"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."
- Jawaharlal Nehru(Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)
On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British Rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.
The British, had initially come for trade but gradually took over the total administration of the country. more.....At the strike of midnight of the August 15, 1947, India shook off the shackles of British Rule and became free. It was a night of celebration all over the country.Commemorating the day India attained freedom (15th August); Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes all over the country. The main program is held at the Red Fort where the Prime Minster unfurls the National Flag and it is saluted by Guns.The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is a major highlight. Patriotic presentations by school children add colors to the celebrations.Delhi’s skyline gets dotted with thousands of kites taking to the sky this day. Similar programmes are held at all the State capitals also.The preparations begin a month in advance. Roads are decorated with flags and buntings. Buildings of national importance are illuminated.(DOU 15082008)
History
At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, read out the famous speech proclaiming India's independence.The moment ended three centuries of British colonial rule. The land was no longer the summer retreat of British sahibs who fancied spices, shikar, elephants and snake-charmers.Independence was also the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom, battles, betrayals and sacrifices. It also created a situation where we were responsible for ourselves.But it wasn't a period of unqualified joy. For a lot of people, in spite of a new era promised by independence, partition was a painful reality and so was the bloodshed that accompanied it.That was 60 years ago. Much has changed; the struggle for freedom lives on in history books and memoirs, and on the tombstones of valiant martyrs.
Politics has undergone a personality change from fiery idealism to a pragmatic cynicism. Karma drives the nation on its way forward, and population has crossed the billion mark.But, come August 15, and the people put their troubles behind them for a while, as they stand up as a nation for the National Anthem. Along with the soaring cadences of the anthem, the hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow are renewed in political speeches and replays of the deeds of those who earned us our freedom.
Independence Day is an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people who sacrificed their lives to the cause. But it is more than that. It also marks the coming together of more than 400 princely states into one nation - India. This was probably our biggest diplomatic success.Each year, August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate all this, and do much more - it is a time to contemplate what we have and how we achieved it.Though India had no dearth of religious and community festivals, there was, till Independence, no true national festival that the whole country could partake of. Independence Day, beginning as a day to commemorate the greatest moment in Indian history, has now come to signify a feeling of nationalism, solidarity and celebration.Independence Day remained the sole national festival till India declared itself a republic in 1950. On January 26, 1950, Republic Day became the second Indian national holiday. (DOU 13082007)
India’s Partition
In June 1947, Muslim League and the Congress Party decided to partition India along religious lines. Thus under the provision of the Indian Independence Act, two separate nations, India and Pakistan were born.Nearly 15 million refugees crossed the borders on the two sides with Hindus and Sikhs moving from Pakistan to India and Muslims from India moving to Pakistan.Bloodshed and riots followed in the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. While India received most of the 562 scattered polities or princely states, Pakistan received the remaining western part and the Muslim dominated eastern region which was known as East Pakistan now Bangladesh.
Celebrations
August 15, Independence Day, is celebrated in a mood of abandon and joy - no rituals, just festivities. It is also a national holiday, with educational institutions, private and government organisations remaining closed, but for official celebrations in the morning.Schools and colleges mark the day with cultural activities, drills, flag hoisting and distribution of sweets. Government as well as private organisations celebrate it similarly.Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions, usually based on the freedom theme.The Prime Minister sets the mood by hoisting the national flag and addressing the nation from the Red Fort, the historical monument in Delhi. This is accompanied by a march-past of the armed and police forces. Similar ceremonies are held in all the state capitals. The Prime Minister's address and the march-past are relayed live on national television.
In cities, one sees a sudden burst of saffron, green and white, the Indian tri-colour. The media goes to town with a variety of contests, promotions and programmes related to Indian independence. Television channels show patriotic movies and relentlessly play patriotic songs from old and new Hindi movies. Billboards on roadsides for different brands pay their tribute to the nation.Everyone seems to have something going for them. Shops and petty tradesmen sell a range of Independence Day merchandise such as flags, stickers, tee-shirts and greeting cards. Street urchins hawk paper and plastic flags and tri-coloured balloons to motorists at traffic signals.Though a trifle commercial and jingoistic, what lies beneath the celebrations is the national spirit of gaiety, pride and hope for a better future. A spirit and hope that is renewed each year.
Red Fort CeremonyOn the morning of August 15, the Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. In his speech, he highlights the achievements of the country during the past year and gives a call for further development. He also pays tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle.Independence Day should not merely become a part of our holiday list. There should be serious efforts in educating the future generations about the struggles which the freedom fighters underwent to give us the freedom that we enjoy today.There has to be a concerned effort by everyone to make available the lives and teachings of the sons of the soil, who sacrificed their all, so that we could enjoy the freedom.Independence Day celebrations in 2008India completed 60 years of independence from the colonial rule in the year 2008. To mark the 60 th anniversary of independence, both the countries that is India and Pakistan released prisoners as a gesture of goodwill on the 14th and the 15th of August, 08.(DOU 15082008
Flag Hoisting
“Under this flag, there is no difference between a prince and a peasant, between the rich and the poor, between man and women."
-- Mrs. Sarojini Naidu
Preamble of the Flag Code of India says that:The significance of the colours and the chakra in the National Flag was amply described by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the Constituent Assembly which unanimously adopted the National Flag. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan explained -
"Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation of disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work.""The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct.""The green shows our relation to soil, our relation to the plant life here on which all other life depends.""The Ashoka Wheel in the centre of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to be the controlling principles of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change."On 15 August 1947 India and Pakistan were created. India adopted the tricolour of orange, white, and green with a blue Ashoka Chakra at the centre. Unofficially this tricolour had been the flag of the Indian National Congress. The orange colour represented Hinduism, the green colour - Islam and the white colour represented peace. There was a blue spinning wheel in the centre, which represented Gandhiji's call for economic self-sufficiency through hand spinning.Prime Minister of India hoists the flag and pays his homage to the freedom fighters and addresses the Nation. Children are brimming with enthusiasm on this day. Early in the morning, they attend the flag hoisting ceremony in their schools. They sing patriotic songs and present skits and dramas based on the freedom struggle.This special day revives in us the nationalist spirit. There are celebrations all over the country. We listen to patriotic songs, and there are assemblies all over to salute the national flag. People watch the colourful march-past of the local police or the military forces. In educational institutions, the march-past is usually done by students and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets. Sweets are distributed and free movie shows featuring Nationalistic and Patrotic movies are shown.(DOU 15082008)
Other Programs
Kite FlyingThere is a tradition of flying kites on the Independence Day. The sky is dotted with hundreds of colourful kites and people engage in kite-flying competitions.Kites painted with the three colours of the national flag are a hot favourite. Balconies and roof-tops of houses are full of people flying kites and one can hear cheerful shouts of children in the evening as the kites soar in the sky.Programmes On TVIndependence Day is a national holiday and the television channels treat their audience with patriotic films and songs. Cultural programmes featuring classical music and dance performances by top artistes are organised at several places. Television Channels provide a Live Coverage on the occasion and Radio Channels give the live commentary for the general masses.
Independence Day, August 15, commemorates the day in 1947 when India achieved freedom from British rule. It is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs in the state capitals. The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.All Government Organisations have a holiday as 15th August is a National holiday. In the capital New Delhi most of the Government Offices are lit up. In all the cities around the country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by politicians belonging to that constituency.In various private organisations the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is carried out by a Senior officer of that organisation. On Television, various Independence related programs are telecasted, reminding us of the hard times faced by the freedom fighters.In almost all the schools and colleges around the country, no academic work in done on this day, but all the students and staff members are present on this day and there is a sort of gathering of the entire school/college within their respective premises and the flag hoisting ceremony takes place, (usually in the presence of the principal) and singing of the National Anthem. After this there are various cultural activities held in the school / college and the celebration continues till late evening. (DOU 13082007
(DOU 13082007)
National Pledge
One of the common activities performed during Independence Day celebrations is the recitation of National Pledge in a fixed specific manner.The National Pledge is recited in a loud voice in unison by standing straight and stretching right hand forward.Many Indian schools include national pledge as a part of daily morning assemblies and essentially also included in the observance ceremonies for Independence Day and Republic Day.PledgeIndia is my country.All Indians are my brothers and sisters.I love my country.I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.I shall always strive to be worthy of it.I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders, respect, and treat everyone with courtesy.To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.
National Song
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the national song of India with a title “vande Matram”. The national song was first sung by Rabindranath tagore by setting heart touching glorious tone to it. The song was first sung at the session of the Indian National Congress in 1896.Shri Aurobindo translated the national song into the English version which is considered as official and best as per Bhavan's book, Vande Mataram by Moni Bagchee.
Vande Mataram !Sujalam, Suphalam,Malayaja Shitalam,Shasya shyamalam, Mataram !Shubhra jyotsna Pulakita yaminimPhulla KusumitaDrumadala Shobhinim,Suhasinim, Sumadhura Bhashinim,Sukhadam, Varadam, Mataram !Sapta Kotikantha Kalakala Ninada KaraleDvisapt Koti Bhujair Dhrita Khara KaravaleAbala Kena Ma Eta Bale !Bahubala Dharinim,Namami Tarinim,Ripudalavarinim Mataram !Tvam Hi DurgaDashpraharana Dharini,
Kamala, Kamaladalaviharini, Vani,Vidyadayani, Namami Tvam,Namami, Kamalam,Amalam, Atulam,Sujalam, Suphalam, Mataram,Vande Mataram !Shyamalam, Saralam,Susmitam, Bhushitam,Dharanim, Bharanim Mataram !
