Obama: Media Is 'One Of The Biggest Factors' Shaping Debates

Mr. President

U.S. President Barack Obama waves as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Mr. Vice President

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden walk along Pennsylvania Avenue during the parade following Obama's second inauguration as the 44th U.S. president on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

The First Couple

President and Michelle Obama wave to onlookers as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Right In Our Backyard

U.S. President Barack Obama and First lady Michelle Obama walk past the reviewing stand as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Parade Pandemonium

U.S. President Barack Obama drives down Pennsylvania avenue in his vehicle during the Inauguration Parade on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Secret Service Security

A U.S. Secret Service vehicle escorts President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama's motorcade during the inauguration parade on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Obama's Wheels

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: U.S. President Barack Obama drives down Pennsylvania avenue in his vehicle during the Inauguration Parade on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. The President was sworn in for second term. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Awaiting Obama's Arrival

People watch as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Showtime

U.S. President Barack Obama exits his limousine to walk during a portion of the presidential inaugural parade in the nation's capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A Walk Back In Time

Men in traditional colonial garb perform as U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk along Pennsylvania Avenue during the parade following Obama's second inauguration as the 44th US president on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C.(MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

A Hearty Thank You

President Barack Obama waves after taking the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The President's Pen

U.S. President Barack Obama (4R) is surrounded by (L-R) Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) and House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) while signing a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration, entitled a National Day of Hope and Resolve, directly after swearing-in ceremonies in the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

Putting It In Writing

President Barack Obama (2L) signs a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration, entitled a National Day of Hope and Resolve, as (L-R) Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), and House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) look on directly after swearing-in ceremonies in the U.S Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

It's Official

President Barack Obama is sworn by Chief Justice John Roberts at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

The National Anthem

President Barack Obama, surrounded by members of his family, listens to the National Anthem during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The Winning Ticket

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on the reviewing stand as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation's capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Husband And Wife

President Barack Obama takes the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Father And Daughters

President Barack Obama is greeted by daughter Sasha as Malia looks on at the beginning of the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Sister, Sister

First daughters Sasha (L) and Malia arrive for the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The Second Family

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden attend the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on Inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Bill & Hillary

Former president Bill Clinton and the current U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive for the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Hillary & Harry

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, applaud during the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court Justices (L-R) Anthony Kennedy, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor Elena Kegan, Samuel A. Alito, and Stephen G. Breyer attend the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Let's Do Lunch

President Barack Obama shakes hands as he and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on Inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Fine Dining

The place card for U.S. President Barack Obama sits ready for the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Neatly-Folded Napkins

Rocio Saucedo of Design Cuisine folds napkins in preparation for the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on Inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Time To Eat

Caterers set up for the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on Inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Crystal Clear

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, holds a crystal vase during a media briefing at the U.S. Capitol January 18, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

A Toast

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden toasts with Sen. Charles Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, at the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall on inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol building January 21, 2013 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

Capitol Pomp And Circumstance

President Barack Obama gives his speech after taking the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The National Mall

People crowd the National Mall to view U.S. President Barack Obama taking the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

The Presidential Motorcade

The presidential motorcade travels down Pennsylvania Ave. during the presidential inauguration January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Take Your Seats

Reserved seats for guests to view U.S. President Barack Obama taking the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

The Podium

Placemarks are set for the Obama and Biden families before the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Places, Please!

Placemarks are set for the Obama and Biden families before the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A Special Sunrise

American flags are waved as people gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Gingrich Family

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and wife Callista Gingrich arrive during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

You Go, Joe

President Barack Obama, center and Beau Biden, Attorney of Deleware, right, watch as his father Joe Biden is sworn in at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

Any Minute Now

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden look behind them on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, before their ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

A Room With A View

Vice President Joe Biden, left and President Barack Obama wait for their ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

I'm Here

Caption contest, Anyone? Vice President Joe Biden, followed by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., arrives on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, for the Presidential Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

All Smiles

Flanked by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden arrive at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

The Team

President Barack Obama greets Vice President Joe Biden at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

Hillary Greets President Obama

President Barack Obama is greeted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton for his ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

The President Arrives

President Barack Obama arrives for his ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

Bill 'Photo Bombs' Joe

Vice President Joe Biden arrives at the ceremonial swearing-in of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. Right is former President Bill Clinton.

