MIT researchers develop new underwater robot for port security

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new oval-shaped submersible robot to perform ultrasound scans to search ships for hollow compartments that may conceal illegal imports.
The new underwater robot was designed by researcher Sampriti Bhattacharyya along with advisor, Ford professor of Engineering Harry Asada, and was introduced during the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems.
Though designed to check for cracks in nuclear reactor water tanks, the robot has a flattened panel on one side for sliding along an underwater surface, which can be used to inspect a ship for false hulls and propeller shafts.

"If this is cheap enough…why not just have 20 of them doing collaborative inspection? And if it breaks, it's not a big deal."

The small size and unique propulsion mechanism of the robot allows it to hide in clumps of algae or other camouflage and inspect ships at ports without being visible.
Bhattacharyya said: "It's very expensive for port security to use traditional robots for every small boat coming into the port.
"If this is cheap enough, if I can get this out for $600, say, why not just have 20 of them doing collaborative inspection? And if it breaks, it's not a big deal. It's very easy to make."
Half of the robot including the flattened panel is waterproof and houses the electronics, while the other half contains the propulsion system with six pumps to eject water through rubber tubes.
The electronic section holds the control circuitry, a battery, a communications antenna and an inertial measurement unit with three accelerometers and three gyroscopes, to measure the robot's motion in any direction.
The rechargeable lithium batteries used in the prototype have a life of 40 minutes allows it to travel between half a metre and one metre per second while pressed against a surface, which provides enough time to check the craft before being recharged.
However, the new prototype has wirelessly rechargeable batteries and modifications to the propulsion system to increase its operation time to 100 minutes on a single charge.
The National Science Foundation has funded this research.
A screen shot from an animated video shows how the robot could be used to perform ultrasound scans. Photo: courtesy of researchers / Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Please correct a common mistake

Please correct a common mistake friends 1Kbps is not 1KBps.

There's a small difference of 'b' which makes a huge difference in MBps and Mbps.

None the less many people do confuse in these terms and do get happy when they hear that their internet speed is 1Mbps but actually its 128KBps and complain after wards 'That my speed is 1Mbps but still it doesn't download a 4MB file in 4 secs.

Kbps means Kilo'bits' per second not Kilo'bytes' per second.

Since Bytes is a huge amount in relation to networking so most network operators give the data transfer in Kilo'bits' not Kilo'bytes' while all the computer files exists in bytes.

To convert bits to bytes divide that data by 8 (since 1byte = 8bits). So next time when you buy a modem or get a connection do check the 'b' and find out its real speed.

Mahmoud Abbas Accuses Israel of 'War of Genocide' on Palestinian People in UN Speech

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of committing a "war of genocide" on the Palestinian people in a controversial United Nations speech.
"In the name of Palestine, I affirm here today, we will not forget or forgive, or allow war criminals to escape unpunished," he said.
"Israel has chosen to make it a year of a new war of genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian people.
"The war against Gaza was a series of war crimes carried out before the eyes and ears of the entire world. A life of Palestinian is as precious as that of any other.
"Even as we watched the escalating Israeli violations, we exercised unimaginable self-restraint, in order to give US efforts a chance.
Abbas did not go as far as to confirm that he will pursue war crimes charges against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) but he said he would attempt to secure a UN resolution which would set a deadline for Israel to withdraw from the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
In other aspects of his speech, he condemned Israel's attempts to "undermine" peace negotiations between the two parties.
"As usual the Israeli government did not miss the opportunity to undermine the chance for peace. Throughout the negotiations, settlement construction, killing & arrest campaigns in the West Bank continued unabated."
The Palestinian leader continued to criticise the Israeli occupation and spoke of a future independent Palestinian state.
"Israel has refused to end its occupation of the State of Palestine since 1967, but rather seeks its continuation and entrenchment. The future proposed by the Israeli government for the Palestinian people is at best isolated ghettos for Palestinians without sovereignty."
"The occupation wants to destroy the chance for the realisation of the Palestinian existence in an independent State.
"There's no value in negotiations for which agreed objective isn't ending the Israeli occupation & achieving independence of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital on the entire Palestinian Territory occupied in the 1967 war. And, there is no value in negotiations which are not linked to a firm timetable for the implementation of this goal.
"The hour of independence for the people of Palestine has arrived," he concluded.
He also mentioned the threat of Isis (now known as the Islamic State) and the death of Mohammed Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem before receiving a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Digital India: BSNL working on public Wi-FI hotspots, m-wallet under

With a vision to promote e-governance and provide better connectivity to India, state run BSNL has announced plans to focus on establishing Wi-Fi Hotspots and starting mobile wallet schemes under the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project.

The telecommunications entity is looking to cash in on the wide range of revenue generating possibilities that come with Digital India along with providing convenience and connectivity to citizens.

"There are 3-4 areas where we are contributing for Digital India programme, like national optic fibre network (NOFN), providing Wi-Fi hotspots at commercial places, mobile wallet service under the Jan Dhan yojna and delivering m-governance services like digital mandi, kisan seva among others," Anupam Shrivastava, BSNL Board Director(Consumer Mobility) told PTI.

Through NOFN the government plans to  provide high speed  internet connectivity to all 250,000 gram panchayats in India and promote m-governance through this measure.

BSNL is also working on a setting up Wi-Fi Hotspots in the Varansi Ghat area and the famed Bhul Bhulaiya (labyrinth) in Lucknow at the Bara Imambara complex. Work has already begun in these areas and fiber optic cables have started being laid in these places.

Along with these initial spots, there are plans to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in public places of significant traffic like universities, malls and other historical sites.

In connection to the Varanasi Ghat project, Srivastav said that, "We are working on the banking project, wherein we will provide m-wallet services as part of Jan Dhan Yojna. We are also undertaking m-governance services at national and state-level like kisan seva, mid day meal, passport, digital mandi among others wherein people can get information through SMS,".

Facebook partnering with Stripe for 'buy' button in social network

 

Facebook Inc. has partnered with online payments startup Stripe Inc. to develop a “Buy” button that allows customers to buy items while in the social network, reported Re/code Thursday.

The partnership follows Facebook’s appointment of David Marcus, PayPal’s ex-president, who now heads the social network’s messaging products.

The button is designed to let users buy goods and services that appear in ads or posts on Facebook, according to Re/code. Stripe’s technology has reportedly been supporting the button.

Stripe is Facebook’s only payments partner for the prototype button, said spokespersons with the companies in statements to Re/code Thursday.

Facebook has partnered on separate projects with other payment processors, including PayPal’s Braintree.

Customised Android tablets in India beginning @Rs5k

Customised Android tablets in India beginning @Rs5k. the tabs are optimized for different section of population

This is going to look like enticing for many people in the country. A tech company has come out with a new idea of customized tablet for different group of people. So now if you go to the company and ask for a tablet you will be asked if you want it for kids, for senior citizens or for executives. There is another category too, gaming. Gaming fans are going to get the sort of specs that they need to play games seamlessly.
So they have come with the idea that one thing doesn’t really suit every segment and everyone must have something different than the others. The customization is done both in hardware and software and products are optimized for the group which is intended to use the product. The new line of tablets are being launched in the market by ‘Pinig Tabs’ and these tablets will be powered by Google’s Android operating system. The handsets will be priced from Rs 5000 to Rs 12000 depending on the specs and features.


