The Government on Friday reached out to veteran social activists and Gandhian Anna Hazare and decided to set up a joint drafting committee to bring out a strict anti-corruption law.
From: http://ping.fm/l4Bjq
Friday, April 8, 2011
Anna Hazare: Govt offers drafting panel
The Government on Friday reached out to veteran social activists and Gandhian Anna Hazare and decided to set up a joint drafting committee to bring out a strict anti-corruption law.
The committee will have 10 members out of which five will be ministers and the other five will be from the civil society. Hazare will also be one of the members of the proposed committee.Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed that that all the points that were raised by Hazare's supporters have been met. The Government has also decided to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament.
The committee will have 10 members out of which five will be ministers and the other five will be from the civil society. Hazare will also be one of the members of the proposed committee.Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed that that all the points that were raised by Hazare's supporters have been met. The Government has also decided to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament.
"All points of substance have been met. We have agreed for a joint drafting committee. We will introduce the Bill (Lokpal Bill) in the monsoon session. The committee will have five nominee ministers of the Government and five members of Hazare," said Singhvi while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.
"The Congress is with the crusade against corruption. We have shown that whenever there are credible allegations the Congress party has taken concrete actions and full transparency has been maintained. We are with the nation and with the civil society in this crusade against corruption. We are taking steps for the Lokpal Bill," he said.
The convenor of drafting committee will be Law Minister Veerappa Moily.
However, the Congress also took a tough stand against some activists and questioned the role of the civil society.
The party said that accountability lies with politicians and no responsible government could accept some of the demands that had been put forward by the anti-corruption crusaders.
Reacting to the Government's proposal, Hazare's supporters said that the there should be co-chairperson of the committee and a Government order should be issued for the same. The demand for a Government order is a climbdown from their earlier demand for a notification.
Hazare has launched a fast-unto-death at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding strict anti-corruption law. His fast entered the fourth day on Friday and his crusade has spread like wildfire across the country.
Massive protests have been reported from several other cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna, Bhopal, Jaipur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Nashik, Ranchi, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram.
Anna Hazare :Letter to the Prime minister
Veteran social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare has written an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In the letter dated April 6, 2011, Hazare has raised many questions and sought the Prime Minister's reply.
The 72-year-old social activist, supported by eminent persons including Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal, has been demanding that the drafting committee for the Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption should include members of civil society.
He started his fast-unto-death at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to demand a stricter anti-corruption law that that is being proposed by the Government.
Below is the full text of Hazare's letter to the Prime Minister:
India Against Corruption
A-119, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad . 201010. UP Ph: 09868069953
www.indiaagainstcorruption.org
Date: April 6, 2011
To,
Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
New Delhi Dear
Dr. Singh,
I have started my indefinite fast at Jantar mantar. I had invited you also to fast and pray for a corruption free India on 5th April. Though I did not receive any reply from you, I am hopeful that you must have done that.
I am pained to read and hear about government's reaction to my fast. I consider it my duty to clarify the points raised on behalf of Congress party and the government by their spokespersons, as they appear in media:
1. It is being alleged that I am being instigated by some people to sit on this fast. Dear Manmohan Singh ji, this is an insult to my sense of wisdom and intelligence. I am not a kid that I could be "instigated" into going on an indefinite fast. I am a fiercely independent person. I take advice from many friends and critics, but do what my conscience directs me to do. It is my experience that when cornered, governments resort to such malicious slandering. I am pained that the government, rather than addressing the issue of corruption, is trying to allege conspiracies, when there are none.
2. It is being said that I have shown impatience. Dear Prime Minister, so far, every government has shown complete insensitivity and lack of political commitment to tackling corruption. 62 years after independence, we still do not have independent and effective anti-corruption systems. Very weak versions of Lokpal Bill were presented in Parliament eight times in last 42 years. Even these weak versions were not passed by Parliament. This means, left to themselves, the politicians and bureaucrats will never pass any law which subjects them to any kind of objective scrutiny. At a time, when the country has witnessed scams of unprecedented scale, the impatience of the entire country is justified. And we call upon you, not to look for precedents, but show courage to take unprecedented steps.
