India News

New Delhi: A new web site has been launched for civil service aspirants.

Over five lakh Civil Service aspirants preparing for 2010 prelims this year have a lot to cheer about. www.Jeywin.com has launched India’s first online tests for UPSC Civil Services preliminary exams, backed by a robust test engine from Texas-based Impiger Technologies.

With over one lakh questions, and more being added on a weekly basis, Jeywin also offers video lectures to help aspirants prepare for the prelims. Previous years’ question papers, interviews, success tips and NCERT books are other useful resources provided for the candidates.

According to UPSC, 3,18,843 candidates applied for the 2008 prelims.

But experts opine that the global downturn has resulted in a sharp focus on non-IT careers in India and the prestigious UPSC Civil Services has suddenly grabbed the attention of young grads in various disciplines, including engineering and medicine.

It is expected that over five lakh candidates will apply for this year’s preliminary exams scheduled for May 2010.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Navy has decided to formally induct the Russian-made MiG-29K naval fighter jets for deployment on the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov in Goa on February19.

The first four of the 16 MiG-29Ks that India had purchased from Russia in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov were delivered at the INS Hansa Naval Base in Goa on December 4 last year.

A Navy spokesperson said : "The formal induction ceremony has been fixed for February 19 at INS Hansa. The squadron has been named Black Panthers."

The fighter jets that arrived in Goa in a transport plane were re-assembled at INS Hansa, which also has a maintenance and training facility for the aircraft and its pilots.
 
"At present, the Russian technicians and pilots are based in Goa to do the reassembling and training our technicians and pilots to take over maintenance and operations soon," added the Navy official.

The fighter jets will be operated from the shore-based facility at INS Hansa after induction till the final delivery of Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, slated for 2012.
 
Under the USD 1.5 billion deal signed in March 2004 for the 45,000-tonne Kiev class Gorshkov and the MiG-29Ks, USD 974 million went towards the warship and USD 526 million for the fighter jets.
 
Of the 16 jets, 12 are MiG-29K single-seater fighters and the rest four are MiG-29KUB twin-seater trainers.
 
India is expected to sign another deal with Russia for 29 more MiG-29Ks for USD 1.2 billion in a bid to strengthen its naval aviation wing.
 
The MiG-29Ks flight operations on Gorshkov will be in the Short Take Off But Arrested Landing (STOBAR) configuration for which the ship is being re-modified at Sevmash yard in Russia.
 
To train Indian pilots for STOBAR operations, India has already set up the world''s third shore-based training facility at INS Hansa.
 
The pilots were sent to the US for deck landing training and on board a French aircraft carrier for operations training, apart from Russia for Qualified Flying Instructors'' conversion training.
 
The aircraft has arrester gear on its tail to help hooking onto the arrestor wires on board the landing deck of the carrier.
 
It also has stronger landing gear to withstand the arrested landing on board the carriers, folding wings and rust-proofing to prevent corrosion.
 
Fitted with a fully digitised glass cockpit, improved engine protection against ingestion of foreign particles like birds, a multi-mode radar and increased range, the MiG-29Ks will also provide aerial cover to the carrier''s battle group, acquire air superiority and destroy sea-borne and ground-based targets with guided high-precision weapons in all weather, day-and-night conditions.
 
India currently operates the Sea Harrier jump jets on board its solitary Centaur Class aircraft carrier, which celebrated its 50 years of naval service both in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes and in the Indian Navy as INS Viraat.

However, of the 30-odd Sea Harriers the Navy purchased from Britain along with Viraat in late 1980s, only a dozen of them are left in service.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Clarifying doubts over the government''s stand on the production of Bt Brinjal, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said on Tuesday that no decision would be taken on the issue till after February 10.

Ramesh said the consultation process is still on and a final decision would be taken next week.

Ramesh''s stance is at variance with the stand taken by Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas strongly in favour use of Bt Brinjal. Thomas described genetic engineering as a developing science.

"The opposition is merely propoganda of Left Parties. The use of BT Brinjal should not be opposed just because it comes from the west," Thomas said.

"These are just propagandas of the Left parties. They opposed even the computers and mobile phones. The world has become a big market, you should never oppose anything just because it is coming from America or Europe," he added.

Farmers across the country have been protesting genetically modified Bt Brinjal, and have asked the government reverse its decision.

Some scientists, academics, members of civil society groups and farmers across India undertook a one-day fast on Saturday over the issue

Consultations are being held in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said the view of the expert committee should be final.

"If after all precautions they have come to the conclusion that this is beneficiary, we should not oppose it," he added.

Last year, Ramesh had promised additional consultations with farmers'''' groups, NGOs, scientists and other stakeholders before the release of Bt Brinjal.

Bt Brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene cry1Ac from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into brinjal. A US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation and a Maharashtra-based Indian company market Bt Brinjal in India.

Source ANI

Bangalore: Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday said, India is strengthening its security in all border areas, including Arunachal Pradesh to avoid any untoward incident.

Antony said, "We are strengthening capability in that sector also to increase our deterrent capacity."
"We are strengthening our security set up in all areas including Arunachal Pradesh because it is a part of India ... integral part of India," he added.

Antony further said the security is being beefed up not to confront anybody and "our considered policy is to be friendly with all neighbours."

However, Antony appeared confident as he said the Indian armed forces were always ready to meet any eventuality or threat from any quarters.

"You are not well informed. There is no question of militarisation of Arunachal Pradesh," said Antony on being questioned about the ''armed forces plan'' for militarisation of the northeastern state and the ''logic behind it''.

On being asked about the deployment of armed forces for internal security, he said,
 "They were meant to protect the borders and every inch of land."

On asked about the spending of his ministry, the defence minister said that his ministry has spent more in the current fiscal year compared to the last year.

Addressing the media after inaugurating the System Test and Integration Rig (STIR) complex of the Centre of Airborne Systems, a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) early today, Antony talked about importing defence systems to meet the country''s immediate operational requirements.
 
"However, imports can never be a permanent solution. DRDO must therefore build long-term capabilities and focus on quality, rather than quantity. It must build up intrinsic design and development capability while developing these systems," he added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: German President Horst Koehler, who is on a seven-day state visit to India, has sought enhanced bilateral cooperation with India in various sectors

"We want to develop further our relationship with India more intensive, more broader in our business communication and business cooperation and at the end we feel also not an economic, social development, there could a huge area of cooperation between India and Germany. We feel we want to give it attention and respect," Koehler said.

Calling for better relations with New Delhi, Koehler said India is a kind of rising star in world politics.

"The prowess of India cannot be ignored and that is why his country wants to have deeper ties with India," he added.

During the visit, President Koehler will have meetings with President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister SM Krisha, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.
He will also meet key industry representatives as well as Indian intellectuals.

Koehler would also be visiting Mumbai and Pune.

The bilateral relations between India and Germany are marked by rapidly growing economic and trade ties. Germany is India''s biggest trade partner in the European Union with a bilateral trade of 13.4 billion euros in 2008.

Germany is India''s seventh largest investor cumulatively and India''s second largest partner for technology collaborations globally.

Source ANI

Lucknow: Former Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh welcomed the move by the party to sack him and Lok Sabha member Jaya Prada describing it as a blessing for both of them.

However, Amar Singh called the move as dictatorial.

Amar Singh said, "I had asked for a sick leave from the party for 14 years of work to rest. The party cannot function in a dictatorial and feudal system."

"I have been called mad, shameless. This is what I got in return for 14 years of service. Had that not happened, I would have been taking a rest," he added referring to the remarks made by Samajwadi Party General Secretary Mohan Singh.

Amar Singh further said, "I will not say anything to Mulayam Singhji. He has blessed me. It is a blessing in disguise. He has liberated me."

Earlier today, Mohan Singh had announced the party''s decision to expel Amar Singh and Jaya Prada for violating party norms and spoiling the reputation of the party.

Source ANI

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) expelled former general secretary Amar Singh and Lok Sabha member Jaya Prada from the party on Tuesday for violating party norms and spoiling the reputation of the party.

SP General Secretary Mohan Singh made the announcement at a press conference here. He said both spoiled the reputation and prestige of the party.

Singh said: "Jaya Prada acted like a guided missile."

Lok Sabha MP from Rampur Jaya Prada had on Sunday come out in support of Amar Singh.

"Amar Singhji has served the party for 14 years, but now the party is humiliating him. Netaji (Mulayam Singh) must intervene," the cine actor said on January 31.

"Amar Singhji stood by me in the time of crisis (when SP leader Azam Khan opposed her candidature in the last Lok Sabha elections), I will stand by Amar Singhji in this time of crisis," she added.

Mohan Singh''s statements, however, reflected that the party''s doors were still open for Azam Khan.

Singh said: "Azam Khan was a well-wisher of the party."

