Dr J D Bapat - current contents

First picture of the black hole

2012-01-19T07:18:00.002+05:30

Black holes were first suggested by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Decades of research and observations have provided evidence of their existence, but it has never been possible to directly observe and image one.

Taking a picture of a black hole, an object so gravitationally bound that not even photons of light can escape, sounds like an oxymoron, but astronomers this week will attempt to do just that.

What they're hoping to glimpse is something called the "event horizon" -- the swirl of matter and energy that are visible around the rim of the black hole just before it falls into the abyss.

Image: Computer-generated image of a black hole from above. Light would be visually distorted by the black hole's immense gravity. Credit: Alain Riazuelo/NASA

Let us join Anna in his struggle for strong Lokpal

2011-12-29T15:18:00.000+05:30

While going through some newspaper headlines today, it appeared to me that there is an attempt to belittle Anna. Look at the following:

उपोषण गुंडाळले , 'जेल भरो' ही रद्द : सकाळ २९ डिसेंबर
असा घसरला अण्णांचा टी आर पी: सकाळ २९ डिसेंबर
मोक्याच्या क्षणी अण्णा हटले: म. टा. २९ डिसेंबर

Our press friends should not forget that fighting for corruption is not only Anna's responsibility. The rampant corruption in every walk of life affects common man today. It is the responsibility of all of us to fight it.

No political party is genuinely interested in bringing strong Lokpal. Can anyone deny the fact that whatever is being discussed today in Parliament is only due to the agitation spearheaded by Anna.

Let us join Anna in his struggle for strong Lokpal

India Government: Take iniriative on robotics

2011-12-20T07:23:00.002+05:30

The Government of India need to take an initiative on robotics. Here is an example from National Science Foundation (NSF), USA

The goal of the National Robotics Initiative is to accelerate the development and use of robots in the United States that work beside, or cooperatively with, people. Innovative robotics research and applications emphasizing the realization of such co-robots acting in direct support of and in a symbiotic relationship with human partners is supported by multiple agencies of the federal government including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this program is the development of this next generation of robotics, to advance the capability and usability of such systems and artifacts, and to encourage existing and new communities to focus on innovative application areas. It will address the entire life cycle from fundamental research and development to industry manufacturing and deployment. Methods for the establishment and infusion of robotics in educational curricula and research to gain a better understanding of the long term social, behavioral and economic implications of co-robots across all areas of human activity are important parts of this initiative. Collaboration between academic, industry, non-profit and other organizations is strongly encouraged to establish better linkages between fundamental science and technology development, deployment and use.

The God of IT

2011-10-08T07:55:00.000+05:30

I give a Steve Jobs' quote someone posted on my Facebook page today: "Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know, what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary". Almost every innovation in IT that we see today can be attributed to Steve. He is the Rockstar! the God of IT!!

TRAI regulation to protect mobile/landline phone customers

2011-09-30T13:20:00.000+05:30

The Indian telecom Industry with nearly 900 million subscribers is the second largest wireless market in the world. Low tariffs and direct reach to consumers has made SMS and direct calling one of the most cost effective ways of selling services and products. However, telemarketing has brought with it serious issues of invasion of privacy and has become a major irritant to customers.

To holistically curb this growing menace and effectively regulate unsolicited commercial Calls and messages, TRAI has notified "The Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2010". All the provisions of regulations come into force from 27th September, 2011.

Customers (landline and mobile) who do not want to receive commercial communications can dial or SMS to 1909 (toll free) and register in either of the two categories:

Fully Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS

Partially Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS except SMS from one of the opted preferences

For registering option using SMS, for 'fully blocked category', write "START 0" and send it to 1909. For 'partially blocked category', send SMS 'START' with one or multiple options from the list of seven categories.

There are at present 7 preferences to choose from- Banking/Insurance/Financial Products/Credit Cards-1, Real Estate-2, Education-3, Health-4, Consumer goods and automobiles-5, Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT, Tourism-7.

For example: To receive messages relating to only Health products, then send SMS "START 4" to 1909. Similarly, for receiving messages relating to Real Estate and Education, send SMS "START 2,3" to 1909.

To obtain more information visit: TRAI

Scientists in public life

2011-09-14T16:51:00.000+05:30

I do not think science-driven issues are well represented in the nation's governing body. I also feel the need for a larger scientific or researcher presence in governing bodies. However, in order that it happens, the scientists will have to change their attitude towards the general public. The other day, I was watching a top nuclear scientist of the country replying questions on nuclear safety to the representatives of the general public. I must say that the the attitude of the scientist was not correct. There was an air of superiority and arrogance in his responses, which in fact gave him a poor personal image. The scientists must realise that the laws of science are not known to public but their fears are real. They must be more understanding and compassionate, that is what makes an illiterate politician popular among the public.

Electoral reforms

2011-08-28T16:04:00.003+05:30

Adarniya Anna Ji

You rekindled the fire amongst the Indian citizens. After the father of nation, you showed the path to the man on street; the peaceful way to protest for his rights. Yes! The battle is only half won!! You have already declared on the behalf of all of us, the next item on the agenda: the electoral reforms. I request you to consider the following:

(a) Compulsory voting.

(b) Right to reject all candidates contesting election.

(c) Right to recall an elected representative.

*

Ganesh Festival (गणेशोत्सव): revive the vision of Lokmanya Tilak

2011-08-19T12:29:00.001+05:30

In 1893, Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak transformed the annual domestic Ganesh festival into a large, well-organized public event. Tilak popularised Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival in order to bring unity among the people and to generate nationalistic fervor against the British colonial rule.

Time has arrived to revive that spirit again but for different reasons. Let us celebrate the Festival to spread the message of purity in public life. To banish corruption, of all kinds, from our personal life.

Anti-graft stir: theme of Ganesh Chaturthi festival (2011)

Hollow promises on Lokpal

2011-07-12T16:50:00.000+05:30

"Why is the Indian government adamant about

keeping junior officers out of Lokpal?

The answer lies in the fact that money made at

lower levels is channeled directly to political parties"

Arvind Kejriwal

"Too many hollow promises"

The Times of India, Pune, India

July 12, 2011

The cat is out of the bag!!

Do not diminute Baba Ramdev's contribution

2011-07-05T17:15:00.000+05:30

Notwithstanding the controversy surrounding the recent agitation against corruption launched by Yog Guru Baba Ramdev, the contribution of Baba in developing the science of Yog and bringing it to the doorstep of common man cannot be ignored.

The emphasis in Baba's teaching is on performing Pranayam (controlled breathing). The course includes few Pranayams and Yogasans. Baba calls it as Pran-Yog. The principal among Pranayams are Kapalbhati and Anulom-Vilom. Some people accuse him of corrupting Patanjali Yog. The bogey of vitiating the "purity" of the science of Yog is also raised. However the argument is untenable as millions have benefited by the Pran-Yog, in terms of curing the diseases, some of them incurable by the allopathy.

Another important contribution to the credit of Baba Ramdev, he brought the science of Yog, in particular Pranayam, to the common man.

Indians poor but India not poor

2011-06-14T07:34:00.000+05:30

"Indians are poor but India is not a poor country", said one of the Directors of Swiss Bank. He says, Rs 280 lack crore amount of ill-gotten money is stashed in Swiss Banks, sufficient to fund taxless budget for 30 years. It can yield 60 crore jobs. It is sufficient to build 4-lane roads to all villages from Delhi. Sufficient to pay Rs 2000/- to every citizen for next 60 years. India will not need any World Bank or IMF loan.

Even presuming this report is exaggerated, it should be enough to open our eyes.

*

Lok Pal or Lok Mar?

2011-05-17T16:00:00.000+05:30

The draft Lokpal Bill, in its current form can only be be termed as draconian

The Lokpal in the Bill enjoys the authority of Police and Judiciary. That is not justifiable. Are we trying to create parallel government?

The Lokpal shall have the authority to confiscate property, cancel government tenders and contracts, remove government officials from the job. It is accepted that the politician-bureaucrat-contractor nexus is the root cause of most corruption in the country. However unlimited power to Lokpal is a dangerous proposal. What is the guarantee that the Lokpal does not misuse his authority?

The current bill requires discussion on much wide scale. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It should not be forgotten.

Singer from the heavens

2011-05-08T17:21:00.000+05:30

Narayan Shripad Rajhans alias Narayanrao, one of the greatest Marathi singers and the stage actors was called Balgandharva by Lokmanya Tilak. The Marathi movie portraying the life story of the great maestro has just been released. Producer and art director Nitin Desai, his team and Sibodh Bhave playing the lead role make a tremendous impact. I do not want to add another movie review. Watching the great personality on the screen, I noticed two things.

Years back, I read a critique stating there are two categories of artists, first those who live for art and second those who use art for living. Balgandharva is a perfect example of the first and the rare category.

I felt, there is divinity attached to his life story. Narayanrao was an example of a sthita pradnya (steady wisdom) purusha (Sanskrit), as described in Bhagvad Gita; one who treats happiness and sorrow in the same spirit or sukh-dukhe same kritva (sanskrit).

He was a singer from heaven, truly.

India! Rethink on nuclear installations!!

2011-05-02T07:35:00.000+05:30

There are reasons to believe the Indian government's declaration that the country's nuclear installations are safe is "hasty and technologically superficial". There is a need to appoint an independent agency to investigate the process as well as safety aspects of the existing and future, i.e. Jaitapur, nuclear installations.

Citizens call

My Idols

2011-04-17T07:53:00.000+05:30

My attitude towards the professional and technical work is greatly inspired by the Head of the Research Institute, where I began my career. I emulate his style even today. The three basic aspects that I learned from him are: (a) an organisation should work by the system and not by the individuals (b) systems approach to management brings transparency and (c) at the work place there are only two categories of people: those who work and the remaining who don't. The real test of management is to inspire maximum number of people to do useful work. My research work is inspired by three great personalities. Out of them, two are eminent professors who inspired and guided me to work in the area of utilising industrial and agricultural wastes in cement and concrete. The third is also an eminent professor who guided and inspired me to work in the area of fuel cell technology. I owe much of professional achievements to these four great personalities.

Come cricket! India needs a Malinga!!

2011-04-03T14:57:00.000+05:30

Wah kya nazara tha!! 11 Indian tigers dancing with Sachin on their shoulders. ICC World Cup is an achievement of Team India. It was the most precious gift the team mates and we Indians gave Sachin. The match is over; both the teams played their best. We need one Malinga in Indian team; let us appreciate. Remember how Malinga was cheered when he played for Mumbai Indians last year.

Test that will put all engineers at par

2011-03-04T09:43:00.000+05:30

The thought came in my mind after reading a news report. It is reported that the Medical Council of India (MCI) has proposed common test that could be taken by any medical graduate (MBBS) in the country as an additional qualification. The test aims at putting all doctors at par, whether from AIIMS or otherwise.

An excellent idea indeed!! With plethora of medical colleges offering degree on the one hand and large number of cases of wrong diagnosis and bad treatment at the hand of doctors, on the other, make common man sceptic about the competence of medical practitioners. Such a common test conducted at All India level shall, to some extent, put such doubts at rest.

It may be mentioned that an almost parallel situation exists in the engineering profession. The graduates from IITs and other reputed institutions think they are better engineers than the ones coming from relatively less known colleges. The serious aspect is that affects the job prospects of engineers. An additional qualification, on the lines similar to what has been advocated by the MCI, shall help bring all the engineers at at par. That will end discrimination on the basis of the institution.