3. It is being said that I have shown impatience when the government has "initiated" the process. I would urge you to tell me - exactly what processes are underway?
a. You say that your Group of Ministers are drafting the anti-corruption law. Many of the members of this Group of Ministers have such a shady past that if effective anticorruption systems had been in place, some of them would have been behind bars. Do you want us to have faith in a process in which some of the most corrupt people of this country should draft the anti-corruption law?
b. NAC sub-committee has discussed Jan Lokpal Bill. But what does that actually mean? Will the government accept the recommendations of NAC sub-committee? So far, UPA II has shown complete contempt for even the most innocuous issues raised by NAC.
c. I and many other friends from India Against Corruption movement wrote several letters to you after 1st December. I also sent you a copy of Jan Lokpal Bill on 1st December. We did not get any response. It is only when I wrote to you that I will sit on an indefinite fast, we were promptly invited for discussions on 7th March. I wonder whether the government responds only to threats of indefinite fast. Before that, representatives of India Against Corruption had been meeting various Ministers seeking their support for the Jan Lokpal Bill. They met Mr Moily also and personally handed over copy of Jan Lokpal to him. A few hours before our meeting with you, we received a phone call from Mr Moily's office that the copy of Jan Lokpal Bill had been misplaced by his office and they wanted another copy. This is the seriousness with which the government has dealt with Jan Lokpal Bill.
d. Dear Dr Manmohan Singh ji, if you were in my place, would you have any faith in the aforesaid processes? Kindly let me know if there are any other processes underway. If you still feel that I am impatient, I am happy that I am because the whole nation is feeling impatient at the lack of credible efforts from your government against corruption.
4. What are we asking for? We are not saying that you should accept the Bill drafted by us. But kindly create a credible platform for discussions . a joint committee with at least half members from civil society suggested by us. Your spokespersons are misleading the nation when they say that there is no precedent for setting up a joint committee. At least seven laws in Maharashtra were drafted by similar joint committees and presented in Maharashtra Assembly. Maharashtra RTI Act, one of the best laws of those times, was drafted by a joint committee. Even at the centre, when 25,000 tribals came to Delhi two years ago, your government set up a joint committee on land issues within 48 hours. You yourself are the Chairperson of that committee. This means that the government is willing to set up joint committees on all other issues, but not on corruption. Why?
5. It is being said that the government wants to talk to us and we are not talking to them. This is utterly false. Tell me a single meeting when you called us and we did not come. We strongly believe in dialogue and engagement. Kindly do not mislead the country by saying that we are shunning dialogue. We request you to take some credible steps at stemming corruption. Kindly stop finding faults and suspecting conspiracies in our movement. There are none. Even if there were, it does not absolve you of your responsibilities to stop corruption.
With warm regards,
(K B Hazare)
ANNA HAZARE SUPPORTERS: COME TOGETHER
Anna Hajare - 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 FOURTH day & a large number of people from various walks of life continued to extend support to the crusader for a stronger anti-corruption law.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY OF US REALLY SUPPORT HIM. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE SUPPORTERS , REPLY TO THIS POST & TELL THE WORLD WHY YOU SUPPORT HIM.
Stand with Anna Hazare : www.avaaz.org - Tell PM Singh to endorse Jan Lokpal and tackle corruption
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY OF US REALLY SUPPORT HIM. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE SUPPORTERS , REPLY TO THIS POST & TELL THE WORLD WHY YOU SUPPORT HIM.
Stand with Anna Hazare : www.avaaz.org - Tell PM Singh to endorse Jan Lokpal and tackle corruption
Thursday, April 7, 2011
ANYTHING ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!: ANNA HAZARE: DEMAND REJECTED
The government has rejected the demand of Anna Hazare to issue an official notification to constitute the draft committee
From: http://ping.fm/9kNGw
From: http://ping.fm/9kNGw
ANNA HAZARE: DEMAND REJECTED
The government has rejected the demand of Anna Hazare to issue an official notification to constitute the draft committee forLokpal Bill and also rejected the proposal for an outsider to lead the new committee of government and civil society.