Four others were also expelled from the party.

The trouble between Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh began last year. Amar Singh was upset that the other party leaders had questioned the candidature of actor Jaya Prada for the Rampur seat in the last Lok Sabha elections, and that he did not get the support of Yadav that time.

The rift further grew, when Mulayam''s daughter-in-law, Dimple, lost the by-election to the Firozabad seat at the hands of Congress candidate actor Raj Babbar. The seat was earlier won by Mulayam''s son Akhilesh, but he was selected to represent Kannauj seat.

Amar Singh had then blamed the over-confidence of Mulayam Singh''s family for the loss.

On the other hand, Mulayam''s son Akhilesh Yadav had put the blame on Amar Singh for the loss.

After Amar Singh quit from all posts of the party, his loyalist Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt too quit from the party.

Source ANI

Hyderabad: Around 30 people were injured in a fire that broke out on the top floor of the Park Hospital here on Tuesday morning.

Fire engines and rescue operations were immediately rushed to the Park Hospital.

All patients were shifted to a nearby hospital. The injured include patients, nurses and other hospital staff menbers.

A fire officer said : "The flames had been brought under control. The priority was to ensure that all those inside the hospital were rescued."

A police official said around eight patients were rescued from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.

It is suspected that a short circuit might have led to the eruption of fire.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Petroleum Minister Murli Deora is expected to meet Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday to discuss the petroleum price rise issue.

There are reports that the two ministers will talk about compensation for losses
 incurred by oil marketing companies that have been selling fuel at subsidised rates.

The oil-marketing companies have incurred losses amounting to Rs 430 billion in the current financial year.

Deora said on Monday that the government was trying its best to curb a rise in petrol and diesel prices in the country.

Deora further said that fuel prices will not be increased till the Kirat Parikh Committee, which was instituted for making recommendations on carrying out reforms in the oil sector, including price mechanisms, submitted its report.

"The government is very worried about increasing prices. If the prices of diesel increases by even two rupees, it will have a cascading effect on all other items," said Deora.

The overall under-recoveries so far from the last three quarters is Rs 29,000 crore, out of which upstream companies- ONGC and Oil India Ltd - contributed Rs.8, 000 crore towards losses from petrol and diesel.

The Centre has promised Rs 12,000 crore as cash for under-recoveries from kerosene and LPG, which falls short of Rs 9,000 crore for the period April to December 2009.

The total estimated under-recoveries for the current fiscal is Rs 43,000 crore, at a global oil price of $73 per barrel.

Deora further said, "Whatever the government has promised for subsidy, they have to give, bonds or no bonds," adding that the finance minister was not keen on oil bonds.

"We must find some solution to this," he claimed.

In tune with this, Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan said that the top priority would be to guarantee that OMCs do not suffer from under recoveries.

Sundareshan further said that in the last two years, the government had paid for the losses after the contributions of upstream companies.

Source ANI

Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh): Uttar Pradesh''s anti-terror squad (ATS) has taken into its custody Shehzad Ahmad alias Pappu- a key accused in the September 2008 Delhi serial blasts and the Batla House encounter.

Ahmed, who is said to be a militant belonging to the Indian Mujahideen terror outfit, was arrested from his native village on Monday evening.

There are reports that the accused Ahmed had undergone a training to fly planes from an institute in Bangalore and had surfaced as a leader of the module designated to execute aerial terror attacks.

The charge sheet filed against Shehzad says he had planted a bomb at Children''s Park near India Gate on September 13, 2008, which failed to explode. He is also on of the accused in the Ghaffar Market blast that took place the same day.

The police had recovered his passport at the Mujahideen hideout at L-18 Batla House. Shehzad was allegedly one of the two terrorists, who had fired back at the police during the raid that cost Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma his life.

Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Brij Lal said, "Delhi Police had set a prize money of Rs 5 lakh on Ahmed, the terrorist we arrested."

The police claimed that he was also involved in encounters that took place a few days after the blasts.

ADG Law and Order further said, "The breakthrough came on some specific tip-offs from the special cell of the Delhi Police."

"Shehzad was involved in arranging and planting of bombs at Karol Bagh, Greater Kailash, Tilak Marg and two places in Connaught Place and had managed to escape from Batla House when the police struck their suspected hideout there," he added.

The investigating officials are hoping that the information provided by Shehzad would help them in getting hold of the other remaining absconders.

