Is CIA-link throwing up Aadhaar’s true colours?

BS Post : 92, Date : 31.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) agreement with a New-York based start-up MongoDB is likely to raise many eyebrows if this Economic Times report is to be believed. 

According to an ET report, MongoDB has been funded by the US’ Central Intelligence Agency. 

The firm has approached the UIDAI authorities to assist in capturing and analysing information for Aadhaar. 

MongoDB, founded in 2007, creates module that helps conduct vast databases, generally unstructured data. 

The ET report notes that the firm has lifted $231 million (Rs 1,400 crore) and some of the funding is from In-Q-Tel, a not-for-profit try collateral arm of CIA. 

However, the amount of funding from CIA has not been revealed by MongoDB. The UIDAI has reportedly entered into an agreement with MongoDB and a company’s database module is already being used for analysing a gait during that registration of new beneficiaries is holding place, reports ET. So, why should India be concerned?

Recently, Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower revealed that US comprehension agencies customarily intercepted communication in Europe and Asia, including in India. 

Experts say UID’s centralised pattern could poise a risk, where even a singular mistake can make a whole complement disproportionately vulnerable.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/economy/is-cia-link-throwing-up-aadhaars-true-colours-1263937.html?utm_source=ref_article

Dubai to have Holy Qur’an plant park

BS Post : 91, Date : 31.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The Dh27 million project in Al Khawaneej is to be completed by September next year.

Dubai will have a park that has plants and trees mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. 

The General Projects Department of Dubai Municipality has announced plans to create a Holy Qur’an Park in Al Khawaneej.

All plants mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and available in the UAE will be showcased in the 60 hectare park, such as fig, pomegranate, olive, corn, leek, garlic, onion, lentil, barley, wheat, ginger, pumpkin, watermelon, tamarind, seder, vineyards, bananas, cucumbers and basil.

“There are 54 species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. We will have 35 of these in the park,” explained Mohammed Noor Mashroom, director of the department. 

The remaining 15 species will be grown in green houses and 20 outside.

The park will also have a tunnel which exhibits the miracles described in the Holy Quran in the form of images and audio material. 

The theme park is intended to educate the public about the Holy Qur’an and its miracles, said Mohammed. 

“These plants are expected to make visitors think about the reason for their names to appear in the Holy Qur’an. We are hoping to attract school excursions to the park,” he added.

The park will have tracks for running, cycling and sand walking besides an Umrah corner, outside theatre, fountains, desert garden, palm oasis and a lake. 

The total cost of the project is estimated at around Dh27 million as per current tenders. Initial site preparation, tracks and service buildings have been completed and work on the second stage of the project will start next month. 

The park is expected to be completed by September 2014.

Mohammed Chand Shaikh

Decision from The Regional Passport Office (RPO) Mumbai, to streamline the passport application process.

BS Post : 90, Date : 12.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

Applicants living in places like Aurangabad, Beed, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Daman and Dadra-Nagar Haveli, which fall under the jurisdiction of Mumbai RPO, have option of walking-in with their application number, Now, this procedure will be discontinued from December 20, 2013

The Regional Passport Office (RPO) here has decided to streamline the passport application process by making prior online appointment compulsory for the benefit of applicants from distant places.

Henceforth, all the applicants living in these areas would have to obtain prior online appointment before visiting the passport seva kendras.

As per The Regional Passport Office (RPO), after the successful introduction of online payment system, the problem of availability of appointment has been resolved and now appointment slots will be available in bulk.

Mohammed Chand Shaikh