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• The legendary Hero Car from Martin Scorsese's modern masterpiece, The Wolf of Wall Street, complete with authenticity documentation
• A rare US-spec 25th Anniversary model finished in Bianco Polo over Bianco interior
• Preserved in as-filmed condition & a time capsule of the era's extravagant debauchery
• Includes a Jordan Belfort costume, a director's chair and a clapboard, both signed by Scorsese, DiCaprio, and Robbie, 2 crew hoodies, and 2 DVDs of the film
• The ultimate collector's Item, and a legendary piece of cinematic history
Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts, because we're about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through the glitzy and uproarious world of Hollywood's most outrageous superstar on four wheels! Feast your eyes on the Lamborghini Countach Hero Car, the unrivaled automotive icon that left its tire marks on the silver screen in Martin Scorsese's epic masterpiece, The Wolf of Wall Street, starring alongside none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Wolf of Wall Street is a darkly comedic and satirical film directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, and Matthew McConaughey. It chronicles the true story of Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio, a charismatic stockbroker who climbs to wealth and power through unethical and fraudulent activities on Wall Street during the 1980s and 90s. The film exposes Belfort's extravagant lifestyle, financial schemes, and his eventual downfall.
This blockbuster hit earned a staggering $406.9 million at the box office, cementing its place as Scorsese's highest-grossing film and its legacy as one of the most iconic films of this age. Celebrated for its critical praise, The Wolf of Wall Street garnered five Academy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations, resulting in DiCaprio's Best Actor win. It also set a Guinness World Record for the most instances of swearing in a film. So, buckle up, because the Lamborghini Hero Car from the film is about to make history once again and become part of one lucky buyer's collection.
Now, let's turn the spotlight on the true star of the show – the 1989 Lamborghini Countach, VIN ZA9CAOSA6KLA12692. Finished in sleek Bianco Polo over Bianco and complete with eyepopping scissor doors, the Hero Car is one of 658 25th Anniversary Editions produced. This unparalleled automotive icon isn't your run-of-the-mill Lamborghini; it's the very vehicle that had you contemplating quitting your day job for a Wall Street escapade!
The Hero Car steals the spotlight starring alongside none other than Leonardo DiCaprio in some of cinema's most unforgettable scenes. This bad boy commands the screen for an astonishing 3 minutes and 11 seconds of nonstop thrills throughout the film. And let us assure you, those minutes are pure cinema gold.
In the film's most memorable moments, DiCaprio's character, Jordan Belfort, desperately crawls to the Hero Car after taking Lemmons 714, the holy grail of Quaaludes. Using his foot, Belfort successfully opens one of the Hero Car's scissor doors and struggles to pull himself inside. Halfway in, he gets a call from his wife Naomi, played by Robbie, and has a comically slurred conversation with her. Ultimately, he gets himself fully inside the Hero Car and drives home, ostensibly without incident.
The Hero Car also starred in the subsequent scenes, where Belfort's actual drive home is revealed in flashback. During the drive, he collides with several vehicles and objects, all while remaining blissfully oblivious to the chaos around him. The Hero Car was used in the actual stunt sequences, which included swerving with its scissor door open, collisions with other vehicles, and hitting various objects such as a sign and a mailbox. Miraculously, the Hero Car emerged from these stunts with minimal damage. So, per the direction of Scorsese, the crew used an additional car and a flatbed truck to inflict additional damage to the Hero Car for a more wrecked appearance. The iconic sequence reaches its climax with Belfort's arrest outside his home, leaving behind the unforgettable image of the wrecked Hero Car in the audience's memory.
Since its final scene wrapped, the Hero Car has been meticulously preserved in the same condition it last flaunted on the big screen, an undisturbed time capsule of the film's unbridled debauchery and infamous extravagance. For the first time since its cinematic debut, the Hero Car emerges from its sanctuary.
But what about the other Lamborghini, the Backup Car, you ask? Well, it's easy to overlook. Blink, and you might miss it. The production rented a second Lamborghini to serve merely as a Backup Car. This Backup Lamborghini, chassis number ZA9CA05A0KLA12722, only appears on screen for approximately 16 seconds in two brief shots. The first shot was executed by the production's second unit crew and the Backup Car was driven by a stunt double. The second is the only shot in the entire film where DiCaprio interacts with the Backup Car, which is only partially visible, and DiCaprio's character is briefly seen exiting it.
At the time of its use in the film, the Backup Car was notably different from the Hero Car. Among the many differences, the Backup Car lacked a rear wing, had a black-and-white steering wheel, and had a completely different "European Market" front bumper. In the 2 brief shots where the Backup Car was used, the Hero Car's rear wing had to be temporarily transferred to it, so that it mirrored the Hero Car's iconic look. Afterward, the rear wing was reattached to the Hero Car. As for the Backup Car's black-and-white steering wheel and completely different front bumper, they both remain on screen, which disrupts continuity and highlights the Backup Car's minimal use in the film.
The facts provided are supported by the film itself, still photographs, behind-the-scenes footage, and accompanying letters of authenticity from key members of the filmmaking team. One such letter states, "the Lamborghini Countach with VIN ZA9CA05A6KLA12692 is the one and only Hero Car used in The Wolf of Wall Street."
In addition to this cinematic gem, one lucky buyer will become the proud owner of one of only four of the film's most iconic costumes - complete with shoes. This costume features in the unforgettable scene, in which DiCaprio's character, high on Quaaludes, desperately crawls to the Hero Car and recklessly drives home. The A-List package also includes a director's chair and a clapboard, both signed by the illustrious trio: Scorsese, DiCaprio, and Robbie, not just one, but two original crew hoodies, and two DVDs of the film.
More than just an automobile, the Hero Car from The Wolf of Wall Street stands as a true Hollywood legend and internationally known work of art. Now making its impeccably preserved grand re-entrance for all to admire.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to own this unforgettable piece of cinematic history!
Please note that this vehicle is under customs in the UAE. Our customs partner, The Stables, will manage all post-sale customs administration. If this vehicle is to stay in the UAE, it will be subject to Import VAT at the standard rate of 5% and Import Duty at 5%+VAT on the hammer price. An administration fee of 750 USD + VAT + Transport charges for Customs Inspection (If applicable) + Customs charges at cost with official receipt to process all customs movements will apply. If you have any questions regarding customs, please contact Bonhams|Cars or The Stables.Purple Paddle Lot: Please note there is restricted bidding on this lot which requires enhanced bid verification checks. Please contact us at [email protected] or call +44 20 7447 7447 as soon as possible if you are planning to bid on this lot to prevent any last-minute delays


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It’s not every 11-year-old boy with a dad who dons drag and lip syncs “Besame Mucho” in dive bars, but that’s the conceit of Hunky Dory, an uneven first feature by Michael Curtis Johnson that works best when it focuses its energies on the tender bond between the twosome.
Taking the David Bowie song as his drag name, narcissistic, bisexual Sidney (the film’s co-writer, Tomas Pais) is stuck in a glam rock-informed state of arrested development, still harboring aspirations of becoming a successful musician.
RELEASE DATE Nov 30, 1999
But his hedonistic Silverlake, Calif., lifestyle is somewhat cramped when his sweet son, Georgie (Edouard Holdener) is dumped at his doorstep by his paranoid-schizophrenic ex, forcing him to enlist the babysitting services of a jaundiced hooker (Nora Rothman) in order to perform a low-tipping gig.
At the heart of Hunky Dory (which also shares its title with a 2011 glam rock-themed Minnie Driver film), there’s a certifiably oddball but legitimate take on the modern dysfunctional family.
But rather than trust that core relationship to drive their story, Johnson and Pais are so preoccupied with making cash-starved Sidney such a hot mess — at one point he steals his cancer-afflicted friend’s pills and sells them to a drug dealer — that by the time the moment of redemption ultimately presents itself, all the prolonged, self-absorbed navel-gazing makes it difficult to care.
Still, despite the cliched supporting characters and dialogue, there are some good, honest performances, especially from Pais and young Holdener, who make a credible, if unorthodox, father-son unit — even if in the real world, child protective services would likely be nipping at Sidney’s high heels.
Venue: Slamdance Film Festival
Production company: Homme Fatale Films
Cast: Tomas Pais, Edouard Holdener, Nora Rothman
Director: Michael Curtis Johnson
Screenwriters: Michael Curtis Johnson, Tomas Pais
Producers: Bernie Stern, Michael Curtis Johnson, Tomas Pais
Executive producers: David Baumann, Kathleen Olejnik
Director of photography: Magela Crosignani
Production designer: Gary Barbosa
Costume designer: Kaitlin Weichsel
Editor: Max Goldblatt
Not rated, 88 minutes
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LANSING, Mich. – State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D–Detroit) today issued the following statement on Senate Bill 45, which would require that all state departments and agencies provide equal access to government services for English language learners, including Michigan residents with limited English proficiency.
“We live in a wonderfully diverse state — one that includes a large, and growing, immigrant population. A critical part of truly being a welcoming state is that we help make our government more accessible to every Michigander. Language should not be a barrier and every single resident, regardless of ability to read or understand English, can obtain the government services they need and deserve for their family.”
In 2013, Michigan’s state courts were ordered to implement language access plans. SB 45 will ensure that all state departments and agencies make a reasonable effort to accommodate non-English speakers, English language learners and limited English-proficient residents of Michigan. Departmental language access plans could include oral language services and translating vital documents into languages spoken by Limited English Proficient populations that constitute at least 3 percent of the population in that geographic area, or 1,000 or more people served by that local office.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year dataset for 2009-2013, 843,256 Michiganders aged five years and older, or 9.1 percent of the population, speak another language besides English at home.
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domain: news


