New Delhi: It has been only a couple of days that India and Pakistan have managed to get peace talks back on track. However, the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has already sent out a warning that there are dark forces across the border in Pakistan. He has said that these groups would try everything in their power to take over Kashmir by hook or crook.
These statements were made at the meeting of the chief ministers of various states of India. At the same event Prime Minister Manmohan also expressed his concerns regarding the rate at which jihadi forces from across the border were breaching and infiltrating India. Chidambaram has already pleaded for the utmost assistance from all the chief ministers as far as waging the war against these terrorists is concerned.
These remarks make it very clear that India are actually aware of the fact that there are a whole lot of terrorists and militant forces in Pakistan that can cause significant damage to itself. The fact that India and Pakistan have now embarked after more than a year to restore peace, only adds to the whole context.
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Snake charmer girls study, usher in winds of change
Sapera Basti (Haryana): Promila is pursuing her graduation and is a role model for her entire village. Considering she hails from a snake charmers' community where education is hardly a priority, and for women a taboo, this feisty 19-year-old's achievement is a big deal.
"I am the only girl in my village to have reached the graduation level. There are a few others who are in school, but none who have managed to reach college," a chirpy Promila told media in her village near Badarpur on the edge of the capital.
Originally from Rajasthan, the inhabitants of Sapera Basti, which literally means snake charmers' village, settled here decades back in search of better livelihood options. Education never featured in their priority list since it was taken for granted that their profession - snake charming - would be passed down from generation to generation.
"Even after the ban on snake charming came into effect thanks to the wildlife protection bill, other livelihood options were explored, but educating their sons was never considered an option. As far as the women's role went, like in any other patriarchal society, they were hardly meant to step out of their homes," said Bhagyashree Dengle, executive director of Plan India, an NGO that works with the community.
According to Dengle, it took an intervention of over 12 years to slowly convince community members about the benefits of education and start sending their children to school. Even then, educating the girls was a big challenge.
Kamlesh Chauhan, one of the very first women of the village who went to school, said: "I have studied till Class 10. It may not sound too impressive but considering all the challenges that I had to face, it is for me.
"When I was in Class 6, my parents withdrew my admission since the villagers had started saying it's not good to over-educate girls! My teachers and members of the NGO came to my home to make my parents change their mind, which they did, but for another two years," she said.
"In Class 8, my relatives said it was time for me to tie the knot. Another round of pleading followed and finally my parents gave in. I managed to study till Class 10 and after some time I got married," Chauhan said.
Instead of sitting at home thereafter, Chauhan decided to look for work and found a job in a nursing home. She now earns a decent packet and helps her husband run the home.
"I have a six-year-old daughter who goes to school. With the little education that I had, I am able to lead a fairly independent life, but I will make sure that my daughter studies much more than me so that she can lead an even better life," she said with confidence.
While things have changed for the better since Chauhan's days, Promila says much needs to be done, especially for the womenfolk in her village.
"The problem of early marriage is rampant in my village. After completing my graduation in social work, I plan to work in my village to remove this custom. I also want to encourage female literacy," Promila said.
While the number of girls from this village who are in school is not much - 15 or 20 - even that is a welcome change.
Anuja Nath, a village resident whose daughter goes to school, said: "The men of the village earn little and even that is wasted on alcohol. We women take care of the livestock, get firewood and work at home.
"I don't want my daughter to lead a life like most of us. I want her to study, get a good job and lead a comfortable life. In fact, thanks to her going to school I came to know of a three-month beautician's course and I enrolled in it, so I hope even I can earn some extra money," Nath told media.
Promila said: "Since I am doing my graduation through correspondence, I have time to give tutions to kids and also use my extra time to paint henna on women's hands at weddings. I also work as a peer counsellor and sensitise youngsters like me about HIV/AIDS, health and hygiene."
"My parents are very proud of me and I hope that I can help things change more, so that all families can be proud of their daughters like mine," she smiled.
"I am the only girl in my village to have reached the graduation level. There are a few others who are in school, but none who have managed to reach college," a chirpy Promila told media in her village near Badarpur on the edge of the capital.
Originally from Rajasthan, the inhabitants of Sapera Basti, which literally means snake charmers' village, settled here decades back in search of better livelihood options. Education never featured in their priority list since it was taken for granted that their profession - snake charming - would be passed down from generation to generation.
"Even after the ban on snake charming came into effect thanks to the wildlife protection bill, other livelihood options were explored, but educating their sons was never considered an option. As far as the women's role went, like in any other patriarchal society, they were hardly meant to step out of their homes," said Bhagyashree Dengle, executive director of Plan India, an NGO that works with the community.
According to Dengle, it took an intervention of over 12 years to slowly convince community members about the benefits of education and start sending their children to school. Even then, educating the girls was a big challenge.
Kamlesh Chauhan, one of the very first women of the village who went to school, said: "I have studied till Class 10. It may not sound too impressive but considering all the challenges that I had to face, it is for me.
"When I was in Class 6, my parents withdrew my admission since the villagers had started saying it's not good to over-educate girls! My teachers and members of the NGO came to my home to make my parents change their mind, which they did, but for another two years," she said.
"In Class 8, my relatives said it was time for me to tie the knot. Another round of pleading followed and finally my parents gave in. I managed to study till Class 10 and after some time I got married," Chauhan said.
Instead of sitting at home thereafter, Chauhan decided to look for work and found a job in a nursing home. She now earns a decent packet and helps her husband run the home.
"I have a six-year-old daughter who goes to school. With the little education that I had, I am able to lead a fairly independent life, but I will make sure that my daughter studies much more than me so that she can lead an even better life," she said with confidence.
While things have changed for the better since Chauhan's days, Promila says much needs to be done, especially for the womenfolk in her village.
"The problem of early marriage is rampant in my village. After completing my graduation in social work, I plan to work in my village to remove this custom. I also want to encourage female literacy," Promila said.
While the number of girls from this village who are in school is not much - 15 or 20 - even that is a welcome change.
Anuja Nath, a village resident whose daughter goes to school, said: "The men of the village earn little and even that is wasted on alcohol. We women take care of the livestock, get firewood and work at home.
"I don't want my daughter to lead a life like most of us. I want her to study, get a good job and lead a comfortable life. In fact, thanks to her going to school I came to know of a three-month beautician's course and I enrolled in it, so I hope even I can earn some extra money," Nath told media.
Promila said: "Since I am doing my graduation through correspondence, I have time to give tutions to kids and also use my extra time to paint henna on women's hands at weddings. I also work as a peer counsellor and sensitise youngsters like me about HIV/AIDS, health and hygiene."
"My parents are very proud of me and I hope that I can help things change more, so that all families can be proud of their daughters like mine," she smiled.
Facebook debate over Goa official's remarks on girl's rape
Panaji: A senior Goa tourism official's remarks to a Delhi-based newspaper over the rape of a nine-year-old Russian girl on Republic Day has triggered a debate on popular social networking website Facebook.
'The Blank Noise project' (TBNP), a popular community-public art project which seeks to confront street harassment, has written an open letter to Pamela Mascarenhas, a deputy director in the state tourism department, on its home page on Facebook criticising her for comments to the tabloid, last week.
"You can't blame the locals; they have never seen such women. Foreign tourists must maintain a certain degree of modesty in their clothing. Walking on the beaches half-naked is bound to titillate the senses," Mascarenhas had reportedly told the tabloid.
TBNP's letter, which is signed by "an Indian girl who loves her saris and her hot pants", argues that dress sense was not a factor when it comes to sexual assault.
"For your information, women from across age groups, be it three-month-old babies or 90-year-olds have been raped. They have been raped in saris, burkhas, salwar kameez, school uniforms, bikinis, jeans, skirts, shirts, lungis. Women have been molested, assaulted, raped at all times of the day, and in public places," the letter, which has been subsequently doing the rounds on nearly all Goa-related mailing lists, states.
The stinging letter also accused Mascarenhas of exonerating the perpetrators of sexual crimes and instead heaping the blame on the victim.
"By making the statement above, you are blaming women instead of taking responsibility of the issue. We hope this will direct you towards taking responsibility of these incidents by actually addressing male behaviour and men in Goa, for which you will first have to address yourself by accepting this truth," it states, adding that cultural inappropriateness was no excuse for sexual assaults.
'The Letter to deputy director of tourism' project, which was posted Feb 3 and will be open for comments until March 31, has already attracted several comments from internet surfers.
"I can't believe that they can blame a nine-year old girl for being 'too sexy'. I mean, it is horrible enough to blame a women for 'asking for it' by dress, which is already totally bull-crap, but to blame a nine-year-old girl?" Lindsey Rieder, from Syracuse, US has commented.
Mascarenhas, when contacted, said she was not willing to comment on the controversy, adding that she was misquoted by the newspaper.
State tourism minister Mickky Pacheco said it was impossible to insist that foreigners not wear bikinis on Goan beaches. "Goa is a popular tourist destination and is a window to the West. We cannot ask tourists not to wear bikinis here," Pacheco said.
The state tourism department has announced that it would withdraw photographs of women in bikinis from Goa's tourism promotion campaign.
'The Blank Noise project' (TBNP), a popular community-public art project which seeks to confront street harassment, has written an open letter to Pamela Mascarenhas, a deputy director in the state tourism department, on its home page on Facebook criticising her for comments to the tabloid, last week.
"You can't blame the locals; they have never seen such women. Foreign tourists must maintain a certain degree of modesty in their clothing. Walking on the beaches half-naked is bound to titillate the senses," Mascarenhas had reportedly told the tabloid.
TBNP's letter, which is signed by "an Indian girl who loves her saris and her hot pants", argues that dress sense was not a factor when it comes to sexual assault.
"For your information, women from across age groups, be it three-month-old babies or 90-year-olds have been raped. They have been raped in saris, burkhas, salwar kameez, school uniforms, bikinis, jeans, skirts, shirts, lungis. Women have been molested, assaulted, raped at all times of the day, and in public places," the letter, which has been subsequently doing the rounds on nearly all Goa-related mailing lists, states.
The stinging letter also accused Mascarenhas of exonerating the perpetrators of sexual crimes and instead heaping the blame on the victim.
"By making the statement above, you are blaming women instead of taking responsibility of the issue. We hope this will direct you towards taking responsibility of these incidents by actually addressing male behaviour and men in Goa, for which you will first have to address yourself by accepting this truth," it states, adding that cultural inappropriateness was no excuse for sexual assaults.
'The Letter to deputy director of tourism' project, which was posted Feb 3 and will be open for comments until March 31, has already attracted several comments from internet surfers.
"I can't believe that they can blame a nine-year old girl for being 'too sexy'. I mean, it is horrible enough to blame a women for 'asking for it' by dress, which is already totally bull-crap, but to blame a nine-year-old girl?" Lindsey Rieder, from Syracuse, US has commented.
Mascarenhas, when contacted, said she was not willing to comment on the controversy, adding that she was misquoted by the newspaper.
State tourism minister Mickky Pacheco said it was impossible to insist that foreigners not wear bikinis on Goan beaches. "Goa is a popular tourist destination and is a window to the West. We cannot ask tourists not to wear bikinis here," Pacheco said.
The state tourism department has announced that it would withdraw photographs of women in bikinis from Goa's tourism promotion campaign.
'My Name Is Khan' will entertain, not make statement: Shah Rukh
Washington: It has some religion, a bit of politics and it's set in the backdrop of a world shaking event, but for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan his latest venture is not so much about Islam post-9/11 as it is entertainment.
"The film is mainly entertainment," Shah Rukh said in a lengthy interview with media over the phone from New York on a trip last week to promote his new film, "My Name Is Khan" (MNIK), releasing in the US on Feb 12.
"If some issue is taken back home, I always tell people if they can take back a little more than an empty pack of popcorn, that's interesting...that's an added advantage to an entertaining film."
Shah Rukh, who plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger's syndrome living in the US, finding his marriage to a Hindu single mother (played by Kajol) crumbling post-9/11, wouldn't agree that it's the Islam angle that is grabbing the most attention in the US.
"A film normally deals with lots of issues, comedy, or it's a tragedy or a serious film or a dramatic love story like '...Khan' is meant to be," he said. "If one starts talking or deciding on issues before a whole film is seen, it's kinda not right to do, specially as a filmmaker.
"Normally, a film is more than the sum of its parts. It's not like it's a love story, it's got a Karan Johar touch to social cinema, it has an angle of religion, it also has a part of politics, it has a world-shaking incident as a backdrop, it also has a lot of sweet songs. It combines all that.
"To me as a filmmaker, or part of a film, any aspect of the film can only be decided once one has seen the whole film. But there's no denying that there is an aspect of religion in the film."
Nor would Shah Rukh look at this and other recent Bollywood films about the fate of Indian Muslims in the US post-9/11 as an effort to redress any negative images people may have formed about Islam over the last nine years.
"Films normally are for entertainment. One doesn't really make a conscious decision to make a statement with it. Within entertainment, if a statement gets made, it's really nice for a filmmaker.
"You know, maybe '3 Idiots' talks about education, but it's an entertaining film. Similarly 'Chak De! India' talks about patriotism, but it's a sports film.
"You can have issues related in a film, but when filmmakers of commercial proportions like Karan, myself and Kajol and all get together, it's not to highlight an issue because it's too expensive as a commercial venture to make a film about an issue and not entertain."
To Shah Rukh, "the most interesting part of the fact as an actor is that I'm playing a character who's got Asperger's. It's also not in any which way to show it in a light which is not nice...but for an actor that's a great thing to do, you know, to play a (person with a) disorder like this which very few people know about."
"Hopefully, I'll be able to convince people about it when they see (the film). I don't think at least commercial filmmakers from India really make a big-time film which is localised or even localised by an international issue," he said.
"Commercial we will only know once the film releases," said Shah Rukh when asked if MNIK isn't one of Karan Johar's least commercial offerings so far.
"...Yes, the only thing it has amiss is big set dance pieces, but we just felt with the disorder we were dealing with, it would look very unrealistic for the character Rizwan Khan to indulge in dancing of the order of we normally see in a Hindi film of Karan's, or you might have seen earlier.
"Except for that, I think the venture is extremely commercial," he said.
"In the last five years, there's a whole paradigm shift as to what people accept as a commercial film," Shah Rukh said describing it as "Karan's evolution from making and keeping up with the trends of new commercial cinema in India and elsewhere".
On professional challenges he faced during its filming, Shah Rukh said it was a "very difficult" character to play. "If I was to just put it simply, it's very seldom that I've really gone ahead and played a character which exists in real life.
"And whenever you're dealing with a disorder or a near...atypical situation, the first thought is that the sort of parameters you have to set that in no which way you are derogatory or deriding the disorder.
"You have to make the protagonist very proud of what it is. The second part is you have to come as close to reality in depicting that characterisation and so one had to study a lot and one does get worried..."
But a couple of people affected with the same disorder who were shown the film had told them "...it's a great portrayal, it's very close to someone with this kind of disorder".
"Of course, having said that, I have taken a few cinematic liberties with it, because I've used three or four traits which may not exist simultaneously in one person and tried to create one character who has Asperger's, called Rizwan Khan."
"The film is mainly entertainment," Shah Rukh said in a lengthy interview with media over the phone from New York on a trip last week to promote his new film, "My Name Is Khan" (MNIK), releasing in the US on Feb 12.
"If some issue is taken back home, I always tell people if they can take back a little more than an empty pack of popcorn, that's interesting...that's an added advantage to an entertaining film."
Shah Rukh, who plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger's syndrome living in the US, finding his marriage to a Hindu single mother (played by Kajol) crumbling post-9/11, wouldn't agree that it's the Islam angle that is grabbing the most attention in the US.
"A film normally deals with lots of issues, comedy, or it's a tragedy or a serious film or a dramatic love story like '...Khan' is meant to be," he said. "If one starts talking or deciding on issues before a whole film is seen, it's kinda not right to do, specially as a filmmaker.
"Normally, a film is more than the sum of its parts. It's not like it's a love story, it's got a Karan Johar touch to social cinema, it has an angle of religion, it also has a part of politics, it has a world-shaking incident as a backdrop, it also has a lot of sweet songs. It combines all that.
"To me as a filmmaker, or part of a film, any aspect of the film can only be decided once one has seen the whole film. But there's no denying that there is an aspect of religion in the film."
Nor would Shah Rukh look at this and other recent Bollywood films about the fate of Indian Muslims in the US post-9/11 as an effort to redress any negative images people may have formed about Islam over the last nine years.
"Films normally are for entertainment. One doesn't really make a conscious decision to make a statement with it. Within entertainment, if a statement gets made, it's really nice for a filmmaker.
"You know, maybe '3 Idiots' talks about education, but it's an entertaining film. Similarly 'Chak De! India' talks about patriotism, but it's a sports film.
"You can have issues related in a film, but when filmmakers of commercial proportions like Karan, myself and Kajol and all get together, it's not to highlight an issue because it's too expensive as a commercial venture to make a film about an issue and not entertain."
To Shah Rukh, "the most interesting part of the fact as an actor is that I'm playing a character who's got Asperger's. It's also not in any which way to show it in a light which is not nice...but for an actor that's a great thing to do, you know, to play a (person with a) disorder like this which very few people know about."
