The United States has not been talking to Pakistan about any nuclear deal and it will be in a "listening mode" if the issue is brought before it during the US-Pak Strategic Dialogue in Washington, the State Department said.
"As far as I know, we have not been talking to Pakistan about a civilian nuclear deal. If Pakistan brings it up during the course of the meetings in the next two days, we will be happy to listen," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley told reporters on Tuesday.
When asked if the civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan has been considered in any of the bilateral working groups, Crowley said: "Well, one of the groups that will meet tomorrow will be focused on energy. If this comes up during the course of the meeting, there will be a press conference tomorrow with Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Qureshi, you can ask if this came up tomorrow."
Crowley said the first ever Cabinet-level Strategic Dialogue signifies the importance and the expanding relationship between the United States and Pakistan.
"We will, of course, talk about security, but, as you see from the agenda, we will talk about a lot of other things," he said.
"Our relationship is growing. It is expanding. We are, in our relationship, trying to understand what it is that Pakistan needs or feels important. We want to continue to find ways to expand interaction with Pakistan and other countries in the region," he said.
His comments assume significance in the wake of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying that the US would "consider" Pakistan's request for a civil nuclear deal. Visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Clinton would co-chair the day-long meeting at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of State Department on Wednesday. (Read: We will discuss N-deal with Pak, says Hillary)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Uthappa guides Bangalore to huge win
Robin Uthappa cracked a dazzling half-century, while R Vinay Kumar scalped four wickets to help Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Chennai Super Kings by 36 runs in their Indian Premier League match on Wednesday.
Put into bat, Bangalore first rode on Uthappa, who blasted 68 runs off 38 balls, to post a competitive 171 for five after a slow start and then restricted Chennai at 135 for seven to stretch their winning streak to three games.
Pacer Vinay Kumar emerged as the wrecker-in-chief and he was ably supported by skipper Anil Kumble and Praveen Kumar, who picked one each giving away 15 and 21 runs to bring Chennai's downfall at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here.
Earlier, Uthappa starred in a 19-ball 52-run stand with Mark Boucher to take Royal Challengers Bangalore past the 150-mark.
Struggling at 119 for five in 17 overs, RCB piled up 52 runs in the last three overs, thanks to the unalloyed blitzkrieg of Uthappa, who unleashed an array of attacking strokes to destroy the Super Kings.
In the 19th over, the Karnataka batsman launched a brutal attack on Lakshmipathy Balaji and clobbered him for three successive sixes to set the stands on fire.
Full Scorecard | Points Table | Stats
His awe-inspiring innings was studded with three fours and six sixes.
Chasing 172 to win, Chennai had a shaky start when they lost opener Parthiv Patel (1) in the last ball of the first over off Praveen Kumar.
However, Matthew Hayden (32) and George Bailey (18) steadied the ship with a crucial 55-run partnership for the first wicket but with Praveen and Dale Steyn bowling a tight line, the duo could not free their arms.
Skipper Anil Kumble also bowled brilliantly to further suffocate the duo as Chennai reached 29 for one in six overs.
Still needing 143 off 84 balls, Hayden took refuge to his Mongoose bat and belted three successive fours off Jacques Kallis in the eighth over to ease the pressure.
However, the euphoria was shortlived as the Chennai lost both the set batsmen in the 10th over off R Vinay Kumar.
While Hayden was run out by Rahul Dravid, Bailey failed to negotiate an away going delivery and edged it to Mark Boucher as Chennai were reduced to 59 for three in 9.4 overs.
Vinay Kumar struck again in his next over, removing skipper Suresh Raina (9) in his third ball. After hitting a six of the first ball, Raina miscued one to wide third man and Kallis made no mistake.
Kumble then dismissed Murali Vijay (3) in his fourth over when going for a slog sweep, the Tamil Nadu batsman ended up giving a simple catch to Eoin Morgan at deep midwicket as Chennai looked down the barrel at 74 for five in 12.3 overs.
S Badrinath tried to breakfree with his 17-ball 31 but he soon perished as Vinay Kumar took his third wicket of the day.
Put into bat, Royals had to struggle hard to keep the scoreboard ticking as pacers Morne Morkel, Sudeep Tyagi and Lakshmipathy Balaji used the pace and bounce in the wicket to straitjacket the RCB batsmen.
But it was Muttiah Muralitharan who strangled the RCB batting line up most in the middle overs with his off-spin as the Sri Lankan scalped three wickets -- Rahul Dravid (14), Manish Pandey (20) and Virat Kohli (24) -- for 25 runs.
Frustrated at not being able to connect the ball with the meat of their bats, the RCB batsmen charged at Muralitharan only to lose wickets in a heap.
However, Uthappa, who was dropped twice -- first by Ravichandran Ashwin and then by Murali Vijay -- held the innings at one end and stepped the gas in the final overs to take Bangalore past the 150-mark and change the course of the match.
Put into bat, Bangalore first rode on Uthappa, who blasted 68 runs off 38 balls, to post a competitive 171 for five after a slow start and then restricted Chennai at 135 for seven to stretch their winning streak to three games.
Pacer Vinay Kumar emerged as the wrecker-in-chief and he was ably supported by skipper Anil Kumble and Praveen Kumar, who picked one each giving away 15 and 21 runs to bring Chennai's downfall at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here.
Earlier, Uthappa starred in a 19-ball 52-run stand with Mark Boucher to take Royal Challengers Bangalore past the 150-mark.
Struggling at 119 for five in 17 overs, RCB piled up 52 runs in the last three overs, thanks to the unalloyed blitzkrieg of Uthappa, who unleashed an array of attacking strokes to destroy the Super Kings.
In the 19th over, the Karnataka batsman launched a brutal attack on Lakshmipathy Balaji and clobbered him for three successive sixes to set the stands on fire.
Full Scorecard | Points Table | Stats
His awe-inspiring innings was studded with three fours and six sixes.
Chasing 172 to win, Chennai had a shaky start when they lost opener Parthiv Patel (1) in the last ball of the first over off Praveen Kumar.
However, Matthew Hayden (32) and George Bailey (18) steadied the ship with a crucial 55-run partnership for the first wicket but with Praveen and Dale Steyn bowling a tight line, the duo could not free their arms.
Skipper Anil Kumble also bowled brilliantly to further suffocate the duo as Chennai reached 29 for one in six overs.
Still needing 143 off 84 balls, Hayden took refuge to his Mongoose bat and belted three successive fours off Jacques Kallis in the eighth over to ease the pressure.
However, the euphoria was shortlived as the Chennai lost both the set batsmen in the 10th over off R Vinay Kumar.
While Hayden was run out by Rahul Dravid, Bailey failed to negotiate an away going delivery and edged it to Mark Boucher as Chennai were reduced to 59 for three in 9.4 overs.
Vinay Kumar struck again in his next over, removing skipper Suresh Raina (9) in his third ball. After hitting a six of the first ball, Raina miscued one to wide third man and Kallis made no mistake.
Kumble then dismissed Murali Vijay (3) in his fourth over when going for a slog sweep, the Tamil Nadu batsman ended up giving a simple catch to Eoin Morgan at deep midwicket as Chennai looked down the barrel at 74 for five in 12.3 overs.
S Badrinath tried to breakfree with his 17-ball 31 but he soon perished as Vinay Kumar took his third wicket of the day.
Put into bat, Royals had to struggle hard to keep the scoreboard ticking as pacers Morne Morkel, Sudeep Tyagi and Lakshmipathy Balaji used the pace and bounce in the wicket to straitjacket the RCB batsmen.
But it was Muttiah Muralitharan who strangled the RCB batting line up most in the middle overs with his off-spin as the Sri Lankan scalped three wickets -- Rahul Dravid (14), Manish Pandey (20) and Virat Kohli (24) -- for 25 runs.
Frustrated at not being able to connect the ball with the meat of their bats, the RCB batsmen charged at Muralitharan only to lose wickets in a heap.
However, Uthappa, who was dropped twice -- first by Ravichandran Ashwin and then by Murali Vijay -- held the innings at one end and stepped the gas in the final overs to take Bangalore past the 150-mark and change the course of the match.
5 killed in two Maoist attacks; toll plaza set on fire
Five people have been killed in two separate incidents of Maoist violence - one at a highway toll plaza in Gaya in Bihar and the second in Orissa.
In a fierce overnight encounter, armed Maoists shot dead a private security guard and a truck driver and looted weapons from a government toll plaza at Mahapur in Bihar's Gaya district.
Superintendent of Police Sushil Khopde said over 200 heavily armed Maoists swooped on the toll plaza spraying bullets and hurling bombs killing one of the guards.
They looted 16 pieces of weapons, including rifles and carbines, besides several rounds of ammunition from the guards providing security to the plaza.
The Maoists also set the toll plaza on fire before leaving the spot, Khopde said.
Meanwhile, three policemen were also killed in an encounter near Parlakhen in Orissa.
The Maoists also blew up a control room and destroyed two vehicles of Essar Steel in Malkangiri district. (With PTI inputs)
In a fierce overnight encounter, armed Maoists shot dead a private security guard and a truck driver and looted weapons from a government toll plaza at Mahapur in Bihar's Gaya district.
Superintendent of Police Sushil Khopde said over 200 heavily armed Maoists swooped on the toll plaza spraying bullets and hurling bombs killing one of the guards.
They looted 16 pieces of weapons, including rifles and carbines, besides several rounds of ammunition from the guards providing security to the plaza.
The Maoists also set the toll plaza on fire before leaving the spot, Khopde said.
Meanwhile, three policemen were also killed in an encounter near Parlakhen in Orissa.
The Maoists also blew up a control room and destroyed two vehicles of Essar Steel in Malkangiri district. (With PTI inputs)
Kolkata's Park Street inferno kills 24
A massive fire at Kolkata's Stephen Court, a heritage building in the heart of Kolkata, has killed 24 people and left about 18 injured, eight of whom are critical.
Firemen recovered 17 bodies overnight as they went from door to door on the 5th, 6th and 7th floor of the building. Only 12 of these bodies have been identified so far.
Stephen Court is a 150-year-old building on Park Street, home to two of the city's best known restaurants - the iconic Flury's and Peter Cat.
The fire began at 2.15 pm on Tuesday. It was brought under control at about 10.30 pm.
Initial findings suggest a short circuit or cylinder burst may have caused it.
