Delhi as unsafe for women as on Dec 16

New Delhi: The only thing constant about change is change itself but this doesn't seem to be the case when it comes to the national capital. Despite the public outcry post the horrific Dec 16, 2012, gang-rape of a young woman, little seems to have changed for most women, who feel as unsecure as ever. Despite the police saying they have tightened security in the city, many women feel it is futile to be dependent on anyone, including the police, for their security and they have to be careful and take their own measures to feel safe in the city.

The safety of women late in the evenings continues to be an issue, with suspicious strangers and cars drawing up close if you are alone and waiting at a bus stop or walking on the street after 8 p.m. Auto rickshaws play truant and refuse to take women passengers many times at night. IANS spoke to a range of women on how safe they feel in the city, which earned the unflattering sobriquet of "rape capital" after the brutal gang-rape. Many women complained about being harassed at bus stops and inside buses. And travelling alone especially during the night becomes a nightmare.

"I travel by bus and after 7.30 p.m. I rethink the decision to travel by bus every evening. I do not see any measures (for women's safety) on the ground. I feel men have got more licence to eve-tease you," said Swechha Chettri, a software professional, who commutes by bus to her Noida office from South Delhi. "Post the Dec 16 gang rape, there have been so many rape incidents which keep re-instilling the fear in the minds of women who travel during late evenings," said Rishita Singh, a media professional.

Rishita, who works till late, says she has now become more suspicious of every man she comes across on the streets. "They (men) are so fearless about staring at a woman's bust. Even when you escape being raped, how does one escape this harassment, and where?" asked an angry Rishita. Some women, however, do feel there has been a positive change with the administration being more alert and warnings and notices continuously put out.

"I do see a positive change. The public buses have an electronic scroll continuously relaying the phone numbers one can call in case of harassment, or there are public announcements in buses, on the radio - all the time. I have seen men quickly charge off when told to stand properly in a bus. Earlier, this was not the case," said Delhi University student Madhulika Sonkar.

Errant auto-rickshaw drivers are another issue that most women complain about when it comes to safety.
"Auto-wallahs refuse to give a ride to women passengers in the night or they charge unreasonable amounts. Just two days back a friend of mine had a harrowing time as she got late from work and all the autos refused to take her to her place," said Juhi Chaudhary, who writes on wildlife.

"Finally, my friend decided to walk some distance. There were many cars which kept on approaching her and she had to suffer a lot of lewd comments. It was only 9 p.m. and now she is scared to work beyond 8 p.m.," said Chaudhary. Echoing similar views, Divya Joshi, who works with a public relations company, says auto drivers should be given strict warning if they refuse to take passengers and there has to be severe punishment if they say no to female commuters.

Post Dec 16, Delhi Police have become approachable as they have set up women help desks in all police stations across Delhi, but more needs to be done, they said. "Police now have become more sensitive to women complainants but that does not lead to heinous crime from ending. Since the Dec 16 case, there have been many cases that have come out. I am always alert when I am traveling alone," said Sangeeta Verma, a homemaker.

"I think each one of us has to introspect where we are taking our society to and do we want our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives to live under continuous threat of being molested or eve teased," she said. Many women expressed concerns about the safety of their daughters. "I have a young schoolgoing daughter and I remain so worried till the time she is back. I have strictly instructed her not be lured by anyone, not eat anything from strangers," said Rama Devi, who works as a helper in a private office.

A sustained campaign to change mindsets - in homes, schools, among peer groups and in work places - is one of the options suggested which, women feel, can help in reducing crimes against women. "There has to be swift and harsh punishment and far more police presence," said Sushmita Malaviya, who works with a NGO in Delhi.

A fast track court Tuesday convicted four men for the Dec 16, 2012, gang-rape. The victim subsequently died of her grave injuries. Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna found the four men guilty under charges of gang rape, murder, attempt to murder the victim's male friend, unnatural offences, destruction of evidence and dacoity among other offences. The quantum of sentence will be announced Wednesday, the judge said. The nation recorded a staggering 1,036 rape cases in the first eight months of this year, according to police data. The figure is the highest in the last 10 years.

Delhi as unsafe for women as on Dec 16

New Delhi: The only thing constant about change is change itself but this doesn't seem to be the case when it comes to the national capital. Despite the public outcry post the horrific Dec 16, 2012, gang-rape of a young woman, little seems to have changed for most women, who feel as unsecure as ever. Despite the police saying they have tightened security in the city, many women feel it is futile to be dependent on anyone, including the police, for their security and they have to be careful and take their own measures to feel safe in the city.

