• Indians across the world have 'Little Genetic Differences'
• Dance therapy: The new Aphrodisiac
• Woman with 2 wombs gives birth to 3 girls
• Vegetarians Brighter than Meateaters
• India is No. 1 Nation of Shopkeepers
• Now, Hinduism Classes in a US College
• 'Farming in India began much earlieer'

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre stirs Britain
• Indian Railways to launch a new Tourist Train
• K'taka bans Colas in Schools, colleges again
• Man Fights disability, cuts red-tap to enter Civil Service
• R&D in Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicines languishing
• Mumbai--born Zubin Mehta Honoured in US

Despite the ever-growing population and the geographical spread, Indians make up one of the major human ancestry groups with relatively little genetic differentiation among people from different parts of the country, says a new US study. "We were struck both by the low level of diversity amongst people spanning such a large geographical region, and by the fact that people of the Indian sub-continent constituted a distinct group when compared to populations from other parts of the world," it says. The study, based on genetic analysis of India-born individuals in the US, has been conducted by a team of researchers, led by Prof Pragna Patel of the University of Southern California and Noah Rosenberg, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan. Published in PLoS Genetics, a peer-reviewed journal published by the Public Library of Science, it is said to be the largest study to date of Indian genetic variations in terms of the total number of sites in the human genome that were surveyed. "Patel and colleagues analysed 1,200 genome-wide polymorphisms collected from 432 individuals representing 15 different Indian populations," the University of Southern California said in an announcement. "Although the study used participants that may not reflect a random sample from India, these results still suggest that the frequencies of many genetic variants are distinctive in India compared to other parts of the world," it said. The group is using this study as a foundation for future studies on the genetic basis of various common diseases in Asian Indians, such as heart disease that is widely prevalent in this population. The India-specific study has been taken up as Indians have been under-represented in studies related to genetic diseases, despite the fact that Indians account for more than one-sixth of the world population. With the growth of modernisation, complex genetic diseases associated with urban and western lifestyles have risen to near-epidemic proportions, making genetic cataloguing and association studies of particular importance, the university said.

Courtesy: www.dailypioneer.com, December 28, 2006

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Britain is to teach its schoolchildren about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in an optional curriculum course offered nationally for the first time ever, 87 years after trigger-happy General Dyer ordered a peaceful, unarmed, pro-independence meeting of civilians in Amritsar to be tragically fired upon. The new curriculum, with its allegedly relativist view of the legacy of the Raj, aims to give British schoolchildren aged 11 to 14 years "valuable insight" into shared, if painful and often controversial aspects of the relationship between India and Britain. Britain's lead curriculum watchdog said on Wednesday that the course was designed to end in students being able to evaluate different interpretations of the Amritsar massacre. However, in a deeply cautious, some say derisory, reference to India's own interpretation of events surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the official guidance warned teachers over 13 pages to monitor web-based resources carefully, as aspects of Indian history are "produced with a heavy bias and may contain materials that could cause offence". But this caveat has not deflected the storm of criticism swirling around the watchdog agency, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), which has been attacked for even daring to include the 1919 massacre in the British history syllabus.

Traditionalists said the decision to teach British schoolchildren about Jallianwala Bagh was a sign that a biased, anti-British interpretation of Empire was acquiring currency. The decision to teach British pre-pubescent and teenage children the bloodied lessons of history comes nearly two years after the then foreign secretary Jack Straw became the highest-ranking British politician to visit the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, formally to express "shame and sorrow" for "the slaughter" of "so many innocents". Straw's public mea culpa stood in stark contrast to the mute homage, complete with flowers but sans oral or written apology, tendered by the British Queen at the same site when she visited the memorial in the 50th year of Indian independence. Britain is to teach its schoolchildren about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in an optional curriculum course offered nationally for the first time ever, 87 years after trigger-happy General Dyer ordered a peaceful, unarmed, pro-independence meeting of civilians in Amritsar to be tragically fired upon. The new curriculum, with its allegedly relativist view of the legacy of the Raj, aims to give British schoolchildren aged 11 to 14 years "valuable insight" into shared, if painful and often controversial aspects of the relationship between India and Britain. Britain's lead curriculum watchdog said on Wednesday that the course was designed to end in students being able to evaluate different interpretations of the Amritsar massacre.

However, in a deeply cautious, some say derisory, reference to India's own interpretation of events surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the official guidance warned teachers over 13 pages to monitor web-based resources carefully, as aspects of Indian history are "produced with a heavy bias and may contain materials that could cause offence". But this caveat has not deflected the storm of criticism swirling around the watchdog agency, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), which has been attacked for even daring to include the 1919 massacre in the British history syllabus. Traditionalists said the decision to teach British schoolchildren about Jallianwala Bagh was a sign that a biased, anti-British interpretation of Empire was acquiring currency. The decision to teach British pre-pubescent and teenage children the bloodied lessons of history comes nearly two years after the then foreign secretary Jack Straw became the highest-ranking British politician to visit the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, formally to express "shame and sorrow" for "the slaughter" of "so many innocents". Straw's public mea culpa stood in stark contrast to the mute homage, complete with flowers but sans oral or written apology, tendered by the British Queen at the same site when she visited the memorial in the 50th year of Indian independence.

Courtesy: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, December 27, 2006

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Tiger bones, rhino horns, viagra and now - dance. That's the latest addition to the list of aphrodisiacs. Or, so A V Satyanarayana, dance therapist, would have you believe. And this trained classical dancer and Bangalore-based official of the State Bank of Mysore, counts among his believers - urologists. Satyanarayana is in the city to participate in the 2nd Master Class of the Urological Society of India and fourth conference of the Delhi Urological Society at India Habitat Centre. His presentation on Friday about sex symphony received a positive feedback from the delegates, says Dr Rajeev Sood, organising secretary and head of the department of urology in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and PGIMER, Chandigarh.

"Yesterday's session was about lifestyle problems with special emphasis on the aging population. The presentation on sex symphony was interesting, because it was an insight into an alternative form of therapy. In science we go by evidence but it is also important to keep minds open to other schools of thought. Why dance therapy works is probably because it relaxes the mind, same way as sex therapy or laughter therapy do," Dr Sood says. But, he says, while discussions are one step, dance therapy to become a prescribed treatment alternative would have to undergo the regular routine of clinical trials. Explaining his therapy, Satyanarayana says: "The stress of urbanisation, where couples work for 16 to 18 hours a day, hits their sex life the worst. Like our fast-paced lives, the sexual act, too, is started and finished in a hurry. Sex symphony on the other hand is an interaction of the mind, body and spirit. It is not just about lust." Using a variety of forms ranging from folk to classical kathak, couples are initially made to dance as birds, fish and peacock, moving on to snake, which Satyanarayana says, have a "very high quality of sex life. After the initial routine when the sense of shyness has been somewhat lessened, I move on to religious characters like Ram and Sita, Radha and Krishna. The final act is as Rati and Manmatha." Each of these acts have a specific definition - dancing as snake creates eye contact, Radha and Krishna stand for pure love, Ram and Sita stand for understanding and Rati and Manmatha stand for romance and physical attraction. The duration of sex symphony is maximum ten minutes at a stretch. Satyanarayana says, dance movements send vibrations within the body to arouse a couple. "The movements stimulate production of sex hormones, improve blood supply to the genital organs, relax the mind and body to increase libido. The couple feels connected both emotionally and physically," he explains. Among the other problems this he claims to treat through dance therapy are diabetes, obesity and stress. He claims to have made several presentations in obstetrics and gynaecology conferences across the country on dance as the ideal way for pregnant women to undergo normal delivery.

Courtesy: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, December 26, 2006

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The Mahaparinirvan Express, a special air-conditioned tourist train that connects prominent Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the country during a 15-day tour, will be launched by the Indian Railways from Chennai on January 12. Basically meant for visiting foreign tourists from Buddhist countries, who are keen to see the places associated with Lord Buddha, the new train provides them with a comprehensive package tour where the cost includes travel fare, hotel accommodation, meals, road transport for sightseeing as well as entry tickets and guide services at the pilgrimage sites. The train will go to places like Guntur, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Agra, Delhi, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Gaya and Bhubaneshwar before returning to Chennai. The tour will also cover Lumbini in Nepal, the birth place of Buddha. Mahaparinirvan Express will be operated by the Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) which runs several luxury tourist trains like the famous Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan and the Deccan Odyssey in Maharashtra. The difference is that this new tourist train is slightly more affordable than the luxury specials where one has to shell out a minimum of $ 400 per day.The Buddhist pilgrimage train will have Rajdhani Express-like accommodation with berths in the AC-I, II and III categories to suit different budgets. The fares would be US $ 120 for AC-I, $ 90 for AC-II and $ 80 for AC-III per person per day. Indian tourists who want to go on the train tour can pay the equivalent fare of Rs 5,280, Rs 3,960 and Rs 3,520 per head daily.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com, December 23, 2006

