youth n world

AGLOCO - Own the internet

2007-05-28T15:40:00.000+05:30

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Mumbai is in Danger Zone - - - ?

2007-04-01T12:00:00.000+05:30

The recent report published in the journal "Environment and Urbanisation"states that more than 2/3 of the major cities of the world are vulnerable to the rising sea levels over the years. The main cities are Mumbai,Dhaka,Tokyo, Jakarta, Shanghai and New York and some millions of people's lives and properties of those staying near the coastal areas are in great danger of getting wiped out in the ensuing flood and the storms

The main cause attributed to this is the rise in the Global warming and the Green House Effects. It has been proved that the indiscriminate cutting of trees and forest for development of the cities and the concretization are the major causes of the global warming. The more accumulation of Carbon Dioxide,Methane and CFC(from Aerosols) in the atmosphere blocks part of the the Infra Red rays radiation emitted by the Earth resulting in the increase in heat on the Earth surface.

The 26/7 deluge in Mumbai has highlighted more other serious problems than those attributed to Global warming. The indiscriminate destruction of the mangrooves( which acts as buffer for rising sea level) and the blockages in the Mithi river Canal are other such causes which require immediate attention.

The nature has already given us WARNING once and if we do not give heed to these warnings, next time will definitely be our doomsday.

The Blame Game ---------- ?

2007-03-31T16:34:00.000+05:30

With the miserable debacle of the Indian Team in the initial stages of the World Cup,the Blame Game has started.

It is a human tendency, when there is victory or the win, everbody tries to come forward to take the credit, however, when the tables are turned i.e if you happen to loose or get defeated, the same people will shirk their responsibilities and will go on hunting for the scapegoat.

The same thing is happening after the debacle. Who is responsible, The Coach,The Captain or the Players?

Here, one thing should be noted that we are always expecting too much out of the players and expect them to perform same at all the times. The same people who worship a player for his good performance, do not flinch to degrade or vent out their anger when the same player fail their expectations. This is absolutely wrong.In any game, the table can turn either sides and one should take it sportingly.

Coming back to Blane game, before blaming the Coach, one has to find out whether proper attention or respect was given to the instructions of the coach during on and off the ground? Was he given the free had to implement his "processes"or was there any interferences? Were the players observing the required discipline on and off the groynd?

The same thing holds good in case of putting blame on the Captain. Were his instructions properly followed by the players? Did the players gave him sufficient support and was there necessary Team Spirit?In this connection, the views expressed by Mr.Narayana Murthy of Infosys are very quite apt and the "processes" explained by him are worth implementing.

It will be quite necessary to quote the remarks of an Australian critic - " the Indian players were found to be playing more for themselves rather for their Country". How apt the comments are.
It is well known that our cricket players are paying more attention to working in commercial Ads than their playing performance. The Ad companies pay them very lavishly to the tune of some lacs and crores of rupees as compared to what is being paid to them by BCCI. Getting selected in the team is like hitting a goldmine.

Unless BCCI takes strict measures in these extra activities of the players and put this thing to stop and further as long as the players are not made accountable for the their performamces and also as long as their pays don't get linked to their performance, the present position will not change.Also the players who had continuously displayed poor performance should gracefully retire from the game rather than getting more humiliated.There is no need to be sentimental about the issue.It is a law of nature and one doesn't have control over it. A rising SUN has also to Set at one time.A wise person is the one who takes a cue from this incidence and takes a right decision

One thing is sure, the public memory is short lived and again one day they will take the same players on their head , whose posters they have trampled under their feet presently.
.

OBC Quota System ------------- ?

2007-03-31T11:21:00.001+05:30

The recent decision of SC to stay the OBC quota in the education system, has once again sparked off many controversial issues.

1. Is the Government decision Correct?
2. Is it a politically motivated move being carried out to appease some groups ?
3. How far it is correct to think about the quota system even after sixty years of Independence?
4. Will this government decision not dilute the education standard.?
5 Are we not trying to divide the nation by implementing the quota system even after so many years of Independence.?
6. Do we expect to be labelled by the world as "Reserved" country ?

No body denies that these underprivileged, downtrodden people should be brought in main stream and government should take all steps to implement this.The quota system decision of the government gives a birth right to these people irrespective of their abilities. This will lead to the dilution of the education standard ultimately leading to the poor quality of the students coming out of this system.
In fact there are other ways of upliftment of these people.All these people should be provided with free education,scholarships,food and shelter and all possible help to see that really deserving students come up and stand for competition. It is absolutely wrong to underestimate the intelligence of these people. They do have the same level of intelligence as compared to normal people but with the only difference that because of the economical and social backwardness it has been subdued. Right social reforms in these directions will also give very fruitful results.

If we have to carve a niche on the world map, we should definitely think in these direction rather than pulling the nation backwards by still thinking in terms of of the quota system so that it also will not prove to be an injustice to rest of the people.

Know the Bottled water that you Drink !

2007-03-01T18:17:00.001+05:30

The bottled water industry is one of the most thriving sectors in India. The bottled water industry is India is estimated at about Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) and is growing at a rate of 40 per cent.According to a national-level study, there are close to 200 bottled water brands in India. Nearly 80 per cent of these are local brands. Parle's Bisleri virtually monopolised the bottled water market but now other competitors have also taken plunge.

A study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment says that most of the brands of packaged/mineral water available in the country contain pesticides -- several of them banned -- significantly higher than permissible limits, which can cause serious physical impairment ranging from damage to the central nervous system to lung cancer.

The European Economic Commission directs that the maximum residue limit for total pesticides is 0.0005 mg per litre and 0.0001 mg per litre for a single pesticide.The pesticides which were tested for include organochlorines, organophosphorous, chlorpyrifos, malathion and DDT.The study says that the pesticide content varied in bottled water brands because of the source of raw water.The water used may be from any source, right from spring water to municipal water.

