‘Ghar Vapsi’ not unconstitutional: Togadia

BELAGAVI: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) head Praveen Togadia said 'Ghar Vapsi' (Home Coming) is not unconstitutional according to supreme court order and it will be continued across the country.

He was speaking to the media persons here on Wednesday. According to Togadia, supreme court in its 1977 order said the Hindu is a way of life. Thus, if anybody converted to other religions years ago and re-accepting Hinduism now is not conversion and that will be welcomes whole heartedly. "Our aim is making India as Hindu country as it was once upon a time", he said.

He said Home Coming has started 700 years ago by the Ramanujacharya at Ayodhya by changing 25,000 Muslims into Hindus. Similarly, Vidyaranya Saraswati, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Swami Shraddhananda also have done it in large scale, he said. Meanwhile he refuted that Ghar Vapsi programme derails the development of country. Meanwhile, he said parliament should bring a law banning conversion.

Responding on suppression of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes in Hindus, Togadia said VHP is taking programme on war footage to bring SC/ST communities into mainstream of Hindus. The programmes like Brahmins taking food in SC/STs kitchen and vice-versa and mass entry into the temples and permission to worship like other Hindus have been planned on the occasion of golden jubilee year of VHP, he said.

He was in Belagavi to attend Virat Hindu Samavesh organized at Gokak on Wednesday. MP Suresh Angadi, Rajya Sabha member Prabhakar Kore, MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi, MLC Mahantesh Kavatagimath and 12 seers of different matts were present at the programme.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

J&K govt formation: BJP awaits 'formal initiation of dialogue with PDP'

NEW DELHI: With positive signs emerging from the PDP over government formation in J&K, the BJP on Wednesday said it is awaiting the formal initiation of dialogue with the former.

READ ALSO: PDP split on alliance with BJP, fears valley backlash

The BJP reacted after PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti dropped hints of her party not being averse to joining hands with the saffron party as she invoked A.B. Vajpayee and said the mandate in the State was an "opportunity" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We appreciate Mehbooba Mufti's gesture through media. We await formal initiation of dialogue," BJP leader Ram Madhav told PTI.

The BJP leadership has been in talks with lower-rung PDP leaders for government formation after the polls threw a fractured verdict with the PDP emerging as the single largest party with 28 seats in the 87-member Assembly closely followed by the BJP with 25 seats.

READ ALSO

NC adds twist to J&K govt search, offers to back PDP

'Grand alliance without BJP in J&K will be betrayal of mandate'

While PDP got a majority of seats in the Kashmir region, the BJP got most of its seats from the Jammu region and there is stalemate over the next government.

BJP sources said Ms. Mufti's remarks will help in ending the confusion in J&K to take the State forward on the path of development by providing a stable government.

Mufti earlier met governor NN Vohra and held talks with him over her party's preferences on formation of the government.

She said whatever formation is firmed up, it should respect the mandate of the people and have the principle of "reconciliation", adding that "till that is not taken along, forming any government will be useless".

Mufti said the mandate was a "challenge and opportunity" for national leadership, be it the NDA or the Congress.

"For NDA government, it is a big responsibility... for Modi, it is a big responsibility. J&K has been the biggest challenge for any PM right from Nehru till date," she said.

READ ALSO: Protest in Srinagar over likely PDP-BJP alliance

She also invoked the former Prime Minister saying, "It is not possible till Vajpayeeji's political process is taken forward" and noted that he had started a political process and dialogue with Hurriyat as well as Pakistan.

Referring to Modi's "dream" of development and addressing the problem of unemployment, the PDP leader said there cannot be "development till there is peace on the ground".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Ram Madhav,PDP,NDA,Mehbooba Mufti

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt will not unilaterally bring anti-conversion law: Venkaiah

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After mooting the idea of an anti-conversion law following the raging controversy over religious re-conversions, government on Wednesday made it clear that it would not bring the legislation unilaterally.

"Bringing an anti-conversion law is not the priority of the government and it did not think of bringing an anti-conversion law unilaterally," Union parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu told a meet-the-press programme here.

