Funky China phones face import ban

Published: August 1, 2009Posted in: All, General

TV on the go, 2 SIMs and lots more
TV on the go, 2 SIMs and lots more

Over the past two years, ‘China-phones’ became extremely popular in India. For prices as low as Rs.5000 you could get a phone with the same features as a Nokia or Sony Ericsson phone for around Rs.12000. Add to this some models came with attractive features not found in conventional models. We’re talking dual-SIM, radio TV, 10 watt rms speakers and what not! Even though these phones came with no warranties people still wanted them for the price and the different look that came with it.

However, the government has now enforced a ban on China phones without a 15-digit IMEI number or International Mobile Equipment Identity number. Owing to security threats, this step had to be taken. An IMEI number will allow you to track a particular mobile phone based on its communication with mobile base stations located across an area. China phones do not have an IMEI number or either share the number with at least a 100 other phones. Recent terror attacks have found terrorists using China phones to set off bombs and escape undetected. On the other hand an IMEI bearing phone can easily be traced.

There are currently 30 million users of 8% of India’s mobile population which uses China or Taiwan manufactred handsets. With the banning of new imports, the process of making existing China phones defunct is now under way. GSM service providers such as Airtel and Vodafone are locating their China phone users and sidelining them. This process could take several months. So if you’re a “Nokla” user and find that one day you have no service, don’t be surprised.

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Eclipse Trio to light up the Skies

Published: July 21, 2009Posted in: All, IndiThoughts

IndiThoughts #1

By Beverly Pereira

When the moon cast its shadow
When the moon cast its shadow

The months of July and August 2009 will witness the sky being lit up by a rare phenomenon of the astrological and celestial kind. Three eclipses will grace the skies, offering a rare and spectacular sight to sky gazers worldwide.

Thrice as nice

The first of this rare trio eclipse already took place on July 7 when a Penumbral lunar eclipse lit up the night sky. This eclipse however was not visible over India. It occurred as the moon rose over Australia and went on to set in the southern areas of America.

Total Eclipse of your heart

The next eclipse will be of particular interest to those in India. Come July 22, be prepared for the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. Revving up the excitement levels is the fact that it will be a total solar eclipse, which means that viewers get a chance to see a perfect ring of light around a darkened sun.
It’s also interesting to note that this will be the longest total solar eclipse, clocking in at 6 minutes and 38 seconds at the point of maximum eclipse.

To get a first hand glimpse of this hugely anticipated total solar eclipse, a large number of people are travelling to destinations mainly in Asia. Some locations that have come under the solar eclipse travel alert include a few Japanese islands, China, Myanmar and of course Indian cities like Varanasi and Patna.

Interestingly, airlines like JetLite have capitalized on this rare celestial phenomenon by making available a specially chartered aircraft that will allow passengers to see the eclipse up close. The Eclipse flight is a non-stop flight from Delhi to Delhi that has 21 sun side windows and 21 earth side windows. It will be perfect because in the thick of the cloudy monsoon season, the eclipse won’t be seen. Imagine observing the eclipse in the dark blue sky as well as the earth below with the lunar shadow sweeping beneath you!

Or, you could just head straight to the Nehru Planetarium, Worli for a beautiful view of the eclipsed rising sun at 6 am on July 22.

Lunar eclipse, again

The last of the triple eclipse series is a lunar eclipse that will take place on August 6. It will also be visible to some extent in India.

Bad or good omen?

Legend has it that the last time such a series of triple eclipses occurred was during the Kurukshetra war, World War I and II, consecutively. Many people believe that this rare eclipse trio will be a harbinger of all things bad.

Well known astrologer Bejan Daruwala has predicted that the stock market might be impacted. He also said that leaders and political heads of states need to watch their back as assassinations have taken place during such periods.

He also said that although the period looked bad until the end of September, one should keep themselves happy and busy in such times by watching movies, chatting with old friends and laughing at oneself.

Indians, plan towards your future!

Published: July 19, 2009Posted in: All, General

Changing with times wont stress you
Changing with times won’t stress you

Given that our economy and world economy are not facing the best of times, it’s time we took some precaution. You can’t go denying it. Unemployment is at a high even in countries like the US, inflation bites at your pockets yet every product you could imagine is available in the market. To keep your demand intact there are some choices you can make.

Goals and wants may vary but most Indians have two factors in common: their child’s future and retirement plans. With so many financial plans around, it is important that individuals invest accordingly to cope with changing times. Education is getting costlier by the day.

Here is an article that will give beginners a good idea of where to start. It’s pretty simple and doesn’t require much knowledge of the market as such. Those who are going to start work soon or are early in their careers should have a look – http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/jul/15/perfin-its-time-to-start-planning-your-future.htm

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The Treasures of Ajanta & Ellora

Published: July 18, 2009Posted in: All, Featured, General

Historic marvel
Historic marvel

Near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, you will find the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves housing paintings and rock carvings of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythological figures, all done by hand in the B.C. period! The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta only came under attention in 1918, when a British officer re-discovered them by accident. Ajanta is a designated World Heritage Site which must be properly preserved for its artistic legacy that will inspire and enrich future generations.

Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta group of caves lie deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side and above the Waghora river. They depict the passage of Buddhism, spanning a period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were in fact the isolated shelters of the Buddhist monks who indulged in the Chaityas and Viharas rituals, the core of Buddhism learning. Simple tools like hammer and chisel were used by the monks to carve out the amazing figures. Many of the caves depict stories from the Jatakas, rich tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Nymphs and princesses including others, are also elegantly portrayed.

Ellora Caves
The Ellora caves, 34 in toal, have been carved into the sides of a  hill, 30 kms

Done by hand
Done by hand

from Aurangabad. The quality of the interiors cannot be described in words and stands supreme among cave architecture. These were carved in the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves facing south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are represent Jain. The sculptures in the Buddhist caves beautifully convey the calm and grace of the Buddha.

The fact that humans were capable of such feats in that time frame is nothing short of amazing. Without any machines and electro-mechanical tools, these Monks have actually turned hills into pieces of art. We don’t care if Ajanta & Ellora isn’t listed in the World Wonders. Those who have actually visited the site will understand that these wonders are worth way more than the credibility a word wonder list can bestow upon them.

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India’s ancient Astronomy zone now bustling

Published: July 18, 2009Posted in: All, Events
Aryabhatta - 6th century genius
Aryabhatta – 6th century genius

In the 6th century, Indian astronomer-mathematician Aryabhatta studied planets and stars from Taregna village located in Bihar. Today, scientists and eclipse chasers from across the world are arriving in this remote village to witness the longest total solar eclipse of this century on July 22. It’s pure coincidence but it was at this very village, about 35 km from Patna, where the sixth-century Indian scientist discovered amazing things. It was here that Aryabhatta first revealed that the earth revolves around the sun and developed the concept of zero. Aryabhatta’s observatory was built on a 20 feet high land at the now absent sun temple in Taregna. It was from this observatory that he and his team did star-gazing.

According to the NASA’s observation based on satellite images, the total eclipse (expected to last three minutes and 48 seconds at Taregna) will start a little after sunrise on July 22. NASA predicts that the cloud cover is less over this region and that it could  be possible to witness a clear eclipse here more than any other region in India. The locals believe that their village’s name was derived from the Hindi words – Tare (stars) and Ginna (counting). This village was the main study centre of Aryabhatta; the other being Khagaul near Patna. In Khagaul the word khagolshashtra (astronomy) was coined.
Close to Taregna are two villages – Bhojpur and Sonkurka. Sonkurka derives its name from Sone (red) and kurka (master of planetary movements). Sonkurka was where Aryabhatta and his pupils studied Venus.

In order to revive Taregna, an ancient seat of astronomical science, Bihar

Taregna will see a clearer solar eclipse than most parts
Taregna will see a clearer solar eclipse than most parts

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is making the best use of the heavenly spectacle. He has directed arrangement for scientists and others to watch the event. The district administration is busy with preparations at Taregna, setting up temporary public toilets, repairing roads and ensuring round-the-clock power supply and security. Viewing arrangements for scientists, astro-tourists and dignitaries are being made at a newly constructed government hospital building, less than a kilometre away from Taregina.

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