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Forests in Uttarakhand on fire

  It’s now new for any state to face forest fires in summer. But Uttarkhand seems to be amidst such blaze for three months in a row.   - From February this year, the state has experienced almost 922 incidents of forest fire across 13 districts.   - The fire incidents seem to have led to burning down of 1900 hectares of forest land across the state.   - National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has set three of its teams today, to control forest fires in the state.   - The fire still raging in some districts have posed threat to the people of at least 1500 villages living beside the forest.   - Till now five deaths were reported due to the forest fires and numerous homes were burnt down.   - Authorities had to close  58 NH on Thursday,  that connects Badrinath, as the forest fire could not be controlled.   - The fire has also affected wildlife reservoirs such as Jim Corbett National Park, Rajaji Tiger Reserve and Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary in the state. But wildlife casuality is not yet reported.   - Though forests are not new to the pre monsoon fires, higher temperatures this year is said to be main reason for such vast incidents.   - A high level meeting had to be called in by the Governor K.K. Paul to discuss the steps being taken to curb fire, while the Ex-CM Harish Rawat has urged the governor to declare Uttarakhand as `forest fire-ravaged’ state to receive adequate financial assistance and other facilities from the centre.

Sonia to gherao parliament on May 6

  It would be a golden chance to watch Sonia and Rahul to participate in a public protest. In a much hyped schedule, Sonia along with the congress workers is expected to gherao parliament on next Friday. She would be walking from Jantar Mantar to parliament to express her protest over the uttarakhand crisis under the name of ‘Save Democracy’ march. But as it would hard for Sonia to participate more and more ghearo’s... Congress has been trying to highlight multiple issues with the Friday protests. The agrarian crisis would be one such issues along with the AgustaWestland scam, in which congress is alleging BJP for spreading lies. Workers from adjoining states such as Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were also expected to participate in the protests. So! Watch out for the next Friday!

Heavy floods in Nairobi

  Many people were feared to be killed as rain storms hits the capital city of Kenya. The collapse of a six storey building is said to be worrying point for the local government. Even as the rescuers were pulling out the victims from the debris, many were feared to killed beneath the rubble. 128 people were dragged out alive from the building and seven dead bodies were recovered.   Though the floods are thought to be the main reason for the collapse, poor construction material seems to be the main culprit. The use of cheap material and the speed with which the buildings were constructed was being questioned in Narobi recently. Real estate agents and builders has been en cashing the growing demand for housing in the capital city. So it would be wiser to conclude that floods and builders caused the building to collapse in Nairobi.

Vitamin D overdose kills 10 yr old boy

  In what is seem to be a warning to the rest of India, a 10 year old boy in Delhi was dead due to overdose of Vitamin D. He was administered six lakh International units (IU) of Vitamin D for three weeks, to deal with growth problems. The dosage is said to be almost 30 times excess than the maximum dosage. The patient was admitted into AIIMS after reporting severe abdominal pain. But the doctors couldn’t save the child as his pancreas were damaged and the body got highly infected.   Vitamin D helps the absorption of Calcium by the body which is essential for a healthy growth. Doctors often suggest the patients to get exposed to the sunlight, which is the natural way to boost the Vitamin D levels in the body. But a few doctors in metros are now administering the supplements, keeping in view of lower exposure to sunlight due to urbanisation. But this case could certainly be a warning for both doctors as well as the patients to be aware of vitamin supplements.

Petrol and diesel cabs banned in Delhi

  Even as the Delhi government has been striving hard to curb the pollution in capital city by implementing schemes such as odd-even vehicle policy.. the supreme court also seems to be care to share the issue. In today’s judgment the apex court has ruled out that no cabs run on petrol or diesel can be operated in Delhi. This order came despite the plea by the cab owners that no such technology was available to convert a diesel car into a CNG. The court has even refused to extend the deadline as it was the third time for the court to fix the deadline. However cabs with all India permit are exempted from the order!