The protesters announced that Kapil Sibal had conveyed about this decision to them and has also said that Pranab Mukherjee will head the committee.
Reacting to the government's stand, Anna Hazare announced country-wide Jail Bharo agiation on April 12.
However, later the date was changed to April 13 as organisers realised April 12 was a Ramnavami holiday and the agitation would inconvenience people.
An angry Hazare said that the people will teach the government a lesson by joinging the jail bharo agitation against the government.
Meanwhile, Anna Hazare, whose fast entered the fourth day on Friday, has said that he will not become the chairman of the proposed draft committee for the Lokpal Bill.
Addressing the thousands at the protest site, Anna Hazare said that he would only assist the committee in advisory capacity.
The fasting leaders announced that Anna Hazare will write a letter to Prime Minister manmohan Singh forwarding the names of Santosh Hegde and Justice GS Verma to lead the proposed draft committee.
The government has already rejected these names.
Hazare called for immediate decentralisation of power at the centre to ensure that there is end to corruption in governance.
Stating that Mahatma Gandhi stressed on decentralisation of power, he said his fast for Lokpal Bill was like the second fight for Independence. He said, Lokpal Bill will lead to decentralisation of power.
Hazare said Right to Information Act is an example for all to see. The RTI has led to devolution of power.
Taking a dig at the present set up, Hazare said all the agencies to tackle corruption at present are under the government and hence there has never been any positive outcome of any probe.
Hazare said we are demanding that all these agencies should come under the purview of Lokpal. This will ensure that all the corrupt will land in jail, he said.
The protesters announced that Kapil Sibal had conveyed about this decision to them and has also said that Pranab Mukherjee will head the committee.
Reacting to the government's stand, Anna Hazare announced country-wide Jail Bharo agiation on April 12.
However, later the date was changed to April 13 as organisers realised April 12 was a Ramnavami holiday and the agitation would inconvenience people.
An angry Hazare said that the people will teach the government a lesson by joinging the jail bharo agitation against the government.
Meanwhile, Anna Hazare, whose fast entered the fourth day on Friday, has said that he will not become the chairman of the proposed draft committee for the Lokpal Bill.
Addressing the thousands at the protest site, Anna Hazare said that he would only assist the committee in advisory capacity.
The fasting leaders announced that Anna Hazare will write a letter to Prime Minister manmohan Singh forwarding the names of Santosh Hegde and Justice GS Verma to lead the proposed draft committee.
The government has already rejected these names.
Hazare called for immediate decentralisation of power at the centre to ensure that there is end to corruption in governance.
Stating that Mahatma Gandhi stressed on decentralisation of power, he said his fast for Lokpal Bill was like the second fight for Independence. He said, Lokpal Bill will lead to decentralisation of power.
Hazare said Right to Information Act is an example for all to see. The RTI has led to devolution of power.
Taking a dig at the present set up, Hazare said all the agencies to tackle corruption at present are under the government and hence there has never been any positive outcome of any probe.
Hazare said we are demanding that all these agencies should come under the purview of Lokpal. This will ensure that all the corrupt will land in jail, he said.
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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.
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.
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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http://ping.fm/RwTb7
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.Monday, April 4, 2011
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.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
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
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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,
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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.
Friday, March 18, 2011
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,
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
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
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japan: Fourth Explosion
With a fourth explosion rocking the Fukushima nuclear facility on Tuesday and radiation levels at the facility gate increasing hundredfold, fears of a meltdown in Japan dramatically increase.
In his televised address on Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced that radiation had spread from the three damaged reactors in the Fukushima nuclear plant. A no-fly zone has been imposed over the nuclear plant. The prime minister has also asked people living within 30 kilometers of the Fukushima complex to stay indoors to avoid potential health risks from radiation.
