Best beaches in california

Best beaches in california

Top 10 Hotels in Sydney Australia

List of Top 10 Hotels in Sydney Australia

• Meriton Serviced Apartments Zetland, Sydney
• The Bayswater Sydney
• Cambridge Lodge Guest House
• Glasgow Arms Hotel
• Park Hyatt Sydney
• Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney
• Sir Stamford at Circular Quay Hotel Sydney
• The Langham, Sydney
• Quay West Suites Sydney

Source: http://www.kushwahaji.com/hotels/hotels-in-sydney-australia.html

Tourist Places in Kerala

Kerala, often referred to as Keralam, is a state in the south-west region of India on the Malabar coast. It was formed on 1 November 1956 as per the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam-speaking regions.

 Alappuzha Beach  

 Bekal    

 Beypore in Kozhikode   

Kappad beach, Kozhikode   

Kizhunna Beach, Kannur  

 

 

 

Sahara group lines up Rs 32,400 cr investment; 56k new jobs

Sahara group, whose legal battle with Sebi continues in Supreme Court over refund of over Rs 20,000 crore to investors, has made a surprise announcement of plans being afoot to hire over 56,000 new employees this year along with investments to the tune of nearly Rs 32,400 crore. In three-page newspaper advertisements, the group has invited applications for senior positions across business verticals within and outside country and said that these more than 56,000 new jobs need to be filled by the end of 2014. At the same time, it has also claimed that the group, which calls itself Sahara India Parivar, is "committed to creating four lakh salaried positions in next three years". 

The businesses for which job applications have been invited include FMCG & retail, dairy, poultry, luxury real estate and lifestyle, food factory, low-cost housing, CSR, education and even cruises (Sahara Water Homes). Besides job details, the group also disclosed specific investment targets for at least four business verticals and these investments total to an amount of Rs 32,394 crore. For its 'Luxury Retail: Sahara Global Mastercraft Ltd' business, the group said that an investment of Rs 1,400 crore would be made over five years, while Rs 5,172 crore would be invested in Food & Beverages and Entertainment: QSR (Quick Service Restaurants). Its 'International Business: Macedonia (Europe)' business is expected to see an investment of Rs 13,922 crore in dairy project and Rs 9,600 crore in hospitality project. 

Further, healthcare would seen an investment of Rs 2,300 crore for 5-7 years, according to the public notice. The group also claimed a huge asset base with a market value of "Rs 1,52,518 crore" and a land bank of 36,631 acres. This massive recruitment drive comes at a time when the group is caught in a legal battle with Sebi, which had charged it of raising over Rs 24,000 crore through various "illegalities" in issuance of certain bonds through two firms. These two firms -- Sahara India Real Estate Corp Ltd (SIREC) and Sahara India Housing Investment Corp Ltd (SHIC)-- were asked to refund the money to investors, while the Supreme Court also asked the group to comply with Sebi orders. Sahara group later deposited Rs 5,120 crore with Sebi and claimed that it was way above the outstanding amount due to be returned to investors as more than Rs 20,000 crore were already refunded directly. The Supreme Court has refused to allow Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy to leave the country till the companies provide details of refunding Rs 20,000 crore to investors. The apex court last week asked the group to furnish all the documents to reveal the source of Rs 22,885 crore which it claims to have refunded to the investors. Besides, the group was directed to place all documents including the bank statements sought by Sebi before February 11 when the court would take up the case for further hearings.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/sahara-group-linesrs-32400-cr-investment-56k-new-jobs_1036258.html?utm_source=ref_article

Now, a camera that ‘clicks’ smells

LONDON: What if you could recapture the aroma of that freshly baked birthday cake, or the whiff of your lover's shampoo? It may be possible with this new camera! Researchers in the UK have developed a camera that can capture the scent of your memories, recording smells instead of images.


The gadget, called Madeleine, is the invention of designer Amy Radcliffe at Central Saint Martins, who set out to bring a more meaningful sensory dimension to storing our favourite memories, the Guardian reported.

"The sense of smell has a direct link to emotional memory . It is the sense we react to most instinctively, and the furthest away from being stored or replicated digitally," Radcliffe told the newspaper.

In order to use the camera, a person needs to place a funnel attached to the camera over the object or environment they wish to capture. Then a pump sucks the air across an odour trap made of Tenax — a porous polymer resin which adsorbs the particles that make up the smell.

