Nirbhay Sharma appointed governor of Arunachal Pradesh
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi: Lieutenant General (retired) Nirbhay Sharma, one of the most decorated field commanders of the Indian Army, has been appointed governor of Arunachal Pradesh, an official statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Thursday.

"The President of India has been pleased to appoint Lieutenant General (retired) Nirbhay Sharma to be the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office," the statement said.

During his Army service, Sharma ... Read More

PM grateful to Assam for Rajya Sabha nomination
By PTI - GUWAHATI

15th May "I have been an MP from Assam for 21 years. I shall endeavour to accelerate the development of Assam so that poverty and diseases are eliminated from the state in the next 10 years," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. | PTI/File

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed his gratitude to the people of Assam for making it possible for him to file nomination for the Rajya Sabha ... Read More

Where Do Old Cellphones Go to Die?
By LEYLA ACAROGLU

AMERICANS replace their cellphones every 22 months, junking some 150 million old phones in 2010 alone. Ever wondered what happens to all these old phones? The answer isn’t pretty.

In far-flung, mostly impoverished places like Agbogbloshie, Ghana; Delhi, India; and Guiyu, China, children pile e-waste into giant mountains and burn it so they can extract the metals — copper wires, gold and silver threads — inside, which they sell to recycling merchants for only ... Read More

Quiet? Seriously? India's Quixotic Campaign to Stop Honking
By  MARGHERITA STANCATI

NEW DELHI One recent morning, Ravi Kalra jumped in front of an approaching van on a busy Delhi road.

As the van slowed down, a young woman hurried after it, whipped out a "Do Not Honk!" sticker and slapped it on its bumper.

"Be careful while pasting the sticker," Mr. Kalra cautioned. "Make sure it's not crooked."

In a matter of seconds, a gaggle of anti-honking crusaders, led by Mr. Kalra, surrounded the puzzled ... Read More

Air India to reduce free baggage allowance
IANS

Air India to reduce free baggage allowance
Mumbai: National carrier Air India on Friday said it will lower the free baggage allowance (FBA) by five kg on economy class of all its domestic flights from May 13 and will impose a flat rate of Rs.250 per kg for baggage over the FBA.

"Free baggage allowance for travel in the top four fare levels of economy class will be 20 kg and for all other fare levels it ... Read More

Intelligence alert over terror attack on US consulate in Mumbai
Mateen HafeezMateen Hafeez, TNN | May 6, 2013
MUMBAI: The Western Naval command headquarters has alerted the city police about the threat of a bomb attack on the US consulate here on July 21. The intelligence was shared with reference to an anonymous letter received by the consulate-general and American Centre in Kolkata, threatening to attack both places.

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... Read More

May Day message to end class discrimination
National Panthers Party joined the international celebration of May Day hoping that India and all its provinces (including J&K) shall respect the international guarantee of human rights and labour laws so that every citizen in India shall feel the taste of human dignity and equality. This was the resolution carried by a special May Day session held by the National Panthers Party at Jantar Mantar this afternoon.
Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers ... Read More

4-Year-Old Rape Victim Dies in India
By BETWA SHARMA and MALAVIKA VYAWAHARE

NEW DELHI — A 4-year-old girl who was raped and dumped near a crematorium in central India died on Monday evening from cardiac arrest, hospital authorities said Tuesday.

The girl, the daughter of day laborers, was lured from her home in the town of Ghansor in Madhya Pradesh State on April 17 and found the next day by her parents, bleeding profusely, the police said.

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... Read More

Arun Jaitley, Sharad Yadav to get outstanding parliamentarian award
New Delhi: BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Congress MP Karan Singh and JD(U) MP Sharad Yadav will be conferred the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award at a function here on May 9.

President Pranab Mukherjee will present the awards in the Central Hall of Parliament in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will also be present at the function.

While Jaitley, who ... Read More

Indian Spy on Pakistan Death Row Unconscious After Jail Attack
By Augustine Anthony in Islamabad at aanthony9@bloomberg.net

A convicted Indian spy on death row in Pakistan was unconscious and on a ventilator in a Lahore hospital after sustaining head injuries in a jail attack by fellow prisoners.

Pakistani doctors were working to revive Sarabjit Singh, according to a statement issued by the country’s foreign ministry in Islamabad today. In India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the attack “very sad,” Press Trust of India reported, adding that ... Read More

Sarabjit Singh to be treated in Pakistan, says panel
Lahore: A four-member panel of Pakistani medical experts, who were designated to decide whether Sarabjit Singh should be sent abroad for treatment, have decided not to shift him to any foreign country and continue his treatment here itself, reports said on Monday.

The panel is supervising the treatment of Indian death row convict Sarabjit Singh, comatose in a Lahore hospital after a brutal assault.

The panel headed by Mehmood Shaukat was directed by the government to decide ... Read More

Panthers protest at Jantar Mantar against Chinese incursion
Several Panthers Party activists staged a massive demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi condemning the Chinese invasion of the Indian Territory in Ladakh region thus threatening the security of India. The Panthers activists set afire an effigy of the Chinese President demanding China’s ouster from the Indian Territory in Ladakh which Chinese soldiers had occupied in the Daulat Beg Oldi Sector of Ladakh last week and pitched tents 10 kms inside the Indian Territory.
The Panthers ... Read More

The Indian Express presents the Most Powerful Indians: Focus on India Inc
The Indian Express presents the ie 100, The Most Powerful Indians in 2013. Out of these we have picked the businessmen who were included in the list. Interestingly, there are only seven businessmen in the top 50, suggesting that corporate clout is no longer what it used to be in terms of influencing policy. Ultimately, power is not just about positions of authority, it can also be a negative force, the power to oppose or ... Read More

Opposition MPs want PC Chacko removed from JPC
New Delhi: Half of the members of a parliamentary committee that dissected the telecom or 2G scam have expressed no confidence in Congressman P Chacko as its chair and want his removal. Mr Chacko has prepared a report on behalf of the committee that absolves the Prime Minister and Finance Minister P Chidambaram of any responsibility for one of India's largest financial scandals.
... Read More

No breakthrough yet in Bangalore blast case: Shinde
New Delhi: A day after a blast outside the BJP office in Bangalore left 16 people injured, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters here that the investigations were underway but no breakthrough has been reached as yet.

"No conclusions have been reached as yet in the case. Police are scanning the CCTV footage of the blast site... I assure the nation that we will book the culprits, the perpetrators of this attack," Shinde said.

The Home ... Read More

Minority Character is constitutional right of Aligarh Muslim University
Addressing a massive students’ rally organized by Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union in Kennedy Hall, AMU this morning, Panthers Party Supremo Prof. Bhim Singh accused Delhi-based politicians of double standards and ignoring the oppressed and the suppressed sections of the people in the rest of the country. Prof. Bhim Singh was the Chief Guest at a special conference of Aligarh Muslim University which held five hours’ long debate in support of restoration of minority status, ... Read More

IAF now capable of meeting twin challenge from China, Pakistan
By PTI - NEW DELHI

15th April Considering the threat perception from both China and Pakistan, IAF has upgraded its capabilities to meet any challenge from the two fronts simultaneously.

These capabilities were tested successfully for the first time during the recent three-week war games 'Livewire' in which over 400 fighter jets participated, IAF sources said here today.

In the exercise, which commenced on March 18, the IAF created a simulated scenario of a challenge from both eastern ... Read More

I have already given 25% of my wealth to charity: Azim Premji
PTI: Bangalore, Apr 19 2013, 16:52 IST

Wipro Chairman Azim Premji today said he has already given more than 25 per cent of his personal wealth to charity, but acknowledged it's not easy to use money well in philanthropy.

"I have very clear views on what I intend to give to charity and today more than 25 per cent (of my personal wealth) has already been given to charity," Premji told reporters in response to questions.

"...very often, ... Read More

HC approves Ganesh Kumar and Yamini’s settlement
Thiruvananthapuram: A settlement seems to have been reached for the family discord between former state minister K B Ganesh Kumar and his wife with Kerala High court Friday permitting the closure of cases registered by police against both of them.

Considering settlement of issues between both parties, Justice C T Ravi Kumar permitted closure of cases registered at Museum police station in Thiruvananthapuram based on separate complaints made by Kumar and Yamini Thankachi.

As part of ending ... Read More

Church should enter into dialogue
New Delhi, 12 April, 2013: Columnist and Dalit Christian activist R. L Francis has termed the controversy related to his article published in the magazine ‘Charaiveti’ in Bhopal unnecessary and unfortunate. The article had been written on the issue of exploitation of women in the religious institutions on the eve of Women’s Day.

Church has organized structure and more than one lakh nuns’ work in this system. Some incidents were reported in different parts of ... Read More

1984 anti-Sikh riots case: How can I be at two places at the same time, Jagdish Tytler tells NDTV
New Delhi: A Delhi court yesterday reopened an anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. He is accused of inciting a mob that killed three men during the riots that broke out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.

Today, speaking to NDTV, Mr Tytler said he was with Indira Gandhi's body since 7:30 am till 3 pm on November 1, so how can he be present ... Read More

BJP Magazine Publishes Article Depicting Nuns in Poor Light , Isai Maha Sangh Demands Legal Action
Bhopal: 9/04/2013/ The latest issue of the Baratiya Janata Party run fort-nightly magazine “CHARAIVETI” carried an article titled “the life of nuns in the hell of the Church” written by a Delhi based writer R L Francis. The issue has become centre of controversy in Madhya Pradesh.

A delegation lead by Isai Maha Sangh District President , Richard James presented a memorandum in this regard in the Public Hearing organized by Director General of Police Shri. ... Read More

Rahul praises Left, Dravidian parties
''IANS

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Thursday had some words of praise for the Left and the Dravidian parties who, he said, had structures to give voice to people at the village level.

