India / All Themes
India: Protect Honored Kashmiri Rights Lawyer From Attacks
01.07.2008 18:11
humanrightswatch.org
Authorities Should Act Against Those Responsible The Jammu and Kashmir state government should protect Parvez Imroz, an award-winning human rights lawyer who survived an armed attack on June 30 in Srinagar by alleged security forces members, Human Rights Watch said today. The state government and Human Rights Commission should launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack and take criminal action against those responsible.
India
Human Rights Protection
Copal partners named #1 by the black book of outsourcing
01.07.2008 10:31
b4uindia.com
Copal Partners, a leading financial research and analytics company, today announced that it has been named the number one Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) company globally for Investment Research and Analytics, according to the latest edition of the Black Book of Outsourcing 2008. The study covers over 100 KPOs and is conducted annually by the Brown and Wilson Group, renowned for their consulting services in the field of outsourcing. Copal Partners was ranked the Number One Investment Research and Analytics KPO in the study, which assessed areas such as leadership excellence, senior management direction, business transformation practices and client relations management. Overall there were 18 key performance indicators. The rankings were derived basis client experience and customer satisfaction surveys conducted by the Brown-Wilson Group. Expressing his excitement on the announcement. Rishi Khosla, CEO and Co-Founder Copal Partners commented, "We are proud to be named the number one KPO for investment research and analytics globally. We are very pleased that our clients have extended us this honor." Copal has achieved significant success in the analytics outsourcing space and has emerged as the largest independent provider of financial research and analytics. It dominates the Outsourced Investment Banking analytics market with over 80 per cent market share. Over the last year and a half Merrill Lynch, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank have become minority investors in the company. (ANI)
India
Economics & Finance
On the job weight loss programs help shed the pounds
01.07.2008 10:31
b4uindia.com
On the job weight loss program are effective at helping workers shed off those extra pounds, says a new study. Lead researcher Michael Benedict from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has revealed that employer-sponsored programs for weight loss are at least partially effective at helping workers. He said that since most employed adults spend nearly one-half of their waking hours at work, such programs could have enormous potential in making a dent in the obesity epidemic. Benedict and colleague David Arterburn, M.D. reviewed 11 studies published since 1994. Most involved education and counselling to improve diet and increase physical activity and lasted anywhere from two months to 18 months. Forty-six percent of the studies involved low-intensity interventions, 18 percent were moderate intensity and 36 percent were high intensity. They found participants lost an average of 2.2 pounds to almost 14 pounds, while non-participants ranged from a loss of 1.5 pounds to a gain of 1.1 pounds. "People who participate in these programs can lose weight but we aren't really sure what happens after that," said Benedict. Various studies have shown that that other worksite health interventions such as those aimed at smoking cessation and blood pressure reduction benefit employers financially, usually within only two to three years, "Worksites have a tremendous potential to have a public health impact, but more research is needed," he added. The systematic review appears in the July-August issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Now, scented clothing that masks the stench of body odour
01.07.2008 10:31
b4uindia.com
Sick of telling your boyfriend to do something about that stench of sweat and dirt that puts you off even before sharing an intimate moments in his arms? Well, then you can now gift him a perfumed shirt that will ensure that your man always smelling as fresh as ever. Portuguese researchers have developed a method in which "microcapsules, which are small shells measuring between 1 and 100 micrometers, are inserted into fabrics, reports Live Science. And it is possible to inject various fragrances into the shells, which can then be used in products from scratch-and-sniff stickers to peel-apart perfume samples in magazines. Right now, researchers make these microcapsules with formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing agent that is also an environmental hazard. But, there is a need for a safer material for putting microcapsules into textiles. This made the scientists to opt for polyurethane-urea, a more environmentally-friendly plastic that is compatible with fabrics. The researchers developed microcapsules filled with limonene (which is found in the rinds of lemons and gives them their citrus smell), and applied them to samples of wool and polyester. Later, they tested the scent-infused fabrics and discovered that the scent was long-lasting and resisted drying cleaning and other wear. According to the researchers, such lemony-fresh fabrics can be put to use for making BO-neutralizing, suits, socks and even underwear. The results of the study are detailed in the latest issue of the journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Antiretroviral therapy may be an HIV prevention strategy
01.07.2008 10:31
b4uindia.com
