Claimed to be the world's premier student technology competition,
Imagine Cup, now in its fifth year, has grown to be a global event. In
2007, more than 100,000 students from 100 countries entered the Imagine
Cup competition. The theme of the Imagine Cup 2008 "Imagine a world
where technology enables a sustainable environment." Organised by
Microsoft, 213 competitors from 112 teams representing 56 countries
attended the worldwide finals in Seoul, South Korea for the 2007
competition. Finals for 2006 competition were held in India. Check the
details of Imagine Cup 2008 at:
http://imaginecup.com/default.aspx
Dr D.C.Misra
October 24, 2007
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Cyber Quiz: List-132: Top Ten America's Techiest Metro Areas 2007
_______________________________________________________________________
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif (71,426 / 8.3%)
2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va (170,429 / 6.1%)
3. Raleigh-Cary, N.C. (27,020 / 5.3%)
4. Boulder, Colo. (7,925 / 5.2%)
5. Huntsville, Ala. (9,390 / 5.2%)
6. Bloomington-Normal, Ill (4,216 / 5.0%)
7. Trenton-Ewing, N.J.( 8,519 / 4.8%)
8. Austin-Round Rock, Texas (37,206 / 4.8%)
9. Manchester-Nashua, N.H.( 9,814 / 4.5%)
10. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash (75,557 / 4.5%)
_______________________________________________________________________
Note: First figure in parentheses indicates total IT workers and the
second percentage of workforce
[Compiled from U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey]
(Source:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&\
articleId=9039699, October 2, 2007, accessed : October 5, 2007).
Dr D.C.Misra
October 5, 2007
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Top Ten Promising Outsourcing Cities Worldwide 2007
_______________________________________________________________
1. Chennai India
2. Hyderabad India
3. Pune India
4. Cebu City Philippines
5. Kolkata India
6. Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
7. Colombo Sri Lanka
8. Shanghai China
9. Chandigarh India
10. Beijing China
_________________________________________________________________
(Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 28, 2007, p-15,
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/222424.html, accessed : September 30,
2007)
Dr D.C.Misra
September 30, 2007
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
This is a good acievement* by a young girl from Gujarat. Our
congratulations.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 26, 2007
________________________________________________________________________\
_
*Guj girl to present paper on Indian font recognistion software
Ahmedabad, Sept 25 (PTI) A young computer wiz from Gujarat will present
a paper on Indian font recognition softwares at a global conference in
the US next month.
Sandhya Sitaraman (20), studying national language processing at an
institute in Surat, is the only representative from India invited to
present a paper at the forum, which is specially for undergraduate women
pursuing careers in computer sciences.
Personal computers and laptops have become an everyday tool for
professionals in all walks of life across India for some years now but
the lack of adequate font recognition softwares has limited their usage
mostly to those who understand English.
Sitaraman is gearing up to overcome this handicap and will present a
paper on "Artificial Intelligence Recognition for Indian languages" at
the conference at Carnegie Mellon University.
"I was very happy that my paper has been selected and I will be given
time to talk about my subject amid such a recognised panel of experts in
the computer field," Sitaraman told PTI.
Clearing the air about artificial intelligence (AI), Sitaraman said
"Many people have the misconception that AI is all about cyborgs and
inserting chips into human beings which is not true. A lot of AI today
is just about fields like human computer interaction and natural
language processing to make communication smoother to help solve complex
problems easily." PTI
(Source:
http://www.ptinews.com/pti/ptisite.nsf/$all/42F2CAA40DC13F41652573610017\
DA61, accessed : September 26, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Launched in 2002 by Mumbai-based Geodesic Information Systems Limited
(GISL), founded in 1999 by four individuals — Pankaj Kumar, Mahesh
Murthy, Prashant Mulekar and Kiran Kulkarni, it is an interoperable IM
tool, which "enables people to communicate with one another
instantly on different platforms. The product caters to Internet and
mobile phone users alike." For details, check the article* below.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 24, 2007
_____________________________________________________________________
*Talking Tech
With its Mundu IM (instant messaging) software, Geodesic Information
Systems has entered the big league of global communications technology
PARAMITA CHATTERJEE
NOTHING succeeds like the power of a great idea that's just right
for its time. The founders of Geodesic Information Systems Limited
(GISL) too started with this belief. It's no wonder that the company
that grew out of an apartment in Mumbai in 1999, with four individuals
— Pankaj Kumar, Mahesh Murthy, Prashant Mulekar and Kiran Kulkarni
— has been able to withstand the tech meltdown and every other
hurdle that came its way.
Eight years on, GISL, with a headcount of 300 employees and annual
turnover of Rs 167 crore (FY '07) is considered a leading provider
of communication and collaboration products on the Internet and on
mobile phones. Geodesic has developed an integrated information,
communication and entertainment stack for desktops, web and mobile
platforms that's based on instant messaging (IM) and real-time
collaboration. Says Kiran Kulkarni, managing director, GISL, "We
wanted to cash in on India's intelligence potential and break the
notion that our companies cannot create premium software."
Coming from a technology background has definitely helped these
first-time entrepreneurs develop such software in India.
For an organisation that initially sold software and provided
consultancy services to enterprises, the journey has been rather
eventful. "We wanted to so something different and decided to tap
the IM space at a time when most small companies wanted to cash in on
the internet boom," says Kulkarni.
From supplying the IM platform to various enterprises — the Times of
India group's Indiatimes.com was one of the first companies to have
adopted Geodesic's software — the company is today riding on the
success of its own brand Mundu IM. Launched in 2002, this interoperable IM tool
enables people to communicate with one another instantly on different platforms.
The product caters to Internet and mobile phone users alike.
Geodesic has already sold its software to several companies in India,
but what's more phenomenal is that in this short span of time, it
has also been successful in making a mark abroad. Apart from its tieups with
Taiwan-based global electronic major BenQ and Swedish Gothenburg Post, Geodesic
has recently announced a partnership with Mio Technology Limited, a leading
maker of GPS devices. Under this partnership, Mundu IM will be preloaded onto
the Mio DigiWalker A702 GPS PDA phone, which is scheduled for launch in Asia and
Europe by the end of this year. "This tie-up will give us an opportunity to
share Mundu IM with a new crop of users," says Kulkarni. "We are happy to have
brought in this revolution for mobile phone users in India".
To use this software, explains Kulkarni, people with Palm OS, Windows
smart phones and iPhones (Beta) can download the application on their
cell-phones directly from www.mundu.com or Geodesic's partner
websites download.com, motricity.com and palmgear.com. The company has
recently acquired Chandamama to drive content over the Mundu IM
platform. "We are constantly working on partnerships and looking for
companies with business/product synergy to further Geodesic's
prospects in the retail space," says Kulkarni.
Mundu IM has also caught on in India with more than 5 lakh users
currently using this software on their mobile phones. In July 2007,
Mundu Radio was recognised as one of top 100 applications by Webware
– A C|Net property. Also, Mundu released for iPhone has been
acclaimed as one of top applications for the iPhone by tech gurus and
users alike. "Perhaps this is the first time a software made in
India has won such recognition," says Kulkarni.
Geodesic is also the first company in India to have brought Internet
radio to mobile phones. Launched in 2006 last year, the mobile Internet radio
service has brought free access to unlimited music to people on their mobile
phones.
(Source: Chatterji, Parmita (2007): Talking Tech, The Economic Times,
New Delhi, September 24, Monday,
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/daily/skins/ET/navigator.asp?login=drdcmisra/,
accessed: September 24, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Makes an interesting reading.*
Dr D.C.Misra
September 23, 2007
______________________________________________________
*Investing virtually: New Delhi is India's First City on Second Life
Siddhartha Sarma
Posted online: Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 0000 hrs
<http://www.indianexpress.com/printerFriendly/220104.html>
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 22: Mumbai may be the country's financial
capital but it is Delhiites who rule virtual reality finance. Of the
over 12,000 active users of Second Life, the net-based virtual reality
(VR) world, from India, nearly 9,000 are from Delhi. And about 90 per
cent of the accounts registered from Delhi are engaged in some serious
financial investments.
Under the Second Life programme, people can register using different
names as "avatars", customising their VR appearances and profiles. They can join
online communities, VR townships, operate businesses, buy and sell real estate,
just like in the real world. The users can even create their own content, like
furniture, vehicles and
buildings.
More importantly, Linden Labs, the creators of Second Life, has a
currency exchange as well, where real world currencies can be exchanged for
virtual currency called Linden Dollars and vice versa. At the current exchange
rate, one US dollar is equivalent to 270 Linden Dollars.