English Translation by Shree Aurobindo
Mother, I bow to thee!Rich with thy hurrying streams,bright with orchard gleams,Cool with thy winds of delight,Dark fields waving Mother of might,Mother free.Glory of moonlight dreams,Over thy branches and lordly streams,Clad in thy blossoming trees,Mother, giver of easeLaughing low and sweet!Mother I kiss thy feet,Speaker sweet and low!Mother, to thee I bow.Who hath said thou art weak in thy landsWhen the sword flesh out in the seventy million handsAnd seventy million voices roarThy dreadful name from shore to shore?With many strengths who art mighty and stored,To thee I call Mother and Lord!Though who savest, arise and save!To her I cry who ever her foeman droveBack from plain and SeaAnd shook herself free.Thou art wisdom, thou art law,Thou art heart, our soul, our breathThough art love divine, the aweIn our hearts that conquers death.Thine the strength that nervs the arm,Thine the beauty, thine the charm.Every image made divineIn our temples is but thine.Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,With her hands that strike and herswords of sheen,Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,And the Muse a hundred-toned,Pure and perfect without peer,Mother lend thine ear,Rich with thy hurrying streams,Bright with thy orchard gleems,Dark of hue O candid-fairIn thy soul, with jewelled hairAnd thy glorious smile divine,Lovilest of all earthly lands,Showering wealth from well-stored hands!Mother, mother mine!Mother sweet, I bow to thee,Mother great and free!
National Symbols
National EmblemThe National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Four Lions in standing position (one hidden from view) on a base having Dharma Chakra at the center, a bull on the right and a horse on the left.The words 'Satyameva jayate' in devanagri script are inscribed at the bottom meaning “ truth alone triumphs”. The National emblem is a symbol of contemporary India's reaffirmation of its commitment to world peace and goodwill.National CalendarThe national calendar of India was adopted on March 22nd 1957. The calendar is based on the Saka Era with Chaitra as its first month and Phalgun as the last month. The year comprises of 12 months and 365 days. The national Calendar of India is used along with the Gregorian calendar for the following official purposes-
Gazette of India.
news broadcast by All India Radio.
calendars issued by the Government of India.
Government communications addressed to the members of the public.
National AnimalNational BirdNational FlowerNational FruitNational TreeNational GameNational Language
TigerPeacockLotusMangoBanyan TreeHockeyHindi
Patriotic Poems
Where the Mind is Without FearWhere the mind is without fear and the head is held high;where knowledge is free;Where the world has not been broken up into fragmentsby narrow domestic walls;Where words come out from the depth of truth;Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way intothe dreary desert sand of dead habit;Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widenningthought and action-Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake
Rabindranath Tagore
My IndiaBetter than Heaven or ArcadiaI love thee, O my India!And thy love I shall giveTo every brother nation that lives.God made the Earth;Man made confining countriesAnd their fancy-frozen boundaries.But with unfound boundless loveI behold the borderland of my IndiaExpanding into the World.Hail, mother of religions, lotus, scenic beauty,and sages!Thy wide doors are open,Welcoming God's true sons through all ages.Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, andmen dream God -I am hallowed; my body touched that sod
Swami Yogananda,paramhansa
India, My IndiaIndia, my India, where first human eyes awoke to heavenly light!All Asia's holy place of pilgrimage, great Motherland of might!World-mother, first giver to humankind of philosophy and sacred lore,Knowledge thou gav'st to man, God-love, works, art, religion's opened door.O even with all that grandeur dwarfed or turned to bitter loss and maim,How shall we mourn who are thy children and can vaunt thy mighty name?Before us still there floats the ideal of those splendid days of gold;A new world in our vision wakes, Love's India we shall rise to mould.India, my India, who dare call thee a thing for pity's grace today?Mother of wisdom, worship, works, nurse of the spirit's inward ray!
Author unknown
Independence DayFifty days of independence from you.You that I am when finally I sleep.Where colours blur into a muddy brownand almond eyes are startingly blue.You are my context, my only clue.How do you deny me when I am you?My tongue curls sounds that you have made.My box is of stones that you have laid.I love you and loathe you, my lost is yours,Your home and mine are foreign shores,Brown as a nut, and as bleached as afraid,we are the monster that you have made,Slowly, slowly the ignorant learn,Look at us, look at us, we are a thing apart--Like father like daughter, can't finish what I start.
By Tara Sahgal
Patriotic songs
A patriotic song, symbolizes the eternal love for one’s nation. People usually sing patriotic songs in chorus at the time of celebrations of National festivals. Here are few patriotic songs………
saare jahaan se achcha……………………Saare jahaan se achcha hindostaan hamaraahum bul bulain hai is kee, ye gulsitan hamaraaparbat vo sabse unchaa hum saaya aasma kaavo santaree hamaraa, vo paasbaan hamaraagodee mein khel tee hain is kee hazaaron nadiyagulshan hai jinke dum se, rashke janna hamaraamazhab nahee sikhataa apas mein bayr rakhnaahindee hai hum, vatan hai hindostaan hamaraa
ai mere pyaare vatan…………………….ai mere pyaare vatan, ai mere bichha.De chamantujh pe dil qurabaantuu hii merii aarazuu, tuu hii merii aabaruutuu hii merii jaan(tere daaman se jo aae un havaao.n ko salaamchuum luu.N mai.n us zubaa.N ko jisape aae teraa naam ) - 2sabase pyaarii subah teriisabase ra.ngii.n terii shaamtujh pe dil qurabaan ...(maa.N kaa dil banake kabhii siine se lag jaataa hai tuuaur kabhii nanhii.n sii beTii ban ke yaad aataa hai tuu ) - 2jitanaa yaad aataa hai mujhakoutanaa ta.Dapaataa hai tuutujh pe dil qurabaan ...(chho.D kar terii zamii.n ko duur aa pahu.nche hai.n hamphir bhii hai ye hii tamannaa tere zarro.n kii qasam ) - 2ham jahaa.n paidaa hueus jagah pe hii nikale damtujh pe dil qurabaan ...
ai mere vatan ke logo………………………………..ai mere vatan ke logo.ntum khuub lagaa lo naaraaye shubh din hai ham sab kaalaharaa lo tira.ngaa pyaaraapar mat bhuulo siimaa parviiro.n ne hai praaN ga.Nvaaekuchh yaad unhe.n bhii kar lo -2jo lauT ke ghar na aaye -2ai mere vatan ke logo.nzaraa aa.Nkh me.n bhar lo paaniijo shahiid hue hai.n unakiizaraa yaad karo qurabaaniijab ghaayal huaa himaalaykhatare me.n pa.Dii aazaadiijab tak thii saa.Ns la.De vophir apanii laash bichhaa diisa.ngiin pe dhar kar maathaaso gaye amar balidaaniijo shahiid...jab desh me.n thii dIvaaliivo khel rahe the holIjab ham baiThe the gharo.n me.nvo jhel rahe the goliithe dhanya javaan vo aapanethii dhanya vo unakii javaaniijo shahiid...koii sikh koI jaaT maraaThaakoii gurakhaa koI madaraasiisarahad pe maranevaalaahar viir thaa bhaaratavaasiijo khuun giraa parvat parvo khuun thaa hi.ndustaaniijo shahiid...thii khuun se lath-path kaayaaphir bhii banduuk uThaakedas-das ko ek ne maaraaphir gir gaye hosh ga.Nvaa kejab ant-samay aayaa tokah gaye ke ab marate hai.nkhush rahanaa desh ke pyaaro.nab ham to safar karate hai.nkyaa log the vo dIvaanekyaa log the vo abhimaaniijo shahiid...tum bhuul na jaao unakois liye kahii ye kahaaniijo shahiid...jay hind... jay hind kii senaa -2jay hind, jay hind, jay hind
bhaarat hamako jaan se pyaaraa hai…………………………..bhaarat hamako jaan se pyaaraa haisabase nyaaraa gulistaa.n hamaaraa haisadiyo.n se bhaarat bhuumi duniyaa kii shaan haibhaarat maa.n kii rakshaa me.n jiivan qurbaan haibhaarat hamako jaan se...uja.De nahii.n apanaa chaman, TUTe nahii.n apanaa vatanduniyaa dhar dharatii korI, barabaad naa karade koiimandir yahaa.n, masjid vahaa.n, hinduu yahaa.n muslim vahaa.nmilate rahe ham pyaar se jaago ...hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai, sabase pyaaraa desh hamaaraa haijanmabhuumi hai hamaarii shaan se kahe.nge hamsabhii to bhaaI\-bhaaI pyaar se rahe.nge hamhindustaanii naam hamaaraa haiaasaam se gujaraat tak, ba.ngaal se mahaaraashhTr takjhanakii sahii gun ek hai, bhaashhaa alag sur ek haikashmiir se madraas tak, kah do sabhii ham ek hai.naavaaz do ham ek hai.njAgo ...
Quotes About India
India has been praised and liked all over the world which is clearly reflected from different quotes by eminent personalities across the globe. From centuries, Lot has been quoted about India by well known and famous writers, politicians, historians and other distinguished personalities.Find below the collection of such quotations, which truly describe the far-fetched India!
We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made. - Albert Einstein.
"If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India."- Max Mueller
“In religion, India is the only millionaire - the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined.” - Mark Twain quotes
“India - the land of Vedas, the remarkable works contain not only religious ideas for a perfect life, but also facts which science has proved true. Electricity, radium, electronics, airship, all was known to the seers who founded the Vedas.”-Wheeler Wilcox (American poet)
“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grand mother of tradition.”- Mark Twain.
"India has two million gods, and worships them all. In religion all other countries are paupers; India is the only millionaire." - Mark Twain
“If there is one place on the face of earth where all dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.” - French scholar Romain Rolland.
India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.- Hu Shih (Former Chinese ambassador to USA)
(DOU 13082007)
Proud To Be Indian
India is full of talent, intelligence and creativity. There have been many stars in the galaxy of India, contributing a lot to this universe. Here is the glimpse of ancient India, which surely make every Indian proud for his motherland. These set of facts inspires every Indian to work hard with honesty and sincerity towards the goal and help the country to regain its shinning position
India never invaded any country in her last 1000 years of history.
India invented the Number system. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.
The world's first University was established in Takshila in 700BC.More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4 th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
According to the Forbes magazine, Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software.
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans.
Although western media portray modern images of India as poverty striken and underdeveloped through political corruption, India was once the richest empire on earth.
The art of navigation was born in the river Sindh 5000 years ago. The very word 'Navigation' is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH.
The value of pi was first calculated by Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is now k! nown as the Pythagorean Theorem. British scholars have last year (1999) officially published that Budhayan's works dates to the 6 th Century which is long before the European mathematicians.
Algebra, trigonometry and calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were by Sridharacharya in the 11 th Century; the largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Indians used numbers as big as 10 53.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world.
USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century-old suspicion amongst academics that the pioneer of wireless communication was Professor Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra.
