Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Mumbaikars tell Govt: Enough is enough, act now

Mumbai: Young and old, couples and widows, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, the rich and the poor… Thousands of angry Indians gathered at strategic locations across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and other cities here on Wednesday to mourn those slaughtered in the terror attacks and to vent their anger at the country's political establishment.
Waving Indian flags of all sizes, holding banners big and small lampooning politicians and screaming “Bharat Mata ki Jai” slogans, men and women walking in the shadow of the Taj hotel - where commandos cut down terrorists to end three days and nights of mayhem - hit out at politicians for failing to provide security to ordinary people.
It was biggest gathering in India's financial hub since terrorists struck at 10 places on the night of Nov 26 and went on to massacre 161 Indians and 22 foreigners and injure more than 300 in the most audacious terror strike in the country.
By evening, the police were estimating the sea of people at several thousands - a spontaneous show of citizen power and mass homage to the innocents gunned down in cold blood by terrorists who India says came from Pakistan by boat. There were also a few foreigners - men as well as women.
The Mumbai demonstration coincided with similar angry protests across India - in Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Noida and Jaipur.

Placards speak
“Love All, Hate None” - read one cardboard banner carried by a young man. “The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing,” read another. Yet another with a woman showed mug shots of “most hated politicians,” Chief Ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh of Maharashtra and V.S. Achuthanandan of Kerala.
A young woman, seemingly from a rich family, stretched out both her hands to hold a black banner saying, “I would prefer a dog to visit our house, than a politician.”
The reference was to Achuthanandan's widely denounced remark that even a dog would not visit the Bangalore house of slain commando Sandeep Unnikrishnan had the man not died fighting terrorists at the Taj hotel, close to the Gateway of India monument.

One huge cloth banner in black had a giant Ashok Chakra logo besides the now famous “Yes We Can!” Another was defiant: “No Security, No Taxes!”

Simmering anger
Most protestors railed at politicians. Others silently placed flowers and bouquets on the ground close to the Gateway of India. And as it began to get dark, hundreds of candles were lit - in memory of the dead.
“There is something wrong with the system, with this khichri (coalition) government we have,” an elderly Muslim man told reporters. A young man added: “We must teach a lesson to politicians.”
A middle-aged man shouted into a mike held by a television reporter: “These politicians need to be shot dead. They should be flogged. They have taken us for granted. Why should we tolerate them?”
Among those in the crowds were sports stars and showbiz personalities. Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev said of terrorism: “We have to fight it out. We have to express solidarity with the victims.”
There was also anger against Pakistan, which has denied all connections with the Mumbai killers. “Time to make Pakistan history,” threatened one banner.
A Sikh trader was emphatic that terrorism can be defeated. "If it can be overcome in Punjab, it can be done in Mumbai also."

Disenchanted Delhiites

In Delhi more than 500 people from all walks of life gathered at the Jantar Mantar to voice their anguish and demanded change in politicians' attitude.
“We have a reactive government, not a proactive one,” said a poster held by a demonstrator. “We will do away with the dogs,” said another.
A visibly furious Shruti Seth said: “The citizens of this country have simply had enough of the rhetoric. We need some action immediately." “This time we will not let this movement die down as is usually the case after such incidents. This is an attack on the nation and we have run out of patience,” said Seth, an artist.
Alvira Shah, another protester, said: “We should boycott voting altogether."
“The parliamentarians have to realise that the hundreds of us gathered here have the capability to shake them off their seats! We will not pipe down unless we see some concrete action being taken,” Shah added.

Popular patriotism

They sang inspirational and patriotic songs like “Hum Honge Kamiyab” (We Shall Overcome) and national song “Vande Mataram” and also discussed the need for police reforms and better security at the seas and international borders.
Most protesters had come together through social networking sites like Orkut or Facebook. They pledged to form a community through which they'll be constantly in touch and put together such demonstrations regularly.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Cheap Car Insurance

One of the vehicles that is liked by people around the world are cars. A position that they have been elevated to from decades. And why not, cars are one machine that relieves one from the hassles of commuting and also add tremendously to ones status symbol as well. However, there is one problem with cars. They come at extremely high price. It is because of this that for most people the dream of owning a car can materialise only if they opt for loans. Imagine, therefore, what happens if one's dream possession faces some damage. Needless to say that people would have to cough up huge amount to get the car repaired. It can be to the extent that a middle class household can actually get shaken by this sudden expense. It is here that cheap car insurance steps in and ensures that people are relieved from spending a single penny for the repair as insurance companies do that for their clients.

It is a wonderful thinking on part of insurance companies as in this era of rising prices it is not easy to tackle any expense which arises without notice. All that people need to do is to get their car insured to reap the benefits.

