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Banking transforms lives in rural areas in northeast

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Agartala (Tripura)/ Jorhat (Assam), Sep.16 (ANI): Banking services are playing a major role in transforming the lives of people in rural areas of the northeast India.

To upgrade infrastructure and attract more investment, banks have undertaken several economic upliftment policies and schemes.

In Tripura, a financial outreach camp was recently organized at the State’s Pitra village to raise awareness among villagers about banking and central banking services. It also intended to bring them under the fold of mainstream banking.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took the initiative along with different functioning banks in the State. It came as a boon to thousands of villagers, especially farmers, who enthusiastically participated in the camp.

Villagers were familiarized with various banking facilities, security features of currency notes. They were given an opportunity to exchange their soiled and mutilated currency notes and exchange currency notes for coins.

The participants put up their queries about banking facilities in the area.

“Here we do not have any banking system. Because of the camp the villagers would be benefited. With bank accounts, people will get to know about savings and this will help them in the future,” said Bubantala Jamatia, a Pitra villager.

“This outreach camp has helped poor villagers and we are now opening accounts without depositing any money,” said Anishmia Sarkar, a villager. o improve the banking sector in northeast, the Reserve bank of India has set up a Committee on Financial Sector Development.

The committee has made several major recommendations, including financial inclusion, opening of bank branches and enhancement of credit flow to the region.

“As far as Reserve Bank of India is concerned, the approach is that we work together, the State government, the banks, the non-governmental organizations, the local Panchayati Raj institutions and the Reserve Bank will act like a catalyst to make people come together an work for economic development,” said Usha Thorat, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

The United Bank of India (UBI) has drawn up a plan for economic upliftment of the seven northeastern States called ‘Vision 2020 for northeast’ aimed to cover rural people.

‘Vision 2020 for northeast, the plan, was declared during a press conference by UBI held at Tocklai in Jorhat in Assam.

It would include introduction of low rate interest loans for the poor, unemployed youths, farmers, women, self-help groups, small scale industries and entrepreneurs among others.

The bank also handed over rupees 750 million loan to 8,673 Union Bank of India (UBI) account holders.The loans have benefited us a lot. The bank provided us loans based on the need of the customers. We are really satisfied,” said C. Saikia, one of the customers.

At present there are 252 Union Bank of India branches in the northeast region of the country. The bank is setting up 15 branches in different parts of Assam. Two branches each will also be set up in Manipur and Nagaland. By Pinaki Das / Vaschipem Kamodang (ANI)

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Centre creates “Invest India” company to promote foreign investment in the country

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the formation of a company ‘Invest India’ for the promotion of foreign investments under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Announcing the formation of ‘Invest India,’ Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said “The company will be a joint venture between the Government of India, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the State Governments will be responsible for promoting foreign investments into the country in a more focused, comprehensive and structured manner.”

The new company is expected to assist the government in its efforts towards projecting India as an attractive investment destination for foreign investors. The company will also assist foreign investors in identifying and realizing investment opportunities in India.

“The unique feature of this company is the partnership between the private sector organization and the Government of India and the State Governments. This is, unlike anywhere else in the world and seeks both to leverage the synergies of all three as well as address their investment priorities,” Sharma added.

Sharma informed that “The Board of Directors of the Invest India comprises of six members from Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and six members from FICCI.”

“Secretary DIPP will be its Non Executive Chairman. The Board of Directors will appoint a Managing Director and FICCI will provide the administrative, personnel and management support for day to day functioning,” Sharma said.

The authorized capital of the company will be Rs 10crore and the initial paid up capital Rs. one crore. While FICCI will have 51percent share in the equity, DIPP will have 49 percent share to begin with. DIPP’s share will be reduced overtime to 35 percent of paid up capital with induction of fresh equity by the State Governments.

The company will act as the first reference point for any investor interested in India and will also facilitate in setting up business within the country, by making available sector wise consultants and coordinating with the state government on feasible measures, Sharma said. (ANI)

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FM to inaugurate annual Conference of Chief Commissioners and Directors General of Customs and Central Excise

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.9 (ANI): Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the two-day All India Annual Conference of the Chief Commissioners and Directors General of Customs and Central Excise here today.

