For Students of South Asian Countries _OKAN University,Istanbul Turkey

For Students of South Asian Countries _Okan University,Istanbul Turkey

Okan University,Istanbul,Turkey  founded in 1999 is one of the most dynamic universities in Turkey with a student body of 8000 students.The university offers 52 undergraduates programs,27 graduate programs and 5 Ph.D. programs under 5 faculties,2 graduate institutions,school of applied sciences and health sciences.
True to its Motto,”The University Closet to the world of Business”,Okan University eefectively combines theory and practice by employing distinguished academic staff and inviting experts professionals to lecture and prepare students for successful careers.

Naresh Kumar Sagar with office at Ms Enkaysagar holdings Pvt Ltd,C-1-106 Janakpuri New Delhi
110058,India.Nksagar@rediffmail.com,Mobile  9810974027.is appointed :

The facilitator for cooperation for students from India and South Asian countries who shall be sent to Okan University for educational purposes for getting undergraduate/Graduate /post graduate degrees are designated.
By Mr Ugur Erkay,Director,International office.
T.C.Okan Universitesi,located at .Istanbul
Turkey

India and China must shake hands: Li Keqiang China’s

 

India and China must shake hands: Li Keqiang 

 

China’s new Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday said India and China “must shake hands” to make Asia an “engine of the world economy”. Addressing the 100 member Indian youth delegation at Zhongnanhai, the imperial gardens housing the headquarters of China’s ruling Communist Party and central government, Li spoke warmly about his visit to India 27 years ago as leader of a youth delegation. The fond memories of that visit made him to choose India to be the fist overseas visit, he said. Li will reach New Delhi on May 19. “Many people in the world believe that in the 21st century, the Asia-Pacific, Asia in particular will play a more important role in global economy and politics and that Asia will become an important engine for the world economy”, he said. “For this vision to truly come true our two countries must shake hands and conduct exchanges so that together we can raise the standing of Asia in the world and truly make Asian economy an important engine for the world economy”, he said. “The linkage of our two vast markets will bring tangible benefits to people in both the countries and provide strong impetus for world economic growth and prosperity as well as that in Asia”, he said. “People say Asia represents the hope for the future of the world. That I think is because you the young people. To turn the hope into reality, we must start with exchanges between the young people of the two countries”, he said. Recalling his visit to India over two decade and half decades ago, he said, “What I saw and felt during that trip, visiting Taj Mahal and prestigious Indian Universities, research institutes and warmth and hospitality of Indian people, left a lasting impact on me”. “In a few days time I will make India the first stop of first overseas visit as a Premier of China. I have made this decision not just because India is an important neighbour and one of the populous countries of the world but also because of the seeds of friendship sown during my own youth”, he said “Both China and India are ancient civilisations. We have created great civilisations that can make mankind proud and our two countries are proud historical tradition of cultural interflows and now the conditions are even better faced to learn from each other culturally,” he said. “China and India are friendly neighbours and we are also natural partners. Both of our countries stand for amicable and peaceful relations between the countries and a multi polar world. The peaceful and friendly relations between our two countries is blessing not just to Asia but also the whole world,” he said. “As I embark on my visit to India, I hope that you will during this trip sow the seeds of friendship and nurture the young sapling of this friendship so that it will grow into towering tree and strong bridge between out two countries,” he said. Li will be visiting New Delhi and Mumbai during his three day visit before leaving for Pakistan, Germany and Switzerland.

India-EU FTA talks stuck

 

India-EU FTA talks stuck; insurance could be game spoiler

Talks between India-EU chief negotiators on FTA got stuck with the European bloc making clear that the pact cannot proceed unless the insurance sector was further opened up by New Delhi, which expressed its inability to do so without Parliament approval.
“The first day of talks got stuck on the issue of FDI in the insurance sector. EU is saying that they cannot proceed without India allowing 49 percent FDI in the insurance sector,” a source said on Wednesday.

The Indian side, however, has made it clear they cannot move on this front without the approval of Parliament.

The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2008 that seeks to raise FDI cap from 26 percent to 49 percent is pending before Parliament.

The Indian side also insisted on grant of data secure status toNew Delhi, sources said.

“The EU side would have to take a final call on all vexed issues if they want to continue the FTA talks,” the source added.

