Mechies's Blog

EARTHQUAKES……!

2008-12-16T18:51:00.004+05:30

Seismology (derived from Greek word Seismos meaning Earthquake and Logos meaning science) is the science of Earthquakes and related phenomena.

Earthquakes are the manifestations of sudden release of strain energy accumulated in the rocks over extensive periods of time in the upper part of the Earth.

Aftershock

An earthquake that follows a large magnitude earthquake called, ‘main shock’ and originates in or around the rupture zone of the main shock. Generally, major earthquakes are followed by a number of aftershocks, which show a decreasing trend in magnitude and frequency with time.

Fault

A weak plane in the Earth's crust and upper mantle along which two blocks of rock mass rupture or slip past each other. Faults are caused by earthquakes and earthquakes are likely to reoccur on pre-existing faults, where stresses are accumulated.

Seismograph/ Seismogram

Seismograph is an instrument that records the ground motions. Seismogram is a continuous written record of an earthquake recorded by a seismograph.

Classification of earthquakes
Category	Magnitude on Richter Scale
Slight	Upto 4.9
Moderate	5.0 to 6.9
Great	7.0 to 7.9
Very Great	8.0 and more

Epicentre:

It is the point on the surface of the earth, vertically above the place of origin (hypocentre) of an earthquake. This point is expressed by its geographical Coordinates in terms of latitude and longitude.

Hypocentre or Focus:

It is the point within the earth, from where seismic waves originate. Focal depth is the vertical distance between the Hypocentre (Focus) and Epicentre

Magnitude:

It is a quantity to measure the size of an earthquake and is independent of the place of the observation.

Richter Scale:

The local magnitude is defined as the logarithm of the maximum amplitude measured in microns on a seismogram written by Wood-Anderson seismograph with free period of 0.8 second, magnification of 2,800, damping factor of 0.8 calculated to be at a distance of 100 kms. The relative size of events is calculated by comparison to a reference event of M_L=0,using the formula, M_L=log A-log A_o

where A is the maximum trace amplitude in micrometer recorded on a standard seismograph and A_o is a standard value which is a function of epicentral distance (Δ) in kilometers.

AN ARCH BRIDGE IN DUBAI

2008-12-06T21:54:00.003+05:30

The bridge is modelled in the shape of an arch. It could be viewed like an acoustic wave forming a tone compatible with an opera. It could also be viewed like a dune or a new moon in Dubai night.

The project, the biggest ever single road project launched by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), also include new road developments with 12km new roads and 22 intersections in the surrounding areas,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

The total cost of the project is around Dh3 billion, including Dh2.5 billion for the new bridge.

It will be a new landmark in Dubai,” Al Tayer told a press conference yesterday. The bridge is 1.6-km long, 64 metres wide and 15 metres above the water level. It will have 12 lanes and track for the Green Line of Dubai Metro. It will have a capacity of around 20,000 vehicles per hour. The bridge will have a metro station, abra station, and a new island that will be built on the Creek, with a theatre for staging various events. The giant arch at the bridge will be 205 metres high and 667 metres long becoming the longest arch-bridge ever built in the world.

Maitha said the project will be divided into six phases to expedite the construction work. The first stage includes construction works of the Sixth Crossing at Dubai Creek. The second phase includes construction of intersections at Deira side to serve The Lagoon and Dubai Festival City. The Third Phase includes implementation of intersections at Deira side extending from Nad Al Hamar up to Al Aweer Road.

Phase Four includes building of intersections in Bur Dubai linking the Sixth Crossing with Ras Al Khor (Business Bay Crossing).Phase Five includes construction of intersections in Bur Dubai linking the Sixth Crossing with Shaikh Rashid Road and the Al Garhoud Bridge.The Sixth Phase includes construction of intersections in Bur Dubai linking Ras Al Khor with Oud Metha Road and the Parallel Roads.

THE FASTEST MOTORCYCLE IN THE WORLD...!

2008-12-03T23:14:00.001+05:30

A machine that captivates the gaze. I've long been fascinated by the the Suzuki Hayabusa. I think it will be only a short time until I own one.Each trip to the dealer to check out this bike is like a pilgrimage to Mecca. To those of us who saw the sport bike evolve over the last 15 years. From the '86 GSXR750 to where we stand today, this bike is by far the pinnacle of progress.

The Hayabusa in unlike anything I have ever ridden before. It's more refined than my ZX-11. When you rev the motor and accelerate off into the distance, it feels designed for this. As if it's sole purpose were entrenched in allowing the ride to travel at any velocity in relative safety and ease.

The Falcon has landed! The iconic Hayabusa, Japanese for the peregrine falcon, which is the fastest bird when it dives for a kill, is Suzuki's hyper-tourer. The new for 2008 Hayabusa has a 1340cc liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine with nearly 200bhp, and given enough room, can accelerate to over 300kph. The Intruder on the other hand, is a surly, burly power cruiser, boasting a huge 1783cc V-twin. This is Suzuki's most powerful cruiser ever.

I realize now the level of discipline and restraint it requires to own this bike. Well, maybe I wouldn't call it restraint, but just plain discipline. The whole package takes some readjusting as to what you might think of as normal. You're headed down the freeway, the speedometer indicates 70 mph, yet it barely seems to have risen around it's circular path.The bikes have been launched in 7 cities – Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and will cost Rs 12.5 lakh each, ex-showroom. The same price applies across the country.

Given the current economic recession, sales may not be as big Suzuki might have hoped for, but the fact remains that Indians are warming up to powerful stylish motorcycles, a fact vindicated by the strong sales of Japanese rival Yamaha's products.

IS IT HELICOPTER CAPTURES THE LUXARY CAR'S PLACE…?

2008-12-01T20:51:00.001+05:30

Helicopters are in big demand these days thanks to the elections in some states. The most popular choice of wings is the Bell 407 which makes up the bulk of the 40 orders for which import permission has been given. While most companies have gone in for one import permission, companies like A K Aviation in Mumbai, Skymaster Aviation and K R Chawla Pvt Ltd in Delhi have placed multiple import orders.

While the names of charter companies may seem obscure, most of these are the aviation arms of corporates. For instance, Ryan Air Services which got permission to import one Bell 430 in September is promoted by Ranbaxy. Similarly, Jupiter Aviation of Bangalore is promoted by former BPL chief Rajeev Chandrashekar it plans to import one Eurocopter AS 365 N3.

The demand has certainly been high this time around. “Today if you want to book a helicopter, you won’t get one,’’ says Capt Uday Gelli, president, western region, Rotary Wing Society of India. Political parties block the choppers the day the nominations are announced. “As six states are going to the polls, the demand is extremely high this time around,’’ he adds.