"Hopefully, I'll be able to convince people about it when they see (the film). I don't think at least commercial filmmakers from India really make a big-time film which is localised or even localised by an international issue," he said.
"Commercial we will only know once the film releases," said Shah Rukh when asked if MNIK isn't one of Karan Johar's least commercial offerings so far.
"...Yes, the only thing it has amiss is big set dance pieces, but we just felt with the disorder we were dealing with, it would look very unrealistic for the character Rizwan Khan to indulge in dancing of the order of we normally see in a Hindi film of Karan's, or you might have seen earlier.
"Except for that, I think the venture is extremely commercial," he said.
"In the last five years, there's a whole paradigm shift as to what people accept as a commercial film," Shah Rukh said describing it as "Karan's evolution from making and keeping up with the trends of new commercial cinema in India and elsewhere".
On professional challenges he faced during its filming, Shah Rukh said it was a "very difficult" character to play. "If I was to just put it simply, it's very seldom that I've really gone ahead and played a character which exists in real life.
"And whenever you're dealing with a disorder or a near...atypical situation, the first thought is that the sort of parameters you have to set that in no which way you are derogatory or deriding the disorder.
"You have to make the protagonist very proud of what it is. The second part is you have to come as close to reality in depicting that characterisation and so one had to study a lot and one does get worried..."
But a couple of people affected with the same disorder who were shown the film had told them "...it's a great portrayal, it's very close to someone with this kind of disorder".
"Of course, having said that, I have taken a few cinematic liberties with it, because I've used three or four traits which may not exist simultaneously in one person and tried to create one character who has Asperger's, called Rizwan Khan."
Obama a symbol for change in film: Shah Rukh
Washington: Shah Rukh Khan says his new film portrays Barack Obama simply as a symbol for "change", but he isn't knowledgeable enough in political matters to comment on how the US president has fared.
The actor does, however, believe that Obama seems "like a gentleman" and "speaks very well".
"What we wanted to do is not really show Barack Obama," he said talking about his new film "My Name Is Khan" (MNIK) in an interview with media over the phone from New York.
"We just wanted to use that as a symbol for the change that is happening around everywhere, including America. I guess historically it's the first time that you have an Afro-American president," said Shah Rukh who was in the US to promote the film.
The film is set for release in the US on Feb 12.
In it, Shah Rukh plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger's syndrome (a form of autism) living in the US, who marries a Hindu single mother, played by Kajol, but their marriage crumbles post-9/11 and he sets out to meet the US president for help in getting her back.
"Things which had not happened historically before are happening and one of the changes that can come along is peace and humanity in the world too," he said. "There was a choice: should we have the president, have a look-alike, there was a choice, should we use it symbolically?"
"We chose the latter and didn't go for someone who looked like Mr.Barack Obama. We don't even mention it as Mr.Barack Obama in the film, actually," Shah Rukh said.
But when asked what he thought of Obama, the Bollywood star played a little coy. "I really have not that much knowledge about the politics of the world, to be really honest. (laughs) I'm a little untouched by it.
"But on the face of it, when I came to America last year for '...Khan', I think that's the time he was elected ... and one kind of was present during the time when everyone was talking wonderfully [about] how new things will happen..."
"...country's politics I'm not too sure of," Shah Rukh said. "He looks like a gentleman, amazingly presentable, speaks very well, so I can just talk about him as a viewer, not as a knowledgeable person about the intricacies of his policies and politics."
"I don't think the US has a perception in majority which is negative," he said when asked how he thought the US' perceptions of Islam would be affected by the fact that Obama's father himself was a Muslim.
"But when somebody is thwarted, the first reaction always is a little more, I won't say aggressive, but a little more volatile against X, Y, Z person or a group of people who've thwarted them," Shah Rukh said.
"May be what would really change the perception of the world about each other is having knowledge about each other.
"So may be the people here and the people in the Muslim world need to understand each other's religion and faith and the bottomline would be that each faith has a similar kind of discipline and goodness attached to it which normally says everybody should live life in a good way...and that's basically also the message of '...Khan'."
Shah Rukh was fulsome in his praise of Christopher B. Duncan, who plays Obama in the film. "As an actor I think he's tremendous...very powerful actor," he said of the artiste known for his performance as Obama on the "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.
"I was very impressed, I shot with him one day. Without wanting to sound patronising, Kajol and me thought he was an amazingly powerful actor."
The actor does, however, believe that Obama seems "like a gentleman" and "speaks very well".
"What we wanted to do is not really show Barack Obama," he said talking about his new film "My Name Is Khan" (MNIK) in an interview with media over the phone from New York.
"We just wanted to use that as a symbol for the change that is happening around everywhere, including America. I guess historically it's the first time that you have an Afro-American president," said Shah Rukh who was in the US to promote the film.
The film is set for release in the US on Feb 12.
In it, Shah Rukh plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger's syndrome (a form of autism) living in the US, who marries a Hindu single mother, played by Kajol, but their marriage crumbles post-9/11 and he sets out to meet the US president for help in getting her back.
"Things which had not happened historically before are happening and one of the changes that can come along is peace and humanity in the world too," he said. "There was a choice: should we have the president, have a look-alike, there was a choice, should we use it symbolically?"
"We chose the latter and didn't go for someone who looked like Mr.Barack Obama. We don't even mention it as Mr.Barack Obama in the film, actually," Shah Rukh said.
But when asked what he thought of Obama, the Bollywood star played a little coy. "I really have not that much knowledge about the politics of the world, to be really honest. (laughs) I'm a little untouched by it.
"But on the face of it, when I came to America last year for '...Khan', I think that's the time he was elected ... and one kind of was present during the time when everyone was talking wonderfully [about] how new things will happen..."
"...country's politics I'm not too sure of," Shah Rukh said. "He looks like a gentleman, amazingly presentable, speaks very well, so I can just talk about him as a viewer, not as a knowledgeable person about the intricacies of his policies and politics."
"I don't think the US has a perception in majority which is negative," he said when asked how he thought the US' perceptions of Islam would be affected by the fact that Obama's father himself was a Muslim.
"But when somebody is thwarted, the first reaction always is a little more, I won't say aggressive, but a little more volatile against X, Y, Z person or a group of people who've thwarted them," Shah Rukh said.
"May be what would really change the perception of the world about each other is having knowledge about each other.
"So may be the people here and the people in the Muslim world need to understand each other's religion and faith and the bottomline would be that each faith has a similar kind of discipline and goodness attached to it which normally says everybody should live life in a good way...and that's basically also the message of '...Khan'."
Shah Rukh was fulsome in his praise of Christopher B. Duncan, who plays Obama in the film. "As an actor I think he's tremendous...very powerful actor," he said of the artiste known for his performance as Obama on the "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.
"I was very impressed, I shot with him one day. Without wanting to sound patronising, Kajol and me thought he was an amazingly powerful actor."
'Striker' should bring carrom back in vogue
New Delhi: There was a time when children and adults alike enjoyed a game of carrom, but videogames seem to have taken over now. Actor Siddharth hopes his film "Striker" will bring back the lost popularity of carrom.
"Striker is not a sports film, but I am sure it will bring back carrom in vogue. Although it is still quite alive... we have Asian champions and many great players of the game in India...it will definitely get a boost in popularity with the film," Siddarth told media over phone from Mumbai.
"It's kind of a biographical film on Suryakant...however that's not the only angle. It's an amalgamation of many stories in the slums of Mumbai. It is based in the 1980s when carrom used to be very popular and a rage in these small bylanes. It's about how this character is faced with many choices in life - good and bad - and what he chooses," said the south Indian actor, who earned rave reviews for his role in "Rang De Basanti".
Siddharth says he worked really hard to get into the skin of the character.
"I spent a lot of time in Mumbai slums, speaking to people there. I also underwent two months' training in carrom, not only to become a pro in the game and learn the tricks but also to learn the body language and gauge what goes on in the mind of the player," he said.
Not signing a Bollywood film right after "Rang De Basanti", Siddharth said, was a conscious decision.
"I want to do films with which I can make an identity. It's not that I shied away from Bollywood. It's just that I am selective about the films I do. Even in Telugu, I have done just nine films in nine years. I didn't want to be part of a bad film. I have a strong track record and I wanted to maintain that by doing good films even in Hindi cinema," he said.
Acting skills apart, Siddharth is a good playback singer too and has sung two songs in "Striker".
"I am a trained singer and my songs in the film are an extension of my character. I have sung a few songs in my films down south as well. The film has a unique soundtrack with six composers coming together for the first time for a film," he added.
Dirceted by Chandan Arora, "Striker" also starred Vidya Malvade. And Siddarth says he has found his "filmmaking soulmate" in Chandan.
"Chandan is my filmmaking soulmate. In the industry it is not always easy to find people who think like you. Mine and Chandan's visions meet and thus we had a great time filming the film. We are planning a couple of films more," he said.
While he will continue working for regional films, Siddharth will now concentrate a little more on Hindi movies as well.
"Apart from "Striker" I am finishing some work in Telugu; then I will focus on Bollywood. But this time there won't be a gap of four years," the actor said.
"Striker is not a sports film, but I am sure it will bring back carrom in vogue. Although it is still quite alive... we have Asian champions and many great players of the game in India...it will definitely get a boost in popularity with the film," Siddarth told media over phone from Mumbai.
"It's kind of a biographical film on Suryakant...however that's not the only angle. It's an amalgamation of many stories in the slums of Mumbai. It is based in the 1980s when carrom used to be very popular and a rage in these small bylanes. It's about how this character is faced with many choices in life - good and bad - and what he chooses," said the south Indian actor, who earned rave reviews for his role in "Rang De Basanti".
Siddharth says he worked really hard to get into the skin of the character.
"I spent a lot of time in Mumbai slums, speaking to people there. I also underwent two months' training in carrom, not only to become a pro in the game and learn the tricks but also to learn the body language and gauge what goes on in the mind of the player," he said.
Not signing a Bollywood film right after "Rang De Basanti", Siddharth said, was a conscious decision.
"I want to do films with which I can make an identity. It's not that I shied away from Bollywood. It's just that I am selective about the films I do. Even in Telugu, I have done just nine films in nine years. I didn't want to be part of a bad film. I have a strong track record and I wanted to maintain that by doing good films even in Hindi cinema," he said.
Acting skills apart, Siddharth is a good playback singer too and has sung two songs in "Striker".
"I am a trained singer and my songs in the film are an extension of my character. I have sung a few songs in my films down south as well. The film has a unique soundtrack with six composers coming together for the first time for a film," he added.
Dirceted by Chandan Arora, "Striker" also starred Vidya Malvade. And Siddarth says he has found his "filmmaking soulmate" in Chandan.
"Chandan is my filmmaking soulmate. In the industry it is not always easy to find people who think like you. Mine and Chandan's visions meet and thus we had a great time filming the film. We are planning a couple of films more," he said.
While he will continue working for regional films, Siddharth will now concentrate a little more on Hindi movies as well.
"Apart from "Striker" I am finishing some work in Telugu; then I will focus on Bollywood. But this time there won't be a gap of four years," the actor said.
Five-day cultural bonanza begins in Manali
Manali: The five-day-long winter carnival, one of the biggest cultural festivals of Himachal Pradesh, began here today amidst fanfare.
"The 12th Manali Winter Carnival of dance and music began today (Sunday). Around 100 troupes from across the country would perform during the cultural bonanza," Manali's Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajeshwar Goel, who is also in charge of the carnival, told media.
One of the main attractions of the carnival is the national skiing championship at Gulaba slopes.
This time the Winter Games Federation of India has allowed the Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association to hold the National Senior Alpine Skiing Championship at Gulaba.
The Solang ski slopes, which were totally bereft of snow cover, suddenly saw a good spell of snow Saturday. The organisers have decided to hold the skiing at Gulaba, 10 km upwards from Solang.
"Still the snow cover is not adequate to hold skiing at Solang, so we are holding the championship right now at Gulaba," association president R.C. Negi said.
The championship also has entries from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Border Security Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Goel said for the first time the organisers have hired professionals to manage the Winter Queen and Men's Personality contests.
"A cash prize of Rs.100,000 would be given to winners of both the contests," he said.
A laser graphic show would also be organised, besides a theatre festival to stage Himachali plays.
The Textiles ministry has organised a national wool expo in which 50 stalls from across the country have been set up.
Meanwhile, the cultural festival has triggered a surge in tourist arrivals in this picturesque tourist resort.
"The fest has evoked a good response from the tourists. Moreover, a good spell of snow on the hills overlooking this town in the past two days is an added attraction for the tourists," Manali Hoteliers Association president Tek Chand Thakur said.
The Himachal Pradesh tourism department is expecting an increase in the arrival of tourists during the festival.
"We are hoping to bag additional revenues due to influx of tourists during the fest," Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp (HPTDC) general manager Yogesh Behl said.
"The occupancy is more than 90 percent in most of our hotels in Manali," he added.
The town has more than 350 hotels, restaurants and guest houses.
Tourism is an important contributor to Himachal Pradesh's economic development, besides horticulture and hydropower generation.
The state attracted 11,437,155 tourists, including 400,583 foreigners, last year.
Kullu-Manali has emerged as a favoured tourist destination, followed by Shimla and Dharamsala.
"The 12th Manali Winter Carnival of dance and music began today (Sunday). Around 100 troupes from across the country would perform during the cultural bonanza," Manali's Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajeshwar Goel, who is also in charge of the carnival, told media.
One of the main attractions of the carnival is the national skiing championship at Gulaba slopes.
This time the Winter Games Federation of India has allowed the Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association to hold the National Senior Alpine Skiing Championship at Gulaba.
The Solang ski slopes, which were totally bereft of snow cover, suddenly saw a good spell of snow Saturday. The organisers have decided to hold the skiing at Gulaba, 10 km upwards from Solang.
"Still the snow cover is not adequate to hold skiing at Solang, so we are holding the championship right now at Gulaba," association president R.C. Negi said.
The championship also has entries from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Border Security Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Goel said for the first time the organisers have hired professionals to manage the Winter Queen and Men's Personality contests.
"A cash prize of Rs.100,000 would be given to winners of both the contests," he said.
A laser graphic show would also be organised, besides a theatre festival to stage Himachali plays.
The Textiles ministry has organised a national wool expo in which 50 stalls from across the country have been set up.
Meanwhile, the cultural festival has triggered a surge in tourist arrivals in this picturesque tourist resort.
"The fest has evoked a good response from the tourists. Moreover, a good spell of snow on the hills overlooking this town in the past two days is an added attraction for the tourists," Manali Hoteliers Association president Tek Chand Thakur said.
The Himachal Pradesh tourism department is expecting an increase in the arrival of tourists during the festival.
"We are hoping to bag additional revenues due to influx of tourists during the fest," Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp (HPTDC) general manager Yogesh Behl said.
"The occupancy is more than 90 percent in most of our hotels in Manali," he added.
The town has more than 350 hotels, restaurants and guest houses.
Tourism is an important contributor to Himachal Pradesh's economic development, besides horticulture and hydropower generation.
The state attracted 11,437,155 tourists, including 400,583 foreigners, last year.
Kullu-Manali has emerged as a favoured tourist destination, followed by Shimla and Dharamsala.
Maoists blow up rail track in Bihar
Patna: Armed Maoists blew up a railway track in Bihar's Jamui district early today to enforce a 72-hour long strike called by them against a proposed security operation against the rebels, officials said.
The guerrillas blasted a track near Narganjo station in Jamui, about 170 km from here. Narganjo is situated on the Patna-Howrah rail route of the East Central Railway.
"Maoists blew up the railway track to enforce their strike starting Saturday midnight," a police official in Jamui said.
A railway official in the district said the blast disrupted rail traffic on the route and repair work was under way.
"Over half a dozen long route express trains were halted at different railway stations after the incident," the official said.
The strike call by Maoists evoked a mixed response in Bihar as urban areas remained unaffected but normal life was hit in villages.
An official in the home department said the Maoists' strike call evoked no response in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Purnea but affected life in Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal and Gaya districts that are considered Maoist strongholds.
The guerrillas blasted a track near Narganjo station in Jamui, about 170 km from here. Narganjo is situated on the Patna-Howrah rail route of the East Central Railway.
"Maoists blew up the railway track to enforce their strike starting Saturday midnight," a police official in Jamui said.
A railway official in the district said the blast disrupted rail traffic on the route and repair work was under way.
"Over half a dozen long route express trains were halted at different railway stations after the incident," the official said.
The strike call by Maoists evoked a mixed response in Bihar as urban areas remained unaffected but normal life was hit in villages.
An official in the home department said the Maoists' strike call evoked no response in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Purnea but affected life in Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal and Gaya districts that are considered Maoist strongholds.
United efforts needed to face security threats: PM
New Delhi: United efforts are needed to fight terrorists, Maoists and communal forces that pose "major threats" to our internal security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today as he asked the state and central governments to face the challenge with firm determination. "Utmost vigil, sustained and coordinated efforts of the central and state governments are needed. We must periodically review the systems that are in place and ensure the safety and security of our country and our citizens," Manmohan Singh said while inaugurating the internal security conclave for state chief ministers held here.
