Summer trouble
by DR. NANDA RAJNEESH
The heat can cause a lot of health problems. Here's what you need to look out for.
The scorching heat, dry weather and mercurial temperature signal the arrival of summer. Staying healthy during summer requires care and the best way to do this is to take the necessary precautions.
Kidney problems
In summer, as temperatures soar, people tend to sweat more. This leads to loss of water. To make up, drink extra glasses of water or natural coolers like lassi, butter milk, coconut water. Many people opt for flavoured drinks, beer, colas and coffee, which gradually lead to kidney stones due to a reduced intake of water.
A person with kidney stone may pass smelly urine (sometimes accompanied by blood). A frequent burning sensation while urinating, fever and vomiting are associated symptoms.
If these symptoms arise, tests are advised. If the stone is small it will pass out on its own. If the stone is larger than 5-6mm, then lithotripsy (a procedure in which large stones are broken down into very small pieces which can come out in the urine easily) is advised.
Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections are a common problem in summer. Due to dehydration, infections set in causing bacteria to invade the bladder. Usually more women fall victim to this problem because the female urethra is shorter than that of the male.
High fever, severe pain, burning sensation while urinating and increased frequency of urination are some of the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water, wearing cotton undergarments, frequent urination, a hygiene check on genital areas help avoid such infections. If infections recur, then consult a physician
Bed sores
Bedsores are another common ailment. Pressure sores/ulcers, or bed sores as they are commonly known, occur in the skin of a bedridden person who is neither conscious nor able to sense pain. These are caused due to friction, pressure of the skin, humidity, shearing force, temperature, age and medications. In summer there is an increased incidence due to high temperature.
Treatment involves changing the patient's position every two hours, applying talcum powder antibiotic lotions and cream over the sore regularly to promote faster healing and eating food that is nutritionally rich diet in proteins, vitamins, minerals and calories
Cardiac diseases
Usually summer sees an increase in cardiac diseases. Excessive sweating increases thickness of blood resulting in clotting (embolism) and narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) thus elevating blood pressure.
But one can prevent severe consequences by taking certain measures like regular and timely medication for the heat prescribed by the doctor, taking multivitamins, eating a healthy diet of vegetables, fruits, and salads.
Dehydration is the most common result of heat and a cause for many summer diseases. It can be treated in a day care unit and does not require a long hospital stay.
The writer is a Laparoscopic and GI surgeon.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
PM TO BAR ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
PM addresses the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Association of India.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:55 IST
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed the Golden Jubilee National Conference on ‘Law & Governance’ of the Bar Association of India in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s inaugural address on the occasion:
“It gives me great pleasure to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Association of India. The Association has always maintained very high standards of professional ethics and values. I applaud its achievements and congratulate all those who have been associated with it.
Your Association has served the country with great distinction in the past fifty years. But I venture to think and pray that the next fifty years should be still more productive in the service of the people of this great country. The Bar Association of India has, as Lalit pointed out, a glorious history. It was inaugurated by the then President of India the great Dr. Rajendra Prasad fifty years ago in the presence of our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then Chief Justice of India and many stalwarts of the legal profession whose names are held in the highest esteem even to this day. Shri M.C. Setalvad, the first Attorney-General of India was the first President of the Association and together with the illustrious Dr K. M Munshi and Shri C.K. Daphtary and others framed its constitution. At the inaugural function Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru said “all these new problems come and these problems can be decided certainly, as far as lawyers are concerned, by specialized training and also by a certain amount of wisdom and a certain understanding of those problems, apart even from their judicial significance, because life is an integrated thing. You cannot separate it in compartments, some part of life meant only for lawyers and judges and some other part meant for somebody else. That is not so. In real life they all overlap and in a changing phase of society it becomes so necessary to have some integrated understanding of these various developments so as to be able to deal with it.” With great humility and reverence I echo the same sentiments.
The role of the members of the legal fraternity is not confined to Courts alone or advising the clients in their business deals. It extends to being an integral part of our system of administration of justice – and justice not just in the legal sense but justice - social, economic and political as set out in the preamble of our magnificent Constitution. The members of legal fraternity in our country have historically contributed handsomely to each of these areas of justice – whether it was the struggle for our independence or the framing of our Constitution or working of government. Even today in the Cabinet we have some outstanding legal luminaries some of whom have been members of this illustrious Association.
The Bar Association too has a larger objective beyond the furtherance of professional interests of its members. It aims at promoting public and national welfare in manifold directions and in upholding the Constitution of India and the Rule of Law. One of the most outstanding features of the activities of this Association is its commitment to society, especially the less privileged sections. It is gratifying to note that it has contributed significantly at the time of natural and manmade calamities like the Latoor and Bhuj earthquakes and the Tsunami. The Association also performed yeoman services in providing legal aid to families of martyrs in the Kargil war.
The theme of your conference -- Law and Governance -- covers a complex relationship. The deliberations in this conference will explore how the practice of law has evolved over time and its interplay with political, social and economic developments, the socio-legal processes that deter or provide access to justice and above all the necessary legal pre-requisites of good governance.
It has been said that justice delayed is justice denied. In this context it is important that concerted cooperative efforts are made by the government, the judiciary and the Bar Association to deal with the mounting arrears in our courts and the growing cost of litigation. Equality before law cannot become a living reality if ordinary citizens cannot have access to justice at affordable cost. The plight of the large number of under trial prisoners in our jails should move the machinery of justice to speedy corrective measures as part of the process of reforming and improving the quality of governance in our country.
I have been told that one of the important sessions of your conference will be devoted to Law and the Separation of Powers. The doctrine of “separation of powers” is acknowledged as one of the basic features of our Constitution. It is also commonly agreed that all the three organs of the State, i.e., the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Executive are bound by and subject to the provisions of the Constitution, which demarcates their respective powers, jurisdictions, responsibilities and relationship with one another. It is to be assumed that neither of the three organs of the State, whether it is the judiciary or the executive or the legislature, would exceed its powers as laid down in the Constitution. Even though their jurisdictions may be separated and demarcated, it is essential that all institutions work in harmony and in tandem to maximize the public good. I hope there will be meaningful and productive discussions in this conference and that other important subjects like funding of elections and law and education will also merit your attention.
Let me conclude by wishing the conference all success. I also wish the Bar Association of India all the very best in the years to come. I am sure the deliberations in this conference will be productive and contribute to strengthening both the law and governance for the benefit of the common citizen of our country. May your path be blessed.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:55 IST
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed the Golden Jubilee National Conference on ‘Law & Governance’ of the Bar Association of India in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s inaugural address on the occasion:
“It gives me great pleasure to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Association of India. The Association has always maintained very high standards of professional ethics and values. I applaud its achievements and congratulate all those who have been associated with it.
Your Association has served the country with great distinction in the past fifty years. But I venture to think and pray that the next fifty years should be still more productive in the service of the people of this great country. The Bar Association of India has, as Lalit pointed out, a glorious history. It was inaugurated by the then President of India the great Dr. Rajendra Prasad fifty years ago in the presence of our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then Chief Justice of India and many stalwarts of the legal profession whose names are held in the highest esteem even to this day. Shri M.C. Setalvad, the first Attorney-General of India was the first President of the Association and together with the illustrious Dr K. M Munshi and Shri C.K. Daphtary and others framed its constitution. At the inaugural function Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru said “all these new problems come and these problems can be decided certainly, as far as lawyers are concerned, by specialized training and also by a certain amount of wisdom and a certain understanding of those problems, apart even from their judicial significance, because life is an integrated thing. You cannot separate it in compartments, some part of life meant only for lawyers and judges and some other part meant for somebody else. That is not so. In real life they all overlap and in a changing phase of society it becomes so necessary to have some integrated understanding of these various developments so as to be able to deal with it.” With great humility and reverence I echo the same sentiments.
The role of the members of the legal fraternity is not confined to Courts alone or advising the clients in their business deals. It extends to being an integral part of our system of administration of justice – and justice not just in the legal sense but justice - social, economic and political as set out in the preamble of our magnificent Constitution. The members of legal fraternity in our country have historically contributed handsomely to each of these areas of justice – whether it was the struggle for our independence or the framing of our Constitution or working of government. Even today in the Cabinet we have some outstanding legal luminaries some of whom have been members of this illustrious Association.
The Bar Association too has a larger objective beyond the furtherance of professional interests of its members. It aims at promoting public and national welfare in manifold directions and in upholding the Constitution of India and the Rule of Law. One of the most outstanding features of the activities of this Association is its commitment to society, especially the less privileged sections. It is gratifying to note that it has contributed significantly at the time of natural and manmade calamities like the Latoor and Bhuj earthquakes and the Tsunami. The Association also performed yeoman services in providing legal aid to families of martyrs in the Kargil war.
The theme of your conference -- Law and Governance -- covers a complex relationship. The deliberations in this conference will explore how the practice of law has evolved over time and its interplay with political, social and economic developments, the socio-legal processes that deter or provide access to justice and above all the necessary legal pre-requisites of good governance.
It has been said that justice delayed is justice denied. In this context it is important that concerted cooperative efforts are made by the government, the judiciary and the Bar Association to deal with the mounting arrears in our courts and the growing cost of litigation. Equality before law cannot become a living reality if ordinary citizens cannot have access to justice at affordable cost. The plight of the large number of under trial prisoners in our jails should move the machinery of justice to speedy corrective measures as part of the process of reforming and improving the quality of governance in our country.
I have been told that one of the important sessions of your conference will be devoted to Law and the Separation of Powers. The doctrine of “separation of powers” is acknowledged as one of the basic features of our Constitution. It is also commonly agreed that all the three organs of the State, i.e., the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Executive are bound by and subject to the provisions of the Constitution, which demarcates their respective powers, jurisdictions, responsibilities and relationship with one another. It is to be assumed that neither of the three organs of the State, whether it is the judiciary or the executive or the legislature, would exceed its powers as laid down in the Constitution. Even though their jurisdictions may be separated and demarcated, it is essential that all institutions work in harmony and in tandem to maximize the public good. I hope there will be meaningful and productive discussions in this conference and that other important subjects like funding of elections and law and education will also merit your attention.
Let me conclude by wishing the conference all success. I also wish the Bar Association of India all the very best in the years to come. I am sure the deliberations in this conference will be productive and contribute to strengthening both the law and governance for the benefit of the common citizen of our country. May your path be blessed.”
SIKKIM-UNIQUE CHARM
Years ago, a friend from the north-east told me rather testily, "Why are you so excited about the cherry blossom festivals in Tokyo and Washington
DC? There's a fabulous one every year right here in India and no one knows about it...." He was right, of course, and he was alluding to a state of which few of us in bustling metros know anything: Sikkim.
Last weekend, the Sikkim Festival organised by the state government in association with the Times of India Group in New Delhi’s Garden of Five Senses forcibly drew my attention back to that tiny Himalayan state of just five lakh people, which isn’t on the mindscape of most Indian travellers, myself included.
What I found there amazed me. Despite being nestled between Nepal, Bhutan and China, Sikkim has such a quintessentially Indian ethos. Yet its temperate slopes and valleys are such a far cry from the madness of much of India that it wouldn’t seem inapt to call it India’s Shangri-La, florishing under the protective eye of Kanchenjunga.
While Pawan Chamling (like Sheila Dikshit, a third term chief minister!) spoke at the fest of his state’s unique expanse of climate zones (from sub tropical to alpine!) and its focus on organic products and sustainable development, the dancers from different ethnic groups seemed to underline Sikkim’s multifaceted appeal....
But I couldn’t take my eyes off the thousands of orchids flown in from there for the fest. “That’s not all,” I was later told enthusiastically by Radhika Jha, a young Sikkim cadre IAS officer. “You should see the rhododendrons in bloom in spring. Entire hillsides are red or pink!”
That tidbit, along with a bit of delving that revealed that Sikkim has 600 species of orchids, 240 indigenous trees and ferns, not to mention magnolias, anthurium and gladioli, made me heartily endorse Mr Chamling’s assertion that Sikkim has more allure than Switzerland — not to mention Holland, France and other floral hotspots!
But Sikkim, for me, scored far higher than any of those European tourist havens on another major count — its spiritual quotient. Not only as the land blessed by Padmasambhava in the 8th century and home to ancient and venerated Buddhist centres like Rumtek monastery, but also for its more recent gesture of building Hinduism’s Char Dhams in one complex in South Sikkim. Maybe it’s just reiterating its traditional name: Nyemae-el or Abode of the Gods.
On a more temporal plane, Sikkim’s cuisine, I learnt, was an interesting mix of familiar and unfamiliar flavours — from buckwheat and fermented soybean to pork and yakmeat, not to mention bambooshoots and the paneer-like chhurpi! I could quite believe the state’s tourism secretary SBS Bhadauria’s assertion that every village has distinct dishes to offer.
But it was the very pretty young doctor dressed in a traditional maroon and creme baku ensemble who really set me thinking about Sikkim. Why was Karma Bhutia, an MBBS from Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Medical College and practising in Gangtok, manning a food stall? “I stopped in Delhi on the way to Himachal with my mother and aunt,” she said. “I saw a Sikkim fest on and decided to help out — why miss a chance to tell other Indians about my state?”
She knew enough about another nook of her native Himalayas like Himachal, but here I was, a gaunche city-dwelling ‘mainlander’ who knew next to nothing about a fellow Indian’s amazing home state. That reminded me of what a young Arunachali politician once told me: “A northeasterner knows more about the rest of India than the rest of India knows about the northeast.” It’s time the rest of India — me included — remedied that. And Sikkim seems one of the best places to start that journey of discovery...
source;economic times
DC? There's a fabulous one every year right here in India and no one knows about it...." He was right, of course, and he was alluding to a state of which few of us in bustling metros know anything: Sikkim.
Last weekend, the Sikkim Festival organised by the state government in association with the Times of India Group in New Delhi’s Garden of Five Senses forcibly drew my attention back to that tiny Himalayan state of just five lakh people, which isn’t on the mindscape of most Indian travellers, myself included.
What I found there amazed me. Despite being nestled between Nepal, Bhutan and China, Sikkim has such a quintessentially Indian ethos. Yet its temperate slopes and valleys are such a far cry from the madness of much of India that it wouldn’t seem inapt to call it India’s Shangri-La, florishing under the protective eye of Kanchenjunga.
While Pawan Chamling (like Sheila Dikshit, a third term chief minister!) spoke at the fest of his state’s unique expanse of climate zones (from sub tropical to alpine!) and its focus on organic products and sustainable development, the dancers from different ethnic groups seemed to underline Sikkim’s multifaceted appeal....
But I couldn’t take my eyes off the thousands of orchids flown in from there for the fest. “That’s not all,” I was later told enthusiastically by Radhika Jha, a young Sikkim cadre IAS officer. “You should see the rhododendrons in bloom in spring. Entire hillsides are red or pink!”
That tidbit, along with a bit of delving that revealed that Sikkim has 600 species of orchids, 240 indigenous trees and ferns, not to mention magnolias, anthurium and gladioli, made me heartily endorse Mr Chamling’s assertion that Sikkim has more allure than Switzerland — not to mention Holland, France and other floral hotspots!
But Sikkim, for me, scored far higher than any of those European tourist havens on another major count — its spiritual quotient. Not only as the land blessed by Padmasambhava in the 8th century and home to ancient and venerated Buddhist centres like Rumtek monastery, but also for its more recent gesture of building Hinduism’s Char Dhams in one complex in South Sikkim. Maybe it’s just reiterating its traditional name: Nyemae-el or Abode of the Gods.
On a more temporal plane, Sikkim’s cuisine, I learnt, was an interesting mix of familiar and unfamiliar flavours — from buckwheat and fermented soybean to pork and yakmeat, not to mention bambooshoots and the paneer-like chhurpi! I could quite believe the state’s tourism secretary SBS Bhadauria’s assertion that every village has distinct dishes to offer.
But it was the very pretty young doctor dressed in a traditional maroon and creme baku ensemble who really set me thinking about Sikkim. Why was Karma Bhutia, an MBBS from Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Medical College and practising in Gangtok, manning a food stall? “I stopped in Delhi on the way to Himachal with my mother and aunt,” she said. “I saw a Sikkim fest on and decided to help out — why miss a chance to tell other Indians about my state?”
She knew enough about another nook of her native Himalayas like Himachal, but here I was, a gaunche city-dwelling ‘mainlander’ who knew next to nothing about a fellow Indian’s amazing home state. That reminded me of what a young Arunachali politician once told me: “A northeasterner knows more about the rest of India than the rest of India knows about the northeast.” It’s time the rest of India — me included — remedied that. And Sikkim seems one of the best places to start that journey of discovery...
source;economic times
SIKKIM ON ORGANIC PATH
GANGTOK: The next time you stop by in Sikkim, you might want to look for a souvenir with a difference — perhaps a packet of organic paddy or ginger
— as the state looks set to go completely organic.
Silently, this ecological hotspot of the eastern Himalayas has moved towards sustainable agriculture in a big way, covering almost 90% of its agricultural land. Use of chemical pesticide, insecticide or chemical inputs was slowed down as early as 2003 but what was awaited was blanket certification. Now, even that seems to be on the fast track. Of 70,000 hectares of arable land in Sikkim, 6000 hectares is already organic-certified. By 2015, Sikkim aims to be completely organic certified.
Organic farming combines ecologically-sound modern technology with traditional agricultural practices including crop rotation, green manure and biological pest control to ensure reduction or total elimination of chemical inputs. In several parts of Sikkim, farmers have succeeded in growing completely organic maize, paddy, ginger, cardamom and turmeric while expanding the practices to other horticultural crops.
The first step came in May 2003, when the state government withdrew the subsidy on fertilizers. From 2006-07 onwards, the transport and handling subsidy and commission to the retailer was also withdrawn. Alongside, the government also adopted a seven-year plan to phase out use of chemical fertilizers, by gradually replacing these with organic sources.
“The government had taken the decision because it had seen the adverse impact of chemical fertilizers on our soil, water and on human health, considering ours is a biodiversity hotspot,” says S K Gautam, secretary in the department of food security and agriculture.
He, however, points out that there are difficulties since only 11% of the land is cultivable, making the state food-deficient. “We need intensive cultivation in the arable land if we have to become food sufficient. An action plan is being prepared that will be ready in a couple of months that will help leverage yield from organic agriculture,” he says.
There are a few stumbling blocks, too. The organic manure produced in the state is insufficient and it has to make do with imports from Hyderabad and Pune. Additionally, vermi-compost kits are given to farmers by the government besides assistance for green manure and urine pits.
