The Indian Panorama

Month: October 2012

  • Air India ‘Flying Returns’ Membership – 1 million Plus and Growing !

    Air India ‘Flying Returns’ Membership – 1 million Plus and Growing !

    NEW YORK (TIP): The membership of Air India’s frequent flyer program – ‘Flying Returns’ has in October crossed the one million mark ! And it continues to grow with 400 new members being added every day. With membership spread across the globe, Flying Returns has four levels of membership – Base, Silver Edge Club, Golden Edge Club and the exclusive ‘The Maharajah Club’. The elevation to these elite tiers offers very generous benefits including extra baggage allowance, priority baggage handling, special check in counters, exclusive lounges at airports and bonus miles is instantaneous on member’s accruing requisite miles. The miles needed for elevation to elite tiers are lower as compared to most carriers.

    Amongst the many FFP programs enticing the Indian traveler, Flying Returns has positioned itself as one that offers best rewards, especially for the long haul travelers, with generous ‘earns’ and lower ‘burns’. The availability of reward seats, a key to success, is far better on Air India than on other carriers. Bonuses for booking tickets online ensure that rewards come faster. A number of program partners offer members added opportunities to accrue miles.

    Having joined the one million plus membership club now and with continuous enhancements, Flying Returns is confident of adding even greater pace to its expansion program. More and more air-passengers are seeing the value of flying Air India. With record on-time performance, a young fleet, the widest network, full course meals, more leg-room and a powerful Frequent Flier Program domestic and international passengers are opting to fly Air India.

  • Edison Cricket Club Ends Season with ‘Oscars’ of USA Cricket

    Edison Cricket Club Ends Season with ‘Oscars’ of USA Cricket

    EDISON, NJ (TIP): The most awaited event in New Jersey cricket’s cultural calendar, Edison Cricket Club celebrated the end of 2012season with yet another glittering award ceremony This year too, the Edison Cricket Awards drew the best cricketers, cricket administrators, business leaders, politicians and representatives, celebrities, glitterati and over 175 enthusiastic attendees. The event was a magnificent celebration of the completion of nine years of Edison Cricket Club – in cricketing terms, the milestone represents the completion of one ‘over’ in what looks to be a magnificent spell There was much to celebrate as ECC produced a string of spectacular different tournament in New Jersey.

    Edison Cricket Club partnered with Queens College in organizing Cricket on Quad at Queens College ECC is well known for its great successes in recruiting new members, inducting celebrities, forming alliances and, perhaps most importantly, in roping in sponsors for its events. This year too, the club went the whole 22 yards at the Edison Cricket Awards. Its inductees for 2012 included the legendary cricketer Padmashree Syed Kirmani. Kirmani Shared happy moments of his cricket career. Skiha Ubiroy, the first Indian Tennis player was also honored at the event. President Mr Atul Huckoo welcomed all the guests. Vice President Mr Srujal Parikh thanked all sponsors for their support to Edison Cricket Club in promoting cricket in the Tri states area.

  • Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor hosts Culinary Awards

    Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor hosts Culinary Awards

    NEW YORK (TIP): After much-acclaimed success with Varli Magazine, the Varli Food Festival, and the Varli Cook-Off, the Varli brand continues to expand its reach with the first annual Varli Culinary Awards! Hosted by internationally acclaimed Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor on November 15, 2012 in New York City, this revolutionary concept will be the first global awards event honoring the best culinary talent in an array of categories related to Indian cuisine.” It was time to give credit where credit’s due. We really wanted to recognize and applaud the contributions and amazing achievements of Indian chefs, restaurateurs, and key influencers on the international culinary stage,” says Varli Singh, founder of the Varli brand.

    With contestants vying for coveted categories such as “Best Chef of the Year”, “Best Cookbook”, “Best Restaurant”, and countless others, the competition is fierce and judges are highly selective in determining who deserves the title of “best of the best”. In the interest of fairness, awards are divided into three different types based on the complexity of judging, and competitiveness of the contestant pool: “People’s Choice” categories (voting began on July 04, 2012), categories determined by a ‘Live Competition and/or a “Panel of Judges” and “Varli’s Choice”. Additionally, there will be a ‘Public Recipe Competition’ where amateur cooks from around the world can submit any original rice-based recipe (as a tribute to the event’s title sponsor, Indian Star Basmati Rice) for consideration and win the chance to participate in an exciting cook-off in front of culinary greats.

    In continuation of Varli’s mission to universally promote Indian cuisine, this is truly a global event, with nominees and contestants spanning the U.S., India, Middle East, and Europe. And to ensure credibility, the highly esteemed panel of judges includes celebrity judges, renowned food correspondents, and culinary experts such as Vikas Khanna, Jehangir Mehta, Monica Bhide, Rajesh Bhardwaj, Prasad Chirnomula, Hari Nayak. Varli has also partnered with Magic Bus, an India-based charity helping to change the lives of children through sports, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to this inspiring cause.

    But this is just the tip of the iceberg as there are sure to be many more surprises and several guest appearances when Sanjeev Kapoor and co-host Manu Narayan & Pooja Kumar, celebrated Indian- American actors, take the stage on November 15th to honor those that have made Indian food what it is today, and those that are influencing what it will be in the future. For more information on the awards, to vote for your favorite restaurant, or submit a recipe for the public contest, visit www.varliawards.com.

  • Dussehra the victory of good over evil

    Dussehra the victory of good over evil

    Dussehra is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus all over India, albeit with different names. It is also known as Vijayadashmi (‘Vijay’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘Dashmi meaning ‘tenth day), as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed the demonking, Ravana and rescued his abducted wife – Sita. In other words, it signifies the triumph of good over evil. The legendary triumph is reenacted to the day. In the northern parts of India, huge effigies of Ravana, his giant brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are placed in vast open grounds. Fireworks and crackers are placed inside the effigies. Actors dressed as Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana enact the final moments of the battle, at the Ramlila ground. After the enactment of the climax of the war with Ravana, the character playing Rama shoots an arrow with a flaming tip at the effigies from a safe distance and the crowd bursts up in cheer, as the crackers catch fire. The enthusiasm and the cheers sometimes even drown the deafening blast. Merriment ensues, as people indulge themselves games, dance and music that are held at the fair. Bengalis celebrate Dusshera as a part of their main festival – Durga Puja. This day marks the end of Durga Pooja celebrations, the preceding nine days being collectively referred to as ‘Navratri’. Vijayadashmi is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti, who incarnated in the form of Goddess Durga, a combined manifestation of the divine energies of the Holy Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and all the other devatas, when they summoned her to kill the mighty demon known as Mahishasura and freed the world from his terror. On Vijayadashmi, the idols of Goddess Durga are immersed into water, after the nine days of festivities. It is said that the people of the earth in the eastern state of West Bengal adopted Durga as their daughter and thus, she visits the home of her parents every year, during the last four days of Navratri, along with her sons Ganesha and Kartikeya, and daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati. She finally leaves for her husband’s place on Vijayadashmi. Similar customs are seen in Orissa and Assam. In the North-eastern state of Tripura, huge fairs are conducted and effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna are burnts at Ramlila maidans. In the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Vijayadashmi holds special significance. The day is considered auspicious for starting education or any form of art, such as dance and music. Saraswati Puja is conducted on the day, when the formal commencement of education of small kids takes place. It is called ‘Vidya aarambham’ (the beginning of Vidya, meaning education). In Karnataka (especially Mysore) and Andhra Pradesh, Dusshera is celebrated with fanfare. Huge processions can be witnessed in both the States. Although Dussehra is celebrated in different ways across India, the motive remains the same – to spread good cheer and celebrate the victory of good over the evil.

