Thursday, April 15, 2010

HTC Droid Incredible Specifications

San Francisco - HTC Droid Incredible is leaked, intentionally or unintentionally. There is no official announcement yet but Verizon had just thrown up a coming soon preview page that had the details of the phone. They quickly closed the page and password protected it. So, no more official views but there are aplenty websites where the leaked images are available. To me, this seems to be a delicate marketing approach of the new phones. Giving just a glimpse of the phone and storming out rumors are working for many phones and this leak has already made this phone one of the most searched topics in one of the most popular search engines in the world. (Yes, I’m talking about Google.) Perhaps, an official announcement of the phone could not draw that much attention. However, here are some of the details of the phone that we have managed to get from the leaks. The HTC Droid Incredible will have similar specs as the Google Nexus One and most probably it is a tweaked version of the Google Nexus One. It will measure 4.63″ X 2.3″ X 0.47″ and will weigh nearly 4.59 oz. HTC Droid Incredible will run on the latest Android 2.1 ‘Eclair’ version with Sense UI. The 1GHz Snapdragon processor will be there in place to provide you fast response even when multitasking on the device. The display will be a 3.7 inch WVGA OLED capacitive touchscreen display. There is also an 8MP camera in place with auto focus and video capture capabilities. There will be other common features such as 3.5 mm headphone jack, Accelerometer and GPS. It will have a 8GB internal memory and will support microSD cards of up to 32GB. It will be available from April 29th.

Manipur celebrates Cheiraoba

Just like the Bihu celebration in Assam, the vaishnavite Meiteis of Manipur celebrating Cheiraoba festival- marking the beginning of a New Year in Meitei calender. Family feasting and pilgrimage up the Cheirao-Ching marked the occasion. After cleaning up the houses and making offering of food and prayer to the ancestral domestic deity, Sanamahi, a pilgrimage to Cheirao-ching that stands tall overlooking the picturesque Imphal valley is a must to start the new year in the right way. Offering of prayer to the deity that resides atop the Cheirao-ching is an auspicious way to begin the new year. Stream of people, all dressed in the pious traditional attires, climb up this hill to offer their prayers. The new cycle of life has definitely started and what better way then to begin it with spirit of camaraderie.

Manipur government on an image-building path

Determined to shed its image of being the most violent state in the north east, Manipur government is on an image-building path and moving towards conflict resolution. The Department of Home, Govt of Manipur, organized a seminar on Peace Dividend, bringing stakeholders on one platform to discuss the maladies facing Manipur to find a way forward. Hailed as the first shot in Manipur’s search for Peace, Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat lauded the efforts and pitched for more of such seminars at the district and block levels. Reflecting on the Manipur situation, the Governor said Manipur has seen a long period of turmoil and while the marginalized sections of the society are its worst victims, there are also some who would like the conflict to be lengthened. Dealing on the same issue, noted journalist from Assam, Sanjoy Hazarika, said the first step towards peace that Govt of India should take is Repeal the Armed Force Special Powers Act and open the doors to all insurgents groups operating in Manipur for unconditional talks. The first peace initiative of its kind, organized by the Home Dept, Govt of Manipur, brought most top ranking officers of the State – bureaucrats, security officers and intellectuals discussing and interacting on topics such as Impact of Bandh, Human Rights & Role of Security Forces, Empowerment of women and Self Help Group, Role of Media in Peace Dividend and Governance issues. Commissioner of Education, PK Singh presented on the topic Impact of Bandhs & Blockades with DGP Y. Joykumar as one of the panelists. The Audio visual presentation showed that the total loss to economy due to bandhs & blockade in Manipur stood around Rs 520.73 crores and in per capita terms, it is a staggering Rs 2027. On the topic of Role of Media in Peace Dividend, Imphal Free Press Editor Phanjoubam Pradip and IS TV Editor, Yumnam Rupachandra presented their papers and brought out the view that Peace initiative should also involved other creative arts other than relying heavily on the Press. Some of the other participants included 57Mountain Division GOC Major Generl DS Hooda, IG, Assam Rifles Major General CA Krishnan, Patricia Mukhim, Dr. W Ibempishak, Indira Oinam, among others.

