What is Web 2.0?

What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 may be a buzzword that has existed for a few years
already, but it’s still creating a lot of buzz…and
disagreement. Experts are still debating about the exact
definition of Web 2.0. If you’re still feeling confused
about it, the following explanations might hopefully make
things clear for you.

Essential Characteristics of Web 2.0

Instead of looking for the exact statement that would
explain what Web 2.0 is, let’s just focus on what makes a
website Web 2.0 instead of just Web 1.0.

To begin with, let’s focus on the common examples provided
by most experts. What makes Netscape (Web 1.0) different
from Firefox (Web 2.0)? Hotmail from Yahoo Mail? Geocities
from Blogger? MP3.com from iTunes? Do you get the picture
now? If not then here are several essential characteristics
of Web 2.0 that all experts do agree with.

Knowledge-Oriented Environment – Web 2.0 acknowledges the
need and power of knowledge. Information is what makes the
world go round today – or at least it does in the Internet.

User-Generated Content – Now, what matters most is the
content that users themselves are not generating. They may
not be as professionally packaged or executed as what we’ve
been used to with Web 1.0 websites and applications, but
user-generated content also tend to have greater impact on
readers.

User-Managed Content – With Web 2.0, users don’t just
generate content. They manage it as well. They control how,
when, and where it’s presented as well as who gets to see
it.

Service-Oriented Architecture – It’s all about what a Web
2.0 application can do for you. That’s why Web 2.0
applications tend to offer as many features as possible
and expand continuously.

Human Interaction – Web 2.0 also acknowledges and makes
use of human interaction. It is why social bookmarking and
social networking sites are incredibly popular with people
nowadays.

Doesn’t Fight the Internet – Web 2.0 learned from its
predecessor, Web 1.0, not to fight with the Internet.
Rather than force the Internet to make itself suitable to
the services required by a particular application, Web 2.0
takes advantage instead of the inherent advantages of the
Internet. Its global audiences should be seen, for instance,
as a benefit rather than a disadvantage.

Syndication – Web 2.0 makes great use of syndication.
Syndication refers to the various processes used by websites
to make their content available and accessible, preferably
in digest form, with other users and websites for several
purposes. RSS feeds and podcasting are just a few ways of
syndicating content.

Innovation – Web 2.0 embraces innovation in all its stages.
It is why web 2.0 is defined as to be in a stage of
“perpetual beta”: not a day passes by wherein software
developers continue to find ways to improve their products
and services.

Four Levels of Web 2.0

Tim O’Reilly provided four levels to categorize Web 2.0
applications. Level 3 is at the top of the hierarchy: they
exist only in the Internet and primarily rely and improve
based on the frequency and variety of interaction with and
between users. Wikipedia, eBay, and del.icio.us are just a
few prime examples of level 3 Web 2.0 applications.

Level 2 websites are those able to operate offline but work
better online such as Flickr. Level 1 websites on the other
hand are those that also operate offline but provide more
features when they’re operated online. Examples of level 2
Web 2.0 websites are iTunes and Writely. Lastly, level 0
websites are simply those which produce the same results
whether they’re operated online or offline. Examples of
such websites are Yahoo! Local and Google Maps.

We will win vote

The Chief Minis ter, Dr Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy, on Sunday exuded confidence that the Congress-led UPA government will sail through the trust vote in Parliament on July 22.

Dr Rajashekhar Reddy, who arrived in the capital on Sunday morning, hosted a luncheon meeting for the MPs from the state.

The Congress is confident that all the party MPs from the state, and two more votes will be cast in favour of the motion of confidence to be moved by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.

All the Congress MPs, barring Mr Ch Harirama Jogaiah and Mr Y.S. Vivekanand Reddy, were present.

Mr Jogaiah had reportedly told the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, that he only had reservations against the Chief Minister, Dr Rajashekhar Reddy, and that he would vote for the Congress.

Mr Vivekananda Reddy was away in Jaipur on a personal work and could attend the meet.

Dr Reddy called on Congress president’s political adviser, Mr Ahmed Patel and briefed him.

He also called on Union information and broadcasting minister, Mr Priyaranjan Das Munshi, who had recently undergone a bypass surgery.

It was attended by CWC member in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, M. Veerappa Moily, AICC coordi nator, Mr P.J. Kurien, AICC secretary, Mr Iqbal Singh, and APCC president D.Srinivas.

The party managers are confident that with MIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi announcing his support to the UPA government, the entire contingent from Andhra Pradesh will cast its vote en bloc in favour of the trust motion.

Apart from Union ministers belonging to Andhra Pradesh, the luncheon meeting was also attended by several MLAs and state irri gation minister, Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah and state housing minister, Mr Botsa Satyanarayana.

The Congress has been propagating that nuclear energy is indispensable for rural development and tackling agrarian unrest.

It has resorted to aggressive posturing on the issue till now. It said that while the initial investment was high, the provision for reprocessing the spent nuclear fuel would considerably bring down the costs, the party argued.

New science institute in city

Asian Institute of Gastroenterology launched its Institute of Basic Sciences and Translational Research in the city on Sunday.

The institute, established at a cost of Rs 20 crore, will take up various research activities mainly on stem cells, liver and pancreatic diseases, intestinal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases.

The institute has already signed an MOU with the Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), and the National Centre for Cell Sciences, John Hopkins Hospital in USA, for further research on gastrointestinal diseases.

“Our survey has shown that 30 per cent of our people suffer from gastrointestinal diseases. Research in this field is lagging behind mainly because the basic research working is in isolation. To overcome this, we have started this institute,” Mr D. Nageshwar Reddy, the head of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, said.

Doctors of Asian Institute said they would come up with productive research results soon. The new institute will focus on the prevention of diseases and vaccination.

Maya to be UNPA chief

The BSP is likely to join the UNPA on July 23, a day after the trust vote, and the party chief, Ms Mayawati will become chairperson.

According to sources, the TD chief, Mr N.Chandrababu Naidu, the UNPA convenor, has formally invited Ms Mayawati to the UNPA. He has already said that Ms Mayawati should be Prime Minister.

In the event the government loses the trust vote on July 22, the leaders will decide on July 23 whether to stake claim to form an alternative government or to go for polls. In case the government survives the vote, the leaders will meet to decide on the future course of action.

“The government has no numbers. It has lost its majority. I am warning the government against trying to mobilise invisible and indirect numbers,” Mr Naidu said.

Mr Naidu said that the UNPA, BSP and the Left had come together on a one-point agenda to dislodge the Congress-led UPA government.

Mr Naidu and Ms Mayawati had a separate meeting when the UNPA and Left leaders met at the residence of TD leader Mr K. Yerrannaidu in Delhi on Sunday.

25 killed in attack on Lal Masjid

At least 25 peo ple, mostly policemen, were killed in a suspected suicide attack near Lal Masjid here on Sunday, minutes after Islamic hardliners demanded the public hanging of President Pervez Musharraf at a rally to mark the shrine’s storming by the military a year back.

“The death toll can rise but we can confirm 25 deaths till now. Most of those killed are policemen,” an interior ministry official told this newspaper. The official toll, however, stood at 19 till the time of filing this report.

The Pakistan government declared a “red alert” throughout the country.

IT firms may face land tax

Industries, IT firms and infrastructure project developers could face a additional charges on two fronts.

The government has issued notices to the agencies which alloted land to private industries and companies, to pay 10 per cent of the basic market value as one-time charge for using the land for non-agricultural purposes.

These notices may impact all IT firms including those in Hitec City and Madhapur where the basic market value is now Rs 15 crore per acre.

The government wants these agencies to pay 10 per cent of basic market value as alienation cost for assigned land. Till now the government was collecting the fee only when its own land was alienated.

The collection of onetime conversion charges were put on hold following resistance by the APIIC.

“The APIIC objected to the levy of fresh charges because huge amounts were paid for conversion from agricultural to non-agricultural use at the time of forming industrial layout,” a senir revenue official pointed out.

The government introduced one-time conversion charges in place of nonagricultural land assessment cess which was levied annually. “Following the industrial policy we have asked the government to exempt the companies from paying fresh charges,” said APIIC managing director B.P. Acharya.

Centre no to airport at Vizag

The Union ministry of defence has denied permission for the proposed international airport at S.

