Very soon, the Indian Railways might be run by private agencies

#bibekdebroy #indianrailways #mamtabanerjee #kolkatametro The high powered Bibek Debroy panel has suggested several ways to ensure that the Indian Railways become a profit making concern and one of these ways is to hand over its working to private concerns. It should delink from producing coaches, wagons and locomotives and switch over to commercial accounting of railway functions. Moreover, it should hand over the running of both passenger trains and freight trains to private players.
Moreover, this Debroy panel has also suggested that the national transporter delink itself from welfare services like running of schools and hospitals apart from managing the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 1 April 2015.

Another of its suggestions is to have an Indian Railway Manufacturing Company to replace all existing production units and, simultaneously, have another holding company for railway stations.
The panel has also indicated that there should be one ministry of transport in the future and that the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation should be detached from the railways – it had been integrated during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee as rail minister.
The suggestions are very practical ones because, till now, the Indian Railways has been used as a political tool and each and every railway minister has played to the galleries and has tried to get things done for his or her constituencies. Many of the projects that have been sanctioned have remained on paper and innumerable foundation stones have been laid but not the corresponding railway lines.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Endangered bottle nosed dolphins of the Great Barrier Reef

#bottlenosedolphin #greatbarrierreef #SarahDwyer #ecosystem The bottle nosed dolphins have been put in the category of endangered species in New Zealand. Here, their population is concentrated in three main known regions – namely, Doubtful Sound in Fiordland, between the Marlborough Sounds and Westport, and around the Bay of Islands area.
Researchers have now come across another hot-spot for these dolphins - near the shores of Great Barrier Island. This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 1 April 2015.

This has been revealed by Massey University marine biologist Sarah Dwyer who has conducted study of the nearly 21,000-Km of water in the Hauraki Gulf. She has succeeded in pin-pointing this location as an important all-year-round spot for around 170 individual dolphins.
As per the estimates of Department of Conservation, approximately 450 dolphins make up the Bay of Islands population whereas the size of the groups in the gulf observed by Miss Dwyer were much larger.
She has concluded that since the number of dolphins in the Bay of Islands was on the decline, it was necessary to preserve the eco-system of the gulf. The gulf area was a busy area because of plenty of shipping traffic and this poses a threat to the dolphins.
Miss Dwyer had conducted her 279-day study on a dedicated research boat. She had undertaken visual surveys using occupancy modelling, which factored in the probability of spotting a dolphin or whale. Previous mapping exercises have relied mostly on tourist vessels.
The bottle nosed dolphins can reach lengths of nearly 4m, are dark or light grey on the back with white on the undersides and these are particularly susceptible to human impacts due to their coastal nature.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Prince William joins East Anglian Air Ambulance to train as an Air Ambulance pilot

#PrinceWilliam #airambulance #KensingtonPalace #BondAirServices Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has joined East Anglian Air Ambulance and would be trained to take up the work of piloting an Air Ambulance. It is expected that he would fly rescue missions from this summer itself.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 30 March 2015.
Prince William is not new to flying – he is a former RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, and has now begun work at Bond Air Services, which runs air ambulance operations in the UK. His new assignment has been confirmed by Kensington Palace.

In a statement, it has indicated that the Duke of Cambridge has started work as an employee of Bond Air Services and, over the coming months, will undertake job-specific training before he starts to pilot Air Ambulances during the summer. His training would involve simulator, aircraft and in-flight skills training.
He would probably operate out of East Anglian Air Ambulance's base at Cambridge Airport and would be at the controls of a new EC145 T2 helicopter which is expected to enter service in April. It would provide greater speed, endurance and capacity.
While Prince William will be the pilot, he would have with him a co-pilot, a specially trained critical care paramedic and a senior medic who would be a consultant who specializes in intensive care, anesthesia or trauma.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

‘Swachh Bharat’ – Goa Chief Minister says if people co-operate, Goa will be clean by 2017

