US Open: Nadal advances to final 16, Andy Murray exits

WORLD NUMBER one and top seeded player Rafael Nadal made a successful entry into the final 16 of the US Open. To get into the last 16, Nadal defeated Frenchman Gilles Simon by scoring straight-sets wins in the first two sets. The final score was 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Now, Nadal will be pitched against Spanish compatriot Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals.

Nadal, who has been working hard is also eyeing to complete a career Grand Slam in Flushing Meadows in New York. If he is successful in attaining this feat, he will be the seventh and the youngest player to do so.

Gilles Simon, who was hitting his best form after an year full of injuries looked strong inbetween the game until 3-3 in the second set. The helping factor in this game was Nadal's huge forehand shots which helped him in breaking through the third game and adding to his credit a 3-1 lead. He clinched the opening 6-4 in the initial 47 minutes.

Meanwhile, British player Andy Murray made an early exit from Flushing Meadows on Sunday as he was pulverized by Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka by 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3. Although he struggled to keep pace with the Swiss inspite of being treated for his legs, elbow and neck, all his efforts seemed to go in vain as he could not garner enough strength to stop the Swiss. 

US Open 2010 Latest On >> US Open News , US Open Results

Pregnancy Tips to have baby girl

Reducing salt and having diet of beans and hard cheese gives mothers better chance of giving birth to girl child, shows research.

The right combination of food and the timing of sex are the key factors in determining whether it's a boy or a girl, the UK's Mail on Sunday reported.

Mothers should cut foods containing sodium and potassium-rich food such as olives, bacon, salami, smoked salmon, potatoes, blue cheese, meats, bread and pastries.

Calcium-rich foods include yogurt, hard cheese, rhubarb, spinach, tofu, almonds, oatmeal, broccoli and oranges. Brazil and cashew nuts, whole wheat cereals, figs and beans are packed with magnesium.

Scientists from Maastricht University in Holland, also say the chances of having a daughter are boosted if couples have regular sex but not on days immediately before or after ovulation.

The findings come after a five-year study involving 172 Western European women aged from 23 to 42 who had all previously given birth to boys but wanted girls.Almost 80 per cent of the women who stuck to the diet ended up giving birth to girls.

Source: heraldsun.com.au

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Commonwealth Games 2010 and Delhi transport system

THE CONTROVERSIES surrounding the Commonwealth Games have hurt the nation with shame and disappointment. But if latest reports are to be believed then Commonwealth Games are going to give a harrowing time to commuters using both private and public transport as major portions of the road would be reserved for games.

From Saturday, September 4, 2010, trial run for the transport system which will handle commuting by players and officials during Commonwealth Games would be carried out.

As a consequence the people of Delhi will have to face the brunt as some of the roads will be exclusively reserved for Commonwealth Games sportspersons and delegates. This year the condition of the roads is already bad due to rains and this trial run would further add to the woes of common citizens, feel people.

To ensure that the trial run goes without hitch, there is a strong presence of Tata Motors, Delhi  Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Traffic Police on these road stretches. These three organisations are going to set up, organise and manage the transport for athletes, officials, technical staff and media persons.

From September 20, 2010 onwards, when the foreign visitors start landing in Delhi, things are likely to get more difficult. Commuters can expect massive jams, especially near the airport as the visitors are ferried to the games village in East Delhi via these dedicated lanes.
Trespassers will be fined Rs 2000 and their vehicle can also be impounded if the law is violated. The period of restriction and the number of reserved roads will only increase as the dates for the games comes near. The roads will bear blue patches called reserve lanes situated at the extreme right or extreme left depending on a particular road. Out of 450 kilometers of arterial road space in Delhi, 105 kilometers will be dedicated to the games. 
Already the Delhi government has asked schools and colleges to remain closed during the games and requests are being made to citizens of Delhi to use the roads sparingly during the games.

Delhi special commissioner for traffic has appealed to the people to use metro during the games to ease traffic congestions till the end of games.

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Delhi's top spots await Commonwealth Games extravaganza

WITH JUST a month for the Commonwealth extravaganza to begin, India is in the spotlight for various reasons. To begin with, Delhi is looking forward to usher players and officials to the Commonwealth Games 2010 where a great experience awaits with some delicious food to gorge on and venues, which not just only hold historical importance but also will set the visitor spell bounded.

New Delhi defeated Canadian city of Ontario to host the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games. The bidding which was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica saw Delhi winning the vote and confidence by a margin of 46 votes to 22.

Delhi for long has been applauded for its historical importance right from circa 375. The earliest example that can convey the importance of history and architecture of Delhi is Ashoka Pillar which was built during the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya, circa 375-413 AD.

