Put Indian lives above foreign profits -- Stop the import of dangerous untested nuclear reactors

While the French President Nicolas Sarkozy enjoyed tourist attractions in India, people in Maharastra’s Ratnagiri district were protesting against the French nuclear reactor proposed in their village. Instead of listening to their demands the government has now signed a nuclear deal with France.

The government is going to import untested nuclear reactors from the French nuclear corporation Areva. Areva has a dirty track record of nuclear contamination in the countries where their plants were functional like the La Hague facility in Europe. Moreover, the location for this reactor is on a high earthquake zone which has been ignored by the environmental impact assessment. This raises concerns about the safety of people around the plant.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh needs to place public safety before foreign profit.The people of
Ratnagiri district and over 28,000 people from the country are not supporting the government’s plan. More and more people raising their voice against this plant will make it difficult for the PM to ignore this opposition.

Can you also sign this petition to the Prime Minister, asking him to safeguard people’s interest first?

http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/What-We-Do/Nuclear-Unsafe/ask-manmohan-singh-to-stop-untested-nuclear-reactors/

The petition says: Put Indian lives above foreign profits -- Stop the import of dangerous nuclear reactors to Maharashtra.

A large number of signatures on the petition will show that the opposition is national and not confined to the Ratnagiri district. This will help convince the PM to put national interest before profits.

This project is being talked of as one that will hugely improve the energy situation in India, but the truth is that the 1650 MW from this plant will happen only nine years down the line at the quickest! Renewable energy and energy efficiency could replace the same in a year!

The site for the nuclear power plant is an earthquake prone zone which magnifies the harm an accident can do here. A nuclear accident here will affect the entire district and nearby cities like Mumbai The PM needs to consider the cost of people’s life before foreign profits.

Sign the petition now to help make the PM act.

http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/What-We-Do/Nuclear-Unsafe/ask-manmohan-singh-to-stop-untested-nuclear-reactors/

Thanks a billion!



Sources:

1. France signs pact on Jaitapur N-plant, Hindustan Times, December 7th, 2010
http://www.hindustantimes.com/France-signs-pact-on-Jaitapur-N-plant/Article1-635288.aspx

2. India racing to buy an untried reactor? The Hindu, December 5, 2010.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/article933910.ece

3. The French Nuclear Industry Is Bad Enough in France; Let's Not Expand It to the U.S., March 23rd 2009.
http://www.alternet.org/story/132852/

It's official: 'Chicken came before the egg'

It's the age-old question that has puzzled the finest minds for thousands of years - which came first: The chicken or the egg?

Now, scientists claim to have finally discovered the answer to the conundrum -- it's the chicken which came first.

A team from University of Sheffield and University of Warwick has found that a protein called ovocleidin (OC-17) is crucial in the formation of eggshells.

It is produced in the pregnant hen's ovaries so the correct reply to the egg riddle must be that the chicken came first, the scientists say.

However, the research does not come up with how the protein-producing chicken existed in the first place, the 'Daily Express' reported.

The team used a hi-tech computer, called HECToR, to look at the molecular structure of a shell.

They discovered that OC-17 acts as a catalyst, kick- starting the conversion of calcium carbonate in the chicken's body into calcite crystals.

It is these that make up the hard shell that houses the yolk and its protective fluids while the chick develops.

Lead scientist Dr Colin Freeman of Sheffield University said: "It had long been suspected that the egg came first but now we have the scientific proof that shows that in fact the chicken came first.

"The protein had been identified before and it was linked to egg formation but by examining it closely we have been able to see how it controls the process. It's very interesting to find that different types of avian species seem to have a variation of the protein that does the same job."

The scientists now hope the breakthrough could be used in industry to help develop new materials.

Team member Prof John Harding said: "Nature has found innovative solutions that work for all kinds of problems in materials science and technology. We learn a lot from them."

Calcite crystals are found in numerous bones and shells but chickens form them quicker than any other species, creating six grams (0.2oz) of shell every 24 hours. Once the shell has formed, the chicken expels the egg.

Rajinikanthism

Rajinikanth makes onions cry.

Rajinikanth can delete the Recycling Bin.

Ghosts are actually caused by Rajinikanth killing people faster than Death can process them.

Rajinikanth can strangle you with a cordless phone.

Rajinikanth can play the violin.....with a piano.

When Rajinikanth enters a room, he doesn't turn the lights on,.... he turns the dark off.

When Rajinikanth looks in a mirror the mirror shatters, because not even glass is stupid enough to get in between Rajinikanth and Rajinikanth.

Brett Favre can throw a football over 50 yards. Rajinikanth can throw Brett Favre even further.

Rajinikanth does not know where you live, but he knows where you will die.

Bullets dodge Rajinikanth.

A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Rajinikanth and that you will be handicapped if you park there.

Rajinikanth' calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd, no one fools Rajinikanth.

If you spell Rajinikanth wrong on Google it doesn't say, "Did you mean Rajinikanth?" It simply replies, "Run while you still have the chance."

Once a cobra bit Rajinikanth' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

When Rajinikanth gives you the finger, he's telling you how many seconds you have left to live.

Rajinikanth can kill two stones with one bird.

Rajinikanth was once on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and was the first to spin. The next 29 minutes of the show consisted of everyone standing around awkwardly, waiting for the wheel to stop.

Leading hand sanitizers claim they can kill 99.9 percent of germs. Rajinikanth can kill 100 percent of whatever he wants.

There is no such thing as global warming. Rajinikanth was cold, so he turned the sun up.

Rajinikanth can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

It takes Rajinikanth 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.

Rajinikanth once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"

In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Rajinikanth could use to kill you, including the room itself.

Rajinikanth got his drivers license at the age of 16 Seconds.

With the rising cost of gasoline, Rajinikanth is beginning to worry about his drinking habit.

The square root of Rajinikanth is pain. Do not try to square Rajinikanth, the result is death.

When you say "no one's perfect", Rajinikanth takes this as a personal insult.

There is nothing like recession, its just rajnikanth started to save money.

Genetically Contaminated Food

Hi,

Soon all of us will be eating genetically contaminated food. The Cabinet has just approved the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill which will allow genetically modified food into the country. The bill can be tabled in the Parliament anytime.

The BRAI will be a body of technocrats whose decisions will remain unquestioned. Our state governments and people like us will not be able to question this body.

To stop this, Greenpeace, a civil society organisation working on varied issues including sustainable agriculture, is sending an open letter to the National Advisory Council (NAC) Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The letter asks her to make the Government re-draft this bill after consulting the public. I have already signed this letter and more signatures will make the case stronger.

Can you also sign this letter to Sonia Gandhi?

www.greenpeace.in/safefood/change-brai-bill-stop-gm-food-india/

Thanks!

Best AD for Shampoo :)

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

HOW TO STAY YOUNG 

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2.  Keep only cheerful friends.The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's. 

4.  Enjoy the simple things.

5.  Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6.  The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love  , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. 

AND, ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. 

Naughty Little Chintu!!!

Little Chintu came into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner.

His birthday was coming up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.

Mom, I want a Cycle for my birthday.

Little Chintu was a bit of a troublemaker.

He had gotten into trouble at school and at home.

Chintu's mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a Cycle for his birthday.

Little Chintu, of course, thought he did.

Chintu's mother wanted Chintu to reflect on his behavior over the last year.

Go to your room, Chintu, and think about how you have behaved this year.

Then write a letter to Krishna and tell him why you deserve a Cycle for your birthday.

Little Chintu stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write Krishna a letter. 

**************
Letter 1

Dear Krishna ,

I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a Cycle for my birthday.

I want a red one.

Your friend,

Chintu
**************
Chintu knew that this wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year,

So he tore up the letter and started over.

**************
Letter 2

Dear Krishna ,

This is your friend Chintu. I have been a good boy this year and I
would like A red Cycle for my birthday. Thank you.

Your friend,
Chintu
**************
Chintu knew that this wasn't true either. So, he tore up the letter and started again.
**************
Letter 3

Dear Krishna ,

I have been an OK boy this year. I still would really like a Cycle for my birthday.

Chintu
**************
Chintu knew he could not send this letter to Krishna either. So, Chintu wrote a fourth letter.

**************
Letter 4

Krishna ,

I know I haven't been a good boy this year. I am very sorry.

I will be a good boy if you just send me a Cycle for my birthday.

Please! Thank you,

Chintu
**************

Chintu knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a Cycle.

Now, Chintu was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to temple.

Chintu's mother thought her plan had worked, as Chintu looked very sad.

Just be home in time for dinner, Chintu's mother told him.

Chintu walked down the street to the temple on the corner.

Little Chintu went into the temple and up to the altar.
He looked around to see if anyone was there.

Chintu bent down and picked up a statue of the radha.

He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the temple, down the street, into the house, and up to his room.

He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and a pen.
Chintu began to write his letter to Krishna .
**************
Letter 5

Krishna ,

I'VE KIDNAPPED YOUR GIRLFRIEND. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE
CYCLE!!!!!!

Jaago Re Jairam Ramesh!

The Dhamra port in Orissa is not only threatening the Olive Ridley sea turtles, it is also being constructed on forest land without permission from the Central government.

Based on letters issued by its own officials, a case was filed against the Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Orissa government in October last year for ignoring an ongoing violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Till now, neither have filed a response before the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee. Are they hiding from the truth or bowing to powerful corporate interests?

Can you sign this petition telling environment minister Jairam Ramesh to take a stand on the violation of the Forest Conservation Act?

The petition says: “Jaago Re Mr. Jairam Ramesh! Take a stand and make your Ministry’s position known on the Dhamra forest violation before the Supreme Court”

www.greenpeace.in/turtle/sign-the-petition/

Helping hands are better than Praying Lips

Whenever we get bored with the regular meal of daal sabzi roti or rice, we think of ordering something delicious, something yummy. Our tempting mouth might name Pizza…o waao….or some mexican or Chinese food….yummm.

