Martin Luther King III thanks India for giving Gandhi to world

Friday, February 20, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

"I thank you for giving Mahatma Gandhi to the world," said Martin Luther King III Thursday during his visit to Mani Bhavan, residence of Mahatma Gandhi from 1917-1934.King, who is touring the country to trace his parents' "pilgrimage" to India in 1959, addressed media at the historical residence where his father Dr Martin Luther King Jr stayed during his tour to Mumbai, then Bombay.The civil rights activist got emotional saying he was honoured to visit the place where his parents came 50 years ago and felt the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi."My father and mother visited this place fifty years ago and now my wife and I are retracing those steps," he said."My father visited many countries as a tourist, but he visited this great country as a pilgrim," King III said. "We will return to the US more determined, more committed and more concerned to spread the message of love and non-violence in our nation and the whole world," King III, who is accompanied by his wife said.Speaking about Mumbai terror attacks, he said the world saw the tragedy and "wept and prayed for you".

Did docs spread the deadly virus?

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

Modasa ( Sabarkantha ) : There is a growing worry among health officials that local doctors may have helped spread the deadly hepatitis B virus in Modasa instead of curtailing it out of sheer carelessness. Sources said the doctors may have reused infected syringes instead of disposing them. So far, six private doctors in Sabarkantha have been accused of medical malpractice. They are facing allegations of not segregating bio-medical waste, which means that infected syringes could have found their way into community bins, inscreasing the possibility of them being reused. The doctors booked are Govind Prajapati, Dattu Rawal, Bharat Shah, Girish Shah, Tarun Shah and Rakesh Shah. To add to this, a homeopath was arrested on Thursday for posing as a regular physician and treating patients affected by the Hepatitis-B. Modasa town police station officials arrested Dr Rakesh Patel for medical malpractice and produced him before a court which granted him bail. Patel was accused of dispensing allopathic medicines despite being a non-practitioner. After Hepatitis-B epidemic surfaced, the government conducted raids on some private doctors and found them following unhygenic medical practices. On February 14 medical officer, primary health centre (PHC), Modasa, Siraj Sutaria filed an FIR against Patel. According to police, Patel administered orthopaedic drugs to patients illegally. He was charged under sections 30 and 33 of the Medical Practitioners' Act.

Narendra Modiji and the missuses

Posted by Snehsan

AHMEDABAD : Chief minister Narendra Modi is known to have a strong following among women. He also knows how much influence the woman of the house
wields. Graduating from mahila sammellans in the rural setting, Modi is now hosting wives of IAS, IPS and IFS officers at Gandhinagar ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The meeting is being organised by wife of chief secretary D Rajagopalan. In many cases it was husbands who got the call and were asked to send their wives to the meet on Friday. But of course the meet might end up with officers like Geetha Johri, Anita Karwal, Sunaina Tomar attending it too, because they happen to be wives of IPS, or IFS officers. COUNTDOWN BEGINS
Ticket aspirants in the BJP are keeping their fingers crossed. For, starting February 20, central observers of the party will fan out to different districts and collect recommendations on candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha polls from party workers. Incidentally, BJP's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani is also visiting Ahmedabad on Friday -- the day when observers will meet workers for short-listing candidates for Ahmedabad (East) seat. "To make the entire exercise constructive, we have told party workers that they are free to recommend names. But they are also told oppose names suggested by others," said a senior BJP leader. Gujarat government may have finally recognised the competence of Ravi Saxena, an IAS bureaucrat of 1978 batch, by appointing him as state health secretary, a powerful post responsible for controlling the mighty health establishment. However, the officialdom seems puzzled. Despite several reminders, the Central government is not letting him go to take up the new assignment. He took over a Central job, of development commissioner, Kandla SEZ, after feeling sidelined under the Narendra Modi government for years together. But finding that work with Modi could be more exciting, he decided to prematurely returned to the state fold.
"Though he has been appointed state health secretary, the Centre is strangely not clearing the file relieving him", a senior official known to be close to Saxena complained. Result -- health remains a parentless department. There is nobody to monitor what is happening at Modasa, where people have died due to Hepatitis-B. Even health commissioner Amarjit Singh, second in command in the department, is awaiting an appointment in Delhi.

Viral Hepatitis B - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Posted by Snehsan

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW :

Hepatitis B is an inflammation (swelling) of the liver due to infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (germ). The liver is in the upper right side of the abdomen (stomach). It makes enzymes and removes harmful material from the blood. The liver also fights infections and stops bleeding. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids or having sex with an infected person. Signs and symptoms may include fever or fatigue (feeling more tired than usual). You may also have jaundice which is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes. Other signs and symptoms are dark orange-colored urine, clay-colored bowel movements, nausea (upset stomach), or vomiting (throwing up).

• 
  
  Hepatitis B may cause other liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, cancer, or liver failure. Hepatitis B is diagnosed by blood tests, an abdominal ultrasound, or liver biopsy. Treatment may include medicines or surgery. Hepatitis B may be prevented by a vaccination (shot).

INSTRUCTIONS :

Medicines :
Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.

Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Do not take any medicines without first asking your caregiver. This includes medicine that your caregiver has ordered for you and over-the-counter medicine. Talk to your caregiver before using vitamins, herbs, herbal teas, laxatives, or food supplements. Some of these medicines could harm your liver.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Alcohol : Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol can damage your brain, heart, and liver. Almost every part of your body can be harmed by alcohol. Drinking alcohol can also make your illness worse. Talk to your caregiver if you drink alcohol, and ask for information about how to stop.

Diet : Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.

Rest : You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF :

• 
  
  You have a fever (increased body temperature).


• 
  
  You are vomiting (throwing up) and cannot keep food or liquids down.