The spinoffs, however, are encouraging. “Village tourism in Sikkim will obviously improve. Homestays will become
more popular. We believe that the organic tag will boost the inflow of tourists, especially international tourists,” said Lukendra Rasailly, general secretary of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim.
“We understand that only organic farming can help us maintain our soil quality and prevent pollution of our water sources. It will also be the key to highend tourism,” hopes Rasailly.
SOURCE;ECONOMIC TIMES
— as the state looks set to go completely organic.
Silently, this ecological hotspot of the eastern Himalayas has moved towards sustainable agriculture in a big way, covering almost 90% of its agricultural land. Use of chemical pesticide, insecticide or chemical inputs was slowed down as early as 2003 but what was awaited was blanket certification. Now, even that seems to be on the fast track. Of 70,000 hectares of arable land in Sikkim, 6000 hectares is already organic-certified. By 2015, Sikkim aims to be completely organic certified.
Organic farming combines ecologically-sound modern technology with traditional agricultural practices including crop rotation, green manure and biological pest control to ensure reduction or total elimination of chemical inputs. In several parts of Sikkim, farmers have succeeded in growing completely organic maize, paddy, ginger, cardamom and turmeric while expanding the practices to other horticultural crops.
The first step came in May 2003, when the state government withdrew the subsidy on fertilizers. From 2006-07 onwards, the transport and handling subsidy and commission to the retailer was also withdrawn. Alongside, the government also adopted a seven-year plan to phase out use of chemical fertilizers, by gradually replacing these with organic sources.
“The government had taken the decision because it had seen the adverse impact of chemical fertilizers on our soil, water and on human health, considering ours is a biodiversity hotspot,” says S K Gautam, secretary in the department of food security and agriculture.
He, however, points out that there are difficulties since only 11% of the land is cultivable, making the state food-deficient. “We need intensive cultivation in the arable land if we have to become food sufficient. An action plan is being prepared that will be ready in a couple of months that will help leverage yield from organic agriculture,” he says.
There are a few stumbling blocks, too. The organic manure produced in the state is insufficient and it has to make do with imports from Hyderabad and Pune. Additionally, vermi-compost kits are given to farmers by the government besides assistance for green manure and urine pits.
The spinoffs, however, are encouraging. “Village tourism in Sikkim will obviously improve. Homestays will become
more popular. We believe that the organic tag will boost the inflow of tourists, especially international tourists,” said Lukendra Rasailly, general secretary of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim.
“We understand that only organic farming can help us maintain our soil quality and prevent pollution of our water sources. It will also be the key to highend tourism,” hopes Rasailly.
SOURCE;ECONOMIC TIMES
CIPLA TO ACQUIRE SIKKIM FACILITY- MAKES 275 CRORES IN 4TH QUARTER.
NEW DELHI: Drug firm Cipla today said its net profit rose by 8.93 per cent to Rs 275.53 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Net sales of the company increased to Rs 1,317.49 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, compared to Rs 1,235.17 crore in the same period last fiscal, the company said in a statement.
The company also said that its board, which met today, has approved the acquisition of two manufacturing facilities located in Sikkim and Kurkumbh (District Pune) at an aggregate consideration of Rs 82.02 crore.
The drug firm will acquire the Sikkim facility for Rs 51.38 crore and the Pune plant for Rs 30.64 crore. Till now, both the facilities were manufacturing drugs exclusively for Cipla, it said.
The Sikkim facility has capabilities to manufacture tablets, capsules, oral liquids, injections and is eligible for a 10-year tax holiday under the Income Tax Act, 1961, commencing from the financial year 2009-10.
Besides, the plant located at Kurkumbh has US FDA & WHO approved manufacturing facility for bulk drugs and has been acquired by way of slump sale arrangement.
For the year ended March 31, 2010, the company posted a net profit of Rs 1,082.01 crore, compared to Rs 776.81 crore in the previous fiscal.
The company reported net sales of Rs 6,368.09 crore for the year ended March 31, 2010 compared to Rs 4,960.60 crore in the corresponding fiscal.
During the fourth quarter, the firm sold its intellectual property rights and technical knowhow of 'i-pill', an emergency contraceptive brand, to Piramal Healthcare at an aggregate consideration of Rs 95 crore.
Shares of Cipla today closed at Rs 341.80 on BSE, down 1.26 per cent from its previous close.
Net sales of the company increased to Rs 1,317.49 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, compared to Rs 1,235.17 crore in the same period last fiscal, the company said in a statement.
The company also said that its board, which met today, has approved the acquisition of two manufacturing facilities located in Sikkim and Kurkumbh (District Pune) at an aggregate consideration of Rs 82.02 crore.
The drug firm will acquire the Sikkim facility for Rs 51.38 crore and the Pune plant for Rs 30.64 crore. Till now, both the facilities were manufacturing drugs exclusively for Cipla, it said.
The Sikkim facility has capabilities to manufacture tablets, capsules, oral liquids, injections and is eligible for a 10-year tax holiday under the Income Tax Act, 1961, commencing from the financial year 2009-10.
Besides, the plant located at Kurkumbh has US FDA & WHO approved manufacturing facility for bulk drugs and has been acquired by way of slump sale arrangement.
For the year ended March 31, 2010, the company posted a net profit of Rs 1,082.01 crore, compared to Rs 776.81 crore in the previous fiscal.
The company reported net sales of Rs 6,368.09 crore for the year ended March 31, 2010 compared to Rs 4,960.60 crore in the corresponding fiscal.
During the fourth quarter, the firm sold its intellectual property rights and technical knowhow of 'i-pill', an emergency contraceptive brand, to Piramal Healthcare at an aggregate consideration of Rs 95 crore.
Shares of Cipla today closed at Rs 341.80 on BSE, down 1.26 per cent from its previous close.
Sikkim Tourism Ropeway to connect Tsomgo lake at 12,600 ft height
Tsomgo (Sikkim), May 7 (PTI) Tourists in Sikkim would soon be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of Tsomgo lake at 12,600 feet above sea level by sitting atop a ropeway.
Sikkim Minister of Tourism Bhim Prasad Dhungel today laid the foundation stone of a Rs 6.25 crore ropeway project at Tsongmo -- the highest ever height of 12,600 feet in the country.
The 957 metre ropeway will start from the glacial Tsongmo lake and take the tourists to the surrounding hilltop, famed for its beautiful landscape, snow and yak rides, officials said.
The project will be completed within the next two years, Dhungel said.
Tsomgo (Sikkim), May 7 (PTI) Tourists in Sikkim would soon be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of Tsomgo lake at 12,600 feet above sea level by sitting atop a ropeway.
Sikkim Minister of Tourism Bhim Prasad Dhungel today laid the foundation stone of a Rs 6.25 crore ropeway project at Tsongmo -- the highest ever height of 12,600 feet in the country.
The 957 metre ropeway will start from the glacial Tsongmo lake and take the tourists to the surrounding hilltop, famed for its beautiful landscape, snow and yak rides, officials said.
The project will be completed within the next two years, Dhungel said.
COLD STORAGES IN SIKKIM
Construction of Cold Storages
Under the scheme of National Horticulture Mission, assistance is provided for development of post harvest infrastructure including construction of cold storages. During 2009-10, assistance of Rs. 45.31 crore was sanctioned for establishment of 225cold storages.
Under the Scheme of Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North-Eastern States including Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (TMNE) assistance is provided for post harvest management including for creation/ modernization/ expansion of cold storages.
During 2009-10, assistance of Rs. 60.00 lakh was sanctioned for 2 cold storage projects.
National Horticulture Board is implementing the scheme of Capital Investment Subsidy for construction/ Expansion /modernization of cold storage and storages for horticulture produce, under which assistance is provided for creation/ modernization/expansion of cold storages. During the year 2009-10, 231 cold storage projects have been sanctioned with a subsidy of Rs. 51.42 crore.
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) provides assistance under scheme of Infrastructure Development for Setting up of integrated pack houses with cold store facilities. During the year 2009-10, APEDA has provided assistance for setting up 24 integrated pack houses with cold store facilities.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides assistance for cold chain infrastructure development including that of cold storages under the scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, and approved 10 cold chain projects during 2008-09 for which grant of Rs. 43.51 crore has been released during 2009-10.
As these schemes are on going and demand driven, cold storage projects are approved based on need and as per the respective guidelines.
This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Under the scheme of National Horticulture Mission, assistance is provided for development of post harvest infrastructure including construction of cold storages. During 2009-10, assistance of Rs. 45.31 crore was sanctioned for establishment of 225cold storages.
Under the Scheme of Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North-Eastern States including Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (TMNE) assistance is provided for post harvest management including for creation/ modernization/ expansion of cold storages.
During 2009-10, assistance of Rs. 60.00 lakh was sanctioned for 2 cold storage projects.
National Horticulture Board is implementing the scheme of Capital Investment Subsidy for construction/ Expansion /modernization of cold storage and storages for horticulture produce, under which assistance is provided for creation/ modernization/expansion of cold storages. During the year 2009-10, 231 cold storage projects have been sanctioned with a subsidy of Rs. 51.42 crore.
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) provides assistance under scheme of Infrastructure Development for Setting up of integrated pack houses with cold store facilities. During the year 2009-10, APEDA has provided assistance for setting up 24 integrated pack houses with cold store facilities.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides assistance for cold chain infrastructure development including that of cold storages under the scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, and approved 10 cold chain projects during 2008-09 for which grant of Rs. 43.51 crore has been released during 2009-10.
As these schemes are on going and demand driven, cold storage projects are approved based on need and as per the respective guidelines.
This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
ENVIRONMENT Feel the power: NY gyms pedal for electricity
NEW YORK (AFP): New York gym rats can now not only build muscle power, but electric power as they pedal on fitness bikes designed to light up their own health clubs.
“Electrify your workout! Later this month you will be able to shrink your waistline and your carbon footprint all at the same time,” a motivational poster says at New York Sports Club, urging clients to use “pedaling power to help create a healthier planet.”
Some 20 clients pedaled furiously under the poster on stationary bicycles turning sweat equity into sweat electricity.
“It’s a great idea, really fun. It allows students to monitor themselves, the monitor tells you how many watts you’re creating. It’s a win-win situation,” said gym instructor Rick Meadows.
The mechanism is simple, using dynamos on the bicycles to transfer 12 volts of electricity produced by the cyclists’ pedaling to a generator which creates alternating current of 110 volts.
From there, the current helps power the gym building and reduces its bills — although not the subscriptions for members.
“I invented the system in early 2007 in Connecticut, where I live,” said Jay Whelan, 46, CEO of The Green Revolution.
The commercial debut was made in 2009 in California. “We began in Washington two weeks ago and here in New York,” Whelan said, adding that there are 40 customers — so far only using spin bikes.
It takes 20 people to create about three kilowatts in a one-hour session.
In other words, with four sessions a day, the gym creates 300 kilowatts a month, which is the same as the power needed to light a typical home for half a year.
Over a year, the gymnasts can power the equivalent of 72 homes for one month, according to the company. A small gym might even be able to run its lights entirely on human power, Whelan added.
Green Revolution employs 45 people already and is looking to expand by putting the technology into other machines, including ellipticals, cross-trainers, stepping machines and recumbent bikes, the company says.
Each individual bike generator costs 1,300 dollars.
The dual-purpose gym session appeared to have won over clients at New York Sports Club.
“You are burning energy and at the same time you use it for something positive,” said architect Richard Kronick.
“It’s fun, challenging and efficient,” said Felicia Rubin, a housewife.
Meadows shouted encouragements while green lights indicated how many watts were being generated, so that each client can see just how much electricity his legs can create.
“I created 69 watts, but I have to stop, to change the music,” Meadows said. “Somebody created 105 watts. Competitiveness in the class encourages people to do better. And people love the fact that they are creating energy.”
“All my members want to come back to see how many watts they create,” said Jennifer Carswell, fitness service manager.
Green Revolution has several dozen clients in the United States and Canada, including at schools, universities and a homeless shelter. Inquiries have come in from four prisons, Whelan said.
NEW YORK (AFP): New York gym rats can now not only build muscle power, but electric power as they pedal on fitness bikes designed to light up their own health clubs.
“Electrify your workout! Later this month you will be able to shrink your waistline and your carbon footprint all at the same time,” a motivational poster says at New York Sports Club, urging clients to use “pedaling power to help create a healthier planet.”
Some 20 clients pedaled furiously under the poster on stationary bicycles turning sweat equity into sweat electricity.
“It’s a great idea, really fun. It allows students to monitor themselves, the monitor tells you how many watts you’re creating. It’s a win-win situation,” said gym instructor Rick Meadows.
The mechanism is simple, using dynamos on the bicycles to transfer 12 volts of electricity produced by the cyclists’ pedaling to a generator which creates alternating current of 110 volts.
From there, the current helps power the gym building and reduces its bills — although not the subscriptions for members.
“I invented the system in early 2007 in Connecticut, where I live,” said Jay Whelan, 46, CEO of The Green Revolution.
The commercial debut was made in 2009 in California. “We began in Washington two weeks ago and here in New York,” Whelan said, adding that there are 40 customers — so far only using spin bikes.
It takes 20 people to create about three kilowatts in a one-hour session.
In other words, with four sessions a day, the gym creates 300 kilowatts a month, which is the same as the power needed to light a typical home for half a year.
Over a year, the gymnasts can power the equivalent of 72 homes for one month, according to the company. A small gym might even be able to run its lights entirely on human power, Whelan added.
Green Revolution employs 45 people already and is looking to expand by putting the technology into other machines, including ellipticals, cross-trainers, stepping machines and recumbent bikes, the company says.
Each individual bike generator costs 1,300 dollars.
The dual-purpose gym session appeared to have won over clients at New York Sports Club.
“You are burning energy and at the same time you use it for something positive,” said architect Richard Kronick.
“It’s fun, challenging and efficient,” said Felicia Rubin, a housewife.
Meadows shouted encouragements while green lights indicated how many watts were being generated, so that each client can see just how much electricity his legs can create.
“I created 69 watts, but I have to stop, to change the music,” Meadows said. “Somebody created 105 watts. Competitiveness in the class encourages people to do better. And people love the fact that they are creating energy.”
“All my members want to come back to see how many watts they create,” said Jennifer Carswell, fitness service manager.
Green Revolution has several dozen clients in the United States and Canada, including at schools, universities and a homeless shelter. Inquiries have come in from four prisons, Whelan said.
Governors can't be removed at Centre's whims, says Court
by J. Venkatesan
The Supreme Court on Friday held that a Governor cannot be removed on the ground that he/she is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the Union government or the party in power at the Centre. Nor can he/she be removed on the ground that the Union government has lost confidence in him/her.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices S.H. Kapadia, R.V. Raveendran, B. Sudershan Reddy and P. Sathasivam was disposing of a petition filed by the former Member of Parliament, B.P. Singhal.
The Bench said that as a Governor was neither an employee nor agent of the Union government, it was rejecting the contention that a Governor could be removed if the Union government or the party in power lost ‘confidence' in him.
It held that a change in government at the Centre was not a ground for removal of Governors to make way for others favoured by the new government.
Writing the judgment, Justice Raveendran said, “What Article 156 (1) of the Constitution [under which a Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President] dispenses with is the need to assign reasons or the need to give notice, but the need to act fairly and reasonably cannot be dispensed with by Article 156(1).”
The Bench said:
“The President, in exercising power under Article 156(1), should act in a manner that is not arbitrary or unreasonable. In the event of challenge of withdrawal of the pleasure, the court will necessarily assume that it is for compelling reasons. Consequently, where the aggrieved person is not able to establish a prima facie instance of arbitrariness or mala fides in his removal, the court will refuse to interfere.
“However, where a prima facie case of arbitrariness or mala fides is made out, the court can require the Union government to produce records/material to satisfy itself that the withdrawal of pleasure was for good and compelling reasons. What constitutes good and compelling reasons would depend upon the facts of the case. Having regard to the nature of functions of the Governor in maintaining Centre-State relations, and the flexibility available to the government in such matters, it is needless to say that there will be no interference unless a very strong case is made out.”
The court said if the aggrieved person was able to demonstrate prima facie that his or her removal was arbitrary, mala fide, capricious or whimsical, it would call upon the Union government to disclose to it the material upon which the President took the decision to withdraw the pleasure. If the government did not disclose any reason, or if the reasons disclosed were found to be irrelevant, arbitrary, whimsical, or mala fide, it would interfere in such a decision.
source; the hindu
by J. Venkatesan
The Supreme Court on Friday held that a Governor cannot be removed on the ground that he/she is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the Union government or the party in power at the Centre. Nor can he/she be removed on the ground that the Union government has lost confidence in him/her.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices S.H. Kapadia, R.V. Raveendran, B. Sudershan Reddy and P. Sathasivam was disposing of a petition filed by the former Member of Parliament, B.P. Singhal.
The Bench said that as a Governor was neither an employee nor agent of the Union government, it was rejecting the contention that a Governor could be removed if the Union government or the party in power lost ‘confidence' in him.
It held that a change in government at the Centre was not a ground for removal of Governors to make way for others favoured by the new government.
Writing the judgment, Justice Raveendran said, “What Article 156 (1) of the Constitution [under which a Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President] dispenses with is the need to assign reasons or the need to give notice, but the need to act fairly and reasonably cannot be dispensed with by Article 156(1).”
The Bench said:
“The President, in exercising power under Article 156(1), should act in a manner that is not arbitrary or unreasonable. In the event of challenge of withdrawal of the pleasure, the court will necessarily assume that it is for compelling reasons. Consequently, where the aggrieved person is not able to establish a prima facie instance of arbitrariness or mala fides in his removal, the court will refuse to interfere.
“However, where a prima facie case of arbitrariness or mala fides is made out, the court can require the Union government to produce records/material to satisfy itself that the withdrawal of pleasure was for good and compelling reasons. What constitutes good and compelling reasons would depend upon the facts of the case. Having regard to the nature of functions of the Governor in maintaining Centre-State relations, and the flexibility available to the government in such matters, it is needless to say that there will be no interference unless a very strong case is made out.”
The court said if the aggrieved person was able to demonstrate prima facie that his or her removal was arbitrary, mala fide, capricious or whimsical, it would call upon the Union government to disclose to it the material upon which the President took the decision to withdraw the pleasure. If the government did not disclose any reason, or if the reasons disclosed were found to be irrelevant, arbitrary, whimsical, or mala fide, it would interfere in such a decision.
source; the hindu
Friday, May 7, 2010
A new way to fitness
After hitting the gym, doing yoga and jogging, people are now trying blood group-based diets, popular in the West. Experts say the secret to a fit body may be hidden in the blood type, and these diets are finding a foothold in India.