The fire, that may have started in a lift between the 5th and 6th floors soon spread upwards and sideways, forcing people out of windows onto narrow parapets and ledges as they waited to be rescued. Reports said at least one woman missed her step and fell five floors below.
"We saw a lady jumping off, but she missed the AC she was aiming for and crashed down", an eyewitness Raja Guha, said.
For over four hours, over 100 firemen battled the Park Street inferno with rescue operations hampered by lack of equipment, massive crowds and even traffic.
The first four fire engines arrived at the spot soon after the fire started from the nearby Free School Street fire station. But they could do little as they did not have the equipment needed to tackle the fire.
Meanwhile, panicky people trapped in the building tried to escape by climbing down rickety ladders or even a rope. Hydraulic ladders were needed to transport fire personnel to the higher floors where the fire raged, but these took more than an hour to get to the site as the fire engines equipped with the ladders were stored in not-so-close Behala.
The police said some of the delays were unavoidable. "The hydraulic ladders which were critical to the rescue were stored in Behala. It takes time through Kolkata's traffic to reach from Behala to Park Street," said Joint Commissioner of Police Javed Shamim.
West Bengal Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Pratim Chatterjee too pointed out that in Kolkata traffic, "It takes one hour to cover a 15 km journey, that is why the delay took place in the fire tenders reaching there."
Even as the fire raged, the blame game had begun. Trinamool leader and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjie, the first politician to reach the scene of the fire, wanted answers. "Where is the disaster management? There is none," she said.
There have been fires in Kolkata before, this being the third major one in less than two years, but there have not been any fatalities before this. As the 150-year-old building built by Kolkata's Armenian community went up in flames, it left behind many questions. Were fire safety norms callously ignored? Could precious lives have been saved?
Firemen recovered 17 bodies overnight as they went from door to door on the 5th, 6th and 7th floor of the building. Only 12 of these bodies have been identified so far.
Stephen Court is a 150-year-old building on Park Street, home to two of the city's best known restaurants - the iconic Flury's and Peter Cat.
The fire began at 2.15 pm on Tuesday. It was brought under control at about 10.30 pm.
Initial findings suggest a short circuit or cylinder burst may have caused it.
The fire, that may have started in a lift between the 5th and 6th floors soon spread upwards and sideways, forcing people out of windows onto narrow parapets and ledges as they waited to be rescued. Reports said at least one woman missed her step and fell five floors below.
"We saw a lady jumping off, but she missed the AC she was aiming for and crashed down", an eyewitness Raja Guha, said.
For over four hours, over 100 firemen battled the Park Street inferno with rescue operations hampered by lack of equipment, massive crowds and even traffic.
The first four fire engines arrived at the spot soon after the fire started from the nearby Free School Street fire station. But they could do little as they did not have the equipment needed to tackle the fire.
Meanwhile, panicky people trapped in the building tried to escape by climbing down rickety ladders or even a rope. Hydraulic ladders were needed to transport fire personnel to the higher floors where the fire raged, but these took more than an hour to get to the site as the fire engines equipped with the ladders were stored in not-so-close Behala.
The police said some of the delays were unavoidable. "The hydraulic ladders which were critical to the rescue were stored in Behala. It takes time through Kolkata's traffic to reach from Behala to Park Street," said Joint Commissioner of Police Javed Shamim.
West Bengal Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Pratim Chatterjee too pointed out that in Kolkata traffic, "It takes one hour to cover a 15 km journey, that is why the delay took place in the fire tenders reaching there."
Even as the fire raged, the blame game had begun. Trinamool leader and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjie, the first politician to reach the scene of the fire, wanted answers. "Where is the disaster management? There is none," she said.
There have been fires in Kolkata before, this being the third major one in less than two years, but there have not been any fatalities before this. As the 150-year-old building built by Kolkata's Armenian community went up in flames, it left behind many questions. Were fire safety norms callously ignored? Could precious lives have been saved?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Mumbai man kills teenage neighbour, is shot dead by police
Altercations between neighbours living in close proximity are commonplace. But one such incident turned tragic when a Mumbai man shot and killed his teenager neighbour on Thursday.
The victim, 14-year-old Himani Mehta, was taken hostage by her neighbour Harish Moraliya and then shot dead allegedly over a dispute in their housing society.
The bigger tragedy, Himani had nothing to do with the dispute.
"The girl had just returned from school. He told the guard not to let her in. We said don't harass her let her go. She entered the building and was walking away. He grabbed her, put her into the lift and locked her inside his house," said an eyewitness.
It was the end of one a fight and the beginning of another.
Maroliya had been fighting with his neighbours over carpentry work that a resident above him was doing.
Angry with the society supporting his neighbour, he fired his license revolver in the air, then took Himani hostage.
"He showed the gun at my father. I ran and dragged my father away. He took the girl and went into the lift. Then we called the police," said Ronnel Patni, eyewitness.
What happened then was nothing short of a filmy scene.
"We could hear the girl screaming from the third floor flat. Our ACP tried negotiating with the Harish Moraliya. We told him if he let her go we will not harm him. Then we heard a bullet being fired inside. The girl continued to scream. Then we heard two more bullets. The girl stopped screaming. We broke open the door and entered. Moraliya fired at us. Two of our men got injured. Those behind fired from our AK 47s. We found the girl lying there. His wife was hiding in the next room," said Police Officer involved in the incident.
The bullet holes mark the fire fight between the police and Maroliya. The blood spots inside Maroliya's home mark the spot where Himani died.
Now both her family and that of Maroliya's have to grapple with the almost meaningless bloodshed.
The one question that will continue to haunt them: Why them?
The victim, 14-year-old Himani Mehta, was taken hostage by her neighbour Harish Moraliya and then shot dead allegedly over a dispute in their housing society.
The bigger tragedy, Himani had nothing to do with the dispute.
"The girl had just returned from school. He told the guard not to let her in. We said don't harass her let her go. She entered the building and was walking away. He grabbed her, put her into the lift and locked her inside his house," said an eyewitness.
It was the end of one a fight and the beginning of another.
Maroliya had been fighting with his neighbours over carpentry work that a resident above him was doing.
Angry with the society supporting his neighbour, he fired his license revolver in the air, then took Himani hostage.
"He showed the gun at my father. I ran and dragged my father away. He took the girl and went into the lift. Then we called the police," said Ronnel Patni, eyewitness.
What happened then was nothing short of a filmy scene.
"We could hear the girl screaming from the third floor flat. Our ACP tried negotiating with the Harish Moraliya. We told him if he let her go we will not harm him. Then we heard a bullet being fired inside. The girl continued to scream. Then we heard two more bullets. The girl stopped screaming. We broke open the door and entered. Moraliya fired at us. Two of our men got injured. Those behind fired from our AK 47s. We found the girl lying there. His wife was hiding in the next room," said Police Officer involved in the incident.
The bullet holes mark the fire fight between the police and Maroliya. The blood spots inside Maroliya's home mark the spot where Himani died.
Now both her family and that of Maroliya's have to grapple with the almost meaningless bloodshed.
The one question that will continue to haunt them: Why them?
Orissa: Loans driving farmers to suicide
In 2009, 43 farmers in Orissa committed suicide. It was a year that saw a massive farm loan waiver by the UPA government and also a record investment of over Rs 1400 crore in farm credit by the state government. But they were all small farmers who couldn't access institutional loan and had to borrow from microfinance NGOs at an exorbitant rate of interest. Many, even the state government, suspect it's this exploitative loan network that may have driven loan farmers to commit suicide.
A farmer in Sambalpur, didn't get water for his fields, subsidies, or insurance cover. What he got readily was a loan from a local microfinance NGO, at an incredibly high 24 per cent interest. The fear that he would never be able to pay back, drove him to suicide.
As more and more farmers commit suicide in Orissa, crushed under debt, loans have become a scare.
"I fear taking loans. I've never taken it nor will I ever," said Shankar Dhurua, a farmer from Kusumdihi in Sambalpur.
In rural Orissa today, Microfinance NGOs operate through Self Help Groups and local fertiliser and pesticide dealers - people who are most likely to know which farmer needs a loan.
Banks give loans at 5 per cent interest, but unable to provide documents, small farmers end up going to these NGOs where loan disbursal is quick, but the interest charged could be anywhere between 24 per cent and 50 per cent.
Ninety per cent small farmers fall prey to well-organised loan campaigns by multiple players, without assessing whether it will benefit them or land them in trouble,'' says Durga Bag, a farmer.
A farmer who takes this loan is trapped in a life-long cycle of debt - a burden that has started driving them to suicide.
''The exploitation is visible in cases where farmers had received microfinance from NGOs, and they are exploiting the farmers,'' said Dr Damodar Rout, Orissa Agriculture Minister.
A farmer in Sambalpur, didn't get water for his fields, subsidies, or insurance cover. What he got readily was a loan from a local microfinance NGO, at an incredibly high 24 per cent interest. The fear that he would never be able to pay back, drove him to suicide.
As more and more farmers commit suicide in Orissa, crushed under debt, loans have become a scare.
"I fear taking loans. I've never taken it nor will I ever," said Shankar Dhurua, a farmer from Kusumdihi in Sambalpur.
In rural Orissa today, Microfinance NGOs operate through Self Help Groups and local fertiliser and pesticide dealers - people who are most likely to know which farmer needs a loan.
Banks give loans at 5 per cent interest, but unable to provide documents, small farmers end up going to these NGOs where loan disbursal is quick, but the interest charged could be anywhere between 24 per cent and 50 per cent.
Ninety per cent small farmers fall prey to well-organised loan campaigns by multiple players, without assessing whether it will benefit them or land them in trouble,'' says Durga Bag, a farmer.
A farmer who takes this loan is trapped in a life-long cycle of debt - a burden that has started driving them to suicide.
''The exploitation is visible in cases where farmers had received microfinance from NGOs, and they are exploiting the farmers,'' said Dr Damodar Rout, Orissa Agriculture Minister.
India can question Headley, says his lawyer
David Headley's lawyer John Theis spoke to NDTV after the court proceedings saying that India will be able to question Headley.
NDTV: Mr Thais, David Coleman Headley's plea bargain says that he could have to testify in a foreign judicial proceeding held in the US. He could have to do so either by deposing or by video conference. Does this mean that Indian authorities will be able to directly sit across the table from him and question him?
