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Chat GPT vs. Human Interaction: Finding the Balance in AI Conversation

2023-07-16T21:37:00.008+05:30

I. Introduction

A. Overview of Chat GPT and its capabilities

In today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, one groundbreaking innovation that has captured significant attention is Chat GPT. Chat GPT, powered by AI language models like GPT-3.5, possesses the ability to engage in human-like conversations. It has demonstrated remarkable proficiency in generating coherent responses, mimicking human conversation patterns, and providing valuable information across various domains. This transformative technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact and communicate.

B. Importance of human interaction in communication

While the emergence of Chat GPT presents exciting possibilities, it is essential to acknowledge the unique qualities of human interaction. Human conversations are characterized by empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to understand context. These aspects are deeply ingrained in our social fabric and contribute to the establishment of trust, building relationships, and fostering meaningful connections. Human interaction brings a level of understanding and depth that is challenging to replicate solely through artificial means.

C. Potential benefits and challenges of AI conversation

The advent of AI conversation brings both potential benefits and challenges. On one hand, AI conversation offers efficiency, scalability, and availability, enabling organizations to handle a large volume of inquiries, support requests, and information retrieval tasks with speed and precision. It has the potential to streamline customer service, reduce response times, and enhance productivity. Moreover, AI conversation can assist users in accessing information and resources, making knowledge more accessible.

However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that come with AI conversation. Nuances, complex emotions, and sarcasm can be difficult for AI models to grasp accurately, leading to potential misunderstandings or inadequate responses. Maintaining user privacy and data security is crucial in AI conversation systems. Additionally, relying solely on AI conversation may raise concerns about the devaluation of human interaction and the loss of the personal touch that human conversations provide.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the capabilities of Chat GPT, explore the significance of human interaction, and discuss the potential benefits and challenges of AI conversation. By examining these aspects, we can better understand the role AI conversation can play in our lives and the importance of finding the right balance between AI and human interaction.

II. Understanding Chat GPT

A. Explaining the concept of Chat GPT and its functioning

Chat GPT is an advanced AI language model that has been trained on massive amounts of data to generate human-like responses in conversational settings. It utilizes a deep learning technique called the transformer architecture, which allows it to process and understand text inputs, identify patterns, and generate coherent and contextually appropriate replies. By learning from a diverse range of texts, Chat GPT develops a broad knowledge base that enables it to provide informative and relevant responses.

B. Highlighting the advancements in AI language models

The field of AI language models has experienced significant advancements in recent years. Researchers and engineers have made remarkable progress in developing more sophisticated models, including Chat GPT. These advancements are primarily driven by improvements in deep learning algorithms, increased computational power, and the availability of vast amounts of training data. These factors have led to substantial gains in language fluency, response coherence, and the overall quality of generated text.

C. Discussing the strengths and limitations of Chat GPT

Chat GPT possesses several strengths that make it a powerful conversational AI tool. Its ability to generate responses quickly and accurately makes it valuable for tasks such as customer support, information retrieval, and general inquiries. Chat GPT's extensive knowledge base allows it to provide helpful insights and answers across various domains. Additionally, its availability and scalability make it capable of handling a large volume of conversations simultaneously.

However, Chat GPT also has its limitations. While it excels at generating text based on patterns, it may struggle with understanding complex emotions, irony, or sarcasm accurately. It can sometimes produce responses that sound plausible but are factually incorrect or lack proper context. The model may also exhibit biases present in the training data, potentially leading to biased or discriminatory responses. Understanding these limitations is crucial in effectively utilizing Chat GPT and mitigating potential issues.

By understanding the concept of Chat GPT, appreciating the advancements in AI language models, and recognizing their strengths and limitations, we can better grasp the capabilities and considerations surrounding this powerful conversational AI technology. In the next sections, we will explore the role of human interaction in communication and delve into the pros and cons of AI conversation.

III. The Role of Human Interaction

A. Recognizing the unique qualities of human conversation

Human conversation is a remarkable form of communication that possesses unique qualities that set it apart from AI-generated interactions. It goes beyond mere exchange of information and involves a dynamic interplay of emotions, intentions, and shared experiences. Human conversation is characterized by its depth, adaptability, and the ability to convey subtle nuances that may not be easily captured by AI models like Chat GPT.

Unlike AI-generated responses, human conversation is inherently personal and tailored to individual needs. It involves active listening, intuition, and the ability to read non-verbal cues. Through conversation, individuals can express empathy, share personal stories, and engage in meaningful dialogue that fosters understanding and connection.

B. Importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and contextual understanding

Empathy, emotional intelligence, and contextual understanding are vital components of human interaction. Empathy allows individuals to put themselves in others' shoes, showing genuine care and understanding. Emotional intelligence enables the recognition and management of emotions, allowing for appropriate responses that consider the emotional state of others. Contextual understanding helps interpret the underlying meaning and cultural nuances present in conversations, facilitating effective communication.

These qualities enable individuals to respond in ways that are empathetic, compassionate, and tailored to the specific needs of others. Through emotional connection and shared understanding, human conversation creates a safe space for vulnerability, support, and personal growth.

C. How human interaction fosters trust and builds relationships

Human interaction plays a pivotal role in building trust and establishing meaningful relationships. Trust is a fundamental aspect of any relationship, and it is nurtured through genuine, authentic conversations. By actively listening, demonstrating empathy, and providing thoughtful responses, individuals can build rapport and create a sense of safety and understanding.

Human conversation fosters a deeper level of connection that extends beyond the transactional nature of AI-generated interactions. It allows for the establishment of shared experiences, the exploration of diverse perspectives, and the formation of bonds based on mutual trust and respect. These relationships are built over time through consistent, meaningful conversations, and they contribute to personal and professional growth, collaboration, and overall well-being.

While AI conversation has its benefits, it is important to recognize and appreciate the irreplaceable role of human interaction. In the next sections, we will explore the pros and cons of AI conversation and discuss strategies for finding the balance between AI and human interaction to create harmonious and effective communication experiences.

IV. Pros and Cons of AI Conversation

A. Advantages of Chat GPT in efficiency, scalability, and availability

Chat GPT, as an AI conversational tool, offers several advantages that make it valuable in various contexts. One significant advantage is its efficiency. Chat GPT can handle a large volume of conversations simultaneously, providing quick and accurate responses without the limitations of human response times. This efficiency can greatly benefit organizations by improving customer service, reducing wait times, and increasing overall productivity.

Scalability is another advantage of AI conversation. Chat GPT can be easily deployed across different platforms and channels, allowing businesses to scale their customer support or information retrieval capabilities to meet growing demands. Moreover, Chat GPT's availability 24/7 ensures consistent access to support and information, regardless of time zones or business hours.

B. Limitations of AI conversation in understanding nuance and complex emotions

Despite its advantages, AI conversation has limitations that stem from the inherent complexities of human communication. One major limitation is the difficulty in understanding nuanced expressions, sarcasm, and complex emotions. Chat GPT may struggle to capture the underlying subtleties and nuances that humans naturally grasp in conversations. This limitation can lead to responses that may not fully align with the intended meaning or fail to address the emotional aspects of a user's query.

