Trai has raised the following for consultation: Which tariff offers should qualify as promotional? What should be the features of a promotional offer? (Reuters)

In my recent column Just a matter of opinion (FE, February 7; http://goo.gl/05yy1k), I highlighted that Trais new order on RJios tariff plan lacks merit. Now, Trai has floated a consultation paper inviting views on the various aspects of tariff including the two important issues of promotional offer and predatory pricing which were highlighted in my column (I had raised questions that, in the absence of any clear definition of these terms, on what basis Trai has come to the conclusion with regard to the tariff plans of RJio and whether these are compliant with tariff regulations or not?) Im glad Trai thought it prudent to fix these issues even if it is with an intent of a cover-up.

Lets examine both issues again in the light of a recent consultation paper.

Promotional offers

Trai has raised the following for consultation: Which tariff offers should qualify as promotional? What should be the features of a promotional offer? Is there a need to restrict the number of promotional offers that can be launched by a TSP, in a calendar year one after another and/or concurrently?

It is surprising that Trai has woken up to these questions only after it gave a go-ahead to the consecutive promotional offers of RJio, which created a disruption in the market on one hand and has resulted in lower realisation of license fee by at least 20% as estimated by a research organisation. Clearly, this action of Trai has not allowed unfair practices to play in the market, but has allowed the exchequer to suffer seriously. How can an expert body take such a casual view of the matter and raise post facto questions to get answers after upholding that the consecutive promotional offer is valid?

The consultation paper goes on to acknowledge that the authority considered the implications of offering such concessions to customers and was of the view that too long a promotional period dilutes the promotional character of the tariff plan and, in fact, makes it a regular plan. It is bizarre that despite being aware of this issue, Trai went ahead and allowed promotional offer(s) to operate beyond 90 days.

While there could be some justification for approval of a welcome offer because it was a launch offer, what was the compulsion to approve the happy new year offer that was a consecutive plan. Rather than raising this issue now, this could have been easily raised at that time and an intervention order been issued on the plan. This appears to be a clear case of a cover-up to justify its past decisions.

Trai acknowledges that the authority issued a direction to all access service providers regarding transparency in tariff offers (September 1, 2008). In part-2 of the direction, it said that while publishing their promotional offers to the public, operators should specify:

*The eligibility criteria for such promotional offer; and *The opening and closing dates of such promotional offer (within the existing limit of 90 days).

When the issue is clear that an offer cannot be allowed to operate beyond 90 days, how come Trai allowed the welcome offer to run from September 3, 2016, till December 31, 2016a period of more than 90 days. Trai, in para 3 of its order, has mentioned that the happy new year offer was implemented from December 4, 2016, till March 3, 2017. On the other hand, the announcement was made by RJio to the media at large that the happy new year offer was valid up to March 31, 2017, and not up to March 3, 2017, which makes it a period of more than 90 days. It is important to clarify whether the offer was valid up to March 31, 2017, as stated by RJio or up to March 3, 2017, as stated by Trai. The same is the case for the welcome offer. It is astonishing how Trai acted in complete disregard of its own regulation.

Predatory pricing

Trai raised a question on predatory pricing asking what methods/processes should be applied by the regulator to assess predatory pricing by a service provider in the relevant market?

As a background to this subject, it only refers the following: While the term non-predation has not been specifically defined in the TTO, it finds reference in many documents issued by Trai from time to time, which indicates its usage in the context of its generally understood meaning of abuse of dominant position by an enterprise through predatory pricing. For instance, the explanatory memorandum to the TTO 23rd amendment (2002) states as follows: The authority will continue to monitor the tariffs both with respect to predatory tariffs as well as unduly high tariffs because operators with dominant market presence and operations in more than one service sector will always have the capacity to do so.

Similarly, in the consultation paper on tariff plans with lifetime validity issued in January 2006, Trai noted that predatory pricing generally refers to a situation where a dominant firm (with significant market power) charges prices over a sufficiently long period, so as to drive competitors out of market or deter new entrants, and then raises prices to recoup its losses.

Here again, Trai adopted the practice of half reveal and half conceal. It decided to conceal its own 30th amendment to TTO regulation that touched upon the matter of predatory tariff, and noted that to ensure the tariff plan(s) is/are consistent with the regulatory principles in all respects which, inter alia, include IUC compliance, non-discrimination and non-predation.

In the explanatory statement attached to the amendment, Trai also clarified that the IUC regime specified by the authority reflects the underlying costs of providing the service. Also, the IUC charges as specified will implicitly function as a floor to retail tariffs and thereby the scope for predatory pricing or cross-subsidisation is limited. The term floor under TTO means the lower limit of a tariff for a telecommunication service as specified by the authority from time to time, below which such tariffs may not be offered. This amendment laid down the principle that the underlying cost of providing the service should be considered as the criteria to ascertain whether a given tariff is predatory or not?

In view of the above, various questions arise. First, why has Trai chosen not to disclose in the current consultation paper the fact about 30th amendment in its consultation paper which is relevant to the subject? The honest answer would be because it never adhered to this regulatory principal while examining RJio offers.

Second, in the light if its own admission that there is no criteria for deciding predatory pricing, how did it arrive at the conclusion that RJio offerings are non-predatory? Here again, the honest answer would be that it did not adhere to its own defined principle but wanted to make the legal opinion an alibi. Trai rushed to the Attorney General, a rare exception to its previous practices, to seek his opinion whether the tariff offered by RJio is predatory? It did not require any legal opinion to be obtained to ascertain the legal meaning of the term predatory pricing when the criteria to ascertain this is given in the Trai regulation itself. Trai could have examined it simply by calculating the underlying cost of providing service, which could easily be done by Trai with the battery of experts available with them and close the issue backed with factual data.

This paper makes it clear that the current exercise is an attempt to cover up the recent decisions that were taken not in compliance of regulations, but either in complete disregard or are based merely on legal opinions.

The matter is pending in courts for adjudication and Trai is finding it hard to justify its position. I hope the courts will restore justice to the aggrieved operators which the regulator failed to do.

The author is founder & CEO, Tathya Consulting. Views are personal

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Reliance Jio impact: Trai consultation on tariff issues a cover-up excercise - Financial Express

2018 Census Will Be Biometric Based FG

Ankeli Emmanuel

The Sokoto State federal commissioner, National Population Commission, Barrister Muhammadu Aminu Jason has divulged that the 2018 census will be biometric based to avoid human errors.

Aminu insisted that, as a prelude the commission will today commence the third phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Illela local government area of Sokoto State.

According to Aminu, the significance of the EAD exercise goes beyond the conduct of the 2018 census hence it will be used as an established national data for generating accurate locality list including house numbering for subsequent census.

He noted that the commission had previously demarcated 37 local government areas in all the 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the previous EAD excercise. The federal commissioner insisted that Nigerians have no reason whatsoever not to believe the outcome of the 2018 census, as according to him, they are deploying sophisticated technology in carrying out the EAD excercise.

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2018 Census Will Be Biometric Based FG - Leadership Newspapers

64

I started practicing at The Ashram right before New year's and just used my 10 visits with the groupon deal I had. I loved attending class so much, I plan to continue to practice here. I think I'm rather particular about my practice. I want strong guidance and a teacher that challenges my body and mind. The Ashram meets all of those needs. The classes are HOT and you will be challenged just by holding postures. You'll gain strength and each teacher I've had helped me adjust my postures to gain the most benefit. I took mostly the power yoga classes and felt amazing afterwards. I'm not sure I ever actually made it through an entire class with out having to take a break. But, like I said, it's a challenge for body and mind. I loved all of the teachers but my favorite class was the 8 a.m. On Sunday. While I loved Gary's 10 a.m. On Saturday it was a bit crowded for my style. If you plan to go to that class, arrive early. Just a note about the studio because I've been impressed with the cleanliness, hospitality and friendliness. Everyone is so inviting and friendly. The teachers know your name and ask you how you feel. Like I said, just writing this review made me miss my practice at The Ashram and reminded me I must go back soon.

The Ashram is a transformational place. If you're looking to really connect with yourself and find balance in your life, this is the place to go. They teach you that yoga is just a breath exercise and how to use breath as a tool to transcend life's struggles. Each instructor is unique and has something new to teach you. I have tried many different hot yoga methods all over the country and the world, quite frankly, and this is my absolute favorite of all.

Best hot yoga studio I have been to, the only studio that practices with more intense static hold power yoga, where the class moves together. All other studios seem to push this ridiculous speed yoga during power classes, and nobody is in sync. When you are part of a synchronized class you can really feel the energy in the room.

Incredible teachers. Love the location and fellow students have always been very warm and welcoming to me who's pretty inexperienced. Highly recommend.

If you want the real deal, this place is the place to be. 1st of all- amazing studio, from the lobby to hallway to bathroom, to yoga room. The heat is so consistent. I felt like a million bucks after Gary's class. This man is so gifted at the practice and art of teaching, along with his wife, Claudia. I am so amazed at the grace, the strength and the love these two have for their guests and yogis. It's like a family. 2nd, After 3 classes, I feel stronger, mentally and physically and have found the best on the Eastside. Well worth it. 3rd- They're so friendly, warm, welcoming, studio is clean, and the classes are catered to all levels. I left feeling so alive. Super challenging but not defeating. GO!!!!