The Conference is being organized by the Central Board of Excise and Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance from September 8 to 9 in the national capital.

The conference will focus on the functioning of the Department and the emerging challenges before it.

It will have a session on administering the Goods and Service Tax (GST), the present status and the Department’s preparedness for its implementation.

Besides, it will also deliberate on other important issues such as IT initiatives, Audit controls, Revenue Collections, and Border management.

The conclave will also discuss the initiatives to fine-tune the tax administration and measures to improve compliance levels in Indirect Taxation.

The conference will act as a catalyst for strengthening the Indirect Tax administration. It will also provide an opportunity to the Chief Commissioners and Directors General to interact with each other and discuss issues of general and common nature.

The Minister of State for Finance (Revenue) S.S. Palanimanickam will preside over the valedictory function. (ANI)

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BJP’s ongoing crisis a cause of serious concern, says Khanduri

August 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dehradun, Aug 25 (ANI): B C Khanduri, senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Tuesday said that the ongoing crisis in the party is a cause of serious concern.

“Keeping in view the BJP’s past record, its discipline, love for the country and people’s faith in the party, whatever is happening right now is a cause of concern. I pray to god that the party regains it past glory and people’s faith be restored like in the past,” Khanduri said.

When asked if the retirement of Atal Bihari Vajpayee from active politics due to ill health may have influenced the functioning of the party, he agreed that it might have affected in some way.

“I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Vajpayee and had his blessings. But as far as the question is concerned that due to his ill heath the BJP has suffered a setback, it’s obvious that if a senior leader stays away from active politics due to ill health or some other reasons, it’s bound to make a difference in the functioning of the party,” he added.

The ongoing turmoil in the BJP has deepened further with senior leader Arun Shourie attacking party president Rajnath and senior leader L K Advani in full media glare.

The party had earlier expelled Jaswant Singh for praising Jinnah in his book “Jinnah – India, Partition, Independence”. (ANI)

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Bird flu virus strain leaves survivors at increased Parkinson’s disease risk

August 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, August 20 (ANI): An animal study conducted by experts at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has suggested that at least one strain of the H5N1 avian influenza virus leaves survivors at significantly increased risk for Parkinson’s disease, and possibly other neurological problems later in life.

In their study report, the researchers write that mice that survived infection with an H5N1 flu strain were found to be more likely than uninfected mice to develop brain changes associated with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s involve loss of brain cells crucial to a variety of tasks, including movement, memory and intellectual functioning.

The researchers say that their study has shown that the H5N1 flu strain causes a 17 percent loss of the same neurons lost in Parkinson’s as well as accumulation in certain brain cells of a protein implicated in both diseases.

“This avian flu strain does not directly cause Parkinson’s disease, but it does make you more susceptible,” said Dr. Richard Smeyne, associate member in St. Jude Developmental Neurobiology.

“Around age 40, people start to get a decline in brain cells. Most people die before they lose enough neurons to get Parkinson’s. But we believe this H5N1 infection changes the curve. It makes the brain more sensitive to another hit, possibly involving other environmental toxins,” Smeyne added.

Smeyne revealed that the study focused on a single strain of the H5N1 flu virus, the A/Vietnam/1203/04 strain, and that the threat posed by other viruses, including the current H1N1 pandemic flu virus, was still being studied.

During the study, the researchers infected some mice with an H5N1 flu strain isolated in 2004 from a patient in Vietnam, which is still considered to be the most virulent of the avian flu viruses.

About two-thirds of the mice developed flu symptoms, primarily weight loss. After three weeks, there was no evidence of H5N1 in the nervous systems of the mice that survived.

However, the inflammation triggered by the infection within the brain continued for months, and it was found to be quite similar to inflammation associated with inherited forms of Parkinson’s.

