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Thursday, 9 March 2017
Gavaskar slams ICC for not acting against Smith
New Delhi, Mar 9, 2017, PTI:
The ICC yesterday decided not to press charges against Smith as well as opposition captain Kohli, who was quick to report Smith's glance towards the dressing room with the on-field umpire. DH file photo
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not penalising Steven Smith after the Australian captain illegally sought the dressing room's advice on a DRS referral during the second Test against India.
Gavaskar said he would love to see India captain Virat Kohli take the help of the dressing room for a DRS call in the next Test in Ranchi and not get penalised."It can't be that some countries get favourable treatment and some countries do not get favourable treatment," Gavaskar told NDTV.
"If an Indian player (seeks illegal advice from the changeroom) then he also should not be pulled up at all. "I would actually love to see Virat Kohli, if he is given out (in the third Test) ... and he looks at the Indian dressing room, get some sort of feedback from them.
"Yes or no, I don't know what signal they decide upon. Let's see what the match referee and the ICC decides then," he said further. The ICC yesterday decided not to press charges against Smith as well as opposition captain Kohli, who was quick to report Smith's glance towards the dressing room with the on-field umpire.
The incident snowballed into a major controversy with the respective boards, BCCI and Cricket Australia, backing their respective captains. Gavaskar said ICC match referee Chris Board did not see anything wrong in what Smith did and that was the end of it.
"(Broad) hasn't seen that there is anything that was done that was in breach of the ICC Code of Conduct," Gavaskar said. "I can rave and rant and do whatever we have to do about it but the match referee says nothing's the matter or at least that's what the ICC statement suggests.
"You can say it's wrong, it's not correct, it's a snub to the BCCI and Virat Kohli and the Indian team but basically that is that."
Gavaskar said he would love to see India captain Virat Kohli take the help of the dressing room for a DRS call in the next Test in Ranchi and not get penalised."It can't be that some countries get favourable treatment and some countries do not get favourable treatment," Gavaskar told NDTV.
"If an Indian player (seeks illegal advice from the changeroom) then he also should not be pulled up at all. "I would actually love to see Virat Kohli, if he is given out (in the third Test) ... and he looks at the Indian dressing room, get some sort of feedback from them.
"Yes or no, I don't know what signal they decide upon. Let's see what the match referee and the ICC decides then," he said further. The ICC yesterday decided not to press charges against Smith as well as opposition captain Kohli, who was quick to report Smith's glance towards the dressing room with the on-field umpire.
The incident snowballed into a major controversy with the respective boards, BCCI and Cricket Australia, backing their respective captains. Gavaskar said ICC match referee Chris Board did not see anything wrong in what Smith did and that was the end of it.
"(Broad) hasn't seen that there is anything that was done that was in breach of the ICC Code of Conduct," Gavaskar said. "I can rave and rant and do whatever we have to do about it but the match referee says nothing's the matter or at least that's what the ICC statement suggests.
"You can say it's wrong, it's not correct, it's a snub to the BCCI and Virat Kohli and the Indian team but basically that is that."
Complaint against RGV for sexist tweet, director apologises
Mumbai/Goa, Mar 9, 2017, (PTI)
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma. PTI file photo
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's derogatory tweet on Women's Day landed him in trouble after a women's organisation filed a police complaint against him.
Facing criticism, the filmmaker apologised today saying he was "just expressing my feelings".
Varma, who is not new to social media feuds, had tweeted yesterday, "I wish all the women in the world give men as much happiness as Sunny Leone gives."
The complaint said Varma has gravely insulted women with his tweet.
Ranragini, which has affiliation to Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, filed a complaint with Mapusa police last evening with its local office-bearer Vishakha Mhambare demanding that Varma be booked under Cyber laws and section 292 of IPC.
This evening he put out a series of tweets apologising.
"Was just expressing my feelings but I apologise to all who were offended due to my unintended insensitive tweets in context of women's day," Varma said.
"My apology is only to those who genuinely got offended and not to those who ranted for publicity nd threatened to take law into their hands," he added.
Earlier in the day, the director also got into a war of words with NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad on Twitter.
Awhad asked Varma to apologise or "face the consequences, we don't mind taking law in hand (sic)."
To which, the director replied, "If you don't apologise to threat of taking law into your own hands, will formally register complaint, so let me know. Please note."
Meanwhile, Congress too demanded that the Maharashtra government and State Women's Commission file an FIR against the filmmaker for his "sexist" remarks.
Facing criticism, the filmmaker apologised today saying he was "just expressing my feelings".
Varma, who is not new to social media feuds, had tweeted yesterday, "I wish all the women in the world give men as much happiness as Sunny Leone gives."
The complaint said Varma has gravely insulted women with his tweet.
Ranragini, which has affiliation to Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, filed a complaint with Mapusa police last evening with its local office-bearer Vishakha Mhambare demanding that Varma be booked under Cyber laws and section 292 of IPC.
This evening he put out a series of tweets apologising.
"Was just expressing my feelings but I apologise to all who were offended due to my unintended insensitive tweets in context of women's day," Varma said.
"My apology is only to those who genuinely got offended and not to those who ranted for publicity nd threatened to take law into their hands," he added.
Earlier in the day, the director also got into a war of words with NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad on Twitter.
Awhad asked Varma to apologise or "face the consequences, we don't mind taking law in hand (sic)."
To which, the director replied, "If you don't apologise to threat of taking law into your own hands, will formally register complaint, so let me know. Please note."
Meanwhile, Congress too demanded that the Maharashtra government and State Women's Commission file an FIR against the filmmaker for his "sexist" remarks.
Three militants killed in two encounters in Kashmir, civilian dies in cross-fire
Srinagar, Mar 9, 2017, (PTI)
Encounter underway in Pulwama. ANI
Three militants were killed by security forces in Kashmir today in two separate encounters, during which a civilian also lost his life after being caught in the cross-fire.
Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants and two civilians were killed during a nine-hour gunbattle between the ultras and the security forces in Awantipora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
The encounter broke out in Padgampora village after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation at around 2.30 am following information about presence of militants there, a police official said.
The militants, holed up in two adjacent houses, opened fire at security personnel at around 4.40 am and the troops retaliated, triggering a fierce gunbattle which lasted nine hours.
The security officials had brought the mother of one of the militants to the site to persuade him to surrender but he refused, he said.
The slain ultras were affiliated to LeT outfit and have been identified as Jehangir Ganai and Mohammad Shafi Shergujri, the official said.
A police spokesperson said the slain militants were involved in many incidents of violence, including killing of security and police personnel and political activists, grenade attacks on the forces and police installations in South Kashmir.
"They were also involved in threatening general masses to refrain from forthcoming elections and motivating youth to join militant ranks in the general areas of Awantipora, Pulwama and Shopian.
"They were also involved in recent bank robberies and weapon snatching incidents in South and Central Kashmir," he added.
A 15-year-old civilian -- Amir Nazir Wani -- was also killed after he suffered a bullet wound in the neck during the cross-firing, he said.
While local residents claimed security forces fired at the protesters near the encounter site, leading to Wani's death, police officials said the teenager was fatally injured by a "stray bullet".
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over Amir's death and said it was highly unfortunate that the youth are caught in the vicious cycle of violence.
Another youth Jalaluddin (22) was rushed in an unconscious state from Padgampora to a hospital where he was declared 'brought dead', a police official said.
There were no visible injury marks on his body, the official said, adding the cause of the youth's death is being investigated.
One more youth -- Sajad Ahmad Bhat -- was injured after he was hit by a bullet in the hip. He has been referred to Bone and Joint Hospital here for treatment.
Train services from Banihal to Srinagar were suspended temporarily as authorities apprehended that miscreants might target the trains along the south Kashmir tracks.
In a separate encounter, a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen was killed and two soldiers injured in Bandipora town in north Kashmir.
Security forces had put up a check post near Bandipora police station following information that a militant was going to travel through the area, a police official said.
When the militant came in a cab, he was challenged by security forces but he opened fire, resulting in injuries to two soldiers, police said.
In the retaliatory firing by the security forces, the militant, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Shergujri, was killed, he added.
A pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from the scene of the shootout, the official said.
Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants and two civilians were killed during a nine-hour gunbattle between the ultras and the security forces in Awantipora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
The encounter broke out in Padgampora village after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation at around 2.30 am following information about presence of militants there, a police official said.
The militants, holed up in two adjacent houses, opened fire at security personnel at around 4.40 am and the troops retaliated, triggering a fierce gunbattle which lasted nine hours.
The security officials had brought the mother of one of the militants to the site to persuade him to surrender but he refused, he said.
The slain ultras were affiliated to LeT outfit and have been identified as Jehangir Ganai and Mohammad Shafi Shergujri, the official said.
A police spokesperson said the slain militants were involved in many incidents of violence, including killing of security and police personnel and political activists, grenade attacks on the forces and police installations in South Kashmir.
"They were also involved in threatening general masses to refrain from forthcoming elections and motivating youth to join militant ranks in the general areas of Awantipora, Pulwama and Shopian.
"They were also involved in recent bank robberies and weapon snatching incidents in South and Central Kashmir," he added.
A 15-year-old civilian -- Amir Nazir Wani -- was also killed after he suffered a bullet wound in the neck during the cross-firing, he said.
While local residents claimed security forces fired at the protesters near the encounter site, leading to Wani's death, police officials said the teenager was fatally injured by a "stray bullet".
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over Amir's death and said it was highly unfortunate that the youth are caught in the vicious cycle of violence.
Another youth Jalaluddin (22) was rushed in an unconscious state from Padgampora to a hospital where he was declared 'brought dead', a police official said.
There were no visible injury marks on his body, the official said, adding the cause of the youth's death is being investigated.
One more youth -- Sajad Ahmad Bhat -- was injured after he was hit by a bullet in the hip. He has been referred to Bone and Joint Hospital here for treatment.
Train services from Banihal to Srinagar were suspended temporarily as authorities apprehended that miscreants might target the trains along the south Kashmir tracks.
In a separate encounter, a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen was killed and two soldiers injured in Bandipora town in north Kashmir.
Security forces had put up a check post near Bandipora police station following information that a militant was going to travel through the area, a police official said.
When the militant came in a cab, he was challenged by security forces but he opened fire, resulting in injuries to two soldiers, police said.
In the retaliatory firing by the security forces, the militant, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Shergujri, was killed, he added.
A pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from the scene of the shootout, the official said.
Local BJP leader attacked in Kerala's Kannur
Kannur (Ker), Mar 9, 2017, (PTI)
BJP's Kannur mandal vice-president Sushil Kumar. ANI
A BJP local leader suffered injuries when he was attacked by a nine-member gang in the district, police said today.
BJP's Kannur mandal vice-president Sushil Kumar (48) suffered stab wounds in the attack at Talap yesterday and has been hospitalised, police said.
The assailants came on three motorcycles.
Police said a case has been registered but no arrests have been made.
BJP has alleged that CPI-M activists were behind the attack.
BJP's Kannur mandal vice-president Sushil Kumar (48) suffered stab wounds in the attack at Talap yesterday and has been hospitalised, police said.
The assailants came on three motorcycles.
Police said a case has been registered but no arrests have been made.
BJP has alleged that CPI-M activists were behind the attack.
Training may give you super-sized memory in 40 days: study
London, Mar 9, 2017 (PTI)
The differences they detected between memory athletes and non-athletes were in connectivity patterns spread across 2,500 different connections in the brain. DH File photo
You can acheive a super-sized memory like that of a world champion, suggests a new study which found that the ability to perform astonishing feats of memory can be learned.
After 40 days of daily 30-minute training sessions using a strategic memory improvement technique, people who had typical memory skills at the start and no previous memory training more than doubled their capacity.
From recalling an average of 26 words from a list of 72, the participants were able to remember 62, researchers at Radboud University Medical Centre in The Netherlands found.
Four months later, without continued training, recall performance remained high.
Brain scans before and after training showed that strategic memory training altered the brain functions of the trainees, making them more similar to those of world champion memory athletes, researchers said.
"After training we see massively increased performance on memory tests," said Martin Dresler, assistant professor at Radboud University Medical Centre.
"Not only can you induce a behavioral change, the training also induces similar brain connectivity patterns as those seen in memory athletes," said Dresler.
Dresler, who began the work at Stanford University School of Medicine in the US, examined the brains of 23 world-class memory athletes and 23 people similar in age, health status, and intelligence but with typical memory skills.
He used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a means of measuring brain activity by detecting blood flow changes inside the brain, to measure differences in the strengths of communications between brain regions. He used structural MRI to measure differences in sizes.
Initially, Dresler expected that memory champions might have notable differences in brain anatomy, the same way one might expect a world champion body builder to have unusually large muscles. Using structural MRI, however, they did not see differences.
The differences they detected between memory athletes and non-athletes were in connectivity patterns spread across 2,500 different connections in the brain. A subset of 25 connections most strongly differentiated athletes from those with typical memory skills.
The athletes Dresler studied were not born with exceptional memory skills. "They, without a single exception, trained for months and years using mnemonic strategies to achieve these high levels of performance," Dresler added.
The research was published in the journal Neuron
After 40 days of daily 30-minute training sessions using a strategic memory improvement technique, people who had typical memory skills at the start and no previous memory training more than doubled their capacity.
From recalling an average of 26 words from a list of 72, the participants were able to remember 62, researchers at Radboud University Medical Centre in The Netherlands found.
Four months later, without continued training, recall performance remained high.
Brain scans before and after training showed that strategic memory training altered the brain functions of the trainees, making them more similar to those of world champion memory athletes, researchers said.
"After training we see massively increased performance on memory tests," said Martin Dresler, assistant professor at Radboud University Medical Centre.
"Not only can you induce a behavioral change, the training also induces similar brain connectivity patterns as those seen in memory athletes," said Dresler.
Dresler, who began the work at Stanford University School of Medicine in the US, examined the brains of 23 world-class memory athletes and 23 people similar in age, health status, and intelligence but with typical memory skills.
He used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a means of measuring brain activity by detecting blood flow changes inside the brain, to measure differences in the strengths of communications between brain regions. He used structural MRI to measure differences in sizes.
Initially, Dresler expected that memory champions might have notable differences in brain anatomy, the same way one might expect a world champion body builder to have unusually large muscles. Using structural MRI, however, they did not see differences.
The differences they detected between memory athletes and non-athletes were in connectivity patterns spread across 2,500 different connections in the brain. A subset of 25 connections most strongly differentiated athletes from those with typical memory skills.
The athletes Dresler studied were not born with exceptional memory skills. "They, without a single exception, trained for months and years using mnemonic strategies to achieve these high levels of performance," Dresler added.
The research was published in the journal Neuron
The exit polls today predicted a hung assembly in the key Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh where BJP would emerge as the largest single party, winning anywhere between 164 and 210 of the 403 seats.
Most polls also forecast a close fight between the Congress, which is seeking to return to power in Punjab after a hiatus of 10 years, and Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, making its debut in the assembly polls in the state.
They have predicted victory for BJP in Uttarakhand, but the saffron party, though likely to lead the table in Goa, was projected to fall short of a majority in the tiny coastal state.
Times Now-VMR poll forecast 190-210 seats for the BJP in the UP assembly, while India News-MRC gave it 185 and ABP- Lokniti CSDS 164-176 seats. If BJP wins UP, it would be a return to power for the party in the politically significant and volatile state after 15 years.
The three polls projected 110-130, 120 and 156-169 seats respectively for the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and 57-74, 90 and 60-72 seats for the Mayawati-led BSP.
India Today-Axis exit poll predicted 62-71 seats for the Congress in 117-member Punjab assembly, a comfortable majority, and 42-51 to Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine was projected to be decimated in the state which it has ruled for a decade. All polls showed the alliance getting reduced to a single digit tally.
However, India TV-C Voter projected 59-67 seats for debutante AAP and 41-49 for the Congress. India News-MRC and News 24-Chanakya forecast a dead heat by giving 55 and 54 seats each to both parties.
BJP looked set to return to power in Uttarakhand, with India Today and News 24 projecting a comfortable majority for the party, giving it 46-53 and 53 seats respectively, in the 70-member House, way more than the halfway mark of 30.
However, India TV gave 29 and 35 seats to the two parties. India Today projected 18-22 seats for the BJP in 40-seat Goa assembly followed by the Congress with 9-13 seats. India TV predicted a hung assembly, projecting 15-21 seats for the BJP and 12-18 for the Congress.
In the NDTV poll of polls, an average of several exit polls, the BJP was projected to win 179 seats, the SP-Congress 136 and the BSP 77 seats in the country's largest state.
It forecast 55 seats for the Congress in Punjab, closely followed by the AAP with 54 seats. The incumbent Akali Dal-BJP alliance was predicted staring at a virtual decimation with only 7 seats in the 117-member assembly.
In Uttarakhand, it gave the BJP a majority with 43 seats followed by the ruling Congress with 23. In Manipur, it predicted a close fight between the ruling Congress and the BJP with the former getting 26 and the latter 24 in the 60-member assembly. Congress has been ruling the northeastern state for the last 15 years.
Here are the various exit poll predictions as of 7:35 PM
Uttarakhand
Punjab
Manipur
Goa
Most polls also forecast a close fight between the Congress, which is seeking to return to power in Punjab after a hiatus of 10 years, and Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, making its debut in the assembly polls in the state.
They have predicted victory for BJP in Uttarakhand, but the saffron party, though likely to lead the table in Goa, was projected to fall short of a majority in the tiny coastal state.
Times Now-VMR poll forecast 190-210 seats for the BJP in the UP assembly, while India News-MRC gave it 185 and ABP- Lokniti CSDS 164-176 seats. If BJP wins UP, it would be a return to power for the party in the politically significant and volatile state after 15 years.
The three polls projected 110-130, 120 and 156-169 seats respectively for the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and 57-74, 90 and 60-72 seats for the Mayawati-led BSP.
India Today-Axis exit poll predicted 62-71 seats for the Congress in 117-member Punjab assembly, a comfortable majority, and 42-51 to Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine was projected to be decimated in the state which it has ruled for a decade. All polls showed the alliance getting reduced to a single digit tally.
However, India TV-C Voter projected 59-67 seats for debutante AAP and 41-49 for the Congress. India News-MRC and News 24-Chanakya forecast a dead heat by giving 55 and 54 seats each to both parties.
BJP looked set to return to power in Uttarakhand, with India Today and News 24 projecting a comfortable majority for the party, giving it 46-53 and 53 seats respectively, in the 70-member House, way more than the halfway mark of 30.
However, India TV gave 29 and 35 seats to the two parties. India Today projected 18-22 seats for the BJP in 40-seat Goa assembly followed by the Congress with 9-13 seats. India TV predicted a hung assembly, projecting 15-21 seats for the BJP and 12-18 for the Congress.
In the NDTV poll of polls, an average of several exit polls, the BJP was projected to win 179 seats, the SP-Congress 136 and the BSP 77 seats in the country's largest state.
It forecast 55 seats for the Congress in Punjab, closely followed by the AAP with 54 seats. The incumbent Akali Dal-BJP alliance was predicted staring at a virtual decimation with only 7 seats in the 117-member assembly.
In Uttarakhand, it gave the BJP a majority with 43 seats followed by the ruling Congress with 23. In Manipur, it predicted a close fight between the ruling Congress and the BJP with the former getting 26 and the latter 24 in the 60-member assembly. Congress has been ruling the northeastern state for the last 15 years.
Here are the various exit poll predictions as of 7:35 PM
Uttar Pradesh
| NDTV | SP+Congress 136 | BJP 179 | BSP 77 | Others 11 |
| India Today | SP+Congress - 120 | BJP - 185 | BSP - 90 | Others 9 |
| India News | BJP -155-167 | SP+Congress - 135-147 | BSP - 81-93 | Others - 8-20 |
Uttarakhand
| NDTV | Congress - 23 | BJP - 43 | Others 4 | |
| India Today | Congress - 12-21 | BJP - 46-53 | BSP -1-2 | Others 1-4 |
| C-voter | Congress -32 | BJP -32 | Others -5 |
Punjab
| NDTV | Congress -55 | BJP + Akali Dal -7 | AAP -54 | Others -1 |
| India Today | Congress -62-71 | BJP + Akali Dal -4-7 | AAP -42-51 | Others 0-2 |
| C-Voter | Congress -45 | BJP + Akali Dal -9 | AAP -63 | Others 0-2 |
| Today’s Chanakya | AAP+ -54 ± 9 | Congress -54 ± 9 | SAD-BJP -9 ± 5 | Others 0 ± 2 |
Manipur
| NDTV | Congress -26 | BJP -24 | Others -10 |
| C-voter | Congress -20 | BJP -28 | Others -12 |
| India TV | Congress -17-23 | BJP -25-31 | Others -9-15 |
Goa
| NDTV | Congress -13 | BJP -17 | AAP -4 | Others -6 |
| C-voter | Congress -12-18 | BJP -15-21 | AAP -0-4 | Others -2-8 |
| India Today | Congress -10 | BJP -15 | AAP -7 | Others -8 |
Friday, 3 March 2017
You'll not see Pune-like bad performance again, promises Kohli
Bengaluru, Mar 3, 2017, (PTI):
Indian captain Virat Kohli today assured that his team will never repeat the kind of "bad performance" and "lack of intent" that led to the humiliating opening Test loss to Australia in Pune.
The Indians were hammered by 333 runs in the first Test inside three days in a stunning defeat, which ended their 19-match unbeaten streak.
Ahead of the second Test starting here tomorrow, Kohli said the hosts have learnt their lessons from the debacle.
"You will not see such a bad performance again, I will assure you that," said the feisty captain in a pre-match press conference.
"It is important to accept defeats. We lost the Pune match because of lack of intent. Australia played better cricket. It is important to accept defeat, if you go by your ego or ignore it, it will affect you only. It doesn't mean losing in Pune would result in us losing the other matches also," he added.
Kohli said it was a rare collective failure for the Indians.
"Sometimes such defeats are necessary. This gave us a platform to understand where we lacked. It happens very rarely that the whole team does not perform, this is what happened in the last match. We learnt a lot from that loss," Kohli said.
"Even if we win or lose, our preparation remains the same. The intensity remains the same even if we lose or win a match. Basically you don't change the practice depending upon the result," he added.
Kohli refused to divulge what changes are likely to be made in the playing XI though he promised "surprises".
"We have a combination in mind and we will finalise it when we sit together this evening. There are all kinds of possibilities tomorrow there could be few surprises," he said.
However, Kohli did confirm that all-rounder Hardik Pandya was not yet fit to be considered for selection.
"Hardik Pandya is not available for selection. He has a niggle in his shoulder. Rest of them are fit and available."
Steve Smith's men were labelled the weakest Australian team ever to tour India before the series but managed to surprise naysayers with a thoroughly commendable all-round performance.
Smith himself showed excellent form for a hundred on the rank turner of Pune.
Asked how the home team would look to negate the Smith factor, Kohli said, "Our focus is not only on him. I think the whole team has to play against Australia to win the Test match. We are not focussing on one player at all."
"All 10 wickets have to be taken twice to win a Test match, that is something we already have marked," he added.
Kohli also played down the threat posed by Australian pace attack led by Mitchell Starc.
"I don't think there will be any extra sort of variation added to his bowling suddenly. He is the bowler he is. We have to accept that and face him the best way as a batsmen," he said.
Kohli also refused suggestions that they are under pressure as suggested by his counterpart Steven Smith.
"It is better we focus on our skills rather than what Australia is saying. I know these are mind games that they come up during press conferences. We still have to play cricket as we are doing for the last few years," he added.
The questions kept veering towards the Pune loss and parallels were drawn with the infamous 2015 loss to Sri Lanka in Galle, which was followed by an unbeaten streak that ended last month.
"It was basically a scenario where we look at a situation differently. It is similar when you bat and bowl you try to break a partnership by taking three wickets in a spell. I think we believed as a team that we can win from that position. I think we have more experience and belief in the team that we had back then," he added.
Kohli said it is never a good idea to get either too excited by a win or too deflated by a loss.
"We are all professional cricketers but sometimes when you are winning lot of games you don't tend to focus on to improve as such, because someone or the other would step in," he reasoned.
"When the whole team does not execute the things you want to, you understand a lot of things to work on and that's always a good sign...you can't take anything for granted during a Test match. I think these things are also very important in your cricket journey," he said.
The swashbuckling batsman, who endured a rare failure with the bat in Pune, said he expects the familiarity with the pitch to work in favour of India here.
"I have played a lot of games here. I don't think the Bangalore wicket has changed over the years. No surprises at all. Whenever we have played Test cricket we have done well. We take all these things into account," he said.
"We always play well at this stadium. Even the last Test that we played here we won against Australia. These things are big positives for us. We know exactly how this wicket plays and we know exactly what to do with this sort of wicket," he added.
Off-spinner Jayant Yadav drew criticism for his below par performance in the first Test where he took just two wickets. But Kohli refused to say whether he would be dropped.
"These are perceptions. We have our ideas that we will address as management and go with best combination possible. Jayant has been outstanding. You can't put pressure on the guy who has played only one series. The way he has grabbed his spot, it has been outstanding. He is an intelligent cricketer," he asserted.
The Indians were hammered by 333 runs in the first Test inside three days in a stunning defeat, which ended their 19-match unbeaten streak.
Ahead of the second Test starting here tomorrow, Kohli said the hosts have learnt their lessons from the debacle.
"You will not see such a bad performance again, I will assure you that," said the feisty captain in a pre-match press conference.
"It is important to accept defeats. We lost the Pune match because of lack of intent. Australia played better cricket. It is important to accept defeat, if you go by your ego or ignore it, it will affect you only. It doesn't mean losing in Pune would result in us losing the other matches also," he added.
Kohli said it was a rare collective failure for the Indians.
"Sometimes such defeats are necessary. This gave us a platform to understand where we lacked. It happens very rarely that the whole team does not perform, this is what happened in the last match. We learnt a lot from that loss," Kohli said.
"Even if we win or lose, our preparation remains the same. The intensity remains the same even if we lose or win a match. Basically you don't change the practice depending upon the result," he added.
Kohli refused to divulge what changes are likely to be made in the playing XI though he promised "surprises".
"We have a combination in mind and we will finalise it when we sit together this evening. There are all kinds of possibilities tomorrow there could be few surprises," he said.
However, Kohli did confirm that all-rounder Hardik Pandya was not yet fit to be considered for selection.
"Hardik Pandya is not available for selection. He has a niggle in his shoulder. Rest of them are fit and available."
Steve Smith's men were labelled the weakest Australian team ever to tour India before the series but managed to surprise naysayers with a thoroughly commendable all-round performance.
Smith himself showed excellent form for a hundred on the rank turner of Pune.
Asked how the home team would look to negate the Smith factor, Kohli said, "Our focus is not only on him. I think the whole team has to play against Australia to win the Test match. We are not focussing on one player at all."
"All 10 wickets have to be taken twice to win a Test match, that is something we already have marked," he added.
Kohli also played down the threat posed by Australian pace attack led by Mitchell Starc.
"I don't think there will be any extra sort of variation added to his bowling suddenly. He is the bowler he is. We have to accept that and face him the best way as a batsmen," he said.
Kohli also refused suggestions that they are under pressure as suggested by his counterpart Steven Smith.
"It is better we focus on our skills rather than what Australia is saying. I know these are mind games that they come up during press conferences. We still have to play cricket as we are doing for the last few years," he added.
The questions kept veering towards the Pune loss and parallels were drawn with the infamous 2015 loss to Sri Lanka in Galle, which was followed by an unbeaten streak that ended last month.
"It was basically a scenario where we look at a situation differently. It is similar when you bat and bowl you try to break a partnership by taking three wickets in a spell. I think we believed as a team that we can win from that position. I think we have more experience and belief in the team that we had back then," he added.
Kohli said it is never a good idea to get either too excited by a win or too deflated by a loss.
"We are all professional cricketers but sometimes when you are winning lot of games you don't tend to focus on to improve as such, because someone or the other would step in," he reasoned.
"When the whole team does not execute the things you want to, you understand a lot of things to work on and that's always a good sign...you can't take anything for granted during a Test match. I think these things are also very important in your cricket journey," he said.
The swashbuckling batsman, who endured a rare failure with the bat in Pune, said he expects the familiarity with the pitch to work in favour of India here.
"I have played a lot of games here. I don't think the Bangalore wicket has changed over the years. No surprises at all. Whenever we have played Test cricket we have done well. We take all these things into account," he said.
"We always play well at this stadium. Even the last Test that we played here we won against Australia. These things are big positives for us. We know exactly how this wicket plays and we know exactly what to do with this sort of wicket," he added.
Off-spinner Jayant Yadav drew criticism for his below par performance in the first Test where he took just two wickets. But Kohli refused to say whether he would be dropped.
"These are perceptions. We have our ideas that we will address as management and go with best combination possible. Jayant has been outstanding. You can't put pressure on the guy who has played only one series. The way he has grabbed his spot, it has been outstanding. He is an intelligent cricketer," he asserted.
RSS sacks functionary who put bounty on Kerala CM's head
New Delhi, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
RSS today sacked its functionary Kundan Chandravat who had sparked a controversy by announcing a Rs 1 crore bounty for beheading Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. RSS's Madhya Pradesh state head Prakash Shastri issued orders for his removal from all Sangh posts, a day after Chandravat made his statement in Ujjain.
"Chandravat's controversial statement has created a wrong impression about the Sangh. He has been removed from all posts," Shastri said in a letter announcing his removal. "Kundan Chandravat made a controversial statement at Ujjain meeting, therefore he has been removed from all RSS responsibilities," the saffron body's Sah Prachar Pramukh (joint chief of publicity) J Nanda Kumar said.
Chandravat, the Sah Prachar Pramukh of RSS in Ujjain, had announced the reward to avenge the killing of its workers in Kerala, allegedly by CPI-M workers. In a video, which went viral, Chandravat is purportedly seen saying that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is behind the killing of RSS workers there and he will pay Rs 1 crore to anyone who beheads him and brings his (Vijayan's) head to him.
He had also claimed that 300 innocent people belonging to the RSS had been killed but the Kerala Chief Minister was turning a blind eye. His speech sparked an uproar, drawing condemnation from the CPI(M), the Congress and even from the RSS yesterday. Late last night, Chandravat retracted his statement and expressed regret.
"I was pained on the issue of murders of Swayamsevaks and therefore made an emotional statement. I retract it (statement) and express my regret," he said in a statement. Earlier the RSS distanced itself from Chandravat's remarks and strongly condemned his statement. It said that the Sangh does not believe in violence.
In a Facebook post, Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan had rejected the threat with "contempt" and said that RSS indulged in murders in several places. Just because of that, it is not possible for us not to walk on roads, he had said. Hitting out at the Sangh, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had tweeted that Chandravat's comments "revealed true colours of RSS as a terrorist outfit". Yechury had also questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government over the remarks.
"Chandravat's controversial statement has created a wrong impression about the Sangh. He has been removed from all posts," Shastri said in a letter announcing his removal. "Kundan Chandravat made a controversial statement at Ujjain meeting, therefore he has been removed from all RSS responsibilities," the saffron body's Sah Prachar Pramukh (joint chief of publicity) J Nanda Kumar said.
Chandravat, the Sah Prachar Pramukh of RSS in Ujjain, had announced the reward to avenge the killing of its workers in Kerala, allegedly by CPI-M workers. In a video, which went viral, Chandravat is purportedly seen saying that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is behind the killing of RSS workers there and he will pay Rs 1 crore to anyone who beheads him and brings his (Vijayan's) head to him.
He had also claimed that 300 innocent people belonging to the RSS had been killed but the Kerala Chief Minister was turning a blind eye. His speech sparked an uproar, drawing condemnation from the CPI(M), the Congress and even from the RSS yesterday. Late last night, Chandravat retracted his statement and expressed regret.
"I was pained on the issue of murders of Swayamsevaks and therefore made an emotional statement. I retract it (statement) and express my regret," he said in a statement. Earlier the RSS distanced itself from Chandravat's remarks and strongly condemned his statement. It said that the Sangh does not believe in violence.
In a Facebook post, Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan had rejected the threat with "contempt" and said that RSS indulged in murders in several places. Just because of that, it is not possible for us not to walk on roads, he had said. Hitting out at the Sangh, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had tweeted that Chandravat's comments "revealed true colours of RSS as a terrorist outfit". Yechury had also questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government over the remarks.
