Sanchita Sharma, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 01, 2008
Up to 10 million women in Asia sell sex and at least 75 million men pay for it regularly. With an estimated 10 male clients for every sex worker in Asia, men who go for unprotected commercial sex are probably the single most important determinant of the size of HIV epidemics in most of Asia, followed by sharing of contaminated needles and syringes and unprotected sex between men.
These were the findings of the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia in its report, Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an Effective Response, which was released by Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh on Monday. According to UNAIDS, an estimated 4.9 million Asians are currently infected with HIV. In 2007, 440,000 people were infected with HIV and 300,000 died of AIDS-related infections and diseases.
By pragmatically focusing prevention programmes to the sex trade and on drug use, the commission suggests that governments would make considerable progress in halting and reversing the epidemic. In most Asian countries, an increase in casual and premarital sex among women is unlikely to lead to a net increase in new infections, notes the commission, which is supported by UNAIDS.
India as had some successes. Though the country has 2.5 million people infected with HIV, which is over half of Asia's 4.9 million HIV population, effective initiatives such as condom promotion among sex workers, raising awareness, lowering stigma and making treatment accessible has slowed down new infections in some states such as Tamil Nadu.
Other Asian countries, however, are lagging behind in their response to AIDS. If countries do not change policies, HIV would infect 10 million Asians and claim 500,000 lives annually by 2020.
"Countries at the early stages of the epidemic needed to spend an average of 50 cents per capita to reverse the epidemic. Every dollar spent on early prevention would save $8 in treatment costs later. Yet, the money spent on HIV programmes from national budgets decreased over the past decade in the 23 countries surveyed, the only exceptions being India and China," said C Rangarajan, chairman of the nine-member commission and chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Drink toned milk 'for a healthy heart'
New York (PTI): Downing as little as one glass of toned milk daily could keep the heart healthy by protecting it against a range of serious conditions, including stroke and heart disease, a new study has claimed.
A team of international researchers has found that adults who drink at least one serving of low-fat milk or milk products have 37 per cent lower odds of poor kidney function linked to heart disease than those who don't drink regularly.
According to the researchers, the study suggests that milk protein, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium may contribute to milk's potential heart health benefits.
In fact, they came to the conclusion after measuring the kidney function of more than 5,000 people, all adults aged between 45 and 84, the latest issue of the 'American Journal of Clinical Nutrition' reported.
The researchers tracked eating patterns and tested albumin-to-creatinine ratio -- a measure that when too low, can indicate poor kidney function and an extremely high risk for cardiovascular disease -- of the participants.
They found that people who reported consuming more low-fat milk and milk products had lower ACR, or healthier kidney function. In fact, low-fat milk and milk products was the only food group evaluated that on its own was linked to a significantly reduced risk for kidney dysfunction.
An overall healthy diet, including low-fat milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables was also associated with a benefit -- 20 per cent lower ACR or even healthier kidney function, the study revealed.
So, drink milk to a healthy heart!
A team of international researchers has found that adults who drink at least one serving of low-fat milk or milk products have 37 per cent lower odds of poor kidney function linked to heart disease than those who don't drink regularly.
According to the researchers, the study suggests that milk protein, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium may contribute to milk's potential heart health benefits.
In fact, they came to the conclusion after measuring the kidney function of more than 5,000 people, all adults aged between 45 and 84, the latest issue of the 'American Journal of Clinical Nutrition' reported.
The researchers tracked eating patterns and tested albumin-to-creatinine ratio -- a measure that when too low, can indicate poor kidney function and an extremely high risk for cardiovascular disease -- of the participants.
They found that people who reported consuming more low-fat milk and milk products had lower ACR, or healthier kidney function. In fact, low-fat milk and milk products was the only food group evaluated that on its own was linked to a significantly reduced risk for kidney dysfunction.
An overall healthy diet, including low-fat milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables was also associated with a benefit -- 20 per cent lower ACR or even healthier kidney function, the study revealed.
So, drink milk to a healthy heart!
Scientists quitting NAL
Staff Reporter
Scientists are attracted by high salaries in IT sector
Joint ventures, public-private partnerships need of the hour
Bangalore: Scientists are resigning or retiring from the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) “in droves,” its Director A.R. Upadhya said on Wednesday.
Dr. Upadhya told journalists: “We have to pay more — there is no question about that.”
With a strength of 400, the NAL was one of the biggest laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to attract or retain manpower, he said. “The NAL had advertised for nearly 100 positions this year, but has been able to identify professionals to fill only 60 to 70 per cent of the positions.”
In 2007, the organisation recruited 60 B and C level scientists, but they represented only 80 per cent of their need. “Around 12 among them have already left,” Dr. Upadhya said.
“At one point, the NAL was the first choice for scientific talent. But they are now drawn away by the salaries offered by the Information Technology sector,” he said.
Dr. Upadhya said the institute had been compromising on the “standard” of recruits. “The government can no longer afford to ignore the private sector. Joint ventures and public-private partnerships could well be the solution.”
RTA-70
The NAL was looking for public, private and international collaborators for the turbo propeller-driven Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA-70), which it proposed to develop. The RTA-70 would have a capacity to carry 80 passengers and would be developed within five to seven years, said Dr. Upadhya.
“There is a growing market for turbo propeller technology because of rising fuel costs.” The aircraft would be developed at a cost of Rs.2,035 crore in two phases, and the CSIR had already allocated Rs.300 crore for the project in the 11th Plan.
Saras to get lighter
Dr. Upadhya said the 14-seater, multi-purpose civilian aircraft, Saras, would be 500 kg lighter in its third prototype with the replacement of the metal wings with lighter carbon fibre wings. The aircraft, which weighed 8,000 kg in its first prototype in 2004, had been getting progressively lighter, weighing 7,100 kg in its second prototype.
The total cost of this project, from prototype to production, would be Rs.200 crore, he said.
“The third prototype of the aircraft is now being developed in collaboration with a private company and will most likely receive a certification by 2010. The Indian Air Force will most likely be the launch customer.”
Golden jubilee
The NAL, which turned 50 years this year, would be marking its Golden Jubilee celebrations with a series of international and national conferences.
The first of these titled “International Conference on Science and Technology” was held at the Indian Institute of Science on Thursday. It will continue on Friday.
Scientists are attracted by high salaries in IT sector
Joint ventures, public-private partnerships need of the hour
Bangalore: Scientists are resigning or retiring from the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) “in droves,” its Director A.R. Upadhya said on Wednesday.
Dr. Upadhya told journalists: “We have to pay more — there is no question about that.”
With a strength of 400, the NAL was one of the biggest laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to attract or retain manpower, he said. “The NAL had advertised for nearly 100 positions this year, but has been able to identify professionals to fill only 60 to 70 per cent of the positions.”
In 2007, the organisation recruited 60 B and C level scientists, but they represented only 80 per cent of their need. “Around 12 among them have already left,” Dr. Upadhya said.
“At one point, the NAL was the first choice for scientific talent. But they are now drawn away by the salaries offered by the Information Technology sector,” he said.
Dr. Upadhya said the institute had been compromising on the “standard” of recruits. “The government can no longer afford to ignore the private sector. Joint ventures and public-private partnerships could well be the solution.”
RTA-70
The NAL was looking for public, private and international collaborators for the turbo propeller-driven Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA-70), which it proposed to develop. The RTA-70 would have a capacity to carry 80 passengers and would be developed within five to seven years, said Dr. Upadhya.
“There is a growing market for turbo propeller technology because of rising fuel costs.” The aircraft would be developed at a cost of Rs.2,035 crore in two phases, and the CSIR had already allocated Rs.300 crore for the project in the 11th Plan.
Saras to get lighter
Dr. Upadhya said the 14-seater, multi-purpose civilian aircraft, Saras, would be 500 kg lighter in its third prototype with the replacement of the metal wings with lighter carbon fibre wings. The aircraft, which weighed 8,000 kg in its first prototype in 2004, had been getting progressively lighter, weighing 7,100 kg in its second prototype.
The total cost of this project, from prototype to production, would be Rs.200 crore, he said.
“The third prototype of the aircraft is now being developed in collaboration with a private company and will most likely receive a certification by 2010. The Indian Air Force will most likely be the launch customer.”
Golden jubilee
The NAL, which turned 50 years this year, would be marking its Golden Jubilee celebrations with a series of international and national conferences.
The first of these titled “International Conference on Science and Technology” was held at the Indian Institute of Science on Thursday. It will continue on Friday.
Geek god Gates follows Vedic wisdom
BANGALORE: It’s a weird comparison in many ways. But has Bill Gates followed—maybe unknowingly—the Vedic prescription of renunciation, as was the order that supposedly governed society then? To walk away from what you have been doing all your adult life at 52, when the going is still good with exciting challenges on the horizon, is a tall order. It takes an inner conviction that is hard to explain.
Perhaps Mr Gates will strike a chord with CEOs and corporate founders across the world on issues like succession, retirement and second innings. There will be lessons to draw from the icon, who has chosen to step down while still at his peak.
But then, he has always been a man who knew what he wanted. That was apparent right from the time he decided to drop out of college in the early ’70s. Just as he saw how computing could transform the world, he is perhaps equally clear-eyed about his pet passions: technology and philanthropy.
Perhaps Mr Gates will strike a chord with CEOs and corporate founders across the world on issues like succession, retirement and second innings. There will be lessons to draw from the icon, who has chosen to step down while still at his peak.
But then, he has always been a man who knew what he wanted. That was apparent right from the time he decided to drop out of college in the early ’70s. Just as he saw how computing could transform the world, he is perhaps equally clear-eyed about his pet passions: technology and philanthropy.
India's poor pay Rs 9 bn in bribes for basic facilities
Saturday, 28 June , 2008, 20:16
New Delhi: India's poor paid nearly Rs 9 billion in bribes over only three months to avail basic public utility services, a new study said on Saturday.
NGO Transparency International India (TII) found in its survey conducted between November 2007 and January 2008 that Rs 8.83 billion was paid as bribes by those living below the poverty line (BPL) to avail 11 types of services.
Also in the news: Sena hits out at BCCI, Sharad Pawar | Column: My friend, Ansar Burney
The survey found that the police department was the most corrupt, with two out of every five people seeking its help forced to pay bribes.
According to the survey conducted by the Centre for Media Studies and issued by TII, those involved in land records and registration services took the second spot in the list of bribe takers.
The ambitious National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) launched by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government is also plagued by corruption, it said.
Even though the 'school education up to Class 12' was the least corrupt service, it was found that BPL households paid Rs 120 million in bribes to put their children to school. "This kind of corruption that denies people their entitlement to basic and need based services, many of which may be 'free' by law, results in the poor finding themselves at the losing end of the corruption chain," said TII Chairman Admiral (retd.) R H Tahiliani.
"This increases disparity in income and deepens poverty," he added.
For the poor who have no option but to go to government hospitals for healthcare, the situation is disappointing. "Almost four million BPL households had to bribe hospital staff to get services like getting admission in the hospital, getting a bed, diagnostic services and getting an OPD card," the report said.
The total amount of bribe paid to the hospital staff by the poor in the last one year is estimated to be Rs 870 million. Nearly one million households were denied hospital services simply because they either refused to pay bribes or could not afford to do so.
The study also revealed that 5.36 million BPL families had to pay bribe or use a contact to avail public distribution service (PDS) that is meant for them.
A majority pointed out that they bribed officials in order to get a ration card.
The survey further revealed that people have to bribe officials in order to get an electricity connection or to get faulty electricity meter rectified.
For more International news | For more Political news | For more Offbeat news
New Delhi: India's poor paid nearly Rs 9 billion in bribes over only three months to avail basic public utility services, a new study said on Saturday.
NGO Transparency International India (TII) found in its survey conducted between November 2007 and January 2008 that Rs 8.83 billion was paid as bribes by those living below the poverty line (BPL) to avail 11 types of services.
Also in the news: Sena hits out at BCCI, Sharad Pawar | Column: My friend, Ansar Burney
The survey found that the police department was the most corrupt, with two out of every five people seeking its help forced to pay bribes.
According to the survey conducted by the Centre for Media Studies and issued by TII, those involved in land records and registration services took the second spot in the list of bribe takers.
The ambitious National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) launched by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government is also plagued by corruption, it said.
Even though the 'school education up to Class 12' was the least corrupt service, it was found that BPL households paid Rs 120 million in bribes to put their children to school. "This kind of corruption that denies people their entitlement to basic and need based services, many of which may be 'free' by law, results in the poor finding themselves at the losing end of the corruption chain," said TII Chairman Admiral (retd.) R H Tahiliani.
"This increases disparity in income and deepens poverty," he added.
For the poor who have no option but to go to government hospitals for healthcare, the situation is disappointing. "Almost four million BPL households had to bribe hospital staff to get services like getting admission in the hospital, getting a bed, diagnostic services and getting an OPD card," the report said.
The total amount of bribe paid to the hospital staff by the poor in the last one year is estimated to be Rs 870 million. Nearly one million households were denied hospital services simply because they either refused to pay bribes or could not afford to do so.
The study also revealed that 5.36 million BPL families had to pay bribe or use a contact to avail public distribution service (PDS) that is meant for them.
A majority pointed out that they bribed officials in order to get a ration card.
The survey further revealed that people have to bribe officials in order to get an electricity connection or to get faulty electricity meter rectified.
For more International news | For more Political news | For more Offbeat news
Bangladesh pays rich tributes to Manekshaw
Dhaka (PTI): Bangladesh paid glowing tributes to the iconic former Indian army chief Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, recalling his "signal contribution" to its 1971 Liberation War.
"The people and the government of Bangladesh will always recall with warm gratitude his signal contribution to our War of Liberation and his association with a glorious epoch in the history of Bangladesh's evolution," Foreign Adviser of the interim Cabinet Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a letter to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw combined in him the rare qualities of a great soldier, military strategist and a leader of people he worked with."
Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed mourned the death of the celebrated master strategist of the 1971 war, saying "Bangladesh Army recalls his contribution with gratitude and pays rich tribute to the departed soul."
"The successful leadership of Field Marshal Manekshaw as the chief of Bangladesh-India allied forces helped Bangladesh achieve the quick victory during the War of Liberation in 1971," Ahmed said in a statement.
The 1971 veterans and researchers also paid their tributes to Manekshaw as a military strategist. Many recalled his landmark call for the surrender of the Pakistani troops, "lay down your weapons", through All India Radio.
"His military strategy and talented leadership as the chief of the allied forces quickened our victory in the Liberation War," deputy chief of staff of Bangladesh's Liberation Forces Air Vice Marshal (Retd) AK Khondkar said.
"We all are deeply shocked ... his role in the our Liberation War will always be remembered with gratitude."
Liberation War researcher Harun Habib called Manekshaw a "super strategist", saying his able leadership expediting surrender of Pakistanis without further resistance saved many lives, particularly in Dhaka.
"The people and the government of Bangladesh will always recall with warm gratitude his signal contribution to our War of Liberation and his association with a glorious epoch in the history of Bangladesh's evolution," Foreign Adviser of the interim Cabinet Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a letter to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw combined in him the rare qualities of a great soldier, military strategist and a leader of people he worked with."
Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed mourned the death of the celebrated master strategist of the 1971 war, saying "Bangladesh Army recalls his contribution with gratitude and pays rich tribute to the departed soul."
"The successful leadership of Field Marshal Manekshaw as the chief of Bangladesh-India allied forces helped Bangladesh achieve the quick victory during the War of Liberation in 1971," Ahmed said in a statement.
The 1971 veterans and researchers also paid their tributes to Manekshaw as a military strategist. Many recalled his landmark call for the surrender of the Pakistani troops, "lay down your weapons", through All India Radio.
"His military strategy and talented leadership as the chief of the allied forces quickened our victory in the Liberation War," deputy chief of staff of Bangladesh's Liberation Forces Air Vice Marshal (Retd) AK Khondkar said.
"We all are deeply shocked ... his role in the our Liberation War will always be remembered with gratitude."
Liberation War researcher Harun Habib called Manekshaw a "super strategist", saying his able leadership expediting surrender of Pakistanis without further resistance saved many lives, particularly in Dhaka.
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls
By JON HOPWOOD, published Jun 26, 2008
Barack Obama has opened up a 12-point lead over John McCain in a recent Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll, which surveyed 1,115 registered voters in the period of June 19-23. The poll's margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3%. According to the poll, Obama is the favorite of 49% of surveyed voters versus 37% who named McCain as the Presidential candidate they plan to vote fore. Obama does even better when independent candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader are added to the mix, commanding a whopping 15-point lead (48% to 33%). When the two Third Party candidate is added to the mix, McCain loses more independent-minded voters than does Obama, likely from what is being termed an "Enthusiasm Gap."
Among other national polls, only Newsweek gives Obama such a commanding lead. The magazine's 6/18-19 poll has Obama at 51% and McCain at 36%, while Gallup Tracking has the two candidates tied at 45% each in its June 22-24 poll. All other major national polls have Obama enjoying a slight lead over McCain: Rasmussen Tracking (6/22 - 24): Obama 49%, McCain 45%; Fox News (6/17 - 18): Obama 45%, McCain 41%; and USA Today/Gallup (6/15 - 19): Obama 50%, McCain 44%.
Times/Bloomberg Poll
Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed In the Times/Bloomberg Poll identified themselves as Democrats, while 27% identified themselves as independents and 22% as Republicans. Just over half (51%) of the surveyed voters claimed to have a "positive feeling" about the Democratic Party while only 29% felt similarly about the Republican Party.
A whopping 73% of respondents disapproved of the performance of President George W. Bush, which found favor among only 23% of the surveyed voters. This is bad news for John McCain, who is the standard bearer of the incumbent president's party.
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls; Holds 12-Point Lead Over John McCain in Times/Bloomberg Poll
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/842389/barack_obama_ahead_in_most_national.html
Submit your original video, text, audio and images to Associated Content to gain exposure and even earn cash. Get started.
Email Article To A Friend Social Bookmarking Tools close window
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls;...
Send to: (separate e-mails with commas)
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Notes:
Promote this content by clicking on the bookmark icons below. Each will take you to a different third-party site where you can register and add this content to their database of bookmarks.
Digg
Facebook
Myspace
Yahoo My Web
Del.icio.us
Technorati
Netscape
StumbleUpon
Slashdot
Reddit
More Bookmarks »
Save For Later
close window
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls;...
Type in your e-mail address below to receive an automated reminder to come back and read this piece of content. Your e-mail address will not be used for anything other than the automated reminder.
Your email address:
Share
Save For Later
Publish Yours
Print
Page: 1 2 3 4 Next »
More by JON HOPWOOD
* Hillary Clinton Hanging on in Primary Fight, Gaffes with Barack Obama-Robert Kennedy Assassination R...
* Mike Huckabee Blows His Chances at Vice Presidency with Shameless Remark at N.R.A. Convention
* City of Boston Names Street After John Silber, President Emeritus of Boston University
* "Oops!... I Did it Again" - Will Tim McCarver Please Shut Up!?! This Time, It's Stupid Comments Abou...