"We need to have architectures to involve the 'pradhans' (village heads). The parties are not designed for pradhans. Only the Left and the Dravidian parties have it," Gandhi said at the annual general body meeting of the Confederation of ... Read More

India, China working in tandem to prevent Taliban surge
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-China-working-in-tandem-to-prevent-Taliban-surge/articleshow/19346023.cms

''NEW DELHI: With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan looming large, neighbouring countries are hedging against bad outcomes in that part of the world….China is teaming up with Russia and Pakistan on a trilateral on Afghanistan, and the first meeting is scheduled in a few weeks. This comes weeks after India, Russia and China sat down in Moscow to craft another trilateral dialogue whereby all the three countries would exchange information and coordinate positions on ... Read More

Youths to celebrate Sadbhavna Holi across the nation
Mission Bhartiyam, along with some other organisations like Awam ka Cinema, Buniyaad – Ek Behtar Kal ki, Ayodhya ki Awaaz, UYASD and SAMAR, will be celebrating Sadbhavna Holi. Sadbhavna Holi is an annual initiative like the Sadbhavna Diwali and Eid celebrated as festivals of harmony across the nation.

Ravi Nitesh, founder of Mission Bhartiyam stated that, “Every year we organize festivals of Holi, Diwali and Eid as people’s festivals regardless of religion as we believe ... Read More

Aakash's fate uncertain, government says 'failure' in production
The fate of the much touted low-cost computing device Aakash looks uncertain with the government Friday conceding that there has been a "failure" in its production.

Concerned over the tardy progress, the HRD Ministry has written to IIT Bombay (the executing body) to ensure the vendor (Datawind) meets the terms and conditions and the supply order by March 31 in letter and spirit, failing which action could be initiated against it.

The ministry is also awaiting a ... Read More

Salman Khurshid to pay official visit to Japan
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will pay a two-day official visit to Japan beginning on March 26 at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

During his visit, Khurshid will co-chair the 7th annual India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with the Japanese Foreign Minister. They will review all aspects of the India-Japan strategic and global partnership, including bilateral, regional and international issues. (ANI)
... Read More

India’s airports: surprisingly good
Having stood in maddeningly wonky queues in both Delhi and Mumbai airports, surrounded by large families with as many crying children as oversized bags, it is difficult to believe.

Three of India’s international airports have been ranked amongst the world’s best terminals compared with others of a similar size. It’s an improbable result for a country usually berated for poor infrastructure.

Airports Council International partners with DKMA, the airport market research company, to present Airport Service Quality ... Read More

Five accused rapists confess
By HARI KUMAR and HEATHER TIMMONS

NEW DELHI — Five people have confessed to an attack on Swiss tourists in central India, police said Sunday.

A woman, 39 and her husband were attacked by a group of men in Madya Pradesh, a state known for its medieval temples and palaces. They were camping in dense forest about 400 yards from a road after visiting the temple town of Orchha when they were attacked by seven or eight ... Read More

India's cruise missile Nirbhay's maiden test fails
Balasore: For the first time, India today test-fired its indigenously developed medium range sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. However, the cruise missile's launch had to be terminated halfway after it deviated from its course, tv reports said.

"The Nirbhay cruise missile launch was a mixed success. The lift-off was successful but the flight had to be terminated halfway. We have not been able to achieve complete range capability, but the ... Read More

Equality is impossible with the same policing system
A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women

Statistics apart, India is not a safe place for women to live. The recent unfortunate incidents of rape reported from the national capital and from other parts of the country have only brought the gruesome reality to the fore. Gender rights groups, the media and the enlightened public that responded to these events promptly, however missed to address an important impediment that makes ... Read More

With AirAsia, Tata Sons deal buzzing in Indian air, Ratan Tata meets Ajit Singh
PTI

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, today met Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh here, days after Malaysian carrier Air Asia's Tony Fernandes announced it had sought government's nod to launch a new airline under a joint venture with Tata Sons and an Indian investor.

Though there was no official word on what transpired at the meeting this afternoon, it is understood that the plans for the launch of the airline came up during the discussions.

The ... Read More

'Agra to be developed as solar city to save Taj'
PTI

The Uttar Pradesh Government plans to develop Agra as a solar city in order to save the Taj Mahal from pollution.

The Uttar Pradesh Government plans to develop Agra as a solar city in order to save the Taj Mahal from pollution, said a Minister today.

The proposal for making Agra a solar city was approved by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2009 following which the Agra Nagar Nigam made a master plan ... Read More

Hyderabad bomb blasts: 16 killed, one detained in Old City today
Hyderabad: A man in Hyderabad has been detained in connection with yesterday's twin blasts which killed 16 people and injured 117 in the busy neighbourhood of Dilsukhnagar. The government will have to explain if the city was compromised because danger signs were ignored or missed, with innocent people paying with their lives for allegedly major lapses.
Here are the latest developments:

The opposition says the government must explain whether intelligence alerts were not taken seriously or ... Read More

India's Iran oil imports drop 21.8% in Apr-Jan trade
India's imports of oil from Iran rose 3.7 per cent in January from December, but overall purchases fell 21.8 per cent in the first 10 months, data from trade sources shows, as New Delhi cut dependence on Tehran under the pressure of sanctions.

NEW DELHI: India's imports of oil from Iran rose 3.7 per cent in January from December, but overall purchases fell 21.8 per cent in the first 10 months, data from trade sources shows, ... Read More

Ananthakumar seeks Kurien’s resignation
The clamour seeking resignation of P.J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, just got louder. On Saturday, Bangalore South MP H.N. Ananthkumar said Mr. Kurien must resign immediately over his alleged involvement in the Suryanelli sex scandal case. "There are serious allegations against Mr. Kurien. Given the severity of the allegations, he must resign," he said.

Mr. Ananthkumar was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a 61-foot tall clock tower near South End Circle, here. He ... Read More

Bhim Singh’s call to the youth
Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of the Young Panthers (Yuva Panthers) called on the youth and the students to unite for the protection of democracy in India and the future of coming generations. The speech of his address to the youth is reproduced as under:-

What needs to be done?
Prof. Bhim Singh’s address to the Young Panthers

Young friends of the Panthers Party, you are the foundation of the Panthers Party, which is the only party in ... Read More

Bhim pleads for restoration of minority character to Alighar Muslim U (AMU)
Addressing a special conference of AMU Students held at the Constitution Club, New Delhi, Prof. Bhim Singh an old boy of the Aligarh Muslim University urged Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India for his urgent intervention for the restoration of minority character of AMU. He said that AMU symbolizes secular character of India and has contributed a lot towards building a secular democratic face of India. He described the 1981 decision to abrogate ... Read More

Antony orders CBI probe into Augusta Westland deal
Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Tuesday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Augusta Westland deal for 12 VVIP choppers.

Reports have appeared from time to time on the subject of Italian prosecutors having initiated a probe into the alleged unethical dealings of M/s. Finmeccanica, Italy. The probe had been widened to include the Indian contract signed with M/s. Augusta Westland (UK).

The said contract was signed in February 2010 for the purchase of ... Read More

Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru hanged
New Delhi: Mohammed Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri fruit seller who helped Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists carry out the dastardly attack on Parliament in 2001, was today hanged and buried in Tihar Jail in a secret early morning operation.

The 43-year-old resident of Sopore in North Kashmir was said to have been calm and composed when he was taken to gallows and hanged at 8 AM in the high-security prison number 3 of Tihar jail, six days after his ... Read More

Tewari attacks CAG for criticising government
By PTI - CHENNAI

"It is most unfortunate that CAG rather than validating the integrity of his numbers chooses to criticise the Government on foreign soil and at a foreign fora," (PTI /File)

Slamming the CAG for criticising the government on foreign soil, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today said Constitutional authorities should circumscribe by Lakshman Rekha propriety.

"...it is most unfortunate that C and AG rather than validating the integrity of his numbers (on 2G presumptive ... Read More

Flying gets cheaper in India
Globally, it's been a simple model. Price your fares at least 30 per cent below full service carriers and draw in the price-conscious customer.

To do so, you have to pare costs by operating from smaller airports, using aircraft for longer hours and saving on meals and other peripheral services.

This was the typical low-cost carrier (LCC) model that G R Gopinath, promoter of Air Deccan, replicated in India.

By offering fares at half the cost of Jet ... Read More

Appeal to President to not sign anti-rape ordinance: Women rights' organizations
Citizen News Service

"We, as representatives of women’s organizations, civil society groups, and activists committed to women’s rights, convey our strong opposition to the Government's decision to move an ordinance on the criminal law amendments related to sexual violence. We call upon the President of India to not sign such an Ordinance" said firebrand social activist Arundhati Dhuru in a press conference in Lucknow. Arundhati is also the UP State Advisor to Right To ... Read More

I want all accused to be hanged: Rape victim's father
IANS

New Delhi: All those behind the Dec 16 gang-rape here should be hanged, said the father of the 23-year-old victim stressing that he would pursue the case till the end.

As the case against the five accused in the gang-rape of the young woman, who succumbed to her grievous injuries on Dec 29, began in a Delhi court, her father addressed a press conference on Tuesday to assert that he would approach the courts to ensure ... Read More

Manipuri woman becomes youngest VC in country
By K Sarojkumar Sharma, TNN

IMPHAL: Hard work, perseverance and courage have made Thoudam Prabha Devi from Manipur the youngest woman vice-chancellor of an Indian university. A resident of Wangkhei in Imphal East, Prabha (40) began her journey from a private school here in the early nineties. Today, she is the VC of Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women's (JVW) University, Jaipur.

Prabha has taught at the Baptist College in Nagaland and the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in ... Read More

Controversy after three paintings of Hindu gods removed from exhibition in Bangalore
New Delhi: Three paintings by a young artist have been removed from an exhibition in Bangalore on police orders, provoking a debate in the city on the freedom of artistic expression.

The police asked the owner of the Chitrakala Parishat gallery to remove the paintings - scantily clad depictions of Kali, Shiva with Sati, and Mohini, considered to be the female incarnation of Vishnu - after a man phoned the police on Sunday, objecting to the ... Read More

Sheila Dikshit says Arvind Kejriwal's charges are 'baseless, false'
IANS

Have You Written a Book? – Publish, Promote & Sell Your Book. Get Your Free Publishing Guide Now!

www.AuthorHouse.com

Sheila Dikshit says Arvind Kejriwal's charges are 'baseless, false'

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday outright rejected Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's allegations of her being in collusion with power discoms to not lower power tarrif in the capital, terming them an "utter lie".