• 
  
  You have bad abdominal (stomach) pain.


• 
  
  You have questions or concerns about your disease, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF :

• 
  
  You are too dizzy to stand up.


• 
  
  You feel confused or are very sleepy.


• 
  
  Your bowel movements (BMs or stools) are red, black, or clay-colored.


• 
  
  Your symptoms are getting worse.


• 
  
  Your vomit (throw up) has blood in it or looks like coffee grounds.

Note : The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

20 die in Gujarat Hepatitis outbreak

Posted by Snehsan

Sabarkantha district in north Gujarat is in the grip of the deadly Hepatitis B virus. Sabarkantha is just 2 hours away from Ahmedabad. At least 20 have died in Modasa taluka in the district in the past 2 weeks. The scare has the state and centre on edge.Over 70 patients have come in from all over Sabarkantha district, some of them have slipped into coma,19 others have died.Shockingly, the spread could have been prevented. The government has filed an FIR, naming seven doctors for using infected syringes.A patient's relative says: "They said private hospitals have been using infected needles."A Central team from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases that visited Modasa says the situation is critical. Some patients have tested positive for Hepatitis D, increasing the risk to patients. Like HIV, Hepatitits B spreads through blood and unsafe sex. But is 100 times more infectious than HIV and spreads much faster. "The situation is serious. We have asked for central government's help," says a doctor. According to the World Health Organisation, 63% of syringes in India are unsafe because they re-used. And, in Modasa it appears to be a common practice.

Azhar Begins New Innings

Posted by Snehsan

AZHARUDDIN JOINS CONGRESS, MAY CONTEST LS POLLS :

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin formally joined the Congress party in New Delhi on Thursday.
When queried if he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election, he responded, "If the party thinks I am good enough (to contest elections) I will do so. As of now, I don't know anything."
He added, "I have always been an admirer of Congress, which fought for India's independence. I want to give something back to the nation by joining politics."
Moily told media persons that Azharuddin had sent feelers to Congress leaders in New Delhi and Hyderabad and expressed his desire to join the party.
"I spoke to the Congress president (Sonia Gandhi [Images]) and received her consent in the matter," said Moily.
During his interaction with the media, Azharuddin refused to answer any questions about the allegations pertaining to match fixing, which had plagued his cricketing career.
"There will always be people who will criticise you. What is gone is gone for good," he stated. On a more confident note, he added, "I will work as hard as possible -- like the way I worked to improve my batting," he said.
Moily pointed out that no cases are pending against Azharuddin in any court of law. On the contrary, he said, the former cricketer's case against the Board of Cricket Control of India is still pending in the high court.
"Rajiv Gandhi, during his tenure as the prime minister, was the first person to call me up and congratulate me when the Indian team started winning," he added.
Meanwhile, BJP threw a bouncer at Congress for its move to induct Azhar alleging that only "fixers" are joining the ruling party.
"All the fixers in the nation are either joining Congress or Samajwadi Party," party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here today.
Azharuddin had been banned from cricket in 2000 for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that had rocked the game internationally. However, he has not been indicted for any guilt.
Azharuddin was India's most successful captain till Sourav Ganguly bettered his feat.
His entry into politics coincides with another cricketer, Chetan Sharma, joining the Bahujan Samaj Party.

SRK to co-produce My Name is Khan with Karan

Posted by Snehsan

They vouch by their dostana and that is the reason why SRK and Karan are joining their hands for My Name is Khan, that was earlier being made under Dharma Productions. The duo would jointly produce the film now. We wonder what could be the reason of this sudden decision? SRK tells Mumbai Mid Day in his trademark style, "Karan doesn't want to pay me what others pay me (which is lesser); so he said, 'I can't underpay you like this, (also he doesn't want to pay me!) so you be my partner.' So now, we are jointly producing the film." Karan laughs when told about Khan's comment, "That's Shah Rukh's sense of humour but it's true I can never put down his price on paper. Well, with the deadly combination of SRK and Karan Johar on screen, we sure expect a good show on the box-office!

Amazing Facts - Believe it or not ! Part - 2

Posted by Snehsan

Chennai weaves world's costliest sari at Rs 40 lakh

Chennai : A palanquin arrived amid much fanfare at Chennai Silks, a textile house in Tamil Nadu, to give a princely welcome for an outfit that's fit for a queen – a sari studded with gold, diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones.The textile house has woven what it claims is the world's costliest sari, one that costs Rs 40 lakh and weighs around eight kilogram.“The most special thing about the sari is the Ravi Varma painting which has been woven into it. All the intricate details in the painting have been replicated like the curly hair of the ladies and the jewels they are wearing,” Assistant General Manager of Chennai Silks K V Sriram said.While it has already entered the Limca Book of Records, the company says it will try to enter the Guiness Book as well.It took 30 weavers around seven months to make the sari and its launch was also star-studded with actors Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Shobhana and Jeeva attending the event. So, was the attempt just for a record?“This sari can be worn. Normally also it can be used, so it’s not just for a record,” Sriram said.The director claims they have already received enquiries regarding the sari and hopes that it will be sold soon.

Amazing and Strange deer..............

Genuine Shrunken Head

This head came from a normal sized person! The Jivaro Indians of Ecuador claim their enemies' heads as symbols of bravery and display them - reduced to fist sized - as war trophies.

One animal two head

Once considered an omen of disaster, most animals born with 2 heads or multiple limbs die at birth. The occasional one however, like this calf, live "normal" lives for many months.

13" horn growing out of the back of his head !

Authenticated and photographed by Robert Ripley in Manchuria, China, in 1931, Weng, the Human Unicorn had a 13" horn growing out of the back of his head!