"No" was his short reply when asked whether the government was working on an anti-conversion law.

However, Naidu said "if there is a concensus, if opposition also feels there is a need for it, one can think about it."

Stating that government has no role in the 'ghar vapsi' (home coming) programmes in some parts of the country, Naidu said they were organized by individuals.

He accused Congress of raking up the conversion issue to derail the development agenda of the Narendra Modi government.

Congress, aided by Communists, was on "a misinformation campaign" against the government, he alleged.

Conversions had been going on for years. Lakhs of people across the country were being converted by "allurement and by spending crores of foreign money", he said adding Congress never acted on the same.

"Reconversion is happening over the last 100 years. Many Congress leaders were in the forefront of reconversion campaign through 'Shuddhi' launched by Swamy Dayananda Saraswati," he said.

"When I suggested a legislation to address their concern, Congress realized its mistake and went on the backfoot," Naidu said.

Justifying the government decision to go for the ordinance route for insurance sector FDI and land acquisition reforms, he said government was compelled to go for ordinance due to the "negative mindset" of Congress party.

The attitude of Congress in the Rajya Sabha, whose proceedings were paralyzed for several days over the conversion issue, was "a clear evidence of the negative and obstructionist mindset and this political philosophy was harming the national interest," he contended.

On the achievements of the seven-month old NDA government, he said in such short time it could increase power generation by 22 per cent, wholesale price index based inflation has been brought to zero level and there was a substantial increase in foreign Institutional and direct investments.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=religious re-conversions,M Venkaiah Naidu,'ghar vapsi',anti-conversion law

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

J&K: Four Pak rangers killed in retaliatory BSF firing

JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Four Pakistani rangers were killed in BSF's strong retaliaton after a jawan of the force lost his life in heavy firing from the other side on a patrol today along the International Border in J&K's Samba district.

The retaliation which forced the rangers to wave white flags came on a day when the government asked the Border Security Force(BSF) to provide a "suitable and appropriate reply" for any unprovoked firing from across the Indo-Pak border.

Today's firing by Pakistan in which one jawan was also injured was the second ceasefire violation along the IB in the past 24 hours.

"We have retaliated effectively to the Pakistani firing, in which four Pakistani rangers have been killed (opposite to Regal post) along the IB in Samba sector this evening," Inspector General (IG) BSF, Jammu Frontier Rakesh Sharma told PTI in Jammu.

As Pakistani rangers suffered casualties, they waved white flags asking BSF to stop the firing so that they can lift the bodies of its dead men, he said.

"Honouring their request we stopped the firing and allowed them to come to the border line and lift the bodies," he said adding, "firing along the border line has now stopped".

In the morning, Pakistan Rangers targetted a BSF patrol party by resorting to firing along the IB in Samba district.

There was heavy firing by Pakistan on a patrolling party of BSF along the IB in Suchtegarh forward belt in Samba sector, Inspector General (IG) BSF, Jammu Frontier Rakesh Sharam told PTI.

In the heavy firing, one BSF jawan was killed, the IG said, adding that the BSF troops were on routine patrol when they were attacked.

The deceased jawan has been identified as Constable Sri Ram Gowria, the IG said. Another jawan suffered minor injuries, reports said.

Sharma, who has rushed to the spot and supervising the operation, said BSF troops took positions, gave a befitting reply. There were also reports of firing in other areas in Kathua and Samba district.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh asked the BSF to give a befitting reply when the paramilitary force's Director General DK Pathak briefed him about the prevailing situation in Jammu frontier.

"The Home Minister asked the DG, BSF to provide a suitable and appropriate reply for any such unprovoked firing," an official statement released in Delhi said.

Pathak gave a detailed presentation to the Home Minister about the ceasefire violations by Pakistan Rangers in the Samba sector.

