Rant

"Mr. Arnab Gowswamy,

I am writing this open letter regarding the show on 26.05.2017 at 10PM in which I too was a participant. During the course of that show you arrogantly told me “I have handled bigger leaders than you”. Perhaps that was the only truth you said in that entire show. This one sentence alone is enough to show your ego, arrogance and pettiness. I have never claimed that I am a big leader. Just as you have handled much bigger leaders than me, I have had the privilege of talking to anchors who are honest, gentle, decent, civilized and knowledgeable than you. You have every right to imagine that you have a larger than life image. But my impression about you is that you are not only biased and prejudiced but also that you lack substance, integrity, credibility and even confidence as a journalist. I am sure that you are well aware of your weaknesses and I have always felt that the screams and outbursts you often make are your frustrated attempts to cover up the confidence deficit.

You are the most unethical journalist I have ever seen. On 26.05.2017 I got a call from your channel requesting my time for a debate (!) “On Three Years of Modi Government” between 10 to 10.15PM. When I reached Asianet (with whom you have a tie up) studio as directed by your person by around 9.50 I saw Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad on screen and came to know that the discussion on Modi Government was about to conclude. Then I immediately asked the Asianet employees in Palakkad Studio to reconfirm the topic for which I had been invited. Aravind, an Asianet employee contacted your channel in my presence and reconfirmed the topic as ‘3 Years of Modi Government’. Then suddenly I came to know on air that you have changed the topic to the alleged “Kodiyeri’s Speech Against Army”. I could have boycotted the show at that moment but I chose to remain because in my absence you may repeatedly scream the lie that I ran away from the show. I wanted to avoid such a situation and tried to present my views on the fabricated story.

Whatever little time I got in between your uncivilized outbursts I repeatedly countered your biased statements that Com. Kodiyeri insulted Indian Army. I said that not a single TV Channel in Kerala including your own Asianet have taken this up as a topic of debate and this was not at all controversy in Kerala because everybody knew that his comments were only against the atrocities committed in the name of AFSPA and not against the army. Still you continued your accusations against the CPI(M) as part of your prepared screenplay. I drew your attention to the Supreme Court Order on 27.04.2016 to investigate all the 1528 murders in Manipur done by security forces under the AFSPA. You ignored that inconvenient fact, probably because you might not have keenly observed such issues related to AFSPA. (After all the sort of journalism, anchoring in your case, which depends more on the ability to make as much noise as possible does not require careful reading, updation, thorough knowledge of the topic and keen observation. People like you can survive with your voice alone and without your brain.) Then you, like a coward, safely surrounded by a Sangh brigade continued spitting venomous lies against CPI(M) without even giving me an opportunity to intervene. Despite my repeated statements that we have never insulted the Indian Army you deliberately put the subtitle “Against Army” with my picture on the screen. This can only be seen as the dirty act of a loyal servant to appease your immediate boss Rajeev Chandrasekhar and your ultimate masters the Sangh Parivar.

It was evident from your substandard and abusive remarks against the CPI(M) that your sense of history is poorer than that of a primary school child. Your teacher of history in school would have been much ashamed to see the shameless and naive expression of your ignorance on history. If you wish to learn the role of the communists in the Indian freedom struggle, I can suggest some pamphlets used for beginners because you may not be able to digest any serious work of history. When I told you that it is not the communists but VD Savarkar who betrayed the freedom struggle by sending repeated clemency petitions to the British Government it appeared as if you were hearing about it for the first time in your life. I can send the copies of those clemency petitions for your kind perusal so that the next time you can be better prepared to defend your ‘patriotic’ Hindutva masters. You can also think of arranging a tuition to help you in acquiring some basic facts about our history.

Any way, if you work hard to overcome your deficiencies you may be able to improve your understanding of various topics to some extent. But I am not sure, whether at this age you will be able to develop the basic norms of conduct, culture and civilized behavior. Many of these qualities owe much to the manner in which we were brought up in our childhood.

Here I must tell you that to me, the army is not simply a newsroom experience. I was born in a military hospital and my entire childhood was spent in an army environment. Arnab, I am the proud son of a father who served in the Indian army for long years. He fought in the 1971 war as well. As the ward of a veteran, I've also partaken in the sacrificial living of an army family, like several others. Now, tell me, apart from your highly hypocritic and extremely dramatic expressions in the name of army, only to raise ratings, what have you genuinely done for our army?

My last piece of suggestion to you, the self proclaimed ambassador of the army, is to find time to watch the recording of your “performances” at least once. Then you will realise how disgusting it is and will definitely search for some other career options. Till you find time to do that we will have no other option but to bear with the high levels of pollution created by your senseless utterances. 
I dare to write this to you because neither am I a big leader as you rightly said nor do I wish to become one. 
My best wishes and regards

M. B. RAJESH"

Backing up on Redmi Note 3

So you went to settings > Additional Settings > Local Backups and performed a backup

Now you want to save that backup folder on your pc or external hard drive
Which folder do you copy?

