December 11, 2010 in Miscellaneous by Ramesh Chandan

FIR lodged in Kanpur Police station through Facebook

Well, it seems that the police is not lagging behind in the social networking boom as the Facebook account opened by a police station in Kanpur received the first complaint today and FIR has been lodged in relation with that as reported by Police.

It’s the Kohna Police station that became the first of its kind to lodge a complaint through the Facebook profile.

The first complain was made by a Facebook user Tabish Ahmed who complained that he had lost his bag, which contained important business documents, Kohna Station Officer Alok Mani Tripati told PTI.

Tabish along with the complaint also mentioned his telephone number and address.

Sources have reported that the police responded to the information by contacting Ahmad immediately to get additional inputs in the case.

Moreover, Police lodged an FIR in connection to the case and a sub-inspector has been appointed to investigate the matter. Also the police mentioned about all the developments regarding the case through Facebook.

As per report of the sources, to the profile of Kanpur Police station, three police stations- Kohana, Kakadeo and Naubasta have been linked with its Facebook profile.

Moreover, Police is also planning to post photographs of wanted criminals on this page so that they be traced faster. Apart from the events, the page will feature updates on activities of the traffic police and traffic diversions.

The team at Kanpur Police Station, which is about 80 Kms from the capital city Lucknow, believes that the new Facebook account will help them tap into public feedback, which would definitely help them benchmark their way of functioning.

December 11, 2010 in Miscellaneous by AK Dubey

The “Bad” is the new “Good”

So, is the “Bad” the new “Good” now? Well, after watching some of the latest animated movies like the Despicable Me and the Megamind, it does seem like the statement is true. Of course, the “Bad” always has this soft corner for being the “Good”, they just can’t accept it right away!

This trend of the “Bad” being the “Good” is also seen in recent non-animated movies as well. Maybe, it is just a shift in the cinema trend or is it reflecting the actual stage of the society? Where “Bad” is being considered “Cool”?

Well, according to our local movie analyst, Shekhar Anand, “the ‘Bad’ is just our ‘perception’ of what is presented in the movie; and if the director of the movie presents the ‘Bad’ in such a way so as to make it looks like a ‘Good’, we, the viewers, simply fall for it”. He continues, “And of course, if the role of the ‘Bad’ is played by an otherwise popular ‘Good’ actor, our mind keeps thinking that the ‘Bad’ is actually the ‘Good’ and we sympathize on his role”.

Well, seems like we all are falling for the ‘Bad’ now. But who care, we all are having fun and director is making money, right?

- Sent to us by A Ranjan.

December 6, 2010 in Miscellaneous by AK Dubey

Hindu temple launched in New Haven, home to Yale University

(From Our Correspondent) A new Hindu temple and community center has reportedly started functioning in West Hills area of New Haven (Connecticut, USA).

Launched by Gujarati Samaj of Connecticut (founded around 1992) with two priests, it is named as Shree Nathji Haveli. Besides prayer services twice daily and seven times a week, this temple complex, one of the five in Connecticut, also plans to start yoga, activities for seniors, lessons in Indian dancing and Gujarati language, etc. New Haven City Plan Commission, chaired by Edward Mattison, approved it unanimously on November 17.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of New Haven and surrounding community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple complex.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple complex would focus in this direction. He stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

New Haven, founded in 1638 and incorporated in 1784, home of world famous Yale University and birthplace of inventor/industrialist Charles Goodyear and casino developer Steve Wynn, is an important port known for New Haven Green and “apizza”. John DeStefano Jr. is the mayor.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.

December 2, 2010 in Miscellaneous by M Chakraborty

Best of Cyber Monday Deals extends to Cyber Week Deals on Amazon

Amazon Cyber Monday Deals just won’t get over since the deals have been extended for the Cyber Week. Just like the Black Friday Week Deals, Amazon is giving more deals and discounts this week as a part of their Cyber Week Deals and Discount Offers.