The safety of women late in the evenings continues to be an issue, with suspicious strangers and cars drawing up close if you are alone and waiting at a bus stop or walking on the street after 8 p.m. Auto rickshaws play truant and refuse to take women passengers many times at night. IANS spoke to a range of women on how safe they feel in the city, which earned the unflattering sobriquet of "rape capital" after the brutal gang-rape. Many women complained about being harassed at bus stops and inside buses. And travelling alone especially during the night becomes a nightmare.

"I travel by bus and after 7.30 p.m. I rethink the decision to travel by bus every evening. I do not see any measures (for women's safety) on the ground. I feel men have got more licence to eve-tease you," said Swechha Chettri, a software professional, who commutes by bus to her Noida office from South Delhi. "Post the Dec 16 gang rape, there have been so many rape incidents which keep re-instilling the fear in the minds of women who travel during late evenings," said Rishita Singh, a media professional.

Rishita, who works till late, says she has now become more suspicious of every man she comes across on the streets. "They (men) are so fearless about staring at a woman's bust. Even when you escape being raped, how does one escape this harassment, and where?" asked an angry Rishita. Some women, however, do feel there has been a positive change with the administration being more alert and warnings and notices continuously put out.

"I do see a positive change. The public buses have an electronic scroll continuously relaying the phone numbers one can call in case of harassment, or there are public announcements in buses, on the radio - all the time. I have seen men quickly charge off when told to stand properly in a bus. Earlier, this was not the case," said Delhi University student Madhulika Sonkar.

Errant auto-rickshaw drivers are another issue that most women complain about when it comes to safety.
"Auto-wallahs refuse to give a ride to women passengers in the night or they charge unreasonable amounts. Just two days back a friend of mine had a harrowing time as she got late from work and all the autos refused to take her to her place," said Juhi Chaudhary, who writes on wildlife.

"Finally, my friend decided to walk some distance. There were many cars which kept on approaching her and she had to suffer a lot of lewd comments. It was only 9 p.m. and now she is scared to work beyond 8 p.m.," said Chaudhary. Echoing similar views, Divya Joshi, who works with a public relations company, says auto drivers should be given strict warning if they refuse to take passengers and there has to be severe punishment if they say no to female commuters.

Post Dec 16, Delhi Police have become approachable as they have set up women help desks in all police stations across Delhi, but more needs to be done, they said. "Police now have become more sensitive to women complainants but that does not lead to heinous crime from ending. Since the Dec 16 case, there have been many cases that have come out. I am always alert when I am traveling alone," said Sangeeta Verma, a homemaker.

"I think each one of us has to introspect where we are taking our society to and do we want our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives to live under continuous threat of being molested or eve teased," she said. Many women expressed concerns about the safety of their daughters. "I have a young schoolgoing daughter and I remain so worried till the time she is back. I have strictly instructed her not be lured by anyone, not eat anything from strangers," said Rama Devi, who works as a helper in a private office.

A sustained campaign to change mindsets - in homes, schools, among peer groups and in work places - is one of the options suggested which, women feel, can help in reducing crimes against women. "There has to be swift and harsh punishment and far more police presence," said Sushmita Malaviya, who works with a NGO in Delhi.

A fast track court Tuesday convicted four men for the Dec 16, 2012, gang-rape. The victim subsequently died of her grave injuries. Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna found the four men guilty under charges of gang rape, murder, attempt to murder the victim's male friend, unnatural offences, destruction of evidence and dacoity among other offences. The quantum of sentence will be announced Wednesday, the judge said. The nation recorded a staggering 1,036 rape cases in the first eight months of this year, according to police data. The figure is the highest in the last 10 years.

Heart disease patients with positive attitudes live longer

washington: Heart disease patients with positive attitudes are more likely to exercise and live longer, a new study has found.  Researchers found that heart disease patients with a positive attitude were 42 per cent less likely to die over a five-year period than those with a negative attitude. Researchers used a questionnaire to assess the moods of 600 ischemic heart disease patients in a Denmark hospital. 

Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, is caused by narrowed arteries that don't provide enough blood and oxygen to the heart.  After a five-year follow-up period, researchers found that the most positive patients exercised more and had a 42 per cent less chance of dying for any reason during the follow-up period; deaths were less than 10 per cent. 

