Hubble Recovery

The ailing and aged Hubble Space Telescope awaits urgent servicing missions that could extend its life, but the Nasa administrator finds it risky to send astronauts to perform the surgical job. Perhaps, unmanned missions to Hubble to reclaim it with reliable and advanced robotic capabilities might help its recovery. And, that's the talk of the town!

To save the life of planet-discovering, space-probing Hubble, which has revolutionized our knowledge of universe and replaced our speculations with clear and picturesque proofs, is a cause really worth fighting for. Hubble's unrivaled and miraculous vision has enabled us to see the unimaginable and fantastic, and taken us beyond our known worlds. Its remarkable voyage through space has enriched our knowledge and its impact on our science is terrific. Hubble's discoveries are epoch-making in Astronomy, and they have greatly altered and mobilized our spirit for the exploration of the Cosmos. 

By piecing together the spectacular images sent by stargazing Hubble, the scientists have attempted to arrive at new conjectures. Triggered by the instant availability of revelatory data, they crave for further and deeper understanding of the exotic phenomena, which yields staggering results of progress. Through regular observation and analysis of images 'featuring change or celestial activity', they have isolated intelligent clues to broaden all theoretical spectrum and gained insightful updates to strengthen our approaches leading to the 'mission impossible' of the discovery of the universe. It enhances our perceptions of our home and our neighboring galaxies and the mystery beyond, thus equipping us with a stronger urge and gravitational pull to break its code.

At certain point in future, Hubble might not be able to carry out our expectations. Keeping this in view, our scientists have already started designing a successor for it: JWST ( The James Webb Space Telescope ), which is at least 10 times more powerful in reflecting light coming from the distant stars. Some of the light falling on JWST's mirror may have traveled billions of uninterrupted light years before and carried along with them some significant reports of the remote past, including some interesting hints about the origins of the gallaxies. JWST may be launched by 2011, which will usher in a new era in our understanding of the enchanting universe.

Forbes 2010 List of Billionaires

In the Forbes list of world's richest in 2010, Carlos Slim Helu, the Mexican telecom magnate adorns the top-most position pushing Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to second and third positions respectively. Slim's wealth is estimated at $53.5 billions whereas the two Americans together are credited with $100 billion. In the fourth and fifth positions are two Indians: Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal. Though the largest number of billionaires are still in the US, this has been the first time since 1994 a non-American leads the list. Financial downturn has certainly shaken up major economies and business men have suffered heavy losses. The US  has still got 40% of 1011 of the world's richest in it but there is a marked increase in the number of billionaires in BRIC countries. And, it is encouraging to note that the current global trends are more beneficial to emerging economies.

Arab Booker Prize Winner

The latest news sparkled with the annnouncement of the Winner of 'Arab Booker Prize' for literature 2010. There is no suspense. Abdo Khal, a brilliant Saudi author, is the panel's unanimous and expert choice for "the most prestigious and important literary prize in the Arab world". He writes from a personal perspective but makes ample use of the deep and centuries-old Arab experience.

A novel is a product of imagination, but it presents certain human issues in clear focus. Since there is no  predicament worse than the starvation of imagination, people's hunger for fiction and recreation must be accounted for and fed. No minds survive in a vacuum, and chances of undeprived creativity are an eternal and natural source of sweetness and light. All happiness, angelic and blissful, depends on the celebration of it.

As a matter of fact, a fictional account grants this freedom to indulge in extravagant dreams of fulfillment of desires and expectations. This silent excercise in freedom of choice resulting in expressive protrayal of life around secures the release of pent-up feelings and engenders cultural refreshment. It not only helps evolve popular understanding and perception but also gradually cements loyalty to leadership.


In a way, the prize-winning author asserts this faith in the deep and interactive relationship between the state and the individual in his novel, 'Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles'. He feels awkward and gets repelled by futile "double-standards". The novel is set in Jeddah, where Tarek, his young hero, comes to work leaving his poor village background behind. He has had his greedy ambitions of becoming glamorously rich, and so finds employment in a palace of the affluent.