Chess was invented in India.
Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted surgeries like cesareans, cataract, fractures and urinary stones. Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient India.
When many cultures in the world were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilisation).
The place value system, the decimal system was developed in India in 100 BC.
(DOU 130820Important Events
1947 : India gains freedom on 15th August1950 : India becomes a Republic.1951-52 : This period saw the first general election of independent India1948 : India's first Olympic gold medal in hockey1961 : Indian army annexed Goa from the Portuguese1965 : Indo-Pak war1971: Indo-Pak War – Bangladesh was born with India’s support.1974 : India explodes a nuclear device in an underground test.1975 : Indira Gandhi declares emergency1983 : India wins the World Cup in cricket1988 : Viswanathan Anand becomes India's first Grandmaster in Chess2004 : Thousands of people killed in the Tsunami.
2007:
Taj Mahal, Indian monument elected as no1 out of Seven Wonders of the World.
India win Asian hockey tournament.
India win first Twenty-20 world tournament.
2008:
India sets a world record by sending 10 satellites into orbit in a single launch.
Abhinav Bindra won 1st ever individual gold medal for country in olympics.
Arvind Adiga won man booker award 2008 for his debut novel “ the white tiger”.
India, US signs nuclear deal.
Stock market crash in India caused BSE sensex to fall below 9K , which had once touched 22K mark
Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11 shook the whole nation, killing 183 people leaving the whole city in stress for 60 hrs.
(DOU 13082007)
07)
Important Events
1947 : India gains freedom on 15th August1950 : India becomes a Republic.1951-52 : This period saw the first general election of independent India1948 : India's first Olympic gold medal in hockey1961 : Indian army annexed Goa from the Portuguese1965 : Indo-Pak war1971: Indo-Pak War – Bangladesh was born with India’s support.1974 : India explodes a nuclear device in an underground test.1975 : Indira Gandhi declares emergency1983 : India wins the World Cup in cricket1988 : Viswanathan Anand becomes India's first Grandmaster in Chess2004 : Thousands of people killed in the Tsunami.
2007:
Taj Mahal, Indian monument elected as no1 out of Seven Wonders of the World.
India win Asian hockey tournament.
India win first Twenty-20 world tournament.
2008:
India sets a world record by sending 10 satellites into orbit in a single launch.
Abhinav Bindra won 1st ever individual gold medal for country in olympics.
Arvind Adiga won man booker award 2008 for his debut novel “ the white tiger”.
India, US signs nuclear deal.
Stock market crash in India caused BSE sensex to fall below 9K , which had once touched 22K mark
Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11 shook the whole nation, killing 183 people leaving the whole city in stress for 60 hrs.
(DOU 13082007)
Important Events
1947 : India gains freedom on 15th August1950 : India becomes a Republic.1951-52 : This period saw the first general election of independent India1948 : India's first Olympic gold medal in hockey1961 : Indian army annexed Goa from the Portuguese1965 : Indo-Pak war1971: Indo-Pak War – Bangladesh was born with India’s support.1974 : India explodes a nuclear device in an underground test.1975 : Indira Gandhi declares emergency1983 : India wins the World Cup in cricket1988 : Viswanathan Anand becomes India's first Grandmaster in Chess2004 : Thousands of people killed in the Tsunami.
2007:
Taj Mahal, Indian monument elected as no1 out of Seven Wonders of the World.
India win Asian hockey tournament.
India win first Twenty-20 world tournament.
2008:
India sets a world record by sending 10 satellites into orbit in a single launch.
Abhinav Bindra won 1st ever individual gold medal for country in olympics.
Arvind Adiga won man booker award 2008 for his debut novel “ the white tiger”.
India, US signs nuclear deal.
Stock market crash in India caused BSE sensex to fall below 9K , which had once touched 22K mark
Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11 shook the whole nation, killing 183 people leaving the whole city in stress for 60 hrs.
(DOU 13082007)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Swine Flu
Ayurveda, the traditional 'science of life', has a remedy for diseases when every other stream of medicine fails. Now, at a time when swine flu is spreading like wildfire across the world, Ayurveda has the remedy in the form of the miraculous herb, the basil leaves commonly known as Tulsi.
Tulsi, the purest and most sublime plant, has been known and worshipped in India for more than five millennia for its remarkable healing properties. Considered as an 'Elixir of Life', this wonder herb has now been claimed to keep the deadly swine flu at bay and help fast recovery in afflicted persons.
"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.
Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.
"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.
Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.
"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach." This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.
As its name suggests, Tulsi has again proved to be the 'the incomparable' medicine - this time, in the prevention and cure of swine flu.
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. However, Please consult a practitioner in case of any such symptoms. Doctors have strictly advised against self medication.
Tulsi, the purest and most sublime plant, has been known and worshipped in India for more than five millennia for its remarkable healing properties. Considered as an 'Elixir of Life', this wonder herb has now been claimed to keep the deadly swine flu at bay and help fast recovery in afflicted persons.
"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.
Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.
"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.
Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.
"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach." This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.
As its name suggests, Tulsi has again proved to be the 'the incomparable' medicine - this time, in the prevention and cure of swine flu.
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. However, Please consult a practitioner in case of any such symptoms. Doctors have strictly advised against self medication.
Natural remedy for Swine flu
Ayurveda, the traditional 'science of life', has a remedy for diseases when every other stream of medicine fails. Now, at a time when swine flu is spreading like wildfire across the world, Ayurveda has the remedy in the form of the miraculous herb, the basil leaves commonly known as Tulsi.
Tulsi, the purest and most sublime plant, has been known and worshipped in India for more than five millennia for its remarkable healing properties. Considered as an 'Elixir of Life', this wonder herb has now been claimed to keep the deadly swine flu at bay and help fast recovery in afflicted persons.
"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.
Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.
"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.
Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.
"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach." This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.
As its name suggests, Tulsi has again proved to be the 'the incomparable' medicine - this time, in the prevention and cure of swine flu.
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. However, Please consult a practitioner in case of any such symptoms. Doctors have strictly advised against self medication.
Tulsi, the purest and most sublime plant, has been known and worshipped in India for more than five millennia for its remarkable healing properties. Considered as an 'Elixir of Life', this wonder herb has now been claimed to keep the deadly swine flu at bay and help fast recovery in afflicted persons.
"The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body's overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu," Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.
Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.
"Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body," he claims.
Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.
"Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach." This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu," believes Patel.
As its name suggests, Tulsi has again proved to be the 'the incomparable' medicine - this time, in the prevention and cure of swine flu.
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. However, Please consult a practitioner in case of any such symptoms. Doctors have strictly advised against self medication.
Step by step to control tobacco
Guidance sheet for implementation of the ‘Smokefree Rules’ under Tobacco Control Laws
Ø 1. Section (4) of the ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003’ prohibits smoking in public places . Any violation of this act is a punishable offence with fine up to Rs. 200. However, the hotel with 30 rooms or more, Restaurants with 30 seating capacity or more and airport may create a separate smoking area or space.
2. “‘Public Place’ as defined in the Act and the rules means any place to which the public has access whether as of right or not and includes all places visited by general public and includes
Ø Auditorium ,
Ø Hospital Buildings,
Ø Health Institutions,
Ø Amusement Centres,
Ø Restaurants,
Ø Hotels,
Ø Public Offices,
Ø Court Buildings,
Ø Educational Institutions,
Ø Libraries,
Ø Public Conveyances,
Ø Open Auditorium,
Ø Stadium,
Ø Railway Stations,
Ø Bus Stops,
Ø Workplaces,
Ø Shopping Malls,
Ø Cinema Halls,
Ø Refreshment Rooms,
Ø Discotheques,
Ø Coffee House,
Ø Pubs,
Ø Bars,
Ø Airport Lounge
3. The provisions relating to ‘Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places’ were given effect to rules were given effect to from 1stMay 2004. Recently, these provisions were reviewed and a comprehensive rule ‘Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008’ have been notified on 30th May 2008. These rules are to take effect from 2nd October 2008. The salient features of these rules are :
Ø It is the duty of the owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor or in-charge of affairs of public place:
v To keep the area under his jurisdiction smoke-free.
v Display the board as per the specification given in Figure – 1 . These boards shall be displayed at
§ All entrances and other conspicuous places inside the building
§ If there are more than one entrance then at all entrances.
§ If there are more than one floor, at each floor including the stair case and entrance to the lift at each floor.
v Notify and display the name of a person to whom a complaint may be made, in case someone is found violating the law. (specimen figure – 2).
v Ensure that no ashtrays, matches, lighters or other
things designed to facilitate smoking are provided.
Ø If the owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor , or in-charge of affairs of the public place fails to act on the report of such violation, he shall be fined equivalent to the number of individual offences.
Ø All Hotels, Restaurants and Airport being public place have to be smoke-free. However, owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor or in-charge of affairs of the hotels having 30 or more rooms and restaurants having seating capacity of 30 or more and the manager of the airport may provide a separate smoking area /space as per the following specifications.
v Physically separated and surrounded by full height walls on all four sides.
v Having an entrance with automatically closing doors normally kept in close position.
v Has an airflow system
§ That is exhausted directly to the outside and not mixed back into the supply to the other parts of the building.
§ That is fitted with a exhaust ventilation system which is non re-circulating in nature or an air cleaning system or a combination of two, in such a manner that air does not permeate into non smoking areas.
v Has a negative air pressure in comparison with the remainder of the building.
Ø The smoking area /space shall not be established at the entrance or exit of the hotel, restaurant or airport and shall be distinctly marked as ‘smoking area’ in English and one Indian language as applicable.
Ø The smoking area/space should be used only for the purpose of smoking and no other service(s) shall be allowed.
Ø The owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor or in-charge of affairs having 30 or more rooms may designate separate smoking rooms in a manner as provided:
v All rooms designated as smoking rooms shall form a separate section in the same section or wing. In case there is more than one floor/wing, these rooms shall be in one floor or wing as the case may be.
v All such rooms shall be distinctly marked as smoking rooms in English or one Indian language.
v The smoke from such room shall not be ventilated outside and does not permeate in non smoking areas of the hotel including lobbies and corridors.