Good luck India

2011-02-19T08:06:00.000+05:30

Many may not like this comment, but look at it this way. Whole India plays just one game. With an exception of Sachin, could we really make any lasting global mark in cricket? Look at our consistently poor performance in Asian Games and Olympics. What importance do we attach to sports at the national level? The national players of other games do not even get proper remuneration. With this state of affairs, I doubt whether our young generation could be attracted and motivated towards sports. Cricket is always associated with media hype; most of that is associated with commercial reasons. World Cup! Good Luck India!!

Bring in systemic changes PM

2011-02-12T08:17:00.000+05:30

Pune

It is time to bring in systemic changes PM

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the home minister of India said, "I think we should take serious note of concerns expressed by captains of industry and business. There is indeed a governance deficit in some areas and perhaps there is also an ethical deficit."

This is a very serious comment by a person seating in the government. If we loose on the ethical base of our actions and the governance, what is left? What is government doing to improve the situation?? I think systemic changes must precede all administrative reforms.

Appoint a permanent commission (like UPSC, Election Commission), with adequate constitutional authority, to continuously review all systemic provisions in the public administration. The Commission should be authorised to review all provisions of law, administrative systems and procedures and bring in permanent changes across the board.

Reflections: Food Food

2011-01-29T19:04:00.000+05:30

Food Food: The celebrity Chef, Sanjeev Kapoor has launched India's first Hindi 24x7 Food Lifestyle Channel 'FOODFOOD'. It will feature, for the very first time, Hinglish content that will be produced and packaged in India, making the shows relevant to the Indian audience. In order to connect to their audience in India, FOODFOOD will feature shows about food and food lifestyle like 'Sanjeev Kapoor's Kitchen', ' Firangi Tadka ', ' Sirf 30 Minute ' and Ready Steady Cook. Prominent personalities form the entertainment and food industry such as Chef Chinu, Chef Harpal, Chef Rakesh Sethi, and more will feature as part of the varied offerings on the channel. FoodFood is also the first Indian channel that's entirely shot in high definition.

It is indeed fun watching this channel. All those who love food must watch FoodFood.

Governance by Mafia: There are three tapping points in a state's distribution chain from where cheap kerosene meant for sale through ration shops is diverted, more often than not, in collusion with civil supplies officials and police.

Although quite disturbing but not surprising. All public dealings appear to be full of rackets. Why not legalize rackets and mafia dealings. That will save trouble of investigations.

Reflections: walking with national flag

2011-01-27T09:43:00.000+05:30

Walking with national flag: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday arrested six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and separatists, who were heading towards the Lal Chowk here to hoist the national flag on the occasion of the country's 62nd Republic Day.

The incidents on the eve of republic day, which occurred in the Indian State of J&K, pained every Indian. One political party tried to gain mileage, exploiting the current situation in J&K. Instead of dealing with the situation politically, the governments at the Centre and the State treated it as a law and order problem and created a huge mess. In that process they actually supported the goal of political parties exploiting the situation. In addition, they also sent a wrong message to the general public. The public asks: Are we required to obtain permission to walk with the national flag in our country?

Efficient solar cells: The researchers have demonstrated a new solar cell design that can not only convert the full spectrum of sunlight to electrical energy, it is also practical to make using common manufacturing techniques in the semiconductor industry.

The efficiency of solar cells currently available is low. One of the reasons is it cannot use the full spectrum of light (all frequencies) for the energy conversion. The new, multiband photovoltaic device based on gallium arsenide nitride is highly efficient and practical to produce.

Bring systemic changes to improve law and order: The gory killing of additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane has shaken the country.

One after another, such gory incidents occur and public becomes meek spectators. At times we wonder whether this country is ruled by mafia, some on the chair and some supporting it from outside. We know again some inquiry committee will be appointed and the incident will be coolly forgotten, like those earlier. Nothing tangible can be achieved unless we bring in systemic changes. No political party speaks about it.

Reflections: Biological revitalizing process - Autophagy

2011-01-25T17:14:00.001+05:30

Autophagy: Greek word for self-eating—is an efficient self-cleaning, biological revitalizing process used in our bodies. When cells face adverse conditions such as nutrient depletion, the autophagy process commences to enclose a portion of its own cellular constituents and delivers it to the lytic compartment (named lysosome in animals, vacuole in yeast and plants) for reuse. Oh! What a system!!

Kursi aur Corruption: Embattled Suresh Kalmadi has been sacked as the Chairman of the CWG Organising Committee to enable an "unhindered" probe into alleged corruption, bringing an unceremonious end to his tenure which was plagued by scandals and controversies.Kalmadi''s close aide Lalit Bhanot was also removed as the Secretary General of the OC with immediate effect, almost three months after the sporting extravaganza was held here amid a spate of unsavory controversies. A step in the right direction. As a member of Parliament Kalmadi should have resigned long back. His image has taken an immense beating.

Indian Companies, Foreign Managers: Indian corporate houses hiring foreign managers -Career news- Mumbai: Call it reverse outsourcing or local talent hunting, but high-tech Indian firms have been hiring foreigners as part of their long-term growth. This is a welcome development. It will help improving corporate culture in India.

Reflections: Mile Sur .. ..

2011-01-24T21:51:00.000+05:30

Mile Sur: Pune, Jan 24 (PTI) Doyen of Hindustani classical music Pandit Bhimsen Joshi passed away this morning in a private hospital here after prolonged illness.He was 87. The message of national integration propagated by Paditji through his famous song: Mile Sur Mera Tumhara .. .., has become a legend.

Sabarimala Tragedy: In our country only politicians take advantage of such tragic incidents for mud-slinging. In fact, all such incidents should be followed by thorough investigation by expert team, with regard to the causes and the remedial measures. The report should be made public. What is important is bringing systemic changes across the country, so as to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Hoisting National Flag in India: More than 2,000 police personnel have been deployed on the Jammu and Kashmir-Punjab border to ensure no one enters J&K to hoist tricolor in Lal Chowk (Srinagar) on the Republic day. It is indeed surprising to see Indians are required to fight to hoist national flag in India.

Reflections: Shadow of China

2011-01-23T17:10:00.000+05:30

(A) Shadow of China: For India, the implications of this Sino-American detente are challenging for two reasons. First, it reinforces the notion that the key geopolitical axis runs through Washington, DC and Beijing. This bipolarity is not rigid, but it is solidifying as the main strategic centre of gravity, leaving India to emerge as a kind of meso-power that cannot disturb Sino-American parity. Thus, US-India relations might not experience significant changes, perhaps resulting in a sense of the drift that worried many Indians prior to Obama’s visit at the end of 2010. In addition, the payoffs from the Obama visit might seem less impressive from an Indian perspective going forward, than they appeared in the immediate aftermath.

Second, India might worry more about how the “new normal” in Sino-American relations affects Chinese calculations vis-avis India and Indian interests in Asia. With parity and core stability achieved with the United States, will China feel more confident and assertive on other issues because the United States might not be prepared to intervene seriously against China? What is emerging between China and the United States might generate negative externalities for India in terms of its relationship with China, specifically an increased Chinese sense that it does not have to acknowledge any kind of parity in how it deals with India. This outcome would have a ripple effect across Asia, perhaps encouraging countries to perceive India as a second-rate power in its own neighbourhood. Not helpful for a country that believes it deserves a permanent seat on the UN Security Council because of its global importance.

The shadow of China is bound to become bigger with the new new normal. The US experience in the past suggests that it is likely to work further in that direction, even at the cost Indian interest in the Asian subcontinent. We should be prepared to see worse of China and as a side effect, emboldened Pakistan in future.

(B) Forestation of Deserts: The Sahara Forest Project, which aims to create green oases in desert areas, has signed a deal to build a pilot plant in Aqaba, near the Red Sea in Jordan. With funding from the Norwegian government, the team plans to begin building the pilot plant on a 200,000 square metre site in 2012. The earth has an abundance of sunlight, seawater, carbon dioxide and arid land that could be used for profitable and sustainable production of food, water and renewable energy, while combating the greenhouse effect through binding CO2 in new vegetation in arid areas.

(C) Mobile Number Portability: The much-awaited mobile number portability has finally become a reality, empowering consumers to change mobile operators conveniently while retaining the same number. Experts view it as a great step forward for the consumer, as it enhances the choice and brings in more competition and better services.

Reflections: cold fusion

2011-01-22T16:46:00.000+05:30

Hopes about cold fusion have been raised once again by two Italian researcher who claim to have fused atomic nuclei at room temperature. Cold fusion has been a holy grail of physics for decades. If it could be achieved, it would be a cheap, clean, and limitless energy source. The whole world watches as to whether this becomes a hot (cold) news or another damp squib

In India, the practice of film stars entering politics is not a new phenomenon. It has been in vogue for quite some time. Many film stars have started their second innings with a transition from films to politics. Whether we talk of southern film stars like N.T. Rama Rao and M.G. Ramachandran, or their Bollywood counterparts like Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna, the film industry has time and again made its presence felt in India's political scene. In India, all netas are basically abhinetas, no wonder if some abhineta becomes a neta. The question is if this is an unwelcome trend, why do people vote such people to power. We only get the government which we deserve.

A private high school teacher, who also used to tutor a minor girl, has been arrested on the charges of sexually exploiting the student for about a month. It is high time law is amended to provide exemplary punishment to rapists.

Cold fusion resurfaces

Neta abhineta

Award exemplary punishment to rapists

Reflections: 21 January 2011

2011-01-21T10:35:00.000+05:30

The Clause 69 of Information Technology law has been modified. The police have been authorised to tap email account or internet chatting of those against whom investigations are in progress for serious charges.They only require permission from the State or Central Government. This provision is bound to be misused, going by the previous experience. As a precaution, the law should be further amended. Instead of government, it should be mandatory for police to seek permission from the court of law.

The honorable Supreme Court of India has asked the Government to bring back black money stashed abroad. The news is grabbing headlines since past few days. The Government appears to be reluctant.

The Indians reportedly rank 7th on the global scale in the G-math test. What about the lakhs of below-average engineers and doctors turned out year-by-year by the substandard institutions? The higher education in the country is indeed in poor state.

Ushering into issue-based politics

2011-01-14T14:55:00.001+05:30

All elections in India, at national, regional or local levels, are mostly fought (and won) on non-developmental issues. This is the pattern till date. However recently concluded Bihar assembly election is an exception. Nitish Kumar was voted back to power by majority vote. This fact is accepted even by his opponents. How Nitish brought such a sea change in the general pattern and whether that could be a model for issue-based politics for the future, are the questions. In order to arrive at an answer, we need to analyse how the general pattern got established in the country.

Traditionally, Indian society is stratified on the basis of caste, language and regions. The individuals or the group of individuals occupying positions in the front of caste, linguistic or the regional domains, tend to dominate others in the lower rung. Such social injustice is perpetrated over the years and as a result it gives birth to social unrest in different sections of society.

Such social stratification and attendant social injustice are not the phenomena observed in India alone but is also observed in other parts of the world,where people are seen voting on the ethnic lines or express preferences on the basis of skin color.

The democratic system of election provides a legitimate vent for such unrest. Thus the affected individuals tend to choose a party, which at least seemingly, fights for the cause of such socially deprived or aggrieved groups. Thus ushering into issue-based politics shall require mitigation of social injustice in the first place and that is what the Chief Minister Nitish did in the Indian State of Bihar. Once the social factors become irrelevant, individuals shall look towards and vote for development. After all, who does not development!

