Tribals attend RBI’s financial outreach camp in Tripura

Agartala, Sep. 6 (ANI): Thousands of tribal families turned out to participate in a financial outreach camp organized by the Reserve Bank of India in Pitra village of Tripura.

The camp was organised with the objective of bringing awareness among villagers about banking norms.

“Bank wants to lend for projects which would generate economic activity will lead to development of north east.

So we have to be able to work together. The state government, the banks, the non-governmental organisations, the locals, Panchayati Raj institutions and the Reserve Bank will act like a catalyst to make people come together and work together for economic development,” said Usha Thorat, deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India.

Organised on the occasion of Platinum Year celebration of Reserve Bank, the camp witnessed hundreds of villagers gathered at the stalls of different banks for opening of new bank accounts.

The villagers were also informed and familiarized with various banking facilities, security features of currency notes, exchange their soiled and mutilated currency notes, exchange currency notes for coins and also look into their complains with regards to banking facilities.

“In the village there is no banking system and this camp will be of great benefit to us. The villagers had no means of saving but now we think we can save something for our future,” Bubantala Jamatia, a villager

Under the model, post offices, cooperatives, NGOs, financial institutions, self-help groups, retired employees of state or central government may act as an agent of the banks and provide services to people. (ANI)

Green Run heralds awareness on afforestation in Assam

Guwahati (Assam), Aug 30(ANI): A half-marathon christened ‘Green Run’ was held at Guwahati on Sunday to spread mass awareness on the benefits of tree plantation.

Organised by a premiere engineering institute, the event saw participation of around 400 people of all ages.

The participants and the organisers expressed the view that events like this would result in more and more people planting trees.

“It is a big message (‘Green Run’). Grown-ups as well as kids are warming up for the run. I hope everyone participating will plant at least a tree to make Assam green,” said Taibun Nisa, a former international athlete from Assam.

The half-marathon was classified into two categories, one for athletes and other for non-athletes.

For athletes, the participants were to run 21 kilometres, while in the non-athletic category, the distance was seven kilometres.

Deforestation accounts for up to 60 percent green house gases emission in developing countries like India. (ANI)

Maharashtra Govt. challenges revocation of MCOCA provisions in Malegaon blasts case

Mumbai, Aug 24 (ANI): The Maharashtra Government has filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court challenging the revocation of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) provisions in the September 2008 Malegaon blasts case.

The court will hear the matter on September 8. It asked the state to serve a copy of the appeal to the 11 accused.

On August 2, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that his government would challenge the verdict given by the Special Court to drop the charges under MCOCA framed against the 11 accused of the Malegaon blast, in the Supreme Court.

Earlier, a Special Court in Mumbai had dropped provisions of the MCOCA invoked against Sadhvi Pragya Singh, Lt Col Prasad S P Purohit and other accused of September 2008 Malegaon bomb blast.

The Court in its verdict observed that none of these accused are part of an organised crime group.

The court also ordered the trial will be heard in a regular Nashik court and that the accused can now become eligible for regular bail.

The Malegaon blast investigations were the first instance of an official probe, which charged a Hindu terrorist group with involvement in serial blasts. (ANI)

Manipuri traditional dance form Goura Leela staged in Imphal

Imphal, July 12 (ANI): Goura Leela, a traditional performing art form was recently staged in Imphal.

The objective of this gala show, performed over four days, was to promote and conserve the unique dance from going into the oblivion.

Goura Leela, a traditional performing art of Manipur is based on the events that took place in the life of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and who lived in Nadia region of West Bengal, singing the praises of God and propagating Bhakti Yoga (devotion based worship).

Today, many Hindus in Bengal and Manipur revere him as a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.

And the entire Goura Leela is based on the life and works of Gaurnaga Mahaprabhu.

Organised under the aegis of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Manipur chapter, the programme also aimed at infusing the ethos cultural understanding and love among the present day youth.

Many enthusiastic audiences from far-flung places came to witness the performance, which in the recent past had lost popular patronage.

