Monday, August 31, 2009

Dalai Lama, on prayer visit, says Taiwan, China should have ‘very close and unique links’

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HIAO LIN, Taiwan — The Dalai Lama said Taiwan should have “very close and unique links” with China but also enjoy democracy, as he arrived at a devastated village Monday to pray for victims of Taiwan’s worst storm in 50 years.

Beijing has voiced its opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit, saying it could have a negative effect on relations between the mainland and Taiwan, which Beijing wants back after the two split six decades ago.

The Tibetan spiritual leader insisted his visit was a humanitarian one and that he had no political agenda, but in his remarks to reporters he encouraged Taiwan to preserve its democracy.

Kneeling on the ground above what was once the farming village of Shiao Lin, the Tibetan spiritual leader offered his prayers for the estimated 500 villagers who died in mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot in early August. The village is now an empty stretch of mud and scattered boulders.

Overall, some 670 were killed in the storm, and the Dalai Lama plans to lead a mass prayer ritual for them.

At Shiao Lin, he put his palms together in prayer while a monk next to him recited a Buddhist sutra. He then embraced two weeping relatives of Shiao Lin victims, holding their heads as he knelt on the ground and prayed.

Some 50 former Shiao Lin residents had returned to welcome him, many wearing T-shirts with pictures of the village before the deadly mudslides.

“We welcome him and we’re very happy that he’s here,” said Liu Ming-chuan, 44.

The Dalai Lama also made brief remarks about the tragedy and about the invitation for his visit. He has said he had a moral responsibility to visit the victims.

He said he was not disappointed by President Ma Ying-jeou’s refusal to meet him. “This is a humanitarian visit,” he told reporters. “On my side, there is no political agenda.”

“In any case, Taiwan should have very close and unique links with mainland China, but at the same time Taiwan also should enjoy democracy and prosperity,” he added.

Communist Party-ruled China has long vilified the Dalai Lama for what it claims as his attempt to fight for independence of Tibet, which has been under communist rule for decades.

But instead of criticizing Ma for his visit, the spokesman for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office blasted Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party for its “ulterior motives to instigate the Dalai Lama, who has long been engaged in separatist activities, to visit Taiwan.”

Taiwan’s opposition had invited the Dalai Lama to comfort the typhoon victims.

The invitation came as Taiwan and China have dramatically improved their relations after decades of enmity. Ma has made closer business ties and cultural exchanges a signature issue of his 15-month-old administration.

Beijing has said it “resolutely opposes” the Taiwan visit, and a Chinese official for Taiwan affairs on Sunday night warned the visit “is bound to have a negative influence on the relations between the mainland and Taiwan.”

A Taiwanese official said 70 Chinese athletes have decided not to attend Saturday’s opening ceremony of the international Deaf Olympics in Taipei, but would still take part in the games. Emile Sheng, an executive of the games’ organizing committee, declined to comment on media reports that the group was boycotting because of the Dalai Lama’s visit.

Not all in Taiwan have welcomed the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Earlier Monday, some 20 demonstrators confronted him outside his hotel, saying the visit was short of bringing real disaster relief to Taiwan.

“I love it,” the Dalai Lama told reporters in response. “It’s an indication of freedom of expression. It’s wonderful.”

Sri Lankan court sentences ethnic Tamil journalist to 20 years in prison under anti-terror law

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OLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A Sri Lankan reporter singled out by President Barack Obama as an example of persecuted journalists around the globe was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison on charges of violating the country’s harsh anti-terror law.

J.S. Tissainayagam’s articles in the now-defunct Northeastern Monthly magazine in 2006 and 2007 criticized the conduct of the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels and accused authorities of withholding food and other essential items from Tamil-majority areas as a tool of war.

Tissainayagam’s conviction, 17 months after the ethnic Tamil reporter was arrested, was the first time a journalist was found guilty of violating the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Rights groups have accused the government of waging a broad crackdown on media freedom that has continued since it routed the rebels and ended the nation’s quarter-century civil war in May.

Tissainayagam, who has been labeled a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was arrested in March 2008 and indicted five months later under the anti-terror law.

During his World Press Freedom Day address in May, Obama highlighted Tissainayagam’s case as an example of journalists being jailed or harassed for doing their jobs.

On Monday, High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundara said Tissainayagam’s articles violated the law because they were aimed at creating communal disharmony. She also found him guilty of raising money for a publication whose articles violated the anti-terror law and sentenced him to 20 years.

“The constitution guarantees media freedom, but no one has a right to deliberately publish false reports that would lead to communal violence,” prosecutor Sudarshana de Silva said in his court filing.

Defense lawyer Anil Silva said Tissainayagam had always fought for human rights.

“He was never a racist and he at no time tried to arouse hatred,” he said in his defense filing. “Now he has been punished for what he wrote as a journalist. This will be a lesson to other journalists too.”

Silva said his client would appeal.

“There is no press freedom in this country today, even after the war is over,” said Sirithunga Jayasuriya, a local media rights activist. Tissainayagam’s conviction would set a bad precedent for media across the country, he said.

International media rights groups say the government has used emergency laws to silence public criticism of its conduct and has failed to investigate violent attacks — and killings — of journalists.

The government has denied the allegations.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 11 Sri Lankan reporters were forced to flee the country in the past year, and Amnesty International said at least 14 Sri Lankan journalists and media workers had been killed since the beginning of 2006.

In June, the government said it would re-establish a powerful press council with the authority to jail journalists it finds guilty of defamation or inaccurate reporting.

Indira Gandhi backed plot to kill Pak Army officials: Brig. Ahmed

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AHORE - Former Pakistan Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General Brigadier (retired) Imtiaz Ahmed has alleged that former Punjab Governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar had hatched a conspiracy to kill several key Pakistan Army officials, and claimed that the plot was backed by the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In an interview with a private television channel, Brigadier Ahmed said that Khar had chalked out a plan to kill several important commanders of the Pakistan Army in a bomb blast.e said the plan, according to which the Indian intelligence agency RAW would provide arms to Pakistan, was also approved by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

“An Indian official, Joshi, had arranged Khar’s meeting with Gandhi and finalized the plans,” Brigadier Ahmed said.

However, Khar has rebuked Brigadier Ahmed’s allegations saying he never knew any Indian official named Joshi.

He said some elements had hatched conspiracies to diminish his popularity and acceptance with the Armed Forces.

“I had visited to India to visit the graves of saints, not hatch a conspiracy,” The Daily Times quoted Khar, as saying. (ANI)

Pakistan reality TV contestant dies performing task

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ONDON - A contestant on a Pakistani reality TV show died while meeting a challenge for the show, a spokeswoman for the show’s sponsor has revealed.

Fareshte Aslam, the information officer for Unilever Pakistan, said that Saad Khan was swimming across a lake in Bangkok with a 7 kg backpack, when he shouted for help and drowned.

According to Bangkok’s Kom Chad Luek newspaper, his co-contestants and the crew were unable to save the 32-year-old due to the murky waters of the Thai capital, reports Times Online.

Khan’s body was later discovered by divers, and returned to his family in Karachi.

Investigators are probing whether the cause of the death was accidental or negligence.

Khan, after being eliminated, had made a comeback on the programme for a special task to bag a spot in the finals. (ANI)

Indian Army confirms violation of Indian air space by Chinese copters

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EW DELHI - The Indian Army on Monday said that China violated the Indian air space in Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Army Spokesperson Northern Command, Colonel Kachari said, “It has happened. That is confirmed. But there is nothing alarming in it. I have given a written reply and that is the correct version.”

Two Chinese helicopters reportedly violated the Indian air space in the recent months in Leh.

The helicopters air-dropped some canned food in a barren land at Chumar, northeast of Leh, along the border on June 21.

The MI series helicopters were reported by residents living along the Pangong lake.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has been crossing over into the Indian side in this region quite frequently with August reporting the maximum number of incursions.

In August this year, Chinese patrols have entered into the Indian territory 26 times and walked away with petrol and kerosene meant for jawans of the border guarding forces.

The Chinese Army had made 223 attempts last year and left tell-tale signs.(ANI)

After Satyam and Infy, TCS eyes domestic market

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ew Delhi
, Aug 31: Ater Satyam BPO and Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has set its eye on the Indian domestic market. TCS is reportedly aiming at doubling its revenues from the Indian market to 1 billion dollars in the next 3 to 4 years.

"India has been one of the important markets. We are looking at whether in next 3-4 years we can double our revenue to billion dollars in the Indian market," TCS CEO S Ramadorai said.


"Every mission mode project (government) that would come on the radar, we will certainly bid for them. TCS is in talks for 3 to 4 such mission mode projects as of now," he added.

Pointing out that in the domestic market there are three pillars namely large enterprises, governments (centre and state) and the small and medium businesses which form the parts in overall growth, Mr Ramadorai added that TCS was expecting the large enterprises to contribute followed by the government and the SMB sector.

TCS currently gets 10 pc of its revenue from the domestic market.

Nagaland hospitals asked for flu preparedness

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lthough no swine flu case was found in Nagaland, the district hospitals in the state have been asked to remain prepared to tackle any situation in the event of H1N1 virus outbreak.

After reviewing the preparedness with Chief Medical Officers (CMO) and Medical Superintendents (MS), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare asked them to work out plans if swine flu breaks out.