A mini Pakistan in Kolkata?

  The remarks by a TMC candidate might certainly affect the fifth phase of West Bengal elections. Bobby Firhad Hakim, the Urban Development minister calls his constituency as a mini Pakistan. Speaking to a correspondent from Dawn, a daily from Pakistan, Firhad Hakim described his constituency of Kolkata as Mini Pakistan. Firhad Hakim might be mentioning about the Muslim majority in the place, but his nickname was not well received by the Indians. As the Dawn magazine mentioned name in the headlines, the opposition in West Bengal issued statements condemning the attitude of Hakim. Even the TMC had to distance itself from Hakim on this issue.   But Hakim doesn’t seem to be upset by the controversy. “I have not said anything about Pakistan. The journalist felt like it was her place… If the head of the government goes to Pakistan again and again, there’s no harm... But if a Muslim says so, then the reaction comes,” said Hakim to a television news channel. But its not new for Hakim to live amidst controversies. He was blamed to be responsible for the flyover collapse in Kolkata for being the urban development minister. He was also prominent on the tapes of Narada Sting operation which caught him drooling on bribes.

The bid to sell Kingfisher brand flops

  In what is seem to be a second flop show in consecutive months, no one seems to be interested to touch anything that is associated to Vijay Mallya. Today a bid to auction the trademarks of Kingfisher airlines has failed, as no bidder turned up. The items on sale today’s auction included the Kingfisher logo along with it’s tagline ‘Fly the Good Times’. The other trademarks on auction included Flying Models, Funliner, Fly Kingfisher and Flying Bird Device.   Analysts feel that the reserve price of 366.7 crores to purchase these trademarks might have discouraged the bidders to show interest. It’s interesting that these trademarks were once valued at 4,000 crores when the brand was at its peak. But who would now purchase the trademarks that would indicate failure and dishonesty! Earlier the bid to sell the Kingfisher House in Mumbai too was failed. At 150 crores of Reserve price, no one stepped forward to own the property.

Baby named after the Airlines she was born

  It could have been a normal flight for a pregnant women, to complete a three hour journey from Singapore to Myanmar. But as the plane was about to reach the destination, she began feeling the labour pains. Thanks to the crew and three doctors on board... she has safely delivered a baby boy on board.   Both the woman and her child were found to be in good health after delivery, and were taken to a local hospital. But that was not the end of the saga. The mother was so moved by the care she received from the airline, that she named her baby after the Airlines.... which is Jet Star. Jet Star is a subsidiary of Qantas airlines and is known for its budgetary prices. Jet Star too on other hand seemed to have overwhelmed about the youngest traveller on the board. It has announced 1,000 $ worth of baby supplies to the family.

Jayendra Saraswati acquitted in assault case

  Kanchi Sankaracharya along with 8 other accused were today acquitted in auditor Radhakrishnan assault case. Radhakrishnan, who was an auditor for the Sankara Mutt, and his wife were attacked with deadly weapons by a gang in 2002. The police has been claiming that this attack was carried on the orders of Jayendra Saraswati, the Sankaracharya of Kanchi.   They accused that Jayendra has prompted the attack to silence Radhakrishnan, who has been raising his voice against the irregularities in Sankara Mutt. Jayendra has been under the heat of proceedings on these charges along with the murder case of Sankararaman. In 2013, he was acquitted by the court in the murder case of Sankararaman for lack of witness. And today, the court has also lifted off the assault case against him.

Court orders demolition of Adarsh building

  The Bombay high court has today ordered for the demolition of Adarsh Housing Society building in Mumbai.   - The society building which was meant to be six storey building to accommodate Kargil War heroes and widows was later turned into 100 metre 31 storey building.   - Built on the defence land, the housing society was constructed by violating all rules and regulations.   - Various politicians, bureaucrats and other influential people were granted flats in the apartment at throw away prices.   - Some relatives of then Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan were allotted flats in the apartment.   - As the allegations of his involvement in the Adarsh scam grew bolder, Ashok Chavan had to resign from the CM post.   - The court has today ordered for the demolition of such controversial building.   - It has also ordered an inquiry against politicians, ministers and officers who were involved in the scam.