Randolph-Macon College celebrated Commencement on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the R-MC Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza. 255 graduates were awarded degrees.
Following tradition, the graduates marched across the “Red Brick Road,” located on the college's historic campus along the Janet Harvey Trivette Alumni Walkway. The name of each graduate was imprinted on a brick and the walkway will eventually contain the names of every graduate dating back to the early 1900s.
Award-winning journalist and TV personality Katie Couric received the Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters and delivered the Commencement address. She told graduates, "Finding a higher purpose is so important. And you’ve honed the qualities required to do this right here at Randolph Macon: a generous spirit and an open heart." She also asked students to submit questions through social media, which she randomly selected and answered during her speech. Students asked about the challenges they will face after college, whether their generation will rise to the challenges that lie ahead and if it's normal to be nervous about leaving college. She answered the questions by sharing stories from her life and added, "Don’t let anyone define who you are. Each one of you is unique and you’re the only one who can define who you are or what you’ll become." Couric ended by telling the Class of 2013, "Put down that iPhone so you won’t miss it. Live. Really live. And do everything you can to become our next great generation."
Couric is host of Katie, a syndicated daytime talk show, and a special correspondent for ABC News contributing stories for ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials. In 2006, she became the first solo female anchor of a national nightly news broadcast when she signed on as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
After losing her husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer in 1998, Couric became a public leader in the fight against the country's second largest cancer killer. Her advocacy has led to the creation of the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, which she co-founded with the Entertainment Industry Foundation and cancer activist Lilly Tartikoff. She is also a co-founder of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. In addition, she has helped raise nearly $200 million as a co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, an organization that provides funds to accelerate research that can deliver new therapies to patients quickly.
An Arlington, Virginia native, Couric graduated, with honors, from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in English and a focus on American Studies. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives (Random House, 2011) and the co-author of two children's books.
Randolph-Macon President Robert R. Lindgren also conferred honorary degrees to two other distinguished leaders in addition to Couric:
This year's senior speaker, Alyssa Warren, urged her classmates to be fearless and embrace the future. She added, "If past experience can give us any indication of what is to come—expect an exciting, wonderful, gratifying new beginning!"
Warren graduated with bachelor's degrees in Biology and Religious Studies. She is the daughter of Randolph-Macon Trustee Dr. Jan Carter '78 and Dr. Col. Harry Warren.
After graduation, Alyssa will attend Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) under a new guaranteed admissions agreement between Randolph-Macon College and EVMS.
In addition, co-chairs of the 2013 Senior Class Gift, Jessie Holt and Nick Lapres, announced that the class of 2013 spearheaded a student-driven fundraising campaign with a record-breaking participation rate of over 96%. They raised $6,074.00.
The Boydton Society held its annual reunion and celebrated the 50th reunion for the Class of 1963, the 55th reunion for the Class of 1958, and the 60th reunion for the Class of 1953. Members of The Boydton Society enjoyed breakfast with Lindgren while he updated them on the status of R-MC's Master Plan and Strategic Plan. They also visited the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, toured R-MC's campus, and attended presentations by professors. They ended the weekend with a celebration dinner and dance in the Brock Sports and Recreation Center.
Brock Commons, a new student center, opened its doors to the public for the first time following Commencement. Tours of the new facility were given throughout the afternoon. Brock Commons includes a movie theater, an expanded campus bookstore, dining services with an open café, a balcony, a portico with tables, a student mailroom, and multi-purpose rooms and spaces.
The new student center will officially open in summer 2013.
History Professor Emeritus James E. Scanlon signed copies of his new book, Randolph-Macon College: Traditions and New Directions, 1967-2005 (Randolph-Macon College, 2013). Those eager to find out more about R-MC's history stood in line inside the new Brock Commons student center to purchase copies of the book and chat with Scanlon. The book is available in the R-MC bookstore.
For more information contact Anne Marie Lauranzon at (804) 752-7317, email@example.com.


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Make way for the banger of 2021!
BLACKPINK’s Lisa unveiled an electrifying teaser for her upcoming music video “LALISA” on Monday evening, September 7.
Posted on BLACKPINK’s official YouTube channel, the 14-second clip features the K-pop idol all glammed up and the catchy lyrics “Say Lalisa, Lalisa, love me” hyping in the background.
“LALISA” is the title track for the upcoming solo debut of the 24-year-old singer-rapper with the same name. The album will also have a B side track titled “Money.”
The single album is set to drop on Friday, September 10 at 1 PM (KST).
Lisa is the third BLACKPINK member to venture as a solo artist. Jennie, the first member to have a solo debut, released “Solo” in 2018, while Rosé dropped her solo album “- R -” last March. The latter released two songs, “Gone” and “On the Ground.” Meanwhile, the eldest member, Jisoo, will also have her solo debut next to Lisa. Currently, she is working on a drama series, “Snowdrop,” set to air soon.
Watch “LALISA” teaser below.

domain: entertainment


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CHENNAI: Tattoos in India represent a changing trend towards self-expression according to Sanjukta Basu, a New Dehli-based photographer and writer, who is travelling across Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore for a feminist photo series focused on tattooed women that aims to capture women from all walks of life, sharing stories on their skin.
“In India, women have never really been allowed to express themselves,” Sanjukta says. “Whether it was authors who wrote novels or painters who created art, it was always the case of men representing women. Women would not represent themselves because there were no other female artists in the history of creating.” This type of ghost writing, also common in the west, allowed women to share their art without ostracization. However, things are changing as many women are representing themselves in more than just self-attribution.
The subjects of Sanjukta’s photo series are strong women, but more specifically, they are tattooed. “I want to sort of highlight their identity and how it is presented through their tattoo,” she explains. “Such as the significance of the tattoo, and the level of confidence a woman will have. A tattoo is a strong impression of her identity.”
She explains that though it has been an old tradition for Indian women to have small tattoos, those have nothing to do with self-expression. “But a woman choosing to get a tattoo as an identity is definitely something that is not encouraged,” .
As someone who travels frequently, Sanjukta’s own tattoos and piercings do not go unnoticed, but the attention is mostly positive. “People often ask me what it means. Sometimes it even becomes a conversation starter,” she says. She added that tattoos have become slightly more accepted in recent years due to the younger generation embracing them along with the growing exposure to western culture. Since she began her journey, she has met three to four women in Kolkata for the photo series , and five to six women have reached out from Chennai.
In all of her photos, Sanjukta tries to capture women in non-stereotypical ways. “I try to fill the gender gap in photography,” she avers. “Usually a photographer might ogle a woman and try to capture their exotic beauty or maybe her vulnerabilities, but I want to capture them in ways they haven’t been photographed before.”
As part of a separate project where she travels alone across India, she has photographed many women who would otherwise go unnoticed. “I am doing an ongoing series going to rural areas and try to capture portraits of women who have a lot of wisdom in their eyes. Their bright eyes show they are empowered.”
The photo documentary series, called ‘Project Solo Woman Budget Travel’, aims to challenge the perception of the dangers women face while travelling alone in India.
Sanjukta is in Chennai till July 23. Those interested in posing can visit her FB page, Sanjukta Basu Photography

domain: sociology


By Sami Zaptia.
London, 18 July 2019:
The United Nations Security Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said today that it is gravely concerned by and closely following up on media reports about the disappearance of House of Representatives (HoR) member Ms. Siham Sergewa.
They were also concerned about the injury of her husband.
Sergewa was reportedly taken by force last night from her residence in Benghazi having returned from the (predominantly pro Khalifa Hafter) HoR meeting in Cairo.
Its unclear why exactly she and her husband have been attacked, but its reported that Sergewa is a critic of Hafter’s war on Tripoli and was kidnapped for this reason.
UNSMIL has called on relevant authorities to investigate the attack on Sergewa’s residence, her enforced disappearance, and to disclose her whereabouts.
It also called for the immediate release of her and her husband.
Enforced disappearance, unlawful arrest and abduction based on political views or affiliations constitute a serious blow to the rule of law and blatant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, UNSMIL said.
UNSMIL also stressed that silencing the voices of women in decision-making positions will not be tolerated and reiterated its strong commitment to support the crucial role Libyan women play in peacemaking and peacebuilding and their full participation and involvement in the political life and decision-making.


