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Chandrayaan-1 nears 75,000 km height, inches closer to Moon
Bangalore, Oct 25 (PTI) India's Chandrayaan-1 has covered 20 per cent of its journey towards Moon as ISRO scientists today performed the second orbit-raising manoeuvre.
The lunar spacecraft's on-board 440 Newton Liquid engine was fired for about 16 minutes from 5.48 am.
With this engine firing, Chandrayaan-1's apogee (farthest point to earth) has been raised to 74,715 km, while its perigee (closest point to earth) has been raised to 336 km, ISRO spokesperson S Satish said.
ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair termed today's orbit-raising operation as "record-breaking".
"So far, Indian-made satellites have reached to a height of only 36,000 km. Today's firing has taken Chandrayaan-1 to something like 75,000 km. That's well beyond what we have reached so far. It was a good event, and done precisely," Nair, also secretary in the Department of Space, said.
Indicating the complexity of the India's first unmanned lunar mission, he said when the spacecraft is closer to the earth, its gravitational field is well defined and scientists can shape the trajectory.
"When you go further and further, earth's influence comes down. Influence of Moon and Sun becomes predominant. Even other planets will have an influence on it," he said.
Moon lies at a distance of about 3,84,000 km from earth. ISRO officials said Chandrayaan-1 is expected to settle into lunar orbit, 100 km above Moon, on November 8.
All systems on board the spacecraft, launched on October 22, were functioning normally, ISRO said, adding that further orbit-raising manoeuvres to take Chandrayaan-1 to still higher orbits are planned in the next few days. PTI
Air Defence gaps due to govt failure: Antony
Bangalore, Oct 25 (PTI) With CAG indicting the government for the vulnerability of the Indian air space to enemy attacks due to gaps in the air defence cover, Defence Minister A K Antony today admitted there was a failure on his Ministry's part for not providing the necessary radars and equipment on time to the IAF.
"I don't dispute the fact that because of our failure in providing necessary radars and other equipment to our forces, there is some serious problem. We are lagging behind," Antony told reporters here on the sidelines of an air display of HAL-development aircraft.
However, Antony also tried to shift the blame for the gaps and the failure to erstwhile Congress and NDA governments, pointing out that India had lived with the lack of radars for the last 17 years.
"The process of induction of radars and other equipment started in 1991. There are various reasons (for the delay). In the last 17 years, we were not able to provide necessary air defence equipment to the IAF. But these were in the past. Now I can tell you, there are problems. I agree with you," Antony said to queries on fixing responsibility for the gaps in the country's air defence.
India could have inducted most advanced radars much earlier, the Defence Minister said adding that only in the last few years has the process of induction of modern radars and equipment begun moving very fast. PTI
India must stop military assistance to Lanka demands CPI
New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) CPI today demanded that India should stop military assistance to Sri Lanka and reopen and renegotiate an agreement that provides rights to Indian fishermen in the international waters between the two countries. Party MP D Raja said whether lethal or non-lethal any assistance provided to Sri Lanka now now would be used in war and this would be construed as a "collaboration" in the "offensive" against Tamils by that country.
He said the government has not not come clean on the issue and on the rights of the Indian fishermen under the Katchathivu agreement of 1974.
Raja said the government use its good offices with the Sri Lankan president Rajapakse and bring about a ceasefire and a political solution to the problem of ethnic Tamils. PTI
Left to protest against govt not convening a fresh session
New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Terming government's decision not to convene a fresh Winter Session as a "serious assault" on democracy, Left parties today said they would work with other parties to evolve a joint protest action on the issue.
"By this step, the UPA government has taken the unprecedented step of doing away with both the regular Monsoon and Winter Sessions of Parliament. This is a serious assault on parliamentary democracy and politically immoral," General Secretaries of the CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc said in a signed statement here.
Government announced that the session called on October 17, which itself was a continuation of the July 21-22 trust vote session, will be reconvened on December ten.
The Left parties would consult other like-minded parties in the opposition and decide on "an effective protest and a joint course of action," they said.
The signatories to the statement were Prakash Karat (CPI-M), A B Bardhan (CPI), T J Chandrachoodan (RSP) and Debabrata Biswas (Forward Bloc). PTI
Bhupathi-Knowles in semis of Swiss ATP event
Basel (Switzerland), Oct 25 (PTI) Indian Davis Cupper Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles made a brilliant comeback to tame Jarkko Nieminen and Jordan Kerr to advance to the semifinals of the euro 891,000 ATP Swiss Indoor tournament here.
