Powerless Maharashtra

Government of India has released the year end reviews for various ministries, as is the custom. The report of Power ministry makes an entertaining reading. It gives total capacity of electricity generation at present in the country. But it cleverly avoids mentioning the rising demand for power in country. In every respect!Indian economy is growing at the rate of 8 percent each year and according to a study by The McKinsey & Company. According...

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x ‘Setusamudram’ project which will ‘demolish’ the Ramsetu should be cancelled and Ramsetu should be declared as a National historic property.x Makbul Fida Hussain should be arrested for painting nude and blasphemous paintings of Hindu deities.x Anti-faith Bill and Temple Bill, proposed by Maharashtra government which can bring threat to the Hindu Dharma should be abolished.x Those who denigrate Hindu deities through the medium of advertisements,...

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The Neighbouring Shopowner Needs Protection

Even though unorganised retail is reeling under the pressure of organised retail sector, it needs a strong protection. A code of conduct is necessary for the organised sector so that unorganised retail sector does not get affected. This is the recommendation given by a committee which has submitted its report to the government over the issue. The findings and recommendations of the report furnished by the Indian Council for Research on International...

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Animals Don't Go Wild...

Pune has too times seen wild animals straying into the resident areas. The year 2008 itself witnessed three such incidents where a leopard, a python and a Spotted Dear were found into the urban areas. That itself created panic as well as curiosity as to how these animals came to stray into the human domains? But there are suspicious factors behind these types of the events. Shekhar Nanajkar, president of WILD, an organisation working in the...

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Maharashtra government has finally woken up. It has updated its website and has brought the new chief minister Ashok Chavan in his rightful place. Media reports had earliers pointed out how the official portal of government of Maharashtra was still showing Vilasrao Deshmukh as the chief minister of Maharahstra even five days after the swearing in of Chavan alongwith Chhagan Bhujbal as deputy Chief Minister.  Websites of state government of Maharashtra...

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An unimpressive conference

Today there was a press conference of Anand Sharma, the minister of State for External Affairs and Information & Broadcasting. He was here for the Vodafone international marathon, which had its share of controversies. As expected, Sharma was asked several questions on media coverage of Mumbai terror attacks. Starting with a quite lengthy sermon on the achievements of United Progressive Alliance government in New Delhi, he took on all the questions,...

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Narayan Rane is a disappointed and enraged person today. He has missed out on a post which he was staring at for the last two and half years. After Ashok Chavan was given the chief ministership, Rane hit out at Congress leadership.On Friday, Rane slammed the Congress party for delaying its decision in choosing Vilasrao Deshmukh's successor. Targetting congress president, Sonia Gandhi and ousted chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, he had put a question...

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Ashok Chavan, new Maharashtra CM

He is from Nanded, as meFinally the word is out. Maharashtra, the state which has withnessed much bloodshed in the past week has a new Chief Minister. Putting an end to the controversies and debates, senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee announced Ashok Chavan's nomination in New Delhi on Friday evening. Of course, he and other leaders deliberated on the matter with their boss, Sonia Gandhi.Vilasrao Deshmukh  was eased out of office...

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A Million Smile Man

He gave the world Mickey Mouse and has since been making world laugh through various cartoons and stories. Even 42 years after his death, Walt Disney continues to mesmerize the people world over. Even two world wars and threat of the terror has not diminished the power of Disney characters to entertain the audience. Today marks the 43rd death anniversary of Walt Disney.As happens with most children, I came across Mickey Mouse early in childhood....

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It can tear the enemy tanks, destruct these tanks and kill persons sitting in them. This indigenously developed weapon does away with expensive metals. Highly praised for its effectiveness, this weapon was designed and developed here. The Fin Stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) was developed in the Pune based Armanent Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). It was presented in the exhibition at ARDE, Pashan on Friday...

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It was a very minor story, the ones that we care not to go into detail. But days after we carried it, it made an impact and paved the way for migratory birds to flock together.The banks of Mula-Mutha river are home to various species of birds. The site was marked for a bird sanctuary by Pune Municipal Commissioner. Srikant R. Shinde, personality development and motivational trainer and a nature lover as well, had noted how PMC was dumping the garbage...

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Tremors after the Quake

Tremors are still felt here in India even as the worst terrorist attack of the country has ended about 30 hours ago. Two key personalities in the union government has offered to leave the post while in Maharashtra, where actual drama took place, state government seems on its way to ouster. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who was often derided for his inaction and insensitive approach towards the law and order situation in the country,...

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SCIENTIFIC AUTO RICKSHAWS LAUNCHED IN PUNE

Pune tops the country in the number of trips by auto rickshaws which stands at 4.87 lakhs currently.The new system of Scientific Management of Auto Rickshaws, which was inaugurated in the city is expected to reduce congestion in the city and buildconfidence in the public.This information was given by Union Urban Development Secretary Dr. R. Ramachandran. Speaking after the inauguration of the Project Scientific Management of Auto Rickshaws, he said under the new system biokryptic I.D. Cards are being given to auto drivers who register under the...