There are tons of offers right now being offered with big discounts. Online shoppers seems to be active all day to grab the deals and it is clear from the discussion and feedback forums at Amazon.

Amazon has listed a special Holiday Toy list as well for the festive season and you may find the same on the Amazon.com Cyber Week Deals Page.

December 1, 2010 in Miscellaneous by AK Dubey

Hindus & Jews want resignation of Romania minister found guilty of Roma discriminatory remarks

(From Our Correspondent) Romania’s Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi has been reportedly found guilty of discriminatory remarks about Roma (Gypsy) population by country’s anti-discrimination board and now Hindus and Jews want him to resign.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a statement issued in Nevada today, said that Baconschi had no moral standing to continue in the government after making such disparaging remarks about a major group of the population.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich, although applauded the Board for declaring Baconschi guilty but criticized it for letting him go just with a mild recommendation instead of a fine or at least warning. How a foreign minister could represent a country when he had such a prejudiced opinion about a large ethnic group of its population, they asked.

Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich asked for European Union intervention if Baconschi did not resign. They said that they did not expect action from Romania President Traian Basescu, who reportedly himself made some ‘racist’ remarks about Roma in the recent past during his Slovenia visit, blaming them for making a living on stealing and not willing to work, thus stigmatizing the entire Roma community. It seemed like an attempt by Romania’s ruling politicians to demonize the already most prejudiced against community in Europe and eternalizing negative stereotyping of them, instead of showing strong political will to integrate them.

In its annual “Human Rights Report” about Romania issued in the recent past, US Department of State said: “Roma faced persistent poverty and had poor access to government services, few employment opportunities, high rates of school attrition, inadequate health care, and pervasive discrimination.”

Europe’s most persecuted and discriminated community, Roma were reportedly encountering apartheid conditions in Europe. Roma reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, Zed and Freirich pointed out.

Romania’s Roma community is said to be the biggest in Europe and according to reports, between 1.8 and 2.5 million Roma live in Romania and about 75 per cent live in poverty.

November 30, 2010 in Miscellaneous by M Chakraborty

Volcano mudflow in Mount Merapi Indonesia

Heavy mudflow from a volcanic mountain in Indonesia, Mount Merapi, have forced hundreds of people to flee from their places. The volcanic materials have been rapidly flowing due to the heavy rains that have washed the slope of the mountain.

Most of the people affected live along the banks of Code River which flows from Mount Merapi till Yogyakarta city. Till now around 400 people have fled from the city.

It is reported that the residents must leave their houses temporarily as the water had submerged their houses. An official of the disaster management and mitigation management agency said that most of the ash and volcanic materials washed by the river were already existed in the river during recent eruption.

Indonesia has the largest number of active volcanoes. Since October 26 this year, atleast 341 people have been killed.

November 27, 2010 in Miscellaneous by AK Dubey

Kindle 2 $89 offer sold out in seconds at Amazon

The Kindle 2 offer which was put up on Amazon Black Friday Special Lightning offer was sold out in just seconds of its launch, leaving behind many customers unsatisfied with the deal.

According to an unconfirmed report, there were about 2500 Kindle 2 being sold at the offer price of just $89. Many shoppers reportedly waited for hours just to grab the Kindle at the offer price but not all were lucky enough to grab one.

The price of the Kindle Electronic eBook readers are now back to the normal (for kindle deals), although there are many other deals which continue to be featured on the Amazon Black Friday Week Deals Section.

Online shoppers can now follow the Kindle Blog or the Amazon Deals at Twitter and Facebook for the latest deals.

- Tech & Gadget News by Peter Teller. He writes about Best deals on Kindle on his website. Become a First14 Guest News Writer.

November 27, 2010 in Miscellaneous by AK Dubey

Jews support Hindus on protest against Newsweek’s Obama Nataraja cover

(From Our Correspondent) Jews have come out in the support of Hindus who were upset over the cover of November 22 edition of American newsweekly Newsweek which depicts US President Barack Obama in Nataraja pose, saying that it trivializes their venerated deity Siva.

Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Newsweek had been very insensitive in this case by using Hinduism’s sacred concepts and symbols to dramatize its point and to push its selfish agenda. He asked Newsweek to issue an apology to the world Hindu community immediately clarifying the issue.

Frierich pointed out that Jews were all for the freedom of the press and other media, but media should also show responsibility and not unnecessarily drag the revered religious traditions to highlight some unconnected issues. Faiths were highly important to the devotees and any attempts at their misuse could hurt their feelings.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that community was upset at Newsweek for not coming out with a disclaimer/apology on the issue despite the community’s protest over the last few days. A highly respected newsmagazine like Newsweek should have been quicker to react and apologize on its indecorous and inappropriate use of Lord Siva’s image.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, welcomed the world media to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and respectfully and not just for improper showing of Hindu symbols and concepts to advance their commercial or other agenda. Media should be more sensitive while handling faith related subjects and sacred symbols of all religions.

This Newsweek cover page is headlined as “GOD OF ALL THINGS”.

Nataraja (Lord of the dance) is a well known iconic representation of Lord Siva, symbolizing his salvific, destructive, and creative roles; when he dances the world to destruction to create it again as a chapter of the ongoing cosmic cycle. Siva, along with Brahma and Visnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities. Best known depiction of Nataraja is installed in a Tamil Nadu temple in India.

Newsweek, launched in 1933, is published from New York City in four English language and 12 global editions and reportedly has a worldwide circulation of over four million. Tina Brown is the editor. It is owned by The Newsweek Daily Beast Company with Stephen Colvin as CEO and Sidney Harman as Executive Chairman.

November 26, 2010 in Miscellaneous by R Biswas

Hindu statesman Zed urges Church of England Synod to approve women bishops

Welcoming Synod of Church of England on starting new five-year term on November 23, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged it to finally approve the introduction of female bishops.

It would be a “step in the right direction”, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed in a statement in Nevada (USA) today.

Church’s General Synod, in its meeting in last July, already allowed women bishops. Final draft and approval will be probably made in General Synod of 2012. Earlier, women could be ordained as priests but were barred from holding office of bishop.

Rajan Zed suggested the Church to empower the women bishops with exactly equal roles as men bishops and without any limits or conditions. As women were equal partners in the society, they should be equal partners in Church also.

Quoting Hindu scriptures, Zed says: Where women are honored, there the gods are pleased.

The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England, which is recognized by law as the official church of England. About 1.7 million people take part in a Church of England service each month and Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

November 19, 2010 in Miscellaneous by R Biswas

Airtel New Logo of 2010 comes with more promises

The new Airtel Logo of 2010 was unveiled on Thursday, marking Aitel’s 200 million subscribers mark and it has become the new face of Airtel, along with the launch of the New Airtel Tune.

Airtel Old and New Logo of 2010:

The new Airtel Logo comes with more curves and more lively effects compared to the old logo, signifying the innovative approach and dynamic nature of the company. With the launch of the new logo and the tune with the international touch, Airtel promises continued commitment and excellence in serving the customers.

November 18, 2010 in Miscellaneous by R Biswas

New Airtel Tune: Download now available on Airtel

Airtel has launched a new Signature Tune on Thursday, composed by none other than the International music maestro, A.R. Rahman. The tune is now available for download on the Airtel Website, both for mobile phones as well as for PC.

The new tune was launched along with the new Airtel Logo which was unveiled on November 18th, marking the company’s 200 million subscribers milestone.

The new Airtel Tune by AR Rahman is also available on Youtube and here is a quick preview.

Seems like some people liked the old tune better. What do you say?

