Access to learning opportunities and the pursuit of excellence must both receive equal attention : Pranab Mukherjee -

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The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee formally inaugurated the Shiv Nadar University and dedicated it to the nation today (January 18, 2016) at Dadri, Gautam Buddha Nagar (Uttar Pradesh). He also laid the foundation stone for its faculty residential campus. The President presented the HCL Citizens Grants Award. Speaking on the occasion, the President complimented Shri Shiv Nadar, the founder chairman of HCL, for his vision in the field of higher learning. He said that Shiv Nadar Foundation, set up two decades ago, has become an important platform for transformational education. Shiv Nadar University was established in the year 2011. It was started with the goal to become a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and student-oriented institution focused on creating new knowledge and producing competent professionals. The university has since adopted a distinct curriculum to nurture students for the exciting opportunities of tomorrow. 

Its unique approach has the potential to positively influence the higher education landscape of our country in the next two to three decades. The President said that private institutions account for about sixty percent of the students enrolled in higher education. Though proliferation has led to greater access, its negative fall-out on standards is alarming. If the declining quality of education particularly in the area of higher learning is not reversed quickly, we will land ourselves in a scenario of having a large number of people with degrees but not enough manpower with proficiency. We cannot afford to produce workers and professionals who fail to meet the skill levels required by a growing economic system. Hence, access to learning opportunities and the pursuit of excellence must both receive equal attention. He expressed happiness that in 2015, two Indian institutions for the first time have been ranked within the top two hundred Universities in international rankings. He was confident that many more will join in the coming years. 

More IS attacks likely as group suffers setbacks: US general

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WASHINGTON: Islamic State jihadists will likely increase the tempo of attacks around the world as they come under increased pressure in Iraq and Syria, a top US general has warned.

 

General Lloyd Austin, who currently heads the military's Central Command (CENTCOM) overseeing Middle East operations, yesterday made the argument that recent IS-claimed attacks like the ones this week in Istanbul and Jakarta are in fact evidence the group is faltering.

 

"ISIL has assumed a defensive posture in Iraq and Syria," Austin said at a news conference in Florida.

 

"Going forward, we can expect to see him rely increasingly on acts of terrorism such as we saw this week in Baghdad and in Turkey, and most recently in Jakarta," he added.

 

The IS group, which swept through vast rgions of Iraq and Syria in 2014 and 2015 and captured a string of cities, has seen recent setbacks across its self-proclaimed caliphate, including the loss of the key Iraqi city of Ramadi to US-supported local forces.

 

A US-led coalition has also been hammering the group's oil infrastructure, including by blowing up hundreds of trucks used to ferry illicit crude oil around Syria, and this week bombed a financial facility in the Iraqi city of Mosul that US officials said held millions of dollars in cash.

 

Austin, who has headed CENTCOM since March 2013 and will shortly be stepping down, said the IS group is upping its overseas actions to distract from such losses.

 

"ISIL wants to draw attention away from the growing number of setbacks" that it is  experiencing," Austin said, using an alternative name for the IS group.

 

"It is important to understand that these terrorist acts don't necessarily mean ISIL is getting stronger," he added.

 

"ISIL by its nature is a terrorist organization and by conducting these attacks, he is attempting to produce an image of invincibility in the wake of setbacks. So overall, we are making progress."

 

Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said he will recommend that President Barack Obama nominate General Joseph Votel to replace Austin.

 

Votel currently heads the Special Operations Command. His nomination would reflect the increased role special operations troops are carrying out in the region as elite US commandos launch raids against IS jihadists.

 

"General Votel has a wealth of in-depth, politico-military experience -- that is working with foreign governments and militaries -- and is therefore well-equipped to handle the complex challenges of CENTCOM," Carter said.