Japan: third explosion at Fukushima
A third explosion in four days rocked the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in northeast Japan early Tuesday, the country's nuclear safety agency said.
The blast at Dai-ichi Unit 2 followed two hydrogen explosions at the plant — the latest on Monday — as authorities struggle to prevent the catastrophic release of radiation in the area devastated by a tsunami.
Friday, March 11, 2011
After effects of Tsunami
Japan has declared a state of emergency at two nuclear power plants, as officials try to confirm whether a reactor has gone into meltdown.
Cooling systems inside several reactors at the Fukushima 1 and 2 power plants stopped working after Friday's earthquake damaged power supplies.Huge pressure has been building up and a small amount of radiation has been released from one of the reactors.
Tsunami in japan
A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage.
Japanese television showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake. The quake has sparked fires in several areas including Tokyo. At least 32 people were killed, officials said.
It struck about 250 miles (400km) from the capital at a depth of 20 miles. There have been powerful aftershocks.
The tremor, measured at 8.9 by the US Geological Survey, hit at 1446 local time (0546 GMT). Seismologists say it is one of the largest earthquakes to hit Japan for many years.
A tsunami warning was extended across the Pacific to New Zealand in the south and North and South America to the east.
The Red Cross in Geneva warned that the tsunami waves could be higher than some Pacific islands, Reuters news agency said. Coastal areas in the Philippines, Hawaii and other Pacific islands were evacuated ahead of the tsunami's expected arrival.
Wall of water Strong waves hit Japan's Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, officials said, damaging dozens of coastal communities. Kyodo news agency said a 10-metre wave (33ft) struck the port of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture.
Japan's NHK television showed a massive surge of debris-filled water sweeping away buildings, cars and ships and reaching far inland.
Motorists could be seen trying to speed away from the wall of water.
Farmland around Sendai was submerged and the waves pushed cars across the runway of the city's airport. Fires broke out in the city's centre.
Another fire was reported to be burning in the turbine building of the Onagawa nuclear plant in Miyagi prefecture.The UN's nuclear agency said four nuclear power plants had shut down safely. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said there had been no radiation leaks.
Police and local officials said at least 32 people had been killed in the earthquake and tsunami. It is believed the death toll could rise significantly.
In Iwate prefecture, also near the epicentre, an official said it was difficult to gauge the extent of the destruction.
"Roads were badly damaged and cut off as [the] tsunami washed away debris, cars and many other things," said Hiroshi Sato, a disaster management official in Iwate.
'Seasick' The earthquake also triggered a massive blaze at an oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo, engulfing storage tanks.
There were reports of about 20 people injured in Tokyo after the roof of a hall collapsed on to a graduation ceremony.
Residents and workers in Tokyo rushed out of apartment buildings and office blocks and gathered in parks and open spaces as aftershocks continued to hit.
Many people in Tokyo said they had never felt such a powerful earthquake.
In central Tokyo, Jeffrey Balanag said he was stuck in his office in the Shiodome Sumitomo building because the elevators had stopped working.
"There's no panic but we're almost seasick from the constant rolling of the building," he told the BBC.
Bullet train services to northern Japan were halted and rapid transit in Tokyo was suspended, stranding many workers in the city centre.
About four million homes in Tokyo suffered power outages.
In a televised address, Prime Minister Naoto Kan extended his sympathy to the victims of the disaster and said an emergency response headquarters had been set up.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Ayodhya :Verdict tomorrow
The Supreme Court rejected the plea to defer the verdict in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid title suit slated to be delivered by the Lucknow bench of the Allahahad high court.
Hearing the special leave petition filed by retired bureaucrat Ramesh Chand Tripathi seeking deferment of the verdict to explore the possibility of an out-of-court settlement, a Supreme Court Special Bench comprising Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia and Justices Aftab Alam and K S Radhakrishnan decided to reject the plea.
Earlier, Attorney General G E Vahanvati, appearing before a three-judge special bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia, said the most preferred solution to the problem would be a settlement, but it has not taken place and the uncertainty which is prevailing should not be allowed to continue.