Amazing Facts - Believe it or not ! Part - 1

Posted by Snehsan

1)

Inner Light

An X-ray of an four foot long pine snake who swallowed a couple of light bulbs is on display during the grand opening of Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium Thursday, June 21, 2007 in New York's Times Square. (AP Photo/ Ripley's Believe It Or Not)

2)

Baby on Face ???

3)

Believe it Or not - It is a tree nareepol

Believe it Or not??? It is a tree naree pol. Naree(woman) pol (tree) is like a sanskrit word. It is located at Petchaboon province 500 kms away from Bangkok.

Pakistan 'may share Mumbai probe

Posted by Snehsan

Pakistan says it is considering an Indian request to send a team to share information on investigations into last year's Mumbai attacks.

Last week Pakistan admitted the attacks were partly planned on its soil. More than 170 people died when 10 men launched attacks in several parts of India's financial capital in November. Meanwhile, India's Home Minister P Chidambaram told the BBC the country was "better prepared" against terrorist attacks such as the ones in Mumbai.

'Conspiracy'
"We are seriously considering sending an FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) team to India to share information on the Mumbai tragedy with the investigators there," Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore. Shortly after the attacks, the Pakistani government had to reverse a decision to send the head of its intelligence agency - the ISI - to India, reportedly due to pressure from the army.
Last week, the interior ministry said that "a part of the conspiracy" to attack Mumbai was hatched in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi.
The conspiracy was masterminded by members of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba militant, it said.
According to the ministry, a probe by the FIA had found that at least nine suspected attackers had sailed from Karachi to Mumbai in three boats in November.
Prior to this, they had stayed at two houses in Karachi, and had received training on the Karachi beach. The ministry said the findings were of a preliminary nature, and needed additional information for successful prosecutions. It said it had sought answers to 30 questions posed by the Indian authorities. Pakistani officials say they have indicted eight people on the basis of the FIA's findings, six of whom have already been arrested. But legal experts in Pakistan say the prosecution of these people would not be possible in the absence of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Mumbai attacker, who is being held in India. Pakistan's new deputy attorney-general, Sardar Ghazi, told media on Wednesday that Pakistan was considering making a request to India to hand over Kasab to Pakistan. India has not commented on these developments. India has in the past accused the ISI of promoting militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba as a tool to destabilise Kashmir. Relations between India and Pakistan have worsened considerably since the November attacks.

'Better prepared'
In his interview with the BBC, Mr Chidambaram said the main terrorist threat to India came from abroad, but admitted that there were many cells of Islamic militants operating in the country. Most of them were funded, trained and supported from abroad, in particular from Pakistan, he said. Mr Chidambaram became home affairs minister in the wake of the Mumbai attacks. He said he had set himself two tasks before the general election, due before May. He said he wanted to make sure India was better prepared to deal with a terrorist attack and to respond to any future attack swiftly, decisively and in a deterrent manner.

Mr Chidambaram said there was an overall plan to challenge the very idea of India as an open secular and plural society. "I can't connect all the dots, but it's quite clear that there is a plan to destabilise the country," he said.

Sea route may be used for nuclear attack: Navy chief

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

New Delhi : A nuclear attack by terrorists?

This may no longer be confined to celluloid fiction as India sounded out a grim warning on Wednesday.
“The container would be the most likely means for terrorist organisations to illegally transport a nuclear weapon,” Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta said. The use of the sea in the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai may just be a trailer. The Navy Chief has pointed out a key vulnerability that terrorists may want to exploit, and that is, India's inadequate port security, and the lack of means to scan shipping containers. “None of the Indian ports is CSI compliant,” Mehta revealed. The US-led Container Security Initiative is stuck in politics. India opposes the intrusive provision of US Customs officials supervising scanning at Indian ports. But the Navy Chief wants the Government to find a way out. “The airport security system has been working fairly well over a large number of years. And a similar system for containers would have universal acceptance,” Mehta suggested. The only good news is that the Cabinet has approved the unified functioning of all maritime security agencies, all of which will now report to the regional Navy boss. “To bring about greater coordination there will be a joint operation centre which will function from both the coasts. We will have a composite control over deployment of all maritime assets,” Mehta said. A handful of terrorists with powerful state mentors are forcing the world to change its security architecture.

Pakistani journalist Mosa Khankhel killed in Swat

Posted by Snehsan

Pakistani journalist Mosa Khankhel, a correspondent for Geo TV and The News, died with his boots on as he headed for Swat in the country's restive northwest to report on peace talks between a radical cleric and his son-in-law who heads the Taliban that controls the area. Unidentified gunmen shot Khankhel dead at Matta, near Swat, where the peace talks were to be held. In his last report before his death on the departure of cleric Sufi Mohammad of the Tahrik-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) for talks with Maulana Fazlullah, the journalist said: "The convoy is departing for Matta. Sufi Ahmed will go with the convoy to Matta.

"Attempts are being made to restore peace in the area," Khankhel added.

The TNSM had on Monday signed an agreement with the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government to impose Shariat laws in the provinces Malakand region, which includes the once picturesque tourist destination of Swat. President Asif Ali Zardari had said he would approve the pact if the Taliban, whose writ runs in the Malakand region, laid down their arms and restored peace in the area.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman, immediately condemned the journalist's killing, terming it an unacceptable act. Khankhel is the fourth journalist to be killed in terrorist violence this year.
Tahir Awan and Mohammad Imran were killed in an explosion at the scene of a suicide blast they were reporting on at the NWFP's Dera Ismail Khan town. Awan freelanced for local dailies Eitedal and Apna Akhbar while Imran was a trainee cameraman with Express News.

In Rawalpindi adjacent to Islamabad, unknown assailants gunned down Aamer Wakil who worked with Rohi TV and edited the local daily Awami Inqalab. A week later, journalist Kamal Azfir survived an attempt on his life in a firing incident near Kohat in NWFP.