The Indian company’s co-founder Piyush Nigam while talking about the idea says, “We are passionate about technology and want to make it easy to use for everybody. You shouldn’t have to be tech-savvy to enjoy all the benefits of technology. While your 8-month old child can use the Kids Tab for learning numbers and rhymes, your 70-year old dad can use the Senior Tab to watch his grandchildren learn their first words”

.

While many details about the tabs are yet to come out, a company official says, “Moreover, we are in the process of contacting schools for our Kids Tab…We have big plans for this year’s festive season. We are in talks with leading e-commerce sites for exclusive associations for Diwali and beyond. With social media gaining popularity, we also plan to issue coupon codes for our tablets…Apart from discounts on the tablets, we would be offering festive packs that include accessories that a user may need”. It is yet to be seen if people warm up to the idea or not.

Asian Games opens with spectacular show at Incheon

 

Pop sensation Psy was the star attraction as a dazzling opening ceremony, showcasing the glorious past and modern-day South Korea launched the 17th Asian Games here on Friday.
The Games were declared open by South Korean President Park Geun-Hye with the words "I declare open the 17th Asian Games," before actor Lee Young-ae lit up the flame resembling a fountain of cascading water.
As Lee lighted the cauldron, dazzling fireworks lit up the sky.
The competing teams marched into the stadium in the final act of the evening. The Indian athletes trooped in after Iran with hockey skipper Sardar Singh leading out the smartly-dressed contingent.
While the male members wore black blazers, the women athletes were dressed in blue sarees. The smiling athletes walked in waving the tri-colour. India have sent nearly 700-strong contingent for the event that will take part in 28 disciplines.
The overriding theme of the opening was the unity of Asia and consequently the cultural show
comprised four parts. As is the custom the ceremony was divided into the informal and formal parts.

The event began with a welcoming performance, lasting close to 80 minutes, to greet the spectators at the 60,000-capacity stadium that was filled to the brim.
The session was divided into three parts, "Incheon, the magnet of dreams," "Incheon, where all of us become friends," and "Tomorrow, dreamed by all of us."

A display of Korea's traditional drums and cymbal-type instruments before emcees Kim Sung-ju and Youn Soo-young came on stage.
Then, a cheering team formed by young children performed to a remix of songs from past sports events held in Korea, including the theme song of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The second part of the opening ceremony consisted of two themed songs "New Asia, a Song of Hope" and "Incheon".
Then "Incheon, a place for one Asia" expressed the Games hosting city as a bridge to unite Asia as one family and open the future of the continent.
Two figures related to Incheon appeared on stage- Biryu, a legendary founding father of an ancient kingdom whose territory covered the Incheon area, and Sim Cheong, a girl in an ancient novel, who dived into the sea as a sacrifice for fishermen who promised to give her blind father a huge amount of rice instead.
On the final stage of "Incheon, a place for one Asia," a ship returned to Incheon with Korean opera singer, Ahn Sook-sun, singing "One Asia."
The ship carried the hoop girl, actor Kim Soo-hyun and people from 45 nations. They were welcomed by actor Jang Dong-gun and people of Incheon. Executive director Im Kwon-taek and artistic director Jang Jin orchestrated all performances.
Executive director Im Kwon-taek and artistic director Jang Jin orchestrated all the performances.
After the Games were formally declared open the OCA flag was brought in by eight top former Korean sports heroes and ceremoniously raised.
The host country's national anthem was sung to signal the commencement of the formal part of the programme.
The teams had been restricted to 130 members for the march past.

  As was expected the host country's contingent, aiming to finish at least second overall in the medals tally behind juggernaut China, was given the loudest cheer of the entire evening.
In his welcome speech Kim Young-soo, the president of the Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee, described Incheon as not only his birthplace, but also as "a dynamic city of communication and interaction; the venue for convergence and exchange, home to various ethnicities, cultures, the latest scientific technologies and traditions."
He also said that the current Asian Games will be "a grand festival for peace and harmony, to discard all discrimination, prejudice, suppression and conflicts; and to ensure an Asia of mutual understanding and prosperity."
"The 17th Asian Games has been prepared not as a festival for just few nations, but as a magnificent festival for all Asians to celebrate as one," he added.
The Games torch, in a departure from tradition lit on August 9 at New Delhi's Dhyan Chand National Stadium which was the venue of the inaugural Asian Games in 1951, was then ceremoniously brought into the stadium by a relay squad of runners before the cauldron was lit in spectacular fashion by Korean actor Lee Young-ae to thunderous roars from the crowd.
Traditionally, the flame of Asian Games had always been lit in the Games hosting nation. But to infuse a sense of tradition and honour to the history of Asian Games, the flame for the 17th Games here was lit up in an overseas nation for the first time to lay the foundation for the flame of the Asian Games to be continuously lit up in the Dhyan Chand National Stadium from now on.
Through the relay from New Delhi, the hosting city for the first Asian Games and through China, the flame arrived at Incheon Port through sea route on August 12th.
It all ended in a riot of colour and foot-tapping Gangnam style music and dance with the assembled athletes in the centre of the field joining in.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asian-games-opening-ceremony-incheon-2014-south-korea/1/383931.html

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asian-games-opening-ceremony-incheon-2014-south-korea/1/383931.html

Microsoft announces 'Windows 9' event in San Francisco on September 30th

Microsoft is preparing to detail its next major version of Windows. We had been expecting the company to hold a press event later this month, and now it’s official. Microsoft will hold a "Windows event" in San Francisco on September 30th. The software maker started emailing out invites to the event today, and Joe Belfiore and Terry Myerson will be leading a discussion around the future of Windows. The event will focus on enterprise and power users of Windows.

Windows Technical Preview expected soon

Microsoft is expected to deliver a "Windows Technical Preview" at the event or soon after so that developers and enterprise customers can evaluate a number of changes the company is making. Screenshots and videos of the Windows Technical Preview have leaked over the past week, revealing the addition of a new Start menu, a virtual desktops feature, and a Notification Center. Microsoft also appears to be tweaking its desktop user interface to improve and flatten the traditional icons, alongside some taskbar changes for future Cortana integration and virtual desktops.

Additional changes are expected to be pushed regularly to Windows Technical Preview users until the operating system is complete and ready for release next year. We understand Microsoft is planning more UI changes to the desktop, and a number of those improvements aren’t ready for the preview just yet. We’ll be live from San Francisco on September 30th, so stay tuned for much more information about the future of Windows.

Arjun Kapoor's College Visit Marred by Security Hassles

Actor Arjun Kapoor was all set to visit a college here on September 12 to promote his latest release Finding Fanny, but the plan had to be cancelled due to security hassles.

"I was ready! And then I was requested not to show up at the college event. The trustees told us not to arrive," Arjun had posted on his Twitter page on September 12.

"Bummed out. was looking forward to going back to my college. (I) was told security is a major issue. Hope to be back there someday though," added the son of Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor.

Finding Fanny, directed by Homi Adajania, is an English language Bollywood entertainer that also stars Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah. The film has had a good start to its box office run.

