Way to increase freshness of fruits, vegetables
An innovative method developed by an American professor can help fruits and vegetables retain their freshness. Millions of tons of fruits and vegetables are dumped every year just because they are too delicate for handling or have a short shelf-life, says the US Department of Agriculture.
The method devised by George Pierce, microbiology professor at Georgia State University (GSU), will allow fruits, vegetables and flowers to retain freshness for longer periods, making storage at room temperatures possible, bypassing refrigeration altogether.
Climacteric plants like apples, bananas, peaches and tomatoes, respond to climactic change, producing increased levels of signalling compounds like ethylene. In the case of peaches, ethylene causes them to ripen, increases aroma chemicals, but unfortunately, makes the peach very fragile. “If you’ve seen ripe peaches, they will simply fall apart,” says Pierce. “It will lose 90 percent of its ability to resist pressure, which means that if a peach responds normally to ethylene, it is subject to bruising when you ship it,” Pierce added.
Pierce’s method relies on a naturally occurring micro-organism, just the width of human hair, to activate enzymes that double the ripening period of fruits, vegetables and keeps flowers fresh. This new process could have a big impact on preventing waste, improving the consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables, allowing companies to ship produce for longer distances.
The process does not involve genetic engineering or pathogens, but involves micro-organisms known to be associated with plants. “These beneficial soil micro-organisms serve essentially the same function as eating yogurt as a probiotic to have beneficial organisms living in the gastrointestinal system,” Pierce said.
“We change the diet of the organism, and we can change its performance,” Pierce said. “It’s no different than taking a good athlete and putting them on a diet and exercise regime, and turning him or her into a world-class athlete.” Pierce added.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
HIGH LEVEL DELHI CONFERENCE ON CLIMAT CHANGE
The Delhi Statement on Global Cooperation on Climate Technology, adopted at the conclusion of the two-day ‘Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer,’ on Friday called for urgently accelerating the large scale global deployment of environmentally sound and climate-friendly technologies.
Focussing on minimising the time lag between development of such technologies, transfer and deployment, the statement said, it should be promoted by sustained and enhanced international cooperation as well as appropriate national action.
Appreciating the roles of both public and private financing, the participants agreed that public financing could catalyse activities such as capacity-building, needs assessments, and the more rapid deployment and adoption of technologies, especially in those developing countries most vulnerable to climate change, Connie Hedegaard, chair of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-15) said.
“Enhanced cooperation worldwide is essential at all stages of technology cycle. Existing mechanisms, as well as any new and innovative mechanisms in the public and public-private domains for global cooperation, should enhance adaptation and use of environmentally-sound and climate-friendly technologies and the joint research and development of new technologies and products.
“Concepts such as a centre, or networks of centres, to support and stimulate rapid development and deployment of innovative technologies should be explored. Such institutions should also promote collaboration between governments, industries and research communities of developed and developing countries,” the statement said.
The participants agreed that the wide diversity of available technologies and the conditions of their applicability indicated a need for periodic assessment, evaluation and expert guidance on new and emerging technologies. “There is a critical need to improve the identification of, access to, and deployment of technologies for adaptation, especially to developing countries that are most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, the statement said, while urging upon the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at their 15th session at Copenhagen, to take into consideration the elements of this statement.
Focussing on minimising the time lag between development of such technologies, transfer and deployment, the statement said, it should be promoted by sustained and enhanced international cooperation as well as appropriate national action.
Appreciating the roles of both public and private financing, the participants agreed that public financing could catalyse activities such as capacity-building, needs assessments, and the more rapid deployment and adoption of technologies, especially in those developing countries most vulnerable to climate change, Connie Hedegaard, chair of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-15) said.
“Enhanced cooperation worldwide is essential at all stages of technology cycle. Existing mechanisms, as well as any new and innovative mechanisms in the public and public-private domains for global cooperation, should enhance adaptation and use of environmentally-sound and climate-friendly technologies and the joint research and development of new technologies and products.
“Concepts such as a centre, or networks of centres, to support and stimulate rapid development and deployment of innovative technologies should be explored. Such institutions should also promote collaboration between governments, industries and research communities of developed and developing countries,” the statement said.
The participants agreed that the wide diversity of available technologies and the conditions of their applicability indicated a need for periodic assessment, evaluation and expert guidance on new and emerging technologies. “There is a critical need to improve the identification of, access to, and deployment of technologies for adaptation, especially to developing countries that are most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, the statement said, while urging upon the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at their 15th session at Copenhagen, to take into consideration the elements of this statement.
Friday, October 23, 2009
MELTING GLACIERS IN BHUTAN
Reports indicate that the melting of the Himalayan glaciers is threatening the kingdom of Bhutan, the impacts of which will adversely affect the entire South Asian region.
According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating faster than in any other part of the world and they could disappear completely by 2035. This puts the mountainous nation of Bhutan at a special risk. In an area smaller than Switzerland, it has 983 glaciers and 2,794 glacial lakes, some of which have burst to produce deadly glacial lake floods.
A nation without even its own helicopter, Bhutan lacks the resources to combat global warming. It is carrying out the work at Thorthormi glacier with the help of money from various international donors.
As the first nation to get adaptation money from the Least Developed Countries Fund, Bhutan is something of a pioneer among developing nations in their quest to adapt to a warmer future, and the struggles at Thorthormi glacier illustrate the enormous obstacles that adaptation efforts still face. It is only within the past decade that researchers realized that Thorthormi could pose a threat. Thorthormi’s ponds were expanding and merging to form larger bodies of water. The changes have been dramatic even in the past few months. “Just before we started our work here in July this year, that part of the lake was water,” said Karma Toeb, the project’s glaciologist and team leader, pointing down to a number of icebergs. “The ice blocks have been breaking off the mother glacier upstream,” he added.
According to Thinley Namgyel, the deputy chief environment officer at the National Environment Commission in Thimphu, “A few decades down the line, the glaciers will retreat and we are not sure what impact it will have on the economy.” But, the impacts of the melting of the Himalayan glaciers will reach far beyond Bhutan’s borders. The glacier-fed rivers that flow south from the Himalayas are the arteries of south Asia.
It is estimated that the retreat of glaciers will affect the water supply of roughly 750 million people across South Asia and China, according to Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Across Asia, there are countless cases like Thorthormi, where the needs are great and the resources scarce. Regarding the effects of climate change and their costs, “every single estimate that people have come up with has been exceeded by reality”, said Dr. Pachauri. “The impacts of climate change are clearly turning out to be much worse than what we had anticipated earlier,” he added.
Source:The Hindu
According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating faster than in any other part of the world and they could disappear completely by 2035. This puts the mountainous nation of Bhutan at a special risk. In an area smaller than Switzerland, it has 983 glaciers and 2,794 glacial lakes, some of which have burst to produce deadly glacial lake floods.
A nation without even its own helicopter, Bhutan lacks the resources to combat global warming. It is carrying out the work at Thorthormi glacier with the help of money from various international donors.
As the first nation to get adaptation money from the Least Developed Countries Fund, Bhutan is something of a pioneer among developing nations in their quest to adapt to a warmer future, and the struggles at Thorthormi glacier illustrate the enormous obstacles that adaptation efforts still face. It is only within the past decade that researchers realized that Thorthormi could pose a threat. Thorthormi’s ponds were expanding and merging to form larger bodies of water. The changes have been dramatic even in the past few months. “Just before we started our work here in July this year, that part of the lake was water,” said Karma Toeb, the project’s glaciologist and team leader, pointing down to a number of icebergs. “The ice blocks have been breaking off the mother glacier upstream,” he added.
According to Thinley Namgyel, the deputy chief environment officer at the National Environment Commission in Thimphu, “A few decades down the line, the glaciers will retreat and we are not sure what impact it will have on the economy.” But, the impacts of the melting of the Himalayan glaciers will reach far beyond Bhutan’s borders. The glacier-fed rivers that flow south from the Himalayas are the arteries of south Asia.
It is estimated that the retreat of glaciers will affect the water supply of roughly 750 million people across South Asia and China, according to Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Across Asia, there are countless cases like Thorthormi, where the needs are great and the resources scarce. Regarding the effects of climate change and their costs, “every single estimate that people have come up with has been exceeded by reality”, said Dr. Pachauri. “The impacts of climate change are clearly turning out to be much worse than what we had anticipated earlier,” he added.
Source:The Hindu
Narayan Murty to raise Rs 1.8 bn for India-focused venture capital fund.
Infosys' co-founder Mr. Narayana Murthy has off loaded 800,000 shares of the company from his personal holding to raise Rs 1.8 bn for starting an India-focused venture capital fund. However, Mr. Murthy's and his family still control 4.83% in the company. The proceeds of sale will be used as a seed capital for funding young Indian entrepreneurs with brilliant business ideas. Given his track record, we believe this is a welcome development and hope to see many more Infosys' emerging under his guidance.
Himalayan glaciers will disappear completely by 2035
Himalayan glaciers will disappear completely by 2035
Nature Reports
23 Oct Gangtok: A shocking report from Nature News reveals that the Himalayan Glacier could bring an alarming situation for South Asia. This may bring adverse affect to entire countries located in the region.
According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating faster than in any other part of the world and they could disappear completely by 2035. Everyday the glacier is fast melting due to on going global warming across the world. It may happen in a coming years or so regions within a Himalayan range may face a drought and scarcity of water.
Zemu , Rathong which are the primary glacier of Sikkim may soon dry out soon as projected by Nature News along with vital source glaciers of Himalayan rivers.
Teesta, Rangit the two main rivers of Sikkim which flows from the Himalayan upstream may not be there in future if the glaciers continue to melt due to global warming. The glacier-fed rivers that flow south from the Himalayas are the arteries of south Asia.
The glaciologist and government should take up the matter seriously and find a suitable solution to save glaciers. Compared to any other glaciers in the world Himalayan glaciers are melting at faster rates claims Nature News. Glaciers of Bhutan, the tiny kingdom which is located on border of Sikkim should too take a immediate response.
Source: Voice Of Sikkim
Nature Reports
23 Oct Gangtok: A shocking report from Nature News reveals that the Himalayan Glacier could bring an alarming situation for South Asia. This may bring adverse affect to entire countries located in the region.
According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating faster than in any other part of the world and they could disappear completely by 2035. Everyday the glacier is fast melting due to on going global warming across the world. It may happen in a coming years or so regions within a Himalayan range may face a drought and scarcity of water.
Zemu , Rathong which are the primary glacier of Sikkim may soon dry out soon as projected by Nature News along with vital source glaciers of Himalayan rivers.
Teesta, Rangit the two main rivers of Sikkim which flows from the Himalayan upstream may not be there in future if the glaciers continue to melt due to global warming. The glacier-fed rivers that flow south from the Himalayas are the arteries of south Asia.
The glaciologist and government should take up the matter seriously and find a suitable solution to save glaciers. Compared to any other glaciers in the world Himalayan glaciers are melting at faster rates claims Nature News. Glaciers of Bhutan, the tiny kingdom which is located on border of Sikkim should too take a immediate response.
Source: Voice Of Sikkim
West Sikkim avalanche kills two mountaineers
IAF chopper to make second evacuation attempt today, bodies yet to be recovered
Gangtok, October 21: The death toll in the avalanche incident of Monday afternoon in West Sikkim reached to two with authorities confirming the death of a Mumbai mountaineer and other unidentified climber even as efforts to evacuate the other injured climbers by Indian Air Force proved futile after 72 hours since the mishap occurred.
District Collector (West) S Pradhan told media that the first deceased was identified as Mangesh Despande, the team leader of the four member Mumbai expedition team that had successfully scaled the 6010 m Mt Thingchinkhang peak in West Sikkim on Monday.
The team accompanied by two Sherpas was descending down to their base camp at Thangshing when an avalanche hit them at an altitude of 5400 m on Monday afternoon.
While Despande was blown away by the avalanche, one more member of the team succumbed to his injuries, it is informed. However, details are yet to filter in the site which is very remote and without any communications network and the identity of the second deceased is not yet informed to us, said the District Collector.
Tourism stakeholders here engaged in the rescue and evacuation efforts informed that the body of Despande is visible to the rescue team but could not be recovered due to bad weather conditions.
A rescue team had reached the site yesterday evening and had brought down the surviving members of the expedition team to Thangshing where two choppers from the Indian Air Force were supposed to land and airlift them to Gangtok or Siliguri for medical treatment.
The choppers had flown today morning from the Bagdogra airport in Siliguri but could not land at Thangshing due to bad weather conditions. It is informed that the surviving members including one Sherpa who sustained serious injuries in the incident are being manually brought down to Tsoka where arrangements are made for transferring them to the nearest hospital.
The choppers which returned back to their base will again make an attempt to land at Thangshing tomorrow morning while that the recovery team will try to bring back the bodies from the incident site to the landing site.
As per the information received late in the afternoon, the rescue team have sighted the body of Despande locked in a snow field while the body of the second unidentified person is trapped in a crevasse. It could either be a Mumbai climber or a porter but confirmed details are yet to come to the authorities here and in West Sikkim.
Meanwhile, a two member special team from Sonam Gyasto Mountaineering Institute here, Kunzang Gyatso and Bishnu Tamang reached Yuksom today on a chopper and will be assisting the team engaged in recovering the bodies from the avalanche site.
A team of four mountaineers from Mumbai had scaled Mt. Thingchinkhang on Monday and were hit by an avalanche while returning down to their base camp in the same afternoon.