At least 20 dead in al Qaeda attack at Burkina Faso hotel

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OUAGADOUGOU: At least 20 people died and others were taken hostage when Islamist gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital city of Burkina Faso on Friday, a hospital director told Reuters, and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security forces surrounded the Splendid Hotel and were awaiting orders to begin an assault to rescue the hostages and retake the building, which is frequented by Westerners, the country's foreign minister Alpha Barry said in a telephone interview.
Medical personnel moved wounded away from the front of the hotel.
A U.S. defence official said that France had requested U.S. intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city and at least one U.S. military member in Burkina Faso was giving "advice and assistance" to French forces at the hotel.
The government has not ruled out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country, Barry said in a telephone interview.
This is the first time Islamist militants have carried out an assault in the capital of Burkina Faso.
It follows a deadly raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 people including citizens of Russia, China and the United States. There have been attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa.
The assault in Ouagadougou began mid-evening and by 11 p.m. (2300 GMT) the sounds of gunfire and explosions had died down.
"We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls," said Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre.
Sangare said one European woman being treated at the hospital told him the attackers appeared to target white people.
The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.
The landlocked West African state has endured political turmoil since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests and elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015.
But it has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, who have staged attacks in Mali, a country with which it shares a 600-km border.
Burkina Faso’s communications minister says about 30 hostages have been freed from the upscale hotel that was seized more than nine hours earlier by al-Qaida militants.
Minister Remis Dandjinou said early Saturday that among those evacuated from the Splendid Hotel was Public Works Minister Clement Sawadogo.
The hostages were freed by Burkina Faso security forces backed by French troops who are trying to secure the four—story hotel. An unknown number of hostages remain inside.

Astronomers spot brightest supernova yet in distant galaxy

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Astronomers have discovered the most luminous supernova ever observed, which is up to 50 times brighter than the entire Milky Way galaxy.

The super-luminous supernova, called ASAS-SN-15lh, was discovered by the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae team (ASAS-SN), an international collaboration at the Ohio State University in US, which uses a network of 14-centimetre telescopes around the world to scan the visible sky every two or three nights looking for very bright supernovae.

Supernovae are violent stellar explosions and some of the brightest objects in the universe. Human records noting their existence date back nearly 2,000 years.

"We spotted a newly occurring explosion in a galaxy of an unknown distance," said Benjamin Shappee, from Carnegie Institution for Science.

Subsequent observations allowed the team to confirm the existence of the supernova ASAS-SN-15lh, Shappee said.

The supernova's spectra matched that of other hydrogen-poor super-luminous supernovae.
However, the researchers realised after further follow-up that it is two times more luminous than any supernova previously discovered.

ASAS-SN-15lh at peak was almost 50 times more luminous than the entire Milky Way galaxy, the researchers said.

The researchers determined that the galaxy where ASAS-SN-15lh formed is very atypical for a super-luminous supernova, which raises questions about how these types of supernovae form.

Its host galaxy is not the typical low-luminosity, star-forming galaxy where previous super-luminous supernovae have been spotted. ASAS-SN-15lh's galaxy is more luminous than our own Milky Way.

Within the past two decades a rare new category of super-luminous supernovae have been discovered, which shine one hundred to a thousand times brighter than the more common supernovae.

It has been theorised that these super-luminous supernovae are powered by so-called magnetars, neutron stars with extremely powerful magnetic fields, with the magnetism providing the engine for the immense luminosity.

According to this theory, the magnetic field's spin magnifies the energy of the explosion, increasing the luminosity.

As counterintuitive as it may sound, super-luminous supernovae are difficult for astronomers to spot.

This is because they are rare and tend to form in low-luminosity galaxies with vigorous star formation, whereas the sky surveys that have been traditionally used to locate supernovae target bright galaxies with low rates of star formation.

The findings were published in the journal Science.

Standing desks could make kids smarter: study

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The introduction of standing desks in classrooms could make children smarter by improving their cognitive performance, a new study by an Indian-origin researcher has found.

The study provides the first evidence of neurocognitive benefits of stand-height desks in classrooms, where students are given the choice to stand or sit based on their preferences, researchers said.

Ranjana Mehta, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Centre School of Public Health, researched high school students with who used standing desks. Testing was performed at the beginning and again at the end of their freshman year.

Through using an experimental design, Mehta explored the neurocognitive benefits using four computerised tests to assess executive functions. Executive functions are cognitive skills we all use to analyse tasks, break them into steps and keep them in mind until we get them done.

These skills are directly related to the development of many academic skills that allow students to manage their time effectively, memorise facts, understand what they read, solve multi-step problems and organise their thoughts in writing.

Because these functions are largely regulated in the frontal brain regions, a portable brain-imaging device (functional near infrared spectroscopy) was used to examine associated changes in the frontal brain function by placing biosensors on students' foreheads during testing.

