India News

Panjim: Goa Police on Thursday claimed a breakthrough in the serial killing case, with the arrest of a person.

Police said that Thursday’s arrest is in connection with the four mysterious deaths.

In last five days Goa Police recovered ten dead bodies.

According to Panjim Superintendent of Police Atamaram Deshpande, the department has achieved an important breakthrough in the case.

"During the course of investigation, we''ve had a breakthrough in which one person has now been arrested and we have him in custody. His interrogation is on and of course more than one person are involved in the case and we are searching for the other perpetrators for the particular heinous crime," Deshpande said.

The discovery of more bodies of women at different locations in resorts along the Goa coast had baffled the state police.

Goa police also revealed that eight out of ten bodies found across the state in the span of three days were murders.

Crimes against women in Goa hit the spotlight in the last couple of years, with the murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling last year and two Russian youths.

Source ANI

Pushkar (Rajasthan): Cottages built on the pattern of Arabian architecture has become a major tourist attraction in Pushkar in Rajasthan.

Rajendra Singh, director of the Arabian Resort, said that the ambience of Pushkar resembled Arabia in many ways, which encouraged him to come out with this resort.

"The ambience of Pushkar resembles Arabia in many ways. We have sand dunes and camel cart. So, we thought of building the cottages built on the lines of Arabian architecture in Pushkar," said Singh.

To give the real Arabian feel, the interiors and exteriors have been designed in Arabian style. The roof of the cottage is designed in such a way that the moonlight directly enters the cottage.

Krishan Singh, manager of the Arabian Resort said, " We have used this concept for the first time in India, I think. The roof of the cottage is temporary. It looks natural as if it''s made out of cloth. There is wooden flooring plus there is swimming pool at the backyard."

Over the years, the Pushkar fair has become a big draw internationally for the state.
The Rajasthan Government promotes the fair by adding colourful folk dances, musical events and other cultural events.

Source ANI

Hyderabad: Diwali shoppers here are thronging markets to buy designer earthen lamps called ''Diyas'', to light up their homes during the festival.

Of course, with the changing times people have now started opting for the less cumbersome and glitzy plastic and electric lamps. But the importance of the traditional earthen lamps continues.

"We prefer to light diyas as it is in our tradition. And we want to follow our tradition. We do not like lighting candles instead of diyas as one doesn''t feel that one is praying. There is a lot of variety of diyas that we get here," said Anitha, a customer.

People buy these lamps not only to decorate their homes but also make a show of them during the festival season.

Lamps in various shapes and sizes are available. Shankho diyas (earthen lamps shaped like a conch), seashell diyas and Ganesha diyas (earthen lamps shaped like Lord Ganesha) seem to be quite popular.

"We get all kinds of diyas here as per our demand. It is once in a year that the festival comes. So, why not get special designer diyas for the occasion,'' said Sriram, another customer.

Available in different designs, the price tags of earthen lamps range between rupees 1 to a few hundred, depending upon the size and style.

Tradition has it that the diyas are lit on the occasion of Diwali, marking the return of Lord Ram to his home in Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. These also signify triumph of good over evil.

Source ANI

Allahabad: Women artistes of Allahabad are sculpting eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi ahead of Diwali.

"The demand for these idols is so high that we are unable to complete the orders of the customers. The people who come to know that these idols are made from cow dung, order for it immediately. These idols are made from cow dung and lac," said Suman Chaurasiya, an idol maker.

She added that it takes about five to ten minutes to make one idol.

Besides being eco-friendly and affordable, these idols are very light and durable which make them a preferable choice amongst the customers.

The prices of these idols range from 50 rupees to 150 rupees.

Environmentalists hope that with eco-friendly idols becoming popular, pollution of environment on this account would be largely checked.

Diwali, which falls in October-November, has its origins in the celebrations in Ayodhya, marking the return of Lord Ram to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Also named Naraka Chaturdashi, as per Hindu mythology, Diwali is the day when Lord Vishnu vanquished Narakasura, a demon.

Source ANI

Alambadi (Tamil Nadu): Lack of schools in the vicinity forced the children to undertake risky boat rides through the Hogenakkal river to go to their school in Alambadi village in Tamil Nadu''s Dharmapuri District.

The boats have no safety equipment.

Hogenakkal is frequently flooded. The memories of recent boat mishap in Kerala are fresh in their mind.