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A woman with two wombs has given birth to three children in what is believed to the first case of its kind, a hospital official said on Friday. Hannah Kersey, 23, gave birth to three girls in September, said Richard Dottle, a spokesman for Southmead Hospital in Bristol where the triplets were born. The children spent nine weeks in the hospital but the reason was not disclosed. The girls - two identical twins delivered from one womb and a single baby from the other - were born seven weeks early by Caesarean, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported. Kersey and her partner Mick Faulkner said they were "over the moon" at how healthy and happy the girls were. "They are three lovely and incredible children, all with very different personalities," the BBC quoted Kersey as saying. "There haven't been any similar accounts where three healthy babies are born of two wombs," said Yakoub Khalaf, a consulting gynecologist at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital. He said that multiple pregnancies tended to be risky, and that delivering triplets under such abnormal circumstances was even riskier. Separate or partially joined wombs are uncommon, although not rare. About one woman in 1,000 has them, according to Khalaf. Pregnancies are possible, although they tend to result in premature birth more than half the time. One pregnancy in each womb is almost unheard of - Khalaf said he had identified only 70 cases over the past 50 years worldwide - and triplets delivered from two wombs has never before been recorded.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com, December 22, 2006

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The Karnataka government has re-imposed a ban on the sale and distribution of soft drinks within schools, colleges and hostels with immediate effect. The move came six days after the High Court upheld the state government's ban of August 14 on the sale of soft drinks in respect of educational institutions, but struck it down in public places. The court's order came in response to a challenge mounted by soft drink companies. "The state of Karnataka, after consideration of material and in the interest of health and well-being of children and students, has felt an imminent need to prevent the sale of carbonated beverages within school and college and hostel premises," said a notification issued on December 18. The government defended its decision by saying it had been found that the consumption of carbonated beverages led to childhood obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and tooth cavities, and that the sale of such drinks has been prohibited in schools in several states in the US, Britain and other nations. The state decided to reimpose the ban by exercising powers under Article 162 of the Constitution read with Entry 6 of list-II of Schedule VII of the Constitution and inherent and general powers vested in it, the notification said. Karnataka had earlier slapped the ban on sale and distribution of soft drinks in schools, colleges, hostels, hospitals and public places on August 14. The state government also filed a case in a small causes court after banning the sale of soft drinks but withdrew it recently, fearing the court might strike it down, and reimposed the ban by invoking powers under Article 162 of the Constitution, official sources said.

Statement from Indian Soft Drinks Manufacturer's Association (ISDMA) on Karnataka ban on Colas:

"The Indian soft drink industry is shocked at today's developments in Karnataka. The Industry offers a broad range of beverages which we believe can be part of occasions where there is need for hydration, refreshment, nutrition and celebration and are completely safe. To date there has been no conclusive study that establishes that consumption of soft drinks lead to health issues like obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and tooth cavities in children as has been alleged by the state government. Ban is never the solution and the need is for balancing 'calories in' and 'calories out'. This can be achieved by offering a range of beverage choices and by promoting healthy and active lifestyle. This clearly is a challenge which needs to be addressed by all the stakeholders. Industry is collaborating and is willing to further intensify the engagement in working with all the stakeholders including the government to address this issue. It is important to note that a similar ban order issued by the Karnataka government which was based on unsubstantiated ground was unilaterally withdrawn by the government before the high court.The Industry is evaluating all available options."

Courtesy: www.business-standard.com, December 20, 2006

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They have Higher IQ And Get Better jobs; But Experts Not Clear Why Veggies Are Cleverer

Vegetarians tend to be more intelligent than meateaters, a study shows. It reveals that those who stick to a diet of fruit and vegetables are more likely to gain a degree and hold down a good job. Researchers say it isn't clear why vegetarians are cleverer. It could be that intelligent people are more likely to shun meat, or that a fruit and veg-rich diet could somehow boost brain power. The study tracked the fortunes of more than 8,000 volunteers over 20 years. At the age of ten, the boys and girls sat a series of IQ tests. When they reached the age of 30, they were asked whether they were vegetarian and their answers compared to their childhood IQ score. Around 4.5% of the adults were vegetarian-a figure broadly in line with that found in the general population. The results showed those who were cleverest as children were more likely to have become vegetarian as adults.

