India will put man on space, but no food for its people

A vast majority of Indians still do not have access to potable water. Many do not have the luxury of two square meals a day. Healthcare in a large number of villages across the country is a shambles. Malnourishment is one of the worst in the world, if not comparable to some of the African countries.
Basic infrastructure such as good roads and shelter is still a dream for many villagers.
It is in this context that India has decided to spend Rs.124 billion ($2.76 billion) to send Indians into space. The country's first manned mission is scheduled for 2016 with two astronauts for a week-long odyssey in space.
We needed satellite in space for a variety of reasons including security. But missions such as Chandrayaan and manned flights are nothing but reinventing the wheel, to say the least.
Of course, our scientiests' capabilities have to be proved. Why else did we have to conduct the nuclear explosions? We have to prove again and again we are the best or even better. But not when it comes to providing the basic necessities of life.
Have we not being crying hoarse about the exploding population? Do we plan for that?
Has Australia, Sweden or Switzerland or Saudi Arabia ever attempted space missions? Do they not have the means? They have got their priorities right. It is more important to provide food and healthcare to your people than sending an Indian to space.
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia had said more funds would be allocated in two phases during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) and Twelfth Plan (2012-17).
Boy, who cares about those children in the villages and the JJ colonies in the cities dying of diseases such as cholera?

Shah Rukh over the moon

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has transcended his popularity on earth and is literally over the moon with a lunar crater named after him by the International Lunar Geographic Society.
The decision to rename the crater, earlier known as Arago B, after the famed actor came following overwhelming petitions from his passionate fans in India and around the world.
The crater is located on the Moon's Mare Tranquillitatis ("Sea of Tranquility) district and was given the designation as the Crater S.R. Khan on Shah Rukh's 44th birthday, Nov 2, 2009.
It is located at 3.4 degree North (latitude) and 20.8 degree East (longitude) on the so-called Earthside of the Moon and measures approximately seven kilometres in diameter.
The official designation of a Lunar crater is a singular honour bestowed upon only a select few luminaries like Leonardo da Vinci, Christopher Columbus, Sir Isaac Newton, Julius Caesar and Jules Verne.
The International Lunar Geographic Society, previously known as the Lunar Republic Society, is the world's largest group advocating privatised exploration, settlement and development of Earth's moon Luna.

Brangelina's split denied. Just in case...

Dream couple
I love watching this great couple perform. And their chemistry on screen is unbelievable. If news about their ending their fairytale romance of five years is true, I only hope that they continue to perform together onscreen even after the split.
The news says Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have reportedly decided to go their separate ways.
The power couple, known in Hollywood as Brangelina, has signed a £205 million split deal after meeting a top divorce lawyer.
They plan to share their fortune equally and custody of their six children, the British newspaper News of the World reported.
The agreement will give them joint custody, the children, three of whom are adopted, will live with Angelina
Pitt, 45, and Jolie, 34, are expected to announced their break-up soon.

New look Rajadhani for Kerala

Rajdhani Express bound for Thiruvananthapuram now dons the colours of God’s Own Country. It has been painted in the beautiful colours of its beaches, backwaters and enchanting art forms. Kerala Tourism is hoping to catch the eyeballs of potential domestic tourists as the train snakes its way to Thiruvananthapuram and back.
The tourism officials hope to convert these eyeballs into footfalls. But the slogan ‘Go Kerala’ or ‘Chalo Kerala’ does not seem very original. Hoping to reach around 85,000 commuters who throng the platforms every day, the campaign will continue for the next six months while it journeys through Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
Domestic tourist arrivals to Kerala last year touched 75 lakh.

A beautiful car!

Great Car, Right Price

He deserves better than this

Honestly, I am no admirer of KPS Gill. I even had reservations about the way he brought the militancy in Punjab under control. But for him we would have lost another of our states and given rise to more insurgency problems.
And I won't ever support harassing women. He pinched a senior officer's bottom and got punished for it.
Now, if they are going to disgrace him further by stripping him off his medals and Padma Shri, that would really be a shame. For, he has done much more than any other officer for keeping the Union of India together.

Peace prize for Obama? What a joke!

Did he bring peace to the Middle East? Or in Afghanistan?
For the President of a nation that swears by war, lives by waging war on other nations, undermining the very fundamentals of democracy in many countries, how do they justify bestowing the Nobel Peace Prize on Obama?
Personally, I think he is the best that the US has got till date. And I love lot of things American, movies, Cola, the life, , the books, the music -- you name it.
I started hating those American rulers since they invaded Iraq on the guise of hunting down those responsible for the World Trade Centre bombings. Did they find them? No dude, not yet! And they destroyed the history of the world in Babylonia. For a nation that has little history behind it, that was just collateral damage. And we have other nations hooting for those Yankees.
I am no great admirer of Naom Chomsky. But hey, he is one sane voice in the midst of those crying war at every turn.