Kolkata will see nighttime buses and minibuses ply from Howrah Station after 2.30am

People who arrive at Howrah Station in Kolkata late at night have difficulties to go to their destinations because of non availability of buses or minibuses - and the taxis charge exorbitant rates. Therefore, a need had been felt for a long time to have buses operate late at night. That decision has, now, been taken and buses and minibuses will ply between Howrah station and various parts of the city from 2.30am every night. This night service will begin immediately and would be a boon to people arriving at Howrah station late at night.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 1 March 2016.

To begin with, there would be a fleet of 12 buses and 8 minibuses that will ferry passengers between Howrah station and Sealdah, Sector V, Karunamoyee, Kasba, Gariahat and Ballygunge Phari from 2.30am to 5am. The fares will remain unchanged and the buses and minibuses will do two round trips on every route.
A transport department official has indicated that police in Calcutta and Howrah and the public vehicles department have given the necessary clearances.
The buses will start from the Golabari police kiosk, where police would be heavily deployed to instill a sense of security among passengers. Officers in Lalbazar have promised to provide vehicles plying at night with proper security.


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Connecticut promotes raising chicken in the backyard

A number of towns in the US are permitting homeowners to raise chickens in their own backyards and, in order to promote the novel concept, a community college in Connecticut is offering a crash course to cash-in on this growing fad. The two-hour course comes for USD 55 and it will be offered on March 7 and on March 12.
This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 28 February 2016.

In March 2015, Manchester town in Connecticut had modified its zoning law to allow residents to raise up to 12 hens. The planning and zoning regulation does not include roosters, and says that single-family homes can raise chickens if they provide necessary shelter.
However, while in Manchester the new chicken law permits to raise backyard chickens, the laws for other communities vary depending on where you live but, the fad is catching on as more and more people want to know where their food comes from.
The two-day course offered by the Manchester Community College (MCC) will cover-everything from purchasing hens, where to keep them, what food they eat, and how to get them to lay eggs. The chickens lay eggs that are fresher than anything one can get in a grocery store. The eggs one gets in the grocery stores are weeks old and sometimes months old.
The course will provide participants with information about what to consider before purchasing the first flock and how-to information for creating and maintaining the living quarters for birds.


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Hyderabad wants to convert ancient water tanks to tourist hubs

In order to boost tourism in the state, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) has drawn up plans to convert ancient water tanks into major tourist destinations and have identified as many as 100 such water tanks, which are either out of use or semi-functional.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 29 February 2016.

Work has already been taken up at the Komati Cheruvu in Siddipet, Medak district with de-silting, planting of water-retaining plants and beautification. The water body will soon have an amusement park, a restaurant and a guest house, among other tourism amenities.
Similar work has been initiated at Pedda Cheruvu in Mahbubnagar district.
Adventure sports lovers can also hope to go for rappelling and trekking on the scenic hills and hillocks near these identified lakes which can serve as a very good training ground for trekking and rappelling. Many of the hillocks near to tanks have unique angles that are helpful in trekking.
AS indicated by officials, the work at the 100 identified water tanks is expected to be competed in 16 months.


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Asian hornets that can kill 50 bees every day could invade Britain

Warnings have been issued by wildlife experts that Asian hornets could invade Britain and pose a serious threat to the beleaguered bee population because these species are more hostile than the native hornet and can kill 50 bees a day to feed their larvae. The bee population in Britain is believed to have dropped by a third since 2007.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 29 February 2016.

These Asian hornets had landed up in France accidentally in pottery 12 years ago, and from one nest they spread to Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium. In all probability, these pests could cross the Channel accidentally via imported pot plants, fruit, cut flowers and timber. As cautioned by experts, like all invasive non-native species, once the Asian hornet digs in, it would be incredibly difficult and hugely costly to tackle the menace.
The Asian Hornet has a distinctive appearance – an almost entirely dark abdomen and yellow ends to its legs. It ‘poses a deadly threat to honeybees and other pollinators and any potential sightings should be immediately reported to the relevant authorities.
The Queens build nests in April and rapidly start laying eggs until the hive population reaches about 6,000 insects and, in order to feed the growing population, the hornets start hunting honey bees, chopping them up with their jaws and feeding them to larvae.
The declining population of bees worldwide is a potentially major risk to world food supplies. For some statistics - honey production in the UK fell by 34 per cent in 2015 to 21lbs per colony. This was down from 34lbs the previous year based on a survey of 1,561 beekeepers. Some of the reasons attributed are excessive wind – making it difficult for honeybees to forage.


