India News

New Delhi: Mercedes Benz, a unit of Daimler declared on Wednesday that it expects a significant recovery in India''s truck and bus segments to drive its growth in Asia''s fourth largest auto market.

The world''s biggest truck maker said it was banking big on India''s mining sector to rev-up truck sales.

Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Mercedes Benz Wilfried Aulbur said at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010 that there were already signs of revival from the economic slump.

"The two segments that we are interested in is, one the mining segment where the trucks that will grow very aggressively in 2010. There is lot happening in the mining areas. The bus segment also will definitely move up again," said Aulbur.

"We are seeing significant signs of revival, we have been able to talk to a number of partners and close a number of deals which will now materialise. So, we are quite hopeful that 2010 is going to be a good year for Mercedes Benz," he added.

On Wednesday, the company unveiled a multi-axle luxury bus, priced at 85 lakh rupees (approx 184,364 USD) at the Delhi Auto Expo.

Mercedes-Benz would make the chassis of the three-axle vehicle, and its Indian partner Sutlej Motors would assemble the body of the six-cylinder bus.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The railway services were disrupted on Wednesday morning here as a thick blanket of fog covered the region.

The visibility recorded was 100 meters in the morning and the minimum temperature was a notch below average at 5.1 degree Celsius due to the icy winds blowing from the Himalayas.

The Air services were normal and there have been no flight delays or cancellations on Wednesday.

But the fog has severely hit the Railway services. At least 25 Delhi-bound trains are reported to be running behind the schedule.

Railway passengers had to wait for hours, as the trains were stopped enroute and delayed by over 12 hours due to thick fog.

"I had to board Purushottam Express. I came here at 5 pm on Tuesday, but the train has not arrived yet. We don''t have any information regarding the train, said Ajay Kumar, a passenger.

When we approached the authorities to enquire, they were not responding properly and asking us to wait," he added.

Source ANI

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that he is confident of continuing the dialogue process with the separatist forces over the Kashmir issue.

Omar Abdullah completed his one-year term in office on Tuesday.

39-year-old Abdullah said he is hopeful of continuing a peace dialogue with the separatists.

"There are obviously pressures on Mirwaiz (Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chief of moderate faction All Parties Hurriyat Conference) and clearly he has certain fears for his own life and security. He also has certain political pressures that are brought to bear on him," said Abdullah.

"But in the immediate aftermath of the attack on Fazal Haq Qureshi (senior leader of Hurriyat Conference), he committed himself to a dialogue process and I am hopeful this would continue," he added.

The youngest Chief Minister in the country, Omar Abdullah, said on Tuesday his government had learnt a great deal during the last one-year.

"We have learned lessons from our mistakes. If we don''t learn lessons, then we will repeat those mistakes " said Abdullah.

The State Government went through a difficult period during the agitation triggered by the Shopian incident when the dead bodies of two girls were recovered, giving rise to the speculation that the two girls were raped and murdered.

Following the outbreak of demonstrations, Omar Abdullah entrusted the investigations to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI conducted investigations, which indicated that the girls died of drowning, and were not raped. But the demonstrations triggered off in the Kashmir Valley, slowed down the development of infrastructure in the State.

Grandson of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and son of Farooq Abdullah, Omar is a third generation chief minister from his family.

Abdullah''s National Conference (NC) returned to power after six years last year and formed the government in coalition with the Congress.

Source ANI

Srinagar: At least two security personnel have died and four others have been injured in a terrorist attack on Central Reserve Police Force camp here on Wednesday.

It all happened as terrorists lobbed grenades and fired at Central Reserve Police.

Presently, the terrorists are hiding in a hotel building, located at the Lal Chowk, and it is believed that that the number of terrorists is two.

CRPF personnel and police officials are presently engaged in a gun-battle with the terrorists in the hotel.

The area has been cordoned off to prevent escalation of affect of terrorist attack.

Meanwhile, Jamait-e-Mujahiddin, a terrorist group, has taken responsibility of today’s attack on CRPF camp, a private channel reported.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Naga Sadhus are planning to use the upcoming ‘Kumbh Mela’ as a medium to promote a campaign against global warming.

The saints, famous for their lack of clothing, will use the Kumbh Mela, the massive religious event, by coating their bodies in a layer of ash to promote living green.

“Since the Kumbh Mela is the largest spiritual gathering, we have decided to do our bit to save the planet from global warming,” The Daily News quoted Soham Baba, commander-in-chief of the Naga saints, as saying.

