New technique enables nano self-assembly

Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have found a simple and yet powerfully robust way to induce nanoparticles to assemble themselves into complex arrays.

Small as they are, nanoparticles are essentially all surface; so any process that modifies the surface of a nanoparticle can profoundly change the properties of that particle.

Precisely arranging these nanoparticles is critical to tailoring the macroscopic properties during nanoparticle assembly.

Although DNA has been used to induce self-assembly of nanoparticles with a high degree of precision, this approach only works well for organized arrays that are limited in size; it is impractical for large-scale fabrication.

Ting Xu, a polymer scientist who led this project, believes that a better approach is to use block copolymers - long sequences or "blocks" of one type of monomer molecule bound to blocks of another type of monomer molecule.

"Block copolymers readily self-assemble into well-defined arrays of nanostructures over macroscopic distances," she said.

"They would be an ideal platform for directing the assembly of nanoparticles except that block copolymers and nanoparticles are not particularly compatible with one another from a chemistry standpoint. A mediator is required to bring them together," she added.

Xu and her group found such a "mediator" in the form of small molecules that will join with nanoparticles and then able attach themselves and their nanoparticle partners to the surface of a block copolymer.

For this study, Xu and her group used two different types of small molecules, surfactants (wetting agents) dubbed "PDP" and "OPAP."

These small molecules can be stimulated by light (PDP) or heat (OPAP) to sever their connection to the surface of a block copolymer and be repositioned to another location along the polymeric chain.

In this manner, the spatial distribution of the small molecule mediators and their nanoparticle partners can be precisely directed with no need to modify either the nanoparticles or the polymers.

"We've demonstrated a simple yet versatile approach to precisely controlling the spatial distribution of readily available nanoparticles over multiple length scales, ranging from the nano to the macro," said Ting Xu, a polymer scientist who led this project.

"Our technique can be used on a wide variety of nanoparticles and should open new routes to the fabrication of nanoparticle-based devices including highly efficient systems for the generation and storage of solar energy," he added. (ANI)

Kashmir's budding chefs learning to cook 'Hyderabadi Biryani'

A batch of Kashmiri hotel management students is mastering the techniques of cooking the famous 'Hyderabadi Biryani.'

Bram Lal Sharma, a master chef in Hyderabadi delicacies, is training nearly 30 students of Institute of Hotel Management in preparing the cuisine.

Kashmir is famous for 'wazwan' (a multi course meal).

Sharma expressed his happiness in helping Kashmiri students, who cook perfect 'wazwan (a multi course meal),' learn cooking the South Indian delicacy.

"People have a different eating habit here. They are good with their traditional preparation of 'wazwan'. But they were not well informed about 'Hyderabadi Biryani'. I am happy that the students are learning and enjoying the process. They are learning about different delicacies," he said.

Students said they want to want to cater to the changing eating pattern of Kashmir, as cuisine from all over the country is popularising in the region.

"Our purpose is to introduce a cuisine that people of Kashmir accept. We want that students of tourism should learn cooking 'Hyderabadi Biryani' and this dish should reach to all kitchens in Kashmir," said Imran Wani, a student of the institute of hotel management. (ANI)

Maoists gun down two rival activists in Jharkhand

Suspected Maoists abducted and killed two former activists of a rival outfit at Chando village in Palamau District of Jharkhand on Saturday.

This is the first incident of violence by Naxals after the announcement of polls to the state assembly.

According to police, about 20 red ultras abducted Pappu Singh and M Ansari from their houses late on Friday night and shot them on the outskirts of the village.

Their bodies were recovered on Saturday morning, police said,

The Naxals left behind a note accusing the duo of being police informers.

Police said Singh and Ansari were earlier members of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) another naxal outfit.

The CPI (Maoist) is engaged in a turf war with the TPC in parts of Jharkhand. (ANI)

Walkathon in Coimbatore to fight obesity

Hundreds of enthusiasts participated in a walkathon in Coimbatore in a bid to increase the awareness level about obesity and its ill effects.

Wearing white t-shirts and orange caps, men and women walked through the busy streets of the city to urge people to fight obesity and lead a healthy life.