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If You are looking for Best Online & Offline Football Games For Android, Then You are in the Right place. Here I Give you the Best Football Games You can Play Without Wifi & Internet.
Best Football Games For Android
Nowadays Most of the Android games require you to have an internet connection for play. If you want to play offline and Online Football games on your Android/Tablet then you don’t have to look any further because today, we Provide you the Best Football games for Android. If you want to download the best soccer game for Android, follow along below to see the top games on the Google Play Store.
1. Pes 2018 Pro Evolution Soccer
It’s no surprise that this game made it to the First list. This game has been massively trending in the world and is extremely addictive. For those who aren’t aware, The Konami developers have made it easier for mobile players to Shoot and manage Controls. Pes 2018, has Downloads 100 million worldwide since its launch, and The Game Requires an active internet Connection To Run Game. In This Game, your knowledge of real-world soccer is an invaluable asset, as players’ individual skill levels, s, and movement idiosyncrasies are rendered in-game with meticulous attention to detail.
2. FIFA Soccer
FIFA Soccer is one of my best Game With Many Players, Clubs, Teams Under 100 MB. Take on thrilling matches that drop you into your offensive possessions with VS Attack mode., and earn rewards, and Train Your players to the superstar, attack opponents, and keep coming back for daily content all season long.
3. Dream League Soccer
If You are Looking Best Offline Football Game For Android With Great Graphic, pass, shoot, and cross, Goal Celebration, Then Dream League Soccer Would Be Best Option For You. It is one of the best soccer games you’ll find on Google Play, and the best part is that it’s completely free.
4. Score Hero
Score Hero is one of The Best Offline Game on The Playstore and in This Game, you may be several goals behind and have to try to catch up, while in others, you have to try to score the winning goal in the last minute of the game. You can only control one player.
5. Score Match
Score! Match Developed By First Touch Games in 2017and it’s new version of the ‘Score! Hero’. In This Game, you get the chance to play against other players online. The first to get two goals wins the match! Score! The match is very simple to play: the players move automatically, so all you need to do is kick the ball. Draw a trajectory for the soccer ball to kick it. With these simple controls, you can pass to other players, kick the ball to the center of the field, make special shots, low passes, deep passes and more!
6. Football Strike – Multiplayer Soccer
You’ve never played a football game like this before. Take on your friends in game free-kick and face-offs, or make a name for yourself in the Career Mode! Challenge the world across different online game modes!
7. Head Ball 2
Head Ball 2 is an Online Football Game and In This Game, You Can Play football against millions of players, be the champion and stay as a legend.
8. World Soccer League
World Football League is a 3D soccer game where you play all the players on a team, passing the ball, dribbling, center to the area, and shooting. Basically, it’s a lot like the classic Pro Evolution Soccer or FIFA for PC and game consoles.
In fact, the World Football League’s menus and lineups are really similar to the ones in the PES saga. Just like in those video games, you won’t find the names of real players, but instead, very similar versions of their names.
9. Soccer Star 2018 Top Leagues
Soccer Star 2017 Top Leagues is one of the popular games on the Android platform, produced by Genera Games Studios, which I think you should definitely try if you like football and career development games. Your goal is to control your opponent in the team with the player you are fighting to give the best fight and throwing goals.
Soccer Star 2017 is a soccer game where you control one player and have to get him as high up as he can go. Basically, your objective is to help a young player starting out on a small minor league team and help him make it all the way to the World Cup.
10. Soccer Stars
With simple gameplay and great physics, Soccer Stars is easy to pick up and fun to play! In true competitive style, challenge your opponents all over the world for online table soccer matches! Compete in different tiers, from different countries! Play online against people from all over the world or against your friends and you can also play offline against a friend in the same device!
If we missed any great Football games for Android, tell us about them in the comments!


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13 Nov fruits to avoid in pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy and safe delivery is every mother’s goal. . Well, this is a quite debatable topic among many scientists. There’s nothing sweet about the bitter melon in pregnancy. Trust your instincts and ask your doctor to provide medical advice. It has many health benefits as well. The story of star apple is quite similar to custard apple. Most of the foods to avoid shouldn’t be consumed later in your pregnancy either. Bananas have a high sugar content that may cause (if you’re already predisposed) or worsen gestational diabetes. This makes them interesting and easier to consume. But it has some side effects. In the second trimester, you begin to show as the baby is growing in length and weight. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. “Mom Blog Life” is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.ca and it’s sister companies”. If morning sickness is declaring fruits persona non grata in your mouth, make fresh fruit juice and smoothies (my fav!). Yet, watermelon is also know for it’s ability to flush toxins- something you don’t want to expose your baby to in utero (this is why a detox is never recommended during pregnancy). So, take a deep breath mama! But, some scientists also claim that the vitamins A and C present in grapes are beneficial. Consult a medical practitioner for health problems. Eating pineapple may not give you good results during pregnancy. Overeating of jackfruit can cause abnormal stool conditions and upset stomach due to the high fibre content of the fruit. Watermelon may be a great way to stay hydrated if you’re struggling with drinking water. Who knew? It contains some very essential nutrients which can be very beneficial in controlling constipation and heartburn in the initial days of pregnancy. Mango is undoubtedly the favorite of many people. Moreover, eating the peel of star apple can cause constipation due to the presence of acrid substances in the peel. A grapes lover? But if you’re pregnant, you may need to get that healthy sugar high from somewhere else. The first trimester is the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, choose apples that are sweet. This is why they work well during pregnancy. Papayas. Moreover, it can lead to disordered growth of foetus. Papaya Avoid During Pregnancy: Papayas particularly the unripe plus semi-ripe diversity are rich in … However, when it comes to peaches, moderation is key. Pregnancy is a delicate time and anything that can potentially put the baby at risk should be avoided. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Most women I talk to aren’t willing to risk it! Lastly, watermelon is high in sugar, which may be a concern for some women if they are at risk for gestational diabetes. If you want to eat canned fruits, make sure the cans are BPA free and consider rinsing them first. However, it contains high levels of vitamin C which may suppress the making of progesterone. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Try substituting these suspect fruits with safer alternatives to get your daily recommended fruits intake. That’s why I’ve complied this list of fruits to avoid during pregnancy. So, do not hesitate in taking precautions. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It’s recommended that you eat at least 3 helpings of fruits per day to fill your body with the nutrients it needs. So, it’s better to consult your doctor before you make a decision whether to munch on this yummy fruit or not. Related article: First Trimester to Do List. Apparently, a high intake of peaches may cause the body to overheat leading to internal bleeding and miscarriage. Well, this may be surprising to you as plum has many benefits intact for pregnant women. Fruits to avoid in early pregnancy .
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domain: medical


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Mizzou basketball will face NIT champion Stanford in the first game of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas on Nov. 22-24. The game is scheduled to tipoff at noon Central, the first of four games at the Atlantis resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas.
The Tigers would then face either Louisville or Northern Iowa in the second round, depending on the result. Stanford was 26-11 last season.
The other half of the bracket has Duke playing Minnesota and Memphis playing Virginia Commonwealth.
The Mizzou-Stanford game will be televised on AXS TV, which used to be known as HDNet. NBC Sports Network will also televise some games from the tournament.

domain: game


The mechanical spindle refers to the axis on the machine tool that drives the workpiece or tool to rotate. Spindle components are usually composed of the main shaft, bearings and transmission parts (gears or pulleys). The motion accuracy and structural rigidity of the spindle components are important factors that determine the machining quality and cutting efficiency. The main parameters for measuring the performance of the main shaft component are the rotation accuracy, stiffness and speed adaptability. Rotation accuracy: The radial and axial runout (see shape and position tolerance) that appear in the direction that affects the machining accuracy when the spindle rotates is mainly determined by the manufacturing and assembly quality of the spindle and bearings.


