2007 the year of rewards to India

The year 2007 has been a very fruitful year with India shining in all major events apart from the blooming economy which is having the dollar dance to its tunes and exposing ample employment oppurtunities with many blossoming industries under the desired encouragement given by the respective state governments
TAJMAHALthe symbol of love and the greatest monument India ever possesed and continous to live up to its expectations by again being included in the new 7 wonders of the world exposing the rich cultural heritage of India.
MUKESH AMBANI of Reliance Industries with his grit determination and hardwork earned the distinction of being the richest man in the world prevailing over the Microsoft
Chairman BillGates ,with two more prominent Indians listing among the top ten comprising of Mr.Lakshmi mittal of Mittal Industries and Aziz Premji of Wipro.
TEAM INDIA lifted the prestigious and innagural 20 20 World Cup Cricket 2007 title defeating Pakistan in a nail biting finish under the leadership of Young Dhoni and his team of young blood who won laurels and bountiful of rewards for winning the title.
ASIA CUP HOCKEY 2007 even though the upliftment of our
national sport hockey is mediocore still team india amassed to win the Asia cup trouncing Korea 7-2 in the finals played at Chennai and also creating a world record for scoring 20 goals against Sri Lanka in the preliminary rounds .
NEHRU CUP FOOTBALL2007 the game of football is not so
enthralling as played in European countries , the game is not overwhelming as compared to the cricket, even though ranked 157 in the world rankings pulled up their socks in winning the Nehru cup football cup defeating Syria 1-0 and received a rousing applause for the achievement .
WORLD CHESS TITLE the game of brains Chess has been dominated by the Indian classy counter part Visvanathan
Anand who with his clever moves by his wizard brain earned him the world title for the year 2007 and stands No-1 in the World rankings and has lifted Indias name to dizzy heights
With even Pankaj Advani rousing to claim his world cup title in the Billiards event, India stands tall and high with three world cup titles in its Kitty for the year 2007.
May we wish many more laurels to our country India in the coming year 2008 and wish every one a happy and prosperous New Year.

Fraudsters target net banking users

Thiruvananthapuram: A former call centre employee who checked the status of her bank account online recently was dismayed to find that Rs.7,900 had been transferred to another account without her knowledge.

The 41-year-old woman, who wanted her name to be withheld, told Hindu The that she had received an e-mail purportedly from the customer service centre of the bank on November 1.

The e-mail said the bank’s central server was down and users of its online banking facility were required to re-enter their account details. The e-mail had a link on which she did not click.

She logged on directly to what appeared to be the bank’s web site. She entered her customer identity (username) and password. She also changed her password.

On December 12, she checked her account online and found that she had lost the money. It had been transferred to another account of the same bank somewhere in north India. She contacted the customer service centre of the bank, which denied sending her any such e-mail.

The woman said she later checked the e-mail again and by clicking the link accessed the same web site (supposedly that of the bank) where she had entered her account details earlier. She suspects the fraud committed was an ‘inside’ job. The woman said she used the online banking facility mostly for booking railway tickets.

Circle Inspector E.S. Bijumon of the Hi-Tech Cell, who is investigating the woman’s complaint, said it was a classic case of ‘phishing.’ He said more than 10 such cases, mostly from Ernkaulam district, were reported recently.

It is a method of operation by which online fraudsters ‘fish’ for usernames, passwords and credit/debit card details of (mostly) online banking facility users. They obtain e-mail addresses of potential victims by scouring the Internet.

He said ‘phishing’ attempts were usually in the form of an e-mail appearing to be from one’s bank. Such e-mails had a link which when clicked on would lead the customer to a fraudulent ‘log on page’ designed to capture his or her account details. Such phoney web sites closely resemble those of credible banks. ‘Phishing’ e-mails often prompt customers to confirm, provide or update sensitive information by conveying a sense of urgency (such as a breakdown of their bank’s servers).

The police said the link on the e-mail received by the victim led to a U.S-based server and not the one handling the bank’s online operations. The ‘phishing’ e-mail received by the woman had originated from the same server.

The police said customers should check with their bank before responding to e-mails concerning their accounts.

Some ‘phishing’ e-mails hide Trojan Horse software capable of capturing the customer’s computer keystrokes. Such a software relays captured information back to the sender, enabling them to figure out the user names and passwords of other people.

JRD Tata

Born: July 29, 1904
Died: on November 29, 1993
Achievements:
He had the honor of being India's first pilot; was Chairman of Tata & Sons for 50 years; launched Air India International as India's first international airline; received Bharat Ratna in 1992.
JRD Tata was one of the most enterprising Indian entrepreneurs. He was a pioneer aviator and built one of the largest industrial houses of India.
JRD Tata was born on July 29, 1904 in Paris. His mother was a French, while his father was Parsi. JRD's full name was Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and he was popularly known as Jeh to his friends. JRD's father Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and Sri Jamsetji Tata shared their greatness from the same great-great- grandfather, Ervad Jamsheed Tata, a priest of Navsari.
JRD Tata was the second of four children. He was educated in France, Japan and England before being drafted into the French army for a mandatory one-year period. JRD wanted to extend his service in the forces but destiny had something else in store for him. By leaving the French army JRD's life was saved because shortly thereafter, the regiment in which he served was totally wiped out during an expedition in Morocco.
JRD Tata joined Tata & Sons as an unpaid apprentice in 1925. He has great interest in flying. On February 10, 1929, JRD became the first Indian to pass the pilot's examination. With this distinctive honor of being India's first pilot, he was instrumental in giving wings to India by building Tata Airlines, which ultimately became Air India. His passion for flying was fulfilled with the formation of the Tata Aviation Service in 1932.
In 1938, at the age of 34, JRD was elected Chairman of Tata & Sons making him the head of the largest industrial group in India. He started with 14 enterprises under his leadership and half a century later on July 26, 1988, when he left , Tata & Sons was a conglomerate of 95 enterprises which they either started or in which they had controlling interest.
JRD was the trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust from its inception in 1932, which remained under his wings for over half a century. Under his guidance, this Trust established Asia's first cancer hospital, the Tata Memorial Center for Cancer, Research and Treatment, Bombay, 1941. It also founded the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 1936 (TISS), the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1945 (TIFR), and the National Center for Performing Arts.
In 1948, JRD Tata launched Air India International as India's first international airline. In 1953, the Indian Government appointed JRD as Chairman of Air-India and a director on the Board of Indian Airlines-a position JRD retained for 25-years. For his crowning achievements in Aviation, JRD was bestowed with the title of Honorary Air Commodore of India.
In 1956, JRD Tata initiated a program of closer "employee association with management" to give workers a stronger voice in the affairs of the company. He firmly believed in employee welfare and espoused the principles of an eight-hour working day, free medical aid, workers' provident scheme, and workmen's accident compensation schemes, which were later, adopted as statutory requirements in India.
JRD Tata cared greatly for his workers. In 1979, Tata Steel instituted a new practice; a worker is deemed to be "at work" from the moment he leaves home for work till he returns home from work. The company is financially liable to the worker if any mishap takes place on the way to and from work. Tata Steel Township was also selected as a UN Global Compact City because of the quality of life, conditions of sanitation, roads and welfare that were offered by Tata Steel.
JRD Tata received a number of awards. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1957 on the eve of silver jubilee of Air India. He also received the Guggenheim Medal for aviation in 1988. In 1992, because of his selfless humanitarian endeavors, JRD Tata was awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna-one of the rarest instances in which this award was granted during a person's lifetime. In the same year, JRD Tata was also bestowed with the United Nations Population Award for his crusading endeavors towards initiating and successfully implementing the family planning movement in India, much before it became an official government policy.
JRD Tata died in Geneva, Switzerland on November 29, 1993 at the age of 89. On his death, the Indian Parliament was adjourned in his memory-an honor not usually given to persons who are not Members of Parliament.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai died on 30 December 1971 at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was visiting Thiruvananthapuram to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Thumba railway station. During his last days, he was under a great amount of stress due to excessive travelling and a huge work-load which adversely affected his health.
Indian Space Program
The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements. He successfully convinced the government of the importance of a space programme for a developing country like India after the Russian Sputnik launch. Dr. Sarabhai emphasized the importance of a space program in his quote:
"There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. "
"But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."
Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, widely regarded as the father of India's nuclear science program, supported Dr. Sarabhai in setting up the first rocket launching station in India. This center was established at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram on the coast of the Arabian Sea, primarily because of its proximity to the equator. After a remarkable effort in setting up the infrastructure, personnel, communication links, and launch pads, the inaugural flight was launched on November 21, 1963 with a sodium vapour payload.
As a result of Dr. Sarabhai's dialogue with NASA in 1966, the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was launched during July 1975 - July 1976 (when Dr.Sarabhai was no more).
Dr. Sarabhai started a project for the fabrication and launch of an Indian Satellite. As a result, the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian Cosmodrome.
Dr. Sarabhai was very interested in science education and founded a Community Science Centre at Ahmedabad in 1966. Today, the Centre is called the Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre.
He led the family's 'Sarabhai' diversified business group.
His interests varied from science to sports to statistics. He set up Operations Research Group (ORG), the first market research organization in the country.
Dr Vikram Sarabhai established many institutes which are of international repute. Most notable among them are IIMs (Indian Institute Of Management) which are considered world class for their management studies. Also he helped establishing PRL (Physical Research Laboratory) which is doing commendable job in R&D in Physics. Dr Vikram Sarabhai setup ATIRA (Ahmedabad Textiles Industrial Research Association) which helped the booming textiles business in Ahmedabad. He also setup CEPT (Center for Environmental Planning and Technology). Not stopping with all these he went ahead and setup BMA (Blind Men Association) which helps visually challenged people with necessary skills and support.
Awards
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962)
Padma Bhushan (1966)
Padma Vibhushan, posthumous (after-death) (1972)
Distinguished Positions
President of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress (1962),
President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Verína (1970),
Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on `Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy' (1971)
Honors
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), a research institute specialising in solid and liquid propellants for rockets located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) , capital of Kerala state, is named in his memory.
Along with other Ahmedabad-based industrialists, he played a major role in the creation of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Fight Global Warming with GreenIQ.com

The world is getting hotter day by day due to the emission of various gases and smokes from industries and vehicles. It is very important to prevent this increase in temperature as it may just cause the depletion of the ozone layer and causes the melting of ice in Antarctica which will cause many areas to come under water. To prevent all these we need to reduce the emission of gases into the atmosphere.

For reducing global warming I came across a site http://www.greeniq.com/.In this site they give various alternatives to the materials that we use daily and cause global warming. There are lots of article in this site which tell us how to make this world greener and reduce global warming.

One of the interesting things that i saw in this site http://www.GreenIQ.com is the Room By Room Greening Guide. In this guide they give various tips on how to make your home greener and thus the world even greener. In the Room By Room Greening Guide they explain in detail what to do in each rooms starting from bed room to your bathrooms and from your office to your kitchen and laundry.

I feel that by following directions from this site we can at least reduce our share of global warming and try to make world greener than before...GreenIQ

Modern Jokes

From:Story: 1

A young executive was leaving the office at 6 p.m. when he found CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. "Listen," said the CEO, "this is a very sensitive and important document, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?" "Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. "Excellent, excellent!" said the CEO. As his paper disappeared inside the machine. "I just need one copy."

Lesson I – " Never, never assume that your BOSS knows everything ".


Story: 2

A crusty old man walks into a bank and says to the teller at the window: "I want to open a damn checking account." To which the astonished woman replies: "I beg your pardon, sir; I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?" "Listen up bitch! I said, I want to open a damn checking account right now!" "I'm very sorry sir, but we do not tolerate that kind of language in this bank." Having said this, the teller leaves the window and goes over to the bank manager to tell him about her problem customer.

They both return and the manager asks the old geezer: "What seems to be the problem here?" "There's no damn problem, sonny," the elderly man says. "I just won 50 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to open a damn checking account in this damn bank!" "I see," says the manager thoughtfully. And you're saying that this bitch here is giving you a hard time?"

Lesson II – "If you are RICH, you can get away with almost anything".

Story: 3

An American and Japanese were sitting on the plane on the way to LA when the American turned to the Japanese and asked, "What kind of ese are you?" Confused, the Japanese replied, "Sorry but I don't understand what you mean." The American repeated, "What kind of -ese are you?" Again, the Japanese was confused over the question. The American, now irritated, then yelled, "What kind of -ese are you...Are you a Chinese, Japanese,Vietnamese !, etc......??? " The Japanese then replied, "Oh, I am a Japanese." A while later the Japanese turned to the American and asked what kind of 'key' was he. The American, frustrated, yelled, "What do you mean what kind of '-key' am I?!" The Japanese said, "Are you a Yankee, donkey, or monkey?"

Lesson III – "Never insult anyone".

Story: 4

There were these 4 guys, a Russian, a German, a British and a French, who found this small genie bottle. When they rubbed the bottle, a genie appeared. Thankful that the 4 guys had released him out of the bottle, he said, "Next to you all are 4 swimming pools, I will give each of you a wish. When you run towards the pool and jump, you shout what you want the pool of water to become, then your wish will come true."

The French wanted to start. He ran towards the pool, jumped and shouted "WINE". The pool immediately changed into a pool of wine. The Frenchman was so happy swimming and drinking from the pool. Next is the Russian's turn, he did the same andshouted," VODKA" and immersed himself into a pool of vodka. The German was next and he jumped and shouted, "BEER". He was so contented with his beer pool. The last is the British. He was running towards the pool when suddenly he steps on a banana peel . He slipped towards the pool and shouted, SHIT!!!!!!!. ........"

Lesson IV – "Think twice before you say something, because sometimes what you say accidentally does happen ".

Story: 5

A junior manager, a senior manager and their boss are on their way to a meeting. On their way through a park, they come across a wonder lamp. They rub the lamp and a ghost appears. The ghost says,
"Normally, one is granted three wishes but as you are three , I will allow one wish each" So the eager senior manager shouts, I want the first wish. I want to be in the Bahamas , on a fast boat and have no worries for a month. "Pfufffff, and he is gone. Now the junior manager could not keep quiet and shouts , "I want to be in Florida with beautiful girls, plenty of food and cocktails for a month." "Pfufffff, and he is also gone. Then it's the boss's turn, and he says calmly, "I want these two idiots back in the office after lunch"

Lesson V- "Always allow the bosses to speak first"

ndia to have missile defence shield in 3 yrs

Press Trust of India

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 (New Delhi)

India will have its own missile defence shield ready in three years, a development that will mark a big leap in securing the country's high value assets and major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

The two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system to cope with both threats from ballistic missiles as well as terrain-hugging cruise missile could be ready by 2010.

This assurance came from the country's top missile scientist V K Saraswat in the backdrop of Pakistan building up an arsenal of missiles, which would give India hardly a 3-4 minute reaction time.

''An integrated test trial of the interceptor missile and its sub-systems would be conducted in June next year,'' Saraswat told newspersons on the recent successful test trials of the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missiles in endo-atmospheric mode.

He said three to four more flight trials of the AAD and another four trials of exo-atmospheric missiles were required before declaring the system as ''operational''.

The missile scientist said the AAD system could also be configured to take care of threats from terrain-hugging cruise missiles.

Asked when BMD could be mass-produced to cover the whole nation, Saraswat said that within weeks of the system being validated the production lines would be ready to roll out the system in bulk.

He said there was a ''substantial'' private sector participation in the BMD development programme.

Missile Defense: India Tests Supersonic Interceptor Missile

Indian Defence scientists successfully carried out the second launch of a Single Stage Interceptor Missile against an incoming ballistic missile target of enemy represented by a modified Prithvi Missile at the Wheeler Island near Bay of Bengal, close to the Dhamra coast in Orissa.

The endo-atmospheric Interceptor intercepted the missile at 15 Km altitude exactly as designed at high supersonic speed at 11 this morning. All the elements of Ballistic Missile Defence System such as Long Range Tracking Radar, Multi-function Fire Control Radar, Mission Control Centre, Launch Control Centre, Mobile Launcher, Mobile and Multi Layer Communication System, Data Links to Interceptor participated in the mission.

The Interceptor and all the Elements performed in a copybook fashion validating the design of the Endo-Atmospheric layer of the BMD system. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has congratulated the DRDO team led by Dr. V. K. Saraswat for this significant accomplishment.

Faudulent Union bank of Indian website

http://www.rockgardenmusic.com/home/flash/index.html
Please open above website and you will see a fraudulent union bank
of Indian website that will ask you to submit all login details of
of your online banking.

Please donot give any details and dont login in a false window.

Not only this but similar mesages in name of any other bank.Look
at the URL window on top.You will find some other website name
than bank name domain and or httr instead of https which is
normally used when passwrods are to be inserted.

We have already reported this to union bank of India and the
server hosting this website is also being reported to block
this.

Please cirulate to as many people as possible urgently in public
interest.If anyone of you is from union Bank of india please take
matter to your top managemetn urgently for action from their
end.

Beware while using the trial rooms any where.

Have you seen recent advertisement of M/S SAINT GOBAIN GLASSES shown in TELEVISION'S - Then you must have known about 2 Way mirror)

How to determine if a mirror is 2 way or not ? (Not a Joke!)
Not to scare you, but to make sure that you aware. Many of the Hotels and Textile showrooms cheat the customers this way.

HOW TO DETECT A 2-WAY MIRROR?
When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc.,
How many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror I.e., they can
see you, but you can't see them. There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms or bathroom or bedrooms.
It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of
mirror we are looking at?

CONDUCT THIS SIMPLE TEST:
Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail,
then it is a GENUINE mirror.

However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR! (There may be someone seeing you from the other side). So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything. It is simple to do.

This is a really good thing to do. The reason there is a gap on a real mirror, is because the silver is on the back of the mirror UNDER the glass.
Whereas with a two-way mirror, the silver is on the surface. Keep it in mind! Make sure and check every time you enter in hotel rooms.

Ladies:
Share this with your friends.

Men:
Share this with your sisters, wives, daughters, friends, colleagues, etc.

Indian develops mobile-based security system for

New Delhi: An Indian software analyst has developed a
mobile phone-based system that may provide better
protection to BPO staff in transit.

“The GPS-based systems here are not adequate as India
has not developed detailed maps for our cities.
However, our system, Webtra, will work everywhere
as it is based on mobile technology,” said
Chennai-based V M Sankaran Nampoothiri.

As soon as an employee gets into a cab, he or she will
log on to the mobile phone and send an SMS to a
centralised number. Five minutes later, a message
automatically goes to the employee.