View all »
Barack Obama has opened up a 12-point lead over John McCain in a recent Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll, which surveyed 1,115 registered voters in the period of June 19-23. The poll's margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3%. According to the poll, Obama is the favorite of 49% of surveyed voters versus 37% who named McCain as the Presidential candidate they plan to vote fore. Obama does even better when independent candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader are added to the mix, commanding a whopping 15-point lead (48% to 33%). When the two Third Party candidate is added to the mix, McCain loses more independent-minded voters than does Obama, likely from what is being termed an "Enthusiasm Gap."
Among other national polls, only Newsweek gives Obama such a commanding lead. The magazine's 6/18-19 poll has Obama at 51% and McCain at 36%, while Gallup Tracking has the two candidates tied at 45% each in its June 22-24 poll. All other major national polls have Obama enjoying a slight lead over McCain: Rasmussen Tracking (6/22 - 24): Obama 49%, McCain 45%; Fox News (6/17 - 18): Obama 45%, McCain 41%; and USA Today/Gallup (6/15 - 19): Obama 50%, McCain 44%.
Times/Bloomberg Poll
Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed In the Times/Bloomberg Poll identified themselves as Democrats, while 27% identified themselves as independents and 22% as Republicans. Just over half (51%) of the surveyed voters claimed to have a "positive feeling" about the Democratic Party while only 29% felt similarly about the Republican Party.
A whopping 73% of respondents disapproved of the performance of President George W. Bush, which found favor among only 23% of the surveyed voters. This is bad news for John McCain, who is the standard bearer of the incumbent president's party.
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls; Holds 12-Point Lead Over John McCain in Times/Bloomberg Poll
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/842389/barack_obama_ahead_in_most_national.html
Submit your original video, text, audio and images to Associated Content to gain exposure and even earn cash. Get started.
Email Article To A Friend Social Bookmarking Tools close window
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls;...
Send to: (separate e-mails with commas)
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Notes:
Promote this content by clicking on the bookmark icons below. Each will take you to a different third-party site where you can register and add this content to their database of bookmarks.
Digg
Myspace
Yahoo My Web
Del.icio.us
Technorati
Netscape
StumbleUpon
Slashdot
More Bookmarks »
Save For Later
close window
Barack Obama Ahead in Most National Polls;...
Type in your e-mail address below to receive an automated reminder to come back and read this piece of content. Your e-mail address will not be used for anything other than the automated reminder.
Your email address:
Share
Save For Later
Publish Yours
Page: 1 2 3 4 Next »
More by JON HOPWOOD
* Hillary Clinton Hanging on in Primary Fight, Gaffes with Barack Obama-Robert Kennedy Assassination R...
* Mike Huckabee Blows His Chances at Vice Presidency with Shameless Remark at N.R.A. Convention
* City of Boston Names Street After John Silber, President Emeritus of Boston University
* "Oops!... I Did it Again" - Will Tim McCarver Please Shut Up!?! This Time, It's Stupid Comments Abou...
View all »
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity and Diabetes?
By R.B., published Jun 24, 2008
Published Content: 538 Total Views: 196,536 Favorited By: 29 CPs
Contact Subscribe Add to Favorites
Rating: 4.3 of 5
*
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
Font
Font
Turmeric, a common Asian cooking spice, may help combat obesity and diabetes according to results from a study presented at the recently held ENDO 2008, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, CA (USA).
Dr. Drew Tortoriello, from the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center, and his colleagues, investigated the effect that this traditionally used herb may have on diabetes and obesity. They believe that since these diseases are caused by inflammation and since turmeric is believed to relieve turmeric, it may have some beneficial effects on both conditions.
Researchers utilized an animal system to study the effect of turmeric on obesity and diabetes type 2. Blood glucose levels and glucose and insulin tolerance tests of mice which were fed with turmeric based diets were compared to mice which were not fed turmeric. They found that obese mice, which ingested turmeric in their diet, had less inflammation and were less susceptible to develop diabetes type 2 when compared to the control group (mice which did not take turmeric).
They have an hypothesis for the effect of turmeric in obese turmeric fed mice. that curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ingredient in turmeric, reduces the propensity of these mice to develop the known insulin resistance syndrome. This in turn reduces the possibility of these obese mice to develop inflammation.
In addition, turmeric ingestion was associated with a minimal but significant decline in body weight and fat content. This suggest, according to the authors of this study that curcumin, the main antioxidant component of turmeric, may have a beneficial effect on body weight reduction.
Furthermore, researchers tested the effect curcumin not only in high-fat-diet-fed male mice (where they saw the beneficial effect of turmeric) but in lean wild-type mice. The benefits of a diet rich in curcumin were observed in both groups.
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity and Diabetes?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/837869/turmeric_a_new_weapon_against_obesity.html
Submit your original video, text, audio and images to Associated Content to gain exposure and even earn cash. Get started.
Email Article To A Friend Social Bookmarking Tools close window
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity an...
Send to: (separate e-mails with commas)
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Notes:
Promote this content by clicking on the bookmark icons below. Each will take you to a different third-party site where you can register and add this content to their database of bookmarks.
Digg
Facebook
Myspace
Yahoo My Web
Del.icio.us
Technorati
Netscape
StumbleUpon
Slashdot
Reddit
More Bookmarks »
Save For Later
close window
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity an...
Type in your e-mail address below to receive an automated reminder to come back and read this piece of content. Your e-mail address will not be used for anything other than the automated reminder.
Your email address:
Share
Save For Later
Publish Yours
Print
Page: 1 2 Next »
More by R.B.
* Second Biggest Babies Delivered in the United States
* Study: Tastants May Help You Lose Weight
* Feng Shui Decorating Elements for the Home or Apartment
* New Risk for Chronic Kidney Disease Uncovered
View all »
Published Content: 538 Total Views: 196,536 Favorited By: 29 CPs
Contact Subscribe Add to Favorites
Rating: 4.3 of 5
*
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
Font
Font
Turmeric, a common Asian cooking spice, may help combat obesity and diabetes according to results from a study presented at the recently held ENDO 2008, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, CA (USA).
Dr. Drew Tortoriello, from the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center, and his colleagues, investigated the effect that this traditionally used herb may have on diabetes and obesity. They believe that since these diseases are caused by inflammation and since turmeric is believed to relieve turmeric, it may have some beneficial effects on both conditions.
Researchers utilized an animal system to study the effect of turmeric on obesity and diabetes type 2. Blood glucose levels and glucose and insulin tolerance tests of mice which were fed with turmeric based diets were compared to mice which were not fed turmeric. They found that obese mice, which ingested turmeric in their diet, had less inflammation and were less susceptible to develop diabetes type 2 when compared to the control group (mice which did not take turmeric).
They have an hypothesis for the effect of turmeric in obese turmeric fed mice. that curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ingredient in turmeric, reduces the propensity of these mice to develop the known insulin resistance syndrome. This in turn reduces the possibility of these obese mice to develop inflammation.
In addition, turmeric ingestion was associated with a minimal but significant decline in body weight and fat content. This suggest, according to the authors of this study that curcumin, the main antioxidant component of turmeric, may have a beneficial effect on body weight reduction.
Furthermore, researchers tested the effect curcumin not only in high-fat-diet-fed male mice (where they saw the beneficial effect of turmeric) but in lean wild-type mice. The benefits of a diet rich in curcumin were observed in both groups.
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity and Diabetes?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/837869/turmeric_a_new_weapon_against_obesity.html
Submit your original video, text, audio and images to Associated Content to gain exposure and even earn cash. Get started.
Email Article To A Friend Social Bookmarking Tools close window
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity an...
Send to: (separate e-mails with commas)
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Notes:
Promote this content by clicking on the bookmark icons below. Each will take you to a different third-party site where you can register and add this content to their database of bookmarks.
Digg
Myspace
Yahoo My Web
Del.icio.us
Technorati
Netscape
StumbleUpon
Slashdot
More Bookmarks »
Save For Later
close window
Turmeric, a New Weapon Against Obesity an...
Type in your e-mail address below to receive an automated reminder to come back and read this piece of content. Your e-mail address will not be used for anything other than the automated reminder.
Your email address:
Share
Save For Later
Publish Yours
Page: 1 2 Next »
More by R.B.
* Second Biggest Babies Delivered in the United States
* Study: Tastants May Help You Lose Weight
* Feng Shui Decorating Elements for the Home or Apartment
* New Risk for Chronic Kidney Disease Uncovered
View all »
Friday, June 27, 2008
Pakistan to launch military operation against Taliban
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan is set to launch a military operation against Taliban militants who have threatened the main city in the country's volatile northwest, the army spokesman said Saturday.
Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas told The Associated Press the army was readying the paramilitary Frontier Corps to target militants in the Khyber tribal region, which is next to Peshawar. Khyber is also a key route for U.S. military supplies into neighboring Afghanistan.
Abbas declined to give further details of the military deployment, citing operational security. "The operation is imminent," he said.
A round-the-clock curfew was imposed in the Bara area, which starts on the outskirts of Peshawar, and heavy contingents of troops were deployed, blocking the main road into Khyber, said Mujeeb Khan, a senior local official.
"All bazars are shut and residents have been asked not to come out of their homes," he said.
Today in Asia - Pacific
Protests rock Indian Kashmir over fear of Hindu settlements
North Korean nuclear deal may signal internal shift
An unwelcome attendee at the Olympics: Algae
Provincial officials say the operation will be launched within 48 hours, but the deployment of troops suggested it was effectively under way. Local newspapers reported hospitals in Peshawar had been put on alert.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because military operations in the tribal regions are decided by the federal government and the military.
One senior official said the Pakistan military has made contingency plans to protect the provincial capital from insurgents that might try to retaliate with attacks in Peshawar, where more than 1 million people live.
There has been growing concern about the threat posed by Islamic militants on the city. Two weeks ago, a Taliban force from Khyber sent its militants into Peshawar and kidnapped 16 Christians, who were later released.
"The situation is such that they (Taliban) are all around Peshawar. They are on our doorstep," Mahmood Shah, a former security chief in the tribal regions told AP on Friday. "The situation is like water flowing into a field and until you have some obstruction to stop it, you will drown. We are drowning."
Taliban have posted notices in some villages on the outskirts of Peshawar telling residents to seek justice through their parallel courts rather than the local judiciary, he said.
In Pakistan's tribal regions that border Afghanistan, jurisdiction lies with the federal government in Islamabad. Decisions to conduct military operations there are taken by the Islamabad government.
A leadership vacuum in Islamabad had supplied more oxygen to a burgeoning Taliban movement, which now controls the entire tribal belt, Shah said.
"It is completely under their control. Everyone now is waiting for some action from the federal government, some coherent policy decision," he said.
February elections brought a new civilian government to power, eclipsing former army strongman and staunch U.S. ally President Pervez Musharraf. In a shift in policy, the new administration has supported peace efforts with Taliban militants to try to curb an explosion in violence in the northwest over the past year.
But Pakistan's Western allies are increasingly concerned that easing up military pressure on the militants has given them more space to operate — letting them strengthen their position in Pakistan's border regions and giving them more freedom to attack U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, Pakistan government and military leaders gave their strongest commitment yet to combat militancy and signaled it reserved the right to use force.
At meetings in Peshawar on Friday, federal and provincial representatives hammered out the details of the Khyber operation, and also discussed the situation in the restive Swat area, where the provincial government has signed a peace deal with a radical pro-Taliban cleric, provincial officials said.
Afrasiab Khattak, chief negotiator for the provincial government, told AP the province is considering seeking another military operation in Swat, where militants forced out by an army offensive last year are now regaining a foothold. There have been arson attacks on girls schools and an upscale hotel in recent days.
Khattak said the military last year drove the insurgents into surrounding mountains but left their leadership intact. He said the provincial government's negotiations have been with militants who have disavowed any connection with recent attacks.
"We want the army to go in and attack the leadership and not leave them in a position to return to the towns and villages and again attack," he said. "This is what we will be discussing for Swat."
Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas told The Associated Press the army was readying the paramilitary Frontier Corps to target militants in the Khyber tribal region, which is next to Peshawar. Khyber is also a key route for U.S. military supplies into neighboring Afghanistan.
Abbas declined to give further details of the military deployment, citing operational security. "The operation is imminent," he said.
A round-the-clock curfew was imposed in the Bara area, which starts on the outskirts of Peshawar, and heavy contingents of troops were deployed, blocking the main road into Khyber, said Mujeeb Khan, a senior local official.
"All bazars are shut and residents have been asked not to come out of their homes," he said.
Today in Asia - Pacific
Protests rock Indian Kashmir over fear of Hindu settlements
North Korean nuclear deal may signal internal shift
An unwelcome attendee at the Olympics: Algae
Provincial officials say the operation will be launched within 48 hours, but the deployment of troops suggested it was effectively under way. Local newspapers reported hospitals in Peshawar had been put on alert.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because military operations in the tribal regions are decided by the federal government and the military.
One senior official said the Pakistan military has made contingency plans to protect the provincial capital from insurgents that might try to retaliate with attacks in Peshawar, where more than 1 million people live.
There has been growing concern about the threat posed by Islamic militants on the city. Two weeks ago, a Taliban force from Khyber sent its militants into Peshawar and kidnapped 16 Christians, who were later released.
"The situation is such that they (Taliban) are all around Peshawar. They are on our doorstep," Mahmood Shah, a former security chief in the tribal regions told AP on Friday. "The situation is like water flowing into a field and until you have some obstruction to stop it, you will drown. We are drowning."
Taliban have posted notices in some villages on the outskirts of Peshawar telling residents to seek justice through their parallel courts rather than the local judiciary, he said.
In Pakistan's tribal regions that border Afghanistan, jurisdiction lies with the federal government in Islamabad. Decisions to conduct military operations there are taken by the Islamabad government.
A leadership vacuum in Islamabad had supplied more oxygen to a burgeoning Taliban movement, which now controls the entire tribal belt, Shah said.
"It is completely under their control. Everyone now is waiting for some action from the federal government, some coherent policy decision," he said.
February elections brought a new civilian government to power, eclipsing former army strongman and staunch U.S. ally President Pervez Musharraf. In a shift in policy, the new administration has supported peace efforts with Taliban militants to try to curb an explosion in violence in the northwest over the past year.
But Pakistan's Western allies are increasingly concerned that easing up military pressure on the militants has given them more space to operate — letting them strengthen their position in Pakistan's border regions and giving them more freedom to attack U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, Pakistan government and military leaders gave their strongest commitment yet to combat militancy and signaled it reserved the right to use force.
At meetings in Peshawar on Friday, federal and provincial representatives hammered out the details of the Khyber operation, and also discussed the situation in the restive Swat area, where the provincial government has signed a peace deal with a radical pro-Taliban cleric, provincial officials said.
Afrasiab Khattak, chief negotiator for the provincial government, told AP the province is considering seeking another military operation in Swat, where militants forced out by an army offensive last year are now regaining a foothold. There have been arson attacks on girls schools and an upscale hotel in recent days.
Khattak said the military last year drove the insurgents into surrounding mountains but left their leadership intact. He said the provincial government's negotiations have been with militants who have disavowed any connection with recent attacks.
"We want the army to go in and attack the leadership and not leave them in a position to return to the towns and villages and again attack," he said. "This is what we will be discussing for Swat."
Lone minister represents govt at Manekshaw's funeral
28 Jun 2008, 0230 hrs IST, Rajat Pandit,TNN
Print EMail
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save Write to Editor
State funeral being accorded to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at Wellington. (PTI Photo)
More Pictures
NEW DELHI: A military legend, an icon - Sam Bahadur may have earned many such epithets during his lifetime, and even after his death was described as such in condolence messages.
But Friday, the day of his last journey, seemed to be just another day in office for the political leadership and top military brass.
Right down from President Pratibha Patil, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to defence minister A K Antony and the three Service chiefs, none attended the "state funeral" of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at Wellington on Friday.
Only Army chief General Deepak Kapoor had valid reason to stay away since he is currently touring Russia and was represented at Wellington by vice-chief Lt-Gen M L Naidu.
The others it seemed were too busy with their "prior commitments" over the nuclear deal, promotion boards or meetings to spare some time for Sam Bahadur on his last journey. They, of course, did come out with the customary condolence messages.
Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal F H Major were very much present at their HQs in New Delhi, for instance, but were represented by just a rear admiral and an air marshal at the "state funeral".
The government, too, was poorly represented, with just minister of state for defence Pallam Raju heading for Wellington.
"In a rare gesture, the government took a decision to give a state funeral, as also depute the MoS defence to represent the government," said Antony, brushing aside questions on the poor representation at the funeral.
An aide added that Antony’s presence at the "small town" would have led to "protocol requirements". But the minister could have given protocol a miss for once at least.
The defence given for the missing Service chiefs, in turn, was that "reaction time" was "too less" to make arrangements to travel to Wellington, with one VVIP jet deployed with the President who was in Maharastra, and the other kept on "stand-by" for the PM.
But then, some of these VVIPs could have taken a ride with the MoS defence, who took an Embraer Legacy jet to attend the funeral. Or, they could have emulated Lt-Gen Naidu, who took a civilian flight from Delhi in the early hours.
"Shameful," was the response of a wide cross-section of retired and serving armed forces personnel.
Said a Brigadier, "We, as a nation, simply don’t respect or remember our heroes. Cricketing ones are honoured even after 25 years of winning a world cup, soldiering ones are forgotten promptly after the war is over. The nation turns to the armed forces only in times of emergency."
But then, added another officer, what else do you expect from a nation where till recently the Service chiefs were frisked at airports, while even Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra could sail through the security checks. "It’s only after the media took up this issue that the embarrassing matter was resolved," said a Colonel.
Print EMail
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save Write to Editor
State funeral being accorded to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at Wellington. (PTI Photo)
More Pictures
NEW DELHI: A military legend, an icon - Sam Bahadur may have earned many such epithets during his lifetime, and even after his death was described as such in condolence messages.
But Friday, the day of his last journey, seemed to be just another day in office for the political leadership and top military brass.
Right down from President Pratibha Patil, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to defence minister A K Antony and the three Service chiefs, none attended the "state funeral" of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at Wellington on Friday.
Only Army chief General Deepak Kapoor had valid reason to stay away since he is currently touring Russia and was represented at Wellington by vice-chief Lt-Gen M L Naidu.
The others it seemed were too busy with their "prior commitments" over the nuclear deal, promotion boards or meetings to spare some time for Sam Bahadur on his last journey. They, of course, did come out with the customary condolence messages.
Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal F H Major were very much present at their HQs in New Delhi, for instance, but were represented by just a rear admiral and an air marshal at the "state funeral".
The government, too, was poorly represented, with just minister of state for defence Pallam Raju heading for Wellington.
"In a rare gesture, the government took a decision to give a state funeral, as also depute the MoS defence to represent the government," said Antony, brushing aside questions on the poor representation at the funeral.
An aide added that Antony’s presence at the "small town" would have led to "protocol requirements". But the minister could have given protocol a miss for once at least.
The defence given for the missing Service chiefs, in turn, was that "reaction time" was "too less" to make arrangements to travel to Wellington, with one VVIP jet deployed with the President who was in Maharastra, and the other kept on "stand-by" for the PM.
But then, some of these VVIPs could have taken a ride with the MoS defence, who took an Embraer Legacy jet to attend the funeral. Or, they could have emulated Lt-Gen Naidu, who took a civilian flight from Delhi in the early hours.
"Shameful," was the response of a wide cross-section of retired and serving armed forces personnel.
