How to stay fit in flu season

Washington, Sept 20 (ANI): As cold and flu season approaches, giving up junk food for more healthy options would help maintain a strong immune system.

Dr Ara DerMarderosian, professor of pharmacognosy for University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and an expert in nutraceuticals and natural foods, have provided guidance to change how you eat and break habits that pack on the pounds and compromise immunity.

? Don’t play “food police”

Be conscious of what and how much you eat, but don’t overdo self-monitoring to the point that a healthy lifestyle shifts from being a choice to becoming overwhelming, pushing other activities away and interfering with relationships.

? Pay attention to true hunger

Listen to your hunger signals and refrain from eating when you’re not hungry. Eating when your body doesn’t need food can cause you to overindulge.

? Eat slowly

Eat like a gourmet – enjoy each bite to have, chewing methodically, and truly enjoy the taste of your food. Eating slowly gives your body time to break down the food, which can prevent post-meal indigestion and feeling bloated.

? Focus on eating

Do not watch television, read or work while you eat. When you’re not focused on eating, it’s unlikely you’ll notice how much is going in your mouth.

? Avoid eating when stressed

Stress is a well-known cause of overeating and digestive issues, such as heartburn. A relaxing atmosphere, enjoyable company and conversation, and not feeling rushed for time makes for a healthy meal.

? Everything in moderation

Eating food is pleasurable, so enjoy a few morsels of candy, but limit the quantity. (ANI)

Shiv Sena-BJP alliance confident of victory in Maharashtra assembly polls

Mumbai, Sep 19(ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena on Saturday expressed confidence about emerging victorious in the forthcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

“It is 45 years since Shiv Sena came into being. And this first day of Navaratri happens to be a red-letter day in the history of Shiv Sena that has crusaded for the cause of Samyukta (unified) Maharashtra. Considering all these aspects, I feel it is an auspicious timing (of) declaring the seat arrangement and we are confident of our combine emerging victorious,” said Uddhav Thackeray, Executive President of Shiv Sena party.

Leaders of both the parties confirmed that there was no bargaining for seats between the two allies.

“Today, is the first day of Dussera and we have arrived at the figures of seat sharing. Yes, it is 169 and 119. The 169 in favour of Shiv Sena and 119 for BJP and it will be interesting to note that both the figures end in 9, a lucky number; 169 and 119. And now onwards we will work on joint strategy. There is no clash of interests and now onwards we will devote to the selection of suitable candidates,” said Gopinath Munde, senior BJP leader.

In the 2004 elections, Shiv Sena had contested for 171 seats while BJP had contested for 117 and jointly they had bagged 119 seats in the legislative house of 289 members.

The alliance of Congress and regional National Congress Party (NCP) had emerged victorious in the 2004 polls. (ANI)

SC extends stay on Kanshi Ram memorial construction

New Delhi, Sep. 18 (ANI): Expressing dissatisfaction over the Mayawati Government’s plea, the Supreme Court on Friday extended the stay order on its earlier ruling for stoppage of work at Kanshi Ram Memorial Sthal in Lucknow.

“The affidavit is not satisfactory. The question here has many, many burning issues,” it observed during a brief hearing in the case,” a Bench comprising Justices B N Agrawal and Aftab Alam noted.t said the question was whether one could spend so much of money from the state or public exchequer for the purpose.

“Suppose today the legislature decides that 80 per cent of budgetary allocation should be spent on such works of memorials and statues…is it not justiciable,” the Bench asked.

“Serious questions arise in this petition…the cabinet and the legislature have to act under the Constitution,” the Bench added.

The next hearing in the case is on October 5th, and the parties are asked to file their responses to the affidavit by September 29th.

In a detailed affidavit filed in response to the show cause notice issued on September 11, the state government had claimed it had the highest regard for the apex court and that it believed in carrying out its directions in “letter and spirit.”

On September 8, the apex court had ruled that no further construction activities should take place at the memorials which have cost the exchequer 2,600 crore rupees.

However, media reports said construction activities were going on in full swing despite the court’s directive, following which the bench had issued a show cause notice. (ANI)

Will Sarabjeet be spared the gallows under Pak Govt.’s plans to commute death sentences?

Islamabad, Sep.17 (ANI): The Pakistan government is considering commuting death sentences, but such a step may not help the cause of Sarabjeet Singh, the Indian inmate who has been awarded a death sentence by a Lahore anti-terrorism court in October 1991.

