Thiruvanathapuram: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed disappointment over the climate change accord finalised at the Copenhagen Summit last year. "We were able to make only limited progress at Copenhagen. No one was fully satisfied," Singh said while addressing the 97th Indian Science Congress here.
Addressing scientists, the prime minister added: "There is no escaping the truth that the nations of the world have to move to lower greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficient development paths."
Under the Copenhagen accord, by Jan 31, 2010, both developed and developing countries will have to inform of their commitment to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases that are causing global warming.
About 7,000 delegates, including 3,000 students, are participating in the premier national science summit, hosted by Kerala University with the state-run ISRO as co-host. The focal theme of the mega event is "Science and Technology Challenges of 21st century - National Perspective".
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Shutdown called in Andhra, Rayalaseema on Monday
Hyderabad: There is no respite in Andhra Pradesh from shutdowns and protests over the issue of statehood for Telangana as political parties and student groups have called for another shutdown in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema on Monday. Political parties and student bodies met in Vijayawada today and formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to oppose the division of the state. The JAC, after deliberations, called for shutdown on Jan 4 to protest the central government's move to call an all-party meeting on the Telangana issue. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has called a meeting of eight parties in New Delhi on Jan 5.
Leaders of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema also called for observing Jan 5 as a "black day" and decided to stage road and rail blockades.
Thirteen districts of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions have seen a series of protests and shutdowns after the Dec 9 announcement by the central government to initiate the process for forming Telangana. This followed an 11-day agitation in Telangana and huger strike by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao.
The protests in Andhra and Rayalseema ended on Dec 23 when the central government made a second statement on the issue, saying there was need for wide-ranging consultations.
This, seen as a u-turn by pro-Telangana groups, triggered angry protests in Telangana, comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad.
In an attempt to mollify the pro-Telangana parties, the central government decided to immediately begin the process of consultation.
Leaders of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema also called for observing Jan 5 as a "black day" and decided to stage road and rail blockades.
Thirteen districts of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions have seen a series of protests and shutdowns after the Dec 9 announcement by the central government to initiate the process for forming Telangana. This followed an 11-day agitation in Telangana and huger strike by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao.
The protests in Andhra and Rayalseema ended on Dec 23 when the central government made a second statement on the issue, saying there was need for wide-ranging consultations.
This, seen as a u-turn by pro-Telangana groups, triggered angry protests in Telangana, comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad.
In an attempt to mollify the pro-Telangana parties, the central government decided to immediately begin the process of consultation.
Kanpur-Delhi rail route restored after train accident
Lucknow: Rail services were restored between Delhi and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh today, a day after 10 people were killed when two trains collided in Kanpur district, an official said.
"Initially, we managed to restore the uplink track and later the down track was also restored," additional divisional railway manager (Allahabad) D.K. Singh told reporters.
At around 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Gorakhdham Express collided with the stationary Prayagraj Express near Panki railway station, some 90 km from Lucknow. According to officials, the collision had affected the schedule of 24 trains.
"For the time being, we have imposed some speed restriction for the trains passing through Panki railway station, near which the two trains collided," Singh said.
Kanpur Deputy Inspector General B.P. Jogdand and railway officials had told media that eight women and two men died in the horrific accident. While 19 passengers were seriously injured, 24 suffered minor injuries, officials said.
The impact of the collision badly damaged three coaches of the Prayagraj Express, which was headed for Allahabad from New Delhi. The Gorakhdham Express was running between New Delhi and Gorakhpur.
Passengers of the Prayagraj Express had complained of a delay in rescue operations at the accident site. "It was after nearly 45 minutes that the railway rescue team arrived at the spot to carry out relief work," Ajai Anand, a passenger on the Prayagraj Express, told reporters in Kanpur.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who was travelling to Allahabad on the Prayagraj Express, on Saturday told reporters in Kanpur: "When the accident occurred, I experienced a massive jerk... Initially, I thought the jerk was because the train had started to move, but then my guard told me that an accident had occurred."
The railways have announced a compensation of Rs.500,000 for the families of those killed in the accident and Rs.100,000 each for the critically injured. The other injured passengers would receive Rs.10,000 as compensation.
Two other train accidents also occurred in Uttar Pradesh Saturday. In Etawah, the Lichchavi Express rammed into the Magadh Express near Sarai Bhupat railway station, some 300 km from Lucknow. The driver of the Lichchavi Express was critically injured.
The third accident, a minor one, took place in Allahabad, about 200 km from here. Four people received minor injuries when the Saryu Express collided with a railway maintenance trolley.
"Initially, we managed to restore the uplink track and later the down track was also restored," additional divisional railway manager (Allahabad) D.K. Singh told reporters.
At around 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Gorakhdham Express collided with the stationary Prayagraj Express near Panki railway station, some 90 km from Lucknow. According to officials, the collision had affected the schedule of 24 trains.
"For the time being, we have imposed some speed restriction for the trains passing through Panki railway station, near which the two trains collided," Singh said.
Kanpur Deputy Inspector General B.P. Jogdand and railway officials had told media that eight women and two men died in the horrific accident. While 19 passengers were seriously injured, 24 suffered minor injuries, officials said.
The impact of the collision badly damaged three coaches of the Prayagraj Express, which was headed for Allahabad from New Delhi. The Gorakhdham Express was running between New Delhi and Gorakhpur.
Passengers of the Prayagraj Express had complained of a delay in rescue operations at the accident site. "It was after nearly 45 minutes that the railway rescue team arrived at the spot to carry out relief work," Ajai Anand, a passenger on the Prayagraj Express, told reporters in Kanpur.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who was travelling to Allahabad on the Prayagraj Express, on Saturday told reporters in Kanpur: "When the accident occurred, I experienced a massive jerk... Initially, I thought the jerk was because the train had started to move, but then my guard told me that an accident had occurred."
The railways have announced a compensation of Rs.500,000 for the families of those killed in the accident and Rs.100,000 each for the critically injured. The other injured passengers would receive Rs.10,000 as compensation.
Two other train accidents also occurred in Uttar Pradesh Saturday. In Etawah, the Lichchavi Express rammed into the Magadh Express near Sarai Bhupat railway station, some 300 km from Lucknow. The driver of the Lichchavi Express was critically injured.
The third accident, a minor one, took place in Allahabad, about 200 km from here. Four people received minor injuries when the Saryu Express collided with a railway maintenance trolley.
PM to inaugurate science congress amid tight security
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the 97th Indian Science Congress (ISC 2010) here today amid tight security.
The prime minister, who arrived here on Saturday, will address eminent scientists, Nobel laureates, policy makers and students on the technology challenges and the direction in which the country should move to find innovative solutions to achieve equitable growth and development.
As the congress is being held for the first time in this Kerala capital, unprecedented security arrangements have been made, with about 1,000-policemen deployed in and around the sprawling campus of Kerala University at Karyavottam, about 15 km from the coastal city.
"The campus has been sanitised in accordance with the security measures required to protect the country's prime minister. For security reasons, we cannot share the details," a senior police officer told media.
Prior to delivering the inaugural address, Singh will release the plenary proceedings of the science congress and present 24 awards to noted scientists and research scholars.
The awards are instituted by the Kolkata-based Indian Science Congress Association (ICSA), the main organiser of the five-day event.
General president of the science congress and former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G. Madhavan Nair will outline the various programmes and activities of the 97th edition of the congress.
About 7,000 delegates, including 3,000 students, are participating in the premier national science summit, hosted by Kerala University with the state-run ISRO as co-host.
The focal theme of the mega event is "Science and Technology Challenges of 21st century - National Perspective".
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan will also address the congress. Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will also speak on the occasion and Governor R.S. Gavai, who is also the chancellor of the university, will be present among other dignitaries.
The green campus has been given a face-lift and its surroundings spruced up to befit the grand occasion.
According to organising secretary and university senate member T. Rajamohan, the main venue has been erected at a cost of Rs.1 crore (Rs.10 million) with a capacity to seat about 6,500 delegates.
"The main venue has been cordoned-off as per the guidelines in the prime minister's Blue Book and is guarded by the Special Protection Group (SPG) and the state police forces," the official said.
Eminent scientists like M.S. Swaminathan, father of India's green revolution, former atomic energy secretary Anil Kakodkar, space commission member Roddam Narasimhan and Nobel laureate Irving Zucker will be the noted speakers at eight plenary sessions.
Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, distinguished scientists M.G.K. Menon and C.N.R. Rao and Nobel laureate Roger Tsien will deliver public lectures.
The plenary and public lectures will provide broader international perspectives and create awareness about the role of science in society.
Kalam will also inaugurate Monday the 'Children Science Congress' being held as part of the national event.
A major attraction at the congress is a science exhibition showcasing the latest scientific developments and achievements in the country.
The prime minister, who arrived here on Saturday, will address eminent scientists, Nobel laureates, policy makers and students on the technology challenges and the direction in which the country should move to find innovative solutions to achieve equitable growth and development.
As the congress is being held for the first time in this Kerala capital, unprecedented security arrangements have been made, with about 1,000-policemen deployed in and around the sprawling campus of Kerala University at Karyavottam, about 15 km from the coastal city.
"The campus has been sanitised in accordance with the security measures required to protect the country's prime minister. For security reasons, we cannot share the details," a senior police officer told media.
Prior to delivering the inaugural address, Singh will release the plenary proceedings of the science congress and present 24 awards to noted scientists and research scholars.
The awards are instituted by the Kolkata-based Indian Science Congress Association (ICSA), the main organiser of the five-day event.
General president of the science congress and former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G. Madhavan Nair will outline the various programmes and activities of the 97th edition of the congress.
About 7,000 delegates, including 3,000 students, are participating in the premier national science summit, hosted by Kerala University with the state-run ISRO as co-host.
The focal theme of the mega event is "Science and Technology Challenges of 21st century - National Perspective".
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan will also address the congress. Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will also speak on the occasion and Governor R.S. Gavai, who is also the chancellor of the university, will be present among other dignitaries.
The green campus has been given a face-lift and its surroundings spruced up to befit the grand occasion.
According to organising secretary and university senate member T. Rajamohan, the main venue has been erected at a cost of Rs.1 crore (Rs.10 million) with a capacity to seat about 6,500 delegates.
"The main venue has been cordoned-off as per the guidelines in the prime minister's Blue Book and is guarded by the Special Protection Group (SPG) and the state police forces," the official said.
Eminent scientists like M.S. Swaminathan, father of India's green revolution, former atomic energy secretary Anil Kakodkar, space commission member Roddam Narasimhan and Nobel laureate Irving Zucker will be the noted speakers at eight plenary sessions.
Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, distinguished scientists M.G.K. Menon and C.N.R. Rao and Nobel laureate Roger Tsien will deliver public lectures.
The plenary and public lectures will provide broader international perspectives and create awareness about the role of science in society.
Kalam will also inaugurate Monday the 'Children Science Congress' being held as part of the national event.
A major attraction at the congress is a science exhibition showcasing the latest scientific developments and achievements in the country.
Zia must not prejudge talks with India: Dhaka media
Dhaka: Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia "must not prejudge" the outcome of the summit level talks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will have in New Delhi next week, a Dhaka media said today.
"Patriotism cannot be the monopoly of a group or party," media said in an editorial, adding: "which is why we believe Begum Zia should have been more circumspect in her remarks before a partisan audience."
Hasina is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan singh on Jan 11.
Zia's threat of launching an agitation should Hasina sign pacts with India that go against the national interest has triggered an animated media debate.
Taking an opposite stand, media observed that stand taken by the Hasina government on some of the bilateral issues "appears to be more favourable to India's interest than Bangladesh's".
"The people expect the prime minister to sort out certain lingering disputes between Bangladesh and India during her upcoming visit," media said, listing "two or more relatively recent issues - namely New Delhi's plan to construct a dam and a barrage on the upstream of the river Barak at Tipaimukh and request for transit facilities, and the link with the Asian Highway".
It applauded Zia's rhetorical call at a rally that she and her party workers would "welcome Hasina with flowers at the airport" should she sign pacts favourable to Bangladesh. This approach of Zia, it said was "refreshing and positive".
However, media observed: "The unvarnished truth here is that the opposition is presuming a little too much and clearly expects the prime minister to resolve all outstanding issues with India to our satisfaction with just one visit."
"The position the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) chairperson has taken is thus quite indefensible, given that she is patently prejudging the outcome of the talks between the Bangladesh and Indian heads of government," media said.
Questioning the performance of former prime minister Zia, the newspaper said the issues raised at a public rally should have been raised and debated in parliament that the opposition has been boycotting.
"Such obstructionist politics has constantly undermined the country," the editorial said.
Urging a 're-think' on the part of the opposition, the editorial said: "By threatening to go for an agitation on the streets, the former prime minister has deeply disappointed and embarrassed the country. The extent to which such a position can undermine democracy and push the country toward chaos can only be imagined"
"Patriotism cannot be the monopoly of a group or party," media said in an editorial, adding: "which is why we believe Begum Zia should have been more circumspect in her remarks before a partisan audience."
Hasina is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan singh on Jan 11.
Zia's threat of launching an agitation should Hasina sign pacts with India that go against the national interest has triggered an animated media debate.
Taking an opposite stand, media observed that stand taken by the Hasina government on some of the bilateral issues "appears to be more favourable to India's interest than Bangladesh's".
"The people expect the prime minister to sort out certain lingering disputes between Bangladesh and India during her upcoming visit," media said, listing "two or more relatively recent issues - namely New Delhi's plan to construct a dam and a barrage on the upstream of the river Barak at Tipaimukh and request for transit facilities, and the link with the Asian Highway".
It applauded Zia's rhetorical call at a rally that she and her party workers would "welcome Hasina with flowers at the airport" should she sign pacts favourable to Bangladesh. This approach of Zia, it said was "refreshing and positive".
However, media observed: "The unvarnished truth here is that the opposition is presuming a little too much and clearly expects the prime minister to resolve all outstanding issues with India to our satisfaction with just one visit."
"The position the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) chairperson has taken is thus quite indefensible, given that she is patently prejudging the outcome of the talks between the Bangladesh and Indian heads of government," media said.
Questioning the performance of former prime minister Zia, the newspaper said the issues raised at a public rally should have been raised and debated in parliament that the opposition has been boycotting.
"Such obstructionist politics has constantly undermined the country," the editorial said.
Urging a 're-think' on the part of the opposition, the editorial said: "By threatening to go for an agitation on the streets, the former prime minister has deeply disappointed and embarrassed the country. The extent to which such a position can undermine democracy and push the country toward chaos can only be imagined"
High security for Dalai Lama's visit to Bodh Gaya
Patna: High security arrangements were put in place for the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to Bodh Gaya in Bihar where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Dalai Lama will spend a week in Bodh Gaya, starting on Jan 4. He will pray at the Mahabodhi temple, said Tenzing Lama of the Tibetan monastery at Bodh Gaya.
"A fool proof security will be in place for Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's visit to Bodh Gaya as he faces serious threat to his life," an official said today.
Tenzing Lama said Dalai Lama will give a five-day programme of teachings at Bodh Gaya from Jan 5-9.
"Over 50,000 people from all over the world are expected to assemble at Bodh Gaya's Kalchakra Maidan to hear a discourse by the Dalai Lama," he said.
Thousands of Tibetans have already arrived in Bodh Gaya from all across India to attend Dalai Lama's meeting. A local police officer said Bodh Gaya has turned into a mini-Tibet with the huge gathering of Tibetans.
The 1,500-years-old holiest Buddhist shrine Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya, 110 km from here, is where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,550 years ago.
The Dalai Lama will spend a week in Bodh Gaya, starting on Jan 4. He will pray at the Mahabodhi temple, said Tenzing Lama of the Tibetan monastery at Bodh Gaya.
"A fool proof security will be in place for Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's visit to Bodh Gaya as he faces serious threat to his life," an official said today.
Tenzing Lama said Dalai Lama will give a five-day programme of teachings at Bodh Gaya from Jan 5-9.
"Over 50,000 people from all over the world are expected to assemble at Bodh Gaya's Kalchakra Maidan to hear a discourse by the Dalai Lama," he said.
Thousands of Tibetans have already arrived in Bodh Gaya from all across India to attend Dalai Lama's meeting. A local police officer said Bodh Gaya has turned into a mini-Tibet with the huge gathering of Tibetans.
The 1,500-years-old holiest Buddhist shrine Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya, 110 km from here, is where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,550 years ago.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra apologises to media
Noida: Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra today apologised to the media for asking a reporter to shut up when he was asked him if his film "3 Idiots" was lifted from Chetan Bhagat's book "Five Point Someone".
"I really think I'm silly (but) I was provoked (to react that way). But I shouldn't have done this. I saw myself on TV (later) and saw how I was shouting 'shut up! shut up!' like an animal. I told myself - 'what nonsensical behaviour'," Chopra told reporters here.