The typical adult vegetarian had a childhood IQ of around 105, around five points higher than those who continued to eat meat as they grew up. They were also more likely to go to university and be employed in a high-powered job, the research by the University of Southampton showed. However, there was no difference in IQ between strict vegetarians and those who classed themselves as vegetarian but still ate fish or chicken. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, also showed that vegans scored significantly lower, averaging an IQ of 95 at the age of ten. Catharine Gale, one of the researchers, said intelligent people might be more likely to consider both animal welfare issues and the possible health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Research has shown that vegetarians tend to have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, cutting their risk of heart attacks, and are less likely to be obese. Alternatively, a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains could boost brain poer. Gale said: "Although our results suggest that children who rare more intelligent may be more likely to become vegetarian-as adolescents or young adults, it does not rule out the possibility that such a diet might have some beneficial effect on subsequent cognitive performance." "Might the nature of the vegetarians' diet have enhanced their apparently superior brain power? Was this the mechanism that helped them achieve the disproportionate nature of degrees?" Gale added. Liz O'Neill, of the Vegetarian Society said of the study: "We've always known that vegetarianism is an intelligent, compassionate choice benefiting animals, people and the environment. Now we've got the scientific evidence to prove it".

Courtesy: The Times of India, December 16, 2006

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After going through a gruesome legal battle for five years, TD Dinakar, a visually challenged man, on Thursday got relief as the central government informed the Delhi High Court that he will be offered a post ranked 'Category A' in the Indian Railway Personnel Service. This makes him the first totally blind person in the prestigious civil services. The news came as a divine light after five years to a visually challenged person, who despite passing the civil services examination in 2001 was not welcomed in the government service. Dinakar, a resident from Coimbatore, had qualified the civil service examination with 1185 marks in 2001. He had moved to the court seeking relief as he was denied job even after passing one of the toughest examinations of the country in general category. The submissions made by him in the petition was that after even after the parliament has passed the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995 which reserves 3% seats for disabled persons, they were denied their rights. After the court's intervention Dinkar was offered a lower ranked post, which he refused, and he decided to fight for his rights. The court meanwhile ordered the government to earmark posts for such candidates and give them their rights. Finally after fighting for five years Dinkar got justice in the form of a post in Indain Railways. The central government counsel informed a Division Bench of Chief Justice Mukundakam Sharma and Justice Hema Kohli that the government has decided to offer T D Dinakar the rank of Indian Railway Personnel Service as he is visually impaired. Dinkar has been lucky enough to get justice there are many such people who pass the examination but due to the fact that they are physically challenged don't get incorporated in the services. Manoj Sadasivan from Kerala qualified the examination even after being disabled, as he could not hear. Sadasivan never got a chance to work even after pleading the matter before the President KR Narayanan in 2001. Another case similar awaiting justice is of Mani Ram Sharma from Bharatpur Rajasthan who also qualified the civil services examination but still could not serve the nation.

Courtesy: www.dailypioneer.com, December 15, 2006

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You can now tell why the retail boom is about to happen in India. With about 11 retail shops for every 1,000 persons, India has the highest shop density in the world. That's one shop for every 20-25 families. In cities, the density is much higher. Delhi, for example, has nearly 45 shops per thousand persons! Americans, arguably the biggest spenders in the world, have to make do with just about 4 shops per 1,000 persons. Singapore, the shoppers' paradise, has a similar density. England (rather, UK), once scathingly referred to as the nation of shopkeepers by Napoleon, is only marginally better - it has nearly 5 shops for every 1,000 persons. According to a study by industry body Ficci, the total retail trade in India was worth Rs 11,00,000 crore in 2003. Of the approximately 12 million retail shops, 96% occupy floor space of less than 500 sq ft. And this is where comparisons with retail powers, like US or Singapore, end. In India, shops are many but they're small. Entry of big retail would consolidate the sector into fewer but bigger shops. The high number of shops in India is because most of them are in the unorganised sector - your local paanwallah , kirana store, subziwallah and so on.

Courtesy: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, December 15, 2006

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Research in ayurvedic and herbal medicines of Indian origin, and translating that research into commercial medicine, is languishing in the country despite the good intentions of government agencies. The reason, say researchers, is the lack of interest by pharmaceutical companies for ayurvedic products. However, Nair Hospital and KEM Hospital in Mumbai have ayurvedic research departments that do research in ayurvedic medicines. A major victory for the department of ayurvedic research at KEM hospital was a compound by the name 'tinospora cordifolia'. The formulation was later commericalised under the name 'Immumod' by Wockhardt. "Wockhardt is still marketing the drug, but nobody has come back for any more research," said Dr UM Thatte, head of research at the ayurvedic department of Nair hospital.The statistics in favour of ayurveda and herbal products are telling. Global sale of impotency drugs is expected to be at $6 billion annually over the next six years. Ayurvedic and herbal formulations make up a significant chunk of the raw materials for many impotency drugs that pharmaceutical companies have in the market. Separately, the US market demand for medicinal plants is at US $60 billion to date. It is expected to grow up to $5 trillion by the year 2050.

