Farmers protest against Nano car in West Bengal

Hundreds of angry farmers marched in West Bengal on Monday to protest against a factory making what is billed as the world's cheapest car, one of several protests against farmland seizures, officials said.

Thousands of other protesters, mainly members of the Trinamool Congress, the main opposition party in the communist-ruled state, remained outside the Singur factory for a second day to protest against the project.

Tata Motors is building the factory in West Bengal to roll out the Nano -- the $2,380, snub-nosed "people's car" -- but months of protests against acquisition of farmland have threatened the project.

Tata Motors head Ratan Tata has threatened to move the plant if violent protests continue and its scheduled launch in October could also be delayed.

"We will continue our stir till we get back our land," 70-year-old Laxman Das, a farmer who lost two acres (0.8 hectares) of land to the factory, told local television.

More than 2,500 police guarded the car plant.

The protests reflect a larger stand-off between industry in India and farmers unwilling to part with land in a country where two thirds of the billion-plus population depend on agriculture.

The Trinamool Congress has set up 21 camps to shelter protesters for days and refused to budge from its demands that 400 acres (160 hectares) of land be returned to farmers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Monday invited Mamata Banerjee, chief of the Trinamool Congress, for another round of talks to settle the issue.

The government said it was impossible to return land to the farmers but it was willing to consider a proper rehabilitation package and even identify farmland for them.

On Monday, about 80 percent of the 4,000-odd employees turned up for work at the Singur factory, a Tata Motors spokesman said.

"I am confident everything will resolve and the car will roll out in October," said Sandipan Chakravortty, managing director of Tata Ryerson Ltd, a joint venture company owned by Tata Steel and Ryerson Inc of the United States.

Tata Ryerson is investing 1 billion rupees ($23 million) for a process steel unit in Singur.

For Tata Motors, India's top vehicle maker, the trouble started after the state's communist government took over farmland for the factory.

The state offered compensation in return, but some villagers refused to obey and are declining compensation.

Blame your hubby for your being fat!

Tried everything but can’t seem to get rid of your post-marriage love handles? Well, don’t question your determination for the failed plan, for the real culprit behind all weight worries is your hubby.

Yes, you heard it right. According to health experts, a husband is more of a hindrance than help in a wife’’s battle with the bulge.

"For some women, marriage definitely can be fattening," the Courier Mail quoted Dr Brian Steadman, a leading British authority on nutrition, as saying.

"It’’s hard enough for them to stick to good eating habits when they’’re single, but they can find it impossible after they’’re married.

"For a start, they’ve got to prepare food for two people, and it gets worse when children come along. Suddenly, she is constantly thinking about food - buying it, cooking it, fixing snacks and meals at different times of the day.

“And if the husband doesn’t need to diet, then with all the best intentions in the world, the poor woman is going to find it very tough preparing big wholesome meals for the family and low-calorie snacks for herself,” he added.

Dr Richard B. Stuart, an American authority on slimming and nutrition, and former psychological director of Weight Watchers International, the author of Act Thin, Stay Thin, agrees.

"If a woman can’’t stay on a diet, it could easily be her husband’’s fault," he said.

"In fact, a husband might subconsciously be encouraging his wife to remain fat, and make it harder for her to lose weight,” he added.

Dr B. Stuart has given some reasons as to why this could be so: if he feels in any way insecure in his relationship, then he reasons that a plump wife is less likely to leave him or make other men jealous, if he has a low sex drive then having a fat wife is a very good excuse for lack of interest or potency.

If he’’s the kind who isn’’t prepared to put a lot of effort into the marriage, then it will be much easier for him to keep her "fat" than "happy", Dr B. Stuart said.

If his wife is a failure as a dieter, it "allows" him to have his workaholic schedule or an affair and there are many other ways that a husband, perhaps unwittingly, can hinder his wife’’s ambitions to keep her weight down, the health expert added

Good sex everyday, keeps doctors away

You would have never thought that a kiss could help keeping dental worries at bay or a gratifying sexual act at night make you feel fit and fresh the next morning. But that’s what studies across the web claim.

Healthy sex leads to a healthy life. You may have tried copious measures to get that extra glowing skin and shiny hair. You must have also worked out rigorously to achieve that perfect ten figure you’ve desired. But the key to your mind and heart is fulfilling sex. Even for those who lose their temper or are always in a depressed state of mind, ’sex’ can be the solution.

A happy sexual life with your partner not only gets you in shape with better skin texture and silken tresses, it also burns extra calories, keeps you fit, combats asthma, relieves headache, reduces depression and tranquilises your mind. From make-up experts, hair stylists, sexologists and fitness connoisseurs – there’s a common consensus that a vigourous sexual life leads to a healthy life – both physically and emotionally. We get them share more on this...

There have been several notions stating that ’sex’ produces certain hormones that bring happiness, which lead to a fit body and a healthy mind. Shedding some light on this, Dr. Sanjay Chugh, specialist on sexual issues, states, "Sex contributes to general good health. Any sexual intimacy that is enjoyable and pleasurable promotes well being by providing several physical and psychological benefits. It is believed that sex boosts chemicals in the body that protects us against diseases. Research also suggests that sex and masturbation can help ease joint and muscle pain, combat depression, promote heart health and lengthen one’s life span."

Dr. Samir Parikh, clinical physiatrist adds, "The basic fact is that a good sex life also means in a larger picture, a good relationship with one’s partner and this makes the partner happier, less stressed and by virtue of that physically healthier."

Not just this, sex also accelerates blood circulation and one’s basic metabolic rate, which further enhances the well-being of our mind and soul and helps us calm down.

On these emotional benefits, Dr Chugh adds, "A satisfying sexual relationship strengthens the bond between couples, making them feel secure and loved. The feeling of emotional connectedness adds to ones sense of belonging, which in totality helps them achieve a positive physical, psychological and spiritual state that is necessary for one’s general health."

Elaborating further, on a scientific angle, Dr Avdesh Sharma, a consultant psychiatrist, and an expert on relationship issues shares, "Sex is a way of bonding at the physical, mental and emotional level and leads to health (including psychological) benefits. If it is used as a mechanical process, it may have limited benefits. There are physiological benefits of positive changes in parameters like pulse, heart rate, reduction in blood pressure (after an increase in B.P. specially if vigourous sex is tried), dilation of blood vessels and capillaries of the skin, leading to a ’glow’, burning of a few calories (depending on the duration of the act and vigour), exercising of some of the muscles, thus improving lung capacity (during heavy breathing)."

However, we also need to understand that sexual acts work more in terms of improving resistance, but are not a safe guard or a treatment to illnesses. Any sexual act can neither be used as a treatment nor would it change your stresses of life, which one would need to resolve irrespective.

"The extra edge of sex may be due to the feeling of being wanted, an expression of emotions and certain hormonal and physiological changes that happen as an expression of love for another individual. Unfortunately, the benefits of sexuality are usually quoted out of context and people may look at this as a panacea for everything. But sexuality without emotions have limited value," concludes Dr Avdesh Sharma.

Problems of ageing

BRAIN
We start losing the brain cells in our 20s but it’s a slow process. About 40 per cent of the people above 65 years have some memory impairment – one per cent of them develop dementia every year. One’s personality stabilises by 30 and any sudden change after that may indicate a degenerative illness.

EYES
Difficulty in focusing on something that’s close starts in the 40s and by the 70s, it is harder to distinguish between the fine details.

EARS
Age-related hearing loss occurs in 25 per cent of the people between 65 to 75 years and in 70 to 80 per cent of those over the age of 75.

SENSES
The ability to taste and smell deteriorates with age and this can start as early as 60. Around 30 per cent of 70 to 80-year-olds experience problems with their senses.

SKIN
Ageing begins at 20 but signs are not visible for another 20 years.

HEART
The risk of a heart attack increases with age – especially over 45 for men and over 55 for women.

HEIGHT
By the time we reach the age of 80, we lose as much as two inches in height due to the curving forward of the spine or because of the compression of the discs between the vertebrae.