Source ANI

Washington: An analytical piece in the Christian Science Monitor (CSM) has opined that India has recognized how vital a stable Afghanistan is for its own security, and is therefore, keen to project itself as a responsible partner in that landlocked country’s development.

According to CSM, New Delhi is particularly concerned about the spread of terrorism in South and Central Asia, and its role in Afghanistan demonstrates that its desire to turn the war-ravaged country around.

Energy-starved India is also increasingly preoccupied by access to oil and gas in Central Asia.

India currently has a "soft power" presence in Afghanistan, in the form of development aid, cultural ties, and building projects. With more than a billion dollars invested, Afghanistan constitutes its biggest overseas investment, says the article.

It quotes Brahma Chellaney, an analyst at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi, as saying: "India has earned a lot of goodwill in Afghanistan over the decades; the moment it gets involved militarily, that is likely to change."

He, however, adds that India''s historic roles in civil wars in the region – especially in Sri Lanka – also make it wary of military involvement.

The CSM article says that any expansion of India''s influence in Afghanistan could antagonize a suspicious Pakistan, which accuses Delhi of using its influence there to support Baluchi separatists in Pakistan.

Some fear increased Indian involvement could have a destabilizing effect. India, in turn, has accused Pakistan of involvement in the attacks on India''s presence in Afghanistan.

India is also increasingly unsettled by China''s strong presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

More generally, in the region, growing skepticism about the US strategy in Afghanistan could prompt countries to pull back from involvement there.

Source ANI

Patna: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Bihar to boost National Student'' Union of India and Youth Congress membership ahead of assembly elections, has said Bihar needs transformation for development.

Gandhi said, "Funds made available to the Bihar government is not properly utilized."

"We can send money, but cannot implement schemes. Funds do not reach the schools of the villages," added Gandhi.

Gandhi, who appeared to be in full election mood said, "Nobody did as much for Dalits as Indira Gandhi did in the last 60 years."

Gandhi''s prime focus appears to woo the ''annoyed'' minority community who disowned the grand old party after the Bhagalpur riots and the youths who form a major percentage of the state voters.

The Congress has had a dry run in the state for the last 21 years since the month-long Bhagalpur riots of 1989 mowed down nearly a thousand people in what was termed as one of the worst communal riots in the country.

Source ANI

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): A section of a four storied hotel collapsed near Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening, leaving 10 people trapped in the debris.

The building collapsed during renovation work.

The remaining section of the hotel is also said to be in a dilapidated state.

An eyewitness said at least four persons were seriously injured and have been admitted to the nearby Medical College Hospital.

Police and the civic authorities have begun investigations into the cause of the collapse.

Source ANI

Bodhgaya (Bihar): Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has criticized both the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for their unwarranted attacks on north Indians, and said that every inch of India belongs to each and every Indian.

Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Bihar reminded both political outfits that the commandoes who saved Mumbai during the 26/11 terror attacks were north Indians.

During an interactive session with Youth Congress and National Students'' Union of India (NSUI) workers in Bodhgaya, Gandhi said, "If terrorists have to be fought with, let Biharis remain there."

He further said that the commandoes, who forced their way into the besieged buildings, did not bother about which state they belonged to.

However, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray described Rahul''s comments as an insult to the memory of 26/11 martyrs like Hemant Karkare, Tukaram Ombale, Vijay Salaskar and Ashok Kamte.

"We are insisting that only Mumbai is for Mahrashtrians", Uddhav Thackeray claimed.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, "There will be no compromise and Maharashtra belongs to all Indians. There is some politics happening in Maharashtra which is the politics of alienation."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan also backed Gandhi.

Chavan said, "India is a democratic country. Does it mean that only the opinion of the MNS or Shiv Sena will be taken seriously? There''ll be zero tolerance towards any nuisance."

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had come out in support of north Indians on Sunday asking Sangh workers to protect the community from attacks.

Bhagwat said, "Whole of India is for all Indians and all Indians can earn livelihood anywhere in India. Language, caste, sub-castes, groups, tribes can be different, but all are sons of India."

Both the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have been blaming the north Indians of flooding in Mumbai and taking away the jobs meant for the Marathis.

MNS in particular has been violent on the issue and its supporters have attacked north Indians putting up in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra accusing them to taking away the jobs meant for the local Marathi people.

Gandhi is on a two-day visit to the state to boost NSUI and Youth Congress Membership drive at a time when Bihar is preparing for assembly elections later this year.

Source ANI

New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation met External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and urged him to exert more diplomatic pressure on Australia over the  spate of attacks on Indians.