A porter had rushed down from the base camp to the nearest habitat to inform about the incident and the authorities with active support of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim had scrambled a rescue-relief team and dispatched them to the incident spot yesterday morning.
According to forest officials posted in west side of Khangchendzonga National Park at Yuksom, a team of five mountaineers-Mangesh Despande, Anju Paniculam, Sadasivan Sekar, Shantanu Pandit and Parag Pendharkar- from Mumbai had passed through their check post on October 12 on their way to the peak. They had a permit pass till October 24 and were accompanied by five porters and one liaison officer from the State Home department.
It is informed that Anju Paniculam stayed back at the base camp due to ill health and the other four climbers went ahead with the ascent along with some members of the support team. They successfully scaled Mt. Thingchinkhang and had ascended down some 500 m when an avalanche hit them, killing Despande and injuring others.
Source: sikkim express
IAF chopper to make second evacuation attempt today, bodies yet to be recovered
Gangtok, October 21: The death toll in the avalanche incident of Monday afternoon in West Sikkim reached to two with authorities confirming the death of a Mumbai mountaineer and other unidentified climber even as efforts to evacuate the other injured climbers by Indian Air Force proved futile after 72 hours since the mishap occurred.
District Collector (West) S Pradhan told media that the first deceased was identified as Mangesh Despande, the team leader of the four member Mumbai expedition team that had successfully scaled the 6010 m Mt Thingchinkhang peak in West Sikkim on Monday.
The team accompanied by two Sherpas was descending down to their base camp at Thangshing when an avalanche hit them at an altitude of 5400 m on Monday afternoon.
While Despande was blown away by the avalanche, one more member of the team succumbed to his injuries, it is informed. However, details are yet to filter in the site which is very remote and without any communications network and the identity of the second deceased is not yet informed to us, said the District Collector.
Tourism stakeholders here engaged in the rescue and evacuation efforts informed that the body of Despande is visible to the rescue team but could not be recovered due to bad weather conditions.
A rescue team had reached the site yesterday evening and had brought down the surviving members of the expedition team to Thangshing where two choppers from the Indian Air Force were supposed to land and airlift them to Gangtok or Siliguri for medical treatment.
The choppers had flown today morning from the Bagdogra airport in Siliguri but could not land at Thangshing due to bad weather conditions. It is informed that the surviving members including one Sherpa who sustained serious injuries in the incident are being manually brought down to Tsoka where arrangements are made for transferring them to the nearest hospital.
The choppers which returned back to their base will again make an attempt to land at Thangshing tomorrow morning while that the recovery team will try to bring back the bodies from the incident site to the landing site.
As per the information received late in the afternoon, the rescue team have sighted the body of Despande locked in a snow field while the body of the second unidentified person is trapped in a crevasse. It could either be a Mumbai climber or a porter but confirmed details are yet to come to the authorities here and in West Sikkim.
Meanwhile, a two member special team from Sonam Gyasto Mountaineering Institute here, Kunzang Gyatso and Bishnu Tamang reached Yuksom today on a chopper and will be assisting the team engaged in recovering the bodies from the avalanche site.
A team of four mountaineers from Mumbai had scaled Mt. Thingchinkhang on Monday and were hit by an avalanche while returning down to their base camp in the same afternoon.
A porter had rushed down from the base camp to the nearest habitat to inform about the incident and the authorities with active support of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim had scrambled a rescue-relief team and dispatched them to the incident spot yesterday morning.
According to forest officials posted in west side of Khangchendzonga National Park at Yuksom, a team of five mountaineers-Mangesh Despande, Anju Paniculam, Sadasivan Sekar, Shantanu Pandit and Parag Pendharkar- from Mumbai had passed through their check post on October 12 on their way to the peak. They had a permit pass till October 24 and were accompanied by five porters and one liaison officer from the State Home department.
It is informed that Anju Paniculam stayed back at the base camp due to ill health and the other four climbers went ahead with the ascent along with some members of the support team. They successfully scaled Mt. Thingchinkhang and had ascended down some 500 m when an avalanche hit them, killing Despande and injuring others.
Source: sikkim express
Responsibility of the SDF government to fulfill its promises- AOS-Sikkim
Old settlers advised to seek legal advice on IT exemption issue
GANGTOK, October 21: Deflating the high hopes of the old settlers of Sikkim for an early resolution of their concerns on the controversial income tax exemption issue, the State Government has asked the community numbering to around 400 families in the State to seek legal and constitutional advice so that the matter can be forwarded to the Centre.
In a recent communiqué to the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS), which had been spearheading the demand for income tax exemption at par with Sikkim Subject holders, the State Government has belatedly directed the body to approach legal experts or chartered accountants to look into the lacunae ‘if any’ in the Income Tax Act 1961 for ‘possible inclusion’ of their demands within the provisions of the said Act ‘so that the Government of Sikkim could take up the issue with the Government of India’.
The decision was communicated to the AOSS recently by the six member committee headed by Chief Secretary which had been formed to examine all matters relating to the grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Income Tax) to the left out individuals in Sikkim and make recommendations to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre.
Having examined the matter, the committee members were unanimous in the decision that there were ‘no provision’ in the Income Tax Act, 1961 for grant of income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim, the committee told AOSS directing it to approach legal experts.
It is interesting to note the ‘if any’ rider in the communication to the AOSS which not only reinforces the State government’s surrender as it itself had admitted that there is no provisions in the Income Tax Act for income tax exemption but also deftly lobs the whole issue into the court of AOSS who have now no option except initiate a cumbersome legal exercise so that it can put up a dossier before the State government.
Following this process which may take months, it is also unclear at this moment whether the State government will simply ‘Cc’ the AOSS findings to the Centre or strengthen it with its official inputs.
As the State government escalates down from its tall promises of ‘Ladakh model’ and other politically coloured assurances, the AOSS has decided to rethink and draw up a new strategy to pursue their demands under the legal framework suggested by the State government. It is informed that a meeting will be conducted tomorrow here at Gangtok where members of AOSS from all four districts will attend as the body has been compelled to huddle back to the drawing board after a steady campaign in the past two years.
We will seek legal advice and submit our report to the State government, said the AOSS president SK Sarda to SIKKIM EXPRESS. He said that advice of the State government has been well taken by AOSS terming the communiqué as ‘positive signals’ from the State government.
Mr. Sarda said that AOSS is confident that ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) will take up the matter with the Centre as the party has committed to deliver income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim.
The old settlers had fully backed the SDF party during the recent elections and it is the responsibility of the SDF government to fulfill its promises, was the general feeling running high among the left out individuals of Sikkim.
GANGTOK, October 21: Deflating the high hopes of the old settlers of Sikkim for an early resolution of their concerns on the controversial income tax exemption issue, the State Government has asked the community numbering to around 400 families in the State to seek legal and constitutional advice so that the matter can be forwarded to the Centre.
In a recent communiqué to the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS), which had been spearheading the demand for income tax exemption at par with Sikkim Subject holders, the State Government has belatedly directed the body to approach legal experts or chartered accountants to look into the lacunae ‘if any’ in the Income Tax Act 1961 for ‘possible inclusion’ of their demands within the provisions of the said Act ‘so that the Government of Sikkim could take up the issue with the Government of India’.
The decision was communicated to the AOSS recently by the six member committee headed by Chief Secretary which had been formed to examine all matters relating to the grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Income Tax) to the left out individuals in Sikkim and make recommendations to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre.
Having examined the matter, the committee members were unanimous in the decision that there were ‘no provision’ in the Income Tax Act, 1961 for grant of income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim, the committee told AOSS directing it to approach legal experts.
It is interesting to note the ‘if any’ rider in the communication to the AOSS which not only reinforces the State government’s surrender as it itself had admitted that there is no provisions in the Income Tax Act for income tax exemption but also deftly lobs the whole issue into the court of AOSS who have now no option except initiate a cumbersome legal exercise so that it can put up a dossier before the State government.
Following this process which may take months, it is also unclear at this moment whether the State government will simply ‘Cc’ the AOSS findings to the Centre or strengthen it with its official inputs.
As the State government escalates down from its tall promises of ‘Ladakh model’ and other politically coloured assurances, the AOSS has decided to rethink and draw up a new strategy to pursue their demands under the legal framework suggested by the State government. It is informed that a meeting will be conducted tomorrow here at Gangtok where members of AOSS from all four districts will attend as the body has been compelled to huddle back to the drawing board after a steady campaign in the past two years.
We will seek legal advice and submit our report to the State government, said the AOSS president SK Sarda to SIKKIM EXPRESS. He said that advice of the State government has been well taken by AOSS terming the communiqué as ‘positive signals’ from the State government.
Mr. Sarda said that AOSS is confident that ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) will take up the matter with the Centre as the party has committed to deliver income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim.
The old settlers had fully backed the SDF party during the recent elections and it is the responsibility of the SDF government to fulfill its promises, was the general feeling running high among the left out individuals of Sikkim.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
SIKKIM STATE LEVEL COMMITTEE ON AOS-SIKKIM FORMED
ASSOCIATION OF OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM.
GANGTOK. SIKKIM.
PRESS RELEASE
22.10.2009
A State Level delegates meeting of Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim ( AOSS) was held in Gangtok on 22-10-09 which was attended by more than 350 delegates representing all towns and bazars of Sikkim.
The meeting which was called to deliberate on the socio-economic development of the old business community of Sikkim witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm in appreciation of sincere efforts and unstinted support of the Government led by Dr Pawan Chamling who has stood by the community which is in minority, at all times.
The meeting discussed enactment of Finance Act 2008 wherein the old settlers have been inadvertently left out from the exemption of Direct Taxes and appraised that the AOSS has been taking up the cause of these 9000 odd left out individuals who are two centuries old settlers and who are true Sikkimese earning and investing within the state.
Shri S.K.Sarda, President of the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim in his address appreciated that the SDF party itself in its Election manifesto had dealt with the matter in detail and promised that as soon as the Government comes into formation, the matter of Income tax Exemption to old settlers will be taken up. True to his words, Dr Chamling immediately after the formation of the Government for the 4th term visited New Delhi and urged Prime Minister of India to solve this problem. The president on behalf of the old settlers expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon’ble C.M for having taken on record in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly the need to secure exemption from Income tax for them in their endeavor to deliver justice and equal rights to all.
Shri Suresh Agarwal, General Secretary appraised the meeting of the various steps taken by AOSS and the support received from the State Government in this regard. He said, upon the request of the AOSS the Government was kind enough to constitute a committee to look into its request for exemption to old settlers and recommend their case to Government of India. He said that the Committee in its first meeting held on 8.10.2009 has directed AOSS to obtain expert legal opinion which could help the State Government in pursuing for exemption for the old settlers with Government of India. He further said that this was a very positive signal from the State and that the AOSS shall faithfully discharge the responsibility given, by consulting legal luminaries and present their opinion before the committee.
The meeting adopted the following resolutions.
1. A Thirty One Member State Level Committee formed to obtain expert opinion from leading legal, constitutional and taxation luminaries.
2. As directed, the opinion(s) so received shall be submitted to the State Government for consideration and taking up the matter for exemption of Income tax to left out individuals with Government of India.
3. To support the popular demand of implementation of Income Tax act with prospective effect for PEOPLE SETTLED POST MERGER.
4. To inform the Income Tax Department of all developments in this regard by submitting copy of letter received from the Government of Sikkim and relevant extracts of the present meeting.
Anil Kumar Gupta
Secretary
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS).
Gangtok, Sikkim
GANGTOK. SIKKIM.
PRESS RELEASE
22.10.2009
A State Level delegates meeting of Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim ( AOSS) was held in Gangtok on 22-10-09 which was attended by more than 350 delegates representing all towns and bazars of Sikkim.
The meeting which was called to deliberate on the socio-economic development of the old business community of Sikkim witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm in appreciation of sincere efforts and unstinted support of the Government led by Dr Pawan Chamling who has stood by the community which is in minority, at all times.
The meeting discussed enactment of Finance Act 2008 wherein the old settlers have been inadvertently left out from the exemption of Direct Taxes and appraised that the AOSS has been taking up the cause of these 9000 odd left out individuals who are two centuries old settlers and who are true Sikkimese earning and investing within the state.
Shri S.K.Sarda, President of the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim in his address appreciated that the SDF party itself in its Election manifesto had dealt with the matter in detail and promised that as soon as the Government comes into formation, the matter of Income tax Exemption to old settlers will be taken up. True to his words, Dr Chamling immediately after the formation of the Government for the 4th term visited New Delhi and urged Prime Minister of India to solve this problem. The president on behalf of the old settlers expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon’ble C.M for having taken on record in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly the need to secure exemption from Income tax for them in their endeavor to deliver justice and equal rights to all.
Shri Suresh Agarwal, General Secretary appraised the meeting of the various steps taken by AOSS and the support received from the State Government in this regard. He said, upon the request of the AOSS the Government was kind enough to constitute a committee to look into its request for exemption to old settlers and recommend their case to Government of India. He said that the Committee in its first meeting held on 8.10.2009 has directed AOSS to obtain expert legal opinion which could help the State Government in pursuing for exemption for the old settlers with Government of India. He further said that this was a very positive signal from the State and that the AOSS shall faithfully discharge the responsibility given, by consulting legal luminaries and present their opinion before the committee.
The meeting adopted the following resolutions.
