My God, it’s full of planets! (From The Economist)

"The latest batch of results from Kepler is both illuminating and baffling
A group led by Erik Petigura of the University of California, Berkeley, having crunched the numbers, told the meeting that around a fifth of sun-like stars in the Milky Way are likely to host planets roughly the size and temperature of Earth. By the researchers’ definition, sun-like stars are a fifth of the total, so that means only about one star in 25 would have such a planet. But the galaxy is a big place, so if they are right there are billions of Earthlike planets in it. The closest is expected to be less than 12 light-years from Earth…. …"(Emphasis supplied)

Imagine just 12 light years away...Wow!

For full article please click at the following link: http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21589384-latest-batch-results-kepler-both-illuminating-and-baffling-my-god

'The rising food prices, the UPA, the BJP and the learned Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia' by K.J.S.Chatrath

What did the UPA governemnt say last year on the rising food prices- 'We have advised the state governments to take strict action against the hoarders, black marketeers and profiteers'

And what has the BJP government said now: 'We have advised the state governments to take strict action against the hoarders, black marketeers and profiteers'

But the most memorable statement has been by the learned Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia...'Rising prices indicate a mismatch between the supply side and the demand side'

The poor and the underfed would really thank you for this revelation, Dr. Ahluwalia.

Hansana Manaa Hai ji...

14.2% rail fare hike

Remember you have to add the Service Tax on the 14.2% as well as on the 6.5% hike in the freight .....

'Englaaand & Football' by K.J.S.Chatrath

Bahut football khail liya, ab wapas Englaaand jaoo

India at the World Cup 1948 & 1950 by K.J.S.Chatrath

In 1948 World Cup India had played and lost to France 2-1.

India was invited to participate in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil considering the high standard of football those years and also keeping in view the appreciable performance of the Indian team at the 1948 Olympics. In the 1950 World Cup India were to open their campaign against Paraguay on June 25, 1950. But, as legend goes, FIFA did not allow India to take part as boots were mandatory and most Indian players were used to playing barefoot.

Those were the days my friends... ... (with apologies to Mary Hopkins).

Later....Corrigendum:Ooops....1948 was not the World Cup but the London Olympics. Sorry for the mistake.

‘Men drop their jeans, go for coloured trousers’ by Anshul Dhamija

‘Men drop their jeans, go for coloured trousers’ by Anshul Dhamija.

No thank you. I wouldn’t like to be seen dead in shocking pink or banana green trousers…uck…

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Men-drop-their-jeans-go-for-coloured-trousers/articleshow/33302838.cms

'Mera Bharat Mahaan!' by K.J.S. Chatrath

This is how 'The Hindu' put it in its edition dated 14th May, 2014.

What a gracefully smooth transition! Bravo to Indian democracy in spite of all its shortcomings!