Declaration of First Rimes Ministerial Conference

        Following is the text of the Declaration of the First Ministerial Conference on Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES):

“We, the Ministers, and Representatives from the Governments, responsible for Building Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Senior Officials from Member States and Collaborating Countries of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), consisting of Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Comoros, India, Kenya, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Uzbekistan met in New Delhi on 21 June 2012, to resolve to build and sustain RIMES institutional and core operational  activities through voluntary country contributions and mobilize financial support for implementation of the targeted activities of the RIMES Master Plan:

Welcome the evolution and development of RIMES technical cooperation platform to appropriately address the needs and demands of the Member States and Collaborating Countries in building technical capacity development in respect of generation and application of early warning and decision support information to reduce impacts of natural disasters;

Note and Appreciate the vital contribution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) for establishing, institutionalizing and supporting the regional early warning arrangements at RIMES through funding support from the ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disasters and Climate Preparedness with support from Thailand and Sweden

Also Note and Appreciate the funding support provided by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for establishment of a high-performance computing facility at RIMES Program Unit, Pathumthani, Thailand  to support research and development efforts of member states to improve hydro-meteorological forecast products to provide improved early warning services;

Welcome and Appreciate the key role played by H.E Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the President of Republic of Maldives in his capacity as Chair of the Presidential Task Force for marshalling Maldives RIMES Secretariat through his vast experience and profound wisdom, and also transforming RIMES into an international and inter-governmental institution, and by laying a solid foundation for its sustained growth;

Recognize and Appreciate the extremely valuable role of Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Chairman, Earth Commission and Earth System Science Organization; Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, in his capacity as Chairman of RIMES Council for guiding the RIMES programs to fulfill the immediate and priority needs of the RIMES Council Members, and as Chairman of RIMES Executive Board in evolving the RIMES Master plan through an exhaustive consultative mechanism;

Recognize and Appreciate the generous support extended by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), U. K. for signing the agreement with RIMES in respect of utilizing forecast products for building multi-hazard early warning programmes for RIMES member states with improved lead times;

Appreciate the significant contributions of the first RIMES Secretariat in Maldives for RIMES institutional development and its consolidation and expansion, and continuing to provide services for the on-going programs

Appreciate the significant contributions of the RIMES Secretariat in Mongolia for its efforts particularly to expand RIMES membership to East Asian and Central Asian countries;

Recognize and Appreciate the contributions of Government of Thailand in extending vital support to operations of RIMES Early Warning Facility and RIMES Program Unit;

Recognize and Appreciate the highly commendable efforts of the RIMES Program Unit for sustaining its core operations, despite being impacted by severe and prolonged flooding of Bangkok, by relocating the Early Warning Facility to a safe alternative location;

Greatly Appreciate the support of Government of India for providing computing resources to offset loss of RIMES’s High Performance Computing (HPC) facility due to Thailand Floods   to enable RIMES to continue to provide uninterrupted services to its Member States; and access to forecast products from NCMRWF, and readiness of India Institutions- IMD, INCOIS and NCMRWF to expand the scope of capacity development and value added Early Warning products through RIMES.

Greatly Appreciate the Government of Bangladesh effort to institutionalize an innovative program to upgrade early warning system with scientific and technical forecast tools and management practices with technical support from RIMES through the Climate Resilient Fund of Government of Bangladesh and acknowledge the contribution of Government of Bangladesh of US $ Four Million for this purpose, and,

Commend this initiative of Government of Bangladesh as an innovative institutional model to be replicated by RIMES Member States

Appreciate Government of Mozambique initiative to establish collaborative linkage between RIMES and Meteorological Association of Southern Africa (MASA)

Decide to provide sustained support and commitment as appropriate to strengthen RIMES core and prioritized programs under Master Plan;

Noted the readiness of Government of Seychelles to host the Indo-Africa Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting;

Fully Recognize the Government of India’s commitment as RIMES Council Chair and agree for India to continue to Chair RIMES Council;

Request RIMES to collaborate with Indian Ocean Commission and African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD) for generation and application of seasonal forecast in the region;

Decide to evolve a financial mechanism as appropriate to enable RIMES to realize its full potential. For this purpose a sub-group of Ministers could be constituted with appropriate terms of reference to recommend such financial mechanism;