In India, the total market for cosmetics and toiletries industry is $652.2 million, whereas the market-size of the skin-care segment alone is estimated at $ 261 million. But these statistics seem to have failed to impress pharma companies. Companies such as Wockhardt and Dabur have professed an interest in herbal remedies. However, when it comes to funding research, they are not interested. "We are marketing Immumod. Herbal products have never formed a significant part of our portfolio as it has not been our focus area," said a Wockhardt spokesperson. A possible reason, says CS Jadhav of Hyderabad-based Nandan Biomatrix is that most companies have their own research and development centres. Besides, ayurvedic medicines do not need to go through the usual route of toxicological studies and clinical trials. This makes the products less appealing for companies that are into research. Their aim is to patent their products, which is not possible for ayurvedic medicines. Companies including the Mumbai-based Alkem Laboratories use ayurveda-based products in their nutraceutical and health food portfolio. "We have a chawanprash called Jeewanprash, and it is free of sugar and fat, and it is an ayurvedic product," said Sharad Kasarle, head, Health Foods Division. But Alkem too does not have any plans of funding ayurvedic research. A further reason for the apathy is the small number of ayurvedic products that have widespread commercial interest. Few products have the commercial potential of aloe vera, an ayurvedic product that is supplied to major pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country. The department of health and family welfare has a department known as AYUSH, or Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. "Though it is trying to promote learning in ayurveda and herbal medicine, progress is impossible without private participation," said Dr Thatte.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com, December 8, 2006

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A college in Nevada is offering classes in Hinduism from the next academic session. The Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) in Reno, northern Nevada, will offer day trips to a local Hindu temple in California apart from classroom instructions. Rajan Zed, director of public affairs of Hindu temple of northern Nevada, and a Hindu priest will teach students about the different aspects of the ancient religion. Hinduism is considered to be one of the oldest religions in the world. It is the third largest religion in the world, with approximately one billion followers. There are around 1.5 million Hindus in the US.

Courtesy: www.yahoo.com, December 7, 2006

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Mumbai-born music conductor Zubin Mehta was the first Indian among those honoured here for lifetime achievement in their respective fields in performing arts. Mehta is the first Indian to receive this award. Besides Mehta, other who were honoured at the 29th annual Kennedy Center Honors in a glittering ceremony at the John F Kennedy Center for the performing arts were Oscar-winning film Director Steven Spielberg composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, crooners Dolly Parton and Smokey Robinson. US President George W Bush and first lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Actor Tom Hanks, Sidney Poitier, Actresses Reese Witherspoon and Joan Collins, were among the invitees to the gala event. Violinist Pinchas Zuckerman paid a touching tribute to 70-year-old Mehta, who has led Los Angeles Philharmonic and York Philharmonic, among others, during his illustrious career. He was also praised by violinist Itzhak Perlman. "You lead with your eyes and speak through your heart. Your conducting is communicating," Perlman said to Mehta.

Courtesy: www.zeenews.com, December 5, 2006

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FARMING IN India started much before than is generally believed. Experts in the fields of archaeology and history said this while shedding light on earliest history of India, Indian culture and other aspects at the annual joint conference of the Indian Archaeological Society, Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies and the Indian History and Culture Society, which was organised here at Jiwaji University on Sunday. Professor VD Mishra said that new researches have revealed that agricultural practices in India started in Mesolithic period (6-7,000 BC), much before the Neolithic period (4000 BC) as is generally believed. This discovery has proved that agriculture in India started simultaneously with other parts of the world. He said that Sativa rice, discovered from excavations at Chopni in Belan valley, has proved that India did not lag behind in agriculture. Former director of Indian Archaeological society JP Joshi said that archaeologists have contributed a lot in re-constructing India's past. He said that archeologists are using latest technologies, including satellite technology, and Indian archaeology is in an advanced state. He emphasised the importance of preserving archaeological and historical heritage. Joshi said that encroachments around historical monuments should be stopped because it harms our heritage. Citing an example, he said that Gwalior Fort could not be declared World Heritage due to encroachments. Other scholars shed light on history and archaeology of central India. It was argued that agricultural robustness was visible in the period between Indus Valley Civilization and Iron Age.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com, December 3, 2006

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