#SwatchhBharat #sulabh #LaxmikantParsekar #Goa #CM The novelty of Swachh Bharat appears to be gradually wearing off and Amir Khan’s ads coupled with ads of Vidya Balan to promote the concept of a clean India is not having the desired effect. Garbage spilling on to the roads is a common sight even after the formation of a new government at the center and photo-ops of celebrities taking up the broom have vanished from sight.
In this connection the remarks of Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar deserves a mention. He has said that Goa has provided toilets to 72% households, but, slums pose a challenge. He has accepted the fact that co-operation is of utmost importance. In his opinion, a solution can be found if all work collectively.
He has also admitted that people often obstruct construction of Sulabh toilets (cheap pay-and-use toilets) even where these have been sanctioned. Therefore, many such toilets remain incomplete in parts of Goa and there are instances where sewage is discharged into open nullahs or drains.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 31 March 2015.

He has also announced that Goa can surely do it if each household cooperates. He was talking on national rural drinking water and sanitation awareness program.
The central government has fixed October 2, 2019, as the target date to achieve 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India) but Goa has advanced it to October 2, 2017 – that is two years earlier. Echoing the sentiments of the Chief Minister, PWD minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar has added that Goa's advanced deadline for 'Swachch Bharat' can be easily be met if every citizen contributes in keeping Goa clean.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Costa Concordia, which capsized in 2012, had a shipment of Mafia drugs

#costaconcordia #Ndrangheta #mafia #cruiseship #cocaine The cruise ship Costa Concordia that capsized in January 2012 and killed 32 of its passengers, was believed to be carrying a huge shipment of Mafia-owned cocaine when it set off on its final voyage.
This has been revealed in nzherald.co.nz dated 31 March 2015.
This information is based on phone calls and tape recordings between members of the dreaded Caribbean mafia syndicate Ndrangheta. It seems the investigating officers of this huge cocaine-trafficking operation have proof that the boss of the gang had admitted about drugs in Costa Concordia to one of his associates.

The drug gangs apparently have links with other vessels of Costa Cruises apart from ships owned by MSC and Norwegian Cruise Lines. These ships travel between Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
The owners were not aware of these clandestine activities because these were handled by the lower level staff and members of the crew.
Incidentally, the Costa Concordia was carrying over 4,000 passengers and crew aboard when it partially capsized on the night of 13 January 2012, close to the island of Giglio, after the captain performed a risky maneuver. As a result, it crash into rocks near the shore.
In February this year, Francesco Schettino, the captain of the ship, was found guilty of manslaughter and given a 16-year sentence. He had not only caused a shipwreck but had also abandoned the ship before his passengers.
The wreckage of the Concordia has, since, been towed to Genoa in July last year to be scrapped in a complex, €100m operation. This operation is expected to last nearly two years.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

It was a strange sight at the funeral of a woman of Yucatan in Mexico – she loved and fed stray dogs and these animals turned up at her funeral to show their respects.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 30 March 2015.
The woman was animal lover Margarita Suarez of Merida, Yucatan and she breathed her last on 10 March after battling illness. She was known for her kindness to all kinds of animals and every morning she would feed the stray dogs and cats that would show up at her home.

It seems she would also carry with her a bag of food whenever she went out so that she could feed other strays also. Her family members were surprised to see so many dogs suddenly appear at the funeral parlor where her body was being kept. When questioned, the staff of the funeral home denied any knowledge of the animals and added that they had never seen them before.
Finally, the dogs were allowed to remain and, when the funeral procession took off, the dogs followed the hearse.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Nationwide ban on cow slaughter on the cards says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

#cowslaughter #rajnathsingh #india #tourism #BJP #NDA Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has indicated that the NDA government will try its "level best" to bring in a nationwide ban on cow slaughter through a consensus as reported in zeenews.india.com dated 30 March 2015.
His intentions are noble no doubt because we Indians look upon the cow as a Goddess and worship her as go-mata – hence, imposing a ban on cow slaughter would be in the fitness of things. Already BJP-ruled like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have introduced necessary legislation in this regard and no one should doubt the commitment of the government to prevent slaughter of cows.