The state nodal officer for integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP) Dr Kevichusa Medikhru said the directive was issued to CMOs after a recent review meeting here attended by senior officials of the directorate.

So far all the eight samples of suspected persons in Nagaland sent either to New Delhi or Kolkata tested negative, but another sample collected from Kohima was dispatched to Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh for testing and result were awaited.

Meanwhile, the department has decided to send blood samples to Dibrugrah in Assam through its special messengers since the courier companies in the state refused to dispatch samples of suspected patients.

When a courier service provider in Kohima on Tuesday refused to ferry a sample, the health department dispatched the same through speed post (EMS). But postal consignment go to Dibrugarh via Guwahati, causing unnecessary delay in getting test result, Kevichusa said.

Air-India to open aviation academy in Shillong

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ir-India has been considering plans to operate flights from Kolkata to Shillong and Tura in Meghalaya, besides promoting the hill state as a major tourist destination with national and international air connectivity, the sources said.

Air-India would set up a state-of-art Aviation Training Academy in Shillong.

Air-India CMD Arvind Jadhav informed this to Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang during their meeting in New Delhi on Friday evening, official sources in Shillong on Sunday said.

Also in the pipeline is a call centre for Air-India clients at Shillong.

Elaborating on the Air Indias plans for North-East, Jadav asked the state government to provide 12 acre land for setting up the academy.

"Air-India would like to support tourism development in Meghalaya. We would work out suitable proposals, including that of seamless multi-modal transport," Jadav was quoted as telling Lapang.

The CMD is expected to visit Shillong next month for discussion on the proposals.

Japan opposition takes on economy after landslide

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OKYO -Japan's likely next prime minister rushed to select Cabinet ministers Monday after his party trounced the ruling conservatives in elections and inherited a mountain of problems, including how to revive the world's second-largest economy.
Yukio Hatoyama spoke only briefly with reporters before huddling with party leaders. In a victory speech late Sunday, he said he would focus on a quick and smooth transition and make a priority of choosing Japan's next finance minister.
He has also said he wants to redefine Tokyo's relationship with its key ally, Washington.
Prime Minister Taro Aso, conceding defeat, said he would step down as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
"As head of the party, I feel strong responsibility and it is my intention to resign," Aso told a news conference Monday. His successor as party leader is expected to be named in late September.
Although the nation gave the Democratic Party of Japan a landslide win, most voters were seen as venting dissatisfaction with the LDP and the status quo.
The staunchly pro-U.S. LDP — teaming up with big business, conservative interests and the powerful national bureaucracy — governed Japan for virtually all of the past 54 years. Their election loss has been attributed primarily to frustration with the economy, which is in its worst slump since World War II.
Official results were still being counted, but exit polls by all major media said Hatoyama's party had won more than 300 of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament. That would easily be enough to ensure that he is installed as prime minister in a special session of parliament that is expected in mid-September.
The Democrats controlled the less powerful upper house of parliament with two smaller allies since 2007, but if they fail to quickly deliver on their promises, the LDP could resurge in elections for that house next year.
The task ahead for the Democrats is daunting.
Japan managed to climb out of a yearlong recession in the second quarter, but its economy remains weak. Unemployment and anxiety over falling wages threaten to undermine any recovery. The jobless rate has risen to a record 5.7 percent. After a rapid succession of three administrations in three years, Japan is facing its worst crisis of confidence in decades.
It must also figure out how to cope with a rapidly aging and shrinking population — meaning fewer people paying taxes and more collecting pensions. Government estimates predict the population will drop to 115 million in 2030 and fall below 100 million by the middle of the century.
The Democrats' solution is to move Japan away from a corporate-centric economic model to one that focuses on helping people. They have proposed an expensive array of initiatives: cash handouts to families and farmers, toll-free highways, a higher minimum wage and tax cuts. The estimated bill comes to 16.8 trillion yen ($179 billion) when fully implemented starting in the 2013 fiscal year.
The party has said it plans to cut waste and rely on untapped financial reserves to fund their programs. But with Japan's public debt heading toward 200 percent of gross domestic product, the Democrats' plan has been criticized as a financial fantasy that would worsen Japan's precarious fiscal health.
Japan's stock market surged early Monday on the news of the election, but then fell back — indicating uncertainty among investors about what the Democrats will bring.
"The key difference is the Liberal Democrats' spending on public projects and infrastructure, but the Democrats spend on family and education," said Martin Schulz, a senior economist at the Fujitsu Research Institute.
"The Democrats have a year to show results," he added, noting next year's elections are looming.
The Democrats are also under scrutiny for their positions on national security and foreign policy.
Hatoyama has been vocal about distancing Japan from Washington and forging closer ties with its Asian neighbors.
He has said he will end a refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, and wants to review the role of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed across Japan under a post-World War II mutual security treaty.
He is not expected to make any radical departures that would harm relations with Washington, however, and the new U.S. ambassador to Japan said President Barack Obama is looking forward to working with the administration in Tokyo.
"The challenges we face are many, but through our partnership our two great democracies will meet them in a spirit of cooperation and friendship," Ambassador John V. Roos said in a statement Monday.
The Democrats' first task will be to convince a skeptical public that they can actually lead.
The party is made up of an inexperienced group of left-wing activists and LDP defectors. It is just 11 years old, and only a handful have served in top government positions.
But Ichiro Ozawa, co-founder of the party, expressed a quiet confidence.
"We have no fear, and we will steadily achieve our campaign promises one by one," he said.

US Afghan strategy 'not working'

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report by the top US general in Afghanistan is expected to say that the current military strategy is not working, the BBC understands.

General Stanley McChrystal will liken the US military to a bull charging at a matador [the Taliban] - slightly weakened with each "cut" it receives.

His review is also expected to say that protecting the Afghan people against the Taliban must be the top priority.

But the report will not carry a direct call for increasing troop numbers.

Word of Gen McChrystal's report came as further results from last week's presidential election were expected to be released, at 1230 GMT. President Hamid Karzai is leading so far.

The independent Electoral Complaints Commission says that of more than 2,100 allegations of wrongdoing during voting and vote-counting, 618 have been deemed serious enough to affect the election's outcome, if proven.


Crisis of confidence

BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says General McChrystal's bullfighting metaphor is striking because it is not the usual way that US commanders talk about the country's armed forces.

The general's blunt assessment will also say that the Afghan people are undergoing a crisis of confidence because the war against the Taliban has not made their lives better, our correspondent says.

General McChrystal says the aim should be for Afghan forces to take the lead but their army will not be ready to do that for three years and it will take much longer for the police.

And he will warn that villages have to be taken from the Taliban and held, not merely taken.

General McChrystal also wants more engagement with the Taliban fighters and he believes that 60% of the problem would go away if they could be found jobs.

His report is expected to be presented to military chiefs in Washington on Monday.

Hints on troop numbers


More than 30,000 extra US troops have been sent to Afghanistan since President Barack Obama ordered reinforcements in May - almost doubling his country's contingent and increasing the Western total to about 100,000.

This report does not mention increasing troop numbers - that is for another report later in the year - but the hints are all there, our correspondent says.

But when General McChrystal's report lands on President Obama's desk he will have to ponder the implications of increasing a commitment to a conflict which opinion polls suggest is losing support among the American people.

The latest Washington Post-ABC news poll suggests that only 49% of Americans now think the fight in Afghanistan is worth it.

In a recent BBC interview, General McChrystal said that he was changing the whole approach to the conflict in Afghanistan - from what he described as a focus on "body count", to enabling the Afghans to get rid of the Taliban themselves.

On Saturday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised more support for UK troops in Afghanistan, during a surprise visit to the country.

During the visit he met General McChrystal. Correspondents say the pair discussed the need to speed up the pace of training of Afghan troops.

Mission to Mars to be between 2013-2015

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anaji, Aug 31 (PTI) India's mission to Mars will take place between 2013-2015, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief G Madhavan Nair said Monday

"We have given a call for proposal to different scientific communities. Depending on the type of experiments they propose, we will be able to plan the mission," he told PTI

The mission is at conceptual stage and will be taken up after Chandrayaan-2, Nair said

"Once in two years you get an opportunity for the mission," Nair said

ISRO Chairman is in Goa to host the eighth international conference on low cost planetary missions

He said that like Chandrayaan-1, which had cost less than 100 million dollars, the mission on Mars will also be low cost space odyssey.

Chillies can prevent diabetes and heart disease

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ashington, Aug 31 (PTI) Want to stave off diabetes and heart disease? Just eat chilli pepper daily, for a study has revealed that it not only adds zest to flavourful dishes but also health to those brave enough to risk its fiery heat.

An international team, led by Indian-origin researcher Dr Kiran Ahuja, has found that chillies have the potential to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries.

The study has found that two active ingredients of chillies, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, have the potential to lower blood glucose and insulin levels, reduce formation of fatty deposits on artery walls and prevent blood clots.

In their study, the researchers have found that eating a meal containing chillies lowered post-meal blood glucose and insulin concentrations. High levels of glucose and insulin are linked to an increased risk for the development of diabetes.