Interior Advisor Rehman Malik said the government has sent a draft to the law division seeking legal opinion on the proposal to commute death sentences.

Rehman, however, said that even if the proposal is accepted there would be no mercy for terrorists.

“They (terrorists) will have to face the death penalty,” The Dawn quoted Malik, as saying.

According to an estimate there are 7000 death inmates in Pakistan at present.

Pakistan security agencies have maintained that Singh had admitted that he was sent to Pakistan to carry out serial bomb blasts in Lahore, Faislabad, and Kasur, and was trained by the Indian Army, and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Singh was awarded the death sentence by a Lahore anti-terrorism court in October 1991.

He challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court, however, the apex court quashed his appeal in September, 2005, saying that the review petition was not filed within the time period as mentioned in the law.

In March 2006, a two member Supreme Court bench dismissed Singh’s petition against his conviction in the Lahore’s Yakki Gate bomb blast in 1990.

Singh has been languishing in Pakistan jails for the last 28 years, as Pakistan has stonewalled release even on humanitarian grounds, despite continuous efforts by Indian diplomatic channels. (ANI)

Popular stomach acid reducer ups patients’ risk of developing pneumonia threefold

Washington, September 15 (ANI): Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have found that a popular stomach-acid reducer, which is used to prevent stress ulcers in critically ill patients who need breathing machine support, triples the likelihood of contracting pneumonia among such patients.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia-the leading cause of infection-related deaths in critically ill patients-increases hospital stays by an average of seven to nine days, cost of care, and the risk of other complications.

“As best we can tell, patients who develop hospital-acquired pneumonia or ventilator-acquired pneumonia have about a 20 to 30 percent chance of dying from that pneumonia. It’s a significant event,” said senior study author Dr. David L. Bowton, professor and head of the Section on Critical Care in the Department of Anesthesiology.

During the study, the researchers compared treatment with two drugs that decrease stomach acid: ranitidine, marketed under the name ZantacTM, and pantoprazole, marketed under the name ProtonixTM or PrilosecTM.

Both drugs decrease stomach acid, but the newer pantoprazole is considered more powerful, and has become the drug of choice in many hospitals.

However, upon the analysis of 834 patient charts, the researchers came to the conclusion that the risk of developing pneumonia was thee times more in the hospitalised cardiothoracic surgery patients who had been treated with pantoprazole.

“We conducted this study, in part, because we thought we were seeing more pneumonias than we were used to having,” said study co-author Marc G. Reichert, pharmacy coordinator for surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

The researchers say that their study suggests some other steps to keep critically ill patients from developing ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Bowton suggests that doctors consider whether an acid reducer is needed at all, and, in cases where it is needed, ranitidine is recommended because of the apparent decreased risk in developing pneumonia.

Doctors should stop using the drug as soon as the risk of bleeding passes – once the patient is off the breathing machine and eating, either on his/her own or through a feeding tube.

“Stopping the drugs earlier appears to be the best thing for patients,” Reichert said.

The study has been published in a recent issue of CHEST. (ANI)

Metro train derails in Delhi

New Delhi, Sep.13 (ANI): A Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) coach on the Indraprashta-Yamuna Nagar line derailed early on Sunday morning.

Though the cause of the 6 a.m.derailment was not immediately known, several routes along the metro line were disrupted. o casualties were reported.

Earlier, a DMRC train going towards Yamuna Bank from Dwarka Sector 9 developed a break problem in the middle of its journey which led to a delay of 15 minutes, DMRC sources said.

Passengers, however, complained that the trains were delayed for upto 30 minutes. (ANI)

Sea levels rose as much as 2 feet this summer along the US East Coast

Washington, September 12 (ANI): Reports indicate that sea levels rose as much as 2 feet (60 centimeters) higher than predicted this summer along the US East Coast, surprising scientists who forecast such periodic fluctuations.

According to National Geographic News, though the immediate cause of the unexpected rise has now been solved, the underlying reason remains a mystery.

Usually, predicting seasonal tides and sea levels is a pretty cut-and-dried process, governed by the known movements and gravitational influences of astronomical bodies like the moon, according to Rich Edwing, deputy director for the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

But, NOAA’s phones began ringing this summer when East Coast residents reported higher than predicted water levels, much like those associated with short-term weather events like tropical storms.

These high seas persisted for weeks, throughout June and July.

The startling rise caused only minor coastal flooding, but puzzled scientists.

