'Better Connectivity of Northeast India With Rest of World is Crucial'

Agartala, Sep 24 : Better connectivity between northeast India and the rest of the world is necessary to ferry men and material between the region and the outside world, President Pratibha Patil said here Friday.

'Efforts in these areas (connectivity) must continue as increased connectivity would facilitate two-way movement of people and goods within the region and outside,' Patil said at a civic reception organised in her honour by the Agartala Municipal Council.

She said: 'For the northeast region, development of infrastructure and improvement of transport facilities are very important.'

'Tripura is the second largest producer of natural rubber in India. Taking advantage of this, rubber based industries have ample scope to prosper here. Rubber and tea plantation activities also have a special economic significance in rehabilitating shifting cultivators (tribals), which exist in many parts of this region.'

'However, as we seek food security for all it is now time for a second green revolution. The Tripura government has envisaged a strategy to attain self-sufficiency in production of meat, egg, fish and milk,' the president said appreciating Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar as a 'dynamic chief minister of India'.

Patil said: 'The number of females per thousand males in Tripura is higher than that at the national level,' adding that 'I am happy to learn that Tripura has made reservation for women to the extent of 50 percent of the total seats, in the urban local bodies'.

The president appreciated the Tripura government for providing land rights - Pattas - to over 116,000 tribals under the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

'This will provide an opportunity for tribal families to undertake economic activities that will provide them sustenance.'

Sarkar said: 'The northeastern region is unable to tap its resources properly due to inadequacy of basic physical infrastructure.'

'This is the single-most important factor of underdevelopment and one of the basic reasons of terrorism in the region,' Sarkar told the president.

Patil accompanied by her husband Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat arrived here Friday afternoon from Mizoram capital Aizawl and she will attend the eighth convocation of the Tripura University Saturday.

'Patil arrived in Agartala delayed by 165 minutes as the president's Agartala bound special Indian Air force aircraft could not take-off from Aizawl due to bad weather,' a senior airport official here said.

Look Who Sachin Tendulkar Admires

New Delhi, Sep 24 : Star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has become the latest to heap praise on Indian woman boxer M C Mary Kom for her unprecedented feat of five world titles, describing her achievements as "remarkable".

The 27-year-old mother-of-two from Manipur is the only woman boxer to clinch a medal at each of the six World Championships, starting with a silver in the inaugural edition in 2001.

And Tendulkar, an iconic figure in international cricket, lauded the diminutive boxer after coming back from South Africa from the Champions League Twenty20.

"Got 2 knw abt Mary Kom's stupendous achievement when I got back frm SA. Simply amazing! All the more remarkable aft taking break n havin 2kids," the veteran batsman wrote on his Twitter page.

An overwhelmed Mary Kom, who clinched the light fly weight 48kg gold in the latest World Championships, said she felt honoured after being complimented by one of her favourite athletes.

"I am honoured to get appreciation from him. I don't watch much cricket but I like Sachin Tendulkar. He is somebody who every Indian sportsperson should learn from," Mary Kom told PTI.

"I have never met him but from whatever I have seen of him on TV, he comes across as very humble," she added.

Dubbed 'Magnificent Mary' by the International Boxing Association, Mary Kom has also been picked for the Asian Games in November after giving trials within 24 hours of landing in Delhi from Barbados, where the latest World Championship was held.

Now, You Can Just Log on to Apply For UPSC Exams

Mumbai, Sep 24 : As part of its e-governance initiative, the union public service commission (UPSC) has introduced a system of online submission of applications for all its exams.

"Last year, the UPSC had introduced an online system on an experimental basis. As a result of the massive response, it will be regular future. We hope it will bring major relief for applicants,'' a senior official said.

Lakhs of students appear for more than a dozen exams being conducted by the UPSC. The most important is the UPSC civil services examination.

"The online system has its own advantages as it is the most convenient system of submitting application forms. When the the system has been accepted at an international level, how can the UPSC lag behind,'' he added.

The official said the system is completely hassle-free and UPSC has designed a system to provide prompt confirmation of acceptance.

"A candidate can get a printout of his application form. Further, there is absolutely no scope for postal delay,'' he said.