“Children of our society nowadays, the freedom and happiness was taken away by the present atmosphere. So I feel in my mind immediately that … now is the right time to promote this Goura Leela, Sankirtan culture,” said Ajit Das, President, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Manipur chapter, Imphal.

One of traditional performing arts of Manipur, Goura Leela is believed to have originated during the reign of King Churachand during the 18th century.

The play can be categorised as an opera and is much influenced by Natya Sankritan (devotion through dance and singing hymns). (ANI)

State level pineapple festival held in Imphal

Imphal, July 11 (ANI): To bring all pineapple farmers of Manipur, a State known for pineapple production, on a common platform and promote agro-based tourism and horticulture crops, the 2nd State level pineapple festival cum youth festival was held recently in Imphal.

The festival was launched to encourage pineapple growers in Manipur.

Organised by the Development Organisation, Andro Kendra, it was held at Thambalnu Market, Yairipok in Imphal. The event saw 120 stalls being put up and pineapples produced by around 400 to 500 farmers put on public display.

Experts from Central Agricultural University, State Horticulture Department of the state provided technical training to farmers on the cultivation of pineapples.

The festival is a step forward in helping farmers become economically stable.

“Our aim is to help the farmers of the state benefit from pineapple cultivation. We have organised this festival, as we wanted to remove poverty from the state. The farmers will be able to assist their children’s studies through the income generated,” said K. Abungcha Singh, Organising Secretary, Pineapple Festival.

“This festival will help bring development to the state. This is the 2nd pineapple festival and it has encouraged us (pineapple farmers) as our hard work has been recognized. People will also get to know about pineapple cultivation in the state,” said O. Thambal Devi, a pineapple farmer in Manipur.

As a part of the festival, various cultural programmes were also held.

The state produces pineapples at about 10,000 tonnes per hectare annually and has become the highest producer and exporter in the country.

And, the festival is an opportunity for the farmers to display their products and market them not only at the state level but internationally as well.

Moreover, State horticulture department has recognized Queen and Kew variety of pineapple available in the state as priority crop from this year and will install a processing unit at Andro under the technology mission of the department. By L.C.K Singh (ANI)

Govt. initiative to establish Power Exchanges benefited country: Shinde

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): Union Minister for Power Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday said that the Government’s initiative to establish Power Exchanges in India has benefitted the country.

The minister said it happened by ensuring payment security, promoting competition among stakeholders, reduction in transaction costs by providing a common platform for trading, empowering demand side response to price signals and bringing about efficiency.

“Power is a high priority sector for the Government and policy initiatives will continue to promote competition, efficiency, restructuring and investment,” said Shinde while delivering the inaugural address at a seminar on “Journey to Competitive Markets” in the national capital.

Shinde said that a number of other initiatives have also been taken for empowerment of the State Load Despatch Centers, thereby, facilitating further growth of the Power Market.

These include setting up of committees by the Ministry of Power to look into various aspects to improve the infrastructure and other facilities in the State Load Despatch Centers and their ring fencing.

Organised by Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), the seminar was meant to mark its first anniversary and attended by several luminaries of power sector.

Shinde, on this occasion, said that during the year the total number of members and clients of IEX has crossed 130 and over 3,600 million units of power worth Rs. 3,000 crore has been traded through the Power Exchange.

The Electricity Act, 2003 has been brought about to facilitate private sector participation and to help cash strapped SEBs to meet electricity demand. It envisages competition in electricity market, protection of consumer’s interests and provision of power for all.

The Act provides for National Electricity Policy, rural electrification, open access in transmission, phased open access in distribution, mandatory SERCs, license free generation and distribution, power trading, mandatory metering, and stringent penalties for theft of electricity.

The minister said considering the present inter-State power trading scenario and the need to promote power trading in a free power market, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) approved the setting up of IEX as the first power exchange in India. (ANI)

States should form anti-terror Acts in line with UAPA: Centre

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): All anti-terror enacted by state governments should be in line with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act due to change in government’s policy, the Central has said.