The producer lost his cool when he was asked whether 70 percent of the film, which has grossed over Rs.100 crore in the first four days, was taken from the book -- as claimed by Bhagat. Chopra got angry and demanded to know if the journalist had seen the movie and read the book.
The scribe said he had seen "3 Idiots" but had not read "Five Point Someone". This further angered Chopra, who got up and started shouting: "Then you shut up. When you have not read the book, then how can you say that the movie is 70 percent of the book?"
Chopra's reaction evoked anger among the reporters with many demanding that the filmmaker apologise. But he didn't -- until today.
Now Chopra says that he doesn't want to meet Bhagat "for the rest of my life because it's all being done with very bad intention".
He went on: "Do you know the man (Bhagat), apart from signing the contract, took his money. I (even) paid him (the) bonus before the movie (was) released. That man is not saying it now. Actually the bonus I was supposed to pay him after the film was released has been paid to him."
"He took the money and now the money is in the bank. Look how it was all manipulated. He started it all when I left Mumbai," said Chopra.
But Bhagat is adamant that he has not been given due credit for the storyline and that most of the sequences in the film have been lifted from his bestseller.
"I really think I'm silly (but) I was provoked (to react that way). But I shouldn't have done this. I saw myself on TV (later) and saw how I was shouting 'shut up! shut up!' like an animal. I told myself - 'what nonsensical behaviour'," Chopra told reporters here.
The producer lost his cool when he was asked whether 70 percent of the film, which has grossed over Rs.100 crore in the first four days, was taken from the book -- as claimed by Bhagat. Chopra got angry and demanded to know if the journalist had seen the movie and read the book.
The scribe said he had seen "3 Idiots" but had not read "Five Point Someone". This further angered Chopra, who got up and started shouting: "Then you shut up. When you have not read the book, then how can you say that the movie is 70 percent of the book?"
Chopra's reaction evoked anger among the reporters with many demanding that the filmmaker apologise. But he didn't -- until today.
Now Chopra says that he doesn't want to meet Bhagat "for the rest of my life because it's all being done with very bad intention".
He went on: "Do you know the man (Bhagat), apart from signing the contract, took his money. I (even) paid him (the) bonus before the movie (was) released. That man is not saying it now. Actually the bonus I was supposed to pay him after the film was released has been paid to him."
"He took the money and now the money is in the bank. Look how it was all manipulated. He started it all when I left Mumbai," said Chopra.
But Bhagat is adamant that he has not been given due credit for the storyline and that most of the sequences in the film have been lifted from his bestseller.
Movie merchandising prospers via TV
New Delhi: Movie merchandising in India through TV moved a step forward when Rajkumar Hirani's "3 Idiots" tied up with shopping channel HomeShop18 to sell specially designed Converse shoes by lead actor Aamir Khan on a show called "Converse 3 Idiots collection".
"Every youngster today gets inspired by what their favourite actors are wearing in the movies. They also want to make their own style statement by sporting the same. We have always been offering our consumers the best in fashion; therefore this time we have got merchandise from one of the most awaited movies of the year," said Sundeep Malhotra, CEO, HomeShop18.
"3 Idiots" is the fourth Bollywood movie after "Love Story 2050", "Drona" and "Roadside Romeo" that has made its merchandise available through the channel, apart from using the traditional method of selling through shops.
"Keeping in mind that we are relatively new entrants in the business, all the three movies have done well for us. But in terms of sales, 'Love Story 2050' did five times more than the other two movies," Malhotra told media.
"We could have done better if the films had done well."
Movie merchandising through television shopping channel is getting good response in small towns. "Through our channel, the merchandise is available in over 2,750 cities across India. Through physical retail, the merchandise can only reach the metros."
"We have witnessed orders for these products pouring in immediately after the release of the movie, from both metros and mini metros. We are very positive to engage in movie merchandising," said Malhotra.
Rafiq Gangjee, vice president (marketing and communications) of Yash Raj Films, feels movie merchandising is in its nascent stage in India.
"Movie merchandising will need a while to become a major contributor towards revenue generation. We are all still discovering its true potential and we would need to appropriately develop this as and when a film provides an opportunity."
"It's not often that a 'Star Wars' is made," he said.
Before "Star Wars" hit the screens, a wide range of merchandise including video games, toys, collectibles, books, comics, and magazines were available and fans lapped them up.
In India, movie merchandising made a modest beginning with the 'Friend' cap from "Maine Pyar Kiya" in 1989. Even after decades very few filmmakers tried to tap it through movies like "Kya Kool Hai Hum", "Krrish", "Ta Ra Rum Pum", "Bhootnath", "Tashan" and others.
Gangjee says the merchandise should depend on the genre and target audience.
"We did do some base level merchandising for 'Dhoom 2', 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' and 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'. We felt that the costumes worn by the stars would have the greatest appeal amongst the target audience and hence developed a line of fashion garments.
"On the other hand, 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' had a tremendous appeal for kids in addition to the family audience. Therefore it had additional potential for merchandising which lent itself quite nicely to a toy and stationery line that was targeted at kids," Gangjee said.
Kids make soft targets for movie merchandise, said Malhotra.
"Movie merchandising products generally appeal to children. It is therefore the kids that we target. In fact, selling merchandise from movies helps us further increase our popularity among kids," he said.
"Every youngster today gets inspired by what their favourite actors are wearing in the movies. They also want to make their own style statement by sporting the same. We have always been offering our consumers the best in fashion; therefore this time we have got merchandise from one of the most awaited movies of the year," said Sundeep Malhotra, CEO, HomeShop18.
"3 Idiots" is the fourth Bollywood movie after "Love Story 2050", "Drona" and "Roadside Romeo" that has made its merchandise available through the channel, apart from using the traditional method of selling through shops.
"Keeping in mind that we are relatively new entrants in the business, all the three movies have done well for us. But in terms of sales, 'Love Story 2050' did five times more than the other two movies," Malhotra told media.
"We could have done better if the films had done well."
Movie merchandising through television shopping channel is getting good response in small towns. "Through our channel, the merchandise is available in over 2,750 cities across India. Through physical retail, the merchandise can only reach the metros."
"We have witnessed orders for these products pouring in immediately after the release of the movie, from both metros and mini metros. We are very positive to engage in movie merchandising," said Malhotra.
Rafiq Gangjee, vice president (marketing and communications) of Yash Raj Films, feels movie merchandising is in its nascent stage in India.
"Movie merchandising will need a while to become a major contributor towards revenue generation. We are all still discovering its true potential and we would need to appropriately develop this as and when a film provides an opportunity."
"It's not often that a 'Star Wars' is made," he said.
Before "Star Wars" hit the screens, a wide range of merchandise including video games, toys, collectibles, books, comics, and magazines were available and fans lapped them up.
In India, movie merchandising made a modest beginning with the 'Friend' cap from "Maine Pyar Kiya" in 1989. Even after decades very few filmmakers tried to tap it through movies like "Kya Kool Hai Hum", "Krrish", "Ta Ra Rum Pum", "Bhootnath", "Tashan" and others.
Gangjee says the merchandise should depend on the genre and target audience.
"We did do some base level merchandising for 'Dhoom 2', 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' and 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'. We felt that the costumes worn by the stars would have the greatest appeal amongst the target audience and hence developed a line of fashion garments.
"On the other hand, 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' had a tremendous appeal for kids in addition to the family audience. Therefore it had additional potential for merchandising which lent itself quite nicely to a toy and stationery line that was targeted at kids," Gangjee said.
Kids make soft targets for movie merchandise, said Malhotra.
"Movie merchandising products generally appeal to children. It is therefore the kids that we target. In fact, selling merchandise from movies helps us further increase our popularity among kids," he said.
Bollywood inspires new Indo-French opera
New Delhi: Bollywood is the inspiration for the Neemrana Music Foundation's latest crossover venture - a three-act Indo-French classical opera, "If I Were King", by 19th century French composer Adolphe Adam. The opera is set in Goa.
"I have borrowed styles, dances and costumes from Bollywood movies for my opera which also features three traditional Indian musicians and a choir from the Neemrana Music Foundation. In the second act of the opera, the actors dressed in colourful Bollywood attires dance a fusion of ballet and Bollywood to the beats of Indian music played live on the stage. The opera has been styled like a Hindi movie with songs, dances, elaborate dialogues and action sequences modelled on 'Jodha-Akbar' and the Anil Kapoor starrer 'Nayak'," leading French opera singer and director of the musical Jean Francois Vinciguerra told media.
It will be staged at the Siri Fort auditorium on Jan 12, 14 and 15.
The year is 1510. The picturesque fishing town of Goa is fighting to keep the marauding Portuguese vessels off its coast. One day, young and impoverished fisherman Zephoris, who lived in a hut along the coast, rescues a maiden from drowning in the sea, Vinciguerra said, narrating the story of the musical.
Zephoris does not know that the damsel he has fished out of the churning waters is the daughter of the local king. When he realises that the young woman is none other than Princess Nemea, the daughter of king Mossoul, Zephoris is distraught. He cannot marry Nemea with whom he has fallen in love.
"King Mossoul comes to take his daughter. Seeing Zephoris' broken heart, the king agrees to give the young fisherman his throne and crown for a day so that Zephoris can live his dream of becoming a king - briefly," the director said.
"If I were king" is the Neemrana Music Foundation's fifth production and his first full-length directorial endeavour in this country, Vinciguerra said.
The opera has a cast of 160 which includes 35 musicians from the Promethee Orchestra in Paris and a choir of 80 Indian, French and Sri Lankan children. It also has 15 dancers from Sadhya, a dance company owned by Santosh Nair.
"The opera opens with 40 children who introduce the tale through a popular Goan fishing song," Vinciguerra said.
The soprano is Mumbai-born theatre actress-turned musician Aude Priya, who discovered her voice for opera while working in a play by Pirandello and has since performed across the world.
For director Vinciguerra, a talented soloist, India is not new. He performed a couple of months ago at the Neemrana Music Foundation's last production, "Love Quarrels in Opera".
"Indian audience is opening up to opera though it is a slow process," Vinciguerra said.
The 1967-born musician and opera director has trained at the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Paris with Michel Roux and has directed several popular musicals by Rossini and Jacques Offenbach, two of Europe's most widely known opera composers.
Classical French opera of the 19th century has a profound India connect, Vinciguerra said.
"Several of them are set in India probably because of the French colonisation of India in the 17th and the 18th century," he said.
French opera, one of the most important operatic traditions of Europe that began in the court of Louis XIV, has changed over the centuries. "It has picked up influences from across the world to become more universal and viewer-friendly even for non-European audiences," he added.
"I have borrowed styles, dances and costumes from Bollywood movies for my opera which also features three traditional Indian musicians and a choir from the Neemrana Music Foundation. In the second act of the opera, the actors dressed in colourful Bollywood attires dance a fusion of ballet and Bollywood to the beats of Indian music played live on the stage. The opera has been styled like a Hindi movie with songs, dances, elaborate dialogues and action sequences modelled on 'Jodha-Akbar' and the Anil Kapoor starrer 'Nayak'," leading French opera singer and director of the musical Jean Francois Vinciguerra told media.
It will be staged at the Siri Fort auditorium on Jan 12, 14 and 15.
The year is 1510. The picturesque fishing town of Goa is fighting to keep the marauding Portuguese vessels off its coast. One day, young and impoverished fisherman Zephoris, who lived in a hut along the coast, rescues a maiden from drowning in the sea, Vinciguerra said, narrating the story of the musical.
Zephoris does not know that the damsel he has fished out of the churning waters is the daughter of the local king. When he realises that the young woman is none other than Princess Nemea, the daughter of king Mossoul, Zephoris is distraught. He cannot marry Nemea with whom he has fallen in love.
"King Mossoul comes to take his daughter. Seeing Zephoris' broken heart, the king agrees to give the young fisherman his throne and crown for a day so that Zephoris can live his dream of becoming a king - briefly," the director said.
"If I were king" is the Neemrana Music Foundation's fifth production and his first full-length directorial endeavour in this country, Vinciguerra said.
The opera has a cast of 160 which includes 35 musicians from the Promethee Orchestra in Paris and a choir of 80 Indian, French and Sri Lankan children. It also has 15 dancers from Sadhya, a dance company owned by Santosh Nair.
"The opera opens with 40 children who introduce the tale through a popular Goan fishing song," Vinciguerra said.
The soprano is Mumbai-born theatre actress-turned musician Aude Priya, who discovered her voice for opera while working in a play by Pirandello and has since performed across the world.
For director Vinciguerra, a talented soloist, India is not new. He performed a couple of months ago at the Neemrana Music Foundation's last production, "Love Quarrels in Opera".
"Indian audience is opening up to opera though it is a slow process," Vinciguerra said.
The 1967-born musician and opera director has trained at the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Paris with Michel Roux and has directed several popular musicals by Rossini and Jacques Offenbach, two of Europe's most widely known opera composers.
Classical French opera of the 19th century has a profound India connect, Vinciguerra said.
"Several of them are set in India probably because of the French colonisation of India in the 17th and the 18th century," he said.
French opera, one of the most important operatic traditions of Europe that began in the court of Louis XIV, has changed over the centuries. "It has picked up influences from across the world to become more universal and viewer-friendly even for non-European audiences," he added.
Nepali filmmaker is in love with Sikkim
Kathmandu: On New Year's Day a sudden protest called by ethnic groups paralysed Nepal but failed to deter filmmaker Shovit Basnet from reaching his office and working on his new project for yet another film on Sikkim where thousands of Nepalis and people of Nepali origin live.
The 38-year-old filmmaker, with two new releases in the pipeline, has already started working on the next two projects, one of which will be shot in Sikkim. While the Indian film industry is discovering exotic and picturesque locations in Nepal, Basnet is discovering idyllic spots in the northeast Indian state, once a Himalayan kingdom and home to the third highest peak in the world, Mount Kangchenjunga.
One of the films he made last year made news in both Nepal and India because of the Sikkim factor.
"Mission Love in Sikkim", a love story combining crime and a moral, premiered in Denzong cinema in Sikkimese capital Gangtok and is still running in Kalimpong, West Bengal.
"I wanted to do something new," Basnet, who is now on to his 17th film, told the media. "I was looking for untapped locations and talent and both come together in 'Mission Love in Sikkim'."
Almost 90 percent of the film was shot in Sikkim, chronicling the pursuit of a robber - who robs a bank in Nepal - by a Nepali police officer, who bags her quarry in Sikkim and then brings him back to Nepal for justice.
The two main protagonists - the policewoman and the fugitive - are played by Sikkim-based actors. A host of minor characters have also been played by actors based there.
Sikkim's Rushma Rai, who has earlier played a minor role in Nepali film "Shahid Gate", and debutant Sikkim boy Kunal Sundas were selected after an audition in Gangtok. The experiment, Basnet says, enabled him to make the film on a shoe-string budget of about three million Nepali rupees.
The low investment has yielded rich dividends. "Mission Love in Sikkim" has been exempted from entertainment tax by the Pawan Kumar Chamling government of Sikkim for projecting the state and giving a boost to tourism.
"It means almost a 65 percent savings on taxes," Basnet says.
Though there have been other Nepali films shot in Sikkim, "Mission Love..." clicked with the Indian authorities, Basnet feels, probably because of the retention of the name of the state in the film title.
Now he is planning to make a new film in Sikkim after he completes "Raj", a saga involving an army commando.
Shooting in Sikkim, Basnet says, was an overwhelming experience. "Sikkim has more Nepali-ness than Nepal," he says. "In Nepal, when we meet Indians, we tend to speak in Hindi. But in Sikkim, they speak Nepali.
"Also, in Nepal, we wear western clothes. In Sikkim, you will see more people wearing the traditional Nepali daura-suruwal (long shirt and loose trousers) and the Nepali cap.
The 38-year-old filmmaker, with two new releases in the pipeline, has already started working on the next two projects, one of which will be shot in Sikkim. While the Indian film industry is discovering exotic and picturesque locations in Nepal, Basnet is discovering idyllic spots in the northeast Indian state, once a Himalayan kingdom and home to the third highest peak in the world, Mount Kangchenjunga.
One of the films he made last year made news in both Nepal and India because of the Sikkim factor.
"Mission Love in Sikkim", a love story combining crime and a moral, premiered in Denzong cinema in Sikkimese capital Gangtok and is still running in Kalimpong, West Bengal.
"I wanted to do something new," Basnet, who is now on to his 17th film, told the media. "I was looking for untapped locations and talent and both come together in 'Mission Love in Sikkim'."
Almost 90 percent of the film was shot in Sikkim, chronicling the pursuit of a robber - who robs a bank in Nepal - by a Nepali police officer, who bags her quarry in Sikkim and then brings him back to Nepal for justice.
The two main protagonists - the policewoman and the fugitive - are played by Sikkim-based actors. A host of minor characters have also been played by actors based there.
Sikkim's Rushma Rai, who has earlier played a minor role in Nepali film "Shahid Gate", and debutant Sikkim boy Kunal Sundas were selected after an audition in Gangtok. The experiment, Basnet says, enabled him to make the film on a shoe-string budget of about three million Nepali rupees.
The low investment has yielded rich dividends. "Mission Love in Sikkim" has been exempted from entertainment tax by the Pawan Kumar Chamling government of Sikkim for projecting the state and giving a boost to tourism.
"It means almost a 65 percent savings on taxes," Basnet says.
Though there have been other Nepali films shot in Sikkim, "Mission Love..." clicked with the Indian authorities, Basnet feels, probably because of the retention of the name of the state in the film title.
Now he is planning to make a new film in Sikkim after he completes "Raj", a saga involving an army commando.
Shooting in Sikkim, Basnet says, was an overwhelming experience. "Sikkim has more Nepali-ness than Nepal," he says. "In Nepal, when we meet Indians, we tend to speak in Hindi. But in Sikkim, they speak Nepali.
"Also, in Nepal, we wear western clothes. In Sikkim, you will see more people wearing the traditional Nepali daura-suruwal (long shirt and loose trousers) and the Nepali cap.
Trains collide in dense fog in Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh saw two train collisions early Saturday as dense fog enveloped most parts of north India. While five people were injured when two trains collided in Kanpur district, no casualties were reported in the accident in Etawah district, officials said. The Gorakhdham Express and Prayagraj Express collided near the Panki railway station in Kanpur, some 90 km from here.
"We have learnt that at least five people have been injured in the accident," said an official of the government railway police.
In the second accident of the morning, two passenger trains - the Lichchavi Express and Magadh Express - collided near Sarai Bhupat railway station in Etawah, some 300 km from here.
"It is yet to be ascertained whether the accident caused any casualty," a railway police official told media.
"It appears that the collision took place due to heavy fog," he said.
"The driver of the Lichchavi Express is trapped in the cabin and efforts are on to rescue him," said A.K. Singh, government railway police inspector at Etawah.
Senior railway officials have rushed to the spot along with district authorities for rescue operations.
"We have learnt that at least five people have been injured in the accident," said an official of the government railway police.
In the second accident of the morning, two passenger trains - the Lichchavi Express and Magadh Express - collided near Sarai Bhupat railway station in Etawah, some 300 km from here.
"It is yet to be ascertained whether the accident caused any casualty," a railway police official told media.
"It appears that the collision took place due to heavy fog," he said.
"The driver of the Lichchavi Express is trapped in the cabin and efforts are on to rescue him," said A.K. Singh, government railway police inspector at Etawah.
Senior railway officials have rushed to the spot along with district authorities for rescue operations.
Congress serves notice to Andhra minister over anti-Rosaiah remarks
Hyderabad: The Congress on Friday issued notice to Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Information Technology K. Venkat Reddy for criticising Chief Minister K. Rosaiah over the Telangana issue.
Party general secretary Janardhan Diwedi issued the notice to the minister for "deliberately damaging the party's image" by making allegations against Rosaiah.
Party sources said Venkat Reddy has been given seven day time to reply to the notice.
Venkat Reddy, hailing from Telangana region, Thursday accused the chief minister of being partisan on the Telangana issue.
He criticised Rosaiah for claiming that industries were moving to other states because of the agitation in Telangana and that Maoists had infiltrated the movement.
The chief minister had complained to the central leadership against the minister.
Earlier, senior leaders of the Congress party from Telangana region warned Rosaiah that they would not keep quiet if any action was taken against Venkat Reddy.
"We will not keep quiet if any action is taken against Venkat Reddy. Four crore people of Telangana are behind him," said former minister and legislator R. Damodar Reddy.
He said by refusing to withdraw their resignations, Venkat Reddy and Minister for Higher Education Sridhar Babu had proved that Telangana was more important to them than their posts.
The remaining 11 ministers from the region Thursday withdrew their resignations, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by the central government to carve out Telangana state.
Refusing to take back his resignation, Venkat Reddy alleged that Rosaiah, who hails from Andhra region, was targeting the Telangana movement by linking it to fears among industrialists and the film industry. He also took objection to the chief minister's remark that Maoists had infiltrated the movement.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao also said he did not find anything objectionable in what Venkat Reddy said.
Keshava Rao criticised Rosaiah for not withdrawing cases against those participating in the Telangana movement despite the announcement by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9.
Keshava Rao said it was unbecoming of a chief minister to say that the state governor would take action on every issue. He pointed out that law and order is a state subject and reminded Rosaiah that the state is not under President's Rule.
Rosaiah has drawn flak from both the opposition and his own party members over E.S.L. Narasimhan, who took over as governor recently, reportedly holding review meetings on the law and order situation.
Another senior Congress leader from Telangana and former minister, Jana Reddy has criticised Rosaiah by terming as "false" his claims that industries were moving out to other states due to the Telangana agitation.
Party general secretary Janardhan Diwedi issued the notice to the minister for "deliberately damaging the party's image" by making allegations against Rosaiah.
Party sources said Venkat Reddy has been given seven day time to reply to the notice.
Venkat Reddy, hailing from Telangana region, Thursday accused the chief minister of being partisan on the Telangana issue.
He criticised Rosaiah for claiming that industries were moving to other states because of the agitation in Telangana and that Maoists had infiltrated the movement.
The chief minister had complained to the central leadership against the minister.
Earlier, senior leaders of the Congress party from Telangana region warned Rosaiah that they would not keep quiet if any action was taken against Venkat Reddy.
"We will not keep quiet if any action is taken against Venkat Reddy. Four crore people of Telangana are behind him," said former minister and legislator R. Damodar Reddy.
He said by refusing to withdraw their resignations, Venkat Reddy and Minister for Higher Education Sridhar Babu had proved that Telangana was more important to them than their posts.
The remaining 11 ministers from the region Thursday withdrew their resignations, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by the central government to carve out Telangana state.
Refusing to take back his resignation, Venkat Reddy alleged that Rosaiah, who hails from Andhra region, was targeting the Telangana movement by linking it to fears among industrialists and the film industry. He also took objection to the chief minister's remark that Maoists had infiltrated the movement.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao also said he did not find anything objectionable in what Venkat Reddy said.
Keshava Rao criticised Rosaiah for not withdrawing cases against those participating in the Telangana movement despite the announcement by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9.
Keshava Rao said it was unbecoming of a chief minister to say that the state governor would take action on every issue. He pointed out that law and order is a state subject and reminded Rosaiah that the state is not under President's Rule.
Rosaiah has drawn flak from both the opposition and his own party members over E.S.L. Narasimhan, who took over as governor recently, reportedly holding review meetings on the law and order situation.
Another senior Congress leader from Telangana and former minister, Jana Reddy has criticised Rosaiah by terming as "false" his claims that industries were moving out to other states due to the Telangana agitation.
Dense fog, technical snag paralyse Delhi airport operations
New Delhi: Dense fog coupled with technical snag in the instrument landing system today paralysed the flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here.
"All flight operations to and from Delhi have been affected following technical snag in the Runway Visual Range (RVR) instrument located on the main runway. Many international and domestic flights coming to Delhi have been diverted," said an airport official.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the visibility was less than 50 metres in the national capital.
"All flight operations to and from Delhi have been affected following technical snag in the Runway Visual Range (RVR) instrument located on the main runway. Many international and domestic flights coming to Delhi have been diverted," said an airport official.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the visibility was less than 50 metres in the national capital.
Ruchika case: Hooda assures early SIT probe
Chandigarh: A special police team asked to probe fresh charges against former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, will complete its work "as early as possible", Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said today.
"We have full sympathy with the family members of Ruchika. SIT's (Special Investigation Team) report is awaited. We will not spare the guilty," Hooda told reporters here.
The Haryana Police set up the SIT on Wednesday to probe fresh charges hurled at Rathore by Ruchika's brother Ashu, who accused the former police officer of driving his sister to suicide.
Rathore was Haryana's director general of police in 1999-2000.
"We have directed SIT to submit its report as early as possible to ensure speedy delivery of justice," said Hooda.
A Haryana court on Friday allowed Rathore bail till Jan 7 if he was arrested over the fresh charges.
On Dec 21, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh held Rathore guilty of molesting 15-year-old Ruchika on Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. Rathore was immediately granted bail.
Ruchika, a tennis player, committed suicide in 1993 unable to cope with the harassment of her family and alleged torture of her brother by the Haryana Police, which slapped false charges of car theft against him.
"We have full sympathy with the family members of Ruchika. SIT's (Special Investigation Team) report is awaited. We will not spare the guilty," Hooda told reporters here.
The Haryana Police set up the SIT on Wednesday to probe fresh charges hurled at Rathore by Ruchika's brother Ashu, who accused the former police officer of driving his sister to suicide.
Rathore was Haryana's director general of police in 1999-2000.
"We have directed SIT to submit its report as early as possible to ensure speedy delivery of justice," said Hooda.
A Haryana court on Friday allowed Rathore bail till Jan 7 if he was arrested over the fresh charges.
On Dec 21, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh held Rathore guilty of molesting 15-year-old Ruchika on Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. Rathore was immediately granted bail.
Ruchika, a tennis player, committed suicide in 1993 unable to cope with the harassment of her family and alleged torture of her brother by the Haryana Police, which slapped false charges of car theft against him.
Rosaiah warned against taking action on Telangana minister
Hyderabad: Senior leaders of the Congress party from Telangana region on Friday warned Chief Minister K. Rosaiah that they would not keep quiet if any action was taken against state minister K. Venkat Reddy, who has accused the chief minister of opposing the Telangana demand. Rosaiah has already complained to the party's central leadership against Venkat Reddy, the information technology minister, for alleging that he was acting in a partisan manner on the Telangana issue.
Former minister and legislator R. Damodar Reddy defended Venkat Reddy.
"We will not keep quiet if any action is taken against Venkat Reddy. Four crore people of Telangana are behind him," said Damodar Reddy, a key party figure fighting for statehood to Telangana region.
He criticised Rosaiah for claiming that industries were moving to other states because of the agitation in Telangana.
He said by refusing to withdraw their resignations, Venkat Reddy and Minister for Higher Education Sridhar Babu had proved that Telangana was more important for them than their posts.
The remaining 11 ministers from the region on Thursday withdrew their resignations, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by the central government to carve out Telangana state.
Refusing to take back his resignation, Venkat Reddy alleged that Rosaiah, who hails from Andhra region, was targeting the Telangana movement by linking it to fears among industrialists and the film industry. He also took objection to the chief minister's remark that Maoists had infiltrated the movement.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao also criticised Rosaiah for not taking action to withdraw cases against those participating in the Telangana movement despite the announcement by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9.
Keshava Rao said it was unbecoming of a chief minister to say that the state governor would take action on every issue. He pointed out that law and order is a state subject and reminded Rosaiah that the state is not under President's Rule.
Rosaiah has drawn flak from both the opposition and his own party members over E.S.L. Narasimhan, who took over as governor recently, reportedly holding review meetings on law and order situation.
Another senior Congress leader and former minister from Telangana, Jana Reddy has criticised Rosaiah by terming as "false" his claims that industries were moving out to other states due to the Telangana agitation.
Former minister and legislator R. Damodar Reddy defended Venkat Reddy.
"We will not keep quiet if any action is taken against Venkat Reddy. Four crore people of Telangana are behind him," said Damodar Reddy, a key party figure fighting for statehood to Telangana region.
He criticised Rosaiah for claiming that industries were moving to other states because of the agitation in Telangana.
He said by refusing to withdraw their resignations, Venkat Reddy and Minister for Higher Education Sridhar Babu had proved that Telangana was more important for them than their posts.
The remaining 11 ministers from the region on Thursday withdrew their resignations, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by the central government to carve out Telangana state.
Refusing to take back his resignation, Venkat Reddy alleged that Rosaiah, who hails from Andhra region, was targeting the Telangana movement by linking it to fears among industrialists and the film industry. He also took objection to the chief minister's remark that Maoists had infiltrated the movement.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao also criticised Rosaiah for not taking action to withdraw cases against those participating in the Telangana movement despite the announcement by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9.
Keshava Rao said it was unbecoming of a chief minister to say that the state governor would take action on every issue. He pointed out that law and order is a state subject and reminded Rosaiah that the state is not under President's Rule.
Rosaiah has drawn flak from both the opposition and his own party members over E.S.L. Narasimhan, who took over as governor recently, reportedly holding review meetings on law and order situation.
Another senior Congress leader and former minister from Telangana, Jana Reddy has criticised Rosaiah by terming as "false" his claims that industries were moving out to other states due to the Telangana agitation.
20100101
Chetan Bhagat is hungry for publicity: Aamir Khan
Noida: Actor Aamir Khan on Friday said author Chetan Bhagat was "hungry for publicity" and denied claims that the film "3 Idiots" was 70 percent based on Bhagat's bestseller "Five Point Someone". "Three months earlier he (Bhagat) was saying something else and now he is saying something else as the movie is a huge hit now," Aamir told reporters at a press conference at Big Cinemas here. "While we were shooting at IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Bangalore, Chetan had come to meet us. So when I told him that I haven't read your book, he replied that there was no need to do so as I have read the script and it is different from the book... So no need to read it," the actor said.
"Now he is telling everyone that our movie is 70 percent on the book. It all shows that we are being used, you (media) are being used. This clearly shows that he is hungry for publicity," Aamir said.
He added that Bhagat was trying to take away credit from Abhijat Joshi, the writer of the film that has grossed over Rs.100 crore in its first four days.
"Did you know about the writer before the movie was released?" he asked.
"Abhijat and Raju (director Rajkumar Hirani) have worked on this script for three years. Chetan is a big writer but Abhijat was the other guy who was working on the script. Full credit is given to him and he is not their (producers or directors) brother. But he deserved it," Aamir said.
"All Chetan is trying to do right now is taking away credit from these people who deserve it. Let's not encourage someone who is hungry for publicity," he added.
Directed by Hirani, "3 Idiots" stars Aamir, R.Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor.
Reliance BIG Entertainment, distributor of the film, released about 2,000 prints across 40 countries.
"Now he is telling everyone that our movie is 70 percent on the book. It all shows that we are being used, you (media) are being used. This clearly shows that he is hungry for publicity," Aamir said.
He added that Bhagat was trying to take away credit from Abhijat Joshi, the writer of the film that has grossed over Rs.100 crore in its first four days.
"Did you know about the writer before the movie was released?" he asked.
"Abhijat and Raju (director Rajkumar Hirani) have worked on this script for three years. Chetan is a big writer but Abhijat was the other guy who was working on the script. Full credit is given to him and he is not their (producers or directors) brother. But he deserved it," Aamir said.
"All Chetan is trying to do right now is taking away credit from these people who deserve it. Let's not encourage someone who is hungry for publicity," he added.
Directed by Hirani, "3 Idiots" stars Aamir, R.Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor.
Reliance BIG Entertainment, distributor of the film, released about 2,000 prints across 40 countries.
20091231
BJP questions delay in nod to prosecute Sajjan Kumar
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today questioned the time lag before the government gave the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the go ahead to prosecute Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage. "They (the Congress-led government) took a long time to give prosecution sanction," senior BJP leader V.K. Malhotra told media, a day after Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna's nod to prosecute the former Congress MP.
Malhotra said giving sanction to prosecute the accused alone did not mean that the victims got justice.
Whether the victims finally get justice can be evaluated "only after the prosecution", added the leader of opposition in the Delhi assembly.
Sajjan Kumar is accused of instigating mobs that went on the rampage killing Sikhs across Delhi in 1984 in the wake of the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The sanction was required as Kumar is a former MP. He has been charged under Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (spreading enmity between two communities).
According to a case registered against Sajjan Kumar in 1984, he and 10 others allegedly instigated riots in Sultanpuri area of north Delhi in which 49 people were killed, CBI officials said.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram had said in the Rajya Sabha recently that the CBI had completed investigation or re-investigation of seven cases against Congress leaders -- former Delhi MP Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and late Dharam Das Shastri, who was also an MP from Delhi.
After completing the investigation, the CBI sought permission under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) from the 'competent authority' to prosecute the accused people in four cases.
Malhotra said giving sanction to prosecute the accused alone did not mean that the victims got justice.
Whether the victims finally get justice can be evaluated "only after the prosecution", added the leader of opposition in the Delhi assembly.
Sajjan Kumar is accused of instigating mobs that went on the rampage killing Sikhs across Delhi in 1984 in the wake of the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The sanction was required as Kumar is a former MP. He has been charged under Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (spreading enmity between two communities).