Brain for gain

2010-12-29T13:19:00.000+05:30

All IIT, IIM and other brains, beware! All politics is for power. Just get it, whichever way possible! That is the Indian political ethos. So do not waste your time in the corridors of power. If you are genuinely interested, follow Gandhian Model of social service.

IIT, IIM brains help politicians in policy making

The Travesty

2010-11-14T13:54:00.000+05:30

The "travesty", that was how the British Prime Minister David Cameron described the release of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, on Saturday, 13 November 2010. In Myanmar she was popularly known as "The Lady".

'She is a hero of mine and a source of inspiration for all who work to advance basic human rights in Burma (Myanmar) and around the world,' the US president said, calling the release 'long overdue.'

India have welcome the release of Suu Kyi

The daughter of Myanmar independence leader General Aung San, 65 year old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was detained for 15 of the past 20 years, after she won the 1990 elections by landslide but never allowed to assume power by the military junta.The proxy party floated by the junta has won the recent general elections.

Suu Kyi's dignity and courage in the face of injustice have been an inspiration to many people around the world.

May almighty give her long life.

Oh Ba Obama

2010-11-08T17:36:00.008+05:30

The commercial capital of India, was converted into a fortress. Huge police force and every inch of the city was sniffed. The head of the most powerful state on the earth visited the city

The Obamamania is unique, quite unseen during the visit of President Bush and Clinton. The threat perceptions then were quite different.

The relations between the two large democracies were never so good.The beginning has been made by Republicans (Bush) and carried forward now by the Democrats (Obama). Although traditionally Democrats have never been in India's favor. Obama's visit has heightened our expectations. There are many things at stake. The political and media hype is due to these expectations.

We want US to appreciate threats to India's security, both internally and externally. Our recent experience in Hedley's case has not been good. We require free flow of intelligence information, especially on the terrorists.

Sino-Pakistan nuclear deal is worrying India. India wants US to explicitly state its opposition to the deal.

China poses a bigger external threat to India, in comparison to Pakistan. We wanted Obama to visit Tawang. That would have automatically confirmed US support to India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

India also wants firm US support for India's permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

We know, finally, Obama would do what is in the interest of USA. Indian leaders should understand. Do not expect others to fight our battle.

Obama endorses India's bid for permanent seat in UNSC

List of accords signed during Obama's trip to India

India not stealing US jobs: Manmohan Singh

India welcomes US decision to lift export control on dual-use technology

Highlights of Nov 8 India-US Joint Statement

Politics of Academics

2010-11-03T18:20:00.001+05:30

Prof. Chaitanya was walking briskly on the lawn with his daughter. At the age of 52 he maintained good health. After going home he would do Yoga and Pranayam and his daughter always joined him.

At home he found his wife, Priya, was waiting for him.

There was a phone call from some Prof. Jairam. He will ring again. She said.

Chaitanya knew Prof. Jairam was contesting for the post of Dean in the University. This time Prof. Chaitanya was a contestant for the Board of Studies (BOS) elections for civil engineering.

Twenty five years back, after obtaining Doctoral degree form the University of Leeds, he returned home and joined the University. All these years, he taught almost all core subjects, but the Theory of Structures was his favorite. He also had good number of publications in the reputed international journals published by Elsevier, American Concrete institute (ACI) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In the University, he had made significant contributions developing the structure and syllabi of the civil engineering subjects.

While he was going through the newspaper headlines, telephone rang. He lifted. Prof. Jairam was on the other side.

How are you prof ! I heard you are contesting for the BOS, he asked. Yes I am, said Prof. Chaitanya.

You should support me. You know, I have support from the Rashtriya Jatiwadi Party. Our College Chairman has also promised financial support, Prof. Jairam was obviously elated.

Prof. Chaitanya could not understand the connection between the political parties and the university elections. The elections used to be conducted every five years. Since past few elections, he saw the role of political parties and their affiliations was growing. Money also played role in the underhand dealings, whispered in the University circles. Prof. Jairam was an active member of the political party and was hardly seen in the academic circles. Prof. Jairam obtained Ph. D. from a Deemed University. Prof. Chaitanya still remembered Prof. Jairam’s open defense of the Ph. D. thesis. While he made the presentation, Prof. Chaitnaya felt that he had seen similar work published in the ACI Journal. In fact, he actually checked it in the library and found that was true. He was also present for the convocation. There was not a single academician on the dais, except the poor (!) Vice Chancellor and the Dean. It was all occupied by the ruling party members at the Centre and the State.

Prof. Chaitanya always felt that there should be no elections for the University statutory bodies. Instead, eminent persons from within the University, industry, public and private organisations should be selected on these bodies.

It was a Sunday. Prof. Chaitanya contacted all the voters personally and over phone. There was another contestant aspiring for the post of Chairman BOS, Prof. Anand, fielded by Prof. Jairam, his colleague from the Deemed University. Monday was the election day and the votes counting was scheduled on Tuesday.

Tuesday evening Prof. Chaitanya returned home from the Votes Counting Centre. Priya didn’t ask him the result, it was written in his face. He had lost.

In a country where politics occupies the academic stage, quality of education remains a far cry.

Don't play firecrackers

2010-10-31T11:10:00.000+05:30

Every year during Diwali, crores of rupees are burned in the name playing firecrackers. Burning firecrackers emit sulphur dioxide, which is a poisonous gas. and a major pollutant. It also leaves in atmosphere harmful metals compounds of chromium and lead. Huge quantity of litter is left on the ground, that takes days to clean. In manufacturing firecrackers, mostly children below 14 years are employed. Every year, hundreds of people die of burns and fires created by the firecrackers. All this for a few moments of thrill. Is that really worth ? Think !!

Helmet for an Oath

2010-10-21T12:45:00.001+05:30

The traffic in Pune is unmanageable. The roads and their maintenance is poor. The traffic monitoring and control is also bad. The number of accidents on the road is on the rise. The majority of the deaths due to accidents are due to serious head injuries. Keeping that in mind, few months back, the traffic police made it compulsory for all two-wheeler riders to wear helmet. Surprisingly the common citizen opposed it. Yeh Punekar hain bhaiya ! The local politicians were not far behind. They supported the opposition looking at the general public opinion. So, the rule remains only in the book and followed only in breach.

Sharad Bapat, an innovative techie from Pune has started a website and there is an offer. He wants citizens to come forward and take an oath to wear helmet and the techie rewards them with Rs 500/-. It pays partially towards the cost of the headgear. What an idea !

We see ministers, judges taking oath while taking the charge of new office. The witness in the court of law is also required to take an oath. Why oath ?

I think an oath puts a moral binding on the individual. It is a verbal commitment. In fact, following a commitment depends on one’s value system, verbal or written notwithstanding.

Initially though some citizens, especially youngsters, will be attracted by the money offer but later the oath shall put a moral binding on them. Even if 50% follow the oath, it will be good.

Thus from every angle, this is a welcome initiative and Sh Sharad Bapat deserves both cheers and congratulations.

This is what Sh Sharad Bapat has to say:

“It will be a win-win situation. Interested parties will get their advertisements, our stickers will bear their name, they will be on our website and most importantly, people will wear helmets”

Visit: http://www.wearahelmet.in/

सी मो ल्लंघन

2010-10-17T12:22:00.000+05:30

सी मो ल्लंघन

यं दा विजया दशमीला करा सी मो ल्लंघन

माणसा माणसा त भेद कर णाऱ्या प्र थां चे

स न्मान करुनी सर्व मायबोलींचे, मराठी सम

ओलां डू नी सीमा प्रान्तांच्या, मुक्त भ्रमण करुया

भारत भूमि असे माय अपुली

सर्व देशवासी असती बांधव अपुले

जयहिंद

Rescue Indian farmers

2010-10-14T04:38:00.000+05:30

The role of micro finance companies offering loans to the poor has come under the lens even as a farmer, under pressure to repay his debt, committed suicide in Nizamabad district on Wednesday. In Guntur, a woman attempted to end her life, as she was upset over her humiliation by MFI (micro finance institution) agents. And in yet another case, two members of a self-help group were booked in Srikakalum over the suicide of a woman on Tuesday.

Private micro finance institutions' (MFIs) vision of "eradicating poverty" is far removed from reality, say finance experts. They say MFIs are no better than moneylenders, who lend to the poor at a higher rate of interest, or almost the same as a moneylender, and turn this into a profitable venture. Banks, which are meant to reach out to the rural poor but choose to fund MFIs instead, have only contributed to the debt crisis the poor are facing in Andhra.

The controversy sparked by suicides and harassment of the rural poor by micro finance institutions has the Self-Employed Women's Association (Sewa) founder and Ramon Magsaysay award winner Ela Bhatt worried. But some of the steps being proposed by CM K Rosaiah to check the MFIs like limiting the interest rates charged by the MFIs to 8% and make as non-bailable offences the employment of coercion and unethical practices to recover loans from the rural poor appear to be far from reality.

"The MFIs are charging an interest rate of up to 50% at present. And they themselves are taking loans from banks at more than 11.5%. How can the state persuade RBI to ensure that MFI interest rates for loans be restricted to 8%? Secondly, the unlawful practices resorted to by the MFIs can be dealt with by the existing sections of IPC. The government should work out effective steps instead of making such populist assertions," said a micro finance expert.

Is the UIDAI database vulnerable?

2010-10-03T13:01:00.003+05:30

Assigning a unique number to every citizen (or resident) is definitely a good effort. The UID can be put many useful applications. The legal provisions of heavy fine and life imprisonment, if implemented properly, are enough to deter the miscreants. However it is the responsibility of the Head: UIDAI, Nandan Nilekani and the Government to clarify and put to rest all doubts regarding the safety and probable misuse of huge personal data collected by UIDAI.

Why is the UID criticized by some people?

The main criticism of the UID is based on privacy concerns. The project is criticized because, unlike Western countries, India is not known for stringent data protection laws and the opposing group fears data theft and selling of the vital information to a third party by corrupt officials. Apart from this, they argue, it's an individual's right to protect his or her privacy from any unlawful interference, even by the state. Article 21 of the Constitution, the Hindu Marriage Act, the Copyright Act, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Code of Criminal Procedure all place some form of restrictions on the release of personal information.

Is it mandatory or voluntary?

Considering privacy concerns, UIDAI has kept provision of voluntary registration at enrolment camps to obtain the number. Critics, however, argue that once the programme gets linked to welfare programmes, the PDS system and availing of various services, it will lose its true voluntary nature. Hence, it's also important to have stringent laws to prevent denial of service in such situations.

Is the UIDAI databaxse vulnerable?

Ensuring data security, legally

*

Ayodya opportunity

2010-09-30T04:41:00.003+05:30

India awaits its Ayodhya moment on Thursday, almost 18 years after the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992 that placed the country on a communal volcano which has periodically erupted from time to time. Today, individuals, parties and organizations who appealed for peace, hope the court verdict won't lead to another eruption.

The court may not resolve the row over whether a temple predated the mosque at the disputed site, but will certainly cast some light on the title claims.

There is hope that the moment will pass off peacefully. The optimism stems chiefly from two factors: The issue has lost the potency it once had. It is also felt that while many of the partisans in the temple-mosque dispute have moved on, the youth have only a faint memory of the wrenching fight for the disputed site.

It also gives all an opportunity to arrive at a negotiated settlement.

