Yesterday's verdict on Sanjay Dutt's plea for clemency reveals that 'no one is above the law' not even a 'celebrity'.
In sentencing the actor to six years R.I.Judge P.D. Kode restored the balance with a firm hand. It would have been a travesty of justice had he extended the benefit of the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act to a celebrity given the serious nature of the offence. Mr. Dutt's contention that he was in possession of the arms for self-defence lacked credibility. Why would anyone need to stash away three Ak 56 assault rifles, hand grenades and magazines to protect oneself? It is clear that Mr. Dutt had no foreknowledge of the conspiracy to bomb Mumbai. But to paint him as a totally naive and misled innocent flies in the face of the facts-for instance his 1993 meeting with gangster and fellow-accused Abu Salem and his acceptance of arms and ammunition on the acceptance of arms and ammunition on th e instruction of Anees , Dawood Ibrahim's brother, Mr. Kode ob served when convicting him, he is 'not a terrorist' involved in the conspiracy to carry out India's worst ever terrorist attack. But it is important to remember that the law claims to be abov e all and makes no distinction between celebrity and commoner.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
..............Of our Cricketing maestros
29 men have led India in Tests since the inaugural one in 1932. Some of their names remain imprinted in the annals of history and some of the others hav e caved in to cover themselves in ignominy and defeat.
The honor of being India's first Test captain could not have gone to a better cricketer. C.K.Nayadu was a legend inside out and the ultimate cricketing personality. His was an aggressive brand of leadership.
The next one to come was 'Vizzy'. There is no doubt that Vizzy was India's worst-ever Test cricketer and captain.
The Bombay opener was a front-runner for the captaincy on the eve of India's next Test series a decade later. However, he was pipped at the post by Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi.
Lala Amarnath succeeded Pataudi as India's captain when he took the India team to Australia in
!947-48. He was a gifted batsman.
Vijay Hazare had the distinction of leading India to our first-ever Test win, against the English tourists at Madras in 1951-52.
Two brief stints by D.K. Gaekwad and G.S.Ramchand were followed by the appointment of Nari Contractor for the 1960-61 series against Pakistan. He led India to our first series win over Ted
Dexter 's visiting side in 1961-62.
Tiger Pataudi was India's best captain.
Tiger's two stints as captain were interspersed with Ajit Wadekar's reign. Ajit did a wonderful job in th e hot seat. He read the game well and was an astute thinker as was Sunil Gavaskar. His leadership in the World Championship of Cricket in Australia in 1985 was outstanding. Kapil Dev who won the 1983 World Cup for India, was an inspirational cricketer.
The next captain to be given a long run was Mohammed Azharuddin. He was a brilliant batsman and fielder. Rahul Dravid, the current incumbent is doing a fine job and has it in him to become one of India's best.
Sourav Ganguly, too, was and is a good reader of the game. And he had his share of luck as captain.
A profile of India's worthy captains leading industrious athletes to victory gives us an insight into the contours of the most popular game in our country.
The honor of being India's first Test captain could not have gone to a better cricketer. C.K.Nayadu was a legend inside out and the ultimate cricketing personality. His was an aggressive brand of leadership.
The next one to come was 'Vizzy'. There is no doubt that Vizzy was India's worst-ever Test cricketer and captain.
The Bombay opener was a front-runner for the captaincy on the eve of India's next Test series a decade later. However, he was pipped at the post by Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi.
Lala Amarnath succeeded Pataudi as India's captain when he took the India team to Australia in
!947-48. He was a gifted batsman.
Vijay Hazare had the distinction of leading India to our first-ever Test win, against the English tourists at Madras in 1951-52.
Two brief stints by D.K. Gaekwad and G.S.Ramchand were followed by the appointment of Nari Contractor for the 1960-61 series against Pakistan. He led India to our first series win over Ted
Dexter 's visiting side in 1961-62.
Tiger Pataudi was India's best captain.
Tiger's two stints as captain were interspersed with Ajit Wadekar's reign. Ajit did a wonderful job in th e hot seat. He read the game well and was an astute thinker as was Sunil Gavaskar. His leadership in the World Championship of Cricket in Australia in 1985 was outstanding. Kapil Dev who won the 1983 World Cup for India, was an inspirational cricketer.
The next captain to be given a long run was Mohammed Azharuddin. He was a brilliant batsman and fielder. Rahul Dravid, the current incumbent is doing a fine job and has it in him to become one of India's best.
Sourav Ganguly, too, was and is a good reader of the game. And he had his share of luck as captain.
A profile of India's worthy captains leading industrious athletes to victory gives us an insight into the contours of the most popular game in our country.
Monday, July 30, 2007
A probe to fight global warming
Scientists unveiled a new weapon in the battle against global warming :a 10ft. torpedo-shaped probe that will swoop over the atmosphere to measure Earth's gravity with unprecedented accuracy.
The Gravity and Ocean Circulation Explorer, or Goce has been dubbed the Ferrari of space probes because of its elegant design and will be launched early next year on a Russian SS-19 missile. Scientists say its data on Earth's gravitational field will be vital in understanding how ocean currents react to the heating of our planet over the next few decades.
'Gravity is the force that drives the circulation of the oceans', said Dr. Mark Drinkwater, Goce's project scientist. 'Until we understand its exact role we cannot predict ho w the seas and planet will behave as the climate gets warmer. That is why Goce is being launched'.
Ocean currents take a third of all the heat that falls on equatorial regions and carries it to higher latitudes. One of the most important is the Gulf Stream, which scientists fear could soon be destroyed or diverted by melting Arctic ice. But they need to know all the gravitational effects that influence the stream's course across the Atlantic before they can make accurate predictions.
The problem is that Earth's gravity is not constant. The planet is flattened at the poles, so gravity is stronger there and weaker at the equator. 'There are all sorts of wiggles and bumps in Earth's gravity field' said Dr. Chris Hughes of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in Liverpool.
"Each will influence ocean currents, which hava a crucial role in moving heat around the world. If we are to understand how climate change is going to affect the planet, we have to have a precise picture of it s gravity field.
Goce which will cost the European Space Agency $200m to build and launch has been put together by Thales Alemia Space India. And while most satellites are simply boxes with instruments bolted on, Goce is sleek and elegant , last week it was described by project manager Andrea Allasio as the 'Ferrari of space probes'. Covered with silver-blue solar cells, it must fly low because it could not measure Earth's gravity with sufficient accuracy in deep space.
The Gravity and Ocean Circulation Explorer, or Goce has been dubbed the Ferrari of space probes because of its elegant design and will be launched early next year on a Russian SS-19 missile. Scientists say its data on Earth's gravitational field will be vital in understanding how ocean currents react to the heating of our planet over the next few decades.
'Gravity is the force that drives the circulation of the oceans', said Dr. Mark Drinkwater, Goce's project scientist. 'Until we understand its exact role we cannot predict ho w the seas and planet will behave as the climate gets warmer. That is why Goce is being launched'.
Ocean currents take a third of all the heat that falls on equatorial regions and carries it to higher latitudes. One of the most important is the Gulf Stream, which scientists fear could soon be destroyed or diverted by melting Arctic ice. But they need to know all the gravitational effects that influence the stream's course across the Atlantic before they can make accurate predictions.
The problem is that Earth's gravity is not constant. The planet is flattened at the poles, so gravity is stronger there and weaker at the equator. 'There are all sorts of wiggles and bumps in Earth's gravity field' said Dr. Chris Hughes of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in Liverpool.
"Each will influence ocean currents, which hava a crucial role in moving heat around the world. If we are to understand how climate change is going to affect the planet, we have to have a precise picture of it s gravity field.
Goce which will cost the European Space Agency $200m to build and launch has been put together by Thales Alemia Space India. And while most satellites are simply boxes with instruments bolted on, Goce is sleek and elegant , last week it was described by project manager Andrea Allasio as the 'Ferrari of space probes'. Covered with silver-blue solar cells, it must fly low because it could not measure Earth's gravity with sufficient accuracy in deep space.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wild Hogs
Adventure, action, comedy, rollicking frolics.......... you see it all in Wild Hogs.
A foursome on bikes, their encounter with the erratic, the zany and naughty escapades like getting away with murder......... Slapping a bull on its hind and fleeing for one's life makes for enjoyable stuff.
Swimming naked and being caught red-handed by a picknicking family set the audience to side-splitting laughter.
John Travoltla, the most sought-after actor of yester-years is unrecognisable in the mentioned film.
The four chum up and come unscathed and clean in the end.
Travolta is broke. Allen's son finds him dull and boring. Lawrence is totally hen-pecked and Macy is tongue-tied before women. And when the foursome get mixed up with a biker's gang and a gay cop, while finding their balance, there can only be chaos unlimited.
A foursome on bikes, their encounter with the erratic, the zany and naughty escapades like getting away with murder......... Slapping a bull on its hind and fleeing for one's life makes for enjoyable stuff.
