“End of LTTE by Sri Lankan Army is a strategic loss to India”. Critically examine.

The involvement of the Indian government in the Sri Lankan Civil War was based on several concerns, including its desire to project India as the regional power in the area, and worries about India's own Tamils seeking independence. The latter was particularly strong in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where ethnic kinship led to strong support for independence for Sri Lankan Tamils. Throughout the conflict, the Indian central and state governments have supported both sides in different ways

Although Sri Lanka was a key member of Non-Aligned Movement in its initial stages, the Government of Sri Lanka's policies became pro-western as J. R. Jayewardene was elected prime minister with his landslide victory in 1977 parliamentary election. Subsequently he introduced a new constitution and Open economy to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the first South-Asian country to adopt Liberal open economy. Together with these developments, India was also concerned about

• United States raising the strength of broadcasting facilities belonging to the Voice of America (VOA) in Sri Lanka, which could pose a threat to India's defense communication systems
• Frequent high-profile visits of US defense officials to Sri Lanka including US Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger and Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters
• Sri Lankan government granting the tenders to expand the oil storage complex at China Bay, Trincomalee to Singapore companies
• Establishment of an Israeli Interests Section in the American Embassy in Colombo
• Sri Lanka government's purchase of European and Chinese military hardware
• Sri Lanka government hiring Keenie Meenie Services (which includes ex-Special Air Service troops), a Channel Island-based British mercenary company, to train the Sri Lankan Special Task Force, a unit under the command of Ravi Jayewardene, the son of J. R Jayawardene
• Presence of Israeli Shin Bet intelligence operatives to train Sri Lankan troops on intelligence operations, Pakistani Special Services Group led by Brigadier Tariq Mohommad to assist Sri Lankan commandos, and South African mercenaries to train Sri Lanka Air Force pilots in low contour flying, in Colombo, etc.^[3]

Moreover, President J. R. Jayawardene did not enjoy the same warm relationship with Indian Premier Indira Gandhi that he had enjoyed with her father, Premier Jawaharlal Nehru.^[1] Thus, with the outbreak of Black July ethnic riots, the Indian government decided to support the insurgent groups operating in Northern Sri Lanka.

24-7-2012

24 July 2012

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal (1914 - 2012) - A life of struggle

Nag series trials for 18 days from Tuesday

Rites of passage for a Rashtrapati of the times

Chris Hoy Britain's flagbearer at Olympics

Azarenka leads unchanged women’s rankings

Every five days, India’s public sector mines see a death

IT spending in India to grow at 16.3% to $43 bn: IDC

Stephen Hawking launches supercomputer

'Silly label, God particle'

Sagar Irrigation Project Get one Year Extension

Two Year Extension for Sindh River Project

Eminent Persons Advisory Group Meeting held in CCI. Corporate Affairs Minister releases the first news letter of CCI.

Fund Utilization under the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs Crosses 75 % Mark

Higgs Boson - God Particle

'Silly label, God particle'

The Higgs boson is the last missing link in the highly successful quantum theory of particles, called the Standard Model. It is also highly unstable, very elusive. To detect it, one has to observe many, many high energy collisions of protons and build up the statistics. In the LHC, particles are accelerated through a tunnel, brought together at speeds close to the speed of light, producing showers of particles, with high energies, capable of generating the Higgs particle. It exists for only a tiny fraction of a second before breaking up into many other particles, and can be detected only indirectly by identifying the results of its immediate decay and analysing them to show they were probably produced from a Higgs boson.


Even in its lowest energy state, the Higgs field filling all vacuum has non-zero values everywhere. In fact, ripples or waves in the quantum Higgs field, create for fleeting moments the Higgs particles.The Higgs boson is itself very massive, and it must interact with itself. It itself mediates interactions with the Higgs field, and is itself an excitation of the Higgs field.

The full properties of the Higgs (or whatever was observed by the teams) are not yet known. In fact, the signature of what they observed, may be multiple Higgs bosons with the properties required by the next theory that the Standard Model would extend into supersymmetry.

