Osama Bin Laden killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan

“Justice has been done,” said U.S. President Barack Obama in a historic address. Mr. Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a targetted attack on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Osama bin Laden, leader of al Qaeda and alleged mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks, was killed in Pakistan in a joint operation involving the United States and Pakistani intelligence forces, according to President Barack Obama.

Looking tired and bleary-eyed, Mr. Obama made a statement shortly after 11:30 pm, in which he confirmed that bin Laden had been killed after a “fire-fight” in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and that U.S. forces then “took custody of his body.”

Quoting unnamed official sources, reports suggested that DNA evidence had confirmed that bin Laden had been killed.

Even as news of bin Laden’s death emerged large crowds gathered outside the White House singing the U.S. national anthem and chanting “USA, USA”.

Suggesting that a lengthy investigation had occurred before bin Laden was killed, Mr. Obama said that he had been briefed last August on a possible lead to Osama Bin Laden’s whereabouts.

He said “Today at my direction… a small team of Americans” carried out the attacks, and “no Americans were harmed,” during the operation.

In his statement Mr. Obama further emphasised that the U.S. was not at war with Islam and in fact bin Laden was “a mass murderer of Muslims”. He further spoke of unity and strength of spirit following the 9/11 attacks, arguing that justice had been delivered.

A multi-billionare Saint!?

The Corrupt Spirituality!

The death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba has left a question mark on the future of the Sri  Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT), estimated to have assets worth Rs 40,000 crore ($9 billion). As Baba, who was chairperson of the trust, left no successor to the massive empire, his death might trigger a fight for succession among the trust members which include his nephew R.J. Ratnakar. While some eminent devotees of Baba believe that with personalities like former chief justice of India P.N. Bhagvati on the board, the trust will carry on in a smooth manner various charitable work in India and abroad, they also fear the government might take over control in case of any rift among the members.

“There is no rift among the trust members but I can’t say this about Baba’s family members,” a retired police officer, who is an ardent devotee of Baba told IANS on condition of anonymity. He said the government might take over if such a situation arises.

Ever since Baba was admitted to hospital with multi-organ dysfunction last month, speculation of differences among trust members were doing the rounds.
Ratnakar, son of Baba’s brother, reportedly wanted cheque power which is presently with trust member secretary A. Chakravarthi, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who quit his job on Baba’s advise to join his network.

Though not a member of the trust, Satyajit, Baba’s personal caregiver, is allegedly trying to have a greater say in the financial matters as Baba had reportedly promised him last year a key post on the trust. Reports in a section of vernacular media suggest that suitcases full of money and gold were taken out of Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram of Baba. However, some well-known devotees have denied the reports.

Courtesy : HT

“Since all the contributions to the trust come in the form of cheques and it does not accept cash, there is no scope for misappropriation of even a single rupee,” said former judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court J. Eswara Prasad. According to Prasad, Bhagvati recently met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to brief him about the activities of the trust and to clear the air in view of the “rumours”.

Sai Baba had formed the trust in 1972 to run the affairs of his massive spiritual empire. It is under SSSCT that dozens of trusts in about 160 countries are running educational institutions, hospitals, drinking water schemes and undertaking various other service activities. Besides Bhagavati, Chakravarthi and Ratnakar, S.V. Giri, a former chief vigilance commissioner, Indulal Shah, a chartered accountant-turned entrepreneur and Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motors are members of the trust.

Ratnakar was inducted by Baba last year following the death of his father Janakiram. Nobody from the children of Baba’s two other brothers and sisters have any say in the trust. The trust always kept itself away from the media. Not much is known about the donations it receives from India and abroad, which are exempt from tax. Since Baba’s devotees include heads of states and governments, rich businessmen and celebrities. The trust is believed to have received donations running into billions of rupees from across the world. The lack of transparency, however, has given rise to suspicion.

Following the recent allegations, Ratnakar had denied any fund diversion. He also stated that all the foreign donations are deposited in a separate bank account as per the norms approved by the union home  ministry under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 1976.

Akinori Ito – The man who made oil from plastic

We are all well aware of plastic’s “rap-sheet.” It has been found guilty on many counts, including the way its production and disposal raises resource issues and lets loose extremely negative environmental impacts.

Typically made from petroleum, it is estimated that 7% of the world’s annual oil production is used to produce and manufacture plastic. That is more than the oil consumed by the entire African continent.

Plastic’s carbon footprint includes landfilling and incineration, since sadly, its recycle rate is dismally low around the globe.

Plastic trash is also polluting our oceans and washing up on beaches around the world. Tons of plastic from the US and Japan are floating in the Pacific Ocean, killing mammals and birds. Perhaps this tragedy is best captured in the TED presentation by Capt. Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.

Akinori Ito, the man who made this magnificent machine says “If we burn the plastic, we generate toxins and a large amount of CO2. If we convert it into oil, we save CO2 and at the same time increase people’s awareness about the value of plastic garbage,”

He now is the CEO of Blest. Company that manufactures the machine. This machine could convert the plastic in our slums and use it for good.

Anand Kumar – Super 30

Anand Kumar, the man who truly fulfills the main need of education. Enlightening others is what he had been doing ever since he started Super 30, People deprived of healthy living but not intelligence find Super 30 as an Unmatchable boon, one they could never forget. This opened doors to many kids crack the IIT-JEE, one that seems herculean task to lakhs of students every year. But these 30 students, Eat, Study and devote themselves to a schedule that doesn’t tire their skills but just increase their zeal to competence.

The Environment these kids come from, gives it a sure guess to many that, these kids exactly don’t know how the world in cities struggle since their high school for IIT. Many among these kids earlier weren’t aware of the IIT and its stature. That was the main reason, I guess, made it easier for Mr. Anand to bring the diamonds out of these kids. They know that IIT is a prestigious position for academic excellence , so they realize the effort they need to put for it. All they needed was a proper encouragement, which Mr. Anand gave them successfully. Lets hope this movement goes to heights.

Web Adress : http://www.super30.org