Said a Brigadier, "We, as a nation, simply don’t respect or remember our heroes. Cricketing ones are honoured even after 25 years of winning a world cup, soldiering ones are forgotten promptly after the war is over. The nation turns to the armed forces only in times of emergency."
But then, added another officer, what else do you expect from a nation where till recently the Service chiefs were frisked at airports, while even Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra could sail through the security checks. "It’s only after the media took up this issue that the embarrassing matter was resolved," said a Colonel.
Miss India wins `Best National Costume` at Miss Universe
Spicezee Bureau
Mumbai, June 27: Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe, Simran Kaur Mundi has won the Best National Costume title in the ongoing Miss Universe contest being held in Vietnam.
Simran, according to reports has taken her first step towards winning the crown and has become one of the strongest contenders for the Miss Universe crown.
The 5 feet 10 inches Mumbai lass, wore an exotic laacha-choli, designed by Ritu Kumar, which had embroidery orange, gold and green with an underlay of zari work depicting India’s true spirit.
Things are looking good for India at this years’ contest with Simran winning an initial title. Hopefully, she will be able to break the long existent jinx and will make India touch the glory of triumph.
Mumbai, June 27: Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe, Simran Kaur Mundi has won the Best National Costume title in the ongoing Miss Universe contest being held in Vietnam.
Simran, according to reports has taken her first step towards winning the crown and has become one of the strongest contenders for the Miss Universe crown.
The 5 feet 10 inches Mumbai lass, wore an exotic laacha-choli, designed by Ritu Kumar, which had embroidery orange, gold and green with an underlay of zari work depicting India’s true spirit.
Things are looking good for India at this years’ contest with Simran winning an initial title. Hopefully, she will be able to break the long existent jinx and will make India touch the glory of triumph.
US visa office in Hyderabad
Press Trust of India
Friday, June 27, 2008 (Chennai)
The US government has decided to set up a visa office in Hyderabad by the end of 2008, David Hopper, US Consul General, said on Friday.
Announcing this at an 'open house' interaction with the media, Hopper said the full-fledged visa office would be set up at Hyderabad by year-end. This will help students and others in Andhra Pradesh ''to get their visa done in Hyderabad itself instead of travelling to Chennai'', he said.
''Embassy dealing with the Southern States of India receive three lakh applications annually and of this one third are from Andhra Pradesh. In order to ease the process, the US government has decided to set up a full-fledged visa office in Hyderabad'', Hopper said.
The 'Open House' convened by the embassy dealt with the processes of issuance of student visa. Hopper said that a student would need to spend just 60 to 90 minutes for his or her visa.
Referring to bogus documents submitted by students along with visa applications he said, ''We are worried that some student visa applicants do not succeed in obtaining visas because they are confused by the application process and requirements.''
''Sometimes maybe our visa application process is complex. Sometimes applicants view the process as mysterious as they do not know what to expect during the visa interview.
Sometime they may have obtained poor information from consultants, who even conduct mock interviews for the students and misguide them'', he said.
Story Finder
Friday, June 27, 2008 (Chennai)
The US government has decided to set up a visa office in Hyderabad by the end of 2008, David Hopper, US Consul General, said on Friday.
Announcing this at an 'open house' interaction with the media, Hopper said the full-fledged visa office would be set up at Hyderabad by year-end. This will help students and others in Andhra Pradesh ''to get their visa done in Hyderabad itself instead of travelling to Chennai'', he said.
''Embassy dealing with the Southern States of India receive three lakh applications annually and of this one third are from Andhra Pradesh. In order to ease the process, the US government has decided to set up a full-fledged visa office in Hyderabad'', Hopper said.
The 'Open House' convened by the embassy dealt with the processes of issuance of student visa. Hopper said that a student would need to spend just 60 to 90 minutes for his or her visa.
Referring to bogus documents submitted by students along with visa applications he said, ''We are worried that some student visa applicants do not succeed in obtaining visas because they are confused by the application process and requirements.''
''Sometimes maybe our visa application process is complex. Sometimes applicants view the process as mysterious as they do not know what to expect during the visa interview.
Sometime they may have obtained poor information from consultants, who even conduct mock interviews for the students and misguide them'', he said.
Story Finder
'BBC controlled by white cultural elite'
Saturday, 28 June , 2008, 00:31
London:A senior Indian-origin director at the BBC has accused the Corporation of packing the television screen with black and Asian faces while reserving positions of “real power” for a white cultural elite.`
"Despite 30 years of trying, the upper reaches of our industry, the positions of real creative power in British broadcasting, are still controlled by a metropolitan, largely liberal, white, middle class, cultural elite - and, until recently, largely male and largely Oxbridge," said Samir Shah, an independent producer and non-executive director at the BBC.
For more news, analysis | For more Science and Medicine news
Shah told an audience of television insiders at the Royal Television Society Thursday that black and Asian people were embarrassed by the “tick-box” approach of BBC bosses. “The plain fact is that this tick-box approach to equal opportunities has led to an inauthentic representation of who we are: a world of deracinated coloured people flickering across our screens - to the irritation of many viewers and the embarrassment of the very people such actions are meant to appease.”
“Let's not forget that the UK is still 90 percent white. Not everyone lives in London or the West Midlands,” he said in reference to the two most ethnically diverse regions of Britain.
One instance of what he described as the “fine intentions of equal opportunities” going wrong was when the BBC decided to introduce an Asian family in the popular and long-running television soap, "Eastenders." The serial is set in the East End of London, a neighbourhood that is home to a steadily growing and large population of Bangladeshis, but the BBC decided to introduce the Indian-origin Ferreira family.
“If you were to cast an Asian family in the East End, it should have been Bangladeshi. Instead we had a family of Goan descent," said Shah.
Shah said the reason there were so few executives from ethnic minority backgrounds in broadcasting was because managers liked to "clone" themselves when picking other senior staff. "The search for comfort can take precedence over the search for the best, because cultural cloning carries no immediate cost," he added.
Shah said that when recruiting new senior staff, managers should think about the diversity of their team.
He added that if he had a "magic wand," he would "make it incumbent on every major broadcaster and producer in the UK that, within five years, they need to demonstrate that their team of executives with real power over airtime or commissioning budgets come from a variety of different backgrounds, life experiences and ethnicity."
London:A senior Indian-origin director at the BBC has accused the Corporation of packing the television screen with black and Asian faces while reserving positions of “real power” for a white cultural elite.`
"Despite 30 years of trying, the upper reaches of our industry, the positions of real creative power in British broadcasting, are still controlled by a metropolitan, largely liberal, white, middle class, cultural elite - and, until recently, largely male and largely Oxbridge," said Samir Shah, an independent producer and non-executive director at the BBC.
For more news, analysis | For more Science and Medicine news
Shah told an audience of television insiders at the Royal Television Society Thursday that black and Asian people were embarrassed by the “tick-box” approach of BBC bosses. “The plain fact is that this tick-box approach to equal opportunities has led to an inauthentic representation of who we are: a world of deracinated coloured people flickering across our screens - to the irritation of many viewers and the embarrassment of the very people such actions are meant to appease.”
“Let's not forget that the UK is still 90 percent white. Not everyone lives in London or the West Midlands,” he said in reference to the two most ethnically diverse regions of Britain.
One instance of what he described as the “fine intentions of equal opportunities” going wrong was when the BBC decided to introduce an Asian family in the popular and long-running television soap, "Eastenders." The serial is set in the East End of London, a neighbourhood that is home to a steadily growing and large population of Bangladeshis, but the BBC decided to introduce the Indian-origin Ferreira family.
“If you were to cast an Asian family in the East End, it should have been Bangladeshi. Instead we had a family of Goan descent," said Shah.
Shah said the reason there were so few executives from ethnic minority backgrounds in broadcasting was because managers liked to "clone" themselves when picking other senior staff. "The search for comfort can take precedence over the search for the best, because cultural cloning carries no immediate cost," he added.
Shah said that when recruiting new senior staff, managers should think about the diversity of their team.
He added that if he had a "magic wand," he would "make it incumbent on every major broadcaster and producer in the UK that, within five years, they need to demonstrate that their team of executives with real power over airtime or commissioning budgets come from a variety of different backgrounds, life experiences and ethnicity."
Majority of Drug Addicts in India Are HIV Positive
Written by Sapna Mhatre
Friday, 27 June 2008
THURSDAY, June 26, (News Locale) - One of the major risk factors for developing HIV/AIDS infection is drug addiction. A recent study by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) finds that a majority of drug addicts in the Indian subcontinent are in fact HIV positive.
The report says that these drug users are also not aware that sharing needles could lead to HIV. Furthermore these individuals are also more likely to have unsafe sexual habits thus exposing them to the risk of contracting HIV.
The rapid situation and response assessment (RSRA) survey of drugs and HIV in India involved some 6,000 drug addicts in the country. The survey found more than 1400 drug users had lent their used syringes to fellow addicts and another 1279 had borrowed syringes from fellow addicts.
The report added that most drug users fell in the age group of 21 to 30 years and that just 20 percent of them used a condom before having sexual intercourse. A majority of them had multiple sexual partners as well.
Other startling statistics from the report are that just 23 percent of them used condom while having casual sex although 72.7 percent of them knew that condom protects against HIV.
"HIV infection is often associated with unsafe injecting drug practices - the use of contaminated injecting equipment is a major route of HIV transmission," UNODC says on its website."Once the virus is introduced into an injecting drug user community, prevalence can rise up to 90 percent in a short space of time."
Friday, 27 June 2008
THURSDAY, June 26, (News Locale) - One of the major risk factors for developing HIV/AIDS infection is drug addiction. A recent study by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) finds that a majority of drug addicts in the Indian subcontinent are in fact HIV positive.
The report says that these drug users are also not aware that sharing needles could lead to HIV. Furthermore these individuals are also more likely to have unsafe sexual habits thus exposing them to the risk of contracting HIV.
The rapid situation and response assessment (RSRA) survey of drugs and HIV in India involved some 6,000 drug addicts in the country. The survey found more than 1400 drug users had lent their used syringes to fellow addicts and another 1279 had borrowed syringes from fellow addicts.
The report added that most drug users fell in the age group of 21 to 30 years and that just 20 percent of them used a condom before having sexual intercourse. A majority of them had multiple sexual partners as well.
Other startling statistics from the report are that just 23 percent of them used condom while having casual sex although 72.7 percent of them knew that condom protects against HIV.
"HIV infection is often associated with unsafe injecting drug practices - the use of contaminated injecting equipment is a major route of HIV transmission," UNODC says on its website."Once the virus is introduced into an injecting drug user community, prevalence can rise up to 90 percent in a short space of time."
Bill Gates retires
Erick Schonfeld
TechCrunch.com
Friday, June 27, 2008; 12:09 PM
Today, Bill Gates is retiring as an employee of Microsoft to focus on his philanthropic foundation. More than any other single person, Gates defined the PC era. His products touch nearly every computer user on the planet. And he created what is still the biggest technology wealth machine in Microsoft. But now that he is leaving, who will fill his shoes?
I don't mean who will fill his shoes at Microsoft. Gates stepped back from day-to-day management years ago, handing his business responsibilities to CEO Steve Ballmer and technology responsibilities to chief software architect Ray Ozzie. What I mean is: Who will carry on his legacy and define the current Web era of computing?
It is unlikely there will ever be another Bill Gates if for the only reason that Gates' influence stemmed from his control of the computing platform of choice (the PC, through Windows). The computing platform of choice today is the Web, and no single person or company can control that. But there are plenty of Web company founders out there?from large companies to small startups?that are turning the Web into a platform for applications and creating new kinds of software as a result.
In fact, there are many application platforms emerging on the Web. There is Facebook and Open Social for social networking apps. Salesforce.com AppExchange for enterprise apps. And more generic cloud computing services such as Amazon's Web Services and Google's App Engine for any kind of app. And soon these will be extended to mobile devices as well with the iPhone and Google's Android.
ad_icon
The resulting software being built on top of these and other Web platforms is qualitatively different than PC software. It is connected to other software and other people. That makes it inherently social and driven by communications rather than productivity. It can also be taken apart and spread to other Websites, or even put back on the desktop, in the form of widgets.
So who is filling Gates' shoes? Lots of people are collectively, starting with Google's Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Salesforce.com's Marc Benioff to Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Slide's Max Levchin, and Twitter's Evan Williams. These are some of the names we came up with for Reuters, who asked us to put together a list of "Entrepreneurs to watch" box, which you can read on Reuters as part of its Bill Gates coverage (it's the interactive box at the bottom of the page).
Below after the break are the people we chose, along with why we chose them. This is just a representative sample, and was written for a general audience. Add your own candidates in comments along with why you think they deserve to be recognized.
Sergey Brin/ Larry Page (Google founders)The two people most likely to carry on Bill Gates? legacy also happen to be his biggest nemeses. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page are already nerdy, brainy billionaires and are taking on Microsoft on multiple fronts?from search to online applications. And, in fact, when it comes to making money on the Web, it is Microsoft that is trying to catch up to Google.Just like Windows is the starting point for everything people do on their PCs, for many people Google?s search engine is the starting point for everything they do on the Web. Brin and Page are building on top of that with online applications and other products aimed directly at Microsoft?s other businesses such as Gmail (Outlook), Google Docs (Office), and Android (Windows Mobile). Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder and CEO)Jeff Bezos, one of Seattle?s other billionaires, is best known for bringing shopping online with Amazon.com. But over the past few years, Bezos has started selling something besides books and digital cameras. In his eyes Amazon.com is just a massive Web application that sits in the cloud.He is now offering Amazon?s ?cloud computing? infrastructure to other companies that don?t want to have to build their own data centers to store data or run a Web applications. Through a series of ?Web services,? companies can buy data storage, compute cycles, and database access from Amazon, and pay only for what they use. In this way, Bezos is helping to define the next era of Web-scale computing. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder and CEO)If there is one person who reminds people the most of the young Bill Gates, it is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The 24-year old is a Harvard drop-out (like Gates) and is building his company with the focus and singular vision of making it the operating system for social applications.The rise and success of Facebook is largely due to the fact that it is a platform for Web applications created by other developers (just as Windows is a platform for PC applications). And Zuckerberg has created a mini-economy around Facebook. Maybe these similarities are what convinced Microsoft to invest $240 million in Facebook last fall. Marc Benioff (Salesforce founder and CEO)Just like consumer applications, enterprise software is moving to the Web as well. One of the first entrepreneurs to capitalize on this shift is Marc Benioff. His company, Salesforce.com, began by selling browser-based customer relationship management (CRM) software as a subscription service over the Web.Taking a page from the Bill Gates playbook, he?s extended his pay-by-the-drink concept to other areas of enterprise software and opened up Salesforce.com as platform for other companies to build and distribute their own Web-based software. Max Levchin (Slide founder and CEO)A Ukrainian-born programmer, Max Levchin started his career as the co-founder and CTO of PayPal, which was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. Two years later he founded Slide, which pioneered a new type of software known as a widget. Slide?s widgets typically draw data from the Web and are geared towards self-expression. They can appear on your desktop or added to other Websites such as Facebook.Slide?s Facebook applications, which include FunWall and SuperPoke, boast more active users than any other company?s. In January, Levchin raised $50 million for Slide, giving the company a valuation of half a billion dollars. Kevin Rose (Digg founder)If software is becoming social, there is no better example than Digg. The popular news site attracts 15 million visitors a month, according to comScore. Digg relies entirely on its readers to submit headlines and links to articles, and vote them to the homepage.Digg is the brainchild of founder Kevin Rose, who has mastered the art of teasing wisdom from the crowd. It is not so much about the underlying algorithms that power Digg as it is about setting the right conditions to give people the incentive to contribute. Evan Williams (Twitter)The Web at its core is a communications medium, and Evan Williams keeps coming up with new ways to for people to communicate over it. He founded Blogger, one of the original and largest Web-based blogging services, which he sold to Google in 2003. More recently he co-founded Twitter, a micro-blogging service that lets people broadcast short text messages of no more than 140 characters.By limiting the length of the messages, Twitter effectively lowers the barriers to communicating. After all, it is much easier to send a Tweet than to write an entire blog post.The service is growing so fast that it is hitting serious scaling issues and if often down. But the company raised $15 million to help solve those issues. One of the investors: Jeff Bezos Stewart Butterfield/ Caterina Fake (Flickr founders)Husband-and-wife team Stewart Butterfield and Caterina Fake created the most successful photo-sharing site on the Web with Flickr. By default, every photo uploaded to the site is public to encourage sharing and can easily be displayed on other sites as well. Flickr shows what can happen when you take personal media and put it online. Instead of being forgotten in a shoebox, a photo you took two years ago can be discovered and enjoyed by someone halfway around the world.After it was purchased by Yahoo in 2005 for an estimated $35 million, Butterfield and Fake stayed on. The service kept growing and eventually replaced Yahoo Photos. It now attracts 54 million visitors a month worldwide, according to comScore. Both recently departed Yahoo, which is undergoing management turmoil, but keep an eye on them to see what they do next. Paul Buchheit and Bret Taylor (FriendFeed founders)On the Web, it can be hard to keep track all the information and services that are available. FriendFeed, a startup that launched publicly earlier this year, helps you manage the information overload by pulling together the online activities of all your friends in one place. You can see all of your friends? blog posts, Twitters, Flickr photos, stories they vote up on Digg, and YouTube videos they like, among other things, all in one feed. This turns out to be an effective, and addictive, information filter.Two of FriendFeed?s co-founders are ex-Googlers Paul Buchheit and BretTaylor. Buchheit was the 23rd employee at Google, where he created Gmail and implemented many of its innovative features. He developed the original prototype of Google AdSense, and was responsible for Google?s famous ?Don?t be evil? motto. Taylor led the development of Google Maps and Google Local.
TechCrunch.com
Friday, June 27, 2008; 12:09 PM
Today, Bill Gates is retiring as an employee of Microsoft to focus on his philanthropic foundation. More than any other single person, Gates defined the PC era. His products touch nearly every computer user on the planet. And he created what is still the biggest technology wealth machine in Microsoft. But now that he is leaving, who will fill his shoes?
I don't mean who will fill his shoes at Microsoft. Gates stepped back from day-to-day management years ago, handing his business responsibilities to CEO Steve Ballmer and technology responsibilities to chief software architect Ray Ozzie. What I mean is: Who will carry on his legacy and define the current Web era of computing?
It is unlikely there will ever be another Bill Gates if for the only reason that Gates' influence stemmed from his control of the computing platform of choice (the PC, through Windows). The computing platform of choice today is the Web, and no single person or company can control that. But there are plenty of Web company founders out there?from large companies to small startups?that are turning the Web into a platform for applications and creating new kinds of software as a result.
In fact, there are many application platforms emerging on the Web. There is Facebook and Open Social for social networking apps. Salesforce.com AppExchange for enterprise apps. And more generic cloud computing services such as Amazon's Web Services and Google's App Engine for any kind of app. And soon these will be extended to mobile devices as well with the iPhone and Google's Android.
ad_icon
The resulting software being built on top of these and other Web platforms is qualitatively different than PC software. It is connected to other software and other people. That makes it inherently social and driven by communications rather than productivity. It can also be taken apart and spread to other Websites, or even put back on the desktop, in the form of widgets.
