India News

Pune (Maharashtra): A musical prayer meeting was held here on Thursday in the memory of slain Mumbai police officer Ashok Kaamte.

Friends, acquaintances and family members of the late police officer gathered at his residence to hold a condolence meeting.

"He sacrificed his life for the country. May his soul rest in peace. This type of incident should never occur in the country again. That is my prayer to almighty," said one of the male participants.

People also paid floral tributes to Kaamte.

India is observing the first anniversary of the Mumbai attacks that killed 166 innocent people, including top police officers.

Ten gunmen had landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired randomly inside a railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 people died before commandoes smoked out the last of the terrorists on November 28 last year.

One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, who claims to be Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently, facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

Source ANI

Hyderabad: Pets and Aquarium Expo 2009 organised by the Aqua International Group is a huge hit here.

The three-day show began on Tuesday (November 26) to bring all segments of the pets and aquarium sectors on a common platform. Several organisations and aquarium manufacturers exhibited their products at the expo.

The expo has stalls put up by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Animal Welfare Society, Virbac Animal Health and others.

There are all kinds of aquariums, including aesthetically designed ones. Fish seem to be a popular choice among prospective buyers.

"Wherever you go, you will find artificial kind of aquarium. Here the special thing is that it is completely natural kind of aquariums, where you will feel like, the feel fishes will feel like natural tress, plants and even soil. Right from the soil, we take completely natural soil, bio sand etc," said Mallik, an exhibiter at the Pets and Aquarium Expo 2009.

The wide variety of colourful fishes available at the expo has fancied the children and the visitors are delighted, as the expo has become the best place for aqua lovers.

"It is nice to see these aquariums in Hyderabad, really I have enjoyed here. All the stalls are very good and especially all the children are enjoying by seeing the aquariums. There is a wide variety of fishes here and different range of aquariums," said Laxmikanth, a visitor.

Even though the fishes available at the expo are heavily priced, it is not deterring the customers from buying them.

The Pets and Aquarium Expo 2009 comes to an end today.

Source ANI

Agartala: A 12-hour general strike in Agartala, called by the Tripura Youth Congress Committee (TYCC), began this morning to protest against the murder of former youth congress leader Mantu Das (43) who was shot dead on November 24 night in his house by some unknown miscreants.

The strike had a partial impact across the city. Most business establishments were closed and a few vehicles were seen plying the roads.

Though government offices ran normally, office goers faced problems reaching their places of work.

Educational institutions deferred the examination to be held today.

Flights and the trains were on schedule, but people faced trouble in reaching both the airport and the railway station due to poor transportation.

The Congress has described Mantu''s killing as politically motivated.

Source ANI

Panjim: Noted filmmaker and President of the Indian Documentary Producer’s Association Jahnu Barua on Thursday expressed concern at the lack of awareness of poor marketing of short films.

 

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 40^th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here Barua said:  “With the advent of technical ease there is a spurt in short film making, however, due to lack of awareness and outlets people are not getting to see most of the output.”

 

“A lot of ground needs to be covered to propagate documentary film viewing in India,” he added.

 

Barua disclosed that the association is emphasizing the concept of documentary as education to generate interest among youth.

 

“Many educational institutions are being contacted and are being provided technical support for promoting documentary film viewing,” he said.

 

Commenting on the market for the documentaries, Barua, said:“A lot of activities are taking place in the avenues like Film Bazaar of IFFI. Hhe lamented the lack of interest by Indian buyers.”

 

Association Vice –president Ramesh Tekwani expressed concern over Indian television channels not developing a viable system to commission documentaries.

 

Due to its fragmented nature it is increasingly difficult to measure the economic contribution of documentaries in the content market, he added.

Source ANI

Agartala: Leading educationist from Maharashtra Padmashree Dr Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil who arrived here today will be sworn-in as the twelfth Governor of Tripura tomorrow.

Dr Patil will succeed Dr Kamala, the first woman governor of the Northeastern region, who was administered oath only 42 days ago.

Dr Patil arrived here this morning and was received by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and other Cabinet members and top officials at Agartala airport where he also inspected the guard of honor.

Talking to mediapersons at the airport, Dr Patil assured to take all out efforts for development of education infrastructure and human resource management in the state, besides his constitutional duties.

Dr Kamala left for Gujarat just a few minutes before arrival of Dr Patil and the official send-off programme was organised at the airport itself. Dr Kamala has been appointed the Governor of Gujarat for the remainder of her term.

Raj Bhawan sources said the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Dr Patil tomorrow at 1230 hours at Darbar Hall here.

Source ANI

Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): Following the code of conduct for the municipal elections, the people here deposited their licensed arms with the police.

To prevent poll rigging and violence, this initiative has been taken by the polling officials and the district authorities. The people can get back their arms after the elections are over.

The authorities have asked the people not to worry about the safety and security of their licensed arms. After the process of election is complete, the arms will be assigned a number and a receipt of the same will be issued to the owner to reclaim the firearms with no trouble.

The district authorities say that the natives are cooperating in the entire procedure. People can be seen queuing outside police stations to submit their arms.

"I am here to deposit my weapon; there is no question of inconvenience in complying with the rule. It is governmental order. It is necessary step, and it is our duty to follow the rule. It is very easy to get the weapon back because everything is organized well. I am sure that my weapon will be safe," said Anand Kumar a local.

Due to large number of licensed arms holders, the police stations seems to have run out of space.

"The process of the arms submission is consistently in progress. There are around sixteen thousand eight hundred and ninety three privately owned firearms in Gwalior district, taking into account the large number of the licensed arms the deadline has been relaxed by 3 days by the polling authorities. People are coming in large numbers. Beside police station private armories are being used to stock the deposited arms. I believe that in the next 3 days we will reach hundred percent mark," said Bhagwat Singh Chauhan, the additional superintendent of police.