1. A Thirty One Member State Level Committee formed to obtain expert opinion from leading legal, constitutional and taxation luminaries.
2. As directed, the opinion(s) so received shall be submitted to the State Government for consideration and taking up the matter for exemption of Income tax to left out individuals with Government of India.
3. To support the popular demand of implementation of Income Tax act with prospective effect for PEOPLE SETTLED POST MERGER.
4. To inform the Income Tax Department of all developments in this regard by submitting copy of letter received from the Government of Sikkim and relevant extracts of the present meeting.
Anil Kumar Gupta
Secretary
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS).
Gangtok, Sikkim
CHANGE IN INDIA'S DEFENCE DOCTRINE CALLED FOR
We are aiming at the wrong guys. The Kasabs are mere pawns. This battle needs to be carried into deeper fronts.
Against the masterminds who plan 26/11 attacks, the financiers who fund them, the criminals who facilitate them and the handlers who train and control the pawns.
Terrorist leadership is a demanding profession. Operational leaders have to be merciless, courageous, highly mobile, hardy, charismatic and have an uncanny warrior instinct. The ruthless nature of their calling needs all these competencies not only to become a leader but just to stay alive. Loss of hit men is irrelevant--as a matter of fact, if it is glamorous enough, such encounters serve as a recruitment drive like 26/11 proved to be. Loss of leaders is a different matter altogether.
The very nature of terrorism limits the number of good leaders.
First, leadership in terrorist organizations emerges by a probabilistic process of natural selection and elimination.
Second, high needs of secrecy and mobility keep the tacit knowledge of the leaders in limited pools--usually inside their heads. Finally, the siloed structure of terrorist outfits prevents the transfer of one body of followers to another leader if their own is killed. Which is why it makes a lot of strategic sense to take the battle into enemy ground and start targeting their leaders, planners, financiers and handlers.
Hot pursuit, reprisal strikes and deep penetration raids are phrases bandied about, especially after we get a bloody nose.
But beyond token sabre-rattling or posturing, we have rarely managed to stage a convincing retaliatory strike against any degree of provocation. This seeming impotence has often been attributed to our lack of capability--which is incorrect.
Indian security forces, if unleashed and adequately supported, could create capability to storm the very gates of hell. On the contrary, what India needs to change is its doctrine of dealing with enemies.
If nations don't defend themselves forcefully, they will become the playground of other countries' power struggles. The fact that Pakistan has little control over large parts of its territory is obvious. The Pakistani high command has to make appropriate noises about dominance, but the reality is that US drones and special forces have a free run in Pakistan's territory and more tellingly, even its army headquarters-possibly the best defended location in Pakistan--is not safe.
These should be clear signals that India needs to take matters into its own hands rather than keep whimpering about Pakistan's inaction against its terrorist strongholds.
I am not suggesting hot pursuit as an alternative to diplomacy; instead, it is a strong complementary strategy.
Given our virtual encirclement by hostile forces, India does not have the luxury to endure another 26/11. The recent resolute action initiated against Naxalites clearly demonstrates that the nation has had enough. It is time to unleash the Indian wrath on the masterminds who sit in the safety of foreign shores and believe that Indians don't strike back.
(Raghu Raman is chief executive of corporate risk consulting firm Mahindra Special Services Group that advises companies and organizations on threat assessments and risk mitigation strategies).
Against the masterminds who plan 26/11 attacks, the financiers who fund them, the criminals who facilitate them and the handlers who train and control the pawns.
Terrorist leadership is a demanding profession. Operational leaders have to be merciless, courageous, highly mobile, hardy, charismatic and have an uncanny warrior instinct. The ruthless nature of their calling needs all these competencies not only to become a leader but just to stay alive. Loss of hit men is irrelevant--as a matter of fact, if it is glamorous enough, such encounters serve as a recruitment drive like 26/11 proved to be. Loss of leaders is a different matter altogether.
The very nature of terrorism limits the number of good leaders.
First, leadership in terrorist organizations emerges by a probabilistic process of natural selection and elimination.
Second, high needs of secrecy and mobility keep the tacit knowledge of the leaders in limited pools--usually inside their heads. Finally, the siloed structure of terrorist outfits prevents the transfer of one body of followers to another leader if their own is killed. Which is why it makes a lot of strategic sense to take the battle into enemy ground and start targeting their leaders, planners, financiers and handlers.
Hot pursuit, reprisal strikes and deep penetration raids are phrases bandied about, especially after we get a bloody nose.
But beyond token sabre-rattling or posturing, we have rarely managed to stage a convincing retaliatory strike against any degree of provocation. This seeming impotence has often been attributed to our lack of capability--which is incorrect.
Indian security forces, if unleashed and adequately supported, could create capability to storm the very gates of hell. On the contrary, what India needs to change is its doctrine of dealing with enemies.
If nations don't defend themselves forcefully, they will become the playground of other countries' power struggles. The fact that Pakistan has little control over large parts of its territory is obvious. The Pakistani high command has to make appropriate noises about dominance, but the reality is that US drones and special forces have a free run in Pakistan's territory and more tellingly, even its army headquarters-possibly the best defended location in Pakistan--is not safe.
These should be clear signals that India needs to take matters into its own hands rather than keep whimpering about Pakistan's inaction against its terrorist strongholds.
I am not suggesting hot pursuit as an alternative to diplomacy; instead, it is a strong complementary strategy.
Given our virtual encirclement by hostile forces, India does not have the luxury to endure another 26/11. The recent resolute action initiated against Naxalites clearly demonstrates that the nation has had enough. It is time to unleash the Indian wrath on the masterminds who sit in the safety of foreign shores and believe that Indians don't strike back.
(Raghu Raman is chief executive of corporate risk consulting firm Mahindra Special Services Group that advises companies and organizations on threat assessments and risk mitigation strategies).
RTI COMEPLETES FOUR YEARS
In the four years that the pioneering Right to Information (RTI) Act has been in force, an audit shows that the legislation has achieved a success rate of about one in four.
The proportion of appeals iled under RTI that have succeeded in getting the information sought has been put at 27% in a study by the National RTI Awards Secretariat instituted by the Public Cause Research Foundation (PCRF), a Delhi-based organization that works in the area of transparent, accountable and participatory governance.
The study, based on orders passed in 51,128 cases by in ormation commissioners and benches during 2008, shows that at a national level, orders have been passed in favour of disclosure in 70% of the cases.
"Despite this, there has been 61% of non-compliance of
these orders, with only 39% actually receiving the information," said Arvind Kejriwal, RTI activist and founder of PCRF.
That doesn't take away from RTI's success in bringing transparency to a system where there used to be none, said Jagdeep Chhokar, founding member of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a Delhi-based non-governmental organization.
"It's the way we interpret this data," he said. "A figure like 39% people getting information is a positive figure if you see that it has been a jump from zero."
The landmark legislation was passed during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's first term as part of its efforts to make the officialdom more accountable.
In the area of overall public satisfaction, Karnataka tops the list with 55% petitioners happy with the functioning of the commission, with Kerala (52%) and Punjab (47%) next in line.
At the bottom of the ladder is West Bengal, where only 6% of the petitioners were content with the response they received.
Interestingly, the Central Information Commission (CIC) itself falls in the bottom five.
The study does not include Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Sikkim because of inadequate information. Experts say that RTI has "actually brought out the poor governance structure in the country," said Shailesh Gandhi, an information commissioner with CIC.
But the disclosures by themselves aren't enough to bring about change, said Gandhi.
"Government departments cannot hold anybody responsible."
Gandhi defended CIC's functioning even while welcoming such studies, saying they would help in making RTI more effective. "There have been other studies on RTI, which have given a better rating to the effectiveness of the Act," he said.
The parameters used by the study include effectiveness, deterrent impact and the prodisclosure factor.
"Under the Act, information commissioners have powers to levy penalty on defaulting government officers as well as issue summons and order arrests. But hardly any information commissioner actually uses these powers," said Kejriwal.
"In all the cases in which pro-disclosure orders were passed, which means that a violation of RTI Act was established, only 2% were penalized," he added.
RTI has, in the past, contributed towards the better implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, another flagship programme of the UPA government.
For instance, workers in Balisana village in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, who were grossly underpaid, received their payments under the Act as per minimum wage provisions after an RTI appeal was filed by a civil society group asking for muster rolls and payment sheets.
Another instance where RTI has proved useful is in the area of transparency of political funding after CIC directed the income-tax department to make public the returns of political parties following an RTI filed by ADR.
The RTI Act also helped in creating greater accountability in the appointment of government officers.
For instance, the Delhi high court came under the RTI scanner recently when CIC held that people have a right to know the procedure that went into the appointment of its public information officer.
Reports about the government's plans to further amend the Act have not gone down well with activists.
"Its first agenda should be to to make implementation more effective and strengthen it, rather than focusing on amending it," PCRF's Kejriwal said.
Others called for a more careful selection of officials.
"The single biggest problem with the implementation of the Act is the appointment process and criterion" used to choose the information commissioners, ADR's Chhokar said.
The proportion of appeals iled under RTI that have succeeded in getting the information sought has been put at 27% in a study by the National RTI Awards Secretariat instituted by the Public Cause Research Foundation (PCRF), a Delhi-based organization that works in the area of transparent, accountable and participatory governance.
The study, based on orders passed in 51,128 cases by in ormation commissioners and benches during 2008, shows that at a national level, orders have been passed in favour of disclosure in 70% of the cases.
"Despite this, there has been 61% of non-compliance of
these orders, with only 39% actually receiving the information," said Arvind Kejriwal, RTI activist and founder of PCRF.
That doesn't take away from RTI's success in bringing transparency to a system where there used to be none, said Jagdeep Chhokar, founding member of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a Delhi-based non-governmental organization.
"It's the way we interpret this data," he said. "A figure like 39% people getting information is a positive figure if you see that it has been a jump from zero."
The landmark legislation was passed during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's first term as part of its efforts to make the officialdom more accountable.
In the area of overall public satisfaction, Karnataka tops the list with 55% petitioners happy with the functioning of the commission, with Kerala (52%) and Punjab (47%) next in line.
At the bottom of the ladder is West Bengal, where only 6% of the petitioners were content with the response they received.
Interestingly, the Central Information Commission (CIC) itself falls in the bottom five.
The study does not include Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Sikkim because of inadequate information. Experts say that RTI has "actually brought out the poor governance structure in the country," said Shailesh Gandhi, an information commissioner with CIC.
But the disclosures by themselves aren't enough to bring about change, said Gandhi.
"Government departments cannot hold anybody responsible."
Gandhi defended CIC's functioning even while welcoming such studies, saying they would help in making RTI more effective. "There have been other studies on RTI, which have given a better rating to the effectiveness of the Act," he said.
The parameters used by the study include effectiveness, deterrent impact and the prodisclosure factor.
"Under the Act, information commissioners have powers to levy penalty on defaulting government officers as well as issue summons and order arrests. But hardly any information commissioner actually uses these powers," said Kejriwal.
"In all the cases in which pro-disclosure orders were passed, which means that a violation of RTI Act was established, only 2% were penalized," he added.
RTI has, in the past, contributed towards the better implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, another flagship programme of the UPA government.
For instance, workers in Balisana village in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, who were grossly underpaid, received their payments under the Act as per minimum wage provisions after an RTI appeal was filed by a civil society group asking for muster rolls and payment sheets.
Another instance where RTI has proved useful is in the area of transparency of political funding after CIC directed the income-tax department to make public the returns of political parties following an RTI filed by ADR.
The RTI Act also helped in creating greater accountability in the appointment of government officers.
For instance, the Delhi high court came under the RTI scanner recently when CIC held that people have a right to know the procedure that went into the appointment of its public information officer.
Reports about the government's plans to further amend the Act have not gone down well with activists.
"Its first agenda should be to to make implementation more effective and strengthen it, rather than focusing on amending it," PCRF's Kejriwal said.
Others called for a more careful selection of officials.
"The single biggest problem with the implementation of the Act is the appointment process and criterion" used to choose the information commissioners, ADR's Chhokar said.
SIKKIM PROUD: MEERA TO REPRESENT INDIA AT DENMARK
Meera Chettri to represent India
Friday, 10.16.2009, 11:07am (GMT+5.5)
Gangtok: Meera Chetri of Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association (SATA) will represent India in Senior World Taekwondo Championship to be held from October 14 to 18 at Copenhegen, Denmark.
Ms. Meera Chetri national champion in Feather weight category has won a bronze medal in the 18th Senior Asian Taekwondo Championship, 2008 at Beijing, China. Ms. Chettri hails from Mamring, East Sikkim has been training under the guidance of Trilok Subba Chief Coach and Dawa Tamang, Coach of SATA, at Palzor Stadium, Gangtok.
Chief Coach Trilok Subba is hopeful with Ms. Meera this time as she is in her peak form and has already experienced World Arena representing the country in the Senior World Taekwondo Championship in 2007 at Beijing, China. President of SATA, executive member of the association and all the Taekwondo lovers is praying and has given best wishes to Meera for her success in the World Taekwondo Championship.
Friday, 10.16.2009, 11:07am (GMT+5.5)
Gangtok: Meera Chetri of Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association (SATA) will represent India in Senior World Taekwondo Championship to be held from October 14 to 18 at Copenhegen, Denmark.
