writingonblog uncensored: Afghan women get wings to fly as Taliban fear lurk...

writingonblog uncensored: Afghan women get wings to fly as Taliban fear lurk...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:  Second Lieutinant Hassiana Najibi, the trainee pilot of Afghan Air Force, is confident of making a mark in her ...

Afghan women get wings to fly as Taliban fear lurks

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: 

Second Lieutinant Hassiana Najibi, the trainee pilot of Afghan Air Force, is confident of making a mark in her flying career. Taking a cue from Hollywood films, she chose her career in Afghan Air Force.

With her hair covered and sporting the Afghan uniform at Officers Training Academy, one of India’s only premier institute’s that trains women officers, Najibi has the confidence of conquering the male bastion with the words ‘I Can.”

Interestingly, she is not the lone Afghan trainee pilot who is trained on war tactics and leadership in OTA. She is accompanied by Zuhra Nabizadi and Nassema, who is a flight engineer. They are among the batch of 19 Afghan women who are being trained in combat, leadership and other aspects.

Although the influence of Taliban in the Afghan society could be felt as both women don’t want to reveal more details about the family. “It is a totally well knit society and women have to adhere to the tenets of Islam as such they don’t want to reveal any more details,” says Captain Sirajulhaq Safi. However, women like Zuhra and Hassiana have overcome the fear of not joining the military despite facing restrictions which pertain to religion and culture.

However, the Afghan women envy the freedom given to Indian army officer. “They have more facilities and freedom,” says Zuhra when queried about how they feel about Indian women in armed forces.

Interestingly, the trainee pilots take pride that they are among the five selected for being a pilot in the Indian Airforce among the 3,000 girls, who wrote the exam.

However, the women have faith that the society is also changing as women are being given opportunities.

Major Thejassmitha from Indian Army, who is coordinating with the Afghan army personnel, said that the training schedule has been altered based on request from Afghan National Army. “Now the training programme has been extended by a week more and there have been two interpreters who are specialized in two dialects of Afghans,” she says.

“This year apart from the IAF officers, we have women from Infantry, Logistics and Special Forces who are being trained in OTA,” said Thejassmitha.

Interestingly, Officers Training Academy has become the hub for training women and men officers from various countries. This year lady cadets from Bhutan, Uganda, Syechelles, Maldives and other countries are undergoing training in the acdemy. It is learnt that more batches from Afghan national Army is expected in Officers Training Academy

writingonblog uncensored: Will toilets in hotels and restaurants be opened f...

writingonblog uncensored: Will toilets in hotels and restaurants be opened f...: C Shivakumar @ Chennai: Could Tamil Nadu emulate the Delhi model where in it will be made mandatory for hotels and restaurants to allo...

Will toilets in hotels and restaurants be opened for public access!

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

Could Tamil Nadu emulate the Delhi model where in it will be made mandatory for hotels and restaurants to allow any member of public to use their toilet?

It is learnt that the state government is considering a plan for making it mandatory to keep toilets open for women and children in restaurants, petrol pumps and hotels.

The issue was raised during the Conference of Governors and Lt governors held on June 4 and 5 at New Delhi and official sources say that the Municipal Administration and Water supply department is actively considering it.

Officials told Express that in Delhi, toilets are kept open for ladies and children in restaurants, petrol pumps and hotels. “It is mandatory while giving licence to the hotels,” said sources.

It is learnt that Municipal Administration and Water supply department is looking at the feasibility of making amendment in the act to make the provisions for giving licence to hotels and restaurants.

Sources believe this would allow the public to access additional toilets in Chennai but hotels and restaurants are not happy with it. Usually, restaurants only allow customers to use their toilets.

Dr M Venkadasubbu, President Tamil Nadu Hotels & Restaurants Association told Express that on humanitarian grounds hotels and restaurants are allowing women and children to use the toilets.

But then this can’t be made mandatory especially in the crowded areas like bus terminals or stations. “It could create hygiene issues. Already the toilets used by public in bus terminus are not maintained properly. How would hotels and restaurant main it when it is thrown open for public use,” he questioned.

The move is aimed at combating the lack of restrooms in public spaces and curbing people from relieving themselves in public.

writingonblog uncensored: CPCB orders Manali Petrochemicals plant to be shut...

writingonblog uncensored: CPCB orders Manali Petrochemicals plant to be shut...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Central Pollution Control Board has ordered Manali Petrochemicals (Plant I) to close down operations for non-c...

writingonblog uncensored: CPCB orders Manali Petrochemicals plant to be shut...

writingonblog uncensored: CPCB orders Manali Petrochemicals plant to be shut...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Central Pollution Control Board has ordered Manali Petrochemicals (Plant I) to close down operations for non-c...

CPCB orders Manali Petrochemicals plant to be shut down; Directs Tangedco to disconnect power

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

Central Pollution Control Board has ordered Manali Petrochemicals (Plant I) to close down operations for non-compliance of environmental norms with immediate effect.

It has also sent in a mail to state electricity board requesting it to disconnect electricity supply of the unit and allow supply only for domestic and security reasons.

According to information available with Express, the plant, which was inspected by the regional directorate of Central Pollution Control Board from Bengaluru, was found to be non-complaint while releasing effluents.

The report by CPCB states that analysis of treated effluent samples collected from Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) outlet of Manali Petrochemicals found that Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 114 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre which is greater than the 100 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre.

Similarly, the study also found that Chemical Oxygen demand (COD), the total measurement of all chemicals (organics & in-organics) in the water or waste water, is 476 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre which is greater than that of 250 milligrams per litre prescribed by CPCB.