Under the standard of identity regulations in the United States ,bottled water may only be labeled "mineral water"if it: (1) contains not less than 250 ppm total dissolved solids; (2) comes from a source tapped at one or more bore holes or springs; (3) originates from a hydrogeologically protected source; and (4) contains no added minerals. A bottled water product must bear the appropriate name as reflected in the applicable standard of identity definition. As per U.S. standard most of the brands of Bottled water marketed in India contain less than 200ppm of Total Dissolved Solids and hence cannot be termed as 'Mineral Water" in the true sense.

Apart from the quality of water, the packaging or the bottling also plays an important role.Commonly, the bottled water we purchase is in PET bottles labeled #1 (polyethylene terephthalate),contain plasticizer -Di (2-ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA) which was at one time believed to cause cancer and development and reproductive defects esp. in rodents.However after detailed investigations the FDA has published that the level of the plasticizer that may leach out is well below the level showing no toxic effect on the animals. Repeated washing bottles with hot water and detergent or a rinse with bleach will definitely sanitize them, but also leaches harmful chemicals out of the plastic, so not advisable for repeated uses.A study also shows that liquid contents in PET bottles should not be more than a week and the PET bottles should be kept away from heat.

Similarly, Polycarbonate water bottles labeled #7 contain Bisphenol A which is a key building block of polycarbonate plastic. In recent years a number of researchers from government agencies, academia and industry worldwide have studied the potential for low levels of BPA to migrate from polycarbonate products into foods and beverages. These studies show that the potential migration of BPA into food is extremely low, generally less than 5 parts per billion, under specified conditions of use of polycarbonate products and therefore poses no known risk to human health.

At the bottom of the bottle in a triangle there is a number.which indicates plastic identification number

#1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

#2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

#3 - Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC)

#4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

#5 - Polypropylene (PP)

#6 - Polystyrene (PS)

#7 - Other (which commonly includes: Polycarbonate, ABS, Nylon,

Acrylic or a composite of 2 or more resins).If the number is between 1 to 4, then the bottle is good for a single use only.A number 5 or above indicates that the bottle can be used multiple times.

However with all this,one feels that there is nothing like drinking clean boiled water.

Taxing PPF,Pension Scheme -will it be correct ?

2007-02-23T21:01:00.000+05:30

It is understood that Finance Ministry is contemplating a proposal of taxing P.P.F and Pension Scheme on maturity. Will it be a correct decision?

P.P.F and Pension Schemes are considered by the taxpayers as old age security provisions. Not all the people are lucky enough to get handsome pension after retirement. For most of these people they are viewed as investments which will help them live their post retirement life with some dignity. The old age brings with it various types of ailments. These ailments at times require hospitalization or extensive medical treatments which are getting costlier by the day. In such circumstances only such investments come handy in the dire need.

Hope the Finance Ministry takes cognisance of this and let the people live peacefully in their old age.

A proposed hike in Cess on Petrol & Diesel

2007-02-22T14:06:00.000+05:30

As per the high level committee appointed by the government there is a proposal to hike the Road cess on Petrol and Diesel for road safety. out of which 1% is to be earmarked for developing a Road safety fund for the National highway Authority for monitoring and taking necessary steps to curb the increasing rate of highway accidents which were 90,000 lives per year . India is Second highest in the road accidents in the world.

The proposal appears to be quite in order. However there should be an accountability for the cess collected ( which will be nearly to the tune of Rs.12,000 crores) and the percentage of it that is utilised for this purpose.

However, this does not appear to be the only solution to check the road accidents. The recent accidents at Walkeshwar,Mumbai, Alibaug, on Mumbai - Goa Highway and spat of other such accidents clearly point out that majority of these accidents are due to rash and drunken driving mostly involving teenagers. The Indian laws are very much laxed as compared to those in western countries towards such driving. In India the maximum punishment is imprisonments for few months or the fine of few thousand of rupees. Unless some stringent measures like on the spot cancellation of Driving licenses of the persons, found driving rash or after drinks, are taken there will never be a serious impact on these offenders.

In some of the western countries the punishment for such offences is on the spot cancellation or the suspension of driving licences for the long specified period.

The government should also think in these directions because the life lost is a loss forever.

"First Citizen" Mr.Mayor of Mumbai ?

2007-02-22T12:44:00.000+05:30

There was an article in the newspaper about the "First Citizen". Definitely it had nothing to do with our Mr.Mayor of Mumbai.

There is a scheme floated by "Shoppers Stop" which offers a privileged card named "First Citizen" to its customers who make purchases worth Rs.100/- to Rs.2000/- There is a controversy over the issuing of such status to anybody which is supposed to be the exclusive privilege of Mr.Mayor of Mumbai. BMC is taking up this issue seriously.

With so many "First Citizen" moving around in Mumbai what will be the position of real "First Citizen" - Mr.Mayor of Mumbai ?

"Ramoji Film City" why not in Maharashtra also ?

2007-02-22T11:29:00.000+05:30

Recently I had been to Hyderabad and had the pleasure of visiting one of the beautiful architectural designing - A Ramoji Film City - built on 1800 acres of a barren land in the outskirts of Hyderabad .It has the distinction of being a unique THEME PARK and has not only carved a name on the Indian map but also a niche in the World map too.
Ramoji City is a brain child of a Telgu Industrialist -Shri . Ramoji Rao - and his dreams had been brought in reality by many brains and the designers. One of the main person amongst them is Shri.Rajiv Jalanapurkar who is also a Vice President of Ramoji Film City.
In a recent interview Shri.Rajiv Jaslanapurkar expressed his uneasiness as to why such Themes are still not being thought of by the Maharashtra government. TheThe Maharashtra Government has all the infrastructure to develop such Theme Parks around the outskirts of Mumbai or along the coastal lines which will not only add to the beauty of the place but will also be a good Tourist attraction yielding handsome revenue.

