With 10 deaths reported so far, India is in the grip of the swine flu fear factor. At times like these, what is of utmost importance is proper information to dispel panic reaction. With some people covering their faces with handkerchiefs, dupattas or masks, the fear of swine flu was clear in buses, trains and in public places in many cities.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It caused by a strain of the influenza virus known as H1N1. Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease and is being transmitted person-to-person. Human to human transmission of swine flu thought to spread in the same way as seasonal flu – through coughing and sneezing.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad insisted that the situation was under control, government has sufficient stock of Tamiflu and the toll far less as compared with other affected countries in West.

What precautions can you take against swine flu?

Is the Indian government machinery adequately prepared to tackle the H1N1 virus?

Hanuman anjani suthaha, vaayuputhro mahaabhalaha; rameshtaha phalgunasakha, pingaaksho adhitha vikramaha; adhadhi kramanaachaiva seethasoka vinaashanaha; lakshmana praanadaataacha dasagreevasya dharpaha; avm dwaadasa naamaami kapindrasya mahatmanaha; yaatrakaashtha petecha nithyaha taatraakaashta visheshataha; tasya mrithu bhayam na ashthi sarvatra vijayie bhaveth!!

Health care was one of the chief issues in the 2008 US Presidential election. Barack Obama is now president. He has promised an overhaul healthcare system reform in the country, which is aimed at curbing rapidly rising costs and expanding health insurance coverage to the 46 million uninsured Americans. His healthcare plan has been a hotly debated topic. Proponents argue that health coverage should be available to all. The healthcare policy reform proposal will include a government-run insurance option in the country's healthcare system.

While opponents say that Obama plan is about health insurance, not health care. It’s being fought by greedy private insurance companies, by chambers of commerce, by Republican and some Democratic lawmakers.

Do you think that many Americans would favor the government-run health care plan?

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called Obama's health plan is 'downright evil' as it will only help a few people and hurt a lot of poeple. Do you agree?

In their latest issue, Newsweek magazine claims, “the recession is over, now what we need is a new kind of recovery.” However, dozens of experts have spoken out disagreeing with the publication and even President Obama expressed that he disagreed with the publication’s claims. Obama was certainly not buying into any early optimism.

‘‘I don’t know whether you’ve seen the cover of the latest Newsweek magazine on the rack at the grocery store, but the cover says ‘the recession is over’,’’ he said, prompting chuckles. ‘‘I imagine you might have found that news a little startling. I know I did.’’

Main point of the story is that the worst part of the recession might be over technically, but that the country still has a long way to go.

Do you believe that the US recession is over?

The magazine's assertion that the recession is over was mostly an attention grabber. Do you think so?

The ongoing row between India's private airlines and the government over a bailout package is getting bigger day by day, thanks to the high operating costs and a fall in demand due to the global economic slowdown that have hit the industry. India's private airlines including five leading operators - Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Jetlite, Spice Jet and Indigo carry about 83 percent of the country's 11 million air passengers. The private airline operators want cheaper aviation fuel and reduction in airport charges.

However, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry is refusing to relent to the demands. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has declined government help to bail out the private airlines. He said there is no question of a financial bailout for private airlines as we are is not even bailing out Air India, which is owned by the government.

Do you support the government's tough talking?

The private airline operators should check their costing and pricing policy rather than asking for bailout. Do you agree?