Simple
Go to MIUI> backup > AllBackup

The folder is saved as
timeofbackupinhrminsec_ day on which you took the backup ddmmyyyy
Example
For a backup created at 09:12:03 on 28 May 2017 the name will be
091203_28052017

Hope this helped. Comment if it helped. :)

No country for old cattle

MoEFCC has issued a directive that cattle for slaughter cannot be traded in cattle market.

What should farmers do about cows that are old and no more milk producing?

Managing director of HSI says sell the cattle from farm for slaughter. So in a way government is seeking to destroy market for cattle slaughter. What will be the disadvantage to farmer? He won't have any idea for prices of cattle to be slaughtered. So in a way he has to either accept or reject whoever comes to his farm for purchasing cattle for slaughter. Aren't governments tasked to create market for ease of selling and purchase rather than destroy it?

It looks like government just wants to wash of its hands from the problem of cattle slaughter but burying your head in the sand does not solve the problem or does​ it?

What do farmers do?
If a farmer buys a bullock for Rs 25,000, it remains sellable at the same price for about two years. Once it becomes unproductive due to injury or illness, the farmer sells it for culling for about Rs 10,000. This 40% return on investment then allows the farmer to raise capital for a replacement animal. If this replacement cost is taken away from the farmer, it not only makes it harder to procure a new set of healthy bullocks for ploughing, it adds the additional burden of paying for the animal’s upkeep.
Since the average bovine consumes about 65 litres of water and 40 kg of fodder a day, estimates put the cost of taking care of a bull at nearly Rs 40,000 per year at 2015 prices. 
Now farmer will have to sell the bull at whatever price anyone who approaches the farmer is willing to pay because there is no market for selling unproductive bull. Expect more farmer suicides in this scenario.

Politically it will appease the lobby which opposes animal meat but practically it is killing the farmers.

Source

http://www.firstpost.com/india/centre-restricts-sale-of-cows-for-slaughter-through-live-animal-market-not-a-blanket-ban-provision-ensures-traceability-3485247.html

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/moefcc-rules-on-regulation-of-animal-markets-sparks-row-over-beef-ban/article18585516.ece
http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/beyond-bull-why-restriction-on-cow-slaughter-will-hurt-india/story-TDkKNbCzkgEFKIdYInkA4O.html

No to paying for statements made without connection to official duty

 Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain has said the statements made by Kejriwal on his personal Twitter account "have no connection" with his official or public duties and were "distinctly in his individual or personal capacity".

As per the opinion sent to the LG on April 6, Kejriwal had "opted to comment upon the affairs of a society (DDCA) and its erstwhile office bearer, which is not called upon to be so commented in the ordinary course of his executive or administrative functions".

The LG had sought the ASG's opinion after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had proposed engaging Jethmalani to defend Kejriwal after the civil and criminal defamation cases were filed against him.

Source : http://m.timesofindia.com/india/defamation-case-public-money-cant-be-used-to-defend-arvind-kejriwal-law-officer-tells-delhi-lg/articleshow/58871954.cms

RBI fighting RTI to avoid disclosing list of defaulters

RBI has given 2 arguments in front of Chief Information Commissioner

1. The provisions of Section 45-E of the RBI Act, 1934 which prohibits disclosure of credit information.
On December 16, 2015 the apex court had clearly rejected these arguments of the RBI, in a matter filed by another RTI applicant, and ordered disclosure of defaulters’ list, upholding a Central Information Commission (CIC) order.

2. RBI also said the Supreme Court is hearing a matter in which reports have been sought in a sealed envelop and hence any decision should be avoided.

A two-member CIC bench gave reprieve to the RBI as it agreed to not pass any order till the pending matter, where disclosure of defaulters having dues of over Rs 500 crore towards the banks, was decided by the apex court.


Details of 2015 Supreme Court Decision:
In 2015, the apex court had stated that the RBI is supposed to uphold public interest and not the interest of individual banks. The RBI is clearly not in any fiduciary relationship with any bank, it had said.
“The RBI has a statutory duty to uphold the interest of the public at large, the depositors, the country’s economy and the banking sector,” it had said while directing the RBI to disclose the list of defaulters. The court had said that the RBI is duty bound to comply with the provisions of the RTI Act.
“The baseless and unsubstantiated argument of the RBI that the disclosure would hurt the economic interest of the country is totally misconceived,” the court had said.
The apex court had said that the facts reveal that banks were trying to cover up their underhand actions, they are even more liable to be subjected to public scrutiny. It had passed the order of disclosure after hearing the arguments of the RBI which had sought refuge under the Section 45E of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 which says disclosure of any information relating to credit information submitted by banking company is confidential.
It had said the RTI Act, 2005 is a general provision which cannot override specific provisions relating to confidentiality in earlier legislation in accordance with the principle that where there are general words in a later statute it cannot be held that the earlier statutes are repealed altered or discarded.
Rejecting these arguments, the apex court had ordered the disclosure of information relating to loan default and other such details sought by various applicants. Some of these arguments, rejected by the Supreme Court, were put by the RBI before the CIC during the hearing of Agrawal’s case.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rbi-refuses-to-disclose-list-of-loan-defaulters/

Decision Change on CBI investigation

On 25 Mar 2017: 

Newly elected Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat in a press conference announced decision to handover investigation from SIT to CBI into a major scam in land acquisition where lands had been classified as non agricultural land to increase compensation by 20 times to beneficiariess.

