UH-60 helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket and a crew of nine and four soldiers respectively. Wildfire suppression operations in Wyoming have concluded in Guernsey State Park, Guard officials said. Currently, two Wyoming Air National Guard members are working in the communications center augmenting civilian first responders. Wyoming is also scheduled to send one UH-60 helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket, and a crew of four, to assist with the Colorado wildfires, officials said.

By Army Sgt. Darron Salzer National Guard Bureau ARLINGTON, Va., June 13, 2012 - Citizen-soldiers and airmen from five states are working alongside civilian first responders as they continue to battle wildfires in Colorado and New Mexico, according to National Guard officials. A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation, drops 500 gallons of water from a specialized bucket onto the Lower North Fork Fire in the vicinity of Conifer Colo. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Bethany Fehringer New Mexico Army National Guard members are still battling the Little Bear wildfire near Ruidoso, N.M., which is approximately 35 percent contained, officials said. The number of New Mexico Guard members has increased from 117 to approximately 218 since June 11, officials said. The New Mexico Guard has deployed three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, two equipped with Bambi buckets and one on standby for medical evacuations. Guard members in New Mexico are also performing roving walking patrols, setting up traffic control points, and handing out information to residents who could be affected by the wildfire, officials said. Guard members in Colorado are continuing to battle the High Peak wildfire near Fort Collins, officials said. There are approximately 90 Colorado National Guard soldiers and airmen providing support and performing missions such as communication support, refueling, and security. Additionally, the Colorado Guard has deployed UH-60 helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets, said officials, who said the fire has destroyed approximately 46,600 acres. The Kansas National Guard and Nebraska National Guard are also assisting with wildfire suppression in Colorado, each sending one UH-60 helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket and a crew of nine and four soldiers respectively. Wildfire suppression operations in Wyoming have concluded in Guernsey State Park, Guard officials said. Currently, two Wyoming Air National Guard members are working in the communications center augmenting civilian first responders. Wyoming is also scheduled to send one UH-60 helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket, and a crew of four, to assist with the Colorado wildfires, officials said.