India News

Hyderabad/Nellore/Chennai (Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu): The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday said that it has launched an inquiry into the shocking incident in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, where ten people lost their vision in a free eye camp conducted by the Bollineni Eye Hospital and research centre.

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister D. Nagender told a television channel that the state government would not tolerate incidents of medical negligence.

According to informed sources, the eye camp had offered free treatment to those with cataract. They claimed that doctors had performed surgery on 29 patients, of whom ten complained of blurred sight and burning sensation in the eyes. They were rushed to the Bollineni Hospital and later referred to Sankara Nethralaya Hospital in Chennai.

Relatives of the blinded victims held the Bollineni eye hospital solely responsible for the shocking incident.

However, Doctor Sai Mohan of the Bollineni Globe Eye Foundation refused to accept that his hospital had committed an act of medical negligence.

"There are many procedures for operations. We have taken all precautions, but infections can be caused due to many reasons, even after sterilisation. We have tried all our best to save the eyesight of all our patients," he was quoted, as saying.

All ten patients are now undergoing treatment at the Sankara Netralaya hospital in Chennai.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The official car with a parliament entry sticker belonging to the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman K. Rehman Khan was stolen late on Sunday night.

The special parliament entry sticker allows the car to drive upto the Rajya Sabha entrance.

According to sources, the Bolero car was last seen at 11 on Sunday night, when Khan''s driver dropped him off at home.

The driver then took the car to his house in South Delhi, from where it was reported missing.

Security at the Parliament complex has been alerted.

Security forces at the complex have been asked to flag the car down the minute it tries to enter Parliament.

According to police, the interrogation of the driver is on.

The license plate of the car has been flagged to the Delhi Police so that it can be tracked down.

Source ANI

Ranchi: The prime suspect behind the beheading of Special Intelligence branch inspector Francis Induwar, Kundan Pahan, might be among the Maoists injured in an encounter near Jonha, about 35 kms from Ranchi.

"As per our information, Kundan Pahan is among the Maoists who were injured during the encounter that took place at Jonha near Angara yesterday," Senior Superintendent of Police, Praveen Kumar said.

Pahan managed to escape, he said, adding he and his associates were trying to cross over borders when they were spotted.

As many as four companies of paramilitary and police forces are scouring the forests of Ranchi and Khunti districts to trace the injured or dead Maoists, Kumar said.

Source ANI

Ranchi: Muslim groups and political parties in Jharkhand have requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to change the date of the poll from November 27, citing Bakr-Eid festival as the reason.

The ECI has announced a five-phase election schedule for the Jharkhand Assembly, which will be held from November 27 to December 18, while Bakr-Eid falls on November 28.

According to reports, major parties in the State including, the Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) are backing the Muslim groups’ request.

Earlier, announcing the schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla had said the Commission had prepared the schedule after taking into consideration all relevant aspects.

Polls will be held on November 27, December 2, 8, 12, 18.

In the first phase 30 constituencies will vote, in the second phase 15 constituencies will go to the polls, in third phase seven seats will vote, and 14 and 15 constituencies will vote in the fourth and the fifth phase, respectively.

Counting will be held on December 23.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday said the younger generation should follow and emulate the brave deeds of the armed forces.

Addressing a civic reception held here to honour the three surviving Param Veer Chakra awardees, Honorary Captain Bana Singh, Havildar Yogender Singh Yadav, and Naik Sanjay Kumar   and the first Indian who traveled in the space Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, Dikshit said: “The brave soldiers of our armed forces are the real heroes for our young generation and they need to follow the ideals of these young men.

“Civil society should not forget that India’s armed forces make supreme sacrifice for our (society) better tomorrows,” she added.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh said: “ The soldiers fight for two reasons, one for the self motive and another to keep the glory of his unit at the highest level.”

Recalling his memories of World War II when he was with the Royal Indian Air Force, in Imphal, Air Chief Marshal Singh said: “We just obeyed the orders of our superiors.”

“We didn’t know who were those people killed by our bombing. But later our (RAF) intelligence informed that they were INA soldiers,” he added.

FICCI Secretary General Dr. Amit Mitra said the aim of the programme was to build a vibrant civil society.

