Singh, Sarkozy discuss Nuclear energy

Taking forward their strategic ties, India and France on Tuesday discussed cooperation in areas like atomic energy, defence and space as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh witnessed a “magnificent parade” as the chief guest at the French National Day with President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Dr Singh, who became the first Indian leader to be the chief guest at the French celebrations, said this reflects the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries and the cordial ties between their armed forces.

“India is one of the greatest democracies of the world,” Mr Sarkozy said, adding that India is a “major power” of the 21st century. “India’s involvement is essential in all major global matters.”

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Islamic burqa is ‘not welcome’

The Islamic burqa is “not welcome” in France because it is not a symbol of religion but a sign of subservience for women, the President, Mr Nicolas Sarkozy said on Sunday.

“We cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting, cut off from all social life, deprived of identity,” he said. “That is not the idea that the French republic has of women’s dignity.”

“The burqa is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience,” he told lawmakers.“It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic.”

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Sipping espresso and tracing Noor Inayat’s steps in Paris

Normally one likes to savour Europe slowly, but due to a last-minute flight change I ended up travelling London-Paris Florence-Paris all in one day, including airport transfers and a three-hour stroll around Florence. And though it was a crazy schedule, I have to say it was one of the smoothest journeys I have ever had! It never ceases to amaze me how the EU countries have managed to sort out their problems. And apart from one routine passport check in Paris I was completely relaxed, even though I still possess an Indian passport. When nations which were at war can sort out their problems, why is it taking India so long to resolve border issues with its neighbours. And why can’t a single visa or passport work for at least the Saarc countries? But given the spate of violence against its own citizens in India, perhaps the time is coming when Indians will need passports to travel within their own country.

Walking through Paris one remembered the time when similar divisive hatred had swamped the city — and the Germans had begun their pogroms against the Jews. Less than 70 years ago, France was a country divided between those who supported the Germans as well as the Vichy government during the Second World War and others who resisted and extremely courageously carried out secret missions to vanquish Hitler’s dangerous machinations.

How quickly we forget the lessons of history — if only those who are spreading poison between communities would remember! And so should those who are right now not applying the rule of law in India. The hubris that had made Hitler feel invincible — where is it now? Where is his grand plan of conquest?

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After 34 years, India to buy first Nuclear reactors, from France

India's isolation ended on Tuesday when Paris agreed to sell reactors and fuel to Delhi. This French factor comes just 24 days after the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) amended its guidelines governing civil atomic commerce.

“France is the first country with whom we have entered into such an agreement after the lifting of international restrictions on civil nuclear cooperation with India,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The pact effectively ends the 34-year-old sanctions imposed by the NSG after India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974.

India has managed to retain its nuclear deterrent, build more atomic weapons and yet be able to source civil nuclear technology from NSG nations.

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April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar.

New Year's Day Moves

Ancient cultures, including those as varied as the Romans and the Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.

Problems With This Explanation

There are at least two difficulties with this explanation. The first is that it doesn't fully account for the spread of April Fools' Day to other European countries. The Gregorian calendar was not adopted by England until 1752, for example, but April Fools' Day was already well established there by that point. The second is that we have no direct historical evidence for this explanation, only conjecture, and that conjecture appears to have been made more recently.

Constantine and Kugel

Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.

"In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor."

This explanation was brought to the public's attention in an Associated Press article printed by many newspapers in 1983. There was only one catch: Boskin made the whole thing up. It took a couple of weeks for the AP to realize that they'd been victims of an April Fools' joke themselves.
Spring Fever

It is worth noting that many different cultures have had days of foolishness around the start of April, give or take a couple of weeks. The Romans had a festival named Hilaria on March 25, rejoicing in the resurrection of Attis. The Hindu calendar has Holi, and the Jewish calendar has Purim. Perhaps there's something about the time of year, with its turn from winter to spring, that lends itself to lighthearted celebrations.

Observances Around the World

April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western world. Practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand," looking for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.

The French call April 1 Poisson d'Avril, or "April Fish." French children sometimes tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered.