Newsemail

Communist Party of India (Maoist)s aim is to break CPM shackles

2009-06-18T03:45:00.000-07:00

He is leading the Lalgarh offensive in West Midnapore district of West Bengal (India). Around 24 years old, he is a veteran in Maoist ranks, serving as zonal committee secretary of Communist Party of India (Maoist) for West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts. Sukumar Mahato speaks to firebrand Maoist Bikash about his party's plans:

What are your immediate plans?Our aim is to break the shackles that the ruling CPM has put on the people of this area. For nearly two decades, the people have not reaped the so-called benefits of parliamentary democracy. Gradually, everything began to be controlled by CPM. Its leaders even had a say in marriages and other social and personal matters. There are many leaders against whom FIRs are pending. The police have taken no action against them. We will punish them. Those who have spent money or used political connections to avoid justice will be tried by people's courts.
The government is preparing to strike in a major way How will you counter this? We have seen media reports in which government officials have spoken about bringing in Central forces, COBRA or Greyhound personnel. We are prepared for any strike. PCPA is with us. In Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore districts, we have set up gram committees in over 250 villages. We shall ultimately liberate Keshpur and Garbeta. The state cannot stop us by using force.
Why have you resorted to violence? We were forced into taking up arms by the administration. When we had guns pointing at us, one can't expect us to respond with flower petals. Violence was started by CPM. We took up arms to counter this. Many of them are educated unemployed youths. Family members of CPM leaders have got jobs that were meant for them.
Why do you target the police? Many of the constables belong to poor families. We have appealed to the police a number of times, not to blindly follow the diktats of CPM. We have asked the police not to torture poor villagers. There are some who heeded our appeal. Those who we targeted worked at the behest of CPM and paid a price.
What is your ultimate goal? We want public funds to be used by the people's committee. They will be accountable for all development work done. We have already done a lot of development work in the villages. CPM talks a lot about land reforms. Anuj Pandey and his two brothers owned 40 bighas of land. We shall distribute such land among the poor.

Inactive administration and a corrupt CPM Govermment in West bengal leads to Lalgarg violence

2009-06-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

LALGARH a well-planned strategy and a perfectly executed warplan, using tribal grievance against an inactive administration and a corrupt CPM government in West Bengal state in india.
That, in a nutshell, sums up how the Maoist movement gathered momentum in West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura with Lalgarh as the base. The insurgent outfit has been steadily spreading its tentacles and extending its strongholds almost every day at a furious pace over the last seven months. It has reached areas like Jhalda, Bagmundi and Ayodhya in Purulia and Ranibandh and Jhilimili in Bankura. If Salboni which is believed to be the next target falls, then almost the entire western part of the state would be lost. The Maoists did not win the area overnight. In fact, they found it difficult to make headway initially. Till the merger of People's War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) the Left radicals were active only in pockets of Binpur block II and in the area from Belpahari to Banshpahari and were never a force to reckon with. Then the merger took place in 2004 and the Maoist movement took a leap ahead. The two groups galvanized perfectly with the armed wing of PWG the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) providing a militant edge to the theoretical and political campaign of MCC. It helped Maoists spread their base in the Jharkhand-Orissa border areas that served as a transit point. Things took another turn with the arrest of Somen, the CPI(Maoist) state secretary in 2008. It intensified the PLGA's militant campaign. The landmine attack on the chief minister's convoy in Salboni on November 2 served as a flashpoint. It shook the police into action and a combing operation.
was launched at Salboni, barely 9 km from Midnapore town. Three PLGA squads were active in the area by then the Belpahari squad under Madan Mahato, the Lalgarh squad under Shashadhar Mahato and the Dolma squad in Purulia. Police charged Shashadhar and raided Chhotobelia, his village. The combing operation which had led to excesses alienated the locals. It fuelled a movement and led to the formation of People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) which became the frontal organization helping to shield the Maoists who worked from behind the scenes. The tribals united on an anti-police and anti-government plank joined PCPA spontaneously and it helped Maoists form a network over a larger area. The movement spread like wildfire across Jangalkhand. Using the PCPA local committees, Maoists gained access to information and logistical support from every corner of the region. From November 12 when PCPA was formed at a rally at Kantapahari the 14 km road connecting Lalgarh police station with the Ramgarh outpost remained blocked for a month. Maoists used the time to strengthen their network, taking advantage of the fact that neither the administration nor police could enter. Soon, all three roads leading to Lalgarh through Pirakata forest, from Midnapore town through Dharampur and from Goaltore were cut off. With PCPA in the forefront, senior Maoist leaders and armed outfits started infiltrating. Leaders like Chandrasekhar and Akash camped there, helping strengthen the base. It was in this period that the PCPA influence spread to Binpur I and II, Jamboni, parts of Jhargram block and Salboni. Now, all areas in a 30-km radius of Lalgarh have been captured'. Strengthened by the local support base, they now went on uniting all the anti-CPM forces. Between January and June, several CPM leaders were killed. The Maoists finally came out in the open with a procession at Madhupur village, which led to an attack on several CPM leaders' houses. Ever since, a new area has been added to the Maoist territory every other day. Babuibasha, Shaluka, Ramgarh, Belatikri and its adjacent areas fell soon. And finally, the entire stretch from Lalgarh to Dherua, including Dharampur, has been captured last Sunday. It could be mission Salboni next. For that's just about the only area where CPM still exists. If that happens, Maoists could shift their base to Garbeta and Keshpur.

Times of india 18th june20009

2009-06-08T04:41:00.000-07:00

India can surprise the world that it can move ahead even in this global recession period

The growth rate for the global economies since 45 years has shown towards 3.7%. Now the prediction is about half of it. Historically whenever the global growth rate has gone below the threshold of 2.5%, global recession has happened. The global growth trend is likely to be at less than 2% over the next 3 years.

1 It may be sub prime crises/indebtedness/war; the world growth rate has fallen below 2.5%, resulting in global recession.

2 American consumer is the highest purchasing consumer in the world. America accounts 4.5% of world's population, consumed $10 trillion in 2008.Consumers in India and China combined close to 40% of the world population collectively consumed $2 trillion ! Over the next 3 to 5 years the growth rate of consumption in US won't go more than 1.5%; a dramatic slow down from the pre recession period norm of 4%.

3 It is predicted by economists that it is unnatural to think that India can go back to growth rates above 8% in the current environment; it will take next 2 to 3 years (2010to 2011) to reach that mark.

4 India has massive capital and high budget deficits. The stable Government of Indian can take firm decisions to iron out the recession. It can economise on expenditures. Raise resources.Accelerate the manufacturing sector to grow at a much faster rate. India can surprise the world that it can move ahead even in this recession period

The world will laugh at us if we do not act to get back Indian black money in Swiss and other banks

2009-04-01T00:26:00.000-07:00

R Vaidyanathan, professor of finance at the Indian Institute of Management, a regular columnist for DNA has been nominated as the head of a taskforce by Advani for preparing a strategic document to get back the national wealth.

Excerpts from His interview:

The black money flowing out of the country into Swiss banks and other tax havens worldwide has become an election issue. While there is no official estimate of the amount of black money in Swiss accounts, LK Advani, the prime ministerial candidate of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, has come out with an estimate of Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 75,000 crore. Prof. Vaidyanathan feels the real figure is many times that number. At around $1.4 trillion (over Rs 70 lakh crore), it is way over India's gross domestic product of Rs 43 lakh crore for 2007-08.

Which are the various tax havens where the ill-gotten wealth of Indian businessmen and politicians is stored?

There are presumably more than 70 tax havens in the world. Indian wealth could be more in Switzerland and various British/ US islands.

How much Indian money do you think would be locked away in Swiss banks? What is the basis for the estimate you make?

I make this estimate on the basis of a report titled "Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2002--2006, Global Financial Integrity," written by Dev Kar and Devon-Cartwright Smith. It was a project sponsored by the Ford Foundation and the final report was released sometime back in December 2008. Financial flows in the context of this report include proceeds from both illicit activities such as corruption (bribery and embezzlement of national wealth), criminal activity, and the proceeds of licit business that become illicit when transported across borders in contravention of applicable laws and regulatory frameworks (most commonly in order to evade payment of taxes). In 2006, the most recent year of the Global Financial Integrity (GFI) study, developing countries lost an estimated $858.6 billion to $1.06 trillion in illicit financial outflows. Even at the lower end of the range of estimates, the volume of illicit financial flows coming out of developing countries increased at a compound rate of 18.2% over the five-year period analysed for the study.

How much of this was siphoned out of India?

On an average, for the five-year period of this study, Asia accounts for approximately 50% of overall illicit financial flows from all developing countries. This report shows that the average amount moved from India annually during 2002-06 is $27.3 billion. This means, during the five-year period, the amount taken away is $27.3 billion x 5 = $136.5 billion. It is not that all these amounts went to Swiss banks; it has gone to different tax and secret shelters. The share of Swiss banks in this dirty money is a third of the global aggregate; some $45 billion out of the 136.5 billion stashed away from India would have been hoarded in these years in Swiss banks. This appears in page 30 of the report mentioned above.The important point is that this is only for five years. More amounts were stashed away during the Nehruvian socialist regime. So the loot for 55 years would be several times the amount. In fact, in those days, the Indian rupee commanded a better value per US dollar, so fewer rupees could get a dollar. Hence the estimation that Indian money stashed away may be of the order of $1.4 trillion

How did the money get out?

There are several methods/ reasons --- under-invoicing/ over-invoicing of exports and imports and getting the balance stored abroad; kickbacks from major defence/ civilian contracts; in the olden days, smuggling of gold and illegal money; transactions done abroad and not reported here; hawala funds; funds earned by artists/ entertainment industry/ sports people and stashed away abroad, etc. When you want to indulge in adharma, hundred ways are open.

Do you feel international terrorist organisations use the tax-haven route to send across money to finance their nefarious activities?

Even our national security advisor, M K Narayanan, has spoken about it in Berlin.You recently wrote, "Under pressure from federal authorities, Swiss bank UBS is closing the hidden offshore accounts of its well-heeled American clients, potentially allowing their secrets to spill into the open."

Do you feel the government of India should also demand all the Indian black money in Swiss banks back?

Of course, India should and must act. We are not a banana republic. How can the government go about doing this? By putting it on the global agenda. Put it in G20. Put it in IMF. Put it in Egmont Group. Also take a lead among all developing countries. Support US/ German/ French efforts. Do you feel Swiss authorities and other tax havens will cooperate with us on this issue if we take the initiative?

It is not our pressure but that of the US, which will make them cooperate. When a family is in deep financial crisis, it tries to look at the small amount saved under the sugar jar by grandma. In the same way, developed economies are desperate for every dollar. Even if we do not act due to their efforts, the list of crooks may be out. Then, we will be in a dangerous social situation since the who's who of India will be there. Instead, we should get the list and get the funds and decide on the steps to sterilise it and the punishment to be given out, etc. Otherwise the world will laugh at us. We will be worse than a Nigeria (Sani Abacha) or Phillipines (Markose).

Do you feel the government will do this, given that a lot of the black money belongs to politicians?

Public pressure will make them do it. Plus, the evolving global situation against tax havens also might act in our favour. The money belongs to the poor farmers and unorganised workers.

Do you see businessmen applying pressure on the government to thwart any attempt to get back this money?

The world situation is such that Indian businessmen will want to bring it back now, given the attractive returns in India. The entire proprietary notes route to invest in the stock market was conceived for that.

You wrote in one of your columns that the German foreign intelligence agency BND got the names of 1,400 clients of the Liechtenstein-based LTG Bank who were suspected tax evaders. Of the 1,400, only 600 were supposed to be Germans. Do you think the rest would include Indians?

Has the Indian government approached the German government for the list? Indian names will be there. Our tax evaders and crooks are like Maha Vishnu, present in all continents and all tax havens, in the sea, on the earth, in the air. But our government has been lukewarm in its response to this issue. It should have immediately dispatched senior officials and the finance minister to get the names Rights Reserved

Parliament Election -2009 Forecast for Karnataka

2009-03-23T02:24:00.000-07:00

media.syndicate has come out with preliminary forecast of results of forthcoming
parliament elections. Analysis has predicted minimum of 12 seats for BJP; 6 for Cong (I) ;
4 for (JD-S). The numbers could jump to 17 for BJP and 6 for Cong (I); 4 for JD (S) and 1 for other.

Congress(I) is expected to win Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajanagara,Bangalore Central constituencies.

Belgaum, Chikkodi, Bijapur,Bagalkot, Koppal, Bellary,Dharwad, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, Davanagere, Shimoga, Udupi-Chikkamagalur, Mysore, Bangalore North, Bangalore South,Chikkaballapura and Kolar will be won by BJP.

JD (S) may win in Hassan, Tumkur,Mandya and Bangalore Rural.

Time to get back black money in Swiss accounts to India

2009-03-09T02:16:00.000-07:00

Time to get back black money in Swiss accounts to India
Under pressure from federal authorities, Swiss bank UBS the largest banking institution from Switzerland, closing the hidden offshore accounts of its well-heeled American clients, potentially allowing their secrets to spill into the open.It is also common knowledge that trillions of dollars of Indian money is in various tax heavens like Antigua, Switzerland, Bahamas, Liechtenstein, Isle of Man, and St Kitts, etc. In a step that would have once been unthinkable in the rarefied world of Swiss banking, UBS will shut about 19,000 accounts that prosecutors suspect have gone undeclared to the Internal Revenue Service. UBS will transfer the assets to other banks or other divisions within UBS, or will mail cheques directly to the account holders, creating paper trails for federal prosecutors who are examining whether UBS clients used such accounts to evade taxes.The clients now face stark choices: They can cash their checks, and thereby alert the authorities to any potential wrongdoing, or not cash them, effectively losing their money. Or they can transfer the money to new banks, a procedure which, in the case of foreign banks, requires depositors of more than $10,000 to report the new account to the Treasury Department. UBS, the largest banking institution from Switzerland, has also committed to provide names of the top 250 persons who have kept money in offshore accounts, out of 19,000, to US authorities. UBS has also committed to pay a fine of $780 million to settle claims that it has defrauded US Internal Revenue Service.The original charges are that the UBS offshore accounts have helped Americans hide $18 billion in 19,000 accounts. But now, the US state department is compelling it to disclose about 52,000 American accounts kept with UBS.The same position was taken in Bofors case also. Now that wall has been breached by this US agreement with Swiss authorities.UBS,also said that it would stop offering to American clients offshore private banking services that are not declared to the IRS.In all these discussions, one critical aspect is not to be missed -- the wealth hoarded by Indian leaders in commerce/ politics/ military/ arts, etc in the foreign banks for the last five to six decades.A recent development makes us alert to our own wealth stored abroad.Liechtenstein is a country as well as a convenient "letter box" for moneyed people all over the world to hide their ill gotten wealth. Its crown prince, Alois von und Zu Liechtenstein, is angry with Germany for launching a massive tax-evasion investigation involving funds hidden away in his countries vaults. Germany's intelligence agency seems to have paid an unnamed informer more than USD 6 million for confidential and secret data about clients of LTG group a bank owned by the Prince's family. The revelations have already led to the resignation of the head of Deutsche Post - the former German mail service -the world's largest logistics company in the world. The German foreign intelligent agency BND seem to have got more than 700 clients of the LTG bank and the German prosecutors are using this information to target hundreds of suspected tax evaders in the last few days. In the meantime LTG claims that the "stolen data' contain information about 1400 clients and only 600 of them are Germans. The German government has announced that it would share information on accounts held in the tax haven with any government that wants it, for free. Intriguingly, Indian government was silent on this issue and did not approach the German government for a long time for a look into that data. Later, it wrote a cursory letter under pressure from Opposition but has not disclosed the response of the German government.It is common knowledge that trillions of dollars of Indian money is in various tax heavens like Antigua, Switzerland, Bahamas, Liechtenstein, Isle of Man, and St Kitts, etc.Throughout the Nehruvian socialistic period, under-invoicing of exports and over-invoicing of imports was very common. Along with that, substantial portion of external earnings were siphoned off to these tax heavens. In a socialistic way, all leaders, be they from business, politics, film, sports or bureaucracy, participated in creating what we may call secular wealth cutting across caste and creed. Also, good portion of the defence commissions were settled abroad. Plus some of our bureaucrats and entertainers and artists have also accumulated wealth abroad. This lobby is well-entrenched and one of the main losers in the appreciation of the rupee.Worst part of the story is the loss of these deposits to Swiss banks themselves up on the death of some of these depositors who have not passed on the relevant account information to their progeny. The Swiss banks appropriate such sums after some years (seven to ten) after the death of the beneficiary if there are no claimants. These are operated using codes but most of them require passport and its number as a proof. That is the reason one finds some persons travelling to Switzerland with all expired passports. Zurich is the only European town which has Hindi slogans written on the side of its trams. Of course it is supposedly linked to Bollywood, but the India traffic to Zurich has to be seen to be believed.
It is estimated that between $500 billion and $1,400 billion is hoarded in Swiss banks and add with that the money stashed in territories like Virgin islands and Bahamas and other assorted tax havens. We need to take steps to bring it back to India. The mechanics can be worked out in terms of amnesty and Swiss bonds issued against these dollars. It can tremendously boost our foreign exchange reserves and facilitate infrastructure investment.
1To start with, we can add one column in our election affidavits regarding wealth accumulated abroad. Of course, the politicians are not going to declare the ill-gotten wealth. But, it may be useful for future regarding provision of false affidavits. The entire tax efforts of countries like India are subverted by these deposits.
2The second and most important issue pertains to financing of terrorism. These secretive and non-transparent tax heavens can be a serious threat to India since the sources and uses of funds are not clear. The lesser the transparency, the greater the threat for civil societies. From that point also, it is imperative for us to get these vaults open.
3The third point is that this should become a major issue in World trade and financial negotiations since what belongs to us cannot be denied to us for long. The entire issue of global financial flows and cross-country free flows become meaningless due to the presence of these tax heavens. Indian lead will shake the world and help large number of African and Latino countries.Already, the Polit Bureau of CPI [M] has asked for government action in the light of the UBS developments.
Baba Ramdev, too, has demanded that politicians take steps to bring back the money.It may be difficult to expect the major parties to take it up since the hands of many of its leaders are stained with rust and dust of Swiss bank vaults.
In the case of Bofors, it was the government of the day versus the opposition parties, and now it has to be a mass movement against all these tainted leaders.The citizens of India should fight to uphold the values of our republic which is not just a market or museum piece but a living civilisation wounded by colonialists and looted by current thanedars ruling the roost in the corridors of power.
If the leaders keep quiet on this burning issue, we can conclude the elite of the country has failed us.Of course, the Media- both electronic and print - will be campaigning to "fill up pubs' in the name of freedom- rather than any serious issue. Our media has become just entertainers and not interested in any important issue.
Let us remember that past history suggests that the elite of India failed India and not the ordinary farmers or workers. The elite helped in the plunder and devastation caused to this country.The thunderous silence of our elite in politics/ media/ business/ bureaucracy and arts speaks volumes about our collective guilt.
"No criminals in politics" is a good campaign. But can we have leaders with funds stashed abroad? The black money abroad is the Gangotri of all crimes. It shows our distrust about our mother land and contempt for Dharma. Let us deal with that first.
The writer is professor of finance and control, Indian Institute of Management - Bangalore, and can be reached at vaidya@iimb.ernet.in.