So who is filling Gates' shoes? Lots of people are collectively, starting with Google's Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Salesforce.com's Marc Benioff to Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Slide's Max Levchin, and Twitter's Evan Williams. These are some of the names we came up with for Reuters, who asked us to put together a list of "Entrepreneurs to watch" box, which you can read on Reuters as part of its Bill Gates coverage (it's the interactive box at the bottom of the page).
Below after the break are the people we chose, along with why we chose them. This is just a representative sample, and was written for a general audience. Add your own candidates in comments along with why you think they deserve to be recognized.
Sergey Brin/ Larry Page (Google founders)The two people most likely to carry on Bill Gates? legacy also happen to be his biggest nemeses. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page are already nerdy, brainy billionaires and are taking on Microsoft on multiple fronts?from search to online applications. And, in fact, when it comes to making money on the Web, it is Microsoft that is trying to catch up to Google.Just like Windows is the starting point for everything people do on their PCs, for many people Google?s search engine is the starting point for everything they do on the Web. Brin and Page are building on top of that with online applications and other products aimed directly at Microsoft?s other businesses such as Gmail (Outlook), Google Docs (Office), and Android (Windows Mobile). Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder and CEO)Jeff Bezos, one of Seattle?s other billionaires, is best known for bringing shopping online with Amazon.com. But over the past few years, Bezos has started selling something besides books and digital cameras. In his eyes Amazon.com is just a massive Web application that sits in the cloud.He is now offering Amazon?s ?cloud computing? infrastructure to other companies that don?t want to have to build their own data centers to store data or run a Web applications. Through a series of ?Web services,? companies can buy data storage, compute cycles, and database access from Amazon, and pay only for what they use. In this way, Bezos is helping to define the next era of Web-scale computing. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder and CEO)If there is one person who reminds people the most of the young Bill Gates, it is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The 24-year old is a Harvard drop-out (like Gates) and is building his company with the focus and singular vision of making it the operating system for social applications.The rise and success of Facebook is largely due to the fact that it is a platform for Web applications created by other developers (just as Windows is a platform for PC applications). And Zuckerberg has created a mini-economy around Facebook. Maybe these similarities are what convinced Microsoft to invest $240 million in Facebook last fall. Marc Benioff (Salesforce founder and CEO)Just like consumer applications, enterprise software is moving to the Web as well. One of the first entrepreneurs to capitalize on this shift is Marc Benioff. His company, Salesforce.com, began by selling browser-based customer relationship management (CRM) software as a subscription service over the Web.Taking a page from the Bill Gates playbook, he?s extended his pay-by-the-drink concept to other areas of enterprise software and opened up Salesforce.com as platform for other companies to build and distribute their own Web-based software. Max Levchin (Slide founder and CEO)A Ukrainian-born programmer, Max Levchin started his career as the co-founder and CTO of PayPal, which was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. Two years later he founded Slide, which pioneered a new type of software known as a widget. Slide?s widgets typically draw data from the Web and are geared towards self-expression. They can appear on your desktop or added to other Websites such as Facebook.Slide?s Facebook applications, which include FunWall and SuperPoke, boast more active users than any other company?s. In January, Levchin raised $50 million for Slide, giving the company a valuation of half a billion dollars. Kevin Rose (Digg founder)If software is becoming social, there is no better example than Digg. The popular news site attracts 15 million visitors a month, according to comScore. Digg relies entirely on its readers to submit headlines and links to articles, and vote them to the homepage.Digg is the brainchild of founder Kevin Rose, who has mastered the art of teasing wisdom from the crowd. It is not so much about the underlying algorithms that power Digg as it is about setting the right conditions to give people the incentive to contribute. Evan Williams (Twitter)The Web at its core is a communications medium, and Evan Williams keeps coming up with new ways to for people to communicate over it. He founded Blogger, one of the original and largest Web-based blogging services, which he sold to Google in 2003. More recently he co-founded Twitter, a micro-blogging service that lets people broadcast short text messages of no more than 140 characters.By limiting the length of the messages, Twitter effectively lowers the barriers to communicating. After all, it is much easier to send a Tweet than to write an entire blog post.The service is growing so fast that it is hitting serious scaling issues and if often down. But the company raised $15 million to help solve those issues. One of the investors: Jeff Bezos Stewart Butterfield/ Caterina Fake (Flickr founders)Husband-and-wife team Stewart Butterfield and Caterina Fake created the most successful photo-sharing site on the Web with Flickr. By default, every photo uploaded to the site is public to encourage sharing and can easily be displayed on other sites as well. Flickr shows what can happen when you take personal media and put it online. Instead of being forgotten in a shoebox, a photo you took two years ago can be discovered and enjoyed by someone halfway around the world.After it was purchased by Yahoo in 2005 for an estimated $35 million, Butterfield and Fake stayed on. The service kept growing and eventually replaced Yahoo Photos. It now attracts 54 million visitors a month worldwide, according to comScore. Both recently departed Yahoo, which is undergoing management turmoil, but keep an eye on them to see what they do next. Paul Buchheit and Bret Taylor (FriendFeed founders)On the Web, it can be hard to keep track all the information and services that are available. FriendFeed, a startup that launched publicly earlier this year, helps you manage the information overload by pulling together the online activities of all your friends in one place. You can see all of your friends? blog posts, Twitters, Flickr photos, stories they vote up on Digg, and YouTube videos they like, among other things, all in one feed. This turns out to be an effective, and addictive, information filter.Two of FriendFeed?s co-founders are ex-Googlers Paul Buchheit and BretTaylor. Buchheit was the 23rd employee at Google, where he created Gmail and implemented many of its innovative features. He developed the original prototype of Google AdSense, and was responsible for Google?s famous ?Don?t be evil? motto. Taylor led the development of Google Maps and Google Local.
“Sweety, I am always ready.” When asked by Indira Gandhi whether “he was ready [for the war],” Manekshaw replied
NEW DELHI: ‘Sam’ Maneskhaw backed his men through and through. And, his self-belief rubbed on to his men.
He would back officers even if some of them developed a fondness for the bottle that made them anathema in the eyes of some of his more punctilious colleagues. ‘Sam’ felt that the indiscretions of youth could be overlooked if the officer was courageous and a brilliant tactician, one whom soldiers would follow unquestioningly.
Thus, when the 1971 war came about, the General had around him officers who were not afraid to speak out their mind but when ordered to do so, would fulfil their missions with the dedication of evangelists. Like Major General Ian Cordozo who cut off his leg without anaesthesia after gangrene had set in during the battle at Sylhet in Bangladesh. Manekshaw conveyed to his Eastern Command chief Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s wish to move quickly into East Pakistan in 1971. On being asked by General Jacob to wait till the end of monsoons, ‘Sam’ accepted his commander’s advice and did not budge when requested by the political leadership to launch operations immediately.
Asked by Indira Gandhi whether “he was ready [for the war],” Sam replied, “Sweety, I am always ready.” But he stood solidly by the assessment of his field commanders, who felt that a military campaign which began in summer would not be concluded successfully because of the monsoon. This lead to the famous four words from Jagjivan Ram, then Defence Minister: Sam, ab maan bhi jao (Sam, please do agree).
Manekshaw was proved right. By the time war was declared, the army had over eight lakh men, about 300 fighter planes, 1,500 tanks and 3,000 artillery pieces. The Pakistan Army had less than half that number of men, fighter jets, tanks and artillery pieces.
‘Sam’ had mentored many of the officers serving under him. Pakistani military historian Shuja Nawaz recalls that the war gaming models by an Indian officer about Pakistan’s likely offensive in Jammu during the 1965 war were so accurate. It was as if he had read the Pakistan commander’s mind. The Indian army officer later revealed that he had developed these ideas while serving under a certain Brigadier Manekshaw in an infantry school.
The sterling display by the army in 1971 under Manekshaw could not have happened without a combination of factors. Having noted Foreign Minister Swaran Singh’s advice to not venture into the war without an influential international friend, Indira Gandhi signed the 20-year friendship treaty with the Soviet Union which instantly increased the availability of weapons. Foreign journalists expelled from East Pakistan were smuggled back by India to write on the Mukti Bahini’s successes and the Pakistan Army’s excesses. This put Pakistan on the backfoot as far as the liberal international opinion was concerned.
The 1971 war saw several instances of jointsmanship among the armed forces. Naval jets accompanied IAF fighters to pound Chittagong. The navy made innovative use of high-speed short distance missile boats by towing them towards the Pakistan coast at night and launching a lightning attack on ships in the Karachi port from the southern side even as IAF fighters appeared from the eastern side. Indeed this thread of all the three forces chipping in their might made the 1971 war a delight to execute for its Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals.
While Manekshaw was adamant about delaying the military campaign till the monsoon had receded, he was flexible on many occasions. A firm believer in the Clausewetzian theory of that war is continuation of politics by other means, Manekshaw accepted the creation of a joint military command in which the head of the Mukti Bahini (a retired colonel) was given the title of a general and made the East Pakistan’s counterpart of Eastern Command chief Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh. This was essentially a political arrangement and Manekshaw saw sense in accepting this gesture aimed at respecting Bangladesh’s status as an independent nation and its sensibilities. And as result, the Indian Army’s Eastern Command received a steady flow of priceless intelligence about the Pakistan Army.
And then there was Manekshaw’s attitude of not pulling rank if the advice was sensible. The Eastern Command wanted Dhaka as the final objective but the East Pakistan capital was missing from Manekshaw’s battle plans. An intense debate ensued at Fort William in Calcutta, the army’s Eastern Command headquarters, and battle plans were modified to include the capture of Dhaka as a key objective of the attack on East Pakistan. No debate of this kind was conducted at the Pakistan Army’s central headquarters in Rawalpindi, rues Shuja Nawaz.
All these combined to give a decisive victory for the Indian armed forces and helped create a nation that gave the lie to the two-nation theory.
He would back officers even if some of them developed a fondness for the bottle that made them anathema in the eyes of some of his more punctilious colleagues. ‘Sam’ felt that the indiscretions of youth could be overlooked if the officer was courageous and a brilliant tactician, one whom soldiers would follow unquestioningly.
Thus, when the 1971 war came about, the General had around him officers who were not afraid to speak out their mind but when ordered to do so, would fulfil their missions with the dedication of evangelists. Like Major General Ian Cordozo who cut off his leg without anaesthesia after gangrene had set in during the battle at Sylhet in Bangladesh. Manekshaw conveyed to his Eastern Command chief Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s wish to move quickly into East Pakistan in 1971. On being asked by General Jacob to wait till the end of monsoons, ‘Sam’ accepted his commander’s advice and did not budge when requested by the political leadership to launch operations immediately.
Asked by Indira Gandhi whether “he was ready [for the war],” Sam replied, “Sweety, I am always ready.” But he stood solidly by the assessment of his field commanders, who felt that a military campaign which began in summer would not be concluded successfully because of the monsoon. This lead to the famous four words from Jagjivan Ram, then Defence Minister: Sam, ab maan bhi jao (Sam, please do agree).
Manekshaw was proved right. By the time war was declared, the army had over eight lakh men, about 300 fighter planes, 1,500 tanks and 3,000 artillery pieces. The Pakistan Army had less than half that number of men, fighter jets, tanks and artillery pieces.
‘Sam’ had mentored many of the officers serving under him. Pakistani military historian Shuja Nawaz recalls that the war gaming models by an Indian officer about Pakistan’s likely offensive in Jammu during the 1965 war were so accurate. It was as if he had read the Pakistan commander’s mind. The Indian army officer later revealed that he had developed these ideas while serving under a certain Brigadier Manekshaw in an infantry school.
The sterling display by the army in 1971 under Manekshaw could not have happened without a combination of factors. Having noted Foreign Minister Swaran Singh’s advice to not venture into the war without an influential international friend, Indira Gandhi signed the 20-year friendship treaty with the Soviet Union which instantly increased the availability of weapons. Foreign journalists expelled from East Pakistan were smuggled back by India to write on the Mukti Bahini’s successes and the Pakistan Army’s excesses. This put Pakistan on the backfoot as far as the liberal international opinion was concerned.
The 1971 war saw several instances of jointsmanship among the armed forces. Naval jets accompanied IAF fighters to pound Chittagong. The navy made innovative use of high-speed short distance missile boats by towing them towards the Pakistan coast at night and launching a lightning attack on ships in the Karachi port from the southern side even as IAF fighters appeared from the eastern side. Indeed this thread of all the three forces chipping in their might made the 1971 war a delight to execute for its Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals.
While Manekshaw was adamant about delaying the military campaign till the monsoon had receded, he was flexible on many occasions. A firm believer in the Clausewetzian theory of that war is continuation of politics by other means, Manekshaw accepted the creation of a joint military command in which the head of the Mukti Bahini (a retired colonel) was given the title of a general and made the East Pakistan’s counterpart of Eastern Command chief Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh. This was essentially a political arrangement and Manekshaw saw sense in accepting this gesture aimed at respecting Bangladesh’s status as an independent nation and its sensibilities. And as result, the Indian Army’s Eastern Command received a steady flow of priceless intelligence about the Pakistan Army.
And then there was Manekshaw’s attitude of not pulling rank if the advice was sensible. The Eastern Command wanted Dhaka as the final objective but the East Pakistan capital was missing from Manekshaw’s battle plans. An intense debate ensued at Fort William in Calcutta, the army’s Eastern Command headquarters, and battle plans were modified to include the capture of Dhaka as a key objective of the attack on East Pakistan. No debate of this kind was conducted at the Pakistan Army’s central headquarters in Rawalpindi, rues Shuja Nawaz.
All these combined to give a decisive victory for the Indian armed forces and helped create a nation that gave the lie to the two-nation theory.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Manekshaw dead: Defence Minister sends condolences
CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 01:55, Updated at Fri, Jun 27, 2008 in Nation section
TagsTags: Sam Manekshaw, A K Antony , New Delhi
E-mail this report | Print this report
GREAT LOSS: Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday condoled the death of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
GREAT LOSS: Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday condoled the death of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
Featured Blog
Saqib Malik
Let the Yatra Go Green
Featured Slideshows
Ads by Google
New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday condoled the death of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw. Following is the full text of the message:
"I am deeply grieved to learn of the demise of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw. His nearly four decades long career with the Army saw him hold several important positions. He was also one of the most decorated officers of the Indian Army. In his demise, the nation has lost a great soldier, a true patriot and a noble son.
Field Marshal Manekshaw had a rare knack of motivating the jawans and was a man of ideas and action. He led from the front in the 1971 war and on several other occasions. Sam Manekshaw was one of the 40 cadets of the first batch that passed out from Indian Military Academy.
His demise has left behind a void that will be really hard to fill. Field Marshal Manekshaw will be fondly remembered by our Armed Forces and the nation alike.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the members of the bereaved family”
Read Comment | Post Comment
Ads by Google
More Headlines from Nation
TimePublished on Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 01:55, Updated at Fri, Jun 27, 2008 in Nation section
TagsTags: Sam Manekshaw, A K Antony , New Delhi
E-mail this report | Print this report
GREAT LOSS: Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday condoled the death of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
GREAT LOSS: Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday condoled the death of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
Featured Blog
Saqib Malik
Let the Yatra Go Green
Featured Slideshows
Ads by Google
New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday condoled the death of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw. Following is the full text of the message:
"I am deeply grieved to learn of the demise of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw. His nearly four decades long career with the Army saw him hold several important positions. He was also one of the most decorated officers of the Indian Army. In his demise, the nation has lost a great soldier, a true patriot and a noble son.
Field Marshal Manekshaw had a rare knack of motivating the jawans and was a man of ideas and action. He led from the front in the 1971 war and on several other occasions. Sam Manekshaw was one of the 40 cadets of the first batch that passed out from Indian Military Academy.
His demise has left behind a void that will be really hard to fill. Field Marshal Manekshaw will be fondly remembered by our Armed Forces and the nation alike.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the members of the bereaved family”
Read Comment | Post Comment
Ads by Google
More Headlines from Nation
U.S.-Pakistan Alliance in Trouble
June 26, 2008
Author:
Jayshree Bajoria
U.S.-Pakistan Alliance in Trouble
Pakistani tribal villagers rally after an alleged U.S. missile attack near the Afghanistan border on May 15, 2008. (AP/Mohammad Sajjad)
Increased military action by U.S. forces in Afghanistan to target suspected terrorists in Pakistan's tribal areas is putting a strain on Washington's already tense relationship with Islamabad. A June 10 U.S. air strike (IHT) in which Pakistan's army says eleven of its soldiers died was followed, just weeks later, by NATO forces firing into Pakistan (LAT) after being struck by rockets launched from Pakistani territory. The U.S. and Afghan governments consistently blame militants ensconced in safe havens in Pakistan's tribal areas for violence in Afghanistan, even though the Pakistani government says it's doing all it can to prevent such attacks. But now, patience on both sides has frayed. Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week threatened to send troops (Guardian) inside Pakistan to hunt down the militants. On June 25, Afghan officials publicly accused Pakistan’s intelligence service of plotting to assassinate (NYT) Karzai in April, further escalating tensions between the countries. Pakistan called the allegations baseless (AFP).
U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern about the Pakistani's strategy toward militants in the tribal areas. Specifically, they warn that ongoing peace talks between Pakistan's newly elected government and tribal leaders in the border region may be leading to increased violence in Afghanistan. NATO spokesman Mark Laity cautioned (Dawn) against the peace deals, saying that such accords have fueled the Afghan insurgency in the past. Amid the ongoing peace talks, militants executed a twenty-two-member peace committee of tribal elders (al-Jazeera). Even so, polls continue to show a majority in Pakistan favor talks with the militants over military action. For instance, a May poll by Terror Free Tomorrow (PDF), a group that includes Sen. John McCain and 9/11 Commission co-chairs Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean on its advisory board, found that 58 percent of Pakistanis surveyed favored negotiations, while only 19 percent favored U.S. military action against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Meanwhile, serious political differences exist within Pakistan's ruling coalition on issues relating to constitutional amendments, proposals to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, and the reinstatement of judges deposed during a November 2007 state of emergency. Lisa Curtis, South Asia expert at the Heritage Foundation, believes the political maneuvering in Islamabad is distracting the Pakistani government from dealing with growing militancy in the tribal areas. Experts say the unclear power dynamic between the newly elected civilian leaders and the army, arguably the country's dominant institution, raises questions about the long-term viability of the partnership. A new report by RAND Corporation's Seth G. Jones goes further, charging that some individuals in the Pakistani government continue to support (PDF) militant groups inside Pakistan.
But experts caution against taking Pakistani political rhetoric, often aimed at a domestic audience, at face value. Newsweek's Michael Hirsh reports that Pakistan has been quietly discussing counterinsurgency plans in the tribal areas with Gen. David Petraeus, the next commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), under which the Afghan conflict falls. At the same time, many worry that unilateral military action by the United States would be counterproductive. Ashley J. Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace writes in The Washington Quarterly that the Pakistan polity, army, and intelligence services "are still deeply suspicious of long-term U.S. intentions in the region" (PDF). Xenia Dormandy of Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs argues: "If America wants to succeed in the War on Terror, it needs the support of Pakistan. Refocusing the problem to address Pakistan’s needs is the only way of doing this."