Explaining how such diets work, Ekta Tandon, dietician at dailydiet.in, says a chemical reaction occurs between your blood and foods as they are digested.
“Lectins, a diverse and abundant protein found in food, may be incompatible with your blood group. I recommend that one follow a blood group diet along with regular food to provide the body with all nutrients,” she adds. American naturopaths James D'Adamo and his son Peter D'Adamo, founder of blood group-based diets, feel each person's blood group is the key to how he/she burns calories. Also, it decides what food they should eat and how they benefit from a certain type of exercise.
“People with A blood type have a different set of characteristics from people who are Type O — they are susceptible to different diseases, should eat different foods and exercise differently,” says Peter on their website www.dadamo.com.
The blood group diet chart suggests that ‘Type O' people should eat high proteins; ‘Type A' should avoid heavy proteins and dig on carbohydrates; ‘Type B' people should drink more milk and avoid fruits such as corns, lentils and peanuts.
People with the rare Type AB blood group can go for a combination of the diet recommended for Type A and Type B.
“In the three months that I have been on a diet, I have lost almost five kg. So far, everything is good,” says Akankasha Darswal, who is a Type A.
“The only difficulty was eating more carbohydrates. I was a bit sceptical, because we all believe that we should avoid carbohydrates to lose weight, but the results are there to see,” she adds.
However, Tandon says that one should not overdo this diet. Also, it is important to consult a professional and factor in your age into the programme.”
Food and exercise go hand in hand — eat well and exercise well to stay fit. But, the diet has its critics. “I don't recommend that my clients go on such a diet, and have never seen a particular diet showing the same results on those with the of the same blood group,” says Sonia Narang, a senior dietician
After hitting the gym, doing yoga and jogging, people are now trying blood group-based diets, popular in the West. Experts say the secret to a fit body may be hidden in the blood type, and these diets are finding a foothold in India.
Explaining how such diets work, Ekta Tandon, dietician at dailydiet.in, says a chemical reaction occurs between your blood and foods as they are digested.
“Lectins, a diverse and abundant protein found in food, may be incompatible with your blood group. I recommend that one follow a blood group diet along with regular food to provide the body with all nutrients,” she adds. American naturopaths James D'Adamo and his son Peter D'Adamo, founder of blood group-based diets, feel each person's blood group is the key to how he/she burns calories. Also, it decides what food they should eat and how they benefit from a certain type of exercise.
“People with A blood type have a different set of characteristics from people who are Type O — they are susceptible to different diseases, should eat different foods and exercise differently,” says Peter on their website www.dadamo.com.
The blood group diet chart suggests that ‘Type O' people should eat high proteins; ‘Type A' should avoid heavy proteins and dig on carbohydrates; ‘Type B' people should drink more milk and avoid fruits such as corns, lentils and peanuts.
People with the rare Type AB blood group can go for a combination of the diet recommended for Type A and Type B.
“In the three months that I have been on a diet, I have lost almost five kg. So far, everything is good,” says Akankasha Darswal, who is a Type A.
“The only difficulty was eating more carbohydrates. I was a bit sceptical, because we all believe that we should avoid carbohydrates to lose weight, but the results are there to see,” she adds.
However, Tandon says that one should not overdo this diet. Also, it is important to consult a professional and factor in your age into the programme.”
Food and exercise go hand in hand — eat well and exercise well to stay fit. But, the diet has its critics. “I don't recommend that my clients go on such a diet, and have never seen a particular diet showing the same results on those with the of the same blood group,” says Sonia Narang, a senior dietician
Beating the summer heat
by HARJEET KAUR
Is your house ready to battle the summer heat?
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, sang Nat King Cole. The heat wave begins across India, especially south India, as early as March and by May the heat comes beating down. In summers, you don't just need coolers to beat the heat. Your home, too, requires a combination of colours and decor items to become a ‘cool' place to hang out in. The best thing to start preparing your home for summers is by focusing on the fabrics you choose for decorating your space.
Keep it light
It's time to pack away your heavy silks, chenilles and brocades on your sofas and switch to cool fabrics like cotton, linen and jute. If your sofas are upholstered in rich burgundy or deep plum, there's an easy way to get the summer look going. Keep a set of loose covers handy in linen or cotton and simply slip them on. These can be easily packed away once the heat is done. Make sure the colours are cool too: try vanilla, lime green, custard yellow, peach and apricot. If these are too bland for your bold tastes, throw in cushions in red, magenta, turquoise and orange. These will help balance the colour quotient and keep your home from looking too plain and pastel.
Now, for the drapes. Here too the silks and brocades should be put away. “One can replace them with translucent and free-flowing materials which let in some light, yet keep your home cool. Voile, organza and chiffon are ideal material choices. Stick to floral and botanical prints as they tend to keep the ambience fresh and breezy,” suggests Archana, a homemaker. If your room gets too much sunlight, it's a good idea to opt for double curtain rails. One rod can be lined with heavy drapes while the other can have dainty lace or wispy sheers. Chiks or blinds are another option. You can get them custom-made as per the decor of your room.
Less is more during summer as clear spaces allow for effective circulation of air around the house. So cut the clutter. Hibernate the heavy carpets and strew the floor with small area rugs or cotton dhurries, as the more floor you show, the cooler your home will look and feel. Pack away extra artefacts that may have made your space look cosy in winter and don't give you unhindered air circulation in summer. Sushmita, an interior decorator, suggests that if you have an extensive collection of art, it's a good idea to store away your bold oils and replace them with landscapes or watercolours. Keep fresh flowers like malli puvvu and jasmine in urlis filled with water to spread a fresh fragrance around the house.
Don't forget your porch this summer. Use wicker chairs for a relaxed meeting with a friend. Use gaily-coloured cushions and have a basket of fruit on the table.
Decorating tips
*Try to give your wall a refreshing look either by painting with light colours or with wallpaper.
*Add summer accessories to match the indoor colour. You can choose paper fans, birdhouses, fruit bowls, coloured stones, marbles or beach shells.
*Replace dark lampshades with lighter ones or floral printed ones.
*Make changes in your bathrooms too. Change to lightweight fabric flower curtains with matching hand towels.
*A mirror in the wall that reflects the scenic beauty of garden into the living room can make a world of natural difference.
*Candles and potpourri can lend a fragrant ambience
by HARJEET KAUR
Is your house ready to battle the summer heat?
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, sang Nat King Cole. The heat wave begins across India, especially south India, as early as March and by May the heat comes beating down. In summers, you don't just need coolers to beat the heat. Your home, too, requires a combination of colours and decor items to become a ‘cool' place to hang out in. The best thing to start preparing your home for summers is by focusing on the fabrics you choose for decorating your space.
Keep it light
It's time to pack away your heavy silks, chenilles and brocades on your sofas and switch to cool fabrics like cotton, linen and jute. If your sofas are upholstered in rich burgundy or deep plum, there's an easy way to get the summer look going. Keep a set of loose covers handy in linen or cotton and simply slip them on. These can be easily packed away once the heat is done. Make sure the colours are cool too: try vanilla, lime green, custard yellow, peach and apricot. If these are too bland for your bold tastes, throw in cushions in red, magenta, turquoise and orange. These will help balance the colour quotient and keep your home from looking too plain and pastel.
Now, for the drapes. Here too the silks and brocades should be put away. “One can replace them with translucent and free-flowing materials which let in some light, yet keep your home cool. Voile, organza and chiffon are ideal material choices. Stick to floral and botanical prints as they tend to keep the ambience fresh and breezy,” suggests Archana, a homemaker. If your room gets too much sunlight, it's a good idea to opt for double curtain rails. One rod can be lined with heavy drapes while the other can have dainty lace or wispy sheers. Chiks or blinds are another option. You can get them custom-made as per the decor of your room.
Less is more during summer as clear spaces allow for effective circulation of air around the house. So cut the clutter. Hibernate the heavy carpets and strew the floor with small area rugs or cotton dhurries, as the more floor you show, the cooler your home will look and feel. Pack away extra artefacts that may have made your space look cosy in winter and don't give you unhindered air circulation in summer. Sushmita, an interior decorator, suggests that if you have an extensive collection of art, it's a good idea to store away your bold oils and replace them with landscapes or watercolours. Keep fresh flowers like malli puvvu and jasmine in urlis filled with water to spread a fresh fragrance around the house.
Don't forget your porch this summer. Use wicker chairs for a relaxed meeting with a friend. Use gaily-coloured cushions and have a basket of fruit on the table.
Decorating tips
*Try to give your wall a refreshing look either by painting with light colours or with wallpaper.
*Add summer accessories to match the indoor colour. You can choose paper fans, birdhouses, fruit bowls, coloured stones, marbles or beach shells.
*Replace dark lampshades with lighter ones or floral printed ones.
*Make changes in your bathrooms too. Change to lightweight fabric flower curtains with matching hand towels.
*A mirror in the wall that reflects the scenic beauty of garden into the living room can make a world of natural difference.
*Candles and potpourri can lend a fragrant ambience
Chidambaram Emphasises Need to Maintain Integrity of Census
The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has said that nothing should be done that may affect the integrity of population census. He was replying in the Lok Sabha today to a short duration discussion on the need to lay down specific parameters for conducting the Census, 2011. Following is the text of the statement:
“This has been a useful and instructive discussion. It was titled “Short Duration Discussion on need to lay down specific parameters for conducting the Census, 2011.” It was spread over two days and a large number of Hon’ble Members from all sections of the House have spoken.
The central issue of the debate, as expected, was whether information on the caste of the respondent should be collected in the on-going Census 2011.
Before I respond to that issue, I wish to explain a few aspects of Census 2011 and the National Population Register which I believe will be useful to all Hon’ble Members. The census is done under the authority of the Census Act, 1948. Census 2011 will be the fifteenth national census since 1872 and the 7th since Independence. Population census is the total process of collecting demographic, economic and social data. What is published as the Census data are only aggregates; the information relating to the individual is confidential and not shared with anyone or any authority. Census 2011 will be conducted in two phases – the first phase is called the House listing and Housing census and the second phase is called the Population Enumeration. The questions to be canvassed during the two phases were decided on the basis of suggestions made during the data users’ conference, experience of past censuses and the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising eminent demographers, statisticians, social scientists and senior officers representing different Ministries and Departments of the Central Government.
The Citizenship Act is a separate law. The Citizenship Act was amended in 2003 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 were notified on December 10, 2003. Rule 2(l) defines “population register”. It is the register containing details of persons usually residing in a village or rural area or town or ward or demarcated area within a ward in a town or urban area. Rule 2(k) defines “National Register of Indian Citizens” as the register containing details of Indian citizens living in India and outside India. Rule 2(n) defines “State Register of Indian citizens” as the register containing details of Indian citizens usually residing in the State. Sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 mandates the Registrar General to establish and maintain the National Register of Indian Citizens and sub-rule (4) thereof directs the preparation of a Population Register. Rule 4 specifies the steps to be taken during the enumeration. One of the steps is house to house enumeration for collecting specified particulars relating to each family and individual including the citizenship status. Sub-rule (3) of Rule 4 requires that the particulars collected of every family and individual in the Population Register shall be verified and scrutinised and, under sub-rule (4), in case of doubtful citizenship the individual or the family shall be informed immediately after the verification process is over. Therefore, the Rules require preparation of both the Population Register and the Register of Citizens. It will be obvious that the Register of Citizens will be a subset of the Population Register. This should clarify why information is being collected for preparation of the National Population Register and how the Register of Citizens will be established and maintained thereafter.
The two exercises that are underway are Census 2011 and the exercise of preparing the National Population Register. The fact that both exercises are being undertaken by the Registrar General of India may have led to a certain lack of understanding of the objects and purposes of the two exercises. Nevertheless, it is important to note the distinction between Census 2011 and the NPR.
I shall now turn to Census 2011. As I said, this is the 15th census. Information relating to the caste of each member of the household was last collected and published in detail in 1931. After independence, as a matter of policy, the question relating to caste, other than scheduled caste and scheduled tribe, was not included. An Hon’ble Member has quoted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. What he said is well known to all of us. Caste was not included in the last Census of 2001 also. I may point out that the records show that an attempt was made by the Ministry of Social Justice to include caste as one of the questions that should be canvassed during the 2001 census. However, the Government of the day – the NDA Government – did not take a decision to that effect and maintained the policy that has been in force since 1951.
There are two questions here. The first question is, ‘whether it is desirable to enumerate the caste of each member of the household?’ The second question is, assuming that it is desirable to do so, ‘is the census the vehicle to carry out the enumeration?’
I do not wish to enter into a debate on the first question. There can be different views on the subject and we must respect each other’s views. In fact, Hon’ble Members who said that “caste is a reality” also acknowledged that caste is a divisive factor and that we are nowhere near establishing a casteless society.
It is the second question that is relevant for the present discussion. The Registrar General has pointed out a number of logistic and practical difficulties in canvassing the question of caste while conducting the census. In this connection, we must keep the distinction between ‘enumeration’ on the one hand and ‘compilation, analysis and dissemination’ on the other. It has been pointed out that the census is meant to collect ‘observational data’. 21 lakh enumerators, mostly primary school teachers, have been selected and trained. They have been trained to ask the question and record the answer as returned by the respondent. The enumerator is not an investigator or verifier. And, it must be clearly understood, that the enumerator has no training or expertise to classify the answer as OBC or otherwise. As Hon’ble Members are aware, there is a central list of Other Backward Classes and State-specific lists of Other Backward Classes. Some States do not have a list of OBCs; some States have a list of OBCs and a sub-set called Most Backward Classes.
The Registrar General has also pointed out that there are certain open-ended categories in the lists such as orphans and destitute children. Names of some castes are found in both the list of Scheduled Castes and list of OBCs. Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity or Islam are also treated differently in different States. The status of a migrant from one State to another and the status of children of inter-caste marriage, in terms of caste classification, are also vexed questions.
The Registrar General has also pointed out that, assuming that it is desirable to canvass the question of caste, further issues will arise regarding the methodology, avoiding phonetic and spelling errors, stage of canvassing, maintaining the integrity of the enumeration, doing an accurate headcount of the population etc.
Let me reiterate that the main objective of the population census is to do an accurate de-facto headcount of the usual residents in India on the deemed date i.e. 00.00 hours on March 1, 2011. Based on universally applied scientific demographic tools, we have an estimate of what the population of India will be on that day. However, it is necessary and desirable to make an accurate headcount. Hence, the Census. I am sure Hon’ble Members will agree with me when I say that nothing should be done that may affect the accuracy of the headcount or the integrity of the population census.
Hon’ble Members: The discussion in this House over the last two days has thrown up a number of arguments and reasons for canvassing the question of caste. Government is already seized of the matter. The views of Hon’ble Members will certainly be a valuable guide to the Government.
I hear the Hon’ble Members loudly and clearly. As I understand the Hon’ble Members, what they want is that the question of caste must be canvassed. That means, to the best of my understanding, the enumerator should record whatever answer the respondent gives to the question ‘what is your caste?’ At that point of time, it is simply collection of the information. According to Hon’ble Members, it is desirable to collect the information. Government will certainly keep in mind the views of Hon’ble Members.
I assure the House that Government will give due weight to all aspects of the issue that was discussed in this House during the last two days”.
source:PIB
The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has said that nothing should be done that may affect the integrity of population census. He was replying in the Lok Sabha today to a short duration discussion on the need to lay down specific parameters for conducting the Census, 2011. Following is the text of the statement:
“This has been a useful and instructive discussion. It was titled “Short Duration Discussion on need to lay down specific parameters for conducting the Census, 2011.” It was spread over two days and a large number of Hon’ble Members from all sections of the House have spoken.
The central issue of the debate, as expected, was whether information on the caste of the respondent should be collected in the on-going Census 2011.
Before I respond to that issue, I wish to explain a few aspects of Census 2011 and the National Population Register which I believe will be useful to all Hon’ble Members. The census is done under the authority of the Census Act, 1948. Census 2011 will be the fifteenth national census since 1872 and the 7th since Independence. Population census is the total process of collecting demographic, economic and social data. What is published as the Census data are only aggregates; the information relating to the individual is confidential and not shared with anyone or any authority. Census 2011 will be conducted in two phases – the first phase is called the House listing and Housing census and the second phase is called the Population Enumeration. The questions to be canvassed during the two phases were decided on the basis of suggestions made during the data users’ conference, experience of past censuses and the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising eminent demographers, statisticians, social scientists and senior officers representing different Ministries and Departments of the Central Government.
The Citizenship Act is a separate law. The Citizenship Act was amended in 2003 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 were notified on December 10, 2003. Rule 2(l) defines “population register”. It is the register containing details of persons usually residing in a village or rural area or town or ward or demarcated area within a ward in a town or urban area. Rule 2(k) defines “National Register of Indian Citizens” as the register containing details of Indian citizens living in India and outside India. Rule 2(n) defines “State Register of Indian citizens” as the register containing details of Indian citizens usually residing in the State. Sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 mandates the Registrar General to establish and maintain the National Register of Indian Citizens and sub-rule (4) thereof directs the preparation of a Population Register. Rule 4 specifies the steps to be taken during the enumeration. One of the steps is house to house enumeration for collecting specified particulars relating to each family and individual including the citizenship status. Sub-rule (3) of Rule 4 requires that the particulars collected of every family and individual in the Population Register shall be verified and scrutinised and, under sub-rule (4), in case of doubtful citizenship the individual or the family shall be informed immediately after the verification process is over. Therefore, the Rules require preparation of both the Population Register and the Register of Citizens. It will be obvious that the Register of Citizens will be a subset of the Population Register. This should clarify why information is being collected for preparation of the National Population Register and how the Register of Citizens will be established and maintained thereafter.
The two exercises that are underway are Census 2011 and the exercise of preparing the National Population Register. The fact that both exercises are being undertaken by the Registrar General of India may have led to a certain lack of understanding of the objects and purposes of the two exercises. Nevertheless, it is important to note the distinction between Census 2011 and the NPR.