“The cost of chartering a helicopter varies from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh for an hour, depending on the aircraft type. Different companies have different permutations for working out the cost, but the current norm in the industry is that if a chopper is hired for a month, one has to pay for at least 90 hours (three hours a day), whatever the usage may be,’’ says Capt Gelli.

The current lot of 40 import permissions will make a difference only in the parliamentary elections slated to be held next year. While the trend in this country is to buy helicopters prior to every parliamentary election, the current rise in supply is unprecedented. Hence a word of caution from the industry.

It remains to be seen how many of these import permissions will actually translate into purchases,’’ says Capt Gelli. “Some people have postponed their plans due to the economic slowdown others have applied for more import permissions than they need to save on time and effort.

But helicopter manufacturers are optimistic. “India has the fastest growing market,’’ Greg Hubbard, Bell’s director of communications, said during an aviation show held last month in Hyderabad. Bell, which claims to have a 52% market share in the country’s chopper industry, has forecast a 16-17% growth rate in India. This is high, considering that the growth rate has dropped to less than 5% in the developed economies of the US and Europe.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

2008-11-28T11:42:00.000+05:30

Nuclear energy is the energy that is trapped inside each atom. The ancient Greeks believed that the smallest part of nature is an atom. But they did not know 2000 years ago that atoms are made up of further smaller particles a nucleus of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons, which swirl around the nucleus much like the earth revolves around the sun.

One of the laws of the universe is that matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed.

But they can be changed in form. Matter can be changed into energy. Albert Einstein’s famous mathematical formula E = mc² explains this. The equation says: E [energy] equals m [mass] times c² [c stands for the speed or velocity of light]. This means that it is mass multiplied by the square of the velocity of light.

Scientists used Einstein's equation as the key to unlock atomic energy and to create atomic bombs.

An atom's nucleus can be split apart. This is known as fission. When this is done, a tremendous amount of energy in the form of both heat and light is released by the initiation of a chain reaction. This energy, when slowly released, can be harnessed to generate electricity. When it is released all at once, it results in a tremendous explosion as in an atomic bomb.

Nuclear energy can also be harnessed by fusion. A fusion reaction occurs when two hydrogen atoms combine to produce one helium atom. This reaction takes place at all times in the sun, which provides us with the solar energy. This technology is still at the experimental stage and may become viable in future.

Uranium is the main element required to run a nuclear reactor where energy is extracted. Uranium is mined from many places around the world. It is processed (to get enriched uranium, i.e. the radioactive isotope) into tiny pellets. These pellets are loaded into long rods that are put into the power plant's reactor. Inside the reactor of an atomic power plant, uranium atoms are split apart in controlled chain reaction. Other fissile material includes plutonium and thorium.

T-MOBILE G1

2008-11-26T12:42:00.000+05:30

Sometimes you can get caught up in the moment and, with hype all around you, can pick up the wrong spectacles – rose tinted ones. Through such lenses things look a little different. Alas, that’s exactly what’s happened with the first UK-based Android offspring, T-Mobile’s G1.When we got our first, brief handson with the handset back in September, we were smitten. Giving it 5/6 we thought it would find fans in both consumers and business users alike. We certainly weren’t wrong but we weren’t quite as right as we normally are.A month and a bit later, having lived with the G1 for a bit longer, the cracks in the relationship have started to appear.

Our review handset was black but we found the casing and keypad smelt a bit rubbery. Those with less sensitive – or inquisitive – noses will probably be able to overlook this aspect with ease. Some of the other aesthetics are not so easily overlooked, however. The 3.2in, 320 x 480 screen, for example, while more than ample in size, was very prone to smudge marks making it look less pleasing to the eye and getting in the way of camera and browsing action. One possible reason for its penchant for sticky fingers could be the fact that endless prodding of the screen when it goes into energy-saving screen darkness does nothing. That said, we have to commend the G1 on its highly-responsive touch screen. We liked it a lot.

We also found the handset – which at 158g is fairly hefty - quite weighty in the hand and slightly chunky with its 1.7cm girth, although sometimes you have to sacrifice dinkyness if you want a workhorse device. Using the ‘hard’ navigational keys below the screen proved to be a mixed blessing experience-wise. While the home, menu and back keys made life easier in terms of finding our way around what the phone has to offer, the track ball was irksome and felt a bit like rough – almost sandpaper esque.

PROGRAMMED TO BE FAT, LONG BEFORE THEY ARE BORN

2008-11-18T20:19:00.002+05:30

A high fat diet even before you were born might have programmed you to a life of over-eating. A new research suggests that eating a high-fat diet in pregnancy may cause changes in the fetal brain that lead to obesity early in life. Tests on rats showed those born to mothers fed a high-fat diet had many more brain cells specialised to produce appetite-stimulating proteins, reports the BBC News website. The Rockefeller University team say the finding may help explain why obesity rates have soared in recent years.

Previous research on adult animals had shown that when fats known as triglycerides circulate in the blood they stimulate the production of proteins in the brain known as orexigenic peptides, which in turn stimulate the appetite. The latest study suggests exposure to triglycerides from the mother’s diet has the same effect on the developing fetal brain and that the effect then lasts throughout the offspring’s life.

High-fat diet in pregnancy causes changes in fetal brain and leads to obesity in kids

The researchers compared the offspring of rats fed a high-fat diet for two weeks with those whose mothers ate a moderate amount of fat. They found that the pups born to the high-fat diet mothers ate more, weighed more throughout life, and began puberty earlier than those born to mothers who ate a normal diet. They also had higher levels of triglycerides in the blood at birth, and as adults, and a greater production of orexigenic peptides in their brains. More detailed analysis showed that, even before the birth, the high-fat pups had a much larger number of brain cells that produce orexigenic peptides and they kept them throughout their lives. Their mothers’ high-fat diet appeared to stimulate production of the cells, and their subsequent migration to parts of the brain linked to obesity.

CARROLL WINS SPRINT RACE FOR IRELAND

2008-11-17T17:20:00.002+05:30

Ireland took their first victory of A1GP's Powered by Ferrari era courtesy of a perfect race from Adam Carroll in the Sprint Race at Chengdu.Carroll started from pole and saw off an early challenge from the Netherlands before slowly building his advantage to eventually claim victory with a margin of 2.371 seconds."I just tried to keep my head down and not make any mistakes," Carroll said. "But it's going to be a pretty long race this afternoon."The Netherlands might not have had an answer to Ireland, but Robert Doornbos never looked under threat for second place, giving the Dutch team a podium in his first ever race in an A1 car."It feels good to be on the podium," Doornbos said. "Obviously it's the best first impression you can make. We started strong - we missed pole by just 0.006s - and in the race it was the same. I'm very happy with second."

The final podium spot was filled by another A1 debutante in the form of Team GBR's Danny Watts, but the Briton was made to work hard for the result by Switzerland's Neel Jani. The reigning champion pushed Watts hard over the closing laps, but a small mistake at the end of the penultimate lap gave Watts just enough breathing space to secure third, albeit by a margin of just 0.3 seconds."It's a great result, and a great reward for all the hard work that all the boys have put in throughout the week," Watts said. "Third is good points for us, but we'll have to see how we go this afternoon."South Africa finished fourth after spending most of the race fighting off Portugal, with New Zealand, France, Monaco and India completing the top 10.

The result was a noteworthy one for India who, like GBR, is making their season debut in China this weekend. Mexico, who are the third team competing for the first time in the 2008/9 season, finished 16th behind Team USA's Marco Andretti. The race passed generally without incident, although Brazil finished several laps down after pitting early with mechanical problems, while China had to settle for 17th as a result of an early spin.

OLD TECH COMES IN HANDY

2008-11-15T18:52:00.001+05:30

World War-II vintage technology came to the rescue of cutting-edge infotech czar Bill Gates when the lighting of hundreds of kerosene lamps made it possible for his chartered jet to take off from the Jodhpur airfield after sunset last week.
The kettle-shaped lamps with wicks, or “goosenecks” as they are called, were lit along the runway of Jodhpur airfield on November 8 after the staff of Gates insisted that the Microsoft founder, his father William H. Gates, his wife Melinda and two sisters had to leave for the US on that very evening itself. “The runway lights at the airfield were not working since they were under repair. On their insistence, the goosenecks were used. Goosenecks are used by our pilots quite often to practise night operations because runway lights can fail or deliberately be kept off to evade enemy bombers,” said an IAF officer.
“Even civil aviation rules permit use of goosenecks for landings and takeoffs. The pilot of the Bombardier Global Express, a long-range corporate high-speed jet, chartered by Gates also said their use conformed to their company’s policy,” he added. OLD TECH COMES IN HANDY Bill Gates got special permission to take off
Kerosene lamps made it possible for Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ chartered jet to take off from the Jodhpur airfield after sunset last week. No flight is currently allowed to take off from the Jodhpur airfield, a frontline IAF airbase close to the border with Pakistan, after 4 pm because of the ongoing extensive repair and maintenance work since mid-April.
Special permission was, however, granted to the jet flying Gates and his family members, who were staying at Umaid Bhawan Palace, to take off latest by 5.30 pm. But even as the jet was taxiing, Gates’ father discovered that he had left two of his bags at the hotel.
The take-off was then promptly aborted to allow the baggage to be retrieved from the hotel. But by the time the luggage was brought to the airfield, it was already dark.
The IAF was initially reluctant to allow the flight to take off but finally agreed for “emergency assistance” after Gates’ staff insisted their boss had to leave immediately.
That is when over 200 goosenecks were deployed “to help the VVIP guest and save him from inconvenience”. “Gates’ jet finally left at 6.15 pm after necessary clearances were obtained from higher authorities. The light from the goosenecks is more than enough for a take-off... Landing is slightly tougher,”

CELLPHONE RADIATION NORMS SOON

2008-11-09T19:24:00.000+05:30

The government has decided to implement a set of international guidelines to reduce the risk of using mobile phones. Catching up with several developed and developing countries, India will adopt the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines.
The guidelines lay down the maximum level of radiation that telecom equipment mobile phones as well as base stations should be allowed to emit without causing a public health risk. The government plans to enforce a compulsory self-certification scheme to implement the guidelines. Mobile phone manufacturers will be required to test their products and keep them below notified specific absorption rate the measure of the maximum rate at which radio frequency energy should be absorbed by the body when exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic field. It is measured in watts per kilogram.
Mobile operators who have towers all over the country will carry out similar self certification for the base stations they put up. The Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), which looks after technical issues for the department of telecommunications (DOT), has been made in charge of setting up the mechanism as well as the regulations. It will be in-charge of monitoring and through random testing of products in the market, will ensure that the self-certification system is working.
“Exposure beyond a certain level to these frequencies can be a health hazard so we are going to use the precautionary principle to implement these guidelines,” an official said.
While there is still no scientific consensus over risks from cellphone radiation, there are two types of risks that emerge from exposure to radio frequencies thermal (of body temperatures rising) and non-thermal impacts.

AAMIR SURPRISES EVERYONE…!

2008-11-04T13:05:00.002+05:30

Aamir Khan’s new avatar in Ghajini has found many admirers. The actor’s phone has just not stopped ringing. Though it’s a known fact that Aamir has been hitting the gym with a vengeance to build his physique for Ghajini, no one expected him to look this brawny.

This just goes to ‘ prove DS ’ that B he continues to be a perfectionist. Just M for h the record, Aamir received 1,224 messages on the day when his look was revealed. Close friend Prasoon Joshi says, “Wherever we go, the talk is about Aamir’s physique in Ghajini. We all knew that he has been working out but we never expected him to look like this.” The promos of the movie hit the screen on Diwali. It seems that Aamir’s fans are definitely awaiting the release of this film.

WITH KUMBLE, GANGULY GONE, ALL EYES ON DRAVID

2008-11-03T15:57:00.000+05:30

With each of India’s seniors having either reached a landmark or leaving one behind, all eyes will now be on Rahul Dravid. If he scores two ducks and never plays again it will not make him a lesser player for his place in India’s pantheon is assured. Nagpur will support him and his new captain must.

INDIA SKIPPER ANIL KUMBLE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT

2008-11-02T17:49:00.001+05:30

India skipper Anil Kumble announced his retirement after the third test against Australia, quitting the game at his favourite Ferozshah Kotla ground.

The 38-year-old is test cricket's third-highest test wickettaker with 619 wickets, trailing only Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia's retired Shane Warne."It was a very tough decision, especially when you have performed for 18 years and been so competitive," he said at the presentation ceremony after the match had ended in a draw.

"But the body helped me make the decision. This injury also helped."

Kumble had suffered a deep cut in his left little finger which needed 11 stitches during the match."I had already decided to leave after this series, but decided once I realised I won't be 100 percent for Nagpur (fourth test)."The spin bowler has been the team's bowling lynchpin for almost two decades, and the architect of India's dominance on slow home pitches, relying more on subtle variations than sharp turn.He has also taken 337 wickets from 271 one-day internationals and has already quit the shorter form of the game.Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the limited-overs captain and Kumble's deputy, is favoured to take over the job.

Kumble, who has played 132 tests, had been facing mounting questions over his future and missed the second test against the Aussies in Mohali due to a shoulder injury.He also suffered a finger injury in the current test, which ends in Delhi on Sunday, and only returned to bowl after having 11 stitches.