The prime minister listed terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, Maoist insurgency in tribal-dominated central India and communal forces as "major threats" to the country.
"All of you are aware of the major threats to our security. Hostile groups and elements operate from across the border to perpetrate terrorist acts in our country. The state of Jammu and Kashmir bears the brunt of the acts of these groups.
"There is insurgency and violence in the northeast. Many states are affected by the Leftwing extremism, which I have in the past referred to as the greatest threat to our security. The prime minister noted that there are also people "who try to divide our society on communal and regional lines".
"Each one of these threats require a firm determination and continuous vigil to tackle them. These threats to our society and people constitute a challenge that we shall and must meet at all costs," he said.
The prime minister listed terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, Maoist insurgency in tribal-dominated central India and communal forces as "major threats" to the country.
"All of you are aware of the major threats to our security. Hostile groups and elements operate from across the border to perpetrate terrorist acts in our country. The state of Jammu and Kashmir bears the brunt of the acts of these groups.
"There is insurgency and violence in the northeast. Many states are affected by the Leftwing extremism, which I have in the past referred to as the greatest threat to our security. The prime minister noted that there are also people "who try to divide our society on communal and regional lines".
"Each one of these threats require a firm determination and continuous vigil to tackle them. These threats to our society and people constitute a challenge that we shall and must meet at all costs," he said.
Need to clamp down on menace of fake currency: PM
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today stressed that there should be no delay in investigating cases related to counterfeit currency and curbing the menace which has "serious implications for our economy".
"I would like to make a mention of the menace of counterfeit currency notes. There are indications that fake Indian currency notes are being printed and smuggled into India from outside our country," said Manmohan Singh in his inaugural address at the chief ministers conference on internal security here.
"There is obviously a need for a coordinated approach by the central and state agencies to tackle this menace (fake currency notes), which has serious implications for our economy," he said.
The prime minister regretted that there has been a "reluctance to register the first information report" in some instances of recovery of fake currency.
"This has to be avoided and all such cases must be thoroughly investigated. The states could also designate a nodal agency to investigate cases of seizure or recovery of fake currency notes and set up a state level committee for continuous vigilance in the matter, as has been suggested by the ministry of home affairs," he said.
Recovery of fake currency notes is fairly common in India and efforts are underway to step up vigil along the porous international border in the northeast, which is turning into a major route for smugglers to push forged currency notes into India.
"I would like to make a mention of the menace of counterfeit currency notes. There are indications that fake Indian currency notes are being printed and smuggled into India from outside our country," said Manmohan Singh in his inaugural address at the chief ministers conference on internal security here.
"There is obviously a need for a coordinated approach by the central and state agencies to tackle this menace (fake currency notes), which has serious implications for our economy," he said.
The prime minister regretted that there has been a "reluctance to register the first information report" in some instances of recovery of fake currency.
"This has to be avoided and all such cases must be thoroughly investigated. The states could also designate a nodal agency to investigate cases of seizure or recovery of fake currency notes and set up a state level committee for continuous vigilance in the matter, as has been suggested by the ministry of home affairs," he said.
Recovery of fake currency notes is fairly common in India and efforts are underway to step up vigil along the porous international border in the northeast, which is turning into a major route for smugglers to push forged currency notes into India.
'Dark forces' in Pakistan won't succeed: Chidambaram
New Delhi: Terming militant groups in Pakistan as "dark forces", Home Minister P. Chidambaram today said New Delhi was watching the activities of terror outfits in Pakistani Kashmir but stressed they won't succeed in their anti-India designs.
"Let me draw your attention to the Feb 4 meeting of militant groups in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which was attended by the Laskhar-e-Taiba and the Hizbul Mujahideen. It is clear that these groups are anti-India and want annexation of Jammu and Kashmir... These dark forces will not succeed," Chidambaram said.
He was giving his opening remarks at the internal security conclave for state chief ministers held here.
The home minister was referring to the Muzaffarabad rally organised by the Lashkar jehadi outfit through its banned frontal organisation the Jama'at-ud-Dawaah Thursday.
Attended by the Hizbul Mujahideen chief, the jehadi meeting vowed to revert to the "Kashmir freedom cause" and continue supporting a separatist campaign in the insurgency-riven state of India.
Chidambaram said infiltration attempts from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir had gone up.
"Let me draw your attention to the Feb 4 meeting of militant groups in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which was attended by the Laskhar-e-Taiba and the Hizbul Mujahideen. It is clear that these groups are anti-India and want annexation of Jammu and Kashmir... These dark forces will not succeed," Chidambaram said.
He was giving his opening remarks at the internal security conclave for state chief ministers held here.
The home minister was referring to the Muzaffarabad rally organised by the Lashkar jehadi outfit through its banned frontal organisation the Jama'at-ud-Dawaah Thursday.
Attended by the Hizbul Mujahideen chief, the jehadi meeting vowed to revert to the "Kashmir freedom cause" and continue supporting a separatist campaign in the insurgency-riven state of India.
Chidambaram said infiltration attempts from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir had gone up.
India tests long-range nuclear-capable Agni-III missile
Bhadrak (Orissa): India today tested its indigenous long-range nuclear- capable Agni-III missile, catapulting the country into a select group of nations that have intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM)-capability, defence sources said.
The 3,000-km range missile, which is capable of carrying warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes, was tested from the Inner Wheeler Island at Dhamra, a launch site in Bhadrak district, about 200 km from Orissa capital Bhubaneswar, at 10.46 a.m.
This is the fourth test of the missile. The first test, from the same defence base on July 9, 2006, was unsuccessful. The second stage of the rocket had failed to separate from the missile quickly enough and the missile had fallen short of its target.
The DRDO-developed missile was tested again on April 12, 2007, and May 9, 2008, respectively and both the tests were successful.
Agni-III, one of the Agni series missiles, is a two-stage solid propellant missile with a length of 17 mt, diameter 2 mt and launch weight of 50 tonnes.
While Agni-I is a 750-800 km short-range missile, Agni-II has a range of more than 1,500 km. Both have already been inducted into the armed forces
The 3,000-km range missile, which is capable of carrying warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes, was tested from the Inner Wheeler Island at Dhamra, a launch site in Bhadrak district, about 200 km from Orissa capital Bhubaneswar, at 10.46 a.m.
This is the fourth test of the missile. The first test, from the same defence base on July 9, 2006, was unsuccessful. The second stage of the rocket had failed to separate from the missile quickly enough and the missile had fallen short of its target.
The DRDO-developed missile was tested again on April 12, 2007, and May 9, 2008, respectively and both the tests were successful.
Agni-III, one of the Agni series missiles, is a two-stage solid propellant missile with a length of 17 mt, diameter 2 mt and launch weight of 50 tonnes.
While Agni-I is a 750-800 km short-range missile, Agni-II has a range of more than 1,500 km. Both have already been inducted into the armed forces
Infiltration up in Jammu and Kashmir: PM
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed concern that incursion of terrorists from across the border had gone up in Jammu and Kashmir though there has been a "marked decline" in terror incidents in the state.
"There has been a marked decline in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2008-2009. (But) infiltration levels have shown an increase. Some incidents in Jammu and Kashmir are disturbing," Manmohan Singh said, inaugurating the internal security conclave for state chief ministers here.
The prime minister said that "hostile groups and elements operate from across the border to perpetrate terrorist acts in our country".
"The state of Jammu and Kashmir bears the brunt of the acts of these groups," he said.
He said the counterfeit currency notes smuggled into India from across the border pose a great threat to the economy.
"Fake currency notes are being printed and smuggled into India from across the border and there is a need for coordinated efforts between states and the centre to tackle the menace. It has a major impact on our economy," he said
"There has been a marked decline in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2008-2009. (But) infiltration levels have shown an increase. Some incidents in Jammu and Kashmir are disturbing," Manmohan Singh said, inaugurating the internal security conclave for state chief ministers here.
The prime minister said that "hostile groups and elements operate from across the border to perpetrate terrorist acts in our country".
"The state of Jammu and Kashmir bears the brunt of the acts of these groups," he said.
He said the counterfeit currency notes smuggled into India from across the border pose a great threat to the economy.
"Fake currency notes are being printed and smuggled into India from across the border and there is a need for coordinated efforts between states and the centre to tackle the menace. It has a major impact on our economy," he said
CPI-M terms Shiv Sena's politics chauvinistic
Kolkata: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Saturday condemned the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) for their "virulent chauvinistic politics" and their attempt to intimidate film actors like Shah Rukh Khan and other personalities for speaking out their mind.
"The CPI-M central committee condemns the chauvinistic forces who are targeting non-Marathi speaking people in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena and the MNS are indulging in this disruptive game after having failed to mobilise support for their platform in the recent assembly elections," CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat said.
The party also blamed the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra for pandering to the chauvinistic sentiments in the state.
"The recent order on taxi drivers in Mumbai having to speak and write Marathi with the 15-year domicile is one such step," he said.
The CPI-M also called upon people in Maharashtra and the country to rebuff the disruptive forces that harm the national integrity.
Talking about the Ranganath Mishra Commission recommendations, Karat said: "We welcome the recommendations for providing reservation for the minorities in government jobs. The CPI-M central committee urges the Central government to take necessary steps to implement the recommendations."
The party's central committee also reiterated its strong opposition to the Central government's decision to disinvest at least 10 percent of government equity in all profitable public sector units.
"Already shares of NHPC, Oil India and NTPC have been sold. The government is planning to sell shares in 60 central public sector undertakings that would be short-listed in the stock market in the next two years.
"The deceptive concept of 'people's ownership' is being used to mislead public opinion and conceal the true nature of disinvestment," a press communique issued by the party said.
Karat said that NTPC's share prices have sharply dropped in the share market.
"There is going to be another scam," he said.
The CPI-M central committee also decided to mobilise people against the disinvestment and said it would extend all support to the struggle of the trade unions and the public sector employees against this step which is contrary to national interests.
"The CPI-M central committee condemns the chauvinistic forces who are targeting non-Marathi speaking people in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena and the MNS are indulging in this disruptive game after having failed to mobilise support for their platform in the recent assembly elections," CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat said.
The party also blamed the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra for pandering to the chauvinistic sentiments in the state.
"The recent order on taxi drivers in Mumbai having to speak and write Marathi with the 15-year domicile is one such step," he said.
The CPI-M also called upon people in Maharashtra and the country to rebuff the disruptive forces that harm the national integrity.
Talking about the Ranganath Mishra Commission recommendations, Karat said: "We welcome the recommendations for providing reservation for the minorities in government jobs. The CPI-M central committee urges the Central government to take necessary steps to implement the recommendations."
The party's central committee also reiterated its strong opposition to the Central government's decision to disinvest at least 10 percent of government equity in all profitable public sector units.
"Already shares of NHPC, Oil India and NTPC have been sold. The government is planning to sell shares in 60 central public sector undertakings that would be short-listed in the stock market in the next two years.
"The deceptive concept of 'people's ownership' is being used to mislead public opinion and conceal the true nature of disinvestment," a press communique issued by the party said.
Karat said that NTPC's share prices have sharply dropped in the share market.
"There is going to be another scam," he said.
The CPI-M central committee also decided to mobilise people against the disinvestment and said it would extend all support to the struggle of the trade unions and the public sector employees against this step which is contrary to national interests.
Educational city to come up near Chandigarh
Chandigarh: The Punjab government today announced that it would develop an educational city near Chandigarh.
The educational city would be spread over an area of 2,000 acres near Chandigarh, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said here and asked the state's education department to prepare a comprehensive plan for the project.
The state government also announced that it is collaborating with a US-based university to set up an international university near the industrial city of Ludhiana, 110 km from here.
The Punjab International University will be set up on 35 acres near Ludhiana in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
The decision was taken today by Badal at a meeting with the university's chief executive officer Gil Taran.
Giving in-principle approval to the proposal, Badal assured Taran that the entire project would be cleared by the state government within two weeks.
Taran said that the initial proposal is to have five schools in the university, including engineering and technology, education and teachers' training, applied sciences, humanities and languages and management and business studies.
"The courses to be run would be fully at par with the courses being run on its US campus. Efforts would be made to have degrees awarded by this university to be recognized in the US," he said.
He added that the cost of education would be a fraction of the cost which an international student has to pay in the US. Technical courses would be developed keeping in mind needs of the local industry.
Taran said that Carnegie Mellon University was rated amongst the top ten universities of US and its robotics department was ranked as the best amongst similar departments.
The US university has set up state-of-the-art educational institutions in China, Doha (Qatar) and Kazakhstan.
The educational city would be spread over an area of 2,000 acres near Chandigarh, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said here and asked the state's education department to prepare a comprehensive plan for the project.
The state government also announced that it is collaborating with a US-based university to set up an international university near the industrial city of Ludhiana, 110 km from here.
The Punjab International University will be set up on 35 acres near Ludhiana in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
The decision was taken today by Badal at a meeting with the university's chief executive officer Gil Taran.
Giving in-principle approval to the proposal, Badal assured Taran that the entire project would be cleared by the state government within two weeks.
Taran said that the initial proposal is to have five schools in the university, including engineering and technology, education and teachers' training, applied sciences, humanities and languages and management and business studies.
"The courses to be run would be fully at par with the courses being run on its US campus. Efforts would be made to have degrees awarded by this university to be recognized in the US," he said.
He added that the cost of education would be a fraction of the cost which an international student has to pay in the US. Technical courses would be developed keeping in mind needs of the local industry.
Taran said that Carnegie Mellon University was rated amongst the top ten universities of US and its robotics department was ranked as the best amongst similar departments.
The US university has set up state-of-the-art educational institutions in China, Doha (Qatar) and Kazakhstan.
Hockey team for World Cup announced, Rajpal is captain
New Delhi: Rajpal Singh has been named the captain of the Indian hockey team for its campaign in the World Cup starting here on Feb 28.
The selectors met here today and announced an 18-member team for the mega event.
Speculation was rife in the media that Prabhjot Singh will replace Rajpal as captain.
A Hockey India (HI) source said the speculation over the change of guard seems to have begun in the team bus when the players were going for the trials and someone announced that there is likely to be change in captaincy and also four vice-captains will be named.
HI selectors, however, retained Rajpal as captain.
Also, there was little scope of making any changes as selectors had to pick 18 out of 21 probables with S.V. Sunil already out with a knee injury.
Skipper Rajpal Singh said the team was looking forward to the tournament.
"Our aim will be to perform well and finish among the top four. The players are putting efforts and we are happy with the preparation," said the forward.
B.P. Govinda, Madhu Yadav, Sita Mehta were present in the selection commitee meeting while Ajit Pal and Zafar Iqbal were present as government nominees.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Adrian D'souza, P.R. Sreejesh
Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Diwakar Ram, Dhananjay Mahadik
Mid fielders: Gurbaj Singh, Vikram Pillay, Arjun Halappa, Bharat Chikara, Danish Mustafa, Tushar Khandekar
Forwards: Deepak Thakur, Gurinder Chandi, Rajpal Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Arjun Halappa, Shivendra Singh.
The selectors met here today and announced an 18-member team for the mega event.
Speculation was rife in the media that Prabhjot Singh will replace Rajpal as captain.
A Hockey India (HI) source said the speculation over the change of guard seems to have begun in the team bus when the players were going for the trials and someone announced that there is likely to be change in captaincy and also four vice-captains will be named.
HI selectors, however, retained Rajpal as captain.
Also, there was little scope of making any changes as selectors had to pick 18 out of 21 probables with S.V. Sunil already out with a knee injury.
Skipper Rajpal Singh said the team was looking forward to the tournament.
"Our aim will be to perform well and finish among the top four. The players are putting efforts and we are happy with the preparation," said the forward.
B.P. Govinda, Madhu Yadav, Sita Mehta were present in the selection commitee meeting while Ajit Pal and Zafar Iqbal were present as government nominees.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Adrian D'souza, P.R. Sreejesh
Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Diwakar Ram, Dhananjay Mahadik
Mid fielders: Gurbaj Singh, Vikram Pillay, Arjun Halappa, Bharat Chikara, Danish Mustafa, Tushar Khandekar
Forwards: Deepak Thakur, Gurinder Chandi, Rajpal Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Arjun Halappa, Shivendra Singh.
NTPC's public offer barely meets subscription target
Mumbai: The follow-on public offer of state-run power utility NTPC barely scraped through with the total subscription just 20 percent higher than the 412 million shares that were on the block, according to data available with the stock exchanges.
Auctions were held for a total of 495,614,840 shares, offered at a floor price of Rs.201 per share, and the highest bid of Rs.211 was made for just 50,000 shares and the bulk of it was at Rs.209 for 205.6 million shares.
The issue, which failed to excite individual investors, was primarily bailed out by the public sector institutions such as the State Bank of India and Life Insurance Corp. The bids by qualified institutional buyers were for twice the shares reserved for them.
On the other hand, retail individual investors bid for just 16.46 percent of the total shares reserved under this category, and even NTPC employees did not bid for the whole lot set aside for them -- the bids for this segment was for 43.85 percent.
The poor response to the issue has also put the government in a quandary over its future divestment plan. Top officials in the finance ministry had met Thursday to discuss a way out, as two more state-run companies are to hit the capital markets this fiscal.
