Google revives it Google+ social platform

Internet giant, Google has significantly revived it social networking platform, `Google +’ in order to attract more users to the service that competes with the likes of Facebook and Twitter.

Experts say that the update leaves Google + look

ing much more like its larger rival Facebook. Google unveiled a refresh of Google+, which boasts 170 million members but is much behind Facebook, which is the world’s largest social networking site with close to 800 million active users from around the world and with an aim to touch one billion user mark soon.

Google, which is already the world’s biggest online search company, is increasingly focusing on the social networking space. The Google + social networking initiative from the company, is becoming a fundamental part of the company’s strategy, after it created a lot of buzz on the internet.

The new Google + will feature icons the left side of the main screen allowing users to drag apps up or down to create their preferred order. They can also show or hide apps by moving them over to “More” tab.

The company has also upgraded the popular Hangouts feature that allows users to come together though video conferencing. The site will now have a dedicated Hangouts page that will feature an updated list of invitations from the people in a user’s circles and access to all public and On Air hangout. The page will also allow users to watch a live broadcast and a rotating billboard of popular hangouts, pro tips and other items.

Google senior vice president Vic Gundotra wrote in a company blog post said, “Simply put, we’re hoping to make sharing more awesome by making it more evocative. You know that feeling you get when a piece of art takes your breath away, or when a friend stops by with unexpected gifts? We want sharing to feel like that, every single time.”

One day police custody for Nehru, two others

The Judicial Magistrate here on Monday granted one-day police custody to former minister K.N. Nehru, his brother K.N. Ramajeyam and Deputy Mayor M. Anbazhagan in a land grab case registered against them by the City Crime Branch (CCB).

The Magistrate pronounced the order on a petition filed by the CCB seeking police custody of the three to elicit information from them pertaining to the case that was registered on September 18 on a complaint lodged by P. Karunanithi of Pollampalayam in Erode district.

The charge against Mr. Nehru and the other accused is that they had not only threatened Karunanithi to hand over his 9.33 acres of land at Kottapattu in the city but also forcibly took possession of it in 2008. The case was registered under various IPC sections including 147 (rioting), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (kidnap), 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation), 420 (cheating), 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt in order to commit extortion), 307 (attempt to murder) read with 120 B (criminal conspiracy). The Magistrate ordered the CCB to produce Mr. Nehru and the other two accused before the same court on Tuesday.

HIV uses several routes to escape immune system pressure

Washington, September 19 (ANI): Researchers at the Emory Vaccine Center have shown that HIV relies upon a number of strategies rather than use any preferred escape route to escape immune system pressure.

The human immune system has the ability to temporarily overpower HIV in early infection.

Studies conducted in the recent past have shown that most newly infected patients develop neutralizing antibodies. These are blood proteins that glob onto the virus and would allow patients to defend themselves – if they were facing only one target.

However, the problem occurs when HIV mutates, and disguises itself enough to get away from the antibodies. The virus eventually wears down the immune system into exhaustion.

The Emory team’s findings attain significance as they suggest that even if any scientist succeeds in identifying a vaccine component that can stimulate neutralizing antibodies, HIV’s capacity for rapid mutation could still be a confounding factor.

Dr. Cynthia Derdeyn, associate professor of pathology at Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, says that a single type of neutralizing antibody may not be enough to contain HIV.

“These neutralizing antibodies work really well – they hit the virus fast and hard. But so far, every time we look, the virus escapes,” she says.

During the study, the researchers took blood samples from the participants a few weeks after infection occurred, and then later as two participants’ immune responses continued.

They isolated individual viruses over the first two years of HIV infection, and tested how well the patients’ own antibodies could neutralize them.

“In one patient where we had very early samples, there was evidence that neutralizing antibody came up within weeks, and that’s earlier than what was previously thought,” Derdeyn says.

In both patients, some viruses mutated part of their outer proteins so that after the mutation, an enzyme would be likely to attach a sugar molecule to it.