The title of the novel is a Quranic reference to hell. The writer employes dark satire and symbolism, and depicts the dangerous influence of power and wealth that leads to repression, cruelty and agony in the society.  Dreams of wealth are not real but seductive; it weakens the moral fibre and imperils spiritual life. Both, the owner of the palace and his servant, are equally enmeshed in arrogance and ugliness.

It's a "terrifying" novel, Taleb Alrefai, a Kuwaiti writer and the chair of the judges' panel, declared. Being the first from the Gulf to be honored with the Prize, Khal, who was born in Al Majanah in 1962 in Jazan, said it was a quite unexpected win. However, it is true that he was selected from the five short-listed to bag a prize worth 60,000 USD without any lobby to back him. The total entries for this contest were 113 novels from 17 countries.

IPAF ( International Prize for Arabic Fiction ) was instituted in 2007 as a joint venture between the Emirates Foundation, Abu Dhabi and the Booker Prize Foundation, London. The goal was to encourage, promote and sustain the growth of Arabic Literature, and ensure its popularity globally. The winners of the prize were internationally recognized and their works translated into many languages.

Any lengthy fictional narration has its impact on the society and ultimately it paves way for the betterment of the people and their living environment. The prize is an acclamation of the Arab ethnicity and unity, an avowal of its unique cultural heritage, and an assurance of intellectual growth and distinction. It is highly noteworthy that the prominent Arab presence is globally being sanctified as congenial to the development of harmonious cultural ties. Literature from the indigenous culture creates and projects a perfect Arab image to the international community.


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Tragic Residue: Chile Hit by Quake

Chile became another face of tragedy in the world after Haiti. Bridges collapsed, communication links broken, and the very infrastructure was shaken in an instant stroke of ill-fortune. It was totally devastating! Nonetheless, the normal life of a prospering nation was thrown into utter chaos.
 
The magnitude of earthquake, struck about 200 miles south-west of Santiago, was the highest in records - 8.8 in ritcher scale. The city of Concepcion and other affected areas were termed the home of catastrophe. In the quake debris, one finds the ominous picture of the ruin and helplessness. Tens of thousands became homeless overnight; many were shocked, knocked out of breath but managed to survive under the shadow of the fear of death. They had just seen the worst but who could predict that it would not happen again? The panic was created and it burdened them unendurably.

One man witnessed a child, badly bruised, half-buried under the debris, and left with a faint impulse, had been released; and another saw the miserable face of a woman, who was trapped under a few blocks of rabble, but she furiously grappled with her destiny and was later rescued by some aid-workers. And there were many such bone-chilling stories of miraculous escapes that seemed like walking out of the jaws of death. The human casualty and the scene of suffering were the ones that couldn't be forgotten in years to come.

Some say that the enormity of damages could have been unthinkable if the buildings were not constructed in accordance with the type of structural designs, they had mastered and employed. The engineering skill and architecture style used in building houses helped cushion the severity of calamity. In fact, this unique style saved many lives and contained the spread of destruction. Though the death toll rose to over 400, it is much lower compared to Haiti's 200,000 dead, where buildings were poorly planned.

My heart and soul go with the people of Chile who have kept their spirit of hope undiminished in days of deep distress. May God bless you!

Salt Trade at Timbuktu

Timbuktu's ancient tradition of salt-loaded trans-Saharan caravan is a visual delight on a picturesque canvas but it's bitter struggle that tests the endurance of both the camel and camel-rider. Especially in changing climatic conditions, it's a perilous journey. Rains have receded, and severe drought has set in, making life harder. In the world's hottest weather, sandstorms threaten to bury the ancient place which was once famous as a center of learning and Islamic teachings.

In the West African country of Mali, Timbuktu is situated about 15 km north of the River Niger. With a long history as a trading outpost, Timbuktu, is now a World Heritage Site, seeking protection against threats of neglect. The trade route had shifted, and so the old fame had dwindled in last few centuries. However, its name, as fascinating and mysterious as ever, remains a part of the mythical imagination of the people worldwide.