8 Hottest Smartphone Launches

By Manisha Singh & Megha Dhawan

Last month has seen a slew of smartphone launches. These hot launches not only boast of impressive features, but also offer some first-time features in their category. While Nokia C1 is the company’s first double-SIM phone in India, Lephone A10 is the country's first triple-SIM phone. The list also has Wynncom Y45, first smartphone with Hindi QWERTY keypad.

Read on to know more about these hottest smartphone launches.

HTC Legend

HTC's Android-based smartphone Legend sports a 3.2-inch OLED HVGA display, the phone's traditional trackball has been replaced with an optical joystick. Among key features, HTC Legend packs a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, GPS antenna, Wi-Fi and 3.5G connectivity, 3.5 mm stereo audio jack connector, Bluetooth and Adobe flash player support.
The phone bundles a new widget called friend stream that manages multiple social networking sites such as Flickr, Twitter and Facebook.
Powered by Qualcomm 600MHz processor, the phone packs Android OS v2.1. As for memory, Legend has 384MB RAM, 512MB ROM and card slot for 32GB memory expansion. The phone promises talktime of 6 hrs 10 min and standby time of 560 hrs. In India, Legend comes for Rs 25,990 (approx).

Samsung Galaxy S

One of the most talked-about iPhone killer Samsung Galaxy S is an Android-powered smartphone. The smartphone measures 64.2 X 122.4 X 9.9 mm and weighs 119 grams.
Sporting a 4-inch WVGA (480x800) 16M super AMOLED display, the phone packs a 5 megapixel AF camera. The phone has a VGA camera for video calling. It has option for 720p HD video recording at 30 frames per second. The phone runs on ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor.
Other key features include 3G, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and HD video playback. As for memory, Galaxy S has 8GB and 16GB versions. The phone promises talktime of 769 minutes on 2G and 391 minutes on 3G.

Motorola Milestone XT720

US cellphone maker Motorola's Milestone XT720 measures 10.9mm in thick, the phone has a capacitive 3.7-inch touchscreen display with a WVGA (480X854) resolution.

XT720 comes with 8 megapixel camera and offers support for HD video recording. Other camera functions include Smart Image Capture, panorama, face detection, multi-shot (six shots in a row), face filter, red eye reduction and camera shake prevention.

Running on Android 2.1, Milestone XT720 has 8GB microSD card. Memory can be expanded upto 32GB. The phone is priced at Rs 34,990.

Wynncom Y45: First Hindi QWERTY keypad phone

Mobile phone maker Wynncom has launched a new handset with Hindi QWERTY keypad, Called Y-45, the handset is priced at Rs 3,395. The dual-SIM handset is equipped with a 2.2-inch colour screen, 1.3 MP camera, Bluetooth and expandable memory up to 8 GB.

Y-45 also allows users to send free SMSes across India, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines with an inbuilt soft key.

The mobile phone supports social networking sites like Opera Mini, Snaptu, Nimbuzz, Facebook, Twitter, MSN etc. The phone with 1100 mAh battery offers talk time of 7 hours and stand by time of up to 250 hours.

QWERTY refers to the arrangement of keys on a standard English computer keyboard. The name derives from the first six characters on the top alphabetic line of the keyboard.

LePhone's triple SIM phone

With almost all cellphone makers scrambling to launch dual-SIM handsets, LePhone Mobiles launched a triple SIM phone in the Indian market.

Called A10, the handset boasts of three SIM card slots (2GSM + 1CDMA). Sporting a 2.2-inch display, the phone comes with FM Radio, Bluetooth, GPRS support and USB support. The handset has 3D sound stereo speaker.

It has a 3 megapixel camera with flash. The phone's promises 300 minutes of talktime and 150 hours of standby time.

LePhone A10 is priced at Rs 4,990.

Nokia's first double-SIM phone C1

Handsets major Nokia has launched its first dual SIM phone -- Nokia C1.

Sporting a 1.8-inch colour screen, Nokia C1 comes with FM radio, 3.5mm headset jack, SMS, call divert functionality, flashlight and pre-installed games. The phone runs on S30 platform.
The handset offers upto six weeks of stand-by time. The set, available in three colours, will cost Rs. 1,999.