Now, a new report has identified the two major factors behind the high sea levels-a weakened Gulf Stream and steady winds from the northeastern Atlantic.

The Gulf Stream is a northward-flowing superhighway of ocean water off the US East Coast.

Running at full steam, the powerful current pulls water into its “orbit” and away from the East Coast.

But this summer, for reasons unknown, “the Gulf Stream slowed down,” Edwing said, sending water toward the coasts-and sea levels shooting upward.

Adding to the sustained surge, autumn winds from the northeastern Atlantic arrived a few months early, pushing even more water coastward.

The higher waters caused inconveniences for some anglers and boaters and rearranged a bit of shoreline.

“A couple of sand beaches we’d normally fish from were eaten up. And the volume of water was higher than it normally would be,” said Paulie Apostolides, owner of Paulie’s Tackle in Montauk on New York State’s Long Island.

Even before the new report, released by NOAA on September 2, Apostolides said that many local fishers had already attributed the sea level rise to the “ferocious” winds from the northeast. (ANI)

Why diet drugs work

London, Sept 11 (ANI): Diet drugs work because they make people eat more healthily, claim psychologists.

In the study, presented at the British Psychological Society’s Division of Health Psychology conference in Birmingham, researchers found that dieters who lost the most weight on the drugs had also reduced the amount of fatty junk food they ate.

However, some people reacted differently to starting the drugs, taking them as a license to eat more unhealthy food such as crisps, reports The Telegraph.

To reach the conclusion, researchers analysed data of 572 people who had been prescribed the diet drug orlistat by their doctor.

The drug works by reducing the amount of fat absorbed by the body.However, this fat is them eliminated in bowel movements, which can cause disagreeable side effects.

Amelia Hollywood, a PHD student at the University of Surrey and one of the researchers who carried out the study, said: “Our findings support the idea that orlistat works not only on a physical level, but also psychologically – as it encourages people to see their diet as a cause of their weight problem.

“In addition, the side effects are so unpleasant that people avoid bad eating fatty foods and therefore lose weight.

“However, the way in which some people responded to orlistat was surprising.

“Some participants in this study reported that their eating behaviour became significantly unhealthier over the six month period.”

She added: “People also told us that they were not adhering to the medication as they should. It seemed that these people were taking orlistat as a lifestyle drug – choosing to take it when they were eating foods higher in fat to reduce any weight gain or not taking it when going on holiday or out for a meal as they didn’t want to experience the consequences of eating fatty foods.”

The preliminary findings found that on average those taking the diet pills lost almost 10lb over six months. (ANI)

Killer whales have to raise their voices to be heard over ship noise

Washington, September 11 (ANI): A new research has determined that killer whales have to raise their voices to be heard over ship noise, and the effort may be wearing the whales out as they try to find food amid dwindling numbers of salmon.

According to a report in National Geographic News, scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) carried out the research.

The research indicates that the killer whales of Puget Sound, a complex of inland marine waterways in the northwestern part of Washington, US, make more calls and clicks while foraging than while traveling, suggesting that such mealtime conservations are key to coordinating hunts.

“(The killer whales’) call exchange is incredibly important, and vessel noises have the potential to mask these calls,” said research leader Marla Holt of Seattle’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, which is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Holt and colleagues’ previous research had shown that some killer whales make louder calls to be heard over vessel rumblings-just as people raise their voices to talk over the din of a cocktail party.

Now, the researchers think the cacophony could be causing the region’s killer whales to use up more energy during hunts, even as their preferred prey, chinook salmon, are on the decline.

In Puget Sound, a small group of killer whales known as the Southern Residents has been found to be particularly well-suited to eating salmon-even down to the whales’ tooth size.

These animals don’t eat seals or other mammals, as do the transient killer whales that migrate through the sound.

In the mid- to late 1990s, the Southern Resident population mysteriously shrank by nearly 20 percent, from 97 to 88 animals. Today, there are 85 individuals.

In 2005, the federal government listed the population as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act.

No one knows for sure, but the cause was likely a combination of fewer salmon, exposure to toxic contaminants, and vessel noise, according to Lynne Barre of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Regional Office.

Holt’s work adds to existing data that have already prompted NOAA to propose a new killer whale protection law that would make all boats keep at least 600 feet (200 yards) away from the animals around Washington State.

The existing law allows boats to approach as close as 300 feet (100 yards), and some research has shown this influences the whales’ behavior.

“A lot of people would argue, Why focus on these vessel regulations?” Holt said. “But it’s one thing we can do immediately,” he added. (ANI)

Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke linked to liver disease

Washington, September 11 (ANI): People can develop liver disease even when they are exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, according to a study.

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have found that exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common disease and rising cause of chronic liver injury wherein fat accumulates in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol.

For their study, the researchers exposed some mice to second-hand cigarette smoke for a year in the lab, and observed fat build-up in their liver cells, a sign of NAFLD that eventually leads to liver dysfunction.

The researchers focused on two key regulators of lipid (fat) metabolism that are found in many human cells as well: SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding protein) that stimulates synthesis of fatty acids in the liver, and AMPK (adenosine monophosphate kinase) that turns SREBP on and off.

They found that second-hand smoke exposure inhibits AMPK activity, which, in turn, causes an increase in activity of SREBP.

More active SREBP results in more fatty acids getting synthesized, they say.

The result is NAFLD induced by second-hand smoke, according to the researchers.

“Our study provides compelling experimental evidence in support of tobacco smoke exposure playing a major role in NAFLD development,” said Manuela Martins-Green, a professor of cell biology, who led the study.

“Our work points to SREBP and AMPK as new molecular targets for drug therapy that can reverse NAFLD development resulting from second-hand smoke. Drugs could now be developed that stimulate AMPK activity, and thereby inhibit SREBP, leading to reduced fatty acid production in the liver,” Martins-Green added.

A research article describing the study has been published in the Journal of Hepatology. (ANI)

PCB discontinues inquiry against Shoaib Akhtar after apology

Lahore, Sep.9 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has discontinued its enquiry against controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for criticizing the team management on a television chat show.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told media persons here, that since Akhtar has admitted his mistake and apologized for the same, board has also decided to drop the inquiry.

It was nice of him to accept his mistake and we don’t want this issue to linger on any longer. So we have closed this chapter,” The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

The PCB had served a show cause notice to Akhtar for breaking the board’s code of conduct. He has been accused of violating three clauses of the central contract by giving a television interview in which he claimed that the national team management conspired against him and that he considered suing the authorities for leaking a confidential medical report.

Akhtar, during the television show, had described the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, as a ‘second grade person’, and said that all previous administrators had done nothing but ruined the game in the country.

Meanwhile, Akhtar said he is working hard on his form and fitness and would soon start competing in domestic matches to prove his fitness.

Akhtar, 34, has been struggling with his form and fitness for a long time which has seen him lose his place from both Test and one-day squad. (ANI)

Congress party activists court arrest in Gwalior

Gwalior, Sep 9 (ANI): Hundreds of activists of Congress party courted arrest in Gwalior protesting against State government for power cuts, increasing crime, inadequate water supply and other local issues.

The activists, joined by several drought-hit farmers, raised slogans as women agitators protested by showing bangles to the authorities.

The protesters also scuffled with police as the ground virtually turned into a garrison.

“If fighting for undeclared power cuts, cause of poor labourers, demanding adequate water supply, road construction, etc, is a crime, then we are ready to commit such crimes more often and we are ready to go to the jail. Let the authorities come and take us away,” said Pradyuman Singh local leader.

“We are preparing the list of those arrested. Our team of 10 officials are preparing the list in the jail and only after that we can give the exact figure.But we have arrested many people and sent them by 15 buses,” said Bhagwat Singh Chauhan, Additional Superintendent of Police, Gwalior.

Congress party is the main opposition in the state, ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (ANI)

KNP to hold Black Day on Oct.22

London, Sep.8 (ANI): The Supreme Council of the KNP held an important meeting in Luton on September 6, which was presided by the party Chairman Abbas Butt. The meeting discussed and analysed the current situation of the Kashmiri struggle and made important decisions.

The Supreme Council strongly condemned the government of Pakistan’s latest attempts to grab territory which is legal part of State of Jammu and Kashmir. The SC said Pakistani governments have never been sincere with the cause of Kashmir and always have formulated policies to snatch Kashmir; and have deliberately deprived people of their fundamental human rights.

The SC said people of Gilgit Baltistan deserve to have their basic human rights which have been denied since 1947; but no one should be allowed to implement their imperialist designs in name of giving rights to people of the region. The KNP leaders said, if Pakistani authorities were sincere they could have discussed the issue with the people of the region and given these rights without making the region a ‘province’ of Pakistan.

