1. The UPA Government announced the launch of the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SCCP) in 2005 to create a shipping channel between the Palk Bay and the Gulf on Mannar between India and Sri Lanka.
2. The project would include dredging across the Ram Setu or Adam’s Bridge, believed by Hindus to be a bridge built by Lord Ram to journey to Lanka. This bridge is said to be one of the most important religious sites for Hindus, and plays a significant role in the Ramayana.
3. The Supreme Court had, in 2007, restrained the UPA Government from going ahead with the project, and suggested that the Government examine an alternative route that does not dredge the Ram Setu.
4. The shipping channel is proposed to be 30 metres wide, 12 metres deep and 167 kilometres long.
5. Janata Party President Subramaniam Swamy had called for the Ram Setu to be conferred the status of national monument. Swamy also contended that the demolition of Ram Setu will amount to a criminal offence under section 295 IPC.
6. The Sethusamudram project drew the ire of Hindus across the country, who see it as a disrespect to Hindu religious beliefs.
7. Following national outrage over the project, Hindu groups formed the ‘Save Ram Sethu’ campaign in 2007 to create awareness, and to stop the Government from continuing the project.
8. The Sethusamudram project has also drawn widespread opposition from environmental activists, who argue that it will cause a great deal of damage to local habitation and marine life.
9. Besides environmental hazards, the SCCP was found to be economically unviable, as suggested by a report prepared by environmentalist RK Pachauri. The recommendation was rejected by the Government.
10. The BJP has warned the UPA Government against the demolition of Ram Setu, and said that it will not tolerate any tampering with the historical bridge.
Facebook is a growing addiction among teenagers across the world and as a parent some might be overly concerned. How concerned you ask? So much so that a father goes on to pay his 14-year old teenage daughter a sum of $200 to quit Facebook for a period of five months.CNET reports via Daily Dot that Rachel Baier seems to have signed a Facebook Deactivation Agreement that lasts from February 4 2013 to June 26 2013. Paul Baier, a vice president at a Boston-area energy firm, posted a photograph of the signed contract on his blog, that focuses on energy technology and sustainability.Speaking to the Daily Dot, Paul was quoted as saying, "It was her idea. She wants to earn money and also finds Facebook a distraction and a waste of time sometimes. She plans to go back on after the 6 months is over." The signatures of both father and daughter appear at the bottom of the contract.The contractual agreement also stated that Rachel's father will have the right to change her Facebook password and deactivate her account in case she is tempted to reactivate it under any circumstances. As far as the money is concerned, Rachel plans on putting it to good use to buy "stuff" as per her contract.But looks like she'll have to stay committed to earn it. She will be paid a sum of $50 only by April 15 while the remaining $150 will be given to her only on June 26, meaning once the deal comes to a close.Multiple studies have been associated with Facebook implicating the negative impacts of the social network in today's era. Findings of German researchers suggest that witnessing friends' vacations, love lives and work successes on Facebook can cause envy and trigger feelings of misery and loneliness.Another one from the Pew Research Center indicates that about 61 percent of US users said they had taken time off from Facebook at some point, with 27 percent planning to spend less time on it in the coming year. A new consumer study says that Facebook may lower one's self-control and tempt him or her into excessive eating or spending.In September last year, a study revealed that an estimated 5.6 million Facebook clients about 3.5 percent of its US users are children who the company says are banned from the site. Facebook and many other web sites bar people under age 13 because the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires web sites to give special treatment to children 12 or younger. The law aims to stop marketers prying personal information from children or using their data to advertise to them.
Shocking news from the web . A 17-year-old Apple fan sold his Kidney to buy iPad 2 . According to Global Times this kid from China had one of his kidneys removed to be able to afford an iPad 2 . This guy named “Zheng” contacted an online human parts dealer and sold his kidney for 20,000 yuan equivalent to $3000 . The boy wanted Apple’s second generation tablet so badly that he could even part away with one of his body’s vital organs.According to Shanghai Daily , Zheng went to Chenzhou City in neighboring Hunan Province on April 28th for the kidney removal surgery arranged by the broker. His parents knew nothing about it . Now this guys health is deteriorating day by day , but it’s too late to step back . Zheng’s parents got suspicious when his health started to decline . When the police were contacted for investigation , the broker has already fled and his number could not be found. The hospital where the operation took place is not qualified either to do kidney removal and transplants . Investigations are on .
111-Year-Old Man
A Cuban man Ignacio Cubilla Banos celebrates his 111th birthday.
He has 11 children, 40 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