“If he or she does not respond to the message, a call
will follow after another five minutes. If the person
still fails to respond, the system will declare
a crisis alert. The transport department will call the
family of the person, as well as other employees who
were slotted in the same cab,” he said.

“It is really foolish to expect that a person in
trouble will be able to call any helpline or office.
For us, it’s not communication but break of
communication
that is a good alert,” he added.

“Our system has a database of thousands of hospitals
across the country. This can help employees and
companies rush to a nearby hospital in case of
emergency,”
he said.

When asked about false alerts and subsequent chaos
that it may create, Nampoothiri preferred to err on
the side of caution.

“Since these employees are young... the system may
sound 90 per cent false alerts, but the remaining 10
per cent will be of great help,” he said.

The cost of installing the system could be around Rs
350 per person per month. Nampoothiri said currently
two BPOs in the country were using his system,
while others were in talks with him.

“If a company wants to install the system with speech
detectors, the cost will be more. A speech detector
could translate at least 10 languages and scores
of regional accents into English. This will help in
deciphering the voice and language of a cab driver and
employees,” he said.

Blind Ayurvedic Doctor

Dr. Sameer Mansuri says he's perfectly happy to be blind.
And he has no desire whatsoever to be able to see. Sceptical? Listen to his explanation and he could almost make you believe he's lucky to be blind. The
31-year-old Mansuri, who is an Ayurvedic doctor who diagnoses ailments by feeling a patient's pulse, argues, "Your concentration decreases by 50 per cent
when you can see because you get distracted by everything around you." So, he adds, with an infectious laugh, "Believe me when I say I'm happy to be blind.
It actually helps me in my work."

The Ahmedabad-based Mansuri, who has a doctorate in Ayurveda, comes in every fortnight to Mumbai, where his patients range from reigning Bollywood superstars
and film directors to middle- class professionals and families. He prepares his medications in Ahmedabad and sources herbs and other ingredients from Punjab,
Andhra Pradesh, the Himalayas and Yemen. Yes, admits this graduate of English Literature,
says " Mansuri, waiting for his next patient in the Holiday Inn hotel at Juhu.

His easy laughter and perennially cheerful disposition belie both his visual impairment and the journey to his current position. It is the tale of a youngster
who constantly stumbled over obstacles but refused to fall down. The story began a few months after his birth, on new year's day in 1975, when his mother
tried to kill him in a bathtub filled with hot water. The family was ashamed of the bllnd-infaat, who was saved by an un-cle who caught his motheFln the
hick of time. "My uncle tells me my mother planned to drown me in the tub and claim I fell in accidentally because I couldn't see," he narrates.

At the age of five, his parents packed him off to a .boarding school for the blind where he excelled in his studies. After completing his BA with a first
class, Mansuri left Ahmedabad as he faced re-j peated humiliation there and settled in _ Hyderabad. With no professional skills, "he discovered he could
make a living as a ! masseur and turned out tsTbe surprisingly good at it too.

Then an encounter with Guru Shamshuddin, an 89-year-old_Ayurvedic doctor, changed his life. Though he was initially reluctant, the youngster learnt about
pulse diagnosis, the cause and cure of diseases and preparation of herbal medicines. After obtaining a practitioner's license in Hyderabad in 1999, Mansuri
was directed by Shamshuddin to return to Ahmedabad and setup a clinic there.

Word of his cures spread soon and today, the doctor runs a brisk practice. Hetal Gandhi, 35, who lost vision in both her eyes three years ago due to a
retinal disease, regained partial eyesight six months after she began Dr. Mansuri's treatment in February.

block quote
"I can read the headlines in a newspaper now and can walk about in the house on my own,"
block quote end

said Gandhi, speaking from Ahmedabad. Film producer and director Subhash Ghai is another admirer ,"Dr. Sameer Mansuri's treatment has bean very beneficial
for my physical and mental energy levels. His pulse diagnosis is very good and he's treated my family and friends as well," says Ghai.

Although he is perfectly comfortable with his handicap, Mansuri does not easily forgive what he perceives as slights against the visually impaired. Business
magnate Vijay Mallya should know. "I'm sorry you had an unpleasant experience with one of my flights.... since we have fallen short of your expectations,
please, accept my apologies," Mallya wrote to Mansuri last month after he received a complaint from the doctor about some re¬marks made by the ground crew
of King¬fisher Airlines in Mumbai. "I took action because if someone like me can be 'hu¬miliated, what about other blind people?" Mansuri asks angrily

The doctor, who lives in Ahmedabad's Paldi area with his wife - who's blind too - and their four-year-old son, says he does not treat more than 60 patients
a month because he wants to devote more time to the trust he's set up to take care of the needs of the visually impaired. His way of giving back something
to society in gratitude.

Dr. Samir wows Bollywood

Dr. Samir found many fans in Bollywood celebrities.

Aishwarya Rai - Bachhan was treated by Dr. Samir for hypertension and uneasiness.

Vivek Oberio, Music Director - Anu Kapoor have consulted Dr. Samir for their medical conditions.

Assistant Director - Abdul Kayyum, of rajkumar Santoshi Productions had consulted Dr. Samir for Ulceritis.

What baffles us is that dispite the fact these personalitied can avial the best of the medical treatment, they still turn to Dr. Samir as he treats without
any surgerical procedures.

Salman Khan, Subhash Ghai, Ashok Mehta are among many others who are treated by Dr. Samir Mansuri

Source:

http://www.dr-samir.com

Going to Propose a Girl ?

Here are the top most reply of a girl, when you propose her...

1) Nahi........ ......... ???

2) Chiiiii..... Kitne gande vichar hain tumhare..... ..

3) Maine tumhe sirf ek acche dost ki nazar se dekha hai ....

4) Mera pehle se ek boyfrnd hai....

5) Main in baton pe vishwas nahi karti, apne padhai pe dhyaan lagao...

6) tum abhi tak mujhe jaante kahan ho ?Yeh shayad infatuation hai....

7) Tumhara bank balance kitna hai…??

8) Magar last year to Maine tumhe raakhi baandhi thi ..hai naa..bhaiyya. .??

9) Mein abhi is relation ke liye mentally prepared nahi hoo....

10) Mein apne dady se pooch ke tumhe kaal answer karu…??

11) Itni is baat kehne ke liye itni der lagaa di??

12) Ye donon ke dil me hai na, to phir kya kehna!!

13) Sorry

14) "……Apna chehra kabhi aayine me dekha hai….. L…………………………… "

15) "Main toh tumhe apna Bhai maanati hu"

16) "Yes .. I too like you … (but hope you don't cheat on me ) " … (Which we guys most oftenly do )

17) Phele kyon nahi bataya AB tum late ho gaye ..

18) Tum agar pehle mile hote to sochti.

19) Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere baare mein aisa sochne ki… (probably followed by a slap)

20) Girl: mujhe sochna ka wakt do…

Guy: kitna wakt???(with hope)

Girl: saat janam

21) Mai ek shaadi shuda ladki hu ;-)

22) Mein tumhare chotte bhai se pyaar karti hoon…

23) Now that's a real tragedy….

Girl: Hee hee ……hee hee hee…..hee ….hee……hee……

Hee hee ……hee hee hee…..hee ….hee……hee……

24) Boy: I love U!

Gal: I don't think ABT all this before marriage.

25) Keep loving I don't care.

26) Tum mere liye kya kar sakte ho…

27) Kaun as number hai mera tumhare proposals ki history mein. Ha ha ha ha….

28) tumhe is nazar se kabhi dekha nahi

29) tumhare barre mein kabhi aisa socha nahi

30) mummy se pooch kar bataungi

31) mere bhaiyya se baat kar lo , who hi tumhe samajhayenge

32) Knyo, Tina NE "No" bola?

33) Lekin tum to Mina ke piche pade the, Kya usne thappad mara?

34) Kitne time ke liye -???

35) Worst one-- Jo bhi bolna hai jaldi bolo mera beta school se aata hoga..

36) Thanks. I love you, too.

37) Boy :- Sonya, I love U…..

Gal :- Sorry , Next 3 Months tak Waiting List chal rahi hai….

38) "What?"

39) "Let's just stay away from this"

40) My friend in college got one classic reply … "I THINK I'M ENGAGED"

41) "I think, I will have better options in future ..."

42)Mujhe tumse is baare mein koi baat nahi karni, then she starts ignoring, phir bhi nahi sudhare then she threatens via some common friends.

43) My Boy friend is very short Tempered. Beware of it.

44) like you as a friend but I never thought about us like this…cant we be just good friends for ever

45) Actually my younger sis likes you a lot. ..

46) My mummy does not like your family (if the family knows each other.) ..

47) "Why me?..Tumne mere meih essa kya dekha?..."she wants you to list down all the Good qualities that you even might have not seen in her. ...

48) SLAP !! ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS....it is said ..

49)hehe I didn't expect that from you....

50)nice joke ...

51)tum ladke kuchh or nahi soch sakte jaha ladki dekhi fisal gaye.....

52)achha tum bhi meine socha sirf harsh,nikhil, ravi, etc etc ko hi mujhme interest hai ..... And then walks on.......... ...

53)tumhe to purpose karna bhi nahi aata.... Peheli bari hai kya?? Koi baat nahi mein batati Hun ???...

Air Force Impressed With Akash Surface To Air Missiles Performance

Over a week long field trials of indigenously developed Surface-to-Air Missile Akash in the deserts of Rajasthan have impressed the top officials of Indian Air Force (IAF), according to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The medium range missile with a range of between 27 to 30 kms has yet to inducted by the IAF, and there were media reports earlier claiming that the IAF's top brass were not satisfied with the missile system, as they found instances when parts of missiles fell from the main body.

Efforts were made to improve the missiles, and field trials were held. The recent field trials conducted in Pokhran in the second week of November have put to rest such kinds of speculations. "The IAF officials were completely impressed by the field trials of the missiles," said a DRDO official.

In August this year, answering to a question in Lok Sabha, Defence Minister A K Antony clarified that the IAF has not declined the induction of Akash missile. Development of Akash missile is a part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), and the missile system was expected to be inducted by the Indian Army and the Air Force by 2003.

As on July 31, 2007, an amount of Rs. 492.41 crore has already been spent on development of Akash, which has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.8 metres.

It can fly at supersonic speed of around 2.5 Mach and can reach an altitude of 18 kms. The missile is supported by multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called 'Rajendra' that has a range of about 60 km.

The first test flight of the missile was conducted in 1990, and since then many development and field trials have taken place.

Source : india-Defence

Indian Army Still Short Of 11,371 Officers

There is No shortage of soldiers in the Army. However, there is a shortage of 11,371 officers in the Army which is mainly in the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and below. Several measures have been taken by the Government to enhance recruitment in the Army.

All officers including those in Short Service Commission (SSC) have been made eligible to hold substantive rank of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel and equivalents after 2, 6 and 13 years of reckonable service respectively. The term of SSC Officer has been extended to 14 years.

This has made the Army an attractive career option. Besides Army has undertaken sustained image projection publicity campaign to create awareness among the youth. Awareness campaigns, participation in career fairs and exhibitions, advertisements in print and electronic media are also some of the other measures in this direction.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Amir Alam Khan in Rajya Sabha.

Infiltration Increasing From Pakistan: Army Chief

Infiltration from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir has increased in recent weeks, Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said here Friday.

Here to address a conference on 'Changing dimensions of international security and its implications for India', Kapoor said that subversive elements are trying to get into the country.

'You would have noticed that of late there have been attempts to increase infiltration by the other side. The situation is very much under our control but infiltration still continues,' Kapoor said.

The Army chief said that the political situation in Pakistan was being observed.

'We want a stable Pakistan. We hope that things will get back to normal early,' he added.

Regarding the controversy over security checks of service chiefs at airports, Kapoor steered clear saying that 'it was up to the government to decide on the issue.'

Addressing the conference, Kapoor said that security in the present times had several connotations. 'There is environmental security, information security, energy security and humanitarian security,' he said.

'Globalisation had brought about strengths and inimical disorders into the realms of security. Globalisation had blurred boundaries and enhanced vulnerability. Acquisition of mass destruction weapons by non-state actors are also a cause of concern,' he added.

Talking of the future threat scenario, Kapoor said that one had to guard against threats to strategic installations, economy manipulation of stock exchanges, propaganda, drug trafficking, global warming and de-forestation. He also referred to the growing discontent in the society because of socio-economic disparities, which were causing alienation, societal faults like religion, ethnic, communal divisive factors and environmental issues.

He also emphasised the need for re-structuring of the forces with emphasis on right side, technological advancements, budgetary support and to build joint operational capabilities with sister forces

Source: http://www.newspostindia.com/report-24440

India Launches Operation To Aid Cyclone-hit Bangladesh

India has launched an operation to help the victims of the cyclone-hit Bangladesh, even as the world community assured $550 million and Bangladeshis in US launched a fund collection drive.

'Operation Sahayata' would provide relief materials worth Rs.30 million (Tk 520 million or $8.6 million) to the cyclone-hit victims in Bangladesh.

The materials to be sent would include medical equipment, 20,000 packs of ready-to-eat food, 10,000 blankets, 400 tents and 2,400 kg of medicines, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency reported Friday.

One of the three Il-76 aircraft carrying relief materials under the programme arrived at Zia International Airport here in the early hours Thursday, said an Indian High Commission official, adding that two more aircraft would arrive Friday and Saturday.

India will provide assistance of $22 million, including 40,000 tonnes of rice, 10,000 tonnes of wheat and 1,000 tonnes of milk powder, media reports said Friday.

Donor nations and agencies have so far pledged over $550 million in assistance for the people in south and southwestern districts hit by Cyclone Sidr as the government unveiled a three-phase rehabilitation plan.

The Food and Disaster Management Ministry has outlined both short and long term rehabilitation programmes for the cyclone-hit areas, which include repair of damaged roads and houses as well as saving the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, ministry sources said.

Meanwhile, a disaster management expert Thursday asked the Bangladeshi government to repair roads in the affected region as first priority for easy transportation of relief materials to remote areas.

'I think there is no crisis of relief materials as people from home and abroad have responded positively to help the affected people,' Gawher Nayeem Wahra, convener of Bangladesh Disaster Forum, was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

Despite the massive rehabilitation and relief programmes of the government, various quarters have raised questions about the management of relief distribution, as many of the affected people are yet to receive emergency aid.

Wahra said transportation of relief materials to remote areas has become a major challenge. Most of the roads have been damaged in the cyclone, while damage to jetties also affected the communication system.

'The government can engage army personnel in repairing the roads and jetties immediately,' he said.

He, however, pointed out that the aid workers are facing acute problems in reaching destitute people in remote areas.

A coordination meeting of secretaries of different ministries at the cabinet division discussed requirement of foreign assistance to meet the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr.

They were informed that the World Bank assured an assistance of $250 million and the Asian Development Bank pledged $100 million for the affected people.

'Of the $250 million World Bank assistance, $75 million will be provided as budgetary support,' said a top government official.

The government has identified Barguna, Patuakhali, Bagerhat and Pirojpur as the worst affected districts and eight other districts - Barisal, Jhalakathi, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira - as badly affected.

The government will run a Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme from December to March in 12 districts. Every VGF cardholder will get 15 kg of rice per month free.

A total of 25,90,000 cards will be distributed in the districts, officials said.

According to the Food and Disaster Management Ministry data Thursday night, 6.5 million people have been badly affected by Cyclone Sidr. Crops on 461,392 acres of land have been damaged completely and on 1,225,304 acres partially.

The cyclone has destroyed at least 363,346 houses completely and 815,628 houses partially.

The Bangladesh Embassy in the US and the Bangladeshi community residing there are jointly raising funds for the cyclone-affected people.

India Launches Operation To Aid Cyclone-hit Bangladesh

India has launched an operation to help the victims of the cyclone-hit Bangladesh, even as the world community assured $550 million and Bangladeshis in US launched a fund collection drive.

'Operation Sahayata' would provide relief materials worth Rs.30 million (Tk 520 million or $8.6 million) to the cyclone-hit victims in Bangladesh.

The materials to be sent would include medical equipment, 20,000 packs of ready-to-eat food, 10,000 blankets, 400 tents and 2,400 kg of medicines, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency reported Friday.

One of the three Il-76 aircraft carrying relief materials under the programme arrived at Zia International Airport here in the early hours Thursday, said an Indian High Commission official, adding that two more aircraft would arrive Friday and Saturday.

India will provide assistance of $22 million, including 40,000 tonnes of rice, 10,000 tonnes of wheat and 1,000 tonnes of milk powder, media reports said Friday.

Donor nations and agencies have so far pledged over $550 million in assistance for the people in south and southwestern districts hit by Cyclone Sidr as the government unveiled a three-phase rehabilitation plan.

The Food and Disaster Management Ministry has outlined both short and long term rehabilitation programmes for the cyclone-hit areas, which include repair of damaged roads and houses as well as saving the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, ministry sources said.

Meanwhile, a disaster management expert Thursday asked the Bangladeshi government to repair roads in the affected region as first priority for easy transportation of relief materials to remote areas.

'I think there is no crisis of relief materials as people from home and abroad have responded positively to help the affected people,' Gawher Nayeem Wahra, convener of Bangladesh Disaster Forum, was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

Despite the massive rehabilitation and relief programmes of the government, various quarters have raised questions about the management of relief distribution, as many of the affected people are yet to receive emergency aid.

Wahra said transportation of relief materials to remote areas has become a major challenge. Most of the roads have been damaged in the cyclone, while damage to jetties also affected the communication system.

'The government can engage army personnel in repairing the roads and jetties immediately,' he said.

He, however, pointed out that the aid workers are facing acute problems in reaching destitute people in remote areas.

A coordination meeting of secretaries of different ministries at the cabinet division discussed requirement of foreign assistance to meet the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr.

They were informed that the World Bank assured an assistance of $250 million and the Asian Development Bank pledged $100 million for the affected people.

'Of the $250 million World Bank assistance, $75 million will be provided as budgetary support,' said a top government official.

The government has identified Barguna, Patuakhali, Bagerhat and Pirojpur as the worst affected districts and eight other districts - Barisal, Jhalakathi, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira - as badly affected.

The government will run a Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme from December to March in 12 districts. Every VGF cardholder will get 15 kg of rice per month free.

A total of 25,90,000 cards will be distributed in the districts, officials said.

According to the Food and Disaster Management Ministry data Thursday night, 6.5 million people have been badly affected by Cyclone Sidr. Crops on 461,392 acres of land have been damaged completely and on 1,225,304 acres partially.

The cyclone has destroyed at least 363,346 houses completely and 815,628 houses partially.

The Bangladesh Embassy in the US and the Bangladeshi community residing there are jointly raising funds for the cyclone-affected people.

Road safety: 17 online driver education videos for Indian road users

Almost 10% of the global road traffic accidents occur in India. Much
of the world wide web is full of sarcasm & mocking of the
indisciplined driving on Indian roads. Unfortunately in since 60
years since independence the authorities have failed to publish a
National Highway code. Licences are given to anyone who can
demonstrate an ability to use the clutch-accelerator, consequently
the motoer driving schools teach just that and no more. Concepts such
as - blindspots, principle of MSM, the tyre & tarmac rule, 2 second
gap and most improtantly giving way are not known to the average
Indian driver.

This site http://driving-india.blogspot.com/ has been created with
the purpose of providing driver education and training to all Indian
road users. It is by far the most comprehensive website providing
training in defensive driving. Learning simple road habits can make
our roads safe and also free up congestion caused by traffic chaos.

At present 17 driver education videos aimed at changing the driving
culture on Indian roads are available. The video are unique in that
the footage is real life action from streets of London. We have
copied the Western habits: Replaced the dhoti with denim, high rise
buildings for Indian cottages, burgers and coke instead of Indian
breads and perhaps sugarcane juice. Surely we can copy the Western
ways of travelling too.

To watch the videos, interested readers may visit: http://driving-
india.blogspot.com/

The videos cover the following topics:

Video 1: Covers the concept of Blind spots
Video 2: Introduces the principle of Mirrors, Signal and Manoeuvre
Video 3: At red lights, stop behind the stop line
Video 4: At red lights there are no free left turns
Video 5: The Zebra belongs to pedestrians
Video 6: Tyres and Tarmac (rather than bumper to bumper)
Video 7: Merging with the Main road
Video 8: Leaving The Main Road
Video 9: Never Cut Corners
Video 10: Show Courtesy on roads
Video 11: 5 Rules that help deal with Roundabouts
Video 12: Speed limits, stopping distances, tailgating & 2 seconds
rule
Video 13: Lane discipline and overtaking
Video 14: Low beam or high beam?
Video 15: Parallel (reverse parking) made easy
Video 16: Give the cyclist the respect of a car
Video 17: Dealing with in-car condensation

SANTA Ji

Santa needed some money desperately. Banta
Tells him that if he prays to Shivji in a temple, his
prayers would surely be answered.
So Santa goes to a Shiva temple. The temple had a
large Lord Shiva
statue. Santa closes his eyes, bows his head, joins
his hands and says his prayer.
Santa: "Ho Jee tussee itne vadde ho. Itne mahan ho.
Saannoo 100 rupayen chahiye. Kripa karo."
(OH GOD I NEED 100$ PLZZ HELP ME)
The priest sees Santa praying. He wants to help Santa
but knows that a Sikh will never accept the money. So
he drops a 100-rupee note,from behind the statue, so
that Santa can not see
him.
After Santa had says his prayers, and opens his eyes.
He sees the note
and thinks that god has listened to his prayers. He
takes the note and goes away.
However he is back again next day for money. Now the
priest is really annoyed with Santa.
The Priest decides that he is not going to give any
more money to Santa. He changes the big Shivji statue
with a smaller one of Ganapathi(LORD SHIV SON) that day.
Once again Santa goes to the prayer room. However he
does not notice the difference.
Santa closes his eyes, bows his head, joins his hands
and says his prayer.
Santa: "Ho Jee tussee itne vadde ho. Itne mahan ho.
Ajj to saannoo 50 rupayen hi chahiye. Kirpa karo."
(OH GOD YOU ARE GREAT I NEED 50$ PLZZ HELP ME)
After that he slowly opens his eyes and does not find
any money. So he lowers his demand a bit.
Santa: "O papa jee tussee itne vadde ho. Itne mahan
ho. Asee 10 rupayen me hi kaam chala lenge. Kirpa karo
jee."
(OH GOD YOU ARE GREAT I NEED just 10$ PLZZ HELP ME)
Again he slowly opens his eyes and does not find any
money. He slowly raises his head and now notices
the small Ganapathi(LORD SHIV SON) statue. He carefully looks left and
then right, and then slowly moves a bit forward near
the statue.
Then he whispers to the statue: "Puttar, Papa kitthe
hein ??!!
(WHERE IS YOUR DAD????)

VASTU GUIDELINES ON VEHICLE PARKING

Your cars reflect your personalities. In some countries it is practice to give a personal name to their own vehicles. Most of the people spend hours at a time in their cars which become like mini- homes. Like our homes, they become an extension of ourselves.

A neat, clean car generates a different impression of its owner to a dirty one. Negative energy in cars has the power to create a lasting damage and destruction to their owners and to others. To keep a clean space and healthy flow of energy, remove clutter such as fast food cartons, car park tickets, confectionary wrappers etc. Look after them as your family member.

Vehicle being important medium of transport, some rules of vastu can also be applied here. Following such rules one derives maximum benefit of vastu science. In metro cities it may be difficult to park he vehicle in desired direction but it is possible to choose any positive prime direction i.e. east or north.

1. Vehicle parking should be on the North West location of the plot or building. This rule is applied where the vehicle is parked for maximum period of time.

2. Vehicle should be parked facing positive directions i.e.east or north.

3. Parking at south west should be avoided. The car remains in the garage for longer period or it will require frequent repairs. In short the vehicle will not be useful for the owner.

4. Vehicle should not be parked facing south. South facing vehicle does not help user in positive way. User may feel his/her target or work is not going in positive direction.

5. Business people should park their vehicle facing North. This will help them in getting better deal in business. People in job should park their vehicle facing east. This will improve their intelegence and skill to work better in their work place. If parking is done facing west of North west corner, there will too much traveling for owner of vehicle. Whenever you have important project or business deal, park your vehicle facing north or east on the previous night.

6. Roof of the parking area should have slope towards east or north.

7. The slope in the parking area should be towards east or north.

Indians develop new iron using ancient technology

Indian metallurgists have developed a type of corrosion-resistant iron that construction engineers would love. And vital clues for it came for Delhi's famous Iron Pillar that has been standing tall for over 1,600 years.

Developed by Ramamurthy Balasubramaniam and his former student Gadadhar Sahoo of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur, the iron contains phosphorus and shows remarkable resistance to corrosion, especially in concrete.

'This is a significant first step in the possible commercial (large-scale) use of these irons,' Balasubramaniam, better known as Bala, told IANS.

Most steels today contain small amounts of carbon and manganese. Modern steel makers avoid phosphorus because its segregation to grain boundaries makes the steel brittle.

But the IIT team successfully produced ductile phosphoric irons by driving the phosphorus away from grain boundaries through clever alloy design and novel heat treatment.

Ironically, Bala's material is not new. It was being made by Indian ironsmiths centuries ago. Bala says he got the clue for developing this material from the six-tonne seven-metre tall Delhi Iron Pillar - a major tourist attraction in the Qutb Minar complex -- that has been standing for centuries in the harsh weather of the capital without any corrosion.

'As a metallurgist, I was intrigued,' Bala told IANS. And his passionate quest to unravel the mystery that began in 1990s has now culminated in phosphoric irons.

The test samples developed by the IIT team remained fresh after three months of being immersed in solution, simulating the corrosive concrete environment, whereas the best commercially available steels got rusted. In another experiment, they embedded the samples in concrete to simulate actual conditions and obtained similar results.

'The work is especially important in regard to the widespread use of steels in civil structures,' said Gerhard E. Welsch, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio).

'The recent bridge collapse in Minneapolis has added new urgency,' Welsch said in a congratulatory message to Bala. Seven people died when the bridge across the Mississippi river collapsed Aug 2, 2007.

Current philosophies to tackle corrosion in concrete include the addition of inhibitors to the cement mix, use of rebars that are galvanised, epoxy coated, or micro-alloyed by the addition of small amounts of chromium, copper and nickel -- elements that are known to induce passivity in iron.

Their high cost is a disadvantage, says Bala. 'Besides, we have experimentally shown our phosphoric irons perform better.'

Bala's real break came when he found that the iron used in the Delhi pillar contained elevated amounts of phosphorus -- as much as 0.25 percent against less than 0.05 percent in today's iron. He found this was a result of the ancient process where iron ore is reduced in a single step by mixing it with charcoal, without any limestone addition.

Modern blast furnaces, on the other hand, use limestone yielding molten slag and pig iron (high in carbon) that is later converted into steel. Most phosphorus is carried away by the basic slag.

Further studies and analysing rust from the pillar showed that phosphorus catalysed the formation of a protective passive film on the surface of the pillar that acted as a barrier between the metal and rust.

Tanjore Anantharaman, author of the book 'Delhi Iron Pillar - the Rustless Wonder' and Bala's former teacher at the Benaras Hindu University, says phosphorus was long suspected to be behind the pillar's corrosion resistance. 'It was Bala who proved it.'

That was in 2000. Actual material development and corrosion tests were initiated in 2003 when Sahoo joined Bala for his PhD that he completed in 2006.

'Our papers based on the thesis are coming out now,' Bala said. All the work, he said, was done with institute funds without any external support.

'Certainly, we are not claiming that this is the end of our studies,' admits Bala. 'We have shown the usefulness of phosphoric irons for concrete reinforcement applications. Now it has to be taken up by more researchers for greater understanding.'

Bala thanks his forefathers for the success. 'I am of the firm belief that ancient Indian metallurgists had the empirical knowledge that high phosphorus content ores resulted in corrosion-resistant iron. They did not create this material by accident.'

(Courtesy: IndiaeNews.com; October 13, 2007)

(URL: http://www.indiaenews.com/technology/20071013/75049.htm )

Indians develop new iron using ancient technology

Indian metallurgists have developed a type of corrosion-resistant iron that construction engineers would love. And vital clues for it came for Delhi's famous Iron Pillar that has been standing tall for over 1,600 years.

Developed by Ramamurthy Balasubramaniam and his former student Gadadhar Sahoo of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur, the iron contains phosphorus and shows remarkable resistance to corrosion, especially in concrete.

'This is a significant first step in the possible commercial (large-scale) use of these irons,' Balasubramaniam, better known as Bala, told IANS.

Most steels today contain small amounts of carbon and manganese. Modern steel makers avoid phosphorus because its segregation to grain boundaries makes the steel brittle.

But the IIT team successfully produced ductile phosphoric irons by driving the phosphorus away from grain boundaries through clever alloy design and novel heat treatment.

Ironically, Bala's material is not new. It was being made by Indian ironsmiths centuries ago. Bala says he got the clue for developing this material from the six-tonne seven-metre tall Delhi Iron Pillar - a major tourist attraction in the Qutb Minar complex -- that has been standing for centuries in the harsh weather of the capital without any corrosion.

'As a metallurgist, I was intrigued,' Bala told IANS. And his passionate quest to unravel the mystery that began in 1990s has now culminated in phosphoric irons.

The test samples developed by the IIT team remained fresh after three months of being immersed in solution, simulating the corrosive concrete environment, whereas the best commercially available steels got rusted. In another experiment, they embedded the samples in concrete to simulate actual conditions and obtained similar results.

'The work is especially important in regard to the widespread use of steels in civil structures,' said Gerhard E. Welsch, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio).

'The recent bridge collapse in Minneapolis has added new urgency,' Welsch said in a congratulatory message to Bala. Seven people died when the bridge across the Mississippi river collapsed Aug 2, 2007.

Current philosophies to tackle corrosion in concrete include the addition of inhibitors to the cement mix, use of rebars that are galvanised, epoxy coated, or micro-alloyed by the addition of small amounts of chromium, copper and nickel -- elements that are known to induce passivity in iron.

Their high cost is a disadvantage, says Bala. 'Besides, we have experimentally shown our phosphoric irons perform better.'

Bala's real break came when he found that the iron used in the Delhi pillar contained elevated amounts of phosphorus -- as much as 0.25 percent against less than 0.05 percent in today's iron. He found this was a result of the ancient process where iron ore is reduced in a single step by mixing it with charcoal, without any limestone addition.

Modern blast furnaces, on the other hand, use limestone yielding molten slag and pig iron (high in carbon) that is later converted into steel. Most phosphorus is carried away by the basic slag.

Further studies and analysing rust from the pillar showed that phosphorus catalysed the formation of a protective passive film on the surface of the pillar that acted as a barrier between the metal and rust.

Tanjore Anantharaman, author of the book 'Delhi Iron Pillar - the Rustless Wonder' and Bala's former teacher at the Benaras Hindu University, says phosphorus was long suspected to be behind the pillar's corrosion resistance. 'It was Bala who proved it.'

That was in 2000. Actual material development and corrosion tests were initiated in 2003 when Sahoo joined Bala for his PhD that he completed in 2006.

'Our papers based on the thesis are coming out now,' Bala said. All the work, he said, was done with institute funds without any external support.

'Certainly, we are not claiming that this is the end of our studies,' admits Bala. 'We have shown the usefulness of phosphoric irons for concrete reinforcement applications. Now it has to be taken up by more researchers for greater understanding.'

Bala thanks his forefathers for the success. 'I am of the firm belief that ancient Indian metallurgists had the empirical knowledge that high phosphorus content ores resulted in corrosion-resistant iron. They did not create this material by accident.'

(Courtesy: IndiaeNews.com; October 13, 2007)

(URL: http://www.indiaenews.com/technology/20071013/75049.htm )

India Concerned Over Safety Of Pakistani Nuclear Weapons, Proliferation

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday termed the proliferation of weapons of mass destructions (WMDs) as the world's most critical challenge, and expressed concern over the possibility of it falling into the hands of terrorists.

Speaking at a function here today, Mukherjee said, "Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the possibility of their falling into the hands of terrorists must rank among the most critical challenges facing the world today."

He said that present measures to stop proliferation of such weapons are not sufficient, and called for adoption of a new approach that would also prioritise disarmament.

"The issue cannot be addressed merely by focusing on supply-side technology controls. The so-called AQ Khan network made a mockery of these controls," he said, adding, "India has always pursued the objective of global disarmament, based on the principles of universality, non-discrimination and effective compliance."

Mukherjee's statement comes in the wake of the current unrest in Pakistan, that has led to growing fears in the global community that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands of al Qaeda supportive militants there. Pakistan has rejected such fears, and has said that it could defend its nuclear arsenal.

U.S. Defense Major Raytheon Ties Up With L&T, Wipro, Godrej

Leading US defence company Raytheon has signed memorandums of understanding with major Indian companies in the last few days to develop defence technology for India's armed forces. 'We have signed MoUs with Larsen & Toubro, Wipro, Godrej & Boyce and Data Patterns in the last few days,' Wes Motooka, Raytheon's vice-president for international strategy and business development, told IANS at the Dubai Airshow here Tuesday.

These were in addition to the MoU Raytheon had signed with Tata Power in February this year. Raytheon is now working closely with the strategic electronics division of Tata Power. 'These strategic alignments make good business sense for Raytheon and for India,' said Motooka. 'The scope (of these partnerships) is envisioned to include electronics, metal fabrication, test equipment, environmental control, power supplies and automatic mechanisms.'

These Indian companies are among the largest manufacturers of technology and defence equipment for India's armed forces. They produce a wide range of products in the areas of radar, naval systems, telecommunications and broadcast, electronic warfare, tank electronics, opto-electronics, professional electronic components and solar photovoltaic systems. Motooka said the tie-ups were a critical phase of Raytheon's plan to build a team committed to providing top quality products for India's armed forces.

'Our Indian associates are highly respected and proven technology suppliers. Our complementary capabilities will bring great value to India's military forces. We are looking forward to mutual success with these Indian companies.' He added that his company is looking for more tie-ups with Indian firms. 'We are looking for more Indian companies to partner but these are all subject to approval from the Indian and US governments.

' Source : india-defence.com

Infiltration increases, so do gun battles

SRINAGAR: Increased militant infiltration from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the last few months is fuelling fierce gun battles between the army and the ultras in border areas of Kashmir.

In the last 24 hours, 10 militants and two soldiers have been killed in various gun battles in the border district of Kupwara. Six top militants and two soldiers were killed in a fierce encounter in the Lolab valley on Friday.

Army spokesman Lt Col AK Mathur said on Friday 18 and 28 Rashtriya Rifles troops cordoned off the valley following specific information and launched operations. "In the morning, the troops established contact with the ultras. In the fierce gun battle that followed, all the six ultras hiding there were gunned down. We also lost two soldiers," said Mathur.

The slain soldiers have been identified as rifleman Raj Pal Singh and signalman Adi Naryanan of 18 RR.

"We recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the slain," Mathur said.
Three militants were killed in another encounter at Sonapidi, Kularoos, near the line of control in Kupwara district.

Vijay Kumar, superintendent of police, Kupwara, said, "Initially, two militants were killed in the encounter that began on Thursday. Later, we recovered the body of one more militant."

Kumar said another militant was killed in Gund Manchhar in Kupwara. "On receiving specific information, a joint team of police and 2-PARA eliminated an unidentified militant at Gund Manchher," he said.

The SP, Kupwara, said the encounters had increased due to the rise in infiltration from PoK. "Most militants killed had infiltrated Kashmir recently," he said.

source : http://www.dnaindia.com

Infiltration increases, so do gun battles

SRINAGAR: Increased militant infiltration from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the last few months is fuelling fierce gun battles between the army and the ultras in border areas of Kashmir.

In the last 24 hours, 10 militants and two soldiers have been killed in various gun battles in the border district of Kupwara. Six top militants and two soldiers were killed in a fierce encounter in the Lolab valley on Friday.

Army spokesman Lt Col AK Mathur said on Friday 18 and 28 Rashtriya Rifles troops cordoned off the valley following specific information and launched operations. "In the morning, the troops established contact with the ultras. In the fierce gun battle that followed, all the six ultras hiding there were gunned down. We also lost two soldiers," said Mathur.

The slain soldiers have been identified as rifleman Raj Pal Singh and signalman Adi Naryanan of 18 RR.

"We recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the slain," Mathur said.
Three militants were killed in another encounter at Sonapidi, Kularoos, near the line of control in Kupwara district.

Vijay Kumar, superintendent of police, Kupwara, said, "Initially, two militants were killed in the encounter that began on Thursday. Later, we recovered the body of one more militant."

Kumar said another militant was killed in Gund Manchhar in Kupwara. "On receiving specific information, a joint team of police and 2-PARA eliminated an unidentified militant at Gund Manchher," he said.