Rayavaram near Visakhapatnam citing security threats.

The state government, however, is in no mood to relent and the Chief Minister,DrY.S.Rajasekhar Reddy, will shortly dash off a letter to the Centre conveying the state’s decision to go ahead with the project.

Official sources told this correspondent that as an alternative proposal, the state may even ask the defence authorities to leave the existing airport to civil operations and shift to S.Rayavaram.

The state and the Airports Authority of India zeroed in on Rayavaram because of locational advantage.

“The ministry had recently written to the government denying permission,” a senior official said. The ministry stated that the Navy would set up the Naval Alternative Operations Depot and a submarine plant near Visakhapatnam and the location is eight km away from the proposed site for the airport.

The ministry was avoiding the issue for the past one year and did not give any specific details whenever the state sought clarifications.

Sources said the ministry initially replied that the distance between the airport and the proposed naval depot should be“reasonable” but was never specific.

The state government officials dismiss the ministry’s argument of security threat as the existing airport, where the civil operations are also carried out, is in the range of below five kilometres from all the naval establishments.

Merit students lose seats

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to raise the quota of management seats for both MBA and MCA colleges from the existing 20 per cent to 25 per cent from this academic year.

Though nothing is confirmed as yet, a formal announcement to this effect is expected in the next couple of days.

However, it is still undecided on the quantum of fee hike for both these prestigious courses. The private college managements have long been demanding raise in management quota seats as well as tuition fee.

They argued that the management quota and fee structure in the state are lower when compared to a number of other southern states.

Though the private colleges demanded raising the management quota to 30 per cent, the state government has decided to go for 25 per cent anticipating furious protests from the student community.

Currently, there are altogether 390 MCA and 296 MBA colleges in the state which offer nearly 53,500 seats.

The counselling for admissions is expected to commence in the second week of July.

With the raise in management quota seats by 5 per cent this year, meritorious students will lose nearly 2,600 seats in convenor-quota, which will be eventually shifted to the management quota.

However, the officials said the decision would not have much impact on the students as there are chances of 50 to 60 new colleges coming up this year and at least another 20,000 seats are likely to be added.

But a number of students who secured merit in the entrance examination argued that they will lose the opportunity of admissions for 5 per cent seats in ‘top colleges’ which they specifically aim for.

Of the total 2,00,836 candidates who appeared for the Icet-2008 entrance examination for MBA and MCA admissions this year, 1,93,215 candidates qualified recording a staggering pass percentage of 96.20 per cent.

Last year, it was a little below at 87.82 per cent.

Inflation breaches barrier at 11.05%

Powered by rising fuel prices, inflation has touched a 13-year high of 11.05 per cent. Friday’s announcement led to immediate reverberations in the stockmarket: the BSE’s Sensex closed at its lowest level since August 2007, while on the political front the BJP called for the immediate resignation of the Prime Minister and the finance minister.

Lower-income groups were hit the hardest as the public distribution system has collapsed.

Economists feel the infla tion rate will rise further as fuel price hikes have an indirect impact on other prices. Sustained inflation could affect growth, they warn.

The government’s options are limited as the price rise is from the supply side. There could be rate hikes by the RBI.

Hopes are pinned on a good monsoon, which will ease the foodgrain situation, and a drop in world commodity prices.

Many feel the government and the RBI did not act in time. A Goldman Sachs report said: “We reiterate that the RBI has been behind the curve for not having increased the benchmark repo rate in April. Experts blamed the government and the RBI for failing to act early to curb inflation which touched 11.05 per cent.

Analysts said the government delayed in tackling the impact of world oil prices, that soared 40 per cent since January. “It acted in June and and burnt a hole in the pockets of the common man,” said one.

The consensus is that inflation will rise further in coming weeks. “Headline inflation could touch 13 per cent by end-September, before easing off,” said Kotak Securities economist Mridul Sagar. “Rates could fall in the last quarter on the back of a good monsoon.” “There is a further upside left in inflation,” said Crisil’s chief economist D.K. Joshi. He expects double-digit inflation to stay.

