Living with terror

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.

TINY LONG LOST PRIMATE REDISCOVERED

Photo courtsey: Reuters

For 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.

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.

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.

"Yeh tera ghar,yeh mera ghar"

(photo courtsey: AFP)

A couple in rural Cambodia terminated their 18-year marriage with a divorce settlement that entailed sawing in two the wooden house they once shared.

"Yeh tera ghar(your half) ye mera ghar (my half)"

IMPOSING BAN ON BAJRANG DAL

India National Congress today said that there are enough evidences to impose ban on Bajrang Dal which has been disturbing public peace and communal harmony in the country by attacking religious minority communities. The Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari today addressing a press confrence in the capital gave details of the unlawful activities that Bajrang Dal had been involved in since 1984 till date. He also asked all parties to think above the communal lines.

It is amazing that the party took it so long to come out with idea in public( which i wanted to ask but as an intern i can't afford to ask such a question). Various other parties like RJD which are part of the UPA coalition had already called for the banning the Bajrang Dal. The Congress called for an outright ban on organizations like the Bajrang Dal and SIMI which the spokesperson called " two sides of the same coin". Hope that the sentiments of the party also reaches the mind of the government, which has to finally bring about the ban and save lives of people.

BIDDING ADIEU TO NANO AND DADA THIS DURGA PUJA

This year's durga puja has not been very good for the state of West Bengal. First the news is confirmed that the Tatas are taking their one lakh car-the nano project out of Singur because of the demand and agitation put up by the Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee to return the "unwilling farmers' land" which was 300 acres, otherwise they won't allow any work at the plant. The Tatas came to this decision after all negotiation process fell apart and Mamata not moving an inch from her demand. Within days of anouncing the moveout, Tatas have located the land for the new Nano plant in Gujarat's Sanand and they announcement came on the sameday as Kolkata's Prince Sourav Ganguly announced his retirement from cricket that is on 7th october when the state was celebrating Mahastami. many farmers had still not believed the " mamata has pulled trigger" confirmation of moveout statement made by Ratan Tata on 3rd October. but the news of moving to Gujarat would shatter the false ray of hope that they have built, again during the Durga Puja.

Though people will take the retirement news more calmly as there will be no room for protest during the times of puja, but the confirmation of Tatas moving out would certainly bring gloom to the houses of those farmers in Singur who had willingly gave away their land and those employed at the plant.

It is to see if Kolkata, especially the politicians, learn the important lesson about professionalism out of this two announcements. if you want the industrialist to invest in the state, you can call strikes over every miniscule of trouble with the management. If the business does not meet the target, the business would move out. Professional attitude is what the entire Bengal needs to adapt, which is still painted in too much red.