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[
"Richa Khare"
] | 2016-08-26T14:53:46 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Eight years ago, Dayanand Bhadwankar fell off a dahi handi pyramid and injured his spinal cord. The 32-year-old son of a mill worker cannot walk without the help of a walking stick, much less afford | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fwithout-welfare-net-govindas-take-a-long-painful-fall%2Farticle9032619.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02986/handi_final_2986235c.jpg | en | null | Without welfare net, Govindas take a long, painful fall | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Injured dahi handi participants say SC decision positive, but financial support for rehabilitation is absent
Eight years ago, Dayanand Bhadwankar fell off a dahi handi pyramid and injured his spinal cord. The 32-year-old son of a mill worker cannot walk without the help of a walking stick, much less afford medical treatment. To him, the Supreme Court decision to cap the height of human pyramids is positive. Yet, much more needs to be done for financial and logistical support, he says.
“When the incident took place there was some help from organisers and the government, but now, there is nobody to help. The doctor has suggested an injection next month that costs around Rs. 2 lakh. With a monthly income of around Rs. 8,000, it’s not possible for us to bear the expense,” says Bhadwankar, who lives with his mother, father and a younger brother at Wadi Chawl, Chinchpokli.
Loses job after fall
Following the fall, he was admitted to KM Hospital and then to Hinduja Hospital, where a surgery was performed. The accident cost him his job, and the only earning member in the family now is his 26-year-old brother, an office assistant in an Andheri firm.
Nagesh Bhoir, 29, from Bhiwandi, shares Bhadwankar’s plight. A fall from the pyramid in 2009 left him bedridden, with spinal cord injuries.
Bhoir, who was a collector with a local bank, lives with his parents and a sister. “I don’t want to comment on the height of the dahi handi pyramid but I respect the court’s decision. It will cause fewer injuries. Someone should take responsibility for the injured. There should be a mechanism to provide relief,” he says. His family is trying hard to raise funds for his medical treatment. “My father, who used to work at local dyeing company, has not been able to resume work for the last two months and our family income is zero. As soon as we are able to collect Rs. 10 lakh, I can go in for surgery,” he said.
Till the authorities put their heads together for the rehabilitation of people like Bhadwankar and Bhoir, they will have to wait for kindred souls who come forward to help them. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/without-welfare-net-govindas-take-a-long-painful-fall/article9032619.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7bff7581bdfbb64a60fccf3cacbe7e425a28110cec1c71fb2dc851eb9b4af26d.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T20:52:29 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Sometime ago, a resident of Lavelle Road got an unexpected visitor who chose to enter through the drain pipes of the bathroom. A snake had slithered in from a vacant site near Eliza Manor buildi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fhelp-my-neighbour-is-harbouring-garbage%2Farticle9051355.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/31BG_GARBAGE_PLOT1_2992759c.jpg | en | null | Help! My neighbour is harbouring garbage | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Some citizens allow sites to be used as a dumping ground, turning them into a breeding ground for mosquitoes
Sometime ago, a resident of Lavelle Road got an unexpected visitor who chose to enter through the drain pipes of the bathroom. A snake had slithered in from a vacant site near Eliza Manor building. The vacant site was also home to piles of rotting garbage, rodents and mosquitoes.
Waste management is in such disarray that vacant sites often become temporary garbage landfills. This phenomenon is predominant in newer and developing parts. But readers have reported this problem in Crescent Street, some sites near the passport office in Koramangala and Kalyan Nagar too.
Another problem spot is HRBR Layout, which has about 150 empty plots, most of which are not maintained properly. This neighbourhood has reported the most snake sightings this past summer. “We have been asking the BBMP to penalise owners who do not maintain their sites, but there is no response. People do not have the culture of keeping their doors closed all the time,” says D.S. Rajashekar, President of the Citizens Action Forum, an umbrella organisation for around 110 Residents’ Welfare Associations in the city.
The civic authority has, several times, announced that a hefty penalty would be levied on owners of vacant sites where garbage is dumped. Authorities even warned that if the owners don't clean up their sites, the BBMP would and pass on the expenditure to them. However, nothing has changed.
BBMP officials claim that tracing the owners is a Herculean task. "This is because most of vacant sites are under litigation. Other times, the owner would have settled abroad and we are unable to trace them," a senior official explained.
To make matters worse, these garbage-filled vacant sites are potentially more dangerous that the black spots on street corners or the roadside. The garbage is contained in a specific area and ends up serving as a fostering ground for rodents, snakes, mosquitoes and stray dogs.
“A vacant site where uncollected garbage piles up is like showing a welcome sign to a snake,” says Mohan K., who heads the Quick Animal Rescue Team.
Possible solutions: ‘Owners can be made to act’
Waste management experts and activists say that property owners must fence their plots to prevent it from being misused or becoming garbage dumps.
The law has provisions for preventing dumping on vacant sites. The BBMP can serve a notice. If the owner fails to take action, the civic has to clean the site and send a bill to the owner amounting to thrice the cost incurred.
N.S. Ramakanth, waste management expert, says, “We have put up signs at problematic areas in the neighbourhood stating that the site is being taken over by or belongs to the BBMP. We have succeeded in getting the owners to take responsibility, erect fencing and get the site cleaned.”
People Speak
“I live in Kalyan Nagar, close to the Horamavu-ORR junction. The service road on the KN side has quite a few empty plots. Some have become the de-facto dumping grounds for garbage and carcasses from meat shops. This generates a foul smell, especially after a rainfall, and attracts rodents causing health issues,” says Sundar Balasubramanian, Kalyan Nagar.
“My neighbourhood is plagued with garbage issues. In addition to open drains and black spots, garbage is dumped in two vacant sites. I request BBMP to conduct an awareness campaign on waste management,” says Meena Artwani, resident of Manjunatha Layout, Thanisandra Main Road.
Reader’s Mail
We stay in Dollars Colony in J.P. Nagar. An empty site on 3rd Cross was used to dump construction debris and other waste. When construction started on the site a few months ago, the culprits adopted another empty site on 5th Cross — Jayashri Ramesh, resident, Dollars Colony.
On my daily morning walks, I often end up stopping people from dumping garbage in an empty site near Kidney Foundation — R. K. Kaustubha, Padmanabhanagar.
My apartment faces a road full of shops and eateries. They dump garbage in two empty sites in N.R. Palya till one was converted into parking space. The other one remains an eyesore — Nandhini Rao, Bannerghatta Road.
Garbage is dumped outside the Government Channasandra School on Uttarahalli-Kengeri Road — Shahanawaz Sagar.
You can see a lot of garbage dumped around Kempegowda Bus Station. The neighbourhood stinks, which reflects poorly on Bengaluru — Chandrashekar. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/help-my-neighbour-is-harbouring-garbage/article9051355.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/593dd57f1fb30faf8a2754aa5002403453e4fb1de55d65d01c53f1541bd6812b.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T00:52:05 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | With the vigil against stray dogs being intensified across the State, thanks to an incident in which a woman was mauled to death by street dogs in the capital last week, the Kozhikode Municipal Corpor | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fcorporation-to-speed-up-abc-project%2Farticle9037022.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27-KI-STERILISATIO_2987643c.jpg | en | null | Corporation to speed up ABC project | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The civic body has already conducted two ABC camps in which around 300 stray dogs were sterilised. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup
Corporation commences work on Veterinary Super Specialty Hospital at Poolakkadavu
With the vigil against stray dogs being intensified across the State, thanks to an incident in which a woman was mauled to death by street dogs in the capital last week, the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation too has stepped up its game to implement the Animal Birth Control project.
At present, the ABC project of the corporation largely depends on the availability of skilled surgeons and a mobile operation theatre (MOT) that belongs to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) in Wayanad. “We do not lack funds. We even have several surgeons who are skilled in the whole sterilisation process. But we do not have the required infrastructure,” said P.C. Rajan, chairman of the development standing committee of the corporation.
Meanwhile, the corporation has commenced work on the proposed Veterinary Super Specialty Hospital at Poolakkadavu. The hospital will also have facilities for stray dog sterilisation. “The work is progressing fast, and we plan to complete it by March,” Mr. Rajan said.
He also hinted at making an MOT available to temporarily aid the ABC project. The MOT at KVASU is required across the State, considering the intensified campaign for stray dog sterilisation.
Though the corporation has requested the KVASU team to organise another camp in Kozhikode, it may take a month more. The civic body has already conducted two ABC camps in which around 300 stray dogs were sterilised.
Meanwhile, the corporation also has plans to train a few more ABC assistants to aid the project. “We may send 10 to 12 persons to Ooty to be trained in capturing stray dogs,” Mr. Rajan said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/corporation-to-speed-up-abc-project/article9037022.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d6fb7eb8abb4551497032347f6a2cc2191a1349f4c0840d8934b8cfe298a41b9.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T14:51:58 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Farmers of Hassan district are anticipating a severe drought, given the deficit rainfall so far. Since the onset of monsoon, except Sakaleshpur taluk, no other place has received normal rainfall. The | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fhassan-farmers-worried-over-deficit-rainfall%2Farticle9036260.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Hassan farmers worried over deficit rainfall | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Farmers of Hassan district are anticipating a severe drought, given the deficit rainfall so far. Since the onset of monsoon, except Sakaleshpur taluk, no other place has received normal rainfall. The district administration has asked officers of Agriculture Department to visit the fields and assess the status of crops. The officers are expected to submit a report within a week.
Growers of paddy, ginger, potato and horticulture crops worry about losing yield. “There was a delay in the onset of monsoon. We were expecting good rainfall in July and August, but there were no sufficient rains. Even those farmers who had borewells could not provide water for their crops as hundreds of borewells have dried up,” said Kari Gowda, a farmer in Halebidu.
Parts of Belur taluk are worst hit as the taluk recorded a deficit rainfall of 45 per cent. Sowing in kharif has been completed in 1.86 lakh hectares of the district, against the target of 2.54 lakh hectares.
R. Ramachandrappa, Joint Director of Agriculture, told The Hindu, “The district has registered a deficit rainfall of 11 per cent. The normal rainfall expected since the onset of monsoon was 699.5 mm of rainfall, but what we received is only 616.88 mm. I have instructed the field officers to submit reports on the crop status.”
Hassan, Alur, Holenarasipur, Arakalgudu, Arasikere and Channarayapatna have received less than normal rainfall. Borewells and tanks have become dry, worsening the drinking water crisis. Residents of villages in Arasikere taluk are getting drinking water through tankers.
Going by the rainfall reports since January this year, the Malenadu region is the worst hit in the state. The average rainfall received in Hassan, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu district (Malenadu) is 29 per cent less than the normal. Against the expected rainfall of 1,481 mm of rainfall, the region received only 1,048 mm.
As many as 57 taluks in 11 districts of the state have recorded deficit rainfall. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hassan-farmers-worried-over-deficit-rainfall/article9036260.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5edce409251d67479d94edd11b92d752239fd2c140020d4378fdeaeda6de54df.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T18:50:30 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Leander Paes and Andre Begemann made it to the final of the ATP Winston-Salem Open beating Swede Robert Lindstedt and Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi 1-6, 7-6(), [10-4] on Friday.
Other results (se | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Fpaes-begemann-in-final%2Farticle9040817.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Paes & Begemann in final | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Leander Paes and Andre Begemann made it to the final of the ATP Winston-Salem Open beating Swede Robert Lindstedt and Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi 1-6, 7-6(), [10-4] on Friday.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/paes-begemann-in-final/article9040817.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/737e33521165853fc200c8e0a99c337e92d78bda7d1f9c18c16721e094009cb6.json |
[
"Sangeetha Devi Dundoo"
] | 2016-08-29T10:51:05 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | His directorial, Jo Achyutananda, is scheduled to release on September 9 and one would expect Srinivas Avasarala to be neck deep giving finishing touches to his film. We catch up with him on the sets | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fsrinivas-avasarala-discusses-his-directorial-jo-achyutananda%2Farticle9045725.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/Avasarala__2__2990886c.jpg | en | null | Srinivas Avasarala discusses his directorial ‘Jo Achyutananda’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Srinivas Avasarala discusses his directorial ‘Jo Achyutananda’ and reveals why his acting, filmmaking choices aren’t driven by monetary concerns
His directorial, Jo Achyutananda, is scheduled to release on September 9 and one would expect Srinivas Avasarala to be neck deep giving finishing touches to his film. We catch up with him on the sets of the Telugu remake of Hunterrr, in which he plays the lead. “These days I’m working nearly 20 hours a day. Until about 1.30p.m. I was at the editing suit for my film, afternoons I shoot for this film till about 10 p.m. And I’m back doing what’s necessary for Jo Achyutananda,” says Avasarala, during a break.
In 2014, when his debut directorial Oohalu Gusagusalade came as a breath of fresh air, he had a few offers. But he took his time. The idea for Jo… came at an uncanny time, when he met with multiple injuries on his wrist while shooting for Kanche in Georgia. When he was wheeled into an operation theatre, he found himself humming Kishore Kumar songs. Out of the blue, he was stuck with an idea of a story of two brothers. “They were taking me in for anaesthesia and I kept hoping that when I wake up after the surgery, I’ll remember this trail of thought,” he laughs. An operation table might be a weird place for a new story idea, but Avasarala says he was at his relaxed best, since there was nothing else he could do anyway.
The first glimpse of Jo Achyutananda would make one wonder if Regina is the bone of contention between brothers Nara Rohith and Naga Shaurya, but Avasarala denies it with a glint of a smile. He didn’t want to make another love triangle, after Oohalu... “It’s a story between brothers,” he quips.
After Oohalu…, a few actors sent him feelers and enquired when he’s starting his next. He laughs at how they backed off the minute they learnt it was a two-hero story. Avasarala narrated his idea to a couple of actors before approaching Nara Rohith. “At that time he was doing action films and I wasn’t sure if he’d take it up. But he listened to the story and was game,” he shares. Next, he was looking for an actor to play Rohith’s younger brother and roped in Naga Shaurya, with whom he worked in Oohalu… He was keen on casting a fresh face for the leading lady, before the tables turned in favour of Regina Cassandra. Much before he had the script in place, Avasarala decided he would want Shankar Mahadevan to sing a song in rag Yaman. ‘Oka Lalana’ composed by Kalyanramana is like a dream come true.
The strength of Oohalu… was in its writing and Avasarala has his formal training in script writing to thank for it. “The most important education I received is in writing. You can come up with great ideas but you need to know the craft, to structure an idea into a good script. Oohalu… figured in a list of seven must watch films of 2014. A few days ago I came across another article that mentioned Oohalu… and Ashta Chemma among the 15 small films that made a difference. Things like these make me happy,” he smiles.
As an actor, Avasarala hasn’t had it easy. He contends that the industry, largely, doesn’t focus on writing strong parts beyond the hero’s character. He remembers a time when a producer gave him a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh for a role he didn’t quite like. “I didn’t have much in my bank account and my car didn’t have enough fuel. The money was tempting but I stuck to my guts and said no,” he says.
Of late, we’ve seen him in a bunch of projects including Nannaku Prematho, Kanche, A… Aa and Gentleman. He cites varied reasons to pick a project, from wanting to work with Trivikram and be around with friend and director Mohanakrishna Indraganti watching him work. “Money is never a prime reason. If work is satisfying, money will eventually come.”
Acting in the remake of Hunterrr was an instinct-driven choice. He liked the Hindi original and agreed. “There’s always a chance that the film might work for the wrong reasons, but I hope it clicks for right reasons,” says Avasarala, referring to the character of a sex-addict protagonist.
Be it as an actor or a filmmaker, Avasarala doesn’t want to be swayed into making hasty decisions. “The other day someone who has money at his disposal asked me if I’d make a film. I am all for collaborations done the right way. Filmmaking is an art; it shouldn’t end up like making an inanimate coffee table,” he signs off. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/srinivas-avasarala-discusses-his-directorial-jo-achyutananda/article9045725.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/88b2f4d203950450152107bac47644ea3e3b0a8962467c2f54fd691288d683f6.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T20:52:25 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) has won an international competitive bid for the development and operation of Mopa greenfield airport in North Goa.It was a closely contested process — five bidders had prequal | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fgmr-to-build-goas-mopa-airport%2Farticle9040736.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | GMR to build Goa’s Mopa airport | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Five bidders had qualified, including the Airports Authority of India and a consortium of Essel
GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) has won an international competitive bid for the development and operation of Mopa greenfield airport in North Goa.
It was a closely contested process — five bidders had prequalified — with the Airports Authority of India emerging second highest bidder followed by a consortium of Essel Infra-Incheon. The letter of award is expected to be issued within 60 days and 45 days from that date the concession agreement will be signed, according to a statement from GMR.
The concession period is for 40 years with a possible extension of 20 years through a bid process. The airport is to be built under the Build Operate Transfer model. The concession offers 232 acres for commercial city side development for a period of 60 years. The regulatory regime for the concession will be ‘hybrid till’ with 30 per cent cross subsidy.
Chairman (Airports) of GMR Group Srinivas Bommidala said GAL would deliver an airportwell within the project timelines. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/gmr-to-build-goas-mopa-airport/article9040736.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/331a280e6cd694b245a246666dc09f3a47e978e848732ea930b69b182e830cb2.json |
[
"Suresh Menon"
] | 2016-08-30T18:52:04 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Has the Sachin Tendulkar retirement drama spoilt the modern cricketer or is he merely taking his cue from the poet Dylan Thomas: Do not go gentle into that good night…/Rage, rage against the dying of | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumns%2Fsuresh-menon%2Fthe-final-pointer-to-character-how-a-player-retires-from-the-game%2Farticle9051283.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02692/SEHWAG_2692245c.jpg | en | null | The final pointer to character: how a player retires from the game | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Retirement is a natural conclusion to a sportsman’s career, even if occasionally the inevitable is delayed.
Has the Sachin Tendulkar retirement drama spoilt the modern cricketer or is he merely taking his cue from the poet Dylan Thomas: Do not go gentle into that good night…/Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Two recent reluctant retirees have been Shivnaraine Chanderpaul and Dilshan Tillekeratne. “I still have a lot to offer,” said the former while Dilshan said, “I hadn’t planned to retire when the series (against Australia) began.”
Last year Virender Sehwag told this newspaper that the pain of being “deprived of a farewell game will always remain” in his mind.
In the past, players called it a day at the end of a series, after being out of the reckoning for a while or owing to injury, and did it quietly, almost privately. Many didn’t get around to making any official announcement, and simply dropped out of the public eye. Great cricketers never retired, they merely lost their drive!
Farewell cheers
When Don Bradman came out to play his final innings, he was given three farewell cheers by the opposition, as was Wally Hammond in his final Test in New Zealand. And that was that. Of an earlier generation, Jack Hobbs left the same way, cheers and all. The first captain of independent India, Vijay Hazare wrote in his autobiography, “Although I didn’t officially announce my retirement, I felt I was through with Test cricket.”
That was after leading in the West Indies in 1952-53. All very civilised and low key.
When Steve Waugh announced at the start of a series against India that he was calling it a day at the end of it, he hijacked the competition and made it about himself. Sourav Ganguly and Tendulkar took a leaf out of Waugh’s book, exciting the marketing men and advertisers far more than the Australian did.
You can’t begrudge the players getting their pound of flesh, though. Many Indian heroes had to face the ignominy of being sacked, sometimes without even being officially told. Thus did Lala Amarnath quit, after the cricket board leaked the story of his successor being appointed in the middle of a home series. Amarnath was impressed enough with the tactic to use it when he was selector to end the career of Vinoo Mankad the great all rounder, after the West Indies series of 1958-59.
The stalwarts of the 60s and 70s dropped out without fanfare, and often without public announcements. Chandu Borde was dropped as part of the selectors’ youth policy, Farokh Engineer faded away after a pair in his final Test, M L Jaisimha after the West Indies series of 1970-71, Erapalli Prasanna, Bishan Bedi and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (match-winners all) were finished after a mauling at the hands of Zaheer Abbas and company in Pakistan, Gundappa Vishwanath couldn’t make a comeback after Imran Khan-induced uncertainties on a later tour. Dilip Vengsarkar held on after losing his captaincy, but his career came to a natural standstill.
Reflexes slow down, motivation oozes out, the practice-match-travel routine is no longer attractive, families grow, interests in other areas widen.
Retirement is a natural conclusion to a sportsman’s career, even if occasionally the inevitable is delayed. Kapil Dev, for instance, went on till he had the world wicket aggregate record to himself, although he was clearly past his best.
Sunil Gavaskar alone beat the then system — deciding on the time and place of his last bow, and playing one of the great innings on a Bangalore turner against Pakistan, to boot. He invited a few journalists to his hotel room, and made the announcement. No fanfare. No special treatment.
Yet, a later generation often demanded and got both fanfare and special treatment. Tendulkar, requiring two more Tests to complete 200, had an entire series conjured out of thin air for him, including a farewell party that involved the whole country. Sourav Ganguly announced before a series against Australia that it would be his last, thus ensuring the kind of public reaction associated with the puja holidays in his native Kolkata.
Of the others of that generation, Rahul Dravid held a press conference as did V.V. S Laxman, after being picked for the home series against New Zealand.
Anil Kumble, realising his body couldn’t take the strain any longer decided to heed the message on his son’s T-shirt which read: “Its time to call it a day.” He was chaired off the field by his successor, M. S. Dhoni.
Virender Sehwag wondered why the board did not give him a proper farewell. His goodbye was the strangest of all. In Dubai, as a build-up to the T20 Masters League, he was reminded that no current player could play the tournament.
“I hereby retire from all forms of international cricket,” he tweeted after the ceremony, ensuring that the journalists scooped his own story!
Thanks to the three formats of the game, retirement by degrees is the modern way. And many expect a public farewell. Perhaps more than the cover drive or battling under pressure, it is the way he retires that speaks of a player’s character. | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/suresh-menon/the-final-pointer-to-character-how-a-player-retires-from-the-game/article9051283.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4a85ee3ba17fd041b5820b217563b394636a32e1007325e6eee1a89e86c76e18.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T10:54:49 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations has published the college-wise list of candidates who applied for admission to the 15 per cent community quota in medical and dental colleges under the Keral | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Fadmission-to-medical-dental-courses%2Farticle9052992.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | ADMISSION TO MEDICAL, DENTAL COURSES | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations has published the college-wise list of candidates who applied for admission to the 15 per cent community quota in medical and dental colleges under the Kerala Christian Professional College Management Federation. A press note issued here on Tuesday said the list had been published in the websitewww.cee-kerala.org. Any complaints about the list should be brought to the attention of the Commissioner, along with necessary proof, before 5 p.m. on September 2. — Special Correspondent
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/admission-to-medical-dental-courses/article9052992.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/079057dbc0c58ac9c9b3b58907206673db9b04b7d93f4f8ae73fee0959702a75.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T08:53:48 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | KARAIKAL
Centre for Cultural Resources and Training
: Short term workshop on Cultural education and CCRT’s Role, Thanthai Periyar Government Higher Secondary School, Kovilpathu, 9.30 a.m | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fengagements%2Farticle9044373.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | engagements | null | null | www.thehindu.com | KARAIKAL
Centre for Cultural Resources and Training : Short term workshop on Cultural education and CCRT’s Role, Thanthai Periyar Government Higher Secondary School, Kovilpathu, 9.30 a.m.
PUDUKOTTAI
Indian Red Cross Society, Pudukottai Branch : Opening of new office building and inauguration of first aid training centre, S.Ganesh, Collector, chief guest, D.Parimala Devi, Dean-cum-Special Officer, Pudukottai Government Medical College, speaks, near Panchayat Union office, 10.30 a.m.
J.J.College of Arts and Science Spectra Association : Lecture on Web services by S.Britto Rameshkumar, assistant professor, St.Joseph’s College, 11 a.m.
Mount Zion College of Engineering and Technology : Seminar on Research proposal writing, K.Porsezian, professor, Pondicherry University, speaks, 2 p.m.
Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Management : Inaugural function, Kavitha Subramanian, professor, J.J.College of Arts and Science, chief guest, 10 a.m.
VELANKANNI
Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health : Annual feast, flag procession and flag hoisting, blessing by Most Rev.M.Devadass Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur, 6 p.m. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/engagements/article9044373.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/65b5e002fe61d08f5b4760f388d597919e248c68d3f33be7d22684a396931709.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T22:51:24 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Sheena Bora murder accused Indrani and Peter Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna were on Friday produced in a special CBI court, where their judicial custody was extended up to September 13. The CBI’s Special | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fsheena-bora-murder-custody-of-peter-indrani-extended%2Farticle9037561.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27TH_SHEENA_PTI8_2_2987836c.jpg | en | null | Sheena Bora murder: Custody of Peter, Indrani extended | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Lawyers object to ‘media trial’ after recordings of conversations of accused surface
Sheena Bora murder accused Indrani and Peter Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna were on Friday produced in a special CBI court, where their judicial custody was extended up to September 13.
The CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor Bharat Badami told the court that while the investigation into the case would continue, the agency was ready to commence arguments on framing of charges against the accused.
The issue of the recorded conversations between the arrested accused and Peter’s son Rahul were also mentioned in the court on Friday. Recordings of the conversations were on Thursday aired by some sections of the television news media and were also reported in the print media.
The prosecution and defence lawyers objected to the media 'trial' and the leak of crucial electronic evidence in the case, saying witness protection was important and that the broadcasting of such evidence in the news media may affect the witnesses.
Following a plea from Peter Mukerjea's lawyer The court directed the lawyers not to leak information and ensure out a fair trial.
A CBI officer said the audio tapes have already been fully investigated by the agency. “All the audio recordings form an integral part of the charge sheets filed by the CBI in court against the accused. The court has taken cognisance of the same,” the officer said.
The conversations, which were recorded by Rahul Mukerjea and later submitted to the CBI, show that Peter and Indrani Mukerjea tried to convince Rahul that Sheena had travelled to the U.S.
Peter Mukerjea is heard telling Rahul that he had spoken to Sheena, that she was fine. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sheena-bora-murder-custody-of-peter-indrani-extended/article9037561.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d1f8986a18c19002dfb20a7862d100e9313b12a4426c83a3b97615aa1ea61c51.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:55 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Several thousand farmers and members of different political parties were arrested on Tuesday when they tried to enter railway stations in a bid to prevent movement of trains as part of their State-wid | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Ftn-farmers-failed-by-both-centre-and-state-government%2Farticle9052596.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/30AUGCHMAK01_fa_31_2993054c.jpg | en | null | ‘TN farmers failed by both Centre and State government’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Several thousand farmers and members of different political parties were arrested on Tuesday when they tried to enter railway stations in a bid to prevent movement of trains as part of their State-wide protest against the Central and State governments, whom they blamed for failing to get adequate water from Karnataka in time for ‘ samba’ crop cultivation.
Police prevented members of farmers organisations, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi among other parties from entering Chennai Egmore and Tiruchi railway stations. The party cadre had responded to the protest called by the Thamizhaga Anaithu Vivasayigal Sangangalin Orunginaippu Kuzhu – TN All Farmers’ Coordination Committee.
Committee’s convenor P.R.Pandian told reporters in Chennai Egmore that ‘kuruvai’ crop was already a failure, resulting in severe loss to thousands of farmers, especially in the Delta districts. “Had the Tamil Nadu government acted on time, the farmers would not have taken to the streets today. The Centre seems to be in no mood to listen to the grievances of farmers of Tamil Nadu. They have failed farmers from the State completely,” Mr. Pandian said.
The leaders and party cadre tried to enter Egmore station, but were arrested and taken away in police vehicles. They were released later in the evening. Mr. Pandian said protests would continue until Tamil Nadu received its due share of water from Karnataka.
Farmers accused the Central and State governments of failing to implement an order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, directing Karnataka to release 192 thousand million cubic feet of water from the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu in phases. The Tamil Nadu government has now moved the Supreme Court, appealing it to direct Karnataka to release 50 tmcft of water at the earliest.
In Tiruchi, farmers demanded the formation of the Cauvery Management Board to protect the livelihood of the farmers. While over 3,000 people were arrested in Thanjavur district, over 1,600 people were held in Tiruvarur district and 1,000 in Nagapattinam district. The protesting cadre jostled with the police at Thanjavur junction when they attempted to enter the junction premises and block the Vasco da Gama-Velankanni Special Express. Shops in Kumbakonam and surrounding areas remained closed during most part of the day.
Over 125 farmers and DMK members were arrested in Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi and Sivaganga. Traffic on Theni-Kumuly road was disrupted for some time as about 65 farmers picketed the Theni-Cumbum road at Uthamapalayam.
In Somanur, Coimbatore, farmers staged a protest against Kerala Government's move to construct a dam across river Siruvani and the Karnataka government's move to construct a dam at Mekedatu and failure to release Cauvery water. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tn-farmers-failed-by-both-centre-and-state-government/article9052596.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4a1a69df7f1c2ad510e4ac3521f68e797b0b2dab501deee60d15042a1cf0cc16.json |
[
"Jayashree. S. M."
] | 2016-08-28T14:51:07 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, is one of the top universities in Canada that focusses on research in engineering. It is one of the dream destinations for many Indian students aspiring to conti | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Feducation%2Fcollege-and-university%2Fat-home-in-carleton%2Farticle9042850.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/29EPBS_GOAL_POST_j_2989712c.jpg | en | null | At home in Carleton | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Freedom and flexibility make research a hands-on experience at Carleton University, writes JAYASHREE S.M.
Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, is one of the top universities in Canada that focusses on research in engineering. It is one of the dream destinations for many Indian students aspiring to continue their research studies in North America. Its striking blend of high quality infrastructure and easily accessible resources makes it a conductive environment for self-motivated research.
Canada predominantly follows the English culture. However, quite often, you will come across anything from bonjour, merci and au revoir in your workplace to croissants and macarons being munched over coffee. One can enjoy both the English and the French way of life, simultaneously. This mixed culture also gives an opportunity to learn an additional language to widen your social and professional network, as most Indians do it back home. Moreover, being an international student lets you befriend people from diverse backgrounds across the world and learn more about their cultural experiences.
I vividly remember my first day in Canada when I was surprised by the number of people from India. I had pre-booked my accommodation with fellow Indians and was subjected to a warm welcome from my house-mates as well as my supervisor, in the university. I did not feel home-sick as I was used to staying away from my family during my undergrad and post-grad studies while in India. Besides, anything from Indian groceries to Indian films can be found nearby.
Although the time zone and weather is different from India, I have eventually got used to it. Part of the quick settling down was mainly due to my previous international experience at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, where I did my master’s thesis project. The research-based learning programme in VIT University coupled with the experience gained during my master’s thesis in Eindhoven University of Technology, helped me strengthen my research career and also publish my research. In addition to this, I had a gold medal in structural engineering from VIT University. Both factors ultimately paved the way for bagging a fully-funded doctorate opportunity in Carleton University. Today, I am doing my research in Blast Research Group, Carleton University, on the topic The Effect of High Strain Rate in Hybrid Fibre Reinforced Concrete.
As far as the master’s programme in my university is concerned, the university has a well-planned and organised orientation programme to induct students into their courses. Almost all students will be helped to find a senior student from their own country and background. Apart from the academic schedule, there are various clubs and student groups for international students within the university. Once you have settled down, finding part-time work is easy, both inside and outside the university.
The academic and research fraternity is friendly and helpful. Almost all lectures will be delivered through presentations and recorded videos are available for reference. Moreover, students have more freedom to choose their course work and research options, and the study timings are flexible. The period of completing the degree depends on students’ discretion.
One of the main aspects of carrying out research in this university is the amount of freedom given to the researcher. Although progress will be monitored by supervisors, the hands-on experience students gain in such flexible environments is enormous. You can do anything from calibrating machines in the laboratory to working on engineering software platforms independently. Apart from academic progress, I have been able to improve my interpersonal skills by delivering seminars and presentations in front of audiences from different cultures.
Grad life at Carleton University is a unique journey which will amply prepare you for future challenges in your career and life.
The writer is a PhD Student, Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/college-and-university/at-home-in-carleton/article9042850.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/65105967e604eeed0b5d06e3cb2cc9118751bacc508468f63b555719e72d32ee.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T07:00:34 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Government of India is planning to bring out a policy for operation of drones by private parties or persons in view of the security threat posed by those Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).Of late, m | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Foperation-of-private-drones-needs-regulation%2Farticle9048835.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/30-VJ-CP_GTLCN4OL2_2992021c.jpg | en | null | ‘Operation of private drones needs regulation’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | They pose security problems, says Police Commissioner
The Government of India is planning to bring out a policy for operation of drones by private parties or persons in view of the security threat posed by those Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Of late, many persons are engaging drones operated by some private persons for covering marriage parties, religious events, processions and meetings often without obtaining permission from the government departments.
However, operation of drones by individuals for private parties was posing a threat and the persons who are operating and engaged should obtain permission for using drones, said City Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang, adding that the modalities in this regard were being worked out.
Central guidelines
“A few days ago, the Centre released guidelines for using drones for private functions and events. There should be some control on drones and we will come out with a policy on operating drones by private persons,” Mr. Sawang said.
A senior police officer said that drones, also known as UAVs, were being used to capture aerial views. But the UAVs could take pictures of VVIPs’ residences, government offices, temples, police stations and offices, bus and railway stations, airports and other secured zones, which posed a threat.
“There were instances of terrorists attacking with drones and doing bombings with the help of UAVs in many places across the world. High capacity drones which can hit the targets from far-off distances are available in the market,” the officer said.
Persons owning drones should maintain the list of customers engaging the vehicle, flying hours, purpose of engaging the drone, area where the vehicle was operated, timings and other particulars.
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which issues air operator permits, licences to flight crew and grants permissions for aircraft operations, has reportedly said that operating drones will not come under their purview as drones fly at low altitudes in a limited area.
Later, the Government of India framed guidelines for operating drones and circulated them to all the States. Recently, the Andhra Pradesh Police used 18 drones, of which eight are private drones.“We need drones for regulating traffic, tracking VIP movements, identifying criminals and [for] other purposes. Trained police personnel will be deployed for operating drones in future,” said the Police Commissioner. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/operation-of-private-drones-needs-regulation/article9048835.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/413a746727110291a72df7547b54360d59398a9a6f471322acec8024be36d797.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T10:52:07 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan had the most “special” moment of her life as she walked the ramp flaunting her baby bump. The 34-year-old actor got emotional and said it would be a walk to reme | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fcinema%2Fkareena-gets-emotional-as-she-walks-at-lfw-with-baby-bump%2Farticle9045235.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/THJVN_KAREENA_2990743c.jpg | en | null | Kareena gets emotional as she walks at LFW with baby bump | null | null | www.thehindu.com | She turned designer Sabyasachi’s muse for his latest collection that brought the curtain down on the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016.
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan had the most “special” moment of her life as she walked the ramp flaunting her baby bump.
The 34-year-old actor got emotional and said it would be a walk to remember for her as she and her baby took to the ramp together for the first time.
Kareena turned designer Sabyasachi’s muse for his latest collection that brought the curtain down on the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016.
“I must say it’s not one but two of us. It’s a very special moment. I have never walked for Sabyasachi before, we were not able to do a film together. But this moment is very special. It’s going to be in the history. I am actually very emotional right now. It is a moment I want everyone to cherish. I would like to say Sabyasachi is not a designer he is an artist. He creates painting. I am really honoured to wear this artist,” Kareena said post the show.
The Ki & Ka star was dressed in a heavily embroided olive green lehenga and a kurti patterned choli with dupatta on her head, looking every inch like a regal bride. Her look was completed by a beautiful maang tika.
The actress was asked if the baby kicked while she was walking on the ramp, to which she replied with laugh saying, “I was too nervous to realise if it happened.”
Kareena is being praised by the industry for not letting the pregnancy come in between her work and the actress said she will never go away from the camera.
“I have always maintained that I work till I die. Acting is my passion. My work is my passion and as long as I am working it makes me happy and that joy shows on face. I am going to continue working.”
The Bollywood diva was all praise for Sabyasachi and said even her mother-in-law, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, is a big fan of his creations.
“It is pleasure to walk for him. He works magic with his masterstroke. Even my mother-in-law is a huge admirer of his work,” she said praising the designer.
The royal collection titled “Illuminate” revolved around the theme of shimmer, with the colour palette including shades of dust, smoky, shimmery metallics along with strong contrasting jewel tones, like a deep emerald, a rich oxblood, a coffee maroon among others.
Sabyasachi stood by his signature patterns, but this time also ventured into the arena of western wear mixing it with theme of Indian embroidery.
“This time around I wanted to create few dresses. I decided to make some short evening wear, but kept the Indianess alive with my signature work. I can’t leave that as it is the essence of my brand. I am an Indian designer and I can never let that go away from myself,” Sabyasachi told PTI.
The vintage range drew its inspiration from the era of 1920s to 1960s.
It weaved three stories together, first the night clubs in Paris in the 1920’s, second from the Bauhaus school of strict architecture and the third was the celebration of finest quality of needle craft from all across the world.
The designer, who made his runway debut with Lakme Fashion Week in 2002, said doing the grand finale was like a homecoming.
The show was attended by Kareena’s sister Karishma Kapoor, who couldn’t stop adoring her younger sibling as she took to the ramp.
Karishma was seen clicking Kareena’s pictures and cheering for her throughout her long ramp walk.
Actress Deepika Padukone, who has been the designer’s one of the favourite muses, also attended the show.
Actress Kajal Aggarwal and producer-director Divya Kumar Khosla were the other celebrity guests. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kareena-gets-emotional-as-she-walks-at-lfw-with-baby-bump/article9045235.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ce7af90891322e198befa256cff91583b1c820f0fae054d36dacef6bfd201b14.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T06:55:58 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The CBI was on Monday directed by the Supreme Court to file a forensic report regarding electronic evidences being examined by CFSL in connection with the Vyapam scam within six weeks.
A Bench of J | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fvyapam-scam-sc-directs-cbi-to-file-forensic-report-in-6-weeks%2Farticle9046266.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Vyapam scam: SC directs CBI to file forensic report in 6 weeks | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The CBI was on Monday directed by the Supreme Court to file a forensic report regarding electronic evidences being examined by CFSL in connection with the Vyapam scam within six weeks.
A Bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and P.C. Pant said it may pass orders on the aspect of monitoring of the probe done by the CBI after the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report is submitted in a sealed cover and examined.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the CBI, filed a status report on the probe carried out so far in the scam in which it said that charge sheet has been filed against 80 accused. While one closure report has been filed, 13 preliminary enquiries have also been closed.
Mr. Kumar said the probe agency has requested the CFSL, which is examining the pen-drive of the whistle blower and a hard disk, to expedite the process and submit the report.
He alleged that several telecom providers were also not cooperating with the probe agency with regard to the case.
When the Bench asked the CBI by when it expected the CFSL to file its report in the case, Mr. Kumar said CFSL at Hyderabad had several things at hand and could file the report in two months.
The court said there were two issues for its consideration — the monitoring of the probe and a challenge to the order of the High Court.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Madhya Pradesh government, said the main prayer was for probe by an independent agency like the CBI which has already been done.
At the outset, the Bench said nothing much needs to be done in the matter and whatever grievances the petitioner had could be raised before the High Court.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, said the CFSL was examining the electronic evidences and the court should first call for the report and then pass appropriate orders.
He said the pen-drive was given to the High Court but it has not been looked into and nothing has been done for years.
Mr. Sibal said the CBI has also not looked into the pen-drive and have sent it to CFSL for the examination. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vyapam-scam-sc-directs-cbi-to-file-forensic-report-in-6-weeks/article9046266.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fa4c67f678a61ff652ef30f2afbb78471209873dca024bd192d01105e6d55443.json |
[
"Dinakar Peri"
] | 2016-08-30T20:55:08 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The logistics pact signed between India and the U.S. after over a decade of negotiations does not mean much in itself, say experts, adding that the real challenge lies in its implementation.The Logis | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Flemoa-pact-the-challenge-lies-in-implementation%2Farticle9051393.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | The challenge lies in implementation | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The logistics pact signed between India and the U.S. after over a decade of negotiations does not mean much in itself, say experts, adding that the real challenge lies in its implementation.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is an administrative arrangement facilitating access to each other’s military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement.
“LEMOA is just an enabling agreement and the test of it lies in how it plays out in the future,” observed Rear Admiral (retd.) V.S. Chaudhari, the additional director of Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.
Another retired Navy officer who did not wish to be named termed it a “procedural thing” and said that too much was being made out of it as “it is a break from the past.” “The real issue is its implementation and the status of forces for which India has not signed an agreement with the U.S.,” he stated, pointing to the intrusive U.S. clauses that may be politically problematic for India.
Other experts see it as sending a strong message to Beijing. Some in the Chinese media had expressed concerns over signing of the agreement. According to Dr. W.P.S. Sidhu, Senior Fellow at New York University’s Centre on International Cooperation, China’s reaction proves that LEMOA is a formidable diplomatic and military tool that India can leverage to build its own capacity vis-à-vis Beijing. “It also underlines the emerging U.S.-India alliance against the China-Pakistan-DPRK axis,” he told The Hindu.
Another Asia expert, Michael Kugelman, Senior Program Associate at Wilson Centre said that it “telegraphs a clear message of intent” even as some of the definitional issues continue to be worked out. He said that LEMOA could be seen as a case of putting the cart before the horse, because the two countries have still not agreed on what should constitute the essence of security cooperation. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lemoa-pact-the-challenge-lies-in-implementation/article9051393.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3973103b503c2a0a55e0c7a79988b31e417df5eee896ab4b84351bca0b88b4a5.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T12:51:42 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The Congress corporator from H-East ward, Kalina, drew flak on social media on Saturday after he allegedly made derogatory remarks on women from the north-east. Local newspapers reported Brian Miran | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fcong-corporator-censured-for-remarks-on-women%2Farticle9040886.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Cong. corporator censured for remarks on women | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Congress corporator from H-East ward, Kalina, drew flak on social media on Saturday after he allegedly made derogatory remarks on women from the north-east.
Local newspapers reported Brian Miranda claiming that it is because of the way north-eastern women dress, the crimes are on the rise in the city. He allegedly made the comments after hearing an incident of alleged molestation of a 19-year-old Manipuri girl in Kolaveri village, Santacruz, on August 19.
The issue came to light when Angellica Aribam, general secretary of National Students’ Union of India, shared the report on her Twitter handle, asking Sanjay Nirupam, president of Mumbai Congress, to take action against Mr. Miranda. The report also mentions some policemen anonymously commenting on the alleged unsuitability of dresses worn by women.
Mr. Nirupam said, “The very fact that they commented anonymously was alarming. It shows that they hold the same view. There should be a drive to sensitise them to women’s rights and freedom as well.” He said he had contacted Mr. Miranda and had reprimanded him when he admitted to have made the statements. “He told me that there is a problem in Kolaveri village, Santacruz, as girls who stay there come late at night. But I told him that he should report the matter to the police. He committed that he will not make any such remarks again.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/cong-corporator-censured-for-remarks-on-women/article9040886.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/70501aa6d5cd2cafded172ed99fedbb982aff40a8a68e1b227bd0cee7b12c1b3.json |
[
"A.D. Rangarajan"
] | 2016-08-28T04:51:25 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | For those wondering whether Jana Sena is a political outfit, or just more than a fans’ association, here’s the answer.Its founder and actor Pawan Kalyan chose the public meeting organised here on Satu | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fnow-is-the-time-to-act-pawan%2Farticle9041572.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27tp5935HI-W099_28_2989211c.jpg | en | null | Now is the time to act: Pawan | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Fans cheer as Jana Sena founder and actor Pawan Kalyan (not in picture) addresses a public meeting in Tirupati on Saturday.—Photo: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR
Jana Sena is not a palanquin bearer for either the TDP or BJP, he says
For those wondering whether Jana Sena is a political outfit, or just more than a fans’ association, here’s the answer.
Its founder and actor Pawan Kalyan chose the public meeting organised here on Saturday to define his party as an independent entity, not meant to be a palanquin bearer for either the TDP or the BJP.
He defined his 33-month-old patient wait as a way of observing restraint and allowing the two parties to perform and fulfil their promises.
“A word spoken and an arrow that left the bow cannot be retracted. Hence, I have been watching the goings-on for a long time. Now is the time to act,” he said.
Constructive agenda
Mr. Pawan Kalyan announced that the Jana Sena, even while remaining a regional party, would have a national perspective and a constructive agenda.
“I had politely declined the offer made by BJP president Amit Shah to join the party, making clear my intention to keep Jana Sena as an independent entity,” he said.
‘Beyond all barriers’
Hailing his fans and party workers for being in the forefront to serve the State, he said that the Jana Sena would go from strength to strength to become a powerful force to reckon with.
He made it clear that his outfit would stand beyond narrow considerations like caste, religion, or region.
While flaying a section of the media for casting aspersions that his inner coterie represented only men from his caste, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said that his daughter had been baptised recently as per his wife’s wish though he practised Hinduism.
Mr. Pawan Kalyan boldly retaliated to the comical references made by opposition leaders.
“My party was dubbed ‘Bhajana Sena’. I was heckled as ‘Rubber Singh’ instead of ‘Gabbar Singh’. It pained a lot, but I endured it for the sake of my people,” he said.
Interestingly, Mr. Pawan Kalyan used the Rayalaseema dialect on a number of occasions to establish ‘connect’ with the audiences, who responded with loud cheers.
Though Mr. Pawan Kalyan generally spoke on issues post-bifurcation, he personally named former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh (Congress) for initiating the bifurcation process and the incumbent Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) for going back on the SCS promise and even belittling its benefits.
“Going by the presence of our ‘rich MPs’, the Centre is of the view that Andhra Pradesh does not need SCS. There are six crore people who need it,” was his tongue-in-cheek remark.
The Centre is of the view that Andhra Pradesh does not need SCS. There are six crore people who need it
Pawan Kalyan | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/now-is-the-time-to-act-pawan/article9041572.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e0206ecdad62b1429759fd3b2ece014e00853bed2f3dbf9b743b61c576e11343.json |
[
"Vijay Lokapally"
] | 2016-08-30T02:55:31 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Gautam Gambhir’s concerted effort to dig himself in and study the playing conditions closely was the outstanding feature of the curtailed first day’s play of the Duleep Trophy league match between In | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Fduleep-trophy-india-blue-makes-a-steady-start%2Farticle9046700.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/combo_2991402c.jpg | en | null | Duleep Trophy: India Blue makes a steady start | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Rain washes out first day’s play after 34.2 overs
Gautam Gambhir’s concerted effort to dig himself in and study the playing conditions closely was the outstanding feature of the curtailed first day’s play of the Duleep Trophy league match between India Red and India Blue here on Monday.
When rain lashed the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, India Blue, surprisingly put in by Yuvraj Singh, was 105 for no loss with Gambhir (51) going strong in the company of Mayank Agarwal (53). The sudden deluge left the venue flooded, washing out the day’s remaining play and raising doubts over the possibility of the game resuming on Tuesday too.
It was an intense contest. The talking point was Gambhir’s new stance — two-eyed — and the comfort with which he slipped into the new approach.
It may restrict his strokeplay to a large extent, but then Gambhir’s intent was not to showcase his range of shots but concentrate on a disciplined effort.
He had talked of making the most of the chance at the start of the season and his obduracy in the middle, at times patting deliveries he could have dismissed with disdain, reflected his determination.
That Gambhir loves to play his shots is well known but it is also true that he is not averse to grinding the attack. He grabbed the opportunity to make use of the pitch which had lesser grass than the one on which the preceding match was played.
This surface was drier and the ‘carry’ was encouraging. The India Red seam bowlers looked to make an early dent, but Gambhir and Agarwal hung in with the element of luck of favouring them too.
B. Aparajith, scheduled to come in next, noted, “I think we batted really well. The pitch was a little on the slower side, but it was a nice surface to bat on. We need to take some more time to settle down than the normal red ball.”
India Red’s centurion of the last match, Abhinav Mukund, said it was challenging. “There was less swing than before but credit to them for batting well. We need to pick up couple of wickets and come back into the game,” he said.
Gambhir got a life on six when Pradeep Sangwan dropped him at fine-leg off Nathu Singh. Mayank was also fortunate (when on 48) not to have been adjudged leg-before by umpire Virender Singh when he was trapped on the backfoot by chinaman Kuldeep Yadav.
These blemishes apart, the India Blue openers did a decent job before rain pelted the stadium and halted play for the day.
The scores:
India Blue — 1st innings: Mayank Agarwal (batting) 53 (102b, 6x4), Gautam Gambhir (batting) 51 (105b, 5x4); Extras (nb-1): 1; Total (for no loss in 34.2 overs): 105.
India Red bowling: Nathu Singh 6-0-23-0, Pradeep Sangwan 8.2-1-22-0, Ishwar Pandey 5-2-7-0, Kuldeep Yadav 9-0-30-0, Akshay Wakhare 5-0-18-0, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-5-0.
Toss: India Red. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/duleep-trophy-india-blue-makes-a-steady-start/article9046700.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9f767c410be1b356ed08537cf461f356d71aa073076d8324f04404b379001555.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T15:00:06 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Unified Payment Interface — a payment application by which a recipient can initiate the payment request from a smart-phone — has been made operational following final approval from the RBI, the Natio | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Funified-payments-interface-goes-live%2Farticle9032519.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Unified Payments Interface goes live | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Unified Payment Interface — a payment application by which a recipient can initiate the payment request from a smart-phone — has been made operational following final approval from the RBI, the National Payments Corporation of India said. Banks will install the UPI app on the Google Play Store over the next two-three days. “Real-time sending and receiving money through a mobile application at such a scale on interoperable basis had not been attempted anywhere else in the world,” said A. P. Hota, MD & CEO, NPCI. Most leading banks such as ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India have tied up with NPCI for the service. The UPI app of 19 banks will be available on the Google Play Store in the next two to three working days for the customers to download and begin start using the app, it added. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/unified-payments-interface-goes-live/article9032519.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2622aca82e353ddb6e49eb0847ac8823ea806f569bd87e99d5ec9275b8eb585b.json |
[
"M. Rajeev"
] | 2016-08-27T20:51:56 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | In a significant decision, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has allocated 36 tmcft of water to Andhra Pradesh and 15 tmcft to Telangana for September.The allocations are against the 47 tmcft | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fap-gets-36-tmcft-telangana-15-tmcft-of-krishna-water%2Farticle9041194.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/TH28_KRISHNA_2989019c.jpg | en | null | A.P. gets 36 tmcft, Telangana 15 tmcft of Krishna water | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The allocations are against the 47 tmcft requisitioned by Andhra Pradesh and 40 tmcft sought by Telangana on Friday. An aerial view of Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada. — File photo
In a significant decision, the Krishna River Management Board has allocated 36 tmcft of water to Andhra Pradesh and 15 tmcft to Telangana for September.
In a significant decision, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has allocated 36 tmcft of water to Andhra Pradesh and 15 tmcft to Telangana for September.
The allocations are against the 47 tmcft requisitioned by Andhra Pradesh and 40 tmcft sought by Telangana on Friday. The allocation to Andhra Pradesh had been on the higher side as the state insisted that it would need more water during September, but the Board asserted that the 63:37 ratio would ultimately be maintained between the two States.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the three-member committee, comprising KRMB member-secretary Sameer Chatterjee and engineers-in-chief of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh C. Muralidhar and M. Venkateswara Rao here on Saturday. The panel met again on Saturday as the Board could not arrive at a consensus on Friday.
At the close to two-hour meeting, it was decided to maintain the 63:37 ratio for next month. Of the 15 tmcft allocated to Telangana, 12 tmcft would be for the Nagarjunasagar left canal and 1.5 tmcft each for meeting the drinking water requirements of Hyderabad, and the A. Madhav Reddy irrigation project.
Of the allocation made to Andhra Pradesh, 10 tmcft each would be released for the Krishna delta system and the Pothireddypadu and Nagarjunasagar right canal, four tmcft to Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi, and two tmcft to the left bank canal.
“For the time being, the requirement of Andhra Pradesh is more. Ultimately, we will maintain the ratio,” Mr. Chatterjee said. He said the discussion point on Saturday was confined to September, and a similar meeting would be held in the last week of next month to finalise releases for October.
Sources said the requirement of Telangana had been brought down significantly as the state had decided to defer the release of water to Khammam.
The meeting had resolved to strike a balance as the prospects in the season were not encouraging so far. “We have to calculate keeping the barest minimum requirements for the season and ensuring survival of the standing crop,” said a member.
The meeting did not discuss consumption by minor irrigation sources in the two States as a sub-committee had been constituted to examine it. The sub-committee is expected to submit its report within 15 days based on which the Board would take a view on the overall distribution of water between the two riparian States. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ap-gets-36-tmcft-telangana-15-tmcft-of-krishna-water/article9041194.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a8b18856311d20eb76eb584061637c713f47d0cd5efce4580625c985d8f3904e.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:47 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | In a bid to propagate the ideals of 12th Century social reformer Basaveshwara, the Basava Kendra of Hubballi has initiated a project to start a Basava Samskruti School and also a Basava Personality D | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fbasava-samskruti-school-planned-to-promote-ideals-of-social-reformer%2Farticle9037167.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/26HB_BASAVA_2987743c.jpg | en | null | Basava Samskruti School planned to promote ideals of social reformer | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In a bid to propagate the ideals of 12th Century social reformer Basaveshwara, the Basava Kendra of Hubballi has initiated a project to start a Basava Samskruti School and also a Basava Personality Development Centre. Addressing presspersons here on Friday, president of Basava Kendra B.V. Shirur said that the school and centre would come up on an area of 39 guntas allotted by Hubballi Dharwad Urban Development Authority at Rayanal near Hubballi.
While the school will come up at a cost of Rs. 1.12 crore, the centre will be built at a cost of Rs. 9.40 crore. “We have also planned to build a Basava Study Centre at a cost of Rs. 2.40 crore and a Basava Mantapa at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh. Already, a representation has been made to the Chief Minister on the project and he has assured us of providing some funds,” Prof. Shirur said.
Many philanthropists chip in
Advisor of the building committee and the former bureaucrat M.V. Gongadashetty said that several philanthropists had come forward to make donation. They had received pledges for contribution to an extent of Rs. 2.15 crore.
Basava Kendra vice-president S.V. Pattanashetti and convenor S.C. Indi said that a month-long Vachana Shravana programme organised to spread Basaveshwara’s message would conclude on Sunday at the Samskrutika Bhavan. Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Chitradurga and Mate Basaveshwaritai of Attiveri will be present.
Basava Kendra office-bearers Raju Aneppanavar, Basavaraj Yaklaspur and Basavaraj Lingashettar were present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/basava-samskruti-school-planned-to-promote-ideals-of-social-reformer/article9037167.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3dc85ff9105d7659b9bbc90f9730fb5293705fa04cdd24e8bc245f0f2cc6df2b.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:54:55 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Telangana Legislative Assembly and Council adjourned sine die after a day’s sitting on Tuesday to ratify the Goods and Services Tax Bill passed by Parliament but both Houses will meet for a minimu | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fts-legislature-adjourned-sine-die%2Farticle9052917.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/30hynrh30-Assem_HY_2993083c.jpg | en | null | TS Legislature adjourned sine die | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Speaker of Telangana Legislative Assembly S. Madhusudana Chary chairing the Business Advisory Committee meeting attended by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his Cabinet ministers and leaders of the Opposition parties, in Hyderabad on Tuesday.–Photo: By Arrangement
Both the Houses likely to be convened for ten working days from September 20
The Telangana Legislative Assembly and Council adjourned sine die after a day’s sitting on Tuesday to ratify the Goods and Services Tax Bill passed by Parliament but both Houses will meet for a minimum of ten working days for the monsoon session from September 20.
The Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly which met under the chairmanship of Speaker S. Madhusudana Chary after the GST Bill was ratified, decided on the dates for the monsoon session in consultation with leaders of Opposition parties. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was also present.
The Opposition leaders insisted with Mr. Rao that the House should not adjourn sine die but run for 15 days to discuss burning issues facing the State, such as drought, reorganisation of districts, loan waiver for farmers, pending bills of 4.86 lakh houses under Indiramma scheme and 12 per cent reservations for STs and minorities. But, Mr. Rao shot down the suggestion stating that the legislature was convened today with the sole objective to ratify the GST Bill and take up no other business, except ordinances. He refused to concede extension of the session because Ganesh festival and Bakrid were around which will require close police vigil. Then, the Opposition said at least its demand for business till the weekend may be agreed.
Sources said Mr. Rao was disinclined to extension but assured them to reconvene the House in the third week of September, preferably from 20{+t}{+h}when at least ten working days could be planned. He did not agree drought had set in as there were indications of rain in the coming days. He regretted that the working days of Assembly were pruned over the years. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/ts-legislature-adjourned-sine-die/article9052917.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1b201f6c221f3058254b0726bb136de6322ef4a8d13f84c10137dc7981cb352b.json |
[
"S. Harpal Singh"
] | 2016-08-30T22:57:14 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Sub Inspector of Police at Kerameri police station in Adilabad district, Kashmeni Sridhar, aged 27 years committed suicide by firing one shot at his temple from his service revolver at his reside | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerameri-sub-inspector-of-police-commits-suicide%2Farticle9050146.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Kerameri Sub Inspector of police commits suicide | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The deceased belonged to Avunuru village in Mustabad mandal of Karimnagar district.Incidentally, this is the second incident this month of a police officer ending his life.
The Sub Inspector of Police at Kerameri police station in Adilabad district, Kashmeni Sridhar, aged 27 years committed suicide by firing one shot at his temple from his service revolver at his residential quarter within the police station premises. The unmarried officer had taken charge as SI in the police station just three days back after completing his three month training at the same place.
According to information, the police officer collapsed after the bullet pierced through his temple. His maid who heard the shot being fired servant informed other policemen in the vicinity and they tried to take him to Asifabad hospital.
Mancherial Assistant Superintendent of Police S.M. Vijay Kumar told The Hindu that the SI died and there was no apparent reason for Sridhar to have taken the extreme step. The deceased belonged to Avunuru village in Mustabad mandal of Karimnagar district.Incidentally, this is the second incident this month of a police officer ending his life. T.Ramakrishna Reddy, Sub Inspector of police in Kukunoorpally police station of Medak district too had committed suicide in similar fashion on August 17. He shot himself with the service revolver at his quarters and alleged large scale corruption of his seniors and harassment as cause of the extreme action. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerameri-sub-inspector-of-police-commits-suicide/article9050146.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6021a449a48fbd5bde3bc0b57292c9fefd1ae4cb89916e42c0167a1b2bd68182.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T21:00:05 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The Telugu Desam Party Telangana State unit has advised the State Government to review the agreements it made with Maharashtra on sharing Godavari water and make changes to them to ensure that the Sta | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Freview-agreements-with-maharashtra-says-revanth%2Farticle9034567.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Review agreements with Maharashtra, says Revanth | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Telugu Desam Party Telangana State unit has advised the State Government to review the agreements it made with Maharashtra on sharing Godavari water and make changes to them to ensure that the State’s interests are not lost.
TDP-TS working president A. Revanth Reddy said the Maharashtra Government had agreed during the meeting of the Chief Ministers of the two States in 2012 to maintain the height of the Tummidihatti project at 152 metres. The neighbouring State had accepted the proposal made by the then government for utilising 160 tmcft of water, at the rate of 1.8 tmcft a day for 90 days.
This was followed by a meeting of the experts’ committee in 2014 which was attended by Government’s advisor R. Vidyasagar Rao and engineer-in-chief Muralidhar Rao where the dam height was agreed at 152 metres and the same was ratified by a committee of retired chief engineers constituted by the Telangana Government.
The State Government had, however, set aside the consensus reached in the past. The Government’s decision to reduce the height of the project to 148 metres would confine the scope of the project to Adilabad district besides allowing Maharashtra to share 20 per cent of water of the Chanaka-Korata project without contributing any money for the project.
While the previous agreements signed in 1975 were aimed at considering Maharashtra’s objections in respect of projects across the Pranahita river, the present agreement would give Maharashtra a say even in the assured water to Telangana. Mr. Revanth Reddy also questioned the rationale behind not convening the meeting of the Inter State Board of which the Chief Ministers of the two States were co-chairmen. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/review-agreements-with-maharashtra-says-revanth/article9034567.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a1be67b96e2d1d0746fca463f20eb79eb7c8e3272cee5ea2535e9e45ba84f1fb.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T06:56:24 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Former Minister B.T. Lalitha Naik has received a threatening letter from a person in Udupi for supporting Dalits on the issue of skinning of cows. She revealed this to reporters in Tumakuru city on M | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fexminister-receives-threat-letter%2Farticle9045673.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Ex-Minister receives threat letter | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Former Minister B.T. Lalitha Naik has received a threatening letter from a person in Udupi for supporting Dalits on the issue of skinning of cows.
She revealed this to reporters in Tumakuru city on Monday, where she was participating in an event organised by progressive organisations on the eve of the death anniversary of rationalist M.M. Kalburgi.
“A person named Sunil from Udupi has threatened me for opposing the attacks on Dalits, who had skinned dead cows at Jayapura in Udupi district a month ago,” she said and added that she had received an inland letter a week ago at her residence in Judicial Colony in Bengaluru.
Ms. Naik said that she was addressed in the singular and abused in foul language in the letter. Quoting the letter she said, it said: “You hold a supporting view towards cow slaughter and Dalits. Hence, you too need to be killed.”
She said she had first ignored it, but had now decided to file a complaint with the jurisdictional police in Bengaluru after returning from Dharwad. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/exminister-receives-threat-letter/article9045673.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9abf92ae9d40bce1e3a103145f61f17274e7dad570f5eda7de5922f3a6745cb5.json |
[
"R. Srikanth"
] | 2016-08-27T12:54:13 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Snapping of overhead electricity cables and low-hanging power lines have been posing danger to the residents and have remained a headache for the authorities.The tragic electrocution of a couple in Ve | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Faerial-bundled-cables-to-prevent-electrocution%2Farticle9037177.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/CHE-ELECTRICITY_LI_2987746c.jpg | en | null | Aerial bundled cables to prevent electrocution | null | null | www.thehindu.com | TANGEDCO changing overhead power cables.
Snapping of overhead electricity cables and low-hanging power lines have been posing danger to the residents and have remained a headache for the authorities.
The tragic electrocution of a couple in Velachery, caused by the severing of an overhead electricity cable on November 22 last and the many electrocution deaths during the December floods are memories that are yet to recede.
To prevent such deaths, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TANGEDCO) has been replacing overhead power lines with aerial bundled cables (ABC) in some areas identified by the authorities.
Unlike the present cables that are exposed to the elements, the ABCs have many advantages, including being corrosion-free and leaving no chance for accidents. “The insulated cable would be installed in areas that are narrow, thickly populated with tree branches and in slum tenements. However, the technology is cost-prohibitive,” a TANGEDCO official said. The ABCs have replaced overhead cables in various places for a stretch of 100 km in mostly accident-prone and flood-hit areas of north and south Chennai, said the official. Interior areas of Tambaram, Perumbakkam, Medavakkam, Seethalapakkam, MGR Nagar, Soolaipallam, Alwarthirunagar Annexe, Tillai Ganga Nagar, Villivakkam, Maduravoyal, Nerkundram and Pattabhiram are the places where ABCs have been installed, he added.
TANGEDCO proposes to expand the ABC network in the coming years as they are clutter-free and do not occupy much space. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aerial-bundled-cables-to-prevent-electrocution/article9037177.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a46e8c70c98cc7692bc8abf7033241426a11e8df20e9c8501f519fb6389e526a.json |
[
"K . Srinivasa Rao"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:59 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | India’s biggest strength is space technology, thanks to the dreams of late President Abdul Kalam. He continued to inspire the younger generation though he was not physically alive.With his inspiration | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fabdul-kalam-continues-to-ignite-young-minds%2Farticle9052389.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/30sk9774HI-W019_31_2992982c.jpg | en | null | Abdul Kalam continues to ignite young minds | null | null | www.thehindu.com | null | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/abdul-kalam-continues-to-ignite-young-minds/article9052389.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fd971d11794275c3cbb4bb64f9ce306d2575593d887cc8c44cc71c6c1f4f1e1f.json |
[
"Susanna Myrtle Lazarus"
] | 2016-08-30T20:56:07 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The house lights come up, the cast takes the curtain call, the audience applauds… Once a play is over, everyone talks about the plot, the acting, the direction. But, very few, perhaps only those fami | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fsociety%2Fthe-stars-behind-the-scene%2Farticle9050500.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/31MPTHEATRE_2992373c.jpg | en | null | The stars behind the scene | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Four set and light designers from the theatre space speak about a life spent creating the spotlight but staying in the wings
The house lights come up, the cast takes the curtain call, the audience applauds… Once a play is over, everyone talks about the plot, the acting, the direction. But, very few, perhaps only those familiar with theatre, might think about how the sets reflected the time period of the play or how the lighting impacted the mood of certain scenes. They’re subtle things, quite literally in the background, but play a huge role in determining the audience’s perception of the show.
The people who make the alchemy happen on stage are quite often overlooked in the grand scheme of things. The city’s vibrant theatre scene probably wouldn’t be half of what it is without the set and light designers who work just outside the limelight. Take Victor Paulraj, who has been involved in the field since he was 15, thanks to his father who was in-charge of lighting at Museum Theatre in Egmore. “Watching him work made me curious about why lighting was so important. It attracted me, and I started working with him,” he says. Victor has worked in over 2,000 productions over 35 years; he’s a known name in the theatre fraternity.
This is a job that gives you backstage, and pretty much an all-access pass to any production you might be part of. That perk aside, it’s a difficult life. On a weekday morning, Meera Sitaraman, V. Baskaran, Vijay Saravanan and A.B. Charles meet up, and talk about the various hurdles they have faced in their respective journeys and what has kept them in the same industry, nevertheless.
Baskaran, an electrician by trade, started out with Koothu-p-Pattarai 30 years ago. “At that time, I did not know how to design lights, or even what that meant. But, over the years, I learnt from people such as the late Mithran Devanesan. About 10 years ago, I bought some equipment and started on my own.” Since then, he has worked with several theatre groups and spaces, such as Alliance Française. He has also helped newer entrants who can’t afford to invest in their own equipment and lack the space to store them.
Meera, one of the very few women in the technical side of theatre, credits Baskaran for teaching her a lot in the decade that she has been active in theatre. “When you’re a young-looking person, no one takes you seriously,” she laughs. She started off with Theatre Nisha, working on their props and assisting in direction. Apart from this, she also acts, and was recently nominated for The Hindu Playwright Award 2016. She explains, “You have to know the technical terms for everything. You can prove yourself only by showing in practice that you have the knowledge and the capability, even if it means carrying the heaviest of lights and climbing up ladders to fix them.”
Charles, another Mithran protégé, says that today, new technology keeps coming in regularly, and it’s important to keep themselves updated. “Here, there’s hardly a budget for sets and lights. You can’t say ‘Work within Rs. 5,000’, give space for a full-tech rehearsal only on the morning of the show and then expect a Broadway feel. Even within that budget, for our satisfaction, we experiment and bring in new things, irrespective of whether the audience or the director appreciates it,” he says.
From sneaking off to Bombay to design lighting for a show when still in college, Vijay has come a long way. “Watching your classmates rise up the ranks in their jobs can, at times, be frustrating, especially when you meet. ‘You’re in theatre?’ is asked with the slightest hint of amusement and disdain,” he says.
Now, Vijay works at the American International School as their theatre technical and production manager. “I use the analogy of an architect: they design the house but don’t do the physical work of building it. But, what they do is certainly important. The lighting designer plays a similar role. I make it very clear that when I am hired, it is for my expertise; so, let me do my job,” he says.
There have been ups and downs for each of them, such as the time when a play Vijay was working with got to go to the Edinburgh Theatre Festival. But, he couldn’t afford the flight tickets. “It was one of the lowest points in my life. I designed everything, and taught one of the actors, who executed it there.” After 14 years of working, he was finally able to make it this year. Meera recalls her experience at Edinburgh a few years ago, when everyone was working with pre-set programmes. “The organisers were surprised that I was the entire ‘technical crew’ and that I said that I would do everything manually. It’s only in India that we still use manual mixers for light and sound.”
There’s no union or association they can go to; it’s every man and woman for themselves. Meera says, “No one hands you work on a platter; you have to go out and create opportunities.” Vijay laughs, “Sometimes, you have to be a little shameless, when it comes to promoting your work. Maybe, the first time we work together, I could do it pro bono. But, once you have seen the quality of my work, I expect to be paid for it.” Sounds like something Heath Ledger’s ‘Joker’ would agree with: “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”
“At the end of the day, we have our expenses and homes to run too. Time is money, and we put in a lot of time and effort to turn up for rehearsals, study the script, work with the director’s vision while adding new elements to it… Because these are not tangible things, people do not always appreciate the amount of work that goes into it. And, so they skimp on the cheques,” says Charles, adding that at times, they aren’t even given credit for the work they do.
So, what keeps them in this profession? For Charles, it’s the satisfaction of seeing his work in action. Meera and Baskaran agree. Vijay sums it up, saying, “I see 90 per cent of people working in jobs they don’t like, just to earn money. I can honestly say I have never done that a single day in my life.” | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/the-stars-behind-the-scene/article9050500.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3004a4493cf132c0ff42f92f79feb94fe0f037d1d40e600c51f363ff1d845ba5.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T00:52:14 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The State government on Monday filed a special leave petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court challenging the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal’s order rejecting Karnataka’s application seeking 7 tmcft | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fmahadayi-row-state-files-slp%2Farticle9046582.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Mahadayi row: State files SLP | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The State government on Monday filed a special leave petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court challenging the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal’s order rejecting Karnataka’s application seeking 7 tmcft of water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala drinking water project. The SLP was filed before the apex court to set right injustice meted out to the State by the tribunal, said official sources in the State Secretariat. Meanwhile, a few days ago, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the Centre’s intervention to solve the dispute through talks.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mahadayi-row-state-files-slp/article9046582.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f7b2e6d2a3cd4a3f390e20ad8757a2ec47b06b8967ac0c4d192a792dd330f7a9.json |
[
"Peerzada Ashiq"
] | 2016-08-30T18:51:48 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Recent recruit and local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Malik on Tuesday asked deceased CRPF commandant Pramod Kumar’s daughter and wife to visit Kashmir to “understand the pain” of the people as | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fhizbul-warns-of-attacks-asks-militants-to-stay-away-from-rallies%2Farticle9051335.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/Hizbul_2992632c.jpg | en | null | Hizbul warns of attacks, asks militants to stay away from rallies | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Protesters hurl stones at a police vehicle in country”, he said. Batmaloo in Srinagar on Tuesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad
The terror outfit asked deceased CRPF commandant Pramod Kumar’s daughter and wife to visit Kashmir to "understand the pain" of the people.
Recent recruit and local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Malik on Tuesday asked deceased CRPF commandant Pramod Kumar’s daughter and wife to visit Kashmir to “understand the pain” of the people as he warned of more attacks against the security forces.
“When Mr. Kumar’s daughter said she ‘loved her father the most’, it brought tears to my eyes. We do not want to see any child getting orphaned but India has forced us to take up guns by its forced occupation,” Mr. Malik said.
“I want to tell her mother to come to Kashmir and see how many children have become orphans and mothers have become widows at the hands of the Indian forces,” Mr. Malik said in an 11-minute video released to a local news portal in Srinagar.
With guns blazing in the backdrop, the Hizbul commander threatened of more attacks.
“India thought [former Hizbul commander Burhan] Wani’s martyrdom perhaps will allow it to live in peace. We will not let India live in peace until it leaves Kashmir. We will send the forces packed in trunks [coffins] like that of CRPF’s Mr. Kumar’s,” he added.
He also warned against using the label of terrorists. “We are mujahideen who are fighting for the right to self-determination. We are the torchbearers of humanity,” the Hizbul commander said.
In rare remarks, Mr. Malik claimed that if migrant Pandits return, “they [militants] will welcome them and act as their guardians”.
However, he warned local residents of joining as Special Police Officers. “Local police should sit back home like employees of other departments. Death will be the fate of those policemen who continue performing duties,” Mr. Malik warned.
In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, United Jehad Council (UJC) supremo Syed Salahuddin claimed that armed men in anti-government rallies were “not their men”. “Indian agents also participate in rallies and foment trouble to give a chance to the forces to open fire,” said Mr. Salahuddin.
He asked Pakistan to snap diplomatic ties with India and “persuade the Organisation of Islamic Conference to do the same.” Meanwhile, the Lashkar-e-Toiba has hailed Pakistan for sending a parliamentarian on a diplomatic mission over Kashmir. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hizbul-warns-of-attacks-asks-militants-to-stay-away-from-rallies/article9051335.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e1488c1d4fbc4d3fd7ab67f5c727eb2e0f808e4c0bb472ca69cc6e46ee5fde8c.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:52:18 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | “A democracy that does not allow space for any voice of dissent is no better than a disabled democracy,” and “writer M.M. Kalburgi was strong advocate of a democracy that provided free space to air o | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fkalburgis-views-have-gained-stronger-acceptance-in-society-after-his-death%2Farticle9051189.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/31BG_KALBURGI_REME_2992549c.jpg | en | null | ‘Kalburgi’s views have gained stronger acceptance in society, after his death’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Democracy stands on acceptance of opposing views: Sha. Shettar
“A democracy that does not allow space for any voice of dissent is no better than a disabled democracy,” and “writer M.M. Kalburgi was strong advocate of a democracy that provided free space to air one’s views however critical they were,” said veteran writer and researcher Sha. Shettar.
Speaking at an event organised in memory of Prof. Kalburgi on his first death anniversary, by P.G. Halakatti Research Centre, here on Tuesday, he said that the foundation of a democracy stands on open acceptance of opposing views.
“You may not like some views, you have the right to criticise them in a democratic way, but no one has the right to ‘kill’ views or opinions.
“That is what happened in the case of many people in India: from Mahatma Gandhi to rationalists Dhabolkar, Pansare and Kalburgi. They were killed by people who did not believe in democracy,” Dr. Shettar said.
He said that pluralism is an intrinsic part of democracy and not unilateralism; this fundamental sense of pluralism should be respected and protected.
Asserting that Prof. Kalburgi aired his views without any hesitation, Dr. Shettar said that it was this very nature that became the primary enemy of his life as he was eliminated by those who loathed this nature of his.
“Though Prof. Kalburgi is no longer with us physically today, his views have gained stronger acceptance in society, after his death,” he said.
The 82-year-old Dr. Shettar, who had had an over four-decade association with Prof. Kalburgi, said that he often noticed that the remarkable achievements of Prof. Kalburgi become the reason for jealousy among several of his contemporary writers.
Stating that that society has now lost a literary power and not mere a human being, he said that the responsibility of those who believed in true democracy was to carry on the work of Prof. Kalburgi which he felt would be the real tribute to the departed soul.
Later, addressing the gathering, district in-charge Minister M.B. Patil regretted the failure of his government to catch the killers of Prof. Kalburgi even a year after the murder.
“Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was expressing sadness for not bringing the culprits to book soon; however, the State government is doing its best to bring the killers to justice,” the Minister said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kalburgis-views-have-gained-stronger-acceptance-in-society-after-his-death/article9051189.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d83135bc5ea38e26320d2216a729e172dc60fe467d3832f8f385df2a46319d60.json |
[
"Vikas Dhoot"
] | 2016-08-28T18:51:21 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Why do most road signs and markings designed to help motorists navigate safely, start to fade within months of their construction in India?National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Raghav | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FEconomy%2Fpanel-to-fix-vanishing-road-signs%2Farticle9043056.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/TH29_BU_SIGNAGE_29_2989978c.jpg | en | null | Panel to fix vanishing road signs | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Options include alterations in road contracts to make builders liable for deterioration in markings
Why do most road signs and markings designed to help motorists navigate safely, start to fade within months of their construction in India?
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Raghav Chandra has tasked an expert panel to find a lasting solution to this fading paint menace identified as a major cause for the country’s alarmingly high road fatalities.
The options on the table being explored by the committee, that is likely to submit its report by the end of September, include alterations in road building contracts to make builders liable for deterioration in road markings, testing paint quality in real world conditions instead of labs and tougher tests for driving licenses to illuminate motorists about the meaning of road signs.
“I have found that the quality of paints that are used in highways abroad is significantly better than that used in India. Our construction firms use weaker or softer options and as a result, within a few months, our markings and paints look absolutely faded and jilted,” Mr Chandra said.
While he urged developers to be conscientious in their implementation of specified standards, the NHAI chief has constituted a committee led by the director of the Indian Academy of Highway Engineers V. L. Patankar to fix outcome-based parameters for paints used on highways.
“That means we will no longer just be looking at the cost of the paint, but also how long the paint should last,” he said. This assumes significance as the NHAI is installing 2,00,000 new road signages across existing national highways over the next few years to improve safety.
Road signages and pavement markings are usually sub-contracted by highway developers to other agencies and are usually the first casualty when funds are tight while implementing a project, the committee’s chairman Mr. Patankar said.
“Road markings are absolutely critical for safety, but were considered like a dessert when the priority was to have a basic meal (a functional highway). With car speeds going up as well as the rising spectre of fatal accidents, there’s now a realisation that people need good road markings to understand speed limits, lane changing zones and so on,” he said.
Though there are tough material standards prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress on paints, there is usually a gap in the paint material tested and certified by a supplier and what is actually applied on the ground.
“Pavement markings and road signages are supposed to last two to three years, but seldom last more than six months. The paint is tested, but what is actually put on the ground is often not up to the mark. Come rain or shine, from a user’s perspective, the markings should be easily visible even if the reflective capacity varies a bit as per the weather,” Mr. Patankar said.
“As the speed of your car increases on a highway, the field of vision also gets reduced so the reflective capacity of the road signs and markers needs to be higher than what may be needed on bylanes or service lanes,” Mr Patankar said, adding that such norms are a must for all roads, not just highways.
Road building contracts could be tweaked to include an additional defect liability clause that holds the main contractor liable for the quality of paints instead of a sub-contractor who applied the paint.
Instead of just specifying the recipe of materials to be used in the paints, the committee is likely to recommend performance standards that would be monitored over a period of time after a project is complete. “The markings should remain prominent for a few years, irrespective of what you put in the paint,” Mr Patankar said.
Changes in the driving license tests are also likely to be proposed so that drivers understand what different signs mean. “It may sound painful to learn what all the myriad road signs actually mean, whether it’s related to lane driving, overtaking zones or bumps ahead, but it is an important part of driving responsibly,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/panel-to-fix-vanishing-road-signs/article9043056.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a217dd29adaac41101ff42252aac97a233b951bd7af815fde37603f7809dc762.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T12:50:37 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Pranab Mukherjee would be the third Indian President to review the ceremonial passing-out parade at the Officer’s Training Academy here, next month.
“President Pranab Mukherjee will participate in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fpranab-mukherjee-to-review-passingout-parade-at-chennai-ota%2Farticle9040488.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/27IN_PRANAB_2988726c.jpg | en | null | Pranab Mukherjee to review passing-out parade at Chennai OTA | null | null | www.thehindu.com | President Pranab Mukherjee will review the ceremonial passing-out parade at the Officer’s Training Academy in Chennai next month. File Photo
Pranab Mukherjee would be the third Indian President to review the ceremonial passing-out parade at the Officer’s Training Academy here, next month.
“President Pranab Mukherjee will participate in the passing out parade of the OTA, where 272 gentlemen and lady cadets will become officers in the Army,” according to an official release.
“On September 10, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, will be the third President to visit the OTA after late R Venkataraman and former President Pratibha Patil,” the release has said.
The Officers Training School established in January 1963 was redesignated as Officers Training Academy after its completion of 25 years in January 1988.
Till date, 24,704 General cadets and 2,276 lady cadets have been commissioned from OTA, Chennai, it said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pranab-mukherjee-to-review-passingout-parade-at-chennai-ota/article9040488.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3060bf915f304a77c9aa49ccc79f543291c6086377ad83bf56f68ae52a30c8c1.json |
[
"Marri Ramu"
] | 2016-08-28T04:50:39 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | There were many mysterious angles to the life of slain gangster Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem torturing children in his captivity in his house at Narsingi here. Investigators had already stumbled upon evi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fnayeemuddins-child-torture-videos-surface%2Farticle9042532.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/hy28nayeem_eps_2989438c.jpg | en | null | Nayeemuddin’s child torture videos surface | null | null | www.thehindu.com | There were many mysterious angles to the life of slain gangster Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem torturing children in his captivity in his house at Narsingi here.
Investigators had already stumbled upon evidence suggesting that he had sexually abused some of the children in his house at Alkapuri colony of Narsingi. The police could not secure much information from the children as they were too shocked to speak.
But the video clips found in some gadgets revealed how the children were subjected to torture by the gangster. In a short video, a girl was seen struggling to raise her hand to eat food.
“After speaking to the two adult women, who too were under his captivity, we realise that the gangster forced the kid to starve for two days,” sources in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing cases involving Nayeem said.
Investigators surmise that Nayeem used to threaten, assault and torture the children if they failed to comply with his orders. He would record the torture and show it to other children to create a fear psychosis among them and ensure they dared not disobey his directions.
In another video footage, a girl was seen standing with folded hands. “It was not clear what she was saying but one can see her going to each person in the house and apologising for some mistake she has done,” the investigators said.
Statements of some persons, who had met Nayeem on different occasions, confirmed that Nayeem was seen always in the company of children. Police officials feel it was his strategy to use the kids as human shield.
But the gangster used to create an impression that he was adopting orphaned children and extending them a helping hand.
A journalist from Bhongir town, who was asked by Nayeem to meet him for sharing some information, also saw two kids sitting in the gangster’s vehicle. “When I asked Nayeem who they were, he replied that they were some of the poor children he was bringing up,” the journalist said.
Meanwhile, journalist B. Hariprasad Reddy from Nalgonda town, who was arrested by the local police on the charge of being an aide of Nayeem, told his interrogators that he (the journalist) had given gifts and cash to journalists, cameramen and photographers of different media organisations on behalf of Nayeem.
In his confessional statement, Mr. Reddy stated that the gangster wanted to launch a TV news channel and had given him over Rs. 12 lakh for setting up it. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/nayeemuddins-child-torture-videos-surface/article9042532.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/de0d380853a22cd942553fff310f26fe3ff6f43e118cea15f399920dcdbc68d2.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T00:51:51 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Goa government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google India to promote digital literacy and drive a digital transformation across the State.Chief Minister Laxmikant Pars | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fgoa-google-sign-mou-to-promote-digital-literacy%2Farticle9051408.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Goa, Google sign MoU to promote digital literacy | null | null | www.thehindu.com | ‘Internet Safety Education’ for students to be unveiled
The Goa government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google India to promote digital literacy and drive a digital transformation across the State.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Vice President, Google South East Asia and India Rajan Anandan, signed the MoU.
The Chief Minister said the scope of this association would be expanded to unveil a digital literacy drive amongst women in Goa, programmes to help small and medium businesses, besides a mobile app development skilling programme for start-ups to take advantage of the growing digital economy.
As a first step, the Goa State Government will unveil ‘Internet Safety Education’ for students in Goa in association with Google India. The State government has approved the inclusion of internet safety education as part of the school curriculum of classes IX and XII in government schools.
Google has created a curriculum in consultation with experts, and has also developed and shared modules for integration in the existing curriculum. As part of the programme, it has initiated teacher training and will soon expand to cover 460 schools, teaching over 80,000 students on how to stay safe online, said Mr. Anandan.
“The Internet today is an essential part of the learning experience for students and it’s important that they understand how to use the medium responsibly and stay safe online,” said Mr. Parsekar.
Mr. Anandan said the scope of the MoU envisages Google India and the State working collaboratively to make all government sites mobile-friendly, to introduce programmes to help local small and medium businesses stay safe online.
It will also aim at driving awareness and help businesses adopt measures to safeguard themselves online, putting the rich cultural heritage of Goa on the global map, and so on. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/goa-google-sign-mou-to-promote-digital-literacy/article9051408.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d1436685e25618d839b46c2a5b2cc9ab841bd844c6aa6561ed669ffc05592111.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:58 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | It has come to the notice of the authorities concerned that some banks in Chitradurga district are not co-operating in implementing schemes sponsored by the Union government, including self-employment | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fofficials-told-to-submit-report-on-banks-refusing-financial-aid%2Farticle9038767.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/26bg_9450HI-W07_27_2988284c.jpg | en | null | Officials told to submit report on banks refusing financial aid | null | null | www.thehindu.com | MP B.N. Chandrappa, addressing a review meeting ofUnion government-sponsored schemes in Chitradurgaon Friday, said that he will submit the report to theUnion Finance Minister.
MP says banks not co-operating in taking up Centrally-sponsored schemes
It has come to the notice of the authorities concerned that some banks in Chitradurga district are not co-operating in implementing schemes sponsored by the Union government, including self-employment and education programmes, so the officers concerned have been instructed to submit a detailed report on such banks and their authorities so that it can be sent to the Union Minister of Finance for further action, MP B.N. Chandrappa has said.
Speaking at a review meeting of Centrally-sponsored schemes at the zilla panchayat meeting hall here on Friday, he said that under some government schemes, the list of beneficiaries sent by the authorities concerned is enough to release subsidy and loan amount, but some banks are demanding additional securities such as guarantee from a government employee, property documents and guarantee from other account holders in the bank, and the very purpose of launching these schemes has been affected.
“The banks should understand the fact that in a democratic set-up, everyone is equal and they should respect the laws meant for the poor and the downtrodden. The report on banks that have refused financial assistance to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will also be sent to the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission,” he added.
Shortly, a meeting of all banks in the district would be convened to review their progress in implementing Centrally-sponsored schemes, and then a final decision would be taken, he said.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Nitesh Patil told the meeting that 1.18 lakh farmers have been provided crop loans through Kisan Credit Cards and of these, 15,000 farmers have secured subsidy within a year by repaying loan and taking fresh loans.
“August 31 is the deadline for getting insurance facility under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Scheme,” he added.
Deputy Commissioner Srirangaiah instructed the banks in the district that they should strictly adhere to the norms while implementing schemes of the Union government.
Chitradurga Zilla Panchayat president Soubhagya Basasvarajan was present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/officials-told-to-submit-report-on-banks-refusing-financial-aid/article9038767.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b8589b3000c87cfd79e64f6cd636670a37c2e9be3885c2046af11b8b6376e8f4.json |
[
"S. Murali"
] | 2016-08-27T06:50:09 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | : The CID police filed the charge sheet in the Akshaya Gold case relating to cheating of depositors to the tune of Rs. 330 crore, in the Prakasam district Principal Sessions court here on Friday.The C | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fcid-files-charge-sheet-in-akshaya-gold-case%2Farticle9039724.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | CID files charge sheet in Akshaya Gold case | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : The CID police filed the charge sheet in the Akshaya Gold case relating to cheating of depositors to the tune of Rs. 330 crore, in the Prakasam district Principal Sessions court here on Friday.
The Crime Investigation Department investigating officer and Additional Superintendent of Police Mary Prashanti submitted before the court the charge sheet against the company, its managing director M. Sudhakar Rao and 35 others for doing money circulation business by collecting deposits from the gullible section of people under the guise of owning a bit of farm land at the most affordable rate under different payment options.
The company lured gullible people by saying that they were collecting deposits by way of periodical instalments repayable with a high rate of interest (20% simple interest) at the time of maturity and the company will register a piece of land in the name of depositor as an equivalent to the money paid by the depositor, the CID said.
The company mobilised deposits from the public, through the agents by offering hefty commission and issued certificates as it was an advance amount for purchase of a piece of land in square feet/unit basis, the CID submitted in its 2,200-page charge sheet.
The gullible and small earning section of people joined as members in the different payment plans of the company carried away by the deceitful advertisements given by the company describing the promotion levels and rate of commissions at each level were the losers, the CID said.
The Ongole I Town police had filed the preliminary charge sheet in the case before its transfer to the CID. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/cid-files-charge-sheet-in-akshaya-gold-case/article9039724.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/15a4a4dec8d485afe9f110ed10a395231377950a1ea74b0d377d18854db35ebd.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:56:38 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | As many as 1,350 fair price vegetable outlets will be opened across the State for the Onam festival season, it was decided at a high-level meeting convened by Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar her | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2F1350-fair-price-vegetable-outlets-for-onam%2Farticle9053003.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | 1,350 fair price vegetable outlets for Onam | null | null | www.thehindu.com | VFPCK to set up shops in association with Horticorp, local bodies, Kudumbasree
As many as 1,350 fair price vegetable outlets will be opened across the State for the Onam festival season, it was decided at a high-level meeting convened by Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar here on Tuesday. The outlets will be established by the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) and Horticorp in association with local bodies, cooperative institutions, and the Kudumbasree Mission. The meeting resolved to intervene in the market and find a solution to the problems faced by farmers.
Safe-to-eat vegetables cultivated by local farmers would be procured, branded under the name Farm Fresh Kerala and sold to consumers at fair price. Horticorp has been entrusted with the procurement and logistics.
As many as 2,500 tonnes of vegetables expected to be produced by the Kudumbasree units would also be sold through the outlets of the Agriculture Department.
More eco-shops
An official press note quoting the Minister said the festival outlets would remain operational as weekly markets throughout the year. He said the network of eco-shops set up by the Agriculture Department would be expanded to 200 outlets.
Mr. Kumar said a market intelligence system would be established to anticipate the crop output and prevent a glut in the market. A district-level marketing system would be put in place to clear the excess production.
Director of Agriculture Biju Prabhakar, Secretary Raju Narayana Swamy, and officials from VFPCK, Horticorp, and Kudumbasree Mission attended the meeting. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/1350-fair-price-vegetable-outlets-for-onam/article9053003.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/53f29d0a635fd6c86235b9880e335e499ac39044edc61439789263c69d030620.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T10:53:54 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Doctors at Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute here have successfully handled a highly rare pregnancy case pertaining to a 34-year-old woman whose foetus had grown in the abdomin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Frare-pregnancy-case-handled-at-hospital%2Farticle9046567.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Rare pregnancy case handled at hospital | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Doctors at Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute here have successfully handled a highly rare pregnancy case pertaining to a 34-year-old woman whose foetus had grown in the abdominal cavity instead of the womb.
The doctors said the condition, called ‘secondary abdominal pregnancy,’ was different from the relatively more common ectopic pregnancy in which the foetus develops in the fallopian tube. “In ectopic pregnancies, the embryo will mostly rupture within seven weeks even before the pregnancy could be confirmed. The condition will come to light only after the woman develops internal bleeding due to the rupture,” said K. Sasikala, an assistant professor of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department.
She said that in the rarest of rare cases, the embryo slips into the abdominal cavity and continues to grow there. “In such cases, the foetus cannot survive due to inadequate placental support. Almost certainly such cases will lead to abortion and internal bleeding during pregnancy which may lead to the mother’s death,” she added.
“Even if the babies survive, there are high chances of the newborn having birth defects,” she said. However, in this case, Dr. Sasikala added that the woman miraculously delivered a health baby weighing 2 kg through Caesarean section in the 36th week of pregnancy.
S. Rajarajeshwari, Professor and Head of OG Department, who led the surgical team, said that instances of ‘secondary abdominal pregnancy’ were difficult to identify at an early stage owing to technological limitations and lack of experience in handling such cases. “Procedures such as ultrasound might indicate slight variation in the location of the foetus. However, most doctors would not have handled a ‘secondary abdominal pregnancy’ case in their lifetime, to suspect it as the reason for the anomaly,” she said.
The particular patient, she said, was referred from a government hospital in Ramanathapuram after she was diagnosed with problems in the growth of placenta. “We decided to perform C-Section and only during the surgery we came to know that the foetus was in the abdominal cavity,” she added. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/rare-pregnancy-case-handled-at-hospital/article9046567.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/eb99e83e3766e00fd2df73d08e53b3d1afc965b61d197205f1d4627e40e21747.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T08:54:15 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Indian Super League champion Chennaiyin FC has announced Catapult, the Australian based company, as the club’s official performance partner. Catapult is a global leader in athlete analytics, protecti | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fchennaiyin-fc-ropes-in-catapult%2Farticle9037054.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Chennaiyin FC ropes in Catapult | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Indian Super League champion Chennaiyin FC has announced Catapult, the Australian based company, as the club’s official performance partner. Catapult is a global leader in athlete analytics, protecting thousands of elite athletes by combining their cutting edge sport science and analytics.
Last year, right from pre-season to its road to the title, Chennaiyin used the player tracking technology GPS devices provided by Catapult.
It helped the Chennaiyin coaching staff to understand various performance metrics of each player such as distance, speed, acceleration, deceleration, explosive movements, jumps, heart rate, goalkeeper dives, repeat high intensity efforts & thus played a key part in improving match preparation and post-match analysis.
The lightweight GPS device is worn in a specially designed vest between the shoulder blades of each player, providing live real time data during the training session for the coaching staff.
Some of the biggest football names to be associated with Catapult currently are Bayern Munich and Leicester City.
Chennaiyin FC head coach Marco Materazzi stated, “Catapult’s world class player tracking technology helped us immensely in analysing the performance of our players from a fitness monitoring point of view last year. Their technology has become an integral part of our setup & we are happy to continue with them as our official performance partner for ISL 2016.” | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/chennaiyin-fc-ropes-in-catapult/article9037054.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ebf24826cde26033c21cb938165c631d4bbe059a6b1ab9def4052c7a74863bbf.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T02:50:57 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Musicians should not rest on their laurels but keep on improving through hard work, said ‘Veena’ E. Gayathri, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University, on Saturday.Addressing the go | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Fmusicians-must-not-rest-on-their-laurels-vicechancelllor%2Farticle9040730.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28MA-CITY-VEENA_GA_2988849c.jpg | en | null | Musicians must not rest on their laurels: Vice-Chancelllor | null | null | www.thehindu.com | E. Gayathri. Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University, releasing the Golden Jubilee Celebrations Souvenir of Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Vidyalayam in Madurai on Saturday. B. Ganapathi Sarma receives the first copy.
Musicians should not rest on their laurels but keep on improving through hard work, said ‘Veena’ E. Gayathri, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University, on Saturday.
Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Vidyalayam here, Ms. Gayathri said that a musician was always a student and should work hard to improve musical skills. The results would be proportionate to the labour, she said. The Vice-Chancellor advised students passing out of music schools and colleges to justify their degrees and congratulated the Vidyalayam for upholding standards of music over a period of 50 years.
K. N. Renganatha Sarma, Principal (in charge), narrated how the music school started by Ambujam Krishna in 1959 got affiliated to Madurai University as an institution of higher learning in 1966. At present, 34 scholars were pursuing their research for the award of Ph.D. B. Ganapathi Sarma, president, presided over the celebrations. Ms. Gayathri released the golden jubilee souvenir on the occasion. Former principals and teachers were felicitated by the Vidyalayam office-bearers.
The function was preceded by a series of music concerts by former and present students. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/musicians-must-not-rest-on-their-laurels-vicechancelllor/article9040730.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8708c52ba994242ba5bf71b5f5062cea507b813b8d93ed6210e814b0660d136b.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T16:52:21 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Ahead of the impending launch of Reliance Jio’s 4G services, telecom operator Reliance Communications on Tuesday announced app-to-app 4G calling at Re 1.The Anil Ambani-led firm will bundle 300 minut | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Freliance-communications-to-offer-300-minutes-of-4g-calling-at-re-1%2Farticle9050653.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Reliance Communications to offer 300 minutes of 4G calling at Re 1 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Ahead of the impending launch of Reliance Jio’s 4G services, telecom operator Reliance Communications on Tuesday announced app-to-app 4G calling at Re 1.
The Anil Ambani-led firm will bundle 300 minutes of app- to-app talking, valid for 30 days at Re 1, translating into 10 minutes usage per day under the limited period offer.
Users will get a daily data credit of 7 MB into their accounts that can be used to make these calls, Reliance Communications CEO Consumer Business Gurdeep Singh told reporters here.
These apps will include the likes of WhatsApp, FB Messenger, Skype, Google Hangout, imo and Viber.
RCom, which has 110 million subscribers, however, did not disclose the number of 4G users.
RCom’s 4G LTE network operates in the 850 MHz spectrum band.
Operators in the country, including the likes of Airtel and Vodafone, have been pushing their 4G services launching offers like data credit and cheaper tariffs. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/reliance-communications-to-offer-300-minutes-of-4g-calling-at-re-1/article9050653.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3797268637147f3b50affb7ee49530e3cdda27baea15d5a4c26acd53d929fb52.json |
[
"Marri Ramu"
] | 2016-08-27T20:58:13 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | ‘Lack of work’ due to near complete control of left wing extremism (LWE) in Telangana drove slain gangster Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem to Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra looking for new avenues.This | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fno-work-in-ts-drove-nayeem-to-other-states%2Farticle9034987.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | ‘No work’ in TS drove Nayeem to other States | null | null | www.thehindu.com | ‘Lack of work’ due to near complete control of left wing extremism (LWE) in Telangana drove slain gangster Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem to Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra looking for new avenues.
This is what the police probing the cases involving Nayeem feel, having stumbled upon evidence that they killed three people in Chhattisgarh.
The three victims were Maoist sympathisers or informants, the Telangana police believe.
“For the past few years, there has been little Maoist activity in Telangana. When the LWE movement was at its peak, Nayeem was in high demand with police approaching him for info on Maoists and their informants,” a police officer said.
All that had changed as top Maoist leaders were caught or neutralised while the cadre surrendered.
But simultaneously the Maoists were rising in the neighbouring States of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
“Nayeem found an opportunity in this and slowly started gathering info about Maoists in these States as well,” a police officer unwilling to be identified said.
Role of ‘Tech Madhu’
The gangster roped in surrendered Maoist Kumaraswamy –also known as Tech Madhu- and others for his operations in Chhattisgarh. An expert in making weapons, Tech Madhu was staying at Ramnagar and operating a shop after his surrender several years ago.
Nayeem reportedly paid him monthly amounts ranging from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 80,000 for working for him. The gang identified Maoist sympathisers and killed them in Chhattisgarh. One or two of these killings were registered as cases of suspicious deaths in Chhattisgarh and were closed for want of evidence.
Soon after Nayeem’s killing, the police in Chhattisgarh seized vehicles of his gang. The gangster had purchased properties in Raipur and Jagdalpur of Chhattisgarh and other places in Odisha and Maharashtra. Telangana police are yet to search these buildings.
. “Since the murders were committed in another State, investigation responsibility lies with the local police there. We’ll ascertain if proceeds of crimes committed in Telangana were used to purchase those assets,” the investigators said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/no-work-in-ts-drove-nayeem-to-other-states/article9034987.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/55dad6e3b0353c562ef2561379858cad7df66a42e00f295d85faa0f0d64114e3.json |
[
"S. Prasad"
] | 2016-08-30T10:53:12 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | In an effort aimed at encouraging rooftop gardening in houses, the Government on Monday announced the distribution of kits at a subsidised rate.Presenting the Budget for 2016-17, Chief Minister V. Nar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fpuducherry%2Fa-rich-harvest-of-schemes-for-farmers%2Farticle9048724.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/29augpyspd02-ag_TH_2992001c.jpg | en | null | A rich harvest of schemes for farmers | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In an effort aimed at encouraging rooftop gardening in houses, the Government on Monday announced the distribution of kits at a subsidised rate.
Presenting the Budget for 2016-17, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said the government had proposed to supply 1,000 rooftop kits with 50 per cent subsidy, subject to a maximum of Rs. 3,000 per kit. An amount Rs. 30 lakh has been earmarked in the budget, he said.
Relieving farmers of the tax burden in transporting agricultural produce, the government has decided to amend the relevant provisions under Puducherry Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1967. In a measure aimed at popularising the technology of poly-house cultivation among farmers, the government has proposed to grant 50 per cent assistance to five farmers belonging to general category subject to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakh for establishing poly-houses in an expanse of 1,000 square metres.
For farmers belonging to the scheduled caste category, a subsidy of 75 per cent will be provided, subject to a maximum of 75 per cent. Farmers will be encouraged to consolidate their small land holdings through land banks; this would promote large-scale mechanisation and reduce the cost of cultivation.
The government has sanctioned Rs. 20 crore for implementation of the national hydrology project in the first phase. A comprehensive programme would also be rolled out for the development of water resources. A sum of Rs. 3.80 crore has been allocated by the Centre for the scheme, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/a-rich-harvest-of-schemes-for-farmers/article9048724.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/40f752d2c13d3c9d34d1937c42743946f2a858767fc11bf6d824454792cabbf8.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T06:55:58 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | An all party meeting conducted by the Mallannasagar Land Oustees’ Struggle Solidarity Committee demanded for lifting of Section 144 in the villages scheduled for submergence under the Mallannasagar pr | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fsuspend-land-purchase-agreements-on-mallannasagar-till-final-order-oustees%2Farticle9053356.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Suspend land purchase, agreements on Mallannasagar till final order: oustees | null | null | www.thehindu.com | An all party meeting conducted by the Mallannasagar Land Oustees’ Struggle Solidarity Committee demanded for lifting of Section 144 in the villages scheduled for submergence under the Mallannasagar project, withdrawal of police forces and removal of restrictions on visitors to the villages.
The meeting, with representation from Congress, CPI(M), Telugu Desam Party, TJAC, Rythu Swarajya Vedika, Telangana Rythu Sangham, Telangana Rythu Coolie Sangham, Arunodaya Cultural Forum, and other organisations, also sought a halt to the land purchases, agreements and agreements under the GO 123, till final orders are delivered in the High Court.
Debate sought
Detailed Project Report should be revealed and reviewed before land is acquired or purchased for the projects, and government should show commitment for implementation of Land Acquisition Act, 2013 in its spirit in all Telangana projects, a statement from the committee said, demanding a detailed debate on the issue in the State Legislative Assembly.
‘Violation of orders’
Speakers at the meeting on Tuesday alleged that the State government, through its officials, is still obtaining signatures of farmers in Vemulaghat and Pallepahad villages under GO 123, and termed it violation of the orders of the High Court.
The GOs 190 and 191 issued upon insistence from High Court in the NIMZ land acquisition case are applicable to all instances of the land acquisition in the State, as against the GO 123, they said.
Though not even 40 per cent of the land has been purchased yet, government is trying to create fear among villagers by portraying a false picture of farmers’ consent, they alleged.
Retired High Court judge B.Chandra Kumar, Congress official spokesperson D. Shravan, Pratap Reddy from TDP, Kodand Reddy from Congress Kisan Cell, Pittala Ravinder from TJAC, G.Ramulu from CPI(M), Vimalakka from Arunodaya, Vissa Kiran Kumar from Rythu Swarjya Vedika and others participated in the meeting. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/suspend-land-purchase-agreements-on-mallannasagar-till-final-order-oustees/article9053356.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3e45db1ab8bff412ae7316a6e38783e702935159c4ac1feffe85ae4e398bd42a.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T04:56:29 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | A corporator with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has approached the police seeking legal action against a construction firm that allegedly denied him a flat in one of its ongoing projects because he | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fcorporator-seeks-action-against-pureveg-society%2Farticle9040891.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Corporator seeks action against ‘pure-veg’ society | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A corporator with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has approached the police seeking legal action against a construction firm that allegedly denied him a flat in one of its ongoing projects because he is a non-vegetarian. The Dadar police have initiated inquiries.
The corporator from Dadar, Santosh Dhuri, said he had contacted the Mumbai-based Shreedham Group to inquire about one of its projects – Shreedham Classic – in Goregaon (west), two days ago. The project offers two and three BHK flats on S.V. Road. “I got a contact number for the project from a friend and dialled it. The lady who answered asked me if I was a vegetarian. When I told her that I eat vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food, she told me that the flats were only being sold to vegetarians, as a Jain temple was being constructed in the complex. I felt offended, and decided to approach the authorities,” Mr. Dhuri said.
On Friday, Mr. Dhuri submitted an application to the Dadar police, seeking an FIR against Shreedham Group.
Shreedham Group could not be reached for comments. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/corporator-seeks-action-against-pureveg-society/article9040891.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ac0ee16727b08769490b56a487d8b04c941318a3e4887a7e529d17b84e908079.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T18:54:38 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Syrian rebels and their families began evacuating a long-besieged Damascus suburb on Friday as part of an agreement reached with the government following four years of gruelling airstrikes and siege | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Frebels-civilians-evacuating-damascus-suburb%2Farticle9037002.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Rebels, civilians evacuating Damascus suburb | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Syrian rebels and their families began evacuating a long-besieged Damascus suburb on Friday as part of an agreement reached with the government following four years of gruelling airstrikes and siege that left the suburb in ruins.
The surrender of Daraya, which became an early symbol of the nascent uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, marks a success for his government, removing a persistent threat only a few miles from his seat of power. It provides a further boost for the Syrian army as it fights opposition forces for control over Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.
Daraya’s rebels agreed to evacuate in a deal late on Thursday. Under the terms of the deal, around 700 gunmen will be allowed safe exit to the Opposition-held northern province of Idlib, while some 4,000 civilians will be taken temporarily to a shelter south of Daraya.
The suburb has been besieged by government forces, with only one food delivery by the United Nations allowed to reach the district during this time. It has been held by a coalition of ultraconservative Islamic militias, including the Martyrs of Islam Brigade.
As the first white bus with rebels and their families emerged from Daraya, Syrian army soldiers swarmed the vehicle, shouting pro-Assad slogans. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/rebels-civilians-evacuating-damascus-suburb/article9037002.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bc648bf8b015f3e87e41e0097b814f44478f6e69e79511dea1dd4a2f934649fb.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T22:53:39 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | In an attempt to put the “House in order”, both the Chairman of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly have constituted a joint House committee to frame rules that will a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fsoon-legislators-can-protest-only-during-postlunch-sessions%2Farticle9046584.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Soon, legislators can protest only during post-lunch sessions | null | null | www.thehindu.com | 19-member sub-committee to frame rules, in an attempt to put the House in order
In an attempt to put the “House in order”, both the Chairman of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly have constituted a joint House committee to frame rules that will allow legislators to stage protests only during the post-lunch sessions.
This could come into effect from the coming winter session in Belagavi.
Speaker K.B. Koliwad on Monday chaired a meeting of legislators and officials to discuss framing of the new rules. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, he said the proposed rules would not permit legislators to stage dharnas or move adjournment motions as soon as the House commences in the morning.
The move, he said, would make sure that taxpayers’ money is not wasted. Each day of the legislature session is estimated to cost nearly Rs. 1 crore to the State exchequer.
Both the Houses would conduct proceedings as per the items listed in the day’s agenda during the first four hours of the session. This means all adjournment motions would be taken up only after 2 p.m.. Generally, during the session, members assemble at 10 a.m.
“The new rules would curb unruly behaviour of legislators and ensure disciplined conduct of proceedings. Governor Vajubhai Vala too appreciated the proposal,” said the Speaker.
A 19-member sub-committee, headed by Ramachandra Gowda, BJP MLC, has been constituted to formulate rules. Suggestions from eminent parliamentarians, incumbent MPs and MLAs, and ex-MLAs have been sought to draft new rules.
Mr. Koliwad, who expressed displeasure over passage of many important Bills, including the Finance Bill (Budget), during the monsoon session without a debate amid dharnas by the Opposition members, said drastic changes in Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of both the Houses of the legislature are required to ensure smooth conduct of business.
During the recent monsoon session, almost all days’ proceedings were washed out because of unruly protests by members.
Mr. Koliwad was also in favour of mandatory 60 days session in each year. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/soon-legislators-can-protest-only-during-postlunch-sessions/article9046584.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4fce1f73259cfb79dd5ac5e28e24e3cd1ec890620c704cbbdb4b5a8d4d29b20d.json |
[
"Karnataka Bureau"
] | 2016-08-28T22:52:49 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The 13-year old girl who went missing after being last seen alighting from her school bus in Rajajinagar four days ago was found at the Hubballi Railway Station on Sunday morning. It later emerged t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fmissing-teenager-found-in-hubballi%2Farticle9042954.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Missing teenager found in Hubballi | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The 13-year old girl who went missing after being last seen alighting from her school bus in Rajajinagar four days ago was found at the Hubballi Railway Station on Sunday morning. It later emerged that the teenager had been travelling by train and had been to Mysuru, Arsikere, Ahmedabad and Mumbai before finally boarding a Bengaluru-bound train with a stop-over in Hubbali, where she was finally found and re-united with her parents.
“I want to thank the police, the school and the press as well as those who helped us in our search by circulating our social media appeals,” said the girl’s father.
After searching the relatives’ and friends’ houses and filing a police complaint on Wednesday, the parents had also posted appeals on social media and television. “I am happy that I have returned safely,” said the girl after being re-united with her family. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/missing-teenager-found-in-hubballi/article9042954.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/72b622a8476ab7dbf6c4062b1f0b1e28b37fb7662572701aa81a00a78c800e0a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:50:34 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Leander Paes and Andre Begemann knocked out top seeds Lukasz Kubot and Nenad Zimonjic in straight sets to storm into the semifinals of the ATP Winston-Salem Open, here.
The unseeded Indo-German pai | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Fpaesbegemann-duo-storm-into-semifinals%2Farticle9037058.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Paes-Begemann duo storm into semifinals | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Leander Paes and Andre Begemann knocked out top seeds Lukasz Kubot and Nenad Zimonjic in straight sets to storm into the semifinals of the ATP Winston-Salem Open, here.
The unseeded Indo-German pair upset the Poland-Serbian combo 6-4, 6-4 in their quarterfinal match that lasted an hour and 16 minutes.
With this win, Paes now has a chance to play his first final of the season on the ATP Tour.
The 43-year-old Paes, who has played a number of Challenger level tournaments this season, has seen his ranking plummet to 72.
Revenge
It was a sort of revenge win for Paes, who had lost to the Polish duo of Kubot and Marcin Matkowski in the Rio Olympics first round along with compatriot Rohan Bopanna.
Paes and Begemann now face third seeds Robert Lindstedt and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, who got past Marin Draganja and Dominic Inglot 7-6(12), 6-7(4), 10-8 in another quarterfinal match.
The results (quarterfinals):
WTA Connecticut Open: Women’s singles: Agnieszka Radwanska bt Kirsten Flipkens 6-1, 6-4.
Petra Kvitova bt Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-1; Elina Svitolina bt Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-1.
Johanna Larsson bt Roberta Vinci 7-6(9), 6-1.
ATP Winston-Salem tournament: Men’s singles: John Millman bt Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3.
Pablo Carreno-Busta bt Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 6-3.
Viktor Troicki bt Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 3-6, 6-4; Roberto Bautista bt Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) 6-3, 6-2. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/paesbegemann-duo-storm-into-semifinals/article9037058.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7882903cf279ecdb004b0489194e3b1f804d91d65231b0c9094c05c82322d332.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:27 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has just retired from ODI cricket, suggested he did not have enough support from his teammates during his 10-month stint as captain and was “hurt” by the manner | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Fdilshan-speaks-about-lack-of-support-during-his-captaincy%2Farticle9046713.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/TH30DILSHAN_2991399c.jpg | en | null | Dilshan speaks about lack of support during his captaincy | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has just retired from ODI cricket, suggested he did not have enough support from his teammates during his 10-month stint as captain and was “hurt” by the manner in which he was removed from the post.
Addressing the post-match press conference after the loss to Australia in the third ODI on Sunday night, Dilshan lamented that two former captains gave him no support when he assumed captaincy in 2011.
“When I was hit in the fingers and was unable to play the two former captains refused to captain the side. One of them agreed only after a lot of convincing,” Dilshan said without naming either Kumar Sangakkara or Mahela Jayawardena.
Sangakkara did lead in the third Test in Rose Bowl when Dilshan was forced out of the team by injury.
He said that the current captain Angelo Mathews had refused to bowl citing an injury during Dilshan’s captaincy.
“I was surprised that he started bowling just a week after I was taken off captaincy,” Dilshan said.
Though Dilshan said the manner of his ousting did cause hurt, he insisted he did not let “personal issues” affect his cricket. Sri Lanka’s first assignment after the South Africa tour was the 2012 tri-series in Australia. Dilshan top-scored in that tournament, hitting 513 runs at an average of 51.30.
“At the end of that South Africa series, I put everything aside. I went to Australia, scored 500 runs, and became Man of the Series. It didn’t matter to me who was the captain. I wasn’t concerned about who ousted me as captain. I always play for my country. I didn’t worry about those personal things, but I was hurt.” | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/dilshan-speaks-about-lack-of-support-during-his-captaincy/article9046713.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e9bd6e0d9177e2da2e1c38b3de4332dee34f98fecc803f47606b0adf1e183b3c.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T16:51:11 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., in association with the South Western and Southern Railways, will operate Velankanni special trains.Vasco-Velankanni Suvidha Special will leave Vasco at 10.30 a.m. on | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fkonkan-railway-to-run-velankanni-special-trains%2Farticle9037176.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Konkan Railway to run Velankanni special trains | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., in association with the South Western and Southern Railways, will operate Velankanni special trains.
Vasco-Velankanni Suvidha Special will leave Vasco at 10.30 a.m. on August 27, September 3 and September 7 to reach Velankanni at 12.35 p.m. the next day.
August 30: Train No 82656 will leave Velankanni at 10.40 a.m. and reach Vasco at 10 a.m. the next day.
September 5: Train No 82660 will leave Velankanni at 9.30 a.m. and reach Vasco at 10 a.m. the next day.
September 8: Train No 82658 will leave Velankanni at 7.30 p.m. to reach Vasco at 9.10 p.m. the following day.
The special train will have 18 coaches. It will halt at Madgoan, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Udupi, Suratkal, Mangaluru Jn., Kasargod, Kannur, Thalassery, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur Jn., Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Karur, Tiruchchirappali, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/konkan-railway-to-run-velankanni-special-trains/article9037176.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cda58d774fd37fe75b965c4f9253c23f9cca9709b632617a735a67942609c266.json |
[
"Gudipoodi Srihari"
] | 2016-08-27T02:54:37 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Vignana Samithi organised a vocal concert by the noted vocalist and musicologist D.Vardhani. It was a thematic presentation talking about the three vaggeyakaras’ contribution to music, called ‘Sangee | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Ffriday-review%2Feducative-and-eloquent-on-the-vaggeyakara-trinity%2Farticle9035604.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/HYF26D_VARDHANI____2987124c.jpg | en | null | Educative and eloquent on the Vaggeyakara Trinity | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Vocalist D. Vardhani gave an insightful talk and recital about Vaggeyakara Trinity.
Vignana Samithi organised a vocal concert by the noted vocalist and musicologist D.Vardhani. It was a thematic presentation talking about the three vaggeyakaras’ contribution to music, called ‘Sangeetha Trimurtulu - Bhavana Vaidushyamu’.
She first spoke of the importance of sruti and laya in music, for the benefit of audience, at their request followed by a topic on the uniqueness of the vaggeyakaras. A she sang she gave a comparative study of the compositions these great vaggeyakaras wrote.
While dealing with the significance, the uniqueness and the special features of each one of the composers in the trinity, she also brought out a comparison of their compositions in each raga, elaborating each number.
Vardhani started her recital with Begada varnam, Dayanidhe of Syama Sastry and comparing it with Dikshitar’s composition Vallabhanayakasya in the same raga. She first explored raga in detail and then chose ‘Nadopasana’ of Thayagaraja in Begada laying greater stress of Madhyama of the raga. She followed this with raga expansion with Thyagaraja’s Tanavari Thanamu in this raga. She discussed about laya part of presentation. The clarity in her expression of sahitya was also appreciated.
Vardhani then chose to present Kannada. Describing its characteristics, the artiste felt this raga is not as elaborate as Kalyani. She sang and explained the difference in both the compositions - Thayagaraja’s Bhajare Bhajamanasa in Kannada in Misrachapu talam in vilamba kalam and Saketaniketana in the same raga in Rupaka talam. She sang both the numbers pointing out at their distinct variation in these two kritis though they are both of Thyagaraja in Kannada raga. Grahaswaras and Grahanyasa swaras sounded differently in contrast. The specialty of Vardhani was she made every note sound distinctly.
Another vaggeyakara Muthuswamy Dikshitar based his compositions on many ‘mantras’ like in ‘Navagraha kritis’ and ‘Navavarna kritis’, explained Vardhani. Dikshitar’s composition Sarasijanabha sodari in Nagagandhari set to Rupaka talam, she presented was melody filled rendition. She said Syama Sastry’s Anandabhairavi was his trademark raga. She then presented Marivere and Pahi Sri Giriraja, both in misrachapu talam, explaining variation in both. Next was raga Nasikabhushani and the way Thyagaraja and Dikshitar dealt with it. Violinist Dinakar played a great role in elaborating the raga in his turns, matching this concept. Maravairi Ramani of Thyagaraja in Nasikabhushani was sung as relief number for audience.
Vardhani then chose Poorvikalyani saying it dealt with all the three vaggeyakaras in detail and penned many compositions in these ragas like Meenakshi Kasi Visalakshi of Dikshitar Gnanamosagarada of Thyagaraja. Sangatis were elaborate. The next presentation was Thyagaraja kriti Manamuleda in Hamir Kalyani in lower speed. Akhilandeswari of Dikshitar and Syama Sastry’s Mayammaayani in Ahiri were pleasant renditions. Thyagaraja’s Marugelara in Jayantisri was enjoyable. The highlight of the evening was Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Chaturdasa Ragamalika, a chain of 14 ragas, received with great applause. Dinakar on violin and Kapa Srinivasa Rao on mridangam gave good support. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/educative-and-eloquent-on-the-vaggeyakara-trinity/article9035604.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9d3ff76af9338705418035260215cf84b998a5e86d59061de95c8b66155bb9e0.json |
[
"S. Prasad"
] | 2016-08-31T02:52:54 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | DMK legislator Geetha Anandan on Tuesday expressed her anguish over the lack of adequate facilities for women legislators staying at the Government Guest House in Uppalam here.Participating in the gen | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fpuducherry%2Fdmk-mla-bemoans-lack-of-facilities-at-guest-house%2Farticle9053314.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | DMK MLA bemoans lack of facilities at guest house | null | null | www.thehindu.com | DMK legislator Geetha Anandan on Tuesday expressed her anguish over the lack of adequate facilities for women legislators staying at the Government Guest House in Uppalam here.
Participating in the general discussion on the budget, Ms. Anandan said that four women Legislators elected to the Assembly from Puducherry and Karaikal regions were presently staying at the Government Guest House in Uppalam.
The Government was planning to construct a guest house in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, for the benefit of pilgrims from the Union Territory. But the guest house at Puducherry where the women Legislators were staying lacked security and basic amenities.
Expressing concern over the lack of proper maintenance, she said that the rooms in the premises lacked proper drinking water and power supply. The doors of the rooms also did not have latches. The government should first think of improving the facilities in the guest house here before planning to construct new premises in Tirumala, she said.
The DMK Legislator also pointed out that the Puducherry Power Corporation Limited in Karaikal was also lacking adequate gas to augment power. The government had planned to increase the power generation from 32 to 100 MW. But this was not possible due to want of gas.
Ms. Anandan also said that the administrator in Karaikal lacked adequate powers. The Collector should be equipped with more powers so that the present situation of approaching Puducherry frequently could be avoided.
While the government was clamouring for more power from New Delhi it was not taking care of Karaikal’s representation to equip the region with more administrative privileges and power, she added. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/dmk-mla-bemoans-lack-of-facilities-at-guest-house/article9053314.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1b32e24813b9061d5406a99e287e1bb2c281e348c44eeec896b6f89ea3c5ce55.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:52 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The process of filing of nominations for the by-elections for the vacant posts of four sarpanches, one MPTC member and a few ward members in the district slated for September 8 is gradually picking u | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fpapers-filed-for-local-body-bypolls%2Farticle9043196.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Papers filed for local body by-polls | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The process of filing of nominations for the by-elections for the vacant posts of four sarpanches, one MPTC member and a few ward members in the district slated for September 8 is gradually picking up.
The by-election will be held for the posts of sarpanches of four gram panchayats - Chintakani, Chimmapudi (Raghunadhapalem mandal), China Korukonda (Kallur mandal) and Badhu Thanda (Tekulapalli mandal). Meanwhile, three candidates filed nomination papers for the post of Maddulapalli MPTC member in Kamepalli mandal on Sunday. The district administration has initiated arrangements to hold the by-elections for the vacant local body posts in a free and fair manner on September 8. According to sources, around 74 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in the ensuing elections. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/papers-filed-for-local-body-bypolls/article9043196.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3404883d1f1acbed0d036e55aa8ca9700100602a82e5d26f6abc7cd2ca9cf845.json |
[
"L. Renganathan"
] | 2016-08-29T08:53:32 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The multi-purpose indoor stadium is yet to witness a formal inauguration more than two years after its construction.Tiruvarur has produced many meritorious sports personalities who have done the regio | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Findoor-stadium-waiting-for-formal-inauguration%2Farticle9044365.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/28aug_tanren01__TY_2990532c.jpg | en | null | Indoor stadium waiting for formal inauguration | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The facility remains closed two years after its completion
The multi-purpose indoor stadium is yet to witness a formal inauguration more than two years after its construction.
Tiruvarur has produced many meritorious sports personalities who have done the region and nation proud in national and international arenas. Sports enthusiasts yearned for a proper indoor facility to foster practitioners of various sports and games. Tiruvarur remained one of the districts in the State that did not have a proper indoor stadium when the idea to construct it emanated in 2005.
It was decided to construct the indoor stadium at Thandalai, behind the District Collector’s office in the Collectorate master complex where the open stadium is located.
The then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who is now the sitting MLA from Tiruvarur, laid the foundation stone for the indoor stadium on July 27, 2010 when he visited Tiruvarur for declaring open the Government Medical College.
Soon construction began and was completed with the State Government contributing Rs. 95 lakh and the public pooling together a further Rs. 35 lakh. The Oil and Natural Gas Commission on contributed Rs. 23 lakh for construction of galleries and other facilities inside the stadium, over and above the sanctioned estimate of Rs. 1.30 crore.
Facilities in the indoor stadium included basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, and taekwondo courts. Wooden floors have been laid for the entire basketball court expanse. There are refreshment and rest rooms for players and administrators in the indoor stadium.
Enquiries revealed that the local sports officials have written to the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu which is the nodal agency to push the case a long time back and have despatched reminders as well. But nothing has moved in the past two years for throwing open the facility to the public.
“It defies logic to keep the facility under lock and key for so long after completion. We went round streets of Tiruvarur to collect money as public contribution. We are very sad that it is wallowing in neglect,” rues secretary of the Tiruvarur District Badminton Association V. Kesavan. “We want to know why there is inordinate delay in opening the indoor stadium,” he adds. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/indoor-stadium-waiting-for-formal-inauguration/article9044365.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/dacba346db3cf584ea8802a105402612f91d6536b7386a514fb0b8721d530937.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:51:15 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists responds to attacks on the press worldwide. CPJ documents hundreds of cases every year and takes action on behalf of journalists and news organiz | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fresources%2Fdangerous-pursuit-a-special-report-by-the-committee-to-protect-journalists%2Farticle9046292.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Dangerous Pursuit: A special report by the Committee to Protect Journalists | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists responds to attacks on the press worldwide. CPJ documents hundreds of cases every year and takes action on behalf of journalists and news organizations without regard to political ideology. Read a special report by the Committee on journalists who cover corruption.
In India, journalists who cover corruption may pay wIth their lives
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/resources/dangerous-pursuit-a-special-report-by-the-committee-to-protect-journalists/article9046292.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c70eec29ee9993c6c5a14361a5aa85a590b4e40d504654adac8e244a5978ac0a.json |
[
"Yuthika Bhargava"
] | 2016-08-27T16:57:23 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Even as analysts said that WhatsApp’s decision to change its privacy policy, which entails sharing users’ account info with parent Facebook, is not a user friendly move, they believe most consumers w | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsci-tech%2Ftechnology%2Finternet%2Fusers-voice-concern-over-whatsapp-sharing-phone-numbers-with-facebook%2Farticle9032733.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Users voice concern over WhatsApp sharing phone numbers with Facebook | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Even as analysts said that WhatsApp’s decision to change its privacy policy, which entails sharing users’ account info with parent Facebook, is not a user friendly move, they believe most consumers will stick with the platform and not migrate to other instant messengers yet.
WhatsApp said the move will help Facebook offer more targeted advertisements on its own platform, while WhatsApp will continue to be ad-free.
“This is not a move for the consumers. They have no say…have been given no choice. In addition, they will be targeted with more advertisements,” Sanchit Gogia, CEO, Greyhound Research said.
He added that while Facebook has been able to monetise the other platforms it runs, such as Instagram and Facebook Messenger, it has not been able to the same with WhatsApp. Facebook has in 2014 bought WhatsApp in USD 19-billion deal.
“WhatsApp offers huge opportunity…Facebook’s network will become a lot bigger, and so will the advertising opportunity,” he added. However, he added that this will not lead to reduction in number of users for the popular instant messenger as at present there is no other messenger with such huge base of users.
Smriti Kapoor, a WhatsApp user said since Facebook already takes a lot of data for eg what internet users are searching on google to customise ads, this will not be very different. “So, I will continue to use WhatsApp for now.”
Another WhatsApp user, Sujata Sen Gupta said WhatsApp forms that backbone of her personal as well as profeesional communication. “Till all my contacts move to another platform, I will have to continue using WhatsApp,” she said.
WhatsApp has over one billion users globally, with a significant chunk coming from India. | http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/users-voice-concern-over-whatsapp-sharing-phone-numbers-with-facebook/article9032733.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2bd63de20a34c8ad816fc823a439b43861eed877dbdd68eeacc69ee04a5750bc.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T14:52:45 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The children of Government Boys’ Home and Girls’ Home at Vellimadukunnu had an eventful day on Saturday, sliding down ropes and jumping from treetops. And under the watchful eyes of skilled trainers, | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fon-a-learning-adventure%2Farticle9042135.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27ctaab01-adven_27_2989327c.jpg | en | null | On a learning adventure | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Children take part in an adventure camp on the Gender Park premises in the city on Saturday.- PHOTO: K. RAGESH
The children of Government Boys’ Home and Girls’ Home at Vellimadukunnu had an eventful day on Saturday, sliding down ropes and jumping from treetops. And under the watchful eyes of skilled trainers, the children completed the tasks assigned to them with élan.
Thirty children, 15 from each Home, are taking part in the two-day adventure camp organised by Delhi-based OD Alternatives on the premises of the Gender Park at Vellimadukunnu. The OD Alternatives is specialised in imparting interpersonal and leadership skills among children as well as employees of corporate houses.
The camp titled ‘The Hero’s Journey’ includes various adventure activities, some that have to be undertaken alone, while others in teams. The concept is to encourage experiential learning among the participants, and to enrich their creativity and communication skills.
‘The Hero’s Journey’ in the context of literature is what constitutes the plot of any story — where a person leading a very comfortable life meets sudden challenges in his/her life, overcomes them and comes back to life victorious. The concept developed by American scholar Joseph Campbell gets a new meaning in the hands of Rinchu Sandeep and her team.
“We have organised 20 batches of the adventure workshop so far. But it was inaccessible to the low income groups so far as it is a bit expensive. Under the Compassionate Kozhikode Programme, many well-wishers have come forward to fund the camp for the children of the Government Homes”, said Sandeep N.B., OD Alternatives coordinator.
Camp location
The camp is usually held in a remote location, mostly in the forests of Nelliyampathy, Ponmudi or Wayanad, where there is no mobile connectivity. This is to separate participants from the rest of the world for the duration of the camp. “But here, 26 acres of the Social Justice Department complex is as good as a remote location and we have enough avenues for our tasks here,” Mr. Sandeep added.
The camp concludes on Sunday. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/on-a-learning-adventure/article9042135.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d3008974e07e0da186624b2b84cf5645b9cb77b8e87e6308adf6d8524469462b.json |
[
"Vishal Menon"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:07 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | No matter how good or bad, a remake still provides great fodder for discussion on what really makes a film tick – especially when the original, Thattathin Marayathu in this case, was more a cultural p | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fcinema%2Ftamil-film-meendum-oru-kadhal-kadhai-review%2Farticle9040329.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28CP_MOKK_01_JPG_2988671c.jpg | en | null | Tamil film Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai review | null | null | www.thehindu.com | No matter how good or bad, a remake still provides great fodder for discussion on what really makes a film tick – especially when the original, Thattathin Marayathu in this case, was more a cultural phenomenon than a film. It only helps that the Tamil remake, Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai, has been directed by Mithran Jawahar, someone whose entire career is based on transplanting films from neighbouring states (Uthamaputhiran, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Kutty) into Tamil.
To his credit, there’s a kind of German precision with which he’s engineered the Malayalam film for Tamil tastes. For starters, Meendum… is set very cleverly in Kanyakumari, near the Kerala border. So it’s pardonable that it’s a Malayalam song (‘Aayiram Kannumai’ from Fazil’s Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu) that plays in the background in the film’s love-at-first-sight moment. It also helps that the place looks a lot like Kerala, becasue its a frame-by-frame remake the makers want. Even the hero’s leftist inclination fits easily into the profile of a student from down South.
The clever cultural shifts don’t end there. A devotee of Padmanabha Swamy in the original becomes a devotee of Thiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy here. If it’s Tabu in Kaalapaani that two kids discuss shyly in the original, it’s Manisha Koirala in ‘Andha Arabi Kadaloram’ from Bombay that’s the matter of contention in this one. But these are decisions the director could have made even before the film started to roll.
What disappoints in Meendum… are those intangibles, those invisible factors that breathed life into an otherwise clichéd love story.
Thattathin Marayathu single-handedly catapulted Nivin Pauly to superstardom. But after watching the remake, you know how much the film needed Nivin too. Because, like it’s so often stated in the film, it’s a story about an ordinary boy’s love for someone way beyond his league. She’s convent-educated, talented, intelligent and beautiful. Vinod, like how a character in the film puts it, is just one among a hundred others who have fallen for Aisha. So, for the audience to believe that a girl like Aisha (who sees him just three times before falling in love) can fall for him, they must really like Vinod too. Nivin’s boy-next-door charm and impish dialogue delivery helped us warm up to the suspension of disbelief required to buy this story.
Walter Phillips (Vinod in Meendum..., who looks more like Dulquer), though adequate, doesn’t really match the inherent likability one feels for Nivin. The casting of the heroine (Isha Talwar, reprising her role from the original), too, seems a misstep. For a film that’s driven by the intrigue of a veiled beauty, shouldn’t the heroine’s face be an unfamiliar one?
The songs too seem to be missing that special something that drove hordes of people to the theatre for Thattathin… Apart from where the songs have been placed, the visuals, in an effort to recreate exact frames from the original, doesn’t quite suit G.V. Prakash’s music.
But the dialogues are the biggest disappointment. Here, they seem to just serve a purpose, as though they’re merely communicating information. For instance, the original’s most powerful scene is when Aisha’s father explains how a Muslim girl’s veil is merely to protect her honour and not a pall over her dreams. These unforgettable moments in the original play out like mere… footage here.
Even the title of the original was better. For a tale about a Muslim girl’s forbidden love, there’s so much intrigue in the title Thattathin Marayathu (behind the veil). But the Tamil version is exactly what its title suggests… just another love story. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-meendum-oru-kadhal-kadhai-review/article9040329.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f5a65c1cdaa784920df5917a9c81e42357e4a0b208dcb13c61aa8fc9f2fb62c9.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T16:51:42 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Limited over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes that India’s Test side led by Virat Kohli can regain it’s top ranking in longest format by the end of the home season in which they play 13 Tests ag | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Fwith-13-tests-to-be-played-india-can-become-world-no1-in-tests-by-end-of-season-says-ms-dhoni%2Farticle9045571.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/DHONI_2990864c.jpg | en | null | With 13 Tests to be played, India can become World No.1 in Tests by end of season, says M.S. Dhoni | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Dhoni feels the team is shaping up well under skipper Virat Kohli and the fact that all the Indian fast bowlers are fit and doing well.
Limited over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes that India’s Test side led by Virat Kohli can regain it’s top ranking in longest format by the end of the home season in which they play 13 Tests against New Zealand, England, Australia and Bangladesh.
Dhoni feels the team is shaping up well under skipper Virat Kohli and the fact that all the Indian fast bowlers are fit and doing well will held the team in good stead in the upcoming Test matches.
“I think the Indian Test team is shaping up well. It seemed we were more settled in T20 and ODI but now our team had a good batting experience. If you notice, for the last 2 and a half years, we had the same batting unit, barring one or two changes. So you learn a lot. Test remains the ultimate format,” Dhoni told reporters after the 2nd T20I was washed out on Sunday.
“On top of it, one plus point is that all our fast bowlers are fit now and the way they are bowling. We have 10 proper fast bowlers and it’s an asset. Now we will be playing a lot of matches, so we can rotate our fast bowlers if we want to,” he observed.
Dhoni is happy that talent is now getting transformed into performance.
“As far as performance is concerned, the talent and experience of the team has started to get reflected in the performance and in the times to come, this season we will be playing 13 Tests and I think by the end of it if everything goes well, touchwood, we will be the number one team in the world and the gap between the first and second team will be substantial,” he added.
Coming back to the short T20 series, Dhoni said while the pitch remained same where the bowlers were belted for 245 in the first game, it was the addition of an extra spinner in Amit Mishra, which paid off as the World T20 champions were bowled out for less than 150.
“I don’t think the wicket changed a lot. It is same as the last wicket. It is the exposure that they had in the last game, it gave them the ability to go back and think about their own game plan and often when there is no break between two matches, it actually helps the bowlers to quickly go back and plan,” said the 35-year-old from Ranchi.
“It is the execution that matters and I think it was great. Addition of a spinner also paid off well. Mishra bowled really well. I felt it was the whole bowling unit who could restrict them to 140, it was a brilliant effort,” he added.
Dhoni said there is plenty of positives to take away from the short series.
“There is plenty to take away. The way we chased down 244 odd (245) and came close in the last game was a difficult one. The reason being once you have so many runs to chase, it puts you under pressure to score right from the strart and the batsmen did it pretty well,” he said.
“When it comes to bowling, the first game was tough for the bowlers but the way they came back in the second game, it was fantastic, it showed a lot about the character of the bowling unit. We have a more experienced unit. They have played a lot of Test cricket and also have the experience of playing at IPL and shorter format.
“As a unit, the bowlers are looking good. As a batting unit, it was slightly different from the World T20 team, it was a chance for a few youngsters to come and grab the opportunities. The biggest was the way Rahul batted. Of course, the result didn’t go in our favour but overall a lot of positives.
“The concern for me was the fact that quickly we have to adapt to the shorter format and most of the guys were playing Test match before this so the transformation had to be great and I think all the team members responded well to that.”
Dhoni also gave a thumbs up to the venue at US which hosted the two twenty20 internationals.
“This is a good journey not only for India but also West Indies, they are closer from here. We can always come back and play a series. Unfortunately, today there was thunderstorm but otherwise the weather was good. It suits cricket,” he said.
“Overall, when you play cricket, one is player’s passion and the other thing is host broadcaster, they want to make money, the fans want to come and watch live cricket. Overall it seemed a good product.
“The timing suits broadcaster. It is good for the fans. Overall it is a win-win scenario. But it will cramp our schedule but I don’t think many players will complain, we are used to it.
“If it becomes too busy, some players may opt out but as far as the other things are concerned, if it fills in all the gaps then I think it is a good venue and we would like to comeback and play cricket,” he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/with-13-tests-to-be-played-india-can-become-world-no1-in-tests-by-end-of-season-says-ms-dhoni/article9045571.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1456d2983c21d0ffe1bcbfdb4b9360997d6a7ec0083bcf57e939ea9b349616da.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T18:52:08 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu is unlikely to join the Congress, which has made efforts to reach out to him, political analysts say.
Mr. Sidhu has kept everyone guessing of his next move | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fsidhu-unlikely-to-join-congress%2Farticle9046674.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02945/sidhu_2945846c.jpg | en | null | Sidhu keeps everybody guessing | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu is unlikely to join the Congress, which has made efforts to reach out to him, political analysts say.
Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu is unlikely to join the Congress, which has made efforts to reach out to him, political analysts say.
Mr. Sidhu has kept everyone guessing of his next move after talks of his joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit a roadblock.
“It is unlikely that Mr. Sidhu will join the Congress. If he joins Congress it could well lead to a perception among the people that he is hungry for power and therefore running from one party to another,” Professor Ronki Ram of the Department of Political Science at Panjab University, told The Hindu.
Mr. Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who is a chief parliamentary secretary with the Punjab government, hinted on Monday that the “couple” was not inclined to join the Congress.
“I don’t think Punjab’s interests would be served under Capt. Amarinder Singh. He has to come clean on allegations against him,” Ms. Sidhu told reporters, adding that for the couple Punjab’s interest was the top priority and all options were open. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sidhu-unlikely-to-join-congress/article9046674.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/966f75444d5edf976fc66ffcaaf76f1047796e89ba0c9715ba50d86579cc93ea.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:12 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The All India BSNL Pensioners’ Welfare Association, Tamil Nadu Circle, has made an appeal to the Union Government not to sell the shares of public sector undertakings (PSUs) including Bharat Sanchar N | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FCoimbatore%2Fbsnl-pensioners-oppose-sale-of-shares-of-public-sector-undertakings%2Farticle9038536.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | BSNL pensioners oppose sale of shares of public sector undertakings | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The All India BSNL Pensioners’ Welfare Association, Tamil Nadu Circle, has made an appeal to the Union Government not to sell the shares of public sector undertakings (PSUs) including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and not to privatise the Salem Steel Plant.
This was among the 16 resolutions passed by the association at its conference in the city recently.
FDI
They also sought withdrawal of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act and not to allow Foreign Direct Investment in pension funds.
Extending benefits of the 7t{+h}pay commission to BSNL pensioners, paying pension arrears, introducing medical allowance for pensioners and conducting Pension Adalats were among their key demands.
Their demands to the State Government included making bus travel free for senior citizens and opening more ‘Amma canteens’ exclusively for senior citizens.
The association’s circle president K. Muthialu presided over the conference. All India president of BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association P.S. Ramankutty and general secretary G. Natarajan were among delegates who took part. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/bsnl-pensioners-oppose-sale-of-shares-of-public-sector-undertakings/article9038536.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/38dfd5df669b245b93045c049962f01bc813ec49ab88fb3c25579541ef5344f4.json |
[
"Naveena Vijayan"
] | 2016-08-29T14:51:37 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | A set of sheets clipped neatly onto an exam pad, a bottle of black imported ink, a ceramic bowl of water, a calligraphy pen, and its nib kept sealed inside a pink envelope. The setting looks like the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fcalligraphy-tales-from-the-pen%2Farticle9045914.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30MP_CALLIGRAPHY_W_2991144c.jpg | en | null | Calligraphy, tales from the pen | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Participants fall in love with the beautiful art form of calligraphy at a workshop organised by Amruta Walvekar of Wrapistry
A set of sheets clipped neatly onto an exam pad, a bottle of black imported ink, a ceramic bowl of water, a calligraphy pen, and its nib kept sealed inside a pink envelope. The setting looks like the one in the movie Letters to Juliet, where a group of women who call themselves ‘secretaries of Juliet’ sit down to write replies to letters that hopeful lovers leave at the walls beneath the courtyard in Verona, where Juliet is believed to have been wooed by Romeo. This is, however, just a calligraphy workshop for beginners, organised by Wrapistry.
I identify my seat right at the end of a long conference table at the Summit room of Taj Club House. The four-hour workshop is about to begin, and Amruta Walvekar, founder of Wrapistry, and organiser of the workshop, is walking around the room, helping the 20-odd participants fix the nib at a 55-degree angle.
My neighbour is a Class XII student, who is here just to take a break from academics. Later, when the participants are asked to introduce themselves, I learn that a majority of them are graphic designers and college students who are at the class to whip up their creativity; a few are homemakers who just want to learn an additional skill; one of them is a television broadcaster who finds calligraphy therapeutic; and another is a beautician who simply finds the art beautiful. Amruta introduces herself as someone who had a blue-collar job in London, but called it quits when she realised her calling — gift wrapping. She studied the art from experts in the U.K., and got back to her hometown, Pune, to start her own company (in 2006), which boasts clientele from San Francisco and New York, besides many five-star hotels in India.
It was only natural that her interest extended to calligraphy, given invitation and note cards were part of the exotic packaging that Wrapistry indulged in. While Amruta has been organising workshops in wrapping for years now, it is the first time she’s doing one on calligraphy (translated from Greek, kallos is beauty and graphe, writing) in the city. Though old-fashioned and time-consuming, the art continues to have takers, she says.
“Some of you may worry about not having great handwriting to begin with. Relax, you don’t have to have perfect handwriting. Calligraphy teaches you a set of new techniques to re-learn your writing skills,” she says. As I settle, I observe little things such as small paper name boards that Amruta has customised for each of the participants, besides a bunch of sheets that includes a calligraphy guide sheet, and another with alphabets that we are supposed to emulate in transparent, off-white and pure-white practice sheets. The set also includes elaborate notes on modern calligraphy, ink flow, pen pressure, how to fix the nib, and so on.
We start with the up and down strokes that form the basis for writing alphabets. The upward stroke is thin and requires less or no pressure, and the downward one is thick and requires one to exert pressure on the nib. We move on to writing alphabets, filling two lines of each, just as kids practising cursive handwriting for the first time.
“Drag and flick,” she says, stopping beside participants to ensure they’re holding the pen right. “Keep practising till you are comfortable with each alphabet. This helps build your wrist muscle memory,” adds Amruta.
Soon, we are writing full-length words, using the two movements — drag and flick. When the class concludes, small greeting cards are distributed to participants to write a note using calligraphy alphabets. One of them returns it, refusing to take it along with the rest of the kit. Confused, Amruta tries to give it back, but pauses on seeing the words ‘Thank You’, written using the pointed pen nib and dip ink. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/calligraphy-tales-from-the-pen/article9045914.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/119421701853bc2036aa89941a608989022bdf12c7c008037a799fce4982f817.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:50:33 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The Congress on Friday came down hard on the surrogacy Bill saying it “resembled a draft from the stone ages and was brought out by “surrogate organisations” such as the RSS and VHP.
Making a stron | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fsurrogacy-bill-like-draft-from-stone-ages-congress%2Farticle9036778.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Surrogacy Bill like ‘draft from stone ages’: Congress | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Congress on Friday came down hard on the surrogacy Bill saying it “resembled a draft from the stone ages and was brought out by “surrogate organisations” such as the RSS and VHP.
Making a strong plea for reconsideration of the measure, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that the new Bill seems to be “something resembling a draft from the stone ages” and not in keeping with contemporary India.
Insisting that a “most anti-liberal approach” is followed in drafting the legislation, he said that it is not at all in line with the “social milieu that we live in and is non-scientific.”
Lamenting that all kinds of value judgments have been injected into it in a “very paternalistic manner”, he faulted the Bill for excluding surrogacy by live-in couples, those with adopted children, those with a single child, homosexuals, NRIs and foreigners.
“Why are they restricting surrogacy only to married couples? Surrogacy could be desired by widows, live-in partners and NRIs among others,” he said it was strange that the reason for excluding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and foreigners is that divorces are very common in foreign countries.
Mr. Singhvi wondered “if all the categories are banned, then why have surrogacy at all.”
“They have delegated the drafting of this surrogacy bill perhaps to the surrogate RSS and VHP. This is a surrogate delegation to surrogate agencies,” he remarked.
Taking exception to the provision of 10 years punishment in the new Bill, he said this showed that the government has “gone back to the stone ages.”
Mr. Singhvi claimed that the UPA had a far wider canvas in the 2010 Bill — the Assisted Reproductive Technologies Bill. He said in that Bill, homosexuals were excluded. “Times have changed and that also requires a rethink.”
Noting that the government should not talk about surrogacy alone, he said Assisted Reproductive Technologies include In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and sperm donation should also be discussed. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/surrogacy-bill-like-draft-from-stone-ages-congress/article9036778.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/34e16183f089734462350f27da4cd63e6a75321b531ba1d11cf6633a076a334e.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:51:05 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Two roadside bombs have killed at least nine Afghan civilians, officials said on Monday. Six people were killed in a blast in the southern Helmand province, which has seen heavy fighting between Tali | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Froadside-bombs-kill-9-civilians-in-afghanistan%2Farticle9046241.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Roadside bombs kill 9 civilians in Afghanistan | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Needle of suspicion points to the Taliban
Two roadside bombs have killed at least nine Afghan civilians, officials said on Monday.
Six people were killed in a blast in the southern Helmand province, which has seen heavy fighting between Taliban insurgents and security forces in recent weeks, according to Omer Zwak, the spokesman for the Provincial Governor. He said five others — three women and two children — were wounded in the attack, and that all the victims were from the same family.
Another roadside bomb in the central Ghor province killed two women and a man. The blast late Sunday wounded eight other people, mostly women and children, said Abdul Hai Khatebi, spokesman for the provincial governor.
Looks like Taliban act
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Taliban insurgents frequently target security forces with homemade bombs placed along roads and footpaths. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/roadside-bombs-kill-9-civilians-in-afghanistan/article9046241.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/db0e7d669cf0582a7a03bfb92e848725d770e07273ddb6c9b3ef23109cf400f5.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T04:50:58 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The Agriculture Engineering wing of the Department of Agriculture on Saturday organised a training programme for about 40 women from various Community Development Societies of the Kudumbasree Mission | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fwomen-get-field-lessons-in-mechanised-farming%2Farticle9042012.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27ctmit01Women-_27_2989299c.jpg | en | null | Women get field lessons in mechanised farming | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A worker of the Kudumbasree Mission learns how to operate a garden tiller at Chelannur in Kozhikode on Saturday.- PHOTO: K. RAGESH
The Agriculture Engineering wing of the Department of Agriculture on Saturday organised a training programme for about 40 women from various Community Development Societies of the Kudumbasree Mission on how to operate farming machines.
The special programme was conducted at a field at Chelannur with the support of the Kelappaji College of Agriculture Engineering. An expo of commonly used and popular farm equipment was also organised.
Officials from the Agriculture Department said the women were trained in operating tractors, grader tillers, tree pruners, chain saw and rotavator. A separate session on repairing the damaged machines and the precautions to be taken while handling mechanical parts was also held. Participants said they got hands-on training in operating the machines on the field and the techniques of correcting common mechanical failures.
Exploring untapped job opportunities
“We are now fully confident of handling the machines independently and are ready to explore the untapped job opportunities in the sector,” they said. Resource persons from the Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering coordinated the one-day training programme, which was inaugurated by Chelannur block panchayat president O.P. Shobhana. Assistant Executive Engineer (Agriculture) T. Ahmed Kabeer was also present.
Officials said it was the second round of training that was being organised in the district. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/women-get-field-lessons-in-mechanised-farming/article9042012.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9cd07fa8d7f709337623d0e3cc7c5c86a6c251b55618bf4bb45d06dd6a7eb390.json |
[
"Sports Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T20:51:21 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Ramkumar Ramanathan took top honours with the T.K. Ramanathan Award at the Annual Day celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association at the SDAT tennis stadium here on Saturday.V.K. Aditi, Bandaru | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Framanathan-award-for-ramkumar%2Farticle9041184.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/TH28AWARD_2989010c.jpg | en | null | Ramanathan Award for Ramkumar | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Ramkumar Ramanathan took top honours with the T.K. Ramanathan Award at the Annual Day celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association at the SDAT tennis stadium here on Saturday.
V.K. Aditi, Bandaru Kundana Sri, S. Boopathy and V.M. Sandeep received the President’s Awards for the most promising youngsters, and were awarded Rs.5,000 each.
Prize winners: President’s Awards for the Most Promising Youngster: V.K. Aditi, Bandaru Kundana Sri, S. Boopathy, V.M. Sandeep.
Justice P.S. Kailasam Memorial Award for performance in junior nationals: V.M. Sandeep (u-12 singles and doubles champion at the Ramesh Desai Nationals 2015), Dhakshineswar Suresh (u-16 doubles runner-up at the Fenesta Open hard-court championship 2015), Manish Sureshkumar (u-18 runner-up at the adidas-MCC clay-court Nationals 2015).
Awards for performances at National Games and National Championships: Sai Samhitha (runner-up at Fenesta Open hard-court championship 2015), Snehadevi Reddy (doubles champion at the Fenesta Open 2015), Sriram Balaji (singles and doubles champion at the Fenesta Open 2015), V.M. Ranjeet (doubles champion at the Fenesta Open 2015), Ramkumar Ramanathan (singles champion, team championship at the National Games, Thiruvananthapuram), Sriram Balaji (singles runner-up, team championship at National Games, Thiruvananthapuram), Vijay Sundar Prashanth & Jeevan Nedunchezhian (doubles runners-up, team championship at the National Games, Thiruvananthapuram).
Nagamani Mahadevan award: Ramya Natarajan.
Muthukrishnan Memorial award: Dhakshineshwar Suresh.
Veterans’ award: Vinod Sridhar (ITF Veterans Presidency Club Open 35+ singles champion); Rameez Samad (ITF Veterans Presidency Club Open 45+ runner-up).
Markers’ award: S. Naveen Kumar (Madras Club), S. Karthik (MCC), K. Rajan (Loyola).
Officials’ award: M.D. Franklin.
T.K. Ramanathan award: Ramkumar Ramanathan. Special award for representing India in Davis Cup: Ramkumar Ramanathan.
Sanmar-TNTA League awards: A zone: Winner: MCC-A; Runner-up: Besant Nagar Club-A. B zone: Winner: NTC-C; Runner-up: Besant Nagar-B. C zone: Winner: YMCA Nandanam-A; Runner-up: Cosmopolitan Club-A. D zone: Winner: Anna Nagar K Block-B; Runner-up: IIT Madras-A. E zone: Winner: NTC-Z; Runner-up: Ransa Sports Club-B. F zone: Winner: Anna Nagar K Block-A; Runner-up: Indiranagar-J.
Veterans: 60+: Winner: Anna Nagar K Block; Runner-up: Gandhinagar Club-B.
Veteran 45+: A zone: Winner: Besant Nagar Club-A; Runner-up: MCC-A. B zone: Winner: NTC-B; Runner-up: Madras United Club.
UCAL-TNTA Chennai inter-club championship: Winner: Besant Nagar Club; Runner-up: Anna Nagar-K Block. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/ramanathan-award-for-ramkumar/article9041184.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a6a8c8050f4b0bf80c78dcca5f9e764df798fd866f569b3828a9bd8fb0d42f58.json |
[
"Mini Anthikad Chhibber"
] | 2016-08-27T00:53:49 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | When Minions opened in 2015, the pop culture world exploded in sea of yellow, denim and goggle eyes. From merchandise and funnies on social media to an obsession with banana, Gru’s henchmen from the D | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Flearn-more-about-the-minions%2Farticle9036331.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27BGMMINIONS1_2987387c.jpg | en | null | Learn more about the minions | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Kyle Balda, who co-directed Minions with Pierre Coffin, talks about the evolution of the banana-loving sidekicks
When Minions opened in 2015, the pop culture world exploded in sea of yellow, denim and goggle eyes. From merchandise and funnies on social media to an obsession with banana, Gru’s henchmen from the Despicable Me movies were everywhere. Kyle Balda, who directed the film with Pierre Coffin, promises more minions in Despicable Me 3.
The Arizona-born animator, who has worked in movies such as Jumanji, Toy Story 2, and Despicable Me and co-directed The Lorax, talks about the minions over the phone from Paris.
Excerpts.
Who is your favourite minion and why?
My favourite minion is Bob because he is the cutest and most appealing and also because he is sort of the child of the group.
He does not have any fear, he is very curious and runs into places and starts to cause problems without knowing it.
Usually when that happens, it gets things moving, it makes the story go in directions, discover new things. He is constantly driving the story forward.
What drove the choice of music in the movie?
The movie is a period film. It is about the minions before they met Gru.
So we had to roll back to the late 60s. We also wanted to make a movie set in London in the 60s. That drove a lot of our music choices.
How did the idea of a spin off minion movie come about?
I believe the original idea was pitched by the writer, Brian Lynch. He had this idea of what if the minions were to go to Villain Con, like Comic-Con, which happens in San Diego with all the comic book heroes and stuff. This would be for villains and the minions were going to look for their new boss, as they are always looking for a villain boss to serve. Chris Meledandri (producer) came to Pierre Coffin and me and asked if we could do a movie with the minions — a feature length movie with these characters that have only been kind of like sidekicks, comic relief up until now. We very quickly said yes because we loved the characters so much. And then we got into the challenge of how would you tell a story with these characters as the principle characters.
So in the Despicable Me movies, the minions didn’t have a back story?
Yes. That is why we decided we would tell the origins of these characters. In the beginning of the movie we do this thing where they evolve from single cell organisms, the first villain they follow is the T-Rex… sort of documentary style.
Is there going to be sequel to Minions?
Well, you’ll definitely see more minions in Despicable Me 3 which is in production right now.
Megamind also had a sidekick called Minion…
Right (laughs)
Are they related?
Well, minion is just a word for henchman original concept for the minions in Despicable Me was to have muscly henchmen with axes, a very Lord of the Rings kind of look. In production it was very complicated to do that. Then we thought of making them cuter with a softer edge.
Why do minions love bananas?
There was a short film on DVD, which was Pierre Coffin’s idea. It explores the minions’ love for bananas. One of the reasons we chose banana is it is a funny word and a funny thing to be obsessed about.
Catch the television premiere of Minions on August 28 at 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sony PIX | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/learn-more-about-the-minions/article9036331.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/eee06eb3528681a3a67ddaa4d798da4ad301c537c5d0d3f61713077204c81e9f.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T22:51:05 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | A section of caste Hindus from Nattarmangalam panchayat here petitioned Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao on Monday demanding that the reserved status of the panchayat be discontinued for the upcoming l | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Fwithdraw-reserved-status-of-panchayat%2Farticle9046485.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | "Withdraw reserved status of panchayat" | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A section of caste Hindus from Nattarmangalam panchayat here petitioned Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao on Monday demanding that the reserved status of the panchayat be discontinued for the upcoming local body elections.
The panchayat has remained a constituency reserved for Scheduled Caste people since 1996. Nattarmangalam along with Pappapatti and Keeripatti panchayats in the district were notorious until 2006 for either not allowing Dalits to contest in the elections or coercing them to resign soon after the elections. “For the last two terms, Dalits have been the presidents. We did not intervene in the administration and rendered them support as much as possible. It is time to revert the status to ‘general’ so that every community gets an opportunity to contest for the post of president,” said C.P. Ravindra Pandi, belonging to Piramalai Kallar community.
“Though our community forms the majority in the panchayat, there are few households from other caste Hindu communities. We want everybody to get a chance,” he claimed.
“Let it be an open competition where the Dalits can also contest. No one is going to stop them,” said M. Sivasubramanian, another person belonging to the same community
C. Pradeep, another member of the community, alleged that most of the developmental works in the panchayat faced stumbling blocks in the last decade as presidents from the Dalit community, who are a minority in the panchayat, could not create consensus among the villagers.
Mr. Sivasubramanian said that, 10 years ago they were convinced by the authorities for smooth conduct of elections with the assurance that the ‘reserved’ status would be changed after a couple of terms. “Our demand is just to fulfil that promise,” he said.
The petitioners said though the panchayat had not yet been declared ‘reserved’ for the upcoming elections, they wanted to raise the issue in advance to pre-empt such a decision. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/withdraw-reserved-status-of-panchayat/article9046485.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fe38512025b43794cb7e52bfbfa4ab4a303eb9cc802a51a7cc818eef6b4a2035.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T14:51:56 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Three people, including two minors, were injured after a dumper truck lost control and rammed into a hutment in Mankhurd in the early hours of Saturday. According to the Mankhurd police, the incident | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2F3-injured-after-dumper-rams-into-hutment%2Farticle9040888.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28BM_TRUCK_2988982c.jpg | en | null | 3 injured after dumper rams into hutment | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Three people, including two minors, were injured after a dumper truck lost control and rammed into a hutment in Mankhurd in the early hours of Saturday.
According to the Mankhurd police, the incident occurred in Jai Hind Nagar on the Sion–Vashi highway at around 3:00 a.m. “The dumper was travelling on the south-bound stretch of the highway and lost control suddenly, after which it careened to the left. It went off the highway and down an adjacent slope, coming to a stop after ramming into a hutment in a slum at the end of the slope,” said an officer with the Mankhurd police.
The sound of the crash woke up residents, who rushed to help. The police were informed and a team was sent to the spot along with ambulances. The driver was pulled out of the mangled remains of the vehicle, while the three occupants of the house, Raviprakash Pathare and his two daughters, were rescued from the wreck of the hutment. The driver and Mr. Pathare’s daughters, Tarana (10) and Roxy, who is nine months old, were taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, where they are under treatment.
Meanwhile, the sight of a dumper halfway into a wrecked hut gave rise to rumours among motorists who took the highway later in the morning. A photograph of the dumper went viral on social media, along with a message that the dumper had fallen off a flyover and onto a hutment, leading to fatalities.
The driver of the dumper, Sanjay Paswan (39), has been booked for causing injury and endangering life due to rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. The Mankhurd police will be arresting him as soon as he is discharged from the hospital.
Later, traffic on the highway was affected for several hours while the police removed the mangled dumper. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/3-injured-after-dumper-rams-into-hutment/article9040888.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ed07aa2867724f430088d89c336c3e54b3cb623fe817e75b759016a177f62fbf.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T16:54:34 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Police have retrieved the body of a labourer who drowned in Pechiparai dam on Wednesday.The police said labourers Jegan (30) and Manikandan (25) of Andipottrai and Vinu (35) of Kayalkarai were returni | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Flabourers-body-retrieved-from-dam%2Farticle9036787.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Labourer’s body retrieved from dam | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Police have retrieved the body of a labourer who drowned in Pechiparai dam on Wednesday.
The police said labourers Jegan (30) and Manikandan (25) of Andipottrai and Vinu (35) of Kayalkarai were returning from Maramalai that lies beyond Pechiparai dam on Wednesday. While Vinu was returning in a boat being operated by the reservoir authorities, Jegan and Manikandan were using a bamboo float.
Jegan accidentally fell into the water and drowned. A stranded Manikandan was rescued by Kaani tribals travelling in a boat.
Based on the information provided by Manikandan and others, the police had been searching for Jegan’s body, a father of two girl children, for the past two days.
His body was retrieved from the dam on Friday. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/labourers-body-retrieved-from-dam/article9036787.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/49fb6ec012f3467b2e7bcf7e2c0a05b79da045b18ebe26b8943023d38e3bfe45.json |
[
"Advâitâ Krishnan"
] | 2016-08-29T22:53:57 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Online shopping has changed our purchasing experience forever. Not having to leave the comfort of your home, even your bed, to shop for hours and hours, and have it all delivered at home! And the grea | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fopen-page%2Fdoing-it-online-and-offline%2Farticle9047133.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Doing it online, and offline | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Online shopping has changed our purchasing experience forever. Not having to leave the comfort of your home, even your bed, to shop for hours and hours, and have it all delivered at home! And the great deals that are on offer. Many love to have the world at their fingertips, and with the best possible prices. However, it should be admitted that online shopping doesn’t give you the same feel as physical shopping.
Some find walking around the mall, bags in hand, to be a tiring exercise. However, there is something satisfying even in walking around the battlefield, looking out for your next conquest, holding your spoils proudly. Once you enter the shop, the hustle and bustle may seem a hindrance to some, but to me it is beautiful. The like-minded people who surround you with the same agenda boosts your stamina to continue wading through the variety of fabrics, prints and styles.
Being able to try out an outfit in person is not comparable with seeing it draped on a model online. Seeing how the clothes fit on your own body and how it suits is probably the best feature of such shopping. Though you can return clothes you buy online, it takes time for it to go and come back, which brings me to my next point.
When you shop online you have to wait. Even though the wait may not be longer than 48 hours if you take into account the number of times you need to return things to get the right fit, it isn’t the fastest method. However, when you can walk into a shop and buy it immediately it is so much quicker.
Shopping with friends is probably one of the most enjoyable of activities. One doesn’t get the same feel scrolling through your phone, as compared with going out to shop with your buddies.
The deals are probably the most alluring part of online shopping. Eventually the market will stabilise and the deals will slowly shrink and become sparse. In the end, down the road, the online market will have the around same number of deals as in a normal shop.
Online shopping has many advantages, as does shopping in person. Aren’t we all being told to get off our phones and start living in the real world? Let’s start rightway with a round of shopping!
advaitak@gmail.com | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/doing-it-online-and-offline/article9047133.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4c319c670d95b668a28a6cf5226c7155a7bafc6a07a80962798de3a7d51f9efc.json |
[
"K. Raju"
] | 2016-08-29T16:57:24 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Introduction of latest technologies and adoption of farm mechanisation and good agriculture practices not only help progressive farmers in Cumbum Valley scale down production costs and water use, but | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Ffarm-mechanisation-helps-boost-productivity%2Farticle9040790.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28MA_MACHINE_THENI_2988890c.jpg | en | null | Farm mechanisation helps boost productivity | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The government has given two laser levellers for Theni and Uthamapalayam; the technology helps arrest exploitation of irrigation water
Introduction of latest technologies and adoption of farm mechanisation and good agriculture practices not only help progressive farmers in Cumbum Valley scale down production costs and water use, but also help overcome growing labour shortage, boost production and productivity.
Laser levelling technology, is a proven technology that arrests the dangerous trend of over exploitation of irrigation water.
Traditional method is very cumbersome and time consuming. Under the old method, farmers have been losing large quantum of water in the farm owing to unevenness of the field. This problem is high in paddy fields. Unevenness of the soil surface will have an impact on germination. Moreover, such fields increase weeds and uneven crop maturing owing to uneven supply of inputs, oxygen and sunlight. Ultimately, these hurdles will lead to reduction in yield and quality of grain, says Department of Agro Engineering Assistant Engineer R.S. Velmurugan. The laser leveller, that comprises a laser receiver, laser eye receiver, laser transmitter and drag scrapper, levels the field using a guided laser beam throughout the field. The scrapper moves up and down automatically to level the field with the help of guided laser. One control unit will suffice to cover 300 square metres of area and guide several levellers.
Laser levelling is the basic process for all other mechanisation process like machine transplantation, weed removal and machine harvesting. It is very successful in Thanjavur district because of nil gradient fields, he adds.
The government has given two levellers for Theni and Uthamapalayam. “We will buy more machines on the basis of demand from farmers. Better distribution of water, improvement in nutrient-use efficiencies, reduction in weed problems, uniform crop maturity and option for precision farming are the other benefits of laser levelling, says the Collector N. Venkatachalam, while inspecting a demonstration field in Chinnamanur on Saturday. It will also improve the yield and scale down quantum of water required for land preparation and for transplanting.
To take this technology to several farmers in Cumbum Valley, the Department of Agro-Engineering has developed a model field in Chinnamanur and has conducted field demo. In the laser levelled field, uniform storage of water throughout the field can be ensured, he adds. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/farm-mechanisation-helps-boost-productivity/article9040790.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ae892cdf109dd1b56e4a0d49dedee0e34ec2752162c320b08ca63633d109bb02.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-26T20:59:30 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Biocon and Mylan NV said Mylan’s application to market biosimilar Trastuzumab has been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for review. The biosimilar Trastuzumab is used to treat certain | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fema-accepts-biocon-mylan-biosimilar-for-review%2Farticle9032517.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | EMA accepts Biocon, Mylan biosimilar for review | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Biocon and Mylan NV said Mylan’s application to market biosimilar Trastuzumab has been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for review.
The biosimilar Trastuzumab is used to treat certain breast and gastric cancers.
“This is the second biosimilar submission developed by the partnership that has been accepted for review in Europe,” said both the companies in a joint statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange. Mylan and Biocon, anticipate that this may be the first Marketing Authorization Application for a biosimilar Trastuzumab accepted by the EMA for review.
The filing includes analytical, functional and pre-clinical data and results from the pharmacokinetics and confirmatory safety global clinical trials for Trastuzumab.
“The acceptance of our regulatory submission of our proposed biosimilar Trastuzumab in Europe is another example of the strong progress we continue to make across our broad biosimilars portfolio,” said Mr. Rajiv Malik, President, Mylan.
Biocon and Mylan are exclusive partners on a broad portfolio of biosimilars and insulin analogs. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/ema-accepts-biocon-mylan-biosimilar-for-review/article9032517.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/98ce44563c69ebd8452e5c2b47729b66f28c54a22818f1b24567caaf10c9110d.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T00:53:47 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | A jettisoned empty fuel tank of a MiG 29K Navy aircraft landed in a residential area here, creating alarm before its origin was discovered. Officials said a fuel drop tank of the MiG 29K jettisoned ac | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fmig-29k-jettisons-fuel-tank-creating-a-flutter%2Farticle9047196.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/MiG_2991575c.jpg | en | null | MiG 29K jettisons fuel tank, creating a flutter | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Two external fuel tanks of the plane fell off separately at the naval air station INS Dega and near CISF quarters in Visakhapatnam.
A jettisoned empty fuel tank of a MiG 29K Navy aircraft landed in a residential area here, creating alarm before its origin was discovered. Officials said a fuel drop tank of the MiG 29K jettisoned accidentally when the aircraft was taking off on a routine sortie at around 10 a.m. on Monday.
Two external fuel tanks of the plane fell off separately at the naval air station INS Dega and near CISF quarters in Visakhapatnam.
The pilot was directed to jettison the second drop tank in the sea but that could not be done due to a system malfunction. When the aircraft came back for landing, the second drop tank fell off near the CISF quarters.
Prompt action by ground support staff doused the fire. No one was injured and no damage was reported to the aircraft or runway, the official sources said.
A Board of Inquiry has been formed to investigate.
Residents were alarmed when the jettisoned second fuel tank fell in a parking area in the CISF quarters, not far from the HPCL Refinery.
Reports started doing the rounds that some cargo had fallen off a Navy helicopter.
Images of the wrecked empty fuel tank were shared on social media.
(With inputs from PTI) | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/mig-29k-jettisons-fuel-tank-creating-a-flutter/article9047196.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e2f26d08622cecae3dd61ac393f515e75de38014225b66a2245997a409774852.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:52:10 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Serena Williams once again arrives at Flushing Meadows poised to rewrite the tennis record books — if her own troublesome right shoulder and increasingly emboldened rivals allow.
The 34-year-old US | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Fus-open-tennis-championships-2016-serena-shoulders-burden-of-history-at-us-open%2Farticle9035689.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/SERENA_2987145c.jpg | en | null | Serena shoulders burden of history at US Open | null | null | www.thehindu.com | With a seventh U.S. Open triumph she can break Graf's record, and continue her march toward Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24 titles.
Serena Williams once again arrives at Flushing Meadows poised to rewrite the tennis record books — if her own troublesome right shoulder and increasingly emboldened rivals allow.
The 34-year-old US superstar matched Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles with her triumph at Wimbledon in July.
With a seventh U.S. Open triumph she can break Graf's record, and continue her march toward Australian Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam titles.
She could also break Graf's record of 186 consecutive weeks atop the world rankings, and surpass Chris Evert for most US Open singles titles won in the Open Era.
But after seeing a frustrating year go by between her 21st Grand Slam win and No. 22, Williams said she'd learned to let history take care of itself.
“I learned not to get involved in those debates and conversations,” Williams said after her straight-sets victory over Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon final.
“I definitely had some sleepless nights ... I've just felt a lot of pressure.”
When the final Grand Slam of the year gets underway on Monday, the pressure could be on again.
Williams's bid to retain her Olympic singles title ended in Rio de Janeiro this month when she was sent crashing out of the third round by Elina Svitolina.
Williams was clearly hindered by the shoulder injury that had forced her out of the Montreal WTA tournament as she served up eight double faults and 37 unforced errors in the straight-sets defeat.
Since then she has withdrawn from her WTA title defence in Cincinnati, saying the inflammation in her shoulder “continues to be a challenge”.
If Williams isn't at full strength, Kerber is just one of the players poised to pounce.
Kerber closing in
The German defeated Williams in the Australian Open final in January. Seeded second in New York, she is one of three players with a chance to seize the number one ranking if Williams falters.
Kerber, 28, boasts a title at Stuttgart, an Olympic silver medal and finals appearances at Brisbane in January and this month in Cincinnati — where she missed her first chance to supplant Williams atop the rankings.
Being viewed as a legitimate threat to Williams, Kerber said, “is really special”.
“Because Serena is one of the best players and athletes in the world,” she said. “Of course it's really special that a lot of people are speaking about her and then speaking about me.”
Third-seeded Spaniard Garbine Muguruza also has a shot at the top, although the 22-year-old who stunned Williams in the French Open final will need her best US Open ever to do so.
In three main-draw appearances she has won just one match. Turning around her Flushing Meadows fortunes would further her aim of establishing herself as more than "the girl that beat Serena" at Roland Garros.
“I want to really do well there,” the Spaniard said. “Hopefully this is the year.”
Fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland also has an outside chance at the world number one ranking if she can claim her first Grand Slam title.
Like Radwanska, Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep is seeking a Grand Slam breakthrough while sixth-seeded Venus Williams, who counts two US Open victories among her seven Grand Slam singles titles, is one of a handful of former champions among the seeds.
That includes 2004 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Australian Samantha Stosur -- who toppled Serena in the 2011 final.
Last year's US Open champion Flavia Pennetta of Italy will not defend her title after retiring at the end of last year. © AFP, 2016 | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/us-open-tennis-championships-2016-serena-shoulders-burden-of-history-at-us-open/article9035689.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4c8db4c8a11a1b0db918a2daddc213e0c381b29bc054bffacf76d0c90da5be1c.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T02:55:23 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Judge of Fifth Special Metropolitan Magistrate Court M. Venkat Rao convicted Ch. Muralikrishna (23), an auto-rickshaw driver, to four days of imprisonment for drunken driving.The accused was caught by | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fauto-driver-jailed-for-drunkdriving%2Farticle9053474.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Auto driver jailed for drunk-driving | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Judge of Fifth Special Metropolitan Magistrate Court M. Venkat Rao convicted Ch. Muralikrishna (23), an auto-rickshaw driver, to four days of imprisonment for drunken driving.
The accused was caught by the Two Town traffic sub-inspector B. Sudhakar on Monday and tested positive with a count of 468 mg of alcohol. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/auto-driver-jailed-for-drunkdriving/article9053474.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9d7e43f148754e7287f22a9dff2c0295f6e78094f6d09c95af204f54df1c6f23.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T00:50:48 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | M. Sairam and B. Karthikeya, students of class 9 of Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, bagged the best overseas delegates award for their project ‘Global Oneness – Through Energy Conservation’ at the 49 Joint | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fsri-prakash-students-bag-global-award%2Farticle9040851.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28VZVISKPAGE2SRIPR_2988949c.jpg | en | null | Sri Prakash students bag global award | null | null | www.thehindu.com | M. Sairam and B. Karthikeya of grade IX of Viskahapatnam-based Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan who won Best Overseas Delegates award for their exhibit at the 49th Joint School Science Exhibition in Hong Kong recently.
M. Sairam and B. Karthikeya, students of class 9 of Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, bagged the best overseas delegates award for their project ‘Global Oneness – Through Energy Conservation’ at the 49 Joint School Science Science Exhibition held at Hong Kong from August 19 to 25. The project demonstrated the concept of ‘Piezo Electricity’ in an innovative way and showcased principles of generating electricity through day-to-day activities by using Piezo Electric crystals which store mechanical stress and convert it to electrical energy.
The event saw budding scientists from South Korea, USA and Philippines putting up over 30 exhibits of innovative working models and investigation-based projects on the theme ‘Connections’. School director Chitturi Vasu Prakash congratulated the students for winning the award at the international platform. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/sri-prakash-students-bag-global-award/article9040851.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/81b72d9b9ebaedfedbe1934a0acf049775075f19a55e41461c373cbb86176e9b.json |
[
"Sweta Goswami"
] | 2016-08-30T04:53:17 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR this monsoon may have spelt chaos for residents, but it has brought rare joy to birdwatchers as a large flock of the black-headed ibis, a threatened species, has flown to Suraj | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Fmonsoon-brings-blackheaded-ibis-to-delhincr-for-breeding%2Farticle9048007.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/29ndsgi01_Ibis__DE_2991842c.jpg | en | null | Monsoon brings black-headed ibis to Delhi-NCR for breeding | null | null | www.thehindu.com | New address:A flock of nearly 50 black-headed ibis have made Surajpur Wetland of Greater Noida their home.— Photo: Special Arrangement
The birds have built their nests on date palm groves — an unusual habitat
Heavy rain in Delhi-NCR this monsoon may have spelt chaos for residents, but it has brought rare joy to birdwatchers as a large flock of the black-headed ibis, a threatened species, has flown to Surajpur Wetland of Greater Noida for breeding.
Not just the black-headed Ibis, the rain seems to have done wonders as nearly a dozen other bird species have also been spotted with their nestlings.
While sightings of the black-headed Ibis are not exactly rare in the Capital, experts say they hardly choose the region for breeding. So a flock of at least 50 birds nesting at Surajpur Wetland has been a pleasant surprise for bird lovers and experts.
“Generally, this threatened species flies to the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra for nesting and breeding. There, they are found in large numbers. But this is probably the first time that Delhi-NCR has witnessed such a large flock for reproduction,” said T.K. Roy, the Delhi state coordinator for Asia Waterbird Census.
Unusual habitat
This is not all. The birds have sprung another surprise by building their nests on date palm groves — a highly unusual habitat for them. They mostly build their nests on Jamun trees. However, they may have been unable to settle there because of constant human disturbance for plucking of the fruit.
“The rain has revived the Surajpur Wetland. The area now has good marshlands and thick grasslands that provide good nesting and breeding ground for birds,” Mr. Roy added.
One of three species
The breeding of black-headed Ibis took place in a very small numbers at the Delhi zoo over five years ago.
The white colour wetland bird with a black neck and head has a stout and a down-curved long black bill to nibble into marshes and soft mud for food. It’s one among the three species of Ibis available in Asia, mainly South-East and South Asia.
Mixed breeding colony
The bird is named in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species and has a global population of up to 30,000, as per BirdLife International.
At the Surajpur Wetland, the birds have settled in a mixed breeding colony, which boasts inhabitants like black-crowned night heron, little cormorant, little egret and Asian openbill.
Other birds
Besides these, breeding of a number of other migratory water birds has also been recorded in Delhi-NCR. These include streaked weaver, cinnamon bittern, yellow bittern, bronze-winged jacana, pheasant-tailed jacana, Indian moorhen, Indian spot-billed duck, purple swamphen, white-breasted waterhen and cattle egret.
The birds mostly build nests on Jamun trees, but may have not done so due to human disturbance | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/monsoon-brings-blackheaded-ibis-to-delhincr-for-breeding/article9048007.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/06bd1972e7e092ccc9f9e0aaa388788d97615136c4709c701696111950544202.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T00:52:08 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | At 5,615 kg, Dasara elephant Arjuna is considered to be moderately heavy. However, the veterinarian’s advice is to allow him to gain additional weight to handle more rigorous tasks ahead. At 2,635 kg | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fa-month-ahead-of-dasara-arjuna-tips-the-scales-at-5615-kg%2Farticle9040770.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28BG_DASARA_ELEPHA_2988875c.jpg | en | null | A month ahead of Dasara, Arjuna tips the scales at 5,615 kg! | null | null | www.thehindu.com | At 5,615 kg, Dasara elephant Arjuna is considered to be moderately heavy. However, the veterinarian’s advice is to allow him to gain additional weight to handle more rigorous tasks ahead.
At 2,635 kg, Dasara elephant Vijaya is considered to be of ‘slender’ built and perhaps the envy of another cow elephant Kaveri who was found to be 3,005 kg.
Having received a VIP welcome complete with a police band and ensemble of priests praying for their collective welfare just a day ago, the first batch of the six Dasara elephants got on to the task of rehearsing for the procession; but only under the close supervision of the veterinarians on hand.
On Day 1, after arriving at the palace, all the elephants went through a ‘health check-up’ and were weighed to ascertain their fitness levels.
Arjuna, who is vested with the responsibility of carrying the 750 kg golden howdah during the jumbo savari on the day of Vijayadashami, weighed 5,615 kg, and the veterinarians believe he can go on to add another 200 kg to withstand the rigours of carrying the weight.
Balarama, who has the honorific task of leading the procession, weighed 4,920 kg and is considered fit and ready while Gajendra, who will accompany him in the lead, weighed 4,620 kg. Abhimanyu, tipped to be a stand-by, in case Arjuna plays truant or his mahout Mahesha is unable to establish a good rapport with the animal, weighed 4,855 kg but is considered to be of athletic build and therefore fit for the task.
It is an annual affair for the elephants to be weighed on arrival and again on the day of the procession, by which time nearly all of them would have gained about 150 to 200 kg of additional weight. This is mainly due to a special diet comprising their regular fodder apart from sugarcane, plantains, jaggery, etc.
The elephants will march through the main thoroughfares of the city covering a distance of 5 km twice a day for the next few days after which Arjuna will be subjected to ‘weight training’ so as to accustom him to carry the 750 kg howdah.
Balarama, Gajendra and Abhimanyu will also give him company in the training so that they can step-in if any emergency arises to ensure that there is no disruption of the procession. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/a-month-ahead-of-dasara-arjuna-tips-the-scales-at-5615-kg/article9040770.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f595c6d4a75d69d0cc9761f961185f4e295936d42f357147b67f588f44735b90.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T20:50:58 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | After uncertainty loomed large, the annual ‘Arokkiya Annai’ (Lady of Good Health) birthday festival at the historic St John de Britto Shrine, popularly known as St Arulanandar Church, in Oriyur is set | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Foriyur-church-festival-to-begin-today%2Farticle9042922.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/MA29_ORIYUR_RMD_2989849c.jpg | en | null | Oriyur church festival to begin today | null | null | www.thehindu.com | After the festival ended abruptly on the third day last year, the villagers stopped visiting the church
After uncertainty loomed large, the annual ‘Arokkiya Annai’ (Lady of Good Health) birthday festival at the historic St John de Britto Shrine, popularly known as St Arulanandar Church, in Oriyur is set to commence on Monday after leaders of ‘parish council’, who raised a banner of revolt, patched up with church authorities in an eleventh hour peace effort.
Till Saturday the church authorities were not sure of the festival, which coincided with the annual festival of Velankanni church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, when people of 13 villages, constituting the parish council, turned against the church authorities after S. Charles, the then vice-president of the council, allegedly committed self-immolation after he was denied the right to carry the flag during the festival procession last year.
As stalemate continued, a peace meeting was held on August 24, but leaders of the 13 villages staged a walkout even before discussing the conduct of the festival. On Sunday, the leaders and the church authorities, led by Fr Jayaraj Elankeswaran, held talks in the presence of Deputy Superintendent of Police E. Mcclarine Eskhol and agreed to organise the festival.
“The 10-day festival will commence with flag hoisting at 6 p.m. on Monday,” Fr Elankeswaran told The Hindu. Issues such as carrying of the flag during processions and organising cultural events and pulling of the church car had been left to the village leaders to decide, he said.
After the festival ended abruptly on the third day last year, the villagers stopped visiting the church.
At Sunday’s meeting, the village leaders demanded revival of the parish council and wanted a personal meeting with Society of Jesus, Madurai Province.
After the church authorities agreed to consider their demands, they agreed to take part in the festival. The police would make security and bandobust arrangements and ensure that the festival passed off peacefully, Mr. Eskhol said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/oriyur-church-festival-to-begin-today/article9042922.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/75f0b717bda2141440a5cfc8ed75049b7c0ae56fbc8d02e82e96606cec9677c7.json |
[
"S. Harpal Singh"
] | 2016-08-28T00:52:14 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | For the laity, the festival of Ganesha celebrated at the community level could just be a religious revelry. For an expert like sculptor and Kala Ratna awardee Guruji Ravinder Sharma, it means much mo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fhis-idols-speak-for-human-traits%2Farticle9040922.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/HY27-GANESHA_ADILA_2989005c.jpg | en | null | His idols speak for human traits | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Guruji Ravinder Sharma, who makes Ganesh idols as prescribed by Kaashyap Shilp Sutr, says the poses are based on the characteristics that a man needs to possess.
For the laity, the festival of Ganesha celebrated at the community level could just be a religious revelry. For an expert like sculptor and Kala Ratna awardee Guruji Ravinder Sharma, it means much more.
“Lord Ganesha is the god of intelligence and has been portrayed in 32 different poses in manuals associated with sculpture. The Kaashyap Shilp Sutr has evolved these poses based on as many characteristics which a man needs to possess,” the founder of Kala Ashram in Adilabad observed.
Guruji, a trained sculptor himself, has been making eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols as per the rules given in Kaashyap Shilp Sutr since the last 30 years. He organises exhibitions of the idols periodically to send across the message on important characteristics which are quite desirable among men. “The range of forms starts from Bal Ganapati followed by Bhakti Ganapati, Veer Ganapati, Var Ganapati and so on,” the sculptor pointed out. “It means that a man should progress from a child to a devotee to a brave person etc,” he explained.
“There are forms like Lakshmi Ganapati which encourages one to value money and then there are Yog Ganapati which shows the way to keep a balance between the material and the spiritual. The basic intention of making the idols in 32 different poses is to infuse best characteristics among men,” he added.
Some of the forms of Lord Ganesha which the Kala Ratna award winner talked about are also revered in other countries, especially in the far-east.
According to him, the Prachya Ganapati which has the Lord seated on a skull is worshipped in Japan and Thailand, while the Yugma Ganapati with two figures of Ganesha embracing is revered in China.
In the country, Maharashtra has a strong culture of celebrating Ganesha festival at the community level as it originated in that State. The trend is to worship eight forms of the Lord called Ashta Vinayaka.
A month-long exhibition of 32 idols of Ganesha made by Guruji will be organised from August 10. The Kala Ratna awardee will also explain the importance of each of the idols during that time. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/his-idols-speak-for-human-traits/article9040922.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a559d1d6ef13ca8353b1589ca39881690b96f49c31c3b1133b27a52ee4289467.json |
[
"Girish Menon"
] | 2016-08-28T14:52:55 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The State government has raised the bar for funding of investment proposals under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). It has issued a set of guidelines for a seven-stage procedu | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fstate-raises-the-bar-for-infra-funding%2Farticle9040708.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | State raises the bar for infra funding | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Procedure expected to ensure purposeful funding of infra projects that would ensure proper utilisation and payback for the government.
The State government has raised the bar for funding of investment proposals under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). It has issued a set of guidelines for a seven-stage procedure that aims at standardisation and efficiency in the preparation, processing, and implementation of projects proposed by various departments, public sector undertakings and other public agencies.
The procedure is expected to ensure purposeful funding of infra projects that would ensure proper utilisation and payback for the government. The skeletal draft of the guidelines had been prepared during the United Democratic Front regime, but has got a better focus after the Left Democratic Front government decided to add more substance to give credibility to attract investments.
The fund will be basically available to projects that have been identified in the annual budget, but the Cabinet can push for exceptional proposals. The size of funding for eligible project will be at least Rs.100 crore. The project can be a collection of smaller ones that should not be less than Rs.10 crore in size. In Health, Education and Scheduled Caste-Tribe Development, a cluster of units can make up a unit of Rs.10 crores.
Former Planning Board member and CEO of Technopark G. Vijaya Raghavan welcomed the new guidelines. Only serious projects will remain in the field. Besides, it would ensure that the payback for the government, particularly in infra projects such as road and bridges to name a few, he said.
Government sources said that the detailed project assessment procedures will ensure that funds would be channelized to the most feasible one.
Government sources hope that the guidelines would enable the KIIFB to establish its credentials as an investment destination when it goes for mobilising funds from the market. Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said the administration will be in the hands of a fidelity trust board, dominated by experts in the field. In a Facebook posting, he said the funds mobilised by the KIIFB will be invested in triple trusted assets.
The government will also issue varied fund mobilisation schemes according to the provisions included in the KIIFB amendment ordinance promulgated recently. Apart from grants, the law mandates contribution of 50 per cent of the motor tax collections and the proceedings of the petrol cess currently in force. He said that the fidelity trust board will be constituted soon. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/state-raises-the-bar-for-infra-funding/article9040708.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d293a5beb1bfe10d3cb89f8410dd2be132051c3fa50ef0a0a58e7bd6dfad69a8.json |
[
"K. Manikandan"
] | 2016-08-28T06:52:07 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Southern Railway has cleared the decks for constructing an additional foot over bridge at the Mambalam railway station to ease congestion on the existing facility on the suburban platform.The crowds s | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fwork-on-additional-foot-overbridge-at-mambalam-to-commence-soon%2Farticle9041672.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27AUGCHRSR06-AT_CH_2989244c.jpg | en | null | Work on additional foot overbridge at Mambalam to commence soon | null | null | www.thehindu.com | making way:The new facility is being set-up at Mambalam to ease congestion. —Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Southern Railway has cleared the decks for constructing an additional foot over bridge at the Mambalam railway station to ease congestion on the existing facility on the suburban platform.
The crowds swell so much during the morning and evening rush hours, especially on weekends, that they become unmanageable and hence the need for another foot overbridge, officials said.
Earlier this month, Southern Railway officials measured land belonging to Southern Railway near the station.
A team of staff surveyed the land between the landing of the pedestrian foot overbridge on Ranganathan Street and the Madley Subway.
Officials said the survey was part of preliminary works for constructing the overbridge near the existing one at the northern end of the platform.
“The land for a width ranging between 1.1 metres and 2 metres from the existing compound wall belongs to the Railways. We would need at least eighteen metres of the land between Ranganathan Street and Madley Subway,” officials said.
According to them, the new foot overbridge would be parallel to the existing one, but 10 feet away from it. The idea was to facilitate quicker exit of passengers from the station.
“We first have to identify our land and then fix the boundary first. A tender for the FOB will be floated soon, officials said.
Among the busiest stations in the city’s suburban network, over 25,000 commuters use trains from this station everyday. In addition, over 1.5 lakh non-commuting pedestrians use the existing FOB, officials said. There is another FOB that connects the main line platforms at its northern end with Doraiswamy Subway. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/work-on-additional-foot-overbridge-at-mambalam-to-commence-soon/article9041672.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/973b290d676fafe7eebf478e8dcbc8e6611b2cc2cde96579962fbf23d0f5a3ab.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T16:53:19 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence it handed down to senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and key financier Mir Quasem Ali for committing war crimes during the country’s 1971 Li | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fbangladesh-supreme-court-upholds-jamaat-stalwarts-death-sentence%2Farticle9049660.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Bangladesh Supreme Court upholds Jamaat stalwart’s death sentence | null | null | www.thehindu.com | He was convicted of running a militia torture cell, Al Badr, that carried out killings of several people.
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence it handed down to senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and key financier Mir Quasem Ali for committing war crimes during the country’s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan.
The five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha pronounced a single-word judgement in the court room.
“Rejected,” said top judge, who is the first Hindu to occupy the post in the Muslim-majority country, about 64-year-old Ali’s appeal.
Ali is considered as the key-financier of Jamaat, which was opposed to Bangladesh’s 1971 independence from Pakistan.
In his brief comments after the verdict, attorney general Mahbubey Alam told reporters that Ali could now seek presidential clemency as his last resort to save himself from the gallows.
“He now could be [sent] to [the] gallows anytime if he does not seek clemency or his mercy petition is rejected,” Mr. Alam said.
Ali’s lawyers were not immediately available for comments.
The decision paves the way for Ali’s execution unless he is pardoned by the President.
Ali, also a media doyen, filed the review petition after the apex court published its full verdict and the International Crimes Tribunal issued the death warrant against him on June 6.
He owns several business houses and media outlets including a now suspended TV channel and is a central executive council member of Jamaat-e-Islami.
He was convicted of running a militia torture cell, Al Badr, that carried out killings of several people. Three million people were said to have been massacred in the war by the Pakistani army and their local collaborators.
Prosecution lawyers had earlier said Ali had exhausted all efforts to influence his trial on charges of committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
They had said that Ali made a $25 million deal with US lobby firm Cassidy and Associates for engaging with the governments of the United States and Bangladesh to protect “his interest”.
During the appeal hearing against his death sentence the state-side submitted to the court a receipt issued by the US lobby firm for what it said “professional service”.
The evidence suggested that in March, 2014, another deal worth of $50,000 was struck with the same lobby firm on Ali’s behalf for “condemning” the actions of the International Crimes Tribunal—Bangladesh.
