Questions raised over Mars mission spending; Isro defends

Source : Agencies  New Delhi, November 05, 2013, Hindustantimes.com

A section of social activists and scientists has questioned the need for India to spend Rs. 450 crore on a Mars mission at a time when the country is faced with hunger and poverty.

Global Times, an English tabloid of the state-run People's Daily in China, queered the pitch further. "It (India) is not immune from critics at home and abroad, who wonder whether it's worthy for a country where… one third of the population is plagued by power shortages… to spend millions of dollars…for a few Mars pictures," the daily said on its website.

However, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chairperson K Radhakrishnan strongly defended the spending, saying the country's space programmes are "people-centric".

The Mars mission, which was hailed by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a milestone, will cost somewhere between Rs. 450-500 crore to the exchequer.

Dissident voices

Social activist Harsh Mander, former member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council, said: "I believe that in a country where 230 million people sleep hungry every night, where basic healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities are not available… it (the Mars mission) reflects a remarkable indifference to the dignity of the poor."

Former Isro chairman Madhavan Nair has described the mission as 'utter nonsense'. "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has come out publicly… that there is no trace of life on Mars. There is a limit to fooling the people and fooling the nation," he had said on Monday.

Amitabha Ghosh, India-born scientist with Nasa, also made some critical remarks about the Mars mission.

"It will hardly be a novel accomplishment in the world of technology. Isro need not recreate what has already been done," he wrote in an article.

To the defence

Replying to a query by a foreign mediaperson on whether Isro was in a race with China, Radhakrishnan, said, "We are not in race with anyone. We are in race with ourselves. Isro's satellites are people-centric and application-centric.. I can proudly say space has brought many services to the country…In fact, this (Mars mission) is the right priority."

Senior scientist UR Rao, chairperson of the Governing Council of Physical Research Laboratory, said, "Why are Indians shouting about Rs. 450-500 crore spent on this? It certainly is the biggest day for India. Indians do not have difficulty in spending Rs. 5,000 crore in Diwali crackers in one day. For going all the way to Mars, just one-tenth of the money is being spent. So, why are they shouting?"

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Housefull 2 is second best opener of 2012

Housefull 2 stars walked the ramp wearing creations by designer Aki Narula during the promotion of the film. (AFP Photo)

Neither IPL nor Akshay Kumar's bad form at the box-office proved to be a deterrent for Sajid Khan's multi-starrer. Housefull 2 has garnered Rs. 42 crore in its opening weekend. What's more? It's Akshay Kumar's biggest opener ever.

"The first day collections of the film were Rs. 14 crore. On

Saturday, collections dropped slightly to Rs. 13 crore. On Sunday, Housefull 2 netted a total of Rs. 15 crore, taking its three-day total to Rs. 42 crore (approx. all-India net)," writes trade analyst Komal Nahta in koimoi.com.

"In terms of box-office records, Housefull 2 has the second best opening day collections of 2012, after Agneepath ( Rs. 25 crore)," says Nahta.

The film is going strong in overseas also. "In addition, Housefull 2 collected Rs. 5.50 crore in the Overseas circuit over Thursday and Friday. In the UK, it collected £ 112,075 on Friday. In Australia, Housefull 2 collected A$ 73,143 on Friday. In New Zealand, the Friday collections were NZ$ 34,604. In the UAE, collections on Thursday were AED 725,000," writes Nahta.

Akshay Kumar and Asin in a still from Housefull 2

Akshay Kumar is back with a bang. "Has proved its detractors wrong and has emerged Akshay Kumar's biggest opener. Had a bountiful start on Friday [Rs 14 cr], slided downwards slightly on Saturday, though the fall was marginal [Rs 13 cr], but had a solid Sunday [Rs 16.5 cr], taking the 3-day total to Rs. 43.5 cr nett. Is the second biggest opener of 2012 so far, after AGNEEPATH. The business on Friday and Saturday was affected due to the cricket matches, while the business in North and South circuits got affected due to the strong opposition posed by a Punjabi and Telugu film, respectively. Yet, a fabulous start of Rs. 40 cr + weekend has ensured the film a prime place in the biggest openers' listing," writes Taran Adarsh for Bollywood Hungama.

Sajid Khan was confident about the film's prospects at BO. “I saw the movie last night and I promise you, I am not saying this because I directed this film, I am saying it out of sheer love for cinema as an audience, this film is a blockbuster and I am so proud that I have directed it,” he had said in one of his interviews before the film's release.

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Dhoni is not under any kind of pressure, says CSK coach Fleming

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Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni bats during the Indian Premier League 2012 match against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. HT Photo/Vijayanand Gupta

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming feels that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is "not under any kind of pressure" despite his woeful batting form and the scratchy performance of the defending champions in their three IPL matches so far.
"He never seems to be under any kind of pressure. Obviously, he has pressure but that he has been living with for quite some time now," Fleming said defending his skipper who has only scored 22 runs in three matches, out of which the team lost two.

"He has the desire to win like anybody else and it's known that he is talented. He is a key component in this set-up and everyone knows what happens when he performs," he added.