The working prototype can take anything from a few minutes to capture the ravishing scent of fresh strawberries , to around 24 hours to store the more subtle aroma of an atmosphere. "It's like a huge electric nose. It processes the particles and produces a graph-like formula that makes up the smell. From this formula you can artificially recreate the precise odour," she said.  Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com                            

iPhone Programming Path Made Easy

Hey Guys! Are you interested to learn In this section we focus on important things useful in iPhone Application development. Most of the developers build views through programming. The brief approach is shared here and the detailed discussion with examples will be provided in the next Article. Programming quickly and worried about time and efforts? Here is good picture and short path to initiate iPhone development. Insight /Outlines briefly: One should know the 8 base elements before start doing iPhone programming. The eight base elements indicate the programmer about the things involved and also a big picture on efforts. However everything made easy and clear to you and help you quickly give you a thumbnail view of the big picture. 

1. Platform – Mac OS 2. Processor – 64 bit 3. Compiler – GCC 4. Application Framework – IOS SDK from Apple 5. Target Devices – iPhone, iPod and iPad 6. Language – Object C 7. GUI API – Cocoa 8. IDE – XCode GUI Anatomy briefly: Here is no confusion; the anatomy is simple layout of a native iPhone screen (view). However we see so many other layouts created by different developer groups using web (HTML5 and CSS) and native (Cocoa Touch) which are creative hybrid interfaces. See below the core native view. Learning scope briefly: Step 1: Registering as iPhone developer. Registration is simple first activity to access free resources from Apple Developer site (http://developer.apple.com/). Download IOS SDK from http://developer.apple.com/iphone/. Step 2: Installing of IOS SDK. Installation of IOS SDK is to create development environment. The development environment consists XCode IDE, iPhone development Framework and other tools. Step 3: Joining Developer Program Joining Developer Program is to get access to Apples extended developer facilities to sign and distribute applications. Step4: Building simple App Once the developer environment is ready, it is right time to test the developer environment with a sample application. Follow the below steps to run a simple application. 1. Open XCode (double click on Macintosh HD Developer  Applications  XCode). 2. Create New Project (File  New Project). Select “Application” from “iPhone OS” category and “View-based Application” for template. 3. Name the project as “Hello World”. 4. The finished Project contains folders like “Classes”, “Other Sources”, “Resources”, “Frameworks” and “Products”. Note: Don’t worry about folder names, we will discuss in the later Articles. The Project sub-folders vary from IOS SDK version and Project options. Please don’t select “Story Board” option in case if you setup latest IOS SDK 5 environment. 5. Double click to open “HelloWorldViewController.xib” from “Resources” folder of the Project. 6. It opens the View in Interface Builder where User Controls. 7. Add Label control to the View (drag a Label control to View) and add “Hello, world” to it. Now save and execute. 8. Hello World Application is ready and opened in iPhone Simulator. iPhone Programming Approach briefly: In this section we focus on important things useful in iPhone Application development. Most of the developers build views through programming. The brief approach is shared here and the detailed discussion with examples will be provided in the next Article. 

1. Tools (XCode, Interface Builder and Instruments) XCode is to manage Project and its files. Interface Builder is to design GUI/View using standard UI Controls available in Library. 

2. Language (Object C and Cocoa Touch) Programming languages are based C. Discuss more about Object Programming and Cocoa Touch library in future Articles. 

3. Design (iPhone Human Interface Guidelines) Design involves creative GUI using Cocoa Touch and Object C. Apple provided more detailed information in its best practices document “iPhone Human Interface Guidelines”. 

4. Processes (Testing, Provisioning and Distribution) 

Note: Along with the above four pillars of iPhone programming, we also discuss on the important other pieces like XCode Project Types, View Controllers, Interface Builder, Instruments, Core Data, SQLite, Core Animation, Debugging, Provisioning, Distribution, Auto Release Pools, etc. About the Author: Subramanyam Somayajulu is an Mobile team project manager of iPhone Software Development expert Etisbew Technology Group. Etisbew has an impressive track record and expertise in the latest Information Technology, Website Redesign, Custom Application Development, ColdFusion, iphone, Blackberry, Android, Dotnet, Php and Java.

Agni-IV nuclear capable missile successfully test fired

Making a quantum jump in its missile programme, India has successfully test-fired a highly advanced nuclear capable Agni-4 long range ballistic missile with a strike range of 3,000 km from an island off Odisha coast.

The missile is one of its kind of world class providing many new technologies for the first time and its range can be boosted up to 3500 km, Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) spokesman Ravi Kumar Gupta said.

Agni-4 missile system has opened a new era in the class of long range missile having capability to carry strategic warheads for the forces and has provided a 'fantastic deterrence' to the country, he said.