Technology has had its impact on life in the Saharan deserts as well. Salt trade can be promoted with trucks that carry heavy loads and transport them faster. But this is all against their age-old tradition. The trade between Timbuktu and Taoudenni has been done through centuries on caravans. Any young member of the local Tuareg tribe who doesn't undergo this rite of passage wouldn't still be recognized. But modernity has its sway as well, and the struggle for survival makes slight changes necessary.

So the ancient, dried up salt lake has been sliced for salt blocks. And the trade is flourishing, but frequently thirsty camels are replaced with the fast-moving, oil-drinking trucks.

A Passage to India

India is now economically stable and growing. It might one day supersede China as well, no doubt. India has a successful democracy with its basic emphasis on the right to freedom of thought and expression, which in China is literally impossible to conceive. India dons an ancient fabric which is woven of threads of diverse hues and shines brilliant by its picturesque designs. There is beauty and art in this multicultural whole.

It is this prestigious, composite and organic whole that people around the world call 'the fabulous India'. And to us, its citizens, it is our kindlier mother. Indians are proud of Mother India, who gives all, protects all, maintains all, and cares for lives and blesses progress. With this good faith, we march into the future. With this goal in view, we have pledged our lives in committed service to her.

India is the land of myths, religions and spiritual exuberance. Philosophy is ingrained in its psyche. To illustrate further I would introduce the metaphor of ocean, and depict this unfathomable stretch of legendary wisdom as 'the Indian Ocean', to which all streams of  knowledge flow, plunge into its depths and gain acceptance and currency.

India encourages innovation and welcomes multiple views on any particular issue, and she doesn't doggedly promote anything as 'absolute'. It provides opportunities for argument and discussion, and places much emphasis on creativity rather than precedence. Significantly, India remains a preferred destination for different levels of thought.  Ideas migrate to India when they are silenced, smothered or suppressed with strict opposition and censorship in other parts of the world. India is the ultimate home of  boundless inquiry. She is a renowned host as she is liberal, open and tolerant.

There are cynics who wish to challenge this well-formed harmony. And  there are also self-styled maniacs who continually look for a chance to spoil the elegant community mosaic. But they can't carry out their vicious agenda.  In fact, India is vigilant enough to thwart any such subversive plan and wisely prevent violence and confrontation. Non-violence is a great guiding principle.

The Indian diaspora plays a helpful role as well in averting disaster of this sort. And, they as a tight cluster of progressive-minded individuals form a protective layer which filters out any probable harm or risk to the cherished land of their origins. Even the body of prominent international opinion does not lend any support to such crazy conspiracy.  Triumphantly, "the idea of India" liquidates all threats of demolition.

My profound feelings are for India that prays for global welfare, honor its neighbors and campaigns for justice and peace in the world. India stands of human dignity, and this is the great image of India, we uphold.

UFO Sightings

For decades many reports of UFO sightings have been recorded and later archived. This phenomenon will go on as long as people are hyper-imaginative. Why not? it is possible that Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO's) exist, and nobody has ever been able to prove that they are just impossible. Scientists do not completely deny it; rather they are more curious to collect the latest case reports and subject them to crucial research. In short, there is a lot of speculation in the air. 

However, reports based on personal experience can't be scientifically tested, and experts argue for and against, with little or no progress towards a reasonable conclusion. And, interestingly, the real materials have now been hidden under the chaotic mass of a lot of made-up stories and delusive accounts, and separating them for scientific analysis is next to impossible.

On the other hand, science fiction writers are flourishing in their trade with all their fantastic and terrific descriptions of extra-terrestrial objects and beings. Aliens visit the earth in their sophisticated space-craft. They possess superb intelligence and assume greater powers than us. They frequently come to study about life on earth, or they have set their eyes on our wealth. Maybe, they plan to conquer us. You can't rule out that since some of them look terrible in appearance and form. They would use force and attack us, and if we do not yield, they will destroy our race and planet. This is what they write and extrapolate. Human fantasy has no limit.

The sightings of UFO's can't be summarily dismissed as mere fiction or pigments of fancy. Intuition works and guide our thirst for knowledge. We will develop advanced tools for our search. We need just to wait until we get further revelation and clear evidence to establish our hypothesis.