And when our belly’s are full with the mouth-watering food it, we often throw the left over. This might be in case of a small gathering or a large party.

Please DO NOT WASTE the food

If you have a function/party at your home in India and food gets wasted , don't hesitate to call 1098 (only in India ) - child helpline. They will come and collect the food. Please circulate this message which can help feed many children.

"Helping hands are better than Praying Lips"

THIRST

Having the gift of voice we can communicate what ever we want to. But what about those species who can't. Many Birds die in summer without water.Lets Save them. Please put water pots for thirsty birds at balcony/ window. You never know, you might save a life.

Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.

I came across a nice story and felt like sharing it with everyone.

A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the  rest on the operational track.

 

The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?    

 

 

Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................

  

 

Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

 

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are. The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.

 

The great critic Leo Velski Julian as well as Sourav who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens... If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.

 

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be   made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.

 

  

'Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right.'  

 

Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.

10 things you don't know about NOKIA

Are you a fond of using Nokia phone or you believe that they are reliable phones. Then here some interesting facts about Nokia:

1) The ringtone "Nokia tune" is actually based on a 19th century guitar work named "Gran Vals" by Spanish musician Francisco Tárrega. The Nokia Tune was originally named "Grande Valse" on Nokia phones but was changed to "Nokia Tune" around 1998 when it became so well known that people referred to it as the "Nokia Tune."

2) The world's first commercial GSM call was made in 1991 in Helsinki over a Nokia-supplied network, by Prime Minister of Finland Harri Holkeri, using a Nokia phone.

3) Nokia is currently the world's largest digital camera manufacturer, as the sales of its camera-equipped mobile phones have exceeded those of any conventional camera manufacturer.

4) The "Special" tone available to users of Nokia phones when receiving SMS (text messages) is actually Morse code for "SMS". Similarly, the "Ascending" SMS tone is Morse code for "Connecting People," Nokia's slogan. The "Standard" SMS tone is Morse code for "M" (Message).

5) The Nokia corporate font (typeface) is the AgfaMonotype Nokia Sans font, originally designed by Eric Spiekermann. Its mobile phone User's Guides Nokia mostly used the Agfa Rotis Sans font.

6) In Asia, the digit 4 never appears in any Nokia handset model number, because 4 is considered unlucky in many parts of Southeast/East Asia.

7) Nokia was listed as the 20th most admirable company worldwide in Fortune's list of 2006 (1st in network communications, 4th non-US company).

8) Unlike other modern day handsets, Nokia phones do not automatically start the call timer when the call is connected, but start it when the call is initiated. (Except for Series 60 based handsets like the Nokia 6600)

9) Nokia is sometimes called aikon (Nokia backwards) by non-Nokia mobile phone users and by mobile software developers, because "aikon" is used in various SDK software packages, including Nokia's own Symbian S60 SDK.

10) The name of the town of Nokia originated from the river which flowed through the town. The river itself, Nokianvirta, was named after the old Finnish word originally meaning sable, later pine marten. A species of this small, black-furred predatory animal was once found in the region, but it is now extinct.

A scene of Obama's Presential Win

This is just extra-ordinary amazing stuff in photography...... 

Here is a photo taken using a panorama image capturing device called
gigapan created by the Carnegie Mellon university and a canon g10
camera.

The photographer had to click 220 snaps from that camera to get this
complete view of the Obama's inaugural address. It took a Mac book pro
around 7hrs to process the complete image. The final size of the image
is over 2GB.

Click here to look at the image. Zoom in and see, you can easily kill
several hours checking out all the faces there.


http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c
2b4b06233c

A Miraculous Escape!!!

Today morning while coming to the office, I accidentally got saved from an accident. I used the word 'accidentally ' because if i had not applied breaks in that mili second, I would have been behind the bars 'without any fault of mine'. 

I was driving on a normal speed of 60km/hr when a man riding a cycle without seeing back started crossing the road from left side to the side of speedy vehicles. If I had failed to put breaks in that fraction of second, the police would have caught me and put behind the bars and the cyclist would have been proved innocent. 

Every day such incidents happen in our country. Today it was me tomorrow (God forbid) it could be anyone else. Today I made that cyclist understand his fault and I hope he goes by what he promised. I strongly feel that there should be some strict law for cyclists too and if there is, it should be well implemented.

The Thackeray fiasco

Since childhood we have been taught that we live in a democratic country where we have the freedom of speech. But does it mean that the freedom of speech and power(in case of politicians) should be miss used.
I had been reading the fiasco created by Raj Thackeray. He has continuously kept Shahrukh Khan under the Shiv Sena scanner for his stand on Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). I believe that Srk appreciated the talent and quality that few players in pakistan have. He neither protested in the country's support nor sympathized with any Muslim community.

I would like to ask Mr. Thackeray as the citizen of India - has he become a political leader just to raise petty issues and do religious bifurcation only. At times Shiv Seniks beat punjabiz and bihariz for getting settled in Maharashtra, burn buses when they feel like, make loss of government property, etc. Can you people stop making mountain out of a molehill and do something good, something valuable that brings benefit to our country.