Russian Cricket Team Starts Spring Preparations

The United Cricket League Russia is preparing for the 2013 games. The popularity of this sport, which has a great following worldwide, until recently was relatively unknown in Russia, points out Tanvir Khan,a member of the team management. He says that it is not surprising that the vast majority of players in the Russian League are Indians, Pakistanis, natives of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka having Russian residence permits. They are all in the majority of cases, like me, either graduates of Russian universities, businessmen or students.

Tanvir Khan: “The United Russian Cricket League unites eight teams of 11 players each. Some of them are very good and great players. Last year, the League of United Russia was recognized and registered with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in London.

We also have 200 additional players. And among them are a few Russians. Our matches are held at the Moscow State University’s (MSU) baseball stadium which has an artificial turf cover. We play every Saturday and Sunday during the four months of favorable weather conditions. These games invariably attract quite a few Russians, some of whom want to try their hand at the game and have shown impressive results.”

Having crossed from Europe, from its homeland in Britain, to the colonies in South Asia and Africa, cricket has become extremely popular there. And now in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka it is revered as a national sport. The young students, who had come to Russia from these countries to study during the past decade or so, just could not give up their passion for cricket. We are organizing matches in Russia for the 13th year and are also participating in international matches, says Tanvir Khan. And very successfully too for we have won Silver in the European championship.

This year we have scheduled 64 games – says board member of the League of United Russia, Tanvir Khan. We expect the arrival in Moscow of teams from Latvia and Estonia. And then we shall visit them in Riga. Our colleagues in Belgium have invited our team for a friendly match. And this is not at all the complete list of our travel plans for which preparations are on going.

On May 1, this year, the Russian team will hold its first home match at the cricket stadium in MSU. It is possible that some Russian players will also take part in the match. This sport is gaining more and more recognition among the Russians.

Related articles

• Pakistan’s Twenty20 cricket league postponed (ktrmurali.wordpress.com)

7 Innocent Gestures That Can Get You Killed Overseas

 

If you’ve ever had your penis cut off and/or been executed while on holiday, you’ll probably know that it’s easy to offend people from other cultures. Unless you learn the ways of the place you’re visiting, even the most well-meaning tourist can regularly find his oesophagus stuffed with burning goat. But surely just plain common sense and good manners will save you, right?Wrong.

Extend Your Hand, Palm Outward in Greece

What you think you are saying:
“Phew! That was a heck of a moussaka. I’d eat another portion, but I’m completely stuffed.”

What you are actually saying:
“Phew! That was a heck of a moussaka. I’d eat another portion, but I’m too busy rubbing handfuls of shit in your face.”

What the hell?
In Greece, the “hand out” gesture is known as the moutza, and it dates back to the time of the Byzantine Empire, when criminals would be paraded through the streets on horseback, their faces blackened to indicate their shame. If they were lucky, the blackening agent would merely be charcoal. If they were unlucky, it would be a substance much, much worse …

SHIT, is what we’re saying here. Their faces would be covered in SHIT.

If you really want to piss a Greek person off, you can go for the double moutza, which features both hands splayed above your head. However, this will also make you look like a backup dancer from Cats, so it’s your call.

Give the Thumbs-Up In The Middle East

What you think you are saying:
“Ayyyyy! I’m the fuckin’ Fonz!”

What you are actually saying:
“Ayyyyy! I’m going to jam my thumb in your anus!”

What the hell?
It’s not just the Middle East. This seemingly universal gesture is also hideously offensive in West Africa and South America, whose citizens would doubtless get really confused if they ever watched Ebert and Roeper. “This movie is great, Bill! So great that I’d like to anally rape it with my thumb!”

The thumbs-up sign has been confusing people for thousands of years. Contrary to Hollywood legend, Roman gladiators were not spared by a thumbs-up, but by a hidden thumb. If the origins of both gestures are linked, we can only assume this meant, “Do not kill the prisoner, he seems the perfect solution to the emperor’s arthritic finger.”

Finish Your Meal In Thailand / The Philippines / China

What you think you are saying:
“This is a delicious meal. I mean it. I’m not the kind of guy who would lie about something like this. In fact, your meal was so fucking fabulous that I am going to finish every last morsel and then lick the plate so bright that it reveals the face of God.”

What you are actually saying:
“You call yourself a host? I came here for a meal, not some Lilliputian hors d’oeuvre that wouldn’t satisfy a mouse after a sizable brunch. Look at me. No, in the eyes. You disgust me.”

What the hell?
It is always important that the host provides you with tasty food. However, in countries where steak in bleu cheese sauce costs approximately the same as a lung transplant, it is more important that the host provides you with enough food.

In China, if you finish every last bite of your meal, you are implying that you weren’t given enough. Therefore, even if the meal is the most sexually delicious thing that has ever slid down your throat, you should still leave one last morsel on the plate to stare up at you mournfully while you eye it with ill-concealed resentment.

That said, the Orient isn’t as uptight as this example suggests. In China it’s considered perfectly good manners to talk with your mouth full and to burp after your meal. Farting seems to vary according to the situation and your current company, so ask ahead of time. Lighting the fart is frowned upon in almost all provinces.

Say “Hi” to a Member of the Opposite Sex in Saudi Arabia

What you think you are saying:
“Hi Steve! How’s things? Fancy getting a decaf latte?”

What you are actually saying:
“Hi, Steve! How’s things? Fancy booking a hotel room so that I can do immoral sex acts on you in the name of Satan?”

What the hell?
According to sharia religious laws, it is deeply immoral for a woman to greet a man in public, or associate with any man other than her husband without an escort. In February 2008, one American woman openly conversed with a man in Starbucks, and was promptly arrested, strip-searched and forced to sign false confessions.

Though, perhaps this is nitpicking considering women are not allowed to drive, vote, own shops, testify in court or ride bicycles there. Bizarrely, it’s perfectly fine for women to fly high-powered jet planes, although they’re clearly fucked if they feel like taking a bicycle to the airport.

The point being, if you’re a woman and are planning a move to Saudi Arabia, offending them with the whole public greeting thing is probably the least of your problems.

Give an Even Number of Flowers in Russia

What you think you are saying:
“Darling, this week has been the most wonderful of my life. Since I first felt the sweet joy of your caress, I have truly come to know what it is to love and to be loved. Please accept these half-dozen roses as a symbol of my eternal tender devotion.” (Lean forward for kiss.)

What you are actually saying:
DEATH! DEATH! DEEEEEEAAAAAAAATH!!!!!!

(Lean forward for kiss.)

What the hell?
In Russia, even numbers of flowers are only ever given at funerals, and such a gift is seen as inviting death, which you obviously don’t want to do unless you’re banging a goth chick.

Choosing the right gift seems to be a minefield of morbidity everywhere you go. Never give a clock to a Chinese person, as the word “clock” is almost identical to a word for “death.” Don’t wrap your present in white paper there either, as this suggests funerals. And for God’s sake, don’t give anyone in Bangladesh white flowers or they will presumably be obliged to buy a spade and bury themselves while muttering at you reproachfully.

You know what, screw giving a gift. You may come across as a selfish douchebag, but at least no one will hail you as the fourth horseman of the apocalypse.

Give a Gift With Your Left Hand, Pretty Much Anywhere

What you think you are saying:
“Thank you very much for letting me marry your daughter. She is very beautiful. In gratitude, please accept this dainty, yet tuneful instrument. Did I mention that I’m left-handed?”

What you are actually saying:
“Thank you very much for letting me marry your daughter. She is the most worthless heap of dog vomit I have ever encountered, and I dearly wish that she would die. In gratitude, please accept a generous portion of my own effluence. Did I mention that I hate you?”

What the hell?
Toilet paper may have been around in China since 589 AD, but for much of the world, it remains a prohibitively expensive luxury. In places such as India, Sri Lanka, Africa and the whole of the Middle East, doing anything with your left hand is seen as unclean, as it is (as least symbolically) your ass-wiping hand.

Eating out? Don’t even think about using your left hand. It’s better to come across as some kind of retarded monkey child than to imply that you rate your host’s food on the same level as a lightly-steamed assburger.

Of course, poop is not the only reason left-handedness is bad. According to the Qur’an, Satan himself was a southpaw, which is why he was able to successfully fool the right-handed batter that is mankind.

Give the “OK” Sign in Brazil

What you think you are saying:
“Hi Brazil, I’m US President Richard Nixon, and I’m feeling terrific!”

What you are actually saying:
“Hi Brazil, I’m US President Richard Nixon, and I’m feeling that you should all go fuck yourselves!”

