In December 2005 Terradaily published a report from
Agence France-Presse on a scheme to reduce oil
dependence in Portugal by installing a wave electricity
generating farm.

“Portugal is turning to wind, wave and solar power
to reduce its huge dependence on oil imports and meet
its international commitments to reduce carbon dioxide
emissions.
Many people look to celebrities to find a new hairstyle---spending tons of money on all kinds of magazines only to frantically tear thru the pages in search of the perfect hairstyle. The oval face is the most versatile face. People with an oval face shape can wear most hair cut styles and lengths with it still looking "right". The oval face is mathematically 1.5 times as long as its width, with the forehead slightly wider than the jaw. Oval face shape super hot now: Choppy bobs,
long waves


& shoulder-skimming shags. A round chin characterizes round faces. Because they lack the length of the oval face, the hair should be cut to create the illusion of length in the face. Bangs are flattering, but keep them long or sideswiped.
Heart shaped faces are widest at the temples and narrowest at the jawline. Keep top layers soft and long. Square faces have a square jawline and hairline at the forehead. They are 'too short', so a suitable hair cut style seeks to create height elongating the face. Diamond shaped faces are widest at the cheekbones and narrow in the forehead and chin. By creating width at the forehead and minimising it at the cheekbones, the illusion of an oval face can be achieved. Pear shaped faces has a narrow forehead and is widest at the jawline, with a round chin. The objective of a suitable style of hair cut is to give the illusion of an oval face by creating width at the forehead and temples. The oblong face is generally described as having a high forehead, narrow bone structure and long, well defined chin.
If your face is oblong, then the goal is to balance out the length of the face to make it look more proportioned. Rectangular faces have a square chin and hairline, and are long and narrow. The ideal style of hair cut is one, which creates width at the sides disguising the narrowness.



A fringe can also shorten the face, and a style with a side part will help to reduce the square appearance. Diamond face shape is a cross between heart and oval. If you are a true diamond, you’ll be able to wear almost any style. Try hairstyles with lots of fringes, chaotic yet sexy and defined curls, chin-length bobs and shoulder length cuts with feathered edges. If you need to add fullness in order balance out your shape, going with thick layers or a bob of medium length, making sure the fullness lands where it is most needed, is your best bet.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to Internet Business, do please browse for more information at our websites.

Author: riya

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ARE WOMEN MORE IN TOUCH WITH EMOTIONS?

There are a number of structural and functional differences between male and female brains.

The human brain is divided into two hemispheres that do different things. They are connected by the corpus callosum, a thick band of nerve tissue that carries information between the two.

This band of nerves is slightly larger, on average, in women than in men - which means the emotional right side of the brain is better connected to the analytical left side.

This may be why women are more emotionally aware. It may also allow emotion to be incorporated more readily into thought and speech.

When doing complex tasks, women use both sides of their brain, while men use the side more obviously suited to the task.

To test your corpus callosum, try the following: Close your eyes and spread out your hands, palms facing upwards. Get someone to touch one of your fingertips (say, on the right hand) and with your opposite hand try to touch the corresponding finger with the thumb of the same hand.

If information is flowing properly between the hemispheres, you should be able to do this without opening your eyes.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1216768/Why-women-men-horror-films-scary-pain-really-mind-.html#ixzz0SV3PNuOQ

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Why women cry more than men, why horror films are scary, and why pain really is all in the mind

A fascinating book reveals what's REALLY going on inside our brains (and why we need to keep them fed with Jaffa Cakes)

Are women more emotionally aware than men? Why does your arm hurt during a heart attack? Could people who see fairies be telling the truth? These are just some of the questions answered in a fascinating new book on the brain.

Written by Rita Carter, a leading science and medical writer, it provides extraordinary insights into the way our brains work - and why we behave and act in the ways we do...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1216768/Why-women-men-horror-films-scary-pain-really-mind-.html#ixzz0SV2ykvNC

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Vijender becomes world number one

Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh has achieved yet another first for Indian boxing by becoming the world's top-ranked pugilist in the middle weight (75kg) category.

The 23-year-old Bhiwani boxer, who won India's maiden World Championships medal in Milan earlier this month, has 2700 points and is ranked higher than the reigning champion Abbos Atoev of Uzbekistan.

Atoev, to whom Vijender lost in the World Championship semifinals, is third in the list with 2100 points and Olympic silver medallist Emilio Correa Bayeux (2500) of Cuba occupies the second spot in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) list updated after the Milan event.

"I am obviously elated at being ranked the highest in the world. It's a fantastic feeling and would motivate me to do better in future events," Vijender, who broke India's Olympic jinx with his bronze in the Beijing Olympics, said.

Among the other Indians, former world youth champion Thokchom Nanao Singh has slipped three places to eighth with 1400 points in the light fly weight (48kg) category. Nanao, a silver medallist in this year's Asian Championships in China, lost in the second round of the World Championships.

Olympian Akhil Kumar, whose World Championships campaign was cut short in the first round itself due to a wrist injury, has gone down a rung to 10th in feather weight (57kg) category with 1050 points.

Fellow Olympian Jitender Kumar (54kg) also lost some ground because of his first-round exit in Milan as he dropped a place to 14th with 838 points. Suranjoy Singh was 17th in the fly weight (51kg) category rankings.

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Abhishek and Aishwarya on Oprah's Meet the Most Famous People in the World Show

On a show titled Meet the Most Famous People in the World, Oprah Winfrey introduced a superstar couple of Bollywood: "They stopped production on eight major movies and flew eight thousand miles to be here for their first ever television interview together. The movie star couple more famous than anybody else in the world - even more than Brad and Angelina ... anybody." I will give you one guess, and if you said Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, you get a gold star. The couple appeared on Oprah's talk show on September 28 not only answering questions but giving a Bollywood dance troupe the surprise of their lives. Here are some highlights of the totally cute Abhishek and the gorgeous Aishwarya on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Before they came out, Oprah introduced the couple to the audience with a few facts. "India's Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan have five Billion, yes, I said five Billion fans around the globe. She has been called the world's most beautiful woman and he is not so bad himself! They are husband and wife, and superstars of Bollywood."

The couple came out holding hands. Abhishek looked very handsome, and Aishwarya was lovely in a traditional sari. Abhi, or ABee as Oprah called him, set the tone of the interview with a cute answer to her question, "You have never done this before, sat down together?" He responded, "We sit together quite often!"

Oprah then asked, "How did you pop the question to the most beautiful woman in the world? "I was filming in New York for a movie," he said, "and I used to stand on the balcony of my hotel room and wish that, 'One day, you know, wouldn't it be nice if I was together with her, married'. So I took her to the very same balcony, and I asked her to marry me." The audience sighed and Aishwarya said, "It was very sweet and at the same time real ..." "Real?" Abhi queried, but Oprah had gone on to the next question and we will never know what she meant.

Talk turned to their wedding and Oprah showed some footage of the hundreds of fans outside the Bachchan residence trying to catch a glimpse of the stars. It also showed some people getting beaten up, and both Aish and Abhi cried, "Sorry" with Abhishek saying, "I didn't know this was happening." They also talked about the Indian wedding ceremony.

To Oprah, the fact that Aishwarya and Abhi live together with his parents (you may know them - Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan) was not something that could be readily understood by American culture and she asked how that worked. Aish turned to Abhi, "Go on, say it." So Abhi, with a twinkle in his eye asked Oprah, "You live with your family?" "No," she said. "How does that work?" They went on to explain that to them it is entirely natural. The couple revealed that Jaya has a rule that they all must eat together if they are all in town. "One of the rules in the house set by Mom is if we're all in the city, we have to have one meal a day together."

One of the cutest exchanges was when Oprah asked, "What is it like being married to the most beautiful woman in the world?