"Today, India is on of the ten countries, which have highest number of obese people. But in future it is going to be worse. That's why this walkathon is going to make a good impact on the common public," said Dr. Palanivelu, a medical practitioner and organiser of the Obesity Awareness Walk.

Cases of obesity are on rise in India, especially in the metro cities.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 300 million people are facing obesity across the world.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the proportion of obesity is increasing at 33-51 percent in Indian cities.

Around 27 percent of urban population is overweight in comparison to 11 percent people in the rural areas.

More women than men are overweight. According to NFHS, 24 percent of women are overweight. (ANI)

Bhupinder Hooda takes oath as Haryana Chief Minister for second time

Bhupinder Singh Hooda was sworn in as Haryana's Chief Minister for a second consecutive term on Sunday.

Governor Jagannath Pahadia administered the oath of office and secrecy to Hooda in a ceremony held at the Haryana Raj Bhavan.

All the newly elected members of the assembly were also present during the oath-taking ceremony.

Earlier in the day, Hooda's name was decided by the Congress High Command in New Delhi, as Sonia Gandhi was authorized to decide the Haryana leadership issue.

Along with Hooda, names of Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja and Congress MP from Ambala were also reportedly discussed by party's high command.

Previously, Hooda has been the Lok Sabha member for four terms in 1991, 1996, 1998, 2004 and the leader of opposition in Haryana's Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2004.

He also served as the President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) from 1996 to 2001.

In March 2005, Hooda replaced Om Prakash Chautala as the Chief Minister of the State. (ANI)

Ex-servicemen return medals over pension equality

Protesting against the inequality in new and old pensions, hundreds of ex-servicemen on Sunday returned their medals to the government here.

These retired personnel from the three wings of defence forces - Army, Navy and Air Force, also staged a sit-in protest against the non-implementation of equality in pension, popularly known as 'One Rank-One Pension'.

"We are demanding just equality between the old and the new pension. If two pensioners are put in the same number of years of service, have undergone the same hardships, same risks, dangers, same separation, their services to the country have been same, then their pension also must be same," said Lieutenant General (retired) Raj Kadyan, Chairman of Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM).

The 'One Rank-One Pension' was introduced in 2009-2010.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his speech at the Independence Day, had also stated that pensions of some ranked officers have been improved.

However, according to the ex-servicemen, the government hasn't issued the orders as yet.

The IESM has been protesting for the last one and half year against the injustice to the pensioners of defence forces.

"We tried our best initially to make representation to the Government, to meet the leaders and talk to them but nothing happened. Depositing of medal is the biggest hurt that a soldier can express to the government," Lt. Gen (retired) Kadyan said.

The ex-servicemen have already deposited 20000 medals with the President. (ANI)

India-China border dispute cannot be wished away: Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the border dispute between India and China is a complex and time consuming issue, which will be discussed by Foreign Ministers of both the countries in Bangalore from 27th October.

"Boundary problem is a complex issue and cannot be wished away...pending solution of the boundary question, both countries have an obligation to maintain peace and tranquillity along the borders," Dr. Singh said, addressing a press conference after attending the ASEAN Summit here.

The dispute should not have its reflection on bilateral trade between India and China, Dr. Singh added.

The prime minister said the 15th ASEAN summit has been landmark for India, as it has signed the trade in goods agreement.

The conclusion of the India -ASEAN trade in Goods Agreement is a concrete step, he added.

Singh expressed "deep satisfaction" over East Asian countries endorsing his Nalanda University project to make it a global institution of "excellence in education."

"The EAS leaders' endorsement of the Nalanda University project, which is to be located in Bihar is a matter of deep satisfaction. We intend to move forward with the next steps to establish the Nalanda University as a centre of excellence in education and international understanding," the prime minister said.

Dr. Singh also raised the issue of terrorism in India as well eastern countries in the ASEAN Summit.

He urged eastern countries to have common intelligence system so that terrorism activities could be curbed. (ANI)

Dalai Lama an honoured guest of India, is free to travel anywhere: PM

A day after holding discussions with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of 15th ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday described Tibetans' spiritual guru Dalai Lama as "an honoured guest of India, adding that he is free to travel anywhere he wishes to (in India)."