PPP government claims to advance rights of people and democracy, but their policies are designed to deprive people of basic rights and advance undemocratic and unconstitutional practises. They tried to make Pakistani Administered Kashmir a province after the Shimla Pact and they plan to make Gilgit Baltistan a province and pave way for division of Jammu and Kashmir.

KNP leaders said some people of Jammu and Kashmir hold Black Day on 27th October, as that is the day when Indian army landed in Kashmir. KNP leaders said in our opinion their wisdom is misdirected. We have to look at the root cause. Indian army came after the tribal invasion and subsequent ‘Provisional Accession’.

KNP Supreme Council said, ‘It was the Pakistani tribesmen supported by the Pakistani government of the time which violated the Standstill Agreement and invaded parts of the State territory. It was these tribesmen which contravened the State sovereignty and killed thousands of innocent Kashmiri men and women. It was because of this unprovoked and unjustified attack on our sovereignty which seriously threatened life, honour and property of people that the Maharaja was compelled to seek help from India.

KNP leaders said we have serious issues with India on their Kashmir policy, as we believe Kashmir is not their internal part; but as for the Black Day is concerned we should have Black Day on 22 October because this is the day when our troubles and miseries started.

KNP SC has decided to take a lead on this matter and hold a BLACK DAY on 22 October; and in this regard various responsibilities have been given to Dr Shabir Choudhry and Nawaz Majid who will liaise with other like minded people and parties. The meeting was addressed by ZubairAnsari, Nazam Bhatti, Nawaz Majid, Asim Mirza, Abbas Butt and Dr Shabir Choudhry.

Earlier KNP held an Iftar Party in which more than eighty people were present; among them were leaders and political activists of various Kashmiri parties who spoke against the new package for Gilgit and Baltistan and condemned designs of Pakistani government. In the meeting pro Pakistan and nationalist leaders were present, and they all strongly spoke against this new package and demanded that it must be taken back.

A unanimous resolution was passed which strongly criticised the new package and demanded from government of Pakistan to withdraw it as it will seriously damage our struggle for right of self determination. The resolution fully supported fundamental rights of people of Gilgit Baltistan; but added that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is one political entity and it must not be divided. (ANI)

Missing protein in rare genetic brain disorder restored

Washington, Sep 7 (ANI): By using protease inhibitors, researchers at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) have restored to normal levels a key protein that is involved in early brain development, and causes the rare brain disorder lissencephaly.

Reduced levels of the protein called LIS1 have been shown to cause lissencephaly, which is characterized by brain malformations, seizures, severe mental retardation and very early death in human infants.

The findings in mice offer a proof-of-principle that the genetic equivalent to human lissencephaly, also known as “smooth brain” disease, can be treated during pregnancy and effectively reversed to produce more normal offspring.

The researchers are hoping that this approach could also be used to treat other defects in utero, or even those manifesting after birth, when caused by a partial deficiency in one gene, according to Dr. Anthony Wynshaw-Boris.

“Researchers have not considered it possible to treat such a pervasive, early developmental brain disorder as lissencephaly. Not only were we able to show a clear cellular effect from using these protease inhibitors, but also were able to treat the disorder in utero,” Nature quoted Wynshaw-Boris as saying.

The work is the culmination of 15 years of collaborative research into the cause and mechanisms of lissencephaly, which is caused by a deletion or loss of one copy of the LIS1 gene, and affects an estimated one in 50,000-100,000 infants.

In 1998, the researchers reported of producing a mouse with the same mutation that displayed defective brain development.

The current research used these mice, and found that the protein calpain degrades the LIS1 protein to less than half its normal levels near the surface of the cells.

The team then used a specific small-molecule protease inhibitor of calpain in these mice.

At a cellular level, the protease inhibitors enabled LIS1 protein to be expressed at near-normal levels.

The team then gave daily injections of a calpain inhibitor to pregnant mice whose foetuses had the mouse-model of this defect.

They observed that the resulting offspring had more normal brains and showed no sign of mental retardation.

“This study is really a proof-of-principle not only for treating complex developmental brain disorders, but also for any disorder with reduced protein levels where proteases normally play some role in breaking down that protein. This will be much more difficult to apply to humans, because of the safety issues involved, but it could lead to new therapies that might be effective for a wide range of developmental disorders,” said the researchers.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature Medicine. (ANI)

Imran encourages Shoaib not to waste last few years of international cricket

Lahore, Sep 7 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has advised bad boy of Pakistan cricket Shoaib Akhtar not to waste his last few years of international cricket and try to work hard to get back into the team and then go out with honour and pride.

