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Panel wants hi-tech tools to counter terror
New Delhi – The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), Government of India, is going to recommend to government a total technological overhaul of the anti-terror machinery and streamlining of the intelligence network to make the campaign against bad guys a big success. In a report to be submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon, the ARC has emphasised upon upgrading the intelligence agencies and inducting state-of-the-art technology into the terror-fighting system. The ARC also calls for efforts to involve civil society in the anti-terror campaign suggesting that an exclusive police approach is unlikely to yield much success.
Bhaskar Roy/TNN
The Times of India – November 1, 2006
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Fifteen-second heart scan may save lives
Dallas – October 31,, 2006 – A 15-second emergency room test can determine which patients with chest pain have heart problems and which do not, potentially saving lives by allowing doctors to focus on them in urgent need, according to a study published by the American Heart Association. In the study, 103 people with chest pain were given routine tests as well as a 15-second scan called a multi-detector computed tomography, or MDCT, which enables doctors to see where plaque has built up in coronary arteries, making them narrower and harder. It would be a big relief for patients to be quickly told that they don’t have anything wrong with their hearts and they can go home," said Hoffman.
Reuters
Hindustan Times – November 1, 2006
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Govt: Fatwas have no legal sanction
New Delhi – In an affidavit before the Supreme Court, the Centre has said that neither can the clerics force people to obey their diktats nor can Sharia panchayats pretend to be parallel to the Indian judicial system. The Centre has unambiguously held that a mufti has no authority to impose fine or award jail term on those who violate the fatwa. It has held that the Darul Qazas or Islamic courts can merely be alternative dispute redressal mechanism, and muftis’ role does not go beyond giving advice on issues brought before them.
Dhananjay Mahapatra/TNN
The Times of India – November 2, 2006
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Muslim women meet today for equal rights
Barcelona (Spain) – Muslim women from around the world gathered in Barcelona on Friday to issue a call to a battle for equal footing in the Islamic world, one aimed at fighting against polygamy, domestic violence and a “macho” interpretation of Muslim Sharia laws. The three-day international Congress underscores a new reality: even as religious intensity is growing in parts of the Muslim world. “Islamic feminism,” the name of the Barcelona meeting, is gaining a tenuous foothold. The meeting must “contribute to consolidating Islamic feminism as a transnational movement by putting in place a network of grassroots organisations working on the question of women’s rights in Islam,” said Mr. Abdennur Prado, a leading organiser of the Barcelona forum.
(AFP)
The Asian Age – November 3,2006
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Fish may disappear from dinner plates
London – November 3, 2006 - Projecting current fishing levels into the future, the researchers predict that all stocks will have collapsed by 2048. The team looked at data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and other sources. Between 1950 and 2003, 29% of fish and invertebrate fisheries within all 64 large marine ecosystems worldwide had collapsed. These regions account for 83 % of the worlds’s seafood harvest. “Unless we fundamentally change the way we manage all the ocean’s species together, as working ecosystems, then this century is the last century of wild seafood,” said co-author Steve Palumbi of Stanford University.
James Randerson/The Guardian
Hindustan Times – November 4, 2006
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Bush: a threat to peace
A survey carried out in Britain, Israel, Canada and Mexico shows Bush is second-most dangerous man in the world. The finding is mirrored in Canada and Mexico, with 62% of Canadians and 57% of Mexicans saying the world has become more dangerous because of US policy. Even in Israel, 36% think President Bush has made the world more dangerous while 26% think he has made it safer. In Britain 71% of voters now say the Iraq invasion was unjustified, a view shared by 89% of Mexicans and 73% of Canadians. Only a majority of Israelis was in favour; it was 59% for and 34% against. In the UK, only Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is seen as a more dangerous man than Bush.
