Nasa plans to capture asteroid and put man there

Nasa administrator Charles Bolden Jr on Tuesday said efforts are on to capture and redirect an asteroid closer to earth for astronauts to visit the celestial body to study these further.
In a talk on ‘Nasa’s Space Program’ delivered at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro’s) Space Application Centre (SAC) auditorium, in Ahmedabad — and transmitted to all ISRO centres across the country — Bolden said the new asteroid initiative would include work to identify and characterise asteroids of all types and then carry out a mission to capture and redirect an asteroid into an orbit close to the Earth so that astronauts can visit it.
Nasa’s 2014 budget proposal includes a plan to robotically capture a small near-Earth asteroid and redirect it safely to a stable orbit in the Earth-Moon system where astronauts can visit and explore it.
According to Nasa plans on its website which elaborate Bolden’s address, the initiative will use current and developing capabilities to find both large asteroids that pose a hazard to the Earth and small asteroids that could be candidates for the initiative. This will accelerate Nasa’s technology development activities in high-powered solar electric propulsion and take advantage of its work on the space launch system rocket and Orion spacecraft, helping to keep Nasa on target to reach US President Barack Obama’s goal of sending humans to the Mars in the 2030s.
This is the first visit by Bolden to any Isro centre after he took over as Nasa Administrator in July 2009. Bolden is only the third Nasa chief to visit the Isro in the past four decades.

Ranveer Singh: My life is filled with Mills & Boons stories, I am very romantic at heart.

Actor Ranveer Singh says he does not believe in comparisons and competition and would rather focus on his work.

"I don't believe in competition, people may compare me, but I don't compete or compare myself. I believe in competing with myself. I work very hard for my characters. Everyone is doing their own job, and everyone is great," Ranveer told reporters here at the promotional event of Lootera.

The period romance is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane where Ranveer is paired opposite Sonakshi Sinha.

"It was very interesting to do a period film because a new world is created. I had no clue about 1950s, so to live a character, who is living in that era was very interesting. I have seen the film and I am very happy. I am very excited and can't wait for people to see it," he said.

Ranveer sports a clean-shaven look in Lootera for which the promotions are on in full swing.

But these days Ranveer is seen sporting a moustache and beard which is his look in upcoming film Ram Leela. And the actor has been receiving praise for this new look.

"Everyone is complementing on my moustache and how I wish I can keep it...but being an actor I have to go according to my looks. But this is my Ram Leela look; once I start my next film maybe I will don something else," he said.

The makers tied up with Mills & Boons books as part of a promotional strategy.

"My life is filled with Mills & Boons stories. I am very romantic at heart," Ranveer quipped.

The leading lady of the film, Sonakshi said, "I have loved stories from this book and our film is very much like those epic love stories."

Manmohan Singh inaugurates all-weather rail link in Jammu & Kashmir

 

 

Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the crucial all-weather rain link in Jammu and Kashmir, which will connect Kashmir valley with the rest of the Jammu region in the state.

Singh, who is on the final day of his two-day visit to the state, opened the nearly 11-km long tunnel to link the towns of Bannihal and Qazigund.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the timely completion of the remaining railway project in order to ensure the all-weather rain link operates in a hassle-free manner.

The rail connectivity will cut the present surface distance between the two towns by 18 km. The Prime Minister also boarded the train which carried children on its first run through the Pir Panjal mountain range tunnel - the longest rail tunnel in the country and the second longest in Asia.

He shook hands with the children on-board and sat with them as the train wound its way through the tunnel. Manmohan Singh then went back to Bannihal on the same train to address a public meeting in the town.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad accompanied the Prime Minister during the train journey. The 10.96 km railway tunnel has been built at a cost of Rs 1,300 crore. An eight-coach train will operate on the route from June 27 - See more at: http://post.jagran.com/manmohan-singh-inaugurates-1372210733#sthash.U1n9tNBy.dpuf

Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the crucial all-weather rain link in Jammu and Kashmir, which will connect Kashmir valley with the rest of the Jammu region in the state.

Singh, who is on the final day of his two-day visit to the state, opened the nearly 11-km long tunnel to link the towns of Bannihal and Qazigund.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the timely completion of the remaining railway project in order to ensure the all-weather rain link operates in a hassle-free manner.

The rail connectivity will cut the present surface distance between the two towns by 18 km. The Prime Minister also boarded the train which carried children on its first run through the Pir Panjal mountain range tunnel - the longest rail tunnel in the country and the second longest in Asia.

He shook hands with the children on-board and sat with them as the train wound its way through the tunnel. Manmohan Singh then went back to Bannihal on the same train to address a public - See more at: http://post.jagran.com/manmohan-singh-inaugurates-1372210733#sthash.LsnQ74Kt.dpuf

Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the crucial all-weather rain link in Jammu and Kashmir, which will connect Kashmir valley with the rest of the Jammu region in the state.