4. Action to be taken by State Government:
The dept dealing with Health in the state government shall be primarily responsible for implementing the provisions of these rules in coordination with other central/state government departments and various other stakeholders. The secretary in-charge of Health shall take following steps.
ü Give wide publicity to the provisions of the rules; also put it on the official website of the Department.
ü Ensure that all offices, Institutions, autonomous organization, including hospitals, Educational Institution/ Medical/Dental/ Nursing Colleges etc. under the Health/Medical Education Department and any public sector undertaking, follow the rules i.e. display of boards, identification of persons to whom a compliant of violation is to be lodged.
ü Send communications to all state government departments, institution etc. in the state.
o To ensure that attached/subordinate offices, Autonomous organization & PSU’s under the respective department(s) comply with the law.
o That those in-charge or responsible for any public place implement the smoke-free rules.
o That all departments identify the person(s) to whom any complaint about violation(s) can be reported.
(A fact sheet indicating the steps to be taken by an organization is annexed)
ü Send communications to all the heads of central government departments in the state like Railways, Customs and Central Excise, Defense Establishments, AG Office, Doordarshan, All India Radio, CPWD, Airports Authority, etc. for implementing the provisions of the rules.
ü Send specific communications to Secretaries of Education Dept, Tourism dept, Transport Dept, Municipal Corporations as under:
o To Education Secretary (and /or Medical Education secretary) to make all the school, colleges including Medical, Dental, Nursing, Paramedical Colleges, universities including deemed universities to display the boards as per specification and follow the other provisions of the rules.
o To Transport Secretary for ensuring that the boards are displayed in all public conveyances under govt and private sector and also at the bus stops & bus terminals.
o To head of the Municipal Corporations to ensure that the provisions of the Act is implemented in the area under his jurisdiction.
o To Tourism Secretary
4 To Inform all concerned in charge of places commonly frequented by tourists that they have to follow the rules and ensure that those places are smokefree.
4 To ensure tourist are duly informed-through portals/websites, brochures and pamphlets about the provisions of the rule.
4 To provide smoke free environment in all hotels/restaurants as laid down in the Rules
4 To inform that hotels/restaurants having 30 or more rooms/ or 30 or more seating capacity may create a designated smoking area / space as per the specifications.
4 To ensure that the boards as per the requirement are prominently displayed in all tourist spots including in hotels/restaurants/pubs/bars/coffee shops etc.
ü Communicate to all district collectors the details of the provisions of the rules and action to be taken.
ü Sensitize the representatives of Hotels/ Restaurants, Private workplaces, shopping malls, cinema theaters, Industry / factories about the provisions of the rules and set up a mechanism for monitoring implementation.
ü Establish a coordinating mechanism by way of setting a state level task force/steering committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary/Secretary Health with representatives of all the major departments of State/Central Govts, other stakeholder and Civil Society. Also to establish Distt. Level committee under the chairmanship of District Collector with Chief Medical Officer (Dist Nodal Officer for Tobacco Control) as member Secretary.
5. Way forward for Enforcement
ü Sensitize, train and empower the law enforcers i.e. Police, Food & Drug Inspectors and other the authorized officers, as notified by the central Govt vide notification dated 30th May, 2008.
ü The State Govt. may also consider notifying additional authorized officers for implementing the provisions of the rules.
ü Set up flying squads for monitoring, enforcement and compliance.
ü Setting up toll-free help line / online reporting system may also be considered.
ü Establish a mechanism for issue of challan or compounding of offence. The options available, based on the experience of a few States are:
üØ OPTION – 1: to empower the authorized officers to compound the offence and impose appropriate fine upto Rs. 200 on the violators and recover the fine on the spot. A specimen copy of the receipt is at figure -3
Ø OPTION – 2 : to permit the authorized officers to issue challans with the direction that the offender pays the fine at the designated court or treasury on any given/fixed day(s) as may be decided by the State Government. The state government may also constitute mobile courts/special magistrates. The specimen copy of challan is at figure – 4.
Or combination of both the options as may be decided by the State Government.
ü The Health Department has to print the numbered receipt book (s) and challan book(s) for distribution to various authorized officers for ensuring proper accounting of fines imposed on the offenders. The challan may contain two part, one to be issued to the offender and the other to be retained by the authorized officer who has to deposit the fine and the book to the health department.
ü There are different models of channelising the funds collected through fine.
Ø OPTION – 1 : create a separate head of account as has been done by Gujarat Government under the department of Health in which the fine collected by various agencies/officers are deposited. This will enable Deptt. of Health to use the fund for tobacco control activities. The head under which the fine is to be credited may be indicated at the bottom of the receipt itself.
Ø OPTION – 2: the fine collected by various agencies may be deposited to a miscellaneous account of department of Health. In case the states have a separate account for National Tobacco Control Programme in the Health Society, the funds may be deposited in this account.
It is necessary for the state government to lay down detailed guidelines for ensuring accountability for the amount collected as fine.
6. Other Measures:
ü Highlight successes and failures of every department/organization.
ü Provide for non-monetary incentives such a commendation letters, etc.
ü Mainstream the Rules and regulations in regular training/Orientation of officers and staff working in any ‘Public place’.
ü Encourage the vast majority of non smokers, to recognize their right to life and healths - through media campaigns, school curriculum etc.
ANNEXURE
Steps for Enforcement by Dept /Institutions
Fact Sheet
ü Display boards as per specifications in non smoking areas.
ü Notify and display the name of a person to whom a complaint may be made, in case someone is found violating the law.
ü Train and inform the persons within the institutions responsible for implementing the act, including their duties, responsibilities under the law. The consequence of non-compliance is clearly spelt out. Also, train the enforcers about the mechanism of issuing challan /compounding of offences and imposing fine.
ü Educate the staff about the provisions of the smoke-free rules.
ü Constitute a core group/task force for regular monitoring, surprise checks to and ensure monitoring & compliance.
ü The funds collected by compounding the offence may be deposited in the account as specified by the department of Health
Figure - 1
Design of the signage
Specification of the board
1. The board shall be of a minimum size of 60 cm by 30 cm of white background
2. It shall contain a circle of no less than 15 cm outer diameter with a red perimeter of no less than 3 cm wide with a picture, in the centre, of a cigarette or beedi with black smoke and crossed by a red band.
3. The width of the red band across the cigarette shall equal the width of the red perimeter.
4. The board shall contain the warning “No Smoking Area – Smoking Here is an Offence”, in English or one Indian language, as applicable.
Figure - 2; Specimen
If your find anybody smoking please report to
Name:……………………………..
Designation: ………………..
Telephone no:…………….
Figure – 3 : Prototype of a receipt
Figure – 4: Prototype of a challan
Book No. ……… Serial No………..
The ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003’
1. Name and Address of the accused person
………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Scene of the offence with date, time and place.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Particulars of offence under Act/ Rules.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Where as you are hereby prosecuted for the offense described above, you are required to attend the court of name & address ………………….. place ……….& time ………. ..AM on (date) …… answer the said charges unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Signature/left thumb impression of the accused
Signature of the witness
Name and address of the issuing authority.
Ø 1. Section (4) of the ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003’ prohibits smoking in public places . Any violation of this act is a punishable offence with fine up to Rs. 200. However, the hotel with 30 rooms or more, Restaurants with 30 seating capacity or more and airport may create a separate smoking area or space.
2. “‘Public Place’ as defined in the Act and the rules means any place to which the public has access whether as of right or not and includes all places visited by general public and includes
Ø Auditorium ,
Ø Hospital Buildings,
Ø Health Institutions,
Ø Amusement Centres,
Ø Restaurants,
Ø Hotels,
Ø Public Offices,
Ø Court Buildings,
Ø Educational Institutions,
Ø Libraries,
Ø Public Conveyances,
Ø Open Auditorium,
Ø Stadium,
Ø Railway Stations,
Ø Bus Stops,
Ø Workplaces,
Ø Shopping Malls,
Ø Cinema Halls,
Ø Refreshment Rooms,
Ø Discotheques,
Ø Coffee House,
Ø Pubs,
Ø Bars,
Ø Airport Lounge
3. The provisions relating to ‘Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places’ were given effect to rules were given effect to from 1stMay 2004. Recently, these provisions were reviewed and a comprehensive rule ‘Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008’ have been notified on 30th May 2008. These rules are to take effect from 2nd October 2008. The salient features of these rules are :
Ø It is the duty of the owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor or in-charge of affairs of public place:
v To keep the area under his jurisdiction smoke-free.
v Display the board as per the specification given in Figure – 1 . These boards shall be displayed at
§ All entrances and other conspicuous places inside the building
§ If there are more than one entrance then at all entrances.
§ If there are more than one floor, at each floor including the stair case and entrance to the lift at each floor.
v Notify and display the name of a person to whom a complaint may be made, in case someone is found violating the law. (specimen figure – 2).
v Ensure that no ashtrays, matches, lighters or other
things designed to facilitate smoking are provided.
Ø If the owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor , or in-charge of affairs of the public place fails to act on the report of such violation, he shall be fined equivalent to the number of individual offences.
Ø All Hotels, Restaurants and Airport being public place have to be smoke-free. However, owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor or in-charge of affairs of the hotels having 30 or more rooms and restaurants having seating capacity of 30 or more and the manager of the airport may provide a separate smoking area /space as per the following specifications.
v Physically separated and surrounded by full height walls on all four sides.
v Having an entrance with automatically closing doors normally kept in close position.
v Has an airflow system
§ That is exhausted directly to the outside and not mixed back into the supply to the other parts of the building.
§ That is fitted with a exhaust ventilation system which is non re-circulating in nature or an air cleaning system or a combination of two, in such a manner that air does not permeate into non smoking areas.
v Has a negative air pressure in comparison with the remainder of the building.
Ø The smoking area /space shall not be established at the entrance or exit of the hotel, restaurant or airport and shall be distinctly marked as ‘smoking area’ in English and one Indian language as applicable.
Ø The smoking area/space should be used only for the purpose of smoking and no other service(s) shall be allowed.
Ø The owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor or in-charge of affairs having 30 or more rooms may designate separate smoking rooms in a manner as provided:
v All rooms designated as smoking rooms shall form a separate section in the same section or wing. In case there is more than one floor/wing, these rooms shall be in one floor or wing as the case may be.
v All such rooms shall be distinctly marked as smoking rooms in English or one Indian language.
v The smoke from such room shall not be ventilated outside and does not permeate in non smoking areas of the hotel including lobbies and corridors.