"Pleasant on the eyes" was Abhi's answer to which Aishwarya totally cracked up!

"Nice to wake up to," said Oprah.

"Yeah, and she looks exactly the same. No, it's true, you wake up and you are like really, even in the morning?!?"

"You can see why I married him, he just makes everything funny," said the laughing Aishwarya.

They also talked about how kissing is not part of Bollywood movies and Abhi explained, "For example, boy meets girl, they fall in love, they want to express their love for each other. So in the West, they would kiss, and they're in love. In India, we have a song." Adding, "Isn't that more interesting? You have this intimate moment, and suddenly ... snap, cut ... you're in the mountains singing and dancing!"

Charming Abhi was at it again when Oprah said, "So what do you do on a day off?" Abhi said with tongue firmly in cheek, "We fly to Chicago and come on Oprah." He then explained that they don't have a lot of time together since he is currently working on four films and she is working on four plus the one they are doing together. Aishwarya added, "But when we do have spare time it is just normal time. We just love to hang out at home, really spend time with each other and with family and with friends."

Oprah said that it will be an international event when they announce that Aishwarya is pregnant, to which Abhi fervently responded, "I really hope not!" Ash said, "I have been proclaimed pregnant already a couple of times. I'm like, 'Okay, is that a hint?' People would be watching every little bulge, and I'm like, Oh my God. If you're not in shape, you're pregnant."
Aish says being called the most beautiful woman in the world is sweet, but that she is just normal like everyone else. She has her bad and good days. And to that Oprah said, "Aish, Aish have you ever looked into the mirror and said damnnnnnn ..."

"I have, I have! Cross my heart I have ... "

"Damnnnn ... I am really pretty, good looking," Oprah continued.

"Oh no no no no," Aish protested, "I am going like damn that doesn't work but I gotta get back on the road. So, yeah it happens!"

Another fun segment was when Abhi and Aish gave the Dhoonya Dance Company the surprise of their lives. The Bollywood troupe thought they were just coming on Oprah's show to perform their dance number to 'Balle Balle' from Bride and Prejudice, but unbeknownst to them Abhishek and Aishwarya were backstage and in the middle of their number they walked back onto the set. All the girls kept dancing at first, then they stopped and there were tears, hugs and lots of shocked and smiling faces!

One of the funniest moments was when the definition-of-hotness Nacho Figueras (Vanity Fair readers' pick for number 2 Most Handsome Man in the World) was sitting next to Aish, and while he was talking about his passion for Polo he looked over at Aish and said, "Wow your eyes are amazing ... " Aish looked taken aback and then glanced over at Abhi. Nacho then said, "I'm sorry"...to Abhi who cracked his neck... "With all the respect in the world ..." Nacho continued. AB then smiled and laughed after Nacho said,"You can say that to my wife, too."

The show ended with Oprah talking about gifts and Aishwarya said, "I think time is the most precious gift we can give to each other." Abhishek agreed, "I think that is the one thing you really strive for is your privacy and your time to be as normal as possible, because we do such an extra-normal job. You go out there... you sing... you dance...you beat up 50 guys. You know, we do things that might not be believable, so when you come back home normalcy is really what you look for."

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17 corporators in race to Assembly

Of the 60-odd corporators of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation who had hoped to contest the Assembly elections, 17 will eventually take on senior politicians, 16 with party tickets and the 17th as a rebel. Several of Mumbai's seats will see corporators take on the current MLAs.

The Shiv Sena has been the most generous with tickets to eight corporators, followed by the Congress with four and the BJP with three. One MNS corporator will contest, while the 17th is NCP corporator Ajit Ravrane who has rebelled against the Congress-NCP alliance's official candidate in Dindoshi, Rajhans Singh.

Fielding corporators is a political strategy; as a senior BJP leader put it: "People know them as they are elected representatives and have development work to show as their credentials."

"Most MLAs are not even seen in their constituency after being elected,"said a corporator contesting from the suburbs. "But people know corporators' offices and residences; they even have our numbers and can bank on us. Moreover they know that we work in the wards."

The Sena has pitched several corporators against senior Congress MLAs. Ravindra Waikar will contest against Bhai Jagtap (Jogeshwari East), Vishnu Korgaonkar against Ashok Jadhav (Andheri West), Yashodhar Phanse against Baldev Khosa (Versova), Ramesh Latke against Suresh Shetty (Andheri East), Yeshwant Jadhav against Madhu Chavan (Byculla) and Ashish Chemburkar against NCP MLA Sachin Ahir.

BJP leader in the BMC Ashish Shelar, who has been active in Bandra West over the last two years, is taking on the Congress's Baba Siddique whose influence, especially in the slum areas of Vandre (West), has remained strong for two decades.

Congress corporator Amin Patel is taking on MLA Bashir Patel of the NCP who has rebelled and is contesting as an Independent from the Mumbadevi constituency.

Waikar, who is fighting the Assembly polls for the second time, said being a corporator always helps. "Your work speaks for you. Since you roam the area of which you are a corporator, people know you and you don't need to establish yourself," he said.

Congress leader Singh has been given a ticket from Dindoshi though he is the corporator of a Kurla ward. "People know me and my work because I am leader of the Opposition in the BMC. They will vote for me irrespective of which area I come from because they know I can work for them," he said. Singh will be contesting against his Sena counterpart in the BMC, the leader of the BMC house and Shiv Sena corporator Sunil Prabhu.

BIG TICKETShiv Sena:Ravindra Waikar (Jogeshwari East), Sunil Prabhu (Dindoshi), Vishnu Korgaonkar (Andheri West), Ashish Chemburkar (Worli), Bala Sawant (Bandra East), Yeshwant Jadhav (Byculla), Yashodhar Phanse (Versova), Ramesh Latke (Andheri East)Congress:Aslam Sheikh (Malad West), Rajhans Singh (Dindoshi), Amin Patel (Mumbadevi), Ramesh Thakur Singh (Kandivli East)BJP:Ashish Shelar (Bandra West), Yogesh Sagar (Kandivli East), Manisha Kayande (Sion-Koliwada)MNS:Mangesh Sangle (Vikhroli)Rebel:Ajit Ravrane of NCP (Dindoshi)

I hereby declare...MP Lodha (54) | BJPConstituency:Malabar HillMovable assetsTotalRs 34,47,63,261Vehicles:Mercedes (Rs 44,47,056), Tata Indica (Rs 1,96,054)Jewellery:Rs.1,29,78,874 (self), Rs 80,71,806 (wife)Cash:Rs 41,575 (self), Rs 38,259 (spouse)Immovable assetsTotal:Rs 34,16,70,000Agricultural land:Mundhwa 33,200 sq ft, Rs 6,00,000Non-agriculture land and flats:Karjat 28,500 sq m (Rs 3,18,00,000), Vasai 1 acre (Rs 1,46,00,000), Shah and Nahar Industrial Estate 965 sq ft (Rs 1,08,00,000); property in Vardhaman Chambers (Rs 2,60,00,000), flat in Anupam CHS Walkeshwar (Rs 7,21,00,000; co-owner with wife Manjula Lodha); in Riverwood Park, Village Sagarli (Rs 11,70,000); in Lodha Costeria (Rs 11,25,00,000)Liability:Rs 7,72,30,149Criminal Charges:5 cases pending
Shweta Desai

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No ''black money'' statistics exist: Swiss banks

Sun, Sep 13 02:43 PM

New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) Amid claims from various quarters that Indians have stashed away thousands of crores in secret bank accounts in Switzerland, the Swiss banks have asserted that any statistics about black money "simply do not exist". Various political parties and other groups have been claiming that the black money stashed away in Swiss banks by Indians exceed one trillion dollars.