"Settlement, if any possible, we welcome it but we do not want any uncertainty," he told the bench which reserved judgment for 2 pm after two hours of arguments from various parties.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Ayodhya Down the years
The disputed Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri mosque site has been contentious for over a hundred years now.
The property dispute, or the title suit, went to court in 1949, soon after the idols of Ram and Sita were placed there. Today, the Supreme Court will decide whether the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court should pronounce verdict in the 60-year-old case just yet.
Chief Justice of India, SH Kapadia, along with Justice Aftab Alam and Justice KS Radhakrishnan will decide on petitioner Ramesh Chandra Tripathi's plea to defer the verdict.
The High Court bench is to decide who the land belongs to and what stood here first, a temple or a mosque. One side in the legal battle claims that this has been a mosque for 400 years. The other side says an ancient temple was demolished to build that mosque. They say this is the birthplace of Lord Ram
The property dispute, or the title suit, went to court in 1949, soon after the idols of Ram and Sita were placed there. Today, the Supreme Court will decide whether the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court should pronounce verdict in the 60-year-old case just yet.
Chief Justice of India, SH Kapadia, along with Justice Aftab Alam and Justice KS Radhakrishnan will decide on petitioner Ramesh Chandra Tripathi's plea to defer the verdict.
The High Court bench is to decide who the land belongs to and what stood here first, a temple or a mosque. One side in the legal battle claims that this has been a mosque for 400 years. The other side says an ancient temple was demolished to build that mosque. They say this is the birthplace of Lord Ram
Ayodhya case
Supreme Court will hear today a petition that will decide whether the High Court of Allahabad should defer or not the delivery its judgement on one of the longest running title disputes.
A three judge bench, comprising of Chief Justice of India S. H. Kapadia, Justice Aftab Alam and Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan, has been formed for today's hearing. The Attorney General of India has also been asked by the court to be present on behalf of the Government of India.
Earlier this month, the High Court of Allahabad had announced that it was ready to pronouce its judgement in Ram Janma Bhoomi - Babri Masjid title suit, and set 23-Sept-2010 as the judgement day.
Looking into the sensitivity of this case the central government had sounded a general security alert, leaders have been since moving around asking the people to maintain their calm. Bulk SMS and MMS services have been banned throughout the country.
A significant factor to be considered in today's relevance is that one of the judges on the bench hearing the title suit in the High Court is due to retire this month end and could have a delaying impact if the judgement is not pronounced before 1 October 2010.
A three judge bench, comprising of Chief Justice of India S. H. Kapadia, Justice Aftab Alam and Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan, has been formed for today's hearing. The Attorney General of India has also been asked by the court to be present on behalf of the Government of India.
Earlier this month, the High Court of Allahabad had announced that it was ready to pronouce its judgement in Ram Janma Bhoomi - Babri Masjid title suit, and set 23-Sept-2010 as the judgement day.
Looking into the sensitivity of this case the central government had sounded a general security alert, leaders have been since moving around asking the people to maintain their calm. Bulk SMS and MMS services have been banned throughout the country.
A significant factor to be considered in today's relevance is that one of the judges on the bench hearing the title suit in the High Court is due to retire this month end and could have a delaying impact if the judgement is not pronounced before 1 October 2010.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Indian Independence day
On August 15th as India celebrates its 63rd independence day,
"At stroke of midnight, on 15 August 1947, India became an independent nation." This was preceded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's famous speech titled Tryst with destiny.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again.
If we are unable to quote our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's speech in verbatim, the gist of comprehending this speech can surely ignite a strong passion of patriotism. Not many of us, young Indians have ever bothered brushing up on our old, dusty pages on books of Indian history, for their lies a world so different from modern India soaked with unspoken figures of deaths of innumerable Indians who died for our sake in the hands of our oppressors so that we can lead the plush, comfortable lives of luxury that we are now living. However, not many of us even realize that our country , India, is the greatest model to world and the first country ever to win independence through non-violence under the able leadership of the charismatic leader of our time, Mahatma Gandhiji.