Replying to a query on the issue of the proposed visit of Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Singh said although he was not aware of Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh but he reconfirmed that "Dalai Lama is an esteemed person for India."

China had raised strong objections to the Dalai Llama's proposed visit to the monastery town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh earlier.

China had also objected to the Prime Minister's visit to Arunachal Pradesh during campaigning for the recently held Assembly elections in the State. (ANI)

IAF flags in Bhagirathi II mountaineering team

Director General (Administration) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Marshal Naresh Verma flagged in the Air Force Mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Bhagirathi-II here on Sunday.

The expedition was organized as a part of the IAF's plan to train women air warriors mountaineering team for Mt. Everest expedition to be conducted in 2011.

This was the second expedition for the IAF women team after Mt. Stok Kangri (6153metres) carried out successfully in August.

On October 14, the five member team led by Wing Commander Bhavna Mehra successfully summitted Mt. Bhagirathi-II located at a height of 6512 metres in the Gangotri region of Uttarakhand.

The five brave air warriors who climbed the peak were Flight Lieutenant Lalita Mishra, Flight Lieutenant Punita Aswal, Master Warrant Officer Nizzamuddin, Junior Warrant Officer Suresh Pal and Corporal DK Vyas.

According to the IAF, on October 3 the team acclimatized in the area at a rapid rate and proceeded to set up their base camp at Upper Nandanvan, negotiating the treacherous terrain of Gangotri Glacier.

The team was welcomed with a spell of heavy snowfall on reaching the abode of Gods. At the first sight of the clear skies after two days, the team set out to open the route and establish higher camps.

Camp-I was set up at the height of 5060meters. For the summit camp the team could somehow put up three small tents in a precarious position on a steep slope October 9.

Next few days saw the real toil when the lead climbers of the team with two sherpas took turns to secure the route to summit by fixing ropes.

On October 13, the first summit party took their position for the final climb and in the wee hours of October 14 saw the team commence its climb in the area with the icy cold temperatures of less than -10 degree Celsius.

After a marathon effort of about 10 hrs of continuous climb over steep slopes of snow and ice with a dangererous loose rocks looming large, and ready to fall the team was poised at the summit with the tri-color and the IAF flag. (ANI)

Thai ladyboy reveals Alex Reid's "dirty side"

Former glamour model Katie Price a.k.a. Jordan's cross-dressing lover Alex Reid has become obsessed with a Thai ladyboy he met in a sex club.

Reid, 34, is said to have kissed and cuddled Kay Kae and made 15-mile trips to see her during three months teaching at a martial arts centre on the holiday isle of Phuket.

Kay Kae, who has had a sex-swap op, had met Reid when just 19-years at the Tiger Bar, and he knew of her male past because of her large hands.

"He liked me to talk dirty," the Sun quoted her as saying.

The cage fighter had been in Thailand in 2006 to train and teach at the Tiger Muay Thai MMA fight school, where during the day he endured strict discipline and gruelling fitness programmes, while at night he travelled into the party town of Patong.

"I remember him very well. He was nice but not really my style. I prefer smaller guys with less muscles. He came into the bar with a Thai man who worked at the boxing club," Kay Kae said.

"He didn't come and drink much because he was too serious about his training. But we'd meet late at the bar and then he'd take me back to the house he used at the camp," she added.

Kay Kae said punters would buy girls drinks and pay for sex but Reid was only there out of curiosity. (ANI)

Security gadgets witness high demand in Jammu and Kashmir

With incidents of burglary in shops or houses becoming a day-to-day affair, the demand for security gadgets is on the rise in the Valley.

Close-circuit television cameras (CCTV), spy cameras and beam sensors are high in demand as many private establishments including hotels, jewellery stores and electronic shops are showing interest to buy them.

Local shop owners selling gadgets say security gadgets has registered a significant increase in the sale.

"We deal in CCTV cameras and Infrared cameras. We give advertisements and get around 10-15 calls per day. When we give a demonstration of these cameras to customers they usually get satisfied and give us orders," said Saleem Ahmed, a dealer of security cameras, Srinagar.