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India has three best beaches in Asia - the Agonda and Palolem in Goa and Radhanagar in the Andamans

As per data generated by a popular travel website, India can boast of having three of the top 10 beaches in Asia favored by travelers. The beaches are Agonda, Palolem (both in Goa) and Radhanagar on the Havelock Island in the Andamans. India has an extensive coastline and is dotted with beautiful stretches of sand and getting recognition is a great feeling.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 28 February 2016.

Travellers' Choice Award-winning beaches have been determined based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings on the website gathered over a 12-month period. This year's awards honor a total of 343 beaches, including the top 10 in the world.
Three of India's beaches have found a place in the list of top 10 beaches in Asia.
Agonda beach (Goa) has been ranked at number four position in the Asia top 10 list, mostly for being wide, quiet, picturesque and a great spot for sunbathing and relaxing with relatively few tourists around.
Palolem beach, also of Goa, has been ranked 8th in the list for its beach hut accommodations. It stretches between two magnificent head lands and is lined with towering coconut palms and is largely unspoiled. It is inhabited by local fishermen and foreign tourists alike.
Radhanagar Beach on the Havelock Island in the Andamans is ranked at number 10 in the list for its stretch of white sand with picture perfect waters lined with palm trees.
No 1 beach in Asia is Ngapali beach in Myanmar, it is followed by Nacpan Beach in Philippines and Kata Noi beach in Thailand. Then comes Yapak beach in Philippines at number five, followed by Nai Harn beach in Thailand at number six and Sunrise beach in Thailand at the seventh spot, with Otres beach in Cambodia at number nine.
Unfortunately, none of the Indian beaches feature in the category of the world's best beaches. In this ranking - Grace Bay beach in the Caribbean is world's number one followed by Baia do Sancho beach in Brazil and Playa Paraiso beach in Cuba.


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Medical tourism is the latest craze - recuperate in new environments

#medicaltourism #cosmeticsurgery #liposuction The popularity of medical tourism is on the rise. The need is fueled by new methods of treating disease that are coming into focus. Some of these are unconventional methods that involve alternate medicines which have their origin in nature like herbs.
There is another factor for people to opt for medical tourism. That is the cost factor. The rapid growth of international healthcare is seeing people traveling to other countries to lay hands on general medical surgery, cosmetic plastic surgery and dental surgery at a fraction of the cost of healthcare in their home country.
And, it provides the added advantage of experiencing the interesting alien culture and attractions that the destination country offers.
Currently medical tourism patients are traveling in large numbers to countries like India, Thailand, South Africa, Argentina etcetera. These are places where the quality of affordable healthcare is comparable to that anywhere else in the world and the cost is significantly lower. These regions also offer numerous options for touring, sight-seeing, shopping, exploring, and relaxing.

