The Indian Panorama

Month: December 2012

  • Is Jennifer Aniston Pregnant?

    Is Jennifer Aniston Pregnant?

    Jennifer Aniston could possibly be hiding a baby bump. The “Friends” actress, who is engaged to Justin Theroux, went to great lengths to cover her stomach with her sweater as she was snapped leaving Barney’s in Beverly Hills over the weekend.

    Besides the photo evidence, The Daily notes that Aniston has suddenly cleared her work schedule in recent weeks.Last month, she pulled out of “Getting Rid Of Matthew,” after her production company optioned the film rights to the book by Jane Fallon, the partner of Ricky Gervais. She has also given up her role in “Miss You Already,” which is filming in London.

  • China, Japan in Air Duel Over Disputed Isles

    China, Japan in Air Duel Over Disputed Isles

    BEIJING (TIP): A day after China’s top leader Xi Jinping asked the People’s Liberation Army to intensify its “real combat” awareness and “military readiness” in view of its tension with Japan over disputed islands, Japan on Thursday scrambled eight of its F-15 fighters to counter any possible threat from a Chinese aircraft that flew in close to Japan-controlled Diaoyu island. The move alarmed Washington and several other capitals.

    The day also happened to be the 75th anniversary of the Nanjing massacre by Japanese soldiers, and the Chinese government aircraft flying close to the disputed island was seen in Tokyo as a violation of Japan’s airspace. This is the first military move by China after Xi Jinping recently took the post of the Central Military Commission. Analysts said the fact that the Chinese aircraft flew in towards Japanese waters just days ahead of general election in Japan reflected Beijing’s worry that the vocally anti-China leader Shinzo Abe might get elected as the next PM. Japan described China’s action as “highly deplorable” .

    The Chinese ambassador in Tokyo was also summoned to hear a formal Japanese protest . But the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the action was “completely normal” because the area belonged to China. “The Diaoyu islands and affiliated islands are part of China’s inherent territory,” he said. “The Chinese side calls on Japan to halt all entries into water and airspace around the islands,” Hong said. The action may have future implications for China’s neighbours including India because Beijing might flex muscles in areas of South China Sea, which is being disputed between China, Vietnam and the Philippines. Beijing insists that India withdraw from oil exploration in the disputed area of South China Sea. Japan is already under strain after the satellite on Wednesday by North Korea, which has been antagonistic towards Tokyo.

  • Movie Review Playing for Keeps

    Movie Review Playing for Keeps

    Cast: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Noah Lomax, Judy Greer
    Direction: Gabriele Muccino
    Genre: Romantic Comedy
    Duration: 1 hour 48 minutes

    STORY: A former soccer star intends to win over his exwife and son but ends up charming the single mothers of the kids he coaches!

    MOVIE REVIEW: With his dashing good looks and expertise in soccer, George (Gerard Butler)has a way with women. While almost every second woman throws herself at the former Scottish soccer star, his heart is reserved for ex-wife Stacie (Jessica Biel) only. However, George’s bad timing and bad luck when it comes to finances and certain crucial decisions leads to their separation. Stacie finds herself a new boyfriend and son Lewis learns to live with the fact that his dad may never be around for him.

    Hoping for a reconciliation, George decides to get his act right. He tries to redeem himself by meeting the expectations of his estranged family. He starts with coaching and mentoring his son’s football team. Although, as luck or bad luck would have it, he ends up charming the hotshot single mothers of the kids instead! Will Stacie forgive her smokin’ hot husband and take him back? Playing for Keeps is a decent one-time watch only for the very gorgeous Gerard Butler.

    The film not only revolves around but also depends solely on his ‘sex appeal’ and it scores there. On the flipside, the rom-com/chick-flick is way too formulaic, cliched and predictable for your liking. Various women get cozy with George but there is no surprise element as to who gets him. There is no drama or twists andturns to the story. You don’t sympathize with poor chick-magnet George.

    A lack of depth to the characters makes you feel indifferent towards them. The bonding between the father and son is not explored much either. Jessica Biel as Stacie is your typical judgemental wife who plays hard to get. She has few dialogues and scenes. Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid, Judy Greer and Catherine Zeta-Jones have insignificant roles too. Gerard Butler fits the bill as a studly but vulnerable soccer star. He however falls short of evoking emotions in scenes which require that.

  • Whites in US Won’t be in Majority by 2043: Report

    Whites in US Won’t be in Majority by 2043: Report

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The Whites could become a minority in the US by 2043, losing for the first time their majority status ever since the nation came into being, latest projections released by the Census Bureau has said. “The US is projected to become a majority-minority nation for the first time in 2043. While the non- Hispanic white population will remain the largest single group, no group will make up a majority,” the Bureau said. The population projections released on Wednesday by the Bureau also said, the US population will be older and more racially and ethnically diverse by 2060.

    Minorities, now 37% of the US population, are projected to comprise 57% in 2060, from 116.2 million to 241.3 million. The minorities comprise all but the singlerace , non-Hispanic white population . The non- Hispanic white population is projected to peak in 2024, at 199.6 million, up from 197.8 million in 2012 and then will slowly decrease, falling by nearly 20.6 million from 2024 to 2060. The Asian population is projected to more than double , from 15.9 million in 2012 to 34.4 million in 2060, an increase from 5.1% to 8.2% of the total US population.

  • UK Hacking row: Editor of Murdoch Paper Quits

    UK Hacking row: Editor of Murdoch Paper Quits

    LONDON (TIP): News Corporation’s UK newspaper unit, embroiled in the aftermath of a phone hacking scandal, lost another highranking executive on Wednesday when the editor of The Times of London announced he would quit. The executive, James Harding, considered a golden boy of British journalism , said he would depart his post at The Times amid pressure from News Corporation’s senior leadership. “It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor.., ” I have therefore agreed to stand down,” he told.

    He called the corporation’s chief executive, Rupert Murdoch to offer his resignation , the second in two weeks at News International . On December 2, Tom Mockridge, chief executive of News International, had announced his resignation. Harding took over as editor of The Times in 2007 at 38, making him one of the youngest to hold the job in the broadsheet’s 227-year history. His counterpart at The Sunday Times, John Witherow, was widely expected to replace him. News International declined to comment.

  • Lifestyle diseases you Should Take Seriously

    Lifestyle diseases you Should Take Seriously

    Communicable diseases like malaria, cholera and polio have become manageable due to recent advancements in medicines. However, a new breed of diseases has developed, called ‘Lifestyle diseases’ such as heart disease, some cancers and diabetes, which are no longer a problem just in wealthy nations. Globally 14.2 million people between the ages of 30-69 years die prematurely each year from these diseases. These diseases have emerged as bigger killers than infectious or hereditary ones. Risk factors for these diseases include tobacco use, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. Today we will take look at the most common lifestyle diseases that you need to take seriously.

    Obesity

    Unhealthy eating habits, super-sizing meals, and reduced physical exercise all translate to obesity. A person with excessive weight suffers with breathing problems, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.

    The NFHS figures suggest that currently India ranks second with 155 million obese citizens and are increasing at 33-51% every year.

    Type II diabetes
    Obesity becomes the cause for other health problems such as Type II Diabetes which is the non-insulin dependent form, and generally develops in adults.

    The International Diabetes Federation suggests that India has the largest number of people who suffer with type 2 diabetes at around 40.9 million people.

    Arteriosclerosis

    This is a group of diseases that occur when the arterial blood vessel walls thicken and lose elasticity. Atherosclerosis is when fatty plaques deposit in the arterial walls and cause blood circulation disorders, chest pain, and heart attacks. It is linked with diabetes, obesity and a high BP.Around 30% to 40% of cardiovascular
    deaths happen in India among the age group of 34-64 years of age.

    Heart disease
    This refers to abnormalities that affect the heart muscle and blood vessel walls. The major factors involved in its development are smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol intake. India ranks No.1 in cardiac patients, around 50 million people in India suffer from heart problems.

    High blood pressure
    When the reading is 140/90 or higher, the BP is considered to be high. Hypertension results from a variety of reasons like stress, obesity, genetic factors, overuse of salt in the diet and ageing. In India, more than 100 million people have high blood pressure.

    Swimmer’s ear
    Swimmer’s ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. Buzzing or ringing ears, or difficulty in understanding speech patterns are its symptoms.

    Swimmer’s ears results due to loud music and constant use of headphones. An estimated of 12.5% have suffered permanent damage to their hearing in India from excessive exposure to noise, and the number is growing each year.

    Cancer
    Cancer includes any hysterical, irregular cell growth. The types of cancer could include lung cancer due to prolonged smoking, skin cancer due to too much exposure to the sun etc. Cancer killed almost 5,56,400 people across the country in 2011.

    Stroke
    A stroke results when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain has a blockage, thus creating an oxygen deficiency for the area of the brain it was carrying it to. Indian studies have shown that about 10% to 15% of strokes occur in people below the age of 40 years.

    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

    This is a disease described by a progressive, permanent obstruction of the airways. Smoking and air pollution are factors as well as reasons for worsening of this condition. Percentage of adults diagnosed with COBD in the past year: 4.3 million.

    Cirrhosis

    Cirrhosis refers to a group of liver disorders. Heavy alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis may be listed as causes.In India, approximately 36,149 people die each year due to cirrhosis.

    Nephritis
    This includes kidney disease characterized by swelling of the kidneys and abnormal function. Around 39,480 deaths are estimated due to nephritis each year in India.

  • Pakistan Extends Refugee Status for Afghans

    Pakistan Extends Refugee Status for Afghans

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan has extended refugee status for over a million Afghans in the country by an additional six months, the government announced, a move likely to ease fears of Afghans living in Pakistan that they would soon have to return home. Pakistan has been hosting hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees dating back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan three decades ago. But many Pakistanis have become increasingly frustrated with the length of time the Afghans have stayed and would like them to leave.

    The Pakistani government said in a statement released late Wednesday that refugee status had been set to expire on Dec. 30 and that they would extend it for another six months. The statement said there are 1.6 million registered and 1 million unregistered Afghans in Pakistan. The extension would not affect unregistered Afghans, who are considered illegal residents. The Afghan population in Pakistan is a legacy of Afghanistan’s repeated conflicts, starting with the Soviet Union’s invasion in 1979.

    Many refugees can’t fathom returning to Afghanistan any time soon, saying their homeland is still too violent and desperately poor. Ehsanullah Elaj, an Afghan refugee who is a dentist in the city of Rawalpindi next to Islamabad, questioned what would happen to the refugees after the six-month extension expires. “It would be very difficult for us to return to Afghanistan,” Elaj said. “The majority of people want to stay here.”