On 25 May 2017: 

The same Chief Minister has announced that his government would now seek legal opinion on the scope of such a probe.

What caused this change in heart? Did the Chief Minister forget something in March and realize in May? 

Trivendra Singh explains - The NHAI chief, however, explained to me that the Authority’s role in land acquisition is only as a fund-disbursing agency. So, we will seek legal opinion — from the attorney general, if necessary — on the scope of the CBI probe,” said Rawat.

During the intervening period an important event that has happened is
On April 5: Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari had warned in a letter to the newly elected Chief Minister that a CBI probe into the alleged scam “would have an adverse impact on the morale of the officers” and the ministry “would have to re-examine the usefulness for taking up more projects in the state”.

Gadkari wrote in the letter that he was “greatly concerned about recent developments in the state”.

“Firstly, an FIR was launched by the district administration of Udham Singh Nagar in the matter of awards finalised by CALA (SLAO), who is a revenue functionary of the state government. Not only that, a CBI inquiry has also been ordered by the government of Uttarakhand on the mater in which the NHAI officers are being investigated,” Gadkari wrote.

The Union Minister underlined in the letter that these “actions by the government of Uttarakhand are bound to have adverse impact on the morale of the officers and would impede implementation of projects”.

Concluding the letter with a veiled warning, Gadkari wrote: “In this background, we would have to re-examine the usefulness for taking up more projects in the state. I am certain you will appreciate the significance of the issues that I have pointed out and take immediate corrective measures to resolve the impasse.”

Gadkari did not respond to queries from The Indian Express on whether his letter amounted to arm-twisting the state government.

Sources in Gadkari’s office said that the Minister “had to make the point since NHAI top brass had informed him that key officials had left the state after being summoned repeatedly by state police and project work was being affected”.

Looking at the data it seems
1. Either CM was not aware of consequences at the time in March of handing over SIT investigation to CBI
2. NHAI seems to have overruled state government by getting CM to backtrack on swift CBI enquiry. And now government is looking to put the CBI investigation on back burner by calling it seeking legal opinion.

One thing is for sure, the decision to proceed with CBI enquiry made in the excitement seems to have lost its importance now. 

Kya hua tera vaada

Woh kasam woh Iraada ...

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/uttarakhand-govt-unearths-land-acquisition-scam-writes-for-cbi-probe/articleshow/57832055.cms

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nh-74-land-acquisition-nitin-gadkari-warns-uttarakhand-govt-against-cbi-probe-into-road-projects-4674098/

2 sides of Gogoi Story

Mr. Gogoi said
1. He received a call that election officials were trapped at a polling center.
2. Petrol bomb was thrown on his jeep but did not explode.
3. Farooq Ahmad Dar was trying to get away on a motorcycle but was somehow apprehended by them.
4. He did it to save the lives of 10-12 people with him.
 Source:


Farooq Ahmad Dar has claimed
1. He was beaten and paraded around for 4-5 hours on bonnet of jeep.
2. He had come to vote. He has his slip number 612  as proof.
3. He was released after a lot of requests that he was not a stone pelter.

Further
J&K Police has submitted the report contradicting army saying that Farooq Ahmed Dar had gone to vote and was wrongfully detained.


Source: https://thewire.in/124465/kashmir-farooq-ahmad-dar-army/
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/farooq-ahmad-dar-tied-to-army-jeep-by-major-was-a-voter-confirms-kashmir-police/1/1055481.html

Gogoi debate

Arnab starts the debate with thanking everyone that they have been finally proven right in their beliefs on the event of Mr. Gogoi being awarded Distinguished Service medal (I think - agar already right prove ho hi gaye hain toh debate kyon kar rahe hain?)

CPI (M) guy questions : The action of putting a person in front of your during a combat situation violates his right to life under Constitution

Defence Analyst counters Lutyens is anti national. There is a lot of danger in situation - he did the right thing.

Arnab consistently challenges Kavita Krishnan, Arundhati Roy, Omar Abdullah among important people to apologize since Mr. Gogoi has received medal. (Apna Bhai Gaali bhi dega aur Maafi bhi mangvayega. Aisa 'Raula' hain apne bhai ka)

They bring a bakra called deputy Grand Mufti. 4 people (arnab, bjp spokesperson, defence analyst, editor in chief) take turns to shout him down. By the end the poor guys voice is hoarse from shouting. Good strategy adopted by conserve voice by the 4 people. The bakra is out of scenery.

Notable comments on bakra
Editor in chief questions - How can a mufti talk about political matters?
Sambit Patra said Isko kashmir mein beh jaane dete.
Arnab Goswamy said apni security ko nikal do. Go to Pakistan.Pakistan chale jao. Pakistan kyun nahi jaatey?
Defence Analyst says raat ko 3 baje aayenge aur jeep par baandh kar le jayenge.
Arnab supports the threat - Baat suniye kayar kahin ke. Gaurav Arya fauji hain.