Crucial meet to discuss Naga issue likely next week

A crucial meeting between militant outfit NSCN-IM and the government's interlocutor is likely to be held next week to give fresh impetus to the ongoing Naga peace process. A delegation of NSCN-IM led by its general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah would hold parleys with new interlocutor R S Pandey to iron out differences on several vexed issues including integration of Naga-inhabited areas. The meeting will review the proposal given by the rebels to bring a lasting solution to the six-decade old Naga insurgency and the counter proposal given by the central government. NSCN-IM has proposed a federal relationship with the Indian Union with additional financial and legislative powers to handle while the central government offered financial package for socio-cultural development of Naga people. In the last round of talks in March, both sides resolved to their commitment to work out an honourable and negotiated solution to the problem. RS Pandey, while talking to NETV a few days ago, had said that the talk process is moving in the right track. Among other issues in the charter demand, the NSCN-IM pointed out certain taxation matters and preservation of cultural heritage, the sources said. Muivah, who along with four other Naga leaders, arrived Delhi on February 27 from Amsterdam. After the talks in March, he had gone to Nagaland and met NSCN-IM cadres, civil society members, NGOs and church leaders to discuss the issue. Pandey also undertook a visit to the northeastern states last week and met political leaders and other stake holders to get feedback from them.

Succumbing to pressure SC appoints J&K HC Barin Ghosh as the new chief justice of Sikkim HC

Following opposition by the lawyers of Sikkim against the shunting of controversial Karnataka High Court chief justice Dinakaran to the Himalayan state, the Supreme Court appointed Jammu and Kashmir high court chief justice Barin Ghosh as the new chief justice of Sikkim High Court. Justice Barin Ghosh was formally sworn-in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim on Wednesday. The Oath of Office was administered by the Governor M.K. Narayanan at Ashirwad Hall, Raj Bhawan, Gangtok. Ghosh has replaced Justice Dr.Aftab Hussanin Saikia, who has been transferred as Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice. Ghosh’s swearing-in comes few days after the Supreme Court collegium’s decision to post controversial Justice PD Dinakaran to Sikkim High Court which drew protests both from the lawyers and the opposition political parties in the state. Justice Ghosh was enrolled as an advocate in 1978, and practiced in the High Court of Calcutta, mainly in matters of Civil, Company and Constitutional affairs. He was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Calcutta High Court on July 14, 1995. He was transferred to the Patna High Court, where he assumed Charge in 2005. He was appointed as the Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court on December 24, 2008 and took over as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on January 03, 2009. The oath taking ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Kumar Chamling along with a host of other dignitaries.

Along with Assam, Assamese people in Shillong too observe Bihu

The Rongali Bihu celebration has experienced the astounding bounty of nature with gaiety in Meghalaya. Dressed in Traditional Mekhla-Sadar and men in Dhoti, Shillongites experienced the perfect fusion of heritage of Assam. Shillong, once was the capital of Assam, although, now it is part of Meghalaya but still among the Assamese residing in Shillong, the Rongali Bihu is an opportunity for many to go home and experience the traditional delights of the festival. For those who stay back, Bihu requires certain imaginative adjustments. With a tinge of nostalgia and happiness galore in their minds, they had varied views of celebrating the spirit of Rongali Bihu outside Assam. However, Shillong not being conducive to bovine veneration of such kind, the Assamese in the city do the next best thing —they dance, make merry, treat themselves to a lavish feast shared with friends and family, which includes delicious Bihu sweets. Rice cakes or pitha accompany jolpan or snacks. Rongali Bihu finds its most exuberant expression in the Bihu dance; therefore it has always been part of Bihu celebration in the state. Rongali Bihu and Non-Resident Assamese people who are in Shillong for their job or any other purpose have a unique binding. Wherever they are, over the years formed a major chunk of development of Assam‘s serene image across the length and breadth of the globe. In Shillong, the undying spirit of Rongali Bihu is a spellbinding factor uniting varied Assamese people with its fair share of music, food and rich repertoire of cultural exchanges.