"Their allegations are baseless and completely false .... this is an utter ... Read More

Anna Hazare most trusted personality in India
PTI

Mumbai: Owing to his nationwide campaign against corruption, social activist Anna Hazare has emerged for the second consecutive time the most-trusted personality in India, while mobile handset-maker Nokia the most trusted brand, a new survey has found.

The survey, titled "The Brand Trust Report 2013', carried out by the Trust Research Advisory, however, placed Mahatma Gandhi at 12th position ahead of Tamil superstar Rajnikant in the list of 35 well-known personalities including nine women.

"Hazare has ... Read More

SpiceJet begins Delhi-Allahabad daily services
Nivedita Ganguly

SpiceJet has introduced daily flights connecting Delhi with Allahabad on its national network. The first flight on Delhi-Allahabad route will commence from February 4. The airline is deploying a 78-seater Bombardier Q-400 aircraft on this route.

SpiceJet will be flying from Delhi at 1.35 p.m. and will reach Allahabad airport at 2.30 p.m. Return flight to Delhi from Allahabad is at 2.50 p.m. The airline is offering a daily flight on this sector.

SpiceJet is also ... Read More

30th January should be observed as ‘Anti-Terrorism Day’
The National Panthers Party observed 30th January, this day, as ‘Anti-Terrorism Day’ with clear message that ‘terrorism’ is the enemy of mankind and must be fought at all platforms throughout the world. Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of NPP accompanied by several NPP activists visited Tees January Marg, Birla House in New Delhi where Gandhiji was assassinated on 30th January, 1948 and paid homage to Gandhiji.
The Panthers Party in a resolution forwarded to the President ... Read More

One Delhi rape accused is a minor: Juvenile justice board
TNN

NEW DELHI: The juvenile justice board on Monday ruled that one of the six accused in the December 16 gang rape and murder case of a 23-year-old girl was a juvenile at the time of the attack.

The 'minor' rape accused will not face trial before the special court, the board said.

A lawyer present in the court said a magistrate announced the decision after going over documents presented to the court by officials of the ... Read More

Gadkari warns I-T officials, says Congress on way out
ANI

Nagpur: Former Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari, who was given a rousing reception on his arrival in Nagpur on Thursday, described the charges against him as a conspiracy by the Congress-led UPA Government, and threatened to sort out the income tax officials involved in conducting raids on his firms.

Officials of the income tax department had raided the offices of Gadkari's Purti group of companies. His companies are under the scanner for alleged financial irregularities.

Gadkari ... Read More

The Eighth Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2012) Released
Enrollment of children in schools in India remains high but reading and arithmetic levels continue to be a cause for serious concern.

January 18, 2013 (New Delhi, India)-- The Annual Status of Education Report, ASER 2012, was released in New Delhi on January 17, 2013 by the Honourable Minister of Human Resource Development, Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju. This is the eighth annual report.

ASER is the largest annual household survey of children in rural India ... Read More

Shinde's 'Hindu terror' remarks India's internal matter: Pak
Pakistan has described as India's “internal matter” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's remarks accusing the BJP and RSS of conducting terror training camps.

It was an “internal matter of India”, Foreign Office Spokesman Moazzam Khan said, reacting to Shinde's remarks.

At the AICC session in Jaipur on Sunday, Shinde had accused BJP and RSS of conducting terror training camps and promoting “Hindu terrorism”.

Pakistani spokesman Khan said: “Earlier on, and even now, Pakistan has a very clear stance and ... Read More

India retains 4th spot in steel output with 76.7 mt
PTI

By 2015, India may become 2nd largest crude steel producer Global steel output up 1.2% in October

India’s rank in the world order of steel production remained unchanged at fourth slot with an output of 76.7 million tonnes, despite logging the highest growth of 4.2 per cent among major producing nations in 2012.

There was no change in the top three steel producing nations with China, Japan and the US retaining their slots in the respective order ... Read More

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Hindu activists target book festival

Youth activists of India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party, the country’s main opposition, have threatened to demonstrate in protest at the inclusion of Pakistani authors in this week’s Jaipur Literature Festival, prompting anger from supporters of free speech and the festival’s producer.

The activists’ calls are not the first time the festival, one of the biggest events on India’s social calendar, has been pressured to censor or cancel speakers.

Last year, the festival ... Read More

Guru's view on Indian rape raises anger, but shared by many
By Frank Jack Daniel and Satarupa Bhattacharjya

(Reuters) - Comments by an Indian spiritual leader that a gang-rape victim shared blame for her assault disgusted many in a country shaken by the crime, but his view represents a deep streak of chauvinism shared by a broad swathe of a society in transition.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy student and a male companion were left bleeding on a highway after she was raped and beaten on a moving bus in ... Read More

People are fed up with corruption: Sonia tells Congress
Jaipur: The two-day Congress Chitan Shivir began on Friday with party president Sonia Gandhi asking party leaders to address issues concerning corruption, safety of women and problems faced by the poor and middles classes.

She said, India is now better "informed and equipped" than ever before and its people now demand more from their leaders.

"Our citizens are not only concerned about corruption in public life in high places, they are also concerned over corruption in daily ... Read More

What is fundamentally wrong with the criminal justice system?
The ensuing debates after the rape in Delhi has thrown up several opinions, some poignantly valid and others ridiculous, about what changes are to be made to the criminal justice process to effectively address the scornful menace of rape and forms of sexual violence in India. An alarmingly large proportion of the population, if the media reports and surveys were to be believed, suggests prompt if not instant punishment, to the accused. An overwhelming number ... Read More

Tharoor's plea to quash proceedings turned down by HC
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court today declined Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor's plea to quash a case against him for allegedly insulting the National anthem and directed him to approach the trial court for discharge.

Disposing of the petition, Justice V K Mohanan directed Tharoor to approach the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate court for discharge and granted him time till Febuary 16 to move the trial court.

The High Court had on Jan 4 stayed ... Read More

Puri Shankaracharya blames western influence for rapes
PTI

Western influence was one of the main reasons behind the rise in incidents of rape in the country, Sankaracharya of Puri Swami Sri Nischalananda Saraswati said here today.

The western influence — films, club culture and drugs has destroyed the age old values and principles of the country. “There is need to change this. Before Independence we were able to maintain our culture and values but in the last 65 years we have lost a great ... Read More

Religion and environment
By Mathew Koshy Punnackadu

Religion is central to the consciousness of the majority in the world. Most
of the actions that we indulge in are a direct offshoot of our interaction
with the systems of religion in place.

Even if we do not subscribe to any religion per se we are affected by the tenants prescribed and adhered
through across the centuries. Environment too like religion is all pervasive
and affects us day in and out. Any change in either ... Read More

Verdict on marine case not setback: Chandy
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 18 (IANS) With the Supreme Court Friday ruling that the Kerala government has no independent jurisdiction to try the two Italian marines for shooting dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast last year, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the verdict is no setback because it upheld the argument that the case can be tried under Indian law.

"The Italian's had argued that Indian laws are not applicable and this has been ruled out ... Read More

Another bus passenger gang rape reported
Ashok Sharma

The Associated Press

NEW DELHI—Police said Sunday (Jan 13) they have arrested six suspects in another gang rape of a bus passenger in India, four weeks after a brutal attack on a student on a moving bus in the capital outraged Indians and led to calls for tougher rape laws.
Police officer Raj Jeet Singh said a 29-year-old woman was the only passenger on a bus as she was travelling to her village in ... Read More

Pakistan denies killing Indian troops, but ready to probe
By IANS - ISLAMABAD

Pakistan Wednesday denied its troops crossed into Jammu and Kashmir and killed two Indian soldiers but said it was ready to investigate India's claim.

"Pakistan strongly rejects the Indian allegation of an attack across the Line of Control (LoC) on its military patrol in which two Indian soldiers were claimed to have been killed. These are baseless and unfounded allegations," the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement, according to Xinhua.

The ministry said ... Read More

Police reforms badly needed
The brutal incident of rape in New Delhi, the death of the victim and the public response to the issue has brought to the forefront several vital issues plaguing India. Of primary concern were three aspects (i) the nature and frequency of violence, committed against the vulnerable sections of the society, most importantly women; (ii) the preparedness and the ability of the country's justice apparatus, particularly that of the law enforcement agencies, to deal with ... Read More

Activists wary as India rushes to justice after gang rape
By Frank Jack Daniel

(Reuters) - It's no surprise the Indian street wants faster, harsher justice for sexual crimes after a horrific gang rape that rocked the nation, but some activists worry the government will trample fundamental rights in its rush to be in tune with popular rage.

Last month's rape of a physiotherapy student on a moving bus and her death on December 28 in hospital triggered a national debate about how to better protect women ... Read More

Dalai Lama hails secularism practised in India
PTI

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday praised secularism practised in India and emphasised that the message of peaceful existence of different religions in the country should be taken all over the world.

"India is a symbol of secularism. It shows how different religions
coexist in harmony in the country," the Noble laureate said in his inaugural speech at the International Buddhist Sangh Conference.

The Tibetan monk praised Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for promoting Buddhism and also ... Read More

Beheading patrolling Army soldiers amounts to aggression
Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of NPP and a human rights activist strongly condemned brutal mutilation of bodies of the two Indian Soldiers by Pakistan’s Army by trespassing into Indian Territory in Poonch District (J&K) which amounted to aggression and violation of UN Resolution on LOC.

Prof. Bhim Singh expressed shock on the failure of Indian Army to monitor the movements of their patrolling soldiers within their own territory. The Nation needs explanation from the Indian ... Read More

HC stays for 2 weeks framing of charges against Tharoor
PTI

Kochi, Jan 4:

The Kerala High Court today stayed for two weeks the framing of charges against Union Minister Shashi Tharoor in the national anthem case pending before a lower court here.

Passing interim order on a petition by Tharoor, Justice V.K. Mohanan directed the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court to defer the framing of charges for two weeks.

The order was issued on a petition by Tharoor seeking quashing of the proceedings pending in the magistrate ... Read More

Delhi gangrape case: won't defend accused, say lawyers
Naming anti-rape law after her will be an honour: Delhi gangrape victim's family
Lawyers at a court hearing the case of a fatal gangrape which has shocked the nation said on Wednesday they would refuse to defend the men accused of taking part in the assault and murder.