(Note: The above examples are only valid if you are US President Richard Nixon)

What the hell?
In Brazil, the “OK” gesture is roughly equivalent to the finger in the US, which means you should not use it when your hotel manager asks you how your room is, unless you want to tell him that it’s purple and velvety and recently molested his wife.

The most famous incident of a misapplied “OK” sign was, in fact, Nixon’s visit to Brazil in the ’50s. While alighting from the aircraft, he lifted both hands to the cameras and double-fingered the entire nation. Nixon went on to greet the Brazilian Prime minister with a savage kick to the testicles, and concluded his visit by urinating from the window of a moving limousine.

If you’re visiting Brazil, you should also never touch any food with your fingers. Even stuff like pizzas and burgers should be eaten with a knife and fork. Not that you’ll ever need to apply this knowledge, because after reading this article, you’d be insane if you ever travel abroad again.

By: Tim Cameron

What next for Syria talks after Damascus attack?

The recent attack in central Damascus which claimed the lives of at least 53 people has again doubted chances for a prompt solution to the Syrian crisis.

None of the opposition groups has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry are expected to discuss the situation during the talks in Berlin on February 26. There is not much optimism about the meeting, though. 

Mr. Lavrov earlier said that he was puzzled to known that the U.S. had vetoed the UNSC draft statement to the media composed by Russia which condemns the Damascus attack. Following his meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Moscow on February 22 Mr. Lavrov accused the U.S. of ‘double-standard policy’ and ‘a dangerous trend when our U.S. partners ignore the basic principle which requires a strong condemnation of any attack’. 

On February 24 John Kerry is starting his first Europe and Middle East tour. Washington expects the Syrian crisis to dominate the agenda of the talks with Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.

Victoria Nuland also said that the U.S. urges the opposition to sit down for talks with the regime, adding that the meeting could take place anywhere, including Moscow. 

Meanwhile, Russian analysts have different views on how Moscow and Washington could influence the outcome of the Syrian crisis. Boris Dolgov, expert at the Russian Institute of Oriental Studies, believes that the U.S. has been softening its position on the issue with Moscow and Washington having a good potential for finding a common ground for cooperation.

“First of all, Moscow and Washington could agree to stop arms supplies to militants in Syria. Certainly, this would require Russia and the U.S to pressure on both the Syrian government and the opposition to sit down for talks.” 

Prominent expert and the president of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, Yevgeny Satanovsky, thinks that Moscow and Washington won’t be able to find a compromise on the issue since they have too different approaches to the situation.

“The Syrian settlement is impossible. The talks won’t bring any result since the opposition is split over the idea, most of them not willing to have talks with the regime. They are busy with jihad, and this is not Assad`s resignation they want but elimination of the Alawites (those who belong to a branch of Shia Islam), and Bashar Assad is an Alawite. So, Moscow and Washington can just help each other to have a better understanding of the differences in their approaches.”

Mr. Satanovsky`s pessimism echoes the words by Victoria Nuland when she said that the U.S. was not going to dictate its will to Syrian opposition. 

The conflict in Syria broke out in March, 2011, and last year it turned into a civil war between the armed opposition groups and the regime. The UN says Syria’s death toll has approached nearly 70,000 people.

Andrey Fedyashin

Indian arms orders cross USD 7 billion mark in 2012: Russian Arms Exporter

The overall value of Indian defence orders placed with Russia has crossed USD 7 billion mark in 2012 and the outlook for current year is even more optimistic, Viktor Komardin, Chief of the delegation of ‘Rosoboronexport’ at Aero India 2013 aerospace show in Bangalore today said. The 9th Aero India show is scheduled for February 6-11.

Currently ‘Rosoboronexport’ is actively negotiating contracts for the modernisation of anti-submarine helicopters Kamov Ka-28 and Sukhoi Su-30MKI and supply of Mil Mi-17B-5 helicopters for Indian Home Ministry. Russia is also in the fray for the sale of refueller aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

Ten Countries with Highest Illicit Financial Flows

Currencies are the most important medium of exchange. Any nation’s growth depends on the value of their currency.
But in recent times, it is found that more than the growth of the nation, people are concentrated on their own growth. This is the reason why many countries are not able to develop and the common population is still striving for food.
As recorded by Global Finance Integrity for the period of 2001-2010, here is the list of the 10 countries with maximum flow of unlawful money as reported by Yahoo.