In between there is some talk about Arnab Goswamy of preventing Hindu Muslim divide and rule but you are left wondering because nobody tried to do that during debate. He also guides about Lutyens being anti national.


Arnab creates an equivalence saying nobody complained when some people heckled the security forces deployed for election. Now they are complaining.

He scores finals points by closing and summarizing the debate. Thodi der mein next GD chalu hoga.

Rising unemployment and government

Would the computer and telecom revolution happened even without Rajiv Gandhi?

Most probably yes, as these are international trends that no one could have stopped.

What advantage we had with Rajiv Gandhi was probably a faster pace of adoption of technology and induction of eminent people like Sam Pitroda into the system. For this we must give him credit.

Computers had already arrived in India much before Rajiv Gandhi came on the scene. They were being used by BARC, IIT's, ISRO, etc.

There is no one who can stop the march of technology. We live in an industrial age where increasing efficiency is considered the measure of progress.

Jobs will be destroyed by this march of technology, some will be created but more destroyed as systems and processes become more efficient and driven by machines. Therefore the proposition that robots too be taxed and money wpent to fund other types of employment which require human interaction such as taking care of old people and children by Bill Gates is not such an absurd statement as it looks at first sight.

Jobs will keep disappearing, no matter which government comes into power and what the politician promises.

So how do we tackle this dichotomy one of progress and other of job loss?

The solution may lie in retooling and changing our skill sets for an emerging world.

For this we need urgent changes in our education system which creates mediocre students that don't excel at anything until they have been 18~20 years in the education system.

Modern lifestyles create modern problems. Cities throw challenges, primary employment in farming is dwindling with advent of machines thus freeing up manpower. We have excess of people in India but politicians will tell you that these are an asset, a consumer base that can consume the products of the world's factories.

What they fail to tell you that these are people with no or little money, how will they become consumers when they can barely survive. Thus the concept of Universal Basic Income is being promoted. UBI will give every person a minimum basic income, that will allow the factories of the world to run, GDP's to grow and employment of the remaining workforce secure for the time being.

Therefore we are up for challenging times, something the current government or its people are unable to grapple with.

Thus they present you with false agenda's, like that of Cow Protection, building a temple, interference into religious laws, etc.

What we need to do is to stay away from these false issues and put pressure on the governments to solve real problems.....


Adapted from Vinod Chand with minor modifications on Bill Gates part.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/robots-that-steal-human-jobs-should-pay-taxes-bill-gates/articleshow/57234194.cms

How to unbrick your Mi Pad

Requirements for the procedure to work

1. Pressing volume up key and power key should show the fastboot mode

2. This tutorial is only applicable for Linux users


Okay.
 Step 1 : Download the miui fastboot rom and extract to a location on your Ubuntu system

I downloaded Global Fastboot flash ROM (size: 549 MB)
Link

Step 2: Extract the above downloaded tar ball in a folder

Step 3: Open the extracted folder. Right click and select 'Open in Terminal'

Step 4: Execute chmod +x flash_all_except_data_storage 

Step 5: Execute sudo ./flash_all_except_data_storage.sh
  The flashing should take around 1-2 minutes. 

Viola! Your Mi pad is good as new. :)
Comment  and share if it helped.

Source for ROM: http://en.miui.com/thread-143398-1-1.html

How to install TWRP on Android using Fastboot

I used the below process to install TWRP on Mi Pad.

REQUIRED LINKS AND DOWNLOADS TO INSTALL TWRP ON ANDROID PHONE OR TABLET USING FASTBOOT:

• Unlocked bootloader on your Android. Here is a Bootloader unlock guide which may help for your device.
• ADB and Fastboot installed on your PC or MAC.
  ADB Fastboot Installation guide for Windows
  ADB Fastboot Installation guide for Linux and MAC
• TWRP image for your device.
• Enough battery backup. (More than 60% of battery charge will be good enough)
• A PC with USB driver installed for your Android.

HOW TO INSTALL TWRP RECOVERY ON ANDROID USING FASTBOOT:

1. Download the TWRP recovery image to be installed on your Android. Make sure that the TWRP recovery is meant for your Android device ONLY.
2. Enable USB Debugging under Developer Options. If you don’t know how to do this then here is How to Enable Developer Options and How to Enable USB Debugging under Developer Options.
3. Install ADB and Fastboot utility on your PC or MAC. Follow the appropriate guide to install Fastboot according to the OS that you use:
   ADB Fastboot Installation guide for Windows.
   ADB Fastboot Installation guide for Linux and MAC.
4. Go to the directory where you have downloaded the TWRP image file and then open the command console or termianl on this directory on your PC. To open a command window on Windows OS in the current directory, press shift + Right Click anywhere on Windows explorer, or some folder. Then on the menu opened, just press the “w” key on the keyboard or select “Open command window here” to open a command window.
5. Now connect your Android to the PC using a USB cable.
6. Enter the following command on the command window opened:
   adb reboot bootloader
   
   to put your Android into bootloader mode where you can flash/install the TWRP recovery.
   If your Android device asks permission such as “Allow USB debugging” then just tap on OK to proceed.
7. Run fastboot devices to see if your device has fastboot permission
   If you see an output such as
   no permissions    fastboot
   
   Run the following command
   sudo $(which fastboot) devices
   
   You should see an output similar to given below
   9EB3AD95    fastboot
   
8. Now when your Android is on the bootloader mode just execute the following command on the console:
   fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.0.x.x-xxx.img
   While executing this command make sure to replace the twrp-3.0.x.x-xxx.img with the actual file name of the TWRP that you have downloaded on your computer for your Android.
   