Swimming naked and being caught red-handed by a picknicking family set the audience to side-splitting laughter.
John Travoltla, the most sought-after actor of yester-years is unrecognisable in the mentioned film.
The four chum up and come unscathed and clean in the end.
Travolta is broke. Allen's son finds him dull and boring. Lawrence is totally hen-pecked and Macy is tongue-tied before women. And when the foursome get mixed up with a biker's gang and a gay cop, while finding their balance, there can only be chaos unlimited.
Friday, July 27, 2007
An unusual skill
Record-busting antics are all too common. Round the world in 65 days, whiz-kids, Cycling round the globe, record-breaking stay in outer space............. we've heard them all.
Ashok from Viluppuram in Tamil Nadu demonstrates a new feat.
He can break a glass into pieces, put them into his mouth, powder it with his teeth and swallow it with occasional gulps of water.
Mud, stones, snakes, scorpions ..............name it and he can eat it, he claims. Batteries, tyres, gun powder, cement, tubelights. He has even drunk petrol, diesel, turpentine and paint.
And if a world record comes his way, he will only be happy.
Ashok from Viluppuram in Tamil Nadu demonstrates a new feat.
He can break a glass into pieces, put them into his mouth, powder it with his teeth and swallow it with occasional gulps of water.
Mud, stones, snakes, scorpions ..............name it and he can eat it, he claims. Batteries, tyres, gun powder, cement, tubelights. He has even drunk petrol, diesel, turpentine and paint.
And if a world record comes his way, he will only be happy.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Presidency
Presidents have come and gone. In India, the recent President Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam created a stir, being the first scientist- turned- President. And, not but the least he gave a rosy hue to the office. He galvanised the nation with his strident calls to the youth of the country to do the best they can to lead the country towards Vision 2020. His dream is that of making India a developed country by the year 2020.
And, now the country is ready to welcome its first women President to the hallowed interiors of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
On the morning of July 25 2007, as they travel from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan to the Parliament House to hand over the baton to his succcessor, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will sit at the left rear door of the Presidential black Mercedes while the President- Elect Ms. Pratibha Patil will sit on the right side in the same car.
On their return to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan after taking the oath, they will exchange seats, signalling the change of guard atop the Raisina Hills.
There will be no change in the utterance made by the commanding officer before the guard of honor for India's first woman President, as the standard line (rashtrapathi angarakshak salaami denge ) is gender neutral.
In a country where sons are preferred to daughters, the new incumbent has set a precedent uncreated not even in th e most advanced country in th e world, the United States of America.
And, now the country is ready to welcome its first women President to the hallowed interiors of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
On the morning of July 25 2007, as they travel from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan to the Parliament House to hand over the baton to his succcessor, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will sit at the left rear door of the Presidential black Mercedes while the President- Elect Ms. Pratibha Patil will sit on the right side in the same car.
On their return to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan after taking the oath, they will exchange seats, signalling the change of guard atop the Raisina Hills.
There will be no change in the utterance made by the commanding officer before the guard of honor for India's first woman President, as the standard line (rashtrapathi angarakshak salaami denge ) is gender neutral.
In a country where sons are preferred to daughters, the new incumbent has set a precedent uncreated not even in th e most advanced country in th e world, the United States of America.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Mars likened to Moon- false
Mars would come within 88.17 million kilometres of earth on December 18 and not on August 27 as was being circulated on the internet and in no way would the red planet appear as large as the moon.
M.P. Birla planetarium director D.P.Duari discounted reports that there was no reason to believe Mars would look 'as large as the Moon'. He said, Mars was only 25 seconds of arc in diameter and so it never could be like the moon in size.
M.P. Birla planetarium director D.P.Duari discounted reports that there was no reason to believe Mars would look 'as large as the Moon'. He said, Mars was only 25 seconds of arc in diameter and so it never could be like the moon in size.
Monday, July 23, 2007
An endangered species- the lion-tailed macaque
Global warming, world-wide pollution, terrorism and a vanishing breed of animals are the common features of today's world.
In India, the lion-tailed macaque, the second most-endangered primate in the world, is disappearing from the thick forests of the Western Ghats. Destruction of the habitat and poaching hav e made it a rare species.
The lion-tailed macaque has great long dark-grey or brownish grey mane at the temples and cheeks and also it s glossy black coat. It is also found further South in Kerala and Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu in the dense forests of the evergreen tropical belt.
It's noticeable traits are that it is shy and secluded and as a result seldom seen. A gregarious species, the macaque is found in groups of 12 and 20.
The numbers of the lion-tailed macaque hav e come down roughly to 25 from 70 in th e recent past in and around the Bisale forest,close to the Western Ghats, near Sakleshpur.
Poaching is reportedly the main reason for its declining numbers and according to sources poaching camps and watch towers had been set up in th e forests.
In India, the lion-tailed macaque, the second most-endangered primate in the world, is disappearing from the thick forests of the Western Ghats. Destruction of the habitat and poaching hav e made it a rare species.
The lion-tailed macaque has great long dark-grey or brownish grey mane at the temples and cheeks and also it s glossy black coat. It is also found further South in Kerala and Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu in the dense forests of the evergreen tropical belt.
It's noticeable traits are that it is shy and secluded and as a result seldom seen. A gregarious species, the macaque is found in groups of 12 and 20.
The numbers of the lion-tailed macaque hav e come down roughly to 25 from 70 in th e recent past in and around the Bisale forest,close to the Western Ghats, near Sakleshpur.
Poaching is reportedly the main reason for its declining numbers and according to sources poaching camps and watch towers had been set up in th e forests.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Kumari's freedom restricted
Nepal's 'Kumaris' alias 'Living Goddesses' are well-known in the sub-continent. In recent times, a 10-year old Nepali girl once worshipped as a living goddess but stripped of her priveleges this month for going on a foreign junket, has been reinstated with the earlier furore proving to be the proverbial storm in a tea cup.
Sajani Shakya, a fourth-grader from Bhaktapur district, returned home on Wednesday in triumph and went back to he r official residence, the Kumari Ghar, without any indication of change.
Sayani became an international celebrity overnight after her visit to the US to promote a documentary made on he r landed he r in trouble with her temple authorities.
A British filmmaker, Ishbel Whitaker who had made 'Living Goddess' took the schoolgirl to the US where the documentary had been entered for the Silverdocs Film Festival in Maryland.
The Bhaktapur Guti Sanstha learnt she had gone abroad unchaperoned, it said she would be sacked for violating norms.
Upon her arrival, however, the Guthi has softened its stand.
'She returned to her official residence as she was never officially sackedj' it s chief Jay Krishna Reguni said.
Sajani's parents said that they were not aware the Kumaris could not venture abroad. They also say they had informed the temple authorities about Sajani's travel plans.
Sajani Shakya, a fourth-grader from Bhaktapur district, returned home on Wednesday in triumph and went back to he r official residence, the Kumari Ghar, without any indication of change.
Sayani became an international celebrity overnight after her visit to the US to promote a documentary made on he r landed he r in trouble with her temple authorities.
A British filmmaker, Ishbel Whitaker who had made 'Living Goddess' took the schoolgirl to the US where the documentary had been entered for the Silverdocs Film Festival in Maryland.
The Bhaktapur Guti Sanstha learnt she had gone abroad unchaperoned, it said she would be sacked for violating norms.
Upon her arrival, however, the Guthi has softened its stand.
'She returned to her official residence as she was never officially sackedj' it s chief Jay Krishna Reguni said.
Sajani's parents said that they were not aware the Kumaris could not venture abroad. They also say they had informed the temple authorities about Sajani's travel plans.
Friday, July 20, 2007
India records another first
Women in India have always played a pivotal role. Names like Gargi or pious Sita as Rama's queen come to one's mind. Even in modern-day India, women play a vital role in politics. Indira Gandhi,
Sushma Swaraj , Vijaylakshmi Pandit to name a few.
Now, the stage is set for the country to have its first ever woman President in free India.
The process of voting in Presidential elections ended with some surprising developments on Thursday evening, paving the way for the candidate of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Left combine Pratibha Patil to become first citizen of the country.
Dr. Abdul Kalam as President of India set a precedent as dynamic and President with integrity. Pratibha Patil too has promised to be not a rubber-stamp President. We shall hav e to wait and see.
Sushma Swaraj , Vijaylakshmi Pandit to name a few.
Now, the stage is set for the country to have its first ever woman President in free India.
The process of voting in Presidential elections ended with some surprising developments on Thursday evening, paving the way for the candidate of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Left combine Pratibha Patil to become first citizen of the country.
Dr. Abdul Kalam as President of India set a precedent as dynamic and President with integrity. Pratibha Patil too has promised to be not a rubber-stamp President. We shall hav e to wait and see.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Al-Qaida not to be undermined
President Bush's top counter-terrorism advisers acknowledged that the strategy for fighting Osama-Bin-Laden's leadership of al-Qaida in Pakistan had failed.