“There will be a huge presence of international communities and press during the fair. We''ll utilize the occasion to generate a ''save the planet'' campaign worldwide,” he added.

According to reports, the anti-global warming campaign of the Naga Sadhus will reportedly include signs with statements like ‘Stop Global Warming’, ‘Save the Himalayas’ written in different languages.

The Nagas will also have a photo exhibition in which they will illustrate the effects of climate change.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Actor turned politician and Chief of the Praja Rajyam Party Chiranjeevi met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday and expressed concern over the law and order situation in Andhra Pradesh in the wake of demonstrations over Telangana statehood issue.

Chidambaram had on Tuesday met the leaders of eight political parties of Andhra Pradesh to discuss and resolve the vexed Telangana issue. He urged the leaders present in the meeting to help the Central Government find a solution to the Telangana issue.

In early December, Chidambaram had announced that the Centre was in favour of creation of a new state of Telangana. A backlash followed the announcement, with over a 100 MLAS from non-Telangana regions resigning in protest.

Source ANI

Jaipur: Thousands of people thronged at Jaipur to celebrate the traditional festival of food item called Paush Bada, a typical traditional snack that helps to fight the cold in winter season.

Hundreds of devotees wait in queue for hours to savour the winter special snack ''Paush Bada''.

Source ANI

Rasgan Village (Rajasthan): The locals of Rasgan village here are trying hard to save a Nilgai (an antelope), which has been trapped inside a deep well for the last three days.

The Nilgai, expected to be around two-years old, fell into the 25 feet deep well while grazing in the field, claim villagers.

Though considered a menace to the farmers, the villagers are putting their best efforts to save the animal from dying. Villagers throw a bunch of grass every time the animal bawls.

A bucket full of water is taken down the well with the help of a rope for the animal to quench its thirst.

"We are filling water in buckets and taking it down to the well with ropes and giving it to the nilgai. The animal has been trapped here for the last three days," said Bhagvan, a villager.

Villagers say that despite informing the forest officials, no one has turned up to rescue the antelope.

"The nilgai has been trapped here for the last three days. We even informed the forest officials but no one has turned up till now, so we are looking after the animal," said Surender, another villager.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh on Wednesday resigned from all the posts he held in the party.

 

Singh is currently taking rest in Dubai after undergoing medical treatment for his ill health.

 

Speaking to a private news channel Singh said: "At the age of 53, I am entitled to earned leave. After 20 years of hard work, I want to look after my family and my children."

 

After Ferozabad by elections there was speculation that the relation between Singh and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has worsened.

 

But he denied such speculations and said there are "No differences with Mulayam. I am very grateful to him for all the opportunities he has given to me."

 

Earlier, Singh used interviews and even blog to voice his displeasure against the way things are being run in the Samajwadi Party.

 

He had also openly said he was hurt that Mulayam Singh had not visited him in Singapore where he was undergoing treatment.

Source ANI

Bangalore: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Wednesday filed a petition at the Karnataka High Court urging it to quash the proceedings initiated by the Special Court against her in disproportionate assests case.

 

A Bangalore special court is hearing the disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa.

 

Earlier, the Supreme Court transferred the disproportionate assets case against her from Chennai to Bangalore.

 

In her appeal, Jayalalithaa, said in June 1997, the Special Court in Tamil Nadu took cognizance of the alleged offences and issued summons to her and others.

 

She termed the entire proceedings as illegal and violative of the provisions of the criminal procedure code.

 

Jayalalithaa also urged the High Court to summon all the records relating to the case.

 

In 2009, the court rejected the opinion of the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) B.V. Acharya, to drop the prosecution in the London Hotels case.

 

The Tamil Nadu Government and the SPP had filed an appeal in the High Court against the Special Court order which came to be allowed.

Source ANI

Melbourne: Secretary of the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA), Gautam Gupta, has said that life is terrorizing for Indian students living in the country, as no state-level politician or the Indian Government have provided any assistance despite repeated attacks on the community.

Gupta emphasized on the challenges faced by the ‘grief-stricken housemates’ of murdered Indian student Nitin Garg, who was stabbed to death at West Foorscray, a suburb of Melbourne by some goons on the night of January 2.

“I asked his grief-stricken housemates whether anybody had offered them assistance of any sort. Had a state-level politician spoken to them, or perhaps someone from Canberra? The answer was no. Had anyone from the Indian Government been in touch with them? Again, no,” The Herald Sun quoted Gupta, as saying.