Ms. Meera Chetri national champion in Feather weight category has won a bronze medal in the 18th Senior Asian Taekwondo Championship, 2008 at Beijing, China. Ms. Chettri hails from Mamring, East Sikkim has been training under the guidance of Trilok Subba Chief Coach and Dawa Tamang, Coach of SATA, at Palzor Stadium, Gangtok.
Chief Coach Trilok Subba is hopeful with Ms. Meera this time as she is in her peak form and has already experienced World Arena representing the country in the Senior World Taekwondo Championship in 2007 at Beijing, China. President of SATA, executive member of the association and all the Taekwondo lovers is praying and has given best wishes to Meera for her success in the World Taekwondo Championship.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
AIR PRESSURE ALONG RUNNING TRAINS CAN GENERATE ELECTRICITY
Air pressure along running trains can generate electricity’
An engineering tools expert here has claimed to have developed an eco-friendly technique to produce electricity utilising the air pressure created along the tracks by running trains.
Santosh Pradhan (38), who runs a bunch of engineering and mechanical units and has almost two decades of experience in manufacturing engineering tools, has registered 20 patents with the government about his technology.
“When a train runs at a full speed of 110-120 kms, it creates an air pressure in opposite direction and no one has ever thought to utilise this huge air pressure which is freely and easily available,” Pradhan told PTI.
Explaining his technology Pradhan said, a small impeller is fixed at the front portion of railway locomotive and similarly on top of each coach of a train.
“When a train runs, it produces huge quantity of compressed air due to high velocity of the wind and by accumulating this compressed air in big fabricated tanks on either side of the track, we can run turbines or air turbine motors which can produce a considerable amount of electricity,” he said.
Pradhan has now approached the railways authorities to seek permission for prototype and a subsequent demonstration of this technology which he says is “eco-friendly and cost effective”.
Pradhan said about 14,300 trains were running on 63,028 route kms in the country and about 20.89 MW electricity can be generated per km with the use of air power technology.
Thus approximately 14,81,134 MW of power can be generated by using the entire railway track, he said.
The Indian Railways was spending 17 per cent revenue on the fuel head which is roughly Rs 15,000 crores per annum, Pradhan said, adding that when adopted even in phases, his method would start reducing the cost of fuel.
However, it all depends on the Indian Railways to allow additional fabrication of parallel wind pipes over the Over Head Electric lines (OHE) to pass on high velocity wind to reach tanks on either of side of track, Pradhan said.
Also, the technology, Pradhan claims, can save 2,586 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission in the country.
An engineering tools expert here has claimed to have developed an eco-friendly technique to produce electricity utilising the air pressure created along the tracks by running trains.
Santosh Pradhan (38), who runs a bunch of engineering and mechanical units and has almost two decades of experience in manufacturing engineering tools, has registered 20 patents with the government about his technology.
“When a train runs at a full speed of 110-120 kms, it creates an air pressure in opposite direction and no one has ever thought to utilise this huge air pressure which is freely and easily available,” Pradhan told PTI.
Explaining his technology Pradhan said, a small impeller is fixed at the front portion of railway locomotive and similarly on top of each coach of a train.
“When a train runs, it produces huge quantity of compressed air due to high velocity of the wind and by accumulating this compressed air in big fabricated tanks on either side of the track, we can run turbines or air turbine motors which can produce a considerable amount of electricity,” he said.
Pradhan has now approached the railways authorities to seek permission for prototype and a subsequent demonstration of this technology which he says is “eco-friendly and cost effective”.
Pradhan said about 14,300 trains were running on 63,028 route kms in the country and about 20.89 MW electricity can be generated per km with the use of air power technology.
Thus approximately 14,81,134 MW of power can be generated by using the entire railway track, he said.
The Indian Railways was spending 17 per cent revenue on the fuel head which is roughly Rs 15,000 crores per annum, Pradhan said, adding that when adopted even in phases, his method would start reducing the cost of fuel.
However, it all depends on the Indian Railways to allow additional fabrication of parallel wind pipes over the Over Head Electric lines (OHE) to pass on high velocity wind to reach tanks on either of side of track, Pradhan said.
Also, the technology, Pradhan claims, can save 2,586 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission in the country.
Chamling Govt advises Old settlers to get legal opinion for IT exemption.
Source: Himalayan Mirror
21 Oct, Gangtok: In an apparent refusal to take initiative to persuade the centre to grant income tax exemption to old settlers numbering about 400 families belonging to the plainsmen community, the Pawan Kumar Chamling government has asked the latter to seek legal advice on which the matter could be taken forward.
The families of old settlers should seek legal advice from the experts and the chartered accountants on the grounds which the ‘left out’ people may be given income tax exemption akin to one granted to the indigenous people last year, the member secretary of the six-member committee S B Rai has written to the old settlers’ association recently.
Stating that the state government has no justifiable grounds to seek income tax exemption for the old settlers under the provisions of the Income Tax Act 1961, he said that the matter will be pursued further on the receipt 0f legal advice from the experts as forwarded by the aggrieved people.
The six-member committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, had on October 8 last discussed the representation of -the Old Settlers’ Association for income tax exemption to their families on the ground that they have been living in Sikkim for as long as the local people and assimilated socio-cultural and religious ethos of the society here.
Meanwhile, the old settlers’ association, has decided to convene a meeting of its members on October 22 next to discuss further course of action to pursue their demands under the legal framework as suggested by the state government.
“It is not a question of -financial benefits, but the dignity of the old settlers’ families that we have decided to pursue the matter 0f income tax exemption of them to its logical conclusion,” the Old Settler’ Association representative said
At the same time, he said that the association was confident that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which had committed to get income tax exemption for the old settlers’ families in its election manifesto early this year, will take up the matter with the centre for redressal.
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EDITORIAL SAYS:
October 21, 2009: Hon’ble Chief Minister is taking all positive actions to see that Left Out people get Income tax Exemption. Immdly after election, he went to Delhi and apprised Prime Minister on this issue. The IT Committee advise has to be taken in right perspective. The Government encourages Old settlers to get legal advice from legal lumaniries of the country and submit their opinion to State Government to enable State Government to furthur recommend it to India Government. This time the Old settlers voted SDF in full strength and SDF party has promised in its manifesto for equality, justice and exemption. We fully support State Government under the dynamic leadership of Dr Pawan Chamling. He will keep his promise.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Himalayan Mirror
21 Oct, Gangtok: In an apparent refusal to take initiative to persuade the centre to grant income tax exemption to old settlers numbering about 400 families belonging to the plainsmen community, the Pawan Kumar Chamling government has asked the latter to seek legal advice on which the matter could be taken forward.
The families of old settlers should seek legal advice from the experts and the chartered accountants on the grounds which the ‘left out’ people may be given income tax exemption akin to one granted to the indigenous people last year, the member secretary of the six-member committee S B Rai has written to the old settlers’ association recently.
Stating that the state government has no justifiable grounds to seek income tax exemption for the old settlers under the provisions of the Income Tax Act 1961, he said that the matter will be pursued further on the receipt 0f legal advice from the experts as forwarded by the aggrieved people.
The six-member committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, had on October 8 last discussed the representation of -the Old Settlers’ Association for income tax exemption to their families on the ground that they have been living in Sikkim for as long as the local people and assimilated socio-cultural and religious ethos of the society here.
Meanwhile, the old settlers’ association, has decided to convene a meeting of its members on October 22 next to discuss further course of action to pursue their demands under the legal framework as suggested by the state government.
“It is not a question of -financial benefits, but the dignity of the old settlers’ families that we have decided to pursue the matter 0f income tax exemption of them to its logical conclusion,” the Old Settler’ Association representative said
At the same time, he said that the association was confident that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which had committed to get income tax exemption for the old settlers’ families in its election manifesto early this year, will take up the matter with the centre for redressal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITORIAL SAYS:
October 21, 2009: Hon’ble Chief Minister is taking all positive actions to see that Left Out people get Income tax Exemption. Immdly after election, he went to Delhi and apprised Prime Minister on this issue. The IT Committee advise has to be taken in right perspective. The Government encourages Old settlers to get legal advice from legal lumaniries of the country and submit their opinion to State Government to enable State Government to furthur recommend it to India Government. This time the Old settlers voted SDF in full strength and SDF party has promised in its manifesto for equality, justice and exemption. We fully support State Government under the dynamic leadership of Dr Pawan Chamling. He will keep his promise.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mumbai climber feared dead in Sikkim avalanche
Posted by barunroy on October 21, 2009
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
Gangtok, Oct. 20: A Mumbai-based mountaineer is feared to have been killed in an avalanche yesterday afternoon after descending from Mount Thingchinkhang that he had successfully summitted with four others.
According to the district collector of West Sikkim, S. Pradhan, one death had been reported but the identity of the victim is yet to be determined because the group could not be contacted. A rescue operation has been launched. Mount Thingchinkhang rises to 19,712 feet above sea level.
“A team of four mountaineers from Mumbai had scaled the peak and were on the way down to the base camp when an avalanche hit them. Four others, including porters, have been reportedly injured. More details are awaited as the area is very remote and inaccessible. A porter accompanying the team had rushed down from the base camp to a village above Yuksom and gave the news about the incident,” Pradhan said.
According to forest officials posted at the Kanchenjungha National Park in Yuksom, the team of five mountaineers, Mangesh Deshpande, Anju Paniculam, Sadasivan Sekar, Shantanu Pandit and Parag Pendharkar, all from Mumbai, had gone past the forest check post on October 12.
The officials said the team had a climbing permit issued by the state home department, after ratification by the Union home ministry. The permit is valid till October 24.
Five porters and a liaison officer of the state home department made up the rest of the team.
According to the porter, Anju had stayed back at the base camp at 14,000 feet after falling ill and the rest of the climbers summitted the peak on October 18.
The porter told the officials that the team was some 500 metres from the summit when the avalanche hit them, killing one climber and injuring the others.
Sources in the state home department said the porter could only reach the village above Yuksom, 138km from here, yesterday and the report arrived in Gangtok this morning. It usually takes three days to trek from Yuksom to the base camp.
The sources said a team of Sherpas has arrived in Sikkim and were on a rescue mission. The rescue team also comprises members of the travel agents’ association besides state government officials.
Although it is impossible to land near the peak, an army helicopter has made a recce of the area this afternoon.
The name of the victim can only be determined once the rescue team reaches the spot.
Posted by barunroy on October 21, 2009
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
Gangtok, Oct. 20: A Mumbai-based mountaineer is feared to have been killed in an avalanche yesterday afternoon after descending from Mount Thingchinkhang that he had successfully summitted with four others.
According to the district collector of West Sikkim, S. Pradhan, one death had been reported but the identity of the victim is yet to be determined because the group could not be contacted. A rescue operation has been launched. Mount Thingchinkhang rises to 19,712 feet above sea level.
“A team of four mountaineers from Mumbai had scaled the peak and were on the way down to the base camp when an avalanche hit them. Four others, including porters, have been reportedly injured. More details are awaited as the area is very remote and inaccessible. A porter accompanying the team had rushed down from the base camp to a village above Yuksom and gave the news about the incident,” Pradhan said.
According to forest officials posted at the Kanchenjungha National Park in Yuksom, the team of five mountaineers, Mangesh Deshpande, Anju Paniculam, Sadasivan Sekar, Shantanu Pandit and Parag Pendharkar, all from Mumbai, had gone past the forest check post on October 12.
The officials said the team had a climbing permit issued by the state home department, after ratification by the Union home ministry. The permit is valid till October 24.
Five porters and a liaison officer of the state home department made up the rest of the team.
According to the porter, Anju had stayed back at the base camp at 14,000 feet after falling ill and the rest of the climbers summitted the peak on October 18.
The porter told the officials that the team was some 500 metres from the summit when the avalanche hit them, killing one climber and injuring the others.
Sources in the state home department said the porter could only reach the village above Yuksom, 138km from here, yesterday and the report arrived in Gangtok this morning. It usually takes three days to trek from Yuksom to the base camp.
The sources said a team of Sherpas has arrived in Sikkim and were on a rescue mission. The rescue team also comprises members of the travel agents’ association besides state government officials.
Although it is impossible to land near the peak, an army helicopter has made a recce of the area this afternoon.
The name of the victim can only be determined once the rescue team reaches the spot.
China Is Not Constructing Dam Over Brahmaputra, Says Manmohan Singh
20-10.2009
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu said on Tuesday that China has clarified formally that it is not constructing dam across Brahmaputra.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held talks with legislators and MPs from the Arunachal Pradesh led by Dorjee Khandu in New Delhi on Monday.
"The prime minister assured us that there was no dam being constructed over the Brahmaputra by China. In fact, Beijing had formally communicated this to the Indian government," Khandu told.
The whole issue started with media reports claiming that was constructing a $167 million hydropower plant in Zangmu over Brahmaputra, which had raised concerns for Arunachal Pradesh.
"We are happy with the prime minister's assurance," the chief minister said. Assam ad Arunachal had expressed concerns related to natural disaster because of the development of dam.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is slated to meet Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to talk regarding the same.
There were reports claiming that China had protested the visit of Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh.
"Chinese claims are simply unfounded and baseless. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the prime minister said categorically that this is New Delhi's stand," Khandu said.
Beijing in 2003 gave up its territorial claim over Sikkim but still says that nearly all of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to it.
20-10.2009
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu said on Tuesday that China has clarified formally that it is not constructing dam across Brahmaputra.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held talks with legislators and MPs from the Arunachal Pradesh led by Dorjee Khandu in New Delhi on Monday.