October 26, 2010 in Miscellaneous by R Biswas

Moon rise time today in India: The significance

Today is Karva Chauth and the moon rise time today is of great significance to many women in India as well as Indian women aboard. On this day, married women across the country observe fasting to show their devotion to deity Gauri and pray for the safety, happiness and longevity of their husbands.

Married women of Hindi and Sikh religions observe this day with great enthusiasm with a one day long fasting, from sun rise to moon rise. At moon rise, they will conclude the fasting and celebrate the evening with their husbands.

The women, usually try to look the best on this day by putting on heavy make-up, with lot of beautiful jewellery and hands and legs decorated with mehndi and henna. They eagerly wait for the moon to rise and for the big celebration ahead.

According to Timeanddate.com, the moon rise time today (New Delhi) is 19:56 from the East-northeast direction. We wish everyone a very happy Karva Chauth.

October 25, 2010 in Miscellaneous by AK Dubey

7 jawans killed in a landmine blast

On Friday (October 22), 7 jawans were killed in a bloody landmine blast triggered by naxal militant. The landmine blast was triggered near Sheohar, Bihar when a police patrolling jeep was passing by. The landmine blast blew up the jeep killing 1 inspector and 6 jawans in the attack. The landmine blast was made 35km away from the sheohar town.

Director General of Police Neelmani Singh reported to PTI that the ultras detonated a landmine blast targeting a police patrol passing over a small culvert at Jhitkahi in which five policemen, including the SHO of Shyampur Bhatha police station Pravin Kumar Singh, were killed.

Mr. Neelami further apprised the media that four Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel and the driver of jeep were among those who got killed in the blast. He also said that the Special Task Force (STF) of Bihar and CRPF jawans had been deployed and combat against naxal had been intensified.

“The landmine blast was made when the patrolling police team was returning after a visit to a nearby CRPF camp.” said the Additional Director General of Police P. K. Thakur in his statement. Mr. Thakur further reported that the Maoists did not loot the weapons of the dead policemen.

As per report of the sources, the landmine blast is being taken as a sign from moist to boycott the election in Bihar, after the first phase of election had peacefully passed off on Thursday.

The state government made an announcement to pay Rs 10 lakh to bereaved families. Moreover, the government has also promised to ensure Rs 13.75 lakh of insurance cover to the dependent of the victim within tenure of three days.

October 7, 2010 in Miscellaneous by R Biswas

Mahalaya 2010 kicks off with devotional songs, greetings & sms

Mahalaya 2010 celebration started today in a great pomp and splendour as with this celebration six auspicious day of Mahasaptmi festival starts. With the advent of Mahalaya, the approach of Durga Puja is marked. After six days of Mahalaya celebration, Mother Durga is worshipped and celebrated across Bengal for four days from the sixth day of Navratri.

Countdown begins for Devipaksha and beginning of Durga Puja with the Mahalaya 2010.

The festivity is at its peak after the celebration of Mahalaya 2010. The clay idol of Goddess Durga als starts getting finishing touch.

The day marks the start of Devipaksha and end of ‘Pitri Paksha’. A large number of people perform Tarpan on Mahalaya to pay respect to departed parents.

The festive fever catches one from the Mahalaya and preparations for the Durga Puja commences. Mahalaya is also considered the day to invoke Mother Durga’s promising presence for the Durga Puja.

On the eve of Mahalaya, Mantras are chanted and bhajans are sung to invoke the grace of Jagan Mayi, Goddess Durga. Also on Mahalaya Amavasya people engage in religious rituals for their dead ancestors.

he story of Mother Durga is retold during Mahalaya and Mahishasura Mardhini stothra is recited with devotional fervour by devotees. It symbolises the preparation of the individual during the days after Mahalaya for the final assault of one’s ego (Mahishasura) by the Supreme Self (Mother Durga).

On this occasion, people are sending greetings each other’s via SMS. The Durga Puja Celebration will be at its peak in West Bengal while other parts of country celebrate Navratri.

Mahalaya SMS are also circulated on this day.