“This was less than 24 hours after Garg''s death, but no one in authority had been in contact with them to find out how they were coping. These young guys, in their 20s, had no support system. I asked if they needed any financial assistance, but they said they were fine. So, I gave them the contact details for a psychologist and I recommended that they seek trauma counseling,” he added.

Gupta further said that despite the promises made by the Australian Government, the situation has not improved in the country where reports of Indians being attacked are getting regular.

“Now, with a death that has sent shock waves through the whole Indian community, I feel as if things are getting cumulatively harder instead of easier. The strange thing is that the State Government refuses to acknowledge the issue of racism that needs to be legitimately debated after the continuing attacks on Indian students in Melbourne,” Gupta said.

“If you asked me my opinion, I would definitely say there is an element of racism in Australia - and this is backed by academic research from the Australian National University,” he added.

He also said that despite the great work done by many sections of society to make the Indian students feel welcome, it just takes one person or one incident to take it back to the very beginning and make the community feel that no progress has been made at all.

Source ANI

London: Reports indicate that the Indian media has branded its astronauts as “vyomanauts”, a word derived from the Sanskrit language.

According to a report in New Scientist, the tongue-twisting term comes from the Sanskrit for sky or space - that is – ‘vyoma’.

The closest Sanskrit word to astronaut would have been vyomagami, for something that passes in the sky.

The other word for an Indian spacefarer that had been bandied about was gaganaut, as gagan is also Sanskrit for sky.

But “vyoma is very good”, according to Choudury Upender Rao, a professor of Sanskrit studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. “It’s an appropriate choice,” he added

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is now in the process of choosing four vyomanauts from a pool of 200 fighter pilots, P. Madhusoodanan of the Indian Air Force.

India’s first crewed space mission is scheduled for 2015, designs for which were unveiled last year by Madhavan Nair, former chairman of ISRO.

The three-person vehicle will initially carry two vyomanauts into 275-kilometre low-Earth orbit. Before this flight, ISRO will launch its second moon mission in 2013.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Tata Motors may consider launching its ultra-cheap Nano car in the United States in three years, Group chairman Ratan Tata has said, following possible sales in Europe by the end of 2011.

"We also recognise there is a market (for the Nano) not only in developing countries, but possibly in the developed countries," Ratan Tata told reporters at the New Delhi auto expo show.

"For the United States we need a car which has a larger engine and we need some additional crash test modifications and we are in the process of doing it," he added.
The United States is the world''s largest auto market, but data this week should show China surpassed it with about 13 million vehicles sold in the Asian economic powerhouse this year.

The Nano, whose billing as the world''s cheapest car gained it significant attention from across the globe, was showcased by Ratan Tata at the previous edition of the New Delhi autoshow two years ago.

Tata has said his company may produce hybrid versions of the model and that Italy''s Fiat and Tata Motors plan to sell the Nano jointly in Latin America.

Analysts have fretted that Tata Motors has overstretched itself by acquiring the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in 2008, just before the global financial crisis erupted.

Tata brushed aside the concerns, saying the auto industry had taken knocks, but the acquisition should be seen in the context of long-term value it brought to the group.
"No one makes or should make an acquisition based on short-term opportunistic objectives," Tata said.

"We believe the integration of the two companies and, for once, giving Jaguar and Land Rover an opportunity to make their own destinies would be a change that might hopefully bring Jaguar back to the kind of company it was," he added.

Tata Motors recently reported a return to operating profit for the JLR unit, suggesting cost cuts were bearing fruit and new models were attracting buyers.

Tata also said there was no plan to acquire one of Fiat''s manufacturing facilities in Italy, denying media reports.

Tata Motors, which has about 60 percent of India''s truck and bus market, launched a 7-seater Multi-Purpose Vehicle named Tata Aria, an 8-seater Tata Venture and another vehicle named Magic IRIS at the show.

It also showcased the Jaguar XJ sedan for the first time in India.

Toyota and Honda launched new compact cars to tap the price-sensitive India market as they and other automakers seek to put a dire 2009 behind them.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz India showcased two new cars--SLS AMG Desert Gold and the hatchback coupe Concept Fascination-- at the ongoing auto expo here on Tuesday.

Wilfried Aulbur, Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and Chief Executive, said the AMG Desert Gold, priced at nearly 20 million rupees would be launched in India after slight modifications.