Author:
Jayshree Bajoria
U.S.-Pakistan Alliance in Trouble
Pakistani tribal villagers rally after an alleged U.S. missile attack near the Afghanistan border on May 15, 2008. (AP/Mohammad Sajjad)
Increased military action by U.S. forces in Afghanistan to target suspected terrorists in Pakistan's tribal areas is putting a strain on Washington's already tense relationship with Islamabad. A June 10 U.S. air strike (IHT) in which Pakistan's army says eleven of its soldiers died was followed, just weeks later, by NATO forces firing into Pakistan (LAT) after being struck by rockets launched from Pakistani territory. The U.S. and Afghan governments consistently blame militants ensconced in safe havens in Pakistan's tribal areas for violence in Afghanistan, even though the Pakistani government says it's doing all it can to prevent such attacks. But now, patience on both sides has frayed. Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week threatened to send troops (Guardian) inside Pakistan to hunt down the militants. On June 25, Afghan officials publicly accused Pakistan’s intelligence service of plotting to assassinate (NYT) Karzai in April, further escalating tensions between the countries. Pakistan called the allegations baseless (AFP).
U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern about the Pakistani's strategy toward militants in the tribal areas. Specifically, they warn that ongoing peace talks between Pakistan's newly elected government and tribal leaders in the border region may be leading to increased violence in Afghanistan. NATO spokesman Mark Laity cautioned (Dawn) against the peace deals, saying that such accords have fueled the Afghan insurgency in the past. Amid the ongoing peace talks, militants executed a twenty-two-member peace committee of tribal elders (al-Jazeera). Even so, polls continue to show a majority in Pakistan favor talks with the militants over military action. For instance, a May poll by Terror Free Tomorrow (PDF), a group that includes Sen. John McCain and 9/11 Commission co-chairs Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean on its advisory board, found that 58 percent of Pakistanis surveyed favored negotiations, while only 19 percent favored U.S. military action against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Meanwhile, serious political differences exist within Pakistan's ruling coalition on issues relating to constitutional amendments, proposals to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, and the reinstatement of judges deposed during a November 2007 state of emergency. Lisa Curtis, South Asia expert at the Heritage Foundation, believes the political maneuvering in Islamabad is distracting the Pakistani government from dealing with growing militancy in the tribal areas. Experts say the unclear power dynamic between the newly elected civilian leaders and the army, arguably the country's dominant institution, raises questions about the long-term viability of the partnership. A new report by RAND Corporation's Seth G. Jones goes further, charging that some individuals in the Pakistani government continue to support (PDF) militant groups inside Pakistan.
But experts caution against taking Pakistani political rhetoric, often aimed at a domestic audience, at face value. Newsweek's Michael Hirsh reports that Pakistan has been quietly discussing counterinsurgency plans in the tribal areas with Gen. David Petraeus, the next commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), under which the Afghan conflict falls. At the same time, many worry that unilateral military action by the United States would be counterproductive. Ashley J. Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace writes in The Washington Quarterly that the Pakistan polity, army, and intelligence services "are still deeply suspicious of long-term U.S. intentions in the region" (PDF). Xenia Dormandy of Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs argues: "If America wants to succeed in the War on Terror, it needs the support of Pakistan. Refocusing the problem to address Pakistan’s needs is the only way of doing this."
Kalam firmly backs nuke deal with US
Indo-Asian News Service
Thursday, June 26, 2008 (Bangalore)
India will benefit from the proposed civil nuclear deal with the US, as it needs a steady supply of uranium, former president APJ Abdul Kalam said in Bangalore on Thursday.
''We need a steady supply of uranium till we build thorium reactors. The proposed civilian nuclear deal with the US will help us,'' Kalam told reporters on the sidelines of an aerospace technologies summit.
His comments come at a time when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre is struggling to press ahead with the deal because of stiff opposition from its Left allies.
Backing the UPA government on the deal, Kalam said the country needed to tap alternate sources of energy such as hydel, thermal, solar and bio-fuels, but at the same time nuclear energy would be able to meet the growing power requirement.
''We need to harness alternate and renewable energy resources such as hydel, solar and bio-fuels, while power generation from thermal resources leads to certain environmental problems,'' Kalam said.
The former president, however, declined to comment on the strident opposition to the deal by the Left Front and reservations expressed by a section of nuclear scientists.
Story Finder
Thursday, June 26, 2008 (Bangalore)
India will benefit from the proposed civil nuclear deal with the US, as it needs a steady supply of uranium, former president APJ Abdul Kalam said in Bangalore on Thursday.
''We need a steady supply of uranium till we build thorium reactors. The proposed civilian nuclear deal with the US will help us,'' Kalam told reporters on the sidelines of an aerospace technologies summit.
His comments come at a time when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre is struggling to press ahead with the deal because of stiff opposition from its Left allies.
Backing the UPA government on the deal, Kalam said the country needed to tap alternate sources of energy such as hydel, thermal, solar and bio-fuels, but at the same time nuclear energy would be able to meet the growing power requirement.
''We need to harness alternate and renewable energy resources such as hydel, solar and bio-fuels, while power generation from thermal resources leads to certain environmental problems,'' Kalam said.
The former president, however, declined to comment on the strident opposition to the deal by the Left Front and reservations expressed by a section of nuclear scientists.
Story Finder
Viv Richards still shudders at that 1983 shot'
'
Thursday, 26 June , 2008, 17:51
Last Updated: Thursday, 26 June , 2008, 19:32
London: Twenty-five years after winning the cricket World Cup, team members sparkled as they talked about the key moments of the Lord's final that catapulted India to a world-beating side.
And after skipper Kapil Dev, the man who was most sought after at a media event Wednesday was Delhi all-rounder Madan Lal, who bagged the prize wicket of Viv Richards, one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Special: How we became Lords of Lord's | Click here for more cricket news..
Richards, on 33, was hammering the Indian bowling when Kapil asked Madan Lal to take a short rest. But Madan Lal, rather than lose heart, asked Kapil for one more over.
The imperious Richards pulled, miscued and holed out to Kapil, who took a running catch at square leg.
"I think Viv must be coming here every year to see that ball," joked Madan Lal.
"Every year, he comes here and asks, 'why did I hit that ball!!'" he guffawed, warming to the subject.
Special: Wimbledon 2008 | Image Gallery | Click here for more tennis news..
"He's such a great batsman. But when a great batsman like him goes after you, you know you can get him out.
"I knew Kapil would catch the ball. He was a very good fielder."
Other than Richard's famous wicket, Kapil thought the turning point in the match was when Roger Binny took the wicket of rival skipper Clive Lloyd, again caught by Kapil.
"Once Lloyd was out, we knew we would win… because he had the maximum experience," said Kapil of the sixth wicket.
"After seven or eight wickets we thought we could win it," added Madan Lal.
Special: Euro 2008 | Click here for latest football news..
What the ageing squad enjoys most is to reflect on the last wicket - that of fast bowler Michael Holding.
"When Holding played the pull, I naturally ran to pick up the ball and save the single," recalled Gavaskar.
"And then I heard this huge roar, and I knew it was an LBW.
"So I just picked up the ball and put in my pocket."
Thursday, 26 June , 2008, 17:51
Last Updated: Thursday, 26 June , 2008, 19:32
London: Twenty-five years after winning the cricket World Cup, team members sparkled as they talked about the key moments of the Lord's final that catapulted India to a world-beating side.
And after skipper Kapil Dev, the man who was most sought after at a media event Wednesday was Delhi all-rounder Madan Lal, who bagged the prize wicket of Viv Richards, one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Special: How we became Lords of Lord's | Click here for more cricket news..
Richards, on 33, was hammering the Indian bowling when Kapil asked Madan Lal to take a short rest. But Madan Lal, rather than lose heart, asked Kapil for one more over.
The imperious Richards pulled, miscued and holed out to Kapil, who took a running catch at square leg.
"I think Viv must be coming here every year to see that ball," joked Madan Lal.
"Every year, he comes here and asks, 'why did I hit that ball!!'" he guffawed, warming to the subject.
Special: Wimbledon 2008 | Image Gallery | Click here for more tennis news..
"He's such a great batsman. But when a great batsman like him goes after you, you know you can get him out.
"I knew Kapil would catch the ball. He was a very good fielder."
Other than Richard's famous wicket, Kapil thought the turning point in the match was when Roger Binny took the wicket of rival skipper Clive Lloyd, again caught by Kapil.
"Once Lloyd was out, we knew we would win… because he had the maximum experience," said Kapil of the sixth wicket.
"After seven or eight wickets we thought we could win it," added Madan Lal.
Special: Euro 2008 | Click here for latest football news..
What the ageing squad enjoys most is to reflect on the last wicket - that of fast bowler Michael Holding.
"When Holding played the pull, I naturally ran to pick up the ball and save the single," recalled Gavaskar.
"And then I heard this huge roar, and I knew it was an LBW.
"So I just picked up the ball and put in my pocket."
Kapil's Devils relive 1983 glory at Lord's
| Lord's Pics
Sanjay Suri / CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 10:31, Updated at Thu, Jun 26, 2008 in Sports section
TagsTags: Cricket, 1983 World Cup , London
E-mail this report | Print this report
DEJA VU: India's 1983 World Cup winning team sit outside the Long Room at the Lord's.
DEJA VU: India's 1983 World Cup winning team sit outside the Long Room at the Lord's.
Featured Blog
Saqib Malik
Let the Yatra Go Green
Featured Slideshows
Ads by Google
London: For the past few weeks the talk about cricket in India has revolved around celebrations to commemorate the World Cup win of 1983. And the moment was finally relived in London on Wednesday with the Class of 83 taking a trip down memory lane at the home of cricket - Lord's
It was a feeling of Deja Vu as 25 years ago at Lord's Kapil Dev and his teammates celebrated a historic triumph - the Prudential World Cup win over the mighty West Indies.
Kapil Devil's were back again at Lord's to mark the silver jubilee of India's greatest cricketing triumph with the whites replaced by bandhgalas.
"I remember when Michael Holding tried to play that pull shot and the ball hit him on the pads and ricocheted off. And my first reaction instinctively was to try and stop a leg bye being taken so I ran towards the ball. And even as I was running towards the ball, there was such a big roar that I knew that the batsman had been given out LBW. So I mean I took that ball, put it in my pocket - and I think it was probably the fastest sprint that I have ever had in my life," Sunil Gavaskar reminisces.
For the 14-member team the memory is still fresh. Dismissed for a mere 183 not many gave them a chance. But cricket is all about glorious uncertainties and the best team in the world was humbled, bowled out for a mere 140.
Sanjay Suri / CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 10:31, Updated at Thu, Jun 26, 2008 in Sports section
TagsTags: Cricket, 1983 World Cup , London
E-mail this report | Print this report
DEJA VU: India's 1983 World Cup winning team sit outside the Long Room at the Lord's.
DEJA VU: India's 1983 World Cup winning team sit outside the Long Room at the Lord's.
Featured Blog
Saqib Malik
Let the Yatra Go Green
Featured Slideshows
Ads by Google
London: For the past few weeks the talk about cricket in India has revolved around celebrations to commemorate the World Cup win of 1983. And the moment was finally relived in London on Wednesday with the Class of 83 taking a trip down memory lane at the home of cricket - Lord's
It was a feeling of Deja Vu as 25 years ago at Lord's Kapil Dev and his teammates celebrated a historic triumph - the Prudential World Cup win over the mighty West Indies.
Kapil Devil's were back again at Lord's to mark the silver jubilee of India's greatest cricketing triumph with the whites replaced by bandhgalas.
"I remember when Michael Holding tried to play that pull shot and the ball hit him on the pads and ricocheted off. And my first reaction instinctively was to try and stop a leg bye being taken so I ran towards the ball. And even as I was running towards the ball, there was such a big roar that I knew that the batsman had been given out LBW. So I mean I took that ball, put it in my pocket - and I think it was probably the fastest sprint that I have ever had in my life," Sunil Gavaskar reminisces.
For the 14-member team the memory is still fresh. Dismissed for a mere 183 not many gave them a chance. But cricket is all about glorious uncertainties and the best team in the world was humbled, bowled out for a mere 140.
Plane overshoots Mumbai as both pilots go to sleep
26 Jun 2008, 0049 hrs IST, Manju V,TNN
Print EMail
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save Write to Editor Single page view
MUMBAI: An Air India Jaipur-Mumbai flight flew well past its destination with both its pilots fatigued and fast asleep in the cockpit. When the pilots were finally woken up by anxious Mumbai air traffic controllers, the plane was about half way to Goa. ( Watch )
This nap in the sky took place about a fortnight ago on the domestic leg of a Dubai-Jaipur-Mumbai flight — IC 612 — which had about 100 passengers on board. "The plane took off from Dubai at 1.35am IST and then from Jaipur at 7am. After operating an overnight flight, fatigue levels peak, and so the pilots dozed off after taking off from Jaipur," said a source.
The flight schedules of pilots prior to this flight is not known.
The aircraft was supposed to take the A 474 South route — a designated route to Mumbai — and since it was on autopilot, it headed in that direction. "It was only after the aircraft reached Mumbai airspace that air traffic controllers realized it was not responding to any instructions and was carrying on on its own course," said the source.
Said an air traffic controller: "The aircraft should have begun its descent about 100 miles from Mumbai, but here it was still at cruising altitude. We checked for hijack and when there was no response we made a SELCAL (selective calling)."
Every aircraft has its own exclusive code. When the ATC uses this high frequency communication system — which it does very rarely and only when other communication draws a blank — a buzzer sounds in the cockpit. Jolted by the sound of the SELCAL buzzer, the pilots woke up and brought the plane back to Mumbai safely.
Kanu Gohain, directorate general of civil aviation, was not available for comment. Contacted for its version on Wednesday evening, Jitendra Bhargava, director, public relations of Air India, said, "The director, operations, is getting information on the matter."
Print EMail
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save Write to Editor Single page view
MUMBAI: An Air India Jaipur-Mumbai flight flew well past its destination with both its pilots fatigued and fast asleep in the cockpit. When the pilots were finally woken up by anxious Mumbai air traffic controllers, the plane was about half way to Goa. ( Watch )
This nap in the sky took place about a fortnight ago on the domestic leg of a Dubai-Jaipur-Mumbai flight — IC 612 — which had about 100 passengers on board. "The plane took off from Dubai at 1.35am IST and then from Jaipur at 7am. After operating an overnight flight, fatigue levels peak, and so the pilots dozed off after taking off from Jaipur," said a source.
The flight schedules of pilots prior to this flight is not known.
The aircraft was supposed to take the A 474 South route — a designated route to Mumbai — and since it was on autopilot, it headed in that direction. "It was only after the aircraft reached Mumbai airspace that air traffic controllers realized it was not responding to any instructions and was carrying on on its own course," said the source.
Said an air traffic controller: "The aircraft should have begun its descent about 100 miles from Mumbai, but here it was still at cruising altitude. We checked for hijack and when there was no response we made a SELCAL (selective calling)."
Every aircraft has its own exclusive code. When the ATC uses this high frequency communication system — which it does very rarely and only when other communication draws a blank — a buzzer sounds in the cockpit. Jolted by the sound of the SELCAL buzzer, the pilots woke up and brought the plane back to Mumbai safely.
Kanu Gohain, directorate general of civil aviation, was not available for comment. Contacted for its version on Wednesday evening, Jitendra Bhargava, director, public relations of Air India, said, "The director, operations, is getting information on the matter."
India's first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in coma
CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 08:39, Updated at Thu, Jun 26, 2008 in Nation section
TagsTags: Indian Army, Sam Manekshaw , New Delhi
E-mail this report | Print this report
WAR HERO: Manekshaw is a veteran of the World War II, 1962 Sino-Indian war and the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971.
WAR HERO: Manekshaw is a veteran of the World War II, 1962 Sino-Indian war and the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971.
Featured Blog
Saqib Malik
Let the Yatra Go Green
Featured Slideshows
Ads by Google
New Delhi: The Indian Army's first and only surviving Field Marshal, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw is fighting for his life at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in Wellington in Tamil Nadu.
CNN-IBN Defence Correspondent reports, "Sam has moved in to coma following complications with lung ailment. He is in the ICU of the Army's Wellington hospital and a lung specialist has been flown in from Delhi to supervise the treatment. His daughters are with him."
Ninety-four year old Manekshaw has been plagued by old age-related ailments for the past few years.
It was under his command that Indian forces routed the Pakistan Army in a 13-day blitzkrieg during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. After the war, which saw more than 90,000 Pakistani troops surrendering on December 16, 1971 in Dhaka, Manekshaw was conferred the honorary rank of Field Marshal.
Fondly known as Sam Bahadur, Manekshaw retired as India's eighth army chief on January 15, 1973, after four decades of military service.
TimePublished on Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 08:39, Updated at Thu, Jun 26, 2008 in Nation section
TagsTags: Indian Army, Sam Manekshaw , New Delhi
E-mail this report | Print this report
WAR HERO: Manekshaw is a veteran of the World War II, 1962 Sino-Indian war and the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971.
WAR HERO: Manekshaw is a veteran of the World War II, 1962 Sino-Indian war and the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971.
Featured Blog
Saqib Malik
Let the Yatra Go Green
Featured Slideshows
Ads by Google
New Delhi: The Indian Army's first and only surviving Field Marshal, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw is fighting for his life at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in Wellington in Tamil Nadu.
CNN-IBN Defence Correspondent reports, "Sam has moved in to coma following complications with lung ailment. He is in the ICU of the Army's Wellington hospital and a lung specialist has been flown in from Delhi to supervise the treatment. His daughters are with him."
Ninety-four year old Manekshaw has been plagued by old age-related ailments for the past few years.
It was under his command that Indian forces routed the Pakistan Army in a 13-day blitzkrieg during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. After the war, which saw more than 90,000 Pakistani troops surrendering on December 16, 1971 in Dhaka, Manekshaw was conferred the honorary rank of Field Marshal.
Fondly known as Sam Bahadur, Manekshaw retired as India's eighth army chief on January 15, 1973, after four decades of military service.
Goan adults are far more overweightthan other Indians
PANAJI: Goan adults are far more overweightthan other Indians and this is causing a serious concern among health professionals. And when it comes to being obese, Goan women outdo the men.
The percentage of women who are overweight or obese is 27, much higher than the all India figure of 14.8%. The men are not far behind though, with 20.8% of Goan men being obese or overweight, again higher than the all India percentage of 12.1. This has been revealed by the Health Intelligence Bureau report, 2007, of the Directorate of Health Services.
The year of reference for the data is 2005-06 and it reveals the nutritional status of adults (age 15 to 49).
"Obesity is a growing disease among Goans. It is a silent killer," said Dr Digambar Naik from Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa. Naik added that 60% of the patients above the age of 40 who come to the hospital are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30.
"Abdominal obesity is a problem in Goa and about one-third of the adult population is obese," said Dr Rufino Monteiro from Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
A person with a BMI between 25 and 35 is deemed obese or overweight and those with BMI of 35 and above are considered to be morbidly obese.
"The socio-economic status in Goa being the highest in the country, we have the additional burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and cancer, which are linked to sedentary lifestyles that lead to obesity," said Goa Medical College’s preventive and social medicine associate professor Dr Jagdish Cacodcar.