“Our civil society has become despondent and demoralized. There is a need to regenerate collective self-confidence and self esteem by showing them that all is not lost,” Mitra said.

“We have adopted two slogans; we are all Indians first, and we are proud to be Indian. Our aim in holding this function and to follow up with more is to show that we still have much to be proud of. Our brave soldier is the best example,” he added.

Netaji Subhash INA Trust secretary, Brigadier R.S. Chhikara said: “It’s an occasion for eminent members of civil society to come together and bestow appreciation and honour on our bravest of the brave Param Veeras who have set examples of selfless commitment to national well being.”

Source ANI

Shopian: Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir''s Shopian district on Monday.

According to sources, police along with security forces cordoned off Naspora-Keller, 70 km from the area.

The militants opened fire on them and in the ensuing gun battle three militants, including two self-styled commanders, were killed.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Shiv Sena Executive President, Uddhav Thackeray, on Monday said the disappointing defeat in the Maharashtra assembly elections did not mean the end of the road for the party.

Addressing the media at Sena Bhawan in Mumbai, Thackeray said the Sena''s struggle against injustice would continue.

“This is not the defeat of Shiv Sena. I don''t think we failed, because our battle was not for individual gains, but for the larger public interest,” Uddhav said.

He further assured support to Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan for the Congress -Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), alliance in the State, which formed the next Government after winning 147 of the 288 constituencies.

“I assure our support for all pro-people decisions of the new Government, but we will vehemently oppose any decision which goes against the interests of the people,” Thackeray said.

The Shiv Sena fought the Assembly elections in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But it miserably failed, as it could secure only 90 seats in the 288-member State Assembly. The Shiv Sena won 44 seats and the BJP 46 seats.

Source ANI

Ludhiana: The Punjab Agricultural University has established self-help groups for women in the State to help them become self-reliant.

For Amit Jethi of Ludhiana, making soft toys and paintings used to be a hobby. Since she became a member of a women’s self-help group, it has become her profession.  Every month she earns between Rs.10,000 to Rs. 12,500 (200 to 250 dollars) and has been able to contribute significantly to her family.

This transformation in her life has come about with the help of a self-help group.

“Those who have talent should use it. It also inspires others. Most of the girls and women in rural areas hesitate to go out. But, we must help them tap the hidden talent. We can achieve a lot in this modern age,” said Amita Jethi, a member of the self-help group.

For making such a difference in ordinary women’s life, the credit goes to Punjab Agricultural University’s directorate of extension education in Ludhiana which provides training to farmers and farmwomen.

During their training, the participants are taught about a variety of skills like preservation of fruits and vegetables and preparation of various snacks, soft toys, education play material, fabric painting and much more. The training is provided by Extension specialists of College of Home Science.

“We have a qualified department of business management, which gives lectures about marketing. It teaches about how to go about marketing, the ways of production, how to increase the shelf life of the produce and even how to attract the consumers. Everything is taught here. In our several centers across Punjab the scheme is so successful that people have benefited a lot from it. They know that one plus one doesn’t make two but it makes eleven,” said Dr. Tejinder Singh, Coordinator Kisan Club, Punjab Agriculture University.

Among the many self-help groups existing in Punjab is Global self-help group which is located near Ludhiana. Over a dozen of its members, mostly the farmwomen, make pickles, sweets, spices and processed food to cater to the local market.

The profits they earn supplements their family income. A majority of the members also save some money for the future security of their families. Training by the University has helped the group in producing and marketing the produce.

“Anyone can produce anything but no one makes value addition. We add value to goods and sell it through direct marketing. For example cauliflower is available at a cheaper rate now so we buy it in bulk and preserve it for making pickles. Now, it’s the season of Amla fruit (Indian gooseberry). So we buy it to make chutneys, murabba and jam,” said Gurdev Kaur, President, Global self-help group.

The Punjab Agricultural University has been allowing some of these self-help groups to set up stalls at the Kisan Fair (farmers’ fair) and other events inside the campus.

And, the rural women are making good income by selling products directly to customers.

Source ANI

Babina (UP): A senior commander of the U.S. Army on Monday said that having a professional force like the Indian Army at its disposal, especially in highly aggressive war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, would always be welcome.

