Know few things about Cricket God

Family

Dad's Name : Ramesh Tendulkar
Sister's Name : Savitai Tendulkar
Brother's Name : Nitin Tendulkar & Ajit Tendulkar
Wife's Name : Anjali Tendulkar
Daughter's Name : Sarah

Tendulkar was born in a Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins family in Mumbai . His father, Ramesh Tendulkar,
who was a Marathi novelist, named him after his favorite music director, Sachin Dev Burman.
Tendulkar's elder brother, Ajit, encouraged him to play cricket. Tendulkar has two other
siblings: brother, Nitin, and sister, Savitai. Tendulkar's Dream
Young Sachin had aspired of being a fast bowler. It was this dream that made him undertake trials at Chennai
based MRF pace academy, but his small stature proved to be a major hindrance to his aspiring career. ( THANK
GOD !!! else the WORLD would have been deprived of such a genius batsman. )

First step towards cricket
Tendulkar's sensational journey to cricket stardom sparked of when his brother Ajit made him meet Mr. R.
Achrekar ( Cricket Coach ). Sachin failed to perform in the first go which made him very nervous but his brother's
persuasion led Mr. Achrekar give him another chance.

Tendulkar attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir (High School), where he began his cricketing
career under the guidance of his coach and mentor, Ramakant Achrekar. During his school days,
he attended the MRF Pace Foundation to train as a fast bowler, but the fast bowling trainer there,
Dennis Lillee, suggested to him to "just focus" on his batting.

When Tendulkar was young, he would practice for hours with his coach. He would often get bored
of practicing. So his coach would put a one-Rupee-coin on the top of the stumps.
The bowler who dismissed Sachin would get the coin. If Sachin passed the whole session without
getting dismissed, the coach would give him the coin. Sachin says today that the
13 coins he won then are his most prized possessions.

Turning point in his career
It was his change of school to Shardashram Vidya Mandir in Dadar - close to Shivaji Park on his coach's advice
which marked a turn around in Sachin's career. He says," I use to bat in four nets at one strech. Whenever, I use
to get tired, Achrekar use to keep a one rupee coin on top of the stumps and say, "Anyone who gets him out will
take this coin. If no-one gets him, Sachin takes it." Tendulkar till date contributes this technique in being
instrumental for enhancing his concentration. He still treasures the 13 coins earned by him during the practice
sessions.

Naughty Duo
Sachin and his best pal Vinod Kambli hold the World Record of 664 runs stand for Shardashram School in
inter-school tournament in 1988. Tendulkar candidly admits that the total would have never assumed mammoth
proportion had he and Kambli not ignored the man waving from the boundary with the coach's message to
declare.

Tendulkar's Idol
Tendulkar's idol is the American Tennis superstar-John McEnore. During his young age, he argued and fought for
McEnore with his colony friends who supported Swedish Bjorn Borg. Sachin sported a head-band, sweat-band
and a tennis racquet showing his staunch loyalty towards his idol.

Family Quirks
Sachin's wife Anjali tends to become nervous while he bats, whereas his brother has become so superstitious
that he allows the family members to only watch the match recording.

His reactions to his dismissals
On pre-mature and early exits, Sachin likes to take out his anger somewhere. He prefers to be left alone, till he
cools down.

DREAM TEAM: A digitally-manipulated photo featuring Sir Donald Bradman's team (Standing from left): Lindwall, Barry Richards, Lillee, O'Reilly, Tallon. (Seated, from left): Grimmett, Bedser, Tendulkar, Bradman, Sobers, Morris and 12th man Hammond.

God's Importance in his life
Tendulkar is a God fearing person, a staunch devotee of Sai Baba, Ganpathi and frequently visits temples during
night when it's calm and quiet. He visualizes God in his parents. Religion to him is what his parents have
inculcated in him, his upbringing and his way of life. Sachin strongly believes in the concept of re-birth, existence
of Hell and Heaven. He loves celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at home with his family and believes that it firms his
ties with his loved ones.