I shall now turn to Census 2011. As I said, this is the 15th census. Information relating to the caste of each member of the household was last collected and published in detail in 1931. After independence, as a matter of policy, the question relating to caste, other than scheduled caste and scheduled tribe, was not included. An Hon’ble Member has quoted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. What he said is well known to all of us. Caste was not included in the last Census of 2001 also. I may point out that the records show that an attempt was made by the Ministry of Social Justice to include caste as one of the questions that should be canvassed during the 2001 census. However, the Government of the day – the NDA Government – did not take a decision to that effect and maintained the policy that has been in force since 1951.
There are two questions here. The first question is, ‘whether it is desirable to enumerate the caste of each member of the household?’ The second question is, assuming that it is desirable to do so, ‘is the census the vehicle to carry out the enumeration?’
I do not wish to enter into a debate on the first question. There can be different views on the subject and we must respect each other’s views. In fact, Hon’ble Members who said that “caste is a reality” also acknowledged that caste is a divisive factor and that we are nowhere near establishing a casteless society.
It is the second question that is relevant for the present discussion. The Registrar General has pointed out a number of logistic and practical difficulties in canvassing the question of caste while conducting the census. In this connection, we must keep the distinction between ‘enumeration’ on the one hand and ‘compilation, analysis and dissemination’ on the other. It has been pointed out that the census is meant to collect ‘observational data’. 21 lakh enumerators, mostly primary school teachers, have been selected and trained. They have been trained to ask the question and record the answer as returned by the respondent. The enumerator is not an investigator or verifier. And, it must be clearly understood, that the enumerator has no training or expertise to classify the answer as OBC or otherwise. As Hon’ble Members are aware, there is a central list of Other Backward Classes and State-specific lists of Other Backward Classes. Some States do not have a list of OBCs; some States have a list of OBCs and a sub-set called Most Backward Classes.
The Registrar General has also pointed out that there are certain open-ended categories in the lists such as orphans and destitute children. Names of some castes are found in both the list of Scheduled Castes and list of OBCs. Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity or Islam are also treated differently in different States. The status of a migrant from one State to another and the status of children of inter-caste marriage, in terms of caste classification, are also vexed questions.
The Registrar General has also pointed out that, assuming that it is desirable to canvass the question of caste, further issues will arise regarding the methodology, avoiding phonetic and spelling errors, stage of canvassing, maintaining the integrity of the enumeration, doing an accurate headcount of the population etc.
Let me reiterate that the main objective of the population census is to do an accurate de-facto headcount of the usual residents in India on the deemed date i.e. 00.00 hours on March 1, 2011. Based on universally applied scientific demographic tools, we have an estimate of what the population of India will be on that day. However, it is necessary and desirable to make an accurate headcount. Hence, the Census. I am sure Hon’ble Members will agree with me when I say that nothing should be done that may affect the accuracy of the headcount or the integrity of the population census.
Hon’ble Members: The discussion in this House over the last two days has thrown up a number of arguments and reasons for canvassing the question of caste. Government is already seized of the matter. The views of Hon’ble Members will certainly be a valuable guide to the Government.
I hear the Hon’ble Members loudly and clearly. As I understand the Hon’ble Members, what they want is that the question of caste must be canvassed. That means, to the best of my understanding, the enumerator should record whatever answer the respondent gives to the question ‘what is your caste?’ At that point of time, it is simply collection of the information. According to Hon’ble Members, it is desirable to collect the information. Government will certainly keep in mind the views of Hon’ble Members.
I assure the House that Government will give due weight to all aspects of the issue that was discussed in this House during the last two days”.
source:PIB
Why people dont like Term Insurance and why they are wrong
by Manish Chauhan
“We have no desire to make anybody look like a blithering idiot, but we do love it when they do. “ – Stephen Colbert . One of reason why most of the people do not take term Insurance is because “They don’t get anything back at the end” . In this article , I will show you why this is psychological issue. Even if you get your money back at the end of the tenure , it wont make much difference . In this article I will prove that the argument that “Term Insurance is waste of money because you don’t get anything back” is amazingly idiotic .
What is the main Issue with People not liking Term Insurance
Why people don’t like Term Insurance is the question , The answer is simple, because you don’t get anything if you survive the whole tenure and hence the amount paid as premium is wasted , this is claimed by millions . Fair enough . The first thing is , these people do not understand or appreciate the Importance of Life Insurance . Now lets see this situation from a different angle . Assume you get the money at the end in your Term Insurance . Lets see a case study of a general Family . How does a family look like .
Manish is 28 yrs old and got recently married (oops!!) . He earn close to 40,000 per month . His monthly expenses is around Rs 25,000 overall and he saves 15,000 per month (heh) . He also have his parents dependent on him financially . He is 30 yrs away from his retirement . He calculated his Insurance Requirement and it was close to 50-60 lacs minimum . Lets take it as 50 lacs for simplicity for now . Get more of Insurance Articles from Archives section .
Analysis of Case Study
Now is the fun part , his current monthly Expenses are close to 25k, How what will it be his monthly Expenses when he retires after 30 yrs ? So the average inflation for last 30 yrs was 6.5% (based on past data) , lets assume it will be 6.5% for next 30 yrs on an average . Then the monthly expenses after 30 yrs would be 25,000 X (1.065)^30 = 1,65,359 (1.65 lacs) . If he takes a Term Insurance at the start , his yearly premium per year for 50 lacs cover would be Rs 11802 for 30 yrs tenure from Aegon Religare . Do you know how you can do your Retirement Planning in 6 steps ?
Click to Enlarge
Which means , he is going to pay total premium of 3.54 lacs in his entire life . How even if he gets this money back at the end , How much will it benefit him ? How many months can he survive on this money ? 2 months is the answer !! , With expenses of 1.65 lacs per month , the money he gets back from term insurance is enough for not more than 2 months , Lets take maximum 3 months . That’s it !!! . Are you confused with Calculations, See this Video presentation by me where I explain how to do important Calculations in Personal Finance .
So Following are the questions needed to be asked
Do you want to put your Family at Financial Risk because you are not getting 2 months worth of expenses back ?
For a small amount you “don’t get” at the end , are you not being childish to Secure your family.
Don’t you think you are seeing Term Insurance from a wrong attitude ?
Are you not concentrating on “what you are not getting” rather than “what you are getting” .
We already have “Return of Premium Term Policies”, but they are themselves idiotic because they are again designed to just exploit the weakness of people who feel that term insurance is waste of money because they dont get their money back . Read this to understand why Plain Term Insurance is better than “Return of Premium Term Insurance policy” .
Reason why Indians dont like Term Insurance
Reason 1# : Most of the people concentrate on number and explicit data , like the money they are not getting back or its a waste of premium if nothing happens to them . They fail to look internal advantage which term Insurance provides
Reason 2# : We are emotional with Money , we are more concentrated with Growing money and getting money back rather than what value it provides in our life .
Reason 3# : Most of the people think that the probability of dying is much lower than an average person which is again totally idiotic . We just don’t want to visualise a bad situation and hence do not concentrate on that situation .
Conclusion
In life we don’t appreciate things like Health , small moments of happiness , nature , time spend with our loved ones which are most wonderful and real things in life. Term Insurance is one of the similar things in personal finance domain . You just need to shift your focus of view from “what you are losing” to “what you are getting” , once you do this with Term Insurance and your Life , Both with become wonderful .
by Manish Chauhan
“We have no desire to make anybody look like a blithering idiot, but we do love it when they do. “ – Stephen Colbert . One of reason why most of the people do not take term Insurance is because “They don’t get anything back at the end” . In this article , I will show you why this is psychological issue. Even if you get your money back at the end of the tenure , it wont make much difference . In this article I will prove that the argument that “Term Insurance is waste of money because you don’t get anything back” is amazingly idiotic .
What is the main Issue with People not liking Term Insurance
Why people don’t like Term Insurance is the question , The answer is simple, because you don’t get anything if you survive the whole tenure and hence the amount paid as premium is wasted , this is claimed by millions . Fair enough . The first thing is , these people do not understand or appreciate the Importance of Life Insurance . Now lets see this situation from a different angle . Assume you get the money at the end in your Term Insurance . Lets see a case study of a general Family . How does a family look like .
Manish is 28 yrs old and got recently married (oops!!) . He earn close to 40,000 per month . His monthly expenses is around Rs 25,000 overall and he saves 15,000 per month (heh) . He also have his parents dependent on him financially . He is 30 yrs away from his retirement . He calculated his Insurance Requirement and it was close to 50-60 lacs minimum . Lets take it as 50 lacs for simplicity for now . Get more of Insurance Articles from Archives section .
Analysis of Case Study
Now is the fun part , his current monthly Expenses are close to 25k, How what will it be his monthly Expenses when he retires after 30 yrs ? So the average inflation for last 30 yrs was 6.5% (based on past data) , lets assume it will be 6.5% for next 30 yrs on an average . Then the monthly expenses after 30 yrs would be 25,000 X (1.065)^30 = 1,65,359 (1.65 lacs) . If he takes a Term Insurance at the start , his yearly premium per year for 50 lacs cover would be Rs 11802 for 30 yrs tenure from Aegon Religare . Do you know how you can do your Retirement Planning in 6 steps ?
Click to Enlarge
Which means , he is going to pay total premium of 3.54 lacs in his entire life . How even if he gets this money back at the end , How much will it benefit him ? How many months can he survive on this money ? 2 months is the answer !! , With expenses of 1.65 lacs per month , the money he gets back from term insurance is enough for not more than 2 months , Lets take maximum 3 months . That’s it !!! . Are you confused with Calculations, See this Video presentation by me where I explain how to do important Calculations in Personal Finance .
So Following are the questions needed to be asked
Do you want to put your Family at Financial Risk because you are not getting 2 months worth of expenses back ?
For a small amount you “don’t get” at the end , are you not being childish to Secure your family.
Don’t you think you are seeing Term Insurance from a wrong attitude ?
Are you not concentrating on “what you are not getting” rather than “what you are getting” .
We already have “Return of Premium Term Policies”, but they are themselves idiotic because they are again designed to just exploit the weakness of people who feel that term insurance is waste of money because they dont get their money back . Read this to understand why Plain Term Insurance is better than “Return of Premium Term Insurance policy” .
Reason why Indians dont like Term Insurance
Reason 1# : Most of the people concentrate on number and explicit data , like the money they are not getting back or its a waste of premium if nothing happens to them . They fail to look internal advantage which term Insurance provides
Reason 2# : We are emotional with Money , we are more concentrated with Growing money and getting money back rather than what value it provides in our life .
Reason 3# : Most of the people think that the probability of dying is much lower than an average person which is again totally idiotic . We just don’t want to visualise a bad situation and hence do not concentrate on that situation .
Conclusion
In life we don’t appreciate things like Health , small moments of happiness , nature , time spend with our loved ones which are most wonderful and real things in life. Term Insurance is one of the similar things in personal finance domain . You just need to shift your focus of view from “what you are losing” to “what you are getting” , once you do this with Term Insurance and your Life , Both with become wonderful .
No substitute for balanced diet
by Ramya Kannan
They come in many shapes, sizes and colours, are easy to take, and can boost your health. But if you think these pills (minerals, vitamins, and protein), or nutritional supplements can replace a balanced diet, think again. While there is no denying the significance of these nutritional supplements in specific cases, it would be a fallacy to believe that popping a pill or downing a protein shake will save you the trouble of picking your vegetables, fruits, and meats.
Meenakshi Bajaj, medical nutrition therapist, at the Government General Hospital, says there is nothing yet that can replace a balanced diet. In some cases, she adds, such supplements will find a place in the doctor's prescription and then, they are essential.
For instance, they are useful for crucially-ill patients, for those who are on a crash diet programme to aid wound-healing, and for those with specific deficiencies. She adds that pregnant and lactating mothers, the chronically undernourished, those on nasal feeding tubes, patients with conditions that can cause mal-absorption and the elderly will derive benefits from prescribed nutritional supplements.
Sheela Nambiar, director, TFL Fitness Studio, touches on protein supplements. While a regular person requires 0.8 grams of protein per kg body weight, for someone who is training or body building it goes up to 1 – 1.5 grams.
“You can get it in your diet, provided it is extremely well balanced and you can get the protein without the fat. But for vegetarians who are also body-builders, that quantity of protein is difficult to get with just their diet,” she explains. Therefore, the protein supplements. However she cautions that if you increase protein consumption and not burn it off, it tends to settle as fat. However, there is a thing such as overdosing. While excess content is flushed out in the urine, there are other fat soluble vitamins (A, B, E, and K) that are stored in the fat and can cause damage.
Meer Mustafa Hussain, paediatrician, says such nutritional supplements always have to be monitored. For older children, where the dietary consumption is far from satisfactory, doctors recommend supplements to fill a specific deficiency.
So what is an ideal nutritive diet? Dr. Bajaj says that it would be 400-500 ml of skimmed milk, 4-5 serving of fruits, vegetables (of all colours) and whole grams along with 6 -11 of cereals; 1-2 portions of non-vegetarian food, along with plenty of fluids
source;hindu
by Ramya Kannan
They come in many shapes, sizes and colours, are easy to take, and can boost your health. But if you think these pills (minerals, vitamins, and protein), or nutritional supplements can replace a balanced diet, think again. While there is no denying the significance of these nutritional supplements in specific cases, it would be a fallacy to believe that popping a pill or downing a protein shake will save you the trouble of picking your vegetables, fruits, and meats.
Meenakshi Bajaj, medical nutrition therapist, at the Government General Hospital, says there is nothing yet that can replace a balanced diet. In some cases, she adds, such supplements will find a place in the doctor's prescription and then, they are essential.
For instance, they are useful for crucially-ill patients, for those who are on a crash diet programme to aid wound-healing, and for those with specific deficiencies. She adds that pregnant and lactating mothers, the chronically undernourished, those on nasal feeding tubes, patients with conditions that can cause mal-absorption and the elderly will derive benefits from prescribed nutritional supplements.
Sheela Nambiar, director, TFL Fitness Studio, touches on protein supplements. While a regular person requires 0.8 grams of protein per kg body weight, for someone who is training or body building it goes up to 1 – 1.5 grams.
“You can get it in your diet, provided it is extremely well balanced and you can get the protein without the fat. But for vegetarians who are also body-builders, that quantity of protein is difficult to get with just their diet,” she explains. Therefore, the protein supplements. However she cautions that if you increase protein consumption and not burn it off, it tends to settle as fat. However, there is a thing such as overdosing. While excess content is flushed out in the urine, there are other fat soluble vitamins (A, B, E, and K) that are stored in the fat and can cause damage.
Meer Mustafa Hussain, paediatrician, says such nutritional supplements always have to be monitored. For older children, where the dietary consumption is far from satisfactory, doctors recommend supplements to fill a specific deficiency.
So what is an ideal nutritive diet? Dr. Bajaj says that it would be 400-500 ml of skimmed milk, 4-5 serving of fruits, vegetables (of all colours) and whole grams along with 6 -11 of cereals; 1-2 portions of non-vegetarian food, along with plenty of fluids
source;hindu
Faesal becomes first Kashmiri to top UPSC exam
by Urvashi Sarkar
Transforming a hurdle into a moment of opportunity, Dr. Shah Faesal coped with personal tragedy to become the first from the Kashmiri province to top the Union Public Service Commission 2009 examinations.
The untimely death of his father in 2002 at the hands of “unidentified militants” days before his Pre-Medical Test did not deter Dr. Faesal from clearing the test or from becoming the first candidate from Kashmir in several years to be selected to the Indian Administrative Service through open merit.
Dr.Faisal who turns 27 on May 17 was only 19 when his father, a teacher, was killed in Kupwara.
As friends, well-wishers and the media on Thursday thronged the Hamdard Study Circle premises here where the doctor took coaching for the Civil Services examination, Dr. Faesal said: “I had only two choices — to be bogged down or to stand up and face the challenge.”
A festive atmosphere prevailed as Dr. Faesal, attired in brown formals, articulated himself in well thought out and measured words, surrounded by people eager to shake hands with him and feed him sweets.
Asked why he chose not to pursue medicine, he said: “I felt that I could not have made a change by being at a hospital and wanted to work with the government.”
Appearing resolved about which service he wanted to get into, Dr. Faesal said: “I have chosen the Indian Administrative Service already.”
He would like to serve from Kashmir, as he was familiar with the environment and had a vision for it. However, he would not mind serving in any part of the country.
by Urvashi Sarkar
Transforming a hurdle into a moment of opportunity, Dr. Shah Faesal coped with personal tragedy to become the first from the Kashmiri province to top the Union Public Service Commission 2009 examinations.
The untimely death of his father in 2002 at the hands of “unidentified militants” days before his Pre-Medical Test did not deter Dr. Faesal from clearing the test or from becoming the first candidate from Kashmir in several years to be selected to the Indian Administrative Service through open merit.
Dr.Faisal who turns 27 on May 17 was only 19 when his father, a teacher, was killed in Kupwara.
As friends, well-wishers and the media on Thursday thronged the Hamdard Study Circle premises here where the doctor took coaching for the Civil Services examination, Dr. Faesal said: “I had only two choices — to be bogged down or to stand up and face the challenge.”
A festive atmosphere prevailed as Dr. Faesal, attired in brown formals, articulated himself in well thought out and measured words, surrounded by people eager to shake hands with him and feed him sweets.
Asked why he chose not to pursue medicine, he said: “I felt that I could not have made a change by being at a hospital and wanted to work with the government.”
Appearing resolved about which service he wanted to get into, Dr. Faesal said: “I have chosen the Indian Administrative Service already.”
He would like to serve from Kashmir, as he was familiar with the environment and had a vision for it. However, he would not mind serving in any part of the country.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
More Chinese traders come in NathulaUpdated on Thursday, May 06, 2010, 15:26 IST
Gangtok: The trade between India and China has started on Thursday with more Chinese traders coming to the trade marts of Sikkim that their Indian counterparts, customs officials said.
"A total of 49 traders from Tibet came to the trade mart at Serathang in 11 vehicles and 11 Indian traders crossed over to Renquinngang in China in 5 vehicles. Though the fifth season officially opened on May 3, the trade took off today for bad weather," SP Customs PT Bhutia told a news agency.
He said Chinese traders were not allowed to bring imports as they brought goods which do not figure in the list of items to be traded through Nathula between the two countries.
"They had to leave the items behind and come to Sikkim to buy Indian goods. They were handed over the unlisted items during their journey back home," Bhutia said.
The trade will continue till the end of November when the pass at 14,420 ft closes for winter.
Under the bilateral agreement between India and China, there are 29 exportable items which Sikkim traders can export to Tibet and can import 15 items, officials said.