    Legends Of Dusshera

    Dussehra is mainly associated with the story of Rama based on Ramayana, one of the two great Indian epics. Set around 1000 BCE in India, this epic attempts to establish the social ideals and explains the depth of human relationships. Lord Rama was the protagonist of the epic, while his wife Sita was its female lead. He has been idolized as the ideal son, husband and king, while she is the epitome of womanhood. Lord Rama was the eldest son of Dashratha, the king of Ayodhya and was beloved of all, because of his genial ways. The king decided to hand over his throne to him and retire.

    Contrary to her husband’s decision, Lord Rama’s stepmother (Kaikayi) wanted her own son Bharata to be the king and forced Dashratha to banish Rama from Ayodhya, the kingdom and give him fourteen years of exile.

    Rama gladly accepted the stepmother’s wishes and left the palace and the kingdom with his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana. The griefstricken father soon died. When Bharata, who was on a visit to his maternal grandfather, came back and came to know what his mother had done, he immediately set out to being his brother back from the forest.

    Rama was glad to welcome his brother Bharata, but he refused to go back to the kingdom before the completion of his exile. Rama had another loss at hand, as the demon-king Ravana, abducted his wife Sita and took her away to his kingdom. This became the reason behind the long search and the various events that followed, which led to the destruction of Ravana by the hands of Lord Rama, with the help of the monkey army he had befriended on his way to Lanka. Dussehra is the day, when Rama killed Ravana and won back his wife

    Hence, Dusshera is also called Vijayadashmi. Dussehra celebrates the victory of good (Rama) over the evil (Ravana). This is the reason why effigies of Ravana, Meghnatha and Kumbhkarna are burnt on Dusshera, all over northern India. Apart from this, Vijayadashmi also symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the demon who held the earth and the swarglok (heaven) with his tyranny and invincible power. Hence, it can be said that two legends are connected to the celebration of Dussehra in India.

    Triumph Of Lord Rama Over

    Ravana The celebration of Dussehra is rooted in the Hindu epic of Ramayana, according to which, Lord Rama, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killed the tenheaded demon Ravana, in Satyug. Ravan had abducted Rama’s wife Sita. Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana, follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys, headed towards Lanka (Ravana’s Kingdom) in order to enter a war with Ravana and rescue Sita. On his way to Lanka, Rama organized Chandi Pooja to seek the blessings of Ma Durga, the Goddess of power and courage. After seeking her blessings, Lord Rama defeated and killed Ravana, with the help of his fellow beings. Therefore, the day was celebrated to commemorate the victory of Rama over Ravana, which later came to be known as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.

    Assassination Of Mahishasura By Goddess Durga

    Another legend is connected to Goddess Durga. According to the story, all the Gods in swarglok and the living beings on earth were upset by the tyranny of the demon Mahishasura, because he had acquired invincible power to conquer the world. He was undefeatable, even by the mighty deities – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Therefore, all the Gods decided to create a power, which would destroy Mahishasura, freed the living beings from his despotism and restore the swaglok to them. This gave rise to the creation of Goddess Durga, an avatar of Ma Shakti.With the weapons given to her by the Gods, Goddess Durga went to fight against Mahishasura. She defeated the demon, successfully, and restored the swaglok to the Gods, as promised. Her victory is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, by many people following Hinduism.

    Rain Of Gold Coins

    According to a story, Kautsa, the young son of Devdatta (a Brahmin), was residing in the city of Paithan. After pursuing his education under the guidance of Rishi Varatantu, he wanted to offer a dakshina to his Guru. Although the guru refused initially, he later asked for 140 million gold coins. The student approached King Raghu for the coins, because he was renowned for his generosity.Within three days of the student’s request, King Raghu asked the God of Wealth – Kuber – to create a rain of gold coins near the apati and shanu trees. After presenting the promised gold coins to his guru, Kautsa distributed the rest of the coins to the needy, on the day of Dussehra. Since then, people loot the leaves of apati trees and present to each other as a symbol of gold, on Dussehra.

  • Prof. P. Chandra Sekharan’s book on Lip Forensics released in NY Book Fair

    Prof. P. Chandra Sekharan’s book on Lip Forensics released in NY Book Fair

    NEW YORK (TIP): “Lip Forensics”- authored by renowned Indian forensic scientist Padma Bhushan Prof. Dr P. Chandra Sekharan was released at Seventh NY Book Fair Expo held at Queens Museum of Art (QMA) recently. Authors, books, live music and a reception were at the center of the Seventh Annual Book Fair, celebrating the release of the book, Languages of New York, as well as the talent of local and international writers. The New York Book Fair, established in 2005 by Jacqueline Donado has been held annually at The Queens Museum of Art. New York. Due to the Book Fair’s success and continued efforts to bridge the literary world and urban communities, the event has established venues across the city and the country. The book describes sight recognition technique to identify criminals, especially terrorists, to be learnt by police and public. Prof. Chandra Sekharan is the only author from India to participate in the New York Book Fair this year.

    “A careful glimpse of the lips instantly tells us the mood of the individual. The lips are the most expressive and the most mobile, or flexible facial feature, but in its normal relaxed state, it can be described quite accurately. Since the tendency is to watch the lips of another when he or she speaks, sight recognition of the lips should have a more lasting impression and the witness will be able to describe the lips better than any other facial feature. Thus the description of lips becomes an important aspect in facial recognition and identification,” said Prof. P.Chandra Sekharan. The macrostructure, the size of the lips, the shape of the oral fissure, upper and lower vermillion borders and protrusion of lips are age stable and environmental stable. Therefore the classification system of macrostructure can be potentially used for the processes of personal appearance identification, he said.

    “In one of the sensational case investigated by the Qbranch police of the state of Tamil Nadu the system developed in this work has already been successfully put into use in identifying a terrorist-suspect as per the description of the lips given by the witnesses,” he said.

    “The Audiovisual unit attached to the Anna University, Chennai with the financial assistance from University Grant Commission, New Delhi produced two TV programs on Forensic Cheiloscopy to inculcate the awareness of public participation in crime investigation and to stress the importance of sight recognition of lips in terrorists’ activities,” he added. “Prof P. Chandra Sekharan, an international celebrity in Forensic Science, has established for the first time a comprehensive classification system for the micro and macro structural pattern of lips,” said Jacqueline Donado introducing the author from India. The author has developed a universally applicable language to obviate the difficulty in using proper terminology by the witnesses and the inability of the investigating police to understand what the witnesses speak. The terminology developed by the author could easily be used by the witnesses and could easily be understood by the investigating police.”

    “This book, besides being useful to the researchers and scientists, shall serve as a hand book to all investigating police officers and a useful guide to all men and women who are interested in combating crime by helping the police investigator and in propagating as well the concept of public participation in crime investigation,” she added. Prof. Chandra Sekharan who has been invited as a special guest of International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology in Chicago between Oct 15 and 17 is also giving a seminar on “Lip Forensics for identification of criminals” to international scientists and forensic experts from different parts of the world.

