American Gandhi

'American Gandhi' says give up gas, start walking
by vijigermany

'American Gandhi' says give up gas, start walking

Bernie Meyer has travelled a long way from Washington to spread the message of peace at youth festival in the city. This " American Gandhi" not only dresses up like the Mahatma — complete with the trademark "dhoti", a walking stick and round spectacles - but also spreads his message amongst the youth of India and the US.

The subjects closest to the heart of this Gandhian activist are respect for fellow humans and the environment. "Like Gandhi and Jesus, I practice civil disobedience — against violence, arms and corrupting our earth. The message is of practicing simplicity, which is not very difficulty if we wish to do it. We will have to give up a few things, like gas, and make the choice of going by foot," he says.

Meyer was first inspired by Gandhi as a young priest in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1960s, in the backdrop of the Vietnam war. "I took part in civil disobedience against the war with several other people," he adds.

Meyer, who is visiting India for the 13th time, took up Gandhi's attire 12 years ago when he was asked to portray him in the US. In 2005, he visited India for the first time and has since been invited to many cities to spread the message of peace. He has been visiting Chandigarh for the peace fest for the last five years.

He says the time is just right to start saying "no". "If Mahatma Gandhi saw the violence and destruction of nature happening in the name of development today, he would have fasted unto death all over the world," says Meyer. He adds, "If we don't stop corrupting nature now, it will be too late. The way I see it, we are doing too much to attain power. We are destroying life on earth" Besides India, Meyer has travelled across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as Gandhi.

He has led salt walks in the USA to take Gandhi's message to the highways. He will head to Indore on October 2 and visit.

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Feeling stressed? Try these natural remedies

Feeling stressed? Try these natural remedies

by Anusuya Suresh

Our physical health depends on several important factors such as the constitution we have inherited from our parents, the type of food we eat and the amount of exercise we give our body. Along with these, it is increasingly becoming obvious that the state of mind plays a major role in deciding how well the body functions. Stress can drastically reduce the ability of the immune system to defend the body against illness and therefore, it is vital to take steps to deal with stress. Here are a few natural remedies that can help you combat stress or deal with it in a healthy way.

Eat the right food

According to Ayurveda, food possesses three qualities or gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattvik food is light, fresh and nutritious, rajasik food is spicy and hot and fans emotions, and tamasik foods are stale and promote the sense of inertia. Obviously, the consumption of a diet rich in rajasik and tamasik foods is bound to keep you in a state of mind that is most conducive to stress whereas a sattvik diet helps with keeping the mind calm. So make sure you include foods such as pulses, fresh vegetables and fruits, milk and grains such as rice and tapioca. Avoid an excess of hot chutneys and pickles, sour cream, chicken, fish, meat, cheese, onion, garlic and urad dal and you will find a noticeable change for the better, in your ability to cope with stressful situations. (Read: Understanding Ayurveda: Know thy Doshas)

Use relaxing herbs

Certain herbs such as cardamom (elaichi), lettuce, celery, peppermint, chamomile and fennel (saunf) contain phytoconstituents that have wonderful relaxing properties. Make these a part of your diet in the form of herbal tea or by working them into the dishes you cook for some stress relief.

Ayurveda recommends the use of adaptogenic herbs (that help the body and mind adapt better to stressful conditions) over time can also help you cultivate a calm mind that does not easily get swayed by extreme emotions. Herbs such as aswagandha, jatamansi, guduchi, brahmi, tulsi and shankhpushpi  help to restore the imbalance in the elements that make up the body and mind. However, it is important you avoid self-medication with these herbs – take them only under the prescription of a registered Ayurvedic practitioner who is well-versed with their use. 