Although the tremor and movement problems disappeared as flu symptoms eased, the researchers reported that 60 days later, mice had lost roughly 17 percent of dopamine-producing cells in SNpc, a structure found in the midbrain.

They also found evidence that the avian flu infection led to over-production of a protein found in the brain cells of individuals with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

“The virus activates this protein,” Smeyne said.

The study has been reported in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (ANI)

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‘Indestructible’ plastics decompose quickly to toxify world’s oceans

August 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, August 20 (ANI): A new study has determined that plastics, which are reputed to be virtually indestructible, decompose with surprising speed and release potentially toxic substances into the water.

This is the first study to look at what happens over the years to the billions of pounds of plastic waste floating in the world’s oceans.

Scientists always believed that plastics in the oceans were unsightly, but a hazard mainly to marine animals that eat or become ensnared in plastic objects.

“Plastics in daily use are generally assumed to be quite stable,” said study lead researcher Katsuhiko Saido.

“We found that plastic in the ocean actually decomposes as it is exposed to the rain and sun and other environmental conditions, giving rise to yet another source of global contamination that will continue into the future,” he said.

He said that polystyrene begins to decompose within one year, releasing components that are detectable in the parts-per-million range.

Those chemicals also decompose in the open water and inside marine life.

However, the volume of plastics in the ocean is increasing, so that decomposition products remain a potential problem.

According to Saido, a chemist with the College of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan, his team found that when plastic decomposes, it releases potentially toxic bisphenol A (BPA) and PS oligomer into the water, causing additional pollution.

Plastics usually do not break down in an animal’s body after being eaten. However, the substances released from decomposing plastic are absorbed and could have adverse effects.

BPA and PS oligomer are sources of concern because they can disrupt the functioning of hormones in animals and can seriously affect reproductive systems.

Some studies suggest that low-level exposure to BPA released from certain plastic containers and the linings of cans may have adverse health effects.

Saido described a new method to simulate the breakdown of plastic products at low temperatures, such as those found in the oceans.

The process involves modeling plastic decomposition at room temperature, removing heat from the plastic and then using a liquid to extract the BPA and PS oligomer.

Typically, styrofoam is crushed into pieces in the ocean and finding these is no problem, he said.

But, when the study team was able to degrade the plastic, it discovered that three new compounds not found in nature formed, which are highly toxic. (ANI)

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Lack of sunlight can cause ‘brain drain’ in depressed people

July 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, July 28 (ANI): Depressed people are less able to think clearly when there’s a short-term lack of sunlight, a new study has found.

Writing in BioMed Central’s open access journal Environmental Health, researchers used weather data from NASA satellites to measure sunlight exposure across the United States and linked this information to the prevalence of cognitive impairment in depressed people.

The team of US researchers, which was led by Shia Kent, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, used cross-sectional data from 14,474 people in the NIH-NINDS-funded REGARDS study, a longitudinal study investigating stroke incidence and risk factors, to study associations between depression, cognitive function and sunlight.

He said, “We found that among participants with depression, low exposure to sunlight was associated with a significantly higher predicted probability of cognitive impairment. This relationship remained significant after adjustment for season.

“This new finding that weather may not only affect mood, but also cognition, has significant implications for the treatment of depression, particularly seasonal affective disorder”.

Kent and his colleagues speculate that the physiological mechanisms that give rise to seasonal depression may also be involved in sunlight’s effect on cognitive function in the context of depressive symptoms.

Cognitive function was assessed by measurement of short-term recall and temporal orientation. As well as regulating the hormones serotonin and melatonin, light has been shown to also affect brain blood flow, which has in turn been linked with cognitive functions.

The researchers write, “Discovering the environment’s impact on cognitive functioning within the context of seasonal disorders may lead not only to better understanding of the disorders, but also to the development of targeted interventions to enhance everyday functioning and quality of life.” (ANI)

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Reform of Education system on anvil

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 13 (ANI): In a bid to check the drop out rate in higher education, the Centre would launch Madhyam Shiksha Abhiyan programme as part of the proposed education reforms.