The missile was launched from a Road Mobile System at 0900 hours on Tuesday from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheelers Island, defence sources said adding it paved the way for early test launch of Agni-5.

"The trial was fully successful. All mission objectives were fully met. All the systems functioned perfectly till the end encountering the re-entry temperatures of more than 3000 degree C," Gupta said.

Agni-4 missile, hitherto known as Agni-II Prime, had a text book trajectory and reached a height of about 900 km and reached the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal, a DRDO scientist said.

It is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield. The composite rocket motor was used for the first time and gave excellent performance.

It is 20 metres long with launch weight of 17 tonne. It can carry one tonne pay-load.

 "While the Agni-II missile has a strike range of 2000 km and Agni-III can hit a target at a distance of up to 3500 km, this new Agni-IV missile would bridge the gap," defence sources said.

Govt to unveil National Telecom Policy in January, 2012

The much-awaited National Telecom Policy-2011, will be unveiled in January next year, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said on Friday.

The policy was earlier expected to be unveiled by December this year, but delays in receiving recommendations have pushed the date to next year.

"The (draft) policy I have already announced as I had committed. Industry wants some more time to respond, we will give them time. All what will happen is finalisation of the policy will happen in January instead of December," Sibal said in New Delhi at an event.

He added that Trai's recommendations on the National Telecom Policy have just come in and the Department of Telecom is looking into the same.

"The Trai recommendations have just come, we will consider them, call Telecom Commission (meet)... move to Cabinet," Sibal said.

Sibal said the media is confusing between Trai's recommendations and the Telecom Policy.

"People must understand the difference between policy and Trai's recommendation. The Trai recommendations deal with the nitty-gritty of mergers and acquisition and all the other specific issues which never go in to policy," Sibal said.

The draft of the National Telecom Policy, 2011, was announced by Sibal in early October with a major thrust on transparency, an improved investment climate and promotion of consumer interest.

Under the draft plan, the Telecom Ministry is also looking to facilitate nation-wide free roaming, frame an exit policy for operators to surrender licences, give a push to indigenous manufacturing and promote an eco-system for development of a self-dependent telecom industry. 

Govt, RBI working to lower banking costs, expand reach: FM

Expressing concern over high costs and limited reach of banking services, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that the government was working in collaboration with RBI to address these concerns.

"The cost of banking intermediaries in India is high and bank penetration is limited to only a few customer segments and geographies," Mukherjee said in Mumbai on Sunday.

"We are trying to address this in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India, and with the active participation of the banking and non-banking financial entities," he added.

Mukherjee also said that there was a need to "reflect upon possible flaws in our system and address them to withstand adversities. We need to make our financial sector more competitive by enhancing efficiency and transparency."

"While greater competition is welcome, we have to guard against the competitive race to the bottom," he said, while expressing hope that this perspective would guide the growth of Indian banking system in the coming years.

Mukherjee was speaking at Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala Memorial Lecture 2011 as part of the centenary celebrations of Central Bank of India.

The PSU bank was set up by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala.

The Finance Minister said that PSU banks were playing a very important role in India's economic growth and they constitute over 72 per cent of the banking sector assets in the country.

"While they are expected to improve their outreach and scalability for sustaining high growth of the economy, they are second to none in retail banking practices and profitability. There are, however, several concerns that need to be fully addressed," Mukherjee said, in reference to the issues like high costs and need to expand the banks' reach to more customer segments and geographies.

The minister said that most of the financial sector policies in the past few decades were aimed at accelerating the penetration of the banking and financial services.

"However, as I said, the outcomes of these efforts are yet to show the desired results. Newer perspectives and approaches towards financial inclusion are the need of the hour.”

"There is a case for the policy makers and other stake holders to re-strategize the financial policies that are meant to reach the un-reached and the unbanked sections of our country," he added.

To address the issue of capital constraints faced by the PSU banks, Mukherjee said the government had provided over Rs 20,000 crore towards recapitalization of public sector banks during 2010-11.

"An additional amount of Rs 6,000 crore is also being provided for 2011-12. This will enable the PSBs to meet the credit requirements of the growing economy," he added.

Convert tax gains into higher investments: FM to cos

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee sought higher investments from companies in return for boosting their business margins through budget proposals like sparing any hike in excise duty rates.

He also sought help from Corporate India in pushing further the government's economic growth and reforms agenda and said this support was necessary for him to meet their expectations.

"Just as I have to meet up to your expectations to get you to scale new heights of productivity and growth, you also have to meet my hopes, in the process strengthening my hands," he said in opening remarks at post-budget conference organised by industry chamber Assocham in Mumbai on Sunday.

