Gandhi&Martyr's_day'14

Dear all,

Welcome.

On this day, Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by Nathuram Godse while returning from prayer hall. He was also called "Father of Nation". 

He preached truth & non-violence. Also, pl. read on app. mssg.

With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya, India

Original_app_mssg(1) VANCOUVER DESI

India is one of 15 countries in the world to mark Martyr's Day. It is celebrated every year in that country on Jan. 30, the day that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. Gandhi is widely recognized as India's "Father of the Nation" for his peaceful attempts to have the country gain independence from England. Other countries that celebrate Martyr's Day (the specific dates vary by country) are Uganda, Vietnam, Syria, Panama, Myanmar, Malawi, Libya, Lebanon, Iran, Bangladesh Azerbaijan, Armenia, Albania and Afghanistan. What follows is a reflection on Gandhi's value system, written by Firoz Bakht Ahmed, for IANS, ahead of Martyr's Day in India:

Children dressed as their country's founding father Mahatma Gandhi are seen gathered for a function in Kolkata, India on Jan. 29, 2012. Gandhi's death is commemorated every year by Martyrs' Day. Gandhi, the Mahatma, was truly a citizen of the world though he worked for the freedom of the Indian nation from foreign yoke. Though a Brahmin by birth, humanity was his religion.

He believed that for victory, war was the most blunt weapon and the sharpest one was obviously non-violence. He abhorred the concept of might being the right.

The obiter dictum of Gandhi, "Most religious men I have met are politicians in disguise. I, however, who wear the guise of a politician, am at heart, a religious man," remains the key to the value system of the political philosophy that he adhered to.

What Gandhi, till he breathed his last, lamented, was that despite challenging irreligion, he found that irreligion cemented its greatest stronghold in politics. In fact Gandhi entered politics to fight irreligion. He also accepted the fact that he might not be absolutely accurate as regards his words used - the hallmark of a true great.

"My religion has no geographical boundaries," he explained to Kakasaheb Kalekar once. "If I have a living faith in it, it will transcend my love for India herself," said Gandhi. It was that brand of religion that taught to believe absolutely in the soul and rely solely on soul force for fighting all the ills in human hearts or in human society.

Truth for him was God. And non-violence, or soul force, his only means of fighting the ills of life. He was not a nationalist in the narrow parochial sense in which the word is used.

Gandhi was at pains to explain to American writer Jeanette Eaton that his nationalism was in reality intense internationalism. "Our nationalism can be no peril to other nations inasmuch as we will

exploit none, just as we allow none to exploit us."

In her Gandhi: Fighter Without A Sword, Eaton narrates that the greatest influence of Gandhi on her was Gandhi's notions on oneness of the world.

Gandhi told C.R. Das once: "How heartening it is to imagine that when there is One World and no militarised boundaries and all the natural and human resources, all the sciences and technology which are today marshalled and arrayed for destructive purposes, will be used for the elimination of poverty, ill health and ignorance."

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in his "India Wins Freedom" states that Gandhiji is universally acknowledged as the greatest man of his age simply for the reason that despite affecting the destiny of the whole sub-continent, he held no high office nor was he a statesman ruling the destinies of countries.

By sacrificing political gains, he bought peace like all true thinkers and philosophers. He was above all the frivolities of political life as he drew his strength from what he termed "soul force," an inner strength that comes only when ones believes in non-violence, truth and an abiding faith in the innate goodness lurking in all fellow beings.

It was this quality of Gandhi that made him a leader of the world leaders.

Gandhi had the courage of a statesman for initiating reforms. He, however, did not live long enough to see his ideas implemented as the life of this saint who advocated non-violence was cut short by the  most horrendous and heinous act of violence (Jan. 30, 194.

Duty to Gandhi was of paramount importance. He said, "Duties to self, to the family, to the country and to the world are not independent of one another. One cannot do good to the country by injuring the world at large."

Tagore had believed that Gandhi would fail like all saints who had also failed. Wrote Tagore, "Perhaps he will not succeed. Perhaps he will fail as the Buddha failed, as Christ failed and as Lord Mahavira failed to wean men from their inequities, but he will be remembered as one who made his life an example for all ages to come."

The teachings of Gandhi are still relevant today, will remain for posterity and his wider significance to a world torn with violence may yet await their fulfilment.

Indian_Court_ruling(Death_sentence)

Dear all,

Welcome.

Court ruling: In an landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that inexplicable, inordinate delay in deciding on mercy plea of a death row convict is sufficient ground for commutation of death sentence to life.