Shoaib went to attend a fund-raising campaign for Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Research Cancer Hospital, but declined to speak on cricket issues with the media.

The fast bowler, who has had a bad last few months and was not considered for the Sri Lanka tour or the Champions Trophy, also appeared fitter having shed considerable weight.

“Imran basically told him that if he gets back into the team and does well, everyone would forget his past and only remember the present. Imran told Shoaib he needs to work hard on his fitness,” the Daily Times quoted a source, as saying.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim has also made it clear that if Shoaib wants to make a comeback to the Pakistan team, he needs to change his attitude and be more positive.

“Shoaib can still play for Pakistan, provided he works hard on his fitness. But I think he also needs to work on improving his relations with the board,” Qasim said.

The PCB is willing to give the fast bowler another chance as it has completely played down the issue of a show cause notice issued to Shoaib in July for appearing on a television talk show without seeking a clearance.

Shoaib is said to have apologised for his mistake, which pleased the board.

“If Shoaib can improve his attitude, behaviour and be more disciplined and focused he is still an asset for the Pakistan team,” a former Test player at the function said. (ANI)

Punjab authorities launch drive to uproot “Congress Grass”

Nag Khurd (Amritsar), Sep.5 (ANI): Farmers in Punjab are confronted with an unusual problem these days. A weed described as “Congress Grass” has covered all soil-bunds in the fields here and the administration is taking up measures to educate farmers about how to obviate it.

The “Congress Grass” is said to be a major biological pollutant of the environment. It is described as one of the seven most destructive weeds of the world.

Locally known as ‘Gajar Buti’, the Congress Grass has become an ecological nuisance especially on sides of link roads and other waste lands. It causes Asthma, Allergy and skin diseases to humans and also the animals.

It becomes a host for dangerous insects. Nowadays the vast growth of this weed can also be seen on roadsides and other wastelands.

Observing its harmful effects on the fields, the agriculture department has decided to pull out the “Congress grass” from its roots.

It is a mechanical technique in which fodder cutter machines attached to tractors are to be used to clear the area covered up by Congress Grass.

The novel technique of mechanical removal of this weed from the sides of link roads and wastelands in Amritsar district was started on Thursday.

Authorities are spreading public awareness among farmers through demonstrations about the new technique with the help of fodder cutting machine by eradicating Congress Grass.

With the help of the machines, the farmers are able to get rid of this menace of “Congress Grass” more effectively and rapidly.

The idea to use fodder cutting machine for this purpose has been conceived by Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Kahn Singh Pannu.

On Thursday, Pannu demonstrated to farmers by driving a tractor in Nag Khurd village in Majitha area about how to pull out the “Congress Grass”.

Talking to ANI Pannu said, this is first time in Punjab that they are cutting the hazardous weed “Congress Grass” with fodder cutter machines and it is giving god results.

According to Pannu, Congress Grass is not only harmful to the crop but also causes severe skin problems like rashes and itching and some time cause respiratory diseases.

“Through demonstration, we are creating awareness and educating the farmers to get rid of this unwanted weed by applying new methods,” Pannu said.

With the help of department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Rural Development, about 20 Fodder Cutter Machines in the district will be employed for the removal of the Congress Grass from the berms and the waste lands in the district.

The farmers, who own these machines, will operate them to remove the weed and they will be paid for their services by the Panchayats (village councils).

“Since these day we have ample time so we would pull out the Congress Grass by applying the new method,” said Satnam Singh, a farmer, while adding that it is more convenient as there has been always a shortage of labour in Punjab.

“Apart from the damage to crop through reduced yields, Congress Grass is weakening the strength of the land,” said Inder Preet Singh, another farmer.

Appreciating the efforts being made by administrative authorities, Singh said he feels that agriculture department should organize more camps so that the more farmers could benefit by eradicating the Congress Grass from their field. By Ravinder Singh Robin(ANI)

Rahul Dravid at a fund raising campaign for poor

Bangalore, Sep 5 (ANI): Cricketer Rahul Dravid graced a weeklong fund raising campaign called ‘Joy of Giving Week’ for the poor and downtrodden in Bangalore.

The scheme has been conceptualised by ‘Give India’ an organization, which works with voluntary groups all over the country.