Among patients with less positive attitudes, 50 deaths occurred (16.5 per cent).  Positive mood and exercise also cut the risk of heart-related hospitalisations, the study found.  Exercise levels the playing field between positive and negative patients, researchers said.  So the differences in death rates between upbeat and sad heart patients weren't as striking when both groups exercised. However, information on the types and amounts of exercise were not available. 

"We should focus not only on increasing positive attitude in cardiac rehabilitation, but also make sure that patients perform exercise on a regular basis, as exercise is associated with both increased levels of optimism and better health," said Susanne S Pedersen, one of the study authors and professor of cardiac psychology, the Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands. 

She is also adjunct professor of cardiac psychology, the University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Denmark. The study was published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.  

Heart disease patients with positive attitudes live longer

washington: Heart disease patients with positive attitudes are more likely to exercise and live longer, a new study has found.  Researchers found that heart disease patients with a positive attitude were 42 per cent less likely to die over a five-year period than those with a negative attitude. Researchers used a questionnaire to assess the moods of 600 ischemic heart disease patients in a Denmark hospital. 

Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, is caused by narrowed arteries that don't provide enough blood and oxygen to the heart.  After a five-year follow-up period, researchers found that the most positive patients exercised more and had a 42 per cent less chance of dying for any reason during the follow-up period; deaths were less than 10 per cent. 

Among patients with less positive attitudes, 50 deaths occurred (16.5 per cent).  Positive mood and exercise also cut the risk of heart-related hospitalisations, the study found.  Exercise levels the playing field between positive and negative patients, researchers said.  So the differences in death rates between upbeat and sad heart patients weren't as striking when both groups exercised. However, information on the types and amounts of exercise were not available. 

"We should focus not only on increasing positive attitude in cardiac rehabilitation, but also make sure that patients perform exercise on a regular basis, as exercise is associated with both increased levels of optimism and better health," said Susanne S Pedersen, one of the study authors and professor of cardiac psychology, the Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands. 

She is also adjunct professor of cardiac psychology, the University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, Denmark. The study was published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.  

Painful memories could be erased

Washington: Painful memories are hard to shake, but a new study suggests unwanted details can be erased, raising hope for people suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.  For the first time, scientists have been able to erase dangerous drug-associated memories in mice and rats without affecting other more benign memories.  The human brain is exquisitely adept at linking seemingly random details into a cohesive memory that can trigger myriad associations - some good, some not so good, researchers said.  For recovering addicts and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unwanted memories can be devastating. 

Former meth addicts, for instance, report intense drug cravings triggered by associations with cigarettes, money, even gum (used to relieve dry mouth), pushing them back into the addiction they so desperately want to leave.
Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), Florida have been able to erase dangerous drug-associated memories in mice and rats without affecting other more benign memories.  The surprising discovery, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, points to a clear and workable method to disrupt unwanted memories while leaving the rest intact. 

"Our memories make us who we are, but some of these memories can make life very difficult," said Courtney Miller, a TSRI assistant professor who led the research.  "Not unlike in the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, we're looking for strategies to selectively eliminate evidence of past experiences related to drug abuse or a traumatic event. Our study shows we can do just that in mice - wipe out deeply engrained drug-related memories without harming other memories," said Miller. 

To produce a memory, a lot has to happen, including the alteration of the structure of nerve cells via changes in the dendritic spines - small bulb-like structures that receive electrochemical signals from other neurons, researchers said. Normally, these structural changes occur via actin, the protein that makes up the infrastructure of all cells.  In the new study, the scientists inhibited actin polymerisation - the creation of large chainlike molecules - by blocking a molecular motor called myosin II in the brains of mice and rats during the maintenance phase of methamphetamine-related memory formation.  Behavioural tests showed the animals immediately and persistently lost memories associated with methamphetamine - with no other memories affected. 

In the tests, animals were trained to associate the rewarding effects of methamphetamine with a rich context of visual, tactile and scent cues.  When injected with the inhibitor many days later in their home environment, they later showed a complete lack of interest when they encountered drug-associated cues. At the same time, the response to other memories, such as food rewards, was unaffected.  

Painful memories could be erased

Washington: Painful memories are hard to shake, but a new study suggests unwanted details can be erased, raising hope for people suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.  For the first time, scientists have been able to erase dangerous drug-associated memories in mice and rats without affecting other more benign memories.  The human brain is exquisitely adept at linking seemingly random details into a cohesive memory that can trigger myriad associations - some good, some not so good, researchers said.  For recovering addicts and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unwanted memories can be devastating. 

