Interesting read

Think Differently !!!… See What China Is Doing !!!

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It’s a difficult conundrum faced by many countries around the world – how to produce enough food for an ever-increasing population when land and space is rapidly running out.
But it appears China may have come up with an answer with its plans for space-saving vertical farms .Overcrowded China solves space shortage issues by building 187-metre-high vertical farms to grow fruit and veg.

They may look more like tower accommodation blocks usually found in big cities, but these 187-metre-high skyscrapers would only be used to grow vegetables and fruit.

The plans to build in the vertical farms in Tai Po, Hong Kong, come after the country’s rapid urban expansion in recent years which has seen much of its usable farmland disappear
.

Despite still having one of the largest agricultural outputs – feeding 20 per cent of the world’s entire population, only 15 per cent of all its land is suitable for farming and only around 1.2 per cent permanently supports crops.

And with its cities expanding in size by ten per cent annually since 2000, its farmland is becoming increasingly under threat.

This coupled with the world’s ever-expanding population has led to fears of future face food shortages action isn’t taken soon

But Spain-based architectural firm JAPA believes its model could solve this problem with its Dyn-net or Dynamic Vertical Networks model.

This would be a series of high-rise towers located on the outskirts of cities that could supply the food needs of the metropolis.

The structures would be made out of lightweight yet high tensile materials using as many recyclable resources as possible.

The shifting floors of the structure, inspired by China’s traditional rice farms, means each ring of the building can change its position to best suit the plants, such as making them receive the maximum amount of sunlight or moisture.

The system would also use hydroponics to grow produce, using little to no soil at all, and would even have labs to better monitor growth and nutritional value of the crops.

Visitors would be allowed into the building so they can learn more about local agriculture and get to witness the 360 degree panoramic views each platform offers.

The buildings could put an end to China’s difficulty in finding enough arable land to farm, which has been a problem throughout its history, leading to chronic food shortage.

While the production efficiency of its farmland has grown over time, efforts to expand to the west and the north have held limited success because of the colder and drier climate than its traditional farmlands to the east.

Since the 1950s, China’s farm space has also been under pressure by the increasing land needs of industry and cities.

The company has suggested Tai Po District in Hong Kong which is the second largest administrative district and has a surrounding unused area of some 14,800 hectares in the northeast New Territories, as the idea site to test the farming skyscrapers.

The firm believes the structures would be able to feed the entire population of the surrounding Kowloon-Hong Kong area.

Because of China's limited space for farming, there are plans to create these vertical structures which provide food while saving land space

While the production efficiency of farmland has grown over time, efforts to expand to the west and the north have held limited success

 

Strategic rethink of the Asian City:

 

The farming towers will create more agricultural land by building upwards and using cutting-edge technology to grow as much produce as efficiently as possible

 

Not only will the towers provide food but also spectacular 360 degree viewing platforms and spaces to research on farming techniques

Not only will the towers provide food but also spectacular 360 degree viewing platforms and spaces to research on farming techniques

source::::SUZANNAH HILLS     in   mailonline .com UK

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Vegetables That Boost Your IMMUNE System !!!

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Adding immune-boosting vegetables to your diet is one of the most critical lifestyle changes you can make. The difference veggies make in your health is worth any effort. They reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers.

Veggies help you not only get well and stay well but also look good! When your body gains nutritional sufficiency from vegetables, your hair, skin, and eyes all show the signs of health.

Don’t hesitate to load your plate (with a minimum of two) of the following veggies:

1

Cruciferous vegetables are the gold standard in immune-boosting vegetables.

Although all vegetables have nutrients and some protective powers, for these vegetables, it’s off the charts. Cruciferous vegetables have a special chemical composition: They have sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their pungent flavors. When they’re broken down by biting, blending, or chopping, a chemical reaction occurs that converts these sulfur-containing compounds into isothiocyanates(ITCs). ITCs prevent and knock out cancer and have infinite proven immune-boosting capabilities.

They contain antiviral and antibacterial agents that keep you disease free. Adding the following cruciferous vegetables to your daily plate is like taking an anticancer pill: arugula, beet greens, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, red cabbage, turnip greens, or watercress.
2

Garlic is surely one of the world’s most potent medicines, and its potent smell is what makes it so powerful.