Delivering its verdict on a petition filed by 15 death row convicts – including four of Veerapppan aides – in which they had sought commutation of their death sentences as the government had not taken a decision on their mercy plea for years.

"....Mercy petitions were disposed of more expeditiously in former days than in the present times. Mostly, until 1980, the mercy petitions were decided in minimum of 15 days and in maximum of 10-11 months. Thereafter, from 1980 to 1988, the time taken in disposal of mercy petitions was gradually increased to an average of four years," a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said.

It said that at that point the apex court intervened and passed order for speedier disposal of mercy plea.

"It is exactly at this point of time, the cases like Vatheeswaran and Triveniben were decided which gave way for developing the jurisprudence of commuting the death sentence based on undue delay...," it said, adding "obviously, the mercy petitions disposed of from 1989 to 1997 witnessed the impact of the observations in the disposal of mercy petitions".

"Since the average time taken for deciding the mercy petitions during this period was brought down to an average of 5 months from 4 years thereby paying due regard to the observations made in the decisions of this court, but unfortunately, now the history seems to be repeating itself as now the delay of maximum 12 years is seen in disposing of the mercy petitions," it said.

Veerappan aides Meesekar Madaiah, Gnanaprakash, Simon and Bilavendran, are lodged in a Karnataka jail since 2004. Haryana couple Sonia and Sanjiv who were sentenced to death for killing 13 of their relatives were also among the petitioners.

The court said that the government cannot keep mercy pleas pending for years. The court said that if there is a procedural lapse in deciding on the mercy plea of a death row convict then it can be a ground for commuting death sentence to life.

Importantly, today's verdict may also impact the mercy pleas of Rajiv Gandhi's assassins Murugan, Arivu and Santhan, which are pending before the top court.

The apex court also laid down important guidelines on dealing with death row convicts and their mercy pleas.

The court directed that death row convicts should not be placed under solitary confinement. Also, such convicts must be provided all legal aid if he/she wishes to submit a mercy plea.

The court also mandated respective state governments to place necessary material before the Governor while sending the mercy plea.

Once the mercy plea is rejected, it should be conveyed in writing to the convict, the court said.

"Although, no time frame can be set for the President for disposal of the mercy petition but we can certainly request the concerned Ministry to follow its own rules rigorously which can reduce, to a large extent, the delay caused," the bench added.

Noted jurist Soli Sorabjee welcomed the SC verdict. He termed it “correct and humane.”

Last year, another bench of the court had had rejected death row prisoner Devinder Singh Bhullar's plea for a life term, on grounds that there had been a long delay in deciding on his mercy plea.

With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya

Events'2014

Dear all,
Welcome & pl. read on events likely to occur during this year.
1. IPCC Report: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change would be presenting it's fifth estimation report in which the effect of Climate change would be discussed upon. Earlier such report had been issued during the year 1990 1995, 2001 & 2007. These reports contained GHGs long term
effect and global temperature estimation. The fourth report had been most strict wherein it was suspected that GHGs emission would be resulting in increase of earth's temperature by 6.4deg by the end of 21st century.
2. Single Inspection system: Under it, EU banks coming under Eurozone could be intervened by EU Central bank for curbing fiscal danger & cross border contacts. A permanent rescue fund had been made for providing loan without addition of sovereign loan.
3. Scotland freedom: Referendum would be held for freedom of Scotland from United Kingdom.
4. Internet's reach: Developed countries people are more dependent on internet. Radio's place had been occupied by it with it's access being five times more than TV. It is due to social media, mobile technology and improvement in Bandwidth.
5.  Memorister technology: It is supposed to be the missing link in Electric circuit. It is the fourth basic element. It is a nano-scale device that remembers it's resistance upon switching off. This techinque would be used in mobile phone & other devices. It would enhance battery's lifetime, speed & memory capacity.
6. Google glass: It would help web access without the use of hands. It would have electronic screen in lieu of lens.
7. WTC: New WTC would be completed by this year after it was destroyed in a terrorist attack on Sept.1, 2001.
8. Football World cup: 20th FIFA world cup would be held in Brazil. It would have Goal-line technology with a magnetic strip in football. A signal would be given to referee on crossing goal line.
9. Shanghai Tower: It is being constructed at Pudong district of China & would be second highest tower after Burj Khalifa.
10. Army Robot: A Robot for supplying ammunition would be used at those places where traditional vehicles could not reach. The four legged robot would be able to pick 150 kgs weigh & would be able to walk 6.5 kms in an hour.
11. Smart clock: After ipad, Smart clock is next big product & is expected to have sales of upto 50 lakhs.
12. Solar power Plane: First Solar impulse plane would be able to fly.
13. Panama canal project: It would be completed with capacity doubling & would be linking Atlantic & Pacific Ocean.
14. Cheap DNA sequencing: New nano fluidic chip would be cheaper so that human genome could be read within few hours.
15. Tooth Enamel security: Keep 32 atomic particle would be available which would prevent Streptococus mutant germs.
16. Laser gun: High power beam laseer gun would help make it possible to target 480 kmph moving target located at a distance of 4 miles.
17. ISS: The 110 m long ISS would weigh 3,45,000 kg & would be activated by 2028.
18. Orion Spacecraft: Orion multipurpose crew vehicle would have lab test done.
19. Phalcon Heavy: Saturn five rocket would have capacity to send satellites weighing 53 tonnes & more. Also, Mars orbiter would be reaching Mars by Sept.
20. NATO forces: NATO forces would be returning from Afghanistan by this year end. 
With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya
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GSLV-D5,Scam&Modi/AAP