Singh, who is on the final day of his two-day visit to the state, opened the nearly 11-km long tunnel to link the towns of Bannihal and Qazigund.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the timely completion of the remaining railway project in order to ensure the all-weather rain link operates in a hassle-free manner.

The rail connectivity will cut the present surface distance between the two towns by 18 km. The Prime Minister also boarded the train which carried children on its first run through the Pir Panjal mountain range tunnel - the longest rail tunnel in the country and the second longest in Asia.

He shook hands with the children on-board and sat with them as the train wound its way through the tunnel. Manmohan Singh then went back to Bannihal on the same train to address a public - See more at: http://post.jagran.com/manmohan-singh-inaugurates-1372210733#sthash.LsnQ74Kt.dpuf

Blood Donation Information in India.

Websites:

Here are some websites that bring voluntary blood donors and those who are in need for blood together.

1] www.friends2support.org

2] www.indianblooddonors.com

3] www.bloodbankindia.net

4] www.bharatbloodbank.com

5] www.bloodhelpers.com

6] www.bloodwala.com

7] www.bloodhelpline.org

8] www.friends2help.org

9] www.bloodconnect.org

10] www.rotarybloodbank.org

Emergency blood banks helpline numbers:

Need blood donors? Just call on the numbers mentioned below.

Maharashtra

St.George Blood Bank - 22620344 / 22620242

JJ Hospital Blood Bank -  23769400

GT Hospital Blood Bank - 22621464 / 22621465 / 22621467

Kama Hospital Blood Bank - 22611648

Sanjeevani Blood Bank - (02442) 22237

Rainbow Blood & Component Bank - (0712) 56 0101-03

(02442) 22237

Sanjeevani Blood Bank

Sanjeevani Blood Bank

Sanjeevani Blood Bank

Karnataka

Lions Blood Bank - 22266807

Naveen Blood Bank - 26341907

Navarang Blood Bank - 23521233

Unique Blood Bank - 26700685 / 26709970

Delhi

Lions Blood Bank - 011- 42258494

Red Cross Society - 011- 23716441

Rotary Blood Bank - 011- 29054066

White Cross Blood Bank - 011- 26831063

West Bengal

Bhoruka Blood Bank - 033 2456850

Central Blood Bank - 033 23510619

Siliguri Terrai Lions Blood Bank - 0353 2548925

Rotary Blood Bank - 0353 2513240

Tamil Nadu

Indian Red Cross Society - 28554425

Janseva Blood Services - 24835401

Jeevan Blood Bank - 28220494

Lions Blood Bank - 28414949

Rotary Blood Bank Vijaya Hospital - 24881392

Who is eligibile to be a donor?

1] A donor who is between 18 to 60 years of age and have a minimum weight of 50 kg can donate blood.

2] A donor can donate blood after every 3 months of their previous donation.

3] If a donor consumes alcohol or smokes 48 hours before donating, he is not eligible.

4] Donors who have ear piercing, tattoos or have done some dental work recently should not donate.

5] People who suffer from transmittable diseases, hypertension, diabetics, kidney alignments, or HIV should avoid donating blood.

6] Your haemoglobin should be 12.5 gm% minimum.

Bomb Scare:emergency landing...

A Kuala Lumpur-bound Oman Air flight from Muscat with 226 passengers and 11 crew on board made an emergency landing here today following a mid-air bomb scare.

After the plane made an emergency landing, it was taken to an isolation bay and fire service and bomb disposal squad were deployed.

Security agencies searched and frisked each and every passenger and baggage but nothing was found, Mumbai Airport spokesperson said.

Later, the aircraft has been cleared by security agencies after inspection of passengers, check-in baggage and cargo.

Is priyanka happy??

Priyanka Chopra's second single, 'Exotic', from her album 'In My City' has leaked online, but the actress is not complaining. 

"Okay! So my new single 'Exotic' has been leaked! I should be angry, but I'm actually quite relieved and happy to share it with you all," tweeted the 30-year-old.

American rapper and songwriter Pitbull has collaborated with the Bollywood actress for her second number, which is catchy and, a few Hindi lyrics add a bit of a 'desi' flavour to it as well.

Priyanka, who recently lost her father, says the "official version is out any minute now.... wait for it". "And as always, let me know what you guys think," added the National award winning actress, who made her international singing debut with the song 'In My City' in 2012.

Her first song featured guest vocals from Will.i.am and 130,000 copies of it are said to have been sold in India.

HYD:9,885 seats available in 17 IITs; results on June 23...

This year 9,885 seats will be available in the all the 17 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) including the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. The results will be declared on June 23 as announced earlier. 

According to information posted on the JEE Advanced website, the seats include IIT Hyderabad (210), IIT Bhubaneswar (160), IIT Bombay (880), IIT Mandi (120), IIT Delhi (851), IIT Indore (120), IIT Kharagpur (1341), IIT Jodhpur (200), IIT Kanpur (827), IIT Madras (838), IIT Gandhinagar (140), IIT Patna (200), IIT Roorkee (1105), IIT Ropar (120), IIT (BHU) Varanasi (1090), IIT Guwahati (660) and ISM Dhanbad (1023).

In the general category 4,844 seats are available followed by 2,599 in Backward Classes (non-creamy layer), 1437 for Scheduled Castes, 721 for Scheduled Tribes, 140 for General Physical Disability candidates, 75 for OBC Physical Disability, 44 for SC and 25 for ST Physical Disability candidates.

 

Fee structure

The IITs have also announced the fee structure for this year. Total payable fee at the time of admission for each IIT includes IIT Bhubaneswar (Rs. 68,600), IIT Bombay (Rs. 67,876), IIT Delhi (Rs. 56,635), IIT Gandhinagar (Rs. 62,600), IIT Guwahati (Rs. 56,600), IIT Jodhpur (Rs. 68,750), IIT Kanpur (Rs. 66,517), IIT Kharagpur (Rs. 57,876), IIT Madras (Rs. 54,927), IT Mandi (Rs. 62,300), IIT Patna (Rs. 60,250), IIT Roorkee (Rs. 63,820), IIT Ropar (Rs. 58,650), IIT (BHU) Varanasi (Rs. 66,200) and ISM Dhanbad (Rs. 49,842) .

However, fee will be much less for SC and ST candidates. Students also have to pay the mess charges additionally that vary for each institute. IIT Hyderabad and IIT Indore are yet to decide on the fee structure.

Number of seats in each IIT

IIT Hyderabad - 210

IIT Bhubaneswar - 160

IIT Bombay - 880

IIT Mandi - 120

IIT Delhi - 851

IIT Indore - 120

IIT Kharagpur – 1,341

IIT Jodhpur - 200

IIT Kanpur - 827

IIT Madras - 838

IIT Gandhinagar – 140

IIT Patna - 200

IIT Roorkee – 1,105

IIT Ropar - 120

IIT BHU Varanasi – 1,090

IIT Guwahati - 660

ISM Dhanbad – 1,023

Total number of seats: 9,885

Category-wise break-up of seats

General category - 4,844

BC (non-creamy layer) – 2,599

Scheduled Castes – 1,437

Scheduled Tribes – 721

General Physical Disability candidates – 140

OBC Physical Disability – 75

SC Physical Disability – 44

ST Physical Disability - 25

Middle-class Indians hit hard by rupee's fall..

As the Indian rupee slumps to new lows, the country's middle class is forced to cut back on eating out, buying branded products or new cars, studying abroad etc. as their monthly expenditure has risen by 20 percent, a study by Assocham revealed Thursday.

The middle income group has been impacted most by inflation particularly in context of the rupee slumping to new lows and its cascading effect leading to price rise of petroleum products, edible oil, studying abroad, foreign trips, as their monthly expenditure has risen by 15-20%, according to the survey.

The quick survey was conducted by Assocham in major places like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Dehradun etc. A little over 200 people were selected from each city on an average.

Earlier today, the Indian rupee slumped to another record low of 60 against the dollar after the US Federal Reserve signalled an end to its monetary stimulus that would help in further strengthening of the greenback.

"Over 92 percent of the respondents said that their monthly bills have jumped by 15-20 percent in the last one month - the middle class and the lower class are the worst hit," said the survey.

According to Assocham, going to fancy restaurants has been hit the hardest with around 78 percent of middle class Indians avoiding eating out.

In addition, 65 percent have stopped buying foreign branded goods, while 49 percent are spending less on home appliances and 32 percent have put plans to buy a new car on hold.

The survey reveals that rupee depreciation impacted consumers in metros and other major cities the most vis-a-vis tier-III and semi urban areas.

However, people are in no mood to pay heed to finance minister P Chidambaram's request not to buy gold for the sake of the health of the Indian economy.

"Despite the effort by the government to control gold imports, the Indian middle income group is bound by societal traditions and continues to buy gold even at higher prices which have increased the prices of gold due to rupee weakening", said D S Rawat, secretary general Assocham.

Around 55 per cent of the survey respondents fall under the age bracket of 20-29 years, followed by 30-39 years (26 per cent), 40-49 years (16 per cent), 50-59 years (2 per cent) and 60-65 years.

The survey was able to target employees from 18 broad sectors, with maximum share contributed by employees from IT/ITes sector (17 per cent). After IT/ITeS sector, contribution of the survey respondents from financial services is 11 per cent. Employees working in engineering and telecom sector contributed 9 per cent and 8 per cent respectively in the questionnaire. Nearly 6 per cent of the employees belong from the market research/KPO and media background each. Management, FMCG and infrastructure sector employees share is 5 per cent each, in the total survey. Respondents from power and real estate sector contributed 4 per cent each. Employees from education and food & beverages sector provided a share of 3 per cent each.
  

Consumers' growing unease is reflected in their saving and spending habits, with many middle and lower income groups indicating that they are finding ways to cut back spending now or indicating they will do so in the future, added Rawat.