The active ingredient allicin turns into organosulfurs, which are the compounds that keep your cells safe from all the destructive cellular processes that can cause major chronic diseases. Garlic is a natural antiseptic; it prevents cancer, fights infection, and prevents colds. Research also states that garlic may prevent or decrease chronic diseases associated with age, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, immune disorders, brain aging, cataracts, and arthritis.
3

Onions are rich inquercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer.

Like garlic, onions also contain the amazing compound allicin. Red and purple onions containanthocyanins, the same antioxidants that make berries so robust in healing powers. In addition to being extraordinary at preventing and healing cancer, the quercetin contained in onion makes them a safe therapy for allergies; it also helps prevent heart disease and reduce high blood pressure.
4

The power of mushrooms comes from their ability to enhance the activity of natural killer T cells (NKT).

These NKTs attack and remove cells that are damaged or infected by a virus. Mushrooms are associated with decreasing most cancers and significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. They prevent DNA damage, slow cancer or tumor growth, and prevent tumors from acquiring a blood supply.
5

Tomatoes are also the richest source of the exceptionally potent antioxidant lycopene,a substance that prevents cancer, particularly cancer of the prostate.

Tomatoes also have high levels of beta carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system. They have high dietary fiber and taste delicious raw or cooked.
6

Beets are an amazing blood purifier.

Beets are rich in iron and produce the disease-fighting white blood cells. They also stimulate red blood cells and improve the supply of oxygen to the cells. Beets prevent cancer and heart disease, and the detoxifying properties make them good for your organs. Beets are also high in fiber and nourishing for digestive health.
7

Spinach is rich in beta carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A, triggering your immune response to keep you well.

Spinach prevents cancer and heart disease and is rich in the disease-fighting mineral zinc. The vitamin C helps you resist colds and infection and keeps your skin healthy; the B vitamins keep you calm and more energetic.
8

Asparagus’s biggest talent is its ability to encourage the body to flush out toxins, due to its natural diuretic abilities.

Asparagus is both cleansing and anti-inflammatory to the body. It has the antioxidant glutathione,which can lower your risk factor for heart disease and cancer. It’s useful for all inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
9

Artichoke supports the liver.

The substance cynarin gives artichoke its detoxifying qualities. Artichokes’ B vitamins increase mental alertness and strengthen your immunity.
10

Red bell pepper is bursting with vitamin C, making it a powerful immune builder.

Red bell pepper’s high level of beta carotene turns into vitamin A, making it a strong defense against disease. Although green and yellow peppers are certainly healthy, they’re more superfoodish. Although they both have similar amounts of vitamin C, red bell peppers have quite a bit more of the superstar beta carotene.

 
11

Sweet potatoes are far superior than the run-of-the-mill white potato.

The orange variety contains beta carotene, which makes them filled with robust antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer abilities. They’re also full of fiber and the vitamin E they contain is healthy for the skin.

source ::::: Wendy Warner and Kellyann Petrucci from Boosting Your Immunity For Dummies  in bbc.com

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Message For The Day… Get Your Manava Guna Transformed into Madhava Guna ….

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Human beings are a mixture of Divinity, Demon and Human (Daiva, danava and manava). The wickedness of the ogre can be overcome by the quality of mercy and charity (daya), sympathy and empathy. Pride can be overcome through self-control (dama), detachment, and renunciation; Egoism can be overcome by following the code of conduct (dharma) prescribed by the impartial sages, and by channelizing your instincts and impulses into fruitful action. When these three Gunas are thus sublimated, Manava (human) is transformed into Madhava (God). Make the best use of your Guru. Acquire from Him the skills for winning peace of mind and bliss (shanti and santosha), the Grace of God, the lessons of spiritual practice (Sadhana), and the fruits of good and holy company (sathsang); do not fritter away your energy and time, seeking sensory satisfaction in ungodly company.

 

Sathya Sai BabaG

வாக்கு சாதுர்ய வாலி !!!!

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1.வாக்குச் சாதுர்ய வாலி

வாலியிடம் ஒரு சந்திப்பில் எழுத்தாளர் நா. பார்த்தசாரதி கேட்டார்.
நீங்க ஏன் வாலின்னு பேர் வச்சிகிட்டு இருக்கீங்க ?
வாலி சொன்னார் – ராமாயண வாலி யை யாரும் வெல்ல முடியாததற்குக் காரணம் அவன் எதிரில் யார் வந்து நின்றாலும்எதிராளியின் பலத்தில் பாதி வாலி க்கு வந்துவிடும். அதுமாதிரி நான் யாரை சந்திச்சாலும் எதிராளியின் அறிவில் பாதி எனக்கு வந்துடும்.

