Haryana

Farmers enjoy a 'hukkah' during a kisan sammelan at Ghata village in Gurgaon on Sunday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed

CANINE CONTEST

CANINE CONTEST: Owners with their pets during a dog show organised at the Haryana Police Academy at Madhuban in Karnal on Sunday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

Devastation in Japan

Operations at the Narita International Airport in Tokyo, the only airport that connects Japan to India, are unlikely to start in full swing anytime soon. — Reuters

Devastation in Japan

A soldier carries an elderly woman on his back as people are taken to a shelter
at Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture. — AFP 

Devastation in Japan

 

A girl, wrapped in a blanket, looks at her surroundings in the tsunami ravaged town of Ishinomaki city in Miyagi prefecture on Sunday. — AFP 

South Africa defeats India

A dash of SherryGet rid of mulish tendencies, wear thinking hatBy Navjot Singh Sidhu

My dear M.S. Dhoni.
This morning, I asked my taxi driver if he had seen the match with South Africa. His response was: “Ab aaya oont pahar ke neechey”. That, my friend, is the echo of a billion voices. Your wins in the group matches stand for nothing. Against the big teams, you have been dismal - failing to defend 338 against England and 296 against South Africa. And if you think batting is failing, you are barking up the wrong tree.
If someone had given you 300 runs before start of play, wouldn’t you have taken it with both hands? The greatest act of faith is when we tell ourselves we are not God. Your batting will not be the saviour every time. It is the balance and coordination of the side which helps. No one can whistle a symphony; it takes an orchestra to play it.
As a brand ambassador of Indian cricket, as a good leader, it is your job to take more than your share of the blame and less than your share of credit. So why are you washing dirty linen in public and telling everyone that your fielding and bowling won’t improve?
The fielding will only improve if you play one out of Gambhir and Kohli and bring in Raina at 6 or 7, which also makes it a great finishing side. The bowling will look solid if someone like Ashwin comes in. Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are and doing things as they ought to be.
Why did you give the last over to Nehra? Because he did well two years ago? Don’t live in the past; the past is a bucketful of ashes. Zaheer was your best bowler of the day and the next best was Bhajji, with three wickets. But you opted for a rusty injured, stiff as ramrod Nehra, who moves like an envelope without an address, taking you nowhere.
One must respect the conditions and step into shoes of the opposition and walk a mile. Who do you think South Africa would be more comfortable playing? Nehra, who is like any net bowler back home, or Ashwin, who could have given them nightmares on a conducive pitch? The weakness of the opposition is your strength, But you are in own fantasy world. Dhoni in Wonderland.
You have graduated - from stubborn to I-won’t-budge mulishness, to arrogance. Bad results and arrogance are a perfect mix for a quick exit. Get rid of your mulish tendencies and wear the thinking hat. For a man has willpower and a mule has won’t power.
But this damage is not irreparable, my friend, if you wake up from your Kumbhakarna slumber. I am happy this happened now and not in quarter-finals. This is a wake up call!
The hopes of a billion people and a nation rest on your shoulders. Let us, so to say, put the saddle onto India and you will see that she can ride. When you are flat on your backside, there is nowhere to look but up. So look up, and reach the top.
 tribune

Devastation in Japan

Japan faces nuke nightmare Risk of second blast at Fukushima reactor
 17,000 evacuated near plant
 Over 190 may have been exposed to radiation
 Millions sans power, water 
Fukushima, March 13
Japan fought on Sunday to avert a meltdown at three earthquake-crippled nuclear reactors, describing the massive quake and tsunami, which may have killed more than 10,000 people, as the nation’s biggest crisis since World War Two.

Tribune

Devastation in Japan

A person who is believed to be have been contaminated with radiation, wrapped with a blanket, is carried to ambulance at a radiation treatment centre in Nihonmatsu city in Fukushima prefecture on Sunday. — AFP

Bill Clinton with Sunil Bharti Mittal and CII President Hari S Bhartia at the World Economic Forum in Davos. (PTI)

Australian Open

पेस-भूपति ऑस्ट्रेलियन ओपन के फाइनल में

पेस-भूपति का प्रदर्शन ज़बर्दस्त रहा है.

भारत के टेनिस सितारे महेश भूपति और लिएंडर पेस की जोड़ी ऑस्ट्रेलियन ओपन के युगल मुक़ाबलों के फ़ाइनल में पहुंच गई है.

प्रतियोगिता के फाइनल में तीसरी वरियता प्राप्त पेस-भूपति की जोड़ी का मुकाबला अमरीका के बॉब और माइक ब्रायन की जोड़ी से होगा. ब्रायन बंधु लगातार तीसरी बार ऑस्ट्रेलियन ओपन जीतने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं.

पेस और भूपति इससे पहले 1999 में एक साथ खेले थे जिसके बाद दोनों ही खिलाड़ी अलग अलग पार्टनरों के साथ खेलते रहे. इस बार दोनों एक बार फिर साथ आए हैं और ज़बर्दस्त प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं.

पेस-भूपति ने ब्रायन बंधुओं ने सेमी फाइनल में बेलारुस के मैक्स मिर्नी और कनाडा के डैनियल नेस्टर की जोड़ी को 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3 से हराया.

पेस-भूपति दूसरी बार ऑस्ट्रेलियन ओपन के फ़ाइनल में पहुंचे हैं.

199 में पेस-भूपति की जोड़ी स्वीडन के योनास ब्योर्कमैन और पैट राफ्टर की जोड़ी से हार गई थी.

फाइनल में पहुंचने के बाद भूपति का कहना था, ‘‘हमें लगता है कि हमारे कलेक्शन में सिर्फ़ ऑस्ट्रेलियन ओपन की ट्रॉफी नहीं है.’’

उनका कहना था, ‘‘हमें लगा कि अगर हम दोनों साथ में खेले तो शायद जीत जाएं. हम कई बार जीत के करीब पहुंच चुके हैं और हमें लगता है कि अब हम जीत से सिर्फ़ दो सेट दूर हैं. ’’

पेस का कहना था कि दोनों ने कई बार दोबारा जोड़ी बनाने की कोशिश की लेकिन कई कारणों से ऐसा संभव नहीं हो पाया.

उनका कहना था, ‘‘ कई बारे महेश ने पूछा तो मैं अपने पार्टनर के साथ अच्छा कर रहा था. फिर कई मैंने पूछा पार्टनरशिप के लिए तो महेश अपने पार्टनर के साथ अच्छा कर रहे थे.’’

पेस-भूपति के मुकाबले में फ़ाइनल खेलने वाली ब्रायन बंधुओं की जोड़ी ने सेमी फाइनल में अमरीका की एरिक बुटोरैक और जां जूलियां रोजर की जोड़ी को हराया.

ब्रायन बंधुओं की जोड़ी नौ ग्रैंड स्लैम खिताब जीत चुकी है जिसमें ऑस्ट्रेलियन ओपन भी शामिल है bbc hindi

Physical map of India

India Nuclear Facilities

Nuclear Power Plants in India

National Parks in India Map

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Bird Sanctuaries and Marine Park Map

Major ports of India

Bihar babus told to list assets to get pay

Patna : The Nitish Kumar government has decided to withhold the salary of those employees, including officials of central services, who do not disclose their assets by the end of next month. As part of its efforts to rid Bihar of corruption and bring about probity and transparency in governance, the government has resolved to put all the details about the assets and liabilities of its employees in public domain through official websites.

All the employees of the state government have been directed to declare their assets in the prescribed format latest by February 28. Those who fail to do so would not get their salary in March. A letter to this effect was issued on Monday by the general administration department to all the principal secretaries, secretaries, other department heads, divisional commissioners, district magistrates and sub-divisional officers.
The letter, issued by the department's officer on special duty-cum-deputy secretary Anand Bihari Prasad, says the drawing and disbursing officers across the state would release the February salary of employees only after confirming from their controlling authorities that they have duly submitted the details of their assets and liabilities.
This order covers senior IAS and IPS officers, Indian Forest Service officials and Grade A, B and C employees of the state government. Grade D employees have been exempted from this order. The IAS officers would submit the details of their assets to the general administration department while the IPS and IFS officers would provide the same to the home and the forest and environment departments respectively.
The Grade A, B and C employees are required to submit the details to their controlling authorities who, in turn, would forward them to their appointing authorities and other officials concerned. The letter states that the assets details of all the employees will be put on official websites.
It mentions that this would be in addition to the details given by the officials under their service code. According to Section 16 (2) of All India Service (Conduct) Rules 1968, every member of the central services is required to submit an annual return in the prescribed form, giving full particulars regarding the property owned/inherited/acquired by him or held by him on lease/mortgage either in his own name or in the name of any family member or in the name of any other person.
This has been a mere formality over the years. But for the first time, such details will be uploaded on websites. The government has sought details of the moveable and immovable property in the name of employees, their spouses and dependents as well as joint ownership of any property.
The government has also sought details of the employees' liabilities as well as the status of their income tax, sales tax, wealth tax and property tax with their permanent account number.
The government's directive is part of the chief minister's resolve to stamp out corruption from public life. Speaking on the birth anniversary of former chief minister Karpoori Thakur in Patna on Monday, Nitish reiterated his commitment to rid Bihar of corruption.
He said he had launched a "fight to the finish" against corruption and his government would spare nobody. Referring to the corruption scandals that rock the Centre, he said the Prime Minister might tolerate corruption, but Bihar would never do that. Leading from the front, Nitish had put the details of his assets along with those of his ministers on the official website for public scrutiny on January 1.Punjab Kesari

US risks losing out to India, China: Obama

Washington: President Barack Obama today warned that the US risked losing out to countries such as India and China in areas like in education, technology and research, noting they were undertaking investments in these areas.

Delivering his annual State of the Union address to the US Congress, Obama made three references to India in his hour-long speech during which he said his administration has built a "new partnership" with the south Asian country as part of his efforts to shape a world that favours peace and prosperity.
Obama, who visited India in November last, also referred to the recent business agreements with India and China that would create jobs in the US.
"We have reset our relationship with Russia, strengthened Asian alliances, and built new partnerships with nations like India," Obama said in the address in which terrorism and war took a backseat with the President's focus being on education and economy.
Building new relationship with countries like India, Obama said is part of his efforts to shape a world that favours peace and prosperity.
Obama also unveiled his blueprint to maintain American leadership in an increasingly competitive world marked by the surge of nations like India and China.
The blueprint has four key pillars--innovate, educate, build, reform and responsibility.
Obama put forward a plan to help the US win the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building the global competition.
"Nations like China and India realised that with some changes of their own, they could compete in this new world," he said, adding, "So they started educating their children earlier and longer, with greater emphasis on math and science. They are investing in research and new technologies."
On the other hand, Obama said, the quality of the US’ math and science education lagged behind that of many other nations and the country had fallen to ninth rank in terms of the proportion of young people with a college degree.
Obama also highlighted the importance of emerging markets like India and China in creating more jobs in the US.
"Recently, we signed agreements with India and China that will support more than 250,000 jobs in the United States," Obama said.
While calling for new investments in American innovation, the US President also underscored the need to reform the way the government conducted business--by investing in what makes America stronger and cutting what doesn’t.
The President’s Budget will help increase the nation’s R and D investments, as a share of GDP, to its highest levels since President John F Kennedy.
Obama also pledged to prepare an additional 100,000 science, technology, engineering, and math teachers by the end of the decade. Punjab Kesari

China to build 10 more mega nuclear rectors

China to build 10 more mega nuclear rectors

Beijing: China will construct 10 more mega nuclear reactors with a whopping investment of USD 121.5 billion, in addition to 25 currently being built, to step up its atomic power generation to meet its rising energy demands. China is expected to raise its 2020 target for the nuclear power industry to 86 GW or 5 percent of its power generation with an annual investment of 70 billion Yuan (USD 10.6 billion), state run China Daily reported today. To reach the capacity China will build 10 more nuclear power projects during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), Zhang Guobao, former director of the National Energy Administration said. China, the world's second-largest economy, aims to get 15 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020. In line with the country's move to accelerate the development of the industry, China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC), plans to invest 800 billion Yuan (USD 121.5 billion) in nuclear projects by 2020. The investments have created a huge market for nuclear equipment, the value of which is estimated at 500 billion yuan. That equipment forms the largest part of investment in nuclear power stations, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of the total. Officials say China is planning a massive push into nuclear power in an effort to wean itself off coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel which was seen as a major obstacle for meeting emission reduction goals. China now has 12 working reactors with 10.15 GW which roughly accounts to about 2.2 percent of the total power production largely relied on coal and hydel projects. According to official media reports 25 nuclear power plants were under construction. Nuclear power will have to account for five percent of power generation by then Xiao Xinjian, a researcher at China's Energy Research Institute said. The massive expansion of the nuclear power plants, which perhaps also coincides with India’s plans to expand in a big way, was expected to create a massive demand for uranium resources round the world. According to the World Nuclear Association the demand uranium in China is expected to reach 20,000 tons annually by 2020, where as the country will be able to produce only 2,400 tons of uranium that year. Chinese nuclear scientists recently claimed a breakthrough in spent fuel reprocessing technology which could solve China's uranium problem for the next 3000 years. But independent scientists in China argued that commercial application of nuclear fuel reprocessing has always been hindered by cost, technology and proliferation risk and safety challenges. China which is embarking on a massive expansion of its nuclear programme needed to import 60 per cent of its uranium requirements till 2020, they argued. "China has invested heavily in uranium exploration know-how and recycling technology to meet the nation's burgeoning needs and increase the ratio of nuclear energy in the total energy consumption mix," Lin Boqiang, director of the China Centre for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University said recently. "Such technology, including the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, is still at a very early stage." If it can be put into practical use, then China can be self-sufficient, he said Chinese officials also say that much of China still requires to import much of the nuclear technology for the expansion phase. There are concerns that China's equipment manufacturing industry is lagging behind the fast-developing nuclear power industry, the China Daily reported. The localisation rate stands at 50 percent for nuclear power equipment installed in China, which means half of the country's nuclear equipment is provided by foreign manufacturers. The localisation rate of equipment using second-generation technology is 80 percent while that of the third generation is only 30 percent, said Xiao of Energy Research Institute said. China's 11 nuclear power units at present use second-generation technology and plans to focus on developing reactors based on Westinghouse Electric Co's third-generation AP1000 design, instead of second-generation technology, a recently released official summary said. "The equipment manufacturing industry will have to catch up if China is to realise its target of 86 GW of nuclear power," Xiao said. To enhance its competitiveness, CNNC started building a Nuclear Technology Park in Beijing, which will be the largest research and development centre for the country's nuclear power industry. Also China Institute of Atomic Energy, the cradle of Chinese nuclear science, plans to step up research efforts to narrow the gap between China and developed nations in nuclear science, the Daily reported.Punjab Kesari

Republic Day

Mini-India on display at R-Day parade

New Delhi : Colourful tableaux depicting the myriad hues of country's diversity, a vibrant performance by students and armed forces in full battle regalia -- the Republic Day parade today had 'mini-India' in itself. Marching down from the Raisina Hills to Red Fort, the parade showcased India's 'unity in diversity' and the military might as thousands of spectators along the eight km long route cheered the marching contingents and the mechanised columns. The well turned out and synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Maj Gen Manvendra Singh marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Pratibha Patil took the salute. The march-past was watched by the Republic Day chief guest Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and the country's top political and military brass. The capital had turned into a security fortress for the event as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and helicopters scanned the capital from air, snipers kept a hawk-eye vigil from rooftops and armed personnel at "every corner" provided a ground-to-air security apparatus. Minutes before the parade began, Singh, Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', the British-era World War-I memorial at India Gate, where an eternal flame burns in memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation's frontiers. The parade began shortly after Patil and her Indonesian counterpart arrived at the Rajpath escorted by the President's 46 bodyguards riding well-trained and impeccably- bedecked horses. After the President unfurled the tricolour and a customary 21-gun salute, an Army doctor Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was awarded posthumously the highest peacetime gallantry award -- the Ashok Chakra -- for his bravery while fighting militants during an attack on Indians in Kabul. He was the first Army doctor receiving Ashok Chakra. Four Mi-17 helicopters then zoomed in from the western skies and showered flower petals on the spectators, signalling the beginning of the parade followed by the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra and mounted columns of 61 Cavalry. Defence displays might The Army showcased its impressive weaponry which included advanced Brahmos Launcher System, T-90 Bheeshma tanks, Brahmos Launcher System, Multi Barrel Rocket System 'Pinaka' and Tactical Control Radar 'Reporter'. They also displayed NBC (Nuclear- Biological-Chemical) Reconnaissance Vehicle, indigenous Pontoons Movable Section Bridge, Integrated Network Platform and armoured troop carrier Prahar 510. Showcasing its air power, Army's also conducted a flypast of three advanced light helicopters Dhruv in arrowhead formation. The army contingent from Punjab Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Rajput Regiment, Sikh Light Infantry, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Gorkha Rifles marched to the tunes of 'Gangotri', 'God of War', Pragati and 'Vir Bharat'. The next to follow were smartly-dressed 148 Navy personnel and then the Air Force marching to the tunes of Jai Bharati and Sound Barrier. While the Navy showcased aircraft carrier INS Viraat, IAF's marching contingent showcased the tableaux of Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Aerostat Radar. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) brought the Active Phased Array Radar, which is a shipborne multi-function radar, and Naval Underwater Weapon System at the parade for the first time along with the trainer version of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. 87-year-old M M Shukla, the flying officer of Royal Air Force based in Rawalpindi during the World War II, who is the oldest participant in this year's parade, then led the ex-servicemen contingent to a huge applause from the spectators. Other marching contingents were those of camel-mounted BSF, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, RPF, Delhi Police, NCC and NSS.Punjab Kesari

Republic Day

कड़ी सुरक्षा, तनाव के बीच गणतंत्र दिवस

कड़ी सुरक्षा और देश में कुछ जगह तनाव के बीच भारत में 62वां गणतंत्र दिवस मनाया जा रहा है. दिल्ली में अर्थसैनिक बलों समेत लगभग 35 हज़ार सुरक्षाकर्मी तैनात हैं और चौकसी बरतने के लिए चालक रहित विमान भी उपलब्ध कराए गए bbc hindi

Team India for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. PTI Graphics

BJP activists brave water cannon of police during a protest against fuel price hike in New Delhi. (PTI)

Foreign tourists wear traditional Rajasthani dresses during the inaugural ceremony of international camel festival at Bikaner. (PTI)

Ruby Dhalla, Member of Parliament of Canada, pays obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. (PTI)

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Chinese President Hu Jintao for a state dinner at the White House. (AP)

Jackie Chan arrives for the state dinner hosted by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama for China President Hu Jintao at the White House. (Reuters)

A man stands in the backdrop of a tent during the annual Magh Mela festival at Sangam, in Allahabad. (AP)

Hema Malini along with her daughters Esha and Aahana performs during the launch of "Namaste America", in Mumbai. (PTI)

Army daredevils during a rehearsal for Republic day function in New Delhi. (PTI)

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao during a news conference to promote their new film "Dhobi Ghat" in Mumbai. (AP)

New Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi with his predecessor Praful Patel assuming charge at his office in New Delhi. IE photo: Renuka Puri

Madhur Bhandarkar Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi with Madhuri Dixit at a promotional event of their film "Dil to Bacha Hai Jee" in Mumbai. (PTI)

UP CM Mayawati comes out to address the media at her official residence in Lucknow. (PTI)

Foreign tourists play with the 15 ft long moustache of Giridhar Vyas at the International Camel Festival in Bikaner.(PTI)

Students smile as they take part in a fancy dress competition organised as part of Republic Day celebrations at their school in Indore. (PTI)

Artists perform the classical Kuchipudi dance during a cultural event in Hyderabad. (AP)

Tourists participating in 'Mataka' race competition during International Camel Festival in Bikaner. (PTI)

Students and staff of a school watch the 2011 Cricket World Cup on display in Navi Mumbai. (PTI)

Hema Malini dressed up as goddess Radha performs at Ramanreti near Mathura. (PTI)

President Pratibha Patil and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad administering pulse polio drop to an infant in New Delhi. (PTI)

Russian PM Vladimir Putin and Afghan President Hamid Karzai shake hands during their meeting in Moscow. (AP)

A giant panda plays in a tree at a zoo in Xiuning, China. (Reuters)

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a shot to Spaniard Tommy Robredo during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne. (AP)

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa administers pulse polio drop to an infant during a polio immunisation programme in Bangalore. (PTI)

A view of the Gujarat tableau during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day at Rajpath in New Delhi. (PTI)

President Pratibha Patil poses with members of Know India, a three-week internship programme for diaspora youth to promote awareness on India, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (PTI)

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao welcomes E Ahamed as he arrives at the Ministry for External Affairs to assume charge as MoS for External Affairs in New Delhi. (PTI)