“Subsequently, there has been a change in the policy of the Central government and it is of the opinion that all subsequent state Acts should be in line with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2008, as approved by Parliament,” Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Ramachandran said the assent to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (The Maharashtra Act No. XXX of 1999) was given on April 24, 1999 presumably in accordance with the then policy of the government.

He was responding to a question seeking the reasons behind refusal to give assent to GUJCOCA, 2003.

The Centre has also advised amendments to the Gujarat government in this regard, he added. (ANI)

Youngsters participate in cleanliness drive on Jhelum’s banks

Srinagar, July 5 (ANI): Several youth from different States have come together to spread awareness about the need to maintain cleanliness and preserve popular tourist spots in Jammu and Kashmir.

The youngsters are participating in a nine-day camp under a National Youth Camp and cleaning the area surrounding world famous Jhelum Lake.

Organised by the National Youth Project, New Delhi in association with Peace Foundation, Jammu and Kashmir, the camp is to last till July 9.

Volunteers collect garbage dumped on the banks of Jhelum Lake during the camp.

“The cleaning drive also sends a strong message that our property, tourist spots must be saved from all kinds of pollution and this property of Kashmiris must be preserved since many people depend on this lake for their livelihood,” said Fayaz Ahmed, chairman of Peace Foundation, Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides the cleanliness drive, the youth are also spreading a message of peace and brotherhood in the valley.

After Jhelum, the youngsters’ next plan is to clean world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar.

“We are cleaning by collecting plastics from the roads and taking clearance of the Jhelum Lake,” said Sunil Kumar, a youth from West Bengal.

Kashmir has been among the top Asian tourism destinations, particularly for the honeymoon couples, holidaying crowd, nature lovers, skiers and trekkers.

According to official figures, 430,000 tourists including 23,000 foreigners visited Kashmir in 2008. (ANI)

4th Of July – 4th of July Quotes – Independence Day 4th of July – 4th of July Recipes – 4th of July History – 4th of July Meaning – Fire Works Shows – 4th Of July US Independence Day

4th Of July – 4th of July Quotes – Independence Day 4th of July – 4th of July Recipes – 4th of July History – 4th of July Meaning – Fire Works Shows – 4th Of July US Independence Day

On July 4, 1776, The United States got independence from Britain and became Democracy country.

The United States is truly a nation made up of dynamic people.

Every year on July 4 th, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with  picnics, and family gatherings. At various cities of America, Fire Works Shows are organised.

Inviting all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Mumbai braves rain to host scooter rally

Mumbai, June 28 (ANI): Braving the rain and treacherous terrain, enthusiastic riders participated in the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally-2009 in Mumbai on Sunday.

This year marks the twentieth edition of the rally.

Organised by Sportscraft and sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation, the rally saw participants from Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra like Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur.

Shrikant Karani, chief of Sportscraft, said that the rally is like any other adventurous sports held.

“Participants keep their scooters in good condition throughout the year just to participate in this rally. When they travel to areas like Belapur, they have to ride through water, mud, rough patches, etc, which becomes quite challenging for them. So this rally is like any other adventurous sports,” said Shrikant Karani, chief of Sportscraft.

The rally was open to all Indian-made two stroke, four stroke and gearless scooters.

“The scooter has its own charm. That’s why I have participated in the rally,” said Harpreet Singh Janjuha, a participant.

The rally was flagged off from Our Lady’s Home in Parel and it ended at K-Start Belapur, Navi Mumbai. (ANI)

Patna runs for communal harmony

Patna, June 28 (ANI): In a bid to spread the message of communal harmony and social brotherhood, scores of enthusiasts participated in a run in Patna on Sunday.

Organised by the Prajapati Brahma Kumari Ishwariya, an organisation of celibate women, the run saw the participation of about a thousand participants.

“The aim of the run is to promote harmony and brotherhood among all as we all the children of the same Almighty and if we all stay together in peace and harmony then we can usher heaven on earth,” said Brahma Kumari Nirmal Pushpa, a member of the Organising committee.