“We want to take Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan forward as Madhyam Shiksha Abhiyan as the drop out rate increases in higher education,” Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said during Question Hour in the parliament.

Sibal also said that the government has no policy to introduce “uniform syllabus” in all the universities.

“Let there be creativity. Let there be competition among universities. So this is not government’s policy to introduce uniform syllabus in universities,” he said.

There may be a university focussing on bio-science and another on humanities, he said adding that let the student choose the university based on his or her preference.

He, however, said there should be a CBSE (class 10th or 12th) degree for skilled education as children want jobs immediately after completing school rather than pursuing professional courses.

On the issue of complaints regarding diversion of funds by states under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Sibal said there were lakhs of schools across the country, it was not possible to carry out audit of each and every school and the CAG takes a sample audit.

Furthermore, he informed the parliament that the Government is in favour of bringing about a regulatory body to monitor the functioning of foreign universities as it is determined to prevent the exploitation of Indian students.

“We will not allow our students to be exploited by any one. We have our eyes firmly on setting up several world-class educational institutions which could make our children compete with others anywhere,” Sibal said. (ANI)

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Deemed universities to be evaluated

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 13(ANI): Minister of State for Human Resource and Development D Purandeswari on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that University Grants Commission (UGC) has started reviewing the functioning of deemed universities on a government direction.

Purandeswari also said that HRD ministry has ordered an evaluation of the functioning of the deemed universities by an independent team of experts, which has been separately nominated by the government.

She also informed that government has so far granted ‘deemed’ university status to 128 institutions, including 62 in the last five years, and said all proposals on deemed universities would be on hold until the review is completed.

Purandeswari said that several deemed universities have violated UGC guidelines, as they had set up new departments, off campuses and study centres without approval.

She further informed that apart from five institutions, UGC has not given approval to any university which have set off-shore campuses.

Institutions which have UGC approval are Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Vinayak Mission’s Research Foundation, Birla Institute of Technology and Science and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute. (ANI)

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Government doesn’t intervene in functioning of CBI: Chavan

July 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 9 (ANI): Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office, Prithviraj Chavan said in the Rajya Sabha that the government does not intervene in the functioning of the Central Bureau of Investigation once the cases are handed over it.

Chavan in a written reply gave out details of total number of cases given to the CBI, which shows an increase in the number of cases given to the investigative agency year after year.

In 2006, the Government assigned 23cases to the CBI, 43 in 2007 and 51 cases in 2008 were assigned to the agency. (ANI)

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Mothers of autistic kids suffer from higher levels of parenting stress

July 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, July 9 (ANI): A new study has revealed that the mothers of autistic children have higher levels of parenting-related stress and psychological distress than the mothers of kids with developmental delay.

“Both groups of women are dealing with children who need high levels of care-giving. But there is something about autism that is making a difference and adding stress and psychological distress to these mothers,” said Annette Estes, lead author of a new study and associate director of the UW Autism Centre.

The research from the University of Washington’s Autism Centre found no link between a child’s decreased daily living skills and increased parental stress and psychological distress.

“If a child has more needs in getting dressed and in other daily living skills, that means the parents are working harder and seemingly would be under stress,” Estes said.

“But it is not the hard work that is stressing the mothers. Our findings really pointed to the behaviour problems that can occur with autism.

“Children with autism had significantly higher levels of problem behaviours than children with developmental delay,” she added.

These behaviour problems included such things as irritability, agitation, crying, inappropriate speech, and not being able to follow rules.

“Help in what we call family adaptive functioning is what we need to figure out in these cases. How to help families is important because high levels of stress and psychological distress can interfere with early identification of autism and interventions which are delivered by parents,” she said.

“There’s another good reason to do this: Parents who feel supported can better support their children,” she added.(ANI)

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Naxal-hit states Chief Ministers to meet in August

July 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 7 (ANI): Home Minister P Chidambaram today said the meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-hit states will be held in August to discuss the menace which has increasing in some states.

Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, Chidambaram said the meeting will discuss the strategy to tackle the threat posed by the Naxals in some states.