    Professor Chandra Sekharan’s Tamil book “Kalavu Pona En Kadavulum, Kanal Pona En Kathaliyum’ (Stolen God and missing girl friend) was released at a function organized by New York Tamil Sangam in New York. John Joseph, committee member welcomed the gathering and the first copy of the book was received by Thenmozhi Gajendran and Sankalp Shettar, son of Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar. A Professor Emeritus of Dr Ambedkar Law University, Chennai and Visiting Professor, National Law School of India University [NLSIU], Bangalore, Chandra Sekharan has also served as Pro Vice- Chancellor and Director-Professor, Centre for Forensic Sciences, National Law University at Jodhpur. He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for his investigations in forensic science.

    He was also Professor-Director, Forensic Sciences Department of Government of Tamil Nadu; UGC Professor, Faculty of Forensic Engineering, Anna University; UGC Emeritus Fellow of University of Madras and Professor of Forensic Sciences at NLSIU, Bangalore. The scientist provided scientific evidence in more than a 100,000 cases and some of the world-class cases include identification of killers in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case; identification of Nataraja idols in Pathur Nataraja Case at Royal High Court in London; document forgery case at Malaysian High Court, Kuala Lumpur; cases of suspected signature forgery in High Court, Singapore; facsimile (Fax) forgery appeared as prosecution witness, Singapore Courts; signature forgery case Colombo High Court; auto Shankar multiple murder case and several drug murder cases. Advised, assisted and trained personnel for the establishment of National Forensic Science Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal.

  • India and New Zealand Sign ‘Arrangement for Cooperation on Civil Aviation’

    India and New Zealand Sign ‘Arrangement for Cooperation on Civil Aviation’

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India and New Zealand today signed the “Arrangement for Cooperation on Civil Aviation”. The document was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh and Minister of Economic Development and Tertiary Education Mr. Steven Joyce of New Zealand by Secretary Civil Aviation Shri K.N, Shrivastava and High Commissioner of New Zealand to India Ms. Jan Henderson. Under the Arrangement the two countries will promote and support the development of training and technical cooperation in the field of Civil Aviation.

    The type of cooperative activities will include civil aviation programmes; sending and receiving experts or instructors for training purposes; acceptance of licenses; acceptance of aeronautical products including but not limited to aircraft, engines, propellers and parts, and aviation services; organization of seminars; exchanging information on activities, policies, practices and laws and regulations concerning civil aviation, including but not limited to safety and environmental matters; and visits and exchanges of technical personnel or other experts.

    A Joint committee of the two countries will be formed to determine and oversee mutually acceptable cooperation activities. The committee will also develop a Programme of Cooperation. Speaking on the occasion Shri Singh said the designated airlines of both sides are entitled to seven services per week in each direction, however, neither side is operating at present. Underlining that a sizeable population of Indian origin stays in New Zealand, Shri Singh added that the growth of air services between the two countries will greatly facilitate in enhancing cordial relationship, connectivity, trade and tourism. Later the business delegations of two countries interacted on possible areas of cooperation in civil aviation sector between the two countries.

  • Jackson Heights Merchants Association Diwali Mela draws thousands

    Jackson Heights Merchants Association Diwali Mela draws thousands

    NEW YORK (TIP): Jackson Heights Merchants Association Diwali Mela organizers could not have asked for more. It was a bright sunny day which drew thousands to the mela that started having steady stream of visitors around noon and soon had crowds milling around. The visitors had a great time visiting booths selling anything from delicious food items to jewelry to apparel. The around 50 booths had practically everything that one could need . Different banks had their booths to promote their business. Accounts were being opened on the spot. They included, among others, State Bank of India, TD Bank and Citi Bank.

    Air India, one of the two grand sponsors of the mela had their booth, with the top management present. Mr. Rewo Norbhu, the Regional Manager and the Sales Manager Mr. Amit Ray were around along with their staff. The other Grand sponsors were Patel Bros. Besides the two, there were a number of organizations that had sponsored the Diwali Mela this year. On the occasion, some notable persons were honored by the organizers. They included Rewo Norbhu, Air India Regional Manager Americas, Mahendra Patel of Patel Bros., Mustafa Akbar, Branch Manager, TD Bank, Mehmood Syed, Branch Manager Emeritus, Habib Bank, Detective Adriane Johnson, NYPD 115 Precinct and Davinder Verma, Owner of Kunal Jewelers.

    The dignitaries who came included State Senator Jose Peralta, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblyman Francisco P. Moya, Assemblyman Michael DenDecker, NY, City Advocate Bill de Blassio, and Councilmember Daniel Dromm, besides some more. Other notable persons included Ranju Batra, President of Association of Indians in America and her husband, eminent attorney Ravi Batra, Mohammed Peer, President of JBBA, Gurdev Singh Kang, President of Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, Kamal Jolly, Sales Manager of Kuwait Airways, Andy Bhatia, a former Sales Manager of Air India, members of media that included The Indian Panorama Editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja and representatives of many organizations and institutions.

    The entertainment segment included dances of different parts of India. Mrgha Kalia’s NY City Bhangra group enthralled the spectators. By the time entertainment program got off to a start at about 3.30 P.M. the entire 74th Street, known as Kalpana Chawla Way was jam packed and the visitors stayed on until the program was over. The comment most heard at the mela was, “yaar, mazaa aa gaya”- I enjoyed it immensely. Obviously, people are looking forward to the 2013 Diwali Mela at Jackson Heights.

  • Luxembourg invites Indian investments

    Luxembourg invites Indian investments

    MUMBAI (TIP): Luxembourg, the small European nation, has offered Indian companies a favourable investment climate to tap the European Union’s markets effectively. Gaston Stronck, Luxembourg Ambassador to India, said the country has the most efficient processes in place to set up a new company.

    In fact, he said, with all the required papers in place and a clear intention, one could get the clearance for setting up a company in just 48 hours. Among European countries, Luxembourg has the lowest corporate tax rate of 29 per cent and has halved the value added tax to 5.7 per cent for corporates that register their intellectual property rights there. It also exempts Value Added Tax (VAT) on commodities at the entry point. Companies can set up warehouses in Luxembourg and pay VAT when goods are moved out of the country. On the potential investment from Luxembourg in India, Stronck said the country’s assets under management total 2,225 billion of which only 45 billion is invested in India.

    More reforms like the recent Government measure to allow foreign direct investment in retail could improve the flow of investments into India, he said. Global depository receipts of 150 Indian companies are already traded on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

    In the manufacturing sector, the country has much to offer as it is considered the pioneer in steel making technology and houses the largest steel manufacturing company, Arcelor Mittal. Luxembourg has managed to register GDP growth of two per cent despite the slowdown in economic activity due to the ongoing euro crisis, said Stronck. “We have managed to beat the economic slowdown in other European nations as our country is more aligned to Germany which has been the bright spot amongst the European economy,” he said. Hoping the free trade agreement with India would be signed by the end of this year, Stronck said it would be a comprehensive and competitive and would benefit both countries.