Hearings are expected to begin on Thursday at the Saket district court in south Delhi, where
related stories

CJI Altamas Kabir inaugurates fast-track court to try Delhi gangrape case
Revised anti-rape law ... Read More

Delhi gang-rape case: Supreme Court lawyer appointed special prosecutor
PTI

New Delhi: Supreme Court lawyer Dayan Krishnan has been appointed as the special public prosecutor by city police to conduct trial in the December 16 gang rape of a paramedical student who succumbed to injuries during wee hours today at a Singapore hospital.

"It is Dayan Krishnan, an eminent lawyer...He has volunteered to do it free of cost. He will be assisted by two juniors," Dharmendra Kumar, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), told PTI.

The ... Read More

Gang-rape victim took tuitions to pay for her education
IANS

New Delhi: The Delhi "braveheart" who died Saturday came from a humble family originally from Uttar Pradesh and took tuitions to pay for her school and college fees.

Born into a family from Ballia, the young woman, family friends said, was hard working and desired to forge ahead in life.

The sources close to the family said they moved to the national capital a quarter century ago. It settled in a middle-class neighbourhood in southwest Delhi where ... Read More

India Clamps Down on Gang-Rape Protests
By REUTERS

NEW DELHI (Reuters) — Indian authorities throttled movement in the heart of the capital on Monday, shutting roads and railway stations in a bid to restore law and order after police fought pitched battles with protesters enraged by the gang rape of a young woman.

In an unusual televised address, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for calm following the weekend clashes in New Delhi and vowed to punish the rapists for their “monstrous” crime. ... Read More

Gang rape victim critical but stable: Doctors
PTI

NEW DELHI: After undergoing a small operation, the 23-year-old gang-rape victim's condition was critical but stable on Monday as doctors continued to monitor her health.

Doctors at the Safdarjung Hospital here said the girl is stable but critical and is on ventilator electively. She underwent a "small operation" on Sunday after medical examination suggested fluid collection in her abdomen.

The victim's platelet count has been fluctuating since Saturday and it stood at a low 19,000 during ... Read More

Gang rape protests: Delhi turns into fortress, protesters gather at Jantar Mantar
PTI

Police impose prohibitions at Vijay Chowk, India Gate under Section 144

NEW DELHI: A day after violent protests rocked the national capital, scores of people, mostly school students, gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday and asked the government to provide speedy justice to the victim in the gang rape case.

The protesters shouted slogans demanding quick conviction of those arrested on charges of raping the 23-year-old para-medical student from Dehradun in a moving bus here last ... Read More

Pirates storm oil tanker off Nigeria, kidnap 5 Indians
AFP

Well-armed pirates who stormed and ransacked an oil tanker off Nigeria have kidnapped five Indian crew members, said a statement on Wednesday from the operators of the ship.

Medallion Marine, which operates the SP Brussels tanker, said their vessel was boarded on Monday by
"heavily armed pirates" about 65 kilometres off the coast of the oil-producing Niger Delta region.

"The pirates ransacked the vessel for personal belongings and took five crew members with them on their departure," said ... Read More

Defence experts give mixed opinion on Rehman Malik's India visit
Source : ANI

Former Indian army official, Lieutenant General (Retd.) PN Hoon, on Friday appreciated the government's decision to invite Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik to India.

"I think it's a very good thing that we have started a process whereby we can try and meet each other and open up our borders and I think that the things they have agreed to or are about to agree, anyone who is above 65 years of age, he ... Read More

India says it is ready to help Afghanistan in peace building
Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (East) Sanjay Singh Wednesday said that India seeks to strengthen the hands of the Afghan people in bringing peace and prosperity to their country.
Singh noted that India's assistance to Afghanistan has helped build vital civil infrastructure, develop human resources and capacity in areas like education, health, agriculture and rural development.

"The primary objective of India's development partnership, covering the entire territory of Afghanistan and every development sector, is to ... Read More

Will Vote for Rupees
By HARTOSH SINGH BAL

DELHI — On Jan. 1, a year before the 2014 general election, the governing alliance led by the Congress Party will roll out a sweeping cash-transfer program for India’s poor. The plan is to replace existing pensions, scholarships and subsidies on household items by directly disbursing cash to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. It could apply to 720 million people.

Read more at: http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/indias-cash-transfer-for-the-poor-is-an-electoral-gambit/?ref=opinion
... Read More

Churches Should Publish A White Paper On Its Business Operations
Catholic and Protestant churches, across the country, is celebrating December 9, 2012 as 'Dalit Liberation Sunday'. Catholic Bishop Conference of India (CBCI) and National Council for Churches in India (NCCI) have suddenly become worried for their Dalit brothers. Both of these churches work under Vatican and Geneva based 'World Council of Churches'.

In the October month of this year, Catholic Church has organized a congregation under Pope Benedict-XVI, which has advocated for faster evangelization considering the ... Read More

India's domestic air traffic growth to be world's 2nd highest
New Delhi: India's domestic air travel market would be among the top five globally, experiencing the second highest growth rate in domestic passenger traffic after Kazakhstan but before China, IATA said today.

Global airlines' body International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Airline Industry Forecast 2012-2016, saying only Kazakhstan, India and China would experience double-digit growth in domestic passenger traffic during the period, recording 22.5, 13.1 and 10.1 per cent growth respectively, adding a total of ... Read More

Uproar in Lok Sabha over India-China border issue
By IANS - NEW DELHI

Members from the BJP and other opposition parties today created uproar during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha when External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid claimed that the understanding of India and China on the exact contours of the LAC differs.

Lalji Tandon (BJP) told Speaker Meira Kumar that his question on the infiltrations by Chinese army into the Indian territory in the last three years has not been answered in the written ... Read More

Asif Ibrahim, new chief of the Intelligence Bureau
New Delhi, November 28, 2012: Born on September 28, 1953 in Kanpur, Ibrahim belongs to 1977 batch of Indian Police Service (IPS). He was assigned to Madhya Pradesh where among other postings he also served in Chambal as SP Gwalior. A journalist of the state tells me that Ibrahim has “reputation of being honest with high integrity.”

He went to Delhi on central deputation in late 1980s and has remained outside his parent state ever since. ... Read More

India to Revise Enforcement of Internet Law
By GARDINER HARRIS

NEW DELHI — The Indian government will soon bar lower-level police officials from arresting people for making offensive comments on social networking sites unless the case is first reviewed by a senior police official, a top government official said Thursday.

Kapil Sibal, the communications minister, said during a television interview on Thursday that the recent arrests of two young women for their mild criticism of powerful people “are certainly an abuse of the ... Read More

Govt mulling new system for selection of judges
PTI

Amid demands for greater transparency in appointment of judges to higher judiciary, government on Friday said it is working on a proposal to put in place a new system to change the present mechanism where a collegium of judges has a larger say in such decisions.

Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said there was a “large political consensus” to put in place the alternative mechanism.

Under the present Collegium system, the executive has no say in appointments of ... Read More

Government declares seven-day state mourning on Gujral's death
Source : IANS

New Delhi, Nov 30 (IANS) The government Friday declared a seven-day state mourning on the death of former prime minister I.K. Gujral.

"While passing a resolution, the union cabinet decided that the departed leader will be given a state funeral," said a government official.

The cabinet, at a special session, expressed profound sorrow at the death of Gujral.

According to a government press statement, in Gujral's death "India has lost a great patriot, a visionary leader ... Read More

Trial of strength on FDI issue in Lok Sabha next week
New Delhi: A trial of strength over FDI in retail issue will be witnessed in Parliament next week, with the Lok Sabha deciding to have a discussion on December 4 and 5 on the issue under a rule that entails voting, a strident demand of the Opposition.

While Rajya Sabha will also have a similar discussion, the date and timings for it will be decided after consultations with various political parties.

The decision led to an end ... Read More

India's GDP growth languishes, headed for decade low
(Reuters) - India's economy extended its long slump in the last quarter, with lower-than-expected growth keeping it on track for its worst year in a decade and underscoring the urgency of politically difficult reforms to spur a revival.

The economy grew 5.3 percent from a year earlier in the July-September period, provisional gross domestic product (GDP) data showed on Friday, below the 5.5 percent posted for the three months ending in June.

"It is essential that the ... Read More

Pakistan major source of fake currency in India: Govt
PTI

NEW DELHI: Maximum consignments of high quality fake Indian currency notes are being supplied in the country from Pakistan, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

"As per available inputs from central intelligence and investigation agencies, consignments of high quality fake Indian currency notes (FICN) have been directly or indirectly sourced from Pakistan," minister of state for finance Namo Narain Meena said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

In response to another question about whether India ... Read More

The 1stWorld Congress endorses the Agra Declaration
The glittering 1stWorld Congress on CBR came to a conclusion today at the historic city of Agra, India. Attended by over 1200 participants (including over 200 persons with disability) from across 86 countries of the globe, the event saw many presentations, posters, discussions and deliberations. Also on display was the wonderful dance performances by the talented disabled dancers which left the audiences mesmerised and showed yet again to the world that mere disability cannot stand ... Read More

Indian economy to grow at 6.5% in 2013: Goldman Sachs
PTI

Indian economy is likely to grow by 6.5 per cent in 2013 driven by favourable external demand outlook and domestic structural reforms push, a Goldman Sachs report said on Thursday.

According to a research note by the investment banking major, growth is likely to pick up gradually to 6.5 per cent in 2013 and further to 7.2 per cent in 2014.

This is on the back of “easing financial conditions, in part driven by some reduction in ... Read More

India journalists held for Jindal Group 'extortion'
One of the complainants is Naveen Jindal, head of the firm and a top politician (pictured second right)Continue reading the main story

Two senior journalists at Indian television channel Zee News have been arrested on charges of extortion.

Sudhir Chaudhary, head of news, and Samir Ahluwalia, head of business at the channel, are accused of trying to extort millions of dollars from the Indian business firm Jindal Group.

They are alleged to have sought cash in exchange for ... Read More

Revoke Ranjit Sinha's appointment as CBI chief: BJP
PTI

NEW DELHI: BJP on Friday demanded annulment of the government decision to appoint Ranjit Sinha as the new CBI director, contending that the Select Committee on Lokpal had suggested that such appointments should be done through a collegium method.

Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, Leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking reversal of the decision to appoint Sinha as the next CBI director.

In a ... Read More

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray cremated at Shivaji Park
Mumbai: A sea of humanity poured into the streets here Sunday to bid adieu to Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in an unprecedented and historic show of idolatry for a regional leader who was for five decades the torchbearer of militant Marathi chauvinism and Hindu supremacism.

India's entertainment and financial capital ground to a halt as 86-year-old Thackeray's cortege slowly wound its way through jostling crowds from his home Matoshri in Bandra East to Shivaji Park, ... Read More

'Indian Idol 6' singers launch album
Source : IANS

New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS) The top four voices of reality show "Indian Idol 6" launched their album "Indian Idol-Fabulous Four" Friday evening with a live performance here.

Finalists of the TV show -- Amit Kumar, Devendra Pal Singh, Vipul Mehta and Poorvi Koutish -- have sung in the album besides playback singers Shaan, Mauli Dave, Shilpa Rao and Rekha Bhardwaj. The songs have been composed by Shameer Tandon and written by Sameer.

The album, ... Read More

Air India announces promotional fares
By IANS - CHENNAI

In order to fill up its seats during the lean January-March season, Air India Sunday announced promotional fares for more than 325 cities across the country which will be effective between Jan 16 and March 31, 2013.

In a statement issued here, the airline said the sale will offer early bookers unbeatable value for money and give a fillip to air travel market in general by encouraging travel during the traditionally lean period ... Read More

Diplomatic row erupts between India, Maldives
India and Maldives were involved in a diplomatic row over intemperate remarks made against the Indian High Commissioner by the spokesperson to the Maldivian President which was described by the envoy as against diplomatic protocol.
In a damage-control exercise later, a statement posted on the official website of Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed said the government of Maldives disassociates itself from the remarks made by Abbas Adil Riza and some other government officials, saying they did not ... Read More

Anna announces his new team, V K Singh to be special invitee
New Delhi: Almost two months after his split with Arvind Kejriwal-led group, Anna Hazare Saturday unveiled his new team to take his "apolitical" anti-corruption battle forward with a promise to expand the panel within a month in which former Army chief V K Singh could be a special invitee.

The first list does not have names like that of the former Army chief or activists P V Rajagopal and 'Waterman' Rajinder Singh and agriculture expert Devender ... Read More

Complaint against Robert Vadra dismissed
JAIPUR: A local court today dismissed a complaint filed against Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra for his reported comment 'mango man in banana republic' on a social networking site.

A Judicial Magistrate dismissed the complaint on the ground that it had no territorial jurisdiction to deal with it as the tweet was not made in his jurisdiction.

City-based lawyer A C Upadhyay had filed the complaint against Vadra in the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate here ... Read More

Important Indian State Carriage to be auctioned in UK
A magnificent 19th Century Indian state carriage is set to be sold in the United Kingdom by Historics Auctions.

Used exclusively for the royal family of Mysore and to transport European Royalty, including the Prince of Wales, it's expected to sell for £70,000 - £100,000 . This magnificent horse/elephant drawn state carriage is thought to be of British origin and dates from around the early to mid 19th century.

It features an imposing and ... Read More

Bust of Indian-origin spy princess to be unveiled
London: A bronze bust of Indian-origin British 'spy princess' Noor Inayat Khan, who worked in France during World War II before being tortured and shot by the Germans, is being unveiled today in Gordon Square Gardens here, near the house where she lived as a child.

It is said to be the first such memorial in Britain dedicated to a Muslim and the first in honour of an Asian woman.

Khan, posthumously awarded the George Cross for ... Read More

India changes controversial Internet governance position
It appears the country's government has backed away from its proposal to create a UN body to govern the internet. The controversial plan, which was made without consulting civil society.
Following outrage from India's civil society and media, it appears the country's government has backed away from its proposal to create a UN body to govern the internet. The controversial plan, which was made without consulting civil society, angered local stakeholders, including academics, media, and industry ... Read More

SC grants 16 lakhs to late Ghulam Ahmad Lala, former BSF Subedar
Division Bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising of JJ Mr. H.L. Dattu and Mr. Chandramauli Kumar Prasad today directed the BSF (Union of India) to pay Rs.16 lacs (plus) to late Shri Ghulam Ahmad Lala, former BSF Subedar who was dismissed from service in 1992. Shri Ghulam Ahmad Lala was resident of Mohalla Khawja Sahib, Kanth Bagh, Baramullah (J&K), dismissed from service from BSF in 1992. The High Court of J&K allowed his ... Read More

K Rehman Khan is the new Minority Minister
New Delhi, October 28, 2012: K Rehman Khan, Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, is the new Cabinet Minister for the Minority Affairs. Khan was so far Deputy Chairman of the Upper House.

So long Salman Khurshid was holding the additional charge of minority ministry, along with the Law Ministry. Khurshid is likely to become the next Minister of External Affairs.

Ninong Ering, Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh, becomes the new MoS in the Minority Affairs ministry. ... Read More

Card Baselios Thottunkal: Wihout Hindus, India would not have Christians
Vatican City, October 30, 2012: “I am grateful to our Hindu brothers and sisters, because they supported and protected us. If they had not been by our side, we Christians would never have survived here in India”, says His Beatitude Mar Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara church (Kerala, India). This is his first reaction to the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI on October 24 last, during the Synod of ... Read More

Jet, Air India resume flights to storm-hit US
PTI

New Delhi: With two major airports in the US reopening after being hit by superstorm Sandy, Air India and Jet Airways today announced resumption of their flights to New York and Newark from Thursday.

Air India would operate AI-101 Delhi-New York and AI-191 Mumbai-Newark (EWR) flights in the early hours on Thursday, while Jet Airways would operate its flights 9W-228 and 9W-227 to and from EWR via Brussels, spokespersons of both the airlines said.

The massive storm ... Read More

PM's new team gets down to work
IANS

Sunday, possibly the last before the 2014 general elections, saw Salman Khurshid taking over as India's new foreign minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal being made the new man to helm the railways ministry, M. Veerappa Moily being given petroleum and M.M. Pallam Raju being made human resource development minister.

S. Jaipal Reddy got science and technology and Kamal Nath got additional charge of parliamentary affairs besides urban development.

Amongst the ministers of state sworn in were Congress spokesperson ... Read More

SpiceJet bags India's International Low Cost Carrier award
Last month, the airline was voted amongst the Top 5 Best Budget Airline in Asia by Smart Travel Asia

-
“The award reaffirms our goal to provide affordable air services to our esteemed guests. It is a matter of great pleasure to receive the award. We have been expanding our footprints to more international destinations in recent time and will be adding some more cities in coming period,” said Neil Mills, Chief Executive Officer, SpiceJet Ltd.

At present, ... Read More

Kingfisher Airlines staff accepts management offer, to resume work today: sources
NDTV

Kingfisher Airlines' pilots and engineers agreed to the management’s offer of a staggered payment of three months’ salaries before Diwali, and are joining work today, sources said. The staff will get paid salary for March within the next 24 hours and salary for April before the end of the month; salary for May will be paid before Diwali.

However, the airline cannot resume flights unless it gets the go-ahead from the civil aviation regulator, ... Read More

Saudi Arabia using India to shake up Islamabad's links with terror: Report
Washington, Oct. 24 (ANI)

Saudi Arabia has been deepening its cooperation with India in cracking down on terrorism, but is also using the nation to balance its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

Pakistan is Saudi Arabia's traditional ally in South Asia, as firstly both nations are Islamic countries with majority Sunni populations, and the latter having fueled the construction of many hard-line religious schools in Pakistan that have helped foster Islamist militancy.

But the Middle East nation is ... Read More

Congress hails Supreme Court verdict on Rahul
IANS

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court order giving a clean chit to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in an alleged rape case and indirectly attacked anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal over his allegations against party leaders over the past few weeks.

Hours after the Supreme Court said the allegation of gang-rape against the Congress General Secretary and his friends was fake and ordered Rs.5 lakh compensation to him for damage to his reputation, the ... Read More

2G cabinet secretary wrote to PM recommending entry fee of Rs. 36,000 crore
2G: Ex-cabinet secretary says he wrote to PM recommending entry fee of Rs 36,000 crore
New Delhi: Even as the Joint Parliamentary Committee looking into the 2G scam battled over calling P Chidambaram to depose and the BJP again stayed away in protest, the cabinet secretary at the time of scam, K M Chandrasekhar, made some critical revelations today.

Mr Chandrashekhar said that he had written to the Prime Minister that the entry fee for players wanting ... Read More

Prosperity coming to Delhi, Mumbai: UN
New Delhi: Mumbai and New Delhi figure among 95 world cities identified by the United Nations as those moving towards prosperity, but the two Indian metropolis are just "half-way" to achieving it with the reasons being poor infrastructure and environment conditions among others.

'State of the World's Cities' report by the UN Habitat analyses the prosperity of the cities on various counts like productivity, quality of life, infrastructure, environment and equity and on all these five ... Read More

Pranab Mukherjee's son wins Jangipur by-poll by just over 2500 votes
PTI

The by-election was held on October 10 as the seat had fallen vacant after Pranab Mukherjee was elevated to the highest office of the country.

Opposition campaign against FDI and price rise had resulted in the drop in the Congress' victory margin among other factors, party candidate and President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee said today.

"To some extent price rise and the FDI had an impact," Abhijit told a Bengali TV channel reacting to the low ... Read More

Number of Facebook users in India rises to 65 m
Users of social networking site Facebook in India has grown to 65 million from a bare eight million two years ago, making it a strong platform for marketers.

The users’ base was about 50 million till August this year, indicating the penetration of this site both in urban and rural India.

Head of Facebook India Kirthiga Reddy said on-line advertisement spends in India was growing at 25 per cent year-on-year. “Our reach can be a strong platform ... Read More

Pakistani, Indian banks may start cross-border work in March
Banks in Pakistan and India have been advised to complete documentation required to open branches in each other’s countries by November 30, says Minister (Trade) at the High Commission of Pakistan in India Naeem Anwar.