The upcoming issues are from Rural Electrification Corp and NMDC, formerly the National Mineral Development Corp, slated to open Feb 19 and March 10, respectively.
Auctions were held for a total of 495,614,840 shares, offered at a floor price of Rs.201 per share, and the highest bid of Rs.211 was made for just 50,000 shares and the bulk of it was at Rs.209 for 205.6 million shares.
The issue, which failed to excite individual investors, was primarily bailed out by the public sector institutions such as the State Bank of India and Life Insurance Corp. The bids by qualified institutional buyers were for twice the shares reserved for them.
On the other hand, retail individual investors bid for just 16.46 percent of the total shares reserved under this category, and even NTPC employees did not bid for the whole lot set aside for them -- the bids for this segment was for 43.85 percent.
The poor response to the issue has also put the government in a quandary over its future divestment plan. Top officials in the finance ministry had met Thursday to discuss a way out, as two more state-run companies are to hit the capital markets this fiscal.
The upcoming issues are from Rural Electrification Corp and NMDC, formerly the National Mineral Development Corp, slated to open Feb 19 and March 10, respectively.
Condoms from Kerala on way to bedrooms Down Under
Thiruvananthapuram: City-based HLL Lifecare, manufacturers and exporters of contraceptives, will launch its Moods brand of condoms in Australia in association with Indo Pacific Enterprises, a wholesale and retailing company Down Under.
In a statement issued here today, HLL said while its main markets so far were the European, African and the Gulf regions, the latest move was aimed at enhancing its reach in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Indonesia.
HLL will initially introduce 10 varieties of Moods, with further additions to be made in the coming months keeping in view the preferences of customers in this region.
Moods is recognised as a super brand in India, and comes in 19 variants.
According to the company, studies have revealed that the total market of branded condoms in Australia is estimated in the range of 21.7 million pieces per annum. Consequently, HLL said, it sees a huge potential in Australia and neighbouring countries.
Indo Pacific has a network of over 11,800 pharmacy outlets and presence in 31,000 supermarkets including chains such as Woolworths, Iga, Aldi, Franklins and Coles.
HLL, a Mini Ratna enterprise under India's health and family welfare ministry with five manufacturing units and exports to over 115 countries, also aims to reach customers through gas stations of Mobil, Shell, BP and Caltex
In a statement issued here today, HLL said while its main markets so far were the European, African and the Gulf regions, the latest move was aimed at enhancing its reach in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Indonesia.
HLL will initially introduce 10 varieties of Moods, with further additions to be made in the coming months keeping in view the preferences of customers in this region.
Moods is recognised as a super brand in India, and comes in 19 variants.
According to the company, studies have revealed that the total market of branded condoms in Australia is estimated in the range of 21.7 million pieces per annum. Consequently, HLL said, it sees a huge potential in Australia and neighbouring countries.
Indo Pacific has a network of over 11,800 pharmacy outlets and presence in 31,000 supermarkets including chains such as Woolworths, Iga, Aldi, Franklins and Coles.
HLL, a Mini Ratna enterprise under India's health and family welfare ministry with five manufacturing units and exports to over 115 countries, also aims to reach customers through gas stations of Mobil, Shell, BP and Caltex
Shabana hails Rahul for taking on Shiv Sena
New Delhi: Actress-activist Shabana Azmi is all praise for Rahul Gandhi and he "cocked a snook" at the Shiv Sena with his Mumbai trip on Friday. And she feels the Sena is trying to boost its "sagging political career" by intimidating the makers of Shah Rukh-starrer "My Name Is Khan".
"More power to Rahul Gandhi for cocking a snook at the Shiv Sena in its own den in Mumbai by taking the local train from Dadar, which is considered the bastion of the Shiv Sena," Shabana told media through email.
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi made a four-hour visit to Mumbai on Friday during which he surprised everyone by boarding crowded local trains and mixing with locals while Shiv Sena activists showed him black flags.
"This one act has catapulted him into a hero for all those who have been watching him grow in stature as the leader India is looking for," said Shabana.
The Shiv Sena has launched a vicious attack on Shah Rukh Khan for advocating the participation of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"The Shiv Sena is trying to intimidate the makers of 'My Name is Khan' as a peg on which to hang their sagging political career. The state must call their bluff and ensure safe passage for the film.
"I am proud of Shah Rukh Khan for standing by what he has said. The film industry is vulnerable because of huge monies riding on the film. The Shiv Sena has sent letters to theatre owners warning them not to release the film. How can any political power abrogate to themselves this authority?
"The state must protect the theatre owners. I am confident 'My Name Is Khan' will be released and people will go to watch the film. That will be the appropriate response to the bullies."
"More power to Rahul Gandhi for cocking a snook at the Shiv Sena in its own den in Mumbai by taking the local train from Dadar, which is considered the bastion of the Shiv Sena," Shabana told media through email.
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi made a four-hour visit to Mumbai on Friday during which he surprised everyone by boarding crowded local trains and mixing with locals while Shiv Sena activists showed him black flags.
"This one act has catapulted him into a hero for all those who have been watching him grow in stature as the leader India is looking for," said Shabana.
The Shiv Sena has launched a vicious attack on Shah Rukh Khan for advocating the participation of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"The Shiv Sena is trying to intimidate the makers of 'My Name is Khan' as a peg on which to hang their sagging political career. The state must call their bluff and ensure safe passage for the film.
"I am proud of Shah Rukh Khan for standing by what he has said. The film industry is vulnerable because of huge monies riding on the film. The Shiv Sena has sent letters to theatre owners warning them not to release the film. How can any political power abrogate to themselves this authority?
"The state must protect the theatre owners. I am confident 'My Name Is Khan' will be released and people will go to watch the film. That will be the appropriate response to the bullies."
'We must work together,' Aamir tells Big B
New Delhi: When Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan turned up to mourn Aamir Khan's father's death, the younger actor expressed a desire to work together.
"We went across to Aamir's place and spent time with him and his family. Tried to keep the atmosphere light and cheerful. It was pleasant. As Aamir came down to see us off when we left his house, he expressed, 'We must work together sir...' I told him to direct a film. He has such talent for it. He nodded (in) approval," Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
Aamir lost his father, well-known filmmaker Tahir Hussain, on Tuesday morning.
Amitabh also expressed his grief on the death of yesteryear actor and producer Sujit Kumar.
"Sujit Kumar passed away early this morning (Friday)...When life ends it takes along so many moments of the past in quick succession. All those memories of time spent together, the films, the locations on outdoors, the camaraderie, all gone in one swift cruel move. Condolences and prayers for his children and family," posted the actor.
Sujit was 75 years old and is survived by two children.
"We went across to Aamir's place and spent time with him and his family. Tried to keep the atmosphere light and cheerful. It was pleasant. As Aamir came down to see us off when we left his house, he expressed, 'We must work together sir...' I told him to direct a film. He has such talent for it. He nodded (in) approval," Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
Aamir lost his father, well-known filmmaker Tahir Hussain, on Tuesday morning.
Amitabh also expressed his grief on the death of yesteryear actor and producer Sujit Kumar.
"Sujit Kumar passed away early this morning (Friday)...When life ends it takes along so many moments of the past in quick succession. All those memories of time spent together, the films, the locations on outdoors, the camaraderie, all gone in one swift cruel move. Condolences and prayers for his children and family," posted the actor.
Sujit was 75 years old and is survived by two children.
Katrina says a flat no to kissing
Mumbai: Katrina Kaif has said a firm 'no' to kissing scenes in her forthcoming films - even if the script demands so.
Says a friend of the actress: "Katrina has said no to kissing scenes in all her films barring 'New York'. And believe you me, the directors are very keen to see her kiss her co-stars. Katrina cleverly keeps dodging all the so-called must-kiss scenes."
"She is a very conservative girl at heart. In fact, when reports claimed she was going to wear a bikini in 'Dostana 2,' Katrina protested violently and made it clear to producer Karan Johar and director Tarun Mansukhani - 'No exposure. No kissing'."
In fact, the cast and crew of "Rajneeti" calls Katrina the new-age Hema Malini because she has the hits and she won't expose or kiss.
Says Katrina with a laugh: "Well...that's true. Though comparing me with Hemaji is too much. I don't deny I've done scenes in the past where I did things that I wasn't comfortable with. But now I won't. I just don't feel comfortable doing kissing scenes, or for that matter, wearing a bikini on screen."
In both "Ajan Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" and "Rajneeti," there was apparently a request for a kiss with Ranbir Kapoor. But Katrina said a polite yet firm no.
Says a source: "All the intimate scenes in 'Rajneeti' are between Ranbir and his American girlfriend played by Sarah Thompson. They have lingering love-making and kissing shots. In the Indian portion of Ranbir's story, there's no intimacy with Katrina. She convinced the director that the character of a dignified politician doing intimate scenes would not go down well with the audience."
Katrina says: "It's true...I'm not at all comfortable doing kissing scenes. Call me a prude or conservative. I just don't feel kissing scenes jell well with our audiences. So no kissing scenes for me."
Says a friend of the actress: "Katrina has said no to kissing scenes in all her films barring 'New York'. And believe you me, the directors are very keen to see her kiss her co-stars. Katrina cleverly keeps dodging all the so-called must-kiss scenes."
"She is a very conservative girl at heart. In fact, when reports claimed she was going to wear a bikini in 'Dostana 2,' Katrina protested violently and made it clear to producer Karan Johar and director Tarun Mansukhani - 'No exposure. No kissing'."
In fact, the cast and crew of "Rajneeti" calls Katrina the new-age Hema Malini because she has the hits and she won't expose or kiss.
Says Katrina with a laugh: "Well...that's true. Though comparing me with Hemaji is too much. I don't deny I've done scenes in the past where I did things that I wasn't comfortable with. But now I won't. I just don't feel comfortable doing kissing scenes, or for that matter, wearing a bikini on screen."
In both "Ajan Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" and "Rajneeti," there was apparently a request for a kiss with Ranbir Kapoor. But Katrina said a polite yet firm no.
Says a source: "All the intimate scenes in 'Rajneeti' are between Ranbir and his American girlfriend played by Sarah Thompson. They have lingering love-making and kissing shots. In the Indian portion of Ranbir's story, there's no intimacy with Katrina. She convinced the director that the character of a dignified politician doing intimate scenes would not go down well with the audience."
Katrina says: "It's true...I'm not at all comfortable doing kissing scenes. Call me a prude or conservative. I just don't feel kissing scenes jell well with our audiences. So no kissing scenes for me."
A ring railway for Shimla being explored
Shimla: The Indian Railways and the Himachal Pradesh government will jointly explore the possibility of setting up a ring rail project in Shimla, an official release said today.
"Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today suggested to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to jointly explore the possibility of setting up a ring rail project in Shimla," the release said.
Dhumal met Banerjee in New Delhi where the proposal to set up the Shimla ring rail was discussed.
The technical and financial feasibility of the project would be conducted soon, the release said.
Shimla, the former summer capital of the British, attracts thousands of tourists every year.
"Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today suggested to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to jointly explore the possibility of setting up a ring rail project in Shimla," the release said.
Dhumal met Banerjee in New Delhi where the proposal to set up the Shimla ring rail was discussed.
The technical and financial feasibility of the project would be conducted soon, the release said.
Shimla, the former summer capital of the British, attracts thousands of tourists every year.
Mumbai 1993 serial blasts' key man nabbed after 17 years
Mumbai: Gangster Firoze Abdul Rashid Khan alias Hamza, one of the prime accused in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, has been arrested after being on the run for 17 years, a top police official said here today.
Hamza, now 40, was an important mafia functionary and oversaw the landing and transportation of explosives used in the 13 blasts on March 12, 1993, which left 257 dead and over 700 injured.
Hamza, for whose arrest the government had offered a reward of Rs.200,000, was nabbed from his hideout in Koparkhairane suburb of Navi Mumbai on Friday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria told mediapersons here.
He was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investgiations (CBI) which handled the investigations in the March 1993 blasts and has been remanded in its custody till Feb 15 by a Mumbai court.
Maria said Hamza was a key associate of Mohammed Dossa and was entrusted with supervising the landing of explosives, RDX, timers, triggers, etc, in small fishing boats in the Dighi Port on the Konkan coast a few days before the serial blasts.
From there, he arranged for the transportation of the explosives to Mumbai for assembling and then planting them at the targeted locations.
Soon after the blasts, he had hidden some of the extra explosives in a house in Kurla, northeast Mumbai and discarded some in the Kandalgaon Creek on the outskirts of the city.
Five days after the serial blasts - at Air India building, Regional Passport Office, Bombay Stock Exchange building, Zaveri Bazaar, Shiv Sena Bhavan, Plaza Cinema, Hotel Centaur Airport, Hotel Centaur Juhu, Hotel SeaRock and other places - besides hand grenade attacks in 3 more locations, he managed to sneak off to Dubai.
After staying there for a few years, Hamza moved to Nepal on a Nepali passport and lived there under an assumed identify of Ferozuddin before returning to Dubai, going to Pakistan thrice, before returning to India around February 2004.
Besides Hamza, there are a little over two dozen persons who are absconding in the March 1993 blasts case, the trial of which was completed three years ago.
The prime accused still absconding include Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, the dreaded Tiger Memon - the blasts' mastermind - his brother Ayub Memon, their wives and Mohammed Dossa.
Hamza, now 40, was an important mafia functionary and oversaw the landing and transportation of explosives used in the 13 blasts on March 12, 1993, which left 257 dead and over 700 injured.
Hamza, for whose arrest the government had offered a reward of Rs.200,000, was nabbed from his hideout in Koparkhairane suburb of Navi Mumbai on Friday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria told mediapersons here.
He was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investgiations (CBI) which handled the investigations in the March 1993 blasts and has been remanded in its custody till Feb 15 by a Mumbai court.
Maria said Hamza was a key associate of Mohammed Dossa and was entrusted with supervising the landing of explosives, RDX, timers, triggers, etc, in small fishing boats in the Dighi Port on the Konkan coast a few days before the serial blasts.
From there, he arranged for the transportation of the explosives to Mumbai for assembling and then planting them at the targeted locations.
Soon after the blasts, he had hidden some of the extra explosives in a house in Kurla, northeast Mumbai and discarded some in the Kandalgaon Creek on the outskirts of the city.
Five days after the serial blasts - at Air India building, Regional Passport Office, Bombay Stock Exchange building, Zaveri Bazaar, Shiv Sena Bhavan, Plaza Cinema, Hotel Centaur Airport, Hotel Centaur Juhu, Hotel SeaRock and other places - besides hand grenade attacks in 3 more locations, he managed to sneak off to Dubai.
After staying there for a few years, Hamza moved to Nepal on a Nepali passport and lived there under an assumed identify of Ferozuddin before returning to Dubai, going to Pakistan thrice, before returning to India around February 2004.
Besides Hamza, there are a little over two dozen persons who are absconding in the March 1993 blasts case, the trial of which was completed three years ago.
The prime accused still absconding include Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, the dreaded Tiger Memon - the blasts' mastermind - his brother Ayub Memon, their wives and Mohammed Dossa.
Court frames charges in Soumya murder case
New Delhi: A city court today framed charges against the five men accused of involvement in the murder of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan.
Additional Sessions Judge S.K. Sarvaria said there was sufficient evidence against the five to prosecute them.
The court would start recording testimony of witnesses on April 23.
The court also said that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute prime accused Ravi Kapoor under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) for running a syndicate of car-jackers.
Kapoor, Baljeet Singh Malik, Amit Shukla and Ajay Kumar have also been charged under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. The fifth accused, Ajay Sethi, has been charged with keeping stolen property.
Kapoor, along with other three accused, had tailed the journalist of Headlines Today TV news channel and allegedly shot her on the night of September 30 last year when she was returning home by her car from office around 3:30 a.m
Additional Sessions Judge S.K. Sarvaria said there was sufficient evidence against the five to prosecute them.
The court would start recording testimony of witnesses on April 23.
The court also said that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute prime accused Ravi Kapoor under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) for running a syndicate of car-jackers.
Kapoor, Baljeet Singh Malik, Amit Shukla and Ajay Kumar have also been charged under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. The fifth accused, Ajay Sethi, has been charged with keeping stolen property.
Kapoor, along with other three accused, had tailed the journalist of Headlines Today TV news channel and allegedly shot her on the night of September 30 last year when she was returning home by her car from office around 3:30 a.m
CPI-M slams government's Telangana announcement
Kolkata: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today said the central government's "short-sighted" step of announcing the process of creating Telangana had given a fillip to demands for separate states in various parts of the country. CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat demanded that the central government end the stalemate by taking the views of all political parties and the people into account. "It is unfortunate that the central government and the Congress leadership took the short-sighted step of announcing the process of the creation of a separate state on Dec 9.
"It is now for the central government to ensure that the stalemate is ended and a solution found by taking into account the views of all political parties and sections of the people," Karat said after a three-day meeting of the party's central committee here.
"The initial stand taken by the central government on Telangana gave a fillip to demands for separate states in various other states. The central committee reiterates its stand that the states which were linguistically reorganised as part of the democratic restructuring of the state structure should not be disturbed," Karat told reporters.