The Akshay Patra Story

2009-01-05T22:59:00.001-08:00

The Akshay Patra programme has increased enrolment rates in schools across the country
It all started with the kitchens feeding 1,500 children in 2000. Now, they feed 9,73,147 children across the country every day. The giant kitchens of the Akshay Patra programme cook 1,00,000 meals in less than five hours every day! Akshay Patra programme, which recently got an entry into the Limca Book of Records, owes a lot to its hi-tech and hygienic kitchens. Bangalore has two of these modern, clean and automated kitchens. Foundation representative Rajni R told STOI how the kitchen works: “We run conveyer belts on which boxes are placed. The cooked food is dispensed through taps into the box and then packed by workers with minimal human contact. The utensils are all sterilized and the food is machine-cooked. All the workers wear caps, gloves and boots, which are also sterilized after every use.” “The workers start cooking at 2 am and get the food ready by 7.30 am to dispatch it. The first vehicle leaves the temple premises at 7.30 with a three-item menu — rice, sambhar with vegetables and curd with ingredients added so that the children’s nutrition requirements are met. A nutrition expert’s advice is also taken,” she adds. Mammoth social service Around 150 workers in the Rajajinagar kitchen cook, clean and distribute food. The food, when packed in steel utensils, is at 90 degrees centigrade and served at 60 degrees. “The kitchens of Akshay Patra can cook around 1,00,000 meals in less than five hours. The extensive mechanization of the kitchens offer children standardized, quality and hygienic meals,” says Rajni, adding that the cooked food is distributed to schools through heat-insulated, dust-free, custom-built vehicles. The first kitchen was set up in Bangalore in 2000 at Rajajinagar and six years later at Kanakapura and started giving food to nearby government schools. Those schools witnessed tremendous response as principals acknowledged that student enrolment increased. Seeing this success, the programme was extended to schools in other areas of Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary, Mangalore and Mysore in Karnataka. Many places covered Mid-day meals are also provided for children of Jaipur, Nathwara and Baran in Rajasthan, Vrindavan and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Puri and Nayagarh in Orissa, Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. “The vision is to ensure that no child in India is deprived of education because of hunger. We want to end hunger and create a human resources pool that will propel India into league of developed nations.” Grand plan According to a UNESCO report, around 13.5 million children in the age group of 6-13 years are out of school in India. Despite the country’s stunning economic growth, a large chunk of India’s children does not have access to schools because of poverty and malnutrition. The Foundation is working overtime to eliminate this problem. ON THE MENU Rice, sambhar with vegetables, curd and sweet once a week in southern states including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa Roti, vegetable, pulao and kheer once a week in northern States including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat MEAL IMPACT IN 2006 Increased attendance and enrolment in schools Improved health of those children Enhanced learning abilities Reduced drop-out rates

Manali Kishore

Times of India 4th January 2009 page-4

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is in top 20 of the world

2008-12-16T23:49:00.000-08:00

MILLION-DOLLAR tech centre for IISc
Prashanth G N TNN
Bangalore: A multi-million-dollar technology centre for knowledge sciences is set to be Bangalore’s New Year gift. In a collaboration that could be a first, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, the University of California, Santa Cruz and Infosys are in talks to set up a $1-million knowledge sciences research centre at IISc. The $1-million facility will turn into a $10-million one in phases. The brain behind the project is Ram Akella, an IISc alumnus and professor, Tech Services, UC Santa Cruz, who heads a major computer technology centre at the university. Akella told TOI: “We are also in talks with IBM and Yahoo and the government to help us establish the technology centre. Three US varsities will also join us later. Our university-industry-government collaboration could be India’s first.”Akella said he was looking at the centre to create a tranformational impact on knowledge services in India and globally in financial, healthcare, service centre management, CRM and BPO affairs. The centre is also looking at “search technologies and data plus text mining for web and knowledge management”. Akella is very passionate about what IISc should do:“We’ve to innovate and invest by picking new interdisciplinary areas which have societal impact — like Knowledge Sciences (fusing machine learning and data mining with business management), climate change, Earth sciences.” “The integration with international universities and the US industry will enable the institute to develop world-class research capability and achieve major international collaborations and impact,” says Akella. Akella has been to the Ivy leagues such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and to Infosys in India. A model he suggests is the success of Stanford — a university that has been giving rise to some of the finest tech start-ups in the US. In fact, one of the offshoots of the proposed centre is creating new entrepreneurships. “The Society for Innovation and Development has done wonderful work at IISc. We would love to build on this culture. I’ve seen MIT and Harvard. If I look back at what IISc has done and what it can do, I can safely place IISc is in the top 20 of the world.” More muscle to IISc The proposed tech centre will add to the existing research undertaken in the Computer Science Applications Centre and the Supercomputer Education and Research Centre. Together, the three centres can build a culture of IT start-ups similar to the one in Stanford University. Applications in nanotechnology will also be a focus for the new centre as IISc already has a state-of-the-art nano centre coming up.
Times of India Dated15th December 2008 page-5

Three Commitments of Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

2008-12-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

Our DREAMS are our VISION
K J Rao Professor Solid State and Structural Chemistry IISc Bangalore
Indian Institute of Science will soon be 100 and enter its second century. Its founders wanted it to be the John Hopkins of India. A centenary is the time to ruminate on its future. Here is a glimpse of the vision of a material scientist about the big science IISc should contemplate, to measure up to its reputation. There are at least three commitments of IISc. The first is to carry out research in frontier areas of science (includes technology) in the pursuit of excellence. The second is to help the country find solutions to its problems through the application of science and technology. The third is to provide human resource of the best kind to the nation through imparting training at the highest level, in various branches of science. The vision of big science is embedded in the first two. Some of our gifted faculty strives for excellence in research all the time, and it is their only goal. Stimuli for their work comes from unpredictable sources; new research reported from somewhere else, conference discussion, inherent curiosity, intuitive flashes and many others. They are unmindful of the eventual use of their research. One thing they do is to push the frontiers of knowledge, and in the process, bring enormous fame. IISc has only to continue to attract such bright faculty and provide all forms of support to their activities. IISc should go for international faculty hiring to fulfil this vision. Our vision of big science can help the country in tackling its well-nigh insatiable energy needs. We should look beyond solar and wind powers as future energy sources and examine controlled nuclear fusion (like Bussard-type clean inertial electrostatic confinement fusion of proton and 11B which gives only helium and energy). We should examine if microwave power from space can be harnessed economically. Providing drinking water for a sixth of the global population who reside in India is a serious challenge. Discoveries in nanoscience should be exploited for efficient water purification, particularly to make it arsenic and fluoride free. We have to develop energyefficient and carbon-free transportation, since global warming is a real and immediate threat. It needs out-of-the-box thinking to find solutions. Can compressed air and liquid CO2-operated engines provide economically viable and carbonfree urban transportation of the future? Some day our bio-scientists may invent a bug that gets magnesium from sea water very efficiently, and our technologists design engines which burn solubilised magnesium! Remember, the enthalpy of Mg oxidation is one of the highest. Carbon neutral energy sources are needed urgently. We must genetically engineer new algae. Algae can synthesize huge quantities of lipids, 60% of their dry mass, at very high rates. Algae culturing requires only marginal land and small amounts of water and fertilizers. We should also develop strategies for carbon sequestration, into our layered minerals, into our oceans and into carbon (grapheme) itself. Cancer and diabetes are on the rise at an alarming rate. Can we make drug molecules which make the body cells let in sugar without requiring insulin? Can we synthesize cancer cell busters which enter and destroy cancer cells using nano-technology routes? Why not! Our strength is a century of robust tradition and a faith that it can do the impossible. Our dreams are many and they constitute our vision. VIGNETTES Bhabha’s cosmic rays In 1940, Homi Bhabha accepted the position of a Special Reader for six months in the department of Physics at the Institute, on an honorarium of Rs 2,000, and delivered a series of 25 lectures on cosmic rays. At that time, Nobel laureate R A Millikan of the California Institute of Technology also delivered a course of four lectures on ‘Experimental Methods and Results of Cosmic Ray Research’. Centenary run today The Bangalore chapter of IISc’s alumni association will hold a ‘Science & technology run’ on Sunday to celebrate the institute’s centenary. The run will start from the main building at 8 am. Participants will include the IISc fraternity and students of science and engineering colleges (The writer is professor, solid state and structural chemistry unit, IISc)
Times of India 6th page 7th December 2008

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is the oldest and best postgraduate research institute of India

2008-12-07T03:33:00.000-08:00

C N R Rao Chairnan Scientfic Advisory Council to Prime Minister of India
The Indian Institute of Science is the oldest and best postgraduate research institute of India, comparable to the Weizmann Institute in Israel, where there are only post-graduate students. There is no question that the Institute provides the best environment to carry out good research, and extraordinary freedom, independent of the rank of a faculty member. But this is history — what can we expect in future? The institute has to ensure that its position in the world is not only secure but also improves. In this age of competition, when all countries in the world, specially those in Asia, are competing for their place in the sun, we have to do everything to see that Indian institutions are also in the reckoning. In this respect, I do not see any other institution in India which qualifies to be amongst the top 20 or 50 scientific research and teaching institutions in the world. While I do not believe in competition where one is conscious of it all the time, thereby ruining the style of functioning as well as the very objectives of research, it is important that serious and constant efforts are made to improve quality and maintain our pursuit of excellence by supporting and promoting good ideas and bright, committed people. The institute has to plan new types of courses and educational programmes, which will promote higher education at the advanced level and research efforts of the faculty more effectively. I would encourage inter-disciplinary areas, like materials. Although there is some materials research going on, the quality as well as quantum of research are not sufficiently high. It will remain important and crucial as long as humans live. The institute should take up those areas which are closely related to the pressing problems of mankind, such as energy, water, climate and environment. The institute could offer major support for research on solar energy, hydrogen energy, fuel cells and batteries and related subjects, and even offer rewards for those who come up with real solutions that would help the country and world at large. We need to worry about water — not only availability and distribution, but also safe drinking water. With respect to climate change, we should improve our modelling capabilities and work on experimental approaches related to sequestration and beneficial conversion of carbon dioxide and related problems. IISc and industry have always been related. In fact, many years ago, a silicon plant was set up based on the technology of the institute. Many industries have benefited by their association with the institute. However, in future, we must see that Indian industry comes to the institute to support research in a big way. An important venture could be to establish a new organization within the institute, similar to ITRI in Taiwan. ITRI deals with training, education and research directed towards technological innovation. Young people educated in the institute come out with new ideas by the end of their two or three-year period, many of which become products and technologies. This would be a challenging task if IISc can produce future innovators. When we look at science today and the status of science at large, it becomes clear that it requires an entirely new approach. Indian Institute of Science could give serious thought to the kind of training and education we need to provide young people, so that at the end of their Bachelor’s degree in science and engineering, they are capable of taking up challenging problems related to society, industry and science. Such a new curriculum has to be planned very carefully. Most countries and institutions have not succeeded in providing the best kind of education suited to present and future needs. It will be worthwhile for the institute to plan a new inter-disciplinary undergraduate programme where students after Class 12, come to the institute to take up studies in diverse areas, which eventually help them work at the cutting edge, and also make major innovations for the advancement of science and engineering. I envisage courses that minimize compartmentalization of subjects like chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical etc.), physics and biology, and also attempt to bring about unity of all sciences. Engineering should be a significant component of such a curriculum.To accomplish many of these objectives, the institute has to have a large dedicated faculty, whose recruitment will be an important task. PM will open IISc celebrations Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of the country’s premier scientific and research institution, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here on Wednesday. Security has been tightened at the campus. Singh, who will be arriving by noon, will launch the year-long celebrations planned by the Institute, and also unveil the centenary commemoration stone. Security has been beefed up, keeping in view the Mumbai attacks, and also the December 28, 2005 terror incident, when an assistant professor was killed and four others injured. VIGNETTES The Hopkins connection The Baltimore Sun on May 19, 1899, carried a news item with the headline: ‘The Hopkins, His Model’ and a small blurb ‘A Parsee Millionaire will Found a University in India along the same lines’, referring to Jamsetji Tata’s interest in adopting the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, as the model for the proposed university (IISc). John Hopkins University had the unique distinction of being the first university in the world founded as a post-graduate institution. Ramsay’s right choice Writing on why the new institute was best set up in Bangalore, Ramsay observed, “The town of Bangalore does not present the same distractions as Bombay, Calcutta or Madras; but it is the seat of a geological survey, of an agricultural section, and of a government college; and these would furnish a certain nucleus of scientific society, which could not fail to be congenial both to the staff and the students of the new institute.” The Kolar Gold Fields, other mineral deposits of the state, its climate that would make it possible to work with energy during the greater part of the year, clinched the issue. (The writer is chairman, scientific advisory council to PM)
Times of India 5th page 3rd December 2008

Establishment of IISc includes J N Tata & Mother of K R Wadiyar Four and inspiration of Swami Vivekananda

2008-12-07T03:12:00.000-08:00

PORTALS OF EMINENCE
P Balaram Director IISc
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was conceived as a ‘research institute’ or ‘University of Research’ by Ja m s e t j i Nusserwanji Tata, in the twilight years of the 19th century. A long period of almost 13 years was to elapse from the initial conception in 1896, to the birth of the institute on May 27, 1909. The early history of the institute is a fascinating chapter in the story of higher education and scientific research in India. The cast of characters in the drama that led to the establishment of the Institute includes, in addition to its charismatic and generous founder J N Tata, figures from the pages of Indian history. There is Swami Vivekananda, whom J N Tata befriended on his famous voyage to the United States, the Maharaja of Mysore, Shri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and his mother, then acting on his behalf, and Lord Curzon the Viceroy of India, whose first task on arrival on December 31, 1898, was to receive a draft proposal prepared by the Provisional Committee set up to plan the establishment of the Institute. The plan was shepherded through many difficult years by Burjorji Padshah, a close associate of J N Tata. Unfortunately, J N Tata died in 1904, unaware that his vision would indeed be realized a few years later. When the British government finally issued the Vesting Order in 1909, an unmatched experiment in higher education and research was launched in India. IISc is the first example of a public-private partnership in this country; an institution, whose evolution over a century is testimony to its robust foundations. The Institute occupies nearly 400 acres of prime land in Bangalore, generously donated by the Maharaja of Mysore in March 1907. The contribution from the princely state of Mysore was the decisive element in determining the location of J N Tata’s proposed institution. Remarkably, in a gesture unmatched in the annals of private philanthropy in India, Tata did not wish his name to be associated with the Institute. His dream was to create an institution that would contribute to the development of India. The name, Indian Institute of Science, which was finally chosen, reflects in every way the wishes of J N Tata. Visitors to Bangalore who seek out IISc still have to ask local residents for directions to the ‘Tata Institute’ — recognition that Jamsetji Tata’s act of generosity has remained undimmed in public memory. The Institute began with only two departments: general and applied chemistry and electro-technology. The first director, Morris W Travers, began the task of organizing the Institute shortly after his arrival in India at the end of 1906. Travers began the construction of the main building, which is one of Bangalore’s landmarks today. The departments of organic chemistry and biochemistry together with the library, were among the earliest to be established. The physics department came into being in 1933, when C V Raman became the first Indian director of the Institute. In the century that has passed, IISc has grown to become India’s premier centre for research and post-graduate education in science and engineering. Its evolution over the past 100 years has mirrored the development of science and technology in India. A long history, a strong tradition of academic research and an ambience that favours scholarly activity have been important elements in making the Institute a most attractive place for students and faculty. As the Institute has grown, several new areas of research have been established, many of them for the first time in India. The Institute’s departments in fields ranging from biochemistry to aerospace engineering have served to nucleate research and development in both the public and private sectors. The faculty and alumni have been responsible for establishing and spearheading many new institutions and programmes in the country, reflecting a major contribution of this centre of learning to national growth. Homi Bhabha conceived the idea of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and an Atomic Energy Programme, while working in the department of physics. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India’s space programme, was an alumnus. Following his premature death, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was built by the farsighted leadership of Satish Dhawan, who simultaneously held the position of the director of the Institute with the greatest distinction. The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur was established by J C Ghosh, who was director of IISc in the critical period 1939-48, during which much of the activity in engineering was initiated. Many of India’s most distinguished scientists have been associated with the Institute as students or faculty. Notable among them are G N Ramachandran, Harish Chandra, S Ramaseshan, Brsahm Prakash, A Ramachandran, C N R Rao and R Narasimha. Alumni of the Institute head many major organizations in India and abroad. The Institute offers a variety of Master’s degree programmes in engineering, an integrated (post-BSc) programme in sciences and PhD programmes in a wide spectrum of disciplines in science and engineering. Research laboratories are wellequipped, and many national facilities are housed here. The library and computational facilities at the Institute are amongst the best in India. A major programme for modernizing laboratories is under way, catalyzed by a special grant provided by the government of India in 2006. The face of science and engineering research has been changing rapidly over the past few years. In approaching the second century of the Institute, many new activities have been initiated, notable among them are the inter-disciplinary PhD. programmes in mathematical sciences, chemical biology, earth system science, nanoscience and nanotechnology and nanoengineering for integrated systems. To live and work at the Institute is a special privilege. Anniversaries are an occasion for both celebration and introspection. In reflecting on the past, present and future of the Institute, in this centenary year, an exchange between Morris Travers, the first director, and Lord Willingdon, the then Viceroy, is worth recounting. Willingdon went around the Institute in June 1914 and said: “I had no idea that there was anything like this in India.” Travers responded: “There is nothing like it in India; and nothing better in Great Britain.” In ensuring that this sentiment is true, a great deal of work remains to be done. Meeting of MINDS The IISc Centenary Conference is being organized from Dec 13 to 16, 2008, to mark 100 illustrious years in science, technology and innovation. The conference will be marked by several important events focusing on the Institute’s contributions to fundamental and applied scientific research A ‘ROMANCE’ FOR JRD Jamsetji conceived three great schemes — university, hydro and steel projects — as necessary for India’s progress, and decided to make himself personally responsible for their implementation, hopefully within his own lifetime. Unfortunately, only around 10 years actually remained — he died in 1904. Fortunately, his two sons, particularly his eldest, Dorabji, undertook to pursue them, and successfully brought them to life by 1911. At Jamsetji’s own request, the new university was not to carry his name and it was simply called The Indian Institute of Science. The hydro-electric project was established in 1910 and the steel plant started functioning in 1911. “I felt for a long time that the romance and saga of the creation of these great schemes, and of the struggles he encountered in their formulation with such dignity and patience, was a story that needed to be told...” — J R D Tata in his foreword to the book In Pursuit of Excellence: A History of the Indian Institute of Science by B V Subbarayappa (The writer is director, IISc )

Times of India Page Five 3rd December 2008

Land Mark-01/2008

2008-02-26T02:19:00.000-08:00

Pune farmers plan a mall of their own
Traders and middlemen can’t dictate terms to formers and consumers. Prior to amendments to the APMC Act, farmers were obliged to sell their produce to APMCs. The middlemen who form the link between APMCs and the market will be no more.
Times of India 2nd Jan 08 Page-04

Change of Mid-Day Meal style leads to contempt of court
Supreme Court appointed special commissioners have slammed the lobbying by Members of Parliament (Thirty odd MPs) on behalf of biscuit manufacturers association to replace hot cooked meals with their 100 grams biscuit packs for more than 12 crore children in 9.5 lakh schools under the central government’s mid-day meal scheme.
The court in 2001, had ordered that all states should provide cooked meals instead of dry rations. In 2004 the court had reemphasized its earlier ruling stating “It is the constitutional duty of every state and union territory to implement in letter and spirit of 2001 ruling”
Times of India 2nd Jan 08 Page-07

Tamil Nadu court rules Muslim couples can divorce by mutual consent
A Chennai family court has granted divorce to Muslim couple after observing that Muslims on par with Hindus and other religions are entitled to divorce by mutual consent of spouses if they fail to carry out marital obligations.
Times of India 2nd Jan 08 Page-11

ISCE (Indian School Certificate Examination) syllabus changed
To make ICSE students better equipped for competitive exams and to acquire adequate skills, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations has revised the syllabus from class IX (ICSE) to XII (ISC). The new syllabus will be implemented in 1500 schools across the country from the academic year 2008-09. The students of ICSE and ISC will face the 2010 March examination in the new syllabus.
Times of India 1st Jan 08 Page-05

Government of India is venturing to make film with Bollywood producer
The government of India has signed up with Bollywood producer for making a film on legendary freedom fighter Tatya Tope. The Rs.50 crore film, Tatya will be produced by Bollywood producer Feroz Nadiadwala and National Films Development Corporation on 50:50 partnership basis. P R Dasmunsi I&B minister said that the commercial release of the film on Tatya Tope was better than making a historical documentary which does not usually attract enough audience. The film will be directed by Vinay Shukla and is expected to be ready by Aug 15, 2008.
Times of India 1st Jan 08 Page-12

Communist leader Kerala Chief Minister and V S Achuthanandan trek to sabarimalai
The eighty five years old Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan trekked 3hours and 40 minute to reach the abode of Ayyappa the deity of Sabarimalai. Clad in his characteristic white kurta and dhoti, he trek to sannidhanam without a break.In the guise to monitor the situation he performed the pilgrimage successfully compromising the communist principle.
Times of India January 1st 2008 Page-11

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee changes the left order
Buddhadeb on 3rd day January 2008 made out a strong case for capitalist industrialization while speaking at the 42nd anniversary of the CPM’s Bengali mouthpiece Ganashakti. He says that left goal is to give human face to the market driven path. He said “so what is leftism to us? It is land reforms, compensation and rehabilitation for land losers”. He further declared much more is awaited in the coming Party Congress.
Times of India 4th January 2008 Page-11

All is not well in CPM politburo
Reacting to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb’s remarks on capitalist industrialization senior CPM leader Jyoti Basu said “Where is the confusion? I can’t understand. Our government is a provincial Government working in capitalist system our Party’s goal is thus to achieve socialism. But that is a distance goal.”
Then what is left for socialism and communist party, it is a Singur, Nandigram question and West Bengal ruling question?
Times of India 6th January 2008 Page-07

SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee) declares killers of former PM Indira Gandhi as martyrs
SGPC paid homage to Satwant Sing and Kehar Singh who assassinated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Oct 31st1984, at safdarjung road residence months after Operation Bluestar. Satwant Sing and Kehar Singh hanged to death on January 6th 1989. SGPC media manager Ram Singh said the SGPC had been remembering both Satwant Sing and Kehar Singh as martyrs of the Sikh nation. The SGPC is paying homage since the very first anniversary of their death. Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said Sikhs never tolerate disrespect to their Gurdwaras.
Times of India January 7th 2008.Page-08

Zubin Mehta wants to give India a world class school of western music
Zubin Mehta, the greatest music conductor of our times. He has been the music director of some of the greatest symphony orchestras in Montreal, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv and Florence and has received numerous awards. Mehta’s initial music training came from his father Mehli Mehta who was the founder of the Bombay Symphony.”My dream is to set up a school of western music in the name of my father. We will bring musicians and teachers from abroad initially. We will then train our own set of teachers” Mehta told in an interview. He will perform four concerts while leading the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Mumbai in October to raise funds for the school.
Times of India January 1st 08 Page-13

Sweeping reforms and uniform curriculum in all universities in India: UGC
UGC is preparing to bring B and C grade universities on a par with A grade universities. It will be a joint effort of center, state and respective institution. The idea of common curriculum suggested by the UGC dates back to the NDA regime it further clarified. UGC has asked the curriculum review committee (headed by former UGC chair man Yashpal) to submit the report. Another major reform that the UGC is going in for is creating new universities from existing big once.
The academic and administrative reforms committee will look into matters of:
· Methodology for admission
· Credit/grading system
· Semester system
· Teacher assessment
· Examination/evaluation reforms
· Composition of university academic bodies like senate, syndicate and executive council
It is also looking into the appointment of vice chancellors and nominations to these academic bodies. It launches special drive to establish 370 educationally backward districts in the country. Looking for public-private partnership in higher education where private sector will finance higher education.
Times of India January 4th 08 Front page

Kiran Bedi’s NGO launches website
Kiran Bedi the first woman IPS officer of our country, who quit police service on January 3rd2008 by opting for voluntary retirement, launched a new website, http://www.saferindia.com/ The website is aimed at extending help to those who went to police stations but their complaints went unheard, unacknowledged or not registered.
India Vision Foundation an NGO started by Bedi along with her friends launched the project “Mission Safer India” will act as a bridge between complainants and police services to seek appropriate redress. It is expected to work as a pressure group to make the voice of the aggrieved heard. People can log on to the website and e-mail their complaint to the group which will forward it to the State police headquarters.
Times of India 4th January 2008 Page-11

After Queen Ahalya Bai now it is UP Chief Mayawathi renovating of Kashi temple
Ahalya Bai built famous Kashi Viswanath Temple in the year 1770-1780; the temple complex was measuring 2700 square then. Now after the lapse of 228 years the renovation and expansion work of the temple is initiated by U P Chie Minister Mayavathi.The renovation work of Tarakeswara temple which is adjacent to Kashi Viswanatha temple is also taken up and the two temples will be combined to form the expanding temple complex measuring 8500 square feet said Kashi Viswanath Temple Trust President and also Commissioner of Varanasi Division Sri Nitin Ganesh Gokarna.This expansion of temple complex allows the devotes to have more space for Kashi Viswanath darshan.
Vijaya Karnataka 14 January 2008&31 January 2008.

The first Governor of Indian origin in US
Bobby Jindal (36-years) was sworn in as the first (Louisiana state Governor in US) governor of Indian origin and youngest governor in the US on 14th Monday 2008. The sworn in ceremony was witnessed by his parents; immigrants from Haryana and his New Delhi born wife Supriya.
Most American media noted that he is the first governor of Indian origin in the US, but there was little commentary on his ultra-conservative political leaning and his conversion to Catholicism (he was a Catholic convert in his teens).
Louisiana’s principal newspaper the Times Picayune linked his inauguration to Makara Sankranti, the Indian harvest festival “representing a fresh start and the ascent of the sun in the celestial sphere” while hoping that it would provide an economic boost to the relatively poor state Louisiana.
One of the blogs head line that read “Does Louisiana’s new catholic governor spell hope for his Hindu homeland?” Most political commentaries lay in the prospects of Louisiana revival which Jindal has promised.
Jindal who became Louisiana’s health and hospital secretary when he was 24 years and was reported producing impressive results before he was appointed by president Bush to a federal position as an assistant secretary
Times of India 16th January 2008 Times global

Vol-3/Issue-13/2007

2007-08-17T02:25:00.000-07:00

The Indian Cartoon Gallery, first of its kind in India Inaugurated
Bangalore: Mario Mirandas and R K Laxmans in the making can now rub shoulders with the who’s who of cartooning in Bangalore. For, the city now houses India’s first cartoon gallery. On Thursday, governor T N Chaturvedi inaugurated the Indian Cartoon Gallery — a 2,000 sq ft of gallery space off MG Road. Walking through the gallery exhibiting the works of three leading cartoonists — V G Narendra, B G Gujarappa and late B V Ramamurthy — the governor said, “Cartoons build opinions and values as they take a dig at the follies of the government and leaders. It is an effective medium to educate people and create awareness.’’ While every frame sums up the sarcasm, irony and humour of life situations, the sketches are also sharp and bold, reflecting political upheavals and lesser known facades of leaders and celebrities. The tone is exciting and dares to be ‘politically incorrect’ too. The exhibits speak of different colours of life — hope, humour, pain,happiness and peace. All find space here — Mahatma Gandhi’s peace message, Indira Gandhi’s political rivals and chief ministers to the local flavours — HD Deve Gowda-Kheny locking horns over the BMIC. The gallery, an initiative of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists, promises to bring together works of caricaturists like Laxman, Shankar and ‘Ranga’. Ashok Kheny, honorary chairman of the institute, said, “The gallery should grow into a space that can encourage budding cartoonists across India. Two more cartoon galleries will be opened at Hubli and Gulbarga.” Narendra, managing trustee, said, “We will soon have galleries in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi. There is little being done to recognise talent, reward and popularise the art. We want to institute a national award, hold cartoon contests, launch a website and train youngsters incaricatures

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIBG&login=default&AW=1187340808265.

toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com
http://www.cartoonistsindia.com/htm/home.htm
http://newsemail.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html

Vol-3/Issue-12/2007

2007-08-11T04:16:00.000-07:00

Why the Ram Setu must not be destroye

See the Rama Sethu as captured by ISRO's remote sensing satalite and a picture from NASA USA

http://www.nrsa.gov.in/IRS-P6/southindia.html

http://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/p193a.jpg

Sethusamudram, a project to create alternative shorter route for ships to cross the Gulf of Mannar, is a wonderful idea -- one which is more than 150 years old. The channel, originally an idea of a British commander named A D Taylor was put forth in 1860. In 1955, the Government of India set up the Sethusamudram project committee to look into the feasibility of the project and five routes were discussed till 2001 but nothing happened. The National Democratic Alliance government sanctioned a few crore rupees to study the project but before a final decision on the route could be taken, the government lost power.
The official web site of the project says, 'Ships originating from the west of India and destined for Chennai, Ennore, Vishakapatnam, Paradeep, Haldia and Kolkata have to travel around the Sri Lankan coast resulting in increase of travel distance and time. Apart from this ships belonging to Indian Navy and Coast Guard need also to traverse around Sri Lanka. In order to reduce the steaming distances between the east and west coast of India and to improve the navigation within territorial waters of India, a navigation channel connecting the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay through Adam's Bridge has been envisaged so that the ships moving between the east and west coasts of India need not go around Sri Lanka.' The total cost of the project is Rs 2,427 crores (Rs 24.27 billion).
But due to political expediency and a pathetic problem of a 'secular amnesia' about heritage matters, it has got a controversial hue, which could have been avoided if some transparency was maintained and points of collective sensitivities and faith were not ignored. The project is fine, but the present route is not, as it involves destruction of a bridge believed to have been built by Lord Rama and Muslims and Christians believe it to be Adam's creation.
Foreigners and Indians alike have described it as Rama's bridge since ancient times in their maps and travelogues. http://www.nrsa.gov.in/IRS-P6/southindia.html

The first time someone called it Adam's Bridge was in 1804 by James Rennell, the first surveyor general of the East India Company. Even if the Government of India prefers to use the name Adam's Bridge, it simply proves that not only Hindus but Muslims and Christians too have a reverence for the bridge it is going to destroy.
Now when the media and political leaders are busy with the Uttar Pradesh election and exit polls, the Sethusamudram dredgers are busy destroying a great world heritage site India has.
The Ram Setu or Adam's Bridge connects India's Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka's Talaimannar. A movement has begun to safeguard it at the shores of Rameshwaram on April 18. Two former judges of the Supreme Court, Justice K T Thomas and Justice V R Krishna Iyer, none of them close to the saffron side, have warned the government against destroying the Ram Setu.
It is ironical that a government which changes the metro rail route to protect the Qutub Minar, built with the material of destroyed temples, stops a corridor to protect the Taj Mahal's surroundings and spends crores of rupees to showcase ancient potteries and jewellery in heavily guarded museums, is destroying a unique symbol of national identity and an icon well preserved in our minds since ages. Even a child knows that a bridge was built by the friends of Lord Rama using floating stones and Rama's army marched over it to Lanka to rescue Sita and destroy the evil regime of Ravana.
Hence during Dussehra every year and in dance dramas depicting Rama's life enacted across the globe, specially in East Asia, they never ever fail to mention the Setu Bandhan or the construction of Rama's bridge. Apart from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata also refers to the continued protection of Nala Setu following Sri Rama's command. Kalidasa's Raghuvamsham also refers to the Setu. So does the Skanda Purana (III 1.2.1-114), the Vishnu Purana (IV 4.40-49), the Agni Purana (V-XI), the Brahma Purana (138.1-40).
That is the memory so beautifully adopted by the Geological Survey of India in its logo, which describes India in this line etched at the bottom of its insignia -- Aasetu Himachal, meaning India is spread between the Bridge and the Himalayas. That is the Ram Setu Bridge on the southern tip of our motherland, an identity of the nation, under destruction now.
The credit of digging up material regarding the Ram Setu and providing impeccable factual content goes to Kalyan Raman, a former senior executive of the Asian Development Bank. He astounded even the government with his material on the entire project. His findings have stirred up protests from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha. Ashok Singhal of the VHP is spearheading a movement to protect the Ram Setu. He addressed a big public meeting in Rameshwaram with religious heads and Dr Subramanian Swamy. BJP leader and former Union human resources development minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi has written to the prime minister, urging him to stop the destruction of the great heritage site.
The government, very 'secular and fair' indeed, tries not to remember or give any credence to what Hindus, Muslims and Christians believe, But this is what NASA says about the bridge, 'Exploring space with a camera by NASA's [193] Gemini XI, this photograph from an altitude of 410 miles encompasses all of India, an area of 1,250 000 square miles,' George M Low, then the deputy director, Manned Spacecraft Center, NASA, notes. 'Bombay is on the west coast, directly left of the spacecraft's can-shaped antenna, New Delhi is just below the horizon near the upper left. Adam's Bridge between India and Ceylon, at the right, is clearly visible...' We can see the picture dramatically resembles the description given in Kalidasa's Raghuvamsham. Kalidasa wrote, (sarga 13): 'Rama, while returning from Sri Lanka in Pushpaka Vimaana told Sita: "Behold, Sita, My Setu of mountains dividing this frothy ocean is like the milky way dividing the sky into two parts".'
The Encyclopedia Britannica describes the bridge thus, 'Adam's Bridge also called Rama's Bridge, chain of shoals, between the islands of Mannar, near northwestern Sri Lanka, and Rameswaram, off the southeastern coast of India.'
Apart from such issues of heritage and belief, there are genuine concerns regarding security and the tsunamis' impact increasing in case the Ram Setu is destroyed. If the new channel is created through the present Rama's bridge, international ships would pass through it making a de facto international boundary between India and Sri Lanka, facilitating an increased alien presence, burdening our navy to a great extent.
So far the sea between India and Sri Lanka has been recognised as historic waters, though the United States has been pressurising to have it declared as international waters and said in a naval notification in 2005 that it does not accept the sea between India and Sri Lanka as 'historic'. The US declaration and the role of the Tuticorin Port Trust, the nodal agency to implement the Sethu Samudram Canal Project coupled with the haste with which the project was inaugurated, has given rise to many unanswered questions.
The US Navy operational directive refusing to accept the sea between India and Sri Lanka as 'historic' was made on June 23, 2005. The Prime Minister's Office sent some queries in March 2005 to N K Raghupathy, chief of the Tuticorin Port Trust. He sent answers to the PMO's queries on June 30, 2005 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the project on July 2, 2005. Why were the queries sent to the TPT and not to an agency which had scientific authority to look into the geological and maritime aspects of the project? Why did the prime minister and the UPA chairperson rush to inaugurate the project without, prima facie, having the time to look into the answers given by the TPT chief? Why was the present route okayed which essentially requires the destruction of the Ram Setu, while other options, closer to Dhanushkodi, which did not touch the Ram Setu were ignored?
Local fishermen, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike oppose the present route and are demanding alternative channels, which are available. They say the present channel would destroy marine life and corals. This will kill the trade in shankas (shells) that has a turnover in excess of Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) per annum. Invaluable thorium deposits would be affected, which are too important for our nuclear fuel requirements.
Professor Tad Murthy, the world renowned tsunami expert, who advised the Government of India on the tsunami warning system and edited the Tsunami Journal for over 20 years, has also warned that the present Setu Samudram route may result in tsunami waves hitting Kerala more fiercely. In a reply to a query regarding the Sethusanmudram's impact, he wrote, 'During the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, the southern part of Kerala was generally spared from a major tsunami, mainly because the tsunami waves from Sumatra region travelling south of the Sri Lankan island, partially diffracted northward and affected the central part of the Kerala coast. Since the tsunami is a long gravity wave (similar to tides and storm surges) during the diffraction process, the rather wide turn it has to take spared the south Kerala coast. On the other hand, deepening the Sethu Canal might provide a more direct route for the tsunami and this could impact south Kerala.'
The issue concerns us all, and should be taken up as Indians, without getting entangled in party lines and political games. The Ram Setu or Adam's Bridge belongs to all humanity, being an important heritage site; hence the government should not allow it to become another issue affecting Hindu sensitivities. Nobody is opposing the Sethu Samudram Project, only a realignment of the route is being asked, as the present one destroys the Ram Setu.
Tarun Vijay is Editor, Panchjanya, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Hindi weekly.

Why the Ram Setu must not be destroyed

Please check the following link

http://in.rediff.com/news/2007/apr/25tarun.htm

Vol-3/Issue-11/2007

2007-08-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

GREEN Olympiad

India's first environment olympaid for schools
Greem Olympaid
Is here again!
To participate in this national
environment movement please register NOW

Last date of registration: 15 August 2007
Date of examination: 29 September 2007

Built around the environment education curriculum
GREEN Olympiad gives you an opportunity to test your knowledge on environment issues. Winners will be felicitated with attractive prizes. All participants will receive certificates.
Sample questions to give an insight to the pattern of the examination
The green Olympaid is an objective type examination that covers environmental issues such as water,air,forest biodiversity,climate and sustainable development.
The GREEN Olympiad and TERRAQUIZ:
Series of knowledge books on the environment

An environmental examination for schools students
GREEN Olympiad
An institute, TERI has dedicated itself to the task of creating an informed citizenry, whereby environmental considerations become part of the daily decision-making process. Students enjoy a special status in this effort: it is TERI's hope that they will form an environmentally enlightened leader ship in the year 2047, when India celebrates one hundred years of independence. With this hope and vision TERI launched India's first environmental examination, the GREEN Olympiad, which is designed in an innovative manner so as to test the knowledge of students and also educate and sensitize them in the process. The questions are designed to develop the students’ ability to think critically on crucial environmental issues—acting on TERI’s belief that informed decision-making at every level is necessary to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
The GREEN Olympiad is India’s first national level environment examination for school children held annually in India and abroad. Launched in 1999 on Earth Day (22nd April), this annual initiative focuses attention on environmental concerns and needs of the present and the future. Over the last five years it has proved to be an excellent tool to create awareness amongst children on various environmental issues, reaching out to geographical regions of the country where children get limited opportunities to participate in such an extensive exercise. Children from all parts of India and also from Indian schools abroad participate.
The GREEN Olympiad is an objective-type examination (100 questions) that touches all aspects of environment, natural resources, pollution, and sustainable development. The question paper contains in-depth information on various environmental issues. The answer script comes as a separate sheet. The participants are permitted to take home the question paper thereby spreading the message of environmental problems to a much wider cross section of people.
The GREEN Olympiad culminates in TERRAQUIZ, a multi-episode environment quiz programme for television. The top-performing 32 schools are selected for this national environment quiz. The questions are drawn from topics of daily concern-local and global; attractive audio-visuals impart a unique flavour to this quiz.
The country has been divided into four zones – North, South, East and West. The international schools form the fifth group. The results are compiled zone-wise. The states/regions included in the zones are listed below:North Zone – Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, UttaranchalWest Zone – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, GoaSouth Zone - Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Andamans, LakshadweepEast Zone - Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal
Seven teams are selected for the TERRAQUIZ from each zone and four from the international group to participate in the television quiz.
The main objectives of the GREEN Olympiad are: To develop a standard analytical tool that assesses a student’s comprehension of issues related to the environment, natural resources, and sustainable development. To generate awareness on issues of critical importance today. To inculcate a better understanding on such issues among the leaders of tomorrow. To facilitate an atmosphere where environment-friendly decisions are encouraged by an informed citizenry and become more acceptable to the general public.
http://www.teriin.org/olympiad/index.htm

Vol-3/Issue-10/2007

2007-06-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

Medai alert-03
BBC journalist and writer Sir Mark Tully has said Indian broadcast journalism is tending to get hyped-up in coverage.

Speaking on Wednesday at the convocation of the 2007 batch of journalism graduates of the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Tully suggested that broadcast in India, as different from print, tended to go overboard. "Live coverage of the Varanasi bombings was ghastly. Repeated images of the bombings is not good with the reporter saying the bomb is here..here..here..I tend to think the coverage gets very excited.

" Journalists need to find ways to control themselves.Most journalists think their job is to be negative and critical. But good news is welcome. There is so much good to say about the economy, the NGOs, civil servants and worthy politicians. It is important to know what is wrong, but it is also important to know what is right." He emphasised: "Keep the writing straightforward and simple. Inform the reader about facts. Don't be a grandiose writer — that you can leave to the short stories and novels!"

News going overboard: Mark Tully21 Jun, 2007 l 0143 hrs IST l TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vol-3/Issue-9/2007

2007-04-26T03:35:00.000-07:00

Medai alert-02

Don’t exaggerate climate dangers; warn Scientist, Media and Film producers
Paul Hardaker and Chris Collier of UK’s Royal Meteorological Society said Scientists, Media and Hollywood (Film such as The Day After Tomorrow) are all guilty of making out that catastrophic events (Cyclones, Typhoons, Floods and the like Tsunami) were more likely to happen when this could not be proved by scientist.
Reporting the recent report of United Nations on climatic change by the media especially the use of words not in the report such as Catastrophic, Shocking, Terrifying and Devastating is not called for.

Hindu: Don’t exaggerate climate dangers, warn scientists
By Juliette Jowit Dated19th March 2007 page 11on’t exaggerate climate dangers; warn Scientist

Vol-3/Issue-8/2007

2007-04-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

Vishwa Gou Sammelana

An international conference and festival on Indian breeds of cattle
The Vishwa Gou Sammelana (World Cow Conference) will be held at Shree Ramachandrapura math, Hosanagara, Shimoga district, Karnataka , India under the aegis and guidance of His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji from 21 April 2007 to 29 April 2007.
This summit has an objective to promote propagation and improvement of Indian breeds of cattle, to study, document and create awareness about the importance of products from indigenous cows on firm scientific principles for the betterment of mankind. The summit will bring together National and International institutions working in this area, farmers, livestock keepers and the goushalas. Resource persons will be drawn from among researchers from various countries, social workers, NGOs, farmers, and concerned government departments and others. Exhibitions, live demonstrations and cultural programmes related to the theme will also be held. It will give an insight into the the role of cows in Indian culture, economy, livelihood, religion etc. Over two and a half million people are expected to take part in this mega event of nine days.
A nine day festival to learn, teach, debate, discuss, witness, enjoy, IMMERSE ONE SELF IN THEME INDIAN COW. The conference will focus on economic, environmental, agricultural and spiritual benefits of rearing native breed cattle. National and International dignitaries and leaders will attend the conference. Over 20 lakh people are expected to witness this once in a lifetime event.

The programs:
Kamadhenu Mahayajna for 121 days – Commenced on 25 Dec 2006.
Kamadhenu Rathothsava – a car festival with sacred cow as the presiding deity.
Exhibition of Indian breed cattle
Gou Thulabhara – offering money and other precious items equivalent to the weight of the cow.
Encyclopedia – on Cattle, the first of its kind.
Flute recital amidst cows in the pastroral setting.
Gopala Gowrava Awards – felicitation of people who have contributed immensely to the welfare of the cattle.
Gavya Chikitsa Kendras – cow centred medical camps.
Food Festival to bring out the rich variety of milk based Indian cuisine.
Exhibition on themes related to Indian cattle.
Display of sculptures, drawings, poems etc., on cows.
Community Gou Poojas.
Gou Sankeerthanas – day and night Bhajans invoking the blessings of Goumatha
Fine art fest – Artists of national and international repute to participate.
Discussion on Goumatha by Shree Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji.
Meditation session in the presence of Goumatha.
Presentation of reports by scientists.
Competitions like debate, quiz, dance, singing and other fine arts.
Seminars and Discussions on Gomatha will also be conducted during the event.

Shree Ramachandrapura Math, Shree Samsthana Gokarna has an illustrious history of more than 1300 Years and was established by Shree Adi Shankaracharya. It is the only Math with an unbroken lineage(Avichchinna Parampara) of Peethadeeshas and the present pontiff,Shree Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Mahaswami is the 36th Guru and he is greatly revered by all as the incarnation of Adi Shankara. Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji believes that the Math has to help the people live in a better world not only by preserving and propagating the Sanathana Dharma but also by taking-up social welfare programmes. Relentlessly working on his dream, Shree Swamiji has embarked on massive social welfare programmes such as Value Based Education System, Hospitals & Health Care for Rural Poor, Food distribution for poor, Cancer Research, Protecting & Preserving native Indian breed Cows, Propagation of organic farming etc to name a few. Some of these projects are unique and are being widely appreciated in India and Abroad. The success of these projects are already visible and people from all walks of life are involving themselves in realizing Swamiji’s dream of gifting ourselves a better tomorrow.We invite you to take a journey through this web site and join us in the ‘March Towards Light...’ lead by Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji.

www.ramachandrapuramath.org

www.vishwagou.org

Vol-3/Issue-7/2007

2007-04-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Medai alert-01

Charges of partisan or unfair reporting in media
Charges of partisan or unfair reporting which are made often are not the same as pointing out gaps in published report or omissions. Reporters leave readers guessing about the needed facts. The reader needs information, not bafflement. However it might be contended, if message with an implication is deliberately ambiguous, it is best for correspondents not to speculate. Preferences or prejudices should not intrude into actual reporting when fairness is the paper’s credo.
In the column of Hindu ‘ONLINE AND OFF LINE’ K.Narayanan elucidating three media repots to substantiate.