  • TURKEY AIMS TO BOOST TRADE TIES WITH INDIA

    TURKEY AIMS TO BOOST TRADE TIES WITH INDIA

    HYDERABAD (TIP): Investment opportunities in Turkey were highlighted by a Turkish delegation at a seminar organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday. Ceylan Özen Erien, Consul General, Consulate General of Turkey, who led the delegation, said that bilateral trade between India and Turkey, which was only $505 million in 2000, rose to almost $ 7 billion last year. Turkey is aiming at raising the trade volume with India to $10 billion within a few years. “The Free Trade Agreement that the two countries were working on would go a long way in achieving this target,” she said. Bi-lateral trade was skewed in India’s favour, with export from the country to Turkey totalling over $ 6 billion, while Turkey’s exports to India was about $ 750 million, she added. India’s exports to Turkey include petroleum products, vaccines, cotton yarn, organic chemicals, denim, steel, granite and cars, while Turkey’s exports to India include poppy seeds, auto components, marble, textile machinery, cumin seeds and copper ores. Ceylan said Turkey was now looking at new markets in Asia and Africa. Turkey is holding an international business summit in November, which will cover sectors such as ready wear, textile, leather, and textile machinery.

  • GVK partners Samsung, Smithbridge for Oz project

    GVK partners Samsung, Smithbridge for Oz project

    HYDERABAD (TIP):

    Hyderabad-based GVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd (GVKPIL) plans to tie up $10 billion of funds for its Australian pit-to-port project in a year’s time. With all approvals in place, the company has awarded a contract to Korea-based Samsung C&T and Smithbridge Group Pvt Ltd of Australia for the port component. GVKPIL, through its subsidiary, Hancock Coal Infrastructure, is erecting the $10-billion project at Abbot Point in North Queensland. “We got all our approvals last week. From this week, we are starting our financing programme and construction contracts. The third quarter of the next calendar year will see financial closure and construction would start,” G V Sanjay Reddy, vicechairman, GVKPIL, said.

  • Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan In Line Of Friendly Fire

    Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan In Line Of Friendly Fire

    NEW DELHI (TIP): After dominating headlines as anticorruption mavericks India Against Corruption (IAC) members Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan found themselves at the receiving end of high-voltage attack from a fellow anti-corruption activist. Y P Singh, a former Mumbai cop and an active member of the Mumbai chapter of IAC, accused the Bhushan-Kejriwal duo of letting off BJP leader Nitin Gadkari with a “dud” while suppressing far more incriminating evidence on NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Singh alleged that the acts of “omission and commission” were deliberate and meant to facilitate Kejriwal’s aspirations for the upcoming Delhi elections. The former cop said that Kejriwal and Bhushan decided to play up the charges against Gadkari even when those were “legally weak” because they were anxious to put the BJP on the same footing as Congress clearly with an eye to contest Delhi elections.

    The activists rejected the charge saying, “We raised pending allegations of corruption against Sharad Pawar in May, 2012. Pawar was one of the 15 ministers against whom IAC presented documents. The issue was also raised in July when Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai sat on an indefinite fast demanding an independent SIT probe.” Singh’s attack, however, fed into the confusion that gripped national Capital’s political circles, even activists, when Kejriwal and Bhushan concentrated their fire on Gadkari. Until 5pm on October 17, the national Capital was agog with the estimate that IAC was going to unleash “explosive” material on both Gadkari and a senior NCP leader. Sources in the IAC had also confirmed that the disclosures would be targeted at more than one politician.

    The switch of tactic has been interpreted in the light of IAC’s need to project neutrality in light of the torrent of Congress’s taunts that they were the B-team of the BJP. IAC has targeted Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and has been keeping a safe distance from Baba Ramdev in order to dodge the latter’s pro-Hindutva sensitivities. It has also made a demonstrative attempt to shake off the charge of being a RSS front by replacing the picture of Bharat Mata with that of Mahatma Gandhi as the backdrop of its dais, while Bhushan’s stance on J&K are hugely at odds with those of the BJP.

    But Congress has kept at the “B-team” allegation, disregarding in the process the involvement of activists like Medha Patkar and Santosh Hegde, who have a history of annoying the BJP. While IAC’s termed as insinuation that they were soft on Pawar, Singh’s attack showcased that they could be equally vulnerable to the weapons that they have used to target the establishment. The evaporation of government’s monopoly over information, social media and new modes of communication as well as new devices like the Right to Information may have facilitated many activists who feel empowered by the success of Kejriwal and Bhushan to gatecrash the elite club of politicians. With the reverence for authority gone, Singh has shown that the stature of Kejriwal and Bhushan may not deter their comrades from setting standards which they would like the “movement” to conform to. Failure to live up to those will attract charges of betrayal. Having cracked the code of silence, Bhushan and Kejriwal can expect to be judged by a higher standard; perhaps even tougher than they have prescribed for others.

  • IOC ties up with Korea Gas for LNG venture

    IOC ties up with Korea Gas for LNG venture

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Flagship refiner IndianOil Corporation on Wednesday signed an MoU with Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) to jointly explore opportunities in oil and gas, including liquid gas transported in ships or LNG. “IOC and Kogas signed an MoU for joint participation in exploration and production of gas and oil at the global level and developing natural gas infrastructure projects and LNG sourcing,” company’s director (business development) A M K Sinha said on the sidelines of Petrotech 2012 conference.

    The team of Kogas executives under its executive vice-president (LNG) Hyun Kun Shin met IndianOil chairman R S Butola who emphasized the need for time-bound progress in areas identified in the MoU. Butola later said IOC was looking at Kogas’ strength for LNG swaps. One of the possibilities was to source LNG from US through Kogas. Since US laws bar gas exports to non-FTA countries, Indian companies are barred from accessing US gas.

    But Korea being a free trade partner of US, Kogas imports LNG from US, which can be swapped. Kogas is the national gas company of Korea and the world’s largest single importer of LNG, clocking about 33 million tonnes in 2011. Kogas is the developer, owner and operator of three large-scale LNG receiving terminals as well as an extensive nationwide pipeline network in Korea. It has equity investments in LNG liquefaction projects and 20 overseas E&P projects and has lined up LNG sourcing contracts from several countries.

  • Salman Khusrshid Issues Veiled Threat To Kejriwal

    Salman Khusrshid Issues Veiled Threat To Kejriwal

    NEW DELHI: Union law minister Salman Khurshid is in the midst of another row, with TV channels showing him issuing a veiled threat to activists of India Against Corruption (IAC), who have announced to protest against the minister in his constituency, Farrukhabad.

    The law minister is at the loggerheads with the IAC over the functioning of Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, run by Salman Khurshid and his wife Louise. In an address to his supporters, as shown on TV channels, Khurshid is heard saying, “Let him come to Farrukhabad, let him come to Farrukhabad… but will he be able to return from Farrukhabad?”

    The Union law minister further says… “I was told to work with a pen. I will continue to work with the pen, but time has come to also work with the blood.” India Against Corruption has reacted strongly to the law minister’s remarks and has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister and the President.

    Refusing to bow down to threats, they have announced to go ahead with their protest programme in Farrukhabad. Reacting to Salman Khushid’s comments, Arvind Kejriwal has said it is not right for the country’s law minister to use such a language. He tweeted, “Killing me won’t help. Kyonki poora desh jaag gaya hai. Ek arvind marega to 100 arvind khade honge.”

