Singh, Sarkozy discuss Nuclear energy

Taking forward their strategic ties, India and France on Tuesday discussed cooperation in areas like atomic energy, defence and space as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh witnessed a “magnificent parade” as the chief guest at the French National Day with President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Dr Singh, who became the first Indian leader to be the chief guest at the French celebrations, said this reflects the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries and the cordial ties between their armed forces.

“India is one of the greatest democracies of the world,” Mr Sarkozy said, adding that India is a “major power” of the 21st century. “India’s involvement is essential in all major global matters.”

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://epaper.asianage.com

The Eiffel Tower and the tourists

A model of refined simplicity on the outside, the iron lady that symbolizes Paris is a complicated piece of work inside her elegant A-line figure.

Custom-fitted pumps, heaters and long-life bulbs keep the 119-year-old Eiffel Tower working and sparkling, while industrialsized cogs, gears and cables spin, bump, grind and purr deep inside the structure’s innards, in places no tourists see.

Caring for the monument’s hidden core is a daunting, sometimes dangerous task that goes on out of sight but keeps the tower looking its picture-postcard best. More than 500 people — from welders and plumbers to security guards and cooks — work within the structure.

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://epaper.kashmirtimes.com

Sipping espresso and tracing Noor Inayat’s steps in Paris

Normally one likes to savour Europe slowly, but due to a last-minute flight change I ended up travelling London-Paris Florence-Paris all in one day, including airport transfers and a three-hour stroll around Florence. And though it was a crazy schedule, I have to say it was one of the smoothest journeys I have ever had! It never ceases to amaze me how the EU countries have managed to sort out their problems. And apart from one routine passport check in Paris I was completely relaxed, even though I still possess an Indian passport. When nations which were at war can sort out their problems, why is it taking India so long to resolve border issues with its neighbours. And why can’t a single visa or passport work for at least the Saarc countries? But given the spate of violence against its own citizens in India, perhaps the time is coming when Indians will need passports to travel within their own country.

Walking through Paris one remembered the time when similar divisive hatred had swamped the city — and the Germans had begun their pogroms against the Jews. Less than 70 years ago, France was a country divided between those who supported the Germans as well as the Vichy government during the Second World War and others who resisted and extremely courageously carried out secret missions to vanquish Hitler’s dangerous machinations.

How quickly we forget the lessons of history — if only those who are spreading poison between communities would remember! And so should those who are right now not applying the rule of law in India. The hubris that had made Hitler feel invincible — where is it now? Where is his grand plan of conquest?

To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit:
http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCH/2008/11/01/index.shtml

After 34 years, India to buy first Nuclear reactors, from France

India's isolation ended on Tuesday when Paris agreed to sell reactors and fuel to Delhi. This French factor comes just 24 days after the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) amended its guidelines governing civil atomic commerce.

“France is the first country with whom we have entered into such an agreement after the lifting of international restrictions on civil nuclear cooperation with India,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The pact effectively ends the 34-year-old sanctions imposed by the NSG after India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974.

India has managed to retain its nuclear deterrent, build more atomic weapons and yet be able to source civil nuclear technology from NSG nations.

To read the full article, click here..
To read the epaper, visit: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com