The number of active Indian "residents" — those who build,
trade and invest on the site — has shot up from about 3,300 in the
beginning of the year to over 12,000. "We have been informed that
the ratio of active residents to registered users is one of the highest in India
and China," said Joe Miller, vice-president, platform and technology, Linden
Labs.
One of the more common ways of investing in Second Life is to buy
virtual real estate. Then, like in the real world, the user can wait for
property prices to escalate, before selling at a profit. The entire transaction
is carried out in Linden Dollars, which can be converted into real world
currencies on the exchange.
"Only estimated figures are available because of the confidential
nature of transactions, but the number of users who visit our VR
business solutions on the Second Life system has also shot up,"
revealed Daniel Dias, director, Research Lab, IBM India, one of the
companies with a massive presence on the system. "More than 90 per
cent of the active users, mostly form the National Capital Region, are
also investing in the currency exchange," he added.
what is second life
• Second Life is an online virtual reality world, launched by Linden
Research Inc in 2003. Unlike gaming sites, users don't just play and
win. Focus is on functioning like in the real world
• To register, users can log on to www.secondlife.com. Whie
registration is free, transactions can be carried out through any credit
card that supports international currencies.
• Users can create their virtual personalities called avatars, as
well as clothes, cars, furniture.
• Active "residents' can buy land and modify it, owning up
to 512 sq m without paying any additional fees. The currency used is
Linden Dollar (270L$=Rs 39). Further real esate purchases come with fees based
on tier systems.
• Among those present are Reuters, Ford and IBM.
(Source: Sarma, Siddhartha (2007): Investing virtually: New Delhi is
India's First City on Second Life, The Sunday Express, New Delhi,
September 23, 2007, p-1,
http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/220104.html, accessed
September 23, 2007).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hi Quizzers,
Checkout my latest Quiz post at: http://quizomaniac.blogspot.com/
Here goes the answers for Quiz#12 :
==========================
1) Earth day.
2) Ayngaran International (NRI movie maniac's God).
3) TNEB or the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.
4) X = Web log ; Y = blog.
5) The picture on the left is the logo of "Direction software
solutions" which is run by Arun Nair. The pic on the right is the
poster of the movie "Bedazzled" in which Arun nair's wife Liz Hurley
acted.
6) Arvind Swamy.
7) UNICEF.
8) Henry Irwin, famous for designing the Chennai Central Station and
premises.
9) pencil sharpener.
10) Kremlin Russia.
Happy Quizzing,
Danny.
It is Ray Tomlinson, a programmer who implemented an email system in
1971, who is credited to have invented the icon "@" of
cyberspace in 1972. Now comes Professor Fahlman claiming that he
invented the world's most popular emoticon ":-)" 25 years
ago in 1982. Check this interesting news item.*
Dr D.C.Misra
September 19, 2007
_____________________________________________________________________
WORLD'S MOST POPULAR 'EMOTIONAL ICON'
Smiley face turns 25.Are you:-)
Pittsburgh
IT WAS a serious contribution to the electronic lexicon.
Twenty-five years ago, Carnegie Mellon University professor Scott E.
Fah1man says, he was the first to use three keystrokes - a colon
followed by a hyphen and a parenthesis - as a horizontal "smiley face"
in a computer message. To mark the anniversary on Wednesday Fahlman and
his colleagues are starting an annual student contest for innovation in
technology-assisted, person-to-person communication. The Smiley Award,
sponsored by Yahoo Inc
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=19_09_2007_00\
1_021&kword=&mode=1> ., carries a $500 (about Rs 20,000) cash prize.
Language experts say the smiley face and other emotional icons, known as
emoticons, have given people a concise way in e-mail and other
electronic messages of expressing sentiments that otherwise would be
difficult to decipher.
Fah1man posted the emoticon in a message to an electronic bulletin board
at 11.04 am on September l9, 1982, during a discussion about the limits
of online humour and how to denote comments meant to be taken lightly.
"I propose the following character sequence for joke markers: :-),"
wrote Fahlman. "Read it sideways."
The suggestion gave computer users
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=19_09_2007_00\
1_021&kword=&mode=1> a way to convey humour or positive feelings with a
smile - or the opposite sentiments by reversing the parenthesis to form
a frown.
Carnegie Mellon said Fah1man's smileys
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=19_09_2007_00\
1_021&kword=&mode=1> spread front its campus to businesses to around
the world as the internet gained popularity. "I've never seen any hard
evidence that the :-) sequence was in use before my original post, and
I've never run into anyone who actually claims to have invented it
before I did," Fahlman said. AP
(Source: Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 19, 2007, Wednesday, p-1,
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=19_09_2007_001\
_021&kword=&mode=1, accessed: September 19, 2007).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
This is an interesting write-up* on the vulnerabilities of residential
wi-fi.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 19, 2007
________________________________________________________________________
*Code red! Hackers now hit the road for mischief
Network Leakages At Residences Offer WarDrivers Easy Hotspots
Shelley Singh NEW DELHI
EVER done WarDriving? This isn't about driving into a war zone.
Rather, it's circling the city with a WiFi laptop sniffing out
wireless networks to gain illicit internet access. You may have got a
WiFi access point at home, but someone else could be happily surfing or
making free calls on your internet connection.
And chances are that a WarDriver hacking a bank may get away with it,
leaving the WiFi owner the suspect. Thousands of clueless people,
including those in tony apartments with wireless internet, have leaky
networks—allowing anyone on the road easy access to the Web.
Driving around in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and other cities
with a WiFi laptop will throw up many `hotspots', though
officially there may be none. That's thanks to the many unsecured
residential WiFi access points, which send signals beyond the apartment
walls. These in effect allow pranksters and hackers to piggyback on
others' wireless internet network.
Twenty-six-year-old Delhi IT professional Sumit Grover often goes
WarDriving when off from work. He routinely comes across home networks
that anyone can use. "The actual users don't even know that
someone else is on their network, surfing the Net for free,'' says
Mr Grover. Downloading heavy files may impact the unsecured person's
speed of internet access, but a routine email check won't slow the
home network. And the intrusion could go unnoticed with most
`victims' suffering no loss, unless a hacker is on the job.
Incidentally, WarDriving was named after the term wardialing from the
1983 film WarGames, which involved searching for computer systems with
software that dialled numbers randomly to see which ones were connected
to a computer or fax machine.
Some expert speak
HERE'S some expert speak to help check those villains riding on your
WiFi. "WiFi has multiple levels of encryption (digital
passwords)—from no encryption to 64-bit to 128-bit encryption. For
secure internet access, users need to make use of the security features.
Home networks can be broken into by hackers, as users may not be that
aware or concerned about an infringement," says Bangalore-based
Tejas Networks' marketing head Siva Ramamoorthy.
There are no official figures available but experts reckon that about
10-15% of India's 2.5-million-odd broadband users have wireless
networks at home. And this market is growing at 20-25% a year.
Many of these unsecured networks (where encryption is poor or
non-existent) can be misused with owners caught unawares. A home WiFi
access hub with built-in security features are available for Rs 3,000 to
Rs 6,000 with vendors like Linksys, D-Link, NetGear among the leading
players. Some unbranded access hubs are available at cheaper
rates—for about Rs 1,000—but these often don't lack security
features.
Says Cisco India's national business development manager for
wireless Paramjit Puri, "I believe that one out of every 10
broadband homes in India have WiFi. Home networks may not be as secure
as enterprise networks, leading to spillage. Also, home users may not
have the resources to put ghost checks or random checks to detect any
misuse."
Agrees Tulip IT Services director Deepinder Bedi: "Laptops come with
built-in WiFi.
Access points are easy to get. Most people at home use basic security
which can be broken into, compromising documents and leading to identity
thefts. The problem is often not with the equipment, which manufacturers
claim, has improved over the last 12-18 months, but with the lack of
awareness about securing the home wireless network. A more trusty method
would be to use data cards and USB modems, suggests Tata Teleservices
COO (Delhi-NCR region) Debashis Sur. "A lock code ensures 100%
privacy while providing a wider access,'' says Mr Sur.
For those opting for WiFi, better encryption and random checks could
help keep hackers and freeloaders at bay. Occasionally engaging friendly
WarDrivers to check for wireless leakages may also be a good idea.
(Source: The Econmic Times, New Delhi, September 19, 2007, Wednesday, pp
1&23,
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/daily/skins/ET/navigator.asp?login=drdcmi\
sra, accessed: September 19, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
What a sea-change in computer scene!. There was a time when the U.S. had
banned export of supercomputer to India. This was followed by Pune-based
C-DAC coming out with its own Param series of computers. Now a private
company in India is going to launch* a supercomputer. We surely are
living in exciting times.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 12, 2007
________________________________________________________________________\
_
*Wipro ready to unveil supercomp this week
Mini Joseph Tejaswi | TNN
Bangalore: Wipro will launch a supercomputer that can perform billions
of operations in a second later this week. This is the first time that
an Indian private company will be introducing such a machine.
