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Zika virus in India!

Zika virus seems to be the deadly key word that’s worrying the globe. With scores of people getting infected with the virus across the American continents, Zika virus seems to be the new threat for the humanity. Zika virus might prove dangerous if it gets contact with the pregnant women. Babies might be born with a defective brain if their mother’s have acquired the virus. In Brazil alone, more than 4000 babies got affected by the virus last year. As the virus is expanding rapidly, the question would certainly be- Which country is going to be the next victim? As the world has turned out to be a global village, a person may certainly carry the virus back with him after his trip to the affected nations. So the Indian health ministry too is taking enough precautions to face the virus. The government is getting ready to procure the needed medical kits for testing the Zika virus. It’s also keeping watch to notice any sudden rise in the birth defects across the country. But here lies the real danger! There is neither prevention nor cure for the Zika virus. The spread of virus can only be restricted by killing the Aedes mosquitoes which are the carriers of the virus! Will the government do that?

Sweden to Expel 80,000 people

With the war raging across countries like Syria, the refugees started looking for a country to live in peacefully… and they found the answer in Sweden. Sweden is the fourth largest European country with very low density of population, but rich in natural resources. These factors have made Sweden to be the best choice for the refugees. Besides Sweden has a vast coastline to let people enter the country. It’s also easy for the refugees to enter the country through Turkey, the neighboring country of Sweden. Till recently, Sweden too has given enough support for the refugees. It has accepted the application of 1,60,000 asylum seekers last year. But with the numbers growing to infinity, the government started facing the heat. Asylum centers were getting over crowded and occasional incidents of violence started happening. This has forced Sweden to go harsh over the applications for seeking asylum. This year, it has rejected over 80,000 applications of the refugees which would mean that they would be forced out of the country. This means that they all should find a new country to live in. Can they?

Javed Akhtar blames Hindu groups

Noted lyric and script writer Javed Akhtar seems to have joined the debate of intolerance. "In 1975 I showed a comedy scene in a temple. Today I won't. But even in 1975, I wouldn't have shown a scene in a mosque because that level of intolerance was there. Now the other one is matching it," Akhtar said last night at a literary meet in Delhi. But he doesn’t believe that intolerance has grown to a dangerous level- "There are people who say intolerance has risen to a dangerous level in the society. I don't believe it. There are people who say there is no intolerance in the society. I don't believe them either. The fact lies somewhere in between. The fact is that Indian society is and was always tolerant. There are certain segments of society, they are always at war," said Javed clarifying his stance on the views of intolerance. He has quoted the success of PK as a symbol that the majority of Hindu society is still tolerant. "I really wonder in any Islamic country you would make the same kind of film by taking Muslim symbols will become superhit," said Javed in his speech. He has even touched the issue of Award Wapasi during the conversation. Javed Akthar has received a Sahitya Academy award in 2013 for his poetry collection LAVA. `I know that this award was given to me by writers so why should I return it?," he questioned back. Javed Akhtar who penned the block buster movies like Sholey, Don and Deewaar has too many fans who would revere his words. Hope they are listening to him this time!

Yoga guru fined for sexual harassment

Indian yoga guru Bikram Choudhury is fined with 6.5 million dollars by a Los Angeles court this week. This amount would be awarded to the Minakshi Jafa-Bodden who alleged Bikram for misbehaving with her. Minakshi was once a legal adviser to Bikram who is famous for his trendy `Hot Yoga’ in America. This yoga is performed in a heated room with 26 postures. Bikram once had many celebrities such as Madonna as his students. Minakshi alleged that Choudhury harassed her while she worked for him and that she was fired after she began investigating claims that he raped a yoga student. During cross examination, though Bikram denied the allegations, he had to admit to amass huge wealth through yoga classes. Bikram owns 40 luxury cars and lavish mansions, acquired through his Hot Yoga. Though it’s not new for Bikram to face sexual charges, this time the court seems to be convinced of his misconduct. While this judgment seems to uncover the holiness of one more guru, Bikram has not just disgraced himself, but his country as well!

Get ready for the Doomsday

It might look like a concept from a Hollywood movie, but a group of Atomic scientists fear that we are so close to a doomsday. They have created a doomsday clock to show how closer we are to extinction. This clock is now set at just 3 minutes away from the midnight. The doomsday clock is a metaphor to reflect how close we are to the perils. It is a concept created by a few atomic scientists in 1947. Ironically these are the same scientists who took part in the Manhattan Project which created the first atomic bomb! The doomsday clock is set after taking in view a few factors like climate change, global terrorism and nuclear tests. The clock was set to the maximum time of two minutes to midnight in the year 1953. It was the year when both US and Russia have conducted the tests for a hydrogen bomb. The clock represented a peaceful situation across the world in 1991 when it was set at 17 minutes before the midnight.

