A group of transgenders staged a demonstration in front of the Government Medical College hospital near Vellore, protesting the "inordinate delay" in conducting sex-change operations.
The transgenders along with volunteers of a social service organisation 'Wheel', shouted slogans in front of the hospital on July 25.
According to the transgenders, the hospital authorities had shortlisted 18 of them as per the recommendation of District Collector Dharmendra Pratap Yadav for sex-change operations, free of cost.
Out of the 18, eight underwent primary tests last month.
They said the hospital staff were keeping them waiting saying that the operation theatres were being made ready for the purpose.
Following the demonstration, the hospital authorities held discussions with the transgenders and assured them that two of them will undergo surgery in the first phase on August 2.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
It happens in China too: Sending dirty jokes, SMSes made punishable offence in China province
Those who send a dirty joke, a suggestive text message, a naughty email to their female colleagues in east China's booming province of Zhejiang will have to think twice as now it is legally a punishable offense.
The Zhejiang provincial legislative body on July 26 passed an amendment to its implementation of the country's law to protect women's rights, stipulating that, from September 1, a woman can file a sexual harassment lawsuit against a man if he oversteps the line in conversation or during on-line chat or via text message.
Those who are found guilty of sexual harassment of women will be punished by police or even held criminally responsible, according to the new regulation.
"Women who feel they are being sexually harassed can report their cases to their employers, public security departments or women federations who should take measures to stop the harassment," it states.
"In recent years, the cases of sending pornographic text messages and pictures via cell phones or the Internet are on rise," said Deng Weixia, a law official with the provincial people's congress.
"Thus the legislature has added the new forms of sexual harassment into the amendment in addition to the traditional form of physical contact," Deng said.
But law experts say there are still difficulties in implementing the law as evidence for sexual harassment is difficult to collect.
"Except for long and frequent sexual harassment, it is impossible for the victims to always have video cameras or recorders on their person, which poses problems for future lawsuits," said lawyer Luo Zhonghong.
The Zhejiang provincial legislative body on July 26 passed an amendment to its implementation of the country's law to protect women's rights, stipulating that, from September 1, a woman can file a sexual harassment lawsuit against a man if he oversteps the line in conversation or during on-line chat or via text message.
Those who are found guilty of sexual harassment of women will be punished by police or even held criminally responsible, according to the new regulation.
"Women who feel they are being sexually harassed can report their cases to their employers, public security departments or women federations who should take measures to stop the harassment," it states.
"In recent years, the cases of sending pornographic text messages and pictures via cell phones or the Internet are on rise," said Deng Weixia, a law official with the provincial people's congress.
"Thus the legislature has added the new forms of sexual harassment into the amendment in addition to the traditional form of physical contact," Deng said.
But law experts say there are still difficulties in implementing the law as evidence for sexual harassment is difficult to collect.
"Except for long and frequent sexual harassment, it is impossible for the victims to always have video cameras or recorders on their person, which poses problems for future lawsuits," said lawyer Luo Zhonghong.
Synthetic village, depicting a 150-year-old village, is coming up in Kolhapur
In order to familiarise today's generation with the traditional Indian rural life, a "synthetic village" depicting a 150-year old village, is being set up near Kolhapur district in Western Maharashtra.
The village, being set up by the Siddhagiri Math, will depict professions like farming, blacksmiths, weaving as they used to exist in those times, a release said today.
It is proposed to be built over 25 acres and seven acres have already been completed, it said, adding Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane and MNS President Raj Thackeray will be inaugrating the village today.
The village, being set up by the Siddhagiri Math, will depict professions like farming, blacksmiths, weaving as they used to exist in those times, a release said today.
It is proposed to be built over 25 acres and seven acres have already been completed, it said, adding Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane and MNS President Raj Thackeray will be inaugrating the village today.
Elephants storm village, 33 houses damaged in attack
At least 33 houses were damaged by an elephant herd at Turturi in Dooars area of Jalpaiguri district triggering panic in the area.
The pachyderms, which strayed into human habitation for the past seven days after dusk, devoured paddy resulting heavy loss to standing crops, official sources said.
The herd damaged 19 houses in the labourer settlement of Chuniajhora Tea Estate alone.
Local villagers alleged the forest department was not pressing its elephant squad to drive away the tuskers despite the depradations becoming regular menace in the area.
Meanwhile, agitated villagers gheraoed the Divisional Forest Officer when he went to Sakoajhara gram panchayat area on Wednesday after a woman was killed and another injured by wild elephant in the locality.
The pachyderms, which strayed into human habitation for the past seven days after dusk, devoured paddy resulting heavy loss to standing crops, official sources said.
The herd damaged 19 houses in the labourer settlement of Chuniajhora Tea Estate alone.
Local villagers alleged the forest department was not pressing its elephant squad to drive away the tuskers despite the depradations becoming regular menace in the area.
Meanwhile, agitated villagers gheraoed the Divisional Forest Officer when he went to Sakoajhara gram panchayat area on Wednesday after a woman was killed and another injured by wild elephant in the locality.
'Dead' man comes alive in UP village, shocks villagers
Kallu Yadav, a man in his late nineties, was perceived dead by his relatives in Bhaisa village of Varanasi district. But, as they were taking his "body" for cremation, he startled them by asking where are they going.
Villagers took Yadav to be dead as his heart and pulse stopped ticking on Tuesday night. Hours after the "death", as he was put on a bier and was being taken to the nearby river bank, the man regained consciousness.
When told by his relatives that he had "died" and was being taken for cremation, Yadav quipped, "kya mujhe zinda jala doge? (Do you want to burn me alive)".
His shaken but elated relatives brought him back home as the news spread like a wildfire in the surrounding villages.
Villagers took Yadav to be dead as his heart and pulse stopped ticking on Tuesday night. Hours after the "death", as he was put on a bier and was being taken to the nearby river bank, the man regained consciousness.
When told by his relatives that he had "died" and was being taken for cremation, Yadav quipped, "kya mujhe zinda jala doge? (Do you want to burn me alive)".
His shaken but elated relatives brought him back home as the news spread like a wildfire in the surrounding villages.
Ex-Army jawan calls judges 'donkeys', faces contempt of court
Frustrated at his long-drawn litigation in the Delhi High Court, an ex-Army jawan used abusive languages against the judges, who promptly reacted by initiating contempt proceeding against him.
"Both the judges are gadhas (donkeys)," shouted Ashok Kumar Sharma in the open court pointing towards Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice S L Bhayana, who were hearing his petition seeking to set aside his dismissal order by the Army.
"Judges have no brains," Sharma added in his remarks against the judges.
Immidiately, the Bench directed the High Court security staff to move Sharma out of the court and issued show-cause notice to him.
"Sharma was charged with contempt of court as he disturbed the functioning of the Court and used derogatory languages with the intention of 'scandalising' and lowering the authority of the Court and also interfering with the administration of justice," the Bench said in an order, which listed the derogatory language used by Sharma.
"Both the judges are gadhas (donkeys)," shouted Ashok Kumar Sharma in the open court pointing towards Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice S L Bhayana, who were hearing his petition seeking to set aside his dismissal order by the Army.
"Judges have no brains," Sharma added in his remarks against the judges.
Immidiately, the Bench directed the High Court security staff to move Sharma out of the court and issued show-cause notice to him.
"Sharma was charged with contempt of court as he disturbed the functioning of the Court and used derogatory languages with the intention of 'scandalising' and lowering the authority of the Court and also interfering with the administration of justice," the Bench said in an order, which listed the derogatory language used by Sharma.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
glittering sonnets in clay
Known for its rich mineral resources and forests this young state is trying to creat a niche for itself in the field of terracota jewellery and pottery thanks to efforts by an all-women NGO.
The initiative by Adhar Mahila Udyog Swavlambi Samiti (AMUSS) to create designer bangles, necklaces, rings as well as pottery by involving women as this predominantely tribal state is yielding results and provinding young women a source of income.
"We knead clay into earthern jewellery which can be worn on any occasion. Even office-goers can try and see it for a change," says Reshma, the prime mover behind the initiative, displaying attractive jewellery made of clay using different hues at her village Bundu, about fifty km from Ranchi.
"This fine art style will also help the jobless become self-dependent," says the 35-year-old sculptor, who completed her master's degree in fine arts from Baroda's Maharaja Sayichirao, and the Bachelor's degree at the famous Shanti Niketan. She also has a Japanese scholarship in art and culture.
The range of products also include ceramic sets and interior designing-throwing a possiblity of a potential market for the self-help group.
"In February, we floated the amuss, and now, we have fifty women learning fine art on-the-job. They are free to choose their working hours," Dutta says.
The initiative by Adhar Mahila Udyog Swavlambi Samiti (AMUSS) to create designer bangles, necklaces, rings as well as pottery by involving women as this predominantely tribal state is yielding results and provinding young women a source of income.
"We knead clay into earthern jewellery which can be worn on any occasion. Even office-goers can try and see it for a change," says Reshma, the prime mover behind the initiative, displaying attractive jewellery made of clay using different hues at her village Bundu, about fifty km from Ranchi.
"This fine art style will also help the jobless become self-dependent," says the 35-year-old sculptor, who completed her master's degree in fine arts from Baroda's Maharaja Sayichirao, and the Bachelor's degree at the famous Shanti Niketan. She also has a Japanese scholarship in art and culture.
The range of products also include ceramic sets and interior designing-throwing a possiblity of a potential market for the self-help group.
"In February, we floated the amuss, and now, we have fifty women learning fine art on-the-job. They are free to choose their working hours," Dutta says.
HC directs CBI to send Chandigarh lawyer to Agra Mental Hospital
In an unusual order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday asked the CBI to get a local lawyer admitted in Agra's Mental Hospital, after taking him into custody, and probe his matrimonial dispute with his wife to ensure fair investigation.
"In view of serious nature of allegations regarding beating and torture of the complainant and her children by the accused (Tahar Singh, Advocate) in a barbaric manner, which only an insane person would do and further that, on enquiry, the Court is given to understand that even in the Bar, his conducts are aggressively violent, this Court is, prima facie, of the opinion, that accused is a worst case of mental disorder," Justice Uma Nath Singh said in his order.
The court directed the CBI SP here "to immediately take Tahar in custody, and take him away from Chandigarh to admit him in the Mental Hospital, Agra, for proper treatment" to ensure the safety of Tahar's wife and her children.
"It is also learnt from the Bar that the accused creates nuisance and commotion wherever he goes, with the help of some anti-social elements, on the strength of some vested interests, who finance him in doing so," the court observed.
CBI was directed to take over the probe of the case "as the accused is a big nuisance in Chandigarh and the police appears to be playing soft in this case, as it has recorded offences only under sections 498-A and 506 of IPC," the court directed, adding, as far as possible, the interrogation of the accused, as directed, should be done only at Delhi or Agra.
The judge directed that the CBI shall use "modern devices during investigation to find out the connections of the petitioner with anti-social elements and the vested interests who are misusing him during this spell of insanity".
"In view of serious nature of allegations regarding beating and torture of the complainant and her children by the accused (Tahar Singh, Advocate) in a barbaric manner, which only an insane person would do and further that, on enquiry, the Court is given to understand that even in the Bar, his conducts are aggressively violent, this Court is, prima facie, of the opinion, that accused is a worst case of mental disorder," Justice Uma Nath Singh said in his order.
The court directed the CBI SP here "to immediately take Tahar in custody, and take him away from Chandigarh to admit him in the Mental Hospital, Agra, for proper treatment" to ensure the safety of Tahar's wife and her children.
"It is also learnt from the Bar that the accused creates nuisance and commotion wherever he goes, with the help of some anti-social elements, on the strength of some vested interests, who finance him in doing so," the court observed.
CBI was directed to take over the probe of the case "as the accused is a big nuisance in Chandigarh and the police appears to be playing soft in this case, as it has recorded offences only under sections 498-A and 506 of IPC," the court directed, adding, as far as possible, the interrogation of the accused, as directed, should be done only at Delhi or Agra.
The judge directed that the CBI shall use "modern devices during investigation to find out the connections of the petitioner with anti-social elements and the vested interests who are misusing him during this spell of insanity".
Groom takes baraat to court in Muzaffarnagar district
In an unusual incident, a man fully dressed as a groom reached the Sub-Divisional magistrate court with "a baraat" to protest against his separation from his under aged beloved, whom he claimed to have married.
Twenty-year-old Deepak had allegedly eloped with a minor girl, and had purportedly married her a month ago in Jansath in Muzaffarnagar district, the police said adding, the couple had appeared before a local court seeking protection in wake of the opposition from their families.
On finding the girl to be a minor, the magistrate sent her to a nari niketan and sent the boy to jail, they said. The girl was later hander over to her parents and the boy was released on bail.
On Monday, Deepak reached the court with the marriage procession, as the girl was scheduled to appear before the court, police said adding a case has been registered against him for creating public nuisance.
Twenty-year-old Deepak had allegedly eloped with a minor girl, and had purportedly married her a month ago in Jansath in Muzaffarnagar district, the police said adding, the couple had appeared before a local court seeking protection in wake of the opposition from their families.
On finding the girl to be a minor, the magistrate sent her to a nari niketan and sent the boy to jail, they said. The girl was later hander over to her parents and the boy was released on bail.
On Monday, Deepak reached the court with the marriage procession, as the girl was scheduled to appear before the court, police said adding a case has been registered against him for creating public nuisance.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
800-YEAR-OLD MUD POTS UNEARTHED IN VELLORE DISTRICT
Four 800-year-old mud pots, engraved with figurines, have been found at Avaraikari village near Ranipet in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district.
The pots with figures of king, queen, dancing girl and elephant were unearthed when uncultivated land belonging to one Srinivasan was dug up using earth movers for brick-making.
The pots were around two-and-a-half feet wide and three feet tall.
On receiving information about the discovery, Vellore Archaeological Museum officer Saravanan rushed to the village and examined them. He said that the pots were 800 years old.
The pots with figures of king, queen, dancing girl and elephant were unearthed when uncultivated land belonging to one Srinivasan was dug up using earth movers for brick-making.
The pots were around two-and-a-half feet wide and three feet tall.
On receiving information about the discovery, Vellore Archaeological Museum officer Saravanan rushed to the village and examined them. He said that the pots were 800 years old.
DEVOTEES THRONG VARANASI TEMPLE TO GET A GLIMPSE OF WEEPING LORD HANUMAN
A large number of devotees thronged a temple in Varanasi on Sunday after rumours that tears rolled down the cheeks of the statue of Lord Hanuman.
The rumours spread like a wildfire and people rushed to the temple in the house of one Nandlal Sharma to take a glimpse of the crying deity.
Sharma said he at first did not believe when his son informed him about it and washed the face of the deity but claimed that tears continued to come out of his eyes.
The devotees later performed a special prayer in the temple to placate the Lord amid superstition that his crying not a good omen.
The rumours spread like a wildfire and people rushed to the temple in the house of one Nandlal Sharma to take a glimpse of the crying deity.
Sharma said he at first did not believe when his son informed him about it and washed the face of the deity but claimed that tears continued to come out of his eyes.
The devotees later performed a special prayer in the temple to placate the Lord amid superstition that his crying not a good omen.
LUNATIC CHARGES AT A WOMAN CONSTABLE, SAVED IN NICK OF TIME
A lunatic chased a woman police constable and attempted to stab her with a broken piece of glass near the collectorate premises in Salem on Sunday, police said.
According to Assistant City Police Commissioner Krishnamurthy, a lunatic identified as 28-year-old Mohammed Sabiyullah, was sleeping under a tree adjacent to the busy road near the collectorate. A woman traffic police constable Sangeetha(20) who was manning the traffic, asked the man to move away.
Upon this, he got agitated and started chasing the constable with a broken piece of glass. He was overpowered by some other policemen present there, before he could stab her.
The lunatic was later admitted to Mohan Kumaramangalam Government Hospital in Salem and was kept under observation, Krishnamurthy said.
According to Assistant City Police Commissioner Krishnamurthy, a lunatic identified as 28-year-old Mohammed Sabiyullah, was sleeping under a tree adjacent to the busy road near the collectorate. A woman traffic police constable Sangeetha(20) who was manning the traffic, asked the man to move away.
Upon this, he got agitated and started chasing the constable with a broken piece of glass. He was overpowered by some other policemen present there, before he could stab her.
The lunatic was later admitted to Mohan Kumaramangalam Government Hospital in Salem and was kept under observation, Krishnamurthy said.
BOY WEIGHING 6 KG BORN IN AHMEDABAD HOSPITAL
When doctor Mehreen Zabin went into the operation theatre she did not know that she would help give birth to a child who would test the weighing scale of the hospital.
Habib Ali, now two days old, was born on Saturday weighing six kg, which doctors say, is 3 kg more than the weight of a normal new born child.
"It is very unusual for a child to be born weighing 6 kg. We were shocked and worried about the health of the baby and the mother. But now both are stable," said Dr Zabin.
The staff of Chippa welfare general hospital also put the weighing scale in the maternity ward under test when weighing the bulky toddler. "It is an amazing case in my career and also for the mother who has given birth to six children already", the surgeon said.
She said the child's health is under observation even though all paramaters were normal.
Habib Ali, now two days old, was born on Saturday weighing six kg, which doctors say, is 3 kg more than the weight of a normal new born child.
"It is very unusual for a child to be born weighing 6 kg. We were shocked and worried about the health of the baby and the mother. But now both are stable," said Dr Zabin.
The staff of Chippa welfare general hospital also put the weighing scale in the maternity ward under test when weighing the bulky toddler. "It is an amazing case in my career and also for the mother who has given birth to six children already", the surgeon said.
She said the child's health is under observation even though all paramaters were normal.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Children take the initiative, stop child marriage in Bangladesh
A minor girl was rescued from being married off at a remote village in southwestern Satkhira as over a hundred school children took to the streets in protest.
Several hundred students of Ghona School submitted a memorandum seeking intervention of the local officials.
The official summoned the girl's father and asked him to call off her wedding to a 25-year-old youth from Paikgachha in Khulna.
He also signed a bond promising not arrange any such child marriage in the future, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Moni Mala earlier told her friends at school that her father was planning to marry her off, but she could not dare to go against her father's decision.
Her friends then tried to talk her father to scrap the wedding plan, but he did not pay heed to their request.
Despite growing camping, child marriage still remained to be a major social curse particularly in rural areas in Bangladesh where the current population is estimated to be over 140 million in 143,998 square kilometer area.
Several hundred students of Ghona School submitted a memorandum seeking intervention of the local officials.
The official summoned the girl's father and asked him to call off her wedding to a 25-year-old youth from Paikgachha in Khulna.
He also signed a bond promising not arrange any such child marriage in the future, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Moni Mala earlier told her friends at school that her father was planning to marry her off, but she could not dare to go against her father's decision.
Her friends then tried to talk her father to scrap the wedding plan, but he did not pay heed to their request.
Despite growing camping, child marriage still remained to be a major social curse particularly in rural areas in Bangladesh where the current population is estimated to be over 140 million in 143,998 square kilometer area.
Ragpicker returns money found in train, gets a hero's toast in Kolkata
A child ragpicker who handed over to railway police a sum of Rs 10,450 he found in a train at the station here was felicitated by the authorities.
Kishan Sardar, an orphaned 12-year-old, was looking for left-overs inside the D N Kalka Mail recently when he came across a packet containing wads of currency. He rushed to the GRP outpost with the packet and a quick count revealed it contained Rs 10,450, officials said.
Touched by his act, the GRP top brass decided to felicitate Sardar, who has been living in the station compound for several years.
A gathering applauded as GRP Superintendent of Police Pradip Sanyal patted the boy and handed over Rs 100 to him. While those present described Sardar as a hero, the unassuming boy was at a loss for words.
Kishan Sardar, an orphaned 12-year-old, was looking for left-overs inside the D N Kalka Mail recently when he came across a packet containing wads of currency. He rushed to the GRP outpost with the packet and a quick count revealed it contained Rs 10,450, officials said.
Touched by his act, the GRP top brass decided to felicitate Sardar, who has been living in the station compound for several years.
A gathering applauded as GRP Superintendent of Police Pradip Sanyal patted the boy and handed over Rs 100 to him. While those present described Sardar as a hero, the unassuming boy was at a loss for words.
In a rare show of bonhomie, female pachyderm 'adopts' abandoned calf
It is a case of 'adoption' of a new-born, but with a difference. A 12-day old elephant has been adopted by a trained female pachyderm, who has refused to budge from the side of the critically injured calf.
Bemused forest officials of Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary said though initially it took a bit of coaxing to take the calf, Balasunder, near the 'kunki' (trained) elephant, Champakali, she later started caressing the new-born and feeding it.'
Balasunder' was discovered lying in an injured state on the side of river Balasan on July 18 in Dooars area and taken to Champakali by forest officials, not too sure how she would react.
Chief Conservator of Forest (North Bengal) P Tshering Bhutia said the forest personnel initially tried to take the calf back to its mother in the forest, but the wild elephant turned away as the calf came under human contact.
Bemused forest officials of Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary said though initially it took a bit of coaxing to take the calf, Balasunder, near the 'kunki' (trained) elephant, Champakali, she later started caressing the new-born and feeding it.'
Balasunder' was discovered lying in an injured state on the side of river Balasan on July 18 in Dooars area and taken to Champakali by forest officials, not too sure how she would react.
Chief Conservator of Forest (North Bengal) P Tshering Bhutia said the forest personnel initially tried to take the calf back to its mother in the forest, but the wild elephant turned away as the calf came under human contact.
It is sweet, and half a kilometre long, and it tastes yummy. What could it be?
A half-kilometre long sweet pastry is making its way into entering the Limca Book of Records. The 523.5 metre long cake-delight was baked in Nagpur by a chef and his student team.
Mumbai witnessed the challenging task of baking what could become the longest pastry in India under the watchful eye of representatives of the Limca Book of Records.
The "delicious" effort according to pastry maker Chef Sunil Sakharkar could take an individual eating normally over 13 years to consume in toto, but took just 60 minutes to bake. The pastry weighing 315.84 kgs could also be the heaviest the country has ever made, Sunil said.
The eggless pineapple pastry measured 2 inches in height and 1.5 inches in width. It was topped with 70 kgs of rich whip topping. A team of 35 students of Government Institute of Hotel Management, under the supervision of Sakharkar, achieved this immense task.
Meticulous planning and supervision was needed to make the pastry in under 60 minutes, while the event, held recently, was coordinated by Chef Cherag Roointon from Rich Kwality Pvt Ltd."The two-tier pastry was topped with dairy free topping to keep it stable," Roointon said.
Mumbai witnessed the challenging task of baking what could become the longest pastry in India under the watchful eye of representatives of the Limca Book of Records.
The "delicious" effort according to pastry maker Chef Sunil Sakharkar could take an individual eating normally over 13 years to consume in toto, but took just 60 minutes to bake. The pastry weighing 315.84 kgs could also be the heaviest the country has ever made, Sunil said.
The eggless pineapple pastry measured 2 inches in height and 1.5 inches in width. It was topped with 70 kgs of rich whip topping. A team of 35 students of Government Institute of Hotel Management, under the supervision of Sakharkar, achieved this immense task.
Meticulous planning and supervision was needed to make the pastry in under 60 minutes, while the event, held recently, was coordinated by Chef Cherag Roointon from Rich Kwality Pvt Ltd."The two-tier pastry was topped with dairy free topping to keep it stable," Roointon said.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
FAMILY DECIDES TO DONATE BODIES IRKED BY THE GOSSIP AT FUNERAL
It was cheap gossip at a funeral that made retired IAS officer Pukhraj Salecha make a decision he would rather donate his body for medical research.
Three members of the Salecha family too shared the view and after death their bodies would be donated to the medical college. Most people do not maintain a dignified silence that is expected under such circumstances or share the family's grief but indulge in gossip.
"I have seen people discussing Mallika Sherawat and her vital statistics at the cremation ground," says Salecha. He made up his mind after he returned from the cremation of a close friend.
"I was shattered the way people were gossiping at the funeral ceremony. Thus, I discussed the idea of donating our bodies rather than cremating them with my wife late Rameshwari Salecha," he recalls.
"I believe that everyone of us should make some valuable contribution to the society and that's what we have done," he says.
"My wife too believed that it would be good idea to donate one's body as it would be useful for the medical students and service of the mankind," he adds her wish was fulfilled and her body was donated to the SMS Medical College in Jaipur on June 13.
When asked, Salecha's 92-year-old mother Pyaari says "Jal ke to raakh ho jaungi, par aise shareer doctaron ke kya kaam aayege (if my dead body is burnt it will become ashes, this way it would at least be useful for doctors.)"
Three members of the Salecha family too shared the view and after death their bodies would be donated to the medical college. Most people do not maintain a dignified silence that is expected under such circumstances or share the family's grief but indulge in gossip.
"I have seen people discussing Mallika Sherawat and her vital statistics at the cremation ground," says Salecha. He made up his mind after he returned from the cremation of a close friend.
"I was shattered the way people were gossiping at the funeral ceremony. Thus, I discussed the idea of donating our bodies rather than cremating them with my wife late Rameshwari Salecha," he recalls.
"I believe that everyone of us should make some valuable contribution to the society and that's what we have done," he says.
"My wife too believed that it would be good idea to donate one's body as it would be useful for the medical students and service of the mankind," he adds her wish was fulfilled and her body was donated to the SMS Medical College in Jaipur on June 13.
When asked, Salecha's 92-year-old mother Pyaari says "Jal ke to raakh ho jaungi, par aise shareer doctaron ke kya kaam aayege (if my dead body is burnt it will become ashes, this way it would at least be useful for doctors.)"
IF YOU ARE A GOOD BATHROOM SINGER, YOU ARE JUST THE ONE INDIAN TV CHANNELS ARE LOOKING FOR!!
An Indian television channel is looking out for good singers in the one place that has escaped the prying eyes of reality TV -- the bathroom.
"Bathroom Singer," a new singing contest on the Filmy entertainment channel, will zero in on an untrained performer who's good at singing in the shower and can enthral viewers.
"We are looking for a combination of voice and a certain flavour. For example, the exuberance and energy with which people sing in their bathrooms," said Shailesh Kapoor, Filmy's content and marketing head, recently.
Contestants, who have to be 18 years and above, will exercise their vocal cords in a studio set that replicates a bathroom with tiled walls, showers and taps, but will not appear undressed.
"As the show progresses, there will be specific themes and situations which ask for a certain kind of costume," Kapoor said, without giving details.
It was not clear whether the competition would eventually require participants to sing under a running shower.
Auditions start later this month with the show set to go on air in late August.
Unlike the many youth-oriented reality shows that have become very popular on Indian channels, the creators of "Bathroom Singer" also hope to attract older contestants.
"Age is a huge barrier in other reality TV singing contests," said Kapoor. "But we are not looking for a professional singer -- just someone very, very entertaining. That person can be a 50-year-old."
The winner of the show, determined jointly by a jury and the audience, will walk away with Rs 2.5 million ($62,000) in prize money.
(Courtesy: Reuters)
"Bathroom Singer," a new singing contest on the Filmy entertainment channel, will zero in on an untrained performer who's good at singing in the shower and can enthral viewers.
"We are looking for a combination of voice and a certain flavour. For example, the exuberance and energy with which people sing in their bathrooms," said Shailesh Kapoor, Filmy's content and marketing head, recently.
Contestants, who have to be 18 years and above, will exercise their vocal cords in a studio set that replicates a bathroom with tiled walls, showers and taps, but will not appear undressed.
"As the show progresses, there will be specific themes and situations which ask for a certain kind of costume," Kapoor said, without giving details.
It was not clear whether the competition would eventually require participants to sing under a running shower.
Auditions start later this month with the show set to go on air in late August.
Unlike the many youth-oriented reality shows that have become very popular on Indian channels, the creators of "Bathroom Singer" also hope to attract older contestants.
"Age is a huge barrier in other reality TV singing contests," said Kapoor. "But we are not looking for a professional singer -- just someone very, very entertaining. That person can be a 50-year-old."
The winner of the show, determined jointly by a jury and the audience, will walk away with Rs 2.5 million ($62,000) in prize money.
(Courtesy: Reuters)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Niece pours hot water on sleeping aunt for scolding her
Upset over being scolded, a teenage girl poured hot water on her sleeping aunt and hit her with a wooden stick leaving her hospitalised in Pune.
Forty-five year old Kumuda Tripathi, a college teacher, asked her 19-year-old niece Namita to lower the TV volume, which triggered a violent reaction from the girl, who smashed the remote.
Annoyed by Namita's reaction, Kumuda gave her a slap. Seething with anger, the niece collected a bucketful of hot water from the geyser and poured it on the aunt who was sleeping.
Namita then took a wooden leg of a 'divan' and hit Kumda leaving her writhing in pain, police said.
The girl, who had come to stay with the Tripathis' from Orissa two years ago was looking after household chores of the family, was arrested for attempt to murder.
Forty-five year old Kumuda Tripathi, a college teacher, asked her 19-year-old niece Namita to lower the TV volume, which triggered a violent reaction from the girl, who smashed the remote.
Annoyed by Namita's reaction, Kumuda gave her a slap. Seething with anger, the niece collected a bucketful of hot water from the geyser and poured it on the aunt who was sleeping.
Namita then took a wooden leg of a 'divan' and hit Kumda leaving her writhing in pain, police said.
The girl, who had come to stay with the Tripathis' from Orissa two years ago was looking after household chores of the family, was arrested for attempt to murder.
Even justice: Father tries to rape daughter, gets killed
A man was killed by his daughter after the former tried to rape her in Apiya town of Jamnagar district in Gujarat, police said.
Dhana Bhadarka (45) was stabbed by his married daughter at his residence after the deceased tried to rape her, police said.
The deceased's wife has lodged a complaint against her daughter who has been arrested, police added.
Dhana Bhadarka (45) was stabbed by his married daughter at his residence after the deceased tried to rape her, police said.
The deceased's wife has lodged a complaint against her daughter who has been arrested, police added.
Scientists discover that the idol of Goddess Amman is in fact a sculpture of Mahavira
Hundreds of villagers throng a cave temple in western Tamil Nadu every year, not knowing that the Goddess Amman idol they worship over the last two decades is in fact a sculpture of Mahavira belonging to seventh century.
The transformation of the Jain sculpture into an idol of 'Aadhali Amman,' located on the fringes of the Aliyar dam near Puliyankandi village in Coimbatore district, has been found by chance by an exploration team of students belonging to the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai.
K T Gandhirajan, an art historian who led the team, along with his compatriot K Natarajan, said that the upper portion of Mahavira sculpture, found in the 'padmasana' pose, had been converted into a Goddess by creating breasts and ornaments in cement.
The eyes were painted to make it look like that of a Hindu female deity and the sculpture was wrapped in silk sari. The temple was complete with 'trishuls' (tridents) planted behind the deity and a priest conducting pujas every day.
Gandhirajan said the team was on a mission of documenting ruined monuments and pre-historicl rock paintings when it spoa cave on the edge of the Aliyar dam in May last.
Trekking for a distance of about three km, they found a 4.5 feet Amman idol in granite beneath a huge rock. However, the presence of a stone bed, characteristic of Jain monuments, raised doubts and on close scrutiny it was found that it was of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara of Jainism, he said.
Several Jain monuments are found in Madurai, Pudukkottai, South and North Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu where Jainism prospered between 200 BC and 9th century AD.
The transformation of the Jain sculpture into an idol of 'Aadhali Amman,' located on the fringes of the Aliyar dam near Puliyankandi village in Coimbatore district, has been found by chance by an exploration team of students belonging to the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai.
K T Gandhirajan, an art historian who led the team, along with his compatriot K Natarajan, said that the upper portion of Mahavira sculpture, found in the 'padmasana' pose, had been converted into a Goddess by creating breasts and ornaments in cement.
The eyes were painted to make it look like that of a Hindu female deity and the sculpture was wrapped in silk sari. The temple was complete with 'trishuls' (tridents) planted behind the deity and a priest conducting pujas every day.
Gandhirajan said the team was on a mission of documenting ruined monuments and pre-historicl rock paintings when it spoa cave on the edge of the Aliyar dam in May last.
Trekking for a distance of about three km, they found a 4.5 feet Amman idol in granite beneath a huge rock. However, the presence of a stone bed, characteristic of Jain monuments, raised doubts and on close scrutiny it was found that it was of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara of Jainism, he said.
Several Jain monuments are found in Madurai, Pudukkottai, South and North Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu where Jainism prospered between 200 BC and 9th century AD.
Kerala government plans to open old-age home for captive elephants
A rehabilitation centre for aged captive elephants has been planned in Kerala, state Forest Minister Binoy Viswam said recently. An ideal forest spot would be identified soon for setting up the centre, to be linked with eco-tourism, Viswam informed the Assembly.
Taking note of incidents of elephants turning violent during festivals, a scheme to impart scientific training to mahouts has been drawn up, Viswam said in a written reply.
The Wildlife Department has taken steps for effective implementation of Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance Rules), which has laid down norms for upkeep of the jumbos.
The owners of elephants have been instructed to obtain health certificates from veterinarians before taking the animal for festival parades.
As part of the elephant census, the owners has been asked to register their jumbos with the respective district administrations.
A scheme of implanting microchips behind the ear of elephants containing their physical details has also been implemented.
Taking note of incidents of elephants turning violent during festivals, a scheme to impart scientific training to mahouts has been drawn up, Viswam said in a written reply.
The Wildlife Department has taken steps for effective implementation of Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance Rules), which has laid down norms for upkeep of the jumbos.
The owners of elephants have been instructed to obtain health certificates from veterinarians before taking the animal for festival parades.
As part of the elephant census, the owners has been asked to register their jumbos with the respective district administrations.
A scheme of implanting microchips behind the ear of elephants containing their physical details has also been implemented.
If you can't deliver it, junk it: Postman sells letters, documents to scrap dealer
A postman in Indore has allegedly sold hundreds of letters, including those containing bills and insurance intimations, to a waste paper dealer instead of delivering them.
The postal department launched a probe against the postman after the matter was brought to light by shocked people of Navlakha area here. Police have seized letters and other material from the waste dealer, Director of Postal Services Madhvi Dabral told reporters.
Letters, intimations from Life Insurance Corporation, magazines and documents like telephone bills weighing nearly three kilograms were allegedly sold by the postman to scrap dealer Azam recently. Azam has said the same postman allegedly sold him such letters earlier too.
Nearly 250 letters were found in Azam's shop and all of them were posted after June 15, Dabral said.
A two-member committee of the postal department will submit its report on the matter and only then will authorities disclose the name of the accused postman though the department has already identified him.
The postal department is also informing banks and other institutions and urging them to re-issue the documents and to waive any late fees if possible. In case this is not possible, the postal department will bear the costs, Dabral said.
"Definitely, the incident has damaged the reputation of the department and we are taking all possible steps to regain the trust of people in the postman," Dabral said, adding this was the first time such an incident had come to her notice.
The postal department launched a probe against the postman after the matter was brought to light by shocked people of Navlakha area here. Police have seized letters and other material from the waste dealer, Director of Postal Services Madhvi Dabral told reporters.
Letters, intimations from Life Insurance Corporation, magazines and documents like telephone bills weighing nearly three kilograms were allegedly sold by the postman to scrap dealer Azam recently. Azam has said the same postman allegedly sold him such letters earlier too.
Nearly 250 letters were found in Azam's shop and all of them were posted after June 15, Dabral said.
A two-member committee of the postal department will submit its report on the matter and only then will authorities disclose the name of the accused postman though the department has already identified him.
The postal department is also informing banks and other institutions and urging them to re-issue the documents and to waive any late fees if possible. In case this is not possible, the postal department will bear the costs, Dabral said.
"Definitely, the incident has damaged the reputation of the department and we are taking all possible steps to regain the trust of people in the postman," Dabral said, adding this was the first time such an incident had come to her notice.
Cheque issued under Prime Minister's Relief Fund bounces
A cheque of Rs 10,000 issued by Yavatmal district collector to a farmer's widow under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund has bounced for lack of funds.
Vandana Anil Shende, whose husband had committed suicide on August 23 last year, was handed over cheque of Rs 10,000 on February 7 by the collector towards partly providing her with financial assistance under the Prime Minister's National Relief fund, a NGO Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti, president Kishore Tiwari said.
The cheque deposited with district Central co-operative bank, Yavatmal, bounced with the bank informing Shende about the fund insufficiency on June 29 in a note, he said.
He also made available copies of bounced cheque and intimation to account holder from co-operative bank to the media.
Tiwari also demanded immediate suspension of Yavatmal collector, who issued the cheque.
An amount of Rs 6 lakh allocated to each district, is at the district collector's disposal to extend immediate financial assistance to distressed families of farmers, he added.
Vandana Anil Shende, whose husband had committed suicide on August 23 last year, was handed over cheque of Rs 10,000 on February 7 by the collector towards partly providing her with financial assistance under the Prime Minister's National Relief fund, a NGO Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti, president Kishore Tiwari said.
The cheque deposited with district Central co-operative bank, Yavatmal, bounced with the bank informing Shende about the fund insufficiency on June 29 in a note, he said.
He also made available copies of bounced cheque and intimation to account holder from co-operative bank to the media.
Tiwari also demanded immediate suspension of Yavatmal collector, who issued the cheque.
An amount of Rs 6 lakh allocated to each district, is at the district collector's disposal to extend immediate financial assistance to distressed families of farmers, he added.
Man seeks to enter record books with the smallest ever Bhagavat Gita
An artist in Alappuzha, the backwater town of Kerala, is making a decorated 'micro' version of the Bhagavat Gita in silver, which when completed would be the smallest edition of the Hindu spiritual classic.
Engaged in the meticulous and strenuous task over the past several months, 29-year-old Vinodkumar has designed the silver book to be of 88 mm in width and 10 mm thick, containing 1,100 pages covering all the 18 chapters of the Sanskrit classic, which forms the philosophic core of the great Indian epic Mahabharata.
"I think this is not just the smallest ever version of the Gita. My information is that this is going to be the smallest ever version of any religious work," 29-year-old Vinod Kumar sais.
The work has advanced to the 12th chapter of the Gita -- Bhakti Yogam -- and the remaining chapters would be completed soon, he said.
Vinodkumar, who is also a freelance photographer, aims to set a world record with his work.
Hailing from a family of gold workers, he learnt the craft from his father Gopalan. But instead of eking out a living through jewellery work, he chose to be an artist, specialising in silver.
Some of his earlier works, mostly silver replicas of major Kerala temples, have been bought by foreign tourists.
Engaged in the meticulous and strenuous task over the past several months, 29-year-old Vinodkumar has designed the silver book to be of 88 mm in width and 10 mm thick, containing 1,100 pages covering all the 18 chapters of the Sanskrit classic, which forms the philosophic core of the great Indian epic Mahabharata.
"I think this is not just the smallest ever version of the Gita. My information is that this is going to be the smallest ever version of any religious work," 29-year-old Vinod Kumar sais.
The work has advanced to the 12th chapter of the Gita -- Bhakti Yogam -- and the remaining chapters would be completed soon, he said.
Vinodkumar, who is also a freelance photographer, aims to set a world record with his work.
Hailing from a family of gold workers, he learnt the craft from his father Gopalan. But instead of eking out a living through jewellery work, he chose to be an artist, specialising in silver.
Some of his earlier works, mostly silver replicas of major Kerala temples, have been bought by foreign tourists.
Blood is thicker than water: Woman traces father after 23 years of separation
A woman living in Saudi Arabia, who was separated from her Indian family as a young girl due to poverty, is set to be reunited with her father after 23 years.
Naseema, 31, who now leads an affluent life as the wife of a business consultant, traced her speech-impaired father Mohammed Ibrahim, who works as a cleaner in a hotel, through a detective agency.
She was separated from her family in 1984 at the age of eight and could not even remember the place of her birth. Yet she was unable to overcome the haunting memories of her father, who used to roll beedis day and night to support the family and carry her to school on his shoulders, Naseema told reporters in Chennai over phone from Saudi Arabia.
"Not a day has passed without me shedding tears thinking about my father. Though he is speech-impaired, he expressed his love and affection for us through his deeds," she said.
Born the third daughter in a poor Muslim family in Kancheepuram, Naseema lost her mother during her birth and was brought up by her paternal grandmother. Unable to support the children, her granny got the eldest sister married off while employing the younger ones at two different households as maids.
"I still remember the haunted look in my father's eyes when my granny took me away from our house," Naseema said.
Naseema, 31, who now leads an affluent life as the wife of a business consultant, traced her speech-impaired father Mohammed Ibrahim, who works as a cleaner in a hotel, through a detective agency.
She was separated from her family in 1984 at the age of eight and could not even remember the place of her birth. Yet she was unable to overcome the haunting memories of her father, who used to roll beedis day and night to support the family and carry her to school on his shoulders, Naseema told reporters in Chennai over phone from Saudi Arabia.
"Not a day has passed without me shedding tears thinking about my father. Though he is speech-impaired, he expressed his love and affection for us through his deeds," she said.
Born the third daughter in a poor Muslim family in Kancheepuram, Naseema lost her mother during her birth and was brought up by her paternal grandmother. Unable to support the children, her granny got the eldest sister married off while employing the younger ones at two different households as maids.
"I still remember the haunted look in my father's eyes when my granny took me away from our house," Naseema said.
Youth leaps to death from third floor, kills school boy too
A youth, who jumped from the third floor of an apartment reportedly to commit suicide, fell on a school boy walking down the road, resulting in a double death.
Police said Jayakanthan (28), a resident of Tondiarpet in north Chennai, had gone to his relative's house recently, where he suddenly went to the third floor and leaped from there.
He fell on seven-year-old Mustaq Ali who was returning home after tuition classes, police added.
While Jayakanthan died on the spot, Mustaq succumbed to injuries at the Government General Hospital here.
Police are investigating the factors which made the youth take the extreme step.
Police said Jayakanthan (28), a resident of Tondiarpet in north Chennai, had gone to his relative's house recently, where he suddenly went to the third floor and leaped from there.
He fell on seven-year-old Mustaq Ali who was returning home after tuition classes, police added.
While Jayakanthan died on the spot, Mustaq succumbed to injuries at the Government General Hospital here.
Police are investigating the factors which made the youth take the extreme step.
Calcutta police were told not to watch cinema during the heydays of naxalism
Tell your family members not to disclose your profession. Avoid going to cinemas or theatre. Always treat your revolver as if it is loaded. These were among a series of instructions given to the Calcutta Police personnel during the heydays of the Naxalite movement in the late sixties and the early seventies.
Security experts, police forces and researchers on the movement can draw lessons from the rich and voluminous records of the Calcutta Police Gazette (CPG) between 1967 and 1975. These records have been painstakingly dug out and compiled in a book The Naxalites -- Through the Eyes of the Police, edited by noted author on militant nationalist and political movements, Ashoke Kumar Mukhopadhyay.
In his 24-page introduction to the book, he recalls those days when the walls of Kolkata buildings were full of grafitti like Amar Bari, Tomar Bari, Naxalbari (Our home is Naxalbari), Chiner Chairman, Amader Chairman (Chairman of Chinese Communist Party Mao Tse Tung is our Chairman) and Pulish Maro, Austro Karo (kill the police and snatch their weapons).
The entire metropolis was affected by violent clashes, demonstrations and killings of police and CPI(M) cadres and "fake encounter" killings of a large number of youth.
"Scanning the notifications appearing in the CPG of the 1970s is like the interception of signals by the military intelligence at the times of war," writes Mukhopadhyay.
Besides providing the reader with invaluable information about the everyday tactics adopted by the police to fight the "urban guerrilla war" that had rocked the eastern metropolis, the CPG lends another dimension to the history of the Naxalite movement by "offering an alternative version from the viewpoint of its antagonist," he says.
Security experts, police forces and researchers on the movement can draw lessons from the rich and voluminous records of the Calcutta Police Gazette (CPG) between 1967 and 1975. These records have been painstakingly dug out and compiled in a book The Naxalites -- Through the Eyes of the Police, edited by noted author on militant nationalist and political movements, Ashoke Kumar Mukhopadhyay.
In his 24-page introduction to the book, he recalls those days when the walls of Kolkata buildings were full of grafitti like Amar Bari, Tomar Bari, Naxalbari (Our home is Naxalbari), Chiner Chairman, Amader Chairman (Chairman of Chinese Communist Party Mao Tse Tung is our Chairman) and Pulish Maro, Austro Karo (kill the police and snatch their weapons).
The entire metropolis was affected by violent clashes, demonstrations and killings of police and CPI(M) cadres and "fake encounter" killings of a large number of youth.
"Scanning the notifications appearing in the CPG of the 1970s is like the interception of signals by the military intelligence at the times of war," writes Mukhopadhyay.
Besides providing the reader with invaluable information about the everyday tactics adopted by the police to fight the "urban guerrilla war" that had rocked the eastern metropolis, the CPG lends another dimension to the history of the Naxalite movement by "offering an alternative version from the viewpoint of its antagonist," he says.
Autorickshaw turns 50 in Kozhikode, 'model' drivers celebrate it with pomp and show
Having earned the reputation for charging the cheapest fare compared to several leading cities in the country, autorickshaw drivers in Kozhikode, Kerala, observed the 50th anniversary of the vehicle's introduction in the city.
An impressive function was organised by the AITUC to commemorate the occasion, where 10 veteran autorickshaw drivers were felicitated.
Known for their honesty in claiming nothing more than the 'metre-charge' irrespective of the travelled distance, autorickshaw drivers in Kozhikode are regarded as 'model' drivers.
The first autorickshaw, brought in from Chennai, hit the roads here 50 years ago and the minimum charge was then 35 'naya paise' against the petrol price of 80 paise per litre.
Although auto drivers in other cities in Kerala and elsewhere in the country reportedly charge exorbitant rates, drivers in Kozhikode continue to ask for the actual 'metre-charge'.
In a city where there are over a dozen women drivers now, the fare continues to be nominal, sticking to the minimum Rs 10 during day time and 50 per cent more between 10 pm and 6 am.
"Kozhikode is India's role model in auto service and let us all feel proud about it," state Forest Minister Binoy Viswom, who participated in the function, said.
Hundreds of autorickshaw drivers took out a procession to mark the occasion.
An impressive function was organised by the AITUC to commemorate the occasion, where 10 veteran autorickshaw drivers were felicitated.
Known for their honesty in claiming nothing more than the 'metre-charge' irrespective of the travelled distance, autorickshaw drivers in Kozhikode are regarded as 'model' drivers.
The first autorickshaw, brought in from Chennai, hit the roads here 50 years ago and the minimum charge was then 35 'naya paise' against the petrol price of 80 paise per litre.
Although auto drivers in other cities in Kerala and elsewhere in the country reportedly charge exorbitant rates, drivers in Kozhikode continue to ask for the actual 'metre-charge'.
In a city where there are over a dozen women drivers now, the fare continues to be nominal, sticking to the minimum Rs 10 during day time and 50 per cent more between 10 pm and 6 am.
"Kozhikode is India's role model in auto service and let us all feel proud about it," state Forest Minister Binoy Viswom, who participated in the function, said.
Hundreds of autorickshaw drivers took out a procession to mark the occasion.
Viper gives birth to 41 small serpents in Jammu!
In a rare phenomenon, a viper gave birth to 41 serpulas (small serpents), instead of laying eggs, in a residential premises in Jammu. The viper -- mostly found in Africa and Asia -- delivered 41 serpulas in Subash Nagar area here last night, local residents said.
As soon as the incident spread, hundreds of people converged at the locality to have the glimpse of small serpents.
Satish Sharma, at whose premises the snake gave birth to serpulas, prepared sweets at his residence and distributed it among the gathering in order to perform 'Nag Devta' pooja, they said.
He, later, contacted the Wild-life Department officers and a team was deputed to the spot to bring the vipers to Manda Wildlife Sanctuary. Regional Wildlife Warden Nissar Ahmed Kitchloo said that it was a rare phenomenon of breeding by the poisonous snake.
"Normally snakes produce eggs which on hatching give birth to small serpents. It is very rarely that vipers directly delivers serpula," he said. "The eggs of vipers sometimes get hatched inside a pouch in the lower portion of their skin and then the small serpents come out one by one," he said adding all the 41 serpents were alive.
To a question, he said the survival rate among the viper serpents is very low.
As soon as the incident spread, hundreds of people converged at the locality to have the glimpse of small serpents.
Satish Sharma, at whose premises the snake gave birth to serpulas, prepared sweets at his residence and distributed it among the gathering in order to perform 'Nag Devta' pooja, they said.
He, later, contacted the Wild-life Department officers and a team was deputed to the spot to bring the vipers to Manda Wildlife Sanctuary. Regional Wildlife Warden Nissar Ahmed Kitchloo said that it was a rare phenomenon of breeding by the poisonous snake.
"Normally snakes produce eggs which on hatching give birth to small serpents. It is very rarely that vipers directly delivers serpula," he said. "The eggs of vipers sometimes get hatched inside a pouch in the lower portion of their skin and then the small serpents come out one by one," he said adding all the 41 serpents were alive.
To a question, he said the survival rate among the viper serpents is very low.
Saraswati, 108, is a living testimony of modern India
For 107-year old Saraswathy Ramaswamy, who could speak and write in six languages with ease even now, life is nothing but a reflection of the history of modern India.
Born on January one, 1900 in Secunderabad, she had been following almost all developments of the pre- and post-independence India. Be it the fight against British imperialism or the successive Indian governments or even the recent visit by American warship 'USS Nimitz' to the city, she has kept herself abreast with almost all developments.
Saraswathy, who is quite fit and maintains a childish enthusiasm, is putting up at 'Vishranthi', a home for aged women, on the outskirts of the city at Palavakkam.
She speaks and writes six languages -- Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English -- with such finesse that might put even native speakers of these languages to shame. "I learnt 15 languages and I can speak and write six," she says in impeccable English marked by clarity.
An admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, she still remembers the assassination of the 'Father of the Nation'. "The scene of Gandhiji's assassination was very tragic. When I think about it, even now, I can't eat," she adds.
At a time when the nation is likely to get a woman President, she says, "Our country would have progressed very well if all women were like Indira Gandhi."
Saraswathi, who is a big fan of the late Prime Minister, adds that every time she saw her picture, she salutes her.
Born on January one, 1900 in Secunderabad, she had been following almost all developments of the pre- and post-independence India. Be it the fight against British imperialism or the successive Indian governments or even the recent visit by American warship 'USS Nimitz' to the city, she has kept herself abreast with almost all developments.
Saraswathy, who is quite fit and maintains a childish enthusiasm, is putting up at 'Vishranthi', a home for aged women, on the outskirts of the city at Palavakkam.
She speaks and writes six languages -- Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English -- with such finesse that might put even native speakers of these languages to shame. "I learnt 15 languages and I can speak and write six," she says in impeccable English marked by clarity.
An admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, she still remembers the assassination of the 'Father of the Nation'. "The scene of Gandhiji's assassination was very tragic. When I think about it, even now, I can't eat," she adds.
At a time when the nation is likely to get a woman President, she says, "Our country would have progressed very well if all women were like Indira Gandhi."
Saraswathi, who is a big fan of the late Prime Minister, adds that every time she saw her picture, she salutes her.
Have you heart of a 'Toilet Beauty Contest'? Now you will, it's taking place in Tamil Nadu
The village of Kameshwaram in the coastal district of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu will witness a unique "beauty contest" on July 14 -- that of ecological toilets.
There will be no cat walks by good looking youngsters, but the stars of the day would be 'EcoSan toilets', most suited for tsunami-hit sandy coastal areas.
The "First Toilet Beauty Contest", organised by Friends in Need (FIN France) and SCOPE (Society for Community Organization and People's Education) Tiruchirappalli, leaders in Ecological Sanitation in India, is to reward the pioneering users of the EcoSan toilets.
Eligibility for participating in the contest is limited to the first batch of 100 "EcoSan toilet families" in the village who are using them properly and maintaining well the kitchen garden watered by the urine from the toilet.
The contest is part of the three-day Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Conference being organised by INRA (Institute National de la Recherche) France, UN-AMI (Friends in need) France, the Bharathidasan University and SCOPE in Tiruchirappalli from July 12.
Besides cash awards ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 under three categories, all participants would be given a prize on July 14, M Subburaman, Director, SCOPE, said.
The theme of the conference, the first of its kind in the country, is "Role of technology and innovation in attainment of the MDG-food security, socio-economic and environmental security and health in marginalized zones in India."
There will be no cat walks by good looking youngsters, but the stars of the day would be 'EcoSan toilets', most suited for tsunami-hit sandy coastal areas.
The "First Toilet Beauty Contest", organised by Friends in Need (FIN France) and SCOPE (Society for Community Organization and People's Education) Tiruchirappalli, leaders in Ecological Sanitation in India, is to reward the pioneering users of the EcoSan toilets.
Eligibility for participating in the contest is limited to the first batch of 100 "EcoSan toilet families" in the village who are using them properly and maintaining well the kitchen garden watered by the urine from the toilet.
The contest is part of the three-day Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Conference being organised by INRA (Institute National de la Recherche) France, UN-AMI (Friends in need) France, the Bharathidasan University and SCOPE in Tiruchirappalli from July 12.
Besides cash awards ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 under three categories, all participants would be given a prize on July 14, M Subburaman, Director, SCOPE, said.
The theme of the conference, the first of its kind in the country, is "Role of technology and innovation in attainment of the MDG-food security, socio-economic and environmental security and health in marginalized zones in India."
RPF DIG tries to outrage modesty of IPS officer's wife!!
A DIG of the Railway Protection Force has landed in a controversy for allegedly trying to outrage the modesty of the wife of an IPS officer on a Patna-bound train from New Delhi.
The IPS officer's wife, whose IAS sister was also travelling with her, has entered the complaint in the register of Sampoorna Kranti Express against RPF DIG P J Rawai charging him with trying to outrage her modesty under the influence of liquor, railway sources said.
When contacted, Superintendent of Railway Police, Patna, Ajitabh Kumar said no no FIR has been registered by the aggrieved person so far.
The incident occurred on the night of July 8, when the two sisters were coming to Patna in an AC coach of the train.
The woman claimed that the DIG, who was allegedly drunk, tried to outrage her modesty when she was asleep on the lower berth. The two sisters, according to railway sources, slapped the DIG and also seized his mobile phone and identity card, which they later returned.
The IAS official later reported the matter to Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah.
Neither Rawai nor the complainant were available for comments.
The IPS officer's wife, whose IAS sister was also travelling with her, has entered the complaint in the register of Sampoorna Kranti Express against RPF DIG P J Rawai charging him with trying to outrage her modesty under the influence of liquor, railway sources said.
When contacted, Superintendent of Railway Police, Patna, Ajitabh Kumar said no no FIR has been registered by the aggrieved person so far.
The incident occurred on the night of July 8, when the two sisters were coming to Patna in an AC coach of the train.
The woman claimed that the DIG, who was allegedly drunk, tried to outrage her modesty when she was asleep on the lower berth. The two sisters, according to railway sources, slapped the DIG and also seized his mobile phone and identity card, which they later returned.
The IAS official later reported the matter to Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah.
Neither Rawai nor the complainant were available for comments.
Man exchanges baby to raise money for wife's funeral!
A tribal man has exchanged his new born baby to a childless couple for Rs 1,200 to raise the funeral expenses of his wife in a remote village of Orissa.
Bipin Gagarai, who belongs to Sahupur village in Jajpur district, had told an official team led by the district welfare officer, Shivaji Bhuyan, that his wife Gurubari died soon after giving birth to a baby boy, their third child on July 1.
Bipin said he could not get immediate medical attention for his wife because of his penury and she died the next day.
As he had no money to transport the body to his village and undertake funeral expenses, he handed over the two-day-old baby to a childless couple living in the neighbourhood who paid him Rs 1,200.
Bhuyan told said that Bipin, who has two other children, a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter, said he would get back the newborn baby as soon as he paid back the loan he had taken from his neighbour. Bhuyan said it could not be construed as a case of child sale.
Bhuyan said the district administration had decided to shift Bipin's daughter to a Kanyashram (a shelter for girls with school) in Jajpur.
Arrangements would also be made to ensure care and protection of the newborn, he said.
Bipin Gagarai, who belongs to Sahupur village in Jajpur district, had told an official team led by the district welfare officer, Shivaji Bhuyan, that his wife Gurubari died soon after giving birth to a baby boy, their third child on July 1.
Bipin said he could not get immediate medical attention for his wife because of his penury and she died the next day.
As he had no money to transport the body to his village and undertake funeral expenses, he handed over the two-day-old baby to a childless couple living in the neighbourhood who paid him Rs 1,200.
Bhuyan told said that Bipin, who has two other children, a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter, said he would get back the newborn baby as soon as he paid back the loan he had taken from his neighbour. Bhuyan said it could not be construed as a case of child sale.
Bhuyan said the district administration had decided to shift Bipin's daughter to a Kanyashram (a shelter for girls with school) in Jajpur.
Arrangements would also be made to ensure care and protection of the newborn, he said.
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