Consumer Welfare : Shopping is one activity that is keenly pursued every festive season. However, sometimes, shoppers may feel defrauded with regard to the quantity or quality of a product or service purchased. This month, we take a look at some consumer protection measures brought about by the Government of India such as the Six Consumer Rights and the Consumer Helpline Number. We also offer you step by step guidance on filing consumer complaints online through the grievance redressal system of the Consumer Online Resource and Empowerment Centre (CORE).

Accessibility Features : The National Portal of India has introduced new features to ensure that the website is accessible to all visitors irrespective of any disability they may have or difference in the device or technology they are using. People now have the option to change the size and colour of text for better readability in screen readers, magnifiers and mobile phones. Other features such as descriptive text for links and images, quick access to the navigation panel, expandable and collapsible lists and the ability to browse using just the keyboard have been included to make the browsing experience of people with disabilities much easier.

Guidelines For Indian Government Websites : The new 'Guidelines for Indian Government Websites', was released at the 12th National Conference on e-Governance held last month in Goa. This document consists of mandatory, advisory and voluntary standards of uniformity to be followed by Government portals and websites at all levels. They include policies regarding veracity of government domains, content copyright, hyperlinking, privacy of website visitors, website hosting, security and search engine promotion. It also includes rules about technicalities of website content, page design, layout, navigation, scripting language, file formats, usability testing and universal accessibility. The use of such consistent design and functionality reduces the hassle of adjusting to new technologies faced by citizens and makes Government websites more user friendly.

NGO Partnership System : On the advice of Prime Minister's Office, the NGO Partnership System (NGO-PS) has been developed under the initiative of National Portal of India, to promote a transparent and responsive relationship between Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Voluntary Organizations, Civil Society and the Government. The NGO-PS was launched on 26th February, 2009 by Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State, Prime Ministers Office & Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. NGO's can Sign UP once with the Portal and can also apply online for grants against various schemes open for grants as well as track the status of their applications through this system. The NGO Partnership System also provides a platform for social networking among NGO's to help foster partnerships and create a knowledge repository for empowering new NGO's.

Problems Relating to MSME's : Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) consist of khadi, village and rural businesses. They provide employment to millions of Indians and play an important role in contributing to the industrial growth and development of the country. This new module in our Business section focuses on various problems faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises such as marketing, infrastructure and credit inadequacies. It also enumerates the initiatives undertaken by the government in this regard such as the launch of new schemes, Acts and Rules.

Growing Business : The 'Regulatory Requirements' and 'Business Risks' sections of this module, has been updated with new content to help you do more for your business. The 'Business Risks' section provides details about the types and methods of handling different business risks. The 'Regulatory Requirements' section gives you information about new conditions for Imports and Exports as well as more details about Competition Protection and ATA Carnet. These resources are vital for the growth and expansion of modern businesses.

Indian Economy : This part of our business section provides you with the latest information about the current state of the Indian Economy. View the latest reviewed figures about Industrial Growth in the country up to the month of October, and plan a profitable future of your business.

Publications : The Publications Division (PD), one of the top publishing houses in India has presented six new books this month. Here is a quick look at their contents. The first book, 'Essay On Indian Economics' is an analysis of economics during colonial times. 'Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar' and 'Acharya Narendra Dev', seek to inspire the youth with biographic details of these patriotic Indians who went on to succeed in life. The other English language book, 'Democracy and Human Development of India' talks about the progress of the country since Independence. We also have two regional language books. 'Desh Bideshar Galpo' in Bengali is a collection of folktales, while 'Punjab De Lok Naach' in Punjabi is about the dance forms and culture in Punjab.

Milad-un-Nabi : This Eid festival commemorates both the birth and the death of Prophet Mohammad. On this day, sermons and Koranic texts about the righteous deeds of the Prophet are recited in mosques. Street processions are held and in some parts of India, sandal rites are performed over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet.

Holi : There are numerous legends associated with this 'Festival of Colour' that mark the triumph of good over evil. Holi begins with the lighting of a huge bonfire on Holi Eve. The next day, people rub 'gulal' and 'ajeer' of various colours on each other and distribute specialties like gujia, thandai and bhang. Observed in springtime, after a bountiful harvest, Holi is celebrated all over the country with great enthusiasm.