Targeted at various uses such as weather forecast, satellite launch,
clinical trials, drug development, nanoresearch, defence, avionics and
other high-end R&D, the supercomputer is designed and developed in
association with C-DAC in Pune.
``The supercomputer series will be named after different flowers
and they will bear competitive price tags. Wipro is making a clear
distinction in the computing space by getting into the supercomputer
segment,'' said an industry source. Wipro will customise these
computers for customer requirements. Wipro has long been into computer
hardware and is a significant player in the Indian PC and peripherals
market.
According to a source, Wipro has deployed these computer giants for
several
clients including defence and aviation. "Wipro has been exploring
the possibility of introducing a product like this for sometime now as
it has seen huge market opportunity among multiple business
verticals," said the source.
These teraflop computer clusters will have a different look and feel,
compared to Wipro's regular PCs, and will be the last-mile access
points for high-speed, super-memory, mission-critical computing.
IBM's Blue Gene is the latest supercomputer available in market. It
has a calculating speed of 135.5 teraflops.
Globally, supercomputers are used for heavy stuff like weather maps,
atom bombs, finding oil, earthquake prediction, and sciences where a lot
of calculations are required. They are also used to help governments
eavesdrop on anything passing through telephone, data lines, e-mail, or
radio waves.
(Source: Tejaswi, Mini Joseph (2007): Wipro ready to unveil supercomp
this week, The Times of India, New Delhi, September 12, Wednesday,
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=CAP&l\
ogin=drdcmisra&AW=1185441624796, accessed: September 12, 2007).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Manthan Award Fellows/Awardees for 2007
Mr Osama Manzar informs that the event for best e-content will take
place on September 21-22, 2007 at India Islamic Culture Centre (IIIC),
Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Check for details:
www.manthanaward.org/iconecs/index.asp
<http://www.manthanaward.org/iconecs/index.asp>
Dr D.C.Misra
September 12, 2007
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Cyber Quiz: List-133: Seven Wonders of the IT World
Who hasn't heard of the seven wonders of the world? This was perhaps
our first exposure to the wonder our world is in our childhood. The one
which has survived with me as a wonder till date is the hanging garden
of the Babylon! Now of course we have new seven wonders of the world
voted on, where else, the Internet.
But have you heard of the seven wonders of the IT world? No?
Mr G.C.Lynch, CIO, has compiled the following list* of seven wonders of
IT world:
________________________________________________________________________
1. Computer Closest to the North Pole: Webcam #1
2. Computer farthest from Earth: NASA's Voyager 1 satellite
3. World's most intriguing data center: Google
<http://www.cio.com/article/135700/subject/Google+Inc.>
4. World's largest scientific grid computing project:
The E-sciencE II (EGEE-II) project
5. World's fastest supercomputer: IBM BlueGene/L
<http://www.cio.com/article/135700/subject/IBM+BlueGene> (BGL)
6. Smallest PC to run Windows Vista: OQO
<http://www.cio.com/article/135700/subject/OQO+Inc.> , Model 02
7. Biggest Paradigm Change in Enterprise Software: Linux kernel
_______________________________________________________________________
Do check his fact-laden write-up at:
http://www.cio.com/article/print/135700
<http://www.cio.com/article/print/135700>
However, the list has not gone unchallenged. Check the readers'
comments at
http://comments.cio.com/node/135700#comment-7146
<http://comments.cio.com/node/135700#comment-7146>
and also at
http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/09/10/1849217.shtml
<http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/09/10/1849217.shtml>
And thank you Mr Lynch.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 11, 2007
_______________________________________________________________________
(*Source: Lynch, C.G. (2007): Seven Wonders of the IT World, September
7, http://www.cio.com/article/print/135700, accessed: September 11,
2007).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Going by such reports,* it appears that quantum computing is for real
and not merely a theoretical construct.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 11, 2007
*Einstein's `spooky' quantum computing, now for real
US physicists have coaxed two separate atoms to communicate with a sort
of quantum intuition that Albert Einstein (above) called "spooky." In
doing so, they have made an advance toward super-fast quantum computing
PHYSICISTS AT the University of Michigan have made an advance toward
super-fast quantum computing, which could also pave the way for making
quantum Internet
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=11_09_2007_01\
6_012&kword=&mode=1> a reality .
The scientists coaxed two separate atoms to communicate with a sort of
quantum intuition that Albert Einstein had called "spooky".
They used light to establish what's called "entanglement" between two
atoms, which were trapped a metre apart in separate enclosures.
"This linkage between remote atoms could be the fundamental piece of a
radically new quantum computer architecture
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=11_09_2007_01\
6_012&kword=&mode=1> ," said Professor Christopher Monroe, the principal
investigator who did this research while at UM, but is now at the
University of Maryland.
"Now that the technique has been demonstrated, it should be possible to
scale it up to networks
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=11_09_2007_01\
6_012&kword=&mode=1> of many interconnected components that will
eventually be necessary for quantum information processing," he said.
The lead author of the paper, David Moehring, now at the
Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics in Germany, said the most
important feature of the experiment was the distance between the two
atoms.
"The separation of the qubits in our entangled state is the most
important feature. Localised entanglement has been performed in ion trap
qubits in the past, but if one desires to build a scalable quantum
computer network
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=11_09_2007_01\
6_012&kword=&mode=1> (or a quantum Internet), the creation of
entanglement schemes between remotely entangled qubit memories is
necessary," said Moehring.
In the experiment, the researchers used two atoms to function as qubits,
or quantum bits, storing a piece of information in their electron
configuration.
They then excited each atom, inducing electrons to fall into a lower
energy state and emit one photon, or one particle of light, in the
process.
The atoms, which were actually ions of the rare-earth element ytterbium,
are capable of emitting two different types of photon of different
wavelengths.
The type of photon released by each atom indicates the particular state
of the atom.
Because of this, each photon was entangled with its atom.
By manipulating the photons emitted from each of the two atoms and
guiding them to interact along a fibre optic
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=11_09_2007_01\
6_012&kword=&mode=1> thread, the researchers were able to detect the
resulting photon clicks and entangle the atoms.
A paper on the findings appears the journal Nature
(Source: The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 11, 2007, Tuesday,
p-16,
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=11_09_2007_016\
_012&kword=&mode=1, accessed: September 11, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
This is an interesting write-up* on "The Singularity Summit 2007 and
the Future of humanity" held in San Francisco, CA on September 8-9,
2007. Singularity has been defined as "the technological creation of
smarter-than-humanintelligence"
(http://www.singinst.org/overview/whatisthesingularity/).
Singularists point out that human evolution from primates has resulted
only in threefold increase in brain capacity. By contrast, the number of
transistors on a chip of the computer has grown manifold during last 50
years. By 2029, so it is predicted, smarter-than-human intelligence
machines will be a reality!
Dr D.C.Misra
September 10, 2007
________________________________________________________________________
*Are computers becoming smarter than humans?
Technology is hurtling toward a point where machines will become smarter
than their makers, altering what it means to be human
Marcus Wohlsen,
San Francisco, September 9
AT THE center of a black hole there lies a point called a singularity
where the laws of physics no longer make sense.
In a similar way, according to futurists gathered on Saturday for a
conference
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=10_09_2007_02\
0_009&kword=&mode=1> , information technology is hurtling toward a point
where machines will become smarter than their makers, altering what it
means to be human in ways almost impossible to conceive.
The Singularity Summit: AI and the future of humanity brought together
hundreds of Silicon Valley techies and scientists to imagine a future of
self-programming computers
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=10_09_2007_02\
0_009&kword=&mode=1> and brain implants that would allow humans to
think at speeds nearing microprocessors.
Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers at the summit warned that now
is the time to develop ethical guidelines for ensuring these advances
help rather than harm. "We and our world won't be us anymore," Rodney
Brooks, a robotics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=10_09_2007_02\
0_009&kword=&mode=1> , said. When it comes to computers, he said, "who
is us and who is them is going to become a different sort of question."
Eliezer Yudkowsky, cofounder of the Palo Alto-based Singularity
Institute for Artificial Intelligence, focuses his research on the
development of so-called "friendly artificial intelligence." His
greatest fear, he said, is that a brilliant inventor creates a
self-improving but amoral artificial intelligence that turns hostile.
The first use of the term "singularity" to describe this kind of
fundamental technological transformation is credited to Vernor Vinge, a
California mathematician and science-fiction author High-tech
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=10_09_2007_02\
0_009&kword=&mode=1> entrepreneur Ray Kurzweil raised the profile of
the singularity concept in his 2005 book The Singularity is Near, in
which he argues that the exponential pace of technological progress
makes the emergence of smarter-than-human intelligence the future's only
logical outcome.