Favourites of Tendulkar

Ground : Sydney cricket ground
Movie : Coming to America
Music : Pop
Hobby : Collecting CD's.
Car : Maruti
Actors : Amitabh Bacchan, Nana Patekar
Actresses : Madhuri Dixit
Cricket Heroes : Gavaskar, Viv Richards, Imran Khan and Sandeep Patil
Other Fav. Stars : Maradona, Borris Becker
Drink : Orange / Apple juice and water
Food : Steak
Pastime : Listening to peaceful music with friends
Clothes : Official jacket and tie, else jeans and T-shirt
Magazine : Sportstar
Newspapers : Times of India, Mid-day, Afternoon Dispatch
Restaurant : Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton
Holiday Resort : Yorkshire, Headingley
Hotel : Park Royal Darling Harbour, Sydney
Other Sports : Tennis

Funniest Moment

Once I (Sachin) was batting with Vinod Kambli for a school match. Vinod dropped his bat in the middle of the
game and started to fly a kite. It was so funny, I really can't forget that day in whole of my life.

Other's

Major Teams : India, Mumbai and Yorkshire
Memorable Day : Beating Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup
Worst Day : Losing the fist ODI in RSA in 1992
Greatest Influence : Family
Ambition : To be number one in the world
Dream Woman : My wife
Current Players Admired : Vinod Kambli, Brian Lara and Jonty Rhodes
Embarrasing Moment : People asking for my autograph and then asking me my name
Hate : Rumors
Any Changes you desire to have : None

ISRO gears up for Dec 25 GSAT launch

Chennai, Dec 23 (IANS) Indian space scientists are gearing up for the Dec 25 launch of the advanced communications satellite GSAT-5P. The new entrant will retire INSAT-2E sent up in 1999 and will ensure continuity of telecom, television and weather services.
'The countdown will begin Friday 11.04 a.m. and the rocket will be launched at 4.04 p.m. Saturday,' S. Satish, director at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), told IANS.

The 51-metre tall geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) carrying the 2,310 kg GSAT-5P satellite will blast off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, around 80km from Chennai.

Satish said pre-launch activities are being carried out at the rocket port and everything is proceeding at a smooth pace.

The rocket launch, originally scheduled for Monday, was aborted by ISRO Sunday when it detected a leak in one of the valves of the Russian-made cryogenic engine.

Subsequently ISRO and the Russian scientists held detailed tests to check the stability of the faulty valve.

The space agency decided Wednesday to go ahead with the launch as the test results were satisfactory.

According to ISRO officials the weather in Sriharikota is clear and they do not expect any change in plans.

Volkswagen new official partner of IPL 4 & 5

Europe's leading automobile manufacturer, Volkswagen has been named as the official partner for the fourth and fifth season of the high-profile Indian Premier League tournament.

Volkswagen became the first German car manufacturer to become IPL's official partner after BCCI and the Twenty20 league's governing council had floated tenders for the same, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"We are extremely happy to commence what will certainly be a fruitful association with Volkswagen. It is appropriate that two organisations that epitomize dynamism, enterprise and excellence have joined hands," IPL chairman Chirayu Amin said.

Commenting on the alliance, Neeraj Garg, member of the board and director of Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd said, "IPL stands for the people's game in India and what better way to associate our brand which literally means people's car."

Head of Marketing & PR, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd, Lutz Kothe added: "It is a great honour and huge pleasure to become part of the Indian Premier League. Being the official automotive partner will be an enormous asset as it will foster Volkswagen's bond with India."

Will support India against friendly neighbour: Medvedev

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday said his country would support India if they ever had to take a hard decision against "a friendly neighbouring country". Addressing a packed hall at IIT Bombay, Medvedev, looking comfortable in an open neck blue shirt and black suit, said India and Russia have special relations "and it is not a figure of speech".

"I'm not disclosing a state secret but when I visited India four days after the Mumbai terror attacks I told them (the government)...we are ready to provide weapons, modern technology and know-how," said the dynamic 45-year-old President.
The President had requested to visit IIT Bombay because it was established with the help of the then USSR government. Though he walked in almost an hour late, a loud applause greeted Medvedev. "It was not that I woke up late but the airport was shut for an hour," he said.
He started off by requesting students not to be "strict with their questions".
The request fell flat when a student asked him how Russia would react if they had a terror attack like Mumbai and if their agencies were sure that the attack was rooted in Pakistan.
"You don't ask complicated questions but extremely complicated questions. But complicated questions have simple answers."
He did not rule out the use of armed force to protect the interest of the country: "…If Russia is attacked from a foreign state and we are sure the terrorists are housed by that foreign state, we will defend our national interests and even employ armed force".
Referring to Russia's glorious days, a student asked the President whether Russia would have been a superpower if the USSR had not disintegrated.
"If a state starts to feel and say they are a superpower and not…care about anyone else then it is the first step to failure... an attempt to be a superpower can be counter productive," he said. "USSR, too, had the illusion that they were self sufficient, could develop on their own and did not need anyone and this did not work."