A new research has revealed that the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy may reduce the incidence of HIV but has been overlooked by public health as a prevention strategy. Although, there have been advances in HIV treatment such as topical microbicides, pre- and post-exposure treatment and male circumcision, HIV infections continue to increase worldwide. Dr. Julio Montaner and colleagues argue that "expanded access to highly active antiretroviral therapy for patients with a medical indication will reduce AIDS-related illness and deaths and may reduce HIV incidence." "At the population level, access to highly active antiretroviral therapy has been temporally associated with substantial reductions in HIV incidence,” they added. The use of ‘treatment as an aid to prevention’ has been used in public health disease management, with diseases such as tuberculosis and genital herpes. "However, public health policy-makers and program managers have been reluctant to accept this strategy as viable for preventing the growth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic," the authors stated. "Treatment as an aid to prevention should be explored in diverse settings, including in developed and developing countries….Evidence derived from these research efforts will decrease AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and inform policy-makers about the role of treatment as an aid to prevention," they added. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Too much water is hazardous for health
01.07.2008 10:31
b4uindia.com
Health experts suggest drinking plenty of fluids during exercise to help avoid dehydration but according to new study, too much water can be very dangerous. The new study suggests that good hydration is important, but overhydration can be hazardous, even lethal. Dehydration increases the risk of muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke during exercise in warm weather. And even in mild weather, dehydration can leave exercisers groggy for hours afterward. When the risks of dehydration became apparent, experts began to encourage drinking fluids during exercise. Guidelines were formulated to meet the needs of elite male athletes whose high-intensity exercise produced lots of fluid loss in sweat. As a result, athletes began to increase fluid intake, and some drank too much, leading to water intoxication and hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels). Hundreds of cases and a number of deaths have been recorded in medical journals. Harvard Men’s Health Watch has suggested that plan to drink two to three cups of water an hour, but boost the amount if sweating heavily. Unless you get way behind in your fluid replacement, sports drinks won’t be any better than water. Drink when you feel thirsty, but don’t force down huge amounts. In case you gain weight, feel bloated, or experience nausea and vomiting, you’re on your way to trouble. The study is published in the July 2008 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Spray eases pain in kids undergoing intravenous procedures
01.07.2008 10:31
b4uindia.com
A new study has shown that a topical spray could decrease pain in kids undergoing intravenous procedures. In the study, the spray reduced pain by 34 percent in children undergoing intravenous procedures, such as injections and tube insertions (cannulation), compared with a placebo group. According to researchers, the findings from this double blind, randomised controlled trial have clinical implications. "The vapocoolant spray that we used provided quick and effective reduction of pain due to intravenous cannulation without delaying the procedure," Dr. William Splinter and colleagues said. "This feature is especially important when time is limited, such as in a busy office practice or emergency department, where topical methods of pain relief have not traditionally been available," he added. The study also showed that successful insertion of a needle or tube was more frequent after using the vapocoolant spray. "Effective pain relief combined with improved success on first cannulation attempt results in fewer repeat attempts, decreased procedure times and improved satisfaction among children, parents and health care providers," the researchers said. The spray is non-toxic, less expensive than alternatives, works immediately and does not require a needle. For the study, Dr. William Splinter and colleagues looked at 80 children aged 6-12 who required urgent intravenous procedures within 30-45 minutes at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ottawa. Outcome measurement of the vapocoolant spray was based on children's self-reported pain, the success rate on first attempt and assessments by parents and child life specialists and ease of procedure's insertion according to nurses. The findings are significant, as ‘prior studies of vapocoolant sprays did not show a reduction in pain due to intravenous cannulation in children.’ (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Bangladesh High Commissioner pays tribute to 'Sam'
01.07.2008 09:26
b4uindia.com
High Commissioner of Bangladesh in India Liequat Ali Chaudhury on Tuesday paid tribute to Field Marshal (Late) SHFJ Manekshaw. He signed off the condolence book with his remarks dedicated to the departed Field Marshal, “The people and the Government of Bangladesh deeply mourn the sad passing away on Field Marshal Manekshaw. A great soldier, legendary strategist and formidable leader of men and women. Field Marshal Manekshaw made a singular contribution to our liberation in 1971. For his contribution he will always be remembered by us with deep gratitude.” He was accompanied by Brigadier General Mohamad Maksud of Bangladesh Army who wrote in his massage, “On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army and all members of Bangladesh Armed Forces, I express deep condolence on the death of the Great Warrior Field Marshal Manekshaw. With deep gratitude we remember his great contribution during our War of Liberation and independence of Bangladesh. We pray for the salvation of his soul.” The condolence-cum-homage book will be kept at Amar Jawan Jyoti in India Gate from 9 AM to 4 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday for people to express their emotions and tributes. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Did God ask Sam Manekshaw his rank in Warrant of Precedence?
