HAPPENINGS-15TH MAY

Another step towards self awareness...no, I am not talking about anything spiritual..Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology is coming with a pilot project to forecast air quality ahead of Commonwealth Games. So, we will be able to know about the air we are breathing!! 20 microprocessors with 3km resolution will monitor the air and its pollutant content in Delhi. Also, a comfort index based on temperature and humidity shall make us more aware about our environment coming October..

Well..that doesn't mean 'safe surroundings'..6 more N-spots have been traced near Mayapuri by the International Environment Agency 'Greenspace' with Cobalt-60 having radiations 5000 times more than normal.

Next, the increase in VAT from 12.5% to 20% made the 'petrol' people really angry and 400 petrol pumps remained shut on Friday.

Being a student, I can't afford not telling you about the recent changes in DU. 12 science courses (all science courses barring B.Sc Mathematics and B.Sc Chemical sciences) have adopted the semester system. According to DU Vice Chancellor Mr.Deepak Pental, all courses will adopt the semester pattern by 2011.

One thing that made me smile today..is that there's someone rich who is interested in giving rather than only business. The BMGF (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) has donated $13.1 billion for social purposes all over the world, India being the biggest recipient ($ 1billion). I just hope that the money goes to the right hands.

We all belong to the same world. It is heartening to know that Sikh soldiers are making their way into the British Army. The British Army website quotes the work of work of Private Singh, UK Govt Ambassador as exemplary. Signaller Simranjit Sim Singh & Lance Corporal Sarvjeet Singh are other examples of other Sikhs whom the British Army is proud to have!!

Australia will be playing against England in the T20 World Cup. The Australian winning streak seems to have returned now as seen in the semifinal match against Pakistan.

Lastly, "I hate love stories"..the next Dharma Productions movie appears to be a refreshing story & its posters are lovely..eagerly looking forward to watch this one... :)

HAPPENINGS-14TH MAY

The first thing I noticed in HT today was 'Akshay Tritiya', also known as 'Aksha Teej'. It is seen as a day for jewelery shopping, no doubt that the prices of gold has already touched Rs.18350 per 10 grams!! Is that all about it?? No..like every other festival, this one also has a story..Akshay Tritiya is the day of switching over to Treta Yug from Krita Yug, the day when Ganga moved from the sky to the earth. It is also known as 'Parshuram Jayanti'. But the fact is..we are more interested in shopping rather than knowing these details!!

So even as the temperature soars, and Delhi witnesses its hottest ever 14th May, the shopping spree is still not that much affected..!!

One thing that is as annoying as the heat is India's performance in T20 World Cup. But be it captain MS Dhoni accusing the IPL parties or coach Gary Kirsten commenting on the fitness levels of the players, the country is still too busy with cricket..its sad, we overlook the various other reasons to celebrate! Viswanathan Anand won the World Chess Crown and we should be really proud of that...

Yet another hot topic is our environment minister, Mr.Jairam Ramesh. This highly intelllectual and vociferous ex-IITian is always in limelight and this time it is the 'China' issue. While I believe that educated ministers like Shashi Tharoor & Jairam Ramesh are an absolute necessity to change the Indian Politics visage, I think they need to be a little more careful while expressing themselves!!

Last but not the least, I can't forget my favorite actress, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who is very much in news regarding the Canne's Film Festival. The whole fashion world is busy criticizing her hairdo but all I know is..she could have looked better but a mere hairdo doesn't really affect her beauty!!

Happy to know that finally, someone representing India at Canne's will be wearing a saree and she is none other than Deepika Padukone..best of luck lady..!!