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|The Robinson Library >> New York City|
the predecessor of New York City
In 1609, Henry Hudson reached what is now known as Manhattan Island and then sailed up the river that now bears his name. Although he was an Englishman, Hudson was employed by the Dutch, so The Netherlands claimed all the territory he explored, including Manhattan. Expeditions by Adriaen Block and Hendrick Christiansz between 1611 and 1614 resulted in the surveying and charting of the region from the 38th to the 45th parallel, which was subsequently named New Netherland. In 1613, Adriaen Block and his crew became the first Europeans to live on Manhattan Island. They built several huts and spent the winter near the southern tip of the island after their ship was destroyed by fire. They built a new ship and left the island in the spring of 1614.
In 1620 the Pilgrims sailed to America with a land grant from the Dutch government allowing them to settle at the mouth of the Hudson River. The Mayflower reached Cape Cod (now part of Massachusetts) on November 9, 1620, but a shortage of supplies prevented it from proceeding to the Hudson River and the colonists ended up settling at Plymouth.
In 1624, the Dutch West India Company, a private trading firm, sent a shipload of settlers to take possession of New Netherland and to operate various trading posts. The settlers were spread out to Verhulsten (Burlington) Island in the Hudson River, to Kievitshoek (now Old Saybrook, Connecticut) at the mouth of the Verse (Connecticut) River, and to the area around what is now Albany, New York. The threat of attack from other European colonial powers prompted the directors of the Dutch West India Company to plan a fort at the entrance to the Hudson River, and in 1625 several settlers were moved to Manhattan Island. By 1626, the settlers had laid out a town and built Fort Amsterdam at the southern tip of the island. That same year, Peter Minuit, governor of the settlement, bought the island from the natives. The entire settlement was soon renamed New Amsterdam, and the fort became the base for all Dutch fur trade operations in the Hudson River Valley. The colony prospered slowly at first because the governors sent by the Dutch were poor administrators. But, in 1647, Peter Stuyvesant became governor, and under his administration the town began to prosper rapidly.
About 1,000 persons lived in New Amsterdam during the 1650's. In 1653, they built a defensive wall along the northern edge of town, but the wall fell down within a few years. The colonists later laid out a road in its place, and that road is still called Wall Street today.
The Netherlands and England fought three naval wars between 1652 and 1674. In 1664, English warships sailed into New York Harbor and forced Peter Stuyvesant to surrender New Amsterdam. The Dutch regained the colony a few years later, but then gave it to England under the terms of a peace treaty. The English renamed the colony New York.
The site of Fort Amsterdam is now occupied by the old U.S. Custom House building, which currently houses the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of the American Indian.
|The Robinson Library
>> New York City
This page was last updated on August 07, 2018.

domain: geography


text:
The new AAA study says when you use "hands free technology," even though your hands are on the wheel and your eyes on the road you are still mentally distracted.
A research team from the University of Utah took a closer look at what happens to our brain function when drivers attempt to do multiple things at one time.The team used a special configured skull cap to follow brain activity of individuals, a detection device to record driver's reaction time to green and red lights, and also cameras to track their eye and head movements.
They found as mental workload and distractions increase, reaction time slows, and brain function is compromised. They said drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues, which could result in drivers not seeing things right in front of them like stop signs and pedestrians.
By 2018, the number of new vehicles that come with "info-tainment systems," that's the voice-activated in-car technologies, will increase five-times. When researchers looked at the different types of distracted driving from listening to the radio to talking on your cell, the most distracted activity was responding to in-vehicle, voice-activated email features.
AAA said because of these features, there is a "looming public safety crisis ahead." The group also said it's time to consider limiting these new and potentially dangerous mental distractions in the car. They also want people to realize that hands-free doesn't means risk-free.


Holloman scientist receives Harold Brown Award
By Tech. Sgt. Richard A. Williams Jr., Air Force Public Affairs Agency
/ Published December 13, 2011
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --
A chief scientist from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., received the 2011 Harold Brown Award on Dec. 12 for his role in significant advances in hypersonic missile research.
Dr. Michael Hooser's work with the Holloman High Speed Test Track's artificial rain environment established benchmarks against which advanced hypersonic radome materials are tested.
Hooser developed hypersonic, magnetic-levitation modeling and simulation capability which laid a foundation for future testing of sensitive missile electronics.
"Today we recognize Mike for his achievements in hypersonic missile research," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said. "His work has been instrumental, particularly in modernizing the dynamic modeling and simulation approach to sled design and test."
Advanced electronics used in missile systems are too sensitive to test in the typical high g-force environment of traditional high-speed rail testing systems, Donley said. Hooser and his team modernized the testing process through advancements in the magnetic levitation theory, which allows the same quality testing in a less strenuous environment. He and his team developed the nation's first rain field model for testing coordination.
The ability to correlate test data between laboratory, outdoor artificial and natural rain environments resulted in an 80 percent reduction in data collection required to qualify future rain field models, thus expediting weapons fielding by reducing the number of sled tests required to qualify a system.
In return, Donley added, the new process reduces expense, ultimately saving the Air Force a substantial amount of money, and significantly advances the Air Force's capabilities in hypersonic missile research.
With 33 years serving the nation as both a scientist and engineer at Holloman AFB, Hooser received bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from New Mexico State University, and has served in various capacities as a scientist, flight chief and now chief scientist at Holloman AFB.
"I am honored beyond belief and this is a big surprise to me", Hooser said. "I am a small piece of a cog in a fantastic wheel at the track, and I work with a wonderful team."
The Harold Brown Award recognizes significant achievement in research and development that led to or demonstrated promise of a substantial improvement in operational effectiveness of the Air Force. The award's namesake was a physicist who served as secretary of the Air Force from 1965 to 1969 and secretary of defense from 1977 to 1981.
"Creativity, innovation and engineering know-how are the qualities that for decades have kept the United States at the forefront in technology," Donley said. "These qualities are recognized in the Harold Brown Award, and Dr. Hooser continues the proud tradition of those who have applied their talent and skills in the interest of national security and kept our nation safe."


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That’s what the Berkeley City Council in California has unanimously approved, ordering medical marijuana dispensaries to donate 2 percent of their stash to patients making less than $32,000 a year.
The new welfare program in the liberal-leaning city is set to launch in August 2015.
The ordinance, which passed in August and is the first of its kind in the country, comes at a time when several states are debating how to handle a growing movement to legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational use.
But Berkeley’s decision to effectively order weed redistribution is prompting a vocal backlash.
Bishop Ron Allen, a former addict and head of the International Faith Based Coalition, told Fox News he doesn’t understand why the California city would want to dump pot on the impoverished.
– Read the entire article FOX News.