Earlier in the day, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the Indian security forces should not hold back in the face of firing and must retaliate with "double the force".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Rajnath Singh,Pak Rangers,BSF Firing,Border security force

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

MP Congress attempts to hold flock together with bond paper

BHOPAL: Fearing more anti-party activities by disappointed tickets aspirants before the January 31 urban civic body polls, the Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday made it mandatory for all candidate hopefuls to sign on an oath form. Tickets aspirants were asked to sign on a bond that they would not contest the polls as independents against Congress candidates if they failed to secure election tickets from the party. The bond also made the aspiring candidates to promise that they would not indulge in anti-party activities upon denial of candidature.

Before and after every successive election since the assembly polls in November 2013, the Congress party has had to suspend or expel several senior leaders and many grass-roots workers for anti-party activities. Even when the state went for a bypoll in three assembly seats of Agar, Bahoriband and Vijayraghogarh in August - the party had to expel one of its former MLAs for campaigning against the Congress candidate because he was denied a ticket from his usual seat.

The Congress is also fraught with leaders and workers joining the ruling BJP during election times. Quitting the Congress to join the BJP started in July 2013 with the party's former deputy leader of Opposition Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi and the practice continued through the assembly polls, then the Lok Sabha elections and the assembly bypolls. In the recent urban civic body polls held in November-December, multiple Congress candidatures withdrew their nominations and made way for the BJP candidates' unopposed victory.

Gripped with anxiety of more soldiers abandoning the battlefield, the Congress' oath paper to tickets aspirants is the last effort to keep its flock together. Briefing the media on Wednesday, Congress district president PC Sharma said that active members of the party's various organisations will be given preference during tickets distribution. He said that both the Youth Congress and the Mahila Congress members will be considered as candidates for the urban civic body polls.

"Meetings have been held for the formation of election campaign committees. It has been decided that tickets will not be given to those who have a criminal record or have been previously involved in anti-party activities. We hope to announce the names of mayoral candidates and corporator candidates without delay. But the complete list will be out by January 5," PC Sharma said. January 6 is the last date for filing of nominations for candidates.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hindu outfits vandalize halls screening 'PK' in Silchar

SILCHAR (Assam): Bajrang Dal and other Hindu fundamentalist groups on Tuesday vandalized and stopped screening of the Aamir Khan-starrer 'PK' in two cinema halls here for allegedly hurting the majority community's sentiment.

Police said they have arrested three activists of Bajrang Dal, who stormed 'Gold' and 'Oriental Talkies' in Silchar.

"The activists came while the show was going on. They shouted slogans against Khan and the film. Without saying anything, they suddenly started damaging the property like tearing the poster of the film, smashing window panes and breaking ticket counters," one of the owners of the two halls said on condition of anonymity.

"We have stopped today's screening. For tomorrow, I cannot say it now. Everything will depend on the situation," the owner said.

When contacted, a Bajrang Dal activist said they would "not tolerate any derogatory message for the Hindu gods in the film".

Yesterday, Bajrang Dal activists vandalized theatres in Gujarat exhibiting 'PK' for making "fun" of Hindu Gods and godmen, besides staging protests and tearing posters in Agra and Mau in Uttar Pradesh and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

There were reports that one theatre in south Mumbai's Parel had stopped screening of the film.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=VHP,vandalise,Silchar,PK,Hindu sentiments

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

No signs of govt formation in Jammu & Kashmir yet

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: There were no signs of either PDP, the largest group, or BJP, the close runner-up, getting the requisite numbers to stake claim to forming a new government in Jammu & Kashmir as the deadline set by governor NN Vohra for discussions fast approached.

A team of PDP, which has 28 MLAs in a House of 87, led by its president Mehbooba Mufti will meet Vohra in Jammu on Wednesday and discuss with him government formation while the BJP is expected to give its proposal on January one.

Ahead of the meeting, PDP spokesman Naeem Akhthar told PTI that the party was not ready with any solution "as yet" to end the political stalemate and all options were still on the table for it.

"We are not ready with any solution as yet. It's a very difficult situation and we are trying our best to convert this into an opportunity for the welfare of the state, its economic development and ending political uncertainty about it," he said.