Replace bullets with pellets

2010-09-18T21:54:00.000+05:30

Kashmir is boiling. The newspaper reports show stone pelting people and gun wielding arms men. With every person killed by the bullets, the strife increases further. The separatists have been given a ready made tool to divide the people. If the people pelt stones, do we really need to kill them ? I think security men should be given pellets instead of bullets. The killer shots should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Daji Kaka’s Ganapati

2010-09-11T15:32:00.002+05:30

Daji kaka was on the morning walk on the street of Pune City. It was a Sunday. The preparations for Ganeshotsav (a festival of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of lord Shiva and the deity of prosperity, celebrated in India and particularly in the state of Maharashtra) were in full swing. He saw a pendal (temporary shelter usually made of timber, to install the Ganesha idol) under construction and that put him on the memory lane.

Pune city is traditionally known for its Ganesha festival celebrations. He was just 12 year old when Gandhiji launched Quit India (civil disobedience) Movement in 1942, against the British rulers. The Ganeshostsav in those days used to be different. His father was actively involved in the movement and used to tell Daji that the public celebration of Ganeshotsav was started by Lokmanya Tilak (Indian freedom fighter and social reformer) in 1893 to spread the message of independence from the British colonial rule, among the common people. The ten-day festivities – music, plays, public speeches - in those days were full of fervor for independence. Today he was 80 years old.

He saw some workers were digging the street to fix the wooden pillars. After the festival, these pot holes will be a nuisance for everyone driving or walking on the street. He heard the shrill sound of some movie song being played in front of the pendal site. Even at his age, he was a fan of songs from modern Hindi movies. However he didn’t see any relevance of those songs for the festival. He walked few steps and saw a familiar site. It was a flex-board poster of a local leader, put up by his followers. The poster showed a life size photograph of the leader along with those of his followers, some fifteen in number. Good launching pad! He quipped. Does Ganeshotsav today fulfill the purpose for which it was started by Lokmanya, he asked himself ? The chain of thoughts continued and he reached home.

He saw his grandson, Hemant was playing cricket on the street. Removed his footwear and he entered the drawing room. Jayashree, his daughter-in-law came with a glass of water. He took a deep breathe and said Jaya, I think the Ganshotsav has lost the purpose. Jaya new the angry old man, did not say anything. It has become a launching pad for goons in the politics. He saw his grandson keeping his bat in the corner and run in the kitchen after his mother. He went for bath; as his friend Hari said he would visit in the afternoon.

After the lunch, he and his son Vinayak were watching TV. Daji saw Hari approaching his house. Retired executive engineer and two years older than him, he was a chronic patient of asthma and high blood pressure. How are you? Harry (that was how Daji would call him). Not well, said Hari. These loudspeakers, dB (sound) levels are so high. My B.P. has shot up. Hemant came out of the kitchen and joined them.

Grandpa, why do we sink Ganesha idol in water? I feel so sad. Why can’t we retain it for the next year? That will also save us money. Daji looked towards him. Do you know what the idol is made of ? Plaster of Paris, our teacher told yesterday, Hemant replied. It doesn’t dissolve in water, Hari said. Daji knew, Hari remembers technical details, age notwithstanding. So if we do not sink the idol that will also save us from the huge water pollution. Isn’t it a revolutionary thought? said Daji, as Vinayak and Jayashree watched.

Gurudakshina

2010-09-04T12:29:00.001+05:30

In ancient India, under the gurukul system of education, the pupils used to reside at the teacher’s (guru) place (ashram). Before that the guru used to formally accept a pupil as his disciple (shishya) and after that the education was offered free of cost. In most cases, the gurukuls were supported by the ruling king. At the end of the term and after successful completion of the learning, the pupil would ask the guru, what he would offer him as a gurudakshina (fees). Here is a story of a modern guru who was offered a car as gurudakshina by his students.

Pratap Sir was walking to his college with a mixed feeling of happiness and sorrow. He was happy because he was to retire today after 35 years of his service as a teacher. Throughout his career he was known as an honest and upright teacher. Somewhere deep in the heart he also felt sorrow because he would miss all colleagues and especially the students. He reached the college dot at 0955 h. The send-off function started at 1000 h. And lo ! there was a big surprise. His students offered him a brand new car as a parting gift. They looked so happy. All of them had contributed towards the purchase. Pratap Sir was also happy to note the gratuitousness of the students. He didn’t know driving. After the finale, one of the students drove him home in the car. The car was shining, parked in front of his house.

Sushma, his wife greeted him as soon as he stepped out of the car. Neighbors came one by one and congratulated. His only daughter, Aditi, an engineer, worked in a private company. She came home in the evening. As usual she smiled at baba (father) and asked whose car was that. Pratap told the story. She didn’t seem to be happy. It was quite a surprise for him.

In the evening, he opened the topic on the dining table. He asked Aditi, how did she like the car. Baba you shouldn’t have accepted it, said Aditi forthrightly. We are living in the age when the integrity of the educational institutions and the teachers is in doubt. The other day, did you not read the news of one educational institute assisting the students in copying during the examination. And last year? You remember, some parents took morcha (procession) to your college because their wards were not allowed to copy. Accepting this gift you gave a chance to your detractors doubt your integrity. How will you respond, if someone accuses you accepted the car from the students as a gratification for allowing them to do some illegal work?

The seriousness of the issue was effectively brought home by his daughter. Pratap Sir felt befallen. He couldn’t sleep whole night. In the morning, when he sat in the bed and prayed, something dawned on him. The gloom vanished.

After finishing the morning chores, he rang to one of his students to come home. He asked the student to drive the car to the nearby anathashram (orphan house). He gifted the car to the ashram. His heart was filled with satisfaction and pride, while walking back home.

Cranberry against Staph infections

2010-09-03T10:39:00.000+05:30

ScienceDaily (2010-09-01) -- Expanding their scope of study on the mechanisms of bacterial infection, researchers have reported the surprise finding from a small clinical study that cranberry juice cocktail blocked a strain of Staphylococcus aureus from beginning the process of infection.

The data was reported in a poster presentation at the American Chemical Society's national meeting in Boston on August 23, 2010, by Terri Camesano, professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

The virulent form of E. coli that Camesano studies is the primary cause of most urinary tract infections. Strains of S. aureus can cause a range of "staph infections" from minor skin rashes to serious bloodstream infections. One particular strain, known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a growing public health problem in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions because it doesn't respond to most antibiotics.

Read more

Nuclear liability bill

2010-08-22T21:28:00.004+05:30

The “Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010” is presently under consideration of the Indian Parliament. The changes sought in the draft forwarded by the Parliamentary Standing committee need to be carefully looked into.

Suppliers liability: The formulation of Clause 17 (b) proposed in the amendment is worse than the provision contained in the original bill. The new amendment proposed by the government would require proof that sub-standard equipment or material was "consequence of an act done with the intent to cause nuclear damage". Practically speaking it is impossible to prove such an ‘intent’. It would make it impossible to ascribe liability to suppliers of equipment for nuclear plants. It goes against the formulation suggested by the Standing Committee, which does not require any such proof on the intent of the supplier.

Operation of nuclear installation: The standing committee had categorically recommended that there will be no private operator of nuclear installation. After the experience of Bhopal gas tragedy and its aftermath, the government should not allow any private operator for the nuclear installation.

Limit on compensation for accidents: There should no limits put on the compensation. The compensation must be commensurate with the extent of damage.

Nuclear industry objects to clauses in liability bill

Loopholes in the Nuclear Liability Bill

Nanoscale DNA sequencing could spur revolution in personal health care

2010-08-22T04:30:00.000+05:30

ScienceDaily (2010-08-21) -- In experiments with potentially broad health care implications, researchers have devised a method that works at a very small scale to sequence DNA quickly and relatively inexpensively. That could open the door for more effective individualized medicine, for example providing blueprints of genetic predispositions for specific conditions and diseases such as cancer, diabetes or addiction.

Read more

Warmest year-to-date global temperature on record

2010-08-18T04:33:00.000+05:30

ScienceDaily (2010-08-17) -- The combined global land and ocean surface temperature made this July the second warmest on record, behind 1998, and the warmest averaged January-July on record. The global average land surface temperature for July and January-July was warmest on record. The global ocean surface temperature for July was the fifth warmest, and for January-July 2010 was the second warmest on record, behind 1998.

Science Daily

Pranam Guru

2010-07-25T15:29:00.005+05:30

On this day of Gurupurnima, I offer my obeisance to the Guru, the teacher.

The parents were my first Guru. Since then, in the walk of life, I learned many things from many people. They were not necessarily my seniors. On this day, I remember them and offer my respect.

Just watch people around you with an open mind and you will find good qualities in them and so many things to learn.

It is so beneficial being a student for lifetime.

Once Shri Ramakrishna told his disciples, watch your Guru in the day and also in the night and then only call him Guru. He was talking about the spiritual Guru, the one who takes you on the right path.

There are many who teach us practical aspects of life, they are also our Guru.

A Guru could be a historical figure like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Swami Vivekanand. He may not be a human being or could be even an inanimate object.

As long as you find something to learn from Him, he is your Guru.

And then I bow before the greatest Guru of all, the Almighty.

Misuse of IPC article 498 (A)

2010-07-23T21:54:00.004+05:30

The women in India suffer from domestic violence. The Article 498 (A) of the Indian Penal Code has been specially prepared to protect such suffering women. According to the provisions of the Article, the Police are required to immediately arrest the perpetrators of violence, as mentioned by the victim in the FIR.

However, many times it is seen that the legal provision does not fulfill its desired goal. That is on two accounts, (a) payment of huge compensation to the victims and (b) misuse of the article by the some women, especially educated women in the urban areas, to settle personal scores against their male counterparts.

According to the principle of natural justice, culprits can be set free for the want of evidence but innocent should never be punished. However, when the article is misused, innocents are punished by way of arrest and jail. It is rather surprising to see that the Police are not required to carry out any enquiry, before the arrest. Whomsoever named as perpetrator by the woman in the FIR, that is taken as an adequate ground for arrest.

That the Article is being misused to take revenge on males, has been observed the Bombay High Court also. All are equal in front of law. However the Article 498 (A) appears to be unjustifiably skewed against the males, as he gets no protection by law. The following amendment is suggested to the Article:

“In case the allegations are not proved and the malicious intent is established by the court, the woman filing the FIR must be arrested immediately and tried under the relevant provisions of law”.

Spy cam evidence

Amend dowry law to stop its misuse, Supreme Court of India tells Government

Know everything about Article 498A

Time-tested ways to improve employee accountability

2010-07-23T14:09:00.001+05:30

It is said that at any point in time in an organisation, only 20 % employees contribute towards real growth.

One may say that accountability in an organization exists when all employees can be depended upon to do what they have acceded to do without any exceptions. It is often an innate commitment that comes from an employee—it is not something that can be written, recorded and signed.

If people are what make the organization, then getting the right people for the job makes all the difference.

Here are a few time-tested ways of making employees accountable for their actions:

• Go for a one-on-one approach
• Target specific goals for each team member

The one-to-one approach shall help building individuals expertise and make him responsible member of the team.

Tips for good resume and interview

2010-07-19T08:28:00.002+05:30

Resume Myth: Your resume should emphasize your past accomplishments.

The resume that gets the job or interview is targeted with the specific opening in mind. if your past experience does not match up with the job you're applying for, your resume is doomed for the trash bin. Recruiters won't take a 2nd look.

Resume Tip: A long resume doesn't ooze with accomplishment.

Lengthy and verbose resumes aren't eye catching and don't impress recruiters. Remove any unnecessary words and bullets so you, at most, have 2 pages. Editing and revising your resume to show you qualify for the position is the key and involves going through your past line-by-line and deciding what to emphasize and what to leave out.