"We are from Marukkottai. If it floods, we will not be able to travel by boat. We have to cross two rivers to reach our school. So, we want that a Tamil school should be built in our village up till at least the 10th level," said Myilsamy, a student.

The villagers want the government to take necessary action and build school in their villages, so that they don''t have to send their children so far in boats.

"I have been rowing boat for the past 18 years and daily I see school children crossing river and going to schools. We think a Tamil school at Alambadi will be a better option. If it floods, then their studies will be affected for at least four to five days. The Government should take some steps to improve the situation here," said Rajendran, a boatman.

At least 41 people were killed when a boat capsized in the famous Thekkady Lake, a tourist hotspot on September 30.

Source ANI

Chennai: The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on Thursday relieved bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh from their services.

In a statement to the media BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said: "The BCCI has decided to discontinue the services of bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh with immediate effect.”

The BCCI has offered no clear explanation for their sudden sacking.

Though the BCCI’s decision came as a surprise, both Prasad and Singh were under the scanner after India''s dismal show in the Twenty20 World Cup and last month''s Champions Trophy.

Reacting to the sacking, Prasad said he was disappointed.

“If this is true, I am disappointed,” Prasad said.

Prasad also claimed that the he has not received any official information from the BCCI on the matter.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday rejected the Commonwealth Games Federation''s (CGF) proposal to form an independent monitoring panel for overseeing the 2010 Delhi Games preparations.

Addressing the media here, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi demanded the removal of CGF Chief Executive Office (CEO) Mike Hooper, describing him as useless.

"(Mike) Hooper has not been beneficial for the organising committee, he is of no use to us. We want the Commonwealth Games Federation to replace him," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi also slammed the federation''s insistence that an independent review body must oversee New Delhi''s troubled preparations, which are far behind schedule with less than 12 months to go before the Games open on October 3, 2010.

"I am willing to take any expert suggested by the CGF on our co-ordination committee, but we feel there is no need to impose an additional technical committee on us," Kalmadi added.

The setting-up of an independent technical review panel to monitor the monthly progress of the 2010 Commonwealth Games has not gone down well with the Organising Committee (OC) members who see it as an avoidable burden.

On Monday, CGF president Michael Fennell stated that the technical experts would assist OC in meeting the deadlines.

The IOA, however, opines that the move will lead to needless friction between OC and the CGF.

Hooper, has been the senior link between the OC and the CGF. He has lived in Delhi, working on the event for the last two years.

Source ANI

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): Maoists attempted to disrupt the polling process in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli District on Thursday morning by firing at a polling booth.

The Naxals reportedly opened fire on the polling booth in Kotmi village of Alapali taluka at around 10:30 a.m.

Naxals fled from the spot after the attack. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The voting in 22 polling booths in the district did not take place on Tuesday, as polling staffs were unable to reach their respective destinations on time due to obstacles put up by Naxals on the way.

According to officials, polling is taking place at seven booths in Armouri constituency, two in Gadchiroli and 13 booths in Aheri constituency in the district.

The Election Commission has deployed central police force (CPMF) contingents in Naxal-hit Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts of Vidarbha region of the state to thwart any attempt by the Maoists to disrupt the election process.

According to Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police S. Jayakumar, "At around 6.30 am, before the start of polling, a few rounds of gunfire were heard in Kasanpur village of Aheri assembly constituency.”

“The shots came from far and there were no casualties of any kind in the incident,” he added.

"I would like to assure that the situation is fully under control and there is no cause for worry," Jayakumar said.

Security was further tightened and all security agencies have been ordered to be extra vigilant following the incident.

Source ANI

Dharamsala: A four-day teaching session by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama began here on Thursday.

Thousands of people including Buddhist monks, nuns, foreigners and Tibetans assembled at the Tsuglagkhang Temple to listen to the preachings.

In his inaugural session, the Dalai Lama highlighted the basic principles of Buddhism and spoke about love, peace and compassion.

Lobsang, a Tibetan youth, believes that the Dalai Lama teachings will help in resolving conflict and other existing differences.

"This is exactly what Dalai Lama has been telling the Chinese people that it is only through dialogue, through understanding, through compassion, the conflicts can be resolved. His teachings are actually spreading this message that you have to have the understanding and feel compassion for other people," said Lobsang, a Tibetan youth.