Best Hot Yoga Studio around! I see a lot of complaints about how "Hot" it is here. It's called "Hot Yoga" for a reason! Make sure you are Hydrated! I love this place!

I started doing yoga in 2003 at a gym I used to go to that has now closed. I didn't realize it at the time, but what we were doing was a Bikram series, but the room was just warm. That was a great way to start. After that gym closed, I found no other yoga that was as beneficial to what ails me. So I started doing a regular hot Bikram yoga at a regular Bikram studio. I'm not a believer in the really hot, no matter what they try to tell you about detoxing via sweating or it being a challenge to deal with the heat. A challenge in dealing with heat stroke is something I will pass on. I am a believer in it needing to be good and warm, but not so hot that you can't really work the majority of the poses as a challenge in strength, flexibility, and concentration; and not just in bearing the heat. I started going to The Ashram in 2008, first in Kirkland and now in Bellevue. It is the best studio I have found, and I've been to a lot. I'm pretty much still a Bikram guy (or classic 75 minute, or whatever the name of it is now). The Ashram has some great teachers and their studios are very nice. I have found it to be too hot sometimes, both in Kirkland and Bellevue. I have found a lot of the power classes, which is what they are really known for, too hot. But I have figured out what teachers and what times. For Bikram, try Sean, Ms. Knapinski if she's teaching (can't remember her first name and may be butchering the spelling), or Gary, and stay to the side edges of the room in Bellevue if you can. In my experience, if the instructor is newly certified in Bikram, they believe in the too hot hot, and you will hear the same dialogue as if its Bikram recording that I first heard in 2003 (my apologies to the exceptions). Sean and Gary have a great way of putting the dialogue to give you a minds eye of what to do. For standing bow pulling, for example, that isn't a 50:50 kick and reach (the standard dialogue), I consider it a 90% kick with a rigid upper body right to the finger tips - when you are fully into it, keep both hands high as you can (heard that from Gary, and when I really push it, that is what I try to do). I've learned a lot of those non-standard tips from instructors here, they really make a difference, and those are the master instructors you pay for. Yoga is expensive, at least to me, and The Ashram has increased prices since opening the Bellevue studio. But it is in line with other studios. The price is part of the reason I don't want to mess around with instructor that has less yoga experience than I do. You are an instructor to take me someplace I haven't been before. You can find the good instructors here, but may take a little trial and error. Makes me feel great, give me a good attitude - at least when it isn't so hot I can't sleep at night afterward and sweat for the next two days. And those people that do power 5+ days a week? I don't get it.

I really disliked this place a lot, let's begin with the price which I was told something on the phone and when I went in there the price was higher than I was told and they tried to get out of it by getting me lost in the number calculations which made no sense. I found the owner to be pretty Rude and unfriendly which in the few other yoga facilities I had been to they were all the very opposite. Also rules, too many stupid rules to be told day one to be turned off. Such as "do not take anymore water breaks other than the ones your instructors give you, so we don't distract others" really!? I take water when I want and need in 110 degree working out temperature! Or at least every where else is like that! Overall not a friendly place.

The environment a little too hot. But the instructors are very friendly. Overall 3 stars is enough.

There is something very special going on at Ashram Yoga. Both teachers and students are extremely serious about the pursuit of true yoga. It's not a place where people are just looking for a workout (although you will see many inspiring hard-bodied 60 year old women who look like 25 year olds). You could say the studio attracts "die-hard" yogis -- people who train and honor both their bodies and minds and who are exceptionally self-aware. I feel privileged to practice with such advanced yoga practitioners guided by class A instructors. Sometimes half the class are Ashram-trained yoga teachers themselves. It's hot, I'll admit I used to have a harder time with that (I'm particularly sensitive to heat), but I have learned to keep my body hydrated, so that I can handle it. Drinking more water has transformed my practice, so I don't have to lie down as often. But it's fine to lie down at any time in this studio and you're encouraged to do so. As long as you do a resting pose with presence, it is still correct practice. It is in an extremely convenient location, and when you're inside there is a wonderful feeling of being at home, and a sense of community. The place is thoroughly and regularly cleaned, and everyone takes good care of the place as if it were their own. People really are dedicated in their practice and to the studio. It is a trusting, supportive environment. I was surprised to see a couple low reviews, but the "complaints" seem pretty minor; splitting hairs over a $40 Groupon which is already an amazing bargain, or giving up after one class with a pushy instructor and chatty classmates (which is rare at the Ashram, btw). That would annoy me too and it has only occurred once out of 100+ times I've been there. As for the heat, my advice to anyone new who is struggling is to up your water intake--keep a bottle by your desk and sip water all day every day. It's a different experience to practice hydrated. Also try out a few other teachers to find the ones that have the most compatible style with your taste. Then see how you feel after a couple of weeks. Definitely don't miss Gary's class. I'm grateful I found this place. It's not easy but it is extremely rewarding.

