Asian markets jump as Obama announces US debt deal - India

31 july 2011

Asian stock markets jumped Monday after President Barack Obama announced a last-minute agreement to raise the government's debt limit and avoid a default.

Republican and Democratic leaders Sunday hashed out the details of a deal that would cut more than $2 trillion of federal spending over the next decade, but no votes are expected in either house of Congress until Monday at the earliest.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average was up 1.9 percent at 10,020.44 early Monday, while South Korea's Kospi gained 1.6 percent to 2,168.05.

Australia's benchmark stock index gained 2.1 percent to 4,515.1, and New Zealand rose 0.5 percent. China's Shanghai composite index dropped 0.4 percent

Markets fell last week on concern a stalemate over the debt limit would lead to the country's first debt default. The Treasury Department has said it will run out of money to pay the government's obligations Tuesday unless the debt limit is raised.

"It's a relief rally," said Lorraine Tan, an equities analyst with Standard and Poor's in Singapore. "First and foremost, there's not going to be a default. It takes the worst case scenario off the table"

U.S. stocks looked to soar at the opening of trading Monday morning. The Dow Jones industrial average and futures were up 1.4 percent Sunday night. Standard & Poor's 500 futures were up 1.5 percent.

Last week, both the Dow and the S&P 500 lost about 4 percent as investors grew more anxious about the prospects for a deal.

Gold, which tends to rise when investors aren't confident about other investments, rose 2 percent last week. Sunday night, it was down $16.10, or 1 percent, at $1,615.10 in pre-opening trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which moves opposite from its price, rose to 2.83 percent late Sunday from 2.80 percent Friday. The rise in Treasury yields is a sign that investors are less worried. Treasury bonds have long been considered the world's safest investment.

The stock rally will likely be tempered by concern about slowing U.S. economic growth. The U.S. said Friday that its economy grew at an annual rate of only 1.3 percent in the second quarter.

"There will be a limitation to the uptick because U.S. GDP numbers were exceptionally disappointing," Tan said. "There are still worries about a double-dip recession."

Investors will also be eyeing the latest data about U.S. manufacturing, auto sales and unemployment this week.

The dollar rose to 77.82 yen in Asia from 76.72 yen late Friday in New York. The euro fell to $1.4386 from $1.4403.

Sariska to get two Ranthambore tiger cubs - India

30 july 2011

Sariska to get two Ranthambore tiger cubs

Jaipur: The Sariska tiger reserve, which has two tigers and three tigresses, will get two tiger cubs to add to the big cat numbers. The cubs will be shifted from Ranthambore National Park, officials said.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as given the go-ahead for the move, an official told IANS Thursday.
The two cubs belong to tigress T-5 who died after undergoing an emergency surgery at the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur after being spotted with a wound in February this year. This will be the first relocation of tiger cubs in Rajasthan.
"We have received written approval from the NTCA recently," a senior forest department official said.
There are about 12 tiger cubs in Ranthambore National Park.
"We will wait for the desired weather conditions as tiger relocation should not be done in the rainy season," said the officer.
He added that the move is part of the strategy to relocate tigers to Sariska, in Alwar, due to the growing numbers of the big cats in Ranthambore National Park.
Sariska tiger reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955.
In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve.

US debt default: How will it affect you? - India

29 july 2011

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  Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

  The U.S. could default on its debt on August 2 if Congress and the White House don't agree to raise the country's borrowing limit. If a deal is not reached by then, the government won't have enough cash to pay all its bills and could default on its debt.

If the United States suddenly stiffed its creditors, the impact would be so widespread, complex and unpredictable that it is next to impossible to shield against steep losses, experts say. A default could cause turmoil in the stock and bond markets, plus a replay of the fear that froze lending in the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. In the chaos, investments you'd think were a sure bet to fall might rise instead, and vice versa.

If an agreement is not reached by Aug. 2, the U.S. won't have enough cash to pay all its bills. That could have a huge impact on financial markets. The U.S. would likely lose its coveted triple-A credit rating. Interest rates would rise for millions of consumers. And stocks could fall the way they did during the 2008 financial crisis, analysts say.

Currently, about 40 cents of every dollar spent by the U.S. government is borrowed. Lawmakers are divided over how to get the U.S. government accounts into a healthier state in the longer term.

Even if a deal is reached, there are fears the U.S. could still lose its top credit rating. A downgrade would cost the federal government an extra $100 billion in interest payments a year.

Obama has next year's elections in mind

US President Barack Obama wants to raise revenues by letting tax cuts for wealthy Americans expire. Republicans have pushed for more spending cuts and have rejected higher taxes.

In a solemn late night address to the nation, the President hit out at what he called a "dangerous game" being played by rival Republicans with the two sides deadlocked over a deal to raise the debt ceiling by August 2. "We can't allow the American people to become collateral damage to Washington's political warfare," Obama said Monday in his White House address, and warning of a "deep economic crisis" if the US defaults.

For weeks Obama's Democratic allies have been at loggerheads over a deal with Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling and agree on ways to cut the ballooning US deficit.

Republicans have called for a raft of deep spending cuts -- which Obama has agreed to -- but emboldened by newly elected arch-conservative Tea Party.

lawmakers they have refused the president's calls for matching revenue increases from the nation's wealthiest.

IMF Chief has warned a default "would be a very, very, very serious event. Not for the United States alone, but for the global economy at large."
Economy to suffer

Without signed legislation by Aug. 2, the Treasury will not have enough funds to pay all the nation's bills. Administration officials have warned of potentially calamitous effects on the economy if that happens — a spike in interest rates, a plunge in stock markets and a tightening in the job market in a nation already struggling with unemployment over 9 percent.

Many analysts expect U.S. leaders to reach a last-minute deal to raise the government's $14 trillion borrowing limit before an Aug. 2 deadline. But markets are watching anxiously for what tax or spending changes might be part of the settlement. A default could mean the U.S. government could not pay all its bills starting next month, including interest and principal on Treasury bonds. That would cause shockwaves through the global economy and financial markets.

Stocks sink as Wall Street slumps

Wall Street has suffered big losses as Congress struggled to break its long gridlock. Many investors are reluctant to buy stocks because of concerns over the budget impasse in Washington.

The Dow has fallen five straight days because of worries that the U.S. might default on its debt if Congress doesn't raise the country's borrowing limit. It's down more than 484 points, or 3.8 percent. Just five days remain until the Treasury Department says the government won't have enough money to cover all of its bills.