If the Maharashtra Government is serious enough to boost the tourism in the state then it is high time they think about such ideas in a positive way.

How Safe are the Soft Drinks ?

2007-02-22T11:05:00.000+05:30

The Indian Soft Drinks industry is a booming industry with market turnover of about 8500 million bottles a year with the two giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola having a major share However, following the controversy over finding the presence of pesticides in the carbonated drinks, which includes - DDT and other such chemicals which are responsible for adverse effect on health,the sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi drinks suffered a heavy setback.T

The Indian government had ordered in investigation into why an analysis of 12 brands of cold drinks owned and marketed by Coca-Cola and Pepsi allegedly found that they contained on average more than 30 times the EU legal limit for pesticides.Apart from this controversy over the pesticides or no pesticides, the carbonated drinks harbour many other objectionable ingredients.

It is a known fact that the Soda pop is not good for health but perhaps one may not be aware of the extent to which drinking carbonated, caffeinated, sugared, or artificially sweetened beverages destroys our body.

Some of the objectionable ingredients in most Carbonated drinks /Soda pops include -

Caffeine, Phosphoric acid, Sugar or high fructose corn syrup, Aspartame. Each of the ingredients have their own merits and demerits.

1.Caffeine : It is a stimulant and does improve mental alertness when taken in small quantity ,however Caffeine overdose can cause anxiety and decreased sleep .

2.Phosphoric Acid : It is used as a flavoring agent.It is widely used in carbonated drinks, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The phosphoric acid content of Coca-Cola has been determined to be about 106.0 mg/L and in Pepsi about 106.9 mg/L. The addition of phosphoric acid lowers the pH of carbonated drinks making them more acidic. This is a potential problem in dental care, since it has been shown that acidic solutions weaken the enamel and mineral structure of teeth. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis Phosphoric acid is deliberately added to soft drinks to give them a sharper flavor. It also slows the growth of molds and bacteria, which would otherwise multiply rapidly in the sugary solution. It has been said that the fastest growing group of people with osteoporosis is teenagers....because of the huge number of sodas/Carbonated drinks they consume. Here are some observations

Product ---------pH
Pure Water ------7.00 (neutral)
Diet Coke---------3.39
MountainDew---- 3.22
Coke -------------2.63
Pepsi ------------ 2.49
Sprite ----------- 3.42
(pH required for enamel dissolution is 5.5.)

3.Sugar: A 12 oz..can of Coca-Cola or Pepsi has over 10 teaspoons(30 gms.) of sugar. The ingestion of sugar (or a high simple carbohydrate diet) actually increases urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, chromium, copper, zinc, and sodium by impairing re absorption in the kidneys. The loss of calcium in the blood activates the release of calcium from the bones.Sugar impairs immune function by competing with Vitamin C for transport into white blood cells.The body will convert excess sugar to fat which will lead to obesity

4.Aspartame:Aspartame is a non-caloric artificial sweetener used in many diet drinks and foods. Although this artificial sweetener has been widely used for many years, some allegations still fuel a debate on possible side effects Apart from these, the soft drinks like Pepsi and Cola have no nutritional value but gives 150 Cals.

Considering the adverse effects of these soft drinks on the teenagers the Union Health Minister of India has now decided to take a strong step. A proposal is being put forward to ban the sale and consumption of these soft drinks in Schools,Colleges and University campus.This is indeed a welcome step needed to check the obese and unhealthy generation

Valentines Day - Feb 14,2007

2007-02-14T13:09:00.000+05:30

Enjoy

A Very Happy
& Cheerful

Valentine Day
14 Feb 2007
Valentines Day is a perfect occasion to express deepest feelings & love. On Valentine's Day, lovers, friends and family members exchange Valentine Gifts as tokens of love. Couples also plan out romantic getaway or Valentine parties to celebrate 14th Feb romantically.

2007-02-12T21:06:00.001+05:30

Match Fixing - A curse to the Game

2007-02-11T22:50:00.000+05:30

The involvement of West Indies cricketer in the Nagpur cricket match fixing has once again left many unanswered questions!

Why is it that the players get tempted and do not feel any qualms in betraying their own nation for some monetary considerations in light of the fact that the present generation of players are being paid quite handsomely by the cricket control Board? Why is it that such things are only happening in India and especially when India is party to such matches in any part of the world ?

The reasons to me are that the stakes offered by the bookies in India are quite high and some crores of rupees gambling is involved in all these which may be a temptation to the players to make some quick money.The other point is that these bookies have got connections all over the world and knowing the cricket mania of the Indian people they can operate easily from here.

However, such incidences have made one loose the charm in the cricket to the extent that one doesn't know whether the player is actually playing his real game or the manipulated one. So even if a team looses on wins the match there is always a question mark in one's mind.

That is what the cricket has become now , more commercial than a sports !

Inhumane treatment by Hospitals

2007-02-11T21:02:00.000+05:30

The recent news about a hospital refusing to hand over the dead body to the relatives for not settling the dues, shows a total insensitivity on the part of the hospital authorities. This has also brought to light some other issues of similar nature.Large hue and cry has been raised towards this inhumane attitude of the hospitals.

The question now comes to one's mind is - Were the hospital authorities justified in their action? Is there any solution to such issues?

Considering the fact that the hospital authorities were justified in demanding their just dues, the method of raising the demand by withholding the dead body was not a correct stand . In other cases, when the patient is refused the discharge for non-payment of the dues, the authorities are quite justified in their demands.

In case of such sensitive issues the hospitals should show some human considerations and should work out some ways of getting the dues cleared from the relatives at some later date.It will not be proper to expect the hospitals to waive off such dues because there will be endless number of such cases by which the hospitals may incur huge losses.