Rongali Bihu celebrations begin with Goru Bihu

In the land of myths and mystery of enchanting beauty, here comes the Rongali Bihu. Today is called Garu Bihu which is dedicated to the cattle and livestock. In the morning the cattle were taken to nearby ponds or river banks for a ceremonial bath. Assam, the land of myths and mystery of enchanting beauty is celebrating its much-vaunted Rongali Bihu. Today is called Garu bihu which marks the beginning of the week long celebrations across the state. Garu Bihu is dedicated to the cattle and livestock. In the morning the cattle were taken to nearby ponds or river banks for a ceremonial bath. The horns and heads of the animal are rubbed with the paste of newly harvested turmeric and black gram. Turmeric and laogourd are thrown on the cattle and are also fed to them. Cattle are tethered with mew ropes and garlanded with a collection of different kinds of leaves. A mood of festivity and gaiety is seen throughout the state. The celebrations are quite colourful and vibrant. People in large number took their cattle to the rivers early in the morning for a ceremonial bath in Lakhimpur, Tezpur, Dibrugarh along with other parts of the state. The people in Guwahati also observed the Garu bihu with traditional pomp and gaiety. Meanwhile, the Rongali Bihu festivities have gripped the people in the city of the Guwahati. Bihu functions are being organized in a number of places in the city. Now we are leaving before our viewers a snapshot of the function at the historic Judges’ field by AASU. The All Assam Students’ Union celebrated Mukoli bihu at the historic Judges field with a daylong programme on Wednesday. Noted musician Ramen Baruah unfurled the bihu flag on the occasion. AASU president Sankar Prasad Ray unfurled the AASU flag. This as followed by a chorus sung by the students of the Handique Girls College. AASU general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi paid floral tributes to the martyrs. This was followed by Bhortal dance. Then the AASU felicitated 21 persons for their incredible contribution to the Assamese culture. They are dramatist Arun Sharma, litterateur dr Dhrubajyori Bora, Manoranjan Lahiri, Jatindra Kumar Borgohain, Gobinda Narzari, mime artist Moinul Haque, film director Manju Bora, Rajen Bora, M Maniram Singh, Jayanta Kumar Goswami, Sabita Sanam, Altaf Majiz, Jebin Ahmed, Sushanta Roy, Zubeen Garg, Mridul Gupta, Priyam Chaliha, Mijajur Rahman Barua, Mirnanda Borthakur, Nilotpal Gogoi and Padum Gogoi. Singer Mahananda Majindar Baruah sang the popular number of yesteryears Mon Hira Doi. Soon, all the artists including popular actresses of Assamese cinema Gayatri Mahanta, Parinita Borthakur, Madhurima Kakoti, Nishita Goswami, and Somnath Bora too joined the Bihu dance, much to the enlightenment of the crowd present at the Judges’ Field. It may be mentioned that the AASU has been celebrating Mukoli Bihu for over 25 years. Bihu this is some thing special for the people of East Guwahati as the Bihu Sanmiloni this time is celebrating the golden jubilee. The 4 day long event got underway on Wednesday morning in presence of a huge gathering. Bohag, the lifeline of Assam and its people is back with tender leaves in the trees, seasonal flowers in full bloom, signing birds and what not. This prime time in spring, precisely, what creates a mood in the mind to celebrate this Rongali Bihu with pomp and gaiety. There was a time when Bihu was confined to open fields in the rural Assam. Since then much have changed. Bihu-huchoris have reached the stage. But the bond of unity remains intact. Altogether 49 years have passed since the East Guwahati started this annual Bihu celebration function. This year also the function started when Dr Hiren Gohain hoisted the flag on Wednesday morning. This was followed by the release of the souvenir Gogona by noted lyricist Geeta Hatikakoti. Drawing, quiz, sports, Bihu Konwari competitions are among those organized on the occasion. This is what the tradition of this annual function in east Guwahati Bihu Sanmiloni. Several noted singers have confirmed their participation this time in this 4 day long event this time.

Lapang returns from Delhi, meets Meghalaya Governor

Beleaguered Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang on Wednesday called on Governor R S Mooshahary amid prevailing political uncertainty triggered by a dissident group of Congress legislators seeking his ouster.Lapang, who returned from a week-long visit to New Delhi on Tuesday night, was tight-lipped about the 20-minute discussion with Mooshahary at Raj Bhavan and termed it as "a secret".To a question whether there would be a leadership change in the state, Lapang said, "Congress president Sonia Gandhi will decide it."Claiming there was no dissidence in the party, Lapang quipped, "We are one family. It is a family feud and our parents in Delhi will solve it."AICC, which is in favour of Lapang to be at the helm of the state, was earlier learnt to have given him more time to garner majority support in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in the wake of a revolt by the dissident MLAs to oust him.Fourteen of the total 28 Congress MLAs in the 60-member assembly had on April 7 faxed a letter to AICC president seeking Lapang's ouster, claiming that he has "lost majority" in the CLP.The 14 rebel Congress MLAs, including senior leaders Sayedullah Nongrum, HDR Lyngdoh, Rowell Lyngdoh, AL Hek, FW Momin and Augustine Marak, are reportedly disgruntled over their non-inclusion in the ministry.

