News

After reading the title you all must have gotten confused. You might have even thought that I might have been out of mind in mentioning such stuff.

But, I want to tell you some interesting fact which I came across while reading my book. I found that smoking can be good for your health if used wisely.

Are you confused?

Yes.

Don't worry; your confusion will change into laughter once you go through this article.

Actually I have found that cigarettes contain some poly-aromatic hydrocarbons which cause the increased biotransformation of drugs. The drug is converted to a non-toxic form. This non-toxic drug can be safely eliminated from our body.

Now, once our need for drug is over, then we take help of smoking for few days to increase the metabolism of drugs and increasing their eliminating rate. This will prevent from the side effects of drugs which can be more dangerous than the smoking effects during the same time period.

Although smoking is good for health, I'm strictly against its use.

Increase Visitors Using Your Publishing Website

2010-12-29T07:26:00.001-08:00

Increase Visitors Using Your Publishing Website

Different Approaches to Increase Traffic to Your Article

2010-12-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

Different Approaches to Increase Traffic to Your Article

Believe It or Not: Mouse Singing Like a Bird

2010-12-29T07:25:00.004-08:00

Believe It or Not: Mouse Singing Like a Bird

Rape: Part 2

2010-12-29T07:25:00.003-08:00

Rape: Part 2

Biotechnology: A Summary

2010-12-29T07:25:00.002-08:00

Biotechnology: A Summary

Upside Down Plants: A Summary

2010-12-29T07:25:00.001-08:00

Upside Down Plants: A Summary

Hydroponics: A Summary

2010-12-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

Hydroponics: A Summary

Appropriate Technology

2010-12-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

Appropriate Technology

Inception Two

2010-12-25T21:46:00.000-08:00

Inception Two

Quiz on Inception

2010-12-25T21:20:00.001-08:00

Quiz on Inception

Inception: An Idea is The Mostly Deadly Virus

2010-12-25T21:20:00.000-08:00

Inception: An Idea is The Mostly Deadly Virus

When Do You Publish Most?: Some Days Can Have Certain Impacts on Your Earning

2010-12-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

When Do You Publish Most?: Some Days Can Have Certain Impacts on Your Earning

Violence

2010-12-21T13:09:00.002-08:00

Violence

List of Least Wanted Articles

2010-12-21T13:09:00.001-08:00

List of Least Wanted Articles

Medicinal Property of Nightmares

2010-12-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

Medicinal Property of Nightmares

Technology and Development

2010-12-18T11:43:00.001-08:00

Technology and Development

Biotechnology and Development

2010-12-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

Biotechnology and Development

Biorefinery: A New Eco Friendly Technology

2010-05-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

A new industrial process is in its start up stage which if successful can pave way for development of bio-based eco-friendly technology and industry.

Different types of Project Management Models

2010-04-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Learn what are the different models for managing the project and its workers.

Team Work-what to Do?

2010-04-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

A real life experience which I am facing till today. I need your suggestions what could be done.

Transport System of India’s Best Technology Institute (IIT-B)

2010-04-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Find out the problems and solutions of transport system which is present in IIT-B.

Feminist Part 2: How to Achieve Equality

2010-04-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

how to bring equality.

Science in Real Life: Example One

2010-04-18T13:00:00.001-07:00

Mahendra Singh Dhoni 2: The Dark Side

2010-04-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

Modified Biogas Digester Three

2010-04-18T12:57:00.001-07:00

Combinatorial Style of Writing: Easiest Style of Writing

2010-04-18T12:55:00.001-07:00

Mixed Cropping Design and Strategies

2010-04-18T12:53:00.001-07:00

Age of Empires Ii: Review

2010-04-18T12:49:00.001-07:00

Watch Free Online Movies Part Two

2010-04-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

An easy way to watch movies online. The websites for movies made in India, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand is also mentioned.

Why to Write?

2010-04-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

Learn how writing can beat your opponents, in a comedy style.

Modified Biogas Digester Two

2010-04-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

This section there is more emphasis on the parameters which need to be considered to run the system and how to optimize those parameters.

Google in Mobile Market: A Review

2010-04-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

Find out whether it is good to have Google in mobile market or not.

Who is Poor?

2010-04-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Are the poor really? Do they really need our aids? Find all this inside.

Biotechnology Regulatory Bill of India – Five Fallacies

2010-04-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Find out the loopholes in the bill which can have disastrous effect not to India alone bu to whole world.

Therapeutic Foods: A New Business Opportunity

2010-04-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

A new business opportunity is discussed for the people who aspire to become entrepreneurs as well for the veterans.

Biorefinery: A New Eco Friendly Technology

2010-04-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

A new industrial process is in its start up stage which if successful can pave way for development of bio-based eco-friendly technology and industry.

10 Things I Found About Americans

2010-04-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

It is about my experience with Americans with whom I interacted with during a project work

Feminist Part 1: What They are?

2010-04-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

Find out how to control them and what are their reactions if disappointed.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

2010-04-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Find out what it takes to become the captain of Indian cricket team.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar: From The Eyes of a Fan

2010-04-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Read to know what is the common perception of Sachin held by its ardent fans.

Sustainable Development: Village

2010-04-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

Find out how to make a village life sustainable or self reliant.

Effect of Discrimination on Development

2010-04-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

It shows the various kinds of development which gets hindered if discrimination is there.

"what You Think is Not Always True"

2010-04-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

A recent real life incident on field. What I learnt is that do not become prejudice.

Biorefinery

2010-01-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuels, power, heat, and value-added chemicals from biomass

Exhaust gas biological purification

2010-01-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Some rare microorganisms collected all over the world may be the key to control technology for hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds catching up to the lofty expectations of government and environmentalists.

Watch Free Online Movies

2009-12-30T22:38:00.000-08:00

3 Idiots (2009)

Avatar (2009)

Ninja Assassin (2009)

Orphan (2009)

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the year (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Prostate Cancer Intervention Using A Flavonoid Antioxidant, Silymarin

2009-12-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

The oncogenic potential of advanced and androgen- independent prostate cancer (PCA) is causally associated with a ligand/receptor autocrine growth loop e.g., interaction of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) and epidermal growth factor receptor (erbB 1). It is rationalized that targeting this pathway would be useful for PCA intervention. This (AMC Cancer Research Center) work shows that a flavonoid antioxidant, silymarin, inhibits erbB 1 activation followed by a G 1 arrest and inhibition of PCA cell growth. Additional studies define cause-and- effect relationship for the observed effect of silymarin at the membrane receptor and cytoplasmic levels. Treatment of LNCaP and DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells with silibinin (the pure form of silymarin) results in highly-significant inhibition of TGFalpha binding to erbBE 1 receptor, and ligand internalization, in both dose- and time-dependent manners. Conversely, silibinin does not result in the inhibition of intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of erbB 1 in both LNCaP and DU145 cells.

Brain Mitochondria: Pro-Apoptotic Changes After Toxin Exposure

2009-12-30T21:57:00.000-08:00

Mitochondria normally function to provide sources of energy for vital cellular functions; however, under stressful conditions these organelles may trigger events that lead eventually to cell death. Thus, mitochondria have been implicated as major contributors to neuronal death in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. This (University of Miami) report describes functional changes in mitochondria measured in living brain tissue as a result of exposure to toxins thought to contribute to neurodegeneration. Mitochondrial NADH levels are shown to increase following treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium (MPP ) at times when neuronal electrophysiology is impaired. In addition, MPP appears to cause oxidation of cytochrome b, providing further support that this toxin inhibits mitochondrial complex I. 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) also results in the blockade of neuronal electrical activity, but has minimal effects on mitochondrial NADH and redox activity of respiratory chain cytochromes. Both toxins produce delayed and selective cell death in hippocampal subfield CAl. Neurons in this subfield were previously shown to be selectively vulnerable to hypoxia/ischemia. The reported data suggest that these neurons may also be selectively vulnerable to mitochondrial toxins.

BIOGAS FROM LEAF

2009-12-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

While visiting nearby village of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, I found that fuel is a big problem for villagers. I thought of introducing the concept of biogas. I tried to identify the waste for making biogas. I found leaves can be used to make biogas.

Now, after some basic surfing from net I found following papers which gives some insight on making biogas using Leaf waste.

They are:
1) Two Phase Fermentation of Whole Leaf Biomass to Biogas
2) Solid phase fermentation of leaf biomass to biogas
3) Two-Stage Fungal Pre-Treatment for Improved Biogas Production from leaves
4) Plug flow digestors for biogas generation from leaf biomass
5) Field experience with leaf litter-based biogas plants
6) Two-phase anaerobic digestion of spent tea leaves for biogas

Biotechnology

2009-12-30T09:50:00.000-08:00

It is one of the hottest topics of science. It only can fuse biology with technology. Now, fate of humanity lies in the hands of biotechnology. It has the ability to bring the worst and the best out of human being.