“The Indian Army is a professional force and the US Army will be comfortable with it anywhere,” Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, Commander, Pacific Command, said in reply to a question on whether the US Army is ready to seek India’s help in Iraq and Afghanistan in a counter terror and insurgency operation.

Lt. Gen. Mixon, who was addressing accompanying media on the sidelines of the first ever Indo-US joint mechanized forces exercise in Babina, Uttar Pradesh, further went on to say:“ We want to work together as militaries to establish peace in Asia-Pacific region. If any eventuality occurs in future, we are better prepared to work together.”

He also claimed that the exercise had so far been a wonderful and worthwhile experience, and had gone a long way in raising the level of understanding between the two armies.

“The counter insurgency/terror exercise with India has been absolutely fantastic and it has helped the US soldiers to understand India in a better way,” Lt. Gen. Mixon said.

From the Indian side, Lt. General A.S. Sekhon, Director General, Military Operations, said: “This is a training exercise and it is not aimed at anybody. We are trying to know each other’s procedures. The is all about training with the US Army to enhance our understanding and capability.”

A significant aspect of the 17-day exercise that commenced on October 17 and concludes on October 29, is that for the first time the US Army has deployed the Javelin Missile and Stryker armoured vehicles to act as force multipliers in a third country other than Iraq and Afghanistan.

Another first is that of the Indian mechanized battalion participating along with Strykers Squadron in a joint exercise under overall command of an Indian Brigade headquarters.

So far, the achievements of the joint exercise called Yudh Abhyas–2009 are:

- Both sides have achieved interoperability and capability to function alongside for operations under an UN mandate and
-  The US troops were exposed to rich culture and tradition of India. The Indian troops gained exposure to contemporary weapons systems used by US troops.
 
The overall aim of the exercise is to conduct a joint Indo-US training exercise under the framework of an agreed joint training program for sharing useful experience in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian and disaster managements and relief operations.

Two hundred and ninety five personnel are representing the US Army, while 700 personnel are representing the Indian Army.

Yudh Abhyas is a regularly scheduled bilateral exercise hosted by the Indian Army.

The exercise is designed to promote cooperation between the two militaries while sharing training, cultural exchanges, and building joint operating skills.

This year’s Yudh Abhyas features 17 Stryker vehicles — the largest deployment of the vehicles outside of Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Pacific Rim forces.

Along with the 17 Strykers, the U.S. will showcase the Javelin Anti-Tank Missile system, employed to defeat current and future threat armored combat vehicles.

The YA 2009 constitutes the largest troop exchange since the YA partnership exercise commenced in 2004.

Indian Army soldiers from the 31st Armored Division are working with U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry regiment, “Strykehorse,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

This year’s exercise includes a multi-echelon, full spectrum combined operation focusing on a United Nations peacekeeping operation scenario, while executing a maneuver live-fire exercise.

During the exercise, participants will engage in a variety of missions, from joint planning and maneuver execution, a variety of artillery ranges, to cordon and search operations as well as search and rescue training.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Centre has strongly condemned what it called an unprovoked and heinous attack by the CPI (Maoist) on the public sector Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel in Bacheli, in Chhattisgarh''s Dantewada District on Sunday.

In a statement, the Union Home Ministry described the attack on one sub-Inspector, one head constable and two constables, all of whom were killed, and the critical injury of two constables through a landmine blast, as an act of "wanton, mindless and pre-meditated violence unleashed by the CPI (Maoist)".

It said that the security force was on a routine patrol in an area falling under the jurisdiction of a public sector corporation.

The NMDC is engaged in the development of minerals; gives employment to thousands of persons; promotes economic activity; and undertakes many welfare activities in the area as part of its corporate social responsibility.

"What is the motive behind the attack on a police force that provides security to NMDC? What is the message that the CPI (Maoist) intends to convey? These are questions that the Government would like to put not only to the CPI (Maoist) but also to those who speak on their behalf and chastise the government," the Home Ministry''s statement said.

The incident took place between mine no.10 and mine no.11(c). The CISF party was on a routine patrol. The landline was planted on a kutcha road. After exploding the landmine, the CPI (Maoist) fired upon the patrol party, the patrol party fired back and the CPI (Maoist) fled the scene.