"The prime minister assured us that there was no dam being constructed over the Brahmaputra by China. In fact, Beijing had formally communicated this to the Indian government," Khandu told.
The whole issue started with media reports claiming that was constructing a $167 million hydropower plant in Zangmu over Brahmaputra, which had raised concerns for Arunachal Pradesh.
"We are happy with the prime minister's assurance," the chief minister said. Assam ad Arunachal had expressed concerns related to natural disaster because of the development of dam.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is slated to meet Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to talk regarding the same.
There were reports claiming that China had protested the visit of Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh.
"Chinese claims are simply unfounded and baseless. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the prime minister said categorically that this is New Delhi's stand," Khandu said.
Beijing in 2003 gave up its territorial claim over Sikkim but still says that nearly all of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to it.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Life is the best teacher, says A. R. Rahman
He creates a few beats and millions dance to them. The fan club of millions is now turning into billions after ‘Slum Dog Millionaire’ brought him the Oscars. Yet, he wants to be left alone in his studio where he plays with those notes to create some thumping beats and touching tunes.
Haven’t Oscars changed A.R. Rahman? “Life has changed in a different way. Things which were unattainable in the West are just a step away now and the award has been a great agent for me now,” told the maestro to The Hindu in a chat. Moreover, it has given him the authority to walk into any studio in the world like Universal or Sony with confidence. He is quite modest saying that the movie got the awards, yet it will help him take the next step in the international arena. “Since I have a name now, it will further help in reaching the western audience.”
The magician of music doesn’t hesitate to say that ‘Jai Ho’ is the best song of his life. “It’s not about how many instruments I have put in or the ragas used but how much spirit it has. And ‘Jai Ho’ is full of that,” he says. “It has been accepted universally and that’s the quality of a great song.”
He smilingly rejects the argument that he had better songs to his name, say, ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam.’ “It’s a perspective of people loving ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ more than ‘Jai Ho’. Indians think it is much better but westerners think ‘Jai Ho’ is better,” he says.
Has the movie and the awards changed the perception of Western world? He nods and says new Indian music is becoming a factor to reckon with now. “Most of them are trying to be somebody else and that’s where the failure lies. Originality is respected and that’s what ‘Slum Dog..’ has been. Its music was success as it had its own stamp.”
About his astonishing journey from a jingle boy to Oscar winner, he says every step was careful and loaded with lot of integrity. “I never tried to ignore anyone. And it could happen to anyone.” Turning a bit philosophical, he says “life is the best teacher”.
Despite his amazing success, Rahman has an unfulfilled wish – to perform with the pop king Michael Jackson. “He is the king of performance and perhaps the last king,” he says. So what happens to Indian films now that he is sought-after internationally? “I will be concentrating on both but perhaps will be doing less Indian films,” he says but agrees that technology is a great help as he can carry his music to any part of the world.
He creates a few beats and millions dance to them. The fan club of millions is now turning into billions after ‘Slum Dog Millionaire’ brought him the Oscars. Yet, he wants to be left alone in his studio where he plays with those notes to create some thumping beats and touching tunes.
Haven’t Oscars changed A.R. Rahman? “Life has changed in a different way. Things which were unattainable in the West are just a step away now and the award has been a great agent for me now,” told the maestro to The Hindu in a chat. Moreover, it has given him the authority to walk into any studio in the world like Universal or Sony with confidence. He is quite modest saying that the movie got the awards, yet it will help him take the next step in the international arena. “Since I have a name now, it will further help in reaching the western audience.”
The magician of music doesn’t hesitate to say that ‘Jai Ho’ is the best song of his life. “It’s not about how many instruments I have put in or the ragas used but how much spirit it has. And ‘Jai Ho’ is full of that,” he says. “It has been accepted universally and that’s the quality of a great song.”
He smilingly rejects the argument that he had better songs to his name, say, ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam.’ “It’s a perspective of people loving ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ more than ‘Jai Ho’. Indians think it is much better but westerners think ‘Jai Ho’ is better,” he says.
Has the movie and the awards changed the perception of Western world? He nods and says new Indian music is becoming a factor to reckon with now. “Most of them are trying to be somebody else and that’s where the failure lies. Originality is respected and that’s what ‘Slum Dog..’ has been. Its music was success as it had its own stamp.”
About his astonishing journey from a jingle boy to Oscar winner, he says every step was careful and loaded with lot of integrity. “I never tried to ignore anyone. And it could happen to anyone.” Turning a bit philosophical, he says “life is the best teacher”.
Despite his amazing success, Rahman has an unfulfilled wish – to perform with the pop king Michael Jackson. “He is the king of performance and perhaps the last king,” he says. So what happens to Indian films now that he is sought-after internationally? “I will be concentrating on both but perhaps will be doing less Indian films,” he says but agrees that technology is a great help as he can carry his music to any part of the world.
THE HOLE CHINA ITSELF FINDS IN
It's a little hard to dig oneself out of the hole one has spent decades digging in the first place. China's about to find out just how hard it is, as it re-examines the effects of the industrial policies that won it such handsome growth figures.
At least China is trying. On Monday, the country's government released guidelines on how it would curb overcapacity in steel, cement, flat glass, coal, chemicals, polysilicon and wind power equipment. Economists have been warning for some time of the dangers of excess industrial investment. Finally, earlier this month, the government started making noises about reducing the oversupply in steel, as also slowing bank lending.
In the last month, world leaders have emphasized the need to correct "global imbalances".Due to its savings glut, China is one half of the imbalance--the other half being the US economy--that needs urgent reform.
If nothing else, China's leaders will win global accolades for trying to reform its side. But these leaders also realize their domestic problems. In 2007, Premier Wen Jiabao declared the economy "unstable, unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable". After the Lehman Brothers collapse, weak US demand has left China's factories and workers jobless. The Times, London, in February reported a rise in violent unrest in China.
But the leaders have only themselves to blame. Industrial policies that chased high growth--an undervalued exchange rate, very low interest rates, irresponsible lending, subsidies for manufacturing--ignored household income or consumption. This model of growth, much vaunted earlier this decade, sacrificed a balanced economy at the altar of high investment and exports.
And this model won't be reformed overnight. The attempt to resuscitate the economy through a $586 billion stimulus in November only exacerbated problems: More money was funnelled into investment and real estate. Banking regulators have been trying to slow lending since July, but yuan loans in September outpaced those in August. Metal imports in September showed a sharp growth.
Part of the problem is political. Even if the central government in Beijing wants to check investment, implementation depends on local Communist Party officials--whose survival is tied to the number of units the local factory produces. And the state's iron control over banking and large parts of the economy makes any rebalancing difficult.
Let's forget that Beijing is far from willing to reform its political system. It also refuses to let its currency appreciate further.Unless these fundamental problems are addressed, China will continue to stare into the abyss of the hole it has dug. Can China successfully rebalance its economy?
sOURCE: mINT
At least China is trying. On Monday, the country's government released guidelines on how it would curb overcapacity in steel, cement, flat glass, coal, chemicals, polysilicon and wind power equipment. Economists have been warning for some time of the dangers of excess industrial investment. Finally, earlier this month, the government started making noises about reducing the oversupply in steel, as also slowing bank lending.
In the last month, world leaders have emphasized the need to correct "global imbalances".Due to its savings glut, China is one half of the imbalance--the other half being the US economy--that needs urgent reform.
If nothing else, China's leaders will win global accolades for trying to reform its side. But these leaders also realize their domestic problems. In 2007, Premier Wen Jiabao declared the economy "unstable, unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable". After the Lehman Brothers collapse, weak US demand has left China's factories and workers jobless. The Times, London, in February reported a rise in violent unrest in China.
But the leaders have only themselves to blame. Industrial policies that chased high growth--an undervalued exchange rate, very low interest rates, irresponsible lending, subsidies for manufacturing--ignored household income or consumption. This model of growth, much vaunted earlier this decade, sacrificed a balanced economy at the altar of high investment and exports.
And this model won't be reformed overnight. The attempt to resuscitate the economy through a $586 billion stimulus in November only exacerbated problems: More money was funnelled into investment and real estate. Banking regulators have been trying to slow lending since July, but yuan loans in September outpaced those in August. Metal imports in September showed a sharp growth.
Part of the problem is political. Even if the central government in Beijing wants to check investment, implementation depends on local Communist Party officials--whose survival is tied to the number of units the local factory produces. And the state's iron control over banking and large parts of the economy makes any rebalancing difficult.
Let's forget that Beijing is far from willing to reform its political system. It also refuses to let its currency appreciate further.Unless these fundamental problems are addressed, China will continue to stare into the abyss of the hole it has dug. Can China successfully rebalance its economy?
sOURCE: mINT
INVEST IN GOOD SHARES NEVER TO SELL- WARREN BUFFETT
Do you know the most common reason why companies fail? Well, we guess it might have to do with debt. Either they don't get it when required or they take on so much that when demand for their product falls, they find it hard to repay it and hence, fall into a debt trap getting out of which could take years. Thus, if the most imperfect stock has the qualities we just described, it is obvious that the most perfect stock would have qualities, which are exactly the opposite.
A perfect stock would be the one where the underlying company has neither taken debt for years nor has it raised equity but has still grown its net profits at a pretty decent rate and has also continued to pay handsome dividends. If one draws a circle around such stocks and considers a long-term period of say 8-10 years, we are pretty sure that these stocks would have outperformed most stocks that are listed on the bourses. Of course, one has to buy such stocks at prices that are reasonable enough.
And when should we sell them? Well, if the stock continues to do well and keeps growing its profits as well as dividends, the idea of selling it should not even enter one's mind. This is because all the returns that the investor is expecting from the stock could be met from dividends itself.
As the legendary Warren Buffett says, if the homework is done right while purchasing a stock, the time to sell it is never.
A perfect stock would be the one where the underlying company has neither taken debt for years nor has it raised equity but has still grown its net profits at a pretty decent rate and has also continued to pay handsome dividends. If one draws a circle around such stocks and considers a long-term period of say 8-10 years, we are pretty sure that these stocks would have outperformed most stocks that are listed on the bourses. Of course, one has to buy such stocks at prices that are reasonable enough.
And when should we sell them? Well, if the stock continues to do well and keeps growing its profits as well as dividends, the idea of selling it should not even enter one's mind. This is because all the returns that the investor is expecting from the stock could be met from dividends itself.
As the legendary Warren Buffett says, if the homework is done right while purchasing a stock, the time to sell it is never.
“50.8 million will have diabetes in India by 2010”
An awareness campaign on diabetes in Hyderabad. India continues to be the “diabetes capital” of the world and by the year 2010 about 50.8 million people in the 20 to 79 age group in the country will have diabetes, says a report. File photo: G. Krishnaswamy
The fourth edition of the World Diabetes Atlas, released in Montreal on Monday at the World Diabetes Congress, estimates that more number of people in India have diabetes than previously estimated.
India continues to be the “diabetes capital” of the world and by the year 2010 about 50.8 million people in the 20 to 79 age group in the country will have diabetes.
The atlas, released at the ongoing meeting organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), projects that by 2030 about 87 million people will have diabetes.
The third edition, released three years ago, estimated that by 2007 over 40 million people would have diabetes. By 2025 that figure was estimated to go up to 69 million.
The number of Indians with ‘pre-diabetic’ condition of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is also very high — about 39.5 million people will have IGT in 2010 and the number will be 64.1 million in 2030.
The figures are indicative of the large pool of susceptible subjects who have a high potential to turn diabetics in a short period, said A. Ramachandran of Dr. A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals, India Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, who is currently in Montreal. The source for these estimations is epidemiological studies from different parts of the country.
Dr. Ramachandran said that a primary prevention programme, as was being done in developed countries, was the best way to fight the epidemic. “In developed countries, they have used primary prevention in people with IGT and found that an almost seven per cent reduction in weight has meant 58 per cent reduction in the risk [of getting diabetes].”
An experimental study undertaken in India found that simple instructions such as advising people to walk, and sugar-free coffee/beverage had resulted in 29-30 per cent reduction in diabetes, Dr. Ramachandran said. A new research in Indian population, called the Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme, by him had shown the effectiveness of primary prevention strategies in preventing the onset of diabetes in people with high risk. It was also possible to identify those at high risk. These studies had reiterated that prevention of diabetes would prevent the burden due to its long-term complications. The figures were an indication that primary prevention was necessary and drastic steps must be taken to diagnose the disease early, provide effective management and also take steps to prevent the onset of disease in high-risk subjects
An awareness campaign on diabetes in Hyderabad. India continues to be the “diabetes capital” of the world and by the year 2010 about 50.8 million people in the 20 to 79 age group in the country will have diabetes, says a report. File photo: G. Krishnaswamy
The fourth edition of the World Diabetes Atlas, released in Montreal on Monday at the World Diabetes Congress, estimates that more number of people in India have diabetes than previously estimated.
India continues to be the “diabetes capital” of the world and by the year 2010 about 50.8 million people in the 20 to 79 age group in the country will have diabetes.
The atlas, released at the ongoing meeting organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), projects that by 2030 about 87 million people will have diabetes.
The third edition, released three years ago, estimated that by 2007 over 40 million people would have diabetes. By 2025 that figure was estimated to go up to 69 million.
The number of Indians with ‘pre-diabetic’ condition of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is also very high — about 39.5 million people will have IGT in 2010 and the number will be 64.1 million in 2030.