Thais: The specifics of how that would be worked out, I don't know, how they would do that at this time. But the plea agreement does interspace that Indian authorities would be able to question him. As you say across the table, I don't know how it's going to happen. But he has agreed to make himself available for interrogation by Indian law enforcement authorities or any authorized Indian authorities on relevant issues particularly involving the kind of course that took place in India.
NDTV: So do you say that the Indian authorities' demands have been met and that this is not a setback for India?
Thais: I can't see how it can be interpretated as a setback for India. They are going to have the same opportunities that the United States Government has to question Mr Headley. He will make himself available and his lawyer will be present. He is required under the terms of the agreement, to cooperate with Indian authorities as well as Danish or Pakistanis, if they chose to do the same thing. And if he were to refuse to answer questions from Indian authorities, he would be in violation of his plea agreement and the agreement would no longer be valid.
NDTV: The defendant will have to testify in a foreign judicial proceeding either by deposing or by video conference. Can you please clarify.
Thais: Well, and there's a third possibility too. I think the reason they left it, different possibilities are because he is in custody and if any questioning would take place, they would determine what had to be done. It could be done, where he is, in one location, the questioner is in another location or he may well be just across the table from an Indian law enforcement group. If that's the way it works out. The problem is that I am his lawyer, I don't get to determine the way it's done, because he is in the custody of the United States. They are going to have a voice in how the physically how it actually happens. But he will be available, I don't know the timing, but he is required to do so under the terms of the agreement.
NDTV: Mr Thais, David Coleman Headley's plea bargain says that he could have to testify in a foreign judicial proceeding held in the US. He could have to do so either by deposing or by video conference. Does this mean that Indian authorities will be able to directly sit across the table from him and question him?
Thais: The specifics of how that would be worked out, I don't know, how they would do that at this time. But the plea agreement does interspace that Indian authorities would be able to question him. As you say across the table, I don't know how it's going to happen. But he has agreed to make himself available for interrogation by Indian law enforcement authorities or any authorized Indian authorities on relevant issues particularly involving the kind of course that took place in India.
NDTV: So do you say that the Indian authorities' demands have been met and that this is not a setback for India?
Thais: I can't see how it can be interpretated as a setback for India. They are going to have the same opportunities that the United States Government has to question Mr Headley. He will make himself available and his lawyer will be present. He is required under the terms of the agreement, to cooperate with Indian authorities as well as Danish or Pakistanis, if they chose to do the same thing. And if he were to refuse to answer questions from Indian authorities, he would be in violation of his plea agreement and the agreement would no longer be valid.
NDTV: The defendant will have to testify in a foreign judicial proceeding either by deposing or by video conference. Can you please clarify.
Thais: Well, and there's a third possibility too. I think the reason they left it, different possibilities are because he is in custody and if any questioning would take place, they would determine what had to be done. It could be done, where he is, in one location, the questioner is in another location or he may well be just across the table from an Indian law enforcement group. If that's the way it works out. The problem is that I am his lawyer, I don't get to determine the way it's done, because he is in the custody of the United States. They are going to have a voice in how the physically how it actually happens. But he will be available, I don't know the timing, but he is required to do so under the terms of the agreement.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
India needs 100 million broadband connections
National Knowledge Commission chairman Sam Pitroda on Wednesday said India needs around 100 million broadband connections and the government is focused on connecting 250,000 panchayats across the country through broadband.
"We have today about 10 million broadband connections for a country of a billion people, which is no good. Ideally this country needs 100 million broadband connections. If I say 100, even 80 or 70 million is good enough," Pitroda, who is also known as father of India's telecom revolution, said,
Interacting with women journalists at their club here, Pitroda said he hopes that the number of broadband connections will reach 100 million in five years' time.
"We don't have concrete timetable right now. We all are working on it. But we are first focused on connecting 250,00 panchayats through broadband now. Because that is the nerve centre of our decentralised governance," Pitroda added.
He is also an advisor to the prime minister on public information, infrastructure and innovations.
Asked if rural India is ready for technological change, he said: "If Bangalore is the back office of America, rural India should be the back office of urban India."
Giving an example, he said why should 20,000 clerks work in Delhi or other cities to file insurance claims, why can't that be done online by people in rural India.
"There are lot of young kids in rural India who are equally smart. Don't underestimate their talent. I think rural India is ready, we have not given them connectivity. You give them connectivity, you move a lot of back offices to rural India. It will happen," he added.
"We have today about 10 million broadband connections for a country of a billion people, which is no good. Ideally this country needs 100 million broadband connections. If I say 100, even 80 or 70 million is good enough," Pitroda, who is also known as father of India's telecom revolution, said,
Interacting with women journalists at their club here, Pitroda said he hopes that the number of broadband connections will reach 100 million in five years' time.
"We don't have concrete timetable right now. We all are working on it. But we are first focused on connecting 250,00 panchayats through broadband now. Because that is the nerve centre of our decentralised governance," Pitroda added.
He is also an advisor to the prime minister on public information, infrastructure and innovations.
Asked if rural India is ready for technological change, he said: "If Bangalore is the back office of America, rural India should be the back office of urban India."
Giving an example, he said why should 20,000 clerks work in Delhi or other cities to file insurance claims, why can't that be done online by people in rural India.
"There are lot of young kids in rural India who are equally smart. Don't underestimate their talent. I think rural India is ready, we have not given them connectivity. You give them connectivity, you move a lot of back offices to rural India. It will happen," he added.
US is preparing to strike Iran's nuke facilities: Report
Stepping up its preparations for a possible strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, the United States is transporting hundreds of 387 'bunker-buster' bombs to its air base on the British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, a media report has claimed.
The US government signed a contract in January with Superior Maritime Services to transport 10 ammunition containers to Diego Garcia from Concord, California, Sunday Herald has reported.
The shipment includes 195 smart, guided Blu-110 bombs and 192 Blu-117 2,000lb bombs.
The key Iranian nuclear facilities are said to be underground and both these type of bombs are effective against reinforced or underground facilities.
Making sure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapon is the top priority of US President
Barack Obama.
"It is one of our highest priorities to make sure that Iran doesn't possess a nuclear weapon. And that is why I have worked so hard to mobilise the international community successfully to isolate Iran," Obama told the Fox News in an interview.
He said Iran government was "more concerned" about preventing their people from exercising their democratic and human rights than trying to solve this problem diplomatically.
"That's why we are going to go after aggressive sanctions. We haven't taken any options off the table. We are going to keep on pushing," the US President said.
The US government signed a contract in January with Superior Maritime Services to transport 10 ammunition containers to Diego Garcia from Concord, California, Sunday Herald has reported.
The shipment includes 195 smart, guided Blu-110 bombs and 192 Blu-117 2,000lb bombs.
The key Iranian nuclear facilities are said to be underground and both these type of bombs are effective against reinforced or underground facilities.
Making sure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapon is the top priority of US President
Barack Obama.
"It is one of our highest priorities to make sure that Iran doesn't possess a nuclear weapon. And that is why I have worked so hard to mobilise the international community successfully to isolate Iran," Obama told the Fox News in an interview.
He said Iran government was "more concerned" about preventing their people from exercising their democratic and human rights than trying to solve this problem diplomatically.
"That's why we are going to go after aggressive sanctions. We haven't taken any options off the table. We are going to keep on pushing," the US President said.
UK elections: Battle of the wives
For months now, Sarah Brown has been the most important public relations person in Team Brown. Introducing him at two Labour party conferences, she has tried to humanise the deeply disliked, rather gruff and dour Gordon. She says her husband is her hero.
With his personal ratings shrinking, David Cameron decided it was time to recruit his stylish wife to help him out. She obliged, saying her husband had never let her down in the 18 years she had known him.
"Sam Cameron comes from an extremely posh background. Sarah Brown comes from a comfortable background. Not quite the same thing. Sarah Brown is quite a cerebral. Samantha is an arts graduate who sees herself as much of a party girl in upbringing. Both the wives trying to say, we know you don't trust our husband but we do and we are normal women like you," said Gary Gibbon, Political Editor, ITV.
In the battle of the wives, every little move, word and of course their attire is closely scrutinised. With Samantha Cameron trying to tone down her posh image, Mrs Brown keeping it middle class, hoping to highlight the difference in backgrounds as a key difference between Labour and the Tories.
While this closely fought political battle for the control of the House of Commons pits Mrs Brown against Mrs Cameron, the two women actually have a lot in common as well. Both are highly successful professionals. Sarah Brown is a polished PR executive, while Samantha is creative director in a luxury stationery company. They've shown total devotion as mothers and wives with both having to go through the personal trauma of losing a child each.
This trend is quite new to British politics. Even the image conscious Tony Blair didn't get his wife to campaign for him.
With his personal ratings shrinking, David Cameron decided it was time to recruit his stylish wife to help him out. She obliged, saying her husband had never let her down in the 18 years she had known him.
"Sam Cameron comes from an extremely posh background. Sarah Brown comes from a comfortable background. Not quite the same thing. Sarah Brown is quite a cerebral. Samantha is an arts graduate who sees herself as much of a party girl in upbringing. Both the wives trying to say, we know you don't trust our husband but we do and we are normal women like you," said Gary Gibbon, Political Editor, ITV.
In the battle of the wives, every little move, word and of course their attire is closely scrutinised. With Samantha Cameron trying to tone down her posh image, Mrs Brown keeping it middle class, hoping to highlight the difference in backgrounds as a key difference between Labour and the Tories.
While this closely fought political battle for the control of the House of Commons pits Mrs Brown against Mrs Cameron, the two women actually have a lot in common as well. Both are highly successful professionals. Sarah Brown is a polished PR executive, while Samantha is creative director in a luxury stationery company. They've shown total devotion as mothers and wives with both having to go through the personal trauma of losing a child each.
This trend is quite new to British politics. Even the image conscious Tony Blair didn't get his wife to campaign for him.
Hyderabad is a free zone for job-seekers, rules apex court
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing stir to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh for creating a separate state of Telangana, the Supreme Court has reiterated that the state capital Hyderabad would continue to be a 'free zone' entitling people from other parts of the state to compete for government jobs.
A bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice Mukundakam Sharma reiterated the court's old stand while dismissing a lawsuit by the Andhra Pradesh government seeking review of its October 9, 2009, ruling.
If Andhra bifurcated, Rayalaseema wants to go with Telangana
In its October 2009 ruling, the apex court held that Hyderabad was a 'free zone' and does not preclude others from competing and working under certain government jobs, including the city's police wing.
