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Just in: Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) available on Indian Play Store

Our tech writer previews and reviews the specs on the new Nexus phones – the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 7.
by Manik Kakra

Here they are, folks. The Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) are now officially available in India.

Nexus 5Announced about three weeks back, the Nexus 5 (in pic on left) marks the launch of Android’s latest version – 4.4 (KitKat). The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 chipset, along with 2 GB of RAM. On the back, it sports an 8 MP (AF) camera (plus LED flash) with optical image stabilisation feature; while the front has a 1.3 MP camera.

Boasting a 4.95-inch full HD screen, the Nexus 5 comes in black and white colour options – with 16 GB and 32 GB variant. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, microUSB (+ Slim port), and LTE (may not support Indian telecom bands). While the 16 GB variant is priced at Rs 28,999, the 32 GB is available for Rs 32,999. The Play Store also lists the official Nexus 5 bumper for Rs 2,999.

Coming to the Nexus 7 (2013, see main image above), the tablet features a 7-inch full HD screen, and comes in 16 GB and 32 GB storage variants. On the back, there is a 5 MP (AF) camera; and the front has a 1.2 MP camera. Under the hood, there is a Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, along with 2 GB of RAM. This Android 4.3 (4.4 is out) features WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, LTE (depends on the model), and microUSB (+ Slim port). The Nexus 7 starts from Rs 20,999 for the 16 GB WiFi-only model, and goes up to Rs 27,999 for the 32 GB WiFi + Cellular (LTE) model.

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Event

Mumbai to go on a flamingo ‘fotothon’

This event will combine photography with a desire to conserve the coastal environment for the welfare and protection of flamingos.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

This month on, the coastline of Mumbai is going to play host to flamingos. The pink beauties visit the city just as the weather dips in the last months of the year. However, rising pollution in our seas and the fact that these beautiful birds are being increasingly poached each year, has lessened their numbers somewhat.

But shutterbugs in the city are going to do their bit to conserve the ecology for flamingos and have some photographic fun doing so – they are going to arm themselves with their cameras and head to Maharashtra Nature Park for a 24-hour live photo-marathon that will go a long way in helping to conserve flamingos and the ecology that sustains them. It’s simple: the photo-marathon is a 24-hour race that tests your photography skills and creativity, as also your passion for nature. Every participating photographer gets a span of 24 hours to ‘shoot and submit’ their work.

fotothonThe ‘Friends of Flamingos’ is a year-long initiative conceived by Fotothon, which is a unique 24-hour live photography challenge held annually in Mumbai and which is supported by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The two-day campaign will flag off on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 10 am.

Paresh Pimpale, Director for Fotothon said, “Through Fotothon, we aim to encourage photographers to use their cameras for conservation. This year, we are using Fotothon to spread awareness about these beautiful birds that arrive in huge numbers in Mumbai but due to extensive pollution and also poaching, they have become vulnerable here.”

Pimpale added that through the campaign, FOF will have series of lectures, photowalks, and photo exhibition at several locations of Mumbai so that people understand how fortunate the city is to play host to flamingos every year. The campaign will start from tomorrow. Said Avinash Kubal, deputy director, MNP and Honorary Chief Patron for Fotothon, “Photographers love flamingos as they get beautiful images, and hence we want them to also stand for conserving these birds. We will have a signature petition of hundreds of photographers from Mumbai to save the mudflats from pollution and dumping.”Kubal added that the conservation of these pink beauties includes conserving their habitat, which is our coastal ecology. “Saving the sea coasts from pollution is therefore a prime need. Mumbaikars therefore need to monitor effluents so that they do not enter into our coastal waters. Also, we must see that we protect their habitat areas from encroachment and also from noise pollution, as these birds are extremely sensitive towards any man-made or man-induced noises”.

Fotothon is supported by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Maharashtra Nature Park Society, Royal Photographic Society (RPS) UK, and Photographic Society of India. For details, call 9224765619/ 9967620103. 

(Pictures courtesy fotothonian.blogspot.com, www.fantom-xp.com) 

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Event

Arty Thursday: ‘Representations of Power’

SA artist Maximo Gonzales will discuss the ethos of his work and the values that shape it, at Fort today.

This one’s for art students and art lovers. Today, November 14, 2013, Jnanapravaha will play host to artist South American Maximo Gonzales (in picture above) as he talks about his work and his philosophies in a lecture titled ‘Representations of Power’.

representations of powerMaximo Gonzalez’s elaborate installations are rooted in craft; however the manifest issues pertain to political process, social values and economy. His projects address ‘material’ at a symbolic level, playing with the origin and the context where such materials are normally found, transforming them, often through poetic language games to slant their symbolic impact. Examples include tapestries made out of the discarded margins of Mexican pesos, massive archways made of inflatable globes, nets made from school-kids’ notebooks, and military costumes made of sequins and dried chillies. His broad oeuvre is always rooted in social concerns and ethical paradigms of the globalised world.

