It was on July 20, 1969 that “Eagle”, the lunar module landed on moon and American Astronaut Neil Armstrong took “that one small step” paving way for ”a giant leap for mankind”. Millions of people all over the world watched this event on Television and heard about the historic flight on radio.It has been described as one of the greatest moments in human history. The moon landing marked the pinnacle of the space race that was going on for a decade between the two powers, the United States and the then Soviet Union. Neil Armstrong along with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins left the moon’s orbit on 22 July and returned to Earth on 24 July. Thirty-six years afterward, the echoes of man’s first steps on the moon can still be heard around the world.
After the initial rush of lunar programmes in the 1960s and early 1970s there was a lull in investment in the space expeditions. But when a low-cost US spacecraft called Clementine reached lunar orbit and mapped the moon in 1994, it reappeared on the exploration radar screen. The craft measured the moon’s shape and aspects of its mineralogy, and conducted radar observations that appeared to suggest tantalizing deposits of water ice in permanently shadowed polar craters. Lunar Prospector, a NASA spacecraft launched four years later, made detailed measurements of the moon’s near-side gravitational field, discovered indications of hydrogen—potentially related to water ice—in the polar regions, and found indications of new crustal magnetic signatures.
A New Wave
Now there is a global interest in the moon mainly because it is the scientific gateway to understanding the formation and evolution of the inner solar system and the early crusts of Earth and Mars. Being relatively easy to get to it could be used by beginners as a stepping-stone to explore Mars. The moon is also being explored for its natural resources that could prove beneficial to earthlings. Among them is helium 3, a nonpolluting fusion fuel source. Scientists believe there are about 1 million tons of helium 3 on the moon - enough to satisfy Earth’s energy needs for thousands of years. Another way to supply Earth with energy is to harvest solar power from the moon. According to scientists harnessing just 1 percent of the moon’s solar energy could replace fossil fuel power plants on Earth.
No wonder there is a new wave of research beginning with several countries racing towards the moon. Many spacecraft are lined up to arrive in lunar orbit. Europe’s SMART-1, arrived in lunar orbit last November. It will be followed by two Japanese spacecraft, Lunar-A and Selene in 2006. In 2007-08, India will launch Chandrayaan-1, which will be closely followed by China’s CHANG’E-1. In 2008, the US will send the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to help scout locations for human exploration. The US is also planning a $700 million Moonrise mission which will be launched in 2009–10.
Chandrayaan-1
Today India is confident of undertaking a complex space mission because of its indigenously developed launch vehicle and spacecraft capabilities. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is spearheading all activities in this field. Whether India should embark on a manned mission or not is a subject of national debate since sending a man to the moon is a very costly affair. A manned mission would take seven to ten years to accomplish, and would cost at least $2.2 billion. Besides, as G. Madhavan Nair, Head of ISRO, puts it, whatever a man can do in space, it can be done with instrumentation also.
Chadrayaan-1, India’s first unmanned mission to moon was announced on August 15, 2003. The ambitious programme represents the country’s foray into a planetary exploration era in the coming decades. The Chandrayan-1 mission envisages placing a 525-kg satellite in a polar orbit 100-km above the moon and it will have a lifetime of two years. The satellite will be launched using a modified version of India’s indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The spacecraft will initially be launched into Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit, and subsequently maneuvered into its final lunar orbit using its own propulsion system. The main objectives of Chandrayan-1 include obtaining imagery of the moon’s surface using high-resolution remote sensing instruments in the visible, near infrared, low and high-energy X-ray regions. International Co-operation
Each mission has its own objectives and emphasis though many of the instruments on these spacecraft have similar capabilities. Despite having nationalistic lunar goals, nearly all the space agencies are discussing collaboration through organizations such as the International Lunar Exploration Working Group. There are many bilateral and other negotiations going on. For example, Russia is contributing a neutron detector to LRO. European Space Agency, ESA and NASA are working with their Japanese counterpart. Considering the interest expressed by the international scientific community, a provision has also been made to accommodate instruments from other countries on Chandrayaan-1.
Recently, ISRO signed an agreement with ESA for including European instruments on board Chandrayaan-1. The European contribution will include a low energy (0.5-10 keV) X-ray spectrometer called Chandrayaan Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer from Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK, to measure elemental abundance distributed over the lunar surface using X-ray fluorescence technique, a near Infra-Red (IR) Spectrometer from Max Planck Institute of Aeronomie, Germany, to detect and measure lunar mineral abundances, Sub keV Atom Reflecting Analyser from Swedish Institute of Space Physics, developed in collaboration with India, to measure volatiles generated due to solar wind impacting on lunar surface and determine the surface magnetic field anomalies.