The run, which had participation from all age groups and from all walks of life, witnessed an overwhelming response. (ANI)

INIFD hosts ‘Vibrance 2009′ fashion show in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 25 (ANI): Top models walked down the ramp on Wednesday evening wearing exquisite collections designed by students of a fashion institute here during its annual fashion show.

Organised by International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), the fashion show titled ‘Vibrance 2009′ had a ‘Moods and Colours 2020′ as its theme.

Models walked down the ramp in colourful and fascinating costumes designed by budding designers of the institute.

Femina Miss India World 2009 Pooja Chopra also walked the ramp as the showstopper. She wooed the audience with her walk. She appreciated the creativity and originality of students’ creations.

“Trust me, I like doing students’ shows because after five yrs down the line they will be big designers because they are budding designers of today. Their creativity and imagination is way different. They do not try to ape any other existing designers; they do not try to ape the west. It is all their imagination. So it is very special to them,” said Pooja Chopra.

Choreographer of the show Rohit Verma said that the best part of the show was that it was not too much expanded in all aspects.

“The best thing about the show was like there were limited garments, six girls, two guys and one kid. It was fun doing it and I enjoyed every moment of it. The clothes were very dramatic and the scenes were very good so I enjoyed every bit of it,” said Rohit Verma.

The show offered a big platform to promote budding and future designers from this fashion-designing institute. (ANI)

Mumbai hosts two-day War Film festival

Mumbai, June 25 (ANI): Hordes of movie enthusiasts thronged a film festival of rare and vintage war movies besides many other documentaries related to Indian independence and defence forces here.

Organised by the Films Division (FD), in cooperation with the Armed Forces Film and Photo Division (AFFPD), the two-day War Film Festival was inaugurated by Major General (retired) E D’souza who was decorated with Victoria Cross in World War-II on Thursday.

In all, 80 films on World War II, the struggle for Indian Independence and Indian troops in action on the warfront (all in original) are being screened during the festival.

Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer of the Films Division mentioned that such festivals are a must for the present and future generations.

“We should try preserving our heritage and culture because this is one thing we can pass on to our next generation and nothing else,” said Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer, Films Division, Government of India, Mumbai.

He also announced that they would try to organise more such festivals across the country.

“We have our Films Division offices across the country. Through them we will try to organise more such two-day film festivals in other parts of the country,” said Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer, Films Division, Government of India, Mumbai.

Among the movies and original footage screened at the festival are ‘Indian Independence in 1947′, ‘India Strikes’ (45 minutes), ‘Indian Armed Forces Officers in WW-II’ and ‘Delhi Victory Parade’ (10 minute).

The film festival will conclude on Friday (June 26). (ANI)

Siliguri tea garden tribal workers hold rally

Siliguri, June 22 (ANI): Tribals employed in tea gardens as pluckers and factory workers in Doars Terai region, held a rally in Siliguri to highlight their problems.

Organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Adivashi Bikash Parishad (ABAVP – All India Tribal Development Council) of the Doars Terai region, the rally appealed to the government to facilitate reopening of 14 tea gardens.

“The biggest problem we (tribals) are facing is the closure of around 14 tea gardens in Doars. Some of these tea gardens are closed for the last five years. But the government is doing nothing,” said Suraj Tigga, Joint Convener, ABAVP.

Over four million tribals inhabit the Doars Terai region and most of them are employed with the tea gardens.

With the closure of 14 tea gardens as many as 17,000 people have been rendered jobless. The tribals also want better working conditions and basic facilities.

“Many tribals are now unemployed because of the closure of 14 tea gardens in Doars. Moreover there is no sanitation in the tea gardens. The hospital located in the tea gardens is of no use. Medicines are given in the hospital but it can’t be called a hospital,” said Paresh Munda, a tea garden trade union leader.

The tribals have held several rounds of talks with the State and Central Governments on their demands, which they said, have not been met so far. (ANI)

Lahore’s youngsters protest against 20pct tax on SMS

Islamabad, Jun 20 (ANI): Youth organisations in Lahore protested against the Government’s decision to levy a 20 per cent tax on short messaging service (SMS) on Friday.