"Test results indicated that continued use of standing desks was associated with significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities," Mehta said.

"Changes in corresponding brain activation patterns were also observed," she said.In earlier studies that primarily focused on energy expenditure, teachers observed increased attention and better behaviour of students using standing desks.

Mehta's research is the first study not subject to bias or interpretation that objectively exams students' cognitive responses and brain function while using standing desks.

"Interestingly, our research showed the use of standing desks improved neurocognitive function, which is consistent with results from previous studies on school-based exercise programmes," Mehta said.

"This is the first examination of students' cognitive responses to the standing desks, which to date have focused largely on sedentary time as it relates to childhood obesity," added Mark Benden, co-researcher and director of the Texas A&M Ergonomics Centre.

Continued investigation of this research may have strong implications for policy makers, public health professionals and school administrators to consider simple and sustainable environmental changes in classrooms that can effectively increase energy expenditure and physical activity as well as enhance cognitive development and education outcomes.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Chinese prefer Pak,want to move away India as neighbour: Survey

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 Majority of Chinese would like to move India away along with Japan and a host of other neighbouring countries with whom Beijing has territorial disputes and would prefer Pakistan and Nepal as neighbours, if given a chance to 'play God' to redraw China's map.

A total of 13,196 people wanted to "move away" Japan, the highest number of votes polled in a survey seeking their views to select neighbours, if they can 'Play God' and rearrange the countries at China's borders.

More than 200,000 Internet users took part in the survey conducted by the Chinese edition of the state-run tabloid Global Times known for its nationalistic postures.

Other countries that were "moved away" include the Philippines (11,671), Vietnam (11,620), North Korea (11,024), India (10,416), Afghanistan (8,506), and Indonesia (8,167), the results published in the daily today said.

While historical disputes including the second world war atrocities by Japanese forces may have weighed in Chinese people's minds to move Japan away, the border dispute and "protection" to Dalai Lama and his associates whom China regards as separatists led to adverse view of India, Chinese analysts said.

"China and India have disputes over 120,000 square kms of land and the two have not signed treaty to settle the border disputes," Sun Lizhou, deputy director of the Academy of the World and  China Agendas, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times.

India-China have a disputed border stretching up to 3448 kms. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of Southern Tibet. The recent initiatives by India and China to improve relations had little effect on Chinese perceptions.

Unsurprisingly majority wants Pakistan often referred as all-weather ally by Chinese leaders and media to remain as a neighbour.

"Net users used their votes to show the bond shared by China and Pakistan, with 11,831 people wanting the country to 'stay as a neighbour'," the report said.

Considering the fast developing ties with Nepal, the Chinese wants it too to remain as a neighbour.

The news paper gave 36 countries to choose from as options for "new neighbours". Sweden earned 9,776 votes, accounting for 5.8 per cent.

And the other six countries that netizens would most like to be closer are New Zealand, Germany, the Maldives, Singapore, Norway and Thailand.

While preferring to move away Japan, ironically, Japan actually fits many of the criteria netizens said were desirable in a neighbour, such as being the fourth largest trade partner of China in addition to its wealth and stability, Sun said.

Net users choose to "move away Japan" because the Japanese government has not apologised over historical issues and the dispute over the disputed islands has soured China-Japan relations, Sun said.

New dates for talks with India soon: Pakistan

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 Pakistan and India are in touch on holding talks between their foreign secretaries and new dates will be decided soon, a senior Pakistani official said on Friday.

Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, said this at a breakfast meeting here with Chinese scholars, diplomats as well as journalists.

The talks were to take place on Friday in Islamabad but they have been rescheduled following the attack by Pakistani terrorists on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot.

JeM chief Masood Azhar in 'protective custody', not under arrest, says Pakistan minister

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Lahore, (PTI): Pakistan's Punjab province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Friday confirmed that banned Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar has been taken into ”protective custody” along with his accomplices, but clarified that he is “not arrested”.

”Masood Azhar has been taken into protective custody by the Punjab police counter-terrorism department,” Sanaullah told Dawn News.

Earlier, the government chose not to confirm or deny the reports that Azhar has been taken into “protective custody”.

”We have taken Maulana Azhar and his fellows under protective custody in connection with the Pathankot incident. However, we will arrest him if his involvement in the Pathankot attack is proved,” Sanaullah said.