Hindu 19th March 2007 ‘ONLINE AND OFF LINE’ page eleven

Vol-3/Issue-6/2007

2007-04-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

Money matters more-03
Less than Rs one lakh small car from

Mohindra Renault
France headquartered Renault is among the top 10 car makers in the world that rolls out over two million vehicles every year. Mumbai based Scorpio fame Mohindra & Mohindra with Renault will launch their small car Logan for the Indian market with in two years of forming their joint venture. Renault CEO Ghosn surprised at the lessons he has learnt in India. As against huge capital cost he says “ we are discovering through our partnership with M&M that the level of investment for a specific objective can be done frugally” he further stressed “there is growing demand across the world for cars that just do the job. Many people don’t want fancy feature”. He is interested in bringing low cost small car. “In India to be a volume player you need to sell a car at below $3000, even $2000” Ghosn says.
Between both companies they have together invested Rs.700 crore in facilities and re-engineering to role out Logan.
M&M will earn revenue for leasing out its Nasik factory to the joint venture and commission for selling Logan through its sales net work; In addition it will learn new techniques in designing and manufacturing vehicles.
There is a lot of benefit for Mahindra Renault joint venture partners and it is an example of frugal engineering in India.

The Times of India 6th April 2007 page Times Business

Vol-3/Issue-07/2007

2007-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Purnachandra Tejaswi versatile kannada writer and environmentalist passes away
K.P Purnachandra Tejaswi, son of celebrated poet Kuvempu died of a heart attack 5th Thrusday 07 in his home town Mudiger house "Nirutthara" , Chikamangaluru. He was 69 years old.
He was a fantastic writer in kannada and his sad demise is a great loss to kannada literature and karnatak; this is absolutely true in case of Tejaswi.
A unique writer and a novelist his novels include - Karwalo, Chidambara Rahasya, Kidiyoorina Gayyaligalu, Krishnegowdana Aane and Mayaloka. He was known for his commitment to the village lifestyle.
His first short story Huliyurina sarahaddu (1962) revealed his style of writing.His Vismaya prapancha series is considered as one of the greatest contributions to the field og ecology and environmental science.Three of his famous short stories which are made into movies Abachurina Postoffice,Tabarana Kathe, Kubi Mattu Iyala earn him national awards for the best screen play.The subjects in his novels were village based Western Ghats forests, people and the enviroment that he surrounded himself with.His four decade long contributions have made kannada litirature rich in many ways. His 35 works include poems,travelogue short stories.He received several honours like Kendra Sahitya Akademi awards, Karnataka sahitya Academy awards,Shivarama Karanta Award etc he deserved the national literary award like Jnana Peetha. Eventhough he is son of a great poet he grew independently and his contribution is unique.He was a science, bird, photography and environment enthusiast he fought for the conservation of Western Ghats. He shunned publicity.

The Times of India 6th April 07 page 5
entertainment.oneindia.in/movies/regional/kannada/..

Vol-03/Issue-06/2007

2007-04-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

Money matters more-02

World’s biggest passenger aircraft made its maiden flight
The new Airbus A-380 the world’s biggest passenger aircraft completed its maiden flight to New York on 19th March 2007 from Frankfurt Germany (German airline Lufthansa) and at the same time another A-380 touched Los Angeles International Airport operated by Australian airliner Qantas.
The pilot who flown the A-380 said that despite the jumbo size it is quick and responsive. He compared it to driving a truck or a bus and even compared it to driving Ferrari.
Airbus A-380 aircraft the 550 seat double-decker which has a wing span the length of a football field and 239 feet long can hold 309980 litres of fuel; cruise at 900 kph and fly14720 km.
The aircraft represents aviation of 21st century. Airbus industry hopes it will dominate air travel for the next two decades. The Airbus aircraft industry a European consortium now called EADS Airbus with a turnover of 26 billion Euros per year. Founded in the year 1970; contributed several Airbus aircrafts to civil aviation. So far it has delivered 4598 aircrafts.
Waiting in the wing is Boeing whose Boeing-747 jumbo jet has been world’s principal long haul aircraft since 30 years and now has competitor.
The Airbus which has been beset by management and financial problems including a two years delay of delivering A-380 aircraft that put the industry lass to the extent of $6.61 billion. Now Airbus has166 orders of A-380 aircrafts from 15 airlines. The Airbus restructures its industry by cutting 10000 jobs and spinning off or closing six of its European manufacturing plants and thereby slashes costs to 2 billion Euros annually.
The Dubai based Emirates Airlines has ordered 45 air crafts of Airbus A-380. An order worth of 10 billion Starlings (Rs.85000 crore).
Emirates Airlines also signed six years deal to showcase its airline with A-380 Airbus model for annual rent of 1.5 million Starlings (Rs.12.75 crore) at the gate way to Heathrow airport London. Here it is to be remembered since 16 years British Airways advertised concord model here and it decided not to renew the contract paving way to Emirates Airlines to advertise A-380.

Hindu 20th March 2007 page13
Sunday Times of India 1st April2007 page10
www.airbus.com/

Vol-03/Issue-5/2007

2007-04-05T01:33:00.000-07:00

French TGV Train Breaks Rail Speed Record

French high-speed train broke the world speed record on rail on Tuesday 3rd April 2007, reaching 574.8 kilometers an hour (357 miles an hour) in a much publicized test in eastern France, exceeding expectations that it would hit 150 meters a second, or 540 kilometers an hour. To watch the video click here.

Train, code-named V150, is a research prototype meant to demonstrate the superiority both of the TGV high-speed train and of its probable successor, the AGV, which is also manufactured by the French engineering group Alstom. The performance on Tuesday came close to but did not break the world speed record set by the Maglev from Japan which holds the world record for a train with a speed of 581 kilometers (361 miles) an hour recorded in 2003; it uses electromagnetic technology, where the train does not actually touch the rail. This technology is more costly, typically runs shorter distances and is less compatible with existing rail networks. The previous speed record for a train running on rails was 515.3 km an hour set in France in 1990.
France operates 400 TGV trains on about 1,100 miles of track built especially for high speeds.
The V150 train can develop over 25000 horse power, twice that of conventional TGV. The French railroad company SNCF and Alstom publicized the event as a test of “French excellence,” building on national pride for the 25-year-old bullet train.
The train reached its maximum speed in about 16 minutes at a site about 125 miles from Paris on a specially chosen sector of tracks of the new Eastern Europe TGV line. The train service will begin between Paris and Strasbourg in June2007. The V150 train, with a reduced number of train cars and larger wheels, incorporates technological elements from the AGV.
SNCF and Alstom insist that the demonstration does not fulfill any immediate commercial purposes, but others say the speed could serve as a selling point in Asia and other markets.
“This world speed record is intended for research, to improve security and performance,” said Anne-Marie Idrac, the head of SNCF upon leaving the train. “And today the train that runs the fastest is the Eastern TGV. We don’t see the market today for such high speed.”
Alstom, the world high-speed train leader, with 21 percent of the market, is hoping it might parlay the record into sales, as its competitors — Siemens of Germany and Hitachi of Japan — have cut into Alstom’s lead in the competition for the market. Alstom has 70 percent of the market for trains that reach 270 kilometers (168 miles) an hour or more, Patrick Kron, Alstom’s chief executive, said in an interview.
“There are big developments to come in Europe, but also Latin America where we just announced we are competing for an order in Argentina,” Mr. Kron said. High-speed trains are a potentially lucrative market in developing countries — China and India are the biggest markets, with China spending about 15 billion euros a year on its rail network, while India is looking at developing a high-speed train system.
Crowds gathered on bridges overlooking the rail tracks to watch the train race by, and national television broadcast live images from the train.
“It’s quite an achievement; I hope it’s going to help us sell a lot of TGV’s,” said Arnaud Delahaye, a 32-year-old technician from nearby Reims as he watched the V150 train from behind fences after its arrival at a purpose-built control center.
High-speed trains have not caught on in the United States as they have in Europe, where TGV travel is generally considered faster transportation than air travel for distances that the TGV can cover in less than three hours.
Times of India 4th April 2007 page 21
www.nytimes.com/2007/04/04/business/worldbusiness/...

Vol-3/Issue-4/2007

2007-03-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

Priests to purify Mayan archaeological site after US president Bush Visit

Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate bad spirits after US president Bush visit next week as per JuanTiney the director of a Mayan NGO with close ties to Mayan religious and political leaders.#
Columbus discovered America in the year 1492 AD. Three thousand years before he discovered America there flourished a civilization like Harappa and Mahijodaro (between 7000 and 6000 BC) known as Mayan civilization which dates back 1500 BC and 1500 AD.
The Mayan archaeological sites spread in the region of Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras in Latin American.
Many sites range from restored remains of great cities such as Tikal and Chichen Itza to clusters of scarcely visible ruble mounds. Caves such as Naj Tunich preserve outstanding art work and inscriptions. Tools and pottery shown up in various fields and still continues today is an archaeological challenge.
The talented, literate people who developed the new world’s most complex writing system left much for scholars to digest. Spanish records provide invaluable eyewitness accounts of Mayan civilization.
The descendants of Mayans live today; at least more than four million people speak the Mayan language. Though most are now Roman Catholic, they share the ancient myths and practice rituals based on the ancestral view of the cosmos. Despite centuries of often forced change, the Maya continue to leave an indelible mark on eastern Mesoamerica where the culture was born so long ago.

#Times of India (Times International 10th March 2007)
Land of the MAYA map produced by National Geographic October 1989
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Vol-3/Issue-3/2007

2007-03-17T03:13:00.000-07:00

Money matters more-01
Aero India-2007 air show consumed eight lakh liters
The 6th International air show Aero India-2007; the biannual event concluded on 11th February 2007 at Yelahanka airbase Bangalore. The 35 aircrafts participated consumed nearly eight lakh liters of fuel for manoeuvres during the week long air show; the cost of the fuel is worked out at Rs.2.88 crore.
Indian Oil Corporation the official supplier supplied air fuel i.e. Jet A-1 fuel to 15 customers for different aircrafts totaling to 35. A liters of Jet A-1 fuel costs Rs.36.
Here are some of the fighter jets and aircrafts which consume fuel for each sortie:
Aircrafts Fuel in liters per Sortie Cost per sortie
· F-18 and MiG-35 3500 liters Rs.1.26 lakh
· F-16 Lockheed Martin 3000 liters Rs.1.08 lakh
· Gripen 2200 liters Rs.0.79 lakh
· Tejas (LCA) 1500 liters Rs.0.54 lakh
· Surya Kirans 800 liters Rs.0.29 lakh
· Helicopter 700 liters Rs.0.25 lakh
Suryan Kiran team comprises nine aircrafts; the fuel spent for each display works out to Rs.2.59 lakh.
The cargo aircraft C-17 Globemaster can store two lakh liters of fuel. Fighter jets can hold 7000 to 8000 liters. Tanks are not filled to capacity as aircrafts become heavier, after each sortie jets and smaller aircrafts were refilled at the airbase. The mailage is calculated as number of liters consumed per kilometer. The aircrafts doing sorties and manoeuvres consume ten times more than the fuel spent on ordinary flying.

Times of India dated 12 February 2007 page10

Vol-3/Issue-2/2007

2007-02-04T00:10:00.000-08:00

Institute of Cartoonists at Bangalore
The Indian Institute of Cartoonists has been set up to promote the art of cartooning in the country. The Institute based in Bangalore aims to recognise talent in the field, showcase and preserve their art for future generation, guide young and budding cartoonists and above all papularise the art among the masses.
The Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited Managing Director and Institute’s Chairman Ashok Kheny launched the web site http://www.cartoonistsindia.com/ on January27th 2007. The portal features the history of cartoons in India, works of well known cartoonists such as Mario Miranda, R K Laxman, Shankar, Unny, Keshav and others. There is a section on the works of late cartoonist Rama murthy. Shortly the Institute will open exclusive cartoons gallery on MG Road Bangalore. It will feature an exhibition of cartoons by Mr. Mario Miranda during its launch. The Institute has proposed annual awards and lifetime achievement award for excellence in cartooning in India.
As per the report NICE will provide the infrastructure inside its proposed 300 acre film city near BMIC famous clove leaf intersection at Sompura.

The Hindu Dated January29/ 2007/ Page 4

Vol-3/issue1/2007

2007-02-03T23:16:00.000-08:00

Educational and Career opportunities-1
Tenth pass students can appear for CA (Chartered Accountancy) course
New curriculum for aspirants for CA course

Indian Chartered Accountants are the most sought after overseas. More than 12000 Chartered Accountants who qualified from Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) are well placed in different countries.
The format of CA (Chartered Accountancy) is changed in order to attract the young students who pass tenth standard (Class X). A student can appear for Common Proficiency Test (CPT) after passing class X. The CA course requires four years with practical training for three and a half years. The professional course includes information technology, a course on personality development. The main idea is to produce IT –savvy Chartered Accountants (CA) who can effectively conceive, design, market ideas and services.
Common Proficiency Test (CPT) deals with four subjects but included in a single paper of four hour. It is an objective type with negative marking. The test will be held once in three months.
Education Times 15th January 2007 page six

Vol-2/Issue-4/2006

2006-10-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Government Of India (GOI) offers Fellowships for science students through Kishore Vaigyanik Prothsahan Yojana (KVPY) by the Department of Science and Technology
Encouraging students of basic Science, Engineering and Medicine to take up research careers; Kishore Vaigyanik ProthsahaYojana (KVPY) by the Department of Science and Technology GOI offers fellowships of Rs 2000 to Rs 5000 per month. Summer programme is an important part of the fellowship. Annual renewal of fellowships is subjected to maintain good academic performance and satisfactory outcome of summer programme.

The following are the three streams for which fellowships are offered:

Basic Sciences
Engineering
Medicine

Basic Science:
Stream SA: Science students joining class XI with a minimum of 75 percent aggregate in science and mathes (65per cent for SC/ST) in 10th standard.
If the selected students for Fellowship opt out of science stream at the end of class XII will forgo Fellowship.
Stream SB: Students pursuing first year BSc degree in basic science with a minimum of 60 percent marks in aggregate in science and mathematics in class XII (50 percent for SC/ST)
Stream SP: Students pursuing class XI, XII in basic having secured a minimum 60 percent marks (50 percent for SC/ST) aggregate in class X and XI and completed a science based research project. The report of the project is to be submitted along with the application.
International Olympiads automatically qualify for Fellowship provided completed 10th class and continue studying in science subjects.
Engineering:
Stream EA: Student joining first year BE/B Tech/B Arch having secured minimum of 60 percent marks (50 percent for SC/ST) aggregate in Maths and Science in class XI. A research project is required.
Stream EB: Students joining second year BE/B Tech/B Arch having a minimum of 60 percent marks (50 percent for SC/ST) in first year exam of BE/B Tech /B Arch. A research project is required.
Medicine:
Stream MA: Student joining MBBS having secured minimum of 75 percent marks (65 percent for SC/ST) aggregate in science subjects in class XI. A research project is required.
Application: Download from
http://www.iisc.ernet.in/kvpy

or send processing fee of Rs100 (Rs.25 for SC/ST) to the following address through DD/PO in favour of SID A/c KVPY payable at Bangalore.

Address:
The convenor
Kishore Vaigyanik ProtsahanYojana
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore-577012

Times of India /Education Times 21st August /Page-01

vol-2/Issue-3/2006

2006-09-21T03:01:00.000-07:00

Are you aspiring to participate in International Olympiads
If you are having interest to compete for International Science Olympiads 2007 please see the details as under:
India has been participating International Science Olympiads since a decade, HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education) Mumbai is the nodal centre for Olympiad programs in Physics,Chemistry,Biology ,Mathematics and Astronomy
International Olympiads 2007 in Physics will be held in Iran, Chemistry in Russia, and
Biology in Canada.
Science and Astronomy National Olympiads programs that lead participants to the International Olympiads has been implemented by HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education) in collaboration with IAPT (Indian Association of Physics Teachers) and IACT (Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers) and Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai..
You need to go through the following five stages to participate in the International Olympiads in Physics Chemistry Biology and Astronomy

Stage 1: National Standard Examination
Stage 2: Indian Nation Olympiads
Stage 3: Orientation cum selection camps
Stage 4: Pre departure training camps
Stage 5: International Olympiads

Stage: I
National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP)
National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC)
National Standard Examination in Biology (NSEB)
National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA)

Eligibility: For NSEP, NSEC and NSEB; Science students of Class XII students and
Below, Students who have passed class XII are not eligible.
Students may appear for more than one NSE.
Eligibility: For NSEA Junior category Class VIII, IX and below;
For NSEA Senior category Class X and XI
Last date for Enrolment: 15th September 2006
Date of Examination : 26th November 2006
Physics: 9am to 11.30am
Chemistry: 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Biology: 3pm to 4.30pm
Astronomy: 3pm to 5pm

If your school /college is a registered NSE center then you may enrol your name by paying the required fee if not than look for a near by NSE centre for enrolment.
Total 250 toppers in each subject will be selected for the second stage.

NSE (National Standard Examination) pattern

NSE Physics:
Part A:
Multiple choice Questions: Out of total 50questions 40 Questions have only one correct answer among the four options given. Remaining10 Questions have more than one correct answer; student must pick all correct answers.
Part B:
Short answer type Questions: 5 short answer type questions /problems

# Past question papers for NSE can be obtained by sending DD of Rs150 in favour of IAPT payable at Pune to Professor M L Ogalapurkar co-ordinater (address mentioned below) mentioning complete address.

NSC Chemistry: Consists of 100 multiple choice questions. Each question has only one correct option.

NSE Biology: Consists of 100 multiple choice questions. Each question has only one correct option.

Note: There is no detailed syllabus for Physics, Chemistry and Biology; students are advised to prepare for CBSC XI and XII class syllabus. Emphasis should be given to a complete understanding of the subject as well as practical application rather than rote learning.

NSE Astronomy: Junior and Senior examinations as mentioned above
Multiple choice questions: Out of total 35 questions 25 Questions carry two marks each, have only one correct answer among the four options given. Remaining 10 Questions carry 5 marks each; these questions have more than one correct answer. Student must pick all correct answers.
There is no detailed syllabus for the NSE Astronomy. The secondary School level (X Class) syllabus can be the base of reference for junior, while the syllabus is equivalent to class XII (CBSE) for Seniors. Students require a good understanding of basic physics and Mathematics along with general knowledge about Astronomy.

Stage: II
The national top 250 toppers in each NSE are eligible for the Indian National Olympiad

Tentative dates :Indian National Olympiads Examination are as follows
Physics (INPhO): January 28th 2007 9am to 1.30pm
Chemistry (INChO): January 27th 2007 1pm to 5pm
Biology (INBhO): January 28th 2007 2pm to 4pm
Astronomy (INAhO): January 27th 2007 2pm to 4pm

The final Indian team for International Olympiads for Physics, Chemistry and Biology will be trained at HBCSE and for Astronomy at Nehru Science Centre Mumbai.

For enrolment for NSEP, NSEC, NSEB and NSEA please contact
Prof.M L Ogalapurkar
IAPT, IIE Campus
128/2 J P Naik Marg
Kothrud Pune-411 038
mail: iapt@vsnl.net
For any other problems for students/teachers can contact
Prof.R M Dharkar
Chief Co-ordinate
IAPT exam
1/22Devendu, Mithbunder Road
Thane (E) Mumbai 400 603
rdharkar@vsnl.com
For general information visit website:
http://www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/olympiads

Vol-2/Issue-2/2006

2006-03-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

West Bengal is still in darkness

Union Power Minister Sushi Kumar Shinde said that the project Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyut Yojana (RGGVY) launched by the Power Ministry, will electrify every village by 2009-10, it will work out to a total of Rs.3500 crore; “while only one agency has been entrusted with this job in all states; but in West Bengal the scheme is entrusted to four agencies NTPC, National Hydro Electric power corporation, Damoder valley Corporation and PGCIL; he asked the agencies to help out the West Bengal Government, since nearly 80 per cent of rural West Bengal is yet to be electrified” he said. Mr. Shinde was in West Bengal with NTPC Chairman C P Jain to lay the foundation of 500 MW unit of NTPC’s super thermal power project at Farakka, about 200 kms from Kolkata.

Even after 58 years of independence a State like West Bengal is still not electrified to an extent of 80 per cent is really amazing. The Communist Party of India which has projecting itself as progressive party; which is in office for more than twenty seven years and winning elections for six consecutive terms in West Bengal since 1977 and is keeping its rural areas and its people under darkness that too in 21^st century is unimaginable! What made this party and its governance to keep the state in darkness?

The Hindu 27^th February 2006

www.cpim.org

Vol-2/Issue-1/2006

2006-03-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

Power of Spirituality leads to world peace

APJ Abdul Kalam President of India

Unconditional service to humanity

Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji

The silver jubilee celebration of Art of Living (AOL) Foundation’s mega event took place at Jakkur Flying Club Bangalore on 17^th to 19^th of February 2006 with an estimated crowed of 2.5 million, the unprecedented spiritual biggest gathering of people from all over the globe made the event a remarkably one.

In true tribute to the idea of one world “Vasudiva Kutumbakum” serves as the theme for AOL 25^th anniversary.

AOL is spread in 144 countries through its various social and development programmes and has touched the lives of over 20 million people from different walks of life.

A mammoth stage measuring 500 X 250 feet inspired by ancient Indian architecture has been erected at the venue. Over 25,000 villages had been adopted by the foundation so far and there was a plan to adopt one lakh villages within five years for their overall development. The mission is to ensure chemical-free farming and achieving complete literacy initially in Karnataka and later the rest of the world.

In the confluence of celebration and spirituality different Swamis of different mutts, pontiffs of varies faiths, political leaders and foreign dignitaries from more than 145 countries participated.

The three days has seen discourses, thoughts on spirituality from leaders of many religions, well tuned karnataka music, bhajans brief speeches, meditation and the ‘sudarshana kriya’.