Indian Cricket Team's new jersey unveiled

Posted by Snehsan

New Delhi (24/7 News Network) : Sahara India will continue to be the sponsor of Team India, but the Men in Blue have taken a new attire to change their look and get a perfect makeover yet again. This is the second time in two years Indian cricket team has gone for a change in jersey. The new jersey of Team India was unveiled in a glittering function in New Delhi today. The function was held on the eve of India's departure to New Zealand to play in 3 test matches, 5 ODIs and 2 Twenty20 games. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Oha and Rohit Sharma unveiled the new jersey. Former cricketers Venkatesh Prasad, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan were also present at this special occasion, but they wore the old jersey.

General Motors and Chrysler to cut 50,000 jobs

Posted by Snehsan

Washington DC (24/7 News Network) : Two major auto companies of US, General Motors and Chrysler have announced to cut 50,000 jobs on Tuesday. The auto companies have been worse hit due to the global turmoil.
The two companies approached the US government for USD 21.6 billion bailout package. While treasury loans of USD 17.4 billion have been already given to these companies. According to US media reports, the General Motors and Chrysler would cut jobs 47,000 and 3,000 respectively.
The companies General Motors and Chrysler need another USD 16.6 billion and USD 5 billion federal loan. They have submitted their plan seeking the bail out to the US administration. The sales were worse hit due the global financial crisis.

Taliban Plan To Target India

Posted by Snehsan

AFTER PAKISTAN, TALIBAN NOW PLAN TO TARGET INDIA

After Pakistan, Taliban has now set its sights on India, intelligence sources said on Tuesday. Pakistan has gambled that an offer to introduce Islamic law to parts of the northwest will bring peace to the troubled Swat valley, but analysts fear any lull won't last long and appeasement will embolden the Taliban.
Western officials fear Pakistan is taking a slippery road that will only benefit al Qaeda and the Taliban, but Pakistani authorities believe the alternative of using overwhelming force on people who are, afterall, Pakistani posed a greater danger.
The central government has said the Sharia Nizam-e-Adl, or the judicial system governed by Islamic sharia law, won't be implemented in the Malakand division of North West Frontier Province, which includes Swat, unless the guns fall silent. The Taliban announced a 10-day ceasefire on Sunday, while the NWFP government has said that while the military will remain deployed in Swat, there won't be any offensives, only reactive actions.
Amnesty International estimates that between 250,000 and 500,000 people have fled their homes since late 2007, when the Taliban revolt began in Swat, an alpine region 130 km (80 miles northwest of Islamabad. Tens of thousands have fled since August last year after an earlier peace deal broke down.

DHONI, KIRSTEN CONFIDENT OF DOING WELL IN NEW ZEALAND

Posted by Snehsan

It would require immaculate planning and perfect execution if the team is to win its first Test series in New Zealand in 40 years, Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Wednesday. "It's going to be a tough tour, but every place has its challenges. Foreign players come here and struggle against spin and bounce. We would focus on planning well and in executing those plans. The results will follow," said the wicketkeeper-batsman at a pre-departure media conference. Coach Gary Kirsten too expressed confidence in the team's ability to do well in conditions that are vastly different to what the players are used to at home. "We have a very balanced team -- in batting, pace and spin bowling. We are capable of playing in any condition. Conditions will be vastly different and the weather would be cold with a bit of rain. But we have the players to overcome these," Kirsten said. India have not won a Test series in New Zealand since their first and only triumph, by a 3-1 margin under Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi in 1967-68. They commence the 47-day tour with two Twenty20 Internationals which are to be followed by five ODIs and the three-Test series. The team is departing on Thursday morning.

I DO GET FRUSTRATED ON FIELD : DHONI

Posted by Snehsan

The frustration does not show but Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said he does get upset at times when a teammate makes a fielding mistake. "I do get frustrated at times when a mistake is made on the field. But I feel there's no point in abusing him there. I prefer to go back into the dressing room and point out his mistake. That helps him more", Dhoni said after unveiling the Indian team's new one day kit -- bold blue in colour -- along with other teammates. Dhoni described the forthcoming tour of New Zealand as a tough assignment but said whether at home or away, international cricket was always a difficult proposition. "It's better to start as underdogs (in a series). It's going to be tough, but international cricket is tough whether at home or away. We have heard how beautiful it (New Zealand) is. We would enjoy the tour and hopefully would come back with a couple of trophies. "We don't bother whether we are playing Sri Lanka or any other country", he said.

Gujarat Sting Operation likely to help Modi

Posted by Snehsan

When Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka decided to go ahead with his sting operation on Gujarat riots, he never thought that it would give political mileage to Narendra Modi, whom he targeted. But it happened. If we believe the analysts, the sting operation conducted by Tehelka and Aaj Tak that sent shock waves across India, will actually help Narendra Modi in the forthcoming assembly elections in Gujarat.According to sources, the latest development has already surged the Hindus. Without doing anything, Narendra Modi has begun to get what he never thought of. There is a polarisation of Hindu votes across Gujarat and this is clearly visible. The consolidation of Hindu votes will give Modi a landslide victory, while his detractors will be left ruing their misfortune again. Although the major political parties have demanded Modi's ouster, there is a grim in the Congress camp. They can sense that worst is coming for them.When the election dates were announced, Modi was seen as a clear favorite to win the Gujarat elections. Now the stakes are higher in his favor. The trends show that he is heading for another landslide victory unless there is a miracle. Is there anyone who can challenge Modi's authority in Gujarat. "No" is the answer at least for the time being.