READ ALSO: PDP split on alliance with BJP, fears backlash

In the middle of continuing political uncertainty, rumours were agog in the Kashmir valley that the 15-member legislature party of the National Conference (NC) has passed a resolution supporting PDP, which was denied by NC general secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar.

"We have verbally stated to PDP that in case they want our support, they should talk to our leadership," he said. PDP is holding intra-party discussions on possible alliances which the party can enter to form the next government in the state.

Meanwhile, PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was holding consultations with his MLAs and workers. "Sayeed continued consultations with the party rank and file," Akhtar said.

READ ALSO: BJP slams PDP-NC-Cong alliance talks in J&K

He said the PDP patron has been meeting party leaders, newly-elected legislators, senior workers and some of the members of civil society in a bid to shape the party's response to the challenge thrown up by the fractured verdict.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=PDP,NN Vohra,Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections,J&K Government Formation,BJP

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sexual harassment case: Sun TV COO remanded in police custody

CHENNAI: A court in Chennai on Tuesday remanded Sun TV chief operating officer (COO) C Praveen Kumar, who was arrested on a sexual harassment complaints filed by a former woman employee of the TV network, to one day police custody.

The central crime branch (CCB) of the Chennai police arrested Praveen on Friday on the sexual harassment complaints filed by Deepti Sivan, a former programming head of Surya TV, which is Sun TV's Malayalam channel.

Police have also included two more top officials of the Sun Network -- Surya TV channel head Saju David and human resources vice-president P Kannan -- in the FIR as accused number 2 and 3 respectively. However, David and Kannan were absconding.

The CCB booked the trio under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 352 (a) (grave provocation), and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and Section 4 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act.

Immediately after XI metropolitan magistrate Abraham Lincolin remanded Praveen to police custody, CCB sleuths led by the additional deputy commissioner of police C Shyamala Devi whisked him away.

Praveen Kumar's bail plea also came up for hearing in the magistrate court on Tuesday. As the magistrate remanded him in police custody, it will now be heard on Wednesday evening.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sun TV,sexual harassment,Police custody,COO,CCB

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hindu outfits vandalize halls screening 'PK' in Silchar

SILCHAR (Assam): Bajrang Dal and other Hindu fundamentalist groups on Tuesday vandalized and stopped screening of the Aamir Khan-starrer 'PK' in two cinema halls here for allegedly hurting the majority community's sentiment.

Police said they have arrested three activists of Bajrang Dal, who stormed 'Gold' and 'Oriental Talkies' in Silchar.

"The activists came while the show was going on. They shouted slogans against Khan and the film. Without saying anything, they suddenly started damaging the property like tearing the poster of the film, smashing window panes and breaking ticket counters," one of the owners of the two halls said on condition of anonymity.

"We have stopped today's screening. For tomorrow, I cannot say it now. Everything will depend on the situation," the owner said.

When contacted, a Bajrang Dal activist said they would "not tolerate any derogatory message for the Hindu gods in the film".

Yesterday, Bajrang Dal activists vandalized theatres in Gujarat exhibiting 'PK' for making "fun" of Hindu Gods and godmen, besides staging protests and tearing posters in Agra and Mau in Uttar Pradesh and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

There were reports that one theatre in south Mumbai's Parel had stopped screening of the film.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=VHP,vandalise,Silchar,PK,Hindu sentiments

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Row over Salman Khan campaigning for Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakasa

CHENNAI: After MDMK, DMK on Tuesday criticized Hindi cinema superstar Salman Khan for allegedly campaigning in support of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakasa, saying it was not just the issue of Tamils in that country, but also that of the Indian fishermen.

Party spokesperson TKS Elangovan said Indian fishermen were attacked by Sri Lankan Navy.

"And at this stage Salman Khan going to Sri Lanka to campaign for Rajapaksa means he is not bothered about the Indian fishermen. This is highly condemnable," he said.