PROSTATE
Almost doubles in weight between the ages of 20 and 90. Men over 50 are at a much greater risk of developing prostate cancer.

LIVER
We lose around one-third of our body weight between the ages of 30 and 90.

SEXUAL PEAK
Women are best in bed at 35, while men are thought to peak at 18, when testosterone is highest. However, it must be noted that peak hormones doesn’t mean peak sexual performance. After all, the average age of men buying medicines for this is 41.

MUSCLES
Muscle loss begins around 30. Without regular exercise, muscle mass in women declines by 22 per cent between 30 and 70 years, and 23 per cent in men.

JOINTS
Normal movement puts pressure on our joints and, with the added stress created by sports activities, they usually start to wear out between the age of 40 and 50. This can then lead to osteoarthritis – severe joint pain – in the over 65s.

BONES
These begin to lose density at 50, exposing us to a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

SPINE
At about 60, the number of cells in the spinal cord begin to drop, which leads to a decrease in sensation.

Turmeric can help fight cancer

Synthetic molecules derived from curcumin, main ingredient of Indian spice turmeric, can help kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading, say researchers at Ohio State University.

Curcumin has long been known for its multiple disease-fighting features, including anti-tumour properties. "Newer evidence describes how curcumin interacts with certain proteins to generate anti-cancer activity inside the body. We’re focusing on the pathways that are most involved in cancer and trying to optimise for those properties," said James Fuchs, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy at Ohio State University and principal investigator.

While presenting his study results, Fuchs described a selection of the 40 compounds developed to date, emphasising the synthetic molecules that appear to have the most potential to serve as the basis for anti-cancer
drug development. Fuchs and colleagues are continuing to refine compounds that are best structured to interact with a few overactive proteins that are associated with cell activity in breast and prostate cancers.

Blocking these molecular targets can initiate cell death or stop cell migration in the cancers. With the help of structure-based, computer-aided design, a relatively new technology in the drug discovery field, scientists can make manipulations to computer-designed molecules and observe simulated interactions between molecules and proteins to predict which structural changes will make the most sense to pursue.

"Most of the interaction between our compound and the overactive protein comes from what are called hot spots on the protein’s surface," said Chenglong Li, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy at Ohio State.

"For each spot, we can design small chemical fragments and link them together to make a molecule. This is what computer-aided design and modelling can do," said Li, an expert in computational chemistry. The computer-based predictions have suggested that the most effective compound developed to date can interact with proteins believed to be active in about 50 percent of all breast and prostate cancers.

"To be able to develop a drug that in the future could have potential to treat 50 percent of these cancers would be a major contribution," said Jiayuh Lin, an investigator in Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and an associate professor of pediatrics.

Are you sniffing out right partners?

Women are said to have an inbuilt ability to pick up the scent of a partner who differs genetically. Falling for this type of man helps ensure that the couple’s children will have broad immunity against disease.

But researchers at the University of Liverpool have found that birth control pills disrupt a woman’s power to recognise the aroma of a compatible mate. The study has been published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Disturbing a woman’s instinctive attraction to genetically different men could result in difficulties when trying to conceive, an increased risk of miscarriage and long intervals between pregnancies. Passing on a lack of diverse genes to a child could also weaken their immune system.

Called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), different MHC molecules fight different diseases, so it is important to have a mix of MHC types. Previous studies have shown that, even though humans have a relatively poor sense of smell compared with other creatures, women tend to identify partners with suitable MHC molecules - preferring males with the correct mix of immune genes critical for the survival of future offspring and to curb inbreeding, which is harmful.

To reach the conclusions, the research team analysed how the contraceptive pill affects odour preferences. In the study, one hundred women were asked to indicate their preferences on six male body odour samples, drawn from 97 volunteer samples, before and after they began to take the contraceptive pill.

They did not find that women who were not on the pill were more attracted to men with a different MHC, showing that the preference for genetically dissimilar odour varies from study to study. But they did find that the pill made women more likely to be attracted to a man with a similar immune makeup.

"The results showed that the preferences of women who began using the contraceptive pill shifted towards men with genetically similar odours," Telegraph quoted Dr Craig Roberts, who carried out the work in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, as saying.

"Not only could MHC-similarity in couples lead to fertility problems but it could ultimately lead to the breakdown of relationships when women stop using the contraceptive pill, as odour perception plays a significant role in maintaining attraction to partners," he added.

Gold ETFs and gold mutual funds good investment options

In order to cushion the losses resulting from stock market slowdown and rising inflation levels, Rajesh Gupta, a 43-year-old salaried professional, was advised to invest a part of his money in gold. His financial planner backed this advice with the fact that gold has traditionally worked as a hedge against inflation and the declining dollar and has given the investor steady returns.

But Rajesh didn’t want to deal with issues associated with storing gold in its physical form or ensuring the purity of the gold. His financial planner then told him to invest either in Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) or gold mutual funds. But the question remained, which one? To help you make the choice, SundayET gives you a lowdown on how to buy gold ETFs and gold mutual funds.

DIFFERENT ASSET CLASSES

According to Lakshmi Iyer, product head-vice-president, Kotak Mutual Funds, “The basic difference between gold ETFs and gold mutual funds are that they belong to two different asset classes.” Gold ETFs give the investor the opportunity to invest in units of gold, which are then traded on the exchange as a single stock. The units issued under the scheme represent the value of gold held in the scheme. Gold ETFs hence fall into the category of commodities.

Gold mutual funds, however, fall into the equity category as they invest in equity and equity-related securities of gold mining companies. Since gold mining companies are not listed on Indian stock exchanges, the gold mutual funds invest in world gold funds that invest in gold mining companies across the world.

RETURNS AVAILABLE

The predominant criterion for all investment remains the returns that can be expected from these funds. An investor should expect a return of around 15% per annum over a two to three-year time horizon. Says Pankaj Sharma, executive V-P and head, business development and risk management, DSP Merrill Lynch Fund Managers: “The world gold fund has given absolute returns of 31.9% in the period since its inception in August 2007 to July 2008.” He adds that the gold fund they invest into has given an annualised return of 29.5% over the last three years. However, most financial advisors advise that investment in gold must be made for the purpose of diversification and at any point in time, about 10-15% of your assets must be invested in gold.

NATURE OF FUNDS

There is also a strict difference with the regard to the aims of this fund and how they are managed.
Gold ETFs are known to follow a passive investment strategy. “The fund simply buys and holds gold on behalf of the investor without actively managing it. The aim is to give returns as close as possible, post-expenses, to that given for gold as a commodity,” says Iyer. However, when choosing between ETFs, investors need to be aware of the tracking error, which is the difference given by the gold ETF and those given by physical gold.

In fact, when investing in a mutual fund, the investor can rely on the expertise of a fund manager who indulges in active portfolio management and is able to make crucial decisions regarding selecting stocks of gold companies. “The fund manager has an understanding of the quality of gold reserves to mined and will be able to decide which companies will do better than others,” says Ruchir Parekh, fund manager, AIG World Gold Fund.

THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT
The reason most gold mutual funds give for choosing a mutual fund is that stock prices of gold mining companies have risen much more than the price of gold itself. According to Parekh: “The GDM index, an index of gold miners, has moved up close to 6.5 times since 2000 as compared to a gold price increase of over three times in the same period.” “There is a multiplier effect on the profitability of gold mining companies with the rise in gold prices, on account on operating leverage,” adds Sharma.

COST BENEFITS

ETFs give investors the opportunity of buying as less as 1 unit on the exchange. Since investors can enter the trade through brokers, there is no entry or exit load and brokerage expenses are not very high. This is favourable in comparison to mutual funds, which have a defined load structure, entry and exit loads and other expenses. However, things like minimum unit size vary for investors who invest in ETF via asset management companies.

THE TRADING EDGE

The advantages of holding ETFs are seen during trading, given that ETF units can be traded like shares. It gives the investor the ability to buy and sell quickly at market price, making them highly liquid assets. Moreover, intra-day trading is also possible with an ETF, which is not possible with open-ended mutual funds. Moreover, portfolio disclosures occur only once a month in a mutual fund but everyday in an ETF.