Even if the U.S. doesn't default, investors worry that the country might lose its triple-A credit rating. That could raise interest rates and possibly slow the U.S. economy, which is still recovering from the worst recession in decades.

Stock trading has varied widely in July because of concerns over debt problems in the U.S. and Europe. The VIX, a measure of volatility in U.S. stock prices, has risen 16 percent in July.

Trading volume, or the number of shares bought and sold on a given day, has fallen 22 percent in July on the New York Stock Exchange compared with the same month a year ago, according to FactSet. If that continues, July will have the lowest average daily volume since December 2007.

Treasury Bonds:

Interest rates on Treasury bonds will rise the closer Washington gets to missing a debt payment. Investors would demand higher rates because of the greater risk they wouldn't get their money back.

But some bond traders are betting the opposite will happen. They think nervous money managers could rush into Treasurys if Washington blows past the Aug. 2 deadline to raise the debt ceiling. The buying would push interest rates lower.

The logic behind this seemingly illogical reaction: Treasurys are widely traded around the world, with plenty of buyers and sellers ready at a moment's notice, a quality known as liquidity. Investors like that, especially in a crisis, and may overlook fears of missed payments.

Some investors are seeking protection in credit default swaps, the insurance policies that pay off if a company or country defaults on its debt. The cost of buying protections against a U.S. default has been rising fast, reflecting high investor demand. To insure $10 million worth of Treasurys for a year, investors now have to pay almost $50,000 — double what it would have cost them just two months ago. That's about what it costs to insure an equal amount of bonds issued by Russia.

Gold hits new high:

Gold prices are at record high because debt problems in the U.S. and Europe are making two other so-called safe havens, the dollar and the euro, seem shaky. Gold's rise has accelerated in the last two weeks. Gold has also steadily risen since the start of 2009, when it cost $880. The Federal Reserve has kept short-term interest rates at a record low of nearly zero since December 2008. Low interest rates weaken the appeal of the dollar, and that in turn sends gold higher.

Why own gold? It's because gold has a long history as a way of preserving wealth. Investors believe gold is safe because it doesn't depend on a government's ability to repay a bond, like a Treasury or a Greek note. Neither do other commodities like crude oil, which has the added use of powering automobiles.

The amount of gold held by exchange-traded funds and similar investments is at a record, according to Barclays Capital. Exchange-traded funds, also known as ETFs, trade like stocks and are a way for investors to own gold without having to store and insure actual gold bars or coins.

Investors are piling into gold on fears of a U.S. default, pushing the metal on Monday to $1,612 per troy ounce. But unlike a lot of metals, including silver and copper, there are few commercial uses for gold. That makes it difficult to guess just how much it really is worth, and whether the price rally will continue. But its high price is a good indicator of how scared people are.

Dollar tumbles

The dollar is fast losing its value. Singapore dollars, Canadian dollars, Brazilian reals and Australian dollars are in demand. The bet is that as the U.S. struggles to pay its debts, more investors will put money in these countries, lifting the value of the currencies.

Gold rose 21 percent in dollar terms in the 12 months through June 30, according to the World Gold Council, an industry group. It rose against other currencies, too: up 2.2 percent in euros, 10.4 percent in Japanese yen and 16.5 percent in Indian rupees. But gold fell 5.5 percent against the Swiss franc, which is seen as one of the world's safest currencies.

Indian rupee hits three year high

The Indian rupee recently hit a three-year high against the US dollar. The rupee touched 43.85 - in intra-day trade - a level last seen on August 29, 2008 when the rupee had hit a high of 43.71. In the New York market, the US dollar has seen a fall against a wide range of currencies, touching a record low against the Swiss franc and near a recent low versus the Japanese Yen.

Coming soon regulator for environmental clearances - India

29 july 2011

Coming soon regulator for environmental clearances

New Delhi: Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday announced setting up of an independent environment regulator that would lead to a complete change in the process of granting environment clearances.

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Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

"We hope to establish an independent regulator -- the National Environment Appraisal and Monitoring Authority -- soon. Staffed by dedicated professionals, it will work full time to evolve better and more objective standards of scrutiny," the PM said at the international seminar on global environment and disaster management, law and society in the national capital.
"A major challenge ahead is to put in place a legal and regulatory framework which is effective in protecting the environment but without bringing back the hated licence permit raj of the pre-1991 period," he added.
Singh said India's safeguards are now far more stringent and well defined than they were two decades ago. He said the government has strengthened the legislation pertaining to environment and a law for creating special environment tribunals that will also help by lessening the burden on the courts.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

He also praised the judiciary for enforcing laws to ensure that environmental concerns were neither diluted nor dismissed.
"The task ahead is to design a system of intellectual property rights which provides adequate incentives to invest in the development of new environment-friendly technologies and at the same time ensures these technologies become available to poor countries at affordable cost," Singh said.
Recounting steps taken by his government for solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, sustainable agriculture and water conservation, he said:"All these will lead us to a low-carbon growth path. These are steps that we have decided to take on our own. We are not waiting for an international consensus to evolve."

For sale: Maharaja's stunning 1925 Rolls Royce 'Tiger car' - India

27 july 2011

For sale: Maharaja's stunning 1925 Rolls Royce 'Tiger car'

A blazing red Rolls-Royce customised with a machine gun for Umed Singh II, the erstwhile Maharaja of Kota, who is said to have used the car for hunting tigers, is now up for auction.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Equipped with powerful brass searchlights that swing side to side and an arsenal of animal killing weaponry, the 1925 Torpedo Tourer or 'Tiger Car' will be among six pre-war Rolls Royce and Bentley cars up for grabs at the Bonhams annual auction in California on August 18-19.
The 'Tiger Car' is estimated to fetch between USD 750,000 to USD 1 million in the sale, according to information released by London-based auction house Bonhams.
The handmade automobile commissioned by the maharajah, also known as Sahib Bahudur Singh, is powered by an 8 litre, 6-cylinder engine with dual spark ignition set to a low gearing ratio that allowed it to creep powerfully through the jungles of Rajasthan.
Umed Singh II who ruled Kota in Rajasthan from 1889 to 1940 is said to have been an avid hunter.

'Singham' earns gross Rs.47.50 crore - India

25 july 2011

'Singham' earns gross Rs.47.50 crore

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New Delhi: After an impressive opening, Ajay Devgn starrer action thriller "Singham" generated good business during the weekend as well and grossed Rs.44.2 crore in domestic market and Rs.3.50 crore overseas.
Directed by Rohit Shetty and produced by Reliance Entertainment the film is a remake of Tamil blockbuster "Singham".
The movie also entered the list of top domestic weekends of all time and is at the 10th spot with Rs.30.93 crore as net collections.