The second seeded Indo-Bahamian pair lost the first set but rallied to register a 5-7 6-3 10-5 win over the Finnish-Australian pair in the quarterfinals of the hard court event.
Bhupathi and Knowles could not win the only breakpoint they got in the first set but their rivals succeeded in converting one of the three chances to take a 1-0 lead.
The second seeds then made amends in the second set as they broke their rivals once and also saved one breakpoint to take the set and level the scores.
With some good service returns, Bhupathi and Knowles clinched the issue. They now lock horns with the Argentine pair of Jose Acasuso and Aqustin Calleri. PTI
Bopanna-Mirnyi in semis of St. Petersburg Open
St Petersburg (Russia), Oct 25 (PTI) Rohan Bopanna and his Belarussian partner Max Mirnyi overcame a second-set lapse to advance to the semifinals of USD 1,049,000 St Petersbug Open here.
The unseeded pair of Bopanna and Mirnyi tamed the formidable Russian pair of Igor Kunitsyn and former World number one Marat Safin 6-4 3-6 13-11 in one hour and 15 minutes to move to the next level.
The Indo-Belarusian pair converted one of the four break points and saved the only break point they faced to take the first set.
Their rivals curbed their errors and converted both the breakpoints that Bopanna and Mirnyi offered to draw parity in the match.
However, the Bopanna-Mirnyi combine held their nerves in the decisive super tie-breaker to walk away with the match.
They next face giant killers in Slovakian Michal Mertinak and Croatia's Lovic Zovko, who stunned the second seeded Czech pair of Martin Damm and Pavel Vizner in their opening round. PTI
Ratnika becomes youngest National Champion
New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Delhi's Ratnika Batra today became the youngest national tennis champion after outplaying qualifier Shweta Rana in straight sets in a lop-sided final of the women's hard court tournament at the DLTA complex here.
The 14-year-old class IX student, Ratnika, who entered the main draw as a wild card, defeated her Himachal Pradesh rival 6-3 6-0 to lift the title.
The victory also won Ratnika a wild card for the USD 10,000 ITF event, to be held in Bangalore in February.
It was perhaps for the first time that the summit clash of a women's national championship was fought between a wild card and a qualifier.
Ratnika, who had won the under-14 and under-16 national championship titles last year, had knocked out two seeded players, including top seed Shalini Sahoo en route to the final.
However, top players like Isha Lakhani, Ankita and Sanaa Bhambri and Rushmi Chakravarthi did not participate in the event as they preferred to play in ITF tournaments abroad.
This took the sheen off the tournament but at the same time it gave youngsters an opportunity to hog the limelight.
Ratnika began on a disastrous note by dropping her serve in the very first game of the match but then went on to win 12 games out of 14. PTI
UN asks N-states to work toward nuclear disarmament
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Oct 25 (PTI) Emphasising that the financial crisis has triggered the need for an international cooperation to tackle global issues, United Nations has asked the nuclear weapon States, including India, to take the advantage of the atmosphere to revitalise the world disarmament agenda.
In his address to East-West Institute, an independent international body focusing on security issues, yesterday Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the N-weapon States to move towards total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Advocating a five point proposal to achieve the aim, Ban urged the nuclear weapon States, including the five permanent members of the Security Council to keep their promise to launch negotiations to achieve total disarmament.
The Secretary General also supported the idea of the General Assembly holding a summit on disarmament and called for steps to bring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force.
But the call was not well received by either of the major powers the United States and Russia who hold most of the warheads and have failed to any major move to reduce their number.
Russian Ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak declined to give his reaction immediately, saying Moscow would like to study the proposals.
But the United States diplomats virtually rejected most of his proposal, repeating Washington's stand of not becoming a party to CTBT.
Besides P5 the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons and Israel is widely believed to have them.
India too has repeatedly proposed time-bound nuclear weapon disarmament but has not taken off with the major powers in no mood to move in the direction. PTI
UN Secy General seeks total elimination of N-weapons
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Oct 25 (PTI) Making a strong pitch for total elimination of nuclear weapons, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has mooted a multi-prong strategy to achieve the goal, including steps to bring CTBT into force and assurance to non-nuclear states that they would not be subjected to an atomic attack.
He asked the nuclear weapon states to move towards complete elimination of atomic arms, stressing that the cost and risk of any alternative strategy would be heavy.