These statistics, which put Indians at the top in terms of deposits in Swiss banks, have often been quoted to global institutions and sometimes even to the Swiss National Bank, the central bank of the country. Seeking to demolish the "myth" over these figures being "circulated as gospel truth", a top official at the Swiss Bankers'' Association told PTI from Basel that there were no truth at all in such statistics.

"Anyone claiming to have such figures should be forced to identify their source and explain the methodology used to produce them," said the SBA''s Head of International Communications, James Nason. "We take all our statistics from Swiss National Bank and statistics about ''black money'' simply do not exist," he added.

Nason said he was aware of such figures being quoted to a SBA report on bank deposits in the Swiss banks by people of various nationalities, which put Indians as the biggest depositors there, but asserted that there were no truth in it and it never published any such report.
from yahoo news

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Rakhi Sawant finally selects life partner in reality TV show

Mumbai, Aug 2 (IANS) India's first televised 'swayamvar' concluded here late Sunday with item girl Rakhi Sawant choosing Toronto-based Elesh Parujanwala as her life partner in a unique reality TV show.

In NDTV Imagine's 'Rakhi ka Swayamvar', Rakhi made the final choice from the three finalists -- from the original list of 16 contestants in 26 episodes. The other two finalists were young aspirant Manas Katyal and businessman Chhitiz Jain, both from New Delhi.

'I have been watching Elesh from day one. On and off the camera, he has been the same and has really taken care of me. He is everything I was looking for and I am glad to have found him on the Swayamvar. The swayamvar means finding a jeevan saathi (life partner) and I have found Elesh.

'Today is our engagement. I am ready to get married now, but we need to understand each other better off camera. We will soon get married in front of all of you in keeping with all our traditions,' Rakhi said after announcing her choice to a waiting audience across the country.

Decked up in red and gold lehenga-choli by Neeta Lulla and kundan jewellery, Rakhi looked a perfect bride.

Elesh, Manas and Chhitiz too were dressed for the occasion -- in traditional sherwanis and turbans.

In the dramatic finale, she garlanded Elesh -- as the audience clapped on.

The colourful event, held at the Hotel Leela Kampinsky here Sunday, saw a host of celebrities like choreographer Saroj Khan, actors Ravi Kishen and Ram Kapoor, who posed as brothers to the bride, apart from others like Smita Bansal and Sudha Shivpuri in the audience.
Indo Asian News Service

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Sonia flies economy class

Mon, Sep 14 04:04 PM

New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today flew economy class to Mumbai practising austerity the UPA government has sought to enforce while Nandan Nilekani is said to be planning to shift his address to Karnataka Bhavan here. Gandhi, also UPA chairperson who was behind the decision to ask two ministers S M Krishna and Shashi Tharoor to move to modest accommodation from their five-star dwelling afer a media expose, today flew to Mumbai in a commercial flight in an ordinary class seat to Mumbai to participate in a party function.

Nilekani, a high networth individual estimated at about USD 1.3 billion, who quit his job as Infosys Chairman to take up as head of the Unique Identification Authority of India, is joining a host of politicians taking to austerity. Sources close to him said he is likely to shift to the modest Karnataka Bhavan here from a five-star hotel.

He is still waiting for his official accommodation, a bungalow in the capital''s Lutyen''s Zone, he is entitled to as a person with Cabinet status in the government. Of the many options that his office is looking at, the modest Karnataka Bhavan is likely to be on the priority list, they said.

Meanwhile, Tharoor was today seen enjoying a meal at a restaurant in Bengali market, a favourite of the middle class in the heart of the capital.

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GeoEye gives look at Iranian nuclear site

Satellite imagery company GeoEye has released a photo of what it says is the controversial and underground Iranian uranium enrichment site that came to light last week.

The photo, taken Saturday, shows the facility at a military site about 20 miles north-northeast of Qum and 100 miles southwest of Tehran, GeoEye said. An analysis of the photo by IHS Jane's, a defense intelligence consulting firm, said the facility has a primary and several auxiliary entrances, ventilation shafts, a surface-to-air missile site, and quarry and construction equipment.

See the shots below for a view of what the companies say are the main and auxiliary entrances, the ventilation shafts, and an overall view.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it received a letter Monday disclosing the facility, and on Friday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said it was for uranium enrichment and was 18 months away from being operational.

Centrifuges can separate different isotopes of uranium to produced "enriched" uranium needed to make nuclear weapons; Iran said it's only enriching uranium for purposes of generating electricity. U.S. intelligence agencies said the newly revealed facility is designed to house 3,000 centrifuges, according to the New York Times and others.

The GeoEye-1 satellite took the photo while traveling north 423 miles above the Earth at 4 miles per second relative to the surface of the Earth. The satellite also supplies imagery for Google Maps and Google Earth.
At lower left in this shot is the main entrance to the facility; near it and to the upper right are two auxiliary access areas, according to an interpretation of the photo by IHS Jane's.

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Chai and shooting with Julia Roberts

It is a village market scene. Donkeys carrying loads of earthen pots pass by, a few loitering cows are munching on grass, camels and goats are by the roadside — and next to a chai stall is Hollywood star Julia Roberts chatting with her co-star, shooting for Eat Pray Love, as the hot Indian sun beats down.

The Pretty Woman was shooting on Sunday with co-star Richard Jenkins for director Ryan Murphy's film in this Haryana village, around eight k.m. from Pataudi, where she shot her earlier scenes.

Roberts, 41, was wearing loose green pyjamas and had wrapped a green printed stole around her. Her blonde hair was tied in a pony tail. Jenkins was in t-shirt and trousers.

"We are not going to Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) for the other scenes as was scheduled earlier, but are heading to Bali," a source close to the film unit told IANS at the scene.

"The Bali shoot will be our last outdoor shooting spot," the source said, adding that they would wrap up shooting in November. The film is expected to be released in 2011, she added.

Meanwhile, Roberts after giving one shot went to her vanity van. She emerged after a while and posed for the shutterbugs present, waved to them and went to give another shot.

An inadvertent interruption to the shooting had everyone on the sets guffawing.

Just as director Ryan Murphy said "Rolling camera" for a shot, two donkeys started braying. Everybody laughed and some unit hands went to shoo the animals. The donkeys were not part of the village scene. They were tied outside a farmer's house adjacent to the set.

That was not the end of it.

Just as the donkeys shut up, a dog started up a whine.

The unit hands incharge of crowd management went "shoo", "chup", to make the crowd shut up.

To erect the village market scene around 500 people were employed, the source informed.

Roberts is staying at the Pataudi Palace hotel with her three kids - four-and-a-half-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and two-year-old son Henry -- and their nannies since Sep 17.

She has been shooting the India scenes of her new film with her Hollywood colleagues Billy Crudup, Javier Bardem and Richard Jenkins, under director Ryan Murphy's supervision. She will be in Pataudi till Oct 9.

Roberts is playing author Elizabeth Gilbert, on whose book the film is based.

from hindu

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Sibal assures autonomy to protesting IIT teachers

The government would not interfere in the administration of the premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal has assured the protesting IIT teachers, even as he sought to clarify some of their contentions.

'The IIT system can (be) rest assured Kapil Sibal will not interfere,' the minister told Karan Thapar in an interview telecast on the CNN-IBN Sunday night.

'I am ready to walk a mile if the faculty walks two steps....I want to give them more autonomy, I am ready to give them more flexibility but they have to deliver (on quality),' he added.

Teachers of the 14 IITs across the country have been agitating and held a 'hunger protest' Thursday to press for their demands, including better salaries and removal of conditions on recruitment and promotions.

Clarifying about the condition that 10 percent of the new recruitments should be on contract for three years, the minister said: 'Those with a PhD or industry experience should be on contract for three years, but IIT directors can recommend taking the exceptional candidates on tenure earlier.'