Kurzweil, director of the Singularity Institute, is so confident in his
predictions of the singularity that he has even set a date: 2029. Most
"singularists" feel they have strong evidence to support their claims,
citing the dramatic advances in computing technology that have already
occurred over the last 50 years. In 1965, Intel
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=10_09_2007_02\
0_009&kword=&mode=1> co-founder Gordon Moore accurately predicted that
the number of transistors on a chip should double about every two years.
By comparison, singularists point out, the entire evolution of modern
humans from primates has resulted in only a threefold increase in brain
capacity. With advances in biotechnology and information technology,
they say, there's no scientific reason that human thinking couldn't be
pushed to speeds up to a million times faster (AP).
(Source: Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 10, 2007, Monday, p-20,
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=10_09_2007_020\
_009&kword=&mode=1, accessed: September 10, 2007).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- In rti4ngo@yahoogroups.com, "Dhirendra Krishna"
<dhirendrakrishna@...> wrote:
Friends,
CBI cases in the Court result in conviction of the Accused in 50%
cases and the "success rate" of other Police agencies is far lower.
CBI and Police are unable to secure conviction in large number of
cases, due the either inadequate evidence to substantiate the charges
OR the Accused is able to produce evidence that was overlooked by the
investigating agency.
The moot question is whether an Accused should be allowed to use RTI
Act 2005 to get copies of public records that may enable him to defend
his position. Typically, CBI /Police would fight tooth and nail, to
prevent use of RTI Act that may weaken the case prepared by them.
In " V.K.Puri's Digest of CIC Decisions under RTI Act 2005" by Prakash
Kumar IAS and Dr. K.B.Rai, out of 510 cases summarised by them
(i)There are 57 cases pertaining to Service Matters, (ii) 28 cases on
Vigilance Matter and Enquiry Reports and (iii) 28 cases of "Court
Cases and Subjudice Matters." Perusal of these cases indicates
divergent views of CIC / Information Commissioner, depending upon the
fact of each case.
RTI Act is two years old and on the basis of ratio of decisions of CIC
and SICs, some common principles can be derived, such as:
(a) The only exemption from RTI Act in sub-judice matters is regarding
what has been expressly forbidden by the Court or would amount to
contempt of court.
(b)Where judicial authority is seized of the matter and passed order
regarding impugned documents, RTI Act cannot be used to obtain such
documents.
(c)Documents pertaining to matter under investigation should not be
given under RTI Act.
(d) Where proceedings in a case are at advanced stage, inspection of
file of CBI/Police may impede the prosecution and such documents may
impede the prosecution; such public records are exempt from disclosure
under the RTI Act.
(e) Copy of all public documents that are used against an accused,
(including the Investigation Report and related documents)which result
in framing charges are to be given to him. However if his defence
lies in records not considered by the investigating officer to arrive
at wrong conclusions, public records that enables him to defend his
stand should also be provided to him under RTI Act 2005.
(f) Daily Diary of Police, which discloses the names of informant,
witnesses and other contacts, should not by disclosed, as it would
impede the investigation process.
(g) In sub-judice matters, prosecution is deemed to start only after
the Charges are framed by the Court. Before the framing of charges,
exemption under section 8(1)(h) is not applicable
These are few illustrations where existing "case laws" should be
examined by Police / CBI /CVC to arrive at suitable administrative
instructions. CIC / SICs are not vested with powers to issue
administrative directives and the onus lies on the concerned Public
Authorities.
In my humble opinion, Police Authorities may prefer to allow the
existing mess in criminal jurisprudence to continue, as it provides
vast powers to them. Transparency, accountability and clarity reduces
their powers. However, it is in public interest to reduce unnecessary
burden on judicial system, if criminal cases initiated by the Police
/CBI are based on incorrect factual premises. In relation of
corruption elated cases, CVC is in the nodal position to issue
instructions regarding impact of RTI Act in anti-corruption /
vigilance machinery. Public interest lies in clarity and transparency.
Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS (Retired)
--- End forwarded message ---
This is an interesting news item* on Robocon Asia Pacific 2008.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 6, 2007
*`Robot Govindas' to break handi in 2008
Express News Service
Posted online: Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 0000 hrs
PUNE, September 5: Maharashtra's popular Janmashtami festival and
the practice of breaking the dahi handi is all set to go high-tech.
In September 2008, the `Govindas', who form the human pyramid to
break the dahi handi in cities like Pune and Mumbai, will be joined by
robots from 20 countries across the Asia Pacific.
The Robocon Asia Pacific 2008, a robotics competition, organised
internationally by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasters Union (ABU), will have
manual and automatic robots designed by engineering students from
various countries performing set tasks modelled on the lines of the dahi
handi practice.
Robocon, which began in 2002 to foster good relations between the Asia
Pacific nations, is usually based on a specific theme unique to the
culture and traditions of the host country. This year it is being hosted
in Pune by the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) and Doordarshan
(DD). With MIT's official selection as a host in August 2007, the
theme has been announced to be dahi handi.
"We wanted the competition to be based on an Indian mythological
event that could also be converted into a game. After contemplating a
number of ideas, we finally settled on dahi handi," said Sunil
Karad, executive director of MIT and chief convenor of Robocon 2008. The
robotic version will be a symbolic dahi handi, where automatic and
remote-controlled robots from two opposing teams will be required to
retrieve butter cubes.
"There will be a manual zone for the remote-controlled robots and an
automatic zone for the automatic robots," said Karad. While
intermediate rounds will be held in the participating countries between
January and May 2008, the final round will be held in Pune between
August and September 2008.
(Source: Indian Express, New Delhi, Thursday, September 06, 2007, p-9,
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/214688.html, accessed: September 6,
2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It is now the turn of ClassMatePC (CMPC)! Wishing it all the best on
Teacher's Day.
This is a good write-up* on Teacher's Day (Who can forget them
despite our growing up? And the contribution they made in what or where
we are today). And it is good to see too that the promise, the children
will have a computer at reasonable cost, comes from Intel. But such
announcements continue to be made from time to time! When will they
actually materialize? I am yet to see a low cost PC and surely would
love to have one.
Check it at www.classmatepc.com <http://www.classmatepc.com/> .
The site says that pilots will be running in more than 30 countries by
end of 2007.
Here is, still not giving up the hope of one day low cost PC
materialising, wishing the CMPC all the best.
Dr D.C.Misra
September 5, 2007
(Teacher's Day)
CLASSMATE PC NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
This laptop for children targets the next billion new computer users in
the world, with a full feature-laden machine for under Rs10,000
B Y N IYAM B HUSHAN ·························
Can you use a pen? This new kind of laptop uses a normal-looking pen
that writes with real ink on real paper.
Yet, as you scrawl on paper, a software "auto-magically" pops up on the
screen and digitally recreates whatever you are penning down.
It is perfect for schoolchildren who are comfortable with a pen but who
may never have touched a computer, and it is coming as an education
project. The other thing most comfortable about the ClassMate PC,
(CMPC), is the price tag.
The initial launch may start at Rs18,000 as formally announced by HCL.
But, with various other players intending to enter the fray, industry
estimates put the price tag between $180 and $225 (Rs7,380-Rs9,225).
A 7" colour LCD screen provides high-resolution graphics.
The integrated keyboard and "mousetracker" are ergonomically designed
for the hands of a child. However, an adult can also tap away on it.
Impressively, high-speed wireless Internet is available on the computer
through built-in Wi-Fi. The embedded speakers provide disappointing
sound reproduction but, at that price, offering built-in speakers is
commendable. The ports for a separate microphone and headphones are more
promising. I plugged in my reference headphones and streamed CDquality
Internet radio through the laptop to find the quality quite acceptable.
I could envision children making free phone calls all over the world to
friends and family, using a plugged-in microphone and free software such
as Skype or Ekiga.
Two USB ports allow children to connect a wide variety of off-the-shelf
peripherals such as a webcam for videoconferencing, an external CD/ DVD
burner, a desktop colour printer, a digital camera, a scanner for
digitizing documents, an iPod or MP3 player, and much more. A built-in
Ethernet port allows for connection to a wired network, and Microsoft
Windows XP or Linux powers this neat gizmo. The battery lasts about four
hours.
You can discover more about the CMPC on www.classmatepc.com.
Intriguingly, the laptop makes no sound. Even when I pushed it to
extreme tasks, I did not hear the mechanical whirring of a spinning hard
disk or a cooling fan.
The CMPC is designed to have no moving parts inside.
This allows it to withstand the shocks and drops expected from a child.
