SIKKIM: Former Legislator’s Forum Sikkim felicitated Mr. Pawan Chamling” Kiran”
IPR NEWS SERVICE, GOVT. OF SIKKIM
30 July, Gangtok: The Former Legislator’s Forum Sikkim on 29th July, evening, felicitated the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling at an Avinandan function held at Samman Bhawan, Gangtok. Mr. Pawan Chamling” Kiran” was felicitated on being conferred the Bhanu Puraskar-2010 which was presented to him by the Governor Shri. Balmiki Prasad Singh on the occasion of the 196th Bhanu Jayanti Celebration held at Gangtok on 13th July 2010.Mr. Pawan Chamling ” Kiran” the visionary, dynamic democrat who is also a versatile writer , poet, and an environmentalist was awarded the prestigious Bhanu Puraskar for his commendable contributions in the field of Nepali Literature.
Expressing his happiness, the Chief Minister thanked the members of the Former Legislator’s Forum and said that Sikkim and the Sikkimise people have always been an inspiration in his writings. His writings reflects t he trials and tribulations as he journeys through life in quest for seeking justice, equality for all and other aspirations of the Sikkimise people. Mr. Chamling further commented that literatures should be written to benefit the society. It should be a conscious effort on the part of the writer to highlight , disseminate, conserve and document the various facets of events and happenings that characterize our society as it progresses.
He further added that his government has made a significant contribution in documenting and compiling books on varied subjects concerning Sikkim. Other literary works by eminent writers like Indra Bhadur Rai, Parijat etc have also been published, besides many other books on Sikkim’s development, culture, economy and politics etc.
Mr. Chamling added that politics and writing skill both requires intelligence. Political battles are no longer fought with might. Politics are now decided by debates, public opinions, policies and programmes. Factors like Transparency, freedom of speech, peace and security are the characteristic of a civil society these days. His government has guaranteed all these to the people as a result of which there is development peace and prosperity in the State. The image of Sikkim is held high in the country today. He further appealed to the leaders to work hard and dedicate to the welfare of the people and usher in more prosperity and happiness.
Referring to various opportunities and projects being implemented in the state, the Chief Minister said that leaders should guide the people in the right direction and make them capable of utilizing these opportunities and taking up new challenges in various sectors . The State Government is also engaged in building a solid and secure foundation for the Sikkimise people whereby measures like issuing of Pink Card is also in process. He said that Pink Card is being implemented to secure bonafied Sikkim Subject holders in the state and prevent its misuse. He also informed the gathering about other developmental activities being carried out in the state.
Earlier, Mr S.M.Limboo former Chief Minister and Mr. Hissay Lachungpa Former Minister offered citation letter and a shawl to the Chief Minister and Former Ministers including Mr. D.D.Bhutia, Mr. S.B.Subedi, and others offered flower bouquet and khadas. The Welcome address was presented by Smt. R. Ongmu President F.L.F.S , Citation was read by Smt. Manita Mangar Publicity Secretary F.L.F.S.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. D.B.THATAL General Secretary FLFS.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
CREDIT-DEBIT CARD USERS IN INDIA- BE AWARE
Attacking the edges of secure Internet traffic
AP
Robert Hansen, left, CEO of Sec Theory and Josh Sokol of National Instruments at the Black Hat technology conference in Las Vegas.
Researchers have uncovered new ways that criminals can spy on Internet users even if they’re using secure connections to banks, online retailers or other sensitive websites.
The attacks demonstrated at the Black Hat conference show how determined hackers can sniff around the edges of encrypted Internet traffic to pick up clues about what their targets are up to.
It’s like tapping a telephone conversation and hearing muffled voices that hint at the tone of the conversation.
The problem lies in the way web browsers handle Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, encryption technology, according to Robert Hansen and Josh Sokol, who spoke to a packed room of several hundred security experts.
Encryption forms a kind of tunnel between a browser and a website’s servers. It scrambles data so it’s indecipherable to prying eyes.
SSL is widely used on sites trafficking in sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, and its presence is shown as a padlock in the browser’s address bar.
SSL is a widely attacked technology, but the approach by Hansen and Sokol wasn’t to break it. They wanted to see instead what they could learn from what are essentially the breadcrumbs from people’s secure Internet surfing that browsers leave behind and that skilled hackers can follow.
Their attacks would yield all sorts of information. It could be relatively minor, such as browser settings or the number of web pages visited. It could be quite substantial, including whether someone is vulnerable to having the “cookies” that store usernames and passwords misappropriated by hackers to log into secure sites.
Hansen said all major browsers are affected by at least some of the issues.
“This points to a larger problem - we need to reconsider how we do electronic commerce,” he said in an interview before the conference.
For the average Internet user, the research reinforces the importance of being careful on public Wi-Fi networks, where an attacker could plant himself in a position to look at your traffic. For the attacks to work, the attacker must first have access to the victim’s network.
Hansen and Sokol outlined two dozen problems they found. They acknowledged attacks using those weaknesses would be hard to pull off.
The vulnerabilities arise out of the fact people can surf the Internet with multiple tabs open in their browsers at the same time, and that unsecured traffic in one tab can affect secure traffic in another tab, said Hansen, chief executive of consulting firm SecTheory. Sokol is a security manager at National Instruments Corp.
Their talk isn’t the first time researchers have looked at ways to scour secure Internet traffic for clues about what’s happening behind the curtain of encryption. It does expand on existing research in key ways, though.
“Nobody’s getting hacked with this tomorrow, but it’s innovative research,” said Jon Miller, an SSL expert who wasn’t involved in the research.
Miller, director of Accuvant Labs, praised Hansen and Sokol for taking a different approach to attacking SSL.
“Everybody’s knocking on the front door, and this is, ‘let’s take a look at the windows,’” he said. “I never would have thought about doing something like this in a million years. I would have thought it would be a waste of time. It’s neat because it’s a little different.”
Another popular talk at Black Hat concerned a new attack affecting potentially millions of home routers. The attack could be used to launch the kinds of attacks described by Hansen and Sokol.
Researcher Craig Heffner examined 30 different types of home routers from companies including Actiontec Electronics Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc.’s Linksys and found that more than half of them were vulnerable to his attack.
He tricked web browsers that use those routers into letting him access administrative menus that only the routers’ owners should be able to see. Heffner said the vulnerability is in the browsers and illustrates a larger security problem involving how browsers determine that the sites they visit are trustworthy.
The caveat is he has to first trick someone into visiting a malicious site, and it helps if the victim hasn’t changed the router’s default password.
Still - “Once you’re on the router, you’re invisible - you can do all kinds of things,” such as controlling where the victim goes on the Internet, Heffner
AP
Robert Hansen, left, CEO of Sec Theory and Josh Sokol of National Instruments at the Black Hat technology conference in Las Vegas.
Researchers have uncovered new ways that criminals can spy on Internet users even if they’re using secure connections to banks, online retailers or other sensitive websites.
The attacks demonstrated at the Black Hat conference show how determined hackers can sniff around the edges of encrypted Internet traffic to pick up clues about what their targets are up to.
It’s like tapping a telephone conversation and hearing muffled voices that hint at the tone of the conversation.
The problem lies in the way web browsers handle Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, encryption technology, according to Robert Hansen and Josh Sokol, who spoke to a packed room of several hundred security experts.
Encryption forms a kind of tunnel between a browser and a website’s servers. It scrambles data so it’s indecipherable to prying eyes.
SSL is widely used on sites trafficking in sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, and its presence is shown as a padlock in the browser’s address bar.
SSL is a widely attacked technology, but the approach by Hansen and Sokol wasn’t to break it. They wanted to see instead what they could learn from what are essentially the breadcrumbs from people’s secure Internet surfing that browsers leave behind and that skilled hackers can follow.
Their attacks would yield all sorts of information. It could be relatively minor, such as browser settings or the number of web pages visited. It could be quite substantial, including whether someone is vulnerable to having the “cookies” that store usernames and passwords misappropriated by hackers to log into secure sites.
Hansen said all major browsers are affected by at least some of the issues.
“This points to a larger problem - we need to reconsider how we do electronic commerce,” he said in an interview before the conference.
For the average Internet user, the research reinforces the importance of being careful on public Wi-Fi networks, where an attacker could plant himself in a position to look at your traffic. For the attacks to work, the attacker must first have access to the victim’s network.
Hansen and Sokol outlined two dozen problems they found. They acknowledged attacks using those weaknesses would be hard to pull off.
The vulnerabilities arise out of the fact people can surf the Internet with multiple tabs open in their browsers at the same time, and that unsecured traffic in one tab can affect secure traffic in another tab, said Hansen, chief executive of consulting firm SecTheory. Sokol is a security manager at National Instruments Corp.
Their talk isn’t the first time researchers have looked at ways to scour secure Internet traffic for clues about what’s happening behind the curtain of encryption. It does expand on existing research in key ways, though.
“Nobody’s getting hacked with this tomorrow, but it’s innovative research,” said Jon Miller, an SSL expert who wasn’t involved in the research.
Miller, director of Accuvant Labs, praised Hansen and Sokol for taking a different approach to attacking SSL.
“Everybody’s knocking on the front door, and this is, ‘let’s take a look at the windows,’” he said. “I never would have thought about doing something like this in a million years. I would have thought it would be a waste of time. It’s neat because it’s a little different.”
Another popular talk at Black Hat concerned a new attack affecting potentially millions of home routers. The attack could be used to launch the kinds of attacks described by Hansen and Sokol.
Researcher Craig Heffner examined 30 different types of home routers from companies including Actiontec Electronics Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc.’s Linksys and found that more than half of them were vulnerable to his attack.
He tricked web browsers that use those routers into letting him access administrative menus that only the routers’ owners should be able to see. Heffner said the vulnerability is in the browsers and illustrates a larger security problem involving how browsers determine that the sites they visit are trustworthy.
The caveat is he has to first trick someone into visiting a malicious site, and it helps if the victim hasn’t changed the router’s default password.
Still - “Once you’re on the router, you’re invisible - you can do all kinds of things,” such as controlling where the victim goes on the Internet, Heffner
The impasse in Nepal
by Prashant Jha
Almost a month after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned, Nepal still does not have a new government. Two rounds of elections in parliament have failed to throw up a Prime Minister
Almost a month after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned, Nepal still does not have a new government. Two rounds of elections in parliament have failed to throw up a PM. Two months after the Constituent Assembly (CA) extended its term by a year, there has been no work on constitution writing. And the future of the former Maoist combatants in U.N.-monitored cantonments, the core of the peace process, remains in limbo.
The roots of the present crisis can be traced to the deep trust deficit between the Maoists and non-Maoists; issue-based and personality-driven differences within parties, a complex arithmetic in the parliament where no party has a majority, and a troubled India-Maoist relationship.
Large sections of the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist-Leninist), and Madhesi parties do not trust the Maoist commitment to democracy. They cite the Maoist reluctance to ‘give up the PLA'; the presence of a militant youth wing; the Maoist track record of ‘attacking' institutions while in government; and ‘undemocratic' constitutional proposals as proof of their totalitarian mindset. The fact that the Maoists are stronger than many of the older mainstream parties put together adds to their fear.
Maoists feel cheated out of power despite being the largest party in the house. They allege that older parties have allied with the Nepal Army and external powers. Maoists point to their participation in elections and the constitutional process, and willingness to keep their army in cantonments as visible proof of commitment to peace and democracy.
Even as other parties have made Maoist leadership of government conditional on immediate resolution of the PLA issue, the Maoists argue that movement on PLA and constitution writing should happen simultaneously, for they fear other parties may back out of writing a ‘progressive constitution' if they give up the army. Besides the timeline, there is also a difference in the way both sides envisage the nature and modalities of the integration and rehabilitation process, with the Maoists linking it with the ‘democratisation of the Nepal Army.'
This trust deficit is complicated by divisions within parties. The Maoists suffer from an ideological crisis, when a pragmatic faction believes that they should seek to ‘preserve existing achievements' while another hardline group continues to harbour goals of a ‘people's republic.' Party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda' and his old comrade, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai now share a competitive relationship with both vying for leadership of the government.
The NC and the UML are as mired in ideological and personal feuds too.
Both have strong right wing factions, though officially the parties remain committed to the 2006 political framework. In the UML, Chairman Jhalanath Khanal is closer to the Maoists while influential leaders like K.P. Oli and Madhav Nepal are closer to the NC and India. Khanal was a candidate in the first round of elections for prime minister, but had to withdraw since his party's central committee, controlled by Oli and Nepal, had made his candidature contingent on obtaining a two-thirds majority. There are factional feuds between Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Sushil Koirala in the NC, though it has put up a coherent front for now by nominating Ram Chandra Poudel as the official candidate.
It is in this polarised context that the numbers game in parliament is being played out. Prachanda can form a majority government if the Madhesi parties with 82 seats in the house back him. The NC's Ram Chandra Poudel needs the support of both the UML and the Madhesi front to get to the majority figure of 301 seats, which will essentially be a continuation of the previous anti-Maoist coalition under a new leadership. Torn between Khanal's ‘pro left' and Oli's ‘pro democracy' factions, the UML is neutral for now and so are the Madhesis — the reason why there has been no result in the past two rounds.
Now add to this maze the unsaid, but major factor, for the political impasse — the troubled India-Maoist relationship.
For the past year, India's energy in Nepal has been directed at isolating the Maoists politically. The relationship had dipped when Prachanda was PM — rising Chinese engagement, the perception that the Maoists were going back on their commitment to democracy, and efforts to reshape the Nepal Army were seen as potentially harmful to Indian security interests. India played an active role in blocking the Maoist move to dismiss the then army chief and putting together the Madhav Nepal government.
The Constitution-writing and the larger peace process India helped initiate in 2005-06 became secondary to the task of ‘democratising' the Maoists. Indian strategists felt the former rebels had to undergo a ‘course correction' by moving on PLA largely on terms set by the Nepal Army and other parties, disbanding the Young Communist League, renouncing violence, and ending ‘anti-Indian' activities and rhetoric. Officials also let it be known informally that they would prefer Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, seen as a more pragmatic leader. A split in the Maoist party was, in the Indian scheme, a desirable objective.
To deal with the Indian stance, Prachanda adopted a dual strategy.
Privately, he tried to reassure India he was committed to democracy, would respect India's core interests, and gradually deliver on the conditions laid out. Besides using normal diplomatic channels, the Maoist chairman met senior RAW officials in London, Singapore and Kathmandu to convey the same message. But they did not buy it.
At the same time, Prachanda publicly blamed India for the fall of his government; said the Maoists would never follow Indian diktats; hinted darkly that India was involved in the death of UML leader Madan Bhandari in the early 90s in a car accident and the royal massacre in 2001; and said India had propped up the Madhav Nepal government.
Prachanda's public position obviously did not win him any friends in the Indian establishment. Bureaucrats circulated his speeches as proof of why Nepali Maoists had to be kept out.
A section of the Indian security establishment was not keen on the extension of the CA, for they calculated that the CA was a source of legitimacy for the Maoists. But the overwhelming domestic Nepali political mood, which was in favour of an extension, prevailed. In the past few weeks, Delhi has used its leverage with its supporters in the UML, and Madhesi parties to block either a Prachanda-led or Khanal-led left government, and will try to keep Maoists in general, and Prachanda in particular, out of state power.
Bridging the trust deficit between Maoists and Nepali Congress, and Maoists and India requires enormous political management but is critical to completing the peace process and writing the constitution. Forming a majority government, with either the Maoists or the NC remaining in opposition, will not solve any of the fundamental problems.
The onus is on the Maoists to resolve their ideological battles once and for all, fulfil peace process commitments, reassure the other side, and be flexible on issues of leadership in the government. At the same time, non-Maoist parties have to realize this is a process, not an event. Isolating the largest party in the country just creates a situation of dual power on the ground, and adds to the instability. If they are worried about the undemocratic tendencies of the Maoists, the only way to counter it is by building their steadily diminishing political strength on the ground. For its part, India should analyse whether there are other ways to exert leverage on the Maoists to be mindful of their core concerns, without destabilising the broader process, for the present stalemate is not helping India achieve any of its tangible interests in Nepal.
Otherwise, the logical outcome of the present approach of key actors is a prolonged impasse, another dysfunctional government, little movement on either integration or constitution writing and another political crisis in Nepal in six-eight months, as the date for the next constitutional deadline approaches.
by Prashant Jha
Almost a month after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned, Nepal still does not have a new government. Two rounds of elections in parliament have failed to throw up a Prime Minister
Almost a month after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned, Nepal still does not have a new government. Two rounds of elections in parliament have failed to throw up a PM. Two months after the Constituent Assembly (CA) extended its term by a year, there has been no work on constitution writing. And the future of the former Maoist combatants in U.N.-monitored cantonments, the core of the peace process, remains in limbo.
The roots of the present crisis can be traced to the deep trust deficit between the Maoists and non-Maoists; issue-based and personality-driven differences within parties, a complex arithmetic in the parliament where no party has a majority, and a troubled India-Maoist relationship.
Large sections of the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist-Leninist), and Madhesi parties do not trust the Maoist commitment to democracy. They cite the Maoist reluctance to ‘give up the PLA'; the presence of a militant youth wing; the Maoist track record of ‘attacking' institutions while in government; and ‘undemocratic' constitutional proposals as proof of their totalitarian mindset. The fact that the Maoists are stronger than many of the older mainstream parties put together adds to their fear.
Maoists feel cheated out of power despite being the largest party in the house. They allege that older parties have allied with the Nepal Army and external powers. Maoists point to their participation in elections and the constitutional process, and willingness to keep their army in cantonments as visible proof of commitment to peace and democracy.
Even as other parties have made Maoist leadership of government conditional on immediate resolution of the PLA issue, the Maoists argue that movement on PLA and constitution writing should happen simultaneously, for they fear other parties may back out of writing a ‘progressive constitution' if they give up the army. Besides the timeline, there is also a difference in the way both sides envisage the nature and modalities of the integration and rehabilitation process, with the Maoists linking it with the ‘democratisation of the Nepal Army.'
This trust deficit is complicated by divisions within parties. The Maoists suffer from an ideological crisis, when a pragmatic faction believes that they should seek to ‘preserve existing achievements' while another hardline group continues to harbour goals of a ‘people's republic.' Party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda' and his old comrade, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai now share a competitive relationship with both vying for leadership of the government.
The NC and the UML are as mired in ideological and personal feuds too.
Both have strong right wing factions, though officially the parties remain committed to the 2006 political framework. In the UML, Chairman Jhalanath Khanal is closer to the Maoists while influential leaders like K.P. Oli and Madhav Nepal are closer to the NC and India. Khanal was a candidate in the first round of elections for prime minister, but had to withdraw since his party's central committee, controlled by Oli and Nepal, had made his candidature contingent on obtaining a two-thirds majority. There are factional feuds between Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Sushil Koirala in the NC, though it has put up a coherent front for now by nominating Ram Chandra Poudel as the official candidate.
It is in this polarised context that the numbers game in parliament is being played out. Prachanda can form a majority government if the Madhesi parties with 82 seats in the house back him. The NC's Ram Chandra Poudel needs the support of both the UML and the Madhesi front to get to the majority figure of 301 seats, which will essentially be a continuation of the previous anti-Maoist coalition under a new leadership. Torn between Khanal's ‘pro left' and Oli's ‘pro democracy' factions, the UML is neutral for now and so are the Madhesis — the reason why there has been no result in the past two rounds.
Now add to this maze the unsaid, but major factor, for the political impasse — the troubled India-Maoist relationship.
For the past year, India's energy in Nepal has been directed at isolating the Maoists politically. The relationship had dipped when Prachanda was PM — rising Chinese engagement, the perception that the Maoists were going back on their commitment to democracy, and efforts to reshape the Nepal Army were seen as potentially harmful to Indian security interests. India played an active role in blocking the Maoist move to dismiss the then army chief and putting together the Madhav Nepal government.
The Constitution-writing and the larger peace process India helped initiate in 2005-06 became secondary to the task of ‘democratising' the Maoists. Indian strategists felt the former rebels had to undergo a ‘course correction' by moving on PLA largely on terms set by the Nepal Army and other parties, disbanding the Young Communist League, renouncing violence, and ending ‘anti-Indian' activities and rhetoric. Officials also let it be known informally that they would prefer Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, seen as a more pragmatic leader. A split in the Maoist party was, in the Indian scheme, a desirable objective.
To deal with the Indian stance, Prachanda adopted a dual strategy.
Privately, he tried to reassure India he was committed to democracy, would respect India's core interests, and gradually deliver on the conditions laid out. Besides using normal diplomatic channels, the Maoist chairman met senior RAW officials in London, Singapore and Kathmandu to convey the same message. But they did not buy it.
At the same time, Prachanda publicly blamed India for the fall of his government; said the Maoists would never follow Indian diktats; hinted darkly that India was involved in the death of UML leader Madan Bhandari in the early 90s in a car accident and the royal massacre in 2001; and said India had propped up the Madhav Nepal government.
Prachanda's public position obviously did not win him any friends in the Indian establishment. Bureaucrats circulated his speeches as proof of why Nepali Maoists had to be kept out.
A section of the Indian security establishment was not keen on the extension of the CA, for they calculated that the CA was a source of legitimacy for the Maoists. But the overwhelming domestic Nepali political mood, which was in favour of an extension, prevailed. In the past few weeks, Delhi has used its leverage with its supporters in the UML, and Madhesi parties to block either a Prachanda-led or Khanal-led left government, and will try to keep Maoists in general, and Prachanda in particular, out of state power.
Bridging the trust deficit between Maoists and Nepali Congress, and Maoists and India requires enormous political management but is critical to completing the peace process and writing the constitution. Forming a majority government, with either the Maoists or the NC remaining in opposition, will not solve any of the fundamental problems.
The onus is on the Maoists to resolve their ideological battles once and for all, fulfil peace process commitments, reassure the other side, and be flexible on issues of leadership in the government. At the same time, non-Maoist parties have to realize this is a process, not an event. Isolating the largest party in the country just creates a situation of dual power on the ground, and adds to the instability. If they are worried about the undemocratic tendencies of the Maoists, the only way to counter it is by building their steadily diminishing political strength on the ground. For its part, India should analyse whether there are other ways to exert leverage on the Maoists to be mindful of their core concerns, without destabilising the broader process, for the present stalemate is not helping India achieve any of its tangible interests in Nepal.
Otherwise, the logical outcome of the present approach of key actors is a prolonged impasse, another dysfunctional government, little movement on either integration or constitution writing and another political crisis in Nepal in six-eight months, as the date for the next constitutional deadline approaches.
Justice Dinakaran shifted to Sikkim High Court
source: sikkim express
GANGTOK, July 30:
A late evening notification issued today by Law Ministry says that the decision was taken by President Pratibha Patil after consultation with Chief Justice of India, SH Kapadia.
Justice Dinakaran (60) has been directed to assume charge as Sikkim High Court Chief Justice on or before August 13, the Law Ministry notified.
The incumbent Chief Justice of Sikkim, Justice Barin Ghosh has been transferred to Uttarkhand while Chief Justice of Uttarkhand JS Khehar has been shifted to Karnataka High Court. Both have been directed to take charges of their respective offices on or before August 13.
source: sikkim express
GANGTOK, July 30:
A late evening notification issued today by Law Ministry says that the decision was taken by President Pratibha Patil after consultation with Chief Justice of India, SH Kapadia.
Justice Dinakaran (60) has been directed to assume charge as Sikkim High Court Chief Justice on or before August 13, the Law Ministry notified.
The incumbent Chief Justice of Sikkim, Justice Barin Ghosh has been transferred to Uttarkhand while Chief Justice of Uttarkhand JS Khehar has been shifted to Karnataka High Court. Both have been directed to take charges of their respective offices on or before August 13.
Courage Does Not Always Roar
by Bobi Seredich
A lengthy stay in ICU brought a frequent comment by health care professionals. "You are lucky to be alive. Aren't you glad you have been given a second chance?" Days were spent thinking about this question, wondering how I should respond.
Somewhere in the space between life and death, I didn't feel trapped. I wasn't really scared. It was as if life on earth was suspended while the ravages of cancer and its ugly side effects battled against God's will for my life. At the time, I waited, not really aware of how close I came to leaving this Earth. Now I am acutely aware of the renewed opportunity for life that I've been granted.
Every day I am given a second chance. It has less to do with another near-death experience as with the choices and decisions I make and my interactions with others. Some of these are conscious choices, while others seem to flow with the pace of the day.
Where do I go from here? I have months of healing ahead. There are still many unknowns and a continued focus on my physical being. My life will be surrounded by health care professionals, all with their own opinions for how to best heal my body. While my physical body has much to do with being able to fulfill my dreams and passions, I can now build a life based upon:
REST. My dear friend, Mary Anne, calls rest the ultimate elixir and says it takes a profound shift to embrace napping as an accomplishment! Rest and napping? I used to think these were a waste of time and others would view me as being lazy. My body says rest, I rest. To do otherwise will compromise my return to good health!
REPAIR. Time spent repairing the body parts ravaged by infection and cancer is a continued priority. Time spent in the present must take priority over dreams of the future. My future is RIGHT NOW, this moment, on this day.
RESPECT. I haven't always respected my own uniqueness and my role in this world. I put too much emphasis on what others think. I judged myself by my physical appearance and always fell short. At the edge of life, it didn't matter that tumors had changed my wrist and hip into vehicles of pain. It was frustrating not to have a voice, but I never lost my words. It didn't matter that all the drugs and fluids flowing caused a 20 pound weight gain. It didn't matter that my hair lost its luster; that my eyes were bright with pain and infection instead of life. What matters is my breath, my heart song, and my belief in things greater and grander than me!
RENEWAL. I have a unique chance to begin each day anew. What I do with the day is primarily up to me. Doctors' appointments and tests will prioritize my time, but nothing prevents my heart and soul from continuing toward a renewed spirit of service to self and others.
REJOICING. It is hard to find the humor in illness...to think of those silly moments that make me bend over in hysterical laughter. Yet, each day has moments that are silly and outrageous, ones filled with the cuteness of life. I realize time and again these are wonderfully defining moments of my day if I pay attention.
No matter if I have been given one day or many years, I have a second chance, each and every day. I have the capability, the perseverance, and the diligence to see another day...far grander and greater than the previous one. Each day is overflowing with the capacity to fill me with love, gratitude, and compassion for myself and others. Life; how great thou art! I'm HERE!
by Bobi Seredich
A lengthy stay in ICU brought a frequent comment by health care professionals. "You are lucky to be alive. Aren't you glad you have been given a second chance?" Days were spent thinking about this question, wondering how I should respond.
Somewhere in the space between life and death, I didn't feel trapped. I wasn't really scared. It was as if life on earth was suspended while the ravages of cancer and its ugly side effects battled against God's will for my life. At the time, I waited, not really aware of how close I came to leaving this Earth. Now I am acutely aware of the renewed opportunity for life that I've been granted.
Every day I am given a second chance. It has less to do with another near-death experience as with the choices and decisions I make and my interactions with others. Some of these are conscious choices, while others seem to flow with the pace of the day.
Where do I go from here? I have months of healing ahead. There are still many unknowns and a continued focus on my physical being. My life will be surrounded by health care professionals, all with their own opinions for how to best heal my body. While my physical body has much to do with being able to fulfill my dreams and passions, I can now build a life based upon:
REST. My dear friend, Mary Anne, calls rest the ultimate elixir and says it takes a profound shift to embrace napping as an accomplishment! Rest and napping? I used to think these were a waste of time and others would view me as being lazy. My body says rest, I rest. To do otherwise will compromise my return to good health!
REPAIR. Time spent repairing the body parts ravaged by infection and cancer is a continued priority. Time spent in the present must take priority over dreams of the future. My future is RIGHT NOW, this moment, on this day.
RESPECT. I haven't always respected my own uniqueness and my role in this world. I put too much emphasis on what others think. I judged myself by my physical appearance and always fell short. At the edge of life, it didn't matter that tumors had changed my wrist and hip into vehicles of pain. It was frustrating not to have a voice, but I never lost my words. It didn't matter that all the drugs and fluids flowing caused a 20 pound weight gain. It didn't matter that my hair lost its luster; that my eyes were bright with pain and infection instead of life. What matters is my breath, my heart song, and my belief in things greater and grander than me!
RENEWAL. I have a unique chance to begin each day anew. What I do with the day is primarily up to me. Doctors' appointments and tests will prioritize my time, but nothing prevents my heart and soul from continuing toward a renewed spirit of service to self and others.
REJOICING. It is hard to find the humor in illness...to think of those silly moments that make me bend over in hysterical laughter. Yet, each day has moments that are silly and outrageous, ones filled with the cuteness of life. I realize time and again these are wonderfully defining moments of my day if I pay attention.
No matter if I have been given one day or many years, I have a second chance, each and every day. I have the capability, the perseverance, and the diligence to see another day...far grander and greater than the previous one. Each day is overflowing with the capacity to fill me with love, gratitude, and compassion for myself and others. Life; how great thou art! I'm HERE!
Power tariff hiked in TN; low-end consumers spared
PTI
Domestic consumers, hut dwellers, power loom and handloom consumers, places of public worship and agriculture consumers using less than 300 units per month have been spared from the hike.
Power tariff for domestic and industrial consumers has been hiked in Tamil Nadu with effect from Sunday.
The hike ranging from 30 paise to Rs 1.10 per unit would fetch an additional revenue of Rs 1,651 crore to the State Electricity Board, facing a deficit of Rs 6,451 crore in the current fiscal.
However, domestic consumers, hut dwellers, power loom and handloom consumers, places of public worship and agriculture consumers using less than 300 units per month have been spared from the hike, Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman D. Kabilan told reporters here.
Free power supply to small farmers would continue, he said adding the last tariff hike was effected on March 16, 2003.
The increase would be Re. 1 per unit for domestic connections consuming more than 300 units per month while industrial consumers would face an increase of 50 paise per unit in the High Tension (HT) category and 30 paise per unit in the Low Tension (LT) category.
For the first time, petty shopkeepers consuming less than 50 units would enjoy a tariff reduction of Re. 1 per unit, Mr. Kabilan said.
He said the government was offering a subsidy ranging from 35 paise per unit to Rs. 1.70 per unit for domestic consumers, Rs. 1.10 to Rs. 1.30 for handloom weavers, Rs. 1.40 for power loom weavers and Rs. 250 per HP for agriculture consumers.
According to TNERC officials, there are about 2.32 crore power consumers in the State and 2.15 crore consumers would not be affected by the revised tariff.
Cottage and tiny industries consuming more than 750 units a month would have to pay 40 paise per unit more. Industrial consumers in the LT category with consumption of less than 750 units had been spared from the hike, Mr. Kabilan said.
Commercial consumers in the HT category would have to pay an additional 80 paise per unit while those in the LT category would pay 70 paise per unit additionally.
Cinema theatres under the HT category would pay an additional tariff of Re. 1 per unit while those cinema theatres under the LT category would pay Rs. 1.10 per unit.
For private educational institutions coming under the High Tension category, the increase would be Re. 1 per unit while government-aided educational institutions would need to pay an increase of 50 paise per unit.
Those private educational institutions under the LT category have to shell out Rs. 1.10 per unit while government-aided educational institutions would pay an additional 40 paise per unit, he said.
Replying to a query, he said the new tariff would be in effect till March 31, 2011
PTI
Domestic consumers, hut dwellers, power loom and handloom consumers, places of public worship and agriculture consumers using less than 300 units per month have been spared from the hike.
Power tariff for domestic and industrial consumers has been hiked in Tamil Nadu with effect from Sunday.
The hike ranging from 30 paise to Rs 1.10 per unit would fetch an additional revenue of Rs 1,651 crore to the State Electricity Board, facing a deficit of Rs 6,451 crore in the current fiscal.
However, domestic consumers, hut dwellers, power loom and handloom consumers, places of public worship and agriculture consumers using less than 300 units per month have been spared from the hike, Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman D. Kabilan told reporters here.
Free power supply to small farmers would continue, he said adding the last tariff hike was effected on March 16, 2003.
The increase would be Re. 1 per unit for domestic connections consuming more than 300 units per month while industrial consumers would face an increase of 50 paise per unit in the High Tension (HT) category and 30 paise per unit in the Low Tension (LT) category.
For the first time, petty shopkeepers consuming less than 50 units would enjoy a tariff reduction of Re. 1 per unit, Mr. Kabilan said.
He said the government was offering a subsidy ranging from 35 paise per unit to Rs. 1.70 per unit for domestic consumers, Rs. 1.10 to Rs. 1.30 for handloom weavers, Rs. 1.40 for power loom weavers and Rs. 250 per HP for agriculture consumers.
According to TNERC officials, there are about 2.32 crore power consumers in the State and 2.15 crore consumers would not be affected by the revised tariff.
Cottage and tiny industries consuming more than 750 units a month would have to pay 40 paise per unit more. Industrial consumers in the LT category with consumption of less than 750 units had been spared from the hike, Mr. Kabilan said.
Commercial consumers in the HT category would have to pay an additional 80 paise per unit while those in the LT category would pay 70 paise per unit additionally.
Cinema theatres under the HT category would pay an additional tariff of Re. 1 per unit while those cinema theatres under the LT category would pay Rs. 1.10 per unit.
For private educational institutions coming under the High Tension category, the increase would be Re. 1 per unit while government-aided educational institutions would need to pay an increase of 50 paise per unit.
Those private educational institutions under the LT category have to shell out Rs. 1.10 per unit while government-aided educational institutions would pay an additional 40 paise per unit, he said.
Replying to a query, he said the new tariff would be in effect till March 31, 2011
Blueprint for farm growth
by Mohan Dharia
Since the start of the 11th Five Year Plan, the growth rate in agriculture has virtually remained stagnant. A scene at a paddy field in the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Acting with determination and firm action, it should be possible for India to step up its agricultural growth rate to 10 per cent.
The 11th Five Year Plan seeks to achieve 4 per cent growth rate in agriculture by the end of the Plan period. The Planning Commission is working towards an overall 9 per cent to 10 per cent growth rate.
But the target of 4 per cent growth rate is too low. If specific efforts are made to step up the rate by aiding the farming community, India can attain at least 10 per cent growth in the agriculture sector alone. The 11th Five Year Plan period will soon come to an end and the Planning Commission has already started the exercise of the 12th Five Year Plan.
Since the start of the 11th Five Year Plan, the growth rate in agriculture has virtually remained stagnant. Recently, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to the farming community to work to achieve 4 per cent growth.
Yet, the government has not introduced positive measures to attain even 4 per cent agricultural growth. It will need to initiate firm measures, encourage the farming community to produce more for its own prosperity and that of the country. Towards this end, the Vanarai Trust, as also other organisations, have proposed certain steps.
One of these is the provision of easy credit for everything from purchase of seeds to harvesting, marketing and other operations at 4 per cent or lower rate of interest. The committee constituted by the Central government under the chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan also suggested that the rate of interest should not exceed 4 per cent.
As the needed loans are not always available from the nationalised, commercial or cooperative banks, farmers are often forced to approach moneylenders. The rates of interest they typically charge vary from 25 per cent to 100 per cent, or even more. It is advisable to waive all loans, including private loans, availed by farmers who have holdings up to 4 hectares in rain-fed areas. Even loans availed by those who have less than a hectare of irrigated land should be waived.
The government should arrange to supply quality seeds and seedlings of high-yielding varieties taking into account the edaphic factors. It should also supply fertilizers and pesticides, laying emphasis on organic manures. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have done great harm to the soil texture. It has been revealed that more than 20 million ha of land under perennial irrigation has lost its producing capacity following the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and excessive amounts of water. This has made such land saline or water-logged.
Some 65 per cent to 68 per cent of the cultivable land area in India is in rain-fed areas. There is no assured water supply. Because of the vagaries of nature, often crops dry up and the producers, among others, suffer. It has, therefore, become imperative to protect farmers against such losses. If such an assurance is not given to farmers, they may give up farming and turn to some other vocation or employment. India's growing population requires more and more foodgrains, and farmers need to be dissuaded from giving up farming.
About 20 per cent of foodgrains and 30 per cent of perishable crops are lost during transit from production centres to marketing points. This calls for proper arrangements to store produce in godowns or cold storages in the respective centres. The losses are not only of individual farmers but also of the country as a whole. If due care is taken to save crops, India's foodgrain output may reach 250 million tonnes.
Transport services to carry agricultural produce are inadequate. It is necessary to arrange to transport produce easily from fields to marketing centres, and help avoid losses in transit.
Support prices to particular crops are often announced after sowing operations are over. The government should announce support prices ahead of the sowing season. If there is any delay in announcing the support price, it should be ensured that support prices extended during the earlier year are offered in the current year along with additional cost of inputs. This will give the farming community the confidence to produce crops.
Instead of merely providing verbal assurances, the government should activate the public distribution system (PDS) uniformly. With a view to providing remunerative prices to producers and ensuring reasonable prices to consumers, it is essential to do away with middlemen. This calls for strengthening the PDS by creating a network across the country. The PDS is not only meant to distribute articles. A scientific PDS as suggested by the Report of the Dharia Committee constituted by the Planning Commission in 1974 comprises five basic main components. The first of these is production. Then follow procurement, storage, transport and distribution. If such a system is introduced for essential commodities and articles, it will become possible to control and maintain the price line. It is the middleman who purchases agricultural produce soon after harvesting who raises prices by creating artificial scarcity. Without the middleman, producers and consumers will get justice.
It is necessary to introduce a price index system for agricultural produce on the basis of inputs required by farmers. The government has a system of paying dearness allowance to government employees and others on the basis of the index of prices. Similarly, prices of industrial products are fixed on the basis of the cost of inputs. Such a system is all the more essential for the farming community, which comprises nearly 65 per cent of the population.
Out of India's geographical area of 329 million ha, nearly half is degraded or waste land — rather, wasted land. By means of a scientific micro-watershed management programme in all the six lakh villages, it is possible to conserve every drop of water wherever and whenever it rains, prevent soil erosion and bring most of the land under grasses, tree crops, foodgrains, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and so on. Approximately 65 per cent of Indians live in the rural areas. Their long-term survival will depend on the introduction of a scientific micro-watershed management.
Along with the production of foodgrains, fruits, vegetables and so on, it is possible to produce quality grasses on private and forest lands. The availability of such fodder can enhance the production of milk, meat, wool and so on. This will add to the agricultural growth rate. A missionary approach and the involvement of farmers are necessary to attain 10 per cent growth rate in the agriculture sector. This is no dream. China attained 10 per cent growth rate in the initial stages, prior to its focus on industrial development.
Systematic and scientific planting of various species, such as teakwood, sandalwood, bamboo and red sanders, which have commercial value, could be undertaken on large tracts of land. Different crops could be raised depending on the rotation cycle of particular species. This can yield a lot of revenue, create employment opportunities and expand the green cover in the rural areas.
In order to fulfil the need for fuel in every village, energy plantation should be undertaken. Such plantations will prevent indiscriminate cutting of trees from forest land for domestic use. In a vast country like India with six lakh villages, diversification of energy sources will help effect huge savings and protect the environment.
A shoreline of more than 7,000 km and water reservoirs are great natural assets. These should be fully utilised to produce more fish and marine products. Mangroves help fish to breed. They require protection both from people and the government. Five-star culture and lavish lifestyles have done great damage to mangroves and the environment. If not simple living, it is possible to adopt moderate living and high thinking to save nature and the environment.
Fields surrounded by ‘windscreens' of trees help increase crop production. This method adopted by some countries should be used in India to attain higher growth rate in agriculture.
In order to attain a growth rate of 10 per cent in the agricultural sector, it is essential to introduce a compact package of all such measures. If the government introduces and implements such a package deal, the farming community can show better-than-expected results. It should not be forgotten that nearly 70 per cent of the MPs and MLAs get elected from rural areas. Their voice is often choked owing to the language barrier. Instead of making empty verbal appeals to farmers to step up crop production, the best way is to take into consideration the agonies and difficulties of farmers and meet them with determination and a missionary approach.
(Dr. Mohan Dharia is president of the Pune-based Vanarai Trust.)
by Mohan Dharia
Since the start of the 11th Five Year Plan, the growth rate in agriculture has virtually remained stagnant. A scene at a paddy field in the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Acting with determination and firm action, it should be possible for India to step up its agricultural growth rate to 10 per cent.
The 11th Five Year Plan seeks to achieve 4 per cent growth rate in agriculture by the end of the Plan period. The Planning Commission is working towards an overall 9 per cent to 10 per cent growth rate.
But the target of 4 per cent growth rate is too low. If specific efforts are made to step up the rate by aiding the farming community, India can attain at least 10 per cent growth in the agriculture sector alone. The 11th Five Year Plan period will soon come to an end and the Planning Commission has already started the exercise of the 12th Five Year Plan.
Since the start of the 11th Five Year Plan, the growth rate in agriculture has virtually remained stagnant. Recently, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to the farming community to work to achieve 4 per cent growth.
Yet, the government has not introduced positive measures to attain even 4 per cent agricultural growth. It will need to initiate firm measures, encourage the farming community to produce more for its own prosperity and that of the country. Towards this end, the Vanarai Trust, as also other organisations, have proposed certain steps.
One of these is the provision of easy credit for everything from purchase of seeds to harvesting, marketing and other operations at 4 per cent or lower rate of interest. The committee constituted by the Central government under the chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan also suggested that the rate of interest should not exceed 4 per cent.
As the needed loans are not always available from the nationalised, commercial or cooperative banks, farmers are often forced to approach moneylenders. The rates of interest they typically charge vary from 25 per cent to 100 per cent, or even more. It is advisable to waive all loans, including private loans, availed by farmers who have holdings up to 4 hectares in rain-fed areas. Even loans availed by those who have less than a hectare of irrigated land should be waived.
The government should arrange to supply quality seeds and seedlings of high-yielding varieties taking into account the edaphic factors. It should also supply fertilizers and pesticides, laying emphasis on organic manures. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have done great harm to the soil texture. It has been revealed that more than 20 million ha of land under perennial irrigation has lost its producing capacity following the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and excessive amounts of water. This has made such land saline or water-logged.
Some 65 per cent to 68 per cent of the cultivable land area in India is in rain-fed areas. There is no assured water supply. Because of the vagaries of nature, often crops dry up and the producers, among others, suffer. It has, therefore, become imperative to protect farmers against such losses. If such an assurance is not given to farmers, they may give up farming and turn to some other vocation or employment. India's growing population requires more and more foodgrains, and farmers need to be dissuaded from giving up farming.
About 20 per cent of foodgrains and 30 per cent of perishable crops are lost during transit from production centres to marketing points. This calls for proper arrangements to store produce in godowns or cold storages in the respective centres. The losses are not only of individual farmers but also of the country as a whole. If due care is taken to save crops, India's foodgrain output may reach 250 million tonnes.
Transport services to carry agricultural produce are inadequate. It is necessary to arrange to transport produce easily from fields to marketing centres, and help avoid losses in transit.
Support prices to particular crops are often announced after sowing operations are over. The government should announce support prices ahead of the sowing season. If there is any delay in announcing the support price, it should be ensured that support prices extended during the earlier year are offered in the current year along with additional cost of inputs. This will give the farming community the confidence to produce crops.
Instead of merely providing verbal assurances, the government should activate the public distribution system (PDS) uniformly. With a view to providing remunerative prices to producers and ensuring reasonable prices to consumers, it is essential to do away with middlemen. This calls for strengthening the PDS by creating a network across the country. The PDS is not only meant to distribute articles. A scientific PDS as suggested by the Report of the Dharia Committee constituted by the Planning Commission in 1974 comprises five basic main components. The first of these is production. Then follow procurement, storage, transport and distribution. If such a system is introduced for essential commodities and articles, it will become possible to control and maintain the price line. It is the middleman who purchases agricultural produce soon after harvesting who raises prices by creating artificial scarcity. Without the middleman, producers and consumers will get justice.
It is necessary to introduce a price index system for agricultural produce on the basis of inputs required by farmers. The government has a system of paying dearness allowance to government employees and others on the basis of the index of prices. Similarly, prices of industrial products are fixed on the basis of the cost of inputs. Such a system is all the more essential for the farming community, which comprises nearly 65 per cent of the population.
Out of India's geographical area of 329 million ha, nearly half is degraded or waste land — rather, wasted land. By means of a scientific micro-watershed management programme in all the six lakh villages, it is possible to conserve every drop of water wherever and whenever it rains, prevent soil erosion and bring most of the land under grasses, tree crops, foodgrains, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and so on. Approximately 65 per cent of Indians live in the rural areas. Their long-term survival will depend on the introduction of a scientific micro-watershed management.
Along with the production of foodgrains, fruits, vegetables and so on, it is possible to produce quality grasses on private and forest lands. The availability of such fodder can enhance the production of milk, meat, wool and so on. This will add to the agricultural growth rate. A missionary approach and the involvement of farmers are necessary to attain 10 per cent growth rate in the agriculture sector. This is no dream. China attained 10 per cent growth rate in the initial stages, prior to its focus on industrial development.
Systematic and scientific planting of various species, such as teakwood, sandalwood, bamboo and red sanders, which have commercial value, could be undertaken on large tracts of land. Different crops could be raised depending on the rotation cycle of particular species. This can yield a lot of revenue, create employment opportunities and expand the green cover in the rural areas.
In order to fulfil the need for fuel in every village, energy plantation should be undertaken. Such plantations will prevent indiscriminate cutting of trees from forest land for domestic use. In a vast country like India with six lakh villages, diversification of energy sources will help effect huge savings and protect the environment.
A shoreline of more than 7,000 km and water reservoirs are great natural assets. These should be fully utilised to produce more fish and marine products. Mangroves help fish to breed. They require protection both from people and the government. Five-star culture and lavish lifestyles have done great damage to mangroves and the environment. If not simple living, it is possible to adopt moderate living and high thinking to save nature and the environment.
Fields surrounded by ‘windscreens' of trees help increase crop production. This method adopted by some countries should be used in India to attain higher growth rate in agriculture.
In order to attain a growth rate of 10 per cent in the agricultural sector, it is essential to introduce a compact package of all such measures. If the government introduces and implements such a package deal, the farming community can show better-than-expected results. It should not be forgotten that nearly 70 per cent of the MPs and MLAs get elected from rural areas. Their voice is often choked owing to the language barrier. Instead of making empty verbal appeals to farmers to step up crop production, the best way is to take into consideration the agonies and difficulties of farmers and meet them with determination and a missionary approach.
(Dr. Mohan Dharia is president of the Pune-based Vanarai Trust.)
CM visits proposed site for Sleeping Buddha Garden in Singhik
source VoiceofSikkim
Jul 30, 2010
Mangan July 30: The Chief Minister Mr Pawan Chamling alongwith his Cabinet Ministers visited North District today. He visited and inspected the proposed site of Sleeping Buddha Garden at Shinghik, where he was shown and explained in detail about proposed replica of Sleeping Buddha statue by the concerned officials. This unique and tourist fascinating statue of Sleeping Buddha is going to be installed by the Government of Sikkim as a landmark in the history.
Thereafter, the Chief Minister alongwith his entourage visited Mangan Bazar and directed to the concerned officials to reconstruct entire sewage and drainage system of Bazar. After thoroughly studying DPR of Mangan Bazar which was presented by the Chief Engineer, UD&HD Department, the Chief Minister directed that proper planning should be given priority so that the asset created by now could be sustain and maintain for long term run and general public and future generation can avail of the facilities at large.
source VoiceofSikkim
Jul 30, 2010
Mangan July 30: The Chief Minister Mr Pawan Chamling alongwith his Cabinet Ministers visited North District today. He visited and inspected the proposed site of Sleeping Buddha Garden at Shinghik, where he was shown and explained in detail about proposed replica of Sleeping Buddha statue by the concerned officials. This unique and tourist fascinating statue of Sleeping Buddha is going to be installed by the Government of Sikkim as a landmark in the history.
Thereafter, the Chief Minister alongwith his entourage visited Mangan Bazar and directed to the concerned officials to reconstruct entire sewage and drainage system of Bazar. After thoroughly studying DPR of Mangan Bazar which was presented by the Chief Engineer, UD&HD Department, the Chief Minister directed that proper planning should be given priority so that the asset created by now could be sustain and maintain for long term run and general public and future generation can avail of the facilities at large.
“Indian Systems of Medicine practitioners can also practice modern medicine”
No proceedings can be initiated against such registered practitioners: court
No proceedings can be initiated against registered practitioners of Siddha, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani, who are also eligible to practice modern scientific medicine, including surgery, gynaecology, obstetrics, anaesthesiology, ENT and ophthalmology, the Madras High Court has said.
This is in the light of a circular issued by the police, the court said.
Passing orders on a contempt petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Graduates Association (TNSMGA), Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla said if any action had been taken against the medical practitioners, it should be dropped forthwith, pending further orders in a writ petition. The TNSMGA prayed the court to punish Director-General of Police Letika Saran for her wilful and wanton disobedience of a High Court order of April 2006.
Interim injunction
The order had granted interim injunction restraining the DGP from interfering with the professional practice of those members of the association who held a valid registration certificate issued by the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council till such time such registration continued to be valid to practise as Siddha Medical Practitioners as prescribed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act.
Subsequent to the order, the government's Principal Secretary, in his communication to the DGP dated June 15 this year, had made it clear that institutionally qualified practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, who were registered with the Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine, were eligible to practice the respective system with Allopathy based on the training and teaching they had during the course. They could not exclusively practice Allopathy.
A further direction had also been issued in the communication.
Petitioners' counsel S. Prabakaran brought to the court's notice the arrest of members of the TNSMGA between January 9 last year and June 12 this year in violation of the court's order.
The Special Government Pleader placed before the court a circular memo issued by the police dated June 19 this year.
Closing the contempt petition, Mr. Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla said in the light of the circular, it was imperative that no proceedings could be initiated against any of those registered practitioners of Siddha, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani.
Such registration of the practitioners should be with the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council, Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine and Tamil Nadu Homoeopathy Medical Council as well as those qualified doctors recognised by Madurai Kamaraj University and Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University who had been qualified respectively in the system of Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery.
No proceedings can be initiated against such registered practitioners: court
No proceedings can be initiated against registered practitioners of Siddha, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani, who are also eligible to practice modern scientific medicine, including surgery, gynaecology, obstetrics, anaesthesiology, ENT and ophthalmology, the Madras High Court has said.
This is in the light of a circular issued by the police, the court said.
Passing orders on a contempt petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Graduates Association (TNSMGA), Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla said if any action had been taken against the medical practitioners, it should be dropped forthwith, pending further orders in a writ petition. The TNSMGA prayed the court to punish Director-General of Police Letika Saran for her wilful and wanton disobedience of a High Court order of April 2006.
Interim injunction
The order had granted interim injunction restraining the DGP from interfering with the professional practice of those members of the association who held a valid registration certificate issued by the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council till such time such registration continued to be valid to practise as Siddha Medical Practitioners as prescribed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act.
Subsequent to the order, the government's Principal Secretary, in his communication to the DGP dated June 15 this year, had made it clear that institutionally qualified practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, who were registered with the Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine, were eligible to practice the respective system with Allopathy based on the training and teaching they had during the course. They could not exclusively practice Allopathy.
A further direction had also been issued in the communication.
Petitioners' counsel S. Prabakaran brought to the court's notice the arrest of members of the TNSMGA between January 9 last year and June 12 this year in violation of the court's order.
The Special Government Pleader placed before the court a circular memo issued by the police dated June 19 this year.
Closing the contempt petition, Mr. Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla said in the light of the circular, it was imperative that no proceedings could be initiated against any of those registered practitioners of Siddha, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani.
Such registration of the practitioners should be with the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council, Tamil Nadu Board of Indian Medicine and Tamil Nadu Homoeopathy Medical Council as well as those qualified doctors recognised by Madurai Kamaraj University and Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University who had been qualified respectively in the system of Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery.
INDIA MAY TURN INTO A BIG DESERT ???
WEATHER WORRIES - Shift in monsoon pattern feared: IMD
BY JACOB PKOSHY
NEW DELHI
The dramatic recovery in he monsoon in the last seven days notwithstanding, the head of the India Meteoro- logical Department (IMD) has warned against a structural shift in the pattern of the an- nual rainfall that could yet force a change in cropping pat- terns in the country.
While IMD maintained the situation was still being re- viewed, it said that some of the adverse climate conditions of last year, which eventually re- sulted in a drought, seem to be playing out in the current year too.
Typically, rain-bearing de- pressions, a precursor to cy- clones in the Bay of Bengal and originating along the east coast of India, bring rains to key rice, oilseed and wheat-growing re- gions such as eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The “ab- normal conditions“ are now threatening the dependability of the monsoon.
“There have been no depres- sions and few low pressure systems (a prelude to a depres- sion) over the Bay of Bengal,“ said Ajit Tyagi, IMD director general. “If such a situation persists for few more years, then the whole monsoon itself will be affected. Why all of this is happening is still an open research question, and we, too, are trying to understand this.“
Other experts said that bar- ring El Nino (a heating of wa- ters in the central Pacific re- gion associated with droughts over India), monsoon condi- tions this year were similar to last year, which saw India's worst drought in 37 years and indirectly worsened food price inflation. El Nino did not recur this year.
Until last week, the all-India monsoon deficit was nearly 14%, with most of the shortfall due to limited rains in central and east India. As of Friday, the monsoon deficit improved to 5%, which Madhavan Ra- jeevan, a senior meteorologist with the Indian Space Research Organisation called a “lucky phenomenon“, rather than a genuine monsoon revival.
Rajeevan said that the key to good rainfall over central and east India were a good number of low-pressure systems. “Nor- mally, July-end should've seen at least seven-eight low pres- sure systems. This year there were no more than three.
That's been a trend that we've been seeing for a decade, and that's worrying,“ he said.
Low-pressure systems brought moderate drizzles over wide swathes--beneficial for agriculture--and depres- sions typically lead to concen- trated bursts of rainfall.
This year IMD, in its first forecast for the June-September monsoon, had said rainfall would be 102% of the 50-year normal, buoyed by heavy rains in August and September.
The monsoon generates nearly 80% of the annual rain- fall over the country and is vi- tal for the economy, being the main source of water for agri- culture, which generates about 17% of India's gross domestic product. Other than the 60% of the country's workforce that depends on agriculture, the rains are also important for traders dealing in food and cash crops as any shortfall can inject volatility in the markets.
The beneficial rains so far this year have largely been due to a phenomenon known as western disturbances that usu- ally lead to pre-monsoon rain, and unusually active pressure systems in the Arabian Sea.
An IMD scientist, who didn't want to be identified, said that changes in cropping patterns would have to be effected to offset shifting monsoon pat- terns. “There are changes in the monsoon patterns. If Indi- an farmers refuse to adapt, then there could be a problem.
Western disturbances can't pull the extra weight every year,“ he added.
However, IMD, in a mid- term appraisal of the monsoon on Friday, said that rainfall in August and September would be a staggering 107% of the 50-year average. “That's more statistics than reality,“ said Ra- jeevan. While he too didn't rule out a normal monsoon, he added that certain parts of In- dia would receive far more rainfall than others.
“Every year, even normal monsoon rainfall (patterns) are different. Most times when one system weakens, another strengthens,“ Rajeevan said.
“Trouble is, it's become harder to say which, and when.“
BY JACOB PKOSHY
NEW DELHI
The dramatic recovery in he monsoon in the last seven days notwithstanding, the head of the India Meteoro- logical Department (IMD) has warned against a structural shift in the pattern of the an- nual rainfall that could yet force a change in cropping pat- terns in the country.
While IMD maintained the situation was still being re- viewed, it said that some of the adverse climate conditions of last year, which eventually re- sulted in a drought, seem to be playing out in the current year too.
Typically, rain-bearing de- pressions, a precursor to cy- clones in the Bay of Bengal and originating along the east coast of India, bring rains to key rice, oilseed and wheat-growing re- gions such as eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The “ab- normal conditions“ are now threatening the dependability of the monsoon.
“There have been no depres- sions and few low pressure systems (a prelude to a depres- sion) over the Bay of Bengal,“ said Ajit Tyagi, IMD director general. “If such a situation persists for few more years, then the whole monsoon itself will be affected. Why all of this is happening is still an open research question, and we, too, are trying to understand this.“
Other experts said that bar- ring El Nino (a heating of wa- ters in the central Pacific re- gion associated with droughts over India), monsoon condi- tions this year were similar to last year, which saw India's worst drought in 37 years and indirectly worsened food price inflation. El Nino did not recur this year.
Until last week, the all-India monsoon deficit was nearly 14%, with most of the shortfall due to limited rains in central and east India. As of Friday, the monsoon deficit improved to 5%, which Madhavan Ra- jeevan, a senior meteorologist with the Indian Space Research Organisation called a “lucky phenomenon“, rather than a genuine monsoon revival.
Rajeevan said that the key to good rainfall over central and east India were a good number of low-pressure systems. “Nor- mally, July-end should've seen at least seven-eight low pres- sure systems. This year there were no more than three.
That's been a trend that we've been seeing for a decade, and that's worrying,“ he said.
Low-pressure systems brought moderate drizzles over wide swathes--beneficial for agriculture--and depres- sions typically lead to concen- trated bursts of rainfall.
This year IMD, in its first forecast for the June-September monsoon, had said rainfall would be 102% of the 50-year normal, buoyed by heavy rains in August and September.
The monsoon generates nearly 80% of the annual rain- fall over the country and is vi- tal for the economy, being the main source of water for agri- culture, which generates about 17% of India's gross domestic product. Other than the 60% of the country's workforce that depends on agriculture, the rains are also important for traders dealing in food and cash crops as any shortfall can inject volatility in the markets.
The beneficial rains so far this year have largely been due to a phenomenon known as western disturbances that usu- ally lead to pre-monsoon rain, and unusually active pressure systems in the Arabian Sea.
An IMD scientist, who didn't want to be identified, said that changes in cropping patterns would have to be effected to offset shifting monsoon pat- terns. “There are changes in the monsoon patterns. If Indi- an farmers refuse to adapt, then there could be a problem.
Western disturbances can't pull the extra weight every year,“ he added.
However, IMD, in a mid- term appraisal of the monsoon on Friday, said that rainfall in August and September would be a staggering 107% of the 50-year average. “That's more statistics than reality,“ said Ra- jeevan. While he too didn't rule out a normal monsoon, he added that certain parts of In- dia would receive far more rainfall than others.
“Every year, even normal monsoon rainfall (patterns) are different. Most times when one system weakens, another strengthens,“ Rajeevan said.
“Trouble is, it's become harder to say which, and when.“
Major scam hits Commonwealth Games
PTI
A major scam hit the Commonwealth Games on Friday with allegations being made that a substantial sum of money was transferred to a little known U.K. company from the Games Organising Committee (OC) about which the British government has raised questions.
Television channels reported that over £ 4.50 lakh were transferred through a British bank to the A M Films company, said to be a one man show and which was also receiving £ 25,000 a month.
‘Times Now' quoted documents to show that the entire deal came to light when the OC asked for a VAT refund of £ 14,000 in March this year for the payments made to the British company.
The channel quoted a letter of the British Revenue and Customs Department to the Indian High Commission stating that there was no written contract between the CWG and A M Films and that no tendering procedure had been followed and there was no paper work regarding the contract.
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly £2.5 lakh for video equipment purchase while A M Films had claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.
Indian High Commission sources said the information provided by the U.K. authorities had been forwarded to the Sports Ministry for follow-up action.
“The U.K. authorities had referred some matter regarding A M Films to us. We passed on the information to the Indian government. The matter is now with the Indian government,” the sources told PTI.
In Delhi, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar has conveyed concern over the charges as well as delay in preparations to the OC of the mega sporting event in October this year.
Mr. Chandrashekhar held a review meeting on Friday. It was attended by secretaries of agencies concerned, including officials of the OC, and Ministries of Youth and Sports, Urban Development, and Tourism.
His remarks come close on the heels of the Central Vigilance Commission asking its officers to re-examine all the tenders and procurement process related to the projects.
ED probing the matter
Enforcement Directorate sources in Delhi said the agency was probing the issue.
The company was involved in the arrangements for the Queen's Baton Relay when it started its journey from London with a function outside the Buckingham Palace.
Late in the night, the OC refuted the allegations about financial irregularities with relation to the launch of the QBR in London on October 29 last year.
“We must point out that we have not received any official communication in this regard,” it said in a statement.
“We have cleared all the payments in October itself. We asked for the VAT refund and we got it” OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, who dismissed the allegations of financial irregularities, said.
“There is no money laundering and no manipulation. Whatever payment made has been done officially and all transactions are transparent,” he told Times Now.
The British authorities have sought to know details of how A M Films which supplied cars for rentals was involved in supply of video equipment and providing consultancy for costume designing.
PTI
A major scam hit the Commonwealth Games on Friday with allegations being made that a substantial sum of money was transferred to a little known U.K. company from the Games Organising Committee (OC) about which the British government has raised questions.
Television channels reported that over £ 4.50 lakh were transferred through a British bank to the A M Films company, said to be a one man show and which was also receiving £ 25,000 a month.
‘Times Now' quoted documents to show that the entire deal came to light when the OC asked for a VAT refund of £ 14,000 in March this year for the payments made to the British company.
The channel quoted a letter of the British Revenue and Customs Department to the Indian High Commission stating that there was no written contract between the CWG and A M Films and that no tendering procedure had been followed and there was no paper work regarding the contract.
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly £2.5 lakh for video equipment purchase while A M Films had claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.
Indian High Commission sources said the information provided by the U.K. authorities had been forwarded to the Sports Ministry for follow-up action.
“The U.K. authorities had referred some matter regarding A M Films to us. We passed on the information to the Indian government. The matter is now with the Indian government,” the sources told PTI.
In Delhi, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar has conveyed concern over the charges as well as delay in preparations to the OC of the mega sporting event in October this year.
Mr. Chandrashekhar held a review meeting on Friday. It was attended by secretaries of agencies concerned, including officials of the OC, and Ministries of Youth and Sports, Urban Development, and Tourism.
His remarks come close on the heels of the Central Vigilance Commission asking its officers to re-examine all the tenders and procurement process related to the projects.
ED probing the matter
Enforcement Directorate sources in Delhi said the agency was probing the issue.
The company was involved in the arrangements for the Queen's Baton Relay when it started its journey from London with a function outside the Buckingham Palace.
Late in the night, the OC refuted the allegations about financial irregularities with relation to the launch of the QBR in London on October 29 last year.
“We must point out that we have not received any official communication in this regard,” it said in a statement.
“We have cleared all the payments in October itself. We asked for the VAT refund and we got it” OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, who dismissed the allegations of financial irregularities, said.
“There is no money laundering and no manipulation. Whatever payment made has been done officially and all transactions are transparent,” he told Times Now.
The British authorities have sought to know details of how A M Films which supplied cars for rentals was involved in supply of video equipment and providing consultancy for costume designing.
The Gangtok Experience
My wife shook me up at five in the morning. The flight to Bagdogra was scheduled at ten, but to make her pine for that pine paradise longer, it got delayed by two-and-a-half hours. Bagdogra is the nearest airport, and it took a good five hours to reach the Mayfair resort in Gangtok from there. The roads coil and climb tiringly, cutting through the mighty mountains and offering a fairytale view in route. Mayfair strikes as a spectacular oasis after the journey uphill.
It is the first 5-star resort in North East, at an altitude of 3,500ft. We were welcomed warmly, our accommodation comfortable and luxurious enough to lure laziness. And so set the sun on the first day.
It was next morning that we ventured out, and learnt that an umbrella is your best friend if you visit Gangtok between June and September — you never know when it pours. The streets stock beautiful varieties — both with ethnic Sikkimese and modern abstract prints.
Walk under the umbrella to the Banjhakhari falls, which we loved. Surrounded by rhododendron and pine trees and gushing mountain streams, the place is home to sculptures and figurines of the ancient Jhakri culture.
If you don’t want step out of your comforts, spend time in the pool, library or the several bar-lounges at the resort. The MG Marg market is another attraction. Pick Temi tea, Sikkim liquor, Dansberg beer, orchids, jams and preserves, if not fresh bamboo shoots, glass beads, semi-precious stones, hand-woven jackets and silver jewellery.
Spend a Sunday at Lal Market, if that’s not enough. For traditional designs, the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts does it. All that was bound to make us ravenous, so we settled for the customary momos and thukpa (soupy noodles with vegetables or meat).
The flavor is different from what you get in Delhi. Liquor is comparatively cheap, and if you are a little more adventurous, you should try the local drink, Chhang, made by fermenting millet. It is best sipped from a bamboo receptacle using a bamboo pipe.
After a hot, hearty meal, it was time to get pampered at Spa Pevonia at Mayfair. Set in a lush Thai ambience, it is the winner of Asia Spa’s ‘Best new resort spa in the country’ award. So it came as no surprise that the Swedish massage was one of the best we’ve ever experienced.
Day 3 saw us all thrilled, thanks to Nathula. The Nathula pass is situated at an altitude of 14,450ft, 56 kms from Gangtok, on the Indo-China border. Our permits were in place, but it was then that we came to know that it had rained heavily all night, and the roads were not clear.
The resort management requested visitors not to take risk, as land sliding is common in the rainy season. We were much better off in the resort itself, with its blend of vibrant Sikkimese spunk and Rajwada regality. On the day of departure, chants of Hanuman Chalisa bid us farewell, blending effortlessly with the piety of the prayer flags
How to reach
By air: The nearest airport for Sikkim is Bagdogra in North Bengal (123 kms from Gangtok)
By train: Two nearest railway station are Siliguri (114kms) and New Jalpaiguri (125kms)
Must visit:
Rumtek Monastery
Rhododendron and flower show
Banjhakhri falls
Tashi view point
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Enchey Monastery
Gangtok ropeway
Ganesh and Hanuman tok
M G Road market
Tsomgo Lake and Nathula pass
Where to stay
The place is bustling with hotels and guest houses. The Mayfair Resort, though, situated on the outskirts of Gangtok, offers a nice view of the valley. You can choose from villas, suites and rooms at this 33-acre forest property. Getting pampered at Spa Pevonia is another advantage
source: sikkim times
My wife shook me up at five in the morning. The flight to Bagdogra was scheduled at ten, but to make her pine for that pine paradise longer, it got delayed by two-and-a-half hours. Bagdogra is the nearest airport, and it took a good five hours to reach the Mayfair resort in Gangtok from there. The roads coil and climb tiringly, cutting through the mighty mountains and offering a fairytale view in route. Mayfair strikes as a spectacular oasis after the journey uphill.
It is the first 5-star resort in North East, at an altitude of 3,500ft. We were welcomed warmly, our accommodation comfortable and luxurious enough to lure laziness. And so set the sun on the first day.
It was next morning that we ventured out, and learnt that an umbrella is your best friend if you visit Gangtok between June and September — you never know when it pours. The streets stock beautiful varieties — both with ethnic Sikkimese and modern abstract prints.
Walk under the umbrella to the Banjhakhari falls, which we loved. Surrounded by rhododendron and pine trees and gushing mountain streams, the place is home to sculptures and figurines of the ancient Jhakri culture.
If you don’t want step out of your comforts, spend time in the pool, library or the several bar-lounges at the resort. The MG Marg market is another attraction. Pick Temi tea, Sikkim liquor, Dansberg beer, orchids, jams and preserves, if not fresh bamboo shoots, glass beads, semi-precious stones, hand-woven jackets and silver jewellery.
Spend a Sunday at Lal Market, if that’s not enough. For traditional designs, the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts does it. All that was bound to make us ravenous, so we settled for the customary momos and thukpa (soupy noodles with vegetables or meat).
The flavor is different from what you get in Delhi. Liquor is comparatively cheap, and if you are a little more adventurous, you should try the local drink, Chhang, made by fermenting millet. It is best sipped from a bamboo receptacle using a bamboo pipe.
After a hot, hearty meal, it was time to get pampered at Spa Pevonia at Mayfair. Set in a lush Thai ambience, it is the winner of Asia Spa’s ‘Best new resort spa in the country’ award. So it came as no surprise that the Swedish massage was one of the best we’ve ever experienced.
Day 3 saw us all thrilled, thanks to Nathula. The Nathula pass is situated at an altitude of 14,450ft, 56 kms from Gangtok, on the Indo-China border. Our permits were in place, but it was then that we came to know that it had rained heavily all night, and the roads were not clear.
The resort management requested visitors not to take risk, as land sliding is common in the rainy season. We were much better off in the resort itself, with its blend of vibrant Sikkimese spunk and Rajwada regality. On the day of departure, chants of Hanuman Chalisa bid us farewell, blending effortlessly with the piety of the prayer flags
How to reach
By air: The nearest airport for Sikkim is Bagdogra in North Bengal (123 kms from Gangtok)
By train: Two nearest railway station are Siliguri (114kms) and New Jalpaiguri (125kms)
Must visit:
Rumtek Monastery
Rhododendron and flower show
Banjhakhri falls
Tashi view point
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Enchey Monastery
Gangtok ropeway
Ganesh and Hanuman tok
M G Road market
Tsomgo Lake and Nathula pass
Where to stay
The place is bustling with hotels and guest houses. The Mayfair Resort, though, situated on the outskirts of Gangtok, offers a nice view of the valley. You can choose from villas, suites and rooms at this 33-acre forest property. Getting pampered at Spa Pevonia is another advantage
source: sikkim times
Friday, July 30, 2010
ICED TEA -HARMFUL
Iced tea 'ups risk of kidney stones'
ANI
Iced tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones.
If you love iced tea, it could be time for you to give up that love, an urologist has warned that drinking it excessively could lead to kidney stones.
Iced tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Though hot tea also contains oxalate, it isn’t as easy to consume a quantity large enough amount to encourage the formation of stones.
“For people who have a tendency to form kidney stones, it’s definitely one of the worst things you can drink,” said Dr. John Milner, assistant professor, Department of Urology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Ill.
Men, postmenopausal women with low oestrogen levels and women who have had their ovaries removed are at a higher risk than others.
Kidney stones are small crystals that form from the minerals and salt normally found in the urine in the kidneys or ureter, the small tubes that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Usually they can be expelled from the body harmlessly, but those big in size become lodged in the ureter. Iced tea is a highly popular drink in summers considering it’s tastier than most other fluids, but Milner suggests there’s nothing better than water, maybe flavoured with lemon slices.
“Lemons are very high in citrates, which inhibit the growth of kidney stones,” Milner said.
Spinach, chocolate, rhubarb, nuts, salt and meat should be avoided as they encourage stones, he said.
And calcium rich foods, which reduce the amount of oxalate the body absorbs, plus water, are a must.
ANI
Iced tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones.
If you love iced tea, it could be time for you to give up that love, an urologist has warned that drinking it excessively could lead to kidney stones.
Iced tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Though hot tea also contains oxalate, it isn’t as easy to consume a quantity large enough amount to encourage the formation of stones.
“For people who have a tendency to form kidney stones, it’s definitely one of the worst things you can drink,” said Dr. John Milner, assistant professor, Department of Urology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Ill.
Men, postmenopausal women with low oestrogen levels and women who have had their ovaries removed are at a higher risk than others.
Kidney stones are small crystals that form from the minerals and salt normally found in the urine in the kidneys or ureter, the small tubes that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Usually they can be expelled from the body harmlessly, but those big in size become lodged in the ureter. Iced tea is a highly popular drink in summers considering it’s tastier than most other fluids, but Milner suggests there’s nothing better than water, maybe flavoured with lemon slices.
“Lemons are very high in citrates, which inhibit the growth of kidney stones,” Milner said.
Spinach, chocolate, rhubarb, nuts, salt and meat should be avoided as they encourage stones, he said.
And calcium rich foods, which reduce the amount of oxalate the body absorbs, plus water, are a must.
BALANCE SHEET OF INDIA
The benefit of investing in companies with strong balance sheets isn't a secret. A company with a strong balance sheet brings along with it umpteen benefits. Benefits that, above everything else, let its owners sleep well at night. That being the case, if there's one entity in which your entire networth were to be invested, it's quite understandable if you would be on the edge of your seat to know the state of its balance sheet. Allow us to help.
The investment we're talking about is India. Yes, what happens to India's balance sheet is each one of our business. That's because most or all of our networth is invested in India. And the smallest red flag on that front can have a cascading effect on every single asset you own in the country.
Let's have a look at how this aspect of India stacks up against the rest of the world.
A Californian investment firm, Research Affiliates, recently came up with a study that contrasts the debt levels of countries around the world with their ability to pay. This in turn is based on the size and quality of each of their economies. Going by their findings, the US looks like one of the most stretched countries. Though it accounts for 14% of the world economy, it holds a huge 25% of global debt. Japan is even more startling; it carries 29% of all borrowings, while accounting for a miniscule 4% of world economy. Further, virtually all the nations of Western Europe carry debt that's 2 to 3 times their economic size, including the UK, France and Belgium.
What about India?
Measuring 8.6% of the world economy, it has less than 2% of its total debt. This makes it one of the best placed large economies in the world right now, next only to China. It is no wonder that investors from the world over sing only one song these days.
The benefit of investing in companies with strong balance sheets isn't a secret. A company with a strong balance sheet brings along with it umpteen benefits. Benefits that, above everything else, let its owners sleep well at night. That being the case, if there's one entity in which your entire networth were to be invested, it's quite understandable if you would be on the edge of your seat to know the state of its balance sheet. Allow us to help.
The investment we're talking about is India. Yes, what happens to India's balance sheet is each one of our business. That's because most or all of our networth is invested in India. And the smallest red flag on that front can have a cascading effect on every single asset you own in the country.
Let's have a look at how this aspect of India stacks up against the rest of the world.
A Californian investment firm, Research Affiliates, recently came up with a study that contrasts the debt levels of countries around the world with their ability to pay. This in turn is based on the size and quality of each of their economies. Going by their findings, the US looks like one of the most stretched countries. Though it accounts for 14% of the world economy, it holds a huge 25% of global debt. Japan is even more startling; it carries 29% of all borrowings, while accounting for a miniscule 4% of world economy. Further, virtually all the nations of Western Europe carry debt that's 2 to 3 times their economic size, including the UK, France and Belgium.
What about India?
Measuring 8.6% of the world economy, it has less than 2% of its total debt. This makes it one of the best placed large economies in the world right now, next only to China. It is no wonder that investors from the world over sing only one song these days.
Lottery: Isaac refutes charges
Source: The Hindu
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has accused the Congress and its allies of having come up with ‘totally flimsy and baseless’ allegations regarding the running of out-of-State lotteries in Kerala to cover up the support being extended to the lottery mafia by the Centre.
Dr. Isaac told a news conference here on Wednesday that none of the five allegations raised by the Opposition on Tuesday had any merit as the entire authority to control the lottery trade was vested with the Centre and there were repeated court verdicts tying the State government’s hands.
On whether the State government had the authority to ensure compliance with the Central lottery law, the Finance Minister said that both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court had ruled that only the Centre had the authority to ban lotteries under Section 4 of the Central Lottery Act. The Centre had also clarified through its Lottery Rules 2010 that the State government had only the power to inform the Centre about any violation of the law.
Probe conducted
On the question whether M/s Megha Distributors was eligible to be a lottery promoter under the Kerala Tax on Paper Lotteries Act, Dr. Isaac said John Kennedy of Megha Distributors was registered as a promoter in Kerala during the UDF rule. The LDF government had conducted a vigilance investigation and on the basis of that report and in the absence of his formal nomination as promoter by the States concerned, the government had cancelled his registration.
Advance tax
However, the States concerned informed the High Court that he had been designated as their lottery agent in Kerala. The court held that even if there was no such nomination, the State could not refuse advance tax from him. The State government had filed an appeal against this before the Supreme Court.
On the issue whether the State could refuse advance tax, the Minister said here too the Supreme Court had held that the State had no authority to do so. The State government had refused advance from John Rose, representing Arunachal Pradesh, and the High Court had quashed its decision.
Court verdict
Although the State filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against this, the court ordered that if the Arunachal Pradesh government issued a letter recognising him as its agent, the State must accept the advance tax. The High Court had also asked the government to accept advance tax with interest in another case filed by John Kennedy, who wanted to pay advance tax to operate Bhutan lottery in addition to Sikkim lottery in the State.
When asked whether the State could refuse advance tax on additional draws, Dr. Isaac said here too the State had no right of refusal as the High Court had held that the registration was for the promoter and not for draws. The State government would clamp down on the lottery mafia if it were given adequate powers to do so, the Finance Minister said.
Source: The Hindu
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has accused the Congress and its allies of having come up with ‘totally flimsy and baseless’ allegations regarding the running of out-of-State lotteries in Kerala to cover up the support being extended to the lottery mafia by the Centre.
Dr. Isaac told a news conference here on Wednesday that none of the five allegations raised by the Opposition on Tuesday had any merit as the entire authority to control the lottery trade was vested with the Centre and there were repeated court verdicts tying the State government’s hands.
On whether the State government had the authority to ensure compliance with the Central lottery law, the Finance Minister said that both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court had ruled that only the Centre had the authority to ban lotteries under Section 4 of the Central Lottery Act. The Centre had also clarified through its Lottery Rules 2010 that the State government had only the power to inform the Centre about any violation of the law.
Probe conducted
On the question whether M/s Megha Distributors was eligible to be a lottery promoter under the Kerala Tax on Paper Lotteries Act, Dr. Isaac said John Kennedy of Megha Distributors was registered as a promoter in Kerala during the UDF rule. The LDF government had conducted a vigilance investigation and on the basis of that report and in the absence of his formal nomination as promoter by the States concerned, the government had cancelled his registration.
Advance tax
However, the States concerned informed the High Court that he had been designated as their lottery agent in Kerala. The court held that even if there was no such nomination, the State could not refuse advance tax from him. The State government had filed an appeal against this before the Supreme Court.
On the issue whether the State could refuse advance tax, the Minister said here too the Supreme Court had held that the State had no authority to do so. The State government had refused advance from John Rose, representing Arunachal Pradesh, and the High Court had quashed its decision.
Court verdict
Although the State filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against this, the court ordered that if the Arunachal Pradesh government issued a letter recognising him as its agent, the State must accept the advance tax. The High Court had also asked the government to accept advance tax with interest in another case filed by John Kennedy, who wanted to pay advance tax to operate Bhutan lottery in addition to Sikkim lottery in the State.
When asked whether the State could refuse advance tax on additional draws, Dr. Isaac said here too the State had no right of refusal as the High Court had held that the registration was for the promoter and not for draws. The State government would clamp down on the lottery mafia if it were given adequate powers to do so, the Finance Minister said.
CLEARING HOUSE - GST, a step closer to realization
BY SURABHI AGARWAL
NEW DELHI
The efforts to usher in a goods and services tax (GST) received a big boost with the states as well as the Centre agreeing to the set- ting up of a clearing house to resolve tax collections and credits under the National Se- curities Depository Ltd (NSDL), India's oldest deposi- tory, as a special purpose ve- hicle.
This entity will then be spun off as an independent compa- ny in which NSDL will retain 10% and the balance will be distributed between the Centre and the states. A meeting of the empowered committee of state finance ministers, sched- uled for 4 August, is to decide on the proportion of the equity share between the Centre and the states.
The in-principle approval to go ahead with a clearing house was accorded at the last meet- ing of the empowered commit- tee on 21 July.
The clearing house, a key part of the GST architecture, is expected to ease the creation of the common market, ensure that each state gets its share of revenue and also provide use- ful tax information to the au- thorities. The proposal envis- ages a standard electronic re- turn, which each of the esti- mated eight million establishments will be re- quired to file every month.
To facilitate the implementa- tion of the clearing house, the department of revenue, under the ministry of finance, has no- tified a group under the chair- manship of Nandan Nilekani, head of the Unique Identifica- tion Authority of India. Apart from Nilekani, the group for GST (IT infrastructure) includes Y.G. Parande, member, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC); K. Jose Cyriac, addi- tional secretary, revenue; Satish Chandra, member-secretary, empowered committee; and F.M. Jaswal, director general (systems), CBEC. The commit- tee will also include two state government representatives.
“Institutions such as NSDL may offer combo have the experience of handling volume as the nature of such transactions would re- quire,“ said Guru Malladi, partner of audit and consulting firm Ernst and Young. NSDL also operates the tax informa- tion network on the direct tax- es side.
The GST clearing house will be similar to a stock exchange.
All the states will be members and the agency will make sure tax revenue is transferred to the right state after every transaction.
The backbone needs to meet three conditions to start opera- tions: businesses must be able to register online, taxes can be paid after self-assessment and returns can be filed online.
“The clearing house mecha- nism is very industry-friendly as it will eliminate the hassle for dealers to register in all the states,“ said Pratik Jain, execu- tive director at audit and con- sulting firm KPMG.
GST is an attempt to trans- form India's indirect tax sys- tem by dismantling fiscal bar- riers between states and creat- ing a common market. It is ex- pected to lower operating costs for businesses and lower pric- es for consumers.
The states, through the em- powered committee of state fi- nance ministers, in November proposed a clearing house model and dubbed it IGST (in- ter-state transactions of goods and services). The finance ministry accepted the IGST proposal in January.
In its report on 9 June, Mint had reported that the govern- ment could skip some time- consuming steps involved in using third parties to create the backbone for GST in order to fast-track the process as the 1 April deadline for implement- ing GST is fast approaching.
source:livemint
BY SURABHI AGARWAL
NEW DELHI
The efforts to usher in a goods and services tax (GST) received a big boost with the states as well as the Centre agreeing to the set- ting up of a clearing house to resolve tax collections and credits under the National Se- curities Depository Ltd (NSDL), India's oldest deposi- tory, as a special purpose ve- hicle.
This entity will then be spun off as an independent compa- ny in which NSDL will retain 10% and the balance will be distributed between the Centre and the states. A meeting of the empowered committee of state finance ministers, sched- uled for 4 August, is to decide on the proportion of the equity share between the Centre and the states.
The in-principle approval to go ahead with a clearing house was accorded at the last meet- ing of the empowered commit- tee on 21 July.
The clearing house, a key part of the GST architecture, is expected to ease the creation of the common market, ensure that each state gets its share of revenue and also provide use- ful tax information to the au- thorities. The proposal envis- ages a standard electronic re- turn, which each of the esti- mated eight million establishments will be re- quired to file every month.
To facilitate the implementa- tion of the clearing house, the department of revenue, under the ministry of finance, has no- tified a group under the chair- manship of Nandan Nilekani, head of the Unique Identifica- tion Authority of India. Apart from Nilekani, the group for GST (IT infrastructure) includes Y.G. Parande, member, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC); K. Jose Cyriac, addi- tional secretary, revenue; Satish Chandra, member-secretary, empowered committee; and F.M. Jaswal, director general (systems), CBEC. The commit- tee will also include two state government representatives.
“Institutions such as NSDL may offer combo have the experience of handling volume as the nature of such transactions would re- quire,“ said Guru Malladi, partner of audit and consulting firm Ernst and Young. NSDL also operates the tax informa- tion network on the direct tax- es side.
The GST clearing house will be similar to a stock exchange.
All the states will be members and the agency will make sure tax revenue is transferred to the right state after every transaction.
The backbone needs to meet three conditions to start opera- tions: businesses must be able to register online, taxes can be paid after self-assessment and returns can be filed online.
“The clearing house mecha- nism is very industry-friendly as it will eliminate the hassle for dealers to register in all the states,“ said Pratik Jain, execu- tive director at audit and con- sulting firm KPMG.
GST is an attempt to trans- form India's indirect tax sys- tem by dismantling fiscal bar- riers between states and creat- ing a common market. It is ex- pected to lower operating costs for businesses and lower pric- es for consumers.
The states, through the em- powered committee of state fi- nance ministers, in November proposed a clearing house model and dubbed it IGST (in- ter-state transactions of goods and services). The finance ministry accepted the IGST proposal in January.
In its report on 9 June, Mint had reported that the govern- ment could skip some time- consuming steps involved in using third parties to create the backbone for GST in order to fast-track the process as the 1 April deadline for implement- ing GST is fast approaching.
source:livemint
Survey conducted for ‘Sleeping Buddha’ project in North Sikkim
DEEPAK SHARMA
MANGAN, July 28: The State Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, accompanied by Lachen-Mangan MLA TW Lepcha, State Tourism Secretary SBS Bhadauria and officials from Land Use Department and Panchayats jointly conducted survey for construction of ‘Sleeping Buddha’ at Kulung, Singchit-Sentam, 3-km from Singhik in North Sikkim.
Proposed to be of 50 ft, the ‘Sleeping Buddha’, it is informed will be carved underground at Kulung. The area for the construction has been estimated to be 4.5 hectares of private holding land belonging to the local public of Singhik.
At present the cost of the construction of project is estimated to be Rs 45 crores. This project has been sanctioned by the State Government to explore Singhik and Mangan area in tourism sectors.
There are also plans to develop approach road leading to the historic Samar Tek area and the old British trail leading to Kaley village
DEEPAK SHARMA
MANGAN, July 28: The State Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, accompanied by Lachen-Mangan MLA TW Lepcha, State Tourism Secretary SBS Bhadauria and officials from Land Use Department and Panchayats jointly conducted survey for construction of ‘Sleeping Buddha’ at Kulung, Singchit-Sentam, 3-km from Singhik in North Sikkim.
Proposed to be of 50 ft, the ‘Sleeping Buddha’, it is informed will be carved underground at Kulung. The area for the construction has been estimated to be 4.5 hectares of private holding land belonging to the local public of Singhik.
At present the cost of the construction of project is estimated to be Rs 45 crores. This project has been sanctioned by the State Government to explore Singhik and Mangan area in tourism sectors.
There are also plans to develop approach road leading to the historic Samar Tek area and the old British trail leading to Kaley village
Palakkad Commercial tax Assistant commissioner suspended
source VoiceofSikkim
PTI
Palakkad Commercial tax Assistant commissioner suspended
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 29 (PTI) Kerala Government today suspended Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) Palakkad, A A Abullah for allegedly accepting advance taxes from the promoters of Sikkim paper lottery, while allowing more draws, without imposing late penalty. Announcing the suspension at a press conference here, state Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said there was nothing wrong in accepting advance taxes to allow more draws. However, rules were clear that in case there was delay in paying advance tax by the promoter, the commissioner had to levy penalty of Rs. 1,000 per day and 10 per cent interest, he said. In this case, while allowing two more draws to the promoters of Sikkim lottery, the advance tax was collected in July and the promoter was allowed to start two more lotteries in the same month, without charging any penalty, in violation of rules. Issac also said new assistant commissioner would be posted immediately and would take steps to realise the penalty amount. The government had sent a fax to Sikkim and Bhutan governments seeking to know whether the Megha Distributors were the authorised agents of the lotteries in Kerala, he said. Congress-led UDF opposition had raised this issue in the assembly alleging corruption to a tune of Rs. 25 crore and irregularities in allowing two more draws to the lottery promoter. It had also alleged that the Megha was owned by Santiago Martin, who was close to CPI-M in the state.
source VoiceofSikkim
PTI
Palakkad Commercial tax Assistant commissioner suspended
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 29 (PTI) Kerala Government today suspended Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) Palakkad, A A Abullah for allegedly accepting advance taxes from the promoters of Sikkim paper lottery, while allowing more draws, without imposing late penalty. Announcing the suspension at a press conference here, state Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said there was nothing wrong in accepting advance taxes to allow more draws. However, rules were clear that in case there was delay in paying advance tax by the promoter, the commissioner had to levy penalty of Rs. 1,000 per day and 10 per cent interest, he said. In this case, while allowing two more draws to the promoters of Sikkim lottery, the advance tax was collected in July and the promoter was allowed to start two more lotteries in the same month, without charging any penalty, in violation of rules. Issac also said new assistant commissioner would be posted immediately and would take steps to realise the penalty amount. The government had sent a fax to Sikkim and Bhutan governments seeking to know whether the Megha Distributors were the authorised agents of the lotteries in Kerala, he said. Congress-led UDF opposition had raised this issue in the assembly alleging corruption to a tune of Rs. 25 crore and irregularities in allowing two more draws to the lottery promoter. It had also alleged that the Megha was owned by Santiago Martin, who was close to CPI-M in the state.
'Runaway' success
by SOMA BASU
Catalyst Pursuing with sincerity
Vishwanathan Deepak disappointed his friends when he went on stage to accept the ‘Outstanding Alumnus Award -2010’ conferred upon him by the Lakshmi Old Students Association in the city recently. He returned a simple “thank you” and did not highlight the work for which he was chosen.
But then fault lay with neither. His friends genuinely want his selfless work to be known to others. And Deepak does not like or knows how to blow his own trumpet!
Like an unsung hero perhaps, this old and “among the brighter and fiercely independent students” of TVS Lakshmi School, Madurai, has been silently working for the past decade in one of the most difficult terrains of the country – deep inside arid Thar desert.
Yet, when he speaks there is hardly any trace of regret. He is crazily driven by passion and known for doing things “spontaneously”. “I am happy living my dream,” he asserts.
Inner calling
It took him years to realize what he really wanted to do in life. “Till I found my inner calling, I kept ‘running away’ from one place to another,” he grins. Influenced by Kabir’s dohas and Premchand’s writings and CRY and SOS ads in Reader’s Digest, in 1986 autumn, he simply boarded a train to Aligarh leaving behind a shocked mother and brother.
“I wanted to experience how it was to live amidst the Muslim community and also wanted to see the real world,” he says non-chalantly.
He lost interest in studies because his search for an “ideal teacher” remained incomplete. “I was looking for a true master who could go beyond text books. But I only found teachers who were in the profession because of the salary and weren’t inspiring enough.”
Deepak did enroll himself in MA (German) in JNU in 1991 after learning the language at Max Mueller Bhavan, Delhi. Here again, the plight of children of construction workers within the campus tugged his heart.
“I suffered a sense of shame and guilt. I was seeking education for a life and not a living and kept looking for means to escape this suffocation.” From ashrams to short stints with Asianet and the Indian Express in Delhi to running a restaurant and joining a garment manufacturing business, Deepak kept fleeing from one place to another.
Realisation
What ignited him finally were Swami Vivekananda’s quotes and once more he ran away. This time to deep interiors and hamlets of Rajasthan. He started visiting villages and schools and interacting with children, parents and teachers in Lunkaransar Block, Bikaner district. He walked and talked, toiled, taught and imparted primary education to more than 5,000 poor rural children since 1998. And most importantly, for once did not run away.
“I realized this is what I was searching for,” he smiles.
“Given the geo-physical location of the terrain, people live in the harshest conditions here. I conceptualise, design, develop and implement programmes that reinforce primary education. I focus on women and adolescents and particularly physically challenged and girl children who are most vulnerable. Discriminated for food, nutrition, education, they take care of most chores. I try to address some fundamental issues faced by this deprived section and implement socially just, innovative and sustainable interventions and solutions,” he talks passionately.
For instance, by educating the girl child, Deepak hopes to delay their age of marriage. Child marriages are still very prevalent and literacy rate is the lowest in the country here,” he says, ruining how official records and ground reality are far from each other.
Reaching out to this backward, poor and illiterate population is tough, no matter what the Government claims. Beating all odds and without much monetary or human support, Deepak Vishwanathan has been practically doing it alone.
With his wife, Amita Jha, he set up Institute of Fundamental Studies and Research, a not-for-profit organization, in 2006 for initiating varying activities for empowering the local population primarily including education and learning besides livelihood and ecological practices.
Deepak took his dream a step further when he started an Upper Primary School last year to educate children from poor socio-economic background and those living in distant settlements.
Dream
He is proud of his 80 students who are developing their proficiency in English, vocational skills, basic computer and other soft skills.
“I want this to develop into a model school that can be locally adapted, replicated and scaled up in other regions.
At present, he is running the school from rented premises, collecting nominal Rs.50 to 100 per month from students to cover rental and electricity costs and ensure ownership and commitment of parents.
Howsoever tough the going may be, Deepak is driven by the target he has set for himself in the next five years -- to run his school from its own premises, improve the quality of teaching, develop hostel facilities and establishing industrial training and teacher’s training centre.
As I chat him up for this column, I sense his earnestness to act best as a catalyst in reducing illiteracy in dark zones of the country. I have not seen his work but the band of friends who came along with him in support said it all. They believe in him, are convinced by his sincerity and dedication to his work and proud that this Madurai boy gave up his habit of “running away” making Bikaner his home to make a difference in the lives of others.
(Making a difference is a fortnightly column about ordinary people and events that leave an extraordinary impact on us. E-mail to somabasu@thehindu.co.in to tell about someone you know who is making a difference)
by SOMA BASU
Catalyst Pursuing with sincerity
Vishwanathan Deepak disappointed his friends when he went on stage to accept the ‘Outstanding Alumnus Award -2010’ conferred upon him by the Lakshmi Old Students Association in the city recently. He returned a simple “thank you” and did not highlight the work for which he was chosen.
But then fault lay with neither. His friends genuinely want his selfless work to be known to others. And Deepak does not like or knows how to blow his own trumpet!
Like an unsung hero perhaps, this old and “among the brighter and fiercely independent students” of TVS Lakshmi School, Madurai, has been silently working for the past decade in one of the most difficult terrains of the country – deep inside arid Thar desert.
Yet, when he speaks there is hardly any trace of regret. He is crazily driven by passion and known for doing things “spontaneously”. “I am happy living my dream,” he asserts.
Inner calling
It took him years to realize what he really wanted to do in life. “Till I found my inner calling, I kept ‘running away’ from one place to another,” he grins. Influenced by Kabir’s dohas and Premchand’s writings and CRY and SOS ads in Reader’s Digest, in 1986 autumn, he simply boarded a train to Aligarh leaving behind a shocked mother and brother.
“I wanted to experience how it was to live amidst the Muslim community and also wanted to see the real world,” he says non-chalantly.
He lost interest in studies because his search for an “ideal teacher” remained incomplete. “I was looking for a true master who could go beyond text books. But I only found teachers who were in the profession because of the salary and weren’t inspiring enough.”
Deepak did enroll himself in MA (German) in JNU in 1991 after learning the language at Max Mueller Bhavan, Delhi. Here again, the plight of children of construction workers within the campus tugged his heart.
“I suffered a sense of shame and guilt. I was seeking education for a life and not a living and kept looking for means to escape this suffocation.” From ashrams to short stints with Asianet and the Indian Express in Delhi to running a restaurant and joining a garment manufacturing business, Deepak kept fleeing from one place to another.
Realisation
What ignited him finally were Swami Vivekananda’s quotes and once more he ran away. This time to deep interiors and hamlets of Rajasthan. He started visiting villages and schools and interacting with children, parents and teachers in Lunkaransar Block, Bikaner district. He walked and talked, toiled, taught and imparted primary education to more than 5,000 poor rural children since 1998. And most importantly, for once did not run away.
“I realized this is what I was searching for,” he smiles.
“Given the geo-physical location of the terrain, people live in the harshest conditions here. I conceptualise, design, develop and implement programmes that reinforce primary education. I focus on women and adolescents and particularly physically challenged and girl children who are most vulnerable. Discriminated for food, nutrition, education, they take care of most chores. I try to address some fundamental issues faced by this deprived section and implement socially just, innovative and sustainable interventions and solutions,” he talks passionately.
For instance, by educating the girl child, Deepak hopes to delay their age of marriage. Child marriages are still very prevalent and literacy rate is the lowest in the country here,” he says, ruining how official records and ground reality are far from each other.
Reaching out to this backward, poor and illiterate population is tough, no matter what the Government claims. Beating all odds and without much monetary or human support, Deepak Vishwanathan has been practically doing it alone.
With his wife, Amita Jha, he set up Institute of Fundamental Studies and Research, a not-for-profit organization, in 2006 for initiating varying activities for empowering the local population primarily including education and learning besides livelihood and ecological practices.
Deepak took his dream a step further when he started an Upper Primary School last year to educate children from poor socio-economic background and those living in distant settlements.
Dream
He is proud of his 80 students who are developing their proficiency in English, vocational skills, basic computer and other soft skills.
“I want this to develop into a model school that can be locally adapted, replicated and scaled up in other regions.
At present, he is running the school from rented premises, collecting nominal Rs.50 to 100 per month from students to cover rental and electricity costs and ensure ownership and commitment of parents.
Howsoever tough the going may be, Deepak is driven by the target he has set for himself in the next five years -- to run his school from its own premises, improve the quality of teaching, develop hostel facilities and establishing industrial training and teacher’s training centre.
As I chat him up for this column, I sense his earnestness to act best as a catalyst in reducing illiteracy in dark zones of the country. I have not seen his work but the band of friends who came along with him in support said it all. They believe in him, are convinced by his sincerity and dedication to his work and proud that this Madurai boy gave up his habit of “running away” making Bikaner his home to make a difference in the lives of others.
(Making a difference is a fortnightly column about ordinary people and events that leave an extraordinary impact on us. E-mail to somabasu@thehindu.co.in to tell about someone you know who is making a difference)
JSW Energy mulls three hydel plants in HP, Sikkim
Mumbai, July 23 (PTI) Appearing bullish on alternative sources of power, JSW Energy is mulling setting up three new hydel plants in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
"We are currently doing due diligence to set up three plants in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh as we feel these states have a good potential," JSW Energy Chief Financial Officer Pramod Menon told reporters here today.
The plants will have a total installed capacity "in the range of 80-240 MW", Menon said, stating the company does not plan to foray into neighbouring countries like Bhutan in pursuit of hydroelectric power.
The company is currently setting up a 240 MW hydel plant at Kutehr, Himachal Pradesh. It held a public hearing for the plant recently and land acquisition work is in progress, JSW Energy Vice-Chairman N K Jain said.
The Kutehr facility is expected to be operational by 2015 and would require a total investment of Rs 1,915 crore.
All the other plants of the company -- at Maharashtra''s Ratnagiri, Vijaynagar in Karnataka and Barmer in Rajasthan -- are fired by conventional sources like coal.
JSW, facing resistance from locals at Ratnagiri who fear damage to mango crops, would go slow on its planned Rs 16,000-crore expansion in the coastal district to add an additional 3,200 mw to capacity. .
Mumbai, July 23 (PTI) Appearing bullish on alternative sources of power, JSW Energy is mulling setting up three new hydel plants in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
"We are currently doing due diligence to set up three plants in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh as we feel these states have a good potential," JSW Energy Chief Financial Officer Pramod Menon told reporters here today.
The plants will have a total installed capacity "in the range of 80-240 MW", Menon said, stating the company does not plan to foray into neighbouring countries like Bhutan in pursuit of hydroelectric power.
The company is currently setting up a 240 MW hydel plant at Kutehr, Himachal Pradesh. It held a public hearing for the plant recently and land acquisition work is in progress, JSW Energy Vice-Chairman N K Jain said.
The Kutehr facility is expected to be operational by 2015 and would require a total investment of Rs 1,915 crore.
All the other plants of the company -- at Maharashtra''s Ratnagiri, Vijaynagar in Karnataka and Barmer in Rajasthan -- are fired by conventional sources like coal.
JSW, facing resistance from locals at Ratnagiri who fear damage to mango crops, would go slow on its planned Rs 16,000-crore expansion in the coastal district to add an additional 3,200 mw to capacity. .
Thursday, July 29, 2010
‘Parking space’ deterrent for new vehicle owners
MVD makes it mandatory to get parking space NOC for registration of new vehicles Dealers stumped, fears loss in business, don’t know what to do with present bookings
Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com
MVD makes it mandatory to get parking space NOC for registration of new vehicles Dealers stumped, fears loss in business, don’t know what to do with present bookings - SE Pic
GANGTOK, July 28: Individuals in Sikkim seeking to own their cherished vehicles will now have to compulsory show a parking space before their vehicles are registered by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the State transport department.
This is easier said than done as the hilly terrain and unplanned urbanization have created a congested urban Sikkim with the capital Gangtok and major towns screaming for lack of breathing space, let alone a parking space for vehicles.
Demand for private vehicles has also shot up in Sikkim with the increased purchasing power of the people here with almost 50 new vehicles hitting the narrow roads of the State every week. There are already 42,748 vehicles of all types in Sikkim registered with the State government till March 31, 2010.
At least 45 percent of these vehicles are in the Rajdhani of Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in the last day of budget session in the State Assembly in June had observed that around 10,000 new vehicles are soon coming to Sikkim due the arrear payment released to the government employees earlier this year on the recommendations of the Fourth State Pay Commission.
The exponential growth in vehicles have created huge pileups especially in Gangtok along the NH 31A during mornings and afternoons, the reporting and leaving hours for office goers and students, despite constantly evolving traffic management of Sikkim Police.
In order to check the ever growing menace of traffic congestion in the State, the MVD hereby makes it mandatory for availability of parking space certificate to be produced for registration of all vehicles, states a fresh notification from the State transport department.
The Superintendent of Police in charge of traffic for areas under urban local bodies has been mandated to issue parking space certificate to the buyers after proper physical verification of the parking space. For the rest of the areas in Sikkim, the responsibility has been given to the panchayats.
State transport officials here explained that officers not below the rank of Motor Vehicle Inspector will be personally visiting the site of parking shown by the buyers and submit details to the department along with the rough map of the site.
“This notification which has come to effect from July 7 from this year is only for new vehicles. We cannot do anything for those who have already bought vehicles before this notification. Everyone is aware of the traffic problems in Sikkim especially Gangtok”, said the officials.
The officials explained that everyone has a right to purchase vehicles but ‘it does not mean that the vehicle owners should be creating problems for the public by parking his vehicle in public places’. The vehicle owners must have a proper parking place especially at night, they said.
There is no other way we can control traffic problems in urban areas of Sikkim and hence, we have started with the system of having a mandatory parking space by the new buyers, the officials said. The notification is aimed to cut down additional vehicles in Sikkim without any private parking space and thereby ease out the present traffic congestion especially in Gangtok, the department said.
Superintendent of Police (East) Dr Mandeep Singh Tuli said that the traffic police will be formulating guidelines for implementing the notification. We want to avoid duplication of parking spaces shown by the owners and ensure that a particular space shown is for that particular vehicle by maintaining a register, he said.
“The notification aims to encourage people to have parking spaces in their houses. Parking along roads is not advisable”, said the SP.
Though the aim of the State government to cut down vehicular congestion can find acceptance among the people struck in traffic jams daily, the four major car dealers in Sikkim are worried that the ‘parking space’ notification could eat into their business.
Entel Motors proprietor Guru T. Ladakhi admitted that the government’s order will be affecting the sales of new vehicles. “It will definitely affect our sales as we cannot tell our buyers to get a No Objection Certificate for parking space. The sales will be affected as most of our clients do not have parking space of their own”, he said.
Entel Motors is located at 6th Mile, Tadong and sells Maruti products. It sells 20-25 vehicles on an average every week and presently has 100 bookings from the clients.
Similarly, Sikkim Motors at 6th Mile which deals in Mahindra products has a weekly sale of 15-20 vehicles and presently stumped as to what to do with its 90 bookings of new vehicles from its customers.
“Sales will go down but what is our present fear is that the bookings could be cancelled by those customers who do not have parking space as made mandatory by the government”, said Pramod Dalmia, managing director of Sikkim Motors.
All the car dealers here are planning to collectively meet the State government and understand how this law will be implemented, said Dalmia.
It was informed that dealers in Gangtok have received notices from the State transport department directing them not sell new cars unless the buyer gets a parking space notification.
While admitting that parking is a major problem in Gangtok and other urban areas, dealers here were quick to point out that the ‘notification’ can be easily countered by customers by purchasing their vehicles from nearby Siliguri and get it registered under the West Bengal government.
What will now happen is that people here will go to Siliguri, buy a car there and get it registered under West Bengal government and bring it here, the dealers said. In the long run, the State government will lose revenue and the dealers will lose business and the people here will have to go through the draining process of getting their vehicles registered under West Bengal government in Siliguri, they said.
Claiming that the rise in demand for vehicles and increase in vehicular traffic in Sikkim is an indication of growing economy, the dealers said that it is the government’s job to utilize the taxes collected from the people to build infrastructure including parking lots.
It was also pointed out by the common people that it was the hotels in Gangtok that is responsible for the traffic congestion in the capital. There are around 700 big and small hotels here and most of them do not have parking space and their vehicles and taxis serving the tourists hog the narrow lanes and roads during the tourism season, people said.
Vehicle Population in Sikkim
Category of vehicles Registered till to 31/03/2010
Two wheelers 6171
Non Commercial (Government & Private) 21,906
Goods Carrier 4,687
Contract/Stage carriage/local taxis 9,799
Tractors/Trailers 144
Luxury Tourist Vehicle 41
TOTAL 42,748
(Source: State Transport Department)
MVD makes it mandatory to get parking space NOC for registration of new vehicles Dealers stumped, fears loss in business, don’t know what to do with present bookings
Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com
MVD makes it mandatory to get parking space NOC for registration of new vehicles Dealers stumped, fears loss in business, don’t know what to do with present bookings - SE Pic
GANGTOK, July 28: Individuals in Sikkim seeking to own their cherished vehicles will now have to compulsory show a parking space before their vehicles are registered by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the State transport department.
This is easier said than done as the hilly terrain and unplanned urbanization have created a congested urban Sikkim with the capital Gangtok and major towns screaming for lack of breathing space, let alone a parking space for vehicles.
Demand for private vehicles has also shot up in Sikkim with the increased purchasing power of the people here with almost 50 new vehicles hitting the narrow roads of the State every week. There are already 42,748 vehicles of all types in Sikkim registered with the State government till March 31, 2010.
At least 45 percent of these vehicles are in the Rajdhani of Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in the last day of budget session in the State Assembly in June had observed that around 10,000 new vehicles are soon coming to Sikkim due the arrear payment released to the government employees earlier this year on the recommendations of the Fourth State Pay Commission.
The exponential growth in vehicles have created huge pileups especially in Gangtok along the NH 31A during mornings and afternoons, the reporting and leaving hours for office goers and students, despite constantly evolving traffic management of Sikkim Police.
In order to check the ever growing menace of traffic congestion in the State, the MVD hereby makes it mandatory for availability of parking space certificate to be produced for registration of all vehicles, states a fresh notification from the State transport department.
The Superintendent of Police in charge of traffic for areas under urban local bodies has been mandated to issue parking space certificate to the buyers after proper physical verification of the parking space. For the rest of the areas in Sikkim, the responsibility has been given to the panchayats.
State transport officials here explained that officers not below the rank of Motor Vehicle Inspector will be personally visiting the site of parking shown by the buyers and submit details to the department along with the rough map of the site.
“This notification which has come to effect from July 7 from this year is only for new vehicles. We cannot do anything for those who have already bought vehicles before this notification. Everyone is aware of the traffic problems in Sikkim especially Gangtok”, said the officials.
The officials explained that everyone has a right to purchase vehicles but ‘it does not mean that the vehicle owners should be creating problems for the public by parking his vehicle in public places’. The vehicle owners must have a proper parking place especially at night, they said.
There is no other way we can control traffic problems in urban areas of Sikkim and hence, we have started with the system of having a mandatory parking space by the new buyers, the officials said. The notification is aimed to cut down additional vehicles in Sikkim without any private parking space and thereby ease out the present traffic congestion especially in Gangtok, the department said.
Superintendent of Police (East) Dr Mandeep Singh Tuli said that the traffic police will be formulating guidelines for implementing the notification. We want to avoid duplication of parking spaces shown by the owners and ensure that a particular space shown is for that particular vehicle by maintaining a register, he said.
“The notification aims to encourage people to have parking spaces in their houses. Parking along roads is not advisable”, said the SP.
Though the aim of the State government to cut down vehicular congestion can find acceptance among the people struck in traffic jams daily, the four major car dealers in Sikkim are worried that the ‘parking space’ notification could eat into their business.
Entel Motors proprietor Guru T. Ladakhi admitted that the government’s order will be affecting the sales of new vehicles. “It will definitely affect our sales as we cannot tell our buyers to get a No Objection Certificate for parking space. The sales will be affected as most of our clients do not have parking space of their own”, he said.
Entel Motors is located at 6th Mile, Tadong and sells Maruti products. It sells 20-25 vehicles on an average every week and presently has 100 bookings from the clients.
Similarly, Sikkim Motors at 6th Mile which deals in Mahindra products has a weekly sale of 15-20 vehicles and presently stumped as to what to do with its 90 bookings of new vehicles from its customers.