நா. பா அவரை கிண்டலடித்தார் – உங்களைப் பார்த்தா அவ்வள ஒண்ணும் அறிவாளியா தெரியலையே..!

வாலி சொன்னார் : நான் இன்னும் எந்த அறிவாளியையும் சந்திக்கலையோ என்னவோ !!

2. வார்த்தை விளையாட்டு வாலி

இங்கிலீஷ், இந்தி தமிழ் எல்லாம் கலந்து கட்டி அடிக்கும் கவிஞர் வாலியின் வார்த்தை விளையாட்டுக்கு ஒரு உதாரணம். வி எஸ் ராகவன் நடித்த டிவி படம் ஒன்றில் அவரின் ஒரு வசனம் — பப்ளிக் பிராசிக்யூட்டர் ( நீலு) குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டரை கேள்விகேட்டு வாதம் செய்கையில். குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்டவர் சம்பவம் நடந்த அன்று நான் திருப்பதியில் இருந்தேன் யுவர் ஆனர் என்று சொல்லி திருப்பதியில் வாங்கிய லட்டு ஒன்றை சாட்சியாக நீதிபதியிடம் கொடுப்பார்..
நீலு லட்டை வாங்கி விண்டெடுத்து வாயில் போட்டு, நீதிபதியைப் பார்த்து
“மை லார்ட், திஸ் இஸ் பொய் லாட்

 

source:::::input from a friend of mine …

natarajan

“இன்று உங்களுக்காக இந்த தியாகம் ” !!!… சிறப்பு சிரிப்பு !!!!

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ஒரு ஹெலிகாப்டரில் இருந்து வந்த கயிற்றைப் பிடித்துக் கொண்டு 9 ஆண்களும், 1 பெண்ணும் தொங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்தனர்.

இதில் யாராவது ஒருவர் கையிறை விட்டால் மட்டுமே ஹெலிகாப்டர் மேற்கொண்டு பறக்க முடியும். இல்லை என்றால் கயிறு அறுந்துவிடும்.

இந்த நிலையில், ஹெலிகாப்டரில் இருந்து யாராவது ஒருவர் தனது உயிரை தியாகம் செய்யுமாறு கோரிக்கை குரல் வருகிறது.

ஆனால், ஆண்களில் யாருமே உயிரை தியாகம் செய்ய முன்வரவில்லை.

அந்த சமயத்தில், அவர்களைக் காப்பாற்ற அந்த பெண் தானே முன் வந்து கயிறை விடுவதாகக் கூறுகிறாள்.

அவள் கயிறை விடுவதற்கு முன்பு, என் குடும்பத்துக்காக நிறைய தியாகம் செய்துள்ளேன். அதுபோல் இன்று உங்களுக்காக இந்த தியாகத்தைச் செய்கிறேன் என்று கூறினாள். இதைக் கேட்ட அனைத்து ஆண்களும், தங்களை மறந்து கைதட்டினர்.

பிறகென்ன… அந்த பெண் மட்டும் மீட்கப்பட்டு தனது இடத்தை அடைந்தாள்.!!!!

source:::::Dinamani Tamil Daily

natarajan

Best of National Geographic Images !!!

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From the world’s mightiest and most elusive creatures, to spectacular landscapes in the farthest flung corners of the globe, National Geographic has been capturing the wonder and diversity of our planet and its inhabitants for more than a century.
Since 1888, National Geographic magazine has brought the people and places of our immense planet into the homes – and imaginations – of millions of readers.
Printed in 37 languages, and instantly recognizable by the yellow-bordered cover, the magazine is revered for its world-class imagery, showcasing the talents of its intrepid photographers.
The publication is now celebrating its landmark 125th anniversary.

Some of its most striking images that capture and encapsulate the beauty of the four corners of the globe

A boy sits on top of a car on Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas

 

A boy sits on top of a car on Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas


Cambodian villagers celebrate as they get a fresh water well for the first time

Cambodian villagers celebrate as they get a fresh water well for the first time

A man descends into Majlis al Jinn cave, Oman

A man descends into Majlis al Jinn cave, Oman

A lioness and her cubs huddle together

A lioness and her cubs huddle together.