Hindustan times – November 4, 2006
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Saddam sentenced to hang
Baghdad – November 5, 2006 – Saddam Hussein was sentenced to hang on Sunday for crimes against humanity. His half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti and former judge Awad al-Bander were also sentenced to death for killing, torturing and deporting hundreds of people from the Shia town of Dujail after Shia gunmen tried to kill Saddam there in 1992. Former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan received a life term. Three Baath party officials were jailed for 15 years. And an eighth, minor defendant, was acquitted for lack of evidence. Saddam admitted ordering the execution of 148 men, justifying it as a wartime measure against Shia allies of his enemy Iran.
Mussab Al-Khairalla and Ibon Villelabeitia/Reuters
Hindustan Times – November 6, 2006
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Kathmandu, Maoist rebels reach accord on arms – Agreement on surrendered weapons likely to be signed today
Kathmandu – After a meeting between Prime Minister Girja Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda, the Government of Nepal and Maoist rebels have reached a breakthrough on arms management by agreeing to sign an agreement. According the agreement, Maoist combatants will remain confined to cantonments in seven different places. Their weapons will be taken away and locked in storages in designated cantonments, and the key will remain with the Maoist leadership. Close circuit cameras will monitor the locks. The Government agreed to include the rebels in an interim cabinet to oversee elections for the constituent assembly, which will write a new constitution for Nepal.
Ameet Dhakal
The Hindu – November 6, 2006
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Precious Gift
A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream.
The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him.
She did so without hesitation.
The traveller left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
"I've been thinking," he said.
"I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."
Sometimes it's not the wealth you have but what's inside you that others need.
Sysman Computer P Ltd. Email dated Nov 8, 2006
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One God, Different names
Courtesy - R D MEHTA
Akbar was once in a very thoughtful mood. Birbal : " Is something the matter, Sir?"
Akbar :" I was just thinking about something. We, Muslims worship Allah. Christians believe in Christ. Various other religions have a God of their own. But Hindus worship so many Gods. Why is this so?"
Birbal : " Jahanpanah, God is actually one. Even for Hindus. He is simply referred to by different names."
Akbar : " How is this possible? How can one God assume different forms and yet be one and the same?"
Birbal : "Why not sir? Let me explain" He summoned a man wearing a turban. Pointing to it, he asked, "What's this?"
The man : " A turban, huzoor"
Birbal: " Untie it, roll it and tie it around your waist. Tell me what is it?"
The man : "It is a cummerband "
Birbal : " Now, untie it and wrap it around your waist. Now what is it?"
The man : "It's a Dhoti, Sir "
Birbal : " Great! Now unwrap it and wear it around your shoulders."
The man: "A shawl, sir. "
Birbal : "Now drape it around your neck..
" But Birbal was cutshort by the Emperor who was astonished at the simplicity of Birbal's explanation.
Akbar: " I got your point, Birbal. "
Birbal : " Jahanpanah, the cloth in every instance remained just the same, yet it was called by different names. That's simply the user or the usage changed. This happens with water too. It is vapour in the sky, rains when it falls, ice when it freezes. But central element is one and the same.
"Like wise, God is one and the same. It is only the worshippers who are different. So each person or religion calls God by different name."
Birbal concluded.
Akbar and the entire court applauded in recognition of Birbal's wisdom who was truly the most sparkling of Akbar's Navratnas.
Email from Sysman Computer Pvt Ltd. Mumbai
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Economic Principles of Abraham Lincoln
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
-Courtesy of the Clint W. Murchison Sr., Chair of Free Enterprise, University of Texas
http://tamusystem.tamu.edu/chancellor/mcteer/articles/ma94autumn.html
Email from Sysman Computers P Ltd
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Secret of Success – Socrates
A young man asked Socrates the secret of success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and swiftly ducked him into the water.
The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled the boy's head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air.
Socrates asked him, "what did you want the most when you were there?" The boy replied, "Air". Socrates said, "That is the secret of success! When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it! There is no other secret.
