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Firms failing to tap social networking sites success
12.07.2008 10:17
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Business firms are failing to value social networking sites’ huge potential at present, warns a leading information technology company. Researchers for Gartner found that huge opportunities for improving the management of large firms exist. "Businesses which harness how employees use these sites stand to increase savings, productivity and profits," BBC quoted said Gartner researcher Jeffrey Mann, as saying. He said that the challenge was how to apply this to the corporate world. A survey by Gartner discovered that social networking sites, instant messaging email, chat and file sharing are attracting significant levels of interest online. Their work was undertaken across 18 countries and territories between October and December of last year. It found that 38percent of more than 4,000 PC and mobile phone users connect to sites like MySpace and Facebook via PCs. Single people and teenagers and more men than women came top in terms of usage. The survey revealed that in large part they went online for entertainment purposes or to keep up with friends and family. Mann, Gartner''s Vice President of research, said he understood why companies both large and small might be skeptical about believing social networking presents a viable business application. “If you look at the first reaction from any business when they examine this, it''s there is no reason to do this. People are ‘throwing sheep’ at one another and they are seeing 2who is hot,” Mann said. "But you have to look deeper as to why these people are using these networks. It''s to keep up with their friends, to mobilise them, to get involved in everything from politics to cleaning the local park. If you look at those reasons, then there are a lot of business counterparts,” he added. (ANI)
India
Economics & Finance
Tenth Osian''s-Cinefan Film Festival kicks off in New Delhi
12.07.2008 10:17
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The Tenth Osian''s-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinemas, featuring about 200 features and short fiction films from around 40 countries commenced here on Friday. Delhi''s Chief Minister Sheila Dixit inaugurated the ten-day (July10-20) festival by lighting up the lamp. The festival opened with the screening of ''Sparrow'', a film from Hong Kong, directed by Johnny To. On the inaugural day, Aruna Vasudev Lifetime achievement award was conferred on eminent film director Mrinal Sen for his contributions to alternative cinema. Also, Jose F. Lacaba, poet, journalist, translator and screenwriter from Philippines bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to cinema. The festival will conclude with the screening of film ''Mumbai Cutting''. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Rath Yatra underway in Puri
12.07.2008 10:17
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The Bahuda Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is under way here today in the presence of thousands of devotees. Chariot pulling, which is the centre of attraction in this festival, is likely to start after 3 P.M. The three presiding deities Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and elder brother Shri Bala Bhadra are returning to their original abode after the conclusion of nine days of ritualistic stay in Sri Gundicha temple. Devotees from all over the country have gathered in Puri to witness the three deities rolling in their chariots in a grand procession. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Young Kashmiris prefer caf lattes, talk of careers, education to separatism
12.07.2008 10:17
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A decade and a half ago, it was virtually impossible to think of people, let alone youngsters sipping a cup of coffee in a cafeteria here, given the clamour for separatism. For almost two decades, the region was in the grip of a violent insurgency by militants opposed to Indian rule. Now, in central Srinagar groups of young men and women can be found sipping cappuccinos and cafe lattes, and listening to the Bee Gees and Bryan Adams. Men wear jeans and T-shirts, while women wear traditional but elegant salwar kameezes. There are very few headscarves. Today,college students discuss issues related to their personal life. Students talk about their boyfriends and girlfriends, their love troubles. Education, career and employment opportunities are the other issues that dominate conversation. The fight for Kashmir''s freedom or where the separatist movement is headed is last on the list," say most. According to the BBC, the clamour here is for well-paying jobs, better infrastructure, women''s rights and peace. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Disproportionate assets case against me false, says Mayawati
12.07.2008 10:17