Big B to visit ailing SRK at Mannat

Posted by Snehsan

Amitabh Bachchan has plans to visit Shah Rukh Khan at his residence Mannat here after the latter underwent a successful shoulder surgery. "I had sent him (Shah Rukh) a message for his speedy recovery. He called back to thank and inform me that he is home. 'I was getting depressed in hospital, so came away', he said," Amitabh posted on his blog. Amitabh messaged him: "I was planning to visit you in the hospital" and Shah Rukh replied saying: "Come home sir, we shall play some games." "Don't take after surgery too lightly, I warned him and take rest and do not get into any kind of activity. He sounds a little groggy. I shall visit him tomorrow," he added. Shah Rukh underwent an arthroscopic surgery Monday for a nagging pain in his left shoulder at the Breach Candy hospital in south Mumbai. He was relieved from the hospital Tuesday evening. The actor has been advised six weeks' rest

Ponting may miss IPL II

Posted by Snehsan

KOLKATA: With the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) set to begin on April 10, Team Kolkata management is working overtime on the possible permutations and combinations regarding their foreign recruitments and their availability depending on ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP). The bone of contention for Shahrukh Khan's men is the availability of Ricky Ponting and David Hussey who are unlikely to arrive before the second week of May. The tentative date for the final of IPL II is May 24. If Australia's next two assignments - tour of South Africa and the ODI series against Pakistan - are any indicator, the duo may be available at the most for five matches (three league matches and semifinal and final provided Team Kolkata qualify). Australia finish their tour of South Africa on April 17 and head for Dubai where they finish their five-match series tentatively by May 10.

Abhay Deol: I was introduced to the drug culture by friends in high school

Posted by Snehsan

His Dev.D has received an overwhelming response and is also being touted as a trend-setter in Bollywood. But lead hero Abhay Deol isn’t in India to savour its success; he’s in New York doing a workshop in welding and metal work! “But I miss home badly, especially now that the film doing so well. I read whatever I can on the Net every day. Most people don’t know this, but I’m a very ordinary guy, the type who feels shy in a crowd and is overwhelmed by attention,” confesses Abhay. Hailed as the poster boy of smallbudget films, Abhay accepts that his career received only ‘a fair share’ of hype until Dev.D happened. “But things are looking much bigger now. I’m very happy and I need a little time to adjust to this new-found fame,” he says.

Not many know that a modern adaptation of Devdas was Abhay’s idea. “I was looking for a story that dealt with drugs and addiction in an urban setting. When I saw SLB’s Devdas, it occurred to me that it had exactly what I was looking for; all I had to do was set it in the present day. Which was also good because it gave the film a marketing platform, an iconic character, a story and its moments,” explains the actor. And if his portrayal of Dev has been lauded as outstanding, it’s because the actor identifies with most of the film. “It’s a film everyone would understand, most importantly, the youth.

Drugs have always been around; I was introduced to the drug culture by friends in high school. At that age, I was also madly in love with a girl, which I later realised was just an obsession,” admits Abhay. Being a Deol, doesn’t he ever miss the maar-peet and naach-gaana routine? “No, for me the challenge in doing that routine would be to do it better than those who’ve done it before me. And I know I’d fail because, to begin with, I’m not a competitive person. I’m not interested in it either. I’ve worked hard to make a place for myself in the industry, to conform to commercial norms now would be to throw it all away. The audience is also changing now as proven by the kind of films that have worked at the BO in the past couple of years,” observes Abhay. Right now, his focus is on his next film — also his debut production — titled Junction. “All my first five films were with new directors. Even Junction is being directed by debutant Atul Sabarwal, who has also written the script. I like to encourage newcomers, be it directors, actors or writers,” he signs off.

I pray for a miracle for Jade: Shilpa

Posted by Snehsan

It’s ironic that Jade Goody, who earned worldwide notoriety for being rude and racist towards our Shilpa Shetty when they were competitors on the Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty More PicsUK reality show Celebrity Big Brother, should invite the Bollywood actress for the last two reality shows she will ever be involved in. These are Jade’s wedding this Sunday in London reportedly at Sir Elton John’s home; and, her funeral! Yes, Jade has little time left. The cervical cancer that she discovered when in Mumbai to participate in the Bigg Boss show, has spread and almost consumed the young woman’s life. In the few days that she has, Jade intends to get married and then orchestrate the rites of her own funeral. It sounds macabre, true, but she’s doing it to raise enough money for the future welfare of her sons Bobbie (5) and Freddie (4). Shilpa, whose own life changed after that incident, is in a way beholden to Jade. Not only did she go on to win global sympathy (and the show) for Jade’s taunts, but Shilpa’s career in Bollywood too picked up; and, the icing on the cake, she met the love of her life — Raj Kundra, whom she intends to marry, because of Jade and the Celebrity Big Brother show. Now all of Shilpa’s finer emotions have come to the fore. She has no ill-feelings, no malice, towards Jade. Only heartfelt sympathy. Shilpa told BT yesterday, “I knew she was suffering from a terminally ill disease but I thought she’ll be cured. When I learned that she’s got just a couple of months to live, I was shocked. I just hope a miracle takes place... at least for her children’s sake.” Jade did try to make amends with the Bollywood hottie when she travelled to Mumbai last year. Shilpa, who hosted the Indian version of the popular UK reality show, and who is shaken by the news of her former foe’s terminal illness, said, “I have forgiven and forgotten all that and have asked everyone else to do the same. We kept in touch and called each other up some time. We were just getting to know each other and this happened! Nobody deserves to go through this pain. Nobody...” Sadly, Shilpa is busy with the IPL when this crisis has taken over Jade’s life, but she intends meeting Jade in London where she will be shooting for Sunny Deol’s The Man soon. “When I spoke to her on Sunday, she sounded strong and invited me for her marriage to her 21-year-old fiancé Jack Tweed,” said Shilpa. “I don’t know if I will be able to attend that but I am meeting her for sure.” Jade is apparently selling the media rights of her wedding to a television channel to create funds for her two sons after her death. “After our chit-chat, she casually invited me for her funeral saying that I’ll be informed through Max Clifford, our common publicist. It’s so heart wrenching,” added Shilpa. “Imagine accepting the fact of death with a smile. I want to reach out to her but I feel so helpless knowing that all my efforts will be in vain. I have been praying for her and her kids.”