The company plans to launch five or six models of dual SIM in the next six to nine months. The set launched today would cater to the needs of low-end customers and future sets would meet the requirements of middle and high-end customers.

The mobile handset market in India was the second largest in the world, next only to the United States.

Samsung Wave: First phone on Samsung Bada

Samsung has developed its own operating system from scratch, named Bada and the Wave is the first phone to play host to it.

The Wave’s 3.3-inch display is a real eye-popper. It uses Super AMOLED tech for vivid, ultra-colourful icons, images and video, all of which is pin-sharp thanks to the 480x800-pixel resolution.

That doesn’t quite match iPhone 4’s 640x960 pixels but it beats most of the competition. With Samsung’s 1GHz Hummingbird processor inside, everything whizzes along. The touchscreen is very responsive, widgets are quick to launch and web pages load instantly.

The Wave takes hi-def video at 720p, matching the iPhone 4, but also shoots in slow motion and has a low-resolution mode for MMS messaging. The rear camera has a decent 5 megapixel sensor with LED flash that’s good enough to act as a respectable day-to-day snapper.

Build quality is high. Samsung has fashioned an 11mm-thick handset shrouded largely in aluminium. It’s not a sleeve of metal like the HTC Legend but still very attractive. The only let-down is the menu button which is made of cheap, shiny plastic.

The phone is priced at Rs 19,100.

Acer Liquid E Ferrari special edition

Acer has launched its latest Liquid E Ferrari special edition in the Indian market. Liquid E Ferrari is Acer's first Android-based smartphone that supports 3G HSDPA and features a full capacitive 3.5-inch touch screen.

The mobile phone runs on Snapdragon mobile processor and Android 2.1 operating system. Measuring 115 mm x 64 mm x 12.75 mm, the Acer Liquid E Ferrari has a handy slot for microSD cards and comes with 8GB as standard and can support up to 16GB.

Liquid E Ferrari weighs 135gm and has a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, geo-tagging and accelerometer so photos can automatically rotate the way the screen is positioned. For connectivity, the mobile phone offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and A-GPS support. It also has a Ferrari-branded Bluetooth headset to boot.

Being a special edition, it has Formula 1 themed content from ringtones, screensavers, wallpapers to other widgets. Acer Liquid E Ferrari special edition is priced at Rs 34,000.
Presently, Acer has two smartphone models in India -— one priced around Rs 9,999 and the other Rs 24,999. The company plans to soon introduce another model in the mid-segment.

Nagas Want 'Alternate Political Deal' in Manipur

By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury

New Delhi, Sep 24 : The Nagas of restive Manipur have urged the Centre to divide the state and have an "alternate political arrangement" for Naga-dominated areas.

Experts say this could mean a Union Territory status for the areas, and the move could have far-reaching implications for state reorganization in the Northeast. The United Naga Council (UNC) wants home minister Chidambaram to intervene.

The Nagas have long complained of discrimination by the Meitei's, who dominate Manipur politics. The situation deteriorated in the last few years under CM Ibobi Singh.

And things turned violent in May after National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) general secretary T. Muivah was not allowed into his village.

The Naga People's Convention (NPC) has now resolved to sever political ties with Imphal and sought the provision of an alternate arrangement facilitated by the Centre.

It had earlier declared elections to the autonomous district councils (ADC) in the hill districts as "null and void". On September 14, a memorandum was submitted to Chidambaram by the UNC.

According to UNC sources, the ADC did not address their demand for dignity and rights. The letter said: "... it had become impossible for the Nagas to protect their right to life, land, values under the communal government of Manipur."

Later, on September 21, to defuse tensions between Imphal and the Naga areas, a meeting was held between the Centre, Manipur government and UNC.

The Centre then assured to look into the demand of holding an inquiry into firing at Manipur's Mao Gate on May 6.

But, the UNC says, communal violence can still flare up. And so, the "peaceful parting of ways" of the Nagas and Meitei's is the only way to avert a catastrophe.