Few facts about living God -Interesting Facts About Nelson Mandela

• Nelson Mandela’s original name was Rolihlahla Mandela. (Nelson was added later.) He was born in “Black” Transkei, Africa on July 18, 1918.

• Mandela is the world's most celebrated man who has held a political office while being jailed for nearly 30 years. Despite the fact that his freedom was stripped from him, he continued to stand up for his beliefs for his South African Brothers and Sisters who are still struggling with the affects of Apartheid.

• Nelson’s peaceful boyhood was spent cattle herding and other rural pursuits. When his father died, Nelson’s rich and powerful relative took custody of him. Nelson Mandela was influenced by his African heritage of ritual and taboo. His values and attitudes were shaped by traditions and his royal privileges.

• He was sent to boarding school and later to Fort Hare Missionary College. He was expelled from college for helping to organize a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. He then became involved in other protests against the white colonial rule. In doing so he set out for personal and national liberation. He ran away from home to avoid an arranged marriage. Later, he graduated from the University of South Africa with a degree in law. He joined a law firm as an apprentice.

• Nelson MandelaIn 1942,Nelson joined the African National Congress (ANC), which, at the time, was polite to the government. Soon Nelson Mandela had persuaded the ANC to use boycotts and strikes against the government instead of being polite. He was arrested for civil disobedience, and was not allowed to attend gatherings.

• In his spare time, Nelson Mandela studied to become a lawyer so that he could protect blacks. Work as a lawyer strengthened his feelings against apartheid (which segregated and discriminated against blacks in South Africa). Nelson was particularly active during the 1950’s.

• After the Shapesville massacre in which many blacks were killed, the white rule banned the ANC. Nelson went underground. He created the MK, which was the military portion of the ANC. Nelson arranged military training in Algeria for the MK members. He launched a sabotage campaign. On his return from Algeria he was arrested for going between countries without a passport, and was tried for sabotage and Africa attempting to overthrow the government. He spent the next 28 years in prison. Before going to prison he said, “Make every home, every shack or rickety structure into a learning center.”

• When he got to Robben Island where he was to be imprisoned Nelson was told to jog to the prison gate. He refused. He and the other prisoners started a hunger strike to get better living conditions. The prisoners won. They also found ways to communicate with other prisoners. A few methods were: writing messages on toilet paper, hiding messages in the bottom of food buckets, slipping notes in the dirty dishes (they made the dishes extra dirty for this) so the cook prisoners could read them, and taping notes to the inside rim of toilet seats.

• While Nelson was in prison he was offered freedom if he would stop his violent actions. He refused this offer.

• During Nelson Mandela’s jail time he had secret talks with South Africa’s president, P.W. Botha, and his successor, F.W. de Klerk. As a result, in 1990 he was freed.

• He was appointed Deputy President of the ANC. The ANC decided to suspend its 30-year armed struggle. In July of 1991, Nelson Mandela was appointed President of the ANC. Nelson decided to join the government and other parties to negotiate South Africa’s future. Finally everyone came to agree on a majority rule constitution. This constitution states that racial discrimination it is against the law.

• In 1993, Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk forAfrican Flag dismantling apartheid, and in 1994 he became the first democratically elected South African president.

• In June of 1999, Nelson Mandela retired from the presidency, and returned to live in the town of Qunu, Transkei, in which was born.

• Restful retirement was not on the cards as Mandela shifted his energies to battling South Africa's AIDS crisis raising millions of dollars to fight the disease.

• His struggle against AIDS became starkly personal in early 2005 when he lost his only surviving son to the disease.

• The country also shared the pain of Mandela's humiliating divorce in 1996 from Winnie Mandela, his second wife, and watched his courtship of Graca Machel, widow of Mozambican President Samora Machel, whom he married on his 80th birthday in 1998.

• In 2007 Mandela celebrated his 89th birthday by launching an international group of elder statesmen, including fellow Nobel peace laureates Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter, to tackle world problems including climate change, HIV/AIDS and poverty.

India, Russia sign fighter aircraft pact

The biggest defense programme in India's history — 

                The contract for the preliminary design of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) — was signed on Tuesday between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia's Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi. It will involve the production of 200-250 aircraft.

The FGFA will have advanced features such as stealth, super-cruise, ultra-manoeuvrability, highly integrated avionics suite, enhanced situational awareness, internal carriage of weapons and network centric warfare capabilities.

 

 

The aircraft would be called Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF). It draws upon the basic structural and system design of the Russian FGFA Technology Demonstrator with modifications to meet the Indian Air Force's specifications, which are much more stringent.

Besides design and development, the project covers production and joint marketing of the aircraft to third countries. The programme options include the design and development of a twin-seater variant and the integration of an advanced engine with higher thrust at a later stage.

The agreement is the first in a series of such contracts that will cover different stages of this programme.

The contract was signed by A. Isaykin, general director of Rosoboronexport and M. Pogosyan, general director RAC MiG & Sukhoi from the Russian side and HAL chairman Ashok Nayak, and N.C. Agarwal, Director (D&D), HAL from the Indian side here.

EASY WAY TO EARN MONEY WITHOUT INVESTMENT

Hello friends, here is an easy and effective way to make money online without a single rupee investment. Private companies pay dollars for just to click and surf their ads. Here you can make money for every second.

Companies pay from 0.02$ to 0.07$ per each ad you click.

Imagine if you click 10 ads/day for one website at a rate of 0.04$/ad. You can make 0.04$*10=0.40$

If you do the same for 20 websites/day. 0.40$*20 = 8.00$/day.

So easily you can earn 240$ /Rs.11,000 per month.

Following are the websites. Just click the link, register yourself for free and start to earn money.

1. www.ixclix.com
2. www.falconbux.com
3. www.passionbux.com
4. www.ixinvest.com
5. www.buxcart.com
6. www.birdybux.com
7. www.vonbux.com
8. www.facebux.net
9. www.bigmoneybux.info
10. www.earncashptc.info
11. www.profitgpt.com
12. www.oraclebux.com
13. www.patokbux.com
14. www.transbux.com
15. www.neobux.com
16. www.onbux.com
17. www.123bux.net
18. www.incrasebux.com
19. www.buxess.com
20. www.darvinbux.com
21. www.merabux.com
22. www.tkbux.com
23. www.officebux.com
24. www.clixil.com
25. www.cashviews.com
26. www.ronaclick.com
27. www.palmbux.com
28. www.indoinvestmentbux.com
29. www.foxbux.com
30. www.earncashptc.com
31. www.clicksone.com
32. www.paidtoclick.com

HAPPY EARNINGS ALL THE BEST..  :)

Pearl Harbor Facts

This page has a list of facts on the attack of Pearl Harbor.

• The attack took place on December 7, 1941.
  
• Although the aerial attack was very successful, the submarines failed to finish off any wounded ship inside the harbour.
  
• The attack's success surprised the Japanese as much as the Americans.
  
• The last part of the decoded Japanese message stated that U.S. relations were to be severed.
  
• The Japanese attack force was under the command of Admiral Nagumo.
  
• Japansese force consisted of six carriers with 423 planes.
  
• At 6 a.m. the first Japanese attack wave of 83 planes took off.
  
• Nickname for Pearl Harbor is "Gibraltar of the Pacific."
  
• Eighteen U.S. ships were hit.
  
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy," in reference to the attack.
  
• Three prime targets escaped damage, the U.S. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers, the Lexington, Enterprise and Saratoga. They were not in the port when the attack took place.
  
• Another target, the base fuel tanks also escaped damage.
  
• Casualties included 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians.
  
• 1178 people were wounded.
  
• The day after the attack the U.S. and Britain declared war on Japan.
  
• Pearl Harbor is the Naval Base for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
  
• Pearl Harbor is the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
  
• Pearl Harbor has 10 square miles of navigable water.
  
• The harbour is on the southern coast of Oahu.
  
• The harbour is artificially improved.
  
• The attack was the climax of a decade of worsening relations between the U.S. and militaristic Japan.
  
• A U.S. embargo on necessary supplies for war prompted the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  
• The Japanese Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku planned the attack with great care.
  
• All of the planes on the Japanese ships were fully feuled and armed.
  
• The Japanese planes took off about 90 minutes from Pearl Harbor.
  
• The president at the time of the attack was Franklin D. Rooselvelt.
  
• The attack brought the United States into World War II.
  
• The Japanese fleet had 30 ships.
  
• The Japanese were interested in the Hawaiian islands since the islands were annexed by the U.S. in 1898.
  