According to the police, the stride has been taken to ensure safe and peaceful elections.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Lawmakers and paramilitary personnel donated blood on Thursday to express their support with victims of the 26/11 terrorist attack.

The mood was somber in the Parliament and lawmakers paid their condolences to the innocent victims.

Both houses of the parliament observed a two-minute silence in memory of those killed in last year''s attacks.

Lok Sabha Speaker, Meira Kumar organised a blood donation camp for lawmakers and paramilitary personnel.

Sandeep Dikshit, the Congress MP, said this was a small way in which lawmakers were making their individual contribution for the cause.

"Today, I think every citizen would be trying to do something as part of a national movement probably symbolic or any other way. So I am very happy and would want to congratulate the Speaker that she organised a blood donation camp for parliamentarians and legislators. This way we also got an opportunity to donate blood and make our small contribution," said Dikshit.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said it was a moment to salute the courage and bravery of security personnel as well as of the common man.

"It''s a day where of course we remember our grief and our mourning, a day in which the horrendous loss of life a year ago will continue to steer our consciousness and our hearts. But it is also a day to salute, to courage and bravery of so many people, our security forces, the police, the NSG (National Security Guard), and then the ordinary human beings. The hotel workers, people who went out of their way to save life of innocents. Let us remember their courage today as well. And third it is also a day to remember the spirit of India, the sprit of Mumbai, the spirit of all those people who stood up in the face of terror. Let the message go today from India to the rest of the world - ''India will not be terrorised," said Tharoor.

Communist Party of India''s (CPI), D. Raja, said parliamentarians cutting across party lines had closed ranks to send out a message of unity.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Union Government on Thursday expressed confidence that all sports infrastructure projects in Delhi would be completed well before next year’s Commonwealth Games.

 

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Pratik Patil said: “After obtaining the necessary regulatory clearances from the concerned agencies, the sports infrastructure work on the different venues of the Commonwealth Games was commenced.”

 

“There have been instances of delays in a few projects for which ‘Recovery Schedules’ have been prepared,” he added.

 

The minister informed the house that, for Jawaharlal Nehru Stadiumn Project the centre has allotted Rs 961.00 crore but till date only Rs 458.14 crore has been spent, for Major Dhyanchand National Stadium Rs 130.56 crore has been spent from the allotted Rs 262.00 croe, for Indira Gandhi Stadium Rs 312.10 crore has been spent against the allotted Rs 669 crore, and for Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range project Rs  67.42 crore been spent from the allotted Rs. 149 crore. For all these project Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) are the implementing agencies.

 

For competition and training venues the Delhi University has been able to spend only Rs 1.59 crore from the allotted Rs 306 crore, for a similar project the  Jamia Milia Islamia spent Rs 16 crore  out of allotted Rs 33.41 crore.

 

To upgrade the Kadrpur Shooting Range the Centre has allotted 28.50 crore to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) but only Rs 15 crore has been utilised.

 

The Delhi Public School could able to utilise Rs 50 lakh from the allotted Rs 1.73 crore for the training venue for Lawn Bowl at R . K Puram.

 

For the construction of games village and competition and training venues the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Government and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) utilised RS 385.20 crore, Rs 228.91 Crore, Rs 100 crore respectively from the allotted Rs 827.85 crore, Rs 412.45 crore and Rs 330 crore respectively.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minutes after members of parliament observed a minute''s respect for the victims of the 26/11 terror attack, the treasury and the opposition engaged in an uncalled verbal battle over compensation and coordination issue.

The war of words took place during Zero Hour. The treasury maintained that every issue taken up in parliament need not necessarily to money and that there were other ways to commiserate with the families and friends of the 166 victims who were killed, the opposition said that to provide more relief, more coordinated action was needed between various agencies.

An emotional Leader of Opposition L.K.Advani said the government had come up short on the compensatory front, while Leader of the House, Pranab Mukherjee warned the opposition that its broadside would not go down well with the rest of the country because of the timing -- the first anniversary of the attack.

The heated exchange also focussed on the ooposition charge that the the Maharashtra government, the Central government and the Prime Minister''s Office (PMO) have not ensured proper relief and rehabilitation to people hit by the terror strike.

BJP leader Ananth Kumar sought the government''s responsed to Advani''s demand, but Mukherjee said: "I have come only to listen to him (Advani). Not to hear from you (Ananth Kumar),"

Pranab also said every zero hour reference could not be answered,and added that there was need to make it a habit.

This led to heated exchange of words between Mukherjee and BJP MPs.

"You are making politics on 26/11," Mukherjee shouted.

Speaker Meira Kumar stepped in and  urged the members to  maintain order as it was a solemn day.

She also said that she could not ask Mukherjee to respond to a Zero Hour reference.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Government on Thursday said the Urban Statistics for Human Resources and Assessments (USHA) is under implementation by National Building Organisation (NBO).

 

“The scheme aims at the development and maintenance of national database, Management Information System (MIS) and knowledge repository relating to urban poverty, slums, housing, construction and other urbanization-related statistics,” she said.

 

The USHA, a central sector scheme, comprises database including MIS and sample surveys, action research, impact assessment, capacity building and training.

 

Selja also clarified that, “No programme has been started by the government for development of slums under the said scheme and as such no state-wise allocation was made under the scheme.”

 

Replying to another question Selja, the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, 2009 was circulated to all States Governments and Union Territories in June for suitable adoption.

 

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, she said: “The States were requested to take all necessary action to ensure that the legislative framework and institutional and other necessary arrangements are put in place in conformity with the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors 2009 and further that the Policy is implemented effectively to give a new deal to the urban street vendors.”

