Railways’ profit will cross Rs.1,000 bn: Lalu
By IANS,
Patna : Indian Railways' profits in the current fiscal will cross Rs.1,000 billion ($20 billion), Railways Minister Lalu Prasad said here Monday.
“I am 100 percent sure that Indian Railways is set to earn a profit of over Rs.1 lakh crore (Rs.1,000 billion) during the current fiscal,” he said.
The minister has been travelling across the state during the last one week to lay foundation stones of new rail lines and also to inaugurate railway buildings.
Pakistan raids camp of group blamed for Mumbai
By ANTARA News/Reuters,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces on Sunday raided a camp used by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), two sources said, in a strike against the group blamed by India for last month's deadly attacks on Mumbai.
Local man Nisar Ali told Reuters the operation began in the afternoon in Shawai on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Pakistani side of disputed Kashmir region.
"I don't know details as the entire area was sealed off, but I heard two loud blasts in the evening after a military helicopter landed there," Ali said.
Jain temple in Andhra opens for pilgrims after 20 years
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The 2,500-year-old Sri Shwethambar Jain Tirth temple was reopened for pilgrims after 20 long years of renovation work.
The temple at Kolanpak in Andhra Pradesh's Nalgonda district was opened Sunday after a day-long special puja "pran pratishta" of a four-faced idol of Jain deities "Chaumukha" was performed by Acharya Rajesh Suriswar, temple president Surendra Lunia said. The rituals conclude Monday.
Hundreds of devotees from various parts of the country and abroad, besides Home Minister K. Jana Reddy and local public representatives participated in the event.
Post terror strikes, Bhandarkar refuses to leave Mumbai
By Subhash K. Jha, IANS,
Mumbai : Director Madhur Bhandarkar is quite shaken after the terror strikes on the city and refuses to go anywhere. He just wants to be close to his family.
He was supposed to be on the jury of the Asian Festival Of First Films in Singapore being held from Dec 4 to 11, but the ace director, who wowed the audiences with "Fashion", refused to fly out.
Deputy chief minister gets new wife, name, religion – loses job!
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS,
Chandigarh : In love, people are known to take questionable decisions. Chander Mohan, who held the post of deputy chief minister in Haryana till Sunday, fell in love and got himself a new wife, a new name and a new religion too. In the process, he lost his job.
Pakistan moves to build bridges with India
By IANS,
Islamabad : Evidently stung by Washington's whiplash, Pakistan is to send an “important” message to India through its envoy in New Delhi to defuse tensions in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, a media report Monday said.
“Pakistan is sending an important message to the Indian leadership this week pertaining to the heightening of tension between the two nuclear neighbours,” The News said in a report headlined “Pak plan to mend fences with India”.
Nepal to start flights to more than 18 Indian cities soon
By Xinhua,
Kathmandu : The Nepali government will soon start regional flights linking to more than 18 destinations in Indian metros, The Himalayan Times reported on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami said, "Nepal will soon launch regional flights from Biratnagar, Jhapa, Lumbini and extend to 18 more destinations of India like Gaya, Patna and other cities."
‘No uncertainty over 2010 Delhi Games’: Commonwealth federation
By IANS,
London : The Commonwealth Games Federation has dismissed any uncertainty over the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes.
The Federation's honorary secretary Louise Martin said India has regarded security as a serious issue since the day Delhi was awarded the Games and that the Federation is sure they will not be derailed by terror threats.
"There are no thoughts of pulling the games. It actually makes you more determined they go ahead as planned," the Scotsman quoted her as saying.
Pakistani spy agency strengthened Lashkar-e-Taiba: US intelligence officials
By IANS,
New York : Militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the main suspect in the Mumbai terrorist attack, built up its strength with the help of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), The New York Times said Monday quoting unnamed US intelligence and counterterrorism officials.
In a front page report, The New York Times said though top US intelligence officials have not found, so far, a direct ISI link to the Mumbai attack, but this Pakistani spy agency did share intelligence with the LeT.
Disney raises stake to 50 percent in UTV Software
By IANS,
Mumbai : Walt Disney Company (South East Asia) has raised its stake to more than 50 percent and has become the majority shareholder of UTV Software Communications, a UTV official said.
Walt Disney recently acquired about 20 percent of UTV shares from the open market and increased its holding in the company to more than 50 percent. Earlier, its shareholding was 37 percent.
This made Walt Disney the first Hollywood studio to have majority shares in an Indian entertainment company.
Terror fails to scare fans of Mumbai’s beloved Leopold Café
By Azera Rehman, IANS,
Mumbai : It's nine at night and the roads are already deserted in Mumbai. For a city that is still coming to terms with terror attacks, that is not unusual. However Leo's, as the Leopold Café is fondly called by its frequent customers, throbs with life.
With its bullet riddled windows, granite walls and ceiling, the café, which came into being way back in 1871, is a stark reminder of the nightmare that India's financial capital faced.
‘Pakistan to respond soon to India’s demarche’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's response to India's second demarche that had listed the actions it wants Islamabad to take following the Mumbai terror attacks "is expected in a few days", a media report Monday said.
India had Dec 1 handed over two demarches to Pakistan. The first was issued to Pakistan's High Commissioner in New Delhi Shahid Malik by the Indian External Affairs Ministry and the second one was delivered to the foreign office here by Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal.
Terror-proof security by private agencies long way off
By Maitreyee Boruah, IANS,
Bangalore : Notwithstanding the Karnataka government's suggestion that major private firms in Bangalore arrange their own security, it could remain a dream for a long time as private security providers in India's tech hub say they are ill-prepared and poorly-equipped for the task.
"We're planning to revise our entire working system," said Narendra Kumar Sharma, director of Vigilance 24X7 Security and Allied Services Pvt Limited, located in upscale Indiranagar, around 10 km from the city centre.
Malaysia offers to train Hindu priests
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's Human Resource Minister S. Subramaniam, who is an ethnic Indian, said the government is prepared to arrange the training of ethnic Indian youths to become temple priests needed to conduct various ceremonies.
Temple priests have traditionally come from India, but visa and job restrictions have resulted in shortages.
US offers to share counter-terrorism expertise with India
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The United States has offered to share with India its best practices since 9/11 as it restructures its response to counter-terrorism in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
"We have offered to share our experiences, our best practices since 9/11, when we have gone a long way to restructuring," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in interviews with US television networks Sunday.
"They were grateful for that offer," she told CNN's "Late Edition". "I think they are going to accept that."
Obama backs country’s right to defend itself if attacked
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US president-elect Barack Obama has reiterated the "basic principle" that if attacked a country has the right to defend itself, but would not say if India had the right to go after terrorists inside Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attacks.
"Well, I'm not going to comment on that. What I'm going to restate is a basic principle," he told NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday when asked if India now has the right of hot pursuit since he had said that the US reserves the right to go after terrorists in Pakistan if it had targets of opportunity.
Three held in Orissa for publishing inflammatory book
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Three people, including a journalist, have been detained here for allegedly printing and circulating an inflammatory book on the communal violence that Orissa witnessed in August and September, police said Monday.
The book “Dharma Nare Kandhamalare Raktara Banya” (Flood of blood in Kandhamal in the name of religion) is said to have highly objectionable content and copies of it have been seized by the police. The book has been circulated in large numbers in the state, officials said.
India, 12 Arab nations unite to showcase diverse cultures
By IANS,
New Delhi : The mystical and colourful cultures of the Arab countries came together in a high-voltage jugalbandi with traditional Indian dance and music on the closing day of the India-Arab Forum Cultural Festival in the capital.
The forum, an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) initiative, was inaugurated Dec 4 and came to a close Sunday.
Performers from 12 Arabian countries, including Syria, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Iran and Yemen, took to the stage in a riot of colours and styles that mark the folk arts of Arabia.
US-India, Pakistan-China alliance visible after Mumbai: Nepal Maoists
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : The ruling Maoist party of Nepal has warned that the Mumbai terror attacks would escalate greater tensions in South Asia pitting a strengthening India-US alliance against Pakistan, the alleged home of the terrorists, and its ally China.
"After the Mumbai attack and tensions escalating between India and Pakistan, the South Asian region is again becoming a hotspot in world politics," warned the Maoist-affiliated Red Star fortnightly that hit the stands this week.
