writingonblog uncensored: TN police enhance BSNL subscription base

writingonblog uncensored: TN police enhance BSNL subscription base: Chennai: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has added 73,000 new mobile connections this quarter and the subscriber base is likely to cross mo...

TN police enhance BSNL subscription base

Chennai:

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has added 73,000 new mobile connections
this quarter and the subscriber base is likely to cross more than 1.2
lakh next month due to new subscriptions from Tamil Nadu Police.

A BSNL senior general manager Leelashankari denied reports that the
subscription base had fallen in this quarter adding that it is going
to add one lakh Tamil Nadu police connections by August this year
under the Closed User group (CUG) connections.

“There are also plans to include the family members of police
personnel under the CUG network,” she said. “This would add another
two to three lakh connections,” she added.

Interestingly, during the last financial year it has not been smooth
sailing for BSNL Chennai whose subscription base dwindled drastically.
Last year the the subscription base of BSNL mobile connections in
Chennai was 14.06 lakh.

“The subscription base fell 1.47 lakh as we had done away with one
63,000 ineffective connections,” she said.

These connections were the ones that were hardly used by BSNL, she said.

This year till now we have 14.79 lakh connections and this is likely
to go up by few more lakh

writingonblog uncensored: AP to open Kandaleru reservoir from Aug 1

writingonblog uncensored: AP to open Kandaleru reservoir from Aug 1: Chennai: Andhra Pradesh would open the gates of Kandaleru Reservoir on August 1 to quench the thirst of Chennaites. A senior PWD offi...

AP to open Kandaleru reservoir from Aug 1

Chennai:

Andhra Pradesh would open the gates of Kandaleru Reservoir on August 1
to quench the thirst of Chennaites.

A senior PWD official told Express that Andhra officials would release
initially a small quantity of water which would be increased
substantially.

This comes in the wake of city going without Krishna Water for more
than a month. Interestingly, the city’s reservoir levels had been
coming down and officials consider the release of Krishna Water would
help in case the monsoon fails.

Officials said that the release of Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh
also comes after the state government has written letters requesting
release of water to rejuvenate the depleting reservoirs.

As per the agreement with Andhra Pradesh,  Tamil nadu has to get 8 tmc
feet of water from this july to august, the PWD official said.

The city currently has around 2tmcft of water in the four reservoirs
of Poondi, Chembarambakkam, Red Hills and Cholavaram.  Interestingly,
it is a brimming 1 tmcft of water in Veeranam as well as the two
desalination plant which has come to the rescue of the city in the
time of the crisis. But water managers still look to sky to help
quench the insatiable thirst of the city.

writingonblog uncensored: Ascent of a General

writingonblog uncensored: Ascent of a General: By Group Captain Tarun Kumar Singha Kolkata: General Dalbir Singh has taken over as the 26th Chief of Army Staff in New Delhi, on Thu...

Ascent of a General

By Group Captain Tarun Kumar Singha

Kolkata: General Dalbir Singh has taken over as the 26th Chief of Army Staff in New Delhi, on Thursday.

His elevation to the coveted post is an inspiring saga of a young village boy's aspirations who wanted to be an army officer one day. By sheer hard work, resolve and dedication he not only succeeded in becoming an army officer, but also its topmost General, this day.

The story of his life is what dreams are made of; dreams that millions of youth see, but few realise. The story of the ascent of India's new Army Chief will most certainly inspire the youth who can now believe in themselves and their dreams, and with efforts, realise them too.

For the records, he is the third Army Chief after and Gen S.H.F.J. Manekshaw (later conferred the Field Marshal's rank) and Gen G.G. Bewoor, who were either commissioned into or were associated with the Brigade of Gorkhas.

Gen Dalbir Singh was commissioned on June 1974 into 4/5 GR (FF), more easily understood as the 4^th Battalion of the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) for those not too familiar with such military nomenclatures.

It was a conscious choice I made as I wanted to join only the infantry,” says Gen Dalbir of his choice to seek out the Gorkha Regiment, whose soldiers are inarguably among the finest in the world, also much-feared and renowned for their bravery.

With a lean and muscular frame at six-feet, the new Army Chief literally and figuratively stands tall not just in the army but also is the revered patriarch for the Gorkha troops as their senior-most serving General. By virtue of the same, he holds the twin ceremonial appointments of 'Colonel of the Regiment' 5 GR (FF) since April 19, 2011, and as 'President Gorkha Brigade' since January 1, 2014.

However, traditionally an Army Chief also becomes 'Honorary Colonel' of several other 'Arms' and 'Regiments' of the Indian Army by age-old customs.

Born to be a warrior

General Dalbir Singh was born in Bishan village in Haryana's Jhajjar district on December 28, 1954. Although essentially an agrarian village like so many others in the region, large numbers of able-bodied men from these predominantly Jat villages, who inherit a martial ancestry and legacy, also choose to serve in the army.

His father and uncles followed their father and uncles into joining the army, mostly serving in cavalry and infantry units. Joining the army only seemed a natural choice for young Dalbir.

It may seem an odious inference but the coincidence is nearly hard to miss. Hailing from a nearby town – Kurukshetra -- made famous in the Indian epic Mahabharata for its warring generals and an enduring battle, it seems as if ordained that a warrior would one day emerge from around here to be bequeathed as a modern-day General for the Indian Army.

Early life, humble beginnings

In a script that belies belief, the boy who would one day be a General and Chief of the Indian Army in the 21^st century had a far more humble beginnings than many would ever imagine. Dalbir began his schooling in the village primary school that had just about two brick-laid rooms to speak for any modicum of a school. The rooms were also the exclusive preserve of the senior classes, he recalls. Others including him had an earthier and shaded space beneath the trees.

Life in a village for a young boy then was much the same as is perhaps even today, in most rural settings. Nearly every village lad lends a helping hand in tilling or attending to the fields in their spare time or when the harvest season so demanded.

Young Dalbir too would also help his family members in his own way. This would nurture a deep sense of respect for the motherland that bore them their daily bread. It also instilled a great deal of pride in the young lad who was destined for a far bigger role in future, to protect this very land and its frontiers from external aggressions and threats, someday.

A cadet's life beckons at school

In 1961, the Government of India set out to establish Sainik Schools, a residential Public School for boys in several states that would serve as feeder schools to various officers training establishments such as the National Defence Academy (NDA) among others.

Sainik School, Chittorgarh (SSC) in Rajasthan was also among them. Gen Dalbir's granduncle was an equestrian instructor in the school, who suggested that he studied there. Thus began a journey of a life in uniform for Cadet Dalbir Singh on January 15, 1965, now almost half a century.

Suhag, incidentally is indeed his surname and although not averse to being addressed as such, it may only be prudent to address the General by his duly listed name -- Dalbir Singh -- to rule out any speculation on the correctness or lack of it, in so far as addressing him on record is concerned.

The flight from his village Bishan to his eventual alma mater at Chittorgarh would greatly shape his future to be an officer in the army. The process of transforming him with all-round abilities, conviction, courage and a steely resolve would be set forth here under the tutelage of some of the finest teachers of those times.

Those who taught him are today, understandably, a proud lot. Among them, Shri K.S. Kang who is in his 90s, exclaimed he felt “18 again” on hearing the news that a protégé of his is set to be the Army Chief. Shri Kang had a 10-year stint as an instructor at Indian Military Academy (IMA) before joining SSC in its formative years. His experiences would prove invaluable.

Shri H.S. Rathi, a national-awardee teacher who retired in 1996, describes Cdt Dalbir as a “very sincere, hard-working and obedient student,” and also makes a special mention of his sporting excellence. “He was also very good in sports and was a gifted basketball player,” he recalls.

Of his academic performance, Gen Dalbir's former English teacher, Shri J.N. Bhargava, says: “He managed his studies very well,” alluding to his excellent all-round attributes. “He was humility personified, a man of determination, of speed and tenacity of purpose and would do any job assigned to him most obediently” outlining his personality that set him apart from the others at school.

Leadership at Kumbha House

By the time he was in 9^th class, Gen Dalbir was nearly as tall as he is today. He would also pick up riding early in school that would put him in good stead later in life. Much of his leadership traits began to surface as a House Captain of Kumbha House, one of the nine houses named after valiant Rajput warrior-princes of the region.

In the school journal report of 1971-72, Kumbha House Captain, Suresh Kumar Inani who took charge after Gen Dalbir left for NDA, wrote: “Having won the highest points ever received by any Champion House in the history of this Sainik School, the Kumbhaites are justly proud of this collective achievement,” summing up the stellar leadership of Dalbir that helped Kumbha House practically sweep all competitive trophies that year.

NDA, IMA – a bigger canvas

The 'Honour Roll' at the cadets’ mess of the school lists Cdt Dalbir Singh (Roll No-382) as the 82^nd overall, and among the 12 cadets who joined 44^th NDA course on July 20, 1970.

NDA only proved to be an extension of the school-like canvas, albeit at a wider and a more competitive level. Taking off from where he left at school in outdoor and other activities, he would go on to be a champion athlete and a sportsman par excellence. His riding skills would eventually lead him to be the President, Riding and Polo Club in NDA.

In June 1974, 2/Lt Dalbir Singh would finally realise his dreams to be an officer, a feat his veteran father, grandfather, uncles and granduncles and other family members would be proud of. As mentioned earlier, he was granted one of his choices of an infantry regiment and commissioned into 4/5 GR (FF), which was then the youngest battalion of 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) having been raised on January 1, 1963.

Life in the army

To be commissioned in an outfit that had proven their mettle in the eastern theatre during the Indo-Pak War of 1971, was both a matter of honour and challenge. The unit had earned two coveted Maha Vir Chakras (MVC) and a few other medals for gallantry. It was never going to be easy measuring up to the reputation of the battalion and its valiant soldiers.

No challenge was however, insurmountable for this ambitious officer. Soon he endeared himself to his troops and earned their respect with his sincerity, involvement and abilities, always leading by example. His turn to show his deep attachments with his battalion would soon come and he would not fail them.

As a Major, he was an instructor at IMA when his battalion had moved to Sri Lanka for 'Op Pawan'. In a major operation at Jaffna, only two days after the unit had landed there, Commanding Officer (CO), Lt Col Inder Bal Singh Bawa and several others including officers and soldiers were killed in action. He recalls the onerous task of conveying the sad news to the parents of Col Bawa, who lived near Dehradun.