 

Selja also informed the members that no state has reported adoption of the policy by way of executive order or legislation so far.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday said the inquiry into the September 2 helicopter crash which killed former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is expected to be completed by this month end.

 

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel said: "As per the preliminary findings it was due to bad weather and issues connected with weather. I cannot comment on it as enquiry is on. It is likely to be completed by the end of this month.”

 

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are looking into the inquiry.

Patel also clarified that the helicopter in which Reddy was travelling was well maintained and the pilots were very experienced.

 

"But when you are flying Visual Flight Range (VFR) helicopter, pilots should have foreseen the weather,” he added.

 

As far as flying operations are concerned, Patel said, strict monitoring by the DGCA is in place. Similarly the safety norms are on par with the best in the international standard, he said.

 

Commenting on installation of satellite phone in all helicopters to ensure better communication Patel said: "This will be only an additional tool. All flying helicopters or planes are monitored by radars and other communication devices."

 

He also informed the House that the feasibility of tracking of helicopters during flight is in preliminary stage of evaluation.

Source ANI

Hooghly (West Bengal): A clash between the activists of CPI (M) and Trinamool Congress here claimed one life and left over six others injured including two police men, said a police official.

The Police further said that the dead was a Trinamool Congress supporter, while the four injured were CPI (M) supporters.

The collision began today morning in three villages under Khanakul, Arambagh and Purshura police stations. The police added that guns, bows and arrows and other improvised firearms were used during the fight.

Ananta Dalui, a 40-year-old agriculture labourer, was shot dead when he was working in a potato field at Chandraban village under Arambagh police station.
 
Sukomal Das, the officer-in-charge of Khanakul police station, and a constable received bullet injuries in Majhpur village and both have been admitted to the hospital, said the police.
 
Four villagers, known to be CPI (M) supporters, were also shot and injured at Majhpur.
 
Superintendent of Police (SP) Satyajit Bandyopadhyay said a large party of police visited the disturbed villages and have brought the situation under control.

Source ANI

Mumbai: The customers here today morning swarmed the ''Leopold Café'', one of the sites of last year''s terrorist attacks to mark the first anniversary of 26/11 terrorist attacks that saw 166 innocent people killed without reason.

The 138-year-old restaurant at Colaba causeway here has kept the bullet marks on the windowpanes - a grim reminder of the bloodshed witnessed last year.

The restaurant was extensively damaged during the attacks when armed gunmen stormed inside the restaurant and started firing indiscriminately killing many customers and two café employees.

The cafe reopened four days after the attack but was re-closed by the police as a safety measure because of the unpredictable size of crowds gathering at the cafe. However, regular business resumed the next day.

However, today the café regulars and Mumbai residents showed their never-say-die spirit by crowding their favourite place.

"Life has to go on. Lots of our local as well as foreign customers have been coming here regularly. They have shown their solidarity and support to us and that they are not bogged down by the terrorists. Their presence itself shows the spirit of Mumbaikars (local people of Mumbai)," said Farhang, the owner of the Leopold Café.

It''s not just the loyal customers of Leopold Café standing up for their city; even the common people of Mumbai are getting together to mark the anniversary of the attacks.

A few college students have pinned up a white message board where the common people can come and pour their hearts out in words.

"I believe that the city needs such campaigns. Mumbai is so diverse and this is best way of asking people to show what they feel about the Mumbai terror attack. We are asking them to write down what they feel about 26/11 and how can we stop such attacks," said Qureshi Muchala, college student.

Ten gunmen had landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired randomly inside a railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 died before commandoes smoked out the last of the terrorists on November 28 last year.

One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, who claims to be Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently, facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

Source ANI

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The livestock sellers here are making huge profits ahead of the Eid-Al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.

Eid-Al-Adha, also known as Eid-ul-Zuha or Bakr-Eid, is celebrated every year to mark the end of pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The festival is celebrated in the last month of the year according to the Islamic calendar.
This year, Eid-al-Adha falls on November 28.

The Muslims sacrifice the goats on Eid-al-Adha and distribute the meat among the poorer relations, friends and the needy.

Livestock owners make their best profit of the year during this festival.

"There is a big difference in these days. Normally we sell one-two sheep. But these days we sell around 200-400 sheep. There is rush all day, today as well there was huge rush here," said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a sheep seller.

The buying and selling of cows, calves, goats, sheep and camels have a special importance on Eid-al-Adha.

Muslims believe that the sacrifice is important for attaining unity with Allah. Rich or poor, everybody has to offer some sacrifice according to one''s affordability.

"We have come here to Eidgah, this makes us happy, we buy sheep to sacrifice in the praise of Allah. That is the reason all of us have gathered here to buy sheep," said Abdul Gani Sheikh, a customer.

According to the Holy Quran, God appeared in Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham''s) dream and asked him to sacrifice something that was most dear to him.

Prophet Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his own son, Ismail. However, when he put a knife on Ismail''s throat, God replaced his son with a goat through a miracle.

The festival seeks to convey the message that sacrifice is supreme.

The festival of Eid-al-Adha is also associated with the Haj pilgrimage, which every able-bodied Muslim must perform at least once in a lifetime.

Source ANI

New Delhi: On the first anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, both houses of parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution, reiterating the nation’s firm commitment to fight the threat of terrorism and emerge victorious against it.

Parliament also remembered martyrs of the 26/11 terror attack.

Both houses observed a minute’s silence in memory of those killed.

Parliament also saluted the bravery of the security personnel, who fought and sacrificed their lives during the 26/11 attacks.

The Lok Sabha adopted a resolution to unitedly fight and defeat forces of terrorism, which pose the gravest threat to humanity.