The mistake that job applicants make frequently:

The most common mistake made by job applicants is not knowing the true purpose of a job interview. If you miss the one, your entire interview will be off the bull's eye and your chances of getting hired will be slim to none.

Most people think an interview is answering a bunch of questions. The job applicants practice their answers over and over to prepare for their interview and during the interview they just spit out their rehearsed answers. There could not be any worse approach to an interview!

Five things to do when you get job offer:

1. Ask for the offer in writing

2. Ask any outstanding questions you have in your head and get the offer modified, if required

3. Negotiate

4. Ask for time to think it over if you are not sure about something

5. Listen to your inner voice

Ref: http://affiliates.ivyexec.com/

Pareto 80:20 rule

2010-07-15T08:14:00.001+05:30

According to the Pareto Principle 80% of the effects of a situation come from 20% of its causes. It is also known as the 80:20 rule. Many have experienced it in the real life. In other words, an individual who carries out certain activities, (20%) accounts for a majority of the individual's happiness and output (80%).

Have you ever applied this rule, professionally or personally? How successful were you in applying this rule?

In my opinion, one should strive to strengthen 100 % of the activities, only then it will be possible to maximise output from the 20 %.

Kashmir: Peace stone’s throw away ?

2010-07-12T08:37:00.003+05:30

I heard someone say, “The reason so many protestors are throwing stones in Kashmir is because they truly believe PEACE is only a stone's throw away

And then I also read a twit from H. H. Dalai Lama, “If we continue to approach problems from the perspective of temporary expediency, future generations will face tremendous difficulties”, which I quickly re-twitted

Every time there is unrest in the Valley, conventional measures, like curfew, calling army, are immediately initiated. Nearly two decades have now passed. Number of positive steps, such as declaring a massive financial package, have been taken by the Government in this period. However nothing works. Reason ?

I think people do not appreciate the intentions behind these positive measures and substantial section of population continues to support the militants. May not be for their cause but probably out of frustration. That calls for totally different approach to peace

I think any measure that goes to win the hearts of Kashmirees should work and bring tangible benefits. The Government should be seen doing that.

Give a chance to peace, it is just a stone’s throw away !!

Make Marathi first language till SSC in Maharashtra

2010-03-29T17:22:00.002+05:30

I learned the first lesson in Marathi from my mother, who was a great fan of Na Si Phadke and Vi Sa Khandekar.

In school, Marathi was my first language till HSC and I still remember the enthusiasm with which our teachers taught us Tutari (ek tutari dya maj anuni .. .. remember Harishchandrachi F ?) and Zapurza (Keshavsut), the parts of Yayati (Khandekar). The introduction to Marathi classics in the school created interest and later grew unabated. Any one who wants to truly learn and appreciate the language should begin with Dnyaneshawar, Tukaram, Ramadas; not to forget Moropant, Vaman and Raghunath Pandit.

Some of the contributors to modern Marathi are Ha Na Apte, Pra Ke Atre, Na Si Phadke, Vi Sa Khandekar, Pu La, Sane Guruji, Kri Pra Khadilkar, Gadkari, Kirloskar, Deval, Ga Di Ma, Kusumagraj, Keshavsuta, Balkavi, Mardhekar, Bha Ra Tambe, Shanta Shelke, Vinda Karandikar and so on; the list is endless.

In fact, I am fortunate to get at least basic introduction to the majority of the work of these personalities, through text books, even before HSC and so did the other students in our times. The condition of Marathi in Maharashtra today is not good. There are various reasons for the sorry state of affairs; less importance given to Marathi in school teaching is one of the major. The Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is expected to deliberate upon these issues and give recommendations to the Government.

I suggest a simple legislative measure: make Marathi first language till SSC in Maharashtra, irrespective of the Board. Over a period of time, this single measure shall bring a sea of change.

Communication

2010-03-14T12:23:00.005+05:30

The importance of communication must be understood by everyone, irrespective of the age. We need to communicate effectively at work place, at home, to our distant friends or relatives. Internet has made the world smaller and opened new channels of communication. Some people believe that internet friendship or relationship is meaningless, as it can be ‘deleted’ just by pressing a ‘button’. I don’t believe. Cheaters don’t require internet to cheat on the relationship. Remember the story of Raja Harishchandra? He kept the promise made in the dream. So it all depends on how much we remain ‘committed’ to our relationship, whether internet or otherwise. I find commitment is a personality trait.

I am not an expert but experience tells me that for any meaningful communication or dialogue between two individuals, two essential conditions must be fulfilled.

Firstly, a good healthy relationship based on understanding and mutual trust. That will create a climate and desire to communicate with each other.

Secondly, once the communication begins, for its sustenance, a minimum level of response must be maintained by both sides.

If any one of these conditions is not met, the communication is likely to diminish, vitiate or terminate.

These ‘Days’

2010-03-09T12:57:00.004+05:30

The celebration of ‘Days’ appears to be western style, but Indian tradition is not far behind. The mechanical way in which we celebrate our festivals like ‘Padva’ and ‘Bhaubij’, they could be as well called as Husband’s Day of Brother’s Day, respectively. Barring the commercials like ‘Chocolate Day’ etc., the Days generally symbolize different relationships that all of us cherish. In my opinion, celebrating a Day offers us an opportunity to take a stock of the relationship it symbolizes.

Take the example of ‘Women’s Day’! On this day, all of us must ponder over our relationships with women playing different roles in our life: mother, sister, daughter, wife, colleague or boss. Are we thankful and gratuitous to all these individuals for their services or guidance? We Indians are hypocritic on this score.

Whilst we never get tired singing songs praising these relationships, but in practice our record is very poor. The rising graph of crime against women illustrates that aspect. Today’s news tells me that on average three women are molested in the National Capital, every day. Disgusting, sub-animal behavior !!

The fact remains that the status of women in India, where we are taught to worship Goddess, has not changed from the ancient times of Sita Mai, Draupadi, till date.

Evaluation of inclusive economic growth

2010-02-26T16:52:00.003+05:30

Dr Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, is the main contributor to the pre-Budget Economic Survey for 2009-10. The 420-page document, tabled in Parliament on 25 February 2010, has on its cover a diagram depicting the concept of “coupons equilibrium”, a theory that plays an important role in providing the micro-foundations for Keynesian macroeconomics. Dr Basu turned a new leaf, defining the parameters to evaluate the inclusive economic growth, so important for the country like India. Here are the parameters proposed by Basu:

(a)Economic growth: Instead of GDP measure the growth in per capita income of the bottom 20% (quintile) population.

(b)Food coupons: Help the poor directly, instead of trying to control process. He suggests that the subsidy on the food should be given directly to the household or the farmer, respectively, instead of giving to the public distribution system or the fertilizer manufacturer.

(c) Labour rights: Create market conditions that result in greater demand for labor sothat their demands can be realistically met by the market forces.

(d)Food inflation: During the periods of high food inflation, release small quantities of food grains in multiple locations at prices substantially below the market, instead of distributing grains through millers and traders.

(e)Cost cutting: Instead of managing then nitty gritty, create conductive environment to manage the costs.

(f) Social awareness: Spread awareness about the positive social qualities for progress. Societies endowed with personal integrity and trustworthiness have natural advantage geared to progress, as the third party regulation is not needed.

Common entrance test: welcome move by MHRD

2010-02-17T17:18:00.002+05:30

Kapil Sibal, after taking charge as a HRD Minister, revealed his big plans in a short time period and confused the common man. He appeared to be a minister in a hurry and even PMO got scared. As a clever supreme court lawyer, he seems to have pursued over all those who matter and now the policy looks to be taking a shape. The announcement of uniform plus-2 science and math curriculum and a common entrance test for engineering and commerce shows we are moving in the right direction. The common entrance tests for engineering are currently conducted by the respective States, following the Supreme Court ruling on the issue. The standard is not uniform and the applicability is restricted to the State only. Although all the details are not known as yet, the new system will have many advantages.

(a) The results will be acceptable to all the engineering colleges in India

(b) It will give a level playing field to all the aspirants, irrespective of the State Board through which they pass out.

(c) The deemed varsities currently conduct their own admission tests. They should also be asked to conduct admissions as per the common entrance test.

I think uniformity in biology curriculum will also be introduced, leading to common test for medical students as well.

Mud slinging on Marathi

2010-02-05T07:51:00.004+05:30

Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray has been getting shriller in his keep-outsiders-away-from-Mumbai campaign. The new pitch is attributed to the success his estranged cousin and political rival, Raj Thackeray, has enjoyed in recent elections, mainly as a result of his Marathi Manoos campaign.

In the last few days, Rahul Gandhi has taken on the Thackerays over their migrant politics for Mumbai. Gandhi said that "Mumbai belongs to all Indians." He also said that during 26/11, many of the commandos who fought to save Mumbai were from North India. Gandhi's remarks were made in Bihar, a state whose residents have repeatedly been targeted by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai.

It is painful see our leaders engaged in such acrimonious, non-productive but potentially harmful debate, when number of pressing problems directly affecting common man lie unattended. I think both the quarreling parties need to see the light. The constitution of India allows all citizens to move freely, settle and pursue livelihood in any part of the country. The mother India should count first for every citizen; region, state come only next. On the other hand, it should be seen if "Marathi Manus" has a genuine grievance. There is huge unemployment in Maharashtra, despite its rapid growth. The common man thinks outsiders grab jobs which legitimately belong to them. That is the reason why hate campaigns in the name of language, region gain ground.

Being a commercial capital of India, citizens from different regions have settled in Mumbai and also made substantial contribution towards its growth. But why oppose Marathi ? The best way to assimilate with the local population is to learn the local language. The leaders who oppose Marathi should in fact encourage their followers to learn the language. That will only help foster brotherhood and goodwill.

Whose job is it anyway ?

2010-01-28T07:45:00.002+05:30

The Supreme Court of India, on 27 January 2010, sought the status of availability of night shelters for homeless all over the country. Living in the open is gross denial of the right to live with dignity is the view expressed by the apex court. Whose job is it anyway ? It is shameful to see that the apex judicial body of the country has to take a note of such aspects. Our leaders may as well trash this as another instance of judicial over activity. More than six decades of independence, where is the Republic ?

Beware colliding particles

2010-01-25T07:54:00.003+05:30

The particle physicists predict the world's new highest-energy atom smasher, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) near Geneva, Switzerland, might create tiny black holes. Earlier it could not be shown that the prevailing theory of gravity, Einstein's theory of general relativity, predicts the formation of black this way. Now a computer model shows conclusively for the first time that a particle collision really can make a black hole.

The key to forming a black hole is cramming enough mass or energy into a small enough volume, as happens when a massive star collapses. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, mass and energy warp space and time or space-time, to create the effect we perceive as gravity. If a large enough mass or energy is crammed into a small enough space, that warping becomes so severe that nothing, not even light can escape. The object thus becomes a black hole. Two particles can make a miniscule black hole in just this way if they collide with an energy above a fundamental limit called the Planck energy.

Choptuik and Frans Pretorius of Princeton University simulated such collisions, including all the extremely complex mathematical details from general relativity. They modeled the two particles as hypothetical objects known as boson stars, which are similar to models that describe stars as spheres of fluid. Using hundreds of computers, Choptuik and Pretorius calculated the gravitational interactions between the colliding particles and found that a black hole does form if the two particles collide with a total energy of about one-third of the Planck energy, slightly lower than the energy predicted by hoop conjecture, as they report in a paper in press at Physical Review Letters.

