mrityunjaybose

BOND, JAMES BOND May 28 marks centenary of 007's creator Ian Fleming Mrityunjay Bose For all lovers of James Bond thrillers and novels, May 28 is a special day and in 2008, it is a day to remember. Ian Fleming, the genius who created James Bond – was born on this day 100 years ago. Fleming (May 28, 1908 – August 12, 1964) is still one of the widely read novelists, more than 40 years after his death. The James Bond series of movies – in which several legendary actors have played the character of the fictional British spy, are still hit – such was the magic and thrill of the man whom he created – the world's best known secret agent. To highlight – over a 100 Bond novels have been sold till date, since the first which was launched in 1953. All the James Bond movies were big grossers. Ian Fleming was born on May 28, 1908 in London, the second of four brothers. He was educated at Eton and did further studies in Austria and in Germany.Writing was far from being Fleming's first or...

The diplomat in missile man MRITYUNJAY BOSE "Be polite; write diplomatically, even in declaration of war one observes the rule of politeness" – Otto von Bismarck, the famous Prussian and German statesman of the 19th century had said. And scientists can be diplomats too. Former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the father of India's missile programme and one of the key architects of the Pokharan-II nuclear tests, had proved this time and again. Particularly, when foreign guests had called on him at the Rrashtrapati Bhavan and his visits abroad during the years of Presidency from 2002-07. A new book 'The Kalam Effect – My Years with the President' penned by bureaucrat P M Nair, who was the Secretary to the President, has brought out many interesting facts on the life of Dr Kalam. One of the interesting memories with Dr Kalam was when Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf called on him. A day before the General was to call on; Nair informed him that Musharraf in all ...

Neem cake can increase paddy yield: study MRITYUNJAY BOSE Mumbai: For centuries, Indians have known the medicinal uses of neem tree. Known as one of the fastest growing and life-giving trees, today the properties of neem are accepted worldwide. Eco-friendly products made from neem leaves, its seeds, fruits are in demand across the globe. As regards agriculture, it is already been used as a pesticide. Now, two Puducherry-based researchers have established that if neem cake and urea are mixed, it can increase the growth of paddy. The study makes a strong case for cutting down on nitrogen applications in paddy, thus using low-cost, readily available neem cake, without compromising on the yield. The study can be replicated for other plant species as well. The research, conducted by R S Bhalla from Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning, Vazhakulam, Puducherry and K V Devi Prasad of Sustainable Development Programme, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondi...

January 5, 2008 From: Mrityunjay Bose Tooth in eye operation performed MUMBAI: Poor Bakridi is a happy man. He has gained his eyesight of his left eye – thanks to the doctors of the Bombay Hospital and Research Centre here, who performed the rare and complex "tooth-in-eye" surgery. A canine tooth is implanted in his eye – and it did the magic. Interestingly, the canine tooth is also known as the "eye-tooth". "The doctors here are like God," says Bakridi, for whom ulcers in his eye had left him completely blind. Bow now the vision of one of his eye has been restored – and he can see. "I can't say anything. The only thing that I can do is to thank them, they have not charged a single paisa from me," says Bakridi, 60, who hails from Basti in Uttar Pradesh, and now staying at Begampura here. The operation team was led by Dr Sonia Nankani of Taparia Institute of Ophthalmology, which is a part of the Bombay Hospital located at the New Marine Lin...

Advani had tears of emotions after Pokharan-II For Leader of Opposition L K Advani, the Pokharan-II nuclear tests were extremely emotional moment in his life. But the former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister lashes out at the Congress and Communists for criticizing the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for conducting the tests, who he says has been a major contributor of national resurgence – and also touches on the negative aspect of the Indo-US nuclear deal. "The Vajpayee government got down to the task of governance in right earnest. The first and foremost task was to make India a nuclear weapons power – a vital commitment in every election manifesto of the BJP since 1967," he writes in his memoirs 'My Country, My Life'. "Our government's greatest achievement was instilling a sense of pride, confidence and hope in Indians, both within and outside India. A major contributor to this national resurgence was of course, a historic event that took...

One more new species of lizard discovered in Maharashtra by a scientist of Bombay Natural History Society – a largest species of Hemidactylus from India. MUMBAI: The discovery of a new species of ground dwelling lizard Hemidactylus sataraensis by a scientist of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and his team is still making the news. The same scientist is again succeeded in discovering another new species of a lizard from Junnar taluka in Pune district, Maharashtra. This species also belong to the genus Hemidactylus. The geckos belonging to this genus are chiefly arboreal and many of them are commensal to humans. The lizards or geckos which are seen in the house mostly belong to this genus. In India there are 21 species in this genus. This new lizard from Maharashtra is interestingly the largest species of Hemidactylus from India. This distinctive new species of gecko is chiefly rock dwelling and is known to occur on the rock cliffs in the northern Western Ghats. This gecko wa...