" Currently we are just presenting it to our customers. The right-hand drive version of this vehicle is not available out here; as soon as it is ready, it will come to India," he added.

The Indian arm of Mercedes-Benz, a unit of Daimler, expects to post double-digit sales growth this year from a year ago as it launched new models in Asia''s fourth-largest auto market, Aulbur said.

Mercedes-Benz sold 3,220 cars in India last year, as compared to 3,250 in 2008.
Mercedes-Benz India Ltd, fully owned by Daimler, had been making cars and trucks in India since 1994, but initially as a joint venture with the country''s largest vehicle maker Tata Motors.

After the joint venture ended in 1997, the German firm had been making its C, E and S class cars at a facility that it leased from Tata Motors until the end of 2008. It launched a new facility in Pune in February last year.

Source ANI

Jamshedpur: A large number of protestors took to the streets in Jamshedpur here expressing discontentment at the failure of law and order in the state.

They were protesting over the killing of at least four people in the last 15 days.

Virendra Pal Singh, around 38 years of age, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday afternoon in his car.
The locals later took Singh to a city hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.

"If you see, last time, a respected doctor Prabhat was killed and a few days back a lawyers was killed, another gold dealer was killed and today a man was killed in a broad day-light and it is a challenge for the people of Jharkhand," said Amarpreet Singh, the President of a Sikh organisation.

The killing led to a large-scale protest mainly by the Sikh bodies, which condemned the killing on the occasion of 344th birth anniversary of their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

Burning tyres and raising slogans, the protestors criticised the authorities for failing to protect the lives of the civilians.

"We condemn the killing of these innocent people and that is the reason why we have gathered here today," said Sukhwinder Singh, President of Gurudwara Committee Jamshedpur.

On December 17, 2009, some unidentified men had gunned down Prabhat, a doctor by profession.

In another incident an advocate Sree Dubey was shot dead on December 31, 2009, the latest being the murder of a local businessman in broad day light on January 2.

The protestors alleged that the city police had not been successful in stopping the spate of killings.

Source ANI

Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir): Following fresh snowfall, the tourists have converged in large numbers at Pahalgam, around hundred kilometres from Srinagar.

Located in the southeast of the Kashmir valley, Pahalgam is surrounded by lofty mountains and is washed by gushing streams and rivulets.  All these make it a perfect tourist spot.

"It''s beautiful here, especially after Monday''s snowfall, the place has become more beautiful. Since the snow is fresh and soft, it''s not slippery. And this is a good time to roam around and enjoy the landscapes." said Reshma, a tourist from New Delhi.

Though Pahalgam is known as a summer tourist destination yet this time, scores of tourists gathered here to celebrate their Christmas and New Year holidays.

The arrival of tourists in large numbers also brought smiles on the faces of the people involved in tourism industry.

"This year, the tourist inflow here has been the best in the last 20 years. Tourist season here since December has been very encouraging," said Abdul Salaam, a hotel manager.

Pahalgam is also an ideal destination for hiking, trekking, fishing and water rafting.

Source ANI

Thiruvananthapuram: Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has said scientists should start considering earth, moon and mars as an economic complex for future habitat expansion of human beings.

In his public lecture on the topic ''It can be done'', at the ongoing 97th Indian Science Congress here, he suggested that Indian scientists should look forward to celebrating the socio-economic development of India in 2020.

He then proposed his vision of transition of Indian Science from 2020 to 2050, saying that the vision for 2050 is one of dynamic growth.

"A global knowledge society backed by value system and spirit of compassion would be the backbone of the vision," he said.

"Proper water management, sustainable agriculture development using organic farming practices, energy consumption and sustainability, customized healthcare for promoting enhanced longevity, balancing the greenhouse gas budget and emergence of new global leaders focussing on multi-disciplinary action are some of the key elements of the vision," he added.

Dr. Kalam emphasized the need to develop and promote connectivity and collaboration among universities and organizations like ISRO, DAE, CSIR as well as industries.

"Improving science infrastructure in schools and colleges, bringing a fundamental change in Indian universities and institutions based on both academic and research performance and focusing on challenges of human needs are other issues that require urgent attention he said.

He wanted Indian scientists to help science evolve globally with a comprehensive approach by 2050.

He stressed the need to ignite the creativity of children from pre-school level and to inculcate interest in research from school to university level.