Medical Tourism in India –
The amount of money needed for a complex transplant or bypass procedure will be considerably less if done in India rather than in the US. Moreover, the physicians who practice in these hospitals and clinics possess experience of working in the U.S. and Europe before returning to India – hence, the patient will be in safe hands.
Then there are the alternate medicines like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditation – these help in speeding up the healing process and bring the mind and body together as one. Kerala is famous for its Ayurveda and the message has spread to all corners of the world.
Medical Tourism in Thailand –
Thailand is another country that offers a wide range of medical treatments. Some of these are cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, IVF/reproductive medicine, spine surgery, and dentistry. There are world-renowned spas and wellness resorts. These are set in breathtaking coastal surroundings which make it a wonderful holiday getaway. Its excellent medical infrastructure attracts US expats and cross-border patients from nearby countries where the healthcare choices are limited.
Medical tourism in South Africa – Christiaan Barnard had brought recognition to the healthcare services of South Africa because he was the doctor who performed the first ever heart transplant in the world in Cape Town.
Among health services offered by South Africa are affordable cosmetic surgery procedures apart from fertility treatment, breast enlargement, and cosmetic dentistry etcetera.
A large number of medical tourists arrive here from countries within Africa, particularly for affordable infertility treatments. There are also patients who hail from US, Australia, Germany, Italy, Britain, Netherlands, and other European countries.
In passing it may be noted that South Africa offers attractive ‘surgeon and safari’ packages that combine affordable treatments at a cosmetic plastic surgery clinic with exciting features such as 5 star accommodation in and around Cape Town.
Medical tourism in Argentina -
67% of people visit Argentina for medical surgery and treatment, while the balance of 33 % come to the country for cosmetic treatment that include cosmetic surgery, liposuction, weight-loss programs and cosmetic dentistry.
During 2014, there were more than 14,000 foreigners who had spent an estimated $182 million on medical tourism in Argentina. This data has been furnished by the National Institute of Tourism Promotion. The government hopes to increase these figures.
Breakdown of countries that come to Argentina are 41% are from Chile, 29% from Uruguay, and 30% distributed between Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and other Central American countries.


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McVitie's ginger nut biscuits returning - production had stopped due to flooding in factory

McVitie's biscuit company had to suspend production lines of its wide range of biscuits three months back because of flooding. Lovers of its brand of biscuits will soon see the products back on the shelves of Supermarket giants Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisions and Asda. They are expecting deliveries to commence in the coming weeks, probably from around March 11-12.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 27 February 2016.

As per indications, ginger nuts will be the first of the main biscuit lines out in the supermarkets after four of the factory's eight ovens were fired up. An astounding seven million ginger nuts are produced a day just to meet demand. The closure of the Carlisle factory, owned by United Biscuits, had also halted the production runs of Carr's water biscuits.
The plant supplies biscuits to not just the UK but also around the world - being the second biggest biscuit factory in Europe. And, there was no way to transfer production to another factory because the biscuits needs the city's spring water and its site's brick ovens in order to get the right flavor.


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Asia T-20 - India beat Pakistan hollow at Dhaka - Virat Kohli Man of the Match

Any cricket match between India and Pakistan, the arch rivals, is usually one full of excitement and one expects nail biting finishes but the Asia T-20 at Dhaka was a totally different kettle of fish. It turned out to be a sad display of cricket and set to bat first, Pakistan managed to score just 83 runs in 17.3 overs - they could not play out the full quota of 20 overs. This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 27 February 2016.

Pakistan had players like Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, and Umar Akmal in the team and failed miserably to put up a decent definable score. For India, they began on a bad note and were tottering at three for eight in 2.4 overs when Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh joined forces to take India home. Virat Kohli missed out on another 50 but he and Yuvrah Singh stitched 68-run partnership after Mohammad Amir's fiery spell. India finally cruised home to a five-wicket win in 15.3 overs over Pakistan in their second Asia Cup T20 match in Dhaka and, with this win, India are top of the table with four points in two matches. Hardik Pandya was the pick of India's bowlers, finishing with 3 for 8 while Ravindra Jadeja captured 2 for 11.


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77 species of birds spotted at Mangalore University Campus at Mangalagangothri

As many as 77 species of birds were spotted at Mangalore University Campus at Mangalagangothri in the course of a Campus Bird Count that was conducted as a part of Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) by 'eBIRD' and 'Bird Count India'. It was the part of an exercise to document the bird life in the campuses /Institutions across India. This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 27 February 2016.

The four-day GBBC is held on the campus that is located about 20-Km away from the Mangaluru City and is spread out over 350 acres - it is the place where there are a variety of habitats which nourishes and protects a wide variety of bird life. The PG students of Mangalore University actively took part in the the Campus Bird Count under the leadership of a research scholar at Department of Applied Zoology and the students were able to record 77 species of birds from different locations across the campus during the Bird Count. Earlier, in 2013, a team of birders had recorded about 81 species of birds from the campus but the difference has been ignored because the Bird Count was a short survey and it is possible that some species were missed out. As per reports of the bird watchers, some of the common birds in the campus include Common Mynas, Cattle Egrets, Jungle Babblers, Green bee-eaters, Rufous Treepies, Peafowls, Black Drongos, Red Whiskered Bulbuls and others. There wee also some rare and interesting finds from the campus like Indian Rollers, Orange Minivets, Spotted Owlets, Black-naped Monarchs, Yellow Wattled Lapwings, Booted Eagle and Common Hoopoe. A few winter visitor birds like Brown Shrike and Bay-backed Shrike were also recorded apart from a rare bird named Srilankan(Ceylon) Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) - this was recorded during the night bird surveys.