"We have perused the review petitions and record of the civil appeals, and are convinced that the judgment for which review has been sought does not suffer from any error apparent warranting its reconsideration. Hence, the review petitions are dismissed," the apex court said in a terse order.
The judgment on the state government's review petition was pronounced early this week but delivered on Wednesday.
Instead of jail term, offenders in AP to do community service
The apex court had earlier ruled that people from all parts of the state have equal rights in government jobs, postings and promotions as the Presidential Order 1975 had explicitly excluded certain posts, including those recruited under the Hyderabad City Police Act, from any restriction in matters of appointments and postings.
The apex court's judgment assumes significance as the supporters of a separate Telangana state want Hyderabad to be a part of it. However, those favouring a unified state want the city to be a union territory.
A bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice Mukundakam Sharma reiterated the court's old stand while dismissing a lawsuit by the Andhra Pradesh government seeking review of its October 9, 2009, ruling.
If Andhra bifurcated, Rayalaseema wants to go with Telangana
In its October 2009 ruling, the apex court held that Hyderabad was a 'free zone' and does not preclude others from competing and working under certain government jobs, including the city's police wing.
"We have perused the review petitions and record of the civil appeals, and are convinced that the judgment for which review has been sought does not suffer from any error apparent warranting its reconsideration. Hence, the review petitions are dismissed," the apex court said in a terse order.
The judgment on the state government's review petition was pronounced early this week but delivered on Wednesday.
Instead of jail term, offenders in AP to do community service
The apex court had earlier ruled that people from all parts of the state have equal rights in government jobs, postings and promotions as the Presidential Order 1975 had explicitly excluded certain posts, including those recruited under the Hyderabad City Police Act, from any restriction in matters of appointments and postings.
The apex court's judgment assumes significance as the supporters of a separate Telangana state want Hyderabad to be a part of it. However, those favouring a unified state want the city to be a union territory.
Bangalore hold edge in the battle of Royals
Born-again Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a clear edge over an injury-ravaged Rajasthan Royals when they locks horns in the third Indian Premier League here on Thursday.
The home side had a rather poor start to their IPL 3 campaign with a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders but Anil Kumble and his men showed tremendous resilience and batting prowess to tame Kings XI Punjab in Tuesday's high-scoring humdinger to be back on track.
In contrast, the 2008 champion Royals have lost both their matches so far and losing Graeme Smith and Dmitri Mascarenhas has further depleted the Shane Warne-led outfit.
The hosts are on a high after chasing down a 200-plus total against Kings XI Punjab that not only boosted their confidence but also spoke volumes of their batting might.
Veteran South African Jacques Kallis has been a pillar of strength for them, contributing both with the bat and the ball.
The indefatigable all-rounder has been a tricky customer with the ball while his ability to pace his innings while batting stood his team in good stead.
Fortunately for them, Robin Uthappa also looks in great form, as is the exciting Manish Pandey.
If Bangalore have any real concern, it's in their bowling department and Kumble would have to ensure that Dale Steyns and Praveen Kumars don't bleed runs against the Royals on Thursday.
The Royals' story so far has been pretty demoralising with back-to-back defeats followed by injuries to some of its key players.
They began IPL 3 sans Shane Watson -- busy on national duty -- and Ravindra Jadeja, serving a ban, and losing Smith and Mascarenhas now further depletes them.
"It's a big setback for us as Smith and Dimma are very good players for the Royals and their experience will be hugely missed," Warne conceded.
"With these setbacks comes opportunity. We need some players to put there hand up and take responsibility," he said.
Warne's optimism notwithstanding, Royals would have a tough task on Thursday.
Their batting is not clicking and while Yusuf Pathan's aggression remains beyond question, inconsistency remains a problem with the towering power-hitter.
After defeats against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils, the Royals are pretty much low on spirit and they would have to raise their game by a few notches to upstage their opponents from Bangalore on Thursday.
The home side had a rather poor start to their IPL 3 campaign with a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders but Anil Kumble and his men showed tremendous resilience and batting prowess to tame Kings XI Punjab in Tuesday's high-scoring humdinger to be back on track.
In contrast, the 2008 champion Royals have lost both their matches so far and losing Graeme Smith and Dmitri Mascarenhas has further depleted the Shane Warne-led outfit.
The hosts are on a high after chasing down a 200-plus total against Kings XI Punjab that not only boosted their confidence but also spoke volumes of their batting might.
Veteran South African Jacques Kallis has been a pillar of strength for them, contributing both with the bat and the ball.
The indefatigable all-rounder has been a tricky customer with the ball while his ability to pace his innings while batting stood his team in good stead.
Fortunately for them, Robin Uthappa also looks in great form, as is the exciting Manish Pandey.
If Bangalore have any real concern, it's in their bowling department and Kumble would have to ensure that Dale Steyns and Praveen Kumars don't bleed runs against the Royals on Thursday.
The Royals' story so far has been pretty demoralising with back-to-back defeats followed by injuries to some of its key players.
They began IPL 3 sans Shane Watson -- busy on national duty -- and Ravindra Jadeja, serving a ban, and losing Smith and Mascarenhas now further depletes them.
"It's a big setback for us as Smith and Dimma are very good players for the Royals and their experience will be hugely missed," Warne conceded.
"With these setbacks comes opportunity. We need some players to put there hand up and take responsibility," he said.
Warne's optimism notwithstanding, Royals would have a tough task on Thursday.
Their batting is not clicking and while Yusuf Pathan's aggression remains beyond question, inconsistency remains a problem with the towering power-hitter.
After defeats against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils, the Royals are pretty much low on spirit and they would have to raise their game by a few notches to upstage their opponents from Bangalore on Thursday.
Yuvraj Singh offered swayamvar on TV
He is undoubtedly one of India's most eligible bachelors. And has been romatically linked with some of India's prettiest women. So, is Yuvraj Singh the natural choice for a televised swayamvar?
No thank you, only cricket for me, says Yuvraj.
The former King's XI Punjab captain was asked during a broad-based interview with NDTV whether he had been offered a televised swayamvar by a channel. (Watch full interview)
NDTV (Prannoy Roy): Has a TV channel asked you to get married on TV, live?
Yuvraj: Yeah. I spoke to my mom today and she was saying something about a swayamvar or something...I actually didn't know what it is so she explained it to me...I was a bit stunned...I don't think I am going to go on that.
NDTV: So you won't be doing it?
Yuvraj: No I don't think so. I am very happy playing my game.
No thank you, only cricket for me, says Yuvraj.
The former King's XI Punjab captain was asked during a broad-based interview with NDTV whether he had been offered a televised swayamvar by a channel. (Watch full interview)
NDTV (Prannoy Roy): Has a TV channel asked you to get married on TV, live?
Yuvraj: Yeah. I spoke to my mom today and she was saying something about a swayamvar or something...I actually didn't know what it is so she explained it to me...I was a bit stunned...I don't think I am going to go on that.
NDTV: So you won't be doing it?
Yuvraj: No I don't think so. I am very happy playing my game.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mother defends Godman son, wants action against girl's family
Mother of self-styled Godman Anoop Kumar Sahai, who had allegedly abducted a woman from Raj Nagar in Ghaziabad, defended her son saying the woman's family had "enticed" him and demanded police action against them, police said here.
Stating her son to be "mentally imbalanced due to his diversion towards spirituality and religion", Nandini alleged that the girl Priyanka (28) and her mother Sudha Srivastav had kept Sahai hidden away somewhere, SSP Ghaziabad Raghubir Lal said.
In a letter, Nandini said her son is already married and lives with his family in Gorakhpur, Lal said.
Anoop Sahai (40) had allegedly kidnapped Priyanka, a MBA student, on February 15. On a complaint filed by Sudha, a case of kidnapping has been registered against Sahay, who is at large.
A non-bailable warrant was issued against him by local court three days back on charge of kidnapping the girl.
Meanwhile, police also recovered some photographs suggesting the duo's marriage. These were recovered from a car parked outside Sahai's
Stating her son to be "mentally imbalanced due to his diversion towards spirituality and religion", Nandini alleged that the girl Priyanka (28) and her mother Sudha Srivastav had kept Sahai hidden away somewhere, SSP Ghaziabad Raghubir Lal said.
In a letter, Nandini said her son is already married and lives with his family in Gorakhpur, Lal said.
Anoop Sahai (40) had allegedly kidnapped Priyanka, a MBA student, on February 15. On a complaint filed by Sudha, a case of kidnapping has been registered against Sahay, who is at large.
A non-bailable warrant was issued against him by local court three days back on charge of kidnapping the girl.
Meanwhile, police also recovered some photographs suggesting the duo's marriage. These were recovered from a car parked outside Sahai's
Opposition wants fuel rollback, Govt says no
Pranab Mukherjee's oil decision has fuelled what could turn into a political crisis. And the first walkout ever during a Budget speech.
In an unprecedented move on Friday, an entire Opposition and some UPA allies spontaneously got up and walked out of the Lok Sabha even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee read out his Budget speech. Left and Right came together in protest against the controversial decision to raise duties on petrol products. (Read: Petrol prices go up)
Outside, in an impromptu press briefing, the Opposition leaders thundered against the move, saying they would not allow Parliament to function unless there was a rollback. "I was listening to the budget intently but as soon as Finance Minster said that he is hiking the prices of petrol and diesel, the entire gathering felt that he had taken a decision anti to the interests of the common man, the farmers and the poor," said Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. BJP leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha said his party would bring cut motions against the petro prices hike. (Watch: Left, NDA join forces against Budget)
But both minister of state with the Prime Minister's office Prithviraj Chavan and Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal have said there is "no question of a rollback". Lashing out at the Opposition walkout, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal described it as "the nadir of politics" and emphatically stated; "We have the numbers." (Watch: P K Bansal reacts to the Budget)
The numbers in Parliament for pushing this through is what will have the Congress internally worried. While it is touch and go in the Lok Sabha and it can pull it off, the party is likely to face embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha, where it does not have the numbers. (Watch: Jaswant reacts to Pranab's Budget)
Also, many in the Congress too are believed to be unhappy about the announcement, cornered as it has been on the food inflation issue. While no one is actually questioning the government's move to start withdrawing subsidies, it is the timing that is being questioned. Milind Deora, young Congress MP and son of Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said: "The timing of the hike is not right". (Watch: Timing of fuel hike not right, says Deora)
Congressmen also feel that this largely unpopular announcement should have come at the end of the Budget speech. The damage from an Opposition walkout would have been less then.