Born in Argentina and living in Mexico City for over a decade, Maximo Gonzales has exhibited around the world in a range institutions. His solo shows include ‘Magnificent Warning at the Rubin Centre’, ‘El Paso’ (Texas), Playful at CAFAM, Los Angeles and Walk among worlds at the Fowler Museum, UCLA and Casa America, Madrid.

Entry is free but seating is limited so make sure you reach early. Head to Jnanapravaha, Queen’s Mansion, 3rd floor, Ghanshyam Talwatkar Marg, beside Cathedral Middle School, Fort. Tea will be served at 6 pm and the lecture begins at 6.30 pm. Call 022 2207 2974/75 or look up www.jp-india.org for details.

(Compiled by Medha Kulkarni. Picture courtesy facebook.com/JnanapravahaAtMumbai and www.artbusiness.com)

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Event

Massive diabetes awareness drive in Mumbai today

BMC and CII join hands for ‘Drive against diabetes’ across city; want to screen 2,00,000 Mumbaikars across the city today.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

With World Diabetes Day around the corner, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) launched a  ‘Drive against Diabetes’ campaign yesterday. The public private partnership model hopes to mobilise people to join the fight against diabetes – they are aiming to screen at least 2,00,000 people across the city today.

Corporates like Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Munich, OneTouch, Abbott, SANOFI and several others have come forward to support the initiative. Screening centres will be marked by blue balloons – citizens must simply walk in and ask to be screened.

Prabhu said, “Today, diabetes is one of the major conditions affecting people’s health and lifestyle. It is estimated that by 2030, the diabetic population will be around 10 crore. Out of which 6.2 per cent are expected to be suffering from diabetes and 15 per cent from blood pressure. Within India, Mumbai is leading this race to the top – the city experiences a hectic work culture, high levels of stress and fewer sleeping hours. During the drive, we expect that even if 10,000 to 12,000 people are tested positive for diabetes, we will incorporate that in the MCGM’s database and an SMS alert will be sent to them after three months suggesting the next level of detailed diagnostics. The testing of 2,00,000 people in a single drive is a record in itself, but I will be happy if 5,00,000 people are tested in the next drive and fewer are diagnosed positive for diabetes.”

The BMC had started a drive against diabetes in 2011, when 21,700 people were diagnosed with diabetes at the dispensary level. Currently, there are more than 86,000 diabetics on the BMC database. “Of these, 15 per cent who are at the initial stage [of the disease] are being suggested lifestyle modifications and 61 per cent and 22 per cent detected with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes respectively are under the MCGM medical care programme,” says Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western suburbs). “But the ambition is to create awareness of diabetes and not to focus on numbers,” she adds.

Over 500 screening centres will be set up today across the BMC’s ward offices and in over 40 member companies of CII (Reliance, Larsen & Toubro, ICICI, Star Indian, Mahindra, Bajaj, Blue Dart, etc.), chemists, pharmacists and public places in Mumbai that will target to screen over 2,00,000 individuals reaching out to the workforce as well as the larger community. Blue balloons will identify these centres. Over 700 paramedics will also be mobilised across Mumbai to test individuals across industries. The private sector has come forward to provide screening kits including glucometers, strips, swabs, lancets, information booklets and questionnaires alongside training and capacity building for the paramedics.

“This drive will generate significant data which will help understand the incidence and prevalence of diabetes,” Patankar-Mhaiskar says. “It will be analysed to generate a final report on the state of diabetes prevalence in Mumbai, generic recommendations on the way forward as well as lessons learnt during this massive community led drive. Such a report will be useful to policy makers, programme officers, healthcare providers as well as other agencies working in the area of diabetes.”

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Event

John Abraham, Raageshwari flag off ‘diabetic walk’

PD Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, marks World Diabetes Day with over 125 participants from the hospital to Shivaji Park and back.

Bright and early on Sunday, November 10, 2013, Mumbai witnessed a one-of its kind ‘Diabetic Walk’ anchored by PD Hinduja Hospital to mark World Diabetes Day (WDD). WDD is observed every year on November 14.