Indian sportsman held in US for sexually abusing minor girl
New York, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
A 24-year-old Indian sportsman has been arrested here on charges of sexually abusing a minor girl, days after he arrived in the US from Kashmir for a snowshoe competition.
Tanveer Hussain arrived in the small village of Saranac Lake in New York state for the World Snowshoe Championships.
Hussain was initially denied a visa, but managed to travel after campaigning by US activists and senators.
Police said he has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
Police arrested Hussain on Wednesday after the girl, who is under the age of 13, accused him of sexually abusing her, a report in the Adirondack Daily Entreprise said.
In a statement, police said the charges stem from Hussain "engaging in a passionate kiss" with a 12-year-old victim.
"He further was accused of touching her in an intimate area over her clothing," the statement said. "There was no accusation of force. The charges are a result of the age differences of the individuals. There were no other allegations made against Hussain," the statement said.
Police Sergeant Casey Reardon said the girl and her parents reported the abuse to police. It took place around Monday evening in the village. After the complaint, Reardon said police located Hussain who has been cooperating in the case, the report said.
Hussain had garnered much attention before arriving for the championship after the US Embassy in New Delhi denied him and another athlete Abid Khan visas around the same time President Donald Trump had issued an order barring people from seven Muslim-dominant countries to the US.
Though India was not among the seven countries, the denial of visa was seen associated with the executive order.
Hussain was allowed a visa to enter the US for the competition following intense lobbying from local officials and residents in the Adirondacks, as well as by US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.
Hussain was arraigned and his lawyer entered a not-guilty plea on Hussain's behalf.
"I could not have entered anything else but a not-guilty based on the information I had," his lawyer Brian Barrett said.
"They are merely allegations alone. Not only is he innocent, he is presumed innocent by law. That is how he should be seen in the community and by anyone paying attention in this case," Barrett said.
Hussain and Khan had planned to return home this week. It said "a visibly upset Hussain", with hands shackled and still wearing a maroon World Snowshoe Championships hat, pleaded with the judge not to send him to jail, the report said.
"Sir, please. Help me," Hussain said.
The judge decided not to accept a plea because he was not sure if Hussain fully understood the charges against him. He remanded him to the Essex County Jail in Lewis in lieu of USD 5,000 cash bail or USD 10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing on his case is scheduled on next Monday.
Tanveer Hussain arrived in the small village of Saranac Lake in New York state for the World Snowshoe Championships.
Hussain was initially denied a visa, but managed to travel after campaigning by US activists and senators.
Police said he has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
Police arrested Hussain on Wednesday after the girl, who is under the age of 13, accused him of sexually abusing her, a report in the Adirondack Daily Entreprise said.
In a statement, police said the charges stem from Hussain "engaging in a passionate kiss" with a 12-year-old victim.
"He further was accused of touching her in an intimate area over her clothing," the statement said. "There was no accusation of force. The charges are a result of the age differences of the individuals. There were no other allegations made against Hussain," the statement said.
Police Sergeant Casey Reardon said the girl and her parents reported the abuse to police. It took place around Monday evening in the village. After the complaint, Reardon said police located Hussain who has been cooperating in the case, the report said.
Hussain had garnered much attention before arriving for the championship after the US Embassy in New Delhi denied him and another athlete Abid Khan visas around the same time President Donald Trump had issued an order barring people from seven Muslim-dominant countries to the US.
Though India was not among the seven countries, the denial of visa was seen associated with the executive order.
Hussain was allowed a visa to enter the US for the competition following intense lobbying from local officials and residents in the Adirondacks, as well as by US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.
Hussain was arraigned and his lawyer entered a not-guilty plea on Hussain's behalf.
"I could not have entered anything else but a not-guilty based on the information I had," his lawyer Brian Barrett said.
"They are merely allegations alone. Not only is he innocent, he is presumed innocent by law. That is how he should be seen in the community and by anyone paying attention in this case," Barrett said.
Hussain and Khan had planned to return home this week. It said "a visibly upset Hussain", with hands shackled and still wearing a maroon World Snowshoe Championships hat, pleaded with the judge not to send him to jail, the report said.
"Sir, please. Help me," Hussain said.
The judge decided not to accept a plea because he was not sure if Hussain fully understood the charges against him. He remanded him to the Essex County Jail in Lewis in lieu of USD 5,000 cash bail or USD 10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing on his case is scheduled on next Monday.
Maneka calls for 'zero tolerance' on child begging
New Delhi, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today pitched for "zero tolerance" for child begging.
"We have decided to come down heavily on children begging. I am planning a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and say zero tolerance (sic). I am not against begging but there should be no children on the street for begging," Gandhi said at a conclave hosted by FICCI Ladies Organisation.
She said she will also meet the Delhi Police Commissioner to curb child begging in the national capital.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)- the apex body for children under the Women and Child Development Ministry- had recently released its 'Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Children in Street Situations'.
The SOP lays down a sequence of actions to be taken for restoration and rehabilitation of street children. It has assigned NGO 'Childline' to be "the first point of contact" for rescuing street children.
Children recovered by the NGO will next be produced before a Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Thereafter, the CWC will pass an interim order for short-term care and will send the child to the nearest Child Care Institute (CCI) or a "fit person" until his or her family can be contacted.
The SOP also aims to provide these children with an Aadhaar card, a bank account, health insurance as well as a sponsorship scheme to help meet educational, nutritional and medical needs.
Save the Children, an NGO which helped NCPCR formulate these guidelines, had also announced last month that they plan to provide Aadhaar cards to all 50,000 street children in Delhi in the next six months.
"We have decided to come down heavily on children begging. I am planning a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and say zero tolerance (sic). I am not against begging but there should be no children on the street for begging," Gandhi said at a conclave hosted by FICCI Ladies Organisation.
She said she will also meet the Delhi Police Commissioner to curb child begging in the national capital.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)- the apex body for children under the Women and Child Development Ministry- had recently released its 'Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Children in Street Situations'.
The SOP lays down a sequence of actions to be taken for restoration and rehabilitation of street children. It has assigned NGO 'Childline' to be "the first point of contact" for rescuing street children.
Children recovered by the NGO will next be produced before a Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Thereafter, the CWC will pass an interim order for short-term care and will send the child to the nearest Child Care Institute (CCI) or a "fit person" until his or her family can be contacted.
The SOP also aims to provide these children with an Aadhaar card, a bank account, health insurance as well as a sponsorship scheme to help meet educational, nutritional and medical needs.
Save the Children, an NGO which helped NCPCR formulate these guidelines, had also announced last month that they plan to provide Aadhaar cards to all 50,000 street children in Delhi in the next six months.
2 security personnel killed in face-off with Naxals in C'garh
Raipur, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
Two security personnel were killed and as many injured in an exchange of fire with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district today, police said.
The skirmish took place near Cherli village under Mirtur Police Station limits when a joint team of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district police was out on a road security operation, IG (in-charge), Bastar Range, Sundarraj P told PTI.
The team was on patrolling duty to ensure security of the under-construction Gangaloor-Mirtur road.
As they were cordoning-off a patch near Cherli, around 450 kms from state capital Raipur, the security personnel came under heavy firing from a group of ultras, leading to a fierce gun-battle, the IG said, adding the Naxals fled the spot soon after, he said.
"Constable Hemant Kumar, belonging to CAF's 10th battalion and district force's assistant constable, Gubba Ram (corrected name), were killed, while two other jawans were injured," Sundarraj said.
The injured have been identified as CAF constable Sahdev Rajwade and district force's assistant constable Muddaram, he said.
Reinforcement was rushed to the spot, he said, adding efforts are on to evacuate the injured personnel and bring the bodies of Kumar and Ram out of the forest.
The skirmish took place near Cherli village under Mirtur Police Station limits when a joint team of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district police was out on a road security operation, IG (in-charge), Bastar Range, Sundarraj P told PTI.
The team was on patrolling duty to ensure security of the under-construction Gangaloor-Mirtur road.
As they were cordoning-off a patch near Cherli, around 450 kms from state capital Raipur, the security personnel came under heavy firing from a group of ultras, leading to a fierce gun-battle, the IG said, adding the Naxals fled the spot soon after, he said.
"Constable Hemant Kumar, belonging to CAF's 10th battalion and district force's assistant constable, Gubba Ram (corrected name), were killed, while two other jawans were injured," Sundarraj said.
The injured have been identified as CAF constable Sahdev Rajwade and district force's assistant constable Muddaram, he said.
Reinforcement was rushed to the spot, he said, adding efforts are on to evacuate the injured personnel and bring the bodies of Kumar and Ram out of the forest.
Akhilesh refutes PM's claim of ISI role in Kanpur train mishap
Ghazipur (UP), Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
Refuting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of ISI hand in the Kanpur train accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today alleged that BJP leaders were used to seeking votes by "misguiding" the people.
"Our railway minister could not take care of the tracks in Kanpur and gave a false report to the prime minister that the ISI had damaged the tracks. I want to say that since the incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh, at least I should have been informed about it...But, no information...no truth in it," he told an election rally here.
Akhilesh also alleged that the leaders of the saffron party were "used to seeking votes by misleading the people".
Ghazipur is the Lok Sabha constituency of Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha.
As many as 150 people were killed in a train mishap in Kanpur on November 20, 2016, and on December 28, another train got derailed there. It was said that Pakistan's ISI was responsible for the incidents.
Regarding Union ministers and senior BJP leaders campaigning for the ongoing Assembly election in the state, the chief minister said, "Had the prime minister brought his work here (in Uttar Pradesh), his ministers would not have been required to campaign for his party."
In a veiled reference to the ongoing campus row in Delhi University involving the BJP's students wing ABVP, Akhilesh said, "I want to ask those patriotic people of the BJP, who are displaying their nationalism in Delhi, what have they done for the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country. What help was extended to their families."
"Only the SP government helps the families of soldiers who laid down their lives," he added.
The Samajwadi Party chief claimed that his party has already secured a lead in the first five phases of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh Assembly election due to the works of its government and added that the "demoralised faces of the BJP and BSP leaders" said it all.
The sixth phase of the polls will be held tomorrow and the seventh and final phase on March 8. Results will be declared on March 11.
"Our railway minister could not take care of the tracks in Kanpur and gave a false report to the prime minister that the ISI had damaged the tracks. I want to say that since the incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh, at least I should have been informed about it...But, no information...no truth in it," he told an election rally here.
Akhilesh also alleged that the leaders of the saffron party were "used to seeking votes by misleading the people".
Ghazipur is the Lok Sabha constituency of Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha.
As many as 150 people were killed in a train mishap in Kanpur on November 20, 2016, and on December 28, another train got derailed there. It was said that Pakistan's ISI was responsible for the incidents.
Regarding Union ministers and senior BJP leaders campaigning for the ongoing Assembly election in the state, the chief minister said, "Had the prime minister brought his work here (in Uttar Pradesh), his ministers would not have been required to campaign for his party."
In a veiled reference to the ongoing campus row in Delhi University involving the BJP's students wing ABVP, Akhilesh said, "I want to ask those patriotic people of the BJP, who are displaying their nationalism in Delhi, what have they done for the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country. What help was extended to their families."
"Only the SP government helps the families of soldiers who laid down their lives," he added.
The Samajwadi Party chief claimed that his party has already secured a lead in the first five phases of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh Assembly election due to the works of its government and added that the "demoralised faces of the BJP and BSP leaders" said it all.
The sixth phase of the polls will be held tomorrow and the seventh and final phase on March 8. Results will be declared on March 11.
Mercedes recalls 1M vehicles worldwide due to fire risk
Detroit, Mar 3, 2017, AP:
Mercedes is recalling about 1 million cars and SUVs worldwide because a starter part can overheat and cause fires.
The recall covers certain C-Class, E-Class and CLA cars and GLA and GLC SUVs, all from 2015 through 2017, including nearly 308,000 in the US.
The German automaker reported 51 fires worldwide, with about 30 in the United States. The company has no reports of any injuries.
Mercedes said in US government documents released today that if for some reason the engine and transmission won't turn over, a current limiter in the starter motor can overheat from repeated attempts to start the vehicles. That can cause the current limiter to overheat and melt nearby parts.
Mercedes began investigating the problem last June after getting field reports of "thermally damaged" current limiters.
Owners will be notified this month and again when replacement parts are available in July. It will take about an hour for dealers to install another fuse to prevent the problem. The repair will be done free of charge.
Indian IT industry contributes immensely to US economy:NASSCOM
Washington, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
The debate in the US over H-1B visas has become a political and emotive issue as there is a "yawning gap" between the facts and perception, IT industry body NASSCOM has said, contending that Indian IT firms contribute immensely to the US economy and jobs creation.
"This narrative has been going on for a while now that Indian IT workers come to the US and that they take away jobs, that in general they simply displace American workers and that these are low-paid, not even necessarily high-skilled people who are actually taking away jobs from better paid and skilled American workers," NASSCOM president R Chandrashekhar told PTI.
Chandrashekhar was here this week leading a delegation of IT industry body to engage with members of the new US administration on issues like clampdown on work visas and flow of skilled manpower between the two nations.
"That's really the kind of narrative which has got built up, sort of anecdotal examples are being cited, which also are not necessarily accurate. Because it has been presented with a mix of emotive anecdotal stories, I think a counter narrative and facts have really not been recognised. If you look at the facts, then the facts actually tell you a very, very different story," he said.
He said, "The data, not just our data, but the US government’s own data also tells a very, very different story."
Chandrashekhar met a number of influential American lawmakers, opinion builders, members of think-tank community and the officials from the new Trump Administration and interacted with them on the H-1B visa issues.
The visit of the NASSCOM delegation came in the wake of the ongoing debate in the US and reported moves by the Trump Administration to bring out an executive order to curtail the use of H-1B visas, widely used by Indian IT majors.
"The purpose is to put across our point of view so that a more balanced approach is enabled," he noted.
Chandrashekhar said the Indian IT industry actually contributes immensely to the US economy in terms of jobs that are created in America, both directly and indirectly.
"Close to half a million jobs have been supported in the US as of 2015. The number of jobs have also been growing at 10 per cent per year as against a two per cent growth in the rest of the job market," he said.
"The biggest contribution to jobs, of course, is what the industry provides in terms of services to US corporates, 75 per cent of the Fortune 500 companies, which enable them to be more productive, more efficient, and more globally competitive, and thereby helps them to be the job creation engine in the US," the NASSCOM president said.
The NASSCOM president argued that the services that the IT industry provides in the US actually create a lot of jobs.
"This in fact, aligns extremely well with President Trump's objective of having more jobs in the US. That's why the need to make this counter narrative well understood," he said.
"There is misperception that American workers and qualified American workers are being displaced by the recourse to a couple of anecdotal stories, whereas the reality is that there are 2.4 million jobs, which are unfilled in the US because they require STEM-qualified workers, and they simply aren’t available," he said.
By 2018, the projection is that the number will touch 3.4 million, and half of them will be computer and IT related areas, he observed, adding that the unemployment rate among STEM workers for computer and IT related skills is around two per cent.
"It is well known and recognised by all experts that anything under four per cent indicates a shortage. If it is around two per cent, then that indicates the extent of shortage. This myth that there are qualified people who are being deprived of a job is far from the truth," he asserted.
"The third aspect is, if you look at even the American universities, which are the source of skilled workers going forward, more than 70 per cent of the students in the STEM programmes are international students. Even if you wanted to hire from American universities, you'll still need a visa to hire those skill sets.
"These are the facts, and those are the perceptions. The gap between the two is wide, it's a yawning gap between the facts and the perceptions," said the top Indian IT leader.
In developed economies especially those experiencing slower growth, a certain level of unemployment among unskilled people, and at the same time, a shortage of skilled workers, he said is a "political dynamite".
"Because you are dealing with a shortage in one part and unemployment in another part of your workforce, and it requires extremely sagacious leadership to actually be able to formulate a more open-minded, balanced, far-sighted and pragmatic approach in dealing with this issue and differentiating between these two," he noted.
"From the perspective of an American worker who is being displaced it does not make a difference whether he is displaced by a visa-dependent company or a non-visa-dependent company or a 50-50 company or whatever.