Source ANI

Mumbai: The three footballers of Goa’s Churchill Brothers team, who had been arrested and accused of allegedly molesting a SpiceJet airhostess were given bail on Wednesday morning and will be produced in a Mumbai city court today.

The SpiceJet airhostess had charged the three of allegedly molesting her and using abusive language.

With both sides making allegations and the team management defending its players, the Mumbai police lodged an FIR in the case.

The three accused have claimed innocence and say that the airhostess is lying.

The crew onboard flight SG 804 from Goa to Kolkata via Mumbai lodged a complaint late on Tuesday evening, accusing the football players of misbehaving with an airhostess.

The players Odafa Okolie, Arindam Bhattacharya and Kalu Nnanna were offloaded at the Mumbai airport and later booked under sections of the IPC on charges of outraging a woman’s modesty.

However, coach of the of the team refuted all the charges and said that it was a major mistake.

“It is a big misunderstanding, a big mistake of the girl from SpiceJet. Because I was behind, my seat 10 E and their seat was 9. And Odafa and Felix were just talking; Odafa and Felix were beside in the corridor. And that time girl passed. Their hands touched her, but it was not intentional. She did not complain at that time,” said Carlos Silva, the coach of ‘Churchill Brothers’.

“She went away and talked to a boy inside the flight. And I got surprise because the boy came shouting at Odafa. Of course both Odafa and Felix did not agree as they had not done it intentionally, I am correct and can assure that,” he added.
 
Churchill Brothers club owner Joaquim Alemao said: “All my players are innocent. I stand by them. How can one molest someone in a flight full of people? I will file a defamation case against SpiceJet. They should not have offloaded my whole team. The match in Kolkata will not be possible if they continue holding up my players,” said club owner Churchill Alemao.

Source ANI

New Delhi/ Uttar Pradesh/ Bihar/ Punjab/ Srinagar: Despite a reduction in the intensity of cold waves on Tuesday on account of the sun coming out and raising the temperature in various parts of north India, the death toll of those affected by the extreme harsh weather is now reported to be over 157.

Around 37 more deaths were reported on Tuesday, with Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for 31 deaths.

The other six deaths were reported from Bihar.

Earlier on Tuesday, around 125 deaths were reported from across the country.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Tuesday ordered all schools to be closed for three days in view of the cold.

In Punjab, all schools have been closed till January 8 due to the cold.

In Delhi, there are no chances of precipitations; the Meteorological Department has forecast a maximum temperature of 19-degree Celsius and a minimum of 6-degree Celsius.

The traffic that was suspended on the 300 kilometer Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Monday due to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall has been reopened on Wednesday.

The suspension of traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway had left hundreds of trucks, passenger buses and tourist vehicles stranded.

Source ANI

Kolkata: CPM leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu’s health condition deteriorated on Wednesday morning following which he has been put on a ventilator.

Basu is being treated for pneumonia at the AMRI hospital in Salt Lake here.

The 95-year-old former West Bengal Chief Minister was kept under observation for the last two days in the ICU.

The veteran leader was admitted here on Friday following a severe chest infection.
 
The doctors after conducting a proper check-up had earlier detected that he was suffering from slight pneumonia.

Earlier in July 2009, Basu was admitted to the hospital complaining of discomfort in the abdomen and a disturbed sleep.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Pakistan has asked feuding factions of Kashmiri separatists to bury the hatchet and present a united front for the cause of carrying forward the Kashmir ‘struggle’.

 

It is learnt that Speaker of Pakistan''s National Assembly Fehmida Mirza, presently on Indian visit to attend Commonwealth Speakers’ conference, has told different factions of separatists on Wednesday to resolve their differences.

 

According to diplomatic sources, Fehmida Mirza, held separate meetings with hard line Geelani group and moderate Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat conference on Wednesday evening during an interaction organized by the Pakistan High Commissioner.

 

Interestingly, meeting with Mirwaiz, who is also reportedly holding

back-channel talks with New Delhi, went on for more than a hour. Abdul Ghani butt and Bilal Lone were part of the Mirwaiz delegation.

 

Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik  was also present during  the meeting .

 

Fehmida Mirza, also met Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yaseen Malik.

 

Over the years, cracks have emerged within Hurriyat faction. While moderate and flexible Mirwaiz is for talks, the hardliner Gilani, who has formed Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, is adopting a rigid attitude of ‘No talks’.

 

It is also learnt from the diplomatic sources that the Fehmida Mirza has once again conveyed to the separatists that Kashmir remains the core issue and Pakistan is for providing moral and diplomatic support to the cause.