domain: economics


text:
Steps to Prevent Frequent Building Collapse in Mumbai
Synopsis: Every Year Mumbai witnesses incidents of building collapse during monsoon. However, the steps taken are not adequate.
In Mumbai, recently an unsafe multi-storeyed building has collapsed in a core area of the city. It resulted in the loss of the lives of at least 11 people.
The disaster is a repetition of incidents like that every year. People are inhabiting unsafe and illegal buildings, and civic authorities are failing to act in time, as usual.
- Mumbai needs a time-bound and accountable system of ensuring the safety of its housing stock.
- The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority identified 21 structures in Mumbai as being extremely dangerous in this year’s monsoon. It advised 700 occupants to move to temporary accommodation, while reconstruction takes place.
- However, the people who live there are reluctant as the alternative housing is far away from their education and work locations. This is a challenge that Maharashtra will have to address.
What should be done?
Coastal Maharashtra is vulnerable to extreme monsoon weather events. Such events are increasing in frequency due to the ongoing warming of the Arabian Sea. It should be treated as a crisis that will only get worse by changes to monsoon rainfall intensity over time. Thus following steps are required: –
- Firstly, scientists of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology have suggested that accurate monsoon forecasting would help governments prepare better to save lives and agriculture.
- Secondly, Mumbai needs to accelerate its repair and restoration program for weak buildings and replace those that cannot be recovered.
- Thirdly, the city urgently needs canals for huge volumes, for water to flow out. A plan to create new urban wetlands where it is possible to store the rainfall is required.
- Fourthly, a revival of Mithi river is needed as it could offer some relief. Its planned clean-up was delayed by the COVID-19 crisis. More such water bodies are required, and it will take a mass housing program to make life safer for the thousands in shacks.
- Fifthly, a far-sighted plan to shift people from filthy buildings to modern ones is important on health grounds as well. This process should begin with the most dangerous structures first.
Source: click here
Lab leak theory of Coronavirus needs credible investigation
Synopsis: The theory that Coronavirus could have been man-made from Wuhan Institute of Virology is increasing. So, adequate studies are necessary regarding the Lab leak theory of Coronavirus.
- When the Covid-19 became a pandemic, China promoted the narrative that the virus had a natural origin, and it got spread from a wet market in Wuhan. This was done to avoid any scrutiny on researches being carried out in the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).
- Soon, the idea of a Lab leak theory of Coronavirus was discredited as a conspiracy theory and most experts embraced the natural spread narrative.
- Even the findings of the WHO on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (coronavirus) dismissed the lab leak as “extremely unlikely”.
- However, recent developments point out the possibility that coronavirus could have originated from a lab leak, either intentionally or unintentionally.
- Recently, the U.S. President made an appeal to the U.S. intelligence community “to collect and analyse information so that, a definitive conclusion regarding the origin of the virus could be made.
- Further, the publication by Nicholas Wade, titled the origin of COVID: Did people or nature open Pandora’s box at Wuhan?” has laid out a strong case for a fuller investigation into this event.
Read Also :-India – China Informal Summit
Arguments in support of lab leak theory of Coronavirus
- First, advancement in biotechnology had made it possible to genetically engineer existing pathogens to make them more lethal and difficult to treat.
- Second, in 2019, the head of corona virus-related research at WIV lab, in an interview, talked about the research carried out involving the creation of novel, life-threatening and pandemic-creating viruses.
- Third, though The WIV operates a Biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) facility, many times the deficient safety standards had been reported by U.S. inspectors but no remedial measures were taken.
- Fourth, China’s reluctance to share data, covering up facts and impeding investigation raises suspicion.
- Fifth, the findings of WHO is also being discarded on the account that the inquiry team had persons with vest interests in the WIV experimentation.
- Sixth, there are instances when Smallpox and other viruses have escaped from secured laboratories before.
Read Also :-NGT Action On Vishakapatnam Gas Leak
To prevent future pandemics or an event of Biowarfare, the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) needs to be strengthened by resolving the following drawbacks. Such as,
- The convention has no systems to verify compliance with its prohibitions. So, the global countries have to come together to build such a system
- The convention lacks enforcement mechanisms to penalize infringement of its provisions. So, the enforcement system has to be strengthened.
Source: The Hindu
Frequent Hospital Fires during COVID Time in India- Cause and Way forward
Synopsis – The hospital system in India has been overwhelmed by the heavy patient load and arrangement for the pandemic. It has increased their vulnerability to fire.
- Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and mismanagement, the hospital system is becoming over stressed, resulting in frequent fire incidents.
- Since last August, more than 93 people have died in 24 hospital fire incidents in India. The majority of them were Covid-19 patients.
Major reason behind frequent hospital fire in India despite fire checks and audits-
- Electrical faults are cited as the leading cause of fires –
- Overheated ICU’s and ACs- In most hospitals, to meet the current COVID-19 situation, medical equipment or wires are in use beyond their capacity. It is overheating the electrical wiring system, causing the fire.
- Short circuit or overloading due to continuous running ACs in hospitals.
- Mismanagement in hospital – Placing more ICU beds in limited space also makes it more vulnerable to fire spread.
- Lack of cross-ventilation – Hospital ICUs (for COVID-19) are at significant fire risk because they remain sealed for the purpose of keeping them sterile.
- Highly inflammable material in Hospitals- sanitizer spills and vapor, higher oxygen content in the air, and PPE kits made of synthetic materials all contribute to the rapid spread of fire.
What to do to reduce fire accidents in hospitals?
- All states need to carry out proper fire and electrical audits of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in order to reduce the frequent cases.
- As the health sector expands to accommodate pandemic arrangements, it is essential that all new facilities and plans meet safety standards such as-
- Cross-ventilation in ICUs – There is a requirement of proper ventilation passage in ICUs to allow fumes an outlet.
- Keeping electrical equipment for ACs away from oxygen-saturated areas will reduce the risk.
- Fire safety drills- Hospitals should mandatorily hold regular fire safety and evacuation drills.
- Hospitals must install sprinklers, which start dispensing water [35 liters per minute] as the temperature increases above 78 °C.
- There must be installation of fire extinguishers in temporary hospitals. A fire truck must also get stationed outside hospitals in the event of a major disaster.
Source- The Indian Express
Guidelines of National Building Code to Ensure Fire Safety in Public buildings
Synopsis: Effective regulations to manage fire risks in public buildings like Guidelines of National Building Code are available. However, lack of enforcement by states has led to fire disasters in India.
- Fire accident in Public building has been a recurrent event in India. For instance,
- Fire accidents in hospitals at Bharuch in Gujarat, Virar (Mumbai), and Mumbra near Thane, have killed at least 37 people.
- According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 330 people have died in commercial building fires in 2019.
- When we include fire accidents in residential or dwelling buildings, the fatality rate gets very high at 6,329.
- Some common causes are:
- Electrical failures
- failure of the state to ensure adherence to safety laws
- Lack of modern tech to ensure safety in public buildings.
What are the legal provisions available to ensure fire safety compliance in public buildings?
- First, the National Building Code of India deals with Fire and life safety. The Bureau of Indian Standards has published it, as a recommendatory document. However, the Home Ministry asked States to incorporate it into their local building bylaws. It makes the recommendations a “mandatory requirement”.
- Guidelines under NBC
- One, it provides specifications and guidelines for design and materials that reduce the threat of destructive fires. For example,
- It specifies fire resistance materials to be used in exterior walls, interior bearing walls, floor, roof, fire check doors, fire enclosure exits, etc.,
- Two, The Code, classifies all the existing and new buildings by nature of use. For example; residential, educational, institutional, assembly (like cinemas and auditorial), Industrial, etc.,
- It recommends the location of buildings by type of use in specific zones. This is to ensure that industrial and hazardous structures do not coexist with residential, institutional, office, and business buildings.
- Three, the code prescribes incorporation of the technologies into buildings to alert in case of a fire and also to fight. Examples are, automatic fire detection and alarm system, automatic sprinklers and water sprays, fireman’s lift, fire barriers, etc.,
- Four, It provides exemptions for various buildings in case of practical difficulty. A local head, fire services may consider exemptions from the Code.
- Despite, the existence of fire safety rules in every state, the provisions of the Code are ignored in practice.
- One, it provides specifications and guidelines for design and materials that reduce the threat of destructive fires. For example,
- Second, Fire Safety Committees were constituted. They conduct periodical audits on fire installation, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and other electrical equipment in the Union government’s hospitals.
- Third, Health Ministry has also imposed a third-party accreditation for fire safety. It has also formed strict guidelines for a mandatory fire response plan in every hospital.
- Fourth, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also provided mandatory requirements for fire safety in public buildings, including hospitals.
- Such as, maintaining minimum open safety space, protected exit mechanisms, dedicated staircases, and crucial drills to carry out evacuations.
- Fifth, the Supreme Court has directed all States to carry out fire safety audits of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals.
Has there been adequate implementation of National Building Code by the estates?
Evidence shows that States lack the manpower to inspect and ensure compliance with safety codes, including NBC. For instance,
- According to Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report (2010 to 2015), in Maharashtra, a joint physical inspection by an audit of 53 government buildings revealed that only fire extinguishers were installed in 11 of 53 buildings, and the remaining 42 buildings were not equipped with any of the fire-fighting installations.
- Further, Tamil Nadu and Kerala though have broader regulations, still there has been no reference for compliance with the National Building code.
Making heavy fire liability insurance compulsory for all public buildings, will ensure protection to occupants and visitors and bring about external inspection of safety.
Source: The Hindu
The issue of Urban Fires in India – Explained, pointwise
Urban fire has the potential to rapidly spread to adjoining structures. These fires not only take life but also damage and destroy properties such as homes, schools, commercial buildings, etc.
The issue of urban fires came in the news after a fire caused the death of 15 Covid-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar, 50 km from Mumbai. This raises a question on the efficacy of fire safety norms that fail to prevent such tragic incidents.
Current Scenario of urban fires
- It was suspected that the fire at the Virar Hospital Fire begun from the compressor unit of the AC. It took the lives of 15 patients.
- The CM has announced a grant of 5 lakh to the family members of the deceased and 1 lakh for injured persons.
- The current tragedy comes within a month of the Bhandup Hospital Fire in Mumbai that led to the death of nine COVID-19 patients.
Data on Urban Fire incidents
- India has witnessed many tragic fire incidents. Eg – Uphar cinema, New Delhi (1997); Kamala Mills, Mumbai (2017) and Taxila Coaching Centre, Surat (2019).
- According to National Crime Records Bureau figures, 17,700 Indians died due to fire accidents in 2015.
- Maharashtra and Gujarat, our two most highly urbanised states, account for about 30% of the country’s fire accident deaths.
- The India Risk Surveys 2018 has placed India at 3rd position in fire incidents. This signifies the grave risks of fire incidents to urban habitats.
Causes for urban fire accidents
- Faulty Electrics: These are the biggest cause of workplace fires. Loose wires, overloaded plugs, old equipment etc. can all result in a fire accident.
- Flammable and Combustible Materials: Urban premises that hold any number of materials that are flammable or combustible represent a dangerous hazard.
- Human Error: When staff are not trained properly, they are at risk of making catastrophic mistakes. Accidents such as placing liquid near electrical equipment, burning food in the kitchen or spilling flammable liquids have occurred due to human error.
- Lack of awareness among people: In many accidents, it was observed that firefighting equipment was installed. But there is no knowledge training for the persons to handle the equipment.
Fire Safety Management in India