01.07.2008 09:26
b4uindia.com
I was surprised when I read in the newspapers that one of the reasons for the poor turnout at the funeral of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was the confusion about his rank in the warrant of precedence issued by the Government of India. It was mentioned that while the Chiefs of Staff of Army, the Navy and the Air Force have a warrant of precedence, a Field Marshal does not have one other than that he had when he was in service. Sam Manekshaw only had the warrant of precedence as the Chief of Army Staff. Hence the confusion as to what kind of a funeral that should be given to him and who should be present at the final farewell. The Government had to take a special decision that Sam Manekshaw should have a state funeral. In India, we have to learn to honour our brave soldiers. As Public Relations Officer for the Army between 1969 and 1973 in New Delhi, I was a witness to the pettiness that Sam Manekshaw aroused among many bureaucrats. In the Army, it was expected that Sam Manekshaw would be promoted to the rank of a Field Marshal in recognition of his role in leading the Armed Forces to a glorious victory in the war against Pakistan. The 12-day war saw the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation, and the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers. From what I know, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had led the nation during the eventful period, wanted to promote Manekshaw to the rank of a Field Marshal and make him the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). She sent a communication to the effect in March 1972 through her Principal Secretary P.N. Haksar to the Defence Ministry. The Defence Ministry thought it fit to get the comments of the Navy and the Air Force. While the Navy, then headed by Admiral S.M. Nanda, agreed to the proposal, the Air Force, then headed by Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal, opposed it. In his own words, Air Chief Marshal Lal told the Government: “The three Services had operated as equal partners in the Bangladesh war, and they had demonstrated their ability to work effectively together without having a Super Chief sitting over them….I saw in the proposed arrangement a positive danger to the frank and free discussion, particularly if the CDS happened to be excessively assertive and intolerant of the ideas of others.” The file on the subject made many rounds in the Services Headquarters, the Ministry of Defence and the Prime Minister’s Office. Ultimately, it was decided that Sam Manekshaw would be given the rank of a Field Marshal fifteen days before he was to hand over his office to General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor, then Chief of the Southern Command. Sam Manekshaw was also told that the rank did not carry any special pay. He wanted to find out from the Defence Ministry whether he would get his salary after he handed over the office of Chief of Army Staff. For, the convention was that a Field Marshal would never retire and would get the salary of the rank till his death. Sam Manekshaw was told that there was no special pay that he would be entitled to as Field Marshal and he would get the pension due to him as Chief of Army Staff after he handed over his office. The whole package of pension those days amounted to a princely sum of around Rs. 1,600 a month! I was also connected with the ‘controversy’ that surrounded the ceremony when Sam Manekshaw was to be given the epaulettes of the rank and the Field Marshal’s baton by President V.V. Giri., who had readily agreed to the proposal. A senior bureaucrat in the Ministry of Defence told me that the function was going to be ‘simple’ and there was no need to invite the press. My mentor in the Directorate, Col V. Longer, had moved earlier to the Cabinet Secretariat and the then Director of the organization had proceeded on leave. I quietly went to the Press Secretary to the President late Abdul Hamid, and sought his help. Abdul Hamid assured me that he would invite the media and ensure that the function during when the President was to present Sam Manekshaw the Field Marshal’s baton secured the publicity it deserved. The media stands were overflowing and the function received national and international attention. I felt vindicated. When I was questioned, I responded that the Rashtrapathi Bhavan made the arrangements. Justice was done to Field Marshal Sam Bahadur last year when President Abdul Kalam saw him at his bedside in Ooty. Soon after Defence Minister A.K. Antony got government sanction to granting him full pay from the time he was granted the rank and sent the then Defence Secretary with a cheque of Rs. 1.16 crores as pay and past arrears. Perhaps the Defence Minister forgot to send a proposal to the Government to revise the Warrant of Precedence. I am sure God did not ask Field Marshal Sam ‘Bahadur’ Manekshaw his rank in the Warrant of Precedence before admitting him to Heaven. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Tibetan Government-in-Exile to strive for progress during talks with China
01.07.2008 09:26
b4uindia.com
