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Friday, January 17, 2014
62 Indians shortlisted for one-way trip to Mars
London: Over 1,000 aspirants, including 62 from India, have been shortlisted for an ambitious private mission to send four men and women on a one-way trip to Mars in 2024 to establish a permanent colony on the red planet.
The Netherlands-based non-profit organisation Mars One announced the selection of 1,058 candidates from the applicant pool of over 200,000 hoping to establish human life on Martian soil.
The applicants came from over 140 countries and more than 20,000 Indians had applied for the first round.
According to SPACE.com, of those who made the first cut, 297 are from the US. Canada is the second best represented country with 75 candidates, followed by India with 62 and Russia with 52.
Mars One co-founder Bas Lansdorp described the shortlisted candidates as "first tangible glimpse into what the new human settlement will truly look like."
"We're extremely appreciative and impressed with the sheer number of people who submitted their applications.
However, the challenge with 200,000 applicants is separating those who we feel are physically and mentally adept to become human ambassadors on Mars from those who are obviously taking the mission much less seriously," Lansdorp said.
All applicants were notified via e-mail of their application status. For those who were not selected in this round, there is still a chance they could reapply at a later date, which has not yet been determined, Mars One said.
"The next several selection phases in 2014 and 2015 will include rigorous simulations, many in team settings, with focus on testing the physical and emotional capabilities of our remaining candidates," Norbert Kraft, Chief Medical Officer of Mars One, said.
"We expect to begin understanding what is motivating our candidates to take this giant leap for humankind. This is where it really gets exciting for Mars One, our applicants, and the communities they're a part of," said Kraft.
Mars One plans to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Crews of four will depart every two years, starting in 2024. The first unmanned mission will be launched in 2018, the organisation said on its website.
AK Antony calls for unity in Congress
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress in the state has begun preparing for the elections with a call for party unity by Defence Minister A.K. Antony and the ground being prepared for Ramesh Chennithala to join the Oommen Chandy government.
At the same time, the draft election manifesto prepared by the KPCC has suggested giving ‘relief to the kitchen’ by providing 12 LPG cylinders to all the families at subsidised rates.
Antony urged the Congress leaders and the government to work unitedly in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He asked the party leaders to settle the differences of opinion within the party itself without allowing them to reach dangerous levels.
He was addressing the party workers after receiving a copy of the election manifesto prepared by the three-member sub-committee set up by the KPCC.
Antony warned that if partymen can’t remain united, they should get ready to perish.
Meanwhile, speculation is rife that KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala may join the Chandy government to try to avoid a drubbing for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.
Warning KPCC leaders who are embroiled in group politics, Antony said that if they remained united, they could reap rich dividends.
The problems in the party should be solved collectively. “Unity is important for strengthening the party. If we move unitedly, the New Year will be the party’s. The party should create a conducive environment to face the New Year challenges,” he said.
When reporters asked him about the possibility of Chennithala joining the cabinet, he said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Chennithala were the apt persons to answer it.
Congress sources told DC that it is with this agenda that Chennithala has been trying to bring in many leaders of ‘I’ camp to the KPCC executive before January 10.
The highlight of the KPCC’s manifesto prepared by KPCC general secretaries Dr Sooranad Rajasekharan, Satheeshan Pacheni and Sajeev Joseph is ‘relief to the kitchen.’
All the families will be given 12 LPG cylinders at Rs 500 per cylinder in a year.
It will also be ensured that cylinders are delivered to the consumers within seven days of the date of booking.
Another recommendation is that the government should regulate the prices of petrol and diesel. Also, all the families whose monthly income is less than Rs 10, 000 and who own a two-wheeler should be given 10 litres of petrol in a month at 25 percent below market price.
Next: Antony flays frequent disruption of Assembly
Our batsmen know their roles: Penney
Durban: India's fielding coach Trevor Penney was hopeful about eking out a draw against South Africa, saying his batsmen know very well what is required of them even as the visitor's face a daunting task to save the second Test.