The figures are indicative of the large pool of susceptible subjects who have a high potential to turn diabetics in a short period, said A. Ramachandran of Dr. A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals, India Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, who is currently in Montreal. The source for these estimations is epidemiological studies from different parts of the country.
Dr. Ramachandran said that a primary prevention programme, as was being done in developed countries, was the best way to fight the epidemic. “In developed countries, they have used primary prevention in people with IGT and found that an almost seven per cent reduction in weight has meant 58 per cent reduction in the risk [of getting diabetes].”
An experimental study undertaken in India found that simple instructions such as advising people to walk, and sugar-free coffee/beverage had resulted in 29-30 per cent reduction in diabetes, Dr. Ramachandran said. A new research in Indian population, called the Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme, by him had shown the effectiveness of primary prevention strategies in preventing the onset of diabetes in people with high risk. It was also possible to identify those at high risk. These studies had reiterated that prevention of diabetes would prevent the burden due to its long-term complications. The figures were an indication that primary prevention was necessary and drastic steps must be taken to diagnose the disease early, provide effective management and also take steps to prevent the onset of disease in high-risk subjects
Dinosaurs-killer comet crash-landed off India’s west coast’
A meteorite more than 40 kms wide and hurtling towards Earth at 58,000 miles per hour that killed dinosaurs 65 million years ago, had actually crash-landed off India’s west coast, an Indian-origin professor has claimed.
Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University, who presented his research this month at a meet in the Geological Society of America in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, said, “If we are right, massive Shiva basin, a submerged depression west of India is the largest crater known on our planet.”
Mr. Chatterjee, who along with a team of researchers took a close look at the Shiva basin that is intensely mined for its oil and gas resources said, “It is probably the largest, multi-ringed impact crater the world has ever seen perhaps 40 kms in diameter creates its own tectonics.”
“Work done by a research team of Indians and Americans, working with information released by the companies operating in the area, has provided the strongest evidence to date that this was the spot where the dinosaur-killer hit,” he said.
He rejected earlier arguments that dinosaurs were killed after a giant asteroid slammed into the planet near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, saying the object that struck in Mexico was only between 8 and 10 kms wide.
‘Dramatic’
According to the Geological Society of America, the geological evidence is dramatic. Shiva’s outer rim forms a rough, faulted ring some 500 kilometres in diameter, encircling the central peak, known as the Bombay High.
Most of the crater lies submerged on India’s continental shelf, but where it does come ashore it is marked by tall cliffs, active faults and hot springs. The impact appears to have sheared or destroyed much of the 48-km-thick granite layer in the western coast of India, the society said.
Mr. Chatterjee’s team hopes to visit India later this year to examine rocks from the centre of the putative crater for clues that would prove the strange basin was formed by a gigantic impact.
“Rocks from the bottom of the crater will tell us the telltale sign of the impact event from shattered and melted target rocks. And we want to see if there are breccias, shocked quartz, and an iridium anomaly,” he said, adding “asteroids are rich in iridium, and such anomalies are thought of as the fingerprint of an impact.”
A meteorite more than 40 kms wide and hurtling towards Earth at 58,000 miles per hour that killed dinosaurs 65 million years ago, had actually crash-landed off India’s west coast, an Indian-origin professor has claimed.
Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University, who presented his research this month at a meet in the Geological Society of America in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, said, “If we are right, massive Shiva basin, a submerged depression west of India is the largest crater known on our planet.”
Mr. Chatterjee, who along with a team of researchers took a close look at the Shiva basin that is intensely mined for its oil and gas resources said, “It is probably the largest, multi-ringed impact crater the world has ever seen perhaps 40 kms in diameter creates its own tectonics.”
“Work done by a research team of Indians and Americans, working with information released by the companies operating in the area, has provided the strongest evidence to date that this was the spot where the dinosaur-killer hit,” he said.
He rejected earlier arguments that dinosaurs were killed after a giant asteroid slammed into the planet near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, saying the object that struck in Mexico was only between 8 and 10 kms wide.
‘Dramatic’
According to the Geological Society of America, the geological evidence is dramatic. Shiva’s outer rim forms a rough, faulted ring some 500 kilometres in diameter, encircling the central peak, known as the Bombay High.
Most of the crater lies submerged on India’s continental shelf, but where it does come ashore it is marked by tall cliffs, active faults and hot springs. The impact appears to have sheared or destroyed much of the 48-km-thick granite layer in the western coast of India, the society said.
Mr. Chatterjee’s team hopes to visit India later this year to examine rocks from the centre of the putative crater for clues that would prove the strange basin was formed by a gigantic impact.
“Rocks from the bottom of the crater will tell us the telltale sign of the impact event from shattered and melted target rocks. And we want to see if there are breccias, shocked quartz, and an iridium anomaly,” he said, adding “asteroids are rich in iridium, and such anomalies are thought of as the fingerprint of an impact.”
Monday, October 19, 2009
Indo-China Joint Workshop on National Action Plan on Climate Change
The Indo-China Joint Workshop on National Action Plan on Climate Change will begin here on 21st October 2009.China and India both have prepared National Action Plans. Considering the similarities of the Plan, it has been decided to have a Technical Workshop to share the experience on scientific, technical and policy aspects relating to climate change issues in India and China. In the Workshop Indian and Chinese Experts will deliver lecture on subjects which include National Action Plan in India and China, Policy and actions on mitigation, Policies and actions on forests, Policies and actions on adaptation and Progress in Climate Change Science.
A Bilateral Meeting between Shri Jairam Ramesh, Ministerof State for Environment & Forests (I/C), Government of India and Mr. XIE Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, Minister, National also be held. Senior Officers of the Government of China and India will also participate at this Meeting. During the Meeting discussions will be focussed on Domestic Initiatives; Issues in multilateral negotiations (mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance), and outlook for Copenhagen Meeting.
A Memorandum of Agreement on Cooperation on Addressing Climate Change between the Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of India will be signed by the Hon’ble Minister, Environment & Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh and by Mr. XIE Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, Minister, National Development and Reform Commission, China will be signed.This Agreement would strengthen the cooperative activities between China and India on mitigation, programmes, projects, technology development and demonstration relating to greenhouse gas emission reduction including energy conservation efficiency, renewable energies, clean coal, methane recovery and utilization, afforestation and sustainable management of forests and ecosystems, transportation and sustainable habitat. National Development and Reform Commission, China and Ministry of Environment & Forests will be designated authority for implementation of this Agreement.
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The Indo-China Joint Workshop on National Action Plan on Climate Change will begin here on 21st October 2009.China and India both have prepared National Action Plans. Considering the similarities of the Plan, it has been decided to have a Technical Workshop to share the experience on scientific, technical and policy aspects relating to climate change issues in India and China. In the Workshop Indian and Chinese Experts will deliver lecture on subjects which include National Action Plan in India and China, Policy and actions on mitigation, Policies and actions on forests, Policies and actions on adaptation and Progress in Climate Change Science.
A Bilateral Meeting between Shri Jairam Ramesh, Ministerof State for Environment & Forests (I/C), Government of India and Mr. XIE Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, Minister, National also be held. Senior Officers of the Government of China and India will also participate at this Meeting. During the Meeting discussions will be focussed on Domestic Initiatives; Issues in multilateral negotiations (mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance), and outlook for Copenhagen Meeting.
A Memorandum of Agreement on Cooperation on Addressing Climate Change between the Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of India will be signed by the Hon’ble Minister, Environment & Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh and by Mr. XIE Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, Minister, National Development and Reform Commission, China will be signed.This Agreement would strengthen the cooperative activities between China and India on mitigation, programmes, projects, technology development and demonstration relating to greenhouse gas emission reduction including energy conservation efficiency, renewable energies, clean coal, methane recovery and utilization, afforestation and sustainable management of forests and ecosystems, transportation and sustainable habitat. National Development and Reform Commission, China and Ministry of Environment & Forests will be designated authority for implementation of this Agreement.
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Unique Identification Number could become mandatory
Oct 17 (PTI) The 16-digit Unique Identification number that the government proposes to give you could become mandatory for opening a bank account, getting your passport or even your driving licence, among others. The Unique Identification Number (UID) scheme, which is expected to roll out the first number in 12-18 months, however, will not confer on anyone any rights, including citizenship, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Chairman Nandan Nilekani said.
Stressing that the UID at present is completely voluntary, Nilekani, the Infosys co-founder who quit the IT firm to head the ambitious government project, said the number will become "pervasive and ubiquitous" in future. "When you to get a passport, they will say where is your UID number, when you go to get a driving licence, they will say where is your UID number, when you go to tax, they will say where is your UID number, you go to open a bank account, they will say where is your UID number.
Sooner or later you will have to get your UID number," Nilekani told PTI in an interview. He said that in the coming years, all the above mentioned documents will start displaying the UID number, which proposes to weed out duplicate identities in the system, and hence the "number will become pervasive and ubiquitous.
It will become embedded in all these documents." He said, "It is not mandatory but more applications will make it a prerequisite.
So sooner or later your life becomes simpler if you have the number."
Oct 17 (PTI) The 16-digit Unique Identification number that the government proposes to give you could become mandatory for opening a bank account, getting your passport or even your driving licence, among others. The Unique Identification Number (UID) scheme, which is expected to roll out the first number in 12-18 months, however, will not confer on anyone any rights, including citizenship, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Chairman Nandan Nilekani said.
Stressing that the UID at present is completely voluntary, Nilekani, the Infosys co-founder who quit the IT firm to head the ambitious government project, said the number will become "pervasive and ubiquitous" in future. "When you to get a passport, they will say where is your UID number, when you go to get a driving licence, they will say where is your UID number, when you go to tax, they will say where is your UID number, you go to open a bank account, they will say where is your UID number.
Sooner or later you will have to get your UID number," Nilekani told PTI in an interview. He said that in the coming years, all the above mentioned documents will start displaying the UID number, which proposes to weed out duplicate identities in the system, and hence the "number will become pervasive and ubiquitous.
It will become embedded in all these documents." He said, "It is not mandatory but more applications will make it a prerequisite.
So sooner or later your life becomes simpler if you have the number."
BEJAB DARUWAL FORCASTS MARKETS SAMVAT 2066
OCT 2009 TO 0CT 2010
1. Do the stars suggest that global economy is out of recession?
The global economy is not completely out of recession. The recession started in January 2008 and now we can safely say that the the worst is over. However the recovery will still take a long time and there are a few patches of turbulent times before the economy will fully recovers. I presume that the world economy will be out of the blues by 2011.
2. How does the current financial year look like?
There will be a correction around the second half of October, 2009 after which the market will be somewhat afloat. I foresee a correction once again in the second and third week of January, 2010 (around the period of Makar Shankaranti) and the markets position will be very crucial during the first half of April 2010. During the first 20 days of May, 2010 the market breadth will be negative wherein the market will seem healthy however these may be false sentiments. The market will show a negative trend during the last quarter of 2010 creating a panic amongst the investors. In short if we are to summarise:
After 17 October 2009: Correction05
01-2010 to 21-01-2010: Correction
02/04/2010 TO 16/04/2010: Very Crucial
02/05/2010 TO 19/05/2010: Market breadth negative
30/09/2010 TO 01/11/2010: Negative trend
07/12/2010 TO 31/12/2010: Panic amongst investor
3. What is the maximum level you see the Sensex and Nifty touching this financial year?
Sensex: Maximum 18500 and Minimum 13200Nifty: Maximum 5500 and Minimum 3900
4. And where do you see the indices 5 years from now?
Sensex will touch 50,000 mark
5. Which sectors according to you would be among the best performers?
Pharmaceutical
Energy
Banking
FMCG
Media
6. What is your take on sectors like realty and retail that have taken a beating?
Mars, the karaka planet for realty was is in Gemini till 5th October which is an inimical house and then transits to Cancer on 06th October which is its fall sign. Similarly Venus, the karaka planet for Retail is in Leo till 10th October2009 which is its inimical house after which it will transit to Virgo, which is its fall sign. Hence these two sectors have been afflicted and are bound to remain so in the next year.
7. Since equity markets are improving do you think commodity markets will maintain their upward trend?
Yes
8. What is the future of gold and crude oil?
The future of Gold is bright and the range that I foresee would be between Rs 14500/- to Rs 17500/- per 10 grams while that of Crude will be highly fluctuating but range bound. Both will bear good returns over long range investments.
9. Do you foresee the recurrence of another financial crisis?
Refer my answer for question 1
10.Do you see India as a super power among global economies?
No
OCT 2009 TO 0CT 2010
1. Do the stars suggest that global economy is out of recession?
The global economy is not completely out of recession. The recession started in January 2008 and now we can safely say that the the worst is over. However the recovery will still take a long time and there are a few patches of turbulent times before the economy will fully recovers. I presume that the world economy will be out of the blues by 2011.