“On this day the House resolves that we will unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism and never again allow them to spill the blood of innocent people,” Speaker Meira Kumar said.

 “The House salutes the indomitable courage of the security forces who gave a crushing blow to the terrorists on November 26, 2008 and the fortitude of the people of Mumbai, she added.

Noting that terrorism has no justification whatsoever in a civilised world, Kumar said:  “It was the duty of every country, which wanted to see peace and progress, to resist and defeat these dark forces of terrorism.”

“Realising the global network of terrorists and their unlimited resources, sophisticated arms and training and their diabolic mindset, there is an urgent need to mobilise the resources and coordinate action by all countries to track down and eliminate these enemies of mankind,” she said.

Members of the Lok Sabha also demanded the government to take all necessary steps to wipe out the scourge of terrorism from our country.

Making a reference to 26/11 in the Rajya Sabha, Vice President Hamid Ansari said: “Indomitable spirit of humankind cannot be subdued by such senseless acts of violence.”

Recalling the courage showed by Mumbaikars in bringing normalcy in short span Ansari said: “This speaks volumes for the resolve of our people to confront and defeat the evil designs of those wishing to destabilise the nation and disrupt its progress.”

It is noted that both the resolutions does not refer to Pakistan, but will talk about the threat from terrorism being global and the fact that India alone is not a victim of this menace.

On Wednesday, the Centre said that the challenge faced by the country today was from terrorist organisations that were not only equipped with the latest technologies and have immense access to funds, but were having active backing of various external agencies.

In a statement the Home Ministry said : “The focus of terrorists has also changed. Their targets are separately spreading beyond the Kashmir Valley to the hinterland with the dual purpose of disturbing the communal harmony and destabilising the economic prosperity of our country.”

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a Pakistani anti terror court indicted seven men, including Zakir Rahman Lakhvi, the Lashakar – e – Taiba (LeT) operations commander, for their suspected involvement in the 26/11 attacks.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Experts say that the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Pakistan-based group that staged the Mumbai terrorist strikes of last year that claimed 166 lives, remains a threat not only in India, but also beyond.

According to The Times, in India, it is believed that Lashkar retains strong networks in Mumbai, Gujarat, Agra, Hyderabad and Uttar Pradesh.

A recent report published by the Combating Terrorism Centre at the US Military Academy at West Point said: “In short, the threat of LeT-directed and LeT-supported terrorism against India remains high.”

A year on, and the security threat to Mumbai remains high. Confidence in the authorities’ ability to prevent another atrocity, however, does not.

The five-star hotels have a heavier and more visible security presence.  Indian officials claim to have foiled six Lashkar terrorist plots against Indian targets in the past year — two in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and one in Delhi.

Source ANI

Puri (Orissa): Renowned sand artist Sudershan Patnaik paid homage to the victims of last year''s Mumbai 26/11 terrorist'' attacks by creating a replica of Hotel Taj Mahal, one of the prime locations of last year''s attacks on the sand beach here on Wednesday (November 25).

Patnaik, who was joined by his sand institute students, created a seven feet high sculpture of Hotel Taj Mahal, by using six tones of sand.

The sculpture was engraved with a message condemning terrorism.

"By creating this sculpture at Puri beach to pay tribute on the occasion, we want to convey that terrorism should be condemned by all countries of the world and we, Indians, should stand united," said Patnaik.

Patnaik has participated in many international sand sculpture competitions across the world and has won many laurels for the country.

Meanwhile, tourists and locals gathered at the beach to watch Patnaik create the sculpture.

"I am a Thai people. Everything we heard, everything is sad, we feel sad too because we are in the whole world, in the same world. Any place has something not good; the other place has their affect too," said Ruth, a tourist from Thailand.

Ten gunmen had landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired indiscriminately inside a railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 people died before commandoes smoked out the last of the attackers on November 28.

One gunman, Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, who claims to be Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently, facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

Source ANI

Doda (J-K): Security forces gunned down two militants in Jammu and Kashmir''s Doda District in the wee hours today.

Acting on a tip off, the troops of Army and Police started a search operation in Karan-di-Dhar forest area of Doda district.

The militants opened fire at the forces, and in the ensuing gunbattle, two militants were killed.

One self loading rifle, a 3.3 rifle and a digital pistol were recovered from the site.

Source ANI

New Delhi: National Security Guard (NSG) commandos positioned at their new centers in four cities and currently placed in temporary locations will have permanent positions by next year.

The permanent structures and multi-storey buildings will come up by next year at these places, said NSG Director General (DG) N P S Aulakh.
 
Till the permanent structures come up, the commandos will be housed in pre-fabricated structures by mid-December this year at their designated lands, he said.
 
"The National Building Constructions Corporation (NBCC) had given us the deadline of November 30 for completion of pre-fabricated structures and roads etc. At the most, we will move into all the four hubs by second week of December," said the NSG DG.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram inaugurated the regional hubs at Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata on July 1. The regional hub at Mumbai came into operation from June 30.
 
The hubs are located at Marol in Mumbai (23 acres), Nedunkundram in Chennai (85 acres), Trimulghery in Hyderabad (22 acres) and Badu in Kolkata (20 acres).
 
On the training of commandos, the DG said the commando training will be given to the force at its Manesar (Haryana) garrison.
 
The DG further said post 26/11 terror attacks; they have received requests from state police forces to train their men and special commando units.
 
The NSG, in a change of operational procedures, will now have augmented coordination between its Army and para-military units during operations.

Source ANI

Mumbai: The Taj Hotel here, one of the sites attacked by Pakistani-trained terrorists in November last year, still has someone who remembers that horrific incident and period, its general manager, Karambir Kang, a man whose family – wife and two sons -- was wiped out during the carnage.