I have been going to Ashram for two years now. The teachers are phenomenal and I have gained so much benefit from the Hot Power classes. I love and crave the intense heat along with enjoying the internal focus needed to improve in ones practice. I no longer have carpal tunnel issues, have been able to maintain toned muscles and even increased my flexibility. As an entrepreneur, I have gained more inner peace and better coping skills to every day life stresses. I find myself tapping into the many mantras shared by the skilled Ashram yogis. I like not having music and simply focus on breath and the voice of my teacher that day. Not only do the instructors really care but the support and development of special friends have made Ashram a mandatory part of my week. The Art of the Art is to Show No Struggle. Namaste!

I have been practicing at the Ashram for about 9 years now. Prior to my experience here, I was practicing at home and reading about Yoga. That was the extent of my yoga. Since being at the Ashram, Gary, his wife Claudia and the other amazing instructors have changed my life. Yoga is not about strength, it is not about flexibility. (Albeit I am stronger and more flexible than I've been in a very long time.) But through my journey at the Ashram and Gary's instruction, I now have a deeper understanding of my practice and of my body. Yoga is breath, yoga is consciousness, yoga is being present for the time you are on your mat, it's respecting your body and your practice. It's for you and no one else. I love leaving the studio after a class and taking that energy, that feeling with me everywhere I go and into everything I do! It has transformed me into a healthier, and happier person! Thank you Ashram! Not only the instructors and instruction, but the people in that room who energize me every time I attend! Namaste and BIG LOVE!

A few years back I was broke and floundering and could not afford Hot Yoga. Gary let me Karma yogi (clean etc) in exchange for free yoga for several months. I really appreciated that, It is very hard to ask for help and practicing yoga is just what I needed to keep my head up. Things going much better in my life now and it was great to have the help when I really needed it. Great studio. Thank Ashram!!

I have been doing hot yoga for one year now (5 days per week), in my college town and figured I'd find a new studio when I came back home from school. I could not have been more disappointed with this one. Firstly, The room is way too hot. I typically practice in 110 degree rooms and only take breaks during designated times. However, during this class I kept having to stop to cool down. It was impossible to get in the zone and even enjoy myself. I usually lay in corpse pose for several minutes after class is over but I had to rush out due to the ridiculous heat. The floor is literally burning hot and it smells absolutely terrible. Secondly, I did not enjoy the way the instructor led class. She was so pushy with everyone doing the same thing at the exact same time. Yoga is all about doing what is right for your body and following your breath. The instructor also NEVER SHUT UP. Another reason why it was impossible to get in the zone and meditate. The class was so boring, especially with no music and her constant talking. All I could think about was how much I wanted this hour of my life to end. Thirdly, before class began several people were talking in the hot room. People were having full on conversations even though it is supposed to be quiet. I can understand saying something short and brief if it was really important but chatting about this and that before class is incredibly rude when others around you are trying to meditate. I couldn't stand the atmosphere here. So many fellow "yogis" had so little respect for those around them. Lastly, the flow of the class was horrible. She poorly transitioned from pose to pose and rushed through several difficult balancing postures. Worst 20 bucks I've spent in a while.

The best hot yoga studio in the Northwest hands down! From the moment you enter the lobby, your greeted always by a friendly smile 🙂 Every teacher is extremely knowledgeable in creating an experience that will leave you refreshed, focused and energized. Always amazed how the yogis have such great studio ethics and respect for the teachers. This was my first hot yoga studio I ever went to and at the end of my first power class, I knew from that moment this was going to become my second home. Found myself improving not just physically but mentally and over all life style. What can i say...oh yeah, i was just happier and I know you would be also. So give a try! The different styles of class offered at the ashram will keep your body balanced, focused or even upside down (in the Yang class ;-)) I love learning new things about my breath, body and mind as each teacher knows just the right thing to say or touch to get me to where I need to be. In end, my whole life changed for all for best and who knew all it took was 1 step through the doors of The Ashrams. I highly recommend this place to anyone new or experienced to come by and get your yoga on 🙂 see you there!

I visited the Ashram Yoga studio today. I was a little nervous since I hadn't done yoga for about 7 years, but my experience was... WONDERFUL!!! It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or more advanced, the sequences of poses flow seamlessly, are thoughtfully designed, and are as challenging as you want them to be. Luba (the instructor) was clear and soothing and obviously very knowledgeable. Loved her. I left feeling revived (and drenched). Even though I lift regularly and do extensive cardio almost every day, I was more than a little exhausted from the awesome full-body workout. Make sure to hydrate beforehand because it gets hot. Go try it. Seriously, like right now.