2. How does the current financial year look like?
There will be a correction around the second half of October, 2009 after which the market will be somewhat afloat. I foresee a correction once again in the second and third week of January, 2010 (around the period of Makar Shankaranti) and the markets position will be very crucial during the first half of April 2010. During the first 20 days of May, 2010 the market breadth will be negative wherein the market will seem healthy however these may be false sentiments. The market will show a negative trend during the last quarter of 2010 creating a panic amongst the investors. In short if we are to summarise:
After 17 October 2009: Correction05
01-2010 to 21-01-2010: Correction
02/04/2010 TO 16/04/2010: Very Crucial
02/05/2010 TO 19/05/2010: Market breadth negative
30/09/2010 TO 01/11/2010: Negative trend
07/12/2010 TO 31/12/2010: Panic amongst investor
3. What is the maximum level you see the Sensex and Nifty touching this financial year?
Sensex: Maximum 18500 and Minimum 13200Nifty: Maximum 5500 and Minimum 3900
4. And where do you see the indices 5 years from now?
Sensex will touch 50,000 mark
5. Which sectors according to you would be among the best performers?
Pharmaceutical
Energy
Banking
FMCG
Media
6. What is your take on sectors like realty and retail that have taken a beating?
Mars, the karaka planet for realty was is in Gemini till 5th October which is an inimical house and then transits to Cancer on 06th October which is its fall sign. Similarly Venus, the karaka planet for Retail is in Leo till 10th October2009 which is its inimical house after which it will transit to Virgo, which is its fall sign. Hence these two sectors have been afflicted and are bound to remain so in the next year.
7. Since equity markets are improving do you think commodity markets will maintain their upward trend?
Yes
8. What is the future of gold and crude oil?
The future of Gold is bright and the range that I foresee would be between Rs 14500/- to Rs 17500/- per 10 grams while that of Crude will be highly fluctuating but range bound. Both will bear good returns over long range investments.
9. Do you foresee the recurrence of another financial crisis?
Refer my answer for question 1
10.Do you see India as a super power among global economies?
No
THE CULTURE OF DEPRESSION by K C Jacob
The cultures of depression
by K. S. Jacob
The failure to recognise the heterogeneity of depression, the discounting of context, personality, stress and coping and the ease of prescribing antidepressants make its management less than optimal.
Diverse models of depression have been proposed and debated. Much of the confusion that exists in this area is because of disputes about the nature of mental illness. The confusion is compounded by the fact that core depressive symptoms, such as sadness and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, are also found in medical diseases, as reactions to stress and as part of normal mood.
Medical model:
The medical model considers psychiatric disorders as diseases, supposes brain pathology, documents signs and symptoms and recommends treatments. The disease halo reserved for the more severe forms of depression is also conferred on people with depressive symptoms secondary to stress and poor coping skills. The focus for diagnosis of depression centres on symptom counts without assessment of context, stress and coping skills. The provision of support by health professionals mandates the need for medical models, labels and treatments to justify their input. Insurance reimbursement also necessitates the use of disease labels. Consequently, psychiatric culture now tends to view all depression and distress through the disease/medical lens.
Perceptions in primary care:
Patients visit general practitioners (GPs) when they are disturbed or distressed, when they are in pain or are worried about the implication of their symptoms. Bereavement, marital discord, inability to cope at work and financial problems also lead people to seek help from their doctors. In this context, the major challenge is to distinguish between distress and depression. Depression in patients encountered by GPs is often viewed as a result of personal and social stress, lifestyle choices or a product of habitual maladaptive patterns of behaviour. Consequently, GPs often subscribe to psychological and social models of depression.
Population perspectives:
Social adversity is often seen as a cause of depression by the general population. Under such circumstances, people are reluctant to consult their GPs, counseling is the preferred treatment and antidepressants are viewed with suspicion by patients as they are considered addictive. Religious models are also popular. The general population seems to simultaneously hold multiple (and often contradictory) models of illness. They seek diverse treatments from assorted centres offering healing. The protracted course of depression secondary to chronic stress, lifestyle and poor coping results in people shopping for varied solutions.
Pharmaceutical approach:
The pharmaceutical industry has espoused the cause of the medical model for depression. It has aided and abetted the medicalisation of personal and social distress to its advantage. Sponsoring educational activities and professional psychiatric and user meetings and conferences have helped shape medical and patient opinions. While pharmaceutical companies play a major role in the development and testing of new treatments firmly rooted in the medical model, in actual practice theirs is a culture driven by profit rather than by science.
Competing cultures:
The medical model is defended by the powerful biological psychiatry movement within the specialty of psychiatry and by the pharmaceutical industry. But the other models and cultures of depression emphasising psychological and social issues are equally valid in the contexts of primary care and the community, but lack the academic clout and financial resources to present their points of view. The different ‘cultures of depression’ and the pressures from these divergent perspectives need to be acknowledged.
The issues which need to be re-examined include: (i) the heterogeneity of the concept of depression, (ii) the (in)adequacy of a single label of depression, relying solely on symptoms counts, to describe the diverse human context of distress, (iii) the need for clinical formulations which clearly state the context, personality factors, presence or absence of acute and chronic stress and extent of coping, (iv) the fact that antidepressant medication is not the solution to mild and moderate depression and should be reserved for severe forms of the condition, (v) re-emphasising the need to manage stress and alter coping strategies, using psychological treatment for people with such presentations, (vi) de-emphasising medicalisation of personal and social distress and, (vii) focusing on other underlying causes of human misery including poverty, unmet needs and lack of rights.
Clinical presentations:
The syndrome of depression includes depressed mood, loss of pleasure in almost all activities, poor concentration, fatigue, medically unexplained symptoms, insomnia, guilt and suicidal ideation. Three categories of depression can be identified from a clinical and treatment point of view. The first, called adjustment disorder, is a normal reaction to acute and severe stress in people with a past record of good coping. The magnitude of the stress would temporarily destabilise many people with good coping strategies. By definition, the condition is time-limited and people usually settle back to normal lives within a few weeks or months. There is an absence of a family history of depression or suicide. The self-limiting nature of the condition means that support is all that is usually required and results in good outcome.
The second type of depression is characterised by its chronic nature (called dysthymia). Stressors, usually mild and multiple, precipitate, exacerbate and maintain the symptoms. The onset of such depression is usually in early adult life and such people usually have a long history of depressive symptoms. Their moods fluctuate and are usually responsive to changes in the environment. They also have a history of maladjustment and poor coping in response to past stress. The mainstay of treatment is psychological interventions which focus on improved coping, changes in personality, attitude, philosophy and life style.
The third category is called melancholia. In addition to the basic syndrome of depression, symptoms of melancholia include a pervasive depressed mood with minimal response to environmental change, global insomnia, early morning awakening with low mood worse in the mornings, significant loss of weight and restlessness, agitation or slowed movements. Melancholia usually occurs later in life and there may be a family history of similar depression or suicide. Such presentations may be also part of a bipolar disorder (manic depression), which has extreme mood swings, or may be due to medical, neurological and endocrine disease. The treatment of choice is antidepressant medication, management of the underlying medical causes and hospitalisation.
Management:
Clinicians and psychiatrists managing patients with depression should be able to hold multiple models of depression. They should be able to appreciate the diverse cultures of depression and choose appropriate treatment strategies. Clinically, there is a need to look beyond symptoms and explore personality, situational difficulties and coping strategies in order to comprehensively evaluate biological vulnerability, personality factors and stress. The treatment package for such presentations should include psychological support, general stress reduction strategies (for example, yoga, meditation, physical exercise, leisure, hobbies) and problem-solving techniques (for example, cognitive therapy) for subjects presenting with ‘depression’. Antidepressant medication should be reserved for the severe forms of depression with hospitalisation and electroconvulsive therapy for those with high risk of harm to themselves and to others. People can present with a mixture of clinical presentations requiring a combination of approaches. A psychosocial formulation of the clinical presentation, background and context will put issues in perspective.
The progressive medicalisation of distress has lowered thresholds for the tolerance of mild symptoms and for seeking medical attention for such complaints. Patients visit physicians when they are disturbed or distressed. Grief at loss, frustration at failure, the apathy of disillusionment, the demoralisation of long suffering and the cynical outlook of pessimism usually resolve spontaneously without specific psychiatric intervention. Distress and emotions should not be mistaken for pathology; fear and apprehension should not be labeled as anxiety, or sadness as depression.
The failure of individual models and cultures to explain all aspects of depression seen in diverse settings has led to the development and use of multiple models, which argue for the need to accept the many perceptions as partial truths. These models should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive, with some being more valid in a specific context than others. Patients present to physicians with their illnesses while doctors diagnose and manage disease concepts. The failure to bridge the gap between disease and illness and healing and cure is a major cause for the contemporary confusion in the diagnosis and management of depression.
There is a need for more pragmatic approaches which move beyond the specific models of depression and narrow ‘cultural’ perspectives.
( K.S. Jacob is Professor of Psychiatry at the Christian Medical College, Vellore.)
Source: The Hindu
by K. S. Jacob
The failure to recognise the heterogeneity of depression, the discounting of context, personality, stress and coping and the ease of prescribing antidepressants make its management less than optimal.
Diverse models of depression have been proposed and debated. Much of the confusion that exists in this area is because of disputes about the nature of mental illness. The confusion is compounded by the fact that core depressive symptoms, such as sadness and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, are also found in medical diseases, as reactions to stress and as part of normal mood.
Medical model:
The medical model considers psychiatric disorders as diseases, supposes brain pathology, documents signs and symptoms and recommends treatments. The disease halo reserved for the more severe forms of depression is also conferred on people with depressive symptoms secondary to stress and poor coping skills. The focus for diagnosis of depression centres on symptom counts without assessment of context, stress and coping skills. The provision of support by health professionals mandates the need for medical models, labels and treatments to justify their input. Insurance reimbursement also necessitates the use of disease labels. Consequently, psychiatric culture now tends to view all depression and distress through the disease/medical lens.
Perceptions in primary care:
Patients visit general practitioners (GPs) when they are disturbed or distressed, when they are in pain or are worried about the implication of their symptoms. Bereavement, marital discord, inability to cope at work and financial problems also lead people to seek help from their doctors. In this context, the major challenge is to distinguish between distress and depression. Depression in patients encountered by GPs is often viewed as a result of personal and social stress, lifestyle choices or a product of habitual maladaptive patterns of behaviour. Consequently, GPs often subscribe to psychological and social models of depression.
Population perspectives:
Social adversity is often seen as a cause of depression by the general population. Under such circumstances, people are reluctant to consult their GPs, counseling is the preferred treatment and antidepressants are viewed with suspicion by patients as they are considered addictive. Religious models are also popular. The general population seems to simultaneously hold multiple (and often contradictory) models of illness. They seek diverse treatments from assorted centres offering healing. The protracted course of depression secondary to chronic stress, lifestyle and poor coping results in people shopping for varied solutions.
Pharmaceutical approach:
The pharmaceutical industry has espoused the cause of the medical model for depression. It has aided and abetted the medicalisation of personal and social distress to its advantage. Sponsoring educational activities and professional psychiatric and user meetings and conferences have helped shape medical and patient opinions. While pharmaceutical companies play a major role in the development and testing of new treatments firmly rooted in the medical model, in actual practice theirs is a culture driven by profit rather than by science.
Competing cultures:
The medical model is defended by the powerful biological psychiatry movement within the specialty of psychiatry and by the pharmaceutical industry. But the other models and cultures of depression emphasising psychological and social issues are equally valid in the contexts of primary care and the community, but lack the academic clout and financial resources to present their points of view. The different ‘cultures of depression’ and the pressures from these divergent perspectives need to be acknowledged.
The issues which need to be re-examined include: (i) the heterogeneity of the concept of depression, (ii) the (in)adequacy of a single label of depression, relying solely on symptoms counts, to describe the diverse human context of distress, (iii) the need for clinical formulations which clearly state the context, personality factors, presence or absence of acute and chronic stress and extent of coping, (iv) the fact that antidepressant medication is not the solution to mild and moderate depression and should be reserved for severe forms of the condition, (v) re-emphasising the need to manage stress and alter coping strategies, using psychological treatment for people with such presentations, (vi) de-emphasising medicalisation of personal and social distress and, (vii) focusing on other underlying causes of human misery including poverty, unmet needs and lack of rights.
Clinical presentations:
The syndrome of depression includes depressed mood, loss of pleasure in almost all activities, poor concentration, fatigue, medically unexplained symptoms, insomnia, guilt and suicidal ideation. Three categories of depression can be identified from a clinical and treatment point of view. The first, called adjustment disorder, is a normal reaction to acute and severe stress in people with a past record of good coping. The magnitude of the stress would temporarily destabilise many people with good coping strategies. By definition, the condition is time-limited and people usually settle back to normal lives within a few weeks or months. There is an absence of a family history of depression or suicide. The self-limiting nature of the condition means that support is all that is usually required and results in good outcome.
The second type of depression is characterised by its chronic nature (called dysthymia). Stressors, usually mild and multiple, precipitate, exacerbate and maintain the symptoms. The onset of such depression is usually in early adult life and such people usually have a long history of depressive symptoms. Their moods fluctuate and are usually responsive to changes in the environment. They also have a history of maladjustment and poor coping in response to past stress. The mainstay of treatment is psychological interventions which focus on improved coping, changes in personality, attitude, philosophy and life style.
The third category is called melancholia. In addition to the basic syndrome of depression, symptoms of melancholia include a pervasive depressed mood with minimal response to environmental change, global insomnia, early morning awakening with low mood worse in the mornings, significant loss of weight and restlessness, agitation or slowed movements. Melancholia usually occurs later in life and there may be a family history of similar depression or suicide. Such presentations may be also part of a bipolar disorder (manic depression), which has extreme mood swings, or may be due to medical, neurological and endocrine disease. The treatment of choice is antidepressant medication, management of the underlying medical causes and hospitalisation.