Then what is the other solution ? One has to admit that the hospitalization bills for some of the major illnesses in private hospitals run in some lacs of rupees which is quite beyond the limits of any common man. There had been instances of the families having gone bankrupt in meeting the huge hospital bills.Knowing these facts the people do opt for private hospitals for the simple reason that they are not quite satisfied with the medical facilities and the treatment given in Government hospitals.

In order to see that the medical and hospitalization expenses are brought within the reach of the common man, the government has either got to upgrade the medical facilities and equipments in these government hospitals and also to see that expert medical services are made available at par with the private hospitals.The other way is for the government to introduce a Social Security System, as in case of western countries, whereby the government takes care of the medical expenses under this scheme subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions.

No doubt, both these measures cannot be achieved that easily and will require tremendous efforts,planning and lot of finance. However, a start in either way will definitely help in achieving the goal to a larger extent in the long run.

25 years after Textile Mills Strike in Mumbai

2007-01-19T23:19:00.000+05:30

Textile Mills and Mill workers , a heart of the Mumbai some decades ago, have been totally wiped out now from the face of the Mumbai. Why? What is the reason?

It is a well known fact that the indefinite strike that was called in January,1982 and whuch lasted for nearly TWO years in principal, totally shattered the mill workers and their families to the extent that lacs of workers and their families had to sell off their houses, utensils and had to literally come on road for survival. Major percentage of the workers left Mumbai in despair. The ultimate result is the total closure of most of the Mills and the mill worker category totally wiped out from Mumbai.

The areas which were predominantly Mill areas with mill workers habitats, are now rapidly getting converted into Malls and High Rise buildings. Where are the mill workers in all these?

Looking at the fast changing scenario at once so called "Girangaon", some questions come to my mind –

1.Was it an opportune time to call the indefinite strike in 1982 in view of the then prevailing textile market position ?

2.Who has been ultimately benefited- The Mill owners or the Workers?

3.What is the position of the displaced workers and their families now? What Government has done for them?

4.The role played by the Government in this strike Was it favouring Mill owners or the Workers ?

5.Finally, who is responsible for this debacle ?

Oh ! Hyderabad

2007-01-16T20:21:00.000+05:30

Last week I had been to Hyderabad along with my school friends of past 60 years. Earlier I had visited Hyderabad about 15-20 years before in connection with my business. The Old city of Hyderabad as I saw know, has gone from bad to worst with bursting population and the vehicular traffic conditions more deteriorated .

Apart from the usual Charminar,Golconda Fort,Salar Jung Museum,Qutub Shah Tombs etc., there have been NEW ADDITIONS viz. RAMOJI FILM CITY, The LASER Light Show at LUMBINI Park and the Snow World has definitely elated the position of Hyderabad in The Indian Map.

RAMOJI FILM CITY

It is spread over an area of 2000 acres and is a unique place with its vast numbers of ready to use sets right from Central Jail, Airport, Railway Station,Banks etc. is definitely an attraction to many film producers. Many film shooting are taking place throughout. The place has many added features for the entertainment of the family and esp. the children. The guided featured programmes like"How the movie is made?", " Re-enactment of the episodes from western cowboy movies", a and many other such programmes were quite fabulous. Even though, our group has far surpassed that age , we really enjoyed every moment of the day. The excitement amongst the children was unparalleled. It is definitely a place worth visiting.

LASER LIGHT SHOW AT LUMBINI PARK We had many times seen the dancing lights and the illuminated water fountains dancing to the tunes of music but the unique characteristic of this show is the projection of the picture on the water screen formed by the fine mist of the fountain.The picture sharpness was really fantastic. The whole event lasting for about 30-40 mins.was truly eye catching. In my opinion this may probably be the first place in India where such screening is done using German technology.

SNOW WORLD
The snow play arena at Snow world is spread over17,000 square feet area that is covered by ankle deep artificially created snow.You require protective clothing, gum boots, hand gloves etc. which are provided before entering the polar climate..The whole inside atmosphere is quite chilling with added blast of artificially created snow..

To feel the snow adventure there you may slide yourself down at speeds to replicate mountain fall with ‘Snow Slide’.There are also other sports like snow cruising with ‘Ice Bumper Car’. and ‘Merry Go round’ that will boost up your excitement. The show was really worth an experience.

Our tour became memorable only because of our visit to these places.

Where are we heading to?

2007-01-05T10:32:00.000+05:30

The Noida killing of 35 children and the women in the highly populated industrial area at the hands of the businessman and his servant is one of the most gruesome incidence in the history of our country. It is still not known whether these victims were sexually abused and murdered or there is some organ trade in this since it has been found during investigation that some of the torsos of victims are missing.

In any case, there appears to be total carelessness on the part of police who had failed to take cognisance of the complaints of the missing children and women lodged earlier by the nearby villagers. Even though the Government has now taken some action against the erring police men, there appears to be a total apathy on the part of the ministers. One of the U.P minister has even termed this episode as"small and routine " and further states that such incidences will go on happening.This attitude speaks of their casual approach towards such episodes.

What is more bothering is the involvement of educated business class in this matter. With such thing going around us , we feel, how far our children are safe in such surroundings? Is this The INDIA of our dreams that we want to build?

MUMBAI - It is Shame on you !

2007-01-04T15:29:00.000+05:30

The news of a lady molested,mauled and humiliated at Gateway of India on the New Year's Eve by more than 50 persons, is quite horrible, shocking and disgusting. These people even tried to tear off her skirt and manhandled her male companion.

For Mumbai, which has a reputation of being a safe city even for a single lady to move around till late night, the pride is lost.One just cannot believe that such thing can happen in Mumbai.

Every Mumbaikar should feel ashamed of living in such barbaric surroundings.