Referring to the second area of the teachers' concern, a four-year gap for promotion of an assistant professor to the next grade, Sibal said: 'This is their own guideline... we don't want to interfere.' He also said the IIT directors could recommend a waiver in exceptional cases.

'If you come across a Stephen Hawking, a C.N.R. Rao, IIT directors can always make an exception,' he said, adding that the exception should not become a norm.

Asked if he would go to the protesting teachers with his clarifications, Sibal said: 'IIT boards, directors should talk to the faculty. Let them communicate... dialogue is the way forward, either through (the) directors or directly.'

from in.com

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Jagan supporters tear down Sonia banner

The demand to appoint Jaganmohan Reddy as Andhra chief minister took an ugly turn with his supporters allegedly tearing down a banner having pictures of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi at Khammam district Congress committee office.

Though the incident occurred two days ago, when supporters of the Kadappa MP disrupted the teleconference by PCC president D Srinivas on the party membership enrolment drive, it came to light only on Sunday when a television channel aired the footage.

This has angered Congress veterans, who said that Jagan could not become chief minister through such atrocious acts.

"Sonia Gandhi is our supreme leader. We are all ordinary workers and neither Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, or Jaganmohan are exceptions. In fact, Rajasekhara Reddy grew to such stature only with the blessings of Soniaji," Congress Central Working Committee member G Venkata Swamy said.

He denounced the incident and wanted the PCC chief to immediately throw out such unruly elements from the party.

Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao attacked Jagan's followers saying "their act of tearing down the picture of our be loved leader Sonia Gandhi was highly outrageous."

K Rosaiah was appointed the interim chief minister following Reddy's demise in a helicopter crash earlier in September.

from indiatoday

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The Ravan worshippers of Kanpur

Lucknow: People would celebrate Dussehra on Monday by burning effigies of Ravan, symbolising the victory of good over evil. But, at one temple in Kanpur, thousands would be offering prayers to 'Lord' Ravan.

The "Dashanan Mandir" in Shivala area of Kanpur was built by King Shiv Shankar hundreds of years ago. Ravan's devotees see him as a dedicated "Shiv bhakt" and the epitome of knowledge and valour. They also worship Ram and Sita but are opposed to the burning of Ravan's effigies. "Ravan was a Dravidian king who ruled according to Buddhist philosophy," says Dhanirao Panther, who has been organising the "Ravan puja" for past 16 years. "People of Dravidian origin feel hurt at Ravan being portrayed as evil," he says.

The worship of Ravan here is unique because the temple opens only once a year on Dussehra, just for 12 hours. More than 10,000 people come from all over UP and several south Indian states. They chant "Kate klesh, Jai Lankesh" (Ravan's name will solve all problems) as they march through the streets."Ravan was a man of great intellect and honour," says historian Yogesh Praveen. "He had several wives. But he did not harm Sita after abducting her. The Vedas describe him as the greatest disciple of Lord Shiva."

from in.com

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New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka to keep semi-finals hope alive

Riding on a splendid all round show, New Zealand [ Images ] saw off Sri Lanka [ Images ] by 38 runs in a high scoring Group B match to keep their semi-final chances alive in the Champions Trophy [ Images ] at the Wanderers stadium on Sunday.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori [ Images ] performed outstandingly with both bat and ball in his team's victory. Batting first he scored a valuable 48 and then picked up two wickets to finish with the figures of two for 45 in 10 overs.

Put into bat first, New Zealand overcame a mid-innings collapse to post a challenging 315 for seven and then bundled out Sri Lanka for 277 in 46.4 overs.

Sri Lanka has completed their league engagement with one win and two defeats but they still can make the semi-final grade as all four teams are still in contention in Group B.

Result of the other clashes will decide which team qualifies for the next stage and net run-rate will surely have a major say in deciding that.

Jesse Ryder [ Images ] and Brendon McCullum [ Images ] gave their side a solid start and then Martin Guptill [ Images ] and Vettori with their fiery knocks down the order pushed Kiwis to an impressive 300-plus score.

Sri Lanka were off to a flying start with Tillakaratne Dilshan [ Images ] and Sanath Jayasuriya [ Images ] going berserk but lack of partnerships after their dismissal cost them dear.

Kyle Mills [ Images ] was pretty expensive but emerged the highest wicket taker for BlackCaps with his 10-0-69-3 figures. Daryl Tuffey (2/39) and James Franklin (2/40) took two wickets each.

Jayawardene, who was dropped by Brendon McCullum, top scored for Sri Lanka with his 77. Nuwan Kulasekara [ Images ] hit a fighting unbeaten 57 at number eight but that was not enough to save Sri Lanka from defeat.

At the start, Mills and Shane Bond [ Images ] were at the receiving end when Dilshan and Jayasuriya were at the crease.

Tuffey brought first breakthrough when he picked up Sanath Jayasuriya and Mills got rid of Dilshan six balls later.

Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene got lives when they had not even opened their accounts but the skipper could not make most of that dropped chance off Mills.

Jayawardene though cashed in on and kept his team in the hunt with his sedate 85-ball knock, which featured six fours and two sixes.

However the former captain did not get enough support as

Thilan Samaraweera [ Images ] and Thilina Kandambi squandered good starts.

Angelo Mathews also returned in hurry but Kulasekara raised hopes of his team when he stuck to the crease and rattled up an unlikely 78 runs with Jayawardene for the seventh wicket.

Vettori broke the stand when he castled Jayawardene and the task was quite enormous for Sri Lankan lower order to score the required runs. Earlier, Ryder battled through a groin strain for his 74 and combined for a 125-run opening stand in 20 overs with fellow opener Brendon McCullum (46).

However, the Blackcaps lost half their side by the 30th but Guptill and Vettori played saviours with their valiant efforts down the order.

Ryder batted with a runner after picking up a groin strain in the fifth over and though the burly left-hander was in discomfort, he didn't let it hamper his fluent stroke-play.

The 25-year-old struck 10 fours and a six in his 58-ball knock, while McCullum's 72-ball innings was studded with five boundaries.

He was dismissed in the 20th over when an attempted across the line hit off Nuwan Kulasekara found its way to wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara [ Images ].

McCullum departed a couple of overs later when he edged an Angelo Mathews to Tillakaratne Dilshan at backward point.

The wickets kept tumbling after that with Ross Taylor [ Images ] departing in the 23rd over and Grant Elliot going down LBW to Mathews, leaving New Zealand at 140 for 4.

Jayasuriya struck again in the 30th over when he had Neil Broom caught at backward point by Jayawardene.

However, Vettori and Gupltill started re-building the innings putting together 69 runs.

However, Jayasuriya struck for the third time when he induced a mis-timed shot from Vettori to long-on, where Chamara Kapugadera made no mistake to give his team the crucial breakthrough.

James Franklin kept up the momentum with a quick-fire 28 to take the team past 300.
© Copyright 2009 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

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Pilots hold ground, reject Air India peace offer

The ‘striking’ Air India executive pilots rejected on Sunday the olive branch of the management which offered to ‘modify’ the productivity-linked incentive cut and set up a committee to look into the issue. The pilots called the management offer “delaying tactics”.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Capt V K Bhalla, a representative of the agitating pilots, said they would not hold talks with the management until it withdrew the order slashing productivity-linked incentives (PLI).

Refusing to specify the number of pilots that he represents, Bhalla dismissed the talks held by Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav with Mumbai-based executive pilots of erstwhile Indian Airlines today. In a conference held late in the evening in Mumbai after the talks, Capt R Sunnil and Capt Tony Davis said striking executive pilots of Air India agreed to resume work from tomorrow after reaching an agreement with the management. But Bhalla said, “These pilots were never a part of the strike.” Air India spokesperson Jitender Bhargava claimed that pilots in Mumbai were speaking to their counterparts from other stations individually as executive pilots did not have any union.