Management:
Clinicians and psychiatrists managing patients with depression should be able to hold multiple models of depression. They should be able to appreciate the diverse cultures of depression and choose appropriate treatment strategies. Clinically, there is a need to look beyond symptoms and explore personality, situational difficulties and coping strategies in order to comprehensively evaluate biological vulnerability, personality factors and stress. The treatment package for such presentations should include psychological support, general stress reduction strategies (for example, yoga, meditation, physical exercise, leisure, hobbies) and problem-solving techniques (for example, cognitive therapy) for subjects presenting with ‘depression’. Antidepressant medication should be reserved for the severe forms of depression with hospitalisation and electroconvulsive therapy for those with high risk of harm to themselves and to others. People can present with a mixture of clinical presentations requiring a combination of approaches. A psychosocial formulation of the clinical presentation, background and context will put issues in perspective.
The progressive medicalisation of distress has lowered thresholds for the tolerance of mild symptoms and for seeking medical attention for such complaints. Patients visit physicians when they are disturbed or distressed. Grief at loss, frustration at failure, the apathy of disillusionment, the demoralisation of long suffering and the cynical outlook of pessimism usually resolve spontaneously without specific psychiatric intervention. Distress and emotions should not be mistaken for pathology; fear and apprehension should not be labeled as anxiety, or sadness as depression.
The failure of individual models and cultures to explain all aspects of depression seen in diverse settings has led to the development and use of multiple models, which argue for the need to accept the many perceptions as partial truths. These models should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive, with some being more valid in a specific context than others. Patients present to physicians with their illnesses while doctors diagnose and manage disease concepts. The failure to bridge the gap between disease and illness and healing and cure is a major cause for the contemporary confusion in the diagnosis and management of depression.
There is a need for more pragmatic approaches which move beyond the specific models of depression and narrow ‘cultural’ perspectives.
( K.S. Jacob is Professor of Psychiatry at the Christian Medical College, Vellore.)
Source: The Hindu
Struggle for Tibet will remain non-violent: Rinpoche
19 October 2009,
AHMEDABAD: The world had seen the great fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of powerful Soviet Union into independent nations, so thereis hope for the Tibet issue getting resolved in the near future, said Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche. Rinpoche was in the city to attend the 56th convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith. Rinpoche said, "It would be difficult to predict a time when the Tibet tangle will end but circumstances can change."
Replying to the growing impatience' among Tibetan youths, Rinpoche said, "People who are in favour of violent methods to resolve the issue of Tibet are in minority.
Violence cannot bring solution to these issues; it only complicates them. The eye-opening examples are of Sri Lanka, Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. We still believe in our non-violent agitation for Tibet's autonomy and will continue with it." "China has become offensive after the recent Olympic Games held in Beijing in 2008.
The Chinese incursion into Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in India are recent examples. Also, the 3,000-km-long border between India and China is still under dispute. But the Indian government has shown great maturity on this whole issue," he added. Rinpoche reaffirmed that stability in India-China relationship is of utmost importance for world peace and also in favour of the Tibet cause. Rinpoche expressed his satisfaction over the Indian government's stand on Tibet imbroglio. Rinpoche said, "In the last many years, several political parties have come to power at the Centre, but the official Indian position on Tibet has remained the same since the Nehru era," he said. Rincpoche said, "The Chinese government has been involved in destabilising Tibet by drastically changing the demographic nature of the region. There is ongoing activity to make Tibetan voice a minority in their own region." "The other challenge which we are facing is environmental degradation. Glaciers are melting in the region while atomic pollution is increasing," he pointed out.
Source: TOI
19 October 2009,
AHMEDABAD: The world had seen the great fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of powerful Soviet Union into independent nations, so thereis hope for the Tibet issue getting resolved in the near future, said Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche. Rinpoche was in the city to attend the 56th convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith. Rinpoche said, "It would be difficult to predict a time when the Tibet tangle will end but circumstances can change."
Replying to the growing impatience' among Tibetan youths, Rinpoche said, "People who are in favour of violent methods to resolve the issue of Tibet are in minority.
Violence cannot bring solution to these issues; it only complicates them. The eye-opening examples are of Sri Lanka, Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. We still believe in our non-violent agitation for Tibet's autonomy and will continue with it." "China has become offensive after the recent Olympic Games held in Beijing in 2008.
The Chinese incursion into Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in India are recent examples. Also, the 3,000-km-long border between India and China is still under dispute. But the Indian government has shown great maturity on this whole issue," he added. Rinpoche reaffirmed that stability in India-China relationship is of utmost importance for world peace and also in favour of the Tibet cause. Rinpoche expressed his satisfaction over the Indian government's stand on Tibet imbroglio. Rinpoche said, "In the last many years, several political parties have come to power at the Centre, but the official Indian position on Tibet has remained the same since the Nehru era," he said. Rincpoche said, "The Chinese government has been involved in destabilising Tibet by drastically changing the demographic nature of the region. There is ongoing activity to make Tibetan voice a minority in their own region." "The other challenge which we are facing is environmental degradation. Glaciers are melting in the region while atomic pollution is increasing," he pointed out.
Source: TOI
Sunday, October 18, 2009
TO STOP GLACIER RETREAT IN HIMALAYAS....
18 oCT 2009
Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh and ISRO chief G. Madhavan Nair address a press conference at the ISRO HQ in Bangalore on Sunday:
India will demonstrate to the world that “we are serious about climate change” through a set of new initiatives — the first being the setting up of a world-class institute in Bangalore to carry out research on climate, global warming and its impacts on the economy and environment.
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh told presspersons here on Sunday that the “National Institute for Research on Climate and Environment” would help build India’s own capacity for measuring, monitoring and modelling climate at a time when most information on global warming was derived from the West.
The institute would use space-based and ground-based observation systems to create an indigenous “nucleus” for research into all issues relating to climate, including the impact of climate change on aspects of the economy such as agriculture and water, Mr. Ramesh added. The institute would be a joint initiative of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF).
“The aim is to build a world-class institute, which will serve as a data hub on all issues relating to climate,” Mr. Ramesh said adding that formal approval from the Union Government was expected shortly. The project would receive an initial funding of Rs. 40 crore. ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair said that he hoped to initiate the programme this financial year.
Satellite
Mr. Nair said two satellites would be launched between 2010 and 2011 to measure and monitor greenhouse gases. While a micro-satellite would be launched in 2010 to study aerosols, another dedicated satellite in 2011 would monitor greenhouse gases such as methane and trace gases. With this India will “demonstrate to the world that we are serious about climate change” and will place itself in the league of few countries, such as Japan and some European countries, that have such initiatives, Mr. Ramesh added.
Green bonus
A new mechanism is being proposed to provide incentives to State Governments to retain and expand green cover, said Mr. Ramesh — a “green bonus” which would be given to States along with funds from the Planning Commission or Finance Commission.
“There needs to be sensitivity on the part of the State Governments about forest cover,” he said adding that of paramount importance were forests of the Western Ghats and the northeast. “I have written twice to the [Karnataka] Chief Minister not to proceed with Gundya [hydel power project in the Western Ghats]”.
Glaciers
ISRO will also assist in monitoring Himalayan glaciers which are of vital importance for water security, said Mr. Ramesh.
It is to be noted that Sikkim and other Himalayna Glaciers are retreating very fast and once they dry up, the whole Ganjetic plain will be a desert and their will be mass migration of people.
“There is much concern about the retreating Himalayan glaciers. But we do not have programmes of our own to monitor the area. Western research focuses primarily on the Arctic glaciers which are fundamentally different,” he added.
Sikkim is making its own efforts for studying Glacier retreats.
Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh and ISRO chief G. Madhavan Nair address a press conference at the ISRO HQ in Bangalore on Sunday:
India will demonstrate to the world that “we are serious about climate change” through a set of new initiatives — the first being the setting up of a world-class institute in Bangalore to carry out research on climate, global warming and its impacts on the economy and environment.
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh told presspersons here on Sunday that the “National Institute for Research on Climate and Environment” would help build India’s own capacity for measuring, monitoring and modelling climate at a time when most information on global warming was derived from the West.
The institute would use space-based and ground-based observation systems to create an indigenous “nucleus” for research into all issues relating to climate, including the impact of climate change on aspects of the economy such as agriculture and water, Mr. Ramesh added. The institute would be a joint initiative of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF).
“The aim is to build a world-class institute, which will serve as a data hub on all issues relating to climate,” Mr. Ramesh said adding that formal approval from the Union Government was expected shortly. The project would receive an initial funding of Rs. 40 crore. ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair said that he hoped to initiate the programme this financial year.
Satellite
Mr. Nair said two satellites would be launched between 2010 and 2011 to measure and monitor greenhouse gases. While a micro-satellite would be launched in 2010 to study aerosols, another dedicated satellite in 2011 would monitor greenhouse gases such as methane and trace gases. With this India will “demonstrate to the world that we are serious about climate change” and will place itself in the league of few countries, such as Japan and some European countries, that have such initiatives, Mr. Ramesh added.
Green bonus
A new mechanism is being proposed to provide incentives to State Governments to retain and expand green cover, said Mr. Ramesh — a “green bonus” which would be given to States along with funds from the Planning Commission or Finance Commission.
“There needs to be sensitivity on the part of the State Governments about forest cover,” he said adding that of paramount importance were forests of the Western Ghats and the northeast. “I have written twice to the [Karnataka] Chief Minister not to proceed with Gundya [hydel power project in the Western Ghats]”.
Glaciers
ISRO will also assist in monitoring Himalayan glaciers which are of vital importance for water security, said Mr. Ramesh.
It is to be noted that Sikkim and other Himalayna Glaciers are retreating very fast and once they dry up, the whole Ganjetic plain will be a desert and their will be mass migration of people.
“There is much concern about the retreating Himalayan glaciers. But we do not have programmes of our own to monitor the area. Western research focuses primarily on the Arctic glaciers which are fundamentally different,” he added.
Sikkim is making its own efforts for studying Glacier retreats.
TEA TALK: Darjeeling tea likely to be granted geographical indication
If no objection is raised, Darjeeling tea will be one of hundreds of goods given Geographical Indication status, according to the Economic Times.
Darjeeling tea is from India, right? It is supposed to be, just like Balsamic vinegar is from Modena and true Champagne is from the Champagne region of France. Darjeeling, which is after all considered to be the ‘champagne of teas’ is a slightly floral, delicate black tea, with a light, amber gold color, and a somewhat ‘grape’ aroma. Darjeeling tea leaves are grown on one of 86
Darjeeling tea gardens within India. Unlike other food products which are only allowed to carry an official title when produced in their specific region, Darjeeling tea is not at this point protected by Geographical Indication.
What is Geographical Indication?
Geographical Indication, also known as GI, is used on food, wine, or spirits which can only be made in one geographical location. Generally, these goods were produced in their particular region for decades, if not centuries. When attempts are made to produce the product outside of the region the result is sub-par. For example, with Darjeeling tea, the particular soil and climate conditions, as well as the standards of excellence for the accredited Darjeeling tea gardens yield a superior product. Technically, someone could grow ‘darjeeling’ tea in their backyard in Wisconsin, even using a tea plant from Darjeeling, and try to sell it as darjeeling tea. This infringes on the rights of the original Darjeeling tea producers, thus the request for Geographical Indication.
What Geographical Indication will do for Darjeeling tea
At this point, the European Commission is opening up the debate for public comments as they have found the dossier sent in by the Indian producers valid for receiving the Geographical Indication status. Once passed, only Darjeeling tea from the Darjeeling region of India could be sold within the European Union. This would ensure consumers that they are purchasing Darjeeling tea when a tea is labeled as such. It would basically raise the standard of quality and perception of Darjeeling tea and force producers outside of the region to find a new way to label their product.
If no objection is raised, Darjeeling tea will be one of hundreds of goods given Geographical Indication status, according to the Economic Times.
Darjeeling tea is from India, right? It is supposed to be, just like Balsamic vinegar is from Modena and true Champagne is from the Champagne region of France. Darjeeling, which is after all considered to be the ‘champagne of teas’ is a slightly floral, delicate black tea, with a light, amber gold color, and a somewhat ‘grape’ aroma. Darjeeling tea leaves are grown on one of 86
Darjeeling tea gardens within India. Unlike other food products which are only allowed to carry an official title when produced in their specific region, Darjeeling tea is not at this point protected by Geographical Indication.
What is Geographical Indication?
Geographical Indication, also known as GI, is used on food, wine, or spirits which can only be made in one geographical location. Generally, these goods were produced in their particular region for decades, if not centuries. When attempts are made to produce the product outside of the region the result is sub-par. For example, with Darjeeling tea, the particular soil and climate conditions, as well as the standards of excellence for the accredited Darjeeling tea gardens yield a superior product. Technically, someone could grow ‘darjeeling’ tea in their backyard in Wisconsin, even using a tea plant from Darjeeling, and try to sell it as darjeeling tea. This infringes on the rights of the original Darjeeling tea producers, thus the request for Geographical Indication.
What Geographical Indication will do for Darjeeling tea
At this point, the European Commission is opening up the debate for public comments as they have found the dossier sent in by the Indian producers valid for receiving the Geographical Indication status. Once passed, only Darjeeling tea from the Darjeeling region of India could be sold within the European Union. This would ensure consumers that they are purchasing Darjeeling tea when a tea is labeled as such. It would basically raise the standard of quality and perception of Darjeeling tea and force producers outside of the region to find a new way to label their product.
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