- Fire service is a state subject and also has been included as a municipal function in the XII schedule of the Constitution.
- Many states have established Fire & Emergency Services through a statutory Act. These acts were based on the Model Fire Service Bill circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Similarly, in some states, municipal corporations and local bodies are responsible for providing fire services.
- Currently, the National Building Code -2016 is the basis for fire safety norms in India.
- Apart from that, India is also taking certain proactive institutional mechanisms to address fire risk. This includes,
- At the Central level, the Director-General of Civil Defense, Home Guards, & Fire Services under the Ministry of Home Affairs is assisted by the Fire Adviser. He will deliberate upon the management of fire services.
- In addition, the Standing Fire Advisory Committee provides inputs for improving fire management in the country.
- The National Fire Service College, Nagpur provides training and education.
Issues in Urban Fire Safety Management
- Lack of robust fire mitigation technologies: Most of the modern Buildings in major cities lack sufficient in-built fire safety services such as smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. These systems operate as early warning systems and fire control measures.
- Poor adoption of Model Fire Safety Bill: The centre has introduced a model bill in 2019 for Maintenance of Fire and Emergency Services of a state. This focused on prevention, mitigation and response of Fire incidents, but many states have failed to adopt its provisions, resulting in greater fire incidents.
- Lack of compliance: Many buildings in heavily congested areas of India do not adhere to the National Building Code and do not have fire clearance certificates.
- For instance, the Surat Coaching centre building didn’t have any emergency exit. This forced the students and the instructors to jump off the building to escape the fire. However, in the process, they lost their limbs and life as well.
- Rapid Urbanisation: This has increased the proliferation of high rise buildings due to scarcity of land. However, ensuring fire safety in them is a complex affair due to lengthy exit routes and more fire-prone areas.
- Development creating greater risks: The sectoral advancement in the country has enhanced urban fire safety concerns –
- In the industrial areas, wear and tear of machinery, storage and new materials etc. add new urban fire risks every day.
- Problems associated with Fire Services: There are certain inherent concerns with the fire services. Such as limited financial resources, working in high-crime areas. Further, they are poor in leveraging relationships with citywide institutions, reaching out to residents to focus on fire safety.
- Further, there is an inadequate number of fire stations and high traffic congestion thereby leading to greater response time.
Suggestions to control urban fire
- Enactment of a Fire Act in every state: The states which have not enacted their own Fire Act should immediately enact a suitable Fire Act based on the 2019 model bill.
- Following Fire Safety Standards: The Home Ministry must make sure that National Disaster Management Guidelines on Scaling, Type of Equipment and Training of Fire Services. The States has to duly follow them.
- Regular Auditing: There should be time-bound fire and electric audits of all hospitals within the municipal area. Moreover, the government has to conduct third-party fire safety audits throughout the urban areas.
- Mock Drills: The fire services have to conduct regular fire safety drills so that people are aware of what to do in the event of such a tragedy.
- Awareness Generation: A significant emphasis needs to be placed on creating awareness among different stakeholders like citizens, administrators, politicians, builders, engineers etc.
- Infrastructure and Technology: Simple interventions like constructing water storage tanks at suitable locations can provide water during fire emergencies. In addition, adopting modern technology such as water mist and drones is the need of the hour.
- Financial support to the fire safety department: The government should provide financial support and assistance in augmenting and modernising the fire departments.
- For urban areas, the government can impose a fire tax/levy. The government can earmark the revenue generated for the improvement and upkeep of the fire services.
- Similarly, fire management has to incorporate innovative funding through public-private partnerships.
Through conscious planning, the government has to strengthen and upgrade the Fire services in India. To achieve this facet, a robust institutional mechanism and coordinated approach including all concerned stakeholders is desired.
Forest fires and their impacts – Explained, Pointwise
Forest Fires is a natural phenomenon. Controlled natural fires are beneficial for the growth of the forest. Most forest fires in India take place during the dry season, between the April-May months. However, in recent years the forest fires have become more frequent than usual. The recent forest fire in Uttarakhand is one such unusual fire. Uttarakhand alone witnessed more than 1000 forest fire incidents in the past six months.
After the repeated fires in Uttarakhand, the state reached out to the Centre for aid. The state demanded helicopters and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) to tackle the wildfires.
About the recent forest fires in Uttarakhand
According to the Uttarakhand Forest Department data, since October 1, 2020, alone 1,028 incidents of wildfires have occurred. Further, it has also affected more than 1,359 hectares of forest land. The forest areas of districts of Nainital, Almora, Tehri Garhwal, and Pauri Garhwal have all seen the fires so far.
In general, the peak in wildfires occurs in the months of May and June in Uttarakhand. But this year so far 983 forest fires incidents occurred. The major reasons for fire are,
- Less rain in the winter months.
- Pandemic induced lockdown left a lot of combustible material, mostly pine needles on forest floors.
With the “peak time” for wildfires is yet to come the forests in Uttarakhand is more vulnerable to forest fires.
About the forest fires in India
Since the start of 2021, prolonged fires are also recorded in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh (Kullu Valley) and Nagaland-Manipur border (Dzukou Valley). Further, in a recent month, wildfires also occurred in Simlipal National Park in Odisha, Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and in sanctuaries for the Asiatic lion and the great Indian bustard in Gujarat.
Causes of Forest Fires in India
Both Anthropogenic and Natural factors cause fires. These include the following,
|Anthropogenic causes (90% of all wildfires)||Natural Causes|
|Smoking: Smoking is the leading cause of forest fires globally. Throwing away the cigarette butts without completely extinguishing them can lead to wildfires. Smokers at times become negligent at extinguishing cigarette butts after smoking.||Lightning: A lightning strike can produce a spark. Sometimes the lightning can strike power cables, trees, or rocks and any other thing and this can trigger a fire.|
|Campfires: During camping or outdoor activities people normally leave lit fires or combusting materials unattended. That will ignite wildfires.||Volcanic eruption: Hot magma in the earth’s crust is usually expelled out as lava during a volcanic eruption. The hot lava then flows into nearby fields or lands to start wildfires.|
|Burning Debris: Wastes and trash are on several occasions burned to ashes as a way of reducing the accumulation of rubbish. For example, the recent Simlipal Forest fire is due to this only.||Heat patterns: Increased temperatures due to global warming are making the forests more vulnerable. Rising atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) make favourable circumstances for a fire to start.|
|Fireworks: Fireworks are used by humans for various reasons such as festivals. However, their explosive nature can start wildfires.||Climate Change: Massive fires in the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia are primarily due to Climate Change. The fires due to climate change have certain characteristics in common. It is also applicable to India. They are,|
|Slash and Burn Cultivation: This is one of the major reason for the fire in India’s Northeastern region.||In India the march and April month see more wildfires. It is due to the availability of large quantities of dry wood, logs, stumps, dead leaves, dry grass and weeds in forest lands.|
|Lack of soil moisture: The dryness in the soil triggers fire in forests. For example, the recent Uttarakhand wildfires are due to this.|
Why peak forest fires occur during the spring?
The Spring season in India occurs between March and April. In India, the occurrence of wildfires will be at peak during spring season. The reasons are,
- Less rain during the winter months. This will reduce the soil moisture in forests. So, the forest soil does not have the capacity to control the fire on its own. For example, the recent Uttarakhand forest fires are due to this.
- During these months, the availability of large quantities of combustible material in the forest is high. This includes materials like dry wood, logs, stumps, dead leaves, dry grass and weeds. This can make the small fire to become big.
- In these months, the availability of Wind will aid the wildfire to grow big and makes them hard to control.
The onset of the Monsoon in India will significantly reduce forest fires.
Impact of forest fires
- Loss of Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Forest fires destroy the habitats and the intricate relationships of diverse flora and fauna leading to loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. Besides, wildfires can even lead to extinction for certain animals.
- Forest Degradation: Forest fires especially the ones that happen in dry tropical forests are a major cause of forest degradation. Almost every year, forest fires are witnessed across different forest regions. This persistently reduces the quality of certain forest features like soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
- According to the 2011 census, 1.70 lakh villages in India have proximity to forests. The livelihood of several crores of people is dependent on fuelwood, bamboo, fodder, and small timber. Forest fires directly impact their livelihood.
- Air Pollution: A healthy forest stores and sequesters more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem. But Forest fires reduce carbon sequestration. In addition, the huge clouds of smoke instigated by wildfires lead to massive air pollution.
- Soil Degradation: Forest soils are loaded with nutrients. These fires kill beneficial soil microorganisms that are responsible for breaking down the soil and promoting soil microbial activities. Further, the wildfires also make soils vulnerable to soil erosion.
- Destruction of Watersheds: Trees and vegetation cover acts as watershed protectors since approximately all the water comes from forest-derived water tables. Whenever they burn, the natural protection systems for water tables, streams, and rivers may be affected.
- Triggers Global Warming cycle: When plant life is exterminated by fires, the quality of the air we breathe in declines and greenhouse gasses increase in the atmosphere leading to climate change and global warming. This is reflected in the following diagram.
Government Initiatives to prevent Forest Fires in India:
- Since 2004, the Forest Survey of India(FSI) developed a Forest Fire Alert System(FFAS). The system will monitor wildfires in real-time. So far, the government released three versions of FFAS.
- Using the MODIS sensors(Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Real-time information of fire hotspots is collected and sent to the Forest Survey of India. The FSI will forward the data by email to state, district, circle, division, range and beat levels. People in the locality will also receive SMS alerts.
- The government also prepared the National Master Plan for Forest Fire Control. Under this, the government aims to introduce a coordinated and integrated fire-management programme. The other provisions of the plan include,
- Fast-tracking the initial response.
- Introduction of forest fuel modification system
- Prevention of human-caused fires through education and environmental modification
- Developing a National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) and Fire Forecasting System for faster detection and control of fire.
Suggestion to reduce wildfires
- Capacity development of forest departments’ officials at different levels (national,
regional, local) to reduce the vulnerability of Indian forests fire.
- Creating forests fire control manuals for field staff. Thus suggesting steps to early detection, reporting and controlling the fires.
- Policy at the national level: A cohesive policy or action plan should be formulated to set forth the guiding principles and framework for wildfire Management. The policy should also incorporate the dimension of climate change.
- Using indigenous knowledge and techniques of local and tribal people in comprehensive wildfire management.
- Improving the Staffing and capacity of firefighters in the country. For example, construction of watchtowers and crew stations, hiring seasonal fire watchers to spot fires, etc.
- Technology: Modern firefighting techniques such as the radio-acoustic sound system for early fire detection and Doppler radar should be adopted.
Overall, forest fires are necessary to clean up the dead and decaying matter in the forest. Further, they can help forests to regenerate. But all this will happen only if the fires occur at the optimum level. To prevent and manage forest fires, not only the government have to take adequate steps, but also the people have to be responsible.
Forest Fires in India – An analysis.
Synopsis: Forest fires in India occurring more frequently. But India is facing challenges in controlling them.
Most forest fires in India appeared between the April-May months. In recent years the forest fires have been more frequent than usual. For example, in few areas, forest fires occurred in the winter months also.
