Cabinet clears SC/ST quota in job promotions

            The Cabinet on Tuesday cleared a Bill which provides for reservation to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in government job promotions. The government will introduce the Bill in Parliament on Wednesday or Thursday.

Congress's new-found ally, the Samajwadi Party had earlier lashed out at the Centre saying that while reservation of jobs for SCs/STs and OBC candidates was fine, reservations in promotions would not be such a good idea. Although the party leaders indicated that they wanted a similar provision for the OBCs in job promotions, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said the party still opposed the Bill.

"The Cabinet's decision is against natural justice. We will continue to oppose this amended Bill. This is a diversionary tactic of the government to divert attention from the ongoing coal blocks allocations," he said.

While sources in the government said that the Samajwadi Party leaders have been assured that OBCs will also be extended this facility in the near future, Union Minister Salman Khurshid said the Congress will try to get the party to agree to support the Bill.

"We hope that the Samajwadi Party will be on board. It was a unanimous decision. It is not a political googly. It was an honest attempt," said Khurshid.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati, who has always been in support of the Bill, welcomed the move.

"We welcome it. We struggled a lot for this. The BSP had first raised it in April in Rajya Sabha following which the Government agreed to an all-party meeting," said Mayawati.

She further requested the NDA to vote for the amended Bill. She met Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, and requested the BJP to postpone their protests over coal blocks allocations by one day so that the House could pass the Bill.

"They should let the House function and help us in passing the Bill in the current session. UPA leaders and ministers should also talk to the Opposition to let the House function for an hour to let the Bill go through.

"In case, it does not get through, then it means that both the NDA and the UPA aren't interested," she said.

The SC/ST Quota Bill: Who stands where

- Congress, BSP and the Left are in favour of the Bill.

- Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena oppose the Bill.

- BJP's stand yet unclear. Some leaders are in support, others refuse to comment.

Quota in promotions not legal: Attorney General

Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati had earlier reportedly written to the Law Ministry on reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in job promotions, pointing out that the proposal is not legally possible. Sources say that Vahanvati told the Law Ministry that reservation for SCs/ STs in promotions could be struck down by the Supreme Court.

10 Reasons I Hate to go to a Movie Theater

Some people get very excited about seeing the latest movies when they hit the theaters, but I’m not one of them. Going to a theater to see a movie is not my idea of a good time. How anyone can consider going to the movies an enjoyable experience is beyond me. Here are 10 very good reasons I hate to go to a movie theater.

1. They’re filthy – Movie theaters are filthy. People spill food and beverages leaving a sticky mess. Who wants to sit in a seat covered with whatever snacks the last person sitting there was eating?
2. Uncomfortable – You can’t get more uncomfortable than movie theater seats. They’re hard and cramped with no leg room. I much prefer the comfort of the recliner in my own living room.
3. Expensive – Going to the movies is expensive. By the time you add up the cost of the tickets, the snacks and the transportation to get there and back, you’ve spent a small fortune. Why would anyone pay that much for such a rotten experience?
4. Buy snacks – The prices they charge for snacks in a movie theater is ridiculous. I can have much better snacks and beverages of my choice at home for a fraction of the cost. In the theater there’s no place to put your snacks once you get to your seat which explains why they get spilled all the time.
5. Can’t pause or rewind – When I watch a movie at home, I can pause it or rewind it whenever I want. I never have to worry about missing a good part while I’m in the restroom or getting a snack.
6. Surrounded by strangers – Why would anyone want to see a movie with a bunch of people you don’t even know? Sitting in a dark theater surrounded by strangers is very uncomfortable for me. I’d much rather enjoy a good movie with family and friends at home.
7. Rude people – Why do some people think that the company of strangers gives them license to be rude? They don’t turn their cell phones off or talk and laugh loudly when you’re trying to hear the movie.
8. People making out – Going to see a movie in a theater you will inevitably be forced to witness couples making out. These over-zealous displays of affection are totally uncalled for in a public place. I don’t need to be subjected to some couple attempting to locate each other’s tonsils with their tongues.
9. Distance – Another reason I hate going to a movie theater is the distance required. There are no movie theaters located in my neighborhood, so getting there and back is very inconvenient.
10. Disappointing movies – Most movies advertised are totally overrated. After all the time, expense and discomfort you endure to see the latest movie in a theater, you’re likely to be disappointed. Nothings worse than watching what is supposed to be a funny movie that doesn’t even make you giggle.

