Idea from Africa

This kind of attachment to a bicycle can serve as an ambulance during emergencies.This innovation is from Africa,and it also can be useful in the plain areas of India.Anyone interested!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GOOGLE!

THANK YOU BLOGGER.COM

MY SCHOOL BLOG
http://www.centralpendamschool.blogspot.com

HUMOUR BLOG
http://humosapiens.blogspot.com

POLITICAL SCIENCE (CBSE) BLOG

MY CREATIONS-graphic designs..wallpapers

TAMIL BLOG

FOR LEARNERS WHO TEACH

TAVEL EASY
http://sikkim-andaman.blogspot.com

WONDER-PONDER
http://ajoobaachamba.blogspot.com

Pay revision risk to state finances: RBI

Chennai, Sept 24

State governments should guard against slippage in their fiscal consolidation process due to any increase in salaries for the government workforce by making their budgets more robust, Reserve Bank of India Governor Yaga Venugopal Reddy said.

"There are certain risks for the fiscal consolidation process such as the expected increase in expenditure from the revision of pay scales or the implementation of the recommendation of sixth pay commission," Reddy said, speaking at a seminar in Chennai.

"In this connection, state governments would need to make their budgets robust enough to enable them to steadfastly adhere to the provisions of their fiscal responsibility legislations," he said. The Congress party-led coalition set up a panel, known as the pay commission, to review the salaries of Central government employees in July 2006 and the report is to be submitted by early 2008.

Analysts expect about 30 percent increases in salaries of Central government civil servants, which could trigger demand for a similar raise from state government workers. The last pay commission in 1997 had severely damaged public finances and widened the combined state and Central deficit to nearly 10 percent of GDP for several years.

"Fiscal empowerment through revenue augmentation holds the key to address such fiscal risks," Reddy said. Reddy noted that state governments have since consolidated their positions after allowing their finances in the aftermath of the last pay commission revisions. The fiscal deficit of state`s was expected to be brought down to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product in the current fiscal year ending in March, from more than 4 percent in the first half of the present decade, he said.

ONE WORLD..ONE HUMANITY

The story of the human race is characterized by efforts to get along much more than by violent disputes, although it’s the latter that make the history books. Violence is actually exceptional. The human race has survived because of cooperation, not aggression.-Gerard Vanderhaar

EXPLORE SIKKIM: A New Magazine

Today I read a new magazine- EXPLORE SIKKIM .Really, clean and elite in its presentation.
This Black&White first issue (I wish later it becomes colourful) is like a journal on Sikkim,because of its decent presentation and broad outlook to preserve the socio-cultural
diversity of this region. The content shows the passion and philosophy behind the publication.
Nostalgia,sports,history,culture,society,hobbies etc.are the major topics.Photos are also of good quality..I don't know why one of the models face is censored and later she appeared in another page. The Tourism column is useful to everyone. Cartoons of Padam-Malay which I use to enjoy in the SUNCHARI also one of the attractions of this Mag.Mr.Shital Pradhan is the Editor ,so you can expect more good quality articles on Sikkim.I am eagerly waiting for the next issue.

PRASHANT: INDIAN IDOL-3- Pahad ko Gaurav

23 Sep 2007, 2206 hrs IST,PTI

NEW DELHI: Prashant Tamang, a constable in the West Bengal Police, was on Sunday crowned Indian Idol after vanquishing his rival Amit Paul in a grand finale of the over-two month long talent hunt.

Tamang, 24, who hails from Darjeeling, has undergone a journey from being a member in the police band in Kolkata to becoming the heart throb of millions of TV viewers all over the country.

The grand finale was an all North-East affair as Tamang took on 24-year-old Paul, who hails from Shillong.

The results of the talent hunt were announced at a gala in New Delhi with the final witnessing a whopping seven crore people sending in their votes.

Tamang stole the centrestage with his rendition of the song Yeh Kali Kali Ankhen from the Hindi film Baazigar .

As Bollywood actor John Abraham announced Tamang the winner, the constable thanked his mother in a voice choked with emotion.

"I thank my mother, public and Bengal police for granting me the permission for participating in the show," he said.(Times Of India)

TWO DAYS ..

without electricity..came as a blessing for me.I switched to my Radio and listened to my alltime favorite Radio Netherlands.A dutch women's plight in the Colombian forests with the Revolutionary Armed forces - FARC ,was reported..next day I listened to the Radio Book of Al Galidi an Iraqi writing in Dutch..these two real life stories of two different people made me realise the state of affairs in this world of militancy and war...Bangaladesh & Nepal dominated the News in BBC Nepali Service and in the Bengali service.Unique oral Tradition of Madagaskar was reported in the BBC World service.Aap ki Baat BBC ke Saath is another programme which I like in the BBC-Hindi service.Tamil prog. begins at 9.15 PM which I miss often. Now we can listen to the missed bulletins online.

C.M. greets the people on Vishwakarma Puja

Gangtok,Sept16: Sikkim Chief Minister Dr.Pawan Chamling and Tika Maya Chamling have extended their warm greetings to the people of Sikkim on the auspicious occassion of Shri Vishwakarma Puja, which falls on September 17,2007 tomorrow.

In their greetings, They have extended to the people to celebrate the occassion in its true spirit.

PRIYADARSHAN-Remaker of remakes

He made a mulitilingual Kalapaani (1996) which told the story of freedom fighters in the jail at Andaman and Nicobar islands. It became as showcase for talented technicians from Malayalam to get noticed at the national level. It bagged 4 National Awards including awards for Santosh Sivan (cinematography) and Sabu Cyril (art direction).

Viraasat was the remake of Devar magan(Tamil)

His first Hindi Film GARDISH was the remake of malayalam movie Kereedom (for which Mohan lal won national award)

Muskurahat was remake of his own blockbuster KILLUKKAM

Doli sajaake rakhna was the remake of the superhit ANIYATHI PRAVU

HERA PHERI of the super hit RAMJIRAO SPEAKING

YEH THERA GHAR YE MEERA GHAR is the remake of Sanmanasullavarku samaadhaanam,one of the best comedy films.

His rescently released TAMIL FILM LAYSA LAYSA was the remake of The Malayalam HIT SUMMER IN BETHLAHEM (for which he was temperorily banned from malayalam industry)

The famous DIRECTOR has even stole from films of hollywood
malayalam film "TALAVATTOM" was the Remake of a hollywood movie"once flew over
Cookkos nest .

Now it is Bhool Bhulayya..the copy of Fazil's malayalam movie Manichitrathazhu.-Chandramukhi-in Tamil/Telugu,it was also made in Kannad.
In an interview, he claimed that it was not difficult for him to conceive a story like Bhool Bhulayya because he is an MA in Psychology and put a lot of effort and research into this horror humour movie.

Eighty percent of his hit movies in Hindi were not his original creations.Great Malayalam comedy movies of some other director were made into Hindi ..to get a national exposure.

Anyways his movies are more entertaining and I love watching them..comparing them with the originals in malayalam..thanks to the ASIANET TV.

VOTE FOR PRASHANT

Gangtok: The entire hills of Darjeeling District and Sikkim state are gearing up for Prasant Tamang featuring among the last two candidates of the 'Indian idol' television singing talent contest. Chief Minister Shri.Pawan Kumar Chamling appointed him as the Brand Ambassador of Sikkim and appealed the people to vote for Prashant Tamang.Every evening Sikkim Police Band perfroms from 5pm onwards at Titanic Park of Gangtok in "Prashant Campaign". Many Sikkim Ministers are appearing on local television appealing to people of Sikkim for SMS's for Prashant Tamang.Fund collection drive all over Sikkim & Darjeeling to boost Votes of Prashant in finals are on going at very hectic pace.

For Most ,Prashant Tamang is already winner of Indian Idol crown no matter what the results.

Karnataka bans mobile phone use by school children

Bangalore, Sep 12: Karnataka government has decided to ban use of mobile phones by school children aged below 16 and sale of handsets to them in order to protect their health.

The decision was adopted at a meeting of Education and Health Department here.

The measure comes in the wake of several studies which pointed to adverse effects radiation from mobile phones will have on the brain and the IQ level of children of this age group.

Minister for Health R. Ashok and Minister Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti, speaking to reporters after chairing the high-level meeting here today, said a government order would be issued to this effect in a week's time.

Experts have been saying that the use of mobile phones had affected studies of students in several cases, they said.

The government also decided to ban sale of mobile handsets to children aged below 16 but has not decided on any punitive action on those who violate the ban.

Ashok said that school authorities would be asked to confiscate mobile handsets found in possession of students in schools and they would not be returned.

The government would also seek the cooperation of parents to ensure that their children do not use mobile phones even at homes in the interest of their wards, they said.
-(Sahara Samay)

Complex ULIP(BAJAJ ALLIANZ & AIVA) face Irda whip

Irda bans unit-linked insurance plans which charges are based on complex structure.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irda) has banned unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs) in which charges are based on a complex structure, making it difficult for policyholders to comprehend.

Such products in insurance parlance are called acturial-funded products. The ban would require Aviva Life Insurance to withdraw all its 14 ULIP products, while Bajaj Allianz one of its ULIPs called Capital Unit Gain.

Bajaj Allianz has been directed to withdraw Capital Unit Gain, the deadline for which is the end of next week, while the regulator has been a little considerate with Aviva Life Insurance. Irda has not set any deadline for Aviva to withdraw its ULIP products as the company would need more time to develop new products and then seek the regulator's approval.

“Bajaj Allianz has been given a time frame of 15 days. Aviva Life will have to introduce a new set of products to replace the ones they are using right now and will, therefore, be given more time,” said C S Rao, chairman, Irda.

Insurance sources said Bajaj Allianz Life reported a profit of Rs 30 crore in the first quarter of 2007-08 and Rs 63 crore in 2006-07 mainly on account of Capital Unit Gain.

Under the other ULIP schemes, charges are deducted upfront when the premiums are paid, which could range up to 40 per cent in the first year.

In acturial funded products, the first-year premium is treated as initial premium and is put under an initial management account called acturial funding. Every year 5 per cent of the premium is deducted as initial management cost and 5 per cent as premium allocation charge.

In the second policy year, again a 5 per cent charge is deducted as premium allocation and another 5 per cent from the first year premium as initial management cost. So, for every year a customer loses 5 per cent as premium allocation and 5 per cent as initial management charges.

Assuming that the policy tenure is 20 years and the customer wants to withdraw after three years, the policyholder loses 100 per cent of premium net of charges, 75 per cent if his policy tenure is a 15-year policy and 50 per cent if it is a 10-year policy.

“Acturial-funded products mislead customers into feeling that they have more benefits. While normal ULIP products charge policyholders upfront for all administration and fund management expenses, an acturial funded product will spread it over a period of time. So, a policyholder feels that he has got a larger number of units. Such products are not in the larger interests of the policyholders,” said Rao.

“In several western countries, regulators realised that these products are misleading and have asked companies to withdraw them,” said Rao.

When asked why the Irda approved these products in the first place, Rao said, “It is only after a product is marketed that you realise all the loopholes and then you make a correction. Three weeks ago, the Irda had asked the Acturial Society of India to give its opinion on acturial funded products and it was suggested that these products are not appropriate.”

Bajaj Allianz officials were unavailable for comment. An Aviva spokesperson said: “We have had no communication from Irda on any ban of actuarial-funded products. All our products, including the ones where actuarial funding has been used, have been pre-approved by Irda and are designed on sound actuarial principles. We have been selling these products for years in the country, and these have been approved by the regulator as they follow all guidelines and regulations laid down by the Irda. None of our products is detrimental to the interest of any existing or prospective customers. One of our actuarial funded products was approved as recently as May 2007.” THE ORDER The ban would require Aviva Life Insurance to withdraw all its 14 ULIP products Bajaj Allianz will have to withdraw one of its ULIPs called Capital Unit Gain Bajaj Allianz has been directed to withdraw Capital Unit Gain, the deadline for which is the end of next week IRDA has not set any deadline for Aviva to withdraw its ULIP products as the company would need more time to develop new products and then seek the regulator's approval

Why dont we think of SMS Direct-Democracy !

Now it is time to think of SMS Democracy,as everyone is holding a mobile phone,it will be easy to take decisions at least on issues which directly affect people.It will be a mix of Direct-Indirect
Democracy.But it should not be like the TV reality shows where you can vote as much as you can,but a voter should be given only one opinion vote.News papers use it,TV now is another name for SMS,Banking services,train reservation status...!.In federations the geography/region plays an important role..issues of one region should be put forward to only the people of that region..here the voter i.card number can be used to settle this issue.Some kind of software developed for this purpose can solve this and help us to get the vox populi.

Possibility of Tsunami in Northern Bay of Bengal

MELBOURNE: Millions of people living around the northern Bay of Bengal face the threat of a giant tsunami as devastating as the one in 2004, an Australian scientist has claimed.

There has been concern about the likelihood of another large earthquake off central Sumatra, just east of where the 2004 temblor struck triggering the Indian Ocean tsunami almost three years ago.

However, Phil Cummins, a senior seismologist at Geoscience Australia, has now found "compelling evidence" of a potential tsunami risk in the northern Bay of Bengal, particularly along the coasts of Burma and Bangladesh.

More than 60 million people lived within 10 metres of sea level at the bay's northern tip, he said, and heavily populated towns such as Chittagong, Dhaka and Kolkata could also be affected by such an event.

His findings, published in Nature today , are based on a review of geological data, combined with a study of precise measurements of movements in the Earth's surface.

This work suggested that the boundary between tectonic plates near the Burmese coast was much more active than previously thought.

The movements of the plates were consistent with a so-called "locked-thrust" fault, the kind needed to generate tsunamis, but may have been masked by a 20-kilometre thick layer of sediment known as the Bengal Fan.

Cummins said it may be more than 200 years before the next giant earthquake strikes. And while smaller events could occur earlier, "the risk of a major tsunami in the northern Bay of Bengal should be taken seriously".

He warned against panic or the introduction of any "drastic mitigation measures", but hoped his study would lead to further research into the potential risk.(PTI)

My note: Don't panic about Tsunami or Earth Quake..there is no predicting method invented yet.

MESSAGE

Message

Some occasions remind us of our indebtedness to the great people of our country who enriched our lives in many ways.

We owe a great deal to our teachers who paved the path for our progress. Teacher's Day is an occasion when every citizen of the country should pay homage to the great teachers of the Nation, because whatever we have achieved in our lives is due to the contribution of teachers who taught us what is right and what is wrong; what to do and what not to do, and how to address the numerous problems we face.

Teachers are regarded as equivalent to parents. We must not forget the people who shaped our values and outlook in the formative years of our life.

On this occasion I join you in paying homage to great teachers like Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan and others like him who have contributed so much towards our society and the Nation.

Sd/-

(Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh)

Lieutenant Governor,

A & N Islands