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Don’t let your heart burn out

A major risk factor for heart disease is work-related stress. Here’s how to deal effectively with it and safeguard your heart.

We’ve all had times when work pressures peak and finding those restful moments is tough. Workplace stress and associated problems are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially among the upwardly mobile population. Each year, an astonishing number of working days are lost due to stress related health issues.

Physical symptoms of stress become evident when individuals face chronic stress and suffer from an over-stimulated autonomic nervous system.

The first symptoms can be relatively mild, like chronic headaches and increased susceptibility to colds. However, as stress levels increase, symptoms are likely to be amplified.

Stress-induced conditions may include: depression, diabetes, hair loss, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, obesity, obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder, sexual dysfunction, ulcers.

Two ways

How can we deal with stress effectively? There are two ways to do this:

Stress-neutralisation: Techniques, including meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises are easily learned and can bring the body to a calm state.

Prevention: A large portion of stress in our lives is actually avoidable. Simple methods like better organisation, effective time management and inter-personal communication skills are first steps towards a minimally stressful lifestyle.

Exercise is one of the most effective stress reduction techniques because it catalyses the release of mood-enhancing chemicals through our nervous system.

Regular exercise not only makes us fitter and boosts immunity, but also works wonders for our morale and builds a healthier mindset. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity three or five times a week is all it takes to reap these benefits.

But make sure that the exercises have been recommended by a certified trainer or a physiotherapist. You can even take a brisk walk around the parking lot during your lunch break; use steps instead of lifts/escalators; play outdoor sports with children.

Lifestyle changes

Here are some lifestyle changes to help prevent stress-related heart disease:

Quit or limit smoking. List all the hazards of smoking. Then write down why you want to quit. Pick a date to quit and prepare by figuring out how you will deal with cravings. The day before, throw away cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters.

Talk to your doctor. Smoking changes the way your body reacts to certain medication. Also check if you would require nicotine replacement (available as patches, gum, and inhalers).

Avoid temptation. Stay away from smoke-filled bars and social situations that may tempt you until you feel determined enough to stick to your resolution. Keep trying. If you don’t succeed on your first attempt, try again. It’s not unusual for people to quit smoking after a couple of aborted attempts.

Healthy eating. A healthy, well balanced and nutritious diet plays a crucial role in keeping the body equilibrium intact. Eating at the right time and in appropriate quantity is also important.

Quality Sleep. People often underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep, at the right time and as suited to their body clock.

However, lack of adequate sleep can cause minor problems like a general feeling of listlessness to a serious problem like weight disorders and memory loss.

Myths

Myth 1: Stress is the same for everybody.

Not true. Stress is different for each one. What is stressful for one may not be so for another; each of us responds to stimulants in our external and internal environment differently; hence, our reactions to stress also differ.

Myth 2: Stress is always bad for you.

According to this view, zero stress makes us happy and healthy. This is not the complete truth. Stress is, to the human condition, what tension is to the violin string: too little and the music is dull and raspy; too much and the music is shrill or the string snaps. Stress is essential for it enables us to decide our responses and reactions to situations. Often managed stress makes us productive and happy; though mismanaged stress can be injurious to health.

Myth 3: Stress is everywhere, so you can’t do anything about it.

False. You can plan your life to deal effectively and efficiently with life situations. It’s about doing our homework and being prepared. That way stress is unlikely to overwhelm our senses.

Myth 4: The most popular techniques for reducing stress are the best ones.

There is no one single universally effective stress reduction technique. As stress is differently perceived by different individuals, same holds true for stress-coping behaviours. Different techniques will yield results for different people.

Myth 5: Only major symptoms of stress require attention.

This myth assumes that the ‘minor’ symptoms, such as headaches or acidity, may be safely ignored. But these minor symptoms of stress are the early warnings for complications that might appear later. Best to act upon them swiftly and seek medical advice.

The writer is the CEO and Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon.

At the workplace

Take a few deep breaths, hold, and release. Try to breathe from the diaphragm. As you breathe out, imagine your body relaxing more and more.

Take proper, well-timed breaks.

Stretching out for a minute can also be refreshing. A relaxed mind can think more logically.

Tense each of your muscles in turn. Then relax them. This helps release stiffness in the body.

Roll your shoulders and neck round slowly, and then do a good stretch. It will get rid of any nagging muscular tension in the neck and back; areas vulnerable to stress diseases like degenerated discs.

Keywords: stress, heart attack, prevention, neutralisation, workplace

from hindu

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Lost world animals found in vanishing river region

Bangkok: A gecko with leopard-like spots on its body and a fanged frog that eats birds are among 163 new species discovered last year in the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia, an environmental group said.

WWF International said that scientists in 2008 discovered 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird species in the region. That works out to be about three species a week and is in addition to the 1,000 new species catalogued there from 1997 to 2007, the group said.

"After millennia in hiding these species are now finally in the spotlight, and there are clearly more waiting to be discovered," said Stuart Chapman, director of the WWF Greater Mekong Program.

Researchers working for WWF warned that the effects of climate change, including an upsurge in droughts and floods, threaten the diverse habitat that supports these species. That is on top of traditional threats such as poaching, pollution and habitat destruction.

"Some species will be able to adapt to climate change, many will not, potentially resulting in massive extinctions," Chapman said in a statement. "Rare, endangered and endemic species like those newly discovered are especially vulnerable because climate change will further shrink their already restricted habitats."

Among the stars in the new list is a fanged frog in eastern Thailand. Given the scientific name Limnonectes megastomias, the frog lies in wait along streams for prey including birds and insects. Scientists believe it uses its fangs during combat with other males.

Another unusual discovery was the Cat Ba leopard gecko found on Cat Ba Island in northern Vietnam. Named Goniurosaurus catbaensis, it has large, orange-brown catlike eyes and leopard spots down the length of its yellowish brown body.

Lee Grismer, of La Sierra University in California, said he found a tiger-stripped pit viper in Vietnam described in the report while he was attempting to capture a second gecko species.

"We were engrossed in trying to catch a new species of gecko when my son pointed out that my hand was on a rock mere inches away from the head of a pit viper," Grismer said in a statement. "We caught the snake and the gecko and they both proved to be new species."

That gecko species was not included in the WWF report because it hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed journal yet. All the other species listed by the WWF have been described in journals.

Simon Mahood, a conservation adviser for BirdLife International in Indochina, welcomed WWF's attention to the new species and said more could be discovered if additional money is put into conservation and countries make it easier to do field work.

"We are seeing more reports of new discoveries and populations because this region is relatively poorly known, particularly when it comes to cryptic and less fashionable groups like fish and amphibians," said Mahood, whose group this year announced finding the first nest of white-eared night heron in Vietnam and the discovery of a baldheaded song bird in Laos called the barefaced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon.

On Friday, it announced that it discovered three more sites where the endangered, grey-crowned crocias or Crocias langbianis can be found in Vietnam. The bird has a white underbelly and brown and slate feathers.

Other new species found are a tube-nosed bat named Murina harpioloides that lives in southeastern Vietnam and a new bird species called the Nonggang babbler that favors walking to flying and is found in the karst rainforest on the Chinese-Vietnamese border, an area of limestone fissures, sinkholes and underground streams.

Experts said a range of factors contributed to the upsurge in new species, including better access to regions that have seen decades of war and political unrest and more spending by governments on research to protect and identify plants and animals.