Working mums are happier!

If you think that working mums become gloomy as a consequence of toiling both at office and home, you need to get your facts checked.
An academic research has revealed that working mums are happier than stay-at-home mums irrespective of the hours they have to spend in the office. The study was led by Alison Booth and Jan Van Ours and was carried out by the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex.

It was found that even those mothers who work more than 45 hours a week benefit from much higher levels of “life satisfaction” than full-time mums. This finding counters the long held assumption that mothers would be more pleased if they stayed home with their children.

It was concluded three years ago by a research conducted by the Centre for Policy Studies that almost half of the mothers were working only because they needed money. The popularity of David Cameron’s promise to offer tax breaks to married couples to help mothers stay at home was also doubted by the researchers.

However, the report guaranteed Job Satisfaction and Family Happiness, high levels of life satisfaction was found among women working part time, those who work 30-34 hours a week and 41-45 hours a week also reported high levels of wellbeing.

“Women without children do not care about their working hours, while women with children are significantly happier if they have a job, regardless of how many hours it entails,” Times Online quoted the authors of the report, as saying.

The data compiled in eight years of the British Household Panel Survey, which questions 5,500 households on an annual basis, had been utilized for the report.

It was also found that children had no role in increasing life satisfaction for men. However, among women, it increases only when children start going to school.

The Conservatives will be charting out plans to make single parents, who have children at school, work and to make joining a training programme a condition of receiving benefit.

August is the break-up month of the year!

Planning a vacation with your partner in the month of August? Well, in that case, better watch out, or you could come home with your love life in ruins.

According to a new research, August is the month when you are most likely to be dumped by your partner. Researchers have found we make crunch decisions on our romantic life while lying on the beach or by the pool.

During the rest of the year, say the researchers, people are so stressed by work and caring for the children they don’t have time to stop and think. But during their summer holidays, many couples spending time together realise they have nothing in common and are trapped in a duff relationship.

“We frequently receive feedback from customers asking for a ‘you’re dumped’ card,” The Daily Star quoted Andrew Gibson of The Card and Gift Company which carried out the research, as saying. “The number getting in touch has shot up, suggesting August is the time when they consider ending their relationship,” Gibson added.

Want to spice up your sex life? Try hot curry

Want to make your bedroom life more adventurous? Well, in that case, turn to Thai green curry, which has been found to give a person’s libido that much needed boost.

The conclusion is based on a new research, which found that the ’magical’ meal is full of aphrodisiacs. The curry includes cardamom, ginseng, garlic, ginger, basil, lemon grass and asparagus - all considered to get you feeling sexy.

The top-10 list of takeaway meals based on the number of aphrodisiac ingredients per meal was compiled by takeaway company Just-Eat. Hot and spicy pizza topped with tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, olives, meatballs and chillis grabbed the second position, according to research for takeaway website Just-Eat.co.uk.

Chicken Korma comes in at number three, thanks to its blend of coconut, garlic, chilli, ginger and almonds - all said to improve sex drive in females. Seafood Laksa is fourth because of its coconut milk, ginger, garlic, basil and onions. "Thai green curry has long been known in the East to boost sex drive," The Sun quoted Just-Eat’s Ash Ali, as saying. "The British public instead only tend to know more expensive aphrodisiacs such as oysters and caviar," Ali added.

Other foods sure to steam up more than just the kitchen are meatballs and pasta, king prawns with ginger, sushi and even chicken tikka masala, say the experts.

The top ten are:

Thai green curry, Hot and spicy pizza, Chicken korma, Seafood Laksa, Mole poblano, Sushi, Chicken tikka masala, Spicy balinese curry, Spicy Meatballs and pasta, King prawns with ginger and spring onions.

Work hard, sleep harder

Cut down screen time
You may be logging in to your email account or maybe watching a movie every night before you go to sleep, or even playing a game on your mobile, and SMSing your friends while at it. You may only be killing time and waiting for your eyes to get droopy. However, that’s exactly what you shouldn’t be doing. When you sit in front of a computer monitor or maybe a TV, it stimulates the brain and makes it even more difficult for you to sleep. Simply put, darkness makes the body realise that it’s bedtime and exposure to light interferes with the body clock by creating a fake sense of alertness.

Exercise enhances sleep
Exercising has many benefits – good sleep being one of them, provided you exercise in the morning or at the most during the afternoon. Research has shown that those who follow a regular fitness schedule during the day sleep much better during the night. However, those who exercise just before bedtime enjoy no such benefits.

Eat right
Remember the age old trick of having warm milk before going to bed? It was certainly not without a reason. Some foods are more beneficial for a good night’s sleep as compared to others. Eating fruits like bananas and pears and foods like whole wheat bread help one sleep better. So does having a glass of warm milk, or hot chocolate. Going by that logic, if you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open during the day, make sure you cut down on similar foods in your day time meal.

The power nap
The benefits of a power nap have been recognised all across the world, with more and more companies even moving a step ahead and providing ‘power nap’ breaks for its employees. Depending on how feasible it is for you, get a power nap when you are feeling exhausted. It energises you and provides the same benefits as a sound sleep in the night.

Avoid the strong Alarm
You are enjoying your beauty sleep and suddenly your buzzer (that sounds more like the emergency fire alarm) goes off. As a result, you wake up, extremely startled, and ready to spend the rest of your day in a zombie like state, and with a severe headache. However, the catch-22 situation is that anything mild will not wake you up. In cases like these, use the dual alarm system. Set up a soft alarm (that can be heard) near your bed and the fire alarm-like buzzer away from you and set to go off exactly two minutes after the softer alarm. This way, you won’t be jolted from sleep and yet have the stronger backup to pull you out of bed.

Visualise
Few things in life are as frustrating as lying on the bed and waiting for sleep to take over. And it gets worse every passing second and as you get desperate for sleep that simply refuses to come by. The problem in this case is your overactive mind that’s still focusing on the fact that you are not getting sleep. Visualise a beautiful beach, breathe in and out and use meditation techniques to get your mind off the issue.

Musharraf resigns as Pakistan President

Pervez Musharraf has stepped down as president of Pakistan to avoid impeachment charges. He made this announcement during a televised address to the nation on Monday. “After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign,” Musharraf said.

"I leave my future in the hands of people," he added. “Please forgive me, I am human,” he said.

“I don’t want Army to be dragged into this controversy,” he added.

(Watch: All charges against me are baseless, says Musharraf)

In his address to the nation Musharraf said, "I have confidence in self and on God that no chargesheet can stand against me. No charge can be proved against me, because I have never done for myself. I have done all for Pakistan." ( Watch)

Musharraf said he was proud of his achievements. He defended his economic record. “We have taken the nation forward,” he said.

Musharraf said his priority has been to evolve democracy in Pakistan

He also criticised his detractors during the speech. “I have kept Pakistan’s interests over and above everything, I am proud to have fought for the country,” he said. The Pakistan president added all allegations against him were baseless.

Musharraf said he had always been open to reconciliation with political parties.

Meanwhile, the country’s ruling coalition had prepared impeachment charges accusing Musharraf of violations of the constitution and misconduct.

Musharraf, 65, came to power in a 1999 coup and has anchored Pakistan’s alliance with the United States, especially since Pakistan signed up for the US-led campaign against terrorism after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Following are some of the political, economic and diplomatic implications of his resignation.

INTERNAL POLITICS
* Opposition to Musharraf has bonded rival parties in the coalition government. His departure could see them drift apart.

* The Pakistan People’s Party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto leads the coalition, with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) its main partner. The two main civilian parties are old rivals and despite recent cooperation, will compete in the next election.

SECURITY
* The coalition government has vowed full commitment to the campaign against violent militancy. Despite questions over its policy of trying to negotiate with militants, recent operations in the northwest should have reassured Washington and other allies the government will match Musharraf’s security efforts.