The party appealed to people of Andhra Pradesh to maintain peace.
"It is now for the central government to ensure that the stalemate is ended and a solution found by taking into account the views of all political parties and sections of the people," Karat said after a three-day meeting of the party's central committee here.
"The initial stand taken by the central government on Telangana gave a fillip to demands for separate states in various other states. The central committee reiterates its stand that the states which were linguistically reorganised as part of the democratic restructuring of the state structure should not be disturbed," Karat told reporters.
The party appealed to people of Andhra Pradesh to maintain peace.
Varun equates Pawar with Ravana, Mayawati with Surpnakha
Lucknow: In an apparent reference to Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi today equated him with mythological demon king Ravana and said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is his sister Surpnakha.
"A pair of brother and sister is responsible for the inflation in our country. While the Ravana is a minister and sits in Delhi, his sister -- a chief minister -- sits in Lucknow," Varun said, addressing a rally in the Shikarpur town in Bulandshahar district, around 400 km from Lucknow.
Varun accused the two leaders of being "mainly responsible" for inflation in the country and said that both "indulge in blame game when it comes to containing inflation."
The young BJP leader had last year courted controversy for his communally incendiary speeches against the Muslim community.
"A pair of brother and sister is responsible for the inflation in our country. While the Ravana is a minister and sits in Delhi, his sister -- a chief minister -- sits in Lucknow," Varun said, addressing a rally in the Shikarpur town in Bulandshahar district, around 400 km from Lucknow.
Varun accused the two leaders of being "mainly responsible" for inflation in the country and said that both "indulge in blame game when it comes to containing inflation."
The young BJP leader had last year courted controversy for his communally incendiary speeches against the Muslim community.
India reiterates voluntary moratorium on n-testing
New Delhi: Ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, India has reiterated its commitment to voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing and has signalled its readiness to negotiate a verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
India also drew the attention of the world community to the dangers of proliferation of nuclear weapons in its neighbourhood, a reference to the A.Q. Khan network of nuclear smuggling in Pakistan, and warned against the threat of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of jihadi and non-state actors.
"Despite our well-known reservations on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), India is committed to its voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosive testing," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Special Envoy Shyam Saran told Global Zero Summit on nuclear disarmament in Paris on Wednesday.
The conference held discussions on eliminating all nuclear weapons by 2030.
"We are prepared to negotiate a verifiable FMCT in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. We are not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and cannot respond to calls for universal adherence to that treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state," he said.
Saran reiterated India's commitment to universal verifiable nuclear disarmament and stressed its "impeccable and universally acknowledged credentials on non-proliferation", that led the Nuclear Suppliers Group to re-open nuclear trade with India in September 2008.
India has refused to sign the NPT and CTBT on grounds that these treaties are "discriminatory" and divide the world into the nuclear haves and have-nots.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will represent India at the Nuclear Security Summit that US President Barack Obama will host in Washington in April.
Saran also warned of the proliferation in its neighbourhood.
"India's security has been adversely impacted by the clandestine proliferation of nuclear weapons in its neighbourhood, often ignored and on occasion, encouraged by certain important countries," he said in a reference to Pakistan and China's alleged support to Pakistan's nuclear weapon programme.
"The activities of the so-called A.Q.Khan network is an ominous reminder of the threats India continues to face in this respect," he said.
"India is deeply worried about the potential nexus between clandestine proliferation and terrorism and the ever-present danger of such weapons or vulnerable nuclear materials falling into the hands of jehadi and non-state actors," he said.
India also drew the attention of the world community to the dangers of proliferation of nuclear weapons in its neighbourhood, a reference to the A.Q. Khan network of nuclear smuggling in Pakistan, and warned against the threat of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of jihadi and non-state actors.
"Despite our well-known reservations on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), India is committed to its voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear explosive testing," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Special Envoy Shyam Saran told Global Zero Summit on nuclear disarmament in Paris on Wednesday.
The conference held discussions on eliminating all nuclear weapons by 2030.
"We are prepared to negotiate a verifiable FMCT in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. We are not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and cannot respond to calls for universal adherence to that treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state," he said.
Saran reiterated India's commitment to universal verifiable nuclear disarmament and stressed its "impeccable and universally acknowledged credentials on non-proliferation", that led the Nuclear Suppliers Group to re-open nuclear trade with India in September 2008.
India has refused to sign the NPT and CTBT on grounds that these treaties are "discriminatory" and divide the world into the nuclear haves and have-nots.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will represent India at the Nuclear Security Summit that US President Barack Obama will host in Washington in April.
Saran also warned of the proliferation in its neighbourhood.
"India's security has been adversely impacted by the clandestine proliferation of nuclear weapons in its neighbourhood, often ignored and on occasion, encouraged by certain important countries," he said in a reference to Pakistan and China's alleged support to Pakistan's nuclear weapon programme.
"The activities of the so-called A.Q.Khan network is an ominous reminder of the threats India continues to face in this respect," he said.
"India is deeply worried about the potential nexus between clandestine proliferation and terrorism and the ever-present danger of such weapons or vulnerable nuclear materials falling into the hands of jehadi and non-state actors," he said.
CPI-M warns against raising cooking gas prices
Kolkata: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today warned the central government not to implement recommendations to raise cooking gas prices by Rs.100 a cylinder and demanded a food security legislation to ensure the right to food.
Opposing suggestions to decontrol petrol and diesel prices, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat called them 'anti-people' measures.
He also slammed recommendations to hike the price of cooking gas cylinders by Rs.100.
"Such a step will have a cascading impact on raising prices of essential commodities which are already at an all time high and will lead to a further burden on the people," he said.
Karat said that it was 'most shocking' that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was "not seriously addressing the problem of rising prices" and was blaming it all on state governments.
Pointing out that food inflation in India, now at nearly 18 percent, was the highest in the world, the CPI-M leader said: "We feel the primary reason for the failure of check price rise primarily rests on the centre.
A major reason for price rise is the severe weakening of the public distribution system."
He demanded restoration of the allocations at least at the Above Poverty Line (APL) prices and attacked the UPA government for refusing to maintain a buffer stock of sugar when there was high sugarcane production. He also sought a ban on futures trading in essentials.
Briefing the media after a three-day meeting of the central committee here, Karat said: "The government should bring a food security legislation which ensures a universal right to food, with a 35 kg family allocation of foodgrains at Rs.2 a kilo."
The party also demanded that more essential commodities at subsidised prices should be included in the Public Distribution System (PDS) through central government subsidies.
Opposing suggestions to decontrol petrol and diesel prices, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat called them 'anti-people' measures.
He also slammed recommendations to hike the price of cooking gas cylinders by Rs.100.
"Such a step will have a cascading impact on raising prices of essential commodities which are already at an all time high and will lead to a further burden on the people," he said.
Karat said that it was 'most shocking' that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was "not seriously addressing the problem of rising prices" and was blaming it all on state governments.
Pointing out that food inflation in India, now at nearly 18 percent, was the highest in the world, the CPI-M leader said: "We feel the primary reason for the failure of check price rise primarily rests on the centre.
A major reason for price rise is the severe weakening of the public distribution system."
He demanded restoration of the allocations at least at the Above Poverty Line (APL) prices and attacked the UPA government for refusing to maintain a buffer stock of sugar when there was high sugarcane production. He also sought a ban on futures trading in essentials.
Briefing the media after a three-day meeting of the central committee here, Karat said: "The government should bring a food security legislation which ensures a universal right to food, with a 35 kg family allocation of foodgrains at Rs.2 a kilo."
The party also demanded that more essential commodities at subsidised prices should be included in the Public Distribution System (PDS) through central government subsidies.
Most chief ministers oppose Bt Brinjal, admits Ramesh
Bangalore: Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh admitted today that a majority of chief ministers had come out against the commercialization of Bt Brinjal.
The minister is scheduled to announce his decision Feb 10 in New Delhi on the recommendation of the Genetically Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), a statutory authority set up under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
"A majority of chief ministers have written to me on the issue have opposed the introduction of Bt brinjal," Ramesh told media today after a four-hour brain-storming session on the controversial issue.
The states which have opposed include West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
"I have got response from the major brinjal cultivating states. About 60 percent of brinjal in India is cultivated in West Bengal (30 percent), Orissa (20 percent) and Bihar (10 percent). All these states have opposed its introduction," Ramesh said.
India produces about eight million tonnes of brinjal per annum in 2,400 varieties. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for 20 percent collectively.
"Though I have not heard officially from Tamil Nadu, its chief secretary told me on phone that his state too was opposed to the commercialisation of Bt Brinjal," the minister said. Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have not yet responded.
The GEAC made a recommendation Oct 15, 2009 that Bt Brinjal should be commercialised.
"I am the minister concerned. I have to decide whether we should allow it or not," he said after a heated debate at a meeting with Karnataka farmers, scientists, doctors, consumers, civil societies and NGOs here.
Ramesh said he would take a middle path as he was not an extremist by nature.
Ruling out setting up another committee or going to parliament, Ramesh said his decision would take into consideration the interests of producers (farmers) and consumers.
"I have to balance the interests of producers and consumers. Of science and society, food security and food safety considerations."
He quoted the prime minister's statement at the Indian Science Congress Jan 3 where Manmohan Singh said that genetic engineering and modification for food security were needed.
"The prime minister also said that issues of food safety were very, very important," Ramesh said. Admitting that his decision could be challenged in any court of law at any point of time, the minister said he would not like to predict what would happen afterwards.
"We are a democracy. Anybody can go to any court at any point of time. The file has come to me. I have to take a decision. What happens afterwards, I cannot say," he said.
Noting that Bt Brinjal was the first food crop awaiting clearance for commercial introduction, the minister agreed that a decision would have, undoubtedly, an implication on other food crops.
"This is the first Bt vegetable to be introduced anywhere in the world. We have to take all factors into consideration. It will set a precedent because people/scientists have been working on Bt Bhindi (ladyfinger), Bt Tomato. So far, we had only Bt Cotton," Ramesh added.
The minister held seven meetings across the country in Kolkata, Bhubeneshwar, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Over 8,000 people participated in these consultative meetings.
The minister is scheduled to announce his decision Feb 10 in New Delhi on the recommendation of the Genetically Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), a statutory authority set up under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
"A majority of chief ministers have written to me on the issue have opposed the introduction of Bt brinjal," Ramesh told media today after a four-hour brain-storming session on the controversial issue.
The states which have opposed include West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
"I have got response from the major brinjal cultivating states. About 60 percent of brinjal in India is cultivated in West Bengal (30 percent), Orissa (20 percent) and Bihar (10 percent). All these states have opposed its introduction," Ramesh said.
India produces about eight million tonnes of brinjal per annum in 2,400 varieties. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for 20 percent collectively.
"Though I have not heard officially from Tamil Nadu, its chief secretary told me on phone that his state too was opposed to the commercialisation of Bt Brinjal," the minister said. Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have not yet responded.
The GEAC made a recommendation Oct 15, 2009 that Bt Brinjal should be commercialised.
"I am the minister concerned. I have to decide whether we should allow it or not," he said after a heated debate at a meeting with Karnataka farmers, scientists, doctors, consumers, civil societies and NGOs here.
Ramesh said he would take a middle path as he was not an extremist by nature.
Ruling out setting up another committee or going to parliament, Ramesh said his decision would take into consideration the interests of producers (farmers) and consumers.
"I have to balance the interests of producers and consumers. Of science and society, food security and food safety considerations."
He quoted the prime minister's statement at the Indian Science Congress Jan 3 where Manmohan Singh said that genetic engineering and modification for food security were needed.
"The prime minister also said that issues of food safety were very, very important," Ramesh said. Admitting that his decision could be challenged in any court of law at any point of time, the minister said he would not like to predict what would happen afterwards.
"We are a democracy. Anybody can go to any court at any point of time. The file has come to me. I have to take a decision. What happens afterwards, I cannot say," he said.
Noting that Bt Brinjal was the first food crop awaiting clearance for commercial introduction, the minister agreed that a decision would have, undoubtedly, an implication on other food crops.
"This is the first Bt vegetable to be introduced anywhere in the world. We have to take all factors into consideration. It will set a precedent because people/scientists have been working on Bt Bhindi (ladyfinger), Bt Tomato. So far, we had only Bt Cotton," Ramesh added.
The minister held seven meetings across the country in Kolkata, Bhubeneshwar, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Over 8,000 people participated in these consultative meetings.
Mayawati boycotts PM's meet on price rise
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today boycotted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with state chief ministers in New Delhi to discuss the price rise in the country.
The state was represented by Finance Minister Lalji Verma, who read out a statement on Mayawati's behalf.
While quite blatantly giving her government a clean chit, Mayawati did not mince words in passing the buck to the central government for the "unprecedented rise in prices of essential goods".
Maywati expressed on Jan 14 her intention to boycott the meeting.
"I will not attend the prime minister's meeting unless he removes union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from his cabinet because Pawar's policies alone were largely responsible for the price rise," Mayawati had said at a press conference.
The whole tenor of the seven-page statement read out in the meeting was against the policies of the central government.
"We have always been taking all necessary steps to keep the prices in check, but the desired support from the centre was never forthcoming," the statement said.
"Take for instance, our (state government's) ban on import of raw sugar until the end of the sugarcane crushing season, which was in sharp contrast to the union government's decision to continue importing sugar," it said.
Claiming that the state government had also taken stern measures against hoarders and black-marketeers, Mayawati alleged that the central government had failed to take any steps to curb undue profiteering by big industrial houses.
The chief minister gave out a detailed account of what her government had done to ensure proper procurement of paddy and wheat besides ensuring remunerative price to the farmer.
"We have also taken care to regulate the sale and distribution of essential goods at regulated rates and have been selling 'pea dal' at a rate of Rs. 15 a kilo," she claimed.
Mayawati went on to add that her government had done its bit to keep the price of sugar under check.
The state was represented by Finance Minister Lalji Verma, who read out a statement on Mayawati's behalf.
While quite blatantly giving her government a clean chit, Mayawati did not mince words in passing the buck to the central government for the "unprecedented rise in prices of essential goods".
Maywati expressed on Jan 14 her intention to boycott the meeting.
"I will not attend the prime minister's meeting unless he removes union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from his cabinet because Pawar's policies alone were largely responsible for the price rise," Mayawati had said at a press conference.
The whole tenor of the seven-page statement read out in the meeting was against the policies of the central government.
"We have always been taking all necessary steps to keep the prices in check, but the desired support from the centre was never forthcoming," the statement said.
"Take for instance, our (state government's) ban on import of raw sugar until the end of the sugarcane crushing season, which was in sharp contrast to the union government's decision to continue importing sugar," it said.
Claiming that the state government had also taken stern measures against hoarders and black-marketeers, Mayawati alleged that the central government had failed to take any steps to curb undue profiteering by big industrial houses.
The chief minister gave out a detailed account of what her government had done to ensure proper procurement of paddy and wheat besides ensuring remunerative price to the farmer.
"We have also taken care to regulate the sale and distribution of essential goods at regulated rates and have been selling 'pea dal' at a rate of Rs. 15 a kilo," she claimed.
Mayawati went on to add that her government had done its bit to keep the price of sugar under check.
20100205
US welcomes India's offer for talks with Pakistan
Washington: The United States has welcomed India's offer to Pakistan to resume official level talks, saying a dialogue among India, Pakistan and Afghanistan was a key component of achieving a stable region. "We are supportive of dialogue among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan as a key component of moving ahead and achieving a stable region," State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley told reporters on Thursday commenting on the report.
" I'm not familiar with that particular report... but we certainly have been encouraging steps that both Pakistan and India could take to address mutual concerns and to take appropriate steps so that tensions can be reduced, cooperation can be increased, and as a result, you have a more stable region that is focused on threats, both interests that they share and threats that they share."
India on Thursday sent a formal proposal to Pakistan for talks between their foreign secretaries and pledged to pursue the discussions with "an open and positive mind".
" I'm not familiar with that particular report... but we certainly have been encouraging steps that both Pakistan and India could take to address mutual concerns and to take appropriate steps so that tensions can be reduced, cooperation can be increased, and as a result, you have a more stable region that is focused on threats, both interests that they share and threats that they share."
India on Thursday sent a formal proposal to Pakistan for talks between their foreign secretaries and pledged to pursue the discussions with "an open and positive mind".
An Indian may have guided the 26/11 terrorists
New Delhi: The Union Home Minister of India P. Chidambaram said that there is a distinct possibility that the terrorists who razed Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks might have been mentored by an Indian. He also said that they were yet to determine his identity.
In his statement he also mentioned that by saying Indian he means that the concerned person might have adapted Indian mannerisms successfully. He might have been living in India having infiltrated it for a time that was sufficient for him to learn Indian language and diction. Chidambaram also said that it might have been an Indian who exfiltrated and was patronised by Pakistani militants.
Chidambaram has refrained from speculating about that person’s name. He also revealed that Indian investigators had known that there were such possibilities.
In his statement he also mentioned that by saying Indian he means that the concerned person might have adapted Indian mannerisms successfully. He might have been living in India having infiltrated it for a time that was sufficient for him to learn Indian language and diction. Chidambaram also said that it might have been an Indian who exfiltrated and was patronised by Pakistani militants.