Chaturvedi Governor of Karnataka lauded the efforts of Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji and said he had indeed fulfilled the prophecy of ‘Vasudiva kutumbakum’ his message of fellowship, harmony and peace are highly commendable, especially in times like these where the world is being torn apart by divisive forces.

Kumaraswamy Chief Minister of Karnataka has said that this peace conference should be a platform for peace initiatives in the world.

At a time when world is becoming extremely materialistic message of peace and harmony are extremely important added Sri Yediyurappa Deputy CM Karnataka.

The concluding day celebration was aptly started with watering of the Lakshmitharu plant (Simarouba plant, symbolizing prosperity) by president APJ Abdul Kalam and other dignitaries.Moments after enjoying Thyagaraja Keertana Yendaro Mahaanubhavulu president addressed the audience by quoting Saint Patanjali’s Yoga sutra “when you are inspired by some great purpose; some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds. Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you will discover yourself to be a greater person by for than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” He further presented a three pronged approach to imbibe the very spirituality the celebration meant for;

Having an education with values,

Religion with powerful spirituality

Economic development which eliminates

poverty from the world.

The crowed swaying to the chants of Shiva Shiva Shankara and other hymns. The chants were Vedic and fusion music. The bhajan ‘Swara raga sudha hari sundara nanda mukunda’ and the song from Shankarabharana fame Shankaraa nada nenadahara by Sri S P Balasubramanyam were received with great applauses. Loud cheers and chants of Jai Gurudev echoed at the venue.

Nirj Joseph Deva member of European parliament recalled how a meeting with the Guru had led him to a life altering course “this is an occasion to thank him for opening our hearts and empowering us to seek the divine within us”.

His Majesty king of Ghana observed that the world, despite its tangible disparities, has been brought together by Guru.

Member of Pakistan group who came to the center stage and said “we have brought love and friendship from our country, Pakistan belongs to you!” a remarkable out burst from our neighbors, they even danced to the tunes of bhajan by waving Pakistan flag.

A grand South Indian symphony with more than 3800 musicians 650mridangams,100ghatams,770veenas,782violins,138nadaswarams,92saxophones,10mandolins,60 tanpuras,750 flutes, 150 guitars, 20 key-boards.) was a record performance. Citizens of Ghana, Mongolia, Switzerland, Malaysia among others who enjoyed the music

Times of India/ Deccan herald/ Samskar TV (Live) channel/Dated17th 18^th 19^th and 20^th February 2006.The Week 26th Feb 2006

What is art of living?

We should see life with a broader perspective:

Have a cosmic vision about life. Seeing

our life in context with space and time

which broadens our vision.

Commitment to truth, values and service.

Being compassionate

Art of living encompasses these three

What is Sudarshan Kriya?

It is breathing technique, which has reached over a million people in over 100 countries around the globe.

The Views of Sri Sri Ravishanker: It is a celebration to reassure everyone about the power of good and the power of truth and the power of love is higher than anything in the world.

I see the erosion of human values. At the same time, the need for it is also being felt by the people. So you have to bring back the faith in goodness in the people.

I feel that spirituality is in our bones, in our nadi, in our genes. It can never completely disappear. It just takes some opportunity to bring it up. We need to nurture a little more of those spiritual values and surely things will improve.

A reformer cannot be a ruler. And a ruler cannot be such an effective reformer. So our role as NGOs and social activists is to bring reform in society, bring down the greed level in society.

More than one fourth of the European population suffers from depression. We can’t allow Indian to tread those lines of development. We need development but not at the cost of mental health, not at the cost of social harmony, not at the cost of equality and justice. I think spiritual knowledge can bring mental strength to people. Spiritual uplift will help in building a strong nation.

I won’t say anything that is not natural to me and it is not in my personal life. And we don’t do anything that is not in my nature.

Be with your nature, be natural, do what you can to encourage good qualities in people around you.

Fear of loosing one’s faith has kept people in their little compartments. The six eastern religions have co-existed all along. If the rest of the world also adopt this model, I feel world peace is not far.

Sri Sri Ravishankar born in 1956 in the middle class family, today he is one of India’s best known spiritual leaders and spiritual ambassadors to the world. He is the only non-westerner to serve on the advisory board of the Yale University’s School of Divinity. He found the Art of Living Center an NGO having special consultation status with the UNO; he addressed the UN on the occasion of its 50^th anniversary. He was honored with Peter the Great medal for his contribution to Russia federation and he was also nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The ashram also called the Veda Vignan Maha Vidyapeeth was established in 1982 on 60 acre hill, outside Bangalore on KanakapuraRoad; the lotus shaped meditation hall at the Ashram, an architectural marvel named as Vishalakshi Mantapa situated atop the Panchgiri hills and the white edifice rimmed by 1000 petals is a wonder full blend of Vedic architecture and modern technology. At night the Vishalakshi Mantapa presents a colourfull and enchanting spectacle; the view of the white building decorated with lights and crowned with glass dome that tops the building is adorned with 15 feet high brass kalasha is simply breathtaking.

In this modern age, he has redefined the age old concept of Ashram – providing a center for knowledge and excellence.

Emailnews Issue 12/2005

2006-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

Reservation only @ entry level in jobs

M Veerappa Moily

Veerappa Moily the former Chief Minister of Karnataka and the present Chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission said “No one should take entry into civil services as a permanent guarantee of continuing in the job. Inefficient officers will have to be removed”; further he clarified and said “We have been toying with several ideas. One of them is keeping the reservation formula only up to the entry level in the civil services. After that, the merit of the candidate will decide his or her fate. We want the best of brains in the administration.

The Administrative Reforms Commission may favour limiting reservation up to the entry level in jobs and also the Government proposed revamp of the Civil Services Act.

This is really a revolutionary idea at Government level and it will be a great beginning of reforms in the country.

Times of India 22/12/2005 front page.

Emailnews Issue 11/2005

2005-11-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

Shocking News!

One has to be cautious before withdrawing money in ATMs.

Kamala Sastry, Bombay: kamala_sastry69@yahoo.com

Bank ATM's Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers.
A team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate bank ATM's to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this, do not use the ATM; report it immediately to the bank authorities.

The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A "skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.
At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.
The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM. You can see the photographs with different positions.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

The equipment as it appears installed over the normal ATM bank slot.

The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.

The camera shown installed and ready to capture PIN's by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN

By mail
Sastry Chandrasekariah &

Smt.Kamala Sastry
Residence: C - 6, I. I. T. Campus.
Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai-400 076.
Phone: (+91-22) 2572 0374 Direct.
Alternative e-mail: scsiah@gmail.com

A decade history of ATM fraud in the world!

Since the advent of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) a few decades ago, banks and their customers have had to deal with a new form of theft; card-skimming. Card-skimming is the collection of ATM card numbers and PINs for the purpose of stealing money from bank accounts, a scheme accomplished through methods as low-tech as simply watching customers as they use ATMs (a technique known as "shoulder surfing"), or methods as high-tech as installing false card readers (or whole false fronts) on top of existing ATMs. With the purloined information, scammers can manufacture counterfeit ATM cards and use them to withdraw money from accounts. In some cases the thieves may steal the original ATM cards, then use some form of card-skimming to collect the appropriate PINs.

The scheme described in the e-mail warning quoted above is one of the decidedly high-tech variety: a phony card slot installed over the real one scans information from an entered card's magnetic stripe, and a small camera hidden within adjacent pamphlet holder records information from the ATM's display screen and keyboard. The pilfered information is sent via a wireless transmitter to waiting thieves, who can capture it on a laptop from upto 200meters away. The very scheme pictured here was indeed used in South America to steal information (and money) from customers of Bradesco, a Brazilian bank:

An e-mail, which has been widely circulated in the past week, shows how a fake card slot containing a scanner can be attached to an ATM machine to record data from a credit or debit card's magnetic stripe. A camera attached to the side of the ATM and disguised as an information box is positioned to record information on the screen and the keypad. A wireless transmitter inside the box then sends the video to the scammers, who can capture the information on a computer in a nearby car or building. The thieves can be up to 200 metres away. A spokesperson for NCR, the ATM giant which produced the cash machine shown in the e-mail, said the scam had been reported several times in South America. The machine shown in the document belonged to Brazilian bank Bradesco.
Police in Canada, the United States and Malaysia have reported cases of fraud using similar hi-tech methods. Similar card-skimming equipment was also found on ATMs in Hong Kong in January 2004:

Two hi-tech pinhole cameras concealed in two automatic teller machines outside a branch of the Hang Seng Bank branch in Tsuen Wan were discovered when a repairman was fixing a blown fluorescent light. Each camera, equipped with a transmitter and batteries, was hidden behind a fake panel affixed to the top of the ATM casing, a source said. The machines were at the bank's Tai Ho Road branch. The home-made panels were described by the source as highly sophisticated and not easily seen. They were very thin and only about 7cm high, matching the width of the ATMs and painted the same colour. The cameras were positioned to view the keypads and monitors of the machines to spy on cardholders as they entered their personal identification numbers. The devices are understood to have been able to transmit images to a remote receiver in the area and had been there for two or three.

In the United States, where independent ATMs (i.e., machines not maintained by banks) are more common, some crooks have resorted to even more thorough methods for stealing money. In December 2003, U.S. Secret Service agents arrested Iljmija Frljuckic, who had bought and installed more than 55 ATMs in California, Florida, and New York. Frljuckic used the machines to collect information on more than 21,000 accounts from 1,400 different banks, which he used to appropriate over $3.5 million from customer accounts

For now the best defense is for ATM customers to remain cautious and vigilant when using their cards, but distinguishing a rigged machine (especially one of the independent variety) from the real thing can be extremely difficult even for the most careful of users. NCR hopes that the introduction of "smart cards" (i.e., cards with embedded chips) will eliminate the problem of counterfeit fraud.

Good advice would be to get into the habit of using the same ATM for almost all of your transactions so as to better recognize when something is different with the machine. Be wary of any changes you see on its outside. If it's affixed to a bank, walk in and ask why the changes were made.

The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/atmcamera.asp
Urban Legends Reference Pages © 1995-2005
by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson

www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/atmcamera.asp

NITs will be on their way to grater heights

National Institutes of Technology (NIT) can now aspire to match IITs in excellence. The Government of India (Ministry of HRD) is going to introduce NIT bill in the coming winter session of Parliament. The idea behind bringing NITs into an Act is to model the Institutions on the systems of IITs. In the period of Sri Murulimanoher Joshi the then HRD Minister 18 REC (Regional Engineering Colleges) were remodeled into NITs with 100% funding. Further the Institutions need a set of legislation to bring them together qualitatively and administratively. The priority is to enhance the Institutions of national importance with total automation. Government plans to increase two more NITs at Agartala and Raipur.

Like IITs, the new bill envisages a similar governance structure for NITs.There would be a council of NITs to take policy decisions. Every NIT would have its board of governers drawn from eminent people from various walks of life. There would be a director; an academic senate and separate committee for finance, building and examination. Centre’s budget allocation would also increase from the current average allocation of Rs.12 crore per NIT every year.

Times of India 11^th November 2005/Page-8

IIMs should broaden their syllabus-Lakshmi Niwas Mittal

Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, he Economic Times Global Indian Award winner for 2005 whose steel empire has been felt from Romania to Mexico and to Jarkhand in India; while conversing with the directors of the IIMs of Amhedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta stressed “you are creating leaders of tomorrow. Look at your syllabus and curriculum which teaches about yesterday. See what is needed for the day. See what is needed for the day after tomorrow. Upgrade skills to bring in this element. The need is to create leaders for day after tomorrow.” Further he clarified with “We recruit from India, and have realized that they do not have a global perspective on various issues such as IT laws, since they have not read in their college books”.

He advised the aspirants who want a global footprint should dream big but should temper their dreams with a core of pragmatism, he cautioned. Setting his example; Mittal elaborated that it was equally important to have the courage to follow one’s gut and take the road less traveled. Although his peers believed that steel was a regional business; Mittal was determined to make the world his mill and charted out a steady path of acquiring business in countries across the world. He gave a fine piece of advice by telling “If you are convinced that your business strategy is sound, follow it; even if it goes against that which is traditionally acceptable.”

Being an Indian gives us certain natural advantages; “being cost effective is one of our inherent attributes. This has however to be sustained over a long run. Thus focusing on cost reduction is part of the culture in our organization.” said the steel king who produces the cheapest steel in the world.

Further he told a good CEO should able to go out to take a risk. Urging the CEOs to stay true to their convictions and set out clear operating, financial and marketing strategies; “if this can be done then Indian Inc can conquer the world just like we have done in the steel industry.” he concluded.

Mittal as CEO of Mittal steel, heads a multicultural empire of over two lakh employees from 45 countries. Mittal acquired the most expensive address in London for 70 million pounds.

The Times of India 11^th November 2005/Paghe-8

Narayana Murthy of Infosys at Times of India as Guest Editor on 26^th November 2005

At the time of planning the Times of India Edition on 26^th November 2005 Narayana Murthy came up with a special request “Only positive stories in the front page, please. I want people to start the day on an up beat note, not weight down by negativism. For too long we have defeatist outlook, maybe because of all the years of slavery. I want TOI readers, especially the youngsters, to wake up and read about a nation on the move.” TOI reporters asked what about the negative but necessary reports; he replied “take them inside or at least not on the top of the front page”

The former premier of Singapore has recently mentioned that people like Murthy should join politics. For which Murthy replied “It is one thing to run a company with highly educated people who have united vision. It is quite another to run a highly disparate nation with multiple agendas and causes. One should not underestimate politics, or overestimate oneself.” Further he stressed “By and large, I feel that our structures, system and processes are not geared to allow good people to succeed in politics.”

Regarding the delay in implementing the projects he expressed “Unfortunately, no one really plans for the future in India. And when we do plan; we are global backbenchers at implementation.”

N R Narayana Murthy took Engineering degree at University of Mysore in the year 1967; M Tech at IIT, Kanpur in 1969, founded Infosys in 1981 along with six software professional. In 1999 Infosys was listed on NASDAQ (Infy); the first Indian registered company to be listed on American Stock Exchange.

Times of India 26^th November 2005/ Front & page-8

Singhania reached stratosphere; achieved hot air balloon world record

The Industrialist Vijaypath Singhania with his hot air balloon reached the height of 69852(13.22 miles) feet above see level on Saturday the 26^th November 2005 breaking the 64997 feet world record set by Per Lindstand in June 1988 in Texas USA. The 67 year old Chairman of Raymonds took of from Mahalakshmi Race Course Mumbai at 6.40 am in his multicolored 20-storey height hot balloon. There was a huge applause when the balloon took off amidst the assembled people including media; before the lift off Singhania said that he was nervous but excited and confident. As the sun rose over Mumbai, so did the balloon, higher, above the skyscrapers and over the see until it was a tiny dot, he reached the altitude over Ullasnagar 60 km north of Mumbai at 8.53 am.

Singhania’s original target was 70000 feet, the border between the sky and space but at 69000 feet the balloon dropped suddenly by 1000 feet due to cold-air pocket. As he steadily recouped altitude; mission control radioed that he had already broken the record and advised him to begin his descent for safety reasons.

The industrialist landed at Sinnar between Nashik and Shirdi about 200 km from Mumbai at 11.30 am. The adventure took 4 hour 50 minutes and ended after paying his tribute to Shirdi shrine.

Singhania has been an aviator for four decades with a total flying experience of over 5000 hours, including several hundred hours on Boeing 737s with East West, Damania, Alliance and Sahara Airways.

Deccan Herald/27^th November 2005/Times of India 27^th November 2005/Page-7

Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloons are the oldest successful human flight technology dating back to 1783. That was more than a century the Wright brothers flew the first airplane at Kitty Hawk.

Hot air balloon was first constructed on October 1960 with polyurethane coated nylon and the burner was propane powered. Modern balloons are usually made of synthetic fabrics such as rip stop nylon a light weight fabric of high strength, the heater or burner is fuelled by propane, a liquefied gas stored in pressure vessels. Singania’s hot air balloon took initially two hours to inflate before the take off (20 storied height balloon) which was powered by kerosene on its ascent and propane on its downward journey.

The first man to fly around the world was achieved by Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Briton in 1999; they started their journey from Swiss Alps and circumnavigate the globe with a non-stop, non refueled flight. It took them 20 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes to travel 42810 km. Steve Fossett in his sixth attempt succeeded to go around the globe by breaking the record of Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Briton On June 19, 2002. He started the journey from Australia and took 14 days, 19 hour and 51 minutes to circumnavigate the world.

Times of India/Learning with the Times/28^th November2005/Page-9

Earth's Atmosphere

The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the atmosphere. It reaches over 560 kilometers (348 miles) from the surface of the Earth; the atmosphere protects us from high-energy radiation and the frigid vacuum of space. The envelope of gas surrounding the Earth changes from the ground up. Four distinct layers have been identified using thermal characteristics (temperature changes), chemical composition, movement, and density.

Troposphere

The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9 miles). This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. As you climb higher in this layer, the temperature drops from about 17 to -52 degrees Celsius. Almost all weather is in this region. The tropopause separates the troposphere from the next layer. The tropopause and the troposphere are known as the lower atmosphere

Stratosphere

The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometers (31 miles) high. Compared to the troposphere, this part of the atmosphere is dry and less dense. The temperature in this region increases gradually to -3 degrees Celsius, due to the absorbtion of ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation, is in this layer. Ninety-nine percent of "air" is located in the troposphere and stratosphere. The stratopause separates the stratosphere from the next layer.

Mesosphere

The mesosphere starts just above the stratosphere and extends to 85 kilometers (53 miles) high. In this region, the temperatures again fall as low as -93 degrees Celsius as you increase in altitude. The chemicals are in an excited state, as they absorb energy from the Sun. The mesopause separates the mesophere from the thermosphere.The regions of the stratosphere and the mesosphere, along with the stratopause and mesopause, are called the middle atmosphere by scientists. This area has been closely studied on the ATLAS Spacelab mission series.

Thermosphere

The thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometers (372 miles) high. The temperatures go up as you increase in altitude due to the Sun's energy. Temperatures in this region can go as high as 1,727 degrees Celsius. Chemical reactions occur much faster here than on the surface of the Earth. This layer is known as the upper atmosphere.

Composition of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is primarily composed of Nitrogen (N₂, 78%), Oxygen (O₂, 21%), and Argon (Ar, 1%). A myriad of other very influential components are also present which include the water (H₂O, 0 - 7%), "greenhouse" gases or Ozone (O, 0 - 0.01%), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂, 0.01-0.1%),

Beyond the Atmosphere

The exosphere starts at the top to the thermosphere and continues until it merges with interplanetary gases, or space. In this region of the atmosphere, Hydrogen and Helium are the prime components and are only present at extremely low densities.

Updated December 1, 1995 Contacts

The Atmosphere: liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/space/atmosphere.html

Stratosphere: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratosphere

Emailnews Issue 10/2005

2005-10-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

Let the spirit of Diwali prevail

Wish you a
Happy & Prosperous
Deepavali

Bangalore Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) lack foresight

Xerxes Desai, worked for the original concept for New Bombay has written letter to Chief Minister of Karnataka about Bangalore Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) stating that the plan is a prescription for unmitigated disaster.
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) of Bangalore has been prepared as per
Karnataka Town and Country Planning (KTPC) Act 1961 which has been enforced since
1965. The KTPC Act requires that CDP be revised every 10 years. The Bangalore
Development Authority (BDA) is entrusted with the task of preparing CDP-2015 as per
the Act. As per BDA the CDP is only a revised CDP of 1995 however the Draft
Master Plan-2015 is powered by the state-of the-art technology consisting of an innovative robust spatial data infrastructure at the metropolitan level; it comprises Geographical Information System (GIS) and Management Information System (MIS) and is the third in arrow i.e. 1st CDP-1985 2ndCDP-1995 3rdCDP-2015.The draft Master Plan-2015 contains sets of maps and documents in five volumes based on the ward boundaries, the city is divided into 47 Planning Districts (PDs) to implement the Master Plan.
Xerxes Desai in the letter expressed that Bangalore Urban Plan(Comprehensive Development Plan) is based on the assumption that it must grow as fast as it possible considering this Bangalore will grow into a hideous megapolis, further he expressed that not only Planning group ignored the principles of town planning adopted by it but also not heeded to recommendations by experts .

Experts typically recommend against the deliberate creation of monolithic megapolises, where as Bangalore planners wish to pursue such an objective with megalomania
Experts recommend satellite towns and polynucleated cities with multiple work nodes easily accessed by surround residential communities, where as Bangalore planners wish to create a large and dense central business district
Experts wishes to minimize soul destroying urban crowding, where as Bangalore planners wish to double the existing built form and population densities resulting in degradation of microclimate.
Experts wishes to minimize private vehicle traffic, where as Bangalore planners choose to provide for what they believe is an inevitable explosion of vehicles. Pollution is already unacceptably high and plan proposals will make bad situation much worse.
Experts seek to make commercial enterprises provide for parking to visitors and employees but Bangalore planners made unrealistic provisions in an unscientific manner.
Experts seek to avoid lining arterial roads with shops and offices on either side since that impedes traffic flow; where as Bangalore planners wish to make every arterial radial road a commercial corridor, referred to as “transformation zones” “mutation corridors” and “commercial axes”. The result will be nightmarish traffic jams, great fuel consumption and more pollution.
Experts seek to increase the green areas, whereas the planners of Bangalore are savagely reducing the areas under parks, playgrounds and open spaces in each and every planning district of Bangalore.
Experts seek to create distinct work and living environments juxtaposed to minimize motorized transport, whereas Bangalore planners wishes to create mixed uses where work place can metastasise like cancers just about anywhere in residential neighborhoods and which have already so mushroomed even before changes could be made to land use laws.
Experts see the need to provide for the urban poor who constitute a majority of residents of cities and who provide a host of essential services to the middle and upper classes, whereas Bangalore planners has provided for an unaffordable site space forsing them to grab land and create slums in the absence of any real alternative. Cities fail when they fail to deliver land to the poorest sections of society on terms that they can afford.
Expert wish to learn lessons from their past mistakes, whereas Bangalore planners wishes to accept what they call “ground realities” and have invented expression like “flexibility” and “structured continuity” for a process where de facto becomes de jure, where the law sanctions what the lawless have chosen to do, where a fait accompli is the citizen’s fate.
Expert also seek to learn from common citizens and public and private institutions who are users or providers of civic services, establish popular acceptance and financial feasibility, build in performance metrics for the implementation process and devise measures for effective enforcement. There is no trace in this document.

