Friday, February 29, 2008

FM raises IT exemption limit to Rs 150000

Presenting the Union Budget for the Assessment Year 2008-2009, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has announced changes in the Income Tax slabs. The exemption of all Income Tax assesses is raised from Rs 1,10,000 to Rs 1,50,000. Now every assesse can avail the tax relief of Rs 4000 on its income.
The new tax slabs are:-
1,50,000 to 3,00,000- 10%
3,00,000 to 5,00,000- 20%
Above 5,00,000 - 30%.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The art of tattoing

What is a Tattoo?
Tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars. In this process, the pigment (ink) is permanently deposited (implanted) under the skin (well, into the non-exfoliating layers of skin).

The Origin of Tattoo
Although the practice of tattooing the body is very old, the English word 'tattoo' is relatively new. Archaeological records suggest the history of tattoos going beyond 3300 BC. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the etymology of 'tattoo' as 'tattaow, tattow'. The word is introduced by explorer Captain James Cook (who also gave us the word 'taboo') to English speakers in his account of a voyage around the world from 1768 to 1771. When the sailor visited Marquesas Islands (one of the Islands in French Polynesia) in the year 1769, he saw typical custom of printing signs on people's body. The people referred this body printing as 'tattaw'. Sailors introduced this custom into Europe from the Pacific societies in which it was practiced, and it has remained associated with sailors, although many landlubbers now get tattoos as well.

'Tattau', a Tahitian word translates essentially as 'to mark'. The first syllable 'ta', meaning 'hand', is repeated twice as an onomatopoeic reference to the repetitive nature of the action, and the final syllable 'U' translates to 'color'. The instrument used to pierce the skin in Polynesian tattooing is called a 'hahau', the syllable 'ha' meaning to 'strike or pierce'.

In the Japanese context, the most common word used for traditional designs or those that are applied using traditional methods is 'irezumi' ("insertion of ink"), while "tattoo" is used for non-Japanese designs.

Fast Historical Tattoo Facts
  • Tattooing has widely practiced in Eurasia since Neolithic times
  • Archaeologists have discovered mummies bearing tattoos at Pazyryk on the Ukok Plateau, which dates back from the end of the second millennium BC
  • Tattooing in Japan started some ten thousand years ago
  • Many cultures down the ages left their mark on the art of tattooing varying from rubbing cuts and other wounds with ashes to hand-pricking the skin to insert dyes
  • Māori, a Polynesian tribe from New Zealand still wear intricate moko, a type of tattoo, on their faces
  • The yantra tattoo in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, is used for protection against evil
  • Jews were forcibly tattooed with the ka-tzetnik identification system during the Holocaust (approximately six million European Jews were killed during World War II).
Uses of Tattoos
Tattoos are basically used as a type of decorative body modification on humans. Tattoo has always been a form of expression in one form or another. The relevance of tattooing varies from culture to culture. here is a list of the various purposes or uses of tattoo:
  • In some cultures, tattooing is done for health & protection
  • It is regarded as a religious practice in some cultures, especially as symbols of religious and spiritual devotion
  • Tattoos are regarded as marks of status and rank
  • Pledges of love are exhibited in the form of tattoos by many a beloveds
  • They are decorated as amulets and talismans
  • They are referred as decorations for bravery in some cultures
  • Tattoos symbolize the belonging to or identification of certain people with particular groups
  • Nowadays tattooing is primarily confined to the fashion world
  • Tattoos are also used for identifying criminals and political prisoners, race horses and other animals
  • Pets, show animals, and livestock are often tattooed for identification
  • There are tattoos which are used as permanent makeup in the cosmetic industry, especially in enhancing eyebrows, lips, eyes (liner), and moles.
Designs of Tattoos
Tattoos are available in a variety of designs. The following are the most conventional designs used in the art of tattooing:
Animals
Celtic
Fantasy
Floral
Japanese
Kanji
Religious
Symbols
Traditional
Tribal
Zodiac.

Materials Used in Tattooing
Dyes and Pigments: During the early stages, natural pigments were used for tattooing, but today, any color can be created by mixing pigments together. Inorganic materials like titanium dioxide, iron oxide, carbon black, azo dyes, acridine, quinoline, phthalocyanine, naphthol derivates, ash dyes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic), etc. are the dyes and pigments used today on a large scale. In the cosmetic tattooing industry, iron oxide pigments are used widely
Tattoo Inks: Carbon based pigments, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic), metallic inks (these may cause reactions), etc. are the tattoo inks generally used. Higgins, Pelikan or India ink brands, which often contain impurities and toxins, are not advisable to use as they may lead to illness or infection
Temporary Tattoos: These are waterproof tattoos, intended to last only a few days, which can be removed with oil-based creams. These tattoos are decorated with vegetable dyes, silver nitrate, henna, paint, and glue.

Categories of Tattoos
  • Body Tattoos
  • Logo Tattoos
  • Belly Tattoos
  • Arm Tattoos
  • Mini Tattoos
  • Glitter Tattoos
  • Henna Tattoos (Mehndi)
  • Nail Tattoos
  • Crystal Body Tattoos
  • Sticker Tattoos
  • Hair Tattoos
  • Body Tattoos
  • Temporary Tattoos
  • Premium Tattoos
  • Glow in Dark Tattoos
  • Color Tattoos
  • Glitter Tattoos
  • Crystal Tattoos
  • Tribal Tattoos
  • Cross Tattoos
  • Butterfly Tattoos
  • Dragon Tattoo
  • Mehendi Tattoos
  • Star Tattoo
  • Flash Tattoos
  • Religious Tattoos.
Popularly Used Tattoos
Heena Tattoo: Henna or Mehendi has originated thousands of years back. It is derived from the henna plant which has been used for many centuries by innumerable cultures as a dye. Henna possesses many curative as well as conditioning abilities. Thus, its tattoos is a natural way to adorn bodies for decorative purposes. Men, women, kids - anyone can enjoy this cool temporary painting or dyeing art of body parts. These tattoos are prepared by using henna paste derived from natural powdered leaves of henna plants.

Henna contains a number of medicinal properties. It has been used for burns, wounds & ulcers, anti-hemorrhage effect, anti-viral effect, hair dye, pains and sore throat since time immemorial. Henna is a cosmetic and a medicine, but most importantly, it is a marker of beauty, auspiciousness and celebration. Thus, henna tattoos are totally natural and free from any site-affects. However, persons suffering from any sort of allergy are advised to stay away from this vogue culture, since tattooing may bring troubles for them.
Body Stickers/Temporary Tattoos: They are generally applied to the skin by using water to transfer the design to the surface of the skin. Temporary tattoos are easily removed with soap and water or oil-based creams, and are intended to last a few days. They are much popular among kids.
Body Tattoo: They are basically meant for the full body of a person, preferably the back portion of the body. The history of full-body tattoos in Western culture straddles the lines between circus sideshows and the lifestyles of the eccentric and individualistic. Sometimes the tattooed transformation is accompanied by tales of wild fantasy and sometimes they are explained as simply the actions of someone just trying to be their true self.
Health Tattoos: In some regions of the world, like the South East Asian and South Pacific nations, tattooing is done for health purposes. Health tattoos are quite popular in Tibet, where people tattoo their bodies with sacred mantras, mantra wheels and mantra flags. The Tibetans believe that tattoos help the tattoo wearer to achieve inner as well as outer balance and harmony.
Tattoos for Protection: Tattoos are also regarded as protective amulets by many cultures and many magical applications are closely linked to religious beliefs. For example, Ainu women in Japan, for instance, tattoo themselves with images of their Goddess, which is able to repel evil spirits and thus protect them from disease. The practice of tattooing a dot at the end of a child's nose to guard against illness is a common practice in Iraq. A tattoo of Hanuman is used to relieve pain among Hindus.
Religious Tattoos: Early Christians used tattoos as symbols of recognition, until they were banned by Papal edict. Among the most devoutly tattooed groups anywhere is the community of Ramnaamis. Scattered across the Indian states of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, this sect of untouchables found refuge from harm in their distinctive tattoos the name "Ram" repeated in Sanskrit on practically every inch of skin, even on the tongue and inside the lips.

Relevance of Tattoos in Contemporary Era
Tattooing is quite popular these days among people of all age groups. These eye-catchy items fascinates everyone throughout the world in general and the US and Europe in particular. Nowadays, everybody, right from big celebrities, film stars to the sport stars have been sporting fancy tattoos over their bodies. There is a bullish trend in the culture of tattooing at every corner of the globe.

(Sameer Abbas Zaidi)

Top Punjab police officials are arrested in sex scandal

CBI has arrested two senior Punjab police officials for allegedly colluding with politicians, businessmen and journalists to extort money from innocent people after threatening them of sexual abuse charges. The arrested officers are Punjab's Assistant Inspector General (Security) Devendra Singh Garcha and Ropar's Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Paramvir Singh Sandhu.


Modest boost is predicted for defence in the Union Budget 2008-2009

India's defence expenditure is likely to be hiked by between 8 and 10 percent in this year's budget. However, the majority of the fund will be meant for military modernization, not on the betterment of the armed forces. India, one of the biggest arms buyers, is planning one of its biggest ever arms purchases, a $10 billion deal to buy 126 fighter jets.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

53 new trains, 10 Garib Raths to be introduced

Keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections, Union Minister for Railways Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav unveils people-friendly Railway Budget 2008. In this budget Lalu has several things for everybody right from the Railway Quli, to the students, senior citizens and girl student. In order to please the lower and upper middle class, he cuts down the fare of AC and Sleepet Class by 7 and 5% respectively. He has also introduced 53 new trains and 10 Garib Raths for the masses. The following is the detail of new trains and garib raths:-

New Garib Raths
  • Jaipur-Chandigarh (Tri-weekly) via Rewari-Bhiwani
  • Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Varanasi-Delhi (Tri-weekly)
  • Bangalore-Kochuveli(Tri-Weekly)
  • Ranchi-Delhi (Bi-weekly)
  • Jammu Tawi-Kathgodam (Weekly) (in lieu of Nizamuddin-Dehradun Garib Rath Express announced in the Railway Budget 2007-08)
  • Yesvantpur-Puducherry (Tri-weekly)
  • Jabalpur-Mumbai (Bi-weekly)
  • Delhi-Jaynagar (Bi-Weekly) via Patna
  • Pune-Nagpur (Tri-weekly)
New Trains
  • Amravati-Mumbai Express (Bi-weekly)
  • Chennai-Tiruchendur Express (Weekly)
  • Hyderabad-Usmanabad Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Bhubaneshwar-Mumbai Express (Bi-weekly) via Sambalpur
  • Amritsar-Saharsa Jan Sadharan Express (Weekly) via Hasanpur
  • Ranchi-Chopan Express(Tri-weekly)
  • Asansol-Mumbai Express via Jasidih (Weekly) with restoration of Howrah-Mumbai Mail via Gaya on all 7 days of the week
  • Kamakhya-Gandhidham Express (Weekly)
  • Kochuveli-Dehradun Express (weekly)
  • Jaynagar-Saharsa Janaki Express (Tri-weekly) via Hasanpur
  • New Dibrugarh Town-Kamakhya Express (Tri-weekly) via Moranhat
  • Machallipatnam-Bangalore Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Surat-Muzaffarpur Express (Weekly) via Azamgarh-Chhapra
  • Amritsar-Kochuveli Express (Weekly)
  • Delhi-Pathankot Express (Tri-weekly) via Amritsar
  • Malda Town-Patna Express (Tri-weekly) via Bhagalpur
  • Indore-Udaipur Express (Tri-weekly) via Ratlam
  • Varanasi-Rameshwaram Express (Weekly)
  • Delhi-Jogbani Link Express (Weekly)
  • Khajuraho-Delhi Link Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Kamakhya-Gaya Express (Weekly)
  • Ramnagar-Delhi Link Express (Daily)
  • Kolkata-Murshidabad Hazar Duari Express (Weekly)
  • Mathura-Chhapra Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Gwalior-Indore Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Udaipur-Delhi Chetak Express (Tri-weekly) via Ajmer-Neem-ka-Thana
  • Puri-Darbhanga Express (Weekly)
  • Yeswantpur-Jodhpur Express (Weekly)
  • Radhikapur-Delhi Express (Weekly)
  • Vasco-da-gama-Patna Express (Weekly) via Konkan railway
  • Paradeep-Bhubaneshwar Express (Daily) in lieu of one pair passenger service between Paradeep and Cuttack
  • Bilaspur-Pune Express (Weekly)
  • Kendurjharagarh-Puri Express (Daily)
  • Gaya-Chennai Express(Weekly)
  • Balharshah-Mumbai Link Express (Daily)
  • New Dibrugarh Town-Yesvantpur Express (Weekly) via Moranhat
  • Ranchi-Bhagalpur Express (Tri-weekly) via Kiul in lieu of 3405/3406 Ranchi-Bhagalpur Varanchal Express (Bi-weekly via Kiul)
  • -Delhi Air Conditioned Express (Tri-weekly)
  • Dehradun-Delhi Air Conditioned Express (Six days)
  • Ahmedabad-Mumbai Air Conditioned Express (Weekly)
  • Chennai-Rameshwaram Express (Daily) via Mayiladuthurai-Karaikudi (after Gauge conversion)
  • Chennai-Tiruchchirappalli Express (Daily) via Mayiladuthurai (after Gauge conversion)
  • Chennai-Salem Express (Daily) via Vriddhachalam (after Gauge conversion)
  • Madurai-Tenkasi Passenger (Daily) (after Gauge conversion)
  • Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai Passenger (Daily) (after Gauge conversion)
  • Mysore-Nanjanagud Town Passenger (Daily) (after Gauge conversion)
  • Ahmedabad-Patan Passenger (Daily) (after Gauge conversion)
  • Dabhoi-Pratapnagar Passenger(Daily) (after Gauge conversion)
  • Hajipur-Phulwaria passenger (Daily) (upon commissioning of new line)
  • Itarsi-Katni Passenger (Daily)
  • Shoranur-Nilambur Road Passenger (Daily)
  • Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur Passenger (Daily)
  • Vasai Road-Panvel MEMU (Daily)