Welcome Government of India’s active consideration to financially support prioritized projects of the RIMES Master Plan;

Recommend and Request financial support from international donor agencies, in particular to enable UN-ESCAP to expand scope of Regional Tsunami and Climate Trust Fund to build programs identified in the RIMES Master Plan, and RIMES Member and Collaborating States for mobilization of funds for the full and successful implementation of the RIMES Master Plan to translate the envisaged efforts for building country-specific actions;

Invite and Call for convening of First RIMES Donors’ Conference during the course of 2012 to seek global donor agencies support towards strengthening early warning arrangements for most vulnerable and least developed RIMES Member and Collaborating States;

Encourage RIMES Collaborating Countries- Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam to accelerate their respective government level approvals so as to enable them to sign RIMES Cooperation Agreement at the earliest convenience.”  (PIB) 21-June-2012 19:27 IST

Face of Defense

Soldier Helps Save Virginia Trooper's Life By Jessica Maxwell 20th Support Command ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., June 21, 2012 - "I knew something wasn't right when I saw his hat on the ground." Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Kinzie accepts a Certificate of Merit from Virginia State Police Senior Trooper Mike Hamer. Kinzie and two others provided aid when Hamer was injured by a gun-wielding assailant during an incident in Virginiaon Dec. 8, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Jessica Maxwell That was the moment late last year, Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Kinzie recalled, when his instincts kicked into action to help save the life of Virginia State Police Senior Trooper Mike Hamer. Kinzie, a 20th Support Command soldier here, was driving on Interstate 95 with his mother and brother on Dec. 8, 2011, heading to his wife's graduation in Savannah, Ga., when he noticed flashing lights on an unmarked police car off to the side of the road. At the same time, his mother and brother heard a "pop, pop, pop," and were unsure of the cause the sound. At first glance, Kinzie believed the trooper was tugging on his seatbelt and then he noticed the trooper's hat was on the ground. "It seemed odd because it reminded me of a drill sergeant's hat -- drill sergeants never put their hats on the ground," he said. As Kinzie looked again, it became clear that Hamer was struggling to get out of his car. Hamer gave his version of the incident, which started out, in his words, seemingly fine. Hamer, who was working in the Fredericksburg, Va., area at the time, said he was responding to a call regarding a pedestrian on Interstate 95. Hamer found the suspect on the interstate and as they talked in Hamer's patrol car, the man appeared to be coherent. Suddenly, Hamer said, the suspect lunged over the patrol car's front seat and attempted to grab his gun. "While I was fighting back, he succeeded in getting the safety measure off the gun," Hamer said. "That's when the gun discharged into my leg." Hamer was able to reach his backup weapon and shot the suspect, who later died. He then got out of his car and managed to call for help before feeling lightheaded from the blood loss. It was then that Kinzie passed by the scene. Unable to stop due to traffic, Kinzie placed an emergency call, continued driving to the next exit, got off and turned around. During that time, two other people stopped to administer first aid to Hamer. Because of the incident, traffic was already stopped on Interstate 95 but Kinzie said he was able to get through in order to give his statement to the officers on scene. Hamer credits Kinzie, as well as the other two Good Samaritans with saving his life. "Because of his actions, Emergency Medical Services was able to get to the scene quickly," said Hamer, who has fully recovered from his injuries. For his actions, Kinzie was later awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Virginia State Troopers. In a letter written to Kinzie, the president of the Virginia State Police Association, E.J. Kelly, commended Kinzie's unselfish actions and expressed gratitude for his service. During the award ceremony, James De Ford, the northern Virginia field lieutenant, told Kinzie the troopers were glad he happened to be driving by at that time. "Because of you and the two other people, Trooper Hamer is alive," De Ford said. After accepting the certificate, Kinzie attributed his actions to his upbringing and thanked his parents for teaching him the value of helping others. "I'm thankful I was able to do something," Kinzie said. "I always try to put myself in the position to help others."

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.

            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.

Panetta Tells Senators

NATO is Crucial to U.S. Security By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 13, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told a Senate panel today the NATO alliance is crucial to American security, but that NATO countries need to spend more on defense. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta testifies before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense, June 13, 2012. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett "We can't do it alone. We've got to be able to have alliances like NATO be able to work with us in confronting the many challenges that we face in the world," he said, during testimony on the 2013 defense budget request at the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense. U.S. defense officials have repeatedly raised concerns that some NATO nations are not investing enough in their militaries. NATO's goal is for members to spend roughly 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. Most have not met that goal. NATO nations must continue developing their capabilities and improving their defense postures, the secretary said. At NATO's summit in Chicago last month, leaders agreed to develop greater capabilities in missile defense, in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and in air-to-air refueling, among other things. But with Europe going through an economic downturn, the United States has concerns that many European nations will "constantly go back to defense and seek further savings there, which I think would be dangerous," Panetta said. This has already eroded some capabilities. Panetta said that during last year's Libya operation, the United States provided roughly 60 percent of the support, and that NATO officials told him if the mission were today, the United States would have to pick up about 80 percent.

Biographies: Leon E. Panetta

In the Rafale Aircraft

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne after a one hour sortie in the Rafale Aircraft at St. Dizier Airbase on May 23, 2012. The Commander of the Rafale Squadron, Commandant (Squadron Leader) Kubiak Thierry and the Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, General Jean-Paul Paloméros are also seen. (PIB photo)      24-May-2012

Allen Anticipates

Much Summer Activity in Afghanistan

By Karen Parrish American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 - The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan candidly told reporters today his assessment will largely set the course for operations there after the drawdown of U.S. surge forces and before the end of NATO's combat role in 2014. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, briefs reporters at the Pentagon, May 23, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley "I owe the president some real analysis on this. We're going to need combat power; I don't think anyone questions that," Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, International Security Assistance Force commander, told reporters at the Pentagon. Allen said significant events will occur in Afghanistan this summer, including the withdrawal of some troops, reposturing the battle space, inserting advisors, and moving Afghan forces increasingly into the lead. "We've got about 30 months left on the campaign, 31 months or so," the commander said. "The ANSF has yet to be fully recruited. It'll be done soon, but the deadline on it was 1 October." The general noted Afghan army and police numbers have grown over the past year from 276,000 to 340,000, and they will reach their full strength ahead of the scheduled deadline in October. After the 23,000 remaining U.S. "surge" troops leave Afghanistan by the end of September, Allen said, he will take "a very hard look" at the state of the insurgency, the Afghan forces' success in planning and leading combat operations, and the operational environment he anticipates in 2013. "The aggregation of those factors will generate ultimately an assessment of what U.S. and non-U.S. ISAF combat power I'll need ... to continue the process of moving the ANSF into the lead in '13 and '14 and giving them the kind of support that they need so that they'll be successful," he said. "We're going to make that analysis in the aftermath of the fighting season and the recovery of the 23,000 troops," the general added. Afghan forces augmented by International Security Assistance Force advisory teams will fill in as NATO troops thin out, the general said. "While, in absolute terms, eventually our numbers come down, it is not our intention to cede the ground ... to the Taliban," he said. Afghan forces will concentrate in the eastern and southwestern areas of Afghanistan to maintain security gains in the hardest-fought areas, Allen said. At the Chicago NATO summit that ended Monday, coalition members noted the ISAF commander will regularly assess operational conditions and the capability of Afghan forces, Allen said. "Right now we're planning every six months, so that we can adapt our plan ultimately for the final size and structure of the [Afghan army and police forces] in the post-2014 period as conditions require," he added. Allen said NATO's campaign in Afghanistan has been long, difficult and costly, but he believes it is on track. "I see it every day -- tangible evidence of progress," he said. "And we're making a difference. We're fulfilling the Lisbon road map of transition, and the international community is standing with the noble people of Afghanistan and Afghanistan now and into the decade of transformation."

Biographies: Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force Related Articles: Allen Explains Priorities in Afghanistan

Gen. V.K. Singh with Gen. Sankar Roy Chawdhury

The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. V.K. Singh with the Retd. COAS Gen. Sankar Roy Chawdhury and the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt. Gen Bikram Singh during his visit to HQ Eastern Command, Kolkata on May 19, 2012.  (PIB photo)    19-May-2012