Though the sugar molecule interferes with antibody attack, this tactic, known as the “glycan shield”, was not observed in all cases.

Other viruses mutated the part of the outer protein that the neutralizing antibodies stick to directly. In both patients, many changes in the virus’ genetic code were necessary for escape.

“We need to understand early events in the immune response if we are going to figure out what a potential vaccine should have in it. What we can show is that even in one patient, several escape strategies are going on,” Derdeyn says.

According to her, that means that in order to be immune to HIV infection, someone may need to have several types of neutralizing antibodies ready to go.

Seeing how the virus mutates will allow researchers to choose the best parts to put in a vaccine, she says.

The results are online and scheduled for publication in the September issue of the journal Public Library of Science Pathogens.(ANI)

MJ’s mother wins will ruling

London, September 19 (ANI): Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine can challenge the administrators of the singer’s estate without any threat to her 40 per cent stake, a judge has ruled.

The 79-year-old’s legal team said that she wants to have more say over the manner in which the 400 million dollar estate is handled.

According to the ruling, the King of Pop’s mum will not breach a ‘no contest’ clause in the family trust if she sets up a challenge before the executors over Jackson’s will, reports the Sun.

Katherine is the legal guardian of the star’s children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, after his sudden death on June 25.

She will receive more than 1 million dollars a year from his estate including a sum of 26,804 dollars a month for herself apart from a monthly allowance of 60,000 dollars for the three kids, as per the court’s order. (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)

Now, unwed Malaysian couple to be whipped for trying to have car sex

Shah Alam (Malaysia), Sep. 18 (ANI): Following the whipping episode of the Malaysian model who was sentenced for drinking beer, an unmarried couple is now being subjected to the controversial canning sentence under the country’s Sharia law for trying to have sex.

Mohammad Shahrin Abd Majid, 29, and his lover Nadiah Najat Hussin, 24, pleaded guilty to attempting to have sex in a car, were fined 5,000 ringgits or 12 months’ jail and ordered to be caned six times each, the New Strait Times Online reports.

Both Shahrin and Nadiah have paid the fine. On Wednesday, the Sharia High Court of Shah Alam granted a stay on the caning pending an appeal following an application by the couple’s counsel.

The Court has also advised both accused to marry as soon as possible.

The couple had claimed that they were to be engaged soon, and scheduled to be married in February next year.

“You are still young… after Hari Raya seek consent from both your parents to marry,” he said.

Shahrin and Nadiah would be sent to prison in order to receive the caning if their appeal gets dismissed.

Earlier, former Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno hogged the international headlines when she was sentenced for canning under Sharia law for drinking beer at a nightclub. (ANI)

Kerala church in hosts iftar party

Kottayam (Kerala), Sep 18 (ANI): An ancient church in Kerala became the perfect setting for communal harmony, hosting an iftar party on Thursday.

The iftar was organised in St. Mary’s Forane church Athirampuzha.

People from all faiths took part in the iftar that aimed to spread the message of love.

“The world is witnessing communal divide. Everyone should live as the children of the same parents. Communal strife will lead to destruction of the world order,” said Kunju Mohammad, Muslim cleric at nearby Athirampusha mosque.

Father Mani Puthyidam, parish priest at Athirampuzha church said, “It’s easy to divide but difficult to unite. The aim of this community iftar is to spread the message of love and brotherhood in this,” said Puthyidam.

T. S Gopinanthan Nair, secretary of Nair Service Society, a Hindu outfit, termed the iftar as a good example of communal harmony.

“We want to spread the message of love and unity in this place, Athirampuzha is a classic example of communal harmony,” Nair added. (ANI)

Musharraf power theft scandal case: Low level workers punished

Islamabad, Sep 17 (ANI): The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has only punished 64 junior officers for their involvement in the power theft scandal involving former President Pervez Musharraf, Shaukat Aziz and others in the luxurious Chak Shahzad farmhouses.

The big guns in the electricity department have not even been touched, according to well-placed sources.