Resulting in unscientific development of Bangalore city due to lack of foresight to planners of Bangalore. He concludes that with right people and right attitudes India has all the ingredients needed for outstanding city planning. What is wanting is political will.
Times of India Dated 19/10/05 Page7
Draft Master Plan-2015 broacher
www.bdabangalore.org

The Operation Tree Planting (OTP) a record in planting “Casurina” saplings at Pushpavanam, Nagapattinam District (Tamil Nadu).

The operation Tree planting was flagged of by District Collector Dr.Radhakrishna in the presence of Sudeep Jain District Collector Dharmapuri, who is also the convener of the Tsunami Rehabilitation Trust (Bitsunam) and the volunteers of Wipro Care (Funded the OTP) on Saturday 1^st October 2005 which began at 3.41pm.The event concluded at the same time the next day i.e. Sunday 2^nd October 2005; with a record number i.e.2,54,462 of casurine saplings planted; outdoing Guinness Record made by their neighboring village Naluvedapatta in December 2002. The casurine trees served as the sea wall during tsunami disaster and saved thousands of lives. There were 6065 deaths recorded in Nagapattinum District. Of these, Naluvedapatty recorded seven. Most of the people were saved by the row of trees the villagers planted earlier.

More than 300 villages in Pushpavanam ploughed the sands along the cost of Bay of Bengal to plant the casurine saplings. As the OTP began emotions ran high and thousands of people living in and around the village assembled along 1.08 km stretch where the event was held. Cheering squad, music band and snacks did the rounds as the planters were busy digging and sowing the casurina saplings. During the OTP; spells of rain showered; those in the field decided to brave it. “It is the race run. This event will inspire them to plant many more trees” said Sandeep Jain.

“Casurina tree will grow fast. It serves as an excellent wind barrier and also generates revenue in terms of timber” said forest officer Akash Deep Baruah. Each of the trees would be dedicated to those who were killed by the Tsunami disaster said Dr.Radhakrishna “We are going to plant more in costal belt. At least another 2.5 million saplings along the 187 km stretch of costal line in the district” he declared.
Times of India/2nd October/2005/Page8
Times of India/3rd October/2005/Page8

Southern Railway will run trains on Bio-fuel in about three years

Feather in the cap for non-conventional energy.
Six years from now, India might not have to face energy crisis. The Ministry of non-conventional energy plans to bring in an alternative system for fuel: bio-diesel. The Botanical survey of India has identified at least 400 species of plants, excluding ‘Pongam’ and ‘Jetropha’ to produce bio-fuel, said non-conventional energy resource secretary A M Gokhale.

Research projects will be given to various universities and institutes, including IISc Bangalore and IIT Chennai to identify the potential of each plant he pointed out.

Southern Railway has already started planting Jetrophas. Several hectares of land in Tamil Nadu are being used to cultivate these plants. Trains from the Southern Railway will increasingly depend on bio-fuel in about three years he added.

The Ministry has struck a deal with the petroleum Ministry. “Presently, all oil companies will accept bio fuel from the producers and to market it. It will be popular for its availability and accessibility, besides the low cost”, he said.

The Ministry has been extensively pushing for research to help electrify remote villages as part of Village Energy Security Project of the five year plan.
Times of India 11th October 2005/Page8

You can join unique course “Astrobiology” at MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research Bangalore.

A three week course in Astrobiology will be conducted at the MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, Bangalore-560001.

The course is open to all. Preference will be given to the students of Biology at BSc (2^nd and 3^rd year) level. Seats are limited to 30. Admission will be done on first come first served basis.

The course will start from November 8^th to 25^th November 2005 and classes will be conducted on every Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 6.30 pm. There will be a total of 12 sessions of 90minutes each.

Contents /Topics addressed:

Life on other planets of our solar system
General conditions for the existence of life
Probability of life on Mars
Origin of life
Evolution of intelligence
Information of Biomolecules
Biogenetic carriers
Extinction of Dinosaurs
Panspermia
Building blocks of life in deep space
SETI update
Impact of global warming
Kyoto protocol
Super Eruption
Astrobiology in education

For further details contact: MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Campus, Race Course Road, Bangalore-560001. Telephone:22385956/56959780.

The Institute is conducting 100-hour certificate course in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the students of Engineering/ the students of BSc (I year and II year with Physics as one of the subject). They also conduct summer school in Astronomy and Astrophysics for PUC I and II year students to have an exposure to the field.

Deccan Herald/DH Education/12th October 2005/Facing Page

Times of India/Education Times/26th September 2005/Page-2

Emailnews Issue 09/2005

2005-09-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Judiciary can clip wings of Legislature and Government

Judiciary can ‘clip the wings’ of other organs of governance if they cross the limits; “all three organs executive, legislature and judiciary should work in accordance with constitutional provisions and if any one acts beyond its jurisdiction, judiciary can clip its wings” said Chief Justice of India Justice R C Lahoti at a seminar on ‘speedy and affordable justice and cooperation between judiciary and executive’ at Bhopal; he further stressed that it is the duty of the judiciary to ensure that laws framed by legislature were in conformity with the provision of the constitution and the executive should also avoid excesses while implementing the laws.

Strongly favouring coordination between judiciary and the executive Justice reiterated the three organs should carry out their responsibilities in a dignified manner and strengthen each other for the welfare of all sections of the society.

This is in continuation of 12 August 05 Supreme Court judgement where the court abolished Government quota and gave a free hand to unaided private professional colleges (Medical and Engineering) to decide the admission procedure and fee structure. The long CET imbroglio put the parents in confusion to pursue professional courses for their wards. It is the government that put hurdles to the meritorious students who pursue professional courses; instead of bringing encouraging policies by the Government; it is the Government and the private College managements that made the quota and fee structure a biggest issue resulting in the said Supreme Court judgement banning state quota in private unaided colleges.

All Members of Parliament including the Speaker of the Lokasabha Sri Somnath Chatterjee criticized the Supreme Court judgement and some MPs’demanded a constitutional amendment “for the sake of social justice”. In response to the criticism; in an unprecedented outburst Supreme Court Chief Justice RC Lahoti asked the Government to “wind up” the court if it apposed a judgement without understanding it “If this is the attitude of a Government to go after a judgement without understanding it, then wind up the court and do what ever you want” further he said “We are not for confrontation with the Government .We have been repeatedly telling the Government in our 11 judge, 5 judge and the latest 7 judge bench judgements on enacting proper legislation to govern education”. In spite of such clear cut judgements by Supreme Court the Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said “we are not give up our right to make laws”; is it not ridicules?When such is the case why the politicians made criticism against Supreme Court?

In order to cover the fiasco of the Government; politicians showed their displeasure in the name of social justice and make political mileage out of it.
In order to prevail over the vote bank, politicians shed their integrit
These politicians think they can fool people; they want power and wanted to rule people, they have taken power from the same people but they should know that they cannot fool people for ever.

Deccan Herald Dated: 24th August05/ Front page & Page-15/; Deccan Herald Dated: 25th August05/ Front page/ Times of India Dated: 4^th Septemb05/Fron page /

Direct and alternate route to pursue Engineering

Those who are keen on pursuing Engineering can find alternate route through AMIE (Associate Member of The Institute of Engineers).Students can study Engineering after 10+2 examination.Students who are not able to study BE / BTech by going throw CET/AIEEE/IIT/Deemed University can take up Engineering i.e.AMIE conducted by The Institute of Engineers Kolkata.

The Institute of Engineers was established in 1920 and it was granted the Royal Charter in 1935. It is the first professional body of Engineers to start non formal engineering education program in the country. The AMIE course has been approved by HRD, Ministry Government of India and it is equivalent to a degree of Engineering.

The Schemes of examination is as under:
Section A (Non –Diploma)/ (Diploma)
Section B ( After passing Section A)

Eligibility criteria for Section A (Non-Diploma) Examination:

Interested personshave to enroll as Technical Member of the Institute
Minimum qualification should have passed 10+2 examination with 45% marks inaggregate as well as 45% in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and pass in English
It consists of 10 subjects: out of which 2 subjects of basic science, 5 subjects in Engineering Sciences, 2 subjects of Communication and 1 subject of Social Science.
One has to pass all ten subjects for a complete pass in Section A examination, however candidate is permitted to appear for any four subjects at a time. OR

Eligibility criteria for Section A (Diploma) Examination:

Interested personshave to enroll as Senior Technical Member of the Institute
One should have passed Diploma in Engineering from any State Board of TechnicalEducation
It consists of 4 subjects: out of which 2 subjects in Engineering Science, 1 subject of Communication Science and 1 subject of Social Science
One has to pass all four subjects for a complete pass in Section A examination, He is eligible to appear for all four subjects in one examination.

Eligibility criteria for Section B Examination:

After passing Section A (Non-Diploma)/(Diploma) examinations, a candidate is required to apply for registration of Section B examination in any one Engineering discipline of his choice in which examination are conducted.
Sction B examination are conducted in 10 Engineering disciplines. They are (1) Civil (2) Mechanical (3) Electrical (4) Computer Science & Engineering(5) Electronic & Communication (6) Material&Metallurgical(7)Chemical(8)Mining(9)TextileEngineering (10) Production Engineering
It consists of 9 subjects: out of which one subject of interdisciplinary commonality,Five compulsory subjects and Three optional subjects (Out of 15 Optional subjects in three specialization groups)
A candidate is permitted to appear in any four subjects of his choice in one Examination
After passing any five subjects of Section B examination the candidate shell be permitted to do a project work under the designated project guide. The laboratory experiments can be done at the Engineering colleges with which the Institute has tie up. One has to complete any ten experiments out of the specified list of twenty laboratory experiments.

Examinations: conducted twice a year i.e. June and December. Candidates have to apply by the end of March for the June examination and by September for December examination. There are 62 centers including five foreign centers i.e. Kathmandu, Doha, Bahrain, Abudhubai, and Kuwait. Those clearing Section A and B will be given a provisional certificate. The AMIE students are eligible to appear for GATE examination to pursue post graduate course at IIT/IISc.

Course Fee: The course is cost effective. It costs Rs.3415/- for registration, membership, examination fee for each session. For Section B registration fee including project work is Rs.2000/-, the fee towards laboratory experiments is around Rs.5000/-

For Details Contact:
The Institution of Engineers (India)
No.8 Gokhale Road, Kolkota-700 020
Phone: 033 22238311/14/15/16/34
Fax: 033 22238345
Web: ieindia.org

The Institute has a membership of over five lakh including corporate and non corporate on its role. It publishes Technician’s Journal twice a year. The Institution has representation with International bodies like
1. World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO)
2. World Mining Congress (WMC)
3. Commonwealth Engineering Council(CEC)
4. Federation of Engineering Institutions of South and Central Asia(FEISCA)

Contact at Bangalore:
Institution of Engineers (India)
Karnataka State Centre
No.3 Dr B R Ambedkar Veedhi
Bangalore 560 001
Phone: 22264698/22256191
mail: ieiksc@bgl.vsnl.net.in

Note: If you are interested study AMIE please note that advertisements do not appear in newspapers, For AMIE The Institute receives around 16000 applications and the pass percent is around 16-20%. Please contact the Institute directly. The Institute at Bangalore conducting coaching classes.

Times of India/Education Times /Page2 Dated Thursday June2nd2005

Emailnews Issue 08/2005

2005-08-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

Is it an achievement by presenting a document in parliament?

Parliament passed the Annual Budget for spending in excess of Rs.5lakh crore on various budget heads in May-05, for the said budget Government Of India for the first time presented the Outcome Budget-2005-06 to parliament on 25Aug 05 which listed out development results in 723 pages that Government targets to achieve with the money it had allotted for various schemes.

Parliament got this new protocol from the Government of India on converting outlays into outcomes ahead of the money actually being spent; the protocol is nothing but Outcome Budget which will be presented to parliament every year before parliament approves the General Budget, this is in addition to the

Performance Budget from each ministry after allotted budgetary money had been spent at the end of each fiscal.

At the outset Finance Minister Sri Chidambaram admits that “the Outcome Budget is not a perfect document” further he described the Outcome Budget as an important and path breaking achievement” of UPA Government.

Can we consider the presentation of compilation of the “Outcome Budget” an achievement?
Is there any innovation in the document?
Can we consider every act of the Ministry an achievement?
If it is “Yes” to the above then the Outcome budget is a path breaking achievement.

Anyhow it is an initiative on the part of Ministry Of Finance; the Outcome Budget extends for Right to Information. It covers 44 Ministries and 61 Departments excluding 9 Ministries like Defence, External Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and Atomic Energy.

It is surprising weather the ministry has loded the document on any of the web site of the MOF is not informed.

Times of India/ dated 26Aug 05/Front Page news

On the eve of the Teachers day

How his teacher inspired

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

(A man with a mission)

Dr Abdul Kalam President of India a teacher to the Indian children and youth inspires the younger generation to make India the next superpower. Life’s mission for President a long trek from Rameswarm to Rastrapathi Bhawn, Kalam has redefined the rules at Rastrapathi Bhavan; the bench mark for which are quickness and precision.

He redefined thinking and knowledge in other form i.e. dreams. Everybody used to say think before you ink. Think is an abstract form of knowledge so Kalam says dream it i.e. dream is a form of thinking in which a person visualizes his thinking which is more appealing to the children and youth. He says “Visualise your dreams. Life is purposeless without dreams” further he says “when dreams are intense and pure, they posses electromagnetic energy. Desire and dream together create thrust to choose one’s mission in life, but the realization of the mission requires hard work and perseverance”.

Kalam is always energetic, enthusiastic and always curious about learning things

Be it the speed of his thoughts
His scientific charisma
His convincing powers
His emotional brilliance with his eloquence
His dreams of an incredible India

Kalam remembers his first lesson and how it changed his destiny. “I was studying in fifth standard. My teacher, Shri Siva Subramania Iyer was telling us how birds fly. He drew a diagram of a bird on the block board, depicting the wings, tail and the body with the head and then explained how birds soar to the sky. At the end of the class, I said I didn’t understand. Then he asked the other students if they had understood, but nobody had understood how birds fly. That evening the entire class taken to the Rameswaram shore. My teacher showed us sea birds. We saw marvelous formation of them flying and how their wings flapped. Then my teacher asked us ‘where the bird engine is and how it is powered?’ I knew then that birds are powered by their own life and motivation. I understood all about birds’ dynamics. That day, my future was decided. My destiny was changed. I knew my future had to be about flight and flight systems. Thus, my teacher was not only inspirational, but also enabled me to chose a career in aeronautics” he adds.

The youth is the most precious resource on earth. He wants the youth of the country to be inspired. He says “In life, there are going to be many problems. The challenge is to defeat all problems and succeed. We all face failures. But we should remember that the difficulties make us grow. So when your hopes, dreams and goals are shattered, search among the wreckages. You may find a golden opportunity hidden in the ruins.

The matrix of success can be created by new leaders. According to Kalam, India needs Creative leadership and that is what India needs right now. “Leaders are born as a result of challenges. We should encourage the spirit of adventure and the confidence in our youth. Let us say it aloud; we can do it. This has to be backed by indomitable spirit. That is what I call creative leadership. It means having a vision to change the traditional roles from the commander to the coach, manager to mentor” he emphasizes.

Big dreams. Bigger mission. And nothing is imposible.That has been the President Kalams ideology. That is his vision 2020, for India to be the next superpower.

“My visualisation is that of a developed India. I want to share this vision with you. I desire that education should not be denied to any meritorious candidate. India should be the best destination for talented scholars and scientists from all over the world and one of the best places to live in, with a smile on a billion-plus faces” he declares.

Times of India Sunday Times Life Section Dated: 4thSeptember2005

Emailnews Issue 07/2005

2005-07-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Higher education should fuse
teaching and research
New set of rules is needed
to enhance standards

By Jayant V.Narlikar

Astrophysicist

A few months ago the finance minister announced a grant of Rs.100 crore to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore to help it to raise its standards to the level of Oxford and Camebridge.

To get to where Oxford and Cambridge, we could learn a thing or two from them. Considering the following anecdote:

In the middle of 19^th century, two clever students, Parkinson and Thomson were competing for the Camebridge Tripos examination. When the results were out, Parkinson stood first and Thomson second. They were the only two to have solved a very difficult question. The examiner of the paper thought that both had solved the question in the same way, did one copy the other? He called Parkinson to find out how he arrived at the solution. Parkinson explained that he made it a practice to go beyond the syllabi and texts to read research journals and he had encountered the question in a research paper whose author was anonymous. The examiner had taken the question from the very same source; he complimented Parkinson for his preparation. Next he called Thomson. Thomson said “I wrote that paper”! Thomson was none other than famous physicist and is better known as Lord Kelvin.

In my batch there was an undergraduate who wrote a paper in the “Physical Review Letters” pointing out a serious error in an experiment performed in the UK to verify a prediction of Einstein’s theory. The student went on to get a Nobal Prize based on his research work as a graduate student. His name is Brian Josephson.

Good students are attracted by good teachers and researchers. I was fortunate to attend the lectures in the course of my Mathematical Tripos examination at Camebridge.

Dirac’s lectures on quantum mechanics
Holye’s lectures on electrodynamics and cosmology
Batchelor’s course on fluid dynamics
Devenport’s course on number theory
Attiyah’s lessons on gemmetry

To learn the subject from those who made important research contributions to it can be very inspiring to a student. These faculty members delivered their lecturing commitments at the university. They were not exempted from lecturing because they were producing good research.

When Hoyle’s proposal to establish a new Institute of Theoretical Astronomy was under consideration at Camebridge, a condition was sought to be imposed by a lobby of faculty that its staff members should not teach the Tripos Students. Hoyle was unhappy with this. He explained that teaching was complimentary to research and that if we did not teach undergraduates we would not attract good students to research. This explains why we are still a long way off from Cambridge.

We have two streams in our education cum research system.

In universities, teachers are overloaded with teaching duties with research taking back seat. The situation is reflected in the membership of National Science Academies.
Research facilities are fine in National laboratories and research Institutes in India. A typical research scientist in India believes he will do research alone and teaching students is a distraction.

Further we have two types of professors:

Professors who do not teach and
Professors who do not research

Organisers of graduate schools in these institutions will tell you how difficult it is to persuade a faculty member to give even a short course of 15 lectures.

University Grant Commission should have made it a condition that these institutes have some minimal undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programme, before giving them deemed University status.

What is needed for our progress towards Oxbridge is a new set of rules that enable teaching and research to go hand in hand, with no compromise on merit, whether for faculty or for students.

To achieve this, Rs.100 crore is neither necessary nor sufficient.

Times of India Dated July 30^th 2005 Page 12

Click http://dli.ernet.in to read invaluable documents at

Digital Library of India (DLI)

Imagine being able to read the legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujam’s theorems in his own hand. You can hear the recitations of old epic of Tamil “shilappadikaram”. If you want to read something in Tamil, but don’t know the language, it translates it into a language you know, say Kannada. This is all part of Digital Library of India (DLI) project.

The idea behind the project is to digitize knowledge so that it is available for ever. Paper and palm leaves may be accessible to select scholars, but digital information is permanently available to every one.

Digital Libraries initiatives as part of the Universal Library Project www.ulib.org spearheaded by Carnegie Melon University (CMU) professor Raja Reddy.

The project was launched by President Abdul Kalam in September 2003.With Indian Institute of Science as the coordination and research centre and Sri N.Balakrishna of IISc as Project coordinator with the support of Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is a million books project involving various countries and international institutions. DLI is having parternership with 21 centers in India, the following are some of the centers involved in DLI:

Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad
International institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad
Rastrpathi Bhavan
TTD Tirupathi Tirumala
SASTRA Tanjavur
Srigeri Mutt Sringeri Karnataka
Poornapragna Vidyapeetha Bangalore
Academy of Sanskrit Research Melkote Karnataka
Tibetan Monasteries
Goa University
Punjab Technical University
Kanchi University Kanchi

At present 1.3 lakh books are available on DLI, right now there are 200 scaners which are capable of scanning a million pages a day. Shanmugha Art Science Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) Tanjavur has had recitations of palm leaves which included in DLI. As part of the project Example Based Machine Translation (EBMT) has been developed which translates the document from one language to another, it is actually available on the site http://bharani.dliernet.in/embt

Regarding copyright issue DLI has been outside the purview of copyrights.

Times of India 3^rd August 2005 page -2.

If you wanted to serve in Armed Forces
(Army/ Air Force/Navy)
And to become commissioned officer
apply for admission to NDA

What is NDA?

National Defence Academy popularly called NDA is the cradle of Indian Armed Forces. The academy is one of few defence training institutions in the world offering Joint Service Training i.e. Combined Training in Army, Air Force and Navy.

The Institute situated on the outskirts of Pun established in the year 1949 at Khadakvasla and spreads over an area of 8000 acres with beautiful campus.

· Admission : Admission takes place in January and July.

