Month: August 2008
Admission on Rural Management at IRMA
Admission on Rural Management at IRMA
Aug 4 : The Institute of Rural Management Anand, has invited applications for common entrance test to be held on 9th November 2008 across the country for admission to the Postgraduate programme in Rural Management (PRM – 2009-11) and fellow programme in Rural Management (FPRM- 2009).
The test centres will include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Coimbatore, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasai, Kolkata etc.
Eligibility : Graduates in any discipline with 50% [45% for SC/ST/Persons with Disabilities –(PWD)] aggregate marks are eligible to apply for PRM and postgraduates in any discipline or 4 year / 5 year professional graduates are eligible to apply for FPRM. Final year students of the qualifying degree and able to fulfilling the eligibility by 8th June 2009 may also apply. Only Indian nationals are eligible for admission.
FPM is a two year and FPRM is a 3 year (doctoral) residential programmes. Every FPRM participants are eligible to receives fellowship of Rs. 10,000/- per month and contingency grant of Rs. 20,000/- per year. Those who successfully complete these programmes could enjoy campus placement assistance providing by the IRMA.
How to Apply
Download the application form from the IRMA website http://www.irma.ac.in and send the duly filled in application along with DD for Rs. 850/- (Rs. 600/- for SC/S T & PWD) drawn in favour of Institute of Rural Management payable at Anand to the Admissions co-ordinator, IRMA, Anand – 388001, Gujarat.
Last date of receipt of application is 6th October 2008.
For more details visit http://www.irma.ac.in
A daily dose of garlic can help lower your BP
A daily dose of garlic can help lower your BP
Friday August 1 2008 12:20 IST
LONDON: A daily dose of garlic can help in lowering blood pressure, says a new research. What’s more, the magical plant can also be as effective as drugs, the study says.
The discovery means that readily available over-the-counter supplements could be used to help save lives.
Figures show that high blood pressure – also called hypertension – is responsible for up to 40 per cent of the 150,000 strokes every year and tens of thousands of heart attacks. But, in the latest research, patients suffering from the condition who took garlic supplements every day for up to five months saw their blood pressure levels drop significantly.
In some cases, the drop was as much as that seen in patients taking drugs such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. However, researchers have yet to establish whether garlic supplements are as effective as prescribed medicines when used for many years.
“I think this is interesting research as it shows a reasonably consistent effect. The reduction in blood pressure is not trivial, it is the same as gained from taking pills,” The Daily Express quoted Dr Tim Chico, a cardiologist and academic from the Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics at Sheffield University, as saying.
“What we do not know is if garlic works as well as pills over the long term or if it would reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. But I was surprised at the extent of blood pressure reduction seen with garlic.
“There is no harm in taking garlic along with other lifestyle factors such as eating less red meat, less salt, less alcohol and taking more exercise and also continuing to take blood pressure medication,” Chico added.
People can reduce blood pressure by cutting their intake of salt, losing weight and getting fit. But many still need to be placed on medication to reduce their blood pressure readings to the safe level of 140/90.
Dr Karin Ried, of the University of Adelaide, examined 11 studies in which patients were randomly assigned to garlic or a placebo.
The higher a person’s blood pressure was at the beginning of the study, the more it was reduced by taking garlic.
Dr Rosemary Leonard, the Daily Express doctor, said: “Anyone could benefit from regular doses of garlic, but it is important not to assume that taking supplements is all you need to treat high blood pressure.
“If you have high blood pressure and are overweight, then it is important to take regular exercise and eat a healthy diet.”
Now, a do-it-yourself device for breast cancer detection
Now, a do-it-yourself device for breast cancer detectionFriday August 1 2008 12:24 IST ANI
LONDON: Women in Scotland can now carry out breast cancer checks in the four walls of their house, thanks to a new device developed with the help of Scottish Government funding.
Called Breastlight, the device is manufactured by PWB Health, in Dumbarton, and requires the user to shine a bright red light through the breast to show up any changes, such as lumps which may be cancer.
Launched recently in the market, the device was developed using a grant of 165,000 pounds from the Smart:Scotland awards scheme.
However the benefits of the 79 pounds device are being questioned by cancer charities, which claim that women do not need complex equipment to be aware of changes in their breasts.
This hand-held device works by shining a strong, harmless light through the breast. The light passes through the tissue and reveals dark areas where blood is present, i.e. it lights up the veins.
In case there is a dark cluster, the developers say this is a potential abnormality that should be checked out by a doctor.
PWB Health indicated that Breastlight is not a replacement for a mammogram and encourages women to attend screening when invited.
Antonia Dean, of Breast Cancer Care, said the device could make people believe that lumps were the only signs of breast cancer.
“Currently, there is no proof or sufficient clinical evidence that the Breastlight product results in earlier detection of breast cancer, increases survival or is any more helpful than the normal practice of being breast aware,” she said.
CBSE/ICSE schools told to teach Kannada from Class 1
CBSE/ICSE schools told to teach Kannada from Class 1
Monday August 4 2008 09:31 IST
BANGALORE: Adding a new twist to the language row, the Karnataka (Recognised) Unaided Schools Managements’ Association (KUSMA) has asked all schools, including CBSE/ICSE schools in the state, to make Kannada as a compulsory subject from Class 1 to 10.
In its fellowship meeting on Sunday, the association appealed to all member institutions and CBSE/ICSE schools to teach Kannada as a subject “as it the language of our culture and has been upheld by the High Court and the Supreme Court.” KUSMA has over 1,800 member schools.
The meeting, which was attended by over 350 schools, ratified the KUSMA’s decision to file a caveat in the Supreme Court to counter the special leave petition to be filed by the State Government against the Karnataka High Court verdict on the 1994 Government Order.
The association welcomed the Karnataka High Court verdict saying: “The judgment has upheld the constitutional right of the parents to choose the medium of instruction for their wards.” KUSMA, which first questioned the 1994 language policy on behalf of the English medium schools, has spent Rs 17 lakh to fight the case in the Karnataka High Court. All member schools have now been asked to contribute Rs 5,000 to meet the legal expenses.
Schools in UAE will open on August 31 despite postponement pleas
Schools in UAE will open on August 31 despite postponement pleas By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter Published: August 04, 2008, 13:56
Dubai: The Ministry of Education said the academic year is set to commence as scheduled on August 31despite pleas from parents and schools to postpone the opening day as it coincides with Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and piety.
Mohammad Bin Hindi, Executive Director for Institutional Affairs and Supporting Services at the Ministry of Education, said August 24 will be the official beginning date of the academic year 2008-2009.
“All administrative and teaching staff will resume their duties on the announced date while students will begin their studies on August 31 as per the ministerial decision concerning the academic calendar that was announced before and there will be no delay or postponement,” he said in a statement to the media.
He said the ministry looks at students’ benefits. The academic calendar took into consideration three basic factors: maintaining international standards and the number of school days, a balance between first and second semesters and achieving coordination with higher education institutions.
No delay in academic year: MOE
No delay in academic year: MOE
Preeti Kannan (Staff Reporter)4 August 2008
DUBAI – There will be no delay in the academic year and students will begin school on August 31, as announced earlier. Ministry of Education (MOE) has confirmed that ‘there will be no delay or postponing’ in the academic year, contrary to recent speculations.
In an official statement, Mohamed Bin Hindi, Executive Director for Institutional Affairs and Supporting Services at the MOE, said while August 24 will be the official beginning date of the academic year 2008/2009, students will begin their studies on August 31.
He assured that the idea of postponing the date of the academic year after the holy month of Ramadan was not open for any discussion in the Ministry at all. “Such a decision might affect the students negatively and could cause defect in the academic calendar and examination systems,” he observed.
ANAND – a true leader – future of Arts & music in safe hands.
ANAND – a true leader – future of Arts & music in safe hands.
This week some of us were lucky enough to have skipped the urge to take hot summer holidays away from UAE. Six finalists from Amrita TV’s Super Star Global programme visited Abu Dhabi to perform at the National Theatre. They arrived on 30th July and the show was held on 1st August. It turned out to be a huge success for the organisers Kerala Social Centre. A big surprise – more because of the facts that many fans/families were out of town due to summer holidays and the three day national holiday.
What made me write this article is the way these boys and girls conducted amongst themselves, with the fans and the crowd during their visit with their excellent behaviour and public relations.
Anand – I had watched him many times while performing for SSG and then his exit speech was one which set out to be an example for all the contestants of Reality shows. It didn’t end there. He moved on to something new surprising all his fans and became the anchor of the Let’s Dance show. How is he going to manage this – was one question which came to my mind at the beginning and had written off this programme – Let’s Dance – with many other ordinary shows happening around. A casual watching of the show on one night during its re-telecast time here in Abu Dhabi changed my mind. It made me extend my TV watching time after the late night Middle East news.