Uttarakhand alone witnessed more than 1000 forest fire incidents in the past six months. Since the start of 2021, forest fires have been seen in Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Prime hotspots of Forest Fires in India:
According to the India State Forest Report 2019, 21.67% of India’s geographical area is forest. Forests in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura have been identified as ‘extremely prone to the forest fires.
States with large forest areas under the ‘very highly prone’ category include Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, etc.
Since the start of this year, prolonged fires are recorded in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh (Kullu Valley) and Nagaland-Manipur border (Dzukou Valley). Further in recent months forest fires also occurred in Simlipal National Park in Odisha, Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and in sanctuaries for the Asiatic lion and the great Indian bustard in Gujarat.
The present forest fire in Nainital started in March end.
Reason for Forest Fires in India:
Forest fires occur in India both due to Natural and Man-made causes.
Natural causes for Forest Fires in India:
- Massive fires in the Amazon forests in Brazil and in Australia are primarily due to Climate Change. The fires due to climate change have certain characteristics in common. It is also applicable to India. They are,
- Longer duration of fires
- High-intensity fires
- Fires of high-frequency
- In India the march and April month see more forest fires. This is due to the availability of large quantities of dry wood, logs, stumps, dead leaves, dry grass and weeds in forest lands.
- Lack of soil moisture is also seen as a key factor. For example, the recent Uttarakhand forest fires are due to this.
Man-Made causes for Forest Fires in India:
But many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
- Manmade fires are high particularly in places where people visit forests. People leave burning bidis, cigarette stubs or other inflammable materials inside the forest.
- In some places, people deliberately cause a fire. For example, the recent fire in Simlipal National Park in Odisha is due to deliberation. Villagers set dry leaves to fire in order to collect mahua flowers. (The local people use these flowers in preparation for a local drink).
Control of Forest Fires in India:
Forest fires are difficult to control due to the following reasons.
- The locality of the forest and access to the specific location is hard for firefighters.
- Shortage of Firefighters: This creates challenges in the timely mobilisation of forest staff, fuel and fire fighting equipment, etc.
- Impossible to transport heavy vehicles loaded with water into the thick forests. So, in extreme places helicopters are used.
- Wind speed and direction can also play a crucial role in fire fighting.
Importance of preventing Forest Fires in India:
- A healthy forest stores and sequesters more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem.
- According to the 2011 census, 1.70 lakh villages in India have proximity to forests. The livelihood of several crores of people is dependent on fuelwood, bamboo, fodder, and small timber.
- Forest fires can have multiple adverse effects on the forest. For example, forest cover, soil, tree growth, vegetation, and the overall flora and fauna all get impact due to forest fires.
- The heat generated during the fire destroys animal habitats.
- Soil quality decreases with the alteration in their compositions.
- The trees that survive fire often remain stunted and their growth gets severely affected.
- Soil moisture and fertility gets affected. Thus forests can shrink in size in the future.
Government Initiatives to prevent Forest Fires in India:
- Since 2004, the Forest Survey of India(FSI) developed a Fire Alert System. The system will monitor forest fires in real-time. In 2019, an advanced version of the system was also launched.
- Using the MODIS sensors(Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Real-time fire information of fire hotspots is collected and sent to FSI. This is then forwarded by email to state, district, circle, division, range and beat levels. People in the locality will also receive SMS alerts.
Source: The Indian Express
Recurring Fire accidents in India – Suggestions
Synopsis: Recurrent fire accidents in India show the apathy of the government towards public safety.
- Recently, the fire accident in Mumbai hospital (located inside Mumbai’s Dreams Mall) resulted in the death of 10 people so far.
- An effective fire safety protocols could have prevented the devastating effect on lives and property.
- The tragedy points towards the failure of the government to make fire safety a systemic compulsory in public buildings.
- It has to be noted that, after a fire in Rajkot last November, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident. It issued directions, to task an officer with fire safety for each COVID-19 hospital.
What needs to be done?
- Firstly, strict measures need to be taken to implement The National Disaster Management Guidelines of 2016 in Public buildings. For example, the requirement of open space to move patients in an emergency should be strictly implemented.
- Secondly, the need for periodical assessment of public buildings on safety protocols. For example, the quality of infrastructure, specifically electrical installations, ensuring the retrofitting of structures with flame retardant materials, etc.,
- Thirdly, States must create scientifically designed public health facilities that meet the needs of populous cities.
Source: The Hindu
Need for Fire Safety training and technologies
Synopsis- Despite large fires in the past, building and fire safety standards continues to be ignored.
The current fire protection measures in all major cities do not account for all contemporary fire hazard issues. It makes fire safety a growing concern.
- The Fire accident at Eastern Railway Headquarter in Kolkata is a prime example of poor attention to fire safety fundamentals, lack of preparedness plan, and the absence of robust fire mitigation technologies.
- This accident also provides an opportunity to assess the status of the Model Bill of 2019. It Provides for the Maintenance of Fire and Emergency Services of a state.
Modern technology and preparedness are both important for safety against fire hazards, but both are undervalued in India.
- Lack of robust fire mitigation technologies.
- Most of the modern Buildings in major cities lack sufficient in-built fire safety services such as smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. These systems operate as early warning systems and fire control measures.
What should be done to reduce fire accidents?
- Proper use of fire safety norms prescribed under the National Building Code.
- Fire Safety Audits [FSA] should be made mandatory in India. Moreover, the auditing work should be delegated to third-party agencies with experience in the field.
- Regular fire safety drills should be conducted so that people are aware of what to do in the event of such tragedy.
- Enhancement of public awareness and proper use of technology and resources for the mitigation of fire hazards is needed.
- Technology and resource advancement is needed.
Source- The Hindu
Link between Dam and Natural disasters – Explained Pointwise
Table of contents:
Rishiganga dam in Uttarakhand was recently destroyed by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and intensified the GLOF in the region. This is not the first time a Dam is aiding and intensifying the disaster in India. It can be a potential hazard to both human life and the environment. This raises a larger question on the net benefit of big dams.
What is Dam?
It is a structure built across a stream or river to hold back water. There are many reasons to build a dam. Such as,
How dams are aiding disasters?
Dams were built to provide benefits to human. But many times instead of providing benefits, dams are harming the region by aiding a disaster. The reasons are:
- Dams as a hydropower plant: Construction of hydro-power plant requires diversion of rivers through tunnels to generate power. The construction of these tunnels unsettles the mountainous terrain by displacing the supportive sediment. It results in the slipping down of rocks due to the removal of their support system (Landslides).
- Dams as a reason for frequent floods: Due to poor maintenance, siltation, etc. dams are not able to hold adequate water. This is responsible for the increasing frequency of floods in India.
- Dam as a solution to prevent/divert large run-off water: To protect the river run-off, many bigger dams have been constructed in highly vulnerable locations, like the Himalayas. For example, the entire state of Uttarakhand is vulnerable to earthquakes, but there are large dams planned in the fragile region that disturb the ecosystem. Dams in these locations aggravate the natural disaster.
- Dams as a reason for an earthquake: When a large quantity of water is loaded and unloaded frequently in the region, it might lead to reservoir induced seismicity. For example, Koyna earthquake of December 1967.
All these reasons lead to dam failure. This is then followed by a large-scale release of water, downstream of the river and creating floods. This will create economical, infrastructural, environmental, and livelihood losses.
Dams aided disasters in the past:
- The worst dam disaster in India was the Machu dam failure (Gujarat) in 1979. The torrential rainfall in the area created a large scale flood and a failure in the dam. According to the official estimates, around 2000 people had lost their lives.
- In August 2018 Kerala witnessed its worst floods since 1924 due to the torrential rainfall. Too much water stored in the dam aggravated the disaster. At least 35 of 50 large dams had been opened for releasing water in to the already flooded areas. The flood took the lives of around 503 people in the state.
- Similarly, in 2019 heavy rain caused a breach in Tiware dam (Maharastra). This led to the flooding of seven villages and 20 people swept away.
- Most recently, a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood destroyed the Rishiganga dam. This led to a large surge of water downstream which breached the Tapovan Hydropower Plant.
Vulnerability of Indian dams:
- India has more old dams. India in total has 5,745 reservoirs in the country, of which, 293 are more than 100 years old. The age of 25% of the dams is between 50 and 100 years and the remaining 80% are over 25 years old. Ageing dams face the following issues,
- Differential settlement of foundation in the dam,
- Clogging of filters, increase of uplift pressures,
- Cracks in the dam core,
- Loss of bond between the concrete structure and embankment,
- Reduction in slope stability in earthen and rockfill dams,
- Erosion of earthen slopes,
- Deformation of the dam body itself.
All these aids the intensification of any disaster.
- Many dams have structural deficiencies and shortcomings in operation and monitoring facilities. Few dams not even meet the present safety standards on structural and hydrological conditions.
- Many states are not providing sufficient budgets for the maintenance and repair of the dam. There is also a lack of institutional and technical capacities for addressing dam safety issues. For example, According to Central Water Commission data, “Not even a single dam in Kerala was inspected before monsoon during Kerala floods”.
- The current legal framework does not have any provision for penalizing the person/trust/state responsible for dam failure.
- Real-time inflow forecasting systems are not in place even in important reservoirs. This creates vulnerability to dam safety and dam operation.
Government Initiatives to improve dam safety:
- Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
- It is a World Bank assisted project. The project aims to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and associated appurtenances sustainably.
- Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation through the Central Water Commission, is implementing the project.
- Dam Safety Bill, 2019.
- The Bill provides for proper surveillance, operation, inspection, and maintenance of all specified dams in the country.
- The Bill aims to constitute the National Committee on Dam Safety. The committee shall suggest dam safety policies and also recommend any necessary regulations.
- The Bill also establishes the National Dam Safety Authority. The NDSA is a regulatory body that discharges functions to implement the policy, guidelines, and standards in the country.
- The Bill also provides for the constitution of a State-level Committee on Dam Safety by State Governments.
- Dam Health And Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA)
- It is a web-based software package. It supports the effective collection and management of Dam Safety data in all large dams of India.
- The major aim of DHARMA is to digitize all dam related data.
- Seismic Hazard Assessment Information System (SHAISYS) for mapping Seismic Hazards.
Suggestions to make dams disaster-resilient:
- State governments should strictly follow the dam safety manual.
- Creation of the buffer zone: States have to ensure that there is no encroachment in the nearby area.
- Need to integrate urban-rural planning with dam safety. Since India is a populous country, it is impossible to shift people during calamities. Proper dissemination of information on a real-time basis and regular flushing of water has to be carried out downstream to keep the river beds dry. This can be done only through an integrated approach.
- A Standing Committee recommended a penal provision for dam failures on authorities. The government has to incorporate this into law. Along with that, the government has to increase the capacity building of locals and associated institutions.
- The government has to create a well-planned monitoring system using modern instruments. This is the key to the early detection of defects and averts disasters.
The government must consider the issue holistically and avoid building large dams for political gains in fragile regions. The construction of a dam is not a disaster, but the mismanagement and poor planning of the dam is a disaster which affects all of us in a severe manner. It is a high time for the government to understand this.