The WWF, which plans to publish yearly tabulations of newly discovered species in the Mekong, called for increased efforts to ensure new species are protected by preserving the large areas of forest and the free-flowing river networks they need to survive.

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India in battle for survival

Big picture

There are all sorts of scenarios and permutations about which teams could make it through to the semi-finals in Group A but the simplest is this: if Australia beat India, it will be Pakistan and Australia who progress. The group will be done and dusted with two games to go. Things become more complex if India win. They will be in prime position due to their remaining game against a weakened West Indies and Australia's fixture against an unbeaten Pakistan. However, should India and Australia either both win or both lose their last group game, net run-rate will be required to determine the semi-finalists.

It means that there's a lot riding on this day-night encounter and neither team enters the match in peak form. India have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions at Centurion, where they lost to Pakistan on Saturday. Australia are coming off a win but it was a scratchy and in parts unconvincing victory against an under-strength West Indies in the different conditions at the Wanderers. It's hard to predict a winner, though the bookmakers favour Australia.

Australia will be most concerned about breaking India's opening partnership early; Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar have troubled Ricky Ponting's men in the past and Australia's fast bowlers lacked penetration against West Indies. The presence or absence of the stiff and sore Michael Clarke looms as another potential key. Unlike India, Australia aren't automatically out if they lose but it will be a hard road back. The teams meet for seven one-dayers in India in October and November but none will matter as much as this game.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia - WLWWW

India - LWLWW

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By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

28 September 2009: Dasara is the festival that is being celebrated throughout India as the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil. However, the mode and the fervour of the celebration differ to a great extent across the country. In different parts of India, Dasara has been celebrated in different ways. In some regions it has been celebrated as Navratri, some observe it as Vijayadashami, in Bengal and Eastern India, devotees celebrate it as Durga Puja and in other regions, especially in Karnataka it is celebrated as Dasara. In whichever region or in whatever manner Dasara is being celebrated, the central theme of these celebrations is the slaying of the Demon King Mahishasura by Goddess Durga or the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine days in the case of Navratri or one month in case of Mysore Dasara.

Dasara has been celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar that fall between September and October. This year Dasara is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. On this day the images of Goddess Durga installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water bodies. In West Bengal, the huge Durga images are immersed in the Ganges and other rivers. On this day people also worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves known as golden leaves (sona) as symbol of gold and wish each other bright and prosperous future.

Another important ritual during the Dasara is the decoration and worship of the instruments such as machines in factories and industries, transport facilities such as buses, trucks, smaller vehicles and even train engines. Farmers worship their ploughs, tractors and other instruments that are used in agricultural activities. This ritual is known as the Ayudha Puja and treated as Vishwakarma Day which is observed either on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri. Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.


By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

28 September 2009: Dasara is the festival that is being celebrated throughout India as the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil. However, the mode and the fervour of the celebration differ to a great extent across the country. In different parts of India, Dasara has been celebrated in different ways. In some regions it has been celebrated as Navratri, some observe it as Vijayadashami, in Bengal and Eastern India, devotees celebrate it as Durga Puja and in other regions, especially in Karnataka it is celebrated as Dasara. In whichever region or in whatever manner Dasara is being celebrated, the central theme of these celebrations is the slaying of the Demon King Mahishasura by Goddess Durga or the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine days in the case of Navratri or one month in case of Mysore Dasara.

Dasara has been celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar that fall between September and October. This year Dasara is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. On this day the images of Goddess Durga installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water bodies. In West Bengal, the huge Durga images are immersed in the Ganges and other rivers. On this day people also worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves known as golden leaves (sona) as symbol of gold and wish each other bright and prosperous future.

Another important ritual during the Dasara is the decoration and worship of the instruments such as machines in factories and industries, transport facilities such as buses, trucks, smaller vehicles and even train engines. Farmers worship their ploughs, tractors and other instruments that are used in agricultural activities. This ritual is known as the Ayudha Puja and treated as Vishwakarma Day which is observed either on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri. Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.

In commercial organizations, business houses, shops and establishments the accounts books, other important documents are brought and kept in the place of the puja place. Pujas are performed by a priest who prays for the growth and prosperity of the organization.

People usually start new ventures such as business, education, etc. on this day as Vijayadashami is considered as an auspicious day and assures success. On Vijayadashami day the small children are taught their first alphabet and some of them are admitted to school to commence their formal education. Formal training in music, dance and other art forms are invariably starts only on this day. As a social festival during the Navratri celebrations number of cultural organisations conduct competitions for children and women in the field of music, dance, cookery, floral arrangements and so on.
During the Navratri preceding Dasara, the life of Lord Rama is enacted in the form of ‘Ramlila’. On the tenth day, that is, Dasara or Vijayadashami, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son Meghanand and brother Kumbhakarna are set on fire. This theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which every section of people participates enthusiastically. The burning of the effigies signifies that the people should destroy the evil within them and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind that Ravana, who in spite of all his might and majesty was destroyed by Lord Rama for his evil ways.

In the state of Karnataka, especially in Mysore, the Dasara festivities have special religious, historical, social and cultural significance. According to a legend, Mysore has been named after the demon Mahishasura, who was slain by Goddess Durga also known as Chamundeshwari in Mysore.

The Dasara festivities were first started by the Vijayanagar Kings in the 15th Century. Following the downfall of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Wodeyars of Mysore, who were subordinate to the Vijayanagar Kings proclaimed their independence in 1610. Raja Wodeyar, the founder of the Kingdom of Mysore started the Navratri festivities in order to celebrate his new found freedom, a tradition that was continued by his successors. It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara that was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and even Europeans and the masses.

The grand palace of the Mysore Maharaja designed and built under the direction of a British architect in 1897 was illuminated for Dasara festivities for the first time when the city of Mysore got electric power supply on 26th September 1908. The festival became a tradition of the royal household and reached its zenith during the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1902-1940). The royal durbar, the procession of decorated elephants with the king seated in a golden howdah followed by his ministers, administrators, the royal staff and the military came to an end with the merger of the princely states including Mysore into the Indian Union following the independence of India in August 1947.

The last crowned King of Mysore, Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar, tried to revive the tradition of Dasara in his personal capacity after a few years. However, the old splendour of the festivities was missing. Following the death of Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar in 1974, the tradition again suffered a setback and Mysore almost lost its unique festival. Realizing the historical, social and cultural importance of the Dasara festival the Government of Karnataka decided to celebrate it as a state festival ‘Naada Habba’ without the royal paraphernalia.



By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

28 September 2009: Dasara is the festival that is being celebrated throughout India as the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil. However, the mode and the fervour of the celebration differ to a great extent across the country. In different parts of India, Dasara has been celebrated in different ways. In some regions it has been celebrated as Navratri, some observe it as Vijayadashami, in Bengal and Eastern India, devotees celebrate it as Durga Puja and in other regions, especially in Karnataka it is celebrated as Dasara. In whichever region or in whatever manner Dasara is being celebrated, the central theme of these celebrations is the slaying of the Demon King Mahishasura by Goddess Durga or the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine days in the case of Navratri or one month in case of Mysore Dasara.

Dasara has been celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar that fall between September and October. This year Dasara is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. On this day the images of Goddess Durga installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water bodies. In West Bengal, the huge Durga images are immersed in the Ganges and other rivers. On this day people also worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves known as golden leaves (sona) as symbol of gold and wish each other bright and prosperous future.

Another important ritual during the Dasara is the decoration and worship of the instruments such as machines in factories and industries, transport facilities such as buses, trucks, smaller vehicles and even train engines. Farmers worship their ploughs, tractors and other instruments that are used in agricultural activities. This ritual is known as the Ayudha Puja and treated as Vishwakarma Day which is observed either on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri. Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.