A 1GB or 2GB flash disk does the storage in place of a traditional hard
disk.
The CMPC is designed to be a networked, rather than a stand-alone,
computer. What this may eventually do is change the way we think about
installing our software applications and storing our data.
Digital school bag This is not a toy but a real laptop, a significant
evolution that is hiding itself among children.
In fact, though the CMPC platform is slated to be shipped in India from
this month by HCL, Wipro, Zenith, and Edge, you cannot go and buy it as
an individual user.
"It is an education project, not a laptop project," declares Nicholas
Negroponte, referring to the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project that he
founded. OLPC was the initial idea and rival laptop that sparked off the
CMPC.
Negroponte, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's famous Media
Lab in Boston, provoked the new thinking with his OLPC, targeting a
sofar elusive price tag of below $100. You can get more details at
www.laptop.org.
The site expresses the profound challenge faced by developing worlds for
their children: "Most of the nearly twobillion children in the
developing world are inadequately educated or receive no education at
all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade."
Realizing this higher goal and its inherent challenges and
opportunities, both the OLPC and the CMPC joined hands for a larger
cause.
Market boom The CMPC is thus sold exclusively to schools and, according
to John McClure, Intel's South Asia director of marketing, "as a
fully-managed service model with hardware, software, networking, and
support". The business model is also innovative. "We could model the
pricing into a nominal incremental increase in the per month fee of the
students. We are in dialogue with about 25 schools all over the country
and expect to have 3,000-5,000 PCs in nine to 12 months," says Rajendra
Kumar, executive vice-president of HCL Infosystems Ltd.
Education and learning content is provided by all vendors through
individual tie-ins with Educomp Solutions Ltd, NIIT, Microsoft, Edurite
Technologies and various other education content providers, and conforms
to India's education board standards.
More than 30 pilot projects across schools around the world are being
launched, with three in India alone: Delhi Public School, Vasundhara;
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) in Faridabad near New Delhi and Padma
Sheshadri Bal Bhavan in Bangalore.
According to H.N.S. Rao, deputy commissioner of NVS, students and
teachers can submit and check assignments from anywhere on the campus,
thanks to the wireless network.
However, they do not find the courseware entirely sufficient, so
teachers are encouraged to develop their own course material. McClure
points to the other challenges teachers face, with the blackboard giving
way to presentations and chats streaming to laptops, and a classroom
with no eye contact as students pore over their screens. However, he
sums up the CMPC's impact in pilot projects worldwide: "Dropout rates in
schools have gone down and classroom participation is up."
But the CMPC will eventually impact mainstream laptop-users as well.
McClure says this is inevitable. Asustech has already launched laptops
globally, starting at $225 for ordinary end-users. Check out the
presentations at www.eeepc.com.
Different strokes McClure also foretells the launch in India of "a wave
of products from November to March". The interesting offshoot of the
CMPC is its support not just for Windows XP but Linux as well.
"When ordinary children can use Linux so easily, the myth of Linux not
being user-friendly can finally be laid to rest, paving the way for an
exponential adoption of this OS," says Valsa Williams, Asia strategy
manager, Linux and OpenSource, at Intel. "Currently, the CMPC has been
known to run all the major flavours of Linux, including popular
distributions in India such as Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu and Mandriva," she
adds.
"Specific flavours of Linux from Brazil and from Argentina are also
known to run. Therefore, I look forward to India-specific Linux-distros
on the CMPC."
The adoption of both Windows and Linux also opens up opportunities for
individuals, entrepreneurs and organizations to author and contribute
education and learning material using OpenSource values.
A nation's most precious resource is its children. By next Teachers'
Day-5 September 2008-we'll know how many lives light up to learning on
an LCD screen.
CMPC HARDWARE CONFIGURATION
Processor: Intel Mobile Processor ULV 900MHz, Zero L2 cache, 400MHz FSB
Memory: DDR-II 256M SO-DIMM Storage device: 1GB/2GB NAND Flash Operating
system: Windows XP Pro or Linux LCD: 7" 800x480, LVDS Interface, LED B/L
Audio: Stereo 2 channel audio, built-in speakers and microphone, jack
for external output and microphone input Power solution: Battery with
adapter–SIX cells, approximately four hours LAN/WLAN: 10/100M
Ethernet+WLAN 802.11 b/g w/ antenna Chipset: Intel 915GMS+ICH6-M
Keyboard: Integrated keyboard with hot keys Touch pad: Cycle touch pad
with left and right buttons Digital pen (optional): Wireless pen to take
digital notes Weight: Less than 1.3kg
(Source:
http://epaper.livemint.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=05_09_2007_012_002&m\
ode=undefined, accessed: September 5, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
An interesting item* on naming new companies.
Dr D.C.Misra
_____________________________________________________
*If Google sounds weird, how about Abazab, Eefoof & Ooma?
LA Times-Washington Post
SAN FRANCISCO, August 29: Even if you could say Abazab or Eefoof without
snickering, would you want to do business with them? Would you feel OK
owning Wakoopa shares? Telling potential in-laws you met on Frengo?
Relying on Ooma to call Grandma?
Silicon Valley is in the midst of a great corporate baby boom. Venture
capitalists have pumped $2.5 billion into 400 young Internet companies
since the beginning of 2006, compared with $1.3 billion into 236
companies during the previous two years, according to research firm Dow
Jones VentureOne.
These entrepreneurial brain children have short life expectancies,
destined to fight for revenue with the likes of Google, Yahoo and EBay.
But still they are being born — and they need names. Naming a
company is far more difficult than naming a child. The name needs to
sound snappy, separate its young company from the pack and provide a
unique Web address.
You won't find a name among the horde that conjures up traditional
companies such as Dress Barn, Best Buy and Burger King. Most Internet
company names make little sense, and they roll around the mouth like a
marble.
"Old-school ideas about sounding trustworthy or sounding big are not
as important as they used to be," said Burt Alper, co-founder of
Catchword Branding in Oakland, which has helped companies pick such
names as Vudu (makes a device for watching videos) and Promptu (creates
voice-recognition products). "Now it's about sounding different
and standing out from the crowd."
Like naming a new baby, the process involves late-night brainstorming,
some expert help and a dose of frank feedback from friends. And like the
grandparents-to-be, a company's financial backers can kill a loved
name with a raised eyebrow. Picking the wrong name can kill a
multimillion-dollar investment.
Entrepreneurs today pick names they think will help their companies
stand out, as do parents of little Zander and Arlo, Eliza and Matilda.
"Naming a company is like naming a celebrity," said serial
entrepreneur Jared Kopf, who has helped christen companies including
Adroll.com, his online advertising firm, and Slide, a Web photo service.
"Made-up words don't come with psychological baggage."
Call it the Google effect. Thanks to the successful Internet search
company with the goofy name, entrepreneurs feel no shame telling people
they work for ItzBig (career networking) or asking venture capitalists
to invest millions of dollars in Picaboo (a website for ordering custom
photo books). Who needs the gravitas of an International Business
Machines or a General Electric?
(Source: The Indian Express, August 30, 2007, Thursday, p-22,
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/213373.html, accessed: August 30,
2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
International prize for DCE students' creation
Check this interesting achievement by young engineering students at
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=252941
<http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=252941>
Dr D.C.Misra
August 27, 2007
________________________________________________________________________\
_
*International prize for DCE students' creation
Varun, only Indian entry at underwater vehicle competition in the US,
won the `Best Mechanical Design' and `Longest Travel
Award'
Pallavi Singh
<http://www.expressindia.com/about/feedback.html?mailto=editor@expressin\
dia.com>
New Delhi, August 26: When a group of first-year students from Delhi
College of Engineering (DCE) approached the Department of Ocean
Technology under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2005 with a
project, they were told it was a bold proposal.
What the nine students wanted to build was a robot that could operate
underwater without human intervention, carrying out repairs, exploring
for oil, tracking pipelines, even locating treasures.
After some hesitation, they got the sponsorship and technical guidance
they sought. Their creation — the product of 18 months of work that
went beyond their regular engineering studies — is a saucer-shaped
craft called Varun, after the Indian sea god and as also an acronym for
Vehicle for Autonomous Research & Underwater Navigation.
The crowning glory for all that work, often done at night, and hours of
testing in swimming pools, came last month when Varun won the `Best
Mechanical Design' and `Longest Travel Award' at the annual
autonomous underwater vehicle competition held by the Association for
Unnamed Vehicle Systems International in association with US Office of
Naval Research.
The event was held in San Diego, California. Theirs was the only Indian
entry among 28 participating teams from institutes like the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Florida. They
were the only undergrads in the competition.