Ashram is hands down the best method of yoga out there (and I've tried a lot, worldwide). I'll admit, at first I was a little skeptical of their method of simultaneous class flow, consistent sequence, and ultra hot room. But I have come to love Ashram and appreciate the total transformation of body and mind their classes offer. ALL the instructors are amazing, but I especially love practicing with Gary, Claudia, Davin, and Shannon.

. I have NEVER had a yoga instructor yell at me for stopping to drink water, until I came here. This is hot yoga! It's 120 degrees in the studio and isn't yoga about listening to YOUR OWN body? All the power classes follow the same series of positions every time and it gets incredibly boring. I have gone to quite a few yoga studios and this is one I will never go to again. The dressing room never felt very clean either, which is something that bothers me when I have to walk around bare foot. My worst experience there was during a class when a ceiling fan fell on a student!!! He was fine but still, a little maintenance would be a very good thing!!! I am actually shocked there are not more negative reviews.

I have been practicing for the last few years, and in that time tried quite a few studios until I found my yoga home. In the time I was groupon hopping, I tried this studio because it's walking distance from my house. I had high hopes because the location was convenient, but after trying a few classes I have zero interest in returning. The facility itself is nice and the girls at the front and the teachers were actually pretty great, but I just do not enjoy practicing here. First reason: It's WAY TO HOT IN THERE. I have been practicing hot yoga for a long time and can even hang in a 112 degree room doing a hard power class, but the dry heat at Ashram makes my nose hurt and gives me head aches. The floor literally burns your feet when you walk into the room and set up your mat. I catch myself thinking about how hot it is the whole time and having to take breaks often instead of enjoying some Zen time with a clear head and a good workout. Second: I think that the groupons Gary puts out have ridiculously short expiration terms. When I compare the groupons at Ashram with all the other studios in the area.. even if you purchase the 10 or 20 class option you only have a month or two to use them. Most studios will give you up to 6 months to use 20 classes. So when I purchased a 20 class pass and only came twice, I believe I wasted my money. CHECK YOUR EXPIRATION DATES IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A GROUPON. Third: Terrible customer service. When I emailed the studio to see if they would be willing to honor the 20 classes I purchased, they told me they would give me one free class to make up for it. I may have been able to hang and acclimate to the intense heat if I had 20 classes to do so, but after bad customer service and the insane heat, I decided to move on. I have now found a studio that I'm enamored with and hope you find one that you love to. Hope this review helps for people considering this studio. Check out Bala or Get Zen. Those are two studios I fell in love with. And no, I am not a teacher or owner at either, just want to help people find their happy yoga home, too.

I have already recognized that yoga is not my thing, especially in a hot hundred-and-something degree room. Stretching however is amazing and something I need to be doing more of! My friend introduced me to Yin Yoga that is a "deep stretching yoga in a meditative environment", its 90 minutes and in a warm (not hot) room. I am now obsessed with this class and the instructor, Mel is amazing. He has a calm soothing voice that helps you focus. This class is perfect for me, the temperature is comfortable and the yoga stretches are just enough yoga for me not to hate it. This facility is very clean and calm. The changing area for women is decent sized but does get crowded. There are cubbies available for your stuff and showers. They also have yoga mats and towels available for use. (My 1/30 for November)

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The Ashram Yoga - 64 Reviews - Yoga - 12637 NE 85th St ...

Puducherry, Feb 21 (PTI) Hundreds of people thronged the Sri Aurobindo Ashram here to offer homage at the memorial of Mira Alfassa, the spiritual coordinator of saint philosopher Sri Aurobindo, on the occasion of her 139th birth anniversary today.

Special arrangements have been made to ensure a comfortable trip for the devotees, Ashram authorities said.

Shamianas were erected to accommodate them outside the Ashram before they inch their way into the premises to sit in meditation before the samadhis of Sri Aurobindo and Mira Alfassa, fondly called the Mother.

The visitors were also permitted to visit the chamber of the Mother where she carried out her spiritual experiments.

The Ashram was established in 1926 and after Sri Aurobindo embarked upon his spiritual works, the Mother an ardent devotee of the revolutionary turned spiritual leader took up the administration of the institution.

The birth anniversary of the Mother was among the important days for the dharshan of the devotees.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.

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Mother's birth anniversary observed at Pondy Aurobindo Ashram - India.com

Dr Prabodh Kumar Bhowmick set up Bidisa, a place which 100 Lodha families now call home.