Chidambaram has refrained from speculating about that person’s name. He also revealed that Indian investigators had known that there were such possibilities.
Price rise on mind, PM and Sonia attend CWC meeting
New Delhi: The Congress Working Committee (CWC), including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, met here today amid concerns over the rising prices of essential commodities.
The meeting -- also attended by chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, except Maharashtra where party general secretary Rahul Gandhi is visiting -- comes a day ahead of a conference of chief ministers convened by the prime minister to discuss rising prices.
Congress sources said no agenda had been circulated for the meeting of CWC, the highest decision making body of the party. However, it is expected to chart out the party's response to efforts by chief ministers of opposition-ruled states to put the blame for price rise at the door of the central government.
Chief ministers of opposition-ruled Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar apart from Uttar Pradesh have been vocal in blaming the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for failing to check rising prices.
A section of the Congress has sought to target Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar for the spiralling prices. The minister hit back saying the decisions on price policy had been taken by the union cabinet.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left have chalked out plans to target the Congress over price rise in the forthcoming budget session of parliament beginning on Feb 22.
The meeting -- also attended by chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, except Maharashtra where party general secretary Rahul Gandhi is visiting -- comes a day ahead of a conference of chief ministers convened by the prime minister to discuss rising prices.
Congress sources said no agenda had been circulated for the meeting of CWC, the highest decision making body of the party. However, it is expected to chart out the party's response to efforts by chief ministers of opposition-ruled states to put the blame for price rise at the door of the central government.
Chief ministers of opposition-ruled Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar apart from Uttar Pradesh have been vocal in blaming the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for failing to check rising prices.
A section of the Congress has sought to target Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar for the spiralling prices. The minister hit back saying the decisions on price policy had been taken by the union cabinet.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left have chalked out plans to target the Congress over price rise in the forthcoming budget session of parliament beginning on Feb 22.
Amid Shiv Sena tirade, Rahul Gandhi to step in tiger's den
Mumbai: Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi arrives here today morning to interact with Mumbai students and youth, two days after he was warned by the Shiv Sena to "keep off Maharashtra". The Sena activists have prepared to greet him with black flags wherever he goes and Mumbai Police started rounding up a few Sainiks to ward off potential trouble during Gandhi's short trip to Mumbai. Among those detained were some parliamentary district chiefs of the Sena, a few 'shakha' (local units) chiefs and other activists.
According to a spokesman for Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC), around 11 a.m. Gandhi will address students at the Bhaidas Auditorium in the glamorous Juhu area where students from various cities have been invited.
"He will deliver a short address to them before a select group of students have individual interaction with him," said the office-bearer.
In the afternoon, Rahul will go to Ghatkopar, the north-eastern part of Mumbai where the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slums are located.
He will garland a statue of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar there, pay homage and then interact with select slum youth.
The spokesman said both the meetings were organised keeping in mind Gandhi's desire to meet youth and students from different strata of society.
The Mumbai Police have made tight security arrangements during Gandhi's half-day visit to Mumbai to ensure it passes off peacefully.
According to a spokesman for Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC), around 11 a.m. Gandhi will address students at the Bhaidas Auditorium in the glamorous Juhu area where students from various cities have been invited.
"He will deliver a short address to them before a select group of students have individual interaction with him," said the office-bearer.
In the afternoon, Rahul will go to Ghatkopar, the north-eastern part of Mumbai where the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slums are located.
He will garland a statue of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar there, pay homage and then interact with select slum youth.
The spokesman said both the meetings were organised keeping in mind Gandhi's desire to meet youth and students from different strata of society.
The Mumbai Police have made tight security arrangements during Gandhi's half-day visit to Mumbai to ensure it passes off peacefully.
Ruchika's school expresses ignorance over CBSE notice
Chandigarh: Expressing ignorance over any notice from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), authorities from teenaged molestation victim Ruchika Girhotra's school said today that they had not received any such communication.
"So far we have not received any notice from CBSE. I had even talked to the principal of the school sister Sebestina but she has also not got any notice. I only read about this in today's newspapers but I don't know from where the media got this information," father Thomas Anchanikal, vicar-general and spokesperson for the Chandigarh-Shimla diocese, told media today.
CBSE, New Delhi, had on Thursday issued a notice to Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School here in Sector 26, asking it to explain why it should not be dis-affiliated for expelling Ruchika from the school.
This leading all-girls Chandigarh school, which is governed by the Chandigarh-Shimla diocese, was held guilty of expelling Ruchika in September 1990, one month after she was molested by former Haryana director general of police (DGP) SPS Rathore.
"Once we get any notice we will submit an appropriate reply to the concerned authorities. But right now, I do not want to comment on this issue," said Anchanikal.
A magisterial inquiry ordered by the Chandigarh administration had last month held the school guilty of being unfair in expelling the teenaged molestation victim for fee default in September 1990.
The Chandigarh administration also withdrew the state award given in 2005 to Sacred Heart's present principal Sister Sebestina. She was the principal of the school in 1990 as well.
"So far we have not received any notice from CBSE. I had even talked to the principal of the school sister Sebestina but she has also not got any notice. I only read about this in today's newspapers but I don't know from where the media got this information," father Thomas Anchanikal, vicar-general and spokesperson for the Chandigarh-Shimla diocese, told media today.
CBSE, New Delhi, had on Thursday issued a notice to Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School here in Sector 26, asking it to explain why it should not be dis-affiliated for expelling Ruchika from the school.
This leading all-girls Chandigarh school, which is governed by the Chandigarh-Shimla diocese, was held guilty of expelling Ruchika in September 1990, one month after she was molested by former Haryana director general of police (DGP) SPS Rathore.
"Once we get any notice we will submit an appropriate reply to the concerned authorities. But right now, I do not want to comment on this issue," said Anchanikal.
A magisterial inquiry ordered by the Chandigarh administration had last month held the school guilty of being unfair in expelling the teenaged molestation victim for fee default in September 1990.
The Chandigarh administration also withdrew the state award given in 2005 to Sacred Heart's present principal Sister Sebestina. She was the principal of the school in 1990 as well.
Separate country for Marathis, Raj Thackeray gives hints
Mumbai: It seems the policy of separatism has gone deep into the minds of some, and after a series of demands for separate statehood, MNS has gone a step ahead by hinting a separate country, especially for the Marathis.
Failing to resist himself from indulging in battle of words, MNS chief Raj Thackeray gave a veiled threat that the day might not be far when his party would start demanding a separate Maharashtra from the rest of India. While talking to the media, Raj Thackeray threw a direct hint at separation of Maharashtra from India. He stated that the politicians will be responsible for their provocative anti-Marathi remarks if there are demands for a separate nation.
Raj Thackeray had earlier attacked Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Marathi row. Accusing of interfering into the matters of Maharashtra, Raj had questioned Rahul Gandhi's contribution towards Maharashtra and his sudden involvement in the matters of the state.
Taking clue from Rahul Gandhi's comment that even north Indian commandos fought against the militants to save Mumbai, Raj added that Rahul Gandhi is an outsider and he does not have any right to belittle Maharahstra and its people. He also referred to the Maharashtrian police officers, who sacrificed a lot during the Mumbai terror attack.
Justifying his initiative to take up the cause of Marathis, Raj took on Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani who is staying out of India and earning money in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Failing to resist himself from indulging in battle of words, MNS chief Raj Thackeray gave a veiled threat that the day might not be far when his party would start demanding a separate Maharashtra from the rest of India. While talking to the media, Raj Thackeray threw a direct hint at separation of Maharashtra from India. He stated that the politicians will be responsible for their provocative anti-Marathi remarks if there are demands for a separate nation.
Raj Thackeray had earlier attacked Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Marathi row. Accusing of interfering into the matters of Maharashtra, Raj had questioned Rahul Gandhi's contribution towards Maharashtra and his sudden involvement in the matters of the state.
Taking clue from Rahul Gandhi's comment that even north Indian commandos fought against the militants to save Mumbai, Raj added that Rahul Gandhi is an outsider and he does not have any right to belittle Maharahstra and its people. He also referred to the Maharashtrian police officers, who sacrificed a lot during the Mumbai terror attack.
Justifying his initiative to take up the cause of Marathis, Raj took on Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani who is staying out of India and earning money in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
20100204
Entering bedrooms to make science exciting to students
New Delhi: In an effort to draw the best talent to science, the Indian government has come up with an "innovative" way to reach out to students by "entering the bedroom" to make science exciting.
"We are entering the bedroom by making science exciting to parents and students," Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan said today after releasing a 10-part serial on making science popular among students and parents.
"We want best students to pursue science and this is an innovative way to reach out to students," Chavan said.
The serial will go on air on the National Geographic channel from Feb 8 and after that it will be aired on Doordarshan and many regional channels. Initially, the science series will go on air in Hindi and English. Later, it will be translated into seven regional languages, including Marathi, Bengali, Telugu and Tamil.
The effort is made as the ministry found that there is a 30 percent drop in the students' interest in pure science. "The decade 2010-2020 has been declared as innovation decade. We as a country want brightest students in science to do innovation and make the country a developed nation," the minister added.
"Science has come to be regarded as one of the most powerful instruments of growth and development, especially for an emerging economy like ours. As already announced, we are giving scholarship to 250,000 students at high school level and if 30 percent of them even pursue science at higher level, we will have a great pool of innovators," Chavan added.
"This is a popular way to convince students and their parents. We want best students in laboratories," said Samir Bhramhachari, director general of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the top science research body of India.
The TV series, 'Science Mein Twist' produced by National Geographic, attempts to make science exciting and accessible for school kids to encourage them to pursue science as a career.
It is an attempt to make science stimulating and interesting. It covers topics from space to genetics to geo-science to excite children into exploring career options in science, explained Rajesh Sheshadri, senior vice president of the National Geographic.
According to a government survey, students seem less inclined towards pursuing pure science when it comes to higher degrees. At the class six to eight level, 22 percent say they would like to study science but this number drops to 13 percent among students of classes 11 and 12.
"We are entering the bedroom by making science exciting to parents and students," Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan said today after releasing a 10-part serial on making science popular among students and parents.
"We want best students to pursue science and this is an innovative way to reach out to students," Chavan said.
The serial will go on air on the National Geographic channel from Feb 8 and after that it will be aired on Doordarshan and many regional channels. Initially, the science series will go on air in Hindi and English. Later, it will be translated into seven regional languages, including Marathi, Bengali, Telugu and Tamil.
The effort is made as the ministry found that there is a 30 percent drop in the students' interest in pure science. "The decade 2010-2020 has been declared as innovation decade. We as a country want brightest students in science to do innovation and make the country a developed nation," the minister added.
"Science has come to be regarded as one of the most powerful instruments of growth and development, especially for an emerging economy like ours. As already announced, we are giving scholarship to 250,000 students at high school level and if 30 percent of them even pursue science at higher level, we will have a great pool of innovators," Chavan added.
"This is a popular way to convince students and their parents. We want best students in laboratories," said Samir Bhramhachari, director general of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the top science research body of India.
The TV series, 'Science Mein Twist' produced by National Geographic, attempts to make science exciting and accessible for school kids to encourage them to pursue science as a career.
It is an attempt to make science stimulating and interesting. It covers topics from space to genetics to geo-science to excite children into exploring career options in science, explained Rajesh Sheshadri, senior vice president of the National Geographic.
According to a government survey, students seem less inclined towards pursuing pure science when it comes to higher degrees. At the class six to eight level, 22 percent say they would like to study science but this number drops to 13 percent among students of classes 11 and 12.
India to have own panel on climate change: Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi: India would soon have its very own panel on climate change, union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh announced today and added that the country could not depend only on reports from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). "There is a fine line between climate science and climate evangelism. I am all for climate science but not for climate evangelism. I think people misused the IPCC report," Ramesh told a news channel here. Stressing that the IPCC's weakness was that it didn't do original research and derives assessments from published literature, the minister announced a climate change panel for India. He said that IPCC has "had goof-ups on the glaciers, on the Amazon, on the snow peaks." However, he added that the IPCC with a network of 200 scientists worldwide was "a responsible body".
"I respect the IPCC. At the same time India is a large country... we can't depend only IPCC. So we have launched the Indian Network on Comprehensive Climate Change Assessment ... It's got 125 research institutions from across the country. We will have international collaborations. It's a kind of an Indian IPCC and not a rival to the IPCC. We will do our own assessment," Ramesh explained.
The first climate change assessment from this body would be brought out in November this year, he said.
The "four by four assessment" would look at four sectors -- agriculture, health, water and forests -- and four regions. These would be Himalayan ecosystems, coastal areas, western ghats and the northeast.
"Through this we will demonstrate our commitment to climate science," Ramesh concluded.
Ramesh also commented on the IPCC erring report's claim that the Himalayan glaciers would retreat by 2035.
"The health of glaciers is a cause for serious concern. Most glaciers are melting.... they are retreating. Overall, one can say incontrovertibly that the debris on our glaciers is very high, the mass balance is very low, the snow balance is very low. We have to be very cautious about the future of the glaciers particularly because of water security," the minister said.
Ramesh announced the setting up of the National Institute of Himalayan Glaciology at Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
"This is going to start a series of programmes on measuring, monitoring, modelling on what is happening to our glaciers and also look at what is happening to them in the regional context with Pakistan, Nepal and others," he informed.
"I respect the IPCC. At the same time India is a large country... we can't depend only IPCC. So we have launched the Indian Network on Comprehensive Climate Change Assessment ... It's got 125 research institutions from across the country. We will have international collaborations. It's a kind of an Indian IPCC and not a rival to the IPCC. We will do our own assessment," Ramesh explained.
The first climate change assessment from this body would be brought out in November this year, he said.
The "four by four assessment" would look at four sectors -- agriculture, health, water and forests -- and four regions. These would be Himalayan ecosystems, coastal areas, western ghats and the northeast.
"Through this we will demonstrate our commitment to climate science," Ramesh concluded.
Ramesh also commented on the IPCC erring report's claim that the Himalayan glaciers would retreat by 2035.
"The health of glaciers is a cause for serious concern. Most glaciers are melting.... they are retreating. Overall, one can say incontrovertibly that the debris on our glaciers is very high, the mass balance is very low, the snow balance is very low. We have to be very cautious about the future of the glaciers particularly because of water security," the minister said.
Ramesh announced the setting up of the National Institute of Himalayan Glaciology at Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
"This is going to start a series of programmes on measuring, monitoring, modelling on what is happening to our glaciers and also look at what is happening to them in the regional context with Pakistan, Nepal and others," he informed.
Used like dustbin, I still respect Mulayam: Amar
New Delhi: Two days after his expulsion, Amar Singh today accused the Samajwadi Party of using him like a "dustbin", but insisted he had no differences with Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Amar Singh said he was being blamed for various decisions the Samajwadi Party took, including the controversial wooing of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister Kalyan Singh, who presided over the 1992 razing of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.
"My journey in the Samajwadi Party has been from a dustbin to being termed as garbage," a visibly disgusted Amar Singh told reporters here. Flanking him was Lok Sabha MP Jaya Prada, who too was sacked by the Samajwadi Party with Amar Singh.
Denying the widely held impression that it was he who brought Kalyan Singh into the Samajwadi Party, Amar Singh said he was in a Singapore hospital when Mulayam Singh and Kalyan Singh shared a dais in 2009 in Agra.
Once seen as the most powerful man in the Samajwadi Party after Mulayam Singh, Amar Singh maintained that Mulayam Singh had been "misled" into sacking him.
"My relationship with Mulayam Singh was based on trust, confidence and mutual respect. I have no differences with him. My relations with him and his family will continue," Amar Singh said about his former mentor.
"Akhilesh (Mulayam Singh's son) was and is like a nephew," he added, making a pointed reference to the help he (Amar Singh) gave to ensure that Akhilesh was educated in Australia.
In a clear attempt to divide the Mulayam Singh family, Amar Singh said he didn't blame the former chief minister for his expulsion Tuesday, a few weeks after he resigned from all party posts citing ill health.
"Mulayam Singh was misled into sacking me," he said.
The former Samajwadi Party general secretary, who underwent a kidney transplant last year, said there was no politics involved when he sought "sick leave" from the party and resigned from all posts.
"There was no politics behind my resignation. But they smelt a rat despite me being so unwell. Any specialist would tell you I needed a one-year rest from hectic political life after the kidney transplant," he said.
Amar Singh said he was being blamed for various decisions the Samajwadi Party took, including the controversial wooing of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister Kalyan Singh, who presided over the 1992 razing of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.
"My journey in the Samajwadi Party has been from a dustbin to being termed as garbage," a visibly disgusted Amar Singh told reporters here. Flanking him was Lok Sabha MP Jaya Prada, who too was sacked by the Samajwadi Party with Amar Singh.
Denying the widely held impression that it was he who brought Kalyan Singh into the Samajwadi Party, Amar Singh said he was in a Singapore hospital when Mulayam Singh and Kalyan Singh shared a dais in 2009 in Agra.
Once seen as the most powerful man in the Samajwadi Party after Mulayam Singh, Amar Singh maintained that Mulayam Singh had been "misled" into sacking him.