He added that operation against banned outfits including JeM would continue under the National Action Programme.

India has identified Azhar as the mastermind of the Pathankot attack on January 2. It has also blamed his brother Rauf and five others for carrying out the attack in which seven Indian soldiers were killed along with all the six terrorists.

India has shared this information along with two Pakistani phone numbers that the terrorists had called.

According to reports, security agencies have arrested 31 activists of JeM from different parts of the province.

After a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, his office issued a statement that said that “several individuals” belonging to JeM have been apprehended in connection with the Pathankot terror attack and some of its offices traced and sealed.

On Friday, Pakistan said that the Foreign Secretary-level talks with India will not take place on Saturday as scheduled.

Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah told a news briefing that both sides were holding consultations to reschedule the talks.

Indian baby put in foster care in US

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New York,   (PTI): The two-month-old son of an Indian couple has been placed in foster care by US child welfare officials after he was admitted to a local hospital with head injuries in New Jersey.
Ashvid Pareek slipped from his mother's hands and hit his head on a TV stand before falling hard on the floor last month, his family said.
The baby was rushed to a hospital where he was diagnosed with serious internal injuries to his head. After initial treatment, the hospital transferred Ashvid to another hospital where doctors reported the case to the department of child protection and permanency.
Local authorities said the child suffered from "shaken baby syndrome' and did not agree with the parents' version. They said the parents had neglected to take care of their child.
The parents, Ashish and Vidisha Pareek, were not given permission to meet their son while in hospital. After recovery, the baby was handed over to foster care last week.
The couple have been living in the US since August. Ashish works for Tata Consultancy Services.
The Indian consulate in New York said legal procedures will have to be followed in the case since it has gone to court. The consulate is in touch with the couple and the local authorities.

Odd-even appeal rap on lawyer

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New Delhi, Jan. 14: The Supreme Court today warned an advocate of exemplary penalties and refused to urgently hear his petition challenging Delhi High Court's recent decision upholding the 15-day experimental odd-even car-rationing policy to combat pollution.
The advocate, whose identity could not be ascertained, had sought his petition to be heard before a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices A.K. Sikri and R. Banumathi when he drew their ire.
Chief Justice Thakur, who has already declared he fully supports the Arvind Kejriwal government's policy, came down heavily on the young lawyer. "The government is taking some steps to deal with the situation. You are not sensitive. People are dying because of pollution. We will impose heavy costs on you. Please co-operate. You are not helping, you are obstructing," Justice Thakur observed.
As the lawyer tried to persuade the court, Justice Thakur cut him short: "All types of publicity stunts (are made). The government is doing something. Old people, the younger generation... (all) are suffering from so many pollution-related diseases. The whole place is polluted. Don't make it an issue, make some serious suggestions."
Justice Thakur then chided the lawyer after he contended that the car-rationing scheme had made it difficult for him to reach the court. "Twenty thousand lawyers in Delhi can reach courts. This young lawyer can't. He should change his profession. We (other apex court judges) are car-pooling."
Sensing the court's mood, the lawyer walked away. However, his petition could come up later. It has not been formally listed yet and today, he had merely pressed for an early hearing.
His petition challenged the high court's order upholding the policy on an experimental basis from January 1 to 15, though it had not commented on its legal validity.
Under the policy, public and private vehicles with odd-number registrations can ply only on odd days of the month and even-numbered ones on even dates. CNG car owners, taxis, autos, two wheelers and women have been exempted. The exemptions have come under criticism from various sections and the high court.
Odd-even for phones
St. Stephen's College students today decided to adopt the odd-even formula for cellphones on the campus, terming the devices "lethal" for health and intellectual life, according to PTI.
The decision was taken at an assembly meeting of the college, with over 70 per cent of the students voting in favour of the idea. However, the scheme will be voluntary and no student will be penalised for violations. Principal Valson Thampu said cellphones were as "lethal a pollutant of our inner/ intellectual life as vehicles are for our roads or outdoor life".
"I had given up using my cell phone last July. This is the best I have done for myself in recent years. It has reduced my distractions by 95 per cent, my vexation by 96.5 per cent and my headache by 99.66 per cent. The quality of my concentration has improved," Thampu said.