He also asked the Chief Ministers of the affected states to renew their appeal to the Naxal leaders to lay down arms and come to the negotiation.

The appeal came at the suggestion of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, who claimed that he had successfully resolved the problem in some districts in Uttar Pradesh through talks. (ANI)

Nepal Parliament resumes, paves way for new budget session|World[Kathmandu {Kathmandu, July 7 (ANI): After months of obstruction, Nepal Parliament has resumed on Monday.

The session was prorogued after the Unified CPN (Maoist), obstructed normal proceedings of the House for more than two months it has now allowed the resumption of the House following a four-point agreement among the three largest parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA).

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist chairman Prachanda addressed the resumed session.

Prachanda said his party adopted maximum flexibility to allow the House work for the welfare of the country and that the obstruction of the House would resume after a month if the agreements are not fulfilled by then.

The parties have agreed to categorically define Prime Minister’s and President’s jurisdiction and forge a consensus among the parties about the same within a month.

Prime Minister Nepal vowed to address the issue of defining powers of the President and Prime Minister within a month in consultation with other parties.

Addressing the Maoist demand of maintaining civil supremacy, Nepal said nobody is in favour of military supremacy. The very idea of republican set up is to maintain civil supremacy.

In his address, Prachanda said his party has agreed to end the disruption of the House to speed up the process of concluding the peace process and drafting of the new Constitution.

Prachanda however warned that his party would launch an aggressive agitation if the government failed to reach an understanding to resolve the issue of Army Chief issue.

The resumption of the normal functioning of parliament will pave the way for the President Dr. Ram Bran Yadav to allow the presentation of the new budget before the current fiscal year ends on 15th of this month.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Surendra Pande has said that the preparations for the next fiscal year’s budget is almost over.

The size of the next budget is likely to be about Rs 280 billion,” he said, nepalnews reported. (ANI)

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Election defeat does not deter Fernandes, ready for many more battles

June 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 28 (ANI): Former Defence Minister and Janata Dal (United) party founder George Fernandes, who has been known for his resilience throughout his political journey, says that in battles, a loss does not matter and it was the fight itself that has always been more important for him.

Fernandes, who contested in the recent parliamentary elections as an independent from Muzaffarpur, says his defeat does not deter him for from continuing to fight against, corruption, poverty and all forms of injustice to build a more transparent, compassionate and equal society, where the self if forgotten and the country comes first.

Writing in the latest issue of the ‘Other Side”, he says, “There are many battles that still remain to be fought.”

Janata Dal (U) party did not give him a ticket and says many of his old colleagues, whom he had nurtured, did not support him. George Fernandes says he received ‘tremendous love and support’ from the people of Muzaffarpur during the campaign. There were large crowds who attended the meetings.

But, as he did not have a strong party machinery “the overwhelming affection of people in village after village did not translate into votes.”

While complimenting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the creditable performance of the JD (U) in the elections, he forewarned him against ‘continuing arrogance’ towards stalwart socialist colleagues in Bihar.

“Bihar’s JD (U) gave a creditable election result. However, Nitish Kumar should be forewarned that his continuing arrogance towards stalwart socialist colleagues in Bihar and his recent back-door machinations with the Congress will result in a Congress revival in Bihar sooner rather than later. His victory was more due to the people’s desire to keep Lalu Prasad Yadav away than any great lead in development as is made out,” Fernandes stated.

Fernandes writes that his long-standing relationship with the people of Bihar, particularly with the people of Muzaffarpur and Nalanda nurtured over the past many years, would continue.

“My doors will always be open for them and for all those who are needy and seeking justice, from all over the country. I would like to believe that those currently in power in Bihar and at the centre will deal fairly and expeditiously with any problems of the people that I may raise with them as I have done for the past 50 years”, Fernandes wrote in his column in “The Other side.”

Fernandes accepts the election result with no regrets because his fights have always been for democratic values and for the causes of the poor and underprivileged.