The protest against the tax, announced in the annual budget for the financial year 2009-10, was held in front of the Lahore Press Club.

Organised by the Progressive Youth Front (PYF), the protest provided an interesting spectacle for the passers-by, who were amazed by the youth shouting slogans against SMS being taxed.

“People here are struggling to make both ends meet, but these young people are protesting against taxation on SMS, which sounds funny,” the Daily Times quoted Abbas, a young man who was standing on the curb, and staring at the protesters with mock amazement, as saying.

Another passer-by said that the tax on SMS was quite justified, and that most young people wasted their time in sending pointless chain messages.

But PYF Coordinator Kashif said that the youth of Pakistan lived without basic facilities, and cheap SMS was the only “luxury” they could enjoy.

He said that it was deplorable that youngsters were being deprived of that facility.

He did not deny that young people were circulating indecent and meaningless SMS. However, he insisted that the tax imposed on SMS was a great blow for the young people who stayed in contact with each other through the “service”.

He said that the young people, who had left their native cities to study in urban centres, stayed in touch with their families back home through SMS.

He claimed that the PYF had conducted a survey and found that an overwhelming majority of young people opposed the Government’s decision.

Kashif said that telecommunication companies should also raise their voices against the tax.

“The government is already taxing calling cards. It should withdraw the tax on SMS,” he added. (ANI)

Centre returns Gujarat’s anti terror bill

New Delhi June 19(ANI): The central government for the second time returned the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act (GUJCOCA), a stringent anti terrorism bill framed by the Narendra Modi’s Gujarat Government.

Addressing the press conference after the cabinet meeting, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Cabinet has sought three amendments to GUJCOCA.

He also said that under this law a confession made a police officer is admissible in court and this should not be made admissible.

A clause in the act prevents the court from granting the bail if the public prosecutor opposes it, Home minister added.

Chidambaram did not specify the amendment suggested to section 20(2) of the GUJCOCA

The Union Home Minister said the Cabinet could only recommend it for the President’s nod only when all the suggested amendments are made. (ANI)

Adventure camp for the northeastern youth

Churachandpur (Manipur), May 29 (ANI): About a hundred youngsters from across northeast region of the country are attending a fortnight long adventure camp at Churachandpur area.

At the camp, training in basics skills of mountaineering, trekking and rappelling is being given to the adventurous youth of the region.

Organised by the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) under the civic action programme of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has drawn many youngsters.

“Potential is lot (aplenty). But due to lack of financial help we cannot conduct more of adventure training camps here at Manipur. This time we got some sponsorship from CRPF (India’s paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force) under the civil action programme. This time plenty of students are coming from different parts of Manipur. We received more than 100 applications out of which we selected only 100,” said Surjit Singh, President of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA), Imphal.

It is hoped that the camp will help the youngsters in future to join higher-level training camps like the courses conducted at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Darjeeling.

Youngsters, mostly from the Seven Sisters of the North East-states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh-are attending the camp.

At the camp, young trainees are camped in tents and provided nutritious food.

The adventure activities being taught at this camp include cave expedition, crossing obstacles, rock climbing, parasailing, trekking and hiking in and around the hills of Imphal valley.

An added attraction of the training camp will be the motorcycle relic hunt and sight seeing spread over the last two days.

According to Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association, such camps should be held on a regular basis in the region. Since these would help the youth to develop a positive focus in life and also prevent the young minds from going astray.

Manipur has produced a good number of famous mountaineers and also champions in adventure sports who have won medals at national and international level.

Having commenced on May 24, the camp will last till June 8. By L.C.K. Singh (ANI)

Bhopal hosts puppet festival

Bhopal, May 17 (ANI): Hundreds of people visited a three-day puppet festival here in which entertaining skits were performed by various artistes.

Organised at the popular Rabindar Bhavan between May 12 to 14, the festival was a hit among the young and old alike.