The ministry also said that it had received reports of another incident in village Kodka, in District Kanker, where two of the five villagers who had been kidnapped, had been killed.

It said that the Chhattisgarh police is investigating the crime, which it described as "yet another case of cold blooded murder of poor villagers by the naxalites."

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Monday decided to hike bus fares.

"The fares have been increased for a period of seven years. This has been done with a view to provide better transport facilities for Delhiites," said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

After the State Cabinet meeting, Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said: "The NCT Government would earn Rs 400 crore yearly revenue after this increase is effected."

The hike would be effective with immediate effect.

The minimum fare of Rs 3 for upto four kilometres has been increased to Rs 5, while the Rs 7 and Rs 10 tickets have been increased to Rs 10 and 15 respectively.

The students'' pass which was of Rs 12.50 has been increased to Rs 100.

The fare of general pass has been increased from Rs 400 to 800.

The prices of senior citizen''s pass and press have not changed.

Source ANI

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh on Monday said he will send all details of his share-holdings in various companies to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and challenged her to take action against him.

"I will send Mayawati all details of my share-holdings in various comapnies whether it is Mukesh Ambani''s company, or the Infosys, the NTPC or the ONGC. She can lodge criminal FIRs against all of them in Babupurwa Police Station (Kanpur)," said Singh.

"Increase in share-capital with mutual consent of different companies and share-holders, and mergers with consent of jurisdiction of the High Court concerned was a legal process," he added.

Giving examples of Mukesh Ambani and Infosys Chief Mentor Narayan Murthy, he said: "Is Mayawati above Income Tax Department, the Union Government''s Company Affairs Ministry or the High Court where such a deal is registered?"

Alleging that Mayawati had lodged 170 cases against him, he said: "All these cases were later quashed by the courts."

Raking up the case of allotment of a plot to him allegedly under the Economically Weaker Section category, he said the plot was alloted to him by BSP leader Kanshi Ram.

"She alleged that I made a CD of her posing as a living Goddess and asking people to offer her Gangajal," he added.

On October 16, a 14-page complaint of fraud was filled at the Babupurwa Police Station in Kanpur against Amar Singh, his wife Pankaja Kumari Singh and cine icon Amitabh Bachchan.

Shiv Kant Tiwari, the person who filed the complaint, claimed that all three had been involved in a financial fraud amounting to about Rs 500 crore. They have been charged with amalgamating companies for converting black money into white between 2003 and 2008.

The companies named in the FIR included the Energy Development Company Limited, the EDCL Power Limited, the Pankaja Art and Credit Limited, the Sarvottam Cap Limited, the EDCL Infrastructure Limited and the Eastern India Company, all owned or run by the Singh couple.

The FIR was lodged under various Sections of IPC, Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Laundering Act.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Sports Minister M S Gill visited Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday to take stock of preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

After visiting the stadium, Gill said that the entire work would be completed on time.

Gill was accompanied by officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the Sports Authority of India, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and representatives of Organising Committee, who made presentations to the Minister, and briefed him about the progress.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, is one of the stadiums in need of maximum renovation.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be India''s first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games. New Delhi hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and again in 1982.

Delhi had bagged the contract after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for rights to host the games.

The Games will be staged in India for the first time and in Asia for the second time. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

Source ANI

Dehradun: About 70 specially-abled badminton players are participating in a special three-day badminton tournament in Dehradun.

Concluding on Tuesday, the tournament was first of its kind organised by the state.

The competition for players with hearing disability is organised with the aim to give a platform to those who want to make big despite their shortcoming.

"We feel good about it and we will be organising such events in the future. You can see the excitement in the face of the players. We want these players to make the state proud of their achievements," said Prem Kumar, organiser who had participated in Para Olympics.

The organisers also wanted to give a chance to the less fortunate players to forgo their inhibitions and merge with the main society.

"The main purpose of the tournament is to converge the less fortunate sections with the mainstream society and that is being done through the game," said Sanjay Chauhan, a tournament referee.

The parents of the children who participated in the tournament were elated to see their wards playing.

"I am really happy to see my daughter playing here. I never thought that my daughter will play in such a platform," said Siksha Balyan, a parent.

Source ANI

Shopian: Two terrorists were killed in an ongoing gunbattle with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir''s Shopian district on Monday.

According to reports, three other terrorists have been holed up inside a house in Kellar.

One of the terrorists is suspected to be a Hizb commander.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Government on Monday strongly condemned the CPI (Maoist) attack on four CISF personnel in Bacheli in Chhattisgarh.

In a statement issued by the Home Ministry, the Government condemned the attack saying, "The Government of India strongly condemns this unprovoked and heinous attack by the CPI (Maoist) on a public sector security force that was on a routine patrol in an area falling under the jurisdiction of a public sector corporation. What is the motive behind the attack on a police force that provides security to the National Minerals Development Corporation (NMDC)? What is the message that the CPI (Maoist) intends to convey? These are questions that the Government would like to put not only to the CPI (Maoist) but also to those who speak on their behalf and chastise the government."

On Sunday, four CISF personnel (one sub-inspector, one head constable and two constables) were killed and two constables critically injured in a planned landmine blast in the mines area of the NMDC in Bacheli in Chhattisgarh.

After exploding the landmine, the CPI (Maoist) fired upon the patrol party.

The patrol party fired back and the CPI (Maoist) fled the scene after an exchange of fire.

Source ANI

Nagpur: Stadium in Nagpur has been decked up to host second match of the seven-one-day international cricket series between India and Australia.

The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) in the city will be hosting the first day and night match, the second of the seven-one-day match series on October 28.

The stadium officials said the security of the cricketers and the spectators is very important and so they have taken all measures to ensure that.

"All the areas which were earlier not covered with the close circuit television (CCTV) surveillance like parking, inside stadium, peripheral gates, all have been covered with the CCTV surveillance. This has been added this year. Apart from this, the security remains very tight, every spectator will be under cover," said Sudhir Dabir, coordinator, Vidarbha Cricket Association.

The stadium, which has the capacity for 44,000 spectators, has sold most of the tickets.
The enthusiasm among the cricket lovers has not taken a beating despite the defeat of the home team in the first match.

 The fans said they hope their side not only to win the second match but also the whole series.

"Obviously Sachin Tendulkar is there. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and some of the new players are also in good form. So, we hope that the India not only wins the second match but the whole series," said Jayant Mangrulkar, a resident.

Australia beat India by four runs in a thrilling first match of the one-day international on Sunday in Vadodara.

The other matches will be played in New Delhi (Oct. 31), Mohali (Nov. 2), Hyderabad (Nov. 5), Guwahati (Nov. 8) and Mumbai (Nov. 11).

Source ANI

New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla will begin his four-day official visit to Bhutan from today.

The visit is being held at the invitation of the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan, Kunzang Wangdi.

The main focus of the visit is bilateral discussions in the matter of election management.

During his visit, Chawla will deliver a talk on “Political Parties: Lessons from Indian Democracy” in capital Thimpu. He will also call on Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley.

The Chief Election Commissioner of India will visit other important places in Bhutan and also meet regional election officials before returning on October 30.

The Election Commissions of India and Bhutan share a close relationship. They have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration that was signed in May 2006.

Bhutan held its first parliamentary elections about a year ago and enacted its constitution.

The visit by the Chief Election Commissioner of India is expected to further strengthen the ongoing collaboration between the Election Commissions of the two countries.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Shiv Sena’s Executive President Uddhav Thackeray on Monday defended party chief Bal Thackeray''s recent remarks in an in-house editorial in which he blamed local residents for his party’s defeat in the recently held State Assembly polls in Maharashtra.

Writing in an editorial in Shiva Sena’s mouthpiece ''Samna'' , Bal Thackeray blamed Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) for the defeat of the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata party alliance in assembly elections.

"Well, I did not visit various regions of Maharashtra for election purposes only. I have been going around since long and met the villagers, the farmers, and the tribals. I even undertook crusades against price hike and all these were not solely for elections. As for Balasaheb''s editorial , it is a reminder for the Marathi people as to how hundreds of sacrifices took place. Since he (Bal Thackeray) is concerned about Marathis, he has vent his anger. The current issue is that we are not after power but whenever there is injustice, we will rise to the occasion," Uddhav Thackeray said here.

Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance, led by Congress Party won 144 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra state assembly.