As time passed by, Delhi was home to various other kingdoms which also included the prominent Mughal Empire. One of the most earliest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in India is the Qutub Minar which is also the tallest brick minaret in the world. With a towering height of 72.5 metres (237.8 ft), the foundation and construction of the minaret started in 1193 under the then Mughal king, Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Surrounded by various other monuments, the collection is referred to as the Qutub Complex.

Other than these two prominent structures, other venues of historical importance that intensifies Delhi's unique selling point are Purana Qila, Lal Qila, Tughlaqabad Qila (Tughlaqabad Fort) and Humayun’s Tomb.

As per the Indian tradition, an auspicious event is not started without seeking the Almighty's blessings. To make the event and the experience exhilarating for the players as well as the visitors, Delhi is also home to many world famous temples and religious places as per the visitors choice. Some famous places of worship wherein visitors throng in lakhs are Jama Masjid, Akshardham Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Sheesh Ganj Sahib Gurudwara et al.

Other places, which attract tourists otherwise too include, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Shakti Sthal, Vir Bhumi, Vijay Ghat and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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UNICEF Reports Increase in Maternal and Child Health Indicators in India

The Coverage Evaluation Survey 2009 (CES-2009), a nationwide survey covering all States and Union Territories of India, commissioned by UNICEF was conducted during November 2009 to January 2010.

The CES shows significant increase in major indicators for maternal and child health including immunization and reaffirms the positive results of the strategies adopted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for the Reproductive and Child Health Programme.

Maternal health

Janani Suraksha Yojana has changed the scenario of institutional delivery in the country. The CES results show that when compared to data of NFHS-III, which provides the figures for 2005-06, beginning of NRHM, certain important parameters of maternal health have shown impressive increases:

Institutional delivery has increased from 40.7 % to 72.9 %

Safe delivery by skilled birth attendants has increased from 48.2% to 76 %

Mothers who had 3 or more Ante Natal Check-ups has also increased from 50.7 % to 68.7%.

In the so called backward states such as Madhya Pradesh institutional delivery has increased from 29.7 % to 81%, in Orissa where institutional delivery has increased from 38.8 % to 75.5%, in Rajasthan from 32.2 % to 70.4 %, in Bihar from 22.0 % to 48.3%, in Chhattisgarh from 15.7% to 44.9% and in Uttar Pradesh this has increased from 22.0 % to 62.1 %.

Child Health

There has been a considerable improvement in Child Health indicators as compared to NFHS III (2005 -06)

· The proportion of children with diarrhoea in the last two weeks who received ORS has increased from 26 % in NFHS III to 53.6 in CES 2009

· The proportion of children with Acute Respiratory Infection in the last two weeks who were given advise or treatment has increased from 69% in NFHS III (2005-06) to 82.6% in CES 2009

· The number of children breast fed within one hour has increased from 24.5 % in NFHS III (2005 -06) to 33.5 % in CES 2009

Additionally the CES findings in some of the high focus states show substantial change in two critical child health indicators:

Oral Rehydration Solution Use/Oral Rehydration Therapy (increased fluids for diarrhoea)

§ Orissa (54.8 % in NFHS III to 69.0 % in CES)

§ Chhattisgarh (46.4 % in NFHS III to 68.3 % in CES)

§ Jammu & Kashmir (46.6 % in NFHS III to 79.8 % in CES)

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) care seeking in any health facility

§ Madhya Pradesh (51.5 % in NFHS III to 75.9 % in CES )

§ Jharkhand (67.0 % in NFHS III to 70.9 % in CES)

§ Bihar (70.2 % in NFHS III to 82.9 % in CES)

§ Orissa (76.5 % in NFHS III to 79.4 % in CES)

§ Chhattisgarh (66.8 % in NFHS III to 85.0 % in CES)

§ Jammu & Kashmir (71.6 % in NFHS III to 83.7 % in CES)

The Coverage Evaluation Survey shows a significant change in newborn care practices which are important in preventing infections and hypothermia and absence of these practises contribute substantially to Infant Mortality Rate. For instance:

· 86.0% of the newborn had their cord cut with a sterilized/new blade

· 43.6% of newborn were not given bath immediately.

· 74.3% of children were wiped dry and wrapped

· The Proportion of newborn checked within 24 hours is 65.6%

Routine Immunization

The full immunization coverage at the national level has also increased to 61.0% as per CES (Coverage Evaluation Survey) 2009 from 43.5 % in NFHS-3 (2005-06). Of the 23 states that have shown improvement in full immunization coverage when compared to NFHS -3 (2005-06), 9 states have shown improvement in full immunization coverage of 20 -30 %; and similarly in 6 states the improvement has been between 10-20%. The large states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra has shown improvement of full immunization coverage of more than 15 % as compared to NFHS-3. These improvements have been due to the various NRHM initiatives including strengthening of the immunization programme.