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Loss of bees and butterflies is disturbing the ecological balance

Loss of bees, butterflies and other insects is disturbing the ecological balance and food supply of the world is under serious treat. The UN has warned that the plummeting numbers of bees, butterflies and other insect populations are not only playing havoc with the world food supplies but, livelihoods of millions are at risk all over the world.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 28 February 2016.

In a first-of-its-kind global assessment of creatures that pollinate crops it has been found that up to two in five of the species are moving towards extinction. The reasons are pesticides, urbanization, intensive farming, disease and climate changes. These have posed threats to apples, blueberries, coffee, chocolate and other crops worth up to £400billion a year.
The food sector provides millions of jobs, while the vitamins and minerals in key crops help to ward off malnutrition and keep it at bay. Hence, it is important that the health of pollinators is taken care of - they are important contributors to world food production and nutritional security and their health and well being is directly linked to our own well-being.
As per records, in Europe, 9 per cent of bee and butterfly species are under threat of extinction. Two of the UK's 25 bumblebee species have died out since the start of the century and the number of honeybees has halved since the 1980s. Britain's butterflies are also in decline, with numbers almost halving in the past 40 years.
It is possible to reverse the trend and, in order to do that, organic farming must be encouraged apart from planting patches of wild flowers to attract pollinators to crops, and also reducing use of pesticides.
Delegates from 124 nations approved the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report in Kuala Lumpur.


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TESCO hands out 30million fewer plastic bags by introducing a charge of 5p per bag

TESCO has succeeded in drastically reducing consumption of plastic bags in its stores - it has handed out 30million fewer plastic bags every week since the introduction of the 5p charge. It had been introduced in England last October and the results show that where there is a will, there is a way.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 27 February 2016.

The decision to introduce the charge in England was after success and adoption of the scheme in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The figures means a reduction of 78 per cent in the number of bags bought by customers compared to the number previously handed out free and, if such a trend is maintained, it would mean the supermarket would be issuing 1.56billion fewer plastic bags a year. Usually, such of those bags that were not left to litter the streets would finally end up being dumped in landfill.
Moreover, the initiative of TESCO has not only reduced consumption of plastic bags but has also brought in money - this would go to charity. So far, TESCO is in a position to give away £11.5million that had been raised from the charge in England, Scotland and Wales since last October.
Its Bags of Help scheme will be offering grants of £8,000, £10,000 and £12,000 to charities and groups across the UK for spending on environmental improvement projects and customers can vote for charities of their choice.


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Asia Cup T-20 between India and Pakistan - all flights to Dhaka sold out

All flights to Dhaka for the Asia T-20 match between arch rivals India and Pakistan are flying full, and an airline was selling a one-way ticket from Calcutta to Dhaka for Rs 19,000, against the normal fare of Rs 4,000-Rs 5,500. Such is the state of affairs for the India-Pakistan clash in the Bangladesh capital on Saturday.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 27 February 2016.

The increase in demand for tickets for the India-Pakistan tie at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur - set to start at 7pm - had led to a sudden spike in the demand for tickets, resulting in the fares hitting the sky. This is because fans are eager to cheer Team Dhoni to victory from the stands instead of watching its telecast on TV. Air India, which flew Dhoni and his boys to Dhaka last Saturday and it has indicated that it had been flying full to Bangladesh over the past four days. Its aircraft has 142 seats.
Similarly, fights of Jet Airways and Bangladesh-based Regent Airways are booked to capacity.
Cricket fans have ensured 100 per cent occupancy over the past three days. The flying time is just 30 minutes and, hence, it makes for an attractive option for cricket fans in Calcutta. They can return back to Calcutta by Sunday after the match ends.