· Education : Boys with the age group 16 and half to 19 years

· Passed : 10 plus 2 or equivalent examination

· Qualified : In competitive examination conducted by UPSC

· Selection : Service Selection Board (SSB)

· Examination : Medical Examination

More than 1.5 lakh candidates apply for admission to NDA every year. Of the 80000 appear per term for the examination, 10000 qualify. Out of these 300 are chosen. The stringent selection process ensures apt candidate selection and maintains the reputations of the academy.

Education at NDA is a three years training and judicious blend of academics and sports; the training includes service training, adventure sports and hobby clubs. Students as they are called Cadets here can take part of over 37 clubs ranging from trekking, kayaking, rock-climbing, water skiing, photography, parasailing, astronomy, arts, dramatics and ballroom dancing etc.

Here Cadets are allotted individual well furnished rooms, free uniforms, boarding and lodging facilities

The three years training with six semesters offers graduation in science, computer science and social science streams. Three military camps held through the tenure of the NDA to instill the qualities like perseverance, integrity, team sprit, leadership and situational awareness.

Passing out parade of the academy is one of the most celebrated event , which take place twice in the year i.e. May and November marking the end of the graduation of NDA.

Training and Specialisation: After graduating from NDA cadets are to undergo one year training and specialization to their opted services in

Indian Military Academy, Deharadun
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
Indian Navel Ship(INS) Training, Cochin

On completion of the above, cadets are awarded the presidents commission and inducted as Commissioned Officers in the respective services in the Armed Forces.

For further details: http://www.nda.nic.in

Times of India /Education Times/ Dated 14th July 2005/Page4/

Emailnews Issue 06/2005

2005-06-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Please spend 10 minutes with President of India and be a proud Indian

President's Office - The President of India DR A P J Abdul Kalama’s Speech in Hyderabad

"I have three visions for India. In 3000 Years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards. The Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, and their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others. That is why my first vision is that of FREEDOM.

I believe that India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on. If we are not free, no one will respect us. My second vision for India is DEVELOPMENT. For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we see ourselves as a developed nation. We are among top 5 nations of the world in terms of GDP. We have 10 percent growth rate in most areas. Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being globally recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed nation, self- reliant and self-assured. Isn't this incorrect? I have a third vision. India must stand up to the world. Because I believe that, unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only STRENGTH respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power. Both must go hand-in-hand. My good fortune was to have worked with three great minds. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai of the Dept of space, Professor Satish Dhawan who succeeded him and Dr Brahm Prakash, father of nuclear material. I was lucky to have worked with all three of them closely and consider this the great opportunity of my life. I see four milestones in my career: Twenty years I spent in ISRO. I was given the opportunity to be the project director for India's first Satellite launch vehicle, SLV3. The one that launched Rohini. These years played a very important role in my life of Scientist. After my ISRO years, I joined DRDO and got a chance to be the part of India's guided missile program. It was my second bliss when Agni met its mission requirements in 1994. The Dept of Atomic Energy and DRDO had this tremendous partnership in the recent nuclear tests, on May 11 and 13. This was the third bliss. The joy of participating with my team in these nuclear tests and proving to the world that India can make it, that we are no longer a developing nation but one of them. It made me feel very proud as an Indian. The fact that we have now developed for Agni a re-entry structure, for which we have developed this new material. A very light material called carbon-carbon. One day an orthopedic surgeon from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences visited my laboratory. He lifted the material and found it so light that he took me to his hospital and showed me his patients. There were these little girls and boys with heavy metallic calipers weighing over three Kg. each, dragging their feet around. He said to me: Please remove the pain of my patients. In three weeks, we made these Floor reaction Orthosis 300-gram calipers and took them to the orthopedic center. The children didn't believe their eyes. From dragging around a three kg. load on their legs, they could now move around. Their parents had tears in their eyes. That was my fourth bliss!

Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? We are the first in milk production. We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat. We are the second largest producer of rice. Look at Dr Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news. In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign TVs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance. Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours. YOU say that our government is inefficient. YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage. YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke, The airline is the worst in the world, and mails never reach their Destination. YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits. YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it? Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name-YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. YOU pay $5 (approx Rs 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, "see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else." YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, "Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost." YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston??? We are still talking of the same YOU.YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India? Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. "Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place," he said. "And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?" He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, and girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? "It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons’ rights to a dowry." So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbors, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money. Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.... I am echoing J F Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians????

"ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY"

Let’s do what India needs from us. Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.

Thank you,
Dr Abdul Kalaam
(PRESIDENT OF INDIA) –

Source:
Udaya M V
e-mail: udayamv@gmail.com

Wind Power next destination of Energy

The entire world is consistently engaged in venturing into new processes for generating energy for domestic and commercial purposes. The sources from which energy is generated are many. Hydro; thermal; atomic etc., However, the most sought after and the fastest growing source is the wind energy, leaving behind other sources of renewable energy viz; Solar and biomass. .
Wind energy is generated by using a simple principle. Wind spins the three normally three) blade at the top which in turn spins a turbine at the bottom. The blades of the turbine are attached to a hub that is mounted on a turning shaft. The shaft goes through a gear transmission box where the turning speed is increased. The transmission is attached to a high speed shaft which turns a generator the makes electricity. Here wind power is converted into electrical power

Normally the wind speed should be between 12 to 14 miles per hour to make the wind mill work efficiently. If the wind speed is high, the turbine has a brake that will keep the blades from turning too fast and being damaged.

Five countries Germany, USA, Denmark, Spain and India have the credit of enerating 80 percent of total 14,000 MW of wind energy generated in the entire world.
India should be proud of itself as it stands fifth in the field of generation of wind energy among all nations. India currently produces 3000MW of wind energy annually only just below Denmark whole installed capacity is 3117MW. In growth rate of India
in wind energy is 40%.

India has become independent in the generation of Power from windmills. Maharashtra & Kerala are the main states where most of the generation is being made. Wind mills with generating capacity of 500MW of Power have been established over the last three years. India wind energy potential is 4500MW.

Most of this investment is provided by the private sector. Wind energy is marginally dearer than conventional energy (Rs.4.5 core/MW) compared to the thermal power Rs.3.7 core/MW). In spite of the fact that wind is an indigenous resource that can be used unrestricted and can be generated locally, it is a risky venture since the returns on investment made is always unstable & is never clear. Wind energy generation requires land & in India it is abundant. The Electricity Act 2003 has given boost to renewable source of energy.

Recently an organization by name ‘WISE’(pronounced wy se) meaning ‘World Institute of Sustainable Energy ‘ has been established at Poona in India. WISE has been venturing successfully into the process of changing the very Acts of Power & Environment. “Environment for the future generation. We will fulfill the thirst for power” is the motto of WISE. Just five years after its existence about 230MW of energy is being produced from 300 wind mills in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Many houses in Mumbai; Satara; Poona have small wind mills established at their roof tops generating electricity enough for the domestic purpose. Details of Power generated;used etc., can be known from the Computer in these houses. This is the type of revolution being taken up by WISE. Generating wind energy requires heavy capital investment. Inspired by the venture of WISE, Stars like Aishwarya Rai; Amitabh Bachchan; Sharukh Khan & Companies like Bajaj; Tata; have invested heavily on these wind mills. Factories established by ABB;Bajaj ;Tata & other Companies have been utilizing this wind energy.

An indigenous Company “Suzlon” situated near Poona has been manufacturing wind mills. Nearly 500Crores business is being made from the manufacture of wind mills.

In Karnataka wind mills established in various parts of the State are generating nearly 300MW of Power. Major Companies involved in Generation of wind energy are Enercon Windfarms Ltd.(Karnataka);BSES(Reliance Energy Ltd.)Ghodwat Panmasala Product(I) Pvt Ltd etc.

It is high time that State Governments, instead of investing heavy amounts on Hydro & thermal generation, start thinking of generating most of the Power from natural sources by investing lesser amount and save environment for our future generation and retain theGreen glory that the state has.

R. Shyam Sundar
ramashyama@yahoo.com

Emailnews Issue 05/2005

2005-05-31T21:38:00.000-07:00

Time and again Indian Human Rights Organisation flounders

Letter from Dr. N.K. Kalia

Lt. Saurabh Kalia of 4 JAT Regiment of the Indian Army laid down his life at the young age of 22 for the nation while guarding the frontiers at Kargil. His parents, indeed the Indian Army and nation itself, lost a dedicated, honest and brave son. He was the first officer to detect and inform about Pakistani intrusion. Pakistan captured him and his patrol party of 5 brave men alive on May 15, 1999 from the Indian side of LOC.They were kept in captivity for three weeks and subjected to unprecedented brutal torture, evident from their bodies handed over by Pakistan Army on June 9, 1999. The Pakistanis indulged in dastardly acts of inflicting burns on the Indians with cigarettes, piercing their ears with hot rods, removing their eyes before puncturing them and breaking most of the bones and teeth. They even chopped off various limbs and private organs of the Indian soldiers besides inflicting unimaginable physical and mental torture. After 22 days of torture, the brave soldiers were ultimately shot dead. A detailed post-mortem report is with the Indian Army. Pakistan dared to humiliate India this way flouting all international norms. They proved the extent to which they can degrade humanity. However, the Indian soldiers did not break while undergoing all this unimaginable barbarism, which speaks volumes of their patriotism, grit, determination tenacity and valour something all of India should be proud of. Sacrificing oneself for the nation is an honor every soldier would be proud of, but no parent, army or nation can accept what happened to these brave sons of India. I am afraid every parent may think twice to send their child in the armed forces if we all fall short of our duty in safeguarding the PRISONERS OF WAR AND LET THEM MEET THE FATE OF LT.SAURABH KALIA.
It may also send a demoralising signal to the army personnel fighting for the Nation that our POWs in Pak cannot be taken care of. It is a matter of shame and disgust that most of Indian Human Rights Organisations by and large, showed apathy in this matter. Through this humble submission, may I appeal to all the civilized people irrespective of colour, caste, region, religion and political lineage to stir their conscience and rise to take this as a NATIONAL ISSUE? International Human Rights Organisations must be approached to expose and pressure Pakistan to identify, book and punish all those who perpetrated this heinous crime to our men in uniform. If Pakistan is allowed to go unpunished in this case, we can imagine the consequences. Below is the list of 5 other soldiers’ referred to die for the country rather than open their mouths in front of enemy.
1. Sep. Arjun Ram s/o Sh. Chokka Ram
Village & PO Gudi. Teh. & Dist. Nagaur (Rajasthan)

2. Sep. Bhanwar Lal Bagaria h/o Smt. Santosh Devi;
Village Sivelara; Teh. & Dist. Sikar (Rajasthan)

3. Sep. Bhikaram h/o Smt. Bhawri Devi
Village Patasar; Teh.Pachpatva; Dist. Barmer (Rajasthan)

4. Sep. Moola Ram h/o Smt. Rameshwari Devi
Village Katori; Teh. Jayal; Dist. Nagaur (Rajasthan)

5. Sep. Naresh Singh h/o Smt. Kalpana Devi
Village Chhoti Tallam; Teh. Iglab; Dist.Aligarh (UP)

Yours truly

Dr. N.K. Kalia

(Lt. Saurabh Kalia's father)

Saurabh Nagar, Palampur-176 061

Himachal PradeshTel: +91 (01894) 32065

From: Shrinidhi.Deshpande@igate.com

Metro an added advantage

to a city in making
Views and counter views on Bangalore metro rail are definitely called for; the news regarding Bangalore metro rail is getting hot day by day and at the same time there are some counter views of the Rs.6500 crore project.
Overcrowding of cities throughout the world is taking place since industrial revolution in Europe; and were facing the problem of severe transportation, since then technocrats have solved such problem by way of introducing new culture of metro transport in cities like Paris, London, New York and Washington etc. and it is not new to the city transportation in the world, the technology is again and again updating with new innovations.
In this scenario we have to see the project. Bangalore is a city in making and the small city should be expanded to the level of mega city inevitably taking into consideration the new developments after economic reforms.
Some of the important aspects raised by former chief secretary of Karnataka Sri.Sankarnarayanan that monorail is feasible than metro rail for which he puts his views as under:

1. Cost of construction
Metrorail: Rs.180 to 220 crore per km
Monorail : Rs.45 crore per km

2. Operational cost
Metrorail: Taking 100 percent
Monorail : Costs 20 to 30 percent less

3. Traffic
Metrorail: It involves massive disruption of traffic for five years as huge supporting columns and track girders are put in place
Monorail: Construction will involve almost zero disruption of traffic, the small size of its foot print (about 1sq m) and precast columns and girders make it simple construction

4. Demolition
Metrorail: Due to its turning radius being anything between 120 to 200 meters it involves large land acquisitions resulting in dismantling several residences and shops.
Monorail: with a turning radius of 30 meters, will not involve removal of even a single structure

5. Time to build
Metrorail: Five years
Monorail : Eighteen months

6. Power
Metrorail: Operates at a very high voltage and operational cot of power is also high
Monorail: Operates on 48 volts, the voltage at which landline telephone works. Cost of power is less.

7. Capacity of transport
Metrorail: Capacity of 2000 persons per train with 3.5 minute interval in between trains. Carries 35,000 persons per hour
Monorail: Capacity of 1200 persons per train at every 1.5 minute interval.
Carries 48,000 persons per hour
8. Pulling capacity
Metrorail: Fixed pulling capacity. Engine pulling power allowing no flexibility in operational costs.
Monorail: Each of its coaches comes with an independent power pack so that the number of coaches can be adjusted at will to shoot the number of travelers with almost pro-rata reduction in operations cost.

9. Investment
Metrorail: The government investment will be Rs1800 crore by way of equity and an equal amount from the GOI, in addition to guaranteeing the loan programme of over Rs.3000 crore.
Monorail: It does not require even a rupee of investment from the Government.

By the facts of Sri.Sankarnarayanan it is imperative to see the project in different angles so that a good and safe transportation may take place in the city in making Bangalore.
Next news from MD BMRTL:
Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL) Managing Director Sri K.N. Shrivastava recently told that the Metro rail Project may start by July -05 end and he further told that Monorail is not alternative to Metro Rail, Monorail helps in fulfilling Mass Rapid transport and he also told that a comprehensive survey has been taken to lay Monorail where ever necessary. ( Vijay Karnataka /Bangalore Vijaya /Dated:29/05/05)

To pursue graduate programme in US;

go for GRE:

GRE (Graduate Recording Examination) conducted by ETS (Education Testing Service) of US is a computer based test which measures:
1) Analytical writing
2) Verbal and Quantitative skills

Analytical writing section consists of two writing assignments: Grade: 6
First assignment: Here you will get a choice of two issues. It requires a candidate to present the candidates perspective on a issue. This 45 minutes test tests your ability to present a position on an issue effectively and persuasively.
Second assignment: This related to analyzing an argument, as only one argument is provided so there is no choice here. This 30 minutes test designed to test your critical reasoning and analytical skills.
Here you have to compose an essay in which you critique the stated argument and indicate how it could be improved, but not to present your own views on the argument’s topic.

Verbal section: measures your ability to analyse relationship among different parts of sentence, between words and concepts, and to reason with words in solving problems.

Marks: 800

Quantitative section: measures best mathematical skills, understanding of elementary mathematical concepts and your ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems in a quantitative setting. Marks: 800

Good score to get admission in a top school in US:

Score is one of the main criteria for a student to admit in US institutions. A score of 1350 out of 1600 in verbal and quantitative sections and 4.5 grade out of 6 in analytical writing can help a student to secure a seat in a good school.

Score for GRE are valid for five years.

Subject GRE: It is a paper based test and it is conducted once in a year and is recommended by all top schools in US. Subject tests are conducted in the following subjects:

Biochemistry
Cell and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
English Literature
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology

Resource material and books available with USEFI library

Kaplan GRE
Peterson’s writing skills for GRE
ARCO Master the GRE CAT
GRE Big Book ETS
Princeton Review-Cracking the GRE
Barron’s How to prepare for the GRE test
Nova’s GRE
Cliff’s Test Preparation GRE
Computer Based Test
Peterson’s Master the GRE
Peterson’s Ultimate GRE Tool Kit
List of test preparation CDs:
ETS powerperp
Princeton Review GRE
Kaplan High Score on the GRE
Nova Press GRE Test Preparation Course
Peterson’s GRE Interactive Test Preparation

Important coaching Institutes in Bangalore

Time (Triumphant Institute of Management Institute)
MG Road/Malleswarm/Jayanagra/Koramangala/
Ph: 51239125/26/27
Gupta Education Consultants, Jayanagar Ph:26649589/51307771
IMS. Manipal Center Bangalore

Further guidelines to the aspirants to take GRE will be updated in the

coming issues.
Times of India/ Education Times/ Page-4/Dated 19th May/2005

Emailnews Issue 04/2005

2005-04-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

All is not well with Intellectual Property:

The World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) meeting on Intellectual Property was held, April 11 to 13, 2005 at Geneva to discuss Development Agenda in which Indian representative expressed his stand point; the following is the edited text of the statement:

Mr. Chairman,

Let me congratulate you on your election to Chair this very important meeting. We have high expectations that the outcome of this session will lead to mainstreaming the development dimension into all areas of WIPO’s work and activities. I also take this opportunity to congratulate the Group of Friends of Development for introducing the proposal for a Development Agenda. We fully support their proposal, in particular, the establishment of a WIPO Evaluation and Research Office (WERO).
“Development”, in WIPO’s terminology means increasing a developing country’s capacity to provide protection to the owners of intellectual property rights. This is quite opposite of what developing countries understand when they refer to the ‘development dimension’. The document presented by the Group of Friends of Development corrects this misconception - that development dimension means technical assistance.
The interest of Intellectual Property owners is not to be secured at the expense of the users of IP, of consumers at large, and of public policy in general. The primary rationale for IP protection is to promote societal development by encouraging technological innovation. The legal monopoly granted to IP owners is an exceptional departure from the general principle of competitive markets. The rationale for the exception is to produce sufficient benefits for society to compensate for the immediate loss to consumers. Monopoly rights are to be carefully calibrated by each country, in the light of its own circumstances.
It makes little sense for one party, especially the weaker party, to agree to assume greater obligations than he is contractually bound to accept. This, in short, is what the developed countries have sought to do so far in WIPO (In the context of TRIPS). The message of the Development Agenda is clear: no longer are developing countries prepared to accept this approach, or continuation of the status quo.
Even in a developed country, there is continuing debate, with some even questioning its claimed social benefits. Given the total absence of any mandatory cross-border resource transfers (domestic recycling of the monopoly profits), the case for strong IP protection in developing countries is without any economic basis. Harmonization of IP laws across countries with asymmetric distribution of IP assets is, clearly, intended to serve the interest of rent seekers in developed countries rather than that of the public in developing countries.
Neither intellectual property protection, nor the harmonization of intellectual property laws can be an end in itself. Developing countries could benefit from providing IP protection when there is an obligation on the part of developed countries to transfer and disseminate technologies to developing countries. Absent an obligation on technology transfer, asymmetric IP rent flows would become a permanent feature, and the benefits of IP protection would forever elude consumers in developing countries. As pointed out in the proposal by the Group of Friends of Development, technology transfer should be a fundamental objective of the global intellectual property system.
The current emphasis of Technical Assistance on implementation and enforcement issues is misplaced. Society faces a considerable challenge to effectively protect, and resolve disputes over, physical property. To expect that the police, the lawyers and the courts should dedicate a sizable part of society’s enforcement resources for protecting intangible intellectual property is unrealistic. Therefore, WIPO’s current focus of Technical Assistance should be shifted to other areas such as development impact assessment.
In conclusion, it is important that developed countries and WIPO acknowledge that IP protection is an important policy instrument for developing countries. For developing countries, the benefits IP protection are always in the distant future, the costs are substantial and immediate. It is clearly in the interest of developing countries that WIPO recognizes this and formulates its work program accordingly - including its ‘technical assistance’ - and not limit its activities, as it currently does, to the blind promotion of increasingly higher levels of IP protection. This is where WIPO, as a specialized UN agency, can make a major impact - by truly incorporating the development dimension into its mission - in letter and in spirit, so that it is appropriately reflected in all its instruments. Certainly it will result in a revitalisation of WIPO as an organisation sensitive to integrating the development concerns of developing countries into all areas of its work.
The above text explicitly exposes that all is not well with intellectual property.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection intellectual property. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organizations.
Developmental Agenda of WIPO
Contributed by Dr.M K Sridharan

New and exciting application is born for

the Word/Excel users in computers:

Good news for the users of Word/Excel in computers for on line sharing of documents in real time. The Hotline fame Sabeer Bhatia has come out with new application InstaColl (Instant Collaboration) which provides online sharing of documents throw the new application. People can share and work on documents like Word, Excel and PowerPoint files in real time.
The lack of real-time feature in e-mail is addressed in this application. The InstaColl button is embedded in the MS Office document. The user simply has to click the button to begin with where he can work with his counter part or co worker in real time, review, edit and information exchange between them from within the same application.
Unlike e-mail which has store and forward mechanism, InstaColl adds new dimension for sharing and processing documents on line.
InstaColl has presently incorporated into MS Office applications and most likely to be commercially launched in May-05. IBM has decided to bundle this product into their X series servers.
“After we launch it commercially, we will ensure that it is affordable to common man” Bhatia told reporters after launching InstaColl in Bangalore on April 13th 2005. Bhatia is eying on the users of MS Office who are nearly 400 million world wide.
You can download InstaColl from the website www.instacoll.com

Times of India /Business Times Page 13/ Dated: April14th 2005

Name of the car; story of the Name:

There is a big an attractive advertisement covering two and half pages in Times of India on April, 7th, 2005 It is not the advertisement that attracted me but it is the massive add that made me to go throw. Rocky terrain is depicted in one part of the add and a new Hyundai car in another part in the same background. The add is a usual advertisement of the Hyundai car but the stress is to convey the power of the car along the name in particular.
The name and the power is synchronized in the add to name the car Tucson (please pronounce as “too-sawn”).
The name of the car is a legend, really worth reading, the story goes like this.
Hundreds of years of ago in the red lands of Arizona , a group up of native Americans warriors left their homes and set out on a journey to seek a spirit - a spirit that was believed to give men the power to conquer new lands and preserve their youth.
These men set out, braving the elements. But having travelled far and wide fruitlessly, many gave up hope and returned one by one. Until there were only two left who refused to give up until they found spirit.
After forty days and forty nights of traveling without rest or an end in sight, they slept. And in a dream, the spirit revealed itself, waiting for only one of them at the foot of the black mountain.
With renewed energy and each wanting to be chosen one, reaching it at the crack of dawn, only to discover a roaring river surrounding it on all sides!
Not wanting to lose out at this crucial stage, they both dived into the roaring water and raced towards their goal.
And just one of them was on the verge of reaching the other side, heard a scream of terror. He looked back to see his competitor floundering in the savage of waters, about to be swept away.
The man's conscience prevailed- saving a fellow man was more important than finding the spirit. And without any further thought, he turned back!
In a flash, the savage waters magically clamed, turning the mighty river into sparkling stream. And a booming voice rose from the heart of the black mountain.
“I am TUCSON!” it echoed “And the spirit you seek is within you… and as long as you travel together, keeping a lookout for one another, the spirit will live on! Keeping you young, Keeping you alive”.
This is the story of the name “TUCSON”.
Behind every great adventure lies a great spirit;
The advertisement further goes on to tell you; centuries after the legend; Tucson was born with its spirit that is ever willing to take you on new journeys, through new lands.
Meet the new Hyundai's Tucson the new car that awaits you!
Is it not amusing and meaningful to name a car like this!