NIA stumbles on international links in NE arms deals

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hillong, Aug 31 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing terror-related cases involving Assam militant outfit Black Widow, has stumbled upon international links as it reached a crucial stage in the investigations.

The agency, probing the first case after its constitution post 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has traced links of dealers supplying arms to the insurgent outfit to countries like Myanmar and Malaysia, a top NIA official said today.

"We are still investigating. They may have more international links," the official said.

The anti-terror agency has so far arrested ten people, mostly arms dealers and linkmen. Seven of them have been arrested in Guwahati and North Cachar Hills district, two in Kolkata and one in Mizoram, he said.

A key arms dealer, arrested recently in Mizoram, had confessed to have supplied over seven consignments of arms to Black Widow in Meghalaya on separate occasions.

India 'terminates' Moon mission

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ndia's space agency has abandoned its inaugural moon mission a day after scientists lost communication with the orbiting Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.

"We don't have contact... and we had to terminate...," said the head of Isro - the Indian Space Research Organisation.

The unmanned craft was launched last October in what was billed as a two-year mission of exploration.

The launch was seen as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring Asian nations.

Despite the termination of the mission, Isro chief G Madhavan Nair told reporters that the project was a great success and 95% of its objectives had been completed.


"We could collect a large volume of data, including 70,000 images of the moon," he added.

Isro scientists said the agency was in talks with the US and Russia to track the spacecraft, which was orbiting 200km from the surface of the moon.

Following its launch from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh last October, it was hoped the robotic probe would orbit the Moon, compile a three-dimensional atlas of the lunar surface and map the distribution of elements and minerals.

Useful mission?

Last month the satellite experienced a technical problem when a sensor malfunctioned.

An Isro spokesman said at the time that useful information had already been gathered from pictures beamed to Earth from the probe, although the picture quality had been affected by the malfunction.

Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 watts, the Isro probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six constructed in other countries, including the US, Britain and Germany.

The mission was expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m), considerably less than Japanese and Chinese probes sent to the Moon last year.

But the Indian government's space efforts have not been welcomed by all.

Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services.

KLO No. 2, wife arrested in Assam

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UWAHATI/KOKRAJHAR/KOLKATA: After waging an armed struggle for nearly 15 years seeking a separate Kamtapur state, the Kamtapur Liberation
Organization (KLO) suffered a body blow late on Saturday night when securitymen arrested the outfit's second man in command and his wife following an encounter in Assam's Kokrajhar district.

"Second lieutenant" Dhananjay Barman and his wife, Sumitra Das, had reportedly masterminded serial blasts on Haldibari Passenger Train at Belakoba in north Bengal's Jalpaiguri district in 2006. Eight people had died in the blasts.

Incidentally, Sumitra is the sister of KLO chief and founder Jibon Singha and is the only woman of the outfit to have gone to Bangladesh for training in guerrilla warfare.

Dhananjay, the zonal commander of KLO and number two in its hierarchy after Jibon, had, along with Sumitra, sneaked into the northeastern state two months ago from their Khagracharri hideout in Chittagong, Bangladesh. They were strengthening the banned outfit's base in Assam's Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts and various areas in north Bengal.

Police said Dhananjay suffered a bullet injury in the encounter between KLO militants and personnel of Kokrajhar police and Panbari-based 19 Madras Regiment at Part 11 Maoriagaon village near Chandrashila wildlife sanctuary. He was admitted to a nursing home in Bongaigaon, while Sumitra and her son, who was present when his parents were arrested, were brought to the Kokrajhar police station.

Acting on a tip-off, police said, the security personnel raided Part II Maoriagoan village and found Dhananjay and Sumitra taking shelter in the house of Dalim Choudhury. On seeing the police and armymen, Dhanajay started firing at them and tried to flee, but in vain. He was hit in his stomach in the retaliatory firing by the security forces, who arrested the couple.

An Italy-made 7.65 pistol, a magazine, four rounds of ammunition, five SIM cards, including three of Bangladesh, two mobile phones and a note of Taka 100 were found on Sumitra, defence spokesman Col R Kalia said.

Talking to the media at Kokrajhar police station on Sunday, Sumitra said she, along with about 40 KLO members, had gone to Bangladesh during the 2003 offensive launched by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) to flush out Indian militant outfits holed up in that country.

Dhananjay, who hails from Coochbehar district, was a member of the third batch cadre of KLO and completed training in a Bhutan camp during 1998-1999.

Earlier in March 2009, Dhananjay entered India and tried to extort money from some traders at Barabisha in Jalpaiguri and at Golakgunge in Assam.

Till date, the biggest setback for the KLO was during the Bhutanese offensive when the RBA destroyed its camps along the Indo-Bhutanese border and captured many of its senior leaders. But along with some top Ulfa and NDFB leaders, Jibon had then managed to flee the Himalayan kingdom and took shelter in Bangladesh.

Since 1995, KLO has been waging an armed struggle for a separate Kamtapur state comprising Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Malda, North and South Dinajpur districts of West bengal and four contiguous districts of Assam Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri and Goalpara.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Japan’s ruling party concedes election defeat; opposition poised to win landslide victory

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OKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso conceded defeat in elections Sunday as media exit polls indicated the opposition had won by a landslide, sending the conservatives out of power after 54 years of nearly unbroken rule amid widespread economic anxiety and desire for change.

“These results are very severe,” Aso said in a news conference at party headquarters, conceding his party was headed for a big loss. “There has been a deep dissatisfaction with our party.”

Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results, suggesting that he would resign as party president. Other LDP leaders also said they would step down, though official results were not to be released until early Monday morning.

The left-of-center Democratic Party of Japan was set to win 300 or more of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955, according to exit polls by all major Japanese TV networks.

The loss by the Liberal Democrats — traditionally a pro-business, conservative party — would open the way for the Democratic Party, headed by Yukio Hatoyama, to replace Aso and establish a new Cabinet, possibly within the next few weeks.

The vote was seen as a barometer of frustrations over Japan’s worst economic slump since World War II and a loss of confidence in the ruling Liberal Democrats’ ability to tackle tough problems such as the rising national debt and rapidly aging population.

The Democrats have embraced a more populist platform, promising handouts for families with children and farmers and a higher minimum wage.

The Democrats have also said they will seek a more independent relationship with Washington, while forging closer ties with Japan’s Asian neighbors, including China. But Hatoyama, who holds a doctorate in engineering from Stanford University, insists he will not seek dramatic change in Japan’s foreign policy, saying the U.S.-Japan alliance would “continue to be the cornerstone of Japanese diplomatic policy.”

National broadcaster NHK, using projections based on exit polls of roughly 400,000 voters, said the Democratic Party was set to win 300 seats and the Liberal Democrats only about 100. TV Asahi, another major network, said the Democratic Party would win 315 seats.

The LDP’s secretary-general, Hiroyuki Hosoda, said he and two other top officials plan to submit their resignations to Aos, who serves as president of the party.

As voting closed Sunday night, officials said turnout was high, despite an approaching typhoon, indicating the intense level of public interest in the hotly contested campaigns.

“We’ve worked so hard to achieve a leadership change and that has now become almost certain thanks to the support of many voters,” said Yoshihiko Noda, a senior member of the DPJ. “We feel a strong sense of responsibility to achieve each of our campaign promises.”

Ruling party leaders said they were devastated by the results.

“I feel deeply the impact of this vote,” former Prime Minister Shintaro Abe, a leading Liberal Democratic Party member, told television network TBS. “Our party must work to return to power.”

Even before the vote was over, the Democrats pounded the ruling party for driving the country into a ditch.

Japan’s unemployment has spiked to record 5.7 percent while deflation has intensified and families have cut spending because they are insecure about the future.

Making the situation more dire is Japan’s aging demographic — which means more people are on pensions and there is a shrinking pool of taxpayers to support them and other government programs.

“The ruling party has betrayed the people over the past four years, driving the economy to the edge of a cliff, building up more than 6 trillion yen ($64.1 billion) in public debt, wasting money, ruining our social security net and widening the gap between the rich and poor,” the Democratic Party said in a statement as voting began Sunday.

“We will change Japan,” it said.

Hatoyama’s party held 112 seats before parliament was dissolved in July.

The Democratic Party would only need to win a simple majority of 241 seats in the lower house to assure that it can name the next prime minister. The 300-plus level would allow it and its two smaller allies the two-thirds majority they need in the lower house to pass bills.

Many voters said that although the Democrats are largely untested in power and doubts remain about whether they will be able to deliver on their promises, the country needs a change.

“We don’t know if the Democrats can really make a difference, but we want to give them a chance,” Junko Shinoda, 59, a government employee, said after voting at a crowded polling center in downtown Tokyo.

Having the Democrats in power would smooth policy debates in parliament, which has been deadlocked since the Democrats and their allies took over the less powerful upper house in 2007.

With only two weeks of official campaigning that focused mainly on broadstroke appeals rather than specific policies, many analysts said the elections were not so much about issues as voters’ general desire for something new after more than a half century under the Liberal Democrats.

The Democrats are proposing toll-free highways, free high schools, income support for farmers, monthly allowances for job seekers in training, a higher minimum wage and tax cuts. The estimated bill comes to 16.8 trillion yen ($179 billion) if fully implemented starting in fiscal year 2013.