Pakistan territory used for Mumbai attacks; US seeks action against ‘non-state’ actors
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : With evidence that the terrorists did use Pakistan territory to stage Mumbai terror attacks, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has told Islamabad that "non-state actors" acting from its territory are still its responsibility.
"I think there's no doubt that Pakistani territory was used by probably non-state actors," she said in interviews with US television networks Sunday though she did not "think that there is compelling evidence of involvement of Pakistani officials."
Tamil Nadu’s hospitality trade in the doldrums
By T.S.V. Hari, IANS,
Chennai : Tamil Nadu's hospitality industry has taken a knocking this year. Already hit by the after-effects of the global economic slowdown, the terror attacks in Mumbai now threaten to take a further toll on hotel occupancy in the peak tourist season in winter.
The hospitality industry is expected to be poorer by at least Rs.6 billion (Rs.600 crore) this season.
Policemen with sticks guard ISBT against terror attack!
By Richa Sharma, IANS,
New Delhi : The first thought that came to my mind as I stood at one of India's busiest bus terminals watching the crowds and the innumerable buses come and go, was that the terrorists who had held Mumbai to ransom were armed with automatic guns. The policemen I saw deployed here were armed with bamboo canes!
At eight in the evening I was standing at the entrance of the Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal, and announcements were being made on the public address system for passengers to be careful about any suspicious item or person around them.
SAIL’s Himachal Pradesh plant in fresh trouble
By Vishal Gulati, IANS,
Shimla : Uncertainty continues to dog state-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd's steel plant project in Himachal Pradesh - SAIL's first in northern India - with the state turning down the company's proposal to shift the location of the plant.
The proposed plant was initially to be set up in Kangra district. Later, SAIL decided to establish the plant at Nahan in Sirmaur district.
Canadians pay tributes to Mumbai victims
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : In an unprecedented show of solidarity with India, Canadians and members of the Indian diaspora came out in large numbers here to pay homage to the victims of the terror attacks in Mumbai.
At a candlelight vigil and solidarity rally Sunday, organised by the Canada-India Foundation along with the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and more than 70 cultural and ethnic groups, the Canadians pledged support to India in its fight to defeat terrorism.
I can never forget this incident: CST kiosk owner
By IANS,
Mumbai : Saupratap Singh remembers that evening vividly. He had just taken out the sandwiches from the fridge to keep it on the counter of his kiosk at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, when he heard loud staccato bursts. He soon saw people running helter-skelter, people falling down in pools of blood and realised it was a terrorist attack.
India’s first Men’s Fashion Week on, despite economic meltdown
By Shilpa Raina, IANS,
New Delhi : At a time of financial crisis when the whole world is engaged in cost cutting, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has decided to go ahead with its plans of organizing the country's first Men's Fashion Week - but with slight changes in the dates.
"The global meltdown has definitely hit our niche market, but as a fashion body we have to find different ways of generating business for our designers," FDCI president Sunil Sethi told IANS.
Community campaigns for UN authorisation for strikes at Pakistan terror camps
By Lalit K Jha, IANS,
New York : The Indian American community has launched a petition campaign all over the country urging the US to support a resolution in the UN Security Council that would permit strikes against terrorists camps inside Pakistan.
Thousands of people have signed this petition, which is being kept outside for signatures, at the scores of condolence meetings and candle light vigil in memory of the victims of Mumbai terrorist attacks, being held across the US in the past week.
I’m a mixture of all religions: Pooja Bedi
By Devapriyo Bhattacharjee, IANS,
Mumbai : Actress and anchor Pooja Bedi is proud that she can boast of a family tree that is an amalgamation of several religions.
"I have a family which is a mix of all religions, so I worship all gods and follow all religions," Pooja told IANS.
Though Pooja is widely known as a Sikh girl as the daughter of actor Kabir Bedi, her grandmother was a Christian who took to Buddhism, her mother Protima Bedi was a Hindu, while she was married to a Muslim.
West Bengal opposition condemns police action on mediapersons
By IANS,
Kolkata : The opposition parties in West Bengal condemned the police action on mediapersons covering soccer legend Diego Maradona's meeting with communist patriarch Jyoti Basu Sunday.
"I strongly condemn the police action on the mediapersons who went there for a professional reason. Being a senior politician of the state, I feel ashamed about the incident. Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty, who was looking after the entire programme, should be held answerable to people," senior state Congress leader and former city mayor Subrata Mukherjee told IANS.
India Infrastructure Co. to raise Rs.100 bn to refinance projects
By IANS,
New Delhi : In order to boost investment in the infrastructure sector, the government Sunday authorised the state-run India Infrastructure Finance Co. Ltd (IIFCL) to raise Rs.100 billion through tax-free bonds by next March.
Announcing a Rs.3,000-billion ($60-billion) stimulus package to pump prime the economy, a government statement said IIFCL, set up to finance infrastructure projects in the country, could use the fund to refinance port, highway and power projects, being developed under the public-private-partnership model.
R.R. Patil declines party post
By IANS,
Mumbai : Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister R.R. Patil, who was tipped to be state unit president of the National Congress Party (NCP) after he stepped down last week, has declined the post, party sources said Sunday.
Patil, who was also the state home minister before he resigned in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack Nov 26 that killed at least 172 people, has instead preferred to take a break.
The former minister told NCP president Sharad Pawar that he would like to have a break till after the forthcoming state assembly elections, Patil's close aide told IANS.
Kerala police receive death threat for Sonia Gandhi
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : A call which has been traced to Muscat was received by the police here Sunday warning that Congress president Sonia Gandhi would be assassinated during her Kerala visit scheduled for next week, officials here said.
Speaking to IANS, Inspector General of Police Arun Kumar Sinha said that the call came at around 6.15 p.m. to the office of the Kollam superintendent of police.
"Immediately the state police began an investigation and soon traced the call to Muscat, the capital of Sultanate of Oman. The caller spoke in Malayalam," Sinha said.
Drunk Delhi Police inspector suspended
By IANS,
New Delhi : A Delhi Police inspector was suspended from service for reporting on duty allegedly in an inebriated state and misbehaving with his colleagues and people, sources said Sunday.
According to Delhi Police sources, Inspector Prem Chand Singh was suspended from service late Saturday. He was posted as the additional station house officer of the Bindapur police station in southwest Delhi.
Singh, who was under scanner for his “drinking habit”, was earlier posted at Uttam Nagar police station and was recently transferred to Bindapur, the sources said.
Maradona pays homage to Mother Teresa, meets Basu
By IANS,
Kolkata : Amidst fan frenzy, Argentine football legend Diego Maradona criss-crossed the city to seek spiritual peace at the Mother House, talk politics with Marxist icon Jyoti Basu, and enthral sports buffs with his incredible skills here Sunday.
Kolkata continued to be in the grip of Maradona fever, as thousands poured into the city streets on the final day of the soccer hero's two-day trip to the city, his first-ever.
Chavan, Bhujbal to be sworn-in Monday
By IANS,
Mumbai : Maharashtra chief minister-designate Ashok Chavan and his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal will be sworn-in at the Raj Bhavan here Monday, official sources said Sunday.
The swearing-in, proposed to be a simple ceremony against the backdrop of the recent terror strike on the financial capital of India, will take place at 4.50 p.m., a government press release said.
A few more ministers, to be inducted to fill in the vacancies created over the past one year, are also likely to be sworn-in at the same function though there was no official word on it till late Sunday evening.
Ashok Chavan meets Sonia Gandhi
By IANS,
New Delhi : Maharashtra chief minister-designate Ashok Chavan and his prececessor Vilasrao Deshmukh met Congress president Sonia Gandhi here Sunday.
Chavan discussed the government formation in Maharashtra with Gandhi, party sources said.
Picking new ministers from among the Congress legislators would be a tough task for Chavan as Narayan Rane, who has claimed the support of 30 legislators, has rebelled after being ignored for the post of chief minister, they said.
Car prices to go down, companies cheer tax cut
By IANS,
Chennai : Welcoming the four percent central value-added tax cut, announced by the government Sunday in a Rs.3,000-billion ($60- billion) stimulus package, major auto makers said they will soon cut prices of vehicles.
"As per my understanding, all car prices are likely to come down by four percent," was the immediate response of auto market leader Maruti Suzuki's chairman R.C. Bhargava.