“I don’t see it as my loss. This time it was also a fight for the right values, which should be practised by those whom I helped to attain power in Bihar. I do not believe they are wiling to improve yet. It may take some more time for them to learn that real power remains only when politics is backed with moral character, courage, and democratic functioning,” he states.

George Fernandes promises to remain active to fight corruption, poverty and all forms of injustice. “There are many battles that still remain to be fought,” he concludes. (ANI)

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Partner issues significantly influence women’s sexual activity

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, June 26 (ANI): It’s not just age, partner’s health and interest in sex too have significant impact on sexual activity among middle-aged and elderly women, say researchers.

During the study, the team from University of California, San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente examined 2,000 women, aged 45 to 80 years old, 43 percent reported at least moderate sexual desire, and 60 percent had been sexually active in the previous three months.

Among sexually inactive women, the most common reason was lack of interest in sex with 39 percent of the respondents saying the same.

Thirty-six pct said lack of a partner, 23 pct agreed to physical problem of partner while 11 pct said lack of interest by partner.

Only nine percent were inactive from personal physical problems.

According to the researchers, sexual activity was defined as any activity that was arousing, including masturbation.

“Our findings indicate that a substantial portion of women are interested and engaged in sexual activity as they age,” said lead author Alison Huang, MD, assistant professor in internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

“Clinicians should consider a woman’s overall health when addressing concerns about sexual inactivity.

However, treatment directed solely at improving women’s sexual functioning, such as medications, may not substantially affect their activity if partner issues also are not addressed,” Huang added.

The study appears in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. (ANI)

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Assam put on high alert in wake of ULFA’s 12hr bandh call

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Guwahati June 25 (ANI): Security has been beefed up in Assam, in wake of the 12 hour “Asom bandh” called by the United liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) today.

The banned ULFA has called for dawn-to-dusk bandh to protest against the alleged “fake encounter” by the security forces in which two of its cadres were killed on Sunday.

According to sources special security arrangements have been made and the State Government has directed normal functioning of all its offices.

Guwahati has been put on high alert, with intensive patrolling and checking of vehicles been carried out at sensitive places like airport, railway station, bus stations, and industrial areas.

Strict vigil has been put at the Kamakhya Temple where a four-day Ambubachi Mela is happening and lakhs of devotees are expected to partake in this mela.

However, the ULFA said it will not disturb the examinations of schools and colleges, water and milk supply, hospitals and medical services, electric supply and the press.

Security forces have launched intensive operations against the militants in this northeastern state in recent past, killing more than 20 ultra of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and few others belonging to the ULFA. (ANI)

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Kapil Sibal promises to implement higher education recommendations in 100 days

June 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi June24 (ANI): Union Human resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said here today that the recommendations given by the Prof Yashpal committee on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher education will be implemented in the first 100 days of the UPA Government.

The committee was constituted in February 2008 to study the functioning of different agencies in higher education and to suggest measures to restructure the system .

The committee had submitted its interim report in March this year.

The committee had observed that there is too much inspection, interference and delay in the dealings of universities with the state and central governments, and recommended for an efficient funding management of the higher education.

Prof Yashpal had suggested converting all IITs and IIMs as Universities. The committee felt that the universities should become self-regulating partners in managing the overall education system as continuous monitoring and inspection caused delays and led to corruption. (ANI)

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CPI(M): Withdrawal of support from UPA on nuke deal was right

June 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

p
New Delhi, June 22 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday said that that its decision to withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance government on the nuclear deal issue last year was a correct decision. /pp
CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, having analyzed the Election results, said that people of the country actually rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party, which benefited the Congress party in the elections./pp
However, Karat conceded shortcomings in the functioning of government, panchayats and municipalities in West Bengal. He admitted that certain wrong trends in party organisation, disunity among party leadership and graft case against Kerala former minister cited as reasons for CPI(M)’s debacle in Kerala./pp
Meanwhile, opposing the Government’s banning the CPI (Maoists), Karat said such a step would not serve any purpose./pp
n Monday, the Government banned the CPI-Maoist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, calling it a terrorist organisation. /pp
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting. (ANI)/p

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Maoists and civil liberties groups nexus in West Bengal: Chakraborty

June 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kolkata, June 22 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty has said a nexus exists between Maoist and civil liberties groups in West Bengal.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Chakraborti said, “NGOs like the People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) have emerged as the frontline organisations of Maoist groups. Utterances that PCPA leaders have been making, the kind of speeches Maoist leaders have made in last few days will make it very obvious that if not the same they have a very, very close nexus.”

He was speaking in response to demands made by some intellectuals and other groups that the Maoists and the PCPA should not be considered to be in the same league.

“Maoists and PCPA should shun violence and surrender. Police would take action against whoever would commit act of violence. The rebel groups should support the functioning of the government. They should join the mainstream,” he said.

Earlier, hundreds of Maoists, who were expanding their influence across the country, had chased away police and killed government supporters from around Lalgarh, which they declared a “liberated zone”. (ANI)

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Pakistan must dismantle terror set up for peace process, says Krishna

May 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Bangalore, May 29 (ANI): External Affairs minister S.M.Krishna on Friday said that peace process with Pakistan could only resume if Pakistan dismantled terror aiding set-ups functioning on its soil.

Addressing media persons here, Krishna said Pakistan is expected to take certain step to show India and the rest of the world that it is actually serious about fighting terrorism.

“Pakistan has to take certain steps to convey India as well as the outside world that they are serious to fight terror. The first thing that they (Pakistani authorities) have to do is to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure that has been built up in Pakistan, on Pakistan soil. I think that will be the first induction of their seriousness. Then only I can think in terms of continuing the dialogue which has been halted after 26/11,” said S M Krishna.

It may be recalled that India had ruled out talks with Pakistan unless it acts against militants and their network which carried out attacks on Mumbai in November last.

On its part, Pakistan had responded by contending that it detained some suspects and sought more evidence from New Delhi for any further action.

The assault on Mumbai had raised tensions between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan. (ANI)

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How bacteria’s in-built thermometer helps spread infection

May 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, May 21 (ANI): Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) have for the first time shown how bacteria measure temperature, and thereby cause intestinal infection.

The HZI researchers at Braunschweig and the Braunschweig Technical University have found that bacteria of the Yersinia genus have a unique protein thermometer – the protein RovA – that helps them in the infection process. ovA is a multi-functional sensor that measures both the temperature of its host and the host’s metabolic activity and nutrients.

If these are suitable for the survival of the bacteria, the RovA protein activates genes for the infection process to begin.

Yersinia is known for triggering various different diseases, one of the well-known diseases is the Yersinia pestis type which caused the Plague in medieval times, leading to the death of around a third of Europe’s population.

The Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis species cause an inflammation of the intestines following food poisoning.

The Yersinia bacteria contain invasin as a surface protein to help them penetrate the intestinal cells, leading to heavy bouts of diarrhoea.

Led by Petra Dersch, the researchers have now identified how the RovA protein plays a key role in the various stages of Yersinia infection.

The protein reads the temperature for the bacteria, on the basis of which it either contains the factors required for the infection to begin or else adapts to life within the host.

“The functioning of RovA in this way is unique among bacteria,” said Dersch.

If inhabiting an environment of around 25 degree Celsius, the protein RovA ensures that the Yersinia bacteria form invasin as a surface protein, which ensures that the bacteria can penetrate the intestinal cells immediately upon reaching the 37 degree Celsius intestine via food.

The warm environment enables RovA to alter its form and de-activates the gene for invasin production.

Without invasin on their surface, the Yersinia bacteria are invisible to the body’s immune system, thus making it possible for RovA to now activate other genes in the bacteria to adapt the Yersinia metabolism with that of the host.

“We have long been searching for the mechanisms which regulate RovA activity. It was therefore all the more surprising to discover that RovA controls various processes by acting as a thermometer and as such is self-regulating,” said Dersch.

The results have been published in the current online edition of the PLoS Pathogens science magazine. (ANI)

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