“While a correction in global prices and a good monsoon could bring relief, we don’t expect inflation to fall below 8 per cent until December,” said Reliance Capital chief economist Atsi Sheth.

State elections only in May 2009: CM

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy, said in New Delhi on Thursday that Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh would be held only in May 2009, after his government completed its term, even if the Lok Sabha elections were held in November.

However, he hastened to add that the Election Commission might use its discretion if the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections fell within a six-month period.

Dr Reddy’s comments came in the midst of speculations that the rift between the UPA government and the Left parties over the nuclear deal would necessitate Lok Sabha polls in November.

Intelligence sources also said that the UPA government’s intransigence on the nuclear deal and the Rs 70,000 crore farm loan waiver were indications of a November elections.

The Chief Minister, fresh from a good show in the bypolls, exuded confidence on his party’s performance in the coming elections.

He told mediapersons that the Congress was the “reigning champion” in the State and would win 36 Lok Sabha seats and 230 Assembly seats, whenever elections were held.

“Just as you will have reigning champion in football or tennis, the Congress is the reigning champion in politics,” he said.

He added that the party had won all the ‘preliminary rounds’ (meaning local bodies’ polls) and would repeat the victory in the finals too (the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls).

When asked whether the AICC general secretary, Mr Rahul Gandhi, will be the future leader of the party, he responded: “Why doubt about it?” The Chief Minister will visit Delhi next week again, as he could not call on the party president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Neither could he meet the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday.

In Nellore, the information and public relations minister, Mr Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, ruled out early Assembly polls.

The minister dismissed speculation that the government would go for Assembly elections in September to avoid giving time to Chiranjeevi to launch his party and run a campaign. “We would like to give him time,” said Mr Ramnarayana Reddy.

“This will only erode the vote bank of the Telugu Desam.” He said Chiranjeevi was likely to have some impact in urban areas besides East and West Godavari and Krishna districts.

Air ticket prices set for another take-off

Air travel is set to get costlier with stateowned unified carrier Air India and leading private airline Jet Airways raising fares by identical levels.

The two airlines have raised fares by finalising a new minimum basic fare for various sectors depending on the distance travelled.

For instance, for flights up to 750 km, the minimum basic fare will now be Rs 1,000. It will be Rs 2,250 for distances between 750 km and 1,000 km and Rs 3,000 for distances above 1,000 km. Air-India will hike fares from Friday while Jet Airways already hiked the fares on Thursday evening itself.

The move is to ensure that airlines do not sell tickets below cost to avoid escalating losses in view of high aviation turbine fuel prices.

There was no minimum basic fare for sectors earlier.

Air India officials said the hike in fares varied as per the sectors. “The fare hike of basic fares, which was earlier Rs 2,000 on the Delhi-Mumbai route, will now be Rs 3,000. But in some other sectors the hike is negligible,” said an Air India official. Kingfisher Airlines stated that a fare hike is imminent.

Budget carrier SpiceJet, which raised basic fares earlier this month, has now hiked its fuel surcharge amount by Rs 300 (for distances up to 750 km) and Rs 550 (for distances beyond 750 km).

Only 10% of CBSE English seats taken

Less than 10 per cent of English medium CBSE seats in government schools have been taken, even as opposition parties and teachers unions are fiercely opposing its introduction.

The government is offering CBSE syllabus for English medium students from Class VI.

Officials blamed the poor response on the lack of textbooks. They said that nearly 15 lakh textbooks were needed for CBSE students in 6,500 schools and these have not been printed.

Some teachers are playing radio news bulletins in the classrooms to help students learn English.

Officials have asked teachers to take classes on spoken English for now. But teachers who taught in Telugu medium all these years have ignored the directives. They contend that the 10-day training given to them was not adequate.

The process of introducing English medium in government schools was started in April, but the government was undecided on the syllabus — SSC or CBSE — till the last minute. It opted for CBSE only on June 10, two days before the schools reopened.

Officials are finding it difficult to provide study material as there are no prescribed textbooks for CBSE. Worse, the officials are still seeking permission from CBSE and NCERT Boards to draft textbooks.

They are now selecting content from NCERT textbooks. Next, they will compile the material in five subjects and then place orders for printing. That will take another two months.