Have an oil massage

Remember the annoying oil massage and hot water bath your grandmother or mother insisted you have at least once a week? It may have been a cause of stress during childhood because you resented it, but according to Ayurveda, abhyanga – the application of oil to the entire body – at regular intervals is an easy way of relaxing not just the body, but also the mind. Use any oil – castor, sesame or coconut – heat it to make it warm and rub it into the scalp, hair and all over the body; allow the oil to remain for an hour or two and then bathe with hot water. You will actually feel the stress and strain wash out of your system. For even better relaxation, mix in a little powder of shankhpushpi or brahmi into the oil you use for the massage. (Read: Aromatherapy: Identify your essential oil with Ayurveda)

Cut down on unhealthy beverages

Most of us are addicted to some form of liquid stimulant that we believe makes us more alert and able to deal with the myriad things life brings our way. Caffeine and alcohol tends to increase feelings of anxiety and stress. Cut down on your intake of such beverages and you are sure to observe your stress levels becoming much more manageable. 

Breathe right

In our constant rush to meet deadlines and do things on time? Your breathing might be the one to take the hit. A lack of proper deep breaths greatly reduces the amount of oxygen which is a major reason for increasing stress levels. To combat this, make it a point to breathe in slowly and deeply a few times every morning and night – feel your stomach and chest expand as you inhale, and fall as you exhale. Breathe in as you slowly count from 1 to 5, hold for five counts and then exhale while counting from 1 to 5. If possible, learn the techniques of pranayama from a qualified instructor and practice every day. Whenever you feel yourself getting tense, practice this deep breathing a few times and you will find the feeling of crisis tide over almost effortlessly. Over time, you will find it easier to cope better with unpleasant situations without getting stressed.

Stress is a natural response to situations we have to face, but the fact remains that a similar situation may leave one individual a mess but another, untouched. What this implies is that how stressed you feel largely depends on the way you choose to respond to a stressful situation. With the right diet, breathing techniques and the use of adaptogenic herbs, it is possible to alter this response and cultivate a positive attitude that will help us face life's challenges with courage and strength, without losing our cool. 

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

 

 

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Sorry, I have a headache’ encourages one in five to an affair

'Sorry, I have a headache' encourages one in five to an affair
by vijigermany
New Tamil  - 
'Sorry, I have a headache' encourages one in five to an affair

You've had years in a loving relationship, children and a nice house. What could possibly come between you and your partner? How about the words: 'Not tonight dear, I'm not in the mood.'

One in five people have been unfaithful because they have a higher sex drive than their partner, a study suggests.

More than four in ten women and six in ten men say they have a higher libido than their partner.

Common causes for the loss of sex drive include boredom, stress, children and a lack of physical attraction.

Despite this, one in three people have had sex while 'not in the mood'.
Relationship counsellor Joanna Coker said: 'A difference in sex drive does not need to be the death of a relationship.'

Popular ways of overcoming problems included talking about the problem and trying to find a solution, being more adventurous in bed and spending time together in a non-sexual way.

'It is important for couples to realise being in the mood for sex is not a fixed state and it is natural for couples to experience differences in when they are sexually aroused,' Miss Coker added.

'The good news is that often a partner can help their partner to get in the mood by making an effort to make their partner feel special.'

The survey of 3,000 Britons was commissioned by sex toy website Bondara.

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Why is an ECG required?

Why is an ECG required?

by Pavitra Sampath

One of the most common symptoms of heart disease is chest pain. Consider this, you suffer from mild chest pain and go to your doctor who promptly orders an ECG. While the chest pain could make you nervous, know that an ECG is an absolutely basic test and  one of the simplest ones out there. In this post, we explain when an ECG is required, the procedure and what the results could mean.
 

When is an ECG required?
 A doctor may advise an ECG if a patient is experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or has palpitations. Some common conditions that are diagnosed using this method are arrhythmias, myocarditis, enlargement of the heart etc.  While, most heart related conditions can be diagnosed or identified by an ECG but some conditions like irregular heart beats  or angina might not show any significant change in your ECG readings. Read Take the natural route to heart health – home remedies that work!

In order to catch the conditions that might escape detection, there are some modifications to an ECG that can help diagnose them. One is known as a stress test, where your heart rate is monitored using an ECG while you are asked to walk or run on a treadmill. The other kind is the holter ECG. This is where you are hooked up to a portable ECG machine, that regularly checks your heart rate while you are performing your daily activities. 

The procedure is quick, painless and doesn't require hospitalization
The technician will attach a few electrodes to your chest after applying a conductive gel that helps them pick up the electric impulses from your heart. Usually the  electrodes are kept stationary during the test but in some cases they may be moved around in order to facilitate a more accurate reading. You will be asked to lie down on a bed placed in the ECG room, after which the technician will proceed to placing electrodes to your chest in order to start the test. In some cases you may be required to change into a hospital gown. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes for a doctor to take the test and the results are seen on a sheet that is printed out from the machine. Read ten life saving tests you should take.

Dos and don'ts during an ECG

In order to undergo an ECG there are a few things you should be prepared for. If you are a man, the technician may need to shave a part of your chest hair in order to attach the electrodes to your skin. If you are a woman you will require to remove your jewellery before the procedure. You will also be given a gown to wear which will cover your chest partially during the procedure.

As a precaution, if you are on any medication for heart disease, it is best to discuss with your doctor about stopping the drug a few hours before the procedure in order to get accurate readings. In some cases your doctor may want to place the electrodes on your feet and arms, be prepared and avoid wearing socks during the procedure.

What do the readings mean?

Although it is complex to understand what these waves actually mean, there are a few things you can find out about your readings.

If your heart beats are lower than 60 beats per minute it means that you might be suffering from a condition that is causing your heart rate to slow down drastically, like CAD (Coronary Artery Disease), myocarditis, myocardial infarction etc.  Other conditions like thyroid imbalances, electrolyte depletion or certain heart medication that can also cause a drop in one's heart rate.
If your heart beats too fast, that is anything above 100 beats per minute, it signifies conditions like defects in one of the valves of the heart or other conditions like hypertension, stress etc. This is also known as tachycardia.
Finally, an ECG is the first step in diagnosing an abnormality with the heart, but there are further more advanced tests that might be required to reach an accurate diagnosis. Just remember to relax and not get too nervous about the test, the more relaxed you are the better your results will be. 

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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Yoga Exercise Improve Health And Performance Of Heart

Yoga Exercise Improve Health And Performance Of Heart

by desimzatube
Tamil Girls Mobile Numbers |

Yoga is a name of physical,mental and spiritual practices or disciplines.It is a old tradition of Indian which means to attain a state of permanent peace.Yoga word means,' Union' and its full meaning is union with divine.There are many traditions of yoga found in Hinduism,Buddhism and Jainism.Yoga is the most popular and famous exercise these days in the world.Many people are taking advantage from this exercise in Yoga schools,home and other institutes,where Yoga is taught.There are many ways and methods of Yoga,originally Yoga means to control the thoughts of mind and get a state of peace.

How Yoga is useful for health and how it improve health and performance of heart.We will discuss that here:

Yoga not only improve health and performance of heart but Yoga also improve mental and physical health.According to medical experts,many Yoga exercises,which are done on specific time,such as breathing,sitting,deep thinking,keeping hands and feet in relaxed state,directly improve the performance of heart and with that,heart health improves day by day.

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Life doesn’t end after bypass surgery

Life doesn't end after bypass surgery

by Dr Aashish Contractor

Imagine that you or your loved one just underwent bypass surgery. There are a million questions in your mind, 'What should he or she eat?', 'Should they exercise?', 'How long should they rest?' or 'When will they be back to normal?' Thankfully you don't have to worry anymore because preventive cardiologist Dr Aashish Contractor tells us exactly what to expect and do after a bypass surgery:

First and foremost, you need to understand that a bypass surgery is a major operation in which a healthy blood vessel is used to form a bypass or another route for the heart to pump blood to the other body parts to make up for a blockage in a coronary (heart artery). This new blood vessel is called a graft and the proper name for the procedure is 'coronary artery bypass graft surgery'. It's one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures and everyone should know what to do afterwards.

Life post surgery

Typically, you will spend two days in the ICU. This is the average time when the surgery is done on a 'beating heart'. After the stay in the ICU, the patient typically spends 5-6 days in the hospital ward.

After leaving the hospital

The crucial part begins after you return home. During the first week, it's important to remember that even a small amount of activity can make the patient tired and feel out of breath. Don't worry, this is completely normal. When you do feel tired, take a short rest before resuming any activity but don't give in to the urge to just keep lying down all day.

Also, you should know that during surgery, your chest bone (known as the sternum) was cut open and is stitched close after it. It's quite common to experience an itch or soreness in that area. You may also have some pain in the shoulder or back.  Consult your doctor if the pain becomes unbearable.  It usually takes about 6 weeks for the complete healing of the sternum. In the past, people would wear a thick belt around the chest for support. However, new research has shown that this is not necessary and does not offer any additional protection.

A hint of the blues

During the first week at home, you might feel sad, anxious or depressed. This is perfectly natural after a major operation like this, and these feelings will usually go away within four weeks. However, if these emotions are causing too much anxiety, you should consult a doctor, who may give you some medication. Your progress will be gradual and you should be back to normal within 4-6 weeks. 

The importance of rest

I can't stress enough how important it is to get adequate rest after a major procedure like this. At times, you may feel like you're full of energy and want to do a lot more than what your doctor suggests. While activity and exercise is important, there's a fine line between the right amount of activity and excessive amount of activity. It's vital to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night and a short nap in the afternoon if you feel the need. 

Should you exercise?

During a patient's stay at the hospital, we usually start a walking programme. Exercise is important because it improves your strength after surgery and also helps increase your cardiac capacity and reduces risk of future heart disease. It's important to warm-up before beginning any programme. Below is a sample-walking programme.  There are always individual differences and you need to adjust your programme depending on 'how you feel'.  Do not worry if you are unable to follow the programme exactly.

Avoid exercising outdoors in extreme temperature situations especially when it's hot. Remember not to exercise within two hours of eating a meal.  Wear supportive walking shoes and comfortable clothing. (Read: Should you exercise after suffering a heart attack?)

Cardiac rehab programme

I also recommend that you enrol in a cardiac rehabilitation programme at a hospital (most big hospitals have them) to accelerate the recovery process and to learn more about heart health. This will help you reduce the risk for future heart-related complications and heart attacks.

Precautions to keep in mind

Do not exercise or stop exercising if you notice any of the following:

Excessive fatigue that lasts more than an hour after you finish exercising. 
Chest, neck, jaw, teeth, shoulder or arm pain that is unusual.  Remember you may experience some discomfort in the chest due to the fact that your breast bone (sternum) was cut during surgery and requires 6-8 weeks to heal completely.
Excessive shortness of breath.
Dizziness or nausea.
Ankle swelling or increase in weight.
Heart rate too much over target.
Skipped beats that appear more frequently than usual.
Joint, muscle, or ligament pain/problems.
Some other tips:

Your physiotherapist will teach you some breathing exercises which you should continue to do after being discharged as coughing and deep breathing help prevent infection in your lungs.
Don't lift objects heavier than 3-4 kg for the first six weeks. Heavy lifting can cause the bone in your chest to separate and prevents it from healing. The surgeon will tell you at your follow-up appointment when you can start lifting heavier objects.
If you don't live in the city where your operation has been carried out and need to travel home, consult your doctor on when you will be able to do so. It's usually advisable to wait for at least two weeks after being discharged before travelling. The decision will also depend on other variables like the length of the travel as well as the mode of transportation.
This article is a part of our Heart Health Month initiative.

Know your heart, love your heart

More and more Indians are falling prey to heart disease. There are various reasons for this including a sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, pollution, smoking, drinking, a fatty diet and a general ignorance about what causes heart ailments. However, we at health.india.com intend to fight that by covering every aspect of cardiovascular health including diet, expert advice, exercise, natural remedies, diagnosis and treatment, specific heart advice for women and more this month.

Check out our Heart Health Page for more.

 For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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My boyfriend is complaining that my vagina is big and loose. What should I do?

I am a 25-year-old unmarried girl. I was in a relationship 4 years back and we had a good sex life. It lasted for 2 years before we broke up. After that, I have been single till date. Now, I am in a relationship with another guy. When we had sex the first time,  he complained that he couldn’t feel anything after penetration. He told me that my vagina is big and loose. Can it happen? I never had a baby or even an abortion or any vaginal procedure. Can masturbation cause looseness in vagina? And if it’s true what can I do to get my tightness back. I am tensed about it. I’ve lost my confidence on bed. I am unmarried and have my whole life ahead. Please reply ASAP.
என் நண்பன் என் யோனி பெரிய மற்றும் நெகிழ்வான என்று புகார். நான் என்ன செய்ய வேண்டும்?

Swami Vivekananda suffered from 31 ailments

Swami Vivekananda suffered from 31 ailments

by vijigermany
New Tamil  -
Swami Vivekananda suffered from 31 ailments

In a life-span of only 39 years, Swami Vivekananda, who spread the message of India's spiritual heritage across the world, battled several health problems all along and no less than 31 diseases and ailments.

'The Monk as Man' by renowned Bengali writer Shankar lists insomnia, liver and kidney diseases, malaria, migraine, diabetes and heart ailments as some of the 31 health problems that the Swami faced in the course of his life.

Shankar describes Swami Vivekananda's health problems using a sanskrit quote 'shariram byadhimandiram' --- the body is the temple of diseases.
Ironically, Vivekananda used to emphasise greatly on physical strength and is known for the shocking statement 'Better to play football than read the Gita'.

One of the perennial problems that Vivekananda lived with was chronic insomnia and in a letter to Shashi Bhushan Ghosh dated May 29, 1897, he confided "I never in my life could sleep as soon as I got into bed."
The previous year, Vivekananda seemed to have written to his 'dhira mata' (Sara Bull) from New York complaining about his lack of sleep. "My health has nearly broken down. I have not slept even one night soundly in New York since I came

I wish I could go to the bottom of the sea and have a good, long sleep."
It is also known that Vivekananda used to suffer from diabetes like his father and at that time suitable drugs were unavailable.

Shankar writes that Vivekananda had tried different modes of treatment ranging from allopathic, homoeopathic to ayurvedic and had also taken advice from all kinds of quasi-medical experts from various countries.

He narrates that in the summer of 1887, Vivekananda (whose real name was Narendranath Dutta) had fallen very ill due to overstrain and lack of food.

During this period, he also suffered from gallstones, and acute diarrhoea. Later, during the same summer, he came down with typhoid and problems in the urinary tract.

"Narendranath's abdominal pains were a source of great anxiety," Shankar says.

Shankar wonderfully chronicles the various medical problems Swami Vivekananda faced during his stint as a wandering monk in the country and across the world, and why he cut short his journey in Cairo, Egypt, to return to India.

It was to French operatic soprano Rosa Emma Calvet that Vivekandanda had declared in Egypt that he would die on July 4. "Swami Vivekananda's eyes filled with tears. He said he wanted to return to his country to die, to be with his gurubhais," Shankar wrote. The fateful evening of July 4, 1902, Vivekananda passed away following a third heart ttack, completing 39 years, five months and 24 days.

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Milk in the benefits of doodh

Milk in the benefits of doodh

Did you know that milk is considered 'nature's wellness drink'? It is the first food which a baby is given to after birth. Milk is considered a complete food, and is a storehouse of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. We begin drinking it when we are young, but our intake decreases as we get older. Some people shy away from it because they fear that it will add too much fat to their diet. Others leave it out because they believe that they no longer need it. You are never too old to reap the rewards of drinking milk.

20 years ago, there were only two types of milk available, but today, a wide variety of milk is sold in the market, making it really easy to choose as per our requirements. Here are the different types:

Full cream:  This milk has 4-6% fat, and is packed with energy and nutrition.

Toned: This milk has 3% fat. It's an ideal choice for people in search of a nutritionally balanced diet that does not compromise on taste.

Double toned: This milk has 1.5% fat content.  It is a good option for all calorie conscious people who love the taste of milk but are wary of its cream content.

Skimmed: It has 0.5 % fat. In skimmed milk, the fat is removed yet it continues to supply all the nutrients milk has. It is extremely good for people who have high cholesterol or are on a low-fat diet.

Why do we need milk and dairy products?

Milk is the only source of calcium readily absorbed and also one of the rare sources of vitamin D hence is essential for strong bones. A glass of milk provides about 30 % DV (daily value) of calcium and 25% DV of vitamin D. Here are some more reasons to consume it:

Healthy bones and teeth: Calcium, phosphorous and protein are essential in building healthy bones and teeth. Milk and its products help in protecting against osteoporosis.

Blood pressure: People with high BP need to cut down their salt intake. Drinking 3 portions of milk and five portions of fruits and veggies on a daily basis will help in lowering high blood pressure. (Read: Tasty recipes to keep BP under control)

Heart disease: Studies have shown that consuming milk can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and calcium lowers the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood which is known to increase the risk of heart disease. (Read: Understanding heart disease)

Diabetes: Cutting down on refined sugars and carbs and drinking low-fat milk and its products can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. (Read: Healthy recipe for diabetics)

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is caused when there is a reduced intake of calcium and giving up milk can result in the same. Women and elderly people are more prone hence they should have milk to prevent bone loss. (Read: Osteoporosis – what you ought to know)

How much milk do we really need?

Children

A child up to two years of age should have at least three glasses of full cream milk. Children between 3-12 years should have three glasses of toned milk and adolescents can have two glasses of double toned milk.

Adults

Ideally, even adults should consume half litre of double toned milk or milk products daily. Since calcium requirement increases in elderly, they should consume about 750 ml of skimmed milk or milk products every day.

Hate milk? Try this formula

Some people aren't lactose intolerant but can't stand milk. Here's an easy formula that will help them substitute milk with other dairy products.

1glass of milk (250 ml) = 1 katori (250g) curd = 1 ½ cheese slice = 50g paneer   = 250-350 mg of calcium.

2 glasses of low-fat milk = 2 katori of low-fat curd = 3 slices of slim cheese = 100g of low-fat paneer.

So, if milk seems boring go ahead and have fruit yoghurts, curd smoothies, etc to meet your daily milk needs.

What if I cannot digest milk?

Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body cannot digest lactose, a carbohydrate found in milk. The enzyme called lactase which is present in the small intestine is responsible for breaking down lactose but when the body does not produce enough of this enzyme, the undigested lactose gets broken up by bacteria in the large intestine and causes gas, bloating, diarrhoea. People who are lactose intolerant can opt for whey water and other such alternatives. They might not be able to digest milk but depending on the level of their intolerance, they can digest a few dairy products like yoghurt or cheese.

 For more articles on diet, check out our  fitness section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel.

Content powered by HealthifyMe, the world's first Indian nutrition tracker.

 

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Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case and the Special Investigation Team – Part Three

INSIDE STORY: Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case and the Special Investigation Team – Part Three

( February 10, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The death convicts will be heaving a sigh of relief temporarily as their case has been adjourned owing to the pendency of a connected matter before Honourable Supreme Court of India.

Earlier it came to be mentioned that the death convicts have been languishing in jail for about13 years which is incorrect, for they are being incarcerated for about 21 years on end; a mistake has crept into it by oversight and therefore the number 13 may be correctly read as 21.

In view of the discussion already made in respect of the 4 photographs , one may safely arrive at a conclusion that there are no similarities or identical features of the persons who figure in the photographs. Those 4 photographs were not the only ones pertaining to Sivarasan who was said to be the master mind in executing the plan which had been alleged to have been hatched by LTTE.

The Chief Investigation officer had brought in yet another photograph which was found affixed on a driving license said to have been issued to one Sivaraj s/o S.Ramalingan and according to the version of the story propounded by the investigating officer, the said Sivarasan @ Raguvaran @ Packiyachandran had applied for driving license and obtained one. In this regard the attention of the readers are solicited to page No.70 of the Book Rajiv Kolai Vazhakku ( Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case) where a copy of driving license had come be inserted and an enlargement of that photograph is given below.

Although the facial features of the person figuring in this photograph is a bit blurred owing to enlargement yet this person is entirely a different person from the persons found in other 4 photographs. There is no knowing as to how the prosecution had introduced these photographs purporting to the photographs of Sivarasan @ Raguvaran @ Packiyanathan and it should have been thus that the prosecution had made the court to believe that the persons found in all the 4 photographs were one and same person and on the basis of fabricated evidence had facilitated in awarding the capital punishment. Anyone who on seeing the aforesaid photographs would certainly conclude that the persons appearing in them were different individual persons and there needs to possess no esoteric knowledge to come to such a conclusion. Sivarasan@ Raguvaran@ Packiyanathan need necessarily be not Sivaraj son of S.Ramalingam and as for the names themselves , Sivarasan and Sivaraj should be two different entities. These apparent dubitative evidence should have gone in favour of the accused persons in their acquittal. But that these apparent and obvious stark differences had escaped the notice and knowledge of the court is what grieves greatly the right thinking people and for the said reason the judgment of trial court needs to be revised in the interest of justice.

What have been stated in the earlier parts of this piece would settle at rest the proposition of fact that those 10 photographs were the only evidence with which the SIT had made a humble beginning of their investigation and we have also seen as to why those photographs were not credible piece of evidence and in reality those photographs were unreliable for any purpose inclusive of an attempt at proving the involvement of LTTE. The 6 other photographs have to be excluded in totality because the active and practical investigator Mr.K.Ragothaman himself would state that there were only 10 photographs which were the basis for initiation of the investigation and it was these 10 photographs from which prints were taken and then supplied to all other members attached to the investigation team.

The Special Investigation Team has to admit fairly that in the absence of negatives of those 10 photographs fresh negatives could have been created out of the positive prints.

A few more words need to be spoken of the photographer Haribabu. It may be remembered that it was once again the Hindu Newspaper which was alleged to have quoted the story that the father of the alleged photographer had staunchly and in categorical terms denied any involvement of his son in any of the affairs of the LTTE.

According to the decision arrived at by the Chief of the Special Investigation Team Mr.D.R.Karthikeyan , there were no obvious indication in the hut of Haribabu which would show any involvement with any terrorist group and further it was his categorical conclusion that Haribabu's house had already been cleaned of any evidence that might point to his involvement with LTTE.

The above statement stands in proof of the proposition that there being absolutely no evidence to show that the alleged photographer was one among the conspirators. But imputing and accusing him of conspiracy in assassinating Rajiv Gandhi will not be proper and such an allegation is, as we have seen thus far, should have been unfounded and baseless.

The Chief of the Investigating Team Mr.K.Ragothaman would claim that he had sent his team members to search for and salvage any evidence that might be found in the hut of Haribabu and in compliance of his direction some officers who were assisting him had been to the hut of Haribabu at Saidapet, Chennai, who after a laborious search had informed the chief Investigating officer in the following manner and what had transpired there according to him had been embodied by Mr.K.Ragothaman in his book Rajiv Gandhi Kolai Vazhakku at page No.43 fifth paragraph ,

" I have called and spoken to the officers who were sent to make a search the house of Haribabu. All of them spoke in unison and in categorical terms. Definitely there was nothing available in that house'.

His subordinates seemed to say the following, 'Sir. we have ransacked the entire house . If all the things that were available there were to be removed and sold would not fetch even Rs.1,000/-'

The point that has to noted attentively is that the Chief Investigating officer Mr.K.Ragothamman himself would reveal and admit in categorical terms that he himself had been to the hut of Haribabu at earlier point of time and that nothing had appeared unusual to his eyes in the hut and the following lines is what he had said in page No.43 at the sixth paragraph,"I too had been to the house earlier. To my eyes nothing appeared unusual. Even after searching the nook and cranny of the house there was no material that could point to the involvement. It seemed there was no chance of there being any evidence."

The unanimous version of both the Chief of Special the Investigation Team and the Chief of the Investigating officer was that there was absolutely no evidence whatsoever in incriminating Haribabu so as to indict him for the offence of conspiracy and collaboration in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and this was the position that existed till to the first week of June 1991.

The Special Investigation Team had not made any break thorough in the investigation of the case from 24.5.1991 till the first week of June 1991 as has been pointed out. There was not a whit of material evidence available except those 10 photographs which had been given by the Hindu News Paper and the said 10 photographs in themselves did not reveal any clue leading to the fixation of identity of the offenders.

It appears from the narration of the story that the Special Investigating Team which since having failed to get material evidence to implicate the LLTE had contrived to project a new twist in the trend of his story. The following passage is the crux of the narration.

'The Chief Investigation officer was said to have gone to the hut of Haribabu where there were apparent impecunious situation and the mother of Haribabu had come forward to get tea for them from a tea shop and that she had bundle of 100 rupees notes which had made him to suspect the complicity of Haribabu in the assassination but they had declined the offer and that before they did come away from Haribabu's hut Mr.K.Ragothaman had informed Haribabu's father saying that if he revealed the names of the persons with whom his son had kept contact then the Government would pay sumptuous award'.

The story flits as a sequential scenes in a novel. Subsequent to the aforesaid alleged incident, Mr.K.Ragothaman had continued to narrate in his book that the father of Haribabu had brought to him a camera stand and handed it over to him by apologizing that he had forgotten to hand it over to Mr.K.Ragothaman at the time of his earlier visit and therefore suspicious stance on the part of father of Haribau had promoted the Chief Investigating officer to direct other officers to make a thorough search in the hut of Haribabu and only then they say they had found letters, receipt and bills and one among the letters was a letter said to have been written by one Sundari who was a resident of Villupuram, to Haribabu and it was said that Sundari was the fiancé of Haribabu.

The allegations like possession of bundle of 100 rupees notes, return of camera stand and recovery of letters and bills seem to be farfetched and imaginary and there was no cohesiveness and consistency in the matters alleged in the book and Such unfounded allegation would not appeal to the mind of any one.

The weighing and considering the truth and veracity of the matters enumerated in the forgoing paragraphs are left to the decision of the readers.

to be continued….
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Tata group signs MoU with Singapore Airlines

Tata group signs MoU with Singapore Airlines
Tamil NewsToday, 05:30

Salt to software conglomerate Tata group on Thursday said that it has entered into an agreement with Singapore Airlines to start a full-service carrier in India.
The two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the airline, which will be based in New Delhi and operate under the full-service model, Tata Sons said in a statement.

"Tata Sons will own 51 percent and Singapore Airlines will own 49 per cent," the statement added. The Tatas already have a partnership with AirAsia Bhd to start a low-cost airline in India.

Tata Sons has applied to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for approval to establish the new airline in India, the company said, adding the initial board will have two members nominated by Tata Sons and one nominated by Singapore Airlines.

The Chairman will be Prasad Menon, nominated by Tata Sons.

"It is Tata Sons' evaluation that civil aviation in India offers sustainable growth potential. We now have the opportunity to launch a world-class, full-service airline in India. We are delighted that we are partnering in this endeavour with the world renowned Singapore Airlines," Mr. Menon said.

Expressing similar views, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said: "We have always been a strong believer in the growth potential of India's aviation sector and are excited about the opportunity to partner Tata Sons in contributing to the future expansion of the market."

With the recent liberalisation, the time is right to jointly bring consumers a fresh new option for full-service air travel, he added.

"We are confident the joint venture airline will help to stimulate market demand and provide economic benefits to India," Mr. Goh said.

Details of the airline's branding, management team and products and services will be announced in due course, the company said.

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