I’m a patient person and quite willing to wait until I can watch movies of my choosing in the comfort of my own home. By that time I’ve gotten reviews from family and friends who have already seen them so I know which ones to watch for and which ones may be a waste of time. Then if the movie turns out to be less than thrilling, I don’t have much invested in the experience, and can’t be too upset about it. I’m perfectly content to let others patronize the movie theaters. The screen on my television is big enough for me.

10 Movies That Broke Down Racial Barriers

          At its best, film-making holds a mirror up to its audience, thus providing an unblinking reflection. Much of what resonates with us in cinema tells us something about ourselves. In regard to the history of race relations, Hollywood provides a serviceable reflection of our society, insofar as progress in both seems to take hold slowly. The following are 10 movies that broke down racial barriers:

1. The Homesteader (1919) – Written and directed by Oscar Micheaux, who was the first major African-American filmmaker. Using an all-black cast to retell his story, Micheaux pioneered movie-making specifically aimed at black audiences.
2. Broken Blossoms (1919) – This film earns some credit, despite itself, for breaking down racial stereotypes and prejudice. It tells the love story between a Chinese immigrant and a white nurse. Why despite itself, you ask? Because the role of the immigrant was played by a Caucasian.
3. Bataan (1943) – As we said, progress tends to come slowly; so the breakthrough in this film is based on the stature and prominence of an African-American character in its script. Kenneth Smith, in the role of a demolitions expert, is a major step up from the usual casting given to people of color up to that point.
4. Home of the Brave (1949) – James Edwards, in the role of  paralyzed Army private Peter Moss, is the central character of the film. As an educated and sensitive character, Edwards breaks the stereotypical mold of black men on screen.
5. Carmen Jones (1954) – Though the film itself did little if anything to change racial stereotypes, Dorothy Dandridge delivered a performance in it that won her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, a first for an African-American actress.
6. The Defiant Ones (1958) – Two chain gang members from a Southern prison – one white and one black – escape while shackled together, and must rely upon one another to avoid capture. The movie chronicles the changes in their perspectives toward one another as they elude their pursuers.
7. A Raisin in the Sun (1961) – A poor black family in Chicago receives a large insurance payment, and strives with one another about how best to use it. Through their bickering, we discover the complexities and differing perspectives between generations, individual family members and race.
8. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) – A white lawyer defends a black man in the Deep South against false charges of rape. Racial prejudices themselves are put on trial in this film adaptation of the literary masterpiece by Harper Lee.
9. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) – An impending interracial marriage forces the couple’s parents to each examine their prejudices and intolerance. The dialogue is intelligent, genuine and even-handed.
10. Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971) – Melvin Van Peebles created an entire genre – the blaxploitation film – with this pioneering movie. Turning the establishment on its end, his assault on White America resonated with black audiences, the echoes of which can still be heard in the corporate offices of Hollywood.

10 Most Ridiculous Uses of the Internet in Movies

            If you’re a regular moviegoer and avid web surfer then you’ve probably seen your fair share of films that strain the limits of credibility where the use of the internet is concerned. Some instances may have slipped past the average viewer, but as a proclaimed techie you just had to laugh. The following are 10 of the most ridiculous uses of the internet in movies:

1. Italian Job (2003) – Resident techie cohort Lyle (Seth Green) manages to wreak havoc across the entire downtown Los Angeles traffic signal grid, and all from the comfort of his laptop. Absolutely plausible, this happens all the time.
2. FearDotCom (2002) – This pile of crap would have us believe that a website is capable of killing people just by visiting it. Then again, there’s this, so maybe there’s something to the plot after all.
3. Untraceable (2008) – We sincerely hope we’re not wrong about this, but a movie that is based on a serial killer posting live streaming videos of his victims’ murders online just doesn’t ring true for me. Not just the premise itself, but also the technological mumbo-jumbo that’s meant to make it appear feasible to the average viewer, just doesn’t hold up.
4. AntiTrust (2001) – Another of those ‘let’s just agree that the internet is all-powerful and devise a thin plot around it taking over the entire universe’ movies. Sure, we could conceivably get to a point of technological sophistication wherein the movie’s plot could have some remote credibility. But at least humor us and take the time to describe how that might take place.
5. Tron (1982) – What can you say about this one? It’s a cult classic because of the dazzling (for its time) effects, and our fascination with all things futuristic. But really, a techie getting downsized? In the 1982 economy? We don’t think so.
6. Gamer (2009) – Perhaps it’s premature to think so, but the prospect of society being reduced to one big multi-player online game just seems so, um… Well on second thought …
7. The Net (1995) – It’s difficult to imagine that super-sensitive, top secret information could be encrypted into a web page that is accessible to web users at large, regardless of the combination of keystrokes needed to access it.
8. Johnny Mnemonic (1995) – If you can get past the fact that Keanu Reeves couldn’t manage to make the role of a replacement quarterback believable, let alone this role, you still have to somehow explain another major plot hole. Why would anyone use this ‘droid as a method of data transfer – even in 1995, much less the future, when so many other more reliable (and far better acting) alternatives exist?
9. War Games (1983) – Setting the basic premise aside, that a super-power like the United States could have its entire nuclear arsenal taken over by a teenager simply by dialing into a publicly accessible modem, this movie is just so very believable.
10. Enemy of the State (1998) – For the record, we love Gene Hackman and Will Smith both, and really liked the movie. The thing is this movie just gives far too much credit to Big Brother and all of his technological capabilities. If you’re willing to allow – or openly assume – that such capabilities exist, then the movie does a better than average job in selling its message – namely, that “the only privacy left is inside your head”.

10 Examples of How Social Media Can be Anti-Social

          The prevalence and popularity of social media such as Facebook and Twitter have dramatically altered the way many of us communicate. These media have provided a means by which to keep in touch with friends and family, and to network and maintain relationships that weren’t previously available. There are, however, some tendencies that have resulted from their use that can be described as somewhat anti-social by nature. Let’s look at ten examples of this social media dichotomy.

1. The ability to post one’s views and activities on one’s profile page eliminates the need to correspond on a more personal level, such as via phone call or email. Though it’s technically asocial activity, the lack of personal interaction that’s required can stifle communication.
2. With the push of a button, social media allow us to not just add, but delete friends without a word spoken or a reason given. We no longer need to discuss our differences or issues with those whom we regard as friends.
3. Social media use can be addictive, and serve as a substitute for other social activities. Most of us can think of at least one person who spends more time working at Farmville than they do at their job or home.
4. The very nature of posting every update in our day-to-day lives – no matter how trivial or inconsequential – can be off-putting, leading many people to withdraw from such media out of sheer information overload and/or boredom. There is, in fact, such a thing as TMI, and there’s no better proof of that than social media.
5. Malware, computer viruses and security issues have led to a backlash against social media out of fear of identity theft or computer attacks from some applications or users. When we rely so heavily on social media to keep in touch, and can’t trust these same media with our personal information, the result is that we either withdraw from their use, or at best curtail how much we share with others.
6. In much the same way as email affected it previously, social media posts have diminished the conversational skills of many users. True dialogue and interaction have been replaced by a series of posts.
7. As with many internet activities, distance and anonymity can create a different dynamic when corresponding with others. We feel free to speak in a manner that we might not otherwise be comfortable with in person. While this may give the illusion of empowerment, the reality is that we ultimately fail to connect in a more genuine fashion with our fellow correspondents.
8. Conversely, this same anonymity can itself promote anti-social behavior in some users. Cyber-bullying, smear campaigns, and trolling are commonplace on many social media websites.
9. Who hasn’t been annoyed by someone who has inundated them with invitations to join a cause, share a hug, or take some questionnaire? And how many times has it resulted in a spam assault by the host of the cause/questionnaire, etc, or unnerving requests for private information?
10. We lack the ability to get to know others in person when using social media, and the tools available to us for screening others (mutual friends, profiles, etc.) are not always reliable. Human nature tends toward a much more guarded approach to socializing when we don’t really know a person.

Social media have brought people together that would never have been able to meet otherwise and have become an integral part of socializing in the 21^st century. It’s just a question of how we’ve come to define bringing people truly together.