  • Spain Seizes 28 Million Euros in Hosni Mubarak-Linked Assets

    Spain Seizes 28 Million Euros in Hosni Mubarak-Linked Assets

    MADRID (TIP): Spain announced on Thursday it had seized 28 million euros ($37 million) in financial products, luxury cars and buildings linked to ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Egypt requested Spain’s help under UN anti-corruption conventions to find and block assets owned by Mubarak, his family, top aides and their related companies, a national police statement said. Police blocked 18.4 million euros in financial products held in three Spanish banks; two buildings in Madrid’s wealthy Moraleja district worth a combined seven million euros; and seven properties in the holiday resort of Malaga worth more than three million euros.

    They also seized seven luxury cars. “The assets could be the proceeds of crimes such as the embezzlement of public funds, corruption, or the illegal enrichment committed during his mandate,” police said. The Egyptian request targeted some 130 people, they said. Mubarak was ousted on February 11 last year after nearly three weeks of mass protests that left 846 people dead and more than 6,000 injured. Both the interim military government that took over after his overthrow and the administration of elected Islamist President Mohamed Morsi have repeatedly promised to bring to justice all those responsible for the deaths. Mubarak and his interior minister Habib al-Adly were both jailed for life for their role in ordering the killings.

  • Light up your haven

    Light up your haven

    Looking to set a mood? Just try turning on a lamp. The right type of lighting can create atmosphere, define spaces and spotlight prized possessions. The wrong type can make you sleepy, cause headaches and lead to accidents while performing even the simplest tasks.

    My philosophy in lighting design is that the most important thing to address is the feeling that you get from lighting. You have to know what’s comfortable and what works for you.

    Consider the room’s primary function, focal points, seating, colour scheme (dark absorbs light, pale reflects it) and desired mood. Then look at the home’s inhabitants, the bulb life, your budget, and the amount and quality of light required.
    TYPES OF LIGHTING

    General or ambient
    Overall illumination may come from one central source, like a ceiling fixture, or from several individual sources. Keep in mind that a level brightness is required to perform everyday tasks, but dimmers can be added to alter the atmosphere.

    Task
    Task lighting illuminates workspaces. If you already have overhead fluorescent lighting, opt for an incandescent table lamp .The balance between light sources — instead of shifting eyes from bright to dark areas — will help prevent headaches and eyestrain.

    Accent
    Dramatic accent lighting is excellent for highlighting focal points and a few of your favourite things. To effectively accent, you need to provide three times the level of general lighting. Too much accent lighting will destroy the effect and wash out the room.

    Bulbs
    Once you know the effect you’d like to achieve, it’s time to pick the appropriate bulb.
    INCANDESCENTS: Inexpensive, widely available in various shapes and sizes, and easy to install, filament bulbs are a popular choice. However, these bulbs often burn out quickly. Reflector bulbs, an incandescent subgroup, have a narrow, controlled beam that projects double the amount of light of typical filament bulbs. Parabolic reflectors have an even narrower beam, shining four times the light.

    HALOGENS: Technically a subset of incandescents, halogens combine filaments with gas to create a brighter, whiter light. Although these bulbs are typically more expensive than incandescents, they last longer, can be dimmed and conserve energy. Low-voltage halogens provide the same type of light but in a controlled beam, practical for all lighting effects.

    FLUORESCENTS: Available in long tubes and compact bulbs, fluorescents last 10 times longer than incandescents, burn about five times brighter, consume less energy and emit little heat — but can’t be dimmed. So, which to choose? The trick is to match the type of light source with your decor. You have to integrate it into the full design. For a room with warm materials such as wood and terracotta, incandescent yellow or orange hues work well. With cooler tones, such as grey and blue, whiter halogens are a better choice as they render a room’s colours truer than incandescent and fluorescents. For energy efficiency, though, choose fluorescents, especially in areas that you tend to leave lights on, for example hallways, kitchens and laundry rooms. More important than what you decide upon, is when. After a new house is built or following renovations, rewiring can be messy— and expensive. So, go right ahead and light up your haven in the New Year!

  • Democracy the Victim in Divided Egypt

    Democracy the Victim in Divided Egypt

    CAIRO (TIP): The latest crisis to sweep Egypt has inflicted considerable damage and now threatens the country’s transition to -democracy. The rules of political competition have not been followed and politics has veered towards violence, harming both the opponents and supporters of President Mohamed Morsi. Ostensibly, the issue has been Morsi’s constitutional -declaration. The Muslim Brotherhood, or Ikhwan, deemed this declaration necessary to pre-empt a ruling from the Constitutional Court that would have in effect ended the powers of the president and paralysed the political transition. The president has every reason to be sceptical of the court’s intentions.

    All its judges were appointed under Mubarak and some have never concealed their hostility to the Muslim Brotherhood. The president’s declaration was nonetheless a big mistake. By declaring his decisions immune from legal challenge – albeit for a limited period – Morsi angered a great many judges. Worse, his actions gave rise to the formation of a peculiar alliance between liberals, nationalists and some revolutionary youth groups on the one hand, and what are known in Egypt as felool, or “remnants”, on the other. The “remnants” include various people associated with Mubarak’s regime, including leading military, security and judicial figures, rural and provincial leaders of the disbanded National Democratic Party and business people who amassed huge fortunes in the Mubarak era.