Additionally, AI conversation models like Chat GPT lack real-world experiences and context. They rely solely on patterns derived from training data, which can sometimes lead to factual inaccuracies or incomplete understanding of the subject matter. This limitation highlights the importance of considering the limitations of AI conversation and carefully assessing the accuracy and appropriateness of responses generated by Chat GPT.

C. Balancing the benefits and drawbacks of AI conversation

Achieving the right balance between leveraging the benefits of AI conversation while mitigating its drawbacks is essential. AI conversation excels in tasks that involve routine inquiries, information retrieval, and repetitive interactions. By automating these processes, organizations can free up human resources, improve response times, and enhance operational efficiency. Moreover, AI conversation can assist users in accessing information and resources with speed and accuracy.

However, it is crucial to strike a balance by acknowledging the limitations of AI conversation. Human interaction brings valuable qualities such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and contextual understanding that are essential in complex or emotionally charged situations. Organizations should be mindful of integrating human touch in customer interactions when necessary to ensure optimal user experiences and address nuanced needs.

Finding the balance between AI conversation and human interaction requires careful consideration of the specific use cases and the context in which they are applied. By leveraging the strengths of AI conversation while recognizing its limitations, organizations can create a harmonious blend of AI and human interaction that delivers efficient, accurate, and empathetic communication experiences. In the next sections, we will explore strategies for finding this balance and delve into the ethical considerations surrounding AI conversation.

V. Finding the Balance

A. Identifying appropriate use cases for AI conversation

To strike a balance between AI conversation and human interaction, it is crucial to identify appropriate use cases where AI conversation can provide significant value. Routine inquiries, frequently asked questions, and basic information retrieval are ideal scenarios for AI conversation. These tasks can be efficiently handled by AI models like Chat GPT, freeing up human resources for more complex and nuanced interactions. By identifying these suitable use cases, organizations can leverage the efficiency and scalability of AI conversation.

B. Augmenting human interaction with Chat GPT to enhance productivity

Rather than replacing human interaction entirely, Chat GPT can be utilized to augment human capabilities and enhance productivity. AI conversation models can serve as intelligent assistants, providing real-time suggestions, information retrieval, and data analysis to support human decision-making. By leveraging AI conversation as a tool to assist humans, organizations can improve efficiency and accuracy while still retaining the essential qualities of human interaction.

C. Strategies for integrating AI conversation while maintaining human touch

Integrating AI conversation while maintaining the human touch requires thoughtful strategies. One effective approach is to use AI conversation as a first point of contact to handle routine inquiries and triage more complex cases to human agents. This ensures quick and accurate responses for straightforward queries while reserving human interaction for situations that require emotional understanding, critical thinking, or personalized attention.

Another strategy is to provide transparent disclosure when AI conversation is employed. Users should be aware when they are interacting with an AI system, allowing them to adjust their expectations accordingly. Transparent communication can help manage user trust and set appropriate boundaries for the role of AI conversation.

Furthermore, organizations should invest in ongoing training and feedback loops for AI conversation models. Continuous improvement of these models, informed by human input, can help address limitations, refine responses, and reduce biases. This iterative process ensures that AI conversation aligns better with user needs and provides more accurate and helpful interactions.

By implementing these strategies, organizations can strike a balance between AI conversation and human interaction. They can leverage the efficiency and scalability of AI conversation while preserving the empathetic, emotional, and context-sensitive aspects that humans excel at. This integrated approach ensures the best of both worlds, enhancing productivity and user experiences.

In the next sections, we will delve into the ethical considerations of AI conversation, exploring responsible use, privacy, and potential biases that need to be addressed in the implementation of AI conversation systems.

VI. Ethical Considerations

A. Ensuring responsible use of AI conversation technology

As AI conversation technology like Chat GPT becomes more prevalent, it is crucial to prioritize responsible use. Organizations should establish clear guidelines and policies around the deployment and use of AI conversation systems. These guidelines should include principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness. Responsible use involves ensuring that AI conversation is deployed in ways that align with ethical standards, respect user rights, and avoid harm or exploitation.

B. Addressing privacy and data security concerns

Privacy and data security are significant ethical considerations when implementing AI conversation technology. Organizations must prioritize the protection of user data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Clear policies and safeguards should be in place to secure sensitive information shared during AI conversations. Transparent disclosure of data usage, consent mechanisms, and secure data storage practices are essential to build trust with users and protect their privacy.

C. Implications of relying solely on AI conversation and potential biases

Relying solely on AI conversation without human oversight can have significant implications. It is important to acknowledge the limitations of AI conversation models, including their potential biases. Bias can emerge due to biases present in the training data or the way the models interpret and generate responses. Organizations must actively monitor and address biases to ensure fair and unbiased interactions.

Additionally, relying solely on AI conversation can have implications for the devaluation of human interaction. It is vital to strike the right balance between AI and human interaction to avoid diminishing the importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and the deeper understanding that human conversations provide. Human involvement and oversight are necessary to ensure meaningful connections, address complex emotions, and navigate nuanced situations.

Considering these ethical considerations allows organizations to deploy AI conversation technology responsibly, protect user privacy, and mitigate potential biases. Striking the balance between AI and human interaction ensures that technology augments human capabilities without compromising the essential qualities that human conversations bring.

In the final section of this blog, we will explore the future outlook of AI conversation, including predictions for its evolution, the possibilities of hybrid human-AI interaction, and the potential impacts on various industries and society as a whole.

VII. The Future Outlook

A. Predictions for the evolution of AI conversation

The future of AI conversation holds exciting possibilities for further advancements. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect AI conversation models like Chat GPT to become even more sophisticated. Predictions include enhanced language understanding, improved context sensitivity, and more accurate responses. AI conversation systems may develop the ability to grasp complex emotions, understand nuanced sarcasm, and provide more personalized and tailored interactions. Advancements in training techniques and data availability will contribute to the continuous evolution of AI conversation technology.

B. Exploring the possibilities of hybrid human-AI interaction

A promising direction for the future is the exploration of hybrid human-AI interaction. Instead of viewing AI conversation as a replacement for human interaction, we can envision a harmonious collaboration between humans and AI systems. Hybrid approaches could involve using AI conversation as intelligent assistants, providing real-time suggestions and augmenting human decision-making. This combination can result in enhanced productivity, efficiency, and user experiences. Human expertise and emotional understanding, combined with the capabilities of AI conversation, can create a powerful synergy that improves various aspects of our lives.

C. Potential impacts on various industries and society as a whole

The impact of AI conversation extends beyond individual interactions. In various industries, AI conversation technology can revolutionize customer service, support systems, and information retrieval. Chat GPT's efficiency, scalability, and availability make it a valuable tool for organizations to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. Additionally, AI conversation can play a significant role in education, healthcare, and other sectors by providing accessible and personalized support.

On a broader societal level, AI conversation raises important considerations. It can democratize access to information and services, bridging gaps in knowledge and resources. However, it also demands attention to ensure equitable access and avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. Ethical considerations, privacy protection, and addressing biases in AI conversation are crucial to ensure that these technologies benefit society as a whole.