India’s rank is 76 in corruption

After all the anti corruption promises our governments have made, we still seem to co-exist with corruption. The Transparency International (TI) which acts like a watch dog for pin pointing the corruption issues across the world, has released the rankings again. Denmark stands first in the list to be free from corruption with a score of 91 while Somalia and North Korea scores a mere 8 marks to stay last in the list. India however retained its previous score of 38 points and stood at 76th position. The Transparency International decides these points basing on certain factors such as the amount of public corruption and latest scams. Bhutan seems to be the only neighbor of India which got the 26th position. The rest of our neighbors scored worse than us! Pakistan stays at the rank of 129 while China is placed at 83rd position. European countries seem to score some decent points in the Index. Countries such as U.K, Finland, Sweden and Norway have found their place in the top ten. With all the bureaucracy in India, it might be a hard wish to find us in the top position. But at least, a place among the top 25 would be a good dream to achieve.

Now you can save someone from an accident

It might look to be a situation that happens only in a movie. But every year thousands of victims are left on road after an accident. Reason! The by standers would always fear to save the victims. People are often grilled by the investigators after they help someone from an accident. The good Samaritans get harassed by the law with endless questions and umpteenth legal sessions. But here a good news! The government has issued a `Standard operating procedure’ (SOP) to exclude the helpers from the legal system. The SOP states that a person who has saved the victim from an accident need not reveal his personal details including full name and address unless he wish to be an eye witness. The SOP further states the procedure to be followed in case if he wish to be an eye witness- "In case a Good Samaritan chooses to be a witness, his examination by the investigating officer shall, as far as possible, be conducted at a time and place of his convenience such as his place of residence or business, and the investigation officer shall be dressed in plain clothes, unless the Good Samaritan chooses to visit the police station," the new SOP says. The SOP clarifies that the investigating session with the good Samaritan should be time bound and he should not be disturbed often. These rules have come into effect after the Supreme Court has directed the government to be protective towards good Samaritans. Hope that it would work!

Pakistani singer celebrates Indian Republic Day!

Adnan Sami, the singer of the Pakistan origin celebrated his first republic day as an Indian citizen. He wished a very happy republic day to his fellow Indians through his twitter. Adnan Sami who is well known for his songs such as `lift kara de’ finally got lift from the Indian government on this New year. After 15 years of waiting, he was granted the Indian citizenship. Sami has long been living in India on temporary visa from March 2001. Ever since his entry into the Indian film industry, he was greeted with success. Telugu viewers have also heard a few songs like `Nacchave nizam pori’ through his voice. India might be happy to grant him a citizenship, but his act was portrayed as a betrayal by the Pakistani media. Comments and abuses poured over the Pakistani media after he tweeted `jai hind’ while celebrating his new citizenship. But Adnan doesn’t seem to care them. His career is now in a full swing and he loves to be an Indian. He also declared that he never felt that there is any `Intolerance’ in India! Well… that’s certainly a big statement!

Kerala CM was found guilty?

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was found to be neck deep in the solar scam that’s rocking the state. Yesterday, a judicial commission has grilled him for 14 hours in a stretch. It was the first time that a chief minister in Kerala has appeared before a judicial commission. The solar scam has its roots way back to 2013. Two fraudsters Saritha and Radhakrishnan have cheated crores of rupees from the people using the name of Oommen Chandy. They have lured people for offering solar panel solutions at a dead cheap price, which is nothing but a scam. Though Chandy refuses that he is not much related to Saritha, oppositions deny his innocence. They allege him to be fully aware of the scam and he himself has perpetrated it. During a cross examination before the judicial commission, Chandy has denied to go under a lie detector test to prove his innocence. ``I have not stated any lie and acted against my conscience. Why I should undergo a lie-detector test?’’ the CM said later with the reporters. He left people wondering `if the conscience is clear, why does he fear to face a test’!!!