  • Uttarakhand the land of clear lakes

    Uttarakhand the land of clear lakes

    Uttarakhand – the land of gods, the home of Himalayas and truly a paradise on earth, allures everyone from everywhere. The fresh air, the pure water, the chilling snow, the adverting mountains, the scenic beauty, the small villages, the simpler people and a tougher lifestyle is Traditional Hindu lore describes Uttarakhand as “Devbhumi” (Land of God), and they hold many important pilgrimage places. Just as importantly, the trouble and effort that it took the faithful to reach these places was seen as a means to help cleanse one’s soul, just as beating wet clothes against a rock knocked out all the dirt. Uttarakhand is paradise for different types of adventure activities. Like River Rafting, Trekking, Skiing, Camping, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, River Crossing. Mountaineering, Paragliding and Hot Ballooning make Uttarakhand one of the most attractive destinations for adventure sports not only in the India but the world. Uttarakhand is located in the northern India and is a place that has something to offer for every visitor visiting the place. It is a beautiful place that is also called the land of lakes and waterfalls. It is a place where one can find some of the most beautiful landscapes, mountains, etc. There are a number of beautiful and picturesque lakes in Uttarakhand. Given below is a list of some famous lakes in Uttarakhand.

    The following are the important lakes of Uttarakhand:

    Bheemtal

    Bheemtal Lake is named after the second Pandava brother Bhima in the Mahabharata who was known for his prodigious strength. Bhimtal is a famous lake that is located 25 kms. from Nainital. It is much clearer and quieter than Nainital. Located at 1,200 meters above sea level, Bhimtal gets slightly warmer during the summer months but it still makes for a great holiday destination where one can relax the mind and body. Bhimtal is one of the largest lakes in the whole of Uttarakhand.

    Devaria tal

    Devaria Tal is situated near Ukhimath in Uttarakhand. It is considered a very holy place. It is spread over 700 metres and is surrounded by the beautiful Chaukhamba peak. With forests all around the lake, it is an ideal place for bird watchers or for those who love angling. One can also reach Devaria Tal after a trek of about 8 kms. but, do keep in mind that this is a very steep trek that can really tire you out.

    Dodi tal

    Dodi Tal is a beautiful lake located in Uttarakhand and is situated very close to the Uttarkashi district. Dodi Tal gets its name from a particular kind of trout (freshwater fish) that is found here, by the name of Dodi. The water of this lake is said to be quite refreshing for the skin. Dodi Tal Lake is the source of the River Asi Ganga that merges with the River Bhagirathi near Gangotri. For a beautiful view of the Bandarpoonch Peak, located at 6,387 meters above sea level, one could climb up a little from the lake. A track little further leads one to the Hanumanchatti located at 2,400 meters.

    Dhalipur lake

    A water sports resort has been developed at the Asan Barrage by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam in the year 1994. Asan Barrage was created in 1967 and it is popularly known as Dhalipur Lake. Situated 43 kms from Dehradun on Chandigarh-Shimla highway, the resort offers facilities like water skiing, boating, rowing, kayaking, canoeing etc. Wildlife lovers have an added bonus during the winter season as migratory birds can be seen in the vicinity

    Govind ghat

    This is 2 kms before Pandukesar and is the gateway for the Hem Kund Lake and the internationally well-known Valley of the Flowers. The Hem Kund Saheb is 20 kms by foot from here. There we find a Sikh Temple and some hotels. The Valley of the Flowers is a 17 km walk.

    Hemkund
    Hemkund is approached via Sutol or Roopkund after crossing Shila Saturday glacier. It is a small lake encompassing a view of the Trishul and Nanda Ghunti Base camps.

    Kashni Tal

    Madmaheshwar is a beautiful temple in the Garhwal Himalayas, in a valley between Badrinath and Kedarnath. A river called Madmaheshwar Ganga originates in a deep ravine below.

    Kagbhushandi Lake

    On the Valley of Flowers Road, a 20 km trek from a village called Bhyundar is a vast lake, the beauty of which is amazing. Since getting here is very difficult, very few tourists are found here.

    Kedar Tal

    Kedar Tal is situated at an altitude of 4,425 meters above sea level and about 18 kms. from Gangotri. The lake is so clear that the reflections of the Thalaiyasagar peaks are clearly visible in the water. But if you want to trek up the near-by places, make sure that you are well prepared because it can be a pretty tiring one. Also, make sure you take a tour guide with you to Kedar Tal since the route can be a little tough. .

    Maneri

    The Maneri-Bhali project, which supplies 93 MW of power to Uttarakhand, is located on the left bank of Bhagirathi, close to Uttarkashi. Roughly 13 km upstream of Uttarkashi is the village of Maneri. Here, a lake of an unbelievably beautiful and clear colour reflecting the surrounding conifers has been formed by damming the Bhagirathi, which is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction. There is camping site here on the banks of the river.

    Naukuchia tal

    Naukuchia Tal, literally, Nine-Cornered Lake, is 26 km (16 mi) from Nainital and 4 km from Bhimtal at an altitude of 1,220 m (4,003 ft). The lake is almost 1 km (1 mi) long, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) wide and approximately 40 m (131 ft) deep. It is the deepest of the lakes in the greater Nainital area. According to legend, if one takes in all nine corners in one glimpse, one can disappear in a cloud of smoke.

    Naini Lake

    Naini Lake is a natural fresh water vast lake made up of tectonic rocks. This lake is placed amongst the serene seven mountains that border this moribund water pool and the extravagant peaks, which seems to touch the sky. Many visitors jam here to adore the magnificent beauty that elongates over 3.5km. According to the mythological significance the left of Sati had fallen over here, hence the name naini (eye) derived for the lake. There is a temple of Naina Devi besides this pristine lake, which is said to be the location where her eye had fallen. This spot is known to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, which visitors from worldwide throng.

  • Nitin Gadkari usurped farmers’ land, says Kejriwal

    Nitin Gadkari usurped farmers’ land, says Kejriwal

    NEW DELHIl (TIP): Arvind Kejriwal on October 17 targeted BJP president Nitin Gadkari, accusing him of receiving personal favours by getting around 100 acres of agriculture land in Maharashtra after the Congress-NCP government there bent rules. Utilising a much-hyped press conference here to ” expose” Gadkari, the activistturned- politician alleged that all parties were involved in a cosy relationship of “looting” the country even though they raise issues against each other just for the sake of it.

    Specifically, Kejriwal alleged a quid pro quo between BJP and Congress-NCP government of Maharashtra, saying Gadkari and his party maintained “silence” over various issues of corruption like the irrigation scam surrounding the Maharashtra government. Aided by lawyer Prashant Bhushan and another IAC activist from Maharashtra Anjali Damania, Kejriwal alleged that rules were bent by the Maharashtra government, particularly scam-tainted former irrigation minister Ajit Pawar to benefit Gadkari. He claimed that vast tracts of land were acquired from farmers for building a dam in Umred taluka in Nagpur district and excess land that should have been returned to the farmers was given to Gadkari and his company following Ajit Pawar’s intervention.

    The state government, which had rejected in 2002 the farmers’ demand for return of the excess land, took the decision to give it to Gadkari within days of his request in June 2005, Kejriwal alleged. Claiming to have letters signed by Ajit Pawar, he said that the then irrigation minister influenced the Vidharbha Industrial Development Corporation even though its secretary objected, saying it could not be done “legally”. “There has been a conspiracy. BJP has betrayed the country. People had hoped that BJP will point fingers at the ruling party when it falters. But to increase his business empire, Gadkari has done setting with ruling parties. “…Gadkari is not a politician. He is not in politics. He is using BJP to increase his business interests. Now the party has also amended its Constitution to give him a second term as president,” Kejriwal claimed.