However, several other companies refused to quantify the price cut, saying "we have to study the fine print".
Haryana deputy chief minister sacked after second marriage
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan was Sunday dropped from the Bhupinder Singh Hooda cabinet for absenting from office without information. The announcement came hours after he emerged from his month-long hiding and admitted he had married again.
Chander Mohan, the elder son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, was dropped from the cabinet as he has not attended his office for more than 50 days without informing the chief minister, an official spokesman said.
He also held the food and civil supply portfolio for nearly four years.
Election Commission pulls up BJP for campaign ads
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission (EC) Sunday reprimanded the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its newspaper advertisements in the run-up to the assembly elections and stated these violated the electoral code of conduct.
In a letter to BJP president Rajnath Singh, the commission stated that some statements in the party campaign advertisements violated the letter and spirit of the model electoral code of conduct.
"The commission expects that your party would avoid recurrence of such things," it said.
Stand united against global terrorism: President
By IANS,
Pune : President Pratibha Patil Sunday made a fervent plea to political parties and the people to stand united to face the challenge of global terrorism, which showed its ugly face in Mumbai last month.
Readily obliging waiting mediapersons with an interaction after addressing National Defence Academy (NDA) officers and cadets at Khadakwasla near here, the president said it was natural for the people to be angry with the political establishment after the NOv 26 terror strike.
55 percent voting recorded in Jammu and Kashmir
By IANS,
New Delhi/Srinagar : An estimaged 55 percent of the 1.4 million electorate voted Sunday in the fourth phase of the staggered Jammu and Kashmir elections, defying a winter chill and Muslim separatists' boycott call, Election Commission officials said.
Polling was by and large peaceful in the 18 constituencies spread over the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley and predominantly Hindu Jammu region.
"An estimated 55 percent voters peacefully exercised their right to vote," R. Bhattacharya, deputy election commissioner, told reporters in the national capital.
Industry happy, but says more could have been done
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian inustry welcomed the Rs.3,000-billion fiscal stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday, but said more could have done to increase growth.
“The fiscal package is pointing in the right direction, but could have done even more of stimulation to increase the growth trajectory,” Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fici) secretary general Amit Mitra said in a statement.
Frenzied Kolkatans can’t have enough of Maradona
By IANS,
Kolkata : Frenzied Kolkatans didn't seem to have enough of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona as he visited the Mother House here to pay obeisance to Mother Teresa and later called on Marxist icon Jyoti Basu, crowding both venues for a glimpse of the star and screaming themselves hoarse with their slogans.
On the second day of his visit to the city, Maradona lit a candle at Mother Teresa's tomb, participated in a prayer session with the sisters of the order, and shook hands with the orphan children to fulfil a wish that he has nurtured for years.
Will 2008 mark triumph of common man on celluloid?
By Priyanka Khanna,IANS,
New Delhi : As year 2008 draws to a close, all eyes are now on an employee of a state electricity board to ignite the box-office, a fete that a mythological superhero, an anti-hero, and even a rock star failed to do so far. Come Dec 12, superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be seen as commoner Surinder Sahni who works for Punjab Power Board in "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi".
Going by the film’s tagline, it is a story of a common man who is happy in his mundane existence but undergoes an image makeover to win a small-time dance competition and the heart of his sweetheart.
Kashmir voters defy freezing chill, poll boycott calls
By IANS,
Jammu/Srinagar : Hundreds of thousands defied freezing temperatures and poll boycott call by separatists to vote in the fourth of the seven-phase Jammu and Kashmir elections Sunday.
An estimated 55 percent of the 1.4 million voters in 18 constituencies of the state exercised their franchise peacefully, elections officials said.
Fears of violence in the Valley's separatist strongholds, which went to polls, turned out to be misplaced as large numbers of people came out to vote.
High blood pressure candidates seek doctors’ help
By IANS,
Raipur : About a dozen politicians suffering from high blood pressure have sought from doctors advice on how to handle poll setbacks hours before counting for Chhattisgarh's 90-member state assembly election begins at 8 a.m. Monday.
Sources in the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as the opposition Congress said that over a dozen senior leaders were nervous about the poll outcome. They apprehend their blood pressure could shoot up if the results were adverse to them.
Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan sacked
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan was Sunday dropped from the state cabinet, an official spokesman said, adding that he has not been attending his office for nearly two months.
Chander Mohan, who also held the food and supplies portfolio in the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government, was not attending to his official duties for more than 50 days without prior intimation, the spokesman said.
Sibal urges united global fight against terrorism
By IANS,
Lucknow : Terming the Nov 26 terror strike in Mumbai as different from other such attacks, Union Minister of Science and Technology Kapil Sibal Sunday laid stress on "fighting terrorism globally" and urged political parties to stop politicising the issue.
"Terrorism has now become a global problem. To weed it out, we should all get united to wage a war against the 'global challenge'," he said here Sunday at a function organised by the Biotech Park.
Sibal said the terror attacks in Mumbai were different from what the world has seen so far.
Fiscal deficit to be higher this fiscal: Montek
By IANS,
New Delhi : India's fiscal deficit will be much higher than anticipated this fiscal, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said here Sunday.
“The fiscal deficit will be higher than what was expected to be… we don't have the numbers as of now though, they will come once they are calculated again,” Ahluwalia told reporters.
He, however, noted that the Indian economy is in a better shape than many countries.
42 Sri Lankan fishermen detained off Chennai
By IANS,
Chennai : At least 42 Sri Lankan fishermen operating in Indian waters were detained in a northern seafront suburb here, the police said Sunday.
Apprehended late Saturday night in eight boats by Coast Guard personnel, the fishermen allegedly without valid identities would be quizzed by the Joint Interrogation Committee comprising officials from the Coast Guard, navy and the collectorate to assess threat perceptions, police sources said.
Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner P.M. Amza told IANS that he was aware of the development.
Chiranjeevi brother to head Praja Rajyam’s youth wing
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi Sunday appointed his brother and actor Pavan Kalyan as the president of youth wing of the party.
Making the announcement at a conference at the party office here, Chiranjeevi said Kalyan was nominated as Yuva Rajyam president as he wants to serve people.
Chiranjeevi, who launched the party in August this year, claimed that Kalyan has his own identity. "It is not proper to keep him away just because he is my brother," the superstar added.
India cuts value added tax, unveils package to pump prime economy
By IANS,
New Delhi : A day after India's central bank cut key rates, the government Sunday unveiled a Rs.300,000-crore (Rs.3,000-billion/$60-billion) fiscal package with specific measures for various sectors to pump prime the economy and contain the adverse impact of the global financial crisis.
Captured Mumbai terrorist from Pakistan, media probe reveals
By IANS,
London : Ajmal Ameer Kasab, the lone terrorist caputred after the Mumbai strikes, is from Punjab in Pakistan, his parents' names are on the electoral rolls and villagers say they knew "the boy", an investigation by a British newspaper has revealed.
Kasab reportedly told Indian security officials that he belonged to Faridkot in Pakistan's Punjab province, his father's name was Mohammed Amir and mother's name was Noor - and an investigation carried out by the Observer newspaper found matching evidence on the ground.
India’s fiscal deficit will be higher: Ahluwalia
By IANS,
New Delhi : Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Sunday said India's fiscal deficit for the current fiscal will be higher than budgeted for but this will not be an adverse development in the context of the global meltdown.
"Our fiscal deficit will be higher. But that will be a desirable development," Ahluwalia said at a press conference here, soon after unveiling a growth stimulus package that includes a four percent cut in central value added tax (VAT).
"To what extent the fiscal deficit will be higher - we don't have the numbers yet."
Police assault journalists during Maradona’s call on Basu
By IANS,
Kolkata : Several journalists were allegedly beaten up Sunday by the West Bengal police and private security personnel outside veteran Communist leader Jyoti Basu's residence, where soccer superstar Diego Maradona was scheduled to visit Sunday evening.
The trouble erupted when the journalists were told on reaching the venue that they have to produce invitation passes specifically given for the programme, and the accreditation cards given for Maradona's visit to the city would not do.
More steps in the offing to help industry: Commerce secretary
By IANS,
New Delhi : Soon after the government Sunday unveiled a Rs.3,000-billion ($60-billion) package to pump prime the economy in the face of the global downturn, Commerce Secretary G.K. Pillai promised more action, including separate packages, to address the concerns of the various segments of industry.
Talking of the package that is expected to benefit a host of areas and stakeholders such as exporters, housing, infrastructure and textiles, Pillai said the government is also working on a separate package for the textile industry, which has been hard hit by the global meltdown.
Tackle your problems, don’t blame Pakistan: LeT chief to India
By IANS,
Islamabad : India should focus on its internal problems instead of accusing Pakistan of complicity in the Mumbai terror attacks, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said, while his deputy has blamed an Indian intelligence agency for the terror bombing of a Peshawar blast that killed more than two dozen people.
Man accused of killing landlord’s son dies in Lucknow jail
By IANS,
Lucknow : A man, accused of killing his landlord's son for ransom and then packing the body in suitcase that was dumped in the luggage van of a train, died in the Lucknow district jail, an official said Sunday.
The police claimed that Ajit Singh, 36, died of a heart attack late Saturday evening and a post-mortem examination was being conducted to ascertain the exact cause of his death.
Singh, along with his wife Sunita and two-year old son, lived in Ashiana locality of Lucknow as tenants in the house of Ramesh for the past one year.
Panjab University to run course on countering terrorism
By IANS,
Chandigarh : The Panjab University will next year start a course on intelligence and internal security system to teach aspiring students the nuances of countering global terrorism, an official said Saturday.
The Centre for Defence and National Security Studies (CDNSS) of the university will run the one-year post-graduate diploma course in 'homeland security' from 2009-10.
The university senate unanimously gave its green signal to the decision at its meeting Saturday, said CDNSS voordinator Rakesh Dutta.
Man undergoing drug test dies in Andhra Pradesh
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The police in Hyderabad are investigating the death of a 25-year-old man who volunteered for the clinical trial of a drug in a laboratory here.
However, the pharma company, which conducted the test, denied that the drug caused the death.
According to the police, K. Surendra Friday complained of chest pain before taking the second dose of 'Felodipine', a medicine for hypertension patients, at the clinical laboratory of GVK Bio, a city-based pharmaceutical company, at Ameerpet in the city.
Omani tourist arrested for overstaying in Goa
By IANS,
Panaji : An Omani national was arrested in a South Goa town for overstaying after he was shadowed by the police for three days, an official said Sunday.
Police officials said Ali Akbar was one of the five tourists who were being shadowed by the police for their suspicious behaviour.
"He was first found accessing Arab websites, when it was reported to us a few days ago," Deputy Superintendent of Police Umesh Gaonkar told reporters.
Kerala bureaucrat lashes out at Achuthanandan’s secretary
By IANS,
Kochi (Kerala) : Kerala bureaucrat K. Suresh Kumar Sunday accused the chief minister's private secretary S. Rajendran of not helping his boss V.S. Achuthanandan. Rajendran had spoken about a coterie at the chief minister's office.
Speaking at the party state committee meeting Saturday, Rajendran charged Chief Minister Achuthanandan with being surrounded by a coterie that dictated his every action.
Even though Rajendran in his speech never mentioned the name of Suresh Kumar as the key person in Achuthanandan's coterie, people were aware about whom he was referring to.
Calm hand missing at Pakistani helm, says Dawn
By IANS,
Islamabad : The manner in which Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari fell for a "prank" call threatening action by India in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks reveals the lack of a calm hand at the helm and calls for urgently reviewing the government's communications procedures, an editorial in a leading daily said Sunday.
"Statecraft demands a calm hand at the helm in moments of crisis. It is not clear if such a hand exists in Islamabad at the moment," the Dawn said in an editorial headlined "A dangerous prank".
Highlights of India’s fiscal stimulus package
By IANS,
New Delhi : The following are the highlights of the fiscal stimulus package unveiled by the government Sunday to contain the impact of global financial crisis on the Indian economy:
- Plan, non-plan expenditure of Rs.300,000 crore (Rs.3,000 billion/$60 billion) in four months
- Parliament nod to be sought for Rs.20,000 crore more toward plan expenditure
- Across-the-board cut of four percent in the ad valorem central value-added tax
- Interest subvention of two percent on export credit for labour intensive sectors
Man kills new-born after losing job
By IANS,
Kolkata : A 24-year-old man who lost his job after the factory he worked in closed down apparently due to the global economic slowdown, killed his new-born son as he found it difficult to cope with the crisis, the police said.
Kanai Mondal lost his job Nov 30 owing to the recession in the paper-packet-making business. He attempted suicide the same day by consuming phenyl but was saved by timely medical support.
It is official: no rat farming in Bihar
By IANS,
Patna : The Bihar government has shelved its controversial plan to encourage deprived sections of society take up rat farming to improve their economic status after widespread criticism of the move.
State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday said there was no plan or project to encourage the socially and economically backward Dalit community to take up rat farming.
Addressing a gathering of Dalits here Saturday evening, he clarified such a proposal was put before him by the department concerned but he had asked the state's chief secretary to abandon it.
India unveils Rs.3,000 bn package to pump prime economy
By IANS,
New Delhi : In a bid to contain the impact of the global financial crisis on India, the government Sunday unveiled a Rs.300,000 crore (Rs.3,000 billion/$60 billion) package to pump prime the economy with specific measures for various sectors.
The amount is to be spent over the remaining four months on a host of areas and stake holders such as exporters, housing, infrastructure and textiles. A four-percent cut in Value Added Tax has also been announced to help the corporate sector in general.
Chinese-Indian mother killed saving kids in Malaysian landslide
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Veterinarian N. Yogeswary, an ethnic Chinese adopted by an Indian family in Malaysia and married to an Indian, was killed in the devastating landslide that hit her home here Saturday, but not before she managed to save her children by shielding them from a collapsing beam.
Yogeswary, 40, hugged her children close to her body to shield them from the falling debris. The beam fell on her back, fracturing her ribs and causing massive internal bleeding.
British Airways launches flights to Hyderabad
By IANS,
Hyderabad : British Airways Sunday commenced direct flights from London to Hyderabad, its sixth destination in India.
The inaugural flight from London's Heathrow airport landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad, near here, at 4.40 a.m. Sunday.
The inaugural flight received a water cannon salute and later took off at 7:30 a.m., said a statement from RGIA.
British Airways will operate five weekly non-stop flights between Hyderabad and London. The new route also offers convenient connections to 22 destinations in North America.
Fake notes seized in Uttar Pradesh, four arrested
By IANS,
Lucknow : Four persons were arrested late Saturday evening in Moradabad town of Uttar Pradesh and counterfeit currency with the face value of Rs. 100,000 seized from their possession, the police said.
While three of the arrested men were carriers of the fake currency, the fourth was trying to buy the consignment for Rs.60,000.
"We arrested Naseem, Anees, Faheem and Zulfikar from near the Triveni Sugar Mill late Saturday evening and recovered fake currency in the denomination of Rs.1000 and Rs.500", inspector M.S. Sharashwat of Thakurdwara police station told IANS on phone.
Seven killed in road accident
By IANS,
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) : Seven people, including an infant and a woman police officer, were killed in a road accident Sunday, a police officer said.
Junior police officer Uma Maheshwari, the six-month-old child and five of her other relatives were killed near the Kerala border, 25 km south of Coimbatore.
The accident occurred when a station-wagon carrying the family collided with a lorry, killing its members including the officer's husband on the spot, police officer added. The lorry driver has been arrested.
Assocham seeks 30-year tax exemption for solid waste plants
By IANS,
New Delhi : An industry lobby Sunday urged the government to extend income-tax exemption for all solid waste processing projects to 30 years from the current 10 years to encourage corporate sector to invest in waste recycling technologies.
Uttar Pradesh cop commits suicide
By IANS,
Lucknow : A policeman killed himself with his service rifle in Uttar Pradesh, the police said Sunday.
Vijay Bahadur Yadav, who was deputed as the shadow of additional superintendent of police (Khadda) Harpal Singh, shot himself with the .303 rifle late Saturday night in the Kushinagar district, about 350 km from here.
"We were on a round of the rural outskirts. Yadav went towards the sugar mill and shot himself," Singh said.
