Employment News Today 26 July 2013

Employment News Today 26 July 2013

Edward Snowden awarded with German Whistleblower Prize

Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who exposed the widest US global surveillance operations, awarded German Whistleblower Prize 2013 worth 3900 Dollars in absentia.

Snowden has exposed the substantial and unsuspecting monitoring and storage of communication data by US and other western intelligence agencies, which cannot be accepted in democratic societies.

Snowden has undertaken great personal risks in leaking the documents on the operations of the US and other western intelligence agencies, aware of the current criminal prosecution of whistleblowers in security areas.

The whistleblower prize which was instituted in year 1999 by German section of the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (IALANA) and the Association of German Scientists is awarded once in two years to honour persons, who “expose in public interest grave social injustices and dangerous developments for individuals and the society, democracy, peace and environment.

Kolkata Vice Chancellor of Presidency to be removed

The West Bengal government has decided to pre-maturely end the tenure of Malabika Sarkar as Vice Chancellor of Presidency University though her one-year term is due to expire on September 30.

Professor Sarkar who had been critical of the vandalism carried out allegedly by supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress inside the varsity premises on April 10 was planning the first convocation scheduled for August 22 when informed of the decision.

Jhumpa Lahiri featured for Man Booker Prize 2013

Indian American author Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland has been listed among 13 novels longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2013.

The longlist for the prize, one of the English language's top fiction awards, names 13 writers from seven countries.

The "Man Booker dozen" 2013 comprises an diverse list of 13 novels that will astonish and intrigue in equal measure.

There are 13 outstanding novels range from the traditional to the experimental, from the first century AD to the present day, from 100 pages to 1000 and from Shanghai to Hendon.

The Lowland, is story set in India and America, which is going to be published in September 2013 and is one of the highly anticipated books of the fall. It is being pitched as an easy frontrunner in London’s literary circles.

Bank of England puts Jane Austen on banknote

The Bank of England chose the chronicler of 18th century English country life as the new face of the note, bowing to critics who complained that the venerable institution was ignoring women on their currency.

Jane Austen will become the new face on England's 10-pound notes. Jane Austen certainly merits a place in the select group of historical figures to appear on our banknotes. 

Austen, whose novels include ``Emma'' and ``Sense and Sensibility,'' is one of Britain's best-loved authors. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of ``Pride and Prejudice,'' which was celebrated across the country with costume parties and other events.

The Austen note will be issued within a year of the Churchill note, which is targeted for release during 2016. The present face of the 10-pound note, Charles Darwin, will become extinct.

Her novels have an enduring and universal appeal and she is recognized as one of the greatest writers in English literature.

The controversy began earlier this year when the bank announced it would replace the 19th-century social reformer Elizabeth Fry with wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the 5-pound note. 

Though Churchill is still revered for his World War II leadership, the change led to protests because no other woman, besides Queen Elizabeth II, would be represented on Britain's currency.

Air India secures $500 mn from Deutsche, Investec Bank for 5 Dreamliners

Air India, has secured a $450-500-million bridge loan from Deutsche Bank and Investec Bank for five of its Boeing Dreamliners.

Air India has seven Dreamliners in its fleet, out of 27 it has ordered.

It has received $90-MILLION loan against each Dreamliner, The delivery of these five aircraft will be taken between July and October.

Air India on June 26 invited bids to arrange bridge finance of up to $500 million to pay for five Boeing 787s.

A bridge loan is used to meet payment commitments until a long-term financing arrangement is made. 

Air India as part of its plans to expand and modernise its fleet had placed an order for 68 aircraft from Boeing in 2006, which included 27 Dreamliners, 41 B-777s and B-737-800s.

Manu Anand to join Mondelez as India head

Former PepsiCo India head Manu Anand will replace Anand Kripalu as the India head of Mondelez International that owns Cadbury India.

Kripalu is expected to join Diageo, the British liquor giant that has taken a controlling stake in United Spirits. 

Anand will take over as president, India and South Asia, Mondelez International, and MD at Cadbury India. He will also be part of the Asia Pacific leadership team and will sit on the Mondelez International Leadership Council, the company said in a press release.

Kripalu had been leading Cadbury India and South East Asia, before he was redesignated as India MD earlier this year as part of a global restructuring exercise. 

He is leaving Cadbury India after eight years.

Mondelez is seen as a direct competition by the PepsiCo headquarters. 

Their overlapping products include packaged snacks and powder drink brands Tang and Tropicana, respectively. 

Anand had joined PepsiCo in 1994 as CFO of its foods division Frito-Lay, and four years later was named MD of the foods business.

Oil ministry cancels Punj Lloyd's contract for constructing petroleum technology

oil ministry has terminated Punj Lloyd's contract for constructing Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT) in Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary constituency, citing "non-performance" and re-tendered the Rs 435-crore project.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the project in 2008. The contract to build 27 buildings for the institute was awarded to Punj Lloyd in June 2010 with a two-year deadline.

disputes arose between Punj Lloyd and state-run Engineers India Ltd, the project manager appointed by RGIPT. 

RGIPT has terminated the contract of PLL for non-performance of the contract on May 22, 2013. 

EIL, on the direction of RGIPT, has already published a tender for award of balance work,RGIPT President DM Reddy told ET.