“At the commerce secretary level-talks held recently, it was agreed that the banks should complete their documentation by November 30 in order to open branches in each other’s countries by March next year,” said Anwar at a meeting with members of ... Read More

To become PM, Nitish Kumar has to beat Lalu, Pawar and Mulayam: Numerologist
MK Damodaran

Nitish Kumar is also considered a favorite for the post of prime minister. He is projected as a anti-Narendra Modi. Interestingly, both names begin with the same alphabet! Also, their sun signs are in mutually friendly positions. That means that their political rivalry will not stoop to the low level of petty personal grudge.

NITISH IS now 61 years old. That is lucky. Nearest lucky ages after that are 63, 64, 65, 66 and ... Read More

India expands more than China: HSBC
New Delhi: Economic growth in emerging market economies slowed in the July-September quarter on poor performance by the manufacturing sector, but India expanded more than China, an HSBC survey said.

The HSBC Emerging Markets Index (EMI) slipped to 52.1 in the third quarter this year, from 53.2 in the April-June period.

A relatively better performance from the services sector was offset by the poor performance of the manufacturing sector, as global demand softened.

However, among the big-four emerging ... Read More

Kingfisher extends lockout till next weekend
New Delhi: Ailing Kingfisher Airlines has extended its lockout till the next weekend, apparently after failing to convince its striking staffers, protesting delay in salaries, to return to work.

Airline sources said the airline management, in an internal mail, has said that due to operational reasons, all flights across its network would be cancelled till October 20.

The mail came a day after Kingfisher CEO Sanjay Aggarwal appealed to all employees, striking over non-payment of salaries for ... Read More

Indian Railways allows users to track train info real-time
This is the first time any of the public transport system can be tracked in real-time basis on the internet, and mobile.

RailRadar is a live tracker of Indian Railways passenger trains traffic in real time. This live tracker is shown on an interactive map and allows users to watch the movements of trains which are currently running in entire India. The application has been built by Indian Railways Center for Railway Information System (CRIS) and ... Read More

'India mobile handset sales to touch 251 million units in 2013'
Mobile device sales in India are forecast to reach 251 million units in 2013, a 13.5 per cent rise over 2012 sales of 221 million units. The mobile handset market is expected to show steady growth through 2016 when end-user sales will surpass 326 million units, according to a study by Gartner.

“The Indian mobile phone market is competitive with more than 150 device manufacturers selling devices to consumers. Most of these manufacturers remain focussed on ... Read More

Iranian minister seeks investments from Indian business houses
NEW DELHI: As Western sanctions squeeze Iran and its currency tumbles, the country's energy minister worked Wednesday to woo Indian businesses to invest in the beleaguered Iranian economy.

Majid Namjoo told a meeting of Indian business leaders that there were huge opportunities to do business with Iran's private sector that remains largely unaffected by sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.

Namjoo is on a four-day visit to India where he is meeting with ... Read More

Death penalty for five family members in 'honour killing'
Five members of a family in the Indian capital, Delhi, have been sentenced to death for the brutal murder of a young couple in 2010.

Yogesh and Asha were tortured and electrocuted in a so-called honour killing by members of Asha's family who objected to the union on caste grounds.

Asha's parents, her uncle, aunt and a cousin were arrested the day after the crime. They were convicted on Monday.

Last year the Supreme Court said honour killings ... Read More

EFI calls upon India to observe international obligations on human rights
New Delhi, October 1, 2012: EFI calls upon India to observe international obligations on human rights; regrets India’s negative stance at UNHRC Universal Periodic review on Communal Violence Prevention legislation, Dalit Christians, and recalling so called “Freedom of Religion Acts” by States.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India welcomes the Indian Government’s assurances of its commitment to Human Rights and specially the Rights of Religious and other minorities, reiterated its Universal Periodic Review under the auspices of ... Read More

Why India’s newspaper industry is thriving.
by Ken Auletta

ABSTRACT: ANNALS OF COMMUNICATIONS about Samir and Vineet Jain, the two brothers who run the Times of India, which has the largest circulation of any English-language newspaper in the world. While profits have been declining at newspapers in the West, India is one of the few places on earth where newspapers still thrive; in fact, circulation and advertising are rising. In part, this is because many Indian newspapers, following an approach pioneered ... Read More

Petrol price may be cut by Rs 1.6 a litre
Petrol price may be cut by about Rs 1.60 per litre later this month as appreciation of rupee against the US dollar has helped state firms make profit on the fuel.

"Yes, there is about Rs 1.60 per litre profit on petrol since October 1. But we want this trend to stabilise before we think of cutting retail prices," a senior executive at one of the three state-owned fuel retailers said.

Petrol price was last revised on ... Read More

Government has not paid for Sonia Gandhi's treatment: CIC
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has not sought any reimbursement for medical bills from the Government, the Central Information Commission has said.

The case relates to an RTI application filed by one Naveen Kumar of Moradabad, who sought to know from the Prime Minister's Office, National Advisory Council, Lok Sabha secretariat and ministries of external affairs, parliamentary affairs, statistics and programme implementation details of the medical expenditure incurred on the treatment of Gandhi.

IANS

... Read More

Kingfisher grounded
New Delhi/Mumbai: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is the regulatory body for airlines, has told top executives of Kingfisher Airlines that it will be allowed to operate only after ensuring its employees return to work. 270 of its engineers have been on strike since Sunday, triggering its latest crisis. After the meeting with the DGCA, Sanjay Aggarwal, Kingfisher's CEO said the airline planned to pay staff "in the next few days." ... Read More

Case seeks to hurt 'young leader full of promise': Rahul Gandhi's lawyer
New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's counsel told the Supreme Court today that the allegation that Mr Gandhi had "illegally detained" a girl and her parents was politically motivated and to tarnish his image.

Mr Gandhi's lawyer P P Rao told the top court that the petitioner had indulged in deliberate character assassination of a young leader full of promise to tarnish his image in the eyes of the nation and to hurt the feelings ... Read More

Indian Jewellery on the march
New Delhi: Designer Manish Arora has chosen Indian jewellery as his inspiration for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection at the Paris Fashion Week.

Manish, who is a regular at the womenswear pret-a-porter, will present his collection on the third day of the event beginning on September 25 and he says it was high time he showcased the real Indian silhouettes on the global platform.

"I thought that it is high time that I actually showcase the real Indian ... Read More

Team Anna splits, Anna tells Kejriwal faction not to use his name, photo for new party
Eighteen months after they came together to launch their anti-corruption movement, Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal officially parted ways today. Opposing the decision of the Kejriwal-led group to form a political party, Hazare barred them from using his name or photograph.

Speaking to mediapersons at the end of the nine-hour meeting, Hazare said: “There is nothing wrong with fielding a political party but I will not be a part of it. It has my blessings and ... Read More

Air India’s second Dreamliner arrived in Delhi on 19th
Ashwini Phadnis

The second of the 27 Boeing 787 aircraft ordered by Air India arrives in India later this evening. The second aircraft is expected to touch down in Delhi around 5 p.m.

The B 787 aircraft, more popularly known as the Dreamliner, will be used on services from Delhi to Kolkata and possibly either Dubai or Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, the first of the airline's Boeing 787 started commercial flying for Air India. The first flight was operated as ... Read More

A K Jain new NHRC secretary general
PTI

NEW DELHI: Senior IAS officer Arun Kumar Jain has been appointed as the new secretary general in National Human Rights Commission.

Jain, a 1977-batch IAS officer of Nagaland cadre, is presently adviser of Inter State Council Secretariat under Ministry of Home Affairs, a Department of Personnel and Training statement said here on Wednesday.

His appointment came following retirement of Rajiv Sharma, a 1976-batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
... Read More

Anti-Islam film protesters lathicharged near US consulate in Chennai
PTI

Chennai: Some vehicles were set on fire and police resorted to lathicharge on Tuesday to disperse a large number of people belonging to more than 20 Muslim organisations who had gathered to protest against an American movie which allegedly denigrated Islam.

Tension mounted as around 2000 protesters engaged in a scuffle with police on the arterial Anna Salai road and tried to march towards the US Consulate. Some vehicles were also set on fire, police said.

The ... Read More

India and child mortality
India is NOT the worst in child mortality rate. According to the UNICEF report, India is ranked 49 with an under-5 child mortality rate of 61 per 1,000 live births; and decline in mortality rates of 46% between 1990 and 2012. [Sierra Leone is the worst and is ranked 1, with a mortality rate of 185 for children under 5 years for every 1,000 live births. Bangladesh is ranked 60 with a rate ... Read More

Govt. bans web pages carrying controversial anti-Islam film
The Congress-led UPA Government has banned on Internet a controversial film offensive to Islam.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has forwarded a request in this regard to Jammu and Kashmir Government to block all web pages where the film is available.

The Federal authorities in the United States have identified a person in South California, considered to be the brain behind this controversial film.

Meanwhile, protests continue against the film. In India protest demonstrations were held in front ... Read More

SC issues notice to Centre on coal block allocations
The alleged irregularities in the coal block allocations came under judicial scrutiny today with the Supreme Court directing the Centre to explain if the guidelines were strictly followed in allotting the natural resource to private companies.

Turning down the Centre's plea that the court should not go into the issue as it is being looked into by a Parliamentary committee, the apex court said "these are different exercises."

A Bench of Justices R M Lodha and A ... Read More

Now Delhi govt buildings to be painted white
PTI

As part of its energy conservation initiative, Delhi government has decided to paint in white the roof and exterior walls of all its buildings to cut down energy consumption. The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by chief minister Sheila Dikshit. Officials said white
roofs will keep the buildings cool by absorption of lessheat. In summer, we can save excess energy used for running ACs and other cooling appliances, they said.

The government is in ... Read More

National supplier registration
Recently you were selected as an inductee into the National Supplier Registration (NSR) for Executives and Professionals. This selection was based on our research committees efforts to identify top professionals around the globe. In the workplace it isn't what you know, it's who you know...and who knows you. Social and business networking is the modern standard in developing relationships throughout the world. The potential for recognition and building networks within a community of 1,000,000 ... Read More

Margret Alva receives Mercy Ravi award
Kochi: Describing rural women as the new "Indian women", Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva has said that quality education should be imparted to themas it is the key to their empowerment.