Hotelier Kang says he would rather remember the family he lost, his wife, Niti, and their sons, Uday and Samar, as happy and vibrant, full of life.

Remarkably, after their deaths, he discovered that, on the day the militants struck, his family had visited the hotel photographer and posed for happy, carefree pictures. That is how remembers them now.

Now, he has no desire to enter the suite on the sixth floor where they perished.

"I have not entered that room – it''s not something I have done. Even in the aftermath I did not go in. I did not see the bodies. I refused to do this. To me, the last memories I want to remember are of them still alive," The Independent quotes Kang, as saying.

Twelve months after 10 Islamist militants swept ashore and laid deadly siege to the Indian city of Mumbai leaving more than 165 people dead and a nation stunned, the historic Taj Mahal Palace hotel is buzzing with the sound of workmen. Staffers say it is the sound of recovery, of the hotel coming back to life – the sound of defiance.

In the lobby of the 107-year-old building, Kang became famous as the man who worked without sleep to try and save his guests. Even after his family perished from the fire, trapped in their room – he had been speaking to his wife by phone until the very end – he refused to leave the hotel, insisting that he could help save the lives of others. At the time, his behaviour appeared remarkable, robotic even, but that was not the case.

Sitting in the hotel''s Sea Lounge, Kang says that, during those 60 terrible hours he received strength from his mother.

When he called her to say that commandos had finally broken into his family''s suite and found them dead, huddled together in the bathroom, his wife cradling one son, the body of the other lying beside them, she had told him he must do whatever he could for those still alive.

"I thought about it for a minute and I thought, ''Yes, that is the right thing do''," he says.

After the siege, many people told him that he should move away from Mumbai. He thought about it but decided to stay.

"If my family died here... I think it''s my moral duty to be here, maybe more than that – something deeper," he says.

"It''s important for me to oversee this task of rebuilding and see [the hotel] better than before. But also that I act in a way that makes my family, who are no longer, proud of me. Perhaps [I need] to redeem myself," says Kang.

"It''s not a question of forgetting. It''s not forgotten but we go ahead with our lives and we make sure this does not happen again," says Farhang Jehani, one of the owners of the Leopold Café, the first place that was attacked by the terrorists.

Additional Commissioner Deven Bharti, one of the policemen who have interrogated the sole surviving militant, Ajmal Kasab, the 21-year-old "highly motivated terrorist" whose trial is still ongoing, admits to the failure by the security forces, in particular a "failure of imagination".

"We never thought that 10 people from Pakistan would be landing in Mumbai and engaging five targets. I don''t think there''s anywhere in the world where militants have taken up five targets. The reorganisation and retraining has involved closer cooperation with the FBI and other international groups. "It has been a great learning experience," Barti adds.

Sebastian D''Souza, photo editor of the Mumbai Mirror and the man who rushed into the station and was rewarded for his dedication with a now-iconic image of Kasab, says the city rapidly returned to how things were, despite the carnage and the chaos.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Mumbai, which is still trying to recover from the scars of last year''s 26/11 terrorist attacks, marked the first anniversary of the horrific incident, by lighting candles outside the Gateway of India and at the Taj Hotel and prayed for tranquility and a brighter hope for the city that saw 166 innocent people killed without reason.

Mumbaikars went around the Taj Hotel; one of the sites attacked by terrorists, chanting slogans of peace and reminiscencing about those who had died last year during a three day siege.

"We want peace. We have come to pay homage to our soldiers who laid their lives for us and for the country," said Shakuntla Devi, a local.

Hundreds of youngsters, men and women, drew paintings, wrote peace messages and put hand impressions on a one-and-a-half-kilometer long wall on Wednesday (November 25) - saying the city stood united against any future attacks on this cosmopolitan fabric.

Some of the peace messages and symbols like red paint symbolising blood, black paint symbolising fear and death and messages like ''we will not forget'' featured prominently on the wall.

Shaina NC, a Mumbai-based fashion designer-turned politician, and one of the brains behind the wall, said the wall was an outlet for Mumbai residents to pour out their feelings.

"I think Mumbai is definitely more sensitive, if you take this as a viewing what has happened today in this one-and-half-kilometer you will see how beautifully people envisage a brighter future, a future of unity, and that happens with togetherness," she said.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan also wrote his own message of peace on the wall.

Ten gunmen had landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired randomly inside a railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 died before commandoes smoked out the last of the terrorists on November 28 last year.

One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, who claims to be Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently, facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

Source ANI

Mumbai: A year after senior Maharashtra Police inspector, Vijay Salaskar was gunned down during the 26/11 terror attacks, his widow Smita Salaskar inaugurated a voluntary forum for youth here on Wednesday.

 

Named, the United Force of India, this non-governmental organisation (NGO) is dedicated to the youth and to arouse nationalism among them as well as to fight justice.

During the inauguration, Smita Salaskar said that such committed NGOs would help the youngsters to understand the country''s problems  and put it in the proper perspective.

 

"United Force of India established so that the youth would necessarily understand the problems of India as a whole and this will lead to integrity of the nation," she added.

The 2008 attacks were more than ten coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai.

 

Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, the Orthodox Jewish-owned Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier''s College. There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai''s port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.

 

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 people were killed before commandoes smoked out the last of the terrorists on November 28.

Source ANI

Srinagar: European Union (EU) delegation has described Jammu and Kashmir as an integral and important part of India, but also stated that it needs a solution through peaceful talks between India, Pakistan and concerned people in Kashmir.

A five-member EU delegation, which is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday described the state is an integral part of India.

