AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2011
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SHORT STORIES
A ‘Walk for site’ with actor Farooq
Shaikh was organised by All India
Ophthalmological Society, on
Sunday morning. The walk was
aimed at creating awareness about
eye donation in the city.
—Piyush Patel. DNA
> ISKCON holds lecture on
Bhagvad Gita
In a lecture held at ISKCON temple
in the city, spiritual scientist Rasaraj
Prabhu (Prof Ravi Gomatam)
delivered lecture on 'Modern
Science and
Piyush Patel. DNA
Bhagvad Gita',
and Acharya
Dharmendraji
Maharaj
spoke on
'Devotion of
Lord Krishna
in Bhagvad
Gita'.
Hundreds of
devotees
attended the
lecture
organised at the temple premises on
Sunday. Rasaraj Prabhu said,
"Modern science studies matter
exclusively and ignores the soul and
religion whereas Bhagvad Gita
emphasises on soul, God and
religion. This makes the book
unique among other books."
Dharmendraji Maharaj shared an
interesting session with the devotees
on Lord Krishna's life.
> Kerala Samajam organises
blood donation camp
Piyush Patel. DNA
The city witnessed a mega blood
camp by Ahmedabad Kerala
Samajam (AKS) on Sunday
morning. Around 580 units of blood
was collected in the five hour long
camp, held in four areas of the city,
viz., Naroda, Satellite, Maninagar
and Nirnaynagar. This is the first
time when all the 15 wards of AKS
have come together to conduct the
mega blood camp. "We have been
conducting blood camps since past
six years. Till last year, each ward of
our association used to conduct
blood camps separately. But this is
the first time when all the 15 wards
have come together for this noble
cause," said Mohan Nambiar,
president of AKS.
WEATHER & ALMANAC
Temperature
Maximum 08.30o C
Minimum 17.30o C
Humidity 95%
Sunrise 07.17 am
Sunset 18.31 pm
Moonrise 09.24 am
Moonset 22.08 pm
Forecast
Weather will be mainly
sunny in all districts of
Gujarat state & in Diu,
Daman, Dadara Nagar
Haveli.
Letters ‘Inquiry’, not
‘investigation’
to the
Tahelka's expose of the 600-
editor page report that SIT has sub-
mitted to the Supreme Court
in a sealed cover by and large
tallies with apprehensions
which arose in discerning
readers' minds after reading
reports in newspapers and
magazines about the 2002 riots
and reports about omissions
and commissions of the Gu-
jarat police and government
and what SIT did or did not do
in the matter. However, Tahel-
ka's and SIT report's conjec-
The editor ture that Narendra Modi is
welcomes your guilty is inconsistent with the
views and feedback: concluding para of the SIT re-
editletters@dnaindia.net port that though the allega-
EVENTS
Lunch
Indian fusion lunch at Haute
Peppers, Bodakdev. From 12
noon to 3 pm. Till Feb 15.
VOL. 4 ISSUE NO. 81 > R.N.I. No. : GUJENG/2007/22424. > Editor-in-chief: Aditya Sinha > Printed and published by R K Gupta on behalf of Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. from Bhaskar Printing Press, Bhaskar House, Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway, Makarba, Ahmedabad 380051. > Resident Editor: Shyam Parekh*, Phone 07939888850, Fax No 07939814082. *Responsible for selection of news under PRB Act.
2
Mobile radiation threat
AHMEDABAD UPFRONT
can be reduced: Panel
The committee has recommended lowering RF to 1/10th of the current permissible
levels, cutting SAR levels and setting up of a monitoring network
Priya Adhyaru-Majithia
The inter-ministerial com-
mittee formed by the Central
government to assess the
possible adverse health ef-
fects of radiation from cell-
phones and towers, has
called for urgent revision of
existing radiation norms. It
has stated that revisions in
the norms were required to
make them more suited to
the country's conditions and
environment.
It has, however, cautioned
against rushing to the con-
clusion that cellphones were
actually harmful because of
the radiation of RF energy.
Studies conducted on their
effects so far were few in
number and not well-de-
signed, it has stated.
TELEPHONY
BUSINESS
The committee has, how-
ever, made several recom-
mendations to make mobile
phones and cellphone towers
safer. Its key recommenda-
tions are: strict restriction on
installation of cellphone tow-
ers in densely populated ar-
eas; lowering the permitted
radio frequency (RF) energy
levels to just one-tenth of the
current levels; reduction in
permitted specific absorp-
tion rate (SAR); and setting
up of a monitoring network.
Specific absorption rate
(SAR) is the unit of meas-
urement for the amount of
RF energy absorbed by the
human body when using a
mobile phone.
The inter-ministerial com-
mittee comprised officials
from the ministry of com-
munications and informa-
tion technology, and the de-
partment of telecommunica-
tions of the Central govern-
ment. It had recently ex-
pressed serious concern over
the powerful electromagnet-
ic fields (EMF) or electro-
magnetic waves emitted
from mobile phone towers.
The current cellphone ra-
diation levels allowed in the
country may be alright for
western countries where
people have higher fat levels
than people living in tropical
countries, it has stated. The
bodies of Westerners can ab-
sorb RF radiation more ef-
fectively because they have
more fat in comparison to the
bodies of Indians.
India currently follows the
International Commission
on Non-ionising Radiation
Protection (ICNIRP) limits,
which also have the approval
of the World Health Organi-
Monday, February 7, 2011
Shri Vikram Samvat 2067, \ The inter-ministerial
Sake Era 1932, Sun committee found that
Uttrayan, Dakshin Gole,
higher the Specific
shishir Ritu, Magh Shukla Absorption Rate (SAR)-
Paksha Chaturthi till level of a handset, the
5.08pm, Nakshatra greater is its power to
Uttrabhadrapad till 1.56am, cause harm to the user.
Yoga Siddha till 11.24pm,
\ People who are
Karan Bhadra till 5.08pm
and after that Bav till chronically exposed to
6.25am and Balav starts low-level wireless
antenna emissions and
Rahu Kala : 7.30am
users of mobile handsets
to 9am
have reported symptoms
Yam Ganda : 10.30am
to 12pm during and after mobile
Best Period : 9am to use. These symptoms
10.30am, and 6.30pm range from burning and
to 8.30pm
tions against Modi have been
found to be true, they cannot
be further investigated under
the law (DNA Feb 4). At this
juncture -- nine years after the
riots and three years of SIT's
deliberating over the cases,
Supreme Court has told SIT
that its conclusions should be
based on what is legally
doable under the law as every-
thing else would be mere opin-
ion of any authority, media or
political party. Conceptually,
the SIT report takes the read-
er to a climax and then, to-
wards the end and all of a sud-
den, to an anticlimax. Allega-
tions which cannot be investi-
gated under the law are des-
tined to remain allegations
and none against whom such
Exhibition Film screening
Painting exhibition by artist Screening of short films at
Jignesh Panchal at Ravishankar Natarani, Usmanpura. From 8.30
Raval Kala Bhavan. From 12 to 7 pm onwards. On Feb 10.
pm. Till February 7.
‘MOBILE MANUALS SHOULD OFFER GUIDANCE ON RADIATION’
> During a meeting organised by the
Bombay Telephone Users Association
last week, Ram Kumar, ex-DOT, the
chairman of the inter-ministerial
committee - a panel to examine the
effects of EMF radiation on human
health - asked for review and
feedback from the researchers who
attended the meet, by February 25.
Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT, Bombay, who
has done extensive research on the
subject and is in close interaction
with the committee which has come
up with the recommendations, said,
"There is a need to evolve alternative
means to deploy mobile telecom
network based on best international
practices in India. For future
expansion of telecom network in the
country use low-power micro cell
transmitters with in-built solutions
instead of the present trend of using
high-power transmission over mobile
towers or high-rise buildings."
> The report acknowledges several
health hazards due to radiation and
has recommended using 1/10th of
the existing radiation norms.
"However, bio-initiative report has
recommended 1000
microwatt/m^2=0.001W/m^2. - This
means that the country should adopt
sation (WHO). But the com-
mittee has warned that the
ICNIRP limits are not suffi-
ciently safe for the Indian
population and that they
should be reconsidered in the
light of its report.
The hot tropical climate
of India, the smaller and
less fat content in the body
of an average Indian as
compared to Europeans,
and the higher concentra-
tion of RF radiation may
place Indians at risk, the
committee's report states.
The report notes that sev-
eral studies had raised con-
cerns about possible risk of
radiation's adverse effects.
These reports have noted the
link between exposure to ra-
dio frequency radiation and
occurrence of health disor-
ders including the impact on
cell growth, cell differentia-
tion, immune system, the re-
HIGHLIGHTS OF REPORT
tingling sensation on the
skin of the head, fatigue,
sleep disorder, dizziness,
lack of concentration,
ringing in the ears,
reaction time, loss of
memory, headache,
disturbance to the
digestive system and
palpitation.