The weakening rupee has made crude oil, fertilizers and iron ore, which India imports in large quantities, costlier. Though these items are not for daily consumption, they impact the finances indirectly, said Rawat.

The survey further reveals that crude palm oil prices set the pace for prices of other edible oils. It is imported in large quantities and any rise in its price will add to the inflationary pressure.

Assocham nationwide survey also revealed that the middle class, uncomfortable with weak rupee, are changing their overall spending habits, including money spent dining out, vacations, electronics etc.

The falling rupee will also impact itinerant Indians and vacationers to a foreign country. Air fares are going up, foreign stay will be costlier by at least 15-20% while shopping can become expensive by 12-15%. Eating out will also be costlier by 5-8%, adds the survey.

There are certainly some changes in travel patterns' as majority of them are opting for non-dollar destinations such as Sri Lanka, Dubai, Bali and Phuket or sticking to domestic destinations such as Kashmir, Kerala and Goa, adds the Assocham survey.

As per Assocham estimates, Indian students paying fees in US currency will have to arrange for more rupee funds for the same amount of dollar fees. Since March 2012, rupee has weakened by 15%, reflecting the higher cost that students have to pay now compared to last year. Indian students who are going abroad for their higher education will see high expenditure due on their food, living expenses and stay cost.

Electronic consumer goods such as computers, televisions, mobile phones, etc, with imported components will also become costlier. International food chains which run outlets in India are not denying the impact on profitability.

Assocham findings are as follows

* Average monthly expenditure has increased by 15-20%.

* 78% have decreased spending on international food chains and rest preferred on occasions.

* 65% decrease in the amount they spend on foreign brands.

* 77% percent indicated fall in the amount they spend on foreign vacations.

* 49% plan have decreased the amount they spend on home appliances; 44% for home and personal electronics; 32% for automobiles.

Govt. stirs new plans for Telangana.

As the “confused” UPA-II regime and the Congress high command are keeping their fingers crossed on the contentious Telangana issue, plans are being worked out at both the government/party level to avoid disastrous poll results for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, which sends 42 Lok Sabha members to Parliament.

Sources claimed that without giving a firm assurance on Telangana, the party is looking at announcing a special financial package and development schemes for the region or a special regional development council with its chief enjoying a Cabinet Minister rank or equivalent to Chief Minister in protocol.

Also, in another gambit, to prevent exodus from the Congress of its leaders in the Telangana region, and to keep the cadres in high morale, the Pradesh Congress Committee president post, which is presently held by Botcha Satyanarayana of north coastal Andhra region (Vizianagaram district), could be given to a leader from Telanagana region, sources claimed. The Centre is already in a Catch-22 situation as conceding to Telangana demand would only help the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), BJP and the CPI to take credit for achieving the separate State. Considering various options, the Centre/Congress could give interim relief to the Telangana people and continue to drag the separate demand issue for as much time as possible on the pretext of getting “consensus”, sources said.

Meanwhile, briefing journalists, Congress spokesman P.C. Chacko said talks were on the separate State demand at the highest level and no decision had been taken. State Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, who met various ministers on the Telangana issue on Tuesday, continued to camp in Delhi.

Thousands still stranded in Uttarakhand, rescue operations on....

DEHRADUN: Rescue and relief operations were intensified on a massive scale on Thursday in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand as multiple agencies evacuated the worst-affected Kedarnath town and other areas even as the death toll is feared to be in several hundreds.

50,000 people were still said to be stranded in various parts of the state that was hit by cloudburst and floods in the upper reaches that left several hundreds of homes, rest houses and buildings in ruins and thousands of people missing.

The official death toll still stood at 150 but chief minister Vijay Bahuguna said the casualties could run into several hundreds which will be known only when areas become accessible and water recedes.

The state government's disaster mitigation and management centre had in the morning said that the causalities could run into thousands with about 90 dharamshalas (resthouses for pilgrims) swept away in the flash floods.

In the wake of poor connectivity and communication, relatives of several pilgrims who came from outside the state were struggling to find the whereabouts of their dear ones.

The upper reaches of the state lay mute witness to the death and devastation caused by nature's fury due to Saturday's cloudburst and landslides and a complete estimate of which was still not available.

Uttarakhand principal secretary (home) Om Prakash

told reporters here that 1,000 people have been evacuated from different places. There are still around 200 people in and around Kedarnath valley and tomorrow their evacuation will be done.

TBP chief Ajay Chadha, whose 1,000 men are involved in relief work in Uttarakhand, told reporters in Delhi that the worst affected Kedarnath temple area has been evacuated of people and there could still be about 400-500 people in the upper reaches.

He said Army will launch operations tomorrow to bring these people down. The Rambada area around the famous Kedarnath temple was still in slush and debris and there could bodies submerged in it, he said.