4. Action to be taken by State Government:
The dept dealing with Health in the state government shall be primarily responsible for implementing the provisions of these rules in coordination with other central/state government departments and various other stakeholders. The secretary in-charge of Health shall take following steps.
ü Give wide publicity to the provisions of the rules; also put it on the official website of the Department.
ü Ensure that all offices, Institutions, autonomous organization, including hospitals, Educational Institution/ Medical/Dental/ Nursing Colleges etc. under the Health/Medical Education Department and any public sector undertaking, follow the rules i.e. display of boards, identification of persons to whom a compliant of violation is to be lodged.
ü Send communications to all state government departments, institution etc. in the state.
o To ensure that attached/subordinate offices, Autonomous organization & PSU’s under the respective department(s) comply with the law.
o That those in-charge or responsible for any public place implement the smoke-free rules.
o That all departments identify the person(s) to whom any complaint about violation(s) can be reported.
(A fact sheet indicating the steps to be taken by an organization is annexed)
ü Send communications to all the heads of central government departments in the state like Railways, Customs and Central Excise, Defense Establishments, AG Office, Doordarshan, All India Radio, CPWD, Airports Authority, etc. for implementing the provisions of the rules.
ü Send specific communications to Secretaries of Education Dept, Tourism dept, Transport Dept, Municipal Corporations as under:
o To Education Secretary (and /or Medical Education secretary) to make all the school, colleges including Medical, Dental, Nursing, Paramedical Colleges, universities including deemed universities to display the boards as per specification and follow the other provisions of the rules.
o To Transport Secretary for ensuring that the boards are displayed in all public conveyances under govt and private sector and also at the bus stops & bus terminals.
o To head of the Municipal Corporations to ensure that the provisions of the Act is implemented in the area under his jurisdiction.
o To Tourism Secretary
4 To Inform all concerned in charge of places commonly frequented by tourists that they have to follow the rules and ensure that those places are smokefree.
4 To ensure tourist are duly informed-through portals/websites, brochures and pamphlets about the provisions of the rule.
4 To provide smoke free environment in all hotels/restaurants as laid down in the Rules
4 To inform that hotels/restaurants having 30 or more rooms/ or 30 or more seating capacity may create a designated smoking area / space as per the specifications.
4 To ensure that the boards as per the requirement are prominently displayed in all tourist spots including in hotels/restaurants/pubs/bars/coffee shops etc.
ü Communicate to all district collectors the details of the provisions of the rules and action to be taken.
ü Sensitize the representatives of Hotels/ Restaurants, Private workplaces, shopping malls, cinema theaters, Industry / factories about the provisions of the rules and set up a mechanism for monitoring implementation.
ü Establish a coordinating mechanism by way of setting a state level task force/steering committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary/Secretary Health with representatives of all the major departments of State/Central Govts, other stakeholder and Civil Society. Also to establish Distt. Level committee under the chairmanship of District Collector with Chief Medical Officer (Dist Nodal Officer for Tobacco Control) as member Secretary.
5. Way forward for Enforcement
ü Sensitize, train and empower the law enforcers i.e. Police, Food & Drug Inspectors and other the authorized officers, as notified by the central Govt vide notification dated 30th May, 2008.
ü The State Govt. may also consider notifying additional authorized officers for implementing the provisions of the rules.
ü Set up flying squads for monitoring, enforcement and compliance.
ü Setting up toll-free help line / online reporting system may also be considered.
ü Establish a mechanism for issue of challan or compounding of offence. The options available, based on the experience of a few States are:
üØ OPTION – 1: to empower the authorized officers to compound the offence and impose appropriate fine upto Rs. 200 on the violators and recover the fine on the spot. A specimen copy of the receipt is at figure -3
Ø OPTION – 2 : to permit the authorized officers to issue challans with the direction that the offender pays the fine at the designated court or treasury on any given/fixed day(s) as may be decided by the State Government. The state government may also constitute mobile courts/special magistrates. The specimen copy of challan is at figure – 4.
Or combination of both the options as may be decided by the State Government.
ü The Health Department has to print the numbered receipt book (s) and challan book(s) for distribution to various authorized officers for ensuring proper accounting of fines imposed on the offenders. The challan may contain two part, one to be issued to the offender and the other to be retained by the authorized officer who has to deposit the fine and the book to the health department.
ü There are different models of channelising the funds collected through fine.
Ø OPTION – 1 : create a separate head of account as has been done by Gujarat Government under the department of Health in which the fine collected by various agencies/officers are deposited. This will enable Deptt. of Health to use the fund for tobacco control activities. The head under which the fine is to be credited may be indicated at the bottom of the receipt itself.
Ø OPTION – 2: the fine collected by various agencies may be deposited to a miscellaneous account of department of Health. In case the states have a separate account for National Tobacco Control Programme in the Health Society, the funds may be deposited in this account.
It is necessary for the state government to lay down detailed guidelines for ensuring accountability for the amount collected as fine.
6. Other Measures:
ü Highlight successes and failures of every department/organization.
ü Provide for non-monetary incentives such a commendation letters, etc.
ü Mainstream the Rules and regulations in regular training/Orientation of officers and staff working in any ‘Public place’.
ü Encourage the vast majority of non smokers, to recognize their right to life and healths - through media campaigns, school curriculum etc.
ANNEXURE
Steps for Enforcement by Dept /Institutions
Fact Sheet
ü Display boards as per specifications in non smoking areas.
ü Notify and display the name of a person to whom a complaint may be made, in case someone is found violating the law.
ü Train and inform the persons within the institutions responsible for implementing the act, including their duties, responsibilities under the law. The consequence of non-compliance is clearly spelt out. Also, train the enforcers about the mechanism of issuing challan /compounding of offences and imposing fine.
ü Educate the staff about the provisions of the smoke-free rules.
ü Constitute a core group/task force for regular monitoring, surprise checks to and ensure monitoring & compliance.
ü The funds collected by compounding the offence may be deposited in the account as specified by the department of Health
Figure - 1
Design of the signage
Specification of the board
1. The board shall be of a minimum size of 60 cm by 30 cm of white background
2. It shall contain a circle of no less than 15 cm outer diameter with a red perimeter of no less than 3 cm wide with a picture, in the centre, of a cigarette or beedi with black smoke and crossed by a red band.
3. The width of the red band across the cigarette shall equal the width of the red perimeter.
4. The board shall contain the warning “No Smoking Area – Smoking Here is an Offence”, in English or one Indian language, as applicable.
Figure - 2; Specimen
If your find anybody smoking please report to
Name:……………………………..
Designation: ………………..
Telephone no:…………….
Figure – 3 : Prototype of a receipt
Figure – 4: Prototype of a challan
Book No. ……… Serial No………..
The ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003’
1. Name and Address of the accused person
………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Scene of the offence with date, time and place.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Particulars of offence under Act/ Rules.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Where as you are hereby prosecuted for the offense described above, you are required to attend the court of name & address ………………….. place ……….& time ………. ..AM on (date) …… answer the said charges unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Signature/left thumb impression of the accused
Signature of the witness
Name and address of the issuing authority.
A Man and his mission
A man and his mission
Sandeep Pandey, the winner of the 2002 Magsaysay award in the Emergent Leader category, is a man with a mission - of giving the poorest of the poor in India a chance to gain education.
T.K. RAJALAKSHMI in Lucknow
LALPUR village in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh is not very far from Lucknow. But in cultural, social and, most important, economic terms, Lucknow and Lalpur are poles apart. A village with a predominantly poor Dalit population, of landless families who make a living as agricultural labourers on the fields of the landed upper caste people, Lalpur is in the news today thanks to one person - Sandeep Pandey, who has been chosen for the 2002 Ramon Magsaysay award in the Emergent Leader category. Thanks to Pandey's initiative, Lalpur now has a school, a dispensary and skill training centres. Asha, the organisation he, along with Deepak Gupta and V.J.P. Srivastavoy, founded in the United States in 1991, came to Lalpur with a dream to provide education with a difference for the downtrodden.
The citation states: "In electing Sandeep Pandey to receive the 2002 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, the board of trustees recognises the empowering example of his commitment to the transformation of India's marginalised poor." Pandey is the first Indian to be honoured in this category.
SUBIR ROYDr. Sandeep Pandey, at Lalpur.
The Ramon Magsaysay awards were established in the late 1950s in memory of the former President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay. The awards, which are mainly funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, honour individuals and organisations in Asia whose civic contributions and leadership "exemplify the greatness of spirit, integrity and devotion to freedom of the late Ramon Magsaysay". Until recently, there were only five categories of awards - in the areas of Government Service; Public Service; Community Leadership; Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts; and Peace and International Understanding. A sixth category, that of emergent leadership, was created three years ago. Other Indian recipients of the Magsaysay award include Aruna Roy, Rajendra Singh and Kiran Bedi, but these have been in other categories.
Pandey has worked not only in Lalpur and other villages of U.P. but also in other States. Asha has several volunteers from the U.S. who want to work for the education of the poor in India. The organisation does not have a hierarchy, or formal structures; it operates on the goodwill of several non-resident Indians. They primarily raise funds, and see themselves as an action group oriented towards helping the task of primary education in India.
At Lalpur, Asha helps to impart to village residents skills such as bee-keeping, making paper bags and screen printing on hand-made paper, and even basic training in homeopathy. Asha's medical centre building was constructed using ferro-cement to make it an earthquake-resistant structure (Asha built such structures in Bhuj too after the earthquake). The Lalpur Asha ashram has a sanctum sanctorum built of bamboo which serves as a meeting-cum-teaching venue. It also has a study made of mud, where Pandey stays when he is not staying in Lucknow. "I do most of my reading and writing here," he says.
The ashram is located on land that originally belonged to a Brahmin. When he made the land available for the ashram he was unaware that it would be used by Dalit families. Upon realising that this was happening, he complained that the land of his ancestors was being defiled by Dalits. But seeing the resolve of the villagers, he gave up.