\ The committee has
recommended lowering
permitted radiation limits
to one-tenth of the
current level. The panel
has also advised
allegations are made can be
said to be guilty as one should
be talking about guilty under
the law -- as SIT is expected to
talk. On such a self-contradic-
tory report, Teesta Setalvad is
quoted to have demanded that
SIT should now file an FIR
against Modi to ensure a com-
prehensive investigation be-
cause there is ample evidence
for a formal FIR. SIT's report
also says that SIT's job was a
mere fact finding exercise and
not an investigation under
CrPC which would have given
SIT teeth and legal powers to
carry out a full-fledged investi-
gation! So 'investigation' here
actually means 'inquiry'. Now
SC is likely to issue court's or-
der on March 3 on SIT's 600
Strawberry fest
Strawberry menu with desserts
and beverages at the Grand
Bhagwati. From 11.30 am to 10.30
pm. Till February 15.
ANALYSIS
SS Khandwawala
Educate people to
empower them &
0.1 W/sq.meter radiation level
immediately and further reduce it to
0.01 W/sq.meter within next 1 to 2
years to give sufficient time for
fight for their rights
operators for smooth network
operations," said Kumar.
There is a need to evolve
alternative means to deploy
mobile telecom network,
says committee chairman
> Supporting the committee's
recommendations, which are to be
reviewed by February 25, Kumar said
that DOT must issue orders to mobile
Vijay Zaveri.DNA
handset manufacturers to
prominently display the SAR levels,
which are a measure of the amount
of radio frequency energy absorbed
by the body when using a handset, on
the packing. However, even after this
change, the issue of 3-4 million herever muscle and And if we talk of customers,
Chinese or other unbranded phones
sold every month remains untackled
and is a serious concern. He advised
W money power are in-
volved, we see issues
similar to the one in Kalupur.
most get lured by cheap prices.
This is fine but one needs to
analyse as to why a house, for
alteration in the existing norms of In fact Kalupur is not the only example, is being sold cheap.
self-certification of the cell example of the builder-mafia It could be because the
companies and advises the nexus. builder has used sub-standard
committee members to keep a It can be seen in other parts materials and so can afford to
vigilance on companies. of the city and the country. sell it at cheaper rates.
The main problem is the And once somebody gets
er infrastructure, which is level of awareness and educa- cheated they need to come for-
contrary to the practice in de- tion, especially among the ward to tell the police about it.
veloped countries. The over- poor and those living in ghet- I agree that people are scared of
all levels of RF emissions to tos of the city. They need to be going to a police station, even
which the population as a aware of the land deals and to file a complaint.
whole is exposed in India had laws pertaining to sale, pur- They will only approach a
increased drastically, the chase or renting of a house or police officer to file a complaint
report states. piece of land. and never for guidance.
The department of tele- Despite several efforts at dif- This has to change and the
com (DoT) has requested ferent levels, the fact remains department needs to put in ef-
framing of mandatory pro- that there is no awareness forts to change the common
visions and regulation of
SAR value for mobile hand-
among the common people
about laws connected to land
man's perception of the police.
We need to work a lot on this.
sets and has asked that the dealings in the city. Ours is a society where peo-
Central government to Those who have money be- ple like to live in groups. For in-
consider amending the In- come builders. We have also stance, an entire locality will
dian Telegraph Act-1885 to seen that those connected to have just one type of residents,
enforce this. bootlegging and gambling are all of whom have similar cul-
productive and cardiovascu- The report has asked the also moving into the business. ture and background.
lar systems. The report, how- government to provide for Like, say, vegetarians don't
ever goes on to caution measuring centres for online Almost all the ghettos, like to live with non-vegetari-
against rushing to the con- monitoring of radiation lev- be it in Ahmedabad, ans and visa versa.
clusion that cellphones were els round the clock at promi- As a result ghettos are
actually harmful as these nent places in cities. It has Mumbai, Kolkata or formed. Almost all the ghettos,
studies were not well-de- suggested that the data thus New York, are places be it in Ahmedabad, Mumbai,
signed and their number was collected should be sent to a Kolkata or New York, are places
not statistically significant. central server for further where crime and where crime and criminals
Nevertheless, the report analysis and processing. criminals have a better have a better presence com-
has suggested that India To raise awareness among presence compared to pared to other parts of the city.
should adopt revised radia- users, every mobile manu- The reason is lack of educa-
tion levels for mobile phones facturer's booklet must carry other parts of the city. tion, proper opportunities and
and cellphone towers, in warnings and give options The reason is lack of of course the willingness to
keeping with environmental such as whether the user make a quick buck by hook or
and physiological factors. would prefer wireless hands-
education, proper by crook. Even affluent people
"Canada, Australia, New free system to reduce radia- opportunities are willing to earn money
Zealand, Switzerland, Rus- tion to the head, and low and of course the through not-so-legal means but
sia, Italy, Poland, China and handset SAR. such cases are referred to as
Belgium have adopted even People having active med- willingness to make a 'white collar crimes' and rarely
stricter guidelines," the ical implants should keep quick buck by hook or get noticed.