PM Steps in, Holds Meet on CWG

New Delhi, Sep 24 : Amid intense criticism over Commonwealth Games preparations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday held a meeting with union ministers and others involved in the sporting event.

The Prime Minister asked Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekhar to meet Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell on Friday after he arrives in New Delhi and apprise him of the preparations.

During the 90-minute meeting, Singh enquired about various aspects of the preparations from Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Sports Minister M S Gill, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

"The Prime Minister was briefed about the state of preparedness of the Commonwealth Games. He was informed that every effort is being made to prepare he games facilities and the village to the expected standards," Khanna later told reporters.

"Our guests will be received and welcomed in accordance with the best traditions of Indian hospitality," the Lt Governor said after the meeting which was also attened by Chandrashekhar, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Home Secretary G K Pillai.

Apart from accusations of inefficiency, the Organising Committee and the government have also been left embarrassed by the collapse of a foot over-bridge near the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, which is the main venue for the mega-event.

The meeting came two days after international delegates lambasted the Games Village as "filthy and uninhabitable" and top teams such as Canada, Scotland and New Zealand delayed their departure to the Indian capital.

Fennell will visit the Games Village on Friday to see the readiness of the place that will house the international sportspersons.

Singh, however, will not meet him as had been speculated.

Instead, the Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Secretary to meet Fennell.

The first multi-sport international event being held in India since the 1982 Asian Games threatens to become a national embarrassment with several top athletes already pulling out and some more adopting a wait-and-watch policy before taking a final call.

Ashley Greene Visits A Sex Shop

source: hollywoodlife.com

The Anatomy of a Search: How The CIA Hunts Osama

New York: America's CIA is running a 3,000-strong covert army to hunt down key leaders of the Taliban and al-Qaeda in not only Afghanistan but across the border in Pakistan

Journalist Bob Woodward's book 'Obama's wars' has laid bare the policy divisions and the personality clashes among the Obama advisers on the Afghan policy may complicate relations between Washington and Islamabad.

This heavily-armed irregular force manned entirely by Afghan personnel operates in small units called Counter-terrorism Pursuit Teams, the New York Times reported on Thursday, quoting extracts from a new book 'Obama's wars' by journalist Bob Woodward.

The stunning disclosures in the book which is making waves for laying bare the policy divisions and the personality clashes among the Obama advisers on the Afghan policy may complicate relations between Washington and Islamabad, the paper said.

The logo of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is shown in the lobby of the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. REUTERS

"Firing missiles from unmanned drones patrolling over Pakistan's turbulent northwest tribal region at a rate that has outstripped the Bush administration's record is bad enough and now to have brigade size paramilitary units operating inside Pakistan marks a significant expansion of the covert war that the Obama administration has waged there," the book claims.

Age Progressed photograph of Osama Bin Laden released by the U.S . State Department. REUTERS

These forces, the paper said, conducted clandestine raids into Pakistan as part of stepped-up campaign against al-Qaeda and Afghan Taliban havens there. The CIA directs and funds the force, which is being billed as the best Afghan fighting force which has made major contributions to stability and security, the book claims.

An Afghan de-miner holds a flag promoting peace as he patrols with another next to the venue that hold a function to mark International Peace Day in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP

"The covert army captures and kills Taliban fighters and seeks support in Tribal areas," the NYT reported and quoted Pentagon officials as saying that these Afghan units were closely working with American Green Berets to go after Taiban fighters.

Bob Woodward exits his home in Washington. REUTERS

According to the Woodward's book, by the end of 2009 strategy review, the President had concluded that the task in Afghanistan could not succeed without wiping out al-Qaeda and Afghan Taliban havens operating with impunity in the border tribal areas of Pakistan.

An Afghan man walks his dog in the old part of Kabul city, Afghanistan. AP

The book says that Obama has remarked, "We need to make clear to the people that the cancer is in Pakistan", so the CIA had turned into its classic old strategy of setting up of a lethal proxy unit.

The book says that such "kill teams" were also operating within Afghanistan to target groups like Haqqani network, closely linked to Taliban and al-Qaeda. The members of these hot pursuit units have been probably recruited from the private militias of warlords.

Source: Agencies