 

Two ostriches (Struthio camelus) inquisitively look over a wooden plank fence

Two ostriches (Struthio camelus) inquisitively look over a wooden plank fence

Monarch butterflies in flight

Monarch butterflies in flight

An Adelie penguin jumping on an iceberg

An Adelie penguin jumping on an iceberg.

 

Pride of the Serengeti Plains: A pride of lions - including five lionesses and eight cubs rests near a hilltop waterhole

Pride of the Serengeti Plains: A pride of lions – including five lionesses and eight cubs rests near a hilltop waterhole

 

A Tibetan girl dressed in traditional clothes for a horse festival

A Tibetan girl dressed in traditional clothes for a horse festival

California loggers and a giant Mark Twain Redwood that they cut down in 1892

California loggers and a giant Mark Twain Redwood that they cut down in 1892

 

Schoolboys wrestle in snow, Deerfield, Massachusetts

Schoolboys wrestle in snow, Deerfield, Massachusetts

 

Lightning bugs at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

Lightning bugs at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

 

 Tumbleweed in mid air over the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Tumbleweed in mid air over the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

Aerial of large crowd at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro
Aerial of large crowd at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Calcutta's streets crammed with vendors, pedestrians and taxis
Kolkata”s streets crammed with vendors, pedestrians and taxis

Oak trees at night under a starry sky along the Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina

Oak trees at night under a starry sky along the Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina

A bison in steam during winter, Yellowstone National Park

A bison in steam during winter, Yellowstone National Park

source:::::mailonline.com US

NATARAJAN

 

 

 

 

 

Just For Laugh !!!…”Army To Rescue The Indian Rupee From Disaster Site ” !!!

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Latest reports coming from various cantonments suggest that the soldiers in Indian Army have been asked to study textbooks on economics, finance, markets, etc. because they could soon be called in to take control of the Indian economy.

“The immediate task could be to rescue the falling rupee, though we are yet to be officially communicated,” an army spokesperson told Faking News.
Army is usually called in when civilian efforts fail or a natural disaster strikes. The government is sure that the current economic crisis falls in one of these categories, but not sure which one.
Citizens are wary of the move, but they think the situation can’t get worse.
However, sources in the government confirm that the government is sure that it would need army’s help in getting the economy back on track as most of its other attempts appear to be bearing no fruit.
“The phrase ‘Army called in’ appears to enthuse more confidence in people than phrases like ‘Government assures’, ‘RBI announces’, ‘Don’t buy Gold’ etc. so we thought we could try this trick as well,” a source in the Finance Ministry explained.
“No, no, we are not imposing army rule over the nation by calling the army to help us with economics. We’d continue to be a democratic country and lathicharge those protesting this move,” a government source clarified.
Experts too believe that such a step could prove to be more effective than other steps taken by the government.
“To be fair, the government did try to think out of box. The Finance Minister tried to change the behavior of people (by  asking them not to buy gold) to impact the market conditions instead taking the usual approach of changing the market conditions to impact the behavior of people,” an expert pointed out.
“Even the  upgrade by Fitch last week didn’t seem to have helped the sentiments, so maybe ‘Army called in’ could help,” the experts added.
Back in the cantonments, army men are trying their best.
“It’s all very confusing, now I know why our Prime Minister appears so lost and spaced out,” Lance Naik Ram Bahadur Singh said after his fifth Economics class in the last two day!!!!!!
source:::::unknown ….input from a friend of mine
natarajan

“Plant ” A Solution For Water Woes !!!!

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Recycling grey water with the roots of plants like Canna can give you a perennial source of water. Hema Vijay tells you how

In Gandhi Nagar at Adyar, an eight-flat apartment complex revels in the luxury of a perennial ground water source, enabled by a simple plumbing arrangement and a few Canna Lily plants. Here, a PVC pipeline takes grey water (bath water, wash basin water and washing machine run-off water) from the apartment to a narrow Canna plant bed.

As grey water trickles down, it gets purified by the action of the Canna roots and the natural microbes present in the soil, and the treated water enters the ground water table. “This system is absolutely safe and easy. Our bore well has never gone dry, and we have never needed to buy water”, says V.S. Sukumar, who built and lives in this apartment block.