The delegation, said Krishna had described their suggestions as welcoming and assured them that India would increase diplomatic pressure on Australia.

"We had a very extensive conversation with SM Krishna. We told him that steps taken by the government so far have proved to be ineffective," said Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

"We have said that we have come to state only two things as to what steps you (Krishna), have taken are inappropriate. Being an opposition, we would extend our full support to any tough action you take. We said we want you to step up diplomatic pressure," she added.

The delegation also hoped its meeting with Krishna would encourage the government to take more concrete steps on the issue.

Source ANI

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna on Tuesday said that attacks on Indian students must stop forthwith, as they are unacceptable to the Government of India.

 

“We don’t have such complains from the United States. Why is it only in Australia should there be attacks? and then those attacks are directed against students from India. There are, I am sure, various other students from various other countries but India is being fizzled out. I think this needs some introspection on the part of Australian government and then the government of New South Wales and Victoria province,” said Krishna on the sidelines of the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright programme in India held in the national capital.

 

However, replying to a query on unabated attacks on Indian students Down Under, Krishna said: “Attacks on Indian students should stop forthwith. It is unacceptable.”

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday said that doors for a dialogue with Pakistan have never been shut, but talks on terror will remain the focal point of any future dialogue with Pakistan.

 

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright programme in India, Krishna said: “In our previous dialogue, focus has always been on terror and terror instrumentalities which will continue. The talks with Pakistan, the doors were never shut but in our previous dialogues the focus has obviously been on terror, on terror …in Pakistan to be dismantled. This remains the focal point of our dialogue with Pakistan.”

 

Although MEA has so far not revealed the resumption of composite dialogue with Pakistan, Krishna said that talks with Pakistan would center on terrorism and New Delhi’s insistence on dismantling the terror network across the border.

 

Talking about Pakistan’s efforts towards bringing perpetrators of 26/11 to justice, Krishna reinforced India’s stance saying the country expects that based on the dossiers provided from Indian side on the 26/11 attacks, Pakistan would investigate further.

 

According to sources in External Affairs Ministry, Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet soon.

 

On Monday (Feb.1), Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram also indicated about the possibility of bilateral talks with Pakistani leadership during the three-day South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) interior ministers’ conference scheduled from February 20.

Source ANI

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party MP and actress Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the party’s decision to expel former General Secretary Amar Singh.

Bachchan said that the decision taken by party’s parliamentary board meeting chaired by chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will come back to haunt the party, as Amar Singh is a quality leader.

“I am sad and hurt. This is a very wrong decision and would hurt the party in future,” Bachchan said.

She also said that if the party’s supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav found any fault in her behaviour, she was ready to face the action.

“If Mulayam Singhji feels that I have made a mistake than he can suspend me as well,” Bachchan said.

Earlier in the day, SP General Secretary Mohan Singh announced party''s decision to expel its estranged leaders Amar Singh, Jaya Prada and four others grounds of indulging in anti-party activities and denting its public image.

He also mentioned that the party has suspended primary membership of four provincial lawmakers - Madan Chauhan, Sandeep Agarwal, Ashok Chandel and Sarvesh Singh - all regarded as supporters of Amar Singh.

According to reports, the decision was taken following a rift between Yadav and Amar Singh after the party''s poor show in its stronghold, Uttar Pradesh, winning just 20 seats out of 80, in the last general elections.

Source ANI

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday said India is all set to open up its doors to foreign educational institutions through the enactment of a Foreign Education Providers Bill.

Speaking on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright programme in India, Krishna said: “Nearly a hundred thousand Indian students enroll in the USA annually. India is poised to open up her doors to foreign educational institutions through the enactment of a Foreign Education Providers Bill. We are keen to establish partnerships with premier universities in USA to address challenges such as water, energy, healthcare, urban infrastructure, and environment.” 
 
Krishna also apprised the audience that last year Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal led a delegation to USA to discuss some of these initiatives.

With India becoming a full partner in the selection and award of scholarships, the scholarships are now called the “Fulbright -Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarships and Grants, he said.

“With a financial contribution of 2.3 million dollars by India as per the revised Agreement, the total annual scholarship amount could be increased by a 100 per cent. Starting with the academic year 2009-2010, we have been awarding “Fulbright–Nehru” scholarships honouring the memory of both Senator Fulbright and Prime Minister Nehru,” Krishna said.