India still trail South Africa by 98 runs with eight wickets in hand but they need to bat out of their skins against a fiery South African pace battery on the final day to save the match.
"The mood in the dressing room is just normal. Our batsmen know what their roles are and who the South African bowlers are. They have studied them and played against them. So we need to dig deep and fight the day out," Penney said last night after South Africa reduced India to 68 for two on the fourth day.
"We have played good cricket over the last couple of weeks and the team is very upbeat about the possibility of trying to bat out (the final day)," he added.
India lost one more wicket yesterday than they would have wanted when Shikhar Dhawan was out caught by Faff du Plessis, with the fielder pulling off a stunning catch at short mid-wicket.
"At this particular stage, he wasn't very happy because the light was poor and they could have come off at any stage. I think he was pretty disappointed," said the coach, describing Dhawan's mood.
Earlier in the day, Jacques Kallis stroked his way to his 45th Test hundred in his last match to put South Africa in a dominating position.
India delayed the second new ball, bowling 146 overs with the first one, playing for time in this rain-curtailed match.
"It is a bit more variable with the old ball. We just wanted to test with reverse swing as well, that was the main reason. It didn't really allow the new batsmen to settle down, as we were relying on reverse swing and thought that was the best strategy," Penney said.
Asked specifically, if the pacers were tired after their outing in Johannesburg, he replied in the negative.
"We batted a quite a long time in this match and then the rain began to show up in the first couple of days. So the bowlers have also had a break. It is just that the South Africans batted well in that middle period, especially Jacques who dug in for a lot of balls. He just defended and then scored off the loose balls," Penny said.
India's stand-out bowler was left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who returned with his best-ever figures in a Test innings, taking 6-138.
Apparently, spin could play a factor on the final day if the weather opens up and the conditions are dry.
"Jadeja bowled a lot of overs and got his wickets. But it didn't really spin, not every ball. I think we have the batsmen to deal with that," said Penney.
"Normally, the seamers are South Africa's biggest threat, aren't they? We have to see them off in the morning and obviously when the reverse swing comes into play. So even if we start well, the guys need to watch out as the day goes on," he warned the Indian batsmen.
AAP effect: BJP says no to criminals
AAP supporters celebrate after party convener Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister in Patiala - PTI New Delhi: Witnessing the emergence of the untainted outsider Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP has decided not to give tickets to leaders with criminal records or charges.
“The AAP impact on BJP is that no ticket will be given to bahubalis or criminals. In short, there will not be another Kushwaha experiment in the party,” a senior BJP leader said.
Controversies followed after the BJP had admitted former BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, who was sacked by the then chief minister, party supremo Mayawati, after his name surfaced in the National Rural Health Commission (NRHC) scam and in connection with the murders of two chief medical officers of the family welfare department.
BJP levels bribery charge against Virbhadra Singh, calls it 'test' for Sonia, Rahul
Top BJP leaders felt that if Kejriwal was not effectively countered, India could see a repeat of V.P. Singh’s emergence in electoral politics in 1989. Party strategists pointed out that dalits and Muslims in India were moving rapidly towards the AAP.
The combined vote bank of dalits and Muslims is nearly 35 per cent, which is enough to tilt the balance.
In UP, called the 'gateway to Delhi', the combined strength of dalits and Muslims is around 35 per cent with 20 per cent Muslims and 15 per cent dalits. Besides this, the AAP is already attracting the youth and middle class, which was the BJP’s target vote bank.
In Haryana, the BJP-INLD and Haryana Janhit Congress are coming together to counter the AAP’s rapidly growing influence in the state. The ruling Congress in Haryana, reeling under the Robert Vadra controversy, is looking at options on how to extricate itself from the mess.
Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal arrives at Koshambi metro station. Kejriwal boarded the metro on Monday to take oath as Delhi Chief Minister at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital as hundreds of people jostled with each other to board the train with him. There was no place to stand in the Metro premises and people were falling over each other as Kejriwal arrived to board the train.