Since grey water accounts for 50-60 per cent of a household’s average daily water consumption of around 920 litres, this apartment recharges its ground water with roughly 4,000 litres of water every day.

Elsewhere in the city, former DGP V. Vaikunth and President of Home Exnora S. Indrakumar too recycle grey water in their homes. Dr. Indukanth S. Ragade, grey water recycling (GWR) expert and author of Self-reliance in Water – A Practical Manual for Town and City Dwellers has installed GWR systems in a few apartments.

At a time when our parched city is looking everywhere for water, these isolated efforts hold out a crucial roadmap

.Make it mandatory?

Countries like Japan and Israel have successfully addressed water shortages by recycling used water. In the US, states like Arizona and New Mexico promote GWR with tax credits. Should GWR be made mandatory in Tamil Nadu? “The law which made rainwater harvesting mandatory in October 2002 also says that grey water has to be recovered in situ and used for flushing of toilets. (chennaimetrowater.com). Known as the TN Municipalities Building Rules Act (1972), it was amended to include RWH and grey water reuse,” says Dr. Sekhar Raghavan, founder, Rain Centre.

In practice, we have unfortunately ignored GWR.

Purification process

“Plants like Canna indica (Kalvazhai), hedychium (sugandhi) and heliconium supply oxygen to the soil in the root zones. Using this oxygen, soil bacteria break down organic compounds in grey water and render the water clean,” says Ragade. Grey water consists of very small quantities of exhausted and unexhausted soaps and detergents, and small quantities of organic salts like washing soda. “Bacteria consume the organic components like Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate (LABS). Detergents also contain inorganic compounds called STPP (Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate). This acts as a nutrient for the plants and is consumed under aerobic conditions,” says Raghavan. Adds Ragade, “The treated water may be used to recharge groundwater, or collected in dug wells/sumps and used for flushing toilets; it is safe for these uses.” The treated grey water has been tested by the Chennai water and sewerage board (CMWSSB) and found satisfactory.

However, kitchen waste water does not quite work. It contains suspended organic matter that could lead to foul smells; it requires much larger soil spaces (6-8 sq. ft per person). Bath and wash water are safer for recycling.

While organic alternatives are available and preferable, mild cleaning chemicals can still be handled by the natural cleansing action of soil and plant roots. However, do avoid powerful synthetic chemicals and detergents that promise swift action.

Meanwhile, a few recycling residents have been inspired to go totally organic. “I use soap nut powder with ash and a little baking soda, which keeps my vessels spotless; vinegar for cleaning ceramic ware; activated effective microorganisms (AEM) as a toilet cleaning agent; soap nut powder as washing powder, and lemon grass oil for floor cleaning,” says Kavitha Ramakrishnan.

 

Roots of Canna lillies. Photo: S. Thanthoni

source :::: Hema Vijay  in “The Hindu ”

natarajan

Keywords: canna plants, grey water recycling

Message For The Day….Be an Example to Others Through Your Conduct ….

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A true devotee will have no eye on the profit of any kind that can be derived from their service. If you quarrel with your spouse and desist from food for a day, that does not count as fasting in the book of God. Also praising one God as great and decrying another is incorrect. Any of these acts reflect the fact that you are unaware of the elementary rules of spiritual discipline. Dhana (wealth) is the currency of the world. Sadhana (Spiritual Practice) is the currency of the spirit. Be an example to others through your conduct – sweet speech, humility, reverence to elders and steadfastness in truth and faith. This way you will influence more people into practicing spirituality; it is better than establishing societies, collecting donations or running temples. The Lord looks for sincerity, simplicity and steady joy in the contemplation of His Name and Form.

 

Sathya Sai Baba

Detroit , Once The Seat of ” Auto Power” , is Bankrupt Today !!!

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The BBC’s Samira Hussain explains why Detroit has racked up such big debts

Detroit has become the largest US city ever to file for bankruptcy, with debts of at least $15bn (£10bn).

The city, once a symbol of US industrial power, is seeking protection from creditors who include public-sector workers and their pension funds.

Detroit has faced decades of problems linked to the decline of its industry.

The BBC’s Jonny Dymond in Washington says public services are in a state of near collapse and around 70,000 properties lie abandoned.

However, Mayor Dave Bing has vowed that public services will keep running and wages for public workers will be paid.