"I feel that the local public need to be aware of its positive aspects," Ahmed added.

Ghulam Hassan, a shop owner, said security devices are a technological boon which should be used by people.

"For the past 20 years there has been turmoil here. Houses get burgled and even shops; hence installing these cameras would help reduce the crime rate," Hassan said. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

A wave of cheer grips Mathura city over local boy's win in Reality show

The win of a local boy in a music-based Reality Show on Saturday night has spread a wave of cheer across the Mathura city.

Hemant Brijwasi, the teenaged singer, won the 'Hero Honda Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa Li'l Champs', a music competition watched by millions of people across the country with great enthusiasm on TVs.

The declaration of Hemant as the winner of the music competition was hailed by his friends and family members along with people across the Mathura city, as almost all residents of Mathura were hooked to their television sets on Saturday (Oct. 24) evening for the grand finale of this singing contest meant for children.

Winner Hemant Brijwasi's mother and sister danced to the tunes of Hindi tracks along with other family members and friends.

"Like any other mother, I would like to say that he becomes famous in Brijsthan, the region of Mathura. Yes, it all happened by God's grace. He (God) made him win," said Shashi Brijwasi, mother of Hemant Brijwasi, winner of Hero Honda Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa Li'l Champs.

Sonu Brijwasi cousin of Hemant was all praise for her brother.

"I am feeling very happy and can't control my happiness. I can't believe that my brother has reached such height and has made his family and his native place proud. But all this has happened because of Lord Krishna. He (Lord Krishna) helped him win the competition," opined Sonu Brijwasi, cousin of Hemant Brijwasi, winner of Hero Honda Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa Li'l Champs.

Meanwhile, in Varanasi, supporters of Yatharth Rastogi, the first runner up singer in the contest also hailed their local boy's feat. He lost by a narrow margin in the judges' voting for the best.

To watch the grand finale, a special screening of the show was arranged inside the school premises where Yatharth studies.

His fellow classmates were all eyeing on the results. But they didn't let their spirits down after hearing the announcement of Yatharth being the first runner-up, they equally celebrated and burst firecrackers.

Meanwhile, Shreyashi Bhattacharya of West Bengal was declared as the second runner-up. By Girish Chandra Dubey (ANI)

Liquor and non-veg fare at Gandhi Restaurants in U.K.!

Even as it's been almost six decades when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, the western world is making the most of his name, as his name is being used to promote all kinds of branded items from Mont Blanc pens to restaurants.

However, believe it or not, joining this list is a chain of restaurants named after Mahatma Gandhi, which has come up in the United Kingdom and could startle almost Mahatma Gandhi lovers. The Gandhi restaurants located in different parts of London are serving non-vegetarian food and alcohol, the two entities that Gandhi detested in life

Immigrants from Bangladesh manage almost all these 'Gandhi' restaurants. Zalal Uddin can be termed as the pioneer of these 'Gandhi' restaurants in the United Kingdom. He tells that he opened his restaurant 'Gandhi's' on the Kennington Road in London 27 years ago when Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' film was released. That restaurant was a major hit as Gandhi was a well-known Indian all around and it was easy to relate the restaurant with Indian curries.

On serving alcoholic beverages and non-vegetarian food under the tag of "Gandhi", Zalal Uddin said that his restaurant caters to the European customers, thus alcohol has to be served.

"He wasn't a drinker and wasn't a non-vegetarian eater. We respect his wishes. We opened business in European country, we cater for the Europeans and that's what they expect you to serve here. Otherwise, we will not be doing any business. And the customers used to come and tell me that how wise of me of calling this restaurant 'Gandhi's Restaurant' and naming my restaurant after the great man. Everybody knows who was Gandhiji and they really appreciated it and it was an instant hit. Believe me, everybody used to know my restaurant as a name of Gandhi's," said Zalal Uddin, owner of Gandhi's Restaurant, Kennington Road, London.

The gourmets among who's of who in British politics, be they the Tories or the Liberals, are regulars at Zalal Uddin's Gandhi's Restaurant.

Recently when the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was having hectic parleys with his treasury bench on the credit crunch issue, a lot of Indian curries like Balti to Chicken Jalfrezi were ordered from the Gandhi restaurants.

Antony and Tim, two professionals, are regulars at the Gandhi's Restaurant and enjoy their vegetarian Thali (set plate meals) as well as Chicken Biryani, relished with beer.

"I knew he (Gandhi) was a vegetarian. I suppose, ...he was Indian, also I guess, he didn't drink alcohol. Probably not for me... I am more likely to be engaged in passive resistance than I'm to become a vegetarian or stop drinking alcohol," said Tim, a connoisseur of Indian food.

In London, there are three Gandhi restaurants and a few more in Cambridge and Kent.

Azad Miyan, also from Bangladesh and the manager of Gandhi's Restaurant on the Grays Inn Road in London said that it was the popularity of Gandhi, which prompted the naming of the restaurant after India's most respected freedom fighter.

"Gandhi was always a popular man since obviously long time ago. Even a lot of people came before in England. So Gandhi was popular before everyone came. When you call the name of Gandhi, They used to say from India. This is like Indian curry. That's what it is. ...They think putting the name of Gandhi is popular of the curry," added Azad Miyan, Manager, Gandhi's Restaurant.

However, admirers of Gandhi and followers of his philosophy don't approve of naming restaurants that sell non-vegetarian food and alcohol after Mahatma Gandhi.

According to John Rowley, one of the Trustees and Coordinator of Special Events and Projects of the Gandhi Foundation in London observed if Mahatma Gandhi were alive, he would have found it highly immoral.

Sir Richard Attenborough is the President of the Gandhi Foundation.

"Advance capitalism is extremely skilled in linking names with products which actually have no rational or appropriate link. I think people are simply intent on making a profit by associating as a word of goodness of Gandhi's name with the goodness of the product, said John Rowley, Trustee and Coordinator of Special Events and Projects, Gandhi Foundation, London.

The name 'Gandhi' which has long been associated with 'non-violence' and peace is now becoming an easy identity for branding. By Cynthia Chandran (ANI)

India, China reaffirm the need to maintain peace and tranquility on border

India and China have reaffirmed the need to maintain peace and tranquility on the border during their talks held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

"The (Chinese) Premier and I reaffirmed the need to maintain peace and tranquility on the border paving way for the resolution of the boundary question. Both of us agreed that we should continue and strengthen efforts to build political trust and understanding," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while interacting with media in Cha-Am Hua Hin city.

On the issue of Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader living in exile in India, Dr.Manmohan Singh said

Australia wins in a cliff hanger, as India lose first ODI by 4-runs

The first match of the seven-game ODI series between India and Australia in Vadodara had a thrilling finish on Sunday, as the Indian players failed to hold on their nerve and fell short by four runs.

At one point the match did seem like heading towards Australia's grip after the Indian star batsmen were unable to score freely on a batsman-friendly pitch, but the late heroics by Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar made the last 10 overs of the second innings added sparkle to the match.

Earlier, opting to bat first Australia scored a respectable score of 292 for eight wickets after a splendid batting performance by captain Ricky Ponting (74 runs), Michael Hussey (73 runs), Tim Paine (50 runs) and Cameron White (51 runs). ith a target of 293 on the board, the Indian team required a good start from its openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, but both the batsmen struggled in front of Australian spearheads Brett Lee and Shane Watson.

Having a disciplined bowling and tight fielding, the Australians were able to contain the openers for cheap and have a check on the middle order batsmen, where except for Gautam Gambhir who scored 68 runs, Virat Kohli (30 runs), M. S. Dhoni (34 runs), Suresh Raina (9runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (5 runs) found it tough to score runs.

The plot was out of consideration after reeling at 201-7, however, lower order batsman Harbhajan (49 runs) and Praveen (40 runs not out) added 84 runs from 57 balls for the eighth-wicket, to give the Vadodara spectators something to cheer about.

Harbhajan and Praveen were able to bring the target down to nine runs from the last over from Peter Siddle, but the quick conceded only four runs while clean bowling Harbhajan.

At the end the Team India fell short by four runs, courtesy a tight over by Siddle.

The second ODI of the series will be played at VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday. (ANI)

Karat faces catch-22 situation over West Bengal Govt.-Maoists swap deal

Even as West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is trying to put up a brave face claiming to teach Maoists a lesson, CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat was in a flux on Sunday to react on the State Government's recent swap deal with the Maoists.

Addressing a press conference after a three-day meeting of the CPI (M) Central Committee in the national capital, Karat tried to deflect the questions raised on the swap deal and said that those who were released were not Naxal activists.

"Those people who were released were ordinary people and had been mobilized by the Maoists. Our job is to politically isolate the Maoists. We have decided to conduct a vigorous campaign against the Maoists," Karat said.

On Thursday, the Maoists released an abducted West Bengal police officer, Attendranth Dutta, at Domohini forest after the State Government reportedly agreed to release women Maoist activists in exchange for him.

Karat further stressed that the Maoists menace in West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand is of significant threat and said

Nag Nathiya festival draws large number of devotees to Varanasi

The banks of the River Ganga in Varanasi recently turned into a sea of humanity on the occasion of 'Nag Nathaiya' meaning dance on the hood of a cobra, the mythical Kalia Nag.

Thousands of devotees including foreign tourists converged on the riverbanks here to witness a 400-year-old traditional festival and fair named 'Nag Nathaiya', as it was celebrate with deep fervour on Friday.

Legend has it that Kaliya, the serpent, used to in River Yamuna that flows past Mathura and it used to trouble the local people.

It is said Lord Krishna, who spent his childhood in the vicinity of Mathura, tamed this evil snake by dancing on its hood and had freed the locals from the serpent's scare.

At Varanasi, 'Nag Nathaiya' is an enactment of that episode from the life of Lord Krishna.

Young boys dressed as Lord Krishna with flutes in hands and peacock feathers on heads performed this act of taming of the serpent.

The devotees, led by a priest, offered prayers and performed rituals as well as witnessed the 'Krishna Leela', the enactment of anecdotes from Lord Krishna's life. However, the festival over the past couple of years, has become even more relevant in today's time such as it is being used as an occasion to spreading awareness on social causes including the need to keep the River Ganga free from pollution.

"The way people are dirtying our mother River Ganga (Ganges) is alarming. Sewage pipes are opening into it. So this fair (festival) has become even more relevant in today's time. The way Krishna killed the poisonous Kaliya serpent by dancing on its hood and saved the river Yamuna from its poison, in the same way many the people of Varanasi hope the festival will help in cleansing the river from pollution. Because Ganga Ma (Mother Ganga) is our cultural heritage," said Ashok Pandey, a local resident of Varanasi and devotee at the 'Nag Nathaiya' festival.

The Hindus regard River Ganga as the holiest. However, it has been reduced to a dirty drain with untreated effluents, industrial waste and sewage of scores of big and small cities being emptied into it.

Although the federal government of India set up a Ganga Action Plan in 1985 to cleanse the river, much of the 'action' seems to have been confined to paper and files.

Amidst these trends, 'Nag Nathaiya' festival was observed a-la two birds with one stone - to keep the tradition alive and to create mass awareness about the river pollution.

The festival attracted people from different parts. Alisha, an Italian said that she had travelled all the way from Italy to witness the annual ceremony.This is a really nice fair. I'm really interested in the show, this kind of culture. It's really very nice. I'll see Krishna and the snake. I'm very happy," noted Alisha, an Italian tourist.he festival is believed to have started by noted poet Tulsidas over 400 years ago.

According to Hindu legend, young Krishna while playing with his friends, accidentally tossed the ball into the River Yamuna. And when he dived to retrieve the ball, he encountered Kalia, the dreaded serpent.

Not to lose heart, the young Krishna fought with the monstrous Kalia and killed it while his panic-stricken friends summoned the elders who were amazed to see him dancing on Kalia's hood. (ANI)

Tibetan monks, nuns hold 12-hour hunger strike in Dharamshala

Tibetan monks and nuns residing at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh are outraged over the alleged execution of four Tibetan activists by the Chinese administration over their role in last year's riots in Lhasa.

On Sunday, a group of activists staged a protest by holding a 12-hour hunger strike to draw public attention and condemn the alleged executions.

Activists of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) also participated in the hunger strike to express their solidarity with the suffering Tibetans in China.

"We are here today for the solidarity for the people who are suffering in Tibet and especially those who are sentenced to death penalty in Tibet," said Tenzin, a monk participating in the strike.

Meanwhile, the activists also organised a mass signature campaign and called for the intervention of international community to condemn the death penalties being meted out to helpless Tibetans in China.

"China is the only country where maximum number of death penalties have been given. So, we believe it is the time that US Government, UN Human Rights Council and European Commission to pressurize, oppose and strongly condemn such kind of death penalties being given to innocent Tibetans and ethnic Chinese," said Sonam, President of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress. hough, China is yet to confirm the executions, according to the information received by Dharamsala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), as many as four Tibetans were executed for their alleged involvement in the 2008 anti-China unrest in Lhasa.

Repeated calls to get a confirmation of the executions from Chinese Government offices in Lhasa were not answered. (ANI)

Security forces gun down four Maoists, arrest three in an encounter in Jharkhand

Four Maoists have been killed and three arrested in an encounter at Jonha, about 40 kilometres from State capital Ranchi by the Jharkhand Police and Central paramilitary forced in a joint operation, police said on Sunday.

According to police, following a tip off about Maoists' movement taking place towards Purulia district in the neighbouring West Bengal State, the security forces laid a trap by putting blockades at various places. A fierce gunfight took place at Jonha, about 40 kilometres away from State capital, Ranchi.

"We had placed blockades at six places which were there continuously for the past 2 days. We were successful near Jonha area where following an encounter four Maoists were killed, though we have only found one body. The search operation is on to find rest of the Maoists. We have found three rifles, backpacks, their vehicle, a motorcycle and lot of ammunitions," said Praveen Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranchi.

Police also confirmed of having arrested three Maoists.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described Maoists as the biggest internal security challenge since independence, which began four decades ago championing the cause of poor peasants in the east, but has now spread to about 20 of India's 29 states.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the government was willing to talk to the Maoists about issues such as poverty and corruption that are often blamed for stoking the insurgency, but insisted the rebels must first stop violence. (ANI)

Darjeeling toy train gets vestibule coaches

World famous toy train of Darjeeling in West Bengal has received vestibule coaches, which now enables its passengers, who had to earlier jump off the train to enter another compartment, to amble along from one end to the other.

Speaking to media after conducting the first successful trial run, Subrata Nath, Director of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), disclosed it to media persons on Sunday (October 25).

"We are going to introduce vestibule coaches where a person can move from one coach to another coach. And we are taking a trial run. We have already taken one trial. We will take another one or more trials. This will be the first time in any of the India hill railway that vestibule coaches are introduced," said Subrata Nath, Director, Darjeeling Himalayan Railways.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is popularly known as the Darjeeling toy train. The train with vestibule coaches is expected to become operational from November 1.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), which runs the toy train, was conferred world heritage status in 1999. It is the second railway line in the world to be declared a UNESCO heritage site, the first being the Zemerin in Austria.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) route passes through Ghoom, the second highest railway station in the world, situated at a height of 7,407 feet. The arc shaped loop at Ghoom as the train chugs up or down the tracks is a prominent tourist attraction.

This narrow gauge train is referred as 'Toy' because of its relatively small size and the snail pace at which it chugs vis-a-vis other trains hauled by powerful diesel or electric locomotives.

The train still maintains its quaintness with wood compartments and no brakes. It travels at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour.

The engineering marvel used by DHR was inspirational for several mountain railways in the world. For this very reason, the UNESCO declared it as a world heritage site in 1999. As such it is still preserved and operated despite several constraints such as the cost and other odds encountered during monsoon season.

DHR was the result of the sole effort of Frankin Prestage, Agent of the then Eastern Bengal Railways, who not only envisioned it but also played a major part in its construction. By Tarak Sarkar (ANI)