Thumbs Up

President Barack Obama flashes a thumbs up at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

President Obama Salutes

This handout photo provided by NASA shows President Barack Obama saluting as he and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, depart the White House for Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, and Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

Hillary & Bill Arrive On The West Front

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, for the Presidential Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

Even McCain Is Fired Up

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. arrives on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, for the Presidential Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

Leon Panetta Arrives

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood arrive on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, for the Presidential Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/27/obama-media_n_2560269.html

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Iran and world powers need to stop bickering: Russia

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Global powers and Iran should "stop behaving like little children" and agree a date and place for new talks on Tehran's nuclear program, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.

European officials have accused Tehran of stalling on arranging a meeting with the six nations, including Russia, that are trying to prevent Iran developing atomic weapons. Tehran says its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes.

"Some of our partners in the six powers and the Iranian side cannot come to an agreement about where to meet," Lavrov told a news conference after talks with Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.

"We are ready to meet at any location as soon as possible," Lavrov said. "We believe the essence of our talks is far more important (than the site), and we hope that common sense will prevail and we will stop behaving like little children."

Three rounds of talks in the first half of last year between Iran and the six powers - Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany - produced no breakthrough, increasing speculation Israel could attack Iranian nuclear installations.

Talks had been expected to resume after the U.S. presidential election, possibly as early as this month. An Iranian news agency reported this month that talks might resume on January 28 and 29, but the EU said there was no agreement.

(Reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel,; Writing by Steve Gutterman, Editing by Timothy Heritage)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/iran-world-powers-must-stop-bickering-russia-090317971.html

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'Fruitvale,' 'Blood Brother' win Sundance Awards

Sundance Festival Director John Cooper speaks during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

Sundance Festival Director John Cooper speaks during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

Host Joseph Gordon-Levitt speaks during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

Director, writer and cast member Lake Bell celebrates as she comes on stage to accept her U.S. Dramatic Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for "In A World..." during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) ? The dramatic film "Fruitvale" and the documentary "Blood Brother" won over audiences and Sundance Film Festival judges.

Both American films won audience awards and grand jury prizes Saturday at the Sundance Awards.

"Fruitvale" tells the true story of Oscar Grant, who was 22 years old when he was shot and killed in a public transit station in Oakland, Calif. Twenty-six-year-old first-time filmmaker Ryan Coogler wrote and directed the dramatic narrative.

"Blood Brother" follows a young American, Rocky, who moved to India to work with orphans infected with HIV.

The Cambodian film "A River Changes Course" won the grand jury prize for international documentary, and a narrative film from South Korea, "Jiseul," claimed the grand jury prize for dramatic world cinema.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-01-26-US-Film-Sundance-Awards/id-a86838d2e46d47de8dacac14e97dfe76

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9-Step Social Media Plan for Business Owners - |

Inescapable. Last year social media?s impact on B2B and B2C communication, advertising, and information gathering was irrefutably inescapable. According to Techcrunch, ?there are now more devices connected to the Internet then there are people on earth.??

This explosion of mobile technology has enabled the assimilation of social media into our everyday lives. Consumers are watching TV with their Droids, iPhones, and iPads. As a result, they are online more often, and for longer amounts of time.

As a brand looking to connect with these consumers, your evolution into online marketing has become, dare we say it again?inescapable.

It is time to enter the social media arena and join your target market on the web. They are already there sharing experiences with others about brands, products, and services, so why not join the conversation?
?

2013 Online Marketing Plan Whether your brand is just getting started with online marketing or re-aligning for the new year, the following foundation is essential before incorporating social media into a comprehensive and complete online marketing plan.
?

9-Step Process for Social Media Success

So where does social media fit into all of this? Social media is the enabler of the internet. Its role is to magnify your existing online presence and amplify ALL of your other branding and marketing efforts. It plays a key role in delivering qualified traffic to the top of the online sales funnel. Social media allows brands and consumers the rare opportunity to join online conversations, where they can ask and answer questions, offer product guidance and ultimately forge deeper customer-brand relationships. An ongoing process that is continually building upon itself. Begin by reviewing your business objectives and goals for using social media. Then use the steps below to incorporate social media into your marketing plan and most importantly, work your plan. ?