In 1999, Kumble became only the second bowler in test cricket to claim all 10 wickets in an innings, emulating England's Jim Laker at the same Ferozshah Kotla ground. Kumble's retirement comes after former skipper Saurav Ganguly announced the current Australia test series would be his last.The team's senior cricketers have come under increasing pressure with domestic media engaged in frenzied debate whether they should step aside to help blood younger players.

The fourth and final test starts in Nagpur on Nov. 6.

CONDITION MONITORING --- LINK WITH GROWTH

2008-11-02T16:20:00.002+05:30

Today’s industrial policy and globalization has made industrial environment very competitive. Hence down-time for maintenance is of great importance. Substantial savings in energy and production cost can be achieved by applying CONDITION MONITORING in industry.

Plant and machinery are invaluable assets and are designed to operate under severe, adverse and harsh conditions, where a failure may be catastrophic both in regard to safety and economy of plants.

through Condition Monitoring we can achieve following:

Vibration Problems of rotating machines
Exploring the cause of repetitive failure of machines
Ensuring the safety of the equipment against vibration & shock
Dynamic balancing of Rotors and rotating components
Measurement of natural frequency in static condition
Less down-time and more productivity
Reduced inventory for spares Enhancing the machine endurance limit Greater safety to work force

A REPTILE HAV LINK WITH DINOSAUR PERIOD

2008-11-01T09:06:00.003+05:30

Wellington- A rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age has been found nesting on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years, officials said on Friday. Four leathery, white eggs from an indigenous tuatara were found by staff at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in the capital, Wellington, during routine maintenance work Friday, conservation manager Rouen Epson said.
“The nest was uncovered by accident and is the first concrete proof we have that our tuatara are breeding,” Epson said. “It suggests that there may be other nests in the sanctuary we don’t know of.”
Tuataras, dragon-like reptiles that grow to up to 32 inches, are the last descendants of a species that walked the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago, zoologists say. They have unique characteristics, such as two rows of top teeth closing over one row at the bottom. They also have a pronounced parietal eye, a light-sensitive pineal gland on the top of the skull. This white patch of skin called its “third eye” slowly disappears as they mature.
A native species to New Zealand, tuataras were nearly extinct on the country’s three main islands by the late 1700s due to the introduction of predators such as rats. They still live in the wild on 32 small offshore islands cleared of predators.

FUEL FROM SATURN -MOON .....!

2008-11-01T08:49:00.003+05:30

Moscow - Scientists from the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh have said that judging by the chemical composition of stars in the Milky Way, our galaxy could contain anywhere between 300 and 38,000 highly developed extraterrestrial civilizations potentially capable of contacting planet earth. And that future fuel could come from some distant star. Cassini-Huygens, a joint robotic space mission promoted by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency, currently studying Saturn and its moons, has discovered oil and gas deposits on Titan, Saturn’s largest satellite. The estimated reserves exceed terrestrial deposits by some 100 times.

Previous images received from Cassini-Huygens indicated rain and snowfall on Titan. Although the discovery of oil and gas deposits on this moon is hardly sensational, it could help scientists explain the origin of life on the earth. Many scientists say extraterrestrial sources of energy could provide humankind with enough heat and energy for hundreds of years to come and would help it cope with a snowballing energy crisis.

NEW FAMILY HYBRID CONCEPT FROM HONDA

2008-10-31T16:35:00.001+05:30

The production model is slated to go on sale from spring 2009. Honda is aiming to price the Insight much lower than any other hybrid car currently on the market. Honda intends to sell 2,00,000 units of the Insight a year, a big jump over the 17,000 units of the first Insight it sold worldwide since its 1999 launch. The five-door hatchback capable of seating five will be built on a completely new platform and will be slightly smaller than the civic hybrid Honda is also to launch a hybrid version of the Jazz and a new civic hybrid over the next few years as well as hybrid based on the CR-Z.

Honda intends to achieve sales of 5, 00,000 units of all the four hybrids put together and by 2010, ten percent of its global sales will be comprised of hybrid vehicles. Honda has been able to achieve a significant cost reduction on production of the Insight in order to set such high sales targets. The car will be produced at Honda’s expanded hybrid vehicle production line in Suzuka along with the Civic Hybrid.

HOT HYUNDAI i 20 REVEALED

2008-10-31T16:20:00.002+05:30

Hyundai’s Getz-replacement for European markets, the i20, is all set to roll out. The car will be launched at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September. The company has released the first official pictures of the car before the launch. As you can see, the car’s face bears a resemblance to the smaller i10. It gets the same tear drop-shaped headlamps and the horizontal slat in the grille is also similar. However, the air intake below the front bumper is not as large as the i10’s.

This is Hyundai’s new look, bits and pieces of which you will see in its future cars. The stylish i20 has a longer wheelbase than the existing Getz, and the company claims that it is bigger than the Getz on the inside.

The hatchback will be manufactured in India and exported to European markets. It is slated for an Indian launch around October. You can expect the base i20 to come with the 1.2-litre Kappa engine that currently powers the i10. There could also be a new range of 1.4 and 1.6-litre Sigma family of engines on offer. The i20 will also get the Verna’s potent 110bhp common-rail diesel engine.

PROJECT INGENIO TO BE CALLED XYLO

2008-10-31T16:05:00.002+05:30

Project Ingenio to be called XYLO

Mahindra & Mahindra’s soon-to-be-launched multi-utility vehicle(MUV) will be called the Xylo(pronounced Zy-Lo). The MUV will be launched with a downsized ‘2.5-litre’ common-rail engine from the Scorpio CRDe and will have 110bhp on tap. Clearly, M&M will be focusing on driveability and economy rather than all-out performance. More engine options will be available at a later stage as will a 4x4 option. The Xylo is expected to be more spacious than current class leader Toyota Innova, especially in the third row. Prices are expected to start at around Rs 7.5-8 lakh for the base variant.

BMW 's NEW 7 SERIES IN NOVEMBER

2008-10-31T15:27:00.001+05:30

BMW is set to launch its new 7 Series by the end of this year in India. And it promises to be quicker, cleaner and better in every aspect. Move over Q, for this time BMW has developed a host of gadgets in-house. These include lane change and lane departure warnings, infra-red night-vision camera, park assist cameras on the side, radar, and a head-up display, which tells the driver everything he needs to know.

The boys from Bavaria have spared no imagination in loading the latest 7 with everything your heart desires, and creature comforts abound inside. The rear seats are ventilated and have 12 massaging bubbles, there’s an in-built 8 GB hard drive for your music, four-zone climate control, concierge service, and an automatic emergency dialing system in case of an accident.

While all of the above might make this big bee-em seem like a bit of a namby-pamby, the company is clear it does not want to lose the essence of the ultimate driving machine. Variable damping and modes for the engine and suspension, which include comfort, normal, sport and sport+, ensure this car is no slouch. Three engine options – a 3-litre straight-six diesel, a 3-litre straight-six petrol, and a 4.3-litre V8 petrol – power this car. While the big petrol gets the 7 to 100kph in 5.2 seconds, the diesel is pretty quick too, managing the 100kph sprint in just 7.2 seconds. And it’s environmentally friendly too; the diesel engine is claimed to produce just 192 grammes of CO2 per kilometre. BMW has pioneered what it likes to call Efficient Dynamics; the battery is charged under braking, and the alternator disconnects during acceleration, thus providing better performance, fuel economy
and lower emissions.

Prices will start north of Rs 60 lakhs, and the car will be in showrooms before the year is out.

BIOMETRICS

2008-10-30T22:41:00.000+05:30

The word "Biometrics" means a measurable biological characteristic that can be used for automated recognition.Early non-automated forerunners of biometrics have been used in travel control documents for a long time.Biometric processing includes the electronic capture of an applicant’s photograph, signature, index fingerprint and ten-print fingerprints. The photograph, signature and index fingerprint are used to generate the lawful entry documents.

Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Biometric technologies are becoming the foundation of an extensive array of highly secure identification and personal verification solutions. Biometrics is expected to be incorporated in solutions to provide for Homeland Security including applications for improving airport security, strengthening our national borders, in travel documents, visas and in preventing ID theft. Now, more than ever, there is a wide range of interest in biometrics across federal, state, and local governments. Congressional offices and a large number of organizations involved in many markets are addressing the important role that biometrics will play in identifying and verifying the identity of individuals and protecting national assets.

There are many needs for biometrics beyond Homeland Security. Enterprise-wide network security infrastructures, secure electronic banking, investing and other financial transactions, retail sales, law enforcement, and health and social services are already benefiting from these technologies. A range of new applications can been found in such diverse environments as amusement parks, banks, credit unions, and other financial organizations, Enterprise and Government networks, passport programs and driver licenses, colleges, physical access to multiple facilities (e.g., nightclubs) and school lunch programs.

Biometric-based authentication applications include workstation, network, and domain access, single sign-on, application logon, data protection, remote access to resources, transaction security and Web security. Trust in these electronic transactions is essential to the healthy growth of the global economy. Utilized alone or integrated with other technologies such as smart cards, encryption keys and digital signatures, biometrics are set to pervade nearly all aspects of the economy and our daily lives. Utilizing biometrics for personal authentication is becoming convenient and considerably more accurate than current methods (such as the utilization of passwords or PINs). This is because biometrics links the event to a particular individual (a password or token may be used by someone other than the authorized user), is convenient (nothing to carry or remember), accurate (it provides for positive authentication), can provide an audit trail and is becoming socially acceptable and inexpensive.

VEHICLE TREAD

2008-10-30T12:59:00.000+05:30

Tread made of Baytec Q significantly extends the range of use of tracked vehicles such as excavators and caterpillars. Even on very difficult ground like sand or marshland, they can be maneuvered safely and accurately. Another advantage is the low-weight, large-area elastic construction, which spreads the load over a larger area.

Roads and curbstones are not damaged. Baytec Q tread has high cut resistance and tear propagation resistance and also helps to deaden vibrations and noise.

AN OCEAN,IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT- DUBAI AQUARIUM

2008-10-30T08:43:00.000+05:30

Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre in The Dubai Mall, which opens on October 30, 2008, has clinched the Guinness World Record for the `World's Largest Acrylic Panel'. Measuring 32.88 metres wide x 8.3 metres high x 750 mm thick and weighing 245,614 kg, the viewing panel at Dubai Aquarium surpasses the current Guinness World Record holder, Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, at 22.5 metres wide x 8.2 metres high and 600 mm thick.The Dubai Aquarium viewing panel dimensions were set at the limit of production abilities by major acrylic manufacturers when it was commissioned. Thus, its Guinness World Record is set to stay until industry-approved manufacturing capabilities are redrawn to enable the production of bigger panels.
At 750 mm thick, the acrylic viewing panel is built to withstand the enormous pressure of 10 million litres of water used in the aquarium, but transparent to give visitors clear views of the 33,000 plus marine animals on display. Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall said: ``With this achievement, we are highlighting the capabilities of Emaar and Dubai to undertake and execute projects of global significance.''Mr John Pilley, Adjudicator, Guinness World Records said: ``The Dubai Mall joins Dubai's illustrious list of World Records with the `Largest Acrylic Panel', once again reiterating the can-do attitude of Dubai. This exemplifies the dedication and passion that make some of our best records.''
Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is developed and operated by Oceanis Australia Group. The Dubai Mall has adopted an International Standard of Ethics and Animal Welfare Policy in its development and operation.With a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall has 3.77 million sq ft of gross leasable space and hosts over 1,200 retail outlets including two anchor department stores - Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's - and will features over 160 food and beverage options.
Other attractions the Olympic-size Dubai Ice Rink, Fashion Avenue, a 440,000 sq ft haute couture precinct; The Grove, an indoor-outdoor themed streetscape; the region's first SEGA indoor theme park covering 76,000 sq ft; KidZania(R), an 80,000 sq ft children's 'edu-tainment' centre; and a 22-screen Cineplex, the largest in Dubai.

WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP' 2008

2008-10-30T07:54:00.000+05:30

In one of the most one-sided contests in recent World chess history, Viswanathan Anand beat Vladmir Kramnik for his third world title in Bonn on Wednesday. It was his first in match play format. Anand won games 3, 5 & 6 to win 6.5-4.5 overall. Anand had earlier won world titles in Tehran (2000) and Mexico City (2007). A total of 1.5m euro was up for grabs, with both taking 0.75m euro (roughly Rs 5 crore). The thumping victory over Kramnik means Anand’s FIDE rating goes up considerably — close to 2800 again erasing his dismal performance in Bilbao, which hurt him points wise. He is slated to be No 1 shortly.

CHANDRAYAAN MISSION -1

2008-10-28T19:55:00.001+05:30

Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft has entered deep space after crossing the 150,000 km (one and a half lakh km) distance mark from the Earth. This happened after the successful completion of the spacecraft’s third orbit raising manoeuvre today (October 26, 2008) morning.
During this manoeuvre which was initiated at 07:08 IST, the spacecraft’s 440 Newton liquid engine was fired for about nine and a half minutes. With this, Chandrayaan-1 entered a much higher elliptical orbit around the Earth. The apogee (farthest point to Earth) of this orbit lies at 164,600 km while the perigee (nearest point to Earth) is at 348 km. In this orbit, Chandrayaan-1 takes about 73 hours to go round the Earth once.
The antennas of the Indian Deep Space Network at Byalalu are playing a crucial role in tracking and communicating with Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft in such a high orbit. The spacecraft performance is normal. More orbit raising manoeuvres are planned in the coming few days to take Chandrayaan-1 towards the Moon.

THE PUMPING STATION-HEART

2008-10-03T09:32:00.000+05:30

Barely the size of the clenched fist of the individual in whom it resides—an inverted, conically shaped,hollow muscular organ measuring 12 to 13 cm from base(top) to apex (bottom) and 7 to 8 cm at its widest point and weighing just under 0.75 lb (about 0.474% of the individual’s body weight, or some 325 g)—the human heart occupies a small region between the third and sixth ribs in the central portion of the thoracic cavity of the body.It rests on the diaphragm, between the lower part of the twolungs, its base–to–apex axis leaning mostly toward the left side of the body and slightly forward. The heart is divided by a tough muscular wall—the interatrial-interventricular septum—into a somewhat crescent-shaped right side and cylindrically shaped left side, each being one self-contained pumping station, but the two being connected in series. The left side of the heart drives oxygen-rich blood through the aortic semilunar outlet valve into the systemic circulation, which carries the fluid to within a differential neighborhood of each cell in the body—from which it returns to the right side of the heart low in oxygen and rich in carbon dioxide. The right side of the heart then drives this oxygenpoor blood through the pulmonary semilunar (pulmonic) outlet valve into the pulmonary circulation,which carries the fluid to the lungs—where its oxygen supply is replenished and its carbon dioxide content is purged before it returns to the left side of the heart to begin the cycle all over again.Because of the anatomic proximity of the heart to the lungs, the right side of the heart does not have to work very hard to drive blood through the pulmonary circulation, so it functions as a low-pressure (P = 40mmHg gauge) pump compared with the left side of the heart, which does most of its work at a high pressure (up to 140 mmHg gauge or more) to drive blood through the entire systemic circulation to the furthest extremes of the organism.

Each cardiac (heart) pump is further divided into two chambers: a small upper receiving chamber, or atrium (auricle), separated by a one-way valve from a lower discharging chamber, or ventricle, which is about twice the size of its corresponding atrium. In order of size, the somewhat spherically shaped left
atrium is the smallest chamber—holding about 45 ml of blood (at rest), operating at pressures on the order of 0 to 25 mmHg gauge, and having a wall thickness of about 3 mm. The pouch-shaped right atrium is next (63 ml of blood, 0 to 10 mmHg gauge of pressure, 2-mm wall thickness), followed by the conical/cylindrically shaped left ventricle (100 ml of blood, up to 140 mmHg gauge of pressure, variable
wall thickness up to 12 mm) and the crescent-shaped right ventricle (about 130 ml of blood, up to 40 mmHg gauge of pressure, and a wall thickness on the order of one-third that of the left ventricle, up to about 4 mm). All together, then, the heart chambers collectively have a capacity of some 325 to 350 ml, or about 6.5% of the total blood volume in a “typical” individual—but these values are nominal, since the organ alternately fills and expands, contracts, and then empties as it generates a cardiac output.

During the 480-ms or so filling phase—diastole—of the average 750-ms cardiac cycle, the inlet valves of the two ventricles (3.8-cm-diameter tricuspid valve from right atrium to right ventricle; 3.1-cm-diameter bicuspid or mitral valve from left atrium to left ventricle) are open, and the outlet valves(2.4-cm-diameter pulmonary valve and 2.25-cm-diameter aortic semilunar valve, respectively) are closed—the heart ultimately expanding to its end-diastolic-volume (EDV), which is on the order of 140 ml of blood for the left ventricle. During the 270-ms emptying phase—systole—electrically induced vigorous contraction of cardiac muscle drives the intraventricular pressure up, forcing the one-way inlet valves closed and the unidirectional outlet valves open as the heart contracts to its end-systolic-volume (ESV),which is typically on the order of 70 ml of blood for the left ventricle. Thus the ventricles normally empty about half their contained volume with each heart beat, the remainder being termed the cardiac reserve volume. More generally, the difference between the actual EDV and the actual ESV, called the stroke volume (SV), is the volume of blood expelled from the heart during each systolic interval, and the ratio

Anterior view of the human heart showing the four chambers, the inlet and outlet valves, the inlet and outlet major blood vessels, the wall separating the right side from the left side, and the two cardiac pacing centers—the sinoatrial node and the atrioventricular node. Boldface arrows show the direction of flow through the heart chambers, the valves, and the major vessels.1-6 Biotechnology for Biomedical Engineers of SV to EDV is called the cardiac ejection fraction, or ejection ratio (0.5 to 0.75 is normal, 0.4 to 0.5 signifies mild cardiac damage, 0.25 to 0.40 implies moderate heart damage, and <0.25 warms of severe damage to the heart’s pumping ability). If the stroke volume is multiplied by the number of systolic intervals per minute, or heart (HR), one obtains the total cardiac output (CO).

MY LOCALITY IN OLDEN DAYS

2008-09-29T07:35:00.002+05:30

Hi buddies,i feel glad enough to show this interesting thing about my locality.This photo shows the olden day references of my locality in the year 1890's.The locality of mine is parrys corner.This area is developed now a days and became conjusted due to arrival of shopping complex and entertainment spots.

ORPHANAGE KIDS

2008-09-26T15:22:00.001+05:30

The children in this picture are the orphans in one of the orphanage situated in Tambaram. During the independence day of this year, we friends from our college collected some amount and went to that place with some things such as foods, clothes etc. These kids were really happy while seeing us and we organized cultural among them and gave some prizes. This encourages some confidence among them and helped them to fight for there life.

ENNORE BROKEN BRIDGE (MY FAVOURITE SPOT)

2008-09-26T13:23:00.000+05:30

The broken bridge herein the photo is one of the favorite spot for enjoyment in my life. This spot is situated in Ennore, the northern part of Chennai. As shown in the photo the extreme end of the bridge finishes at the middle of the river and we have to reach that place by walking through side walls. The breadth of the side wall is just 1feet and as you see there are holes between the walls. If we slipped then we might be swollen away by the sea. So it’s extremely risky and it gives us thrilling experience. It is also a shooting spot for kollywood people. The climax part of the film “KAKA KAKA”, which is acted by surya, is taken in this bridge.

MY MOBILE

2008-09-25T14:46:00.000+05:30

Hi everyone. This is my first post. So I am going to write about my lovable mobile. I have Sony W910i for past few months. It is my first camera mobile. The feature which liked the most in my mobile is its motion sensor which will automatically react according to your movements while playing. The clarity of my mobile is the best according to my thing.