Smoking Hot and Sexy

Posted by Snehsan

If you are not sure who we are talking about then it is none other than the dusky sex kitten Celina Jaitley who has been associated with the film industry from the past few years and though she has not been able to deliver a significant success, she is still the wanted girl thanks to her smoking hot body. However, off late the pretty girl has been making a lot of news for the wrong reasons, she is often linked to her co-stars and the latest in her kitty was actor Fardeen Khan. Celina has decided to drop curtains on this once and for all and confirmed that she has no interest in married men and she is as yet single. She also mentioned that she is on the lookout for love from the past three and a half years.

Sanjay Dutt's political journey takes him down memory lane

Posted by Snehsan

New Delhi: In Lucknow, Sanjay Dutt's political journey is taking him down memory lane. After a road show with wife Manyata, Dutt - the Samajwadi Party candidate for Lucknow - will tour the constituency all day on Wednesday.

Apart from meetings with senior party leaders, including Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and State President Shivpal Singh Yadav, Sanjay Dutt will specifically visit a house in Aminabad, in Ganne Wali Gali, where his father Sunil Dutt once lived. Sunil Dutt is said to have spent four years between 1949 to 1952 in the house.

The landlord of Sunil Dutt's house, Inder Kaur remembers the late minister well. "He came here after formation of Pakistan. He loved Punjabi food. I will prepare what Sanjay Dutt desires when he comes here," she said. Sanjay Dutt is slated to meet prominent doctors of the city at the clinic of SP State Secretary Madhu Gupta later in the day.
"During his stay, Dutt will discuss strategy for the elections with senior party leaders including national general secretary Amar Singh and state president Shivpal Singh Yadav," party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary was quoted by PTI as saying. This would be Dutt's second visit to the state capital after his candidature was announced by the SP. Earlier, the bollywood star accompanied by his wife Manyata, visited Lucknow on January 17 for a roadshow.

OBAMA ANNOUNCES 17,000 SURGE IN US TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

Posted by Snehsan

US President Barack Obama has approved the deployment 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, as he said the situation in the Afghan-Pakistan region demands immediate attention. "This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires," Obama said in a statement as he approved his commander's request to send more troops to the war-torn country. Immediately, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the deployment of more than 12,000 troops to Afghanistan. This includes 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, consisting of 8,000 Marines and 5th Stryker Brigade of 4,000 soldiers.

While the Marines would hit the ground late spring 2009, Stryker's are likely to be in Afghanistan in mid-summer. Deployment of another 5,000 additional troops to support these combat forces would be announced at a later date, the Pentagon said. Such an announcement was being anticipated for the past several days. Making the announcement, Obama said the Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and Al Qaeda supports insurgency and threatens America from its safe-haven along the Pakistani border.

The "responsibly draw down" of forces from Iraq, gives him the flexibility to increase US' presence in Afghanistan. "This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan," Obama said.

The US President, however, clarified the surge of troops in Afghanistan does not pre-determine the outcome of Afghan strategic review, which is currently being done by his administration. "Instead, it will further enable our team to put together a comprehensive strategy that will employ all elements of our national power to fulfill achievable goals in Afghanistan," Obama said.

"As we develop our new strategic goals, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed," Obama said.

Even before taking over presidency, Obama had announced his intention to increase the US troops in Afghanistan as he believes the main threat to the United States comes from the safe haven of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

SENSEX RECOVERS INITIAL LOSSES, UP BY 55 PTS IN MORNING TRADE

Posted by Snehsan

After resuming lower below the 9K-mark on the back of distinctly weak global cues, the benchmark recovered sharply to quote in positive terrain at 9,089.72 in early deals, supported by good buying from domestic funds. Recovery in the Sensex was led by smart rise in the Reliance Industries (RIL) and ONGC. The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer initially touched a low of 8,922.31 but rebounded to quote at 9,089.72 at 1015 hours, a rise of 54.72 points, or 0.61 per cent, over the previous close. The bellwether index had lost a massive 600 points in the last two sessions due to the disappointing interim Budget. The broader 50-issue Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also recouped by 14.05 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 2,784.55 at 1015 hours from its last close. Market participants attributed lower opening to weak global cues. Most of the Asian indices were trading lower due to steep fall on Wall Street yesterday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled by 3.79 per cent and 63.70 per cent, respectively, due to worsening economic conditions and fears about the health of the financial sector as regional manufacturing data signalled the further downturn.