The list of punished employees includes 35-meter readers, 14 line superintendents and 15 sub-divisional officers, The News reports.

Sources said these personnel were those who had to implement the orders of the higher-ups and no high-ranking official has been touched in the order passed by Iesco on 10-9-2009.

The official spokesman for Iesco, Ameer Hussain Chaman, when asked about the punishment, said he was not aware of any such punishments.

“I have not been conveyed any such details, therefore, I cannot offer any comment over the issue,” he added.

Sources said Colonel Umer Hayat was conducting the inquiry and on 9-9-2009 his tenure was completed and on 10-09-2009 these personnel were punished.

They say that in this power-theft scandal the higher-ups passed all the orders and the junior officers had no option, but to obey the orders.

It is worth mentioning here that Musharraf had constructed a modern house on the farm obtained for breeding poultry and vegetables, but the ex-general has been enjoying the cheapest power tariff, D-2(1) connection, which is meant for agriculture tube wells and lift irrigation pumps. (ANI)

Police baton-charge protesting Samajwadi Party workers in Varanasi

Varanasi, Sep. 16 (ANI): Police on Wednesday resorted to a baton charge angry Samajwadi Party workers who were protesting against the Mayawati Government’s policies.

The incident took place when Samajwadi Party activists went to hand over a memorandum to the district magistrate.

Several protestors were injured, while some others were arrested.

Samajwadi Party workers have been protesting against the state government’s misuse of public funds for building memorials, a worsening law and order situation and failure to provide relief to flood victims. (ANI)

New air filter system can destroy up to 99.9 per cent of bugs on aircraft

London, September 16 (ANI): British researchers have developed an air filter system that destroys up to 99.9 per cent of infectious viruses and bacteria as well as pollutants that can circulate in the confines of an aircraft, especially on long-haul flights.

According to a report in The Times, the machine has been developed by aerospace giant BAE Systems, in collaboration with Quest International, a small company based in Cheadle, South Manchester, UK.

The device, called AirManager, uses a controlled electric field to filter out and destroy any airborne particles or germs as they pass through an aircraft’s air conditioning system, emitting only clean, sterilized air.

After four years of development and tests, BAE says it has received its first orders from a major European airline and announced the technology is also being considered for use in NHS hospitals as a way to stop the spread of “superbugs” such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

The air on board a passenger jet must be pressurized in order for passengers to be able to breathe, but scientists and lobby groups have previously claimed that passengers can be exposed to toxins as a result of the “bleed air” system that is used to redirect air from the engines to the cabin and cockpit.

Air inside the cabin is then circulated and re-circulated up to 30 times an hour, far more than in conventional air conditioning systems, meaning that infectious viruses and bacteria can quickly spread.

Unlike conventional filters, which are designed to sieve out particles from the air as it passes through perforated barriers at high speed, David Hallam, an engineer and founder of Quest International, said that the AirManager used an “avalanche of electrons” emitted in a closed electric field to break down and destroy the atomic structure of any pollutants or germs.

“This works with swine flu, avian flu, norovirus, MRSA, even a modified form of anthrax,” Hallam said.

Hallam said that he originally designed the “close coupled field” in the late 1990s to rid nursing homes of biological odours caused by bacteria.

But, the filter was later found to have an effect in reducing the airborne transmission of bacteria such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Clostridium difficile.

BAE Systems expressed interest in the technology four years ago for use on aircraft and the system was recently tested on the flight deck and cabin air systems of Boeing 757 and Avro RJ passenger jets by five European airlines, with successful results. (ANI)

Ancient book of Buddhism chantings found in Korean temple

Seoul, September 16 (ANI): Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Chinese book of Buddhism chantings in a Korean temple.

According to a report in Korea Times, the Hangeul copy of an ancient Chinese book, which contains the notes of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) scholar Kim Si-seup, was discovered at Baekryunam, Haein Temple.

The book was originally written by a Buddhist master from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and dates back to the 16th century.