Pandey says he tried to get the political class to take an interest in the affairs of Lalpur ahead of the latest State Assembly elections. "I wanted them to make some commitment to the villagers," he said. Although most of the candidates visited the village, they refrained from making any commitments to the people. Their indifference made the people of Lalpur boycott the elections.
Mahesh, who works with Pandey, said that the village had no higher secondary school before Asha came along. Not one resident of the village had reached the higher secondary school level. The plight of young women was even worse. But now classes are held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for those who have to work in the fields during the day. Drinking water had to be fetched from another village. There was no primary health centre. The current drought only worsened living conditions.
However, the Asha volunteers, in their efforts to alleviate the misery of the poor, have helped several Dalits pay off their debts. Unscrupulous moneylenders and landlords had exploited the Dalits' inability to repay debts and had made them work like bonded labourers. Pandey says that his organisation is doing its best to get Dalits out of the trap of loans and steep interest payments. But a system is necessary to deal with the problem in a more organised manner, he says.
The khadi-clad Pandey believes that the existing education system in the country is faulty. Although he is very much a product of the system that he now criticises, he hopes that the alternatives he is offering to poor children will inculcate in them self-reliance and integrity - qualities which he feels are important for the establishment of a just social order.
Pandey, who had a brief teaching stint at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, but left it to work with Asha full-time, says: "The modern education system desensitises us completely." He began his higher education at the Banaras Hindu University before moving on to graduate school in the U.S. It was while pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California in Berkeley that he founded Asha. Its objective was to support the education of poor children in India by enlisting resources from Indians abroad. This was one philanthropic mission that was fraught with challenges. Today, Asha has disbursed $1 billion to support philanthropic programmes in India.
Pandey laments the fact that the Indian farmer has not got his due place in society while technocrats and those in the service sector are considered indispensable. "We need to turn the system upside down," he comments. While Pandey is currently involved in the Lalpur project, other areas in U.P. where Asha's presence is felt are Kanpur and Ballia. Similar efforts are on in Mumbai, in Chennai and in Chitradurg district of Karnataka. In all the initiatives, the needs of the poor and the underprivileged children get priority. In the last 10 years, Asha has supported nearly 250 projects. Most of them are in south India, particularly in Tamil Nadu where it has a large volunteer base. Asha has 36 overseas chapters: apart from raising funds, they seek to understand grassroot campaigns in all educational matters. The campaign against the saffronisation of education was one such.
The award citation mentions Pandey's work in Ballia district where he had set up schools that aim to inculcate in pupils self-reliance and values for a just society. Ballia predominantly has a backward caste population. The youth and the schoolchildren of the village were motivated to acquire skills that eventually made them self-reliant and gave them a degree of self-esteem.
The citation calls Lalpur village a fuller expression of Pandey's vision. At Lalpur, basic education is imparted even to those who would never have made it to the formal system for the simple reason that there are not enough schools in the village. And for those already in school, the ashram, on whose pillars images of Indian social reformers are sketched, is a place where they learn some more. For those who could not attend school at all owing to financial reasons, the ashram is a boon.
The citation also mentions Pandey's denouncement of a "government plan to favour Hinduism in state schools" and his call for an end to the "politics of revenge that drives his country's communal violence". It also recognises his commitment to peace and reconciliation between India and Pakistan. Of special mention is the 400-kilometre march that he organised to protest against India's nuclear programme.
For Pandey, taking strong positions for a cause is nothing new. While teaching in IIT-Kanpur, he protested against the low wages given to construction workers and attempted to organise them. His latest stand relates to the issue of rising communalism in the country. Early this year, he was part of a march protesting against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's renewed attempts towards the construction of a temple at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. He was stopped in Lucknow along with fellow-protesters. Aghast at the wanton killings of the minorities in Gujarat, he sat on a fast in Lucknow for five days. He has also been active in the nuclear non-proliferation debate and has taken part in anti-nuclear protests. In May 1999, one year after the Pokhran blasts, he led the Global Peace March from Pokhran to Sarnath to protest against India's nuclear arms programme. Pandey, who is an activist of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, has always believed in the path of dialogue and peace.
Some of Pandey's recent statements against the ruling establishment have brought forth extreme reactions from some quarters - including a demand to arrest him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). But Pandey is undeterred. Despite political mobilisation, the social mobility of the lower castes is far from being achieved, he says. Even though Dalits were ostensibly represented by a Dalit Chief Minister in U.P., nothing much had changed in the way they lived.
Social reform in a State where caste and communal undercurrents reign supreme, is not easy. In order to make a difference, political, social and, most important, economic interventions have to be made. The challenge, as Pandey says, is to raise the level of consciousness and the difference will be felt only upon achieving this.
Sandeep Pandey, the winner of the 2002 Magsaysay award in the Emergent Leader category, is a man with a mission - of giving the poorest of the poor in India a chance to gain education.
T.K. RAJALAKSHMI in Lucknow
LALPUR village in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh is not very far from Lucknow. But in cultural, social and, most important, economic terms, Lucknow and Lalpur are poles apart. A village with a predominantly poor Dalit population, of landless families who make a living as agricultural labourers on the fields of the landed upper caste people, Lalpur is in the news today thanks to one person - Sandeep Pandey, who has been chosen for the 2002 Ramon Magsaysay award in the Emergent Leader category. Thanks to Pandey's initiative, Lalpur now has a school, a dispensary and skill training centres. Asha, the organisation he, along with Deepak Gupta and V.J.P. Srivastavoy, founded in the United States in 1991, came to Lalpur with a dream to provide education with a difference for the downtrodden.
The citation states: "In electing Sandeep Pandey to receive the 2002 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, the board of trustees recognises the empowering example of his commitment to the transformation of India's marginalised poor." Pandey is the first Indian to be honoured in this category.
SUBIR ROYDr. Sandeep Pandey, at Lalpur.
The Ramon Magsaysay awards were established in the late 1950s in memory of the former President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay. The awards, which are mainly funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, honour individuals and organisations in Asia whose civic contributions and leadership "exemplify the greatness of spirit, integrity and devotion to freedom of the late Ramon Magsaysay". Until recently, there were only five categories of awards - in the areas of Government Service; Public Service; Community Leadership; Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts; and Peace and International Understanding. A sixth category, that of emergent leadership, was created three years ago. Other Indian recipients of the Magsaysay award include Aruna Roy, Rajendra Singh and Kiran Bedi, but these have been in other categories.
Pandey has worked not only in Lalpur and other villages of U.P. but also in other States. Asha has several volunteers from the U.S. who want to work for the education of the poor in India. The organisation does not have a hierarchy, or formal structures; it operates on the goodwill of several non-resident Indians. They primarily raise funds, and see themselves as an action group oriented towards helping the task of primary education in India.
At Lalpur, Asha helps to impart to village residents skills such as bee-keeping, making paper bags and screen printing on hand-made paper, and even basic training in homeopathy. Asha's medical centre building was constructed using ferro-cement to make it an earthquake-resistant structure (Asha built such structures in Bhuj too after the earthquake). The Lalpur Asha ashram has a sanctum sanctorum built of bamboo which serves as a meeting-cum-teaching venue. It also has a study made of mud, where Pandey stays when he is not staying in Lucknow. "I do most of my reading and writing here," he says.
The ashram is located on land that originally belonged to a Brahmin. When he made the land available for the ashram he was unaware that it would be used by Dalit families. Upon realising that this was happening, he complained that the land of his ancestors was being defiled by Dalits. But seeing the resolve of the villagers, he gave up.
Pandey says he tried to get the political class to take an interest in the affairs of Lalpur ahead of the latest State Assembly elections. "I wanted them to make some commitment to the villagers," he said. Although most of the candidates visited the village, they refrained from making any commitments to the people. Their indifference made the people of Lalpur boycott the elections.
Mahesh, who works with Pandey, said that the village had no higher secondary school before Asha came along. Not one resident of the village had reached the higher secondary school level. The plight of young women was even worse. But now classes are held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for those who have to work in the fields during the day. Drinking water had to be fetched from another village. There was no primary health centre. The current drought only worsened living conditions.
However, the Asha volunteers, in their efforts to alleviate the misery of the poor, have helped several Dalits pay off their debts. Unscrupulous moneylenders and landlords had exploited the Dalits' inability to repay debts and had made them work like bonded labourers. Pandey says that his organisation is doing its best to get Dalits out of the trap of loans and steep interest payments. But a system is necessary to deal with the problem in a more organised manner, he says.
The khadi-clad Pandey believes that the existing education system in the country is faulty. Although he is very much a product of the system that he now criticises, he hopes that the alternatives he is offering to poor children will inculcate in them self-reliance and integrity - qualities which he feels are important for the establishment of a just social order.
Pandey, who had a brief teaching stint at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, but left it to work with Asha full-time, says: "The modern education system desensitises us completely." He began his higher education at the Banaras Hindu University before moving on to graduate school in the U.S. It was while pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California in Berkeley that he founded Asha. Its objective was to support the education of poor children in India by enlisting resources from Indians abroad. This was one philanthropic mission that was fraught with challenges. Today, Asha has disbursed $1 billion to support philanthropic programmes in India.
Pandey laments the fact that the Indian farmer has not got his due place in society while technocrats and those in the service sector are considered indispensable. "We need to turn the system upside down," he comments. While Pandey is currently involved in the Lalpur project, other areas in U.P. where Asha's presence is felt are Kanpur and Ballia. Similar efforts are on in Mumbai, in Chennai and in Chitradurg district of Karnataka. In all the initiatives, the needs of the poor and the underprivileged children get priority. In the last 10 years, Asha has supported nearly 250 projects. Most of them are in south India, particularly in Tamil Nadu where it has a large volunteer base. Asha has 36 overseas chapters: apart from raising funds, they seek to understand grassroot campaigns in all educational matters. The campaign against the saffronisation of education was one such.
The award citation mentions Pandey's work in Ballia district where he had set up schools that aim to inculcate in pupils self-reliance and values for a just society. Ballia predominantly has a backward caste population. The youth and the schoolchildren of the village were motivated to acquire skills that eventually made them self-reliant and gave them a degree of self-esteem.
The citation calls Lalpur village a fuller expression of Pandey's vision. At Lalpur, basic education is imparted even to those who would never have made it to the formal system for the simple reason that there are not enough schools in the village. And for those already in school, the ashram, on whose pillars images of Indian social reformers are sketched, is a place where they learn some more. For those who could not attend school at all owing to financial reasons, the ashram is a boon.