Our Indian history like our vibrant culture of so many diversities in terms of religion, culture and traditional values can be a large canvass to depict our origins which has provided accommodation to change like no other country in this world. No country in the world can boast of such a cultural amalgamation.
The Day of Indian Independence is a day of celebration for every Indian to commemorate our jubilant victory over the British who ruled our country for nearly three centuries. It is to this success that every Indian stands up, chin held up with pride and salutes one another Jai Hind to mark 59th anniversary of Indian victory.
"At stroke of midnight, on 15 August 1947, India became an independent nation." This was preceded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's famous speech titled Tryst with destiny.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again.
If we are unable to quote our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's speech in verbatim, the gist of comprehending this speech can surely ignite a strong passion of patriotism. Not many of us, young Indians have ever bothered brushing up on our old, dusty pages on books of Indian history, for their lies a world so different from modern India soaked with unspoken figures of deaths of innumerable Indians who died for our sake in the hands of our oppressors so that we can lead the plush, comfortable lives of luxury that we are now living. However, not many of us even realize that our country , India, is the greatest model to world and the first country ever to win independence through non-violence under the able leadership of the charismatic leader of our time, Mahatma Gandhiji.
Our Indian history like our vibrant culture of so many diversities in terms of religion, culture and traditional values can be a large canvass to depict our origins which has provided accommodation to change like no other country in this world. No country in the world can boast of such a cultural amalgamation.
The Day of Indian Independence is a day of celebration for every Indian to commemorate our jubilant victory over the British who ruled our country for nearly three centuries. It is to this success that every Indian stands up, chin held up with pride and salutes one another Jai Hind to mark 59th anniversary of Indian victory.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A symbol for indian rupee
Finally, the Rupee has a symbol like other major global currencies!
In a historic event, a five-member jury set up to finalise symbol for the rupee selected the design presented by IIT-ian D Udaya Kumar.
The Union Cabinet approved the symbol on Thursday noon. The Indian rupee is now the fifth currency in the world to have a distinct identity. The rupee will join the elite club of US dollar, British pound-sterling, Euro and Japanese yen to have its own symbol.
A proud D Udaya Kumar said: "My design is based on the Tricolour, with two lines at the top and white space in between. I wanted the symbol for the Rupee to represent the Indian flag. It is a perfect blend of Indian and Roman letters: a capital 'R', and Devanagari 'ra', which represent rupiya, to appeal to international and Indian audiences."
"I worked on it for few months and made numerous designs. Finally, I shortlisted 8 to 10 designs and then refined them further till I got this one," he said.
"I will be joining the design department at IIT-Guwahati on Friday, and am overwhelmed by the response so far. My phone has not stopped ringing since morning," he added.
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said after the Cabinet meeting in Delhi on Thursday that the symbol will be printed or embossed on currency notes and coins.
Soni said that the government will try that the symbol is adopted within six months in the country and globally within 18 to 24 months.
The symbol will feature on computer key boards and software so that it can be printed and displayed in electronic and print, she said.
Soni said it would also help in distinguishing the Indian currency from rupee or rupiah of countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Paul the Psychic Octopus
We’re sad and yet glad that the World Cup is over. Sad because it was fun and exciting and we actually hung out more with friends than we have in months because we were always getting together to watch the game, and sharing it with pals worldwide through Twitter. Although the Netherlands-Spain final was the kind of shitty game that makes people who don’t like soccer continue to not like soccer, it wasn’t representative of the tourney as a whole. Sad because there was so much to see and ponder in “the beautiful game.”
But we’re also glad because things that are fun and exciting are the most fun and exciting when they come and go and leave you wanting more.
Of course, the breakout star of the Cup was not Ronaldo or Kaka or Messi but an unassuming mollusk whose psychic powers amazed the world. Yes, it was Paul The Psychic Octopus whose stunning 8-for-8 predictions have left scientists and sports fans reeling with questions regarding cephalopod intelligence, the possibilities of psychic powers, and tentacled understanding of the passing game and the offsides rule.