“We discovered the ‘shiphyeondam eonhaebon’ while we were examining the library of Ven. Seong Cheol (1912-1993) at Baekryunam, Haein Temple, in April this year,” Ven. Won Taek said at a press conference at the Jogye Order, northern Seoul.

“It’s a rare book ? perhaps even the only copy ? that is not included in the Natural Treasures list nor on the lists of national libraries and university libraries,” he said.

An eonhae copy, or eonhaebon, is a book or writing that contains the literal translation of a sentence in Chinese to Hangeul, or Korean.

It is different from the normal translation books as it features a word-for-word translation, and is far removed from the Hangeul sentences used today.

‘Shiphyeondam’ refers to the 10 songs and poems made to praise Buddha’s teachings, written by Tang Dynasty Buddhist master Dongan Sangchal of the Jodong Order of Zen Buddhism, a sect of the religion in China.

The songs are comprised of seven Chinese characters and contain the traditions and the practices of the Jodong Order.

Ven. Won Taek explained that the discovery was meaningful as the book was from the 16th century. Most of the eonhaebons known today are from the 15th century.

“We found many precious ancient books and eonhaebons while examining the library and we will apply these artifacts as Natural Treasures after examining the value of them. We will also make photo prints of the eonhaebons for ancient hangeul and writing experts to use them as research material,” he said. (ANI)

New e-nose can reveal smokers without need for blood, urine tests

London, September 16 (ANI): An electronic nose foil some people’s attempt to deceive their doctors by telling them that they are non-smokers, in order to get cheaper life insurance.

Paul Thomas at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, has revealed that their invention is a tweaked form of a commercially available e-nose.

The researcher says that it can detect the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of a person who had smoked a cigarette.

The e-nose uses an array of 32 sensors whose electrical resistance changes as different VOCs are detected.

During a test, the researchers could correctly identified 37 out of 39 volunteers as either smokers or non-smokers relying upon on the resultant “smellprint”.

Based on their observations, the team came to the conclusion that such e-noses could quickly and reliably reveal smokers without the need for a blood or urine test.

The current method of measuring the carbon monoxide content of exhaled breath to confirm smoking activity picks up a smoker for only a few hours after their last cigarette.

It is even prone to error because it cannot tell whether carbon monoxide in the breath came from other sources such as traffic exhaust fumes.

Insurers are very interested in whether a person applying for health or life insurance smokes – for obvious reasons.

“Some insurance providers don’t ask questions about smoking at all, while others ask the question on an application form but do not require a test as the applicant is expected to answer the question honestly,” New Scientist magazine quoted Kelly Ostler-Coyle, of the Association of British Insurers, as saying.

By making the test simple and reliable, an e-nose could provide doctors with the truth in minutes, according to the researchers.

They, however, admit that their system needs further testing to prove its worth.

“This e-nose idea, whilst of interest, will require larger-scale trials to demonstrate clinical efficacy and patient acceptability before it can be considered for use,” says a spokesman for the UK Department of Health.

A research article describing the innovation has been published in the Journal of Breath Research. (ANI)

Tripura withdraws security escorts along highways

Dhalai (Tripura), Sep 15 (ANI): Consequent to the decline in activities of insurgents in Tripura, the government has decided to withdraw the 16-year-old system of escorting all vehicles plying along the major highways linking Agartala with the rest of the country through Assam and other states.

This was disclosed by A Chaturvedi, Inspector General of Police, Tripura at Dhalai on Monday.

In 1993 the State had promulgated an order that no vehicles will be allowed to ply without security escorts along the highway.

The highway is the lifeline of the landlocked state surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides – north, west and south.

“The reason for withdrawing the convoy system is that now we have gained confidence and now the problem of extremism is controlled and the morale of extremists is very low,” Chaturvedi said.

However, to avoid any terror act, patrolling and static deployment of troopers continues and even intensified at certain spots.