On the other hand, exports from India reached Rs 2.54 lakh today, officials said.
Customs officials said the trading this season would be low due to the bad condition of road to Nathula.
PTI
Gangtok: The trade between India and China has started on Thursday with more Chinese traders coming to the trade marts of Sikkim that their Indian counterparts, customs officials said.
"A total of 49 traders from Tibet came to the trade mart at Serathang in 11 vehicles and 11 Indian traders crossed over to Renquinngang in China in 5 vehicles. Though the fifth season officially opened on May 3, the trade took off today for bad weather," SP Customs PT Bhutia told a news agency.
He said Chinese traders were not allowed to bring imports as they brought goods which do not figure in the list of items to be traded through Nathula between the two countries.
"They had to leave the items behind and come to Sikkim to buy Indian goods. They were handed over the unlisted items during their journey back home," Bhutia said.
The trade will continue till the end of November when the pass at 14,420 ft closes for winter.
Under the bilateral agreement between India and China, there are 29 exportable items which Sikkim traders can export to Tibet and can import 15 items, officials said.
On the other hand, exports from India reached Rs 2.54 lakh today, officials said.
Customs officials said the trading this season would be low due to the bad condition of road to Nathula.
PTI
Sikkim Annual Plan 2010-11 Finalized AT RS.1175 CRORES
Sikkim Annual Plan 2010-11 Finalized
The Annual Plan for Sikkim for the year 2010-11 was finalized here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling. The Plan outlay was agreed at Rs.1175 crores. This includes special Plan assistance of Rs. 225 crores for projects of special importance to the State.
In his comments on the plan performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said the plan realization of the State is good. He said the human development indicators indicate balanced growth. He said the State has immense tourism potential but care should be taken to ensure that the growth is more in quality tourism. He said the State must give priority to improving connectivity.
He said that focus on self employment and capacity building initiatives are steps in the right direction. He also appreciated the efforts of the Government to ensure that growth is inclusive and in this regard specially lauded the efforts in empowering women and Panchayati raj institutions. Efforts to improve forest cover were appreciated but the State Government was advised to intensify efforts.
The State Minister Mr R.B. Subba drew attention of the Commission to efforts being made by the State Government to improve infrastructure and improve pace of growth with no compromise on inclusiveness of the development strategy. He said the green field airport at Pakyong will be operational by January 2012. He thanked the Union Government for agreeing to give rail-link to the State. He said in the first phase Rangpo will be linked to Sevok station.
He said the Government has taken up the programme to provide comprehensive annual/periodical check up for all citizens for appropriate intervention individually and collectively. He said out of 450 village blocks, so far 425 have been electrified under ongoing RGGVY scheme and 100 per cent electrification would be reached by the end of this year.
NNK / RK
The Annual Plan for Sikkim for the year 2010-11 was finalized here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling. The Plan outlay was agreed at Rs.1175 crores. This includes special Plan assistance of Rs. 225 crores for projects of special importance to the State.
In his comments on the plan performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said the plan realization of the State is good. He said the human development indicators indicate balanced growth. He said the State has immense tourism potential but care should be taken to ensure that the growth is more in quality tourism. He said the State must give priority to improving connectivity.
He said that focus on self employment and capacity building initiatives are steps in the right direction. He also appreciated the efforts of the Government to ensure that growth is inclusive and in this regard specially lauded the efforts in empowering women and Panchayati raj institutions. Efforts to improve forest cover were appreciated but the State Government was advised to intensify efforts.
The State Minister Mr R.B. Subba drew attention of the Commission to efforts being made by the State Government to improve infrastructure and improve pace of growth with no compromise on inclusiveness of the development strategy. He said the green field airport at Pakyong will be operational by January 2012. He thanked the Union Government for agreeing to give rail-link to the State. He said in the first phase Rangpo will be linked to Sevok station.
He said the Government has taken up the programme to provide comprehensive annual/periodical check up for all citizens for appropriate intervention individually and collectively. He said out of 450 village blocks, so far 425 have been electrified under ongoing RGGVY scheme and 100 per cent electrification would be reached by the end of this year.
NNK / RK
Sanskriti Express to mark Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary
The Sanskriti Express, showcasing the life and works of Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore, will begin its pan-India journey on May 9, besides making a possible stopover in Dhaka in Bangladesh.
The special train which is being launched to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore, will be flagged off by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee from Howrah.
Railways Ministry officials said they could seek the nod of the Election Commission for Ms. Mamata to flag off the train in view of the upcoming municipal elections in the State on May 30.
Announcing the special train in her Budget speech this year, the Minister had said Tagore was the only poet whose poems have been adopted as National Anthems by two countries — ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ in Bangladesh and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ in India — and hence, the celebration would be held in both countries.
Comprising five coaches, with each one bringing alive Tagore’s works in the field of dance, music, literature and art, the train will cover more than 70 stations during its year-long journey.
“There is a likelihood of sending the train to Dhaka also, but the Dhaka itinerary has not been finalised as yet,” the official said.
The schedules and details about the exhibitions are in the final stages of preparation, said a member of the Railway expert committee on Heritage and Culture.
“The train would halt at the stations for a few days giving the young and old a chance to know about the rich legacy left by Tagore for generations to come,” the member said.
The Sanskriti Express, showcasing the life and works of Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore, will begin its pan-India journey on May 9, besides making a possible stopover in Dhaka in Bangladesh.
The special train which is being launched to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore, will be flagged off by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee from Howrah.
Railways Ministry officials said they could seek the nod of the Election Commission for Ms. Mamata to flag off the train in view of the upcoming municipal elections in the State on May 30.
Announcing the special train in her Budget speech this year, the Minister had said Tagore was the only poet whose poems have been adopted as National Anthems by two countries — ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ in Bangladesh and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ in India — and hence, the celebration would be held in both countries.
Comprising five coaches, with each one bringing alive Tagore’s works in the field of dance, music, literature and art, the train will cover more than 70 stations during its year-long journey.
“There is a likelihood of sending the train to Dhaka also, but the Dhaka itinerary has not been finalised as yet,” the official said.
The schedules and details about the exhibitions are in the final stages of preparation, said a member of the Railway expert committee on Heritage and Culture.
“The train would halt at the stations for a few days giving the young and old a chance to know about the rich legacy left by Tagore for generations to come,” the member said.
SHORTAGE OF 7 LAC NURSES IN INDIA BY 2010
Shortage of nurses in India
There are about 3.7 lakhs nurses in the country while the requirement is about 10.5 lakhs nurses by 2012.
GANGTOK, May 4: Catholic Social Service Trust, a charitable organization has called for enhancing nursing education in the country as there is shortage of nurses to work in the hospitals.
As per the current statistics, the nurse-patient ratio in the country is very low compared to the developed countries as evident in President Patil’s address where she pointed out that there are about 3.7 lakhs nurses in the country while the requirement is about 10.5 lakhs nurses by 2012.
Apart from the shortage in India, nurses are also in short-supply in the West and in the Middle East. There is a dire need for nurses in India to support the burgeoning healthcare system, both in the urban as well as the rural areas, it is informed.
“In India, the gap between the demand and supply is also exacerbated because of the lack of awareness about the opportunities in nursing and about the incentives and scholarships that the government and other non-profit agencies, like the Catholic Social Service Trust, are trying to give deserving candidates to boost the demand”, the organization said.
The demand for nurses from the Northern States is very high but the supply is low mainly because of the lack of awareness of the attractive career options that are now available to young men and women both in India and abroad, the trust added.
There are about 3.7 lakhs nurses in the country while the requirement is about 10.5 lakhs nurses by 2012.
GANGTOK, May 4: Catholic Social Service Trust, a charitable organization has called for enhancing nursing education in the country as there is shortage of nurses to work in the hospitals.
As per the current statistics, the nurse-patient ratio in the country is very low compared to the developed countries as evident in President Patil’s address where she pointed out that there are about 3.7 lakhs nurses in the country while the requirement is about 10.5 lakhs nurses by 2012.
Apart from the shortage in India, nurses are also in short-supply in the West and in the Middle East. There is a dire need for nurses in India to support the burgeoning healthcare system, both in the urban as well as the rural areas, it is informed.
“In India, the gap between the demand and supply is also exacerbated because of the lack of awareness about the opportunities in nursing and about the incentives and scholarships that the government and other non-profit agencies, like the Catholic Social Service Trust, are trying to give deserving candidates to boost the demand”, the organization said.
The demand for nurses from the Northern States is very high but the supply is low mainly because of the lack of awareness of the attractive career options that are now available to young men and women both in India and abroad, the trust added.
Sikkim can be developed as Buddhism study centre: Prof Ramaswamy
GANGTOK, May 4: Prof NS Ramaswamy, a founder director of IIM Bangalore, today gave several suggestions for the overall development of Sikkim including education.
Interacting with the media here at Press Club of Sikkim, the 88 year old national professor of management highlighted the importance of Buddhist heritage of the Sikkim. He said that Sikkim can be developed as a major destination for Buddhism studies.
“Buddhism in Sikkim has more to offer in research studies”, said Prof Ramaswamy. He also emphasized on making use of English and Hindi languages in the State.
Prof Ramaswamy also suggested that the waste water disposed in the rivers should be recycled by the State government. He also appreciated the rich craftsmanship of Sikkim. He pointed out that the State government should create a suitable market strategy to promote the handicrafts products of Sikkim.
Prof Ramaswamy also said that priority should be given to vocational education in the schools and colleges of Sikkim. He suggested the Sikkim government and other educational institutions here to integrate education with nature and rich heritage of India for the benefit of the country. He also met with State HRD minister NK Pradhan today morning.
Prof Ramaswamy had arrived in Sikkim to participate in the ‘Principals Conclave’ on education organized by EIILM University here at Gangtok yesterday
source;sikkim express
GANGTOK, May 4: Prof NS Ramaswamy, a founder director of IIM Bangalore, today gave several suggestions for the overall development of Sikkim including education.
Interacting with the media here at Press Club of Sikkim, the 88 year old national professor of management highlighted the importance of Buddhist heritage of the Sikkim. He said that Sikkim can be developed as a major destination for Buddhism studies.
“Buddhism in Sikkim has more to offer in research studies”, said Prof Ramaswamy. He also emphasized on making use of English and Hindi languages in the State.
Prof Ramaswamy also suggested that the waste water disposed in the rivers should be recycled by the State government. He also appreciated the rich craftsmanship of Sikkim. He pointed out that the State government should create a suitable market strategy to promote the handicrafts products of Sikkim.
Prof Ramaswamy also said that priority should be given to vocational education in the schools and colleges of Sikkim. He suggested the Sikkim government and other educational institutions here to integrate education with nature and rich heritage of India for the benefit of the country. He also met with State HRD minister NK Pradhan today morning.
Prof Ramaswamy had arrived in Sikkim to participate in the ‘Principals Conclave’ on education organized by EIILM University here at Gangtok yesterday
source;sikkim express
NEDFi workshop on NER Vision 2020 for Sikkim
Good governance, peace and natural beauty, USPs of Sikkim: Neeru Sewa
NEDFi workshop on NER Vision 2020 for Sikkim
GANGTOK, May 4: State Commerce & Industries minister Neeru Sewa today said that the USPs of Sikkim including natural beauty, peace and tranquility and good governance which puts the Himalayan State in an advantageous position as compared to other States.
Unsurpassable natural beauty and resources, peace, tranquility and unpolluted air and good governance are our USPs and the combination of these factors certainly puts Sikkim in an advantageous position in comparison to some other States, said the minister in her inaugural address during a daylong consultative workshop on the ‘NER Vision 2020-The Way Forward’ organized here by North Eastern Development Financial Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).
“Now that the Ministry of Development of North East Region has embarked on an ambitious plan of acceleration development process of the northeast region, I am optimistic that along with the rest of region, our State too would witness the winds of change in terms of creating qualitative and world class infrastructure”, said Sewa.
Earlier, Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mahendra P Lama, one of the co-authors of the ambitious North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document, today called upon the institutions providing financial and other services to introduce newer areas of activities and developmental interventions in the region.
“Why should an entrepreneur in the Northeastern region only think of bamboos, pineapples and mushrooms? Why not newer areas like information technology, hospitality, small and medium enterprises for the MNCs, knowledge based business including faith healing, fashion designs, education, health, border trade and cross border tourism. What it requires to bring upfront these ventures in terms of institutions, training, technology, communications, etc? If Sony, Apple, Hitachi, Samsung and British telecom can open ancillary units in the costal hinterland of China why not in the Northeastern region”, said Prof Lama in his keynote address.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the crucial role of financial services for development of the Northeastern region. The financial service link the nuances of production system at the very micro level to the markets at much larger levels, facilities the inter-institutional linkages, generates entrepreneurial spirit, attract multiplicity of development actors from public, private, self-help groups and finally provides a broad development direction and map to the entire region thereby integrating with larger economic entities both within and outside the country, he said.
“All these issues are given very practical connotations in this Vision 2020 document”, said Prof Lama.
Prof Lama was in the national steering committee for preparation of the vision document and is also one of the co-authors of the report released in 2008.
Pointing out the strengths of the region in floriculture, horticulture and medicinal plants, the Vice-Chancellor said that the Vision Document provides very pertinent strategies to take these strengths to national and global markets. “For a beautiful orchid from Sikkim to reach the consumers in Tokyo city, the entire value chain needs to be first understood and work on it accordingly”, he pointed out.
“This is precisely one of the reasons, we have introduced an integrated 6 years programmes on horticulture and floriculture management in Sikkim University where the curriculum was designed by practicing farmers, academics, experts from agriculture and management institutions”, said the Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Lama also urged on the planners to link the entire tourism activities of the Northeastern region with immediate neigbhours. “In order to transform the entire tourism activities can we link the hills of Manipur and mountain areas of Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh with fascinating sea beaches at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. These two geographical could be directly linked within few hundred kilometers and an overnight drive”, he said.
NEDFi chief managing director KN Hazarika informed that 17 Thematic Groups have been constituted to develop the mechanism for realizing the aims, objectives and goals enunciated in the North Eastern Region Vision 2020.
NEDFi is the co-convenor of the Thematic Group on Financial Services and its particular role is to bring all the financial institutions like State Bank of India and NBARAD together to chart out the way forward for each Northeastern State and later make a comprehensive action plan for the region, said Hazarika.
The first such meeting was held at Aizwal in January.
We will cover all the Northeastern States by September and take State specific inputs before coming up with the final line of action, said Hazarika.
The inaugural session was followed by presentations by NEDFi, State Planning department, RBI, State Bank of India, NABARD, SIDBI and Travel Agents Association of Sikkim.
source;sikkim express
NEDFi workshop on NER Vision 2020 for Sikkim
GANGTOK, May 4: State Commerce & Industries minister Neeru Sewa today said that the USPs of Sikkim including natural beauty, peace and tranquility and good governance which puts the Himalayan State in an advantageous position as compared to other States.
Unsurpassable natural beauty and resources, peace, tranquility and unpolluted air and good governance are our USPs and the combination of these factors certainly puts Sikkim in an advantageous position in comparison to some other States, said the minister in her inaugural address during a daylong consultative workshop on the ‘NER Vision 2020-The Way Forward’ organized here by North Eastern Development Financial Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).
“Now that the Ministry of Development of North East Region has embarked on an ambitious plan of acceleration development process of the northeast region, I am optimistic that along with the rest of region, our State too would witness the winds of change in terms of creating qualitative and world class infrastructure”, said Sewa.
Earlier, Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mahendra P Lama, one of the co-authors of the ambitious North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document, today called upon the institutions providing financial and other services to introduce newer areas of activities and developmental interventions in the region.
“Why should an entrepreneur in the Northeastern region only think of bamboos, pineapples and mushrooms? Why not newer areas like information technology, hospitality, small and medium enterprises for the MNCs, knowledge based business including faith healing, fashion designs, education, health, border trade and cross border tourism. What it requires to bring upfront these ventures in terms of institutions, training, technology, communications, etc? If Sony, Apple, Hitachi, Samsung and British telecom can open ancillary units in the costal hinterland of China why not in the Northeastern region”, said Prof Lama in his keynote address.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the crucial role of financial services for development of the Northeastern region. The financial service link the nuances of production system at the very micro level to the markets at much larger levels, facilities the inter-institutional linkages, generates entrepreneurial spirit, attract multiplicity of development actors from public, private, self-help groups and finally provides a broad development direction and map to the entire region thereby integrating with larger economic entities both within and outside the country, he said.
“All these issues are given very practical connotations in this Vision 2020 document”, said Prof Lama.
Prof Lama was in the national steering committee for preparation of the vision document and is also one of the co-authors of the report released in 2008.
Pointing out the strengths of the region in floriculture, horticulture and medicinal plants, the Vice-Chancellor said that the Vision Document provides very pertinent strategies to take these strengths to national and global markets. “For a beautiful orchid from Sikkim to reach the consumers in Tokyo city, the entire value chain needs to be first understood and work on it accordingly”, he pointed out.
“This is precisely one of the reasons, we have introduced an integrated 6 years programmes on horticulture and floriculture management in Sikkim University where the curriculum was designed by practicing farmers, academics, experts from agriculture and management institutions”, said the Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Lama also urged on the planners to link the entire tourism activities of the Northeastern region with immediate neigbhours. “In order to transform the entire tourism activities can we link the hills of Manipur and mountain areas of Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh with fascinating sea beaches at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. These two geographical could be directly linked within few hundred kilometers and an overnight drive”, he said.
NEDFi chief managing director KN Hazarika informed that 17 Thematic Groups have been constituted to develop the mechanism for realizing the aims, objectives and goals enunciated in the North Eastern Region Vision 2020.
NEDFi is the co-convenor of the Thematic Group on Financial Services and its particular role is to bring all the financial institutions like State Bank of India and NBARAD together to chart out the way forward for each Northeastern State and later make a comprehensive action plan for the region, said Hazarika.
The first such meeting was held at Aizwal in January.
We will cover all the Northeastern States by September and take State specific inputs before coming up with the final line of action, said Hazarika.
The inaugural session was followed by presentations by NEDFi, State Planning department, RBI, State Bank of India, NABARD, SIDBI and Travel Agents Association of Sikkim.
source;sikkim express
A NEW RECIPE FOR GETTING RID OF DIABETES
Nothing wrong in trying as the contents are natural ones and do not cause any harm.
DIABETIC?
FINALLY GOOD NEWS FOR ALL DIABETICS
A woman (65) was diabetic for the last 20+ years and was taking insulin twice a day, she used the enclosed homemade medicine for a fortnight and now
she is absolutely free of diabetes and taking all her food as normal including sweets ............ ......... .......