60,000 crore military deal

France president Hollande might be chief guest of this year’s Republic day celebrations. But he is not alone! A delegation has come along with Hollande to move the `Rafale jet deal’ further. India has long since been lagging behind with the old jets of the soviet era. So it’s no surprise for the defense ministry to expect the latest to remain the best. Rafale jets seem to fit the scenario. Rafale jets are known to serve the defense at sea, air as well as ground. These aircrafts are manufactured by `Dassault Aviation’ of France. Though India has thought to acquire more than 100 Rafale planes, the mind blowing price has brought down the number to 36. But, even 36 planes could cost a lot for us. France is demanding a whooping 11 billion Euros for the fleet, while India is ready to pay just 7-8 billion Euros. Even 8 billion Euros when converted in rupees can mean 60,000 crores! Besides the price bargain, the Indian counterparts were expecting a few more services from France in exchange of the deal. France is requested to invest 50% of amount in the Indian market and help us in developing the infrastructure at the airbases. If the deal comes into effect, it would be one of the biggest deals in the history of Indian military.  

Today is Australia Day

India might be celebrating January 26th as a national day, but it’s a great day for Australia too! January 26 happens to be the `Australia Day’. It marks the arrival of first fleet of British ships to the shore of Australia. The event happened way back 1788 and ever since then, Australia has become a major settlement for the Europeans. Australians have been celebrating this day as a national festival ever since 1808. The celebrations would much more represent ours! Awards would be presented to those who have made a mark in different fields; parades would be conducted and nation would be addressed by the Prime Minister. But yes, there is a certain criticism added to the festival. The aboriginals who lived in the country have suffered due to the European invasion. The settlers have took their resources and gave them new diseases. Hundreds of their languages have died down and millions were left to die in starvation. Europeans have invaded their lands and lives! So this day was often mourned as the `Invasion day’ or `Survival day’ by various ethnic groups. So! January 26th might be a national day for India and Australia as well. But the reasons seem to be quite opposite.

Aamir now gets tolerant

After his remarks on intolerance sparked a huge controversy, Aamir khan now seems to clarify that he didn’t mean what he said! Last November Aamir khan said that his wife was much worried about growing intolerance in the country and asked him whether they should leave the country. His remarks have indeed boiled the nation. Now! What seems to be in a turn around, Aamir clarifies his remarks- "I never said India was intolerant or I wanted to leave the country. I also understand the emotions of those who were hurt. I would like to say that my statement was misunderstood and to some extent media is responsible for it. I was born here and I will die here” said Aamir in a function that celebrated the anniversary of his super hit movie Rang de Basanti. "Our country is diverse with so many languages, culture...no other country has so much diversity as India… Whenever I go abroad I cant stay away from my country more than two weeks. I get homesick" said Aamir expressing his love for the country. Aamir’s statement has come a day after Akshay Kumar has slammed that `every country would experience ups and downs and people should restrain from giving bold statements’. Meanwhile critics doesn’t seem to be satisfied with the clarification of Aamir. `When the elections are going on in Bihar, Aamir finds India as intolerant. But when his movie is getting released, he finds it tolerant again’ claims a tweet!

Google’s doodle wins hearts!

Doodle might a rough drawing to express something in mind. But Google has long since made them popular. It has included them in their home page to celebrate various occasions. This Republic Day, Google has done it again. This time it has depicted the Camels which take part in the Republic Day parade. Though this doodle is not interactive, it’s certainly attractive. Camels were associated with the Border Security Force for a long time. They assist the soldiers in safeguarding the crucial Rajasthan border which has Pakistan on the other side. In such a harsh desert like Thar, it would be impossible for our jawans to watch the enemies without camels. Keeping in the view the importance of the camels in our defense, they were included in the parade right from our first Republic day parade that took place in 1950. This year, it was considered to discontinue the camels in the Republic day parade. They have not even prepared for the rehearsals. But at the last moment, it was decided not to break the 66 year old ritual. With the France president Hollande as the chief guest, the camels were expected to amuse him.

President on INTOLERANCE

The President of India has once again raised the issue of intolerance. While delivering the Republic day speech, Pranab Mukherjee has touched many sensitive issues. ` When grim instances of violence hit at these established values which are at the core of our nationhood, it is time to take note. We must guard ourselves against the forces of violence, intolerance and unreason,’ said Pranabji in his speech. The president has even hinted at the Pathankot incident ‘…we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets,’ stated the President explaining the suspension of dialogues between India and Pakistan. It has always been a tradition for the Presidents to give a speech that would appease the ruling party. But Pranabji who is a staunch devotee of congress seems to break the rule. Though he was assuring that India would achieve growing rate that would help up in eliminating poverty, he was also critisising the government with soft words. `Let us continue to complain, to demand, to rebel,’ was the sensational call by the president this time. And people started wondering… what does that mean!!!