"'Singham' is off to a wonderful start worldwide. The film received an overwhelming response from the audience over the weekend and we hope will continue its successful run all over the world in the weeks to overseas," said Sanjeev Lamba, CEO, Reliance Entertainment.
The film was released in 38 countries internationally on Friday and will be released in another 21 countries in its second phase.

Canada arrests suspected Pakistani war criminal - India

24 july 2011
Montreal:  Canada said it had arrested a suspected Pakistani war criminal, the second such arrest made since the government listed 30 foreigners actively sought on Canadian soil.

Arshad Muhammad, 42, was arrested thanks to public tips, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said in a statement yesterday.

The Toronto Sun said that Muhammad, who also goes by Certosa Aranci, was arrested after he was recognised in a store in Mississauga, just west of Toronto.

On Friday, authorities said they had arrested former Honduran soldier Cristobal Gonzalez-Ramirez, who had served in a special army unit in Honduras where he allegedly committed war crimes as a soldier.

Ottawa indicated that Muhammad was also "suspected of complicity in a war crime or a crime against humanity," without providing further details.

"The help that Canadians are providing to Canada Border Services is proving to be beyond what we had expected," said Toews. "Those who have been involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity will find no haven on our shores; they will be located, and they will face the consequences."

Muhammad's arrest came after the government published a list of 30 men accused of crimes against humanity this week - including their photos and birth dates - suspected of hiding on Canadian soil.

Canada adopted a federal law of universal jurisdiction in 2000 for crimes against humanity. Under the law, a Rwandan was sent to prison for life in 2009 for participating in the 1994 genocide there.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/canada-arrests-suspected-pakistani-war-criminal-121618&cp

Ghulam Nabi Fai wooed dissenting voices on Kashmir - India

23 july 2011
NEW DELHI: Pakistan.s front man Ghulam Nabi Fai, recently arrested in the US for using illegal funds to lobby Islamabad's case on Kashmir according to ISI's directives, kept a sharp eye out for activists, whose vitriolic anti-Indian views suited Pakistan.

In early March, Fai sent an email to his handler Touqeer Mehmood Butt, drawing his attention to a meeting of the UN working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances that was to be addressed by an Indian-born activist known for her anti-India leanings.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's affidavit does not disclose the activist's identity, but names her as "Mary" and says that Fai told Butt that she would testify before the working group. The engagement was scheduled for March 17, between 3pm and 5pm as a side event at the 13th session of the UN human rights council.

"Mary" was not unknown to Fai or ISI, as the affidavit notes that she is a "human rights activist" and "major general Mumtaz Ahmed Bajwa had requested Fai to introduce him to Mary in July, 2009". Bajwa was a senior Pakistani officer, who Fai was in touch with.

"The next day, Butt asked Fai to provide Butt with information about the hearing. On March 26, 2011, Fai responded to Butt's request with an email that described Mary's testimony before the UN working group. On March 28, 2011, Butt wrote back to Fai with several questions, commenting that he needed additional information to `complete my update for elders.' "

Similarly, on an earlier occasion, the affidavit notes that ISI provided Fai with a list of six persons who were to be invited to a conference the Pakistani agent organized in 2008. The ISI had screened likely invitees from both India and Pakistan. "I obtained a list of speakers at the conference. Among the speakers were six individuals who's names had been provided to Fai by Khan (a handler previous to Butt)," FBI agent Sarah Webb Linden has written.

In August, 2008, Fai's handlers had asked him to step up efforts to push the case on Kashmir as one of "self determination" that was being denied to its residents by India. In September, 2008, Fai duly reported that he "had met with the US assistant secretary of state for south Asian affairs, and that Fai had provided copies of statements by Indian intellectuals and human rights organizations regarding Kashmir."

Bharti Airtel hikes rates by 20% in 6 circles - India

22 july 2011

Bharti Airtel hikes rates by 20% in 6 circles

India's largest mobile services firm, Bharti Airtel, has hiked call rates in six telecom circles. The company has raised rates by 20 per cent. This is the first hike by Bharti in nearly three years.

Most calls would now cost 1.2 paise per second from the earlier 1 paise per second. Bharti is the second telcom firm to hike tariffs after Tata Docomo. Tata Docomo had hiked prepaid tariffs in Tamil Nadu.
In a statement the company said, "Telecom is probably the only industry where despite increasing inflation, tariffs have been falling unabatedly. Continuously declining margins, high 3G & BWA auction prices, constrained spectrum and rural roll out aspirations leave us with little choice but to make some price corrections. We are committed to enhance value for our customers through continued investments in network, technology, customer experience and life enriching services".

Bharti has also announced an increase in the pre-paid tariff rates of its 'Advantage' pack. The company announced that users of advantage packs, which are based on per minute billing, will have to pay 60 paise per minute for local and STD calls to mobile phones and 90 paise for local and STD calls to landlines.

Furthermore, Re 1 and Rs. 1.5 will be charged for local and national SMSes, respectively. Existing users will have to pay for new rates after the validity of their existing voucher ends.

There is no increase in the tariff of its 'Freedom' pack, which is based on per second billing.
Stocks of Bharti closed 4 per cent higher on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/bharti-airtel-hikes-rates-by-20-in-6-circles-165645?pfrom=home-Business&cp

India to host IPL-style hockey extravaganza - India

21 july 2011

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

India to host IPL-style hockey extravaganza

New Delhi: A franchise-based field hockey league on the lines of the successful Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket will be held in India in December featuring top players, it was announced on Thursday.

The eight-team World Series Hockey, a joint venture of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus Sport, will start on December 15 and feature 176 players, including 40 foreigners from top hockey-playing nations.

Hockey India (HI) and IHF are currently locked in a tussle to run the game in the country, but organisers said the players were cleared to take part in the series following meetings with the sport's world governing body (FIH).

"All those players we have signed before March 31, 2011 have been allowed to take part by FIH after my meeting with (FIH chief) Leandro Negre in London and Lausanne," Press Trust of India news agency quoted Nimbus executive chairman Harish Thawani as saying.

There was no immediate comment from the FIH, which has recognised HI as the parent body and earlier refused permission to hold the tournament.

Among prominent foreign players participating in the 61-match tournament are Australian Brent Livermore, Pakistan's Rehan Butt, former Spain captain Rodrigo Garza and Argentina's Lucas Vila.

The matches will be held in Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, with two more venues to be announced later.

The IPL revolutionised cricket when it burst onto the scene in 2008 with a high-octane blend of international star players, cheerleaders and Bollywood glamour.