    He said Gadkari’s business links were harming the interests of farmers. Kejriwal alleged that the state government acquired excess land and did not give it back to farmers as per law. Giving an example, he said one Gajanan Ghagde had approached the government seeking return of his land. But the government sat on it for almost two years but when Gadkari wrote a letter seeking transfer of the same land to him, Pawar wrote a letter recommending it in four days, he alleged. “There was action on Gadkari’s letter very fast but a representation by the farmer did not get any response for two years. And when it came, they were not given back,” Kejriwal said.

    He said Gadkari has a big business empire and his interests range from power to sugar to ethanol. When asked about allegations that she raised the irrigation scam because her land was being acquired, Damania rejected the allegations and said government letter has made it clear that whose land were acquired would get money or land in return. She alleged that dams were being built in the name of farmers were actually used to supply water to power plants set up by politicians of all hues. Kejriwal alleged Robert Vadra was looting farmers’ land in Haryana while Gadkari was doing the same in Maharashtra.

    “We thought Vadra was the son-in-law of the Gandhis. But Sharad Yadav has come to his rescue, Sharad Pawar and Akhilesh Yadav have supported him. We did not know that he is the son-in-law of all of them,” he said. Lawyer Prashant Bhushan alleged, “A corrupt mafia is taking over parties. Parliament has now become a club of corrupt. Good people has no entry there and they had challenged us to enter politics and we have accepted it.”

    BJP RALLIES BEHIND GADKARI

    Rallying behind Nitin Gadkari, senior BJP leaders rejected charges of any wrongdoing by him in acquiring land in Maharashtra and said the allegations would be fought politically and not legally. Soon after Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Gadkari had acquired large tracts of farm land in Maharashtra through improper means, BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley came out in strong defence of the party chief, saying the charges were “false and baselss”. Addressing a joint press conference, the two leaders took a dig at activist-turnedpolitician Kejriwal, saying he was rubbishing all parties to “hog the limelight”.

    “Lot of hype was created about the press conference as if some big bomb is being exploded… He (Kejriwal) tried his best to dig out some scam but could not find anything,” said Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. “We are happy that our national president is not involved in any scam. The party is fully with him,” she said. Dubbing Kejriwal’s press conference as “just like an election rally”, Swaraj said, “We will fight politically. We won’t go for defamation suit.” Jaitley said since Kejriwal was forming a political party, he has the ambition of hogging the “limelight”. “A mountain of what was not even a mole-hill sought to be created… The hitman (Kejriwal) has scored a self-goal.”

  • MOVE COURT IF VADRA-DLF ORDER INCORRECT, DARES KHEMKA

    MOVE COURT IF VADRA-DLF ORDER INCORRECT, DARES KHEMKA

    CHANDIGARH (TIP): The Robert Vadra- DLF land deal has stirred up a fresh controversy with the Town and Country Planning chief of Haryana, TC Gupta, claiming there were “factual inaccuracies” in the orders issued by Ashok Khemka who stood by his decision and said the aggrieved parties were free to move court. Khemka as Director General of Consolidation had cancelled the sale deed of 3.5 acre of land to realty major DLF following a deal with Vadra and had ordered probe into the entire episode.

    He said any party could approach the high court if they felt aggrieved with his recent order. The 1991 batch IAS officer met Haryana Chief Secretary PK Chaudhary here for about 50 minutes, his first meeting after the recent controversy arising out of his order and his subsequent transfer from the post of Director General of Consolidation. Earlier, Gupta had taken on Khemka, a 1991 batch IAS officer, saying his order cancelling the mutation of the land deal contained “factual inaccuracies” and had been passed in “total disregard of administrative propriety”.

    In a strongly worded letter to State Chief Secretary PK Chaudhary, Gupta, Director General of Haryana’s Town and Country Planning Department, referred to “orders of Director General, Consolidation of Land Holdings & Land Records-cum-Inspector General of Registration issued on October 15.” Khemka had observed that the Town and Country Planning department should not have renewed the LOI / licence granted to the vendor when a major portion of the consideration money had already been paid to it by the DLF. Gupta said the original copy of Khemka’s order has still not been received by his department, “even though the same has found its way to all newspapers / electronic media”. “In these orders, certain comments have unnecessarily been made against the working of this department which are not only unfounded but totally uncalled for,” he said. Talking to reporters after his meeting with the Chief Secretary, Khemka said, “The talk with the CS is privileged communication. It cannot be disclosed to the media.”

    “I have left the post of DG Consolidation. If any party or government has any grievance following my order, the remedy for them is to approach the (Punjab and Haryana) High Court,” he said. In his letter, Gupta said that concerned officer (Khemka) is clearly not aware of the difference between licence and LOI. Licence is issued only after requirements mentioned in LOI are fulfilled. He said “these observations show lack of knowledge on the part of the officer not only about Haryana Development & Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975 and Rules, 1976 framed thereunder which these licences are granted / renewed but also about the provisions of Transfer of Property Act, which the officer, in the capacity of Inspector General of Registration, was supposed to know.”

  • Congress president Sonia Gandhi attacks BJP in its bastion

    Congress president Sonia Gandhi attacks BJP in its bastion

    MANGALORE (TIP): An aggressive Sonia Gandhi on October 18 took the fight to the BJP in its stronghold of coastal Karnataka. She launched a frontal attack on the saffron party for opposing the ruling UPA’s policies, and for dividing the coastal districts on communal lines. The Congress president devoted a better part of her 18-minute address to attacking the BJP. Explaining why UPA 2 increased the price of diesel and capped subsidized LPG cylinders to six per annum, Sonia said: “It’s imperative for the Union government to manage its finances prudently while ensuring that the flagship poverty-alleviation programmes are protected and sustained.”

    She questioned the reluctance of BJP-ruled states to emulate the decision of Congress governments in states to raise the cap to nine. “It is as much your responsibility as it is ours to alleviate the problems of the common man,” she said wondering why the BJP government in Karnataka has not lowered VAT on motor fuels. Pointing out that the BJP, which is opposing foreign investment in multibrand retail, had proposed it when in power, the UPA chairperson said: “The BJP does not care for farmers.” The main beneficiary of FDI will be the consumer, who will pay less, she said. Farmers will get direct links to the market, without middlemen.

    Sonia said: “It is the Congress which empowered people to take it head on by bringing in RTI.” Asking the BJP to look at the track record of its state governments on corruption , she reminded the main opposition how it did not allow the Lokpal bill to be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

  • Make Lampshades from paper for your home

    Make Lampshades from paper for your home

    Many home owners often have old table or floor lamps, which no longer suit their personal taste. Instead of buying a new lampshade, home owners can opt to make one, on their own. There are a number of styles that one can choose from, to make a unique lampshade that suits one’s style.For this project, you will need an old lampshade for the basic frame, fabric or paper of your choice to cover it, a thin piece of ribbon to match the fabric or paper, trimmings such as bows, beads, tassels, sea shells, small pebbles etc., glue and a pair of tweezers. Ensure that you’ve got the right length of the paper or fabric and the readymade lamp base, to make it convenient for you to glue your own fabric or paper. Your first step will entail wrapping the fabric or paper of your choice around the frame.