* The military plays a dominant role in security policy, and its cooperation with the new government has been smooth.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
* The United States, apparently resigned to Musharraf’s exit, says Pakistan’s leadership is a Pakistani matter. Ties between the new government and Washington are good and should remain so as long as the latter is satisfied the government is doing enough to stop militancy, in particular attacks into Afghanistan.

* The new government is committed to the peace process with India launched under Musharraf in 2004.

ECONOMY
* The government has vowed to turn its attention to economic problems after Musharraf leaves. Inflation is at its highest in years, and trade and fiscal deficits are widening. High oil prices have depleted foreign reserves while the rupee has lost about a quarter of its value this year. An end to the uncertainty over Musharraf should ease investor worry. Stocks rose 3.6 percent on Friday as investors cheered his possible departure as a milestone toward easing tension.

THE NEXT PRESIDENT
* Who becomes next president could depend on the powers the position retains. Musharraf has authority to dismiss parliament and make top military and judicial appointments. Coalition partners vow to strip the presidency of those powers and make it a largely ceremonial post.

However, analysts say Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari, might want the job, in which case he will want to keep the powers. Zardari has also suggested the next president might be a woman.

Newspapers have speculated an ethnic Pashtun leader, Asfandayr Wali Khan, whose liberal party is part of the coalition, might get the job.

The president is elected by the four provincial assemblies and the national parliamen

Americans appear to be drinking less alcohol

The overall consumption of alcohol is declining among Americans, new research suggests. However, there does not appear to be any significant decline in alcohol-related disorders.

The findings were derived from the drinking habits of 8600 participants in the Framingham Heart Study, a multigenerational study of risk factors for heart disease and other chronic diseases that began in 1948.

In addition to an overall decline in drinking, Dr. Yuqing Zhang of Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues found that Americans are drinking significantly less beer and more wine, while intake of hard liquor has remained largely unchanged.

The results also show that younger people (born later in the 20th century) drink more moderately than older people and that alcohol consumption tends to decline as people age. The number of people describing themselves as non-drinkers also increased markedly with age, according to the researchers.

In the latest issue of The American Journal of Medicine, Zhang and colleagues say the findings "may be considered encouraging in many ways." The average alcohol consumption has decreased among individuals born more recently; the percentage of the population exhibiting "moderate" drinking" has increased steadily; and the percentage of "heavy drinkers" has decreased over time."

"While these data suggest the development of more favorable patterns of alcohol consumption over the latter part of the 20th century, they also show that, at the same time, the cumulative incidence of alcohol use disorders has not shown a decrease, and continuing efforts at preventing them are warranted," they emphasize.

SOURCE: The American Journal of Medicine, August 2008.

North pole may be ice-free by 2013

The meltdown in the Arctic is speeding up and as a result the north pole could be ice-free by 2013 instead of in 60 years’ time as earlier predicted, scientists have warned.

Their apprehensions are based on computer studies of satellite images that reveal that ice at north pole melted at an unprecedented rate last week - the disappearance is said to have exceeded the record loss of more than a million square kilometres in 2007 as global warming tightened its grip.

"It does not really matter whether 2007 or 2008 is the worst year on record for Arctic sea ice.

"The crucial point is that ice is clearly not building up enough over winter to restore cover and that when you combine current estimates of ice thickness with the extent of the ice cap, you get a very clear indication that the Arctic is going to be ice-free in summer in five years.

"And when that happens, there will be consequences," British newspaper The Observer quoted Prof Wieslaw Maslowski of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey as saying.

Using the US navy supercomputers, his team produced a forecast which indicated that by 2013 there will be no ice in the Arctic - other than a few outcrops on islands near Greenland and Canada between mid-July and mid-September.

Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University added: "The most detailed computer models suggest the Arctic’s summer ice is going to last for only a few more years - and given what we have seen happen last week, I think they are probably correct.

'On pill? Forget your Mr Right'

Give a second thought before you pop the next contraceptive pill, for a study has revealed that it may disrupt a women’s natural ability to choose Mr Right.

A team at Liverpool University in Britain has carried out the study and found that the contraceptive pill changes a woman’s choice in men by altering the way she actually reacts to a male body odour.

According to experts, a man’s aroma gives a clue to his type of genes and ability to fight disease, and women subconsciously react to the smell to pinpoint a partner with dissimilar genes to themselves. But taking the pill could disrupt this ability to sniff out the ideal partner, the Daily Telegraph reported.

And some possible consequences — women could be more attracted to partners with whom it would be harder to conceive if they want children, an increased risk of miscarriage and long intervals between pregnancies.

Passing on a lack of diverse genes to a child could also weaken the women’s immune system. Known as Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), different MHC molecules fight different diseases, so it is important to have a mix of MHC types, according to the researchers.

The British team analysed how the birth prevention pill affects odour preferences on 100 women. They did not find that women who were not on the pill were more attracted to men with a different MHC, showing that the extent to which preferences for genetically dissimilar odours varies from study to study.

Thank God, it's a boy!

Numerous scientific studies being conducted worldwide today link a mother’s diet to the sex of the child. These studies talk about high calorie diets that ‘boost’ chances of a baby boy; mete out advice for wannabe mums: cereals for a boy, diet for a girl! Are we still obsessed with having a male child?

‘Putrarthe kriyathe varja’ is an ancient Sanskrit phrase that means: ‘we marry with the soul aim to have a son to keep the clan progressing’. These words are just as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.

They reflect the age-old desire, rather, obsession, for the male child not only in India but in the West too. Yes, astonishing as it may sound, an increasing number of studies are being conducted worldwide that advise mothers-to-be on diets and practices to be followed for a baby boy.

The male-child syndrome
Take a look at this. According to a study conducted at Britain’s Oxford and Exeter Universities, a high calorie diet at the time of conception increases the chances of having a baby boy.

Another study ‘warns’ that the chances of giving birth to a baby girl are higher for mothers who are on a diet around the time of conception. Yet another one links mom’s aggressive temperament or for that matter the day of intercourse with the likelihood of conceiving a male child!

Coming to India, the fixation with a male child takes on a whole new meaning. From grandmothers, to mothers, nannies, and even religious gurus – just about anyone has some hot ‘tip’ to give to wannabe mums.

These tips include, though not limited to, asking mother-to-be to eat bananas (rich in potassium) every morning to have a baby boy; gorging on salty snacks (rich in sodium) and cereals; and even asking fathers-to-be to have a cup of coffee before intercourse!

Diets aside, ‘tips’ are also generously dished out on important positions and days. Seventy-five year old Nirmala Devi takes the guarantee of a baby boy if the woman lies on her left during intercourse; according to a priest at a temple: “Conceiving on full moon night gives a baby boy.”

Couples also rely on practices like numerology and astrology to determine the sex of the baby. “We constantly get queries from people asking prediction about their child’s sex and also measures to conceive a baby boy, “informs numerologist Rajesh Khattar. So intense is the desperation shown by these couples that Khattar ends up with suggestions such as: finding a suitable mating day or a particular age of the mother in which chances of giving birth to a baby boy are higher.

Do these measures provide any guarantees? Do they actually work? “There’s no guarantee; however the solutions are based on the experience of a few people. They might and might not work for everybody. Personally, I discourage such queries but couples are in no mood to listen to ‘no’,” says Khattar.

“I couldn’t believe when a Korean couple asked if mating on the day of ovulation could get them a male baby?” says Dr. Ranjana Gupta, gynaecologist at Fortis La Femme.

s it an obsession?
That brings us back to where we started: are we still obsessed with the male child? The answer to that is not hard to find. A glimpse at the census figures shows a dwindling sex ratio in the country. The number of girls for every 1,000 boys in India has fallen to 927 in 2001 from 962 in 1981. In some states the men have to look elsewhere for brides.

Elaborates Dr. Ranjana, “To some extent still there exists an obsession for the male child. Though the picture is gradually changing and we do come across couples who are not bothered about the sex of the baby and also some who actually want a baby girl. At the same time we cannot ignore the large number of couples who come in with a desire to have a male child and ask for hit and trial methods like the position or day or diet to have one. ”

For what joy?
In India, the reasons behind the deep-rooted desire to have a male child are two-fold: one, to further the clan, and two, societal pressure.

Rohit and Nandini, both bankers are going to have their first baby and they want a boy. Ask them why and ‘family expectations’ are cited as the reason: “It’s my grandmothers’ wish to see her great grandson before she dies,” explains Rohit.

Another couple, Sadhna and Rajesh, who are planning their family, have a healthy baby on their wish list. For Rashi and Vikas who already have a girl, “having a baby boy as their second child will not just be a mark of completion to our family but will also keep everybody happy at home.”

“Those who are having a second child after a baby girl are more eager to have a boy and want to try out different methods. But we always tell them to pray for a healthy baby,” says Dr. Rinku Sengupta, gynaecologist.

For some, a baby boy signifies happiness and a ‘complete family’, for others it is important to fulfill family expectations. No matter how ‘open-minded’ or ‘content’ families may appear to be, the desire for a male child drives couple to follow ‘tips’ mindlessly.

According to Dr. Rinku : “There is no medical proof of such studies, so we always discourage our patients to try such methods. Still, we meet couples who are quite adamant to try things like conceiving on a particular day during the ovulation cycle or in a particular position, justifying it with the fact that if there’s no benefit there’s no harm either.”

Where are we going wrong?
Whether such practices cause harm will always remain a matter of debate, a constant tussle between the mind and the heart, the believers and non-believers.

The question is: is the desire for a male child so deep-rooted that it’s still most venerated by all? The question becomes all the more consequential for countries such as India, where skewed sex ratios tell a darker story – female infanticide.

There cannot be a worse plight for a nation where the Prime Minister himself has to come forward with an urge to save the girl child and Dr. Manmohan Singh recently did that calling it “national shame” for a country that’s riding high on economic prosperity.

So when Meenakshi, a young mother, out the many that we had already spoken to, stated her wish to have a baby girl, even after having one already, it felt that all was not lost. Hope exists. Of course, the battle will only be won when more and more Meenakshis are born.

How to boost your energy?

Energy, like the Biblical grain of mustard seed, will move mountains,” so said Hosea Ballou, the famous theological writer.The most severe limiting factors when you are working towards a better life is your level of energy. But, it is easy to reduce the number of times you feel too tired to accomplish your goals. All you need to do is...

Ways to reduce fatigue

Try to schedule playful breaks into your workday – listen to a favourite song, plan a fun weekend or evening, browse through your favourite catalogue, fantasise about your next vacation, play with a puzzle or toy, call your best friend, do something that you enjoy or love to do... The list is endless. The point is, what you do should revitalise you.

Eating a light lunch dominated by protein ensures afternoon vigour and helps boost your energy level. Drink plenty of water – at least eight glasses a day. Fill your diet with plenty of grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. They are a good source of nutrients and energy.

Laugh a lot. A hearty laugh stimulates the release of chemicals in the brain that increase well-being.

Exercise briskly at least three times a week, for twenty minutes each session. Find a healthy pickme-up that provides needed sugar to your system midafternoon when most people’s blood sugar drops.

Make sure you do enough deep breathing during the day to keep sufficient oxygen in your blood. Three or four times during the day, take eight deep breaths and hold each one for a long time. Continue the deep breathing if you notice a difference in your energy level. If you get tired in the late afternoon, take a refreshing nap. It will relax your mind and body.

Try to get the right amount of sleep – you know you’re on track when you can beat the need for an alarm clock to wake you up.

Finally, a pill to cure common cold

Got a cold? Now, you can get rid of it by simply popping a pill. Scientists have long grappled for ways to cure common cold. Now, an international team has developed a drug which it claims can be effective against bugs that cause half of colds in adults and almost all colds in children.

According to researchers in UK, the cold-busting pill known as BTA798 could be used to clear up sniffles in healthy people and prevent any kind of life-threatening infections in asthma and cystic fibrosis sufferers.

In fact, the drug works by latching on to cold-causing HRV, preventing them from breaking into the body’s cells and causing infection. In a double-pronged attack, it also stops any infection from spreading, the Daily Mail reported.

In laboratory tests, the drug killed large quantities of cold virus within a couple of hours. And, trials on British volunteers have started to determine whether it could prevent people from catching a cold. If successful, the drug could hit the markets in five years’ time.

Want to live a long life? Run

People who want to live a long and healthy life might want to take up running. A study published on Monday shows middle-aged members of a runner’s club were half as likely to die over a 20-year period as people who did not run.Running reduced the risk not only of heart disease, but of cancer and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, researchers at Stanford University in California found.

"At 19 years, 15 percent of runners had died compared with 34 percent of controls," Dr. Eliza Chakravarty and colleagues wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Any type of vigorous exercise will likely do the trick, said Stanford’s Dr. James Fries, who worked on the study.

"Both common sense and background science support the idea that there is nothing magical about running per se," Fries said in a telephone interview. "It is the regular physical vigorous activity that is important."

The team surveyed 284 members of a nationwide running club and 156 similar, healthy people as controls. They all came from the university’s faculty and staff and had similar social and economic backgrounds, and all were 50 or older.

Starting in 1984, each volunteer filled out an annual survey on exercise frequency, weight and disability for eight activities -- rising, dressing and grooming, hygiene, eating, walking, reach, hand grip and routine physical activities.

Most of the volunteers did some exercise, but runners exercised as much as 200 minutes a week, compared to 20 minutes for the non-runners.

At the beginning, the runners were leaner and less likely to smoke compared with the controls. And they exercised more over the whole study period in general.

"Over time, all groups decreased running activity, but the runners groups continued to accumulate more minutes per week of vigorous activity of all kinds," the researchers wrote.

"Members of the running groups had significantly lower mean disability levels at all time points," they added.

The team also set out to answer whether taking up running late in life would benefit, and whether people who stopped exercising began to pay a price as they aged.

Most of the runners have stopped running as they reached their 70s, Fries said. But it was difficult to find people who totally stopped exercising. "Almost all of them did something else. They continued their vigorous exercise," he said.

People who took up exercise when they were older also improved their health, he said.

The study also showed that people cannot use the risk of injury as an excuse not to run -- the runners had fewer injuries of all kinds, including to their knees.

Fit and fat: Study shows it's possible

It may be possible to be both fat and healthy, researchers reported on Monday, for at least half of overweight adults, and close to a third of obese men and women, have normal blood pressure, cholesterol and other measures of heart health.And being lean does not necessarily protect people, either. Close to a quarter of normal-weight U.S. adults in one study had risk factors for heart disease or diabetes.

"We really don’t know as much about obesity as we think we do," Judith Wylie-Rosett of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, who oversaw the study, said in a telephone interview.

"A considerable proportion of overweight and obese U.S. adults are metabolically healthy, whereas a considerable proportion of normal-weight adults express a clustering of cardiometabolic abnormalities," Wylie-Rosett and Rachel Wildman and colleagues wrote in their report, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

Wylie-Rosett’s team looked at data on 5,440 men and women who were examined and filled out questionnaires for the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys between 1999 and 2004. Most did not exercise very much.

They found just over 51 percent of those who were overweight, and 31.7 percent of those who were obese, had healthy levels of cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and other measures linked to heart disease.

These measures have been shown in many other studies to predict heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and other heart disease, although this particular study did not look at whether people suffered any of these problems.

OBESE YET HEALTHY

More than 23 percent of those who were at a healthy weight, as measured by body mass index, had two or more unhealthy readings, the researchers found.

"Our study shows you can still be healthy even if you are obese," Wylie-Rosett said.

Her team did not look at people’s diets, but she believes the location of body fat is as important as how much there is. Many studies have shown that having visceral fat, in and among the internal organs, may be more dangerous than having fat thighs or buttocks.

But when Wylie-Rosett’s team measured waist circumference, a common way to estimate visceral fat, more than 36 percent of the obese people with what should have been dangerously large waists had healthy blood test results.