Leading the team at Lord's a special honour: Dhoni - India

20 july 2011

Leading the team at Lord's a special honour: Dhoni

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Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

London: It's a privilege for anyone to step on the hallowed turf at the 'Home of Cricket' and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is no exception as he prepares to lead his bunch of world beaters in the first Test at the Lord's on Thursday.

Dhoni, says that the experience of leading his team out at Lord's on Thursday will be an honour to rank with anything he has achieved in his glorious career.

"It's obviously big, leading 15 people who have the expectation of 1.2 billion," Dhoni told the Daily Telegraph.

"It's an honour, it's very special. But at the same time it's an added responsibility. You want the Indian team to win each and every game, which is not possible. Still, that's what you are expected to do."

The 'Captain Cool' during the interview spoke about how at times he feels like moving far away from the madding crowd on one of his 25 motorbikes.

"If get the chance," he says, "Somewhere in Delhi or Mumbai, I will take my bike out, take the helmet with me and go around for a ride."

The family man in him comes out once he starts talking about his family.

"Since 2005, I have not spent much time with my family," he said, thinking back to the year of his Test debut against Sri Lanka.

"In fact, I have spent more time at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai. It was my 100th visit recently, which means I have spent more than 400 days in that hotel, and that is a lot more than I have spent with my family."

Talking about his parents, Dhoni got a touch emotional. "I feel awful as I am talking right now," he added, "because I miss my parents. But at the same time I know I will have a fair amount of time with my parents once I finish cricket, after these two, or three, or four years - whatever it is.

"My wife tells me when I am not around at the house, 80 per cent of the conversation is about me. But I told my dad, this is the time when I am doing something for the country, and the country comes first. I feel he really understands that."

Dhoni also spoke about how he first came into the limelight.

"It was a 35-over game, the school league final," he said. "I scored 213, and hit seven or eight sixes, and those were big sixes, I was quite famous in Ranchi from quite early."

When he started off, Indian cricket industry wasn't a billion dollar one so people were circumspect about his choice of profession.

"In those days," he recalls, "people would say, 'OK you play cricket but what do you do in life?" So he took a job as a railway ticket collector in Kharagpur, a town in West Bengal.

"I played for Central Coalfields Limited and for Indian Airways," he said.

"Those were the years when I improved myself, playing on turf pitches which are rare in India. Today, though, competition is tough in the business world, and it has become a luxury to support young sportsmen."

He was modest enough in admitting things fell in place for him.

"Things just fell into place for me," he says modestly.

"India were looking for a wicketkeeper, and even though I was unorthodox and didn't have a great technique, my friends said, "You can hit the ball, you're ideally suited for one-day internationals."

People talk a lot about his change of approach in batting and Dhoni justifies that.

"When I came in, I was more of a slogger, trying to hit every ball, irrespective of the format. But then I used to bat at No. 3, so you've got five really good players backing you up if you don't score. Now, I'm batting at No. 6 or No. 7 in the one-day internationals, so I've only got bowlers behind me, or maybe one good batsmen."

"People say, "Why are you not hitting those big sixes?" Often I joke that I'm getting old and I don't have the strength. But time has changed. Now it's all about the requirement of the game, if the situation doesn't require me to hit sixes, why should I? It's the singles and doubles which really excite me now."

Ask him about the six off Nuwan Kulasekara that gave India the World Cup, he replied, "It was instinct rather than a plan."

He further explained,"But I did say to myself if it is in the right area, I will go for the big shot. I hadn't flowed during the Cup, but form is something that goes in one or two innings and comes back in five to 15 deliveries. It's the state of mind that is important. I'm glad I promoted myself, because it gave me the chance to do something special for the country."

65 percent Himalayan glaciers melting: Scientist - India

19 july 2011

65 percent Himalayan glaciers melting: Scientist

New Delhi: In a startling comparison between the state of glaciers in the Himalayan ranges in the last 50 years, glaciologists say nearly 65 percent glaciers are melting due to global warming.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

"Almost 65 percent of the glaciers are depleting in the Himalayan region in a comparison between 1955 and 2007. There are many recently formed lakes in the region, resulting to changing weather pattern," said scientist Alton Byer, who is studying melting glaciers, in a documentary screened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) here Tuesday.
The film examines the shrinking glaciers of the Himalayas and the effects they have on the lives and livelihood of people in Asia.

Glaciologists from the Mountain Studies Institute and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have stated the ice melting poses a huge risk of disasters in the regions surrounding the mountain range.
"There is a huge risk of avalanches and high magnitude earthquakes in the region. The meltdown poses threat to millions across Asia," said Byer in the documentary.
The UNDP also awarded Chhewang Norphel, popularly known as the 'Ice Man' of Leh, for preventing glacier melting in the Leh mountains.
Norphel, chief project officer of the Leh Nutrition Project, brought hope to thousands of farmers in the Ladakh region through his innovative idea of building artificial glaciers that store melting glacial water and help irrigate land in the region.

Hasan Ali stashed $800 mn in foreign banks: ED - India

18 july 2011

Hasan Ali stashed $800 mn in foreign banks: ED

Mumbai: Hasan Ali Khan, arrested for alleged money laundering, has stashed $800 million in banks in countries like the U.S., Switzerland and Singapore and has links with officials of these banks, the Enforcement Directorate told the Bombay High Court on Monday.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Justice A.M. Thipsay was hearing a bail application filed by Khan after a sessions court rejected his bail plea. The matter will be heard on July 26.
"Khan and his aide Kashinath Tapuriah have deep links with bank officials in the US, Switzerland, Singapore, UAE and other countries. These officials have assisted the duo in operating bank accounts and transfer of funds," the affidavit states.
Letters Rogatory have been issued to Switzerland, the U.S., the U.K., UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong for verification of bank accounts, the affidavit said, adding as of now only the U.S. has sent a reply.
"Reply to Letters Rogatory from the US confirms that an amount of USD 7,00,000 was transferred from Bank Sarasin, Switzerland to an account in New York operated by Khan," Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambatta, appearing for ED, argued.
Alleging that Khan has links with international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, Khambatta said, "In 2003, $300 million was apparently received by Khan from Khashoggi from weapon sales."
ED further stated that the accused have created a complex maze of structures and transactions to hide the true source of funds and frustrate the investigations.
"Investigations have revealed a conspiracy to commit offences against the security and safety of the country. Even the lower court while rejecting Khan's bail considered the seriousness of the offence and prima facie evidence against him," the affidavit states.