According to a case registered against Sajjan Kumar in 1984, he and 10 others allegedly instigated riots in Sultanpuri area of north Delhi in which 49 people were killed, CBI officials said.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram had said in the Rajya Sabha recently that the CBI had completed investigation or re-investigation of seven cases against Congress leaders -- former Delhi MP Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and late Dharam Das Shastri, who was also an MP from Delhi.
After completing the investigation, the CBI sought permission under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) from the 'competent authority' to prosecute the accused people in four cases.
Bangladesh seeks greater trade ties to bridge deficit with India
Dhaka: Bangladesh has pitched for greater purchase of its goods by India to bridge the wide gap in bilateral trade ahead of the summit level talks this month in New Delhi.
President Zillur Rahman on Thursday mooted imports by India of readymade garments, jute and jute goods, leather and ceramic products while receiving credentials from new Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter, official Bangladesh news agency said.
"Both the countries would benefit in trade and commerce through effective implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area agreement," said the president.
Bangladesh's exports are less than $500 million compared to imports that exceed $2,500 million.
Mitter's accreditation has been quick in the midst of a flurry of diplomatic activity to prepare for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi.
The new Indian high commissioner said he would work to pave the way for Indo-Bangladesh joint investment here.
Five pacts covering a wide range of bilateral cooperation have been readied, including joint combating of militancy, border management and exchange of criminals.
Media reports here say there has been a high level of understanding between the two countries as Hasina and her Awami League share positive vibes with the Manmohan Singh government and the Congress party.
President Zillur Rahman on Thursday mooted imports by India of readymade garments, jute and jute goods, leather and ceramic products while receiving credentials from new Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter, official Bangladesh news agency said.
"Both the countries would benefit in trade and commerce through effective implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area agreement," said the president.
Bangladesh's exports are less than $500 million compared to imports that exceed $2,500 million.
Mitter's accreditation has been quick in the midst of a flurry of diplomatic activity to prepare for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi.
The new Indian high commissioner said he would work to pave the way for Indo-Bangladesh joint investment here.
Five pacts covering a wide range of bilateral cooperation have been readied, including joint combating of militancy, border management and exchange of criminals.
Media reports here say there has been a high level of understanding between the two countries as Hasina and her Awami League share positive vibes with the Manmohan Singh government and the Congress party.
Stepping into an 'Indian decade' of growth and uplift
New Delhi: Supported by a foundation of robust growth, India today stepped into the next decade of this millennium seeking not just to fulfil the aspirations of its billion-plus citizens but also assume its role as an emerging economy the world today looks at with respect and admiration.
The past year reinforced this hope and expectation when the Indian economy continued to register a relatively strong growth even as economies globally reeled under either a recession or a major slowdown -- described as the worst in eight decades.
"The world is in panic mode again - and some economists think India will come to the rescue yet again," said the media recalling the years since mid-1990s when the nation powered ahead despite a spate of crises elsewhere.
"What will distinguish India in the decade that begins on Friday is its ability to now look inward, to clean its government, to uplift more of its population, to foster the businesses and innovations," it said.
"That might just clinch more than the next decade - it could well pave the way for an Indian century."
Every bit of statistics has its own larger story to tell about the country's progress during the last decade, with aberrations, if any, restricted to the past year -- when again, the performance was far better than many economies.
Little wonder Prime Minister Manmohan Singh often quotes French thinker and litterateur Victor Hugo when he wants to reflect on how he views India's future: "No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come."
In fact, in his New Year message, the prime minister said: "As we welcome the dawn of a new decade we should build upon the achievements of the past in striving for the realization of our dreams."
In the past decade, India's economic growth has accelerated to over nine percent, foreign exchange reserves top $280 billion, it is the largest recipient of inward remittances and 12-15 million new phone connections are added to the network each month.
This apart, merchandise exports have risen four-fold to cross the $160-billion mark, foreign investment inflows amount to $20 billion annually and its IT industry caters to most of the Fortune 500 companies, earning $50 billion from exports.
Likewise, the country's stock markets rank among the best performers, foreign funds have pumped $72.61 billion into the equities market and the corporate sector has made some global acquisitions where the size of the target company has been many times larger than the acquirer.
"From 2010, India will enter a new orbit of swifter growth, global innovation," said Manoj Kohli, chief executive and joint managing director of Bharti Airtel, which was among the companies that scripted India's amazing telecom story.
But the road ahead is not without challenges - infrastructure remains rickety, poverty is a major scourge, literacy is yet to become universal, the healthcare system is wanting and a social security net ignores the larger sections of society.
"Both the government and industry will need to collaborate more intensively to sustain 8-9 percent growth this decade to enable 300 million people, primarily in rural areas and below the poverty line, to truly reap the fruits of growth," Kohli said.
The past year reinforced this hope and expectation when the Indian economy continued to register a relatively strong growth even as economies globally reeled under either a recession or a major slowdown -- described as the worst in eight decades.
"The world is in panic mode again - and some economists think India will come to the rescue yet again," said the media recalling the years since mid-1990s when the nation powered ahead despite a spate of crises elsewhere.
"What will distinguish India in the decade that begins on Friday is its ability to now look inward, to clean its government, to uplift more of its population, to foster the businesses and innovations," it said.
"That might just clinch more than the next decade - it could well pave the way for an Indian century."
Every bit of statistics has its own larger story to tell about the country's progress during the last decade, with aberrations, if any, restricted to the past year -- when again, the performance was far better than many economies.
Little wonder Prime Minister Manmohan Singh often quotes French thinker and litterateur Victor Hugo when he wants to reflect on how he views India's future: "No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come."
In fact, in his New Year message, the prime minister said: "As we welcome the dawn of a new decade we should build upon the achievements of the past in striving for the realization of our dreams."
In the past decade, India's economic growth has accelerated to over nine percent, foreign exchange reserves top $280 billion, it is the largest recipient of inward remittances and 12-15 million new phone connections are added to the network each month.
This apart, merchandise exports have risen four-fold to cross the $160-billion mark, foreign investment inflows amount to $20 billion annually and its IT industry caters to most of the Fortune 500 companies, earning $50 billion from exports.
Likewise, the country's stock markets rank among the best performers, foreign funds have pumped $72.61 billion into the equities market and the corporate sector has made some global acquisitions where the size of the target company has been many times larger than the acquirer.
"From 2010, India will enter a new orbit of swifter growth, global innovation," said Manoj Kohli, chief executive and joint managing director of Bharti Airtel, which was among the companies that scripted India's amazing telecom story.
But the road ahead is not without challenges - infrastructure remains rickety, poverty is a major scourge, literacy is yet to become universal, the healthcare system is wanting and a social security net ignores the larger sections of society.
"Both the government and industry will need to collaborate more intensively to sustain 8-9 percent growth this decade to enable 300 million people, primarily in rural areas and below the poverty line, to truly reap the fruits of growth," Kohli said.
Meeting with Krishna 'excellent', Tharoor tweets
New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor tweeted again today describing the meeting with his boss S.M. Krishna on Wednesday as "excellent".
"Excellent mtg (meeting) w (with) EAM (External Affairs Minister S.M.) Krishna on wide range of fp (foreign policy) issues," he said on his twitter account.
Tharoor requested the meeting after controversy over his opposition to the stricter visa guidelines in his Twitter posts last week.
After the Wednesday meeting, Krishna told reporters that "everyone will have to fall on the same page" once the visa policy is formulated.
The ministry of home affairs introduced new visa guidelines on Nov 4 that envisage a mandatory two-month cooling off period between two visits by a foreigner coming on long-term Indian tourist visa to India.
New entry regulations were introduced in the wake of disclosures on the abuse of tourist visas by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack suspect David Coleman Headley, an American of Pakistani origin.
"Excellent mtg (meeting) w (with) EAM (External Affairs Minister S.M.) Krishna on wide range of fp (foreign policy) issues," he said on his twitter account.
Tharoor requested the meeting after controversy over his opposition to the stricter visa guidelines in his Twitter posts last week.
After the Wednesday meeting, Krishna told reporters that "everyone will have to fall on the same page" once the visa policy is formulated.
The ministry of home affairs introduced new visa guidelines on Nov 4 that envisage a mandatory two-month cooling off period between two visits by a foreigner coming on long-term Indian tourist visa to India.
New entry regulations were introduced in the wake of disclosures on the abuse of tourist visas by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack suspect David Coleman Headley, an American of Pakistani origin.
Rathore in deep trouble, Ruchika's brother files fresh charge
Panchkula/New Delhi: Disgraced former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore, convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, today landed in deep trouble as her brother emerged from the shadows after 16 long years and filed a fresh case accusing the cop of abetting her suicide.
The dramatic development, accompanied by brother Ashu's first meeting with the media, came shortly after Home Minister P. Chidambaram said he was "very unhappy" with the way the case had been handled and with the six-month jail given to Rathore.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Chidambaram made no effort to hide where his sympathies lay in the case that has caught widespread attention over what many perceive as brazen police high-handedness.
"I am unhappy with the way charges have been framed, the trial has been conducted and the accused (Rathore) punished. I am very unhappy," the minister said. "I will look into what the central government can do in this case."
Chidambaram spoke frankly, a day after he met Ruchika's distraught father S.C. Girhotra, who wants Rathore to face the gallows for driving his daughter to suicide.
A budding tennis player, Ruchika was 15-years-old when Rathore, then an Inspector General of Police, molested her. After she filed a complaint, she was thrown out of her school while her brother was falsely accused of stealing cars.
Hurt and humiliated, Ruchika killed herself in 1993. After that, the family virtually fled Haryana to escape Rathore.
Today, a shaken Ashu, 32, told journalists that Rathore was present when the police tortured him. He accused the former Haryana police chief of driving his sister to suicide.
"The police did third degree torture on me," he said in Hindi. "Rathore used to come and watch the torture."
As media persons asked him for details, Ashu's wife objected saying that he was not in a mental condition to reveal those details.
"My demand is that Rathore should be arrested and put behind bars," Ashu added.
Meanwhile, a sessions court in Panchkula in Haryana turned down a plea by Rathore's wife and counsel, Abha Rathore, seeking interim bail for him.
The dead girl's family and many others feel that Rathore was handed a paltry six-month jail term and a penalty of Rs.1,000 because he was charged only with molestation and not with abetment to suicide.
Rathore, who won bail quickly, now faces possible arrest.
Ashu was accompanied by his father as well as Anand Prakash, father of Ruchika's friend Aradhana, who fought the case against Rathore in the last 19 years, when he went to file the fresh charge in Panchkula.
"We have filed a fresh complaint with the police seeking registration of a case of abetment of suicide against Rathore and others. The complainant is Ashu," family lawyer Pankaj Bhardwaj said.
"Rathore has been booked under non-bailable sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). Why are the police delaying his arrest?" the lawyer asked.
In a related development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said it would seek enhanced punishment for Rathore.
"It was felt that six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000 is far from adequate, specially when the court in its judgment concluded that the offence has been proved. After consulting the ministry of home affairs and the law ministry, it has been decided to file an appeal in the competent court for enhancement of sentence to Rathore," CBI spokesman Harsh Bhal said in New Delhi.
About charges of abetment to suicide against Rathore, the spokesman said: "The advice of the Solicitor General of India will also be taken."
The dramatic development, accompanied by brother Ashu's first meeting with the media, came shortly after Home Minister P. Chidambaram said he was "very unhappy" with the way the case had been handled and with the six-month jail given to Rathore.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Chidambaram made no effort to hide where his sympathies lay in the case that has caught widespread attention over what many perceive as brazen police high-handedness.
"I am unhappy with the way charges have been framed, the trial has been conducted and the accused (Rathore) punished. I am very unhappy," the minister said. "I will look into what the central government can do in this case."
Chidambaram spoke frankly, a day after he met Ruchika's distraught father S.C. Girhotra, who wants Rathore to face the gallows for driving his daughter to suicide.
A budding tennis player, Ruchika was 15-years-old when Rathore, then an Inspector General of Police, molested her. After she filed a complaint, she was thrown out of her school while her brother was falsely accused of stealing cars.
Hurt and humiliated, Ruchika killed herself in 1993. After that, the family virtually fled Haryana to escape Rathore.
Today, a shaken Ashu, 32, told journalists that Rathore was present when the police tortured him. He accused the former Haryana police chief of driving his sister to suicide.
"The police did third degree torture on me," he said in Hindi. "Rathore used to come and watch the torture."
As media persons asked him for details, Ashu's wife objected saying that he was not in a mental condition to reveal those details.
"My demand is that Rathore should be arrested and put behind bars," Ashu added.
Meanwhile, a sessions court in Panchkula in Haryana turned down a plea by Rathore's wife and counsel, Abha Rathore, seeking interim bail for him.
The dead girl's family and many others feel that Rathore was handed a paltry six-month jail term and a penalty of Rs.1,000 because he was charged only with molestation and not with abetment to suicide.
Rathore, who won bail quickly, now faces possible arrest.
Ashu was accompanied by his father as well as Anand Prakash, father of Ruchika's friend Aradhana, who fought the case against Rathore in the last 19 years, when he went to file the fresh charge in Panchkula.
"We have filed a fresh complaint with the police seeking registration of a case of abetment of suicide against Rathore and others. The complainant is Ashu," family lawyer Pankaj Bhardwaj said.
"Rathore has been booked under non-bailable sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). Why are the police delaying his arrest?" the lawyer asked.
In a related development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said it would seek enhanced punishment for Rathore.
"It was felt that six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000 is far from adequate, specially when the court in its judgment concluded that the offence has been proved. After consulting the ministry of home affairs and the law ministry, it has been decided to file an appeal in the competent court for enhancement of sentence to Rathore," CBI spokesman Harsh Bhal said in New Delhi.
About charges of abetment to suicide against Rathore, the spokesman said: "The advice of the Solicitor General of India will also be taken."
5.5 magnitude earthquake rocks Assam, Bhutan
Guwahati: An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale rocked Assam and Bhutan today, triggering panic among the people. This is the second tremor to jolt the region in the past two days.
According to the Regional Seisomological Centre in Meghalaya's capital Shillong, the tremor was felt at 3.37 p.m. No casualties were reported yet.
The epicentre was located in Bhutan, 132 km northeast of Assam's main city of Guwahati and 108 km east of the Himalayan kingdom's capital Thimphu.
"The apartment where we stay was literally swaying for close to about 15 seconds. We rushed out of our home in panic," said Anamika Das, a housewife in Guwahati.
On Tuesday, an earthquake of 5.5 magnitude rocked Assam and other northeastern states, causing damages to properties and cracks in apartments and concrete structures in Guwahati.
Tuesday's epicentre was located along the India-Myanmar border, 105 km southeast of Manipur's capital Imphal.
Today's tremor is the seventh earthquake to have rocked the northeast since Aug 13, according to the Regional Seismological Centre.
The highest intensity tremor was on Sep 21 with a 6.3 magnitude in Assam and Bhutan.
There was extensive damage in Bhutan with 12 people killed and scores of buildings collapsing. Several apartments in Guwahati also developed cracks in the Sep 21 quake.
The seven Northeastern states - Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur - are considered by the seismologists as the sixth major earthquake-prone belt in the world.
The region experienced one of the worst earthquakes, measuring 8.7 on the Richter Scale in 1897, that claimed the lives of over 1,600 people.
According to the Regional Seisomological Centre in Meghalaya's capital Shillong, the tremor was felt at 3.37 p.m. No casualties were reported yet.
The epicentre was located in Bhutan, 132 km northeast of Assam's main city of Guwahati and 108 km east of the Himalayan kingdom's capital Thimphu.
"The apartment where we stay was literally swaying for close to about 15 seconds. We rushed out of our home in panic," said Anamika Das, a housewife in Guwahati.
On Tuesday, an earthquake of 5.5 magnitude rocked Assam and other northeastern states, causing damages to properties and cracks in apartments and concrete structures in Guwahati.
Tuesday's epicentre was located along the India-Myanmar border, 105 km southeast of Manipur's capital Imphal.
Today's tremor is the seventh earthquake to have rocked the northeast since Aug 13, according to the Regional Seismological Centre.
The highest intensity tremor was on Sep 21 with a 6.3 magnitude in Assam and Bhutan.
There was extensive damage in Bhutan with 12 people killed and scores of buildings collapsing. Several apartments in Guwahati also developed cracks in the Sep 21 quake.
The seven Northeastern states - Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur - are considered by the seismologists as the sixth major earthquake-prone belt in the world.
The region experienced one of the worst earthquakes, measuring 8.7 on the Richter Scale in 1897, that claimed the lives of over 1,600 people.
Bollywood actor Raghubir Yadav untraceable
Mumbai: Bollywood actor and theatre artiste Raghubir Yadav is untraceable, according to the city police, which has submitted a report to a local court stating they are not able to locate Yadav for the past two months.
