NASA: North India's groundwater receding at alarming rate !!

It was shocking to read the BBC report on a NASA gravity satellite findingthat many parts of North India like Punjab, Harayana and Delhi have lost their groundwater at an alarming rate in the past 6 years.  We are losing water @ 4cm per year.  

Till now 109 cubic kilometres of water, roughly equivalent to Americas Lake Mead and double the capacity of India's largest reservoir has vanished. These results are more alarmin than the findings three years ago by Grace scientists about loss of water in parts of Africa.

Water is an important factor in maintainin India pace of growth.  If water harvesting is not made a national priority the day is not far when India will face internal strife on account of scarce water and inadequate  food production.

Note: The Grace (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment) mission of NASA uses two satellites flying along the same orbit, one just in front of the other.  Minute differences in the Earth's gravitational pull cause the two craft to shift slightly in their positions relative to one another.  The mission can measure groundwater depletion because the amount of water in aquifers has a small gravitational attraction for the satellites.  (Source BBC Report)

Ethics Act for Indian Politicians

I was surpised to read that there exists an Ethics Act in US which requires people holding public office to declare any gift (even discounts) above $150.  Click Here

Wish we had something similar in India?

Smart USA, ultracompact Smart Fortwo

Smart USA has announced that the 2010 ultracompact Smart Fortwo will roll off the assembly line complete with a Last Will and Testament. "These little things have 70 HP and a three cylinder engine," said company spokesperson Artie Teaserman.

Ashes opener ends in a thrilling draw

Englant held on to their last wicket to deny Australia a win in the first test of Ashes 2009 series.

Obama : Second Stimulus Package !!

Obama : Second Stimulus Package !!

India's first "sea bridge" opens to traffic this week

Finally, India's first "sea bridge" opens to traffic this week, aiming to ease chronic congestion on Mumbai's notoriously choked roads.

It is hoped that the 16.5-billion-rupee (340-million dollar ) eight-lane freeway will help cut the 40-minute journey between the suburbs of Bandra and Worli to just eight minutes.

Check out the video here.

Obama neglecting India

There is no doubt in my mind that the Obama administration is neglecting India.  Lack of attention to India would 'nt have been an issue but I think the issue is of bias.  Obama is has some kind of grudge against either India or Manmohan Singh. For India the golden period witnessed during the Bush administration time has ended. Now a days US state department is influenced by China-Pak a lot.  Historically too democrats have never been great friends of India and Obama is going a step further. Add to that Obama's antipathy to Bush administration and its favorites like MMS.

There were rumours of Hillary Clinton make a visit to India which evaporated into thin air as soon as it became clear that M/s Manmohan & Co will be back at the helm of power.  

What disturbed me more were couple of new items about Pakistan expanding its nuclear arsenal and China blocking 2.9 billion $ in aid from ADB to India. The first one we can't do much as its been China policy all these years to help Pakistan gain strategic superiority over India. Under Bush administration atleast the Chinks were not so brazen about it now with Obama administration looking the other way, there nothing much we can do about it except join in the race.

The reasoning behind Chinese attempt to block aid is that part of the proceeds witll be used in Arunachal Pradesh which the chinks consider  somehow to be part of their nation.  Hope MMS in his new avatar will have the guts to take on Chinks in international forums.  Its time for our central governments to show some strength and help organizations worldwide to rake up Tibet issue.

The US silence or lack of support on these important issues shows that India is once again without friends.  We need to rebuild our bridges with Russia and engage Japan more. Time for Japan to become the biggest investor in India.  Make India the largest market for Japanese products and see the fun. 

Secondly, we should go slow on the US companies angling for Nuclear Power projects in India. Give the first few contracts to French.   

Show some spunk MMS !