CRACKER OF A FINAL ON THE CARDS

2008-08-25T21:51:00.000+05:30

Champions Argentina face Nigeria for the Olympic gold medal on Saturday in a match which promises to be every bit as exciting as their previous meeting in the final 12 years ago. On that occasion, Nigeria became the first African team to win the tournament when they won 3-2 with a last-gasp Emmanuel Amunike goal the South Americans claimed was offside. Both teams included players who went on to enjoy successful careers at senior international level. Diego Simeone, Javier Zanetti and Roberto Ayala each made over 100 appearances for Argentina while Jay Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh and Nwankwo Kano were in the Nigeria side.

Both teams reached their final with their own brands of attacking football. Nigeria have been exuberant but exasperatingly erratic and their players have been criticised by coach Samson Siasia for individualism. Argentina, led by the dynamic Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero and orchestrated by Juan Roman Riquelme in midfield, have been stylish and are buoyed by their 3-0 thrashing of arch-rivals Brazil in the semifinal. One possible dampener could be the heat as the match will kick off at midday — a hefty price to pay for staging the event at the Bird’s Nest, where athletics take priority. It is another reminder of soccer’s somewhat uncomfortable place at the Games.

Brazil overcame their deep frustration at not making the men’s Olympic football final by putting away Belgium 3-0 to take the bronze medal consolation prize at Shanghai Stadium here on Friday. Goals to Diego and Jo in the first half and a second to Jo on full-time settled the outcome. It was the second time they met in these Olympics, after Brazil narrowly won their opening pool match 1-0, but this time the samba boys were not as laid back. Although clearly demoralised by their 0-3 semifinal loss to Argentina, they had inspirational captain Ronaldinho to re-ignite their motivation with a masterful display in the midfield. The AC Milan star created numerous opportunities through the first half starting with a header that just sailed over the bar in the opening minutes.

CLUTCHLESS TRANSMISSION

2008-08-17T06:10:00.000+05:30

The GF-5R clutchless transmission utilizes split, spring-loaded sliders. The engagement lugs on each half are ramped on the deceleration side. When the shift lever is pulled into first gear, both slider halves move to engage the first gear faceplate. When the shift lever is moved to the second gear position, only the slider half-facing second gear moves to engage that gear. At this time, both gears are engaged momentarily, but second gear causes the main shaft to increase its rotational speed. This speed difference kicks the first gear side of the slider out of engagement, (hence the need for the ramped engagement lugs). Subsequent gear changes operate the same way. All shifts are made at full throttlee, without the use of the clutch, just as they are with a planetary transmission.

The GF-2000 clutchless transmission operates with a slightly different design than that of the GF-5R. The GF-2000 utilizes a different shift fork for every gear, unlike the GF-5R, which uses only 3 shift forks. Because of this, the GF-2000's return springs can be located directly on the shift rails, whereas the GF-5R has split, spring loaded sliders. Again, all shifts can be made at full throttle without using the clutch. Both methods work fine, but the GF-2000's design of having bigger coil springs directly on the shift rails tends to be better for a first-time clutchless driver. For more experience drivers, it doesn't really matter.

Because of the unique engagement system of a clutchless G-Force, the transmission is not suitable for the street and will pop out of gear under deceleration. Since the clutchless G-Force is not a planetary transmission, it doesn't impose the same type of power losses.

ZEPPELINS

2008-08-16T16:34:00.000+05:30

Friedrichshafen (Germany)-Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin launched his first flying machine from Lake Constance here in 1900. Thus began a chapter of aviation history that would propel Friedrichshafen onto the world stage, make it a prominent target for Allied bombs during World War II and ultimately bequeath to the city a sizable foundation financed by the successor companies to von Zeppelin’s original enterprise. The foundation generates between $60 million and $80 million a year for a population of just 57,000. That largess supports projects as varied as school lunches for underprivileged children, sports teams and a new library. It was the threat of losing the foundation that nudged the town fathers to get back into the zeppelin business two decades ago.

That prudent choice kept the foundation in the city’s hands. It may yet prove a good business decision in its own right. Since the new line of zeppelins first took flight here 11 years ago, the company, ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik , has built only four, including the prototypeand sold only two. With that money, von Zeppelin started a foundation dedicated to developing airships. As zeppelins enjoyed their heyday passenger service from Germany reached as far as Brazil the count’s successors built a variety of businesses to provide technology for ever more advanced zeppelins.

Zeppelins are used for a variety of purposes, including air-quality testing and crowd surveillance at public events. And Friedrichshafen remains an economic success, thanks to the many zeppelin businesses. Its region enjoys a remarkably low unemployment of just 2.5%. But for the people here it is also important that the zeppelins not remain the brontosaurus of the skies but return to their rightful place over Lake Constance.

BMW’S CUTTING METHOD

2008-08-06T10:02:00.000+05:30

The main prerequisite for BMW's comeback to Formula One in 2000 was to generate synergies between F1 and series development. It was for this reason that development of the Formula One powertrain and electronics was integrated at the Munich plant, with the BMW Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) playing a pivotal role. The F1 factory was set up less than a kilometre away from the think tank and the two formed a close network. "The FIZ represents the future of BMW," states Mario Theissen. "Here you have the most capable engineers working in state-of-the-art research and development facilities. The FIZ has vast resources at its disposal, from which we benefit directly. Conversely, with its extreme technical challenges and the requisite pace of development, the company's F1 involvement represents a unique testing ground for our technicians."The acquired know-how remains within the company, where it benefits the development of production cars. The expertise developed for the machining of various materials and components in Formula One, such as cylinder heads or crankcases, finds its way into production cars as well the development of motorcycles at BMW Motorrad.

Further focuses are the advancement of expertise in CFRP materials and their use in body construction, the development of hybrid components for Formula One and derivatives for series models. But production vehicles also enjoy the fruits of development and logistics processes honed in the sphere of Formula One. Examples include further advances in aerodynamics and the systems control unit.
Starting in season 2009, hybrid technology can be deployed for the first time in Formula One to enhance performance and efficiency. The BMW Sauber F1 Team is working flat out on the development of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), for example, which serves to regenerate brake energy. In doing so the BMW Sauber F1 Team is also promoting the hybrid competence of the BMW Group. Further innovations are being developed in the areas of casting technologies, powertrain and intelligent energy management.

Dr Klaus Draeger, Director of Development for BMW AG, summarises: "The BMW Group can transfer the knowledge gained within the BMW Sauber F1 Team directly into the development of standard production vehicles. This makes Formula One the ideal predevelopment platform for innovative drive technologies. The new Formula One regulations give us the opportunity to deploy innovative hybrid technology under extreme conditions and at the same time glean important insights for production development. BMW customers stand to gain from this."