MDMK founder Vaiko had criticised Khan for campaigning for Rajapaksa, who is testing his fortunes in next month's Presidential elections in Sri Lanka, eying a third term.

Rajapaksa is under fire from political parties in Tamil Nadu as he was at the helm of affairs in 2009 when civilian casualties in the Tamil-dominated areas in Sri Lanka's northeast reportedly peaked during the last leg of the war between Lankan army and LTTE.

READ ALSO: Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez to support Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa

Salman Khan along with Sri Lankan-born Jacqueline Fernandez and five other Bollywood performers are set to appear on stage in support of Rajapaksa.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=sri lankan president,Salman Khan,Presidential elections in Sri Lanka,Mahinda Rajapakasa

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bengaluru blast victim's body to be cremated in Chennai on Tuesday

CHENNAI: The dead body of a 37-year-old woman who was killed in a blast in Bengaluru on Sunday was being brought to Chennai by road on Monday evening.

An ambulance carrying the body of B Bhavani was expected to reach her house in the Boobegum Street at Border Thottam here by 10pm, her relatives said.

They said the body would be cremated on Tuesday morning.

Bhavani's body was handed over to her husband, Balan, after postmortem on Monday. Balan runs a tyre business at Border Thottam off General Patters Road in Chennai.

Bhavani suffered severe injuries when a low intensity bomb went off outside a restaurant on Church Street in Bengaluru on Sunday evening. She was returning with her family after having dinner when the blast happened. She died at a hospital on Sunday night.

Her son, Bharat Narayanan, and daughter, Lakshmi Devi, were also with her when the blast happened. However, they escaped as they were walking a few steps behind her.

Lakshmi is studying in Class 6 and Bharat Narayanan is studying in Class 10 at DAV Senior Secondary School in Gopalapuram.

"They lived in a cramped house sharing space with Balan's elder brother Natarajan, who is also into tyre business," a relative, R Suresh Kumar, said. Suresh Kumar is the son of Raja, who is the elder brother of Bhavani's husband.

Bhavani and her children went to Bangalore to visit a relative. They stayed at the relative's house in Sivaji Nagar.

"As they didn't get their return train tickets confirmed, they postponed their travel and we lost our aunt (Bhavani)," said Suresh Kumar.

READ ALSO: Karnataka police suspect involvement of SIMI members from MP

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt approves ordinance to ease Land Acquisition Act to push reforms

NEW DELHI: The government on Monday approved an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act to remove barriers in a range of sectors like power, housing and defence to kick-start stalled projects.

At a news briefing, finance minister Arun Jaitley said the five areas were clearance for land for defence purposes, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and housing projects for poor, industrial corridors, and infrastructure or social infrastructure projects, including those in public-private projects in which ownership of land will remain with the government.

Jaitley said while the compensation will remain high as per the act, and rehabilitation and resettlement will be followed, the procedure for acquiring land for these projects will be easier by omitting steps like social impact assessment, impact on food security, and consent of 80 per cent land owners, among other features of the act.

Restrictions on buying land, under a law championed by the previous Congress-led UPA government, are among barriers holding up projects worth almost $300 billion. Several states had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to overhaul the law enacted in January.

READ ALSO: UPA govts in states also wanted change in Land Acquisition Act, Gadkari says

They will also be exempt from holding a social impact study involving public hearings — procedures that industry executives say can drag out the acquisition process for years.

After Parliament's winter session ended in a logjam on December 23, as the opposition stalled business in Rajya Sabha, the government passed two ordinances to let foreign companies raise their stakes in insurance ventures and allow commercial mining of coal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with finance minister Arun Jaitley (right)

Parliament, which reconvenes in February, did not ratify the November ordinance on coal, forcing Modi to pass another ordinance to let the government auction coal mines and allow private companies to mine and sell the fuel.

"Governments must act with determination. The government must have the desire to implement its decisions," said Jaitley, a key lieutenant to Modi, responding to opposition parties' criticism that such ordinances undermine the parliamentary system in a democracy.