“Sales will go down but what is our present fear is that the bookings could be cancelled by those customers who do not have parking space as made mandatory by the government”, said Pramod Dalmia, managing director of Sikkim Motors.
All the car dealers here are planning to collectively meet the State government and understand how this law will be implemented, said Dalmia.
It was informed that dealers in Gangtok have received notices from the State transport department directing them not sell new cars unless the buyer gets a parking space notification.
While admitting that parking is a major problem in Gangtok and other urban areas, dealers here were quick to point out that the ‘notification’ can be easily countered by customers by purchasing their vehicles from nearby Siliguri and get it registered under the West Bengal government.
What will now happen is that people here will go to Siliguri, buy a car there and get it registered under West Bengal government and bring it here, the dealers said. In the long run, the State government will lose revenue and the dealers will lose business and the people here will have to go through the draining process of getting their vehicles registered under West Bengal government in Siliguri, they said.
Claiming that the rise in demand for vehicles and increase in vehicular traffic in Sikkim is an indication of growing economy, the dealers said that it is the government’s job to utilize the taxes collected from the people to build infrastructure including parking lots.
It was also pointed out by the common people that it was the hotels in Gangtok that is responsible for the traffic congestion in the capital. There are around 700 big and small hotels here and most of them do not have parking space and their vehicles and taxis serving the tourists hog the narrow lanes and roads during the tourism season, people said.
Vehicle Population in Sikkim
Category of vehicles Registered till to 31/03/2010
Two wheelers 6171
Non Commercial (Government & Private) 21,906
Goods Carrier 4,687
Contract/Stage carriage/local taxis 9,799
Tractors/Trailers 144
Luxury Tourist Vehicle 41
TOTAL 42,748
(Source: State Transport Department)
Afghan war exposed
Hindu Editorial
The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have reacted with predictable shock and dismay to the appearance on the non-profit website WikiLeaks of some 92,000 U.S. military documents on the calamitous war in Afghanistan. Material on the conduct of German, French, and Polish troops — fellow-members of the International Security Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) — is a sort of bonus. The New York Times, the Guardian, and Der Spiegel collaborated in analysing and placing substantial amounts of the information on the Internet, though they have withheld details that are likely to heighten the danger to U.S. troops and their partners. The White House, however, says the leaks might put American lives and those of partners at risk and could threaten national security. The U.K. expresses similar concerns. The documents show that intelligence is unreliable and often unverifiable; that ISAF communications frequently break down; that there are technical problems with equipment, including drone aircraft; and that troops are so frightened of suicide bombers and Taliban collaborators that they have killed hundreds of civilians by shooting and bombing indiscriminately. Furthermore, large numbers of ordinary Afghans fear and hate the foreign troops and are victims of the corruption and brutality that pervade the U.S-backed Hamid Karzai government. Taliban forces, for their part, are increasingly well-trained and adept, and their roadside bombs have killed over 2,000 civilians.
The WikiLeaks exposé has been likened to the 1971 leak of the Pentagon Papers, the contents of which significantly strengthened worldwide opposition to the Vietnam war, and also to the publication of pictures of U.S. torture at Abu Ghraib in Iraq. It turns out that the CIA has its own secret operation to kill suspected Taliban leaders, that incident reports conceal civilian deaths and other failures, and that the U.S. military has covered up the Taliban's acquisition of heat-seeking missiles. Politically speaking, there is deepening international concern that the ISAF presence is not doing anything other than wrecking Afghanistan and strengthening the Taliban. The U.S., in particular, has persistently underestimated the weakness and incompetence of the Afghan government. Therefore, prosecuting anyone found responsible for the leak amounts to nothing more than shooting the messenger. That will address neither the chaos in Afghanistan nor the fact that a war effort that has already cost over $300 billion is totally directionless. The very concept of a victory, military or political, is now completely unintelligible and the official lies about Afghanistan can no longer be sustained.
Comments:
Afghan victory by US and its allies is now a distant dream. India's interest is at stake. The fallout of this defeat will be serious in the sense that Taliban and Pak will become more powerful in Hindukush and they will threaten India's security. Kashmir will be their first target and then Punjab/Rajasthan and Gujrat have to bear the burnt of this US mismatch.
A weak India ruled by corrupt beurocracy cannot mitigate the problem that the Indian Nation will face in the next few years because of this fallout of US and stregthening of Taliban-Pak forces.
China on the northern border will keenly watch this development.
India stands cornered.
It cannot be and will not be an easy task for a weak India.
s k sarda
Hindu Editorial
The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have reacted with predictable shock and dismay to the appearance on the non-profit website WikiLeaks of some 92,000 U.S. military documents on the calamitous war in Afghanistan. Material on the conduct of German, French, and Polish troops — fellow-members of the International Security Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) — is a sort of bonus. The New York Times, the Guardian, and Der Spiegel collaborated in analysing and placing substantial amounts of the information on the Internet, though they have withheld details that are likely to heighten the danger to U.S. troops and their partners. The White House, however, says the leaks might put American lives and those of partners at risk and could threaten national security. The U.K. expresses similar concerns. The documents show that intelligence is unreliable and often unverifiable; that ISAF communications frequently break down; that there are technical problems with equipment, including drone aircraft; and that troops are so frightened of suicide bombers and Taliban collaborators that they have killed hundreds of civilians by shooting and bombing indiscriminately. Furthermore, large numbers of ordinary Afghans fear and hate the foreign troops and are victims of the corruption and brutality that pervade the U.S-backed Hamid Karzai government. Taliban forces, for their part, are increasingly well-trained and adept, and their roadside bombs have killed over 2,000 civilians.
The WikiLeaks exposé has been likened to the 1971 leak of the Pentagon Papers, the contents of which significantly strengthened worldwide opposition to the Vietnam war, and also to the publication of pictures of U.S. torture at Abu Ghraib in Iraq. It turns out that the CIA has its own secret operation to kill suspected Taliban leaders, that incident reports conceal civilian deaths and other failures, and that the U.S. military has covered up the Taliban's acquisition of heat-seeking missiles. Politically speaking, there is deepening international concern that the ISAF presence is not doing anything other than wrecking Afghanistan and strengthening the Taliban. The U.S., in particular, has persistently underestimated the weakness and incompetence of the Afghan government. Therefore, prosecuting anyone found responsible for the leak amounts to nothing more than shooting the messenger. That will address neither the chaos in Afghanistan nor the fact that a war effort that has already cost over $300 billion is totally directionless. The very concept of a victory, military or political, is now completely unintelligible and the official lies about Afghanistan can no longer be sustained.
Comments:
Afghan victory by US and its allies is now a distant dream. India's interest is at stake. The fallout of this defeat will be serious in the sense that Taliban and Pak will become more powerful in Hindukush and they will threaten India's security. Kashmir will be their first target and then Punjab/Rajasthan and Gujrat have to bear the burnt of this US mismatch.
A weak India ruled by corrupt beurocracy cannot mitigate the problem that the Indian Nation will face in the next few years because of this fallout of US and stregthening of Taliban-Pak forces.
China on the northern border will keenly watch this development.
India stands cornered.
It cannot be and will not be an easy task for a weak India.
s k sarda
Rs. 330.5 crores JICA project for Sikkim biodiversity conservation reaches ‘loan effectuation’ stage
Project includes developing 260 kms of trekking routes in Sikkim
GANGTOK, July 27: The Rs. 330.57 crores ‘Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management’ project funded by Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA) has reached ‘loan effectuation’ stage from June 15 with the State forest department inviting proposals from competent consultancies firms for the project.
Loan effectuation means that whatever costs incurred for the ten years project as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and minutes of discussion signed between the governments of India and Japan will be reimbursable, State forest officials here explained.
The two governments had signed the agreement in March earlier this year for the JICA assisted ‘Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project’. The total outlay of the project is Rs. 330.57 crores and afforestation activities over 4300 ha of forest areas in Sikkim will be taken up during the ten years period of the project in Sikkim.
Informing the media about the progress on the project so far, additional PCCF and JICA project director Dr. Anil Mainra said that the department has already invited proposals from competent consultancies, both national and international. The bidders will be short-listed and then the final firm will be selected through a proper process, he said.
The selected firm will be providing technical inputs for the components of the project which includes promotion of eco-tourism in Sikkim and an eco-tourism policy for Sikkim will also be formulated, said Dr Mainra.
The State forest department which is the implementing agency for the JICA project is seeking technical inputs from specialized firms to strengthen biodiversity conservation activities and forest management capacity, which are the core objectives of the project.
A biodiversity centre will also be coming up in Gangtok as per the project besides imparting training to improve the efficiency of the forest frontline staff, said Dr Mainra.
With JICA being the largest donor for forestry related projects in India, its project in Sikkim is different from other such JICA funded projects in eleven States in the country.
“Our biodiversity is very rich. In the project, the focus is on the biodiversity of Sikkim. Lots of surveys and documentation will be done along with research activities”, said Dr Mainra. We will also lay stress on building ecotourism practices which are self-sustainable, he said.
The project envisages usage of latest technology to map the areas of the wildlife species found in Sikkim. It also seeks to improve the economic status of the communities living in the fringe forest areas by promoting sustainable biodiversity conservation, afforestation, income generating activities including ecotourism and through non-consumptive management of the forest areas under their control.
The project activities thus would uplift the living standard of the local inhabitants living in forest fringe areas as well as conserve forest resources and biodiversity by supporting ‘entry point’ activities, eco-tourism, participatory biodiversity conservation and forest protection, said the forest department.
The sense of ownership among the communities has already been developed through the ongoing projects of the department and Joint Forest Management Committees and Eco Development Committees that are functioning in various areas in Sikkim, it was informed.
The project also proposes to establish 540 Self Help Groups in the rural areas and take up ‘entry point’ activities in the targeted villages. Several scientific studies and survey of existing biodiversity of the State will be taken up under the project to enhance the knowledge base for conservation, as per the project.
Ex-situ conservation activities like upgradation of the Himalayan Zoological Park, establishment of a butterfly park in North Sikkim and action research on sustainable use of forest resources and trainings for capacity building are also proposed under the project. Development of 260 kms of eco-friendly trekking routes in Sikkim is also envisaged in the project
source;sikkim express
Project includes developing 260 kms of trekking routes in Sikkim
GANGTOK, July 27: The Rs. 330.57 crores ‘Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management’ project funded by Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA) has reached ‘loan effectuation’ stage from June 15 with the State forest department inviting proposals from competent consultancies firms for the project.
Loan effectuation means that whatever costs incurred for the ten years project as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and minutes of discussion signed between the governments of India and Japan will be reimbursable, State forest officials here explained.
The two governments had signed the agreement in March earlier this year for the JICA assisted ‘Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project’. The total outlay of the project is Rs. 330.57 crores and afforestation activities over 4300 ha of forest areas in Sikkim will be taken up during the ten years period of the project in Sikkim.
Informing the media about the progress on the project so far, additional PCCF and JICA project director Dr. Anil Mainra said that the department has already invited proposals from competent consultancies, both national and international. The bidders will be short-listed and then the final firm will be selected through a proper process, he said.
The selected firm will be providing technical inputs for the components of the project which includes promotion of eco-tourism in Sikkim and an eco-tourism policy for Sikkim will also be formulated, said Dr Mainra.
The State forest department which is the implementing agency for the JICA project is seeking technical inputs from specialized firms to strengthen biodiversity conservation activities and forest management capacity, which are the core objectives of the project.
A biodiversity centre will also be coming up in Gangtok as per the project besides imparting training to improve the efficiency of the forest frontline staff, said Dr Mainra.
With JICA being the largest donor for forestry related projects in India, its project in Sikkim is different from other such JICA funded projects in eleven States in the country.
“Our biodiversity is very rich. In the project, the focus is on the biodiversity of Sikkim. Lots of surveys and documentation will be done along with research activities”, said Dr Mainra. We will also lay stress on building ecotourism practices which are self-sustainable, he said.
The project envisages usage of latest technology to map the areas of the wildlife species found in Sikkim. It also seeks to improve the economic status of the communities living in the fringe forest areas by promoting sustainable biodiversity conservation, afforestation, income generating activities including ecotourism and through non-consumptive management of the forest areas under their control.
The project activities thus would uplift the living standard of the local inhabitants living in forest fringe areas as well as conserve forest resources and biodiversity by supporting ‘entry point’ activities, eco-tourism, participatory biodiversity conservation and forest protection, said the forest department.
The sense of ownership among the communities has already been developed through the ongoing projects of the department and Joint Forest Management Committees and Eco Development Committees that are functioning in various areas in Sikkim, it was informed.
The project also proposes to establish 540 Self Help Groups in the rural areas and take up ‘entry point’ activities in the targeted villages. Several scientific studies and survey of existing biodiversity of the State will be taken up under the project to enhance the knowledge base for conservation, as per the project.
Ex-situ conservation activities like upgradation of the Himalayan Zoological Park, establishment of a butterfly park in North Sikkim and action research on sustainable use of forest resources and trainings for capacity building are also proposed under the project. Development of 260 kms of eco-friendly trekking routes in Sikkim is also envisaged in the project
source;sikkim express
Chinese city suspends water supply after chemicals swept into river
AP
Some 3,000 barrels holding a total of 5 tons of unidentified chemicals were washed into the Songhua river on Wednesday from Jilin’s Xinyaqiang chemical plant
Officials in north-eastern China cut the public water supply to 4.3 million residents of Jilin city after a flood washed thousands of barrels of chemicals into a major river, state media said on Thursday.
Some 3,000 barrels holding a total of 5 tons of unidentified chemicals were washed into the Songhua river on Wednesday from Jilin’s Xinyaqiang chemical plant, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Earlier reports said the plastic barrels from the plant contained “explosive” chemicals but gave no details.
Another 4,000 empty barrels floated into the river, which was cordoned off by workers trying to recover the barrels.
The water supply was cut off in Jilin early Wednesday afternoon and authorities had “yet to indicate when it will resume”, the China Daily newspaper said on Thursday.
The workers had only recovered about 400 of the 7,000 barrels by early Thursday, the agency said.
Summer floods and landslides have killed at least 928 people across China since April, with 477 missing, the government said on Wednesday.
The floods have destroyed 875,000 homes and forced the evacuation of 9.61 million people in 28 provinces.
Rescuers were evacuating about 30,000 people cut off by floods on Wednesday in the town of Kouqian, near Jilin in north-eastern China.
Tens of thousands more were evacuated from areas around the central city of Wuhan on Wednesday before the expected arrival of two flood peaks along the swollen Yangtze and one of its main tributaries, the Han, on Thursday.
The two rivers converge in Wuhan, sparking fears that the flood peaks of the two rivers could submerge the city on Thursday.
The water level in the Han river is forecast to reach 30.5 metres near Wuhan on Thursday, the highest level for some 20 years, while the Yangtze is also expected to exceed its danger level of 27.3 metres.
Officials planned to divert some of the floodwater from the Yangtze to low-lying farmland that serves as an emergency reservoir near Wuhan, the first use of the diversion since 2005, reports said.
AP
Some 3,000 barrels holding a total of 5 tons of unidentified chemicals were washed into the Songhua river on Wednesday from Jilin’s Xinyaqiang chemical plant
Officials in north-eastern China cut the public water supply to 4.3 million residents of Jilin city after a flood washed thousands of barrels of chemicals into a major river, state media said on Thursday.
Some 3,000 barrels holding a total of 5 tons of unidentified chemicals were washed into the Songhua river on Wednesday from Jilin’s Xinyaqiang chemical plant, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Earlier reports said the plastic barrels from the plant contained “explosive” chemicals but gave no details.
Another 4,000 empty barrels floated into the river, which was cordoned off by workers trying to recover the barrels.
The water supply was cut off in Jilin early Wednesday afternoon and authorities had “yet to indicate when it will resume”, the China Daily newspaper said on Thursday.
The workers had only recovered about 400 of the 7,000 barrels by early Thursday, the agency said.
Summer floods and landslides have killed at least 928 people across China since April, with 477 missing, the government said on Wednesday.
The floods have destroyed 875,000 homes and forced the evacuation of 9.61 million people in 28 provinces.
Rescuers were evacuating about 30,000 people cut off by floods on Wednesday in the town of Kouqian, near Jilin in north-eastern China.
Tens of thousands more were evacuated from areas around the central city of Wuhan on Wednesday before the expected arrival of two flood peaks along the swollen Yangtze and one of its main tributaries, the Han, on Thursday.
The two rivers converge in Wuhan, sparking fears that the flood peaks of the two rivers could submerge the city on Thursday.
The water level in the Han river is forecast to reach 30.5 metres near Wuhan on Thursday, the highest level for some 20 years, while the Yangtze is also expected to exceed its danger level of 27.3 metres.
Officials planned to divert some of the floodwater from the Yangtze to low-lying farmland that serves as an emergency reservoir near Wuhan, the first use of the diversion since 2005, reports said.
PPF ACCOUNT
Your Public Provident Fund (PPF) account can continue living even beyond its specified 15-year tenor. The tenor of the account can be extended every five years ad infinitum even after the man- datory 15-year period is over.
WHAT IS A PPF?
A PPF is a 15-year debt instrument that works somewhat like a sys- tematic investment plan. Every year you need to make deposits in your account. Your deposits could range anywhere between Rs500 and Rs70,000. You can deposit up to 12 times a year. PPF currently pays an interest of 8% per annum, which is a guaranteed rate by the government of India.
PPF is arguably the best investment vehicle as it offers a risk- and tax-free 8% return. Not only do you earn tax-free returns, but you can also save on your taxes while investing. PPF investments are also allowed for deduction under section 80C.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO OPEN A PPF ACCOUNT?
If you are an Indian national or fall into the Hindu undivided family category, you can open a PPF account. You can oper- ate your account from abroad if you opened it while in India, but if you are a non-resident Indian, you can't open a PPF account. You can open your PPF account in any post office or designated branches of na- tionalized banks.
HOW CAN YOU EXTEND THE TENOR?
At the end of the 15th year, you can simply ask your bank or post office branch, where you opened your account, for an extension. In this extended pe- riod, you can continue to make a minimum contribution of Rs500, but it is not mandatory on you.
Even during this period, you will continue to earn 8% as interest.