The SP, Kupwara, said the encounters had increased due to the rise in infiltration from PoK. "Most militants killed had infiltrated Kashmir recently," he said.

source : http://www.dnaindia.com

Bhai Ka Resume

 Pakya Bhai Supariwala urf Yeda Khopadi

Objective:
To obtain a challenging position as a Crime Implementation Analyst (CIA)

Education:
* B.S. (Crime Technology) Tihar Jail, India, August 1994

* M.S. (Criminal Sciences) Virginia Prison for International Smugglers and the Unlawful Activists(VPISUA) , August 1996.

Thesis:

"On escaping from high security prisons like Alcatraz with minimal efforts"

Coursework:
Cop Psychology, Plastic Explosives Technology, Bomb Controls and Timer Dev ice Theory, International Smuggling and Drug Trafficking, Object Oriented Crime Design


Work Experience:

* Research Assistant, LTTE Labs, Jaffna, Aug 1990-Aug 1991

* Worked on the prestigious Belt Bomb project

* Dev eloped instant death cyanide capsules in orange, strawberry; and mint flavors (Patent# 007,13,666)


Summer Internship:

Dawood Ibrahim and Haji Mastan Associates, Bombay , June1987-July1990

* Worked as a hitman and was responsible for many supari style killings

* Participated in election rigging in Bihar and made hafta Collections


Honors & Achievements:

* Won 1980 Gabbar Singh Memorial Award (given to child prodigies in crime)

* Member, IPKF (Indian Professional Killers Forum) student chapter

* Performer of the year in 2004 General Elections in Bihar & U.P.

* Strong hold on Govt. & NGOs.

* Specialized in extortion,illegal construction business & fake academic degree supply.


References:

* Dr. Charles Sobhraj, Full Time Prof., Tihar Jail, New Delhi

* Dr. Chandra Swamy, Visiting Faculty Tihar Jail, New Delhi

* Dr. Dawood Ibrahim , Overseas Projects Manager, Dub ai

Too Funny Sardar Jokes

Inspector to Santa: Phansi se pehle, bata teri aakhri ichha kya hai?
Santa: Mere pair upar aur sir neeche kar k phansi de do!

Santa proposing a girl: Darling kya tum mujse shadi karogi?
Girl: Tameez se baat karo.
Santa: Behan ji, kya aap mujhse shaadi karoge?

Banta: Meri biwi mujhe chod ke chali gayi. Santa: Tu uska khyal nahi rakhta hoga.
Banta: Arre yaar, Sagi behan ki tarah rakhta tha

Banta joins army, given AK 47. He's puzzled & asks Major: Sir, yeh bandook ki nali samne rakhun ya ulta?
Major: Kisi bhi taraf rakho, faida desh ka hi hoga

Santa: Bus stand jane k kitne paise?
Rikshawala: 10 Rs
Santa: 2Rs mein chalega to theek hai
Rikshawala: 2Rs mein kaun le k jayega?
Santa: Peeche baith main lekar jata hoon.

Santa: Main aur meri girlfriend shaadi kar rahe hain.
Banta: Wow, Kab?
Santa: Meri 7 Dec ko aur uski 13 Jan ko.

Santa kissed his girl friend in the park.
Girl: Plz ye sb shadi se pehle…
Santa: Don’t worry darling, I'm already married.

Pappu: Dad what’s Sex?
Santa gets tensed but explains everything.
Pappu: But dad how do I write all that in this small box of school admission form?

Santa: What is the similarity between Bill Gates n Me?
Banta: Don’t know.
Santa: Well.. He never comes to my house & I never go 2 his!

Girl: Will you love me after marriage also?
Santa: This depends on your husband, if he allows me.

WHRE IS THE CIVILISATION????

An American decided to write a book about famous churches around the
World.
So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to China .
On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he
Noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read
"$10,000 per call".
The American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by
what The telephone was used for.

The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for
$10,000 you could talk to God.

The American thanked the priest and went along his way.

Next stop was in Japan . There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the
Same golden telephone with the same sign under it.
He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in China
and He asked a nearby nun what its purpose was.
She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000
He Could talk to God.

"O.K., thank you," said the American.

He then traveled to Pakistan , Srilanka , Russia , Germany and France .

In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same
"$10,000
Per call" sign under it.
The American, upon leaving Vermont decided to travel to up to India
to
See if Indians had the same phone.

He arrived in India , and again, in the first church he entered,
there
Was the same golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read
"One Rupee per call."

The American was surprised so he asked the priest about the sign.
"Father, I've traveled all over World and I've seen this same golden
Telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to
Heaven,
But in the US the price was $10,000 per call.

Why is it so cheap here?"

>
> Readers, it is your turn........ Think ......before you scroll down...
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> The priest smiled and answered, "You're in India now, Son - it's a
> Local
> Call".
> This is the only heaven on the Earth.

Telephone

An American decided to write a book about famous churches around the
World.
So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to China .
On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he
Noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read
"$10,000 per call".
The American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by
what The telephone was used for.

The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for
$10,000 you could talk to God.

The American thanked the priest and went along his way.

Next stop was in Japan . There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the
Same golden telephone with the same sign under it.
He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in China
and He asked a nearby nun what its purpose was.
She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000
He Could talk to God.

"O.K., thank you," said the American.

He then traveled to Pakistan , Srilanka , Russia , Germany and France .

In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same
"$10,000
Per call" sign under it.
The American, upon leaving Vermont decided to travel to up to India
to
See if Indians had the same phone.

He arrived in India , and again, in the first church he entered,
there
Was the same golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read
"One Rupee per call."

The American was surprised so he asked the priest about the sign.
"Father, I've traveled all over World and I've seen this same golden
Telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to
Heaven,
But in the US the price was $10,000 per call.

Why is it so cheap here?"

>
> Readers, it is your turn........ Think ......before you scroll down...
>
>
>
> ............ ......
> ............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .
>
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>
>
>
>
> The priest smiled and answered, "You're in India now, Son - it's a
> Local
> Call".
> This is the only heaven on the Earth.

WHRE IS THE CIVILISATION????

Conversation between Bill Gates and our very own Laloo of Bihar

Gates : Namaskar! you must have heard of Windows.
Laloo : Oh yes! most govt. offices we have the single window clearance
concept.

Gates : At home have u installed Windows?
Laloo : I have removed all windows due to increased burgalaries in our
house.

Gates(Confused) : Then what is the system you operate on?
Laloo : OPERATION? Yes, I had a Hernia operation last month.

Gates(Sweating) : Hope the internet is being used a lot in India.
Laloo: Oh Yes! Due to increased mosquito problems many people are
sleeping
under the net.

Gates: By the year 2000 India should export computer chips.
Laloo: We are already exporting Uncle Chips.

Gates(Feeling very Uneasy): do you regularly use LapTops?
Laloo: My grand-child sleeps on the top of my lap.

Gates(Heavily Sweating): The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh knows a
lot
about RAM and ROM.
Laloo : RUM? Prohibition is being lifted and it will be shortly
available in
A.P..

Gates(Feeling Dizzy): I would like to take your leave before my system
crashes.
Laloo: I have exhuasted all my leave.

Gates: I have no energy left, let us go out and have a bite.
Laloo: BITE? I believe in non-violence. I will not bite.

Gates: (System Crashes and Found Missing).
"Windows is restarting.Please wait........ ....."

WHRE IS THE CIVILISATION????

Man in India Marries Dog to Atone for Stoning to Death Mating Canines
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Hindustan Times, Associated Press and Time of India contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311079,00.html

NEW DELHI — Selva Kumar had been hounded for 15 years by the memory of a horrible act he'd committed as a teenager.

As an 18-year-old he had stoned and clubbed to death two dogs he found engaged in mating. He then hung their carcasses from a tree.

That's when his personal suffering began.

"After that my legs and hands got paralyzed and I lost hearing in one ear," Kumar told the Hindustan Times newspaper.

Kumar, now 33 and living in the southern Indian district of Sivaganga, could no longer take the physical pain of the "dog curse," so he sought the advice of an astrologer.
Indian man marries a dog
Friends and relations attend P. Selvakumar's wedding to a dog

Her cure for his maladies?

"Marry a dog."

Which is just what Kumar did on Sunday.

In a ceremony befitting a beautiful Indian bride, the bitch, a former 10-year-old stray named "Selvi," was bathed and dressed in a ceremonial orange sari with a garland of flowers adorning her neck. She was then brought to the temple in Tamil Nadu to be presented to Kumar by members of his family.

Kumar, sitting beside his bride, recited his marriage vows, declaring, "I will take care of it until its death." Then, the "couple" was declared married.

Deeply superstitious people in rural India sometimes organize weddings to dogs and other animals, believing it can ward off certain curses.

The Hindustan Times reported Kumar's family hosted a feast — while Selvi dined on a bun.

No word on where the couple would honeymoon or reside, or whether they had registered for gifts.

A gujarati boy

One day many years ago at a school in South London a teacher said to the class of 5-year-olds, "I'll give $20 to the child who can tell me who was the most respected man, whom people consider God, who ever lived."
An Irish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Patrick." The teacher said, "Sorry Alan, that's not correct."
Then a Scottish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Andrew." The teacher replied, "I'm sorry, Hamish, that's not right either.
Finally, a Gujarati boy raised his hand and said, "It was Jesus Christ." The teacher said, "That's absolutely right, Jayant, come up here and I'll give you the $20."
As the teacher was giving Jayant his money, she said, "You know Jayant, since you are Gujarati, I was very surprised you said Jesus Christ." Jayant replied, "Yes, in my heart I knew it was Lord Krishna, but business is busin ess!"

Indian Navy to Receive Technology to Prevent Ship Detection

Indigenous warship technology for evading detection by enemy ships and submarines will be handed over to the Indian Navy in Vishakapatnam on Wednesday.

A. Sivathanu Pillai, chief controller (R&D) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will hand over the products to Vice-Admiral D.S.P. Varma, chief of materials at the Naval Headquarters. The Vishakapatnam-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) has developed the technologies.

'These technologies are aimed for use in modern warships under design and construction. NSTL has nurtured these technologies in the recent past and is progressing strongly towards self-reliance in this critical arena,' a defence ministry release said Tuesday.

'Warship technology is a multi-disciplinary field covering different aspects such as acoustics and electro-magnetics covering a wide band of frequencies. An inter-disciplinary and holistic approach has been adopted in developing these products,' the release added.

NSTL has developed a number of products to avert damages to naval ships in enemy attacks.

Among the products developed are acoustics enclosures, acoustic silencers, double stage vibration isolation systems, radar transparent ladders, stanchions, camouflage screens, and composite blowers.

'All these products were subjected to extensive laboratory and shipboard evaluations. After successful evaluations, these products have been accepted for induction into the Indian Navy,' the release said.

DRDO To Develop Long Range, Subsonic Cruise Missile

Indian defence scientists have taken up a new cruise missile development programme. The missile named Nirbhay (The Fearless) is in the same class as the US's Tomahawk and will have a range that is 300km longer than Pakistan's Babur.

Nirbhay is India’s seventh missile development project after the Agni series, the Prithvi series, Brahmos (in a joint venture with Russia), Akash, Trishul and Nag. The last three were part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme founded by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Nirbhay is being developed alongside Astra, an air-to-air missile designed to hit targets beyond visual range.

A cruise missile can be guided to a target. A ballistic missile is fired at a pre-determined target. Nirbhay will carry onboard a terrain-identification system that will map its course and relay the information to its guidance and propulsion systems. “Every modern military needs to have missile options. The requirement for Nirbhay was projected by all three armed forces to fill a gap in our missile programme,� Avinash Chander, the director of the Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad, who is in charge of the project, told The Telegraph in Delhi today.

Nirbhay will be a terrain-hugging missile capable of avoiding detection by ground-based radar. It would have a range of 1,000km. “We have Brahmos, which is a supersonic cruise missile and the need was felt for a subsonic cruise missile that will be capable of being launched from multiple platforms in land, air and sea,� Chander said.

In the schedule drawn up for Nirbhay, a technology demonstrator is slotted for early 2009. Chander said the design for the system is complete and “hardware preparations are on�. He said Nirbhay would weigh around 1,000kg and travel at 0.7 mach (nearly 840kmph) and would be capable of delivering 24 different types of warheads. The Pakistani subsonic cruise missile Babur (also called Hatf VII) has ranges of 500 to 700km. The US’s Tomahawk has many versions, the latest of which has ranges in excess of 1,500km.

India Russia To Sign Akula Submarine Deal; To Be Leased For Seven Years

Ahead of Prime Ministers upcoming visit to Moscow from November 10th, India and Russia are widely expected to sign on the Indian Navy Akula Submarine Lease Deal.

Indian Navy is all set to acquire the nuclear powered advanced submarines for a period of up to seven years. This acquisition would help the Navy prepare for the induction of the ATV, India's indigenous nuclear-powered vessel-in-the-making which goes for sea trials in 2009. Strategic submarines are the key to India's quest for a credible nuclear deterrence.

For Russia, raising the stakes, it hopes, will increase Indian dependence as Moscow seeks to defend its position as No. 1 defense supplier to New Delhi, however Russia's importance as a defense partner to New Delhi declines following India's vastly improving internal defense capabilities compounded with close relations and improving with Israel, France and the United States.

Project 971 Щука-Ð` (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning pike, NATO reporting name "Akula"), is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. The class is sometimes erroneously called the "Bars" class, after one of its members. Note that Akula ("shark") is the Soviet designation of the ballistic missile submarine class designated by NATO as the Typhoon class submarine. They are sometimes bitterly called "the Walker class," referring to John Anthony Walker, whose espionage data related to sonar detection was used to improve this submarine.

There are three sub-classes or flights of Shchuka, consisting of the original seven "Akula I" submarines built between 1982 and 1986, five "Improved Akula" submarines built between 1986 and 1991, and four "Akula II" submarines built from 1991. This information is disputed, however, as the distinction between the Improved Akula and the Akula II class is debated by authoritative sources.

Akula incorporates a double hull system that increases the strength reserve and is able to dive deeper than any other modern SSN. It is the quietest Russian nuclear attack submarine; the noise radiated by the Akula-II class is comparable to that of early versions of the American Los Angeles class.

India, Africa, Defence: India To Strengthen Strategic Ties With Gabon

India will provide expertise to the small defence forces of the Central African Republic of Gabon in disaster management, training and healthcare.

This was agreed during talks between the visiting Senior Minister for National Defence of Gabon, Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba and the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in New Delhi last night. Shri Sanjeeva Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Defence Ministry, later gave a presentation on the potential for cooperation during the delegation level talks.

Ties between the two countries have been expanding since the visit of a high-level Ministerial delegation led by the Gabonese President Mr. El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba to India in May last year. India offered a $14.5 million Line of Credit to Gabon for a housing project during the visit of Gabonese Deputy Minister of Housing Development in July, this year. However, there have been no high-level visits to Gabon from the Indian side.

Gabon, which is slightly bigger than Uttar Pradesh in size, has a very small military of about 10,000 personnel, divided into army, navy, air force and national police. Besides, France, who ruled Gabon for 75 years till 1960, maintain a battalion of 750 marines in the African nation located on the Atlantic Coast. Gabon, whose oil sector accounts for nearly half its GDP, quit the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1995.

India Approves More Funds For Minorities' Development

The Union cabinet Thursday approved increasing the share capital of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corp (NMDFC) from Rs.6.5 billion to Rs.7.5 billion for economic development of backward sections amongst minorities.

The change in shareholding pattern of the NMDFC would enable it to reach out to more people from backward sections that are below the poverty line

source : http://www.newspostindia.com/report-22579

World's Richest Man...

Mukesh Ambani is world's richest man
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani today became the richest person in the world, surpassing American software czar Bill Gates, Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim Helu and famous investment guru Warren Buffett, courtesy the bull run in the stock market.

Following a strong share price rally on in his three group companies, India's most valued firm Reliance Industries, Reliance Petroleum and Reliance Industrial Infrastructure, the net worth of Mukesh Ambani rose to $63.2 billion (Rs 2,49,108 crore).


In comparison, the net worth of both Gates and Slim is estimated to be slightly lower at around $62.29 billion each, with Slim leading among the two by a narrow margin.


The five richest people in the world with their net worth


1. Mukesh Ambani ($63.2 billion)

2. Carlos Slim Helu ($62.2993 billion)

3. William (Bill) Gates ($62.29 billion)

4. Warren Buffett ($55.9 billion)

5. Lakshmi Mittal ($50.9 billion)


Warren Buffett, earlier the third richest in the world, also dropped one position with a net worth of about $56 billion.

Ambani's wealth of about Rs 2,49,000 crore includes about Rs 2,10,000 crore from RIL (50.98% stake), Rs 37,500 crore from RPL (37.5%) and Rs 2,100 crore from RIIL (46.23%).

Slim's wealth has been calculated on the basis of his stake in companies like America Movil (30%), Carso Global (82%), Grupo Carso (75%), Inbursa (67%), IDEAL (30%) and Saks Inc (10%).


According to information available with the US and Mexican stock exchanges where these companies are listed, Slim currently holds shares worth a total of $62.2993 billion, with more than half coming from Latin American mobile major America Movil. Slim is closely followed by Gates with a net worth of $62.29 billion currently.


Earlier last month, US business magazine Forbes had named Gates as the richest American with a net worth of $59 billion, calculated as on August 30. The magazine had said that a movement of $2 in the share price for Microsoft, the world's biggest software maker, could "add or subtract $1 billion" from his wealth.


Since August-end, Microsoft's share price has risen by $6.58 (based on yesterday's closing on Nasdaq at $35.03), which results into a gain of $3.29 billion in Gates' wealth based on Forbes assumption.


Besides a stake in Microsoft, Gates' wealth also includes the commission and license fees earned by him and gains through his shares in an investment holding company that invests across the market.


Gates is followed by Buffett at the fourth place in the league of the world's richest with a net worth of $55.9 billion through his holding in his investment vehicle Berkshire Hathaway and in other companies. At the end of August, Buffett's wealth stood at $52 billion, as per the Forbes magazine. Berkshire Hathaway's share price has gained by about 7.5% since then.


Earlier on September 26, Ambani had overtaken steel czar Lakshmi Mittal to become the richest Indian in the world.

Mittal currently ranks as the fifth richest in the world with a net worth of $50.9 billion through his 44.79% stake in world's biggest steel maker ArcelorMittal.


While most of Mittal's wealth comes from his steel empire, though he has also spread his wings into businesses like oil and real estate, those of Ambani and Gates are mostly through petrochemicals and software respectively. However, Buffett and Slim are making money from investments across a host of sectors.


Mukesh Ambani is the richest man in the World!! Lakshmi Mittal being at 5th position. Two Indians being at top 5!!