Indian jailed for 19 years for stalking

  Jitender Singh fell in love with his college mate way back in 2006. But, when he proposed to her, she merely refused. Jitender should have let her live her own life thereafter. But he instead decided not to let her be in peace. He assaulted her father and got convicted for the crime. When Jitender was released from the Jail, he came to know that she has left to New York for higher studies. He went to New York and tried to get admitted in the same university where she was enrolled. But the university was quick to deny him.   When the victim moved on to California, Jitender tracked her down to her address. After completing her studies, when she was hired by a company in Plano, Singh traveled to Plano and broke into her home. Jitender might have felt that not much punishment could be awarded for such stalking. But he probably have forgotten that US courts deal severely with such offences. This week, a US court has awarded him with 19 years of imprisonment for the nightmare he has caused to the victim.

World’s tallest flag at Indian border

  BSF is all set to put up a huge Indian National Flag at the Wagah border between India and Pakistan. With a massive height of 350 feet, this flag is set to be tallest flag in the world. The current record is being held by 293 ft flag in Jharkhand which was hoisted this January by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The primary intention of hoisting the flag at such a height is to instill patriotism among the visitors who reach the wagah border to watch the Retreat ceremony.   And that doesn’t seem to the only aim to hoist the flag at such heights. According to the BSF officials, this flag could be seen even in Lahore which is 24 kilometres away from the border. The fluttering of the flag could be a warning for our enemies. Though BSF is determined to complete the project by the beginning of next year, it’s hard for a flag to be safe among fierce winds at such withering heights. Keeping in view of such extreme weather conditions, CCTV cameras will be installed around it.

Arrest Sonia- Kejriwal

  Kejriwal in yet another controversial tweet has dared BJP to arrest Sonia Gandhi in the latest Chopper Scam. But said that BJP would never commit such act. He alleged that the intentions of BJP are vicious and they would be using this scam for political gains in the next five years.   `Why is the PM silent on Augusta? First BJP spared Vadra, now protecting entire Congress top brass in Augusta?’ tweeted Kejriwal citing the land scam case in which Priyanka Gandhi’s husband, Robert Vadra was involved with. He also remembered the time when his office was raided by the CBI which is now silent on the scam of Agusta. "Shouldn't those named in Italy court order be immediately arrested n interrogated? CBI raid had been conducted on me, but why there is no raid at Congress persons ," says Kejriwal. Well! He seems to have scored a point this time!

Girl commits suicide for passing the exam

  It was the fifth suicide committed this year at Kota- Rajasthan. Kota is famous for its coaching centres which train the students to crack the toughest entrance exams in the nation. Even this year, the coaching centres in Kota has delivered great ranks in IIT-JEE entrance exams. But everyone doesn’t seem to be happy with a success. A 17 year old girl has committed even after clearing the exam with good marks.   Reason! She doesn’t want to pursue the engineering career. “In her suicide note she mentioned that her mother had admitted her in the science stream but she found no interest in subjects like Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry,” said the SP. But Kota is not new for a suicde news. In last five years, more than 50 students have committed suicide at Kota. Some commit suicide either in fear of a failure and some embrace death to get relieved from the expectations laid by their families on them. Though the coaching institutions in Kota has established a round the clock helpline, that couldn’t save anyone from a suicide.