    This odd alliance believes that the state has been hijacked by the Muslim Brotherhood and must be regained at any cost. Massive rallies and violent clashes followed Morsi’s declaration and the Muslim Brotherhood found itself increasingly isolated, with Salafist Islamists its only allies. But the opposition has also made a grave error. Inadvertently, the liberal, nationalist and youth elements in the political opposition have given the remnants an opportunity to return to centre stage. They have allowed their own Ikhwanophobia to dominate, giving more weight to their hatred of the Islamist forces than their evident love of -democracy. In their desire to topple the Muslim Brotherhood, they seem prepared to commit the greatest of profanities: to ally themselves with the former regime’s forces; they even ignore the violence of the notorious baltagiya, or criminal gangs.

    Latest standoff
    These thugs were used against the revolutionaries of Tahrir Square and leaders of Mubarak’s party and associated business people were accused of hiring them. The irony of the latest standoff is that the thugs have been used again to initiate bloody clashes with Morsi’s supporters, leading to further attacks and counterattacks between his supporters and opponents. The country is now so polarised that we see two camps without a go-between to mediate and perhaps reconcile them.

    When the president called for a national dialogue meeting, it was attended by 54 national leaders and legal figures but boycotted by the representatives of the main opposition forces, which continue to call for more protests. Here, the opposition has made another mistake. Appearing hell-bent on confrontation, it has strengthened the conviction of Morsi’s supporters that it is seeking to overthrow the legitimate authority of the democratically elected president. This impression was reinforced when opposition leaders -escalated their confrontational rhetoric even after the abolition of the declaration, calling for the postponement of the referendum on the constitution, scheduled for December 15.

  • Gujarat Witnesses 68% Voting in First Phase

    Gujarat Witnesses 68% Voting in First Phase

    AHMEDABAD (TIP): The hype around Gujarat elections 2012 had drawn an impressive voters turnout on December 13 in the first phase of elections—across Saurashtra and South Gujarat. Till 6 pm on December 13 the election commission was informed of an average 68 per cent polling across the state. However, voting was boycotted by two villages in Mota Gujariya in Bhesan taluka in Visavadar . In Dhulkot village in the same constituency only one voter turned up for voting. The reason for the apathy was the neglect of the state government on developmental projects in the two villages.

    In south Gujarat polling in districts Bharuch witnessed 67.6% polling, Narmada (71.8%), Surat (64% ), Tapi witnessed the highest polling with 72.99%, while neighboring Navsari district saw 72% polling. The tribal district of Dangs saw 63% polling, nearby Valsad district saw 67%, In Saurashtra region where heavyweights from the BJP, Congress and the Gujarat Parivartan Party are fightinga pitched battle , voter turn out was alao impressive. In Junagadh district for instance there was 65% polling , Rajkot district saw 63% , Amreli 62:3%, Porbandar district witnessed 57% polling , Jamnagr and Surendragar witnessed 65% polling whereas Bhavnagr district saw 63% polling and Ahmedabad rural saw 62:5 % polling.

  • Rahul Keeps Heat on Modi

    Rahul Keeps Heat on Modi

    PALANPUR (TIP): Continuing his veiled attack on chief minister Narendra Modi, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi said only one man is shining in Gujarat while others have been rendered insignificant. Unperturbed by Modi’s attacks on him, the Congress leader told a public rally in Palanpur that the youth is being suppressed in Gujarat . “You are being told that only one person is working and taking the state forward while in reality you are the ones sweating it out. According to him, all others are not doing anything,” he said.

    Rahul pointed that a good leader is the one who listens to the people he represents and makes their desires his goals. “But, here the common man’s voice is not being heard. It is being suppressed,” he said. The scion of the Gandhi family raised the issue of RTI and its implementation in the state. “In Gujarat people do not get replies to RTI applications as there is only one man who receives these applications and decides on the replies .”

    Raising the issue of appointment of a Lokayukta in the state again, he said the BJP was not interested in addressing corruption and is not allowing the Lok Pal bill to be passed in Parliament. He also attacked the Modi-led government for cutting short the days of assembly proceedings. He said the state has made history by letting the assembly function for just 32 days a year, and those who opposed this were expelled from the house. Rahul also lauded the entrepreneurial skills of the youth of Gujarat and said that they are even contributing to the economy of Belgium and making that country prosperous. He said the diamond business has thrived in the state since the days of their forefathers and not because of one man.

  • Modi Counterattacks, Fires Barbs at Rahul

    Modi Counterattacks, Fires Barbs at Rahul

    RAJKOT (TIP): Reacting to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi invoking Mahatma Gandhi in his election speeches, chief minister Narendra Modi scoffed at the Gandhi scion for narrating the historical anecdote of how Motilal Nehru found Gandhiji sleeping on the floor instead of a bed in their ancestral home in Allahabad. The AICC general secretary, who spoke at length on the relationship between the Nehru family and Gandhiji, had said in Jamnagar, that the Mahatma was unsettled by the fact that Nehru was sleeping on the floor in jail and that is why he had no right to sleep on the bed in Motilal Nehru’s house.

    “It was Gandhiji’s greatness to show concern for Nehru. He was always compassionate towards his co-workers. But I want to ask (Rahul Gandhi) what does it show when Motilal himself slept in the comfort of a bed when his own son was sleeping on the floor in jail. You are descendents of Motilal” Modi questioned, addressing rallies in Dholka and Surendranagar. Modi also ridiculed Rahul for talking about the telecom revolution engineered by late Rajiv Gandhi.

    “What is the use of a mobile when you can’t provide electricity to charge it?” he said, slamming the Central Government for the sorry state of electricity in India. The chief minister also said that instead of asking votes by referring to the telecom revolution, the Congress should work towards meeting people’s basic needs. “Do you want a mobile phone or do you want food? Do you want a mobile phone or relief from inflation?” he remarked.

    Countering Rahul’s charges on 14,000 pending RTI applications, Modi advised him to check Delhi government’s pending list of applications. “There are three lakh pending RTI applications in Delhi,” he claimed. Reacting to Rahul’s allegations that the state Assembly did business only for 25 days in a year, Modi said, “From May 2011 to May 2012, Rahul Gandhi’s attendance in the Lok Sabha was 24 out of 85 sittings. From 2010 to 2011, it was 19 out of 72 sittings!” “If he had respect for the Parliament, he would go for all sittings!” he said.

  • EC Reprimands Modhwadia for his Remarks Against Narendra Modi

    EC Reprimands Modhwadia for his Remarks Against Narendra Modi

    AHMEDABAD (TIP): The Election Commission of India has reprimanded Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia for equating chief minister Narendra Modi with a monkey and a dog. The poll watchdog has also reproached the Congress leader for his comments of the CM’s marital status. Modhwadia had called Modi a monkey who challenges the lion (Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) and also said that Modi is a rabies infected dog. He had also commented about Modi’s married life and challenged him to disclose his marital status publically.The commission in its reprimand notice to Modhwadia noted that prima facie he has violated the provisions of the model code of conduct so the commission has instructed him to be careful in future.

  • DA Case : SC Denies Mulayam, Sons Any Reprieve

    DA Case : SC Denies Mulayam, Sons Any Reprieve

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court on December 13 turned down Mulayam Singh Yadav’s plea to end CBI’s long and meandering probe into his family’s alleged disproportionate assets, although it handed the Samajwadi patriarch a consolation by dropping the probe against his daughter-in-law, Dimple. The order, which came after an agonizing wait of nearly two long years while the court kept it “reserved”, should disappoint Mulayam and his two sons — UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Prateek.

    The SP chief had cited the Supreme Court’s refusal to order a CBI probe into alleged disproportionate assets of another Yadav chieftain, Lalu Prasad, to make the plea that the apex court should get the central investigating agency off his family’s back. The court heard the matter for nearly four years before “reserving” its verdict on February 17 last year. A bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice H L Dattu said the apex court’s order passed five years ago directing the CBI to inquire into the PIL petitioner’s allegations was “neither irregular nor out of jurisdiction”.

    The CBI probe has been seen by many as the chief reason why Mulayam, despite his political hostility towards Congress, has been constrained to come to UPA’s assistance; for instance over the nuclear deal with the US, the election of Pranab Mukherjee as president and, most recently, the parliamentary vote over FDI in retail. The perception has been strengthened by CBI’s flip-flops in the case, with the agency appearing to have strengthened or diluted its stand to synchronize it with Mulayam’s political posture towards the Centre. Pronouncing the verdict on behalf of the bench, the CJI said that the March 1, 2007 order empowering the Centre to determine the course of CBI’s probe was an error. In its 2007 order, the court had directed the agency to submit the investigation report to the Centre.

    On December 13, the bench said, “The CBI functioning under the Delhi Police Special Establishment Act has no obligation to submit its investigation report to the Union government.” The two judges further said that neither the DPSE Act, which governs the CBI, nor the agency’s manual required it to submit its investigation report to the Centre. However, this can provide little comfort to Mulayam who has protested the 2007 order alleging that the PIL accusing him of having illegal assets was filed by a Congressman, Vishwanath Chaturvedi.

    It declined to grant any relief to the Samajwadi Party chief and his family, except Akhilesh’s wife and MP Dimple Yadav, who had sought reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s March 1, 2007 order directing CBI probe into the alleged disproportionate assets of the Yadav family listed in a PIL by Chaturvedi. The CBI’s flip-flop had not escaped the court’s notice during the hearings on the review petitions by Mulayam, filed through advocate Gaurav Bhatia, and it had once remarked, “We do not want the CBI to become an instrument of the Centre.” This remark had come on an application filed by the CBI seeking to withdraw its earlier application, in which it had taken a high moral stand that it was an independent agency wanting to prosecute Mulayam and his kin in accordance with law and without any governmental interference.

    The direction from the bench of Justices Kabir and Dattu to the CBI not to take any direction from the Union government on the issue of investigation into the disproportionate assets of the Yadavs had found echo earlier. It had said, “The CBI should not be fettered in any way and it should not be asked to submit its probe report to the Centre for further action.” These comments had come during the hearing on the review petitions on January 6, 2009. On that day, when it was pointed out that the earlier judgment given by a bench headed by Justice A R Lakshamanan, who retired soon after pronouncing the judgment and went on to head the Law Commission of India, had directed the CBI to submit its report to the Union government, the court had no hesitation to concede that it had made a mistake by giving that order.

    The CBI had moved the SC with an application on October 26, 2007, saying “in the matter of registration of a case, the CBI does not make a reference either to the central government or the state government”. By expressing its desire to place the status report of the probe before the SC rather than the Centre, the CBI attempted to drive home a point that it did not take orders from political masters in matters of investigation.

  • Mayawati Now Says she has Respect for Hamid Ansari

    Mayawati Now Says she has Respect for Hamid Ansari

    NEW DELHI (TIP): A day after her criticism of Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari, BSP chief Mayawati on December 13 changed tune to say that she had “respect” and “full faith” in the Chair and expressed hope that he will find ways for passage of the Bill for quota in promotion. Mayawati’s impromptu remarks were followed by an assurance of “fullest cooperation” of the House by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as also leader of the opposition Arun Jaitley to Ansari, who on Wednesday had expressed difficulty in continuing in a situation where he is attacked. “I respect you. I respect the Chair…I have full faith in the Chair that he will find a way to get the voice of the downtrodden heard,” Mayawati said.

    The BSP chief, who has been pushing a Bill for providing for reservation to SC/ST in government job promotion, said it was “sad” that the proposed legislation could not be taken up in the last session of Parliament as well as in the current session because of frequent disruptions. “I have full faith in you. I have full confidence that you will be able to find a way out to ensure that the House runs smoothly and the legislation is passed,” she said. Mayawati stunned the House on December 12 by criticising Ansari over disruptions.

    She was peeved over the delay in taking up the bill for quota in promotion, which is being strongly opposed by Samajwadi Party. The BSP chief also requested the government, especially the Prime Minister to find a way out by talking to parties, which are obstructing the measure. “Find a way so that the House runs smoothly and the Chair also does not face problems in running the House. I also request the leader of the opposition and leaders of all other parties to rise over party politics and help in the passage of the bill,” she said.

    The Prime Minister, who is leader of the House, assured Ansari that government has “fullest faith and highest regard” for him. “Respect for the Chairman of the House is respect for maintenance of the dignity of the House. We will work, from all sections of the House, to ensure that the Chair gets all the cooperation, all the respect that is due to you and to this august Chair,” Singh said. The Prime Minister said he agreed that “we must find ways and means of conducting the business of the House smoothly without interruption. So far Government is concerned, you have my fullest assurance in this regard.” Leader of the opposition Arun Jaitley said that he joins the Prime Minister in expressing “full faith” both in Ansari as a person as well as the Chair that he occupies.

    “What we have seen today is really the strength of India’s Parliamentary democracy where we all do believe that the credibility and dignity of the Chair is synonymous with the dignity of the House which in turn reposes popular confidence in India’s democracy,” Jaitley said. He assured Ansari: “This House will speak in one voice in upholding your honour both as an individual and the also the dignity of the Chair that you occupy.” Noting that managing contradictions is the strength of India’s parliamentary democracy, Jaitley said he was sure “we will successfully be able to manage those contradictions”.

    He assured the chairman “this House will speak in one voice, which you represent as the Chair” as far as “credibility and respect of the House” is concerned. Sitaram Yechury (CPM) said he echoed the sentiments expressed by the leader of the opposition. An overwhelmed Ansari profusely thanked the Prime Minister, Jaitley, Mayawati and leaders of all other political parties and members of the House for the sentiments expressed. “The Chair as always seeks the cooperation of the House for running it smoothly,” he said, bringing curtains down on the controversy that had raged in Rajya Sabha on December 12.

  • Yeddyurappa Plays Hardball with BJP

    Yeddyurappa Plays Hardball with BJP

    MYSORE (TIP): Former CM B S Yeddyurappa on December 13 put the BJP government on notice indicating that he could try and destabilize it. Though he made know that his unhappiness with Jagadish Shettar government, he stopped short of saying he will bring it down. “The administration has collapsed in the state. If I allow the situation to continue, I’ll be doing injustice to the people,” the KJP chief said indicating his political strategy, which he will finalize holding consultation with ministers supporting him during the weekend.

    When pressed, he said: This is a coalition government and I’ll have to consult the ministers and MLAs supporting me and decide. I’ll ask them what they want me to do. Yeddyurappa reiterated his demand for the dissolution of the assembly arguing Shettar has lost majority but ruled out pulling the plug on the government by asking 14 MLAs who attended the KJP’s Haveri meet supporting him resign. Why? “That is a political strategy.” He asked Shettar to order a comprehensive probe into mining activities since 2000 and denied that he was involved in illegal mining.

    According to him, prominent personalities in Karnataka including Jnanapith awardee U R Ananthamurthy, writers Chandrashekar Patil and Ham Pa Nagarajaiah and entrepreneur Mohandas Pai have extended their support to his new political venture. They have told me that they could not support him when he was in BJP. Now they want me to be more secular, he argued announcing state-wide tour starting from Basava Kalyan in Decemebr end. The KJP chief defended denotification of land arguing that the CM has powers to do so. When asked bout the CAG report on land denofication tabled in the assembly that has indicted him, he said: The CM is empowered to denotify land acquired for public purpose. Why are they targeting me alone?

  • Tips to Heal Chappy Lips in Winter

    Tips to Heal Chappy Lips in Winter

    Exposure to harsh winter can drain moisture from your skin. Your lips being the most delicate and soft are the worst sufferers.

    Chapped lips not only look bad, they can be very painful if not taken care of.

    Moisturisers can get help you getting soft and supple skin, oil can bring back lost moisture and lip balms surely help keep your lips soft and crack-free.

    Here are some effective ways to say goodbye to chapped lips this winter by skin expert, Eleganza Rejuvenation Clinic, Dr Seema Malik.

    1)First and foremost always go for creambased lip balms that will soothe your lips.
    2)Avoid licking lips as this tends to dry out your lips more. Over-application of balms encourages licking so try to get your hands on flavourless lip balms.
    3) Avoid glosses and long wear lip colour which can have an alcohol base and dry lips out even more.
    4) Stay hydrated and drink adequate water and juices to keep your lips hydrated and nourished from inside.
    5)Matte lipstciks also add greatly to dryness so avoid them and go for lipsticks with vitamin E or with good moisturising properties.
    6)Apply vitamin E to your chapped lips to soothe, relieve and take away the chapping, break open a capsule and apply it on your lips overnight.
    7)If your lips are flaky and dull then start with is an exfoliator. Go for a little sugar mixed in your lips balm and lightly scrub over lips. This will remove dry dead skin creating a fresh layer of moist skin.
    8)You can also use a soft toothbrush to softly buff your lips to remove the deposit of dead cells that will only cause more drying and flaking.
    9) Follow this with Vaseline or a hydrating lip balm, do this at night as this is the best time to heal.
    10) Keep up the routine of applying medicated lip balm with good SPF or reapply the balm.
    11)If you want to keep it more natural and subtle then apply some malai (milk cream) mixed with lemon drops before you go to bed.

  • Indians Now Live Longer, but in Poor Health in Old Age: Study

    Indians Now Live Longer, but in Poor Health in Old Age: Study

    NEW DELHI (TIP): First the good news: Indians are living much longer than they did 40 years ago. The life expectancy (LE) at birth of an average Indian male has gone up by 15 years between 1970 and 2010, while that of an Indian woman by 18 years. An average Indian man can expect to live for as long as 63 years, while an Indian woman can live 4.5 years longer than her male counterpart.

    However, the number of years they stay healthy is much lesser. An Indian male can claim to be in good health till he reaches the age of 54.6 years, and is expected to spend the last nine years of his life suffering from various ailments. On the other hand, when it comes to an average Indian woman, though she is expected to live till 67.5 years, she will remain healthy till 57.1 years – spending over a decade, or 10.4 years in poor health.

    The Global Burden of Disease Study, 2010 — the largest ever study to describe the global distribution and causes of a wide array of major diseases, injuries and health risk factors — has found that even though there is reason to cheer over an Indian’s increasing lifespan, it is still much shorter than an average Chinese or an American. An average Chinese male is living 10 years longer than an Indian male, while a Chinese woman is living 11.5 years longer than her Indian counterpart. An average American lives nearly 13 years longer than an Indian.

    Published in the most prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, the study was conducted over five years by 486 authors from over 300 institutes in 50 countries, including India. A common practice in Indian households – mainly in rural settings of burning wood, coal and animal dung as fuel in chulhas — has proved to be the greatest enemy for Indians. While globally, high blood pressure was the single biggest causative agent of disease, it was indoor air pollution (IAP) for Indians. The WHO had earlier said that burning solid fuels to prepare their meals emit carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde which can result in pneumonia, asthma, blindness, lung cancer, tuberculosis and low birth weight. WHO estimates that pollution levels in rural Indian kitchens are 30 times higher than recommended levels and six times higher than air pollution levels found in the national Capital.

    The other threats to normal Indians include diet low in fruits, high blood glucose levels, alcohol use, iron deficiency, sub optimal breast feeding, low physical activity and occupational injuries. Tobacco smoking, including secondhand smoke, caused nearly 6.3 million deaths across the globe. With India being one of the world’s major tobacco users, most of these deaths may have happened here. Lower back pain — a common phenomenon among Indians — has been found to be the leading cause of years lived with disability (YLD) globally. Pain in the neck along with depressive disorders and iron deficiency anemia made up the top four leading causes of YLD.

  • Eat eggs for breakfast to fight flab

    Eat eggs for breakfast to fight flab

    Eggs are the best way to start the day for those who want to lose weight. A major UK review of studies into the effects of eating eggs has found that egg contains a powerful ingredient that can help to cut the amount of calories people go on to eat at lunch and dinner. Scientists say boiled, fried, poached or scrambled, eggs keep people fuller for longer compared with other common breakfast foods.

    This appears to help people who are desperately trying to resist tempting but naughty afternoon snacks such as biscuits, cake or chocolate. The review, published in the journal Network Health Dietitian, also revealed that the specific proteins found in eggs are far superior to other types when it comes to keeping hunger at bay.

    Dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton examined the results of six different studies over eight years. The studies show a consistent effect on satiety and short-term energy intake. Two studies found changes in appetite-related gut hormones, which may explain why egg-eaters feel full. A single, longer-term study revealed that people who ate an egg breakfast rather than having cereal had a significantly greater weight loss and lost inches around the waist.

    “While more research is needed, particularly on longterm weight loss, the evidence suggests a promising role for eggs in weight management,” the Daily Express quoted Dr Ruxton as saying. He also noted two additional benefits of including eggs in a weight loss diet.

    The first is portion control. Dr Ruxton said that since eggs come in a fixed unit of around 78 calories per egg, this helps people to recognise how much they have consumed.

    Secondly, he said, the vitamin D content of eggs may help to support general health in overweight people since vitamin D levels are known to be low in this group, leading to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. “There are few natural sources of vitamin D in the diet so eggs can play a role here too,” he added. An average egg contains a high level of protein at 6.5g, representing 13 per cent of an adult’s daily requirement

  • Hizbul, LeT Continue to be Dominant in J&K: Shinde

    Hizbul, LeT Continue to be Dominant in J&K: Shinde

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Barely two days before he is scheduled to take up the counter-terrorism issues with his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik, the Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on December 12 informed a Parliamentary panel that the terror outfits Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) continued to be the “dominant” militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir. He said these outfits were mostly operating from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore, Anantnag and Pulwama districts in Kashmir and Poonch, Ramban and Rajouri in Jammu region.