Hosni Mubarak slips into state of coma: State TV - India

17 july 2011

Hosni Mubarak slips into state of coma: State TV
Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India . Cairo: Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak who is under detention in a hospital at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and is facing trial for corruption and murder has slipped in a coma after severe deterioration of his health, his lawyer said on Sunday. "The former president is in a full coma after his health suddenly deteriorated," the state TV reported, quoting his lawyer Farid al-Dib. Mubarak, 83, has been in a Sharm el-Sheikh hospital since April. He had suffered a heart attack during interrogation over fraud and the killing of pro-democracy protesters during the uprising which ousted him in February. He is set to go on trial on August 3 on charges of corruption and murder. Mubarak's trial would most likely be held in Sharm el-Sheikh for security reasons, officials said on Saturday. The former Egyptian ruler could either be put in the dock or questioned by court officials in his hospital room, with the rest of the trial proceedings taking place in a court room, the official said. The news was aired on state-owned stations. This comes as news has been trickling to the media about the cabinet reshuffle Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf will present to the Supreme Council of Armed Forces. The reshuffle on Sunday to please the protesters who have been staging a sit-in for the past week in request of faster reform. The news of the comatose president is expected to cover news of the cabinet reshuffle. Egyptians via social media already doubt the authenticity of the story accusing the Supreme Council of scheming to spare the ousted president a trial slated for August 3.

Priyanka heads home for 29th birthday - India

16 july 2011
Priyanka heads home for 29th birthday

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

After a break in Los Angeles, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is heading back home to celebrate her 29th birthday with her family, post the Mumbai blasts.

"Heading home..LA's been amazing...but looking forward to seeing my family... my dad n my brother esp with everything that's happening wanna b home," Priyanka posted on her Twitter page.

She flew to Los Angeles straight from the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend and awards ceremony in Toronto last month.

The National Award winning actress has a lot to look forward to this year. She has a line-up of films, including Don 2: The Chase Continues, the Agneepath< remake, Barfee, Krrish 2 and Kunal Kohli's next with Shahid Kapoor.

Priyanka has also signed up for a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan's mega- budget RA.One. She seems to be on a roll! 

Climate change stifling ocean's carbon uptake - India

15 july 2011

Climate change stifling ocean's carbon uptake

Washington: Climate change seems to be stifling the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, a study says.

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

It has actually been soaking up a third of all human carbon emissions every year. Previous studies on the topic have yielded conflicting results, says University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor Galen McKinley.
McKinley and her colleagues have come up with the first evidence that climate change is significantly eroding the ocean's carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbing capacity, reports the journal Nature Geoscience.
"The ocean is taking up less carbon because of the warming caused by the carbon in the atmosphere," says McKinley, assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, according to a Wisconsin statement.
One of the biggest challenges in asking how climate is affecting the ocean is simply a lack of data, McKinley says.
McKinley and colleagues at UW-Madison, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University and the Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, working with nearly three decades of data, were able to identify underlying trends in the surface CO2 throughout the North Atlantic.

TCS pips Infosys as top IT pick after stellar results - India

14 july 2011

TCS pips Infosys as top IT pick after stellar results

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

After Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) beat Street expectations with an impressive first quarter earnings, brokerage firms have re-iterated their faith in India's largest software exporter. TCS reported flat profits for the first quarter but that was higher than what analysts expected.

Net profits for IT firms take a hit in the first quarter because of salary hikes. However, TCS reported profits equivalent to the fourth quarter of last fiscal (Q4 FY11) despite 12-14 per cent hike in salaries.

TCS' earnings were in contrast to Infosys' results. Infosys, for long the favourite among IT stocks, has floundered over the past two quarters. Analysts expect Infosys to beat its guidance quarter after quarter, something that the IT bellwether has not been able to execute in the last two quarters. The exit of some of the best known names from the company has also not gone down well with the investors' community.

So, while TCS has gained momentum steadily, Infosys has been lagging behind. TS Harihar of ICICI Securities said, "TCS and HCL Tech have outperformed Infosys and Wipro over the last few quarters and that trend is likely to continue."

Post results, Bank of America (BoA) has come out with an outperform rating on TCS with a price target of Rs1,400. "Stellar quarter, promising outlook… Robust, all round volume growth," that's how BoA described TCS' performance.

Citi has maintained its hold rating on the stock with target of Rs. 1,260. Citi said in its report that margins were slightly lower than expected but operating profits were in line.

Deutsche Bank maintained a buy target of Rs1,400. "June quarter results beat our and Street estimates... Demand environment continues to be robust," the Bank said in its report.

Maintaining equal weight, Morgan Stanley said as strong revenue growth on higher base could support TCS stock price.

Brokerage firm CLSA, however, said the stock is likely to under perform because it is highly valued. "Valuations at 21 times March '12 earnings are indicative of the Street's optimism... TCS has best credentials in the sector but already priced in the stock," the firm's report said.

Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/tcs-pips-infosys-as-top-it-pick-after-stellar-results-164277?pfrom=home-Business&cp

Mumbai attacks won't stop my visit to India, says Hillary Clinton - India

13 july 2011

Mumbai attacks won't stop my visit to India, says Hillary Clinton

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Washington:  Hours after the Mumbai blasts, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it clear that she would go ahead with her visit to New Delhi next week for the security dialogue saying it is more important than ever to stand with India in the struggle against terrorism.
   
"We condemn the despicable act of violence designed to provoke fear and division. Those who perpetrated it must know they cannot succeed," she said.
    
Reaching out to India, Clinton said, "I will be travelling to India next week as planned. I believe it is more important than ever that we stand with India, deepen our partnership and reiterate our commitment to the shared struggle against terrorism".

NATO may continue Libya bombing during Ramadan - India

12 july 2011

NATO may continue Libya bombing during Ramadan

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Brussels:  NATO says its warplanes may continue bombing Libya during Ramadan if Moammar Gaddafi's forces attack rebel-held areas during the holy month.

NATO spokesman Wing Commander Mike Bracken said on Tuesday the alliance would wait and see whether pro-Gaddafi units cease their operations during Ramadan, which starts around August 1. If they don't "then I think it would be highly appropriate to continue to use the mandate that NATO has to protect those lives," he said.

The Western alliance is operating under a U.N. mandate that allows the use of force to protect civilians.

NATO is worried that bombing a Muslim nation during the month-long period of prayer, reflection and sunrise-to-sunset fasts could provoke a public backlash in the Islamic world.

