Letters-62: "Kashmir Elections"

1. The Kashmir verdict is an opportunity for the NC and the Congress to fulfil the people's aspirations and wean them away from separatist and fundamentalist groups. If they rise to the need of the hour, J&K can be transformed into an abode of peace and unity. - J.Srinivasan, Dindigul.

2. Whichever combination forms the government, it should carry forward development activities. Political parties should stop playing into the hands of separatists, wittingly or unwittingly. This watershed election should usher in a new beginning for the long-suffering people of the State. - R.Unni Krishnan, Kochi.

3. The election is no doubt a reiteration of Kashmiris' faith in democracy. But they deserve special praise for not being cowed down by threats. It was clear from media reports that many senior citizens who had never voted before exercised their franchise this time. Once again, it has been proved that terrorism and communalism cannot last long. - Om Pratap Singh, New Delhi.

4. The J&K Assembly election results mark the triumph of democracy in India. The separatists have been totally sidelined. They would do well to honourably wind up their operations. A great responsibility rests on the new coalition government. Its first task should be to restore law and order in the State and make tourism safer. If the new dispensation delays action on the ground, it will lose the sympathy of the voters. As for the Centre, a great opportunity knocks at its door. The democratic choice of the people could form the basis of fresh discussions for a permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue. Pakistan can no longer claim that the wishes of the people of J&K have not been ascertained. - K.P.R.Iyer, Bangalore.

5. The people of J&K have spoken unambiguously through the ballot that despite the call for poll-boycott by secessionist groups. The message is clear: popular will cannot be subjugated by guns. The people have achieved a silent revolution. It is now for their representatives in the State and the Centre to work in unison to bring all sections, including militants, into the democratic mainstream. - Chandran Dharmalingam, The Nilgiris.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, December 30, 2008 ("Letters to the Editor").

Grateful thanks to M/s.J.Srinivasan, R.Unni Krishnan, Om Pratap Singh, K.P.R.Iyer, Chandran Dharmalingam and The Hindu.

Health News-29: "Cancer drug reverses transplant rejection"

The Hindu, Madurai (December 28, 2008), reports quoting AFP that a drug that is used to treat cancer has proven effective at stopping the body from rejecting a transplanted organ. This drug, Bortezomib, was administered to six patients whose immune systems were attacking transplanted kidneys and who did not respond to traditional anti-rejection treatments. In all the cases, the drug promptly reversed the rejection, improved organ function, provided prolonged reductions in antibody levels and suppressed recurrent rejection for at least five months. The study was carried out at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Detailed Wikipedia article on "TRANSPLANT REJECTION":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transplant_Rejection

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch-45: "Green is Good!"

Even looking at images of greenery can improve mental processes, leave alone spending time in the midst of nature, research has found.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, December 20, 2008.

Now to some interesting information on "GREEN" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green

Grateful thanks to The Hindu.

Eyecatchers-138: "24-Hour Science Channel"

A 24-hour television channel dedicated to science and technology and highlighting India's scientific achievements will be on the air in two months. It would be a product of public-private sector partnership. Many departments of the Govt of India, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, the IITs and premier engineering colleges would be contributing programs to this channel.

Source: "24-hr. science channel" by T.S.Subramanian, The Hindu, Madurai, Dec.27, 2008.

"ISRO, Dept of Science plan 24-hr science channel" from MAGINDIA.com:

http://www.magindia.com/manarch/news/man31194.html

Grateful thanks Mr.T.S.Subramanian, The Hindu and MagIndia.com.

S&T Watch-44: "World's Largest Telescope"

China has started construction of the world's largest 500-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope, so big as 30 football fields, in a remote region.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, Dec.27, 2008 ("Newscape")

Wikipedia articles on:

"HALE TELESCOPE"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hale_telescope
"GREAT TELESCOPE OF CANARY ISLANDS": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Telescopio_Canarias
"LEAVIATHAN OF PARSONSTOWN (72-inch Reflecting Telescope):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan_of_Parsonstown
"LIST OF LARGEST OPTICAL REFLECTING TELESCOPES":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_optical_reflecting_telescopes
"LIST OF LARGEST OPTICAL REFRACTING TELESCOPES":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_optical_refracting_telescopes
"TIMELINE OF TELESCOPY":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_telescope_technology


"WORLD'S LARGEST NEUTRINO TELESCOPE IS BEING BUILT" from Softpedia.com:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/World-039-s-Largest-Neutrino-Telescope-Is-Being-Built-99758.shtml

Grateful thanks to The Hindu, Softpedia.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch-43: "Artificial Bone Marrow"

A University of Michigan lab has created artificial bone marrow that can continuously make red and white blood cells.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, December 27, 2008 ("Newscape")

Detailed Wikipedia article on "BONE MARROW":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_marrow

"Artificial Human Bone Marrow Created In A Test Tube" from ScienceDaily.com:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081222221558.htm

"Artificial bone marrow created, can grow blood keeping supplies high " from TGDaily.com:
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/40694/113/

Grateful thanks to The Hindu, ScienceDaily.com, TGDaily.com and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-28: "Novel Method to save Teeth from Bacteria"

Bacteria are seen on tooth surface. Clarkson University researchers have found a way to protect teeth by polishing them with silica nanoparticles. Now the teeth become too 'slippery' for the 'bad' bacteria.

Source: The Hindu, Madurai, Dec.25, 2008 ('Snapshots' in the Science & Technology page)

Grateful thanks to The Hindu.

S&T Watch-42: "Prion (a Mis-folded Protein) and Smell"

Prions help us to distinguish odours, says a study in Nature Neuroscience. The research provides tantalizing clues to these mysterious proteins.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, Dec.25, 2008 (Science & Technology Page).

Detailed Wikipedia article on "PRIONS":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prions

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-27: "Sleep to stave off heart attack!"

Here is another reason why you should sleep more than seven hours a day - it could stave off heart attack, says a study.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, Dec.25, 2008("Newscape")

Grateful thanks to The Hindu.

Eyecatchers-137: "Google Bus coming to Tamil Nadu"

Google is coming out with a unique project to introduce people in Tamil Nadu to the Internet world. Christened 'Google Bus', the project will be launched in a couple of months to educate the people of the potential of the Internet and its applications.

The 'Google Bus' will have built-in features that comply with the latest guidelines of security agencies. Every user would be idnetified and his/her running images captured. The bus will be a model to other browsing centres.

Based on: " 'Google Bus' coming to State to promote Internet" by S.Vijay Kumar in The Hindu, Madurai, December 26, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Mr.S.Vijay Kumar and The Hindu.

Eyecatchers-136: "Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter dies!"

British Playwright Harold Pinter passes away at the age of 78. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. His famous plays include "The Homecoming" and "The Caretaker".

Detailed Wikipedia article on "HAROLD PINTER":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Pinter

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Random Thoughts-17: "On Christ, Christmas and Christianity"

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE VISITORS OF THIS BLOG!

When I think of Jesus Christ, his greatest teaching comes to my mind: "GOD IS LOVE". To me, this is the supreme teaching of Christianity. To me Jesus is Love-Incarnate, Kindness-Incarnate, Compassion-Incarnate. To put it in another way is "LOVE IS GOD'. So where there is not love, there cannot be God. Any religion that preaches hatred and violence is evil and no religion at all. People who harbour hatred and violence have no right to call themselves religious. It is good to remember this at a time when hatred and violence are spreading like wildfire everywhere.

Also let us inculcate love, kindness and compassion in the minds of our younger generation through our words and deeds. If that is not possible, at least let us desist from planting the seeds of hatred and violence.

Next comes to my mind the booklet by Swami Ranganathananda entitled, "The Christ We Adore". It is a great book, which I feel everyone should read. The Swamiji was a great believer in the harmony of religions. The explanation to various biblical texts by the Swamiji is highly enlightening and broadening one's outlook. For example, take the quote, 'Love thy neighbour as thyself." The question that arises naturally is: "Why should I love my neighbour?". The answer given by the Swamiji was: Because you and your neighbour are not different. At the core, we are all one. So when you hurt your neighbour, you are hurting yourself. So loving your neighbour is in your own interest too.

I remember the Prayer Hall of the Ramakrishna Tapovanam at Tirupparaithurai, near Trichy. There one can find pictures relating to the various religions. Whenever I find an opportunity, I spend some time meditating in that prayer hall. I always find that it calms and soothens my mind. When I come out of that prayer hall, I always feel happy and refreshed.

I would like to finish this post with another great teaching: "Religion is not rituals. Religion is realization." A true religion should take you through a spiritual path - a path of love, kindness and compassion - to an inner journey, a journey that culminates in self-realization.

A HAPPY AND JOYFUL CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU.

Detailed Wikipedia article on "JESUS CHRIST", "CHRISTMAS" and "CHRISTIANITY": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChristianIty

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-135: "Zimbabwe faces serious crisis!"

The Global Meltdown has affected all countries. The worst hit country is Zimbabwe. The unemployment rate there is 90%. The inflation has gone up, hold your breath, to 23 MILLION percent! The Govt has printed new $200 million notes!

Courtesy: Paul Ford, Harper's Weekly, December 9, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Paul Ford and Harper's Weekly.

Facts & Figures-62: "Lakhs and Lakhs people lose Jobs in USA!"

The Labor Department of the Govt of USA has reported that 5,33,000 people lost their jobs in November. Another 6,21,000 were forced into part-time employment. 4,22,000 simply dropped out of the labor force. 24,000 were laid off by auto dealers. The situation seems to be far worse than economists expected.

Source: Paul Ford, Harper's Weekly, December 9, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Paul Ford and Harper's Weekly.

S&T Watch-41: "The Sky is Falling"

Scientists repor that the boundary between earth's atmosphere and space is lowering, which means that the sky is falling!

Courtesy: Claire Gutierrez, Harper's Weekly, December 23, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Claire Gutierrez and Harper's Weekly.

My Photo Album-33: "Suri at Verinag"

Suri (on the left) with a fellow tourist at Verinag

This photo is more than 30 years old. I distinctly remember the month, if not the year - it was April. I was on an All-India tour by bus. We left Srinagar early morning and reached Verinag after a few hours. The river Jhelum starts as a spring there and then flows to Srinagar and then to Punjab via Pakistan. From Punjab, it flows again to Pakistan and finally joins the Chenab river. Though April, it was chilly for me and hence the sweater. Bell-bottom pants were fashionable those days. The unkempt hair may be due to non-application of oil or due to wind or both. The photo was taken by another fellow tourist using an Agfa Click III camera. Those days it was the cheapest, easiest and the best. I think from Verinag, we went to Jammu and then to Delhi. The entire trip was by bus. Unfortunately, I did not maintain a journal and rue it now. So I have to rely completely on memory.

Detailed Wikipedia article on "Jhelum River":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_River

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Letters-61: "Irresponsible"

Cutting across caste and religious lines, the people of India are hoping that terrorism will be eliminated. During such a moment of crisis, politicians should not divide societies along communal lines. It is highly condemnable. The arrested terrorist, Ajmal Amir, has admitted that he and his accomplice killed Karkare and two other police officers. What is the need for a separate probe? - B.Nagesh Kumar, Mangalore.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, December 20, 2008 ("Letters to the Editor")

Grateful thanks to Mr.B.Nagesh Kumar and The Hindu.

Facts & Figures-61: "2,38,000 killed in 2008!"

The New Indian Express, Tiruchy, reports quoting Agence France-Presse, Geneva, that catastrophes killed more than 238,000 people this year. The cost to society due to these catastrophes was 225 billion dollars. While 2008 is the second worst year of catastrophes, 2005 is the worst year of natural and man-made catastrophes with 374,042 people killed and 107 billion dollars in insured losses.

Grateful thanks to Agence France-Presse, Geneva and The New Indian Express.

Eyecatchers-134: "Edible Christmas Cards!"

A British ecological design firm has produced an edible X'mas card made from potato starch paper and featuring a picture of Brussels sprouts.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Tiruchy, December 19, 2008.

Grateful thanks to The Hindu.

Eyecatchers-133: "What is Layogenic?"

Layogenic is Filipino for someone good-looking from afar but ugly up close.

Courtesy: The New Indian Express, Tiruchy ("Vignettes: Worth Words"), December 19, 2008.

Grateful thanks to The New Indian Express.