Education is the key to empowerment of women and the quality of education imparted to them and their access to it should be ensured, Alva said after receiving the Mercy Ravi woman of substance award from Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here Wednesday.

"We have to create ... Read More

Ministers who matter in Manmohan's cabinet
IANS

New Delhi, September 06, 2012

The slew of ministerial groups set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assist in consensus-building and decision-making, once headed by Pranab Mukherjee, who was then the finance minister and is now India's President, are currently chaired by just three ministers: P Chidambaram, AK Antony and
Sharad Pawar.

Here is the list of such committees with brief terms of reference and their chairs - a listing that also, perhaps, gives an insight ... Read More

Seal the borders and Disenfranchise Bangla Infiltrators’: RSS
Bangalore September 2: RSS leader Ram Madhav slammed UPA govt for its poor and undemocratical policies on North East Issue and said that UPA is eyenig on 2014 elections through Bangla Infiltrator’s vote in North East India.

Speaking in an intellectual conference programme at Bangalore, RSS Akhil Bhartiya Sampark Pramukh Ram Madhav said “We need to detect and defranchise the Bangladesh Infiltrators from the country. There is very little done by the central government to deport ... Read More

ISI providing assistance to Sikh militant groups: Govt
NEW DELHI: Pakistani intelligence agency ISI has been providing patronage and assistance to various Sikh terrorist groups, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), to revive militancy in Punjab, government informed Lok Sabha.

"Available inputs indicate the patronage and assistance provided by Pakistan's ISI to leaders of various Sikh terrorist groups including BKI based in Pakistan," minister of state for home Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday.

He said interrogation of arrested Sikh militants revealed that short term modules are ... Read More

India should address rights issues: Human Rights Watch
New York, Sep 3 (IANS) India should accept the recommendations by UN member states to address the country's "most serious human rights problems", Human Rights Watch said Monday.

During the September session of the UN Human Rights Council, India will submit its responses to the 169 recommendations made at its second review on May 24.

The wide-ranging recommendations call upon India to ratify multinational treaties against torture and enforced disappearances, and repeal the much-abused Armed Forces Special ... Read More

Economic growth seen around three-year low
A man works at an iron scrap yard at an industrial area in the southern Indian city of Chennai

India's GDP growth likely languished around its lowest in three years in the quarter that ended in June, offering no respite for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he struggles to escape from a series of political scandals that have paralysed his economic agenda.

Weak demand in the West has hit exports, but the heaviest toll on the economy ... Read More

Nine killed as two IAF Mi-17 choppers collide mid-air
Nine defence personnel, including five officers, were today killed when two MI-17 choppers of Indian Air Force collided mid-air just after take off from an air base here.

"Nine IAF personnel--five officers and four other ranks-- have been killed in the crash near Sarmat firing range, 15 kms from Jamnagar city," an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The Russian-made choppers were on a training sortie and the crash occurred about five minutes after they took off ... Read More

India Plans to Amend Electricity Laws
BY SAURABH CHATURVEDI

NEW DELHI—The Indian government, looking to prevent a repeat of two power failures in July that affected more than 600 million people, plans to propose legislation amendments to overhaul the electricity sector, Power Minister Veerappa Moily said Wednesday.

A key push of the proposals will be to give regulators more authority to revise charges as well as prevent states from drawing too much electricity from the national supply network, which was cited as a ... Read More

India aims to crack methane mystery with Mars mission
India proposed mission to Mars in November next year will attempt to crack the "methane mystery", a veteran space scientist has hinted.

Speaking to PTI here, former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, Prof U R Rao noted that when the country undertook the Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission, "we didn't know we are going to detect water (on the moon)."

"First time it has happened (detecting water on the moon) in spite of the fact that we were ... Read More

BJP threatens investor confidence: Sibal
New Delhi: Government today said incidents such as stalling of Parliament by BJP would dent investors confidence and affect growth which has slowed down to 5.5 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal.

"When you raise every issue like this, the confidence of those coming from outside to invest is stopped, industrialists here will stop investment. Will the BJP governments and the BJP invest money," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said when asked to ... Read More

Supreme Court Order on Pak Prisoners
Division Bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising JJ Mr. R.M. Lodha and Mr. Anil R. Dave in its latest order issued detail direction for the release and speedy trial of the foreign prisoners in Indian jails, mostly from Pakistan and POK.
The Supreme Court made this order on the PIL filed by Prof. Bhim Singh, Sr. Advocate and Chairman, National Panthers Party seeking release of those who have completed their respective sentences and ... Read More

India to offer fresh trade sops to Pakistan
In a move to help promote trade and bilateral ties with Pakistan, the government is set to slash 30% items or 254 products from the sensitive list under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (Safta) with the Cabinet set to consider the proposal on Friday.

As part of pruning the list for non-least developed countries, which includes Sri Lanka, India plans to reduce peak customs duty on these products to 5% over three years. Eventually, the ... Read More

India Bans Bulk Texts in Attempt to Stanch Fear, Migrant Exodus
Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- India banned bulk mobile-phone texting to check the spread of rumors of violence against migrants from northeastern states following ethnic clashes in Assam last month that killed 77 and displaced more than 400,000.

The government banned bulk phone messaging for 15 days, Home Secretary R.K. Singh told reporters in New Delhi yesterday. Ninong Ering, a ruling Congress party lawmaker from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, said in parliament yesterday that about ... Read More

Jet to operate more flights to Gulf from winter
Mumbai: Jet Airways today said that effective October 18, it will launch a new Mumbai-Sharjah service, its sixth daily flight to the UAE from the city, apart from resuming services to Kuwait and Bahrain from Kochi, as part of its winter schedule.
"Our new daily return service Mumbai to Sharjah will be the sixth daily service between Mumbai and the UAE, in addition to the existing four daily services to Dubai and one daily flight ... Read More

Specialised agency for providing skill to 8 cr youths: PM
New Delhi: Emphasising on job creation infusing requisite skills to the youths, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said a specialised agency would be set up to facilitate training of eight crore people in the next five years.

"This is an ambitious scheme which can be implemented only through a specialised agency of the Centre. Therefore, we are considering establishment of a National Skill Development Authority so that a skill development programmes can be implemented in ... Read More

Singh invites Pakistani band to perform on his birthday
On September 26, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will turn 80. To celebrate the occasion, musicians from both sides of the border are gearing up to strum a new note — of cross-border peace and harmony.

Taking part in the celebrations to be organised at the PM’s birthplace, Gah, Punjab, in British India (now Pakistan) will be Sufi rockers Junoon and Sunidhi Chauhan, Times of India reported.

Salman Ahmad of Junoon, who is looking forward to meeting ... Read More

Indians, Pakistanis light peace candles at border
Journalists, political leaders and peace activists from Pakistan and India assembled at the Wagha-Attari border on August 14-15 midnight to pay homage to the martyrs of the freedom movement, lit candles in their memory and vowed to promote peace.

Journalists, political leaders and peace activists from Pakistan and India assembled at the Wagha-Attari border on August 14-15 midnight to pay homage to the martyrs of the freedom movement, lit candles in their memory and vowed to ... Read More

Inflation down by 6.87 percent
Inflation down by 6.87 percent

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) India's headline inflation fell to 6.87 percent in July from 7.25 percent in the previous month, putting pressure on the Reserve Bank of India to cut interest rates to revive growth.

The monthly inflation, based on wholesale price index (WPI), was 9.36 percent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

Government data released Tuesday showed food inflation declined to 10.06 per cent in July from ... Read More

Baba Ramdev ends fast, will launch anti-Congress stir
Yoga guru Ramdev today broke his six-day protest fast in what turned into a distinctly anti-Congress front on the blackmoney issue.

"The result of any protest is not determined by the government but by the people. I am happy that over 400 MPs in Parliament supported our demands. This government has cheated the people and Parliament," Ramdev said breaking his fast at the Ambedkar Stadium here.

Ramdev reiterated his oft spoken statement, calling for defeat ... Read More

Poor accused must get free legal aid at all levels: SC
SC has ruled that free assistance must be provided to all poor accused, irrespective of the severity of the crime attributed to them, at every stage of the three-tier justice delivery system and could not be restricted to the trial stage only.

"We are of the opinion that neither the Constitution not the Legal Services Authority Act makes any distinction between a trial and an appeal for the purpose of providing free legal aid to an ... Read More

Parliament disrupted over black money
NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Monday as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members noisily demanded that black money stashed abroad be brought back to the country.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu raised the issue when zero hour began. Criticising the government, he said: "Even the CBI director has raised the issue, which shows the seriousness of the issue. With that money we can solve several problems of the country. ... Read More

Pak-1965 war prisoners’ case for final hearing in September
A Division Bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising JJ Mr. P. Sathasivam and Mr. Ranjan Gogoi yesterday ordered that the case of four Pakistani prisoners allegedly detained in J&K during the 1965 war shall be heard in September this year. The Supreme Court made this order after hearing the arguments of Prof. Bhim Singh, Sr. Advocate appearing for the J&K State Legal Aid Committee. The State Legal Aid Committee has filed a writ ... Read More

When an angry Sonia Gandhi showed rare agitation
New Delhi: Assam's chief minister Tarun Gogoi has controversially declared that his state is "sitting on a volcano." It was in parliament that the volcano erupted today, after BJP leader LK Advani made a controversial remark about the legitimacy of the Congress-led government.

The usually inscrutable Sonia Gandhi, who heads the Congress, was visibly furious. She then turned to her MPs and signaled that they must retaliate. In the chaos ... Read More

Mumbai attack was controlled in Pakistan
Pakistan is increasingly being cornered with proof that the Mumbai attack was planned on its territory and links with 'state actors' is being brought into the public sphere.

The latest instance is the Abu Judal and Ajmal Kasab meet arranged by police.

Nearly three years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker, was on Thursday night brought face to face with Abu Jundal whom he identified as one of the ... Read More

India to get first Dreamliner this month: 10 facts
NDTV

India’s most awaited aircraft, the Dreamliner, will most likely arrive this month, after a delay of nearly four years.