 

Speaker has also assured the separatist leaders that Pakistan will make full-fledged efforts to muster global support for the Kashmir cause and will strengthen and activate the Kashmir committee which is dormant from last two years.

 

Meanwhile, Fehmida today reiterated Pakistan’s traditional stand which she said is in consonance of supporting tripartite talks and resolution of Kashmir issue on the basis of UN resolution. She also urged India to resume composite dialogue.

Source ANI

New Delhi: India on Wednesday agreed that there is need to revive and activate the India-Pakistan Parliamentarian Forum, which strengthens bilateral relations at various levels.

Addressing the valedictory session of the 20th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said: "There was no bilateral meeting with them (Pakistani delegates). There were talks in which we told them that we will definitely revive it (India-Pakistan Parliamentarian Forum) and they also said that they will reciprocate,” Kumar said.

On Tuesday, Kumar had met Pakistan''s National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza on the sidelines of CSPOC.

Highlighting the advantages of information technology (IT), she strongly advocated the usage of latest technologies for the efficient functioning of the sessions in the parliament and allied provincial assemblies.

"You cannot really avoid IT technology, it should be increased, should be available in the House for the efficiency for the functioning and also for transparency and also for the honourable members to upgrade their knowledge and their database," Kumar said.

She also called for strengthening the Parliamentary institutions to tackle the challenges faced by the polities and societies across the globe.

Around 250 delegates participated in the CSPOC and these included 34 Speakers and presiding officers of elected parliamentary and legislative bodies and allied officials such as Secretary Generals.

Source ANI

Srinagar: Suicide attackers involved in firing and lobbing of grenade on a security force picket in Srinagar on Wednesday at Lal Chowk are from across the border, said a senior official of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday.

 

The attackers fired at a CRPF picket and then hurled a grenade before entering into a hotel building at Lal Chowk, the main business centre at the heart of Srinagar.

 

"As per the initial information one journalist is injured, one police personnel is injured and one is killed. At least two, could be more…they (militants) are definitely from across the border," Nalin Bhatnagar, CRPF Deputy Inspector General and also the in-charge of the continuing gunbattle, said.

 

The injured are presently being administered medical treatment at a hospital in Srinagar.

 

The gun battle between security personnel and the militants is still on after five hours at Lal Chowk area in Srinagar. 

 

The terrorists are engaged in the gun battle with CRPF personnel and police officials. They are hiding in a hotel at Lal Chowk and there number is believed to be two.

 

The area has been cordoned off.

 

So far (till 9.20.p.m, Wednesday), at least two security personnel are reportedly feared to have died and four others, including a media person, injured. It all happened after terrorists lobbed grenades and fired at the Central Reserve Police Force.

 

Meanwhile, Jamait-e-Mujahiddin, a terrorist group, has taken responsibility for today’s incident, a private channel reported.

 

Last week four soldiers were killed when militants ambushed a security patrol in south Kashmir.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Fiat has plans to introduce new models in the small car segment in the near future, revealed Rajeev Kapoor, Fiat India president and CEO, at the ongoing Auto Expo 2010 here on Wednesday.

 

Kapoor was speaking at the 10th India Auto Expo, where Fiat launched various versions of Linea, 500 and Punto.

 

"The market for small cars is expanding rapidly in India. Fiat Punto is representing in this segment. We will also bring more small cars soon. You will have to wait for a while," said Rajeev Kapoor, Fiat India President and CEO but did not specify any time frame for this.

 

The 10th India Auto Expo is the Complete Automotive Show organized jointly by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

 

German Ambassador Thomas Matussek, who was present at the German spare parts stall, said that India is a potential market for Germany.

 

"We believe that India presents for us huge opportunities which are not self -evident worldwide specially in the present economic slump and Germany is coming out here in full force , a sends out a signal that India for us is not a client as for instance Polo and …., we believe in a partnership of equals. We believe in the marriage of German technology and of Indian design and engineering and the child you can see very soon on Indian roads and we know this is a huge market. This is a young Market and believe me we will make it here," said Thomas Matussek, German Ambassador.

 

German carmakers Audi, BMW and Skoda launched dazzling new models at the exhibition on Tuesday (January 5).

 

Audi announced the release of its model, the A7 Sportback, and said the new model would hit Indian shores by 2011.