BRAIN TEST

2008-07-25T07:51:00.000+05:30

The state police can now bank on a forensic tool to achieve speedy convictions. For the first time in Maharashtra, life sentences were meted out to the accused, based on the findings of Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature (BEOS) profiling. Reports of these tests, conducted at the state forensic lab in Kalina, were held admissible in session’s courts in two brutal cases of murder.
Experiential knowledge is acquired only through participation in an event, leading the person to have an experience of that activity. The technique detects and differentiates whether the accused was actually involved in committing a crime or only learnt of it. It helps in the reconstruction of events.

BEOS involves the application of electro-encephalogram. Electrodes are attached to different parts of the brain to detect electrical activation in the brain. The accused is asked to wear a cap with 32 electrodes, of which two are placed on each earlobe and rest on various parts of the brain. Probes (short questions) are recorded in a computer and presented to an accused. He is asked to sit with eyes closed and listen to the probes. The probes would evoke remembrance of the experience that the accused would have had. Such remembrance is accompanied by extensive changes in the electrical oscillation pattern in the brain. No manual analysis is involved in this system.

GPS SYSTEM FOR MILK VAN....?

2008-07-23T16:49:00.000+05:30

Drivers of milk delivery vans who take a quick nap while on work or deviate from their route will soon have technology keeping track of them. In a pilot project, the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited or Aavin, is trying out the efficacy of Global Positioning System (GPS) in their delivery vehicles.

The technology will help authorities keep track of the exact location of the milk distribution vans and the time at which they deliver milk. The official said this would also help the authorities to immediately attend to any breakdown of the vehicles and if need be, replace them to ensure that milk is transported to the various destinations on time. Most of the vans operate at night and have to deliver the milk at the designated time at every distribution point. In case, there is some disruption to the vehicle, all the points of distribution need to be alerted.

VOLVO's C70

2008-07-01T07:21:00.001+05:30

The automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific today announced its annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), of which three category winners were Volvos.An "ideal" is defined as an excellent or perfect example. So, in search of the ideal vehicle, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their model year 2008 cars and trucks using a measurement of 15 key vehicle attributes.According to AutoPacific, "The Volvo S40 was the clear winner in the Luxury Mid-Size Car category. With high rating for exterior size, visibility, ride, handling and safety it's easy to see why the S40 is an ideal vehicle. Volvo engineers and designers definitely hit their target. Luxury Mid-Size car owners' scores prove that Volvo understands their buyers very well. Top marks were also given for seat firmness, interior lighting, wheels and tires, and exterior styling."

In the Image Compact Car category AutoPacific cited, "Image Compact Cars are products where style typically trumps absolute function. In the case of the Volvo C30 it seemed to appeal to Image Compact Car owners on both an emotional and rational level. Owners' preferences for the C30's exterior styling, ride, and safety blended well with the interior lighting, seat firmness, and level of technology."

The Volvo C70 shared the top spot in the Aspirational Luxury Car category. AutoPacific summarized that, "Even though the Volvo 70 is only available in one trim level (T5) it seems as though the Swedes have packaged the vehicle just right. With the most modern convenience features, owners in the Aspirational Luxury Car segment found the C70 well-equipped, giving the C70 top honors as a 2008 ideal vehicle. Of course it comes standard with numerous safety features (it's a Volvo), sharp wheels and tires, excellent interior lighting and appreciate seat firmness."

MULTI UTILITY VEHICLES

2008-06-17T15:37:00.000+05:30

Multi utility vehicles play different roles for different people and are the most widely used vehicles worldwide. As the name suggests MUV's has multi usage capabilities. With its dynamic features like high quality, ruggedness, durability, stability, reliability, looks, easy maintenance and operational economy, Multi Utility Vehicles are used extensively for private and public transport. MUV has multiple feature options that make traveling a comfortable and luxurious experience.In multi utility vehicle segment General Motors' Tavera, Toyota Innova and Mahindra Scorpio are consistently doing extremely well.

Hindustan Motor's is one of the oldest auto makers in India, and has its three successful models- Trekker, Porter and Pushpak that can take on any kind of terrain. Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is a big giant in the automotive sector in India and has conquered the insurmountable feat in India’s rural, semi-urban markets, with the introduction of its premium MUVs like Bolero and Scorpio. Scorpio is counted as one of the best MUV's because of its highly spacious interiors and ensures safety and reliability with its tuff interiors. Toyota Innova is an extremely spacious car and offers comfy sitting arrangement.

One can take his entire family out on outings and for long tours on the rugged roads and hilly areas. Innova is a big car and has good height to its credit which makes it easier for passengers move in and out in comfortable position.

MERCEDES' S C 63 AMG

2008-06-15T06:31:00.000+05:30

The new C 63 AMG will be at the start as the official Safety Car for the second DTM race of the season in Oschersleben (April 19/20, 2008). The top-of-the-range C-Class model with its 336 kW/ 457 hp AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine and modifications to the brakes, suspension, cooling and exhaust system is in perfect shape for its demanding task. The development and production of the C 63 AMG Safety Car was in the hands of specialists from the AMG development team and the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO.

The Safety Car operates under the aegis of the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB - German Motor Sports Association), which has the overall responsibility for compliance with safety requirements under the rules of the DTM. The task of the C 63 AMG Safety Car is to ensure maximum safety both on and adjacent to the track in the event of an extreme situation occurring.

On the instructions of the race organisers, Safety Car driver Peter Lux must place his car at the head of the DTM field and safely lead the cars around the circuit so that hazardous situations are kept under control.

3 METRO ROUTES

2008-06-05T16:12:00.000+05:30

The centre will fund the ‘viability gap’ for the Mumbai metro project, Union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy announced on Wednesday. Reiterating that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was especially focused on Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, Reddy said that the Centre would bear Rs 4,500 crore of the total cost of Rs 22,000 crore.

Reddy’s announcement, made at a city function, was welcomed by top officials connected with the project. Maharashtra has been trying for almost two years to get central sanction for the viability gap funding (VGF) for the first three corridors of the Mumbai Metro. Viability gap is the sum the government underwrites in order to make a project financially viable for the promoter.
On a visit to the city in 2006, Reddy had promised central help for the first line of the Mumbai metro which amounts to Rs 650 crore. But months had passed without a sanction. “The state government had in fact decided to go ahead with the first line and was willing to pay the VGF costs if the central funds did not flow in,’’ said officials.
The first three corridors of the Mumbai Metro will cost over Rs 22,000 crore,with the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line costing Rs 2,356 crore, the Colaba-Bandra-Mankhurd line Rs 6,000 crore and the Colaba-Bandra line over Rs 12,000 crore.
Mumbai Metro One, a special purpose vehicle, was floated to build the first corridor with Reliance Energy Limited as the major stakeholder. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and a French multinational firm, Veolia, are the other stakeholders.