• An admiral said, "leaving aside the unspeakable treachery of it, the Japanese did a fine job."
  
• Japanese suffered just small losses.
  
• The attack crippled the United States fleet.
  
• The Japanese deceived the U.S. by saying false statements and expressed interest in continued peace.
  
• Americans think of the attack as very dishonorable.
  
• The attack was planned weeks in advance.
  
• The main reason for the attack was over economic issues.
  
• Because of the unpreparedness of the U.S. military, Admiral Husband Kimmel and General Walter Short were relieved of duty.
  
• The attack severely crippled the U.S. naval and air strength in the Pacific.
  
• Of the eight battleships, all but the Arizona and Oklahoma were eventually repaired and returned to service.
  
• On December 8, 1941, Congress declared war on Japan with only one vote against it. The vote against it was of Represenative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, who had also voted against U.S. entry into World War I.
  
• Once the fleet was out of action, Japan would be able to conquest a great area.
  
• A U.S. Army private who noticed the large flight of planes on his radar screen was told to ignore them because a flight of B-17s from the continental U.S. was expected at the time.
  
• More than 180 U.S. aircraft were destroyed.
  
• During the attack the USS Arizona sank with a loss of more than 1,100 men.
  
• A white concrete and steel structure now spans the hull of the sunken ship as a memorial.
  
• The memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1962.
  
• U.S. officials had been aware that an attack by Japan was probable, but did not know the time or place it would occur.
  
• Pearl Harbor was not in the state of high alert when the attack started, Anti-Aircraft guns were left unmanned.
  
• The Americans were taken completely by surprise.
  
• The main targets for the first wave was the airfield and battleships.
  
• The second wave targets were other ships and shipyard facilities.
  
• The air raid lasted until about 9:45 a.m.

It was a Little Girl Who Encouraged Candidate Lincoln to Grow the Beard

Collier's Magazine, 1948

 An article from a 1948 COLLIER'S MAGAZINE that reported on the origin of Abraham Lincoln's famous beard.

"When an eleven year-old girl advised Abraham Lincoln to grow some whiskers, the great man humbly took her suggestion to heart":
"I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President."

 

Sachin ahead of the Don Bradman in Aus poll

Sachin Tendulkar scoring a historic 50th Test ton has re-ignited the debate on who is the greatest batsman of all time -- he or Don Bradman, and a poll commissioned by an Australian newspaper saw the Indian icon in front by a small margin though voting is yet to be over.

In an online poll in 'Sydney Morning Herald' asking to vote for 'The greatest batsman ever: Bradman or Tendulkar?', 847 cricket fans have voted so far and Tendulkar has got 53 per cent as against 47 per cent of the Australian legend.

A write up in the newspaper said many people asked if the comparison between the Little Master and the Don was fair considering they played in different eras.

"His (Tendulkar's) legend grows ever larger. And having become the first man to score 50 Test centuries, Tendulkar has reignited debate about who is the greatest batsman ever. Is it India's 37-year-old Little Master, or Australia's late, great Sir Donald Bradman? Or is it even fair or realistic to compare these two men from very different eras?," cricket writer Daniel Lewis asked.

"Tendulkar first represented India at 16, and is batting as majestically as ever. His first century came at Old Trafford in 1990 in his ninth Test. His 50th ton - 11 clear of his nearest rival, Ricky Ponting - came in his 175th Test, against South Africa in the aptly named Centurion. It was raised with a single and a salute to the heavens in memory of his late father," he wrote.

The write-up said the comparision between the two legends goes beyond numbers. "Bradman scored 29 tons from 80 innings at unparalleled conversion rate of a century every 2.76 innings. Second best is Tendulkar's 50 centuries from 286 innings, or one every 5.72 innings. Then there are the averages. Bradman's Test mark of 99.94 stands like a beacon among cricketing statistics, although Tendulkar's 56.89 is none too shabby.

"The debate goes beyond numbers. Bradman played on uncovered wickets, Tendulkar on covered ones. Bradman played Tests in only two countries, Tendulkar in 10. Bradman played through a depression and a war, Tendulkar with the expectation of a billion people upon his shoulders. Bradman's bats had a comparatively tiny sweet spot to Tendulkar's railway sweepers. And Bradman never had to play limited-overs cricket, while Tendulkar has represented India in an astounding 442 one-day internationals."