He said due to the heavy noise of the sugar mill equipments, the gun shot was not heard and Yadav's body was recovered Sunday morning.
Five killed, 80 injured in roof collapse in Uttar Pradesh
By IANS,
Goverdhan (Uttar Pradesh) : Five sadhus were killed and at least 80 injured when the roof of a 300-year-old Barsana ashram collapsed, the police said Sunday.
The incident took place Saturday afternoon while an annual "Bhandara" was held in the Ashram of Siddha Baba on the Goverdhan-Barsana road, about 30 km from Mathura. Thousands of people had gathered for the event.
Kolkata’s Old Silver Mint to have a makeover
By Aparajita Gupta, IANS,
Kolkata : Kolkata's Old Silver Mint, a city landmark that is a crumbling symbol of Grecian architecture, is set for a makeover.
Real estate company Eden, which has bagged the contract for restoring the city's 179-year-old heritage structure, plans to construct a mint museum, an art and culture centre, a food court as well as a hotel at the site.
The company also hopes to rope in Home Minister P. Chidambaram to lay the foundation stone Monday. It hopes to complete the project by 2011.
Mumbai police to again question LeT suspect in Uttar Pradesh
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Mumbai police would be coming to Uttar Pradesh to again question a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) suspect who was arrested by the state's Special Task Force in February with road maps of major Mumbai landmarks, a police official said Sunday.
Faim Ansari had been handed back by the Maharashtra Police to their Uttar Pradesh counterparts and is currently in jail.
Jharkhand top cop goes AWOL
By IANS,
Ranchi : Jharkhand's senior police officer Amitabh Chaudhary is in the news again for all the wrong reasons - he has been staying away from office for the last six months without officially seeking leave.
Chaudhary, who belongs to the Indian Police Service (IPS) and was posted as Inspector General in the Crime Investigation Department (CID), had applied for leave some months ago but this was not formally approved.
Indian FM denies calling Pakistan President
By Xinhua,
New Delhi : Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday denied he had made a call to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and expressed worry that "a neighboring state might even consider acting on the basis of such a call ".
Mukherjee said in a statement released by the Indian External Affairs Ministry website Sunday noon.
"I have seen several misleading stories about a hoax telephone call from me to President Zardari of Pakistan," he said.
Reksha in New Delhi combines old style and new tech
By Falah al-Fadhli, KUNA,
New Delhi : Over the past ten years, the Indian capital, New Delhi, has developed considerably in view of opening up to international markets and entry of foreign capital.
The active investment movement in New Delhi has stimulated and spurred migration from the countryside to the capital in pursuit of work, making it one of the most overpopulated and chaotic cities.
In spite of recent changes in the city, three-wheeled green-yellow Reksha hiring cars or Tok Tok are still favored by many commuters thanks to its old style, new technology and cheap fare.
Hotel detains two IFFI guests for unpaid bills
By IANS,
Panaji : A Brazilian filmmaker and a jury member of the recently concluded the 39th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) were detained by hotel authorities in Mumbai because the organisers of the event didn't clear their bills.
Brazilian filmmaker Helder D'Costa and Filipino filmmaker and IFFI jury member Lav Diaz were detained by the staff of the Bawa International Hotel when they were leaving for the airport, sources said.
"Diaz then had to shell out about $200 before the hotel let him go," the sources claimed.
Russian tsar’s family jewels glitter at Delhi exhibition
By IANS,
New Delhi : These are Easter eggs with a difference. A collection of enamel eggs encrusted with precious stones, which belonged to the tsars of Russia, is drawing crowds at the National Museum in the capital.
The eggs are in India for the first time as part of an exhibition called "Faberge - The Priceless Jewellery of Russian Empire" that was inaugurated Friday.
Mumbai attacks: Pakistan not to send officials till proof provided
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's civil and military leadership has decided against sending representatives of key institutions, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency, to India until New Delhi provides concrete evidence of their involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, Online news agency reported.
The decision came during a meeting Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired with the country's top civil and military leadership Saturday.
India to Pakistan: Zardari call stories bid to divert attention
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : Dismissing Pakistani reports that he had called up President Asif Ali Zardari on Nov 28, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday said that such stories were being spread by those seeking to "divert attention from the fact of an attack on India from Pakistani territory by elements in Pakistan".
Mukherjee stressed that he had last spoken to Zardari during his visit to Islamabad in May this year.
26/11 attack: Pakistan says ready to help India expose hidden hands
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Amid strains in bilateral ties following the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan has expressed its readiness to work closely with India to "expose the hidden hands" behind the strikes and said it did not want terrorists to derail the peace process.
"I have assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of our complete cooperation in investigating these attacks. We are prepared to engage India closely to expose the hidden hands behind these attacks," Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said in his address at a dinner for the mission heads of EU states.
China sees no possibility of Indo-Pak war post Mumbai attacks
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : China sees no possibility of a war between India and Pakistan in the wake of the tensions generated by the terror attacks in Mumbai, the Chinese envoy said here.
Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhaohui said on Saturday that the two nuclear-armed countries should carry on their dialogue uninterrupted and seek the solution of problems through peaceful means instead of opting for any extreme step.
"China sees no signs of war between India and Pakistan," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function.
Mumbai attack: NY police dept asks hotels to beef up security
By NNN-PTI,
New York : The New York police department, which has been studying closely the tactics used by the 26/11 attackers in India, has asked the security staff of hotels here to be more vigilant as they too may be vulnerable to the Mumbai-style terror strikes.
It has advised them to be on the look out for suspicious persons who loiter in the lobbies and other areas and the guests who book rooms for unusually long time.
Four journalists injured while covering Kashmir clash
By IANS,
Srinagar : Four journalists, including three from foreign agencies, were injured Sunday while covering a clash between security personnel and anti-poll protesters in Sopore constituency of Baramulla district in the Kashmir Valley, officials said.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) photojournalist Tauseef Mustafa, Associated Press (AP) photojournalist Mukhtar Ahmed, Reuters' Faiyaz Kabli and Masood Hussain of the Economic Times were injured as they tried to cover the clash in Arampora area of Sopore.
McCain warns Pakistan of Indian strikes
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : US Senator John McCain has said he believes that if Pakistan does not act against individuals and groups linked to the Mumbai terror attacks, it could be a "matter of days" before India carries out surgical strikes against such elements.
There is enough evidence of the involvement of former Inter-Services Intelligence officers in the planning and execution of the Mumbai attacks and terrorist training camps are still operational in Pakistan, McCain told a small group of senior Pakistani journalists at an informal lunch in Lahore yesterday.
Govt defers stimulus package; announcement likely on Sunday
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : The much awaited government stimulus package aimed at countering impact of global downturn on the Indian economy is believed to have been deferred by a day.
The Government package, different from the RBI's announcements, is likely to be unveiled tomorrow by the Prime Minister's office, a source said.
The Government is expected to announce several fiscal measures such as cut in excise duty on some products, to boost the growth.
A plan for big-time infrastructure funding is also awaited.
Air travel to be cheaper, fuel surcharge cut by up to Rs 400
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Bringing good news for air travellers just ahead of Christmas and New Year, major airlines including Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Air India and Indigo have reduced fuel surcharge on all domestic flights, which will result in airfares dropping by up to Rs 400.
The reduction follows successive cuts in aviation turbine fuel prices by oil marketing companies.
Railways to elite force of 2,000 commandos
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai, including on the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Railways have decided to raise a force of 2,000 commandos, who will be deployed at select stations in the country.
"We have decided to create a striking force of about 2,000 commandos equipped with AK-47 and other modern gadgets keeping the security scenario in mind as there is a need to have such force," said a senior RPF official on Saturday.
Mumbai’s CST terminus ill-equipped to tackle terror strike
By Azera Rahman, IANS,
Mumbai : It's been over 10 days since terrorists went on a rampage shooting people at will at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) here. Though security personnel put up a brave fight, they are not sure whether they can handle a similar situation any better in future.
Constables at the railway station say that there are not enough personnel on duty, most of them are overworked and the weapons they use are few and outdated.
`New Delhi won’t listen to political jokers in Tamil Nadu’
By IANS,
Colombo : The Sri Lankan Army chief has said that the Congress-led Indian government would not listen to "the political jokers" in Tamil Nadu and insist that Colombo go for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
Army Chief Lt.Gen. Sarath Fonseka, in an interview with the state-run Sunday Observer, expressed confidence that the Indian government "is not interested in a ceasefire in Sri Lanka" as it has listed the LTTE as a terrorist organization and handed the rebel chief a death sentence for his links with the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
China-India Military Drills
By Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : China and India began the second round of military exercises Saturday in Belgaum, Karnataka state, rated there as historic for being held in Indian territory for the first time.
The maneuvers are for the training of troops in anti-insurgent and anti-terrorist tactics and operations, India's Army Major General V.K. Narula told press.
The first joint drills were held in December 2007 in the Chinese city of Kunming.
The bilateral program is the result of an agreement aimed at cultivating good military relations and encouraging confidence.
India Strives to Reactivate Economy
By Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), D. Subbara, announced today a cut in interest rates by one percent in an attempt to stimulate national economy.
The decision takes place after it was confirmed Friday that inflation keeps on dropping at 8.40 percent in the week of November 22, 0.84 percent less than the previous week.
For his part, the Ministry of Finance indicated in a release that the RBI decision is a clear sign for all banks, in particular private ones, to reduce their rates.
Russia disfavours military action by India against Pakistan
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Russia disfavoured any military action by India against Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai attacks as both have nuclear weapons even as it suggested involvement of ISI in the terror strikes.
Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Trubnikov said on Saturday any action against Pakistan should be taken under the UN mandate and hoped that the international community's pressure would make Islamabad take action against terrorists, even if they are "non-state actors".
Hindu-Christian wedlock invalid under Hindu Marriage Act: Supreme Court of India
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Marriage between a Hindu and a Christian is invalid under the Hindu Marriage Act, as the Act provides for only Hindu couples to enter into a wedlock, the Supreme Court has ruled.
A Bench of Justices Altamas Kabir and Aftab Alam upheld the judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court which nullified a marriage, after the wife, Bandaru Pavani, a Hindu, claimed that her husband, Gullipilli Sowria Raj a Christian, had misled her by pretending to be a Hindu and married her at a temple.
India should submit evidence on Mumbai carnage to UNSC: Karat
By NNN-PTI,
Kanpur, India : Condemning India's "dependence" on the US for probing the Mumbai terror attacks, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said the government should instead hand over evidence of Pakistan's involvement into the carnage to the UN Security Council.
Talking to reporters during a seminar here, he said, "India should not depend on US President George Bush's help on the sensitive issue of terrorism. Instead it should approach the Security Council and submit all the evidences of Pakistan's hand in the Mumbai terror attacks".
Mumbai attacks: lesser Pakistan passengers on Samjhauta Express
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : The number of Pakistanis travelling to India on Samjhauta Express has sharply declined in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.
The records of Indian Railways show that there is a sharp decline in the number of passengers coming from Pakistan through trans-national Samjhauta Express after the November 26 attacks in Mumbai.
Indian education group – Vinayaka Missions University – to invest RM100 million in Iskandar...
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : One of India's leading education groups, the Vinayaka Missions University, is keen to invest RM100 million to set up an engineering, technical and management branch campus in Iskandar Malaysia.
By 2015, the VMU group has earmarked RM220 million to be invested in various education-based projects as part of its expansion plans in Malaysia.
"The concept of educity or Iskandar's education-hub ambitions appeals to us and VMU is keen to be part of this development, said VMU Pro-Chancellor, Dr. S Sharavanan.
Pranab denies calling Zardari; Pakistan says call was made
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday strongly denied he had made a call to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and expressed worry that "a neighbouring state might even consider acting on the basis of such a call and try to give it credibility with other states".
Mukherjee said that such reports originated from those in Pakistan who wanted to "divert attention from the fact of an attack on India from Pakistani territory by elements in Pakistan", referring to the Mumbai terror outrage in which at least 172 people were killed.
Mothers hushed their babies as terrorists struck Cama Hospital
By Azera Rahman, IANS,
Mumbai : Ten days after the outrage, the stories are still pouring forth. Burqa-clad and cradling her baby in her arms, Sahira Sheikh walked out of the quiet premises of the Cama hospital Saturday, recalling with chilling horror how on Nov 26 she, like many young mothers, had to keep nursing her baby to prevent him from crying as terrorists struck.
Terror attacks open up opportunity for security business
By Anuradha Shukla, IANS,
New Delhi : The terror attacks on Mumbai and increasing security concerns spell boom time for at least one industry in India in a time of global meltdown - the business of security solutions.
"Corporate houses hardly allocate 2-3 percent of their budget on security even when India has remained soft target for terror attacks," Pramod Rao, managing director of Zicom Security Systems, a Mumbai-based security systems provider told IANS.
Tripura, Mizoram sound bird flu alert after Assam outbreak
By IANS,
Agartala/Aizawl : The northeastern states of Tripura and Mizoram Sunday sounded a bird flu alert after the spread of the virus in adjoining Assam, officials said.
More than 100,000 poultry were culled in Assam during the past 10 days after a bird flu outbreak in the state.
"The Mizoram government has asked traders not to import poultry and poultry products from Assam and asked its officials to maintain a close vigil along the border," Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary C. Sangnghina said.
I carried ‘explosive material’ on bus undetected
By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS,
New Delhi : It was so easy. I boarded a tourist bus to Jaipur - without a ticket - and placed my bag on the overhead deck. Inside were two tiffin boxes wrapped in paper, with 'explosive material' written on them. No security checks were done, and no questions asked. Thankfully, this was just a reality check on the security arrangements in the capital.
But let's start from the beginning.
I had gone to Bikaner House in the capital, from where over 30 luxury buses go to popular destinations like Jaipur and Ajmer.
Indian industry taking to green technologies with relish
By Joydeep Gupta, IANS,
Poznan (Poland) : Indian entrepreneurs are taking to green technologies with a relish and do not see intellectual property rights (IPR) as a barrier, a new international study has found.
Co-author of the study, David Ockwell of the University of Sussex in Britain, said that he had found Indian industry driving collaborations with firms around the world to work jointly on developing green technologies in the five areas studied:
* Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) for power generation;
PM cuts short West Bengal trip
By IANS,
Kolkata : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday cancelled his trip to West Bengal's Malda district due to heavy fog and poor visibility in adjacent Purnea from where his chopper was supposed to take off. He has left for New Delhi.
"The prime minister decided to cancel his visit when officials learnt of the poor visibility at Purnea," Malda MP Abu Hasen Khan Choudhury told IANS over phone.
Manmohan Singh was scheduled to lay the foundation stone of a technical institute named after the late Congress leader A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury in Malda.
Kerala to revive two ailing state owned companies
By Sanu George, IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala is to revive two ailing state-owned companies, Steel Complex Ltd (SCL) and Kerala Soaps and Oils Limited (KSOL), both located in Kozhikode, says Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem.
As a result of this revival package, all the 195 employees at SCL will retain their jobs, while 80 new jobs would be created at KSOL. KSOL has been closed down for the past seven years and at present there are no employees on the pay roll.
‘I am an agonized police-wife fearing for my husband’s life’
By Sharmila Banerjee, IANS,
The aftermath of the terror attack on Mumbai raises fundamental questions: Is our police, which is the first line of defence, equipped to face such trained terrorists?
The death of policemen on the fateful night of Nov 26 is a glaring example of political anarchy prevailing in this country. Mumbai Police lost three of its best officers. Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte and Sub-Inspector Vijay Salaskar were massacred by the fidayeen militants.
Mumbai attacks may spur closer US-India ties, says ex-official
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Describing India as a key ally in the war on terror, a former Pentagon official has suggested that the Mumbai terror attacks should spur president- elect Barack Obama to intensify strategic cooperation with New Delhi.
"The carnage in Mumbai will prove a setback for jihadist extremists if it motivates the Obama team to intensify strategic cooperation with India, and helps initiate a proper strategy to defeat our terrorist enemies ideologically," wrote Douglas J. Feith, in an article in the Wall Syreet Journal.
Bomb hoax takes Nagpur police for a ride
By IANS,
Nagpur : Some explosive material recovered from a hospital in Nagpur Saturday evening sent police, doctors and patients in a tizzy before it turned out to be just a clutch of tiny plastic pipe pieces and green
wire.
