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Navy
Chief defends Barak, calls it
"incomparable"
NEW
DELHI, Oct 16: Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash
today came out strongly in support of the
controversial Barak Missile saying it was a
"very good and incomparable" system.
"As far as we
(Navy) are concerned, it (Barak) is a very good
system. I don’t think there is anything
comparable today in any Navy," Admiral
Prakash told reporters here.
The Naval
Chief’s views on the Israeli missile came
close on the heels of CBI registering an FIR
against former defence minister George Fernandes,
his associate Jaya Jaitley, former Navy Chief
Sushil Kumar and others for alleged
irregularities and corruption in the Rs
1,150-crore deal to purchase the system.
He said the
missile was selected after extensive trials.
"We fired it on fourteen occasions and
twelve of them have been direct hits. We used
them against low flying surface to surface
missile."
The Navy Chief
also dismissed the claim that the objection to
the deal was overlooked saying, "I think
there is a little bit of confusion. What the CNCs
(former naval commanders) have said or have been
quoted as having said was not about this
particular missile. They have not said anything
about this missile."
"So, taking
in the context what they have said, they
expressed dissent about some acquisition that was
about to take place."
Asked about the
different opinions about the system, he said
"in navy everybody is required to give free
and frank opinion and the final decision is taken
by the Chief of Naval Staff who also has the
benefits of other staffs." (PTI)
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National
Farmers Commission given
extension to submit report
NEW
DELHI, Oct 16: The National Commission on Farmers
under the chairmanship of M S Swaminathan has
been given 18 days extension to submit its
recommendations on accelerated agricultural
development.
The Commission,
which was to submit its report on October 13,
2006 has been given time till October 31 to
complete its task. A decision on this was taken
at the Cabinet meeting today, Information and
Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters
here today.
The Commission was
constituted in February, 2004 to recommend
policies, programmes and measures for accelerated
and diversified agricultural development that
would alleviate rural poverty and raise standards
of living of the farming community.
It was
reconstituted in November that year with
Swaminathan heading it. The Commission had been
asked to submit a medium term policy for food and
nutrition security in the country in order to
move towards the goal of universal food security
and make recommendations on the other terms of
reference.
The Commission has
submitted four interim reports covering different
aspects of the task entrusted to it, the minister
said. (PTI)
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Court
turns down bail application of RJD MP Shahabuddin
PATNA,
Oct 16:
Patna High Court today dismissed the regular bail
petition of the controversial RJD MP Md
Shahabuddin in connection with a case related to
recovery of foreign correncies, bullet proof
jacket and other items from his residence.
Rejecting the bail
application, a single bench of the court of
justice Navin Sinha directed to complete the
trial of this case within six months. The court
also directed Md Shahabuddin to cooperate in the
trial.
Earlier Siwan
police had lodged a case against Md Shahabuddin
in Hussainaganj police station after a raid was
conducted in his residence at Patrapur village on
April 24, 2005.
Police had
recovered US $ 100, Dinars, a bullet proof
jacket, Pakistani cartridges, firearms of Indian
Ordnance Factory, Telescope rifle, night vision
device, deer and deer skin.
The MP’s
father had admitted before the police that all
the seized items belonged to Md Shahabuddin.
(UNI)
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IG asked
to probe burning of housewife
PATNA,
Oct 16:
Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar today asked
the IG (headquarters) to enquire into the
allegation of police inaction in arresting those
who had burnt alive a housewife here four months
ago.
An elderly woman
Kalyani Singh of Shivpuri locality in Patna
complained to Kumar at the ‘Janata Ki Durbar
Me Mukhyamantri’ about police inaction in
arresting her son-in-law and his family for
allegedly burning alive her daughter for dowry.
Kumar asked IG
(headquarters) to look into the matter. (PTI)
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Excess
cell phone usage could affect health
LUCKNOW,
Oct 16:
There is a word of caution for mobile users as it
might make you psychic.
Do not be shocked
as it has been proved that constant use of cell
phones can turn you a psychic person, so
what’s a legacy to leave our children and
grandchildren with.
G K Trivedi, a
psychiatrist in King Jeorge Medical College says
in today’s fast moving society, atleast one
member of every family in the United States owns
a cell phone. Cell phones are interesting, useful
and play a vital role in our lives by bringing
people closer and keeping them in constant touch
with one another. However, most people do not
understand the physics of a cell phone and its
disadvantages cannot be denied.
People who use
cell phones constantly often complain of
headaches, difficulty with concentration and with
memory. This is a microwave antenna. So
you’re essentially cooking your brain, when
you hold the receiver right next to your brain,
he adds.
It is quite
important to protect ourselves from Phone Mast
Radiation. Additionally, it is worth noting that
it is at nighttime that the body carries out most
of its healing work as it constantly works to
restore homeostasis. As these phone Masts are
fixed structures, it is, therefore, impossible
for an individual to avoid these man-made chaotic
energies from interfering with their own energy
fields and the body_s natural ability to restore
homeostasis. Thus, people are being denied their
unquestionable right to have a good health.
The ability of the
body and its biophysical and biological systems
to communicate correctly, and in harmony, can be
seriously compromised in a number of ways by this
type of radiation, leading to ill health along
with many symptoms of feeling unwell, which can
range from depression, docility and even to rage,
depending on the kind of modulation used. It is
even possible to induce sounds and words
intercranially by appropriate modulation of these
microwave signals. May be Microwave Mind Control
(MMC) is more than just a conspiracy theory.
After all, it has been alleged by many that this
MMC forms part of the Military’s (secret)
Psychotronic Warfare.
However, microwave
radiation poisoning is not restricted to Phone
Masts, it is also emitted by Digital Cordless
Telephones (DECT) even when the phone is not in
use! Plus certain wireless burglar alarms,
wireless networked computers, wireless baby
alarms and so forth.
Sources say the
microwave emissions from Phone Masts may be the
biggest singular cause of human suffering (and
possible premature death) in the years to come.
So it becomes apparent that we should do whatever
we can to protect ourselves from this type of
insidious radiation.
Recent studies
suggesting cellphone radiation may pose a health
hazard have warned parents not to give mobile
phones to young children.
The studies call
for a "precautionary approach" to
cellphone use. And acknowledge there is no firm
evidence that cellphone radiation is harmful but
warns that the possibility also cannot be ruled
out.
The healing power
of sound has been used effectively for thousands
of years to restore and maintain health. The
right sound can slow pulse and respiratory rates,
influence brain wave activity, reduce blood
pressure, ease pain, and create a feeling of
relaxation and euphoria. When sound enters the
ear, the entire body is affected by it. Our bones
act as a resonating agents that influence the
tissues, organs, and fluids of our bodies. But
our cells have vibratory properties, which make
them sound receptors.
Scientist have
been studying the phenomenon of rhythm
entrainment, for over three hundred years. Rhythm
entrainment suggests that when our body
encounters other vibrating body or objects, our
heartbeats and pulses shift their rhythms so that
they are in sync with the sound source. In other
words, our bodies actually become in tune with
the vibrating fields around us. Whether it is a
placid lake nearby, or the hum of our
refrigerator, the health of our body is affected
more than we know.
Sounds of humming
appliances, crackling televisions and rumbling
furnaces assault our home environment. Buzzing
computers, ringing phones and humming light
fixtures invade our offices. Even when the
vibration is inaudible, the mind and body
continue to process it.
This noise
pollution adds to our stress, constantly keeping
us out of tune. Even when we are sleeping, we are
absorbing audible and inaudible sound waves.
(UNI)
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DMK govt
foisting false cases against AIADMK men: Jaya
CHENNAI,
Oct 16:
Condemning the midnight arrest of AIADMK MLA P K
Sekarbabu, party supremo Jayalalithaa today
alleged that Tamil Nadu’s DMK government was
"foisting false cases" against her
party men.
In a statement,
Jayalalithaa said the arrest of the MLA at a
hospital last night, by "foisting false
case" against him had only exposed the
"dictatorial attitude" of the DMK
Government.
He was charged
with instigating and carrying petrol bombs for
some persons to create disturbances during the
civic polls in the suburbs of the city.
She said the
police had registered the case against Sekarbabu
as he "had exposed the misdeeds" of the
DMK Government.
Police had
registered a "false case" against
former AIADMK minister B Valarmathy also on the
same charge, she said
Based on the
statements given by a few people held for poll
violence, police arrested Sekarbabu last night
from the hospital where he was receiving
treatment. Valarmathy is at large and police said
efforts were being taken to nab her. (PTI)
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President
calls for use of new technology
IMPHAL,
Oct 16: President
A P J Abdul Kalam today emphasised the need to
use new technologies to generate high value added
products.
Addressing the 10th
convocation of Manipur University here Kalam, who
is also Visitor of the university, the President
said technology was a non-linear tool available
to humanity which can bring fundamental changes
in the ground rules of economic competitiveness.
"Science
is linked to technology through application.
Economy and environment are linked to
technology," Kalam said adding that
technology promotes prosperity in society.
Stressing the
need for "empowering the youth" through
education, he said research in any field brought
transformation and development besides, enhancing
the quality of education.
The President
said research and teaching went hand in hand in
good colleges and universities and added that any
university could be judged by the level and
extent of the research work it accomplished.
The President
said a good educational model was the need of the
hour to ensure that the students contribute
towards the economic growth of the nation. He
said research, technology and performance in the
sectors like agriculture, manufacturing and
services would lead to economic growth.
He said every
student should learn how to use the latest
technologies for aiding their learning process
and added that universities should also equip
themselves with adequate computers, laboratory
equipment, and internet facilities.
Kalam said
Manipur University should be known for scientific
research and teaching in this region by
consolidating and expanding research areas of the
university.
The President
said the entire North East and Manipur in
particular, was known for its rich bio-diversity
and added that the university must use its
resources to develop a database of bio-diversity
resource in the state. (PTI)
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Lalu to
move SC on Godhra
NEW
DELHI, Oct 16: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today
dropped ample hints that the UPA Government would
challenge in the Supreme Court the Gujarat High
Court’s verdict, declaring the U C Banerjee
Commission on the Godhra train blaze as
"’illegal"’.
"The avenues
for challenging the Gujarat High Court’s
order are still open, and we will go to the apex
court in this regard," Mr Prasad told
reporters on the sidelines of a FICCI conference
here.
On Friday last,
the Gujarat High Court had declared as
"unconstitutional, illegal and void"
the setting up of the U C Banerjee Committee to
probe certain aspects of Godhra train blaze in
S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express in February 2002,
in which 59 kar sevaks perished.
The high court
also ordered that the report of the committee,
set up by the Railway Ministry in Septemer 2004,
should not be tabled in Parliament.
Justice B H
Vaghela pronounced the order on a petition filed
by a survivor of the carnage, Neelkanth Bhatia,
who had challenged the setting up of Banerjee
Committee at a time when the Justice Nanawati-
Shah Commission was already probing the matter.
"It is a
judicial matter. One court has given an adverse
verdict, but we will go to the Supreme Court to
challenge it," the minister said.
Yesterday, Mr
Prasad had reacted to Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi’s demand for his resignation,
saying he would resign only when Mr Modi quits as
Chief Minister.
"I will
resign only when Narendra Modi resigns...What
right has the BJP got to demand my resignation
when Modi himself has been found guilty by
different panels, including the Banerjee
Commission, and civil rights groups.... Let Modi
resign first, then I will resign," he told
newspersons at the Iftar party hosted by Steel
Minister Ram Vilas Paswan at his residence here.
(UNI)
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Survey
reveals misconceptions of Indian men
NEW
DELHI, Oct 16: Ignorance about safe sex have made
most Indian heterosexual male, who visit sex
workers, seek anal sex believing they would not
catch HIV/AIDS.
This kind of
behaviour among Indian male came out in a
nationwide survey conducted by Naz Foundation
Internationalis, an Indian NGO based in Britain
which specialises in sexual and reproductive
health of homosexuals and their partners in South
Asia.
"The survey
was conducted in 56 cities. We surveyed sex
workers, who told us that their client demand
anal sex. Most men think that it is a safe way of
not contracting HIV/AIDS. But they don’t
know that it is ten times more dangerous and
risky," Arif Jafar, the foundation Executive
Director, told PTI.
"In most
cases, they don’t want to use condom or in
situation where they don’t have one, they
feel this is the best way not to catch an
infection. But this unprotected sex is dangerous
for both of them," said Jafar.
The survey, which
was conducted in cities like Varanasi, Allahabad,
Jaunpur, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Agra, Tuticorin,
Thirunalveli, Hubli, Bijapur, Bellary, Nalgonda,
Kakinada and Hardoi, showed that most men are
ignorant about safe practices becasue the
government has not been able to come out with
messages and advertisments which throw up a clear
picture.
"The issue is
not just restricted to homosexual men. Many men,
who are heterosexuals, sometimes prefer to have
sex with men when they are travelling. But they
do not consider sex with other men risky,"
said Jafar.
The survey was
conducted to find out understanding, risks and
behaviours prevailing in the country, especially
among gays, he said adding sex education was
absent among majority of the people covered in
the survey.
"Knowledge of
male and female bodies, of reproduction, of the
sex organs was almost non-existent. This led to a
variety of myths, beliefs and practices, which
were accepted as true and helpful," he said.
What adds to the
problem is that there were no appropriate condoms
for anal sex available, he added.
"Condom use
was determined primarily in terms of access,
knowledge, shame, and sickness. With the condom
equated with disease prevention, many
participants either felt stigmatised through
condom usage, or felt that their was no need to
use condoms because either they or their sex
partners were not sick," he said.
He said government
needs to come out with clear messages or
advertisment to clear myths.
"Sexual
health information and services are primarily
focused on so-called heterosexual behaviours and
ignore the significant levels of anal sex,
irrespective of the gender of the sexual partner.
"Formative
research is urgently needed to understand how to
design appropriate sexual health interventions
regarding male to male sexual behaviours and Men
having sex with men," he said. (PTI)
Pvt
sector should invest in Rly’s non-core
activities: Lalu
NEW
DELHI, Oct 16: Stressing on the need of private
investment in the world’s largest railway
network, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said,
the private sector should invest and participate
more and more in non-core activities.
"There are a
number of possibilities for participation of
private sector in Railway projects like
modernisation of stations, setting up of
agro-product outlets at stations, wagon
manufacturing etc," he said in his inaugural
speech on the ‘Public Private Partnership in
Indian Railways’ here.
"We want
close coordination and liaison with the private
sector," he said adding partnership, which
will benefit both the railways and private
sector, does not mean privatisation.
The container
policy had been liberalised to enable private
sector participation, he said, adding that
private players were investing about Rs 2,000
crore in manufacture of wagons and terminals.
Besides, the
Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation
Ltd had also encouraged private participation in
the catering and parcel business, he said.
A high level
committee had been set to draw up a clear-cut
road map for public-private partnership projects
in the eleventh plan period, he said.
The group would
comprise of representative of apex chambers,
senior as well as retired members of the railway
board.
On the financial
health of the largest infrastructure sector, he
said, last year the railways earned a surplus of
more than Rs 13,000 crore, this year it is
expected to touch Rs 20,000 crore - more than the
surplus of the state-run Oil and Gas Corporation.
Speaking on the
occasion, Railway Board, Chairman, J P Batra said
they were looking for an investment of about Rs
3,50,000 crore by 2015 in a host of areas such as
port connectivity, gauge conversion, dedicated
freight corridors along with augmentation of
rolling stock manufacture.
A special purpose
vehicle will be floated for the different joint
ventures likely to be set up in the area of coach
making facility, diesel locomotives and wheels,
he said.
Referring to the
Rail Development Authority, Batra said the
proposal had been sent for the law
ministry’s approval and once that happened
the authority will come into existence.
The authority
would find ways and means to put 43,000 hectares
of vacant railway land to proper use, he said.
He also said that
out of the 14 private players which have entered
the freight movement business, one would start
its operation by October-end, he said. (PTI)
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Asian
Film Festival showcases film on
Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins
MUMBAI,
Oct 16: A
film, protraying the trauma of Rajiv
Gandhi’s assassins, is being showcased at
the Asian Film Festival in Mumbai, which will
come to an end on October 19.
‘Cyanide’,
a Kanada film, shown under the category of
‘Indian Vista, displays the 20-day trauma
faced by the assassins in Bangalore before they
took cyanide and ended their lives.
Without making any
political statements, or venturing into the role
of the LTTE, the film is backed by the research
done by its director, A M R Ramesh, himself.
As the story goes,
on May 21, 1991, a human bomb detonates and kills
former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The Special
Investigation Team (SIT) of the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI), starts rounding up several
suspects.
While the SIT
intensifies its search for the notorious killers,
the two prime suspects, one-eyed jack, Shivarasan
and his female accomplice Shubha, are on the run.
‘Cyanide’ is an attempt to
authentically capture the human drama that
unfolds during the last 20 days of the LTTE
assassins.
"It is very
difficult to get such a role. Even though I have
two eyes, I had to close one eye and act. It was
a risk we took and everyone has worked very hard.
I was the only one who did not know Kannada. You
see my performance and tell me how was it,"
the character who played the main role of
Sivarasan said.
The film director,
has several acclaimed films and serials like
‘Tholaindu Ponavargal’, ‘Clock
house’ ‘Deadline’ and
‘Santosha’ to his credit. He is also
the recepient of several national and state
awards. (UNI)
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Cabinet
asks for consensus on aviation regulator
NEW
DELHI, Oct 16: The union cabinet today asked the
Defence and Civil Aviation Ministries to sort out
differences on setting up an independent
regulator for the airline industry.
Home minister
Shivraj Patil, defence minister Pranab Mukherjee,
finance minister P Chidambaram and civil aviation
minister Praful Patel will now iron out differing
opinions.
The grouping will
not be a group of ministers (GoM) in a classic
sense, Mr Patel told reporters. Recently, civil
aviation secretary Ajay Prasad had said that a
bill to set up the Airport Economic Regulatory
Authority (AERA) will be introduced during winter
session of parliament.
The AERA is
expected to deal with issues of pricing and
competition in airports, particularly in view of
private companies entering the airport arena. The
need for a regulator for the aviation sector has
been necessitated in view of the rapid growth the
airline industry is witnessing.
The increased
passenger and cargo traffic has posed new
challenges in the area providing adequate
infrastructure at airports.
The challengers
include expansion of capacity at existing
airports, upgradation and modernisation of metro
and non-metro airports, development of new
greenfield airports, induction of modern
technology for efficient handling of aircraft,
passengers and cargo at airports, upgradation of
communication and navigation systems (CNSs) and
air traffic management (ATM).
The number of
domestic air passengers jumped 27.9 per cent in
2005-06 to 50.98 million while the number of
international passengers moved up 15.45 per cent
to 22.37 million. (UNI)
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