    While cutting out the shape of your lampshade, make sure you leave about half an inch at the top and bottom edges, so that you can glue the edges neatly on the inside of the frame.

    Once you have glued the fabric or paper neatly to the frame, glue the narrow piece of ribbon to the edges, to give your frame a clean look. Now, it is time to personalize your lampshade.

    You can stick pebbles, beads or sea shells directly on the shade, using tweezers. Alternatively, use ribbed sea shells or some other home-made stencil such as a cut ladyfinger or French bean. Now, dip the sea shells and the other stencil items in paint and create evenly spaced designs of your choice.

    You can also stick a row of tassels on the bottom of your lamp shade.

    If the lampshade is for your children’s room, you can use a cardboard with paper glued onto it.

    Cardboard will enable you to cut out shapes of stars and other favourite cartoon characters, which will then give out images of those characters on the wall, when the lamp is lit. If you’re making your own lampshade, use only low-wattage light bulbs to ensure that your fabric, paper and other trimmings do not catch fire, as high-wattage bulbs can get very hot when lit for long periods.

  • Govt panel wants curbs on phone taps

    Govt panel wants curbs on phone taps

    NEW DELHI (TIP): A governmentappointed panel recommended several measures, including guidelines on interception of telephonic conversations, video and audio recordings, use and storage of data as well as setting up of dispute resolution entities at Centre and state-level to protect the privacy of individuals. The group led by former Delhi High Court chief justice A P Shah was set up by the Planning Commission to identify privacy issues and prepare a document to facilitate the proposed Privacy Act.

    The group was set after concerns were raised about the impact on privacy of individuals with the emergence of several national programmes such as Unique Identification number, NATGRID, DNA profiling, Reproductive Rights of Women, privileged communications and brain mapping, most of which will be implemented through information and communication technology (ICT) platforms.

    The panel recommended that reasons for interception must be specified and be recorded in writing and the provisions establish conditions for authorization by the competent authority. It said that all interceptions can be in force for 60 days and renewed for not more than 180 days. The panel said records of interception be destroyed by the security agencies after six months or nine months and service providers must destroy records after two months or six months. It also said that intermediaries must provide an internal check to ensure the security, confidentiality and privacy of intercepted material, and intermediaries would be held legally responsible for any unauthorized access or disclosure of intercepted materials.

    The panel said the proposed Act should extend the right of privacy to individuals and bring under its regulation data controllers, which includes all corporates, public/ governmental bodies and organizations. Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar said, “The group has evaluated what is happening in the other country and what is the constitutional position in India… how imperatives of national security and right to privacy of individual can be harmonized.” It said the Act should clarify that publication of personal data for artistic and journalistic purposes in public interest, use of personal information for household purposes and disclosure of information as required by the RTI Act should not constitute an “infringement of privacy”.

    The proposed Privacy Act should also articulate national privacy principles. The principles will extend and be binding to all private/ public data controllers. It said the principles must establish safeguards and procedures over the collection, processing, storage, retention, access, disclosure, destruction of sensitive personal information, personal identifiable information and identifiable information. The Act should establish the Central office of the privacy commissioner, regional level privacy commissioner, self regulating organizations at the industry level and data controllers and privacy officers if required at the organization level, the report recommended.

    The panel also recommended that the infringement of any provision under the Act should constitute as an “offence” and individuals may seek “compensation” from organizations/ bodies held accountable. The group agreed that any proposed framework for privacy legislation must be technologically neutral and interoperable with international standards. “Specifically, the Privacy Act should not make any reference to specific technologies and must be generic enough such that principle and enforcement mechanisms adaptable to changes in society, the market place, technology and government,” the report said. It recommended that any individual or public/ private organization using video and audio recording equipment should be bound to do so in compliance with the national privacy principles. Currently, in India, the use of audio and video recording devices is unregulated although there have been attempts to address the use of these devices.

    The panel said individuals using these devices must be accountable to an overseeing body to ensure that the circumstances are “exceptional” and that use of the devices are “not abused”. It recommended that recorded information must be secured to ensure that unauthorized use and disclosure does not take place. Collected information pertaining only to the exceptional circumstances should be collected. “If an individual is recorded, the individual should be notified after the investigation, exposure is completed,” the committee said. It said in the context recording devices being built into widely available technologies, manufacturers may be required to build the privacy principle of purpose limitation into the design of technologies through features that only allow the technology to be used in a specific manner. It should not be possible for users to turn these features off.

    The Justice Shah panel was set up after differences surfaced over the Privacy Bill between various ministries. The committee was constituted to take a call on the draft Bill prepared by the department of personnel and training (DoPT.) After the leak of taped conversations among corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, business leaders and journalists, the government had expanded the scope of the Bill to include provisions on lawful interception, surveillance and illegal commercial communication.

  • Try Turmeric for supple skin

    Try Turmeric for supple skin

    Turmeric is a staple ingredient in most Indian cuisines. It has many therapeutic effects. While you might not think beyond sprinkling a little in a glass of warm milk to battle a cold, there’s much more to the innocuous turmeric than that. Indians have been using turmeric to beautify themselves since ages now.Here are just some reasons why you should be using turmeric as well: If you have an uneven skin tone and would do anything to get that perfect peaches and cream complexion, then turmeric’s what you need

    Turmeric evens out the skin tone by reducing the traces of pigmentation. Mix a little turmeric powder along with cucumber juice or lemon juice and apply on skin. Wash it off after 15 minutes. But remember to do this everyday to notice a significant change in your skin color. Turmeric makes for an awesome body scrub. This is why most Indian brides used to smear a paste of turmeric and besan on their bodies before their wedding to get skin that is super smooth, baby soft and glowing. Application of turmeric and a little milk cream also makes the skin supple and improves its elasticity

  • Eye on policy changes, PMO gets new faces

    Eye on policy changes, PMO gets new faces

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Fresh faces and new thinking has been infused into the Prime Minister’s Office. Manmohan Singh has rejiged his office to bring in some of the brightest bureaucrats from the MEA as part of an administrative shake-up, which promises more policy changes. Vikram Misri has taken over from Jaideep Sarkar as private secretary to the PM, a key job, held by Sarkar for over seven years. Sarkar, a PM;s favourite, will become the new ambassador to Israel that is considered a prized posting. Misri was brought in from Munich, where he was India’s consul-general to become joint secretary, PMO, after his predecessor, Pankaj Saran went on to become High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

    Javed Ashraf has taken Misri’s place as joint secretary in the PMO, after serving for almost two years as joint secretary Americas, where he was the custodian of India’s US relationship. His move to the PMO is considered significant, because he would be the linchpin of a lot of policy work cutting across sectors. In the MEA, Vikram Doraiswamy has been given charge of the Americas division, which is generally believed to be one of the key assignments. Doraiswamy, who is proficient in Mandarin, was in charge of SAARC countries after returning from South Africa.

    Although the IFS is a fairly small service, certainly in the past few months, both the President and the PM have picked them up for key jobs. Pranab Mukherjee selected Gayatri Kumar, who was posted in Paris and was in charge of Americas division earlier, as his social secretary, and Venu Rajamony, also from the IFS and on deputation to the finance ministry, as his press secretary a few months ago.