Although the technical level talks between the two sides started on Monday, the three-day deliberations between the chief negotiators started Wednesday.

India and the 27-nation bloc have been negotiating a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) since June 2007, but a breakthrough has not yet been achieved due to strong differences on several of the issues.

Besides significant duty cuts in automobiles, EU is pressing for tax reduction in wines and spirits and dairy products, a hike in FDI cap in the insurance sector and a strong intellectual property regime.

On the other hand, India wants liberalised visa norms for its professionals, data secure status and market access in services and pharmaceuticals sector.

India is among nations not considered data secure by the EU which obstructs flow of sensitive data, such as intellectual property or patient information under data protection laws in the EU.

The EU law mandates that its member-countries doing outsourcing business with nations that are not certified as data secure have to follow stringent contractual obligations which increases operating costs and affects competitiveness.

Negotiations on a number of tracks including trade in goods and services; investment, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (dealing with basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health standards); technical barriers to trade, trade remedies, government procurement, customs cooperation and trade facilitation, dispute settlement, competition and intellectual property rights are underway.

The total trade between India and the EU stood at USD 94.43 billion during April-February 2012-13. It aggregated to USD 109.86 billion in 2011-12.

Anand Sharma Meets Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Anand Sharma Meets Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Asks for Greater Access for Indian Pharma and Agri Products
The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma is on a two-day visit to Tokyo for a comprehensive review of bilateral economic engagement with Japan, ahead of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Tokyo.

Today, he called upon Japanese PM Mr. Shinzo Abe, and apprised him of the progress made in the implementation of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, which was conceptualised in the 2007 visit of Mr. Abe to India. Mr Abe expressed satisfaction on the amount of work put into the project and mentioned that Japanese companies are looking forward to partner with India in project implementation. Japan has already committed USD 4.5 billion in the first phase of project implementation. The Government of India has committed an equal amount for development of trunk infrastructure for creation of new industrial townships along the corridor. Shri Sharma informed the Japanese Prime Minister that currently Japan has already taken 26% equity in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation creating a new paradigm of economic cooperation based on collaboration in innovation, technology and manufacturing under the framework of the strategic global partnership between the two countries. Shri Sharma mentioned that India was looking forward to welcoming the Emperor and Empress of Japan to India during this year.

Shri Sharma also met Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and expressed satisfaction on the healthy growth of trade after the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries. However, he flagged concerns of India relating to mounting trade deficit and specially urged for market access for Indian agricultural and marine produce and Indian pharmaceuticals. The Japanese pharma market is projected to grow to USD 100 billion and Indian generics can play a key role in providing affordable healthcare.

Shri Sharma also met the Japanese Minister of Economy Trade and Industry, Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, which provided an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the DMIC project including the implementation of the early bird projects.

Top Japanese company CEOs including those from Mitsubishi, Hitachi, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) made a detailed presentation to Shri Sharma on the progress of the project implementation. The CEO of Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), Mr. Hiroshi Watanabe also met Shri Sharma assuring him of full financial support for the DMICDC project and other infrastructure projects in India.

Mobile Application for Monitoring and Incentivizing the Use

Mobile Application for Monitoring and Incentivizing the Use of Clean Cookstoves in India 