Kejriwal waits for the train at Koshambi station. Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other AAP supporters took the metro train around 11 a.m. Before boarding the train, Kejriwal said, "It is a beginning. The second fight for independence. Till this country gets freedom from corruption, famine and injustice, this fight will continue. It is the victory of the common man."Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung with Arvind Kejriwal and other cabinet ministers at a procession before oath ceremony at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi. "We will start our work the moment our swearing in ceremony is finished", said Kejriwal.Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administers the oath of office and secrecy to Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's seventh CM, who is Delhi's youngest CM too, at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi. 45-year-old Kejriwal, a former revenue service official, who scored a stunning debut in electoral politics winning 28 of the 70 seats promises a corruption-free govt and new style of governance without arrogance of power.Kejriwal speaks after taking oath as Delhi Chief Minister. "We were born to remove the arrogance of big parties. We should be wary that no other party has to take birth to dismantle us". On the confidence motion on the floor of Delhi Assembly next week, Kejirwal said his party was not bothered about its fate as "we are not here to grab power".Kejriwal after taking oath as Delhi Chief Minister. "It is not Kejriwal who took oath today but it is the common man. It is the victory of the common man," he said, adding "the road to truth is not easy but full of thorns and we will face all future challenges". Kejriwal during the oath taking ceremony in New Delhi. In his 20 minutes long speech, Kejriwal said, "We don't have solutions to all problems. We don't have a magic wand to solve problems immediately. The fight is very long and we will need the support of people to end corruption in the capital and the country. The main problems in the country arise due to dirty politics and we have to clean it."Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administers the oath of office and secrecy to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister and party leaders Manish Sisodia, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Girish Soni, Rakhi Birla and Satyendra Jain as cabinet ministers during the oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi.Kejriwal with cabinet ministers Manish Sisodia, Somnath Bharti, Rakhi Birla, Satyendra Jain, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Girish Soni waves after they took oath as ministers administered by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung. "Whether we pass or fail in the test of confidence motion, we are ready to face elections, if we fail. The people will vote us with a huge majority," Kejriwal said to the a huge crowd at the Ramlila Maidan.Arvind Kejriwal signs a document after being sworn-in as Delhi Chief Minister, at Ramlila maidan in New Delhi. Kejriwal had said that AAP's fight is not over till the country is free of corruption.Arvind Kejriwal, center, pays respect at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi after being sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi, in New Delhi. Tens of thousands of people cheered as the anti-corruption crusader who heads a new political party vowing to uproot graft from Indian politics was sworn in as the chief minister of India's capital.Arvind Kejriwal pays his respect at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi after being sworn in as the CM of Delhi. "I don't believe that all bureaucrats are corrupt. I will not hesitate in admitting that most officers are honest. It is also a challenge before the bureaucracy to deliver a corruption free regime," Kejriwal said.Arvind Kejriwal, center, leaves after paying respect at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. "We had lost all hope and thought that politics is hooliganism and corruption. But in Delhi Assembly elections, people have proved that politics can be done with honesty, elections can be fought and won with honesty," Kejriwal said.A supporter holds a broom, the party symbol of Aam Aadmi Party and greets Arvind Kejriwal, inside car, after the latter was sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi. "I used to suggest Anna Hazare that if we want to clean the system, then we will have to get down in this 'dirty politics'. Hazare was opposed to entering into politics. I told him that we will have to enter it to clean it", said Kejriwal.Arvind Kejriwal addresses the media after assuming the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi. As per decision of first meeting of the cabinet presided by CM Arvind Kejriwal, no minister or official in Delhi Government are allowed to use red beacon, or personal security or escort car. Security to be allowed based on threat perception, Delhi cabinet decides.Arvind Kejriwal talks on a phone as he is seated to assume the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi.Arvind Kejriwal drinks water as he sits to assume the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi.Delhi CM Kejriwal with cabinet ministers before the start of the cabinet meeting at Delhi Secretariat in New Delhi.CPI to President: More seats needed in Telangana
Hyderabad: The CPI on Monday urged President Pranab Mukherjee to take steps to increase the number of Assembly seats in the new Telangana state to 153 from the present 119 in the T-Bill.