Government sources say the fuel hike is a "well-considered move" and Pranab Mukherjee will explain the decision to Congress MPs.
Former ally and now daggers drawn, the CPIM accepted this walkout was unprecedented, but said they would continue. Senior leader Basudeb Acharya said: "We are completely against this and it has never happened before during the presentation of the budget that the Opposition has walked out. This is totally unprecedented because the way the prices are escalating and the duty of petrol and diesel have also been increased. To express our stance against this we, the Opposition, have walked out and we shall continue this."
The Opposition has clearly closed ranks and is unlikely to relent. Even UPA allies like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) said everyone was united against the government on this. Lalu Prasad Yadav said: "Yet again the prices of diesel, petrol, fertilizer and cement have been increased which will have an impact of Rs 5 on other commodities. It will have a pernicious impact on those already burdened by poverty."
In his defence, the finance minister clarified that he had only removed concessions that were no longer required. "In my budget I have not put any new custom duties. All have already existed. As far as fuel hike goes, when it was required, we gave a concession, but a concession in the current situation is no longer required," he said. (Watch: Pranab defends fuel price hike)
In an unprecedented move on Friday, an entire Opposition and some UPA allies spontaneously got up and walked out of the Lok Sabha even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee read out his Budget speech. Left and Right came together in protest against the controversial decision to raise duties on petrol products. (Read: Petrol prices go up)
Outside, in an impromptu press briefing, the Opposition leaders thundered against the move, saying they would not allow Parliament to function unless there was a rollback. "I was listening to the budget intently but as soon as Finance Minster said that he is hiking the prices of petrol and diesel, the entire gathering felt that he had taken a decision anti to the interests of the common man, the farmers and the poor," said Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. BJP leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha said his party would bring cut motions against the petro prices hike. (Watch: Left, NDA join forces against Budget)
But both minister of state with the Prime Minister's office Prithviraj Chavan and Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal have said there is "no question of a rollback". Lashing out at the Opposition walkout, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal described it as "the nadir of politics" and emphatically stated; "We have the numbers." (Watch: P K Bansal reacts to the Budget)
The numbers in Parliament for pushing this through is what will have the Congress internally worried. While it is touch and go in the Lok Sabha and it can pull it off, the party is likely to face embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha, where it does not have the numbers. (Watch: Jaswant reacts to Pranab's Budget)
Also, many in the Congress too are believed to be unhappy about the announcement, cornered as it has been on the food inflation issue. While no one is actually questioning the government's move to start withdrawing subsidies, it is the timing that is being questioned. Milind Deora, young Congress MP and son of Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said: "The timing of the hike is not right". (Watch: Timing of fuel hike not right, says Deora)
Congressmen also feel that this largely unpopular announcement should have come at the end of the Budget speech. The damage from an Opposition walkout would have been less then.
Government sources say the fuel hike is a "well-considered move" and Pranab Mukherjee will explain the decision to Congress MPs.
Former ally and now daggers drawn, the CPIM accepted this walkout was unprecedented, but said they would continue. Senior leader Basudeb Acharya said: "We are completely against this and it has never happened before during the presentation of the budget that the Opposition has walked out. This is totally unprecedented because the way the prices are escalating and the duty of petrol and diesel have also been increased. To express our stance against this we, the Opposition, have walked out and we shall continue this."
The Opposition has clearly closed ranks and is unlikely to relent. Even UPA allies like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) said everyone was united against the government on this. Lalu Prasad Yadav said: "Yet again the prices of diesel, petrol, fertilizer and cement have been increased which will have an impact of Rs 5 on other commodities. It will have a pernicious impact on those already burdened by poverty."
In his defence, the finance minister clarified that he had only removed concessions that were no longer required. "In my budget I have not put any new custom duties. All have already existed. As far as fuel hike goes, when it was required, we gave a concession, but a concession in the current situation is no longer required," he said. (Watch: Pranab defends fuel price hike)
Sena: Gadkari appeal insult to kar sevaks
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray is furious with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari, once his blue-eyed boy. And this time it has to do with Gadkari singing a new tune on the Ram Mandir issue, one that's very different from the Sena's take.
The BJP President, Nitin Gadkari has said, "I appeal to the minority community of the society to give jus that piece of land for Ram Mandir. If there is space near it then we will lend our complete support for the creation of a grand masjid."
But the BJP's ally, the Shiv Sena isn't amused, as this editorial in the Sena mouthpiece makes it clear.
Bal Thackeray, in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece, writes, "Ayodhya belongs to Ram and we do not need land records from the government to prove this. Hence the Ram Mandir will come up in Ayodhya itself and asking the Muslims permission for this is an insult to the thousands of kar sevaks who have sacrificed themselves in the campaign."
So it is yet another instance of the growing rift between the allies. It comes soon after the BJP and the RSS snubbed the Sena's hard stance against Shah Rukh Khan and on the migrants issue.
But for now, the BJP is trying to play down Thackeray senior's scathing remarks.
"We are two different parties, we have different ideologies," says Ravishankar Prasad, BJP Spokesperson.
But it's not the Shiv Sena alone that's upset with Gadkari.
Counsel for the Babri masjid Action Committee Zafar Yab Gilani said, "Gadkari's offer is an insult to Muslims. He shouldn't be using such words. What does he mean, we can't make our own mosque?"
The BJP President, Nitin Gadkari has said, "I appeal to the minority community of the society to give jus that piece of land for Ram Mandir. If there is space near it then we will lend our complete support for the creation of a grand masjid."
But the BJP's ally, the Shiv Sena isn't amused, as this editorial in the Sena mouthpiece makes it clear.
Bal Thackeray, in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece, writes, "Ayodhya belongs to Ram and we do not need land records from the government to prove this. Hence the Ram Mandir will come up in Ayodhya itself and asking the Muslims permission for this is an insult to the thousands of kar sevaks who have sacrificed themselves in the campaign."
So it is yet another instance of the growing rift between the allies. It comes soon after the BJP and the RSS snubbed the Sena's hard stance against Shah Rukh Khan and on the migrants issue.
But for now, the BJP is trying to play down Thackeray senior's scathing remarks.
"We are two different parties, we have different ideologies," says Ravishankar Prasad, BJP Spokesperson.
But it's not the Shiv Sena alone that's upset with Gadkari.
Counsel for the Babri masjid Action Committee Zafar Yab Gilani said, "Gadkari's offer is an insult to Muslims. He shouldn't be using such words. What does he mean, we can't make our own mosque?"
Raj Thackeray's men vs Bollywood, again
Eleven MNS workers were arrested on Monday for allegedly trying to extort Rs 27 lakh from a film unit for using foreigners in a movie instead of locals, police said.
"The 11 workers barged into the sets of the film being produced by Ritesh Sidhwani at Mehboob Studios in Bandra last evening demanding that locals be given priority over foreign artists during shoots," Deputy Police Commissioner K Prasanna said.
"The unit told workers that since set for the location Istanbul was created for shooting there was a need to use foreigners. The unit assured locals will be used as and when required," he added.
However, the workers did not agree with the unit and tried to extort a sum of Rs 27 lakh for not using the locals during the shooting, Prasanna said.
At a press conference, Ameya Khopkar, member of the MNS, however, said that the extortion threat was not true. "We were there because we got to know that 136 foreigners were working there without the correct permits. A false complaint has been lodged", he added.
The 11 were produced in court and sent to judicial custody till March 29. On Monday, they were given bail on a surety of Rs 3000 each.
"The 11 workers barged into the sets of the film being produced by Ritesh Sidhwani at Mehboob Studios in Bandra last evening demanding that locals be given priority over foreign artists during shoots," Deputy Police Commissioner K Prasanna said.
"The unit told workers that since set for the location Istanbul was created for shooting there was a need to use foreigners. The unit assured locals will be used as and when required," he added.
However, the workers did not agree with the unit and tried to extort a sum of Rs 27 lakh for not using the locals during the shooting, Prasanna said.
At a press conference, Ameya Khopkar, member of the MNS, however, said that the extortion threat was not true. "We were there because we got to know that 136 foreigners were working there without the correct permits. A false complaint has been lodged", he added.
The 11 were produced in court and sent to judicial custody till March 29. On Monday, they were given bail on a surety of Rs 3000 each.
Mumbai terror suspects linked to Dawood Ibrahim?
Following the arrest of Abdul Latif alias Guddu and Riyaz Ali alias Rehan from Matunga on Saturday, investigations by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) indicate that a plan to blow up several targets in Mumbai was masterminded by the fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
The two suspects confessed they had plans to blow up Mangaldas Market (near Crawford Market), two malls, and a large housing complex in Borivli.
" Chacha" referred by the two men is an absconding accused of the 1993 blasts. The two were directed by him, said ATS sources.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC) administrative building Vasundhara in Bandra was also on the hit list, said ATS officials. ONGC spokesperson Madhulika Burman said that its name could have been included because of its size and reputation. "ONGC is safe and guarded by several agencies and there is no threat," added Burman.
The gravity of the threat can be gauged from the fact that ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi had himself visited several parts of North India to nab the duo last month, on a tip-off provided by the Intelligence Bureau.
Named after the Pakistani port city which has been the hotbed of crime and turned into a sanctuary for fugitives like Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, the project was conceived some time after 2003, mostly to avenge the 2002 Gujarat carnage. It was set up by the ISI and groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI), that utilise Pakistani-trained Indian-operatives to plant explosives in selected cities in India.
Part of the overall strategy was to use militant groups as an important part of its strategic arsenal to counter India's military and economic advantages. The project has been directly responsible for the deaths of 517 Indians in 10 bomb blasts since 2005, police sources informed.
ISI trained Dawood's lieutenants and foot soldiers to smuggle, store, and finally plant the explosives.
Seven persons were chosen for the Karachi project, and the police are still looking for the other five. Latif was given the ONGC target because he lived in the nearby Haji chawl in Behrampada, Bandra (E). Similarly, Riyaz was given Thakker mall since he had worked there, and stayed at Ratan Nagar, Dahisar.
Raghuvanshi said that the two had already done a recce of ONGC, Thakker mall and Mangaldas Market. "They had also applied for a passport, and had plans of sabotaging and setting the targets on fire," he said.
They were not highly educated but had a working knowledge of computers, and used e-mails to contact their accomplices in Karachi.
The two suspects confessed they had plans to blow up Mangaldas Market (near Crawford Market), two malls, and a large housing complex in Borivli.
" Chacha" referred by the two men is an absconding accused of the 1993 blasts. The two were directed by him, said ATS sources.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC) administrative building Vasundhara in Bandra was also on the hit list, said ATS officials. ONGC spokesperson Madhulika Burman said that its name could have been included because of its size and reputation. "ONGC is safe and guarded by several agencies and there is no threat," added Burman.
The gravity of the threat can be gauged from the fact that ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi had himself visited several parts of North India to nab the duo last month, on a tip-off provided by the Intelligence Bureau.
Named after the Pakistani port city which has been the hotbed of crime and turned into a sanctuary for fugitives like Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, the project was conceived some time after 2003, mostly to avenge the 2002 Gujarat carnage. It was set up by the ISI and groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI), that utilise Pakistani-trained Indian-operatives to plant explosives in selected cities in India.
Part of the overall strategy was to use militant groups as an important part of its strategic arsenal to counter India's military and economic advantages. The project has been directly responsible for the deaths of 517 Indians in 10 bomb blasts since 2005, police sources informed.
ISI trained Dawood's lieutenants and foot soldiers to smuggle, store, and finally plant the explosives.
Seven persons were chosen for the Karachi project, and the police are still looking for the other five. Latif was given the ONGC target because he lived in the nearby Haji chawl in Behrampada, Bandra (E). Similarly, Riyaz was given Thakker mall since he had worked there, and stayed at Ratan Nagar, Dahisar.
Raghuvanshi said that the two had already done a recce of ONGC, Thakker mall and Mangaldas Market. "They had also applied for a passport, and had plans of sabotaging and setting the targets on fire," he said.
They were not highly educated but had a working knowledge of computers, and used e-mails to contact their accomplices in Karachi.
Policemen accused of doubling up as dacoits
It was a special task force set up by Haryana to fight terrorism, Naxalism and other serious crimes. Now, seven of its members stand accused of alleged involvement in an extortion racket.
The policemen are accused of demanding 10 lakhs from a jeweler in Panipat. They posed as a vigilance team from Chandigarh. The jeweler's security cameras recorded the policemen as they accepted one lakh from him. He said he would organize the rest of the money later.
"It was a special task team of 15 men, they were working on most-wanted people. Against some members of this team ,we have got some complaints...and we have taken a serious notice of this... fourteen members are in the team, they have been asked to stand down," says Ranjiv Dalal, the Director-General of the Haryana Police.
Among the policemen detained for interrogation is the leader of the team, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ashok Soran.
The policemen are accused of demanding 10 lakhs from a jeweler in Panipat. They posed as a vigilance team from Chandigarh. The jeweler's security cameras recorded the policemen as they accepted one lakh from him. He said he would organize the rest of the money later.
"It was a special task team of 15 men, they were working on most-wanted people. Against some members of this team ,we have got some complaints...and we have taken a serious notice of this... fourteen members are in the team, they have been asked to stand down," says Ranjiv Dalal, the Director-General of the Haryana Police.
Among the policemen detained for interrogation is the leader of the team, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ashok Soran.
Foreign university bill gets Cabinet nod
Government on Monday approved a bill to allow foreign education providers set up campuses in India and offer degrees. The Foreign Educational Institution (Regulation of Entry and Operation) Bill, 2010, was cleared by the Union Cabinet presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This paves way for its introduction in Parliament.
"This is a milestone which will enhance choices, increase competition and benchmark quality," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said after the approval of the bill by Cabinet. The bill seeks to regulate the entry and operation of foreign institutions, which will set up centre and offer degrees in India.
This bill was hanging fire for over last four years owing to opposition from various quarters, including the Left parties, over certain provisions. Last year, it was referred to a Committee of Secretaries which brought modifications to certain provisions earlier existed. The bill was approved by the Cabinet without any change today.
The proposed law prescribes eight-month time bound format for granting approval to foreign educational institutions to set up campuses. They will go through different levels of registration process during this period and will be finally registered with UGC or any other regulatory body in place and advice government whether to allow the institute operate in India. Sibal has already said that quota laws will not be applicable to foreign universities setting up campuses in India.
Though 100 per cent foreign direct investment through automatic route is permitted in the education sector since 2000, the present legal structure in India does not allow granting of degrees by foreign educational institutions here.
The proposed law would facilitate the globally- renowned institutes to participate in India's higher education sector. It will bring in foreign education providers for vocational education training also.
The foreign education providers' bill is one of the major reforms bills of the HRD Ministry. A revolution larger than the one in the telecom sector awaits the education sector, Sibal said. Three other reforms bills, which were slated to be taken up in the Cabinet, were deferred to the next meeting. These are -- Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill Educational Tribunal Bill and Accreditation Bill.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) has already cleared these three reforms bills.
"This is a milestone which will enhance choices, increase competition and benchmark quality," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said after the approval of the bill by Cabinet. The bill seeks to regulate the entry and operation of foreign institutions, which will set up centre and offer degrees in India.
This bill was hanging fire for over last four years owing to opposition from various quarters, including the Left parties, over certain provisions. Last year, it was referred to a Committee of Secretaries which brought modifications to certain provisions earlier existed. The bill was approved by the Cabinet without any change today.
The proposed law prescribes eight-month time bound format for granting approval to foreign educational institutions to set up campuses. They will go through different levels of registration process during this period and will be finally registered with UGC or any other regulatory body in place and advice government whether to allow the institute operate in India. Sibal has already said that quota laws will not be applicable to foreign universities setting up campuses in India.
Though 100 per cent foreign direct investment through automatic route is permitted in the education sector since 2000, the present legal structure in India does not allow granting of degrees by foreign educational institutions here.
The proposed law would facilitate the globally- renowned institutes to participate in India's higher education sector. It will bring in foreign education providers for vocational education training also.
The foreign education providers' bill is one of the major reforms bills of the HRD Ministry. A revolution larger than the one in the telecom sector awaits the education sector, Sibal said. Three other reforms bills, which were slated to be taken up in the Cabinet, were deferred to the next meeting. These are -- Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill Educational Tribunal Bill and Accreditation Bill.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) has already cleared these three reforms bills.
Beware of under-rated Kiwis: Wright
Ahead of the New Zealand tour of India, Coach John Wright on Sunday warned that the Kiwis are a tough side to beat and Sourav Ganguly's boys would have to strive hard to press home the advantages.
"New Zealanders peformed well on a recent tour to Sri Lanka. They (the Kiwis) are always underrated and they make fight hard", Wright told PTI.
"Perhaps, the other side (India) isnt different. Its up to us (India) to perform better and keep the home record going".
Asked how eager the Indian team was to avenge its thrashing by New Zealand on their last tour, Wright said the team is always eager to play good cricket, against any side.
On Javagal Srinath, recuperating from a knee injury, being doubtful for the home series, Wright said, adding that he would speak to the pace spearhead soon and expressed hope that he would carry on.
"I havent had a chat with Sri for a month. But obviously we will have a talk in the next week or so. Sri is big enough to take the decision. Lets hope he wants to carry on. But that will be his decision".
Wright added: "But we seem to be getting more depth in the pace department which is good".
Indias pace department has got a "little more depth", particulary after a "little bit of over-competition" on the New Zealand tour, followed by the World Cup campaign in South Africa where they were perhaps "wayward" in the final, he said.
Wright said its a good move by the BCCI and the selectors for having picked 36 players for the conditioning camp, including the India "A" team that toured England, and dismissed suggestions that it would be too big a group to handle.
"It will be alright and fine. I think its a good move by the BCCI and the selectors to get as many for selection".
There were some good performances in India "A"s recent tour of England, he said, adding that it was an excellent tour and Coach Sandeep Patil deserved congratulations.
"It (36 probables) will be a good base from the fitness point of view. I will not find it difficult to handle as many. I am confident of doing a good job", Wright said.
Asked if some of the India "A" players who did well on the tour have a chance to get into the national squad, he said the selectors are looking for them to consolidate their performances on the tour and be consistent in domestic matches as well.
"New Zealanders peformed well on a recent tour to Sri Lanka. They (the Kiwis) are always underrated and they make fight hard", Wright told PTI.
"Perhaps, the other side (India) isnt different. Its up to us (India) to perform better and keep the home record going".
Asked how eager the Indian team was to avenge its thrashing by New Zealand on their last tour, Wright said the team is always eager to play good cricket, against any side.
On Javagal Srinath, recuperating from a knee injury, being doubtful for the home series, Wright said, adding that he would speak to the pace spearhead soon and expressed hope that he would carry on.
"I havent had a chat with Sri for a month. But obviously we will have a talk in the next week or so. Sri is big enough to take the decision. Lets hope he wants to carry on. But that will be his decision".
Wright added: "But we seem to be getting more depth in the pace department which is good".
Indias pace department has got a "little more depth", particulary after a "little bit of over-competition" on the New Zealand tour, followed by the World Cup campaign in South Africa where they were perhaps "wayward" in the final, he said.
Wright said its a good move by the BCCI and the selectors for having picked 36 players for the conditioning camp, including the India "A" team that toured England, and dismissed suggestions that it would be too big a group to handle.
"It will be alright and fine. I think its a good move by the BCCI and the selectors to get as many for selection".
There were some good performances in India "A"s recent tour of England, he said, adding that it was an excellent tour and Coach Sandeep Patil deserved congratulations.
"It (36 probables) will be a good base from the fitness point of view. I will not find it difficult to handle as many. I am confident of doing a good job", Wright said.
Asked if some of the India "A" players who did well on the tour have a chance to get into the national squad, he said the selectors are looking for them to consolidate their performances on the tour and be consistent in domestic matches as well.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Bus falls into river, students among the 27 killed
Several students were among the 27 people killed in an accident in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district on Monday morning, when a bus fell into the Morel river.
The bus was carrying around 60 students and staff of the the Mother India Teachers Training College, Jhalawad, on their way home from a college picnic to Mauthura and Vrindavan
The bus was carrying around 60 students and staff of the the Mother India Teachers Training College, Jhalawad, on their way home from a college picnic to Mauthura and Vrindavan
Injured David Beckham to miss World Cup?