The citation also mentions Pandey's denouncement of a "government plan to favour Hinduism in state schools" and his call for an end to the "politics of revenge that drives his country's communal violence". It also recognises his commitment to peace and reconciliation between India and Pakistan. Of special mention is the 400-kilometre march that he organised to protest against India's nuclear programme.
For Pandey, taking strong positions for a cause is nothing new. While teaching in IIT-Kanpur, he protested against the low wages given to construction workers and attempted to organise them. His latest stand relates to the issue of rising communalism in the country. Early this year, he was part of a march protesting against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's renewed attempts towards the construction of a temple at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid. He was stopped in Lucknow along with fellow-protesters. Aghast at the wanton killings of the minorities in Gujarat, he sat on a fast in Lucknow for five days. He has also been active in the nuclear non-proliferation debate and has taken part in anti-nuclear protests. In May 1999, one year after the Pokhran blasts, he led the Global Peace March from Pokhran to Sarnath to protest against India's nuclear arms programme. Pandey, who is an activist of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, has always believed in the path of dialogue and peace.
Some of Pandey's recent statements against the ruling establishment have brought forth extreme reactions from some quarters - including a demand to arrest him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). But Pandey is undeterred. Despite political mobilisation, the social mobility of the lower castes is far from being achieved, he says. Even though Dalits were ostensibly represented by a Dalit Chief Minister in U.P., nothing much had changed in the way they lived.
Social reform in a State where caste and communal undercurrents reign supreme, is not easy. In order to make a difference, political, social and, most important, economic interventions have to be made. The challenge, as Pandey says, is to raise the level of consciousness and the difference will be felt only upon achieving this.
Tax calculation for 09-10
Tax
Close
Top of Form
>" name=email.articleTitle>
Bottom of Form
Calculating Your Income Tax Liability 2009-10
The income tax which is charged to you is based on the tax slabs declared by the Government in its annual budget every year. The following table encapsulates the tax slabs applicable this year. (Financial Year 2009-2010)
Taxable Income Slab
Tax Slab
Upto Rs. 1,60,000Up to Rs. 1,90,000 (for women)Up to Rs. 2,40,000 (for residents, 65 years or above)
Nil
Rs. 1,60,000 - Rs. 3,00,000
10%
Rs. 3,00,001 - Rs. 5,00,000
20%
Rs. 5,00,001 - Rs. 10,00,000
30%
Note: In addition, an education cess of 3% is charged on the entire tax amount. Surcharge of 10% on income above 10 Lakhs have been scraped.
Please note that the taxable income is arrived at after adding all your different sources of income and subtracting the deductions that you have taken advantage of under Section 80C to 80U.
Lets take a few examples to illustrate how you can calculate taxes based on these slabs.
Example 1: Sarla is a salaried employee, her annual income is Rs. 2,40,000. She has made no tax savings investments during the year. Let us calculate her income tax liability.
Heads
Amounts
Gross Total Income
Rs. 240,000
Deductions
Nil
Taxable Income
Rs. 240,000
Income Tax Calculations
Tax
Tax on Income upto Rs 1,90,000
0%
Zero
Tax on the remaining Rs 50,000
10%
Rs.5,000
Total Income Tax Due
Rs.5,000
Educational Cess @ 3%
Rs. 150
Total Tax Payable
Rs. 5,150
Example 2:Vinod is a salaried employee. His annual income is Rs. 3,25,000.His home loan interest payment is Rs 1,20,000 and his home loan principal repayment is Rs. 80,000.He has made an investment of Rs. 50,000 in NSC.Let us calculate Vinod's interest liability.
Heads
Amounts
Income from Salary
Rs. 325,000
Income from House Property(Section 24 Deduction for Home loan interest repayment)
Rs.120,000
Gross Total Income
Rs. 205,000
Section 80 C Deductions
Rs.100,000
NSC Investment
Rs. 50,000
Home Loan Principal Repayment
Rs.80,000
Total
Rs. 130,000
Taxable Income
105,000
Total Tax Due
Rs. 0
Example 3:Ram is a salaried employee who earned Rs.12,00,000. He has bought a health insurance policy for himself worth Rs 10,000. Ram has also bought ELSS funds for Rs. 80,000 and has also paid a LIC premium of Rs. 20,000.He has also donated Rs. 20,000 to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Let us calculate Ram's tax liability.
Heads
Amounts
Gross Total Income
Rs. 1,200,000
Section 80 C Deductions
Rs.100,000
LIC Premium
Rs. 20,000
Home Loan Principal Repayment
Rs. 80,000
Total
Rs. 100,000
Other Donations
Rs. 30,000
Section 80D Health Insuance Premium
Rs. 10,000
Section 80G Donation To A Charity
Rs. 20,000
Total Taxable Income
1,070,000
Income Tax Calculations
Tax
Tax on Income upto Rs 1,60,000
0%
Zero
Tax on the next Rs 1,40,000(Slab 160,001 to 3,00,000)
10%
Rs.14,000
Tax on the next Rs 2,00,000(Slab Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 500,000)
20%
Rs.40,000
Tax on next Rs. 570,000(above 500,001)
30%
Rs. 1,71,000
Income Tax Due
Rs. 2,25,000
Surcharge on total tax(No Surcharge is payable fromprevious year 2009-10 onwards)
0.00%
Rs. Nil
Income Tax Due
Rs. 2,25,000
Educational Cess @ 3%
Rs.6,750
Total Tax Payable
Rs.2,31,750
Close
Top of Form
>" name=email.articleTitle>
Bottom of Form
Calculating Your Income Tax Liability 2009-10
The income tax which is charged to you is based on the tax slabs declared by the Government in its annual budget every year. The following table encapsulates the tax slabs applicable this year. (Financial Year 2009-2010)
Taxable Income Slab
Tax Slab
Upto Rs. 1,60,000Up to Rs. 1,90,000 (for women)Up to Rs. 2,40,000 (for residents, 65 years or above)
Nil
Rs. 1,60,000 - Rs. 3,00,000
10%
Rs. 3,00,001 - Rs. 5,00,000
20%
Rs. 5,00,001 - Rs. 10,00,000
30%
Note: In addition, an education cess of 3% is charged on the entire tax amount. Surcharge of 10% on income above 10 Lakhs have been scraped.
Please note that the taxable income is arrived at after adding all your different sources of income and subtracting the deductions that you have taken advantage of under Section 80C to 80U.
Lets take a few examples to illustrate how you can calculate taxes based on these slabs.
Example 1: Sarla is a salaried employee, her annual income is Rs. 2,40,000. She has made no tax savings investments during the year. Let us calculate her income tax liability.
Heads
Amounts
Gross Total Income
Rs. 240,000
Deductions
Nil
Taxable Income
Rs. 240,000
Income Tax Calculations
Tax
Tax on Income upto Rs 1,90,000
0%
Zero
Tax on the remaining Rs 50,000
10%
Rs.5,000
Total Income Tax Due
Rs.5,000
Educational Cess @ 3%
Rs. 150
Total Tax Payable
Rs. 5,150
Example 2:Vinod is a salaried employee. His annual income is Rs. 3,25,000.His home loan interest payment is Rs 1,20,000 and his home loan principal repayment is Rs. 80,000.He has made an investment of Rs. 50,000 in NSC.Let us calculate Vinod's interest liability.
Heads
Amounts
Income from Salary
Rs. 325,000
Income from House Property(Section 24 Deduction for Home loan interest repayment)
Rs.120,000
Gross Total Income
Rs. 205,000
Section 80 C Deductions
Rs.100,000
NSC Investment
Rs. 50,000
Home Loan Principal Repayment
Rs.80,000
Total
Rs. 130,000
Taxable Income
105,000
Total Tax Due
Rs. 0
Example 3:Ram is a salaried employee who earned Rs.12,00,000. He has bought a health insurance policy for himself worth Rs 10,000. Ram has also bought ELSS funds for Rs. 80,000 and has also paid a LIC premium of Rs. 20,000.He has also donated Rs. 20,000 to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Let us calculate Ram's tax liability.
Heads
Amounts
Gross Total Income
Rs. 1,200,000
Section 80 C Deductions
Rs.100,000
LIC Premium
Rs. 20,000
Home Loan Principal Repayment
Rs. 80,000
Total
Rs. 100,000
Other Donations
Rs. 30,000
Section 80D Health Insuance Premium
Rs. 10,000
Section 80G Donation To A Charity
Rs. 20,000
Total Taxable Income
1,070,000
Income Tax Calculations
Tax
Tax on Income upto Rs 1,60,000
0%
Zero
Tax on the next Rs 1,40,000(Slab 160,001 to 3,00,000)
10%
Rs.14,000
Tax on the next Rs 2,00,000(Slab Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 500,000)
20%
Rs.40,000
Tax on next Rs. 570,000(above 500,001)
30%
Rs. 1,71,000
Income Tax Due
Rs. 2,25,000
Surcharge on total tax(No Surcharge is payable fromprevious year 2009-10 onwards)
0.00%
Rs. Nil
Income Tax Due
Rs. 2,25,000
Educational Cess @ 3%
Rs.6,750
Total Tax Payable
Rs.2,31,750
Swine Flu
H1N1 AWARENESS PROGRAMME
What is H1N1(swine flu) ?
Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
H1NI virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood.
If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.
Causes of H1N1(Swine Flu):
Swine flu is caused by a virus. The most common subtype, or strain, is influenza type A H1N1, and this subtype has also caused infection in people
This pandemic flu may have emerged from a food factory using the latest antibiotics.
A person infected with H1N1 flu virus can infect others starting 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming ill.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of HIN1 flu virus (human swine flu) are very similar to those of seasonal human influenza. People with swine influenza may experience:
Ø Body aches
Ø Chills
Ø Cough
Ø Fatigue
Ø Fever
Ø Headache
Ø Loss of appetite
Ø Sore throat
Ø Vomiting
Ø Diarrhea.
Precautions:
Employees of Nimbus Harbor are being imparted lessons in Prevention from H1N1 virus by including the following in their training Schedule:
Ø Stays at home if you are sick.Do not go to work.
Ø Stay at least 1 meter away from other people.
Ø Rest a lot and drink plenty of fluids.
Ø Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Ø Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Ø Throw your used tissue in the garbage.
Ø Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Ø Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Make sure to wash your hands with soap for at least 15 seconds.
Ø Practice good health habits such as getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and staying physically active.
Ø Use mask & gloves for precautions
Action Plan can be taken:
Ø Check all the employees for the symptoms off H1N1 virus everyday.
Ø Segregate the effected persons, and, stop them from entering the premises.
Ø Arrange for treatment of the patients.
Ø Increase the frequency of cleaning in common area like, washrooms, Lobby, meeting rooms, conference rooms by disinfectant or dettol. (Door nobs, taps, tables etc.)
Ø Ensure all our staff is aware of swine flu symptoms & they take right precautions.
Ø Supervisor will ensure extensive cleaning, and, keep all the staff under surveillance for symptoms.
Ø Supervisors will report any suspicious case of effected persons immediately.
Who is at risk?
Pregnant women, especially those in the third trimester, are at an increased risk of serious complications from the H1N1 A influenza virus, says a new report.
With the H1N1 flu outbreak now elevated to pandemic level, the article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) has reported that oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are relatively safe drugs for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women. For treatment or prevention during the current pandemic, "oseltamivir appears to be the drug of choice because there are more data on its safety in pregnancy," writes Dr Shinya Ito, Head of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at SickKids. Zanamivir can be used, although there is less data available about its safety in pregnant women, the expert added. Neither drug appears to affect the growth and development of the foetus, although ongoing data collection is important. The groups at high risk of flu-related complications from the novel H1N1 influenza are the same as those for seasonal flu – pregnant women, children under 5 years, the elderly and others such as those with chronic lung conditions. Only small amounts of oseltamivir and zanamivir are excreted into human milk. If an infant is breastfed by the mother on these drugs and needs treatment, the recommended dose of oseltamivir or zanamivir should be given to the infant.
Is there a vaccine?
A new research has suggested that targeting children for vaccination could help control the spread of pandemics such as the current swine flu.
The study suggests that targeting kids is the best way of using limited supplies of the vaccine currently being developed. Ever since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic global H1N1 swine flu, countries are looking at ways to control the spread of the disease. These measures include the use of antiviral treatments, such as oseltamivir, social distancing (for example, closing schools and stopping public transport) and quarantining infected individuals. Pharmaceutical companies have also stepped up production of vaccines effective against this particular strain of the virus. However, if the spread of the disease increases significantly in the autumn, as some scientists predict, it is unlikely that supplies of the new vaccine will be sufficient to vaccinate entire populations. Dr Thomas House and Professor Matt Keeling from the University of Warwick have used computer modelling to predict the spread of pandemic influenza and to look at ways of controlling it effectively, particularly where supplies of vaccine are not sufficient for universal coverage. The researchers showed that the disease is likely to spread fastest in densely populated conurbations, suggesting that these should be priority areas for tackling the spread. However, they showed that vaccinating entire households at random was an inefficient use of resources; instead, vaccinating key individuals offered sufficient protection to others in their household. Although a simplification of the complex reality of pandemic flu transmission, the researchers believe their model provides a robust argument for vaccinating children. Our models suggest that the larger the household - which in most cases means the more children living at home - the more likely the infection is to spread," said Keeling. "This doesn`t mean that everyone in the household needs to be vaccinated, but suggests that vaccination programmes for children might help control a potential pandemic," Keeling added. The researchers argue that targeting children for vaccination would not only help protect those at greatest risk of exposure to the virus, but would also offer protection to unvaccinated adults. This so-called "herd immunity" effect would mean that significantly less vaccine would be necessary to help control the spread of the virus than if it were offered to everyone.\\ Swiss pharmaceuticals company Novartis AG has said that it has successfully produced a first batch of swine flu vaccine weeks ahead of expectations. The vaccine was made in cells, rather than grown in eggs as is usually the case with vaccines, the company said. The announcement comes a day after the World Health Organization declared swine flu, also known as A(H1N1), a pandemic. The move indicates that a global outbreak is under way. WHO says drugmakers will likely have vaccines approved and ready for sale after September. Novartis said it would use the first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical evaluation and testing. It is also being considered for clinical trials, the company said. The vaccine was produced at a Novartis plant in Marburg, Germany. Novartis said the facility could potentially produce millions of doses of vaccine a week. A second plant is being built in Holly Springs, North Carolina, the company said. Novartis said more than 30 governments have requested vaccine supplies, including the US Department of Health and Human Service, which placed a USD 289 million order in May.
Save yourself: Fight the spread
The World Health Organization issued the following guidelines on Saturday about ways to prevent and fight flu, especially in poor areas where medical facilities may lack staff, beds and drugs:
Social Distancing -- "Social distancing, respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, and household ventilation, are at present the most feasible measures available to reduce or delay disease (morbidity) caused by pandemic influenza." -- This includes keeping at least an arm`s length distance from other people, minimizing public gatherings, and covering coughs and sneezes. -- Once pandemic flu becomes widespread in a community, however, the WHO said that "interventions to isolate patients and quarantine contacts would probably be ineffective, not a good use of limited health resources, and socially disruptive." "Routine mask use in public places should be permitted but is not expected to have an impact on disease prevention." Mild Cases Treated At Home -- "During a pandemic, very high numbers of patients presenting to the health-care facility will necessitate home treatment," the WHO said. -- "In the case of mild illness, patients should be provided with supportive care at home by a designated caregiver and only referred to health care facilities if they deteriorate or develop danger signs." -- Such danger signs may include: weakness or inability to stand, lethargy, unconsciousness, convulsions, very difficult or obstructed breathing or shortness of breath, inability to drink fluids, high fever. -- Treatment at home should entail rest, fluids, medication for fever, and good nutrition, with patients kept separate from other people except one designated carer who should wash their hands and household surfaces frequently. -- It is more important in the home that the patient wears a mask than the caregiver. The mask need not be worn all day and only when close contact with the caregiver is anticipated. -- If enough masks are available, caregivers should also use them to cover their mouth and nose during close contact. -- Windows should be kept open to allow good ventilation. In Health Clinics -- Medical facilities with limited resources and beds should aggressively triage patients and ensure those with respiratory symptoms are kept separately from other patients. -- Essential medical services should be continued, while elective medical services should be temporarily suspended. -- Admission criteria may change depending on bed availability, but should be reserved for severe cases most likely to benefit from treatment. -- "Health facilities should anticipate a very high demand for treatment," the WHO said. "Based on current estimates, agencies should anticipate that up to 10 percent of those who fall ill may require inpatient treatment." -- The WHO recommends this order of priority for antiviral drugs: a) treatment of sick health-care and other essential staff, b) treatment of sick individuals from the community, c) post-exposure treatment for essential staff at high risk, d) pre-exposure prophylaxis for critical staff with anticipated high-risk exposure.
Interesting Details
The World Health Organization has confirmed at least some of the cases are a never-before-seen strain of influenza A virus, carrying the designation H1N1.
* Although it`s called swine flu, this new strain is not infecting pigs and has never been seen in pigs. The threat is person to person transmission. * It is genetically different from the fully human H1N1 seasonal influenza virus that has been circulating globally for the past few years. The new flu virus contains DNA typical to avian, swine and human viruses, including elements from European and Asian swine viruses. * The World Health Organization is concerned but says it is too soon to change the threat level warning for a pandemic-- a global epidemic of a new and dangerous flu. * When a new strain of flu starts infecting people, and when it acquires the ability to pass from person to person, it can spark a pandemic. The last pandemic was in 1968 and killed about a million people. * Seven people in the United States have been diagnosed with the new strain. All have recovered, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects more cases. * Flu viruses mutate constantly, which is why the flu vaccine is changed every year, and they can swap DNA in a process called reassortment. Most animals can get flu, but viruses rarely pass from one species to another. * From December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza were confirmed. All but one person had contact with pigs. There was no evidence of human-to-human transmission in those cases. * Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of seasonal influenza -- sudden onset of fever, coughing, muscle aches and extreme tiredness. Swine flu appears to cause more diarrhea and vomiting than normal flu. * Seasonal flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people globally in an average year. In 1976 a new strain of swine flu started infecting people and worried U.S. health officials started widespread vaccination. More than 40 million people were vaccinated. But several cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a severe and sometime fatal condition that can be linked to some vaccines, caused the U.S. government to stop the program. The incident led to widespread distrust of vaccines in general.
Impact on drug Industry
For hard-pressed drug makers, more used to attacks than applause, the H1N1 flu crisis is a chance to earn political capital by delivering billions of doses of vaccine across the planet.
Recent investment has put companies in far better shape to meet the challenge compared to five years ago, when a single factory closure in northwest England left the world worryingly short of seasonal flu shots. This time around big flu vaccine makers like Sanofi-Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis look set to book extra sales, although constraints on both capacity and pricing will cap the financial upside. Until now, the main investor focus has been on stockpiling of antiviral drugs to fight the new strain of H1N1 flu, with Roche and Glaxo -- makers of Tamiflu and Relenza respectively -- the two obvious winners. But that could be about to change as World Health Organization experts meet on May 14 to consider a switch from seasonal to pandemic vaccine production, with companies under intense pressure to show they are good citizens. Making a vaccine for the new strain, widely known as swine flu, will mean stopping most production of seasonal shots. But because some companies are now well advanced in making next season`s regular vaccine, there is some room to meet both needs. Companies are not divulging their production schedules but officials at two manufacturers said they were hopeful they would be finished with much of the production needed for the next northern hemisphere flu season by the time of any switch. Although the H1N1 flu strain seems mild at present, health officials are worried it might return in a more virulent form in the northern hemisphere winter. Dealing with such an uncertain threat involves a careful balance by health authorities and companies, since making a new vaccine will take four to six months. The WHO estimates manufacturers have the capacity to make up to 900 million shots annually against seasonal flu, which kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people a year. Kieny estimates that translates into pandemic capacity of at least 1-2 billion doses, because a simple pandemic vaccine contains only one ingredient, while the seasonal one has three. Even so, there will not be enough vaccine for the world`s population of more than 6.5 billion.
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