The percentage of women who are overweight or obese is 27, much higher than the all India figure of 14.8%. The men are not far behind though, with 20.8% of Goan men being obese or overweight, again higher than the all India percentage of 12.1. This has been revealed by the Health Intelligence Bureau report, 2007, of the Directorate of Health Services.
The year of reference for the data is 2005-06 and it reveals the nutritional status of adults (age 15 to 49).
"Obesity is a growing disease among Goans. It is a silent killer," said Dr Digambar Naik from Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa. Naik added that 60% of the patients above the age of 40 who come to the hospital are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30.
"Abdominal obesity is a problem in Goa and about one-third of the adult population is obese," said Dr Rufino Monteiro from Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
A person with a BMI between 25 and 35 is deemed obese or overweight and those with BMI of 35 and above are considered to be morbidly obese.
"The socio-economic status in Goa being the highest in the country, we have the additional burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and cancer, which are linked to sedentary lifestyles that lead to obesity," said Goa Medical College’s preventive and social medicine associate professor Dr Jagdish Cacodcar.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Drug To Overcome Shyness!
by Jyoti Pal
Published on June 23, 2008 - 0 comments
Drug To Overcome Shyness!
If you are the one who emits various shades of pink while blushing uncontrollably or just melt down as ice every time you’re in the spotlight, there’s a good news for you. US scientists claim to have discovered a wonder drug that combats shyness. So, no more sweat-inducing torments!
Oxytocindefine, a natural hormone produced by the body during sexual activities, that also assists childbirth, can reduce anxieties and relieve phobias, researchers found in the trails.
Researchers from US, Europe and Asia, in collaboration with pharmaceutical giants are now racing to synthetically develop the commercialized form of the hormone, Oxytocin, in hope to curb and contain the ‘social awkwardness disorder’.
In trails conducted over hundreds of shyness struck patients, the oxytocin hormone treatment administered half an hour before their encountering an awkward situation, showed signs of eased symptoms, researchers reveal.
"Tests have shown that oxytocin reduces anxiety levels in users. It is a hormone that facilitates social contact between people. What's more, it is a very safe product that does not have any side effects and is not addictive," a jubilant Paul Zak, professor of neuroscience at California's Claremont Graduate University remarked.
Separately, in a rodent trail conducted at Emory University in Atlanta, the male and female rodents injected with the hormone tended to be more faithful to each other than others, scientists discovered.
Oxytocin, a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a vital role in female reproduction as it enables the cervix to open and the contractions to work. Higher levels of Oxytocin in the brain have shown increased feelings of love, empathy and better connection and bonding with others, among the volunteers of the trails.
While the Oxytocin nasal spray has been successfully trailed at the University of New South Wales, the 'wonder drug' promises to help a range of disorders including autism, depressiondefine and anxiety.
So, be it a party bash, an all important interview, or just a family gathering……don’t feel shy. Just spray and chill!
Published on June 23, 2008 - 0 comments
Drug To Overcome Shyness!
If you are the one who emits various shades of pink while blushing uncontrollably or just melt down as ice every time you’re in the spotlight, there’s a good news for you. US scientists claim to have discovered a wonder drug that combats shyness. So, no more sweat-inducing torments!
Oxytocindefine, a natural hormone produced by the body during sexual activities, that also assists childbirth, can reduce anxieties and relieve phobias, researchers found in the trails.
Researchers from US, Europe and Asia, in collaboration with pharmaceutical giants are now racing to synthetically develop the commercialized form of the hormone, Oxytocin, in hope to curb and contain the ‘social awkwardness disorder’.
In trails conducted over hundreds of shyness struck patients, the oxytocin hormone treatment administered half an hour before their encountering an awkward situation, showed signs of eased symptoms, researchers reveal.
"Tests have shown that oxytocin reduces anxiety levels in users. It is a hormone that facilitates social contact between people. What's more, it is a very safe product that does not have any side effects and is not addictive," a jubilant Paul Zak, professor of neuroscience at California's Claremont Graduate University remarked.
Separately, in a rodent trail conducted at Emory University in Atlanta, the male and female rodents injected with the hormone tended to be more faithful to each other than others, scientists discovered.
Oxytocin, a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a vital role in female reproduction as it enables the cervix to open and the contractions to work. Higher levels of Oxytocin in the brain have shown increased feelings of love, empathy and better connection and bonding with others, among the volunteers of the trails.
While the Oxytocin nasal spray has been successfully trailed at the University of New South Wales, the 'wonder drug' promises to help a range of disorders including autism, depressiondefine and anxiety.
So, be it a party bash, an all important interview, or just a family gathering……don’t feel shy. Just spray and chill!
Nawaz disqualification termed the worst decision
Amir Nafees
Legislators demand withdrawal of PCO judges' security, protocol; propose besieging their chambers | House repeatedly re-sounded with 'Go Musharraf Go' slogans | PPP assures PML-N of full support | Abdul Qadir Gillani says they have lost BB but don't want to lose Nawaz
LAHORE: The legislators from PML-N, PPP and other parties in the Punjab Assembly strongly condemned the verdict of the Lahore High Court regarding Nawaz Sharif's disqualification, terming it the worst political decision of the judicial history.
The members hailing from PPP, PML-F, MMA and PML-Q forward bloc condemned the decision. Perhaps it was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any verdict of the judiciary was condemned unanimously in the house and all the members joined the proceedings, holding the judiciary responsible for the crisis. The Punjab Assembly proceedings on Tuesday started at 11:50am, about one hour and 50 minutes late. After the recitation of verses from the holy Quran and Naat, Acting Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan administered oath to newly elected member Punjab Assembly Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani.
Later, he announced that the house proceedings were being suspended on the demand of the members as they wanted to discuss the LHC verdict regarding Nawaz Sharif's disqualification. The house repeatedly resounded with 'Go Musharraf Go' slogans and even the embers raised slogans against the PCO judges. The members remained present in the house and warmly took part in the discussion and expressed their anger and wrath against the judiciary.
Provincial Finance Minister Tanveer Ashraf Kaira was the first man who opened the discussion, assuring PML-N of full support. He said that on behalf of the PPPP he strongly condemned the verdict against Nawaz Sharif. He added PPP not only condemned the decision but also rejected it.
"We will continue our journey with PML-N as coalition partners and will face all the problems together shoulder to shoulder," he said, adding the coalition government would definitely foil all the evil designs of those hatching conspiracies against PML-N. He said the verdict was not only against PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif but also against the people of Pakistan, democracy and democratic institutions. This was an attempt to hijack democracy but such attempts would be foiled, he said. He also said PPP would further strengthen this coalition and fight for the rights along with PML-N which should not consider it alone at any stage.
Provincial Prisons Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, condemning the verdict, said if the independent judiciary existed in the country, nobody could hang Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the Sharif family did not face exile. "The people of the country have given their verdict in the elections against Musharraf and he should vacate the presidency as soon as possible," he said, adding the president was the killer of innocent students of Jamia Hafsa.
He said the political forces were not against the judiciary but were against the PCO judges; they were not against the army but dictators like Pervez Musharraf. He said the man behind the hanging of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also a dictator. Musharraf should remember that his days were numbered, he added. He said Nawaz Sharif had been elected twice as the prime minister of the country. The decision of the PCO judges aimed at pleasing a dictator, he said.
Rana Shaukat of PML-Q forward bloc, Saeed Akbar Niwani,. Khawaja Abdus Salaam and about 27 other members took part in the discussion and strongly condemned the High Court verdict. The members also demanded withdrawal of security and protocol provided to the PCO judges. The legislators also proposed that demonstrations should be staged outside the chambers of the PCO judges. Those took part in the discussion included Syed Nazim Hussain Shah, Chaudhary Allah Rakha, Ghazala Saad Rafique, Tariq Ameen Matiana, Naveed Iqbal Sajid, Mayeza Hameed, Moeen Wattoo, Jehanzaib Waren, Shumaila Aslam, Asif Manzoor Mohal, Rana Tajammal Hussain, Amer Joel Sahotra, Riffat Jahan, Shamsa Gohar and Kamran Michael.
Legislators demand withdrawal of PCO judges' security, protocol; propose besieging their chambers | House repeatedly re-sounded with 'Go Musharraf Go' slogans | PPP assures PML-N of full support | Abdul Qadir Gillani says they have lost BB but don't want to lose Nawaz
LAHORE: The legislators from PML-N, PPP and other parties in the Punjab Assembly strongly condemned the verdict of the Lahore High Court regarding Nawaz Sharif's disqualification, terming it the worst political decision of the judicial history.
The members hailing from PPP, PML-F, MMA and PML-Q forward bloc condemned the decision. Perhaps it was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any verdict of the judiciary was condemned unanimously in the house and all the members joined the proceedings, holding the judiciary responsible for the crisis. The Punjab Assembly proceedings on Tuesday started at 11:50am, about one hour and 50 minutes late. After the recitation of verses from the holy Quran and Naat, Acting Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan administered oath to newly elected member Punjab Assembly Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani.
Later, he announced that the house proceedings were being suspended on the demand of the members as they wanted to discuss the LHC verdict regarding Nawaz Sharif's disqualification. The house repeatedly resounded with 'Go Musharraf Go' slogans and even the embers raised slogans against the PCO judges. The members remained present in the house and warmly took part in the discussion and expressed their anger and wrath against the judiciary.
Provincial Finance Minister Tanveer Ashraf Kaira was the first man who opened the discussion, assuring PML-N of full support. He said that on behalf of the PPPP he strongly condemned the verdict against Nawaz Sharif. He added PPP not only condemned the decision but also rejected it.
"We will continue our journey with PML-N as coalition partners and will face all the problems together shoulder to shoulder," he said, adding the coalition government would definitely foil all the evil designs of those hatching conspiracies against PML-N. He said the verdict was not only against PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif but also against the people of Pakistan, democracy and democratic institutions. This was an attempt to hijack democracy but such attempts would be foiled, he said. He also said PPP would further strengthen this coalition and fight for the rights along with PML-N which should not consider it alone at any stage.
Provincial Prisons Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, condemning the verdict, said if the independent judiciary existed in the country, nobody could hang Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the Sharif family did not face exile. "The people of the country have given their verdict in the elections against Musharraf and he should vacate the presidency as soon as possible," he said, adding the president was the killer of innocent students of Jamia Hafsa.
He said the political forces were not against the judiciary but were against the PCO judges; they were not against the army but dictators like Pervez Musharraf. He said the man behind the hanging of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also a dictator. Musharraf should remember that his days were numbered, he added. He said Nawaz Sharif had been elected twice as the prime minister of the country. The decision of the PCO judges aimed at pleasing a dictator, he said.
Rana Shaukat of PML-Q forward bloc, Saeed Akbar Niwani,. Khawaja Abdus Salaam and about 27 other members took part in the discussion and strongly condemned the High Court verdict. The members also demanded withdrawal of security and protocol provided to the PCO judges. The legislators also proposed that demonstrations should be staged outside the chambers of the PCO judges. Those took part in the discussion included Syed Nazim Hussain Shah, Chaudhary Allah Rakha, Ghazala Saad Rafique, Tariq Ameen Matiana, Naveed Iqbal Sajid, Mayeza Hameed, Moeen Wattoo, Jehanzaib Waren, Shumaila Aslam, Asif Manzoor Mohal, Rana Tajammal Hussain, Amer Joel Sahotra, Riffat Jahan, Shamsa Gohar and Kamran Michael.
'Feeling fat' worse than actually being fat
Tuesday, 24 June , 2008, 10:23
London: Adolescents who think they are too fat seem to be worse off than their counterparts who are really obese, according to an extensive survey.
The Robert Koch Institute in Germany surveyed nearly 7,000 boys and girls between 11 and 17. They were asked about self-assessment, ranging from "far too thin" to "far too fat.”
For more news, analysis | For more Science and Medicine news
The survey, published in the German journal Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, established that about three quarters of adolescents were of normal weight. Yet, 55 percent of girls and under 36 percent of boys thought they were "too fat".
Only about 18 percent of adolescents were actually overweight, while 7-8 percent were underweight.
The quality of life is lower in obese adolescents. However, this correlates to a large extent with self-evaluation. If adolescents think they are "far too fat", they forfeit a lot of their quality of life, whatever their actual weight.
This is particularly marked with girls. On the other hand, if they consider their weight "just right", their quality of life is the same as if they were of normal weight, even if this is not true.
The proportion of adolescents who think they are overweight has been increasing more rapidly in recent years than the proportion of those who really are overweight.
In an accompanying editorial, lead researcher Johannes Hebebrand points out that adolescents are exposed to considerable social pressure to be thin.
He said it was remarkable that as many as 40 percent of the subjects thought that their weight was right, in spite of the ideal of slimness and the stigma of being overweight.
London: Adolescents who think they are too fat seem to be worse off than their counterparts who are really obese, according to an extensive survey.
The Robert Koch Institute in Germany surveyed nearly 7,000 boys and girls between 11 and 17. They were asked about self-assessment, ranging from "far too thin" to "far too fat.”
For more news, analysis | For more Science and Medicine news
The survey, published in the German journal Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, established that about three quarters of adolescents were of normal weight. Yet, 55 percent of girls and under 36 percent of boys thought they were "too fat".
Only about 18 percent of adolescents were actually overweight, while 7-8 percent were underweight.
The quality of life is lower in obese adolescents. However, this correlates to a large extent with self-evaluation. If adolescents think they are "far too fat", they forfeit a lot of their quality of life, whatever their actual weight.
This is particularly marked with girls. On the other hand, if they consider their weight "just right", their quality of life is the same as if they were of normal weight, even if this is not true.
The proportion of adolescents who think they are overweight has been increasing more rapidly in recent years than the proportion of those who really are overweight.
In an accompanying editorial, lead researcher Johannes Hebebrand points out that adolescents are exposed to considerable social pressure to be thin.
He said it was remarkable that as many as 40 percent of the subjects thought that their weight was right, in spite of the ideal of slimness and the stigma of being overweight.
'India is considered to be a 'next wave' country for HIV/AIDS'
With increasing prevalence and rising incidence of HIV in India, how well equipped are Indian drug manufacturers to handle the same. T Vijayakumar, Senior Manager-Export Formulations, Aurobindo Pharma discusses the antiretrovirals (ARV) market, in conversation with Arshiya Khan. Excerpts
What has been the growth rate of HIV/AIDS and the incidence of the disease in India?
The world's second most populous country, India, is experiencing a highly varied HIV epidemic, which appears to be stable or diminishing in some parts while growing at modest rates in others. Approximately 6 million people are suffering with AIDS in India. Today, the world's largest democracy has entered a critical period in its fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The first case of HIV disease was documented in India in 1986. India accounts for 75 percent of HIV/AIDS prevalent in South, South East Asia and 15 percent of global prevalence. Majority of people living with HIV/AIDS in India are from rural areas (57 percent in 2005). By comparison, India represents 20 percent of the world's population. With an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, India has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world, according to UNAIDS. Among 15-49 year olds, an estimated 5.2 million are living with the disease, according to India's National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
Still, India's prevalence rate (the percent of the adult population estimated to be infected with HIV) is relatively low. However, India is considered to be a 'next wave' country; that is, it stands at a critical point in its epidemic, with HIV poised to expand, but where large scale prevention and other interventions today could help to contain a more serious epidemic in the future. As the second most populous nation in the world, even a small increase in India's HIV/ AIDS prevalence rate would represent a significant component of the world's HIV/AIDS burden.
AIDS being a non curable disease, tell us about the developments, availability, accessibility and affordability of ARV medicines, with respect to the contemporary market situation.
Promising developments have been seen in recent years in global efforts to address AIDS epidemic, including increased access to effective treatment and preventive programmes. However, the number of people living with HIV is growing as the number of deaths due to AIDS. A total of 40 million are living with HIV today. In many regions of the world, new HIV infections are heavily concentrated among young people.
Access to treatment and care has greatly increased in recent years. The expanded provision of antiretroviral treatment is reached by 2 million lives per year in recent years with the help of organisations worldwide.
Making drugs affordable to those who need them is a formidable challenge. Availability of HIV/AIDS drugs, like others, depends on sustainable financing for drug procurement at the national level, national and local health infrastructure for delivering drugs and monitoring patient compliance and affordable drug prices.
What are the characteristics of the ARV market?
Currently the ARV markets in the regions where HIV is grown up to epidemic levels is funded by two major funding agencies, namely, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Global Funds. These are availed by various underdeveloped and developing countries to combat the growing menace of AIDS.
India is fortunate to have a vibrant domestic pharma industry that can play a crucial role in the fight against the pandemic by providing ARV drugs at low cost to the government. Several Indian pharma companies are manufacturing generic drugs at competitive prices.
Since the number of people living with HIV is increasing, what opportunities does the ARV segment offer to the manufacturers of the same?
There are two sides to this. Firstly, increasing resistance to existing drugs drives innovations in drug therapy. Estimates show that up to 78 percent of patients are now failing to respond to antiretroviral drugs. Research indicates that patients are developing resistance to more than one class of drugs that are in general use. There is an increased level of drug resistance even in drug-naive patients. In 1999, eight percent hike in resistance was recorded in treatment-naive individuals and the figure has now alarmingly risen to 20 percent. This can lead to a condition where patients are less likely to reach suppressed levels of HIV due to undetectable levels when they start treatment.
Using a resistant test prior to starting the treatment regimen ensures that patients with primary resistance will receive a good response from the antiretroviral treatment similar to those who lack it. According to various analysts, the need for newer and more effective therapies grows as treated patients increasingly develop resistance to currently available antiretrovirals. These older generation drugs are being replaced by products with lower pill burdens, enhanced potency, and reduced side effects. Compounds that are effective against multi-drug resistant strains currently dominate the clinical development scene and are likely to drive the future growth of this industry.
There were speculations about the quality of drugs in India by WHO what has been the impact and the outcome of the same on the market?
Indian medical experts see the hand of powerful Western drug manufacturers in the World Health Organisation's withdrawals of its recommendations, for some of India's cheap and popular combination drugs against HIV/AIDS using generic 'copycats.' Generic 'copycats' are alternatives to brand name drugs and according to WHO requirements they must show pharmaceutical equivalents -- which means that the amount of active ingredient, the dosage form, and the strength are identical to those of a comparable brand. The generic must also be bio-equivalent, meaning the drug must be absorbed into the blood stream at roughly the same rate and extent as the pharmaceutically equivalent brand.
With one in four new HIV cases being reported from Asia, the sprawling continent is on the verge of being felled by an AIDS epidemic that would dwarf the devastation wrought by the killer disease in Africa, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) warned.
The WHO decision seemed to be in line with repeated claims made by Western drug manufacturers and US government officials that generic drugs do not have the same quality standards as the patented ones.
The outcome for this situation is that WHO's pre-qualification list was created to guide procurement by aid agencies that are fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic and includes more than 60 anti-retroviral drugs made by both patented and generic drug manufacturers. To be fair to WHO, the organisation made clear that its target was not the generic combinations themselves but the contract research organisations (CRO) hired by the Indian manufacturers and their questionable standards.
What are the market drivers and market restraints of the ARV segment?
Regulatory and patent uncertainties constrain development of generic and biogeneric drugs in developed countries. With end users of prescription drugs seeking to pay less for medication, generic and biogeneric products are poised for strong growth, especially in the developing nations. In India, for example, drug manufacturers may patent a process but not a compound, thus, generic drug makers are able to synthesize the compound through another process and may legally introduce another version of the drug. In this manner, they can benefit from the original manufacturer's ongoing advertising and promotion of the drug while eliminating the need to depend on the American and European generics producers. In an endeavor to avoid the stringent patent processes, generic manufacturers may lose some quality in the process of reengineering drugs. Several Asian and ROW generics producers have faced similar difficulties and one recent example is the removal of two generic HIV drugs produced by a prominent Indian pharma company from the WHO list of approved medications meant specifically for patients in Africa.
Though generics and biogeneric drugs are emerging as strong contenders to branded medications, a number of consumers in developed nations have a perception that branded products are more effective than unbranded ones. Certain patient populations tend to view healthcare benefits as entitlements rather than privileges and resist shifting from more expensive to less expensive options. Even when they are compelled to switch drugs, they shift from one brand to another - popularly known as a 'brand name shift' - despite the availability of low-cost generics. This is one challenge that generic drug manufacturers are likely to find hard to overcome in their quest to extend market reach.
How can these problems be tackled?
Even more fundamental to combating the emerging HIV/AIDS pandemic in India, than drug treatment, plans and funding is to create a sense of national urgency about the pandemic. India must urgently ramp up its communication campaign to make its citizens aware of the disease as well as the dangers they face from the virus. Overcoming consumer belief in branded products, which restricts use of generics.
arshiya.khan@expressindia.com
What has been the growth rate of HIV/AIDS and the incidence of the disease in India?
The world's second most populous country, India, is experiencing a highly varied HIV epidemic, which appears to be stable or diminishing in some parts while growing at modest rates in others. Approximately 6 million people are suffering with AIDS in India. Today, the world's largest democracy has entered a critical period in its fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The first case of HIV disease was documented in India in 1986. India accounts for 75 percent of HIV/AIDS prevalent in South, South East Asia and 15 percent of global prevalence. Majority of people living with HIV/AIDS in India are from rural areas (57 percent in 2005). By comparison, India represents 20 percent of the world's population. With an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, India has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world, according to UNAIDS. Among 15-49 year olds, an estimated 5.2 million are living with the disease, according to India's National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
Still, India's prevalence rate (the percent of the adult population estimated to be infected with HIV) is relatively low. However, India is considered to be a 'next wave' country; that is, it stands at a critical point in its epidemic, with HIV poised to expand, but where large scale prevention and other interventions today could help to contain a more serious epidemic in the future. As the second most populous nation in the world, even a small increase in India's HIV/ AIDS prevalence rate would represent a significant component of the world's HIV/AIDS burden.
AIDS being a non curable disease, tell us about the developments, availability, accessibility and affordability of ARV medicines, with respect to the contemporary market situation.
Promising developments have been seen in recent years in global efforts to address AIDS epidemic, including increased access to effective treatment and preventive programmes. However, the number of people living with HIV is growing as the number of deaths due to AIDS. A total of 40 million are living with HIV today. In many regions of the world, new HIV infections are heavily concentrated among young people.
Access to treatment and care has greatly increased in recent years. The expanded provision of antiretroviral treatment is reached by 2 million lives per year in recent years with the help of organisations worldwide.
Making drugs affordable to those who need them is a formidable challenge. Availability of HIV/AIDS drugs, like others, depends on sustainable financing for drug procurement at the national level, national and local health infrastructure for delivering drugs and monitoring patient compliance and affordable drug prices.
What are the characteristics of the ARV market?
Currently the ARV markets in the regions where HIV is grown up to epidemic levels is funded by two major funding agencies, namely, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Global Funds. These are availed by various underdeveloped and developing countries to combat the growing menace of AIDS.
India is fortunate to have a vibrant domestic pharma industry that can play a crucial role in the fight against the pandemic by providing ARV drugs at low cost to the government. Several Indian pharma companies are manufacturing generic drugs at competitive prices.
Since the number of people living with HIV is increasing, what opportunities does the ARV segment offer to the manufacturers of the same?
There are two sides to this. Firstly, increasing resistance to existing drugs drives innovations in drug therapy. Estimates show that up to 78 percent of patients are now failing to respond to antiretroviral drugs. Research indicates that patients are developing resistance to more than one class of drugs that are in general use. There is an increased level of drug resistance even in drug-naive patients. In 1999, eight percent hike in resistance was recorded in treatment-naive individuals and the figure has now alarmingly risen to 20 percent. This can lead to a condition where patients are less likely to reach suppressed levels of HIV due to undetectable levels when they start treatment.
Using a resistant test prior to starting the treatment regimen ensures that patients with primary resistance will receive a good response from the antiretroviral treatment similar to those who lack it. According to various analysts, the need for newer and more effective therapies grows as treated patients increasingly develop resistance to currently available antiretrovirals. These older generation drugs are being replaced by products with lower pill burdens, enhanced potency, and reduced side effects. Compounds that are effective against multi-drug resistant strains currently dominate the clinical development scene and are likely to drive the future growth of this industry.
There were speculations about the quality of drugs in India by WHO what has been the impact and the outcome of the same on the market?
Indian medical experts see the hand of powerful Western drug manufacturers in the World Health Organisation's withdrawals of its recommendations, for some of India's cheap and popular combination drugs against HIV/AIDS using generic 'copycats.' Generic 'copycats' are alternatives to brand name drugs and according to WHO requirements they must show pharmaceutical equivalents -- which means that the amount of active ingredient, the dosage form, and the strength are identical to those of a comparable brand. The generic must also be bio-equivalent, meaning the drug must be absorbed into the blood stream at roughly the same rate and extent as the pharmaceutically equivalent brand.
With one in four new HIV cases being reported from Asia, the sprawling continent is on the verge of being felled by an AIDS epidemic that would dwarf the devastation wrought by the killer disease in Africa, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) warned.
The WHO decision seemed to be in line with repeated claims made by Western drug manufacturers and US government officials that generic drugs do not have the same quality standards as the patented ones.
The outcome for this situation is that WHO's pre-qualification list was created to guide procurement by aid agencies that are fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic and includes more than 60 anti-retroviral drugs made by both patented and generic drug manufacturers. To be fair to WHO, the organisation made clear that its target was not the generic combinations themselves but the contract research organisations (CRO) hired by the Indian manufacturers and their questionable standards.
What are the market drivers and market restraints of the ARV segment?
Regulatory and patent uncertainties constrain development of generic and biogeneric drugs in developed countries. With end users of prescription drugs seeking to pay less for medication, generic and biogeneric products are poised for strong growth, especially in the developing nations. In India, for example, drug manufacturers may patent a process but not a compound, thus, generic drug makers are able to synthesize the compound through another process and may legally introduce another version of the drug. In this manner, they can benefit from the original manufacturer's ongoing advertising and promotion of the drug while eliminating the need to depend on the American and European generics producers. In an endeavor to avoid the stringent patent processes, generic manufacturers may lose some quality in the process of reengineering drugs. Several Asian and ROW generics producers have faced similar difficulties and one recent example is the removal of two generic HIV drugs produced by a prominent Indian pharma company from the WHO list of approved medications meant specifically for patients in Africa.
Though generics and biogeneric drugs are emerging as strong contenders to branded medications, a number of consumers in developed nations have a perception that branded products are more effective than unbranded ones. Certain patient populations tend to view healthcare benefits as entitlements rather than privileges and resist shifting from more expensive to less expensive options. Even when they are compelled to switch drugs, they shift from one brand to another - popularly known as a 'brand name shift' - despite the availability of low-cost generics. This is one challenge that generic drug manufacturers are likely to find hard to overcome in their quest to extend market reach.
How can these problems be tackled?
Even more fundamental to combating the emerging HIV/AIDS pandemic in India, than drug treatment, plans and funding is to create a sense of national urgency about the pandemic. India must urgently ramp up its communication campaign to make its citizens aware of the disease as well as the dangers they face from the virus. Overcoming consumer belief in branded products, which restricts use of generics.
arshiya.khan@expressindia.com
Thackerays are ‘migrants’, says scholar
Mumbai, June 24: The Thackerays came to Mumbai two generations ago for jobs and as such have no right to assault those coming to the financial capital in search of livelihood.
This claim has been made in an article published in this month's issue of Nationalist Congress Party's mouthpiece Rashtravadi, whose Chief Sharad Pawar is an old friend of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
Hari Narke, professor at Mahatma Phule chair in Pune University and a renowned scholar on Ambedkar, has written the strong-worded article.
Narke has flayed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, who is Bal Thackeray's nephew, over attacks on migrants in Mumbai.
"Raj should read the autobiography of his grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray (Bal Thackeray's father). Prabodhankar, who studied in Madhya Pradesh, has written how he travelled in other states for livelihood", Narke says.
"This proves that the Thackerays, who are not original inhabitants of Mumbai, came to this city in search of livelihood", the scholar says.
Incidentally, Maharashtra Government published Prabodhankar’s literature in 1995 at the behest of Narke, the article says.
"Who gave those, who came to Mumbai two generations ago to earn their livelihood, the right to beat up others who also come here in search of jobs?" Narke has questioned.
"It does not behove people who live 24 hours a day seeped in history to forget the history of just over two generations", Narke said.
This claim has been made in an article published in this month's issue of Nationalist Congress Party's mouthpiece Rashtravadi, whose Chief Sharad Pawar is an old friend of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
Hari Narke, professor at Mahatma Phule chair in Pune University and a renowned scholar on Ambedkar, has written the strong-worded article.
Narke has flayed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, who is Bal Thackeray's nephew, over attacks on migrants in Mumbai.
"Raj should read the autobiography of his grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray (Bal Thackeray's father). Prabodhankar, who studied in Madhya Pradesh, has written how he travelled in other states for livelihood", Narke says.
"This proves that the Thackerays, who are not original inhabitants of Mumbai, came to this city in search of livelihood", the scholar says.
Incidentally, Maharashtra Government published Prabodhankar’s literature in 1995 at the behest of Narke, the article says.
"Who gave those, who came to Mumbai two generations ago to earn their livelihood, the right to beat up others who also come here in search of jobs?" Narke has questioned.
"It does not behove people who live 24 hours a day seeped in history to forget the history of just over two generations", Narke said.
Bal Thackeray cautions Sikhs
24 Jun, 2008, 0000 hrs IST, ET Bureau
Print EMail
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Bookmark / Share
Del.icio.us Google Bookmarks
Facebook Yahoo MyWeb
StumbleUpon Reddit
More
Save Write to Editor
MUMBAI: The aftershocks from the Sikh violence over the weekend continue to be felt in the city. Even as top Sikh religious bodies demanded a judicial probe into the incidents, Bal Thackeray yet again warned Sikhs about their violence against innocent ‘Hindus’. One person was killed in a clash between two Sikh sects on Friday and the violence thereafter held the city to ransom for 2 days.
With the Sikh bodies presenting their case, the Shiv Sena supremo Thackeray warned them that Shivsainiks will not be mute spectators to violence against innocent ‘Hindus’. “Though Punjab is quiet, the situation in Mumbai is volatile due to the violence unleashed by the Sikhs....They should stop violence immediately and maintain peace,” he said in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna on Monday.
The newspaper carried an editorial by Mr Thackeray on Monday and a front-page commentary on the issue on Sunday airing the Sena chief’s resentment over the violence sparked off by the killing. “Why are you raising your sword on innocents? Maintain peace and stop the violence immediately,” Mr Thackeray said and added, “Attacking innocents will boomerang on you. I want to say only one thing to the Sikhs. Stop this violence irrespective of your sect. If it continues, Maharashtra may soon retaliate.”
On Monday, the Akali Dal decided to send a delegation led by Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal to meet the members of the family of Balkar Singh, who was killed in an alleged firing by private security guards of Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
A decision to send the delegation was taken at the meeting of the core committee of the ruling party presided by chief minister Prakash Singh Badal in Chandigarh. The delegation is expected to call on Vilasrao Deshmukh to urge him to take the strictest possible action against the culprits responsible for this incident, an SAD official said.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday demanded judicial probe into the killing. Addressing the media here, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said they have submitted a memorandum to this effect to deputy CM RR Patil. SGPC wants the Dera chief to be booked for Balkar Singh’s murder.
Print EMail
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Bookmark / Share
Del.icio.us Google Bookmarks
Facebook Yahoo MyWeb
StumbleUpon Reddit
More
Save Write to Editor
MUMBAI: The aftershocks from the Sikh violence over the weekend continue to be felt in the city. Even as top Sikh religious bodies demanded a judicial probe into the incidents, Bal Thackeray yet again warned Sikhs about their violence against innocent ‘Hindus’. One person was killed in a clash between two Sikh sects on Friday and the violence thereafter held the city to ransom for 2 days.
With the Sikh bodies presenting their case, the Shiv Sena supremo Thackeray warned them that Shivsainiks will not be mute spectators to violence against innocent ‘Hindus’. “Though Punjab is quiet, the situation in Mumbai is volatile due to the violence unleashed by the Sikhs....They should stop violence immediately and maintain peace,” he said in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna on Monday.
The newspaper carried an editorial by Mr Thackeray on Monday and a front-page commentary on the issue on Sunday airing the Sena chief’s resentment over the violence sparked off by the killing. “Why are you raising your sword on innocents? Maintain peace and stop the violence immediately,” Mr Thackeray said and added, “Attacking innocents will boomerang on you. I want to say only one thing to the Sikhs. Stop this violence irrespective of your sect. If it continues, Maharashtra may soon retaliate.”
On Monday, the Akali Dal decided to send a delegation led by Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal to meet the members of the family of Balkar Singh, who was killed in an alleged firing by private security guards of Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
A decision to send the delegation was taken at the meeting of the core committee of the ruling party presided by chief minister Prakash Singh Badal in Chandigarh. The delegation is expected to call on Vilasrao Deshmukh to urge him to take the strictest possible action against the culprits responsible for this incident, an SAD official said.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday demanded judicial probe into the killing. Addressing the media here, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said they have submitted a memorandum to this effect to deputy CM RR Patil. SGPC wants the Dera chief to be booked for Balkar Singh’s murder.
बाला साहेब ठाकरे मुंबई के मूल निवासी नहीं है
मुंबई। आमची मुंबई यानी हमारी मुंबई का नारा देने वाले बाला साहेब ठाकरे मुंबई के मूल निवासी नहीं है। दो पीढ़ी पहले उनके पिता नौकरी की तलाश में यहां आए थे। इसलिए ठाकरे परिवार को आजीविका की तलाश में यूपी और बिहार से मुंबई आने वाले लोगों का विरोध करने का कोई हक नहीं है।
राष्ट्रवादी कांग्रेस पार्टी के मुखपत्र 'राष्ट्रवादी' के इस महीने के अंक में प्रकाशित एक लेख में यह दावा किया गया है। राकांपा प्रमुख शरद पवार शिवसेना सुप्रीमो बाल ठाकरे के करीबी मित्र हैं। यह लेख मशहूर स्कालर व पुणे विश्वविद्यालय के महात्मा फुले चेयर में प्रोफेसर हरि नारके ने लिखा है।
नारके ने अपने लेख में मुंबई में प्रवासियों पर हमलों के लिए बाल ठाकरे के भतीजे और महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना के प्रमुख राज ठाकरे की आलोचना की है। नारके ने लिखा है कि राज को अपने दादा प्रबोधंकर ठाकरे [बाल ठाकरे के पिता] की आत्मकथा पढ़नी चाहिए। अपनी पढ़ाई-लिखाई मध्य प्रदेश में करने वाले प्रबोधंकर ने लिखा है कि आजीविका की तलाश में उन्होंने कई प्रदेशों के चक्कर लगाए। इससे साफ होता है कि ठाकरे मुंबई के मूल निवासी नहीं थे। आजीविका की तलाश में ही वह इस शहर में आए थे।
लेख के मुताबिक प्रबोधंकर का साहित्य 1995 में महाराष्ट्र सरकार ने प्रकाशित किया। नारके ने लिखा है कि जो लोग दो पीढ़ी पहले आजीविका की तलाश में मुंबई आए उन्हें नौकरी की तलाश में यहां आने वाले लोगों के साथ मारपीट का अधिकार किसने दे दिया।
राष्ट्रवादी कांग्रेस पार्टी के मुखपत्र 'राष्ट्रवादी' के इस महीने के अंक में प्रकाशित एक लेख में यह दावा किया गया है। राकांपा प्रमुख शरद पवार शिवसेना सुप्रीमो बाल ठाकरे के करीबी मित्र हैं। यह लेख मशहूर स्कालर व पुणे विश्वविद्यालय के महात्मा फुले चेयर में प्रोफेसर हरि नारके ने लिखा है।
नारके ने अपने लेख में मुंबई में प्रवासियों पर हमलों के लिए बाल ठाकरे के भतीजे और महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना के प्रमुख राज ठाकरे की आलोचना की है। नारके ने लिखा है कि राज को अपने दादा प्रबोधंकर ठाकरे [बाल ठाकरे के पिता] की आत्मकथा पढ़नी चाहिए। अपनी पढ़ाई-लिखाई मध्य प्रदेश में करने वाले प्रबोधंकर ने लिखा है कि आजीविका की तलाश में उन्होंने कई प्रदेशों के चक्कर लगाए। इससे साफ होता है कि ठाकरे मुंबई के मूल निवासी नहीं थे। आजीविका की तलाश में ही वह इस शहर में आए थे।
लेख के मुताबिक प्रबोधंकर का साहित्य 1995 में महाराष्ट्र सरकार ने प्रकाशित किया। नारके ने लिखा है कि जो लोग दो पीढ़ी पहले आजीविका की तलाश में मुंबई आए उन्हें नौकरी की तलाश में यहां आने वाले लोगों के साथ मारपीट का अधिकार किसने दे दिया।
Monday, June 23, 2008
92% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit
, Pew survey finds
Californians, however, are less likely to consider religion 'very important.' Of the 36,000 people surveyed, 42% said they think Hollywood is a corrupting influence.
By Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
9:22 AM PDT, June 23, 2008
Americans overwhelmingly believe in God and consider religion an important part of their lives, even as many shun weekly worship services, according to a national survey released today that also found great diversity in religious beliefs and practices.
Ninety-two percent of those interviewed for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey said they believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit, and 58% said they pray privately every day. But California, like other states along the country's two coasts, resisted the prevailing national tendencies.
* Pew survey results
Californians are less likely than other Americans to consider religion "very important" in their lives or to be "absolutely certain" in their belief in God.
Californians pray less than others in many parts of the country. They are less inclined to take the word of God literally. And they are ready to embrace "more than one true way" of interpreting their religious teachings.
Fifty-nine percent said that homosexuality should be accepted by society, compared with 50% of people nationwide who hold that view.
Your Vote
Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?
Yes
No
How important is religion in your life?
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important
How often do you attend religious services?
More than once a week
Weekly
Once or twice a month
A few times a year
Never
"The West Coast generally is less religiously observant, less certain about religious beliefs," said John Green, a senior fellow with the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which produced the survey.
"The West Coast was settled last," Green added. "It has been growing fairly rapidly and has a unique amount of dynamism in [its] societies."
Meanwhile, one of California's signature industries and locales -- Hollywood -- appears to be a corrupting influence, at least in the eyes of some Americans. Forty-two percent said they feel their values are threatened by the entertainment capital; 56% were not threatened.
