In a bid to reach to masses with an add-on facility, “139 – Rail Sampark”, the authorized enquiry for Indian Railway has recently introduced the facility of Railway enquiry through SMS.
The users can obtain information regarding PNR status, fare, seat availability and arrival/departure by sending SMS in the specified syntax to 139. The syntax for ticket status enquiry is –PNR10 digit PNR Number and SMS to 139 (for example PNR 1234567890). Details of the procedures for SMS can be accessed from the website www.indianrailways.gov.in or www.irctc.co.in.
The service has been launched by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. This Railway enquiry service operates on the number 139 which can be dialed from the landline/mobile phones all over the country without prefixing the STD code. The idea behind the launching of 139 Railway enquiry service is to connect with masses, a service that is meant for all and is effectively and easily available.
The services include enquiries pertaining to arrival/departure of trains, PNR reservation of berth status and fare enquiry besides to book a train ticket where payment is made through a cash card over phone and the ticket is delivered/ emailed to the user.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Obama set to rise to gay’s expectations
Same-sex partners in America are going to get a good time ahead as President Barack Obama is all set to extend some federal benefits to the gay partners of US government workers.
The President is due to sign a presidential order in the Oval office on the issue later on Wednesday. It is being expected that the gay partners of federal employees will get the health and pension benefits currently enjoyed by the heterosexual partners of government workers, but they might be devoid of getting full health insurance coverage.
The move comes in the wake of anger expressed by some gay supporters of Obama that he has not done enough after assuming the office to protect their rights. Gay and lesbian rights group were continuously voicing their disappointment over the Obama’s failure to live up to campaign promise in the first month of his presidency.
With this the US military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy may come to an end as the President is reportedly seeking to repeal this policy as part of a lasting and durable solution. A White House spokesman said the President agreed that the policy was not working for national interests. So he is working with the Secretary of Defence and the joint chiefs to capsizing the policy.
As per the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, the gay servicemen and women are allowed to serve, but on the pre-condition of not disclosing their sexuality or engaging in homosexual acts.
Several gay supporters had withdrawn from a fundraising event in protest of Obama’s not fulfilling his promise to repeal the ban on gay military members and extending benefits to partners of government employees. He was also criticized for not turning down a Justice Department legal opinion opposing gay marriage.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) had backed the Defense of Marriage Act last week, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman and denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples.
During the presidential election campaign, Obama though opposed to gay marriage but supported civil union, which means to ensure the gay couples the same legal and financial benefits as per married heterosexual couples. He expressed opinion on marriage as a sacred union between a man and woman, but at the same time advocated for the gay and lesbian rights.
The President is due to sign a presidential order in the Oval office on the issue later on Wednesday. It is being expected that the gay partners of federal employees will get the health and pension benefits currently enjoyed by the heterosexual partners of government workers, but they might be devoid of getting full health insurance coverage.
The move comes in the wake of anger expressed by some gay supporters of Obama that he has not done enough after assuming the office to protect their rights. Gay and lesbian rights group were continuously voicing their disappointment over the Obama’s failure to live up to campaign promise in the first month of his presidency.
With this the US military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy may come to an end as the President is reportedly seeking to repeal this policy as part of a lasting and durable solution. A White House spokesman said the President agreed that the policy was not working for national interests. So he is working with the Secretary of Defence and the joint chiefs to capsizing the policy.
As per the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, the gay servicemen and women are allowed to serve, but on the pre-condition of not disclosing their sexuality or engaging in homosexual acts.
Several gay supporters had withdrawn from a fundraising event in protest of Obama’s not fulfilling his promise to repeal the ban on gay military members and extending benefits to partners of government employees. He was also criticized for not turning down a Justice Department legal opinion opposing gay marriage.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) had backed the Defense of Marriage Act last week, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman and denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples.
During the presidential election campaign, Obama though opposed to gay marriage but supported civil union, which means to ensure the gay couples the same legal and financial benefits as per married heterosexual couples. He expressed opinion on marriage as a sacred union between a man and woman, but at the same time advocated for the gay and lesbian rights.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hapless performance continues, India lost to Proteas
In an inconsequential but confidence building and respect earning match from India’s point of view, India continued to show poor performance by bat and lost to South Africa by 12-run in their final Super Eights game. India needed to win this last match in the tournament for their pride. They have not won any of their matches against the tough competitors so a win today might give them a little confidence and respect from the fanatic fans.
South Africa had nothing to lose in this match; it was just a practice match for the Proteas who well defended the tiny 130 in the T20 game. On the other hand, India once again could not prove their strength and their batsmen failed miserably like their previous two games against the West Indies and England.
In fact, India were already crashed out of the T20 World Cup when the bizarre tinkering of the strong batting line-up failed wretchedly at the hands of England on Sunday. The host had defeated India by just 3 runs in a tough game. Coincidently, in both the games India were chasing the modest scores put up by the opponents.
Except Yuvraj Singh no any batsmen could take on the English bowlers, though the two openers Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma put on 48 runs in 6.2 overs when Gambhir got out at 21 be Johan Botha. India still looked in control of the chase. But the familiar middle order collapse came in and they lost four wickets in just 27 balls.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s terrible form also continued and he just scored five off 12 balls before returning to pavilion. India’s hopes once again lay squarely on the strong shoulder of Yuvraj Singh but he could not win the match for India and caught behind in the 17th over.
Earlier, Indian bowlers mainly spinners and part time bowlers performed well and the favourite Proteas struggled against them on the slow Trent Bridge wicket to manage just 130 for 5 in 20 overs. Man of the match A B de Villiers, who said that "it wasn't the fanciest knock of my life”, top scored with 63 off 51 balls.
South Africa will now meet West Indies in one of the semi finals.
South Africa had nothing to lose in this match; it was just a practice match for the Proteas who well defended the tiny 130 in the T20 game. On the other hand, India once again could not prove their strength and their batsmen failed miserably like their previous two games against the West Indies and England.
In fact, India were already crashed out of the T20 World Cup when the bizarre tinkering of the strong batting line-up failed wretchedly at the hands of England on Sunday. The host had defeated India by just 3 runs in a tough game. Coincidently, in both the games India were chasing the modest scores put up by the opponents.
Except Yuvraj Singh no any batsmen could take on the English bowlers, though the two openers Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma put on 48 runs in 6.2 overs when Gambhir got out at 21 be Johan Botha. India still looked in control of the chase. But the familiar middle order collapse came in and they lost four wickets in just 27 balls.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s terrible form also continued and he just scored five off 12 balls before returning to pavilion. India’s hopes once again lay squarely on the strong shoulder of Yuvraj Singh but he could not win the match for India and caught behind in the 17th over.
Earlier, Indian bowlers mainly spinners and part time bowlers performed well and the favourite Proteas struggled against them on the slow Trent Bridge wicket to manage just 130 for 5 in 20 overs. Man of the match A B de Villiers, who said that "it wasn't the fanciest knock of my life”, top scored with 63 off 51 balls.
South Africa will now meet West Indies in one of the semi finals.
Dual character of Shiney Ahuja?
Can the cool, calm, sometimes angry and thinkable actor as his role played by him in some of his movies speaks, do this shameless act? The Hazaron Khwaishe Aisi actor’s fans are yet to believe that Shiney Ahuja can rape his domestic help.
The 36-year-old actor, however, denied that he raped his 18-year-old maid, but allegedly admitted to having sex with the girl. He, however, said the physical relation was made with the girl’s consent.
Although the allegation is yet to be established in a court of law, but if it is proved it would also prove wrong that “face does not lie.” Rather it would be confirmed that it is difficult to know about one’s character through his innocent looking face.
The medical report of the victim has also confirmed that she was sexually assaulted by actor Shiney Ahuja.
“The medical report of the victim has corroborated what the victim has alleged against the actor in the First Information Report,” said Niket Kaushik, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.
The actor has already been booked under Section 376 (rape), Section 346 (wrongful restraint) and Section 506 (threat to kill) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). If proven guilty, he faces a jail term of over seven years.
Meanwhile, a metropolitan court in Andheri has sent the accused to police remand till June 18. His home, where the offence was allegedly committed, was sealed by the police after a special forensic team visited the house to obtain more evidence. Ahuja was arrested on Sunday night for allegedly raping his maid.
How much this incident would impact Bollywood, is difficult to say. Sometimes ago such kind of allegation was made against eminent producer director Madhur Bhandarkar by a model Priti jain. He, however, freed by a court of law and Bollywood accepted his contention that allegation against him was made as he did not assigned a role to Preeti Jain in his movie Fashion.
Earlier, actors Shakti Kapur and Aman Verma were too caught in a casting couch, but Bollywood gave the incident a deaf ear.
It means such kinds of allegations are most common in Bollywood. So how the rape allegation against Shiney Ahuja would impact his career; only time will speak.
The 36-year-old actor, however, denied that he raped his 18-year-old maid, but allegedly admitted to having sex with the girl. He, however, said the physical relation was made with the girl’s consent.
Although the allegation is yet to be established in a court of law, but if it is proved it would also prove wrong that “face does not lie.” Rather it would be confirmed that it is difficult to know about one’s character through his innocent looking face.
The medical report of the victim has also confirmed that she was sexually assaulted by actor Shiney Ahuja.
“The medical report of the victim has corroborated what the victim has alleged against the actor in the First Information Report,” said Niket Kaushik, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.
The actor has already been booked under Section 376 (rape), Section 346 (wrongful restraint) and Section 506 (threat to kill) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). If proven guilty, he faces a jail term of over seven years.
Meanwhile, a metropolitan court in Andheri has sent the accused to police remand till June 18. His home, where the offence was allegedly committed, was sealed by the police after a special forensic team visited the house to obtain more evidence. Ahuja was arrested on Sunday night for allegedly raping his maid.
How much this incident would impact Bollywood, is difficult to say. Sometimes ago such kind of allegation was made against eminent producer director Madhur Bhandarkar by a model Priti jain. He, however, freed by a court of law and Bollywood accepted his contention that allegation against him was made as he did not assigned a role to Preeti Jain in his movie Fashion.
Earlier, actors Shakti Kapur and Aman Verma were too caught in a casting couch, but Bollywood gave the incident a deaf ear.
It means such kinds of allegations are most common in Bollywood. So how the rape allegation against Shiney Ahuja would impact his career; only time will speak.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Acer launches new notebook series
Acer, the third largest PC manufacturer after Dell and HP, has launched a new series of notebooks with the name of Aspire Timeline series in India. The new range of products is based on an Ultra-Low Voltage (ULV) Intel Core 2 solo processor that enables thinner design with longer battery life.
The Acer Timeline series are Aspire 3810 T, Aspire 4810 T and Aspire 5810 T. The notebooks are equipped with thermal management system which helps the system to be cool irrespective of its 0.8 inch size and 1 lb (about 2 kg) weight.
The Aspire Timeline series is available in three forms 13.3", 14" and 15.6" with better readability in low-light condition, and is equipped with Dolby Sound Room that produces a quality surround sound.
One another key features of the Timeline models are its battery backup and energy saving capacity. It has over eight hours of battery life. The power smart adapter enters the adaptive charging mode automatically when the battery is fully charged and stops consuming energy.
The price of the Aspire series ranges from Rs 39,999 to Rs 44,999.
Salient features of the Aspire series:
Aspire 3810 T
-Intel Core2 Solo processor
-2 GB Ram
-250GB HDD
-13.3" HD display
-1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness
-Bluetooth
-Vista Home premium
Aspire 4810 T
-Intel Core2 Solo processor SU3500
-2 GB Ram
-250GB HDD
-14" HD display
-1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness
-Bluetooth
-Vista Home premium
Aspire 5810 T
-Intel Core2 Solo processor SU3500
-3 GB Ram
-320 GB HDD
-15.6" HD display
-1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness
-Bluetooth
-Vista Home premium
The Acer Timeline series are Aspire 3810 T, Aspire 4810 T and Aspire 5810 T. The notebooks are equipped with thermal management system which helps the system to be cool irrespective of its 0.8 inch size and 1 lb (about 2 kg) weight.
The Aspire Timeline series is available in three forms 13.3", 14" and 15.6" with better readability in low-light condition, and is equipped with Dolby Sound Room that produces a quality surround sound.
One another key features of the Timeline models are its battery backup and energy saving capacity. It has over eight hours of battery life. The power smart adapter enters the adaptive charging mode automatically when the battery is fully charged and stops consuming energy.
The price of the Aspire series ranges from Rs 39,999 to Rs 44,999.
Salient features of the Aspire series:
Aspire 3810 T
-Intel Core2 Solo processor
-2 GB Ram
-250GB HDD
-13.3" HD display
-1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness
-Bluetooth
-Vista Home premium
Aspire 4810 T
-Intel Core2 Solo processor SU3500
-2 GB Ram
-250GB HDD
-14" HD display
-1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness
-Bluetooth
-Vista Home premium
Aspire 5810 T
-Intel Core2 Solo processor SU3500
-3 GB Ram
-320 GB HDD
-15.6" HD display
-1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness
-Bluetooth
-Vista Home premium
Saturday, June 13, 2009
WHO finds spurt in Swine flu cases
The World Health Organization (WHO) which has declared swine flu as pandemic has reported on June 12 as 29,699 laboratory confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 infection from 74 countries, including 145 deaths so far.
In its latest update on June 13, the WHO has said that the health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is being conducted in 21 International airports. On this date, around 47339 passengers were screened of which 26482 were from affected countries. A total of 76 counters have been made at these airports where 221 doctors and 111 paramedics have been deployed to screen the passengers.
In India, the six-year-old girl who traveled from New York has tested positive at NIV, Pune. Her one-and-half year old brother has also tested positive. Both children have been admitted to the identified health facility and their conditions are stable.
The siblings had reached India along with their parents from New York on June 10.
Since they are too young to be quarantined, the sister-brother duo are being accompanied in hospital by their grandfather, who was put on anti-viral drugs and has tested negative for H1N1 virus. The family members were also being tested and their samples had been sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for tests.
A 24-year-old student, who came to Hyderabad from Austin (US) via Dubai-Mumbai, was also admitted to hospital after showing swine flu like symptoms. While in Tamil Nadu, a five-member family was quarantined at the airport after they arrived from the US.
Meanwhile, out of the 240 persons tested for novel Influenza A [H1N1] virus in the country, 17 have been found positive. Among them nine have been discharged and rest of the passengers has been admitted to the identified health facility. The rest have been found negative for the Influenza virus.
“A total of 17 swine flu cases have been reported (in India), of which nine patients have been discharged. The rest of the patients are all stable and are admitted to the identified health facilities,” a health official said in Delhi.
In its latest update on June 13, the WHO has said that the health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is being conducted in 21 International airports. On this date, around 47339 passengers were screened of which 26482 were from affected countries. A total of 76 counters have been made at these airports where 221 doctors and 111 paramedics have been deployed to screen the passengers.
In India, the six-year-old girl who traveled from New York has tested positive at NIV, Pune. Her one-and-half year old brother has also tested positive. Both children have been admitted to the identified health facility and their conditions are stable.
The siblings had reached India along with their parents from New York on June 10.
Since they are too young to be quarantined, the sister-brother duo are being accompanied in hospital by their grandfather, who was put on anti-viral drugs and has tested negative for H1N1 virus. The family members were also being tested and their samples had been sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for tests.
A 24-year-old student, who came to Hyderabad from Austin (US) via Dubai-Mumbai, was also admitted to hospital after showing swine flu like symptoms. While in Tamil Nadu, a five-member family was quarantined at the airport after they arrived from the US.
Meanwhile, out of the 240 persons tested for novel Influenza A [H1N1] virus in the country, 17 have been found positive. Among them nine have been discharged and rest of the passengers has been admitted to the identified health facility. The rest have been found negative for the Influenza virus.
“A total of 17 swine flu cases have been reported (in India), of which nine patients have been discharged. The rest of the patients are all stable and are admitted to the identified health facilities,” a health official said in Delhi.
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