However, introducing such a ban in all states of the country is not possible right now since the government does not have an absolute majority in both Houses of Parliament. Obviously, that would have to wait till such time the BJP manages to get the required numbers in the Rajya Sabha.
Of course, the leaders should also consider another important aspect – namely, the effect such legislations might have on tourism. On the one hand we want tourists to come over and spend their dollars in India but they would have to content themselves with dishes that do not have beef. Once the decision is implemented, the travel websites would inform would-be tourists to come prepared to dine on veg dishes.
Agree, veg dishes are healthy and there is a clamor for some foreigners to go vegan but, the fact remains that it could hurt tourism.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

River cruises to seven places of pilgrimage in India coming soon

#rivercruises #nitingadkari #pilgrimage #modi #tourists Indian leaders are great ones for daydreaming – there was a chief minister who wanted to make Mumbai to Shanghai, then there was another chief minister who wanted to make Kolkata into London – now we have the center who have woken up to tap the tourism potential of the river waters. There are ideas floating around to conduct river cruises to seven places of pilgrimage namely Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Kolkata, Guwahati and Tezpur.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 30 March 2015.

A report has highlighted the fact that coastal shipping and waterways have been a neglected sector in spite of the fact that transportation through water is cheaper, less polluting and more efficient as compared to road and rail.
Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari is ensuring that the government has to put greater focus on coastal shipping and waterways. Already, the Cabinet has given the go-ahead for a legislation to declare 101 rivers as national waterways. This would allow the Centre to explore the possibilities of cargo and passenger movement on these rivers.
Of course, there would be a major challenge that is not being talked about.
One can presume that the cruises would be on the River Ganges or Ganga – can cruises be undertaken with the condition of the Ganga being what it is? Or – should the Ganga clean-up mission take priority? Which comes first – the chick or the egg?

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Pigeon fitted with a chip lands in Gujarat to scare the wits out of the police

It appeared to be a pigeon lost at sea that had landed to quench its thirst. It was spotted sipping water from a bowl at the under-construction Essar jetty at Salaya shore in Devbumi Dwarka, Gujarat, in the afternoon of March 20.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 28 March 2015.

It would have gone unnoticed if it had flown away when the Essar security guard tried to shoo it away. But, it did not fly away and it was then that the guard noticed a chip tied to one of its claws and a ring with the number '28733' on the other claw. Moreover, the bird had writings in Urdu/Arabic across its wings.
Obviously, all the security agencies like the Gujarat police, Coast Guard, forest department, forensic experts and even the Union home ministry were bewildered.
Forensic experts came on the scene and the chip was removed from the feet of the bird. The chip had inscription of 'Benjing Dual' – googling this it was found that 'Benzing Dual' is a sensor chip used for racing pigeons. Then came the deciphering of the Urdu/Arabic words written in blue on the pigeon's wings. It was translated as "Rasul-ul-Allah' (messenger of Allah).
We will have to wait for further developments to find out what message the pigeon has brought and from whom.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Teenage girl of Brighton sat on a needle in a bus and is now getting her blood tested for HIV

#brighton #brightonandhove #HIV #hepatitis This can happen to anyone of us and the 16-year-old girl of Brighton never expected to be running about trying to get her blood tested for HIV – she had boarded a bus No 24 and did not notice the needle lying on the seat. She sat down on it and after feeling the prick she realized the danger.
She is now awaiting blood test results as reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 29 March 2015.