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US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


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Royal couple of Prince William and Kate Middleton to arrive in India on April 10

The Royal couple of Prince William and Kate Middleton will arrive in India on April 10 and, in their six-day tour, would visit Bhutan also. Their purpose is to make efforts to build an "enduring relationship" with the country.
This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 26 February 2016.

As per the itinerary released by the Kensington Palace, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will land in Mumbai on April 10, then leave for Bhutanese capital Thimpu on April 14 before returning to India on April 16 to depart for the UK.
After landing in Mumbai, they will proceed to Delhi for two days on April 11, followed by a visit to Kaziranga National Park where they will spend April 12 and 13. They will visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on April 16 - it was here that Prince William's mother Princess Diana had posed for one of her most iconic photos in 1992.
Prince William (33) is the second in line to Britain's throne The Royal couple will be alone and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will remain back in the UK during the six-day two-nation tour.
This Royal visit had been announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK last November and was being undertaken at the request of the UK government to promote India-UK ties.


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World Sparrow Day on 20 March - Jaipur wants to bring back the sparrows

World Sparrow Day is on March 20 and, we all know that the house sparrows ae gradually vanishing from our midst - thanks to modern day construction of houses where there are no crevices or nooks and corners where these birds can nest. Also, with thanks to air-conditioners, there is hardly any opening through which the birds can enter any house.
Therefore, in Jaipur, a small group of conservationists is busy trying to make people realize the need for introducing minor changes around their homes so the environment becomes friendly to these little birds.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 26 February 2016.

The initiative started with free nest boxes that could be positioned on balconies and wait for the birds to make nests in them. The initiative did take off and the birds laid eggs. Once the chick was ready to spread its wings and take flight, they had to be fed high-protein insect diet. But, modern gardens do not sustain insect populations.
Sparrows are not birds that nest in trees but they need to be close to humans, and have evolved together with humans. Unfortunately, modern day families are small as are their living spaces - hence, they cannot allow the birds in because of the litters that they generate.
Therefore, it is necessary to work out a sort of comprise so that man and birds can coexist.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


Airstrikes in Syria target schools and hospitals - nearly 50 children killed

F-22 Stealth Bombers of the US fly low over South Korea skies

North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea

Summer holidays - people are opting for Spain and not Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey

As a fallout of terrorism and safety fears, people are moving away from traditional holiday destinations like Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey and are, instead, opting fur Spain. And, tour operators have warned that the summer holidays to Spain are more expensive than last year. Experts are urging people to book trips soon or face disappointment.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 26 February 2016.

The price has gone up because interest in some traditional destinations has gone down with families turning to head to 'safer' Spain rather than countries in areas of the world caught close to conflict. Statistics reveal that - searches to Tunisia have fallen 88.5 per cent, Egypt by 80.4 per cent and Turkey 54.6 per cent. This is based on data of flights, hotels and holidays. It is inferred that tourism in these countries are likely to be badly affected this summer.
British holidaymakers are switching gears away from destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean in favor of countries like Spain and Portugal. Simultaneously, they are searching for long haul tropical getaways like the Maldives and Thailand. Statistically, there has been a 150 per cent increase on searches to Costa Rica (due to increased availability of flights), a 92.7 per cent rise in Thailand interest and 60.8 per cent to the Maldives.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

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British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


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Madhya Pradesh to promote tiger tourism

Madhya Pradesh is determined to to promote tiger tourism in a big way by linking up with the Indian Railways. In order to spread awareness about the national animal, Indian Railways will offer complete packages including train journey, safaris and accommodation to cover the wildlife circuit consisting the tiger reserves of Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 26 February 2016.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu while presenting the Railway Budget 2016-17 in Parliament has indicated that tourism holds great potential for economic development and job creation in the state and Indian Railways will link up with the state governments and operate tourist circuit trains. They will also explore the possibility of a revenue sharing model.
Railway minister added that India's rich bio diversity and wildlife is one of the mainstays of Incredible India campaign.
But, an wildlife activist has expressed his reservations because, introducing a dedicated tiger circuit could pose a major threat to the animals that move around freely in the reserves. The possibilities of them being hit by trains could increase.
Four big cats have died this year in the state. Last year, the state had recorded the third highest tiger mortality in the country with 11 tiger deaths - this is as per information of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The first big cat death in the country this year was also reported from MP's Pench Tiger Reserve on January 2.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