report states. their cellphones at least 30 However, those living in
In India, there is current- cm away from the implant at
by crook ghettos get involved in small
ly no restriction on the loca- all times and not use a mo- crime which quickly comes to
tion of the towers. As a re- bile phone when a normal What do you need to be a the notice. I think the lack of
sult, there has been a mush- wired phone is available, the builder? Money, of course. And education and opportunities
room growth in mobile tow- report states. those builders who don't want is to be blamed for the crime
to work in the legal framework
will need muscle power too.
in ghettos. Development is
the only solution to all these
It is very easy for them to problems.
grab land and harass the poor Once an area is developed
effective monitoring of metre to 2.4 watt/square because the victims don't and people start getting job op-
mobile towers and metre. In India, on the
know the law. Thus the illiter- portunities the crime rate will
companies to ensure other hand, the current ate become easy prey for such go down. Education is another
that the new norms are
permitted level at 1800 land mafias. important matter as it will not
adhered to.
MHz is 9.2 watt/square During my tenure as a police be easy for criminal elements
\ Different countries metre. official, I came to know about to cheat people if they know of
have adopted stricter \ An alternative means some cases wherein the land their rights. The local govern-
radiation norms in the to deploy mobile telecom was illegally grabbed and only ment also needs to have an in-
light of their unique network based on best with my intervention was the teractive approach.
accused nabbed. Say, for instance, why can't we
environmental factors international practices,
and the physical and a national policy and The land mafia knows every have an awareness drive about
structure of their guidelines on EMF provision in the law or have the legal aspects of a land deal?
population. Their radiation for telecom powerful legal backing in their Why can't officers distribute
radiation norms at 1800 towers need to be land grab endeavours. They pamphlets on the same? Why
MHz frequency varies evolved, the panel's know that once a matter goes to can't the local government be-
from 0.001 watt/square report states. court then it will be easy for come more participative?
them to grab land as the court The writer is a retired DGP,
takes years to resolve a matter. Gujarat State
pages report. It remains to be Thank the judiciary that the government was politicians. The Indian history
seen whether the court orders This is with reference to forced to act. shows that despite strong evi-
will give teeth to SIT, which 'Raja, 2 aides arrested', (DNA, —JS Khan, via email dence of various scams in
called itself toothless. February 3). On its part, the II which a whole lot of politicians
—Man Mohan Singh, Central government seems to are involved, not a single per-
Ahmedabad have done everything it This is with reference to 'Raja, 2 son has ever been convicted by
could, to cover up the 2G aides arrested', the arrest of ex- the authorities.
Bring back edits spectrum scam. The recently telecom Minister A Raja and —Sahir Ansari, via email
appointed telecom minister his aides in the 2G scam is a
I have noticed recently that Kapil Sibal even questioned positive step taken by the UPA Flip flops
there is no Edit Page column the CAG report's basis of cal- government to effectively clean Flip flops are par for the course
in your newspaper. DNA is culating the notional loss to up corruption among the high- in politics but our ministers
the best disciplined and most the exchequer. Similarly, the profile politicians, who have and their party spokesmen, in
ideological journal and has at- Congress functionaries derid- looted the nation and public their anxiety to please their
tracted the young and old ed the CAG, even though it is money for their own selfish boss and retain their plum
equally. I like the paper for its one of the few respectable gains. But looking at the wide- posts have raised it to a fine art.
straightforwardness and sim- public institutions left in the spread corruption, which is in- As a result, statements which
plicity. But the Edit page is a country, the prime minister creasing at an alarming rate, are 180 degrees apart are made
back-bone of a newspaper. maintained his usual silence and the lengthy process of law, every day by the same person
May I request you to kindly re- through all this. We should be it seems the action taken by and if it makes him/her a
consider its re-inception. thankful to the judiciary and CBI is a mere face-saving stunt laughing stock, who cares?
GR Surendran, Ahmedabad media as it was due to them to save the venal and guilty —MR Hosangady, Mumbai
Workshop Food fest Art show
Sindhi voices project is holding Punjabi dhaba festival at Royal Tale and the taal of black - Solo
audio-visual recordings at Orchid Central, Paldi. From 7 pm show by Shabnam Shah at
Detour Café, Vastrapur. From 10 to 11 pm. Till February 13. Mantra Art Gallery. From Feb 7
am to 8 pm. Till Feb 15. to Feb 14.