A people friendly Railway Budget as predicted

Railwau Minister Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav presents the new Railway Budget. The following is the salient features of the Budget 2008:
  • Middle-level and low-level platforms to be upgraded to high-level platforms in several stations to help commuters
  • Doubling of lines to be given priority
  • Middle-level and low-level platforms to be upgraded to high-level platforms in several stations to help commuters
  • Doubling of lines to be given priority
  • Professional agencies being involved on a pilot basis to ensure cleanliness in running trains
  • Railways has set aside a budget for modernization in the coming year, he said
  • Work on automatic signalling to start in new sections
  • Touch screens at stations across the country
  • Special benefits for porters, gangmen. Gangmen will man level railway crossings. Licenced porters to be absorbed as Class IV employees
  • Railways planning smart card-based ticketing system
  • Railways to bring in led displays in stations on train arrivals/ departures
  • Electrification of more rail routes
  • Concession from 30-50% in passenger fares in all classes for woman senior citizen
  • Free monthly season tickets for girl students up to graduation, boy students up to 12th standard
  • Mother Child Health Express to be started
  • 50% concession for AIDS patients
  • Stainless steel coaches for mail and express trains
  • Cleanliness drive on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains
  • CCTvs at all important stations
  • Modular toilets to be introduced in trains
  • 'Go Mumbai' card to be sold at bus depots
  • Railways to provide escalators at 50 per cent of the stations in the country
  • 6,000 automatic ticket sale machines to be put up in 2 years
  • Railways to talk to foreign companies to design new wagons
  • By 2010, all coaches will be made of steel
  • No ticket queues in 2 years, predicts Lalu
  • Railway tickets to show 'expected time of arrival'
  • Railways will also issue wait-listed e-tickets.
  • Railways offer hi-tech services on board and promised television and Internet in trains, and LCD display boards at railway stations
  • Bomb detecting equipment to be installed at major stations
  • Metal detectors and baggage scanner to be installed and at major stations
  • Railways to link all call centres by 2009 for better coordination and monitoring
  • 16,548 tracks to be renewed
  • Route of 16 trains to be extended
  • Special train between Delhi and Pune for Commonwealth Games
  • 560 railway station-platforms to be lengthened to be able to accommodate long trains
  • Middle-level and low-level platforms to be upgraded to high-level platforms in several stations to help commuters
  • Railways show a surplus of Rs 68,778 crore (Rs 687.78 billion) in the last four years
  • Private companies should be allowed to make terminals on railway land, proposes Lalu
  • Clearance given for western freight corridor from Delhi to JNPT, Nhava Sheva, adjoining Mumbai
  • E-ticket booking is likely to rise to 300,000 from 100,000 in a year
  • Rail travel for Ashok Chakra winners in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to be free
  • Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to get more coaches
  • Express trains to have public address system
  • Northern railway main hospital in Delhi will be fully airconditioned. Divisional railway hospitals in Jaipur and Hubli will be upgraded
  • Railways to acquire land for its projects on the lines of National Highways Authority of India
  • A new rail coach unit to be set up in Kerala
  • Kerala has offered 1000 acres of land for rail coach factory free of cost
  • Foot overbridges at all high-level platforms
  • The railway minister said that operating ratio of the Railways was at 76% and that Rs 49,250 crore (Rs 492.50 billion) invested into new railway projects
  • Railway plan size increased from Rs 11,000 crore (Rs 110 billion) to Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) in the last four years
  • Productivity of Railway assets has been constantly increasing, Lalu said. Number of passenger trains were increased in the peak season. Railways attained 790 tonne payload target in the year 2007-08
  • Everybody is happy with our performance, said Lalu. He also added that the Railways had done tremendous work in the year 2007-08
  • Freight loading estimated to increase from 650 mt to 1100 mt by 2011
  • New policy for wagon leasing
  • New line for Ennore Power Station.