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Confusion Reigns Even Now

The drama taking place in Mumbai has not come to an end even after almost 48 ours. The unfortunate incident has started a new debate in the Indian debate as to what can be done to tackle terrorism. A sense of helplessness has engulfed each of us. The situation can be compared to that of the Kargil invasion in 1999 or attack on parliament in December 200.Meanwhile, Indian National Security Gurads (NSG) could reclaim back the Nariman House in southern...

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It is a War, not just an attack

This is the first of its kind attack in India. Strategic and defence experts in Pune say that this is the assymetrical war in the guise of terrorist attack. They also vouch that defence forces can not help each time and police force themselves have to brace themselves for fighting with these attacks.Dr. Vijay Khare, reader in the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Pune recently spent one month in Paris for his research work...

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Mumbai Attacked Again

Mumbai was and is known as Bombay. The city has suffered much more attacks than any other cities in India. Yet again, terrorists have struck the city. Worse part is that everybody is confused as to what is happening.Whatever outcome of this episode, it has brought to fore the vulnerabilities of the intelligence agencies in India. It is reported that the attackers had come for the sea. If it is true, then the incident puts marine intelligence of...

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The Trip To kolhapur

Just last month I, together with my family visited the city of Kolhapur. Kolhapur is known for the Mahalaxmi temple which is centuries old. It was also the city where one of the seat of Maratha empire was situated. I was very eager to visit this place and happy this time that I could eventually realize my dream.The history of Kolhapur stresses to many centuries. In the ancient times, it was known as Karvirnagari. The Mahalaxmi temple, which houses...

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Pune Station on New Look Track

The Pune railway station is soon to wear a new look. The work for the renovation of waiting room, main building, platforms and entrance gate is heading to the completion. The reports say that one more entrance gate is to be added to the existing one keeping in view constantly growing number of passengers. Pune railway station is popularly known as Pune station. Built in 1925, the building is classified as a heritage structure. It was granted...

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Tracing the French-Maratha Steps

· Chhatrapati Shivaji gave the territory of Pondhicherry to the French traders on annual lease of 10,000 Chachars (a South Indian currency prevalent in 17th century) on the condition of neutrality.· The careers of the two nations in India i.e. the Marathas and the French ran concurrently. Chhatrapati Shivaji was crowned as King in the June 1674 while the French under the able leadership of Francois Martin founded Pondicherry in April 1674 as the...

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Today we did a trip of Panshet. We were five of us. We went to the Panshet Boasting Club, which is very near to the actual dam. After reaching there at about 10:15 Pm on Saturday night, that is yesterday, we had a bonfire.The food was very good (Mutton handi) we slept for the night. What pleased most was the exellent photo opportunities. I did click a lot of pictures. Here is the one of them. The rest are posted athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/31...

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Vihang Netra Soars to New Heights

(Photos: Yogesh Jadhav)Vihang Netra, the spy plane made for the Indian army for surveillance purpose is going to be used for the radiation detection. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the premier atomic research centre in India is thinking in this direction. The spy plane will have to carry laser altimeter for this task to be performed.On the occasion of Defence Research...

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Sergey Bubka on a High

Sporting legend Sergey Bubka, the greatest pole-vaulter of all time, today launched the Bubka Podium Sports Foundation Scholarship to promote the spirit of sport at Community Aid and Sponsorship Program (CASP), an organization that supports under-privileged families and children in India.Bubka, a recepient of Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to grassroots sport earlier this year, launched the new initiative with...

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Booked to Literature

"This is the third time that Culture House of Iran is participating in the Pune Book fair. There is huge community of Iranian students in Pune and I am one of them," said Ebrahim Aghajari. "I always wanted to write whatever it may be. So I have become a writer. I am first time in Pune and I met three people here who spoke with me in French," said Frederic Mari. Frederic was sitting at the stall of Libre Edition publications from Pondicherry and...

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CYG : The Games of Politics

(Pic: Yogesh Jadhav)Two days from now, Pune is to hold the third edition of Commonwealth Youth Games. This is one of the pet projects of Suresh Kalmadi, an influential member of parliament and administrator of the games.The games, even before they can commence, are being known for the hectic politics played between two parties in Maharshtra. One party is that of Kalmadi and other one is Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar, who is a prominent...

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First Graphic Novel of India

A youth from Pune has got the distinction of releasing the first graphic novel in India. ‘Private Eye The Anonymous’ was released in the city on Thursday. The book is written by Tejas Modak, a 25 year old graphic artist. Though graphic novels have a cult of their own all over the world, there is none in India. Keeping this in mind, Tejas have written this graphic novel about a detective who likes humour. Accordingly, even though the novel is a thriller...

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