Chadha also said they were not in a position to give the complete death toll in the disaster unless bodies are recovered. There could be a lot of people who could have been washed away but in such situations eyewitness accounts could sometimes be exaggerated, Chadha said.

22 helicopters have been deployed to rescue and evacuate over 22,000 stranded people to safer locations through hundreds of sorties. Food, medicines and other essentials were also carried to the needy by the defence forces.

The ITBP DG, who is also in-charge of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), said 17 bodies were recovered by the troops of the specialised force from the Kedarnath area. The state government has been informed.

Gaurikund, the base camp for those going to Kedarnath temple, also witnessed rescue of 250 people today by small helicopters.

ITBP chief Chadha said a number of tracks are being opened up and he hoped that the Joshimath axis would be open for access by foot by tomorrow.

He also said the Badrinath area is "not as critical" as other areas and the situation was more or less similar in Yamunotri and Gangotri.

The DG said a number of people who were rescued were "traumatised" by the nature's fury as he said that fear of disease outbreak could not be ruled out.

Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna termed the calamity as unprecedented adding that the casualties caused by the tragedy would run into several hundreds. "The tragedy is huge and damage tremendous with vast tracts of land still submerged under tonnes of debris. The causalities must run into several hundreds," Bahuguna told reporters at the secretariat here.

Principal secretary Rakesh Sharma said 11,000 people stranded in Gangotri and Yamunotri routes in Uttarkashi district were evacuated through air and road routes. "Our focus right now is to vacate Kedarnath valley completely where 250 people are still stranded. Once we are through with this process we will move on to Badrinath where 9,000 people are stuck," Sharma said.

When asked exactly how many people had been killed in the calamity, Sharma said it was difficult to arrive at a number but the figures can be "shockingly huge".

Apart from the people rescued from Gangotri and Yamunotri, six foreign tourists have been evacuated from Harshil in Uttarkashi district and seven more from Milam and Burfu in Pithoragarh district. Sharma said about 1,500 yatris are stuck in Harshil who are being evacuated from helicopters. 516 people were also evacuated to Joshimath from Ghangharia, Pandukeshwar, Badrinath, Govindghat and Dudhar, he said. The official said efforts are on to make temporary helipads in the affected areas so that big MI-17 helicopters could be landed there to speed up the evacuation process.

Google users plan data for after death.

Most people hope to go to heaven when they die, but they don't want all of their online information floating around in the cloud with them. Now Google has a solution for data after death.

The internet giant has come up with a "digital will" that allows consumers to decide what should be done with their data when they have passed to the other side or if they plan to be out of Wi-Fi range for a long period.

Officially called the "Inactive Account Manager", the new feature allows holders of Google accounts to "tell Google what you want done with your digital assets when you die or can no longer use your account", the internet giant said.

Users can ask Google to delete their data after a long period of inactivity, can have their favorite cat videos on YouTube sent to the recipient of their choice after their passing, or have their family snaps sent to a favourite sibling.

The new Google feature is a sign of an increasingly digitized world in which people place as much value on their virtual possessions as they do on their more traditional physical ones, said Allison Druin, chief futurist at the University of Maryland.

"It used to be that we had scrapbooks or houses and passed them on after we died, but the more we value our digital archive, the more we want to pass it on and make sure it lives on after us that the digital footprint we leave behind says who we are," Druin told RIA Novosti.

"Because we value the virtual world as much as the physical world, we have to do this," she said.

Google is not the first company to provide consumers with data solutions for the afterlife.

Deathswitch sends out passwords, bank account information, final wishes, "unspeakable secrets", love notes, even the last word in an argument to recipients specified by account holders when certain triggers are met.

"When you do not enter your password for some period of time, the system prompts you again several times. With no reply, the computer deduces you are dead or critically disabled and your pre-scripted messages are automatically emailed to those named by you," Deathswitch says on its website.

Legacy Locker bills itself as "a safe, secure repository for your vital digital property that lets you grant access to online assets for friends and loved ones in the event of loss, death or disability".

Google's Inactive Account Manager - which some in the blogosphere have dubbed "data-after-death" - can be activated in Google users' account settings.

Fly to Mars...

More than 78,000 people have applied for the one-way trip to Mars. Mars One, the Dutch company that aims to send four people on the Red Planet by 2023, said that the applications have come from more than 120 countries, although the US led the list with 17,324 applications, CNN reported. CEO Bas Lansdorp said in a statement that Mars One is a mission that represents all humanity, and its true spirit will be justified only when people from the entire world are represented. The applications are going to be accepted until August 31. Meanwhile, Buzz Aldrin said in an exclusive CNN Light Years commentary that the US should make a commitment to going to Mars..