Email from Sysman Computer P. Ltd, Mumbai
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Now, you can check if you are buying a stolen mobile
New Delhi – November 11, 2006 – All you have to do is to type in the IMEI number of the phone you want to buy. If the phone has ever been stolen, it will be listed there. The IMEI is a 15 or 17 digit number which includes information about the origin, model, and serial number of the device, which is usually found printed on the phone underneath the battery and can also be found by dialing the sequence *#06# and pressing the call button. A search engine is provided for online verification of suspected mobile handsets. The contact number of the complainant will also be published against each record and the police will be able to match the seized mobile handsets with theft or missing reports. The database, a web-based module embedded with ZIP-NET (Zonal Integrate Police Network) has been developed by the computer centre of Delhi Police’s crime branch.
Abhishek Bhalla
Sunday Hindustan Times – November 12, 2006
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Plan to attack Europe in festive season’
Washington – Intelligence agencies have been warned that Al Qaeda may be planning to attack air and rail travel in Europe during the busy holiday travel season, CBS News reported. The television network said on Friday the warnings came from interrogations of Al Qaeda suspects, who recently left Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to CBS News, the new information helps to shed fresh light on a key mystery at the heart of Al Qaeda’s decision to withdraw its Arab members, fighters and logistics experts from Afghanistan.
AFP
Sunday Times of India – November 12, 2006
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Iran Plotting to Groom Bin Laden’s Successor
United Press International (11/14/06); Coughlin, Con; Jones, George.
Iran is attempting to position a 46-year-old pro-Iranian terrorist as one of the potential successors to Osama bin Laden, whose health is believed to be deteriorating. Iran would like to see the pro-Iranian Saif al-Adel, who formerly served as head of security for bin Laden, become the No. 3 leader in Al Qaeda's hierarchy. Al-Adel is a former colonel in Egypt's army who is on the FBI's list of the 22 most wanted terrorists. Iran is said to be negotiating with Al Qaeda to push al-Adel up the ranks of Al Qaeda. Al-Adel fled Afghanistan in late 2001 and is currently living as a guest in Tehran, Iran.
Security Management Daily – November 14, 2006
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‘Extremists in 4 UK varsities’
London – November 14, 2006 – Islamic fundamentealists have infiltrated four British universities and are “indoctrinating” Muslim students to participate in Jihad, a leading Imam has claimed here. Extremists have entered the varsities and radicalised students so deeply that they are close to ”travelling to Afghanistan and Iraq to engage in Jihad or holy war”, SheikhMusa Admani, an advisor on Muslim affairs to higher education minister Bill Rammell, has alleged. Mr. Admani has alleged that four institutions – Brunel, Bedfortshire, Sheffield Hallam and Manchester Metropolitan varsities - have been infiltrated.
(PTI)
The Asian Age – November 15, 2006
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GPS service to tell drivers where to park in Paris
A service starting next month may help soothe the nerves of harried Parisian drivers: it could help them locate a nearby parking spot using a cellphone or GPS navigation device. The system will monitor about 120 garages across Paris. Using their cellphones, drivers will be able to find out whether a nearby garage is open having available parking spots. Participating parking garages are linked via internet to a central server, and when the status of a garage changes – open or closed, full or offering a needed spot – it sends a message to the server, which sends updates to the service providers.
The Times of India – November 21, 2006
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Indians happiest , Japanese most miserable
London – November 20, 2006 – A survey says Indians are the happiest overall, while Japanese are the most miserable. In a global survey by MTV Networks International (MTVNI), which covered more than 5400 young people in 14 countries, only 43% of the world’s 16-to-34-year-olds said they were happy with their lives. The reason for unhappiness across the developed world included a lack of optimism, concerns over jobs and pressure to succeed. “The happier young people of the developing world are also the most religious,” the survey said.
Reuters
The Hindustan Times - November 21, 2006
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A device to ‘lock’ car if its driver is drunk
Washington – November 20, 2006 – With a view to detecting drunken drivers and taking action against them, officials say they are proposing turning to technology – alcohol detection devices in every vehicle – to address the problem. In the first phase of the plan, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Madd), backed by a national association of state officials and car manufacturers, will announce here on Monday a campaign to change drunken driving laws in 49 states. The system when installed will shut down the car if it detects alcohol.
