Lockheed Martin to invest $300,000 in IIT Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) Recognising the excellence of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, combat aircraft manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin has chosen it for a $300,000 project of collaborative research in bio- and nano-technology.
"We have already signed an agreement with the IIT Delhi. We are investing $300,000 for a collaborative project over a period of one year," Ray O. Johnson, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Lockheed Martin, said here Wednesday.
"This is the first such collaboration with any institute beyond the US and Europe. The IIT is an institute of recognised excellence across the globe in this field of bio- and nano-technology and after the successful completion of the project, we may have some follow up projects," Johnson told IANS.
He said Lockheed had been engaged in discussions with the IIT Delhi for nearly a year to "identify mutual areas of interest in technology collaboration and research".
With the broad spectrum of bio- and nano-technology, research will be carried out in the fields like nano-technology-enabled biological sensors, biodegradable nonmaterial for medical treatment and bio-filters for pollution detection.
"The partnership is an exciting prospect for advancing technology and establishing a long-term relationship with Lockheed Martin. We are surprised but happy about the collaboration," IIT Delhi director Surendra Prasad said in a select press meet.
When asked about the choice of of the IIT Delhi for the collaboration, Prasad said: "we are doing quite well in the field and they know the IIT Delhi is the best in India."
Eight professors from four departments of the institute and up to five experts from Lockheed will work together here to achieve success in the project and work out future collaboration.
Asked who will have the patent for the new products, molecules, Prasad said: "The intellectual property rights issues are yet to be finalised but no one can stop the IIT Delhi from publishing the research results."
Johnson said the objectives of the research partnership include "developing domain expertise in the nano-biological technologies for application to Lockheed Martin products, services, and adjacent market pursuits".
"It will also strive to achieve capabilities in modelling and simulation, virtual experimentation and conceptual designing of nano-biological systems," he added.
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1.3 million saplings planted in a day in Himachal

Shimla, Aug.5 (ANI): The Himachal Pradesh government recently launched a mass afforestation drive with at least one member of the aimed 1.3 million rural and urban families planting a medicinal or herbal sapling.
The major plantation drive was carried out on the weekend here that witnessed a record number of saplings being planted by public under the programme named "Jan-Jan- Sanjivni Van Abhiyan".
Most of the families planted herbal plants in the kitchen gardens or in the foreyard of their houses.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, initiated the campaign by planting a sapling at his residence in Shimla and described the mass plantation drive as a multi-pronged programme.
"Every family of the State is being involved. Every family will plant a herbal plant provided by the Government. One plant will not be enough; it is for the inspiration of the people. People should grow maximum herbal plants. It will not only help to keep the environment clean but also on commercial basses it will generate revenue to the people," said Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh.
State forest minister J. P. Nadda termed the plantation drive as a public sensitizing and viable programme.
He contended that the people's participation was not so encouraging in the "Van Mohtosava" since it was limited to the Forest Department. As such the Conservator of Forests came forth with an idea to involve the classes and the masses people through this Jan-Jan- Sanjivni campaign.
"The Forest Department developed these plants in the nurseries. We developed approximately 24 lakh (2.4 million) plants and then we started this programme known as Jan-Jan- Sanjivni Van Abhiyan 2008," said J. P. Nadda, Minister of Forests in Himachal Pradesh.
" The objective was that we had some 57 species out of which 19 are of the kind which grown into trees and the rest are herbs and shrubs. We divided the whole State in three levels - the lower altitude, middle altitude and the higher altitude. We distributed the plants accordingly. For the last one-and-a-half months, the distribution part started. I am happy to say that we have crossed the 13-lakh (1.3 million) plant distribution," Nadda informed.
People have also hailed the plantation campaign. They believe that such programmes can be successful only if a proper feedback is compiled and monitored.
"The Government has to pay some attention. There is a need to take feedback and after studying the success of this campaign, the Government should distribute a plant to every individual of the State from next year, which will keep the environment clean and the dream of becoming a herbal state will also get fulfilled. The launching of such campaign by the Government is going to us benefit us definitely," observed Lekhraj, a local resident.
The Department of Forests will take feedback in October and according to the inputs and convenience of the people of the State, a policy will be formulated.
The Himachal Pradesh government has also signed an agreement with the Patanjali Yoga of popular Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, it will buy the fruits, leaves and roots of these plants for medicinal purposes. By Hemant Chauhan (ANI)
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Obama unveils plan to end US 'oil addiction' by 2018