Former South African captain Kepler Wessels, who was at Centurion to watch Tendulkar's 50th century yesterday, said Tendulkar is the best batsman of the modern era.

"Certainly in the modern era, he's the best batsman of our time. He doesn't have an equal," Wessels said.

Tendulkar's former coach Greg Chappell said the Indian icon did not need any guidance when he was at the helm of affairs of the team but was emphatic on his opionion that Bradman was the best batsman ever.

"It (work with the Tendulkar) was about the mental side of it, about keeping a young mind," Chappell said. "But Bradman. No doubt (on who is the best)," he added.

Former Australian quick Stuart Clark said Tendulkar was the hardest batsman to dismiss.

"When you're bowling to him, it feels like his bat is a foot wide. He rarely plays and misses, and on the odd occasion you do get one past the edge, you know you're bowling well. He is the hardest batsman to dismiss I've come up against. He has incredible timing and control, and dictates the game to you," Clark said.

"You almost get the feeling that he moves the fielders where he wants them, not you. It feels like you've got three fielders out there. It almost felt like he was playing shots to spite me. You'd move a fielder from midwicket to square leg - and he's hit it through midwicket. You'd move to the fielder from square leg to midwicket - and he's hit it through square leg. He is an unbelievable player."

India loses Rs 24,000cr annually due to lack of toilets, hygiene: World Bank

NEW DELHI: The Indian economy loses nearly $54 billion (around Rs 24,000 crore) annually due to lack of toilets and poor hygiene, a World Bank study said on Monday.

In a study 'Economic Impact of Inadequate Sanitation in India', conducted by its South Asia Water and Sanitation unit, the multilateral body said premature deaths, treatment for the sick and loss of productivity and revenue from tourism were the main factors behind the significant economic loss.

"For decades, we have been aware of the significant impacts of inadequate sanitation in India," Christopher Juan Costain, the World Bank's head for South Asia's water and sanitation programme, told reporters. The cost of treatment for diseases due to poor hygiene was estimated at $38.5 billion (over Rs 17,000 crore).

"The report quantifies the economic losses to India, and shows that children and poor households bear the brunt of poor sanitation."

The Planning Commission had earlier estimated that although 49% of the country's urban population has access to sanitary excreta disposal facility, only 28% have sewerage system (partial without treatment facility in many cases) and 21% only low cost sanitary latrine facility. About 60% of the generated solid waste is collected and disposed of, of which only 50% sanitarily.

World Bank officials estimate there are 4.5 lakh deaths out of 57.5 crore cases of diarrhoea every year and a large segment of the country's 1.20 crore population defecates in the open.

Costain said the Indian economy loses $260 million (over Rs 1,000 crore) in tourism revenues due to poor sanitation as tourists are reluctant to come to India due to lack of sanitation facilities. "We all hear about people worrying over Delhi Belly, but tourists are reluctant to come here due to health concerns like this and this is losing India money," Constain said.

Mark Zuckerberg Elected TIME Person of the Year

Also, Facebook is named as the "best place to work"

 Yesterday, the prestigious TIME magazine released its choice for the TIME Person of the Year accolade - Mark Zuckerberg. You better know the name of this man, as there's a one-twelfth chance that you might be using his product. We're of course talking about Facebook - the social networking mega-site that seeks to connect people over the internet. The article talks about Zuckerburg's journey from being a 19 year old college student at the Harvard University, where he started it as a pet-project, to the current success of Facebook. The recently released movie 'The Social Network' captures the same story of Mark Zuckerberg.

As of today, Facebook has 550 million registered users. One out of every twelve people on the planet has a Facebook account. It's a double-whammy moment for Mark, who not only has a personal recognition but it is also reported side-by-side that Facebook is named as the "best place to work". A part of this is encompassed in the TIME's write-up where it states that there aren't any special offices for people higher-up in the company; there aren't any cubicles as well. 

This is probably one of the rare times when Facebook is actually in news for good. It otherwise has been thrashed on many a regular occasion - from unlawful user data usage to deleted photos still being accessible among a lot more. According to a survey, people don't trust Facebook but cannot help themselves in avoiding its usage. 

Way to go Mark, you have created one heck of an addictive substance.

PM says China partnership to boost Asia stability

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday that a strong partnership with rival China will boost peace, stability and prosperty in Asia. The comments were made at the start of bilateral talks between Singh and visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao, who is in New Delhi for a three-day visit to boost bilateral ties

The two countries have long had a thorny relationship but their leaders are seeking to improve ties.

Earlier setting a positive tone, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed confidence that the two countries would reach "important strategic consensus" during the visit and take bilateral ties to an "even higher level".

"I hope that my visit will help increase our cooperation in wide-range of fields and raise our friendship and cooperation to an even higher level," Jiabao told reporters after being accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan.

With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by his side, Wen said that China and India now faced good opportunities to expand cooperation and pursue common development goals.

"I have the confidence that with the joint efforts of the Prime Minister and I, we will be able to reach important strategic consensus during the visit and the visit will yield important outcomes," he said speaking through an interpreter.

On his second visit here in five years, the 68-year-old Wen said he would have "in depth exchange of views and strategic communications" with Singh and other Indian leaders with the purpose of deepening friendship, expanding practical cooperation and increasing people-to-people exchanges.

"I believe with our joint efforts through the visit, we will be able to raise our cooperation and friendship to a higher level in the new century," he said.

Terming India as a "great neighbour", Wen said the two countries have time-honoured tradition of friendship.

"Entering the new century, the two countries have established strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity," he said.

Noting that this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India, he said the two countries "now face good opportunities to expand cooperation and pursue common development" (goals).

"Finally, I would like to extend through you journalists, cordial greetings and best wishes from the Chinese people to the people of India," Wen said.

Morkel turns up the heat on Indians

South African fast bowler Morne Morkel feels that despite having Gary Kirsten as coach and the experience of playing in the IPL and Champions League in these conditions, the Indian players would not have it easy during the three-match Test series.

"It's a contest we are looking forward to. We all know that on South African wickets the ball tends to bounce a little bit longer where in India we only have five overs or so (to strike) with the new ball," Morkel said.

The SuperSport Park at Centurion, compared to other South African pitches, hasn't been that helpful to fast bowlers in recent years but Morkel cited this season's match between Titans and Warriors.

"We asked for a nice quick wicket and we bowled out the Warriors for 70. The pace and bounce was very good for the first three days but later it became a good deck," he said.

While praising the famed Indian batting line-up, Morkel said he was looking forward to bowling to the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag on a ground where his strike partner Dale Steyn plied his trade.

"Dale learnt his trade here and it is going to be special to be bowling with him on our home ground," Morkel said.

Morkel said the South Africans had huge respect for the Indian openers Gambhir and Sehwag who form a "very dangerous" combination.

"Not long ago Gautam was the number one batsman in the world and we all know how destructive Virender can be against the new ball," he said.

Morkel acknowledged that most of the top Indians had become accustomed to playing in South African conditions thanks to their involvement in the Indian Premier League and the Champions League here.

He also said that the involvement of former South Africa opener Kirsten as India's coach makes a huge difference.

"He's got all the insights about how to play on South African wickets and Gary being with them preparing for the past week will have been a great help for them."

BMW India launches new 5-series car priced at Rs 36.9 lakh

CHENNAI: German luxury car maker BMW India has launched the new BMW 5-series priced at Rs 36.9 lakh (ex-showroom all India).

The new BMW 520d comes with a two-litre four cylinder turbo diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Customers can order the new variant produced as completely knocked down unit from its Chennai plant. It would be available in all its dealerships across the country, BMW India said in a statement.

"The 5-series is the core model in our product portfolio. The new BMW 5 Series sedan, since its launch in April 2010, has successfully emerged as a leader in the luxury sedan segment in India.", BMW India President Andreas Schaaf said.

The auto maker said the vehicle would deliver an economy of 18.4 km per litre as tested by the Automotive Research Association of India.

The engine delivers a maximum output of 184 hp and reaches 0-100 km per hour in 8.1 seconds, it said.

The new BMW 520d would be available in a range of 10 colours including alpine white, black sapphire, cashmere silver, deep sea blue, havanna, milano beige, space grey, titanium silver, imperial blue brilliant effect and sophisto grey brilliant effect, the statement added.

Yamaha launches superbike 998 cc FZ1 in India

The superbike market is steadily gaining substance in India. After launching the iconic R1 and MT-01, Japanese two-wheeler major Yamaha has launched yet another high end sports bike in India, the FZ1, a 998cc motorcycle, at a price tag of Rs. 8.7 lakh, targeted at high end and sports bike users. As a fast naked motorcycle, FZ1 is quite popular in Europe. The company claims the FZ1 can touch a mind blowing 170 mph (272 kmph) top speed

Ooops : Tendulkar hit on helmet during practice

The Indian cricket team suffered an injury scare as Sachin Tendulkar escaped unhurt after he was hit on the helmet by a rising delivery from fast bowler Umesh Yadav during pre-series training at coach Gary Kirsten's academy.