The survey, based on interviews in English and Spanish during 2007 with more than 36,000 people, is the Pew forum's second report this year.
An initial survey in February found that Americans are switching religious affiliations in ever-growing numbers or cutting ties to organized religion altogether. The study also found that Protestants, who hold a majority status in the United States, are close to becoming a minority.
Californians, however, are less likely to consider religion 'very important.' Of the 36,000 people surveyed, 42% said they think Hollywood is a corrupting influence.
By Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
9:22 AM PDT, June 23, 2008
Americans overwhelmingly believe in God and consider religion an important part of their lives, even as many shun weekly worship services, according to a national survey released today that also found great diversity in religious beliefs and practices.
Ninety-two percent of those interviewed for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey said they believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit, and 58% said they pray privately every day. But California, like other states along the country's two coasts, resisted the prevailing national tendencies.
* Pew survey results
Californians are less likely than other Americans to consider religion "very important" in their lives or to be "absolutely certain" in their belief in God.
Californians pray less than others in many parts of the country. They are less inclined to take the word of God literally. And they are ready to embrace "more than one true way" of interpreting their religious teachings.
Fifty-nine percent said that homosexuality should be accepted by society, compared with 50% of people nationwide who hold that view.
Your Vote
Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?
Yes
No
How important is religion in your life?
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important
How often do you attend religious services?
More than once a week
Weekly
Once or twice a month
A few times a year
Never
"The West Coast generally is less religiously observant, less certain about religious beliefs," said John Green, a senior fellow with the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which produced the survey.
"The West Coast was settled last," Green added. "It has been growing fairly rapidly and has a unique amount of dynamism in [its] societies."
Meanwhile, one of California's signature industries and locales -- Hollywood -- appears to be a corrupting influence, at least in the eyes of some Americans. Forty-two percent said they feel their values are threatened by the entertainment capital; 56% were not threatened.
The survey, based on interviews in English and Spanish during 2007 with more than 36,000 people, is the Pew forum's second report this year.
An initial survey in February found that Americans are switching religious affiliations in ever-growing numbers or cutting ties to organized religion altogether. The study also found that Protestants, who hold a majority status in the United States, are close to becoming a minority.
ठाकरे ने कहा, हद में रहें मुंबई के सिख
मुंबई : शिवसेना प्रमुख बाल ठाकरे ने मुंबई के सिखों को चेतावनी दी है कि अगर वे दोबारा हिंसा को अंजाम देंगे तो शिवसेना उनपर पलटवार करेगी।
एक मॉल के बाहर डेरा सच्चा सौदा प्रमुख गुरमीत राम रहीम सिंह के बॉडीगार्ड द्वारा सिखों पर गोलियां चलाने से एक व्यक्ति की मौत से भड़के सिखों ने मुंबई में जमकर हंगामा किया। इसके चलते शुक्रवार और शनिवार को शहर के कई इलाकों में हिंसा हुई और माहौल तनावपूर्ण रहा। ठाकरे को सिखों का यह बर्ताव काफी अखरा है।
पार्टी के मुखपत्र ' सामना ' के पहले पन्ने पर कड़े शब्दों में ठाकरे ने सिखों को चेतावनी देते हुए कहा कि यह शिवसेना ही थी, जिसने इंदिरा गांधी की हत्या के बाद मुंबई में सिखों की रक्षा की।
ठाकरे ने कहा कि मुलुंड की सड़कों पर बड़ी संख्या में सिख तलवार भांजते हुए और निर्दोष लोगों पर हमला करते पाए गए। यहां तक कि महिलाओं पर भी उन्होंने वार किया। ट्रेन में सफर करने वालों को भी निशाना बनाया गया, जबकि उनकी कोई गलती नहीं थी। अखबार में ठाकरे ने लिखा कि बहुत सारी महिलाएं मुलुंड में शिवसेना शाखा पहुंचीं और इस हिंसा के खिलाफ लोकल लीडर प्रभाकर शिंदे के पास भी शिकायत की। लेकिन, शिंदे द्वारा शिकायत दर्ज कराने के बावजूद इस मामले में पुलिस किसी तरह की कार्रवाई करने में नाकामयाब रही।
ठाकरे ने कहा कि अगर सिख भूल गए हैं तो उन्हें अपने बड़े-बूढ़ों से दिल्ली में हुए दंगों के बारे में पूछना चाहिए। उन्होंने याद दिलाते हुए कहा कि अगर 1984 में मुंबई तक सिख विरोधी दंगे नहीं फैल सके तो सिर्फ शिवसेना की वजह से। उन्होंने बताया कि उस वक्त ज्ञानी जैल सिंह ने सिख समुदाय के सदस्यों को सुरक्षा प्रदान करने के लिए उन्हें धन्यवाद भी दिया था, जबकि उस समय दिल्ली में उनका बुरा हाल था।
शिवसेना से जुड़े सूत्रों का कहना है कि यदि सिखों ने अब किसी तरह का हिंसात्मक रवैया अपनाया तो पार्टी के कार्यकर्ता मूक दर्शक नहीं बने बैठेंगे। सेना के एक सीनियर लीडर ने कहा, 'इस तरह निर्दोषों और महिलाओं पर तलवार भांजना, दुकानों को जबरन बंद कराना और रेलवे प्रॉपर्टी को तहस-नहस करने की उनकी हरकतों से ठाकरे और उनके बेटे उद्धव काफी नाराज हैं। अगर सिखों ने अपनी इन हरकतों को फिर से दोहराया तो हम इसका जवाब देंगे। डेरा के बॉडीगार्ड ने जो गोली चलाई वह यकीनन सही नहीं है, पर इस वजह से निर्दोष लोगों और महाराष्ट्र के पब्लिक प्रॉपर्टी को क्यों निशाना बनाया जा रहा है?'
एक मॉल के बाहर डेरा सच्चा सौदा प्रमुख गुरमीत राम रहीम सिंह के बॉडीगार्ड द्वारा सिखों पर गोलियां चलाने से एक व्यक्ति की मौत से भड़के सिखों ने मुंबई में जमकर हंगामा किया। इसके चलते शुक्रवार और शनिवार को शहर के कई इलाकों में हिंसा हुई और माहौल तनावपूर्ण रहा। ठाकरे को सिखों का यह बर्ताव काफी अखरा है।
पार्टी के मुखपत्र ' सामना ' के पहले पन्ने पर कड़े शब्दों में ठाकरे ने सिखों को चेतावनी देते हुए कहा कि यह शिवसेना ही थी, जिसने इंदिरा गांधी की हत्या के बाद मुंबई में सिखों की रक्षा की।
ठाकरे ने कहा कि मुलुंड की सड़कों पर बड़ी संख्या में सिख तलवार भांजते हुए और निर्दोष लोगों पर हमला करते पाए गए। यहां तक कि महिलाओं पर भी उन्होंने वार किया। ट्रेन में सफर करने वालों को भी निशाना बनाया गया, जबकि उनकी कोई गलती नहीं थी। अखबार में ठाकरे ने लिखा कि बहुत सारी महिलाएं मुलुंड में शिवसेना शाखा पहुंचीं और इस हिंसा के खिलाफ लोकल लीडर प्रभाकर शिंदे के पास भी शिकायत की। लेकिन, शिंदे द्वारा शिकायत दर्ज कराने के बावजूद इस मामले में पुलिस किसी तरह की कार्रवाई करने में नाकामयाब रही।
ठाकरे ने कहा कि अगर सिख भूल गए हैं तो उन्हें अपने बड़े-बूढ़ों से दिल्ली में हुए दंगों के बारे में पूछना चाहिए। उन्होंने याद दिलाते हुए कहा कि अगर 1984 में मुंबई तक सिख विरोधी दंगे नहीं फैल सके तो सिर्फ शिवसेना की वजह से। उन्होंने बताया कि उस वक्त ज्ञानी जैल सिंह ने सिख समुदाय के सदस्यों को सुरक्षा प्रदान करने के लिए उन्हें धन्यवाद भी दिया था, जबकि उस समय दिल्ली में उनका बुरा हाल था।
शिवसेना से जुड़े सूत्रों का कहना है कि यदि सिखों ने अब किसी तरह का हिंसात्मक रवैया अपनाया तो पार्टी के कार्यकर्ता मूक दर्शक नहीं बने बैठेंगे। सेना के एक सीनियर लीडर ने कहा, 'इस तरह निर्दोषों और महिलाओं पर तलवार भांजना, दुकानों को जबरन बंद कराना और रेलवे प्रॉपर्टी को तहस-नहस करने की उनकी हरकतों से ठाकरे और उनके बेटे उद्धव काफी नाराज हैं। अगर सिखों ने अपनी इन हरकतों को फिर से दोहराया तो हम इसका जवाब देंगे। डेरा के बॉडीगार्ड ने जो गोली चलाई वह यकीनन सही नहीं है, पर इस वजह से निर्दोष लोगों और महाराष्ट्र के पब्लिक प्रॉपर्टी को क्यों निशाना बनाया जा रहा है?'
After critics, audiences reject 'Love Guru'
NEW YORK: After being panned by movie critics for its crudity, Mike Myers' controversial comedy "The Love Guru" has been rejected by audiences too it has managed to rake in just $14 mn at the box office over its opening weekend in the US and Canada.
The film has been beaten by another new comedy, 'Get Smart", which did an estimated $39.2 mn in weekend ticket sales. Critics disapproved of the Steve Carell starrer too for its stale jokes, but viewers seem to have preferred that over the "potty and stinky" jokes of "Love Guru".
In a serious embarrassment to Myers, whose "Austin Powers" movies were hugely successful, the "Love Guru" was placed fourth this week on the box office listings.
"Kung Fu Panda" from Paramount and DreamWorks Animation was placed No. 2 ($21.7 mn in ticket sales) in its second weekend, and "The Incredible Hulk" from Marvel and Universal Pictures took the third spot ($21.6mn).
A weak opening for "The Love Guru" was a setback for Paramount too, which has otherwise dominated the spring-summer box office with hits like "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".
Indian American M. Night Shyamalan's spooky thriller "The Happening" took in another $10 mn over the weekend, raising its total revenue so far to about $50.3 mn.
Before its release, "The Love Guru", about the antics of India-reared American guru named Pitka, kicked up a controversy with some Hindu leaders suspecting that it "lampooned "Hinduism.
But after watching the film, both Indian American media and Hindu organisations such as Iskcon and Hindu American Foundation found nothing offensive in it and asked Hindus to view it with a "pinch of salt and a good sense of humour".
Discuss this story with other readers. Click on 'Discuss' link at the top and bottom of the story. To know more about this feature click 'here'.
Here is your chance to get in touch with the best and brightest financial and business brains all over the world. www.economictimes.com is happy to introduce the 'Discuss' functionality in all its story pages. This live chat feature that will enable you to discuss any story with any other interested reader around the world. All you need to do is click on the 'Discuss' link inside any story. A chat window will pop open. You can enter any nickname or your real name in this chat window. To see who else is in the story discussion room, just click on the 'Visitors' link on the chat window. You can keep your discussions with other readers in the public domain where other readers too are free to join in or go into a private discussion mode. For more details on how to use this chat utility, please "click here"
The film has been beaten by another new comedy, 'Get Smart", which did an estimated $39.2 mn in weekend ticket sales. Critics disapproved of the Steve Carell starrer too for its stale jokes, but viewers seem to have preferred that over the "potty and stinky" jokes of "Love Guru".
In a serious embarrassment to Myers, whose "Austin Powers" movies were hugely successful, the "Love Guru" was placed fourth this week on the box office listings.
"Kung Fu Panda" from Paramount and DreamWorks Animation was placed No. 2 ($21.7 mn in ticket sales) in its second weekend, and "The Incredible Hulk" from Marvel and Universal Pictures took the third spot ($21.6mn).
A weak opening for "The Love Guru" was a setback for Paramount too, which has otherwise dominated the spring-summer box office with hits like "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".
Indian American M. Night Shyamalan's spooky thriller "The Happening" took in another $10 mn over the weekend, raising its total revenue so far to about $50.3 mn.
Before its release, "The Love Guru", about the antics of India-reared American guru named Pitka, kicked up a controversy with some Hindu leaders suspecting that it "lampooned "Hinduism.
But after watching the film, both Indian American media and Hindu organisations such as Iskcon and Hindu American Foundation found nothing offensive in it and asked Hindus to view it with a "pinch of salt and a good sense of humour".
Discuss this story with other readers. Click on 'Discuss' link at the top and bottom of the story. To know more about this feature click 'here'.
Here is your chance to get in touch with the best and brightest financial and business brains all over the world. www.economictimes.com is happy to introduce the 'Discuss' functionality in all its story pages. This live chat feature that will enable you to discuss any story with any other interested reader around the world. All you need to do is click on the 'Discuss' link inside any story. A chat window will pop open. You can enter any nickname or your real name in this chat window. To see who else is in the story discussion room, just click on the 'Visitors' link on the chat window. You can keep your discussions with other readers in the public domain where other readers too are free to join in or go into a private discussion mode. For more details on how to use this chat utility, please "click here"
Baby put up for sale on Craigslist
Reuters
TimePublished on Thu, May 29, 2008 at 02:11, Updated at Thu, May 29, 2008 in Wild Wacky World section
TagsTags: Baby, Craigslist
E-mail this report | Print this report
BABY BOO-BOO: The Craigslist advertisement described the baby as 'very cute' and 'unexpected'.
BABY BOO-BOO: The Craigslist advertisement described the baby as "very cute" and "unexpected".
* Is Bella the oldest pet dog alive?
* In pics: Naked truth: A nude warm-up to Euro 2008
-->
Featured Blog
Global Warming.
Featured Slideshows
Clean Coal Technology : The Ultimate Energy Source See What Coal Can Do for You!
Ads by Google
Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada: A couple has been arrested in what Canadian police said on Tuesday, was an apparent offer to sell a seven-day-old baby girl on Craigslist for C$10,000 ($10,100).
A woman who saw the offer on the popular Website alerted police who tracked down the 23-year-old mother and 26-year-old father using a cell phone number that was listed in the advertisement.
Vancouver Police said the couple told investigators the offer was a hoax, but were arrested for public mischief with other criminal charges possible as the investigation continues.
"There are so many questions here," Constable Tim Fanning told reporters.
Police said the advertisement described the baby as "very cute" and "unexpected" and that its parents, who could not afford to care for it, wanted to give it a good home.
TimePublished on Thu, May 29, 2008 at 02:11, Updated at Thu, May 29, 2008 in Wild Wacky World section
TagsTags: Baby, Craigslist
E-mail this report | Print this report
BABY BOO-BOO: The Craigslist advertisement described the baby as 'very cute' and 'unexpected'.
BABY BOO-BOO: The Craigslist advertisement described the baby as "very cute" and "unexpected".
* Is Bella the oldest pet dog alive?
* In pics: Naked truth: A nude warm-up to Euro 2008
-->
Featured Blog
Global Warming.
Featured Slideshows
Clean Coal Technology : The Ultimate Energy Source See What Coal Can Do for You!
Ads by Google
Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada: A couple has been arrested in what Canadian police said on Tuesday, was an apparent offer to sell a seven-day-old baby girl on Craigslist for C$10,000 ($10,100).
A woman who saw the offer on the popular Website alerted police who tracked down the 23-year-old mother and 26-year-old father using a cell phone number that was listed in the advertisement.
Vancouver Police said the couple told investigators the offer was a hoax, but were arrested for public mischief with other criminal charges possible as the investigation continues.
"There are so many questions here," Constable Tim Fanning told reporters.
Police said the advertisement described the baby as "very cute" and "unexpected" and that its parents, who could not afford to care for it, wanted to give it a good home.
Kerala monkey doubles up as a shepherd
Kundur Sathya Narayanan / CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:59 in Wild Wacky World section
TagsTags: Wild Wacky World, Palakkad , Pallakad
E-mail this report | Print this report
NO MONKEY BUSINESS: Mani the monkey shepherds nearly 100 goats in Nelliyampathy, Palakkad.
NO MONKEY BUSINESS: Mani the monkey shepherds nearly 100 goats in Nelliyampathy, Palakkad.
Featured Blog
Global Warming.
Featured Slideshows
Anatolian Shepherd Dogs : Lost Armadillo Ranch Anatolians Working-Show-Pet Puppies
Call India 4.9¢/min : Cheapest flate rate to India Home and Mobile. No Connection Fees
Shepherd Jobs : $25-60/hour Local Jobs. Over 300+ Part-Time, Full-Time. Start Today!
Love Monkey : Catch all New "Minisodes" of Rescue Me on FX. June 24 at 10 pm et/pt.
Ads by Google
Pallakad (Kerala): Compare him to the goats and he may look small, but Mani the monkey, shepherds nearly 100 goats in Nelliyampathy, Palakkad. The goat's ear is how he controls them. He makes the goats turn right or left by tugging gently at their ear. And he attacks anyone who ventures near the goats.
Manager Greenland Farmhouse, P J Martin says, "I got this monkey three years ago, bleeding all over. I applied medicine and left it with the goats. Afterwards he was always with the goats. He does all works as a man does it."
Three-year-old Mani effortlessly shepherds the goats through the coffee plantations. He even eats his food sitting on top of a goat. The tourists who visit the farmhouse watch Mani with awe.
A tourist, S Snehalatha says, "We came here on a holiday and heard about this monkey that is a shepherd. We have been watching him for the past few minutes and he seems to do his job better than a man would."
And you're in trouble if Mani catches you watching the goats. But then again, he's got a job to do.
TimePublished on Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 11:59 in Wild Wacky World section
TagsTags: Wild Wacky World, Palakkad , Pallakad
E-mail this report | Print this report
NO MONKEY BUSINESS: Mani the monkey shepherds nearly 100 goats in Nelliyampathy, Palakkad.
NO MONKEY BUSINESS: Mani the monkey shepherds nearly 100 goats in Nelliyampathy, Palakkad.
Featured Blog
Global Warming.
Featured Slideshows
Anatolian Shepherd Dogs : Lost Armadillo Ranch Anatolians Working-Show-Pet Puppies
Call India 4.9¢/min : Cheapest flate rate to India Home and Mobile. No Connection Fees
Shepherd Jobs : $25-60/hour Local Jobs. Over 300+ Part-Time, Full-Time. Start Today!
Love Monkey : Catch all New "Minisodes" of Rescue Me on FX. June 24 at 10 pm et/pt.
Ads by Google
Pallakad (Kerala): Compare him to the goats and he may look small, but Mani the monkey, shepherds nearly 100 goats in Nelliyampathy, Palakkad. The goat's ear is how he controls them. He makes the goats turn right or left by tugging gently at their ear. And he attacks anyone who ventures near the goats.
Manager Greenland Farmhouse, P J Martin says, "I got this monkey three years ago, bleeding all over. I applied medicine and left it with the goats. Afterwards he was always with the goats. He does all works as a man does it."
Three-year-old Mani effortlessly shepherds the goats through the coffee plantations. He even eats his food sitting on top of a goat. The tourists who visit the farmhouse watch Mani with awe.
A tourist, S Snehalatha says, "We came here on a holiday and heard about this monkey that is a shepherd. We have been watching him for the past few minutes and he seems to do his job better than a man would."
And you're in trouble if Mani catches you watching the goats. But then again, he's got a job to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