It is now 2007 !

2007-01-01T12:36:00.000+05:30

It is a New Year now and everybody would like to forget the bad memories of 2006 esp. the Train Blasts in Mumbai, Bomb blasts at Malegaon etc.

With the coming of New Year people make resolutions to start various new things in life. This enthusiasm of being committed to the resolution definitely boosts once morale. However, as the days and months pass by the effect or the commitment towards the resolution slowly goes on diminishing, but this doesn't deter one from making new ones and by the year end one again gets powered to vow for new resolutions in the subsequent year.

That is life after all !

Happy New Year 2007

2006-12-31T15:29:00.000+05:30

WISH YOU ALL
A
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
2007

A word of caution -
Drink as much as you can, but Remember your Life is Very Precious and Somebody is Eagerly Waiting For You

Rise in Heart Ailments in Children - An Alarming Situation

2006-12-30T11:17:00.000+05:30

A report from Public Health Department of Maharashtra says that there is a spurt in the heart ailments amongst the primary school children in the state . This is definitely a alarming situation which has to be taken seriously.

As earlier pointed out by our Union Heath Minister, the main cause of this spurt is the junk food that is being consumed by the students which leads to rise in obesity. This is in a way responsible for the further rise in the diabetes and heart diseases.The study has further shown that there is an increase in the rheumatic heart diseases amongst the school children and obesity is another major cause of hypertension.

The Health Minister has shown seriousness in banning the junk foods like pizzas,chips, samosas and burgers etc. from the school and college canteen.But banning this junk food in the schools and colleges alone will not suffice the purpose. Our whole life style will have to be changed. In this modern era, not only the frequent eating outside has become a fashion but most of the families prefer to bring these eatable from outside than cooking at home.This outlook has got be changed and people should be educated enough to understand the the values of the home cooked food.

Apart from the food habits, proper exercises are necessary to maintain the health. In today's competitive world the children and students of all ages are so much tied up that they hardly find time to play or have physical exercise or yoga.

The results, coupled with the mental tension. either at studies or at work places, we find more and more number of young people in the age of 30 yrs. falling prey to high blood pressure and the heart diseases.

This picture can change provided the people change their food habits and take their health seriously by devouting some time to their physical fitness.

Water ! Water ! Where are you ?

2006-12-27T11:01:00.000+05:30

For the FIRST time in the history of Mumbai there will be total 100% cut of water supply for 24 Hrs. on 27-28 Dec,2006 for a major pipe line connection. It is feared that the same thing will be repeated in Jan 2007.

This news has put All Mumbaikars in dizzy. There had been frantic search for storage drums/tank for storing the water to meet this occasion. Many people have expressed their views on how they will meet this cut . Some will be skipping their bath while others will just carry on with the deodorant spray etc. What a commotion for this one day cut? At least one good thing BMC has done is to implement this cut in winter time. Had it been in the summer time, the position would have been more acute.

This one day water cut has made the Mumbaikar jittery.To most of the people in different areas this is not a new thing. They do not see the face of water for days together. How they must be coping up ? Many villages and the interior parts also go without water for many days. What they must be feeling? Can anybody guess?

As the proverb goes- "One man's poison is other man's bread". The same is true with the Water Tankerwallas. Today will be a boom day for them. they will be in great demand and most probably they will be the happiest of the lot..

Surely,that is life after all !

It is again 26/12

2006-12-26T10:36:00.002+05:30

It is now Two years since the devastating Tsunami that hit Indonesia,Thialand,Sri Lanka and India killing Tens of Thousands of people all over and wiping out the habitats and livelihood of innumerable people.

The effect of Tsunami in India over the coastal TamilNadu was shattering.As of today the rehabilitation of the displaced people is not finished. An estimated 37000 houses are yet to be constructed for these people. The progress is no doubt very slow.

One cannot just imagine the sufferings of these affected people who with a sweep of hand lost all their years of belongings,homes,businesses and status in just a matter of moments.Scientists also fear that the fault along the Sumatra island may rupture again in coming decades causing unprecedented damages.

On the occasion of the Second Anniversary of Tsunami disaster we pay our homage to tens and thousand of people have been who wiped out from the surface of this earth. We would also like to express our heartfelt condolences to the affected bereaved families and pray to Almighty to give them courage and strength to overcome this calamity.

Playing Children - Where are they?

2006-12-20T15:08:00.000+05:30

The Dahisar incidence of the children being taken to police station at the instance of a complaint lodged by a resident for playing cricket in the society’s compound, has really left a bitter taste in our mouth.

We really fail to understand how and why the people so easily forget their childhood days. In those days also the same problems were there. The elderly people always used to object to our playing games, not necessarily only cricket but other games also because of the noise created by the children while playing. If the children don’t make the noise then who should? Is it not funny to expect the children to play silently?

We really feel sorry for today’s children. They have outgrown their age. With the competition all around right from the Montessori, these children are having tough time. Considering the fact that right from the school studies, homework, different classes and various aptitude exams they are so much overburdened that they hardly get any time to play.Whatever little time left at their disposal if there also we try to put restrictions on their playing, then what do we expect them to do?

If they are not allowed to play then they will go on watching TV or play games on computer. Here also the parents have the objection to this. They feel that by viewing TV and playing games on computers the children get addicted to it and also get an early knowledge of other unwanted things ( not necessarily required to know at their age). At the same time their eyesight will also get affected. Their fears are also correct! Then what we expect the children to do? Only Study ! Study! And study!. Is it so !

For the healthy development of the children recreation and playing in open air is always necessary. Now with the fast developing sky line and the high rise buildings coming up, the number of open spaces or the playgrounds are slowly getting reduced and whatever open space that is there in the society is mostly utilized for parking member’s vehicles. Then where is the space left for children to play?

