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Showing posts from April, 2013

Convincing win for top class Chennai

Pune: MS Dhoni and Mohit Sharma starred as the Chennai Super Kings beat Pune Warriors by 37 runs, to register their eighth win in IPL 2013 at the Subrata Roy Sahara stadium on Tuesday. Chasing 165 for victory, Pune openers Uthappa and Finch began aggressively before Finch was caught behind by counterpart Dhoni off Mohit Sharma. Their troubles would double, as No.3 Tirumalasetti Suman would fall leg-before-wicket to Sharma off the very next delivery. Robin Uthappa’s run out reduced them to 29/3. Steve Smith counter-attacked by hitting two fours in the next four deliveries, but could only watch as Sharma (3/21) picked up his third wicket by dismissing Yuvraj Singh for four. The Aussie could only scream in frustration, as he drove the ball down the ground, only to find the ball hitting Albie Morkel’s boot, and the stumps. Luke Wright was outside the crease at the non-striker’s end. Smith fell for 35, after being caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Kane Richardson and Bhuvneshwar Kumar m

Have Superhumans Arrived?

Let’s face the truth. We have always wanted to be blessed with a bunch of superhero capabilities as a child. Laser eyes, levitation, teleportation, vaporizing those annoying people around you. We have wished for the latter quite a lot as we grew up though. Our fascination with this superpower phenomenon has been in existence since the advent of the stone-age era. Envisioning forces of nature as a human with unfathomable power and glorifying such things beyond proportion, the proofs speak for themselves. As time progressed, we too got creative and patronized metaphors in their literal sense of words. Humans capable of lifting huge boulders, summoning lightning and thunder, moving mountains, making the sky explode. Such were the mythological tales driven by the human inquisitiveness and the unconditional urge to wish for such miracles to happen. We called them Gods in some cases. We gave them shape, we gave them a face. And thus, mythology was born. Coming to the turn of the 19th century

How iTunes Changed The Music Industry Forever

The music industry is an ever-evolving beast that devours everything in its path. It started off with the LPs during the hay-day hippie era till the ‘80s, when it was soon replaced by cassettes followed by the shiny compact discs that seemed to the cusp of it all. We were wrong. Digital media followed and the advent of iPod revolutionized the music scene, making the beast hungry for more. · The Arrival Of iPod The iPod is a fantastic piece of machinery, and proved to be a tide-turner during its launch. Capable of amassing your whole music collection in the palm of your hands, iPod was the must-have gadgets for the tech-savvy, music nerds, and fashionistas alike. The first generation was equipped with a 5 GB internal storage ability, which enabled the owner to store 1000 songs at any moment. Having the capability to store music in digital format allowed a user to select a specific single from an album and carry it along, making it less cumbersome and eliminating the pain to carry the wh

Samsung to manufacture Galaxy S4 in India

Samsung India today said it will soon start manufacturing its flagship high-end smartphone Galaxy S4 in India. "We are planning to start manufacturing of S4 soon at our Noida facility," Samsung Mobile and Digital Imaging Country head Vineet Taneja told PTI. He, however, refused to share any timeframe by when the production will start. The Noida facility is manufacturing about 35-40 million phones annually, including 12 smartphones such as Galaxy S3. The company currently imports the recently launched Galaxy S4 from South Korea. Sensing huge demand for Galaxy S4, the company is also looking to double up the high-end smartphone (above Rs 20,000) market size in India, which is currently contributing around 10-12 per cent of the overall smartphone market. The Galaxy S4, which is packed with newer imaging features as well as 'gesture-control' technology, has a five-inch full HD super AMOLED touchscreen, 13 mega pixel rear and 2 mega pixel front camera and supports 3G netwo

Jagan arrest political: SC posts bail plea to May 6

New Delhi, April 29: Senior advocate Harish Salve has put forth a strong argument in the Supreme Court, saying that Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was arrested only because of political reasons. The noted lawyer produced evidences to show that the arrest was politically motivated. He had particularly mentioned about the statement of the union minister Kotla Surya Prakasha Reddy that Jagan would get bail only if he joined the Congress party.  He argued that a central minister stating that Jagan would get bail if he joined the Congress, meant that Jagan was jailed only because he differed with the Congress and came out of it.  After hearing the arguments of Salve, the supreme court posted the case to May 6. The court also directed the CBI to file its counter by then.  Jagan's wife Bharati Reddy and auditor Vijaya Sai Reddy were present when arguments of Harish Salve were heard by the bench headed by Justice Sadasivam. It is learnt that Bharati asked the CBI officials who were present in the co