Why the Kashmir Floods Have Been So Deadly

Junaid Rashid finally got his father on the phone today. For the past six days, he had no idea if his family in Srinagar city was safe. Rashid's family and an estimated 600,000 others have been stranded in India's flooded Kashmir region for the past week.
"In my 30 years, I haven't seen a flood like this," says Rashid, a doctor based in Delhi. An estimated 200 people have lost their lives on the Indian side of the contested border (another 250 or more are estimated to have died on the Pakistani side). As rescue operations continue, the number is only going up.
How can there have been so many fatalities in a region long known to be flood-prone?
It happened because of a combination of urban policy and program failures, says Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator at the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.
The flood zones surrounding the waterways that run through the Kashmir region are not clearly demarcated based on how much flood load the river can carry. Because of this, no clearly defined rules or regulations exist about where it's safe to build. The result is what Thakkar calls "encroachment" of the river bed—residential and government buildings (even hospitals) have been cropping up on vulnerable areas near the Jhelum River. The river "embankments," meant to stop the flooding, only give a "false sense of security," he says, enabling more careless building.
Local water bodies such as lakes have also been neglected, and so their water-holding capacity is negligible. Existing and future hydropower projects are partly responsible. 
"These projects, all of them involve damming of rivers, submergence, deforestation, tunneling of the rivers, blasting, diversion of the rivers," Thakkar says. All of those processes increase the possibility of landslides and flash-floods.
The problem lies in the way government and builders in India have been intervening in traditional urban planning and management practices, says Saleem Beg of the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage.
In the past, only those who had river-related occupations tended to live by the river and evacuate immediately at the first flood warning. Residential areas, including villages, in this region were traditionally built on higher ground. Natural topography was used to divert flood water, and simple early-warning systems were in place, he says.
Now, those traditional systems have been "given a pass," he says. Lands that once acted as natural flood sinks are now home to growing residential communities, and the waterways have been turned into roads in the name of development.
Villages consisting of flimsy infrastructure have been built on these lowlands, he says. At least 450 of them are now under water.



"We don’t know what they’re doing, what they’re eating, how they’re surviving, Beg says. "People have no idea because everything is televised, the televised thing looks good. The problem is beneath that—where television doesn’t reach."
The government's meteorological department did issue a warning starting September 2, but either people didn't hear about it or they didn't realize how serious it could become. And once floods were in full-force, the rescue efforts were criticized for being late.
There is no concept of disaster management in place, Beg says. The National Disaster Management Authority doesn't function at the local level and faces bureaucratic stalemate at the national level (the authority could not be reached for comment.)
Some progress has been made, though. So far, the government's National Disaster Response Force and the Army has rescued 100,000 people. Rashid's father told him that rescue helicopters have been circling around every hour, relaying supplies. The water has been receding in places and some phone lines are back up.
Beg's own mother was rescued two days into the flood, but he says it was a matter of chance more than anything else.
"Nobody planned it, it just happens that the boat was going by and they caught on to it."

40,000 Xiaomi Redmi 1S Units to Go on Sale via Flipkart on September 16

Xiaomi has announced that 40,000 Redmi 1S units will be going on sale for the third flash sale next week on Flipkart.

The company, also referred to as China's Apple, in a Facebook post on Friday confirmed the number of units, and said, "Want to own 1 of the 40,000 Redmi 1S available next week on Sept 16th? Register now at mi.com/in!"

Xiaomi's new budget smartphone, priced at Rs. 5,999, has been once again breaking sales records with the entire inventory going out of stock within seconds.
Earlier this week, 40,000 Redmi 1S smartphones in the second flash sale went 'out of stock' in 4.5 seconds.

Notably, the first flash sale for Redmi 1S saw 40,000 units going 'out of stock' in just 4.2 seconds.


The Chinese smartphone manufacturer, also known as 'China's Apple', has enjoyed much success in India with its flash sale model in the past, selling over 95,000 Mi 3  smartphones since its launch in late-July.

Flipkart, the exclusive online retailer of Xiaomi handsets in India, had claimed that over 300,000 people had registered for the second flash sale of the Redmi 1S.

The Flipkart page has been lately suggesting consumers to register for each flash sale separately and notes, "Registrations will not be carried over. You need to register again for next sale."
Considering that limited stocks of the Redmi 1S will be available in India, the popular e-commerce giant has revealed that it will limit orders to one phone per registered email ID per sale.

Recently, reports had indicated Xiaomi had discontinued sales of the Mi 3 in India, but when NDTV Gadgets spoke to Manu Jain, Head of Xiaomi India, he clarified that the reports were off the mark
The dual-SIM Xiaomi Redmi 1S features a 4.7-inch 720x1280 pixel IPS-LCD display; Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with MIUI v5; 1.6GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 SoC (MSM8228); Adreno 305 GPU; 1GB of RAM; 8GB of built-in storage; expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB); 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with flash; 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera, and 2000mAh battery.

Microsoft to phase out 'Nokia' name from its products

Earlier revealed plans of Microsoft phasing out the 'Nokia' name in its mobile products are now backed with a newly leaked internal document that says upcoming Nokia Lumia devices will soon be branded as just 'Lumia'.
According to GeeksOnGadgets, Microsoft is also reportedly dropping the Phone add-on to its Windows Phone branding. Instead of using the Windows Phone logo, the company will reportedly just stick with the Windows logo.


Microsoft acquired Nokia's devices business for more than $7.2 billion in April. Shortly after the takeover, Microsoft renamed the company Microsoft Mobile.
With the deal, Microsoft had planned to use Nokia to continue promoting its Windows Phone mobile operating system and to move forward in its transformation into a devices and services company.
Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop and now the head of Microsoft's devices group had said then that he didn't see the Nokia name sticking around for long at Microsoft.
Elop had said that Nokia as a brand will not be used for long going forward and that work was underway to select the go-forward smartphone brand.

Kieron Pollard named Mumbai Indians captain for Champions League Twenty20

The mighty Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder, Kieron Pollard, known for his explosive batting is the automatic choice to lead the Mumbai Indians in the forthcoming Champions League T20, starting September 13 in Raipur, in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who recently sustained a fractured middle finger during the second ODI against England at Cardiff.
Pollard has been with the Mumbai Indians from IPL Season 3, and has already established a sense of seniority and gained respect among his fellow players. Pollard’s success as the captain having led the Barbados Tridents to title triumph in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been very well-appreciated. A towering Trinidadian, Kieron Pollard is one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball and has produced moments of brilliance for the Mumbai Indians. Pollard played a crucial role in Mumbai Indians’ triumph, during the 2013 IPL Season by smashing 29 sixes, which enabled Mumbai Indians to clinch their maiden IPL Title. Pollard's career in the Mumbai Indians team spans over nearly 96 matches, scoring more than 1,700 runs with over 100 sixes, with more than 63 wickets to his credit. He was also adjudged the Man of the Match in the 2013 IPL final because of his overall brilliant display.
Elated at being appointed as the Captain of the Mumbai Indians team, Kieron Pollard commented, "It is very unfortunate that Rohit will be unable to lead the team, and I take this opportunity to wish him a fast comeback. I truly understand that it is a huge honor and a privilege to captain the vibrant Mumbai Indians side, and thank the team management for bestowing their faith in me. I am aware of the great expectations ahead of us. However, I am confident that together, we will face the challenges, and work towards retaining the glory and the stature of the Mumbai Indians team."
Chief Mentor for Mumbai Indians, Anil Kumble commented, "We will definitely feel Rohit's absence in the team and wish him well. However, I strongly believe, that you can only be as good as the opportunities you get; and I am confident that Kieron with his varied experience and impressive track record, will rise to the occasion, and align the Mumbai Indians for a competitive performance".

42 percent girls under the age of 19 face sexual violence in India: Unicef study

A Unicef study titled 'Hidden in Plain Sight', which looks at child abuse across the world, says the close to 42 percent of all girls in India have faced some sort of sexual violence before the age of 19.
According to a Times of India article, data from the study showed that 10 percent of Indian girls would have faced sexual violence when they are aged 10-14, and 30 percent in the 15-19 age group.
Additionally, the data shows that close to 77 percent of the girls in the age group of 15-19 faced sexual violence from their current partner or husband. In 6 percent of cases, the perpetrator was a relative, while 4 percent said it was friend or acquaintance who sexually assaulted them. Cases of stranger rape or sexual violence in India for the age group stood at mere 3 percent.
The numbers indicate that for most girls growing up in India, sexual violence is fairly common and that in most cases it is not strangers but rather husbands or partners that are committing such acts.
Where sexual violence is concerned, the only bit of good news is that India doesn't fare as badly as the African nations. According to the report, prevalence of partner violence is 70 percent or higher in Congo and Equatorial Guinea and approaches or exceeds 50 percent in Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Overall the report notes that globally,  one in 10 girls around the world under 20 years old, (an estimated 120 million), have been forced into sex acts, and one in three married adolescent girls, about 84 million, have been victims of emotional, physical or sexual violence committed by their husbands or partners.

But the India numbers gain more significance in the backdrop of another report published by UNICEF which states that after Bangladesh, India has the second highest rate of child marriage in South Asia.
The percentage of women who were married before the age of 18 in Bangladesh stood at 65 percent, while in India it stood at 43 percent. The study also noted that almost half of all girls in South Asia marry before the age of 18 and that overall one in five girls in the region ends up getting married before 15. The report noted that girls with no education are 5.5 times more likely to marry or enter into union as those with at least 10 years of education.
When one looks at the two reports together, it makes sense as to why 42 percent of girls have faced violence. As the UNICEF report on sexual violence shows that in India girls between the age of 15-19 are most likely to be abused either by their husband or partner or a relative and not strangers. Given that nearly 43 percent are married off before the age of 18, the stats on sexual violence are not all surprising.

Modi government might raise minimum age for smoking

A committee set up by the health ministry to recommend amendments to the Tobacco Regulation Act may recommend raising minimum age for smoking to 25 years from the current 18 years, a report said on Friday.
The committee, headed by former Delhi health secretary Ramesh Chandra, is also in favour of raising fines for tobacco related offences, including smoking in public, according to the report.
The final suggestions on the amendments, however, are yet to be prepared.
Chandra said it will be ready early next week.
"We are in favour of raising the minimum age for smoking to 25 years. We also want fines for tobacco-related offences to be raised and among the suggestions that we have received is one that says that the fine for smoking in public should be Rs.20,000," the report quoted him as saying.
"We have not taken a call on what that amount should be but we understand that proposing an amount that is not practical will only cause the government to reject that recommendation," he added.
The committee also wants to stop the sale of loose cigarettes and raise the size of the pictorial warning.
Members explained that the inputs of the committee are more of a technical nature, delineating international best practices and the health effects of tobacco, according to the report.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/smoking-cigarettes-modi-government-raise-minimum-age/1/382411.html

India fourth largest smartphone market, says GSMA

Smartphones will account for two out of every three mobile connections globally by 2020, said global mobile operators industry body GSMA .

The study, "Smartphone forecasts and assumptions, 2007-2020" conducted by GSMA Intelligence, a research wing of the GSMA, predicts that the number of smartphone connections will grow three-fold over the next six years.

The report puts India at the fourth slot in top 10 global smartphones markets. According to GSMA, India had 111-million smartphone connections in the second quarter of 2014, trailing leader China, US and Brazil.

The study predicted that by 2020, four out of every five smartphone connections worldwide will come from the developing world.

The developing world overtook the developed nations in terms of smartphone connections in 2011 and today, accounts for two in every three smartphones on the planet.

Asia Pacific accounts for about half of the global smartphone connections, even though smartphone penetration in the region is currently below 40%

"The smartphone has sparked a wave of global innovation that has brought new services to millions and efficiencies to businesses of every type," said Hyunmi Yang, Chief Strategy Officer at GSMA, said in a statement.

The finding points out that basic phones, feature phones and data terminals such as tablets, dongles and routers will account for the remaining three billion connections, while it excludes machine to machine from the total connections.

The GSMA Intelligence report said that rapid erosion of the Average Selling Price (ASP) of smartphones; demand for low-end smartphones and bundled smartphones by operators are driving the growth.

"As the industry evolves, smartphones are becoming lifestyle hubs that are creating opportunities for mobile industry players in vertical markets such as financial services, healthcare, home automation and transport," he said.

Android Fans Are Laughing Over This Graphic Showing Why iPhone 6 Is 2 Years Behind The Curve

This image, which compares the specifications of the new iPhone 6 and a Nexus 4, an older Android device, is all over the internet today. It was put together by the Ars Technica reviews editor Ron Amadeo. The infographic, which got retweeted nearly 16,000 times and favorited by more than 7,000 users on Twitter, highlights that most of the new iPhone's specifications are matched by the Nexus 4 — when it was released way back in 2012.

On basic specs, the Nexus appears to do either just as well as the iPhone or even sometimes outdo it — the graphic suggests that the iPhone 6 is simply playing catch-up to the Nexus 4's features. The phones have the same screen size, and both have widgets and NFC payments — but the Nexus has a slightly higher screen resolution (760p compared with the iPhone 6's 750p).

However, the iPhone 6 has the advantage in some specs that are not mentioned on the graphic. For example, the iPhone has Touch ID, a fingerprint-recognition feature that allows iOS users to unlock their phone with only a touch. Touch ID also lets users pay for products they want to buy without having to use their credit cards.

To round off the ridicule, Amadeo sarcastically lists the "new" features to expect in 2016 from Apple. On the list, he includes wireless charging, water resistance, and split-screen apps — all of which are already available on Android phones.

After Apple Inc iCloud fiasco, 5 mn Google usernames, passwords leaked

 

After Apple Inc's high profile nude celebrity photo iCloud fiasco, Google is the latest cybercrime victim with Russian hackers posting usernames and passwords of close to five million Google accounts online.
The list was posted on bitcoin forum btcsec.com by a user called Tvskit.
The user claimed that about 60 per cent of the passwords are still active.
The same Google account password is used across all Google products like Gmail, Youtube, Hangouts, Drive and Maps.
Acknowledging the leak in a blog post, Google said it had found that "less than 2 per cent of the username and password combinations might have worked."
It further said that Google's automated anti-hijacking systems would have blocked many of those login attempts.
"We have protected the affected accounts and have required those users to reset their passwords," it said.
Last week, nude images of celebrities were leaked from Apple's cloud service.
Google maintained that the leaked usernames and passwords were not the result of a breach of Google systems.
"Often, these credentials are obtained through a combination of other sources," it said.
Cautioning users, Google said they should ensure they use a strong password unique to Google and update recovery options, so that they can get the information on e-mail or phone in case they get locked out of their account.
"And consider 2-step verification, which adds an extra layer of security to your account," it said.
Users can visit "https://isleaked.com/en.php" to check if their account has been compromised, according to security solutions firm Kaspersky.

AB blood group linked to memory loss and dementia

Is your blood type AB? You could be at a risk of developing dementia.

According to a recent study published in the journal Neurology, those who have AB blood group, the least common blood type, have increased likelihood of developing thinking and memory problems that later on lead to dementia. According to study author Mary Cushman from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine in Burlington blood type and risk of cognitive impairment has a connected link.
 

 The study was part of a larger study (Reasons for
Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke) that included more than 30,000 people followed for an average of 3.4 years. The findings showed that those with AB blood were 82 percent more likely to develop memory problems than others. ‘Blood type is also related to other vascular conditions like stroke, so the findings highlight the connections between vascular issues and brain health,’ Cushman added. 
People with AB blood type made up 6 percent of the group who developed cognitive impairment, which is higher than the 4 percent found in the population. The researchers also looked at levels of factor VIII, a protein that helps blood to clot. High levels of factor VIII are related to higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. People with AB blood had a higher average level of factor VIII than people with other blood types.

What is Dementia?
Dementia refers to a group of degenerative mental diseases in which there is a serious loss of cognitive function which goes beyond normal ageing. Symptoms include confusion, mood swings, long-term memory loss and a gradual loss of bodily functions. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It is caused due to plaque deposition in the brain’s neurons which affects its functioning and causes it to die. Why this happens is still not clear though research suggests it’s linked to genetic susceptibility and mental age. 

Here are a few of the early signs of Dementia:

Forgetfulness: The early signs of dementia usually set in as forgetfulness or subtle memory loss. Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging and development of dementia. However, this stage doesn’t always lead to the same. ‘One should be wary about it only when forgetfulness interferes with regular daily activities. It might seem okay to forget the car keys or to find it difficult to recollect the name of a known face once a while, but if it becomes so severe that it disrupts the normal proceedings of the day leading to impaired judgment, difficulty in doing simple calculations, recollecting recent conversations, it should be given due attention,’ says Siddhika. In other words, if forgetfulness sets in, in every aspect of a person’s life, it is warning enough to reach out to a neurologist or psychologist for a thorough assessment of cognitive functions

Mood swings: Symptoms of withdrawal are very common in people suffering from dementia, especially the ones who aren’t diagnosed with the same yet. ‘It is generally noticed that with declining brain function one might just give up activities that he enjoyed the most before the condition took hold of him,’ informs Siddhika. It can further lead to personality changes and make one averse to socializing and meeting new people. Such activities in fact can give rise to extreme mood changes.

 

New smartphone app to detect signs of Parkinson's

 

A new smartphone app can detect early signs of Parkinson's disease years before people experience tremors, a study has found.
The app picks up subtle changes in a person's voice, gait and manual dexterity to diagnose the condition.
"The condition is hard to diagnose, with specialists having to take a detailed history of people's symptoms and analysing them for physical signs of the disease. Using smartphone data may help to make this process much easier," said Dr Max Little, a mathematician from Aston University who is leading the project.
The app is being tested in a group of 2,500 people with diagnosed Parkinson's symptoms, or genes known to be linked to the disease, and healthy individuals, 'The Times' reported.
An earlier analysis of voice recordings suggests that effects such as increased breathiness, drifting pitch and altered vowel sounds can detect Parkinson's with 99 per cent accuracy.
In another study, participants walked 20 steps back and forth with the phone in their pocket. The data was then used to identify, with 98 per cent accuracy, those who had Parkinson's.

Apple iPhone 6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4: The phablet war gets hotter

 

With Apple launching the iPhone 6, all major giants are now out with their flagship models. Apple has a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, akin to its arch rival Samsung’s 5.1-inch  Galaxy S5 and popular 5.7-inch Note 4.




Take a look at the comparison table below:

The iPhone 6 Plus is Apple’s first attempt at a phablet and seems like a decent try. It ropes in a slightly smaller 5.5-inch display compared to the 5.7-inch seen in the Note 4, but has done considerably well to fit the package in a sleek body. It is 7.1mm thin compared to 8.5mm Note 4. The difference in the weight of both devices is almost negligible. Apple is opted for an IPS display while Samsung stays loyal to Super AMOLED. Though the rumoured sapphire protection is missing in the iPhone 6 Plus, it does get a layer of oleophobic coating and a shatter-proof glass. Note 4 comes with the latest Gorilla Glass 3 protection. In terms of resolution, Samsung beats Apple with 1440 x 2560 resolution and pixel density that goes all the way up to 515ppi. However, this doesn’t mean the iPhone 6 display is bad. Apple’s full HD display is quite efficient and one wouldn’t really find a massive difference in the quality of images seen on both devices, unless one is taking a real closer look.

Apple’s new A8 processor comes with 2 billion transistors, making it 25 percent faster for any ordinary computing task and 50 percent faster for graphics, says the company. There is no word on the RAM included in the device. While Apple never divulges most of such information, we expect an efficiently fast running device. Samsung has also powered the Note 4 with the latest Snapdragon 805 chipset that clocks at 2.7GHz. but it may launch 1.9GHz Exynos variant in India. It includes gigantic 3GB RAM, so one can be rest assured that the device will be capable of handling all the apps efficiently.



Apple lets users pick 16GB, 64GB or 128GB storage units, while Samsung has put forth a 32GB unit expandable up to 128GB. In terms of connectivity options, both devices now seem at par with the latest in Bluetooth and other networking options.



The Note 4 comes with a 3,220 mAh battery, while Apple hasn’t mentioned the battery capacity yet. However, the company has disclosed an improvement in battery compared to its predecessors. For instance, it promises a talk time of 24 hours and battery life over Wi-Fi of 24 hours. Samsung has also roped in a camera sensor with double the resolution, but one should know that the higher resolution doesn’t gurantee better pictures. Apple is relying on several other factors like the ability to handle brightness, noise and so on.

In terms of specs, both devices appear to be at par, rather Apple seems to be make a late entry to the party with the display size and some other features like support draft ‘ac’. However, one can expect good build, smartwatch support, all other gimmickry and some solid specs from both devices. Apple could earn additional brownie points if it manages to deliver on the promise of 24 hours of battery life and NFC payments. While it has promised partnerships with a lot of companies in the US, the NFC payments will definitely take some time getting to Indian shores. So, the distinguishing factor would be whether you would opt for the iOS 8 or Android KitKat, assuming an Android L update is likely to come. Another crucial factor will be the price point. While there is no word on the Note 4 launch in India, the iPhone 6 Plus is likely to hit store shelves here on October 17. Considering the fox and hen fight between the companies, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Note 4 goes on sale way before that.

Does the iPhone 5s provide better value over iPhone 6 for Indian buyers?

The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and its bigger phablet variant 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus have finally arrived. This time around, Apple has ensured that its idesi fans don’t have to wait for too long. The new iPhones are expected to hit India stores on October 17 that is just ahead of the Indian festive season. However, is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 6 in India? Let’s find out:

Firstly, let’s start with what more the iPhone 6 offers compared to the iPhone 5s. So, it comes with a new processor that claims to make it 25 percent faster. The new M8 co-processor highlights the fact that it can easily distinguish between running and cycling, and has several advantages for fitness tracking, among other things.  The iPhone 6 maintains the 8MP camera seen in the 5s, but adds new improvements along with a burst selfie feature, along with phase detection auto-focus feature. It also offers slightly better battery life – the iPhone 5s offered 10 hours of battery life over Wi-Fi, while the iPhone 6 increases it by an hour to 11 hours and iPhone 6 Plus to 12 hours.