As we look to the future, it is vital to approach the continued development and adoption of AI conversation with careful consideration. Balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations, societal impacts, and the preservation of human qualities is key to leveraging AI conversation for positive outcomes.

In the concluding section of this blog, we will recap the key points discussed throughout and emphasize the importance of finding the right balance between AI conversation and human interaction. We will also encourage further exploration, research, and responsible development in the field of AI conversation.

VIII. Conclusion

A. Recap of key points discussed

Throughout this blog, we have explored the fascinating world of AI conversation, specifically focusing on Chat GPT. We began by understanding the concept of Chat GPT and its functioning, highlighting the advancements in AI language models. We then discussed the unique qualities of human conversation, emphasizing the importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and contextual understanding in fostering trust and building relationships. Moving forward, we examined the pros and cons of AI conversation, recognizing its advantages in efficiency, scalability, and availability, while acknowledging its limitations in understanding nuance and complex emotions.

In finding the balance between AI conversation and human interaction, we explored strategies such as identifying appropriate use cases, augmenting human interaction with AI tools to enhance productivity, and integrating AI conversation while maintaining the human touch. We also addressed the ethical considerations surrounding AI conversation, including responsible use, privacy, and potential biases. Lastly, we looked into the future outlook, discussing predictions for the evolution of AI conversation, possibilities of hybrid human-AI interaction, and potential impacts on various industries and society as a whole.

B. Emphasizing the importance of finding the right balance

Finding the right balance between AI conversation and human interaction is crucial for leveraging the benefits of AI technology while preserving the essential qualities that human conversation brings. AI conversation can enhance efficiency, scalability, and availability, but it is essential to recognize the limitations of AI models in understanding complex emotions and nuanced situations. By striking the balance, organizations can create communication experiences that combine the strengths of AI and human interaction, ultimately leading to more meaningful connections, improved productivity, and enhanced user experiences.

C. Encouraging further exploration and research in the field of AI conversation

As the field of AI conversation continues to evolve, it is important to encourage further exploration, research, and responsible development. Researchers, engineers, and organizations should collaborate to advance AI conversation technology, addressing limitations, refining algorithms, and ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. Further exploration can help us unlock the full potential of AI conversation in various domains, including customer service, education, healthcare, and beyond. With continued research and responsible implementation, AI conversation has the potential to transform the way we communicate and interact with technology.

In conclusion, AI conversation, exemplified by Chat GPT, offers tremendous potential for efficiency, scalability, and enhanced user experiences. However, it is crucial to find the right balance, leveraging AI technology while recognizing the importance of human qualities in communication. By embracing responsible development, addressing ethical considerations, and promoting further research, we can shape a future where AI conversation augments human capabilities, fosters connections, and empowers individuals in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Tips for creating Tamil Memes

2023-03-23T19:18:00.005+05:30

Tips for creating Tamil Memes

Stay updated with the latest trends: Keep an eye on social media platforms and popular Tamil TV shows/movies to identify the latest trends.
Be relevant: Make sure your memes are relevant to the Tamil community and are relatable to the audience.
Be witty and humorous: Tamil memes are known for their humor, so make sure you use witty captions and add funny images or videos.
Use local references: Tamil people have a strong connection with their culture and language, so incorporate local references into your memes.
Keep it simple: Memes should be simple and easy to understand, so avoid using complicated language or images.

Overall, creativity and humor are the keys to creating successful Tamil memes. Good luck!

IPL 2018 Schedule: Complete Time Table, Match Timings

2018-03-18T22:31:00.000+05:30

IPL 2018 Schedule: Complete Time Table, Match Timings

Date	Match	Time	Venue
April 7	Mumbai indians vs Chennai Super Kings	8 PM	Mumbai
April 8	Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab	4 PM	Delhi
April 8	Kolkata knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	8 PM	Kolkata
April 9	Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals	8 PM	Hyderabad
April 10	Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata knight Riders	8 PM	Chennai
April 11	Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils	8 PM	Jaipur
April 12	Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Mumbai indians	8 PM	Hyderabad
April 13	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab	8 PM	Bengaluru
April 14	Mumbai indians vs Delhi Daredevils	4 PM	Mumbai
April 14	Kolkata knight Riders vs Sun Risers Hyderabad	8 PM	Kolkata
April 15	Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings	8 PM	Indore
April 16	Kolkata knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils	8 PM	Kolkata
April 17	Mumbai indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	8 PM	Mumbai
April 18	Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata knight Riders	8 PM	Jaipur
April 19	Kings XI Punjab vs Sun Risers Hyderabad	8 PM	Indore
April 20	Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals	8 PM	Chennai
April 21	Kolkata knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab	4 PM	Kolkata
April 21	Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	8 PM	Delhi
April 22	Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings	4 PM	Hyderabad
April 22	Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai indians	8 PM	Jaipur
April 23	Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils	8 PM	Indore
April 24	Mumbai indians vs Sun Risers Hyderabad	8 PM	Mumbai
April 25	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings	8 PM	Bengaluru
April 26	Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab	8 PM	Hyderabad
April 27	Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata knight Riders	8 PM	Delhi
April 28	Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai indians	8 PM	Chennai
April 29	Rajasthan Royals vs Sun Risers Hyderabad	4 PM	Jaipur
April 29	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata knight Riders	8 PM	Bengaluru
April 30	Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils	8 PM	Chennai
May 1	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai indians	8 PM	Bengaluru
May 2	Delhi Daredevils vs Rajasthan Royals	8 PM	Delhi
May 3	Kolkata knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings	8 PM	Kolkata
May 4	Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai indians	8 PM	Mohali
May 5	Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	4 PM	Chennai
May 5	Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Delhi Daredevils	8 PM	Hyderabad
May 6	Mumbai indians vs Kolkata knight Riders	4 PM	Mumbai
May 6	Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals	8 PM	Mohali
May 7	Sun Risers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	8 PM	Hyderabad
May 8	Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab	8 PM	Jaipur
May 9	Kolkata knight Riders vs Mumbai indians	8 PM	Kolkata
May 10	Delhi Daredevils vs Sun Risers Hyderabad	8 PM	Delhi
May 11	Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings	8 PM	Jaipur
May 12	Kings XI Punjabvs Kolkata knight Riders	4 PM	Mohali
May 12	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils	8 PM	Bengaluru
May 13	Mumbai indians vs Rajasthan Royals	8 PM	Mumbai
May 14	Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	8 PM	Mohali
May 15	Kolkata knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals	8 PM	Kolkata
May 16	Mumbai indians vs Kings XI Punjab	8 PM	Mumbai
May 17	Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sun Risers Hyderabad	8 PM	Bengaluru
May 18	Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings	8 PM	Delhi
May 19	Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore	4 PM	Jaipur
May 20	Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai indians	4 PM	Delhi
May 20	Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab	8 PM	Chennai
May 22	Qualifier 1	8 PM	Mumbai
May 23	Eliminator	8 PM	TBC
May 25	Qualifier 2	8 PM	TBC
May 27	Final	8 PM	Mumbai

The list of teams for IPL 2018 schedule are:

Chennai Super Kings

Delhi Daredevils

Kings XI Punjab

Kolkata Knight Riders

Mumbai Indians

Rajasthan Royals

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kamal Haasan's 'Marudhanayagam' at the Cannes film market

2017-05-22T20:34:00.002+05:30

Kamal Haasan's 'Marudhanayagam' at the Cannes film market

Looks like Kamal Haasan is going all out to revive 'Marudhanayagam', which was put in cold storage several years ago owing to financial crises. The poster of Marudhanayagam displayed with Sangamithra at the Cannes 2017, has fuelled speculations that superstar Kamal Haasan has revived his dream project.

The period film, which revolves around the life of the 18th century warrior Mohammad Yusuf Khan, was expected to release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and English. Though the film kick-started in 1997, it was shelved due to various reasons.

Earlier this year, the film was set to be revived by Ayngaran International and Lyca International, who are currently bankrolling Rajinikanth starrer 'Endhiran 2'. The speculations was due to Ayngaran International posting a picture of Kamal Haasan's Marudhanayagam. Now, the poster of the film displayed at the Cannes has strengthened the rumours that the star actor is looking to revive the project as soon as possible.

Kamal Haasan had earlier revealed that several of his friends abroad are willing to finance this venture and Kamal is being prodded to consider taking up Marudhanayagam and finish it off as a treat for his loyal fans.

UPSC IAS Prelims Admit Card 2017 Download

2017-05-22T20:27:00.001+05:30

UPSC IAS Prelims Admit Card 2017 Download From @Upsc.Gov.In; UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Hall Tickets

UPSC IAS Prelims Admit Card 2017 : Now Candidates Can Download UPSC IAS Prelims 2017 Admit Card/Hall Tickets. Candidates can download Admit Cards from official website of the Union Public Service Commission at upsc.gov.in. According to Union Government, a total of 980 Office Holders will be selected this year through UPSC Civil Services Exam 2017. UPSC Released Notification in February this year. As per the existing calendar of the Commission, the preliminary examination will be held on 18 June 2017.

Candidates may now download the IAS admit card/Hall Tickets from the official website using their Registration number and details. Even though the admit cards were scheduled to be released just three weeks prior to the written examination date, UPSC released them earlier. www.upsc.gov.in. Due to the huge number of users on the UPSC website candidates may face technical issues in downloading their admit card/hall tickets, so the candidates are advised to stay calm and refresh the website in a short interval of time.

Admit card link will be active till 18 June 2017. However candidates are suggested to download at the earliest in order to avoid last minute rush.

Candidates need to visit the official website
After visiting the website, the candidates will have to click on the active link of ‘e-admit card for UPSC Civil Services Prelims examination‘
Clicking the link will direct the candidates to a page where they will get important instructions about the examination.
Candidates need to provide their name, Registered number, registration id, and name and year of examination in the corresponding boxes to download their admit card.
Candidates must download and take a print out of the admit card for future reference.

A total of 1,079 and 1,164 vacancies were reported to be filled through the civil services examinations 2016 and 2015, respectively. Those who clear the prelims can appear for the main exam which is scheduled to be held on October 10, 2017.

Triple talaq: Will issue advisory against practice, says Muslim law board to Supreme Court

2017-05-22T20:20:00.002+05:30

Triple talaq: Will issue advisory against practice, says Muslim law board to Supreme Court

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Monday, filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in the Triple Talaq matter.

In its affidavit, AIMPLB said that it would issue an advisory requesting individuals who perform the nikah (marriage) to follow the following steps.

Firstly, the individual performing the nikah will advise the bridegroom that in case of differences leading to a divorce, the bridegroom shall not say talaq thrice in one sitting. "This is an undesirable practice in Shariat," said the law board in its affidavit.

Secondly, the individual performing the nikah will advise both the bride and the bridegroom to incorporate a condition in 'nikahnama' to exclude resorting to pronuncement of three divorces by her husband in one sitting.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar has reserved its verdict on a clutch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of triple talaq among Muslims.

MS Dhoni hits a gigantic six as the ball goes out of Stadium !!!

2017-04-17T07:38:00.000+05:30

As they say, form is temporary and class is permanent, it was evident for yet another time as former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came back to some run-scoring form in the 16th match of Vivo IPL 10 between Rising Pune Supergiant and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Dhoni was due for a big score after failing to make a mark in the first 4 encounters. In addition to that RPS lost their last 3 games which added to their misery.

Speculations have been going on regarding the batting position of MS Dhoni ever since the flamboyant Jharkhand lad was removed from the captaincy duties. In the first 4 matches, he came out pretty late in the innings with RPS already struggling and failed to play his natural game. He wasn’t timing the ball and looked rusty in all of the 4 matches.

As the law of averages say that a man missing out in the first 4 matches is expected to perform the next time around, it was exactly what we witnessed from the cool customer. He came out in the middle at the fall of Rahul Tripathi’s wicket and wasn’t able to time the ball perfectly. He wasn’t hitting the middle of the bat which added to the frustration of Dhoni.

Meanwhile, RPS got off to a good start and after the fall of two wickets, Dhoni and Smith came out to bail RPS out of the precarious situation. The partnership was slowly building as both started accumulating runs. The talking point of the innings came in the final delivery of the 14th over as MSD came dancing down the track to deposit Yuzvendra Chahal over the long on region for a gigantic six.

VIA : Crictracker

BSNL offers 2GB data per day, unlimited calling for Rs 339

2017-03-16T18:14:00.004+05:30

BSNL said that the data of 2 GB per day is one of the best in the industry. Customers will also get 25 minutes of free call to other network everyday.

To counter threat from Reliance Jio, state-run telecom firm BSNL launched a new plan that offers 2 GB of 3G data per day and unlimited calling within its network for Rs 339. “The benefits customer will get under the Combo STV (special tariff voucher) of Rs 339 are unlimited calls in BSNL network and unlimited data with fair use policy of 2 GB per day with validity of 28 days,” BSNL said in a statement.

The offer is limited for 90 days. Reliance Jio is offering 1GB of 4G data and unlimited calling to all network for free till March 31. From April 1 onward, Reliance Jio customers opting for Jio Prime service will get unlimited data and calls till March 31, 2018, for one time registration fee of Rs 99 and Rs 303 per month.

BSNL said that the data of 2 GB per day is one of the best in the industry. “We are committed to providing affordable and efficient services to all segment of our loyal mobile customers. We offer best prices to our customers considering present trend of Indian telecom industry,” BSNL Director for Consumer Mobility RK Mittal said.

BSNL customers under the new scheme will also get 25 minutes of free call to other network everyday and after that they will be charged 25 paisa for minute long phone call.

The development comes on the heels of announcement of Reliance Jio’s Prime membership programme. Jio’s data tariffs remain the cheapest in the country in both prepaid and postpaid categories. Rival Airtel, on the other hand, is giving away 30GB free data for three months to its postpaid customers, which can be availed before March 31.

Tamil Nadu Resuscitates Community De-Silting Of Lakes and Tanks

2017-03-16T18:06:00.000+05:30

The Tamil Nadu government today resuscitated a customary water asset administration framework including open in the state's most noticeably bad dry spell in over a century.

The legislature has stepped up with regards to resuscitate the "Kudimaramathu" convention that includes connecting with agriculturists and nearby individuals to de-residue and take care of tanks and lakes with a financial plan of Rs. 100 crore.

K Sundaram, a little rancher at Manimangalam in Kancheepuram area, who has joined the activity says that it will guarantee appropriate supply of water for water system. "This will help store more water in lakes, and this will thus help us get more water for water system, which implies more harvest," he said.

"Kudimaramathu" is a practice where agriculturists need to evacuate weeds and develop the lake to guarantee legitimate supply of water for water system.

The activity has seen positive reaction from agriculturists like S Rajee who develops paddy in more than 10 sections of land of land. He feels the venture will get great reaction from the general population.

There's a motivating force too for agriculturists who are a piece of the activity. In numerous regions agriculturists like S Rajee can take constrained heaps of sustenance rich residue to their farmland. "Prior individuals wouldn't come or would desire name purpose. Presently there would be possession and normal great. Individuals would energetically come to work in town water bodies," says Mr Rajee. He trusts that the venture will guarantee sufficient water supply notwithstanding amid dry spell not at all like the yield misfortune he endured two years prior because of dry season.

With precipitation at 62 for every penny deficiency last storm, the Tamil Nadu government has approached the inside for Rs. 40,000 crore help. Seventeen ranchers had executed themselves; and upwards of 100 passings had been connected to the dry season.

Apple iPhone 6 (32GB) Now @ Rs.28,999.00 via Amazon India

2017-03-15T07:16:00.001+05:30

Apple iPhone 6 (32GB) Now @ Rs.28,999.00 via Amazon India

Visit the following link for more details: Apple iPhone 6

Technical Details

OS	iOS
RAM	1 GB
Item Weight	127 g
Product Dimensions	13.8 x 0.7 x 6.7 cm
Item model number	A1586
Wireless communication technologies	Bluetooth
Connectivity technologies	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, USBv2.0, 3G, 4G, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Other camera features	1.2 MP
Form factor	Touchscreen Phone
Weight	125 Grams
Colour	Space Grey
Battery Power Rating	1810
Whats in the box	Handset, Charger, EarPods, Lightning to USB Cable and Documentation

‘BuyBack guarantee’ for Moto G5 Plus has been launched by Flipkart that promises fixed exchange price when upgrading from old to new smartphones

2017-03-15T07:05:00.001+05:30

Moto G5 Plus smartphone is scheduled to launch today.

Flipkart is aiming to fix one of the biggest problems that customers face when they go for an exchange deal for a new smartphone. The e-commerce company has introduced a ‘BuyBack guarantee’ program allowing customers to exchange their phone at a fixed rate when they buy the new smartphone on Flipkart. The program has debuted exclusively with the Moto G5 Plus, which will be launched in India tomorrow. The program aims to resolve the issue of fluctuating exchange prices that keep a lot of customers from upgrading to a new smartphone.

For example, if you want to purchase a new smartphone which is priced at Rs 30,000 in exchange of the Moto G5 Plus whose BuyBack Guarantee price is supposedly Rs 12,001. You would be paying a deducted amount of Rs 17,999.

Visit this link for more detail : Moto G5 Launch

India Under-19 blossom under Dravid's focus and drive

2016-12-24T18:55:00.002+05:30

Among the top six teams that played the Asian Cricket Council Youth Asia Cup 2016 in Sri Lanka, only India and Pakistan did not feature a player who had played in the Under-19 World Cup before.

Perhaps, as a result, Pakistan were ousted in the league phase, losing to Afghanistan and missing out on the semi-final spot by a narrow margin. India, on the other hand, had no such problems. They enjoyed an unbeaten run on their way to defending the crown. They have now been champions since 2012, when the tournament was opened to the full members' Under 19 teams (they were joint champions alongside Pakistan during the first edition).

The result outlines the neat structure India have in place now, with Rahul Dravid leading the boys as their head coach. The results are vindication to what India have in place, as it is to the talent that's coming through.

The Youth Asia Cup offers a neat glimpse at the future of cricket in Asia. Nepal showed they weren't mere pushovers. Afghanistan went one better and ousted two-time finalists Pakistan. Sri Lanka made it to the finals for the very first time and Bangladesh proved their mettle with a semi-final spot.

Amongst the players, too, there will always be new jewels uncovered. Hasitha Boyagoda and Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous Sri Lankan captain, did will for the hosts. Nepal saw Dipendra Singh Airee play a blinder in their opening game. India found stars in Prithvi Shaw, Himanshu Rana and Abhishek Sharma, among others.

But no one will have come out happier than the champions.

Rahul Dravid has always been a man with a plan, and he came well prepared for the Youth Asia Cup, too. Devraj Raut, India's video analyst, would record the whole game and send out edited snippets to each player to help them analyse their game. If the match got over early, like it did against Malaysia and Nepal, the team was put through the paces through match simulations.

When the team failed to finish off a match and let Afghanistan finish the game on their own terms, Dravid was apparently livid with the team. Despite the victory, the coach gave his team a dressing down for not going for the kill when the chance presented itself.

The onus was always on the team to learn as much as possible from the experience, and they would have gained a lot from the Sri Lanka experience. Far from what the results and the talent indicate, the going has not been easy for the side.

In February this year, the India U19 team lost the World Cup final to West Indies in Bangladesh. The India team was seen as one of the strongest, and had in it a number of promising youngsters - some of them - Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Armaan Jaffer and Washington Sundar - are already regular faces in their state sides.

None from that team now plays for the U19 side, not because they're too old, but because Dravid and the BCCI have sights set on the future. The BCCI had, in June this year, ruled that no player can play two Under-19 World Cups, and the board saw the Youth Asia Cup as the opportunity to groom players for the next Under-19 World Cup, to be played in 2018.

A fifteen member squad was selected for the Asia Cup, but another issue arose. Due to a miscommunication, seven members of India's squad were found ineligible as per the age cut-off. With less than two weeks to go for the series, India had to make as many changes to the side. However, their preparation gave them the chance to ride over the problems and still come out on top.

Under-16 and Under-19 camps were set up in each zone to help pick out the players. Once the cream of the crop was picked, the nurturing began. There have been regular camps for cricketers at the under-age levels to hone their skills. Earlier this year, the candidates played with Dukes, SG and Kookaburra balls - red, white and pink to give them early exposure to the different challenges in cricket. The squad also played the Under 19 Challenger Trophy, in Bilaspur in October.

Despite all the setbacks, India's triumph in the Youth Asia Cup has been one that will please the management and board to no end. Dravid's work and focus on providing Indian cricket with the right future seem well on track, while the players, too, have shown that they have what it takes to go the next level.

Exciting next two years await. Sound success at the start of the campaign can be as damaging as it is encouraging. With Dravid at the helm, one can be sure of it being treated the right way. After India's loss in the Under-19 World Cup final, the former India captain had emphasised on the life lessons that comes out of failure.

