It was not long that I experienced a terrorist attack at the heart of the capital Delhi-- the Connaught Place--popularly called C.P. Was recuperating from the terror that the blasts caused. Everyday passing by the Regal Cinema (from where a live bomb was recovered) and Barakhamba road bus stop (a bomb went off there in the September blasts), I have this Goosebumpy feeling. Yes, I was not there, nor any of my friends. Though, most of us have to pass by those places everyday.
Most of the time, I tell myself that a criminal does not strike a place that has already been struck. But such logic stands defied when I watch the city of Mumbai attacked once again by terrorists. Well this time the terrorists were roaming around the city shooting people in cafes, train terminal, hospital, innocent bystanders on road and then taking hostages in the luxurious, prestigious and landmark hotels in the city. Our security forces did a great job in record time. Their bravery installs the faith that somebody is there who can protect us from these anti-humanity elements.
But the other scary fact remains that now you cannot live without the thought that you can die any moment. The larger fact remains that the terrorists have been striking at their own will. Whether our policy makers are at fault or the intelligence sources or both, I refrain from commenting on that but the larger fact remains. As it was said in the movie, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ that “its easier to get killed by a militant than getting married/a decent husband” (not sure of the part said after ‘than’, but the first part about being getting killed by terrorist I remember pretty well) is indeed becoming true.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Living with terror
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
TINY LONG LOST PRIMATE REDISCOVERED
Photo courtsey: ReutersFor the first time in more than eight decades, scientists have observed a living pygmy tarsier, which is one of the planet's smallest and rarest primates. It was discovered on a misty mountaintop on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
The scientists were successful in trapping three furry, mouse-sized pygmy tarsiers -- two males and one female -- on Mt. Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park in central Sulawesi, the researchers said on Tuesday. They spotted a fourth one which was successful in getting away.
Some scientists believed the tarsiers to have become extinct. They may not have been overly thrilled by this redicovery.
The tarsirer is a nocturnal primate found in an area with lower vegetative species diversity. Its found in central Sulawesi, Indonesia.The Pygmy Tarsiers were believed by some to be extinct until 2000, when Indonesian scientists accidentally killed one while trapping rats. Tarsiers, in general, are insectivorous. They are the only primates that are completely carnivorous as well.
The scientists were successful in trapping three furry, mouse-sized pygmy tarsiers -- two males and one female -- on Mt. Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park in central Sulawesi, the researchers said on Tuesday. They spotted a fourth one which was successful in getting away.
Some scientists believed the tarsiers to have become extinct. They may not have been overly thrilled by this redicovery.
The tarsirer is a nocturnal primate found in an area with lower vegetative species diversity. Its found in central Sulawesi, Indonesia.The Pygmy Tarsiers were believed by some to be extinct until 2000, when Indonesian scientists accidentally killed one while trapping rats. Tarsiers, in general, are insectivorous. They are the only primates that are completely carnivorous as well.
WORSENING DRIVING SKILL, BLAME IT ON VIDEO GAMES
According to Australian experts, Video games which allow teenagers to indulge in driving stunts are actually encouraging bad road habits.
Acting Superintendent of New South Wales, Dave Evans said that videogames make adolescents think of themselves as invincible.
It's been revealed that 104 P-platers are losing their licences each day.Over 2000 P-platers lost their licences for drink driving, speeding over 45km/h over the limit and other serious offences, while 1674 were caught breaking the speed limit by more than 30km/hr. While German researchers pointed out that it is the men who tend to take more risks on the road than women after racing in video games.
This study sounded very interesting to me, as few days back a fellow blogger, Human Observer, had notified in his blog, about how a nine year old kid in Japan actually learnt driving by playing video games and used his driving skills to steal the family car to visit his grandma.
Acting Superintendent of New South Wales, Dave Evans said that videogames make adolescents think of themselves as invincible.
It's been revealed that 104 P-platers are losing their licences each day.Over 2000 P-platers lost their licences for drink driving, speeding over 45km/h over the limit and other serious offences, while 1674 were caught breaking the speed limit by more than 30km/hr. While German researchers pointed out that it is the men who tend to take more risks on the road than women after racing in video games.
This study sounded very interesting to me, as few days back a fellow blogger, Human Observer, had notified in his blog, about how a nine year old kid in Japan actually learnt driving by playing video games and used his driving skills to steal the family car to visit his grandma.
Chandrayaan was necessary
India's maiden Moon mission blasted off on October 22, 2008. It is going to map the moon(which is considered as the book that contains all the records about the emergence of the Solar system) for the next two years to help the scientific community to understand the Moon and our Universe better.
Critics of the mission find it as waste of money. Some comics are going to the extent of poking fun by saying, Chandrayaan is only going to probe estabhlished facts. This was not what the Indian scientists were expecting from a nation (even though the number of the cricts are few) which has gained freedom barely more than over 60 years ago. One of the crucial reasons why we lost the battle agianst the British and became a victim of imperialism was that we chose to ignore a scientific attitude, an attidude to look forward. Are we going to repeat the same mistakes, just because of some critics?
Probably not. The community of scientists and our leadership won't let that happen. They will probably be able to make the critics understand the significance of the mission. For that, some clear talking needs to be done .
All geo-political significances needs to be made clear--India cann't ignore the fact that most of the powerful nations in Asia are making their move into space technology. Why should our scientists remain dependent on the researches of other nations, they too should get the opportunity to do it on their own which will attract more young minds towards this field and may curb the brain drain.
The critics need to understand that if as a nation we are dreaming of becoming a superpower, we will have to make suitable efforts to become one and keep up with the times. It will require money, but it is for the development of the country. Somebody definitely made the payments for Copernicus to let his discovery of route to India possible.
Critics of the mission find it as waste of money. Some comics are going to the extent of poking fun by saying, Chandrayaan is only going to probe estabhlished facts. This was not what the Indian scientists were expecting from a nation (even though the number of the cricts are few) which has gained freedom barely more than over 60 years ago. One of the crucial reasons why we lost the battle agianst the British and became a victim of imperialism was that we chose to ignore a scientific attitude, an attidude to look forward. Are we going to repeat the same mistakes, just because of some critics?
Probably not. The community of scientists and our leadership won't let that happen. They will probably be able to make the critics understand the significance of the mission. For that, some clear talking needs to be done .
All geo-political significances needs to be made clear--India cann't ignore the fact that most of the powerful nations in Asia are making their move into space technology. Why should our scientists remain dependent on the researches of other nations, they too should get the opportunity to do it on their own which will attract more young minds towards this field and may curb the brain drain.
The critics need to understand that if as a nation we are dreaming of becoming a superpower, we will have to make suitable efforts to become one and keep up with the times. It will require money, but it is for the development of the country. Somebody definitely made the payments for Copernicus to let his discovery of route to India possible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)