Latin American presidents love Twitter - maybe too much

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - When a million angry Argentines flooded the streets earlier this month to protest her government, President Cristina Fernandez decided to post a message on Twitter. And another. And then another. "Yes, I'm a bit stubborn, and I'm also old. But in the end, it's lucky to arrive at old age, isn't it?" one tweet read. She also mused about a 19th century fresco in her "gorgeous" palace, and the merits of a state-run literacy program. At the end of the day, Fernandez had sent 61 tweets in a nine-hour period - prolific even by the standards of Latin America, where presidents and other leading politicians have embraced social media with a zeal unmatched anywhere else. Their love for Twitter, in particular, has given millions of voyeurs a real-time window into policymaking - and, often, their leaders' most intimate thoughts. Yet it has also fueled debate on whether some are guilty of "oversharing" - making politics more

Windows 8 based Asus VivoTab Smart coming to India @ Rs 45K

Asus  will be launching Windows 8 based VivoTab  Smart tablet  with 10.1-inch HD display in next couple of weeks. The tabley will be support 4 G network. Peter Chang , country manger  India , Asus said to The  Mobile Indian , "We are planning to launch Asus VivoTab Smart in next couple of weeks in  India  and it will be priced at around Rs 45,000 along with cover and keyboard." Apratim Sharma , product head,  Asus India , further said to The Mobile Indian, "Asus VivoTab Smart will also be made available without cover and keyboard and it will be priced at around Rs 39,990." He further added that Asus VivoTab Smart will support 4 G(TD LTE) network for connectivity. Airtel is currently the only player to offer 4G services in the country. However once players like Reliance Industries (RIL) launches their service secarion will completely change. VivoTab' s unique feature is its TranSleeve Keyboard accessory that is a cover, keyboard, and stand all rolled into one alo

Release Sarabjit on humanitarian grounds: Indian government appeals to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Reiterating its demand to send Sarabjit Singh to India for medical treatment, the Indian government again appealed to Pakistan to take a 'sympathetic view of the Indian prisoner'. "In view of the recent tragic events and present circumstances, we once again appeal to the Government of Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case, and release Sarabjit Singh," a government source was quoted by NDTV. The Indian prisoner currently on a death row in Pakistan was admitted to a Lahore hospital after a vicious attack on him at the Kot Lakhpat jail by inmates in Lahore on April 26. Emphasising on a better medical treatment for the ailing Indian prisoner, the source added, "Transfer Sarabjit to India for best medical treatment." Following the assault on Sarabjit, a panel of experts was formed to decide whether the Indian death row prisoner, who suffered grievous injuries in the attack, should be sent abroad or a foreign neurosurgeon sho

Tata invests in technology, R&D at Tel Aviv University

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Tata Industries will invest $5 million in a new Tel Aviv University (TAU) technology fund, saying it saw the university as its Israeli research and development centre. Tata, part of Indian conglomerate Tata Group, will be the lead investor in a planned $20 million fund at TAU's technology transfer company Ramot aimed at commercialising their research. "For Tata, we ... see innovation and R&D as an area of focus and a source of competitive advantage going forward," Rameshwar Jamwal, executive director at Tata Industries, told reporters on Monday. Jamwal said it was Tata's first major investment in Israel and that it would likely invest further. "This is our attempt to scout Israeli technology more deeply," he said. "This allows us over a period of time to show our commitment to Israel but we are interested in doing more." Tata will work with TAU's scientists to help steer them towards applying commercial uses for their r

Going under the knife for a perfect Facebook profile pic

New Delhi: College student Shayna John was not happy with her nose. And to give it the perfect shape, she recently underwent nose correction surgery - all this for her profile picture on Facebook. Cosmetic surgeons said an increasing number of people, especially school and college students, across India are going under the knife to get that perfect face for their Facebook account. The trend is growing as social media, along with online dating, has today become the common trend. The way one looks online is considered to be the first impression of one's overall image and personality. Popularly known as 'Facebook Facelifts', aesthetic plastic suregons said it is equally common among men. According to Anup Dhir, chief cosmetic surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, good looks are desired by all humans and cosmetic surgery is an effective tool to fulfill this desire. "People want to look attractive on social sites. This trend is gaining popularity. Many girls and boys are c