The Shiv Sena fought the Assembly elections in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But it miserably failed, as it could secure only 90 seats. The Shiv Sena could win only 44 seats and the BJP 46 seats.

Source ANI

Kochi: Head of Latin Catholics Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil breathed his last here on Monday morning, having spent last three days in the intensive care unit of a private hospital near Kochi. He was 70.

He had been admitted to the hospital with high fever and suffered multiple organ failure.

Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil’s death was heartbreaking news for hundreds and thousands of Christian devotees and members of other communities in Kerala, as was not only dear to Christian community but to Hindus and Muslims as well because of his approach towards society.

Despite being a Christian clergy he has penned many Hindu spirituality and other religion books.

Acharuparambil was President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops'' Council (KCBC).

Various people from different socio cultural representatives converged at the hospital to see him for the last time.

Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas on this occasion said that Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil’s death was a great loss to the community and the people of Kerala.

“He has been the supreme head of Varapurzha and Latin hierarchy in Kerala and always did his work with all his responsibilities which bought the latin community to a long way, I personal feel very sad in his demise” said Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas in Kochi.

Born to Rocky and Monica Acharuparambil in Palliport on May 12, 1939, Acharuparambil was ordained as a priest on March 14, 1966. He was elevated as a bishop and became the Archbishop of Verapoly in Nov 3, 1996.

Acharuparambil taught in various theological institutes in Rome for more than two decades before taking charge as the head of the Verapoly diocese.

He joined the Carmelite order at Ernakulam in May 1956 and completed his philosophy and theology courses at St. Josephs Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained priest on March 14, 1966.

He was known as a scholar who delved deep into Hindu spirituality and wrote several books on the subject, including "Hindu Mysticism and Spirituality" and The Destiny of Man in the Evolutionary Thought of Sree Aurobindo."

The funeral will take place Wednesday at 3.30 p.m. in which chief clergies from different parts will participate including a representative from Vatican in Rome, said an official spokesperson in Kochi.

Source ANI

Bangalore: Tibetans-in-exile here on Monday staged a silent protest against the visit of Chinese External Affairs Minister in India for a trilateral Foreign Ministers'' meet.

The Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China will meet in Bangalore on Tuesday (Oct. 27).

The protestors said that the border issue between the two countries could not be solved till Tibetan issue was solved.

"We believe that there is no border between China and India so there is no need for a border talk between China and India. The border is between India and Tibet. It''s very clear. And there is no way that they can solve the border issue without solving the Tibetan issue at all," said Servin Golvkar, one of the protestors.

Officials said the two ministers could discuss issue related to tensions arising from troop mobilisation along their border and the proposed visit of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang area.

India has been home to the Dalai Lama since he fled a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

Source ANI

Leh: The establishment of a small solar power plant has delighted villagers in Markha Valley in Jammu and Kashmir’s Leh District.

The project is aimed at promoting trekking, tourism and mineral water usage plant.

The Markha Valley is located at an altitude of between 3,500 and 5,200 meters and is in the Hemis National Park.

Funded by Niyamdu Dro, France NGO, the one-kilowatt plant is part of a global project for promotion of sustainable development, environment protection and equitable tourism.

Volunteers of the Youth Association for Conservation and Development (YAFCAD) of Hemis National Park helped to construct the solar power plant complex. It has already started supplying electricity to villages in the region.

"We are thankful to Mr. Jean Francois and to the entire team of Niyamdu Dro, France, for providing us with a solar power plant. We also thank the students association of the Hemis National Park for constructing a building for the solar power plant. We hope we will get help from them in the future," said Tashi Largyal, a villager.

Eashey Dolma, the coordinator of the Markha Solar Power Plant complex, said the area has benefited a lot because of it.

“Institutes like the school and the medical aid center have benefited,” Dolma said.

Source ANI

Chennai: Having already been used in medicines and cosmetics, Aloe Vera has found its way into cloth. Weavers in Tamil Nadu are experimenting with it to make colourful sarees.

Weavers in Anakaputhur, a suburb of Tamil Nadu capital Chennai appear enthusiastic about using Aloe Vera fibre in saree-making.