A second study suggested that the liver may be the key.

Dr. Norbert Stefan and colleagues at the University of Tubingen in Germany closely examined 314 people, using magnetic resonance imaging to look at precisely how much body fat they had and where it was.

They also found that obese men and women could have healthy hearts and arteries and suggested that having fat on the liver may be what makes the difference.

"Altogether, 10 percent of the study population and 25 percent of the obese subjects had a high insulin sensitivity phenotype or ’metabolically benign obesity,’" they wrote in their Archives report.

"Our data suggest that ectopic fat accumulation in the liver may be more important than visceral fat in the determination of such a beneficial phenotype in obesity," they wrote.

"That’s an area that we are very intrigued with as well," Wylie-Rosett said," adding: "If you start stuffing people with calories, it is very much like making pate from goose liver."

Geese are often force-fed to make their livers fatty and thus more suitable for pate-making.

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

Now, a 'wine' drug for fatal diseases

A drug that fights aging and halts the onset of diabetes, cancer and heart disease, may hit market shelves in another five years, claim researchers.According to scientists, the magical drug can be used to prevent Alzheimer’s and can also reinvigorate patients giving them more stamina. The drug is made up of chemicals that mimic resveratrol, a compound which is found in the skin of red grapes.

Earlier studies have shown that resveratrol cuts the impact of a high-fat diet, doubles stamina and extends lifespan in mice.
However, to get the same benefits, a human would have to drink around 1,000 bottles of wine.

Now, Sirtris, a pharmaceutical firm has developed a pill based on two chemicals that act in the same way. In one study on mice, which was published last year, the drug was found to undo diabetes’ symptoms.

The first clinical trials on humans are now under way and the developers believe it could also help prevent diseases including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. “The excitement here is that we’re not talking about red wine any more. We’re talking about real drugs. We will make a drug to treat one disease but it will, as an added bonus, protect you against most of the other diseases of the Western world. One of the drawbacks of resveratrol is that the doses need to be large,” The Daily Mail quoted David Sinclair, co-founder of Sirtris, as saying.

“Now this paper says you can reduce it into a little pill taken once a day. The chance of success in humans is estimated at 80 to 90 per cent,” he added. David’s researchers have tested around 500,000 molecules to find those that would have the same effect as resveratrol on genes known

Soaring inflation likely to hit India's power projects

To achieve the power generation targets fixed in the 11th Plan period, the government may have to revise the investment in power projects in view of 25 per cent rise in prices of key input materials including cement, steel, aluminum, copper and zinc over last two years, an ASSOCHAM Eco Pulse (AEP) Study has revealed.

With WPI based inflation rate hovering close to 12 per cent and expected to be in double digits for quite some time, the proposed power projects in India could take a hit from increased cost of inputs and a recent down-turn in the core infrastructure industrial productivity, according to AEP Study on “Impact of Inflation on the Power Projects”.

“The Planning Commission has estimated the fund requirement of Rs. 4,10,897 crore for the likely capacity addition of 68,869 MW during the 11th plan. However, considering the recent trends in inflation, this amount is now seen as substantially low. Therefore, there should be an upward revision for the funds to be invested in the power sector to ensure that 11th Five Year plan targets are met”, said Mr. Sajjan Jindal, President, ASSOCHAM.

The key input requirement includes Cement, Steel, Aluminium, Copper and Zinc. The weighted cost of these key input materials for the power sector in the 11th plan has seen an increase of 25 per cent over the last two years.

Steel and Cement being the most vital inputs for the planned capacity addition with a total requirement of 45.88 million tonnes, constituting almost 95 per cent of the total key input requirements, the rise in their prices may largely impact the costs of the power projects under construction. Between the period June 2006 to June 2008, the WPI for Cement and Iron & Steel has increased by 30.63 per cent and 11.73 per cent respectively.

Impacting the project cost significantly, the WPI for Aluminium, Copper and Zinc has also risen tremendously over the last two years. The prices for Aluminium and Zinc have increased by 17.75 per cent and 45.82 per cent respectively while the WPI for Copper has almost doubled. It has gone up by 99.08 per cent over last two years.

TOTAL REQUIREMENT & INFLATION IN VARIOUS INPUTS FOR
CAPACITY ADDITION PLANNED DURING 11TH PLAN (2007-2012)
Input 11th Plan
requirement
(in million tonnes) Proportion to
total input requirement % change in
WPI
(June 2006-08)
Cement 30.63 63.23 30.63
Steel 15.25 31.48 11.73
Aluminium 1.6 3.30 17.76
Copper 0.81 1.67 99.08
Zinc 0.15 0.31 45.82
Total 48.44 100

The project cost of the power plants might also see a big upsurge because of rapidly rising fuel costs in the recent times. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for Fuel, power, light and lubricant with 14.23 per cent weight in WPI, consisting of key inputs for power generation like coal, gas and oil, grew much faster than the over-all WPI. The over-all WPI growth for the first six months of 2008 stood at 9.41 per cent while the WPI for Fuel, power, light and lubricant registered a staggering sharp rise of 12.53 per cent.

The declining growth rate of the six core infrastructure industries with a combined weight of 26.7 per cent in the index of industrial production (IIP) could also pose problems for the power projects. The core infrastructure industries providing major inputs for the power plants like cement, finished steel, coal, electricity have witnessed major slow-down in the growth rate for the first five months of 2008.

The growth rate of index for six core infrastructure industries has gone down considerably; the five monthly average growth rate for the six core infrastructure industries for 2008 is recorded at below 6 per cent level (5.92) while for the corresponding period in 2007 it was above 8 per cent (8.02).

This significant downturn in the industrial activity may also hamper the pace of power projects in India. On one hand it would dampen the supply of these key inputs for power projects and on another it may put further inflationary pressure on the prices of these inputs. The penultimate effect will be further escalation in cost of the power projects.

Bye cotton! Scientists make new material for garments

Here comes a big challenge to cotton as a fabric! Scientists have discovered a new material which can replace cotton in garments. Scientists have developed a new carbon nanotube-based material that is much stronger than traditional cotton fibres, and can be used in making garments.

According to a paper published in Physical Review Letters, a new material called porous colossal carbon tubes (CCTs) shows all the characteristics that could make it suitable for clothing and a possible replacement of cotton.

Compared to traditional carbon nanotubes (CNTs), these colossal carbon tubes have a much bigger size, in diametre and length. The walls of the colossal tubes are composed of macroscopic rectangular columnar pores and exhibit an ultra low density comparable to that of carbon nanofoams.

The scientists said that the created CCTs have a unique architecture with rectangular macropores across the tube walls and layered crystal structures in the solid walls.

The structure provides several interesting characteristics, such as ultralight weight, extremely high strength, excellent ductility, and high conductivity.

The researchers claim that the material has excellent electrical features, but the mechanics make these colossal carbon tubes especially interesting.

The researchers claim that material is 15 times stronger than the strongest carbon fiber currently known (T1000). The material also revealed 30 times the tenacity of Kevlar and 224 times of individual cotton fibers.

Under stress, the material can deform and can deal with a 3% strain before fracture occurs.

The scientists believe that the similarity to cotton fibres in terms of size are close enough to use conventional textile technologies to create CCT fabrics that are much stronger than any current fabrics.

The scientists also envision self-healing composite structures, medical devices to deliver/release multiple drugs simultaneously, and micro-electromechanical systems as possible application areas for the material.

Reliance to invest $23 m for work on Cauvery asset

Reliance Industries plans to invest about $22.75 million for work on its discovered deepwater Cauvery asset. The company, in its appraisal programme submitted to the block management panel, has proposed to drill more wells — one each in the ‘firm’ category and the ‘to mature’ segment.

Official sources told Business Line that the management committee of the block CY-DWN-2001/2 (CY-D5) has met already and the final approvals were awaited.

The appraisal programme enables the committee to review the discovery and assess its commerciality. It is prepared and submitted by the contractor within a stipulated time frame, outlining a work programme and a budget to carry out the work in the block.