Besides, it runs iOS 8, an update that will also bring all the latest software goodies to the 5s starting this month. Then there’s Apple Pay, but we aren’t really sure when and if the mobile payments technology will work in India. In spite of several attempts in the past, mobile money hasn’t really been able to pick up in India. Yes, the advantage if you are a loyal Apple fan and desperate for a larger display, then there’s nothing that can stop you. But wait, what about the pricing?

 

Now, if reports are to be believed the iPhone 6 could be priced over Rs 50,000 (it should be noted the Note 4 is likely to start selling for  around Rs 55,000) and the iPhone 6 Plus is expected to even surpass the Rs 60,000 price point. It is already selling in the grey market for about one lakh. A high-end Android smartphone with great specs and superior experience will cost roughly around Rs 40,000 and currently the iPhone 5s is selling for Rs 36,000 after discounts that Apple has allowed retailers to offer in India. Once the iPhone 6 launches here, we can expect a further price drop for the iPhone 5s. For around Rs 30,000, the iPhone 5s easily becomes one of the most desirable devices in that price range. It easily comes across as the best value for money device in that price bracket, considering its feature set. Yes, ‘value for money’, something we Indians can totally relate to.

This also means, we can see a boost in the sales of the iPhone 5s once the iPhone 6 comes in, and it’s nothing but a win-win situation for consumers as well as Apple. This isn’t something new, we’ve seen it in the past. Apple’s attempt of wooing the Indian market with the ‘cheaper’ iPhone 5c didn’t really work either. In fact, the iPhone 5s was considered a better deal at just Rs 10,000 or thereabouts more. It all boils down to ‘is it worth the money’ and ‘value for money’. Which is why Indians flocked to buy the iPhone 4 series (4 and 4s) instead of the higher-end and more expensive iPhone 5 series, even despite the limited iOS software on the earlier models.

Though Apple is all about sophistication and luxury, the luxury Indian market isn’t huge enough to help Apple strengthen its roots for the premium device with an outrageous price tag. The India Luxury Summit 2014 also points out that the Indian luxury market is growing at a decent pace  and projects to reach USD 14.7 billion in 2015. However, this accounts to quite miniscule compared to 180 billion renminbi ($27 billion1) of global luxury sales in 2015. This also means, people aren’t going all out or willing to pay heavy sum to bring home luxury products.

All this indicates that the iPhone 5s could continue to be a hot seller in India, assuming Apple plans to add a price cut to its current price tag in India too. Last year, after the launch of the 5s, the iPhone 4s and 4 became the best-selling Apple devices in the country and became its biggest revenue-generator in India. With the iPhone 5s and 5c, a similar spike could be seen in the next few quarters, to which the much higher-end iPhone 6 phones will add bulk. It also remains to be seen whether the iPhone 4S will be completely phased out of India or could get a further price drop and continue to be sold at the sub-Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 segment. Last we heard, Apple had re-routed all its 4s models into the Indian market, and doesn’t plan to manufacture any more units. This means, it could easily push the iPhone 5c in the lower mid-range market with a price in Rs 20, ooo range.  So even if Apple doesn’t have a runaway hit with the iPhone 6 series, the iPhone 5s will continue to be a solid sales prospect as far as India is concerned, provided it gets the necessary price drop.

Kashmir Floods: 6 Lakh Stranded, Nearly 50,000 Rescued

About six lakh people are still believed to be trapped in flood-ravaged Srinagar and south Kashmir. Over 49,000 people have so far been rescued in a massive multi-agency operation and the Centre has asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to list their names on its website. 

1. Almost 200 people have died in the state's worst floods in 60 years. With the weather clearing, 61 Air Force choppers and transport aircraft have made non-stop sorties through the night and on Tuesday to carry men, equipment like boats and cutters, and relief material, including medicines and bottled water. (Here's How You Can Help)
2. The floods have snapped the Valley's telecommunication links with the rest of the country and there has been panic as people have not been able to contact those stranded since Sunday night. Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth said 2,500 mobile phone towers are down and efforts are on "overtime" to get them working. The state-run BSNL is being helped by the Army and Air Force to restore mobile services through satellite network and services are expected to be partially restored today, officials said. (SOS From Stranded People)
3. The Home Ministry has set up a control room in Srinagar to monitor flood relief operations and additional teams of the NDRF have been sent to the region.
4. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the current floods as the worst in 109 years, adding, "I understand the anger and frustration but it is not true that nothing is being done. There will always be some dissatisfaction when something like this happens. I know people have lost everything, we promise to rehabilitate them. No relief and rehab camps can be perfect. We are doing all we can," he said.
5. The Army said the J&K national highway, which links the valley to the rest of the country will take about four to five days to open again. The 300-km-long national highway has been closed to vehicular traffic for five days because of landslides and floods. The Srinagar-Leh highway was opened today.
6. The Army said 10 to 15 people are being brought out in every round that a rescue boat makes into inundated areas where people are trapped in their homes and other buildings. Each boat is making 50 to 60 rounds a day. "We will move out only after rescuing everybody," Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag said. The Army has also set up medical camps and said their doctors are treating 200-300 people every day.
7. Seven helicopters have been pressed to ferry relief material to Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Mahore, Doda and Kishtwar belts, officials said. Naval commandos have also been deployed for the first time.
8. Two units of the Army and National Disaster Response Force teams have been airdropped in Pancheri, Udhampur, where 30 people are missing after a landslide hit the area. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, but the operation to locate those in Udhampur is very tough said officials.
9. However, the situation in the Jammu region has stabilised and the focus is now on providing relief material on the ground, officials said. 68 relief camps have been set up in Jammu.
10. The prime ministers of India and Pakistan have offered to help each other in efforts to alleviate the flood havoc in Kashmir. Nearly 200 people have been killed in floods and rain-related incidents in Pakistan.

BJP chief Amit Shah chargesheeted for alleged hate speech in Muzaffarnagar

In what may spell trouble for the ruling BJP, its national president Amit Shah was on Wednesday chargesheeted for a hate speech made by him in the run-up to the General Elections by the local police in Muzaffarnagar, which was hit by communal violence last year.

According to reports, the BJP chief has been booked by the UP police on the basis of a video clip of his alleged hate speech, which he delivered there in April.
Addressing a rally in Muzaffarnagar, Shah had reportedly said that "this election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats. It is about 'badla' (revenge) and protecting 'izzat' (honour)".
He was accompanied by BJP legislator Suresh Rana, who was an accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots in which over 60 people, mostly Muslims, had died, while thousands were rendered homeless.
Attacking Shah for his "provocative hate speech", several parties, including the Congress had complained to the Election Commission and sought action against him.

The Congress sought his arrest and asked the panel to ban him from campaigning for "creating animosity between communities" in western Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress party also demanded "stern action" against the BJP and Narendra Modi, including de-recognition of the party, for the alleged violation of the model code of conduct.
The party said Amit Shah committed an offence under section 125 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which calls for the immediate registration of an FIR and his arrest.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also went to the poll panel, seeking action against the former Gujarat minister for spreading communal hatred.
A complaint to the poll panel and minorities commission was also filed by Delhi-based lawyer and activist Shehzad Poonawalla.

Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus coming to India on September 26

It looks like you won't have to wait longer to get your hands on the new Apple iPhone 6.

Apple's newly announced iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones will be available in India starting September 26, according to Apple's India website.

While pricing details are not available, the unlocked version of the iPhone 6 will be available at a starting price of $649 (Rs 39,500 approximately) in the US. The unlocked version of iPhone 6 Plus will be available at a starting price of $749 (Rs 45,600 approximately).