The doctors have advised her to stop insulin and any other blood sugar controlling drugs.
AS RECEIVED:
DR. TONY ALMEIDA (Bombay Kidney Speciality expert) made the extensive
experiments with perseverance and patience and discovered a successful treatment for diabetes. Now a days a lot of people, old men & women in particular suffer a lot due to Diabetes.
Ingredients:
1 - Wheat flour 100 gm
2 - Gum(of tree) (gondh) 100 gm
3 - Barley 100 gm
4 - Black Seeds (kalunji) 100 gm
Method of Preparation: Put all the above ingredients in 5 cups of water.
Boil it for 10 minutes and put off the fire. Allow it to cool down by itself.
When it has become cold, filter out the seeds and preserve the water in a glass jug or bottle.
How to use it?
Take one small cup of this water every day early morning when your stomach is empty.
Continue this for 7 days. Next week repeat the same but on alternate days. With these 2 weeks of treatment you will wonder to see that you have become normal and can eat normal food without problem.
SINCE THESE ARE ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS, TAKING THEM IS NOT HARMFUL. SO THOSE WHO ARE SCEPTICAL ABOUT THIS TREATMENT MAY STILL TRY IT WITHOUT ANY HARM. WORST CASE SCENARIO WILL BE THAT YOU REMAIN STILL THE SAME AS YOU WERE BEFORE
source; swami auvdhutananda
Nothing wrong in trying as the contents are natural ones and do not cause any harm.
DIABETIC?
FINALLY GOOD NEWS FOR ALL DIABETICS
A woman (65) was diabetic for the last 20+ years and was taking insulin twice a day, she used the enclosed homemade medicine for a fortnight and now
she is absolutely free of diabetes and taking all her food as normal including sweets ............ ......... .......
The doctors have advised her to stop insulin and any other blood sugar controlling drugs.
AS RECEIVED:
DR. TONY ALMEIDA (Bombay Kidney Speciality expert) made the extensive
experiments with perseverance and patience and discovered a successful treatment for diabetes. Now a days a lot of people, old men & women in particular suffer a lot due to Diabetes.
Ingredients:
1 - Wheat flour 100 gm
2 - Gum(of tree) (gondh) 100 gm
3 - Barley 100 gm
4 - Black Seeds (kalunji) 100 gm
Method of Preparation: Put all the above ingredients in 5 cups of water.
Boil it for 10 minutes and put off the fire. Allow it to cool down by itself.
When it has become cold, filter out the seeds and preserve the water in a glass jug or bottle.
How to use it?
Take one small cup of this water every day early morning when your stomach is empty.
Continue this for 7 days. Next week repeat the same but on alternate days. With these 2 weeks of treatment you will wonder to see that you have become normal and can eat normal food without problem.
SINCE THESE ARE ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS, TAKING THEM IS NOT HARMFUL. SO THOSE WHO ARE SCEPTICAL ABOUT THIS TREATMENT MAY STILL TRY IT WITHOUT ANY HARM. WORST CASE SCENARIO WILL BE THAT YOU REMAIN STILL THE SAME AS YOU WERE BEFORE
source; swami auvdhutananda
Three new helipads coming up in Sikkim
Gangtok, May 05 : Detailed project reports for constructing three new helipads, submitted by the department of tourism, Sikkim, have been sanctioned while two more proposals are under consideration, secretary, tourism, SBS Bhaduria informed.
The proposed sites for construction of helipads are Chemchey, Hilley, Uttaray, Rangpo and Mangan, the tourism secretary told UNI yesterday.
Further, Mr Bhaduria informed that the department is planning to come up with more helipads in the state at Ranipool and Kaluk-Ringchenpong area for which the planning is underway.
When asked about the construction of so many helipads in a small state, the secretary said the areas have great potential in tourism and accordingly the helipad sites will serve the needs of tourists and even of the local inhabitants where business and revenue can be generated.
In case of Ranipool, he said often the weather does not permit landing of helicopter at Gangtok, therefore the site is being considered and in the long run it could even be upgraded into an airport. Besides, the helicopter service and helipads were being developed not only for tourism purpose but even as the common mode of transportation in time of crisis or disasters like landslides and earthquakes.
When asked about the upgradation of helipads in the state, Mr Bhaduria said initially it is being done by the Union Ministry of Tourism and the approximate cost as per the availability of land and other things is projected at about Rs 75 lakh per helipad.
--UNI
Gangtok, May 05 : Detailed project reports for constructing three new helipads, submitted by the department of tourism, Sikkim, have been sanctioned while two more proposals are under consideration, secretary, tourism, SBS Bhaduria informed.
The proposed sites for construction of helipads are Chemchey, Hilley, Uttaray, Rangpo and Mangan, the tourism secretary told UNI yesterday.
Further, Mr Bhaduria informed that the department is planning to come up with more helipads in the state at Ranipool and Kaluk-Ringchenpong area for which the planning is underway.
When asked about the construction of so many helipads in a small state, the secretary said the areas have great potential in tourism and accordingly the helipad sites will serve the needs of tourists and even of the local inhabitants where business and revenue can be generated.
In case of Ranipool, he said often the weather does not permit landing of helicopter at Gangtok, therefore the site is being considered and in the long run it could even be upgraded into an airport. Besides, the helicopter service and helipads were being developed not only for tourism purpose but even as the common mode of transportation in time of crisis or disasters like landslides and earthquakes.
When asked about the upgradation of helipads in the state, Mr Bhaduria said initially it is being done by the Union Ministry of Tourism and the approximate cost as per the availability of land and other things is projected at about Rs 75 lakh per helipad.
--UNI
Illegal Sale of Goods From Army Canteens
Illegal Sale of Goods From Army Canteens
During the last three years five cases of illegal sale of goods from Army canteens have come to the notice of Defence Services. No case has been registered with local civil authorities. However, suitable disciplinary / administrative action has been taken against the erring officials. To stop irregularities, smart cards with confidential PIN (Personal Identification Number) have been introduced so that authorised persons only can avail canteen facilities. Monetary limits for purchase of goods have been fixed and are strictly being followed. Surprise checks are carried out by the administrative / security staff of the respective canteens. Exemplary punishment is given to those found involved in irregularities.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari in Rajya Sabha today.
During the last three years five cases of illegal sale of goods from Army canteens have come to the notice of Defence Services. No case has been registered with local civil authorities. However, suitable disciplinary / administrative action has been taken against the erring officials. To stop irregularities, smart cards with confidential PIN (Personal Identification Number) have been introduced so that authorised persons only can avail canteen facilities. Monetary limits for purchase of goods have been fixed and are strictly being followed. Surprise checks are carried out by the administrative / security staff of the respective canteens. Exemplary punishment is given to those found involved in irregularities.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari in Rajya Sabha today.
Uranium in Meghalaya
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy has identified 17,252 tonnes of high grade insitu Uranium resources in Meghalaya.
At full capacity production from the proposed uranium project at Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, it is expected to meet about 20% of the indigenous requirement.
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic energy (DAE), proposes to set up a mine and mill at Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah in the West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya. Various pre-project activities are being carried out and project will commence only after receipt of all statutory clearances from State and Central Governments. No definite time frame can be set for obtaining these clearances.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
GG/BS
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy has identified 17,252 tonnes of high grade insitu Uranium resources in Meghalaya.
At full capacity production from the proposed uranium project at Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, it is expected to meet about 20% of the indigenous requirement.
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic energy (DAE), proposes to set up a mine and mill at Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah in the West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya. Various pre-project activities are being carried out and project will commence only after receipt of all statutory clearances from State and Central Governments. No definite time frame can be set for obtaining these clearances.
This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.
GG/BS
File Noting under RTI Exemption
The Government has clarified vide Department of Personnel and Training OM No. 1/20/2009-IR dated 23rd June, 2009 that file notings, except file notings containing information exempt from disclosure under section 8 of the Act, can be disclosed. No decision has been taken to amend the Act to exclude file notings from disclosure. It has been decided that amendments to the Act, if any, shall be made only after consultation with different stake-holders. No time frame can be prescribed for taking a decision in the matter.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
***
The Government has clarified vide Department of Personnel and Training OM No. 1/20/2009-IR dated 23rd June, 2009 that file notings, except file notings containing information exempt from disclosure under section 8 of the Act, can be disclosed. No decision has been taken to amend the Act to exclude file notings from disclosure. It has been decided that amendments to the Act, if any, shall be made only after consultation with different stake-holders. No time frame can be prescribed for taking a decision in the matter.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
***
CHINA: Construction of Dam on Brahmaputra river
CHINA: Construction of Dam on Brahmaputra river
The matter regarding construction of a dam on Brahampura river in Tibet has been taken up with the Chinese side on many occasions. During the recent visit of External Affairs Minister to China, the Chinese Foreign Minister conveyed that China has always taken a responsible attitude on the issue of trans-border rivers. He further clarified that the planned construction at Zangmu in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China is a hydro-power project and that the power station will not store water and will not regulate the volume of water, and therefore, will not have an adverse impact on the downstream areas of the Brahmaputra. Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s interests and takes all necessary measures to protect them.
This information was given by Shri S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
The matter regarding construction of a dam on Brahampura river in Tibet has been taken up with the Chinese side on many occasions. During the recent visit of External Affairs Minister to China, the Chinese Foreign Minister conveyed that China has always taken a responsible attitude on the issue of trans-border rivers. He further clarified that the planned construction at Zangmu in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China is a hydro-power project and that the power station will not store water and will not regulate the volume of water, and therefore, will not have an adverse impact on the downstream areas of the Brahmaputra. Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s interests and takes all necessary measures to protect them.
This information was given by Shri S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
India has 6,000 castes and 65,000 sub-castes
According to Home Minister P Chidamabaram India has 6,000 castes and 65,000 sub-castes.
The chance discovery of the ozone hole
by R. PRASAD
A British team discovered in 1985 the thinning of ozone in the atmosphere above the Halley Research Station in Antarctica
Twenty-five years ago British scientists — Joseph Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin — discovered the thinning of ozone in the atmosphere above the Halley Research Station in Antarctica.
Though man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were suspected to have caused the destruction of the ozone, there was no conclusive evidence to prove it. But that changed when the British team which discovered the hole published its findings in Nature in 1985.
CFC-ozone hole link
The scientists provided evidence that the amount of ozone in the Southern Hemisphere during spring had declined sharply since the late 1970s. And for the first time they proved that the reduction was indeed due to CFCs.
Their paper reported that the lowest values of ozone were during mid-October; a drop of 40 per cent during the short period between 1975 and 1984 was seen.
Dramatic discovery
If the depletion of ozone was dramatic, so was the discovery of the ozone depletion by the British team. To start with, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) where the scientists worked was not originally meant for monitoring long-term ozone changes. Its real purpose was to improve weather forecasting and verify theories of atmospheric circulation.
Writing in the Opinion piece in Nature today (May 6), Dr. Shanklin notes that, in his perspective, luck played a part. But he sees the role of luck in a totally different way.
Capitalising on luck
“The story provides an example of how to capitalise on good luck in science,” he writes. He then goes one step further to remind his fellow scientists: “Researchers should be reminded to question their perceptions, for example, to ensure that people don't see only what they are looking for, even when it seems to yield no immediate insights or benefits.”
His is a classic case of doing the best despite no background or knowledge of the subject. “I had no background in meteorology, and no preconceived ideas of how the atmosphere behaved,” he writes.
But in retrospect, his lack of knowledge and ignorance of atmospheric sciences was a blessing in disguise. He had an open mind.
There are numerous examples of how scientists get strapped to preconceived ideas and refuse to see things in a new light.
That the chlorine present in CFC s would affect the ozone layer by photocatalytic decomposition was already known. And that chorine's effect would be pronounced in the tropical stratosphere was also well known. Studies by Dr. Farman (one of the authors of the landmark 1985 Nature paper) and another researcher had also shown that ozone measurements around the end of January were the least variable year after year.
But none had ever looked at long-term patterns. “No one was searching for long-term patterns in springtime data for the Antarctic,” he writes. Dr. Shanklin was not aware of this lacuna either.
Dr. Shanklin's task at British Antarctic Survey was to write computer programs to process observations made by using a Dobson ozone spectrophotometer which measures atmospheric ozone.
Blessing in disguise
Converting the results into the amount of ozone in the column of air above was done manually. And this meant a backlog was building up.
But this backlog was indeed a blessing in disguise — “it covered the crucial decade when ozone levels began to drop.”
Trying to assuage the public in 1983 that no significant change in the ozone levels was seen, the team presented data in a meeting that reflected this.
Though the data presented did not distort the truth, there was indeed a decline in the springtime ozone values year after year.
But the prevailing theory in the early 1980s was that springtime values were “highly variable and dependent on short-term weather conditions.” So there was nothing unusual about the spring-time decline.
But what appeared to change all that were the 11-day mean values during springtime.
Steady decline found
They showed a steady decline, and decline was systematic.
This data spurred the team to dig further. Dr. Farman was instrumental in coming up with a chemical explanation for the decline, and Dr. Shanklin's task was minor. He notes that: “my persistence in looking at the data was my real contribution.”
If the expertise of the scientists was crucial, the location of the BAS Halley station played a vital role. Unlike other stations, it had excellent continuous ozone data going back to 1957.
Locational advantage
The relatively northern latitude location of the Halley station allowed the scientists to begin their observations during spring much earlier than other stations located at the South Pole.
Finally, the centre of the ozone hole is offset towards the Atlantic Ocean.
This permitted the Halley station to observe lower ozone values compared to stations located on the Pacific side of the Antarctic.
The location advantage, long-term continuous data and the ability to see what others had missed resulted in the landmark paper being published in the journal Nature in 1985. The rest is history.
by R. PRASAD
A British team discovered in 1985 the thinning of ozone in the atmosphere above the Halley Research Station in Antarctica
Twenty-five years ago British scientists — Joseph Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin — discovered the thinning of ozone in the atmosphere above the Halley Research Station in Antarctica.
Though man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were suspected to have caused the destruction of the ozone, there was no conclusive evidence to prove it. But that changed when the British team which discovered the hole published its findings in Nature in 1985.
CFC-ozone hole link
The scientists provided evidence that the amount of ozone in the Southern Hemisphere during spring had declined sharply since the late 1970s. And for the first time they proved that the reduction was indeed due to CFCs.
Their paper reported that the lowest values of ozone were during mid-October; a drop of 40 per cent during the short period between 1975 and 1984 was seen.
Dramatic discovery
If the depletion of ozone was dramatic, so was the discovery of the ozone depletion by the British team. To start with, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) where the scientists worked was not originally meant for monitoring long-term ozone changes. Its real purpose was to improve weather forecasting and verify theories of atmospheric circulation.
Writing in the Opinion piece in Nature today (May 6), Dr. Shanklin notes that, in his perspective, luck played a part. But he sees the role of luck in a totally different way.
Capitalising on luck
“The story provides an example of how to capitalise on good luck in science,” he writes. He then goes one step further to remind his fellow scientists: “Researchers should be reminded to question their perceptions, for example, to ensure that people don't see only what they are looking for, even when it seems to yield no immediate insights or benefits.”
His is a classic case of doing the best despite no background or knowledge of the subject. “I had no background in meteorology, and no preconceived ideas of how the atmosphere behaved,” he writes.
But in retrospect, his lack of knowledge and ignorance of atmospheric sciences was a blessing in disguise. He had an open mind.
There are numerous examples of how scientists get strapped to preconceived ideas and refuse to see things in a new light.
That the chlorine present in CFC s would affect the ozone layer by photocatalytic decomposition was already known. And that chorine's effect would be pronounced in the tropical stratosphere was also well known. Studies by Dr. Farman (one of the authors of the landmark 1985 Nature paper) and another researcher had also shown that ozone measurements around the end of January were the least variable year after year.
But none had ever looked at long-term patterns. “No one was searching for long-term patterns in springtime data for the Antarctic,” he writes. Dr. Shanklin was not aware of this lacuna either.
Dr. Shanklin's task at British Antarctic Survey was to write computer programs to process observations made by using a Dobson ozone spectrophotometer which measures atmospheric ozone.
Blessing in disguise
Converting the results into the amount of ozone in the column of air above was done manually. And this meant a backlog was building up.
But this backlog was indeed a blessing in disguise — “it covered the crucial decade when ozone levels began to drop.”
Trying to assuage the public in 1983 that no significant change in the ozone levels was seen, the team presented data in a meeting that reflected this.
Though the data presented did not distort the truth, there was indeed a decline in the springtime ozone values year after year.
But the prevailing theory in the early 1980s was that springtime values were “highly variable and dependent on short-term weather conditions.” So there was nothing unusual about the spring-time decline.
But what appeared to change all that were the 11-day mean values during springtime.
Steady decline found
They showed a steady decline, and decline was systematic.
This data spurred the team to dig further. Dr. Farman was instrumental in coming up with a chemical explanation for the decline, and Dr. Shanklin's task was minor. He notes that: “my persistence in looking at the data was my real contribution.”
If the expertise of the scientists was crucial, the location of the BAS Halley station played a vital role. Unlike other stations, it had excellent continuous ozone data going back to 1957.
Locational advantage
The relatively northern latitude location of the Halley station allowed the scientists to begin their observations during spring much earlier than other stations located at the South Pole.
Finally, the centre of the ozone hole is offset towards the Atlantic Ocean.
This permitted the Halley station to observe lower ozone values compared to stations located on the Pacific side of the Antarctic.
The location advantage, long-term continuous data and the ability to see what others had missed resulted in the landmark paper being published in the journal Nature in 1985. The rest is history.
Stress-diabetes genetic link
Xinhua
Israeli researchers announced they have found a genetic connection between stress and diabetes, offering some hope towards fighting a related problem: overeating.
“We showed that the actions of a single gene in just one part of the brain can have profound effects on the metabolism of the whole body,” including triggering hunger, Dr. Alon Chen told Xinhua on Monday. Chen is a senior researcher at Neurobiology Department of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.
Chen said he and his 20-person team of researchers discovered that a protein — releasing gene in the brain's hypothalamus region called Urocortin-3 (Ucn3), is responsible for inducing anxiety and strong metabolic changes, including type II diabetes in animals. Mice in lab tests showed signs of the first stages of this type of diabetes: their pancreas pumped out more insulin, while their muscles showed a delayed sensitivity to insulin.
“When it's secreted, it's activating two different brain regions,” Chen said. One region is related to your anxiety and fear level... and on the other hand will activate a region that is more related to metabolism.” And, Chen said, the effects can be seen throughout the body, including in the heart and muscles responsible for insulin sensitivity. That sensitivity can be a precursor to diabetes, a disease that studies say will strike some 360 million people worldwide by 2030.
While animals instinctively handle a stress threat in a predictable manner and then return to normal, humans are more unpredictable and vulnerable.
“It's not just causing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but is influencing metabolic syndromes such as obesity,” Chen said.
“In the lab, stressed animals eat less. But in human some eat more when stressed. What is key here is that food preference is changing,” he explains.
The purpose of the study was to understand the mechanisms, Chen said
Xinhua
Israeli researchers announced they have found a genetic connection between stress and diabetes, offering some hope towards fighting a related problem: overeating.
“We showed that the actions of a single gene in just one part of the brain can have profound effects on the metabolism of the whole body,” including triggering hunger, Dr. Alon Chen told Xinhua on Monday. Chen is a senior researcher at Neurobiology Department of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.
Chen said he and his 20-person team of researchers discovered that a protein — releasing gene in the brain's hypothalamus region called Urocortin-3 (Ucn3), is responsible for inducing anxiety and strong metabolic changes, including type II diabetes in animals. Mice in lab tests showed signs of the first stages of this type of diabetes: their pancreas pumped out more insulin, while their muscles showed a delayed sensitivity to insulin.
“When it's secreted, it's activating two different brain regions,” Chen said. One region is related to your anxiety and fear level... and on the other hand will activate a region that is more related to metabolism.” And, Chen said, the effects can be seen throughout the body, including in the heart and muscles responsible for insulin sensitivity. That sensitivity can be a precursor to diabetes, a disease that studies say will strike some 360 million people worldwide by 2030.
While animals instinctively handle a stress threat in a predictable manner and then return to normal, humans are more unpredictable and vulnerable.
“It's not just causing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but is influencing metabolic syndromes such as obesity,” Chen said.
“In the lab, stressed animals eat less. But in human some eat more when stressed. What is key here is that food preference is changing,” he explains.
The purpose of the study was to understand the mechanisms, Chen said
Unfinished tasks in Bangladesh
by Haroon Habib
The process of bringing to trial those involved in what should be considered crimes against humanity during the 1971 War of Liberation against Pakistan is a bold move to remove a national stigma.
The Sheikh Hasina government has opened what could turn out to be a new chapter in Bangladesh's history, setting in motion a process that was long overdue: the trial of those involved in what should be considered crimes against humanity during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan. On March 25, 2010, the government announced the formation of a tribunal, an investigation agency and a prosecution team under a law enacted as early as in 1973.
Horrendous crimes were committed during the war: some three million people were killed, nearly half a million women were raped and over 10 million people were forced to flee to India to escape military persecution. Justice has not yet caught up with the perpetrators. This has had a profound effect on Bangladesh over the decades since.
The trial is not just a fulfilment of the current government's political commitment, but a step towards meeting a national obligation to the judicial process. It is an important step to meet the nation's commitment to restoring the rule of law.
In the general elections of December 2009 in which the Awami League-led grand alliance won a resounding mandate, the issue of a war crimes trial played a role. An overwhelming majority of the people, especially those from the new generation of voters, evidently marked their unequivocal support for the demand.
The Sheikh Hasina government has recently seen the judiciary meting out punishment to the assassins of the country's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The historic trial was held after 34 years of the bloody changeover that forced the new-born nation to detract from its secular ‘pro-liberation' line. And by starting the war crimes trial three and half decades after the war, the government has shown both courage and conviction to accomplish an unfinished national task.
The investigators have identified and are pursuing the perpetrators, and the trial has popular support. But the process is facing resistance from the government's political opponents, particularly from the fundamentalist and right-wing parties. Understandably, such resistance comes mainly from the Jamaat-e-Islami that took a stand against the country breaking free from Pakistan. But the Jamaat got a boost when it mustered tactical support from its political ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia.
The trial is meant to bring to justice those collaborators of the Pakistan Army who perpetrated genocide, mass rape, arson and looting. It is also a rejuvenation of the ‘Spirit of 1971' on the basis of which the former East Pakistan became Bangladesh. The trial makes a moral point: that the rule of law must prevail and justice must be dispensed to those who committed the crimes.
The irony is that while the trial process that was initiated soon after independence got frustrated following the assassination of Sheikh Mujib in 1975. In the light of the Simla Agreement signed between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan on July 3, 1972, and the tripartite agreement signed on April 9, 1974 in New Delhi, 195 Pakistani war criminals were allowed to go back to their country along with over 90,000 Prisoners of War who had surrendered to the India-Bangladesh Joint Command in Dhaka on December 16, 1971. However, those agreements have no relevance for the trial of Bangladeshi citizens who committed offences such as killing, looting, arson and repression of women.
There is some criticism with regard to the formation of the tribunal, the investigating agency and the prosecution team. Many people hold the view that some of them are not manned by competent people. Even Dr. Alauddin Ahmed, an adviser to the Prime Minister, questioned the integrity of the chief investigator, who, according to him, was an activist of the Jamaat. (Following this the government on May 3 ordered a probe into the credentials of Abdul Matin.) Such criticism apart, the trial, if it goes smoothly, will expose the sheer magnitude of one of the worst instances of massacre and mass rape in history, of which not many people are aware outside of Bangladesh.
As the unofficially compiled lists show, most of the suspected war criminals belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami which took up arms to defend Pakistan as collaborators of the Pakistan Army. The BNP and some Islamist groups also have leaders against whom charges of war crimes have been levelled. But the tribunal will prosecute only those against whom sufficient evidence is available.
Just after independence, an effort was on to put in place a process of accountability. The post-liberation government promulgated the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunals) Order in 1972. In July 1973, Parliament passed the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act to allow the prosecution of individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Around 37,000 people were jailed. An estimated 26,000 people were released when in November 1973 the government announced clemency for all except those charged with heinous crimes. Around 700 persons were convicted. But, in December 1975, following the assassination of Sheikh Mujib, all convicts and under-trial prisoners were released by the military ruler, Ziaur Rahman, who also annulled the Collaborators Act. Since then the issue had lain dormant. It resurfaced only when the Awami League, which led the Liberation War, first came to power in 1996.
In 1992, a national campaign was launched under the leadership of Jahanara Imam, writer and the mother of a liberation war martyr. This culminated in a mock public trial of war criminals in Dhaka. And as Ms. Khaleda Zia formally inducted Jamaat-e-Islami leaders into her Cabinet in 2001 and key Jamaat leaders dubbed the 1971 liberation war as a ‘civil war' just to undermine national independence, the issue got national attention. The Sector Commanders' Forum, led by the front commanders of the war, and the Nirmul Committee, a secular platform to try war criminals, as well as other ‘pro-liberation' organisations, spearheaded a campaign.
Although the trial has a strong moral rationale, it is no easy task. Politicians and lawyers supporting the BNP and the Jamaat have challenged the law under which the trial is on. But legal experts have rejected their pleas, saying that the law is broadly compatible with international standards.
This is no ordinary trial, but one that answers the inner-most urges of an aggrieved nation and addresses the travails of countless bereaved families, widows and orphans, those who were wounded and immobilised. The woman victims of atrocities have been conferred the honour of war heroine (‘Beerangana'). Therefore, the trial is a solemn unfinished task to remove a national stigma.
The trial will have obvious political implications. The irony is that those who committed the crimes as henchmen of the Pakistan Army in 1971 are now established political leaders, well-entrenched businessmen or highly connected Islamists, all of whom have their own agenda.
The Sheikh Hasina government will have to face up to a hard reality. The war criminals of 1971, many of whom left the country at the dawn of Independence but returned and were rehabilitated thanks to the military rulers, are now organised and powerful. They have strong political backers in the BNP.
The government understands the implications and the risks. The Prime Minister has urged the people to remain ‘alert and united' so that the process is not disrupted by ‘conspiracies'. She knows that the move will get meaningful support from the majority of the people. A confident Sheikh Hasina said: “We're not afraid of any plot by the defeated forces. Inshallah, we will complete the trial and free the nation from the stigma.”
As the trial process advances, the Jamaat has called upon its members to prepare for the ultimate sacrifice. Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, its secretary general, claimed that India was instigating the government to go after the Jamaat. “India apprehends that only the military and the Jamaat can prevent Bangladesh from becoming a proxy for India.”
But Sheikh Hasina has remained brave, and has said her government would hold the long-overdue trial no matter what the Jamaat does. “It has been our national commitment, and we shall do it,” she asserted. Bangladesh, which recently ratified the Rome Statute that calls on countries to bring their own laws in line with international standards for the prosecution of individuals who commit crimes against humanity, has assured the world community that the trial process would go on and that it would conform to the highest standards.
It has been the considered view of the secular school of thought that if the trial process is withdrawn, or kept incomplete halfway through, under any compulsion or pretext, Bangladesh's ‘pro-liberation' politics will suffer a blow. Those who had opposed the country's independence and perpetrated the worst crimes against humanity on religious grounds, will be able to further consolidate themselves if the trial remains incomplete.
(The writer, based in Dhaka, is a Bangladesh liberation fighter himself.)
by Haroon Habib
The process of bringing to trial those involved in what should be considered crimes against humanity during the 1971 War of Liberation against Pakistan is a bold move to remove a national stigma.
The Sheikh Hasina government has opened what could turn out to be a new chapter in Bangladesh's history, setting in motion a process that was long overdue: the trial of those involved in what should be considered crimes against humanity during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan. On March 25, 2010, the government announced the formation of a tribunal, an investigation agency and a prosecution team under a law enacted as early as in 1973.
Horrendous crimes were committed during the war: some three million people were killed, nearly half a million women were raped and over 10 million people were forced to flee to India to escape military persecution. Justice has not yet caught up with the perpetrators. This has had a profound effect on Bangladesh over the decades since.
The trial is not just a fulfilment of the current government's political commitment, but a step towards meeting a national obligation to the judicial process. It is an important step to meet the nation's commitment to restoring the rule of law.
In the general elections of December 2009 in which the Awami League-led grand alliance won a resounding mandate, the issue of a war crimes trial played a role. An overwhelming majority of the people, especially those from the new generation of voters, evidently marked their unequivocal support for the demand.
The Sheikh Hasina government has recently seen the judiciary meting out punishment to the assassins of the country's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The historic trial was held after 34 years of the bloody changeover that forced the new-born nation to detract from its secular ‘pro-liberation' line. And by starting the war crimes trial three and half decades after the war, the government has shown both courage and conviction to accomplish an unfinished national task.
The investigators have identified and are pursuing the perpetrators, and the trial has popular support. But the process is facing resistance from the government's political opponents, particularly from the fundamentalist and right-wing parties. Understandably, such resistance comes mainly from the Jamaat-e-Islami that took a stand against the country breaking free from Pakistan. But the Jamaat got a boost when it mustered tactical support from its political ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia.
The trial is meant to bring to justice those collaborators of the Pakistan Army who perpetrated genocide, mass rape, arson and looting. It is also a rejuvenation of the ‘Spirit of 1971' on the basis of which the former East Pakistan became Bangladesh. The trial makes a moral point: that the rule of law must prevail and justice must be dispensed to those who committed the crimes.
The irony is that while the trial process that was initiated soon after independence got frustrated following the assassination of Sheikh Mujib in 1975. In the light of the Simla Agreement signed between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan on July 3, 1972, and the tripartite agreement signed on April 9, 1974 in New Delhi, 195 Pakistani war criminals were allowed to go back to their country along with over 90,000 Prisoners of War who had surrendered to the India-Bangladesh Joint Command in Dhaka on December 16, 1971. However, those agreements have no relevance for the trial of Bangladeshi citizens who committed offences such as killing, looting, arson and repression of women.
There is some criticism with regard to the formation of the tribunal, the investigating agency and the prosecution team. Many people hold the view that some of them are not manned by competent people. Even Dr. Alauddin Ahmed, an adviser to the Prime Minister, questioned the integrity of the chief investigator, who, according to him, was an activist of the Jamaat. (Following this the government on May 3 ordered a probe into the credentials of Abdul Matin.) Such criticism apart, the trial, if it goes smoothly, will expose the sheer magnitude of one of the worst instances of massacre and mass rape in history, of which not many people are aware outside of Bangladesh.
As the unofficially compiled lists show, most of the suspected war criminals belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami which took up arms to defend Pakistan as collaborators of the Pakistan Army. The BNP and some Islamist groups also have leaders against whom charges of war crimes have been levelled. But the tribunal will prosecute only those against whom sufficient evidence is available.
Just after independence, an effort was on to put in place a process of accountability. The post-liberation government promulgated the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunals) Order in 1972. In July 1973, Parliament passed the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act to allow the prosecution of individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Around 37,000 people were jailed. An estimated 26,000 people were released when in November 1973 the government announced clemency for all except those charged with heinous crimes. Around 700 persons were convicted. But, in December 1975, following the assassination of Sheikh Mujib, all convicts and under-trial prisoners were released by the military ruler, Ziaur Rahman, who also annulled the Collaborators Act. Since then the issue had lain dormant. It resurfaced only when the Awami League, which led the Liberation War, first came to power in 1996.
In 1992, a national campaign was launched under the leadership of Jahanara Imam, writer and the mother of a liberation war martyr. This culminated in a mock public trial of war criminals in Dhaka. And as Ms. Khaleda Zia formally inducted Jamaat-e-Islami leaders into her Cabinet in 2001 and key Jamaat leaders dubbed the 1971 liberation war as a ‘civil war' just to undermine national independence, the issue got national attention. The Sector Commanders' Forum, led by the front commanders of the war, and the Nirmul Committee, a secular platform to try war criminals, as well as other ‘pro-liberation' organisations, spearheaded a campaign.
Although the trial has a strong moral rationale, it is no easy task. Politicians and lawyers supporting the BNP and the Jamaat have challenged the law under which the trial is on. But legal experts have rejected their pleas, saying that the law is broadly compatible with international standards.
This is no ordinary trial, but one that answers the inner-most urges of an aggrieved nation and addresses the travails of countless bereaved families, widows and orphans, those who were wounded and immobilised. The woman victims of atrocities have been conferred the honour of war heroine (‘Beerangana'). Therefore, the trial is a solemn unfinished task to remove a national stigma.
The trial will have obvious political implications. The irony is that those who committed the crimes as henchmen of the Pakistan Army in 1971 are now established political leaders, well-entrenched businessmen or highly connected Islamists, all of whom have their own agenda.
The Sheikh Hasina government will have to face up to a hard reality. The war criminals of 1971, many of whom left the country at the dawn of Independence but returned and were rehabilitated thanks to the military rulers, are now organised and powerful. They have strong political backers in the BNP.
The government understands the implications and the risks. The Prime Minister has urged the people to remain ‘alert and united' so that the process is not disrupted by ‘conspiracies'. She knows that the move will get meaningful support from the majority of the people. A confident Sheikh Hasina said: “We're not afraid of any plot by the defeated forces. Inshallah, we will complete the trial and free the nation from the stigma.”
As the trial process advances, the Jamaat has called upon its members to prepare for the ultimate sacrifice. Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, its secretary general, claimed that India was instigating the government to go after the Jamaat. “India apprehends that only the military and the Jamaat can prevent Bangladesh from becoming a proxy for India.”
But Sheikh Hasina has remained brave, and has said her government would hold the long-overdue trial no matter what the Jamaat does. “It has been our national commitment, and we shall do it,” she asserted. Bangladesh, which recently ratified the Rome Statute that calls on countries to bring their own laws in line with international standards for the prosecution of individuals who commit crimes against humanity, has assured the world community that the trial process would go on and that it would conform to the highest standards.
It has been the considered view of the secular school of thought that if the trial process is withdrawn, or kept incomplete halfway through, under any compulsion or pretext, Bangladesh's ‘pro-liberation' politics will suffer a blow. Those who had opposed the country's independence and perpetrated the worst crimes against humanity on religious grounds, will be able to further consolidate themselves if the trial remains incomplete.
(The writer, based in Dhaka, is a Bangladesh liberation fighter himself.)
In public interest, Centre keen on intervening in MCI
by Aarti Dhar
The Centre is contemplating bringing in an ordinance to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 empowering the government to intervene in the event of MCI members, including the president and the vice-president, being unable to perform and on grounds of misconduct.
The ordinance seeks to fix the term — to a maximum of two – of the president and the vice-president and give the Union Health Ministry powers to make arrangements in the event the office of president falling vacant in unforeseen situations as it has arisen now. The functioning of the Medical Council of India has come to a virtual standstill following the arrest of its president, Ketan Desai, on corruption charges.
These amendments are expected to incorporate major changes suggested by the Ministry in the amendment Bill, tabled in 2005, which were turned down by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health.
Sources in the Ministry told The Hindu it was keen that the government be able to intervene in the MCI in the “larger public interest” as did the Human Resource Development Ministry in the case of the All-India Council for Technical Education and the University Grants Commission under Section 20 (1) of the AICTE and the UGC Acts though these were nominated bodies. The MCI is an elected body with no such provision for intervention by the Centre. A provision for intervention was turned down by the Standing Committee on the ground that it would seriously jeopardise the independent working of the MCI and decision making of its president and vice-president.
Final decision
The proposed amendments to the MCI Act — if and as approved by Parliament — will continue until the government takes a final decision on whether medical education should come under the purview of the proposed National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) under the HRD Ministry or the National Council for Human Resource in Health being pushed by the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, the NCHER has invited a Health Ministry representative for its final meeting later this week. This is the first time the Ministry has been invited for deliberations, though the Medical Council of India, the Dental Council of India, the Nursing Council and several other regulatory bodies in the field of health have made representations before the Commission.
source;the hindu
by Aarti Dhar
The Centre is contemplating bringing in an ordinance to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 empowering the government to intervene in the event of MCI members, including the president and the vice-president, being unable to perform and on grounds of misconduct.
The ordinance seeks to fix the term — to a maximum of two – of the president and the vice-president and give the Union Health Ministry powers to make arrangements in the event the office of president falling vacant in unforeseen situations as it has arisen now. The functioning of the Medical Council of India has come to a virtual standstill following the arrest of its president, Ketan Desai, on corruption charges.
These amendments are expected to incorporate major changes suggested by the Ministry in the amendment Bill, tabled in 2005, which were turned down by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health.