   If you are on ubuntu execute
   sudo $(which fastboot) flash recovery twrp-3.0.x.x-xxx.img
   While executing this command make sure to replace the twrp-3.0.x.x-xxx.img with the actual file name of the TWRP that you have downloaded on your computer for your Android.
   
   You should see an output similar to below
   sending 'recovery' (11552 KB)...
   OKAY [  0.470s]
   writing 'recovery'...
   OKAY [  0.399s]
   finished. total time: 0.869s
   
9. Now execute the following command:
   fastboot reboot
   
   For Ubuntu user
   sudo $(which fastboot) reboot
   You should see an output similar to below
   rebooting...
   
   finished. total time: 0.063s

Voila, your Android is now installed with TWRP recovery. Comment and share if it  helped you. :)

Adapted and improved from : http://www.cyanogenmods.org/forums/topic/install-twrp-recovery-android-using-fastboot/

The mountain and the squirrel by Ralph Waldo Emerson

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter
"Little prig."
Bun replied,
"You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:
I'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track.
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.


http://www.kiddingtown.com/edo/the-mountain-and-the-squirrel-ralph-waldo-emerson-poem-central-idea-question-and-answers-in-hindi-essay-summary-ralph-waldo-emerson-analysis-summary-in-english/

CBI says prima facie no case made out in Illegal mining

In a two para missive from December 2016, accessed by CNN-News18, the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Corruption Branch told the Industries and Commerce department that “no prima facie case is made out to justify registration of a case” on the question of illegal export of iron ore from Karnataka through Goan ports.



Former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde counters

• Can it be disputed that 2.4 lakh worth metric tonnes was deposited in Belekeri port?
• Can it be said this disappeared? There should be somebody answerable for this, 2, 40,000 tonnes is a huge amount It requires dozens of ships to be taken away.
• And how can it go when it is controlled by the Port Officer, by the Investigating Officers of the Lokayukta. How can anybody explain?

I am so sorry that after all the effort, we get to see this result…. VIPs are getting acquitted, appeals are not being filed on time. The SIT has been working there for three years and nothing but filing the reports. A premier organisation like CBI has been filing B reports.“All the documents were produced along with the report. If the material produced by the Lokayukta is of no merit, then I think we have to relook at the judicial system,”

Note: Mr. Janardhan Reddy reportedly spent 550 crores on his daughter's wedding during demonetization. He is supposed to have made 5000 crore as per initial CBI's conservative estimate and statement that authorities in tax havens are not cooperating with CBI where bulk of ill gotten money was stashed.

Sources:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/janardhan-reddy-s-spending-on-daughter-s-wedding-is-as-strategic-as-extravagant/story-fTwwpHGEGsQ5T1MJWkalSO.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/janardhan-reddy-out-of-jail-cbi-s-hunt-for-his-money-gets-tough/story-OSLGUduhRCqnpyOe3YFXbK.html

http://www.news18.com/news/india/rs-35000-crore-illegal-mining-cases-being-buried-quietly-in-karnataka-1404383.html

If Putin managed to get Trump then well played, Russia

The GOP House Majority Leader reportedly said aloud that Trump is on Putin's payroll

Source: AP

Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reportedly said in private conversation in June that he thought then-candidate Donald Trump was being paid by the Russians, according to the Washington Post.

The exchange took place on June 15, 2016, with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and several other Republicans present.

"There's two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump," McCarthy reportedly said, just after emerging from chat with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman on the subject of Russian attempts to finance populist candidates in other countries. 

McCarthy was also referring to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif), who has been an outspoken defender of Russia in Congress. According to the Post some lawmakers present began to laugh before McCarthy responded, "Swear to God." 

After McCarthy's comments, Ryan reportedly cut the conversation off abruptly and swore all of the Republicans present to secrecy. "No leaks," Ryan said. "This is how we know we're a real family here."

Former independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin, who was present for the conversation, confirmed the story to the Post. "It's true that Majority Leader McCarthy said that he thought candidate Trump was on the Kremlin's payroll," McMullin said. "Speaker Ryan was concerned about that leaking.

Russians had paid the Trump campaign or was being sarcastic. But the comments illustrate the degree to which Republicans were aware of the threat posed by Russian election interference as far back as June.

When the Post initially reached out to Ryan and McCarthy for comment, spokespersons for both members of Congress initially denied the conversation ever happened. After being told that a recording of the exchange existed, both spokespersons changed their responses to say that the exchange was simply an attempt at "humor."