David Beckham's Dream of playing in a fourth World Cup was shattered on Sunday, after he tore an Achilles tendon in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo.
Beckham was unchallenged when he suffered the injury and hobbled off in pain before being stretchered away.
The 34-year-old was hoping to be part of England's World Cup squad in June. But he will now fly to Finland on Monday to have surgery on the Achilles, according to AC Milan club physician Jean Pierre Meersseman.
Beckham, who is in his second loan stint with Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, will now almost certainly not be fit for the World Cup in South Africa which starts on June 11.
"Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible. He understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon," said AC Milan coach Leonardo, adding, "He is an extraordinary guy and today's game proves it yet again. I cannot enjoy this evening considering this serious injury. David understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon."
Beckham was unchallenged when he suffered the injury and hobbled off in pain before being stretchered away.
The 34-year-old was hoping to be part of England's World Cup squad in June. But he will now fly to Finland on Monday to have surgery on the Achilles, according to AC Milan club physician Jean Pierre Meersseman.
Beckham, who is in his second loan stint with Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, will now almost certainly not be fit for the World Cup in South Africa which starts on June 11.
"Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible. He understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon," said AC Milan coach Leonardo, adding, "He is an extraordinary guy and today's game proves it yet again. I cannot enjoy this evening considering this serious injury. David understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon."
Yoga teachers vs the State of New York
When the state notified yoga
studios that the instruction of yoga teachers would soon fall under government oversight, the last thing it expected was a battle.
But yoga teachers across a wide range of disciplines, from the body sculpting
to the spirit enhancing, quickly began a coordinated attack on the state effort, hoping to avoid a cumbersome licensing process.
In the next 10 days, almost a year after the dispute began, Gov. David A. Paterson is expected to approve a bill that would exempt training programs for yoga teachers from state regulation under laws intended to provide oversight of vocational schools.
"People doubted we could do it," said Alison West, a yoga instructor
and the executive director of Yoga for New York, a nonprofit group established to fight the regulation effort. "Everyone is very excited."
Paterson has until March 24 to sign the bill, which has been approved by the state Assembly and the state Senate and has the backing of the Education Department, which initially pushed for the licensing of the yoga teachers. The bill adds yoga and martial arts to areas of instruction that are exempt from state oversight; they include religion, painting and athletics.
"This was just a bureaucratic error that I'm happy we corrected," said Sen. Eric T. Schneiderman, D-Manhattan, who sponsored the bill.
"It's a personal-enrichment and spiritual practice," he added. "It's not something that really cries out for more regulation."
The issue arose in April, when the Education Department sent a letter ordering yoga studios to halt their intensive programs, known as teacher trainings, and apply for licenses - or face up to a $50,000 fine. The state requirements, which apply to vocational schools like those that teach hairdressers, massage therapists and computer technicians, are intended to create minimum standards and provide oversight of the institutions that teach students a trade.
The teacher trainings, which many students use to become yoga instructors but others use simply to improve their skills, are an important source of income for some studios.
The regulation push in New York followed similar efforts across the country to increase oversight of yoga, a rapidly growing industry. But while similar efforts in Virginia and Michigan, among others, were successful, the large and comparatively deep-pocketed yoga community in New York was able to win support for its cause, hiring a lobbying firm and enlisting the help of yoga-practicing state legislators.
"As a regulator, it's always helpful to have clarity in legislation," said Tom Dunn, a spokesman for the Education Department, which had suspended the licensing effort pending the outcome of the legislation. "This bill accomplishes that."
studios that the instruction of yoga teachers would soon fall under government oversight, the last thing it expected was a battle.
But yoga teachers across a wide range of disciplines, from the body sculpting
to the spirit enhancing, quickly began a coordinated attack on the state effort, hoping to avoid a cumbersome licensing process.
In the next 10 days, almost a year after the dispute began, Gov. David A. Paterson is expected to approve a bill that would exempt training programs for yoga teachers from state regulation under laws intended to provide oversight of vocational schools.
"People doubted we could do it," said Alison West, a yoga instructor
and the executive director of Yoga for New York, a nonprofit group established to fight the regulation effort. "Everyone is very excited."
Paterson has until March 24 to sign the bill, which has been approved by the state Assembly and the state Senate and has the backing of the Education Department, which initially pushed for the licensing of the yoga teachers. The bill adds yoga and martial arts to areas of instruction that are exempt from state oversight; they include religion, painting and athletics.
"This was just a bureaucratic error that I'm happy we corrected," said Sen. Eric T. Schneiderman, D-Manhattan, who sponsored the bill.
"It's a personal-enrichment and spiritual practice," he added. "It's not something that really cries out for more regulation."
The issue arose in April, when the Education Department sent a letter ordering yoga studios to halt their intensive programs, known as teacher trainings, and apply for licenses - or face up to a $50,000 fine. The state requirements, which apply to vocational schools like those that teach hairdressers, massage therapists and computer technicians, are intended to create minimum standards and provide oversight of the institutions that teach students a trade.
The teacher trainings, which many students use to become yoga instructors but others use simply to improve their skills, are an important source of income for some studios.
The regulation push in New York followed similar efforts across the country to increase oversight of yoga, a rapidly growing industry. But while similar efforts in Virginia and Michigan, among others, were successful, the large and comparatively deep-pocketed yoga community in New York was able to win support for its cause, hiring a lobbying firm and enlisting the help of yoga-practicing state legislators.
"As a regulator, it's always helpful to have clarity in legislation," said Tom Dunn, a spokesman for the Education Department, which had suspended the licensing effort pending the outcome of the legislation. "This bill accomplishes that."
Jaipur Foot to help 1,000 Iraqis walk
Around 1000 Iraqis who have lost their legs will be able to walk again with a Jaipur-based organisation planning to equip them with the famous Jaipur Foot.
A 22-member delegation of Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) embarked for Iraq today where they will set up a camp in association with Chalabi Trust there and Pakistan's Haswa Trust in this connection.
According to D R Mehta of BMVSS, the delegation will be there in Iraq for a month and during this period they will distribute the famed Jaipur foot for those injured in the wars that ravaged the country. "We will fix artificial limbs on around 1,000 people. This will be a record in itself," Mehta said.
Jaipur Foot is a rubber-based prosthetic leg for people with below-knee amputations.
A 22-member delegation of Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) embarked for Iraq today where they will set up a camp in association with Chalabi Trust there and Pakistan's Haswa Trust in this connection.
According to D R Mehta of BMVSS, the delegation will be there in Iraq for a month and during this period they will distribute the famed Jaipur foot for those injured in the wars that ravaged the country. "We will fix artificial limbs on around 1,000 people. This will be a record in itself," Mehta said.
Jaipur Foot is a rubber-based prosthetic leg for people with below-knee amputations.
Man on terror mission to Gujarat held
The Gujarat Police have arrested a man, Bashir Baba, who they claim was on a terror mission. He used to work with a Srinagar-based NGO that has a tie up with a medical foundation in Ahmedabad.
According to the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Bashir came to Ahmedabad last month to identify possible terror recruits, and to recce vital installations like the ISRO special application centre.
"He visited some important commercial and sensitive installations located on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway, including malls, ISRO, Railway station, Kankaia Lake and Akshardham temple," Gujarat ATS chief Ajay Tomar said.
Based on intelligence inputs, Bashir was arrested on Saturday. The ATS claims he was in touch with some senior Pakistan-based militant commanders.
"He was in touch with Bilal Shera, an important member of Hizbul Mujahideen based in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was also in touch with General Abdullah who is the commander of Jamat-ul-Mujhahideen and is also based in PoK," Tomar said.
Though Bashir is reported to have carried out recce of important commercial and vital installations in the city, the ATS is also taking no chances even with the IPL matches in Ahmedabad and has asked the state police to beef up security in and around the stadium as well.
According to the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Bashir came to Ahmedabad last month to identify possible terror recruits, and to recce vital installations like the ISRO special application centre.
"He visited some important commercial and sensitive installations located on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway, including malls, ISRO, Railway station, Kankaia Lake and Akshardham temple," Gujarat ATS chief Ajay Tomar said.
Based on intelligence inputs, Bashir was arrested on Saturday. The ATS claims he was in touch with some senior Pakistan-based militant commanders.
"He was in touch with Bilal Shera, an important member of Hizbul Mujahideen based in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was also in touch with General Abdullah who is the commander of Jamat-ul-Mujhahideen and is also based in PoK," Tomar said.
Though Bashir is reported to have carried out recce of important commercial and vital installations in the city, the ATS is also taking no chances even with the IPL matches in Ahmedabad and has asked the state police to beef up security in and around the stadium as well.
Women's Bill over my dead body: Lalu
Toughening his stand over the Women's Reservation Bill, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has said he will pull down the government if they try to push the Bill through.
"The Women's Reservation Bill will be passed over my dead body. In the Rajya Sabha, the government may have used the military to break dissent, but in the Lok Sabha, I will pull down the government if they try to push the Bill through," he said at a rally in Chhapra.
He had indicated earlier also that the Congress' recalcitrance over tabling the Bill might lead to early elections and asked his partymen to remain prepared for mid-term polls.
"We want that the Bill should facilitate reservation for minorities, NREGA workers and other backward class women who deserve justice," he had said at a rally in Patna, adding he would take the battle to its "logical conclusion".
He had alleged that the Congress and BJP were trying to bring the Bill in the Lok Sabha for "ulterior intentions" which would be fought with full vigour and strength.
Prasad had also accused Congress of bringing the Bill to deflect people's attention from skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
"The Women's Reservation Bill will be passed over my dead body. In the Rajya Sabha, the government may have used the military to break dissent, but in the Lok Sabha, I will pull down the government if they try to push the Bill through," he said at a rally in Chhapra.
He had indicated earlier also that the Congress' recalcitrance over tabling the Bill might lead to early elections and asked his partymen to remain prepared for mid-term polls.
"We want that the Bill should facilitate reservation for minorities, NREGA workers and other backward class women who deserve justice," he had said at a rally in Patna, adding he would take the battle to its "logical conclusion".
He had alleged that the Congress and BJP were trying to bring the Bill in the Lok Sabha for "ulterior intentions" which would be fought with full vigour and strength.
Prasad had also accused Congress of bringing the Bill to deflect people's attention from skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
Mamata's poll walk through Kolkata
March 14, Sunday. When many in Kolkata were busy watching the Knight Riders play their second IPL match, Trinamool Congress
chief Mamata Banerjee was out walking the first 5 kilometers of her long campaign for the 2011 Assembly elections in West Bengal.