READ ALSO: No ordinance to amend land acquisition law, law minister says

Modi is also considering changes to the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act to auction minerals like iron ore and bauxite. However, the government has yet to take a decision on an ordinance for it, Jaitley said. Analysts reckon reform through ordinances has its risks.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley with commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a "Make in India" workshop.

"While ordinances can be reissued once they lapse, they may not be perceived as a stable solution by investors wanting secure property rights," HSBC Securities analysts wrote in a note. "We, however, believe it is an important step to signal the government is serious on reforms."

(With inputs from agencies)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Ordinance Amending Land Acquisition Act,Land Acquisition Act,India's Economic Reform Agenda,Arun Jaitley

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

India, South Korea shore up strategic ties

SEOUL: In boost to their strategic ties, India and South Korea on Monday decided to enhance cooperation in sectors like shipbuilding, electronics, defence production, infrastructure and energy besides outlining mutual interest in areas of nuclear energy and cyber security.

In the eighth joint commission meeting, external affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se deliberated on all aspects of the bilateral ties with a view to "chart out a road map" to further deepen engagement.

"They agreed that development of cooperation in the field of defence equipment and technology, as well as, sectors like shipbuilding, electronics, IT, energy and infrastructure held considerable possibilities

"They reiterated mutual interest in deepening cooperation in the areas of civil nuclear energy and cyber security," the ministry of external affairs said.

In her address, Swaraj called South Korea an important partner for India's economic growth and invited South Korean companies to make "bold investments" and benefit from the "Make in India" initiative of the government.

She said South Korea and South Korean companies occupy a strategic place in India's "Act East" initiative and that there was huge scope for greater investment in the country, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

"We invite Korean companies to build on their success in India and make bold investments to benefit from my government's focus on 'Make in India' which is aimed at providing necessary policy and other incentives to encourage manufacturing in India," she said.

Yun welcomed the initiatives taken by India and agreed to encourage the South Korean industry to engage with India even "more closely".

In the meeting, there was agreement on the considerable potential for further expanding bilateral economic and investment cooperation.

The South Korean side reiterated a cordial invitation for an early official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country.

Swaraj welcomed the invitation adding that both sides will work closely to ensure a productive and successful visit of Modi at a mutually convenient early date.

The two ministers exchanged views on global and regional developments and agreed to step-up exchanges between officials and academics of the two sides.

Swaraj also called on South Korean President Park Geun-hye and held meetings with the minister of trade, industry and energy and the national security adviser.

In her address, Swaraj sought steps to boost trade ties to realise the target of $40 billion bilateral annual trade by next year and said South Korean companies like Hyundai, Samsung and LG have become household names in India.

"My government attaches importance to relations with Republic of Korea. We see you as an important partner for our economic growth. Korea and Korean companies occupy a strategic place in India's 'Act East' initiative," she said.

Currently 300 South Korean companies have invested approximately USD 3 billion and have employed nearly 40,000 people in India.

The current bilateral annual trade between the two countries is about USD 16 billion. Indian companies have invested around USD 2 billion in South Korea and some of the leading names who acquired South Korean companies are Tatas, Mahindra and Aditya Birla Group.

"We would like to see a new form of connectivity between our two countries through cross-border production networks," the external affairs minister said.

"We need to work together to realize the fuller potential of bilateral trade. We had set a target of USD 40 billion by 2015. To achieve this target, our companies need to take full advantage of our economic complementarities and leverage the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement," she said.

India-South Korea joint commission for bilateral cooperation was established in February 1996, which is chaired by the external affairs minister and the minister of foreign affairs from the South Korean side.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gujarat Police may get five super bikes soon

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Police has initiated a process to procure five super bikes to carry out various tasks related to security of citizens as well as of VIPs, official sources said here on Monday.

Before finalizing any make or model, the technical committee of Gujarat state police department is evaluating various bikes. Recently, two Harley-Davidson bikes have been inspected by the committee at Gandhinagar.

According to a key official of the committee, other companies are also under consideration. One of the criteria set by the department is the ability of the bike to carry high tech communication equipment, which is necessary in case of emergency situations.

"These bikes will be used for routine work as well as in any emergency situation as well as for VIP security. We are looking at various engine displacements, ranging from 700cc to 1500cc. However, it should also fit into our budget," the official said.

"We have a budget to buy five super bikes for the police. Before finalising on a particular bike manufacturer, we have invited them to give us demonstrations. Few days ago, Harley-Davidson gave us a demonstration," the official said.

The official claimed that many other super bike manufacturers or importers of such bikes are also expected to give their demonstrations soon.

"Companies like Triumph and BMW have also asked to give their demo. We need to check whether they are compatible to carry out tasks related to police. We also need to check if they can carry wireless sets and other hi-tech equipment. After completion of this process, we will take a final call to buy five such bikes," the official said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Harley-Davidson,Gujarat police

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Person claims to be behind blast on Twitter, handle suspended

BENGALURU: A day after the Church Street blast, a Twitter handle — @LatestAbdul — went berserk claiming responsibility for the blast, warning of more blasts in the next two days and even challenged Bengaluru Police to try and catch him/her.

Bengaluru Police was quick to respond on the same platform: "BCP is aware about the tweets of @LatestAbdul. They are being examined, there is NO need to be alarmed. Please do not pay heed to rumours."

The handler of the account had tweeted to several handles, including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh, and a few news channels. One of the tweets also abused the cops in Hindi.
The series on tweets in this connection also saw supporters for police asking the person behind it to not underestimate our cops.

Additional commissioner (law and order) Alok Kumar tweeted: "Situation in Bangalore City is peaceful. Some elements spreading rumours. Don't pay heed to rumours, in case of anything suspicious call 100."
Even Twitter acted quickly and suspended @LatestAbdu's account on the site.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Idea of a 'homogeneous' nation is problematic: Hamid Ansari

NEW DELHI: Amid the raging controversy over Sangh Parivar's Hindutva agenda, Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday cautioned against connecting faith and history and propagating a "homogeneous" national identity when there are over 4,600 communities in the country.

The Vice President said the idea of a homogeneous nation is problematic.

"Our 4,635 communities, according to the Anthropological Survey of India, is a terse reminder about the care that needs to be taken while putting together the profile of a national identity," Ansari said while inaugurating the 75th session of Indian History Congress.

"The global scene in modern times has been replete with complexities and tensions of what has been called the national question. We live in a world of nation states but the idea of a homogeneous nation state is clearly problematic. Diversity is identifiable even in the most homogeneous of societies today," he said.

Warning against any straight-jacket edifice for national identity "that came to grief" in other societies, Ansari said the pluralist structures in India that have stood the test for over six decades need "constant nurturing".

Ansari highlighted the practical relevance of history and said it helps to learn from the mistakes of the past.

He asserted that history also cannot be "faith-based". "The domains of the two exist separately and conflation does not further the cause of either."

Ansari said, "History helps us to know and learn from the mistakes of the past. Those mistakes relate to frailties in judgement leading to mistakes in statecraft and governance. These as one historian has put it could be due to tyranny or oppression, excessive ambition, incompetence or decadence, and folly or perversity."

The Indian History Congress session was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus for the first time here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=homogeneous nation,Hamid Ansari

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Punjab govt plans to cut over 450 mango trees; BJP questions the move

AMRITSAR: Punjab government has decided to cut more than 450 mango trees planted across 28 acres out of 101 acres orchard and plant pear trees citing financial reasons.

BJP's former national vice-president Luxmi Kanta Chawla has objected to the decision which will affect city's Attari mixed fruit orchard and bears environmental consequences as well. In a letter written to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday, the firebrand leader demanded to know the reason behind his order of chopping off well nurtured and mature mango trees.

"Today, Mango trees are bearing fruits. When will pear trees bear fruit for us to enjoy? Also, environment would be severely affected after cutting old trees," she said. Chawla said the government had already chopped off thousands of traditional trees including neem, peepal etc and was, instead, planting palm trees.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

President’s rule in Assam unacceptable, Congress says

GUWAHATI: The Assam Congress on Sunday said the opposition and some other organizations' demand for imposing President's rule in the state following the recent NDFB(S) killings is unacceptable.