"You don't realise the importance of achievement without failure. It's fine that you lost this time, but be ready and cautious in the next opportunity," Ishan Kishan had said about his chat with Dravid after the loss in the final.

India and Pakistan were the only sides without an Under-19 World Cup player in their sides. While the results in the tournament would leave Pakistan with question marks overs their young team, India can start dreaming of more success.

சென்னையை நெருங்கும் வர்தா புயல்

2016-12-12T10:49:00.001+05:30

சென்னையை நெருங்கும் வர்தா புயல்

சென்னையை நெருங்குகிறது வர்தா புயல்
சென்னைக்கு கிழக்கே 100 கி.மீ தொலைவில் வர்தா புயல்
சென்னையை நோக்கி 13 கி.மீ வேகத்தில் நகருகிறது வர்தா புயல்
சென்னையில் கரையை கடக்கும்போது 100 முதல் 110 கி.மீ. வேகத்தில் பலத்த காற்று வீசும்
சென்னையில் பேய் காற்றுடன் கனமழை கொட்டி வருகிறது -சென்னை கோட்டூர்புரத்தில் மரம் முறிந்து விழுந்தது
2 பேர் படுகாயம் -வர்தா புயல் பழவேற்காடு - கும்மிடிப்பூண்டி இடையே கரையை கடக்கும்
வானிலை மையம் -கடல் அலைகள் அதிக சீற்றத்துடன் எழுவதால் மீனவர்கள் அச்சம்
கடற்கரை அருகே வசிப்பவர்கள் அவசரமாக வெளியேற்றம்

சென்னை, காஞ்சிபுரம், திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டங்களில் 3,500 பேர் இடமாற்றம்
24 மணிநேரத்தில் சென்னையில் 6 செ.மீ மழை
சென்னைக்கு கிழக்கே 142 கி.மீ. தொலைவில் வர்தா புயல்
வர்தா புயலால் பழவேற்காட்டில் பலத்த கடல் காற்று வீசி வருகிறது
பலத்த காற்றால் பழவேற்காட்டில் மின்கம்பங்கள், மரங்கள் சாய்ந்தன
பழவேற்காட்டில் சூறைக்காற்று வீசி வருவதால் கம்பிகள் அறுப்பட்டு மின் இணைப்புகள் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டன

Jayalalithaa Had Cardiac Arrest Sunday Evening - Apollo Hospital Announcement

2016-12-05T05:05:00.000+05:30

Jayalalithaa Had Cardiac Arrest Sunday Evening - Apollo Hospital Announcement

J Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and one of India's most powerful and popular politicians, had a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening in the Chennai hospital where she has spent the last three months being treated for a prolonged lung infection.

"She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts, including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists," said Dr Subbaiah Viswanathan of Apollo Hospital.

After a phone call from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has flown back to Chennai from Maharashtra which is also in his charge. He visited the hospital and left without making a statement.

Senior ministers have converged converging at the hospital. Supporters of the Chief Minister were gathering outside to pray for her. The Press Trust of India reported that nine units of anti-riot police, each with about 100 members, are being prepped to flown into Tamil Nadu, if needed. Police across the state have been asked to be on high alert and the entire force has been asked to report to duty at 7 am. Schools have not been closed and exams will go on as scheduled, officials said.

Crowds gathered outside Apollo hospital as news of Jayalalithaa's health poured in.

Earlier on Saturday, Jayalalithaa's party, the AIADMK, said the 68-year-old leader would soon decide when to return home with three specialist consultants from Delhi's premier AIIMS hospital declaring her fully recovered.

For weeks, doctors attending to Jayalalithaa have been saying that "Amma", as she is known to millions of supporters, was well enough to decide when to return home. Her party said she was directing important decisions, speaking occasionally to those who were allowed to meet her.

When she was first hospitalised in September, her party said it was for dehydration and fever. It soon became clear that her illness was far more serious. She spent weeks on respiratory support and specialists flew in from London and Delhi to monitor her.

India, Japan signs historic nuclear deal

2016-11-11T20:16:00.001+05:30

India, Japan signs historic nuclear deal

Signing a landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the agreement for cooperation will mark a historic step in the engagement to build a clean energy partnership between both nations.

"A landmark deal for a cleaner, greener world! PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo witness exchange of the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi said India sees Japan as a natural partner in the aim to be major centre for manufacturing, investments and 21st century knowledge industries.

"It is clear that our cooperation has progressed on multiple fronts. The Agreement for cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy marks a historic step in our engagement to build a clean energy partnership," Prime Minister Modi said.

He said that strategic partnership is not only for the good and security of own societies, but it also brings peace, stability and balance to region.

Prime Minister Modi also said that both the nation have united to combat the menace of terrorism, especially cross-border terrorism.

Speaking about implementation of visa-on-arrival policy, he said since March 2016 India has extended 'Visa-On Arrival' facility to Japanese nationals and have also extended a 10-year visa to businesspersons.

The present agreement provides for bilateral cooperation in the field of Nuclear Energy. This would provide for the development of nuclear power projects in India and thus strengthening of energy security of the country. The present agreement would open up the door for collaboration between Indian and Japanese industries in our Civil Nuclear programme.

The deal would allow Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo. It would also cement the bilateral economic and security ties as the two countries warm up to counter anassertive China.

Japan is a major player in the nuclear energy market and an atomic deal with it will make it easier for US-based nuclear plant makers Westinghouse Electric Corporation and GE Energy Inc to set up atomic plants in India as both these conglomerates have Japanese investments.

Security features of the new Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 notes

2016-11-11T20:11:00.001+05:30

Security features of the new Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 notes

A look at the security features of the newly-launched Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 500 notes from the RBI's stable.

Rs. 2,000 (colour: magenta)

* Is a part of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series, with a motif of India's Mars orbiter, the Mangalyaan on the reverse

* Size: 66mm x 166mm

Front side:

1. See through register where the numeral 2,000 can be seen when note is held against light

2. Latent image of 2,000 can be seen when the note is tilted

3. Devanagari denomination

4. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

5. Micro letters 'RBI' and '2,000'

6. Colour shift security thread with 'RBI' and '2,000'

7. Guarantee clause, Governor's signature and RBI emblem on the right

8. Watermarks of Mahatma Gandhi and electrotype 2,000 numeral

9. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on top left and bottom right sides

10. Denominational numeral with Rupee symbol, 2,000 in colour changing ink

11. Ashoka pillar emblem

For visually impaired:

12. Rectangle with Rs.2,000 in raised print on right

13. Seven angular bleed lines in raised print

Rs. 500

The size is 63mm x 150mm, colour is stone grey with Red Fort and Mahatma Gandhi's image on each sides

Features:

1. See through register in denomination numeral

2. Latent image of the denomination numeral

3. Denomination numeral in Devnagari

4. Orientation of Mahatma Gandhi's portrait changed

5. Windowed security thread changes from green to blue when note is tilted

6. Guarantee clause, Governor's signature, RBI emblem shifted towards right

7. Portrait and electrotype watermarks

8. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on top left and bottom right sides

9. Denomination in nuemrals with Rupee symbol in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right

10. Ashoka pillar emblem on right

For visually impaired:

11. Circle with Rs. 500 in raised print on the right

12. Bleed lines on left and right in raised print

Exchange of old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes worth Rs 4,000 allowed only once till RBI review

2016-11-11T20:04:00.001+05:30

Exchange of old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes worth Rs 4,000 allowed only once till RBI review

The limit to exchange old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 is Rs 4000 till further review by the RBI and NOT per day as has been misunderstood by some people. The Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) on the RBI website and the notification regarding de-monetisation mention that old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 can be exchanged at bank or post office branches till December 30, 2016 up to a value of Rs 4000 by filling up a form and providing ID proof. The notification regarding this does not state that this is 'Rs 4000 per day'.

The above is clear from the notification issued on November 8 regarding "Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of existing Rs 500/- and Rs 1000/- Bank Notes". Regarding 'Provision of Exchange Facility', this notification states that the old de-monetised notes can be exchanged at any Issue Office of the Reserve Bank or any branch of public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks and State Cooperative Banks for a period up to and including the 30th December, 2016, subject to the following condition:

(i) the specified bank notes of aggregate value of Rs 4,000/- or below may be exchanged for any denomination of bank notes having legal tender character, with a requisition slip in the format specified by the Reserve Bank and proof of identity; the limit of Rs 4,000/- for exchanging specified bank notes shall be reviewed after fifteen days from the date of commencement of this notification and appropriate orders may be issued, where necessary.

This implies that the limit of Rs 4000 per person is at one time exchange allowed till this decision is reviewed 15 days from November 8 i.e. on November 22nd. Two bank branches that this correspondent visited were also following this principle. Further, RBI has not issued any clarification to the contrary so far.

However, quite obviously this rule is being currently circumvented by people visiting branches of different banks with the same ID proof or with different ID proofs. It appears unlikely that given the short time at their disposal and the current pressure of work bank officials would be able to cross check with branches of other banks.

The confusion has arisen because of the RBI instructions regarding cash withdrawals from ATMs, which state: Withdrawal from ATMs shall be restricted to Rs 2,000 per day per card up to 18th November, 2016 and the limit shall be raised to Rs 4,000 per day per card from 19th November, 2016. However, it is to be noted that when a person is withdrawing from the ATM he/she is drawing from his/her own bank account and NOT exchanging notes. Quite obviously, RBI has restricted the exchange of notes to Rs 4000 per person till further review.

Since all the instructions regarding withdrawal from ATM and savings account have been specified for per day, it has been inadvertently assumed that exchange of old notes worth Rs 4,000 limit is also per day.

VIA ET

What pushed Trump to his triumph

2016-11-09T19:18:00.000+05:30

In what is seen as a major upset and an unexpected result, real estate businessman and former reality television host Donald Trump of the Republican Party managed to defeat pollster favourite, former senator Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party to become the 45th President of the United States.

The margins of defeat were close in the “swing States”. It looked like Hillary Clinton will win the popular vote, bolstered by high support in States like California. But this was futile as she lost the electoral college to Donald Trump. At the time of writing this piece, Mr. Trump had secured 279 electoral college votes in contrast to Ms. Clinton’s 218, with results still expected from Michigan, Arizona and New Hampshire (in all three States Mr. Trump is leading).

Mr. Trump’s electoral college triumph was aided by his surprising victories in previously Democratic strongholds in swing States such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan and his defeat of Ms. Clinton in other swing States such as Ohio, North Carolina and Florida.

Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania have a large number of rural and working class voters who were swayed by Mr. Trump’s protectionist and anti-immigrant message. The first two of these three States were also where Ms. Clinton had lost the primaries to Senator Bernie Sanders.

But most polls held in these three States showed her leading Mr. Trump consistently, bringing into question whether polls have managed to track the strong antipathy to whom many rural and working class voters considered as a leading member of the ruling establishment.

Ms. Clinton’s strong support among Hispanics, many of whom voted early in key swing States such as Florida and Nevada were negated by the high turnout of white voters in the former State and the absence of a substantial Hispanic population in other key States.

Beyond just the presidential election loss, it was a day of setbacks for the Democratic Party. The party managed to secure a majority membership of at least 51 senators, and retained its strong presence in the House of Representatives. This would enable the Republican President to nominate a conservative judge to the Supreme Court tilting its balance. Gubernatorial elections to various States also established a Republican majority.

This Republican dominance and the rise of the “populist” Right is a blow to liberalism in the U.S. but it remains to be seen whether the rise of Mr. Trump is a threat to the operation of free and open markets in the country. The entire campaign, including the primaries in the run-up to the presidential elections, featured significant discontent against the ruling establishment in Washington D.C. and Mr. Trump managed to channel this effectively despite severe flaws in his candidacy and his lack of experience in public office.

Mr. Trump’s campaign pitch was thin on policy – except for strong positions on immigration that bordered upon xenophobia and hatred against the Hispanic and Muslim communities in the country besides promises on protectionism. His support base also included the socially conservative evangelicals who saw beyond his own contradictory positions on religion and morality, but were opposed to Ms. Clinton’s social liberal positions on abortion for example.

All said, Ms. Clinton could not repeat the social coalition that favoured Mr. Obama in 2012 (let alone the stronger support base in 2008). With white working class voters in the rust belt, the evangelical communities in the mid-west and southern regions voting for Mr. Trump and the reportedly reduced turnout of African Americans, it made it both difficult for Ms. Clinton to supplant Mr. Trump in the swing States, and also resulted in Mr. Trump breaching her firewall of solid “blue” Democratic States.

"Hats Off," Says Rajinikanth After PM Modi Scraps 500, 1000 Rupee Notes

2016-11-09T15:38:00.003+05:30

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rocked the nation on late Wednesday evening when he announced that 500 and 1000 rupee notes will be discontinued with effect from midnight. He said that making these notes invalid is a way to counter black money, fake currency and corruption.

This image was posted on Twitter by Rajinikanth

On Twitter, Rajinikanth had a reaction to PM Modi's surprise announcement.

Find Rajinikanth's tweet as a embeded form below:

Hats off @narendramodi ji. New india is born #JaiHind

— Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) November 8, 2016

What To Do With Old 500 And 1,000 Rupee Notes

2016-11-09T15:27:00.003+05:30

To stop the spread of counterfeit notes, which is aiding terror activities from across the border, and flush out black money, the government has decided to scrap the notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. Starting midnight, these notes will only be "worth the paper they are printed on," he said.

A proposal for new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes has been cleared by the Reserve Bank of India.

There will be no change in any other form of monetary exchange -- cheque, DD, payment via credit or debit cards, he said.

Here's what you need to do with your 500 and 1000 rupee notes.

Deposit them at the bank or post office from November 10 to December 30
Exchange them from a bank or post office till 24 November. The limit for exchange is Rs.4000
Take Aadhaar card and PAN Card when you go to exchange notes
After December 30, these can be deposited at the Reserve Bank with a declaration
Tourists can change the notes at airports

Your 500 and 1000 rupee notes be accepted till November 11 at:

Petrol Pumps and government hospitals
Railway, airline, government bus ticket booking counters
Consumer co-operative stores run by state or central government
Milk booths authorized by state governments
Crematoriums and burial grounds

Here Is A Look At New Rs. 500, Rs. 2,000 Notes

2016-11-09T15:22:00.001+05:30

The RBI said the move is necessitated to tackle counterfeiting Indian banknotes, to effectively nullify black money hoarded in cash and curb funding of terrorism with fake notes.