Mallya to be deported from UK

  If the government of UK obliges the request of Indian government, liquor baron Vijay Mallya could very soon be deported to India. The ministry of External affairs has written to the UK high commission to this effect. Mallya has left to UK on March 2, leaving the the Indian banks red faced. Though Mallya denies that he has absconded, his absence on various cases has led to the issue of arrest warrants. Even the banks which has lent huge loans to him has denied his offers for clearing the debts.   The consortium of various national banks were keen to squeeze every paisa of the 9,000 crores that were sanctioned to him. While the Enforcement Directorate is trailing the loan amounts taken by Mallya, CBI is investigating the validity behind the banks decisions to sanction such huge loans.  On the other hand, there has been a buzz that Mallya’s Rajya sabha membership might soon be quashed. So, the king of good times might very well be facing some tough times in near future.

Syria kills its own children

  A deadly airstrike has devastated a hospital in the Aleppo city of Syria. This attack has led to the death of more than 20 people which might include children in the list. The death toll is feared to be on rise as the debris is being lifted up. Locals allege that this air strike is made by none other than the Russian planes on behalf of the Syrian government. However, this attack on the hospital can’t be seen as a mistake.   Analysts have been alleging that the Syrian government along with Russia has been terrorising the people of its own country to gain power over the rebels. The government has been intentionally aiming soft targets such as schools and hospitals to instigate fear in the mind of civilians. With such attacks Syrian government on one hand is able to derail peace talks with rebels and on the other hand could retain its control over the territory. Now that the government has decided to gain the control over the Aleppo, numerous air strikes have claimed almost 100 Aleppo citizens within a span of 48 hours.

India to have its own GPS

  The news of another Satellite being launched by ISRO may not excite many Indians. But despite any animation, ISRO has silently achieved yet another mile stone in space. This satellite would be the seventh and final in the set of satellites that were launched to achieve our own navigation system. At present, only three countries in the world are able to achieve a navigational system of their own. You are right if you have guessed those three countries as US, China and Russia. But, all the three systems were controlled by their military.   With the launch of today’s satellite named as IRNSS-1G, ISRO has created a constellation of satellites called IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System). This would be helpful for everyday usage such as travelling to most sophisticated needs like missile guidance. ISRO has started the project by sending IRNSS 1-A in July 2013. Till now, we have been using the services provided by the US satellites for GPS. But from here on, our own satellite constellation would provide these services with much accuracy. These satellites could also guess what’s happening within a radius of 1,500 km around India. That ability could certainly be a eye sore for the countries like China and Pakistan.

Now! A smart phone for 888/-

  We haven’t even forgotten the buzz created by Ringing Bells which offered a phone for mere 251 Rs. Now another company from Jaipur is offering a phone for just 888 Rs. The model named as Docoss X1 has a lot to boast about its features. 4 inch display, 1 GB RAM, 4GB internal memory, dual-core processor... are all said to be included in the phone. And of course, the phone comes with dual camera and one year warranty!   The phone could now be ordered on WWW.DOCOSS.COM. But techies are really skeptical about this offer. The flop show of Freedom 251 has enlightened consumers about the probabilities of a smart phone. It was estimated that its almost impossible to offer a smart phone below 2,000 Rs. A murmur was already being heard that the Docoss X1 phone too is nothing but a scam. A few more days into the offer and a few visits by the legal departments would certainly clear the air.

Trump needs India’s help to control Pak

  Even Donald trump seems to be aware that the nuclear weapons possessed by Pakistan is a trouble for the world. Addressing to a gathering in Indianapolis, Trump calls nuclear armed Pakistan as ‘semi-unstable’. While answering to question about the double standards of Pakistan on terrorism, Trump felt that India could help US out in controlling Pakistan. Trump was even critical that Pakistan received huge aid from US for counter terrorism, but has’t been that effective. He indicated that such financial aid should be stopped soon.   Trump has been campaigning in Indianapolis, which is going to make its choice over Republican candidate on 3rd of may. A victory at Indianapolis is much needed for Trump who is falling short of the required numbers to contest the presidential elections. Interestingly, the remarks of Trump has come just a day after the congressmen has slammed the US government for sanctioning F-16 fighters to Pakistan.