US quiet on Pakistan peace deal with Taliban

Posted by Snehsan

WASHINGTON (AP) — While human rights groups and European officials criticize Pakistan's truce with Taliban fighters, the United States has had little to say. The muted response Tuesday was a sign — the second in two weeks — of an Obama administration wary about weakening an already fragile government in Islamabad. The U.S. needs that government in the fight against Islamic militants, including the Taliban, that are using Pakistan to stage attacks on U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has sent a hard-line cleric to the violent Swat Valley to negotiate with the Taliban. The cleric is pressing militants to give up their arms to honor a pact that imposes Islamic law and suspends a military offensive in Swat and nearby areas. Swat is not far from the semiautonomous tribal regions where al-Qaida and Taliban long have had strongholds.
British and NATO officials have expressed misgivings about a move they said could give extremists a haven in Pakistan.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, however, was cautious when speaking to reporters in Japan. She said Pakistan's efforts still needed to be "thoroughly understood" before she could comment. "Obviously, we believe that the activity by the extremists in Pakistan poses a direct threat to the government of Pakistan as well as to the security of the United States, Afghanistan and a number of other nations," Clinton said.
The United States relies on nuclear-armed Pakistan to fight resurgent extremists operating along the Afghan-Pakistan border, and is eager to strengthen a Washington-backed government facing high inflation, a sinking currency, widespread poverty and a violent insurgency by Islamic militants.
Earlier this month, Clinton also was reticent when asked about Pakistan's release from house arrest of Abdul Qadeer Khan, a scientist whose smuggling operation shipped nuclear technology to North Korea, Iran and Libya.
The Obama administration is conducting South Asia policy reviews and has appointed Richard Holbrooke, who settled ethnic wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, as a special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Christine Fair, a South Asia specialist with the RAND Corporation, said, "The real reason for being silent is there's really no good answer" yet in Washington for what is happening in Pakistan.
"Everyone is skeptical that this is going to work," Fair said.
At the State Department, spokesman Gordon Duguid, pressed by reporters for the administration's view of the truce, would say only that U.S. diplomats in Islamabad are "fully engaged" with the Pakistani government "to find out exactly what their strategy is."
"We'll wait and see what their fuller explanation is for us," he said.
Others have been more critical.
Ali Dayan Hasan, senior South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, said peace deals between Pakistan and the Taliban "tend to fail and, in the interim, they tend to strengthen highly regressive, human rights-abusing forces."
The Pakistani Embassy in Washington said troops would remain "until the militant threat was completely over" and the deal is "conditioned on peace and laying down of arms by militants."

After Modi, Advani says can’t rule out local hand in Mumbai attacks

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Posted by Snehsan

New Delhi: Echoing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani today said a “local angle” to the Mumbai attacks “could not be ruled out”, and demanded a “thorough” judicial inquiry covering “this aspect of the conspiracy as well”. “Is it true that one Fahim Ansari, said to be a Goregaon resident, was arrested in connection with this attack in November 2008? It is believed that he said during his interrogation that such an attack was being planned, and that his associates had even done a recce of the areas. One of his associates, Sabahuddin Ahmed, was arrested in April 2008. It is apparent that their preparations for the attack were on for a year. It is impossible that they could have carried out such a big operation without any local support,” Advani said in Parliament. At a recent BJP conclave in Nagpur, Modi had said: “Attacks like 26/11 couldn’t have happened without local support... The UPA Government is quiet on this aspect because of vote-bank politics.”

Shah Rukh says he is fine, to rest for 3 weeks

Posted by Snehsan

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who underwent a successful shoulder surgery in Mumbai, was discharged from hospital on Tuesday and said he was feeling fine but would take some rest and take care of his kids' studies. "I am fine, but I will be taking rest for three weeks," he said in suburban Bandra after he was discharged from Breach Candy Hospital, where he underwent the surgery to repair the tear in his left shoulder muscle on Monday after he returned from London where he attended the premiere of his latest home production ‘Billu’. Shah Rukh also said he would be travelling to watch Twenty20 Cricket matches. "I don't watch my own movies," he said in a reply to another query. "I will take care of my children's studies in my rest period," he said. Shoulder specialist Dr Sanjay Desai, who performed the operation on the 43-year-old actor-producer, said that Shah Rukh had recovered well and so was discharged. "Shah Rukh has resumed his normal diet and had a sound sleep." The actor, with his left hand in a sling, looked cheerful and waved at fans, photographers and camerapersons waiting outside the hospital.

He had injured himself on the sets of ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’ last November and continued shooting for Karan Johar's ‘My Name is Khan’ in Los Angeles for 45 days at a stretch during which he experienced severe pain. He was told by his doctors last month about the urgency to get the tear in the main muscle of his left shoulder fixed. He decided to undergo the operation after release of ‘Billu’. According to Dr Desai, the arthroscopic method of surgery, which was performed on the star, does not require opening of the entire joint. "The surgery ensures less pain and minimal scar," he said. Under this surgical technique, a tube-like instrument is inserted into a joint to inspect, diagnose and repair tissues.

Shah Rukh, who has the franchise of Kolkata Knight Riders, said he will be busy with preparations for the second season of IPL. Besides, he will also have to deal with the protests against usage of certain words in the song 'Marjani' in ‘Billu’. Shah Rukh has already said that the protesters have not heard the lyrics properly and there was nothing controversial in it. Last week on the day of film's release unidentified persons had thrown kerosene-filled bottles at his bungalow 'Mannat' in Mumbai.

Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra Join Rajasthan Royals & They Buy Stake in Rajasthan Royals

Posted by Snehsan

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her business partner Raj Kundra on Tuesday bought a 12 per cent stake in the Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural champions of the Twenty20 event.Shetty and Kundra, a UK-based entrepreneur, are reportedly set to invest $ 15.4 million in the team, which is led by Australian spin legend Shane Warne and has international stars like South African skipper Graeme Smith and Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson in its fold."They have bought an approximately 12 per cent stake in the team," Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale told reporters in Mumbai.Shetty thus becomes the third Bollywood star after Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta to buy a stake in IPL teams.While Shah Rukh owns Kolkata Knight Riders, Preity has a stake in Kings XI Punjab, the semi-finalists last year.Shetty said she would have a role in the team's promotional activities this year. "I will be promoting the team. Perhaps a music video will also come," she quipped.