 

On Tuesday, Czech Republic-based carmaker, Skoda, a subsidiary of German auto-giant Volkswagen also unveiled the highly popular sports utility vehicle (SUV), the Yeti.

 

The showstopper, though, was the BMW display, which showcased their convertible, Z4, and the SUV, X1.

 

Car sales in India, world''s second-most populous country, are set to jump about 16 per cent this year to 1.4 million vehicles, buoyed by robust economic growth and government incentives, in contrast to a slump in many developed markets.

Source ANI

New Delhi: A group of 35 school children from remote areas of Kashmir Valley had an opportunity met Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken at his North Block office in the national capital on Wednesday.

The students, in the age group of 12-16 yrs, arrived in Delhi as part of their Bharat Darshan tour organized by the Border Security Force (BSF).

As part of the tour, the Kashmiri children were taken to Amritsar, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Agra and Delhi where they visited places of historical, cultural and national importance.

During his interaction with the Kashmiri children, Maken said that there is a need for the children to acquire knowledge and information to move ahead in life.

“It was through knowledge and hard work only that they can succeed and rise,” Maken said.

During his personal interaction with the Kashmiri children, Maken asked them about their experiences during the Bharat Darshan tour.

On this occasion, Maken also said that it is government’s desire to bring the development infrastructure in Srinagar and other parts of the State at par with the national capital.

The minister also mentioned about the Herculean effort put in by BSF and other paramilitary force personnel in ensuring peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.

BSF, as part of its civic action programme, conducts Bharat Darshan Tour for the children of poor families from the remote and border areas of Jammu  and Kashmir.

The main purpose of such visit was to expose the children of border areas to the historical, cultural and technological profile of the country as also the development and progress.

It is primarily aimed at bringing them in the main stream of the nation. BSF has been organising such programmes since 1999.

Source ANI

Dhamcheera (Tripura): Hundreds of school dropouts and poor students have been drawn to rejoin school by the Union Government''s Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya  (KGBV) scheme in Tripura.

Centre launched the scheme to provide education to the underprivileged girls, predominantly of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes and minority groups.

Of the seven schools opened under the scheme, one is located at Dhamcherra, an educationally backward block in the state. It has 50 students on its rolls.

According to Ramendra Chadra Nath, one of the schoolteachers, girls studying in KGBV are from poor and BPL families.

“School dropout who do not have the financial sources to pursue their education are kept in the hostel and given all free facilities for their educational upliftment. KGBV girls study here with the students of general school but they are doing better and improving gradually as they get extra care in their hostel,” he said.

Under the scheme, which forms part of  Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (Education for All) initiative, the students are provided with free school uniforms, books, food and lodging.

Alongside, the girls are taught the basics in computer knowledge to enable them to keep pace with the modern trends.

Students have been offered facilities to play games like volleyball; handball, Kho-kho, carrom and chess at the school. They are also taught yoga.

Besides, the girls are also trained in various vocational skills to make them self-reliant.

Students admit the KGBV scheme has actually benefited them.

"I belong to Jhumia family and had to leave my education due to poverty. Then I joined KGBV and started my education again,” said Sagarika Reang, one of the students.

“We also get extra coaching so that we can do well. I am very happy after joining here and hope to do better in my future," Reang added.

The government has sanctioned opening of 2,573 schools under this scheme. Nearly 196,000 girls have enrolled themselves to these schools.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan unveiled the electric version of Hyundai''''s i10 at the ongoing New Delhi Auto Expo 2010 here on Wednesday.

 

The new i10 electric has a 49kW (66.6 PS) electric motor under the hood that will power its front wheels.

 

The electricity will be stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack - the same type of battery powering our cell-phones and other electronic devices.

 

Khan, on this occasion, also reminisced how during his childhood days he used to visit his father''''s shop at Pragati Maidan.

 

"We are going to present to you certain innovations, technologies and other stuff that of course Hyundai is famous for all across the world and has brought to India. I was very nostalgic coming to Pragati Maidan, my childhood was spent here in Pragati Maidan, my father used to have a small shop there," said Khan, who is also the brand ambassador of Hyundai.

 

Hyundai, which shares about 16 percent of the fast-growing Indian car market, also showcased H1 Wagon, i-mate & Genesis Coupe at the auto expo.

 

Hyundai Motor Co is bracing for tougher competition in India as more global rivals attack the small-car segment, but said it would continue to be a top player due to its big volumes and sprawling sales network.