The "material" was found in a plastic bag kept under a sofa in front of the reception counter of the Crescent Hospital in Dhantoli area, Joint Police Commissioner B.J. Kangale told IANS. He later clarified that it was not an explosive.
Russia aims big, can build 10 more n-reactors in India
By IANS,
New Delhi : A day after India and Russia inked a civil nuclear accord that envisages Russia building four additional reactors in Tamil Nadu, Russian ambassador to India Vyacheslav Trubnikov Saturday raised the stakes saying that his country was capable of supplying 10 more reactors to India.
"We are capable of supplying 10 more nuclear plants," the envoy replied when asked whether Russia had discussed new sites for the construction of Russian-design nuclear power plants with India.
"It's for the Indian government to decide," he said.
Russia against military strike, asks India to seek UN support
By IANS,
New Delhi : Cautioning against a unilateral Indian military strike against Pakistan, Russia Saturday said New Delhi should seek the support of the international community and present its case to the UN after collecting "concrete evidence" of the complicity of elements in Pakistan in the Mumbai attacks.
Second leg of historic India-China military exercise gets underway
By Sahil Makkar, IANS,
Belgaum (Karnataka) : Southeast Asia's two biggest economies - India and China, who fought a fierce border war in 1962 - Saturday launched the second leg of their historic joint military exercise that is primarily
focused on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Though it is the second military exercise between the two neighbouring nations, they are being held for the first time on Indian soil.
‘India’s manned moon mission by 2020’
By IANS,
Guwahati : India would be able to send a manned mission to the moon by 2020, while the second unmanned spacecraft would be ready by 2012, said a top space scientist who was involved in the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1.
"If everything goes as per the plan, we will be ready to send a man to moon by 2020," said Jitendranath Goswami, director of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
PRL is the laboratory that helped build a payload called the high energy X-ray spectrometer that will look for water ice in the polar regions of the moon.
‘India should join NATO’
By IANS,
Chandigarh : A new political outfit, Jago (Awake!) Party, Saturday demanded India give up its non-aligned status and join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to more effectively combat terrorism.
"The more than five-decade old Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is no longer relevant in the current world order. The world is no longer divided in blocs headed by two superpowers. Now the questions faced by our country need fresh answers," party chief Deepak Mittal said here.
Uttar Pradesh hires detectives to trace power defaulters
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh Power Corp Ltd (UPPCL) will rope in private detectives to trace power defaulters across the state, a senior official said Saturday.
"As we have failed to locate the power defaulters, who have either sold their houses or shifted to other places, UPPCL has now decided to hire private detectives to trace them," UPPCL managing director Avaneesh Awasthi
told IANS.
According to officials, the defaulters in the state owe around Rs.80 billion to UPPCL.
Pakistan agrees to 48-hour timetable for action against LeT: Report
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Pakistan has agreed to a 48- hour timetable set by India and the US to formulate a plan to act against Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) and to arrest at least three Pakistanis who Indian authorities say are
linked to the Mumbai terrorist assaults, the Washington Post reported citing a high-ranking Pakistani official.
‘Students should be imparted vocational education’
By IANS,
Madurai : Stressing on the need to impart vocational training to school students, a Tamil Nadu minister Saturday said this was important for acquiring jobs in the booming information communication technology (ICT) and manufacturing sectors.
Pakistani actor wants to buy home in Mumbai
By Subhash K. Jha, IANS,
Mumbai : Mikaal Zulfikar, the young actor from Lahore who plays a terrorist in Jagmohan Mundhra's "Shoot On Sight" is undettered by the Shiv Sena declaring it will not allow any Pakistani artiste to work in India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes.
Mikaal is ready to shift his base to India and is buying a property along with two other leading Pakistani entertainers, singer Atif Aslam and Ali Zafar.
Himachal dam faces agitation over land acquisition
By IANS,
Shimla : A multi-billion rupee hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh that will provide drinking water to Delhi once complete has run into trouble with residents of the area threatening an indefinite agitation
against land acquisition for the dam.
The Rs.24-billion Renuka dam, to be constructed on the Yamuna river in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, will not only quench the thirst of the people in Delhi by providing 23 cubic metres of water per second but also
generate 40 MW of electricity for the hill state.
My wife, son were at the Oberoi 26/11: Om Puri
By Subhash K. Jha, IANS,
Mumbai : Actor Om Puri considers himself extremely lucky as his wife and young son had left Mumbai's Oberoi Trident Hotel just 10 minutes before the Nov 26 terror attacks began.
"My wife and son missed the terror attack at the Oberoi by 10 minutes. If they had stayed on for even a few minutes more they'd have been caught in the crossfire," shudders Om Puri, currently shooting the US.
Mumbai attack: Two commandos recovering at army hospital
By IANS,
New Delhi : Two National Security Guard (NSG) commandos who were injured in the anti-terror operations in Mumbai have been admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital hospital here, authorities said Saturday.
Though hospital authorities declined to give details including their identities, officials said that one has suffered serious shrapnel injuries and the other has suffered moderate burn injuries.
"While one commando is in the burn ward, the other is in the plastic surgery department. One has suffered glass cuts on his wrists," said a source in the hospital.
Poznan (Poland)Kolkata buildings go green, but don’t get paid for it
By Joydeep Gupta, IANS,
Poznan (Poland) : A five-star hotel and an office complex in Kolkata went green in various ways but their applications to be registered under the UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) so that they could be paid for their troubles were rejected for no fault of theirs, an official said here Saturday.
"It shows that the CDM needs reform," Mark Radka, head of the energy branch in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), told IANS.
New York’s top cop warns of copycat Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
New York : New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has warned of possible copycat attacks in this financial capital of the US in the wake of last week's terrorist strikes in Mumbai.
"In many ways, the city of Mumbai bears striking similarities to New York," Kelly told reporters, according to CNN.
"It is the country's financial capital, a densely populated cultural metropolis and a hub for the media... all of these features make it a compelling target."
West Bengal cops on toes over PM, Maradona visits
By IANS,
Kolkata : Security was beefed up in West Bengal as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Argentinean football legend Diego Maradona arrived Saturday, an official said.
"Watertight security has been arranged at all the places Maradona and Singh will be visiting Saturday and Sunday. From bomb disposal squad personnel, sniffer dogs and metal detectors to armed forces, adequate security measures have been arranged," Pradip Chattopadhyay, city police joint commissioner (administrative) told reporters Saturday.
Punjab has huge potential for entrepreneurs: Experts
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Despite the recession in the US and the global financial crisis, Indian markets are comparatively safe and still present extensive opportunities for entrepreneurs, experts say.
A global organisation working for promoting entrepreneurship throughout the world feels that there is no dearth of scope for entrepreneurs in India, especially in Punjab which still possesses a huge potential for them.
J&K Govt not stopping people from praying at Jama Masjid: Bleoria
By NAK,
Srinagar : The Advisor to Governor, Dr. S. S. Bleoria has expressed dismay over the attempts by some elements to falsely accuse the Government of imposing restrictions on people to offer prayers in the Jama Masjid here, saying that while the Government was used to baseless accusations it was painful to level such a motivated charge on a religious matter.
Goa on Al Qaeda radar, says cabinet note
By IANS,
Panaji : Goa, one of India's leading tourist destinations, is on the Al Qaeda radar but the state is not geared up to thwarting the terror threat, a state government note says.
Though the state had refused to acknowledge specific intelligence inputs about any terror threat in Goa, a note circulated during a crucial cabinet meeting held after the Nov 26 Mumbai terror strikes categorically states that Goa faces a threat from the Al Qaeda network.
India may open nuclear sector for private players soon
By IANS,
New Delhi : The government will consider opening up the nuclear sector for private players once it completes bilateral civil nuclear cooperation pacts with other countries, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said here Saturday.
Speaking at the 14th Technology Summit and Technology Platform, organised by the Department of Science and Technology and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Sibal said: “Once negotiations with Russia and other countries are over, the government will look at opening up the sector for private players to participate.”
Obama proposal for Kashmir envoy misguided: US scholar
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Calling US president-elect Barack Obama's recent proposal to name a special envoy on Kashmir as "misguided", an American South Asia expert instead favours a "broad-based South Asia regional envoy".
Last week's terror attacks in Mumbai emphasise the "need to defuse long-standing strategic (regional) rivalries in order to contain the terrorist scourge threatening the long-term stability of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India," writes Lisa Curtis.