Another Tibetan youth, Tenzin said, preaching sessions by the Tibetan spiritual leader will spread awareness about the Tibetan cause.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since they fled from their homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

In 1950, the Chinese troops marched into Tibet and occupied it.

Source ANI

New Delhi: India and Russia are likely to sign two major agreements to boost defence cooperation between the two countries during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Moscow later this year.

Decks for the signing of the two agreements were cleared today during the ongoing visit of Defence Minister AK Antony to Moscow.

The first agreement will be on extending the Military Technical Cooperation for ten years from 2011 to 2020 and the second relates to After- Sales Product Support for Defence Equipment of Russian origin.

The outlines for the two agreements were hammered out during the 9th Meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) which concluded in Moscow today. The two-day meeting was presided over by Antony and his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov.

The Commission also reviewed the status of two major projects for joint design and development of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MRTA).

Both the Defence Ministers expressed the hope that the recent rounds of consultations between technical experts on both sides would result in greater progress in these projects.

The Russian side assured of continuing technical support and technology transfer in accordance with the agreed schedules for the indigenous production of T-90-S tanks and SU-30MKI fighter jets in India. Shri Antony stressed the need to ensure that there were no slippages in these projects.

On the sale of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, both sides agreed that the cost negotiations would continue to find a mutually acceptable solution.

The Commission also reviewed issues relating to defence supplies in a number of other projects in detail.

The Russian side responded positively to India’s request to expedite proposals for setting up facilities for modernisation, repair and overhaul of military aircraft including MiG-29-Upgrade in India.

Source ANI

Chennai: The Wall of Indian cricket Rahul Dravid has been dropped from the One Day International squad for the first two matches of a seven-match series against Australia starting October 25.

The first match will be played at Vadodara and Nagpur.

The selectors decision to drop Dravid, despite his consistent show in the recent Champions Trophy after a two-year hiatus from limited overs cricket has raised many eyebrows.

The selection committee of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) headed by K. Srikanth, which met here, also axed all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, pacer RP Singh and all rounder Abhishek Nayar from the squad.

Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh have made a comeback into the squad after recovering from their respective injuries.

Sehwag has been out of international cricket after being operated for a shoulder injury. He missed both the Twenty20 World Cup in England and the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Pacer Munaf Patel returns to the 15-member squad, while wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has been shown the doors.

Delhi’s Ishant Sharma, and Uttar Pradesh pacer Sudeep Tyagi have been included.

Another pacer Zaheer Khan, who is recovering from a shoulder surgery, was ruled out of contention.

Harbhajan Singh will remain the frontline tweaker, while Amit Mishra, Ravinder Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha would play in turns during the seven-match series.

The Australians commence their campaign on October 25 at Vadodara and play the seventh and final tie at Mumbai on November 11.

The squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c), Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ashish Nehra, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Munaf Patel, Sudeep Tyagi.

Source ANI

Imphal: Normal life in Manipur came to a standstill on Thursday following a general strike called by the Manipur People''s Liberation Front (MPLF).

The MPLF is an umbrella forum formed by major insurgent groups operating in the state.

The MPLF has called for a 24-hour strike in protest against the merger of Manipur with the rest of the country.

On this day in 1949, Maharaja Bodhchandra the then executive head of the state, accepted the merger with the Union of India.

Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in most parts of the state.

Transport services within the state as well as with neighbouring states are badly affected as a result of the strike.

Government offices witnessed poor attendance.

State Government has deployed security forces at important places to avoid untoward incidents during the strike.

Source ANI

Ranchi: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Thursday offered his condolences to the family of slain Jharkhand Special Branch police inspector Francis Enduwar.

Surrounded by a tight security cordon, Rahul visited the Enduwar family.

"He consoled me and asked me to keep patience. He said, he has also undergone the same trauma. His father was killed," said Sunita Induwar, Francis''s wife.

On September 30, Maoists had kidnapped Francis from Jharkhand''s Khunti district. They wanted the release of two of their leaders Kobad Ghandy and Chatrodhar Mahato in exchange for his release.

Francis''s headless body was found on the Jamshedpur-Ranchi Highway on October 6. It was then reported that a note had been found with a warning to the government that they could expect more of the same treatment if their demands were not acceded to.

Source ANI

Gadhinagar: India on Thursday denied permission to a US ship allegedly containing toxic wastes to anchor at the Alang Ship breaking Yard on the Gujarat coast.