Choose Your Channel- This is the entry point for your brand. Identify the 3 best social channels to meet your business objectives and create an account on each. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google+ are the main channels to consider. ? Brand Your Profile- It is essential that you present a unified branded appearance across all social media profiles. Use your company logo and branding from your website, and take the time to properly create a professional profile tailored to each social channel requirements. ? Build a Baseline by Listening- Build your brand?s voice by listening to what your market is saying, discover their pain points and establish a baseline for what they are interested in. For more information read ?Listen Up! It Is The Key To Social Media Success? and download our Social Listening checklist. ? Keep Your Competitors Close- Locate the competition and observe how they use social media. Note their successes and failures, and apply that to your social media strategy. ? Connect With the Connectors- Connect with influencers, industry players and relevant news sources. Follow the social activity of current clients, suppliers and affiliates. ? Calendar Your Content- Develop a content strategy and editorial calendar. The more you recommend, share and create content, the more you influence others online. ? Schedule for Sharing- Maintain a posting schedule that includes: SEO optimized headlines, featured website content, email campaigns, blog posts, relevant news stories and company milestones into your timeline, posts and tweets. ? Track and Measure- Maintain an analytics spreadsheet that benchmarks the growth and activity of each social channel. ? Report, Review and Refresh- Report and analyze monthly reach, activity and engagement. Compare results with objectives and adjust as needed.

Source: http://www.gowestgroup.com/9-step-social-media-plan-for-business-owners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=9-step-social-media-plan-for-business-owners

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San Francisco Film Noir Festival: Noir City Heads To Castro Theatre

The Steve Jobs film is apparently "embarrassing," "Fruitvale" doesn't have a release date yet and, with the recent will-they-or-won't-they intrigue surrounding the release of "The Canyons," our movie-going hearts just can't take it anymore.

Thankfully, there's the San Francisco Film Noir Festival, Noir City.

Starting Friday night, the Castro Theatre will host its annual ode to noir. And with 27 films, they're bringing all the suspense, intrigue and betrayal you can handle.

The theatre will kick off the festival will a special guests appearance from noir star Peggy Cummins who will introduce her 1950 film "Gun Crazy," and then stick around for a post-show interview. After that, it's a week and a half of all-day noir. (Eat your heart out, Sundance.)

Still can't get enough? Hit the Noir City Nightclub next weekend and "party like it's 1949."

Check out a few of the noir films that will be featured at the festival in our slideshow below:

• Gun Crazy, 1950

  <a href="http://www.noircity.com/nc11p1.html#guncrazy">Friday, January 25, 8 p.m.</a>

• Hell Drivers, 1957

  <a href="http://www.noircity.com/nc11p1.html#cummins">Saturday, January 26, 3 p.m.</a>

• Sunset Boulevard, 1950

  <a href="http://www.noircity.com/nc11p1.html#showbiz">Sunday, January 27, 2:50 and 7 p.m.</a>

• The Kiss Before the Mirror, 1933

  <a href="http://www.noircity.com/nc11p2.html#precode">Monday, January 28, 8:25 p.m.</a>

• Experiment in Terror, 1962

  <a href="http://www.noircity.com/nc11p2.html#sanfrancisco">Wednesday, January 30, 3:30 and 9 p.m.</a>

• The Other Woman, 1954

  Thursday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.

• Inferno, 1953

  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1t6nN6SbYI">Friday, February 1, 9 p.m.</a>

• Night Editor, 1946

  <a href="http://www.noircity.com/nc11p3.html#bmovies3">Sunday, February 3, 7:30 p.m.</a>

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/25/san-francisco-film-noir_n_2554604.html

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Kumbh Mela: A million man dip

The Hindu festival is billed as the world's largest gathering, a chance to wash away karmic debt and liberate oneself from the cycle of rebirth and death.

By Shivam Vij,?Correspondent / January 16, 2013

Indian Hindu devotees perform rituals and prayers at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Jan. 16.

Kevin Frayer/AP

Enlarge

This week,?Hindu ascetics in ostentatious chariots pulled by elephants and horses along with pilgrims and tourists from around the world arrived in Allahabad, about halfway between New Delhi and Kolkata, India.

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Their faces smeared with ash and bodies covered in little more than marigold garlands, the religious men marked the opening of the Kumbh Mela, by rushing into the cold water to bathe at 5 a.m. on Monday.?