If you find the content useful share knowledge with others. :)

Credits: mic.com

https://mic.com/articles/177474/the-gop-house-majority-leader-reportedly-said-aloud-that-trump-is-on-putin-s-payroll?tse_id=INF_17c32e203b7111e785b761b07d40d40a&utm_campaign=WHFacebook&utm_content=inf_11_285_2&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=policymicFB#.YWTo4hRLW

When will ganga be cleaned

The current government has embarked on clean ganga initiative




Latest report

 'Biological Water Quality Assessment of the River Ganga (2017-18)-  water quality of the river was either clean or slightly polluted at only four out of 41 locations during the pre-monsoon phase and at only one out of 39 locations in post-monsoon period.


+++

After spending 3000 crores of allocated 3700 crores there seems to be nothing to show




RM Bhardwaj, senior scientist of the CPCB, stated that four main indicators of river water quality were taken into account when examining the 296 km stretch. These included temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and coliform (bacteria). Clinical tests of water samples showed high levels of BOD, coliform and other toxic materials around Haridwar district.

According to CPCB norms, BOD levels should be less than 3 mg per litre for bathing purposes. But the levels go up to 6.4 mg per litre in the river's water.


Presence of high-level coliform further threw light on the severity of water pollution in Haridwar. The total coliform value here is between 90 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml to 1,600 MPN per 100 ml. According to the CPCB report, the coliform values should be 500 MPN/100ml or less for bathing purposes.

Moreover, the acceptable limit for DO is 5 mg per litre or more but in Haridwar it is 4 mg to 10.6 mg per litre. Noted environmentalist Anil Joshi said, "Haridwar has emerged as an industrial and tourist hub and unless sewage treatment plants (STP) are installed and water discharge quality is monitored strictly, the ghats will continue to remain polluted."

Wouldn't it be better if government releases data on improvement done? Will it be able to clean ganga in time?

Timelines on clean Ganga initiative so far

On February 2015 Uma Bharti said will clean Ganga qualitatively in 2 years

On 5 June 2017 she has said
It will take 10 years to clean Ganga. 

Union Minister Uma Bharti on Sunday said it will take 10 years to completely clean the Ganga, and that it would be done in a phased manner. “In order to ensure clean Ganga, the industrial units which are located on the banks of Ganga will be shifted to other places. The framework of this plan has been drawn. The Uttar Pradesh government is making efforts to shift the tanneries located in Kanpur to other places,” said Bharti.

Dear minister for water resources river development and Ganga Rejuvenation, What have you achieved so far on cleaning Ganga?

Extending dead lines does not clean Ganga.


Sources
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ganga-in-haridwar-unfit-even-for-bathing/articleshow/58725061.cms?utm_source=toimobile&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=referral

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/clean-ganga-funds-flow-generously-for-project-but-river-far-from-clean/story-4gf0P2pbAKKI2m9Yg5T4ZP.html

https://www.google.co.in/amp/m.businesstoday.in/lite/story/it-will-take-10-years-to-completely-clean-ganga-uma-bharti/1/253655.html

https://www.google.co.in/amp/m.businesstoday.in/lite/story/it-will-take-10-years-to-completely-clean-ganga-uma-bharti/1/253655.html

Employment statistics

On being informed that IT companies are laying off employees to the tune of 56k. What does the government plan to do about employment?
Smriti Irani has said
1. NSSO data is not reliable.
2. NSSO has only 3000 members , China has 29000
3. There is lag  in getting employment stats.

Modi ji has created a task force to gather proper data.

Does this mean?
1. Task force banayi hain
2. 2019 tak data sahi sahi milme lagega
3. Fir apan charcha karenge employment. Abhi ke liye please adjust

If you found the post informative, like and share to spread the message across.

Priorities of state

Why is Narendra Modi accused by some people of being complicit in Godhra riots 2002?

Because of this guy Babu Bajrangi who has given interview appreciating support from Modi and administration in riots




The judge who sentenced Babu Bajrangi security cover has been reduced from Z plus to Y while she still continues to get threats

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/gujarat-judge-jyotsana-yagnik-who-convicted-kodnani-babu-bajrangi-gets-22-threat-letters/

It should be noted that it is not the case that government could not afford the Z plus security as it provided RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Z plus security

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-gets-z-plus-security/

It is just about the priorities of a government. Who is more important? The judge who sentenced murderers or a well connected head of organization
(Riots judge says state ignoring her security - Ahmedabad Mirror) Update: Finally her cover has been restored after the issue was highlighted in media.
(http://m.timesofindia.com/city/ahmedabad/Special-SIT-judge-Jyotsna-Yagniks-security-upgraded-to-Z-category/articleshow/48196451.cms)

Celebrity opinion se saavdhaan

Celebrities have immense influence over their fans, hence their opinions carry a lot of political weight. Here are 6 examples Why You should avoid blindly agreeing to your favourite star's opinion

1. Kareena Kapoor 
On Mars Mission
When a media person asked Bebo about her thoughts on Mangalyaan at a hair product launch in Hindi, Kareena’s reaction was, “What!!??” with eyeballs popping out.
When the person further explained his question in English, Kareena finally said it is a big deal for the country. Further, Kareena went on to say: “I would love to go to space someday,” she said further.