Dear all,
Welcome.
GSLV-D5: Reverse counting for launching had already started for GSLV-D5, which would be carrying GSAT-14 communication Satellite weighing 1,980 kgs. Earlier the indigenous cryogenic engine fitted
GSLV-D5 launch was stopped during past August 19 as the second stage had fuel leakage in it's tank #7020. It used to develop cracks in aluminium body. Now in it's first, second & third stage the space
vehicle would be using solid, earth accumulative liquid & cryogenic propellant mix for putting it in Geo synchronous orbit.
Scam: UPA govt. has got many scams exposed & in continuation to that, recent matter regarding import of poor quality coal had been brought to the light. NTPC & NSPCL are supposed to have imported poor quality coal from Indonesia amounting 116 crores INR. CBI had registered an FIR against both PSU officials including Senior  Officials of private companies. It had also conducted raid in Indore, Bhilai, & Mumbai.
As per CBI spokesman, first FIR is against Oonchahar NTPC power plant where NTPC officials & Indore based pvt. company had supplied poor quality Indonesian coal. It had caused loss of 23 crore INR. Second FIR is related to NSPCL Bhilai with loss amounting 93 crore INR.
Modi brand: A judicial commission to probe into women's spying matter against BJP's PM candidate is held in abeyance as CJI had denied after accepting to be heading the Commission. The draft for constitution is ready but Judge's name is to be recommended by Law ministry. It is to note that earlier the Cabinet had decided for the stated Commission set up.
With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya
Original_app_mssg(1)
AHMEDABAD: If you thought the comment by outgoing Infosys director V Balakrishnan — that the Aam Aadmi Party was the best start-up ever by an IITian — would push the best brains towards the winds of political change blowing across the country, pause to ponder. For, alumni of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) already form the heavy artillery in Narendra Modi's armoury as he draws political strategy to capture power in Delhi.
But the Gujarat chief minister has now competition from AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, an IITian himself, who is finding support in premier institutes and among the urban, educated middle class — a constituency that Modi has been trying to get on board.
Last year, Modi started building an army of bright youths through his Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG) initiative. This was in anticipation that much of the political battle would be fought in the theatre of the youth. Almost half of the 60-odd founder members of CAG are IITians. They quit from renowned organizations like Oracle, AT Kearney, JP Morgan, Google, IBM, Deutsche Bank and McKinsey, just to be part of Modi's think-tank.
The second tier comprises around 200 short-term members — around half of them again IITians — who form the core of CAG, which has 60,000 foot soldiers from good colleges across the country. After the emergence of Arvind Kejriwal and the groundswell of support for AAP from premier institutes, Modi plans to graft the CAG army of 60,000 into the BJP apparatus in a dozen important states. Within the next couple of months, almost 20% of BJP's active base will comprise these volunteers.
"Immediately after the win in assembly polls in December 2012, Modi started to build a platform to connect with first-time voters and youths from urban areas. CAG was launched in mid-2013 and the fact that Modi spent eight hours at an event organized by CAG on October 2 suggests how deeply the CM is interested," said a Modi aide.
The Gujarat CM is learnt to have advised Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh to take help from CAG volunteers during the assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. "The interest in these two states on what CAG can do increased after AAP's recent surge," he said.
Disclaimer: Copyright protected, no part of the material shall be reproduced without the prior permission of the author.