ANYTHING ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!: Japan: Another Earthquake http://ping.fm/ICd4G

Japan: Another Earthquake

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake rattled Tokyo over a minute on Thursday night. Weaker than the M 9.0 that struck on March11, the 7.1 scared many people.

A warning of a tsunami of up to 6 feet was issued by the Japanese meteorological agency after a M7.1 shake off the coast, 60 miles from Sendai and 90 miles from the crippled and leaking nuclear power plant at Fukushima. Tokyo, which felt the earthquake, is about 215 miles from the epicenter. The tsunami warning was lifted after 90 minutes. The earthquake occurred at 23.32 local time. At first the quake was reported at M7.4, later downgraded to 7.1.

This latest strong aftershock has knocked out power in several areas in the Northeast and may have further damaged the Fukushima plant. Workers have evacuated the plant until the danger of a tsunami generated by this latest shock is past.

Plates warped and strained

This earthquake was 25 miles deep and is thought to be an aftershock or a continuation of the pressure release from the warping of the tectonic plates as the Pacific plate slides under Japan. Thomas Heaton, California Institute of Technology geophysicist, said after the March 11 earthquake that even one of magnitude 9 may not release the strain.

Japan mostly lies on the Okhotsk Plate, which is long and moving in a southerly direction. On the west side of Japan is the Eurasian Plate, pushing eastwards, and on the opposite side is the Pacific Plate, moving to the west. The Okhotsk Plate is therefore sandwiched between the two massive plates and being assaulted from both sides.

Sathya Sai Baba shows signs of improvement.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is undergoing treatment for multi-organ dysfunction, is showing signs of improvement and doctors treating him are optimistic about his recovery.

“Sathya Sai Baba, who was admitted in this hospital on March 28, is showing positive signs of response to the treatment being given to him,” a health bulletin issued this morning by A.N. Safaya, Director of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences here, said.

“His blood pressure and other clinical parameters continue to be nearly normal and satisfactory. His kidneys are also showing signs of recovery. The state of his consciousness also continues to show improvement. Indices of other vital organs like the heart and liver have also shown improvement.

“He is in a stable condition of health, though he still continues to be on the ventilator and slow dialysis,” it said.

The panel of doctors treating him is optimistic about his recovery, the bulletin added.

85-year-old Sathya Sai Baba was admitted to the super-speciality hospital on March 28 following problems related to heart and lungs.

The doctors treating him have said he is suffering from multi-organ dysfunction and that he was responding positively to the treatment.

ANYTHING ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!: After Satya Sai Baba: Who? http://ping.fm/PqjkX

After Satya Sai Baba: Who?

Even as questions are being raised about the credibility of reports on spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba’s health, the question, ‘Who after Baba?’ is being seen as the raison d’etre for all the mystery and secrecy over Baba’s real condition.

A five-member team of Andhra Pradesh government, headed by principal secretary, health department, BV Ramesh, has been constituted to work out a smooth transfer of reins of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Trust in the event of 85-year-old godman’s demise.

According to sources, “It is this tussle for succession that is driving the government and the trustees to keep Baba out of the public glare. The trust has huge properties at Puttaparthi in Ananthapur district, Andhra Pradesh, and in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai. It also has property in several countries, including USA, and property alone is estimated to be worth over Rs40,000 crore. The trust is running numerous schools, colleges and two super-specialty hospitals, apart from implementing drinking water schemes in several places, including Ananthapur.”

Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakara Raju, one of the trustees, is being touted as the front runner to head the trust. But the issue is not simple, as there is now debate on whether the new head, in the event of Baba’s demise, should be chosen in a democratic manner or be one from Baba’s family.

Retired IAS officer Chakravarthi reportedly enjoys the confidence of many members, and could head the trust. Meanwhile, Puttaparthi is agog with reports of the Andhra Pradesh government trying to take over the trust, to manage the institutions of the Baba.

The five-member team of the AP government, which is camping in Puttaparthi, is in constant touch with trustees and members of Baba’s family. It has already started examining the flow of donations for the trust and whether funds are being managed properly.

Earlier, devotees heeded a prophecy that Baba would attain his heavenly abode only at the age of 96. Baba’s next reincarnation, according to that prophecy, would occur in Mandya district. Devotees see Baba’s reincarnation as the natural successor to Baba. But for that kind of succession, devotees expect to have to wait at least three decades. In the meanwhile, it is expected that the 85-year-old Baba would continue to bless his followers for at least another 11 years.

ANYTHING ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!: Anna Hazare: One man against corruption http://ping.fm/9mTTn

Anna Hazare: One man against corruption

Anna Hazare is one of India's well-acclaimed social activists. A former soldier in the Indian army, Anna is well known and respected for upgrading the ecology and economy of the village of Ralegan Siddhi which is located in the drought prone Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state. The erstwhile barren village has metamorphosed into a unique model of rural development due to its effective water conservation methods, which made the villagers self-sufficient. Earlier, the same village witnessed alcoholism, utter poverty and migration to urban slums. Inspired by Hazare’s unique approach of salvaging a hopeless village, the state government has implemented the `Model Village’ scheme as part of its official strategy. Hazare is now synonymous with rural development in India.

This man has single handedly started a fight against corruptions at high levels in India. He has started a fast unto death in New Delhi.This fast has now entered the third day & a large number of people from various walks of life continued to extend support to the crusader for a stronger anti-corruption law. 

Seventy-two-year-old Hazare’s protest has led to the resignation of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the Group of Ministers on corruption after the Gandhian took potshots at him. 