Upon learning of the tragic news that had befallen his unit, he wasted no time in asking Army HQ to revert him back to his battalion, which was granted. Within 24 hours, he was back in his unit and assumed charge as a Company Commander. He remained with the unit till they were finally withdrawn after two years. His arrival would immensely boost the morale of his troops that had earlier suffered several casualties.

As time went by, he rose in rank and also distinguished himself. Besides undergoing various career-defining service courses, he added a few 'Masters' degrees to his qualifications including one for 'Management Studies' from Osmania University, and another on 'Strategic Studies' from Chennai University.

Among the prominent service courses he attended in India, include: 'Long Defence Management Course' at College of Defence Management, Secunderabad (1997-98), and the 'National Defence College' Course at New Delhi (2006), which incidentally, is also an M.Phil (Strategic Studies).

The courses attended abroad include an 'Executive Course' at APCSS (Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies), Hawaii (USA) in 2005, and 'Senior Mission Leaders Course' held by UN Peace Keeping Centre, Nairobi (Kenya) and also participated in an UN Exercise in Accra (Ghana) in May 2007, and PAM seminar in Jakarta in 2008.

As he grew in the army's chain of command in a distinguished career spanning four decades, he also held several critical 'Command' and 'Staff' appointments. All this while, he would also serve in active counter-insurgency (CI) and proxy war environments, both in the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir as well.

He raised and commanded a 'Rashtriya Rifles Battalion' in Nagaland, and later an 'Infantry Brigade' deeply committed in intense CI-operations in the Kashmir valley, for which he was awarded a Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for distinguished service of a high order.

He would also go on to command with great distinction a 'Mountain Division' in the Kargil-Drass sector, deployed on the 'Line of Control' in a high altitude area that earned him an Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) for distinguished service of a very high order.

He also served under the Cabinet Secretariat as an Inspector General, Special Frontier Force. On promotion, he was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of a Corps, looking after the dual responsibility of CI operations in the North-Eastern States in addition to the conventional operational role along the Indo-China border.

He would then be conferred an Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM).

Subsequently, he was appointed Eastern Army Commander from June 16, 2012 to December 31, 2013, and later to the post of Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on January 1, 2014.

The General Officer would also be honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the highest military decoration for services of exceptionally high order to the nation

Having served in Army HQ in two prior assignments as a Director, and later as a Deputy Director General in the 'General Service and Staff Duties' (GS&SD) Directorate, he was well acquainted with the working environs in the highest echelons of the Services HQ.

With seven months tenure as VCOAS behind him, he is aware of everything that he needs to know, which augurs well for the army in every respect.

A family man to the core, and when they met

He was a strapping, young handsome Captain posted as an instructor at the Army School of Mechanical Transport, Bangalore. He was also a bachelor and had come to Delhi on leave during the 1982 Asian Games. A friend of his would go on to suggest he consider a suitable proposal, the daughter of a retired Naval officer who were a well-established family in the Capital. He would agree and having met briefly his bride-to-be, would ask his parents to go ahead with the customary formalities. They would later be married traditionally in New Delhi on February 7, 1984.

Decades on, an interesting anecdote still evokes much laughter in the household that took place in the bride's place. The girls in the house had mistakenly assumed that the senior friend of then Capt Dalbir who had come home to broach the subject of marriage, to be the suitor himself.

Much to her disenchantment, the visitor looked much older with grey hair-burns et al. Needless to say, the erudite Namita, a Political Science graduate from Delhi University, for whom the proposal was being considered was in tears.

But soon she and her siblings would realise their folly and breathe a sigh of relief. But the suspense remained for a while. It was only when the tall, handsome officer dropped by eventually, his mannerisms and gentlemanly bearing would altogether leave her gushing and blushing, and her siblings impressed.

The couple would raise a family with daughters Pallavi, Priya and son, Sahil. With son-in-law Nishant now married to their eldest daughter Pallavi, the family picture is indeed a happy frame.

Family life in the armed forces has its own share of trials and tribulations. In the army, perhaps more so because of the frequent transfers. As Gen Dalbir rose through the hierarchy, his responsibilities also grew manifold. His profile is indicative of the hard areas he spent, where families were not permitted. This is when Mrs Namita Suhag would do well to take charge of managing her family and children when her husband was away.

Yet, it was not her immediate family alone that she would have to take care of. The families of soldiers living separated, remained her concern too. “They are my family members too. I would visit them as often as I could and resolve some of their problems in whatever way possible,” says Mrs Suhag, in keeping with one of the finest welfare traditions of our army, where officers and their families invariably adopt the culture, language and customs of their troops.

Coming from a Services background it may have been relatively easy for Mrs Suhag to don the role of a caring matriarch of sorts. Today, when she assumes the mantle as President, Army Wives Welfare Association by virtue of being the 'First Lady' of the Indian Army, the larger army family can look forward to her benevolence, understanding and affection in a much grander way. This would include the welfare of 'Veer Naris' who remain integral to the army.

In a way, it is not too difficult to see the attachment of the Army's 'First Family' with the Armed Forces. It is a well known fact that Gen Dalbir's family has past ties with the army, which includes a younger brother who is a serving Colonel with the Gorkha Regiment. Besides, his two sisters are also married to army officers.