The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has instructed the envoys to “make every effort to bring about tangible progress to alleviate the difficult situation for Tibetans” during talks with the Chinese representatives, says the Tibetan government-in-exile, based in Dharamsala. Tibet's government-in-exile said the two-day talks would open in Beijing on Tuesday, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the cabinet spokesman's office declined to confirm or deny the dates. Speaking to an international news agency in Dharamsala, the seat of the government-in-exile, Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of the Tibetan Government-in-exile said that the envoys have been instructed to make every possible effort to resolve the issue of Tibet. “The instructions have been given to the envoys to leave no stone unturned to resolve the issue of Tibet through discussion and dialogue with the Chinese leadership since our struggle is non-violent and this is the only viable alternative,” said Samphel. He further added that the Tibetans hope that the Chinese government would abide by the promise made by the Chinese President during his recent visit to Japan. It would be their second closed-door meeting since rioting erupted in Tibet in March and heaped international pressure on China to deal with the Nobel laureate, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule. The current round of talks, the sixth since 2002 and delayed by three weeks in the wake of China's deadliest earthquake in three decades, was preceded by a glut of goodwill, arguably somewhat more from the Dalai Lama's side than China's. During a trip to Britain in May, he said he was willing to attend the August 8-24 Beijing Olympics if talks between his envoys and China yielded results. He did not elaborate. But a Chinese source with ties to the leadership told the news agency an Olympic invite for the Dalai Lama or a summit with President Hu Jintao was out of the question unless Hu can mollify conservatives in his ruling Communist Party. The Dalai Lama says he wants autonomy for the Himalayan region. But China is unconvinced and brands him a separatist. He extended an olive branch to China praising the Chinese for their handling of the aftermath of the tremor that left a trail of death and destruction in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The quake killed about 70,000 people and put China at the receiving end of international sympathy after a period of vilification over a post-riot crackdown in Tibet. The Dalai Lama held a prayer meeting for Chinese quake victims in Dharamsala on June 4 and his envoys visited the Chinese Embassy in London to express their condolences. The government-in-exile has urged Tibetans to stop protesting outside Chinese embassies and consulates worldwide. In a concession, Chinese authorities have freed many Tibetans detained in the wake of the rioting, a source with knowledge of the releases said, requesting anonymity. Chinese authorities also reciprocated the Dalai Lama's goodwill by reopening Tibet to foreign tourists last month. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Chidambaram wants more banks in rural areas
01.07.2008 09:25
b4uindia.com
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said here today that he wants banks to open more branches in rural areas of the country. Chidambaram was speaking to Bank Managers through Video conferencing on the occasion of online inauguration of 101 State Bank of India (SBI) Branches in New Delhi. He said that even the poor and disadvantaged sections of the society as well as the slum dwellers should have access to the formal banking system. “The banks should take initiatives for opening of accounts by the villagers and residents of semi-urban areas in the urban branches,” Chidambaram said. The Minister also wanted banks to advance educational loans liberally. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has already disbursed twenty thousand crore rupees of educational loans to students under various schemes. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Disturbances over Amarnath continue in Jammu
01.07.2008 09:25
b4uindia.com
Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena led protestors here are demanding the removal of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra as the Amarnath Shrine land row entered the second day on Tuesday. The protestors blocked traffic and fought pitched battles with the police in Jammu today. Denouncing Vohra's decision to hand over affairs of the Amarnath Shrine Board to the State Government, the protesters sought his immediate removal. In skirmishes between the police and demonstrators two BJP activists were injured. The protestors burnt tyres and torched effigies of the Governor, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. They also blocked vehicular traffic on the highway and other inter-districts roads. Police said that 11 BJP-Shiv Sena activists were arrested in connection with the violence. As a precautionary measure the State Government ordered closure of schools, colleges and other educational institutions while the Jammu University put off examinations of its management courses scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Inspector General of Police (Jammu) K Rajindra said the situation was tense but under control, adding adequate police had been deployed in the Jammu where prohibitory orders had been imposed to maintain peace. The BJP-Shiv Sena shutdown, which has crippled normal life, has been extended till Wednesday. Shops and businesses remained shut and traffic remained off the road for the second straight day on Tuesday in Jammu. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Spiritual effects of "sacred mushrooms" last more than a year