Kanishka victims reject Canada's $24,000 ex-gratia - India

11 july 2011

Kanishka victims reject Canada's $24,000 ex-gratia

Toronto: Air India Kanishka victims' families have rejected the Canadian government's offer of $24,000 each for the 1985 bombing that killed all 329 people on board the plane near the Irish coast.

The Kanishka flight 182 to Delhi from Montreal was blown off mid-air by a bomb planted by Vancouver-based Khalistani radicals to avenge the Indian army action at the Golden Temple in June 1984.
The Canadian government announced the $24,000 ex-gratia during a meeting with families - as recommended by the Air India inquiry commission, headed by former Canadian chief justice John Major, which submitted its report last year.
A government spokesman said since most victims' families were compensated in the early 1990s, the $24,000 ex-gratia is just "a demonstration of solicitude and recognition for the administrative disdain families experienced over the years following the tragedy".
But the offer - which amounts to $7.9 million in total - enraged victim families who called it insulting to the memory of their loved ones.
"Once more we are treated with disdain. It seems that Indian life is cheap in the eyes of Canadian politicians. This is so degrading," Melbourne-based Anil Singh Hanse, whose father Narendra Singh Hanse was the pilot of the ill-fated plane, told IANS.
He said the victims' families will "pursue this (issue) in an international court as Canada is biased. This is xenophobia at its worst. Canada's politicians need to wake up and stop being in denial".
Hanse denied his family receiving any compensation from Canada. "Let me be clear that we received not even 10 cents from Canada for the gross negligence which saw 329 innocents blown up. The spokesman is making misleading statements by saying most were settled."

Amarjit Bhinder, whose husband Satinder Bhinder was the co-pilot of the flight, said the ex-gratia payment is "an extreme insult to our loved ones. Canada killed, rather murdered, our 329 loved ones with its negligence. We will fight as long as it takes us to get justice...we will explore the possibility of approaching the human rights commission (international) and whatever other options are available to us".
Bhinder said, "Had Canada allowed my husband to live an average life, he would have flown the planes till November 2008 and earned 24,000 Canadian dollars in less than 45 days. I cannot allow anyone to insult my husband."
Toronto-based Shipra Rana, whose sister Shyla Juju was the Kanishka flight attendant, said, "Please do not dishonour the memory of our loved ones. It is better not to offer anything than an offer of 900 dollars per year for being treated as offenders instead of victims."
She said since the overseas victims' families were not compensated in the 1990s, Canada should hold meaningful consultations with them for proper compensation.
Only one person - Inderjit Singh Reyat - has been jailed for what is known as the second worst aviation disaster after 9/11.

Headley wants his son to be a top Pak commando - India

10 july 2011

Headley wants his son to be a top Pak commando

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Washington:  Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative David Headley wants his five-year-old son to one day become a soldier in Pakistani army's elite Special Service Group (SSG), which is known for its anti-India operations including the Kargil incursion and wars of 1965 and 1971.

Headley, who was the star government witness in the Chicago trial of his childhood friend Tahawwur Rana last month, had been grooming his son keeping this in mind. So much so that when his son's football coach asked him to kick the ball one day by saying shoot, he instead of kicking the ball, laid down on the ground and posed like he was shooting a gun indicating the level of his indoctrination.

Headley - who told the court that he joined Pakistan-based LeT, which is responsible for several terror strikes in India, including the Mumbai attacks, because he wanted to fight against Indian forces in Kashmir - shared this incident between his son and football coach with LeT leader Pasha during a telephonic conversation, according to transcripts presented before the Chicago court.

"The incident that you are relating to Pasha is something that you thought he would find to be funny, right?" defence attorney Patrick Blegan asked.

"Yes," Headley said.

"And the incident - you tell me if I'm describing it wrong - is this: Your son is at a soccer game, correct?" the defence attorney said.

"Yes," Headley said.

"He plays soccer?" the attorney asked.

"He is five years old," Headley said.

"So obviously he is not great at it yet, right?" Blegan asked.

"Yes," Headley said.

"And his coach is some English guy, right?" Blegan asked.

"Yes," Headley replied.

"And the coach says to your son, 'shoot, shoot,' right?" Blegan said.

"Yes," Headley said.

"And instead of kicking the ball, your son lays down and acts like he is pointing a gun, doesn't he?" Blegan asked.

"Yeah. Yes," Headley answered.

"That's something that you taught your son?" Blegan asked.

"No. He had seen me - in my house I would put up a target and shoot in Pakistan," Headley said.

"That something - I mean, is that something that you encouraged your son to do?" asked the defence attorney.

"Yes," Headley said.

"What did you want your son to become one day?" Blegan asked, to which Headley said may be a soldier.

"SSG may be," Headley said. "I wanted him to be in the SSG. I told him that many times," he added.

"Were you grooming your children the same way?" Blegan asked.

"They were being raised as 'Salafis', yes," Headley said.

"Were you planning to take them back to Pakistan at some point?" Blegan asked.

"Yes," said Headley.

According to Pakdef.info, SSG - also known as Black Strokes - was established in 1956 and it was immediately used to train Naga rebels in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

SSG played a key role during the unsuccessful Kargil incursion by Pakistan.

Captain Ammar Hussain, an SSG officer among many others, was awarded Sitara-e-Jurrat posthumously for inconspicuous bravery during these operations.

William,Kate: Love match at polo match - India

09 july 2011

William,Kate: Love match at polo match

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Prince William and Catherine starred Saturday in a charity polo match that brought the crowd pouring onto the field in the most spontaneous moment of the couple's visit to Southern California so far.

Sold: Elizabeth Taylor's home - India

08 july 2011

Sold: Elizabeth Taylor's home

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Dame Elizabeth Taylor's home has been sold.

The Oscar-winning actress - who passed away from congestive heart failure in March at the age of 79 - lived in the 1960s ranch-style house in Bel Air, California, for 30 years until her death, and it is now believed to have sold for somewhere in the region of $8.6 million.

According to an email announcement from listing agent David Mossler of Teles Properties, the property was purchased by an undisclosed buyer after 33 days on the market.

While the price the ranch was eventually sold for is yet to be revealed, the 7,000-square-foot estate - previously owned by singer Nancy Sinatra - features its own swimming pool, maids' quarters and bricked motor court.

Meanwhile, the second-floor master suite offers "treetop views, master bath with spa tub, adjacent dressing room/salon and two smaller bedrooms".

Elizabeth's son Christopher Wilding previously said of the property: "The house was where we all gathered, especially at Thanksgiving and Easter. She never entertained the notion of moving."

Elsewhere, a number of items belonging to the 'Cleopatra' actress are to be sold at auction in December.