In the case of Mrs Suhag whose father once served in the Navy, all her three brothers also served as officers in the armed forces. Her eldest brother has since retired from the army. Of the two others who chose to join the Indian Navy, one has since retired while the other is still serving. Her sister is also married to an army officer, son of retired Col Hoshiar Singh, a Param Vir Chakra awardee.

It is indeed an astounding record of sorts and comes as a little surprise that one officer from the family would work his way up to be the Army Chief. If ever there was a family who have given so many members in the service of nation in the armed forces, one needn't look beyond theirs.

A home full of warmth and of strong ties

Despite them being rooted to earthy moorings, one would invariably find the Suhag household a den of warmth. With interiors and decor also most tastefully done up, the creative and artistic leanings of the lady of the house is clearly evident. More than anything else, the family members make it a point that visitors to their house go back with more than just pleasant memories.

Both, the General and his wife are also fond of music. It is, however, of the older times and includes ghazals and songs from the times when they were a young couple. Time permitting, they also indulge themselves by watching a film together. Although he couldn't recall the name of the movie that he last saw, he was certain Sonam Kapoor starred in it. One can't fault the General for not remembering much of its screenplay though.

If possible, I would love to learn Bharatnatyam and other Indian classical dances,” says Mrs Suhag, clearly wanting to catch up with her interests and hobbies that she could not find time earlier. Although willing to give it a try, she knows in her present role, she would be even busier with welfare-related pursuits.

In recent years, the family did go through testing times. But that ordeal only made the family bond much stronger and resolute. The family had firm belief that they would overcome, and with prayers and wishes of family and friends, they did ever so wonderfully. Well wishers of the family and old friends who have known them for decades believed that insinuations would never stick. Today, they all stand vindicated and wish the new Army Chief and his family happy tidings.

The obedient one who is allowed to disobey

Surrounded by faithful guards and soldiers, it is unfathomable even to assume that anyone can ever disobey a General. In the Suhag household, however, there is someone who is allowed to have his way. Not just by the General's volition but in his own right and playful way. Yes, 'Juno' is his name and he is a four-year old Golden Retriever brought home as a gift to the family by daughter, Pallavi.

Clearly, Juno goes about his ways around the house with abandon until he sees his 'Master' come home, which is when he gets excited. At other times, he would quietly sit near his Master, gently seeking his attention and affection. “He helps me unwind completely,” says the General as he fondly pats Juno, who is forever ready to obey his commands.

The General recalls an offer by a specialist dog-trainer who once told him that he would train Juno to obey orders without blinking. The affable General declined his offer politely, saying, “I would much rather have him disobey me when everyone else around only obey my orders.”

writingonblog uncensored: Catering Firm Sues SpiceJet for Rs 8 Crore Dues

writingonblog uncensored: Catering Firm Sues SpiceJet for Rs 8 Crore Dues: Chennai: Private airline Carrier Spicejet is now fighting a legal battle for its survival after a firm providing “in-flight services” to...

Catering Firm Sues SpiceJet for Rs 8 Crore Dues

Chennai:

Private airline Carrier Spicejet is now fighting a legal battle for
its survival after a firm providing “in-flight services” to the
airline has taken it to court for allegedly failing to settle the dues
worth about Rs 8 crore.

Madras High court judge M Duraiswamy has issued a notice to Spicejet
returnable in four weeks besides permitting private notice after
Narang International Hotels having a registered office at The
Ambassador Hotel in Mumbai, after the petitioner urged the High court
to pass an order to wind up the company under provisions of The
Companies Act 1956.

The petitioner stated that Spicejet entered into an agreement on May
12, 2005 for providing inflight catering services ex-Delhi and Mumbai
from the authorized flight kitchens operating under Ambassador Sky
Chef.

As per the agreement the petitioner has to submit invoices every 15
days along with supporting documents and payment was to be made by
respondent within 15 days of the receipt of bill.

The petitioner alleged that invoices were not being paid on time by
the respondent as per the agreement and whenever the payments by the
respondent were made, they were made for less than the invoice amount.
The petitioner alleges that on April 17, 2014, the total outstanding
papyable to the petitioner for services ex-Delhi was 5.8 crore and for
Mumbai it was Rs 2.09 crore.

After several interactions through e-mails and by telephone failed,
the  petitioner sent a statutory notice on April 17 under Sections
433, 434 and 450 of Companies Act stating that they will be
approaching the High court by way of a petition to wind up the company
if they failed to pay up the debt.

The petititioner has urged in his petition that Madras High Court be
appointed as provisional liquidator of the assets and properties and
the income of the company and the company may be restrained by an
order of injunction from any manner encumbering, alienating, dealing
with or disposing off or parting with possession of its assets and
properties so as to protect the right and interest of the creditors.

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA engineer exposes chinks in Manjambakkam truck...

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA engineer exposes chinks in Manjambakkam truck...: C Shivakumar Chennai: After the state government imposed stringent checks on the quality of constructions following Moulivakkam build...