Aso — whose own support ratings have sagged to a dismal 20 percent — repeatedly stressed his party led Japan’s rise from the ashes of World War II into one of the world’s biggest economic powers and are best equipped to get it out of its current morass.

But the current state of the economy has been a major liability for his party.

“It’s revolutionary,” said Tomoaki Iwai, a political science professor at Tokyo’s Nihon University. “It’s the first real change of government” Japan has had in six decades.

AP reporters Mari Yamaguchi, Kelly Olsen, Shino Yuasa and Tomoko Hosaka contributed to this report.

ISRO to take final call on moon mission today

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ndia's moon mission Chandrayaan in all likelihood has ended ten months after it blasted off.

Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation have admitted they lost radio contact with Chandrayaan-I spacecraft. ISRO scientists have said that they lost radio contact with Chandrayaan-I spacecraft at 1:30 am on Saturday. The last data from Chandrayaan came in at 25 minutes past midnight on Saturday.

The mission was scheduled for two years.

ISRO will take a final call on the mission later on Sunday. The Chandrayaan has had glitches in the past too.

Troubled life on the moon

* Within weeks of launch, Chandrayaan almost got burnt.
* Power system on board failed
* May: Spacecraft's star sensor damaged
* August 29: All radio communication lost

Meanwhile, ISRO chief Madhavan Nair has said that all is not lost, with 99 per cent data from Chandrayaan already in.

Illegal mining still rampant in Goa

I
llegal mining has been a contentious issue in Goa. The state government on its part has said that it is actively working to cease all illegal mining activities. But NDTV has a report that shows that at least three mines have been cleared to illegally jut into wildlife sanctuaries.

The Goa government has cleared the encroachment of entire buffer zones in three wildlife sanctuaries namely Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Sources tell NDTV that buffer zones could be eaten into by mines.

''There are no settlements, industries or any construction happening near the sanctuaries. The sole purpose of doing this is to facilitate mining,'' said Claude Alvares, director of Goa Foundation.

The Centre has not yet approved the plan but that hasn't stopped the state from starting the carnage clearing the area for mines to move in.

''We had sent the report to the Centre. In fact we have asked them to expedite the matter. For now, since this report has been approved by the state government, we are taking decisions based on it,'' said Shashi Kumar, chief conservator of forests, Goa.

The wildlife sanctuaries of Western Ghats are considered one of the best biodiversity spots in the world. As per law they need 1 to 5 kilometres of buffer zone to dilute human interference.

Already mining near sanctuaries has made the wildlife insecure as a local farmer told NDTV that his entire farm was destroyed by bisons.

''The animals come to our fields once their habitat is threatened. Where will they go? They come in search of water,'' said Rama Velip, a farmer.

If the Goa government has its way then destruction could come up at Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary's doorstep further throttling the wildlife habitat in the state.

Doctors' strike kills 32 in Patna hospital

P
atna, Aug 30: 32 patients admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hosiptal (PMCH) have died after a strike by junior doctors that entered its fourth day on Sunday, Aug 30, authorities said.

"Eleven patients died in the last 24 hours alone (on Saturday and Sunday) due to lack of doctors and treatment in the hospital," a government official said.

Six patients died during the first 12 hours of the strike beginning on Wednesday, followed by 15 on Thursday and Friday, he said.


Sources said that more than 400 junior doctors went on an indefinite strike on Wednesday, Aug 26 evening, demanding a hike in stipend and payment of salary instead of stipend.


"We are not going to end the strike following the state government's decision to raise stipend. We want the state government to pay monthly salary to us instead of stipend," PMCH Junior Doctors Association president Rajiv Babu said.

"We are getting stipend of Rs 13,000 in the first year, Rs 14,000 in the second year and Rs 15,000 in the third year of post-graduation. We are demanding that this amount be increased to Rs 22,500 at par with some of the neighbouring states," he said.

"It is really a bad situation. Neither the striking doctors nor the government realise the problem. Those who cannot afford treatment outside have been left in the lurch and and waiting for treatment despite the strike," a nurse said.

Japan votes in landmark election

V
oting is under way in Japan in a general election which looks set to bring a historic change of government.

Opinion polls predict victory for the Democratic Party of Japan after more than 50 years of almost unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Japan is suffering record unemployment and its economy is struggling to emerge from a bruising recession.

Polls close at 2000 (1100 GMT) on Sunday and Japanese media will announce exit polls immediately afterwards.

Turnout was expected to be high despite a combination of muggy hot temperatures and typhoon-triggered rough weather around different parts of the country, and a government warning that a swine flu epidemic was under way.

Change needed?

Just before midday, more than 21% of voters had cast their ballots, the internal affairs ministry said - nearly 1% higher than in 2005 when elections saw the charismatic Junichiro Koizumi's LDP returned with a significant majority.
The conservative LDP, currently led by Prime Minister Taro Aso, has governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955.

But several media polls predict that the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will win more than 300 seats in the 480-seat lower house of parliament, reversing the election result of 2005.

Analysts say voters blame the LDP for the current economic malaise - and are angry enough to opt for change.


"I think we need a change now," 68-year-old Tokyo pensioner Toshihiro Nakamura was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

"It's too long for a single party to dominate national politics.

Haruko Kurakata, who said she had voted for an opposition candidate, criticised the frequent changes in Japan's leadership since Mr Koizumi stepped down in 2006.

"It's nonsense to see four prime ministers in four years without asking for the people's opinion," he said.

'Fed up'

As campaigning drew to a close, DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama said that voters were about to change history.
"This is an election to choose whether voters can muster the courage to do away with the old politics," he told crowds in Sakai in the west of Japan on Saturday.


The centrist DPJ says it will shift the focus of government from supporting corporations to helping consumers and workers - challenging the status quo that has existed since the end of World War II.

It has promised to cut waste within the bureaucracy and use the funds to increase welfare spending.

But Mr Aso questioned whether the DPJ had enough experience to govern.

"Can you trust these people? It's a problem if you feel uneasy whether they can really run this country," he told a rally outside Tokyo.

The DPJ already controls Japan's upper house with the support of smaller parties including the Social Democrats.
It won control of the house in July 2007, amid voters' anger at a series of scandals and the loss of millions of pension payment records.

Correspondents say voters' desire for change after so many years under the LDP could be a crucial factor.

Tokyo University political science professor Takashi Mikuriya told Japanese media that the election "is more about emotions than policies".

"Most voters are making the decision not about policies but about whether they are fed up with the ruling party," he said.

India loses Moon satellite links

A
ll communication links with the only Indian satellite orbiting the Moon have been lost, India's space agency says.

Radio contact with the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft was lost abruptly early on Saturday, said India's Bangalore-based Space Research Organization (Isro).

The unmanned craft was launched last October in what was billed as a two-year mission of exploration.

The launch was regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia.

Following its launch from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, it was hoped the robotic probe would orbit the Moon, compile a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and map the distribution of elements and minerals.

Useful mission?

Last month the satellite experienced a technical problem when a sensor malfunctioned.
An Isro spokesman said at the time that useful information had already been gathered from pictures beamed to Earth from the probe, although the picture quality had been affected by the malfunction.


Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 watts, the Isro probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six constructed in other countries, including the US, Britain and Germany.

The mission was expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m), considerably less than Japanese and Chinese probes sent to the Moon last year.

But the Indian government's space efforts have not been welcomed by all.

Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services.

Raids on hoarders in MP brings sugar prices down

T
he massive crackdown on sugar hoarders by food and civil supplies officials in Madhya Pradesh has brought some respite to state consumers from high retail prices of sugar.

Madhya Pradesh is now the first state where the traders are selling sugar at the cheapest rate in the country.

Wholesalers in the state are now selling sugar at Rs 28 a kilo, which is Rs 3 below the market rate.

"It's the festive season and it will bring some happiness to poor people," said Motiram Wadhwani, president of Madhya Pradesh Vyapari Sangh.

During the past one month, the MP government has raided hoarders and seized sugar worth nearly Rs 16 crore. The crackdown has led to marginal reduction in sugar prices as compared to the last month.

"Our strictness is paying results," said Madhya Pradesh minister of state for food and civil supplies Paras Jain.

Raids are still going on across the state and storing beyond 20 quintals of sugar will need a licence. So, traders are desperate to dispose off surplus stock even for less than the retail price.

They now plan to sell 2000 kg of sugar every day for the next month through special outlets. This has brought relief and smile on the face of the aam aadmi.

The relief may be temporary and the gesture, only sugar coating the bitter truth. But in view of the upcoming festival season, sugar at Rs 28 a kg couldn't have been sweeter.

Now court comes under attack in Manipur

A
fter the series of attacks at various government institutions by unidentified miscreants recently, a court also came under attack as a petrol bomb was lobbed at the Cheirap court in the heart of Imphal by unidentified miscreants. The Cheirap court which is the oldest law court of Manipur came under attack at around 6:30 pm on Thursday evening when some miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb to it. Expressing strong concern over the matter, the Bar association and legal fraternity of Manipur staged a sit-in protest in front of the Cheirap court. Meanwhile, so far there is no clue on who carried out the attack over what reasons. The legal fraternity strongly decried the attack. It may be mentioned that with the suspension of duties by the legal fraternity of Manipur in connection with the attack, many cases that were supposed to be brought to the court was postponed.

Women activists up in arms against Police in Manipur

A
fter the arrest and detention of a woman leader of the ‘Apunba Lup’ Ima Memchoubi on August 25 by the Imphal West police, women activists of the ‘Apunba Lup’ yesterday tried to storm into the Rajbhawan. After women protestors tried to storm the Imphal West police headquarters on August 25 following the arrest of an ‘Apunba Lup’ woman leader Ima Memchoubi, a large number of women members of the organization gathered in front of the Raj Bhavan on Friday to express their grievances to the governor of Manipur. However, the women protestors were dispersed by the alerted police as the site located in the high security zone. Ima memchoubi was produced before the court of chief judicial magistrate Imphal on Thursday and was sent to judicial remand for 15 days. The agitated women demanded immediate release of Ima memchoubi as well as other four leaders of the Apunba Lup who were arrested earlier and were detained under the NSA.

Naga groups push for reconciliation

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he Naga civil society, NGOs and Tribal representatives once again underscored the need to reconcile and work in tandem for early solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue. The move a significant push towards reconciliation among Naga underground groups, a “Joint Working Group” comprising of members from three Naga underground groups – NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and FGN – has been constituted, with the main task of facilitating and expediting in convening a meeting of top Naga political leaders, at the earliest, with assistance of Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Participating in the consultation meeting on Naga Reconciliation initiated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation, speakers from various civil organisations, active members of the Naga undgerground groups to retired veterans all stressed on the importance of a united family and a united front. Representatives of the three Naga underground groups – NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and FGN – in their respective speeches at the meeting assured the Naga populace represented by forty two Naga civil society organizations that they were fully supporting and committed to the Naga reconciliation process. A statement of commitment released after the meeting of the Naga organizations with the Naga undergrounds also called for a Naga Reconciliation meeting between signatories of the Covenant of Reconciliation at the highest level in the immediate future. Special Emissary to the collective leadership of NSCN-IM VS Atem acknowledged that the FNR’s efforts have provided an apt platform. Assuring fullest cooperation, Atem reiterated the NSCN-IM’s support to the reconciliation process. Speaking on behalf of the collective leadership of his organisation, NSCN-K Kilonser of External Affairs C Singson said his group would continue to support reconciliation in tune with the Covenant of Reconciliation jointly signed by NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chishi Swu, ‘GPRN/NSCN’ chairman SS Khaplang and FGN president ‘Brig’ (retd) S Singnya. Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor of FNR said the meeting was to apprise the public of the developments and progress made in the Naga reconciliation process and to seek the opinions and suggestions of the people. Exhorting the gathering, FGN leader Thinuoselie Keyho voiced apprehension that, without unity among the divided Naga political groups, no honourable and acceptable solution would be arrived at. Echoing similar sentiments, Gen (Rtd) Panger Walling stressed that the Naga groups must come together at the earliest. Representative from Burma’s Naga area Y Khomong underlined the need to expedite the process and proceed on to the main issue. Naga Hoho Speaker HK Zhimomi, and representatives from ENPO and others in their speeches also endorsed the reconciliation process. The FNR meeting was attended by 42 organisations, including Tribal Hohos, Naga Hoho, NGOs and three Naga political group representatives.

Study finds serious loopholes in NHPC’s report on Subansiri project; experts fear long adverse impact on Assam

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HPC is going ahead with massive devastation of forest resources while constructing the 200 MW Lower Subansiri hydro power project in Arunachal Pradesh. The state-owned power company did not pay heed to the order of Delhi, Dispur and even Supreme Court. This was the scene of down stream areas of Subansiri in March 2004. Ever since the National Hydro Power Corporation NHPC took up the 2000 MW power project at this site, the company unleashed a massive devastation of the hills of virgin Arunachal Pradesh… resulting in large scale destruction of the rich bio-diversity at Gerukamukh area. The need for preservation of the ecology was sidelined both by the government and the NHPC authorities… in violation of Supreme Court directive for preserving the bio-diversity. And now the power project is posing a serious threat to adjoining Lakhimpour and Dhemaji districts of North Assam. No wonder there is anti-dams sentiment growing in Assam and environmentalists are apprehensive of the long last impacts, these dams and projects will leave on the state and its people. Rs 6,000 crore has been earmarked for completion of the first ever biggest river dam project of Asia. It is alleged that the NHPC had managed to get the project sanctioned on fake Environment Impact Assessment Report it submitted to ministry of environment. The company had not studied the impact of the project downstream. In a recent study made by Lakhimpur Girls’ College led by Botany lecturer Dr. Debojit Baruah, it was found that the Lower Subansiri hydel project could have serious impact downstream. The study found that ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT report submitted by NHPC had serious loopholes. According to this report, the impact of the dam project will be confined to seven kilometers radius. But the study says the impact will be felt in 130 kilometres area. The EIA report further said only 54 km area would be affected if there is a breach in the dam. But the study says entire north Assam will be inundated. Moreover, there is no mention of providing a proper habitat or preservation measures for the forest species found downstream although there are three reserve forests in this area. The report did not take into account the 155 rare species of fishes found in the river. The report also has ignored the habitats of Gangetic dolphins. Subansiri has been home to these endangered river dolphins. Notably, the down stream areas are used as corridor of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. But the report had also ignored the matter. The recent study also found that there was no chemical test done on the river water before sanctioning the project. The report also did not name the rare species of orchids and other forest resources available in the down stream areas. Not only this, the power company has also flouted the Supreme court’s directive on forests by constructing the project. It has led to environmental degradation of the area. While the projects will rob the river dolphins of their Subansiri habitat in one way or the other, the practice of frequent flushing and sluicing of sediment and debris by the projects will create a natural sediment dam in the confluence of these rivers with the Brahmaputra. This may compel the Brahmaputra to change its morphology for maintaining the river continuum process, resulting in more inundation and erosion. This will pose threat to the Kaziranga National Park as well. If the dam is completed, “downstream communities will live under constant fear for generations to come. The Lower Subansiri project is a unilateral step of the government of India without consultation and consent of the people in downstream of the dam. There will also be apprehension that any major change in the Subansiri river would disrupt the economy and livelihood of those living downstream.

Earthquake prediction in Assam kicks-off debate: mixed reaction among experts

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wo scientists countered the statement of environmental scientist Dr Surya Kanta Sharma predicting a big intensity quake in Northeast within 2010. The opinions are divided on possible earthquake likely to be jolted Assam and Northeast within 2010. After three decade long study, environmental scientist Dr Surya Kanta Sharma on Friday said a big intensity tremor is due for the region which lies on zone V of earthquake region. However, geologist and professor of Gauhati University Dr Bhagavat Duarah gave an opposite version. According to him, there is no system for prediction of earthquake. Echoing a similar opinion, head of geography of Gauhati University, Dr Lakhyahire Dutta said the earthquake is a natural disaster and none can predict it. Confusion prevails among the people of the state following the debate among the scientist on prediction of a big intensity quake in Northeast.

BJP crisis deepens; RSS chief meet LK Advani

T
he party which dreamt of ruling the nation till four months ago is today crippled by its internal bickering. The Bharatiya Janata Party today does not possess any of the quality to lead the country. Its leaders under attack from party colleagues, the BJP today is more like a bunch of unruly politicians than a disciplined party. The crisis within the BJP has deepened to such an extent that the Sangh Parivaar had to issue an instruction asking the BJP leaders to put its house in order and work unitedly. There has also been speculations that a succession plan is being prepared by the RSS and the Sangh would soon ask both Advani and president Rajnath Singh to quit. Though both the RSS and the BJP have denied any such plan being prepared, the recent developments have given enough indication that the two parties are just buying time to pave way for a graceful exit of the two leaders. The fact that all is not well within the BJP camp has become open after some of the party’s leaders and ex-leaders chose to wash their dirty linen in public ever since former defence minister Jaswant Singh was expelled. The target of all were the same, the party’s patriarch Lal Krishna Advani. From Jaswant Singh to Arun Shourie to Sudheendra Kulkarni to Brajesh Mishra, all were targeting Advani, who is often referred to as the party’s iron man. Ever since Jaswant Singh was expelled, Advani has been targeted by those who were opposed to the treatment meted out to Singh. The first to open his mouth was Sudheendra Kulkarni, a close aide of Advani. Soon to follow him was Arun Shourie, who said that the party showed double standard in the case of Advani when he praised Mohd Ali Jinnah in Pakistan a few years ago. Shourie also questioned the party’s leadership by comparing it with humty dumpty. Then former national security adviser Brajesh Mishra came with a startling revelation that Advani had lied before election when he said that he was unaware of Jaswant Singh’s decision to release three terrorists during the Kandahar episode. Finally, Sudheendra Kulkarni lift the lid off the Cash-for-vote scam during last year’s trust vote when he said that it was masterminded by Advani. Plagued by all these simultaneous attacks, Advani had to rush to his mentor, the Sabha Parivaar for advice. Advani on Saturday had rushed to meet RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat. The meeting came amidst speculations that the RSS has prepared a succession plan for the BJP. Not willing to open their cards just yet, both the BJP and RSS refuted media reports of a succession plan being put in place for the party. Nevertheless, the most popular view is that both Leader of Opposition LK Advani and party president Rajnath Singh would quit their respective positions within a strict timeframe and that Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley would replace them on respective positions. But, the tension within the saffron establishment is palpable. What is adding to the rumour mill is the separate meetings the RSS chief is holding with the various power centres. On Friday, he had first met party president Rajnath Singh and within hours he met a group of senior leaders comprising Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj and Ananth Kumar. On Saturday, he met disgruntled former Uttarakhand CM BC Khanduri and then had a luncheon meeting with Advani’s long time competitor Murli Manohar Joshi. Although, the details are not yet clear but one thing is certain that the RSS is in the centre stage of all the discussions to bring the BJP out of its current mess. Incidentally, the top brass of the party, including Sushma Swaraj – Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha – joined other party colleagues on Saturday morning at the residence of LK Advani to reportedly discuss a viable succession plan. The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made an open appeal to the crisis-ridden BJP on Friday to put its house in order by working unitedly. Following the press conference, speculation was rife that a succession plan has been chalked out for the revival of the party. The party is in the midst of a crisis and adrift. Advani, who was already in the eye of a storm over revelations on the Kandahar episode, Jaswant Singh ‘telling all’ post his expulsion over the Jinnah book, and Arun Shourie attacking the party leadership calling it ‘Humpty Dumpty’ – now has been hit by another accusation by Jaswant that he was at the centre of the cash-for-vote episode that rocked the Parliament during trust vote of UPA government last year. It remains to be seen whether the saffron party becomes able to survive this crisis or it succumbs under pressure.

UPA fails 100 days deadline; Union Minister BK Handique blames it on swine flu

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ltogether 100 days have passed since the UPA government came to power in its second term. But the promises made for this period, mostly, remained unfulfilled. The north eastern region also hoped a lot from the Centre but only to be blighted with frustration. Union coal and DoNER minister bjoy Krishna Handique, who admitted the failure has blamed it all on swine flu where the government had to get busy with battling the killer disease across the country. But how far it is true? Precisely, it’s a period of all round failure of the UPA government. The failures are many and varied. As son as the Manhonan Singh government came to power for the second term each of his members in the council of ministers announced a slew of schemes to be implemented within this 100-day long period. Promises remained promises much to the displeasure of prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Union law minister Dr Veerapa Moiley judicial reforms, filling up vacancies in the courts. But that has not happened. The much-hyped Judicial inquiry bill failed to come up due to lack of consensus. Same it is in the cases of Union human resurces minister Kapil Sibal and his counterparts in power and coal ministries where big announcements were reduced to a bunch of false promises. Union power minister who targeted 5,653 megawatt power generation in this period had to remain satisfied with 4000 megawatt. The Prime minister was scheduled to celebrate the completion of 100 days by commissioning the Rs 5,260 crore mega project by ONGC. But ultimately, postponed as the dream projects, mostly, missed the deadline. Notably, Assam also failed to have any impact of the 100-day target of the UPA government. This has what worried Assam citizens and intellectuals where the burning issues including flood, erosion, insurgency, education, employment have remained unresolved. Talking to NETV, AASU adviser Dr Samujal Bhattacharya said the UPA government has come to power again but the problems confronting Assam have been remaining a matter of grave concern. Even the UPA government has done precious little to implement the Assam Accord. On the other hand, the UPA government has deplorably failed to prevent the outbreak of the killer swine flu which clamed nearly 90 persons across the state. According to BJP MP Ramen Deka, the government has also failed to deal with the drought situation. Union coal and DoNER minister Bijoy Krishna Handique has admitted his failure and has blamed it all on the outbreak of the swine flu which has killed his time. This is how, Handique is trying to shirk his responsibility. This is how, the UPA government has failed to implement what it projected 100 days back. It, however, remains to be seen how far the UPA government would be able to carry forward the process of overall development in its second term.

Kolkata resort owner arrested; guns, bombs recovered

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week after mobs set fire to the up market Vedic Village resort in Kolkata, its owner Raj Modi has been arrested for harbouring criminals.

Guns and bombs were found on the resorts premises. A land broker, who triggered last Sunday's violence and forced villagers to part with their land for Vedic Village and other projects by Modi's Vedic Realty group, is absconding.

Among Vedic Realty's other projects was an IT city that was being developed in partnership with the West Bengal government.

IT giants Infosys and Wipro had been allotted land there. But with the promoter, Vedic Realty, now coming under a cloud, the government may scrap the IT city project, thus putting the Infosys and Wipro projects into deep freeze.

India's first stealth fighter to fly in 4 months

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n less than four months from now, India's first stealth fighter will fly for the first time. It is called the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft or FGFA being developed in Russia by Sukhoi.

The FGFA is designed to have a top speed of approximately Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound.

It has the ability to supercruise or operate at speeds beyond the speed of sound without engaging systems such as afterburners which consume huge amounts of fuel.

The aircraft will be equipped with an electronically scanned array radar whose beams are electronically steered to detect targets with maximum accuracy.

India, which has partnered Russia in the development of multi-role fighter Sukhoi 30 MKI, is a key player in the FGFA project and is expected to pay a sizeable chunk of the $3 billion needed to fund development of the fighter.

"The prototype will take off this year," said Alexei Fedorov, president of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation.

Several of the technologies being developed for the stealth fighter have evolved from those used in the Sukhoi 30 MKI.

Considered the most maneuverable fighter in the world, the Sukhoi 30 MKI uses thrust vectored engines which deflect the exhaust from its engines to extreme angles which enable the jet to pull off violent maneuvers like a flat spin where the jet literally spins around on its axis.

As new technological advancements are being developed for the stealth fighter, they will also find their way into the Sukhoi 30.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

How Modi's using Jaswant's book in Gujarat

J
aswant Singh has already taken Naredra Modi to court for banning his book in Gujarat.

The legal trouble could be a minor headache for Modi. At stake in his state: 7 assembly seats that will vote soon. All of them packed with Patel voters. " The Sardar is a towering personality, particularly for Gujarat, and the party will try to cash in on this controversy," comments Dinesh Shukl, Political Analyst

"The Chhote Sardar" is what the BJP likes to call Modi. In the general elections, and then in the Junagadh Municipality polls, the BJP under-performed. Analysts the Patel issue, in the form of Jaswant Singh's book, is a windfall for a politician desperate for a pick-me-up.

Not true, retort all Modi's men. "Most of the seats are with the Congress. So we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We are confident we can make inroads, but we don't want to make Sardar an issue," says Jaynarayan Vyas, Gujarat Health Minister .

Those blushing denials amount to little, given that Gujarat is the only BJP-governed state to ban Jaswant Singh's book. And now, Modi has to see if his gamble pays off.

Surreal, sex-obsessed world of not so “big” Russell Brand revealed

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ONDON - A model has revealed that British comedian Russell Brand lures women by posting Tweets and has a pretty adventurous sex life.

The television presenter apparently loves threesome and offered Brooke Adams free tickets for MTV Music awards to sleep with her via Twitter.

Some of his posts inviting her to townhouse in Hampstead, north London read: “Where do you live? Near London? And can you bring a friend?”

While another went: “Confirm your friend, darling, as I am in the mood for adventure,” reports the Sun.

Brooke narrated the events leading to the sex act with the comedian.

She said: “I got a cab to his house and the security guard opened the gates and let me in.

“Russell poked his head round the door - and when he opened it I realised he was totally naked.

“He took me through to the kitchen and offered me a drink - although he has no alcohol in the house.

“Then he asked me to perform a sex act on him - I’d had a few to drink and had always fancied him, so I did it.

“He was very complimentary, even though he was eating a plum at the time!”

However, Brand had another girl in his house at the same time and wanted to have threesome.

She added: “He took me up to his room and there was another girl - a blonde girl - already there sitting on the bed.

“I had no idea another girl would be there - I was quite surprised.

“But I think she was more shocked than me - she didn’t seem happy about it at all. He asked us if we would have a threesome and although I was up for it, she refused.

“He declared we were not allowed to leave until he had had been satisfied at least three times, so he just took it in turns with us. While he was with her, I just sat on the end of the bed, waiting.

“He was very good in bed - not as “big” as I was expecting but he still knew exactly what to do and had a lot of stamina.

“Afterwards I just got a cab home and he said he would be in touch.”

Brooke says that she spent a similar night with Russell one more time. (ANI)

Meghalaya’s data on people infected with HIV/AIDS may earn it a low prevalence tag

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eghalaya’s data on people infected with HIV/AIDS may earn it the tag as a low prevalence state. However, a surveillance study conducted by the National AIDS Control Programme-3 found out that Meghalaya falls under Group ‘C’ Category, which means although the state has low prevalence but yet vulnerable. As part of the awareness programme and building partnership with media on HIV/AIDS, a one-day media consultancy seminar was organised in Shillong. A total of 254 HIV positive cases have been detected so far in Meghalaya, which National AIDS Control Organisation described as a low prevalence rate of 0.08 per cent. At the same time, chances for it to come up to group ‘B’ or ‘A’ cannot be denied. Lack of proper information in the rural areas has made it quite impossible to detect the HIV Positive or save the infected person from Stigma and discrimination of the society. In Meghalaya, 93 percent of the people living in rural areas are still unaware of HIV positive and the reason for its occurrence. As part of the National AIDS Control programme, National Aids Control Organisation and Meghalaya AIDS control society has started eleven Integrated Counseling and Testing centres in the state, apart from eleven 247 Public Health Care centres to help infected people lead a normal life. In this seminar, Centre for Advocacy and research as well as Meghalaya Aids control society has taken up the initiative to make society aware of this with the help of Media to stop the doctrine of stigma and discrimination that is attached to HIV positive/AIDS in our society. Many resourceful persons as well as journalists also became part of this seminar. The seminar also focuses on various aspects of the life and the treatment and counseling of HIV infected person apart from the various other programmes under National AIDS Control Programme-3.

NSCN-IM refutes Pillai’s comment on autonomy

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trongly refuting to the statement of Union Home secretary GK Pillai that both the NSCN-IM and the government of India have come to an understanding for an autonomy under the Constitution of India, the Naga outfit has said that the statement of the former is misleading and libelous. Union home secretary GK Pillai, during his recent Manipur visit, had commented that the Centre may likely to grant more autonomy to the Nagas as per the provisions of the Indian constitution. He said that the Centre has come up with a proposal to give some more financial powers to the state along with additional control over socio-cultural issues. The proposal enlarges the scope of Article 371A of the Constitution. Under Article 371A, Nagaland already enjoys special status which ensures that no Act of Parliament shall apply to Nagaland in relation to religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to the Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources. However, Pillai’s comments in Manipur have not been received well in Nagaland. The NSCN-IM has strongly refuted the home secretary’s comments. Talking to NETV, the emissary to the collective leadership of NSCN-IM and former C-in-C of the outfit VS Atem has termed this as an imposition of Indian constitution on the Nagas which the outfit will never abide by. The outfit also said that no autonomy of any kind was also discussed and understanding reached.

Experts predict disastrous earthquake in Assam

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big intensity earthquake is hitting this Northeastern region shortly. An environmental scientist found in his study that a big intensity tremor is due for the region. Although there is no accurate method for predicting earthquakes, an environmental scientist claims that a big intensity tremor is likely to hit Northeaster region soon. After three decade long study on quakes in Northeast, Dr Surya Kanta Sharma a big earthquake should occur in this region within 2010. Notably, two medium intensity earthquakes shook the region in this month. The first was occurred on August 11 with 5.6 Richter scale, while the second was on August 19 with 4.9 Richter scale. A Chennai based geo-physician N Venkatanathan had also predicted an tremor in Northeast after study on plannery configurations in December 12 last. However, His prediction had turned false. This time Dr Sharma said a big intensity quake is due in this region. But how far the government and other disaster management agencies are well equipped to deal with the situation? Assam lines on Zone five. The region has witnessed many big earthquakes since pre-historic period. According to Dr Sharma’s report, Assam reported its first big quake in 1548. The next big quake was reported in between 1696 and 1714 during the regime of Ahom Swardeo Gadadhar Singha. After this there was no record os big quake till 1869. After first ever big quake of 19th century jolted the region in January 10 1869. The epicenter was somewhere in Cachar and the magnitude of the quake was 7.5 Richter scale. It caused serious damage in the region. The next big quake was taken place in June 12 1897. The epicenter was Rangjoli and the magnitude was 8.0 Richter scale. This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in south East Asian region. The quake wreaked havoc across a wide swathe of the present states of Assam and Meghalaya. Altogether 1,500 people had lost lives and hundreds more hurt in this quake. Another big intensity quake was reported in Dhubri in 1930. This had caused severe damages in Dhubri region. There was another quake reported in this region on October 23 1943. This had caused major damages in Nagaon district. The intensity of the quake was 7.2 in Richter scale. Assam had reported heavy loss and damaged in the earthquake took place on August 15 1950. The epicenter was somewhere in Sino- Indian border and the intensity was 8.6 in Richter scale. This earthquake was the 6th largest earthquake of the 20th century. Altogether 1,500 people were killed and the drainage of the region was greatly affected. The resultant floods were the cause of most of the fatalities blamed on this earthquake. The initial shock was followed by thousands of aftershocks, some of which were big earthquakes in their own rights. The state had also witnessed another big intensity quake in 1988. Assam will witness more loss of lives and property at its present stage if a quake jolts the region as predicted by Dr Sharma. Builders in the city are taking all precautions while constructing buildings as Assam falls under earthquake prone zone. The major worry among the scientists is that Assam is seated on the highly volatile seismic zone five. Among all the earthquakes that Assam has experienced, the earthquakes of 1897 and 1950 are among the ten biggest earthquakes in history. Study reveals Assam records major a earthquake every fifty years, the last being in 1950.

Youth Cong National Secretary, Nyamar Karbak in trouble, wife alleges of torment

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erious allegations have been leveled against one of the national leaders of Rahul Gandhi’s brigade…the Youth Congress. The estranged wife of the Nyamar Karbak, the National Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress has finally decided to speak up against the wrongdoings of her husband. Even her attempts to get heard by the High Command has gone to deaf ears. The woman has not only alleged mental torture meted out to her, she has termed her high profile husband a womanizer and man of loose moral character. Mr. Karbak however refused to react to his wife’s allegations. Her tears have dried up looking for justice but as a young lady, still in her late twenties, Oman Jempen refuses to call it quits. Jempen’s world came crashing down when her high-profile politician husband not only betrayed her but divorced her once she took up the matter with higher ups. But unlike the other woman of her tribal community, who prefers to hush up things, she decided to raise voice against the injustice and agony meted out to her. Even at the slightest mention of her husband, who is the national secretary of Indian Youth Congress (IYC), Nyamar Karbak, her agony spills out. Jempen, herself a former lecturer of Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic College Itanagar, had to swallow the agony silently after her husband, Karbak, divorced her two months after the marriage was solemnized in March 2006. Torn apart by the trauma, she ran from pillar to post seeking justice but to no avail. Despite knocking the door of chief minister, Dorjee Khandu, the former chairperson of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW), Jarjum Ete, initially and UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and chairperson of National Women’s Commission, Girija Vyas afterwards, her words fell on deaf ears. She made a sensational revelation about her husband, whom she alleged was a womanizer and a man of loose moral character. Her grief was writ large on her face following the fact that chief minister, Dorjee Khandu, also did not provide her justice even she made frequent emotional appeal to the chief minister under whom her husband Karbak is working as officer on special duty (OSD). At a time when Nymar is lobbying for a Congress ticket from Liromoba assembly constituency in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district, from where Congress heavyweight and home minister and Jarbom Gamlin, is set to contest, the allegation may land him in trouble. When contacted, the National Youth Congress General Secretary Nymar Karbak refused to comment to NETV. It now remains to be seen how vibrant leader and incharge of the Youth Congress Rahul Gandhi, who has been stressing on a spotless leadership, responds to save the face of Congress’ young brigade from getting soiled.

Hindutva had negative impact in northeast: former BJP leader

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he Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Hindutva ideology had a "very negative" impact in the northeast where its relevance was almost negligible, said Kiren Rijiju, a former national secretary of the party and MP who has left to join the Congress.

Rijiju, a former MP from Arunachal Pradesh who was considered the face of the BJP in the northeast, resigned Monday to join the Congress.

"I would say the BJP's Hindutva campaign had a very negative impact in the northeast, a region with a dominant minority population. Hindutva failed to cut much ice among the people in the region," Rijiju told IANS.

"I realised that the Congress party was the best option to work for the development of the northeast. I am committed to carrying forward my agenda for overall socio-economic progress of Arunachal Pradesh and the whole of the region," the former MP from Arunachal Pradesh West constituency said.

Rijiju lost the last parliamentary elections to the Congress' Takam Sanjay.

Rijiju, 38, was made national secretary by the BJP early in his political career.

"The problems and sentiments of the people of the northeast were not understood by the BJP leadership. I tried my best to make the leadership realise the intricate problems of the region, but then they simply failed to understand," the former BJP leader said.

The Congress is jubilant after the firebrand BJP leader agreed to resign and join the ruling party.

"This is an important political development and we are happy that he is with us now," Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu said.

The development is significant for the ruling Congress as Arunachal Pradesh goes to the polls to elect a 60-member legislature sometime in October.

"I have no intention to fight the assembly elections," Rijiju said.

"I would rather work for the party and do whatever best I can for the welfare of my state and the region."

The BJP, however, had some harsh words to say about Rijiju by terming him a betrayer.

"He betrayed the very party that gave him a solid platform to launch his political career. He made himself a pawn in the hands of the Congress," BJP's general secretary in-charge of northeast, P. Chandrasekhar Rao.

AIIMS develops device to administer IV medicine

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ew Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Researchers at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) have developed a novel device to administer intravenous drugs directly into the bone marrow in case of medical emergencies like heart attacks, trauma injuries and dehydration

The device - IntraOz - would help treat patients in whom doctors are unable to locate a vein to administer intravenous (IV) medicines

"The vein through which IV medicines are given is untraceable in patients who have suffered cardiac arrest, trauma injuries, dehydration.In such cases, using IntraOz, we can directly inject the medicine into the long bones," Jayant Karve of the Stanford India Biodesign Centre at AIIMS said

Karve along with his colleague Srinivas Kiran Jaggu were conferred the India Innovation Pioneers Challenge (IIPC) Award 2009 in the Scholar Sparks category.