Lansing (Michigan, US): Barack Obama put forward a broad energy plan on Monday designed to end US reliance on imported oil within 10 years and shore up his standing amid a tightening White House race and high anxiety over gas prices.
Obama's proposal, though, includes two significant reversals of past positions: He had steadfastly fought the idea of limited new offshore drilling and had been against tapping the nation's emergency oil stockpile to relieve pump prices that have stubbornly hovered around $4 a gallon.
In a speech in Michigan, the Democratic Presidential nominee-in-waiting also endorsed long-term work on hybrid cars and renewable energy sources.
"Breaking our oil addiction is one of the greatest challenges our generation will ever face," the Illinois Democrat told a supportive audience as he began a week's focus on energy issues. "It will take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy," he said.
Presumed Republican nominee Senator John McCain, speaking in Pennsylvania, again advocated more oil drilling off the US coast. "Anybody who says that we can achieve energy independence without using and increasing these existing energy resources either doesn't have the experience to understand the challenge that we face or isn't giving the American people some straight talk," he said.
Obama warns Pakistan against funding militants Obama's daughter gets $1 allowance a week Road to the White House: Full coverage
Obama and McCain are emphasising solutions to the country's energy woes as they seek an advantage in polling that shows the race competitive just weeks before their respective national nominating conventions and the final stretch of the campaign. The issue cuts across the diverse electorate, resonating with voters of all stripes, and it gives the candidates a way to talk both about domestic and foreign issues. High gas prices are pushing food and transportation costs higher, affecting consumers weathering a weak economy, while the country's dependence on foreign oil has emerged as a pivotal national security concern.
Obama, who as recently as last month argued against tapping the petroleum reserve, proposed that the government sell 70 million barrels of oil from the stockpile and said past release from the reserve have lowered gas prices within two weeks.
Explaining his thinking, campaign energy adviser Heather Zichal said Obama "recognises that Americans are suffering."
The reserve contains 707 million barrels in salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana. It was last tapped shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Obama said US politicians have failed for three decades to deal with the energy crisis, and that McCain has been "part of that failure." He called tapping the petroleum reserves a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
"Like George Bush and Dick Cheney before him," Obama said of the Arizonan, "he sees more drilling as the answer to all of our energy problems, and like them, he's found a receptive audience in the very same oil companies that have blocked our progress for so long. In fact, he raised more than one million dollars from big oil just last month."
Also on Monday, Obama's campaign unveiled a television ad that criticises McCain's energy policies. "After one President in the pocket of big oil we can't afford another," says the ad, referring to Bush's previous work in the oil industry.
Both candidates have moderated their positions since earlier this year. McCain abandoned his past opposition to drilling on the Outer Continental shelf and now is an aggressive advocate of such drilling. On Friday, Obama signalled that he could support limited new offshore drilling if it were needed to enact a compromise energy policy.
"We're not going to achieve energy independence by inflating our tires," McCain told employees at the National Label in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania part of Obama's energy plan calls for consumers to fully inflate their tires for improved gas mileage.
McCain also called on Obama to join him in calling for Congress to return from its August recess to pass a comprehensive energy policy. Spokesman Bill Burton said Obama would join the call only if McCain is willing to pass a policy that provides $1,000 energy rebates and invests in renewable energy — two of Obama's proposals.
Gas prices have risen steadily as an issue since last November, according to a recent AP-Yahoo News poll. The issue rose to second place after the economy more broadly.
Obama said it was his "single overarching goal" to end US reliance on oil from the Middle East and Venezuela over the next 10 years; he put the government pricetag at $150 billion.
The petroleum reserve is capable of releasing about 4 million barrels a day. It's unclear what impact such a release might have on global oil prices, or costs of gasoline at the pump. But a clear signal by the United States to use its emergency reserve to a significant extent could put downward pressure on oil markets at least for a time, energy experts say.
In 2000, President Clinton used a similar "swap" of government oil as proposed by Obama, making available 30 million barrels because of concern over rising prices and supply worries in advance of that year's winter heating season. Republicans criticised the move as an attempt to help then Vice President Al Gore's Presidential bid.
Obama said that, under his plan, oil companies would bid to borrow easily refinable light sweet oil from the reserve, and replace it later with heavier oil.
Elgie Holstein, an Obama energy adviser, said that while fewer refineries now are capable of refining the heavier stuff into gasoline, that won't be the case in the future.

Status quo on Kashmir, US tells Gilani

Gilani appealed to Washington for support on Kashmir Washington: Two days after Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appealed to Washington to "encourage and support the Kashmir issue", the United States said that its stand on the contentious issue remains unchanged.State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States' policy on Kashmir remains the same and that there is "no change".He was asked whether the Kashmir issue was discussed during the Pakistani Premier's visit to the US. In his public address at the Council on Foreign Relations during his visit, Gilani had said that Washington "should encourage and support this issue." When asked how he want the US to play a role on the Kashmir issue, Gilani said: "Actually what the United States really want, they can do it."

Lara replaces Tabu in Priyadarshan's 'Billo Barber'

Mumbai, June 25 (IANS) Director Priyadarshan admits he had written the female lead of his forthcoming 'Billo Barber' with favourite actress Tabu in mind but had to settle for Lara Dutta instead due to date problems.

Priyadarshan and Tabu have done great work together in films like 'Viraasat' and 'Kala Pani'. The versatile actress even agreed to do an inconsequential role in 'Hera Pheri' only for Priyadarshan's sake.


'Billo Barber' is being produced by superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Priyadarshan wanted Tabu to star in it. But after she opted out, Lara bagged the role.


Said Priyadarshan: 'It's a role of a full-on firebrand village girl. And it's patterned on Tabu's role in my 'Viraasat'. I've to admit I think of Tabu for every female lead. But Lara is sensitive and strong enough to carry this role off with elan.'