New Delhi has sent a firm message to first world countries that India can’t be used as a dumping yard for their wastes.

The US Ship Platinum- 2 is currently anchored at Gopnath Port near Alang.

The Union Environment and Forest Ministry has asked the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) to submit a report about the materials, onboard the ship.

The ministry has also asked the GPCB to verify whether the ship has complied with Supreme Court guidelines issued on October 7.

The contentious ship was given permission to anchor on October 8, after a desk review, wherein the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Customs gave the clearance.

A section of the media, suspected that the ship could be the SS Independence, which was earlier banned by the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA).

The ship was reportedly renamed SS Oceanic which lay idle at Dubai for over a year before being rechristened as the Platinum - 2.

Earlier, pro-environment groups in Gujarat had alleged that a retired US ship, containing toxic substances, had anchored at Bhavnagar Port for being dismantled at the Alang ship breaking yard.

Environmentalists have alleged, that Platinum -2 contains radioactive wastes.

The US had earlier penalized two companies for attempting to move the ship out of US waters without decontaminating it.

The apex court has passed a ruling that ships should be allowed to be broken down in the country only after prior decontamination.

Source ANI

Ranchi: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Arunachal Pradesh is very much a part of India.

Addressing a press conference here, Rahul said: "Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state. Tamil Nadu is an Indian state.  Jharkhand is an Indian state. My attitude towards all states is the same and it will not change. For me, Arunachal Pradesh is like any other state. It does not make any difference."

He did not comment on how ties with China would improve when Beijing was raising objections to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh''s recent visit to that state.

Beijing said on Tuesday it was "seriously dissatisfied" by Dr. Singh''s visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

China''s foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu had accused India of ignoring China''s concerns by visiting Arunachal Pradesh.

Prime Minister Singh travelled earlier this month to woo voters ahead of Tuesday''s state assembly election.

Beijing lays claim to 90,000 sq km of land in the border state, that it sees as "southern" Tibet and had already expressed its anger about a planned visit by the Dalai Lama in November.

India''s Foreign Ministry said its leaders were free to visit states where elections are held.
The Ministry said in a statement that New Delhi was "disappointed and concerned" about China''s stance.

He said pro-poor schemes could be fruitful only if the State Governments implement them well.

Rahul said the onus lay on the State Governments to make the programmes initiated by the Central Government.

"The Central Government can design the programme and provide money. It has some levers to put pressure on the State Government. But it is the State Government that has to implement the programmes. If you look at Uttar Pradesh, we gave the NREGA. But when it started, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said it is useless and we will not run it. So if the State Government is not interested and if the government is of our opposition, we can not do much about it," he added.

Drawing a comparison between the villages and the cities, he said, there was a need to bridge the gap between the two and efforts should be made to develop the villages as well.

"There are two Indias. One India is of opportunities, today''s'' India, India of education, India of health, India of employment. The second is India of villages where the opportunities are less. More and more efforts should be made to bring together these two Indias. Where there are less opportunities, focus should be to provide more and more opportunities there," he added.

Rahul Gandhi is in Jharkhand on two-day visit to rejuvenate the state party unit, which is facing internal feuds.

Source ANI

Gadchiroli: Voting has begun at twenty-two polling booths in naxal-affected Maharashtra''s Gadchiroli district today.

Polling will end at 3: 00 p.m.

Polling could not be held in these booths on Tuesday, as agents could not reach there on time due to security reasons.

Thirteen polling centres are in the Aheri area, seven in the Armori area and two in the Gadchiroli assembly constituency.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra registered a 60 percent voter turnout. Mumbai and its suburbs witnessed a voter turnout of 50 percent.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday said India and the United States are going to set up a joint education council to enhance bilateral ties.

"We will have the India-US education council which is at the formative stage now. And what we will have representations of industries as well as leaders in the field of education. So that industry and education should come together for the bilateral relationship to move forward. Because there is a lot of private sector industry and the university system in the United States, which is very, keen on collaborating with India. And there are lots of people at this end both in the industry as well as in the private sector which are keen on collaborating with the United States. So this way we can bring the industries and the education sector together," said Kapil Sibal after his meeting with US under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William J. Burns.

There is a lot of enthusiasm among the private sector, government and universities.