Added to this, more than 3,000 out of 6,500 high schools have no additional classrooms to accommodate English medium students.

“We have instructed them to clean up storerooms and also use varandahs,” said Mr C.B.S. Venkatramana, principal secretary, school education. “These are all initial hiccups which we will overcome soon.”

Jose, Shaji in court for bail

Jose Mathew and Shaji John, who were arrested for allegedly molesting a US woman Kelly Pecker, on Tuesday moved a Sessions Court, seeking bail.

Following a plea from the prosecution to adjourn the case on the ground that the camera recovered was sent for analysis to ascertain whether any photograph was taken, principal sessions judge Aruna Jagadeesan posted to June 20, the hearing of the petition.

In their petitions, they submitted that due to nonavailability of medical test report, they were denied bail earlier. Now, the result of medical examination was submitted before the court.As per the result, the complainant was not at all sexually abused.

Hence, this court may consider the release of result as a change of circumstances to entertain the present petition.

Woman in coma after infant goes missing

A poor woman slipped into a coma on Monday in a government hospital here after her eight-day-old son went missing from the nursery ward even as police remained clueless.

Ms Munni Bai, 25, from Mandir Hasod area on Raipur’s outskirts, earlier alleged that a nurse had offered her money if she gave away the baby to a couple wishing for a son.

The baby was born May 24 at the Bhimrao Ambedkar Government Hospital. Soon, doctors separated her from the child on medical grounds. On Saturday, she was told the baby was missing. The police is probing the case.

A hospital official, Mr Sunil Gupta, said: “Every newborn carries a tag and registration number on his or her leg. We are compiling details and cross-checking inputs.”

Congress eyes 2009 LS polls

Bolstered by its performance in the bypolls, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy and the pradesh Congress chief, Mr D. Srinivas, have started gearing up for the 2009 general elections.

On Monday, the Chief Minister said steps are being taken in this direction. He, however, refused to divulge the details. But the sources close to him said a number of programmes are on the wings to ensure that the party does well to take on the opposition parties.

The sources also added that if all the plans get the high command’s approval, almost 40 per cent to 45 per cent of the sitting Congress legislators would be denied tickets because of the allegations of largescale corruption, nepotism, inefficiency and poor public image.

The Chief Minister and PCC chief have decided to use the services of three reputed institutions to conduct a public opinion on the party’s winning chances across the state.

The party is likely to kickstart the surveys from June 15.

Similarly, in another 100 constituencies where there is no party representation, opinion polls will be conducted to find people who can be prospective candidates .

The party also decided to revamp the district Congress committees by removing atleast 15 district unit presidents soon.

6,500 schools turn to English

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s frequent change of stance on the state government’s ambitious programme of introducing English medium in state-run schools from this year has sent shivers down the spines of school education department officials.

In a sudden shift from the earlier stand, Dr Reddy on Monday directed officials to implement English medium in all the 6,500 schools. At a meeting held with officials of school education department on Monday in Secretariat, Dr Reddy made it clear to officials that English medium should be introduced in all the schools at a stretch from this year.

The officials had earlier identified 3,800 schools in the first phase to launch the programme from the coming academic year. With just 10 days to go for the new academic year to commence, officials have their fingers crossed over the possibility of implementing the scheme in all the 6,500 schools.

The mode of syllabus has not been finalised. While the Chief Minister wants CBSE syllabus, the teacher unions are demanding state syllabus. A final decision is expected on Wednesday.

Flying gets costlier but no sop for city

Top airlines like Air India, Kingfisher and Air Deccan will hike fares from Tuesday.

This follows the decision by oil marketing companies to increase the cost of aviation turbine fuel by 18.5 per cent. ATF costs around Rs 69,000 per kilolitre in New Delhi and most other cities.

Air India will impose Rs 300 as additional fuel surcharge (AFS) for travel below 750 km and Rs 500 for distances beyond that.

Kingfisher and Air Deccan will charge Rs 300 for travel up to 750 km and Rs 550 for distances beyond that.

Jet Airways will impose similar surcharge from June 7. Other airlines are likely to announce a fare hike in a couple of days.

ATF is cheaper at Shamshabad airport because the government collects only 4 per cent sales tax against 33 per cent elsewhere. ATF costs Rs 52,000 per kilo litre.