Cosmologists seem to agree that all luminous matter in the universe makes up only four per cent of whatever there is in the universe.... The rest of it may be in the form of dark matter and dark energy. So if the 'Higgs-like' particle near-discovery at CERN turns out to be a more exotic form, it could help us understand at least dark energy. These possible future developments could get us closer to what particle physicists call the Theory of Everything, but the theory cannot say anything about life, evolution and the phenomena of mind and awareness.

It is not even clear how gravity, the last of the four forces of nature, will fit into the Standard Model, developing into supersymmetry and perhaps superstring theory. But it would be a start.

Some scientists see that the materialist view of the universe doesn't hold water because quantum theory demolished the solid, reassuring physical universe almost a century ago. Once it was discovered that matter is made up of invisible clouds of energy, once photons were found to behave like particles in one mode and energy waves in another, once the Uncertainty Principle turned actual existence into virtual existence, the blows to materialism became decisive. Quantum pioneers noted definitively, that all other fundamental particles, have no fixed physical attributes. Instead, particles are pure potential existing in a quantum force field, and they collapse into being a particle you can see and measure only when observed by the scientist who is measuring them.

'Why are we here?' is a universal question, and to answer it, you must ask, 'Why are we conscious? Where did mind come from?' In the alternative explanation, the entire universe is imbued with consciousness. Just as there are force fields, invisible but all-pervasive, a consciousness field can exist to uphold the activity we call 'mind'.

Infinite consciousness
The universe evolves, regulates itself, takes creative leaps, and exhibits exquisite mathematical rigour and beauty. The hallmarks of intelligence are there, waiting for the next paradigm shift. At the moment, the word 'intelligence' brings up the red herring of intelligent design, which no one except religious fundamentalists want to be associated with. 'Consciousness' gives us a less tainted word, and there is a growing community of theorists seriously thinking about a conscious universe.

If it exists, then you and I are embedded in the consciousness field. It is the source of our own consciousness, which means that we are not alone. As one physicist said, "The universe knew that we were coming." An infinite consciousness that spans all of creation sounds like a new definition of God; we are part of God's mind; that includes science.

Take your time, discover
The whole argument leads to a wild conclusion by most people's standards: it is God who is discovering the God particle. Infinite consciousness has created individual consciousness to go out into creation and look around. As it does, individual consciousness - meaning you and I - has been given free will and choice. We don't have to see our link to the infinite consciousness field. We can take our time discovering who we are and where we come from. Soon it might seem quite natural to say that the conscious universe saw us coming.

COSMOS Supercomputer

Stephen Hawking launches supercomputer

Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has launched the most powerful shared-memory supercomputer in Europe.


Hawking anticipates that the COSMOS supercomputer, manufactured by SGI and the first system of its kind, will open up new windows on the universe, a university release said.

"Cosmology is now a precision science, so we need machines like COSMOS to reach out and touch the real universe, to investigate whether our mathematical models are correct," he said.

The COSMOS supercomputer is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council DiRAC High Performance Computing facility, a national service for UK cosmologists, astronomers and particle physicists, as well as non-academic users.

Argentina honours Evita with 100-peso note

Argentina honours Evita with 100-peso note

As first lady, Evita swiftly took control of two pillars of her husband’s government — the relationship with unions and handing government aid to poor citizens, many of whom idolised her. While he focused on politics, she dominated the media with talk of improving living conditions for her “shirtless ones.”

“Evita gave form to today’s Argentina in terms of working-class consciousness, respect for workers no matter their rank, awareness that workers have rights and that they must be respected. Before, workers lacked any rights and there was hardly any social legislation,” said Mr. Pigna, whose book “Evita, Shreds of her Life” was just published. “This really set Argentina apart from the rest of Latin America.”

Some historians say that only now, 60 years after Gen. Juan Domingo Peron’s firebrand wife succumbed to cancer at the age of 33, are many beginning to consider how much her actions shaped the society they live in today.

Critics saw the young former dancer as a power-hungry tramp. Many were so furious at the way the foundation she created took from the rich and gave to the poor that they refused to mention her by name, calling her “that woman”.

Plant Protection

Plant Protection

Plant protection forms an integral part of crop production. It involves intelligent ways of quarantining of plants, a thorough regulation of pesticides, minimizing pest attacks and locust attacks and training and capacity building in plant protection.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an eco-friendly approach which aims at keeping pests below economic threshold level (ETL)  by employing all available pest control methods and techniques such as cultural, mechanical and biological control, with greater emphasis on use of bio-pesticides and pesticides of plant-origin such as neem formulations. A national plan on rodent pest management is under implementation to build capacity and train manpower, create awareness, involve community based organizations and launch rodent control campaigns at the village level in identified endemic areas. A campaign to prevent manufacture and sale of spurious pesticides has been launched by DAC (Department of Agriculture and Cooperation) in cooperation with all State Governments and the respective Central Integrated Pest Management Centres(CIPMCs). Keeping in view the growth in consumption of bio-pesticides and need to regulate their quality, assistance for setting up of bio-pesticide testing facilities is being provided.

The scheme ‘Monitoring of Pesticide Residue at National Level’ was launched in 2005 as a Central sector scheme to collect, collage and analyze data and information on a centralized basis, on prevalence of pesticide residues in agri-produce of farm-gate and market yards. During 2011-12, more than 12,000 samples including vegetables, fruits, rice, wheat, milk, butter, meat, fish and marine products, spices, tea, honey and water were analyzed.

Web Based Processing

Usage of the internet has enabled the web based Plant Quarantine Information System (PQIS) is now providing plant quarantine services relating to the issue of import permits, PSC's and release orders to importers and exporters. The Insecticides Act, 1968 regulates import, manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution and use of insecticides with a view to prevent risk to humans or animals and for matters connected therewith. In order to bring about greater transparency and efficiency in the process of registration of pesticides on-line registration of insecticides on website of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) has been operationalized.

Seed Treatment

Seed Treatment Campaign consists of the use and application of chemical and biological agents on seeds to control primary soil and seed borne infestation of insects and diseases, which are threats to crop production. In view of threat perception to bio security of the country on account of increasing international trade, emergence of trans-boundary diseases of plants and animals (such as Ug-99 wheat stem genetically modified organisms, climate change) and bio-terrorism, Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a proposal for putting in place a National Agricultural Bio Security System (NABS). The proposal is based on recommendations of National Commission on Farmers headed by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan and National Policy on Farmers 2007.

13-7-12

- A NASA spacecraft named New Horizons is currently en-route to Pluto and will arrive there in 2015. New Horizons will return the first ever detailed images of the Pluto system, which is so small and distant that even Hubble can barely see the largest features on its surface.

Pluto was discovered by American Scientist Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. It was regarded as the ninth full-fledged planet in the Solar System but astronomers have since demoted it to a dwarf planet in 2006.

Pluto was declassified as a planet due to a recognition that it is one of several large, icy objects that reside in the Kuiper Belt, a region just beyond the orbit of Neptune.

- The Union Cabinet on Thursday deferred consideration of the much-awaited Forward Contract Regulation Act (Amendment) Bill that aims to give more powers to Forward Market Commission, the commodity markets regulator.

Sources said the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deferred consideration of the Bill over which there is no consensus in the government.

The Bill is essential for the development of commodities futures market as it aims to strengthen the FMC by providing it financial autonomy, facilitate the entry of institutional investors and introduce new products for trading such as options and indices.

- Boeing has successfully tested the first of the eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft being built for the Indian Navy.

The aircraft, a next-generation 737-800 derivative, began its official flight test programme on July 7, taking off from Boeing Field in Seattle and landing three hours and 49 minutes later after demonstrating flying qualities and handling characteristics

The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.

- Internet censorship bill passed in Russia
The Russian parliament on Wednesday voted to approve a contentious bill that activists fear will introduce internet censorship by blacklisting sites deemed as undesirable.
In a further controversial move, deputies also passed in first reading a bill that makes libel and slander criminal offences with punishment of up to five years.

- I&B Ministry Opens a Facebook Page on ‘Community Radio India’
The objective of the page is to disseminate community radio information to a wider public and engage with over 134 operating community radio stations of the country and other stakeholders. The page will update the stakeholders on status of licences, screening committee meetings, permission agreements, clearances for new community radio station, consultations and events. This platform would also enable community radio stations to share information about their radio programmes, upcoming events, success stories, photographs and their challenges.

‘Community Radio India’ page also aims to encourage new and aspiring stakeholders of community radio by regularly updating them on CR policy, guidelines and by answering their queries. The information shared through ‘Wall’ posts will not only be helpful for them but would also inform individuals interested in community radio.


- Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari released the book titled Pax Indica: India and the world of the 21st Century written by Dr. Shashi Tharoor

M-SIPS

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme to offset disability and attract investments in Electronics Systems Design and Manufacturing Industries

          The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to provide a special incentive package to promote large-scale manufacturing in the Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector. The scheme is called the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS). The main features of M-SIPS are as follows:

 (i) The scheme provides subsidy for investments in capital expenditure - 20% for investments in SEZs and 25% in non-SEZs. It also provides for reimbursement of CVD/excise for capital equipment for the non-SEZ units. For high technology and high capital investment units, like fabs, reimbursement of central taxes and duties is also provided.

(ii) The incentives are available for investments made in a project within a period of 10 years from the date of approval. 

(iii) The incentives are available for 29 category of ESDM products including telecom, IT hardware, consumer electronics, medical electronics, automotive electronics, solar photovoltaic, LEDs, LCDs, strategic electronics, avionics, industrial electronics, nano-electronics, semiconductor chips and chip components, other electronic components and EMS. Units across the value chain starting from raw materials including assembly, testing, packaging and accessories of these category of products are included. The scheme also provides incentives for relocation of units from abroad. 

(iv) The scheme is open for three years from notification.

           Approvals for incentives not exceeding Rs. 10,000 crores will  be granted during the XII Plan period.

           The projects with incentives of Rs 10,000 crores have potential to create employment for nearly 0.5 million persons. 

          The policy is expected to create an indigenous manufacturing eco-system for electronics in the country. It will foster the manufacturing of indigenously designed and manufactured chips creating a more cyber secure ecosystem in the country. It will enable India to tap on the great economic potential that this knowledge sector offers. The increased development and manufacturing in the sector will lead to greater economic growth through more manufacturing and consequently greater employment in the sector.

2-7-12

- http://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/2916-new-service-tax-regime-comes-into-effect-from-sunday.html


- Scientist and associate director of the Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre (ISAC) S. K. Shivakumar took over as its director on Saturday. He succeeds T. K. Alex. ISAC is ISRO's centre for conceptualisation, design, fabrication, testing, integration and in-orbit commissioning of satellite systems involving various cutting edge technologies.


- With plans for 60 missions over the next five years, Isro will develop a third launchpad at its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh to meet the growing demand. The new pad could also be used for launching Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-III) carrying heavier satellites as also by the reusable launch vehicle, India's own version of a space shuttle. 
* It would include construction of a new vehicle assembly building, mobile pedestals, umbilical towers, emergency exits, ground escape system, crew ingress and egress systems, safety bunkers, material handling equipment and related electrical systems.

* It is also part of Isro's plan is to develop dedicated 'Space Park' next to the space port at Sriharikota.

*The new missions are necessary as there have been demands in the international market for Isro's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle to launch foreign satellites.

-  Russia and Western powers locked horns over a peace plan for Syria on Saturday as UN mediator Kofi Annan warned the conflict could spread across the Middle East and beyond. Foreign ministers and international diplomats were meeting in Geneva with governments still in dispute over whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, condemned in the West but still backed by Russia, could have any role in a political transition.