Says Anshuman Nath Kar, who took part in the project, "The
college's Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Lab was open all day
throughout the week, even during the vacations. We, with the guidance of
teachers, studied new technologies, conducted several tests for cutting
costs and applied several hardware and software solutions."
Periodic reports were sent to requisite bodies and a system of internal
checks and mutual supervision was carried out.
"Checks happened to make sure that everybody gave their 100 per cent
effort to the project. The vehicle can go underwater and take
photographs. It can be used for various underwater purposes like oil
exploration. But our purpose was to see if students could design such a
vehicle or not," says Prof S Majhi, who supervised the work with Dr
R K Sinha and Dr D Goldar.
The team is already thinking of newer technologies, better programming
and faster computing. "It is all about perfecting what we have
developed this year. We are optimistic about beating the heavyweights
who have been coming to the competition for the last ten years,"
says Kar.
Varun already has a fan: Union Science and Technology minister Kapil
Sibal will visit DCE campus to see the vehicle on September 7.
After some hesitation, they got the sponsorship and technical guidance
they sought. Their creation — the product of 18 months of work that
went beyond their regular engineering studies — is a saucer-shaped
craft called Varun, after the Indian sea god and as also an acronym for
Vehicle for Autonomous Research & Underwater Navigation.
The crowning glory for all that work, often done at night, and hours of
testing in swimming pools, came last month when Varun won the `Best
Mechanical Design' and `Longest Travel Award' at the annual
autonomous underwater vehicle competition held by the Association for
Unnamed Vehicle Systems International in association with US Office of
Naval Research.
The event was held in San Diego, California. Theirs was the only Indian
entry among 28 participating teams from institutes like the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Florida. They
were the only undergrads in the competition.
Says Anshuman Nath Kar, who took part in the project, "The
college's Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Lab was open all day
throughout the week, even during the vacations. We, with the guidance of
teachers, studied new technologies, conducted several tests for cutting
costs and applied several hardware and software solutions."
Periodic reports were sent to requisite bodies and a system of internal
checks and mutual supervision was carried out.
"Checks happened to make sure that everybody gave their 100 per cent
effort to the project. The vehicle can go underwater and take
photographs. It can be used for various underwater purposes like oil
exploration. But our purpose was to see if students could design such a
vehicle or not," says Prof S Majhi, who supervised the work with Dr
R K Sinha and Dr D Goldar.
The team is already thinking of newer technologies, better programming
and faster computing. "It is all about perfecting what we have
developed this year. We are optimistic about beating the heavyweights
who have been coming to the competition for the last ten years,"
says Kar.
Varun already has a fan: Union Science and Technology minister Kapil
Sibal will visit DCE campus to see the vehicle on September 7.
(Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 27, 2007, Monday, Delhi
Newsline, p-1,
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=252941, accessed:
August 27, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- In rti4ngo@yahoogroups.com, "Dhirendra Krishna"
<dhirendrakrishna@...> wrote:
Friends,
It has been clarified by Prof. K.K.Nigam, Legal Advisor to the Central
Information Commission that there is no decision of CIC to bar
Government Servants from using RTI. Exchange of emails from Shri Nigam
to Colonel Kurup are placed below,along with the email posted by me.
Clarification from the Legal Advisor resolves the doubts created by
reports regarding decision of Shri Tewari, Information Commissioner.
In my humble opinion, matter does not end here. It is a fact that CIC
/SICs have are burdened by application from Government Servants and
they have data base of last two years. Appellate processes prescribed
under RTI Act are facing the burden of large number of RTI
applications from Government Servants and some practical solutions
should be found. Section 4 (2) of RTI Act makes it obligatory for all
Public Authorities to suo-moto disclose such information and records,
so that resort to RTI Act is minimized.
CIC/SICs can look into the requests for public records by Government
Servants, where the decision of CIC / SICs was against the concerned
CPIO /SPIO of the Public Authority. Such review may lead to "general
instructions", necessary for transparent and fair dealing in personnel
management.
Section 18 and 19 of RTI Act does not empower CIC /SICs to issue
instructions to Public Authorities. They can only advise Central
/State Governments on systemic reforms essential for implementing
section 4(2) of the RTI Act. Number of second appeals received from
Government Servants indicates that personal grievances of RTI
Applicants are not getting resolved by the existing administrative
practices. Resort to RTI Act by aggrieved employees can reduce, only
if transparency in personnel management emerges from innovative use of
section 4(2) of RTI Act.
Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS (Retired)
...................................................................
I am forwarding the reply received from Prof.KK Nigam, Legal Advisor
to CIC. I think the matter ends now.
Col NRKurup (Retd)
.....................................................................
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Prof. KK Nigam <profkknigam@...>
Date: Aug 21, 2007 10:56 PM
Subject: Re: GOVERNMENT SERVANTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE RTI ACT FROM
TO-DAY -IC.AN TIWARI
To: Col colnrkurup <colnrkurup@...>
Cc: wajahat habibullah <whabibullah@...>
Since Aug.17 morning when I received his e-mail from Col. Kurup
captioned, "Govt. servants are not allowed to use RTI Act from
to-day....", I have frantically made several enquiries if any such
decision has been delivered by the Commission, but finally on
20.8.2007 I w as told that no such decision has been issued from the
Office of the Central Information Commission. With this the ghost of
the decision and the consequent scare should be laid to rest.
K.K. Nigam
.....................................................................
Message posted in rti4ngo on 18th. Aug.2007
Friends,
Government servants are resorting to RTI, as the personnel policies
and practises do not provide for effective redressal of their
grievance. It is in public interest to protect their morale, by
encouraging transparency and rationality in the personnel management.
Civil servants, even at the highest level, are manipulated and
harassed. Frequent transfers, inconvenient postings, unfair promotion
to "boot-lickers", etc. are a ground reality. Undue political
pressures on the Government servants and political interference in
posting, transfers and promotions is also a reality. Unfortunately,
the steel frame of public administration has rusted and crumbled, due
to such aberrations. If use of RTI Act by the victims of the "system"
can curb such unfair treatment and lead to some improvements,
WHY NOT ?
In my humble opinion, the views of CIC, totally ignore the facts of
life, apart from exceeding his powers under the RTI Act as explained
by Colonel Kurup in his email placed below..
Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS (Retired)
....................................................................
On 8/17/07, Col colnrkurup <colnrkurup@...> wrote:
> Sir,
> Kindly see the above orders though it has not been published.
> I submit my following views before this orders are published:
> 1. I doubt the jurisdiction of the Commission to pass such orders
> during hearing now as the government servants are persons falling
> underRTI Act.
> 2. Though every one is entitled for their Fundamental Rights,
certain categories of personnel like Army/Navy/Air Force, Government
employees etc are curtailed their fundamental rights to the extend
explained in Army/Navy/Air Force , CC&A Rules etc. Their FRs can be
curtailed and confined to the Acts/Rules governing them.
> 3. The CIC can issue above orders only after curtailing their
> Fundamental Rights by incorporating such refusal in their
> respective Rules.
> 4. This fall excactly under Section 12(4)of theAct It is a
> management direction which the CIC should have issued. The CIC
should issue direction to all public authorities and all concerned
that the RTI application of government servants should be forwarded
through proper departmental channel and the public authorities will
forward such request to the CIC only if furnishing the reply is
beyond their control. etc ., etc., etc (A detailed scutiny is required)
> 5. Above outright refusal of information to the government servants
> before isuing suitable management direction to the public
authorities and all concerned under Section 12(4) of the RTI Act may
not be sustainable.
>
> I humbly pray you to be kind enough to consider my above view in
> the interest of RTI Act before issuing the orders by Mr.Tiwari.
>
>
> Yours faithfully,
> Col NR
> Kurup (Retd)
>
--- End forwarded message ---
Cyber Quiz: What's Your India Quotient?
A wide-ranging and entertaining quiz has been compiled by the newspaper
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, and published today. The team deserves to be
congratulated for its painstaking effort. Check the quiz* and enjoy
quizzing.
Dr D.C.Misra
August 16, 2007
________________________________________________________________________\
___
*What's Your India Quotient?
For the past several days, hindustantimes.com has been challenging its
readers to test their India Quotient in the form of an interactive quiz.
More than 12,000 readers participated in this unique quiz on
post-Independence India, and with each passing day, the India Quotient
has been rising. Now, you have the chance to take all the 60 questions
at one go. Just how knowledgeable are you on India? Find out.