Solar awareness

To address the increasing demand-supply gap in the power sector due to the severe fuel crisis, the State Government, which has initiated major steps towards the promotion of solar power has decided to take up door-to-door campaigning to create widespread awareness among public on generation and usage of solar power. As part of the initiatives for the development of Green power, the government was planning to conduct a big solar exhibition in coordination with industrial associations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) to highlight the impact of solar power for the benefit of industries, entrepreneurs and general public. Disclosing the details M. Sahoo, Principal Secretary, Energy, during teleconference today with Sutirtha Bhattacharya, In-charge CMD/APTRANSCO, Munindra, Special Secretary, Energy and P. Ramesh, JMD/APTRANSCO, said the Govt. was leaving no stone unturned to tap the abundant Solar Power potential in the State. Through Solar Power Policy, the government has put up immense thrust on the development of solar energy, which is the best option of Green power, to encourage industries and other entities to set up solar power plants for captive consumption as well as for third-party sale within the State. On the Solar Power front, APTRANSCO has already invited Bids for procurement of 1000 MW of solar power, which attracted good response, with 331 bids offering 1730 MW of Solar Power. APTRANSCO has offered the bidders to convey their willingness to supply solar power at the purchase price of Rs 6.49 per unit (kwh) within one month from date of issue of the letter dated May 4. The momentum on harnessing the solar power has been picked up in the State and many developers, entrepreneurs and individual consumers are coming forward to establish solar plants/panels for which connectivity has been provided by APTRANSCO to such plants without any charge for transmission of their power from the production point to the consumption destination. So far, Connectivity for 779 MW of Solar Power has been permitted for industries having captive power plants.  Roof Top Solar Power is another important source of energy and Government is being contemplating to support and encourage this in a bigger way. Presently, Government of India has been offering 30% subsidy to Roof Top Solar Power. State Government, through budgetary support, is planning to offer 20% subsidy, in addition to this 30% subsidy by Government of India. The Principal Secretary, Energy has directed the officials to explore the various ways and means to tap the Solar Power potential to the maximum extent possible and wish that every household in the State should become a Solar Power house, to make AP a model Solar Power State in the country.

Wipro invests $5 mn in US firm for software support..

Indian IT bellwether Wipro Ltd has invested $5 million (Rs.2.8 crore) in US-based Axeda Corporation for software service support to deliver machine-to-machine (M2M) applications to its global customers, the company said late Monday. "The investment in Axeda will enable us to get access to its cloud-based software service for helping customers enhance business processes and develop enterprise applications in the M2M domain," Wipro chief technology officer Anurag Srivastava said in a statement here. As a leading provider of cloud-based service and software for delivering M2M applications, Axeda will provide Wipro dedicated access to its technical resources and premium support to drive M2M initiatives. "We are the only systems integrator (SI) to achieve Axeda platinum partner status for global M2M expertise and solutions. The partnership gives customers ability to benefit from rapid M2M application development while our data analytics will make more informed decisions foster better business outcomes," Srivastava said. Wipro made the strategic investment in Axeda's platform in view of the growing demand for M2M solutions across verticals by global customers and partners. "Our strategic partnership with Wipro is built on innovation and strong relationship from field to the executive level," Axeda's president Todd DeSisto said in the statement. The Axeda platform is being built and tested in Wipro's M2M centre of excellence in Bangalore.

Make Money while networking online on worldfloat.com

India's homegrown networking site WorldFloat has started a new gaming feature that allows users to make money, even as plans are afoot for another add-on to help people source money from large numbers of people for their projects.

Founder of WorldFloat.com Pushkar Mahatta said the new feature called “treasure hunt” was already gaining popularity among users in India as well as in other countries.

He said the games offered at the WorldFloat site were skill-based, and one can make up to Rs.10,000. “These are not chance-based. You get to make more money, if you spend more time and have the skills.”

Drawing comparison with other social networking sites, Mahatta said that while Facebook has emphasis on "oldness of friends", WorldFloat lays stress on "newness of friends". People from different cultures and cities get to network along with social gaming.

“Very soon we are also entering the crowd-funding space where people in need of money for their projects will be able to lift money via the crowd-funding method,” he said.

According to Mahatta, WorldFloat has increased its presence in 62 countries across the world, including the US, China, Europe and Gulf countries, and is eyeing 10 million users by the end of June.

He said the site was becoming increasingly popular and would give competition to the global leaders like Facebook and Twitter. "The site has expanded its presence across the world within a year of its launch," he said about WorldFloat, launched in June last year.

“In the months to come, WorldFloat will be spreading into more and more countries around the world and embracing more diverse cultures,” he said.

Explaining the game, in which virtual money is being given to the winners, Mahatta said: “Players have to just click on the notes seen on screen. The player with maximum clicks is the one with highest score and the winner of treasure hunt.”

The prize money is transferred to the winner's bank account or given in e-gift vouchers.

“The treasure hunt game can easily become the online version of the famous TV show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (the Indian take on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"), where people can actually win real money,” Mahatta said.