"My relationship with Mulayam Singh was based on trust, confidence and mutual respect. I have no differences with him. My relations with him and his family will continue," Amar Singh said about his former mentor.
"Akhilesh (Mulayam Singh's son) was and is like a nephew," he added, making a pointed reference to the help he (Amar Singh) gave to ensure that Akhilesh was educated in Australia.
In a clear attempt to divide the Mulayam Singh family, Amar Singh said he didn't blame the former chief minister for his expulsion Tuesday, a few weeks after he resigned from all party posts citing ill health.
"Mulayam Singh was misled into sacking me," he said.
The former Samajwadi Party general secretary, who underwent a kidney transplant last year, said there was no politics involved when he sought "sick leave" from the party and resigned from all posts.
"There was no politics behind my resignation. But they smelt a rat despite me being so unwell. Any specialist would tell you I needed a one-year rest from hectic political life after the kidney transplant," he said.
Mumbai attackers' handler may be an Indian: Chidambaram
New Delhi: The government today admitted that at least one of the 26/11 terror handlers could be an Indian but the true identity of the person was yet to be ascertained.
"There was a handler in 26/11 whom we have known for long, or suspected for a long time, could be an Indian. That's something we have known for many, many months now. He goes by the name Abu Jindal, but that is not his real name," Home Minister P. Chidambaram told a TV channel in an interview.
However, the home minister said the ambiguity would linger unless the mysterious person's voice sample was obtained.
Chidamabaram pointed out that the person in question could have infiltrated India long back to familiarise himself with the language.
"He could have infiltrated into India and lived here long enough to acquire an Indian accent, familiarity with... or he could be somebody who exfiltrated from India to Pakistan and was adopted by the militants there," said the minister.
"Now we can't get a finger on who he is, unless we get a voice sample."
"And they (Pakistan) won't give us voice samples. Now there could be speculation that Abu Jindal could be A, Abu Jundal could be B. Now you may be right in your speculation, but how as home minister can you speculate?" he queried.
"I can't speculate. Secondly, when we say he could be an Indian, he could be somebody who has acquired Indian characteristics."
Abul Jindal, said Chidamabaram, was one of the alleged masterminds of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
"It is believed that his real name could be Syed Zabiuddin Ansari. He is wanted in the Aurangabad arms haul case as well as well as for plotting to assassinate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Ansari hails from Aurangabad in Maharashtra."
"There was a handler in 26/11 whom we have known for long, or suspected for a long time, could be an Indian. That's something we have known for many, many months now. He goes by the name Abu Jindal, but that is not his real name," Home Minister P. Chidambaram told a TV channel in an interview.
However, the home minister said the ambiguity would linger unless the mysterious person's voice sample was obtained.
Chidamabaram pointed out that the person in question could have infiltrated India long back to familiarise himself with the language.
"He could have infiltrated into India and lived here long enough to acquire an Indian accent, familiarity with... or he could be somebody who exfiltrated from India to Pakistan and was adopted by the militants there," said the minister.
"Now we can't get a finger on who he is, unless we get a voice sample."
"And they (Pakistan) won't give us voice samples. Now there could be speculation that Abu Jindal could be A, Abu Jundal could be B. Now you may be right in your speculation, but how as home minister can you speculate?" he queried.
"I can't speculate. Secondly, when we say he could be an Indian, he could be somebody who has acquired Indian characteristics."
Abul Jindal, said Chidamabaram, was one of the alleged masterminds of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
"It is believed that his real name could be Syed Zabiuddin Ansari. He is wanted in the Aurangabad arms haul case as well as well as for plotting to assassinate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Ansari hails from Aurangabad in Maharashtra."
Pakistani Army will remain India-centric, says Kayani
Rawalpindi: The Pakistani Army will remain "India-centric" until the Kashmir issue and water disputes are resolved, its chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, says.
In a presentation to Pakistani media, Kayani made it clear that the army's "frame of reference" for addressing the problems in the country included certain concerns that are India specific.
History, unresolved issues, India's military capability and its "Cold Start" doctrine meant that Pakistan could not afford to let its guard down, Dawn.com quoted Kayani as saying.
"We plan on adversaries' capabilities, not intentnons," he added.
"The tough, matter-of-fact line on India was in stark contrast to that of Gen. Kayani's predecessor, Gen. (retd) Musharraf, who tried hard to push for peace with India in his latter years in power," Dawn.com noted.
"Gen Kayani, though, does not carry the dual burden of being president and the army chief, which perhaps explains the narrower, militaristic formulation of Pakistan's posture towards India," it added.
Kayani repeatedly highlighted the threat posed by India's "Cold Start" doctrine, and sid it would permit the Indian Army to attack before mobilising and thus increasing the possibility of a "sudden spiral escalation".
At the same time, Kayani pointed out that he did not have a one-dimensional view of security. Despite the fact that India's defence budget was "seven times" that of Pakistan's, "there has to be a balance between development and military spending", he noted.
He also maintained that "peace and stability in South Asia should not be made hostage to a single terrorist act of a non-state actor", a reference to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
On Afghanistan, too, India featured in Kayani's comments. Rejecting India's reported interest in training the Afghan National Army and the country's police force, he argued that Pakistan had a more legitimate expectation to do so.
"Taken together, Gen Kayani's comments suggest that the possibility of a thaw in relations between India and Pakistan any time soon is low," a news portal reported.
In a presentation to Pakistani media, Kayani made it clear that the army's "frame of reference" for addressing the problems in the country included certain concerns that are India specific.
History, unresolved issues, India's military capability and its "Cold Start" doctrine meant that Pakistan could not afford to let its guard down, Dawn.com quoted Kayani as saying.
"We plan on adversaries' capabilities, not intentnons," he added.
"The tough, matter-of-fact line on India was in stark contrast to that of Gen. Kayani's predecessor, Gen. (retd) Musharraf, who tried hard to push for peace with India in his latter years in power," Dawn.com noted.
"Gen Kayani, though, does not carry the dual burden of being president and the army chief, which perhaps explains the narrower, militaristic formulation of Pakistan's posture towards India," it added.
Kayani repeatedly highlighted the threat posed by India's "Cold Start" doctrine, and sid it would permit the Indian Army to attack before mobilising and thus increasing the possibility of a "sudden spiral escalation".
At the same time, Kayani pointed out that he did not have a one-dimensional view of security. Despite the fact that India's defence budget was "seven times" that of Pakistan's, "there has to be a balance between development and military spending", he noted.
He also maintained that "peace and stability in South Asia should not be made hostage to a single terrorist act of a non-state actor", a reference to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
On Afghanistan, too, India featured in Kayani's comments. Rejecting India's reported interest in training the Afghan National Army and the country's police force, he argued that Pakistan had a more legitimate expectation to do so.
"Taken together, Gen Kayani's comments suggest that the possibility of a thaw in relations between India and Pakistan any time soon is low," a news portal reported.
Nothing short of composite dialogue is acceptable: Pakistan
Islamabad: A day after India indicated its willingness to resume the dialogue with Pakistan, the foreign office said it would not accept anything short of the full resumption of the composite dialogue that New Delhi froze in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.
"We want result-oriented and sustained dialogue and no format of engagement other than composite dialogue will be acceptable to us," foreign office spokesperson Abdul Basit told the Dawn newspaper.
Basit said Pakistan would not be interested in "talks for the sake of talks".
At the same time, he said the foreign office would like to assess any Indian proposal and see if it could help resume the composite dialogue, whose four rounds since 2004 had witnessed practical steps taken by both sides to enhance bilateral cooperation on a number of issues and helped them engage each other in serious discussion on other issues.
India on Wednesday indicated its willingness to resume dialogue with Pakistan, saying even "a few steps" by Islamabad in the Mumbai terror probe will "satisfy" it and will make it easier "to carry on normal business".
Confirming the visit of Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram to Islamabad later this month, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said: "We are trying to focus their attention also on terrorism."
"Chidambaram will get a chance to have very useful exchanges with his counterparts and other leaders in Pakistan," Krishna told reporters accompanying him on a two-day visit to Kuwait.
"Any step forward in the direction of Pakistan also investigating the Mumbai attacks will certainly make it easier for India to carry out normalisation of business with Pakistan," Krishna said while taking note of Pakistan's recent actions in the Mumbai terror probe.
"India should be quite satisfied with Pakistan taking a few steps to investigate the Mumbai attacks," he replied when asked whether India would think of restarting composite dialogue.
Krishna attributed softening of his country's position on normalisation of ties to "constructive signals" from the prosecution in Pakistan of the alleged masterminds of the Mumbai terror strikes.
Dawn said the Indian idea of "measured contact" was "not well-received in the foreign office".
"However, diplomatic circles here believe that the change had been made possible because of behind-the-scene US pressure.
"The United States has stepped up its efforts to help Pakistan and India to defuse tensions fearing that continued animosity could affect its preparations for an intensified campaign against Taliban in Afghanistan," it added.
"We want result-oriented and sustained dialogue and no format of engagement other than composite dialogue will be acceptable to us," foreign office spokesperson Abdul Basit told the Dawn newspaper.
Basit said Pakistan would not be interested in "talks for the sake of talks".
At the same time, he said the foreign office would like to assess any Indian proposal and see if it could help resume the composite dialogue, whose four rounds since 2004 had witnessed practical steps taken by both sides to enhance bilateral cooperation on a number of issues and helped them engage each other in serious discussion on other issues.
India on Wednesday indicated its willingness to resume dialogue with Pakistan, saying even "a few steps" by Islamabad in the Mumbai terror probe will "satisfy" it and will make it easier "to carry on normal business".
Confirming the visit of Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram to Islamabad later this month, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said: "We are trying to focus their attention also on terrorism."
"Chidambaram will get a chance to have very useful exchanges with his counterparts and other leaders in Pakistan," Krishna told reporters accompanying him on a two-day visit to Kuwait.
"Any step forward in the direction of Pakistan also investigating the Mumbai attacks will certainly make it easier for India to carry out normalisation of business with Pakistan," Krishna said while taking note of Pakistan's recent actions in the Mumbai terror probe.
"India should be quite satisfied with Pakistan taking a few steps to investigate the Mumbai attacks," he replied when asked whether India would think of restarting composite dialogue.
Krishna attributed softening of his country's position on normalisation of ties to "constructive signals" from the prosecution in Pakistan of the alleged masterminds of the Mumbai terror strikes.
Dawn said the Indian idea of "measured contact" was "not well-received in the foreign office".
"However, diplomatic circles here believe that the change had been made possible because of behind-the-scene US pressure.
"The United States has stepped up its efforts to help Pakistan and India to defuse tensions fearing that continued animosity could affect its preparations for an intensified campaign against Taliban in Afghanistan," it added.
Community kitchens come up on roads for Telangana
Hyderabad: Pro-Telangana activists today displayed their unity for the cause of a separate statehood by organising community kitchens, mass meals, cultural programmes and games on two highways in the region.
The all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) organised community kitchens and mass meals on Hyderabad-Warangal and Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Manchiryal highways.
Leaders and activists of various political parties, non-political organisations, caste groups, cultural organisations and individuals demanding the formation of Telangana state, cooked food together and lunched sitting on roads, bringing the vehicular traffic to a halt between 10 am to 2 pm.
"This programme has been organised to send out a clear message that people of Telangana, irrespective of their religion, caste and creed are united in their demand for statehood," said JAC convenor M. Kodandaram, who participated in the novel agitation at Shamirpet on the city outskirts.
The protesters, including women and students, also participated in cultural programmes and played various games.
The JAC had on Wednesday organised a 500-km long human chain on National Highway 7 running through Telangana to press the demand for carving out Telangana state from the present Andhra Pradesh.
The all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) organised community kitchens and mass meals on Hyderabad-Warangal and Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Manchiryal highways.
Leaders and activists of various political parties, non-political organisations, caste groups, cultural organisations and individuals demanding the formation of Telangana state, cooked food together and lunched sitting on roads, bringing the vehicular traffic to a halt between 10 am to 2 pm.
"This programme has been organised to send out a clear message that people of Telangana, irrespective of their religion, caste and creed are united in their demand for statehood," said JAC convenor M. Kodandaram, who participated in the novel agitation at Shamirpet on the city outskirts.
The protesters, including women and students, also participated in cultural programmes and played various games.
The JAC had on Wednesday organised a 500-km long human chain on National Highway 7 running through Telangana to press the demand for carving out Telangana state from the present Andhra Pradesh.
20100203
Questions raised over brand promos inside Panjab University
Chandigarh: The use of the Panjab University campus for commercial activities like brand promotions has raked up a controversy, with student leaders demanding to know how the money thus made is utilised by authorities.
The Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC), the elected and official students' body that represents nearly 11,000 students, has submitted various memorandums to the vice-chancellor in this regard.
"We have no problem with any kind of commercial activity inside the campus but we only want the university authorities to act in a more accountable manner. It is always good that they are earning extra money in the wake of a long pending financial crunch, but we want them to spend it only on the students of the campus," Amit Bhatia, president of the PUCSC, told the media.
Bhatia said the PUCSC also wants the university to involve a student representative while finalising any such deal with a company.
"There are instances when just to earn quick money, they give space to a private company at a throwaway price. Then, if afterwards we go to that company for any kind of sponsorship, they refuse to give us an increased amount," he pointed out.
Varinder Dhillon, president of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), told IANS, "We want transparency in the working of the university while making any kind of commercial deal. Usually they do that behind closed doors and students are kept away.
"Till date nobody knows where the money generated from these things go. They have not formed any particular fund for it. We are ready to cooperate with them but we want them to make public all such dealings. Every penny that comes from these activities should go for the welfare of students and to sponsor the events of Panjab University," said Dhillon.
There are also student leaders who are totally against commercial activities inside the campus.
"The university is giving permission to commercial brands, including telecom companies and newspapers, to promote their products in campus premises just for the sake of a little money. We strongly oppose this liberal policy," said Deepika Thakur, general secretary of the PUCSC.
"The university is an academic institution and only academic activities should be promoted on the campus. It seems that the authorities surrendered before the MNCs just to get Rs.5,000 to Rs.30,000," stated Thakur.
When asked about a difference of opinion within the PUCSC, Bhatia said, "I cannot comment on this. But our stand is clear that we are not against these activities if the university is ready to spend the money on students."
The university authorities say there is no question of stopping commercial activities.
"Whatever money we generate from these commercial activities or advertisement go for funding various functions of this university that directly involve students; so there is no question of stopping them," Naval Kishore, dean of students' welfare (DSW), told the media.
"From the same revenue, we also release funds for many annual events which are organised by the PUCSC. We had recently got a memorandum from students and, to again listen to their demands, we have called a meeting with them."
The university, one of the oldest universities of the country, was established in 1882. It has 60 teaching and research departments and over 170 colleges affiliated to it.
The Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC), the elected and official students' body that represents nearly 11,000 students, has submitted various memorandums to the vice-chancellor in this regard.
"We have no problem with any kind of commercial activity inside the campus but we only want the university authorities to act in a more accountable manner. It is always good that they are earning extra money in the wake of a long pending financial crunch, but we want them to spend it only on the students of the campus," Amit Bhatia, president of the PUCSC, told the media.
Bhatia said the PUCSC also wants the university to involve a student representative while finalising any such deal with a company.
"There are instances when just to earn quick money, they give space to a private company at a throwaway price. Then, if afterwards we go to that company for any kind of sponsorship, they refuse to give us an increased amount," he pointed out.
Varinder Dhillon, president of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), told IANS, "We want transparency in the working of the university while making any kind of commercial deal. Usually they do that behind closed doors and students are kept away.
"Till date nobody knows where the money generated from these things go. They have not formed any particular fund for it. We are ready to cooperate with them but we want them to make public all such dealings. Every penny that comes from these activities should go for the welfare of students and to sponsor the events of Panjab University," said Dhillon.
There are also student leaders who are totally against commercial activities inside the campus.
"The university is giving permission to commercial brands, including telecom companies and newspapers, to promote their products in campus premises just for the sake of a little money. We strongly oppose this liberal policy," said Deepika Thakur, general secretary of the PUCSC.
"The university is an academic institution and only academic activities should be promoted on the campus. It seems that the authorities surrendered before the MNCs just to get Rs.5,000 to Rs.30,000," stated Thakur.
When asked about a difference of opinion within the PUCSC, Bhatia said, "I cannot comment on this. But our stand is clear that we are not against these activities if the university is ready to spend the money on students."
The university authorities say there is no question of stopping commercial activities.
"Whatever money we generate from these commercial activities or advertisement go for funding various functions of this university that directly involve students; so there is no question of stopping them," Naval Kishore, dean of students' welfare (DSW), told the media.
"From the same revenue, we also release funds for many annual events which are organised by the PUCSC. We had recently got a memorandum from students and, to again listen to their demands, we have called a meeting with them."
The university, one of the oldest universities of the country, was established in 1882. It has 60 teaching and research departments and over 170 colleges affiliated to it.
Working with Indian stars has always excited me: Baz Luhrmann
New Delhi: Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann finds a reflection of Shakespeare's plays in Bollywood films and was so impressed with Indian stars and Hindi movies that he used the song "Chamma, Chamma" in his musical "Moulin Rouge". Now the Oscar-nominated director is keen to work on a film in India and collaborate with music maestro A.R. Rahman.