I. 0peration Duck. Operation Easy and Operation Gulab were part of which
armed conflict involving india?
a)The Indo-China
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> war of 1962
b)The Indo-Pak war of 1965
c)The Kargil War of 1999
d)The Indo-Pak war of 1947
2. The Terrorist and Disruptive Acts (Prevention) Act was introduced
during the governance of which prime minister?
a)Rajiv Gandhi
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
b)Chandra Shekhar
c)P V Narasimha Rao
d)VPSingh
3. India's original Little Master - Sunil Gavaskar took only one wicket
in Test matches. Who was the unfortunate batsman?
a)Vivian Richards
b)Gordon Greenidge
c)Zaheer Abbas
d)Graham Gooch
4. Talking of cricket, who was the first batsman over to be declared run
out by the third umpire?
a)Mohammed Azharuddin `
b)Sanjay Manjrekar
c)Sachin Tendulkar
d)Sanjay Bangar
5. Impressed by his baritone voice, logondary director Satyajit Ray
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> asked which actor to give a voice over for his
movic Shatranj Ke KhiladR
a)Amitabh Bachchan
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
b)Raza Murad
c)Amrish Puri
d)Sunil Dutt
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
6.0riginally called AII India War Memorial, this monument was built to
commemorate Indian soldiers who died during World War I and the Afghan
War. Which edifice is this?
a)The Gateway
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> of India
b)India Gate
c)Raj Ghat
d)Vijay Bhoomi
7. In terms of area, which is India's largest state?
a)Rajasthan
b)Maharashtra
c)Madhya Pradesh
d)Uttar Pradesh
8. India's current prime minister, Manmohan Singh, is a Rajya Sabha
member from which state?
a)Delhi
b)Punjab
c)Himachal Pradesh
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
d)Assam
9. Shinzo Nakanishi is the chairman of which corporation of
Indo-Japanese collaboration, a company that changed the way indians
travel?
a)Travel Corporation of India
b)Tata Motors
c)Maruti Suzuki
d)SITA
10. Indira Gandhi's first post in the Government of India was that
of...?
a)Minister for Social Welfare and Women's issues
b)Minister for Information and Broadcasting
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
c)Minister for Science and Technology
d)Minister for Labour and Social Reforms
II. India achieved its first Test victory against Australia in which
year?
a)Bangalore 1961-62
b)Perth
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> 1958-59
c)Sydney 1960-61
d)Kanpur
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> 1959-60
12. A sitter: Who is regarded as the "Queen" of Indian track and field
athletics?
a)PT Usha
b)Kamaljit Sandhu
c)KM Beenamol
d)Sunita Rani
13 Who standardized the use of Indian Standard Time?
a)Lord Mountbatten
b)Lord Minto
c)Lord Curzon
d)Lord Dalhousic
14. The codename of the operation in which India successfully conducted
nuclear tests in Pokhran on May II, 1998 was
a)Operation Saamna
b)Operation Shakti
c)Operation Hanuman
d)Operation Shatru
15. Where is the world's highest cricket ground located?
a)Srinagar
b)Chail
c)Mussouric
d)1mphal
16. Which nationalist leader was arrested in 1908 for supporting
"extremist causes" in the Marathi paper Kesari?
a)Jawaharlal Nehru
b)Gopal Agarkar
c)Bal Gangadhar Tilak
d)Veer Savarkar
17 Haryana became an independent state in year?
a)1960
b)1966
c)1969
d)1971
18. Where is the Indian Museum, the oldest in india, situated?
a)Delhi
b)Hyderabad
c)Bombay
d)Kolkata
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
19. India's Parliament was attacked by islamist torrorists on
a)Soptember 11, 2001
b)October 10, 2001
c)November 13, 2001
d)Docomber 13, 2001
20. Name the place where the Karnidovi temple (where rats are worshipped
as the doity's descondents) is situated?
a)Bikanor
b)Agra
c)Almora
d)Bhopal
21 Who was the first Indian to reach Wimbledon somI-finals?
a. Ramesh Krishnan
b. Ramanathan Krishnan
c. Leander Paos
d. Mahesh Bhupathi
22. The Ellora Caves are located in which statc?
a. Maharashtra
b. Orissa
c. Kerala
d. Rajasthan .
23. Which Indian river flows from east to west?
a. River Narmada
b. Ganga
c. Yamuna
d. Bhramaputra
24 Former PM Deve Gowda is from which state?
a. Tamil Nadu
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
b. Karnataka
c. Maharashtra
d. Andhra Pradesh
26. Who wrote the book 'Glimpses of World History'?
a. Jayaprakash Narayan
b. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
c. Narasimha Rao
d. Mahatma Gandhi
26. The 'Panch Sheel' treaty was signed between?
1. India and Pakistan
2. India
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> and Nepal
3. India and China
4. India and Afghanistan
27. Who was India's prime minister during india's first nuclear test?
a. Indira Gandhi
b. Lal Bahadur Shastri
c. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
d. Rajeev Gandhi
28. Who was the second Prime Minister of India?
a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Indira Gandhi
d) Gulzarilal Nanda
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
29. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in which year?
a) 1991
b) 1990
c) 1992
d) 1994
30. For which discovery did CV Raman win the Nobel Prize for Physics?
a) Electromagnetism
b) Inelastic Scattering of lightor Raman Effect
c) Raman Thermodynamics
d) Raman Gravity
31. For which book did Arundhati Roy get the Booker prize?
a) The Lord of Small Things
b) The Lord of The Rings
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
c) The God of Small Things
d) The God of Small Towns
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
32. Who was the first woman of Indian origin to go to spacc?
a) Sunita Williams
b) Kalpana Chawla
c) Alpana Chawla
d) Priya Jain
33. Which of these is the National song of India?
a) Jana Gana Mana
b) Vande Mataram
c) Jaanani Janam Bhoomi
d) Saare jahan se Accha
34. What does MK stand in MK Gandhi?
a) Mohan Karamchand
b) Mahatma Kasturba
c) Mohandas Karamchand
d) Madanlal Karamchand
35 Which among these is the memorial of former prime minister, Rajiv
Gandhi?
a) Raj Ghat
b) Shakti Sthal
c) Shanti Van
d) Veer Bhoomi
36. Who won the first Miss Universe title for india?
a) Lara Dutta
b) Aishwarya Rai
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
c) Yukta Mookhey
d) Sushmita Son
37 Who was India's first Nobel laureate?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Mother Teresa
c) Har Gobind Khurana
d) Amartya Son
38. What charitable organization did Mother Teresa run in Kolkata?
a) Sisters of Charity
b) The Society for Charity
c) Missionaries of Charity
d) Sisters of the Lord
39. Film actor Sanjay Dutt
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> was recently sentenced to six years' imprisonment
under which law?
a) TADA
b) The Arms Act
c) POTA
d) FERA
40. How many indian rivers are mentioned in our National Anthem
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> ?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 2
d) 4
41. Who was only indian player never to have played a single match
during india's victorious 1983 World Cup campaign?
a) Madan La|
b) Kiran More
c) Sunil Valson
d) Roger Binny
42. The Ashoka Chakra in the Indian National flag
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> is adapted from...?
a) Ashoka pillar of Sarnath
b) Ashoka pillar of Ranchi
c) Ashoka pillar of Bodh Gaya
d) Ashoka pillar of Patna
43. Which film was India's entry to the Bost Foreign Film category for
2007?
a) Rang De Basanti
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
b) Lage Raho Munna Bhai
c) Gandhi My Father
d) Water
44. In which year did Indian beauties win both the Miss Univorse and the
Miss Universe crowns?
a)1994
b)1996
c)1995
d)1996
45. Which indian film
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> porsonality did The Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences award the honorary Oscar in 1992 for Lifetime Achievement?
a)Satyajit Ray
b)Raj Kapoor
c)Bimal Roy
d)Guru Dutt
46. Which famous personality wrote Wings of Fire'?
a)Salman Rushdio
b)AP) Abdul Kalam
c)PV Narasimha Rao
d)Rajiv Gandhi
47 Who among the following is the first woman Chief Justice of a High
Court in India?
a)Aruna Asaf Ali
b)Dr Leola Seth
c)Sarojini Naidu
d)Sanjeovani Doshmukh
48. India launched its first space satellite on this date.
a) April 19, 1975
b) April 19, 1979
c) April 1, 1977
d) December 23, 1980
49. Freedom fighter Bhagat Singh was awarded a death sentence for the
killing of ..?
a) JP Saunders
b) Sir John Simon
c) Sir Simon Scott
d) General Dyer
50. Can you name the political party formed by Subhas Chandra Bose?
a) Gadar Party
b) Communist Party of India
c) Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
d) All India Forward Bloc
51. In India's famous freedom fighting trio of Lal, Bal, Pal, who was
"Pal"?
a) Benjamin Peary Pal
b) Bipin Chandra Pal
c) Satya Chandra Pal
d) Alok Chandra Pal
52. Which social reformer founded the Brahmo Samaj?
a) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
c) Ramkrishna Paramhans
d) Swami Vivekananda
53. Before he returned to india, which newspaper did Mahatma Gandhi
publish in South Africa
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> ?