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has rejected the Central Bureau of Investigation’s assertion that it has “sufficient” evidence to proceed against her in disproportionate assets case. At a press conference here today, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo stated that both the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) are trying to malign her and that the disproportionate assets case against her is false. “The CBI’s investigation is politically motivated,” said Mayawati and added, “The centre is trying to use the CBI to target me.” During the press conference Mayawati also said, “The CBI leaked its affidavit against me to the media before submitting it in the Supreme Court.” The CBI on Thursday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court in response to Mayawati''s petition seeking closure of the disproportionate assets case registered against her five years ago. The CBI had registered an FIR against the BSP chief on October 5, 2003 for the Rs 175-crore Taj Heritage Corridor scandal, on the directives of the apex court. The CBI has been probing the case for the past three years, under the Supreme Court’s direct monitoring. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Arjun tank not being thrust on the Army: DRDO
12.07.2008 10:17
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today made it clear that it is not trying to force the Army to buy the indigenous Arjun main battle tank (MBT). Reports have appeared in newspapers that the Army is being forced to accept more than its demand of 124 tanks already ordered. It has also been pointed out that while the Arjun is a very good armoured vehicle, efforts are being made to develop a more modern tank suited to the needs of the country in the context of changing defence needs. Sources close to the DRDO have pointed out that the DRDO is not thrusting the Arjun tanks down the throats of the Army The MBT Arjun is strategically a very competent armoured vehicle, having an excellent weight to power ratio, good mobility and very accurate firepower, which conform to the requirements laid down by the Army. It compares excellently with all the heavy class of tanks available across the world. It can be effectively deployed in most of the border areas of our country. The Army had cleared the MBT Arjun for production and placed an indent on March 30, 2000 for the manufacture of 124 tanks by 2009 for two regiments. The Defence Ministry has been supporting the induction of MBT Arjun, and has asked the Army to objectively study reports of the trials of the Arjun tanks during the recent exercises, and ruled out abandonment of the project. “There is no question of forcing the Arjun down the Army’s throat, as it is the best main battle tank available with the country,” a senior DRDO official told ANI over phone. Recently, the Director General (Mechanised Infantry), Lieutenant General Dalip Bharadwaj, said: “Arjun is a contemporary tank and may be used in the next decade or so, but not for a technologically advanced, next generation warfare some two decades hence.” The official said that DRDO will develop a futuristic tank in the form of Mark II, and claimed that no tank can last for 20-25 years. DRDO is working on the development of the futuristic Mark II MBT with suitable technological upgrades, which can be introduced later after completion of production of at least 500 tanks of the present version. “The comparative trials of MBT Arjun and T-90 can be pursued but should not be linked with placement of further orders for MBT. Government should intervene at this stage and ensure that indigenous efforts in this direction are appropriately rewarded,” the official said. Despite continuing criticism from the Army establishment, the Arjun has successfully completed a gruelling 5,000-kilometre summer trials in the Rajasthan desert. During six months of trials, the DRDO, along with tank crews from the Army’s 43 Armoured Regiment, proved not just the Arjun’s endurance, but also the ability of its computer-controlled gun to consistently blow away suitcase-sized targets placed more than a kilometre away. The MBT Arjun today remains a contemporary battle tank and by far superior to T-54, T-55, and T-72 tanks that the Army has been using over the years. The T-90S and the MBT Arjun tanks are of different class. Both tanks have their own special features. The MBT Arjun has more power to weight ratio, hydro-pneumatic suspension for better ride comfort and a stable platform to fire on the move, better quality class of Gun Control System and Fire Control System etc. The missile firing capability of Arjun was demonstrated during field trials. The T-90S tank has missile firing capability and lower silhouette. Tanks of both the class are required by the Indian Army. The present cost of the MBT Arjun is Rs.16.80 crore and the cost of T-90 is around Rs.12.00 crore. The cost of Arjun compares favourably with contemporary Western MBTs of its class, costing in the range of Rs.17 to 24 crores. Some of the state-of-the-art technologies incorporated in the ‘Arjun’ are modern integrated fire control system with Fire Control Computer and MRS, Hydro-pneumatic suspension, Kanchan Armour, highly lethal and accurate FSAPDS ammunition and NBC protection. The major imported systems in the tank are the power pack and gun control system from Germany and Delft-SAGEM gunner’s main sight from OIP Belgium. ‘Arjun’ is a proven tank and has been cleared after taking approval of the Army. The DRDO and Army have drawn a Joint Action Plan and as per which the improvements have been incorporated in the production tanks. Earlier, Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjeet Singh said: “I have spoken, off the record, to officers who have gone through the trials. Even the crews (from 43 Armoured Regiment)… who have been testing the tank… I forced them to choose between the Russian tanks and the Arjun.” “I said, you have driven this tank and you’ve driven that tank (the T-90). Now mark them out of ten, which tank is better? And I’ve found that the Arjun tank was given more numbers than the T-90 tank,” Rao added. (ANI)