"We think that the Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and we want to know what the prospects are, how people here are looking at the situation and how situation evolves," said Lars Olof Lindgren, Sweden Ambassador to India and head of the delegation.

Lindgren said that the Kashmir issue should be solved through dialogue between concerned parties.

"I think the Kashmir issue has to be solved among those concerned here in Indian government and the Pakistan government," he added.

Lindgram said there was an overall improvement in situation across Jammu and Kashmir and the people are feeling more secure and comfortable.

He also said that EU is ready to help in improving the educational standard in the state.
Led by Olof Lindgren, the team included Belgian Ambassador Jean M. Deboutte, Spanish Ambassador Ion de la Riva, Second Secretary (Political Affairs) in the Swedish embassy Oscar Schlyter and EU Ambassador Danielle.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Home Ministry has said terrorists backed by various external agencies have spread their focal point beyond the Kashmir Valley with the aim of creating communal strain, affecting the country''s economic development.

Giving details on how to tackle the ''wicked plans'' of the terrorists, the terrorists have changed their center of attention and are now aiming beyond the Kashmir valley with the motive of undermining the economic affluence and troubling the communal accord, said sources from the Home Ministry.

"The challenge that we face today is from terrorist organisations that are not only equipped with latest technologies and have immense access to funds, but are having active backing of various external agencies," said a Home Ministry official.

It is high time, we take a comprehensive approach to tackle terrorism and put in exhaustive efforts to end this threat, added the official.
 
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been braced up and reorganised to facilitate it to work on 24x7 basis to strengthen intelligence gathering and sharing machinery.

The MAC has been asked to share intelligence reports with all other agencies, including that of the state governments and Union Territories. All other agencies have also been asked to co-ordinate with MAC.

The government has established four NSG hubs (each with operational strength of around 250 personnel) at Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

Costal security has also been tightened following 26/11 terrorists'' attack. 64 out of 73 police stations are currently in operation under the coastal security scheme.
 
In 2009 (till October), 52 security personnel and 71 civilians were killed as against 69 security personnel and 86 civilians in the subsequent period last year.
 
The security forces have foiled a large number of infiltration attempts by terrorists from across the border.

Source ANI

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government, with the support of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has successfully conducted an HIV risk behavioural surveillance survey (BSS) in the state.

Officials of the state''s health department disclosed this at a ''Dissemination Seminar'', an event organised for AIDS patients under the auspices of the AIDS Prevention and Control Project (APCP) here.

Since 1995, the APCP has been periodically conducting HIV/AIDS prevention programmes on a mass scale.

The main goal of the project is to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and also care and support for the HIV affected.

Many HIV positive patients attended the ''Dissemination Seminar''.

According to the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, V K Subburaj, there has been less spread of this particular disease because of increasing usage of condoms and also reduction in the needle sharing among drug addicts.

"With this increased knowledge level, there has been substantial change in behaviour of the people. So usage of condoms is very good. There has been increased condom usage. There is substantial reduction in people sharing needles especially people using drugs. That means they use new needles for every week. So this will definitely show that there has been less spread of this particular disease," Subburaj added.

Every year around one million rupees are spent on the HIV and AIDS control activities alongside conducting periodical surveys.

Subburaj also said that as HIV risk prevails more among the college students as such it is vital to create awareness amongst them.

India was thought to have the world''s biggest HIV-positive caseload with 5.7 million infections, but a new UN-backed estimate released last year almost halved that number after conducting a new survey based on population rather than specific groups.

The report that was prepared after a research done over a period of 18 months was submitted to the United Nations in March 2008.

Source ANI

New Delhi: A Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus carrying students of the Evergreen School caught fire this morning after a blast in its fuel tank.

The bus caught fire near Dharamshila hospital in East Delhi.

There were around 50 kids inside the bus when it caught fire. All the children are reported to be safe.

The driver and the conductor of the bus got severe burns and have been admitted in the Dharamshila hospital.

Evergreen School is in Vasundhara Enclave in east Delhi.

The Headmistress of the school said such types of misfortunes should never occur again. Some students who were inside the bus are in a shock, she added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has said that the country has come out stronger learning many tough lessons from 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.

Paying her homage to the heroes of 26/11 terror attacks, Gandhi said she gives her salutation to the spirited Indians.
 
"We have seen the courage, resilience and determination with which Mumbaikars have resumed their lives," she added.
 
The Congress President also recalled the untiring devotion and enthusiasm with which doctors, nurses, fire brigade and ambulance services worked together dealing with all the wounded and troubled.

Gandhi also gave her salutation to the brave officers and men of the Mumbai Police and the National Security Guard (NSG) personnel who sacrificed their lives fighting for the country.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Today is the first anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, on this occasion prayers and candle-light vigil are being held in Mumbai and various parts of the country to pay homage to the victims.

A memorial for 18 security personnel, including National Security Guards (NSG) commander Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is to be unveiled by Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram here.

A ''Suraksha March'' of police and various security agencies is being organized from Gateway of India to Girgaum Chowpatty.

Mumbai Police will hold a peace flag march in a show of strength from Air India building, passing Nariman Point to Girgaum Chowpatty. The march will also include Force One, the Quick Response Team and armoured vehicles.

Later a memorial function is slated at the Indian Merchant Chambers building for victims.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan will attend this event.

At the Taj and Trident Hotel, a low-key anniversary ceremony for the staff and their families would be held in the evening. One section of the Trident will be kept open for the public to come and light candles.

At 6 p.m. this evening, the Home Minister is scheduled to inaugurate a 26/11 memorial at the Police Gymkhana, Marine Drive. He also expected to visit Nariman House, and pay homage to martyrs at the Gateway of India.

Source ANI

Washington: Expressing deep appreciation for the enormous contribution the Indian-American community''s creativity, hard work and good citizenship in bringing India and America together, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday evening here, that solving the many challenges in the global environment of the 21st century required both imagination and innovation to succeed, and added that people of Indian origin worldwide can contribute mightily to this effort.

Addressing the Indian-American community at a reception organised by India''s Ambassdor to the United States Meera Shanker in his honour, Dr. Singh said: "India is on the march. While the global slowdown has hurt us too, we have been able to catch our breath and move forward. With a gross savings ratio of over 35 per cent of national income, and a gross investment ratio that is almost close to 40 per cent, we now have the economic pre-conditions for sustained high growth. Growth brings with it new challenges and new opportunities."

"We need a better education system. We need a better health care system. We need investment in education and health care. We need modern infrastructure. It is through the application of modern science and technology that we hope to march forward," he added.

He said the dynamic and creative community of Indian Americans no longer needed to make a choice between living abroad or coming to live and work in India.

"Modern technology and our flexible policies have opened possibilities of working in both places," he said.

Dr. Singh said: "In the past few years we have already experienced what has been called a “reverse brain-drain”. I would prefer to call this “brain gain” or, indeed, a meeting of minds. We have tried to encourage this flow by making it easier for Indian and American scholars, scientists, business leaders and other professionals to work together. Let me take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all Indian Americans and non-resident Indians who wish to return home to India in one capacity or another.

In describing his visit to Washington as both fruitful and most stimulating, he, however, said he wanted to see a true intellectual and business partnership between Indians and Americans in years to come.

"We (Indians and Americans) are similar in so many ways. We are both free and open societies. We are both plural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious societies. Metaphors like salad bowl, melting pot and the rainbow have been used to describe both our societies. We are constantly dealing with issues like coalition building, dealing with civil society organizations, non-governmental activism and the free consumer - of goods and ideas. This is what makes it easy for Indians to adapt themselves to the US and, dare I say, for Americans to adapt themselves to India. I hope you will be the bridge that will continue to connect our two nations and societies," the Prime Minister said.

He further said that relations with the United States will remain one of the important pillars of Indian foreign policy.

"We see the United States as an important partner for meeting our national development goals and in creating a global environment marked by consensus, co-existence and cooperation. Our relationship is not born out of a crisis or any one concern; nor does it exist in the context of any other relationship. It is nurtured by our shared values; and the bonds and mutual respect that exist between the people of our two democratic and pluralistic societies. It derives its vitality from recognition of the enormous potential for mutually beneficial cooperation and a sense of shared responsibility to work towards addressing global challenges," Singh said.
 
"For these reasons, our agenda of bilateral cooperation is extremely wide-ranging. We are encouraged by the fact that we have made progress across the board in our shared objectives of making our economies more prosperous, our people and our world safer and our planet greener," he added.

He said that his meeting President Obama here had come at a time when "our relationship has matured into a strong strategic partnership of global dimension."

"This is a time of economic uncertainty and security challenges, but it is also a time of opportunity. There is a greater global awareness of the challenges and the need for stronger resolve to address them. We had extremely good discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues. This was our first detailed discussion in a bilateral setting. I found in him a great deal of respect for India and its values, and a strong commitment to this relationship. We have, I believe, laid the foundation for consolidating the gains in our relationship," he added.

"Our relationship will see a new emphasis on five Es - economy, energy, environment, education and empowerment - even as we further strengthen our ties in defence, security and counter-terrorism. We will also harness our natural synergies in science and technology, education and research to advance food security, improve healthcare, develop green technologies and create the human resources for the future," Singh said.

He concluded by saying that: "Through the example of your family life, your good neighbourliness, your enterprise and your contribution to knowledge and commerce that you have given the land of your ancestors a new identity in the new world. We, at home in India, value that."

Source ANI

Gandhinagar: At least a dozen people were reportedly injured when followers of Asaram Bapu, the religious guru of the country, staged a protest and clashed with the police here on Thursday.

The trouble broke when police stopped the followers of the Asaram Bapu stopped while they were on their way to the District Collector''s Secretariat to submit a memorandum.

The memorandum was against a defamatory campaign launched by a local newspaper.

The protestors allegedly did not heed to the police and resorted to violence at which the police had to resort to baton charge to control the agitating mob.

Police also fired twelve rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.

"The demand of the rally is to boycott the ''Sandesh'' a newspaper which has launched a malicious campaign against our saint Asaram Babu. The ill-campaign should immediately stop and conspirators must be apprehended,” said Ashok, Asaram Bapu Mission’s Public Relations Officer.

“We will also submit a memorandum to this effect to the Governor of the State, Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and the State''s Home Minister Amin Shah,” he added.

The injured have been admitted to the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Hospital.

Meanwhile, the district administration has initiated an inquiry into the incident.

Source ANI

Mumbai: As the nation paid its homage on Thursday to the brave soldiers and other innocent people who lost their lives in the Mumbai terror attacks last year, the Government on Thursday announced petrol pumps for the next of kin of the martyrs of the 26/11 attack.

 

Addressing the memorial prayers for the martyrs in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said: "The government of India through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is making a very small gesture, a gesture that will bring some comfort to the families.”

 

When the Mumbai was held siege on 26/11, 18 security personnel were killed during the ill-fated 59 hours of operation to flush out terrorists.

 

“The next of kin of 18 security officers were offered a petroleum product outlet. One of them declined. Seventeen have graciously accepted the offer of the government of India," Chidambaram said.

Source ANI

Mumbai: The Nariman House, a Jewish outreach centre, which became a war zone during the 26/11 terror strike, reopened on Thursday, exactly a year after it closed due to mayhem caused by terrorists from Pakistan.