Advertisement In Times of India Dated: April 7th, 2005.Page 21 and 24

All students of Xth “B” section met again
after 25 years

All students of X th “B” section of Gandhi Vidyashala High school Sriramapuram Bangalore gathered after 25 years on July 19th 2004; not only their classmates but also with their teachers; is really amazing. The 45 students who started their studies during the period 1976 to 1979 in the school had kept up good contact met again for the silver jubilee occasion of 25 years of their completing metric examination (Xth class). For this occasion the students organized the program in such a way as if they are one family member. The Students Gandhi Vidyashala High school (Government aided Institution) are from middle class families celebrated the unique program without any fan fare.
The students, their families with their teachers participated in the program as if they are celebrating a great festival greeting each other exchanging greetings, pleasantries and gifts. They recollected their old sweet memories and achievements they made in recent years. The organizers invited all their teachers including the one who taught even a single lesson; and also invited non teaching staff.
The program was video graphed and numerous photos were taken by students themselves. A beautiful group photo was published in English daily "Deccan Herald" on September 18th 2004 and news was published in Kannada dailies like “Prajavani” dated 26/07/04 page-3, “Vijayakarnataka” dated 26/07/04 page-"Bangalore Vijaya" and Tamil dailies like “Kalikadir” dated 19/07/04 page-5, “Daily Thanthi” dated 20/07/04 page-7.

For further details please contact: sdraj1@indiatimes.com
Tel: (O) 23322479 (R) 23357824

Emailnews Issue 03/2005

2005-03-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

VAT a long way to go
The name itself is synonymous with its character Value Added Tax. The principle of reducing multiple taxes and levies in Sales Tax. Keeping in line with the VAT principle that other taxes including turn over tax, surcharge and special additional surcharge will be abolished. The present tax rules and regulations made traders to evade sales tax resulting in heavy losses which indirectly effects income tax. The low collection of Income Tax made the Central government to implement VAT system. VAT experts say since Central Government is compensating the State Governments for the deficit, the state could scrap entry tax and special entry tax as it goes well with VAT implementation. Central Government will encourage state Government for implementation of VAT by compensating 100 percent in the first year and 75 percent and 50 percent in the subsequent years.
With VAT coming into effect, State sales tax and central sales tax will not vanish. State sales tax as well as other taxes, cess and levies will continue to apply on goods out side of the list of 550 items brought under VAT regime. Petrol and diesel are kept out of VAT. Tamilnadu Government insists that the rice is also to be kept out of VAT . All this we have to watch. Central sales tax will not be abolished but will be reviewed in 2006. What all this means is that business still exists with multiple taxes. Total migration to simple and value taxation is a long way to go.

For further details please see “White Paper on VAT” below.

V A T why late?
Progressive opinion in India has always been in favour of the reform but any reform in India or for that matter in the whole world has never been welcomed or took off easily.
The switching over to weight and measures system itself is an interesting story. Vested interests ruled the roots and made the process slow for nearly a century.

The story goes likes this:
In our country there were as many as 143 different systems of weights and measures in use. In order to streamline the vast differences in weight and measures a council was appointed in 1867. The chairman of the committee Colonel Strachey, in his Memorandum, on the chaotic condition of weight and measures in India, recommended the setting aside of the old system and introduction of simple and single uniform measurement in the country. He suggested metric system as the appropriate one. To his Memorandum he appended the draft bill to regulate weights and measures in India. He even proposed January1st, 1871 as the date from which the bill should come into force.
Colonel Strachey’s bill provided for establishment by law, the metric system of weight and measures. He also suggested the various steps and machinery for enforcing and regulating the new system.
The publication of Memorandum led to severe criticism. In 1870 the bill was enacted, but it could not be implemented. As majority of Colonel Strachey’s colleagues on the committee with vested interests in India and England opposed it and took a stand in favour of old system. Colonel Strachey therefore resigned from the committee. Thus the great reform in weight and measures was abandoned.
With the passage of time, the truth and wisdom of Colonel Strachey’s suggestions become more and more evident, but it was only after independence and after lapse of nearly a century, the parliament of India adopted Colonel Strachey’s proposals through its acceptance of the metric system.
The Metric System, Publication Division Government of India 1957.

The story of VAT is the same story:
The Karnataka Government during the tenure of Sri S M Krishna as the Chief Minister made inroads by giving training to commercial tax officers and introducing computers with necessary software. Due to the failure of the Central Government to co-ordinate with different states, the VAT failed to take off.
The present Government recently passed VAT bill and the bill will come into force from 1st, April 2005. Recently, the finance minister of Karnataka has stated that if VAT system comes into effect the state has to face an additional Rs.1800 crore deficit. Further he stated that Karnataka’s stand depends on what Tamilnadu Government and other neighboring states do. With the deadline fast approaching, confusion still persists about VAT. There are chances that finance minister Sri P.Chidambaram may again be forced to defer the implementation.
The nation wide bandh against the proposed VAT on 21st February 2005 and traders threatening to go on an indefinite strike and also on hunger strike from 17th March 2005 shows how the reforms of VAT is taking place.
Those who blindly oppose it constitute certain traders, politicians and officials with vested interest. In spite of it, some traders are against to certain draconian multiple taxation law; which corrupt officials as a weapon to harm the traders.

White Paper on VAT
White paper is the collective effort of all the States of India towards formulating the basic design for VAT. It is the result of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers at New Delhi on January17th 2005 in particular; which was constituted by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on the basis of resolution adopted in the conference of the Chief Ministers on November16th, 1999.
VAT, as elaborated in this White Paper has certain distinct advantages over existing sales tax structure; it abolishes the burden of several of the existing sales taxes such as:
• Turnover tax
• Surcharge on sales tax
• Additional surcharge
• Special additional tax
• Central sales tax (in next phase)
As a result, the overall tax burden will be rationalized and prices in general will fall. More over the VAT will replace the existing inspection system from commercial tax by self assessment by traders and manufacturers. Thereby the tax structure will become simple and transparent.

The White Paper on VAT is presented in three parts.
1. Justification of VAT
2. Design of VAT
3. Implementation of VAT

1 Justification of VAT:
In the existing sales tax there are problems of double taxation of commodities and multiplicity of taxes resulting in cascading tax burden. For instance before a commodity is produced inputs are taxed (raw material) and after commodity is produced with tax load, output is taxed again. Primarily this has been removed in VAT.
A full-fledged VAT was initiated first in Brazil in 1960; then in European countries in 1970’s and subsequently introduced in 130 countries excluding US. In Asia it has been introduced in large number of countries including China and Sri Lanka. In India too VAT system was introduced by Government of India in respect of Central excise duties for the last ten years.
The events that took place for VAT is recorded as under:
• 1995 Preliminary meeting of Chief Ministers convened by the then Union Finance Minister Dr.Manmohan Sing.
• 1999 The significant meeting of all Chief Ministers on 16th November by Sri Yashwanth Sinha the then Union Finance Minister. Three important decisions were taken with great thrust.
• 2002 Important meeting of all Chief Ministers convened by the Prime Minister on 18th October when Sri Jaswanth Singh was Finance Minister. Clearly stated of introducing VAT from 1st of April 2003.
About 29 states and Union territories have sent their bills to Finance Minister, Government of India for finalization. Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have already introduced VAT. As per recent report of Empowered Committee the Government will go ahead with its plan to implement VAT from 1st, April 2005 even if any other state doesn’t comply.

2 Design of VAT:
The design of VAT has been worked out by the Empowered Committee after several rounds of discussion with the states. The essence of VAT is in providing set-off for the tax paid earlier. The Value Add Tax is based on value addition to the goods. For example:
• Rs.1,00,000 Input purchased in a month
• Rs.2,00,000 Output sold in a month
• Input tax paid @ 4% :Rs.4000/-
• Output tax @10% :Rs.20000/-
• VAT payable during the month:Rs.16,000/- i.e. (20000-4000)
If the tax credit exceeds the tax payable on sales in a month the excess credit will be carried over to the end of the year. If there is any excess unadjusted tax credit at the end of second year then the same will be eligible for refund. VAT is entirely based on documentation of tax invoices, cash memo and bill. Every registered dealer having a turnover of sales above an amount specified , shall issue to the purchaser serially numbered tax invoice with prescribed particulars, this tax invoice will be signed and dated by the dealer . The dealer shall keep a counter foil or duplicate of such tax invoice duly signed and dated. Failure to comply with the above will attract penalty.
Registration of dealers with gross annual turnover above Rs.5 Lakhs will be compulsory. There will be provision for voluntary registration. All the existing dealers will automatically get registered under VAT Act. Small dealers with annual gross turnover not exceeding Rs.5 Lakhs will not be liable to pay VAT.
The Tax payer Identification Number (TIN) will be issued. It consists of 11 digit numerals throughout the country. First two numbers will represent the state code as used by the Union Minister of Home Affairs. Next nine numbers may be different in different states.
Simplified forms of returns will be notified and are to be filed monthly/quarterly as specified in the State Acts/Rules.
The only few goods which will be outside VAT will be liquor, lottery tickets, petrol, diesel, aviation fuel etc. As per recent report some food grains are exempted from VAT.
Under the system about 550 goods is covered .There will be only two basic VAT rates of 4% and 12.5%. A special VAT rate of 1% on gold and silver ornaments.
• Under 4% VAT rate 270 goods common for all states like medicine, agricultural inputs etc.
• Under 12.5% rate common for all states, most of the commodities will fall under this category
• Under the exempted category a set of 10 commodities chosen by individual states from a list of goods of local importance.

3 Implementation of VAT:
States have taken several steps towards implementation of VAT which is going to be implemented from 1st, April 2005.
Implementation of VAT may lead to revenue growth, but there may be loss of revenue in some states; in view of this Government of India has agreed to compensate for 100 per cent of the loss in the first year,75 per cent in the second year and 50 per cent in the third year of introduction of VAT .
After VAT is introduced CST (Central Sales Tax) will be phased out for which Empowering committee has taken initiative of setting up of Taxation Information Exchange and is expected to be completed with in one year. The main purpose of this exchange is to compensate the loss of revenue due to abolishing of CST .This will be reviewed by the Empowering Committee during 2005-06.
A proposal for VAT on imports, including collection mechanism with adequate safeguards for protection of interest of land locked states is being discussed with Government of India.
Similarly the question of collection and appropriation of service tax by the Center and the States is also taken up.
For successful implementation of VAT the Empowering Committee has set up a consultative Committee with one representative from each of the national level trade organizations and national level chambers of commerce and industry.
A comprehensive campaign on VAT will be launched to communicate in simple and transparent manner the benefit of VAT for common people, traders, industrialists and also State Governments. The purpose of this campaign will be a two-way interaction between the Government and the trade and industry as well as the common people.
It may be noted that VAT design has been worked out carefully by the Empowering Committee to strike a balance not only between the common points of convergence and federal flexibility, but also a balance what can be done to begin with and what should be incorporated subsequently for further perfection of the VAT system.

Source: myicwai.com/resource.asp

The country is not prepared for VAT. The Government should redress the grievances of traders. Yashwant Sinha

Decrypt Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”

Did you know that Jesus Christ was married? That he had a daughter? Have you seen the painting with Jesus Christ and the lady he married? amazed? If you are, then Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” is the book you have to read. A spell bounding, awe inspiring novel with stunning hunt for the extremely hidden secrets of the Church. One team hunts for secrets and the other to safeguard it from revelations. The world famous Louvre museum in Paris which houses Leonardo Da Vinci’s original paintings has been explained magnificently. Detective novels like James Hadley chase are novels of the past. Da Vinci Code rekindles with modern techniques. An intricately written story with many real facts of which very few people know. A plot challenging our brains with imagination to the core and femiliarising Cryptology and symbolism. A never keep down book. Flowing language. Worth reading and highly enjoyable. A cool relaxer is the Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”.
Though this book has attracted criticism from Roman Catholic circles and cardinals of Million, this book is an outstanding blockbuster. Since its release on March18, 2003 the book has sold roughly 2.5 crore copies in 44 languages around the world, it is the second biggest best seller after Harry Potters novels.

Contributed By: R Shyamsundar ramashyama@yahoo.com

Emailnews Issue 02/2005

2005-02-20T02:36:00.000-08:00

Your attention please

Indian economy at great heights

India is participating at G-7 summit at London with the invitation of G-7 nations (US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain and Japan) and its participation along with China, Brazil Russia and south Africa will considered as a mile stone in the economic history of India.
India’s economy is already larger than Australia, Brazil, Sweden and Russia, has grown at an average of 6% since reforms began in 1991 and is expected to expand to 6.5 to 7.5 per cent in the current financial year ending on March 2005.
The invitation for G-7 is perceived as India having a say in the management of the world, be it political, economic and strategic or security issues.
Indian finance minister represent India to attend the meeting at London on Thursday Feb 05. As part of his visit at London he formally inaugurated the newly built London Stock Exchange on Friday at Paternoster Square, which itself shows the importance that India gained in the recent years.

Fiscal deficit a worry
Three weeks ahead of the Indian budget, ADB (Asian Development Bank) expressed concern over high fiscal deficit, further it said it was acting as a road block to Indian economic growth. ADB how ever stuck to its earlier growth projection of 6.5% for
2004-05 despite the adverse impact of tsunami and also on the record of a high 8.5% of last fiscal.
Global rating agency Standard & Poor (S&P) stressed more need to be done to curtail both the deficit and massive public debt.

Aero India 2005

Aero India 2005 the fifth biennial event was inaugurated by defense minister on 9th Feb,05 at Yelahanka IAF air base . The air show , International Technical exhibition and International seminar are part of the event. The number of participating countries including USA, China ,Israel went up to 31 and the number of participating companies to 362 including 226 foreign and 136 Indian companies. The Aero India 2005 is considered as one of the Asia’s largest air show with the largest ever presence by US companies. For the First time for Aero India mid air refuelling of two Mirage 2000s by IL-78 fuel tanker and air show display of LCA is a thing to be reckoned.
The worth mentioning companies that participated are:
Sukhoi Design Bureau of Russia
Snecma aero engine major of France
Lockheed Martin of USA
Dassualt of Russia
BAe Systems, the manufacturers of Hawk UK

Air Chief calls for aviation policy

Chief of air staff ,Air Chief Marchal A. P. Tyagi
called for setting up of an aero space commission and formulation of national aviation policy to streamline research efforts and ensure optimal usage of scare resources. A national aviation policy will enable us to ensure that resources are procured , integrated and operated under one central head. Infrastructure expenditure and wasteful efforts can be curbed, leading to more cost effective solutions that directly support our effort in progressing aerospace activities, further he highlighted that imported systems are no longer state of the art when operationalised. We need to continue to indigenize for self sufficiency.

Looking for joint venture in defence

At the inauguration of an International seminar for Aero India the defence minister Pranab Mukherjee stressed that India is looking for joint ventures in defence system development and manufacturing . He referred to the BrahMos missile developed under joint venture with Russia as an example of what can be achieved by joining minds and efforts. He further emphasized that testing of the LCA Tejas, ALH Dhruv and Intermediate Jet Trainer has showed that India is among a hand full of countries with the capability to develop, test and manufacture aircrafts.

Insists on transfer of technology

IAF whose cutting edge is Sukhois, Mirages, Jaguars and MiGs besides the induction of LCA in the coming years. India’s decision to procure 126 new jets in the 20 tone class for which it has sought:
Request for information: from four foreign companies vise
F-16 maker Lockheed Martin
SAAB Grippen the Swedish company
MiG-29M2 of Mig RAC
Mirage 2000-5 of Dassault France
After short listing the required fighter aircraft Request for proposal is sent; after receiving the proposals; Technical evaluation is done finally Commercial orders will be placed for the required fighter aircraft. India will insists on transfer of technology along with the acquisition of fighter aircrafts

Moving Music School

If you are interested in singing and music and in need of a teacher you are surely going to be blessed by a moving music teacher . The teacher is Manchale Narahari Dikshit.
He is an inspiration to the budding talents who are not having any music Gurus .Sri Dikshit and his wife Smt Parvathi started the moving Music classes to the needy music aspirants since 1996.
The motto of the music teacher is: hadu kalieri and kalithu hadire (sing learning and learn by singing) . His Srujana sangeetha saale (Creative Music School) without infrastructure like building and place ; is spreading music at the request of aspirants at their home without any financial help. Every week and in different localities of the city they conduct music classes. So far they created 19 groups with more than 200 music aspirants. The students ranging from kids to old.
The teacher has made novel programs to the students to learn the music in different songs like , bhavageete, janapadageete, devotional songs , stage songs, vachanas, national songs etc. he ha also created stage for the budding singers.
The Moving Music School is moving to the 10th year for its successive celebration by performing unique music programs. For further information please contact; Phone: 26647103
(Vijaya Karnataka 1 Jan 2005)

Do you want to listen to violin?

In India violin is an accomplishment to vocals where as in west violin is handled technically perfect. Late Professor Lakshminarayana’s idea was that the violin need not be an accomplishment to vocal but be able to make people listen to the violin and make it main stream, that is why he made a solo violin concert and did it successfully .He was singularly responsible for making violin popular solo performance in India. His son a violin maestro L. Subramaniam for the past 14 years organizing the annual Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival featuring musicians across the globe as a tribute to his father.
This year Global Lakshminarayana festival was held at Ambedkarbhavan last week.
It was something unique for a music lovers because it included variety of musicians.
When asked about the fusion in music he expressed that the term fusion has been generalized; they play Jugalbandi with Ustad Bismilla Khan and call it fusion. Music has seven notes; the ornamentation is different that is all. It is in the colouring that we call it Jazz, Carnatic, Hidustani and Western. In fusion you understand the other person is playing and blend your style accordingly.
Next year please watch to listen L. Subramaniam’s violin recital and also the performance of his son. Don’t miss.
Contributed By K. N. Lakshmikanth.

“No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come”
Victor Hugo

Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh quote Victor Hugo words
While inaugurating Infosys’ new Global Education Centre and
the first phase of Software Development Facility at Mysore on
Saturday the 12th February05.
The words of Hugo are more important as the PrimeMinister
recollected the same words of Hugo he quoted when he presented
his budget in july1991.
The Prime Minister told the Infoscians “ The emergence of India
as a global economic power is an idea whose time has come.
The future is here to day. No words can describe the feeling of
elation and pride in being with you in this wonderful campus of
yours”, further he praised IT industry by saying “ India occupies
so much of mind space in the investment community. I salute the
IT industry for leading the way. We must also become a large
base for R&D activity. All legal and physical frame works should
be set right to encourage this.”
The Infosis centre at Mysore is located in a 270 acre campus
and can accommodate 4500 trainees at any given time ,
Infosis has allotted Rs.520 crore of which Rs.285 crore has been
Spent.

Free Web Counter

Emailnews Issue 01/2005

2005-01-20T01:59:00.000-08:00

Your Attention Please

Who is he (Benny Hinn) to pray for India!

When India is fighting natural disaster with thousands of deaths, the Government of India has shown to the world that it can handle the crisis on its own and also gave helping hand to the entire affected region. India is self sufficient and it is right in not accepting international assistance during the crisis .India being a spiritual country never needs his prayer; prayer is not a grand show, motive behind his prayer is evident.

His mission’s motto is different; in the disguise of prayer he is pushing his great agenda; the agenda of conversion. It is surprising how the Government has allowed sensitive defense land to the program.

It is also surprising that Chief Minister of Karnataka and five other Chief Ministers are participating in such an event which is against to the wishes of the people.

They made mockery on idol worship in a pamphlet, when questioned they maintain that it is for inner circulation, is it justified? the next day they tried to disown the pamphlet. when protests mounted against them they finally apologized for it; Is it not the characteristic of a cheat ?

Do we need prayers / blessings from such people?
They are hypocrites and people of mass hysteria with a purpose to inject conversion.
Nobody should encourage this.
Then why the Government is behind ?
Why are they adamant?
Every body knows ;
It is lady appeasement
It is minority appeasement
It is vote bank politics

Please beware of such Prayer,
Blessings
Pray India.
Propagate the message.