Marc Porter, chairman of Christie's Americas - who will be selling the star's personal possessions - said: "A rare woman who was at once an international film and fashion star, loving mother, successful businesswoman and generous humanitarian, this collection of her many cherished possessions will bring us closer to the essence of Elizabeth Taylor's unique spirit."

Kargil hero ..Remembering Captain Vikram Batra - India

07 july 2011

'Yeh Dil Maange More'..Remembering Captain Vikram Batra

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  Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

   

The Kargil war was a long drawn out battle, a tenacious combat that was a fight to the finish. As the whole nation waited with baited breath, the Indian flag firmly fluttered over Tiger Hills on the morning of July 4, 1999 and all of India celebrated. Operation Vijay was successful.

It was one man who became the face of the Indian soldier at Kargil, whose words reverberate even today - 'Yeh Dil Maange More..' Captain Vikram Batra took the advertising slogan and elevated it to a motto for life.

The intrepid soldier lost his life on this day, 12 years ago, while trying to save a fellow soldier.

Here's a look at the ‘Sher Shah' whose valiant efforts paved the way for India's victory in the Kargil war.

Vikram Batra initially wanted to join the Merchant Navy. His uniform had been stitched and his tickets booked, but he changed his mind.

The nation now remembers him as Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra.Vikram Batra was commissioned in the Indian Army as a Lieutenant of the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles. He was later promoted to the rank of a Captain on the battlefield itself. During the war, he was ordered to recapture the peak 5140, at a height of 17,000 feet, as the Pakistani invaders had taken positions there in bunkers. The peak was the highest point on the Tololing Ridge and one of the most arduous and crucial peaks in the Drass region.

Knowing that the steep cliffs do not provide any cover against the enemy's line of sight, Captain Batra decided to lead his company from the opposite side to surprise them. Even though he was seriously injured, he led a hand-to-hand combat, and flung grenade after grenade at the infiltrators' gun posts.

Their heavy machine gun, which was not letting Indian troops advance, was finally brought down, and the soldiers of 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles took over. "He called me right after he triumphed, and his words were, 'Dad, I have captured the post'. That was the happiest day of my life," smiled his father fondly.

Captain Vikram Batra had managed to lead his team to a decisive victory and all his men made it alive. The brilliantly led operation that is considered by many as one of India's toughest campaigns in mountain warfare, catapulted Captain Vikram Batra to the national headlines. His triumph was being beamed from television screens across the country.

The capture of Point 5140 subsequently led to other success stories.

After that ordeal, the young lion, with his pack, ravaged through adjoining peaks, even though he was wounded. Amid thick fog, Captain Vikram with his men began a precarious climb to peak 4875 at a height of approximately 16,000 feet.

 On July 7, at Point 4875, Vikram called his Commanding Officer again, just to say, 'yeh dil maange more'. As if in answer, the enemy launched a counter attack, and Vikram rushed to rescue an injured officer.

"He did not allow other soldiers to go, and told them 'tumhare biwi bachche hain'. “That morning, my son made the supreme sacrifice for his country and fellow men," his father prided.

‘Jai Mata Di' - these were Captain Vikram Batra's last words, the words that also put the seal on India's victory.

The peak is now called ‘Batra Top', named after him.

Supreme Court upholds decision against flats in Noida Extension - India

07 july 2011

Supreme Court upholds decision against flats in Noida Extension

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

The Supreme Court today upheld the Allahabad High Court order that had quashed the Greater Noida Authority's acquisition of land in the Shahberi village that falls under Noida Extension. The Supreme Court also imposed a fine of Rs. 10 lakh on the Greater Noida Authority. Noida Extension is the name given to a group of villages in the Noida-Greater Noida region.

In May, the Allahabad High Court had quashed the Greater Noida Authority notification for acquiring over 150 hectares of land in the village.

Delivering the order, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly said, "Everything is meticulously planned. Your offers know it would be handed over to builder for private purpose bit doesn't happen overnight. Officers know very much. It is a brazen overreach of judicial process. The authority has to act in public interest but what it did was to serve private builders interest. You don’t understand the psyche of farmer. Land is his mother."

The SC said the Greater Noida Authority had undertaken the allotment of land to builders in complete violation of the purpose for which the land was acquired and the land usage was changed even before getting approval from the state government.

The Greater Noida Authority had earlier bought lands from farmers for industrial projects, but later changed the land usage to residential projects.

On Tuesday, the Court had slammed the authorities for taking advantage of the "colonial law" on land acquisition to divest farmers of their prime agricultural land benefitting the rich and paying "pittance" to common men.

The Supreme Court's decision is likely to affect several builders including Amarpali, Ajnara, Mahagun, Supertech and Panchsheel.

Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/supreme-court-upholds-decision-against-flats-in-noida-extension-163109?pfrom=home-Business&cp

Lagarde takes over as the new chief of the IMF - India

05 july 2011

Lagarde takes over as the new chief of the IMF

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Washington:  Christine Lagarde on Wednesday took over as the new chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), replacing Dominique Strauss-Kahn, as it gears to play a key role in shaping the global economic future, giving more voice to emerging economies like India.

The former French Finance Minister assumed charge as the new Managing Director of the IMF for a five-year term, saying it will be her overriding goal that our institution continues to serve its entire membership with the same focus and the same spirit.

"As I have had the opportunity to say to the IMF Board during the selection process, the IMF must be relevant, responsive, effective, and legitimate, to achieve stronger and sustainable growth, macroeconomic stability, and a better future for all," she had said in a statement after she was elected late last month.

Lagarde was selected at the Managing Director by the IMF Board on June 28. She replaces her countrymen, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned after he was arrested in New York last month on sexual assault charges.

The IMF in its letter of appointment said that her annual salary would be US $467,940 per annum, net of income taxes. In addition to this she would be receiving an allowance of US $83,760 per annum.

The IMF asked her to "observe the highest standards of ethical conduct, consistent with the values of integrity, impartiality and discretion."

Under the terms of the IMF, she has also been debarred from attending any political party meetings.