Arrested soldier claims to source heroin from J&K
By IANS,
Panaji : An Indian Army soldier, arrested for peddling heroin into Goa, has claimed to have sourced narcotics from the army canteen in Jammu and Kashmir.
Vasu Gaonkar, a native Goan working with the 18 Madras regiment, was arrested in an anti-narcotics raid along with a police constable Kalidas Shetye for trying to peddle 750 gms of heroin.
Kerala offers NRIs land for industries
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala will offer industry-specific land to prospective non-resident Indian (NRI) investors, an official statement said Saturday.
According to the scheme, land developed by government agencies like Kerala Industrial Development Corp (KSIDC), Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corp (Kinfra) and Directorate of Industries and Commerce (DIC) will be made available to prospective NRIs.
In a release issued here Saturday by KSIDC, a long list of available land has been put up for the NRIs.
China sees no signs of war between India, Pakistan – Ambassador
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : “China sees no signs of war between India and Pakistan” said Ambassador of China to Pakistan Lou Zhaohui while talking to media persons at a ceremony held here Saturday.
Answering a question he said that both the nuclear states should carry on process of dialogue uninterrupted and seek solution of the problems through peaceful means instead of opting for any extreme step.
He appreciated the role of Pakistan saying that the role of Pakistan is highly appreciative in wake of Mumbai terror incident which will go a long way in achieving peace.
We are witnessing unacceptable rise in intolerance: PM
By IANS,
Santiniketan (West Bengal) : Expressing deep concern over "an unacceptable rise in intolerance", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday underlined the nation's democratic ideals of peaceful coexistence "where we can disagree but still work together".
"Today, we are witnessing an unacceptable rise in intolerance. Our society seems more divided, more angry, and, tragically, more violent," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while addressing the annual convocation of the Visva Bharati University in West Bengal's Santiniketan, founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Four abducted Orissa policemen return to camp
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Four Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) personnel who had been abducted by suspected Maoists returned to their camp Saturday, police said.
The policemen were reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint Friday when they were travelling in a jeep along with a few villagers near the Chitrakonda reservoir in Malkangiri, about 700 km from here. The personnel were deployed on anti-Maoist operations in the district.
Kashmiri held for links to Mumbai terror may not be policeman
By IANS,
Kolkata/Srinagar : A Kashmiri man arrested for allegedly providing a SIM card used by terrorists involved in the Mumbai terror strikes, may not have been a policeman as reported, Kolkata Police said Saturday.
"Some media channels are saying that Mukhtar Ahmed, 35, who was arrested from New Delhi by Kolkata Police Friday, used to work as a constable with Jammu and Kashmir police. But let me clarify that we have not been able to find any such information about him," Deputy Commissioner of Police (detective department) Jawed Shamim told IANS in Kolkata.
Pakistan, India war threat created by hoax call
By KUNA,
Islamabad : The last week's threats of possible Pakistan-India war were caused by a hoax call to Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari by someone impersonating the Indian foreign minister, said reports here on Saturday.
PM sanctions Rs.950 million for Visva Bharati
By IANS,
Kolkata : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday announced a grant of Rs.950 million for the Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan in West Bengal.
Manmohan Singh said a high-level committee, under the chairmanship of state Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, had also been appointed to promote the university as an international centre of academic excellence.
Corporates promote child rights through sports
By IANS,
New Delhi : Executives of top corporates came together Saturday to play cricket, soccer, table tennis and badminton matches in the capital in a bid to raise some Rs.3 million for underprivileged children in the country.
Olympic medallist Vijender Singh inaugurated the ninth edition of the event, called 'Child Rights and You (CRY) and Cadence Corporate Citizenship Challenge', at the Modern School on Barakhamba Road here.
Nepal begins voting for Indian Idol
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : In 2007, when Darjeeling boy Prashant Tamang won the popular contest Indian Idol 3, India's northern neighbour Nepal played a decisive role in the victory with Nepalis raising money to send SMS votes for the Nepali-origin contestant.
This year, with another Nepali-origin contestant Kapil Thapa being in the fray, Nepal could once again prove to be the clinching factor with the Himalayan republic, for the first time in the history of the four-year contest, beginning to vote directly.
‘Rice pushed Pakistan to act on terror’
By IANS,
Islamabad : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is understood to have told Pakistan that there was "irrefutable evidence" of involvement of elements in the country in the Mumbai attacks and that it needs to act urgently and effectively to avert a strong international response, a media report Saturday said.
India’s central bank cuts key rates, warns of ‘painful adjustment’
By IANS,
Mumbai : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao Saturday warned of a period of “painful adjustment” for the country's economy as he cut key rates to lower the cost of funds for commercial banks and help them reduce their interest rates for the corporate sector.
Monetary measures to help exporters, small and medium enterprises, the housing industry and the corporate sector in general formed the bulk of the measures in the package for growth stimulus unveiled by the governor, that evoked positive response, amid caution, from commercial banks and India Inc.
Pakistan must ‘undo’ reputation of inaction, say editorials
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan must "undo" its past reputation of inaction against terrorists, said an editorial in a leading Pakistani daily, while another said that in case "non state actors" were involved in the Mumbai terror strikes, then it is the duty of Islamabad to protect "its position" on the global stage.
The News carried two editorials Saturday on the Mumbai terror attacks and the resultant diplomatic row between India and Pakistan.
Ghulam Ali’s performance cancelled, fans disappointed
By IANS,
Patna : Hundreds of fans of Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali were sorely disappointed after his performance at the Rajgir festival in Bihar was cancelled following the terror attack in Mumbai and the souring of India-Pakistan relations, an official said.
Ghulam Ali was scheduled to perform at the inaugural session of the two day Rajgir festival beginning Dec 6. But now another Ghazal singer Talat Aziz will perform in his place.
Hoax call pushed Pakistan to brink of war with India: Report
By DPA,
Islamabad : Nuclear-armed Pakistan put its forces on alert when its president received a threatening call from someone posing as Indian Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee following last week's Mumbai attacks, a media report said Saturday.
The caller, who was put through to President Asif Ali Zardari late Nov 28 without verification of his claimed identity, warned that India would take "military action if Islamabad failed to immediately act against the supposed perpetrators of the Mumbai killings."
Two arrested by Kolkata Police for links to Mumbai terror attacks
By IANS,
Kolkata : Two people, including a Kashmiri, have been arrested by Kolkata Police for dealing in illegal SIM cards, one of which was used by the terrorists behind last week's Mumbai strikes, police said Saturday.
"After obtaining a Kolkata SIM card from one of the Mumbai attack sites, Mumbai Police alerted us and in course of investigations we arrested Tausif Rehman, 26, from Howrah Station and Mukhtar Ahmed, 35, from New Delhi Friday," Deputy Commissioner of Police (detective department) Jawed Shamim told reporters at city police headquarters here Saturday.
Three men rape Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh
By IANS,
Lucknow : A Dalit woman was allegedly raped by three young men in an Uttar Pradesh village, police said Saturday.
"The complainant, who is a resident of the Mubarikpur village in Etah district, approached us late Friday night to register a case against three youth, who allegedly raped her," police inspector Dheeraj Prasad told IANS by telephone.
In her complaint, the 30-year-old woman has alleged that the three young men of her locality followed her while she was returning from the fields Friday evening. Later, they forcibly took her to a secluded place and raped her.
China steps up military ties with Nepal
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Even as India and China began historic joint military exercises in India's Karnataka state to battle insurgency and terrorism Saturday, Beijing also stepped up security manouvres in Nepal, sending the deputy chief of its army here to discuss security cooperation.
Chinese Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ma Xiaotian arrived in Kathmandu Saturday, heading a 10-member military delegation on a four-day visit during which he will hold talks with Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
Backdoor channels on to normalise tense India-Pakistan ties
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Backchannel efforts are on normalise relations between India and Pakistan that have hit a rocky patch after the Mumbai terror attacks that India says was launched by terrorists from Pakistan.
A senior government official told IANS that initial contacts between the two neighbours has been made and "soon" a Pakistani official - a former secretary of foreign affairs - would be travelling to New Delhi to take the Indian leadership into confidence on Pakistan's efforts to curb terrorism in the region.