The stars and celebrities from all walks of life including Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, former badminton player Prakash Padukone and corporate bigwigs have extended support to the cause.

“It is a great concept to get so many people together. It is not necessarily just about celebrities and the well known figures. It is really about each one of us, every one of us, in our own small way contributing during that week and just getting a movement together which is something that can grow into something really big in the years to come,” said Dravid.

The weeklong scheme would include giving clothes to the needy, helping orphanages, providing school bags, health aid and educational support to the downtrodden. (ANI)

Jharkhand farmers sow new variety of paddy

Ranchi, Sep 5 (ANI): Scanty rainfalls and acute shortage of water have forced the farmers to sow new varieties of paddy, which consume less water in Jharkhand.

The three varieties are called ‘Karaini’, ‘Sonpia’ and ‘Seeta saal’, which mature in just 75-90 days and require little water support.

Besides, these varieties are also known for better yield of straw, which is useful for the cattle.

“There are three varieties of paddy which need less water and can be sowed by the farmers. It is very popular among the village farmers. They also possess a lot of medicinal qualities these are known as ‘Karaini’, ‘Sonpia’ and ‘Seeta saal’. This gets ready in just 75-90 days. It gives high yield in less water,” said Yogesh Oraon, a farmer.

The farmers use alternate methods like wells and water pump to irrigate their fields. Furthermore, the scarcity of fodder at present and in the coming season ahead is a cause of concern for the farmers.

“Due to shortage of water we are forced to sow this variety of paddy. Even a five per cent food out of the yield will be enough for our animals and us. We can manage without food for some days but how will our animals cope up with this situation, so we had to resort to this solution,” said Soyab Khan, a farmer.

Some good rain in the late season has brought some hope for the farmers as they are already too late by two months.

Timely monsoon is vital to the health of India’s trillion-dollar economy as it determines farm outputs and subsequent rural demand for a range of products. (ANI)

Musharraf tries to woo embattled nazims

Lahore, Sep. 2 (ANI): Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has invited ‘Nazims’ (elected officials of local governments) to meet him in Abu Dhabi in order to gain his support against government’s move to scrap the existing local government system.

Nazims already have support of the PML-Q and the MQM.

“Former president after concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia would stay for some days in the UAE where he would have consultations with nazims as well as PML-Q leaders from both Chaudhrys and Chattha camps,” The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

Musharraf’s aides say that in the meeting with the representatives of district governments, former president would assure them his full support inside the country and at the international fora.

“The other factor behind this meeting is to win the support of nazims for Musharraf’s future intentions to enter into national politics,” said the sources.

“The invitations have not only been extended to nazims, but also to many PML-Q leaders both from Chaudhrys and Chattha camps,” they added.

PML-Q leader Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, , who has the support of the majority of district nazims in Punjab, has asked his men to stay away from Musharraf and his invitation.

“PML-Q is already pleading local governments case wholeheartedly at all the fora, therefore, district nazims having affiliation with PML-Q need not Musharraf’s support in their cause,” said a PML-Q leader.

The paper quoted Bahawalpur district nazim Tariq Basheer Cheema as saying that he would not attend any such meeting.

“I have good relations with Chaudhry brothers and need not support of the former president to carry on struggle for the existing local government system,” he added. (ANI)

Free A Q Khan, a vulnerable man to foreign agencies

Islamabad, Sep 1(ANI): A Q Khan, Pakistani nuclear scientist, widely regarded as the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear program, is a free man again and many consider that he may share the secrets with establishments around the world.

In January 2004, Khan had confessed to having been involved in a secret international network of nuclear weapons technology proliferation from Pakistan to Libya, Iran and North Korea.

It is believed that Khan and his network were one of the worst proliferators of nuclear technology that could be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Though Khan had been pardoned by Musharraf, the difficulty arises on the question that Khan was involved in a network and supplying blueprints for various parts of a nuclear programme for sale onwards to other countries.

Certainly, it becomes a cause of worry that Khan can go beyond his bitterness towards a former dictator and perhaps start to talk about the many, many secrets he undoubtedly keeps regarding the country’s nuclear programme, The Dawn reports.

In an August, 2005, Musharraf had confirmed that Khan had supplied gas centrifuges and gas centrifuge parts to North Korea and, possibly, an amount of uranium hexafluoride, which can make agencies around the world to try and get their hands on a free A.Q. Khan. (ANI)