The findings of the survey are a testimony to the positive results of the RCH –II Programme and the efforts being made under National Rural Health Mission.

Source: pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=65506 (Press Release)

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Clijsters, Williams advance to third round, Roddick shown the door

DEFENDING CHAMPION at the 2010 US Open, Kim Clijsters powered her way to a 6-2, 6-1 win against Australian Sally Peers and advanced into the third round of the US Open. 27-year old Clijsters took only 56-minute to win the match against Peers, who is ranked 201.

After winning the match, Clijsters said that she had to find her feet again in the wind as it was never easy. As the game advanced, she went on to read her opponent's game and played better herself.

The second seeded, Clijsters had defeated Caroline Wozniacki for the title in 2009. In the present match, she committed 15 unforced errors in the first set before she went on to win the match against the Sally Peers.

One of America's other sweethearts, Venus Williams too advanced to the third round as she defeated Canadian Rebecca Marino 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. Third seeded Williams took 90 minutes to clinch the game with just one break of serve.

After winning the game, Venus said that it was not easy to get a rhythm today because Rebecca served big and went for the first shot. Matches like this; it’s just good to play as clean as possible, you have to try to hopefully get a break and close it out despite the conditions, she added.

Fourth seeded, Andy Roddick made an untimely exit as he was shown the doors by Serbian Janko Tipsarevic. The battle between Roddick and Tipsarevic, which lasted for over three hours saw the latter defeating Roddick by 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Roddick, incidently has never been defeated so early in the US Open in eight previous appearances.

Meanwhile, French Open finalist, Samantha Stosur beat fellow Australian Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-4 and Francesca Schiavone defeated fellow Italian Maria Elena Camerin by 6-2, 6-1. In an all French battle, Virginie Razzano put the lights off for 13^th seeded Marion Bartoli by 7-5, 6-4.

Wimbledon finalist, Tomas Berdych too was given a rude shock by Frenchman Michael Llodra as he defeated the former by 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4. 14^th seeded Spanish player, Nicolas Almagro beat Italian Potito Starace by 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) and 15^th seeded Ivan Ljubicic must have taken the first flight back home as he was pulverised by American Ryan Harrison by 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-4.

US Open 2010 Latest On >> US Open News , US Open 2010

Rahman's CWG composition receives flak

NOTHING SEEMS to be working well for the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee lately has been at the centre of the storm for alleged rampaging corruption. Prime minister, Manmohan Singh himself had to take plunge to save the games and the image of the country. Now there is another twist to the sad saga called Commonwealth Games, New Delhi.

The theme song “Oh yaaro, yeh India bula liya” has failed to impress sports lovers and leading personalities across the country.

The theme song for the grand event has been composed by celebrity music maestro, A R Rahman. And according to reliable sources, the maestro took six months to compose the song, government shelled out Rs six crore for it.

Considering Rahman’s stature in the music industry in India and world, he was handpicked by the government without any competition or selection process. Lot was expected from him.

However, the maestro failed to produce a magical composition that aptly sums up Indian culture and heritage. The composition has failed to complement the majestic event, the Commonwealth Games, a once in a four year affair.

People are comparing Rahman’s composition with Shakira’s Waka Waka that was a huge hit during the recently concluded Football World Cup.

BJP’s leading politician, Vijay Kumar Malhotra said "This song has fallen short of expectations. We had expected a better anthem for the Games from a composer of Rahman's status,”. Sports minister, M S Gill too wasn’t seem convinced with the composition, “Many members of the Group of Ministers (GoM) overseeing the Games preparations are not happy with the theme song”, the minister said.      

Eminent photographer, Raghu Rai found the song useless, he said “Rahman is the brightest of the current crop of music directors, but the Commonwealth theme song is just not Indian enough. In India, where there is a different beat for every little nakhra, Rahman’s song is dominated by Western beats and, thus, lacks the Indian spirit it deserved. ” Former sports minister, Shanawaz Hussain termed the song as disappointing.

Leading Adman Piyush Pandey compared the song with waka waka, he said “It, somehow, does not make me want to sit up and take notice. Shakira’s Waka Waka was one of that kind. Maybe it will grow on me later, but for now, it is extremely tepid and lukewarm.”

The composition has failed to attract attention of internet users and general public; people are criticizing the maestro for composing dull song with lukewarm appeal. As has happened with most of Rahman’s hit composition, lets hope it happens with this CWG composition also. Many of Rahman’s numbers pick pace gradually and afterward become huge hit, like Jai Ho.

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