A delivery from the uncapped right-arm paceman caught Tendulkar by surprise as it hit the left side of his helmet as he ducked, expecting the ball to rear up higher and pass overhead during the morning training session at Claremont Cricket Club last evening.

Tendulkar, who was among the second batch of players who reached here, took the very audible whack with great calmness, even as colleagues in both his and the other nets swiftly turned heads out of concern for his well-being.

The 37-year-old veteran of 174 Tests simply stooped a little, removed the helmet and inspected it, while Yadav rushed in but heaved a sigh of relief after laying his hands on Tendulkar's head which apparently did not have any signs of taking the blow.

Tendulkar then carried on serenely as if nothing had happened and shortly afterwards S Sreesanth sent him a shortish ball that barely climbed knee height, which caused some amusement.

He was batting on a strip which was with some up-and-down sort of bounce apparently prepared by Kirsten as part of preparations for the three-match Tests series against South Africa starting at Centurion on December 16.

"You can't control these sorts of situations in a net environment. It even happens in India; guys get hit on the glove and so on. You just have to hope nothing too serious occurs," said Kirsten afterwards of Tendulkar's minor scare.

"Interestingly enough the one net here is pretty flat and low and the other is going around a bit. The guys wanted to use the one that was more (spicy). I'm pretty excited about that; we'll use the one that?s going around a bit again tomorrow," he said.

Kirsten wanted to simulate the South African pitch conditions as best as possible as India are not having any warm-up game before the Test series.

The Indian squad will reach Centurion on Monday.

Karunanidhi : Comedian of the year

Action Against Raja if Found Guilty, Aays Karunanidhi

 

DMK president M Karunanidhi today said his party will not hesitate to take action against former telecom minister A Raja if he was found guilty in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

"We will take action without any hesitation if Raja is found guilty," the Tamil Nadu chief minister told reporters.

"However, the DMK believed that Raja had not committed any mistake. Till he is proved guilty we are not prepared to let him down," he said.

On the CBI raids at Delhi, Chennai and elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, including residences of Raja, his aides and relatives, Karunanidhi said the agency's action was "not a big issue".

"We don't consider the raids as an insult to us but there are some in the country who are drowned in insults," he said.

On AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa's charge that he was "blackmailing" the Congress on the 2G spectrum issue, Karunanidhi said, "Jayalalithaa is a past master in the art of blackmailing."

On her remarks that if the CBI probe was broad-based many more heads would roll, Karunanidhi said if CBI probed Jayalalithaa a lot of information would come out on many scams.

On the Opposition demand for a JPC probe into the spectrum scam, he said he was "prepared" for such a probe if its ambit also covered the decisions taken by previous governments from the date of allocation of spectrum space.

"The Opposition should come out with their stand on the Supreme Court's observation that the the CBI probe should cover the BJP-led NDA government's spectrum allocation," he said.

Karunanidhi continued to defend the 'Dalit face' of DMK when he said Raja was being targeted as he did not have the "sacred thread", implying that he was not a Brahmin.

The DMK patriarch had earlier likened the scam to the Hindu mythological story of demon Bagasura having a teeth to the length of 30 miles. He had also remarked as to how an individual could have looted Rs 1.76 lakh crore, the 'presumptive loss' as quantified by CAG.

On the Madras High Court retired judge S Raghupathy's letter to the then Chief Justice of Madras High Court H L Gokhale alleging that a Union Minister (reportedly Raja) had attempted to influence him in a criminal case through a lawyer, Karunanidhi said Raja himself had denied it.

India would be theToughest team to beat at WC: Ross Taylor

"The Indian team is a young side but has experienced players in it. It is very hard to bet against them as they go in as favourites in the World Cup. Not only because it is home conditions but their experience. India has won a lot of games too. I am sure India is the team to beat," Taylor said ahead of the fifth and final one-dayer of the series, which New Zealand is trailing 0-4.

"They are very talented bunch of players. I guess with the kind of population that India has got they are lucky to have come from a large pool. Virat Kohli and Praveen Kumar probably are still very inexperienced but they are very successful in their international careers," he added.