Life In The Wrong Key

The central government is in a bind over the issue of scrapping of section 377 of Indian Penal Code, which deals with criminalization of homosexuality.The counsel for the government sought more time to convey its stand on a petition challenging the legality of this section. Additional solicitor general P P Malhotra submitted before a division bench of the Delhi high court comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Muralidhar that the Union Cabinet is trying to reconcile the difference of opinion between the health ministry and home ministry on decriminalization of homosexuality.‘‘It is beyond my hands, the Cabinet is seized of the matter,’’ ASG Malhotra said, while seeking more time. He conceded that the Centre has failed to sort out the differences between the home and health ministries over decriminalization of homosexuality among consenting adults ever since the difference emerged during the earlier hearing on the matter before HC.The high court however refused to adjourn the m...

The global financial crisis may cause a temporary dent in demand for hotel rooms in India, but foreign hotel chains betting on the country’s long-term growth say their expansion plans remain on track.The crisis, some of them say, could even help draw more hotel investments to the country as demand for hospitality services in the US and other Western economies softens, freeing up capital.“People the world over are nervous because of the financial crisis, and investments are the last thing on their mind,” said Ray Stone, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Accor Asia Pacific. “In India that is destined to expand, it would be foolish not to invest.” The European hotel chain is partnering real estate firm Emaar MGF Land Ltd to develop 40 budget hotels in India by 2012.Accor Asia Pacific Corp. Ltd, which has committed $200 million (Rs908 crore) to set up hotels in India, has already invested around $82 million, more than one-third of it through a joint venture with InterGlobe Ho...

Organizers plan to heat the athlete's village at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, by using the sewer system.  The sewer-heat system uses exchangers to extract the otherwise waste heat from the city's sewage. The heat can then be used to warm up buildings and provide hot water. Natural gas will be used as a supplemental energy source on exceptionally cold days.  There are only two similar sewer-heat recovery systems in operation in Norway and one in Japan, but Vancouver's would be the first in North America.