CMDA engineer exposes chinks in Manjambakkam truck terminal

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

After the state government imposed stringent checks on the quality of
constructions following Moulivakkam building collapse, a Chennai
Metropolitan Development Authority engineer has turned a whistle
blower spilling the beans on the alleged substandard construction of
Rs 20 crore Manjambakkam Container Truck Terminal.

After sending a series of SMSes to the CMDA officials on the quality
of alleged shoddy work in the project, junior engineer  Gnanarathinam,
who has over 15 years experience, shot out a letter to the member
secretary of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority alleging
  poor quality of the work being done on Manjambakkam Container
Truck Terminal.

The project, which was announced during the budget session in 2011-12,
was inaugurated on February this year. It was developed on 12 acres of
land at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. The yard was built to
accommodate 400 container trucks at a time and with the projected
turnover of 1000 trucks per day, in order to relieve congestion due to
parking of trucks along the GNT Road and Inner Ring Road (IRR) near
Madhavaram.

A senior official of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
confirmed that a complaint has been received and investigations are
going on.

Gnanarathinam when contacted by Express was initially reluctant to
divulge anything. He confirmed about the content in the SMSes and
stated that the arch being built at Manjambakkam is unsafe.

He also stated that the site was seven feet below the road as a result
earth was being used to fill the site instead of gravel, which can
bear the heavy load of container trucks,  to build the container truck
parking yard. The gravel costs Rs 500 per metre cube while earth costs Rs 200 per metre cube.

“I have committed many mistakes while working under executive engineer
Srinivasa Rao and superintendent engineer Om Narayanan. I feel guilty.
I have now turned approver,” he said.

However, one of those who have been accused by Gnanarathinam, have
termed the allegations as false. “Let the government conduct an
enquiry and find out the facts,” he said.

Interestingly, CMDA is conducting a departmental enquiry into it but
sources in CMDA feel it is time a team of experts especially from
Central government organizations like IIT or Structural Engineering
Research Centre. “It is a serious issue. It has to be probed by an
independent other than Anna University from which the engineers
concerned hold a degree or diploma,” the source said.

Rao’s name was also linked to the CMDA tower II where work was delayed
for six months over safety issues. It pertains to structural design
violation. But the project was given clean chit by Anna University
professors.

Manjambakkam factfile:

The site was seven feet low from the road. As a result it was decided
to fill the site with gravel.

But instead of gravel which costs Rs 500 per metre cube, CMDA
engineers went for earth which costs Rs 200 per metre cube.

Then they put concrete panels (4x4). Unfortunately a few of the panels
developed cracks.

So to hide it, they used bitumen.

Engineers feel it is highly doubtful that the Rs 22 crore truck
parking yard would last more than two years.

It would result in usual issues of a project gone wrong and repairs
being undertaken frequently.

Other revelations in the letter:

--- The Koyambedu-Stormwater drain doesn’t have iron rods. ----- The
old rods were also not used and neither surrendered to the department.
It was sold by the engineers.
--- Quarry dust was used instead of quality concrete.
--- Irregularities worth Rs 60 lakh was committed which allegedly
shared by Sreenivasa Rao and Om Narayan.

writingonblog uncensored: Water shortages shut down Indian thermal plants, s...

writingonblog uncensored: Water shortages shut down Indian thermal plants, s...: New Delhi: Water shortages has shut down thermal power plants in India, decreased energy production in power plants in the United St...

Water shortages shut down Indian thermal plants, says world Bank

New Delhi:

Water shortages has shut down thermal power plants in India, decreased energy production in power plants in the United States and threatened hydropower generation in many countries, including Sri Lanka, China and Brazil, according to World Bank.

The problem is expected only to get worse. By 2035, the world’s energy consumption will increase by 35 percent, which in turn will increase water consumption by 85 percent, Wordl Bank said quoting International Energy Agency.

“The world’s energy and water are inextricably linked. With demand rising for both resources and increasing challenges from climate change, water scarcity can threaten the long-term viability of energy projects and hinder development,” said Rachel Kyte, World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change.

Part of the challenge for the energy sector is the competing demand for water. This demand will grow as the world’s population reaches 9 billion, requiring a 50 percent increase in agricultural production and a 15 percent increase in already-strained water withdrawals.

With two-thirds of the world’s population - or 5 billion people - urbanized by 2030, cities in developing countries will be under tremendous pressure to meet the demand for food, energy, and water services.  Yet today, some 780 million people lack access to improved water and 2.5 billion, more than one-third of the world's people, do not have basic sanitation.

The World Bank is launching a new initiative at the World Future Energy Summit and International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi that will help developing countries better plan and manage scaling-up energy capacity to meet rising demand, in tandem with water resource management.

World Bank said Thirsty Energy is a global initiative aimed to help governments prepare for an uncertain future by  identifying synergies and quantifying tradeoffs between energy development plans and water use besides piloting cross-sectoral planning to ensure sustainability of energy and water investments. It would also help  design assessment tools and management frameworks to help governments coordinate decision-making.

writingonblog uncensored: 3924 children were placed in In-Country adoption

writingonblog uncensored: 3924 children were placed in In-Country adoption: New Delhi: A total of 3924 children were placed in In-Country adoption during the year 2013-14. Out of this 2293 were female children a...

3924 children were placed in In-Country adoption

New Delhi:
A total of 3924 children were placed in In-Country adoption during the year 2013-14. Out of this 2293 were female children and the rest were male. In the year 2012-13, 4694 children were placed for In-Country adoption as against a total of 5964 during the year 2011-12. The average time taken in the process of In-Country adoption varies from 6-8 months depending upon the availability of adoptable children in the adoption agencies.

The Government has received suggestions from various quarters including women’s organizations for simplifying the existing rules/guidelines relating to the adoption of children in the country. Most of these suggestions are to make the adoption process easier and to minimize delays in the adoption procedure. The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has incorporated these suggestions in the draft Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014.

This information was given by Union Minister of Women & Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha recently.

writingonblog uncensored: Environmentalists urge TN to follow Adyar model to...

writingonblog uncensored: Environmentalists urge TN to follow Adyar model to...: C Shivakumar Chennai: As the water in the Muttukadu backwater has turned toxic green, environmentalists, scientists and ornithologists have...

Environmentalists urge TN to follow Adyar model to clean up estuary

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

As the water in the Muttukadu backwater has turned toxic green,
environmentalists, scientists and ornithologists have urged the state
government to dredge the mouth of the estuary so that some of the lost
charm of the water body could be restored.

Once a nesting ground of birds as well as aquatic organisms, the
harmful algal bloom of the colonial form of microcystis aeruginosa has
sucked life out of the water body.

Vijay Kumar of Madras Naturalist Society says the need now is to stop
untreated sewage from flowing into the backwater. “Once this is
stopped the micro-organisms in the water would improve and these could
attract more birds and turns the area into a paradise for
birdwatchers,” he says.

He also cites the example of Pallikarnai lake which was turned into a
dumping ground. “But after efforts were taken to restore it, we had
more birds that were not seen 30 years ago flocking again in this
region.

While there is not enough data available on the impact of the
pollution on migratory birds, noted environmentalist Nityanand Jayaram
says that the hydrology of the area has been hit. He says it is quite
difficult to restore the water body now.

He says Muttukadu backwater died due to the unregulated development on
these areas. The construction along the catchment area has choked the
fresh water flow to the lagoon. “This has resulted in Eutrophication.
“Revival of Muttukadu now is too difficult as it would mean
questioning the growth model,” he says.

Dr M Natrajan of Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture says
that Muttukadu lake is the last post of Buckingham canal. He says his
institute doesn’t do much research on the area as the water is too
polluted. “If the mouth of the estuary is opened as has been done in
the case of Adyar, Muthukadu lake could be revived due to the tidal
action,” he says.

Interestingly, there is not much data on Muttukadu estuary. Migratory
birds have been sighted along the East Coast Road. But there is not
enough data on whether migratory birds visit to the estuary have
dwindled or not, villagers swear it has taken a beating due to
pollution of the water body.

writingonblog uncensored: A green killer on the prowl in Muttukadu backwater...

writingonblog uncensored: A green killer on the prowl in Muttukadu backwater...: C Shivakumar/ Shiba Prasad Sahu Chennai: The emerald green water of the Muttukadu lake that beckons many from Chennai hides a dang...

A green killer on prowl in Muttukadu backwater

C Shivakumar/ Shiba Prasad Sahu

Chennai:

The emerald green water of the Muttukadu lake that beckons many from Chennai hides a dangerous truth: there is an algal bloom in the backwater that gives it the colour, which, if left unchecked, has the potential to seriously affect the marine ecology and the local neighbourhood.

In a revelation that should sound alarm bells for authorities and activists alike, a recently-published study has warned about a “harmful algal bloom of the colonial form of microcystis aeruginosa,” considered to be the one of the most cosmopolitan among the planktonic cyanobacteria.

The bloom – a population explosion in other words – of this alga is capable of producing a liver-damaging toxin which in high concentrations could be fatal to humans, fish, birds and pets, warned the study in the Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences earlier this year. It gives the opaque green colour, makes it slick and slimy, and gives it that stench that visitors often complain about.

The reason: rapid urbanisation of the neighbourhood that has brought industries, institutions and high-rises close to the estuary, which bring with it sewage and effluents that has led to a spike in inorganic nutrients nitrate and phosphate, that in turn make the warm tropical water the perfect cocktail for the algae to bloom and colonise – which in marine science parlance means the single cells can join together in groups as colonies that tend to float near the surface.

The findings have understandably raised concerns among experts about the threat it poses to aquatic organisms. “It is difficult to control the alga due to letting out untreated sewage into the backwater,” said a scientist from the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture.

While fishermen have been complaining that the water has turned toxic for nearly four years, the study by department of Marine Science department in Bharatidasan University that was published in the journal documents the first occurrence of a harmful algal bloom in the backwater in June 2012. However, till now, the officials from the departments of Tourism - that runs the boathouse - and the Public Works Department – the guardians of the estuary – are largely unaware of the fact.

“When we saw the water turning out green, we believed it is due to some chemical. We were not aware about the alga formation,” said an official from the Tourism Department. According to him, the blame lies on industries as well as residential buildings which discharge untreated sewage into the water. Experts also cite excessive usage of fertilisers for the spike in inorganic nutrients.

Highlighting the dangers posed by the presence of these nutrients in water, yet another study, this time by the department of Zoology, Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai, published in the International Journal of Environmental Biology last year, states that nitrate, while being an important nutrient, is toxic when in high concentration and can disturb the aquatic environment.

