Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Feb. 6 : Visiting Indian Vice President M. Hamid Ansari today called on the Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar, on the second day of his tour.

The Vice President described his meeting with Shwe as extremely fruitful and significant during an On Board briefing to the media.

The call on meeting went beyond the scheduled time, and is being seen as a definite indicator of strengthening ties between the two countries, revealed an Indian diplomat.

New Delhi, Feb. 4 : Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will leave on a four-day official visit to Myanmar on Thursday, leading a high-level delegation comprising Parliamentarians and businessmen.

The Vice President Ansari''s visit gains significance in terms of strengthening ties between the two countries, as India wishes to engage Myanmar on the highest-level and to intensify the process of a series of high-level reciprocal visits, a trend that commenced in recent years, said Vivek Katju, Additional secretary of the political and international organisations (PLO) here.

New Delhi, Feb 3 : Vice President Hamid Ansari presented the ''Bharat Asmita National Awards 2009'' here today.

Ansari presented the ''Bharat Asmita Shreshthva Award'' to Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India in recognition to his stellar service to the nation.

He also presented the award to G. Madhvan Nair, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in recognition to his outstanding service to the nation.

New Delhi, Jan. 10 : Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Leader of Opposition and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani, besides people from various walks of life, attended the last rites of the founder and chairman of the Observer Research Foundation, R. K. Mishra, here on Saturday.

Mishra died in Bangalore on Friday night.

Mishra had made his mark on the national scene as an intrepid journalist. An editor of high standing, he was a dynamic and visionary thinker. he was also a parliamentarian of acclaimed integrity and a forceful proponent of social and economic reform.

New Delhi, Jan 9 : Vice President Hamid Ansari inaugurated the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp-2009 here today.

A contingent of NCC cadets from all the three wings - Army, Navy and Air Force, presented a guard of honour to the Vice President on his arrival at the NCC camp, Delhi Cantonment.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said that the cadets hailing from different parts of the country with different linguistic and religious background represented a ''Mini India.''

New Delhi, Dec 31 : Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have extended their greetings to fellow citizens on New Year.

In his greetings, Ansari said that the dawn of the New Year is always welcomed with renewed hope, which can only be fulfilled by working together with resolve and dedication.

The Vice President called upon the people to take a pledge on the eve of the New Year to strive towards building a strong, united, peaceful and prosperous India.