During her walk between Baliigunj Phadi and Jaggu Bazaar, thousands of Mamata's supporters came out shouting slogans against West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya with posters critical of the CPM rule in the state.
"More than 2000 party supporters have been killed in West Bengal in last few months. Everyday 4 -5 persons are dying. CPM is responsible of these killing, " says Mamata Banerjee.
With the recent surge in Maoist violence in the state, Mamata's Trinamool Congress and the ruling CPM have often blamed each other of having a "nexus" with the Maoists.
And what Nandigram saw three years ago is still a potent weapon to hit the ruling government, where it hurts the most.
On this very day in 2007, around 14 people died, when police opened indiscriminate fire. Mamata calls this day the Nandigram Diwas. For the last two years the Trinamool leader has been in Nandigram, but this year it was Kolkata that saw Mamata's power.
Her body language was saying today that it is the start of her 2011 election campaign. Thousands of supporters took part with posters on their chest and slogans against Buddha.
The Knight Riders may have won another match today, but Mamata's knows she has a long way to go to ensure a victory in the 2011 Assembly elections.
chief Mamata Banerjee was out walking the first 5 kilometers of her long campaign for the 2011 Assembly elections in West Bengal.
During her walk between Baliigunj Phadi and Jaggu Bazaar, thousands of Mamata's supporters came out shouting slogans against West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya with posters critical of the CPM rule in the state.
"More than 2000 party supporters have been killed in West Bengal in last few months. Everyday 4 -5 persons are dying. CPM is responsible of these killing, " says Mamata Banerjee.
With the recent surge in Maoist violence in the state, Mamata's Trinamool Congress and the ruling CPM have often blamed each other of having a "nexus" with the Maoists.
And what Nandigram saw three years ago is still a potent weapon to hit the ruling government, where it hurts the most.
On this very day in 2007, around 14 people died, when police opened indiscriminate fire. Mamata calls this day the Nandigram Diwas. For the last two years the Trinamool leader has been in Nandigram, but this year it was Kolkata that saw Mamata's power.
Her body language was saying today that it is the start of her 2011 election campaign. Thousands of supporters took part with posters on their chest and slogans against Buddha.
The Knight Riders may have won another match today, but Mamata's knows she has a long way to go to ensure a victory in the 2011 Assembly elections.
India's interceptor missile test fails
The interceptor missile test off the Orissa coast ran into serious trouble on Monday, because co-ordination between Launch Pad 3 and Launch Pad 4 used for the exercise failed.
According to sources, a modified version of Prithvi was fired from Launch Pad 3 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, at 10:02 am. However, the interceptor, which was to take off from Launch Pad 4 located on Wheeler's Island, did not respond.
Sources say that's because the Prithvi apparently deviated from its path, and the interceptor missile's radars failed to pick up its flight
. The interceptor missile's systems therefore did not get activated.
The test, originally scheduled for March 14, was put off at the last minute due to 'some technical snag'.
This was the fourth test of the indigenously-devel
According to sources, a modified version of Prithvi was fired from Launch Pad 3 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, at 10:02 am. However, the interceptor, which was to take off from Launch Pad 4 located on Wheeler's Island, did not respond.
Sources say that's because the Prithvi apparently deviated from its path, and the interceptor missile's radars failed to pick up its flight
. The interceptor missile's systems therefore did not get activated.
The test, originally scheduled for March 14, was put off at the last minute due to 'some technical snag'.
This was the fourth test of the indigenously-devel
Shame: Rajya Sabha Chairman attacked
Minutes after the historic Women's Reservation Bill was tabled on Monday, the Indian Parliament witnessed a new low. Anger over reservation for women found a soft target in the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari.
Unrepentant, these MPs found glory in violence, even hinting this is just the beginning and that there is more to come.
"I think this is how protest is done in a democracy. We were opposed to the Bill so we tore it; we raised slogans. I can tell you this much we will cross all limits of protest over this issue," said Sabir Ali, the MP who attacked the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
The government and the Opposition, though, were united in condemning the unruly MPs.
"We condemn outright the irresponsible behavior that happened in the Rajya Sabah just now, including trying to snatch the mic of the honorable the Vice President, the Chairman," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
"There is lot of hungama that has taken place, it's not keeping up with parliamentary conduct," Union Law Minister Veerapa Moily said.
Unrepentant, these MPs found glory in violence, even hinting this is just the beginning and that there is more to come.
"I think this is how protest is done in a democracy. We were opposed to the Bill so we tore it; we raised slogans. I can tell you this much we will cross all limits of protest over this issue," said Sabir Ali, the MP who attacked the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
The government and the Opposition, though, were united in condemning the unruly MPs.
"We condemn outright the irresponsible behavior that happened in the Rajya Sabah just now, including trying to snatch the mic of the honorable the Vice President, the Chairman," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
"There is lot of hungama that has taken place, it's not keeping up with parliamentary conduct," Union Law Minister Veerapa Moily said.
Women's Bill: The Lok Sabha challenge
The Women's Reservation Bill may have crossed the first hurdle, but the battle is only just beginning for the government. The challenge now is to get it passed by the Lok Sabha where it is likely to face even stronger opposition than what was seen in the Rajya Sabha over the past two days.
On Wednesday, a glimpse of how bad that protest can be was seen with Lalu and Mulayam Singh leading the way. They forced the House to be adjourned thrice. (Read: Women's Bill: Slighted Yadavs' plan next attack)
As soon as the House assembled for the day, SP, RJD and some JD(U) members criticised the government's "autocratic move" to pass the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Seeing the intensity and scale of this opposition, the question before the government is - when to table the Women's Bill? The question becomes crucial as a more immediate concern is to pass the Finance Bill that is, the Budget.
The government is also acutely aware that the majority it presently enjoys is wafer thin.
Also, there are three allies who let down the UPA government over the Women's Bill, Mamata Banerjie, Lalu and Mulayam Singh Yadav. (Read: Mamata downplays anger over Women's Bill)
So, while Mamata Banerjie may have come around after her MPs chose not to vote in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the Congress will still be working overtime to garner support to shore up its numbers.
Women's Bill - the process here on:
* The Bill goes to Lok Sabha where it has to be passed by two third majority
* The Bill then goes to 28 Assemblies; 15 Assemblies must ratify it with two third majority
* This is followed by a final approval by the President
On Wednesday, a glimpse of how bad that protest can be was seen with Lalu and Mulayam Singh leading the way. They forced the House to be adjourned thrice. (Read: Women's Bill: Slighted Yadavs' plan next attack)
As soon as the House assembled for the day, SP, RJD and some JD(U) members criticised the government's "autocratic move" to pass the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Seeing the intensity and scale of this opposition, the question before the government is - when to table the Women's Bill? The question becomes crucial as a more immediate concern is to pass the Finance Bill that is, the Budget.
The government is also acutely aware that the majority it presently enjoys is wafer thin.
Also, there are three allies who let down the UPA government over the Women's Bill, Mamata Banerjie, Lalu and Mulayam Singh Yadav. (Read: Mamata downplays anger over Women's Bill)
So, while Mamata Banerjie may have come around after her MPs chose not to vote in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the Congress will still be working overtime to garner support to shore up its numbers.
Women's Bill - the process here on:
* The Bill goes to Lok Sabha where it has to be passed by two third majority
* The Bill then goes to 28 Assemblies; 15 Assemblies must ratify it with two third majority
* This is followed by a final approval by the President
Nuclear Liability Bill: Another storm in Parliament?
After the temporary bonhomie between the government, the BJP and the Left over the Women's Reservation Bill, it's going to be back to business as the opposition gears up for a battle in the Lok Sabha over the Nuclear Liability Bill today.
The Bill aims at fixing liability in case of a nuclear accident. But the main opposition parties, the Left and the BJP are dead opposed to the Bill.
India's most modern nuclear reactors are being built at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Russia is making these and when complete they will be operated by Nuclear Power Corporation. But should there be an accident who would be held liable?
Sources in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have told NDTV that in case of a nuclear accident the Indian operator NPCIL will be liable but the liability is capped at Rs 500 crores.
For compensation beyond that till Rs 2133 crores the government of India will be liable.
Over this, India can seek compensation from foreign countries as per the IAEA pact after India joins it.
Foreign suppliers of nuclear reactors will not have to pay.
The supplier has to give quality assurance but can be penalised for poor quality of equipment supplied.
The DAE says India desperately needs the Liability Bill in place and also needs to sign the liability convention simply because the Kudankulam nuclear power plants are very close to the international border.
But political opposition to the Bill has begun. The Left that was dead opposed to the Indo-US nuclear deal is calling it a harmful piece of legislation meant to serve the interests of the United States and its nuclear industry and has demanded that it be scrapped.
Left statement: 'N-liability Bill is a harmful piece of legislation. The government is seeking to fulfill a hidden commitment to deliver a legislation which safeguards the interests of the US. The Bill needs to be scrapped.'
But the Congress is defending the Bill.
The Bill aims at fixing liability in case of a nuclear accident. But the main opposition parties, the Left and the BJP are dead opposed to the Bill.
India's most modern nuclear reactors are being built at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Russia is making these and when complete they will be operated by Nuclear Power Corporation. But should there be an accident who would be held liable?
Sources in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have told NDTV that in case of a nuclear accident the Indian operator NPCIL will be liable but the liability is capped at Rs 500 crores.
For compensation beyond that till Rs 2133 crores the government of India will be liable.
Over this, India can seek compensation from foreign countries as per the IAEA pact after India joins it.
Foreign suppliers of nuclear reactors will not have to pay.
The supplier has to give quality assurance but can be penalised for poor quality of equipment supplied.
The DAE says India desperately needs the Liability Bill in place and also needs to sign the liability convention simply because the Kudankulam nuclear power plants are very close to the international border.
But political opposition to the Bill has begun. The Left that was dead opposed to the Indo-US nuclear deal is calling it a harmful piece of legislation meant to serve the interests of the United States and its nuclear industry and has demanded that it be scrapped.
Left statement: 'N-liability Bill is a harmful piece of legislation. The government is seeking to fulfill a hidden commitment to deliver a legislation which safeguards the interests of the US. The Bill needs to be scrapped.'
But the Congress is defending the Bill.
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