Parliament adjourned over coal blocks till Tuesday

New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) Both houses of parliament were adjourned till Tuesday as the BJP Monday demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation over the contentious issue of coal blocks allocation. However, it was agreed at an all-party meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to break the ongoing logjam that the crucial finance bill, along with the railway appropriation bill and the demands for grants of various ministries would be taken up Tuesday, said sources. The financial bills need to be passed on a priority basis, so that funds can be released to ensure the smooth running of government, the sources said. Before the all-party meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath appealed to the opposition to allow the house to function. "I appeal to the opposition to let the house function. We have lost five days and I appeal to parties that parliament is the right forum for debate," Kamal Nath said. Both the houses were first adjourned till noon, then

Disassociate Saradha from chit fund sector, says chit fund association

New Delhi, April 29: The All India Association of Chit Funds Monday urged the government and the media not to associate Saradha group of West Bengal with the chit fund sector, as the company was not registered as a chit fund and had business in various other sectors. "We have verified with the office of 'Registrars of Chit Funds' in Kolkata that Saradha is not registered. The company had varied business interests and what is quite glaring is that they did not float any chit fund company. Yet, their failure is attributed to chit funds," said T.S. Sivaramakrishnan, general secretary, All India Association of Chit Funds. The association claimed that the chit fund sector was being made a "scapegoat" by the government, who are feeling the public pressure following the scam involving Saradha in West Bengal. Sivaramakrishnan said chit fund companies, unlike Saradha, are not allowed to accept deposits or allowed to carry on any other businesses without permission of

Modi asks Rahul why one guy cannot set everything right

Bangalore, April 29: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi late Sunday challenged Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on why one man (guy) cannot set everything right and offered to show to do it. "I will show him (Rahul) how one man (guy) can set everything right, in response to a sermon he gave recently," Modi said at a BJP election rally here ahead of the Karnataka assembly poll May 5. "Though born with a golden spoon, he (Rahul) did not read much, especially Indian history. He should have done some homework before giving sermons. "He may be right about Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi that one man (or woman) can't do everything. But Sardar (Vallabhai) Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri have shown how one man can change everything," Modi added. At the annual meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) April 4 in New Delhi, Rahul told India Inc: "If you think there is a guy who will come on a horse charging through and set everything right, that i

New $5.5 billion plan aims to rid world of polio by 2018

LONDON - Health groups said on Thursday they could rid the world of polio by 2018 with a $5.5 billion vaccination and monitoring plan to stop the disease taking hold once more now there are only a handful of cases worldwide.                                                   Experts say the plan offers the best chance yet to eradicate a disease that until the 1950s crippled many thousands of people every year but has been brought almost to extinction though effective vaccine campaigns. In 1988, more than 350,000 children were paralysed by polio and the disease was endemic in more than 125 countries. Last year, worldwide polio cases plunged from 650 in 2011 to 223, the largest drop in a decade. So far in 2013, 19 cases have been reported and polio remains endemic in just three countries - Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria - after India celebrated its second polio-free year. "Today we have the fewest cases in the fewest places ever, making it critical to use the best opportunity the

Sunrisers batsmen have to take responsibility: White

Jaipur: Sunrisers Hyderabad's stop-gap captain Cameron White feels that his batsmen need to step up and take responsibility as individuals with the bat and make sure that they put up some better scores for their bowlers to defend. Sunrisers suffered a batting collapse here Saturday as Rajasthan Royals won the match by eight wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Sunrisers were left reeling at 19/5 at one stage but they managed to put on a target of 144 after a great fightback by lower order batsmen. Asked what went wrong, White said: "There was a bit of swing early on. I think initially they bowled well up front." However, Darren Sammy faced all odds, stood firm and made 60 runs to revive their inning. White was all praise for Sammy. "It was a great innings, wasn't it. After that start it was a really good batting effort by the tail to get to 140-odd," White said. "Darren Sammy was excellent again and he was well supported by Mishy (Amit Mishra) and Ash

Amala Paul gets a kick out of stress

Most people buckle under their job pressure, but southern actress Amala Paul, who admits having a stressful working schedule, says she enjoys the kick she gets out of it. "Exhausted, fatigued and oozed out but can't wait to be at 'Iddarammayilatho' music launch. This job is crazy but the kick it gives is even crazier," posted Amala on her Twitter page. The audio launch is Sunday evening. Amala has teamed up with Allu Arjun and Catherine Tresa in Telugu romantic-drama "Iddarammayilatho". Directed by Puri Jagannadh, the film also features Kaajal Vashisht, Brahmanadam, Nassar, Subbaraju, Srinivasa Reddy and Devshi Khanduri. Amala recently returned from Australia after wrapping up the last schedule of upcoming Tamil action-drama "Thalaivaa". "It feels like yesterday we kick-started 'Thalaivaa' and all of a sudden it's all over. I am going to miss it, and miss it so badly," she added. She also posted that she misses "Kanga

Vijayamma launches Rachchabanda

Hyderabad: YSR Congress Party honorary president YS Vijayamma held ‘Rachchabanda’, a public contact program from Chevella, the favorite spot of her late husband Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who launched every welfare program from there. Speaking on the occasion, Vijayamma said ‘Rachchabanda’ was a favorite program of her late husband and Chevella was his most preferred place. She heard the problems of the people in the program. Before reaching Chevella, Vijayamma performed special pujas at the Are Maisamma temple at Rajendra Nagar. She also unveiled her party flag there. At Moinabad, Vijayamma offered prayers at the Methodist Church. Allagadda MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy, MLA Koona Srisailam Goud, Rama Krishna Reddy, former actress Roja and others accompanied Vijayamma. Addressing people, Vijayamma said during YSR rule, prices of essential commodities were stable and the Arogyasri scheme was perfectly implemented. She charged the present government with shelving all the welfare programs launch

Hari Krishna and Sons ditch Naidu

Hyderabad: The TDP chief Chandra Babu Naidu who covered over 2000 kilometres and 16 districts to strengthen the party appears to have failed to get the support of the Nandamuri family members. Nandamuri Hari Krishna and his sons Kalyan Ram and Jr. NTR were conspicuous by their absence at the meeting organized as the culmination of Naidu's 'Vastunna Meekosam' pada yatra. When a Pylon to mark his historic yatra was unveiled at Visakhapatnam, TDP supporters were stunned to see no one other than Balayya was present from the Nandamuri family. TDP chartered a Jet Airways aircraft to carry TDP leaders to Vizag from Hyderabad. A large number of fans of Jr. NTR gathered at the airport expecting him, Kalyana Ram and Hari Krishna. They were disappointed at their absence. It is learnt that Hari Krishna excused himself citing ill-health. Jr. NTR was hurt that he was not invited, say sources. The two prevailed upon Kalyan Ram not to go, said sources. It is learnt that Nandamuri Hari Kris

All You Need To Know: Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung is all set to launch their brand new Galaxy S4 in India on 26 April. The successor to the iPhone killer, the Galaxy S-III, S4 is packed to the brim with features that’ll definitely change the game of smartphone development yet again. So let’s have a look at the Galaxy S4 and the punch it packs! · The Package Loyalists and fans would be disheartened with the S4’s body. The S4 looks like a slightly bigger version of the SIII with few subtle changes here and there. Nothing more, nothing less. A safe move by Samsung who seem to have followed the ‘If it ain't broke, don't fix it’ motto and stuck to the same design, yet a new looking smartphone would have seemed refreshing and worked wonders, especially when the competing bracket is slotted with the chic looking Sony Xperia Z and the classy HTC One. The phone’s plastic finish makes it looks cheap, and isn’t as delightful to hold as opposed to the Z and the One. Definitely a big disadvantage for the tech giants. The

Green Technology to Make your Life Easy

While global warming is becoming an increasing threat, plastic and other non-biodegrdable waste materials are choking the planet. We can't just ignore what's happening by being just mute spectators. Going green is the need of the hour. Thankfully, due to the emergence of 'green technology' we can render our effective contribution in making the planet greener and sustainable. Apart from being eco-friendly, the concepts of green technology have made life simpler. They also have a lifestyle quotient. Think about this: When was the last time you stood in a long queue to pay your phone bill? Do you have the faintest recollection of writing your last letter? What's more, you can even shop while sitting on your living room sofa and book rail and air tickets. Green technology has not only helped in bringing down pollution levels but has also helped us in saving our precious time (in a world where time is a scarce resource). Yesterday, the world celebrated the Environement D