Marilyn Monroe `secretly taped having sex with John F kennedy

A notorious private eye’s newly released files has revealed that Marilyn Monroe was secretly taped having sex with John F. Kennedy, throwing light on the sex scandals that threatened Hollywood and the White House during the 50s and 60s. According to Hollywood reporter, Fred Otash, who spied on some of America''s biggest stars notes reveals that he listened to Monroe having sex with President Kennedy at a house in Malibu. The private eye had allegedly been hired by reclusive multi-millionaire Howard Hughes, who was looking for dirt on the Democrats. Otash says in his notes that when the house was wired, Monroe was not part of the plan and it was to find out what the Democrats were up to on behalf of Howard Hughes and Nixon.  Notes dated before the sex incident show that Monroe was initially in on setting up the president.

Chiru afraid of Jagan???

Union minister Chiranjeevi appears to be afraid of the YSR Congress chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

It is being discussed in political circles that Chiru is disturbed by media reports that the Congress high command was thinking of an electoral tie up with the YSR Congress party in the 2014 elections.

As Jagan clearly stated that his party would not have any alliance with the BJP or any other communal party, Congress leadership has been considering having a tie up with Jagan said sources. The party has also taken note of Jagan’s earlier statement that his party would support the UPA after the elections. As all surveys have been suggeting that Jagan’s YSRC in Seemandhra and TRS in Telangana would sweep the elections, Congress high command appears to be thinking that it would be a safe bet to have electoral alliance with Jagan. Political observers are pointing that though all others have been strongly attacking Jagan, the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has been observing restraint. Informed sources state that Kiran knows the thinking of the high command and was refraining from criticizing Jagan as he does not want an embarassing situation later, when the party opts to join hands with Jagan.

It is in this context that Chiranjeevi is worried, say sources. It is learnt that the former Mega Star is worried that if the party depends on Jagan, his own importance would be reduced. Chiranjeevi stating that Jagan’s economic offences were so serious that he would never come out of jail, is his wishful thinking say Congress sources. They say it is the wish of Chiranjeevi that Jagan should not come out of jail at least till elections.

A committee of thieves-KTR

TRS MLA K T Rama Rao has described the UPA’s core committee as a committee of thieves.

Talking to the media here on Saturday, he said the union government was not keen on taking a decision on the Telangana issue and charged the UPA of delaying decision inordinately. He also said the UPA had no intention of conceding Telangana. 

He has called upon the Congress and TDP to ensure that the Telangana Bill was moved on the first day of the ensuing Assembly session

What the????11 yr old girl raped by uncle.

Visakhapatnam: An 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her uncle in Paderu in the district, police said on Saturday.

According to police, the girl's uncle Killo Rambabu (35) had asked the minor to accompany him for some work last evening. However, he took the girl to an isolated place and raped her there.

After the crime, the accused dropped the victim at her residence, police said. "The girl did not say anything about the incident to her parents last night, but told them about it this morning after she started suffering from health problems," Inspector of Paderu, Sheik Gafoor said.

The girl has been admitted to a government hospital at Paderu.

A case was registered against the accused under Section 376 of the IPC and a search has been launched

Suraj Pancholi's mother and Jiah Khan's mother have stormy meeting

Reconciliation, not sorry, seems to be the hardest word. After the events that followed Jiah Khan's untimely death -- which included Aditya Pancholi's son Suraj getting arrested for abetting the young actress's suicide -- his mother Zarina Wahab decided to give her grieving counterpart Rabiya Amin a personal visit. Going by the accounts of an onlooker, the meeting didn't result in many warm moments.

Apparently, it was Aditya's Pancholi's idea. After Tuesday's court proceedings, the actor asked an old family friend (a journalist-turned-filmmaker) to meet wife Zarina and daughter Sana at a suburban hotel so as to help them figure out how they can help Suraj in the forthcoming legal battle. There, Zarina allegedly insisted that meeting Rabiya at her place would be the right thing to do.

The filmmaker, on condition of anonymity, says, "I was surprised to hear that they wanted to meet Rabiya. Intriguingly enough, the building where she stayed is right next to the hotel."

Nonetheless, the old friend accompanied Zarina and Sana to Rabiya's apartment in Juhu to convey their condolences and talk for "at least two minutes". However, Rabiya didn't take the whole plan too well and in moments of anger, lashed out at Zarina. Watching this drama unfold was Tom Thomas, Rabiya's alleged current boyfriend.

As expected, the two mothers unabashedly expressed their grievances. According to our source, "Suraj had visited Rabiya on May 18 and expressing concern at Jiah's hyper behaviour, had requested her to take her daughter to see a counsellor. Zarina reminded her of that and asked her why she didn't do the needful." She also reminded her that Tom was present when that happened.

At this Jiah's mother stormed inside and Tom rudely asked the three women to leave the place. Interestingly, there was not a single electronic mediaperson standing outside the building when they reached the venue.

On conditions of anonymity, the filmmaker confirmed the incident and stated, "I was unwillingly drawn into this. I was only trying to help both the mothers heal but unfortunately I don't know how it became a media tamasha. I still don't know who called the media there."