Noting that the financial crisis has triggered an increasing awareness of the need for international cooperation to tackle the global issues, he called for taking advantage of the atmosphere to revitalise the international disarmament agenda.
In his address to East-West Institute, he advocated a five-point proposal to achieve the aim but it was not well received by either of the major powers the United States and Russia who hold most of the warheads and have failed to respond to any major move to reduce their number.
India too has repeatedly proposed time-bound nuclear weapon disarmament. In fact, several disarmament groups have expressed their dismay at the major powers trying to improve upon the weapons they already possess to increase their effectiveness and power.
Ban urged the nuclear weapon states to keep their promise to launch negotiations to achieve total disarmament and the five permanent members of UN Security Council to open discussions on security issues related to disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, including atomic, chemical and biological, to prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorists. PTI
Japan, Germany assure support to Pak over fin crisis, terrorism
Beijing, Oct 25 (PTI) Japan and Germany today assured Pakistan their full support in addressing the issue of terrorism and overcoming financial crisis it was facing in the wake of global economic recession.
During their separate meetings with Pakistani Premier Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of second day of 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit here, Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro and German Chancellor Angela Markel said their countries will actively participate in the - Friends of Pakistan - group to help the country steer out of the financial crisis.
"These were very productive and useful interactions. They are friends of Pakistan and they really want to help us," Prime Minister Gilani was quoted as saying by the Pakistan's official APP news agency. He was talking to newsmen after holding meetings with Japanese and German leaders.
He said they discussed wide-ranging issues of common interest. They appreciated Pakistan's position and consistent efforts in dealing with menace of extremism and terrorism.
Gilani said, both the leaders assured that their countries will stand by Pakistan at the present difficult time, so that its people could live a peaceful and prosperous life.
The Pakistani Prime Minister said that the global community wants to see a strong and stable Pakistan and it is in the interest of whole world to curb scourge of terrorism in its all forms and manifestation.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday sought pro-active support of the world community to fight terrorism, terming it is a common enemy of all the peace-loving countries.
Addressing the plenary session of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) here, Gilani stated that the terrorism is a serious problem that was affecting the very fabric of Pakistan's society. PTI
LTTE claims Lanka army attack killed civilians in Kilinochchi
T V Sriram
Colombo, Oct 25 (PTI) Sri Lankan army intensified their pressure on the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, destroying bunkers, as Tamil Tigers today claimed that the advancing government forces had launched an artillery barrage on a village, killing two civilians.
"Sri Lankan Army carried out artillery barrage last evening targeting Sivanakar, a village 7 km west of Kilinochchi. In this attack former Cooperative Society Manager Sinaiya Ramalingam (68) and his son, a schoolteacher, Ramalingam Vijiyananthan (32) were killed," a LTTE statement said.
The pro-tiger website 'Tamilnet' said the two were shifting to a safer place when the attack took place, in which a tractor driver narrowly escaped death.
The Sri Lankan defence ministry reported heavy fighting in four places around Akkarayankulm, Iranamadu, Kokavil and Kalmadu areas, all close to the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi. It did not provide any details of casualties, in keeping with the new government line.
"Troops of the 57 Division operating east and west of the Akkarayankulama Tank bund, Kilinochchi, made further strides into LTTE positions inflicting heavy damages to LTTE," the ministry quoted the sources as saying.
According to military, two separate confrontations were reported in general area of Akkarayankulama while sporadic fighting were also reported northeast of the same area.
Separately, troops of the 57 Division flanking the eastern Kilinochchi battlefront and moving towards Iranamadu area met with stiff LTTE resistance at around 7.30 pm on Friday, the ministry said adding LTTE suffered heavy casualties. PTI
Inflation still a matter of concern: Subbarao
Mumbai, Oct 25 (PTI) With inflation still in double-digits, the Reserve Bank has not tinker with key rates in its credit policy to push up growth as it has to balance price stability and growth.
"There are inflationary concerns (in the economy) even though in a mathematical sense, it is coming down...We have to balance the concerns of maintaining price stability and sustaining growth," Reserve Bank Governor D Subbarao told reporters here today.
After injecting Rs 1,85,000-crore liquidity into the banking system through various monetary and fiscal measures, including a 2.5 per cent cut in cash reserve ratio and a one per cent cut in key short-term repo rate in recent weeks, the Reserve Bank left its rates unchanged in the credit policy unveiled yesterday.
While the apex bank has lowered the growth rate to 7.5-8 per cent for FY'09, it has retained the earlier inflation target of lowering it to seven per cent by March-end.
Inflation continued to be a matter of concern as the RBI forecast is based on not merely the wholesale price index but also other data, he said.
"The RBI makes a deeper study and if one analyses the consumer price index, the CPI for agricultural and rural labour was up by 11 per cent and that for industry was up 9 per cent," he said.
Oil prices, though declining still continued to be volatile and kharif output, though promising, is forecasted to be lower, he said, adding that "a weakening rupee also adds to inflationary pressures." The RBI has announced its monetary policy in the light of these concerns and balanced the need for financial and price stability while propping up sagging growth, he said.
Inflation fell to 11.07 per cent for the week ended October 11. PTI
8 pc growth will be achieved this year: Chidambaram
Sivaganga (TN), Oct 25 (PTI) Finance Minister P Chidamabram today said the government will take care to see that the global recession did not have any direct impact on the Indian economy that will continue to grow at 8 per cent this fiscal.
The eight per cent growth rate achieved in the previous years would be sustained this year, he said at the inauguration of the renovated spinning mill of the National Textile Corp at Kalaiyarkoil near here in his constituency.
Though the Indian economy was linked with the world economy, the global recession would not have any direct impact on the country's economy, he said.
He said the government was rehabilitating all the sick industrial units, whether it was in public or private sector. "We want both the private and public sector to thrive," he said.
The rehabilitation of sick units was mainly to increase the employment opportunities, he added.
Minister of state for textile E V K S Elangovan also participated in the function. PTI
Gold surges by Rs 660 to Rs 12,210 on firm global trend
New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Gold prices staged a strong come back, snapping a four-day long losing streak surging by Rs 660 at Rs 12,210 per ten gram on the bullion market here on speculative buying amid firming global trend.
Standard gold and ornaments which had lost Rs 1,410 each in last four trading sessions, bounced back to close with a gain of Rs 660 each at Rs 12,210 and Rs 12,060 per ten grams respectively. Sovereign rose by Rs 100 at Rs 10,500 per piece of eight gram.
Marketmen said recovery trend in global markets where the the metal touched 735 dollar an ounce mainly attributed to rise in both gold and silver prices.
They said fresh buying by stockists and retailers at prevailing lower levels to meet ongoing marriage and festival season demand also gave push to the uptrend.
A similar trend was extended to white metal as silver ready notched a handsome gain of Rs 400 to Rs 16,900 per kg while weekly-based delivery by Rs 550 to Rs 16,750 per kg. Silver coins, however, lost Rs 100 at Rs 28,000 for buying and Rs 28,100 for selling of 100 pieces. PTI
Court rejects bail to arrested film directors
Ramanathapuram (TN), Oct 25 (PTI) A court here today rejected bail pleas of Tamil film directors Seeman and Ameer, arrested on sedition charges, and remanded them to judicial custody till November 7.
The two were arrested in Chennai yesterday in connection with a case registered against them here by the "Q" branch police for making 'inflammatory speeches' during the Oct 19 Tamil cinema industry rally at Rameswaram in the district in support of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Magistrate Thangavel, rejecting their bail applications, remanded them to judicial custody till November 7 when they were produced in the court by the Q branch police.
Police sources said the two would be lodged in the Central Prison in Madurai.
Seeman and Ameer were earlier brought from Chennai to Madurai by a flight this morning and then here by road. PTI
Angelina Jolie appeals for greater support to Afghan refugees
New York, Oct 25 (PTI) Leading Hollywood actress and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN refugee agency, Angelina Jolie, has appealed for greater support to Afghan refugees returning home to enable to withstand the approaching harsh winter.
She pleaded the cause of returning refugees after a three-day visit to the war-torn country which was aimed at raising awareness on the issue ahead of an international conference on reintegration of refugees. The meet will be held in Kabul.
During her trip, Jolie visited recent returnees in the eastern province of Nangarhar, where almost 20 per cent of all Afghans who returned to the homeland have settled since 2002.
The returnees, who are living on desolate, desert land in tattered tents and makeshift shelters, told her they could not return to their places of origin due to a lack of land and poor security.
"The courage, resilience and quiet dignity of returnee families rebuilding their lives against the kind of adversity few of us can imagine shows the human spirit at its best," said the actress, and mother of six.
Jolie also visited families in Kabul who had returned from Pakistan in 2003 but have still been unable to go back to their home villages. The families have been squatting in public buildings in Kabul for several years due to the lack of available land in Parwan, their province of origin, according to UNHCR.