GOLD PRIZES ARE GOING TO BREAK RECORD - Rs. 15420 per 10 Gram

Posted by Snehsan

GOLD SIZZLES TO RECORD PRICE OF RS 15,420 PER 10 GRAM

Amid continuing decline in stock markets, all-weather investment option gold zoomed past all previous records on Tuesday to set a record price of Rs 15,420 per 10 gram in the national capital. The metal surged by Rs 560, the biggest single-day rise in over one-year today in tune with rates in the global markets where gold rallied above 960 dollar an ounce. Dealers said melting stocks and forex markets left no other option for investors other than gold and they rushed park their funds in bullion. There was frantic buying by stockists and speculators on firming trend on the global front amid a plunge in equity markets, they added. Analysts had forecast that gold may touch Rs 16,000 per ten gram in short-term. The steep rise in prices, however, brought gloom to retail buyers particularly in the ongoing wedding season. A retail jeweller in Delhi said many prospective customers were postponing their buying decision as they are unable to grapple with with never-before like prices. "Retail buyers postponed their decisions to buy for the current marriage season in view of the sky-rocketing gold prices," said All India Sarafa (bullion) president Sheel Chand Jain, adding the surge was solely of speculative nature.

ICC ASKS 2011 WC ORGANISERS TO CONSIDER ALTERNATE VENUES

Posted by Snehsan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked 2011 World Cup organisers to plan alternate venues if it becomes difficult to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
"It is a consideration that we have to give attention to," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told reporters on Tuesday after a World Cup organising committee meeting.

"This is not something we discussed today, except to ask the organisers to consider alternate host city venues within the country as well as alternate country venues in the event something is not favourable in one of the particular host countries."

The one-day tournament will be hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Lorgat said there was no need yet for major concern.

"I think it is still a long way off to the World Cup," he said. "It is certainly a consideration to keep note of but it is way too early to be already concerned at this particular stage."

Pakistan did not play a single test last year after teams, including Australia, refused to travel.
This month the ICC took away this year's Champions Trophy from Pakistan after postponing the prestigious one-day event from last September over a possible boycott by five of the eight teams. A new venue is yet to be announced.

Strained relations between India and Pakistan after the militant attacks in Mumbai last November have added to the uncertainty over the tournament scheduled for early 2011. "I think it is way too early to be presumptuous and assume that things won't work," Lorgat said. "When we come close to the event, obviously we have to pay much more attention to the issues like safety, security and relations between the countries.

"But I can assure you at this stage we are planning a World Cup for all four countries."
Last November, the ICC asked the organisers to speed up preparations, saying they were 10 months behind schedule.

Laden Located?

Posted by Snehsan

OSAMA BIN LADEN MAY WELL BE IN PARACHINAR: REPORT

Fugitive terrorist Osama bin Laden is most likely hiding out in a walled compound in a Pakistani border town, according to a satellite-aided geographic analysis released today. A research team led by geographer Thomas Gillespie of the University of California-Los Angeles used geographic analytical tools that have been successful in locating urban criminals and endangered species. Basing their conclusion on nighttime satellite images and other techniques, the scientists suggest bin Laden may well be in one of three compounds in Parachinar, a town 12 miles from the Pakistan border, USA Today reported. The research incorporates public reports of bin Laden's habits and whereabouts since his flight from the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan in 2001.

The results, reported in the MIT International Review, are being greeted with polite but skeptical interest among people involved in the hunt for bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader behind 9/11. Bin Laden's whereabouts are considered "one of the most important political questions of our time," the study notes.
"I've never really believed the sitting-in-a-cave theory. That's the last place you would want to be bottled up," Gillespie says. The study's real value, he says, is in combining satellite records of geographic locations, patterns of nighttime electricity use and population-detection methods to produce a technique for locating fugitives.

Essentially, the study generates hiding-place location probabilities. It starts with "distance decay theory," which holds that the odds are greater that the person will be found close to where he or she was last seen.
Then the researchers add the "island biographic theory," which maintains that locales with more resources — palm trees for tropical birds and electricity for wealthy fugitives — are likelier to draw creatures of interest.

"Island biographic theory suggests bin Laden would end up in the biggest and least isolated city of the region," Gillespie says, one among about 26 towns within a 20-mile distance of Tora Bora.
"To really improve the model, you would need to include intelligence data from 2001 to 2006," Gillespie says. "It has been eight years. Honestly, I think it is time to be more open. This is a very important issue for the public."

The study also makes assumptions that bin Laden might need:
• Medical treatment, requiring electricity in an urban setting.
• Security combining few bodyguards and isolation that requires a walled compound.
• Tree cover to shield outdoor activities from aircraft.
"Of course, it all depends on the accuracy of the information on most recent whereabouts," Gillespie says. "I assume that the military has more recent information that would change the hiding place probabilities."

Says geographic-profiling expert Kim Rossmo of Texas State University in San Marcos, who has worked with the military on adapting police procedures for finding criminals to counterterrorism: "It's important to think outside the box, and this is an innovative idea worth more pursuit. However, the authors are much too certain of their conclusions.
"The idea of identifying three buildings in a city of half a million — especially one in a country the authors have likely never visited — is somewhat overconfident."

The researchers contacted the FBI with their findings, and USA TODAY asked Defense Department officials for reaction, before publication of the study.
"The combination of physical terrain, socio-cultural gravitational factors and the physical characteristic of structures are all important factors in developing an area limitation for terror suspects," say John Goolgasian of the federal National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Bethesda, Md. His spy satellite agency "looks forward to reviewing the article once it is published."

Gillespie is an expert on finding endangered species on remote islands, typically birds. A co-author, UCLA's John Agnew, is an expert on satellite-based population estimates. The study grew out of an undergraduate seminar on applying geographic profiling to real-world problems.
"We are all wondering where bin Laden is hiding," Gillespie says. "We just wanted to offer the techniques we have to help."