Since the fast started on Tuesday, people from all walks of life including students, senior citizens, actors, executives and activists are converging at the Jantar Mantar, to lend support to the movement.

The activist is demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal Bill as the legislation proposed by the government was not adequate and lacked teeth. He has maintained that a joint committee, comprising representatives of the government and civil society, should be set up to firm up the bill. 

Let us all support this noble cause & extend our support to this movement.

Satya Sai baba: Condition improving

A tense Puttaparthy heaved a sign of relief 10 days after Satya Sai Baba was admitted at a super speciality hospital. Doctors attending the world-renowned spiritual leader, now say that though Sai Baba's condition is critical, he's showing signs of improvement."Satya Sai Baba has shown slight improvement, he continues to be in a serious state of health, we believe that ultimately he should have the sankalpa of coming out of this," said Satya Sai Institute of Medical Sciences Director Dr Safaya.Even as people pray for Sai Baba's recovery, the devotees in Puttaparthy believe that an idol that they had immersed recently was the reason why Sai Baba is in a critical condition. A huge procession was undertaken to recover the idol and place it back in the temple.

"We believe in Sai Baba. What Puttaparthy is now its all because of Sai Baba, we are praying for him to get well," said Abdul, a resident of Puttaparthy Village.

Hopes of countless people continue to swing between despair and hope. Devotees continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the 85-year-old spiritual guru, who helped millions of people by answering their question.

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Doctors attending on spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthy said that his health condition was stable and there were signs of improvement
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SATYA SAI BABA:CONDITION STABLE

Doctors attending on spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthy said that his health condition was stable and there were signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys.

A bulletin issued by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Puttaparthy, Andhra Pradesh, this morning said Sai Baba, who was admitted to the hospital ten days ago, "is in a stable state of health as he was yesterday".

"There are signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys although he is still on dialysis. He continues to be on the ventilator for assisting his respiration," it said.

"The blood pressure and all other parameters are satisfactory. The panel of doctors treating him is keeping a constant watch over his health condition," the bulletin added.

The 85-year-old Sai Baba was admitted to Satya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthy on March 28, following pneumonia and respiratory problems.

Satya Sai Baba's condition critical.

Condition of Sri Sathya Saibaba, who was admitted to hospital following chest and lung congestion on March 28, has turned critical, doctors treating him said. According to an emergency medical bulletin issued by Sri SatyaSai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Puttaparthy, vital organs of Sai Baba were not functioning normally.

"The doctors are doing their best," said A N Safaya, director, SSSIHMS.

Doctors performed dialysis on Sai Baba today using the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy method, he said.  They said that Sai Baba's condition took an alarming turn in the afternoon.

The latest information has sent waves of concern among the thousands of devotees who have thronged the Ashram town of Puttaparthy, specially the super specialty hospital to inquire about his condition.

Sai Baba, whose millions of devotees are spread all over the world, that include nig names from the diverse worlds of politics, business and films, rule over a massive network of socio-religious organisations with assets running in to several thousands of crores.

Sai Baba was admitted to the hospital, set up by him near his sprawling Prashanti Nilayam Ashram, on March 28 with the complaints of difficulty in breathing.

85-year-old Sathya Saibaba was admitted to the super speciality hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparty near Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh following respiration-related problems.

ANYTHING ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!: Cricket Frenzy grips India http://ping.fm/lsr5y

Cricket Frenzy grips India

India’s Cricket World Cup final against Sri Lanka tomorrow in Mumbai has created a thriving black market with tickets selling for as much as $10,000 each.

One fan, said he’s sold 10 seats through a website for 65,000 rupees ($1,460) each, including one to a supporter from Canada. The day before, tickets were being sold for 45,000 rupees, a price that climbed to 100,000 rupees, he said. The face value of the tickets in the Sachin Tendulkar

Battery running on water: What next !!!!!!!!!

A battery that takes advantage of the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater to produce electricity has been developed by Stanford researchers. Anywhere freshwater enters the sea, such as river mouths or estuaries, could be potential sites for a power plant using such a battery,

Aus V/s Ind: Quarterfinals..... What a match!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my God! What a match it was! I am not going in the details of the match or telling you the scorecard as everbody knows what happened.I just want to talk about the sheer excitement that match had generated in India & I am sure it was the same in Australia & in all the other cricket playing countries.

Tendulkar V/s Ponting for the last time in world cup.

Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting will be centre stage Thursday as India and Australia clash in a World Cup quarter-final blockbuster where defeat could have shattering consequences for both men.

Tendulkar needs one more century to complete a hundred international tons while a victory for Ponting will take his side closer to a fourth successive world title.

But with Tendulkar 38 years old, and Ponting already 36, defeat will likely signal the end of both men's World Cup careers and this will be the last time they will play gainst each other in World cup.

Japan:Minute's Silence To Mark Disaster

Japan has held a minute's silence to mark exactly one week since the country was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

It comes as the crisis at the Fukushima 1 nuclear plant continues with emergency crews attempting to reconnect electricity to its cooling systems as four reactors continue to overheat.

Four of the facility's six reactor units have seen fires,

Japan Nuclear Crisis: Water Spraying operation

Japanese authorities on Thursday launched an urgent attempt to avert a nuclear disaster by air, but initial attempts to drop tons of water at the quake-ravaged Fukushima Daiichi plant appeared to do little to lower potentially perilous

Japan: Crisis worsens

Workers  Withdrawn from nuclear site

  Workers were ordered to withdraw briefly from a stricken Japanese nuclear power plant on Wednesday after radiation levels surged,  a development that suggested the crisis was spiralling out of control