Team India’s ‘Save Dhoni’ campaign - India

04 july 2011

Team India’s ‘Save Dhoni’ campaign

New rules framed by ICC are all set to have an impact straightaway and one person who is dreading the prospect is none other than our world cup-winning captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian captain could end up missing the esteemed 2000th test match at Lord’s. Find out why Team India’s most crucial immediate assignment is the ‘Save Dhoni’ campaign

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Roseau (Dominica): Team India have a "Save Dhoni" campaign ahead of them if they want to pre-empt a ban on their skipper in the Lord's Test against England, beginning July 21.
Dhoni must not have his team turn up slow on the over-rate in the third Test against the West Indies here from Wednesday, for it would incur an immediate ban of one Test match on him. The Indian team follow their Caribbean odyssey with a star-billed series in England this summer and if Dhoni's team is not alert, it could make him sit out in the Lord's Test.
Dhoni has already been twice guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct, rule 2.5, which states that a captain who is pulled up for three offences of slow over-rates in a 12-month period, would suffer an automatic ban in the next match of the same format.
Dhoni and his men were deemed to have bowled three overs short during the recently-concluded Barbados Test, which was the second such offence in 2011, following a similar breach of rules in the Cape Town Test against South Africa earlier this year.

Barack Obama chooses new counterterrorism chief - India

03 july 2011

Barack Obama chooses new counterterrorism chief

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Washington:  President Barack Obama's choice for his next counterterrorism chief is Matthew Olsen, a former prosecutor with extensive experience in intelligence matters for the federal government, the White House announced Friday.

Olsen, if confirmed by the Senate, would direct the National Counterterrorism Center, an agency born in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on America. The agency is charged with analysing and integrating information gathered across the intelligence community and then providing assessments to the president and other senior policymakers.

"Matt will be a critical part of my national security team as we work to tirelessly thwart attacks against our nation and do everything in our power to protect the American people," Obama said in a statement.

Olsen, 49, currently serves as the general counsel for the National Security Agency. He has also held high-level roles in overseeing intelligence matters at the Justice Department and the FBI. From 2009 to 2010, Olsen directed the task force that, on Obama's orders, reviewed the intelligence on detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.

Olsen would replace Michael Leiter, the former Navy pilot who served in the director's job under Obama and President George W. Bush. Leiter was leaving on a high note after the intelligence success and covert operation by U.S. commandoes in Pakistan that led to the killing of al-Qaida terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

Leiter, who has worked with Olsen closely, called him a proven leader and a good friend. "His background and experience in working some of our country's toughest national security issues make him eminently qualified to serve as the centre's next director," Leiter said. "I have the utmost confidence that Matt will lead the men and women of NCTC with distinction."

Olsen's job would also require him to oversee operational planning for counterterrorism activities across the federal government.

He would report directly to the president and the director of national intelligence.

Michael Chertoff, who served as homeland security secretary under Bush and has worked with Olsen, called him a smart, dedicated public servant who would "capably carry on the outstanding work of Mike Leiter" if confirmed by the Senate.

Bihar battles Kala Azar, over 6000 cases reported - India

02 july 2011

Bihar battles Kala Azar, over 6000 cases reported

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Muzaffarpur:  It has been over one week and five-year-old Pinki has had high fever, diarrhoea and skin rashes - all symptoms of Kala Azar, the second largest parasitic killer after malaria in the world.

Like her, 62 others are also being treated at the government medical college and hospital in Bihar. Till March this year, a phenomenal 6302 cases were reported along with 12 deaths. Bihar accounts for 60% of all Kala Azar cases in India.

Districts like Muzaffarpur, which are already struggling with a massive load of encephalitis cases caused by an unknown virus, are now facing a rush of Kala Azar.

"This is the time to act energetically and intensively otherwise it will lead to a big epidemic," said Dr C P Thakur, Former Union Health Minister.

In 2005, the Bihar government had promised to eliminate Kala Azar in the state by 2010. Instead, its own data shows that cases have shot up significantly over the last two years.

In 2009 there were 21,318 cases of Kala Azar reported from Bihar and in 2010, it rose to 23,084. But these figures may just be the tip of the ice berg as many cases may be going unreported.

"Most of the diseases are vector borne. Surprisingly, the Bihar government has no epidemiologist or entomologist. These facilities must be strengthened," said Dr Prabhat Sinha, Deputy Director, RMRI.

Kala Azar is often described as a poor man's disease which is probably why not much attention is being given to control it. Most people in the affected regions live in mud houses with straw roofs that allow sand flies, carriers of the parasite, to breed easily.

With no prevention measures like insecticides being sprayed regularly, there is little hope of controlling, let alone eliminating, Kala Azar in the state.

Tips to become an investing expert - India

01 july 2011

Tips to become an investing expert!

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

We all know that investing in equities is the key to build long-term wealth and become rich. However it is important to remember that not all stocks are created equal. While mid and small caps do have the potential to generate high returns, large caps do offer stability to your portfolio. But it does not mean you should ignore any of these stocks. So it is essential that you should benefit from the high growth offered by mid and small caps while enjoying the stability offered by the large caps.

Use these useful tips to become a master of stock market investing.

• Be strict with your stop loss. It means when you are losing money, cut your losses and get out of the market. Similarly, if you are on a winning spree, setting a proper stop loss will protect your profits when the stock markets start going down.

• Learn whenever you suffer a loss. We lose money in the market due to our mistakes. Find out where you went wrong and ensure you don’t repeat it.

• Avoid greed. It is easy to put money in a dud stock just because it is going up. But remember this price rise is due to market manipulation rather than any genuine change in the company’s financial situation.

• Avoid leveraging. Many people borrow heavily from others in order to maximize their profits. Though this may work in certain instances, it can also cause massive losses if the market cycle turns. This can lead to financial as well as mental stress, and can lead to destruction of family lives as well as suicides in certain instances.

• Don’t act if you are not sure which way the stock markets will move. In such instances, it is better to be a passive onlooker instead of participating in the market action.

• Read a lot. There are many good books on investing available on the subject. Always keep on updating your knowledge. Also follow thoughts and opinions given by respected investors like Warren Buffet, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala etc. It will expand your knowledge and help you tackle any market situation comfortably.

• Limit the number of stocks. Ensure your holding comprises not more than 20 stocks. Also ensure these stocks are from companies operating in different sectors to protect your portfolio from losing its value.

• Don’t use various investment strategies. If you are comfortable with buy and hold strategy, use the same one for all your stocks. Otherwise you might be confused with which strategy actually helps you make money.
• Remain patient and disciplined, whatever the market condition. If the markets are crashing don’t get out of the market, but wait for the market to go up. Also don’t continue to invest in the stock, simply because it is going up.

• Choose stocks as per your risk profile instead of the returns they generate. If you are not comfortable with the high volatility of the small and mid-caps, don’t invest in them simply because they offer high returns.

Investing in equities is an enriching experience, both financially and intellectually. However it is a long-term process. Follow the tips above to ensure you get the most out of your stock market investments.