President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh might well be in the President’s rule for the next six months. In a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister himself, the cabinet has passed a resolution to the effect. It would be only second time in the history of Arunachal Pradesh to be under the rule of the President. It all started last December when 21 MLA’s of the ruling congress has joined hands with the BJP demanding the impeachment of the Speaker. In a surprising act, the Governor of the state J. P. Rajkhowa too supported the impeachment and called for an assembly session. The political turmoil has given the chance for the centre to make a move for the president’s rule. Though the opposition of the state along with the rebel congress members were happy at the decision, the opposition is criticizing the government for a foul play. The Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and the Bihar C.M Nitish Kumar has blamed the decision as shocking and unparliamentary. Congress claims that such a decision on Aurnachal Pradesh which lies in the boarder of the country is hazardous for the nation’s security. The congress has already decided to take the issue to the Supreme Court. With the Supreme court delivering bolder statements these days, it’s decision would certainly be interesting!

Actress Kalpana dies in Hyderabad

Kalpana- A popular actress of South India is no more. The national award winning actress Kalapana has departed from the stage this morning. She was in admitted to Apollo hospitals in Hyderabad where she was declared to be dead of heart attack. She was in the city for shooting the Nagarjuna movie `voopiri’. Kalapana has been a native to the Malayalam film industry where she has acted in more than hundred movies. Coming from a family of actors, her sisters Urvashi and Kalaranjini were also renowned actress of south India. With straight movies such as `Prema’ and dubbed ones like `Sati Leelavati`… Kalapna is no stranger to the Telugu audience. From being a heroine to a comedian, Kalpana has taken every role that gives an opportunity to prove her. She has won the national award for Best Supporting Actress for her Malayalam movie Thanichalla Njan in the year 2012. While the critics were expecting her to give more of such acclaimed performances, Kalpana took her last breath at the age of just 51.

Emergency in US

In what is thought to be the one of the worst snowstorm in the history of US, 11 states of the nation have declared a weather emergency. Many states such as New York, New Jersey and Georgia were blanketed with snow up to three feet. Thousands of flights were cancelled and more than 20 people were feared to be dead nationwide. The storm was weakened now and has moved on to Atlantic Ocean, but not after leaving the public life devastated. Every inch of Eastern US was covered with snow and lakhs of houses are still in darkness. People who ventured to come out have found themselves struck on the highways without any entrance or exit to move further. Schools and Government buildings were declared to stay closed on Monday. People were advised not to venture to come out "We will see continued slick and dangerous roadways, so continue to stay off the road," advised the Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. The snow storm was nicknamed after Godzilla as `Snowzilla’. The name itself reveals the impact of the blizzard on the nation!

Zika virus – A threat to the world?

Here is the new danger for our future generations. A deadly virus called Zika has been spreading rapidly across the globe. The virus which was once confined to a few areas in Africa has now reached the US. A few cases were found to be positive in US with Zika virus. The virus would spread along with the bite of Aedes mosquitoes which are also the carriers for dengue and chikungunya virus. The Zika virus is not life threatening, it would cause symptoms like fever and joint pains which could stay for a few days. But the real threat is its affect on the pregnant women. If a woman acquires the virus while she is pregnant, the baby in her womb would be severely affected by the virus. The baby could be born with a defective brain. Zika virus which was first identified in 1947 at Uganda is now causing havoc in the Latin American countries. In Brazil alone, more than 4000 babies were affected by the virus since last October. The American countries were so scared that Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Jamaica has even recommended people to delay pregnancies till a solution is found. Unlike other mosquitoes, Aedes bite us during the day time. With no safeguards such as mosquito nets and repellents during the day time, it would be an easy bite for them. With no vaccination or drugs to prevent or control the virus, Zika is certainly going to be the threat of the future. But here is a more disturbing fact. Brazil is going to host the 2016 Olympics which would attract millions of tourists from all over the world!!!

Four dead as a student starts shooting

At least 4 people were thought to be dead when a teenager has gone rampage with his gun. `La Loche’- a small town in Canada has been the witness for this incident. The teenager has shot his two brothers at home and carried the violence into the streets. He entered a community school and killed a teacher and an assistant. The teacher who was killed was found to be the daughter of the Mayor. Many students in the school is said to have been injured. The situation could have been worse as the school consists of almost 900 students. The incident has shocked the nation with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau calling it as `every parent's worst nightmare. ` The suspect has been arrested and the injured were sent to the hospital. Unlike its neighbor America, mass killings are rare in Canada. The nation has a very strict set of rules that prevents the gun culture. Way back in 1989, when 14 students were killed in Montreal, the government has taken every step that would prevent such incidents in future. But the fresh violence seems to challenge the government.