"Reforms are not a one shot exercise; they have to be pursued continuously in keeping with the changing contexts and the growing aspirations of the people. I can do more, when I have the space to do more. You have to do your bit to create that space for me," he added.

Speaking about this year's budget proposals, Mukherjee said that he had "the option to roll back the central excise duty to levels prevailing in November 2008. I have chosen not to do so and retain the rates at 10 per cent for two reasons."

"I would like to see improved business margins translated into higher investment rates. I would also like to stay my course towards GST," he added.

Mukherjee said that he wanted to address some "topical and emerging concerns" through his budget proposals.

"It is only then that I could hope to bring a convergence in the expectations of our investors, entrepreneurs and consumers on the macroeconomic prospects of the economy, and elicit the required response from them," he said.

He listed out five principal objectives for this year's budget proposals, the first being stronger fiscal consolidation to enlarge the resource space for private enterprise.

"Secondly, improving the supply response of agriculture to the expanding domestic demand. Together with fiscal consolidation, it would help in addressing inflationary pressures in the medium term.

The third objective, he said, was to take forward the process of reforms including in the financial sector, and the fourth was a continued thrust on an inclusive development process.

Mukherjee said that the final objective was to undertake reforms for simplifying and placing the administrative procedures concerning taxation, trade and tariffs and subsidies on electronic interface, free of discretion and bureaucratic delays.

"This would also prepare the ground for the implementation of the DTC and hopefully the GST as well, from April 2012," he said.

31 convicted, 63 acquitted in Godhra train burning case

31 people were convicted and 63 others, including the main accused Maulvi Umarji, were acquitted by a special court in Ahmedabad in the 2002 Godhra train burning incident that left 59 people dead and triggered violence in Gujarat that had claimed the lives of over 1200 people.

The sentencing would be pronounced on 25th February after arguments on the quantum of punishment by the Special Court that accepted the theory of conspiracy behind the burning of the coach of Sabarmati Express carrying kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya.

The court acquitted prime accused Maulana Umarji, Godhra Town Municipality chief Mohammad Abdul Rahim Kalota, Nannu Mian Chowdhary and Mohammad Ansari while other key accused Haji Billa and Rajjak Kurkur were convicted.

"Special Court judge P R Patel has convicted 31 accused while acquitting 63 others," Public Prosecutor J M Panchal said after the verdict inside the Sabarmati jail on Tuesday.

"On February 25, there will be a hearing on the point of sentence, and after that quantum of punishment will be pronounced," Panchal said. "The conspiracy theory has been accepted by the court," he said.

Scientific evidence, statement of witnesses, circumstantial and documentary evidence placed on record formed the basis of the judgement.

The trial conducted inside the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad began in June 2009 with the framing of charges against 94 accused in the carnage, that had triggered widespread communal riots in Gujarat.

The accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy and murder in burning of the S-6 coach of the train on 27th February 2002 near Godhra, about 125 km from Ahmedabad in which 59 people were killed.

"Petrol was brought and the train was made to stop. Electricity was then cut and there was pouring of huge quantity of petrol and thereafter it was set afire so far as S-6 coach is concerned," Panchal said replying to a query on prosecution's theory of conspiracy.

Asked whether he would demand death penalty for those convicted in the case, he said, "What will be the stand of prosecution I cannot disclose at this stage but on February 25, I will be making my humble submissions before the honourable court as discharge of my official duty."

On whether the prosecution was satisfied by the verdict, Panchal said, "There is no question of any satisfaction. One has to respect the judicial verdict. There cannot be a debate on the judicial verdict."

"Maulana (Umarje) has been acquitted because the judge found that he is not guilty. The grounds on which he has been acquitted can be said only after reading full text of the judgement," Panchal said on the release of the prime conspirator.

As many as 253 witnesses were examined during the trial and over 1,500 documentary evidences were presented before the court by the Gujarat police.

There were a total of 134 accused in the case, out of which 14 were released due to lack of evidence, five were juvenile, five died during proceedings of over nine years, 16 are absconding, and trial was conducted against 94 accused.

Of the 94, against whom the trial was conducted 80 are in jail and 14 are out on bail. Two different panels appointed to inquire into the 2002 case had given different views on the Godhra train burning incident.

The Nanavati Commission, appointed by the Gujarat government to probe the carnage, had in the first part of the report concluded that the fire in the S-6 coach was not an accident, but it was caused by throwing petrol inside it.