The programme is submitted to the block management committee.

The management committee comprises nominees of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons and the Government apart from the contractors’ representative. The proposal envisages RIL drilling a well under the ‘firm category’, involving a cost of about $14.45 million. The firm category is a commitment by the contractor to drill a well for appraisal of the discovery.

Subsequently, based on the results of the ‘firm’ category, the contractor carries out activities under the ‘to mature’ segment by drilling one or two more wells. The company plans to invest $8.3 million to undertake activities in the second category, sources added.

RIL had drilled three wells in the block and struck hydrocarbon in one. Based on the appraisal programme, there are plans to drill more wells in the area once the deepwater rigs are available, sources said. Currently, the company has deployed six rigs in the K–G basin.

In October 2007, RIL had re-entered the asset to carve out the third well, but without much luck. The company has struck hydrocarbon in the first well drilled in the block and had to abandon the second well due to a technical snag.

The find in the first well showed there were two zones. In the first zone, according to the initial tests, RIL has found 550 barrels a day of oil and one million cubic ft a day of gas, while in the second zone it found 31 million cubic ft a day of gas and 1,200 barrels a day of condensate.

The block is 14,325 sq km in size. CY-D5 is a NELP-III block. RIL holds 100 per cent interest in the block.

Fertiliser shares find buyers on new urea investment policy

With the long-awaited new urea investment policy finally coming into place, fertiliser companies have more than one reason to smile, and which is clearly reflected in their share prices. The policy is expected to encourage fresh investments into the sector, leading to capacity expansion. It would also boost the flagging urea production, reducing the country’s dependence on imports.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a new fertilizer policy which is long term, realistic and farmer friendly," said Shruti Bhargava, analyst at Networth Stock Broking.

The new policy aims at attracting investments in the urea sector by resumption and expansion of existing units to meet the set target of 40 mn of urea by 2012. This includes reviving eight units of Fertilizer Corporation of India and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation.

At present, India produces 21 mn tonne of urea as against the rising demand of 27-28 mn tonne, which it has been filling through imports.

Under the new norms, the international price-parity formula for domestic urea manufacturers would be adopted for calculation of subsidy and cost of production. Existing units producing additional urea will get an import parity price of 85 per cent in the price band of $250-425 a tonne while that for expanding units it would be 90 per cent.

Analysts expect Tata Chemicals and Chambal Fertilisers to gain the most from the policy as the two have already initiated debottlenecking plans.

"Tata Chemicals’ new additional 0.2 mtpa capacity is coming onstream by October 2008 and Chambal Fertilizers’ new additional 0.14 mtpa capacity will come onstream by April 2009. Post expansion, Tata Chemicals’ capacity would be 1.06 mtpa, up from the current 0.86 mtpa and Chambal Fertilizers’ capacity would be 1.87 mtpa, up from 1.73 mtpa," said Bhargava of Networth.

Shares of fertilizer companies have been in the limelight since Friday after the new policy was announced. On Monday, RCF soared 3.78 per cent to Rs 71.40, Coromandel Fertilizers climbed 2 per cent to Rs 175, Chambal Fertilizers gained 1.47 per cent to Rs 82.75, Tata Chemicals was trading flat at Rs 348 after touching a high of Rs 361.

According to the policy, fertilizer producers will be given subsidy at Rs 8,000 crore per month from September 2008 onwards till February 2009. Till July 2008, the government has paid about Rs 28,000 crore towards fertilizer subsidy. The fertilizer ministry expects the amount to be mostly paid in cash and not more than 10 per cent will be issued as fertilizer bonds. Also, they also expect the subsidy to be borne fully by the government as it is an open-ended one.

The new policy states that the Department of Fertilizers will maintain a buffer stock of 3.5 lakh tonne of diammonium phosphate and 1 lakh tonne of mono ammonium phosphates as contingency. An outlay of Rs 429.85 crore was approved for launching a scheme for promoting the balanced use of fertilizers.

The government has also included two fertilizers-Triple Super Phosphate and Ammonium Sulphate-which will get 25 per cent subsidy on delivered cost under the concession scheme and fixed their maximum retail prices at Rs 7,450 a tonne and Rs 10,350 a tonne, respectively.

Triple Super Phosphate, being a cheaper substitute for diammonium phosphate, will provide access to alternative supply of phosphatic fertilizers, expanding the basket of phosphatic fertilizers.

"With this move, the government expects to save Rs 1,163 crore on its subsidy bill of Rs 95,000 crore, which is positive for all complex fertilizer manufacturing companies like Tata Chemicals, Coromandel Fertilizers, RCF and Zuari Industries," Bhargava added.

The incentive on import savings will be in ratio of 65:35 for the importer, which means if the importer is contracting at a price lower than the industry average, he will be eligible for 65 per cent of the difference between the higher industry average and the lower contracting price. The remaining 35 per cent would go to the government. This will encourage the industry to seek long-term import of fertilizers at lower prices.

Analysts expect the new policy to add 60-70 per cent to margins for large and efficient gas-based urea makers, even as low investments are needed to revamp or expand existing units. Realisations may also go up for cash-starved fertilizer firms.

Seducing the senses

You can touch my hair and kiss me everywhere... Does it sound too clichéd or rather boring way to seduce your partner? Are you tired of reading the same old techniques of seduction?

Well, what about going back to the basics? And nothing can be more basic than the five senses - sense of sight, sense of smell, sense of taste, sense of hearing, sense of touch. These can really keep things sizzling hot during sex. Vatsayan would have definitely vouched for that! We get modern day experts to share more on it...

To keep the flames burning in your sex-life, you must fine-tune your seduction skills. With fingers busy, mouths, lips, tongues, noses, and eyes enticed, sensuousness will linger in every move to make you the most desirable man or woman of seduction.

Rita Gangwani, an etiquette expert, shares, “Sometimes we take the senses so much for granted that we don’t really pay attention to them. Working to develop the five senses and focusing on them while making love, drawing attention to his/her sensuousness will not only enhance your own pleasure, but will give pleasure to your lover as well.”

Dr. Sanjay Chugh, expert on sexual issues, says, “The seduction tips that one can employ also depends on ‘overall’ quality of the couple’s relationship. If there is a healthy emotional and psychological bond between the two, the chances of a good sex life is high. And in case, if one incorporates a few out-of-the-box techniques, then it’s definitely some icing on the cake!”

Psychiatrist Dr. Samir Parikh supports, “Couples need to keep trying to make things work for them but the key is not just trying new things, its more to be attuned to each others likes, fantasies and pleasures so that a mutually satisfying relationship could result. They can try various permutations and combinations of these seduction ways on their personalities.”

On how these five senses work towards stimulating the libido of male/female partner, Dr. Parikh explains, “Most of these factors (senses) have an association in our mind, so they act as a conditioned stimulus, and can help creating the atmosphere. But the key would be the mutuality and the quality of the non-sexual life would have its direct impact on the sexual life.”

Rita adds, “One must be aware to the fact that human body is bristling with sensory receptors - God’s gift to humankind - it’s up to us to responsibly enjoy it. One must give body the permission to celebrate what’s inside; celebrate it with oneself, and with the partner. We must take time to really learn the subtle but very powerful art of seducing the opposite sex using all five senses.”

These are simple yet extremely seductive ways.

India Car Sales Fall for First Time Since 2005 on Loan Rates

India’s passenger car sales declined for the first time in more than two and a half years as higher interest rates and accelerating inflation damped demand at Tata Motors Ltd. and Honda Motor Co.

Sales in July fell 1.7 percent to 87,724 from 89,250 a year earlier, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement today. That was the first monthly decline since November, 2005, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

A surge in gasoline prices has helped push inflation to the fastest pace in 13 years, forcing the central bank to raise interest rates to the highest in seven years, squeezing consumers. The slowing growth may risk a government target of tripling car sales to 3 million vehicles annually by 2015.

``Higher interest rates are hurting demand,’’ said Vaishali Jajoo, a Mumbai-based analyst at Angel Broking Ltd. ``Sales will slow down further in the next six months and we may end the year with just single-digit growth.’’