a) Young India
b) Navjivan
c) Indian Opinion
d) The Harijan
54. June 25 is a special date in the Indian cricketing calendar. Why?
a)India played its first Test (1932) and won the World Cup (1983)
b)Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar were born on this day
c)1ndia won its first Test match and its first World Cup on this day
d)The BCCI and the Indian Cricket League were formed on this day
55. Still on cricket, who captained India in both the 1975 and 1979
World Cups?
a)Bishon Singh Bedi
b)Ajit Wadekar
c)Sunil Gavaskar
d)S Venkataraghavan
56. Stocky was the screen name of which famous indian film music
composer
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1> ?
a)R D Burman
b)Bappi Lahiri
c)Lakshmikant (of Lakshmikant-Pyarclal)
d)Rajesh Roshan
57. Aabhas Kumar Ganguly is better known as...?
a)Udit Narayan
b)Ashok Kumar
c)Kishore Kumar
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&kword=&mode=1>
d)Gulzar
58. Which indian academician, activist and social reformer was Mahatma
Gandhi's mentor?
a)Motilal Nehru
b)JRD Tata
c)Gopal Krishna Gokhale
d)Bal Gangadhar Tilak
59. Who was the only bowler to have dismissed the great Sir Don Bradman
hit wicket?
a)Lala Amarnath
b)Jasu Patel
c)Subhash Gupto
d)Nawab of Pataudi, Sr
60. Bhanu Athaiya is the only Indian to have won an Oscar in the regular
categories. For which category did she win the golden statuatte?
a)Set Design
b)Special Effects
c)Costume Design
d)Make up
By the hindustantimes.com Team
ANSWERS
1.d, 2.c, 3.c, 4.C, 5.a, 6.b, 7.a, 8.d, 9.c, 10.b,
11.d, 12.a, 13.c, 14.b, 15.b, 16.c, 17.b, 18.d, 19.d, 20.a,
21.b, 22.a, 23.a, 24.b, 25.b, 26.£, 27.a, 28.d, 29.a, 30.b,
31.c, 32.b, 33.b, 34.c, 35.d, 36.d, 37.a, 38.c, 39.b, 40.c,
41.c, 42.a, 43.a, 44.a, 45.a, 46.b, 47.b, 48.a, 49.a, 50.d,
51.b, 52.b, 53.C, 54.a, 55.d, 56.a, 57.c, 58.c, 59.a,60.C
(Source: Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 16, 2007, Thursday, p-9,
available at
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=16_08_2007_00\
9_002&mode=1
<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=16_08_2007_0\
09_002&mode=1> , accessed: August 16, 2007).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hi
Good Morning to all and one for wide circulation Pl.
Let us wish Super Bright Future to India and Citizen of India on the eve of
60th Independence Day, 15th August 2007.
BHARAT
Mera Bharat Mahan
Pyara Nyara Bharat Mahan
Nyara Subka Pyara Bharat Mahan
BHARAT - HINDUSTAN - INDIA
VANDEMATRAM
Info Nuclear Developed Intellectual Area
K T Gandhi, Sr Citizen of India
SCOW R-Link: http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/srcitizensofworld
I A G M site: http://in.geocities.com/nk_ktg/iagm01.html or 02 or 03
Related Link: http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/nk_ktg
Post message: nk_ktg@... India - Gujarat
---------------------------------
Try the revolutionary next-gen Yahoo! Mail. Click here.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
hi
Good Morning
*Happy Friendship Day & Week *
to U and your Family too
and offering Friendship Flower for further scope
@>;----->-----
and have SAI DARSHANA ON AUSPICIOUS EVE
K T Gandhi
Sr Citizen of India
SCOW R-Link: http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/srcitizensofworld
I A G M site: http://in.geocities.com/nk_ktg/iagm01.html or 02 or 03
Related Link: http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/nk_ktg
Post message: nk_ktg@... India - Gujarat
---------------------------------
Once upon a time there was 1 GB storage in your inbox. Click here for happy
ending.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
A new website concerned with quizzes in general has been launched in
Delhi. Check it at:
http://www.kutubquizzers.com/index.html
Our best wishes for the success of the new venture.
Dr D.C.Misra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
A marketplace site for security research. In other words, where bugs can
be sold or purchased. The name is derived from two Japanese words -
wabi and sabi – and represents a world view based on transience
acknowledging "three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is
finished, and nothing is perfect." Launched by a Switzerland-based
company. Check for details
http://www.wslabi.com/wabisabilabi/home.do
<http://www.wslabi.com/wabisabilabi/home.do> ? (accessed: July 22, 2007)
Dr D.C.Misra
July 22, 2007
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Cyber Quiz: News-70: Microsoft Research India Announces Ph.D. Fellowship
Awards for 2007
If interested, check this item* at
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDPR.m\
spxhttp://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDP\
R.mspx
<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDPR.\
mspxhttp:/www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDP\
R.mspx> (accessed: July 17, 2007)
Dr D.C.Misra
July 17, 2007
________________________________________________________________________
*Microsoft Research India Announces Ph.D. Fellowship Awards for 2007
Ph.D. Fellowship Program offers funding, travel grant and internship at
Microsoft Research India; aims to encourage students to pursue careers
in research.
BANGALORE, India — July 17, 2007 — Microsoft Research India
today announced its Ph.D. Fellowship Program awards for 2007. The Ph.D.
Fellowship Program aims to encourage students to take up doctoral
education in computer science and help the growth of the research
community in India. The Ph.D. fellowships, instituted by Microsoft
Research's External Research & Programs group, are awarded to
students after a rigorous selection process that includes nomination by
their faculty and selection by a panel of leading researchers. Through
the Ph.D. Fellowship Program, Microsoft Research India offers the
recipients funding of $20,000 (U.S.) over four years and a travel
allowance of $5,000 (U.S.) to attend international conferences and
seminars. As part of the Ph.D. Fellowship Program, the selected students
will also be given a laptop computer and an internship opportunity of
three to six months at Microsoft Research India during the first two
years of their fellowship.
Ph.D. fellowships for this year have been awarded to Shanmuganathan R.
(Indian Institute of Technology [IIT] Bombay), B.V.N. Silpa (IIT Delhi),
Arnab Sarkar (IIT Kharagpur), Arpita Patra (IIT Madras) and Rama Suri
Narayanam ( Indian Institute of Science).
"Research is critical to innovation, which leads to technological
leadership," said P. Anandan, managing director of Microsoft
Research India. "India has a large pool of bright young students who
would make great researchers, but unfortunately very few of them go on
to pursue advanced studies. These Ph.D. fellowships are meant to
encourage talented students to pursue a doctorate degree and go on to a
career in research."
"Microsoft Research India is committed to increasing the Ph.D.
pipeline and advancing the growth of research in India," said Vidya
Natampally, director of strategy at Microsoft Research India. "The
Ph.D. Fellowship Program identifies and provides support to some of the
best research talent in the country. The Ph.D. fellowships also enable
these students to travel to the most important conferences around the
world and meet and learn from the top researchers in the field as well
as their peers."
The fellowships are granted to candidates studying in a department
oriented toward research in electrical engineering, computer science and
engineering from renowned Indian technical institutes.
Microsoft has been in India since 1990 and employs over 4,000 people
across its offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai,
Hyderabad and Pune.
About Microsoft Research India
Microsoft Research India was established in January 2005, and is engaged
in cutting-edge basic and applied research in multiple fields in
computing, information technology and related areas. One of Microsoft
Research India's key objectives is to further the state of the art
in computing research by partnering with key institutions and academics
in India.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide
leader in software, services and solutions that help people and
businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information
on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass>
on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone
numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since
have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may
contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate
contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx
<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx> .
(Source:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDPR.m\
spxhttp://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDP\
R.mspx
<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDPR.\
mspxhttp:/www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-16MSRIndiaPhDP\
R.mspx> (accessed: July 17, 2007)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Three Indian teams, Army Institute of Technology, University of Pune,
Delhi College of Engineering, University of Delhi, and ABES Engineering
College, Ghaziabad, are slated to participate in AUVSI Aerial
International Robotics Competition 2007 to be held on July 23 – 27,
2007 at the Soldier Battle Lab's McKenna Urban Operations Site at
Fort Benning, Georgia. AUVSI stands for Association for Unmanned Vehicle
Systems International. Check for details
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/AUVS/IARCLaunchPoint.html
<http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/AUVS/IARCLaunchPoint.html> (accessed:
July 9, 2007)
Dr D.C.Misra
July 9, 2007
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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