Chinese people go to sleep later than they did a decade ago, but their total sleep time remains the same, according to a survey. A survey on 2,000 people of all ages and different fields shows people, especially from the age group of 25 to 45, tend to sleep 40 minutes later than 10 years ago, a research by the Leisure Economy Research Center of Renmin University said.
The survey listed 24-hour television, overtime work, increasing demand for education, and in particular, the spread of Internet as reasons for going late to bed. However, the total sleeping time remains the same at an average daily eight hours and 41 minutes and one hour longer on days off.
The widespread use of household appliances has reduced the burden of housework, allowing more time for rest. Meanwhile, more people begin working at 9:00 am, one hour later than 10 years ago, which enables people to maintain their sleep time, the survey said.
Professor Wang Qiyan of Renmin University, who has studied sleep for more than 20 years, said, "Good sleeping habits and reasonable sleeping period are beneficial to health and work efficiency. "If late-sleepers regularise their sleeping period and ensure six to seven hours every day, their health will not be affected," he said.
Friday, August 24, 2007
How dare you protest for your rights, prostitutes told, and put behind bars!
Police in Nepal have detained dozens of prostitutes who have been staging demonstrations outside the government secretariat here for last 10 days demanding rehabilitation and representation in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections.
They have been detained at the Metropolitan Police Office at Singhadurbar, officials said.
Police rounded up at least 13 women from the Badi community, who staged demonstration in the restricted area guarded by riot policemen, they said.
The women have been staging demonstrations in the capital for the last 10 days to press for their 12-point programme, which included rehabilitation and guarantee to their representation in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections.
The government is yet to rehabilitate the women even though the Supreme Court had asked the government to ensure their overall welfare, including social security and alternative employment back in September, 2005, according to officials.
Many children born to Badi women are still deprived of citizenship certificates.
The community is found in lowland belt of Banke, Bardiya, Kanchanpur, Kailali and Dang districts in western Nepal bordering India.
They have been detained at the Metropolitan Police Office at Singhadurbar, officials said.
Police rounded up at least 13 women from the Badi community, who staged demonstration in the restricted area guarded by riot policemen, they said.
The women have been staging demonstrations in the capital for the last 10 days to press for their 12-point programme, which included rehabilitation and guarantee to their representation in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections.
The government is yet to rehabilitate the women even though the Supreme Court had asked the government to ensure their overall welfare, including social security and alternative employment back in September, 2005, according to officials.
Many children born to Badi women are still deprived of citizenship certificates.
The community is found in lowland belt of Banke, Bardiya, Kanchanpur, Kailali and Dang districts in western Nepal bordering India.
Youth sentenced to jail for 7 years for robbing Rs 100
A youth, who robbed an auto driver of Rs 100, has been sentenced to seven years in jail by a court in New Delhi, which noted that the amount of money being meagre did not lessen the gravity of the crime.
"The contention that only Rs 100 has been robbed has no relevance as only Rs 100 was there along with other documents in the pocket of Roop Ram. Infact the convict had robbed him of all his belongings," Additional Sessions Judge V K Bansal said.
Dismissing the leniency plea of 24-year-old Naresh, a resident of Patel Nagar in New Delhi, the judge observed that the seriousness of his offence was not mitigated by the fact that he had deprived the victim of only Rs 100.
Naresh was convicted on the basis of "unequivocal and trustworthy" testimony of Ram, who was robbed by the accused on September 24, 2005, near DND flyover here by threatening him with a razor while he was plying his three-wheeler.
The police had later nabbed the accused and recovered the money along with some visiting cards, which were in the pocket of Ram while he was robbed.
"The contention that only Rs 100 has been robbed has no relevance as only Rs 100 was there along with other documents in the pocket of Roop Ram. Infact the convict had robbed him of all his belongings," Additional Sessions Judge V K Bansal said.
Dismissing the leniency plea of 24-year-old Naresh, a resident of Patel Nagar in New Delhi, the judge observed that the seriousness of his offence was not mitigated by the fact that he had deprived the victim of only Rs 100.
Naresh was convicted on the basis of "unequivocal and trustworthy" testimony of Ram, who was robbed by the accused on September 24, 2005, near DND flyover here by threatening him with a razor while he was plying his three-wheeler.
The police had later nabbed the accused and recovered the money along with some visiting cards, which were in the pocket of Ram while he was robbed.
Ministers stage protest in front of the chief minister's house!
In a sign of growing rift between coalition partners JD(S) and BJP in Karnataka, ahead of next month's expected transfer of power, ministers of the saffron party recently staged a protest at Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's chamber and even threatened to boycott the cabinet meeting.
The BJP ministers trooped into the Chief Minister's chamber to protest JD(S) "usurping" its quota of a member's post in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), among other issues.
Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who was fuming at the decision by Kumaraswamy to appoint G T Chandrashekhar as KPSC member without consulting him, refused to attend the Cabinet meeting and his party colleagues soon joined him.
A source in the BJP said the party has a long list of complaints against Kumaraswamy and JD(S) leadership for their contradictory signals on power transfer and also the "ill-treatment" being meted out to Yediyurappa.
With none of the JD(S) ministers volunteering to play the role of an emissary to persuade BJP leaders to call off their protest, Kumaraswamy requested Health Minister R Ashok (BJP) to talk to Yediyurappa.
Ashok succeeded in his mission and the cabinet meeting scheduled to start at 0900 hrs got off at 1030 hrs.
While Kumaraswamy played down the incident, remarking "the BJP ministers were taking rest in my chamber", none of the BJP ministers chose to speak to the press on the issue.
As per agreement between JD(S) and BJP when the coalition government assumed office, the former should transfer power to the saffron party on October 3.
The BJP ministers trooped into the Chief Minister's chamber to protest JD(S) "usurping" its quota of a member's post in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), among other issues.
Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who was fuming at the decision by Kumaraswamy to appoint G T Chandrashekhar as KPSC member without consulting him, refused to attend the Cabinet meeting and his party colleagues soon joined him.
A source in the BJP said the party has a long list of complaints against Kumaraswamy and JD(S) leadership for their contradictory signals on power transfer and also the "ill-treatment" being meted out to Yediyurappa.
With none of the JD(S) ministers volunteering to play the role of an emissary to persuade BJP leaders to call off their protest, Kumaraswamy requested Health Minister R Ashok (BJP) to talk to Yediyurappa.
Ashok succeeded in his mission and the cabinet meeting scheduled to start at 0900 hrs got off at 1030 hrs.
While Kumaraswamy played down the incident, remarking "the BJP ministers were taking rest in my chamber", none of the BJP ministers chose to speak to the press on the issue.
As per agreement between JD(S) and BJP when the coalition government assumed office, the former should transfer power to the saffron party on October 3.
Royal Mail postman arrested for stealing Queen's letters
A postman of the Royal Mail has been arrested on suspicion of stealing letters addressed to the Queen of England, a senior British police officer said.
"Detectives spotted 60-year-old Mark Lister burying envelopes and parcels in the grounds of Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. He was arrested for intending to delay mail contrary to the Postal Services Act," The Sun reported, quoting the officer as saying.
Lister was quizzed by detectives before being released on bail pending further inquiries. He has been suspended by Royal Mail bosses. As well as delivering letters, he was responsible for mail sent to workers on the 600-acre estate.
"It's a disgrace that someone would think of robbing the Queen. Nobody knows how long this may have been going on or what might have been nicked from Her Majesty. He may have been hoping something valuable would be sent to her...," a Royal Mail spokesperson told the British tabloid.
"Sandringham is huge and there are acres of woodland. I am sure the thief thought there wasn't a chance of being spotted. He was probably going to return in his own vehicle to pick up the goodies at a later date," the spokesperson said.
"Detectives spotted 60-year-old Mark Lister burying envelopes and parcels in the grounds of Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. He was arrested for intending to delay mail contrary to the Postal Services Act," The Sun reported, quoting the officer as saying.
Lister was quizzed by detectives before being released on bail pending further inquiries. He has been suspended by Royal Mail bosses. As well as delivering letters, he was responsible for mail sent to workers on the 600-acre estate.
"It's a disgrace that someone would think of robbing the Queen. Nobody knows how long this may have been going on or what might have been nicked from Her Majesty. He may have been hoping something valuable would be sent to her...," a Royal Mail spokesperson told the British tabloid.
"Sandringham is huge and there are acres of woodland. I am sure the thief thought there wasn't a chance of being spotted. He was probably going to return in his own vehicle to pick up the goodies at a later date," the spokesperson said.
Abandoned baby elephant finds comfort in a female tusker in Assam Zoo
A newborn elephant abandonded by its mother in a reserve forest has found a new home and a foster mom in the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati.
The baby jumbo was heard trumpeting in the Rani Reserve Forest, on the outskirts of Guwahati, two days ago by residents of nearby villages who informed forest officials, said the zoo's Divisional Forest Officer Narayan Mahanta.
The next day, the villagers found the calf wandering about in the area and informed the nearby forest beat office.
Forest authorities immediately swung into action because there was no possibility of reuniting the calf, which was less than a week old, with its herd.
The calf, brought to the zoo in an ambulance, soon took a liking to a female elephant named Madhabi, who reciprocated by showering motherly affection on it and instantly made it feel at home, Mahanta said.
The calf suffered bruises while wandering about in the forest, and its eyes were slightly red, Mahanta said.
Elephant herds abandon their newborns if they are found to be weak or if their chances of survival appeared slim.
The calf is the youngest to be rescued by forest authorities so far and it would be a daunting task to help it survive and lead a normal life, Mahanta said.
Zoo personnel are taking care of the calf by feeding, comforting and reassuring it, he said.
The baby jumbo was heard trumpeting in the Rani Reserve Forest, on the outskirts of Guwahati, two days ago by residents of nearby villages who informed forest officials, said the zoo's Divisional Forest Officer Narayan Mahanta.
The next day, the villagers found the calf wandering about in the area and informed the nearby forest beat office.
Forest authorities immediately swung into action because there was no possibility of reuniting the calf, which was less than a week old, with its herd.
The calf, brought to the zoo in an ambulance, soon took a liking to a female elephant named Madhabi, who reciprocated by showering motherly affection on it and instantly made it feel at home, Mahanta said.
The calf suffered bruises while wandering about in the forest, and its eyes were slightly red, Mahanta said.
Elephant herds abandon their newborns if they are found to be weak or if their chances of survival appeared slim.
The calf is the youngest to be rescued by forest authorities so far and it would be a daunting task to help it survive and lead a normal life, Mahanta said.
Zoo personnel are taking care of the calf by feeding, comforting and reassuring it, he said.
Alcoholic father burns child alive after a heated argument with his wife
A father allegedly under the influence of liquor burnt his two-year-old son alive after a heated argument with his wife at a village of Jalandhar district.
When Lakha Singh returned to his residence, his wife Manjeet Kaur sensed that he was drunk, objected to it and left the house after a heated argument with him at the couple's Kartarpur house, police said.
Irked over his wife's reaction, Lakha Singh took out some of her clothes and set them on fire. Later, Lakha allegedly forcibly dragged his son Pardeep (2) into the fire.
The child started crying but instead of pulling his son out of the fire, Lakha pushed him back. After a while, the child's aunt noticed the incident and rescued him.
The child with burn injuries was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed, police said adding a case had been registered in connection with the incident.
Lakha Singh fled from the spot, and efforts were on to arrest him, police sources said, adding the villagers on Friday forcibly shut down the nearby liquor vends.
When Lakha Singh returned to his residence, his wife Manjeet Kaur sensed that he was drunk, objected to it and left the house after a heated argument with him at the couple's Kartarpur house, police said.
Irked over his wife's reaction, Lakha Singh took out some of her clothes and set them on fire. Later, Lakha allegedly forcibly dragged his son Pardeep (2) into the fire.
The child started crying but instead of pulling his son out of the fire, Lakha pushed him back. After a while, the child's aunt noticed the incident and rescued him.
The child with burn injuries was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed, police said adding a case had been registered in connection with the incident.
Lakha Singh fled from the spot, and efforts were on to arrest him, police sources said, adding the villagers on Friday forcibly shut down the nearby liquor vends.
Indian soldier cremated 40 years after his death
The mortal remains of soldier Hardas, recovered almost 40 years after he perished in an aircrash in Himachal Pradesh, were consigned to flames with state honours at his native Lohchab village in Gurgaon.
The villagers, including school children, bid farewell to the departed soul.
Hardas died along with 101 soldiers on February 7, 1968 after the AN-12 aircraft, which was ferrying them from Chandigarh to Leh crashed near Chandrabhaga Peak in Himachal Pradesh. After the crash, their dead bodies could not be traced. His body along with other three was recovered by an expedition team led by Major Nishant Kumar on August 2,2007.
Sarpanch of Lohchab village Prem Chand was disappointed at the lukewarm response from senior political leaders and bureaucrats. "Only a few local leaders of different political parties and junior level administrative officers attended the funeral ceremony," he said.
He alleged that the government machinery did nothing for Hardas's family. "The government should have come forward to help his widow, Shanti, but it is an irony that she helped the government by providing a room in village school," Prem Chand said.
The villagers, including school children, bid farewell to the departed soul.
Hardas died along with 101 soldiers on February 7, 1968 after the AN-12 aircraft, which was ferrying them from Chandigarh to Leh crashed near Chandrabhaga Peak in Himachal Pradesh. After the crash, their dead bodies could not be traced. His body along with other three was recovered by an expedition team led by Major Nishant Kumar on August 2,2007.
Sarpanch of Lohchab village Prem Chand was disappointed at the lukewarm response from senior political leaders and bureaucrats. "Only a few local leaders of different political parties and junior level administrative officers attended the funeral ceremony," he said.
He alleged that the government machinery did nothing for Hardas's family. "The government should have come forward to help his widow, Shanti, but it is an irony that she helped the government by providing a room in village school," Prem Chand said.
Mother Teresa struggled with her faith in God for almost 50 years
Mother Teresa, who may be canonized as a saint by the Vatican later this year, had a deep crisis of faith in God for most part of her life, a set of her letters has revealed.
The correspondence, between Teresa and her confessors and superiors over a period of years, showed that she felt alone and in a state of spiritual pain from around 1949, roughly the time when she started taking care of the poor and dying in Kolkata.
The "Saint of the Gutter" died on September 5, 1997, nine days after her 87th birthday.
Although she publicly proclaimed that her heart belonged "entirely to the Heart of Jesus", she wrote to the Rev Michael Van Der Peet, a spiritual confidant, in September 1979, that "Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear. The tongue moves (in prayer) but does not speak."
The letter was written just a few weeks before she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her charitable work. More than 40 other letters, many of which she had asked to be destroyed in her will, show her fighting off feelings of "darkness" and "torture" for the last nearly half-century of her life.
The letters are published for the first time in a new book titled Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, edited by the Rev Brian Kolodiejchuk, a close friend.
He wrote that during that period, Mother Teresa did not feel God "in her heart or in the Eucharist".
The correspondence, between Teresa and her confessors and superiors over a period of years, showed that she felt alone and in a state of spiritual pain from around 1949, roughly the time when she started taking care of the poor and dying in Kolkata.
The "Saint of the Gutter" died on September 5, 1997, nine days after her 87th birthday.
Although she publicly proclaimed that her heart belonged "entirely to the Heart of Jesus", she wrote to the Rev Michael Van Der Peet, a spiritual confidant, in September 1979, that "Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear. The tongue moves (in prayer) but does not speak."
The letter was written just a few weeks before she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her charitable work. More than 40 other letters, many of which she had asked to be destroyed in her will, show her fighting off feelings of "darkness" and "torture" for the last nearly half-century of her life.
The letters are published for the first time in a new book titled Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, edited by the Rev Brian Kolodiejchuk, a close friend.
He wrote that during that period, Mother Teresa did not feel God "in her heart or in the Eucharist".
Magistrate gets seven-day jail term in Rajasthan
A magistrate was on Friday given a seven-day jail term by the Rajasthan High Court, which took serious note of his disobeying of a lower court's order.
Justice N P Gupta of the High Court sentenced Judicial Magistrate of Sirohi district Baldeo Singh Bhati after allowing a contempt petition filed by one Durga Shankar.
However, accepting an application by Bhati, the court suspended the sentence for a month so that he can appeal.
A case under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act (dishonour of a cheque) against Shankar was pending before Bhati.
While rejecting Shankar's application for exemption from appearance, Bhati cancelled his bail for non-appearance and issued a arrest warrant against him.
Shankar filed a revision petition before the Additional District Judge of Abu Road which directed him to appear before the court for bail.
He then produced an application before the Bhati who rejected it and sent him jail.
"The court has observed that it was a contempt of superior court by the subordinate court," said Vinit Jain, Shankar's counsel.
Justice N P Gupta of the High Court sentenced Judicial Magistrate of Sirohi district Baldeo Singh Bhati after allowing a contempt petition filed by one Durga Shankar.
However, accepting an application by Bhati, the court suspended the sentence for a month so that he can appeal.
A case under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act (dishonour of a cheque) against Shankar was pending before Bhati.
While rejecting Shankar's application for exemption from appearance, Bhati cancelled his bail for non-appearance and issued a arrest warrant against him.
Shankar filed a revision petition before the Additional District Judge of Abu Road which directed him to appear before the court for bail.
He then produced an application before the Bhati who rejected it and sent him jail.
"The court has observed that it was a contempt of superior court by the subordinate court," said Vinit Jain, Shankar's counsel.
When astrologers couldn't predict their own fate
Immigration authorities in Sri Lanka have arrested 16 Indian nationals, including 13 astrologers, for allegedly overstaying their visas.
Officials said the 16, including a woman, were taken into custody following two raids since last week in Colombo's commercial areas.
"Thirteen of them were working as astrologers and earning good money," an immigration official said. "We found that they came on tourist visas and stayed back."
The group, held at a detention centre near the capital, will be deported soon, the official said.
Sri Lanka grants visas on arrival to nationals of SAARC member states in a bid to encourage regional tourism.
Officials said the 16, including a woman, were taken into custody following two raids since last week in Colombo's commercial areas.
"Thirteen of them were working as astrologers and earning good money," an immigration official said. "We found that they came on tourist visas and stayed back."
The group, held at a detention centre near the capital, will be deported soon, the official said.
Sri Lanka grants visas on arrival to nationals of SAARC member states in a bid to encourage regional tourism.
This zero rupee note is sending shivers down the spines of the bribe-seekers!
Next time when you are asked to cough up extra money to get a driving licence or a birth certificate, shock the bribe-seekers with a 'zero rupee' note.
This is a novel campaign launched by '5th Pillar,' a non-profit non-governmental organisation formed to fight the common enemy of the nation -- corruption.
The 'zero rupee' note, which resembles an original Rs 1,000 note, is a sign of unwillingness to bribe. It has the picture of Mahatma Gandhi on it with a pledge "I promise to neither accept nor give bribe" printed both in English and Tamil.
It also resolves to "eliminate corruption at all levels." The rupee note has also been printed in Hindi and other regional languages to take up the campaign against corruption at the national level.
Founded recently by noted environmentalist and Exnora founder M B Nirmal, the NGO seeks to reduce the scale of corruption problem in the country by fostering attitudinal change among citizens and advocating the use of Right to Information (RTI) Act to ensure transparency in all governmental organisations.
Volunteers of the organisation have so far distributed 75,000 'zero rupee' notes among students in seven districts in Tamil Nadu as part of a month-long campaign "freedom from corruption" to coincide with the country's 60th year of independence. The students have also taken a pledge not to take or give bribe.
This is a novel campaign launched by '5th Pillar,' a non-profit non-governmental organisation formed to fight the common enemy of the nation -- corruption.
The 'zero rupee' note, which resembles an original Rs 1,000 note, is a sign of unwillingness to bribe. It has the picture of Mahatma Gandhi on it with a pledge "I promise to neither accept nor give bribe" printed both in English and Tamil.
It also resolves to "eliminate corruption at all levels." The rupee note has also been printed in Hindi and other regional languages to take up the campaign against corruption at the national level.
Founded recently by noted environmentalist and Exnora founder M B Nirmal, the NGO seeks to reduce the scale of corruption problem in the country by fostering attitudinal change among citizens and advocating the use of Right to Information (RTI) Act to ensure transparency in all governmental organisations.
Volunteers of the organisation have so far distributed 75,000 'zero rupee' notes among students in seven districts in Tamil Nadu as part of a month-long campaign "freedom from corruption" to coincide with the country's 60th year of independence. The students have also taken a pledge not to take or give bribe.
Youth pedals around the world to spread awareness on AIDS
A youth from West Bengal, who had set off on a world tour on bicycle to spread AIDS Awareness, reached Srinagar a week ago.
Somen Debnath from West Bengal's Sunderban reached here under his mission and had visited Kargil, Leh, Ganderbal and parts of Srinagar to campaign against the dreaded disease.
Talking about AIDS in Jammu and Kashmir, the 24-year-old PhD scholar, said, "During my interaction, I found people here are simple and religious minded and are aware of the ill-effects of illicit relations and that is why there are less HIV infected patients in the state compared to other states."
During his trip to Ladakh, Somen also trekked the highest motorable road in the world when he crossed 18,000 feet high Khardungla pass on bicycle.
Somen said he was moved by an AIDS related death in his neighbourhood 10 years ago and decided to go round the globe for HIV/AIDS awareness programme.
"I kicked off my journey on a bicycle on May 27, 2004 from my native village with just Rs 600 in the pocket," he said.
Somen claimed that so far he had visited five countries so far, including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
He has toured 27 states and five union territories of the country and is in Kashmir for the past three days, from here he will leave for Punjab. He intends to enter Pakistan via Wagah border in November.
Aiming to complete his mission by 2020, Somen will tour 32 countries by flight and 28 nations by ship and the bicycle will be all along with me, he said.
Somen Debnath from West Bengal's Sunderban reached here under his mission and had visited Kargil, Leh, Ganderbal and parts of Srinagar to campaign against the dreaded disease.
Talking about AIDS in Jammu and Kashmir, the 24-year-old PhD scholar, said, "During my interaction, I found people here are simple and religious minded and are aware of the ill-effects of illicit relations and that is why there are less HIV infected patients in the state compared to other states."
During his trip to Ladakh, Somen also trekked the highest motorable road in the world when he crossed 18,000 feet high Khardungla pass on bicycle.
Somen said he was moved by an AIDS related death in his neighbourhood 10 years ago and decided to go round the globe for HIV/AIDS awareness programme.
"I kicked off my journey on a bicycle on May 27, 2004 from my native village with just Rs 600 in the pocket," he said.
Somen claimed that so far he had visited five countries so far, including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
He has toured 27 states and five union territories of the country and is in Kashmir for the past three days, from here he will leave for Punjab. He intends to enter Pakistan via Wagah border in November.
Aiming to complete his mission by 2020, Somen will tour 32 countries by flight and 28 nations by ship and the bicycle will be all along with me, he said.
Hockey veterans look upto Bollywood stars for revival of game!
Indian hockey might soon have patronage of Bollywood superstars with veteran players trying to grab the opportunity provided by Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De India to revive the national game.
"Shah Rukh Khan can give impetus to Indian hockey, and revive the game that was slowly and surely struck down from hearts of millions of people after reaching zenith of popularity during 1975 World Cup," said Olympian Aslam Sher Khan in Bhopal.
Having found a ray of hope to revive the game, the former player said he has written to the Bollywood star requesting him to become a 'brand ambassador' of the sport.
Khan played a stellar role in India's World Cup win. His father was an equally popular hockey player and part of the Indian Olympic squad on several occasions.
Aslam said Chak De India has attracted young sportspersons towards hockey and the the trend could be explored to regain the lost glory.
"After Shah Rukh's effort, it looks to me that the time for hockey which had come to a standstill, has started ticking again," Khan said.
The golden era for hockey will return following an endeavour by the actor who might act as a catalyst to move the youth to take up hockey seriously, he hoped.
"Shah Rukh Khan can give impetus to Indian hockey, and revive the game that was slowly and surely struck down from hearts of millions of people after reaching zenith of popularity during 1975 World Cup," said Olympian Aslam Sher Khan in Bhopal.
Having found a ray of hope to revive the game, the former player said he has written to the Bollywood star requesting him to become a 'brand ambassador' of the sport.
Khan played a stellar role in India's World Cup win. His father was an equally popular hockey player and part of the Indian Olympic squad on several occasions.
Aslam said Chak De India has attracted young sportspersons towards hockey and the the trend could be explored to regain the lost glory.
"After Shah Rukh's effort, it looks to me that the time for hockey which had come to a standstill, has started ticking again," Khan said.
The golden era for hockey will return following an endeavour by the actor who might act as a catalyst to move the youth to take up hockey seriously, he hoped.
12 yrs on, lawyer manages to get son's murder suspects summoned
An advocate has succeeded after a 12-year legal battle in getting summons issued by a court against persons who allegedly accompanied his son before his death under mysterious circumstances.
Additional Sessions Judge H S Sharma held that the circumstantial evidence that the complainant's deceased son was last seen in the company of the accused was sufficient for taking cognizance of the matter.
Setting aside a lower court verdict, the judge, in a recent order, said, "The magistrate had himself observed that apart from the evidence that the deceased had accompanied the accused, there is no other evidence. What other evidence could have been produced by the complainant?"
Sharma observed that it was for the accused to disclose as to where the deceased was left by them and what had happened to him since he had been with them throughout.
He directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to take up the case afresh.
Additional Sessions Judge H S Sharma held that the circumstantial evidence that the complainant's deceased son was last seen in the company of the accused was sufficient for taking cognizance of the matter.
Setting aside a lower court verdict, the judge, in a recent order, said, "The magistrate had himself observed that apart from the evidence that the deceased had accompanied the accused, there is no other evidence. What other evidence could have been produced by the complainant?"
Sharma observed that it was for the accused to disclose as to where the deceased was left by them and what had happened to him since he had been with them throughout.
He directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to take up the case afresh.
Do you care to eat painted eggs? But that is what they are doing here
The eggs supplied as part of the noon meal scheme at schools would be painted with different colours to avoid their illegal selling in the open market.
District officials in Vellore said the eggs distributed on three days of a week will have different hues.
The Block Development Officers would ensure that the egg packets reach the schools properly.
In addition to this, flying squads would be engaged to detect any malpractice in the distribution.
District officials in Vellore said the eggs distributed on three days of a week will have different hues.
The Block Development Officers would ensure that the egg packets reach the schools properly.
In addition to this, flying squads would be engaged to detect any malpractice in the distribution.
In this restaurant, the real menu is ghosts!
Imagine being ushered into a dilapidated eating house beside a graveyard by a man who whips off his head and then offers it on a plate. Or conjure up what you thought to be a portrait, with the subject stepping out of the frame to come and sit beside you.
This will be a reality with world-renowned magician Pradip Chandra Sorcar Junior working on a project where, in the backdrop of a restaurant in a run down building, the intricacies of his Indrajal (illusion) would be explained.
And for food, the real menu will be ghosts! "It is not the food, but magic that will be on offer. It will not be a restaurant in the true sense. There will be 30 minute shows in the evenings at the restaurant," said Sorcar.
As for the ghosts, Sorcar says "they will be friendly and love the company of humans. But then since they are ghosts, you have to be prepared to be spooked." The show will be preceded by a session where illusion will be explained to visitors, from both home and abroad.
The restaurant, with dim lights and a bumpy pathway leading up to it will be located in the suburbs of the metropolis, but its exact location will remain a secret. "The project may be ready by the end of 2008, but I cannot disclose the exact location," says the magician.
It will be set up in the compound of the proposed university of magic, where illusion would be taught to students in batches numbering between 30 and 40 by Sorcar.
This will be a reality with world-renowned magician Pradip Chandra Sorcar Junior working on a project where, in the backdrop of a restaurant in a run down building, the intricacies of his Indrajal (illusion) would be explained.
And for food, the real menu will be ghosts! "It is not the food, but magic that will be on offer. It will not be a restaurant in the true sense. There will be 30 minute shows in the evenings at the restaurant," said Sorcar.
As for the ghosts, Sorcar says "they will be friendly and love the company of humans. But then since they are ghosts, you have to be prepared to be spooked." The show will be preceded by a session where illusion will be explained to visitors, from both home and abroad.
The restaurant, with dim lights and a bumpy pathway leading up to it will be located in the suburbs of the metropolis, but its exact location will remain a secret. "The project may be ready by the end of 2008, but I cannot disclose the exact location," says the magician.
It will be set up in the compound of the proposed university of magic, where illusion would be taught to students in batches numbering between 30 and 40 by Sorcar.
British woman is world's oldest natural mother at 59
A British housewife has become the world's oldest natural mother after giving birth at the age of 59, breaking the previous global record for a pregnancy by two years.
Dawn Brooke gave birth to a healthy boy without any fertility treatment only 12 months before she became eligible for her old age pension, the Daily Mail reported on August 20, quoting her 74-year-old husband Raymond as saying.
In fact, her husband, a former company director, said the couple had kept the 1997 birth private for a decade to let their son grow up in peace. But, he spoke for the first time yesterday about their delight at having a child so late.
"People are generally not quite aware of the extreme good luck we had at our age. We're overjoyed to have our son. We've been hugely fortunate. He's such a fantastic boy," Brooke was quoted as saying.
The youngster has been brought up at the couple's one million pound home on Guernsey and attends school on the Channel Island.
Relatives of the boy -- who is ten today -- said he's extremely bright and particularly enjoys maths. But like most children his age he is also a big fan of Harry Potter, a passion he shares with his father.
Brooke married his London-born wife a few weeks before their son was born by caesarean section at a Guernsey hospital on August 20, 1997.
"When we moved in they came round for a children's party, and everyone assumed that Mrs Brooke was the grandmother. But they are devoted to their son and very active. They seem far younger than their age," the couple's neighbour Marina Bourgaize told the daily.
It may be mentioned that the earlier world record for the oldest natural birth was held by Ruth Kistler, who had a daughter in Los Angeles in 1956 aged 57.
Dawn Brooke gave birth to a healthy boy without any fertility treatment only 12 months before she became eligible for her old age pension, the Daily Mail reported on August 20, quoting her 74-year-old husband Raymond as saying.
In fact, her husband, a former company director, said the couple had kept the 1997 birth private for a decade to let their son grow up in peace. But, he spoke for the first time yesterday about their delight at having a child so late.
"People are generally not quite aware of the extreme good luck we had at our age. We're overjoyed to have our son. We've been hugely fortunate. He's such a fantastic boy," Brooke was quoted as saying.
The youngster has been brought up at the couple's one million pound home on Guernsey and attends school on the Channel Island.
Relatives of the boy -- who is ten today -- said he's extremely bright and particularly enjoys maths. But like most children his age he is also a big fan of Harry Potter, a passion he shares with his father.
Brooke married his London-born wife a few weeks before their son was born by caesarean section at a Guernsey hospital on August 20, 1997.
"When we moved in they came round for a children's party, and everyone assumed that Mrs Brooke was the grandmother. But they are devoted to their son and very active. They seem far younger than their age," the couple's neighbour Marina Bourgaize told the daily.
It may be mentioned that the earlier world record for the oldest natural birth was held by Ruth Kistler, who had a daughter in Los Angeles in 1956 aged 57.
Even this Jharkhand legislator was not spared of ragging on his first day in college
Sukhram Oraon is a firebrand Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator from West Singhbhum district but even this could not help him evade ragging by his seniors on his first day in college. "You may call it ragging or whatever it may be but my first day in college is really pleasant memory," said Oraon, who enrolled in St Augustine College at Manoharpur in West Singhbum district after passing the matriculation examination this year.
Elaborating on the incident, the MLA from Chakradharpur said a function was organised by seniors to welcome freshers in the college campus on August 16 and he, being a member of the assembly, was made the chief guest. "Honestly, at first, I did not think that I would fall prey to ragging by my college mates, which I realised only when some of the boys drew my attention to the intention of the seniors," he said.
No sooner had he sat on the chair meant for the chief guest, one of the students asked Oraon in what capacity he had sat on the chair meant for the chief guest. Have you occupied the seat as a chief guest or as a student, the student asked.
Oraon said he was in the college as a student and not as a politician.
Then, the student shot back, he did not deserve to sit in the chair meant for the chief guest, He asked Oraon to go to the students gallery.
Oraon obeyed the directive and joined the students in the gallery. But the student was still not satisfied and asked the MLA to stand up and introduce himself to new-comers, which he did.
Elaborating on the incident, the MLA from Chakradharpur said a function was organised by seniors to welcome freshers in the college campus on August 16 and he, being a member of the assembly, was made the chief guest. "Honestly, at first, I did not think that I would fall prey to ragging by my college mates, which I realised only when some of the boys drew my attention to the intention of the seniors," he said.
No sooner had he sat on the chair meant for the chief guest, one of the students asked Oraon in what capacity he had sat on the chair meant for the chief guest. Have you occupied the seat as a chief guest or as a student, the student asked.
Oraon said he was in the college as a student and not as a politician.
Then, the student shot back, he did not deserve to sit in the chair meant for the chief guest, He asked Oraon to go to the students gallery.
Oraon obeyed the directive and joined the students in the gallery. But the student was still not satisfied and asked the MLA to stand up and introduce himself to new-comers, which he did.
A cyber cafe shows the way for visually impaired
An internet centre set up by an NGO in Chennai is virtually a boon for the visually challenged as it has special software that they can use to trawl through cyber space free of cost. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of 36-year-old Govind Krishnan, who is partially blind, the organisation Nethrodaya was launched five years ago.
"I know the problems a blind person faces and wanted to do something for others like me," said Krishnan. "This is the only such centre in the country where they can walk in and browse free of charge," he added.
This has been made possible thanks to technology major Sify, which has provided the centre unlimited access to the internet. Former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran inaugurated the facility in October last year.
The centre has JAWS (Job access with speech), an audio-based software that allows the visually challenged to use computers at will. When it is switched on, JAWS reads everything on the screen, including web pages.
The software was created due to efforts of the Bill Gates Foundation and Freedom Scientific, a group comprising individuals engaged in research. "This is of great help to the blind," Krishnan said.
"Other browsing centres are only equipped to cater to normal persons and this is what makes our centre unique." The centre is located at Mogappair and is being run out of a rented premises. The state government has given the NGO land at a site about two km from the current location. "God willing, we hope to construct our own building in a year," Krishnan said.
"I know the problems a blind person faces and wanted to do something for others like me," said Krishnan. "This is the only such centre in the country where they can walk in and browse free of charge," he added.
This has been made possible thanks to technology major Sify, which has provided the centre unlimited access to the internet. Former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran inaugurated the facility in October last year.
The centre has JAWS (Job access with speech), an audio-based software that allows the visually challenged to use computers at will. When it is switched on, JAWS reads everything on the screen, including web pages.
The software was created due to efforts of the Bill Gates Foundation and Freedom Scientific, a group comprising individuals engaged in research. "This is of great help to the blind," Krishnan said.
"Other browsing centres are only equipped to cater to normal persons and this is what makes our centre unique." The centre is located at Mogappair and is being run out of a rented premises. The state government has given the NGO land at a site about two km from the current location. "God willing, we hope to construct our own building in a year," Krishnan said.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
TEACHERS CAUGHT CHEATING DURING EXAM GET THE BOOT IN MADHYA PRADESH
Seven teachers were suspended on Friday for allegedly cheating during an examination at Badi town, around 100 km from Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, official sources said.
The teachers were caught red-handed cheating during the diploma in education examination on Thursday by a vigilance team led by sub-divisional magistrate Amarjeet Singh, said district education officer Arvind Singh.
Their suspension orders were issued on Friday morning following instructions from the district collector, he added.
The teachers were caught red-handed cheating during the diploma in education examination on Thursday by a vigilance team led by sub-divisional magistrate Amarjeet Singh, said district education officer Arvind Singh.
Their suspension orders were issued on Friday morning following instructions from the district collector, he added.
IT'S LITERALLY ONE OF THE MOST 'SHOCKING' CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A court in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday ordered the estranged husband of a woman to pay up his electricity bill while hearing a domestic violence case.
Sushma, who has filed a case against her husband Yogendra under the Domestic Violence (Prevention) Act, complained to the court that she had been living without power because of his defaulting electricity bills.
She said she has been living separately in the house in Muzaffarnagar, but UP Power Department officials were unwilling to give her a new connection until the bills were cleared.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Piyush Pandey then directed Yogendra to pay his bills.
Sushma, who has filed a case against her husband Yogendra under the Domestic Violence (Prevention) Act, complained to the court that she had been living without power because of his defaulting electricity bills.
She said she has been living separately in the house in Muzaffarnagar, but UP Power Department officials were unwilling to give her a new connection until the bills were cleared.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Piyush Pandey then directed Yogendra to pay his bills.
WOMAN PASSENGER DETAINED IN CHENNAI AIRPORT FOR SPORTING BULLET PENDANT
A woman passenger, who was wearing a bullet as a pendant around her neck, was briefly detained by security officials at the Anna International Airport in Chennai on Saturday.
Airport sources said Noor Bi Kaleel (52), a native of Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, came to board a Sharjah-bound Air Arabia flight this morning. After clearing immigration formalities, she went through security check. During frisking, it was found that she was wearing a 5.56 mm bullet, covered by threads, as the locket for a chain she was wearing around her neck.
Noor, who has been working as a domestic help in Sharjah, told the authorities that she was advised to wear the "sacred thread" by an Islamic cleric as a "remedy" for her heart ailment.
She had been wearing the pendant for the past three years, she said.
After a thorough investigation, security official seized the bullet from her and allowed her to leave for Sharjah, the sources said.
Airport sources said Noor Bi Kaleel (52), a native of Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, came to board a Sharjah-bound Air Arabia flight this morning. After clearing immigration formalities, she went through security check. During frisking, it was found that she was wearing a 5.56 mm bullet, covered by threads, as the locket for a chain she was wearing around her neck.
Noor, who has been working as a domestic help in Sharjah, told the authorities that she was advised to wear the "sacred thread" by an Islamic cleric as a "remedy" for her heart ailment.
She had been wearing the pendant for the past three years, she said.
After a thorough investigation, security official seized the bullet from her and allowed her to leave for Sharjah, the sources said.
A SHARK'S FOOD OF LOVE IS MUSIC!!
SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS AROUND THE WORLD TOO
They might have a reputation as being fearsome killing machines but when it comes to music, even the ocean's ultimate predator appreciates a decent tune.
Yes, a new study by German scientists has discovered that playing certain music to sharks gets them in the mood for mating, the Daily Mail reported.
A group of five sea life aquariums in Germany took part in the mood-music experiment as part of a project to try and encourage their sharks to mate. The experiment was launched because of a slowdown in the breeding of sharks in captivity. The aquariums played music to the sharks in water for two hours a day for four weeks. Each played a different title, from classical to rock and hip-hop. Even staff and visitors were asked to watch the behaviour of the sharks.
After four weeks, scientists found that music indeed created a positive effect on the libido of the sharks by encouraging some of them to mate. "We tried everything else and it did not work, so we tried a new approach," the daily quoted a spokesperson for the group as saying. "It has been tried with pandas and primates and it worked with them as well, so why not sharks?" he asked.
The aquariums have now produced a top five of shark mood music. On the top is Salt-N-Papa's Push It, followed by Joe Cocker's You Can Leave Your Hat On, James Last's Traumschiff, Justin Timberlake's Rock Your Body and Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry.
They might have a reputation as being fearsome killing machines but when it comes to music, even the ocean's ultimate predator appreciates a decent tune.
Yes, a new study by German scientists has discovered that playing certain music to sharks gets them in the mood for mating, the Daily Mail reported.
A group of five sea life aquariums in Germany took part in the mood-music experiment as part of a project to try and encourage their sharks to mate. The experiment was launched because of a slowdown in the breeding of sharks in captivity. The aquariums played music to the sharks in water for two hours a day for four weeks. Each played a different title, from classical to rock and hip-hop. Even staff and visitors were asked to watch the behaviour of the sharks.
After four weeks, scientists found that music indeed created a positive effect on the libido of the sharks by encouraging some of them to mate. "We tried everything else and it did not work, so we tried a new approach," the daily quoted a spokesperson for the group as saying. "It has been tried with pandas and primates and it worked with them as well, so why not sharks?" he asked.
The aquariums have now produced a top five of shark mood music. On the top is Salt-N-Papa's Push It, followed by Joe Cocker's You Can Leave Your Hat On, James Last's Traumschiff, Justin Timberlake's Rock Your Body and Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry.
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