The returnees explained that landlessness and insecurity were not the only obstacles to return. Economic problems in rural areas such as a lack of employment opportunities also influenced their decision to remain in Kabul despite the difficulties they face there. PTI
Digest of domestic news for the week Oct 18-Oct 24, 2008
Saturday Chennai/Bangalore: Indian Space Research Organisation (I.S.R.O.)scientists begin launch rehearsal exercises at the Sriharikota spaceport as part of preparatory drill for the blast off of Chandrayaan-I -- India's ambitious moon mission.
Lucknow: The Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh decides to return the land in Rae Bareli for construction of a rail coach factory, an issue on which she had a high-pitched spat with Congress President Sonia Gandhi during the week.
Sunday Chennai: Dayanidhi Maran, a former Union Minister and estranged grand-nephew of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi hands over his letter of resignation from the Lok Sabha to the DMK supremo in 'solidarity' with fellow Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs who resigned over the Sri Lankan issue.
New Delhi: To strengthen its air combat machinery along the borders with both Pakistan and China, India decides to deploy its air superiority Su-30MKI fighter aircraft in Jodhpur in Rajasthan and Chhabua in Assam.
Monday New Delhi: Putting behind differences within, the Election Commission announces an unprecedented seven-phase assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir beginning November 17 and spread over six weeks saying it has taken a "risk" in the backdrop of boycott calls in the Valley.
New Delhi: In a message from the top political leadership aimed at allaying fears, Prime Minister declares both the public and private sector banks to be financially sound and deposits to be safe but cautions the country to be prepared for a "temporary slowdown" in the economy.
Tuesday Mumbai: In a pre-dawn arrest, Raj Thackeray is picked up by police in connection with the attack on north Indian job aspirants and will spend the night in a lock-up despite getting bail in one case sparking sporadic violence in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra.
Salamabad/Chakan-Da-Bagh(J-K): After a gap of over six decades, India and Pakistan restores cross-LoC trade by launching truck services on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkote roads, scripting a new chapter in bilateral ties.
Wednesday Sriharikota (AP): India's maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-I begins its historic journey to the moon when an indigenously developed rocket placed the spacecraft into the Transfer Orbit "perfectly".
Bharatpur (Rajasthan): At 18 people, including ten children, are killed and an equal number of people injured when five to six houses collapse following fire crackers explosions at Deegh, about 30km from here Thursday Chennai: The politics in Tamil Nadu over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue hotted up when firebrand MDMK leader Vaiko, a vocal supporter of LTTE, was arrested on the charge of publicly supporting the banned militant outfit.
New Delhi: Seeking to counter Pakistan's charge that it had blocked the flow of water of Chenab river,India furnishes data related to water level of the river as senior officials of the two sides met here to discuss the issue. Friday New Delhi: In a move aimed at increasing energy availability in the country, India and Russia decide to develop viable technology for exploring gas hydrates which is a potential source for petroleum and is found on the sea bed.
Mumbai: The Reserve Bank holds steady its key rates, surprising bankers who said that customers would have to wait awhile for any cut in lending rates, even as the decision sent the stock markets tumbling. PTI
Are Indians spending too much on laundry?
Aditya Rangroo
New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI) It may not be laundering the way the taxman would salivate to read about increasing number of Indians are spending money on laundry but thanks to the hectic city life and efficient services offered by chains that are opening shops.
Laundry services across the country are becoming popular with working people and bachelors.
'Four Seasons,' a dry cleaning company in the capital says it continues to make profits despite charging high rates for its services.
Rates for shirts range between Rs 60 and Rs 80, trousers are charged Rs 110 per pair and charges for dry-cleaning one panel of curtain costs Rs 160.
"Many people come to our shop for laundry and dry cleaning and most of them are working couples. We also have home delivery facilities at nominal rates," says a staff member.
Market Research company A C Nielson pegs the country's dry-cleaning and laundry industry approximately between Rs 3,000 and Rs 3,500 crores.
The latest to open a chain in the capital is 'Wardrobe,' a chain in collaboration between Australian dry-cleaning and laundry major Brown Gouge and Delhi-based Diamond Fabcare.
According to B L Bajaj, Director of Wardrobe, the daily demand for laundry is expected to rise at 20-25 per cent annually.
Laundry care in India, he says has grown 8 per cent in current value terms in 2007 to reach Rs 84 billion.PTI
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