Although Choptuik says that the LHC is unlikely to make black holes, the research in this area should be immediately stopped even if there is slightest, remotest possibility.

Ref: Colliding Particles Can Make Black Holes, by Adrian Cho, ScienceNOW Daily News, 22 January 2010

Glacier of mistake

2010-01-24T08:00:00.004+05:30

The IPCC Chief, R K Pachauri has declared that he has no plans to resign over the so called "Glacier Mistake". Why should you ? Mr Pachauri, when others are allowed to continue with "Mountain of Mistakes".

While admitting the mistake as 'human error', the IPCC Chief has assured that adequate care would be taken in the furure. Why was it not taken earlier ?

The image of IPCC has received a dent. It is quite possible that the reports produced by IPCC shall be viewed with suspicion in the future, however 'robust' they may be claimed, for all of us know that a 'mistake' is known only when it is 'detected'.

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Right to education

2010-01-15T07:42:00.002+05:30

The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act was supposed to be a giant leap towards universalization of education in India. However, it has acquired the dubious distinction of being the only fundamental right that exists just on paper.

More than seven years after the Constitution was amended in 2002 to make free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14 a fundamental right and over four months after the historic Right to Education Bill was passed in Parliament, in August 2009, both the legislations are yet to be notified. Without notification, which is a mandatory step, the right to free and compulsory education remains just a goal.

The school dropouts are maximum in the age group of 6-14 years. The primary reason is economic. The implementation of the bill will help parents who are unable to educate their wards for economic reasons. It will also put a check on the child labor. The amended version of the Bill, makes special provision for the physically or mentally challenged children.

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All this has to change some day

2010-01-13T14:13:00.005+05:30

The reports on the plight of India hockey hit the newspaper headlines everyday

If I understand correctly, the present crisis in Indian hockey is on account of non-payment of the normal dues to the players. It appears to be some sort of bureaucratic bungling. It must be happening to other games too. Since hockey is our national game and this time the players refused to budge, the issue seems to have drawn media attention. Pathetic !!

The other day Prime Minister Sh Manmohan Singh mentioned about freeing science from the bureaucratic clutches. Well, who stops him doing that ? He runs the country ! I remember, few years back, Sh Bajpai, erstwhile Prime Minister, also expressed similar feelings. Are they indeed helpless before the powerful bureaucracy or just the crocodile tears ? one wonders. It only shows that the persons in power can play with everything, even judiciary, Rathore (DGP) case is a classic example. A good democracy always has checks and balances on the use of authority by the public servants.

All this has to change some day. In democracy, the ultimate power lies only with people, provided they exercise it through ballot box. But in a country like India, where voting percentage never exceeds 60%, most candidate get elected on the support of the minority of the population. In such situation, expecting accountability from the elected representatives will be asking for too much; bureaucrats only fall in line.

Should we think about changing our national game ? I am not clear as to how these so called "national" things were decided earlier; say national game, national bird. Going by the logic, the game which is played and popular nation-wide should become a national game. Hockey certainly does not qualify that test. Why not collect national level statistics through census ?

Friend

2010-01-08T21:50:00.001+05:30

Friend .. ..

Is an anchor for sinking ship

Always with you, when there is none

Never misleads, calls spate a spate

For friendship is thicker than blood

Friendship is a friendship is a friendship

Blackened face of humanity

2009-12-29T07:26:00.007+05:30

Let us take a bird’s eye view of some of the events of last week

If former Haryana police chief SPS Rathore has got away with a six-month sentence for molesting a 14-year-old girl, Ruchika Girhotra, who killed herself three years later, while desperately searching for justice, it is mainly due to a glaring lacuna in the 150-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC), which does not have any provisions for child victims of sexual molestation.

While there are special provisions for child victims of rape, where the minimum punishment is 10 years jail as against the norm of seven years, the law on sexual abuse, under which come all abuses apart from rape, has been left untouched.

This anomaly has not been redressed even after the Law Commission, in its 172nd report in 2000, recommended a provision recognizing and penalizing child sexual abuse. Besides expanding the definition of rape to include all forms of penetration, the commission suggested the introduction of an offense called "unlawful sexual contact" to impose a maximum sentence of seven years on the likes of Rathore.

Ruchika case is a glaring example of how the law and order machinery can be misused for personal gains by those in authority- politicians and officials. It also underlines the fact that necessary amendments to IPC must be made, giving due consideration to such crimes. Rathore misused his authority in every possible way. He got Ruchika expelled from the school and framed false cases against her brother. If such a person is left scot free, it will be a very bad example of Indian system of justice.

Rathore loses Police Medal

On relationship:

Spirituality is not a search for the God. It begins when you get connected with HIM from within. That connecting interaction with the surrounding, that relationship, is a spiritual experience. Read my new blog post on the subject.

Compulsory voting:

The Gujarat government has enacted a law which makes voting compulsory in all elections, save the legislative and parliamentary elections. It has drawn mixed reactions. They range from acceptance of the norm, lauding it even with caveats that it is impractical.

Some objections:

One: it is not practical.

Two: that it is anti-democratic to force people to vote.

Three: It has a punitive element in it so it is bad.

Four: it amounts to authoritarian move and makes elections something akin to what happens in the people's democracies of Communist regimes, not a liberal regime.

Some supportive arguments:

Poor turnouts: Poor turnouts give room for poor representation.

60 years, no change: If for six decades and more, the country's citizens have not taken the responsibility seriously enough and where on an average, the voter turnout is just about 60 per cent, then serious steps are called for.

Not anti-democracy: It is not anti-democratic. It deepens democracy because the law makes it voter-centric. The option "none-of-the-above" (NOTA) on the ballot serves two purposes. One, it lets the voter say that he is disgusted with the list of candidates. He can express his disgust instead of lamenting about poor options and not voting.

Test it: One needs to give it a fair try and if required, make suitable alterations so that the law is made to work. If elections could be managed near-perfectly in India, this too can be managed quite well.

Quid pro quo: If we do not realise that we have a duty in return for the rights and privileges conferred on us because we are citizens of a democratic country, then the rights and privileges are not ours. One has to acknowledge that quid pro quo.

That quid pro quo has never been enforced because in a free democratic country, it is assumed, the rights include the choice not to participate in the due process, which makes the country truly democratic. If I do not want to vote, the arguer says, it is my right not to. To me, that is not acceptable.

The year that has gone by:

No, I am not going to talk about global warming or the recession. I bring your attention to an event that sent shivers down Pune city and blackened the face of humanity like the Ruchika’s case mentioned in the beginning: Molestation and Murder of Nayana Pujari

On relationships

2009-12-23T14:03:00.005+05:30

Spirituality is not a search for the God. It begins when you get connected with HIM from within.

That connecting interaction with the surrounding, that relationship, is a spiritual experience.

We are in relationship with our parents, brothers, sisters, offspring, spouse, friends. Our commitment towards relationships initiates, develops and sustains on mutual love and trust and ceases when these values are lost. Healthy relationships enrich our life.

Relationship becomes fragile when .. ..

it is based on falsehood

intentions are doubted,

mutual respect is lost,

suspicion replaces trust,

a promise is not kept, repeatedly,

partners do not care for each other.

Never you do it to your partner !

But if someone does it on you ?

Well, use your wisdom ! Refresh !!

Try your best to get reconnected !!!

Snapping ties is the last recourse, when every attempt fails.

So, make a beginning .. ..

Why should India be concerned about climate change

2009-12-21T14:42:00.012+05:30

As expected, last week was dominated by the climate change meet at Copenhagen. Let us take a bird’s eye view of the last week’s developments.

Swine flu:

After the initial hesitation, the government included private hospitals in the fight against swine flu. But lately, they are facing flak from the government once again. So far, there are 670 deaths due to swine flu in our country and according the Health Ministry most of it is due late reporting for which they hold private doctors responsible. Two things are obvious: (a) private doctors require training on the modalities, (b) better coordination between the government and private agencies is required

Climate change at Copenhagen:

A tonne of carbon dioxide emitted in India is the same as a tonne of carbon dioxide emitted in the U.S., but that isn't making climate negotiations any simpler in Copenhagen. India has displayed flexibility in its climate change position by offering to adopt the international guidelines under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), while reporting to Parliament on its unsupported domestic efforts to deal with climate change. This move can be viewed as a significant step. It conveys to the global community that India’s reporting would be at international standards, at the same time the government would be able to tell the domestic audience that it has not submitted to international review.

Why should India be concerned about climate change? The three main ‘categories’ of impacts, namely those on agriculture, sea level rise leading to submergence of coastal areas as well as increased frequency of extreme events. Each of these pose serious threats to India. Read this article and more such interesting articles. Help India become Carbon Neutral.

China and the US were placed at the bottom end of a worldwide national ranking of performance on climate protection published on Monday, 14 December 2009. Compiled by Germanwatch, a think tank and the Climate Action Newtork (CAN), an alliance of environment pressure groups, the annual Climate Change Performance Index ranks countries based on their climate protection performance, comparing 57 industrialised countries and emerging economies.

Money laundering:

A team from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental body that sets benchmarks for legislation on money laundering, is in India to assess the country’s legal and enforcement framework. The assessment, which ends on Friday, 18 December 2009, will set the ball rolling for New Delhi’s membership of the elite body.

Illegal activities such as drug trafficking, trade in weapons and white collar crimes can generate large sums of money. Money laundering refers to the act of making these gains legitimate by disguising the source of money, changing its form or moving it to a location where not many questions are asked.

Storing power in the grid:

The distribution of electricity to millions of consumers is a difficult task because while the amount of electricity generated is relatively fixed over short periods of time, the demand for electricity fluctuates throughout the day. A highly efficient electricity grid that can easily harmonize energy production with energy consumption is needed to answer this problem. Read my recent blog post on the subject

Danish Island:

The Danish island of Samso has become one of the first industrialized places on Earth to qualify as completely energy self-sufficient. Should we aim at converting our villages into the so called ‘Danish Islands’ using appropriate renewable technology ?

India’s first commercial MW power plant:

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah on 15 Dec 2009 (Tuesday) inaugurated country’s first commercial 2 mega watt Solar Power Plant in Punjab’s Amritsar District.

Cement and concrete:

Those working on cement and concrete may have a look at my recent blog post on International Journals on Cement.

See you next week

The Pandora's box

2009-12-13T21:32:00.012+05:30

The week was dominated by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who was on indefinite fast for his demand of Separate Telangana State. The Pandora's box was opened when the Government at the Centre declared that the bifurcation of present Andhra Pradesh can be considered to carve out the separate state of Telangana. Where as there are huge protests from the parties opposed to the idea (including Congress Party), the earlier somewhat mute demands of separate statehood from the other parts of the country became strong, example: Vidarbha, Gorkha Land and so on. The demands for separate statehood are due to increased aspirations of people on the one hand and the regional imbalances in the development created over the years, within the State, on the other. The imporatant question is whether the creation of smaller states shall lead to better development or only add to the administartive machinery.

Tiger Woods announced that he will be away from the Golf for some time and spend time with his family. Tiger is a great player. Hope he settles the personal issues and returns to the professional life soon.

At Copenhagen, India declared that whilst they are ready to go with the world in terms of limiting the carbom emissions on voluntary basis, they will not accept any legal binding. I think we in India should focus on (a) renewable sources like solar and wind energy (b) reduce the energy losses and pilferages, example in electricity transmission.