While the acceptable limit is 0.5 mg/l, this study revealed that the nitrate value was 8.07 mg/l in Muttukadu estuary and 5.11 mg/l in the coastal water.

“The excess concentrations of nitrate and nitrite will lead to excessive aquatic plant production, which may negatively impact estuary water environments leading to deplete dissolved oxygen and production of toxic algae. As a result of oxygen depletion, sickness and death of marine organisms will take place,” the study warns.

Importantly, both studies have found the presence of ammonia: the first one blames it on the presence of sewage, and the latest study cites the algal bloom as a possible reason. Also, the hydrogen ion (pH) concentration – which controls the relative proportion of different chemicals – is at a high level (7.85 ppm in the first study and 8.7 ppm in the second). It would be fatal for fish if it goes above 10 ppm. There were several reports of dead fish in the past, which the latest study attributes to the algal bloom.

"The pollution abatement facilities like the sewage and domestic waste treatment at Muttukadu area are inefficient, resulting in indiscriminate discharge of waste into the backwaters. Present investigation highlights the need of regular monitoring of harmful algal blooms and the physico-chemical characteristics of the Muttukadu backwaters in order to conserve the fish stocks and safeguards the human beings," concludes the study on algal bloom.

Even as experts studies warn the impending danger awaiting the estuary, officials admitted that they had no clear data on the level of pollution. 

An official said untreated sewage gets dumped in the water body during midnight, and added that the culprits included even some educational institutions into the neighbourhood.

“There has been no survey conducted by the pollution control board. Even Directorate of Town and Country Planning turns a blind eye to the mushrooming of illegal constructions. Many of them will not have Coastal Regulation Zone clearance,” said an official from the Public Works Department, the custodians of the backwater.

“We clean it up during three months of monsoon so that the mouth of the lake opens and joins with the sea. Then the the colour of backwater changes to the bright blue colour of the sea. But it lasts only for 15 days," he added. 

According to him, the department lacks funds to clean up the lake, and suggested that the Tourism Department and even the Salt Corporation, which are earning revenue from the lake, should pitch in to help clean up the water body.

“If the water body is to be brought to its original glory, then all government institutions should work together, along with the support of the local public," he added.

writingonblog uncensored: TN has 80,685 patients receiving treatment from a...

writingonblog uncensored: TN has 80,685 patients receiving treatment from a...: Chennai: Tamil Nadu has a total of 80,685 patients who are receiving free treatment from different Anti-Retroviral treatment facilities ...

TN has 80,685 patients receiving treatment from anti-retroviral treatment facilities

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu has a total of 80,685 patients who are receiving free
treatment from different Anti-Retroviral treatment facilities as on
May 31, 2014.

As per Union Health Ministry figures, 76,731 of them are above 15
years while 3954 are below 15 years who are receiving the treatment.

Union health ministry has stated that there has been a decline in
number of people suffering from HIV/AIDS detected through ICTC
(Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres) during the last three
years, including the current year.

In Tamil Nadu in 2011-12, a total of 21, 562 cases were detected,
these later fell down to 16, 653 in 2013-14. However, in 2014-15, the
cases registered from April to May 2014 is 1,452.

HIV/AIDS patients who are below the  poverty line (BPL) are eligible
to Rashtriya  Swasthaya Bima Yojana(RSBY), run by Union government,
but most  other life and insurance schemes exclude  insurance
coverage  for HIV/AIDS and related ailment.

writingonblog uncensored: CBI arrests hacker for stealing Microsoft's produc...

writingonblog uncensored: CBI arrests hacker for stealing Microsoft's produc...: New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a person at Chennai for stealing Microsoft’s product keys as well as cheating u...

CBI arrests hacker for stealing Microsoft's product keys

New Delhi:

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a person at Chennai for stealing Microsoft’s product keys as well as cheating unsuspecting consumers.

CBI has registered a case U/s 379 of IPC & Section 66 r/w 43(a), (b), (j) & 66C of IT Act 2000 on the allegations that Microsoft Volume License Service Centre (VLSC) agreements in respect of different overseas and Indian customers of the Microsoft were unauthorisedly being accessed (hacked) for the purpose of stealing Product Keys of the different Microsoft product as well as cheating, by selling these keys online.

The accused has been identified as D Prabhu, a school dropout who claims to have a MBA degree. Searches have been conducted at his premises and in Chennai which led to recovery of Hard disks of Computer System; Router used for committing the crime along with numbers of Microsoft Product Kits and other documents. Account of the accused which he has used to collect the amount of sale of Microsoft Product Keys was also freezed.

The accused was produced n the Court at Egmore, Chennai and has been granted transit remand.

writingonblog uncensored: Income Tax dept raises tax collection target by 20...

writingonblog uncensored: Income Tax dept raises tax collection target by 20...: Chennai: The tax collections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may have fallen short than last year but Income Tax department has raised the...

Income Tax dept raises tax collection target by 20 pc

Chennai:

The tax collections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may have fallen short
than last year but Income Tax department has raised the target 20 per
cent more than last year.