State-run Air India had placed orders for 27 such aircraft six years ago, and the first batch was supposed to be delivered in September 2008. However, the delivery was delayed due to design and production issues at Boeing, the maker of the aircraft.

Air India likely to resume key international routes by month-end
Govt approves Air India compensation for ... Read More

SC fixed Pak-1965 war prisoners’ case for final hearing in September
A Division Bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising JJ Mr. P. Sathasivam and Justice Mr. Ranjan Gogoi today ordered that the case of four Pakistani prisoners allegedly detained in J&K during the 1965 war shall be heard in September this year. The Supreme Court made this order after hearing the arguments of Prof. Bhim Singh, Sr. Advocate appearing for the J&K State Legal Aid Committee. The State Legal Aid Committee has filed a ... Read More

1,832 appointments on fake caste certificates: Govt
NEW DELHI: As many as 1,832 appointments in various government departments were allegedly secured using fake caste certificates during 2010, the government said today. "Information about appointments secured on the basis of fake or false caste certificates is not centrally maintained.

However, the Central Government had undertaken a one time exercise to collect information about appointments secured on the basis of fake or false caste certificates in 2010. "As per information received from various ministries or ... Read More

India, Pakistan artistes to celebrate Independence Day at Munabao
Folk artistes, social workers and other eminent personalities from both the countries are set to take part in the Independence Day celebrations on August 14-15 at Munabao, the border village in Jaisalmer district.

Promoting cultural and economic exchanges between India and Pakistan has been strongly advocated by several artistes and prominent personalities from both sides of the border since long.

In an effort to send out a message of peace and harmony, folk artistes, social workers and ... Read More

End fast, citizens appeal to Team AnnaSource :
New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) A former army chief, a spiritual guru, an actor, and an ex-poll panel chief are among those who appealed Thursday to Team Anna to end their fast for a strong Lokpal bill.

With Team Anna's indefinite protest continuing for the ninth day, ex-army chief General V.K. Singh, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and other prominent people made the appeal to call off the fast following their deteriorating health.

A written appeal signed ... Read More

Anonymous donates Rs 1.18 crore diamonds at Saibaba temple
SHIRDI: An unidentified person donated two diamonds worth Rs 1.18 crore at Sri Saibaba temple here, Saibaba trust officials said here on Wednesday.

The diamonds - of three and two carat each studded in a gold pendant - valued at Rs 1.18 crore were found in a cash box on Tuesday, they said.

However, the donor is not known, they said. This is the first time that such expensive diamonds have been donated at the Saibaba trust, ... Read More

Dalit Christians losing patience; Protest demands restoration of rights
By Dibin Samuel

Upping the ante against the Central government, leaders from the Dalit Christian and Muslim communities today called for mass protests and state-wide campaigns to force the UPA-led government to act on their demands before the 2014 elections.

In a show of unity, several hundreds of Dalit Christians and Muslims joined by activists, priests, nuns and church leaders, took out a 'Parliament March' and dharna in the capital demanding the restoration of the Schedule Caste ... Read More

Amarnath Yatra ends, Charri Mubarak reaches shrine
SRINAGAR: The 39-day Amarnath Yatra concluded on Thursday as the 'Charri Mubarak', the mace of Lord Shiva, reached the 3880-metre high Himalayan cave shrine amidst Vedic chants.

Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the holy mace, accompanied by over 100 'sadhus' reached the shrine with the Charri Mubarak this morning, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board officials said.

Traditional rituals were performed inside the cave, housing the naturally-formed icelingam, to mark the culmination of this year's edition of the ... Read More

US-made India's 1st C-17 aircraft gets shape; to arrive in 2013
The first of India's ten ordered Boeing heavy-lift military transport aircraft has got its shape at an exclusive "major join" ceremony here attended by the top Indian diplomat of the region and IAF officials.

The global aerospace giant Boeing integrated the forward, center and aft (rear) fuselages and the wing assembly of India's first C-17 Globemaster during the airlifter's "major join" ceremony here yesterday.

Officials from the Indian embassy in San Francisco and Indian Air ... Read More

Antony gives financial sanction for raising 2nd Arunachal Scouts battalion
Antony informed Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki that a notification in this regard would be released soon to allow the process of recruitment to start.

Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy and other lawmakers from the state accompanied Tuki during their meeting with Antony on Monday.

The Chief Minister also discussed in detail the condition of roads under implementation by the Border Road Organization, and impressed upon the Defence Minister to expedite the said works in the interest ... Read More

Dozens Killed As Fire Engulfs Train
At least 47 people have been killed after a fire swept through a train packed with sleeping passengers in southern India.

Panicked survivors rushing for the only clear exit once the overnight train between New Delhi to the south-eastern city of Chennai had stopped.

Investigators found the charred remains of victims still in their sleeping berths, and are struggling to identify them.

A railway station worker noticed the burning coach as the train passed through the town of ... Read More

Anna begins fast, attacks Pranab
On the first day of their indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, Team Anna launched a scathing attack on Pranab Mukherjee — just hours after he took oath as President — to highlight its demands for a SIT to investigate corruption charges against 15 Union ministers and a strong Lokpal.

Mukherjee’s picture on the “tainted” list was kept covered, apparently a symbolic representation of how the Constitution was being used to “shield” him. The ... Read More

Antony refuses to set deadline for war memorial
New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) As the nation celebrates the 13th anniversary of its victory in the 1999 Kargil war, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Thursday refused to set a deadline for a war memorial in the national capital, amidst demands for the same from several quarters.

Antony, who laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate here, however, said the government was making "comfortable" progress in its efforts to find a site ... Read More

Riot-hit Assam limping back to normalcy
GUWAHATI: With the Army in full control of the affected areas in four districts since Wednesday, Assam is limping back to normalcy.

There has been no report of fresh killings in the last 24 hours except for stray incidents of arson in Chirang district on Wednesday night. The focus of the administration has now shifted to hundreds of relief camps where food and water scarcity has hit the inmates.

Train services, which were suspended since Monday, have ... Read More

Indian among 6 winners of Magsaysay award
PTI
Manila: An Indian grassroot activist, whose pioneering community initiatives in Tamil Nadu empowered thousands of rural women to form micro enterprises and break the poverty spiral, is among this year's six winners of the prestigious Magsaysay award.

Kulandei Francis, 65, whose Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP) in Krishnagiri has helped change the lives of many in Tamil Nadu villages was adjudged the winner, along with other activists from Taiwan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Mr Francis ... Read More

Rajdhani Express attacked as Assam violence rages unabated
Fresh violence on Tuesday rocked the trouble-torn Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts in Assam where the Rajdhani Express was attacked by some persons even as the entire train services to and from the Northeast was hit.

Unidentified persons pelted stones and attacked the coaches of the Guwahati-bound Rajdhani Express at Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar district damaging four coaches, though there were no casualty or injuries, North East Frontier Railway sources said.

The train has been turned back ... Read More

ND Tiwari is Rohit Shekhar's biological father: DNA report
NEW DELHI: In an embarrassment to veteran Congress leader N D Tiwari, a DNA test has confirmed that he is the biological father of Rohit Shekhar.

Earlier, the Delhi high court on Friday rejected his plea not to open his DNA report before a single judge bench, adjudicating the paternity suit of a city youth, who claims to be his son.

The court allowed Justice Reva Khetrapal, who has decided to open Tiwari's DNA report along with ... Read More

New helmet rule from July 23
P. Sujatha Varma

Two-wheeler will not be registered unless an invoice of a helmet is attached

From Monday (July 23), the Transport Department will not register a two-wheeler unless an invoice of a helmet is attached with the documents of the vehicle.

A fresh move to implement helmet rule in an effective way by making purchase of the head gear compulsory along with a new vehicle has triggered concern among vehicle users and the dealers ... Read More

Ansari files nomination for vice president
New Delhi: Hamid Ansari Wednesday filed his nomination papers for being re-elected to the office of vice president in the presence of senior United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The nominations were handed over to Lok Sabha Secretary General T.K. Viswanathan, who is returning officer for Aug 7 vice presidential polls.

In what was seen as significant, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was seated next to ... Read More

Aamir Khan meets PM, welfare minister on manual scavenging issue
Aamir Khan meets PM for scavengers' cause
NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union social welfare minister Mukul Wasnik to highlight the concerns of manual scavengers in the country.

In a meeting at PM's residence that lasted for about half an hour, Aamir discussed the plight of manual scavengers engaged in cleaning excreta.

Aamir, 47, said he was assured by the PM that he will look into the matter on a ... Read More

Concern over Repeated Attacks on Christians and Churches
The National Council of Churches in India expresses deep concern about incidents of attacks on Christian churches and property all over the country by anti-Christian groups. Worship places are being vandalized, pastors and evangelists attacked, false allegations of forceful conversion are leveled against them, Christian believers are threatened, authorities of Christian service institutions are forced to follow dictates, burial right is denied, etc. Such incidents are reported in different parts of India especially in the ... Read More

Concern about the safety of Women
The National Council of Churches in India condemns the atrocities perpetrated on the unnamed girl, a Class XI student, in Guwahati a few days ago.

While condemning this terrible shameful incident, the NCCI expresses its concern about frequency of such public acts of violence committed against vulnerable girl children and women in general, and against tribal/adivasi women in particular. Stereotyping of tribal/adivasi women as being ‘free’, ‘open’, ‘inviting’ etc. is most condemnable. So also blaming them ... Read More

NDA names Jaswant as VP candidate
New Delhi: Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh on Monday was named by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as their candidate for the Vice President election.

The name of Jaswant Singh was doing the rounds in BJP circles ahead of their meeting Monday to decide on a name for the poll to be held on Aug 7, media reports had said.

The name of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav was also reportedly being ... Read More

Indian church to help Palestenians
12th July 2012 Chennai, India, The Board of Theological Education along with the Church of South India Synod and Indian Solidarity Ecumenical Net-work – Palestine (ISEN-P) organized a theological consultation here in Chennai at the CSI Guest House. Rt. Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, a renowned Dalit Theologian and Bishop of CSI Madras Diocese moderated the consultation. In his moderator’s address Bishop Devasahayam called the Indian Christian Community to commit herself for the Costly Solidarity with ... Read More