01.07.2008 09:25
b4uindia.com
A new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers has revealed that mystical experiences produced by psilocybin, found in "sacred mushrooms" are likely to persist for longer period. In the study involving 36 volunteers researchers found that the beneficial effects of hallucinogen were likely to last more than a year. The subjects given psilocybin increased their sense of well-being or life satisfaction. "Most of the volunteers looked back on their experience up to 14 months later and rated it as the most, or one of the five most, personally meaningful and spiritually significant of their lives," said lead investigator Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., a professor in the Johns Hopkins departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Neuroscience. "While some of our subjects reported strong fear or anxiety for a portion of their day-long psilocybin sessions, none reported any lingering harmful effects, and we didn't observe any clinical evidence of harm," he added. He also said that that study results gives credence to the claims that the mystical-type experiences some people have during hallucinogen sessions may help patients suffering from cancer-related anxiety or depression and may serve as a potential treatment for drug dependence. In the related paper, researchers also offered recommendations for conducting this type of research. The guidelines cautioned against giving hallucinogens to people at risk for psychosis or certain other serious mental disorders and detailed guidance is also provided for preparing participants and providing psychological support during and after the hallucinogen experience. These "best practices" contribute both to safety and to the standardization called for in human research. "With appropriately screened and prepared individuals, under supportive conditions and with adequate supervision, hallucinogens can be given with a level of safety that compares favourably with many human research and medical procedures," said that paper's lead author, Mathew W. Johnson, Ph.D., a psychopharmacologist and instructor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The team also said that if hallucinogens are used in less well-supervised settings, the possible fear or anxiety responses could lead to harmful behaviours. The study is published in Journal of Psychopharmacology. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Eating slowly can help you lose weight
01.07.2008 09:25
b4uindia.com
People willing to shed those extra pounds should eat slowly suggest researchers. Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have revealed that eating slowly would allow a feeling of fullness to register before you eat too much. For the study thirty healthy women were studied on two test visits to compare slow and quick eating rates. The women rated their hunger, satiety (feeling of fullness), desire to eat, thirst and other factors. They found that eating slowly led to significant reductions in food consumption even though the meal duration was approximately 21 minutes longer. For the faster eaters, even though more food was consumed in a shorter period, their level of satiety was significantly lower than the slower eaters. The researchers conclude that taking small bites, putting down your utensil and thoroughly chewing may work together to slow a person's eating pace and help to maximize satiation. "Thus, these techniques may be recommended to reduce energy intake within meals and therefore manage body weight," the researchers said. The study appears in July 2008 Journal of the American Dietetic Association. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Organic body care products contaminated with cancer-causing chemical
01.07.2008 09:25
b4uindia.com
Body care products with labels claiming them to be "100 per cent natural" and "Pure and Organic" may not be as safe as believed, for a new study has found several soaps and lotions to be contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical. "We literally are bathing ourselves in chemicals every day," the Environmental News Network quoted Adam Eidinger of the Organic Consumers Association as saying. The researcher said that he was very sceptical of any products marketed as organic. "The U.S. Government is not testing these products to make sure they're pure, to make sure they actually are not contaminated," he said. During a study, Eidinger and his colleagues tested 100 soaps and lotions in their laboratory. The researchers found that half of the items were contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical, and some were contaminated at very high levels. "I was shocked that so many brands had the 1,4-dioxane in them," said Eidinger. He highlighted the fact that previous studies had linked high concentrations of the 1,4-dioxane, which is created when certain ingredients mix during manufacturing, to cancer. "We're talking about increasing your risk of cancer, and introducing a toxic carcinogenic substance into the bloodstream," he said. Following its tests, the California Attorney General's office is said to have sued Avalon Natural Products, Beaumont Products, Nutribiotic, and Whole Foods Market. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
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