1. China
Amount: $ 2.74 trillion

The most populated country in the world which has one of the wonders of the world, ‘The Great Wall’.  China is also known for their technology, martial arts and the second largest country by land area. China’s fame is an unending list.
This nation also tops the list of unlawful money. Between the years 2001-2010, this nation’s unlawful outflow was estimated to be $ 2.74 trillion.

2. Mexico
Amount: $ 476 billion

The name ‘Mexico’ itself is enough to reflect colorful-decorated flavored cuisines, chocolates, music, mariachis and many more. It is the world’s eleventh most populated country in the world.
In tourism based income, Mexico holds the twenty third rank in the world. Well, Mexico is also popular for its crime rates. Drug trafficking and other narcotic related problems are the major issues in Mexico.

This is not the end for Mexico. With a possession of $ 476 billion, Global Financial Integrity has ranked Mexico as the successor of China in the list of illicit money.

3. Malaysia
Amount: $450  billion

Malaysia is one of the Asian countries with the best infrastructure. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories.
From 1957 to 2005, Malaysia had one of the best economic records in Asia. In 2011 the Gross Domestic Product of Malaysia was about $450  billion, the 3rd largest economy in ASEAN and 29th largest in the world.
Malaysia is also growing at a higher rate as an eco-tourist spot. It’s multi-ethnic culture and the natural beauties attracts most of the tourists.
This country has been awarded with the third rank in this list.

4. Saudi Arabia
Amount: $ 210 billion

The home to the most inherited sites for the Muslims, Saudi Arabia inherited wealth in the form of oils. It is the second largest oil reservoir in the entire world. Saudi Arabia also has a huge amount of gold mines.
Saudi Arabia has a per capita income of $24,200 (2010).
The outflow of Saudi Arabia’s black money is estimated to be $ 210 billion and the Global Financial Integrity has ranked them as number four in this list.

5. Russia
Amount: $ 153 billion

Russia has been a pioneer nation in the world of science. The world’s first human spaceflight was launched by Russia.
Russia is the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources. It is the global leader in producing oil and natural gas.With time, Russia was able to maintain their image as a ‘Super Power’ nation. It is said that Russia has the largest stock pile of weapons of mass destruction.
With so many glories, Russia has been placed on the fifth rank among the nations having an impactful outflow of illegal money. It is ranked fifth in this list with an estimated amount of $ 153 billion.

6. Philippines
Amount: $ 138 billion

Philippines is naturally gifted with natural recourses. Its rainforests serves as the home to many diverse range of plants, birds, animals and sea creatures. The geographical location of this country has made it prone to earthquakes and typhoons.
It is one the primary exporter of electronic products and semiconductors, garments, petroleum products, fruits, transport equipments, copper products, etc.
Starting form 2001 till 2010, the amount of illegal money flow if Philippines was estimated as $ 138 billion.

7. Nigeria
Amount: $ 129 billion

Nigeria got its name from the ‘Niger’ river and obtained freedom in 1960. Today, Nigeria is the largest trading partner of the U.S.
The Citigroup estimated that Nigeria will get the highest average GDP growth during the period 2010-2050.
Crimes in Nigeria are mostly focused on drug trafficking, illegal export of heroin from Asia to Europe.
With an outflow of $ 129 billion, Nigeria stands in the seventh place in this list.

8. India
Amount: $ 123 billion

India is the largest democracy in the world and the second most populated nation.
With all the natural recourses, India has become on the fastest growing economy in the world. India is the home some of the global leaders like RIL, Tata, Wipro, Infosys, etc.
Talking about India, its colorful tradition and culture has been attracting tourists from each and every corner of the globe.
According to the recent study by the Global Financial Integrity, India had an illegal outflow of $ 123 billion and is ranked eighth.

9. Indonesia
Amount: $ 109 billion

Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country. In terms of GDP, Indonesian economy is the sixteenth largest in the world.
The gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated about $1 trillion and the debt ratio to the GDP is 26%.  And the country’s major export commodities include oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles.
Indonesia has an illicit outflow of $ 109 billion and is placed in the ninth position worldwide.

10. United Arab Emirates
Amount: $ 107 billion

UAE is one of the largest producers of oil and natural gases. Before oil was discovered, the UAE economy was dependant on fishing.UAE is one of the most favorite holiday spot across the globe and in terms of tourism revenue, UAE tops the chart.UAE is also the home to some mega structures like the ‘Burj Dubai’, ‘Palm Islands’, ‘World Island’ and the ‘Burj-al Arab’.UAE scored the tenth rank in this list with an outflow of $ 107 billion between 2001-2010.