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British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


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North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea

Delhi to celebrate the return of Maggi at Nehru Park on February 28

Delhi plans to celebrate the return of Maggi by holding a day long festival at Nehru Park on February 28. The unique festival will showcase different innovations prepared by using the popular snack Maggi noodles as a key ingredient. It will be organized by GoBuzzinga, a Delhi based hyper-local discovery startup in collaboration with Delhi Food Walks and, the festival #MaggitujheSalaam will offer a whole range and variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes prepared using the noodles.
This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 25 February 2016.

People from all walks of life had got used to the 2-minute Maggi noodles and it was a way of life for not just kids but also for grownups. During the temporary ban on Maggi, people missed it and now, with the ban lifted, they want to rejoice. Hence, the festival which will provide a platform to restaurants, street vendors and home chefs to showcase their innovative varieties. It will also provide people of Delhi to taste the best Maggi dishes of not just vegetarian but also non-veg dishes.
Depending on the success and response, the organizers could organize a similar kind of event in other cities as well. There would be yummy desserts and beverages apart from live music performances throughout the day.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Moody & Co to invite Eskimos for the Yoga meet (satire)


Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


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Flying Scotsman to be back on track after a 10-year refit that cost £4.2m

At long last, the Big Day has come when the Flying Scotsman will make its inaugural run from London to York following a 10-year refit that costed £4.2m and, thousands of train enthusiasts are expected to line the tracks and take to bridges to see this world famous steam locomotive.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 25 February 2016.

The Flying Scotsman has been restored to its traditional 1960s British Rail green ahead of its journey up the East Coast Main Line from King's Cross station. Once it reaches York, it will be kept at the National Railway Museum (NRM) until March 6 before it embarks on a tour around the country.
The Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1923, and in no time it became the jewel in the crown of the railway system - it pulled the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934. The NRM bought it in 2004 for £2.3m and took up work to restore for which work began in 2006. And, now, after 10-years it is complete.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


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China wants to fight terrorism in Xinjiang with entertainment, singing and dancing

Xinjiang in the western region of China is violence prone and, in order to fight terrorism, China has plans to make use of various forms of entertainment to educate the people and try to rein in the elements who carry out such activities. The broad plan is to hold ultural activities involving singing and dancing with the purpose of spreading its law-enforcement messages.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 25 February 2016.

Xinjiang is a resource rich area and, hundreds of people have been killed over the past few years in the strategically located areas on the borders of central Asia - the reason is violence between the Muslim Uighur people who call the region their home and the ethnic majority Han Chinese. The government denies any repression in the region.
AS per the plans, the government would start a new round of public education activities in order to spread knowledge about China`s new counter-terrorism law that has been passed last year. This would help to improve peace in the the region and bring stability. Law enforcers and lawyers would hold public talks and there will also be cultural propaganda activities to delight the masses, and let them be educated through entertainment.
While details are not disclosed, such events usually involve song and dance routines and comedic skits.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Lord Shiva does the treadmill as Sarasawti advises students (satire)

Moody & Co to invite Eskimos for the Yoga meet (satire)


Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


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F-22 Stealth Bombers of the US fly low over South Korea skies

North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea

For 2nd consecutive year, Hyderabad ranked as best Indian city to live in

It is good news for people of Hyderabad - for the second consecutive year, it has been crowned as the best Indian city to live in by the Mercer's Quality of Living rankings 2016. Pune was a close second to Hyderabad at 144 while the upscale metros of Mumbai and New Delhi stood far below at 152 and 161 positions respectively. Chennai recorded an overall ranking of 150 and was named as one of the safest cities in India along with Hyderabad and Pune.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 24 February 2016.