Under the deal, the firm was asked to do everything possible to get incorporated an anti—ICT—BD legislative language in the House/Senate Department.
Four people, including three Jamaat leaders and one BNP stalwart have been hanged so far since the war crimes trial process began six years ago while two others died in prison of old age. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-supreme-court-upholds-jamaat-stalwarts-death-sentence/article9049660.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/21e1c09f63327991cd74203ff6f72866067713cd86436055d0fd878ab35d4901.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T10:54:07 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The police have appealed to the Ganesh Utsavam organisers in the city to obtain permission from them for erecting pandals. The police will coordinate with the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC), F | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fobtain-police-permission-for-ganesh-pandals%2Farticle9053414.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Obtain police permission for Ganesh pandals | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Applicants should clearly mention the height and weight of the idol
The police have appealed to the Ganesh Utsavam organisers in the city to obtain permission from them for erecting pandals. The police will coordinate with the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC), Fire and Panchayat Raj Departments and grant permission to the organisers.
The mandapam organisers are requested to submit their applications at the Unified Police Services Centre (UPSC), located on the Police Commissionerate premises, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last year, the police gave permission for 1,619 pandals and officials are expecting an equal number of applications for erecting Vinayaka mandapams this year, and the utsavams will begin from September 5.
Steps should be taken to prevent traffic jams, fire or any untoward incidents at the pandals, and police permission is a must for immersion procession, said City Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang.
One officer (Coordinator) will be allotted for each police station to coordinate with the pandal organisers and officers of other departments. The organising committees are requested to be in contact with the coordinators.
In residential areas, the sound should not exceed 55 decibels during day time and 45 decibels during night hours. Utsav committees should use only box-type speakers and no loud speakers are allowed.
Applicants should clearly mention the height, weight, number of days the utsavam is celebrated, date of nimajjanam, time, route of the procession while taking for immersion and other details in the application.
Joint Commissioner of Police P. Hari Kumar said the organising committee members should stay at the mandapams compulsorily, take fire preventive measures, provide parking places in the vicinity and the pandals should not be arranged on roads.
During procession, committee members and devotees should not make any objectionable comments and speeches.
Utsav committee members are requested not to arrange heavy vehicles during immersion and should follow the route mentioned. Public are requested to alert police on movement of strangers during Ganesh Utsavams and cooperate with police for peaceful conduct of the utsavams, said the Joint CP. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/obtain-police-permission-for-ganesh-pandals/article9053414.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0cf1807388f799230c36a06c4c64187129d9fa760d512a25fd0aed9a6203f9e2.json |
[
"Shubashree Desikan"
] | 2016-08-26T14:50:34 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The European Southern Observatory recently announced the discovery of Proxima b, a planet that orbits a star (Proxima Centauri) that’s quite close to the solar system. Proxima Centauri is our sun’s n | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsci-tech%2Fscience%2Fwhat-it-would-take-to-probe-proxima-b%2Farticle9036725.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02984/Planet_final_2984601c.jpg | en | null | What it would take to probe Proxima b? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Imagine an integrated chip having among other necessities a camera and a battery in something weighing a gram or so.
The European Southern Observatory recently announced the discovery of Proxima b, a planet that orbits a star (Proxima Centauri) that’s quite close to the solar system. Proxima Centauri is our sun’s nearest star neighbour.
Distance isn’t the only reason why those on earth would want to check out Proxima b. The planet is believed to be rocky, with the right temperature to host water, and with the right size for life to thrive on. At the same time, scientists have been able to deduce that it is phase-locked with its star – that is, one side constantly faces its star, so that it has no seasons. To know how habitable it is, however, the planet needs to be probed further. Scientists plan to do just that – through what are called nanoprobes.
Here’s a Q&A about what it would take to probe Proxima b:
How far is Proxima b from earth, and what could be the best way to study it?
It is only 4.2 light years away – in other words, light can travel this distance in 4.2 years. So, in principle, if we have some object, such as a small robot that can travel at the speed of light it would reach the star in just about 4.2 years, and we can study it just as we study Mars today. The only thing is in order to travel at the speed of light, an object has to be massless. So what one can aim for is to build a tiny robot that can travel at a good fraction of this speed.
Are such robots available now?
No, unfortunately. It’s still a technology for the future – perhaps a generation away. But what’s promising here is that people believe it can be done. The Breakthrough Starshot programme is all about this. As Pete Worden of the Breakthrough Foundation said in the press conference to announce the discovery of Proxima b, there is a plan to develop nanoprobes that can sail through space and tour the vicinity of the planet and come back loaded with pictures and memories.
What is the Breakthrough Starshot programme?
An ambitious plan, but in the words of Pete Worden the best we have now. It is a plan to send thousands of nanoprobes into space. These being small, can be accelerated to about 20 per cent the speed of light. That is, one-fifth the speed of light. Now, if light can travel the distance to Proxima b in about four years, something travelling at one-fifth the speed can reach there in a mere 20 years. This is entirely workable.
By the way, the Starshot programme is a part of the Breakthrough Initiatives. This is an organisation founded by Yuri Milner, the Russian venture capitalist and physicist. On the board of Breakthrough Initiatives are, among others, Stephen Hawking and Mark Zuckerberg.
What would nanoprobes involve?
Imagine an integrated chip having among other necessities a camera and a battery in something weighing a gram or so. If you can then attach this to a light sail and a beamer, you would have a nanoprobe or nanocraft. Basically, it is a very tiny robot attached to a sail (which can control the direction of flight), which can be propelled to the high speeds required and which can also flyby Proxima b or any other target and shoot pictures and come back to tell us a story.
Can we construct these nanoprobes and send them up in a few years?
Not exactly! There are major challenges to be met in every step of the process. From miniaturizing probes to building powerful (gigawatt) lasers that can propel the objects far into space and guide them, from fabricating meta-materials for the sails to ensuring the protection of these probes as they travel at such high speeds through space, and much more.
If we do manage to launch the nanoprobes, what can we expect?
We can expect that these will shoot through space and reach Proxima b in twenty years from the time of launch, then take a flyby, shoot pictures that will tell us what the planet looks like and whether life can survive there, whether there are life forms there, and much more. They will come back in another twenty years with the pictures. So in a space of about forty years – one generation – we would possess knowledge of the star and its planet. | http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-it-would-take-to-probe-proxima-b/article9036725.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ca8e73f6ac7b6495e9ffe97fe856744d081c5db2d46e24a38dc821a25d06f3d0.json |
[
"Mohamed Imranullah S."
] | 2016-08-28T04:51:23 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The Madras High Court has decided to digitise around 20 crore pages of case bundles as well as administrative files and store them digitally for easy access. An experienced private company has been en | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fcourt-to-digitise-20-crore-pages-of-case-bundles%2Farticle9041710.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27aug_masmins1__28_2989248c.jpg | en | null | Court to digitise 20 crore pages of case bundles | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Madras High Court has decided to digitise around 20 crore pages of case bundles as well as administrative files and store them digitally for easy access. An experienced private company has been engaged to scan all the documents.
An official at the High Court Bench here said the court had called for tenders from reputed companies, with an annual turnover of over Rs. 100 crore, for awarding the contract and getting the work done by the end of next year.
“This will go a long way in ensuring speedy disposal of cases whose bundles have been gathering dust in court record rooms for years together. When lower court records are digitised, forwarding them to the High Court would not take time,” he said. The official pointed out that some judges of the High Court were allergic to dust and hence they avoided hearing old cases. “This will change if all old court records are available electronically and accessed at the click of a button,” he added. As per the tender conditions, the work should be carried out in a Digitisation Centre to be set up on the High Court premises with the court administration providing electricity, air conditioners, and other basic electrical fixtures required for the job. The bidder should ensure that state-of-the-art, tamper-proof and licensed software was used.
The move will provide relief to some judges who were said to be allergic to dust | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/court-to-digitise-20-crore-pages-of-case-bundles/article9041710.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/246e4548bcc4d6a1dce923c036c78ec2dcde0149a8c21f37ad7279848b39d01e.json |
[
"Smita Gupta"
] | 2016-08-27T20:52:00 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Over the next few weeks, the Congress’s game plan to secure Dalit support in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh will unfold, ahead of next year’s Assembly elections in these States. However, as K. Raju, who he | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fcong-ups-the-game-to-win-dalit-support%2Farticle9040862.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Cong. ups the game to win Dalit support | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The party drive in U.P. and Punjab has been on for a while as part of a countrywide effort
Over the next few weeks, the Congress’s game plan to secure Dalit support in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh will unfold, ahead of next year’s Assembly elections in these States. However, as K. Raju, who heads the party’s Scheduled Caste Cell, told The Hindu, the strategies will differ for each, keeping in mind the ground situation.
In Punjab, where Dalits account for 31.94 per cent of the population, the party is working to attract all Dalit communities, whether Ravidassias, Balmikis or Mazhabi Sikhs.
In Uttar Pradesh, where the Dalit population is 20.5 per cent, it will focus on the non-Jatav Dalits. “As far as the Dalit vote is concerned, the challenge in U.P. is far more formidable as [Bahujan Samaj Party leader] Mayawati appears to have consolidated her Jatav vote. We have gained the confidence of a few Jatav leaders, but we will focus on Valmikis and Pasis,” Mr. Raju said.
But Valmikis and Pasis tend to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party? “No, this time, all Dalits, thanks to the Una incident in Gujarat, have turned away from the party,” he said.
What becomes clear through the conversation with Mr. Raju is that the Congress’s campaign to draw in Dalits in the two States has been in the works for a while as part of a countrywide effort.
The Dalit uprising in Una has given a fillip to this campaign, though the party has chosen not to publicise the work it is doing in Gujarat among community members, which it hopes will help it in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Raju said the movement, led by lawyer Jignesh Mevani, in the aftermath of Una was dominated by Congress workers, led by party national secretary Deepak Babariya, who is from the State and has a NGO background.
The Congress did not seek publicity, Mr. Raju continued, as party vice-president Rahul Gandhi did not want to politicise the issue. Now, in the next one month, “under the broader umbrella of the Congress”, an independent non-political initiative called the Dalit Swabhiman Abhiyan, which will include NGOs and employees’ organisations, will be announced. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cong-ups-the-game-to-win-dalit-support/article9040862.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ce9f302afe8afb7478277644bb3d2212638cb2d7bcb544a1ad0f40a799ded8b3.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:54:54 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Seventeen-year-old Malvika Raj Joshi doesn’t have a class X or XII certificate but has made it to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), thanks to her computer programming talen | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fiit-a-no-go-but-unschooled-17yearold-makes-it-to-mit%2Farticle9051435.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/Malvika_2992670c.jpg | en | null | IIT a no go, but ‘unschooled’ 17-year-old makes it to MIT | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A passion for programming and computer Olympiad medals took teen from Mumbai to Boston.
Seventeen-year-old Malvika Raj Joshi doesn’t have a class X or XII certificate but has made it to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), thanks to her computer programming talent.
Hers is a story about a mother’s conviction to break stereotypes and the self belief of the teen.
The Mumbai girl has been awarded a scholarship by MIT as she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science course, as a three–time medal winner (two silvers and a bronze) at the International Olympiad of Informatics.
MIT accepts students who are medal winners at various Olympiads (Maths, Physics or Computer) and Malvika’s medals ensured she could pursue Computer Science.
Malvika recalls the early days in an emailed interaction from Boston.
“When I started unschooling, 4 years back, I explored many different subjects. I found programming interesting,” she says.
Malvika found it difficult to get admission to elite Indian institutes like IIT, because they have strict qualifying rules, including a pass in class XII exams.
The only institute that accepted her was the Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) where she was enrolled in an M.Sc level course, as her knowledge was on a par with B.Sc.
“There is no question that Malvika’s admission to MIT is based on her superlative achievements at IOI. It is a credit to MIT’s flexibility that they can offer admission to a student who demonstrates excellent intellectual potential despite having no formal high school credentials,” says CMI’s Madhavan Mukund, who is also National Coordinator of the Indian Computing Olympiad.
The Mumbai girl was in class VII at Dadar Parsee Youth Assembly School when her mother decided to pull her out. “Malvika was doing well but I felt my children [she has a younger daughter, Radha] need to be happy. Happiness is more important than conventional knowledge,” Supriya says.
“I worked with an NGO that cares for cancer patients. I would see students in 8th or 9th standard with cancer. It affected me. I decided that my daughters need to be happy.” It took some time to convince Malvika’s father Raj, an engineer– businessman, about home schooling. “I quit my job and designed a curriculum for Malvika,” says the mother. — PTI | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iit-a-no-go-but-unschooled-17yearold-makes-it-to-mit/article9051435.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/43794f84696fe8f2101d98704b223d6ea761c313b83e44f26e47ee83fb1cfa96.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T14:50:32 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The advocates are up in arms against the Sub Registrar of Belagavi for his alleged harassment and unreasonable demands. They met the Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram on Friday and demanded a through in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fadvocates-up-in-arms-against-belagavi-sub-registrar%2Farticle9036721.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Advocates up in arms against Belagavi Sub Registrar | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The advocates are up in arms against the Sub Registrar of Belagavi for his alleged harassment and unreasonable demands. They met the Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram on Friday and demanded a through inquiry into the functioning of the Sub Registrar and appropriate action.
Belagavi Bar Association president Vinay B. Manglekar, who led a delegation to the D.C. Office, accused the Sub Registrar of highhanded behaviour and irregularities. The officer in the question was also ill-treating the advocates appearing along with their clients and creating hurdles for registration of property and other documents, he said.
The Sub-Registrar was demanding unrelated documents for registration, which the advocates inferred as the officer’s intention to harass the advocates and pressure them to meet his unreasonable demands.
Some of the advocates said the Sub Registrar was also abusing property buyers and sellers for appearing along with advocates. This was only to discourage the advocates to protect the interest of their clients being exploited through the agents and brokers, who enjoy better access to the Sub Registrar’s office. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/advocates-up-in-arms-against-belagavi-sub-registrar/article9036721.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cf7f3b67b9107c5046003afea6e2d857d2554add33a2ec8ec2c3ff7468cba769.json |
[
"Roli Srivastava"
] | 2016-08-28T02:55:36 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The country has just stepped up its battle against drug-resistant infections and infectious diseases in general. Following the new biomedical waste guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Environme | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fmpcb-to-survey-hospitals-for-sewage-treatment%2Farticle9032697.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | MPCB to survey hospitals for sewage treatment | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The country has just stepped up its battle against drug-resistant infections and infectious diseases in general. Following the new biomedical waste guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Environment in March this year, the State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will carry out a survey of all hospitals across Maharashtra over the next month to check if they have an effluent or a sewage treatment plant (STP) on their premises. The inventory, said officials, would enable them to issue directives to defaulting hospitals to set up an STP or an effluent treatment plant (ETP) in their premises.
It is important for hospitals to act as even their National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) accreditation hinges on their compliance.
The MPCB on Wednesday held a meeting where it was decided to inventory all hospitals. “We will take 30 days to make this inventory and will give the hospitals time to comply. Almost all big hospitals have an STP but old hospitals in the corporation limit are connected to the civic sewer. We will be issuing a directive and warning asking hospitals to comply with this,” said Dr. P. Anbalagan, member secretary, MPCB. He further said not all corporations have the capacity to treat so much sewage.
In the absence of a treating facility, hospitals discharge their sewage directly into the municipal sewer. Simply put, the concern lies in the threat of infections spreading in the community and the population at large. Such disposal practices can breed drug resistance.
In a hospital, the volume of antibiotics used is very high when compared to, say, a residential building. The antibiotic consumed by patients is not completely inactive in their discharge that is flushed into the municipal sewer.
Besides, this discharge travels to the main sewer which could be around 5 to 10 km away, leading to the possibility of soil or even drinking water contamination if the sewer pipe leaks. The presence of this foecal flora in the soil can lead to drug-resistant bugs in the community.
The new guidelines make it mandatory for even smaller units, including nursing homes to set up such units.
Dr. Vivek Desai, founder of Hosmac, a hospital consultancy, pegged the compliance to the STP rule to about 50 per cent.
“Hospitals with more than 100 beds and those that came up in the last 10 years have an STP,” he said, and pointed out for smaller units that work out of buildings, it would be a tall order.
The MPCB made STPs mandatory in 2012, but compliance was limited to new and big facilities.
“The rule was there, but is being enforced with much vigour now,” said the senior official of a private hospital. NABH officials said they seek the biomedical waste authorisation certificate issued by state Pollution Control Boards while giving accreditation.
“The certificate is issued if the hospital complies with provisions of the biomedical waste rules,” said Dr. K K Kalra, Chief Executive Officer of NABH. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/mpcb-to-survey-hospitals-for-sewage-treatment/article9032697.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6c504ab3451221ec5c927f5e32bfb471ab5a62e0fd4570fa84c1db9603cbc7ef.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:15 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The Tambaram Police arrested a 42-year-old man for assaulting an inspector at the all-women police station here.
Punithavathi (32), a resident of Tambaram Sanatorium, had problems with her husband | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Ftambaram-police-arrest-man-for-assaulting-woman-inspector%2Farticle9038477.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Tambaram Police arrest man for assaulting woman inspector | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Tambaram Police arrested a 42-year-old man for assaulting an inspector at the all-women police station here.
Punithavathi (32), a resident of Tambaram Sanatorium, had problems with her husband Rajapandian (42) and filed a complaint with the station. When inspector Nazeema called him over phone, Rajapandian abused her. He was summoned to the station and came with his lawyers. As the police officer was questioning him, he allegedly pushed her down from the chair and assaulted her. On a complaint from her, the Tambaram Police arrested and remanded him. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tambaram-police-arrest-man-for-assaulting-woman-inspector/article9038477.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/dc35a7032078710d36050a82ee13945ac490583be03ed24d30d91a23dc1585de.json |
[
"Santanu Paul",
"Asokan Pichai"
] | 2016-08-30T04:55:19 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Albert Einstein famously quipped that insanity is the act of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. By that yardstick, the current belief in national policy circles | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumns%2Ftyranny-of-the-classroom%2Farticle9046820.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02893/13vzsbe04_32-sc_14_2893962c.jpg | en | null | Tyranny of the classroom | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In a conventional classroom, every learner is subjected to the same set of lectures in the same way for the same duration
Albert Einstein famously quipped that insanity is the act of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. By that yardstick, the current belief in national policy circles that brick-and-mortar training centres are a panacea for India’s deepening youth skill crisis can be considered insane. We know that our higher education system thrives on a steady diet of uninspiring classroom lectures. We also know that most of our degree-dispensing colleges generate millions of unemployable graduates. And yet we are seeking more and more conventional classroom intervention to address the skill gaps plaguing our youth. Hope, as they say, is not a good strategy.
The disorienting aspects of our demographic dividend are volume and velocity. To grasp its import, let us visualise one crore fresh graduates coming out of Indian colleges every year, and then factor in that 90 per cent of them need skill education before employers are even willing talk to them. Can we deploy one lakh classrooms? Where are the one lakh industrial grade trainers of high quality? Even if we knew, how much would they cost anyway? Is it possible to provide personalised attention to each and every young jobseeker to fill the skill gaps and complete the mammoth task before the next year’s graduates hit the labour market? It is easy to infer that we are staring down the proverbial barrel.
Conventional classrooms, by emphasising fixed duration over learning effectiveness, resign themselves to variable outcomes. The tyranny of the classroom is that every learner is subjected to the same set of lectures in the same way for the same duration. In the end, a few learners shine, some survive, and the rest are left behind. After the fixed duration, the classroom model moves on, with not a thought spared for those left behind. This is how we end up with 10 per cent employability in our graduates after a decade and half of formal education. Repeating the same ineffectual script in the realm of skill education will not produce different results.
Contrast this with adaptive learning, which views attainment of competency as its central goal, the duration of learning being largely irrelevant. It recognises every learner as unique and creates a personalised and optimised learning pathway for each of them. Consider the scenario of Farzana and Manish, both aged 21, who hope to become science teachers. An adaptive system would start them off with a well-designed competency assessment test. The test might reveal that Farzana is 80 per cent job ready, while Manish lags at 40 per cent. At this point, Farzana would be well advised to close her gap in the area of pedagogy (that is, how to teach science better), while Manish would need intense remedial classes to boost his subject matter expertise (that is, how to teach science).
Since Farzana is close to her competency target, an adaptive system may simply direct her to watch 10 curated short videos on pedagogical techniques, administer another test on that topic to see if she clears it, and then proceed to declare her ready for a job in less than a week. On the other hand, given the extent of Manish’s troubles, the system may prescribe him a set of 20 video lessons, 10 mentoring sessions, and five exercises over the next three months. In the end there would be a comprehensive competency test for Manish to write and clear. When all is done, both Farzana and Manish would have attained the right competency level, but they would have followed distinctly different learning paths tailored to their individual selves.
Stamping out differentiation
Brick-and-mortar training centres are not the place where one can implement adaptive learning effectively. After all, conventional classrooms encourage one-size-fits-all instruction, squeezing every learner into a straitjacket and proceeding to stamp out all differentiation. No matter how much we revere stalwart classroom instructors, and expect each classroom to have one, that rare tribe is diminishing by the day. Most young learners of today will never experience anything resembling teaching excellence in their own classrooms. In other words, the chalk-and-talk format is refusing to scale up to the unique opportunities and severe challenges presented by a very large and diverse population of learners. Most classrooms in the country now offer the antithesis of high quality instruction. Look no further than our formal education system for corroborating evidence.
As our nation’s youth aspire to give wings to their dreams through skill education, to forget the tyranny of the classroom could be fatal indeed. In the words of the Spanish philosopher George Santayana, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it!
Santanu Paul and Asokan Pichai are chief executive officer and chief learning officer at TalentSprint. | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/tyranny-of-the-classroom/article9046820.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c0b460792b4e723223f24ac4f9d7e2ff22f47b18f5484938b3d9c9618fc049de.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T22:52:39 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fday-in-pictures-august-27-2016%2Farticle9040740.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/Sindhu_2988881c.jpg | en | null | Day in pictures - August 27, 2016 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | One of Britain’s leading broadcasters has blacked out its programmes for an hour in hopes of spurring viewers to get some exercise. ITV ... » | http://www.thehindu.com/news/day-in-pictures-august-27-2016/article9040740.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7c95108652d4ad78d6c2de59dd0524d823072fb35aaaa7ca0d8199041f6dbc9a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T16:51:23 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | While Bangladesh is among the top five countries at risk of disaster, India ranks 77 on the World Risk Index - marginally better positioned than Pakistan which is placed at 72.
The index is part of | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsci-tech%2Fenergy-and-environment%2Findia-ranked-77-in-disaster-risk-index-of-the-world%2Farticle9036125.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/Chennai_flood_disa_2987319c.jpg | en | null | India ranked 77 in disaster risk index of the world | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Lack of critical infrastructure and weak logistic chains substantially increase the risk that an extreme natural event will become a disaster
While Bangladesh is among the top five countries at risk of disaster, India ranks 77 on the World Risk Index - marginally better positioned than Pakistan which is placed at 72.
The index is part of the World Risk Report 2016 released on Thursday by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart in Germany.
The index assessed the risk of disaster in 171 countries through the combined analysis of natural hazards and societal vulnerabilities.
Ranking No.1, the island state of Vanuatu displayed the greatest risk in 2016.
The researchers concluded in the report that lack of critical infrastructure and weak logistic chains substantially increase the risk that an extreme natural event will become a disaster.
“When it comes to aid measures following extreme natural events, the challenges mostly lie in the ‘last mile’ of the logistics chain: organising transportation despite destroyed streets or bridges and ensuring fair distribution when there is a shortage of (for example) water, food, and shelter,” explained Peter Mucke, Project Manager of the World Risk Report and Managing Director of Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft.
Crumbling transport routes, unreliable electricity grids, and dilapidated buildings not only hinder humanitarian aid from overseas, but also delay crucial aid for those affected in the event of a disaster, Mucke noted.
“The international community must invest more in the establishment and development of critical infrastructure even before disasters occur,” Matthias Garschagen, Scientific Director for the report and Lead Scientist at United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, observed.
“Sufficient, high-quality infrastructure, which is well-managed institutionally, can not only prevent the often catastrophic consequences of natural hazards such as flooding or storms, but it can also play a crucial role in the distribution of humanitarian aid supplies in the event of a disaster. Critical infrastructure can thus reduce the risk of natural hazards for populations and absorb economic losses,” Garschagen said. | http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/india-ranked-77-in-disaster-risk-index-of-the-world/article9036125.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bbe446fd84e490c46385b7947e2d28d7c2496c45bddcd30a63db9f1306a32d96.json |
[
"Suhasini Haidar"
] | 2016-08-29T00:52:19 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The U.S. will push for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group when the issue is taken up later this year, at the “highest levels”, U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma said. In comments | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fus-to-help-with-nsg-entry%2Farticle9043133.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/Richard_verma_2990018c.jpg | en | null | U.S. to help with NSG entry | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Washington will take up New Delhi’s case at ‘highest levels’: Richard Verma.
The U.S. will push for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group when the issue is taken up later this year, at the “highest levels”, U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma said.
In comments exclusively to The Hindu, ahead of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s arrival in Delhi, which coincides with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to Washington on Monday, Mr. Verma said, “We were disappointed in [the NSG decision in June 2016], but will continue to work constructively with India and all NSG members on India’s accession in the months ahead.”
“We have pushed strongly on this issue with NSG members at the highest levels of our government,” he added.
The Obama administration will hold its last round of the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) with India on Tuesday, when Mr. Kerry and U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker will meet with their counterparts Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi.
Officials on both sides confirmed to The Hindu that the NSG membership issue will be discussed, including the hope within the government that the U.S. will take up India’s case at the “highest levels”, i.e. between President Obama and President Xi, possibly during their upcoming meeting at G-20 next week.
In 2008, former President George Bush’s phone call to former Chinese President Hu Jintao swung a waiver from the NSG in India’s favour.
Responding to a question from The Hindu on whether the U.S. hadn’t done the “heavy lifting” required, Mr. Verma rejected the concerns, saying, “I can reassure you we will continue high-level engagement in support of India’s membership.”
Other former U.S. officials have also hinted that Indian diplomacy, not Mr. Obama’s intervention was needed to bring a shift in China’s stand, that India sign the Non proliferation treaty to join the NSG.
Indicating that China’s tough position on the South China Sea and the Indo-U.S. ‘Joint vision for the Asia Pacific’ will also be discussed during the S&CD meet, Mr. Verma said the talks would “continue to focus on U.S.-India initiatives that bolster the security of our global commons and help reinforce the rules-based international order.”
Asked if announcements during Mr. Kerry’s visit to Delhi would be significant, given that the Obama administration is drawing to a close, or “lame duck” period, Mr. Verma said, “This will be the last Strategic and Commercial Dialogue of the Obama Administration, and locks in the exceptional progress made in our bilateral relationship over the past eight years. It also places our relations on a solid footing to aim ever higher in the next Administration.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/us-to-help-with-nsg-entry/article9043133.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0e2fe3d59ac2d271c7b1bfa4a47e1c035d333cbe2a8c53d242c4a53fa040c14c.json |
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