"The burning of the coach S-6 was a pre-planned act. In other words there was a conspiracy to burn the coach of the train coming from Ayodhya and to cause harm to the 'karsevaks' travelling in it," the report submitted to the government in September 2008 had said.

The one-man U C Banerjee Commission appointed by the Railway Ministry under Lalu Prasad Yadav had said that fire was "accidental".

Solar energy use in cell towers can reduce CO2 emission

Use of diesel generators in cellphone towers leads to a staggering five million tonnes of annual carbon emissions in India and there is a need to replace them with solar panels, says a new study.

With the number of mobile phone users in the country swelling rapidly, telecom operators are going in for more high-intensity cellphone towers for better network efficiency entailing a massive consumption of diesel -- about two billion litres every year --- for power generation to run them, said the study released by 'Future Energy' periodical published by Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA).

This is resulting in carbon emissions totalling over five million tonnes, it said.

The country at present has about 250,000 cellphone towers each of which use 3-5 kilowatts of power depending on the number of operators using them.

"Together, these towers use more than two billion litres of diesel every year for power generation. Apart from this, fuel is also spent for cooling the equipment. If all these cellphone towers use solar energy then it could save a great amount of fossil fuels as well as reduce carbon emissions," the study said.

It noted that cellphone towers are "energy-intensive" as they use power non-stop without interruption.

"Air conditioning of the equipment housed in the nearby hubs also takes up substantial amounts of energy. Thus any change in the power generation method of cellphone towers would make tremendous impact in terms of resource saving and reduction in carbon emissions. With telecom operators looking to expand operations in rural areas, even more telecom towers are set to come up," it said.

Considering the estimates predicting that India will have a billion cell phone subscribers by 2015, it is "extremely essential" that the policy mooted by the Central ministry of New and Renewable energy to energise cell phone towers using solar energy is implemented "as soon as possible" to reduce strain on the already scarce resources, the study said.

The total carbon emissions from diesel used for cellphone towers is estimated by the study at 5.3 million tonnes or 11.76 billion pounds while the cost of diesel every year at an average price is calculated at USD 1.4 billion (equivalent to Rs 6,400 crore).

WikiLeaks: India declines comment, defends U.S. ties

India on Tuesday said it has a multi-faceted and forward-looking strategic partnership with the U.S. and there was a regular, open and candid dialogue between the two countries.

While reacting to release of diplomatic cables by whistle-blower Website WikiLeaks, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “We would prefer not to comment on the issue of Wikileaks, which purportedly are an account of privileged internal U.S. government assessments and correspondence.

“We have a multi-faceted and forward-looking strategic partnership with the United States and there is a regular, open and candid dialogue between the two countries, on a number of matters of mutual interest,” the official spokesman of the MEA said.

As part of its massive leak of a quarter million classified documents of the U.S. government, the Website released a “secret” cable issued by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in which she has described India as a “self-appointed frontrunner” for a permanent UNSC seat.

Ms. Clinton had also directed U.S. envoys to seek minute details about Indian diplomats stationed at the United Nations headquarters, according to classified documents released by WikiLeaks.

Obama gets 50,000 jobs

Obama gets 50,000 jobs; deals worth $10 billion signed

It will make headlines back home in the United States, and after his 'shellacking' in the mid-term polls, Barack Obama could certainly use some good press. And, India Inc seems to be buying into President Obama's 'win-win' mantra.

Obama today announced that "several landmark" deals worth $10 billion (nearly Rs. 44,000 crore) have been reached between the two countries for creating about 50,000 jobs in the US.

"There is no reason why India cannot be our top trading partner (from 12th position now)... I'm absolutely sure that the relationship between India and the US is going to be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century," President Obama said addressing the US India Business Council meet. "Boeing is going to sell dozens of planes to India and GE is going to sell hundreds of electric engines. The deals are worth USD 10 billion and will create more than 50,000 jobs in the US," he said.

Just before the address at US-India Business Council (USIBC) in Mumbai, Reliance Power announced a power equipment deal for 2,400 MW plants from GE and low-cost carrier Spicejet announced a deal to buy 33 new-generation 737 aircrafts from Boeing.

 

Making his visit against the backdrop of electoral reverses on top of economic difficulties, including a high unemployment percentage, 9.6 percent in October. He talked of the perception elsewhere of India being a haven for call centres and American retail giants being feared in India as putting small Indian shopkeepers out of business, and said these are stereotypes and ignored realities.

Obama said, "...there still exists a caricature of India as land of call centres and back offices that costs American jobs. That's a real perception. There are many Americans whose only experience with trade and globalisation has been shuttered factories or jobs being shift overseas." The US accounts for about 60 per cent of India's about $60 billion IT and IT-enabled services exports. But the reality, President Obama said, was that jobs were being created in both the countries and said India was emerging as one of the fastest markets in the world with one of the largest workforce.