Sibal said setting up the council would be a win-win situation for both countries. The council will include industry leaders and representatives from education sector. An Indian delegation will leave for the US next week.

The delegation will comprise industry leaders and university people, where they will visit a number of institutions, including Harvard University and George Washington University.

The delegates will also meet policy makers, academicians, Congressmen and Senators in this regard.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The 11th edition of Osian''''s-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema, showcasing about 100 feature and short fiction films from across the world is all set to kick off in national capital in the last week of this month.

India will be in the spotlight at this year''''s film festival in eleven years. The film festival will open with a film from Romania ''''Hooked'''' directed by filmmaker Adrain Sitaru.

"Today what we are calling the new stream. The young directors the Anurag Kashyup, the Zoya Akhtar, the Imitiaz Ali and the Vishal Bhardwaj why are they successful today to a very large extent. Not because multiplexes emerged but because the sensibility of the Indian public has been changed and fundamental to that process has been the film festival. If it wasn''''t for the film festival you think suddenly people will be appreciating these films?," said Neville Tuli, founder-chairman, Osian''''s-Cinefan Film Festival during a conference.

Mani Kaul, Director General, Osian''''s-Cinefan Film Festival, said that young filmmakers will be in the limelight this year.

"The in competition films are restricted to Asia, Arab and India (Indian cinema) and there of course is the individual work as the cinematic potential of the work count''''s and there are 15 films in that section and India is well represented these and mostly the young filmmakers. Because we thought that the competition must happen between the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd film of the filmmaker. It has been observed that the young film makers bring new ideas which are very experimental and innovative cinema," said Kaul.

The weeklong Film Festival will be held from October 24-30 in New Delhi.

The film festival was launched in 1999. The number of films screened has multiplied from a meagre 20 initially to 100 films.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the Chief Executives of Public Sector Enterprises and present the MOU and SCOPE Excellence Awards here today.

The ceremony is jointly being organised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and the Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE).

Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises will also address the gathering of top management of PSEs.

Bhaskar Chatterjee, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and Arup Roy Choudhury, Chairman, SCOPE along with galaxy of participants from Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), government officials and distinguished guests will also be present on the occasion.

Four PSEs will receive MOU Awards for two consecutive years that is 2006-07 and 2007-08. They are the CONCOR, the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) and the Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF).

The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) will receive two MOU Excellence Awards in the mining and metal sector and also in the category of listed CPSEs for the year 2007-08.

Other MOU Award winning PSEs for the year 2007-08 are the Hindustan Paper Company Ltd. (HPCL), the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the MMTC, the PFC and the WAPCOS.

Award winners for 2006-07 are the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), the Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd. (MECL), the Manganese Ore (India) Ltd. (MOIL), the National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. (NBCC), the National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the State Trading Corporation of India Ltd. (STC).

SCOPE Excellence Awards for the year 2007-08 will be received by S.K. Roongta, Chairman, SAIL (Individual Category); CIL (Institutional Category); HEC (Special Institutional Category); ECIL (Medium PSE Category); WAPCOS (Smaller PSE Category) and NSKFDC (Commendation Certificate in Smaller PSE Category).

For the year 2006-07, the SCOPE Excellence Awards will be received by Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, IOC (Individual Category); SAIL (Institutional Category); MDL (Special Institutional Category); BEML and NBCC (Medium PSE Category) and REIL (Smaller PSE Category).

MOU and SCOPE Excellence Awards will encourage and motivate the PSEs and individuals to set new benchmarks in their performance.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The police custody of Kobad Ghandy, a polit bureau member of the banned CPI (Maoist), ends today.

Ghandy, who heads the CPI (Maoist) publication wing, was nabbed in South Delhi following inputs from intelligence agencies. He has been a part of the People''s War Group (PWG) since its initial stages.

Ghandy also played an important role in fostering the development of the front''s organisations. In 1994, he was allegedly active in floating a forum named the All India People''s Resistance Forum.

He had gone underground after the merger of the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist), the Peopl''''s War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India in 2004 when the CPI (Maoist) came into existence.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith on Thursday said India and Australia were natural partners and both needed to become strategic allies.

“I have again been struck by how many important interests Australia and India have in common, from trade and investment to regional security to tackling climate change.  Our relationship is broad and it continues to grow. Australia will continue to work hard to take India to the front-line of our international partnerships, to the front rank of our bilateral relationships,” said Smith during his speech on “Australia and India: A Convergence of Interests”.