He said that Lara plays the wife of a barber, portrayed by Irrfan Khan.


'Though the character belongs to a higher caste, she defies social norms and the diktats of the village to marry a barber. Lara's sophisticated image hasn't come in the way of her performance at all. She'll shock you,' said Priyadarshan.


Shah Rukh also stars in 'Billo Barber', but not opposite Lara.


Said a source close to the project: 'There was a certain amount of reservation about the part when Lara heard it was opposite Irrfan. Lara is extremely conscious of her co-stars' status. Earlier she had refused Anil Kapoor's 'Short Cut' with Arshad Warsi.


'But the temptation of being in the same film with Shah Rukh prevailed. She had never been in any film with him and he's producing 'Billo Barbar'. She sees this as stepping stone to a film with Shah Rukh.'


Earlier Lara had done a walk-on part in 'Fanaa' and admitted she had done it to work with Aamir Khan and to gain an entry into Yash Raj Films. And very soon she got a full-fledged role in 'Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom' with the illustrious banner.

Relationship between plant layout and material handling

There is a close connection between the concepts of plant layout and material handling. A good plant structure can ascertain the least material handling process and inexpensive material handling equipment. The material handling factors to be considered while designing the plant layout are:

1) Excessive material movement damages the materials and causes loss of valuable man-hours in shifting materials. A layout should be designed such that it suits the manufacturing requirement of the products and reduces the material handling to minimum.

2) If the workers are compelled to search through the entire workshop for a particular material, their productive time is bound to go wasted. For maximum utilization of their time the plant should be equipped with:
a) Clearly identified and well-named functional areas.
b) Distinct areas for raw materials, tools, work-in-process, inspection and finished goods.

3) For an effective and speedy movement of materials there should be an effective use of:
a) Bins, trolleys, racks and trays to keep materials instead of placing them on floors
b) Proper packaging techniques before dispatching
c) Conveyors, chutes, inclined planes and gravity feed bins to automate, materials
movement.

4) Public utilities should be located at easily accessible distances and should not
require distant walks on part of the workers

5) Economical use of space should be aimed. Machines and equipments should be
placed in such a way that there is a minimal or no wastage of space and yet there
should be optimum choice for expansion.

6) Maximum opportunity for greater width of aisles, heights of ceilings and other
areas of storage so the need of later alterations will be reduced

A good plant layout thus facilitates an efficient material handling system. It offers minimum material handling by making material movements shorter, faster and economical. Overcrowding is prevented. Delays in supplying are avoided due smooth manufacturing activity and hence it is generally desirable to adopt a good plant layout that facilities minimum handling.

Defination :
Section 2(d) of the Indian Contract Act defines consideration as follows, “When at the desire of the promiser, the promisee or any other person has done or abstained from doing, or does or abstains from doing, or promises to do or to abstain from doing, something, such act or abstinences or promise is called a consideration for the promise.”

A stranger to a contract cannot sue:
A person may be a stranger to the consideration but he should not be a stranger to the contract because 'privity of contract' is essential for enforcing any of the rights arising out of the contract. It being a fundamental principle of the law of contracts that' a stranger to a contract cannot sue, only a person who is a party to a contract can sue on it. Thus, where A mortgages his property to B in consideration of B's promise to A to pay A's debt to C, C cannot file a suit against B to enforce his promise, C being no party to the contract between A and B (Iswaram Pillai vs Sonnivaveru7)

Exceptions: The above rule that 'a stranger to a contract cannot sue' is subject to the following exceptions:

(i) Where an express or implied trust is created. In case of a trust, the beneficiary can sue in his own right to enforce his rights under the trust, though he was not a party to the contract between the settler and the trustees.

Illustrations. (a) A transfers certain properties to B to be held by B in trust for the benefit of M. M can enforce the agreement i.e., trust (At. K. Rapai vs John8).
(h) An addressee of an insured article is entitled to sue the Post Office in case of loss, as on receipt of such article, the Post Office becomes in Jaw a constructive trustee for the addressee (Ami" Ullah vs Central Govt.9).

(ii) Family settlement. Where a provision is made in a pal1ition or family arrangement for maintenance or marriage expenses of female members; such members, though not parties to the agreement, can sue on the footing of the arrangement.

Illustration. A daughter along with her husband entered into a contract with her father whereby it was agreed that she will maintain her mother and the property of the father will be conveyed to them. The daughter subsequently refused to maintain the mother. On a suit it was held that the mother was entitled to require her daughter to maintain her, though she was a stranger to the contract (Veeramma vs Appayya).10

(iii) When the defendant constitutes himself, as the agent of the third party. Thus if A receives some money from B to be paid over to C and he admits of this receipt to C, then C can recover this amount from A who shall be regarded as the agent of C (Surjan vs Nanat). II.

(iv) In case of agency. Where a contract is entered into by an agent, the principal can sue on it.


(v) In case of assignment of rights under a contract in favour of a third party either voluntarily or by operation of law, the assignee can enforce the benefits of the contract, e.g., the assignee of an insurance policy or the official assignee on the insolvency of a person can. sue on the contract even though originally they were not parties to it.