Quoting Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Krishna said : “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information, but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

“Inspired by such wisdom, the Fulbright-Nehru program will focus on areas of priority in the bilateral relationship - agriculture, environment, energy, and other fields which will have a direct impact on the lives of the people,” he added.

Talking about Senator Fullbright Krishna said: “I had the privilege of meeting with Senator Fulbright when I was studying in George Washington University. Senator Fullbright was a statesman who was able to focus on crucial and critical areas of two countries.”

Krishna, during his keynote address said that he was delighted to note that this unique exchange program in India is one of the largest Fulbright-programs worldwide. “I am confident that our collaborative efforts in the educational sector will lead to increased joint research and development of new relevant technology and innovation for the mutual benefit of our two societies and the benefit of the world. I congratulate the United States-India Education Foundation for completing 60 glorious years of its successful program. I wish them a redoubled success in the future.”

“I am confident that the Fulbright-Nehru Program will be instrumental in augmenting people-to-people linkages between two great democracies, India and USA,” the Union Minister added.

Also present on this occasion were U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer, Judith McHale, Under Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy,  Adam Grotsky, Members of the US-India Education Foundation, Alumni and awardees of Fulbright-Nehru fellowships and grants and others.

Source ANI

New Delhi: India on Tuesday took note of United Kingdom’s decision to temporarily halt accepting student visa applications at its centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar.

Speaking on the issue, External Affairs Ministry official spokesman Vishnu Prakash said the Government will ensure that the students are not “adversely impacted”.

“The Ministry of External Affairs has been in touch with the British High Commission (BHC) on this matter to better understand the reasons behind this decision and also to ensure that bonafide Indian students planning to go to the UK for studies are not adversely impacted,” Prakash said.

“The Ministry has taken note of the fact that in parallel with the decision taken to temporarily suspend accepting student visa applications under Tier 4 of the Point Based System at Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar, the UK Border Agency is also investigating a number of UK education providers and has, in the last week, suspended approximately 60 from the education sponsors register,” the statement added.

Prakash also emphasized that educational cooperation between India and UK is an important facet of bilateral relationship between the two countries, and said: “Student exchanges form a vital component of this cooperation. We would remain in touch with the BHC on this matter.”

The U.K. Border Agency (UKBA) stopped student visa facilities from February 1, 2010 as it is investigating an inexplicable six-fold increase in demand.  

According to official statistics, UKBA received 13,500 applications in October-December 2009, whereas in the same period in 2008 it was 1,800 and in 2007 it was 1,000.

The suspension started from Monday and will last until the end of the month at which point staff at UKBA is expected to have trawled through the huge influx of requests.

Interviews and appointments as well as paper applications have been suspended during the same period. 

Earlier, the head of the points-based system at the UK Border Agency, Jeremy Oppenheim, said that his office continually checks and monitors the student application system.

“As a result of this routine monitoring and an increase in applications, we have temporarily stopped accepting new applications from North India, Nepal, and Bangladesh while we carry out an investigation to ensure they are all genuine,” Oppenheim said.

“We will take tough action against those who attempt to abuse the system,” he added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday said that Samajwadi Party’s (SP) decision to expel former General Secretary Amar Singh is its internal matter and the Congress party has nothing to do with it.
 
Earlier in the day, SP General Secretary Mohan Singh announced the party''s decision to expel Amar Singh and Lok Sabha member Jaya Prada and cine star from the party for violating party norms and spoiling the reputation of the party.

Addressing the media in the national capital, Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said: “Congress has nothing to do with it or comment on the issue. What Samajwadi Party does with its MPs is entirely its prerogative.”

SP also suspended four other legislators from Uttar Pradesh for criticizing the party''s leadership.

“Some party members have been speaking against Samajwadi Party in the last few months. They (Amar Singh and Jaya Prada) have been expelled because the party''s image was suffering because of them. They were trying to split the party,” Mohan Singh said.

Amar Singh had resigned from all party posts on January 6 citing health grounds. He was also upset with some members of the party particularly, Ram Gopal Yadav, for publicly criticizing him. 

Meanwhile, Amar Singh has welcomed the move describing it as a blessing for both of them. However, he called the move as dictatorial.

“I had asked for a sick leave from the party for 14 years of work to rest. The party cannot function in a dictatorial and feudal system,” Amar Singh said.

“I have been called mad, shameless. This is what I got in return for 14 years of service. Had that not happened, I would have been taking a rest,” Amar Singh added referring to the remarks made by Mohan Singh.

Amar Singh further said, “I will not say anything to Mulayam Singhji. He has blessed me. It is a blessing in disguise. He has liberated me.”

Source ANI

Patna: Bihar once used to be the famed kingdom of Magadh. The agriculture yields were primarily good because of the prevalent traditional system of irrigation that contributed to Magadh’s prosperity.

The present-day scenario, however, is dismal, as many places falling in Patna and Gaya region are facing shortage of water. 

Bihar primarily has an agriculture-based economy and society. And, today it is facing a double whammy--a drought like situation and the specter of food shortage.

There could be an estimated shortage of more than 60% in rice production. The Kharif crop  has been battered during the lack of rain this summer and all hopes were fixed on the Rabi crop towards the winter months to turn the tide in a sector which has been going steadily downhill.

But sadly one crop cycle, however promising it is touted as, does not naturally offset the damage of a precious cycle. On the contrary, there are some systemic, climatic factors which remain, factors which caused the failure of the preceding agricultural cycle.

Bihar is largely agricultural yet it is largely rain-fed agriculture.  It has a fair amount of rain as compared to other States yet it has poor irrigational facilities in comparison to many others. 

The ancestors used to harvest the rainwater, as it would both fulfill the immediate needs for drinking and irrigation. But, more importantly, it would conserve the level of groundwater literally for posterity; for future generations to reap the benefits.

What today are drought-hit districts, there existed a rich tradition of irrigation where water from rivers was fetched to fields through Paeen (small nullahs) and Aahar (a pond-like place where water is stored).

Paeen was used to water fields on both sides and Aahar was used to supply water to drought-hit lands. Between them was a perfect ‘water-tight’ system to ensure that irrigation facilities covered the sown fields.

In the modern context, however, consecutive State governments have either been ignorant or chosen to remain so, of the traditional irrigation systems devaluing its promise and denying the people its potential to bring prosperity and make agriculture yields turn their fortunes around.

In Bihar, where 75 per cent of its population lives on agriculture, only 50-60 per cent of land is covered by irrigation facilities. There is a heavy dependency on tube-wells, which in turn, are dependent on electricity, which is in short supply.  There is also the high  cost of diesel for running the tube-wells.  It is a vicious circle which makes  irrigation, nothing more than a pipe-dream for farmers.

According to the State Ground Water Directorate, Bihar, water-level has gone down from 30 to 70 feet in the northern districts comprising Patna, Bhabhua, Gaya, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Bhojpur, Nalanda, Nevada, Arval, Baksar, Rohtas, Munger and Bhagalpur among 17 districts.

Ironically the agricultural produce from this region plays a vital role in Bihar economy. Now the agricultural community has to trudge for miles to fetch water. This is symptomatic of a larger problem to which the community is getting aware and that is the non-profitable character that modern-day farming has acquired.

Clearly a state, which primarily depends upon agriculture, cannot do without its traditional irrigation resources, particularly laid out with meticulousness and sound ecological sense as has existed for centuries in Bihar. Yet all this leaves the authorities unmoved.
Even the threat of an inadequate Rabi crop, the spectre of food shortage does not seem to be enough of a wake-up call for the Government.

The term of the present government of Nitish Kumar is coming to an end.  It may be well worth it to recall that it had announced its agenda to improve and protect the traditional irrigation systems for developing and strengthening Bihar''s agricultural base.

More specifically, it had mooted the idea of cleaning the traditional irrigation systems through National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) but seems to have failed in implementation. Instead, the government’s emphasis has been limited to roads, dams, plantations, all important no doubt but in the process, irrigation both traditional or modern has been given the short shrift.

There is also another problem.  Many people have converted the traditional irrigation sources into fields. How will these people be tackled and by whom? It seems there is no clear-cut agenda or policy for irrigation, traditional or modern so such errant activities cannot invite corrective action simply because the norm has not been defined, one of the Charkha Features stated.

During years of good rain, Bihar is likened to a Paddy Bowl. Sadly, over the years  this paddy bowl has developed cracks. It   has happened through a blind refusal to see and take the necessary steps that the region is in dire need of.

Before it becomes endemic, the present and future governments need to take corrective action to restore to this land, its prosperity and plenty.

Source ANI

Srinagar: Violence erupted in Kashmir on Tuesday following a shutdown call given by separatist Hurriyat Conference to protest against the death of a Muslim youth during clashes with the police.

Protests followed the death of Wanik Farooq on Sunday evening (Jan.31), when police fired teargas shells to disperse demonstrators.

All shops, business establishments and government offices remained closed, and vehicles stayed off the roads.

Despite elaborate security arrangements, youth pelted stones at vehicles and the security personnel, injuring some of them.

Tension between India and Pakistan has risen in recent weeks after a series of border skirmishes and a spike in violence by militant groups, most of them based in the Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir or other parts of Pakistan.

Source ANI

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will embark on a two-day visit to Kuwait on Wednesday.

Krishna, accompanied by a number of senior officials, will be visiting the country at the invitation of Kuwait Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

During the visit, the Minister will call on the Amir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah and Prime Minister Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmed Al-Sabah and will have substantive discussions on areas of mutual interest with his counterpart and the Kuwaiti leadership.

He will also be meeting a cross section of Indian community, which is nearly 600,000 at present.

India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally close and friendly relations, based on historical linkages that have deepened and diversified over time.

Geographic proximity, ancient trade ties, and cultural affinities, continue to sustain and nurture our long-standing friendship.

Kuwait is an important trading partner for India and trade between the two countries for 2007-2008 was 8.4 billion dollars and is estimated at 10.5 billion dollars in 2009.

Kuwait is also an important partner in Indian’s quest for energy security and crucial for Indian companies active in the petroleum and power sectors.

The presence of a large concentration of Indian nationals in Kuwait is another vital aspect of the bilateral ties.

Source ANI

New Delhi: United States Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer on Tuesday congratulated Indian and Pakistani student winners here for having successfully contested in the 16^th Annual International Space Settlement Design Competition.

 

These winners here will now join 12 other finalist teams from around the world to compete at the 16th Annual International Space Settlement Design Competition at NASA''''s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

 

Interacting with media persons in New Delhi, the U.S. Ambassador appreciated the brilliance of students from the two countries.

 

"As an American Ambassador we are just delighted to see the students from Pakistan and the students from India cooperating with originality, creativity and team work to design a winning competition for a future city in space that will have 10,000 people. There are no boundaries or limitations for people working together and cooperating 16-17-year-old and see smiles on their faces." said Timothy J. Roemer, United States Ambassador to India

 

The winning team included standard X, XI, and XII students from a leading school located in New Delhi and also a school in Lahore, Pakistan.

 

Sara Hussain, a student from Lahore Grammar School in Pakistan, said she was delighted to win.

 

"We are going to Houston or the finale our project was about designing a space settlement design and we won," said Hussain.

 

The students designed a city in space that will be home for over 10,000 people, demonstrating creativity, technical competence, management skills, environmental knowledge, teamwork, and presentation techniques to conquer the problems inherent in designing a space.

 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sponsored the competition.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The hunt for the ‘New Faces Going Places-Ramp Scorchers’ took place here on Tuesday, as aspirant models from across the country and abroad took part in the audition for the upcoming Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

Touted as one of Asia''s largest fashion trade events, the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW-Autumn/Winter Edition, 2010) will be jointly hosted by the India''s apex fashion body, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

The auditions for this premier event, witnessed an overwhelming response from aspiring models from across the country and abroad.

Models walked the ramp displaying their oomph factor as jury members judged the models'' overall personality, gait, presentation traits and ramp mannerism.

One of the aspiring Indian models said that although the participation of foreign models makes it tough for them but they are prepared for it.

“We do get a platform to sort of come up and present fresh faces but definitely the competition is really tough since we got now foreign faces also here. But we always hope for the best and give our best shots,” said Meghna Kaushik, an aspirant model.

On their part, designers mentioned it does not matter where the model belongs to, but what is more relevant is that the model should have the right face, attitude and physique.

“I think it is a free world, wherever they come from east or west or north is irrelevant. In modeling really should be something, which is free for all and equal for everybody whether it''s Indian models or foreign models. It is an equal platform and we are really here to judge who the best models are. It makes no difference where they come from,” said Payal Jain, a designer and one of the jury members.

Sunil Sethi, President of FDCI, said that the platform provides an opportunity for new faces to create a niche for themselves in the industry.

“We need a lot of new talents. Our industry is there to help people in every field. So here also we want to have a lot of new faces, which have not got the opportunity and FDCI has so many fashions, you know gala (events)... where almost 50 models take part each time and sometimes even more depending on the pool. So this gives an opportunity to the young girls as well who have not had this opportunity,” said Sethi.

The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW-Autumn/Winter Edition) will be staged at the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Exhibition Complex, in New Delhi between March 24 and 28.

Source ANI