Therefore, below I give some of the topics, which gives the information about this astonishing technology.

Since the wide variety of articles written, so I have divided them in following headings:

Topics explaining biotechnology/any of its field:

1) Artificial Seeds: Living-seed like structure derived in-vitro. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Science/Artificial-Seeds.130931

2) Basic Guidelines for Plant Tissue Culture Lab: If you are novice then here you can learn the basic guidelines. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Science/Basic-Guidelines-for-Plant-Tissue-Culture-Lab.131082

3) Charge Transfer Through DNA: The is currently one of the most controversial topics in the DNA studies. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Human-Biology/Charge-Transfer-Through-DNA.116252

4) Charge Transfer Through DNA 2: Check this out to get the complete idea about this topic and know the most possible way to explain the charge transfer through DNA. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Chemistry/Charge-Transfer-Through-DNA-2.119469

5) Modified Biogas Digester: This biogas digester designing will make biogas very much commercially viable. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Technology/Applied-Science/Modified-Biogas-Digester.283541

Topics, which discuss several controversies, which are arising in this field:

1) Biotechnology: Hype or Truth?: Check out the reality of the latest booming scientific field called biotechnology. link for complete info: http://bizcovering.com/employment/biotechnology-hype-or-truth/

2) Cloning: a Devil’s Baby: Check in to find the sign of emergence of devastation. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Technology/Cloning-A-Devils-Baby.232463

3) Biogas: Is It a Future?: Is it good enough to solve our future problems? link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Technology/Applied-Science/Biogas-Is-It-a-Future.119359

4) Role of Society in Research: A very important issue. link for complete info: http://www.socyberty.com/Issues/Role-of-Society-in-Research.235985

Topics discussing various funny and weird but possible applications of biotechnology:

1) Microarray Technology:What is this technology? Why it will help to differentiate between friend and foe? And many more similar questions answer is given on this page. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Technology/Microarray-Technology.366645

2) How to Use Urine to Light House?: A crazy idea that will make you reset the boundaries of science. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Science/How-to-Use-Urine-to-Light-House.130933

3) Light Emitting Plants: A very weird topic but is the future of the world and is already in the experimental stage. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Botany/Light-Emitting-Plants.119436

4) DNA Dove Birds: One of my most favorite and impossible idea, which I’m putting forth for all the science freaks to enjoy. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Offbeat/DNA-Dove-Birds.115333

5) Autotrophic Humans: The possible solution to deal with food problems in the future. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Philosophy-of-Science/Make-Your-Own-Food.116408

6) How to Prove That Snakes Contain DNA: A very weird logic to prove this fact within five seconds. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Zoology/How-to-Prove-That-Snakes-Contain-DNA.116293

7) Plastic Milk: A very weird topic, which tells a new way to make plastic. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Offbeat/Plastic-Milk.102378

Some other things, which could be possibly, explained using biotechnology:

1) Sleep to Get Exhausted: Your most favorite way to remove exhaustion can become the biggest contributor of exhaustion. link for complete info: http://www.healthmad.com/Health/Sleep-to-Get-Exhausted.62144

2) Why Do Men Rape?: This question has been there since ages but with no satisfactory answer. link for complete info: http://www.socyberty.com/Crime/Why-Men-Only-Rape.62607

3) Future Decoded: One of my most controversial topics. Read it and decide yourself. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Human-Biology/Future-Decoded.116234

4) Man in Danger: topic which says that males are weakening and women are becoming strong. link for complete info: http://www.socyberty.com/Philosophy/Man-in-Danger.68886

5) Heart, Sex or Mobile: Which one will you choose? When you have to choose only one. link for complete info: http://www.healthmad.com/Health/Heart-Sex-or-Mobile.82428

6) Vegetarianism: An Elixir for Life Two: Proof that a non-vegetarian diet is posing a risk to the whole world. link for complete info: http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/Vegetarianism-An-Elixir-for-Life-Two.91117

7) Smoking is Good for Health: The title itself contradicts the notion, which is being created in the minds of the people. So, this topic will attract controversy. However, you must read this article carefully to understand the paradox which smoking creates. link for complete info: http://www.healthmad.com/Addiction/Smoking-is-Good-for-Health.102380

8) Why Things Get Dirty?: Are you fed up with your favorite things getting dirty regularly? Learn how simple science can explain some of most difficult problems. link for complete info: http://www.gomestic.com/Home/Why-Things-Get-Dirty.215233

Now after reading so much, it is the time to enjoy some quiz on biotechnology, which are given as follows:

1) Quiz on Biotechnology: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Biotechnology.405193

2) Funny Biotechnology Quiz: Are you bored of traditional quizzes? Then this quiz is for you with a new style of imparting and testing knowledge about biotechnology. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Funny-Biotechnology-Quiz.361745

3) Funny Biotechnology Quiz Two: Are you bored of traditional quizzes? Then the next installment of quiz is for you. link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Funny-Biotechnology-Quiz-Two.593245

4) General Biochemistry: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/General-Biochemistry.281837

5) Quiz on Haploid Culture: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Haploid-Culture.127964

6) Enzyme Quiz: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Enzyme-Quiz.590263

7) Quiz on Enzymes One: link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Microbiology/Quiz-on-Enzymes.116383

8) Quiz on Enzymes Two: link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Microbiology/Quiz-on-Enzymes-2.116376

9) Quiz on Enzymes Three: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Enzymes-3.114270

10) Quiz on Enzymes Four: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Enzymes-4.366553

11) Quiz on Enzyme Kinetics: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Enzyme-Kinetics.285047

12) Quiz on Phylogenetic Analysis: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Science/Quiz-on-Phylogenetic-Analysis.131654

13) Quiz on Pairwise Sequence Alignment: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Pairwise-Sequence-Alignment.131714

14) Quiz on Agrobacterium Tumefaciens: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Agrobacterium-Tumefaciens.127325

15) Quiz on Helmenthiasis Chemotherapy: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Helmenthiasis-Chemotherapy.127330

16) Quiz on Leprosy Chemotherapy: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Leprosy-Chemotherapy.127329

17) Quiz on Tuberculosis Chemotherapy: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Tuberculosis-Chemotherapy.127328

18) Quiz on Trichomoniasis Chemotherapy: link for complete info: http://www.purpleslinky.com/Trivia/Quizzes/Quiz-on-Trichomoniasis-Chemotherapy.127327

19) Fermented Meat Products: link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Chemistry/Fermented-Meat-Products.116559

20) Math Quiz: A new style quiz on tuberculosis. link for complete info: http://www.scienceray.com/Mathematics/How-Tuberculosis-Chemotherapy-Can-Make-This-Equation-Maths--Pharmacology--Pharmacomathematics.359965

Google's Nexus One on Jan. 5, 2010

2009-12-29T23:28:00.000-08:00

o, we have the confirmation (of sorts) finally. Google is all set to announce the Nexus One on an "Android Press Conference" scheduled to be held on January 5, 2010 in Mountain View, California.
While the official Google notification regarding this event doesn't actually say anything about the Nexus, it does talk about how the first Android phone was launched last year and that the Android platform has "spurred mobile product innovation". The best part about the release is the line, which says that the initial Android based products, are "just the beginning of what's possible". Doesn't that hint to wards a launch of the Nexus One. In addition, a question arises here is if not the Nexus One, then what?
Last week, we had seen comparison videos and images of the Nexus One along with its competitors - namely the HTC Hero (which is more of a cousin, but a rival nevertheless!) and the iPhone 3GS. The Nexus One seems to have enough oomph and firepower to hold its own in this illustrious company. In terms of features, the phone also beats the 3GS comfortably. However, the worrying factor about this part is that the fourth generation iPhone is already under works and it might not be long before Apple manages to claw right back in and improve the iPhone.

Nokia steps up its fight with Apple

2009-12-29T23:27:00.000-08:00

Nokia Corp. is broadening a legal dispute with Apple Inc. over the iPhone. It filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that Apple's iPods and computers also violate Nokia's intellectual property rights.

The company had sued Apple in U.S. District Court in Wilmington, Del., over the iPhone, claiming it infringes 10 of its patents.

Apple denied the allegations and this month countered with its own lawsuit saying Nokia had copied aspects of the iPhone in its devices.

Microsoft, Yahoo help keep India away from porn?

2009-12-29T23:16:00.000-08:00

Birds do it. Bees do it. It's just that these days in India it may be a little harder to watch online images of human beings doing it.
Sex is often a slightly thorny subject (well, maybe except in France). However, varying attitudes around the world to varying sexual practices mean search engines must adjust their positions accordingly.
So it may sadden some to hear of a Guardian special investigation that appears to have unearthed evidence of Microsoft and Yahoo search engines complying with a new Indian law offering severe punishment for the display of "lascivious" content.
I know one man's lascivious is another man's oblivious. But this law, based on a 150-year-old statute (section 292, if you have your Indian penal code tucked about your person) specifically targets access to obscenity.

A picture from Ramoji Film City in Andhra Pradesh. It is the world's largest integrated film studio complex.

(Credit: CC Shashi Bellamkonda/Flickr)

It helpfully defines obscenity as "any content that is lascivious and that will appeal to prurient interest or the effect of which is to tend to deprave or corrupt the minds of those who are likely to see, read or hear the same."
It's a nice word, corruption. One that often seems to have the words "government" and "politician" wrapped around it. Still, we're talking about sex here. Specifically, the vaguely pornographic kind.
The Guardian investigation suggests Microsoft and Yahoo have already taken steps to avoid the rather stiff punishments. If a search engine (or, indeed, Internet cafe) isn't careful about what sites it makes available, its officers might face three years in jail and a fine of up to 500,000 rupees (just over $10,000).
Microsoft's Bing, Yahoo's search engine, and even the Yahoo-owned Flickr have reportedly ensured that the safe search facilities on their sites cannot be disabled, something they also do in the pristine territories of Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
I do not intend to suggest this new law will encourage more Indian professionals to seek employment in Silicon Valley. And I cannot imagine that Indian moral fiber is anything other than sturdy and cleansing. I just sometimes worry when politicians seem to have nothing better to do than to interfere in people's most private affairs.
The Indian media is, according to London's Times, sometimes a little slow in reporting the sexual peccadilloes of, well, politicians--even when their indiscretions are widely known.
Perhaps that will change in reaction to this law.
This week, for example, an Indian television news channel ran footage, allegedly of the 86-year-old governor of the Andhra Pradesh state in bed with several women to whom he was not betrothed. While the governor immediately resigned, you might wonder how it is that this footage was not deemed "lascivious."
Some of you might wish to suggest that the "law is an ass." But perhaps it's best to first search Bing and check whether "ass" might have lascivious overtones in certain parts of the world.

Google Nexus One to Cost $530 Unlocked, $180 With T-Mobile

2009-12-29T23:13:00.000-08:00

Gizmodo offers leaked documents that show Google plans to offer the Nexus One smartphone for $529.99 unlocked or $179.99 from T-Mobile with a two-year contract. Google declined to comment on the price points, which came hours after the search engine giant invited press to an Android news event Jan. 5. T-Mobile will offer the Nexus One with a $79.99 monthly plan that includes 500 talk minutes with unlimited nights and weekends, text messaging and Web usage, according to the document.

Publish and make money online

2009-12-29T22:50:00.000-08:00

Visit this link: http://www.triond.com/rw/20365, If you want make money online.

Google and Baidu Tied in Competition to Win Chinese Search Market

2009-12-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Baidu, the Beijing based company, dominates the search engine market in China, but it seems that Google is now stepping forward to take the popular Chinese search engine's place. The task, apparently, will not be easy as Baidu dominates most of China's market.
During the year's third quarter, according to Jennifer Li, Baidu's chief financial officer, the search engine's market share was 77%, a substantial hike from second year's share of 75.6%. Also, she was quick to point out thatGoogle ended up losing its share of the Chinese market, dropping to 17% for the third quarter from second quarter's 19% share.
Searches through mobile phones, however, is a segment which is currently dominated by Google, but Baidu is now taking all the necessary steps to ensure that it can bite into that share as well. The main reason for Google's dominance seems to be its tie up with China Mobile, the country's largest carrier.
To counter the same, in October, Baidu announced that it has managed to strike a deal with China Unicom's 3G services, so that customers can make the most of mobile search.
Both Google and Baidu have both good and bad points going for them. While Google has been praised for its understanding the nuances of the Chinese language, Baidu has been criticized for mixing ads and organic search results. On the other hand, Baidu has the advantage of being local and the huge share is a definite advantage as well.

Bihar-Jharkhand: A Barbaric State

2009-12-28T03:42:00.000-08:00

Bihar-Jharkhand: A Barbaric State

The Wonder Of Apple's Tablet

2009-12-28T00:54:00.000-08:00

In 2007, just prior to its launch, I was absolutely positive I wasn't going to buy an iPhone. My rationale was that I didn't even like using a cellphone, so why would I want a $600 one? What I wanted was a touch screen iPod ? basically, an iPhone without the phone. In other words, I wanted an iPod touch, but that didn't exist yet, so I would sit back and wait, I told myself. Then came iPhone launch day: June 29, 2007. Curiosity about the launch day hoopla drove me to an Apple store. There was a line around the block just to get in. So again, there was no way I was getting an iPhone. But then I started to wonder why so many people were lined up for this device ? what was I missing? A few hours later I returned to the Apple Store. I waited in a much shorter line to get in. I walked up to the iPhones out on display, picked one up, played with it for all of 10 seconds. I left the Apple store $600 poorer.
My point in telling that story is that all signs indicate that we're closing in on another new Apple product, a tablet computer. And the hype around it is already palpable. But so is the skepticism among many ? skepticism similar to what I felt with the iPhone. "Why would anyone want a tablet computer?" "It will be way too expensive, no one will buy it." "This is all just nonsense Apple hype." Those are a few of the more common reactions against the still-mysterious device. But I'm not going to be tricked again. Conventional wisdom suggests that Apple will not be able to succeed where so many others have failed. But Apple makes billions defying conventional wisdom.
The truth is that most of us don't understand the allure of a tablet computer because they've all sucked up until now. It's the exact same reason that I didn't understand the iPhone at first. My cellphones leading up to the iPhone ranged from "okay" to "junk." The idea of getting one with such a high price tag was insanity to me. But within seconds of using the iPhone, I was able to tell that Apple had made something completely different. It wasn't a cellphone as I had known them. It redefined the category. And while there are no sure things in the tech world, I would bet that Apple's tablet will do the same.

If an outsider were to look at the tech news coverage of the past few days, they'd think there is an oddly disproportionate amount of Apple tablet talk. Why is that? The lazy answer is that everyone is a bunch of Apple fanboys. But the reality is that it's dozens of blogs and all the mainstream media sites covering this news about a product which no one is even 100% sure exists. Everyone is covering it because there is a huge amount of interest about the device among each site's readership. And it goes far beyond that. People outside the tech world, those who don't ever read tech blogs, have been asking me about it recently. And Apple's stock is at an all-time high based on the rumors of this device.
Part of it is that Apple has a sterling record with consumer-oriented products. Sure, there are some duds, like the Mighty Mouse. And yes, there are some slip-ups, like my new iLemon. But overall, Apple commands attention in the consumer space because more often than not, they nail it. Going deeper, Apple is not afraid to step outside of the traditional comfort zones to try to create a new product ? even if others have failed there before, as is the case with tablets. While this stirs skepticism in some, in many more people, it creates a sense of wonder. What if Apple can do it right this time? It's exciting partially because it's no sure thing. It's exciting because the payoff is potentially huge. By this time next year, we may have a whole new genre of computing. It's an undiscovered country.
But it's also familiar. There's a quote from the first season of Mad Men that I think applies in this regard. "But he also talked about a deeper bond with the product. Nostalgia. It's delicate, but potent," Don Draper says leading up to his Kodak Carousel presentation. The core idea of a tablet is interesting to people on a fundamental level. At least as far back as Moses with the Ten Commandments, it has been a part of the human psyche. It's something that couldn't be simpler. It's a slate that displays information. It's not a computer with a mess of peripherals and/or physical buttons. If a media and web-centric computer were being designed today with no thought to what the computing norms of the past were, it would be a tablet.
It also points to the future of interacting with computers. The mouse and keyboard will one day die and everything will be touch and gesture-based. We'll be living in a future with Minority Report, Star Trek, and Avatar interactive technology. To many of us, few things are more exciting. To others, that concept is foreign and as such, scary. Regardless, it will happen and the tablet computer is the latest, and perhaps most important step in a line of technology taking us there.
I think a lot of people understand that, even if they don't realize it. That's why we saw so much interest in the CrunchPad. It was to be a simple, touchscreen device that you could surf the web on. For many people, that's more than enough of a computer.
And the truth is that Apple has already proven the concept. The iPhone is a tablet computer, just smaller. Recently, a former Apple employee was quoted in the New York Times as saying that much of the early work on the tablet exists today in the iPhone. The iPhone is the computer I use the most now day in and day out. And again, I never thought I'd want one. So while the immediate use of the tablet in our homes already riddled with computer may not be apparent just yet, I have no doubt that it will prove itself to be very useful.
I have no idea what the tablet will be called (Robin lays out a comprehensive tale of why it may be the "iSlate"), what its specs will be, or how much it will cost. But I'm not going to make the mistake of dismissing it like I did with the iPhone simply because its practicality isn't immediately apparent. If it succeeds, it will likely redefine the role of computing in our lives just as the iPhone has. That's exciting. And that's why we care so much about it.

Apple placcing orders

2009-12-28T00:52:00.000-08:00

Taiwan's Economic Daily paper claims that Cheng Uei Precision Industry has received an order for "connectors" for Apple's new Tablet PCs. According to the report the company is likely to begin shipping in the 3rd quarter of 2010.

Meanwhile Digitimes reports that Innolux, a panel-making subsidiary of Foxconn, will be the supplier for the touch panels in Apple's Tablet PC. The screen size is said to be 10-inches for the rumored device.

These reports add to the increasing number of rumors about Apple's upcoming Tablet. Just last week, Apple was said to be planning a late January media event to launch the device which would ship later in 2010. Even more recently have been discoveries that Apple has trademarked the "iSlate" name presumably as a possible name for the device.

Google's mobile plans: of Omar Hamoui, AdMob, and Nexus One

2009-12-28T00:49:00.000-08:00

While Omar Hamoui started as a struggler to support his wife and children, he is now all set to be worth as much as a whooping $750 Million, thanks to a planned Google acquisition.
As Google aims to extend its reach of advertisements from mostly PC-based to a more widely used cell phone base by acquiring AdMob, Omar Hamoui is surely a happy man.
Omar Hamoui achieved a breakthrough in advertising by setting up a system for advertisements on mobile devices. Though it may look quite plain and simple, it was quite a task, considering the strict restrictions wireless carriers had imposed on what users could see on their phones. "It took a lot of guts because (the carriers) were the gatekeepers of the industry... Back then, it was sort of like if you said no to the Godfather. Bad things could happen," says Rich Wong, an investor in AdMob and also a board member in the company. AdMob’s great potential was fully tapped only when Apple introduced its breakthrough device, the iPhone, and the app market which followed: One of the primary reasons why some application developers give away the application for free, or just by charging a small amount of money, is that they get revenue from AdMob’s ad network.

Google is one of the biggest players in the online advertising field, drawing $20 billion in revenue from internet ads. Recently, Google has shown immense interest in mobile technology, giving us Android and the upcoming Nexus One. AdMob has been able to deliver 140 billion ads on mobile web sites and applications, which made analysts estimate its annual revenue to be anywhere around $45-$60 Million. Even though that’s less than the revenue generated by Google in a day, Google believes that the exponential growth in mobile users will justify its acquisition. The deal will require the approval of The Federal Trade Commission, as they seek to inspect how this deal would affect competition in the mobile ad market, which is expected to quadruple in size during the next four years.

Google Nexus One Hogs the Limelight

2009-12-28T00:47:00.000-08:00

The mobile telephony market is agog with news of Google s plans to introduce its own high-tech phone some time in 2010.
According to reports citing sources close to Google, the company, known primarily for its online search functions, is expected to release a phone dubbed Nexus One that runs Google's Android operating system.
The company, it is said, hopes to sell the phone directly to consumers, rather than mobile service providers who often package their services with hardware from other companies. That means customers will either have to use their existing mobile phone contract with the Nexus or arrange for a new one.

The new phones will reportedly be manufactured by Taiwanese phone maker HTC, which already produces several Android based phones.
Google, which recently reported in a blog entry that it was letting some of its employees test a new mobile device, is seen by many to be one of the up-and-coming players in the mobile phone market.
Given its strong position in online advertising, Google can hope to replicate its success within the mobile market.

Family Sins

2009-12-28T00:43:00.000-08:00

For those who want a little Stockholm Syndrome with their "Flowers in the Attic," CBS offers Sunday night movie "Family Sins." Based on the true story of Frances Burt, a Rhode Island woman whose cruelty to her foster children knew no bounds, the made-for details the most appalling abuse imaginable: beatings with electrical cords, forcing kids to shoplift and then hitting them when they get caught, withholding food for minor infractions. Though it's only a skin-deep treatment of the subject -- those interested in a Ph.D-level exploration of deviant psychology need not apply -- salacious nature of the plot will keep auds hooked.

Tiger ends month of misery as an Invisible Man

2009-12-28T00:41:00.000-08:00

One month after his one-car crash touched off a sensational sex scandal that drew the world's attention, Tiger Woods has become an Invisible Man even as his world has collapsed around him.
In the early morning hours of November 27, Woods struck a tree and fire hydrant when he lost control of his car, and was rushed to a hospital with facial cuts and bruises. He hailed his wife Elin as a hero who rescued him by smashing the vehicle's back windows with golf clubs.
But where was he going at such an hour? What made him lose control of the vehicle? Why smash the windows farthest from Woods? Did a tabloid report days earlier about an affair spark a marital spat?
Answers to those questions remain unconfirmed, despite reports from celebrity website and a reckless driving traffic citation against Woods.
However the golf superstar's own admissions of infidelity, "transgressions" and "personal sins" give credence to lurid claims by at least 14 women who say they had affairs with Woods.
In one of the most stunning falls from grace ever seen, Woods's squeaky-clean marketing juggernaut image was destroyed.
An audiotape of a phone call one of the mistresses released with a voice sounding like Woods was followed hours later by a Woods statement vaguely confessing to wrongdoings.
The 14-time major champion, who skipped his own charity event saying that his accident injuries kept him from attending, later announced he was taking an indefinite leave from his pro golf career.
While Woods went undercover, sponsors began pulling his once-omnipresent image from advertisements.
Watchmaker Tag Heuer and razor-blade giant Gillette quit using his image during his hiatus. Telecommunications giant AT&T was reevaluating Woods as a spokesman. Technology, management and outsourcing consultancy Accenture dropped its deal altogether.
Nike however issued unqualified support in Woods's darkest hour.
Reports followed at dizzying speed, the latest being Elin having hired a Hollywood celebrity divorce lawyer and taken her children with Woods -- 10-month-old son Charlie and two-year-old daughter Sam -- to an island home she bought in Sweden.
Clearly, Woods had hopes for a better first Christmas for his son.
Woods was said to be hitting golf balls alone at night to cope with the firestorm. Other reports said he had rekindled a relationship with Rachel Uchitel, the New York show club hostess who was the first mistress revealed.
Uchitel was visiting the same Australian hotel as Woods when he was playing an event Down Under, and claimed she was visiting her parents over the holidays when she showed up in Palm Beach, Florida, close to where Woods has his 20 million-dollar luxury yacht "Privacy" docked.
Bikini-clad beach photos of Uchitel were making the internet rounds over the holiday weekend.
As the scandal unfolded, Woods became a punch line for comedians, with even Disney working a line about the score of alleged Woods affairs into a show at Disneyland.
As 2010 loomed, so did a US PGA Tour season without Woods, whose absence cuts attendance at tournaments and television viewership by 50 percent, adding stress to a sponsor list already weakened by the struggling economy.
A scandal that began with unanswered questions now has one major mystery -- when, if ever, will Woods return to his quest to break the record 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus?
Nearly everyone with a connection to the matter expects a whirlwind of media attention and huge global interest when Woods plays in his next event, just as they understand why Woods might need a break to cope with the revelations of a life far different than model family-man he portrayed.
Reminding people why they were fascinated with him in the first place could be the road back for Woods, but long months await the superstar once known for his uncanny ability to focus on his game under the most tense pressure.
This time, he's in the game of his life.

Time to atone for the sins of the fathers

2009-12-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

CHURCH SCANDALS: This was the year when the Catholic Church was finally forced to account for its actions, in the face of two horrific reports, writes FINTAN O'TOOLE
COMING IN TO 2009, the Catholic Church and the Government knew at some level that this would be the year of truth. The Ryan commission on child abuse in church-run industrial schools and the Murphy commission on the cover-up of thousands of assaults on children by priests in the Dublin diocese had been sitting for some years.
The broad reality of the industrial-school system had already been detailed by survivors and, more clinically, by Eoin O’Sullivan and Mary Raftery in their book Suffer the Little Children . The system of cover-up that enabled clerical paedophiles to carry on with impunity had been previewed in the report on the Ferns diocese. Indeed, the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin explicitly warned the faithful that the Murphy report would “shock us all”.
Given that the essence of the two reports was already known, and that the church and State authorities had so much time to prepare their responses, two obvious questions arise. Why did those reports indeed “shock us all”? And why did the authorities flounder for even a vaguely adequate response?
Part of the answer to the first question lies in the propensity for Irish culture to have “unknown knowns” – things that are known to be true but are treated as if they are outlandish fictions. No honest person seriously doubted that the industrial schools were instruments of terror and torture – why, otherwise, were children threatened with Letterfrack and Daingean, words that induced a numbing chill of fear? Likewise, many of the abusive priests were not secretive but behaved, on the contrary, with a flagrant and swaggering arrogance.
Yet, as dramatists have understood since the time of the ancient Greeks, there is often much more power in being forced to confront what you already know than in being amazed by the unexpected. And here, the language of both the Ryan and Murphy reports played a crucial role.
In both cases, the reports were written with a cold, clinical, relentless and above all unequivocal clarity. There were no qualifications, no escape hatches, no grounds for the “yes, but . . . ” or “what about . . . ?” that had been the constant refuge of the religious orders, the hierarchy and their apologists in the media. The lies, evasions and equivocations had to stop.
It mattered, too, that in the case of both reports, the conclusions focused on the systemic nature of the crimes. In its detail and horror, the Ryan report often read like a cross between an anthropological study and a novel by the Marquis de Sade. Images – for example, the Christian Brother who played ceili music loudly on the radio to drown out the screams of the child he was torturing – burned themselves into the brains of those who read it.
But the report also drove home the fact that this was not just a nightmare but a calculated system of institutionalised violence and enslavement endured by an astonishing 170,000 children between 1936 and 1970.
Similarly, the Murphy report refused to take refuge in merely denouncing the crimes and collusion of individuals, but stressed the systemic nature of the abuse and cover-up. Its devastating conclusion that the church routinely subordinated the welfare of children to “the maintenance of secrecy, the avoidance of scandal, the protection of the reputation of the church, and the preservation of its assets” stripped bare the whole institution’s claim to moral authority.
Yet the overwhelming scale and unblinking clarity of the conclusions of the two reports merely served to highlight the inability of either the church itself or the Government to grasp what was happening. In relation to the Ryan report, both church and State seemed to believe that it would be a nine-day wonder.
Both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe were quickly off the blocks to say that the 2002 indemnity deal, in which the religious orders contributed just €128 million to costs of €1.1 billion, would not be re-opened. The orders, many of which had continued with a campaign of obstruction and denial throughout the Ryan commission process, naturally endorsed this stand.
It took Michael O’Brien’s five-minute outburst of controlled rage from the audience of Questions and Answers (“Eight of us from the one family, dragged by the ISPCC cruelty man. Put in to two cars, brought to the court in Clonmel. Left standing there without food or anything, and the fella in the long black frock and the white collar came along and he put us in to a van . . . And landed us below with 200 other boys. Two nights later I was raped.”) to force the Government and the orders to admit that the deal could, after all, be re-opened.
A similar pattern emerged with the Murphy report. The church authorities, with the exception of Archbishop Martin, seemed to be paralysed by the sheer novelty of a situation in which they were being asked to account for themselves. The Taoiseach ended up muttering craven excuses for the Vatican’s refusal to deal with the commission, demonstrating that a long habit of approaching the Holy See from a supine position had not been broken.
The irony was that the State was struggling to accept what was obvious to all thinking church people – that the 19th-century institutional Catholicism that had dominated the moral and psychological life of Ireland for so long was dead.
While theologians, active lay Catholics and even some bishops were beginning to face up to a very different future, mainstream political culture was still in denial. It seemed terrified of the implications of having to create a republic in which neither morality or social obligations could be outsourced.

Brainwashed boy bomber flees Taliban

2009-12-27T23:49:00.000-08:00

USMAN GHANI was a 14-year-old schoolboy when he was forcibly removed from his family and trained as a Taliban suicide bomber. His story — revealed in the week that yet another blast brought the death toll to more than 500 in barely two months — reflects the tragic tales of many young Pakistanis brainwashed by the Taliban to bring terror to the country’s cities.
Living in the remote town of Khar, in the Bajaur tribal agency of northwest Pakistan, Ghani was an easy target for the Taliban militants who control the area with their potent mixture of arms and fundamentalist beliefs.
His father Lal Zaman, a blacksmith, had been caught selling hashish, a crime punishable by death under the Taliban’s harsh code. Zaman was given a cruel choice: to hand over his eldest son or be executed.
Ghani was forced to pay for the “sins” of his father. Militants took him and he was driven, blindfolded, to the Taliban-infested Bandai area of Bajaur, where he learnt his fate. “Three leaders said because my father was guilty of selling hashish, as a punishment I would have to carry out a suicide attack or be slaughtered,” he said.
“When I refused, they tied me down with a rope and started beating me. Eventually I said I was ready to carry out an attack just to make them stop.”
Ghani was subjected to months of indoctrination. He was imprisoned with two other teenage boys and forced to listen to militant sermons every night. “They told us that a suicide attack is the direct path to paradise, where beautiful women and all the happiness of life are waiting for you,” he said. “They said we were lucky to have been chosen by God for this noble purpose.”
When Ghani showed the slightest sign of reluctance, his captors switched tactics. “They came and forced me to eat a tablet. After taking the pill I couldn’t understand what was right or wrong. Whatever they said to me I would answer ‘yes’ and it seemed justified to me.
“The pills made me forgetful and I stopped caring about my brothers, sisters or parents. The only thing before me was paradise and I agreed to carry out an attack for the sake of Islam.”
He was taught how to operate the suicide jacket and assigned a target — Malak Rahmatullah, a tribal elder opposed to the Taliban.
He received final, hate-filled sermons from Maulvi Faqir, deputy leader of the Pakistani Taliban, and Maulvi Omar, the Taliban spokesman. “Omar told me to go to a nearby mosque for prayer five times a day and to stroll through the streets so no one in the village would suspect me as a stranger.”
He was ordered to target Rahmatullah during Friday prayers. When he protested that there would be civilian casualties, he was told: “God knows best. He will send all the pious among the slain straight to paradise, while those who are sinful will find their place in hell.”
Ghani was put into his suicide vest and taken to the mosque. “They directed me to get into the second row behind him [Rahmatullah] and then draw the pin, which was fixed to the left side of my chest.
“I’d been fully prepared to carry out the suicide attack but when I reached the mosque I realised that something was wrong. There were copies of the holy Koran everywhere and old people and young children were coming to pray.
“I asked myself how I could kill all these innocent people to send myself to paradise. Then I suddenly thought of my younger brother playing in a field outside our house and calling me.” Ghani fled, knowing he would incur the wrath of the Taliban who were waiting for news of carnage.
He was savagely beaten and imprisoned for six days before escaping to his family’s home. For weeks he lived in fear of recapture until he was finally arrested by the Pakistani army. As the army continues its offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan, a tribal region on the Afghan border, many more suicide bombers are believed to have infiltrated the urban population. Army chiefs claim to have killed almost 600 militants and cleared more than 80% of Waziri territory, but none of the Taliban’s leaders has been captured.
A blast that killed four on Thursday in Peshawar brought the death toll since October in the northwestern city to 225. More than 500 have been killed throughout Pakistan.

Family sins

2009-12-27T23:42:00.001-08:00

Such is the reality of today’s India that there is never a shortage of cases that leave us moved and indignant. But every now and then, there is a case that also makes us thoughtful.

The Ruchika case is one such instance.

In case you haven’t been following the details of the case, here’s what happened.

Ruchika was a happy, school-going 14-year-old with a passion for tennis. As often as she could, she would practise at the state tennis association’s courts. At that time, a police officer called S.P.S. Rathore was president of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association.

In August, 1990, Rathore called Ruchika to his office and molested her. Ruchika was traumatised, told family friends and eventually her father found out. Nine days later, on August 21, 1990, she recorded a statement before the then DG of Haryana, R.R. Singh.

That should have been enough to finish off Rathore’s career. Instead, it finished off Ruchika — and eventually, nearly finished off her family.

Rathore contacted Ruchika’s father and said that if she did not withdraw the complaint, he would destroy the family. He proved as good as his word. When the complaint was not withdrawn, he sent policemen to Ruchika’s house to threaten the family. They would be thrown out of the house and arrested, they were told.

Then, goondas began turning up at night and throwing stones at the house. During the day, they would scream filthy abuse at Ruchika. The family could not complain because the goondas appeared to have police protection. Next, false cases of auto-theft were registered against Ashu, Ruchika’s brother.

When the family still did not buckle under, Ruchika was thrown out of one of Chandigarh’s top schools where she had studied since she was a child — and where Rathore’s daughter was also a student. She had to give up tennis, her great passion. She began to live like a prisoner in her house.

Then, the police arrested Ashu and began torturing him. He was beaten up again and again, often in the presence of Rathore who threatened him even as his policemen tortured the boy.

In October, 1993, Ashu was picked up by the police and according to his own statement, was handcuffed and paraded around the neighbourhood. “The police officers were abusing my sister and father. I was like an animal in a cage…my father begged the police to be afraid of God and not to inflict this torture on me.”

Ashu was beaten up again in jail. He was denied food and water. When eventually, he was released on December 23, 1993, he had another shock waiting for him.

Unable to live this way, Ruchika had committed suicide.

The false cases against Ashu were thrown out by the courts. But the family’s torture did not end there. When Ruchika’s father tried to get justice for his dead daughter, he was threatened again and driven out of his home. He went underground to avoid a vengeful Rathore and spent several years in Himachal. But thanks to his courage and the bravery of his friend Anand Prakash, and his daughter Aradhana, the case of molestation against Rathore remained alive.

A few days ago, nearly two decades after the incident had occurred, a court finally held Rathore guilty. He was sentenced to a mere six months in jail and walked out of the courtroom smirking.

Anybody who saw Ruchika’s father on TV will sympathise with the grief and helplessness of a good man who has lost nearly everything. And I can entirely understand why so many people feel the urge to pick up a gun and see that vigilante justice is done at once, given that the system has failed. (Though, of course, this would be wrong, etc. etc.)

But it’s not enough to be angry. We need to focus on the lessons of this sad and tragic tale.

First of all, why did Rathore get away with the molestation in 1990 when Ruchika filed a complaint before the then DGP, R.R. Singh?

It was because he was close to Haryana politicians. R.R. Singh now says that political pressure ensured that no action was taken. The then Home Secretary also says that he was unable to move against Rathore because of political pressure.

Ruchika’s father says that the politician in question was O.P. Chautala. Of course Chautala denies this and his supporters blame other politicians. But nobody denies that Ruchika died because politicians protected Rathore.

What does this say about our system? It has become a knee-jerk reaction for the middle class to blame politicians for everything. But the truth is that politicians can only function if officials help them.

The real problem is not that politicians are venal but that members of the educated middle class — IAS and IPS officers — either help them in return for protection and advancement (as Rathore clearly did) or refuse to speak out when injustice is committed. It is all very well for various Haryana officials to now blame politicians. But where were they when Ashu was being tortured? Where were they when Ruchika was driven to suicide?

Secondly, why is the judicial system so slow and infirm? Even if we accept that the police were unwilling to file charges or take action, the case did eventually go to court. Even then, it took till 2009 for Ruchika’s father to achieve any kind of justice — however inadequate — for his daughter. If the legal system had moved faster, Ruchika’s father would not have been forced to go underground and his family would not have been destroyed.

Lawyers will tell you that everybody knows what needs to be done to fix the judicial system: more courts, more judges etc.

But no government does it. No electorate demands it. It never becomes an issue. And millions are denied justice in India every day.

Thirdly, the reason we are so angry about the Ruchika case is because we can see her father on TV and hear his story. But let’s not forget that each year there are thousands of Ruchikas. India’s policemen, officials and politicians mistreat, torture, molest, rob and rape poor people all the time. Because the victims are not middle-class, we never get to hear of these cases.

Look at it logically. If Rathore could destroy a respectable, middle-class family, how do you suppose he would treat a poor, helpless family? And do you really believe that Ruchika was the first girl he molested? How many other cases have gone unreported because the parents did not have the guts or the resources to fight for justice?

So, let’s punish Rathore.

But let’s not stop there. Let’s find the cops who tortured Ashu. They knew what they were doing. They should be, first, thrown out of service and then should face legal proceedings. If cops feel that there is no accountability — which, frankly, there isn’t — they will continue to harass and torture citizens. It is time the present Chief Minister of Haryana took a stand to make up for the sins of his fellow politicians.

And as for us, in the middle class and media, I am sure our pressure will yield results. But we need to go beyond our class and our interests. Millions of Indians face injustice that is even worse.

It is our duty to fight for them, as well.

Khloe Kardashian To Wear Ugly Clothing

2009-12-27T23:37:00.000-08:00

Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian hides her baby bump with a belt-print (why?) loose-fitting top as she leaves the CW studios in New York after making a guest appearance on the PIX 11 Morning News show.

Her sister Khloe Kardashian seems to have also been afflicted by the ugly fashion bug with her zebra patterned outfit.

Khloe Kardashian: Scott Has Changed

2009-12-27T23:35:00.000-08:00

In light of 's pregnancy, Scott Disick, 25, has changed, says her sister Khloe.
Though the couple split in February after she suspected him of cheating, "he's always been obsessed with Kourtney," Khloe told Usmagzine.com Sunday at a pool party at Wet Republic in Las Vegas to promote their new E! show Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami.
These days, "he's more – well, I don't know if a man can be maternal, but he's definitely becoming more maternal," Khloe added. ("Paternal," Kourtney, 30, corrected her.)

Khloe Pregnant khloe kardashian pregnant

2009-12-27T23:30:00.000-08:00

Following the September 2009 announcement that reality star Khloe Kardashian was engaged to professional basketball player Lamar Odom, many speculated if Kardashian may be pregnant.

During previews for the December 27, 2009, episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian tells their mother, Kris Jenner, that Khloe is pregnant. The claim has not been confirmed by representatives for Khloe Kardashian or Lamar Odom.

Kardashian and Odom reportedly dated for just over a month before wedding on September 27, 2009. Khloe's sister Kourtney Kardashain welcomed her first child, Mason Dash Disick, on December 14, 2009, with boyfriend Scott Disick.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Policy Analysis

2009-12-27T22:31:00.001-08:00

Policy Theory:

It an elite theory model as both nationally and internationally the people who wanted the conservation, sustainable use and equitable distribution of benefits of biological diversity actually tried to sensitized the masses and government to this issue and hence made the government to come up with this policy.

Policy Statements:

To solve issues which came up on their agenda they decided to take following measures:

1. Approval of Indian Government is needed for transfer of Indian genetic material outside the country and anyone claiming an Intellectual Property Right (IPR), such as a patent, over biodiversity or related knowledge.

2. Other than local communities all Indian nationals were regulated for collection and use of biodiversity.

3. Measures for sharing of benefits from the use of biodiversity, including transfer of technology, monetary returns, joint Research & Development, joint IPR ownership, etc.;

4. Measures to conserve and sustainably use biological resources, including habitat and species protection, environmental impact assessments (EIAs) of projects, integration of biodiversity into the plans, programmes, and policies of various departments/sectors;

5. Provisions for local communities to have a say in the use of their resources and knowledge, and to charge fees for this;

6. Protection of indigenous or traditional knowledge, through appropriate laws or other measures such as registration of such knowledge;

7. Regulation of the use of genetically modified organisms;

8. Setting up of National, State, and Local Biodiversity Funds, to be used to support conservation and benefit-sharing;

9. Setting up of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at local village level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) at state level, and a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

Policy Analysis:

The Bill has received some adverse comments. For instance, the Bill differentiates between domestic companies and the MNCs, although the provisions of TRIPS demand that MNCs be treated at par with domestic companies. The Bill may also adversely affect research, because the researchers from abroad may need approval of NBA and the domestic researchers may need to register with SSB for using the biological resources for research purposes. Several NGOs also criticized the Bill for keeping agro biodiversity outside the purview of the Bill. Further, the Bill does not seem to have an overall riding effect on the existing laws on wildlife and forests, and it is not clear which law will prevail, in case of a dispute.

Policy Advocacy:

It has been recommended that the current law need to have clear and stringent rules for it to be strong enough to have some real impact.

In addition, it is demanded to amend the law or make provisions or exemptions in the law for biodiversity research because the cost and time to get permits is very prohibitive and many amateur, self-financed researchers might not be able to carry on with their research.

Conclusion:

It can be seen that although bill aimed at important issues, the fulfillment of the goals can be a problem if the weaknesses pointed out are not sorted out quickly. Since, then it will be just like any other environmental bill that creates no impact in society just because it cannot sort the criticisms which it gives rise to.

Policy Model of The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

2009-12-27T22:30:00.000-08:00

This act follows an incremental model as already certain Acts [like Indian Forest Act, 1927; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980] had been in place, which directly or indirectly tried to serve the goals of Biodiversity Act, 2002.

For example, India Forest Act and Forest (Conservation) Act deal with management of forests and conservation of forestland respectively. Wildlife (Protection) Act is for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants, and basically aims at protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environs through national parks, sanctuaries etc. In addition, the Act has a provision to prohibit picking etc. of specified plants.

However, they leave out certain leave out certain things like:

1) Wild flora outside the notified sanctuaries and National parks (many of which located outside forest areas including deserts, coastal and marine systems, grasslands, riverine systems, wetlands)

2) Although, the act provides for protection of a number wild animals which are included in Schedules, it leaves out a large number of invertebrates (out of the 81,000 animal species so far described from the country about 68,000 are invertebrates) and micro organisms.

The Act also does not deal with the following:

- Issue of access to biological resources and benefit sharing

- Protection of traditional knowledge and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of such knowledge.

The Biodiversity Act, 2002 covers the above things, which were missed out of the previous rules. Therefore, this act is just the continuation of the past government policies with some incremental modifications to include the new demands created by different groups at both national and international level.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002:Policy Issue

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It is mainly a regulatory policy as it aims to regulate the use biological diversity for conservation, sustainable use and equitable distribution of benefits of biological diversity.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Agenda Setting

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The issues on which they decided to decide were the conservation of biodiversity; the sustainable use of biological resources and equity in sharing benefits from such use of resources.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Policy demand

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This bill was created due to both the internal demand of India and of an external demand. India is a party to the convention on Biological Diversity (1992), whose main objectives are:

a) Conservation of biological diversity

b) Sustainable use of its components

c) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of utilization of genetic resources.

Now, for the fulfillment of the objectives of convention on Biological Diversity (1992), India decided to set up its national level act for protection of biodiversity of India as The United Nations Conventions of Biological Diversity, 1992 reaffirmed the sovereign rights of the States over their biological resources.

Internally, such bill was demanded by two NGOs -- Forum for Biotechnology & Food Security, and Gene Campaign.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

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Although, land area of the India is 2.5%, it accounts for 7-8% of total recorded species in the world, which makes it one of the 12-mega biodiversity countries of the world. Now, biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources and the ecological complexes of which they are part and includes diversity within species or between species and of eco-systems. Now for managing this biodiversity, an act was created by the name of "The Biological Diversity Act, 2002".

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 Analysis

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The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, is a key piece of forest legislation passed in India on December 18, 2006. It has also been called the "Forest Rights Act", the "Tribal Rights Act", the "Tribal Bill", and the "Tribal Land Act." The law concerns

Policy Demand:

This bill was created due to demand from the forest dwellers. The main reason they created such a demand because the rights to land and other resources were denied to them over decades because of the forest laws like the Indian Forest Act, 1927; Forest Conservation Act 1980 and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in India.

Challenges Faced:

The act had faced stiff opposition from two quarters. First, a few environmentalists advocated management of forest, wildlife and other bio-diversity with complete exclusion of tribal people, local communities or forest dwellers contrary to the Rio Declaration, decisions of the Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity and recommendations of the United Nations Forum on Forest. The poaching of the tigers in the Sariska sanctuary provided much needed excuse.

Second, the Ministry of Environment and Forest had opposed the Bill on the ground that implementation of the bill will result in the depletion of the country's forest cover by 16 per cent. This is despite the fact that over 60% of the country's forest cover is found in 187 tribal districts where less than 8% of national population lives. This reflects the culture of the tribal peoples to conserve forest. On the other hand, the Ministry of Environment and Forest has diverted 73% (9.81 lakh hectares of forestland) of the total encroached areas for non-forest activities such as industrial.

Opportunities Gained:

This act had the opportunity to give:

1) Community Rights or rights over common property resources of the communities in addition to their individual rights

2) Rights of settlement and conversion of all forest villages, old habitation, unsurveyed villages and other villages in forests into revenue villages

3) Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource, which the communities have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.

4) Right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity

5) Rights of displaced communities

6) Rights over developmental activities

Agenda Setting:

The issue on which they decided to decide was to undo the historical injustices suffered by tribal communities due to the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (the ‘WPA’) and the Forest Conservation Act 1980 (the ‘FCA’), which identified environmental protection and recognition of the rights of tribal communities as mutually irreconcilable objectives.

Objective of the Act:

This Act is expected to:

- To empower and strengthen the local self governance

- To address the livelihood security of the people, leading to poverty alleviation and pro poor growth

- To address the issues of Conservation and management of the Natural Resources and conservation governance of India.

Policy Issue:

It is a distributive policy as it aims to distribute the forestland and its resources among the forest dwellers.

Policy Model:

This act follows a rational policy model. This can be seen from the fact that it tried to consider the maximal societal gain. They decided to give the rights of forest dwellers (beneficiary) back to them, which is the crucial and fundamental decision. The cost is negligible as compared to benefits since the main cost assumed in this case is deforestation but the statistics show that 60% of India’s forests cover lies in the tribal districts.

Policy Theory:

It is a group theory model. Since, the people (Forest dwellers) whose rights over forestland and other resources were denied came together to get their rights back by making demands on government and other groups like environmentalists, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, etc.

Policy Statements:

To solve issues which came up on their agenda they decided to take following measures:

1) Area of Forest Land to be distributed

2) Cut-off Date for Recognition of the Right

3) Right of ownership and access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce (which includes all non-timber forest produce of plant origin), which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries, even in protected areas

4) The right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which communities have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use

5) The right to access bio-diversity and the community right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to forest biodiversity and cultural diversity

6) The right to in situ rehabilitation including alternative land in cases where the Scheduled Tribes (STs) or other traditional forest dwellers have been illegally evicted or displaced from forestland without receiving their legal entitlement to rehabilitation

7) Gram Sabha with the sole authority and responsibility for settling forest rights

8) To setup various committees by the state government to approve or reject the rights proposed by Gram Sabha

9) Establishment of critical wildlife habitats

Policy Output:

The demand letters of the persons demanding the right on forest land are verified by the Forests Right Committee of the respective districts. In addition, collectors were instructed to give top priority to the distribution of Forest Rights letter on the time-based programme.

The Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests will consult expert committees to declare Critical Wildlife Habitats (these are the habitats where human activity will not be allowed.)

Policy Analysis:

The Bill has received some adverse comments. For instance, it defined traditional forest dwellers as those who “primarily reside IN the forest”. The fact of the matter is that most “forest dwellers” do not strictly dwell inside the forests, living on forestland – they live on the fringes of forests, but are heavily dependent on the forestland and resources for their livelihood. The Act therefore excludes them – and an estimated 90 per cent of forest dwellers are likely to be kept from availing benefits of the Act.

In addition, instead of gram sabhas being in charge of settling land rights, with the forest department being nowhere in the picture, the Act now mandates that Panchayati Raj officials (sarpanchas etc.) would be part of the process along with officials of the forest department. This is a significant dilution of community control originally envisaged.

Although, forest dwellers will be provided land rights, they might still not be able to exercise their right over their land – since this right will be subject to the provisions of the Indian Forest Act.

It has been claimed that distribution of land is a matter, which is within the exclusive legislative competence of state governments and therefore, the Parliament cannot distribute land by enacting this legislation.

Policy Advocacy:

It is recommended to ensure genuine tribal assertion and tribal participation in decision making, for Act to be effective.

Conclusion:

Although, this act is very crucial for forest dwellers, it has several loopholes, which will only have negative impact on the environment along with denial of rights to forest dwellers in long term.

The Seeds Bill, 2004 Analysis

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The Seeds Bill, 2004, is a bill introduced by UPA government of India to regulate the quality of seeds sold to Indian farmers.

Agenda Setting:

The issue on which they decided to decide was to regulate the seed market and ensure seeds of "quality"

Policy Issue:

It is a regulatory policy as it aims to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials to ensure availability of quality seeds to the farmers and to curb sale of spurious and poor quality seeds.

Policy Model:

This act follows an incremental policy model. This is because this bill is created to fix the deficiencies of the 1966, Seeds Act. For example:

- To make the registration of varieties obligatory (previously voluntary)

- Creation of a comprehensive National Register of Seeds

- To regulate (make easier) the imports and exports of seeds

- New regulations on GM crops

- To improve market conditions for private seed companies

Policy Theory:

It is an elite theory model. Since, the people in the power like UPA government, big multinational seed companies, were the main proponents of this bill while this bill is not supported by the masses.

Policy Statements:

To solve issues which came up on their agenda they decided that the Central Seed Committee shall be responsible for and shall have all the powers for the effective implementation of this Act and shall advise the Central Government and the State Governments on matters relating to-:

(a) Seed programming and planning;

(b) Seed development and production;

(d) Standards for registration, certification and seed testing;

(e) Seed registration and its enforcement

Policy Analysis:

The Bill has received some adverse comments. The most important criticism it has faced is that it biased towards big multinational seed companies. For example,

- Bill does not allow peasants to sells their seeds unless there seeds are registered (this is an indirect control of traditional seed exchange practices that has been the culture of the country for thousands of years.),

- Seed companies will not be prosecuted if their seeds fail (this may allow the big MNC firms to escape punishment even if their GM seeds contaminate the surrounding crops or fail to produce desired result if it is able to prove that it exercised all due diligence to prevent commission of such offence.) ,

- Certification and testing of seeds by private companies and institutions even outside the country (this considered the mockery of the seed certification mechanisms being talked about as private companies might setup such accredit institutions to certify their own seeds), etc

Another criticism, which has been pointed out is that there will be a more easy inflow of GM seeds in the Indian agriculture despite the fact that such seeds have been facing stiff opposition in European countries.

However, such issues are the biggest obstacles for the bill to get accepted by the people.

Policy Advocacy:

Some of the recommendations given were:

- It is mainly recommended to acknowledge the farmer’s right to exchange unbranded seeds among themselves.

- The Plant Varieties Protection & Farmers’ Rights (PVP&FR) Act 2001 should be made operative first, before implementing the proposed Bill and the Seeds Bill, 2004 should not undermine the provisions of PVP&FR Act.

- Thirdly, farmers should be exempted from any norms for saving and exchanging unbranded seeds.

- The law should strengthen the integrated growth of farmers and seed systems so that every farmer has access to quality planting materials at reasonable prices. In addition, the proposed Central Seed Committee should be given adequate powers to regulate seed prices.

- The new law should not undermine the existing procedure for assessment and release of GM seeds.

Conclusion:

Although, this bill is very crucial as it deals with agriculture sector of

India

, it has several loopholes, which need to sort out before it is being passed.

National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill, 2008 draft Analysis

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The National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill, 2008 draft, is essential for generating the necessary public, political, professional and commercial confidence in the science based regulatory mechanism in place in the country. It is aimed at providing a professionally managed single window mechanism for giving various clearances including bio-safety issues. However, separate divisions for agriculture products/transgenic crops, pharmaceuticals/drugs and industrial products; and transgenic food/feed and transgenic animal/aqua culture. The authority is to be governed by an independent administrative structure with common chairman.

Policy Demand:

This bill was created due to demand to have a single biotechnology regulatory authority to facilitate a more uniform and consistent approach to address the safety of biotechnology products and processes in a scientific and transparent manner.

Opportunities Gained:

This bill gives the opportunity:

- To develop modern biotechnology in a responsible way in harmony with ecological and ethical values and goals

- To safeguard the health and safety of the people of India and protect the environment through regulating the safe development and deployment of biotechnology products and processes

- To promote the safe and responsible use of biotechnology by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of regulatory procedures and through the provision of the requisite services, infrastructure and enabling resources

- Consolidation of regulatory policies, rules and services under a single biotechnology regulatory authority to facilitate a more uniform and consistent approach to address the safety of biotechnology products and processes in a scientific and transparent manner

Agenda Setting:

The issue on which they decided to decide was to regulate the research, manufacture, importation and use of products of modern biotechnology through a single regulatory authority.

Policy Issue:

It is a regulatory policy as it aims to regulate the research, manufacture, importation and use of products of modern biotechnology.

Policy Model:

This bill follows an incremental policy model. This can be seen from the fact that several other acts are there to regulate different products and processes of biotechnology. For example:- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is involved in regulating genetically modified cells or organisms for the manufacture, use, import, export & storage. Recombinant biologics manufacture, use, import, export & storage is regulated by The Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2007. Similarly, many other bills regulate different biotechnology products and processes.

However, the major drawback of all the bills or acts was that no one bill could regulate all biotechnology products and hence increase the complexity of clearance of biotechnology products and processes. The new National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill, 2008 draft, resolves this drawback.

Policy Theory:

It is an elite theory model. Firstly, the proponents of the bill are wealthy (which can be linked to the ability to corrupt officials). Secondly, they have access to the officials even through the formal channel. The proponents are mainly the big biotechnology companies like Monsanto, etc.

Policy Statements:

To solve issues which came up on their agenda they decided:

(a) To take measures to regulate the importation, containment and environmental release of genetically engineered organisms into India;

(b) To take measures to regulate clinical studies of genetically engineered organisms and derived medicines in India;

(c) To take measures to regulate the use of genetically engineered organisms and products derived thereof as, or in, food and use in human or animal health, agriculture or other applications in India;

(d) To set procedures and standards in relation to the accreditation and notification of facilities undertaking research with genetically engineered organisms;

(e) To determine the amounts of fees and other charges payable under this Act; and

(f) To take any other measures for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(g) To provide scientific advice and technical support to the Central Government and the State Governments in matters of framing the policy and rules in areas which have a direct or indirect bearing on the safety of modern biotechnology products and processes regulated under this Act;

(h) To serve as the national point of contact for international activities related to establishing and implementing policies that impact the regulation of biotechnology and will monitor, review and analyze national and international policies that may affect Government of India priorities for the biotechnology sector;

(i) To develop and implement guidelines for risk assessment methodologies and monitor and conduct and forward messages about the safety of modern biotechnology products and processes to the Central Government and State Governments;

(j) To provide scientific and technical advice and assistance to the Central Government and the State Governments in implementation of crisis management procedures with regard to the safety of modern biotechnology products and processes;

(k) To establish a network of organizations with the aim to facilitate scientific co-operation through the co-ordination of activities, the exchange of information, the development and implementation of joint projects, the exchange of expertise and best practices in the fields within the Authority's responsibility;

(l) To ensure that the process and criteria for risk assessment and risk management are easily accessible so that product developers, stakeholders, and the public can be confident that the biotechnology regulatory system is both credible and predictable;

(m) To be responsible for notifying the public of all applications for field and clinical trials and of all regulatory decisions made by the Authority;

(n) To implement public outreach programs to inform the public about the mandate and programs of the Authority;

(o) To commit to a process of continual quality improvement and professional development in all programs and operations to ensure that its scientific, risk assessment and risk management capacity remains current and consistent with the best practices internationally;

(p) To provide training opportunities for state-level personnel who are tasked with responsibilities related to the regulation of biotechnology as well as other stakeholders where capacity building needs have been identified;

(q) To undertake any other task assigned to it by the Central Government to carry out the objects of this Act;

(r) To contribute to the development of international technical standards for the safety assessment of biotechnology products and processes;

(s) To serve as the national point of co-ordination for work on standards and guidance related to the regulation of biotechnology products and processes undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations; and

(t) To promote consistency between international technical standards and domestic standards related to the regulation of biotechnology products and processes while ensuring that the level of protection adopted in the country is not reduced

Policy Analysis:

Several challenges have been created after policy analysis. The Bill has received some adverse comments. First of all, the bill is “National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill, 2008” but when declared in policy it clearly states that it aims to regulate modern biotechnology in which also they have included only the genetic engineering whose products or processes it is going to regulate(other methods involved in biotechnology are haploid culturing, sterile plant generation, etc by mutagenesis). This makes the title too broad as compared to the objectives of the bill.

Secondly, it is good that central government has tried to setup a centralized authority to regulate modern biotechnology as this will enable better mobility of application forms and less problems for the applicant but, it has ignored the role of state governments in whose territory all the applications of modern biotechnology is going to take place. In case if any accident takes place for example, contamination of non-GMO farms due to nearby GMO farms, then how will National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India is going to compensate for such losses suffered by state (due to damage of its environment) and the farmer whose farm has suffered. Since, just levying fine on the guilty cannot solve the problem.

Finally, the use of term international standards is very much vague as all countries have their own policies and hence which country policy are they referring to. For example, will they follow the European Union, which requires labelling of GM food, or the U.S. which, for all practical purposes, has no regulation of GMOs?

Policy Advocacy:

It is recommended to solve the various issues created during policy analysis before passing the bill.

Conclusion:

Although, this bill is very crucial keeping future biotechnology in India in mind, it has several loopholes, which can have serious implications on the environment and the biodiversity of India.