The two new smartphones finally take Apple to the big-screen smartphone segment, sporting 4.7- and 5.5-inch screens respectively. The iPhone 6's 4.7-inch display sports a resolution of 1334x750p, while the iPhone 6 Plus' 5.5-inch display sports a resolution of 1920x1080p. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the thinnest ever Apple has ever made. iPhone 5S and 5 are 7.6mm thick, but iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are even thinner at 6.8mm and 7.1mm respectively.

Powered by the new A8 processor, iPhone 6 is up to 50% more energy efficient, so you can have higher sustained performance, claimed Apple.

Arvind Kejriwal ups the ante, says in touch with Congress to stop BJP from forming govt in Delhi

 

Sharpening his attack on Bharatiya Janata Party, former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday dared the former to contest polls in Delhi.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal slammed Lt Governor Najeeb Jung of favouring BJP. “The Lt Governor needs to revise his letter to the President and tell him that BJP shouldn't be invited to form government in Delhi after the sting,” the AAP chief said.

Kejriwal said that AAP will send a copy of the sting CD to President Pranab Mukherjee and appeal to him not to heed to Jung's advice. Kejrwial also said that AAP would expose many such wrongdoings by the BJP at an appropriate time.

While asking the BJP to contest polls, Kejriwal said, “Why is BJP afraid of contesting elections in Delhi when it has its own government at the Centre and also won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital.”
The ex-Delhi CM said that his party would protest against BJP and show people the sting operation and make them see the double face of the party.

In a bid to checkmate BJP, AAP said it is in contact with Congress, JD(U) and some "honest" BJP legislators to prevent the saffron party from forming government in Delhi through "ill means".

Kejriwal claimed that the BJP was in touch with 15 AAP MLAs and he will come out with "more sting tapes if the need arises".

"I want to make it very clear that AAP is in touch with all the parties...With (independent MLA from Mundka) Rambeer Shokeen, (JDU MLA) Shoaib Iqbal, (expelled AAP MLA Vinod Kumar) Binny, the Congress and even some honest MLAs from the BJP.
"By saying this we make it clear that we are not aiming to form the government, but we want to stop the BJP from forming the government through dishonest means. We are in favour of elections," Kejriwal said.

Meanwhile, reacting to Kejriwal's comments, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that it is appalling and the AAP leader has always ridiculed constitutional posts.
Another BJP leader Delhi unit incharge Prabhat Jha said Kejriwal has an identity crisis and he is doing all this for media coverage.
The AAP on Monday released a video showing a BJP leader offering money to one of its legislators, inducing him to quit the Assembly to improve the BJP's chances of forming a government in Delhi.
The grainy video shot covertly shows Delhi unit vice-president Sher Singh Dagar making the bribe offer to AAP's Dinesh Mohaniya if he resigned so as to bring down the effective strength of the hung Delhi Assembly.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to apprise it by October 10 about the outcome of political process initiated by Lt Governor by writing a letter to the President on exploring the possibility of government formation in Delhi.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Justice HL Dattu, said that it is not going to keep this matter pending for a longer period of time and asked the Centre to inform it about the decision to be taken by the President of India on the LG's letter. The apex court granted four weeks time to the Centre and directed it to file its response by October 10.
Last week, Jung sent a report to President seeking permission to call the single largest party to take a shot at power though it is well short of majority in the Assembly.
In his report, Jung gave a detailed analysis of the political situation in the city and underlined the need to have an elected government in the city which is under President's rule since February 17 following resignation of the Aam Aadmi Party government which was in power for 49 days.
The Lt Governor said though no party has staked claim to form government in Delhi, the BJP could be invited to take the reins as it is the single largest party in the Assembly.

The apex court had earlier asked the Centre to take a decision on holding assembly elections in Delhi in response to the AAP's petition asking for the dissolution of the Assembly and fresh polls.
Both AAP and Congress have been demanding immediate dissolution of the Assembly, saying keeping it in suspended animation will encourage horse-trading.
In the 2012 Delhi polls, while BJP had won 31 seats in the 70-member house, AAP had won 28 seats and Congress managed to bag only 8.

BJP, the single party has 28 MLAs in a House of 70. Its ally Akali Dal has one MLA. BJP had won 31 seats but three party legislators Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Pervesh Verma were elected to Lok Sabha and had to resign their Assembly seats.
Delhi has been under President's rule since February 17 following resignation of Arvind Kejriwal-led-AAP government which was in power for 49 days.
The government led by Kejriwal had resigned on February 14 after the party's pet project, the Janlokpal Bill, could not be passed due to opposition from BJP and Congress.
President's Rule was imposed in Delhi on February 17. The Lt Governor had not favoured dissolution of the Delhi Assembly as recommended by the Council of Ministers headed by Kejriwal and kept the Assembly in suspended animation.

Xiaomi Redmi 1s review: Best affordable phone you can buy

Phones should be judged by their price. At its low price of Rs 5,999, the Xiaomi Redmi 1s has a spec sheet that blows its competitors away. As expected, this is the best affordable phone you can buy.
But it’s not without flaws.
Specs: 4.7-inch IPS HD touchscreen (1280×720 pixels, 312ppi) with Dragontrail Scratch-resistant Glass | 1.6GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor | 1GB RAM | 8GB internal memory, microSD card up to 32GB | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, GPS | Dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) | 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 1080p FullHD video recording | 1.6MP front camera with 720p HD video recording | 2000mAh battery | Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with MIUI v5
Price: Rs. 5,999


Design: Yeah, it’s a budget smartphone, but it’s sad that the Redmi 1s looks and feels like a budget smartphone. It’s heavy, it has big bezels that are a put-off, the screen is prone to fingerprint smudges, and the overall build quality feels cheap. But perhaps the biggest problem is the capacitive buttons under the screen. The red colour is a turn-off and looks childish. More importantly, they aren’t backlit, which means they are impossible to spot and use in a dark room. The Redmi 1s will get the job done, but it won’t look good doing it. 

 Screen: The 4.7-inch HD screen is, without a doubt, the best you get at this price. Plus, it has Dragontrail protection to keep away scratches on the glass. Sunlight legibility isn’t the best we have seen, but in this price range, it’s good enough.

Performance: The Redmi 1s is a satisfying experience, but not an excellent one. You’ll be able to play most games, but not at their highest graphics settings. You’ll be able to multi-task between apps, but once in a while, they do crash. None of it is a deal-breaker when you consider the price. But it is a little frustrating at times. 


Camera: For the first time, you get a budget phone with a camera that won’t make you cringe. Yes, you can safely use it in most situations and even low-lit environments. For comparison, the photos are as good as what you would get on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus or the iPhone 4.


Memory: Unlike other sub-10k phones, there are no compromises with the 8GB

Narendra Modi’s transition from CM to PM

A hundred days or a little over three months may be too less a time to judge how the prime minister of a billion plus people has fared and whether he has come good on the promises that he has made to his fellow countrymen. But that's not the case when it comes to the man who became the Prime Minister of India after leading his party to an unprecedented victory in General Elections on the promise of good governance and development.

And there is a reason for it. While he was on his extraordinary and energised campaign trial, cutting across length and breadth of the country, Modi promised hope to the people. Hope for jobs, reduction in prices, clean politics and eradication of corruption amongst other things. People who thronged to his rallies and who were fed up with 10 years of Congress-led UPA government’s rule marred by policy paralysis, rising inflation and numerous scams, believed in him and voted him to power.
And herein lies the test for Modi. In rallies after rallies he did promise the people of India that if voted to power he would make their states developed and progressive just like he had done in Gujarat, though not necessarily replicating the same model. And now that he is in power all eyes are on him to see whether he can walk the talk.

Gujarat may not be perfect state but it had an exceptional economic growth under Modi between 2004 and 2012 when the state grew at 10.1 percent, much more than the national average of 7.6 percent, even though it had shortcomings in public health and education and did not have a good record in areas like infant mortality rate and women's literacy. Gujarat also witnessed success in infrastructure, roads and electricity supply with schemes like Jyotigram Yojana.

Focus on investment and e-governance schemes, which is said to have cut red tape at the ground level, were also areas which Modi gave importance to. The speed with which the Tatas set up the Nano factory in Gujarat after the bitter experience in West Bengal is an example of this.

Now as PM, the question to be asked is whether Modi can replicate all of the above and more in Delhi. The answer as of now seems to be in the affirmative.

E-governance is as important to him now as was then and so is investment. Digital India project which was launched recently to ensure that government services are available to citizens electronically amongst other things and his emphasis on defence production in India, about which he talked on August 15, are indicative of these.

Modi was also known to work closely and directly with bureaucrats, with his ministers often not being in his scheme of things, when he was the chief minister. Many feel that his initial style of working in Delhi has already revealed that as the PM too he is more comfortable working directly with babus. The fact that bureaucrats have been encouraged to share their big ideas with him and the grapevine that his ministers are not allowed to keep even their private secretaries without his consent allude to this point.

Like in Gujarat, his priority as the PM seems to be structural reorientation and systematic change of the government. Cutting the flab of government machinery, merging smaller ministries and doing away with the Planning Commission all seem to be part of this agenda.

In his time in Gujarat, Modi was often dubbed as authoritarian and one who believed in the centralisation of power. In all likelihood, this is a streak that is likely to continue. The fact that he managed to successfully make his Man Friday Amit Shah the BJP president does show that he wanted total hold over the party, just like he had over the government.

There is another aspect of Modi which defined his persona as the CM of Gujarat and that was being hailed as a mascot of Hindutava by the so-called ‘parivar’. So when he became PM a certain section feared that India would go through ‘saffronisation’ of sorts. However, there has been no reason so far to believe that this will happen, but at the same time his silence on the assertions from RSS about what Hinduism is and who a Hindu has been questioned.

It will also be interesting to watch as to how the relationship between the RSS and Modi pans out. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat did tick him off recently when Modi hailed Shah as the man of the match of Lok sabha polls at the BJP national council meet.
Thus, there may be the reflection of CM Modi in PM Modi and that was something that was always going to be but the flip side of it is that he is also increasingly being seen as someone who is surprisingly and refreshingly different in many ways from what he was perceived to be when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

It is clear from his speeches and his posturing that as the prime minister of a billion plus people, Modi wants to strike the right chord. No more the belligerent and aggressive man witnessed during the General Elections campaign. Once Modi achieved what he had set out to achieve, the bitterness of the election campaign has gone and the man who was considered as divisive and polarising by his opponents was seen reaching out to his detractors and appearing conciliatory.

Right from his first speech in Parliament, where to the surprise of many, he showed an emotional side of his, to his first Independence Day address when he called himself a ‘pradhan sewak’, Modi has time and again underlined the point that he wants to take everyone along in his journey as PM and has often urged politicians cutting across party lines to close ranks and work for the collective good of the country.
He has talked about humility and the lessons that victory teaches. No wonder then, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor made the comment that the PM may have evolved into ‘Modi 2.0’ and wondered if the man was “a very different figure in government from the ogre some had feared and demonised for years”.

He has also been a busy man as far as foreign affairs are concerned. As the CM of Gujarat he was seen as a Pakistan baiter and even used terms like ‘Mian Musharaff’ during Assembly election campaigns. However, he surprised many when he invited heads of all SAARC nations for his swearing in ceremony and that included Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif.
And though he may have minced no words when he accused India’s neighbour of indulging in ‘proxy war’, it is clear from his repeated jargon of peace and friendship especially amongst South Asian nations that regional cooperation is important to his international strategy and he wants his presence felt at the world stage.

There is still a lot of time left in his tenure to pass a judgement on Modi’s performance as the Prime Minister but for now it can be safely said that when the present times are chronicled in history, the man amongst other things, will be surely written as someone who had an ability to surprise. It can also be said that while the path ahead for Modi may be fraught with challenges as he attempts to fulfil the assurances that he has given to millions of Indians; as of now he definitely seems to be enjoying being the PM of the world’s largest democracy, with the glory it brings.

Kumar Vishwas praises PM Narendra Modi, says ready to quit AAP if there is option

In a major embarrassment for the Aam AadmiParty's national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who is trying to woo voters in the poll-bound capital city, Kumar Vishwas on Tuesday openly praised Narendra Modi, saying that if “PM does well, I have the right to praise him.”      

Speaking to an English news channel on Tuesday, senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said, "Narendra Modi is a comparatively better PM than Manmohan Singh."
Asked whether he finds Modi proactive, Vishwas said, "Yes definitely, the Modi government has come out of the policy paralysis of the previous government and doing a few things, but when it comes to delivering on promises like bringing back black money that has not happened..."
Further criticising Arvind Kejriwal's decision to quit as Chief Minister of Delhi, Vishwas added, "Not many discussions were held. We should have spoken to people about the decision." ​ Vishwas also admitted that AAP has behaved like a 'typical political party' at many instances in the past.
Asked about incidents, which he did not like personally, he said, "What was the need to throw stones at the BJP headquarters if your leader was attacked there (Gujarat). Whoever took that decision was wrong and whoever went there was wrong."

 

Talking about Modi's recent visit to Japan, Vishwas said, "The day Modi went to Japan, I tweeted that this is a welcome move." "He (Modi) has been made a PM, so we have to give him a chance," added Vishwas.

Praising PM Modi's recent visit to Kashmir, Vishwas added, "People in J&K felt like the PM is ours."
Further defending his decision to perform at an event in Surat to commemorate Narendra Modi's birthday, Vishwas said "It's a poetry session" and he has been participating in that event for years and does not find it strange to participate at an event honouring his "political rival". The AAP leader also confirmed that that he will perform at the event.
Narendra Modi's birthday is on September 17.
"I don't understand political rivalry. Modi is the Prime Minister of the country. He is standing on one end of politics and we on another. Today, if he is PM, then he is my PM, even if I have not voted for him. If he governs well, I will praise him and if he doesn't, I will criticise him," he added.
However, Vishwas ruled out the possibility of his joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. "I may come out of AAP but will definately not join BJP” Vishwas said.
The shocking statements made by Vishwas came at a time when AAP and BJP are in a big tussle to form government in Delhi. This has given fresh ammunitions to Congress.
Reacting sharply over Vishwas' comments, Congress said, “AAP leader Vishwas sending clear overtures to BJP that he is keen to join the party.”
 Earlier, on August 30, Vishwas had claimed that a BJP MP had offered that he would be made the Chief Minister of Delhi if he joined the party to help it form government.
"On August 19, a BJP MP, who happens to be a good friend, visited me along with other party leaders. During talks he made an offer that I switch to BJP and in return I would be made the Chief Minister and that the higher-ups were aware of the move,” Vishwas had said, PTI reported.