Housed in a German zoo, Paul correctly predicted all of the German team’s results — including their losses to Serbia and Spain — and Spain’s win over the Netherlands. His method of communicating his predictions to his keepers was a bit unorthodox — Paul would choose a tasty bit of oyster from one of two boxes, each adorned with the flags of the competing teams in each contest — but it worked. He surpassed the efforts of other would-be animal seers at the same zoo: Petty the pygmy hippo, Leon the porcupine and Anton the tamarin monkey all picked wrong in other games. A South American dolphin named Sayco announced his pick and the headline “Dolphin favors Argentina” but we all know how that turned out. Paul’s biggest rival, Mani the Parakeet, picked the Dutch squad in the final.
No, it was Paul who made headlines this time out — but his terrific run in the World Cup followed a lesser performance in the 2008 European Cup where he incorrectly picked Germany to beat Spain in the final.
So how did Paul do it? Octopi have the largest brain of any mollusk, and the limits of their brain capacity are still being studied — they can learn, use tools and recognize complicated patterns and devise cunning strategies for getting food. But they are color blind, leading skeptics to say Paul’s picks were base on the varying attractiveness of the national flags. Since there were only two choices, most say Paul’s picks are the result of random chance, like flipping a coin. But even octopus experts can’t say with certainty what really happened:
Friday, July 2, 2010
The flying car
If you are dreaming of a car that can also fly in case of traffic jams, it could soon come true as the United States aviation authority has given its green signal for the commercial production of such a vehicle.
The vehicle 'Terrafugia Transition' is a two-seater car that can convert from road to air in less than a minute, without the driver leaving the vehicle.
Developed by former NASA engineers and built by a small American company from Massachusetts, Terrafugia Inc, the vehicle can travel at speeds of up to 90 mph in car mode with its wings folded.
The wings then unfold for flight mode in which it can cruise at a speed of 115 mph for up to 500 miles on a tank of unleaded gasoline, the Telegraph reported.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Transition an exemption -- allowing it to be classified as a 'light sport aircraft' despite being 120 pound over the limit.
The 'roadable aircraft', which is powered by the same 100-bhp engine whether it is on the ground or in the air, will require a 'Sport Pilot license' to fly.
It can take off or land at any public use general aviation airport with at least 2,500 feet of runway.
According to its manufacturer, one of the major advantages of the Transition over ordinary light aircraft is safety, as in the event of inclement weather, it can simply drive home instead of either being grounded or flying in unsafe conditions.
With a deposit money of $10,000 (Rs 460,000), nearly 70 people have already booked the car which is expected to cost $194,000 (about Rs 90 lakh), the company said.
Founded in 2006 by award-winning Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained aeronautical engineers and management whizkids, Terrafugia is a company with a mission: to provide innovative solutions to the challenges facing personal aviation.
The result: the Transition Roadable Aircraft.
Its unique design allows the Transition to fold its wings and drive on any surface road with a modern personal airplane platform.
Once at the airport, the wings extend and the aircraft is ready.
Powered testing of the Proof of Concept has been ongoing since the second half of 2008.
Construction, testing and certification of the Production Prototype will follow completion of the Proof of Concept's testing programme.
To date, Terrafugia remains privately funded by a group of accredited individual investors.
The company is based just outside Boston in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.
Performance
Convenience
Folded:
On the ground, the Transition can be driven on any road and parked in a standard parking space or household garage. Once on the ground, with the wings folded, the vehicle can be driven on any road.
The Transition is powered by a certified aircraft engine that runs on unleaded automotive gasoline. Perfect for trips between 100 and 500 miles, the Transition is not designed to replace anyone's automobile.
After landing, the pilot activates the electro-mechanical wing folding mechanism from inside the cockpit.
The wings fold, once at the root and once at the mid-span, and are stowed vertically on the sides of the vehicle in less than 30 seconds.
Simultaneously, the engine power is directed to the front wheels with a continuously variable transmission.