Most people living in urban and rural areas today have access to basic amenities and opportunities alike, but tribal people cannot say the same when it comes to basic facilities. There still exist nomadic tribes and communities who lead destitute lives because the current society fails to understand these people and their way of live.

There still exist tribes who choose to live within themselves and are scared to even interact with the outside world. This fear stems because of the fear of unknown and more importantly because of they have led isolated lives. Bringing them to the fore, working towards their sustainable uplifting of these communities is the need of the hour.

Late Prof. Prabodh Kumar Bhowmick, who had understood and realised this very aspect, worked towards the uplifting of the Lodhas in the Medinipur region of West Bengal.

Prof. Prabodh, who did his BSc (Honors) in Anthropology in 1949 from Bangabasi College, and then his MSc in Anthropology from Calcutta University in 1951, went on to complete his PhD in Anthropology on the topic Socio-Economic Life of the Lodhas of West Bengal.

Turning his study into a centre for change, he set up the Samaj Sevak Sanga and then the Institute for Social Research and Applied Anthropology in 1955. The centre, which was called Bidisa, was set up for working towards the uplifting of the Lodhas with particularly, bringing about a change in the criminal tendencies of the Lodhas.

Prof. Prabodh dedicated his life towards economic amelioration, educational progress and sustainable living of the tribes, and uplifting of the tribal people particularly Lodhas of the area.

In 2003, Dr Pradip Kumar Bhowmick, Associate Professor, Rural Development Centre, IIT, Kharagpur, filled in the place of honorary Secretary, after the demise of Prof. Prahodh.

After a journey of about six decades, Bidisa is now home to about a hundred tribal families, including the Lodha, Santal, Munda, Mahali, Kora, and Bhumij tribes.

Within the ashramic folds of Bidisa, a social laboratory exists where research on tribal welfare, tribal development takes place. The social laboratory mainly concentrates on working with tribal communities towards their integration into the society, imbibing in them the values of the middle class, and teaching them various skills for sustenance, says Dr Pradip.

Bidisa is working towards bringing social transformation in undeveloped, nomadic tribes by rehabilitating them and giving them space and opportunity to learn and sustain themselves.

The effort began when late Prof. Prabodh, along with the government, was involved in the distribution of agricultural land to 20 families of the Lodha tribe, in Daharpur. Thus, Bidisa began with an aim to inculcate in them social values and facilitate them with formal and vocational training, as part of the rehabilitation process.

Various training programmes, seminars, and workshops are conducted to teach the tribes skills and methods such as bee keeping, vermicomposting, mulberry cultivation, and tussar cultivation.

A bio-gas unit and a vermicompost plant were installed to impart training facilities to the local tribal youth to provide a means of sustainable livelihood to the local people. Recently, the District Sericulture Board established a Tasar-cum-Mulberry cultivation, training-cum-production unit at Bidisa for employment and income generation in Paschim Medinipur.

Through various training activities, the people here are forming self-help groups to ensure their self-dependency. During 2006-08, we executed a project called Empowerment of Tribal Women through Batik Print: Training cum Production sponsored by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. As a part of the project we trained 90 tribal women belongs to various tribal communities in and around Bidisha. In view of their show interest we formed nine self-help groups, says Dr Pradip.

Bidisa strives to preserve the tribal art culture of the tribes, at the same time tries to teach them skills to survive in todays world.

Bidisa is currently running three Ashrama Hostels two for boys and one for girls exclusively for Lodha children. Ashrama Hostel provides free food and lodging facilities to the children. The tribal children study at the Daharpur Junior High School.

Bidisa also houses an eco-museum and a library, Prabodh Kumar Bhowmick Memorial Library. Bidisa publishes a biannual journal on social sciences called, Man & Life, which has been running for the past 37 years.

With the aim of revival of tribal art and culture, Bidisa organises the Navanna Utsav every year. At this annual event, different tribal communities perform various cultural arts and dance forms. Our institute is putting its endeavor to provide a platform where the missing tribal cultural traits are being staged and this happens to be the eye opener before younger generation of various communities as a source of motivations and challenges, says Dr Pradip.

Bidisa has now become a place for research for students of anthropology, rural development, and sociology, who come from all parts of the country. While tourists do come to Bidisa for visits, a lot of students come here for research, to study the model of Bidisa, and its role in the welfare of tribal communities.

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This Ashram-cum-social laboratory is working towards sustainable living of the tribes in Bengal - YourStory.com

Teachers in tribal welfare (ashram) schools are government teachers by a Presidential order and common service rules should be made applicable to them along with those in the Education Department. Instead, Zilla Parishad teachers, who are not government teachers, are sought to be included in the service rules the demand for which is long-pending, Tribal Welfare Teachers Union has pointed out. In spite of being qualified, teachers in ashram schools were denied promotional opportunities to take up posts of MEOs or deputy DEOs owing to the anomaly, Union State president Regam Matsyalingam said.