Ticket to Bollywood

Bollywood is the world’s biggest cine factory and Russians always take a great interest in its production. Not only film scenarios, they also love rocking Indian dances, music, apprise the mastery of singers and dancers, their dazzling dresses. Now Russians have got a chance to see Bollywood live. For the first time “Ticket to Bollywood” show has come to Moscow from Mumbai. Leader of the troupe Shubra Bhardwaj told:

What you see in the show is a reflection of India. Bollywood for us is a way of life. People are really fond of emotions that Bollywood presents. “Ticket to Bollywood” is a show that I made in 2010 for the World Expo in Shanghai. It’s a kind of branch of the Indian Bollywood film Industry. In our concert there are different dances in all styles: traditional, festival, marriage. In its full scale we have 40 dances, male and female, bring this extravaganza to life. “Ticket to Bollywood” takes you through the gamut of these visual treats, whilst entertaining you with the multi hued dance forms and music that pepper Bollywood films. That’s very powerful dancing show.

The troupe has visited many countries with its show and every where it was a hit. Riot of colours, enchanting music and dynamic dances are inalienable part of Bollywood movies. They leave behind a feeling of festival in the souls of viewers. Same can be said about the show. Sharing her impression about the Russian audience, troupe’s manager Divya Kamath said:

We hope that Russian people enjoy our show. Our performance was greeted warmly. It was a storm of applause. In our programme we have classical Indian dancers and traditional Bollywood dancers. We try to make a mixture of modern and traditional dance, because some people prefer one style, others another. In India modern Bollywood dance is more popular among young generation. So, here in Russia people have a choice to decide which type they like more.

Russian dancer of Indian dances Maria Krohaleva watched the show with her professional eye:

For the last four years I have been performing Indian dances. Our troupe has won for times in a row. Of Course I watched the show with professional interest. First of all I would like to note the highly synchronised work of the artists. Kathak performance was superb. But personally I more like folk dances, because they reflect thousands of year old culture of the country. However, Bollywood always turns to classical dance to create a masterpiece.

It was impossible to find a single indifferent person in Russian audience. Many of them are hardcore Bollywood fans. Evgeny Lashkov is just one of them, he says:

The show has a dazzling oriental colouring. Indian films have millions of fans across the globe and I am also not an exception. I always wanted to see high class professional Indian dances and today I got this opportunity. In future also I would like see such more shows by this troupe.

The show was followed by Indian souvenirs and food mela and its memories will linger on for a long time.

Voice of Russia

Somali pirates finally retire

After 8 years of hard work one of the main Somali pirates, Mohammed Abdi Hassan, has decided to retire. One can only guess about how much he managed to earn during his criminal career, because it was his gang which was behind the most high-profile attacks on ships. In particular, the seizure of the Ukrainian cargo ship “Faina” with T-72 tanks on board is also in his account.

His gang members following his example have also decided to retire. The mass exodus of Somalis from piracy is a clear evidence of the success of the international anti-piracy efforts, in particular, of the Russian warships, says military analyst of newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda Victor Baranets:

“In the world there are about 30 regions, where the pirates are highly operative. Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden are the so-called hot spots where fishing vessels are very often attacked. Russian warships almost continuously have been patrolling in at least five of the pirates hot spots. And we have many times received appreciation from countries whose vessels were rescued by our warships from pirates. Unfortunately, however, a UN rapid reaction force to pirates’ seizures has not yet been created. “

Russia the other day announced that it will be sending some of its Black Sea Fleet to the Horn of Africa, where those will conduct anti-piracy exercises. At various times in anti-piracy fights many ships of the Russian Navy, such as Admiral Levchenko, Admiral Chabanenko, Admiral Panteleyev, frigate Undaunted were involved.

According to experts, 2012 witnessed first major results in the fight of international community against piracy. A large role in this was played by the permit granting to deal with pirates not only at sea, but also on land, from where their robbery attacks were originated. Thanks to the international efforts, in the second half of 2012 not a single ship was seized by pirates.

Kashmir: the demons of war return

After the holiday season standstill relations between India and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated. The mysterious cruel killing of the two Indian military men in the state of Jammu and Kashmir reminded the world of the “oldest conflict on the UN agenda”. While Delhi and Islamabad are blaming each other for violating the truce, the conflict escalation threatens to upset the fragile status quo along the ‘Control line”, which is one of the most explosive borderlines in the world.