"Why would such a provision, which is ostensibly to protect American workers be applied based on a definition which ultimately only singles out Indian companies. I think the argument is that this is not correct, and this is not even protecting American workers," Chandrashekhar said.
"I would argue that if the American workers are to be protected, then please protect them fully. Don’t protect them by closing a side door and leaving the front door open," he said.
"This narrative has been going on for a while now that Indian IT workers come to the US and that they take away jobs, that in general they simply displace American workers and that these are low-paid, not even necessarily high-skilled people who are actually taking away jobs from better paid and skilled American workers," NASSCOM president R Chandrashekhar told PTI.
Chandrashekhar was here this week leading a delegation of IT industry body to engage with members of the new US administration on issues like clampdown on work visas and flow of skilled manpower between the two nations.
"That's really the kind of narrative which has got built up, sort of anecdotal examples are being cited, which also are not necessarily accurate. Because it has been presented with a mix of emotive anecdotal stories, I think a counter narrative and facts have really not been recognised. If you look at the facts, then the facts actually tell you a very, very different story," he said.
He said, "The data, not just our data, but the US government’s own data also tells a very, very different story."
Chandrashekhar met a number of influential American lawmakers, opinion builders, members of think-tank community and the officials from the new Trump Administration and interacted with them on the H-1B visa issues.
The visit of the NASSCOM delegation came in the wake of the ongoing debate in the US and reported moves by the Trump Administration to bring out an executive order to curtail the use of H-1B visas, widely used by Indian IT majors.
"The purpose is to put across our point of view so that a more balanced approach is enabled," he noted.
Chandrashekhar said the Indian IT industry actually contributes immensely to the US economy in terms of jobs that are created in America, both directly and indirectly.
"Close to half a million jobs have been supported in the US as of 2015. The number of jobs have also been growing at 10 per cent per year as against a two per cent growth in the rest of the job market," he said.
"The biggest contribution to jobs, of course, is what the industry provides in terms of services to US corporates, 75 per cent of the Fortune 500 companies, which enable them to be more productive, more efficient, and more globally competitive, and thereby helps them to be the job creation engine in the US," the NASSCOM president said.
The NASSCOM president argued that the services that the IT industry provides in the US actually create a lot of jobs.
"This in fact, aligns extremely well with President Trump's objective of having more jobs in the US. That's why the need to make this counter narrative well understood," he said.
"There is misperception that American workers and qualified American workers are being displaced by the recourse to a couple of anecdotal stories, whereas the reality is that there are 2.4 million jobs, which are unfilled in the US because they require STEM-qualified workers, and they simply aren’t available," he said.
By 2018, the projection is that the number will touch 3.4 million, and half of them will be computer and IT related areas, he observed, adding that the unemployment rate among STEM workers for computer and IT related skills is around two per cent.
"It is well known and recognised by all experts that anything under four per cent indicates a shortage. If it is around two per cent, then that indicates the extent of shortage. This myth that there are qualified people who are being deprived of a job is far from the truth," he asserted.
"The third aspect is, if you look at even the American universities, which are the source of skilled workers going forward, more than 70 per cent of the students in the STEM programmes are international students. Even if you wanted to hire from American universities, you'll still need a visa to hire those skill sets.
"These are the facts, and those are the perceptions. The gap between the two is wide, it's a yawning gap between the facts and the perceptions," said the top Indian IT leader.
In developed economies especially those experiencing slower growth, a certain level of unemployment among unskilled people, and at the same time, a shortage of skilled workers, he said is a "political dynamite".
"Because you are dealing with a shortage in one part and unemployment in another part of your workforce, and it requires extremely sagacious leadership to actually be able to formulate a more open-minded, balanced, far-sighted and pragmatic approach in dealing with this issue and differentiating between these two," he noted.
"From the perspective of an American worker who is being displaced it does not make a difference whether he is displaced by a visa-dependent company or a non-visa-dependent company or a 50-50 company or whatever.
"Why would such a provision, which is ostensibly to protect American workers be applied based on a definition which ultimately only singles out Indian companies. I think the argument is that this is not correct, and this is not even protecting American workers," Chandrashekhar said.
"I would argue that if the American workers are to be protected, then please protect them fully. Don’t protect them by closing a side door and leaving the front door open," he said.
Sanjay Dutt's security roughs up media people, actor apologises
Agra, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
A scuffle broke out here between media persons and actor Sanjay Dutt's security guards during the shooting of his comeback film "Bhoomi" near the Taj Mahal.
The incident took place when the film's unit was shooting at Kalakriti Taj VIP road yesterday. The bouncers started pushing the crowd away and they even manhandled some of the media persons and allegedly snatched their camera, which led to a journalist registering a complaint against the film unit.
The 57-year-old actor later apologised to journalists, saying had he been there, he would have stopped it.
"I want to make it clear that I was not even there on the set when it happened. I had already packed up and left for my hotel. But if I had been there, it would not have happened for sure. I would have sorted it out with a 'jaadu ki jhappi'. I even talked to the media people after the incident and apologised," Dutt told reporters during a press conference.
"I want to thank the people of Agra who have shown so much love to our film unit. I just want to say that I need your support. The city is being promoted through our film and if something like this happens, it is shameful for everyone."
Directed by Omung Kumar, "Bhoomi" is Dutt's first project since he completed his jail term last February.
The incident took place when the film's unit was shooting at Kalakriti Taj VIP road yesterday. The bouncers started pushing the crowd away and they even manhandled some of the media persons and allegedly snatched their camera, which led to a journalist registering a complaint against the film unit.
The 57-year-old actor later apologised to journalists, saying had he been there, he would have stopped it.
"I want to make it clear that I was not even there on the set when it happened. I had already packed up and left for my hotel. But if I had been there, it would not have happened for sure. I would have sorted it out with a 'jaadu ki jhappi'. I even talked to the media people after the incident and apologised," Dutt told reporters during a press conference.
"I want to thank the people of Agra who have shown so much love to our film unit. I just want to say that I need your support. The city is being promoted through our film and if something like this happens, it is shameful for everyone."
Directed by Omung Kumar, "Bhoomi" is Dutt's first project since he completed his jail term last February.
Freida helps feeding over 800 people with Oscars leftover food
Los Angeles, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
Actress Freida Pinto ensured the leftover food from the several parties organised over the Oscars weekend did not go waste and was redistributed to over 800 residents.
The 32-year-old actress was part of an initiative by the food technology company Copia, based in San Fransisco, under which the excess food was utilised in an effective manner and provided to the needy.
The "Slumdog Millionaire" star took to Instagram to announce the commendable feat.
"The stories that feed our culture has now fed OVER 800 people. Sharing excess food to feed our community is a no-brainer. Thank you @filmindependent #spiritawards @gocopia @lamission for making this happen! #zerowaste #zerohunger #eatlikeastar," Freida wrote, along side a collage of pictures that show how the drive turned out to be a success.
In one of her earlier posts, she wrote, "Wastage isn't glamorous, feeding people is! #zerowaste #zerohunger #eatlikeastar @gocopia".
Before the Oscar craze took off, Freida announced the project on social media, where she wrote, "Weekends biggest parties to recover excess food and deliver it to communities most in need in Los Angeles. #zerowaste #zerohunger Because this food is too good to be wasted. Thank you Women in Film for your incredible support @hellomikeamico."
The 32-year-old actress was part of an initiative by the food technology company Copia, based in San Fransisco, under which the excess food was utilised in an effective manner and provided to the needy.
The "Slumdog Millionaire" star took to Instagram to announce the commendable feat.
"The stories that feed our culture has now fed OVER 800 people. Sharing excess food to feed our community is a no-brainer. Thank you @filmindependent #spiritawards @gocopia @lamission for making this happen! #zerowaste #zerohunger #eatlikeastar," Freida wrote, along side a collage of pictures that show how the drive turned out to be a success.
In one of her earlier posts, she wrote, "Wastage isn't glamorous, feeding people is! #zerowaste #zerohunger #eatlikeastar @gocopia".
Before the Oscar craze took off, Freida announced the project on social media, where she wrote, "Weekends biggest parties to recover excess food and deliver it to communities most in need in Los Angeles. #zerowaste #zerohunger Because this food is too good to be wasted. Thank you Women in Film for your incredible support @hellomikeamico."
Air pollution may reduce effectiveness of antibiotics: study
London, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)
Air pollution may increase the potential of bacteria to cause respiratory infections by reducing the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, scientists have found for the first time.
The study by researchers at the University of Leicester in the UK has important implications for the treatment of infectious diseases, which are known to be increased in areas with high levels of air pollution.
They looked into how air pollution affects the bacteria living in our bodies, specifically the respiratory tract - the nose, throat and lungs.
A major component of air pollution is black carbon, which is produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as diesel, biofuels and biomass.
The research shows that this pollutant changes the way in which bacteria grow and form communities, which could affect how they survive on the lining of our respiratory tracts and how well they are able to hide from, and combat, our immune systems.
"This work increases our understanding of how air pollution affects human health," said Julie Morrissey, Associate Professor at Leicester.
"It shows that the bacteria which cause respiratory infections are affected by air pollution, possibly increasing the risk of infection and the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of these illnesses," said Morrissey.
"Our research could initiate an entirely new understanding of how air pollution affects human health. It will lead to enhancement of research to understand how air pollution leads to severe respiratory problems and perturbs the environmental cycles essential for life," Morrissey said.
"Everybody worldwide is exposed to air pollution every time they breathe," Shane Hussey and Jo Purves, research associates working on the project said.
"It is something we cannot limit our exposure to as individuals, but we know that it can make us ill. So we need to understand what it is doing to us, how it is making us unhealthy, and how we might be able to stop these effects," they said.
The research focused on two human pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which are both major causes of respiratory diseases and exhibit high levels of resistance to antibiotics.
The team found that black carbon alters the antibiotic tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus communities and importantly increases the resistance of communities of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin, the front line treatment of bacterial pneumonia.
It was also found that black carbon caused Streptococcus pneumoniae to spread from the nose to the lower respiratory tract, which is a key step in development of disease.
The study was published in the journal Environmental Microbiology.
The study by researchers at the University of Leicester in the UK has important implications for the treatment of infectious diseases, which are known to be increased in areas with high levels of air pollution.
They looked into how air pollution affects the bacteria living in our bodies, specifically the respiratory tract - the nose, throat and lungs.
A major component of air pollution is black carbon, which is produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as diesel, biofuels and biomass.
The research shows that this pollutant changes the way in which bacteria grow and form communities, which could affect how they survive on the lining of our respiratory tracts and how well they are able to hide from, and combat, our immune systems.
"This work increases our understanding of how air pollution affects human health," said Julie Morrissey, Associate Professor at Leicester.
"It shows that the bacteria which cause respiratory infections are affected by air pollution, possibly increasing the risk of infection and the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of these illnesses," said Morrissey.
"Our research could initiate an entirely new understanding of how air pollution affects human health. It will lead to enhancement of research to understand how air pollution leads to severe respiratory problems and perturbs the environmental cycles essential for life," Morrissey said.
"Everybody worldwide is exposed to air pollution every time they breathe," Shane Hussey and Jo Purves, research associates working on the project said.
"It is something we cannot limit our exposure to as individuals, but we know that it can make us ill. So we need to understand what it is doing to us, how it is making us unhealthy, and how we might be able to stop these effects," they said.
The research focused on two human pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which are both major causes of respiratory diseases and exhibit high levels of resistance to antibiotics.
The team found that black carbon alters the antibiotic tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus communities and importantly increases the resistance of communities of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin, the front line treatment of bacterial pneumonia.
It was also found that black carbon caused Streptococcus pneumoniae to spread from the nose to the lower respiratory tract, which is a key step in development of disease.
The study was published in the journal Environmental Microbiology.
The green win
Rajitha Menon, March 3, 2017, DHNS
Way ahead
Few incidents have elicited the kind of response that the much-touted proposal to build a steel flyover did. The expensive six-lane project drew flak from citizens and green activists as it required axing of trees and was also termed as an unsustainable solution to reduce city’s traffic woes. The 6.9 km steel flyover was to connect Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal with an extension on Sankey Road up to LRDE complex.
As news of the cancelling of the controversial steel flyover project came in, citizens from every walk of life took to all possible platforms to express their happiness at what was seen as a tough achievement.
Says Varun Hemachandran, who works with an organisation that maps trees, “It is great news, regardless of what reason prompted the government to make such a move — whether it was the pressure from the civil society or because of that whole diary affair. The decision sends out a message that it is increasingly getting difficult for governments to ignore the voice of the people.”
“The joy was palpable in all my Whatsapp groups,” says Simran Tandon excitedly. “It was a huge morale booster of some sorts for youngsters like me because it says that my dissent means something in my city. We often get disillusioned by reading about the many scandals and instances of corruption; I now feel that our disapproval matters, and not just at the time of elections.”
It is a unanimous opinion that the move has come as a shot-in-the-arm for citizen’s movements and is seen as a victory for people; right from the ones who held placards and formed human chains to the ones who wrote articles and shared links on social media, decrying the government’s way of dealing with the issue.
“We want to thank the government for finally paying heed to public sentiment and acknowledging the opposition to the steel flyover,” says Tara Krishnaswamy, a professional working with Oracle.
“This sends out a strong lesson that participative democracy is the way forward. Citizens should come forward and make their voices heard because if you come out
and fight for it, change happens.”
But even amidst the celebration, people agree that this is just the first step of many.
There is a long way to go and even in this particular situation, the fact remains that we still have to find an answer to Bengaluru’s infamous gridlocks.
“The budget is due soon and we have to see whether the government puts its money where its mouth is. The number of buses must be doubled and the ticket rates must be halved. The bus network must be strengthened because it handles the maximum volume of passengers when compared to other modes of transport. The Metro rail system will take a long time to reach its desired potential and even then, its passenger load will be less than that of the buses plying on the roads,” says Tara.
“Sincere thanks to the Chief Minister for having realised that a project like that was not worth it,” says Naresh Narasimhan, an architect.
“They should focus on building a pedestrian-centric city and not a car-centric one. An alternative transit system is the need of the hour,” he opines. Varun adds, “There is a positive effect when citizens work with the government, instead of against it, and try to find solutions to the pressing issues the society faces.”
As news of the cancelling of the controversial steel flyover project came in, citizens from every walk of life took to all possible platforms to express their happiness at what was seen as a tough achievement.
Says Varun Hemachandran, who works with an organisation that maps trees, “It is great news, regardless of what reason prompted the government to make such a move — whether it was the pressure from the civil society or because of that whole diary affair. The decision sends out a message that it is increasingly getting difficult for governments to ignore the voice of the people.”
“The joy was palpable in all my Whatsapp groups,” says Simran Tandon excitedly. “It was a huge morale booster of some sorts for youngsters like me because it says that my dissent means something in my city. We often get disillusioned by reading about the many scandals and instances of corruption; I now feel that our disapproval matters, and not just at the time of elections.”
It is a unanimous opinion that the move has come as a shot-in-the-arm for citizen’s movements and is seen as a victory for people; right from the ones who held placards and formed human chains to the ones who wrote articles and shared links on social media, decrying the government’s way of dealing with the issue.
“We want to thank the government for finally paying heed to public sentiment and acknowledging the opposition to the steel flyover,” says Tara Krishnaswamy, a professional working with Oracle.
“This sends out a strong lesson that participative democracy is the way forward. Citizens should come forward and make their voices heard because if you come out
and fight for it, change happens.”
But even amidst the celebration, people agree that this is just the first step of many.
There is a long way to go and even in this particular situation, the fact remains that we still have to find an answer to Bengaluru’s infamous gridlocks.
“The budget is due soon and we have to see whether the government puts its money where its mouth is. The number of buses must be doubled and the ticket rates must be halved. The bus network must be strengthened because it handles the maximum volume of passengers when compared to other modes of transport. The Metro rail system will take a long time to reach its desired potential and even then, its passenger load will be less than that of the buses plying on the roads,” says Tara.
“Sincere thanks to the Chief Minister for having realised that a project like that was not worth it,” says Naresh Narasimhan, an architect.
“They should focus on building a pedestrian-centric city and not a car-centric one. An alternative transit system is the need of the hour,” he opines. Varun adds, “There is a positive effect when citizens work with the government, instead of against it, and try to find solutions to the pressing issues the society faces.”