Besides, though GO 233 was issued in 2013 to fill 1,319 posts, it had not materialised so far. The posts should be filled with 70 % quota for in-service teachers and 30 % with fresh recruitment, he told reporters here.

In other schools, Telugu and Hindi pandits and physical education directors were directly appointed as school assistants whereas in ashram schools Grade I and II pattern was still being followed, Visakhapatnam district president K. Ganganna Padal said.

Single teachers

While in ZP and government schools two teachers were appointed, in the Agency area of Visakhapatnam district alone 680 schools continue to function with single teachers.

Also implementing GO No. 3, non-tribal teachers should be shifted to plain areas thereby providing employment to the tribal unemployed, they said.

While the teacher, student ratio should be 1:30, it was now 1:40 and only appointment of more teachers would improve it, they pointed out. Appointment of regular ANMs in all ashram schools to take care of the health problems of students and provision of security at girls schools would greatly improve the situation in tribal schools, they opined. State general secretary Karem Ranga Rao and organising secretary Bhavaraju Appa Rao were present.

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Ashram school teachers seek fair deal - The Hindu

The Thiruvalla Sri Ramakrishna Ashram will launch the first Sree Ramakrishna Vachanamrita Sathram, a week-long retreat on the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, on the ashram premises on Tuesday.

A large pandal to accommodate 1,000 people has been built at the ashram grounds. The stage has a LED wall on its left for the audience to have a hassle-free viewing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will inaugurate the event through videoconferencing between 1 p.m. and 1.22 p.m. on Tuesday.

People from across the country are camping at the ashram and its surroundings to attend the spiritual retreat.

Senior monks of the Ramakrishna Mission are camping at the Ashram to make necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event, according to Swami Golokananda, senior monk, and Swami Nirvinnananda, ashram president.

The 103-year-old SRK Ashram in Thiruvalla is the second-oldest monastery of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission in Kerala.

Swami Swaprabhananda, senior monk from Belur Math, and Swami Nandatmajananda, Editor of Prabudha Keralam, journal of Sri Ramakrishnan Mission, have been assisting the Ashram president in making necessary arrangements for the Sathram.

Birth anniversary

The week-long Sathram has been planned in connection with the 182nd birth anniversary (Jayanti) of the Saint of Dakshineswar, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The jayanti fete is on February 28.

The inaugural ceremony will begin on Tuesday. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P.J. Kurien will preside over the function and Kummanam Rajashekharan, BJP State president, will deliver the keynote address.

Swami Atmaghanananda, president of Sri Ramakrishna Ashram at Kancheepuram, will light the ceremonial lamp and Swami Nirvinnananda will welcome the gathering.

Water Resources Minister Mathew T. Thomas, will release the souvenir by handing over its first copy to Swami Golokananda on the occasion.

Continued here:

Retreat on Ramakrishna's teachings - The Hindu

The mercurys already going up. Sweating it out at the gym or outdoors doesnt seem so appealing anymore, does it? How about you take your exercise routine under water? Gather up your girlfriends and sign up for an aqua aerobics class. Heres how it will help you stay in shape:

Burns calories

Aqua aerobics is a mix of strength and cardio workouts which is done in the face of water resistance. This ensures the body gets a full workout. Keeping in mind factors like cardio activity, weight, water temperature, volume and buoyancy, you can burn between 400 and 500 calories per hour of exercise.

Increases muscle strength

Because water flows in multiple directions, the resistance in the pool can range from four to 42 times greater than air. Therefore, the muscles get a rigid workout. According to a 2007 study, 12 weeks of regular aqua aerobics exercise gives you significant gains in strength, flexibility and agility.

Builds endurance

Water offers a natural resistance, unlike weights which require the body to pull and push against the weight plus gravity. Water needs the body to strain through the water and against it, building endurance.

Reduces joint pressure

Aqua aerobics relieve pressure placed on joints from normal wear and tear and arthritis. Hydrotherapy is recommended by doctors to those suffering from joint problems.

Increases flexibility

Aqua aerobics requires movements in various directions while adjusting to the push and pull of water, hence the joints increase their range of motion. In the process, the body becomes more flexible.

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5 fitness benefits of aqua aerobics - Femina

World-class art meets sweaty aerobics. New York City's cavernous Metropolitan Museum of Art has been holding lively morning workout sessions this winter amid its prized masterpieces. The 45-minute "Museum Workout" sends people in exercise attire chugging through 35 galleries, past paintings, sculptures, armor and other treasures, before the venerable Fifth Avenue institution opens to the public.