Former meth addicts, for instance, report intense drug cravings triggered by associations with cigarettes, money, even gum (used to relieve dry mouth), pushing them back into the addiction they so desperately want to leave.
Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), Florida have been able to erase dangerous drug-associated memories in mice and rats without affecting other more benign memories.  The surprising discovery, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, points to a clear and workable method to disrupt unwanted memories while leaving the rest intact. 

"Our memories make us who we are, but some of these memories can make life very difficult," said Courtney Miller, a TSRI assistant professor who led the research.  "Not unlike in the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, we're looking for strategies to selectively eliminate evidence of past experiences related to drug abuse or a traumatic event. Our study shows we can do just that in mice - wipe out deeply engrained drug-related memories without harming other memories," said Miller. 

To produce a memory, a lot has to happen, including the alteration of the structure of nerve cells via changes in the dendritic spines - small bulb-like structures that receive electrochemical signals from other neurons, researchers said. Normally, these structural changes occur via actin, the protein that makes up the infrastructure of all cells.  In the new study, the scientists inhibited actin polymerisation - the creation of large chainlike molecules - by blocking a molecular motor called myosin II in the brains of mice and rats during the maintenance phase of methamphetamine-related memory formation.  Behavioural tests showed the animals immediately and persistently lost memories associated with methamphetamine - with no other memories affected. 

In the tests, animals were trained to associate the rewarding effects of methamphetamine with a rich context of visual, tactile and scent cues.  When injected with the inhibitor many days later in their home environment, they later showed a complete lack of interest when they encountered drug-associated cues. At the same time, the response to other memories, such as food rewards, was unaffected.  

India’s orbiter for mars mission coming soon

Bangalore (IANS): India has built the orbiter for the country's maiden Mars mission in October-November, to take off from the spaceport at Sriharikota off the Bay of Bengal, an official said Wednesday. "The Mars orbiter is in the final stages of testing for launch between Oct 21 and Nov 19 on board a rocket with five scientific instruments to conduct various experiments after a nine-month voyage to the red planet," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite centre director S.K. Shivkumar told reporters here.

As the fourth planet from sun, Mars is the second-smallest celestial body in the solar system, at a whopping distance of 400 million km (250 million miles) from earth. Named after the Roman god of war, it is also known as red planet due to the presence of iron oxide in abundance, giving it a reddish appearance. The Mars mission will cost the government Rs.450 crore (Rs.4.5 billion), including Rs.150 crore for the spacecraft, Rs.110 crore for the rocket and Rs.190 crore to augment ground stations for operations, including navigation and communications.

"The spacecraft has been built in a record 12 months to orbit elliptically around Mars for six months at a distance of 375 km from its surface when closer, and 80,000 km when away," Mars orbiter mission project director S. Arunan said. The 1,340 kg spacecraft (at lift-off) will be shipped to the spaceport Sep 27 for integrating it with the 350-tonne rocket, which is an extended version of the space agency's workhorse, the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-XL).

"The launch date will depend on weather conditions and other parameters during the month-long window we have," Arunan said. The orbiter will be in the earth's orbit for 25 days after launch and fired the next day, to set off on a nine-month voyage to reach Martian orbit by Sep 21, 2014. "The spacecraft will be inserted in the earth's orbit at 248 km and pushed up to 23,000 km over 25 days to set off on a long voyage to enter the Marsian orbit after next nine months next year," Arunan pointed out.

The five instruments on board the orbiter are the layman alpha photometer, methane sensor, max exospheric neutral composition analyser, colour camera and thermal infrared imaging spectrometer. "All the instruments are indigenous and have been built at our centres in Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram. The colour camera will take pictures of earth and moon when passing over the lunar planet on the way, and finally of Mars from its orbit," the space agency's programme director M. Annadurai said.  India's tryst with the red planet comes five years after its maiden moon mission (Chandrayaan-1) in October 2008, which discovered water beneath lunar soil through one of its 11 instruments.

"Though a couple of nations like the US and Russia had launched missions to Mars, the primary objective of our mission is to demonstrate the country's technological capability to send an orbiter to the red planet and study its environment to find out minerals present there and how the atmosphere behaves," Shivkumar asserted.

India’s orbiter for mars mission coming soon

Bangalore (IANS): India has built the orbiter for the country's maiden Mars mission in October-November, to take off from the spaceport at Sriharikota off the Bay of Bengal, an official said Wednesday. "The Mars orbiter is in the final stages of testing for launch between Oct 21 and Nov 19 on board a rocket with five scientific instruments to conduct various experiments after a nine-month voyage to the red planet," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite centre director S.K. Shivkumar told reporters here.

