Big update (7/27):
After following the discussions closely, turns out that the Indian Govt was in the clear. Look at this posting here, and the image here.�� As per my posts (update 3 below) I was convinced this would be the case. However, the mass hysteria did take its toll and I firmly stick with my recommendations (update 2, below).��
The Indian Govt, tried its best to restrict the impact, but probably the network administrators on the ground didnt think much and did a blanket block.
Kudos to the Govt for releasing the documents though. I am hoping the document (probably released under RTI) is the real deal. I think its up to us fellow bloggers to take this in our stride and educate the masses about technology and how to react. Dont go over-board. Find out the facts first!
–Original Post–
Just when you though everything was nice and dandy, BOOM… India starts policing the internet! [note, assuming these stories are true].
The question is WHY?
From one of the comments
Jace, there is no ban. There is an ‘operation’ in progress. Some SIMI activits were found using blogs to communicate and organise. Everything should be back to normal in 48 hours. Unfortunetly, I can give the source of this information, we will just have to wait for 48 hours.
OK.. so that helps.
How do the advanced nations deal with such crisis? Do they just shut down the internet? Is that how it goes? There must be and should be a logical, more unobtrusive way to deal with such scenarios.
Here is what I propose:
1. Get a 2 to 3 year revolving contract to a private vendor to set up monitoring services. With safeguards of course.�� Have a second vendor to monitor these services.
and then have government oversight.
2. Have someone manage the DoT / Govt PR. For christ’s sake,
Somebody must have asked for some sites to be blocked. What is your problem?
is NOT a response, that too from the CERT-IN director!
3. Create an independent body for laying down internet regulation and monitoring laws if they don’t alredy exist!�� If they dont, then create them. If they do, make them public.
more to come… keep your eyes peeled.
Update 1:
Based on a tip off from here, I read up the Right to Information Act of 2005. Interesting read but it still has its caveats. The Govt is not obliged to reveal any information that threatens the national integrity.
What is not open to disclosure?
The following is exempt from disclosure [S.8)]
�� 1. information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence
….
Hmm…looks like acting on SIMI will be well covered under this rule….
Update 2:
My comments on this issue here
Update 3:
Clarification by the govt.
“Indian ISPs don’t have the technology to block individual name servers — say a particular blog hosted on Blogspot. So they had no choice but to block the root servers of major blogging networks — blogspot, geocities and typepad,” said a senior official in the IT Ministry. A senior official from an ISP confirmed this.
Now waiting for the access to be restored.
The great Zidane and the French World Cup 2006 story.
Will they make it?
Update:
Guess he wont…
Result : Italy wins in Penalty shootout.
Technorati Tags: Football
Originally uploaded by Pushkar P.
Yup, it took me 2 years to become a true Bostonian. Not bad eh? So here are the things I can check off the list nowĶ
1. Take the ferry in Boston
2. Walk the ÄòFreedom TrailÄò
3. Wait for 5 hours to see the fireworks on the Charles
4. Drink water, hot coffee, dunkinÄô coolaata and a marguerita in a space of 2 hours
5. Shop for ÄòtouristyÄô Boston memorablia
6. Take pictures of everything you see
Yeah.
I am not making a judgement about the music that is played in the discotheques now-a-days but I have to say that things in Club 33 are definitely not looking good. I have been there a few times and it has been a steady slope down-hill.
I think here is what they need to do:
1. What’s with the sporadic instances of cover charge? I know its free but if you have been there more than once, you will know that they will have a cover charge!
2. Get better DJs. Basically if you don’t allow teenagers into the club, then don’t play teen music. Simple. Dont play hawaiian, funky guitar stuff. Don’t try to create a new trend because it kills the enthu to dance. And is Moroccan music the new Reggaeton ? Come on man !
3. Get bartenders who know what a Marguerita is. How difficult is it? There is a over-the-shelf mix, add tequila, and ice.. and shake it! That is pretty much it. Dont ask me what ‘tequila’ I want… if you had the tequila I wanted, I would have told you. Ok?
4. Don’t use the same ice across 4 different drinks: Health inspectors, please check the bar - again… in a course of 15 mins, all bartenders re-used the same ice cubes atleast 3 - 4 times. Yikes. The sadder part is they could only make 4 drinks in 15 mins. sssssslllllllloooooooowwwwwwww.
I used to love the place, but now it plain boring and has no class / ambience left at all. The service is slow, the music sucks, the bar is bad, the drinks were always over-priced and they still are but you feel it more because of the lousy setup. Bad, bad experience. 
Technorati Tags: 33 Restaurant and Lounge, Boston, Club, Club 33, Dancing, Disco