City ready for date with total solar eclipse (2)

On July 22, the shadow of moon will pass over a narrow corridor through northern India, eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, Bhutan, central China and the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. It will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132.

A seminar on Solar Eclipses-2009 for college and school teachers’ was organized by Gujarat Science City recently.

Former PRL scientist Narendra Bhandari said, “I am planning to go to Surat or Indore depending on the climatic conditions. Monsoon can play spoilsport on the visibility of the eclipse in Gujarat.”

“A series of experiments can be conducted during the eclipse as it is going to last six minutes 39 seconds,” added Bhandari.

About the month-long popularization activities, senior scientist Narottam Sahoo said, “The activities aim at reinforcing links between science education and careers related to it. This will stimulate a long-term increase in student enrolment in the fields of science and technology.” – The Times of India

City ready for date with total solar eclipse (1)

Good morning friends.  I’m sure many of you are waiting to see the solar eclipse.  We have 24 days to go to see it.  Ahmedabad is ready for date with the total solar eclipse.  Those who still don’t experience to see how such eclipse this is your chance.  Don’t miss it. 

A trip to China, a shadow band experiment and scores of programmes to sensitize people. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

With hardly a month to go for the total solar eclipse, scientific community and enthusiasts have started popularizing activities in the city for one of the rarest celestial activity.

Director of Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) JN Goswami said, “The total solar eclipse which falls on July 22 has created immense interest and curiosity among citizens. PRL scientists will be conducting shadow band experiment during the event and many other awareness and educational programmes are lined for to mark the day.”

“A team from Udaipur Solar Observatory, under PRL, will also be flying to China to closely study the eclipse,” added Goswami.

Many are planning to go to places from where total solar eclipse will be visible in Gujarat. Dhananjay Rawal, an amateur astronomer, has organized a live workshop on total solar eclipse at Surat. He said, “We have got more than 200 registrations. People will be coming from Vijaywada, Chennai and New Delhi to see the eclipse from here.”

“We have located a place 35 km from Surat city, surrounded with lakes and a beautiful landscape, to closely monitor the changes during the time of eclipse,” Rawal added.– The Times of India

My Tribute to Michael Jackson on his Golden Years of Life (2)

Jackson’s rented home was roped off after paramedics arrived to transport the King of Pop to the hospital.

Born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana Jackson was a child star with the Jackson 5 and became one of the most successful recording artists of all time with the release of the album ‘Thriller’ in 1982 – the best selling album of all time. His successful songs redefined the modern music video and forced MTV to start showing black performers, and paved the way for the acceptance of rap and hip-hop as mainstream musical styles.

Elevated to the stardom level of the Beatles and Elvis, he also introduced a new level of mega-stardom through his music and clothes, his dance moves, and his massive live concert tours.

‘Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of colour – way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama,’ said black leader Al Sharpton. ‘Michael did with music what they did in sport politics and music. No controversy will erase his impact.’

He raised consciousness about the plight of Africa with the supergroup recording ‘We Are the World’ in 1985. But after that most of his headlines were dogged by scandal – from his marriages to Lisa Presley and former nurse Debby Rowe, to his eccentric lifestyle behind the gates of his fantasy childhood estate, named Neverland, after the setting of the book Peter Pan.

He managed to settle an allegation that he molested a boy there in 1993, but was forced to face a sensational ‘trial of the century’ 10 years later. He was ultimately acquitted of the charges, but the exposure caused huge damage to his career and financial situation.

At the time of his death he had been preparing for a 50-concert run in London that was meant to represent his comeback and secure his financial future. – yahoo

photo courtesy: hiphoprx

My Tribute to Michael Jackson on his Golden Years of Life (1)

Good morning friends.  Everybody are shocked about the new to Michael Jackson.  The King of Pop, the legend, the singer.  I’m sure everybody were feeling bad.  Michael Jackson was already dead.

Los Angeles, June 26 (DPA) Pop star Michael Jackson died Thursday following a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, officials said. He was 50.

The King of Pop, whose life of stardom and scandal kept him permanently in the headlines, was found unconscious at his rented Bel Air mansion and was rushed to the UCLA Medical Centre.

‘We were notified by LAPD that Michael Jackson was transferred from his house to the hospital,’ said Los Angeles County Coroner Fred Corral. ‘He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at approximately 2.26 this afternoon.’

Corral said an autopsy would be performed to check for toxicology and other problems. The results are to be released Friday.

A large crowd formed outside the medical centre and his home, playing Jackson’s music, as news crews and reporters jostled for stories and as news helicopters hovered overhead.

Corral said that he had suffered a cardiac arrest and local media reported Jackson had not been breathing when paramedics reached him. Reports from hospital first said he was in a coma, before numerous media reported his death.

‘We are just stunned – I can’t tell you what has taken place but everyone is just stunned,’ family spokesman Brian Oxman told CNN. Referring to reports that Jackson was in ill health, Oxman said he ‘feared and warned about’ the level of medication that Jackson was taking, though he stressed that ‘he was in fine condition. We have never seen him in any kind of weakened condition’.

Jackson is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince ‘Blanket’ Michael Jackson II.

Jackson had appeared increasingly frail and financially-challenged in recent years. Despite earning hundreds of millions of dollars he was reported to be $500 million in debt thanks largely to his eccentrically extravagant lifestyle. - yahoo

photo courtesy: contactmusic

Few teachers in Gujarat colleges

Good morning friends.  We know that teachers has a very important role in our children.  They are like the second parents of our children while our kids were in the school.  With that they should also give their best to have our kids know everything.  Teachers should teach the way that they are caring about their kids, and give them the best of what they have. The student teacher ratio in higher education in Gujarat is among the worst in the country. This is amply highlighted in a recent study conducted by professor Rakesh Basant of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). The data used in the study reveals that Gujarat has the second lowest teacher-student ratio. Where the national average is 23 students per teacher, Gujarat has 41 students per teacher. Only Uttar Pradesh with 46 students per teacher fares worse. Co-authored by Partha Mukhopadhyay, the working paper titled ‘An Arrested Virtuous Circle? – Higher Education and High-Tech Industries in India’, which was published in May this year, says 34 per cent of Gujarat’s colleges were rated below average — a high number considering Kerala has only 11 per cent and Punjab 17 per cent in this category. One of the main reasons for the low rating of Gujarat’s colleges is the absence of teachers. – The Times of India

Countdown begins for solar eclipse on July 22

Good morning friends.  For those who will first time see the eclipse,  you have to begin the countdown.  It will be seen on the 22^nd of July.  So for those who never seen any solar eclipse yet this is the time for you to experience that.  It’s amazing.  You may just think really God is wonderful.  He created all this kind.  So be there to watch the solar eclipse.  It will be an experience. 

Get ready for the most-awaited total solar eclipse on July 22. The eclipse marks the celebration of International Year of Astronomyglobally. The Gujarat Council of Science City on Sunday kicked off a month-long Countdown Awareness Programme for safe observation of solar eclipse in the city.

As part of the programme, a workshop at GSC was organised on Sunday to orient amateur astronomers, science communicators and youth on the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse (TSE) to be seen on July 22. The total solar eclipse will last nearly four minutes in India and the sun will not be visible at all.

During the workshop, Vishnu Reddy of astronomy faculty at University of North Dakota, US, said, “The sky has no limit and boundaries. Anyone with strong interest and right type of training can explore the night sky and observe many fascinating asteroids, comets and novas.”

“The geographical situation of India on the globe makes it an ideal place to explore astronomy and space,” added Reddy. GSC has planned a series of activities to popularise the solar eclipse. The visitors to Science City will be oriented with the eclipse observation activity through workshops, interactive sessions with scientists, radio talks and hands-on activities to ensure that those interested can have a safe viewing of the rare celestial event.

On preparation for the eclipse day, senior scientist, GSC, Narottam Sahoo said, “We are spreading the science about solar eclipses to eradicate so called superstitions related to them prevailing in the society in our month-long programme.”

The TSE on July 22 will be the longest one that will occur in the 21st century and will not be surpassed in duration for the next 123 years. Honorary scientist with Indian National Science Academy Prof Narendra Bhandari at Science City said every solar eclipse has been different and provides a variety of scientific stuff for study and future exploration.

Solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon and has some effect on birds, animals, plants, humans and the entire environment. Students should take up some scientific studies and spread the science of eclipse in the society, added Bhandari. – The Times of India

Math is now all song and dance for these kids (2)

“We started with only 15 volunteers and 10 children; we are now over 70 volunteers and 250 children. We work with these children on the Basic English and Math. It is surprising that some of the children here, who are in class IV do not know anything beyond writing their name,” said Vyas. He added, “It is time that aware and sensitive citizens of the country start taking things in their hand. Cribbing about the system will not help. The biggest motivation should be the want of a better world for your own self. Spending a few hours a week for that is not much”.

“Every day with these children is special. When we first started going to the village, the villagers treated us as aliens and we did not get much support from them. After working for one day, once a week for over one year, finally, we have been accepted by the parents, teachers and even the children in the village,” said Mehta.

Vishal Shah, an entrepreneur based in US and a volunteer with Avbodh said, “The best part about being attached with this organization is that I can contribute in whichever way possible. I thought I was not good enough to teach; I go there and serve water to these children, spread their mats and simply play with them. After going there for around five Sundays, I feel I have wasted so many Sundays of my life”. – The Times of India

 

Math is now all song and dance for these kids (1)

Good morning friends.  There are some kids which don’t give their much knowledge in the Math subject.  They may have their best in some other subjects like English, Science, or History.  I came across with an article which those kids were now Math is now all their song and dance.  They excel on that.  It’s a good thing to know.  They maybe the best Mathematician in the future.  I want you to know the narrative of these kids.

Anita, 8, was like other child from her neighborhood in Bhuriwas in Paldi village, Kankrej taluka of Ahmedabad district. She hated getting up early and getting ready to go to school. Irregular at school and failing in the exams was nothing new for this neighborhood.

But thanks to volunteers of Innovative Quality Group, who visit her village every Sunday, Anita and many other children have learnt to enjoy school, not through regular textbooks and note books. They learnt the fun way to school where they were taught through songs, dances and other activities.

“I feel the last one year’s reward for us is that the children from this neighborhood have started going to school regularly and many have even passed their exams,” said Hiral Mehta, who has started the initiative of taking up this project of educating children in rural areas.

Innovative Quality Group is an off shoot of India Quality Group, registered in Boston, US, formed with the aim to help the rural India improve the quality of life. Innovative Quality Group has been joined by Avbodh, another initiative, started recently by city-based-entrepreneur, Ravin Vyas. Avbodh is helping Innovative Quality Group in spreading the message and collecting volunteers. – The Times of India

Govt directs pvt docs to report H1N1 cases

Good morning friends.  The death of  swine flu is increasing in many places.  It spread fast and easily.  With that, I may say that we should all be aware that we have to be clean in ourselves.  We should also be aware to have a clean surroundings.  I may advice to everyone that if you will not do anything, don’t go to anywhere where there are a lot of people like malls, theaters, shopping centers and others.   If you can’t avoid it, just be precautious to everything.  Prevention is better than cure.

Private doctors in the state have been directed to report any person showing symptoms of H1N1 flu, who may have missed the surveillance system at the international airport terminal – this is possible because the virus has an incubation of seven to 10 days.

“Over 2,000 reporting units have been created across state to keep a tab on the swine flu patients. Apart from government setups, we are in touch with leading medical practitioners in state to keep a tab on people who may have cleared the screening at international airport,” a senior health and family department official told TOI.

Officials said that a team of eight doctors headed by a Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) or regional deputy director has been deputed at the airport for monitoring screening of persons arriving through an international flight. If the traveller doesn’t show symptoms, his details are taken down and he is given a leaflet containing complete information about symptoms including state health control number where he is supposed to report in case they show up later. Daily report is being analysed by department officials.

State has also initiated a quarantine area where several rooms in the Civil Hospital have been slotted for patients who may have come in contact with a swine flu patient.

An isolation ward has been set up for keeping for any international passengers who display swine flu symptoms. Meanwhile, experts said that swine flu is contagious but not dangerous. “According to current reports, the mortality rate of swine flu is 0.5. Its symptoms are mainly like the common influenza where the person gets fever, running nose, watery eyes and then coughing. The only concern is that it spreads very rapidly,” said infectious diseases specialist Dr Atul Patel.

Dr Patel said that patients who have travelled abroad and get such symptoms should take them seriously and report the case to curb the spread of the disease. “Currently, Tamiflu drug is being used to treat this condition which is available only with government hospitals,” he added. – The Times of India

Pollution, heat push up ozone level (2)

Diesel vehicles account for nearly 30% of all new car sales and while Delhi government levies a diesel cess on leach liter of the fuel, it needs to come up with a better air quality management plan. It is especially important to ensure such a problem doesn’t come up during the Commonwealth Games when it can cause serious harm to the health of athletes.

The study analyzed data from three stations — Siri Fort, ITO and DCE in Bawana from January to May 17, 2009. In reaction to increase in temperature, ozone levels crossed the proposed standard more frequently in summer than in January. In April, the violation took place at DCE and ITO on nearly all days.

ITO levels have been very high between May 1 and May 9, ranging between 120-192 microgram/cu m. The peak levels recorded have been very high. The maximum level in Siri Fort went up to 199 microgram/cu m on March 22 while ITO saw a high of 192 microgram/cu m on May 1. Ozone formed in the city is known to drift to the periphery. Consequently, Bawana has been recording high levels since February, when the safe limit was breached almost every second day.

Ozone is a powerful oxidizer and can damage cells irrevocably. It can worsen asthma and can cause serious damage to the lungs. Chest pain, coughing, nausea, headaches and chest congestion are other common symptoms. International studies have also found a strong association between ozone and daily premature death counts. – The Times of India

toireporter@timesgroup.com