"With the price of yarn increasing, we thought of finding a natural fibre to make sarees. First, we used banana fibre, and now we have used fibre from the Aloe Vera plant. Sarees made from Aloe Vera fibre are in demand. Weavers today are earning well," claimed Sekar, President of the Anakaputhur Jute Weavers Association.

Traditional handloom weavers, are also delighted about using Aloe Vera fibre.

"The Aloe Vera saree is becoming popular here. Earlier, we used to get 100 rupees per day, but now we receive 150 rupees; said Mallika, a weaver.

The sarees are worth Rs. 700 (14 dollars) and are available in markets across the state.

Source ANI

Chennai: A special wing of Tamil Nadu police has recovered a stolen emerald idol of Lord Shiva worth about 500 million rupees.

The idol has been reportedly recovered from two persons identified as A. Ramesh of Pudukkottai district and P.Senthil of Valangaiman town of the State.

"This emerald idol is very precious one which could be valued around 500 million rupees in the market was stolen from Tiruturaipundi temple and yesterday a special team of idol wing has arrested the main accused person Ramesh and Senthil," said Additional Director General of police (Economic Offences Wing), G. Thialakavathi.

Stolen from Marundeeswarar Temple in Thiruthuraipoondi town in February this year, the idol dates back to the 12th century, officials said.

Source ANI

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Government on Monday reportedly ordered the state police to start investigating a complaint registered against Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and cine actor Amitabh Bachchan in a case related to a land scam.

Both Singh and Bachchan have said that they are being framed by the state government.

A case filed before a Kanpur magisterial court has accused both of defrauding the public and concerned parties of Rs.500 crore.

"Mayawati is baffled because of her own failures. Her own misdeeds have been exposed by the Supereme Court. Therefore, she got a fake case registered against me and Amitabh Bachchan," Singh told an election meeting ahead of an assembly bypoll in the state.

The Bollywood actor''s name also appears in the 14-page police complaint lodged in Kanpur.

"State police is working on the directives of the Chief Minister and the SP workers are being harassed most" Singh added.

Describing the ruling BSP in Uttar Pradesh and Congress as the two sides of the same coin, the SP leader said, "While Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is visiting Dalits'' houses and is sharing food with them, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is playing into the hands of UP Chief Minister Mayawati."

Reacting to his statements, state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Swami Prasad Maurya said Singh is suffering from "mental bankruptcy".

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday reiterated its demand that Telecom Minister A.Raja be sacked for his controversial role in the allocation of 2G spectrum.

Addressing a news conference in the capital here this afternoon, BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitely claimed that by allocating 2G spectrum at prices that were in existence in 2001 and not what was the prevailing rate in 2009, A.Raja had colluded in a fraud and loss of more than Rs.60,000 crores, making it the largest scam in independent India history.

"It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister has chosen to comment on the innocence of the minister, even while the investigations are on.  There was no occasion for the Prime Minister to send such a signal to the investigative agencies directly under him," Jaitely said.

"This country has been robbed of a large amount of money by this misdemeanour of the Telecom Department.  The compulsions of the coalition politics should not come in the way of an honest investigation.  Propriety requires that while the investigations are under way, the minister should cease to be in office.  His continuation in that ministry is itself a deterrent to an honest and independent investigation," he added.

"The entire nation is closely watching this investigation.  Let this investigation not result in holding civil servants guilty and the minister innocent.  It was the minister who is the prime accused and the civil servants were only carrying out his dictates," Jaitely further said.
 
He said that with the Central Bureau of Investigation registering a regular case with regard to the allotment of spectrum for the 2-G license issued by the Department of Telecommunications in 2007; the offices of the Department of Telecommunications have been searched and various documents have been seized, there was serious ground to assume that an impropriety had been committed in the public domain.

"To Shri A. Raja’s statement that he had kept the Prime Minister informed of what he was doing, the Prime Minister has said – “ I would not like to join the issue in the public with my Cabinet colleague.”   Obviously, the Prime Minister is in no position to agree or disagree," Jaitely said.
 
The allegations against Shri A. Raja and the officers of the Department of Telecommunications are very clear, Jaitely said, adding that the BJP had raised the issue in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.

He said that the party had then demanded prosecution of the minister and other officers under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

This provision provides for imprisonment of seven years, Jaitely said, adding that Raja is primarily liable for this offence.

Source ANI