As an academician, I always searched for a perfect model for academic-industry cooperation. James Weyhenmeyer, Senior Vice Provost for Research with the State University of New York (SUNY) shows the way.

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कन्या राणी

2009-11-15T07:27:00.010+05:30

ह्या प्रेमाचा रंग कसा
प्रश्न पड़े मज
प्रथम ऐकला जव स्वर तुझा
वाटले हीच असे मम कन्या राणी ॥ १ ॥

न स्मरे मज
कधी भेटलो मी तुज
कधी गाईली अंगाई
कधी चाललिस तू
बोट धरून माझे
कधी ऐकले बोबडे बोल तुझे
नाठवे मजला
ह्या प्रेमाचा रंग कसा -- -- ॥ २ ॥

करुणासागर असे तव हृदयी
कोकिल स्वरा नृत्यांगना
स्वयं सिद्धा असशी तू
बघुनी हे सुंदर रूप तुझे
वाटे करावी कवतिके
ह्या प्रेमाचा रंग कसा -- -- ॥ ३ ॥

कालाचा आरसा रुपे अनंत दावी
गत जन्मी मम कन्या तू असावी
इश कृपे जरी विस्मारालो ते सर्व काही
परी नाते स्वरांचे आठवे पूर्व सुकृते आजही ॥ ४ ॥

ह्या प्रेमाचा रंग कसा
उलगडे हा प्रश्न मला
विश्वास असे गतजन्मिची
मम कन्या राणी
भेटली मज ह्या जन्मी
हृदयी वसे ती उर्मी ममतेची
ह्या प्रेमाचा रंग असा ॥ ५ ॥

जयंता काका

Vote for India

2009-10-09T07:47:00.001+05:30

All of us must vote, for it is a privilege given to all citizens of democratic India! Our vote counts !!

A special appeal for all those searching for alibis how not to vote. As one saying goes: people get the governance which they deserve. Shying away from voting is not only forfeiting your constitutional right but also a disservice to the nation. If the government that comes to power does not work, we are also responsible, for we voted them to power. So for nations sake, please vote !

If we want better law and order, clean public life, efficiency and development, then it all begins with one vote.

Whom do we vote? The first step is to know the candidate you intend to vote.

Do not vote for candidate or party seeking vote in the name of caste, region, religion or language. The character and the secular credentials of the candidate must be above the board.

Vote for development with peace

Vote for India

Waste collection & recycling: example for municipalities from UK

2009-09-19T07:38:00.006+05:30

The councils are being focused upon in a new scheme designed to improve recycling rates in the UK. The Local Government Association (LGA) is backing a project from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to get councils to commit to increasing their environmental efforts.

WRAP

a) WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.

b) Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. WRAP also receives funding from Advantage West Midlands.

c) Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business and Markets, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.

d) More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk

LGA

The LGA is a cross-party organisation which represents over 350 councils in England.

A ten-point voluntary agreement called the Waste Collection Commitment has been drawn up by WRAP and councils are being urged to sign up.

1 - Explain clearly what services you can expect to receive;

2 - Provide regular collections;

3 - Provide a reliable collection service;

4 - Consider any special requests that individual households may have;

5 - Design our services and carry out collections in a way that doesn’t produce litter;

6 - Collect as many materials for recycling as we can and explain to you what happens to them;

7 - Explain clearly what our service rules are and the reasons for them;

8 - Tell you in good time if we have to make changes to your services, even temporarily;

9 - Respond to complaints we receive about our services; and

10 - Tell all our residents about this commitment to collecting waste.

Waste collection and recycling is a serious problem in Indian cities. The effort made by UK government provides a good model for adoption by the municipal corporations.

India must review China policy

2009-09-18T07:07:00.006+05:30

Barely weeks after it failed in its attempt to block Asian Development Bank (ADB) funds to a project in Arunachal Pradesh, China has successfully struck back. Last month, in a development New Delhi has been quiet about, China won a vote on a “disclosure agreement,” which prevents ADB from formally acknowledging Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. (A disclosure agreement is a formal notification of a project once it’s approved by the ADB Board).This is despite the fact that the US and most of western block voted in favour of India.

It is high time India takes a review of the policy towards China. Such review should take into account our experience before 1962, Chinese covert support to Pakistan, recent border incursions, Chinese invasion with substandard goods in Indian market and so on

China can't afford to go for a war. But the fact remains that its sole aim is to weaken India on all fronts. China wants to prove that it's an economic superpower in the region. Read more .. ..

Credit scheme for small scale renewables: Australian example

2009-09-17T12:01:00.004+05:30

Australians who install rooftop solar panels are now entitled to avail of the Solar Credits program, a cost-reduction scheme on small-scale renewable energy systems established through the government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation.

Under the Solar Credits scheme, a household installing rooftop panels can receive up to five times as many Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for every megawatt-hour of energy produced by their panels. RECs are an electronic form of currency which can be traded by its earners, as provided for by the RET. The solar Credits will significantly reduce the cost of going solar at home.

It is a very good example for the policy makers in India, who are currently considering schemes to encourage the use of renewable energy sources on small scale. Along with solar, the other form of renewables, such as wind, should also be brought under the purview of such scheme.

The world wide web is just 40

2009-09-03T16:54:00.002+05:30

Chronology of events in the life of Internet

1969

On September 2, two computers at University of California, Los Angeles, exchange meaningless data in first test of Arpanet, an experimental military network 1972

Ray Tomlinson brings email to the network, choosing @ as a way to specify email addresses belonging to other systems 1973

Arpanet gets first international nodes, in England and Norway 1974 Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn develop communications technique called TCP, allowing multiple networks to understand one another, creating a true internet 1983

Domain name system is proposed. Creation of suffixes such as ‘.com’, ‘.gov’ and ‘.edu’ comes a year later

1988

One of the first internet worms, Morris, cripples thousands of computers

1990

Tim Berners- Lee creates the World Wide Web while developing ways to control computers remotely

1993

Marc Andreessen and colleagues at University of Illinois create Mosaic, the first web browser to combine graphics and text on a single page

1994

Andreessen and others on the Mosaic team form a company to develop the first commercial web browser, Netscape. Two immigration lawyers introduce the world to spam, advertising their green card lottery services

1999

Napster popularizes music file-sharing and spawns successors that have permanently changed the recording industry

2000

The dot-com boom of the 1990s becomes a bust as technology companies slide

2004

Mark Zuckerberg starts Facebook at Harvard University

2005

Launch of YouTube video-sharing site 2007

Apple releases iPhone, introducing millions more to wireless internet access

World internet population surpasses 250 million in 1999, 500 million in 2002, 1 billion in 2006 and 1.5 billion in 2008

Just imagine how would it be if there was no Internet today?

Meaning of freedom

2009-08-15T14:32:00.002+05:30

Happy 63rd India Independence Day! Independence means freedom from bondage, constraints. Independence guarantees citizens' human rights. However rights sans responsibilities lead to indiscipline and anarchy. At times, we see that kind of a situation in our country. The expression of freedom must be with restraint, keeping in view the overall national interest. We need to teach this in the primary schools and enforce it in the public life for the benefit of all law abiding citizens.

Swine flu: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

2009-07-29T14:58:00.018+05:30

Incubation Period

One to seven days

Symptoms

Manifestations of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) are similar to those of seasonal influenza. Patients present with symptoms of acute respiratory illness, including at least two of the following

* Fever

* Cough

* Sore throat

* Body aches

* Headache

* Chills and fatigue

Diarrhea and vomiting (possible)

Transmission

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs.
Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs.
Human-to-human transmission of influenza A (H1N1) can also occur. At present, in India we have two indigenous cases. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing by people infected with the influenza virus.

Disease spreads very quickly among the population especially in crowded places.

Cold and dry weather enables the virus to survive longer outside the body than in other conditions and, as a consequence, seasonal epidemics in temperate areas appear in winter.

People may become infected by touching / handling something contaminated with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Influenza A (H1N1) viruses are not transmitted by food.

Eating properly handled and cooked pork (at an internal temparature of > 160 degree Fahrenheit) and pork products is safe.

Diagnosis of H1N1

For diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1) infection, respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first four to five days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.

Treatment

The treatment given below is only indicative and should be taken only with doctor's advice

For Adults: For case- Tab Oseltamivir 75 mg B D for five days

For Chemoprophylaxis - Tab Oseltamivir 75 mg O D for 10 days

For children:Syrup Oseltamivir as per doctor's advice.

Watch a video on Swine Flu

FAQ about swine flu

Catagorise patients for better treatment

Swine Flu: myths and facts

WHO warning

India tops H1N1 death rate

With 100 deaths in 3,987 laboratory confirmed positive H1N1 cases, India has registered a mortality rate of 2.3 per cent — much above the 0.9 per cent mortality rate for the rest of the world.

Advice to parents on H1N1

The vast majority of children who develop flu-like symptoms this fall will have a few miserable days and nothing more. Those days are best spent at home -- not in the ER or a doctor's office. read more....

Docs suggest drug combo to treat H1N1

the doctors suggest use of combination of two anti-viral drugs instead of just Tamiflu to contain deterioration in the condition of critical patients. Use of double dose of Tamiflu is another option in the case of critical patients.

Ultimate guide to flu virus:

A flu virus may be 90 times smaller than a human red blood cell - so small it can hide between light waves - but in a typical year it can cause nearly half as many deaths as traffic accidents. As skilled at changing its appearance as Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible," the flu virus mutates from one season to the next, making last year's immunizations useless in fighting this year's variation. But recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry are improving the odds on the medical battlefield. Learn more about this devious pathogen and your weapons against it .. ..

Indian vaccine for Swine Flu to be ready by March 2010:

An Indian vaccine against the pandemic strain of swine flu will be ready for use by March next with the authorities planning to fast-track clinical trials in accordance with international protocols. It was proposed to combine the different phases of clinical trials from safety to immunogenicity in the fast-track mode to make the vaccine available in March 2010, as otherwise it would be ready only by the end of 2010. Read more .. ..

Vijay Diwas: salute the kargil war heroes

2009-07-26T21:44:00.005+05:30

The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, on 26 July 2009 led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war on its 10th anniversary- Vijay Diwas.

A decade back, on July 26, 1999, Indian soldiers defeated the Pakistani infiltrators after fighting for over 40 days at the heights of Kargil and Drass in Jammu and Kashmir and in the process sacrificing their lives. They went as men and returned as heroes. At the height of 1000 feet, where it is even difficult to breathe, Indian soldiers crawled on the mountains, faced the enemy bullets and achieved the martyrdom but not before driving out the enemy.

“They sacrificed their lives in defense of Indian unity and integrity. The best tribute we can pay to the gallant officers and jawans is to dedicate ourselves to the gigantic task of nation building and work steadfastly to protect the unity and integrity of our nation," wrote in Prime Minister in the visitor’s book at Amar Jawan Jyoti, New Delhi

This was the first time in the last five years of UPA rule that the political leadership has also participated in the Kargil war day celebrations. Singh was accompanied by Defense Minister A K Antony, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Army Vice Chief Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj and Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal P K Barbora.

While wreaths were laid at the War Memorial amid a majestic fly past by Mig 21 Bison aircraft and showering of petals by Chetak helicopters, the families of many of the slain soldiers got an account of the bravery of their loved ones from the personnel of the forces, colleagues and friends.