She was traveling on the upper deck of the Brighton and Hove Bus Company and she had to spend the next four hours in hospital where she was given a hepatitis jab and had blood tests. It seems she experienced the shooting pain in the back of her leg. When she down she pulled out a needle that had broken in half. Moreover, on the side of the bus seat there were packets and a syringe on the floor along with the remaining portion of the needle.
The bus company is examining the CCTV footages while the Sussex police are also investigating.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Indications were there that something was amiss for Germanwings co-pilot

#germanwings #AndreasLubitz #AirbusA320 #flight9525 As new revelations occur about 27-year-old Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of Germanwings flight 9525 who crashed his Airbus A320 into a French mountainside to kill 150 passengers and crew members, it seems there were indications that something was amiss with him.
His girlfriend had dumped him a day before the crash, he was being treated for depression and was worried about losing his his job over eye problems. He was, undoubtedly, a troubled man whose world was coming apart. And, he had managed to keep these hidden from his employer, friends and colleagues.
This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 29 March 2015.

He had been examined by an eye specialist in the University Hospital Dusseldorf. Moreover, he had been seeing a neuropsychologist for depression and the doctor had given him a note excusing him from the work the day of the crash. However, he ignored the advice and reported to work.
Obviously, he had made up his mind and had decided to take his life along with the lives of another 150 who had no links with him.
This is a warning for all airlines because unless the men who man the aircraft are fir in all respects, they should not be given responsibilities of the lives of passengers. Any abnormal behavior must be investigated and, if necessary, such individuals must be segregated and removed from the direct line of control.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Chile faces another natural disaster – flash floods leave nine people dead, 19 missing

#Antofagasta #AtacamaDesert #climatechange #chilefloods Torrential rains in the Atacama Desert in Chile has left behind a trail of disaster and communities in Chile's northern desert region had to retrieve their houses and cars out of the mud and work to re-open roads and communication links as floods devastated a number of cities and left nine people dead. Another nineteen people were also reported to be missing.
This has been confirmed by Sub-secretary Mahmud Aleuy. He also anticipates the number of dead and missing to go up. This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 29 March 2015.

Initial information would suggest that roads had been cut to more than 40 communities and, many of them did not have access to potable water or electricity. The heavy rains had swelled the rivers and led to flash flooding in cities including Copiapo, Chanaral, Tierra Amarilla and Taltal, all hundreds of kilometres north of Santiago.
The precipitation in Antofagasta, 1376-Km north of Santiago, provided a stark example of the abnormal rain as indicated by the met department. It normally receives hardly 1.7mm of rain annually and, in this case, it received 24mm within two days.
The deluge has come following several days of high temperatures and a drought that stoked raging wildfires in Chile's south-central regions. These fires have burned nearly 93,000ha in the 2014-15 season – this is much above the annual average of 59,300ha over the previous five years.
Obviously, such drastic changes in the surroundings could be a result of climate change, global warming and environment degradation and authorities would need to address themselves to solve such problems on a long term basis.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

#anchovies #omega7 #heart #health #LDL #cholesterol A study has found that anchovies could hold the key to cutting risk factors for heart disease and stroke because an extract of omega oil found in anchovies can reduce levels of harmful blood fats and, simultaneously, boosted ‘good’ cholesterol.
This has been reported in dailymmail.co.uk dated 28 March 2015.

The study was conducted by Dr Michael Roizen, professor of medicine and head of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. The findings of the study come from the first human trial of supplements of purified Omega 7 oil. This is the key fatty acid found in anchovies.
In the opinion of experts, the health benefits of palmitoleic acid, the prime Omega 7 acid, are gradually coming to surface. Dr Michael Roizen feels that the major benefit would be from decreasing inflammation as well as a beneficial effect on other contributing risk factors to cardiovascular disease. As of now there are no known side effects.
The study was conducted on 60 adult volunteers who were randomly assigned to take 220mg of palmitoleic acid once a day or an inactive supplement for 30 days. It was seen that those who were participating had mildly raised levels of blood fats and inflammation. Tests carried out after the study revealed that there was 44 per cent reduction in CRP, 15 per cent cut in triglycerides and eight per cent fall in LDL cholesterol. All these are factors that are linked to heart disease.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

British girls engage in sex work to fund their way through University

#swanseauniversity #sexindustry #student #lapdancing British girls ate redefining the modern day sense of values by engaging in sex work to fund their way through University. It seems the figures are in the region of nearly 25% of students in the UK. This has been revealed by a study that had been conducted by academics at Swansea University. Here is seems 5% of students have actually worked in the sex industry and more than half of them said they did so in order to pay for basic living expenses.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 27 March 2015.