Sources in the Ministry told The Hindu it was keen that the government be able to intervene in the MCI in the “larger public interest” as did the Human Resource Development Ministry in the case of the All-India Council for Technical Education and the University Grants Commission under Section 20 (1) of the AICTE and the UGC Acts though these were nominated bodies. The MCI is an elected body with no such provision for intervention by the Centre. A provision for intervention was turned down by the Standing Committee on the ground that it would seriously jeopardise the independent working of the MCI and decision making of its president and vice-president.
Final decision
The proposed amendments to the MCI Act — if and as approved by Parliament — will continue until the government takes a final decision on whether medical education should come under the purview of the proposed National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) under the HRD Ministry or the National Council for Human Resource in Health being pushed by the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, the NCHER has invited a Health Ministry representative for its final meeting later this week. This is the first time the Ministry has been invited for deliberations, though the Medical Council of India, the Dental Council of India, the Nursing Council and several other regulatory bodies in the field of health have made representations before the Commission.
source;the hindu
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Rush in Siliguri for super-special health care
Uttorayon township where the 250-bed hospital of Neotia Healthcare will come up
Siliguri,
May 4: Siliguri is fast inching towards becoming a major health hub in the state after Calcutta with private players keen on providing advanced health care services.
In the past one year, several entrepreneurs have forayed into hospital business in Siliguri. Cardiologist Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore had laid the foundation stone of a 1,000-bed hospital on February 14, 2009 at Himanchal Bihar in Matigara with a focus on sophisticated treatment for heart patients.
The same month, the Advanced Medicare Research Institute (AMRI) acquired 1.7 acres of land for a multi-speciality hospital specialising in renal ailments at Kawakhali Township. On April 10 this year, state health minister Surjya Kanta Mishra laid the foundation stone of a 250-bed hospital of the Neotia Healthcare Initiative Limited on a plot of 3.19 acres at Uttorayon.
The strategic location of Siliguri with three countries in the vicinity makes the town a preferred destination for medical entrepreneurs.
“Siliguri is the gateway to the Northeast and is in the proximity of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Besides the patients from the hills and Sikkim, people from Malda, Bihar, the north-eastern states and the neighbouring countries come here for treatment. In fact, people come from all parts of Nepal barring Kathmandu (where there are hospitals) and its adjoining areas,” said Piyush Kanti Roy, the president of the Siliguri branch of the Indian Medical Association.
Around 60 to 70 per cent people from the Northeast head towards southern India for specialised health care. “They (the people from north-eastern region) first come to Siliguri and then head for south for advanced treatment. The entrepreneurs have realised the importance of the place and are out to tap its full potential,” Roy said.
At present, over 30 nursing homes in Siliguri along with the North Bengal Medial College and Hospital and the Siliguri District Hospital cater for the health care requirements of the people. According to sources, Siliguri registers a monthly footfall of nearly 5 lakh patients, 10 to 15 per cent of whom come from the neighbouring countries.
“Siliguri is probably the only town in the state after Calcutta to have an airport that recently started flights to Bhutan and Thailand. Once we get hospitals of super-speciality standard, the footfall is bound to go up considerably,” said Kaushik Bhattacharya, a laparoscopic surgeon at a nursing home here.
The emerging infrastructure and connectivity are the reasons behind the entrepreneurs’ forays into health care.
“Siliguri is already a thriving commercial hub. It has a number of township projects in the offing in addition to a food park and tea park. The infrastructure is favourable for us to set up a multi-speciality hospital here. Moreover, if we offer specialised health care to the people, they wouldn’t have to spend money on travelling to far-away places for treatment,” said Dhrubjyoti Gupta, the assistant manager (growth and development) of the AMRI.
source; the telegraph
Uttorayon township where the 250-bed hospital of Neotia Healthcare will come up
Siliguri,
May 4: Siliguri is fast inching towards becoming a major health hub in the state after Calcutta with private players keen on providing advanced health care services.
In the past one year, several entrepreneurs have forayed into hospital business in Siliguri. Cardiologist Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore had laid the foundation stone of a 1,000-bed hospital on February 14, 2009 at Himanchal Bihar in Matigara with a focus on sophisticated treatment for heart patients.
The same month, the Advanced Medicare Research Institute (AMRI) acquired 1.7 acres of land for a multi-speciality hospital specialising in renal ailments at Kawakhali Township. On April 10 this year, state health minister Surjya Kanta Mishra laid the foundation stone of a 250-bed hospital of the Neotia Healthcare Initiative Limited on a plot of 3.19 acres at Uttorayon.
The strategic location of Siliguri with three countries in the vicinity makes the town a preferred destination for medical entrepreneurs.
“Siliguri is the gateway to the Northeast and is in the proximity of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Besides the patients from the hills and Sikkim, people from Malda, Bihar, the north-eastern states and the neighbouring countries come here for treatment. In fact, people come from all parts of Nepal barring Kathmandu (where there are hospitals) and its adjoining areas,” said Piyush Kanti Roy, the president of the Siliguri branch of the Indian Medical Association.
Around 60 to 70 per cent people from the Northeast head towards southern India for specialised health care. “They (the people from north-eastern region) first come to Siliguri and then head for south for advanced treatment. The entrepreneurs have realised the importance of the place and are out to tap its full potential,” Roy said.
At present, over 30 nursing homes in Siliguri along with the North Bengal Medial College and Hospital and the Siliguri District Hospital cater for the health care requirements of the people. According to sources, Siliguri registers a monthly footfall of nearly 5 lakh patients, 10 to 15 per cent of whom come from the neighbouring countries.
“Siliguri is probably the only town in the state after Calcutta to have an airport that recently started flights to Bhutan and Thailand. Once we get hospitals of super-speciality standard, the footfall is bound to go up considerably,” said Kaushik Bhattacharya, a laparoscopic surgeon at a nursing home here.
The emerging infrastructure and connectivity are the reasons behind the entrepreneurs’ forays into health care.
“Siliguri is already a thriving commercial hub. It has a number of township projects in the offing in addition to a food park and tea park. The infrastructure is favourable for us to set up a multi-speciality hospital here. Moreover, if we offer specialised health care to the people, they wouldn’t have to spend money on travelling to far-away places for treatment,” said Dhrubjyoti Gupta, the assistant manager (growth and development) of the AMRI.
source; the telegraph
SIKKIM: Boulder hit stops border trade – Customs officials injured in Nathu-La
Gangtok, May 4: Forty-five Chinese traders from the Tibetan Autonomous Region today bought items worth Rs 2.5 lakh from the Sherathang mart, a day after trade through Nathu-la at 14,400ft was stalled because of boulders that came crashing down on a car and injured two Indian customs officials in it.
From the Indian side, 11 traders from Sikkim crossed the border and reached the Rinqingang trade mart in the TAR, around 30km from the international border.
The customs officials were heading towards the border pass in East Sikkim to supervise the trade when their vehicles were hit by boulders that slipped from the road above 13th Mile where widening work is being carried out by the Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The incident occurred near Kyongsla on the 51km- long Jawaharlal Nehru Marg that connects Gangtok to Nathu-la.
Officially, the pass had opened yesterday and several Chinese traders had reached the international gate at 9am. But, like their Sikkim counterparts, they had to go back after havildar A.K. Dey suffered leg injuries and inspector Prashant Rasaily was hurt on the face by the falling boulders. Both officials had to return to Gangtok. Today, therefore, turned out to be the first day of the fifth edition of Nathu-la trade.
“Forty-five Chinese traders crossed the border in 11 vehicles and reached the Sherathang trade mart. They bought items like canned food, utensils and copper items worth around Rs 2.5 lakh. The Indian traders did not import anything,” said customs superintendent P.T. Bhutia.
The customs officer was worried about the state of Jawaharlal Nehru Marg especially at 13th Mile and near the border.
The road condition is scary and traders returning late in the afternoon could face problems if the vehicles get stuck in the slush,” said Bhutia.
“By the time we return, light fades and travelling along the slushy road is frightening,” he added. He said the BRO should station manpower and equipment along the vulnerable points even after working hours.
The BRO said it could not help much if the weather was inclement.
“We can’t help if the weather is bad but as soon as it clears up, the BRO teams stationed along the road remove the debris. Our manpower and dozers (bulldozers) are always available at the vulnerable points to clear the road,” said Project Swastik director (works) S.P. Sharma.
The BRO is engaged in double-laning Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which is expected to cost Rs 495 crore. The project is slated to be completed by 2012.
source;the telegraph
Gangtok, May 4: Forty-five Chinese traders from the Tibetan Autonomous Region today bought items worth Rs 2.5 lakh from the Sherathang mart, a day after trade through Nathu-la at 14,400ft was stalled because of boulders that came crashing down on a car and injured two Indian customs officials in it.
From the Indian side, 11 traders from Sikkim crossed the border and reached the Rinqingang trade mart in the TAR, around 30km from the international border.
The customs officials were heading towards the border pass in East Sikkim to supervise the trade when their vehicles were hit by boulders that slipped from the road above 13th Mile where widening work is being carried out by the Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The incident occurred near Kyongsla on the 51km- long Jawaharlal Nehru Marg that connects Gangtok to Nathu-la.
Officially, the pass had opened yesterday and several Chinese traders had reached the international gate at 9am. But, like their Sikkim counterparts, they had to go back after havildar A.K. Dey suffered leg injuries and inspector Prashant Rasaily was hurt on the face by the falling boulders. Both officials had to return to Gangtok. Today, therefore, turned out to be the first day of the fifth edition of Nathu-la trade.
“Forty-five Chinese traders crossed the border in 11 vehicles and reached the Sherathang trade mart. They bought items like canned food, utensils and copper items worth around Rs 2.5 lakh. The Indian traders did not import anything,” said customs superintendent P.T. Bhutia.
The customs officer was worried about the state of Jawaharlal Nehru Marg especially at 13th Mile and near the border.
The road condition is scary and traders returning late in the afternoon could face problems if the vehicles get stuck in the slush,” said Bhutia.
“By the time we return, light fades and travelling along the slushy road is frightening,” he added. He said the BRO should station manpower and equipment along the vulnerable points even after working hours.
The BRO said it could not help much if the weather was inclement.
“We can’t help if the weather is bad but as soon as it clears up, the BRO teams stationed along the road remove the debris. Our manpower and dozers (bulldozers) are always available at the vulnerable points to clear the road,” said Project Swastik director (works) S.P. Sharma.
The BRO is engaged in double-laning Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which is expected to cost Rs 495 crore. The project is slated to be completed by 2012.
source;the telegraph
LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION - Leadership yoga: Innovation advantages from seeing disadvantage
BY ROSABETH MOSS KANTER
Have you noticed the tectonic plates starting to shift? Values and social purpose are creeping back into the business strategy conversation. Big societal problems are the next innovation frontier, and the best companies are practicing what I call “leadership yoga“--flipping the organization upside down to have their eyes to the ground to see the grass roots, where the next opportunities are starting to grow.
The least-advantaged places are becoming the best beta sites for business innovation.
Particularly in emerging markets, growth opportunities lie in meeting unmet needs, getting there first with solutions that improve quality of life for neglected but large populations.
ICICI Bank has become a profitable giant and a learning laboratory for the world through technological innovations to serve the visually-impaired (talking ATMs) and remote farmers (banking services through cell phones).
For vanguard companies, a desire to address unmet societal needs with the latest technology, not with charity or hand-me-downs, is central to their missions and also helps motivate creativity. Apple began 30 years ago with a social mission bigger than producing cool stuff.
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak wanted to make bicycles for the mind, to make affordable computing power available to the masses; the first big markets for Apple computers were in schools. Finding what society needs is relevant in low- tech industries too. Cement company CEMEX's attention to social needs and local
conditions has generated innovations such as anti-bacterial concrete, which is particularly important for hospitals and farms; water-resistant concrete helpful in flood-prone areas; or used tires converted to road surface for countries with rapid growth in road construction.
Japanese electronics compny Omron encourages its people to find opportunities to serve society through technological innovations. Omron founder Kazuma Tateisi saw the identification and resolution of social needs as Omron's core competency. Today's executives quote his frequent exhortation: “Selling products is not enough. I want representatives to bring back needs from the customers--as many as possible, as quickly as possible. That is the other half of a sales person's job.“ Kazuma- san felt that the more Omron contributed to the society, the more problems the society will bring to Omron to solve.
When solving problems of disadvantage is at the fore- front, five innovation advan- tages can accrue:
* Bigger idea pool:
A wider search is wider for broader ideas with bigger potential.
People search more broadly, see more opportunities, and generate more ideas if they are encouraged to think about the world and not just about their function. If they look closely at society, not just as a market abstraction but as a collection of fellow humans with needs worthy of attention, they see that there is always room for improvement. “Better“ is always a moving target. Having more ideas enter the innova- tion funnel provides more options and more improvements.
* Greater solutions-orientation:
Motivation to serve customers and users. When people feel their ideas will contribute to serving society, beyond the quest for revenues and profits, there is an additional motivational boost to focus on new solutions, not just pushing more of what they already know. They care about solving the problem because it is connected with their values, and they are willing to keep working until the problem is solved, not just until they have a product to throw over the transom. They want to engage those who have the problem in defining if the solution works for them. This puts passion and heart into user-directed innovation.
* Open innovation:
A greater willingness to draw on resources outside the organization, to work with partners, and to share ideas. Open innovation -the sharing of ideas among partners and willingness to draw on other people's technology in the service of a higher end--relies less on pride of ownership; the important thing is getting the job done.
* Less politics, less controversy, greater cooperation.
Values and principles provide a basis for cordial internal conversation that elicits co- operation. This makes it possible for innovators to assemble the right team quickly, because others in the organization share a common goal despite the different positions they occupy. Invoking shared values can also wear down opponents and critics, surfacing the underlying interests that negotiations scholars find makes “Yes“ a likely answer. Tying projects to enduring principles helps people rise above politics. Putting the good of the wide external community first helps get backing in the internal company community.
* Faster execution: Shorter communication and feedback loops.
The very articulation of societal purpose as a driver of innovation helps shorten mental and organizational loops.
Greater awareness on every- one's part of their role in an end-to-end chain of impact can help bridge the gap between theory and practice. The research lab can come closer to the world of users, and those working with the wider society closer to the developers of new technology.
Seeing the world from the bottom up rather than with the detached and distant perspective of headquarters can produce powerful innovation-facilitators. Practitioners of leadership yoga gain flexibility, speed, and new ideas from standing conventional wisdom on its head.
(Rosabeth Moss Kanter is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author of Confidence and SuperCorp.)
BY ROSABETH MOSS KANTER
Have you noticed the tectonic plates starting to shift? Values and social purpose are creeping back into the business strategy conversation. Big societal problems are the next innovation frontier, and the best companies are practicing what I call “leadership yoga“--flipping the organization upside down to have their eyes to the ground to see the grass roots, where the next opportunities are starting to grow.
The least-advantaged places are becoming the best beta sites for business innovation.
Particularly in emerging markets, growth opportunities lie in meeting unmet needs, getting there first with solutions that improve quality of life for neglected but large populations.
ICICI Bank has become a profitable giant and a learning laboratory for the world through technological innovations to serve the visually-impaired (talking ATMs) and remote farmers (banking services through cell phones).
For vanguard companies, a desire to address unmet societal needs with the latest technology, not with charity or hand-me-downs, is central to their missions and also helps motivate creativity. Apple began 30 years ago with a social mission bigger than producing cool stuff.
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak wanted to make bicycles for the mind, to make affordable computing power available to the masses; the first big markets for Apple computers were in schools. Finding what society needs is relevant in low- tech industries too. Cement company CEMEX's attention to social needs and local
conditions has generated innovations such as anti-bacterial concrete, which is particularly important for hospitals and farms; water-resistant concrete helpful in flood-prone areas; or used tires converted to road surface for countries with rapid growth in road construction.
Japanese electronics compny Omron encourages its people to find opportunities to serve society through technological innovations. Omron founder Kazuma Tateisi saw the identification and resolution of social needs as Omron's core competency. Today's executives quote his frequent exhortation: “Selling products is not enough. I want representatives to bring back needs from the customers--as many as possible, as quickly as possible. That is the other half of a sales person's job.“ Kazuma- san felt that the more Omron contributed to the society, the more problems the society will bring to Omron to solve.
When solving problems of disadvantage is at the fore- front, five innovation advan- tages can accrue:
* Bigger idea pool:
A wider search is wider for broader ideas with bigger potential.
People search more broadly, see more opportunities, and generate more ideas if they are encouraged to think about the world and not just about their function. If they look closely at society, not just as a market abstraction but as a collection of fellow humans with needs worthy of attention, they see that there is always room for improvement. “Better“ is always a moving target. Having more ideas enter the innova- tion funnel provides more options and more improvements.
* Greater solutions-orientation:
Motivation to serve customers and users. When people feel their ideas will contribute to serving society, beyond the quest for revenues and profits, there is an additional motivational boost to focus on new solutions, not just pushing more of what they already know. They care about solving the problem because it is connected with their values, and they are willing to keep working until the problem is solved, not just until they have a product to throw over the transom. They want to engage those who have the problem in defining if the solution works for them. This puts passion and heart into user-directed innovation.
* Open innovation:
A greater willingness to draw on resources outside the organization, to work with partners, and to share ideas. Open innovation -the sharing of ideas among partners and willingness to draw on other people's technology in the service of a higher end--relies less on pride of ownership; the important thing is getting the job done.
* Less politics, less controversy, greater cooperation.
Values and principles provide a basis for cordial internal conversation that elicits co- operation. This makes it possible for innovators to assemble the right team quickly, because others in the organization share a common goal despite the different positions they occupy. Invoking shared values can also wear down opponents and critics, surfacing the underlying interests that negotiations scholars find makes “Yes“ a likely answer. Tying projects to enduring principles helps people rise above politics. Putting the good of the wide external community first helps get backing in the internal company community.
* Faster execution: Shorter communication and feedback loops.
The very articulation of societal purpose as a driver of innovation helps shorten mental and organizational loops.
Greater awareness on every- one's part of their role in an end-to-end chain of impact can help bridge the gap between theory and practice. The research lab can come closer to the world of users, and those working with the wider society closer to the developers of new technology.
Seeing the world from the bottom up rather than with the detached and distant perspective of headquarters can produce powerful innovation-facilitators. Practitioners of leadership yoga gain flexibility, speed, and new ideas from standing conventional wisdom on its head.
(Rosabeth Moss Kanter is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author of Confidence and SuperCorp.)
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