She did not understand that India has managed to send a space probe to orbit Mars in September 2014 in its first attempt. It is 4th to do so, first in Asia and first to accomplish in first attempt.

Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kareena-kapoor-gets-a-facepalm-for-her-reaction-on-mangalyaan/

2.  Pankaj Advani
Billiards and snooker star Pankaj Advani tweeted to his 2.4 lakh followers on Friday: "Congratulations @narendramodi sir for being declared the best PM in the world by @UNESCO #ProudIndian @PMOIndia."

Pankaj Advani failed to realize that UNESCO does not do any such thing. UNESCO stands for  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with aim to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Modi-best-PM-UNESCO-rumour-fools-netizens/articleshow/52921474.cms

3. Deepika Padukone
On My Choice
 Deepika Padukone accepted she did not agree with couple of lines in the video and still went ahead and did the video.
In one interview she said the controversy is good as it got people talking on the issues.

I don't know what to say to that line of thinking.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W04s92zh3VQ

4. Virender Sehwag 
Virender Sehwag mocked a martyr's daughter calling for peace

The martyr's daughter' stand was that war between the two countries killed her dad. She supported peace.
He tweeted out a picture of himself holding a placard that says, “I didn’t score two triple centuries, my bat did”, along with the message, “Bat me hai Dum ! #BharatJaisiJagahNahi”.

http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/virender-sehwag-takes-to-bat-after-ramjas-violence-sparked-anti-abvp-social-media-campaign-twitter-reactions-4545827/

5.  Kajol
Kajol shared a video of beef dish her friend had prepared and later issued a statement that It was buffalo meat


Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/05/01/it-was-buffalo-meat-kajol-clarifies-after-video-of-her-eating_a_22063689/

6. Raj Babbar
On 12 Rs. meal available in Mumbai
Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar on Thursday said it was possible to have "full meal at Rs 12 in Mumbai" even today

Babbar said this at the AICC briefing in response to a volley of questions as he tried to explain that poverty has come down even as prices have risen.

He was also asked about lower cutoff of expenditure limit to determine poverty and that how can the poor be able to have their full meal two times with a daily expenditure as low as Rs 28 or Rs 32 per day.

"People should have full meals two times a day. How one can have it is a very good question that you have asked. Even today in Mumbai city, I can have a full meal at Rs 12. No no not bada paav. So much of rice, daal saambhar and with that some vegetables are also mixed," he told reporters.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Raj-Babbar-Full-meal-available-in-Mumbai-at-Rs-12/articleshow/21328993.cms

7. Paresh Rawal

https://twitter.com/SirPareshRawal/status/881730599911702528

Paresh rawal tweeted a clearly photoshopped pic of Abdul Kalam.

SirPareshRawal , official Twitter handle of Paresh Rawal wanted Arundhati Roy to be tied to army Jeep.

Instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie Arundhati Roy !


https://mobile.twitter.com/SirPareshRawal/status/866345474722320388

8. Abhijeet Bhattacharya
Shehla Rashid cited a Hindustan times news where 4 people including admin on Narendra Modi Army Brigade were charged by police for sex trafficking.
Abhijeet replied - "There is rumour she took money in advance for 2 hrs and didn't satisfy the client.. big racket"



On Sunday, police raided a beauty saloon at Sachin Tendulkar Marg in Gwalior district, 330 km from Bhopal, on Sunday and busted the alleged sex racket being run by Rajesh Agrawal. The four, including a woman manager, a receptionist and a customer identified as Vikas alias Tinu Jain, were arrested from the spot. Jain is said to operate ‘Narendra Modi Army Brigade’.
Jain who was allegedly caught in a compromising state with a woman tried to intimidate the police by claiming to be a member of the BJP’s youth wing Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).


Source: https://twitter.com/Shehla_Rashid/status/866315187837480961
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/sex-racket-busted-in-mp-namo-brigade-head-among-4-held/story-9SzpaJ6QKe8vyDSIPJ0fRI.html


As a result of the tweet Abhijeet's officially recognized account was suspended by twitter.

As with almost everyone expertise in one field does not translate into expertise in all. Sometimes stars are deluded into thinking that they know everything which is often not the case.

Simple requirements

My demands from the government are very simple;

1. Give me safe drinking water.
2. Give me an education that will allow me to be gainfully employed or will make me an entrepreneur.
3. Give me health care that is affordable and local.
4. Give the farmers a 153% profit, the same that you earn on petrol and diesel.
5. Give me an electoral system that is free from corruption.
6. Stand by the constitution because of which you have been elected and on which you have sworn to serve the country.
7. Implement true democracy where right to dissent is protected.
8. Create enough jobs or employment opportunities for every citizen of the country.

Not much, only this.....
Credits: Vinod Chand

How to make an embedded video start at specific time

Calculate Time in seconds when you want to start the video

Say if you want to start at 4 minutes 5 second

= 4*60+5 = 245 seconds

This 245 we will use in link

Just add ?start=245 at the end of your video URL in embed link


Voila! Video starts at specific moment.

