Latest news with #SICA
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Sikkim Cricket Ground Lights Up With Historic Floodlight Installation
The Sikkim Cricket Ground in Mining marked a major milestone in the state's sporting history with the installation of state-of-the-art high-mast LED floodlights, officially inaugurated on the evening of May 18 by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. This development makes the venue capable of hosting day-night matches and high-definition live broadcasts for the first time in Sikkim. The project, worth Rs 12.2 crore, was fully funded by the Government of Sikkim and executed by the Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA). The work commenced in December 2024 and was completed on April 18. The lighting system features four 44-meter-high masts, each equipped with 64 high-powered LED floodlights, totalling 256 lights. Each light has a capacity of 1.2 kW, and the system provides an impressive 2800 lux illumination at the pitch well above the required standard for televised cricket. Justice Biswanath Somadder, Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, along with Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the Chief Administrator-cum-Cabinet Secretary, and senior department officials, were present at the grand inauguration. SICA President Tika Subba expressed his gratitude to both the state government and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for making this dream a reality. "Thanks to the government, with the help of the government as well as the BCCI, today we are able to install this historic floodlight," he said. Subba also pointed out the longstanding issue of poor lighting at the ground, which hindered match scheduling and overall gameplay. To commemorate the occasion, a friendly match was held between the SICA President XI and the Chief Secretary XI. Batting first, the Chief Secretary XI posted 121/9 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, the SICA President XI chased down the target in 19.4 overs, winning the game with five wickets in hand. The LED floodlights, built to meet international standards, come with a five-year manufacturer's warranty and promise low maintenance, ensuring that Sikkim cricket takes a giant step forward in infrastructure and visibility. Chief Minister Tamang also confirmed that preparations are underway for a potential visit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Sikkim government has received confirmation regarding PM Modi's visit. Several meetings have taken place...29th May is the tentative date, though it is not 100% confirmed yet," Tamang said.
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sarawak looks to Melaka's Socso Tun Abdul Razak Rehab Centre to tackle ageing population needs
Fatimah (second right) listens to a briefing on the holistic recovery ecosystem practised at the institution in Melaka. — Ukas photo KUCHING (May 10): With Sarawak expected to become an ageing state by 2028, the state government is ramping up efforts to enhance social and health infrastructure, taking cues from established rehabilitation models to better support the elderly and vulnerable communities. In this regard, State Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah regards the Socso Tun Abdul Razak Rehabilitation Centre in Melaka as an exemplary model for a holistic recovery ecosystem – one that blends medical care, psychosocial assistance, vocational training, and reintegration support. 'In this context, the approach adopted by the Socso Rehabilitation Centre is very appropriate because the institution's ability to integrate medical elements and rehabilitation training in one centre can serve as a reference for Sarawak in developing a community rehabilitation model that is elderly-friendly. 'We also want to see how person-centred and evidence-based rehabilitation services can be adapted into social policies and practices in Sarawak. 'In fact, this approach becomes increasingly important when considering the demographic reality that Sarawak is currently and will be facing in relation to the issue of an ageing population,' she said in her speech during a visit to the Socso Tun Abdul Razak Rehabilitation Centre recently, as reported by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas). Adding on, Fatimah said Sarawak had rolled out several proactive strategies, including the upcoming Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025, scheduled in Kuching this Oct 28-29. The international forum, she said, would examine ageing-related challenges and innovations, including the role of technology, long-term care, and community-based support systems. Meanwhile, she added that a comprehensive research project titled 'Research on Preparation for an Ageing Sarawak' was currently in progress. 'This study, which involves elderly individuals, caregivers, service providers, and policymakers, aims to evaluate key aspects such as financial well-being, healthcare, transport, lifelong learning, family support, caregiving, employment, and volunteer opportunities. 'These measures mark the Sarawak government's serious commitment to ensuring that no senior citizen is left behind in the ongoing development as the era of an ageing population approaches,' said the minister. ageing state fatimah abdullah rehabilitation models socso
The Print
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Bhushan Steel-JSW saga exposes cracks in insolvency code. Where's the finality?
The IBC was meant to be a swift, transparent, and final mechanism for resolving corporate distress. But if every resolution is subject to reversal years later, and every acquirer must factor in the risk of ED or other state action, then the core promise of the code is being undermined. Setting aside the approved resolution plan in May 2025, the Supreme Court instead directed liquidation of the company. While the court's decision has brought the protracted proceedings to a close, it has raised fundamental questions about how the process is playing out. The acquisition of Bhushan Power & Steel by JSW Steel has been one of the longest and most contested sagas under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The case began in July 2017. Then came the multiple appeals, followed by years of litigation, and intervention by the Enforcement Directorate. Problem of constant appeal A core principle that shaped the IBC was that of time-bound resolution. Unlike the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) and the Sick Industrial Companies Act (SICA), the IBC would avoid needless delays by limiting judicial discretion and reducing the scope of appeal. The onus for decision making lay on the committee of creditors (CoC), and not the courts. Under Section 61 of the IBC, appeals are meant to be limited to cases where the resolution plan contravenes provisions of law or suffers from material irregularity. Further, the IBC set strict timelines—180 days, extendable to 330—because it recognised that value deteriorates with time. However, this promise hasn't fully materialised. The default seems to be to appeal every decision, at every level, perhaps because the adjudicating authorities admit each appeal for hearing, regardless of how thin the grounds may appear. The process for BPSL began on 26 July 2017, and resulted in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)'s approval of a resolution plan proposed by JSW on 5 September 2019. Operational creditors and promoters approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) because of dissatisfaction with their payout. If the resolution plan met the procedural criteria laid down by the IBC, then there was no reason to admit the appeal on the payout alone. The NCLAT upheld the earlier JSW plan. The matter, however, did not rest. The appeals continued to the Supreme Court. The current events suggest that there is no configuration where the appeal process would end. Given this, the Supreme court order on liquidation may have (intentionally or not) set up a different set of incentives for the various parties. Previously, parties would probably pursue an appeal if the cost of appeal was lower than the potential benefit. At worst, they would lose some legal fees; at best, they might delay implementation or extract a better deal than what the resolution plan offered. But if protracted litigation can now result in the Supreme Court ordering liquidation instead of resolution, the payoff matrix changes. The risk of total value destruction may make appeals a far riskier bet than before. Uncertainty from intervention Another IBC principle was that of a 'clean slate' in resolution. That is, once a resolution plan is approved, past liabilities—including criminal liabilities—should not attach to the assets being transferred to the new owner. Unless this happens, resolution applicants will continue to fear post-resolution state action. When the future of acquired assets is subject to ongoing or future investigation by agencies with sweeping powers, it becomes virtually impossible to assess risk accurately. Section 32A of the IBC was introduced precisely to address this problem: it provides immunity to the corporate debtor and the resolution applicant from prosecution for prior offences, provided there is a change in management and control. This design principle also remains unfulfilled. In the JSW-Bhushan Power case, even after JSW's plan was approved and the company was set to be transferred to the new owner, the ED sought to retain attached assets, claiming they were proceeds of crime. In such a context, how could JSW have been reasonably expected to implement the resolution plan? The JSW group had, therefore, also appealed to the NCLT, asking for protection from attachment by the ED. This is not an isolated case, and highlights the absence of a consistent 'clean slate' paradigm within the IBC framework. Resolution must mean finality—not just from other creditors or promoters, but from the state itself. There must be a disciplined line separating insolvency resolution from enforcement of economic offences. Otherwise, few bidders will have the appetite to take on distressed companies, and liquidation will increasingly become the default—not the exception. Also read: India's insolvency law needs a middle ground. Both creditors & debtors need protection Procedural irregularities The Supreme Court's ruling pointed out several procedural irregularities in the way the resolution plan was approved. It is not possible for us to evaluate whether the Supreme Court was correct in its evaluation, and we have to accept the court's assessment in good faith. But it is odd that both the NCLT and NCLAT did not find any issue when they reviewed this case. A robust resolution process depends on the reliability of its institutions. If those institutions routinely fail to detect or prevent irregularities, then the problem is deeper than we think. Further, the case has raised the question on whether the final outcome be completely demolished to pay the price for the failings of the adjudicatory system. If the process of resolution is so fragile that errors at any stage render the outcome void, then perhaps it is time to rethink how we structure adjudication under the IBC. The case was part of the list of high-profile insolvency proceedings identified by the Reserve Bank of India on 13 June 2017 for immediate resolution under the IBC. In hindsight, directing the RBI-12 cases—India's largest and most complex defaulters—into the newly established IBC framework may have been premature. The code was still in its infancy, and the institutional capacity of NCLT, NCLAT, and other actors was untested. A more measured rollout, starting with smaller, less contentious cases, could have allowed the system to mature, rules to clarify, and precedents to stabilise. Instead, the RBI-12 exposed the system's fragilities early on, creating a turbulent learning curve that continues to affect the IBC's credibility today. That is a lesson for future reforms. Renuka Sane is managing director at TrustBridge, which works on improving the rule of law for better economic outcomes for India. She tweets @resanering. Views are personal. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti)
Borneo Post
05-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sarawak gears up for International Ageing Conference this October
Handout photo shows Fatimah (second left) chairing the organising committee meeting KUCHING (May 6): Sarawak will host the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 to address the challenges of an ageing population and propose innovative solutions to support older persons in the state. Minister of Woman, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the conference, jointly organised with the Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatrics Society (SGGS), will take place from October 28 to 29 in Kuching. She revealed that Sarawak's population is ageing at a faster pace compared to the national trend. 'According to data from Department of Statistics Malaysia, Sarawak is projected to have around 16 per cent of its population aged 60 and above by 2028,' she said. SICA 2025 will be held in conjunction with the National Senior Citizens Day Celebration and the International Day of Older Persons. Themed 'Ageing with Dignity: Policies for Right, Inclusion and Social Protection', the conference aims to promote a comprehensive policy framework that upholds the rights of older persons. Fatimah said the framework would ensure inclusion of seniors in all aspects of society, provide adequate social protection, and foster dignity, empowerment, and equity for the state's ageing population. 'SICA 2025 is a crucial platform for Sarawak to future-proof our society and policies. By promoting active ageing, dignity and empowerment, we are investing not only in our older population but also in the future resilience of our communities,' she added. The two-day conference will include plenary sessions with speakers from the World Health Organization (WHO) and keynote addresses by experts from the MyAgeing Institute of Universiti Putra Malaysia. Concurrent sessions will cover a range of topics including policy development, healthcare, digitalisation, personal well-being, economic empowerment, and community engagement. Other highlights include forums featuring international insights on aged care from countries such as China, Japan, and Singapore; as well as exhibitions, networking activities, and intergenerational programmes involving older persons in discussions and activities. Fatimah also noted that key stakeholders expected to participate include government agencies, local councils, healthcare institutions, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector players, community leaders, caregivers and older persons themselves. 'This conference forms part of Sarawak's broader initiatives under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 and aligns with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030). The Ministry remains committed to improving the welfare and inclusion of the elderly population,' she added. elderly fatimah abdullah lead Sarawak International Conference on Ageing
United News of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- United News of India
SICA, FICA honours Padma Shri Chef Damu
Chennai, Apr 29 (UNI) The South India Chefs Association (SICA) and the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) on Tuesday felicitated renowned chef Dr. K. Damodaran, affectionately known as Chef Damu, on being conferred with the coveted Padma Shri award by the Union Government. He was presented the one of the nation's highest civilian honours in recognition of his exemplary contribution to the culinary arts and South Indian gastronomy. Speakers at the event, said his life was Devoted to Culinary Excellence. Dr. Chef Dam's illustrious journey is a testament to unwavering passion, perseverance and an enduring commitment to the art of hospitality. Recalling his journey, they said he was a Commerce graduate from Madurai Kamaraj University and the completed Diploma in Hotel Management, finished MBA from Madras University. He later became the first Indian to earn a Ph.D. in Hotel Management. In a culinary career spanning over five decades in the hospitality industry, he specializes in Chettinad and South Indian cuisine and has also worked with renowned hotel brands, gaining expertise and recognition and has mentored over 6,000 students, besides authoring four textbooks for hotel management students. He had etched his name in the Guinness Book of World Records in December 2010 for the longest individual cooking marathon, preparing 617 dishes. He had collaborated with Tamil Nadu Government (2008-2011) to enhance the Mid-Day Noon Meal Scheme, trained 1,40,000 Noon Meal Workers across 32 districts and was actively engaged in charitable activities through SICA to promote culinary standards and welfare. The event was attended by eminent personalities, including Chef Manjit Singh Gill, President, IFCA, Chef Sheetharam Prasaath, General Secretary of SICA and Vice President of IFCA; Board Members of SICA and IFCA; distinguished Executive Chefs, General Managers, Deans, and Directors of leading hospitality institutions; representatives from the Tamil Nadu Government, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, ITDC, and those from the hospitality fraternity. Jointly hosted by SICA and IFCA, the event served not only as a formal felicitation but also a celebration of a legacy that continues to inspire generations. On the occasion, SICA's 7th Edition of Culinary Olympiad Logo and Rule book was launched and the event will be held in September 2025. UNI GV 1725