One of the strippers working in a lap dancing club in Liverpool has admitted that this sort of sex work can bring in a lot of money. She is doing a most competitive courses at a top university and used to work as a bar girl but, it involved long hours and that interfered with her studies. Moreover, her earnings in the bar job was a pittance when compared to the lap dancing.
Some other opt for a different type of work – they advertise themselves as escorts on adult-only websites. The reason for tis attitudinal change among the girl students is the rising cost of studies.
The Student Sex Work Project has discovered that 56% of students who engage in sex work do so to pay for basic living costs, 45% said it was to avoid debt and 39% said it was to reduce debt at the end of their course. Of course, most of the students keep their occupations secret because of social stigma and other associated fears.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

West Bengal wanted CBI enquiry into Ranaghat nun rape case – center says ‘sorry’

#ranaghat #westbengal #nunrape #CID #CBI The gang rape of a 71-year-old nun of a convent in Ranaghat by a gang of miscreants and the inability of the local police or CID to apprehend the culprits even though CCTV footage showed the faces of the rapists was an embarrassment for the West Bengal government. This gave rise to a situation when the state asked the CBI to step in.
But, the center has said ‘sorry’ as reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 28 March 2015.
This has come as a shock to the state government of Mamata Banerjee. Till now, she had opposed any move to involve the CBI in crimes that were committed in her state even though there was a clamor to hand over the cases to the central agency.

But, this was a different kettle of fish for her. Observers feel that she wanted to wash of her responsibility by transferring the case to a central agency. Thereby, the blame for delays would not be assignable to her government. From the ‘sorry’ of the center, it is obvious that the center has seen through her game plan.
The reasons given for the refusal is that since the CID has succeeded in arresting two of the culprits, albeit late in the day, they could arrest the others as well.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

700 Indian islands to be developed for tourism and honeymoon destinations

#sagarmala #india #nitin #gadkari #ModiGovt #tourism India has a total of 128 islands and some of these are uninhabited. The government plans to use 700 of these islands to promote tourism, movie making apart from entertainment activities. These could also be converted to honeymoon destinations, maritime security and for generating non-conventional energy - both wind and solar.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 27 March 2015.

This would be a part of the ambitious Sagarmala project. The Cabinet has granted approval to the concept note and the institutional framework needed to implement a project of this magnitude. It has been revived by the Narendra Modi government. It had been first mooted by Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his last tenure.
Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has explained that there are a total of 1,208 islands including the uninhabited ones and there are 185 lighthouses. The proposal is to develop these as hubs of tourist activity for which a feasibility study would be carried out.
Needless to say that for any such plan to succeed, the government would have to consider the environmental impact on the rich and fragile ecology of those islands. In some cases there could be adverse impact on the vulnerable tribal populations who reside in the nearby islands. Obviously, it would not be plain sailing.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

80-storey tower coming up in the Swiss Alps to put London’s Shard in the shade

#theshard #swissalps #ThomMayne #tallesttower Once completed, it would be Europe's tallest skyscraper and will stand more than 70 metres higher than the Shard. This 80-storey luxury hotel tower is proposed to be built in the tiny hamlet of Vas, in the Swiss Alps. It is a sleepy Swiss village bit would not remain a sleepy village for long.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 27 March 2015.