    “This issue is being addressed from the security point of view and also taken up diplomatically with Pakistan”, Shinde said during the Consultative Committee meeting of his ministry on “security situation in J&K” on Wednesday. Malik will arrive here on three-day official visit on Friday. Besides launching the revised visa agreementsigned in Islamabad in September – between the two countries, both Malik and Shinde will also discuss issues concerning counter-terrorism measures, border management, fake Indian currency notes and cooperation among security and investigation agencies during a meeting.

    Malik will call on PM Manmohan Singh, national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Saturday. Maintaining that the terror-related violence in J&K was at its “lowest”, Shinde told the Consultative Committee members that this has been made possible because of the yearning among the people in the state for peace and the successful measures taken by security forces of the state and Central government in restricting infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) and various other counter-insurgency actions on all fronts. Issues relating to migrants, rehabilitation of the surrendered militants, speedy implementation of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme and PM’s Package for Return and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the state were also discussed in the Committee meeting.

  • More Steps in Next Few Weeks to Turnaround Economy: Govt

    More Steps in Next Few Weeks to Turnaround Economy: Govt

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Finance minister P Chidambaram on December 14 said the government will take some more steps in the next few weeks to revive the economy and boost investment sentiments. “I am confident that the steps we have taken, and some more steps that we will take in the next few weeks, will help turn the Indian economy around,” he said addressing the ‘Delhi Economics Conclave’ here.

    In the recent past, government has taken a number of measures, including opening up of FDI in multibrand retail and hiking foreign investment cap in the aviation sector, to boost economic growth and restore investor confidence. Besides on December 13, the Union Cabinet cleared setting up of Cabinet Committee of Investment to fast-track large project entailing investment of over Rs. 1,000 crore. “It is too early to say whether the measures have begun to bear fruit, although it is our expectation that they will do so,” Chidambaram said.

    Concerned over sticky retail inflation, the minister said: “There is no reason at all to become complacent”. While headline inflation has moderated to 7.45% in October, the retail inflation remains high at 9.90%. The economic growth in the first half of the fiscal fell to 5.4%, against 7.3% in the corresponding period a year ago. The growth in 2011-12 fell to a nine-year low of 6.5%. In the current fiscal RBI expects it to be around 5.8%.

    Stressing that the present challenge is different from the one faced in 2008, Chidambaram said: “The present challenge calls for bold and innovative measures”. While in 2008-09 imports had reduced considerably due to fall in international crude oil prices, the situation at present is different as, while exports are declining, imports continue to remain high mainly on account of crude and gold. He said with rapid globalisation of economy, external sector is becoming more vulnerable. The finance minister also asked Asian G20 member nations and Russia to increase resource base of Asian Development Bank for development of the region.

  • India, Pakistan to Launch New Visa Regime

    India, Pakistan to Launch New Visa Regime

    NEW DELHI (TIP): A revised visa agreement between india and Pakistan will be launched when Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik arrives on a three-day visit to India. Besides the revised visa agreement, the two countries would also discuss counter-terrorism, border management, fake Indian currency notes and cooperation among security and investigation agencies, said officials. Malik will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on December 15, they said.

    The official delegation accompanying Malik includes members from interior ministry, foreign ministry, and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) among others. This is Malik’s first official visit to India. From the Indian side, besides Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, his junior RPN Singh and senior officials from home ministry, external affairs ministry and various security agencies would take part in the deliberations. Malik is visiting India at Shinde’s invitation.

  • SC Allows Private Medical Colleges to Hold Own Admission Tests

    SC Allows Private Medical Colleges to Hold Own Admission Tests

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court on December 13 allowed private medical colleges to hold their own entrance test for admission to post-graduate courses for the 2013-14 academic year but restrained them from declaring the results. The interim order was given by a bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, Justice SS Nijjar and Justice J Chelameswar.

    The private medical colleges from across the country had challenged the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to post-graduate courses for the year 2013-14. The apex court on October 12 transferred to itself 23 cases from various high courts, including Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where the NEET has been challenged.

    According to the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) regulations, all medical colleges’ seats for post-graduate courses would be allotted from the national list and the state wise merit lists prepared by the apex medical council. Besides this, the regulation provided that 50 percent of all the post-graduate courses seats would be filled by the candidates selected by their state governments. The court directed the listing of the matter Jan 15, 2013.

  • Indian Techie Convicted of Groping Woman in Flight

    Indian Techie Convicted of Groping Woman in Flight

    WASHINGTON (TIP): An Indian software consultant, on a work visa in the US, was convicted by a Chicago court on December 14 of groping a woman while they were seated next to each other aboard an airplane. Srinivasa S Erramilli, 45, remains free on bond pending sentencing, which has been set for April 26, 2013, by US district judge Joan H Lefkow. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    Incidentally he was convicted twice previously for nearly identical crimes. Evidence at the trial showed that Erramilli was the last passenger to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Chicago’s Midway Airport on June 14, 2011, and was seated in the only open seat available between the victim, who had chosen a window seat to sleep during the flight, and her husband, who had chosen an aisle seat to enable easier access during the flight.