ADB to provide $20 million for tourism development in Sikkim

NEW DELHI – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a loan of $20 million for the development of tourism infrastructure in Sikkim, the tourism ministry said here Thursday.

“A loan assistance of $20.0 million from ADB has been negotiated for South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project for Sikkim,” the ministry said in statement.
For the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Digital Green catalyses a quiet revolution in Indian villages

NEW DELHI – Farmers are improving crop yields, using new technologies besides learning video-making skills – thanks to Digital Green which is catalysing a quiet revolution in the little hamlets of India. Its founder, Rikin Gandhi, has been named as a top young innovator by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Delhi-based Digital Green focusses on … Original source on Gaea Times at : Digital Green catalyses a quiet revolution in Indian villages.

Empowering girls around world with an Indian scholarship

NEW DELHI – Flora Aduk finished her graduation in Uganda but realised that her dream of pursuing an MBA would be impossible to fulfill due to financial constraints. She had almost given up when one day she got a scholarship letter from India.

The 26-year-old was jubilant at the chance. “It was surreal for me and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Empowering girls around world with an Indian scholarship.

Federal panel examining recession tells Nev. leaders to be bold in fixing widespread problems

Financial crisis panel tells NV leaders to be bold
LAS VEGAS – From mortgage problems to education and budget issues, Nevada leaders on Wednesday delivered a sobering assessment of the state’s future as a result of the Great Recession during seven hours of testimony before a federal panel investigating the country’s financial meltdown.
And while … Read more : Federal panel examining recession tells Nev. leaders to be bold in fixing widespread problems.

Virginia philanthropist, billionaire John Kluge dies at age 95; owned Metromedia broadcasting

Va. philanthropist, billionaire John Kluge dies

John Kluge, once listed as the wealthiest man in America, who built an investment in a radio station into a broadcasting empire that was the forerunner to Fox Television, has died. He was 95.
The University of Virginia said Wednesday that Kluge (pronounced KLOOG-ee) died Tuesday at his home near Charlottesville, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Virginia philanthropist, billionaire John Kluge dies at age 95; owned Metromedia broadcasting.

APNewsBreak: USA Cheer, USA Gymnastics have competing plan to make cheer into a college sport

Groups competing to make cheer a recognized sport

HARTFORD, Conn. – A second organization announced plans Wednesday to create a new sport out of competitive cheerleading in an effort to get competitions recognized by the NCAA.
A week after USA Gymnastics announced it will sanction meets among the six schools that have had varsity competitive cheer teams, …. Source  : APNewsBreak: USA Cheer, USA Gymnastics have competing plan to make cheer into a college sport.

Arizona education chief: Feds probing discrimination claims over teachers’ English fluency

Ariz. education chief: Feds looking at bias claims

PHOENIX – Arizona’s education chief says the federal government has launched an investigation into whether the state discriminates against teachers who are nonnative English speakers.
The probe was launched by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education. It’s the most recent of several federal investigations aimed at Arizona, which …. Source article  : Arizona education chief: Feds probing discrimination claims over teachers’ English fluency.

Federal commission meets experts, public in Las Vegas to examine causes of Great Recession

Panel examining recession’s causes meets in Vegas
LAS VEGAS – Nevada had unrealistic growth expectations before the nation’s financial meltdown battered the state’s tourism industry and erased billions of dollars in real estate equity, an economist told a federal commission examining the causes of the Great Recession.
“The state was overbuilt and some 100,000 jobs …. Source article  : Federal commission meets experts, public in Las Vegas to examine causes of Great Recession.

NCAA reprimands and censures Princeton for major violation in women’s tennis program

Princeton reprimanded for ‘major’ tennis violation

PRINCETON, N.J. – The NCAA has reprimanded and censured Princeton University for a major violation in its women’s tennis program.
The Division I committee on infractions says the case centered on a Princeton alumnus who paid $33,000 in impermissible educational expenses for a student-athlete to attend the school.
Because of the limited …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hank Aaron sad for Bonds, Clemens, baseball in wake of steroids stories

Aaron ’saddened’ by Bonds, Clemens steroid stories

NEW YORK – Hank Aaron’s verdict on baseball’s steroid scandal: “Saddened.”
Aaron, long reluctant to weigh in too strongly on the stories involving steroids and baseball, said Tuesday he’ll keep sticking with that tact in the cases of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, both accused of lying about using steroids … Original article on : Hank Aaron sad for Bonds, Clemens, baseball in wake of steroids stories.

Spice Group to enter education sector, set up university

RAMPUR – The Spice Group is diversifying into educational services with plans to set up a global university at Modipur in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh by 2012.

Group Chairman B.K. Modi told IANS here Wednesday that the university will help propagate “holistic education”.
“The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs.1,000 crore, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Spice Group to enter education sector, set up university.

School Bus Safety 2010 for the Drivers

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) — Lets be together in making school bus safety a priority today. The Minnesota State Parol alerts the drivers and reminds them of their safety rules on the eve of school year, which is yet to begin.
More than 24 million students nationwide travel by school bus. Children are the bright future of this …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : School Bus Safety 2010 for the Drivers.

Save schools during Bihar polls: rights body

NEW YORK – Maoists and Indian authorities should protect schools and children’s access to education during the upcoming Bihar state elections, Human Rights Watch has said.

The use of schools by police and paramilitary forces as bases during the election campaign can disrupt students’ access to education and may increase the likelihood of Maoist attacks … Read more >>>.

Sibal to visit China, new education ties in offing

NEW DELHI – Notwithstanding the chill in ties over the visa row, China and India are looking to forge new ties in the field of education with Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal heading for China on a five-day visit.

Sibal will represent India at the World Economic Forum meet to be held in Tianjin … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sibal to visit China, new education ties in offing.

Sonia concerned over teacher absenteeism in rural schools

NEW DELHI – National Advisory Council chairperson Sonia Gandhi Wednesday expressed concern over teacher absenteeism in government schools in rural areas and said they should make efforts to reach the level of state-run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).

“Why are other government schools not as good? One-fourth the teachers in 10+2 rural schools remain absent. Admissions take … Original article on : Sonia concerned over teacher absenteeism in rural schools.