However, to gain from cheap car insurance people would do well to take care of a few things. First of all they must ensure that the policy comes to life as soon as it is signed, secondly it should also be seen whether the car is priced fairly. In addition to it people must also see that they do not provide any wrong information to the insurance company as well as the fact that there is no default from their side on monthly premiums.

A slight observance of these points on part of people would ensure that cheap car insurance goes a long way in helping people fight such a calamity as car damage as and when it takes place.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/cheap-car-insurance-top-security-at-minimum-price-337674.html

Life Insurance for Children

As a parent, the last thing you want to think about is that one of your children might die. However, accidents and illnesses do happen, and many parents feel buying life insurance for children provides the family an extra level of protection. Here's how to get the best rate on children's life insurance.

Protecting Your Family

Most people buy life insurance to replace a breadwinner’s income. While few children earn an income, buying a policy for them offers several other benefits:

* It allows you to lock in an inexpensive rate for your children, making life insurance more affordable for them as adults.

* It guarantees that your children will have life insurance as adults if they develop an illness and become uninsurable.

* If you buy a whole life policy, you can begin building a financial nest egg for your children that they can draw on as adults to go to college, buy a home, or for other financial needs.

* It provides financial protection so the family will not be overwhelmed by medical bills and funeral expenses at an emotionally trying time.

Finding the Best Rate on Children’s Life Insurance

You may get the best rate on life insurance for a child by adding a rider to your own policy. If this isn’t an option, you can begin looking at other insurance companies.

The easiest way to compare rates from various companies is to log onto the Internet and go to an insurance comparison website. While there you'll complete a simple online questionnaire, after which you'll receive quotes from multiple A-rated companies.

The best comparison websites also have a chat feature with insurance professionals on hand to answer your questions and help you get the best rate (see link below.)

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/life-insurance.html or click on the following link to get children's life insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/life-insurance-for-children-where-to-get-the-best-rate-337334.html

Home Insurance

One of the dreams fostered by people around the world is to own a home for themselves. A place where they can raise their families away from the gaze of the world. House is special because lots of sentiments and memories are attached with it which makes it so very special. However, it is one dream that is indeed difficult to fulfill because of the cost involved. Such is the expense involved in owning a house that for a huge population it can be achieved only if they opt for loans. And they are the ones who are the worst sufferers in case the house faces some damage. It is to help all such people that home insurance was devised.

It is a wonderful thought by insurance companies and provides ultimate security to one's home. No wonder almost everyone in UK goes for it, for if tragedy strikes, then people, particularly those belonging to the middle class strata of society might find paying on two fronts - one on repayment of loans and other on repair of the house - very difficult. It is to help all such people that such a service prove instrumental.

However, to gain from home insurance people would do well to take care of a few points. First of all people must ensure that the policy comes to life as soon as it is signed. Then, people should also ensure that their house is priced fairly. It is also imperative that no wrong information is paid to the insurance company as well as the fact that there is no default on monthly premiums.

Efforts like these would ensure that home insurance provides that ultimate security cover to your dream possession and arm you with a potent weapon to fight such a time when your dream possession has faced some serious damage.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/home-insurance-safeguarding-your-home-337752.html

Directors and Officers Insurance

This kind of insurance is taken to provide adequate security to directors and officers of a company in case they got sued by shareholders, creditors, competitors, and consumers for any omission, fraud, cheat, and other event in concern with that company. This particular type of insurance has been introduced to safeguard the interests of directors and officers of a company in case they are accused of errors and omissions in their normal course of working.

Also known as D&O insurance, this type of insurance protects directors and officers of any unforeseen financial liability. It will also include other insurance like Employment Practices Liability and at extent Fiduciary Liability.

Insurance for directors is often misinterpreted with Errors & Omissions Liability which is an incorrect concept. Directors officers insurance is major deals with negligence and omission in daily performance of a person whereas Error & Omission Liability concerned with lack in providing adequate service in terms of products and services. In normal situations, companies take such insurance protection while in some companies both directors and company share the responsibility of paying off the premium.

Where to Find Directors & Officers Insurance?
There are many insurance companies and institutions where you can find adequate protection policy to secure your company’s directors and officers. Companies having a full-fledged board of director usually sought for such insurance policy to protect their personnel.

Need for Directors and Officers Insurance
Such insurance is necessary for dealing with the claims of stockholders, employees, and clients. There will be cases, when directors are to be blamed for improper running of the company’s function and duties.

It is important because investors and board members will be unwilling to risk their personal wealth and assets to provide adequate compensation in the company. It safeguards the officers and directors from all such miss happenings and keeps them tranquil for life.