"There are a number of classic stars here and there are a few new Indian actors as well who are doing things differently. The idea of working with Indian actors has always excited me and if it works out I definitely will. I am keeping my fingers crossed," Luhrmann told the media in an interview.
This is Luhrmann's fourth trip to India. So did he gather from the trip any fodder for his next project? "I wouldn't say fodder, but every time I come here it has had a direct effect on my life and my work. There are many things I am working on. I have many pieces that could be played in India," he said.
Luhrmann's films "Strictly Ballroom", "Romeo + Juliet", "Moulin Rouge" and "Australia" had a profound presence of "love and spirit". Not many know that the influence has an Indian connect.
"I can't escape my spirit and love - the truth of relationships and the depth, meaning and power of them. Without that I can't be creative. When I don't have one of that, I am nothing.
"When I came here 15 years ago that changed me and every single time I come here, I've had the same experience. It's always the same and very spiritual. At the same time all the other experience I have gathered here whether it is Satyajit Ray or anything, at the heart of it is love. The (Indian) connection is always with me. My relationship with India is continuing," he added.
Luhrmann has been hugely influenced by Bollywood and picked up many things while researching for his opera production "A Midsummer Night's Dream" here in 1993. Eventually he also set the opera in India.
His 2001 musical "Moulin Rouge" saw actress Nicole Kidman grooving to popular Bollywood number "Chamma chamma" from "China Gate".
"Indian musicals have inspired me since the first time I've been here. I had that cathartic experience 15 years ago when I was here working on Shakespeare and watching a Bollywood movie and it felt the same (like Shakespeare's plays).
"(In Bollywood films) There's tragedy, then comedy and next is music which is just like Shakespeare's works. It reached me as an idea of the old form that was alive in Bollywood and that we brought to ground in 'Romeo + Juliet' and 'Moulin Rouge'."
The 47-year-old was here with Australian portrait painter Vincent Fantauzzo, as part of a Le Sutra and Royal Enfield initiative.
Asked how his overall trip to the country was, he said: "You cannot put it in a nutshell. If you could, it wouldn't be India. And the best thing about being in India is not having plans. But I'll be honest, in the first couple of days it is a bit hot, but then I always find myself secured a lot."
Luhrmann is now working on F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece "The Great Gatsby", which he hasn't confirmed yet.
"'Great Gatsby' is one project I am working on but I haven't confirmed it yet. I do have the rights to that book but I don't know if I'm doing it (in terms of a film)," he said.
"There are a number of classic stars here and there are a few new Indian actors as well who are doing things differently. The idea of working with Indian actors has always excited me and if it works out I definitely will. I am keeping my fingers crossed," Luhrmann told the media in an interview.
This is Luhrmann's fourth trip to India. So did he gather from the trip any fodder for his next project? "I wouldn't say fodder, but every time I come here it has had a direct effect on my life and my work. There are many things I am working on. I have many pieces that could be played in India," he said.
Luhrmann's films "Strictly Ballroom", "Romeo + Juliet", "Moulin Rouge" and "Australia" had a profound presence of "love and spirit". Not many know that the influence has an Indian connect.
"I can't escape my spirit and love - the truth of relationships and the depth, meaning and power of them. Without that I can't be creative. When I don't have one of that, I am nothing.
"When I came here 15 years ago that changed me and every single time I come here, I've had the same experience. It's always the same and very spiritual. At the same time all the other experience I have gathered here whether it is Satyajit Ray or anything, at the heart of it is love. The (Indian) connection is always with me. My relationship with India is continuing," he added.
Luhrmann has been hugely influenced by Bollywood and picked up many things while researching for his opera production "A Midsummer Night's Dream" here in 1993. Eventually he also set the opera in India.
His 2001 musical "Moulin Rouge" saw actress Nicole Kidman grooving to popular Bollywood number "Chamma chamma" from "China Gate".
"Indian musicals have inspired me since the first time I've been here. I had that cathartic experience 15 years ago when I was here working on Shakespeare and watching a Bollywood movie and it felt the same (like Shakespeare's plays).
"(In Bollywood films) There's tragedy, then comedy and next is music which is just like Shakespeare's works. It reached me as an idea of the old form that was alive in Bollywood and that we brought to ground in 'Romeo + Juliet' and 'Moulin Rouge'."
The 47-year-old was here with Australian portrait painter Vincent Fantauzzo, as part of a Le Sutra and Royal Enfield initiative.
Asked how his overall trip to the country was, he said: "You cannot put it in a nutshell. If you could, it wouldn't be India. And the best thing about being in India is not having plans. But I'll be honest, in the first couple of days it is a bit hot, but then I always find myself secured a lot."
Luhrmann is now working on F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece "The Great Gatsby", which he hasn't confirmed yet.
"'Great Gatsby' is one project I am working on but I haven't confirmed it yet. I do have the rights to that book but I don't know if I'm doing it (in terms of a film)," he said.
Books on Bollywood poetry released in Poland
Warsaw: The Polish version of two books - "Bollywood Poetry" and "Legends of Tansen" - have been released here ahead of the world premiere of actor Shah Rukh Khan's new movie "My Name Is Khan" to enhance the charm of the film, which is releasing on Feb 12.
"Bollywood Poetry" and "Legends of Tansen", which is the story of the 16th-century Indian classical singer, were released on Monday.
Janusz Krzyzowski, well-known Indologist, and Warsaw-based Urdu poet Surender Zahid have translated the literary ghazals of 18 Bollywood poets into Polish. It includes works of Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Shakeel Badayuni and Jan Nisar Akhtar to the present times of Gulzar and Javed Akhtar, EuAsiaNews reported.
The two authors have maintained the essence of the Urdu lyrics in their Polish translation.
"This anthology is a masterpiece to understand modern day India and particularly the spectacular delight of modern Urdu poetry by these great poets of post-independent (period)," Boguslaw Zakrzewski, Polish writer and translator, said while releasing the books at the Indian ambassador's residence.
"Urdu's diction is full of nuances and to bring those subtle thoughts into Polish the two writers have done a remarkable job. It is a boon for Polish readers to enrich themselves with something novel," he added.
Praising Krzyzowski for his "painstaking research" on legendary singer Tansen, the Polish author said the new book "marks a new chapter to understand the depth of Indian classical music since medieval times to the present for Polish readers".
"We are proud of contributions of these two outstanding scholars. They are pioneers in this field. The way they have enriched the cultural aspects of India and Poland in recent years is highly praiseworthy," said Rajesh Vaishnaw, Indian charge d'affaires in Warsaw.
Lauding the contributions of the two translators, J.J. Singh, president of the Indo-Polish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said: "They are the true cultural envoys of India in this country. We are proud of their achievements. It is our privilege to publish their works in Poland."
"Bollywood Poetry" and "Legends of Tansen", which is the story of the 16th-century Indian classical singer, were released on Monday.
Janusz Krzyzowski, well-known Indologist, and Warsaw-based Urdu poet Surender Zahid have translated the literary ghazals of 18 Bollywood poets into Polish. It includes works of Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Shakeel Badayuni and Jan Nisar Akhtar to the present times of Gulzar and Javed Akhtar, EuAsiaNews reported.
The two authors have maintained the essence of the Urdu lyrics in their Polish translation.
"This anthology is a masterpiece to understand modern day India and particularly the spectacular delight of modern Urdu poetry by these great poets of post-independent (period)," Boguslaw Zakrzewski, Polish writer and translator, said while releasing the books at the Indian ambassador's residence.
"Urdu's diction is full of nuances and to bring those subtle thoughts into Polish the two writers have done a remarkable job. It is a boon for Polish readers to enrich themselves with something novel," he added.
Praising Krzyzowski for his "painstaking research" on legendary singer Tansen, the Polish author said the new book "marks a new chapter to understand the depth of Indian classical music since medieval times to the present for Polish readers".
"We are proud of contributions of these two outstanding scholars. They are pioneers in this field. The way they have enriched the cultural aspects of India and Poland in recent years is highly praiseworthy," said Rajesh Vaishnaw, Indian charge d'affaires in Warsaw.
Lauding the contributions of the two translators, J.J. Singh, president of the Indo-Polish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said: "They are the true cultural envoys of India in this country. We are proud of their achievements. It is our privilege to publish their works in Poland."
Three siblings burnt to death in Bihar
Patna: Three siblings were burnt to death when their house caught fire in a village in Bihar's Vaishali district, police said today.
The incident took place at Karhatiya Paharpur village under Mahua police station in Vaishali, about 50 km from here.
"The siblings - three brothers - were burnt to death after their house caught fire late Wednesday night," Deputy Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar Gupta said.
The victims were identified as Sanjit Kumar, 12, Rahul Kumar, 10, and Roshan Kumar, 8. Their father, Arjun Rai, was too shocked to say anything to the police.
Gupta said it was not clear how the house caught fire. "We suspect that fire spread rapidly and all three were burnt to death," he said.
Police was investigating the incident.
The incident took place at Karhatiya Paharpur village under Mahua police station in Vaishali, about 50 km from here.
"The siblings - three brothers - were burnt to death after their house caught fire late Wednesday night," Deputy Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar Gupta said.
The victims were identified as Sanjit Kumar, 12, Rahul Kumar, 10, and Roshan Kumar, 8. Their father, Arjun Rai, was too shocked to say anything to the police.
Gupta said it was not clear how the house caught fire. "We suspect that fire spread rapidly and all three were burnt to death," he said.
Police was investigating the incident.
Haryana significantly curtails plastic use
Chandigarh: The Haryana government has imposed a complete ban on the use of polythene bags made of virgin or recycled plastic with a thickness of less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18 inches in the state.
"No person would manufacture, stock, distribute, sell or use carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic of thickness less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18 inches," Ajay Singh Yadav, state forest minister told reporters here on Wednesday.
Earlier, thickness and size of banned plastic carry bags was less than 30 microns and less than 8 x 12 inches, respectively.
"Besides, a complete ban has been also imposed on the use of all types of plastic articles such as carry bags, plates, cups, spoons, forks and straw in public parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and at those places which have historical, religious and ecological significance," Yadav stated.
Yadav said a penalty of Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000 could be imposed on the manufacturing unit for its first offence, and its licence could be cancelled in addition to confiscating the machinery on repeated violations.
Similarly, Rs.2,500 to Rs.5,000 fine will be imposed on the retailer, vendor and other establishments found violating these directions for the first time and if found violating again, their trade licence would be cancelled.
"If an individual is found littering public places with plastic bags, then he could be fined ranging from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per offence," stated Yadav.
Haryana state pollution control board would be the prescribed authority for the enforcement of these directions in the state.
"No person would manufacture, stock, distribute, sell or use carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic of thickness less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18 inches," Ajay Singh Yadav, state forest minister told reporters here on Wednesday.
Earlier, thickness and size of banned plastic carry bags was less than 30 microns and less than 8 x 12 inches, respectively.
"Besides, a complete ban has been also imposed on the use of all types of plastic articles such as carry bags, plates, cups, spoons, forks and straw in public parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and at those places which have historical, religious and ecological significance," Yadav stated.
Yadav said a penalty of Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000 could be imposed on the manufacturing unit for its first offence, and its licence could be cancelled in addition to confiscating the machinery on repeated violations.
Similarly, Rs.2,500 to Rs.5,000 fine will be imposed on the retailer, vendor and other establishments found violating these directions for the first time and if found violating again, their trade licence would be cancelled.
"If an individual is found littering public places with plastic bags, then he could be fined ranging from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per offence," stated Yadav.
Haryana state pollution control board would be the prescribed authority for the enforcement of these directions in the state.
Joint security drill along Orissa coast
Bhubaneswar: A two-day joint security drill involving the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, state police, marine police, custom officials and local fishermen, among others, is underway along the Orissa coast to thwart any type of terror attacks, officials said today.
The mock exercise, which began on Wednesday, is divided into two groups. One group, masquerading as fishermen, would try to infiltrate through the sea route and the other group would try to thwart the attack.
During the 48-hour exercise, mock drills were conducted at several locations starting from Balasore to the Ganjam coast.
A mock infiltration exercise was conducted along the Puri coast, where some security personnel masquerading as terrorists tried to enter the Puri temple. They were successfully apprehended by the security personnel.
Similar exercises were also conducted near Gopalpur, Balasore, Konark and Paradip.
"We are conducting the security exercise to foil any type of infiltration along the coast. It is a coordinated drill conducted to ascertain how prepared we are to foil any such attacks by terrorists," said Balakrishna Sahoo, additional superintendent of police of Paradip.
The Indian Navy has joined the exercise with interceptor vehicles, fast moving crafts and warships.
The mock exercise, which began on Wednesday, is divided into two groups. One group, masquerading as fishermen, would try to infiltrate through the sea route and the other group would try to thwart the attack.
During the 48-hour exercise, mock drills were conducted at several locations starting from Balasore to the Ganjam coast.
A mock infiltration exercise was conducted along the Puri coast, where some security personnel masquerading as terrorists tried to enter the Puri temple. They were successfully apprehended by the security personnel.
Similar exercises were also conducted near Gopalpur, Balasore, Konark and Paradip.
"We are conducting the security exercise to foil any type of infiltration along the coast. It is a coordinated drill conducted to ascertain how prepared we are to foil any such attacks by terrorists," said Balakrishna Sahoo, additional superintendent of police of Paradip.
The Indian Navy has joined the exercise with interceptor vehicles, fast moving crafts and warships.
If there is an issue, sort it out with me: Shah Rukh Khan
Washington: In the eye of a storm over his criticism of exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from a major tournament, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is hoping Shiv Sena ire against him would not be visited on his new film. "If there is an issue with me you have to sort it out with me and talk to me about my ideology," he told the media over the phone from New York where he was to promote his new film "My Name Is Khan".
"As far as the film is concerned, that is an incidental thing. According to me, that's not something they should take their ire against and hopefully they won't and nobody will and it will release and, inshallah, people will like it," he said.
"I have nothing to respond," said Shah Rukh when asked about Shiv Sena's threat to disrupt the screening of the film if he did not apologise for speaking against the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I don't even understand what 'My Name Is Khan' has got to do with what I say," he said.
"You know 'My Name Is Khan' is not only my film. It has got Kajol and Karan (Johar) and hundred and fifty other people whose livelihood depends on that."
"And if there is an issue with me you have to sort it out with me and talk to me about my ideology," said Shah Rukh, who owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team, while sticking to his guns on the issue.
"I have no take on anybody's statement" he said referring to Shiv Sena leaders' criticism of his views. "I can only do a take on my statement. And what I say and what everyone believes in... what I say that we are Indians and we should have everyone like to live freely and happily and be good."
"And so there is nothing new, we learnt it in class three civics books till I finished my masters that this is what I was taught by my parents and my mom."
"And I don't know what the issue is really. I mean what is wrong in saying what I say that everyone is welcome to my country and I welcome them with open arms, whether it's art, culture, sport, politics... you know, whatever."
"Everyone has got the right to do what they wish to do in our country. That's why it's the biggest democracy apparently," Shah Rukh said.
Don't slam Indian media, says Australian senator
Melbourne: An Australian senator today slammed Victorian Premier John Brumby for criticising the Indian media over race attacks in the country, saying "No, it's not wise, frankly".
Senator Steve Fielding said in Canberra: "We do have a problem in Victoria of Indians being attacked and it needs to be addressed. Having a crack at the Indian media, I don't think, is helpful at all.
"No it's not wise, frankly," the media quoted Fielding as saying.
The string of attacks on Indians has strained relations between Canberra and New Delhi. One Indian, Nitin Garg, was fatally stabbed on Jan 2 in Melbourne while walking to the restaurant where he worked.
Brumby on Wednesday criticised the Indian media and a section of officials and said there had to be "some balance to the reporting" after it emerged that an Indian man who claimed to have been set alight by assailants in Melbourne had in fact accidentally burnt himself.
He also referred to the death of Ranjodh Singh whose body was found on the side of a road in New South Wales on Dec 29.
"I think the point needs to be made that the people who have been charged with that murder are both Indians.
"So I hope that there is some balance to the debate, some balance to the reporting in India and certainly to date that balance hasn't been there."
Senator Steve Fielding said in Canberra: "We do have a problem in Victoria of Indians being attacked and it needs to be addressed. Having a crack at the Indian media, I don't think, is helpful at all.
"No it's not wise, frankly," the media quoted Fielding as saying.
The string of attacks on Indians has strained relations between Canberra and New Delhi. One Indian, Nitin Garg, was fatally stabbed on Jan 2 in Melbourne while walking to the restaurant where he worked.
Brumby on Wednesday criticised the Indian media and a section of officials and said there had to be "some balance to the reporting" after it emerged that an Indian man who claimed to have been set alight by assailants in Melbourne had in fact accidentally burnt himself.
He also referred to the death of Ranjodh Singh whose body was found on the side of a road in New South Wales on Dec 29.
"I think the point needs to be made that the people who have been charged with that murder are both Indians.
"So I hope that there is some balance to the debate, some balance to the reporting in India and certainly to date that balance hasn't been there."
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