Describing the Pakistani military maneuvers over Kargil region as a tactical action, Lt Gen (Retd) H M Khanna, the former Northern Army Commander during the Kargil conflict said that the Pakistani decision to occupy the uninhibited ridges was limited to gain a specific end rather than a strategic move. They paid a price militarily, politically and diplomatically for the risky endeavor.

The General opined that the Army did have alternate action plan to occupy vulnerable areas under Pakistani control, but for that the Line of Control (LoC) had to be crossed. However, the political decision was strictly not to cross the LoC, which may have widened the conflict area with serious ramifications.

Many of the books written during and immediately after the limited three-month hostilities chronicles the grit and determination of the soldiers who fought the war on the icy heights braving the toughest weather conditions. The outbreak of hostilities also showed that the Pakistan political establishment was not in line with the thinking and planning of the army brass.

The accurate bombardment by Indian Army's Bofors guns and Air Force jets that helped in dislodging enemy intruders from Kargil, was largely possible due to the continuous feed-back of their hits generated through aerial photography done by the Jaguar unit of IAF led by Wing Commander Ashwani Bhakoo (now retired Group Captain) amidst enemy fire. The Jaguar aircrafts flying at around 200 feet above ground level, were fitted with sensitive high resolution cameras that could be put on video mode while flying at a speed of 850 km/h.

Gallantry in the blood:

"Why do you want to join the army?" asked the officer during the interview.
"I have come here for the Param Vir Chakra (PVC)," answered the boy.
Surprised with boy's confident answer, the officer shot another question: "Do you know when PVC is given?"
Prompt came the reply: "It is given when you lay down your life while fighting for the country."

Few years later, the boy proved his statement true. While narrating this incident, Gopichand Pandey could not hide the shine in his teary eyes. After all, he is the proud father of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, who was posthumously given the Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award of the country, for his exemplary valour in the Kargil war of 1999. Ten years later, the entire nation still remembers this son of the soil and salutes his chivalry.

Pune's Tribute:

Around 400 people including students, civilians and retired army officers commemorated the Kargil Vijay Diwas at the National War Memorial in Morwada Junction braving the rain on Monday evening.

The seniormost defence officers in Pune — Air Chief Marshal H Mulgaonkar (retd) and Admiral Jayant Nadkarni (retd)— placed wreaths at the memorial.

Lt General H M Khanna (retd), who commanded the Northern Operations during the Kargil War, also laid a wreath at the memorial, while Brigadier Rajbir Singh, commander of the Pune Sub area laid the wreath on behalf of the Army Commander, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command. Industrialist Arun Firodia, actor Mohan Agashe and civic activist Satish Mehendale represented the civilians.

“We are touched by this tribute paid by the citizens of Pune who have gathered here despite the rainy weather. If the weather had been better, many more would have come,” said Air Marshal A K Trikha (retd).

Video on Kargil war

Indian Air Force in action at Kargil war

A tribute to kargil war heroes

Solar eclipse of the century

2009-07-22T07:37:00.005+05:30

The celestial spectacle on Wednesday, 22 July 2009, will darken major cities, densely populated countryside, and a vast expanse of tropical ocean. The eclipse itself will be a monster, with totality – when the sun is completely covered by the moon – lasting more than 6.6 minutes at maximum. That makes this the longest totality until 2132.

A total solar eclipse occurs once every year or two on average, but each is visible only from a narrow track covering less than 1 per cent of Earth's surface. The eclipse of 1 August 2008, was visible only from parts of the Arctic, Siberia, and central Asia.

The main reason why this year's totality lasts so long is because the eclipse starts just a few hours after the moon reaches perigee, the point at which it is closest to Earth in its orbit . At such a close distance, the moon appears fully 8 per cent larger than the sun and casts a broader than usual shadow. At the point of greatest eclipse in the western Pacific, the path of totality is 258 km wide.

Gravity anomaly:

The Chinese researchers are poised to conduct an audacious once-in-a-century experiment, covering remote observatories on the Tibetan plateau to a cave in a Shanghai suburb. The plan is to test a controversial theory: the possibility that gravity drops slightly during a total eclipse.

NASA's eclipse website
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Solar eclipse

2009-07-21T14:26:00.004+05:30

Tight security cover is in place in Taregna, a small village in the Indian State of Biahr, in view of a strike called by Maoists on Wednesday, when hundreds of scientists and tourists from across the world will converge in Taregna to watch the century's longest total solar eclipse.

Scientists, researchers and astro-tourists from different parts of the world are expected to start arriving in the village, about 35 km from the state capital Patna, on Tuesday evening ahead of the total solar eclipse on Wednesday. These include scientists from US space agency NASA, Britain, Italy, Poland, Germany, France, as well as from the Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The total eclipse, starting a little after sunrise, is expected to last three minutes and 48 seconds at Taregna. According to the NASA forecast based on satellite imagery, the sky over the region is likely to be less cloudy than others along the path of the total solar eclipse. So it may offer one of the best views of the celestial phenomenon.

Taregna already has an ancient connection with astronomy, having been one of the two places used by 6th century Indian astronomer-mathematician Aryabhatta for his celestial studies. It is believed he was the first to announce that the earth revolves around the sun after his marathon research in an observatory at Taregna

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The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) gets transparent

2009-07-20T07:32:00.004+05:30

PuneScoop reports: Taking a step towards transparency, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to give the citizens access to its records every Monday. Also, the civic body has decided to start a separate cell for streamlining the process of dissemination of information under Right to Information Act (RTI)

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the municipal corporation has stated that the PMC has decided to give common people access to the civic records from August 1. Any citizen can ask for civic records on any matter at the civic headquarters at Shivajinagar or any ward office between 3 pm and 5 pm. Xerox copies of the record will be made available for a nominal fees, said the press release.

The PMC has also decided to provide any information sought under the RTI within three weeks and non-availability of the information will be communicated to the applicant immediately. All the pending applications under the RTI till date will be answered before August 15 by the nodal officer. The PMC will also organise training for its employees on RTI

Congratulations Sh Mahesh Zagade Ji, Municipal Commissioner ! It is a major step towards transparent public administration. Transparency reduces corruption.

Eagle nebula

2009-07-17T07:08:00.004+05:30

Science Daily , July 17, 2009, reports on the Eagle Nebula located 7000 light-years away, towards the constellation of Serpens (the Snake), the Eagle Nebula is a dazzling stellar nursery, a region of gas and dust where young stars are currently being formed and where a cluster of massive, hot stars, NGC 6611, has just been born.

Recall Hindu mythology. The Lord Vishnu, beholder of the Universe, rides on the eagle eating serpents. Do you see any similarity between the myth and the science ?

National employment exchange

2009-07-08T14:16:00.002+05:30

The Finance Minister, in his budget speech 2009, mooted an idea of setting up an employment exchange at the national level. It will consist of a national web portal that will run in public-private partnership. The job seeker can register online. The portal shall contain all the data regarding the availability of skilled manpower on the one hand and the requirement of the industry, on the other. It will help individual to obtain proper placement and also enable industry to procure required skills, on the real time basis. Such a portal on the national level will definitely help the job seeker to know whom to approach to seek the right job.

Is India a flawed democracy ?

2009-04-08T14:46:00.003+05:30

The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2008 Democracy Index ranks India 35th among the 'flawed democracies' of the world. As citizens, should we reject these findings, as most of our politicians have done promptly. The agency has used some 60 indicators to assess. Let us make our own assessment, using some of the major indicators.

Civil Liberties: We enjoy full civil liberty. However, thousands of innocent people languish in jails without any trial for years.

Political Culture: The politics in the country is polarised on caste, region and religious lines. The parliament sessions are marked by chaos. The members often do not sit in the House. What can you expect, when criminals become legislators!

Public Participation: The most dangerous feature of our democracy is the public apathy. The 50% of the population, i.e. women, do not have adequate representation in the governance. The people do not vote; as a result the legislators are mostly elected on the minority vote.

Government: The Indian government machinery is known for its corruption and inefficiency, world over.

Under these conditions, if someone calls India a flawed democracy, it is not too much off the mark

India Should be Proud of Nano

2009-03-24T13:46:00.002+05:30

It was JRD Tata who made air travel affordable to the common man. The history has been repeated with the launch of Nano. This time it Ratan Tata who realised the dream of million of Indians to own a car, at an affordable price. The middle class Indian finds it affordable even in these times of slowdown. Tata Nano is a great accomplishment of which all Indians should be proud of. There are two good reasons.

(a) Innovation: It is a vehicle fully designed, developed and manufactured in India. The car with an engine of 643 cc and a mileage of 23 kmpl, offers the comfort and luxury of the best car of its type in the world. The car satisfies all safety and emission norms. Besides, the company will be able to manufacture and export many vehicles.

The secret behind the Nano's performance is rather a simple engineering solution. The firing angles for the two cylinders are exactly 180 degrees apart, with both the pistons reciprocating exactly in tandem with each other. The result is a very impressive torque fugure of 48 Nm available from 2500 to 4000 rpm.

Just have a look at some of these cute features:
* Top speed 105 kmph; 0-60 kmph in 9 seconds
* BS III compliant, BS IV ready. It has lower emissions than the best selling 100 cc bikes in the country
* Seats four
* Turning diameter 8.0 m, parking easy

(b) Affordability: Even the idea of $ 2000 car was once ridiculed. The team Tata have proved all the doubting Thomas wrong. The Indian middle class nuclear family was kept in mind. Notwithstanding the statements of some environmentalists, the car is likely to reduce the road congestion and be environmentally friendly in the long term, if we consider that one car will replace at least two scooters. Besides, congestion is not am issue in rural India.

Negative Vote Positive Message

2009-03-23T16:16:00.002+05:30

The forthcoming 15th Indian parliament elections will star 714 million voters, 17 million of whom are in the age group 18-35 years. When we compare these figures with those of the 1st parliament elections, which had 176 million voters, it could be said that the things have got bigger; but have they got better ?

Over the years, single party governments have been replaced by the multi-party or coalition governments, both at the States and the Centre. The ideology has been replaced by the unprincipled opportunism. Today's coalition looks like a heterogeneous condominium of political parties, widely differing in ideologies, desperately sticking to power. This is revealed by the fact that in the last parliament there were 125 MPs, i.e. 25% of the House, facing criminal charges, including rape and murder. No wonder we see the officials and the local politicians following the footsteps of their bosses in power. What should a voter do if he finds all the candidates equally undesirable ?

As per the provisions of the rule 49-O, stated in the 'The Conduct of Elections Rules', 1961, a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he does not want to vote anyone. Although the person’s right not to vote would be recognised in the total vote counting process, in no case would there be a re-poll. As of now, what rule 49-O will do is to register the person’s signature or thumbprint. This would also require the voter to reveal their identity, which goes against the system of secret ballot. Further, even if 49-O votes are more than the winning candidates’ votes, it would not negate the result. There is no judgment as yet on the implications of 49-O towards the upcoming elections and the barring of candidates from a re-poll.

There is a need to take a positive cognisance of the negative vote. This is an effective way to cleanse the politics. All nation-loving and the democracy-loving citizens and even the MPs should take a note and bring in the electoral reform to that effect

The new Election Commissioner V. S. Sampath, rightly advocated the elector's right not to vote. However that would have to be given shape through a legislation.

At present a person can write down on a piece of paper and give it to polling booth officials that he is not interested in voting. This violates the principle of secret voting. In order to provide this facility on EVM (Electronic Voting Machine), a separate law is required.

The legislation, if properly drafted, will mark a watershed in the electoral reforms. If the number of such negative votes is more than the votes polled by the individual candidates, the election may be canceled.