Now, Maneka Gandhi terms Jaswant Singh''s expulsion as unfair

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ew Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): BJP Member of Parliament from the Aonla constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Maneka Gandhi, on Saturday extended her support to expelled party leader Jaswant Singh, saying that the party leadership had treated him unfairly with regard to his latest book on Jinnah.

Gandhi said that the decision taken at the Chintan Baithak in Shimla last week was uncalled for. She said that the BJP leadership should have read Jaswant Singh''s book first before taking a decision to expel him on disciplinary grounds.

Gandhi''s reaction came a day after Singh filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat Government’s decision to ban his latest book – Jinnah -India, Partition, Independence.

Deploring the ban of the book, Singh has already said that books are a medium of expression in the country, and professed the right to freedom of speech and expression.

He claimed that a ban on books actually means a ban on thinking.

"I am greatly saddened by it because the other example takes you to Salman Rusdie and Satanic Verses. The day we start banning books in India, we are banning thinking," Jaswant had said while returning back from Shimla after his expulsion from the BJP last week.

The Narendra Modi-led Gujarat Government had banned the sale of Singh''''''''s book in the State last week.

The Gujarat Government blamed Jaswant''''''''s book for denigrating the image of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was a Gujarati and held in high esteem by people across Gujarat and rest of the India for his role during India''''''''s freedom struggle against the British rulers.

Jaswant observes in his book that Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel together conceded Pakistan to Jinnah with help from the British.

Patel occupies a pride of place in BJP''''''''s historiography with the party eulogising his tough action for the integration of rebellious Hyderabad and Junagarh with the Union, and contrasting it with the Nehru''''''''s "blunder" in taking the Kashmir issue to the UN.

Last week, Singh sharpened his attack on BJP by saying that the party is like the violent white American group, Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

Replying to a question on his expulsion from the party, Singh said: "Please don''''t ask me. I am outside the magic circle of advisers or thinkers. Because, I am not from the RSS, is that why? So are we a political party? Is the BJP becoming some kind of an Indian version of Ku Klux Klan?"

Commonly known as The Klan, the KKK was the name of several hate groups in the US, whose aim was to protect and further the rights of white Americans by intimidation.

On being asked what he meant by reference to KKK, he shot back: "You know what the Klan means. You don''''t ask me about this."

On BJP senior leader’s position in the party, he said: "Does he (Advani) run a coterie or does the coterie run him."

Singh said he did not agree with BJP leader Arun Shourie''''s suggestion that RSS should take over the party, saying it will not work.

"I would like the BJP to reflect on what has happened and try to be a party of the 21st century. They (RSS) are exclusivist. Besides, they are an organisation committed to social work," he said.

Asked if his expulsion was a message to other dissidents in the party, he shot back: "Am I a dissident. I am sorry. Your question suggests I am some kind of a dissident. I feel I am one of the original-founding members of the party.”

He ruled out joining the Samajwadi Party, which has invited him to join it.

"I am happy to be an independent. I will serve the cause of GJM and the Gorkha land. That is my karma bhoomi and my janam bhoomi is the desert. I shall serve them," he said.

He also ruled out stepping down as Chairman of the prestigious Parliamentary Accounts Committee following his expulsion from the BJP. (ANI)

NASA’s space shuttle Discovery launched successfully

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ASHINGTON - NASA’s space shuttle Discovery, with its seven-member crew, launched successfully from the space agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on August 28.

The shuttle will deliver supplies, equipment and a new crew member to the International Space Station.

Inside the shuttle’s cargo bay is the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, a pressurized “moving van” that will be temporarily installed to the station.

The module will deliver storage racks; materials and fluids science racks; a freezer to store research samples; a new sleeping compartment; an air purification system; and a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert.

The name “Colbert” received the most entries in NASA’s online poll to name the station’s Node 3. NASA named the node Tranquility.

Shortly before liftoff, Commander Rick Sturckow said, “Thanks to everyone who helped prepare for this mission. Let’s go step up the science on the International Space Station!”

The 13-day flight will include three spacewalks to replace experiments outside the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, install a new ammonia storage tank and return the used one.

Ammonia is needed to move excess heat from inside the station to the radiators located outside.

Sturckow is joined on the STS-128 mission by Pilot Kevin Ford, Mission Specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.

NASA astronaut Nicole Stott will fly to the complex aboard Discovery to begin a three-month mission as a station resident.

She replaces NASA’s Tim Kopra, who will return home on Discovery. Ford, Hernandez and Stott are first-time space fliers.

The mission marks the start of the transition from assembling the space station to using it for continuous scientific research.

Assembly and maintenance activities have dominated the available time for crew work.

As completion nears, additional facilities and the crew members to operate them will enable a measured increase in time devoted to research as a national and multinational orbiting laboratory.

Discovery’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10.

This mission is the 128th space shuttle flight, the 30th to the station, the 37th for Discovery and the fourth in 2009. (ANI)

Dharamsala releases video appeal about plight of Tibetans

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HARAMSALA - In an attempt to bring plight of the Tibetans to the notice of the international community, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in Dharamsala has released a video appeal from a Tibetan highlighting the lack of human rights and the sufferings inside Tibet.

Kalsang Tsultrim, also known by the pseudonym of Gyitsang Takmig, is a monk of the Gyitsang Gaden Choekorling Monastery in Sangchu County. He has taken the risk of recording a detailed account of Tibetan history since the leader Dalai Lama’s flight to India in 1959.

The hour long footage has been widely distributed in many Tibetan areas in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan Province.alsang Thamcheo, who delivered the video testimony to the TCHRD said the main purpose is to make outside world aware of the ground realties in Tibet.

“It was passed on by someone inside Tibet and trusted me with the work of disseminating it to the outside world for a better coverage. The main reason behind releasing this CD is that there are lot of violation of human rights taking place in Tibet. So, through this video CD it’s an attempt to tell the entire world the actual happenings inside Tibet under the Chinese occupation and how the Tibetan people are undergoing a massive, a hardship under the rootless regime of Communist Party in Tibet,” said Thamcheo.

The video also speaks about the recent farmers boycott in Tibet, the self-immolation bid by Lobsang Tashi alias Tapey of the Kirti Monastery, of a suicide by a monk of the Ragya Monastery, arbitrary arrests, detention of thousands of Tibetans after the 2008 March protests in Tibet.

It also appeals to the United Nations and other international farmers that they have a moral obligation to speak on behalf of the Tibetan people inside Tibet who are living in constant fear and under severe repression.

“People are actually deprived of actual information so through this video specially targeting the illiterate and uneducated Tibetan people, he is communicating with those people in rural areas and the nomadic areas, communicating actual ground realties,” said Tenzin Norgey, spokesperson of TCHRD.

Kalsang Tsultrim’s video testimony also touches on the many recent events in Tibet and the Chinese Government’s policies which allegedly led to the displacement of a large number of Tibetans in the name of development. (ANI)

Killer diseases on the prowl

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UWAHATI: Assam figures among the top five states that are highly prone to malaria and Japanese Encephalitis. According to National Vector Borne
Disease Control Programme records, 1,195 people in the state have died of the two diseases since 2005. Of them, 714 have died of malaria and 481 of Japanese Encephalitis.

In 2009, 396 cases of Acute Encephalitic Syndrome have claimed 78 lives. Of them 28 died due to Japanese Encephalitis and the remaining 50 by Acute Encephalitic Syndrome. On the other hand, malaria has afflicted 41,737 people and claimed 59 lives.

Although there is cure for malaria, there's no specific medicine for Japanese Encephalitis. This has prompted the state health department to approach the Centre to import Japanese Encephalitis vaccines for adults. These vaccines are currently administered to children up to 15 years here.

According to health officials, the Japanese Encephalitis causing Culex mosquito breeds in primarily in paddy fields and stagnant water. Conditions of piggeries located close to human habitats makes it easier for mosquitoes to transfer the virus from pigs and wild birds into humans. But the Culex mosquito bites when people are in the open and not indoors.

On the contrary, the Anopheles mosquito that causes Malaria breeds in clean water specially those of springs and water falls with dense population. Besides, this particular breed bites people in the darkness of the night and hides inside the house in the daytime.

Health officials also admit that activities such as fogging and spraying of DDT cannot totally curb these mosquitoes from multiplying. "Mosquitoes die after coming in contact with gas sprayed during fogging. But effects of fogging do not remain for long and renders ineffective in killing all the mosquitoes in a particular area. Moreover, DDT can be sprayed only on walls inside a house and not outside. This is because crops and water after coming in contact with the insecticide gets contaminated. The humid and moist climate also helps mosquitoes breed during the summers," said a senior official from the state health department.

As precaution, people should always sleep inside mosquito nets, wear long sleeves while venturing out in the evenings and keep their surroundings clean. Piggeries should be situated at a safe distance from human homes. Besides, timely medical intervention plays a pivotal role in treating these diseases.

"Anyone suffering from Japanese Encephalitis should avoid travel. The symptomatic treatment given to a patient in medical colleges for the disease is same that is available in district hospital," said A Hussain, joint director of the state health department.