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Tamil nadu and Puducherry) T
Jayasankar told reporters that last year the target was Rs 42,827
crore and the department was able to collect Rs 42,524 crore. This
year the target is Rs 51,133crore, he said.

Although the collections may have crossed the 40,000 mark for the
first time, it fell short of the target by Rs 300 crore. “We were able
to achieve 99.28 per cent of the target,” Jayasankar said.

To a query why the tax collection target has been raised by 20 per
cent, he said that expenditure is already fixed and with the new
industrial projects coming up the target is attainable.

He also warned that income tax department is now identifying
non-filers through computer generated information. Besides Pan card
details, we are exchanging information on credit cards, tax deducted
returns, bank account information.

Jayasankar said that Income Tax department is opening 30 special
counters besides 12 regular counters on Saturday and Sunday. It will
also be open on July 28, July 30 and July 31 at Aaykar Bhavan campus
to facilitate receipt of returns of income from assesssees hanving
income under the head “Salaries” whose taxable income is less than Rs
5 lakh.

Exclusive counters for Tambaram and Kancheepuram assesses would also
be open at Aaykar Bhavan Campus. He said that e-filing is mandatory
for assessees with taxable income in excess of Rs 5 lakh.

writingonblog uncensored: Post master general urges TN to clear encroachment...

writingonblog uncensored: Post master general urges TN to clear encroachment...: Chennai: It was a celebration of century old colonial charm of Postal department’s Red Building which stood the passage of time even as ...

Post master general urges TN to clear encroachment in post offices

Chennai:

It was a celebration of century old colonial charm of Postal
department’s Red Building which stood the passage of time even as
concerns were raised by officials over the encroachment of post
offices in the state.

Speaking during the Centenary celebrations of Red Building of postal
accounts here on Thursday, Chief Postmaster General of Tamil Nadu
circle T Murthy expressed concern that post offices in the state are
prone to encroachment.

 “I have written a letter to the state chief secretary as well as the
director general of police to clear the encroachment which could even
pose a security threat,” Murthy said.

He said the space of the post offices are being encroached by tea
vendors or juice sellers and this could even pose a security threat to
the postal department.

He also highlighted the history of the Red Building, a period
construction evocative of the late 19th century or early 20th century.

Interestingly, during the event postal department also felicitated two
of the retired postal employees who had served in the colonial era.
Walking down memory lane, 90-year-old Ramanathan said that the Red
building was the only building in the five acre land. He said during
the colonial era there were only 500 employees but after the first
Central Pay Commission, the staff strength has risen to 2,000.

Interestingly, the building stands as living testimony to its
continuous usage upto the present time when the entire cityscape
around it has changed.

Madras High Court judge V Ramasubramanian hailed the role of postal
department while chronicling its history from the Raj days. A special
cover was also released during the occasion.

writingonblog uncensored: DAE upgrading Kudankulam PHC at a cost of Rs 10 cr...

writingonblog uncensored: DAE upgrading Kudankulam PHC at a cost of Rs 10 cr...: Chennai: The Department of Atomic Energy is upgrading the primary heath centre at Kudankulam at a cost of about Rs 10 crore. DAE said ...

DAE upgrading Kudankulam PHC at a cost of Rs 10 crore

Chennai:

The Department of Atomic Energy is upgrading the primary heath centre
at Kudankulam at a cost of about Rs 10 crore.

DAE said that building civil works have been completed and the medical
equipment and other medical infrastructure requirements are being
processed by the joint Director, (Health Service) of the state
government in co-ordination with the District Collector, Tirunelveli.

Setting up of Primary Health Centres at Chettikulam Panchayat and
Uvari Panchayat has also been taken up at a cost of  Rs one crore
each. Civil works of the building has been completed.

For education, projects like construction of Anaganwadi buildings,
construction of class rooms in schools, provisions of toilets,
installation of water purifiers, provisions of computers, furniture,
teaching aids etc. have been taken up in villages around Kudankulam.

In the two years 2012-13 and 2013-14, a total expenditure of about Rs
2.61 crore has been incurred in this regard.

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA survey reveals 182 buildings deviated from or...

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA survey reveals 182 buildings deviated from or...: Chennai: Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has till now surveyed 314 multi-storied as well as special buildings and found that...

CMDA survey reveals 182 buildings deviated from original plan

Chennai:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has till now surveyed 314
multi-storied as well as special buildings and found that 182 of them
had deviated from the original plan.

A CMDA official told Express that CMDA inspection teams have till now
surveyed 149 multi-storied buildings as well as 165 special buildings.


During the survey it was found that 161 buildings had minor deviations
and 21 had major deviations. The 21 buildings which had major
deviations were issued stop work notices, the CMDA official said.

However, the official refused to share details of the 21 buildings
where major deviations had been found. “These pertain to the columns
in the buildings and the developers have vowed to set it right. The
details would create confusion and fear among the people,” he said.


On buildings with minor deviations, he said they would get their
completion certificate only after the defects were rectified, the

 The inspection by CMDA officials comes in the wake of the collapse of
11-storied Moulivakkam building that killed more than 60 people. A
total of 700 buildings were ordered to be inspected for structural
defects.

The survey is likely to be completed in the next one week



Survey status:

Multi-storied Buildings:  149

Special buildings:  165

Major deviations:  21

Minor deviations:  161