In commercial organizations, business houses, shops and establishments the accounts books, other important documents are brought and kept in the place of the puja place. Pujas are performed by a priest who prays for the growth and prosperity of the organization.

People usually start new ventures such as business, education, etc. on this day as Vijayadashami is considered as an auspicious day and assures success. On Vijayadashami day the small children are taught their first alphabet and some of them are admitted to school to commence their formal education. Formal training in music, dance and other art forms are invariably starts only on this day. As a social festival during the Navratri celebrations number of cultural organisations conduct competitions for children and women in the field of music, dance, cookery, floral arrangements and so on.

During the Navratri preceding Dasara, the life of Lord Rama is enacted in the form of ‘Ramlila’. On the tenth day, that is, Dasara or Vijayadashami, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son Meghanand and brother Kumbhakarna are set on fire. This theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which every section of people participates enthusiastically. The burning of the effigies signifies that the people should destroy the evil within them and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind that Ravana, who in spite of all his might and majesty was destroyed by Lord Rama for his evil ways.

In the state of Karnataka, especially in Mysore, the Dasara festivities have special religious, historical, social and cultural significance. According to a legend, Mysore has been named after the demon Mahishasura, who was slain by Goddess Durga also known as Chamundeshwari in Mysore.

The Dasara festivities were first started by the Vijayanagar Kings in the 15th Century. Following the downfall of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Wodeyars of Mysore, who were subordinate to the Vijayanagar Kings proclaimed their independence in 1610. Raja Wodeyar, the founder of the Kingdom of Mysore started the Navratri festivities in order to celebrate his new found freedom, a tradition that was continued by his successors. It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara that was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and even Europeans and the masses.

The grand palace of the Mysore Maharaja designed and built under the direction of a British architect in 1897 was illuminated for Dasara festivities for the first time when the city of Mysore got electric power supply on 26th September 1908. The festival became a tradition of the royal household and reached its zenith during the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1902-1940). The royal durbar, the procession of decorated elephants with the king seated in a golden howdah followed by his ministers, administrators, the royal staff and the military came to an end with the merger of the princely states including Mysore into the Indian Union following the independence of India in August 1947.

The last crowned King of Mysore, Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar, tried to revive the tradition of Dasara in his personal capacity after a few years. However, the old splendour of the festivities was missing. Following the death of Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar in 1974, the tradition again suffered a setback and Mysore almost lost its unique festival. Realizing the historical, social and cultural importance of the Dasara festival the Government of Karnataka decided to celebrate it as a state festival ‘Naada Habba’ without the royal paraphernalia.

In modern times, the Royal Palace of Mysore and city are lit up for ten days and the entire city is dressed up in a festive look for the Dasara festival. A two-month long Dasara Exhibition is held at the Doddakere Maidan in which several business and industrial houses take part. Apart from this, a Food and Film festival is also organized. During the festivities special religious ceremonies are held at different temples in Mysore especially the Chamundeshwari Temple on top of the Chamundi Hills.

The high point of the Dasara celebrations is the Vijayadashami procession held on the tenth day on the streets of Mysore. On this day, the famous elephant procession known as the Jambu Savari is still a significant part of the Dasara festivities. However, instead of the king, the image of Goddess Chamundeshwari is carried on the golden howdah placed on the chief elephant. This idol of Chamundeshwari is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. During the procession, the elephants are followed by the decorated horses and Camels. NCC Cadets, Scouts and guides as well as other school and college students, folk dancers, verities colourful tableaus depicting the history and culture of the land and police band make up the nearly two and a half kilometre long procession which makes its way from the Royal Palace to the parade ground. The closing ceremonies of the Dasara Festival in Mysore include cultural functions from different regions of India ending with brilliant and colourful fireworks.

Bellevision wishes all the readers and supporters a Happy Dasara.

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Krishna meets Qureshi; India rejects backchannel talks offer

A day after talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries met in New York on Sunday. The meeting lasted nearly two hours.

After the meeting, Krishna addressed the media. He described his meeting with Qureshi as 'useful, candid and constructive'.

"We told Pakistan that India still has serious concerns about terror groups there and underlined the need for concrete and effective steps against these entities," Krishna said.

We also told Pakistan that any meaningful dialogue process needs an environment free from violence, Krishna added.

He also said that the issue of Balochistan did not come up during the meeting.

Despite mentioning that Pakistan has taken some steps against those behind 26/11 attacks, Krishna underlined that a case against Hafiz Saeed also concerns India.

India, however, rejected backchannel talks with Pakistan and said that if a front channel is open, what's the need of backchannel.

Later, addressing mediapersons, the Pakistan's Foreign Minister said that the it was a constructive, frank, honest and positive meeting.

"I minced no words, very clearly spelt out Pak objectives," said Qureshi.

He said issues such as J&K, Siachen, Sir Creeks, Wullar and water were raised during the meeting.

"We cannot confine our discussions to just one issue. We should discuss all issues that form part of composite dialogue," he said.

He further said that Pakistan would start the formal trial in the Mumbai attacks on October 3.

Referring to the rejection of backchannel talks by India, Qureshi said, "If India wants front channel talks, that's a good thing."

The Pakistan Foreign Minister said that he has given India a roadmap for the road forward, with a time frame.

On Saturday, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Bashir Malik held one-on-one talks in New York. The two diplomats discussed the role of Jamaat-ud-Dawaa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's role in the Mumbai attacks.

The Pakistani side said it needs time to probe Saeed's role in the attack. The two secretaries also reviewed the 26/11 probe in detail.

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NSA dismisses Santhanam's claims on Pokhran-II as 'horrific'

National Security Adviser M K Narayanan has termed a former DRDO scientist's claims on Pokhran-II nuclear tests as "horrific" and asserted that India has thermonuclear capabilities which have been verified by a peer group of researchers.

He said that the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), which comprises a peer group of scientists, had last week come out with the "most authoritative" statement on the efficacy of the 1998 nuclear tests and no more clarification was required from the government on the matter.

"They (AEC) were satisfied in 1998 and they were satisfied in 2009. Now what are you going to discuss?" he told on a private channel.

Narayanan said that the AEC, an independent Commission and the highest body in such matters, was asked to study the data of the 1998 nuclear tests once again in the wake of the controversy over the efficacy of the hydrogen bomb following the statements of former DRDO scientist K Santhanam.



"I think, we have done what we have done. Beyond that I do not know what we can do," he said.

Eminent scientists like C N R Rao, P Rama Rao and M R Srinivasan were members of the AEC and the doyen of the nuclear programme Raja Ramanna was part the apex nuclear body which went into the test results in 1998.

"The thermonuclear device had a yield of 45 kilotons. I have chosen my words carefully 45 kilotons and nobody, including Mr Santhanam who has absolutely no idea what he is talking about, can contest what is proven fact by the data which is there," Narayanan said.

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Austerity measures not to compromise security: Mukherjee

Bangalore: Austerity measures the government has introduced are not at the cost of security for top leaders, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee clarified here on Saturday. "So far as the austerity measures are concerned, it is clearly stipulated that it will not compromise the security measures to be adopted by the government to protect some individuals, particularly those who are more vulnerable and protected by the SPG (Special Protection Group)," Mukherjee told reporters here.

The government on Sep 7 announced a series of austerity measures to reduce its non-plan expenditure by 10 percent in light of drought and slowdown in economy due to global recession.

Asserting that protective security would have to be first met, Mukherjee said the government had requested those having SPG protection not to dilute their security cover.

"We have requested them to see that government efforts to protect them are not diluted," the minister noted.

Concerns have been expressed over security of Congress president and ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who chose to fly to Mumbai and Bangalore early this week by economy class in a commercial flight as part of austerity.