Jailed ULFA chairman can visit ailing mother: Gogoi

The Assam government will have no objection in allowing jailed ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa to visit his ailing 90-year-old mother, especially with people celebrating Assamese New Year or Bohag Bihu, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Wednesday."I received a written appeal from Rajkhowa’s family to allow him to see his old mother during Bihu. We have absolutely no problems in allowing the ULFA chairman to go and meet his mother. But since he is in judicial custody, it depends on the court,” Gogoi told IANS.Rajkhowa, arrested in December last year, is in Guwahati jail. His mother Damayanti Rajkonwar is critically ill at their ancestral home in Lakwa in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar district, about 380 km from here.Rajkhowa’s wife Kaveri and their two children have been let off and now live at Lakwa.The chief minister went a step further and said the government would have no objection in allowing even other jailed leaders to visit their families during Bihu beginning Thursday."We want peace and on the eve of Bihu I am extending my best wishes and greetings to even Paresh Baruah (the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief). Let all of them realise the futility of an armed struggle and see how we all are celebrating Bihu with our families," Gogoi said.That the chief minister was offering an olive branch was evident from his tone."We are ready to allow all other cadres and leaders in jail to visit their families, but it all depends on the court," Gogoi said."Either the ULFA leaders on their own could pray before the court to allow them visit their families on compassionate grounds or members of their families could appeal before the court," senior advocate Nakib-uz-Zaman said.“It is heartening to know that the government has no objection in allowing Rajkhowa to visit his mother. But a formal prayer can be made before the court maybe by next week after the Bihu holidays,” added rights activist Lachit Bordoloi.

BPF sweeps BTC polls

The ruling Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) led by Hagrama Mohilary swept the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls winning 31 of the 40 seats.Official sources said here today that the BPF won nine seats each in Kokrajhar and Baksa, six seats in Chirang and seven seats in Udalguri while Congress, its ally in the state government, which had entered into a friendly contest in the BTC polls, won three seats.The opposition Bodoland Peoples' Progressive Forum (BPPF) and its ally United Democratic Peoples' Front (UDPF) won a seat each while four independents also made it to the Council, sources added.BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary told reporters at Kokrajhar that his party would form the Council in alliance with the Congress and strive towards development."I congratulate the people for the victory. Our victory has proved people's support to us. We will carry on the good work for the development of the region, he added.The BTC was created after the signing of the Bodo Accord in December 2003 and an interim Council was formed subsequently".The first BTC election was held in 2005.

Two militants die in grenade blast

Two suspected militants died in a grenade blast at Sekta in Imphal East district of Manipur, the police said today.The grenade went off when the militants attempted to plant it at the residence of L Ranjan at around 7 pm yesterday, the police sources said.While one died on the spot, the other died of his injuries at the hospital, sources said.Ranjan and his family members were not present at the time of the incident as they were attending a religious function at a relative's place, sources said.

Pratibha Patil's three-day visit to Sikkim starts on Wednesday

President Pratibha Patil is scheduled to attend the concluding function of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Sikkim High Court during a three-day maiden visit to Sikkim beginning on Wednesday.Patil, who is slated to land at the Libing Army Helipad in Gangtok at 3 pm on Wednesday, would spend the night at the Raj Bhavan before inaugurating the Kanchenjunga Tourist Village and Amusement Park at Ranka village on the outskirts of this capital city on Thursday.She is also scheduled to take a helicopter mountain flight on army choppers stationed here in the border state on Thursday.On Friday, the president would address the concluding function of the celebrations of the high court after which she visits the famous Saramsa Gardens, about 12 km from Gangtok. Pratibha Patil will also attend the convocation of the Sikkim University, of which she is the chancellor, before returning to Delhi the same day.The tiny himalayan state, which shares its boundaries with China in the northeast and Nepal in the west, is all geared up for the high-profile visit.National flags flutter from the houses on the main thoroughfares; the city is decorated with flowers, while the Border Roads Organisation and state Public Works Department are busy carrying out emergency street repairs.

