BELIEVE IT OR NOT !!!!!!

New Delhi, Aug 9 – Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh Monday objected to calling the native tribals of Andaman and Nicobar ‘primitive tribes’ even as their decreasing numbers continue to be a major concern.

‘We must stop using the term primitive, use the term original inhabitants,’ Ramesh said while replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha.

Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, Sentinelese and Shompens are the identified tribes from the islands.

‘They are away from the mainstream. They are original Negroids who migrated from Africa, how the local administration saves them is a challenge,’ Ramesh said.

andamansikkim: No.. they are evolving tribes !!! under Controlled conditions. GO and SEE !!!

Education loan subsidy scheme finalised

New Delhi, June 24 : To make education loans cheaper, a scheme was finalised Thursday to provide full interest subsidy on the loans taken by students with annual family income below Rs.4.5 lakh to pursue technical and professional courses.The format for the scheme was finalised after a meeting between the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

"The scheme provides interest subvention to students for the period of their course. The interest for this period will be paid to the banks by the government," a ministry official said. The Canara Bank was finalised as the nodal bank for IBA member banks to claim the subsidy amount reimbursement. The scheme, which was approved by the cabinet last year, provides interest subvention to students with annual family income below Rs.4.5 lakh for the period till there course finishes. It will provide interest subvention from the academic year 2009-10. Read more....

65,000 years ago in the Andamans

illus: andamansikkim

``The initial settlement took place 65,000 years ago in the Andamans and in ancient south India around the same time, which led to population growth in this part,'' said Thangarajan. He added, ``At a later stage, 40,000 years ago, the ancient north Indians emerged which in turn led to rise in numbers here. But at some point of time, the ancient north and the ancient south mixed, giving birth to a different set of population. And that is the population which exists now and there is a genetic relationship between the population within India.''

Read another article ......

Nano satellites are the future: Experts

SRIHARIKOTA: Buoyed by Monday's PSLV launch, space experts have said that in the coming years an increasing number of nano satellites will be launched as they are guided by the slogan "faster, better, smaller and cheaper".

"This (nano satellite) could inspire and encourage youngsters to look for a career in the space sector," said an ISRO official.

The launch of nine nano satellites — which weigh between 1-10 kg and are cubical in shape — could encourage Indian universities to work on similar projects in collaboration with ISRO, officials said. They predicted that future satellite constellations will be "swarms" of hundreds of nano satellites, each weighing around 10 kg.

ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair has been quoted as saying that the demand for nano satellites is picking up. He said many space missions during the 11th Plan period could use such satellites.

According to NASA, nano satellites will revolutionise scientific investigations of key physical processes explored by the space and earth science communities.

Keeping in view the significance of nano satellites, space buffs of Israel formed an Israeli Nano Satellite Association in '06. The key role of the body is to promote the use of nano satellites for academic and commercial purposes.

source: Times of India

Mountain Biking -SIKKIM-2008

Pic:Bikers crossing Dentam- on their way to Uttarey on 8th march 2008.

Sikkim Tourism is organising the first Kangchendzonga Mountain Biking expedition from March 3 to 13.

The expedition is supported by the Union Ministry of Tourism under 'Incredible India' campaign and involves participation of private stakeholders and sponsors as well. Also dubbed as an expedition to conquer the Himalayas, the ten-day thrilling experience will cover all the four districts of the state.

The prize money has been kept at 25,000 US dollars. The awards category includes overall winner open for men and women, overall Indian (Men and women), master 50 plus, best uphill and best downhill.

The routes to be covered include Gangtok-Ranka-Rumtek-Sang in east Sikkim, Sang-Martam (East)-to Rabong(South Sikkim), Rabong-Kewzing-Tashiding (South & West Sikkim), Yuksom-Darap-Pelling-Dentam-Hee Bermiok-Kaluk Soreng (West Sikkim) Sombaria-Daramdin (West)-Jorethang (South), Namchi-Namthang-Rangpo in South and East and also places like Mangan-Dikchu, Chungthang-Lachen Lachung in North Sikkim. They will cover 60 KM a day.

''The idea is to popularize Sikkim as a destination for adventure tourism since there is big scope for it and there are visitors willing to spend money for thrill and adventure. It also does not require specialization or training like other forms of adventure sports like hang gliding or paragliding. We want to take a lead in India as far as adventure tourism is concerned,'' said G P Upadhyaya, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sikkim tourism, on the motive of the expedition. He also said that around 100 participants, including national and international adventure lovers, were expected to take part. ''This is a big event and being held for the first time in Sikkim at this scale. We will make it a regular and annual affair,'' he said.

-- (UNI)