The CSK, over the past four seasons, have always believed in a set pattern while choosing their playing XI and Fleming's viewpoints showed that the team's thinktank is keeping faith in an out-of-form Murali Vijay and Faf du Plessis who has replaced senior Australian batsman Mike Hussey.

"It's only three matches and we have a long way to go. It would be unfair on Vijay to drop him after just three bad games and also he was run-out today. Vijay has been an excellent IPL player.

"As far as Mike Hussey is concerned there can be only one such player. But Faf brings in a lot to the table. He is a fantastic attacking batsman and also a brilliant fielder. For us, he is a great attacking weapon. I feel it's too early to start doing synopsis."

The former New Zealand skipper admitted that four run-outs put tremendous pressure on his team and they failed to wriggle themselves out of the situation.

"The standard was set from the first ball. The more we tried to get out of the pressure, the more we got into it. We tried to break free but it got worse." 

[hindustantimes]

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BJP worker stabbed to death in Delhi, party councillor detained

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker Jai Kishen has been stabbed to death in Delhi's Model Town area allegedly by a party councillor.
According to media reports, the incident happened late on Tuesday night after Jai Kishen had heated arguments with Madhav Prasad. Prasad is a sitting BJP

councillor and a contestant from ward number 71, Sangam Park in north-west Delhi.

Jai Kishen was taken to the hospital but he reportedly succumbed to his injuries in the morning.

Madhav Prasad has been detained for interrogation by the Delhi police.

Reportedly, Jai Kishen was angry with the sitting councillor as in his opinion, Prasad had not worked during his term and yet had been nominated again for the elections.

More details in the case are awaited.

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India cricketer Yuvraj Singh home after cancer therapy

 

 Yuvraj has said he is "absolutely fine" after his cancer treatment

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who underwent treatment for cancer in the United States, has returned to India after three months.

He underwent chemotherapy at a hospital in Indianapolis. Doctors say Yuvraj, 30, is expected to make a full recovery and resume his cricket career.

His health deteriorated during the World Cup last year, which India won for the first time since 1983.

He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, called mediastinal seminoma.

Yuvraj spent a couple of weeks recuperating in London after finishing his treatment in the US.

'Immense joy'

He landed in the Indian capital, Delhi, on Monday morning and was met by his mother, Shabnam Singh.

As the cricketer stepped out of the airport wearing a red cap, he was mobbed by reporters and photographers.

"He is absolutely fine," his mother Shabnam Singh told reporters. "It's a moment of immense joy, it's like we have won the World Cup again."

Earlier in his treatment, Yuvraj wrote on the micro-blogging site Twitter that he was feeling "better" after receiving a message of support from cycling legend Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong, who was treated for testicular cancer, runs a foundation for cancer survivors.

Yuvraj played his last international match in November 2011.

He was the man of the tournament in last year's World Cup, helping his country win the trophy for the first time since 1983.

On his performance in the World Cup, Yuvraj said in a video message to his fans last week that he "bowled well throughout and my fielding was bang on target".

The Indian cricketer also spoke of his cancer - diagnosed soon after the victory in April.

"I didn't expect to land up here after the World Cup, but that's life," he said.

"Now I'm treated and absolutely fine."

"I'll be back to normal health soon and look forward to playing for India," were Yuvraj's closing words on the video message.

Source : BBC

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Power and petrol offer awaits Asif Ali Zardari

File photo of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. AFP

 

India is expected to offer power and petroleum products to boost Pakistan's energy-starved industry and dwindling economy when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Asif Zardari meet in New Delhi on Sunday.
The opening of the second gate at the Wagah-Attari border on April 13 is also expected to at least double trade with India.

Government sources said that while the one-on-one talks between the two leaders will touch upon several aspects of bilateral ties, New Delhi is expected to offer 500MW (megawatts) of power daily through the Indian northern grid to help Pakistan tackle its energy crisis in the run-up to the national assembly elections next year.

The power ministries of both countries have been discussing the issue for the past five months and New Delhi is willing to supply power by linking up the two Punjab states through the Wagah corridor.

If Pakistan agrees, then a link-up transmission line between the two nations could be established soon.

The Prime Minister is also expected to offer all help to Zardari and son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to boost Pakistan's economy and revive its sick textile and light engineering industry, which is facing power outages.

As Pakistan needs diesel and petroleum products to overcome the crisis, India is likely to export petroleum products to Islamabad through the Wagah border from the Bathinda refinery in Punjab.

The issue was discussed during the Indian petroleum secretary's visit to Pakistan recently.

Trade between the two neighbours will also get a boost from April 13, when the second gate at the Wagah border is opened, dedicated to unrestricted commercial movement.

Right now, land trade is restricted through the one gate at Wagah, which sees elaborate ritualistic opening and closing ceremonies.

New Delhi, by helping out Islamabad in times of economic crisis, wants to remove the trust deficit between the two countries.

It will also hope that Islamabad shows some action on terrorist groups targeting India.

It could also translate into the Zardari government wiping out the negative trade item list totally towards 2012-end and even allowing India to supply food to Afghanistan through the Wagah-Torkham land route.

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