India’s central bank on July 29 raised its benchmark rate for the third time in two months to slow inflation. Consumers now pay more than 12 percent interest on auto loans compared with about 7 percent in 2003. More than half of the vehicles sold in India are bought on credit.

A decline in the stock market, with the benchmark headed for its first annual drop in seven years, is also hurting demand. The 14-member BSE Auto Index has slid 29 percent this year.

Maruti, Hyundai

Seven of the 13 carmakers in India posted declines during the month, according to the statement. Sales at Tata Motors, India’s third-largest carmaker, dropped 8.9 percent to 12,012 while Honda, the fourth-largest fell 7 percent to 4,006.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., maker of half the cars in the country, posted a 1.5 percent gain in sales at 45,757, the statement said. Hyundai Motor Co.’s India unit, the country’s second-largest carmaker, boosted sales 0.5 percent to 15,061.

Car sales in India, Asia’s fourth-largest auto market, grew 12 percent in the year ended March 31 to a record 1.2 million vehicles, slower than the 22 percent pace a year earlier, according to the Society, a group of all carmakers in the country.

``High fuel costs, interest rates and rising raw material input costs are challenges,’’ Dilip Chenoy, the director general of the group, told reporters in New Delhi today.

Chaturvedi Panel for sharp increase in petrol prices

Petrol and diesel prices will rise every month while subsidised domestic cooking gas to households will be gradually phased out if recommendations of the high-powered B K Chaturvedi Committee are implemented.

The panel headed by Planning Commission member B K Chaturvedi has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise petrol prices by Rs 2.50 a litre per month till March 2009 and diesel prices by Rs 0.75 per litre till 2010 to eliminate subsidies on the two fuels.

The Committee suggested restricting LPG cylinders sold at subsidised rates to six per connection in a year and phasing it out over a three-year period.

The three-member panel, that was asked by the Prime Minister to go into the financial position of oil firms, also suggested levying a ’Metro Extra’ tax of Rs 2 per litre on diesel, in four instalments in large cities, as the fuel was being used in expensive cars.

The eleven cities where the ’Metro Extra’ tax would be levied are National Capital Territory of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Pune, Surat and Agra.

It also suggested temporary reduction in excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 a litre from Rs 13.75.

While suggesting a Special Oil Tax on crude produced from fields awarded prior to the advent of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) in 1999, the panel disfavoured any Super Profit or Windfall Profit Tax on private refiners like Reliance Industries.

"It is appropriate in our view that the Indian refining industry, which has world-sized companies, be placed on par with the international refining business," the report said.

Mind set: Ultimate meditation

Peace can sometimes be so far away and inner bliss, even farther away. To attain peace, spend some real quality time by going within and you will find the sense of peace that lies within. Visit the place where inner bliss dwells and waits patiently for your return.

Let yourself unwind and compose yourself for a few precious moments of peace. Remember that your mind is much more far-reaching than your physical brain. Your mind, as consciousness, is non-physical, while your brain is just the physical translator of your consciousness. Your mind, therefore, always has the ability to tell your brain: “Shsh! It’s meditation time!”

Focus your mind away from the clutter of day-to-day living and turn your attention inwards to the peaceful core of your inner being. Then think of the deepest possible state of consciousness. And what could that state be? It is the state of consciousness known as infinite being. The word infinite reflects the idea of ultimate, while the word being refers to a state of awareness, rather than a doing activity. Infinite being is infinite consciousness without a focus upon any specific activity. Infinite being doesn’t have to do anything, it already is everything.

It is important to appreciate that the state of infinite being is not ‘out there’ somewhere external to us. Infinite being encompasses all consciousness, including all manifestation. We are that consciousness, as is everything else in existence. In meditation practices, affirmations are often used to focus the mind. By simply repeating the words “I am”, you affirm your true nature as consciousness. In the case of infinite being meditation, we affirm our innermost identity as the ultimate, infinite consciousness.

The affirmation ‘I am infinite being’ is the most powerful affirmation possible within the English language. The phrase ‘I am infinite being’ is an affirmation of your oneness with the ultimate potential, the source of all life, the consciousness from which all life sprang. You are one with that universal consciousness. Everything in manifestation is one with that universal consciousness. Now is the time to consciously affirm your ultimate potential. It may take courage to begin with, but the results are more than worth the effort.

If you find issues arising, such as a feeling of unworthiness in your alignment with the all that is, with infinite being, just let those thoughts go, then gently bring your mind back into focus upon the affirmation. You do not have to justify the words, or settle any internal argument about them, just because of some prior conditioning as to how someone said you ‘should’ think in this life. Think independently, think infinitely, and you will connect with the consciousness of your ultimate potential

Have the inner discipline to stay with the affirmation and let any issues fade away unchallenged. Your inner self knows the meaning of the words and resonates in joy with their exact and literal truth. Every time you make this affirmation, you become more connected with infinite being. Any lesser thoughts are then healed within the light of greater truth. Find a quiet space to sit down for a few minutes, close your eyes, and start looking for the quiet space within. To keep your brain occupied with the task at hand, focus your attention on the even flow of your breath as it passes in and out of your nostrils.

As you breathe each in-breath, mentally repeat the affirmation ‘I am infinite being’. On the out-breath, simply allow your attention to follow the flow of air from your nostrils. To induce an immediate calming effect, allow each out-breath to take longer than each in-breath .

Life energy, also known as etheric energy, is conditioned primarily within the human spinal column. From there, it is distributed to the rest of the body via the subtle nervous system. Most key functions in the human body owe their operation primarily to the supply of etheric life energy, rather than to the supply of electrical energy. Etheric energy, like consciousness, is nonphysical and yet it is behind all life.

To help enhance the natural flow of life energy within your spine while performing this meditation, it is preferable to sit upright in an erect chair. As you progress with this meditation, the natural flow of life energy within your spine will become enhanced, bringing an enlivened awareness to your consciousness.

When distracting thoughts arise — which they will — treat them with patience and understanding. Put each distracting thought aside so that you can continue with the infinite being meditation. If a thought seems important or urgent, then it will be sure to return later, after your meditation session has finished.

There are a number of ways to enhance your meditation experience. One is to reserve a small space, such as the corner of a quiet room, where only meditation is conducted. That space then becomes more conducive to a meditation environment. A small table or surface can be covered with items that you connect with spiritual practice. Candles and incense are especially useful as they provide some initial focus for the senses.

It also helps to always use the same chair, one that is constructed of a nonmetallic material. Metal chairs attract etheric life energy away from you, which is great for the chair, but not so good for the meditation session. A small clock completes your setting, and clean, light clothing, reserved especially for meditation, further enhances the atmosphere. A shower or bath before meditation is very valuable, as water is a powerful cleanser. If, for example, you have just come home from a hectic day at work, then your energy body will be filled with the distractions of the day, stored in etheric energy form.

The water not only cleanses you of physical impurities, but also the etheric energy impurities that do not belong in your energy body. The reason that water is such an effective energy cleanser lies in its chemical composition. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. The greater role of oxygen is to carry lifegiving, etheric energy.

The best investment of your time each day is to spend 20 minutes in meditation. Make the time for this to happen. Make it the day’s first priority. The easiest habit to adopt is one which makes up the first activity of the day. Making it a routine will also reinforce the effects of the meditation.

(Writer has authored ‘The Shift: The Revolution in Human Consciousness’)

Google resolves Gmail access problems

Google Inc said on Monday it has resolved an issue with its contacts system that caused many users of its Gmail service to have trouble accessing their online e-mail.

The problems began at about 2100 GMT, or 1400 PST, and an announcement on the company’s Gmail "Help Center" site said the the issue is now resolved.

Google said an outage in the contacts system used by Gmail prevented the e-mail system from loading properly. The company also said that there may be minor delays in deliveries even though all mail is safe.

Users across the United States, Canada and India reported problems with Gmail and a Google employee also reported that the company’s own corporate e-mail account was down.