Similarly, during the stack monitoring in boiler of the plant, the concentration of particulate matter (PM) parameter was alarmingly high. The CPCB reported it as 474 mg per cubic metre which exceeds the parameter of 100mg per cubic metre.

Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream.

Any exposure to above 250mg per cubic metre is very hazardous. It would cause serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. It also poses serious risk of respiratory effects in general population.

Similarly, the suphur-dioxide (SO2) parameters was also found to be alarmingly high of 3,457 milligrams per cubic metre which is double than the prescribed 1700 milligram per cubic metre. This is considered as severe level of pollution .

Petrochemical industries comes under one of the 17 categories of highly polluting industries which have been discharging environmental pollutants directly or indirectly into the ambient air and water having potential threat to cause adverse effect on the air and water quality.

A spokesperson of Manali Petrochemicals told Express, "We are in the process of addressing the concerns of CPCB.”

Interestingly, this direction from CPCB comes after they have issued showcause notice to their other plant last month for failing to comply with the environment norms.

It is learnt that during the inspection by regional directorate of Central Pollution Control Board officials in Bengaluru on September 25, 2018, the Online Continuous Emission/Effluent System (OCEMS) found that the carbon monoxide (CO) exceeded the parameter during the month of July and August 2018.

Factfile:

1.  CPCB directs Manali Petrochemicals (plant I) to shut down operations.

2.  Analysis by CPCB found that Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 114 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre which is greater than the 100 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre.

3.  Concentration of particulate matter (PM) parameter was reported as 474 mg per cubic metre which exceeds the parameter of 100mg per cubic metre.

4.  The suphur-dioxide (SO2) parameters was also found to be alarmingly high of 3,457 milligrams per cubic metre which is double than the prescribed 1700 milligram per cubic metre.

writingonblog uncensored: NHRC urged to reopen case on killing of anti-Sterl...

writingonblog uncensored: NHRC urged to reopen case on killing of anti-Sterl...: EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ CHENNAI: Two months after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) closed the case pertaining to killing of 13...

NHRC urged to reopen case on killing of anti-Sterlite protesters

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ CHENNAI:

Two months after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) closed the case pertaining to killing of 13 anti-Sterlite protesters by Tamil Nadu police personnel in Thoothkudi, human rights groups have urged the commission to re-open the case after the post-mortem reports of the victims was leaked to the media.

The autopsy reports of 12 out of 13 protesters killed, show they were hit by bullets in the head or chest, and half of them were shot from behind.

Urging the National Human Rights commission to reopen the case pertaining to killing of anti-Sterlite protesters, Henri Tiphagne, founder and executive director of Madurai-based human rights organisation People's Watch, has urged NHRC chairperson H L Dattu that families of those killed in the firing were denied the post-mortem reports for seven months despite Tamil Nadu government assurance to Madras High court that it will be handed over to the victims' families.

Alleging that Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of enquiry has till now examined 90 witnesses and needs to examine 450 more witness which will take a minimum of one more year, Henri said NHRC before closing the case should have insisted on asking for details of the disciplinary action initiated against those senior officers whose command was responsible for the actions that followed leading to the killings and several hundred being injured.

“Till date there is no FIR that names any police personnel or officere responsible for the deaths that have occurred and the several hundred injured persons,” said Henri.

“The Commission while putting the onus on the Judicial Commission formed by the government of Tamil Nadu has failed to use its own powers under the protection of Human Rights which is more wide and powerful that the Terms of Reference of the Judicial Commission formed by the government of Tamil Nadu,” he stated.

Narendra Modi inaugurates Bogibeel bridge that will provide connectivity to nearly five million people residing in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh

Mumbai:

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today dedicated the Bogibeel bridge to the nation. Built on the Brahmaputra river in Dibrugarh district of Assam, it is the first fully welded steel bridge and the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India. HCC constructed the entire 4.9 km-long superstructure.

Bogibeel bridge will provide connectivity to nearly five million people residing in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The project boasts of multiple benefits such as strategic and speedier access for defence forces to the Indo-China border, seamless access for medical facilities to remote north-eastern states, and most importantly reducing by nearly 10 hours the transportation distance between NH-37 and NH-52, saving transportation cost, time and fuel.

Arjun Dhawan, Director & Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “HCC has time and again undertaken complex infrastructure projects that are benchmarks in India’s infrastructure journey. Bogibeel Bridge is an engineering masterpiece which has many technical firsts to its name. It is India’s first fully welded Warren truss girder type steel bridge. Not only has an incremental launching technique for superstructure erection been used for the first time in India, it is also the world’s longest incrementally launched steel bridge. HCC is proud to create such marvels for the nation.”

The HCC team through its sheer determination and grit completed this project, as bridging the mighty Brahmaputra has always been a daunting task. The river is extremely difficult to bridge due to various reasons including its ferocious and unpredictable behaviour, high currents and turbulent waters, widespread erosion of the banks, short working period, high seismicity and the sheer remoteness of the area. With the width ranging from 1.2 km to 18 km, the Brahmaputra has been bridged only four times in the past; HCC holds the distinction of building two of these bridges and has now constructed the fifth.

The superstructure of the Bogibeel bridge has been constructed using special copper-bearing steel plates in order to reduce corrosion. Furthermore, due to excessive humidity in the area, a complex Corrosion Protection System specific to different components of the bridge has been implemented. To offer good stability to the heavy spans (1700 MT), seismic restrainers are provided. The bridge is designed to withstand earthquakes with magnitudes in excess of 7.0.