Children, in particular, enjoyed the event the most, as they had gala time at the festival dancing and rejoicing attractive performances of puppets.

“I liked the elephant puppet and the monkey dance at the show. I liked the first puppet act of the show,” said Kriti, a young girl visitor at the puppet festival.

Also, the festival brought together different puppet theatre groups from across the country to display their puppetry skills.

“I am from the Kolkata Puppet Theatre group. I am very happy to be here. We have got good reception. We are going to perform ‘Black Deer’ puppet show today,” said Shika Dutta of Kolkata Puppet Theatre Group.

Shikha also stated that events like these with ample patronage would help the puppetry and puppet artistes gain more scope to exhibit their skills. It would also earn them more popularity among the younger generation, the kids in particular.

Various puppets group from West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh participated in this gala and colourful festival.

Puppetry is a traditional art form, whose popularity is fast declining, as the modern-day entertainment options like television, movies and Internet are fast displacing it particularly in the urban areas. By R. C. Sahu (ANI)

Organic mango festival held in Kochi

Kochi, May 10 (ANI): To popularise organic food among the masses, a weeklong mango festival was held here this past week. It had over 150 rare varieties of mangoes, all cultivated and ripened using organic and natural methods.

Organised by Kochi-based Organic restaurant Lumiere, the speciality of the fest was that all the dishes put on display had been prepared using organic products and traditional recipes.

“I think we have brought almost most of them are organic. Varieties are from Karnataka and Kerala . So, normally, only modern varieties are here. We tried to bring more than 150 varieties. On top of that we are cooking with it. Cooking in different ways. We have done 25 varieties of pickles,” said Manjunath P.R., Owner of Lumiere Organic Restaurant, Kochi.

Some of the rare and unique varieties of mangoes that fascinated maximum attention included coconut mangoes with a size and shape of a fully grown coconut. ‘Mosambika aam’, which tastes and smells exactly like a Mausmi (sweet lime), ‘sugar free’ mangos, ‘Seb Ka Aam’ which looked like an apple, ‘Gulzar’ and other unheard varieties of mangoes.

Besides several varieties of mangos being for public display, the organisers had also arranged other special mango delicacies prepared out of these mangoes using organic spices and herbs like mango pickles, mango cakes and muffins, mango juices and other items.
Meanwhile, a large number of visiting mango lovers were delighted to see such a large variety at the mango festival.

“Organic means it is not polluted, it is not contaminated. It is naturally prepared. Other mangoes, other things, chemical manure is used butere chemical manure is not used. Only organic manure is used,” said L.acob, a mango lover at the festival.

Around 30 varieties of special mango-based juices and combinations withther fruit, mango based products, vegetables and herbs also attracted a lot of attention of one and all during the festival.

The mango festival commenced on May 4 and lasted till May 10 (Sunday). By Juhan Samuel (ANI)

Chinmaya Mission organizes yajna for world peace

Hosur (Tamil Nadu), Apr 13 (ANI): Hundreds of people attended a special yajna (religious fire ritual) ceremony held here for world peace on the last weekend.

Organised by Chinmaya Mission at Hosur in Tamil Nadu, the religious ceremony witnessed an overwhelming participation of people irrespective of their person religious faith.

The yajna was performed along with the recitation of powerful ‘Gayatari Mantra’ for 108 times to promote harmony and seek relief for everyone suffering worldly troubles.

“Today, at Hosur, 108 recitation of Gayatari Omum recitation was organized. Swamiji Krishnaatmananda, Chinmaya mission conducted it for world peace. Children, women and men of different castes, without any discrimination participated in the prayer ceremony. A ceremony like this has held for the first time in Hosur,” said Sunita, a participant during the ceremony.

People appreciated the organization of such a ceremony.

Sri Sri Krishanaatmananda, the Chinmaya Mission head, on this occasion explained the essence of the mantra, saying one who chants the mantra will be protected by it. The real meaning of mantra is to seek knowledge. We pray to the sun god to give us bright intellect, sharp intellect and concentrated intellect and also beautiful knowledge for life. (ANI)