On a recent morning, an overnight snowstorm didn't deter any of the 15 people who'd signed up for the session. It started with a warmup: calf stretches in the museum's grand limestone entrance and an easy jog out to the Bee Gees' hit "Stayin' Alive." Then came the speedy trek through the galleries and up the preserved ornate staircase of the 19th century Chicago stock exchange.

There were squats in front of John Singer Sargent's "Portrait of Madame X," balancing on one leg before Henry VIII's rigid armor, a yoga pose before a bronze nude of the Roman hunting goddess Diana, and jumping jacks in-between, all to a soundtrack of disco and Motown hits.

Why bother traveling to a Manhattan museum some did, from Pennsylvania, Kentucky and even California just to exercise?

"This offers you amazing moments," said participant Oliver Ryan, who runs a New York corporate wellness company. "We did our first stretch, and there in the vast gallery was Perseus holding the head of Medusa. What hit me was this was the TV of ancient times, a frozen moment from a story everyone knew."

The Met commissioned the innovative Monica Bill Barnes Dance Company for the project. It was choreographed by the two women leading the workout Monica Bill Barnes herself and her dance partner, Anna Bass along with Robert Saenz de Viteri, the company's creative producing director.

Bass said the team worked "obsessively" calculating how to keep a safe distance from the artworks. That means no wild swinging of arms or legs, and exercising a minimum of 3 feet or so from any treasure.

Leading scantily clad, pumped up bodies around the artworks "really runs against the culture of being in a museum, being quiet and being still and walking slowly," said Barnes.

"We're in the business of making strange things," she added with a wry smile, "bringing dance where it doesn't belong."

De Viteri helped guide the workout session in a vintage tuxedo and sneakers, holding a laptop attached to a speaker that channeled music and recorded narration by artist and author Maira Kalman, who selected the art and gallery route.

"Something very physical happens to me when I'm in a museum. I get this rush of excitement, this kind of tingle of mad, passionate arousal," Kalman's recorded voice said as the group did side-stretches in front of a stern-looking bust of American founding father Benjamin Franklin.

The workout ends with everyone lying on their back, eyes closed, on the floor of the Met's luminous American wing. This yoga pose, called savasana, is meant to release tension from mind and body while absorbing the benefits of the dynamic exercises. Rising over the human stillness is Augustus Saint-Gaudens' ancient goddess the resplendent, gilded Diana, about to release her arrow.

The first sessions, from Jan. 19 through Feb. 12, were sold out months ago. The interest was so intense that more were added, through March 9, and they're also sold out. Participants, both men and women, have ranged in age from 13 to 85.

Museum officials say there are no immediate plans for a future staging of what is essentially a "performance piece" that took three years to create, with each participant movement matching music and visuals moment by moment.

"The Museum Workout" was commissioned by the museum's MetLiveArts performance series and partly funded by the Jerome Robbins Foundation and One World Fund.

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NY's Met Museum offers exercise amid world-class art - Daily Sabah

How do you know if someone is a vegan?

Don't worry, they will tell you.

I was reminded of this joke while reading Facebook comments on my blog post last week.

There was quite a lively discussion with many of the typical arguments in defense of consuming meat, eggs, dairy and other animal products.

The arguments go on and on, but the one that stood out accused me of being a liberal who likes to boast about my lifestyle.

"How many animal eaters do you see out there writing articles about how they cook their steak and why everyone should eat cow ..."

First off, I know people of many different political persuasions who are vegan. The ones I have in mind are probably reading this and nodding in agreement.

As far as how many people are out talking about or promoting their choice to consume animal products? It's happening everywhere, all the time.

Consuming animal products is such a dominant feature of our society that it is considered a given. Promotion in many different forms goes largely unnoticed in plain sight. That is why vegans stand out whether they are speaking out or not.

I get how it can be seen as boasting or even a threat under these conditions. It challenges some core beliefs about nutrition and the assumed ranking of humans and animals, all of which have become strong protectors of the norm.

But the facts are that we now know we don't have to consume any animal products to be perfectly healthy and will likely improve our health greatly as a result of becoming vegan. There are also tremendous benefits to the planet and the animals, of course.

Despite the accusation, I don't write this blog to boast about myself or pick fights. My goal is to share what I have learned and what I continue to learn in hopes that it benefits others, including the animals, who are suffering greatly and dying very violent deaths at abnormally young ages under even the best conditions on farms.

Having to endure a few bacon references on social media is a small price to pay by comparison.

The opinions are the author's.

Continue reading here:

Vegan in the Region: Hearing the critics - nwitimes.com (blog)