The plight of the members staying on the ground floor of the society is quite understandable. They are the people who are most affected by the children playing and making noise.But these people should have some consideration and whatever the problems they are having should be resolved at society level only. Complaining and bringing police in the society is not the solution but the invitation to widen the rift. This is definitely not correct.

In this materialistic world, today’s children are loosing their childhood very fast and childhood is something that can never be enjoyed afterwards,

Finally The Justice And The Truth Prevailed

2006-12-19T13:58:00.000+05:30

Earlier in one of our blogs we had expressed our Faith in our judiciary when the court had convicted and punished two M.PS. This was a landmark judgement in the Indian history after independence wherein for the first time the action was taken against the guilty parliamentarians.

This faith of ours was doubled when we read the news that the accused in the Jessica Lall murder case has been finally brought to justice and convicted by the High Court.This case, where the accused belonging to some high profile society was once acquitted by the lower court. The acquittal brought countrywide outrage and the people came on road to protest against the verdict of the court.

This nationwide protest forced the reopening of the case and the conviction of killer by the high court has again restored the people's faith in the judiciary. Once again it was proved that no one can escape the long arms of the justice, however big and influential one may be the, the guilty will have to pay for the crime.

One good thing that has come out of this incidence is that the people have now realised the strength in the unity and what the mass agitation for the right cause can do. The credit for bringing the culprits to justice mainly goes to the relentless struggle of the people and also equally to the persistent efforts of the Jessica Lall's family members.One can just image to what tremendous pressure and the ordeal through which this family had to go during all these years esp. when the accused were from very influential family.It really requires great courage and determinations to stand against all these odds.

With the verdict of the high court, the seven year long pending case has now been put to rest. We can now make some changes in the saying "Justice delayed is Justice denied" and can proudly say that "Justice may be delayed but it will never be denied"

At last we are awake !

2006-12-18T14:03:00.000+05:30

The education system in India is mostly of academic interest and had never been an industry based one. With the result, the graduates coming out of the institutions or the universities do not have the proper training to directly work in an industry or business houses. The industry has to waste time and energy to train these fresh graduates and to mould them to their requirements. What was more important was not only the question of "employment" but the "employability" of the new graduates.

Realising this problem, some of the business houses have now come forward either to set up their own academy by offering courses to train the fresh graduates as per their requirements before they are absorbed by them in the main stream or to have tie up with various universities by offering the certificate courses of their requirement.

Some of the business houses like TCS, Infosys etc. are planning to launch their academies which will take up the fresh graduates from different disciples and train them as per the courses they will be offering. The freshers will be paid the stipend during the training period and thereafter they will be absorbed in their companies after completion of the course. Other business houses are negotiating tie up with different universities.

In United States and other western countries, the research programmes at Doctorate level are always industry based and the projects are sponsored and funded by the business houses. The research thus carried out is directly linked to the industry. The business houses stand benefited because they do not have to spend time,money and energy on these projects. The student by doing the research for a business house gets directly absorbed in the company after the research is completed.

In India the research programmes are mostly of academic interest and do not have proper backing or the funding from the business houses. This scenario requires some change and the researches should be made more industry based to make them fruitful which will be definitely beneficial to the industries.The step being taken up by some corporate houses is quite laudable and more and more business houses should come forward to make our academic courses more viable and fruitful for the industrial growth.

Definitely, we are now moving in the right direction.

A simple solution to a Complex problem

2006-12-18T10:56:00.000+05:30

This is a quote from one of the bloggers (I missed his name). It is regarding awarding "Minority Status".

He quotes" If Muslims are asking for minority status,then give them. Then Christians will come forward, give them also the minority status. Now to OBC, give them BC minority status.All remaining minority communities should be clubbed together and they too should be given the minority status"

What a wonderful solution to a complex problem.

Is anybody listening there ?

Retailers Boom in India

2006-12-16T00:09:00.000+05:30

It is a very heartening news to read that India is topping the list of Retailers and Shoppers all over the world.In India there are 11 shops per every 1000 persons which means that there is a shop after every 20-25 families. This density is more in the cities. World over this picture is different esp. in U.S.,U.K and Singapore. U.K has the maximum i.e. 5 shops per 1000 persons.

This chunk of retailers,shopkeepers and those who are self employed account to about 50% of the employment.Out of these most of the persons have their family business of long years. These retailers,Shopkeepers and traders belonging to unorganised sector provide employment to more persons as compared to organised sector.

But with the advent of the "Mall" culture getting spread like mushrooms in mega cities, this picture will change. These BIG Retail outlets offering every item from "a pin to an elephant "and that too at a cheaper price with better quality, as compared to that offered by a Retail shopkeepers or the vendors, will definitely attract more customers. It is quite evident that these retailers, vendors, shopkeepers etc. will have to down their shutters sooner or later.

In order to strike a balance between them, the government will have to work out some scheme to see that the unorganised sector is not deprived of their livelihood.

A Historic Nuclear Breakthrough for India ?

2006-12-14T22:50:00.000+05:30

It was Prime Minister Singh and President Bush, who initiated the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal in July 2005, setting the stage for nuclear fuel supplies to India's civilian programme
With the US Congress approving legislation that allows civilian nuclear trade with India, a new era in India's nuclear relationship with the world has begun. While there is much jubilation in India over the US legislation - it paves the way to ending India's three-decade-long nuclear isolation and will enable it to purchase nuclear fuel and technology - sections in India's scientific and strategic community remain concerned.

Advantages :On a larger strategic level, the deal ends India's nuclear isolation, allowing international trade in nuclear technology for the first time in over 30 years.
India will have the unique position of joining the global league despite not being a signatory to the NPT or Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
India will now have access to nuclear fuel and technology not just from the United States, but also from Russia and France.
It will help India go some way in meeting a target of 20,000 megawatts by 2020. Currently, India generates less than 3,000 megawattsIt could be the beginning of a new era in which Washington engages with the world rather than holding it at arm's length.