My mind said, hey, this is someone whom I have to focus for my TQM values – a person who really views positive out of every situation and personalities.
I never thought I will be meeting him this fast. There comes a phone call from a friend of mine from KSC Abu Dhabi. The boys and girls whom you criticised and promoted are coming down to Abu Dhabi for a performance. Would it be possible to work out something extra for them elsewhere in other Emirates. Why not? It was a Wednesday afternoon and I was left with Thursday and the week from Sunday to Wednesday to arrange this. A few phone calls here and there and I was explained in detail by several organisers about the lack of time and difficulties in getting approvals, selling the tickets, finding organisers, venues etc.
Ok, leave it for now. We will make their visit memorable here. Checked with all the newspaper/media friends to give maximum coverage. Now, what? – wait for them to arrive here.
All of them arrived in Dubai and after a long immigration que/clearance they all came out of the airport and then what a welcome they got! It was a dusty and sandy evening. What would normally take a 2 hours trip down to Abu Dhabi from Rashmi’s home, it took them almost 5 hours to reach Abu Dhabi.
The dust and sandstorm portrayed also the mindset of these talented youngsters and the organisers – how the venue will be, how the audience will be and finally the auditorium – is it going to be empty, half full or full??. Several questions and question marks hovered around all of us.
We didn’t relax a bit during this time – worked door to door and camps to camps to announce their arrival and opportunity to meet them in real. Fingers did not stop dialling numbers from the mobiles of everyone involved.
Did not contact them till later part of Thursday allowing them to rest and relax. And in the afternoon went to meet them at the Kerala Social Centre. Knocked the door of the meeting room where they were doing their practise session. Someone opened and all of them very serious about their jobs. Introduced myself and then the seriousness melts down. May be they expected someone different in looks.
Roopa, Ratheesh, Praveen, Latha, Rashmi and Anand. But, one person stood really high above all of them – Anand. First glimpse itself I could make out the capabilities behind this power pack of talents. Cool, concise and clear about what he is talking when questioned and focussed and optimistic. Relaxing with each one of them but at the same time taking control whenever it is required. During the show and after, even during their two day holiday period in UAE, he proved it again and again. He is the man in control and one who can really get along with everyone.
All of them were excellent and captured the heart and soul of everyone during this visit.
It also proved me one thing – many of our finer talents are short in physical stature but TALL above everyone in their Quality output. Look at P. Jayachandran etc etc. And Anand has joined their bandwagon. Like one of my close friend from media – a very famous personality – who is also short, had said earlier – if I had a few inches more to my height – I would have ruled the media world. For Anand, I firmly believe this few inches are not at all necessary as he has shown sparks during his visit here to the UAE that a whole world of achievement and success awaits him ahead. He can do it, that is my belief and it has never let me down.
Boys and girls from Let’s Dance, do utilise him to the best of your abilities. It is an opportunity to be amongst him and extract the nuances of his management, artistic and more than anything else interpersonal skills. That “MIND” inside him is thinking in 200 different directions at the same time. If you observe him and follow him, you will automatically see yourself in a higher platform of performance and personal conduct.
God bless and have a great future ahead.
Ramesh Menon
04082008
UAE to impose Dh20,000 fine for animal cruelty
UAE to impose Dh20,000 fine for animal cruelty
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter Published: August 03, 2008, 00:09
Dubai: Penalties for mistreating animals in the UAE will range from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000 once an animal welfare law is introduced, Gulf News has learnt.
An initial draft of the law which was under review last year has been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Water and will be passed this month, said a veterinarian source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Gulf News acquired a copy of the draft law which states that owners and keepers of animals shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals and that they are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Animals must be given protection from the weather and predators and be fed a wholesome diet appropriate for their age and species, and receive a continuous supply of fresh drinking water each day, the law says.
The law is similar to European laws and is very positive for the UAE, he said.
“There are cases of people burning chickens alive to death here. There are many important welfare issues to be addressed,” he added.
Penalties for mistreatment of animals will range from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000 and prison terms.
Gulf News acquired a copy of the draft law which states that owners and keepers of animals shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care; and to ensure that the animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Wholesome diet
Concerning impounded animals, the law states they will only be returned after recuperation on condition the owner’s negligence will not recur. It states no person shall set free or abandon any animal whose survival normally depends upon human care. In the case of a desire to abandon an animal it must be handed over to the competent or specified authorities.
Animals must be given protection from the weather and predators and be fed a wholesome diet appropriate for their age and species, and receive a continuous supply of fresh drinking water each day.
The law prohibits the sexual abuse of animals and ill-treatment, such as lashing, as well as the sale or trafficking of any diseased or injured animals.
According to a ministry source a committee is now being formed for the application of the federal law on animal welfare.
Jobs are being created to involve the public sector and bring different bodies together.
Residents will also have to be made aware of the law and it may come as a surprise to some, said the ministry source.
“Some people really don’t know that this can exist and will exist. The law has penalties and any cases will and can be taken to the police. A lot of animal lovers have written to the ministry and we have received many letters about animal cruelty,” he said.
The federal law also prohibits the use of animals for scientific purposes without permission from competent or specified authorities.
A marine mammal guide will also be prepared.
The law: Access to water vital
It is prohibited to organise general exhibitions, competitions, wrestling of animals or birds or animal shows for commercial purposes (article 13).
Whoever molests an animal shall be jailed for a period of not less than one month and fined personally a minimum of Dh5,000 (article 17).
Animals should always be able to have access to good water sources (article 8).
The animal’s owner is forbidden to release any animal under his care, whether healthy or sick (article 4).
‘Garuda’ to hit road soon
‘Garuda’ to hit road soon
BANGALORE: A ray of hope for all vehicle owners worried about the soaring crude oil prices has emerged. A light weight car capable of achieving 180 kilometres per litre might hit the road soon.
The car, Garuda, developed by a group of eight students from the RV College of Engineering in Bangalore, is powered by a Honda GK 100 engine. A prototype of the car was unveiled on Saturday by the country’s top car designer Dilip Chhabria.
Explaining the features of the car, Nishant Sarawagi, team leader of the Project Garuda, said: ‘‘Garuda, powered by a 97 cc Honda GK 100 with 2 HP air cooled engine, will represent India at the SAE Supermileage and Shell, United States, and Eco-Marathans, United Kingdom. We will be the first Indian team to participate in these events and we are hoping to enhance the fuel efficiency to 500 kilometres per litre in the coming days,’’ said a confident Sarawagi.
The fuel efficiency of the vehicle was tested on the NICE corridor and under test conditions the car has demonstrated a mileage of 180 kilometres per litre. Tantra Infosolutions, CD Adapco and Chameleon Motors are the main sponsors for the project.
For details contact: 98803 44448 or e-mail:
nishant.sarawgi@gmail.com Also visit
Watch out, radar guns point at you
Watch out, radar guns point at you
By Amira Agarib 3 August 2008
DUBAI – The Dubai Police are going all out to nab motorists who ignore speed limits. There would be 513 fixed radars and 30 mobile radars monitoring Dubai roads by the end of this year, said Brigadier Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director of the General Department of Traffic.
Al Zafin told Khaleej Times recently that the police are going to introduce 14 more mobile radar guns very soon.
The new radar guns would help police catch the ‘arrogant’ drivers who don’t comply with the speed limits.
According to the latest statistics, the radars had recorded 1,182,000 of the 1,872,000 speed violations during the first 11 months of 2007. The statistics for December 2007 are not available.
The installation of radars and cameras on the roads, on the directions of Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, aims at discouraging motorists from speeding and reducing the number of fatalities and losses in terms of money and property. Al Zafin said the Traffic Department would also install 64 speed radar cameras at a number of intersections. The total number of installed cameras would reach 158 by the end of the current year. Al Zafin pointed out that the traffic department has installed 174 speed radars so far this year, including 84 at traffic signals, 14 on road shoulders and 15 mobile radars.
He said the recent statistics show a drop in jumping of traffic signals due to the installation of the cameras at intersections and signals. They also show that the number of fatal accidents has dropped during the first half of the current year compared to the corresponding period in 2007.
He said that the Traffic Department has identified specific areas that need intensive radar monitoring. On the basis of this, the department installed 241 fixed and mobile radars on Emirates Road and Al Garhoud and Business Bay Crossing in addition to another 15 mobile radars on various roads in 2007.
(The radar gun is a small doppler radar used to detect the speed of objects at which it is pointed. The radar guns could be hand-held, mounted on vehicles or mobile.
The hand-held units are mostly battery-powered and are used as a stationary speed limit enforcement tool. The stationary radar is mounted on police vehicles and may have one or two antennae.
Moving radar guns are used when the police vehicle is in motion. These devices are very sophisticated — able to track vehicles approaching and moving away from the patrol vehicle. They can also track the fastest vehicle in the selected radar beam, in front or on the rear side.)
amira@khaleejtimes.com
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