  • Naxals forged ties with ISI with SIMI’s help: Bengal DGP

    Naxals forged ties with ISI with SIMI’s help: Bengal DGP

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Maoists may have been facing all-round reverses in West Bengal ever since chief minister Mamata Banerjee took charge of the state last year, but they have forged a deadly alliance with the Pakistani spy agency ISI through overground radicals and remnants of the banned outfit SIMI during the period. Revelation was made by the West Bengal police chief Naparajit Mukherjee here on Thursday when he told a gathering of chief secretaries and DGPs of other naxal-affected states about the growing Maoist-ISI nexus in four districts of the state.

    Expressing his anguish over the development, he is learnt to have said that the nexus had been reported after arrests of some Maoists who elaborated how overground sympathizers of the Red Ultras acted as a ‘link’ for them. Murshidabad,West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura are the four districts where the West Bengal Police had noticed actions that hinted at Maoist-ISI linkages. The link is believed to be helping the ultras in getting arms and ammunition through existing network of north-east insurgents.

    Though the Union home ministry did not add to what Mukherjee told the gathering over the nefarious link, security and intelligence agencies spoke about the possibility through Maoists sympathizers. They also said that the Maoists’ support to the Jammu & Kashmir terrorists for their cause in the bordering state had never been a secret. The disclosure of Mukherjee comes even as Bengal has shown remarkable change in the situation where it effectively controlled the Red menace in the past one year through consistent intelligence-based operations against the Red Ultras.

    Home ministry latest figures on naxal violence show that West Bengal – once a hotbed of Maoist activities – has, in fact, moved closer to what Andhra Pradesh had achieved by reporting zero casualty consistently in past so many years. Ministry’s statistics, based on state’s reports, show that none of three highly Maoist-affected districts – West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura — did not reported any killing in the past 10 months. The period, which incidentally coincides with the Banerjee’s rule in the state, had also seen the elimination of senior naxal leaders including top CPI(Maoist) politburo member Kishenji and arrest of several others during joint operations of state police and central paramilitary forces.West Midnapore, which witnessed as many as 360 deaths of civilians and security personnel during 2009-11, has reported zero casualty this year. Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Malda have also not reported any casualty.

    Officials here believed that human intelligence-based ‘specific’ operations as well as the CM’s approach to reach out to people directly in the Maoist-affected districts had played important role in achieving such a situation in West Bengal.

  • Orange juice makes you look more Beautiful

    Orange juice makes you look more Beautiful

    Adaily glass of orange juice can help improve your skin, hair and nails, say a panel of health and beauty experts. They attribute the benefits to the vitamin C, potassium and folic acid it contains. Vitamin C is essential in the production of collagen, along with super nutrient Lutein. Its yellow pigment is linked to reducing sun-induced skin damage and is believed to improve elasticity of the skin. A 200ml glass of orange typically contains 60mg vitamin C and equates to 100 per cent of an adult’s recommended daily amount. “The adage of ‘you are what you eat’ is not a new one but science has lagged behind in determining the effect nutrition has on our skin, hair and nails,” the Mirror quoted nutritionist Amanda Ursell as saying. “Beauty experts are starting to see the benefits of a glass of this nutrient packed product, realising it isn’t just what you put on your body but what you put into it too,” she added. The research was undertaken with 200 beauty industry workers who are members of CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women). Two thirds of beauty professionals (65 per cent) said they recommend clients to drink a glass a day as part of their current beauty routine. Susan Mahy, board director at Cosmetic Executive Women UK, said: “The essential nutrients you need for healthy skin, hair and nails are most beneficial when ingested as part of your diet. “Our panel of executive women in the cosmetic, fragrance and hairdressing industries concluded that they have a direct effect on the skin,” Mahy added.

  • Anna to begin nationwide tour from Patna in January

    Anna to begin nationwide tour from Patna in January

    PUNE (TIP): Social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday announced his plan to begin a nation-wide tour from January 2013 for starting a citizens’ movement for a corruption-free India and for bringing in the Jan Lokpal bill. The tour, he said, will begin from Gandhi maidan in Patna in Bihar from where Loknayak Jai Prakash Narayan had started his Janandolan

    During his tour, which will continue for one and half years in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Hazare said he will work for forming a nation-wide organization of citizens, activists and workers who have been working against corruption at the district, taluka and village levels. There will be no officebearers in this citizens’ organization and everyone will work as volunteers, he added. The plan for his nation-wide tour, he said, had been delayed due to his eye surgery. “I plan to reach out to crores of people in these two years and create public pressure on the government for bringing in the Jan Lokpal and other laws for good governance. The organization of activists and workers will have to work towards creating public awareness,” he said.

    “I have been advised by experts to use all social media platforms to communicate and reach out to the people involved in this movement. A meeting of experts was held in Ralegan Siddhi on October 14 to decide about formation of the nation-wide organization of people and the means to reach out to them,” he said. Hazare announced that within a week, an online facility will be created for people to participate in the public movement. “It is not impossible for people to come together what with modern communication and information technology,” he added.

    Common people, he said, are facing severe hardships in life due to massive corruption in the country. It is only because of corruption that the cost of living has increased, he said. Referring to his agitations in April and August 2011 in Delhi for the Jan Lokpal bill, Hazare said it was after 65 years and the first time since Independence that there was such a huge public movement. The government does not have the will to bring in the Jan Lokpal Bill, he added.

    “However, there has been awareness among people and several thousand workers who have been working against corruption have sent letters saying that they are ready to join the movement against corruption. Many youths have said they are ready to devote their entire life to the movement. Hundreds of social groups, organizations, retired IPS, IAS and military officers have expressed their wish to join in the movement against corruption. The number of such activists and workers will soon increase to a few crores in the next one and half years. A strong network of these activists will be created at the state, district, taluka and village levels. The time for change has come,” he said.

    Hazare said in addition to creating pressure on the government, it is necessary that people with good character are elected to the Parliament. For this, it is necessary that every voter takes a pledge that he/she will not indulge in any corrupt actions and vote for candidates with good character, irrespective of his or her religion, caste and other factors.

  • How An Ill-Fitting Bra Can Harm You

    How An Ill-Fitting Bra Can Harm You

    Did you know that 80 per cent women wear the wrong size bra? Scary fact but true; you may be wondering ‘so what! Well you should know that an ill-fitting bra could cause unsuspecting health problems like headaches and back pain.We unhook this problem and get to the core of this well padded issue.
    Get to know your bra–If you have noticed these following points:
    you are wearing the wrong bra:

    • Your bra strap is digging into your skin
    • Your breasts are spilling out of the cup
    • The cup is away from the top of the bra
    • The underband rides up your back
    • The underwire does not sit on the breastbone

    Restricted breathing

    If the bra is too tight or if the underwire does not fit perfectly on the breast bone, you will feel that you can’t breath properly.

    Indigestion

    A tight bra can cause indigestion; it can obstruct the flow of the digestive system.

    Back pain

    If the bra does not fit correctly, and the underband chokes the back, it can increase the risk of back pain. Same goes for shoulder blades, the bra should not restrict your movement.

    Poor posture

    If you slouch or hunch over it could be that your bra is causing the tension.

    Abrasions

    Ill-fitting bras can limit the circulation of blood and oxygen to certain parts of your body. The friction of a tight bra can also cause scratches.

    Breast pain

    Limited circulation in your breast can make you uneasy. This can lead to the next problem.

    Breast cancer

    Ill fitting bras restrict the lymph flow to the breasts; this increases the toxins in your breast, which may cause cancer.