Bhuwan: An Indian Version of Google Maps

ISRO launched the beta version of its web-based 3D satellite imagery tool, Bhuvan, on August 12, 2009. Bhuvan offers more detailed imagery of Indian locations compared to other Virtual Globe software, with spatial resolutions ranging from 5 to 100 metres. Locations can be viewed from different perspectives, and the software will also provide functionality for the measurement of distances. The Bhuvan portal is designed to run on slow Internet connections. The images available do not include any military installations in India, due to security concerns.

Bhuvan has a number of other features, which include weather information and administrative boundaries of all states and districts in India. Bhuvan provides images of the entire globe, but resolution is currently best in India. On the Indian subcontinent, Bhuvan will be able to display pictures from a perceived altitude of 10 metres, at which height a commuter moving on a road can easily be spotted.

Bhuvan allows users to view 2D and 3D images, along with information on soil, wasteland and water resources on the Indian subcontinent. Users can superimpose administrative boundaries of their choice, from a selection of boundaries available, on images as required. Bhuvan also allows visualization of AWS (Automatic Weather Station) data in the graphic view, as well as in tabular form. Users can "fly" from one location to another, and also navigate using the 3D view pop-up menu (with fly-in, fly out, jump in, jump around and view point controls).

Since the initial, buggy beta release, a more stable version has been released, with which users have reported fewer problems. A discussion forum has also been started for users experiencing difficulties.

Visit the app at BHUWAN

After Aakash, Gear Up for Aakash-2

With an enormous buzz of Aakash followed by its successful release, its time for Aakash-2.

Come February 2012, a better and more efficient Aakash-2, world’s cheapest tablet computer, would be available at price of version 1, Rs 2,276 or US $ 49. Indian Institute of Technology, Rajasthan, has finalized improvements in Aakash-1 launched on October 5. “We expect to launch the new version of Aakash by January-February next year,” said HRD minister Kapil Sibal, who has been overwhelmed by international response to Aakash, showcased as device for “children of the world, at a recent United Nations conference in Paris.

The Aakash-2 based on feedback from over 500 users of Aakash-1 in IITs and other institutions will have a new microprocessor of 800 megahertz as compared to 366 megahertz processor. It would fasten the tablet computer and would enable downloading of videos from youtube.

The Random Access Memory (RAM) of the new version would be enhanced to one gigabytes (GB) from 256 megabytes in Aakash-1, which restricted multi-tasking.

A senior professor IIT Rajasthan professor, who is heading the Aakash team, said the changes will increase the “functionality of the tablet” and will be more “competitive” to existing tablets in the market.

To make Aakash-2 more attractive the IIT Rajasthan has also decided that the new version will have an in-built camera on the front for online video chatting or use of Skype and a better seven-inch touch screen.

This comes after the IIT students, who are testing Aakash-1, citied overheating within 30 minutes, frequent hanging, poor sound quality, absence of support for all formats, and inability to install free software available online as some of the problems with the device. “Aakash is much below our expectations,” said an IIT student, who has used the device for last one month.

Although the better Aakash would be ready by February 2012, its manufacturing to meet the government’s inspirational target of providing the tablet to two million students is still a challenge.

“We have to evolve an eco-system of several vendors and its testing by IITs and other institutes to provide an Aakash to each child by 2017 (end of 12th plan),” a senior HRD ministry official said.

Like in case of Aakash one, where three companies – London based Datawind, India based Quad --- came together the government believes that Aakash-2 will see a bigger collaboration of Indian and foreign information technology companies.

This collaboration would be necessary, as Sibal said that several Prime Ministers and World Bank have shown interest in purchasing Aakash for children around the world. “There is lot of global buzz about Aakash and we have to meet the global expectation,” the minister, who has been marketing the device since its launch, said.

Mukesh Ambani plans to roll out 4G data services, low cost tablets in 2012

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries plans to offer high-speed data services on attractively priced tablets by early next year and scale it up to a countrywide network by the middle of 2012.

The company, which made a comeback to telecom last year, plans to offer fourth-generation or 4G-enabled data cards that can be plugged into computers and laptops, apart from providing tablets at a game-changing price of 3,000 or even lower to hook customers, two executives familiar with the development said.

RIL has also initiated talks with media and entertainment companies, including Walt Disney's Indian venture UTV Software, to acquire content for its wireless broadband offerings. A deal with Walt Disney, which is close to being finalised, will enable the company to offer games, entertainment and applications for the younger customers.

It plans to provide data connectivity with speeds of 50-100 Mbps, much faster than 3G services currently on offer, at cheaper prices.

The strategy of enticing customers with low prices is similar to the move in 2003, when it took mobile telephony to the masses with its 'Monsoon Hungama' handsets at 501, helping it win 1 million customers in just 10 days.

Reliance Infocom, the telecom arm of the undivided Reliance Group, began its services on December 28, 2002, the birthday of the group's founder Dhirubhai Ambani. The company, now known as Reliance Communications, is owned Anil Ambani, the younger brother of Mukesh.

RIL has acquired Infotel, a company that won pan-India spectrum for broadband wireless access last year and plans full-scale commercial operations by mid-2012. By then, it expects to have its networks ready across 700 cities, one of the executives said. Neither wanted to be identified. The company will also gradually offer much higher speeds for data transfer on its network. It has considered a soft launch as early as December, one source said.

Reliance is working overtime to make a success out of its latest venture, which it hopes will boost investor confidence that has been battered by harsh criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General. The company's other initiatives, such as retail, continue to be small blips in its balance sheet while its gas production has declined because of reservoir complexity.

The company's spokesman declined comment on specifics of its broadband plans saying Reliance would not comment on speculation. But in an update on its telecoms business, Reliance said on Friday that its telecom unit was "in the process of setting up a world-class broadband wireless network using state-of-the-art technologies and finalising the arrangement with leading global technology players, service providers, infrastructure providers, application developers, device manufacturers and others to help usher the 4G revolution into India".

The company is learnt to be in the final phase of talks with three vendors - Alcatel Lucent, Ericsson and China's Huawei - for its broadband gear after finishing trials with equipment provided by all the three. It is not clear if RIL will go with a single vendor or split the contracts between the three, said executives with gearmakers aware of the ongoing talks.

Right to Recall

The term right of recall can mean:

• The right of citizens to recall a representative or executive
• The right of an employee under a collective bargaining agreement to be recalled to employment within a specified period after being laid off.

About:-

According to General Clause Act, 1897, power to make the appointment shall also have power to suspend or dismiss any person appointed.Dictionary meaning of the Recall is the right or procedure by which a public official may be removed from a position by a vote of the people prior to the end of the term of office. Recall is the retiring of an elected officer by a vote of the electorate. Some state constitutions prescribe the procedure that must be followed in a recall—for example, requiring the filing of a petition containing the signatures of a specific number of qualified voters.­ ­The right or procedure by which a public official, commonly a legislative or executive official, may be removed from office, before the end of his term of office, by a vote of the people to be taken on the filing of a petition signed by a required number or percentage of qualified voters.
Specifically and in simple terminology it is a kind of mechanism designed to enable voter not satisfied with an elected representative to remove him/her before completion of fixed period of office initiated when sufficient voters sign a petition. Through an electoral procedure, this power of removal, constitutionally, is either granted to or reserved by the people, depending on the theory of government and sovereignty in the country in question.

Brief History:-
Recall has a history dating back to the ancient Athenian democracy and is a feature of several contemporary constitutions.The concept of recall originated in Switzerland but became operative in several American States. The recall device began in the United States in a municipality in Los Angeles in 1903. Michigan and Oregon, in 1908, were the first the States to adopt recall procedures for state officials.


Status In India:-

In India it was the late Jayaprakash Narayan who had first given a call for the right to recall the elected representatives on November 4, 1974 during his Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution) movement against the Congress government headed by Indira Gandhi at the Centre followed by the Janata Government in 1977 and again during the National Front Government in 1989. The right to recall the elected representative has remained notional. The process of formulation any legislation on the subject has been derailed by the political parties. It is well established fact that political leaders are reluctant to enact any legislation which depicts that they are hesitant to maturing into participatory democracy.
In State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. v. Shri Ram Singh Hon’ble Supreme Court observed that, “Corruption in a civilized society is like cancer, which if not detected in time is sure to malignise the polity of the country leading to disastrous consequences. It is termed as a plague which is not only contagious but if not controlled spreads like a fire in a jungle. Its virus is compared with HIV leading to AIDS, being incurable. It has also been termed as royal thievery. The socio-political system exposed to such a dreaded communicable disease is likely to crumble under its own weight. Corruption is opposed to democracy and social order, being not only anti-people, but also aimed and targeted at them. It affects the economy and destroys the cultural heritage. Unless nipped in the bud at the earliest, it is likely to cause turbulence shaking of the socio-economic political system in an otherwise healthy, wealthy, effective and vibrating society”

There are several examples, Mr. Madhu Koda, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, is alleged to have looted Rs 4,000 crore from the state followed by The Reddy brothers, YSR’s family, which are just the latest additions. It has been observed that all of them get away with the loot, and continue to be in positions of influence. There is not a single politician who has been put behind bars for corruption.
It is in the interest of the nation to remove those incompetent, inefficient and dishonest legislators, who once elected by hook or by crook, continue to bleed the state exchequer for the fixed term. Current conditions in India where even the peasantry is articulating need for new mechanisms for empowerment demands to have laws enshrining the right to recall must be viewed as important ingredients of the fight for renewal of the polity.

Steps towards Right to Recall:-

The Nitish Kumar Government has decided to empower the voters of the urban civic body polls to call back their elected representatives if they are not satisfied with their performance.
The state cabinet has agreed to the ‘right to recall’ proposal in this regard by giving its nod to the amendment to the Bihar Municipal Act.
It will enable the government to remove the elected representatives of the municipal corporations – Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayat -if two-thirds of the voters of their constituencies submit a signed petition to the urban development department against them. The department will look into the merit of the petition and take steps for the ouster of the councillors if it is convinced that they have lost the confidence of two-thirds of the voters.
Earlier, the Act had a provision for the removal of a councilor only if two-thirds of fellow councilors filed a written petition against him. But now, the government has vested the power directly with the voters.
There is already a provision under the Panchayati Raj system in the state for the recall of elected mukhiyas (village headmen). It will now be applicable to the elected representatives of the urban civic bodies as well.

Mobile Number Protability service delayed again ya but apply for mobile number portability from Nov 25

The crucial decision for mobile number portability (MNP) would rollout by November 3, reports CNBC-TV18 quoting sources. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board FIPB will consider MNP licencee for south and east India Telcordia’s proposal on November 3. Sources added that number portability would be made commercially available by month-end.

Haryana would be one of the first states with MNP effective from November 25, while testing to begin from November 8. Mobile subscribers will be able to change service providers while retaining phone numbers from November 25.

To begin with, mobile number portability (MNP)— which allows subscribers to change operators while retaining the same number—will be introduced in Haryana. It will be extended to other circles in the next few months.

Operators’ networks are ready and have been tested fully. Applications from subscribers will be accepted from November 25 and the government will come out with detailed guidelines and advertisements in this regard in the first week of November.

Some experts said the introduction of MNP services could be a game-changer in the telecom sector. It could put pressure on leading mobile operators to announce new schemes to retain their subscribers. While no study is available on how many subscribers are looking for a change in service provider, telecom analysts feel it may not be more than 10% at any given time.
MNP is the facility that lets a mobile phone subscriber retain his/her original mobile number even after moving from one service provider to another.

In India, MNP has been elusive so far. It has been implemented the world over and we are one of the last countries left to implement MNP.

Wrestling to be knocked out of CWG 2014??

Wrestlers Anita, Alka Tomar or Geeta may not get to defend their gold medals in the next edition of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

The organizers of the Glasgow CWG have been planning to remove wrestling from the list of disciplines, according to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president GS Mander. "It will be very unfortunate if that happens," said Mander.

"Wrestling is an Olympic discipline and the quality of the wrestlers in Commonwealth countries are on the rise, as you have seen in the bouts here. The Glasgow Games organizers, however, are trying to remove wrestling."

Mander said: "The Wrestling Federation of India and the Indian Commonwealth Federation are trying our best to not to let that happen. It will be disappointing if our wrestlers, who won gold here, don't get a chance to defend their titles next time around. And CWG is an important event for our wrestlers."


Read more: The Times of India

Another Discussion regarding Hindi as our National Language!!

Anyways the topic was in news and in many discussions of why not to make Hindi as our national language as China, Japan, Korea and many other African, Asian and European Countries.
This time the topic is in news due to the conflict in between the Lok Sabha proceeding., when TR Balu, Minister from Tamil Nadu Constituency raised a question when minister of state for power Bharatsinh Solanki was replying to a question on hydro power projects, T.R. Baalu, former union minister and member from Tamil Nadu complained that there was no English translation and insisted that the house should be adjourned.

‘What is the use of we sitting here if we don’t understand (what) the minister is saying?’ he asked

Though Solanki then started speaking in English then but the opposition raised the question that this is the disrespect of Hindi, when one of the RJD leaders said that in a Nation where 70% converse in Hindi so how can he(TR Baalu) ask such type of erratic questions.
Was it correct what TR Baalu said, According to me each and every person entering Lok Sabha must be able to speak and understand Hindi though he/she is not able able to write it.


From the past:
Seeing back into the time when the Indian constitution was framed it was said for 10 years of grace period the language"English" will be kept as medium language for communication as the whole transformation of system at that time from English to Hindi was not possible.But then after the time never came back and national language was not reverted back.

Asa in many discussions Baba Ramdev, IIT Scholar cum social Activist cum founder of Bharat Swabhiman movement, Rajiv Dixit has been demanding to make Hindi as our National language.

Fact:

• Many countries that have their mother tongue as their national language has progressed a lot say China, Japan, USA.
• If any of these countries were asked to study Hindi or any other language, other than their mother tongue then had they progressed this much they have done at present.

So lastly i would ask you all readers that shall Hindi be made as our National Language... What you all people say...
Comment...

Do you know that aeroplane was invented in India??

Yes, the answer is....
How many of us know about Shri Tarpade had invented aeroplane before Right
Brothers based on Vedas. It is said that Right Brothers got the technology
through one Britisher who betrayed him.

"According to a study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Talpade constructed his models under the guidance of Pandit Subbaraya Shastry, the author of Vaimanika Shastra"


Bharateeya people failed mostly due to backstabbers among themselves. They
have lost their self esteem and self respect. They do not believe the truth
about themselves and enjoy thinking Bharat as begger, poor, having no great
past.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivkar_Bapuji_Talpade

This depicts how vast are our vedas, from medicine to technology all is there