Mathew L. Wald/New York Times Service
The Asian Age – November 21, 2006
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Maoists sign accord, return peace to Nepal
Kathmandu – November 21, 2006 – The Maoists in Nepal entered into a historic peace pact with the government on Tuesday officially ending their decade-long armed struggle and paving the way for them to join the country’s interim government. Prime Minister Girja Prasad Koirala and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chairman Prachanda singed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in the presence of a large number of officials, dignitaries and foreign diplomats. Under the agreement, the Maoists are to join the interim parliament by November 26. An interim government including the Maoists will be in place by December 1.
November 21, 2006
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How to Stay Young
Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them." Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. Enjoy the simple things. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies , whatever. Your home is your refuge. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Email from Sysman Computer Pvt Ltd, Mumbai
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Prabhakaran says truce is off, we are back to war
Colombo – November 27, 2006 – The Tamil Tigers declared on Monday they now saw no other option than to push for independence in what analysts said was notice to Sri Lanka’s government that they were resuming their struggle and that renewed civil war would deepen. Shadowy Tiger leader Valupillai Prabhakaran said Tamils had been cheated by successive majority-Sinhalese government and would be fooled no more.
Reuters
The Indian Express – November 28, 2006
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POLICE REFORMS - Mobilising public opinion for implementation of Supreme Court Directions
You would be aware that the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on September 22, 2006 ordered comprehensive reforms in the police.
The Supreme Court has essentially ordered the setting up of three institutions at the state level with a view to insulating the police from extraneous influences, giving it functional autonomy and ensuring its accountability. These institutions are:
State Security Commission which would lay down the broad policies and give directions for the performance of the preventive tasks and service oriented functions of the police; Police Establishment Board comprising the Director General of Police and four other senior officers of the Department which shall decide all transfers, postings, promotions and other service related matters of officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and make appropriate recommendations regarding the postings and transfers of officers of the rank of superintendent of Police and above to the state government; and Police Complaints Authority at the district and state levels with a view to inquiring into allegations of misconduct by the police personnel.
Besides, the Apex Court has ordered that the Director General of Police shall be selected by the state government from amongst the three senior-most officers of the Department who have been empanelled for promotion to that rank by the UPSC, and that he shall have a prescribed minimum tenure of two years. Police officers on operational duties in the field like the IG Zone, DIG Range, SP i/c District and SHO would also have a minimum tenure of two years. Transfers had become an industry in the states. Every time there was a change of regime, officers were moved en masse. Such administrative reshuffles on political grounds should henceforth become a thing of the past. The Court also ordered the separation of investigating police from the law and order police to ensure speedier investigation, better expertise and improved rapport with the people.
The Union Government has also been asked to set up a National Security Commission for the selection and placement of heads of Central Police Organizations, upgrading the effectiveness of these forces and improving the service conditions of its personnel.
The Supreme Court orders are going to have far reaching implications. They would change the working philosophy of the police, make it accountable to the laws of the land and the people of the country. The police would, in future, reflect the democratic aspirations of the people – provided the directions are faithfully and sincerely implemented.
The Executive is unfortunately opposed to these reforms. This became evident during a recent meeting called by the Ministry of Home affairs which was attended by the Chief Secretaries and the DGPs of all the states.
It is essential that public opinion is mobilized in favour of Police Reforms otherwise the vested interests would manipulate to continue their stranglehold over the police.
How the public opinion should be mobilized is for you to decide. However, I take the liberty of suggesting the following:
- Holding seminars
- Writing articles in the print media
- Organizing debates on the electronic media
- Sending memorandum to the PM/HM
- Signature campaign on the internet, etc.
Seeking your support in this noble cause.
Prakash Singh
formerly Director General, BSF
3-C Super Deluxe Flats
Sector-15A, Noida-201 301
Phone: 0120-2512165, 9891471939
e-mail: prakash1959@gmail.com
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Food for Thought
The argument from intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.
- Ayn Rand
The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others.
- Anonymous
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.
- Charles W. Eliot
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