That has not brought any relief for passengers from the state. The airlines said it was impossible to exclude Hyderabad passengers from the surcharge.

IT firm cheats 400 employees

The chairman and managing director of Dolphin Solutions, an IT company situated at Nandagiri Hills, was arrested by the Jubilee Hills police here on Friday after a case of cheating was filed against the firm.

The police arrested Gali Vinay Naidu for allegedly cheating 400 employees to the tune of Rs 4 crore and closing down the company.

Vinay is from Chittoor and had set up the company a year ago by renting a building at Nandagiri Hills after taking huge loans.

He allegedly used to take Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh from each of the 400 employees to appoint them. He allegedly gained their confidence by paying them salaries for the first three months and promising them of better prospects and foreign tours.

However, Vinay allegedly failed to pay back the loans, rents of the building, payments for various services and even stopped paying salaries to the employees.

A few months ago, he closed down the firm and absconded.

Several employees of the company lodged a complaint with the Jubilee Hills Police Station who in turn nabbed the accused on Friday.

He will be produced before the court on Saturday, the Jubilee Hills police inspector, Mr B.Limba Reddy, said

Gujjars shut Delhi

At least two persons were killed, one of them in police firing, and 14 security personnel injured in violent clashes between Gujjar demonstrators and the security forces in Delhi and Haryana on Thursday. The Gujjars took over the areas bordering the national capital and paralysed rail and road traffic, completely disrupting normal life till late in the afternoon.

One person was killed when the police opened fire on agitators, blocking traf fic on the national highway at Patti Kalyana in Panipat district, while the other died in a stampede reportedly triggered by the police action at Samalkha in Haryana. State Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, ordered a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of the two persons.

On the warpath over their demand for Scheduled Tribe status, the Gujjar community, observing “martyrs’ day”, poured into the national capital region since the early hours of the morning and blocked major roads leading to New Delhi.

The security forces resorted to lathicharges, lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse violent mobs at Mehrauli, Mathura Road, Gazaipur and Anand Vihar, among other areas.

Nearly 110 agitators were detained by the police.

The agitators fought pitched battles, hurled stones and other missiles at the police.

Life came to a standstill in the affected areas as shops downed shutters and people stayed indoors, while marauding mobs moved around brandishing lathis and spears.

Gujjar alert on in Delhi

Intensifying their agitation, Gujjar protesters on Wednesday laid siege on major highways leading to the national capital, with traffic on the entire Mehrauli-Gurgaon and G.T.-Karnal stretches thrown completely out of gear.

The agitators, demanding scheduled tribe status for their community, put up roadblocks at several important junctions. A high alert has, meanwhile, been sounded in Delhi and neighbouring parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, with the Gujjars declaring that they would observe Thursday as a “black day” to mourn its “martyrs” killed in police firing in Rajasthan.

Earlier in the day, the protesters struck fear among both commuters and local residents as they moved around brandishing swords and other weapons and set ablaze tyres on Gurgaon’s M-G Road area, the hub of the satellite township where most of the major shopping malls are located.

The Gujjars have threatened to bring the entire national capital region to a halt on Thursday. The Centre, fearing that the situation could get out of hand in the Gujjar-dominated areas, has ordered the beefing up of security in sensitive zones: Mehrauli, Ghazipur, Patparganj, Badarpur, Khanpur, Ayanagar, Chilia village and Rampur. Security forces are expected to cordon off these areas.

The Union home secretary, Mr Madhukar Gupta, who is personally monitoring the situation, is in touch with the Delhi police commissioner and the DGPs of UP and Haryana.

The BJP, meanwhile, sent two of its leaders to Jaipur to review the situation.

Chief Minister, Ms Vasundhra Raje, met her ministers and party leaders, including Prakash Javdekar and Kalraj Mishra.

Gujjars at Bayana and Sikandara in eastern Rajasthan have blocked the rail route connecting Mumbai to Delhi, and the national highway linking Jaipur to Agra. Hit by turbulence, the railways on Wednesday cancelled 10 trains passing through Rajasthan for the fifth consecutive day and diverted several others to different routes.