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64 th Republic Day Celebrations 2013 Republic Day represents the true spirit of the independent India. Military parades, displays of military equipment and the national flag are important symbols on this date. This year in 2013 we are celebrating 64th anniversary of our Republic Day to commemorate the date and moment when the Constitution of India came into effect. Although India attained independence on August 15, 1947 but till 1949 it didn't have a permanent constitution of its own and instead were functioning under the laws enacted and implemented by the British. And after many amendments the Constitution was approved and accepted on November 26, 1949 that came into force in a full-fledged fashion from on 26 January, 1950. Thus, Republic Day celebration is the moment to remember the coming of the Constitution into effect. Dr Rajendra Prasad took oath as India's first president at the Durbar Hall in the Government House, followed by a residential drive along a

National Girl Child Day Every child is special, specially the girl child, as she is the one who keeps the cycle of human life going on. Yet, with the March of human kind this glorious gift has suffered culpable neglect and callous cruelty for a very long time despite protests by humanists, thinkers and sages in every country. When this precious gift is not valued and respected and more often than naught is refused to be accepted (female feticide and infanticide) then are we proclaiming that we are not worthy of receiving this invaluable gift. The Government of India in 2008 declared January 24 of every year to be celebrated as the ‘National Girl Child Day’ with the objective of raising consciousness of the society towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected and to address and reverse the trend of declining child sex ratio in the country. Also these initiatives help  to work towards ensuring that girls are born, loved and nurtured and grow up to become empo

15th January this year marks the 138th anniversary day of the foundation of India Meteorological Department (IMD). It was on this momentous day that Mr. H.F.Blanford took charge as the Meteorological Reporter to the Govt. of India. During the past 137 years of its being, IMD has contributed immensely for the development of science of meteorology over the sub-continent. The department has served the cause of safety and well being of Indian population against weather related hazards and to economic development of the country. IMD considers 15th January as an opportune moment to highlight its achievements and pathway for future development. The Foundation Day is celebrated with a view to promote awareness about advancements and new initiatives taken by the department for improving its capabilities & services and to recognize offices & employees who have done excellent work.                                                 With the installation of High Power Computing

Ja n 15, 2013 The Indian Army celebrates its coming of age as Army Day on 15 January every year, commemorating the appointment of Gen. K.M Cariappa (later honoured as Field Marshal) as the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army. Army Day is an appropriate occasion to reflect on the Indian Army as it represents every ethnic group and level of society in India. The Indian Army is the largest component of country’s defence and it has carried out its role with unflinching devotion, often against heavy odds. The Indian Army has fought five high-intensity maximum-force defensive wars, besides continuous engagement in internal security operations to preserve the integrity of the nation against the separatists. Throughout the present socio-economic turmoil, with the attendant collapses in ethics, values, and institutions, the Indian Army has steadfastly held on to its traditions of integrity, patriotism, valour, courage and devotion to duty. In so doing, the Army has re

Makar Sankranti Blowing the Kumbh Conch Makar Sankranti, denoting the transition of the Sun into  Makara  rashi ( Capricorn ) on its celestial path, is celebrated as a festival for countless reasons and in myriad ways depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and location. A Sanskrit  word in  Indian Astrology , Makar Sankranti refers to the transmigration of the Sun from one  Rāshi  to another. Hence there are 12 such sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti. Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in Prayag  on the auspicious occasion of Mahakumbh, over the next 55 days the sangam will see more then 10 crore pilgrims and visitors and pray to the Sun God ( Surya ). It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as  Pongal , and in  Punjab  as  M

National Youth Day By Dr Arvind Kumar 12th January is observed as the National Youth Day to commemorate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, who was born on 12th January 1863. Swami Vivekananda in most of his lecutres and writings devoted plenty of attention on the overall development of youth. He wanted to incite plentiful youth associations, learning surrounds and overhaul assignments concerning the youth. It was in the year 1984 that the Government of India proclaimed that Swami Vivekananda birthday was to be renowned as ‘National Youth Day’ from 1985. The Government of India stated that the allusion ‘the attitude of Swamiji and the principles that he stayed alive and worked could be an enormous source of appreciation for the Indian Youth’. The National Youth Day is celebrated at schools and colleges throughout the country. On this day, the Educational institutions conduct the parades, speeches, narrations, songs, youth conferences, colloquium, Yogasanas, awards, contest in e

Save Food By Dr Arvind Kumar Between 30% and 50% or 1.2-2bn tonnes of food produced around the world ends up as waste every year. This startling revelation is made in a recently published report by the UK's Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME), which attributes this wastage to unnecessarily strict sell-by dates, buy-one-get-one free and Western consumer demand for cosmetically perfect food, along with "poor engineering and agricultural practices", inadequate infrastructure and poor storage facilities. In the wake of United Nations predictions that there could be about an extra 3 billion people to feed by the end of the century and growing pressure on the resources needed to produce food, including land, water and energy, the report calls for urgent action to tackle this waste. The food thus saved could be used to feed the world's growing population – as well as those in hunger today. It also entails the potential to provide 60-100% more food by elimi

Unfair Fare Hike By Dr Arvind Kumar The surprise hike in passenger fares announced by railway minister recently seemes to be a well-concerted move to raise revenue for the railways to avoid such a hike at the time of the railway budget. However, this move has elicited criticism from all segments. It is noteworthy that for almost a decade successive railway ministers have kept basic rail fares untouched. This seems to be an ill-advised move to tone up the dwindling railway finances under surging fuel costs and wage bills. Austerity measures and prevention of internal pilferage of revenue can prove more effective in narrowing down the deficit. Besides, other  avenues  of raising resources need to be explored and any move to hike fare should be avoided at a time when the credibility of the government is already at stake.  Public-private partnership model can be introduced in the Indian railways in feasible areas like ticketing, water and sanitation maintenance facilities at

Societal Transformation Dr Arvind Kumar Surge of crowds of protesters dotting the roads leading to India Gate in New Delhi to mourn the tragic death of braveheart girl student who became a prey to gang-rape symbolizes societal awakening. This tragic incident has stirred up an impassioned debate about what the Indian society needs to do to prevent recurrence of such a tragedy. People from almost all walks of life called in one voice for stringent rape laws major police reforms and a transformation in the way the country treats its women. There have been demands for convening a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to increase punishments for rapists — including possible chemical castration — and to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days. Whatever has happened is a sad commentary on lack of good governance. Some commentators have compared the braveheart rape victim to Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian street vendor whose self-immolation set o