The intelligence report, the most formal assessment since the September 11 attacks about the terrorist threat facing the US, concludes that the US is losing ground on a number of fronts in the fight against AL-Qaida and describes the terrorist organisation as having significantly strengthened over the past two years.
The report concluded that the US would face a persistent and evolving terrorist threat over the next three years.
The mighty United States of America was humbled in miniscule Vietnam. Perhaps the story will repeat itself in th e modern-day global arena of politics.
The intelligence report, the most formal assessment since the September 11 attacks about the terrorist threat facing the US, concludes that the US is losing ground on a number of fronts in the fight against AL-Qaida and describes the terrorist organisation as having significantly strengthened over the past two years.
The report concluded that the US would face a persistent and evolving terrorist threat over the next three years.
The mighty United States of America was humbled in miniscule Vietnam. Perhaps the story will repeat itself in th e modern-day global arena of politics.
An ever-green Sachin
Columnists may have written him off. The press may doubt him but Sachin time and again, proves his detractors wrong.
The master blaster already has multiple records to his name. He is the leading Test and ODI century-maker has the most runs in one-day cricket and requires only six more to overtake Steve Waugh to come to th e third position on th e list of all-time highest run-scorers in Test cricket.
It's not the riches or th e records but the lov e for th e game that keeps the world's richest cricketer going. Sachin Tendulkar, now in his 18th year in international cricket,says , 'I still play... because I still love th e game.'
Together with Sourav Ganguly, the duo make a match-winning combination.
The master blaster already has multiple records to his name. He is the leading Test and ODI century-maker has the most runs in one-day cricket and requires only six more to overtake Steve Waugh to come to th e third position on th e list of all-time highest run-scorers in Test cricket.
It's not the riches or th e records but the lov e for th e game that keeps the world's richest cricketer going. Sachin Tendulkar, now in his 18th year in international cricket,says , 'I still play... because I still love th e game.'
Together with Sourav Ganguly, the duo make a match-winning combination.
Harry Potter, once again
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth in the row of the Potter novels invites film-lovers and book- worms alike.
What does the movie have in store for us?
Secret societies, lethal spells, wand magic, giants and flying centaurs, abound.
Harry Potter, the orphan ill-treated by his uncle and aunt recieves the much-needed warmth and love from his best friend's family at Hogwarts, the School of Magic.
Lord Voldemort, the dreaded foe or the one-who-cannot-be-named is back and it is upto Harry Potter to send him packing.
How Harry deals with his enemy, the one who killed his parents can be percieved only after watching the film.
A thin audience in Mangalore, nevertheless the movie takes us from one fascinating locale to another.
What does the movie have in store for us?
Secret societies, lethal spells, wand magic, giants and flying centaurs, abound.
Harry Potter, the orphan ill-treated by his uncle and aunt recieves the much-needed warmth and love from his best friend's family at Hogwarts, the School of Magic.
Lord Voldemort, the dreaded foe or the one-who-cannot-be-named is back and it is upto Harry Potter to send him packing.
How Harry deals with his enemy, the one who killed his parents can be percieved only after watching the film.
A thin audience in Mangalore, nevertheless the movie takes us from one fascinating locale to another.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Global warming doesn't spare stalactites
Authorities said on Sunday the ice Shivalingam at the holy shrine of Amarnath melted completely due to rise in temperature.
After achieving a height of 12 feet in early June, the Lingam had shrunk to eight feet. But, on Sunday it was completely melted.
The ice lingam has been melting with great speed for th e past two weeks due to unusual rise in temperature.
After achieving a height of 12 feet in early June, the Lingam had shrunk to eight feet. But, on Sunday it was completely melted.
The ice lingam has been melting with great speed for th e past two weeks due to unusual rise in temperature.
Poaching- the 'deadly' menace in Gir
The 'king of the Jungle' is under threat. In over a month, 10 lions have died of which six were victims of poaching in Gir National Park-the only abode of the Asiatic Lions in the world. Poachers from Katni in Madhya Pradesh who wiped away the tigers in Sariska in Rajasthan are believed to be responsible for these killings.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Gir, set up the Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society. The good news is that, despite the inadequate conservation measures and the increasing cases of poaching the Asiatic Lions are growing in number from 32 in 2001 to 359 in 2005.
Poaching should be severely checked to undo the harm done to these endangered species.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Gir, set up the Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society. The good news is that, despite the inadequate conservation measures and the increasing cases of poaching the Asiatic Lions are growing in number from 32 in 2001 to 359 in 2005.
Poaching should be severely checked to undo the harm done to these endangered species.
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