India
Social Life
College environment behind students'' binge drinking
12.07.2008 10:17
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A 14-year study of heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking among college students in the United States has linked the conditions in the college environment as being the cause. Factors such as easy access to alcohol, low prices and special promotions, weak control policies and lax enforcement are what encourage binge drinking, the review stated. Researchers with the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS) had discovered that the college environment was the main contributor to binge drinking, after making a landmark study that surveyed more than 50,000 students at 120 colleges from 1993 to 2001. During its 14-year existence, the CAS focused attention on widespread binge drinking at American colleges and the ensuing serious health and social consequences to drinkers, fellow students and neighbours. CAS''s findings and implications were examined once again and according to a new review, the researchers concluded that the heavy drinking behaviour of students was more common in college environments that have a strong drinking culture, few alcohol control policies on campus or in the surrounding community, weak enforcement of existing policies, and alcohol made easily accessible through low prices, heavy marketing and special promotions. CAS Director Henry Wechsler, lecturer on society, human development and health at Harvard School of Public Health and Assistant Director Toben Nelson, assistant professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota, conducted the review. "Our study drew attention to the heavy drinking of students, most of whom were not considered alcoholics or in need of traditional treatment, but nevertheless experienced problems as a result of their drinking," Wechsler said. The CAS found that students who binge drink as five or more drinks in a row for males, and four or more drinks for females, on a single occasion in the past two weeks, are more likely to experience a wide range of problems, including academic difficulties, social conflict, risky sexual behaviour, risky driving behaviour, vandalism, injury and alcohol overdose. The study also discovered that binge drinkers were more likely to engage in other risk behaviours such as tobacco and illicit drug use. Students who binge drink frequently were most likely to experience these problems. Besides the harm that they can cause themselves, CAS also pointed out the problems that drinkers can cause for others on and around campus. The "secondhand" effects of alcohol use, similar to the concept of secondhand smoke, helped people understand that student drinking is harmful to the larger campus community. These problems include drinking-related behaviour that is disruptive to studying and sleep, vandalism, and physical and sexual assaults. "The five/four drink binge measure is a good indicator of who will experience alcohol-related problems, and more importantly, captures most students who actually experience problems, something measures with higher drink thresholds fail to do," Wechsler said. "Binge drinking among college students varies widely from college to college," Toben Nelson said. "At some colleges almost no students binge drink, while at others nearly four in every five students do. Interestingly, we found that the levels of binge drinking, and the problems related to it, remain very stable at the same colleges over time. This finding occurred despite surveying a new group of students in each of the CAS surveys. "That suggests there is something about certain college environments that promote binge drinking," added Nelson. On the other hand, colleges that restricted use by banning alcohol on campus or offering substance-free housing options had fewer drinkers, and as a result lower binge drinking levels. The state and local government can also play a role in cutting back binge drinking, as was found out about students who attended colleges in states with stronger alcohol control policies were less likely to be binge drinkers. The other factor contributing to binge drinking is when students have an easy access to alcohol. "A ''wet'' college environment, one that has many stores where students can buy alcohol, and may be influenced to do so by heavy marketing, low prices and special promotions, creates the conditions for heavy drinking," Wechsler said. The review appears in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
HRT patches cut gall bladder disease risk in postmenopausal women
12.07.2008 10:17
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Hormone replacement therapy patches can lower the risk of gall bladder disease in postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy is known to increase gallbladder problems, which require surgery to remove the organ. A team of Oxford University researchers found that the rate of operations for women who used HRT patches was significantly lower than those taking pills. The gallbladder is a small organ, attached to the base of the liver, which stores and concentrates bile, a substance which helps the body digest fat. In the study of more than one million post-menopausal women, the researchers found that nearly 20,000 women admitted to hospital with gallbladder disease, and more than 17,000 of these underwent a surgery. The hospital admission rates for patch-wearers were only 30 pct higher than for those who did not take HRT, while the rates for pill-users were nearly twice. According to the researchers, while the liver next to gallbladder, mostly breaks down hormone oestrogen taken in pill form before entering the circulation, the lower doses in the patch are absorbed directly through the skin into the bloodstream. Dr David Sturdee, from the International Menopause Society, said he was "surprised" by the high numbers of women found by the study to be suffering gallbladder problems. "It''s not a problem that many women are aware of," BBC quoted him as saying. "Many opt for the pills because they are simpler, cheaper and because some women find that they cannot tolerate the patches due to skin irritation." The team predicted that over a five-year period if women taking HRT pills switched over to patches, it would reduce the number of gallbladder removal operation taking place. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Global warming fuelling malaria vaccine need
12.07.2008 10:17
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Global warming has led to a rapid increase in the number of malaria cases, thereby fuelling the need for lifesaving vaccinations to those in need, says an expert. Experts fear that the drastic changes in the climate may further increase the number of cases in the coming years. “Forty-one percent of the human race lives in areas of high malaria transmission,” said Dr. Sylvain Fleury, Chief Scientific Officer at Mymetics, a Swiss vaccine biotech currently developing a vaccine with the potential to control malaria in developing countries. “Because Europe, North America, and North Asia are now significantly colder than regions of high malaria incidence, developed nations have felt immune from the malaria threat, but that sense may soon be upended,” Fleury added. Studies have shown that even a modest temperature increase can extend the proliferation of malaria-bearing mosquitoes. Therefore, as temperatures rise, billions of people could find themselves living in regions of high malaria incidence. “The best way to prevent the spread of malaria into warming areas of the globe is to find a solution before the situation worsens,” said Dr. Fleury. “If we can begin to curb the spread of malaria in high threat areas, the eventual reach of the disease will be seriously limited,” he added. Due to global warming malaria has already returned to the areas such as Peru that had already eradicated the disease forty years ago. America saw 1,337 cases, including eight deaths, as recently as 2002 - the importance of developing a vaccine for the disease is becoming more and more urgent. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Indianised version of Bible hit among Christians
12.07.2008 09:15
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An ''Indianised'' version of the Bible released in India has become a huge hit among the Christian community here. The Bible has proved to be extremely popular among the Catholics in Mumbai where over 15 000 copies were sold out within ten days of its release. An interesting feature of this Bible is that it has drawn references to other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. "What made it special because they have also drawn the Indian mythology into it. Its not only based on Bible all like you know foreign standards," said Corin Mendonsa, a buyer of the book. Another interesting thing about the book is that it depicts Mother Mary and other characters in typical Indian clothes. "I wanted to buy only one copy, but after seeing the presentation, brought five copies. I felt happier because the pictures that are given are very impressive," said Father Wilset, another buyer. According to the catholic community this Bible is getting a good response from the market. The new Bible, which has about 2,200 pages, costs just 250 Rupees. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Kanpur Congress activists offer prayers to secure vote of confidence in
12.07.2008 03:25
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Workers of the Congress Party here on Friday offered prayers to help the party secure a vote of confidence in Parliament on July 22, following a decision by Communist allies to withdraw support to the UPA Government over the India-US nuclear deal. The activists said they were confident about the Central Government winning the vote of confidence. "We are 100 percent confident that the government will survive. There are people who are opposed to development, whereas there are others who want development. Victory will be for the one''s who are pro-development. We will achieve under the able leadership and guidance of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh," said Ajay Kapoor, a legislator. The winning of the confidence vote is crucial for operationalising the India-US civil nuclear deal. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Sardar Sarovar Dam displaced demonstrate in Bhopal
12.07.2008 03:25
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Hundreds of villagers who have been displaced by the controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam, staged a demonstration here on Friday and demanded an adequate rehabilitation package. Protesters said they would not leave their village till their demands were met. "We have been protesting for so many years. Our lands, wells are sinking.We have staged this demonstration to inform the government that unless we are rehabilitated, we are not going to leave our villages," said Malati, a displaced villager. "We will continue our agitation even if we have to give up our lives. We do not want money. Whether you keep the dam or destroy it, we don''t care, give us space to live," said Ganga Bai, a displaced villager. Authorities have hailed the completion of the Sardar Sarovar Dam as an answer to ending problems of thirst, irrigation and power in the vast and parched regions in the west of the country. Authorities say the dam will connect an 86,000-kilometre network of canals and help to irrigate 1.8 million hectares of farm land and provide drinking water to 20 million people in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It will also help in flood control and its two power plants are expected to generate 1,450 MW of peak power. The Sardar Sarovar Dam project has attracted controversy for more than a decade. It is a huge project, involving thousands of hectares of land and has displaced over three lakh families. The construction of the dam was begun in 1987, but it soon became the focus of one of the world''s longest social and environmental campaigns. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Aarushi murder case: Dr. Talwar released from jail
12.07.2008 03:25
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Dr Rajesh Talwar, one of the accused in the killing of his daughter Aarushi, was released from Ghaziabad''s Dasna Jail today. Dr. Talwar came out of the Dasna jail after his relatives had completed the formalities of providing surety for the bail given by a local court. He had spent over 50 days in jail. On Friday, Dr. Talwar got a bail after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gave him a clean chit and urged a special court in Ghaziabad to pass appropriate orders on his bail application. The investigating agency said that there is no substantial evidence against the Talwars to establish that they were involved in the murder of their daughter. CBI Joint Director Arun Kumar told reporters at a press briefing: ''''The Noida Police''s charge that Rajesh Talwar was angry with his daughter as he had allegedly seen her in a ''''''''compromising'''''''' position was based on a statement made by one of the accused, Krishna, who had misled investigators but he later confessed to the crime in the narco test. "Though the first polygraph test conducted on Talwar proved inconclusive, no deception was found in the second test. Nupur Talwar''''s polygraph tests showed similar results," he said. He also took the names of Durranis'' servant Rajkumar and another person Vijay Mandal of being involved in the crime. Kumar said, while reconstructing the crime scene, Rajkumar, Krishna and Talwar''''s domestic help Hemraj had consumed alcohol on the day of the murder and went to Aarushi''''s room. They then gagged her and tried to sexually assault her. Kumar and Krishna took Hemraj to the terrace and killed him following a clash between Rajkumar, Krishna and Hemraj in Aarushi''''s room, he added. Rajkumar, in his narco-analysis test, confessed that he and Krishna then went back to Aarushi''''s room, hit her with a sharp object before slitting her throat, he added. Talwar was arrested on May 23 a week after fourteen-year-old Aarushi was found dead with her throat slit in the Talwar house. The body of Hemraj was found on the terrace a day later. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Vice President gives away outstanding media awards
12.07.2008 03:25
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Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Friday awarded Sikander Parikh of Rajasthan Patrika and Arun Sridhar of Malayala Manorama with the Udayan Smriti Patrakarita Samman 2007 by at a function here. While Parikh, the Patrika''s Raipur correspondent received the award for print journalism, Sridhar based in Kerala was the given the honour for photo journalism. Addressing the function, Ansari said that today the Indian media was facing a crisis of content. He said the phenomenon of convergence between news media, entertainment and telecom has meant that the demarcation between professional journalistic output, public relations, advertising and entertainment was fast blurring. He stressed that in a democracy vibrant journalism could act as a watchdog. It could monitor the exercise of power in the State and stand for the rights and freedoms of citizens. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Gurgaonites starts getting CNG
12.07.2008 03:25
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People in Gurgaon will start getting CNG from Saturday. Announcing this Senior Vice President of Haryana City Gas Distribution company promoted by SKN Bentex Group of Industries M S Khatkar said that the gas would be available for Gurgaonites at the rate of Rs. 27.50 per kg which is about Rs. Ten per kg as compare to Delhi. Khatkar said presently CNG would be available at only two station that is Sector-29 and Sector-53 because “the company has to get the gas supplied from Delhi through mobile cascades.” After the company starts getting the gas through pipeline the price would come down by around Rs. five. He added that five more CNG stations would be opened once the gas supply through the pipelines starts in six months. (ANI)
India
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