Qualcomm, Nexleaf Analytics, the Energy and Resources Institute, and the UK Department for International Development Collaborate on a Mobile Application for Monitoring and Incentivizing the Use of Clean Cookstoves in India
India, May 17, 2013: Qualcomm Incorporated, through Qualcomm Wireless Reach™, Nexleaf Analytics, in collaboration with the Energy and Resources Institute New Delhi (TERI), Project Surya and the UK Department for International Development (DFID), today announced that they have worked together on the development of SootSwap, a mobile application for monitoring the use and incentivizing the adoption of clean cooking technologies.
Approximately three billion people depend on traditional cookstoves for their cooking needs. The Global Burden of Disease Study 20101 estimates that four million people die each year as a result of inhaling the smoke produced by cooking over these open fires. Switching to clean-burning cookstoves can reduce the amount of firewood used in open fires, as well as the amount of smoke indoors and outdoors. This could lead to improved health for the women and children who have shown to be the most exposed to the smoke.
At a cost of approximately US$50 – US$100 (Rs. 2700 – Rs. 5500) each, clean cookstoves are currently unaffordable for the estimated three billion people worldwide living on less than USD$2 a day. Registered carbon credit programs are beginning to provide financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions through the use of clean cookstoves. Estimates suggest that a family could earn enough money selling carbon credits on the carbon market to directly finance the purchase price of a clean cookstove within two to five years through a loan. However, it is difficult and expensive to verify the reduction in carbon emissions produced by clean cookstoves, making it a challenge to apply carbon credits to the use of improved cooking technologies.
To address this issue, the SootSwap system includes a mobile phone-based temperature-sensing application and a thermal sensor that connects to a Brew™ CDMA or Android phone. Each time the cookstove is fired up, the temperature increase activates the sensor. This temperature data is then wirelessly uploaded from the cellphone to a server where it is analyzed to indicate the number of times a stove is used and the duration of each use, enabling remote verification of stove usage. This capability will create an opportunity to make data available to carbon market investors as proof of
1 Lim S.S and many others, 2012, A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, Lancet, 380: 2224-60.
reduction in carbon emissions. Investors can then purchase the validated credits and transmit money directly to the families using the clean cookstoves.
Over the past three years, SootSwap has been tested and validated both in the laboratory and through a pilot project involving more than 100 rural Indian homes in villages around Jagdishpur, a town in Uttar Pradesh. In the next phase, SootSwap will be used with Project Surya’s2 Climate Credit Pilot Project, known in India as C2P2. The pilot phase of the initiative aims to demonstrate the benefits of the adoption of clean cookstoves in 2,000 households. Participating families will receive a clean cookstove through bank financing and a mobile phone equipped with a temperature sensor and the SootSwap application. Using these tools, families will be allowed to link their reductions in black carbon emissions (made possible by the clean cookstoves) to carbon credits. Black carbon is caused by the use of solid fuels such as firewood, cow dung and crop residues and emissions from household cooking fuels.
The project collaborators hope that the potential for earnings will motivate more families to use clean cookstoves and ultimately lead to the broad adoption of clean cooking technologies.
Qualcomm Wireless Reach understands the many ways advances in mobile technology have already improved lives and it is working to enable even greater transformations for a healthy environment. By working with organizations like Nexleaf Analytics and TERI, Wireless Reach aims to leverage its capabilities in order to expand the impact of mobile technology.
Project Surya seeks to mitigate the regional impacts of global warming through clean cooking and innovative sensing technologies.
Nexleaf Analytics applies its field tested sensors and engineering data measurement tools to advance the capabilities of ordinary mobile phones to find low-cost ways of making clean cooking easier and more accessible to families around the world.
TERI, with its head quarter in New Delhi and regional offices throughout India and the world, is an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment and sustainable development. TERI is strongly committed to research, development and promotion of customized solutions for energy access and livelihoods enhancement in rural areas.
DFID leads the UK government’s fight against world poverty. It runs long-term programmes to help stop the underlying causes of world poverty and responds to humanitarian emergencies.
To learn more about the SootSwap project, please download the case study.
To find out more about Qualcomm Wireless Reach visit: http://www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach.

Tehelka’s Sting on Varun Gandhi Shows Collusion between

Tehelka’s Sting on Varun Gandhi Shows Collusion between BJP and SP to Subvert Justice 

 

 

The Tehelka sting exposing how Varun Gandhi used the ruling Samajwadi Party leaders, the local BJP leaders, and the local police to intimidate and bribe the witnesses in his hate speech case to turn hostile, and secure his acquittal is a stinging indictment of Varun Gandhi, the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and indeed of the criminal justice system of the country. Varun’s hate speech was particularly violent and communal and was recorded on video. Amazingly though, in the trial, the video was not produced by the police which is shown to have colluded with Varun, with the blessings of the Samajwadi party to intimidate and suborn witnesses to secure his acquittal. Surprisingly, the trial court also appears to have colluded with this blatant subversion of justice and did not even bother to investigate the mass scale witnesses turning hostile.

 

The fact that Varun has been promoted as the general secretary of the BJP subsequently speaks volumes about the party and it’s willingness and indeed keenness to promote communal and criminal leaders. This is also reflected in the promotion of Amit Shah and Maya Kodnani by the BJP, even after they had been charge sheeted for heinous crimes. It is also reflected in the induction of the gun toting MP Rathadia by Modi into the party and his giving him a ticket for the by election in Gujarat. It is clear that for the BJP, criminals particularly communal criminals are welcome in the party and will be made leaders if they can somehow secure votes.

 

The Tehelka sting also exposes the bogus protestations of secularism of the Samajwadi party which has been shown as striking deals with Varun in order to help suborn justice. The sting also exposes the ease with which justice can be subverted in our criminal justice system and underlines the need for comprehensive judicial reforms.

Bhutan Newsletter May 2013 Dear travel partner, Kuzu zang pola

Bhutan Newsletter May 2013 

Dear travel partner,   Kuzu zang pola (Hello) from Tourism Council of Bhutan!   With the arrival of the summer holiday season, holiday planning for your clients must be surely keeping you busy. We do hope that you will promote our mystical Kingdom and encourage your clients to visit this majestic destination.   In our endeavour to enhance the knowledge of our travel partners to selectively target the discerning Indian traveller, this month we have dedicated this e-newsletter edition to a dzongkhag (district) that does not find itself too frequently on the regular itinerary unless you are a bird enthusiast. However, with its historical and architectural resources, Trashi Yangtseis a destination that will surely enthrall your visitors.   It is a rapidly growing town and it is the administrative and religious center for the people of Trashi Yangtse. The place is known for engraved wooden bowls and cups which are used for serving food.   Whilst traveling to our country during the month of May, your customers can witness some unique festivals and also learn more about this unexplored region.   Our team in Mumbai is available to assist you with specific queries or introduction to the Bhutanese private sector.   Happy reading and Tashi Delek! (Good Luck)   Sincerely,   Tourism Council of Bhutan Mumbai Representative office