When you extend your PPF, you get locked-in for the five-year period. However, partial withdrawals are available--60% of the to- tal balance at the beginning of the extension can be withdrawn as a lump sum. Alternatively, the withdrawal sum can be spread over five years.
SHOULD YOU EXTEND?
Though you continue to earn the same rate of interest, remember that this 8% is not a rate that is guaranteed for life. Periodically, the Central government declares a rate that gets applicable on fresh investments. Before you go for any extension, check what rate the PPF is fetching you. If it tides over inflationary pressure, it is still a good instrument to invest.
Your Public Provident Fund (PPF) account can continue living even beyond its specified 15-year tenor. The tenor of the account can be extended every five years ad infinitum even after the man- datory 15-year period is over.
WHAT IS A PPF?
A PPF is a 15-year debt instrument that works somewhat like a sys- tematic investment plan. Every year you need to make deposits in your account. Your deposits could range anywhere between Rs500 and Rs70,000. You can deposit up to 12 times a year. PPF currently pays an interest of 8% per annum, which is a guaranteed rate by the government of India.
PPF is arguably the best investment vehicle as it offers a risk- and tax-free 8% return. Not only do you earn tax-free returns, but you can also save on your taxes while investing. PPF investments are also allowed for deduction under section 80C.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO OPEN A PPF ACCOUNT?
If you are an Indian national or fall into the Hindu undivided family category, you can open a PPF account. You can oper- ate your account from abroad if you opened it while in India, but if you are a non-resident Indian, you can't open a PPF account. You can open your PPF account in any post office or designated branches of na- tionalized banks.
HOW CAN YOU EXTEND THE TENOR?
At the end of the 15th year, you can simply ask your bank or post office branch, where you opened your account, for an extension. In this extended pe- riod, you can continue to make a minimum contribution of Rs500, but it is not mandatory on you.
Even during this period, you will continue to earn 8% as interest.
When you extend your PPF, you get locked-in for the five-year period. However, partial withdrawals are available--60% of the to- tal balance at the beginning of the extension can be withdrawn as a lump sum. Alternatively, the withdrawal sum can be spread over five years.
SHOULD YOU EXTEND?
Though you continue to earn the same rate of interest, remember that this 8% is not a rate that is guaranteed for life. Periodically, the Central government declares a rate that gets applicable on fresh investments. Before you go for any extension, check what rate the PPF is fetching you. If it tides over inflationary pressure, it is still a good instrument to invest.
Bhutan issues stamps to honour Sikkim singers
PTI
Gangtok, July 28 (PTI) Bhutan has issued two postage stamps in honour of Sikkim's Nyima Lhamu Bhutia's audio-visual album "Drayang from Yuksam" from rural West Sikkim.They are traditional singers and musicians that bring cultural unity among the people of Bhutan and Sikkim, officials said.Bhutan Postal Government Corporation Ltd has issued the stamps 'Yuksam Drayang' portraying two Sikkimese between an image of the Eight Lucky Signs of Buddhism.The second stamp cover is the coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim which is known as "Throne of Norbugang" at Yuksom, the first capital of ancient Sikkim.Yuksam Drayang has a narration of six minutes in Bhutia language with subtitles in English about the historical and cultural legacy of Yuksom and Tashiding, rural areas of West Sikkim.Both the stamps of the Bhutan Postal Government Corporation Ltd are available in Bhutan currency Ngultrum (NU) 15, NU 10 and NU 5.Sikkim government, political and social organisations like Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) have expressed happiness over Bhutan government's decision to issue commemorative stamps.The committees expressed gratitude to Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk in this regard.
PTI
Gangtok, July 28 (PTI) Bhutan has issued two postage stamps in honour of Sikkim's Nyima Lhamu Bhutia's audio-visual album "Drayang from Yuksam" from rural West Sikkim.They are traditional singers and musicians that bring cultural unity among the people of Bhutan and Sikkim, officials said.Bhutan Postal Government Corporation Ltd has issued the stamps 'Yuksam Drayang' portraying two Sikkimese between an image of the Eight Lucky Signs of Buddhism.The second stamp cover is the coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim which is known as "Throne of Norbugang" at Yuksom, the first capital of ancient Sikkim.Yuksam Drayang has a narration of six minutes in Bhutia language with subtitles in English about the historical and cultural legacy of Yuksom and Tashiding, rural areas of West Sikkim.Both the stamps of the Bhutan Postal Government Corporation Ltd are available in Bhutan currency Ngultrum (NU) 15, NU 10 and NU 5.Sikkim government, political and social organisations like Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) have expressed happiness over Bhutan government's decision to issue commemorative stamps.The committees expressed gratitude to Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk in this regard.
Creating ice at room temperature
Researchers have studied the underlying mechanisms of water condensation in the troposphere and found a way to make artificial materials to control water condensation and trigger ice formation at room temperature. Their work may lead to new additives for snowmaking, improved freezer systems, or new coatings that help grow ice for skating rinks.
Scientists had predicted that materials with crystal faces exhibiting a structure similar to that of hexagonal ice, the form of all natural snow and ice on Earth, would be an ideal agent to induce freezing and trigger rain.
Barium fluoride (BaF2), a naturally occurring mineral, was studied.
Despite having the desired hexagonal structure, BaF2 turned out to be a poor ice-nucleating material. But when the mineral's surface has defects, its condensation efficiency is enhanced. They are now preparing artificial materials to improve water condensation in a controllable way.
The researchers' goal now is to produce environmentally-friendly synthetic materials for efficiently inducing snow
Researchers have studied the underlying mechanisms of water condensation in the troposphere and found a way to make artificial materials to control water condensation and trigger ice formation at room temperature. Their work may lead to new additives for snowmaking, improved freezer systems, or new coatings that help grow ice for skating rinks.
Scientists had predicted that materials with crystal faces exhibiting a structure similar to that of hexagonal ice, the form of all natural snow and ice on Earth, would be an ideal agent to induce freezing and trigger rain.
Barium fluoride (BaF2), a naturally occurring mineral, was studied.
Despite having the desired hexagonal structure, BaF2 turned out to be a poor ice-nucleating material. But when the mineral's surface has defects, its condensation efficiency is enhanced. They are now preparing artificial materials to improve water condensation in a controllable way.
The researchers' goal now is to produce environmentally-friendly synthetic materials for efficiently inducing snow
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Have your luxuries, but spare a thought for the environment
by Sophia Yusuf
The Hindu
Is there a way to live extravagantly and still save the planet?
Extravagance. Amazing cars with powerful engines and huge exhausts and half a kilometre of unleaded petrol per litre, air cons anytime everywhere, huge houses, lots of servants, expensive furniture, real leather, fur, mink, how many of us are drooling as we read this?
Let us admit it. We love extravagance. Unless we have religious reasons to stay away from something or the other, we just have to have everything. Let us just admit it; we are all not the Mahatma. That requires an extraordinary strength of mind, and more than a little madness in the blood. How many of us can boast of these characteristics?
But we all would like to see a green world, a clean world, one where you see natural beauty everywhere you turn, where breathing is a healthy and a pleasing thing to do, rather than a necessity you would avoid if you could (how many times do we walk the city with our hands over our noses?).
So how do we achieve both? How do we achieve that elusive balance between extravagance and environmental-friendly living? How do we enjoy our luxuries without feeling guilty, or wondering whether we are contributing to global warming?
By being aware, of course. You want to buy that car? That incredibly expensive car that people will stare at every time you take it out (or rather, try to spot it, because you are not driving below a hundred when you take that car out)? Go ahead, then, buy it.
But also include walking into your routine. Sure, if you want to zip on the highway, that car makes perfect sense. Sure, if you want to show off to your gym buddies, take it there. But to the grocery store? I am pretty sure those people at the grocery store really couldn't care for the car you come in to buy your milk. Walk. Walk to your grocery store. In fact, why don't you chart a mental map? Walk to all those places that are from a ten to fifteen-minute walk from your house.
When you go shopping, try parking your car five minutes away from the mall and walk. Saves that much petrol, and stops that much pollution. Five minutes. Can't kill you. And even if you do have really heavy bags to carry, you could always come back and drive your car to the entrance to take them in, or ask the shop boys to help you. If for no other reason, they will help you for ten bucks out of your pocket.
Can't be bothered to turn all lights and fans (sorry, a/c) off when you are not using them? All right, don't. Can you turn one light off? By turning off that one light, you save that much energy. Just a pinch, maybe, but saving that pinch is better than wasting that pinch, don't you think so?
Too cool to carry your own cloth bag to the grocery store? Ok, don't. But you can at least make sure they put everything in one, or two bags, rather than using too many bags, cant you? I am sure that is not much of a sacrifice. But it saves that much plastic.
Too lazy to find a dustbin on the road? All right, don't. But as you are walking, or driving, you will come across garbage heaps on the side of the road. Throw your garbage there at least. That way, you are still showing some civic sense, aren't you?
Oh yes, go ahead and spend all the money you have on all the luxuries you can buy. Just make sure that you save wherever you can. That is all you need to do. So stop feeling guilty about all the harm you are causing society, and get involved in some any planet-saving activity. The smallest gesture makes a difference. And the word is awareness.
by Sophia Yusuf
The Hindu
Is there a way to live extravagantly and still save the planet?
Extravagance. Amazing cars with powerful engines and huge exhausts and half a kilometre of unleaded petrol per litre, air cons anytime everywhere, huge houses, lots of servants, expensive furniture, real leather, fur, mink, how many of us are drooling as we read this?
Let us admit it. We love extravagance. Unless we have religious reasons to stay away from something or the other, we just have to have everything. Let us just admit it; we are all not the Mahatma. That requires an extraordinary strength of mind, and more than a little madness in the blood. How many of us can boast of these characteristics?
But we all would like to see a green world, a clean world, one where you see natural beauty everywhere you turn, where breathing is a healthy and a pleasing thing to do, rather than a necessity you would avoid if you could (how many times do we walk the city with our hands over our noses?).
So how do we achieve both? How do we achieve that elusive balance between extravagance and environmental-friendly living? How do we enjoy our luxuries without feeling guilty, or wondering whether we are contributing to global warming?
By being aware, of course. You want to buy that car? That incredibly expensive car that people will stare at every time you take it out (or rather, try to spot it, because you are not driving below a hundred when you take that car out)? Go ahead, then, buy it.
But also include walking into your routine. Sure, if you want to zip on the highway, that car makes perfect sense. Sure, if you want to show off to your gym buddies, take it there. But to the grocery store? I am pretty sure those people at the grocery store really couldn't care for the car you come in to buy your milk. Walk. Walk to your grocery store. In fact, why don't you chart a mental map? Walk to all those places that are from a ten to fifteen-minute walk from your house.
When you go shopping, try parking your car five minutes away from the mall and walk. Saves that much petrol, and stops that much pollution. Five minutes. Can't kill you. And even if you do have really heavy bags to carry, you could always come back and drive your car to the entrance to take them in, or ask the shop boys to help you. If for no other reason, they will help you for ten bucks out of your pocket.
Can't be bothered to turn all lights and fans (sorry, a/c) off when you are not using them? All right, don't. Can you turn one light off? By turning off that one light, you save that much energy. Just a pinch, maybe, but saving that pinch is better than wasting that pinch, don't you think so?
Too cool to carry your own cloth bag to the grocery store? Ok, don't. But you can at least make sure they put everything in one, or two bags, rather than using too many bags, cant you? I am sure that is not much of a sacrifice. But it saves that much plastic.
Too lazy to find a dustbin on the road? All right, don't. But as you are walking, or driving, you will come across garbage heaps on the side of the road. Throw your garbage there at least. That way, you are still showing some civic sense, aren't you?
Oh yes, go ahead and spend all the money you have on all the luxuries you can buy. Just make sure that you save wherever you can. That is all you need to do. So stop feeling guilty about all the harm you are causing society, and get involved in some any planet-saving activity. The smallest gesture makes a difference. And the word is awareness.
A razor for Rs.1,500 — that's cutting edge technology for you!
by K. T. Rajagopalan
For my first shave, like practically every teenaged boy, I used my father's razor. ‘Stealthily', I must add, to set the records straight. My grandfather's razor would have been my tool, had I not been mortified by its looks. Its business end looked menacing, but it was the most basic of implements: three inches of gleaming steel with a dark grey-and-tan handle made of buffalo's horn. Grandpa would sharpen it by rubbing it against a small grey slab of slate, with a drop of water to ease the movement.
My father, having been more urbanised, used a safety razor. This one inspired courage because its cutting edges were both nearly masked. Though the all-metal, double-edged blade needed to be changed once a week, in my father's view, the blade was meant to last for e-v-e-r. When it lost its edge, he would rub it along the inner face of a glass tumbler, lubricated with a drop of water.
One of the first purchases from my salary was a safety razor made of gleaming metal and a clean, sharp blade. It had doors on the top and the handle had a knob that needed to be rotated gently to open the doors. It was one of the most advanced contraptions that I had handled till then. The replacement cost of the blade was the princely sum of Rs. 2 for a five-pack.
Then a revolution of sorts was ushered in: a model with just one cutting edge appeared. The apparatus was light and you had to buy a cassette containing five blades. When the handle was slid into the cassette, a blade would get engaged to it – and, hey presto, it was at your service. The cassette cost a fiver, I guess.
Then spring-loaded blades exploded on the scene. The blade would retract, they claimed, if they came into contact with the facial skin instead of hair. This was a quantum jump in comfort as well as price. I think the blades cost Rs. 10 each. I used to feel so guilty indulging in this extravagance.
A few years passed and, sure enough, models with two blades came. More comfort, more money, more guilt. Rs.25 apiece. I bought this hi-tech product, was extremely satisfied with it, and thought that I had found my life-partner. Once you used it, there was no going back to cheaper stuff. You stayed wedded for life.
I had to eat my hat soon, as the serpent dangled the apple in the garden again. In the form of a three-blade razor — the ultimate in shaving comfort. It required fewer strokes as it gently caressed the face. I tried to resist the temptation to buy one, but soon succumbed to the marketing blitzkrieg.
I found the trade-off between a Rs. 100 note and mornings of pure delight to my advantage, but squirmed in remorse every time I bought them. Not once in the last four years have I been disloyal to this ultimate gizmo.
Famous last words they might turn out to be. There is a model with — hold your breath — five blades. I have been eyeing this beauty at the local mall for quite some time. I can see it standing there, staring at me, egging me to give it a try, daring me to move on. I know that sooner rather than later I am going to buckle under the strain and buy one.
A friend told me of a battery-powered model which has a vibrating head that will make the hair stand up and be slaughtered. And the price, a whopping Rs.1,500 for a blade. I was not sure he was not pulling a fast one on me.
The ultimate blade
That night I dreamt of the ultimate version of the shaving razor: one with a thousand micro-blades guided by laser and driven by dedicated micromotors. It would seek out individual facial hair and destroy it without a trace and sprinkle aftershave on its reverse stroke. It had a micro-chip loaded with a thousand MP3 files. The chip would also sense the mood of the owner from his face and play the appropriate music. At Rs. 10,000 apiece.
(The writer is a former General Manager of State Bank of Travancore. His email: ktremail@gmail.com)
by K. T. Rajagopalan
For my first shave, like practically every teenaged boy, I used my father's razor. ‘Stealthily', I must add, to set the records straight. My grandfather's razor would have been my tool, had I not been mortified by its looks. Its business end looked menacing, but it was the most basic of implements: three inches of gleaming steel with a dark grey-and-tan handle made of buffalo's horn. Grandpa would sharpen it by rubbing it against a small grey slab of slate, with a drop of water to ease the movement.
My father, having been more urbanised, used a safety razor. This one inspired courage because its cutting edges were both nearly masked. Though the all-metal, double-edged blade needed to be changed once a week, in my father's view, the blade was meant to last for e-v-e-r. When it lost its edge, he would rub it along the inner face of a glass tumbler, lubricated with a drop of water.
One of the first purchases from my salary was a safety razor made of gleaming metal and a clean, sharp blade. It had doors on the top and the handle had a knob that needed to be rotated gently to open the doors. It was one of the most advanced contraptions that I had handled till then. The replacement cost of the blade was the princely sum of Rs. 2 for a five-pack.
Then a revolution of sorts was ushered in: a model with just one cutting edge appeared. The apparatus was light and you had to buy a cassette containing five blades. When the handle was slid into the cassette, a blade would get engaged to it – and, hey presto, it was at your service. The cassette cost a fiver, I guess.
Then spring-loaded blades exploded on the scene. The blade would retract, they claimed, if they came into contact with the facial skin instead of hair. This was a quantum jump in comfort as well as price. I think the blades cost Rs. 10 each. I used to feel so guilty indulging in this extravagance.
A few years passed and, sure enough, models with two blades came. More comfort, more money, more guilt. Rs.25 apiece. I bought this hi-tech product, was extremely satisfied with it, and thought that I had found my life-partner. Once you used it, there was no going back to cheaper stuff. You stayed wedded for life.
I had to eat my hat soon, as the serpent dangled the apple in the garden again. In the form of a three-blade razor — the ultimate in shaving comfort. It required fewer strokes as it gently caressed the face. I tried to resist the temptation to buy one, but soon succumbed to the marketing blitzkrieg.
I found the trade-off between a Rs. 100 note and mornings of pure delight to my advantage, but squirmed in remorse every time I bought them. Not once in the last four years have I been disloyal to this ultimate gizmo.
Famous last words they might turn out to be. There is a model with — hold your breath — five blades. I have been eyeing this beauty at the local mall for quite some time. I can see it standing there, staring at me, egging me to give it a try, daring me to move on. I know that sooner rather than later I am going to buckle under the strain and buy one.
A friend told me of a battery-powered model which has a vibrating head that will make the hair stand up and be slaughtered. And the price, a whopping Rs.1,500 for a blade. I was not sure he was not pulling a fast one on me.
The ultimate blade
That night I dreamt of the ultimate version of the shaving razor: one with a thousand micro-blades guided by laser and driven by dedicated micromotors. It would seek out individual facial hair and destroy it without a trace and sprinkle aftershave on its reverse stroke. It had a micro-chip loaded with a thousand MP3 files. The chip would also sense the mood of the owner from his face and play the appropriate music. At Rs. 10,000 apiece.
(The writer is a former General Manager of State Bank of Travancore. His email: ktremail@gmail.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)