"Increase in trade and commerce was a win-win proposition for both the nations," Obama said. The US President added, in 2010, trade and investment ties was not just a one-way street, it was a dynamic two-way relationship creating jobs and growth in both the countries.

India-US trade stood at US $36.5 billion in 2009-10 fiscal and the two countries aim to double trade in the next five years. Describing India, which receives about 8 per cent of its total foreign direct investment from the US, as a defining and indispensable partner of the 21st century, President Obama asked India to reduce trade barriers, while committing to reciprocate.

India Nepal ink pact to boost cooperation in education sector

India and Nepal have inked a pact to boost cooperation in the education sector as New Delhi pledged to provide Rs 25 million to improve infrastructure in one of the oldest institutions in the country's eastern Taplejung district.

An MoU was inked between the Embassy of India and the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Ilam district, Friday for providing assistance for the construction of two separate hostels for boys and girls.

New Delhi's financial grant of Rs 25 million for the construction of hostels of Shri Sinam Higher Secondary School comes under Nepal-India Economic Cooperation.

Established in 1950 as a primary school and later upgraded as higher secondary school in 2001, the school is one of the oldest educational institutions in Nepal.

The new infrastructures would cater to the educational need of over 1,200 students, about half of them girls, according to an Indian Embassy press release.

Zebras from Germany for zoos in Karna

The Zoo Authority of Karnataka is trying to purchase zebras from Germany for two zoos in the state, a top official said today.

"We are trying to buy two pairs of zebras from the international market in Germany, one pair each for Bannerghatta Biological Park and one pair for Mysore zoo", M N Jayakumar, Member Secretary of ZAK, told reporters today.

Bannerghatta Park does not have any zebra while the Mysore zoo has five zebras.

ZAK is also receiving two Asiatic lions from Rajasthan.

"Since we do not have any Asiatic lions and have only African lions, we are getting two from from Jungadh in Rajasthan", he said.

On the revenue earned by BBP, which get about a lakh visitors in a month, he said "revenues have improved with the now 50:50 sharing between Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and BBP. It was earlier 60:40.

Moon has water, and its own water cycle

A year after announcing the discovery of water molecules on the moon, NASA scientists have now said the earth's satellite is not only rich in useful materials, it has a water cycle of its own.
 

In fact, new studies suggest that there is a lot more water on the moon than earlier thought.

The new data uncovered by NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO found evidence that the lunar soil within shadowy craters is rich in useful materials, and the moon is chemically active and has a water cycle.

Scientists also confirmed the water was in the form of mostly pure ice crystals in some places.

The results are featured in six papers published in the 22nd October issue of Science.

"NASA has convincingly confirmed the presence of water ice and characterised its patchy distribution in permanently shadowed regions of the moon," said Michael Wargo, chief lunar scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

The twin impacts of LCROSS and a companion rocket stage in the moon's Cabeus crater on 9th October, 2009, lifted a plume of material that might not have seen direct sunlight for billions of years.

As the plume traveled nearly 10 miles above the rim of Cabeus, instruments aboard LCROSS and LRO made observations of the crater and debris and vapour clouds.

After the impacts, grains of mostly pure water ice were lofted into the sunlight in the vacuum of space, NASA said.

"Seeing mostly pure water ice grains in the plume means water ice was somehow delivered to the moon in the past, or chemical processes have been causing ice to accumulate in large quantities," said Anthony Colaprete, LCROSS project scientist and principal investigator at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

"Also, the diversity and abundance of certain materials called volatiles in the plume, suggest a variety of sources, like comets and asteroids, and an active water cycle within the lunar shadow," he said.

Volatiles are compounds that freeze and are trapped in the cold lunar craters and vaporise when warmed by the sun.

The existence of mostly pure water ice could mean future human explorers would not have to retrieve the water out of the soil in order to use it for valuable life support resources.

In addition, an abundant presence of hydrogen gas, ammonia and methane could be exploited to produce fuel, it said.

Scientists believe the water and mix of volatiles that were detected could be the remnants of a comet impact.

According to scientists, these volatile chemical by-products are also evidence of a cycle through which water ice reacts with lunar soil grains.

NASA said by understanding the processes and environments that determine where water ice will be, how water was delivered to the moon and its active water cycle, future mission planners might be better able to determine which locations will have easily-accessible water.