The government may allow plying of vehicles round the clock after observing the situation for one year. (ANI)

Some animals can reflect upon, monitor, regulate their states of mind

Washington, September 15 (ANI): Conducting extensive research into animal cognition, psychologists at the University at Buffalo have found that some animals may share humans’ ability to reflect upon, monitor or regulate their states of mind.

“Comparative psychologists have studied the question of whether or not non-human animals have knowledge of their own cognitive states by testing a dolphin, pigeons, rats, monkeys and apes using perception, memory and food-concealment paradigms,” said Dr. J. David Smith, a comparative psychologist at the university.

“The field offers growing evidence that some animals have functional parallels to humans’ consciousness and to humans’ cognitive self-awareness,” he added.

He counts dolphins and macaque monkeys among such species.

Recounting the original animal-metacognition experiment with Natua the dolphin, Smith said: “When uncertain, the dolphin clearly hesitated and wavered between his two possible responses, but when certain, he swam toward his chosen response so fast that his bow wave would soak the researchers’ electronic switches.”

He added: “In sharp contrast, pigeons in several studies have so far not expressed any capacity for metacognition. In addition, several converging studies now show that capuchin monkeys barely express a capacity for metacognition. This last result,” Smith says, “raises important questions about the emergence of reflective or extended mind in the primate order. This research area opens a new window on reflective mind in animals, illuminating its phylogenetic emergence and allowing researchers to trace the antecedents of human consciousness.”

Smith describes metacognition as a sophisticated human capacity linked to hierarchical structure in the mind because the metacognitive executive control processes oversee lower-level cognition, to self-awareness because uncertainty and doubt feel so personal and subjective, and to declarative consciousness because humans are conscious of their states of knowing and can declare them to others.

Therefore, Smith says: “It is a crucial goal of comparative psychology to establish firmly whether animals share humans’ metacognitive capacity. If they do, it could bear on their consciousness and self-awareness, too.”

He concludes, “Metacognition rivals language and tool use in its potential to establish important continuities or discontinuities between human and animal minds.”

A research article describing his study has been published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Science. (ANI)

Adopt new, transparent selection process for police forces: Chidambaram

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday asked the State Governments to adopt new, time bound and transparent selection process for the state police forces on the lines of the Central Police Force selection procedure.

Addressing the three-day long conference of the Directors Generals and Inspectors Generals of state police forces organized by Intelligence Bureau, Chidambaram said: “Revamp the recruitment procedures and make them quick, time bound and transparent. We have introduced a new recruitment procedure in the CPMFs that is based on technology, objective assessment and transparency. I would take this opportunity to urge State Governments to immediately adopt the new procedure.”

Chidambaram expressed concern over the way police officers are treated and asked states to constitute the police establishment boards as the earliest.

“Constitute a Police Establishment Board that would decide on transfers and postings. It is a matter of deep regret that many police officers have been reduced to a football, to be kicked here and there, from one post to another, without regard to the damage done to the job as well as the officer,” he said.

Expressing concern over the non providing of funds to the police forces by some of the states, Chidambaram said: “I am also concerned about the attitude of some State Governments to providing funds for the police. Let me remind you that Police and Public Order are State subjects. States are right in zealously guarding their turf. The Central Government has no desire to encroach upon the jurisdiction of the State Governments. Given the Constitutional responsibility, State Governments must provide adequate funds for the State Police. “

The Home Minister appealed to the state governments to change the practice of allotting the residue – after providing funds for other Plan and Non-Plan Schemes to the head of Police.

The Central Government increased over Rs.13, 000 crore in the budget of the current fiscal to strengthening the CPFs, and for Modernization of Police Force, CCTNS, Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services, Scheme of ICP, etc.

Chidambaram called on the conference to mark the beginning of a process of reinventing the security system in the country.

“We must learn from our past mistakes. We must also learn from the experience of other countries. It is the neglect of tried and tested methods that has led us to a situation where we seemed unequal to the challenges that face the internal security of the country,” he said.It is not enough to walk with firm steps on the path that is known. We must also lay out a path forward that will draw heavily upon technology and innovation,” Chidambaram added.