UNDERSTANDING BHUTAN Trashi Yangtse: One of the farthest Dzongkhags (district) in the country, Trashi Yangtse was established as a district in 1992 and spans 1,437 sq km of sub-tropical and alpine forests. With its wealth of natural, historical and cultural resources Trashi Yangtse is destination that visitors to Bhutan will never forget. It is a rapidly growing town and the administrative center for this district situated in a small river valley, it is a lovely spot from which to take walks in the surrounding countryside.   Culture: Trashi Yangtse is an ethnically and culturally diverse district and the inhabitants include Yangtseps the regions indigenous dwellers, Tshanglas, Bramis from Tawang, Khengpas from Zhemgang and Kurtoeps from Lhuentse. This rich cultural tapestry has resulted in an interesting mix of languages and cultural practices in the region.   Trashi Yangtse, an Eco Tourism Destination: It was a Dungkhag (sub district) under the administration of Trashigang Dzongkhag till 1992. It was   created   as a   separate   full   fledged Dzongkhag co-inciding with the start of the seventh plan in 1992. The Dzongkhag has eight geogs (block) namely Bumdeling, Jamkhar, Khamdang, Ramjar, Tomzhangtshen, Trashi Yangtse, Toetsho, and Yalang with 117 villages and 3489 households. To arrive in Trashi Yangtse you must drive for two hours from Trashigang following the banks of Kholungchu rivers. Trashigang can be reached by air in about 25 minutes from Paro International airport.  Drukair flies twice a week to Yongphula in Trashigang.   MUST DO ACTIVITIES Orchid Trek: The Orchid Trek Route is inside the Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary which is located in the North-east of Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas. It is approximately 28 kilometer long connecting Rigsum gompa, Peri Gompa and Dechenphdrang. The best time to trek would be during spring, autumn and winter.  The reason for developing such trail is, it not only connects the two historical and cultural sites, Risum Goenpa and Dechen Phodrang but it serves as access route to other villages for transportation of agricultural and livestock products to the market. Annually more than thousand of devotees from all across the country visit these   two cultural sites. Apart from the cultural aspects, the route also provides wide range of opportunities for the birders, nature lovers’ tourists and plant enthusiast groups.   Trek to Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary: Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Northeastern part of Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas. Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary also has numerous historical and cultural sites. The sanctuary is home to around 100 species of mammals and 296 species of birds. There are certain charismatic, keystone and globally endangered species of mammals in Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary such as Snow leopard, Bengal tiger, and Red panda, and Capped Langur (Common). The sanctuary has a rich floristic diversity comprising   650 species   of   vascular   plants including the totally protected species of Bhutan such as the blue poppy (Bhutan’s national flower), Himalayan yew and Chinese caterpillar.   UPCOMING EVENTS IN BHUTAN Nimalung Festival: One of the most important festivals held at the Lhakhang is the Kaling Zhitro Drubchen. It was initiated by Doring Trulku and he was the first person to have started the rite in Bhutan. It is held on the first fifteen days of the first month of the Bhutanese calendar.   Nimalung Lhakhang is located in Chumey in Bumthang. It is approximately a 15 minute drive from the road that branches off from the village of   Chumey. By   attending such festivals, it is believed that one gain merits by seeking forgiveness for their sins in life. During the tshechu, mask and historical folk dances in colourful costumes are performed by monks and laymen including the Atsaras (Clowns), who amuse the audience with their antics.   Kurjey Festival: The festival takes place at Kurjey Temple, located at Kurjey in the Chokhor valley in Bumthang district. It is a 15 minute drive from Chamkhar town to arrive at the temple grounds.   The Kurjey festival is an important occasion not only for the local people of Bumthang but for all Bhutanese.   The     festival brings together tourists and Bhutanese from all over as it presents the perfect occasion to not only receive blessings by witnessing age-old mask dances but also to enjoy this unique culture whilst basking in the natural beauty of Bhutan’s spiritual heartland.   STAY UPDATE Travel Tips The northern regions of the country are colder than the more tropical south and trekkers will need to bring appropriate warm clothes and comfortable hiking boots. It is recommended that you bring flat-to-round pin converters for your electronics if necessary, however, most hotels offer multi plug sockets. Banks that you can avail of while in Bhutan are the Bank of Bhutan Limited, the Bhutan National Bank, the Druk PNB   and   the   Tashi Bank. Traveller’s cheque can be easily withdrawn and exchanged for local currency. Many of these banks provide internet banking facilities.  Most hotels and cafe’s offer Wi-Fi internet access. Bhutan has a comprehensive mobile (cell) phone network with global roaming also assessable.   FEATURED ATTRACTIONS Zorig Chusum: The Thirteen Traditional Crafts of Bhutan Trashi Yangtse is famous for its wooden containers and bowls, which make inexpensive, attractive and useful mementos of a visit to this remote region. The Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students study the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, is also worth a visit.    An essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage is the thirteen traditional arts and crafts that have been practiced from time immemorial. These arts were formally categorized during the reign of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as follows: Shing Zho (Woodwork), Dho zo (Stonework), Par zo (Carving), Lha zo (Painting), Jim zo (Sculpting), Lug zo (Casting), Shag zo (Wood Turning), Gar zo (Blacksmith), Troe zo (Ornament Making), Tsha zo (Bamboo Work), De zo (Paper Making), Tshem zo (Tailoring, embroidery and applique), Thag zo (Weaving).   Bumdelling Wildlife SanctuaryBumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary is located in north-eastern part of Bhutan covering an area of 1,545 sq. km with 420 sq. km of buffer zone encompassing parts of Trashi Yangtse, Lhuntshe, and Monggar district. Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary is also a paradise for butterflies: as of now 130 species have been recorded and another 120 are expected to inhabit this area. The very rare Ludlow’s Bhutan Swallowtail is found here. The sanctuary is home to around 100 species of mammals, including globally endangered species such as snow leopard, Royal Bengal tiger and red panda.   Chorten Kora The Chorten (Stupa) was built by Lama Ngawang Loday in 1740 on the site where a demon was subdued.  The Chorten was dedicated to the memory of   his  late   uncle, Jungshu Pesan. It is believed to be a replica of the Boudhnath stupa in Nepal and was consecrated by the 13th chief Abbot of Bhutan Je Sherub Wangchuk. Today, it is considered one of the most important historical Buddhist structures. The Chorten was built so that pilgrims could visit the temple in Trashi Yangtse instead of making a trip to Nepal.   TOUR INCLUSION IDEAS – BHUTAN Tsha-Zo: Most of the forests in Bhutan are richly stocked with bamboos and canes of various species. The Bhutanese people have taken advantage of these abundant natural resources and mastered the skill of weaving cane and bamboo products. The people of Kangpara in eastern Bhutan and the Bjokaps of Central Bhutan are the pioneer’s and masters of this craft. Their products are now sold to tourists earning them additional income and keeping this craft alive.     Bird Watching: Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists. Over 670 species of birds have been recorded and many more are yet to be discovered. Around   50 species  of the known birds are winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings. They are the Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, Gray-bellied Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, Blyth’s King Fisher, Yellow-rumped Honey Guide, Rufous Throated Wren Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Blyth’s Trogon, Wood Snipe, Dark-rumped Swift, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Gray-crowned Prinia and the Beautiful Nuthatch all of which breed in Bhutan.   BHUTAN IN THE LIMELIGHT Lonely Planet – ‘Bhutan – For the Indian Traveller’ Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is no ordinary place. It is a traveller’s ultimate dream; a Himalayan kingdom replete with myths and legends, where the best of traditional culture thrives and the latest global developments are enthusiastically embraced. This guide includes:  11 color maps Well-planned itineraries that covers the entire country Special feature on the famous treks of Bhutan Includes tips from Dalip Mehta, India’s former    ambassador to Bhutan Full color pages packed with inspirational images Indian food recommendations and the best local food        DID YOU KNOW?   Trashi Yangtse is known for the excellent wooden cups and bowls made here from avocado and maple wood using water-driven and treadle lathes. It is also a centre of paper making. They use the tsasho technique with a bamboo frame, which produces a distinctive pattern on the paper. Mask Dances are an integral part of Bhutanese culture. There are hundreds of different dances each with their own special meanings and stories. Many date   back hundreds   of years and visitors can view these spectacular dances at annual Tshechus (Annual Religious Festivals) that take place throughout the country.  Traditional Bhutanese eating habits are simple and in general, food is eaten with hands. Family members eat while sitting cross legged on the wooden floor with food first being served to the head of the household first.