The Bandra family court had on September 19 issued a warrant against the actor for failing to appear before the court despite summons sent to him.
The suburban Aarey police in suburban Goregaon visited the address mentioned on the warrant issued by the court but could not find Yadav there.
Yadav, who has acted in movies like Lagaan Delhi 6, Firaaq and Darna Mana Hai, was dragged to the court by his wife Purnima seeking maintenance.
"When a warrant is issued against someone, the police search only the address mentioned on the warrant," a senior police official said.
Purnima, however, claims that Yadav was shooting for a movie till last month in the city.
Yadav and Purnima tied the knot in 1988 but separated in 1996 after which she approached the family court alleging that Yadav does not pay her maintenance every month.
The Bandra family court had on September 19 issued a warrant against the actor for failing to appear before the court despite summons sent to him.
The suburban Aarey police in suburban Goregaon visited the address mentioned on the warrant issued by the court but could not find Yadav there.
Yadav, who has acted in movies like Lagaan Delhi 6, Firaaq and Darna Mana Hai, was dragged to the court by his wife Purnima seeking maintenance.
"When a warrant is issued against someone, the police search only the address mentioned on the warrant," a senior police official said.
Purnima, however, claims that Yadav was shooting for a movie till last month in the city.
Yadav and Purnima tied the knot in 1988 but separated in 1996 after which she approached the family court alleging that Yadav does not pay her maintenance every month.
20091230
Balakrishnan concerned over shortage of judges
Lucknow: Concerned over the long list of pending cases before the Allahabad High Court, Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan today said vacancies of posts of judges needed to be filled to dispose of pending case. "About half the sanctioned posts of judges are vacant in the Allahabad High Court alone. Only if these vacancies were filled up, the nine lakh-odd pending cases here could be disposed off within a reasonable time," Balakrishnan said. The chief justice was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony for a new state-of-art building for the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court at modern city's posh Gomti Nagar that will replace the existing building at Qaiserbagh.
He talked about the paucity of courts but observed that "despite the shortage, judges have been able to dispose off 70 percent cases within reasonable time".
"At least half of the remaining 30 percent cases were deliberately delayed at the behest of litigants," he lamented.
He said, "It is not the long list of cases that we are afraid of. Our worry is about the need for a better infrastructure, which we hope to achieve here once we have the new building in place."
Hoping that the new building will be completed well within time, Balakrishnani praised Lucknow's rich judicial heritage.
"I feel deeply privileged to be in Lucknow whose erstwhile court of Awadh was still remembered for its landmark judgements, that were still quoted by the legal fraternity all across the country."
Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad said, "A staggering 46,630 cases have been added to the pending list just in a year's time.
"In January 2009, the number was 911,858 and now it has gone up to 958,488."
Spread over a sprawling 40-acre plot, the new building will house 57 courts with 69 judge's chambers. Besides, it would have 512 lawyer's chambers, each with a capacity to accommodate six advocates.
A special wing will have chambers for advocate general and all government counsels. Separate facility would be made available to accommodate 2,240 typists and lawyers' assistants, besides a sitting room for drivers.
He talked about the paucity of courts but observed that "despite the shortage, judges have been able to dispose off 70 percent cases within reasonable time".
"At least half of the remaining 30 percent cases were deliberately delayed at the behest of litigants," he lamented.
He said, "It is not the long list of cases that we are afraid of. Our worry is about the need for a better infrastructure, which we hope to achieve here once we have the new building in place."
Hoping that the new building will be completed well within time, Balakrishnani praised Lucknow's rich judicial heritage.
"I feel deeply privileged to be in Lucknow whose erstwhile court of Awadh was still remembered for its landmark judgements, that were still quoted by the legal fraternity all across the country."
Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad said, "A staggering 46,630 cases have been added to the pending list just in a year's time.
"In January 2009, the number was 911,858 and now it has gone up to 958,488."
Spread over a sprawling 40-acre plot, the new building will house 57 courts with 69 judge's chambers. Besides, it would have 512 lawyer's chambers, each with a capacity to accommodate six advocates.
A special wing will have chambers for advocate general and all government counsels. Separate facility would be made available to accommodate 2,240 typists and lawyers' assistants, besides a sitting room for drivers.
Canada raises warning level for travellers to India
Ottawa: Canada has raised its warning level for travellers to India after violence over the Telangana statehood demand.
Urging its citizens travelling to India to exercise great caution "at all times", the Department of Foreign Affairs says: "Since early December, a number of protests and strikes have been taking place in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Several of these, in the vicinity of Osmania University in Hyderabad, turned violent.
"Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities."
It says Canadian travellers should also be vigilant on Republic Day on Jan 26 as militants have struck on these occasions in the past.
"Canadians residing or travelling in India are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, follow the advice of local authorities, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to increase their personal security," the advisory warns.
Referring to the terror attacks in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and later the Mumbai carnage in 2008, the advisory says: "The occurrence of more violent attacks is impossible to predict but the threat of terrorism remains high throughout India, including attacks targeting places frequented by foreign visitors and expatriates.
"Bombings and attacks are perpetrated on a regular basis by extremist groups in the state of Assam, and in the rural areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkland, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa."
Even before the violence over the Telangana demand broke out, the Canadian foreign affairs department maintained a strongly worded advisory about the situation in India.
The vast majority of Canadians who travel to India are of Indian origin.
Urging its citizens travelling to India to exercise great caution "at all times", the Department of Foreign Affairs says: "Since early December, a number of protests and strikes have been taking place in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Several of these, in the vicinity of Osmania University in Hyderabad, turned violent.
"Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities."
It says Canadian travellers should also be vigilant on Republic Day on Jan 26 as militants have struck on these occasions in the past.
"Canadians residing or travelling in India are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, follow the advice of local authorities, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to increase their personal security," the advisory warns.
Referring to the terror attacks in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and later the Mumbai carnage in 2008, the advisory says: "The occurrence of more violent attacks is impossible to predict but the threat of terrorism remains high throughout India, including attacks targeting places frequented by foreign visitors and expatriates.
"Bombings and attacks are perpetrated on a regular basis by extremist groups in the state of Assam, and in the rural areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkland, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa."
Even before the violence over the Telangana demand broke out, the Canadian foreign affairs department maintained a strongly worded advisory about the situation in India.
The vast majority of Canadians who travel to India are of Indian origin.
Hunger drove me to the gun: Pakistani militant
Jammu: Pakistani national Tanveer Ahmad, 22, is tough, but now he's willing to talk. He speaks of how in a bid to earn a living, he was lured into militancy, indoctrinated in camps, pushed into India - only to find himself in custody of Indian security forces.
Tanveer is an uneducated youth belonging to a poor family in Manshera in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan- administered Kashmir. He was caught by the Indian Army on Nov 15 while attempting to cross over into the Indian side from the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector.
Tanveer told his interrogators that he was being nagged by his parents to work and start earning. He began working as a cook in a roadside restaurant in his native village.
"But cost of living in Pakistan is so high that I was unable to sustain myself with the money I got from my work," he told his interrogators.
"Mental harassment and torture forced me to join militancy to make easy money," revealed Tanveer during his interrogation.
He said that a local cadre of the Al-Badr militant outfit "who used to misguide local youth to join militancy" recruited him into the outfit. He said that after recruitment the youths were sent to "an unknown destination in forests nearby". He said that the camps "have minimal infrastructure and are invariably part of a town or a village".
For the first four months he worked as a cook in the camp and then his weapon training started. That lasted for seven months.
"The training was very tough. It used to start at 2.30 a.m. and last till 6 p.m., with no breaks and nothing to eat in between," he told the interrogators.
Three months after the training he along with another youth was sent to a "launch pad" near the LoC in Poonch district to infiltrate into the Indian side.
Army sources told the media that these two moved close to the fence erected by India when their movement was picked by night vision devices. "But we lost contact due to poor visibility and they kept hiding in the forests," a source said.
After three days in hiding one of them moved to a nearby village in search of food. "Tanveer kept hiding in the forest surviving on leaves and water for 15 days," an officer said.
He was found unconscious by an army patrol while his colleague was killed by security forces.
Now Tanveer faces a trial. He is unable to visualise his future, the officials say.
Tanveer is an uneducated youth belonging to a poor family in Manshera in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan- administered Kashmir. He was caught by the Indian Army on Nov 15 while attempting to cross over into the Indian side from the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector.
Tanveer told his interrogators that he was being nagged by his parents to work and start earning. He began working as a cook in a roadside restaurant in his native village.
"But cost of living in Pakistan is so high that I was unable to sustain myself with the money I got from my work," he told his interrogators.
"Mental harassment and torture forced me to join militancy to make easy money," revealed Tanveer during his interrogation.
He said that a local cadre of the Al-Badr militant outfit "who used to misguide local youth to join militancy" recruited him into the outfit. He said that after recruitment the youths were sent to "an unknown destination in forests nearby". He said that the camps "have minimal infrastructure and are invariably part of a town or a village".
For the first four months he worked as a cook in the camp and then his weapon training started. That lasted for seven months.
"The training was very tough. It used to start at 2.30 a.m. and last till 6 p.m., with no breaks and nothing to eat in between," he told the interrogators.
Three months after the training he along with another youth was sent to a "launch pad" near the LoC in Poonch district to infiltrate into the Indian side.
Army sources told the media that these two moved close to the fence erected by India when their movement was picked by night vision devices. "But we lost contact due to poor visibility and they kept hiding in the forests," a source said.
After three days in hiding one of them moved to a nearby village in search of food. "Tanveer kept hiding in the forest surviving on leaves and water for 15 days," an officer said.
He was found unconscious by an army patrol while his colleague was killed by security forces.
Now Tanveer faces a trial. He is unable to visualise his future, the officials say.
CPI favours consensus on formation of Telangana
Bangalore: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has favoured formation of Telangana as a separate state but only after evolving a consensus among the people and other political parties in Andhra Pradesh.
"We support Telangana as a separate state. But the process should be taken up after forging a consensus through wider consultation with the people of the state and various political parties in the undivided state," CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan told reporters here.
In a resolution on the contentious demand, the party's national council urged the central government to hold an all-party meeting soon on forming a separate Telangana state to end the political crisis paralyzing Andhra Pradesh.
"The Congress is trying to claim exclusive credit for creating Telangana and score over other parties to short circuit the entire process," Bardhan said.
Castigating the hasty midnight announcement made by Union Home minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9, the party said the coalition partners in the United Progressive Alliance government were not even consulted on such a major event that divided the people of across the state, comprising the Telangana, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
"The Congress leaders in both regions of the state are engaged in whipping sentiments for and against the formation of Telangana. Its leadership should stop this game by controlling and disciplining its own members," Bardhan pointed out.
Opposing the move to constitute a second reorganisation commission, the party said such an attempt would open a Pandora's box and encourage elements in all states to engage in the campaign for splitting up their states further.
"Such an exercise will divert the people's attention from other pressing issues such as price rise, food security and job loss. The Congress should prevail upon its Andhra Pradesh unit to move a resolution in the legislative assembly for a peaceful formation of Telangana," Bardhan said citing the resolution.
"We support Telangana as a separate state. But the process should be taken up after forging a consensus through wider consultation with the people of the state and various political parties in the undivided state," CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan told reporters here.
In a resolution on the contentious demand, the party's national council urged the central government to hold an all-party meeting soon on forming a separate Telangana state to end the political crisis paralyzing Andhra Pradesh.
"The Congress is trying to claim exclusive credit for creating Telangana and score over other parties to short circuit the entire process," Bardhan said.
Castigating the hasty midnight announcement made by Union Home minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9, the party said the coalition partners in the United Progressive Alliance government were not even consulted on such a major event that divided the people of across the state, comprising the Telangana, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
"The Congress leaders in both regions of the state are engaged in whipping sentiments for and against the formation of Telangana. Its leadership should stop this game by controlling and disciplining its own members," Bardhan pointed out.
Opposing the move to constitute a second reorganisation commission, the party said such an attempt would open a Pandora's box and encourage elements in all states to engage in the campaign for splitting up their states further.
"Such an exercise will divert the people's attention from other pressing issues such as price rise, food security and job loss. The Congress should prevail upon its Andhra Pradesh unit to move a resolution in the legislative assembly for a peaceful formation of Telangana," Bardhan said citing the resolution.
Stern action against employees delaying trains: Mamata
Kolkata: Alleging that some sections of railway employees were intentionally delaying passenger trains, Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee today issued a stern warning saying she would never compromise with passenger amenities and security.
"A few railways employees, who are members of a union opposed to us, are deliberately delaying passenger trains. They are being naughty. I appeal to them not to do so," Banerjee said, while flagging off half a dozen trains from Howrah station, the gateway to the city.
Asking the top officials of the South Eastern Railway and Eastern Railway to take caution, she urged them to take up the matter with the unions and isolate the "10-12" mischief mongers.
Banerjee said she had been told that these employees slowly move trains to and from the carshed to delay their departure times.
"As a first step, I am appealing to them. If this does not yield the desired results, then I shall see. Our top priority is passenger security. I cannot compromise with passenger security and amenity," she said.
Banerjee said if a passenger train is delayed, then the department as also the railway employees earn a bad name.
"It is the duty of the railways to extend cooperation to all the passengers. If that is not done, then passengers will not avail of the railways. And the railways' business will suffer," she said.
Banerjee said it was the right of every railway employee to support the union of his choice, irrespective of its hue.
"I don't discriminate between unions or employees because of their political colour. I maintain good relations with both affiliated unions. I consider myself a railway worker. And I hope everybody will work together to serve the people," she added.
"A few railways employees, who are members of a union opposed to us, are deliberately delaying passenger trains. They are being naughty. I appeal to them not to do so," Banerjee said, while flagging off half a dozen trains from Howrah station, the gateway to the city.
Asking the top officials of the South Eastern Railway and Eastern Railway to take caution, she urged them to take up the matter with the unions and isolate the "10-12" mischief mongers.
Banerjee said she had been told that these employees slowly move trains to and from the carshed to delay their departure times.
"As a first step, I am appealing to them. If this does not yield the desired results, then I shall see. Our top priority is passenger security. I cannot compromise with passenger security and amenity," she said.
Banerjee said if a passenger train is delayed, then the department as also the railway employees earn a bad name.
"It is the duty of the railways to extend cooperation to all the passengers. If that is not done, then passengers will not avail of the railways. And the railways' business will suffer," she said.
Banerjee said it was the right of every railway employee to support the union of his choice, irrespective of its hue.
"I don't discriminate between unions or employees because of their political colour. I maintain good relations with both affiliated unions. I consider myself a railway worker. And I hope everybody will work together to serve the people," she added.
'Corruption has reached higher levels of government'
New Delhi: Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Pratyush Sinha has admitted that corruption has now reached the "higher levels" of government and in high-profile cases there are delays in responding to various queries of the commission.
"If a senior official is involved, there is definitely a hesitation on the part of various government agencies to move quickly. So there are delays, we have to make extra effort to get all information which is required for a thorough enquiry," said the country's top anti-corruption watchdog.
Sinha also said the nature of corruption has changed and reached the top in government.
"Earlier, we used to see decentralized corruption, which means corruption at lower levels. Today, corruption is known more in cases of major public procurements and dispensation of various services at a higher level," Sinha told a news channel in an interview.
"Powerful ministries like petroleum, civil aviation, power are now dealing directly with big corporate houses. This is a new trend in India," said the official.
Citing the Ruchika Girhotra case in which a former Haryana director general of police is a main accused, Sinha said "any abuse of personal authority must be prevented at any cost."
"This (Ruchika case) is a very bad example of what somebody can do with the system and get away. Unfortunately, we have the rules and regulations, but they are not strictly enforced. Even today, there are rules in place and if government is sincere in enforcing, then such events would not take place," said the official.
"If a senior official is involved, there is definitely a hesitation on the part of various government agencies to move quickly. So there are delays, we have to make extra effort to get all information which is required for a thorough enquiry," said the country's top anti-corruption watchdog.
Sinha also said the nature of corruption has changed and reached the top in government.
"Earlier, we used to see decentralized corruption, which means corruption at lower levels. Today, corruption is known more in cases of major public procurements and dispensation of various services at a higher level," Sinha told a news channel in an interview.
"Powerful ministries like petroleum, civil aviation, power are now dealing directly with big corporate houses. This is a new trend in India," said the official.
Citing the Ruchika Girhotra case in which a former Haryana director general of police is a main accused, Sinha said "any abuse of personal authority must be prevented at any cost."
"This (Ruchika case) is a very bad example of what somebody can do with the system and get away. Unfortunately, we have the rules and regulations, but they are not strictly enforced. Even today, there are rules in place and if government is sincere in enforcing, then such events would not take place," said the official.