He said once the ambitious projects of CCTN and NATGRID are fully rolled out and implemented, it would mark a quantum jump in our ability to counter the challenges that we face.

Chidambaram also stressed on the creation of a first rate National Counter Terrorism Centre.

“It is also my desire that once the Police Mission submits its report, we should implement the recommendations in a time-bound manner. There is the need to enact a “Model Police Act”. Mega-city policing is a new requirement, and there is much to learn from the experiences of other mega-cities,” Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram also asked the state police chiefs to sharply upgrade our Forensic Science Laboratories and make them among the best in the world. (ANI)

In Bihar even Maoists are played by casteism

Gaya (Bihar), Sep 14 (ANI): Rebels from a Maoist group in Bihar recently quit and joined another group after they alleged that the former group had high caste ideology.

Defected activists of the Communist Party India (Maoist), which operates in and around Bihar and Jharkhand, allege that the group had drifted away from communist ideology and they never worked for the betterment of farmers and peasants.

Caste issues had created a rift among the cadres, which prompted the activists to defect to the Sashastra People’s Morcha (Armed People’s Front), another Maoist group.

“We have come out to fight against the CPI (Maoist). They have caste issues inside the group. They are also against the locals hence we want to support us in return,” said Paramjeet, a commander of the front.

However, the (Maoist) said that many of the renegades lacked the revolutionary spirit.

“These men are not revolutionaries and that’s the reason they keep commenting like this. They get drifted to other parties and carry out such incidents,” said Advani, a leader of the CPI (Maoist).

Police are apprehensive that the law and order situation in the region could worsen if the new group starts revenge killing, inviting retaliation after the split.

Maoists have formally been labelled as a terrorist group by central government, which gives security forces more enforcement powers. (ANI)

Chidambaram says Maoists seeking alliance with north-east insurgent groups

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said that Maoists are seeking an alliance with northeast insurgent groups.

Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day conference on internal security threats, Chidambaram said the Maoists have been sought alliances with secessionists and insurgentse also said that terrorist groups, including the LeT and the JeM, are persisting with their endeavours to launch terror attacks.

“The Communist Party of India-Maoist besides targeting inimical forces was laying a greater emphasis on targeting infrastructure like roads, bridges,” he added

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on Tuesday. He will also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The Intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

DGPS/IGPs conference to deliberate on major internal security issues

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will inaugurate the DGPs/IGPs Confernce-2009 here today.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on the second day and also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference is expected to deliberate on major internal security threats, including left wing extremism, terrorism, coastal security, insurgency in the north-east and circulation of fake currency notes in the country.

The agenda also includes presentations on important policing issues such as the National Police Mission, corporate fraud and security arrangements being planned for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

Charles Dickens ‘displayed mild OCD symptoms’

London, Sept 13 (ANI): Charles Dickens developed a ritualistic routine in his domestic life, together with an obsessive approach to work, which is consistent with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and can be seen reflected in some of his characters, claims a new biography.

Dickens had a habit of rearranging furniture whenever he stayed in a hotel room and inspecting his children’s bedrooms every morning, leaving behind notes when he was not satisfied with their tidiness.

According to Michael Slater, emeritus professor of Victorian literature at Birkbeck college, London, and author of the book, Charles Dickens, the genius’ behaviour could be traced to his childhood when poverty forced his family to move home repeatedly, reports The Times.

Slater said: “The disorder of his upbringing may have had the effect on him of wanting to be in control.”

He reckons that Little Dorrit, the main character in Dickens’s novel of the same name, reflected his character.

“There she is, the epitome of neatness, in the squalid atmosphere of the Marshalsea prison making order and making her father comfortable and sweeping and cleaning and tidying all the time,” said Slater.

Slater said there were also signs of OCD in the semi-autobiographical David Copperfield.

Also, when it came to women, the author’s attitude was governed by neatness. (ANI)