 

Leading utility vehicle maker Mahindra & Mahindra also showcased the special edition of its popular SUV Mahindra Scorpio and Mahindra Navistar Trucks on the second day of the 10Auto Expo.

 

The second day of the 10th Auto Expo also saw another Bollywood star Ajay Devgan who paid a visit to Mahndra pavilion.

 

"I already own a Scorpio and I like this utility vehicle and that is why we are here…I share old ties with Mahindras," said Ajay Devgan, Bollywood actor.

 

The weeklong 10 th Auto Expo, which opened on Tuesday (January 05) has been organized jointly by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, Confederation of Indian Industry and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

 

Car sales in India, world''''s second-most populous country, are set to jump about 16 per cent this year to 1.4 million vehicles, buoyed by robust economic growth and government incentives, in contrast to a slump in many developed markets.

 

That, and the abundance of new models has industry insiders talking for the first time of a Delhi auto show that could rival or surpass the annual Detroit auto show in importance.

 

The first Auto Expo was held in 1986, the second in 1993, and the third in 1996. Since then, the Auto Expo has been institutionalised as a biennial show.

Source ANI

Chennai: Former ace Indian tennis player Vijay Amirtraj said here on Wednesday that the standards of Indian tennis are progressing day by day but the players need to work hard to reach the top spot in the international competitions.

 

Amirtraj was speaking to media after inaugurating a free knee consultation clinic of Apollo Hospital here.

 

"Obviously, it is not as good as western countries specially Spain, France or Germany or Sweden. We have a long way to go. What I do believe is that our training methods in India are getting so much better, so much streamlined and more disciplined, Amritraj said.

 

“ I think over the last 20 to 25 years, we have managed to come to a point where we are not willing to settle for second best," he added.

 

Speaking about other games, Amritraj said the performance of the Indian cricket team has been par excellence and complimented captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for being an ideal motivator.

 

In the 70s'', Amritraj had lofted India to new heights when he led the national team to the Davis Cup finals to be played against South Africa but did not play due to the Pretoria''s apartheid policy and thus forfeited the chance for India to be the champ nation.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Even after failing to arrive at consensus during the all party meeting Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has not given up his hopes and continued discussions with representatives of different political parties to devise a mechanism to draw a road map to solve the Telangana issue here on Wednesday.

Representatives of different parties— the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) founder Chiranjeevi, Congress member K S Rao, and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrashekhar Rao placed their views during a one on one meeting with Chidambaram.

After his meeting with Chidambaram, Chandrashekhar Rao refused to speak to media saying he “would speak in detail only after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday.”

The TRS chief is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Singh on Thursday morning.

Earlier, in the day, cine star and PRP founder, Chiranjeevi said: " It is first step of discussions, and I don''t think we will be very happy. And definitely I think after a couple of meetings and couple of discussions, we will get good result.”

Congress leader K S Rao said: "We are requesting other side people also, that is the people who want separation, first think of restoring peace and think of dialogue with us to solve this problem."

The Centre is likely to constitute a committee to find ways for the peaceful resolution of the issue.

Meanwhile, the Congress is also likely to discuss the issue with its allies and leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar and Dayanidhi Maran before taking any decision.

Addressing the media after Tuesday’s all party meeting Chidambaram had said: “It is quite clear that the views of the political parties are divided. I summed up their views and will take them to the Prime Minister and formulate a course of action.”

He also gave an assurance that a mechanism will be evolved within a “reasonable time frame to find a solution to the Telangana impasse.”

Source ANI

Srinagar: The gun battle between security personnel and the militants is still on after three hours at Lal Chowk area in Srinagar.  

 

The terrorists are engaged in the gun battle with CRPF personnel and police officials. They are hiding in a hotel at Lal Chowk and there number is believed to be two.

 

The area has been cordoned off.

 

So far, at least two security personnel are feared to have died and four others, including a media person, injured. It all happened after terrorists lobbed grenades and fired at the Central Reserve Police Force.

 

Meanwhile, Jamait-e-Mujahiddin, a terrorist group, has taken responsibility for today’s incident, a private channel reported.

 

“One militant is currently holed up in Punjab Hotel in Lal Chowk. Operations are on to flush out the militant from this hotel. There could be more number of militants hiding in the area. We are trying to ascertain their exact location. They could be heavily armed because they have hurled many numbers of grenades,” Times Now reported Col Tripathi, PRO, Central Reserve Police Force as saying.

Source ANI