The ducted fume hoods are the most common form of fume hoods which are used in laboratories all over the world. These fume hoods are fixed in a specific position and have a duct system in place, through which the fumes are expelled out. The fumes go out through the ducts and out of the building, thereby keeping the insides of your lab safe from toxicity. These types of fume hoods will require certain additional services like ductwork, fans for exhaust, mechanical systems and so on. As a result of this, it will be a big investment to setup ductless fume hoods in your lab. Thus, it is essential that you make all the necessary considerations before installing ductless fume hoods. In this small article, you will learn more about choosing ductless fume hoods.
Placing your fume hoods at the correct location: Before you purchase your fume hoods, it is important to decide where you will be placing the hoods. Various states and countries have specific regulations regarding the location of fume hoods for labs. When you are deciding upon the position of your fume hood, you must consider the following details also:
Nearby traffic areas - You will have to ensure that there are no large scale vehicular movement immediately besides the fume hoods. There has to be a minimum of 1 meter distance between the sash, that is the barrier between the researcher and his experiment, and an area of traffic. Certain regulations also specify the distance for the traffic area to be a minimum of 5 meters.
Benchtop proximity - In the event that your fume hood is close to a bench top, then you will need to ensure that there exists a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between the sash and your bench top. However, this rule is more commonly applied in the event when the same operator is using both fume hoods and bench tops.
Obstructive devices, walls, other workers - You must take care to ensure that there are no walls, obstructive devices, or other lab operators immediately opposite to the fume hood. You should ensure a minimum of two meters from the sash to the wall. Other lab operators must also not be directly in the line of the exhaust.
Closeness to other forms of obstacles: It is also important that you should see that there are no forms of architectural obstacles in the line of your fume hood. These obstacles include:
Walls with other fume hoods - The fume hood must not be closer than at least 300 mm from both the side of the fume hood. And no obstructive walls should extend past the lines of the face of the ductless fume hoods.
Doorways – The doorways cannot be within a distance of 1.5 m from the sash and has to be at least 1 m away from the sides of the fume hood.
Access for maintenance - You will need to ensure that the fume hoods must have enough access for allowing easy maintenance works.
Testing Fume Hoods : In order to be compliant with the government standards for installing fume hoods, it is important that you conduct proper testing to check the functionality and ventilation. The tests include a smoke test, noise level, illuminance and face velocity. Government authorities have specific guidelines with regards to who can conduct these tests. The results of the tests will have to be recorded and lab managers need to go through them and be cognizant of the results.
Maintaining your fume hoods: Aside from commissioning the fume hood, it is also essential that you can subject the fume hoods to timely maintenance and regular testing. During the period of the maintenance work, you will need to ensure that the fume hoods are disconnected from power sources and there are signs displaying that the fume is "under maintenance" so that lab workers do not try to use them by mistake. You should ensure that no chemicals are inside the fume hood during the testing phase. You will need to do at least a test every six months and submit the reports to the lab managers.
Conclusion : Thus, there are several aspects to using fume hoods in your lab. The ducted fume hoods are going to be a big investment for your lab and so you need to make a thorough plan with regards to how you will be using it and where you shall be placing it before you invest your hard earned money into the devices. Always ensure that only competent persons are installing your devices. A thorough planning will ensure that you are aware of all the essential aspects that you need to consider before you decide to buy a ducted fume hood. Hopefully, the information mentioned in this article will have helped you.