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.”

BSNL unlimited 3G plan without speed restriction @ 1099 Rupees

In a series of offering customer friendly schemes for the benefit of customers. PSU introduced BSNL Unlimited 3G Plan newly without any speed restriction under prepaid data services on the eve of Janmashtmi.

Monsoon season poses various challenges for telecom operators, but our BSNL overtakes it very simple by introducing unlimited 3G internet plans without speed throttling. This new lowest BSNL Unlimited 3G Plan tariff shall enhance customer experience towards BSNL 3G services.

As on date, mobile operator allows BSNL Unlimited 3G Plans with speed throttling. Now to strengthen itself in the market, BSNL deciding to battle to turnaround by offering best data services.

At this time, PSU introduced BSNL Unlimited 3G Plan at Rs.1099 per month. After that two high volume data packs Data156, Data549 having more data in each pack as detailed below. Where these three data packs are applicable for all prepaid recharge plans of BSNL across India.

With this new tariff, it is proved that, BSNL is about customer side only. Introducing the best on matching the tariffs for various 3G data services being offered by competitors to offer the best in market.

BSNL unlimited 3G plan without speed restriction

BSNL 3G STV Price	3G Free Bundled Data	Validity in Days for Data Plan
156	2GB	10
549	10GB	30
1099 *	Unlimited 3G Internet without speed restriction	30

* Existing BSNL 3G STV 1099, which offers 9GB data has withdrawn, and introduced as Unlimited 3G Data Plan.

So PAN India mobile users, It's now time to fasten your seat belts, BSNL 3G is going to put you on the fast track. If you are not having BSNL SIM. Buy the best prepaid sim from BSNL and shop online for unlimited 3G internet anytime for high speed wireless data.

With this BSNL unlimited 3G plan and high data volume vouchers available from 25th August 2016 on PAN India basis. You will have high speed wireless broadband in your hands for your smartphone or USB data cards (dongle) where ever you go.