Heavy snowfall cuts Kashmir Valley from the rest of the country

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March 11, 2014

Kashmir Valley was cut off from rest of the country due to heavy snowfall, as the arterial Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed while flights to the city airport here could not operate.

Heavy snowfall has been reported from across the Valley with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, also getting nearly one foot of snow since last night.

The snowfall has led to closure of the 294-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all weather road link between the valley and rest of the country, a traffic department official said.

He said the ongoing snowfall was hampering the road clearance operations.

An official of the airport authority of India said no flight has been able to arrive at Srinagar airport since this morning due to the snowfall.

“No flights have been cancelled so far but if it continues to snow, the chances of any flights arriving here are bleak,” he added.

The authorities closed the schools for two days while Kashmir University has postponed all the exams scheduled for the day.

The snowfall and rains since yesterday have affected normal life in the Valley as people preferred to stay indoors.

Many roads of the city including commercial hub of Lal Chowk and Exhibition crossing have been inundated and people are facing difficulty in moving around.

MeT department has forecast rain or snowfall in most parts of Kashmir over the next 24 hours.

Think twice before bringing a pet home

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

Recently scientists have proved that dogs can understand human beings. By placing dogs in an MRI scanner, researchers from Hungary have found that the canine brain reacts to voices in the same manner that the human brain does. Many people had misconceptions that dogs are merely animals and do not posses mental capacity like human beings. People also consider them inferior as they don’t talk or convey messages like humans?

It’s not their fault as they do convey message and emotions through sign languages. All of us are aware that dogs are happy when they wag their tail. When they feel low they are unwell or lazy but that’s not the only aspect we should be knowing. Have you ever tried to communicate with your dogs? Try and speak to them. If you’re too emotional and low try and communicate them about the entire feelings you are undergoing. They might not react in the manner in which you expect them to. But they might lick you to make you calm and feel special.

If you are pleased then dance along with them they might make your ears bleed by barking loud and running inside the home, pulling clothes and breaking household items. They indulge in these acts not because you are playing with them but because they are aware that you are happy.

They rely on us no matter what kind of persons we are because we never allowed dogs cohabit in their own community or race just like lions, tigers, bears, deer’s, panda, zebra do so. There are many other animals besides dogs which are harmless but we do not want them. On the other hand, cats are not trustworthy.

Why should they undergo training? We impart training to them for making our lives easier but they doesn’t derive any benefit out of it and instead become our slaves. We teach them how to attack a person with malicious intentions. Actually there is no need to offer such kind of training as they know who should be attacked and who to be spared. Once they become aware about this they become more cautious in the future. And it’s true and any owner could try this trick at home.

When my friend’s mother was hitting her dog it immediately started barking and tried to jump on her. Her mother became worried as their pet never behaved in this manner.

In the month of February, I came across a news published in a reputed tabloid where A German shepherd and a Labrador were locked in a flat in Nallasopara with little food or water. Later they were rescued on Monday.

It was one of the saddening news. If you cannot take care of pets then don’t bring them at home and torture them. Think twice before bringing a pet home as it not easy to take care of them. It’s similar to taking care of toddlers no matter how old they grow. The difference is they cannot speak and let us know how they feel. If you are mentally and financially prepared then I suggest you should nurture a pet as life is incomplete without them.

7 Hair Care Beliefs that are actually damaging

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Afternoon Voice

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March 11, 2014

So you are all set for your wedding, fixed appointments with your beautician, made your trousseau shopping list and decided your look for the big day. This is the time when everyone you meet is up with some advice for you, either for your outfit, makeup, skin or hair. Especially when it comes to hair care, there are at least a dozen beliefs and tips that every person wants you to follow. But did you know that some of these are actually not true at all, and can in fact damage your hair? Read on, as we bust 7 such popular notions.

#1. More you comb, better it is for hair growth

Regular combing is necessary for tangle-free and healthy looking hair. It also promotes blood circulation in the scalp. So, this belief might have some creditable origins. But if you overdo it, and do not use a wide-toothed comb, there are all the chances that you pull the hair off the follicles making the strands weak. Frequent combing can also irritate the scalp, further damaging the follicles. So, just be gentle and use a wide-toothed comb to untangle hair.

#2. Frequent shampooing prevents oily hair

Hormonal and genetic factors regulate how much oil is produced by our scalp. Shampooing will only cleanse your scalp and hair. It cannot control how much oil is produced. In fact, too much shampooing can leave your hair brittle by sapping it off the natural, essential oil.

#3. Some hair products repair split ends

Split ends are caused by the wear and tear of hair because of rough handling. Another reason is not regularly oiling and cleansing the hair. The only cure for split ends is trimming your hair regularly, and conditioning it well. Experimenting with too many fancy products will not only burn a hole in your pocket, but also make your hair weak.

#4. Frequent trimming helps in hair growth

This is one of the favourite beliefs that many of us hold and pass on. The known fact, however, is that hair grow at the roots, and trimming the edges has no significance whatsoever, on the growth. All regular trimming can do is to make you look well-groomed and your hair well-managed by eliminating split ends. So, go ahead and do get a trim regularly, but only with the intention to look better. As far as hair growth is concerned, everyone’s hair grows about half an inch every month. So as a matter of fact, too much trimming might actually slow down the results you are looking for!