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

The Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi is less than a month away and city and her citizens are getting ready to greet the visiting multitudes into their city. Curiosity and anticipation about the Games is at its peak. The Image & Look FA of the OC is all set to feed this curiosity and anticipation by dressing up the city and the venues in the colours and designs of the Delhi 2010 Games.

World over, identities or logos and designs for international sports events resonate with local culture and art of the host city. The logo of the Delhi 2010 Games is inspired by the Ashoka Chakra, our national symbol of freedom, unity and power. The Delhi Games logo spirals upwards, representing the growth of India into a proud, vibrant nation, her journey from tradition to modernity, her economic transformation into a superpower and her capability to host a memorable Commonwealth Games.

"While designing the ‘Look' for the Delhi 2010 Games, we have tried to juxtapose the traditional forms and patterns, which are exclusively ‘India' with some modern art forms. Traditional patterns such as jaali, ambi and rangoli share space with contemporary and digital flows and weaves, giving the program an interesting and exclusive look", said Sangeeta Welinkar, ADG, Image & Look, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.

The design of the XIX Commonwealth Games is inspired by the city of Delhi itself; the awe-inspiring landmarks, the grand celebrations, her energy, vitality and big heart.

Graphic illustrations of historical monuments and sport silhouettes have also been specially created to add depth to the design.

The tagline, ‘Come Out and Play' is an invitation to everyone involved with the Games to participate in whichever way they can, in the true spirit of sportsmanship. It also calls the people of India, especially Delhi, to come out in support of the Games and play the perfect hosts to the visitors.

The colour palette combines the distinctive colours of the Delhi 2010 (purple, green & pink) with the official colours of the Commonwealth Games (blue, red & yellow).

The colour green signifies life, energy and high spirits and also represents the fact that Delhi 2010 will be the first-ever Green Commonwealth Games. Purple combines with the stable and calming aspects of blue and the mystical qualities of pink. Red, Yellow and Blue are the Commonwealth Games colours, representing the ‘Trinity of Values' - Humanity, Equality and Destiny.

The Delhi 2010 pictograms are inspired by the graphic and simple ‘Sanjhi', a paper cutting and stencil art form from Uttar Pradesh in India, used to tell stories.

Shera, the mascot, is the face of the Delhi 2010 Games. He is omnipresent, energising the city and exhorting everyone to make the Games a grand success and to ‘come out and play'. He is also a reminder of the depleting numbers of his species and the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his race and his ecosystem.

The Delhi 2010 ‘look' is a unique combination of these designs and graphic elements, culminating into a visual explosion, creating a vibrant brand that will generate excitement and anticipation for the Delhi 2010 Games.
The Look of the Games will manifest itself in the city on flags, bridge panels, bus Q shelters, hoardings, public utilities, view cutters etc. Stakeholders of the Games such as Delhi Government, MCD, NDMC, PWD, DTC etc are working hand in hand with the OC to brand the city in the colours of the Games.

In competition venues, the precinct and Field of Play (FOP) will be branded. Branding in the FOP is guided by strict rules set by the International Federations, driven by the sport itself and has been planned and approved by International & National Sports Federations. Image & Look has worked with the Sport FA to try and brand all sport equipments with Delhi 2010 brand.

Athletes will first be exposed to the Delhi 2010 look at the new T3 terminal at the airport, which will vibrantly reflect the host city and the XIX Commonwealth Games.

The Games Village is called ‘Khel Gram', is the showpiece of the Delhi 2010 Games and is slated to be one of the best ever in international sports events. It is a home away from home for athletes and we have tried to give it an effervescent and exciting look to generate a buoyant mood in its residents. Indian art forms like Madhubani, Gond, Warli and Sanjhi, have been used to differentiate the four residential zones. The international zone, training areas etc have also been branded with a special look.

Image & Look has been working consistently with all FAs to provide design solutions for all their requirements and has also designed the Victory Medals, lanyards, certificates, Commemorative Medal, Accreditation Cards, Uniforms, Value programs, invitation cars, manuals, tickets etc

India's vibrant and varied cultural collage will be on view during Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, truly reflecting the spirit of India.

Commonwealth Games will be a proud moment for India

Asking people to treat the Commonwealth Games as a national festival, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday exuded confidence that the country will successfully host the October event, preparations for which have been plagued by controversies.

"The Commonwealth Games will start in Delhi after about one-and-a-half months. This will be a proud moment for the whole country and especially for Delhi," Singh said addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

"I am convinced that all our countrymen will treat the Games as a national festival and will leave no stone unturned to make them a success," he said.

The Prime Minister said a successful Delhi Games would also be a signal that India is rapidly marching ahead.