The party also urged the President to add another 50 seats in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.
CPI state council secretary Dr K. Narayana, who met the President at Rashtrapathi Nilayam, sought his intervention on the policy of political parties making promises in election manifesto and dumping them subsequently.
Describing the stalling of proceedings on T-Bill in Assembly and Council as undemocratic and unconstitutional, Dr Narayana said these parties were pursuing selfish and opportunistic policies.
The Congress, TD and the YSRC which often declare that they honour Parliamentary democracy but have practically have become a hurdle for the smooth functioning of state Assembly, he charged.
CPI also sought reconstitution of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II with a new chairman, setting up of regional development councils in backward Rayalaseema, north
Andhra, and allotment of special funds to backward Mahbubnagar, Anantapur, Nalgonda, Adilabad, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Prakasam.
While welcoming Polavaram project as national project, the CPI demanded similar status to Pranahita-Chevella, setting up of inter-state water management boards for the
maintenance of projects & canals with statutory powers, allotment of required gas, oil and coal to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states as per norms prescribed.
“Serious observation be made on a political party which express two opinions in two different regions simultaneously. A political party cannot take different political
lines in and outside legislative bodies. We feel that such unhealthy trends be curtailed by your esteemed intervention for the smooth functioning of the Assembly.
Members should have freedom of expression and come to certain conclusion within stipulated period,”?he said.
Dr Narayana said leaders of these parties who are humiliating the T-Bill had met him.
“We do not know what they had talked to you. But everyone knows what they addressed to the media. Sir, you should take a serious note of what is transpiring in the state Assembly, and find out a scientific solution to the needs of all,”?he added.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Loyal mantris aim to save party
Picture for representational purpose only. Hyderabad: Some Seemandhra ministers who are loyal to the party high command are planning to form a team of “true Congressmen” who will stand by the party.
Ten Seemandhra ministers form the core group, who will meet after January 3 to discuss their future course of action.
The main agenda of the team is to strengthen the party in the Seemandhra region and fight for development of the region in the wake of the state’s bifurcation. Though the team will oppose the bifurcation, they will remain loyal to the party.
In the second step, true Congressmen from among Seemandhra MLAs will be identified.
The ministers who see themselves as “true Congressmen” are Botsa Satyanarayana, Kondru Murali, P. Balaraju, Thota Narasimham, Kanna Laxminarayana, Dokka Manikya Varaprasad, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, M. Mahidhar Reddy, N. Raghuveera Reddy, and Ahamdullah. Union minister Panabaka Laxmi is also part of the group.
These ministers feel that the Congress in the Seemandhra region is not in such a bad position as assumed by some of their colleagues.
They believe that if they work hard to strengthen the party, the Congress could perform well in the coming general elections.
The plan is to conduct huge public meetings in the Seemandhra region. While YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu are touring the Seemandhra region and addressing public meetings, no one is countering them from the Congress.
In the meeting that will be held after January 3, the venues and other details will be discussed, Murali told reporters.
He said if some ministers and MLAs from Seemandhra leave the Congress, it will not damage the party in any way as there are 200 to 300 second line leaders in every Assembly constituency.
He clarified that they will continue to oppose the bifurcation and demand that a resolution in favour of united AP?be passed in the Assembly and there is no compromise on that but they want a discussion on the Telangana Bill in the Assembly because if there is no discussion the Centre may think that they have supported the Bill.
Meanwhile, Union ministers Panabaka Laxmi and Killi Kruparani said that if anyone wants to leave the party, they are free to do so as there are many leaders to fill in their places.
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