New York Manhattan Blacked Out

Sandy hits the land: New York, Manhattan blacked out

 

 

The hybrid super-storm which is expected to be the biggest storm to hit US has made landfall in the nation creating havoc while it caused power outages dousing parts of New York and inundating Lower Manhattan on Monday. A few parts of New York City were completely blacked out due to the power outages.

Though the impact which took place near Atlantic City at 8 pm local time, 6:30am IST,  it brought along with it winds that clocked over 80-mph causing mass devastation from North Carolina to Maine. It had knocked out power to over three million residents in the areas of the eleven affected states and the Washington DC.

The incessant rains, high speed winds have killed two people on Monday as a tree got unearthed and crashed onto a vehicle in New Jersey.

This takes the total toll of the dead to 10 while several millions were victims to the effects of the brute winds coupled by torrential rainfall bringing the most densely populated cities of US to a stand still.

Subways and Car Tunnels were flooded near the East River and Hudson River as the sea water flowed into the Battery park of the Lower Manhattan as the levels of water rose several feet as rain continued  to lash the areas mercilessly.

Several major cities from Boston to Washington have prepared themselves for the superstorm which is expected to victimize over 50 million people in the eastern coast of US. Forecasters have particularly mentioned New York to be in great danger.

President Obama announced emergency in the critical situation to tackle the natural clamity.

A blacked out New York City skyline is seen from Brooklyn, New York after the power outages caused by the “frankenstorm”.

Over 375,000 people were ordered to evacuate the place mandatorily to avert any possible mishaps.

People are seen filling up their groceries before being evacuated.

The intimidating hurricane-force winds could be spotted from the space too.

(AW- Anil)

Best Sky Diving Destinations

Best Sky Diving Destinations

 

 

Are you a person who often enjoy the risky stunts and sky dives? If yes, then you are at the right place. When you get released from a height above 1500 metres and more, all possible hormones that release in the body undoubtedly give a different feeling, excitement and even kick...Many adventure lovers don't miss the opportunity to grab the same. If you count yourself in the list too, then you must know about top three sky-diving places in the world.


Taupo, New Zealand:

Whether you love sky-diving or not, your visit to New Zealand would be tagged incomplete without trying sky-diving at Taupo. At Taupo, one would be allowed to fall from a height of 15,000 feet and he/she would reach the ground within one minute with 200 kilometres per hour. It's a terror to imagine and yes it is definitely a terror, at least first few seconds until you reach 200 kilometres' speed. As you fall down, you can see spectacular lake surrounded by snow capped volcanoes. Taupo would undoubtedly remain as one of your best adventures. So, make sure you visit this place.




Palm Island, Dubai:

Sky-diving at Palm Island is another best place for sky-diving. Right from  free flying to formation sky-diving to wing suit flying, you can experience everything here. Palm DZ (sky-diving in Dubai) is closed in June, July and August.






San Marcos:

If you stay  in the United States and want to experience the best sky-dive in the same place then San Marcos is your right destination. Skydive San Marcos is a member of United States Parachute Association. You will be allowed to jump off 11,000 feet from a plane and you would reach the ground in less than two minutes with a speed of 120 metres per hour. Exciting to imagine right? Why waste time...go to San Marcos right away.


(AWP)

Dangerous Beaches

Top 5 dangerous beaches 

Are you a person who wish to escape to the beach to watch the nature's beauty? If yes, then you must not only know world's beautiful beaches but even the dangerous ones since most of the beautiful beaches claimed the lives of hundreds over years. Now, don't think of googling for the dangerous beaches as we present them before you...check them out!

 Queensland beach, Australia:
Just like how a beautiful rose has a thorn under it, the beautiful waters have dangerous creatures inside at Queensland. The beach, undoubtedly looks beautiful. But, never try to play with the water over there as you might end up getting stung by box jellyfish. The sting of box jellyfish is fatal. Therefore, avoiding going into the water at Queensland beach. Also, it's advisable to completely avoid visiting Frazer Island (which is on the south east of Queensland) since you might be encountering crocodiles and deadliest spiders.

Hanakapipai, Hawaii:
The currents here are so powerful that can literally drag people into the ocean even if their knees are still not touched by the water level. There's a private warning board here, which states that over 83 people were buried under the water here. So, folks be careful if you happen to visit this beach.

Red Triangle, California:
This is one of the deadliest beaches in the world. Many people who visited this beach had fallen prey to sharks, which come all of a sudden and take the people away. Although this is still one of the most preferred destinations on a holiday, it's advisable not to approach the water.  In fact, a large number of tourists presumably know this fact.

Kilauea beach, Hawaii:
Located towards the north of Kauai island, Kilauea beach is referred to as a secret beach. And it's also one of the most beautiful beaches. The currents here are to strong and dangerous waves break the stones on the shore. The worst part of this beach is that it's next to an active volcano, which has been erupting since 1983. And the lava omitted gets spewed into the ocean.

Amazon beaches, Brazil:
These are beautiful beaches and equally dangerous. Amazon beaches are home to anacondas, piranhas and electric eels. It's better not to visit this place unless you want to play with your life.

So, folks make sure you follow certain precautions in case you happen to visit these Dangerous Beaches lest you repent. (AW Phani)

 

Biodiversity

Biodiversity Special Science Express Train in Warangal

With the International Biodiversity Summit underway in India, especially at Hyderabad, a special train enlightening the importance of the subject is moving around the nation.

The Science Express-Biodiversity Special (SEBS) is a collaborative initiative of Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) of GOI. It has started its journey on World Environment Day this year and will be traveling all through the nation, from 5 June to 22 December 2012. Biodiversity Special is an innovative and unique mobile exhibition mounted on a specially designed 16 coach AC train. On Saturday the train that was stationed at Warangal for the third consecutive day, owing to tremendous response from students.

The entry to the train is totally free for students and they are flocking to see the Biodiversity Special Science Express Train. Warangal station is busy with students standing in serpentine queues to have a glimpse of this special train. The whole train is decked up with live biodiversity environments and briefs about the dangers if this is disturbed.

'Quite a knowledge experience to students,' says Ramaiah, a teacher from one of the schools.

Another teacher   Xavier claims, 'What takes the student to learn for months can be grasped in minutes, by visual treat.'

An onlooker says, 'an admirable effort by the government of India.'

When interacted with some students who visited the special science express, they uni-vocally claimed, 'it was a wonderful knowledgeable experience.'

SEBS was flagged off by the Environment Minister Jayanti Natarjan and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit in New Delhi in June, this year. The exhibition aimed to showcase the wide array of biodiversity in the country and the conservation measures adopted thereof. The exhibition also showcased aspects of Climate Change, Water, Energy Conservation, Environment and Legacy of the Science Express. Students enjoyed learning about cutting-edge research in Science; explained through interesting audio-visual exhibits and interactive tools. They even performed experiments in the Joy of Science hands on lab and were awarded certificates for the same. 

(With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)

Vadra Controversy

Is Vadra controversy defamation or discrepancy! 

  

 

Given a chance, there seems no end for the hunger to acquire, this is one side of the coin. As you flip it, if the allegations are untrue then the question arises, to what extent one will to gain political mileage! Two sides of the same coin, we are novices at this stage to judge which of these statements holds good and the elite will reveal after thorough investigation or else as usual we might not be interested after some time. Anyways, leaving philosophy and results behind let us have a look at what is happening at present.

 

 It is a known fact that Arvind Kejriwal, a former strong man backing the anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare, has parted ways with the veteran with political aspirations. On Friday, he made an allegation against Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of UPA Chair Person Sonia Gandhi and the hubby of Priyanka Gandhi. Mr Kejriwal alleged that  Mr Vadra had an underhand dealings with the nation's largest real estate company DLF.

On Saturday the corporate involved in the controversy issued a statement that all charges leveled were baseless and falsified. DLF clarified that an amount of Rs 65 Cr was given as business advances for the purchase of land "as per standard industry practice" for two projects of Rs 50 Cr and Rs 15 Cr, respectively, of which the latter was refunded as DLF decided against the purchase. They went on further to state, at no stage was a interest free loan ever given to the Skylight group (Mr Vadra's companies). The conglomerate also added that Mr Vadra and his companies had purchased several apartments, but these were bought at market rates.

Instantly after the communication by the corporate was aired by media. The activist on Sunday said that the response by the developer was, 'full of half truths.' He tweeted, 'It is not a detailed statement. We will give a detailed response tomorrow. But the question is whether Vadra stands by DLF's statement or does he have his own response to give. We would appreciate his response.'

Condemning the charges leveled by the activist, Mr Vadra came out in an open statement that the allegations  were framed to defame his clean image. He said that they (activists) were "attempting to malign him and his family to gain cheap publicity". He also said that he was a law abiding citizen and all his transactions were transparent. He clarified that all his financial statements have been submitted and public could have a look at it in the concerned departments. 'My business transactions are fully reflected in financial statements filed before appropriate government authorities in compliance with the law. They are available in the public domain to anyone interested in knowing the truth,' said Mr Vadra.

And the latest issue is that today, Mr Kejriwal plans to release certain vital documents that might trouble the Gandhi clan further. Pro-Congress observers feel that this is just a cheap political stunt to hog limelight. People will not trust such allegations which are baseless. They also go on to record that the future of such leaders in the public eye will diminish soon. On the other hand the anti party critics say that there is nothing to wonder about it, as corruption has become our way of life. They add that Mr Vadra is no exception either. But the actual comments are from the public who feel that 'figures are only visible in the scams' but no one has ever recovered even a rupee. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)

CBI JD Lakshminarayana

The unsung hero-Lakshminarayana 

 

With Supreme Court turning down the petition of the prime accused in the illegal assets case, Jaganmohan Reddy, it was apparently a matter of not just pride but satisfaction to the CBI Joint Director Lakshminarayana, who strongly advocated that Jaganmohan Reddy should not get a bail at any cost. Probably that could be the reason why Lakshminayana rushed to Delhi in the last week of September.

What's the main point for CBI:

Apart from attachments and other substantial evidences, the main dice of the CBI was the retraction of the statement made by Sureedu, who was a personal assistant of late YS Rajashekara Reddy. It was told by political observers that Sureedu was the most trusted person of late YSR and he knew each and everything pertaining to YSR right from what was happening to who all were meeting him.

 

After he retracted the statement, Sureedu reportedly went underground and CBI claimed that he even changed his mobile numbers and didn't support for the investigation further. The CBI said that Sureedu retracted (took back) his earlier testimony/statement in connection with illegal assets case only under pressure.

Notably, the CBI earlier recorded the statement of Sureedu before the police (under CrPC Section 161). However, he was reluctant to repeat the same statement before the Magistrate (CrPC Sec 164). Since retracting a statement would be amounting to perjury, Sureedu's statement was admissible in the court.

What did Sureedu say?

Sureedu retracted his statement. But what was that statement, which became a trump card for the Central Bureau of Investigation? Well, Sureedu, in his statement, as per Sec 161 of CrPC, said YS Rajashekara Reddy and Jagan didn't have any other business except the barytes mines before YSR came to power.

Lakshminarayana's role:

The reports from Delhi indicated that Lakshminarayana was the key person who successfully stopped Jagan from getting the bail. The sources also said that Lakshminarayana even developed a grudge against Jaganmohan Reddy. Further, the reports said that JD was opposed to the law ministry's attempt to change the counsels of the CBI. JD strongly advocated that the counsels Ashok Bhan and Harin Raval since YSRC MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy apparently resorted to lobbying in Delhi. However, the determination of Lakshminarayana left no choice for the centre.

In fact, the reports even said that when law ministry wanted to change Ashok Bhan and Harin Raval, Lakshminarayana apparently said that in case if at all the duo would be asked to leave the case, he himself would argue the case of Jaganmohan Reddy. Therefore, law ministry was left with no other option other than to agree to the arguments of Lakshminarayana.

Call list issue:

To allegedly malign the image of Lakshminarayana, a political party allegedly released the call list data of CBI JD to the media. The news channel questioned Lakshminarayana as to why he had spoken so many times with some news channels. Also, they dragged the name of JD's friend Chandrabala into the news. The call date record of CBI joint director alarmed the police officials. They apparently came to know as to how many forces were trying to put him in trouble. Eventually DGP Dinesh Reddy transferred this case to CID.

Gali Janardhan Reddy's case:

Even in Gali Janardhan Reddy's case, CBI JD Lakshminarayana has played an important role. Mr. Lakshminarayana during the last week of September 2011, left for Delhi wherein he present the status report of investigation on Gali Janardhan Reddy's illegal mining case to the Supreme Court. It may be recalled that CBI initially raided the office of Obulapuram Mining Company in Bellary of 10 December, 2009. Although the probe was suspended for about three months due to a stay from the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, resumed in January, 2010.  The investigation went on and Gali Janardhan Reddy was subsequently arrested on September 5, 2011.

Victory to Lakshminarayana:

Supreme Court, the highest appellate court, turning down the bail petition of Jaganmohan Reddy is undoubtedly a victory to Lakshminarayana, said political observers. They said Lakshminayana has won the half of the race. At a time, when there was so much of political lobbying and pressure at the national capital territory, he withstood all those pressures and ensured that his investigation into case doesn't go for a toss at any point of time. There were even reports in the media that there was life threat to Lakshminarayana, but the brave man presumably didn't care a fig.

JD gets a celebrity tag:

Many youngsters in Andhra Pradesh are taking CBI JD Lakshminarayana as their role model. This is probably the first time in the history of the state that a bureaucrat, and that too from the investigation department shot into limelight. In fact, at many places of the state, banners and flexis were set up to hail and support Lakshminarayana. Well, it looks like Lakhminarayana overshadowed the image of Lok Satta party supremo Jaya  Prakash Narayana, who was so far one of the role models for the youth in the state.

The people in Andhra Pradesh opined that Lakshminarayana was one of the strong bureaucrats India ever witnessed. They were of the opinion that country needs more people like Lakshminarayana to make India work clean and efficiently.  They even said that in our country not just corrupt people but genuine people too can work without fear or favour and survive.