The hotel tower would be designed by Los Angeles architect Thom Mayne and its plans have been unveiled. It would stand tall at 381 metres (1250ft) and the slim, glassy skyscraper would mirror the surrounding mountainous landscape.
This would be Europe's tallest skyscraper and will stand at more than 70 metres above London's Shard. Moreover, the 53,000-square-metre building planned to be opened in 2019 will have 107 guest rooms and suites, apart from spas, a ballroom and a library, restaurants, a cafe, bar, sky bar and a gallery. It will also feature a swimming pool and fitness center.
Incidentally, each of the floors would have just one room that would offer exclusive panoramic views of the Alps.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Iran nuclear deal could see Iran run centrifuges at its Fordo facilities

#irannucleardeal #fordo #centrifuges #uraniumemrichment The Iran nuclear deal is supposed to be finalized by end March and indications are there that Iran may get permission to retain a once-secret fortified bunker full of centrifuges in Fordo facility as part of a deal over its nuclear program.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 27 March 2015.

US officials who are negotiating the deal are believed to be considering a quid pro quo that would allow Iran to keep hundreds of centrifuges at its Fordo facility and, in return, it would reduce the number of centrifuges at other locations.
Under the agreement that is being worked out, the Fordo centrifuges would not be allowed to enrich uranium. However, other elements like zinc and xenon could be processed for medical and other scientific research. Incidentally, the existence of Fordo had been revealed early in the presidency of Barack Obama after western intelligence agencies had come across it.
The International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA has criticized Iran for breaching an agreement under which it is necessary to declare such facilities as they were being built. Fordo is seen as a symbol of Iran's record of concealing its nuclear program. An obvious inference is that Iran want to enrich uranium for military in purposes but Iran continues to deny any such intention. It maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian and peaceful ends only.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

Cricket World Cup 2015 – end of an Indian dream

#cwc2015 #sydneycricketground #IPL #INDvsAUS From a win-win situation in the seven matches leading up to the semi-final clash with the Aussies at the Sydney Cricket Ground, it was a lose-lose situation for the Indians in CWC 2015 in Sydney. They first lost the toss, then they lost their way in the bowling department allowing the home team to pile on the miseries and, while batting to defend a 300 plus score, they lost the will to fight back. It was abject surrender all the way – most unlike the way they are known to fight back.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 26 March 2015.

One can safely assume that too much hype is bad for health of Indian cricket and this has been proved in the lead up to the forgettable 26th March 2015 – none of the Indian players would want to relive that day. It was a day of failures galore and captain M S Dhoni had no answer to the way the world crumbled around him and he remained a silent spectator to the downfall.
In fact, his run out has also raised questions – from all appearances, he could have made a last attempt to save the run-out but he did not. Obviously, he knew that he was battling for a lost cause and must have been missing the company of Suresh Raina and Ravinder Jadeja.
Should the blame lie with the bowlers who allowed the Aussies to hammer them at will and create a mountain of runs that was insurmountable? Or – should the blame be assigned to the batsmen who failed to rise to expectations? Those who had scored centuries earlier in CWC 2015 just did not deliver.
Anyway – their stint in foreign soil is over for the time being and they will return home to join the extravaganza known as IPL. The past would be a closed chapter.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose

Saudi Arabia launches airstrikes in Yemen, President Hadi of Yemen flees the country

#saudiarabia #whitehouse #yemen #iran #aden #airstrikes Reports have emerged about airstrikes launched by Saudi Arabia on Yemen targeting military installations that are under control of Shiite rebels who have swept into the country's south and have driven President Hadi to flee by sea and seek refuge in neighboring state of Oman.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 26 March 2015.