As the fourth planet from sun, Mars is the second-smallest celestial body in the solar system, at a whopping distance of 400 million km (250 million miles) from earth. Named after the Roman god of war, it is also known as red planet due to the presence of iron oxide in abundance, giving it a reddish appearance. The Mars mission will cost the government Rs.450 crore (Rs.4.5 billion), including Rs.150 crore for the spacecraft, Rs.110 crore for the rocket and Rs.190 crore to augment ground stations for operations, including navigation and communications.

"The spacecraft has been built in a record 12 months to orbit elliptically around Mars for six months at a distance of 375 km from its surface when closer, and 80,000 km when away," Mars orbiter mission project director S. Arunan said. The 1,340 kg spacecraft (at lift-off) will be shipped to the spaceport Sep 27 for integrating it with the 350-tonne rocket, which is an extended version of the space agency's workhorse, the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-XL).

"The launch date will depend on weather conditions and other parameters during the month-long window we have," Arunan said. The orbiter will be in the earth's orbit for 25 days after launch and fired the next day, to set off on a nine-month voyage to reach Martian orbit by Sep 21, 2014. "The spacecraft will be inserted in the earth's orbit at 248 km and pushed up to 23,000 km over 25 days to set off on a long voyage to enter the Marsian orbit after next nine months next year," Arunan pointed out.

The five instruments on board the orbiter are the layman alpha photometer, methane sensor, max exospheric neutral composition analyser, colour camera and thermal infrared imaging spectrometer. "All the instruments are indigenous and have been built at our centres in Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram. The colour camera will take pictures of earth and moon when passing over the lunar planet on the way, and finally of Mars from its orbit," the space agency's programme director M. Annadurai said.  India's tryst with the red planet comes five years after its maiden moon mission (Chandrayaan-1) in October 2008, which discovered water beneath lunar soil through one of its 11 instruments.

"Though a couple of nations like the US and Russia had launched missions to Mars, the primary objective of our mission is to demonstrate the country's technological capability to send an orbiter to the red planet and study its environment to find out minerals present there and how the atmosphere behaves," Shivkumar asserted.

Labour issues: Metro rail construction work held up

Kochi: The construction work of Kochi metro rail was held up on Monday and Tuesday due to labour issues. With only less than 1000 days remaining for the project to be completed, the construction is getting delayed due to petty issues.

The Company Soma has been given charge for construction in Kaloor region. The clash erupted on the work site in Cheranaloor where iron bars are used for piling. As per union's demand, 22 workers were needed instead of 10. Soma authorities claimed they were bringing workers as per consensus reached at the work site in Aluva. When local trade union withdrew from work, Soma brought other state workers. But local workers blocked this and threatened other state workers. 

Soma Company has filed a complaint with Cheranaloor police. KRML MD Eliyas George said they are apprehensive over the delay due to small issues and sought cooperation from everyone. Minister Aryadan Muhammad said the issues have been brought under the notice of CITU state general secretary Elamaram Kareem and Kareem has ensured to sort this out. Labor minister Shibu Baby John too said all steps would be taken to solve the issues. But Construction workers union district secretary KV Manoj said workers are ready to work but the issue is to withdraw sub-contactors of Soma. 

Labour issues: Metro rail construction work held up

Kochi: The construction work of Kochi metro rail was held up on Monday and Tuesday due to labour issues. With only less than 1000 days remaining for the project to be completed, the construction is getting delayed due to petty issues.

The Company Soma has been given charge for construction in Kaloor region. The clash erupted on the work site in Cheranaloor where iron bars are used for piling. As per union's demand, 22 workers were needed instead of 10. Soma authorities claimed they were bringing workers as per consensus reached at the work site in Aluva. When local trade union withdrew from work, Soma brought other state workers. But local workers blocked this and threatened other state workers. 

Soma Company has filed a complaint with Cheranaloor police. KRML MD Eliyas George said they are apprehensive over the delay due to small issues and sought cooperation from everyone. Minister Aryadan Muhammad said the issues have been brought under the notice of CITU state general secretary Elamaram Kareem and Kareem has ensured to sort this out. Labor minister Shibu Baby John too said all steps would be taken to solve the issues. But Construction workers union district secretary KV Manoj said workers are ready to work but the issue is to withdraw sub-contactors of Soma.