Funny and True

Credit: Kunal Kamra

Lack of transparency

RBI has declined to share the details of meeting in which note ban was finalized 6 months ago.
Still there is no data released on how much black money was removed from economy as a result of note ban

As world's largest democratic country we are conspicuously secretive of how government works.



http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/sharing-note-ban-process-details-will-affect-future-economic-policies-rbi-117051000555_1.html

How to give Mock Tests for CAT

As a CAT aspirant here is quick guide

Step 1: Write AIMCAT (TIME test series is pretty good.)

Step 2: Analyse what each and every question you answered in AIMCAT. This should take you much more time than the time you took to write AIMCAT.

So for example if it took 2 hours to write exam. You may end up spending 6 hours or more going through each question. Comparing your approach with answer. Finding where your approach was wrong. What did your assume wrong or interpret wrong.

Step 3: Work on improving where your approach to question was incorrect.

I believe this should be effective in helping your crack CAT. It worked for me. Hope this helps! :)

EVMs

Are EVMs infallible?

In UP election candidate complains of not getting self vote

Link
https://m.aajtak.in/states-news/uttar-pradesh-news/story/saharanpur-candidate-got-zero-votes-says-its-evm-fault-968521-2017-12-01

In UP elections EVM found casting each vote to BJP. Replaced after a voter raised commotion over it.

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/meerut/furore-in-meerut-after-voter-presses-bsp-on-evm-vote-goes-to-bjp/articleshow/61758614.cms

Then a while ago there was furore over an election officer warning reporters of consequences of reporting a malfunctioning EVM in a jestful manner.

Recently AAP Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj performed a demonstration to show that EVM machine can be rigged by typing in a code




The questions brought forth by the episode are

1. This is just an EVM prototype. What is the proof that EVMs can be rigged?
Valid questions. Will the election commission allow thorough analysis of EVMs in transparent matter to ensure EVMs are fool proof.

2. Paper Trail audit should be added to existing EVM machines So that in case of suspicion manual counting can be done. It is still better to spend some funds on manual counting than ignore suspicion that elected candidate is not the choice of the people.

May be there could be a required number of biometric signatures that should be collected by candidates to request recount.

Some people are alleging that this is only to complain about the loss but now nearly everyone has raised the suspicion

1. Mr Subramanian Swamy from BJP



2. Mr. LK Advani from BJP
"We should revert to ballot papers unless the Election Commission is able to ensure that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are foolproof and every possibility of their malfunctioning is taken care of,"

http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/advani-has-doubts-about-evm-wants-ballot-papers-back/485248/

3. Saurabh Bharadwaj demonstration (first video)

So EC should take cognizance with regard to proving EVMs are fool proof

If you found the post informative, do take a moment to share the post for others to know. :)

As always, readers are welcome to point out any inaccuracies (The reason I add supporting credible links).
"Opinion is free, facts are sacred" - CP Scott

Ten Fun Pics

1. What I see

2. I want a girl who loves long romantic walks

3.Finally some use

4. Stay Safe eat Cake

5. We die like real men

6. When your parents leave you home alone

7. Platinum customer

8. Someone really hates kids

9. Shit is about to get real

10. The gentlest of all boarding gates

Don't be grumpy, share if you enjoyed it. There will be more in future. :)

Everything is copied

Lei Jun (CEO of Xiaomi) is often disparaged by being called copying Steve jobs
And it does appear that his attire is same as Steve jobs just the way MIUI is considered considered copy of iphones

But Did Steve jobs provide excellent phones at lowest possible prices?
Redmi Note 3 comes for a merely 200 dollars with as good a performance as 650 dollar iphone.

I and many users love Redmi Note 3 for its value. 

Some people complain about something - It is not original. As if not being the first to come up with something takes away from the benefit of what has been created.

On a grand scale nothing can be called original everything is inspired. :)
All that matters to evaluate something is How Good does it serve the function it is created for.

A song
Hope you can guess the song

Link


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs

RTI amendment incentivises killing RTI activists

For you to consider - Is the government looking to benefit the nation Or corruption?
RTI complaint closes in the event of death of applicant. So if you asked about financial impropriety and you are killed. The case goes away. Isn't that an incentive to kill RTI activist?

What can I do?

Sign the petition Click the link below

Link

This petition will be delivered to:Minister of State, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Dr. Jitendra Singh 

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/3k4sWUS851XcltpxhDZtVP/Govt-proposes-new-RTI-draft-rules-seeks-public-opinion.html

Understanding yourself

Oatmeal has created a nice comic strip to understanding how to improve oneself and challenges in improving
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe_clean

Something on patience

“He’s so sexy. And he taught me the importance of being silly.”
“Being silly is so important. Silly is the opposite of grief. It’s throwing yourself into a moment without care. You can’t always maintain your status as a dignified person-- it gives you blinders. When you always expect the world to fulfill your expectations, it wears you down. It closes you off.”
“So sexy.”



An interesting story of how the couple met

https://www.facebook.com/colbertlateshow/videos/888362121308540/

Hasan Minhaj (Last 6 awesome minutes of speech)

White House Corresponding Dinner 2017

 Excellent speech by Hasan Minhaj (Last 6 minutes were fantastic)