The Hindu festival is billed as the world's largest gathering, a chance to wash away karmic debt and liberate oneself from the cycle of rebirth and death. It's also a broadly shared experience in a country where the saying goes that there are as many Indias as there are Indians.?

"What is most endearing about the Kumbh festival is that all Hindus across caste and class come together. All hierarchies melt in the great river. It's unity in diversity," says Ram Naresh Tripathi, a retired journalist and Hindu astrologer?in Allahabad.

This is one of four Kumbh Melas, each held in different cities over different intervals???this one comes to Allahabad every 12 years. These festivals?are all miraculous, at the very least in terms of logistics.

On Monday's opening, at least 10 million people bathed in the?sangam,?or confluence, of three rivers, the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati.?By the end of the festival on March 10, an estimated 100 million people will have bathed in the river. Feb. 10 is the day considered most?auspicious?by religious followers, and is therefore the busiest day.

A temporary tent city has been set up on 6,000 acres of land, and the Indian Railways is running 750 special trains to make sure people from different parts of the country can reach it. ??

The numbers indicate the scale of the exercise: 18 pontoon bridges, 35,000 toilets, 97 miles of new roads, 355 miles of water pipelines, 497 miles of electric wires, 48 power sub-stations, four warehouses for grains, groceries and vegetables, 22 doctors, 120 ambulances, 30 new police stations, 100 beds for local hospitals and so on, according to Mela Officer Mani Prasad Mishra.

At a press conference addressed, journalists complained about incomplete work, to which Mr. Mishra replied that the authorities had been rushing against time. "We are in control of the situation and whatever requirements are needed to conduct it successfully have been put in place," he said.

The government has taken measures to fight contagious diseases, expected stampedes and fires, and terrorist attacks. Some 30,000 policemen are patrolling the Kumbh, which is under the surveillance of 56 watchtowers and 89 CCTV cameras. A market made up of 11,000 stalls has been set up to sell everything from food to?ornaments and curios.

The festival cost an estimated $290 million to organize, but a study by The Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India says the Uttar Pradesh state government is likely to recover most of it through revenues generated by tourism.

Tourists and pilgrims are expected from across the world. Among the expected visitors: The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and actors Richard Gere, Michael Douglas, and his wife Catherine Zeta Jones.

Mr. Tripathi, the journalist-turned-astrologer, said the Kumbh had changed a lot since his childhood, with the gathering now catering to Hindus with newfound wealth. ?The?sadhus?[ascetics] have all become hi-tech. They used to come on foot from hundreds of miles away but today they come in cars and carry gadgets like tablet computers,? he says.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/csmonitor/globalnews/~3/FOxMeL8hqNc/Kumbh-Mela-A-million-man-dip

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A &#39;knowing-doing&#39; gap exists in global business

Most businesses know of the benefits of team building and the way these sort of exercises and courses can improve the morale of their team. However, in spite of this, many do not act on it, and risk the loss of productivity and togetherness within their firm.

Team building can be of essential importance to any firm, particularly at the start of any new year. With Christmas out of the year for another 12 months, there is a risk of workers feeling blue and low, lowering their productivity, if they do not feel the camaraderie within their office.

In addition to this, global firms have to deal with the fact that there is often an increase in the number of people who are looking to find a new job and a new start in January each year.

By making sure that they have trained everyone and made them feel like a valuable part of an effective unit though, business will improve their chance of retaining the staff members that they have on their books.

Paul Matthews, managing director and founder of People Alchemy Ltd, said though that there is an attitude to team building that is similar to that seen with regards five fruit and veg a day; everyone knows that they should do it, but few do.

He explained that this represents a "knowing-doing gap" that needs to be addressed in order to make sure firms are performing to the best standards and that everyone therein feels valued and needed.

"There is also a history around team building in the corporate market that many people think of as away days doing outdoor stuff like using a pile of ropes and barrels and planks to cross a small lake. These can work if facilitated well, but can also fail badly. The key for any team building is expert facilitation to draw the lessons out of the exercises. Facilitation is far more important than the exercise itself," Mr Matthews added.

Posted by Alex Donnell

?

Source: http://www.randstad.com/the-world-of-work/a-knowing-doing-gap-exists-in-global-business

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