Concerns :For India the big concern is whether this final legislation will address its concerns. There are portions of both Bills that India is uncomfortable with.

For instance:No export of technology to India related to enrichment, reprocessing spent fuel and heavy water production.

End use monitoring, which means the US would want to keep a check on how India is using the fuel exported by America and that it's not being used for its military programme.

An annual certification by the US President that India is complying with non proliferation commitments.
That the proposed law will only apply after India concludes an agreement on inspections with the IAEA. India maintains that can happen only after the law is changed in America.

India's scientific establishment is also worried that there is still no clarity on lifetime nuclear fuel supply for imported reactors. A clause on joint research on non-proliferation, scientists believe, should be deleted altogether.

From New Delhi's point of view it is poised to break out of its 30-year-old nuclear prison. The deal makes New Delhi a full-fledged nuclear power, allowing it to maintain a nuclear arsenal as well as obtain materials and technology for nuclear power plants. But this is merely the icing on the cake. New Delhi will no longer be locked out from high-end, dual-use technologies. Which means there are now fewer constraints to India's ambitions to become a superpower

There is a growing concern in the the political circle and there is a fear that US was concerned solely to cap India's nuclear weapons programme and there is an absolute ban on further tests - including sub-critical tests and those for peaceful purposes, which will completely restrict India's technical advancement in this vital sphere

The nuclear bill also bars India from reprocessing of the radiactive waste or the spent discharge from the reactor fuelled by uranium supplied by U.S. In all probabilities, U.S will not take back this waste for their own reasons and India will be left with the dire problem of disposal of this waste which contain various fission products.The disposal of this waste in the soil will pose a great environmental problem. This may require a very serious thinking.

According to the US Chamber of Commerce described as the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organisations of every size, sector, and region, the agreement would also open the country's markets to investment in technology, telecom, and financial services

Is Law or Judiciary Really above ALL ?

2006-12-09T10:44:00.000+05:30

This is a million dollar question everyone would like to ask!

During our school days we were taught that the Law is supreme and no one can escape from its long arms or the clutches. So it was always advisable to remain on the right side of the law.

This faith of ours got doubled when we recently read in the papers that the court has convicted two M.P's on the charges leveled against them and have been sentenced to imprisonment. Further, there was also a news that the Supreme Court has removed the legal protection given to public servants and so henceforth no prior sanction will be required to prosecute the ministers and the bureaucrats

We were very much delighted to read this news and felt that a real democracy has at last come to India.

But our joy was short lived. We have now read a latest news that the ministers, law makers, legislators and parliamentarians, who had been enjoying the "Political Immunity" from legal prosecution as public servants, were suddenly jolted by this news and felt that their political career is at great risk. They had hurried discussion on this issue in Lok Sabha and strongly protested against the treading of the judiciary over their rights and the stage is being set for collective demand for judiciary to mind their own business.This growing unease about the judiciary amongst the politicians is slowly gathering momentum.

Not only this, but we have also read that the Union Cabinet is now planning to put forth the bill, on Quota for OBC, in the parliament without giving any heed to the observations made by the court on excluding the CREAMY layer from the ambit of the quotas.

Both these things clearly show that there is a tussle between the judiciary and the legistrators The question then comes to our mind is " Now,who is right?" The Judiciary or the Legislators, parliamentarians ,ministers and politicians. What about our faith and belief in the judiciary and the saying that' The Law is supreme and Nobody is above Law"

The outburst of the legislators,ministers ,law makers etc. makes one thing clear that the laws which are applicable to a common man are not applicable to them as they think themselves to belong to the privileged class. Therefore they presume that they are above ALL and also above the Law.

Is it correct !

You are the best Judge !

Drunken Driving- An alarming situation

2006-12-07T18:40:00.000+05:30

Drunken Driving has become rampant in India and esp. in Mumbai and more so with the teenagers mostly from elite class who get easy money to spend lavishly.The late night parties or orgies over the drinks coupled with an easy access to the vehicle leads to rash and uncontrolled driving and the result is the innocent people being mauled down under the wheels .

Laws against drunken driving or driving under the influence of alcohol vary from country to country. But while India allows a lower permissible limit of alcohol in blood than many countries, punishments in some countries for drunken driving can be harsher than in India. However, stricter laws aren't always a deterrent. In Russia, there is zero tolerance for drivers found with even a trace of alcohol on their breath. The licence can be confiscated for life. Content of alcohol in blood must be 0. In India, 30mg alcohol is allowed in 100ml of blood—0.03% blood-alcohol content. In India, a first offence can draw a prison term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Rs 2,000. A second offence within three years can draw imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of Rs 3,000.

Worldwide, the permissible level of alcohol in the bloodstream can vary from 0.08% (in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy) to none at all. In many states of the United States and Australia, a stricter, lower limit exists for younger or less experienced drivers.

In Mumbai, with the number of incidences increasing day by day,the traffic police have adopted some stricter measures like frequent checking the drivers, esp.at night time, with Breath Analyser for finding the alcohol % and arresting them and also the rash drivers. It is generally observed that the risk of accident is more with the drunken teenagers.In last month alone the police had arrested 306 drunken drivers and collected fines to the tune of Rs.6.12 lacs. However, more stricter measures should be adopted to totally curb this menace. There is a proposal under consideration to cancel the driving licences permanently or for a long specified period of the drivers who are found drunk. This needs to be properly studied and then seriously implemented.