Before flying, the pilot extends the wings and performs a standard preflight. The engine power is directed to the propeller for flight through a carbon fibre drive shaft.
If bad weather is encountered en route, the pilot can land and drive without worrying about ground transportation.
At the destination airport the pilot can fold the wings and drive off the airfield without having to move bags or arrange for additional transportation.
Driving and flying can be combined between multiple airports as it is not necessary to take off and land at the same field.
The vehicle 'Terrafugia Transition' is a two-seater car that can convert from road to air in less than a minute, without the driver leaving the vehicle.
Developed by former NASA engineers and built by a small American company from Massachusetts, Terrafugia Inc, the vehicle can travel at speeds of up to 90 mph in car mode with its wings folded.
The wings then unfold for flight mode in which it can cruise at a speed of 115 mph for up to 500 miles on a tank of unleaded gasoline, the Telegraph reported.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Transition an exemption -- allowing it to be classified as a 'light sport aircraft' despite being 120 pound over the limit.
The 'roadable aircraft', which is powered by the same 100-bhp engine whether it is on the ground or in the air, will require a 'Sport Pilot license' to fly.
It can take off or land at any public use general aviation airport with at least 2,500 feet of runway.
According to its manufacturer, one of the major advantages of the Transition over ordinary light aircraft is safety, as in the event of inclement weather, it can simply drive home instead of either being grounded or flying in unsafe conditions.
With a deposit money of $10,000 (Rs 460,000), nearly 70 people have already booked the car which is expected to cost $194,000 (about Rs 90 lakh), the company said.
Founded in 2006 by award-winning Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained aeronautical engineers and management whizkids, Terrafugia is a company with a mission: to provide innovative solutions to the challenges facing personal aviation.
The result: the Transition Roadable Aircraft.
Its unique design allows the Transition to fold its wings and drive on any surface road with a modern personal airplane platform.
Once at the airport, the wings extend and the aircraft is ready.
Powered testing of the Proof of Concept has been ongoing since the second half of 2008.
Construction, testing and certification of the Production Prototype will follow completion of the Proof of Concept's testing programme.
To date, Terrafugia remains privately funded by a group of accredited individual investors.
The company is based just outside Boston in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.
Performance
- Cruise: 100 kts (115 mph)
- Rotate: 70 kts (80 mph)
- Fuel burn: 5 gph (gallons per hour)
- Fuel tank: 20 gallons
- Useful load: 430 lbs
- On road: 30 miles per gallon, highway speeds
- Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
Convenience
- Front wheel drive on the ground
- Automotive-style entry and exit
- Automated electromechanical folding wing
- No trailer or hangar needed
- Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs
- Drive in case of inclement weather
- Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
- Full vehicle parachute available
- Modern glass avionics
- Automotive crash safety features
Folded:
- 6 feet 9 inches tall
- 6 feet 8 inches wide
- 18 feet 9 inches long
- 6 feet 3 inches tall
- 19 feet 2 inches long
- 27 fee 6 inches
- 51 inches at the shoulder
On the ground, the Transition can be driven on any road and parked in a standard parking space or household garage. Once on the ground, with the wings folded, the vehicle can be driven on any road.
The Transition is powered by a certified aircraft engine that runs on unleaded automotive gasoline. Perfect for trips between 100 and 500 miles, the Transition is not designed to replace anyone's automobile.
After landing, the pilot activates the electro-mechanical wing folding mechanism from inside the cockpit.
The wings fold, once at the root and once at the mid-span, and are stowed vertically on the sides of the vehicle in less than 30 seconds.
Simultaneously, the engine power is directed to the front wheels with a continuously variable transmission.
Before flying, the pilot extends the wings and performs a standard preflight. The engine power is directed to the propeller for flight through a carbon fibre drive shaft.
If bad weather is encountered en route, the pilot can land and drive without worrying about ground transportation.
At the destination airport the pilot can fold the wings and drive off the airfield without having to move bags or arrange for additional transportation.
Driving and flying can be combined between multiple airports as it is not necessary to take off and land at the same field.
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