Telangana bandh

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy's handling of the "chalo assembly" call given by pro-Telangana groups on Friday earned him a pat on the back from Union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Ghulam Nabi Azad. A bandh, called by Telangana Rashtra Samiti or TRS, to protest against the arrest of hundreds of its party workers during the "chalo assembly" march yesterday, also evoked a mixed response.

But Mr Reddy's own colleagues in the Congress say the party has little to cheer in Telangana. "Despite the arrangements, chalo assembly was a success. Can chief minister deny that?'' asked Congress MP V Hanumantha Rao.

The state government had managed to stop protesters by deploying nearly 20,000 security personnel and turning Hyderabad into a curfew zone. Despite that, there were pitched battles in several places including Osmania University in Hyderabad - the nerve centre of agitation for separate statehood for Telangana. 

The ruling Congress found itself politically isolated as the TRS was joined by practically all political parties and former Congress leaders in attacking the government.

"The government is behaving in an undemocratic manner. This is police repression of Telangana," said TRS leader and MP G Vivek.

The Congress is not just on the backfoot; it chances appear bleak in the Telangana region which has led to several of its leaders switching to other parties.

Indecision on the part of the Congress leadership on the Telangana issue has cost the party politically in the region. The use of force by the government during the recent 'chalo assembly' protest has only alienated them further. Now the Telangana Joint Action Committee has threatened to obstruct Congress leaders from campaigning in the villages for the gram panchayat polls due next month. 2014 is looking far from rosy for the Congress in Telangana.

telangana bandh-mixed response to telangana

Hyderabad: Barring minor incidents, the day-long Telangana shutdown called by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to condemn arrests on Friday evoked partial response and ended peacefully in the region Saturday while a student committed suicide here.

Normal life was affected in five districts of the Telangana region but there was not much impact in other districts including Hyderabad.

Educational institutions were closed across the region, which comprises 10 districts. Shops and businesses were shut in several parts of Warangal, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts.

Two buses of the state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corp (APSRTC) were set on fire by protesters in Mahabubnagar district and few other buses were damaged in stone pelting.

RTC services were badly hit in the region. Its city services in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad plied as usual but most buses leaving for Telangana districts were cancelled due to lack of passengers.

The services were restored only Saturday evening.

Police arrested several TRS leaders and activists at various places when they staged sit-in outside the RTC depots, tried to force shops to shut and blocked roads.

TRS legislator Harish Rao and his supporters were arrested at Siddipet in Medak district. Some legislators and leaders were put under house arrest.

In Hyderabad, shops were closed in a few areas while most schools and colleges remained closed.

Tension prevailed at Vidyut Soudha, the head office of power transmission corporation, as police arrested Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) chairman M Kodandaram, TRS leader K Tarakarama Rao, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader N Janardhana Reddy and others when they reached there to support the protest by the employees.

BJP state chief G Kishan Reddy and others staged a protest at the busy RTC Cross Roads to condemn the government's crackdown Friday.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) took out a rally to condemn Friday's police attack on its office.

CPI state secretary K Narayana told reporters that Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma had apologized over the incident. Hundreds were arrested in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana Friday.

Osmania University was tense as a student committed suicide for the sake of separate Telangana state.

Apparently frustrated by the delay in the formation of a separate state, Bandaru Srinivas, an engineering student, ended his life. He was found hanging from a tree opposite the library on the Osmania University campus. He hailed from Mahabubnagar district of Telangana region.

Srinivas is the third student to end his life on the campus.

Meanwhile, TRS has made it clear that nothing short of a separate state of Telangana is acceptable to it.

Party legislator Tarakarama Rao said people of the region would not accept any alternative to a separate state.

Leaders of the Congress party from Telangana region held a meeting to chalk out their future course of action.

The state ministers, MPs and other leaders held a meeting as the arrests of hundreds of Telangana activists have mounted pressure on the Congress leaders.

Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy said they were ready for any sacrifice to achieve a separate Telangana state. They will meet again on June 18 to discuss the future.

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Goverdhan Reddy lashed out at Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for using police against the Friday Telangana march.

Sreeshanth's mother felt happy......

  

 KOCHI: Savitri Devi, mother of pacer S Sreesanth, who was granted bail by a Delhi court in the IPL spot-fixing case on Monday, said she was happy and relieved with the court verdict.

The family was grateful to all the fans of the cricketer for their support and prayers, Savitri Devi told reporters.

"I am happy he has got bail," she said. Sreesanth's mother was returning from the famous Chottinakara Devi temple near here when she heard about the news. She also offered prayers at the Edapally church.

The cricketer's brother Dipusanth said Sreesanth was expected to be at Kochi by Tuesday evening.

Sreesanth, who is lodged in the Tihar jail, had been granted bail by a Delhi court after it criticisied the Delhi Police for slapping the stringent provisions of MCOCA on Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and 17 others.

Delhi Police has so far arrested 26 persons including Sreesanth, Chavan and Ajit Chandila.