"The successful organisation of Commonwealth Games would be another signal to the world that India is rapidly marching ahead with confidence," he said.

The preparations for Commonwealth Games have been marred by a spate of corruption charges and delay in construction works following which the Prime Minister stepped in and gave overriding powers to a committee of secretaries to supervise the event.

Observing that there have been slippages in time schedules and deficiencies, Singh yesterday directed thorough probes into complaints of procedural and other irregularities by the ministries concerned and said that those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment.

See the Delights of San Juan on a Trip to the Tropical Island of Puerto Rico

When choosing Caribbean cruise deals you may not pay too much attention to whether the liner calls at Puerto Rico, but if that is the case, you could be missing out on visiting a fascinating tropical island.

Puerto Rico's capital San Juan has become a regular port of call for Royal Caribbean Cruises on its liners' Eastern Caribbean routes, allowing passengers to experience a taste of the island's heritage and culture.

If you choose to visit San Juan on your trip around the Caribbean, you will almost certainly enjoy warm weather as you explore its natural beauty and historic buildings.

Even at the coldest times of the year, the average temperature is around 25 degrees C, making Puerto Rico a perfect winter destination.

The tropical climate makes soaking up the sun an enticing prospect and Puerto Rico's capital has a number of beautiful white sand beaches which are ideal spots for relaxing and topping up the tan.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, the beach at Ocean Park is a popular place for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

And if you count yourself as very adventurous, you may want to head out of San Juan to visit the El Yunque National Forest - a rainforest which is home to some birds, amphibians and plant species which cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

Passengers of Royal Caribbean Cruises and the other cruise lines which call at San Juan will also find plenty to do if they choose to stay in the city during their time in Puerto Rico.

It is packed with historic buildings, many of them dating back to the time when the Spanish first colonised the island in the early 16th century.

The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is the second oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, while the San Juan National Historic Site includes several forts built by Spanish settlers to defend the city.

While wandering round Old San Juan in search of the famous buildings, you will also walk through the many plazas which act as meeting points for residents, giving you a flavour of the local culture.

Whether you've spent the day on the beach or exploring the old town, you'll probably want to end it by sampling some of the local food and drink.

Head for the bars and restaurants of Isla Verde or Condado and you'll see how the locals like to enjoy an evening out - a memorable way to end your stay in Puerto Rico.

Travel insurance covers volcanoes

TORONTO Canadian travellers who are stranded in Europe by the volcanic ash cloud are not necessarily out of pocket if they began their journey with travel insurance, but they need to check their policies. The team answering calls at RBC Insurance is running "full out," a company executive said this week.

"If people have purchased cancellation and interruption insurance in their travel insurance, whether it be in a package or stand-alone basis, they're likely to have some type of benefit related to this particular event, the volcanic ash volcano in Iceland," said Tim Bzowey, vice-president of travel.

Silvana Aceto, speaking for the CAA south-central Ontario office in Thornhill, said her region has been dealing with 58 passengers who are stuck in Europe, and who booked trips through the company.

RBC Insurance has had contact with a "significant number" of people in Europe, but Bzowey couldn't offer an exact count.

It's all hands on deck at the 24-7 insurance office, he said.

"Thankfully we're accustomed to crises in the travel business, whether it's a tour operator failure or an airline failure, SARS, H1N1, 9-11, earthquakes, tsunamis -- these are all events that have happened in the recent past ... but every time one of these comes up, it's a little bit different.

"And I never in my career would have anticipated a volcano in Iceland would be an issue for us."

Any RBC policyholder currently in Europe and unable to get home when they planned will automatically have their coverage extended, he said.

"There's been no additional cost for that."

There is an allowance to cover meals, accommodation, phone calls, taxis and car rental, with the deluxe package allowing for a maximum of $700 to be spent.

Bzowey agreed that the money "absolutely isn't" going to last a traveller long if they need a hotel room for five days.

"This is why these situations aren't easy and we want to get people home as soon as practically possible," he said.

In most cases, the $700 is more than enough when the main goal is to get a client home as quickly and safely as possible, the company said. Bzowey commended the airlines for doing "the best they can in a difficult situation."

"We're encouraging all of our clients to check with their airline, check with their tour operator, make sure that communication is open because the situation is quite dynamic, and what might be the situation today could be very different tomorrow," he said.

The same goes for Canadians stuck on this side of the pond who booked their flights to Europe prior to April 15.

They need to talk to the airline and tour operator about changing their dates if the ash situation improves, Bzowey said, and if that's not possible, then they need to open a claim.