21 years after blast…
Still waiting for compensation

By

Prakash Jha

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March 11, 2014

Even though 21 years have passed ever since the serial bomb blasts rocked Mumbai but the memories of the incident are still fresh in the minds of the blast victim Kirti Ajmera (55) who is yet to receive a single penny as compensation from the government. After the bomb blast tragedy, the state government had announced to pay compensation for the blast victims. However, the tall claims made by the government remains on paper as Kirti Ajmera has to run from pillar to post for claiming the compensation amount.

The serial blast has made Ajmera’s life vulnerable, leaving him with useless arm and a body riddle with glass pieces leading to a hard full pain for him. He had spent more than 20 lakhs rupees for medical treatment.

Talking to AV Kirti Ajmera said, “I am disappointed with the lackadaisical attitude of the state government for failing to provide compensation to me. They only make announcements but fail to implement them. I had to bear the entire cost of my medical expenditure which is yet to be reimbursed by the government.”

Recollecting the promise made by Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi, Kirti Ajmera said, “I was relying on Manohar Joshi to bail me out of this crisis. He promised to offer assistance to me and also had forwarded a letter to the CM. However, he failed to fulfil the promises made by him. I had tried to contact Mr Joshi many times but he never met me.”

Ajmera also alleged that Murli Deora had betrayed him. He said, “I had worked for Murli Deora but when I used to contact him he used to say that he is politician from Delhi and it’s a local problem”.
Politicians like Sanjay Nirupam and Kripashankar Singh too had promised to help him but they backtracked.

He also addressed Sanjay Nirupam and Kripa Shankar Singh as useless politicians and said, “Both Sanjay Nirupam and Kripashankar Singh had assured me that my medical expenses will be reimbursed. However, they too failed to help me.”

Recollecting about incidents which unfolded on the day when bomb blasts occurred Ajmera said, “A bomb blast incident occurred just a few metres away while I was entering the Bombay stock Exchange. Later, I became unconscious and sustained injuries.”

Ajmera considers himself as a lucky person and said, “In an unconscious condition, I was rushed to GT Hospital in taxi. No beds were available there. A patient died while undergoing treatment as I was allotted that bed.”

Ajmera continues to experience unbearable pain even today. He said, “I have undergone more than 45 operations and several glass pieces exist inside my body. The right side of my face was smashed by a large piece of glass and burst my inner ear drum which was removed”.

“I have probably knocked the door of every MLA and MP but no one is willing to help me. I won’t relax until the government reimburses the 20 lakh amount incurred by me on my medical expenditure” added Ajmera.

HC stops four RTOs in Maha from doing ‘fitness’ tests on cars

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 10, 2014

The Bombay High Court restrained four Regional Transport Offices in Maharashtra from issuing fitness certificates to four wheelers, saying they were not fully equipped to conduct the mandatory tests required under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Out of the total 49 RTOs in the state, RTOs in Latur, Nashik, Pune and Mumbai Central were prohibited from conducting mandatory tests and issuing fitness certificates on the ground that they were ill-equipped and had not complied with the order of the court issued on February 28.

The court had passed orders on February 28 asking all 49 RTOs in Maharashtra to provide the necessary infrastructure required to carry out the tests. If such condition was not complied with by March 10, the RTOs were warned that they would be restrained from issuing fitness certificates.

The government filed an affidavit admitting these four RTOs do not have the necessary facilities for conducting the tests.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, it is mandatory for the RTOs to have 400 metres road track for testing. The vehicles are made to run at a speed of 40 kms per hour and asked to apply brakes suddenly. By doing this, the authorities find out at what distance the vehicles stop after applying brakes.

The four RTOs, which have been banned from issuing fitness certificates, have just 250 metres-long road tracks for carrying out the brake test.

It is also a mandatory rule under the Act to make the headlight beam adjustment with a machine so that the light does not fall on the face of the driver coming from the opposite side. Even this condition was not complied with by the four RTOs.

The government said in the affidavit that they had been able to procure only 12 headlight beam machines because there was a shortage of such equipment at all India level. Such machines would be required in all the 49 RTOs.

The bench today indicated that in respect of other RTOs (besides the four banned today) it would pass a detailed order on next Wednesday (March 19).

The court was hearing a PIL filed by activist Srikant Karve seeking a direction to RTOs to follow the Motor Vehicles Act.

MNS’ support for Narendra Modi’s PM bid immaterial, says Ramdas Athawale

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Afternoon Voice

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March 10, 2014

RPI (A) leader Ramdas Athawale downplayed MNS’ endorsement of Narendra Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of BJP and said Raj Thackeray’s support for Modi is immaterial.

“BJP does not need support of MNS for Modi’s PM bid. We know how MNS is going to perform in elections this time and the issue of Raj’s support to Modi does not arise at all,” said Athawale.

He was reacting to MNS chief’s support to the BJP’s PM nominee at a function held in Mumbai.