 

Run by Chabad-Lubavitch Movement, the centre, which constitutes of an educational centre and a Synagogue, offers drug prevention services and transit stay to the Jews.

 

A memorial service for Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg his wife Rivka and other victims of the 26/11 attacks marked the reopening of the Chabad House also known as Nariman House.

 

The couple had come to Mumbai in 2003 to serve the local Jewish community.

 

"We take a vow that their (the couple’s) passing will not be in vain. The candle might have extinguished but their flame keeps on flickering and would continue to glow brighter and brighter," said Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of the Orthodox Jewish Movement''s International Centres.

 

Moshe, the two-year-old son of the Holtzbergs, was miraculously saved by his governess, Sandra Samuel and the family''s handyman-cum-cook Qazi Zakir Hussain alias Jackie.

 

"He is mainly beacon of light to the family and to the whole world. He is cute-cute little child," Krinsky added.

 

Speaking on the occasion Director of Chabad Mumbai Relief Fund Rabbi Abraham Berkowitz said : "Indians are not alone. What took place here was an attack, a barbaric attack, and every man, woman and child that wishes to live in freedom without fear and therefore we all stand together, the men and women of goodwill all over the world to unite in solidarity and support of the victims and their families and to make sure that goodness and human values prevail for all.”

Source ANI

New Delhi: On the occasion of first anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks, the nation paid its homage to all those who lost their lives due to militant attacks besides to the martyrs from the uniformed services for their brave efforts.

In the national capital, Members of the All India United Muslim Morcha (AIUMM) hosted a memorial service to pay homage to Hemant Karkare, the Chief of Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra Police who lost his life during terrorist attack in Mumbai last year.

It was organized at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital to pay tribute to Hemant Karkare who sacrificed his life while fighting the terrorists.

" I salute Hemant Karkare for sacrificing his life for the safety of the nation," said Riyazudin Qureshi, a senior functionary of All India United Muslim Morcha.

Karkare, the chief of the Anti Terrorist Squad died after being shot thrice in his chest while fighting the terrorists on the fateful night of 26 November, 2008.

"He was filled with patriotic fervour and had the courage to sacrifice his life for the nation and the people. He made the sacrifice to bring about peace and harmony in the nation," said Sirazudin Kurashi, Member, All India United Muslim Morcha.

 

One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

Source ANI

Porbander (Gujarat): Hiralal Masani, owner of MV Kuber, the ill-fated trawler which was reportedly hijacked by the militants to open an indiscriminate fire in Mumbai city last year, still shudders to recall the horror of last year’s 26/11 attacks.

 

Kuber, which is lying on the Porbandar coast in Gujarat state, remains untouched and unattended ever since it was returned to its owner.

 

The wooden trawler was one of the three fishing trawlers that was once a source of livelihood for Masani and his brothers, until militants hijacked it and turned into a scary liability.

 

Recalling the horror, Hiralal Masani said that they pray to god that such a thing should not happen again.

 

"We pray to god that such thing does not happen again and we continue to earn our bread and butter," said Hiralal Masani.

 

Balu Makvana, a local fisherman, said that the incident would be hard to forget.

 

"The militants captured the boat last year and I will never forget this. I know we can not do anything but can only pray for the souls of those who died in the boat," said Balu Makvana, a local fisherman.

 

Ten gunmen landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired indiscriminately at a busy railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and luxury hotels.

 

One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, who claims to be Pakistani national, was taken alive and presently he is facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

Source ANI

Kutch (Gujarat): Indian paramilitary forces have heightened vigil along the Sir Creek area, 100 kilometres estuary that lies between Gujarat and the Pakistani province of Sindh.

 

"We have got surveillance equipment which is keeping round the clock surveillance from the parts where infiltration or any kind of movement can emanate, so these are being kept under surveillance. Besides, we are guarding the border areas where they can come and it is being guarded very heavily because that remains the only point from where somebody is expected to come," said Vishnu Dutt, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gujarat state frontier.

 

The development has come, as the country is commemorating its first anniversary of the Mumbai attack that killed 173 people dead and 308 injured.

 

Ten gunmen landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired indiscriminately at a busy railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and luxury hotels—Trident and Taj Palace Hotel.

 

One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.

 

New Delhi and Islamabad agreed in December 2006 to conduct a joint survey of the 100 km (60 mile) estuary.

 

Each side''''s maritime security officials regularly arrest fishermen who stray into the other''''s territorial waters, as there is no clear demarcation line, a major grouse of fishing communities in the region.

Source ANI

Mumbai: A number of people on Thursday donated blood at Mumbai''''s central train station, which was one of the venues that bore the brunt of 26/11 attacks that left at least 173 people dead and 308 injured.

 

At least 58 people died and 104 were injured, when militant gunmen indiscriminately opened fire at Mumbai''''s main railway station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on November 26 last year.

 

About 100 beds have since been set up at the train terminal for a blood donation drive organized by railway authorities and individuals to pay tribute to the victims.

 

"By donating blood, we are paying tribute to martyrs who laid down their lives," said Prerna Vaghle, a volunteer.

 

Ten gunmen landed on Mumbai''''s shores at sunrise on November 26, and went on to fire indiscriminately at the luxury hotels, the city''''s biggest railway station, a Jewish centre and a cafe.

 

In the rampage, at least 166 people were killed before police and commandos killed nine of the gunmen and captured the tenth identified as Kasab.

 

Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Chief Minister was also present on this occasion at the blood donation camp and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.

 

"I want to assure the people that we have not forgotten the incident of 26/11. We express solidarity with the grief-stricken families of the victims including those of police force and civilian," said Ashok Chavan.

Source ANI