Kanika Datta: Great leaps back

Posted on by

It was Mamata Banerjee who can be credited for winning an Assembly election on the issue of crony capitalism via, among other things, the Tata-Singur imbroglio. But 2014 would be the first national election in which the issue of crony capitalism has acquired some traction, thanks to Narendra Modi's pro-business stance and Arvind Kejriwal's anti-corruption one. But anyone who thinks that this signature campaign in Varanasi will provide an unequivocal answer against or in favour of business and industry is likely to be disappointed. Now that they've clearly drawn the battle lines between them in this spiritual centre that is perennially enriched by the brisk business of religion, Messrs Modi and Kejriwal appear to have reverted to type.

The "Har Har Modi" chants adopted by the indefatigable followers of the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial campaign (quickly withdrawn after the outrage of orthodox Hindus) were designed to be an unabashed appeal to the Brahmin and middle-caste majority in this holy city.

These extreme expressions of Hindu orthodoxy should not be surprising, given that Mr Modi's foot soldiers are drawn from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. But they are noteworthy in the light of Mr Modi's unabashed courting of powerful business interests on the quasi-secular platform of good governance these past few years - and good governance, in this context, essentially meant creating an enabling environment for business. Packaged on a nebulous construct called the Gujarat Model - commentators still fiercely argue over its efficacy - Mr Modi managed to imbue his proto-campaign with an agnosticism that partially allayed any misgivings related to 2002. More to the point, it enabled a brisk rise in campaign contributions from a variety of deep-pocketed industrial houses.

Mr Kejriwal's recent actions have been more of a surprise. Neither religion nor caste played a role in his popularity in Delhi, and in other upscale cities, indeed, he shied away from the slightly saffron-hued tint in the movement led by Kisan Baburao Hazare. It was his blunt, if somewhat unorthodox, approach to the very real problem of corruption and venality that made him the most exciting phenomenon on the political scene since Jayaprakash Narayan. Climbing up electricity poles to cut illegal connections, lying on a pavement to demand more control over Delhi's police, filing FIRs against the central government's gas pricing decision - this is the kind of derring-do middle-class and upper-middle-class people long to emulate but lack the gumption to do so.

Mr Kejriwal has been forthright, too, in his criticism of industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, singling them out for what he sees as beneficiaries of political favour, allegations that few people would dare to openly express. Mukesh Ambani, it may be recalled, was uncharacteristically eloquent at last year's Vibrant Gujarat summit. "In Narendra Modi, we have a leader with a grand vision," he had said. He was outdone only by his younger brother, Anil Ambani, who extravagantly described the Gujarat chief minister as "king of kings" (Anil Ambani's power companies in Delhi were briefly at the receiving end of Mr Kejriwal's power price campaign). By corralling the alleged practices of big businessmen into his anti-corruption rhetoric, Mr Kejriwal had drawn a straight line between business, corruption and the sufferings of ordinary people.

Coming as it did on top of the serial business-related controversies in telecom, coal, iron ore mining, tax evasion and black money, Mr Kejriwal managed to build a platform that certainly resonated with a certain section of urban India. It is striking that many of his followers have been post-reform businessmen and executives - players who are fundamentally uncomfortable with the old paradigms of political patronage and pelf that continue to scar the reputation of Indian business.

Given that, it was disturbing to see, on the day he announced his candidature from Varanasi, photographs of Mr Kejriwal's skinny, lungi-clad torso being lowered into the murky waters of the Ganga in a cleansing snaan and his forehead smeared with the sandalwood paste of a puja.

To be sure, Mr Kejriwal is fully entitled to his personal religious beliefs, as much as Mr Modi. But he was visiting Varanasi in his capacity as a public, political contender on a platform that has - so far - been notably non-religious in content. And though his speeches did focus on his favourite theme of Mr Modi and Rahul Gandhi's surrender to corporate interests, the hollowness of Gujarat's "development" et al, it is hard to deny the subliminal message conveyed by his very public religious observances. It is also worth wondering what all this conveyed to the nearly 19 per cent of Muslims who make up this constituency. It is possible that Mr Kejriwal is trying to build some degree of commonality with Mr Modi to compensate for the lack of solid governance experience that his rival undoubtedly has. But his actions certainly diminish the prospects of this campaign rising above the same old tired issues of caste and religion.