20091229
Shutdown paralyses Telangana
Hyderabad: Normal life came to a grinding halt in Hyderabad and nine other districts of Telangana today as the day-long shutdown called by all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC), demanding statehood to the region, evoked total response. Transport services were paralysed while shops, business establishments, petrol bunks, cinema theatres, banks, offices and educational institutions remained closed. State-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) suspended all its bus services, including those which pass through Telangana to major cities like Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool and Tirupati in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
More than 9,000 buses went off the roads. In Hyderabad alone, 3,400 buses did not come out of the depots, causing severe inconvenience to commuters.
South Central Railway (SCR) has cancelled 165 trains, including 87 express and passenger trains, as a precautionary measure. The railway authorities also cancelled 46 suburban trains and 32 MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) services in Hyderabad.
The roads in this Andhra Pradesh capital and major towns like Warangal, Karimnagar and Nizamabad wore a deserted look as even auto-rickshaws joined the shutdown.
Government employees, lawyers, industrial workers, students and people's organisations in the region also struck work to back the demand for formation of Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh.
The shutdown, the fifth since the beginning of Telangana agitation a month ago, affected the work in IT/ITeS and pharma companies in this technology hub. Some IT companies made arrangements for the accommodation of their employees in hotels near their offices to ensure uninterrupted work while others declared a holiday as a precautionary measure.
Police imposed prohibitory orders in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. Additional police and paramilitary forces were deployed in Cyberabad, the IT district housing IT giants like Microsoft, Google and Mahindra Satyam.
Police have also made tight security arrangements in areas inhabited by people from Andhra region in view of the recent attacks on film shootings.
As many as 40 companies of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in Telangana, including 15 in Hyderabad. Additional police forces from neighbouring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were also deployed.
The shutdown has been called by JAC to demand the central government immediately initiate the process for formation of Telangana state.
JAC, comprising ruling Congress party, Telugu Desam Party, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and organisations of students, employees and workers, was formed on Dec 24, a day after the central government made a second statement on the Telangana issue.
This statement made after days of protests in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions called for wide ranging consultations on granting of statehood to Telangana. It evoked strong protests in Telangana as it was seen as a u-turn by the central government, which had announced on Dec 9 that the process for formation of Telangana state would be initiated.
The Dec 9 statement followed 11 days of mass protests in Telangana and hunger strike by TRS president K. Chandrasekhara Rao.
Pre-paid cellphone ban to be lifted in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar: Pre-paid mobile phones are set to ring again in Jammu and Kashmir with the central government deciding to allow the service's resumption in the first week of next month.
A senior state government official today told media the decision to withdraw the two-month ban on pre-paid mobile phones was taken in New Delhi at a high-level meeting chaired by union home secretary G.K. Pillai early this week.
The meeting was attended by senior state government officers, including chief secretary S.S. Kapoor and state intelligence chief K. Rajendra.
"The ban is being lifted in the first week of next month and by that time the various service providers will have foolproof verification mechanism in place in the state," the officer said.
"Strict instructions have been issued to the various mobile companies operating in the state to ensure proper verification mechanism to check the antecedents of the new and old service users," he added.
"The service will resume in the first week of January," the officer said.
The central government had banned pre-paid mobile phones in the state on security grounds from Nov 1, but the move had evoked severe criticism from various political parties, including the state's ruling National Conference.
The ban had affected nearly four million pre-paid mobile users in the state and thousands of youth involved in the business here.
A senior state government official today told media the decision to withdraw the two-month ban on pre-paid mobile phones was taken in New Delhi at a high-level meeting chaired by union home secretary G.K. Pillai early this week.
The meeting was attended by senior state government officers, including chief secretary S.S. Kapoor and state intelligence chief K. Rajendra.
"The ban is being lifted in the first week of next month and by that time the various service providers will have foolproof verification mechanism in place in the state," the officer said.
"Strict instructions have been issued to the various mobile companies operating in the state to ensure proper verification mechanism to check the antecedents of the new and old service users," he added.
"The service will resume in the first week of January," the officer said.
The central government had banned pre-paid mobile phones in the state on security grounds from Nov 1, but the move had evoked severe criticism from various political parties, including the state's ruling National Conference.
The ban had affected nearly four million pre-paid mobile users in the state and thousands of youth involved in the business here.
Rathore makes first public appearance after outrage
Panchkula (Haryana): Facing the possibility of imminent arrest, former Haryana top cop S.P.S. Rathore, convicted for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra, today came out of home for the first time after public outrage over the case.
Carrying a file in his hands, Rathore reached the Panchkula court flanked by his wife, who is also his lawyer. With two fresh FIRs (First Information Report) registered against him, including for attempt to murder and wrongful confinement, he is expected to seek anticipatory bail.
In contrast to his image on the day of conviction last week, when he walked out on bail smiling, Rathore kept a straight face and avoided answering the barrage of questions thrown at him and his wife by waiting reporters. They just kept a straight face.
In first appearance since the public outcry over the quantum of sentence for molesting Ruchika, the former Haryana director general of police wore light green jacket over a sky blue shirt and a navy blue tie.
The government has now ordered a fresh probe into thje molestation case and may also charge Rathore with abetment to suicide. Ruchika, a budding tennis player, killed herself three years after the molestation incident, as Rathore allegedly kept hounding her and her family, including the slapping of false criminal cases against her brother.
Rathore's six-month jail sentence for molestation and the Rs.1,000 fine came 19 years after the incident.
Carrying a file in his hands, Rathore reached the Panchkula court flanked by his wife, who is also his lawyer. With two fresh FIRs (First Information Report) registered against him, including for attempt to murder and wrongful confinement, he is expected to seek anticipatory bail.
In contrast to his image on the day of conviction last week, when he walked out on bail smiling, Rathore kept a straight face and avoided answering the barrage of questions thrown at him and his wife by waiting reporters. They just kept a straight face.
In first appearance since the public outcry over the quantum of sentence for molesting Ruchika, the former Haryana director general of police wore light green jacket over a sky blue shirt and a navy blue tie.
The government has now ordered a fresh probe into thje molestation case and may also charge Rathore with abetment to suicide. Ruchika, a budding tennis player, killed herself three years after the molestation incident, as Rathore allegedly kept hounding her and her family, including the slapping of false criminal cases against her brother.
Rathore's six-month jail sentence for molestation and the Rs.1,000 fine came 19 years after the incident.
'Nepal church, mosque bombers funded by Indian groups, armed by ULFA'
Kathmandu: Three months after being caught for masterminding attacks on churches and mosques in Nepal, the chief of an underground organisation that persecuted Christians and Muslims says he was funded by India's ultra-right organisations and armed by outlawed Indian militant group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
Ram Prasad Mainali, a 37-year-old Hindu, metamorphosed from a ticket booking clerk to a ruthless, menacing shadowy figure who directed attacks that killed at least five people while praying in mosques and a church after he was aided by at least four Indian organisations.
"I was opposed to the idea of Nepal becoming a secular republic," he told the media, sitting behind bars in Kathmandu valley's Nakhu Jail where he has been transferred since his arrest from southern Nepal on Sep 5.
"There are over 50 countries that are Christian and more than 40 that are Islamic. Nepal was the only Hindu country."
However, the sleepy Himalayan nation lost its unique identity in 2006 when a pro-democracy movement unseated the army-backed government of King Gyanendra and parliament declared it a secular nation in a bid to cut off the popular power base of the monarch who was regarded by many as an incarnation of a Hindu god.
In February 2007, when it was clear that Nepal was heading towards an election to abolish the world's only Hindu monarchy as well, Mainali says he and his followers held a meeting in the Birla Temple in New Delhi to discuss forming an organisation that would strive to restore Hinduism as Nepal's state religion.
"The meeting was between us and members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal," he claimed.
"They approved and agreed to fund us. The meeting also discussed resorting to violence if our effort failed and endorsed it. Every month, the Indian groups sent us money - between NRS 200,000-500,000 through secret channels."
Initially, Mainali says his Nepal Defence Army (NDA) ran rallies for nine days in Birgunj, Nepal's industrial hub and the main trade route between India and Nepal, opposing secularisation and the abolition of monarchy.
However, after the ruling parties ignored the call, despite the public support it enjoyed, Mainali said the NDA decided to go underground and begin a campaign of violence targeting Christians and Muslims.
It used the funds sent from India to buy arms and explosives from the ULFA in Assam in northeastern, Mainali says.
The link occurred possibly because Mainali himself is from Morang district in eastern Nepal.
NDA members threw bombs at two mosques in southern Nepal, killing two Muslims during prayer. It also planted a bomb at one of the oldest churches in Kathmandu valley in May, killing three women during mass and triggering worldwide condemnation.
The outcry caused the Nepal government to start a manhunt as never before and both Mainali and his accomplice, the woman who planted the bomb inside the Assumption Church, were arrested.
Police have already charged Sita Thapa, the accomplice, with murder while Mainali is under detention as investigations continue into his links.
Mainali says the NDA is still intact though inactive. However, once he is released, it will resume activities.
But he says he will switch tacks to political activity and abjure violence. He is also not sure whether he wants to continue the campaign for a Hindu state.
"During my imprisonment, not a single Hindu came to meet me," he says bitterly. "Then who was I fighting for?"
On the other hand, he is regularly visited by Christian missionaries who have forgiven him. He has also been embraced as their brother by the prisoners in Nakhu Jail, many of whom converted to Christianity after imprisonment.
"I regret the deaths," he said. "We lacked planning. The intention was to attack the leaders who had abolished Hinduism as the state religion in Nepal, not ordinary people."
However, he still supports the idea of a monarchy in Nepal.
"In the past, you had to make offerings to just one ruler," he says.
"Today, there are 601 rulers and each has to be appeased."
He is referring to the newly elected 601-member constituent assembly that is writing a new constitution to decide, for once and for all, that Nepal should be a federal republic.
"But I am not advocating for deposed king Gyanendra," he says. "I am simply arguing for monarchy."
Ram Prasad Mainali, a 37-year-old Hindu, metamorphosed from a ticket booking clerk to a ruthless, menacing shadowy figure who directed attacks that killed at least five people while praying in mosques and a church after he was aided by at least four Indian organisations.
"I was opposed to the idea of Nepal becoming a secular republic," he told the media, sitting behind bars in Kathmandu valley's Nakhu Jail where he has been transferred since his arrest from southern Nepal on Sep 5.
"There are over 50 countries that are Christian and more than 40 that are Islamic. Nepal was the only Hindu country."
However, the sleepy Himalayan nation lost its unique identity in 2006 when a pro-democracy movement unseated the army-backed government of King Gyanendra and parliament declared it a secular nation in a bid to cut off the popular power base of the monarch who was regarded by many as an incarnation of a Hindu god.
In February 2007, when it was clear that Nepal was heading towards an election to abolish the world's only Hindu monarchy as well, Mainali says he and his followers held a meeting in the Birla Temple in New Delhi to discuss forming an organisation that would strive to restore Hinduism as Nepal's state religion.
"The meeting was between us and members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal," he claimed.
"They approved and agreed to fund us. The meeting also discussed resorting to violence if our effort failed and endorsed it. Every month, the Indian groups sent us money - between NRS 200,000-500,000 through secret channels."
Initially, Mainali says his Nepal Defence Army (NDA) ran rallies for nine days in Birgunj, Nepal's industrial hub and the main trade route between India and Nepal, opposing secularisation and the abolition of monarchy.
However, after the ruling parties ignored the call, despite the public support it enjoyed, Mainali said the NDA decided to go underground and begin a campaign of violence targeting Christians and Muslims.
It used the funds sent from India to buy arms and explosives from the ULFA in Assam in northeastern, Mainali says.
The link occurred possibly because Mainali himself is from Morang district in eastern Nepal.
NDA members threw bombs at two mosques in southern Nepal, killing two Muslims during prayer. It also planted a bomb at one of the oldest churches in Kathmandu valley in May, killing three women during mass and triggering worldwide condemnation.
The outcry caused the Nepal government to start a manhunt as never before and both Mainali and his accomplice, the woman who planted the bomb inside the Assumption Church, were arrested.
Police have already charged Sita Thapa, the accomplice, with murder while Mainali is under detention as investigations continue into his links.
Mainali says the NDA is still intact though inactive. However, once he is released, it will resume activities.
But he says he will switch tacks to political activity and abjure violence. He is also not sure whether he wants to continue the campaign for a Hindu state.
"During my imprisonment, not a single Hindu came to meet me," he says bitterly. "Then who was I fighting for?"
On the other hand, he is regularly visited by Christian missionaries who have forgiven him. He has also been embraced as their brother by the prisoners in Nakhu Jail, many of whom converted to Christianity after imprisonment.
"I regret the deaths," he said. "We lacked planning. The intention was to attack the leaders who had abolished Hinduism as the state religion in Nepal, not ordinary people."
However, he still supports the idea of a monarchy in Nepal.
"In the past, you had to make offerings to just one ruler," he says.
"Today, there are 601 rulers and each has to be appeased."
He is referring to the newly elected 601-member constituent assembly that is writing a new constitution to decide, for once and for all, that Nepal should be a federal republic.
"But I am not advocating for deposed king Gyanendra," he says. "I am simply arguing for monarchy."
Shibu Soren takes oath as Jharkhand chief minister
Ranchi: Shibu Soren today took oath to become the seventh chief minister of Jharkhand.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief was earlier scheduled to take oath at 2 p.m. in the Morabadi ground here but the ceremony was held at 10.30 a.m. on the advice of astrologers, party officials said.
The JMM is forming the government in Jharkhand with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All Jharkhand Students Union.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief was earlier scheduled to take oath at 2 p.m. in the Morabadi ground here but the ceremony was held at 10.30 a.m. on the advice of astrologers, party officials said.
The JMM is forming the government in Jharkhand with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All Jharkhand Students Union.
Ruchika case: Rathore seeks pre-arrest bail
Panchkula (Haryana): Disgraced former Haryana director general of police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore today sought pre-arrest bail here, following the registration of two fresh cases against him for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra and then allegedly hounding her till she killed herself.
Rathore's petition is being heard by District and Sessions Judge S.P. Singh.
Carrying a file in his hands, Rathore reached the Panchkula court flanked by his wife, who is also his lawyer. The two fresh FIRs (First Information Report) registered against him include charges for attempt to murder and wrongful confinement.
In contrast to his smiling face on Dec 21 when he was convicted for molesting Ruchika, Rathore today kept a straight face and avoided answering the barrage of questions thrown at him and his wife by waiting reporters.
In first appearance since the public outcry over the quantum of sentence for molesting Ruchika, the former Haryana director general of police wore an olive green jacket over a sky blue shirt and a navy blue tie.
The government has now ordered a fresh probe into the molestation case and may also charge Rathore with abetment to suicide. Ruchika, a budding tennis player, killed herself three years after the molestation incident, as Rathore allegedly kept hounding her and her family, including the slapping of false criminal cases against her brother.
Rathore's six-month jail sentence for molestation and the Rs.1,000 fine came 19 years after the incident.
Rathore's petition is being heard by District and Sessions Judge S.P. Singh.
Carrying a file in his hands, Rathore reached the Panchkula court flanked by his wife, who is also his lawyer. The two fresh FIRs (First Information Report) registered against him include charges for attempt to murder and wrongful confinement.
In contrast to his smiling face on Dec 21 when he was convicted for molesting Ruchika, Rathore today kept a straight face and avoided answering the barrage of questions thrown at him and his wife by waiting reporters.
In first appearance since the public outcry over the quantum of sentence for molesting Ruchika, the former Haryana director general of police wore an olive green jacket over a sky blue shirt and a navy blue tie.
The government has now ordered a fresh probe into the molestation case and may also charge Rathore with abetment to suicide. Ruchika, a budding tennis player, killed herself three years after the molestation incident, as Rathore allegedly kept hounding her and her family, including the slapping of false criminal cases against her brother.
Rathore's six-month jail sentence for molestation and the Rs.1,000 fine came 19 years after the incident.
20091228
Chandigarh administration initiates probe against Ruchika's school
Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the role of a leading all girls school Sacred Heart here for expelling teenage molestation victim Ruchika Girhotra in September 1990. Ruchika was expelled from the school for unexplained reasons just a month after she was molested by former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore on Aug 12, 1990. Chandigarh Home Secretary Ram Niwas, who is also the education secretary, has said that an inquiry will be conducted to probe the role of the school management in the expulsion. "I had got the fax message from Madhu Prakash (complainant in the case) yesterday, demanding a fair probe against the school. Therefore I have marked this probe to sub-divisional magistrate (south) and told her to submit the inquiry report to me within seven days," Niwas told the media today. He added: "The probe will go into all aspects of this issue and will seek answers from the school about why they expelled Ruchika."
So far the management of the school, in Sector 26 of this city, has been silent on the expulsion of Ruchika, who was a class 10 student at that time.