Taking about his first speech as Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, in December 2007 in which he had stated that Australia needed to do much more with its relationship with India, Smith said: “Tonight, I leave India more convinced than ever that Australia and India have a strong convergence of interests. We are natural partners. And we should become strategic partners.”

“Minister Krishna and I conducted the sixth Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, and agreed both Governments should continue to advance bilateral, regional and international cooperation between our two countries,” Smith informed.

Smith said India is once again assuming the mantle of global influence reflecting its economic size and strength, its strategic weight, and its rich history. “Australia recognises that global economic, strategic and political influence is shifting to the Asia-Pacific.”

Smith said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh encapsulated India’s potential elegantly, when he said: “I am convinced that the 21st century will be an Indian Century.  The world will once again look at us with regard and respect, not just for the economic progress we make but for the democratic values we cherish and uphold and the principles of pluralism and inclusiveness we have come to represent which is India’s heritage.”

“Australia shares these values and virtues,” said Smith while adding: “We also share India’s wish to play a constructive role in world affairs. These values and aspirations lie at the heart of the new relationship between our two nations.”

“Australia looks forward to working with India in the G20 to reshape international financial institutions to better reflect the modern world.

As founding members, Australia and India have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the United Nations. We share a firm commitment to finding global solutions to the challenges no country can face on its own,” Smith said.

“We want the United Nations to reflect these realities and we strongly support a permanent seat for India on a reformed Security Council. Australia supports India’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2012-2013 term,” said the Australian Foreign Minister.

“India is not, so far, a member of APEC, but it is Australia’s strong view that India should be made a member when APEC’s membership moratorium ends in 2010,” he added.

“Australia also values its participation in the key South Asian regional body, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), to which with India’s support we have been granted observer status,” Smith said.

Smith also informed Australia and India were developing a substantial relationship in the minerals and petroleum resources and the energy sector.

On the issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the Australian minister Smith said: “The Australia and India Governments have similar views on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.  We also understand and respect each other’s position on the sale of uranium and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.  The strength of our relationship is reflected in the capacity of both Governments to work beyond this different policy approach.”

“Trade with India has grown faster than any of our other major partners over the past five years, and India is now Australia’s fifth largest export market for goods and services. India is rapidly moving to become our third largest export market,” Smith said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday endorsed the global concern over climate change and termed it as one of the most important challenge that needs to be tackled by the entire world.

"Climate change is one of the most important challenges currently facing the world. It will continue to be major problem due to its long term impact on sustainable development," said Information and Broadcasting minister Abmika Soni while briefing the media about the Cabinet meet held in the national capital.

Ministry of Environment and Forests will organise the international conference and exhibition, which will provide an opportunity to the developed and developing countries to showcase their climate-friendly technologies as well as services.

Soni said that the two-day conference, which begins October 22 (Thursday), will emphasise on several issues relating to the climate change.

"Economic and social strategies specifically designed to tackle this challenge are necessary since climate change affects all aspects of society," said Ambika Soni.

The conference will bring together accomplished experts from India and abroad to share their perspectives on issues relating to technology development and transfer in the context of climate change.

Source ANI

Varanasi: Ahead of Diwali, the festival of lights, flowers are in high demand in the holy city Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

The wholesale flower market of Varanasi is popular in north India. Every year in comparison to other Hindu festivals, sale of flowers is very high particularly during the festival of Diwali and Dhanteras, when people decorate their houses and also buy utensils or jewellery.

"Diwali and Dhanteras festivals are considered major festive occasions. And, during these two festivals, sale of flowers is high. Unlike other festivals, Diwali is celebrated by masses," said Pawan Kumar, a flower seller.

Flowers like rose and marigold are particularly in high demand, as people wish to ensure that they welcome the Goddess Laxmi, worshipped on the occasion of Diwali, in floral decorated homes.

Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the symbol of good omen and wisdom, is also worshipped on this occasion along with Goddess Lakshmi during evening.

A large number of people are converging in markets and buying marigold garlands for decorative and worship purposes.

"Offering prayers without flowers is useless. Moreover, Diwali and Dhanteras are incomplete without floral garlands. Flowers are a vital part of prayers," said Ritesh Kumar Jaiswal, a buyer.

Source ANI