Europe will also contribute to the Indian experiment, namely, High Energy X-ray Spectrometer. The European instruments are to complement the main Indian experiments. The US is also considering placing up to two instruments onChandrayaan-1.
The lunar gold rush is bound to produce remarkable new data sets about the moon by the end of the decade and the world will watchthat one small step indeed turninginto a gaint leap towards themoon. (PIB Features)
**Deputy Principal Information Officer, PIB, New Delhi
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is holding a workshop on improving the service delivery and role of NGOs, tomorrow.
With a view to avoid genuine hardship being faced by the taxpayers in filing quarterly statements of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) for the quarter
Government of India have announced the sale (re-issue) of “10.25 per cent Government Stock, 2021” for a notified amount of Rs.5,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction using multiple price method.
Agriculture Secretary Smt. Radha Singh today called upon the Malaysian corporates to invest in agriculture and food sectors in India. She was addressing a conference on “Transformation of Agriculture and Agro-Based Sector and Cooperation among the Asian Countries” organized at 6th Malaysia International Food and Beverages Trade Fair (MIBF’05) at Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Indian naval aircraft carrier INS Viraat, accompanied by four other Indian naval ships namely INS Rajput & Ranjit (guided missile destroyers), INS Shakti (replenishment tanker) and INS Khukri (indigenously built missile corvette) are scheduled to be deployed overseas to countries in South East Asia in Jul/Aug 05. During the course of the deployment the ships are scheduled to visit Singapore 19-22 Jul,
The Ministry of Tourism has launched an innovative project to showcase the rural life, art, culture and heritage, thereby benefiting the local community economically and socially.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution proposes to introduce a Bill in Parliament on Warehouse Development and Regulation. The Ministry is also considering various aspects pertaining to standardization and gradation
The Ministry of Company Affairs is committed to bring basic shift in the approach of governance in the companies from controls, approval and regulation to self-governance with focus on proper disclosure, good corporate governance and effective protection of various stakeholders, especially small investors
The Union Cabinet today approved the construction of the Chancery, residences and common community facilities for the Embassy of India in Kathmandu within the India House Estate at a cost of Rs.125.36 crore
The Union Cabinet today approved the creation of two posts in the Directorate General of Shipping. It also approved the up-gradation of two posts of Senior DDG to the post of Joint Director General and Deputy Chief Ship Surveyor to the post of Chief Ship Surveyor.
Kerala is all set for the ‘monsoon magic’ of ayurveda.The god’s own country is welcoming people around the globe for rejuvenation programmes based on the traditional texts of Ayurveda.
The traditional texts of ayurveda suggest that monsoon is the best time to revitalize body.During this season, pores of the skin permit maximum absorption of ayurvedic medicines and oils.Experts in this field say the geographical specialties of Kerala also add to this monsoon magic. From the first week of June, that is when normally monsoon hits the region, Kerala starts receiving perpendicular sunrays.Thepeculiar situation with sun on one side and the rain on the other side is, no doubt, the most ideal for ayurvedic therapy.As we all know, ayurveda considers the individual as a whole and it does not believe in the treatment of just affected part of the body.It believes in eliminating toxic imbalances from the body so as to regain resistance and health.It follows the natural way of refreshing human body.Somebody who is totally new to the experience may think that there is only one set of treatment in ayurveda for each and every disease.In fact, the ayurvedic physician may suggest individual programmes for every person after a methodical evaluation.It may be of very short duration for minor problems like back pain or muscular pain and of longer duration for other complicated diseases.
Importance of Kerala in the field of ayurvedic treatment increases when we are considering the treatments like Uzhichil (massage treatment) and Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy).These methods in the ayurvedic treatment are the contribution of Kerala itself andare more effective when done in Kerala, especially during the monsoon due to the reasons sited above.Uzhichil paves good blood circulation and removes causes of fatigue.Basically, Uzhichil is a type of massage in the Kalari (an ancient martial art of Kerala) Marmani treatment.Wastes accumulated in the body are eliminated through uzhichil. The activated blood vessels and the nerves in the skin through uzhichil help to receive benefits from the sun and the nature.Not only the sensory nerves in the skin and the blood circulation system but also the related systems and the whole body itself get activated through this traditional massage. It also stimulates the mind.
The Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy) is the way to achieve good health and longevity by strengthening and rejuvenating the tissues.It involves massage with medicated oils, internal rejuvenating medicines, medicated steam bath etc.It increases the resistance power of the body by developing the primary vitality (ojas) and mental clarity (sattva).
The kayakalppa chikitsa includes special ayurvedic medicines with special diet and comprehensive body care.Panchakarma treatment is another method that aims at mental and physical well being of the body with a five-fold treatment.It tunes the body, organs, mind, breath and nerves.It also purifies blood.The Panchakarma treatment requires preconditioning of the body. The pre-treatment includes the process of thalam, snehanam and swedanam.Thalam is the process performed before any external treatment.Herbal powder and medicated oils are applied on the upper portion of the head in this process of thalam.It helps to overcome problems related to ENT, migraine etc. Snehanam is the process of applying medicated oil.It may be through massage or oral intake. And in swedanam, the body issweated through medicated steam bath to eliminate impurities.All these are aimed at de-toxication of the entire body.According to ayurvedic philosophy, every disease is due to the accumulation of waste in the body.Therefore every treatment begins with de-toxication of the body.
The treatments in ayurveda can be divided into three viz. rejuvenating, preventive and curative.Among these three, the rejuvenation programmes are more popular among the people who visit Kerala during monsoon.The most common rejuvenation therapy is the massage with two oils selected to suit the person. Light and firm massage throughout the body, head, back, thighs, and limbs tones up the whole body.The massage is normally followed by a medicated steam bath.
Another speciality during the monsoon in Kerala is a special porridge called Karkkidaka kanji.This special food consumed during the Karkkidakam month of Malayalam era (July-August) supplements nutrients and also has medicinal effect.It is considered to have ability to control factors which are viewed as toxic by ayurveda.This may be due to the ingredients with medicinal values.Karkkidaka kanji consists of cereals and medicinal plants.
Even in this age of modern medicine, Kerala is able to attract people from all over the world towards the Indian system of medicine.The ayurvedic clinics in Kerala are getting a large number of domestic as well as foreign visitors.Some tour operatorshave come up with monsoon packages for visitors from foreign countries.According to the Kerala Tourism authorities, these special monsoon packages are attracting more and more people.Aboom time indeed for health tourism in Keralaas it’s raininghopes. (PIB Features)
19 officers-employees of Transport Department suspended for illegal recovery at check post
Bhopal : Thursday, July 14, 2005 Updated 18:52 IST
Taking a serious view of the complaint of illegal recovery by the staff of Transport department at a check-post the state government has suspended 19 persons with immediate effect. The strict action has been taken following receipt of information of illegal recovery at Nayagaon check-post in Neemuch district. For the convenience of public orders have been issued for posting of fresh staff at the check-post.
The state government has prima facie considered it a serious case of financial irregularity and lack of devotion to duty and suspended the entire staff of the check-post. The headquarter of the officers and employees during the suspension will be the office of the Transport Commissioner, Gwalior.
The state government has directed the Transport Commissioner to conduct inspections and to ask the Deputy Transport Commissioner and Regional Transport Officers to inspect the check-posts to ensure that there is no undesirable activity there. Strict disciplinary action should be taken if any officer or employee is found to be indulging in such activities.
The officers and employees suspended are transport inspectors Sanjaya Pawar, Deshraj Singh Chouhan , Pramod Kapase , Ratnakar Uike , Gopal Singh Chouhan, Rajiv Gupta and Ramrasia Baghel ; head constables Anil Shrivastava, Rajpal Singh , Rakesh Tripathi, Sharad Singh and Vedprakas Bansal ; constable Ravinath Singh , Dinesh Singh Parihar , Chandradev Adivasi, Neelam Minj, Bharat Singh RAwat, Dheer Singh Batham and head constable Shyambabulal Dube.
19 officers-employees of Transport Department suspended for illegal recovery at check post
Bhopal : Thursday, July 14, 2005 Updated 18:52 IST
Taking a serious view of the complaint of illegal recovery by the staff of Transport department at a check-post the state government has suspended 19 persons with immediate effect. The strict action has been taken following receipt of information of illegal recovery at Nayagaon check-post in Neemuch district. For the convenience of public orders have been issued for posting of fresh staff at the check-post.
The state government has prima facie considered it a serious case of financial irregularity and lack of devotion to duty and suspended the entire staff of the check-post. The headquarter of the officers and employees during the suspension will be the office of the Transport Commissioner, Gwalior.
The state government has directed the Transport Commissioner to conduct inspections and to ask the Deputy Transport Commissioner and Regional Transport Officers to inspect the check-posts to ensure that there is no undesirable activity there. Strict disciplinary action should be taken if any officer or employee is found to be indulging in such activities.
The officers and employees suspended are transport inspectors Sanjaya Pawar, Deshraj Singh Chouhan , Pramod Kapase , Ratnakar Uike , Gopal Singh Chouhan, Rajiv Gupta and Ramrasia Baghel ; head constables Anil Shrivastava, Rajpal Singh , Rakesh Tripathi, Sharad Singh and Vedprakas Bansal ; constable Ravinath Singh , Dinesh Singh Parihar , Chandradev Adivasi, Neelam Minj, Bharat Singh RAwat, Dheer Singh Batham and head constable Shyambabulal Dube.
Neekhra re-elected Bar council chief Jabalpur, July 10, 2005
RAMESHWAR NEEKHRA has been elected the president of the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh unopposed for the seventh time. He would hold the post for yet another term of two and a half year. At the elections, Champalal Yadav of Indore and Radhalal Gupta of Jabalpur were elected the vice-president and treasurer of the SBCMP respectively.
SBC of MP secretary Rajendra Jain said Ashok Shukla of Indore proposed Neekhra's name for the president's post, which was seconded by Balkrishna Upadhyay of Ujjain. All other 23 members unanimously approved Neekhra's name.
At the meeting of the 25-members, Vijay Kumar Choudhary of Bhopal and Prem Singh Bhadoria of Gwalior were elected the president and vice-president of the Executive Committee of the Council respectively, Jain said. Neekhra said that his priority would be work for the welfare of nearly 55, 000 lawyers of Madhya Pradesh. He said that the Council would strive hard to improve the standards of advocacy.
Already, Neekhra said, the Council was holding seminars at the district levels. He said that the discipline among the advocates would be maintained at all cost.
UNDECLARED SERIOUS POWER CUT FOR 18 HOURS DAILY AT CHAMBAL IN MADHYA PRADESH. Real Feel Good of Public.
MORENA.7th July 2005. People of Chambal valley at Madhya Pradesh In India,are passing now a days through a serious undeclared daily power cut of electricity upto 16 hours.
Although whole of the chambal valley is in very bad position about electric supply. But now a days Bhind,Morena,Sheopur Districts of valley feeling very bad situatiuon of Electricity departments Supply . Although Morena is Divisional Head quarter of chambal valley,and its declared by Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh that there will no any power cut at Divisional Head quarters. But actual position is that there is historical power cut for 15 to 16 hours is continued daily.
Its rememberable Electricity was a great cause to changed the Government in last assembly elections .and second was corruption and Non Hearing of public.
All of the problems are still as it is in previous. What change they have made ?
UNDECLARED SERIOUS POWER CUT FOR 18 HOURS DAILY AT CHAMBAL IN MADHYA PRADESH. Real Feel Good of Public.
MORENA.7th July 2005. People of Chambal valley at Madhya Pradesh In India,are passing now a days through a serious undeclared daily power cut of electricity upto 16 hours.
Although whole of the chambal valley is in very bad position about electric supply. But now a days Bhind,Morena,Sheopur Districts of valley feeling very bad situatiuon of Electricity departments Supply . Although Morena is Divisional Head quarter of chambal valley,and its declared by Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh that there will no any power cut at Divisional Head quarters. But actual position is that there is historical power cut for 15 to 16 hours is continued daily.
Its rememberable Electricity was a great cause to changed the Government in last assembly elections .and second was corruption and Non Hearing of public.
All of the problems are still as it is in previous. What change they have made ?
India considers gas pipeline from Myanmar bypassing Bangladesh India is considering importing gas directly from Myanmar via a pipeline bypassing Bangladesh, Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said.
C.B.I. ALERTS TO INDIAN PEOPLE ABOUT FRAUD OF AUSTRALIAN LOTTERY PRIZE SCHEME
C.B.I. central bureau of investigation (Govt. of India) alerts to Indian People about Internet fraud. Almost every one loves to win a lottery but if you receive a mail saying that you have won a huge prize money in a lottery you did not participate in, beware ! It may be an attempt to lure you into parting with some money. From being a winner you may turn out to be a loser.
An organised group is operating purportedly from Gold Coast in Australia in the name and style of WORLDWIDE WINNERS SEARCH CENTRE. Their modus operandus is to send postal letters to a number of people declaring the addressee to be a winner of lottery prize upto AUD $2,300,000.00. They further demand US $19 for enabling the winners to receive the aforesaid amount. A number of people in India have received these solicitations.
The State Government has appointed the Minister for Urban Administration and Tourism, Shri Jayant Malaiya as Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation. Orders to this effect have been issued.
The Union Cabinet today approved a proposal to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, withdrawing the restriction on the use of National Flag as a portion of costume or uniform by the members of public, in general, and the sports-persons, in particular.
Police authorised to prevent power theft Hindustan Times - Delhi,India ... with those involved in pilferage. Power thefts are quite high in the Chambal division of the State. Power pilferage has become the ...