Similarly, the Swarn Shatabdi train in which Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi travelled to Ludhiana in Punjab early this week was stoned by miscreants in Haryana while he was returning to New Delhi, causing security concerns.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are given Z-plus security by SPG in view of the threat perception.

Admitting that flying by economy class would be a drop in the ocean, Mukherjee said if the government was able cut non-plan expenditure by 10 percent as envisaged, there would be a lot of savings.

"If other aspects of austerity measures are considered, the non-plan expenditure can be cut by 10 percent, which will be substantial if we take into account our total plan expenditure," Mukherjee pointed out.

Elaborating on the objective of austerity, the minister said in a budget of Rs.10 lakh crore, the gross budgetary support was Rs.305,000 crore and internal resource generation of the plan would be another Rs.one lakh crore plus.

"If we deduct these figures, then there is substantial amount in the non-plan expenditure. If 10 percent of that is actually reduced, then there will be lot of savings," Mukherjee added. (IANS)

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Kashmir is Pak's jugular vein, reiterates Pak PM

slamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday asked India to come forward for negotiations to resolve the Kashmir dispute 'so that there could be lasting peace in the region'.

"We want to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully and invite India for negotiations, a gesture that it has continued to ignore," Gilani said in his address at an iftar party he hosted for Kashmiri leaders at the Prime Minister's House.

Recalling his meeting with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit at Sharm-el-Sheikh in July, Gilani said he had then stated that there could not be peace in the region unless the Kashmir issue is resolved according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Without the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, peace in the region will remain a 'far-fetched dream' and this has been acknowledged by the international community, he claimed.

Referring to his government's decision to grant internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan and criticism of the move from certain sections, he said the development "will not bring any change in Pakistan's principled stand on Kashmir".

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Shiney Ahuja's bail rejected for the second time

Mumbai: A sessions court today rejected the bail plea of Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja for the second time, arrested for allegedly raping his domestic maid at his residence in suburban Oshiwara.
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The court rejected Ahuja's bail on the grounds that it is a "serious offence" and there is a prima facie evidence against him.

Earlier, the court had rejected his bail plea on July 8 on the same grounds.

The 36-year-old actor had filed for a bail for the second time on September 5 after the city police filed its chargesheet against him.

Charges against Ahuja, currently lodged in Arthur Road jail, will be framed on September 23.

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Paes, Black lose in mixed doubles final

New York: India's Leander Paes and Cara Black of Zimbabwe were outclassed by Americans Travis Parrott and Carly Gullickson 2-6, 4-6 in the mixed doubles final of the US Open tennis tournament here Thursday.

Defending champions Paes and Black struggled to find their rhythm and hardly put up a fight going down in just over an hour against wild cards Parrott and Gullickson, who won their maiden Grand Slam title together.

For the second successive year, Paes was in line for two titles here, having reached the doubles final with Lukas Dlouhy of Czech Republic. In 2008, Paes won the mixed doubles with Black but lost in the men's doubles final.

Paes would be now hoping to topple compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas in the doubles final to win his career's 10th Grand Slam title.

Paes and Black had put up an impressive performance coming into the final, but they lost their touch in the all-important match.

Black was all over the place with her shots and also struggled to hold her service games. She was broken thrice in the match. Paes himself was in danger of dropping his serve twice.

In fact, Paes was down two break points in the first game, but managed well to hold.

Black's serve came under attack and she was broken in the third game and at love in the seventh as Parrot and Gullickson opened up a 5-2 lead.

Parrot and Gullickson served strong and did not face a breakpoint in the first set. They dug deep to come out with big shots on crucial points and controlled the net with ease.

Paes and Black had a chance when they broke Gullickson in the second set while she was serving for the match in the eighth game. Paes saved the matchpoint with a backhand winner and then reduced the defecit by holding his serve. But Parrott dashed their chances of comeback, serving out the match in the next game.

"When we broke them we felt we have a chance of a comeback. But our opponents were too good. They really played very well," said Paes.

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Ambani feud hurting global investors' confidence in India

The gas dispute between the Ambani brothers is hurting global investors' confidence in India, says an industry report, urging the government to set priorities for the usage of gas and the pricing to prevail.

The report in a US-based monthly magazine Energy Tribune says the Indian government owns the natural gas resources at stake in the Ambani dispute.

"The government-set price must prevail to continue to provide an attractive domestic business environment, increase domestic energy supply and strengthen global energy security," Energy Tribune editor-in-chief Michael J Economides said in the report.

Anil Ambani is seeking to enforce a family agreement that gives his group firm RNRL natural gas from elder brother Mukesh Ambani-run RIL at USD 2.34 per mmBtu, 44 per cent lower than the government approved rates. The case is now in the Supreme Court.

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Nine more swine flu deaths push India's toll to 154

Nine more people - five in Maharashtra and four in Karnataka - died of swine flu in India Thursday, taking the toll from the virus in the country to 154, health authorities said here.

As the swine flu spreads, the union health ministry is likely to allow restricted sales of influenza A (H1N1) preventive drug Tamiflu to general public.


'The health secretary is holding a meeting of concerned stakeholders Friday and a decision on the restricted sale is likely by the evening,' a ministry official told IANS, requesting anonymity.


The official said that selected chemists, who hold licence to sell H-level drugs, may be allowed to sell Tamiflu.


In Maharashtra, the five deaths were reported from Ahmednagar, Satara, Raigad and Solapur. With this, the toll in the state has gone up to 72 - the highest in the country.


In Karnataka, deaths were reported from Bijapur, Bangalore, Bagalkot and Davangere. With the four deaths, the total number of people who have succumbed to the virus in this southern state has risen to 49 - the second highest in India.


'As the death toll due to swine flu is rising fast in the state, the government is taking all measures, including providing adequate infrastructure in terms of hospitals and laboratories to treat and test patients infected with H1N1 virus,' Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) I.R. Perumal told IANS.


About 176 fresh swine flu cases were reported in the country, taking the total number of people affected with H1N1 virus to 5,611.


Delhi reported the maximum number of fresh cases Thursday with a record 68 people testing positive for the flu. It was followed by Tamil Nadu, where 32 people were detected with the contagious virus.


Maharashtra had 26 fresh cases.


The other states where new cases were reported were Haryana (14), Andhra Pradesh (5), Kerala (2), West Bengal (2), Uttarakhand (2) and Punjab (1).

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First timer: BSF women troopers positioned at Indo-Pak border

Punjab: After undergoing nearly 38 months of rigorous training, the first batch of Indian women troopers on Friday joined duty at the international border in Punjab.


This is the first time that women officials, inducted in the Border Security Force (BSF), are guarding international borders.


"Today, after a formal ceremony called 'sainik sammelan', all the girls have joined their duty on the border. They are all very energetic and full of enthusiasm. In fact, they have already started their work and are busy frisking people and guiding them on the border checkposts," said BSF Punjab Frontier Deputy Inspector General, Jagir Singh.


BSF had inducted 178 girls, all of whom have been trained in tackling any kind of emergency and handling sophisticated weapons. Of these, 118 are deployed along the 553-km fenced India-Pakistan border in Punjab near Amritsar while 60 have been posted on the India-Bangladesh border.


The passing out parade of these newly inducted troopers was held on July 25 this year at the BSF's Kharkan training camp near Hoshiarpur town with union Home Minister P Chidambaram and BSF Director General M L Kumawat looking on.


"The women troopers will cover all the BOPs. For the time being, they will be assigned only non-combat duties and will not carry arms," said Jagir Singh.


Most of the new recruits are between 19 and 25 years of age. Among them, 14 are postgraduates, 22 graduates and 128 have studied up to Class 12. The recruits include 25 sportspersons and 11 National Cadet Corps volunteers.

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