Last year, Hyderabad was at 138, this year it has slipped by one point to 139 but, it still remained No 1 in India due to its relatively 'lower crime rate', 'lesser air pollution' and 'improved options for international and reputable English speaking schools'.
As indicated by Mercer, the drop in Hyderabad's international rating was because of `increased power disruptions' and 'extreme weather situation' - in 2015, the two states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh recorded 'more than 1,700 deaths due to severe heat'.
Mercer is a US-based prominent global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments that conducts annual quality of living surveys to help multinational companies compensate its employees on international assignments fairly. Some of the parameters that are considered are political and social environment, medical care and health, public services, recreation facilities and natural environment.
Incidentally, Mercer has crowned the Austrian capital Vienna as the city with the best quality of living in the world.

Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Industries – the Achilles Heel of Didi (satire)

Lord Shiva does the treadmill as Sarasawti advises students (satire)

Moody & Co to invite Eskimos for the Yoga meet (satire)


Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


Airstrikes in Syria target schools and hospitals - nearly 50 children killed

F-22 Stealth Bombers of the US fly low over South Korea skies

North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea

Twin Otter plane of Nepal crashes killing all 24 on board

The Twin Otter aircraft of Tara Air, Nepal, has crashed in the mountains and all 24 people on board has been killed. The flight was from Pokhara to Jomsom and it lost contact with the control tower soon after take off. Most of those on board were Nepalis and the reason of the crash is yet to be established.
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 24 February 2016.

There were three crew members and 20 passengers, one of them Chinese and one Kuwaiti. There were also two children. As informed by the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the wreckage of the plane was found near the village of Dana in Myagdi district.
Tara Air has indicated that "the weather at both origin and destination airports was favorable" for the 20-minute flight. But, as per Nepal's army, fog had hampered the search for the aircraft.
Pokhara is a resort town located some 200-Km west of the capital Kathmandu while Jomsom is a short distance further north - it is the starting point for many people trekking in the Himalayas. Incidentally, Nepal has a limited road network and many of the areas are accessible only on foot or by air.
In 1949 the first aircraft had landed in Nepal and, since then, there have been more than 70 different crashes involving planes and helicopters, in which more than 700 people have been killed. Most of the accidents have been either due to bad weather, or inexperienced pilots or inadequate maintenance. In 2013, the European Union had banned all Nepalese airlines from flying to its territory for safety reasons.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Industries – the Achilles Heel of Didi (satire)

Lord Shiva does the treadmill as Sarasawti advises students (satire)

Moody & Co to invite Eskimos for the Yoga meet (satire)


Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


Airstrikes in Syria target schools and hospitals - nearly 50 children killed

F-22 Stealth Bombers of the US fly low over South Korea skies

North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea

Amnesty International report condemns growing intolerance in India

In the recent past, the issue of intolerance has taken center stage and has swept many burning issues under the carpet while concentrating on intolerance. It has seen celebrities taking sides, awards being returned and political leaders targeting a section of the people and asking them to leave the country. In this connection, Amnesty International has indicated in clear terms in its annual report that '... Authorities in India failed to "prevent many incidents of religious violence" and sometimes "contributed to tensions through polarising speeches"...'
This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 24 February 2016.

The rights body in it its report for 2015-16 has remarked that there is a worldwide assault of freedoms and many governments are "brazenly" breaking international law. They have also said that there was an "intensified crackdown on key freedoms" in India. ... "Scores of artists, writers and scientists returned national honours in protest against what they said was a climate of growing intolerance."
They have gone on to add that the authorities have clamped down on civil society organizations who were critical of official policies, and had increased restrictions on foreign funding. As a result, religious tensions have intensified ... moreover, attacks on freedom of expression by hardline Hindu groups increased.
Amnesty has also remarked that the Indian authorities had failed to prevent many incidents of religious violence, and sometimes contributed to tensions through polarizing speeches and pervasive caste-based discrimination and violence.

Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Industries – the Achilles Heel of Didi (satire)

Lord Shiva does the treadmill as Sarasawti advises students (satire)

Moody & Co to invite Eskimos for the Yoga meet (satire)


Commuters go in for online purchase via smartphones when in packed subways

US and Cuba to restore commercial flights after 50-years

Tea and toast out of fashion in Britain just like fish and chips


Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

British actor Tom Hardy could become the new face of James Bond after Daniel Craig


Airstrikes in Syria target schools and hospitals - nearly 50 children killed

F-22 Stealth Bombers of the US fly low over South Korea skies

North Korea plans to carry out terror attacks on South Korea