The disfigured bodies of the two Indian military who guarded the post at the border with Pakistan in the Mendhar sector and died on Tuesday under unclear circumstances, became a grim reminder of the fact that the demons of war sometimes return in the relations between India and Pakistan. Mysterious and unstoppable they come back to claim new victims. Each side has its own truth, its own view of the conflict, compiles its own list of victims, the true number of which nobody really knows at this point. Besides the official wars, there is an undeclared war in progress. And each side sticks to its own myths in this war.

The standoff between India and Pakistan, which has the dispute over Kashmir at its basis, with all the rejection of compromise and violence today appears irrational if not meaningless and leads to a dead end. And all this is not simply due to the fact that there can be no winners and defeated in this standoff – everybody would lose. And the fact that both sides have nuclear weapons forces the world to freeze in tension again and again when the word “Kashmir” comes up, which points at one of the most beautiful and at the same time hardest to access places on Earth.

It appears that owning the mountainous Kashmir which is poor in natural resources and has a severe climate can give little benefit to India: its military and economic significance is not that great. In reality, the territory of Kashmir presents little value for Pakistan as well. But why then are both sides engaged in this tug-of-war game on the «Roof of the World» risking to fall into the abyss?

In reality the issue at stake is not only and not as much the territory as the state ideology of each country. It is the ideology that raises the stakes so high and prevents the sides from compromising their principles. In reality, it is the historic argument between the two concepts that lie in the basis of the two states that used to be one at some point in the past. The Pakistani concept of the «two nations» opposes the Indian concept of «one nation».

The founding fathers of modern India Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi were Hindu, but they wanted it to be so that in their country not only Hindus, which were the majority of the population, but also representatives of other ethnic groups, religions and cultures could have a worthy life. This principle lies at the core of the theory of «one nation» or «one happy family of nations», which according to the plan of Nerhu and Gandhi the Republic of India was to become.

In his turn, the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah believed that there were differences between the Hindu and the Muslims, which prevented them from living together. Jinnah sincerely believed that only in their own Islamic state could the Indian Muslims receive equal rights and realize themselves fully. This is how the theory of the «two nations» was born – of the Hindu and the Muslims.

If today one can for a minute imagine that the separatists’ dream could come true and Kashmir would split from India that would bury the idea of the «united family» of nations, which is at the basis of the ideology of democratic secular India. If the events were to develop along that menacing scenario, the entire existence of the Indian federation would be under threat. Nobody would allow that.

And here a comparison to Russia is called for: if during the two Chechen wars that started after the collapse of the USSR the so-called advocates of «independent Ichkeria» realized their plan and created an independent state, it would have been a lethal strike at the Russian Federation.

It was no surprise that India from the very beginning supported the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya and never voiced any doubts about that. The situation Moscow found itself in from the very beginning appeared very familiar to the Indians – similar to that in Kashmir.

Kashmir found itself a hostage of the half a century long fight between the two state ideologies, the Indian and the Pakistani. And that remains the main cause for the demons of war to continue to torture that part of the world, the land and the mountains of which are soaked with blood. And the anticipated resetting of the relations between the two countries keeps giving way to the shootings and terrorist attacks, the war of symbols and gestures, as it happens today.

Russia-India: a new chapter of cooperation

Russia and India have established a relationship that could be described as a “special and privileged partnership”. A statement to this effect was made by President Vladimir Putin during his current official visit to New Delhi. The year 2012 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and India.

The agenda of the talks focused on expanding bilateral trade and economic ties. Trade between Russia and India has increased by nearly six times since 2000. Vladimir Putin commented on prospects for further cooperation.

“Mutual trade amounted to nearly $9 bln in 2011. We expect it to hit $10 bln in 2012 and to increase twofold over the next few years. About 50% of exported and imports goods on both sides are produced on the basis of high technology. This year, the supply of Russian-made cars, equipment and chemicals to India has increased by 40%. Russia and India have agreed to increase mutual investments. A memorandum between the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the State Bank of India which was signed on Monday will create more incentives for ramping up mutually beneficial cooperation, including between small and medium-sized businesses.”

Nuclear energy projects occupy a particular place on the Russia-India cooperation agenda. According to Indian Prime Minister Manmohal Singkh, his country appreciates Russia’s assistance in building the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. President of Russia’s Rosatom Corporation Sergei Kirienko says the Russian side has made a particular breakthrough in the Kudankulam Project.

“The Kudankulam Project meets all ‘post-Fukushima’ requirements and has passed ‘stress tests’. If it had been somewhere near Fukushima at the moment of the disaster, it would have withstood the earthquake and the tsunami, thanks to the high level of its nuclear safety.”

Mutual investments make up yet another important chapter of bilateral cooperation between Russia and India. The Russian Direct Investment Fund and the State Bank of India clinched an important deal to this effect in New Delhi. The Fund’s President Kirill Dmitriev comments.

“Each party will invest up to $1 billion in joint projects. We expect bilateral trade to increase by $10bln – $30bln over the next three years.”

Russian companies are taking part in projects to build metal-working plants in Bhilai, Rourkela and other cities of India. Russia’s Severstal is a partner in a joint project to build a full-cycle metalworking facility in India. Russian insurance companies Ingosstrakh and ROSNO are tapping the Indian market as well. In addition, Russia and India have signed a number of important agreements on cooperation in defense and technology.

Russia and India are also set on bolstering cooperation within the framework of international organizations, including the BRICS group, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the RIC group which comprises Russia, India and China, and the G20.

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Russia, India sign package of agreements

Russia and India have signed a package of cooperation agreements in the framework of Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, according to the Voice of Russia correspondent.

The two countries have specifically signed a memorandum of understanding between the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the State Bank of India. The two will invest in joint projects one billion dollars each.

The Russian and Indian Ministries of Culture have signed a cultural exchange programme for 2013 through 2015, while the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Science and Technology of India have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovations.

An agreement was also concluded on the sidelines of the summit on setting up a joint venture by the Helicopters of Russia Company and India’s Elcom Systems Private Ltd. 

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Moscow, Delhi in Syria dialogue call

Russia and India call on world powers to comply with the Syria resolutions of the UN Security Council and the decisions of the Geneva conference on Syria. They believe there is no way out of the Syrian crisis other than a national political dialogue.

President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said this in a joint statement issued after their talks in New Delhi on Monday.

According to the United Nations, the Syrian conflict has claimed 20,000 to 30,000 lives since first erupting 21 months ago.

The Syrian government says foreign-backed terrorists are at work. 

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Russia, India to foster military ties

Russia and India have made a commitment to foster bilateral military and technical cooperation, Russian President Putin has said in the wake of his Monday meeting with PM Manmohan Singh.

“We have agreed to step up Indian-Russian cooperation in military and technical spheres, to work on new projects through joint ventures and know-hows exchange,” Mr. Putin said.

He cited the fresh deal between a Russian state-run chopper maker and India on exports of helicopter units and equipment.

India has agreed to purchase 71 MiG-17B-5 helicopters worth 1.3 billion dollars. Russia is also to deliver to India 1.6-billion-dollar plane units to organize the licensed assembly of Su-30MKI jet fighters.

1.3 million Russians on minimum wage, far below poverty line

(RIA Novosti / Aleksandr Kondratuk)

Over a million Russians get a monthly wage of $148, most of them from the public sector, well below the $220 poverty line.

­650,000 Russians out of 1.3 million living on the minimum wage work in the public sector, according to the country’s Public Health and Social Development Ministry. The minimum wage is the lowest monthly wage employers may legally pay workers. It will be increased next year by 13% to 170 dollars a month, less than the minimum cost of living. According to the Russian statistics agency Rosstat 12.5% of Russians live below the poverty line.

The minimum wage in Russia is much lower than in developed countries, the auditor FBK reports. According to its rating, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium top the list with a minimum wage of over $1500 a month. Last in line is Kyrgyzstan where minimum wage is the equivalent of $24 a month.

“In Russia, the minimum wage does not guarantee a decent standard of living for low-paid workers,” Anna Bolsheva from the Global Labour University told Expert magazine.

According to the Center for Labor Studies there are almost no private companies that pay salaries at the level of the minimum wage.

“95% of cases are municipal enterprises related to education, science, health, etc.,” Anna Lukyanova from the Center for Labor Studies says. 

The European standard for the minimum wage equates to earnings which are at least 60% of the average salary in the country, experts say. On the basis of these calculations, the minimum wage in the Russian Federation should be $515 a month.