For further information, please contact: Tourism Council of Bhutan, India Representative Office C/o Charson Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. 1104 Arcadia, 11th Floor, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021 – India Tel: 91 (22) 65172273; Fax: 91 (22) 22828835; Email: exec.office@charsonadvisory.com Tourism Council of Bhutan  Tarayana Centre, Chubachu, Thimphu, Bhutan  Tel: 975 2 323251/2 ; Email: info@tourism.gov.bt; Web: www.tourism.gov.bt

The health care law was passed by Congress,

The health care law was passed by Congress, signed by the President,

Posted on May 17, 2013 by sagarmedia

Hi all – Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives are going to come together, cast a vote, and try to repeal the Affordable Care Act just as they’ve done nearly 40 times before. Don’t expect much to come of it. The health care law was passed by Congress, signed by the President, and upheld by the Supreme Court. It’s been the law of the land for more than three years. It’s not going anywhere. We know that, and so do the lawmakers on Capitol Hill. But instead of creating jobs and growing the economy, some of them want to make yet another gesture of protest — even if it’s meaningless. So we’re responding with a little gesture of our own, and we need your help. We’re asking people like you to speak out, to let us know if you’re one of the 85 percent of Americans who’ve already benefitted from the health care law, and make a public stand in support of Obamacare. Lend your name now. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would mean that 6.6 million young adults would lose the option of staying on their parent’s health insurance. It would mean that 34.1 million seniors would pay more for preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopies, and 18 million middle-class families lose the opportunity to save money on their monthly premiums starting in 2014. But this isn’t about numbers; this is about our families’s lives. And we’re not just asking you to share your stories for the sake of speaking out. We’re building a network of people to help make sure that everyone has the information they need as we implement the law. We’ll keep you in the loop as we reach important milestones. We’ll make sure you have all the key facts so that you can share them in your communities. If you lend your name, we’ll make sure you’re part of that network. This is a chance to do more than send a message about your support for the Affordable Care Act. It’s an opportunity to be part of making the law a success. Show your support for the health care law today: http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/stories Thanks, David David Simas Deputy Senior Advisor The White House