At one stage the school had cited non-payment of monthly fees as a reason behind this expulsion. Rathore had used this expulsion to counter the chargesheet against him by claiming that Ruchika had been expelled on moral grounds.
A special CBI court in Chandigarh had held Rathore guilty on Dec 21 of molesting Ruchika in Panchkula town on Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. However, Rathore was immediately released on bail.
Ruchika, a budding tennis player, committed suicide three years after the incident.
A senior lawyer and a human rights activist Ranjan Lakhanpal is going to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) today in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding strict action against the school for expelling Ruchika.
So far the management of the school, in Sector 26 of this city, has been silent on the expulsion of Ruchika, who was a class 10 student at that time.
At one stage the school had cited non-payment of monthly fees as a reason behind this expulsion. Rathore had used this expulsion to counter the chargesheet against him by claiming that Ruchika had been expelled on moral grounds.
A special CBI court in Chandigarh had held Rathore guilty on Dec 21 of molesting Ruchika in Panchkula town on Aug 12, 1990 and sentenced him to a six-month prison term. However, Rathore was immediately released on bail.
Ruchika, a budding tennis player, committed suicide three years after the incident.
A senior lawyer and a human rights activist Ranjan Lakhanpal is going to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) today in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding strict action against the school for expelling Ruchika.
Headley became friends with American couple while visiting India
New Delhi: Investigators who have been looking into David Coleman Headley's participation in the 26/11 Mumbai massacre have revealed that the member of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba had made friends with an American couple who had spent nine years in India. It has been revealed that this couple has been operating a tourist center at Manali and a massage parlour at Goa.
So far the National Investigation Agency has unearthed nothing that could be said to be disagreeable with regards to their association with the terror suspect. However detectives have been keeping track of their movements in India. This is being done in order to see if they played a voluntary or involuntary role in helping Headley with his plans.
As per sources of the home ministry it has been learnt that Headley had gained access to the American couple with the help of Headley's Moroccan wife Faiza Outalha. What is worrying is that this couple might have been flouting visa regulations and were getting away with it.
Upon being quizzed the American couple had agreed to the fact that they were acquainted with Faiza Outalha. Security agencies revealed that she had visited Manali in 2008 for scouting a Jewish center. She was also with Headley when he stayed at Trident and Taj Hotel.
So far the National Investigation Agency has unearthed nothing that could be said to be disagreeable with regards to their association with the terror suspect. However detectives have been keeping track of their movements in India. This is being done in order to see if they played a voluntary or involuntary role in helping Headley with his plans.
As per sources of the home ministry it has been learnt that Headley had gained access to the American couple with the help of Headley's Moroccan wife Faiza Outalha. What is worrying is that this couple might have been flouting visa regulations and were getting away with it.
Upon being quizzed the American couple had agreed to the fact that they were acquainted with Faiza Outalha. Security agencies revealed that she had visited Manali in 2008 for scouting a Jewish center. She was also with Headley when he stayed at Trident and Taj Hotel.
Rathore 'abandoned' by his buddies
Chandigarh: Once a popular officer in Haryana's administrative and police circles for his social and golfing skills, disgraced former Haryana director general of police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore has become almost a pariah in the same circles in the last few days. A neighbour says it's as if he has been "abandoned" by his friends.
Even the official website of the Haryana police, which Rathore headed as DGP between October 1999 and December 2000, carries his photograph among the state's police chiefs but his bio-data has gone missing.
A 1965-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Rathore was convicted by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court here this month for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra in Panchkula Aug 12, 1990. The budding tennis player committed suicide three years later.
Rathore has been holed up in his bungalow in Panchkula's Sector 6 ever since he was convicted.
With media OB (outdoor broadcasting) vans following each movement of his, Rathore and his wife Abha, a senior advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and his counsel these 19 years, have kept to their home.
When they came out of court after Rathore's conviction, they had said they would go on appeal against it.
Family sources said that the couple were in touch with senior lawyers in New Delhi to file the appeal. They are also contemplating seeking a stay from the court on media coverage of the case.
"The only time we saw a lot of activity at their house in recent days was when a posse of riot police arrived here to protect the house when candle-light marchers seeking justice for Ruchika came up to his gate. Otherwise not many people, except close family members, have visited him. It seems all his friends have abandoned him," a neighbour told the media, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Rathore's house, number 469, is where Ruchika's molestation took place on Aug 12, 1990. The house was under construction at that time and Rathore had got one room completed to set up the office of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA), which he headed.
The disgraced officer is facing a membership termination from two clubs - Panchkula Gymkhana and Panchkula gold club - after his conviction.
A regular in golfing circles, Rathore was also known in Chandigarh and Panchkula's party circuit.
Once a powerful officer who enjoyed patronage of four Haryana chief ministers - Hukam Singh (Lok Dal, 1990-91), Bhajan Lal (Congress, 1991-96), Bansi Lal (Haryana Vikas Party, with BJP support - 1996-98) and Om Prakash Chautala (Indian National Lok Dal, 1999-2005), Rathore had retired in March 2002.
Fellow officers and friends in the Haryana government and police now shy away when asked to comment about Rathore.
"I had found him prima facie guilty for the molestation incident in my report submitted to higher authorities in 1990. No action was taken against him," said former Haryana DGP R.R. Singh, under whom Rathore was an inspector general of police. Singh had probed the Ruchika molestation case.
Rathore, misusing his official position, had harassed Ruchika's family and got 11 cases of car thefts slapped on her teenaged brother, Ashu, to pressure the family to withdraw the molestation case against him. Ruchika was expelled from her school, Sacred Heart convent in Chandigarh, apparently at Rathore's behest.
Ruchika, unable to cope with the pressure and constant harassment, consumed poison Dec 28, 1993, three years after the molestation incident. She died a day later. Today was her 16th death anniversary.
Even the official website of the Haryana police, which Rathore headed as DGP between October 1999 and December 2000, carries his photograph among the state's police chiefs but his bio-data has gone missing.
A 1965-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Rathore was convicted by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court here this month for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra in Panchkula Aug 12, 1990. The budding tennis player committed suicide three years later.
Rathore has been holed up in his bungalow in Panchkula's Sector 6 ever since he was convicted.
With media OB (outdoor broadcasting) vans following each movement of his, Rathore and his wife Abha, a senior advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and his counsel these 19 years, have kept to their home.
When they came out of court after Rathore's conviction, they had said they would go on appeal against it.
Family sources said that the couple were in touch with senior lawyers in New Delhi to file the appeal. They are also contemplating seeking a stay from the court on media coverage of the case.
"The only time we saw a lot of activity at their house in recent days was when a posse of riot police arrived here to protect the house when candle-light marchers seeking justice for Ruchika came up to his gate. Otherwise not many people, except close family members, have visited him. It seems all his friends have abandoned him," a neighbour told the media, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Rathore's house, number 469, is where Ruchika's molestation took place on Aug 12, 1990. The house was under construction at that time and Rathore had got one room completed to set up the office of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA), which he headed.
The disgraced officer is facing a membership termination from two clubs - Panchkula Gymkhana and Panchkula gold club - after his conviction.
A regular in golfing circles, Rathore was also known in Chandigarh and Panchkula's party circuit.
Once a powerful officer who enjoyed patronage of four Haryana chief ministers - Hukam Singh (Lok Dal, 1990-91), Bhajan Lal (Congress, 1991-96), Bansi Lal (Haryana Vikas Party, with BJP support - 1996-98) and Om Prakash Chautala (Indian National Lok Dal, 1999-2005), Rathore had retired in March 2002.
Fellow officers and friends in the Haryana government and police now shy away when asked to comment about Rathore.
"I had found him prima facie guilty for the molestation incident in my report submitted to higher authorities in 1990. No action was taken against him," said former Haryana DGP R.R. Singh, under whom Rathore was an inspector general of police. Singh had probed the Ruchika molestation case.
Rathore, misusing his official position, had harassed Ruchika's family and got 11 cases of car thefts slapped on her teenaged brother, Ashu, to pressure the family to withdraw the molestation case against him. Ruchika was expelled from her school, Sacred Heart convent in Chandigarh, apparently at Rathore's behest.
Ruchika, unable to cope with the pressure and constant harassment, consumed poison Dec 28, 1993, three years after the molestation incident. She died a day later. Today was her 16th death anniversary.
Rahul Gandhi not present at Congress function
New Delhi: The Congress launched its year-long 125th anniversary celebrations here today, and the theme was 'Building the Future on the Foundation of the Past', but the party's youth icon and future leader Rahul Gandhi was not present, surprising many.
The function of the country's oldest political party was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and other leaders of the Congress Working Committee.
Asked about the reason for party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's absence, a Congress leader said he was on a "pre-scheduled visit" to central India and was busy in party work.
But his absence was noticed by Youth Congress members of whom some felt Rahul Gandhi's presence on the occasion would have been "appropriate and relevant".
The function of the country's oldest political party was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and other leaders of the Congress Working Committee.
Asked about the reason for party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's absence, a Congress leader said he was on a "pre-scheduled visit" to central India and was busy in party work.
But his absence was noticed by Youth Congress members of whom some felt Rahul Gandhi's presence on the occasion would have been "appropriate and relevant".
Police complaints could be treated as FIRs, home ministry's plan
New Delhi: In the wake of complaints from people that police were reluctant to register FIRS, the home ministry is considering treating complaints to the police stations as compulsory First Information Reports.
According to an official source, this follows "after the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case in which the complainants said that police were unwilling to register a complaint against (former Haryana police chief S.P.S.) Rathore".
Home Minister P. Chidambaram in his speech at the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment lecture here Dec 23 had said he would prefer registration of cases as FIRs, as otherwise this would lead to a bad image of the police.
According to Ruchika's family, when they wanted to file a complaint against Rathore in 1990, police had initially refused to register a First Information Report. Later also, when her brother was slapped with false cases of auto theft and harassed and the family wanted to file a complaint, the police had refused to register a case.
In the proposed amendment to the CrPC, the government reportedly wants to make it mandatory for the police station in charge to give reasons for not registering a complaint.
According to an official source, this follows "after the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case in which the complainants said that police were unwilling to register a complaint against (former Haryana police chief S.P.S.) Rathore".
Home Minister P. Chidambaram in his speech at the 22nd Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment lecture here Dec 23 had said he would prefer registration of cases as FIRs, as otherwise this would lead to a bad image of the police.
According to Ruchika's family, when they wanted to file a complaint against Rathore in 1990, police had initially refused to register a First Information Report. Later also, when her brother was slapped with false cases of auto theft and harassed and the family wanted to file a complaint, the police had refused to register a case.
In the proposed amendment to the CrPC, the government reportedly wants to make it mandatory for the police station in charge to give reasons for not registering a complaint.
India, Japan to launch defence action plan, no n-deal for now
New Delhi: India and Japan on Tuesday will launch a defence action plan to firm up their strategic partnership that includes jointly combating maritime piracy and give a push to negotiations over a key economic agreement that can multiply their bilateral trade manifold.
The two sides today signed agreements to build eco-friendly cities along the Rs.3.6 lakh crore ($72 billion) Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, setting the tone for talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Yukio Hatoyama on Tuesday. Hatoyama began his three-day visit to India Sunday and arrived in the Indian capital for talks today afternoon.
However, a civil nuclear deal looks unlikely with a Japanese official today urging India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), opposed by New Delhi which regards it as "unfair and discriminatory."
The two leaders will discuss a host of bilateral, regional and global issues, including an ambitious plan to scale bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2010, the UN reforms, nuclear issues, and coordination over climate change negotiations in the aftermath of the Copenhagen accord.
The showpiece of the visit will be the launch of a defence action plan which will add more content to a joint declaration on a security cooperation agreement signed by the two sides during Manmohan Singh's visit to Tokyo last year.
The action plan will lay out a framework for deepening security cooperation, Kazuo Kodama, press secretary with Japan's ministry of foreign affairs, told reporters today.
The new security dialogue will be conducted in "2 plus 2 format" in which senior officials of defence and foreign ministers will participate. Jointly combating maritime piracy in the Indian Ocean will be a primary focus area of the defence action plan that will be unveiled on Tuesday. The two leaders will also review the status of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), over which 12 rounds of negotiations have already been held, and instruct their negotiators to conclude a mutually acceptable agreement, Kodama said.
Kodama, however, stressed that the burgeoning security partnership between India and Japan is not directed against China. The promotion of India-Japan partnership should not be at the expense of the third country, Kodama said.
The issue of civil nuclear cooperation in relation to climate change will be discussed, Kodama said, but indicated differences over the CTBT. Welcoming India's commitment to maintaining unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing, Kodama added: "At the same time, Japan hopes that India will sign and ratify the CTBT."
He also stressed on the need for India to accelerate negotiations on concluding Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). Besides security issues, the focus will be on scaling up economic ties between the two countries. For the first time, Japan's investment in India ($5.22) billion surpassed that of its investment in China ($3.65 billion).
The accent on business was underscored by two pacts signed today. The first memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corp (DMICDC) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) for development of eco-friendly and smart cities.
The other MOU was between India Infrastructure Finance Co and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for setting up a project development fund. Japan's investment in the 1,483-km Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, spanning six states, is expected to be around $10 billion spread through five years.
The two sides today signed agreements to build eco-friendly cities along the Rs.3.6 lakh crore ($72 billion) Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, setting the tone for talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Yukio Hatoyama on Tuesday. Hatoyama began his three-day visit to India Sunday and arrived in the Indian capital for talks today afternoon.
However, a civil nuclear deal looks unlikely with a Japanese official today urging India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), opposed by New Delhi which regards it as "unfair and discriminatory."
The two leaders will discuss a host of bilateral, regional and global issues, including an ambitious plan to scale bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2010, the UN reforms, nuclear issues, and coordination over climate change negotiations in the aftermath of the Copenhagen accord.
The showpiece of the visit will be the launch of a defence action plan which will add more content to a joint declaration on a security cooperation agreement signed by the two sides during Manmohan Singh's visit to Tokyo last year.
The action plan will lay out a framework for deepening security cooperation, Kazuo Kodama, press secretary with Japan's ministry of foreign affairs, told reporters today.
The new security dialogue will be conducted in "2 plus 2 format" in which senior officials of defence and foreign ministers will participate. Jointly combating maritime piracy in the Indian Ocean will be a primary focus area of the defence action plan that will be unveiled on Tuesday. The two leaders will also review the status of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), over which 12 rounds of negotiations have already been held, and instruct their negotiators to conclude a mutually acceptable agreement, Kodama said.
Kodama, however, stressed that the burgeoning security partnership between India and Japan is not directed against China. The promotion of India-Japan partnership should not be at the expense of the third country, Kodama said.
The issue of civil nuclear cooperation in relation to climate change will be discussed, Kodama said, but indicated differences over the CTBT. Welcoming India's commitment to maintaining unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing, Kodama added: "At the same time, Japan hopes that India will sign and ratify the CTBT."
He also stressed on the need for India to accelerate negotiations on concluding Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). Besides security issues, the focus will be on scaling up economic ties between the two countries. For the first time, Japan's investment in India ($5.22) billion surpassed that of its investment in China ($3.65 billion).
The accent on business was underscored by two pacts signed today. The first memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corp (DMICDC) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) for development of eco-friendly and smart cities.
The other MOU was between India Infrastructure Finance Co and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for setting up a project development fund. Japan's investment in the 1,483-km Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, spanning six states, is expected to be around $10 billion spread through five years.
Partial shutdown in Jammu against autonomy recommendation
Jammu: The shutdown call given by political groups, protesting against the report of a prime minister's working group recommending restoration of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir, evoked partial response in the Jammu region today. There was a partial response in Udampur, Reasi and Chenani towns but scant response in this winter capital of the state. Shops and business establishments were closed in some parts of the region. Though the police were deployed in strength here and in other towns, there was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state.
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), which gave the shutdown call, described the report of Justice (retired) Sageer Ahmad as "trash". Jammu State Morcha, Shiv Sena Hindustan and other groups also endorsed the shutdown call.
Bhartiya Janata Party is strongly opposed to the report but distanced itself from the shutdown call because of its differences with JKNPP.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's fifth working group tasked to suggest measures on how to improve centre-state relationships in Kashmir submitted its report to the chief minister last week.
The autonomy as per the 1952 Delhi-Kashmir accord means giving the Jammu and Kashmir government more powers over all affairs except foreign affairs, defence and communications.
Manmohan Singh had formed five Kashmir working groups in 2006. Four of them had submitted their reports in January 2007.
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), which gave the shutdown call, described the report of Justice (retired) Sageer Ahmad as "trash". Jammu State Morcha, Shiv Sena Hindustan and other groups also endorsed the shutdown call.
Bhartiya Janata Party is strongly opposed to the report but distanced itself from the shutdown call because of its differences with JKNPP.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's fifth working group tasked to suggest measures on how to improve centre-state relationships in Kashmir submitted its report to the chief minister last week.
The autonomy as per the 1952 Delhi-Kashmir accord means giving the Jammu and Kashmir government more powers over all affairs except foreign affairs, defence and communications.
Manmohan Singh had formed five Kashmir working groups in 2006. Four of them had submitted their reports in January 2007.
Soren heads to Mumbai to meet BJP chief Gadkari
Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren, who is set to form the government in Jharkhand with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All Jharkhand Students Union, today left Ranchi for Mumbai to meet BJP president Nitin Gadkari.
"Soren left for Mumbai along with All Jharkhand Students Union chief Sudesh Mahto, BJP state president Raghubar Das and senior BJP leader C.P. Singh by a chartered plane," Supriyo Bhattacharya, general secretary of JMM, told media.
Soren was accompanied by his son Hemant. Soren will be sworn as Jharkhand chief minister for the third time on Wednesday at the Morabadi ground here at 2 p.m.
JMM sources said that Soren is likely to discuss the formation of the state cabinet with Gadkari. Officially, however, JMM leaders maintained that it was just a courtesy meeting.
Soren had on Saturday staked claim to forming the government with a list of 45 legislators supporting him in the 81-member house.
He is being supported by the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and two independent legislators. The BJP and JMM have 18 legislators each, All Jharkhand Students Union has five and JD-U has two.
As per their understanding, BJP will have four ministers, JMM and All Jharkhand Students Union three each and JD-U one. In Jharkhand, there can be a maximum 12 ministers including the chief minister.
Soren is likely to return to the state capital by today evening.
"Soren left for Mumbai along with All Jharkhand Students Union chief Sudesh Mahto, BJP state president Raghubar Das and senior BJP leader C.P. Singh by a chartered plane," Supriyo Bhattacharya, general secretary of JMM, told media.
Soren was accompanied by his son Hemant. Soren will be sworn as Jharkhand chief minister for the third time on Wednesday at the Morabadi ground here at 2 p.m.
JMM sources said that Soren is likely to discuss the formation of the state cabinet with Gadkari. Officially, however, JMM leaders maintained that it was just a courtesy meeting.
Soren had on Saturday staked claim to forming the government with a list of 45 legislators supporting him in the 81-member house.
He is being supported by the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and two independent legislators. The BJP and JMM have 18 legislators each, All Jharkhand Students Union has five and JD-U has two.
As per their understanding, BJP will have four ministers, JMM and All Jharkhand Students Union three each and JD-U one. In Jharkhand, there can be a maximum 12 ministers including the chief minister.
Soren is likely to return to the state capital by today evening.
Osmania varsity tense as more students join fast over Telangana
Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at Osmania University here as a group of students today launched a fast unto death, hours after some of their colleagues on hunger strike were shifted to a hospital by the police.
A large number of policemen in riot gear surrounded the Arts College building on the campus to arrest the students on hunger strike. Raising slogans of "police go back", the students squatted on the ground and refused to leave the campus despite the university authorities closing down all hostels and messes.
Leaders of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of students had a heated argument with the police officials and alleged that their peaceful agitation was being suppressed.
The arrest of students in a late night operation by the police came hours after students announced their plans to hold a meeting and gave a call for a 'Chalo Hyderabad' march Jan 3.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao, in a statement Sunday night, said no permission would be given for 'vidyarthi garjna' or the intensified agitation planned by the students JAC Jan 3 at the Osmania University.
The JAC has threatened to lay siege to the city with students from across the region joining the march if the central government failed to make an announcement for initiating the process for the formation of Telangana state by Jan 2.
In an attempt to prevent mobilisation of students, university authorities also issued an order closing down all hostels and messes till Jan 5. The university has already declared holidays.
Police also disrupted the hunger strike camp at the campus around midnight and shifted 18 students to hospital. The condition of some of them had deteriorated as the hunger strike had entered the fifth day. Police used force and arrested about 50 students who tried to resist shifting of their colleagues to hospital.
Meanwhile, protests for a separate state continued in Hyderabad and nine other districts in Telangana. On an appeal by the all-party JAC, processions and demonstrations would be held in all villages today and on Tuesday.
After a six-hour meeting that ended Sunday night, the JAC also called for a shutdown on Wednesday.
Since about 70 out of 119 legislators from the region have already submitted their resignations, the JAC decided to meet Speaker Kirankumar Reddy and urge him to accept the resignations immediately.
A large number of policemen in riot gear surrounded the Arts College building on the campus to arrest the students on hunger strike. Raising slogans of "police go back", the students squatted on the ground and refused to leave the campus despite the university authorities closing down all hostels and messes.
Leaders of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of students had a heated argument with the police officials and alleged that their peaceful agitation was being suppressed.
The arrest of students in a late night operation by the police came hours after students announced their plans to hold a meeting and gave a call for a 'Chalo Hyderabad' march Jan 3.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao, in a statement Sunday night, said no permission would be given for 'vidyarthi garjna' or the intensified agitation planned by the students JAC Jan 3 at the Osmania University.
The JAC has threatened to lay siege to the city with students from across the region joining the march if the central government failed to make an announcement for initiating the process for the formation of Telangana state by Jan 2.
In an attempt to prevent mobilisation of students, university authorities also issued an order closing down all hostels and messes till Jan 5. The university has already declared holidays.
Police also disrupted the hunger strike camp at the campus around midnight and shifted 18 students to hospital. The condition of some of them had deteriorated as the hunger strike had entered the fifth day. Police used force and arrested about 50 students who tried to resist shifting of their colleagues to hospital.
Meanwhile, protests for a separate state continued in Hyderabad and nine other districts in Telangana. On an appeal by the all-party JAC, processions and demonstrations would be held in all villages today and on Tuesday.
After a six-hour meeting that ended Sunday night, the JAC also called for a shutdown on Wednesday.
Since about 70 out of 119 legislators from the region have already submitted their resignations, the JAC decided to meet Speaker Kirankumar Reddy and urge him to accept the resignations immediately.
Nepal Maoists ask India to clarify army chief's remark
Kathmandu: Terming a recent remark by the Indian Army chief as "naked intervention in Nepal's internal affairs", this country's former Maoist guerrillas, who are seeking to get back to power, have asked the Indian government to clarify its position.
During a visit to India earlier this month by Nepal's army chief Chhatraman Singh Gurung, Indian Army chief Deepak Kapoor was reported as saying that the Maoists' guerrilla force should not be merged with the Nepal Army as it would lead to the politicisation of the national army.
Maoist chief and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has asked the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, to convey to the Manmohan Singh government that his party wants to know if New Delhi supports the Indian Army chief's statement.
Prachanda held a meeting with Sood on Sunday, five days after he accused Nepal's ruling parties of being "wooden puppets dancing to India's tune" at a public rally in the capital attended by hundreds of people.
Sood has left for New Delhi to brief South Block on the political developments in Nepal.
Kapoor's remark was flayed by the Maoists, who signed a peace pact three years ago to end their 10-year war after a pledge by the ruling parties that their People's Liberation Army would be inducted into the Nepal Army.
The proposed integration, yet to take off three years later, is a sore point with the Maoists, whose eight-month government fell as they tried to sack the previous Nepal Army chief, Rookmangud Katawal, for opposing the merger. However, they failed due to intervention by President Ram Baran Yadav.
"The statement by the Indian Army chief violates the peace pact," Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma quoted Prachanda as telling the Indian envoy. "It could affect Nepal's sovereignty. If it is true, we will be forced to start a movement against India."
Sharma said Prachanda had asked Sood to convey to the Indian government his party's objections to the Indian general's comment and its suggestion that India should not interfere in Nepal's internal matters.
Sood reportedly told the former revolutionary that India wanted to mend relations with the Maoists.
The Indian envoy also reportedly expressed concern at the renewed protests by the Maoists, which would culminate in an indefinite general strike from Jan 24.
The Maoists have also called for the scrapping of the Peace and Friendship Treaty signed with India in 1950 and other "unequal" agreements, an end to border disputes with India and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Nepal's Kalapani area on the India-Nepal-China border.
However, analysts say the demand is mere rhetoric since India has shown its readiness to renegotiate the 1950 treaty and diplomatic parleys are already on.
During a visit to India earlier this month by Nepal's army chief Chhatraman Singh Gurung, Indian Army chief Deepak Kapoor was reported as saying that the Maoists' guerrilla force should not be merged with the Nepal Army as it would lead to the politicisation of the national army.
Maoist chief and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has asked the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, to convey to the Manmohan Singh government that his party wants to know if New Delhi supports the Indian Army chief's statement.
Prachanda held a meeting with Sood on Sunday, five days after he accused Nepal's ruling parties of being "wooden puppets dancing to India's tune" at a public rally in the capital attended by hundreds of people.
Sood has left for New Delhi to brief South Block on the political developments in Nepal.
Kapoor's remark was flayed by the Maoists, who signed a peace pact three years ago to end their 10-year war after a pledge by the ruling parties that their People's Liberation Army would be inducted into the Nepal Army.
The proposed integration, yet to take off three years later, is a sore point with the Maoists, whose eight-month government fell as they tried to sack the previous Nepal Army chief, Rookmangud Katawal, for opposing the merger. However, they failed due to intervention by President Ram Baran Yadav.
"The statement by the Indian Army chief violates the peace pact," Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma quoted Prachanda as telling the Indian envoy. "It could affect Nepal's sovereignty. If it is true, we will be forced to start a movement against India."
Sharma said Prachanda had asked Sood to convey to the Indian government his party's objections to the Indian general's comment and its suggestion that India should not interfere in Nepal's internal matters.
Sood reportedly told the former revolutionary that India wanted to mend relations with the Maoists.
The Indian envoy also reportedly expressed concern at the renewed protests by the Maoists, which would culminate in an indefinite general strike from Jan 24.
The Maoists have also called for the scrapping of the Peace and Friendship Treaty signed with India in 1950 and other "unequal" agreements, an end to border disputes with India and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Nepal's Kalapani area on the India-Nepal-China border.
However, analysts say the demand is mere rhetoric since India has shown its readiness to renegotiate the 1950 treaty and diplomatic parleys are already on.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister slams Kashmir autonomy report
Jammu: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today slammed the Prime Minister's Working Group report on centre-state relations vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as against the "national interest".
Speaking at a function of Panun Kashmir, an organisation of the migrant Kashmiri Pandits who fled the Valley due to a series of selective killings in 1989-1990, Chouhan said: "The report runs against the national interest, as it does not take into account the interests of the religious minorities."
"We reject this report outright," Chouhan said, calling for a complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
He also supported the demand of a separate homeland for Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley.
The report, calling for restoration of autonomy or an almost complete sovereignty for Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union, has evoked strong emotions among all parties in the state and rest of the country, excepting the National Conference which has welcomed the recommendations.
Speaking at a function of Panun Kashmir, an organisation of the migrant Kashmiri Pandits who fled the Valley due to a series of selective killings in 1989-1990, Chouhan said: "The report runs against the national interest, as it does not take into account the interests of the religious minorities."
"We reject this report outright," Chouhan said, calling for a complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
He also supported the demand of a separate homeland for Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley.
The report, calling for restoration of autonomy or an almost complete sovereignty for Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union, has evoked strong emotions among all parties in the state and rest of the country, excepting the National Conference which has welcomed the recommendations.
Telangana all-party group calls for shutdown on Wednesday
Hyderabad: The all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana today decided to intensify agitation for a separate statehood to the region and called for a shutdown Dec 30.
After a six-hour long meeting to chalk out the strategy, the JAC announced that protest rallies would be taken out across the region Dec 28-29 to demand the central government immediately start the process for formation of Telangana state.
The JAC chaired by M. Kodandaram also demanded that the government immediately withdraw cases booked against those participating in the agitation. It called up on government employees and lawyers in the region to boycott their duties till the cases were withdrawn.
It also called upon the government to withdraw additional police and paramilitary forces deployed in the region.
The JAC also decided that Assembly Speaker Kirankumar Reddy would be urged to accept the resignations of the legislators.
About 70 out of 119 legislators from the region have submitted their resignation demanding separate Telangana.
This was the first meeting of JAC attended by leaders of all major parties including ruling Congress, opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).
TDP leader N. Janardhan Reddy told reporters that they have joined JAC to achieve the goal of separate state.
After a six-hour long meeting to chalk out the strategy, the JAC announced that protest rallies would be taken out across the region Dec 28-29 to demand the central government immediately start the process for formation of Telangana state.
The JAC chaired by M. Kodandaram also demanded that the government immediately withdraw cases booked against those participating in the agitation. It called up on government employees and lawyers in the region to boycott their duties till the cases were withdrawn.
It also called upon the government to withdraw additional police and paramilitary forces deployed in the region.
The JAC also decided that Assembly Speaker Kirankumar Reddy would be urged to accept the resignations of the legislators.
About 70 out of 119 legislators from the region have submitted their resignation demanding separate Telangana.
This was the first meeting of JAC attended by leaders of all major parties including ruling Congress, opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).
TDP leader N. Janardhan Reddy told reporters that they have joined JAC to achieve the goal of separate state.
20091227
Banerjee to flag off new trains from Kolkata on Dec 30
Dankuni (West Bengal): Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will flag off a bouquet of express trains from major Kolkata stations to Amritsar, Bangalore, Bikaner and Delhi on Dec 30, an official said. The new trains are the Howrah-Delhi Yuva express, the Howrah-Bangalore Duranto Express, the Sealdah-Amritsar Express and the Howrah-Bikaner express. Sixty percent of the Yuva express seats will be reserved for people upto the age of 45 with the tickets ranging from Rs.299 for 1,000 km to Rs.399 for 2,500 km.
The Duranto express - a non-stop train that is a brainchild of Banerjee - will ferry passengers from Howrah to Bangalore in less than one-and-half days.
Speaking at a programme here, Banerjee said she would lay the foundation for the proposed Metro Rail project from Dakhineshwar to DumDum on Jan 2.
"We will also lay the foundation stone of Dakhineshwar to Dum Dum metro rail project on Dec 2. It will provide a more comfortable journey to the devotees of the goddess Kali temple at Dakhineshwar," Banerjee said after laying the foundation for two railway factories in this Hooghly district town.
The Duranto express - a non-stop train that is a brainchild of Banerjee - will ferry passengers from Howrah to Bangalore in less than one-and-half days.
Speaking at a programme here, Banerjee said she would lay the foundation for the proposed Metro Rail project from Dakhineshwar to DumDum on Jan 2.
"We will also lay the foundation stone of Dakhineshwar to Dum Dum metro rail project on Dec 2. It will provide a more comfortable journey to the devotees of the goddess Kali temple at Dakhineshwar," Banerjee said after laying the foundation for two railway factories in this Hooghly district town.
Telangana ministers leave for Delhi today
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh ministers from Telangana region today left for New Delhi to mount pressure on the Congress leadership on separate statehood.
The ministers, who have already sent their joint resignation letter to party president Sonia Gandhi, will call on her and other leaders to underline the need for allaying the apprehensions created by the central government's second statement on Telangana.
Nine of the 13 ministers and MPs from the region left for the national capital in the hope that the leadership would come out with clarity on the issue.
Minister for Information and Public Relations Geeta Reddy told reporters that they would apprise the leadership of the disappointment following the Dec 23 statement, which is seen as dilution of the central government's Dec 9 pledge to initiate the process for the formation of Telangana state.
The second statement laid stress on the need to hold wide ranging consultations on the issue in view of the differences among various parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Minister for IT K. Venkat Reddy said they would also urge union minister S. Jaipal Reddy to join them in mounting pressure on the leadership.
Eleven of the 12 Congress MPs from Telangana have decided to quit while Jaipal Reddy is keeping mum.
Cutting across party lines, about 70 out of 119 state legislators from the region have submitted their resignations to the assembly speaker.
The ministers, who have already sent their joint resignation letter to party president Sonia Gandhi, will call on her and other leaders to underline the need for allaying the apprehensions created by the central government's second statement on Telangana.
Nine of the 13 ministers and MPs from the region left for the national capital in the hope that the leadership would come out with clarity on the issue.
Minister for Information and Public Relations Geeta Reddy told reporters that they would apprise the leadership of the disappointment following the Dec 23 statement, which is seen as dilution of the central government's Dec 9 pledge to initiate the process for the formation of Telangana state.
The second statement laid stress on the need to hold wide ranging consultations on the issue in view of the differences among various parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Minister for IT K. Venkat Reddy said they would also urge union minister S. Jaipal Reddy to join them in mounting pressure on the leadership.
Eleven of the 12 Congress MPs from Telangana have decided to quit while Jaipal Reddy is keeping mum.
Cutting across party lines, about 70 out of 119 state legislators from the region have submitted their resignations to the assembly speaker.
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