The Walk saw the participation from over 125 people from Mumbai, and was flagged off singer Raageshwari. The event also saw the presence of actor, producer John Abraham at the awareness programme held later by the hospital staff. The participants began the walk from Hinduja Hospital, Mahim and moved on to the prominent landmark of the city – Shivaji Park – before returning to the hospital.

John Abraham addressing the audience at the Diabetes Awareness Programme by P D Hinduja HospitalFitness enthusiast John extended his support to the Diabetes awareness programme and addressed the participating group, wherein he shared insights on the importance of exercise in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially for diabetic patients. In addition, educative talks were also held by doctors and dietitians from the hospital’s endocrinologist department to reiterate the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to both prevent and live with the disease.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Phulrenu Chauhan, Consultant Endocrinologist and Head, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, said, “Diabetes has emerged as a major healthcare problem in India. It is estimated that every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian. The transition from a traditional to modern lifestyle, consumption of diets rich in fat and calories combined with a high level of mental stress and lack of physical activity in daily life has compounded the problem further. Due to these sheer numbers, the economic burden on account of diabetes in India is amongst the highest in the world. At our hospital, our vision is to get the masses to take notice of the ailment and prevent it through physical activity and lifestyle modifications, along with medications. If not controlled, the hazardous complications invariably follow in a poorly controlled diabetic.”

Some facts and figures for diabetes:

– India has 61 million diabetics between the ages of 20 to 79 years, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

– By 2030, this figure is estimated to go up to 101.1 million

– Maharashtra State ranks second in the country as regards to the total number of young diabetics. These young diabetics can be as young as 20 years of age.

– 35 minutes of exercise may reduce the risk of diabetes by 80 per cent.

– Burning 100 calories a day through walking, running or other exercise may help you prevent gaining about 2 to 5 kilos a year.

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‘I wish I’d written more against Right-wing fascists…’

Writer and former journalist Khushwant Singh talks about his newest book and the one regret of his long writing life.
by Humra Quraishi

Khushwant Singh has always been a writer for all seasons. His acerbic wit and sometimes, hilariously accurate descriptions of the country’s people, its politics and overall persona have been both the subject of several important pieces of writings and books, and touchpoints for debate on the current state of affairs in India.

Singh is now close to 99 years old, but he is nowhere done. He recently released his latest book, The Good, The Bad And The Ridiculous (Rupa Publications), a collection of 35 of India’s most interesting personalities.

khushwant singh The book starts with this introduction: “I have never been a very tactful person. I have never been discreet either. I am a voyeur and a gossip. I am also very opinionated. These are good qualities to have if your aim is to be a writer who is read. I have met a good number of this subcontinent’s most famous (or infamous) and interesting people. I have also suffered famous bores, and sometimes been rewarded with behaviour so ridiculous that it becomes compelling…”

In these 35 profiles, as in all his writings, there is a mix of the absolutely serious with stuff that would make you laugh out loud. He still remembers the blackheads on the tip of Amrita Sher Gil’s nose, and he still remembers Begum Para from Dilip Kumar’s erstwhile clan (and other ‘loud’ remembrances of her), and he can still recount all those  moves that made model-dancer Protima Bedi one of the movers and shakers of the day.

He writes on dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi, and how her life wasn’t just a blur of knives and guns but he presents actual back stories that help the reader understand how Phoolan became a dacoit. In all the profiles, I noticed that the journalist in him has got to the very root of each of the characters he has written about. It is this journalistic training that prompts him to examine why Balwant Gargi committed adultery so blatantly.

Why is this book important? Khushwant is perhaps the only surviving journalist-writer of this subcontinent who has seen history in the making over almost 100 years now. He was born in Undivided Punjab in 1915 in the village Hadali, which is now in Pakistan. He has witnessed the Partition and the subsequent aftermath. He has seen the major turning points in the country’s past and recent history.

His long association, both personal and professional, with the country’s history comes out through his detailed chronicles of the long list of personalities he has chronicled. When I ask him about the book, his replies are as blunt as always. “I regret one thing. I wish I’d written much more against the fundoos…the Right-wing fascists who are hell bent on causing divisions [in society]. These fundoos are a serious threat. I could have written much more against their fascist and divisive policies. In recent times, I have been writing against Narendra Modi, LK Advani because of the communal poisoning they have unleashed in the country.”

He elaborates on Advani thus: “I shun people who are at the forefront of communalism, and this includes the likes of LK Advani. He has done grievous harm to our efforts to create a truly secular India. I have no regret over his discomfiture and eventual fadeout from national politics – it will be as comic a tragedy as any we have witnessed in recent times.”

(Pictures courtesy www.thehindu.com, www.siliconindia.com)

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