The government in a surprise move on Tuesday announced that the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 will be withdrawn. "This is necessitated to tackle counterfeiting Indian banknotes, to effectively nullify black money hoarded in cash and curb funding of terrorism with fake notes," the Reserve Bank of India said in a release.

As part of the move, the RBI will issue new bank notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 2,000 denomination.

Here are some features of the new bank notes of Rs. 500 denomination, as per the RBI:

New Rs. 500 notes are different from the present series in colour, size, theme, location of security features and design elements

Size of new note is 63mm x 150 mm

Colour of the note is stone grey

The predominant new theme is Indian heritage site - Red Fort

The size of the new Rs. 500 note is 63mm x 150 mm, the RBI said.

Here are some features of the new bank notes of Rs. 2,000 denomination, as per the RBI:

Rs. 2,000 notes will be part of Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series

New Denomination has motif of the Mangalayan on the reverse, depicting the country's first venture in interplanetary space

Base colour of note is magenta

Note has other designs, geometric patterns aligning with the overall colour scheme

Size of the new note is 66 mm x 166 mm

Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 currency notes to be out of circulation from midnight

2016-11-08T23:43:00.004+05:30

Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 currency notes to be out of circulation from midnight

From midnight today, till November 10, ATMs will not function. Banks will be closed for public transactions tomorrow.

The Union Government has decided to do away with Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes from midnight on Tuesday. These notes will cease to be legal tender from the midnight of November 8, 2016, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Tuesday. "These notes will only be papers from tomorrow," he said in Hindi, adding that the move is to curb circulation of counterfeit notes and fight blackmoney.

People who posess currency notes of these denomination can exchange them in banks and head and sub post offices from November 10 to December 30, by providing a valid proof for identity such as Aadhar card, PAN card or voters ID card.

Check out the video in youtube here:

Post December 30, these notes will be accepted only by the Reserve Bank of India after submitting a declaration.

From midnight today, till November 10, ATMs will not function. Banks will be closed for public transactions tomorrow.

For a few days, only upto Rs. 2000 can be withdrawn from ATMs. This will be enhanced to Rs. 4000 later. The withdrawal limit for ATM will eventually be fixed at Rs. 10,000 per day and Rs. 20,000 per week.

There are some exemptions: Government hospitals, pharmacies at Government hospitals, public sector-run petrol bunks, and burial grounds.

Airports will make arrangements to inform international travellers that the cash limit is Rs. 5000.

This move will not affect debit cards, cheque and digital transfer of money.

All other denominations such as Rs. 100, Rs. 50, Rs. 10, Rs. 5, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 as well as coins will continue in circulation unaffected.

In an unusual televised address, as the NDA government completes two-and-a half years rule on Tuesday, Mr. Modi said Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations are mostly counterfeited "from across the border."

"We have brought back Rs. 1,25,000 crores of blackmoney from corrupt people through various means," the Prime Minister said.

Coutesy: The Hindu

BSNL launches Freedom Plan for Rs. 136 with Free Data and Calls

2016-10-16T10:37:00.001+05:30

BSNL launches Freedom Plan for Rs. 136 with Free Data and Calls

It's already been a month since the Mukesh Ambani-led Jio has introduced its 'Welcome offer' in the country and people are still going crazy to get their hands on the Jio SIM. And that has pushed all the telcos to shower big discounts and offers on the existing tariff plans. State-own PSU BSNL too is no different from others.

The telco has launched a new tariff plan called 'Freedom Plan' for new and existing subscribers to offer lower calling rates pan India. The plan has a whopping 2 years validity and it is believed to bundle 85% reduction in 3G data tariff.

Here is All Your Need to Know About the Freedom Plan

#1. The plan has been currently launched for 90 days on a promotional basis on all circles.

#2. The Freedom Plan will cost you Rs. 136 for all existing, new and MNP customers.

#3. In the first month of recharging with the plan voucher, all local and STD on-net and off-net calls will be charged at 25p/min and thereafter at 1.3p/sec for both voice and video calling.

#4. During the initial 30 days, subscribers will also get 1 GB free data.

#5. SMS will cost at Rs. 1/message in home circle and 25p per local and 38p per STD message in national roaming.

#6. The entire plan is valid for 730 days.

#7. Along with the aforementioned benefits, BSNL has brought 3 special combo vouchers that will give full talk time. For instance, with Rs. 577 voucher, you'll get Rs. 577 on main account and free 1 GB data valid for 30 days. On the other hand, Rs. 377 will also give full talk value along with 500MB data for 20days and with Rs. 178 subscribers will be benefited with 200MB free data with 10 days validity.

Stampede in India kills more than 20 at religious ceremony

2016-10-16T10:20:00.000+05:30

Stampede in India kills more than 20 at religious ceremony

At least 24 people have been killed and 20 others injured in a stampede on a crowded bridge to reach a Hindu religious ceremony in northern India on Saturday, police said.

The stampede took place on the outskirts of Varanasi, a city in Uttar Pradesh state known for its temples. Organisers were expecting 3,000 devotees at the ceremony, but more than 70,000 thronged the ashram of a local Hindu leader on the banks of the Ganges River, said police officer SK Bhagat.

“We were not prepared for such a large crowd,” Raj Bahadur, a spokesman for the organisers said.

The stampede happened as police started turning back people from the overcrowded bridge, the Press Trust of India news agency cited Bahadur as saying. That triggered a rumor among the devotees that the bridge had collapsed, and they started running for safety, he said.

Nineteen people were killed on the spot and five others succumbed to their injuries at a hospital, said police officer Daljit Chaudhary. Four of the 20 injured people were still in serious condition at the hospital, he said.

Prime minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy. “I have spoken to officials and asked them to ensure all possible help to those affected,” he tweeted.

Deadly stampedes are fairly common during Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with few safety or crowd control measures.

In October 2013, a stampede in Madhya Pradesh state in central India killed more than 110 people, mostly women and children.

In July last year at least 27 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious bathing festival, on a river bank in southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh state

Regional Names of Durga Puja: Ayudha Puja

2016-10-10T16:38:00.001+05:30

Regional Names of Durga Puja: Ayudha Puja

Region: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh

The ninth day is also the day of the Ayudha Puja. After the slaying of Mahishasura and other demons by Chamundeswari, there was no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept aside and worshipped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since ancient times. The importance of Ayudha Puja on this occasion may also be due to the fact that on the Vijayadasami day, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had hidden in a Vani tree in order to lead a life in disguise for the promised period of exile. It is believed that one who begins or renovates his learning to work on the Vijayadasami day will secure a grand success as Arjuna did in Kurukshetra war.

The Ayudha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in one's livelihood. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering to God. It will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. In India it is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one's work each day; this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one's duties.