Raj had also released his first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. MNS has fielded candidates mainly against the Shiv Sena nominees in a bid to scuttle the prospects of Uddhav Thackeray-led party in upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Athawale, whose party is one of the constituents of ‘Mahayuti’, the grand alliance of Sena, BJP and other outfits, said by backing Modi, Raj Thackeray wanted to create a rift between Shiv Sena and BJP.

“Till recently, Raj was opposing Modi as PM candidate…What made him change his mind is interesting to know,” the Dalit leader said.
In his reply to a query whether NCP chief Sharad Pawar was behind MNS’ move to contest Lok Sabha elections so as to damage NDA’s prospects, Athawale said, “Only time could tell”.

On the damage caused to crop of farmers by recent hailstorm in the state, Athawale said both the Centre and state governments should rush to the aid of farmers.

Athawale today led a morcha of locals demanding arrest of killers of a teenage girl Priyanka Mazmule, who was allegedly murdered and her body dumped on railway tracks recently.

The locals have accused police of conducting a shoddy investigation and took out the morcha to district collectorate.

Bullion traders observe bandh to protest against government policies

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 10, 2014

The nation-wide bandh called on Monday by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA) against the government policies was successful as 90% traders in Maharashtra joined the strike, IBJA claimed.
“Our call for bandh today to protest against the government policies was successful as nearly 90% bullion traders in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Kolkata observed bandh,” IBJA president Mohit Kamboj said. Except big retailers, almost all wholesalers and manufacturers joined the strike, he said.

IBJA called for a strike Monday to protest “harassment” of bullion dealers and jewellers by various government agencies. “This harassment has impacted the overall morale of the gems and jewellery business very badly,” he said. The country’s gold jewellery exports slipped by 44.42% at Rs.33,178 crore during April 2013 to January 2014 period following curbs imposed by the government on the trade. The country exported gold jewellery worth Rs.61,843 crore in the corresponding period April 2012 to January 2013.
The government is fighting to reduce its current account deficit (CAD), has brought in measures to restrict imports of gold, its second-biggest import item by value after oil.

“We urge the government to keep import duties on gold low to eliminate smuggling and immediately remove the 80:20 rule while allowing consignment gold imports to ensure fair open market controlled business. We also urge them to keep import duties on ready finished imports moderately high to protect Indian industry,” he said.

“Unfair norms have been a matter of concern for all the jewellers across India. Many policies implemented by the government have been very disappointing and demoralising for the gold jewellery exporters. Recently, many such cases of harassment have been reported not only from customs at the airport, but even from jeweller’s establishments as well,” IBJA said.

According to Kamboj, there is no gold available for exporters in the current scenario due to the government policies.

Contesting LS polls a matter of survival for MNS: Chavan

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 10, 2014

A day after MNS chief Raj Thackeray endorsed BJP’s PM nominee Narendra Modi and announced his party’s decision to contest Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said MNS entered the electoral fray because its political survival is at stake.

“It’s a question of their (MNS’) survival, because of which they had to take the decision on contesting Lok Sabha polls,” Chavan told reporters.

Raj Thackeray yesterday announced MNS’ support for the BJP’s PM nominee and also released first list of party candidates for Lok Sabha polls.

“It would have been surprising had MNS not contested Lok Sabha elections,” Chavan said.
When asked if Raj Thackeray’s move would benefit ruling Congress-NCP combine alike in 2009, Chavan refused to comment.

Political circles are abuzz with speculation whether MNS’ entry into the poll fray will ensure the 2009 encore when the then fledgling outfit ate into Shiv Sena-BJP combine’s votes in six parliamentary constituencies of Mumbai and at other seats as well, largely benefiting Congress and NCP.

State unit Congress president Manikrao Thakre snubbed Raj, saying “both Shiv Sena and MNS are same.
Their ideologies do not differ from each other. We are stronger in Maharashtra and will remain number one here”.

AAP rejects Prakash Ambedkar’s offer of potential alliance

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 10, 2014

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rejected the offer of Prakash Ambedkar-led Maharashtra Democratic Front (MDF) for a potential alliance.

The MDF had sent a letter to AAP on March 6 regarding the alliance.

AAP communicated to Ambedkar that its policy at the national level is against entering into alliance or understanding with any party.

“AAP is of the view that Sena-BJP, Congress-NCP and MNS need to be opposed. AAP has completed the process of announcement of its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. But, it is possible that the party could decide not to contest the Akola seat,” AAP said in its reply, a copy of which was made available to the media.

Meanwhile, MPCC president Manikrao Thakre said that Congress has offered Akola to Ambedkar, to which he is yet to respond.

“We have written to Ambedkar offering him the Akola constituency with our support and are awaiting his response,” he added.

Three sailors on hunger strike on abandoned ship rescued

By

Afternoon Voice

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March 10, 2014

Three crew members of a merchant ship have been airlifted by the Mumbai coast guard for medical treatment. The three crew members had been on a hunger strike after the vessel was abandoned by its owner.

The ship has remained anchored off the Mumbai coast since January 2014 and the crew have not been paid their dues since September2013.

The three crew members went on a hunger strike in protest, following which the Coast Guard was called in on Monday after their condition became critical.