On Thursday, Michigan state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr asked a federal judge to place the city into bankruptcy protection.

If it is approved, he would be allowed to liquidate city assets to satisfy creditors and pensions.

Detroit – known as Motor City for its once-thriving automobile industry – stopped unsecured-debt payments last month to keep the city running as Mr Orr negotiated with creditors.

He proposed a deal last month in which creditors would accept 10 cents for every dollar they were owed.

But two pension funds representing retired city workers resisted the plan. Thursday’s bankruptcy filing comes days ahead of a hearing that would have tried to stop the city from making such a move.


Detroit’s fall is complete. It is a depressing, if inevitable, end to a grotesque saga of decline, corruption and mismanagement. The irony is that the bankruptcy comes just as the private sector is picking up in Motor City. There is a buzz downtown, with commercial and residential occupancy at record levels.But public services are in a state of near collapse. Around 70,000 properties lie abandoned. Great swathes of the city need to be written off. For some, the announcement will come as some kind of relief. When I was last there business leaders told me that some kind of decision had to be taken about the city’s future – that agonising limbo was unsustainable.

The problem now is not just image. Bankruptcy looks bad. But Detroit is already a poster child for urban failure. Nor is it just about being locked out of capital markets – few would lend to the city anyway. But bankruptcy could take years to sort out, when Detroit’s real world problems need urgent remedies

Mr Orr suggested at the time there was a 50-50 chance of the city needing to file for bankruptcy. He also said the city’s long-term debt could be between $17bn and $20bn.

‘Only alternative’

At a press briefing on Thursday, Mr Orr said filing for bankruptcy was the “first step toward restoring the city”.

Alongside him, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said that residents had to make a new start.

“I really didn’t want to go in this direction – but now that we are here, we have to make the best of it,” Mr Bing said.

The mayor also assured residents that the city would stay open and bills would be paid despite the filing.

“Paychecks for our city employees will continue, services will continue,” he said.

In a letter accompanying Thursday’s filing, Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, said he had approved the request from Mr Orr to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

“Only one feasible path offers a way out,” Gov Snyder said, adding that residents needed a clear exit from the “cycle of ever decreasing services”.

“The only way to do those things is to radically restructure the city and allow it to reinvent itself without the burden of impossible obligations.

Detroit’s mayor Dave Bing: “I really didn’t want to go in this direction, but now that we are here we have to make the best of it”

“It is clear that the financial emergency in Detroit cannot be successfully addressed outside of such a filing, and it is the only reasonable alternative that is available”.

Meanwhile, the White House said it was closely monitoring developments in Detroit.

“While leaders on the ground in Michigan and the city’s creditors understand that they must find a solution to Detroit’s serious financial challenge, we remain committed to continuing our strong partnership with Detroit as it works to recover and revitalise and maintain its status as one of America’s great cities,” said White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage.

Analysts say there are some concerns that businesses might ditch their operations in Detroit.

But, in the wake of the filing, US car company General Motors said it did not expect any impact on its operations, and hoped it would mark a “clean start” for Detroit.

Detroit in decline

  • Population has shrunk from a peak of 2 million in the 1950s to 713,000 today
  • Highest violent crime rate of any major US city, with 15,245 reported incidents in 2011
  • Some 78,000 abandoned and blighted buildings
  • 40% of street lights do not work
  • Only a third of the city’s ambulances are in service
  • Just 53% of owners paid their 2011 property taxes

Source: City of Detroit Proposal for Creditors

“GM is proud to call Detroit home and today’s bankruptcy declaration is a day that we and others hoped would not come,” the company said.

The city, once renowned as a manufacturing powerhouse, has struggled with its finances for some time, driven by a number of factors, including a steep population loss.

The murder rate is at a 40-year high and only one third of its ambulances were in service in early 2013.

Declining investment in street lights and emergency services have made it difficult to police the city.

And Detroit’s government has been hit by a string of corruption scandals over the years.

Between 2000-10, the number of residents declined by 250,000 as residents moved away.

Detroit is only the latest US city to file for bankruptcy in recent years.

In 2012, three California cities – Stockton, Mammoth Lakes and San Bernardino – took the step.

In 2011, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania tried to file for bankruptcy but the move was ruled illegal.

But Thursday’s move in Detroit is significantly larger than any of the earlier filings.

source:::::bbc.com

natarajan