Tiger Woods losing battle to save his marriage, say friends

Los Angeles (US), Apr.15 (ANI): Golfing great Tiger Woods is losing the battle to save his marriage and his wife Elin Nordegren may file for divorce soon, according to friends. According to The Telegraph, Nordegren said to be furious over a television advertisement that Woods filmed for Nike, which featured the voice of his late father. She was also said to have thought her husband would take more time off before returning to the course. Woods took an indefinite break from golf after details of his infidelities became public last year. He returned in the Masters at Augusta, Georgia last week, where he finished fourth, but his wife did not attend the tournament. At the weekend she was seen boarding a private jet alone after leaving their estate near Orlando, Florida. The television advertisement said to have angered her was broadcast on the eve of the tournament and featured Woods looking directly into the camera without speaking. A 2004 recording of his late father Earl saying "Did you learn anything?", was played over the footage. "Elin was violently angry over this commercial and thought it was a cheesy thing to do," a source told People magazine. Woods, 34, has committed to working at his marriage and so far talk of divorce is limited to friends. No legal papers have been filed and Nordegren has not instructed a lawyer, as yet. But one friend told People: "She''s so far beyond hurt now. If she were angry or if she hated him, they might still have a chance to work it out. But she''s beyond that. She''s numb. She just doesn''t care anymore.” Nordegren, 30, a former swimwear model from Sweden, bought a property in her homeland last year. It is currently being renovated leading to further speculation that she may move out. Experts say if she decides to divorce Woods the settlement could be one of the largest in celebrity history, dwarfing the 150 million dollars paid by Michael Jordan, the basketball star, to his former wife Juanita. An original pre-nuptial agreement is believed to have given Nordegren the right to 20 million dollarsafter 10 years of marriage. In the wake of the scandal, she could receive 300 million dollars through a renegotiated divorce settlement. (ANI)

ISRO set to launch GSLV-D3 today

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) Apr 15 (ANI): The stage is all set for the launch of the first flight-testing of indigenous cryogenic engine on homespun rocket, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 4.27 pm today.The 29-hour countdown for the lift-off began at 11.27 a.m. on Wednesday is progressing smoothly.The cryogenic engine is crucial for putting communication satellites weighing more than two tonnes into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).The GSLV-D3 would put the GSAT-4 satellite into the GTO.The success of the GSLV-D 3 would take India into the elite club of space-faring nations comprising the United States, Russia, certain European countries, Japan, and China who possess complex cryogenic technology.The rocket is 49 meters tall and weighs 419 tonnes. The rocket will carry communication satellite GSAT-4 and others weighing more than two tonnes.This is the first time India would be using indigenously built cryogenic stage and technology, which is crucial to put communication satellites weighing more than two tonnes in GTO.The indigenous technology has come to fruition nearly 19 years after India was denied the cryogenic technology.India earlier made effort to acquire cryogenic propellant technology from Russia in 1992 but the plan didn''t bear fruit because of fierce opposition from big powers. (ANI)

No Maoists in West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, Apr 15 (ANI): Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has said there are no Maoists in West Bengal.Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Banerjee claimed there are about 200 camps of the Communist Party India (Marxist), which have unleashed violence across the state.Criticising the so-called Operation Green Hunt of the government, Banerjee said the operation is being carried out to suppress or kill rural folk in the area."The operation is being carried out in the name of a joint operation. There are no Maoists in this region. There are 200 camps of the CPI-M operating in the area. Why would the CPI-M be involved in a government operation? Government operation is an administrative operation .I have doubts about the operation itself," she said.She demanded the arrest of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee alleging that he had misused his powers under the Constitution."Why should not any action be taken against him because of his politics of individual killings and mass murder?... I feel it is my social responsibility to say so," she added.''Operation Green Hunt'' is a joint exercise conducted by the central paramilitary and State police force to track down and flush out Maoists from their camps in forest regions.It was initially conducted in West Bengal and later extended in Jharkhand. The districts covered in Jharkhand are West Singbhum, East Singbhum, Ranchi, Latehar, Chatra, Hazaribagh and Bokaro. (ANI)

Force India driver Sutil expects top 10 finish at Chinese Grand Prix

Shanghai, Apr.15 (ANI): Adrian Sutil, one of the key drivers of the Vijay Mallya-owned Force India racing team, is expecting a top ten finish in this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.Sutil finished fifth and scored his first points of this season in the Malaysia GP two weeks ago, which gave the 27-year-old German lots of confidence."I don''t think we should be concerned about our performance at the moment, we are strong and we can fight in the top 10, and that''s very encouraging at this point of the year," Xinhua quoted Sutil, as saying.When asked about what would be possible in Shanghai, Sutil said: "I''m confident, definitely. It was encouraging in Malaysia, and also the last races in Bahrain and Australia. I think we can show a very similar performance in China." (ANI)