See more here:
Kanika Datta: Great leaps back

Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

Posted on by

By Liisa Vexler

The UK and Israel join forces during a two-day conference at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel this week that will focus on continued joint stem-cell therapy research. This conference is part of the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine event, which is a project initiated by the British Council in Israel and the British Embassy.

The United Kingdoms minister of state for universities and science, David Willetts, is on the list of conference attendees. This list also includes approximately 300 of Israels most prominent research scientists and 80 attendees from Britain who are involved in the research on stem cell therapies to treat chronic and degenerative diseases such as type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, heart disease, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. It will also be attended by 300 leading Israeli scientists and 80 British scientists, whose research is advancing the fight against devastating illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, heart diseases, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. The conference co-chairs are Chris Mason, University Colleges chairman of regenerative medicine bioprocessing at University College, and former chief scientist of Israel, Ehud Gazit.

The UK and Israel have committed 10 million to stem cell research to be invested over the course of five years. To date, BIRAX has provided funding for seven British and Israeli large research projects looking at stem cell therapies for multiple sclerosis, liver disease and Parkinsons.

Britains Minister Willets will officially open the second call for proposals during the conference, with Prime Minister David Cameron having launched the initiative during his recent Israeli visit. This call for proposals will provide funding for innovative research in stem cell therapies for cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

British ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said, This conference will bring together British and Israeli scientists working with stem cells. Our goal is that they will form collaborations to develop cures for some of the worlds most common diseases. Israel and Britain are both at the forefront of stem cell research. Building a stronger partnership between the two countries will be to the benefit of both and has the potential to transform lives around the world. The first conference was hugely successful, and led to some amazing joint research. We have high hopes for this one.

On behalf of the Israeli research community, Technion president Peretz Lavie said his institution is thrilled to play host to the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine conference.

See more here:
Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

Comets nip Enforcers in 19-inning game

Posted on by

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thanks to Kobe Santos base hit, the extended match finally ended. Santos single at the bottom of the 19th inning drove Lorenzo Sebaklim home. Sebaklim led off for the Comets and advanced to first off an Enforcers error at centerfield. He then made it to third after second batter Austin Hocog singled, but was stuck there in the ensuing play, as Aurel Mendiola flied out at second. Santos was next at bat and made the game-winning hit.

The Comets-Enforcers tiff was first played on March 1 and ended in a deadlock after 13 innings. The match resumed last Saturday after the three Senior League games were completed and it still took about two hours for the game to be completed.

The Enforcers had a chance to nail the go-ahead run at the top of the 16th inning with Ethan Babauta reaching third base with two outs, but Comets pitcher Aurel Mendiola and first baseman Austin Indalecio teamed up for the last out.

The Comets also had an opportunity to end the game earlier when they loaded the bases at the bottom of the 17th with two outs, but Rejay Iskawa flied out to left field.

The 19-inning game could be the longest in CNMI Little League history, according to SLLB, Inc. president Tony Rogolifoi. Saipan Tribune contacted former CNMI District Administrator James Ada to confirm the record, but have yet to get a response at press time last night.

Enforcers 7, Jets 2 The Enforcers (9-1) returned to the field last Sunday and regrouped quickly after beating the Jets. The Enforcers finished strong, scoring five runs in the last two innings to bring down the Jets (3-6). The game was tied, 2-all, after five complete innings before Jordan Kosam put the Enforcers in the lead with his RBI single. Kosam also reached home off a Jets error, while Shakobe Rangamar gave the team a 5-2 lead. Two more unearned runs at the top of the seventh game the Enforcers more breathing room and they kept the lead after a 1-2-3 at the bottom.

Falcons 3, Comets 1 The Comets failed to keep their momentum after the marathon win over the Enforcers, bowing to the Falcons in a low-scoring game.

The Falcons scored in the last two innings to edge the Comets. Kody Omengkar, who logged the Falcons first run at the top of the first off Don Fejerans single, also recorded the teams second run off a passed ball in the sixth inning to break the deadlock.

The Comets forced a standoff at the bottom of the first with Hocog blasting an RBI single and the match remained tied after five innings. The drought continued for the Comets in the last two innings, as they had two runners stranded in the sixth and one in the seventh. Earlier at the top of the seventh, Ace Evangelista scored off a Comets I error.

Original post:

Comets nip Enforcers in 19-inning game

Shield win a good omen insists Workington Comets captain

Posted on by

By James Broadhurst

Last updated at 11:42, Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Workington Comets new captain Rene Bach proudly lifted the Ian Thomas Shield on Sunday and believes the win is a good omen for the season ahead.

Rene Bach

The 23-year-old from Denmark scored 12 points in the second leg on Sunday to help his side beat Newcastle Diamonds and clinch the shield 77-73 on aggregate.

Comets lost the second leg at Newcastles Brough Park 46-44 but won the shield on aggregate following a 33-27 win in the first leg at Derwent Park on Saturday.

Bach said he felt he owed his side a strong performance in the second leg after scoring three points from his two rides in the first leg, which was abandoned after heat 10 following a heavy downpour.

He said: I felt I let the team down on Saturday night but I got it working again on Sunday.

It was great to win the shield and a good way to start the season. Everyone had a heat win over the two legs, which was great.

Hopefully its a good sign for the season.

See the rest here:

Shield win a good omen insists Workington Comets captain

Tampa dermatologist performing phase III clinical trial for nail psoriasis

Posted on by

(PR NewsChannel) / March 26, 2014 / TAMPA, Fla.

Tampa Dermatologist Dr. Seth Forman is executing a phase III clinical trial in search of an effective drug treatment for those suffering from nail psoriasis.

In phase III of a clinical trial, a new treatment is given to patients to monitor and confirm its effectiveness.

Promising research is being done to treat the disorder, states the Tampa dermatologist. We are encouraged by the results of the trial so far.

The condition is a common feature seen in conjunction with cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Nail psoriasis can affect as much as 50 percent of all psoriasis patients, causing distress from pain and an unsightly look, according to the Psoriasis Institute.

While positive signs have being seen in treatment, one issue facing patients with the condition is it is often misdiagnosed as nail fungus and treated improperly.

Dr. Forman says the most common symptoms of nail psoriasis are discoloration and thickening or crumbling of the nail. Occurrences may take place on different parts of the nail including the nail fold, nail plate, hyponychium, cuticles and the matrix.

The condition itself is benign, but it takes a toll on those suffering from it, says Dr. Forman. I am optimistic that the trial will conclude with good results.

If interested in being a part of the clinical trial for nail psoriasis, or for more on Dr. Seth Forman, Tampa dermatology or Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, please visit http://www.FormanDerm.com.

About Dr. Seth Forman:Dr. Forman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Tampa, Florida. He was voted the Best Dermatologist in Carrollwood in 2011 and 2012 by the Carrollwood News and Tribune. In December 2011, he opened his new Tampa dermatologyoffice, Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, where he gives psoriasis sufferers access to the latest treatment options, including topical and oral medications, as well as biological and phototherapy. Dr. Forman is one of the few Tampa dermatologists to offer narrowband light therapy, which uses pharmaceutical grade light to suppress psoriasis. Hes also one of the few board-certified dermatologists in the U.S. to use the SRT-100 radiotherapy to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

Follow this link:

Tampa dermatologist performing phase III clinical trial for nail psoriasis

JULIANA’S WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURS: AMA Certo-Church & Monastery in Prague – Video

Posted on by


JULIANA #39;S WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURS: AMA Certo-Church Monastery in Prague
St. Vitus Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wence...

By: Nessa Hall

Here is the original post:

JULIANA'S WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURS: AMA Certo-Church & Monastery in Prague - Video