With death toll sky rocketing world wide due to drunken driving and the threat of arrest and punishment having little effect, the search is on to manufacture a technological up gradation – alcohol detection device – to address the problem. The auto makers and medical equipment manufacturers in western countries have already started manufacturing the devices that can be adapted for this to test drivers for alcohol and disable their vehicles. Ignition interlocks device, that tests drivers and shuts down the car if it detects alcohol above permissible levels and may read alcohol content when a driver’s palm touches the steering wheel or the gear shift lever,are underway.The installation of such device on the vehicle will definitely help in solving the problem to greater extent.

However, there is also other way of tackling this issue. Drunken driving is also a social problem and should be handled in the right perspective. Like"Alcoholic Anonymous" programme, the social groups should work out some programme to educate the people to dissuade or change their attitude towards drinking and then driving.

Definitely, this is long process which needs lot of patience,but it may bear fruits at the end.

India looses SA series miserably

2006-12-05T18:22:00.001+05:30

India Looses SA series

With the series down, now the postmortem has started as to who the blame should go ! Whether it is Mr.Chapel or the players or the selectors? However, it appears that everybody has forgotten the basic fact that " Too much of anything is always bad"
We expect too much from the players and wish that they must always perform well and must win all the time.But how one can expect that their performance should remain same throughout? Is it possible with this round the year and 365 days cricket ? How do you expect the players to have good stamina? The quality of cricket is getting deteriorated day by day with the players not getting sufficient time to practice.
The players go on playing because they get handsomely paid and as long as they are playing they do get fabulous income from the Advertisements/TV commercials etc. The coach does his job as he gets fat remunerations and the Cricket Control Board arrange matches because they get huge income. But all this at what cost ? Has anybody ever given thought to it?
Whenever India looses, the public vent out their anger by damaging the player's property here in India as if by doing so the performance of the players is going to improve.People at times condemn the cricket to the extent that they demand its total stoppage.
However,after sometime everything will be forgotten and cricket will continue as usual and people will go on seeing the matches with same interest.
Then, what is the use of getting irritated by this episode. Cricket will go on like this and after all who would like to kill the hen which lays golden eggs? The Cricket has no more remained a SPORTS, it has become a Big,Fat Business. Is it not !

Dozens dead in India bridge collapse

2006-12-05T13:04:00.000+05:30

A colonial-era footbridge collapsed onto railroad tracks in eastern India on Saturday, burying a train beneath tons of red rock and killing at least 33 passengers.
Rescuers struggled for hours to remove the pile of concrete, slabs of red stone and debris from the mangled sleeper car. By nightfall, they reached the crushed section and discovered that the car -- believed to have been largely empty -- was full of bodies.
Thirty-three bodies had been recovered by Saturday night, including those of five children, said Ajay Verma, deputy inspector general of police for railways. Fourteen people were pulled out alive and four of the wounded were in a serious condition.
The 150-year-old arched footbridge at the Bhagalpur station, in the eastern state of Bihar, had been in the process of being dismantled, said Viplav Kumar, a local government administrator at the scene.
Bhagalpur is about 93 miles east of Patna, the capital of Bihar.
Two of the three arched spans had already been removed, but the third came crashing down in a cloud of dust.
"A loud roar and the heavens seemed to have crumbled over us," passenger Anil Yadav, told the Press Trust of India news agency. "Thick clouds of dust streamed into the compartment, leaving me gasping for breath."
Television footage showed a man pleading for help through a shattered window.
Hundreds of people crowded around as rescue workers used cranes, bulldozers and even their hands to remove the rubble.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad ordered an inquiry into the incident and suspended two railway engineers responsible for dismantling the bridge.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said safety norms had not been followed.
"This is definitely the fault of the railways," he said.

The Reservation Issue

2006-12-05T12:43:00.000+05:30

A survey has found that at least 64 per cent Indians back reservations for OBCs in colleges and the private sector. The poll by NDTV-MODE comes as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh completes his second year in office on Monday. The full survey to be broadcast on NDTV, shows that the call for reservation will increase support for Singh's government and his Congress party.At the same time 57 per cent people said reservation was a political gimmick to win votes and 37 per cent disagreed.Separately, 70 per cent of participants in the poll said Congress party's Rahul Gandhi should join the government and 23 per cent opposed the idea.The survey over the past five days involved 4000 people in 15 states and Union Territories.

Creamy layer in OBC quotas to stay: SC
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a PIL seeking exemption of the operation of the 'creamy layer' rule within the Other Backward Classes for persons engaged in hereditary occupations.

Quota: SC to hear PIL on exempting creamy layer rule

The Supreme Court on Monday decided to hear a public interest litigation seeking exemption of the operation of the 'creamy layer' rule within the Other Backward Classes for persons engaged in hereditary occupations.
The petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament Haribhau Rathod came up for hearing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice C K Thakker and Justice R V Raveendran, which decided to hear it on Friday along with another petition in which similar relief has been sought.
The MP from Yavatmal in Maharashtra has sought exemption of operation of the rule of 'creamy layer' for persons working as artisans or engaged in other hereditary occupations.
In this regard, he sought implementation of the 1993 Office Memorandum of Ministry of Social Welfare and Empowerment, which provided that the rule of exclusion of creamy layer in reservation for OBCs under Article 16 (4) of the Constitution would not apply to persons working as artisans or engaged in hereditary occupations.
Advocate Shree Pal Singh, appearing for the MP, said that though the memorandum had envisaged preparing a list of such occupations, government had failed to come out with it even after 13 years.
A large number of persons throughout the country engaged in hereditary occupations like skinning of dead animals etc have been deprived of the benefit as provided by the office memorandum only because the list has not been notified so far, the PIL said.
Before deciding to hear the PIL on Friday, the Bench put several questions to the advocate and observed that balance has to be maintained between the socially and economically backward and those who are economically well off in that class.
The Bench also sought to know what the financial limitations are for those to be included in the category of creamy layer.
The court said the problem occurs when the children may not be doing the work of their father, forefathers and others in the family.