At least 17 civilians have died in the military offensive. As intimated by Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya News, the kingdom has deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units to participate in the attack.
Saudi Arabia explained the reasons for leading a military offensive in Yemen because the Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, had moved on to Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's last refuge in the southern city of Aden, captured the city's airport and put a $100,000 bounty on the head of the President.
President Hadi is believed to be a close U.S. ally, and the imminent fall of the southern port of Aden pushed Yemen further toward a violent collapse.
The White House has clarified that the U.S. was coordinating military and intelligence support with the Saudis but not taking part directly in the strikes. Iran, on its part, has demanded an immediate halt to the air strikes and cautioned that it might further complicate the crisis in the country.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose

Russia’s idea to connect London to NYC by a 13,000-mile superhighway via Russia

#yakunin #putin #russianrailways #chunnel #nome It is a plan mooted by one of most powerful tycoons of Russia and who happens to be a close friend of President Vladimir Putin. The plan is to build a 13,000-mile highway that connect Great Britain to Alaska, via Mother Russia.
The major roadblock for this plan which would be an inter-state, inter-civilization, project is money, not feasibility. This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 26 March 2015.

The plan has been outlined by Russian Railways boss Vladimir Yakunin. He has presented the plan to Russian Academy of Science. It was the plan for the Trans-Eurasian belt Development and its cost would run into “trillions” of dollars.
Broadly speaking, this superhighway would connect thousands of miles of existing byways and bridges all across Russia. It would be a span of over 6,000 miles. From the west, it could then connect to roads in Europe, including the Chunnel Tunnel, which in turn, connects Great Britain and France.
The eastern end of the highway would be in Siberia’s Chukotka region which is just 55 miles across the Bering Sea from the isolated Alaskan city of Nome. In case a connection to Nome was followed by a U.S.-built road to Fairbanks, the global journey could become a reality.
The project, once completed, would cover the entire length of Russia and, by linking existing networks in Europe and Asia, would lead to the first-ever modern route from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west. In the opinion of Yakunin, it could generate innumerable new jobs, allow new cities to be created and, simultaneously, spur the development of Siberia and the Far East.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose

Auckland girl sweet talks thief to return stolen mobile phone

#auckland #christchurch #dunedin #ToyotaCorolla #sweettalk A girl of Auckland has managed to sweet talk a thief to have a change of heart and return the stolen mobile phones. The girls were students of University of Otago and the thief had stolen their handbags from a carpark in Christchurch carpark this month. But, they sweet talked the thief to return the stolen phones.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 26 March 2015.

They had gone to Christchurch to attend the 21st birthday party of a friend and had left their possessions in a locked car while they went to visit the New Brighton Pier on their way back to Dunedin on Sunday, March 15. When they returned to their Toyota Corolla car they discovered that someone had picked the lock.
However, while most of their luggage was still there, their four handbags were missing – inside those handbags were their wallets, passports, IDs, bank cards and the mobile phone of one of the girls.
Therefore one of the other girls rang up the missing phone and sweet talked the thief to return the stolen items at Spencer Beach Holiday Park – this was about 16-Km north of where it was taken from.
The thief agreed and warned – next time, take the handbag along with you.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose

Australia prevents 230 would-be jihadists from leaving the country

#ISIS #jihadist #tonyabbott #sydney #terrorism Australia is tackling the threat of ISIS in a different way. It is preventing would-be jihadists from leaving the country and feels it is a better method to fight terrorism. Its anti-terrorism cell has succeeded in preventing 230 suspected jihadis from departing Australian airports for the Middle East this month. Three of them were teenage boys.
These two boys were from Sydney and were intercepted at Sydney International Airport on March 8 as they attempted to board a flight for Turkey without their parents' knowledge. The boys have, since, been handed over to their parents. This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 25 March 2015.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has revealed that his government was investing more on border security and on countering extremism. In his opinion - it is absolutely critical that the people appreciate that the death cult of ISIS is reaching out to vulnerable and impressionable young people. And in order to check this, prevention is better than cure.
Incidentally, there are media reports that the Islamic State group had posted on a social media website a step-by-step guide to help would-be jihadis leave Australia and fight with the terror group. The guide apparently offers advice on how to use an Islamic State support network and slip through security cracks.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose