India Under-19 blossom under Dravid's focus and drive

Among the top six teams that played the Asian Cricket Council Youth Asia Cup 2016 in Sri Lanka, only India and Pakistan did not feature a player who had played in the Under-19 World Cup before.

Perhaps, as a result, Pakistan were ousted in the league phase, losing to Afghanistan and missing out on the semi-final spot by a narrow margin. India, on the other hand, had no such problems. They enjoyed an unbeaten run on their way to defending the crown. They have now been champions since 2012, when the tournament was opened to the full members' Under 19 teams (they were joint champions alongside Pakistan during the first edition).

The result outlines the neat structure India have in place now, with Rahul Dravid leading the boys as their head coach. The results are vindication to what India have in place, as it is to the talent that's coming through.

The Youth Asia Cup offers a neat glimpse at the future of cricket in Asia. Nepal showed they weren't mere pushovers. Afghanistan went one better and ousted two-time finalists Pakistan. Sri Lanka made it to the finals for the very first time and Bangladesh proved their mettle with a semi-final spot.

Amongst the players, too, there will always be new jewels uncovered. Hasitha Boyagoda and Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous Sri Lankan captain, did will for the hosts. Nepal saw Dipendra Singh Airee play a blinder in their opening game. India found stars in Prithvi Shaw, Himanshu Rana and Abhishek Sharma, among others.

But no one will have come out happier than the champions.

Rahul Dravid has always been a man with a plan, and he came well prepared for the Youth Asia Cup, too. Devraj Raut, India's video analyst, would record the whole game and send out edited snippets to each player to help them analyse their game. If the match got over early, like it did against Malaysia and Nepal, the team was put through the paces through match simulations.

When the team failed to finish off a match and let Afghanistan finish the game on their own terms, Dravid was apparently livid with the team. Despite the victory, the coach gave his team a dressing down for not going for the kill when the chance presented itself.

The onus was always on the team to learn as much as possible from the experience, and they would have gained a lot from the Sri Lanka experience. Far from what the results and the talent indicate, the going has not been easy for the side.

In February this year, the India U19 team lost the World Cup final to West Indies in Bangladesh. The India team was seen as one of the strongest, and had in it a number of promising youngsters - some of them - Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Armaan Jaffer and Washington Sundar - are already regular faces in their state sides.

None from that team now plays for the U19 side, not because they're too old, but because Dravid and the BCCI have sights set on the future. The BCCI had, in June this year, ruled that no player can play two Under-19 World Cups, and the board saw the Youth Asia Cup as the opportunity to groom players for the next Under-19 World Cup, to be played in 2018.

A fifteen member squad was selected for the Asia Cup, but another issue arose. Due to a miscommunication, seven members of India's squad were found ineligible as per the age cut-off. With less than two weeks to go for the series, India had to make as many changes to the side. However, their preparation gave them the chance to ride over the problems and still come out on top.

Under-16 and Under-19 camps were set up in each zone to help pick out the players. Once the cream of the crop was picked, the nurturing began. There have been regular camps for cricketers at the under-age levels to hone their skills. Earlier this year, the candidates played with Dukes, SG and Kookaburra balls - red, white and pink to give them early exposure to the different challenges in cricket. The squad also played the Under 19 Challenger Trophy, in Bilaspur in October.

Despite all the setbacks, India's triumph in the Youth Asia Cup has been one that will please the management and board to no end. Dravid's work and focus on providing Indian cricket with the right future seem well on track, while the players, too, have shown that they have what it takes to go the next level.

Exciting next two years await. Sound success at the start of the campaign can be as damaging as it is encouraging. With Dravid at the helm, one can be sure of it being treated the right way. After India's loss in the Under-19 World Cup final, the former India captain had emphasised on the life lessons that comes out of failure.

"You don't realise the importance of achievement without failure. It's fine that you lost this time, but be ready and cautious in the next opportunity," Ishan Kishan had said about his chat with Dravid after the loss in the final.

India and Pakistan were the only sides without an Under-19 World Cup player in their sides. While the results in the tournament would leave Pakistan with question marks overs their young team, India can start dreaming of more success.

சென்னையை நெருங்கும் வர்தா புயல்

சென்னையை நெருங்கும் வர்தா புயல்

• சென்னையை நெருங்குகிறது வர்தா புயல்
• சென்னைக்கு கிழக்கே 100 கி.மீ தொலைவில் வர்தா புயல்
• சென்னையை நோக்கி 13 கி.மீ வேகத்தில் நகருகிறது வர்தா புயல்
• சென்னையில் கரையை கடக்கும்போது 100 முதல் 110 கி.மீ. வேகத்தில் பலத்த காற்று வீசும்
• சென்னையில் பேய் காற்றுடன் கனமழை கொட்டி வருகிறது -சென்னை கோட்டூர்புரத்தில் மரம் முறிந்து விழுந்தது
• 2 பேர் படுகாயம் -வர்தா புயல் பழவேற்காடு - கும்மிடிப்பூண்டி இடையே கரையை கடக்கும்
• வானிலை மையம் -கடல் அலைகள் அதிக சீற்றத்துடன் எழுவதால் மீனவர்கள் அச்சம்
• கடற்கரை அருகே வசிப்பவர்கள் அவசரமாக வெளியேற்றம்

• சென்னை, காஞ்சிபுரம், திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டங்களில் 3,500 பேர் இடமாற்றம்
• 24 மணிநேரத்தில் சென்னையில் 6 செ.மீ மழை
• சென்னைக்கு கிழக்கே 142 கி.மீ. தொலைவில் வர்தா புயல்
• வர்தா புயலால் பழவேற்காட்டில் பலத்த கடல் காற்று வீசி வருகிறது
• பலத்த காற்றால் பழவேற்காட்டில் மின்கம்பங்கள், மரங்கள் சாய்ந்தன
• பழவேற்காட்டில் சூறைக்காற்று வீசி வருவதால் கம்பிகள் அறுப்பட்டு மின் இணைப்புகள் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டன
  
  
  
  

Jayalalithaa Had Cardiac Arrest Sunday Evening - Apollo Hospital Announcement

Jayalalithaa Had Cardiac Arrest Sunday Evening - Apollo Hospital Announcement

J Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and one of India's most powerful and popular politicians, had a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening in the Chennai hospital where she has spent the last three months being treated for a prolonged lung infection.

"She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts, including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists," said Dr Subbaiah Viswanathan of Apollo Hospital.

After a phone call from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has flown back to Chennai from Maharashtra which is also in his charge. He visited the hospital and left without making a statement.

Senior ministers have converged converging at the hospital. Supporters of the Chief Minister were gathering outside to pray for her. The Press Trust of India reported that nine units of anti-riot police, each with about 100 members, are being prepped to flown into Tamil Nadu, if needed. Police across the state have been asked to be on high alert and the entire force has been asked to report to duty at 7 am. Schools have not been closed and exams will go on as scheduled, officials said.

Crowds gathered outside Apollo hospital as news of Jayalalithaa's health poured in.

Earlier on Saturday, Jayalalithaa's party, the AIADMK, said the 68-year-old leader would soon decide when to return home with three specialist consultants from Delhi's premier AIIMS hospital declaring her fully recovered.

For weeks, doctors attending to Jayalalithaa have been saying that "Amma", as she is known to millions of supporters, was well enough to decide when to return home. Her party said she was directing important decisions, speaking occasionally to those who were allowed to meet her.

When she was first hospitalised in September, her party said it was for dehydration and fever. It soon became clear that her illness was far more serious. She spent weeks on respiratory support and specialists flew in from London and Delhi to monitor her. 

India, Japan signs historic nuclear deal

India, Japan signs historic nuclear deal

Signing a landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the agreement for cooperation will mark a historic step in the engagement to build a clean energy partnership between both nations.

"A landmark deal for a cleaner, greener world! PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo witness exchange of the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi said India sees Japan as a natural partner in the aim to be major centre for manufacturing, investments and 21st century knowledge industries.

"It is clear that our cooperation has progressed on multiple fronts. The Agreement for cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy marks a historic step in our engagement to build a clean energy partnership," Prime Minister Modi said.

He said that strategic partnership is not only for the good and security of own societies, but it also brings peace, stability and balance to region.

Prime Minister Modi also said that both the nation have united to combat the menace of terrorism, especially cross-border terrorism.

Speaking about implementation of visa-on-arrival policy, he said since March 2016 India has extended 'Visa-On Arrival' facility to Japanese nationals and have also extended a 10-year visa to businesspersons.

The present agreement provides for bilateral cooperation in the field of Nuclear Energy. This would provide for the development of nuclear power projects in India and thus strengthening of energy security of the country. The present agreement would open up the door for collaboration between Indian and Japanese industries in our Civil Nuclear programme.

The deal would allow Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo. It would also cement the bilateral economic and security ties as the two countries warm up to counter anassertive China.

Japan is a major player in the nuclear energy market and an atomic deal with it will make it easier for US-based nuclear plant makers Westinghouse Electric Corporation and GE Energy Inc to set up atomic plants in India as both these conglomerates have Japanese investments.

Security features of the new Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 notes

Security features of the new Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 notes 

A look at the security features of the newly-launched Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 500 notes from the RBI's stable.

Rs. 2,000 (colour: magenta)

* Is a part of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series, with a motif of India's Mars orbiter, the Mangalyaan on the reverse

* Size: 66mm x 166mm

Front side:

1. See through register where the numeral 2,000 can be seen when note is held against light

2. Latent image of 2,000 can be seen when the note is tilted

3. Devanagari denomination

4. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

5. Micro letters 'RBI' and '2,000'

6. Colour shift security thread with 'RBI' and '2,000'

7. Guarantee clause, Governor's signature and RBI emblem on the right

8. Watermarks of Mahatma Gandhi and electrotype 2,000 numeral

9. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on top left and bottom right sides

10. Denominational numeral with Rupee symbol, 2,000 in colour changing ink

11. Ashoka pillar emblem

For visually impaired:

12. Rectangle with Rs.2,000 in raised print on right

13. Seven angular bleed lines in raised print

Rs. 500

The size is 63mm x 150mm, colour is stone grey with Red Fort and Mahatma Gandhi's image on each sides

Features:

1. See through register in denomination numeral

2. Latent image of the denomination numeral

3. Denomination numeral in Devnagari

4. Orientation of Mahatma Gandhi's portrait changed

5. Windowed security thread changes from green to blue when note is tilted

6. Guarantee clause, Governor's signature, RBI emblem shifted towards right

7. Portrait and electrotype watermarks

8. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on top left and bottom right sides

9. Denomination in nuemrals with Rupee symbol in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right

10. Ashoka pillar emblem on right

For visually impaired:

11. Circle with Rs. 500 in raised print on the right

12. Bleed lines on left and right in raised print

Exchange of old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes worth Rs 4,000 allowed only once till RBI review

Exchange of old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes worth Rs 4,000 allowed only once till RBI review

The limit to exchange old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 is Rs 4000 till further review by the RBI and NOT per day as has been misunderstood by some people. The Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) on the RBI website and the notification regarding de-monetisation mention that old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 can be exchanged at bank or post office branches till December 30, 2016 up to a value of Rs 4000 by filling up a form and providing ID proof. The notification regarding this does not state that this is 'Rs 4000 per day'.

The above is clear from the notification issued on November 8 regarding "Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of existing Rs 500/- and Rs 1000/- Bank Notes". Regarding 'Provision of Exchange Facility', this notification states that the old de-monetised notes can be exchanged at any Issue Office of the Reserve Bank or any branch of public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks and State Cooperative Banks for a period up to and including the 30th December, 2016, subject to the following condition: 

(i) the specified bank notes of aggregate value of Rs 4,000/- or below may be exchanged for any denomination of bank notes having legal tender character, with a requisition slip in the format specified by the Reserve Bank and proof of identity; the limit of Rs 4,000/- for exchanging specified bank notes shall be reviewed after fifteen days from the date of commencement of this notification and appropriate orders may be issued, where necessary. 

This implies that the limit of Rs 4000 per person is at one time exchange allowed till this decision is reviewed 15 days from November 8 i.e. on November 22nd. Two bank branches that this correspondent visited were also following this principle. Further, RBI has not issued any clarification to the contrary so far. 

However, quite obviously this rule is being currently circumvented by people visiting branches of different banks with the same ID proof or with different ID proofs. It appears unlikely that given the short time at their disposal and the current pressure of work bank officials would be able to cross check with branches of other banks. 

The confusion has arisen because of the RBI instructions regarding cash withdrawals from ATMs, which state: Withdrawal from ATMs shall be restricted to Rs 2,000 per day per card up to 18th November, 2016 and the limit shall be raised to Rs 4,000 per day per card from 19th November, 2016. However, it is to be noted that when a person is withdrawing from the ATM he/she is drawing from his/her own bank account and NOT exchanging notes. Quite obviously, RBI has restricted the exchange of notes to Rs 4000 per person till further review. 

Since all the instructions regarding withdrawal from ATM and savings account have been specified for per day, it has been inadvertently assumed that exchange of old notes worth Rs 4,000 limit is also per day. 

VIA ET 

What pushed Trump to his triumph

In what is seen as a major upset and an unexpected result, real estate businessman and former reality television host Donald Trump of the Republican Party managed to defeat pollster favourite, former senator Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party to become the 45th President of the United States.

The margins of defeat were close in the “swing States”. It looked like Hillary Clinton will win the popular vote, bolstered by high support in States like California. But this was futile as she lost the electoral college to Donald Trump. At the time of writing this piece, Mr. Trump had secured 279 electoral college votes in contrast to Ms. Clinton’s 218, with results still expected from Michigan, Arizona and New Hampshire (in all three States Mr. Trump is leading).

Mr. Trump’s electoral college triumph was aided by his surprising victories in previously Democratic strongholds in swing States such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan and his defeat of Ms. Clinton in other swing States such as Ohio, North Carolina and Florida.

Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania have a large number of rural and working class voters who were swayed by Mr. Trump’s protectionist and anti-immigrant message. The first two of these three States were also where Ms. Clinton had lost the primaries to Senator Bernie Sanders.

But most polls held in these three States showed her leading Mr. Trump consistently, bringing into question whether polls have managed to track the strong antipathy to whom many rural and working class voters considered as a leading member of the ruling establishment.

Ms. Clinton’s strong support among Hispanics, many of whom voted early in key swing States such as Florida and Nevada were negated by the high turnout of white voters in the former State and the absence of a substantial Hispanic population in other key States.

Beyond just the presidential election loss, it was a day of setbacks for the Democratic Party. The party managed to secure a majority membership of at least 51 senators, and retained its strong presence in the House of Representatives. This would enable the Republican President to nominate a conservative judge to the Supreme Court tilting its balance. Gubernatorial elections to various States also established a Republican majority.

This Republican dominance and the rise of the “populist” Right is a blow to liberalism in the U.S. but it remains to be seen whether the rise of Mr. Trump is a threat to the operation of free and open markets in the country. The entire campaign, including the primaries in the run-up to the presidential elections, featured significant discontent against the ruling establishment in Washington D.C. and Mr. Trump managed to channel this effectively despite severe flaws in his candidacy and his lack of experience in public office.

Mr. Trump’s campaign pitch was thin on policy – except for strong positions on immigration that bordered upon xenophobia and hatred against the Hispanic and Muslim communities in the country besides promises on protectionism. His support base also included the socially conservative evangelicals who saw beyond his own contradictory positions on religion and morality, but were opposed to Ms. Clinton’s social liberal positions on abortion for example.

All said, Ms. Clinton could not repeat the social coalition that favoured Mr. Obama in 2012 (let alone the stronger support base in 2008). With white working class voters in the rust belt, the evangelical communities in the mid-west and southern regions voting for Mr. Trump and the reportedly reduced turnout of African Americans, it made it both difficult for Ms. Clinton to supplant Mr. Trump in the swing States, and also resulted in Mr. Trump breaching her firewall of solid “blue” Democratic States.

"Hats Off," Says Rajinikanth After PM Modi Scraps 500, 1000 Rupee Notes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rocked the nation on late Wednesday evening when he announced that 500 and 1000 rupee notes will be discontinued with effect from midnight. He said that making these notes invalid is a way to counter black money, fake currency and corruption.

This image was posted on Twitter by Rajinikanth

On Twitter, Rajinikanth had a reaction to PM Modi's surprise announcement.

Find Rajinikanth's tweet as a embeded form below: 

Hats off @narendramodi ji. New india is born #JaiHind

— Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) November 8, 2016

What To Do With Old 500 And 1,000 Rupee Notes

To stop the spread of counterfeit notes, which is aiding terror activities from across the border, and flush out black money, the government has decided to scrap the notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. Starting midnight, these notes will only be "worth the paper they are printed on," he said.

A proposal for new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes has been cleared by the Reserve Bank of India.

There will be no change in any other form of monetary exchange -- cheque, DD, payment via credit or debit cards, he said.

Here's what you need to do with your 500 and 1000 rupee notes.

• Deposit them at the bank or post office from November 10 to December 30
• Exchange them from a bank or post office till 24 November. The limit for exchange is Rs.4000
• Take Aadhaar card and PAN Card when you go to exchange notes
• After December 30, these can be deposited at the Reserve Bank with a declaration
• Tourists can change the notes at airports
   

Your 500 and 1000 rupee notes be accepted till November 11 at:

• Petrol Pumps and government hospitals
• Railway, airline, government bus  ticket booking counters
• Consumer co-operative stores run by state or central government
• Milk booths authorized by state governments
• Crematoriums and burial grounds

Here Is A Look At New Rs. 500, Rs. 2,000 Notes

The RBI said the move is necessitated to tackle counterfeiting Indian banknotes, to effectively nullify black money hoarded in cash and curb funding of terrorism with fake notes.

The government in a surprise move on Tuesday announced that the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 will be withdrawn. "This is necessitated to tackle counterfeiting Indian banknotes, to effectively nullify black money hoarded in cash and curb funding of terrorism with fake notes," the Reserve Bank of India said in a release.

As part of the move, the RBI will issue new bank notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 2,000 denomination.

Here are some features of the new bank notes of Rs. 500 denomination, as per the RBI:

New Rs. 500 notes are different from the present series in colour, size, theme, location of security features and design elements

Size of new note is 63mm x 150 mm

Colour of the note is stone grey

The predominant new theme is Indian heritage site - Red Fort

The size of the new Rs. 500 note is 63mm x 150 mm, the RBI said.

Here are some features of the new bank notes of Rs. 2,000 denomination, as per the RBI:

Rs. 2,000 notes will be part of Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series

New Denomination has motif of the Mangalayan on the reverse, depicting the country's first venture in interplanetary space

Base colour of note is magenta

Note has other designs, geometric patterns aligning with the overall colour scheme

Size of the new note is 66 mm x 166 mm

Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 currency notes to be out of circulation from midnight

Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 currency notes to be out of circulation from midnight

From midnight today, till November 10, ATMs will not function. Banks will be closed for public transactions tomorrow.

The Union Government has decided to do away with Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes from midnight on Tuesday. These notes will cease to be legal tender from the midnight of November 8, 2016, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Tuesday. "These notes will only be papers from tomorrow," he said in Hindi, adding that the move is to curb circulation of counterfeit notes and fight blackmoney.

People who posess currency notes of these denomination can exchange them in banks and head and sub post offices from November 10 to December 30, by providing a valid proof for identity such as Aadhar card, PAN card or voters ID card.

Check out the video in youtube here: 

Post December 30, these notes will be accepted only by the Reserve Bank of India after submitting a declaration.

From midnight today, till November 10, ATMs will not function. Banks will be closed for public transactions tomorrow.

For a few days, only upto Rs. 2000 can be withdrawn from ATMs. This will be enhanced to Rs. 4000 later. The withdrawal limit for ATM will eventually be fixed at Rs. 10,000 per day and Rs. 20,000 per week.

There are some exemptions: Government hospitals, pharmacies at Government hospitals, public sector-run petrol bunks, and burial grounds.

Airports will make arrangements to inform international travellers that the cash limit is Rs. 5000.

This move will not affect debit cards, cheque and digital transfer of money.

All other denominations such as Rs. 100, Rs. 50, Rs. 10, Rs. 5, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 as well as coins will continue in circulation unaffected.

In an unusual televised address, as the NDA government completes two-and-a half years rule on Tuesday, Mr. Modi said Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations are mostly counterfeited "from across the border."

"We have brought back Rs. 1,25,000 crores of blackmoney from corrupt people through various means," the Prime Minister said.

Coutesy: The Hindu

BSNL launches Freedom Plan for Rs. 136 with Free Data and Calls

BSNL launches Freedom Plan for Rs. 136 with Free Data and Calls

It's already been a month since the Mukesh Ambani-led Jio has introduced its 'Welcome offer' in the country and people are still going crazy to get their hands on the Jio SIM. And that has pushed all the telcos to shower big discounts and offers on the existing tariff plans. State-own PSU BSNL too is no different from others.

The telco has launched a new tariff plan called 'Freedom Plan' for new and existing subscribers to offer lower calling rates pan India. The plan has a whopping 2 years validity and it is believed to bundle 85% reduction in 3G data tariff.

Here is All Your Need to Know About the Freedom Plan

#1. The plan has been currently launched for 90 days on a promotional basis on all circles. 

#2. The Freedom Plan will cost you Rs. 136 for all existing, new and MNP customers. 

#3. In the first month of recharging with the plan voucher, all local and STD on-net and off-net calls will be charged at 25p/min and thereafter at 1.3p/sec for both voice and video calling. 

#4. During the initial 30 days, subscribers will also get 1 GB free data. 

#5. SMS will cost at Rs. 1/message in home circle and 25p per local and 38p per STD message in national roaming. 

#6. The entire plan is valid for 730 days. 

#7. Along with the aforementioned benefits, BSNL has brought 3 special combo vouchers that will give full talk time. For instance, with Rs. 577 voucher, you'll get Rs. 577 on main account and free 1 GB data valid for 30 days. On the other hand, Rs. 377 will also give full talk value along with 500MB data for 20days and with Rs. 178 subscribers will be benefited with 200MB free data with 10 days validity.

Stampede in India kills more than 20 at religious ceremony

Stampede in India kills more than 20 at religious ceremony

At least 24 people have been killed and 20 others injured in a stampede on a crowded bridge to reach a Hindu religious ceremony in northern India on Saturday, police said.

The stampede took place on the outskirts of Varanasi, a city in Uttar Pradesh state known for its temples. Organisers were expecting 3,000 devotees at the ceremony, but more than 70,000 thronged the ashram of a local Hindu leader on the banks of the Ganges River, said police officer SK Bhagat.

“We were not prepared for such a large crowd,” Raj Bahadur, a spokesman for the organisers said.

The stampede happened as police started turning back people from the overcrowded bridge, the Press Trust of India news agency cited Bahadur as saying. That triggered a rumor among the devotees that the bridge had collapsed, and they started running for safety, he said.

Nineteen people were killed on the spot and five others succumbed to their injuries at a hospital, said police officer Daljit Chaudhary. Four of the 20 injured people were still in serious condition at the hospital, he said.

Prime minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy. “I have spoken to officials and asked them to ensure all possible help to those affected,” he tweeted.

Deadly stampedes are fairly common during Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with few safety or crowd control measures.

In October 2013, a stampede in Madhya Pradesh state in central India killed more than 110 people, mostly women and children.

In July last year at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious bathing festival, on a river bank in southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh state

Regional Names of Durga Puja: Ayudha Puja

Regional Names of Durga Puja: Ayudha Puja

Region: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh 

The ninth day is also the day of the Ayudha Puja. After the slaying of Mahishasura and other demons by Chamundeswari, there was no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept aside and worshipped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since ancient times. The importance of Ayudha Puja on this occasion may also be due to the fact that on the Vijayadasami day, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had hidden in a Vani tree in order to lead a life in disguise for the promised period of exile. It is believed that one who begins or renovates his learning to work on the Vijayadasami day will secure a grand success as Arjuna did in Kurukshetra war.

The Ayudha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in one's livelihood. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering to God. It will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. In India it is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one's work each day; this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one's duties.

What is Ayutha Pooja? - By Sadhguru

Ayudha Pooja is one of the most significant aspect of Navratri. In Indian culture, we set up this aspect that whatever tool it may be, if you want to use your plough, first bow down to it and then use it. If you want to use a book, first bow down to it and then use it. Ayudha Pooja means, every implement that you use, whether it is in industry, agriculture or anything else, you approach it respectfully. Unless you approach something with a certain sense of reverence and a deep sense of involvement, it will not yield. The same musical instruments become different things in different people’s hands. In one person’s hands it becomes noise, in another person’s hands it becomes absolutely enthralling music because of the way you approach it.

Reverence does not mean worship or a ritual, reverence simply means you look up to it in a certain way. If you do not look up to it, if you think it is less than you, you will not be involved in it. Where you are not involved, you will not benefit from it. So, anything that you use, you see it as something above yourself and bow down to it so that it brings a deep sense of involvement. Once that involvement is there, you will handle it well and will get the best out of it. You will know the joy of doing things, not just of achieving things. The quality of life is not just in how much you harvested. The quality life is in how joyfully you did what you did. If you treat your implement with reverence, it will bring joy into you because everytime you hold it, it is like touching God – you are constantly in touch with what you consider divine.

But of all the instruments you use, the most fundamental instrument is your body and mind. Ayudha Pooja means to become reverential towards your own body and mind. If you become reverential towards something, reverence naturally brings a certain distance. If you become reverential towards your own body and mind, you will establish a clear distance between what is you and what is your body, and what is you and what is your mind. If there is a clear distinction between you and your body and mind, this is the end of suffering. Any suffering that you have known has entered you either through the body or the mind. If it is a living experience for you that you are not the body, you are not the mind, can suffering touch you? If there is a certain distance, it gives you the freedom to do whatever you want with life, but life leaves you untouched. It does not wound you in any way.

---- By Sadhguru ----

What is Unified Payment Interface?

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced that bank applications for the Unified Payment Interface have officially become operational, which means that UPI apps of banks can now be downloaded and used for transactions:

What is UPI and what can a user do with the app?

UPI is a payment system that allows money transfer between any two bank accounts by using a smartphone.

UPI allows a customer to pay directly from a bank account to different merchants, both online and offline, without the hassle of typing credit card details, IFSC code, or net banking/wallet passwords.

How can one download the UPI app?

The UPI app of 19 banks -- Andhra Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Bhartiya Mahila Bank, Canara Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank, DCB Bank, Federal Bank, ICICI Bank, TJSB Sahakari Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Karnataka Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, South Indian Bank, Vijaya Bank and YES Bank -- will be available on the Google Play Store of Android phones in the next few days for customers to download.

Steps to get started with UPI

1. Download the app from Play Store and install in phone; 2. Set app login; 3. Create virtual address; 4. Add your bank account; 5. Set M-Pin; and 6. Start transacting using UPI

How safe is UPI?

It is safe as the customers only share a virtual address and provide no other sensitive information.

What kind transactions can be performed via UPI?

Merchant payments, remittances, bill payments among others.

Is there a per transaction limit?

The per transaction limit is Rs.1 lakh.

How exactly does one make a payment transaction?

A user can make an in-app payment for goods or services purchased online.

For instance a site allows purchase of a movie-on-demand.

User clicks buy, the site/app triggers the UPI payment link and is taken to the pay screen of the UPI app, where the transaction information is verified and a click followed by entry of a secure PIN completes the purchase.

As Nokia gears up for a comeback with an Android smartphone, social media is exploding with excitement and nostalgia

Nokia is working on making a comeback with its first-ever Android smartphone, and the news has triggered an overwhelming nostalgia and excitement among Nokia fans.

Nokia is making a comeback with a new Android smartphone, and the news has triggered immense nostalgia for all. And why not? More than a decade ago, after calling became a little affordable in India, and at least every urban man looked to invest in a phone, Nokia was ruling the market. Even now, after many other brands like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and Micromax, have taken over the smartphone market, Nokia holds a special place in the lives of many smartphone users. In a conversation, try mentioning the Nokia phone you owned 10 years ago, and look at the unstoppable prattle coming your way from the other person, how it was their first phone and the other phones they loved. And now that there is so much being speculated by the new Nokia D1C smartphone, people can’t help but be overwhelmed.

Nokia had a great run during its peak. Right from the very basic black-and-white phones, which had nothing but the basic functionality of calling, texting and playing the legendary snake, to the color screen and camera phones (picture Nokia 6600), Nokia had been a top player in several markets, including India. Nokia in its almost decade-long rule, had some very interesting smartphones to offer, be it the gaming smartphone N-gage and N-gage QD, which was shaped like a shoe, but was a great hit among the youth, then its classy business series, the N-series, which ran on Symbian OS, and the iconic Nokia Communicator, which felt like future in your hands.

While Nokia hasn’t yet made anything official yet, there have been plenty of rumors lately. Last week, we came across a mysterious Nokia D1C smartphone, which was spotted on Geekbench. The leak revealed that the smartphone may be powered by Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor (MSM8937) clocked at 1.4GHz paired with Adreno 505 GPU and 3GB of RAM. On the software front, it was spotted running on Android 7.0 Nougat. The listing did not reveal any information about the display size and resolution and camera setup. This, however was the first time we come across some tangible evidence of the upcoming Nokia smartphones.

Additionally, there were also some rumors pointing at two Nokia smartphones sporting high-resolution QHD panels – one with 5.2-inch and other with 5.5-inch screen. They were also speculated to pack 22.6-megapixel rear cameras with LED flash and support for 4K video recording. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 SoC under the hood, prices for the smartphones are rumored to start from Rs 30,000. The D1C could be the third smartphone that Nokia could offer, carrying a less expensive, mid-range price tag.

However, a couple of days ago, someone also managed to run the smartphone on AnTuTu benchmarking app, revealing rest of its specifications and features. The AnTuTu listing revealed Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor (MSM8937), Adreno 505 GPU and 3GB of RAM. While the screen size is unknown, the benchmark listing has revealed that the display will sport a full HD resolution (1080x1920pixels). With 32GB onboard storage, the smartphone could also feature a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel selfie snapper. Running on Android 7.0 Nougat, connectivity options such as Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE are expected to be in tow. This is yet another tangible evidence of the upcoming Nokia smartphone.

If all goes well, the D1C and other two rumored smartphones could be the turning point to revive Nokia brand. Although, Nokia might have to work on the name of the smartphone, we are hoping this is just the technical moniker for the widely anticipated phones. Also, looking at the several leaked specifications and details, it does looks like Nokia is putting in every effort and paying attention to all possible details to ensure a grand comeback.

Personally being a big Nokia fan, if all goes well, I would run and buy the new smartphone. The only thing that led to the downfall of Nokia, was the entry of Android and Apple’s more efficient and user-friendly OS, but if Nokia could give us Android with its Communicator-like hardware technology (of course, more superior, since we are now 10 years ahead of the Communicator days), it would be nothing short of amazing. We’re excited to see how things unfold as Nokia gets closer to release its Android-based smartphones. 

Reliance Jio has 16 million subscribers in just 26 days; claims world record

Reliance Jio has 16 million subscribers in just 26 days; claims world record

In just a month since its official launch, Reliance Jio has successfully managed to hit the milestone by enrolling 16 million customers on its network in just 26 days.

After starting its commercial operations from September 5, Reliance Jio now claims to have enrolled 16 million customers in 26 days under its ‘Welcome Offer.’ According to the company, it has created a world record, which is not only faster than other telecom operators, but also faster than Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype.

Commenting on the achievement, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) chairman Mr. Mukesh D. Ambani said, “We are delighted and humbled by the overwhelming response across India to the Jio Welcome Offer. Jio is built to empower every Indian with the power of data. We are delighted that people have recognized this and are utilizing our services to the fullest. We are customer-obsessed and committed to improve every day to exceed expectations of our customers.”