State Congress president Anjan Dutta told reporters that law and order situation in Assam was controlled only after the Congress came to power over a decade ago.

"Earlier we had sacrificed (power) and seen what happens. After Congress came to power in Assam, people can now be safely out till 2am in the morning. Under such circumstances the demand for President's rule is unacceptable," Dutta asserted.

Gogoi had on Sunday told reporters, "If the Centre wants to impose President's rule, let them impose."

READ ALSO: Army chief orders troops to step up operations against Assam terrorists

The BJP state unit, former chief minister and AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, All Assam Tribal Sangha and All Bodo Students Union have demanded imposition of President's Rule following the carnage which has claimed 81 lives in Sonitpur, Kokrajhar and Chirang district since December 23.

Home minister Rajnath Singh (left) discussing the Assam situation with chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

Mahanta claimed law and order situation was worse than what it was in 1990 when President's rule was imposed during his chief ministership.

Assam peaceful, Gogoi reviews situation

Meanwhile, Assam remained peaceful on Sunday with no fresh incidents reported as chief minister Tarun Gogoi reviewed the situation calling for intensifying confidence-building measures in the wake of the Bodo militant killings of adivasis, retaliatory violence and police firing.

READ ALSO: 7-year-old shot 7 times in Assam

The chief minister has directed Assam director general of police Khagen Sarmah to intensify confidence-building measures and undertake strategic deployment of forces, so that people who have moved to camps following the violence can return to their respective villages as early as possible, according to CMO sources.

A violence-affected adivasi woman cries following the attacks by Bodo militants.

Gogoi also reviewed the status of relief operations with the chief secretary, DGP and senior officers from home, revenue and disaster management, health and family welfare and phe departments and officials deputed to the affected districts.

He also directed senior officers to keep a close watch on the relief operations and ensure that all necessary help was extended to those affected.

81 people, including 26 women and 18 infants, have been killed since Tuesday evening in serial attacks by NDFB(S) terrorists, retaliatory violence and police firing across four districts.

READ ALSO: Army deploys helicopters to hunt down Bodo militants

The number of relief camps, set up by the government, was increased to 136 today from 81 on Saturday with the number of inmates there going up to 1,76,440 from 1,01,272, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) chief executive officer PK Tiwary said.

In 64 camps, 61,003 inmates, mainly Bodos, have been lodged and in the rest, there are Adivasis numbering 1,15,337.

Bodo villagers displaced by retaliatory attacks by advasis following the carnage carried out against them by Bodo militants preparing meals in a relief camp.

The administration in all affected districts and sub- divisions are fully geared up to provide relief to the camp inmates and there was sufficient stock of food items available there, he said.

The inmates are being provided baby food, candles, blankets and firewood while instructions have been sent to the districts to provide clothing and utensils and arrange for drinking water and sanitation facilities.

To ensure that medicines are available in sufficient quantity, health and family welfare department has released an amount of Rs 5,00,000 to all the four districts to meet any emergent situation and revenue and disaster management department has allowed them to arrange medicines locally if need is felt, Tiwary said.

Public health and engineering department has deployed 15 mobile treatment plants in addition to tankers, tubewells and running water taps in the camps and sufficient water purifiers have been sent, he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=President's Rule in Assam,NDFB(S),Congress,Bodo-Adivasi Violence,Assam violence

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Biting cold wave sweeps north, Delhi shivers under 2.6 degree

NEW DELHI: North India on Sunday shivered under biting cold as the mercury dipped in several places including Delhi where it settled at five years' lowest at 2.6 degrees Celsius, with dense fog adding to the woes by disrupting road, rail and air traffic.

As many as 55 flights were delayed due to fog at Delhi airport and three international flights were diverted, while more than 80 trains were running late in the region.

The national capital, recorded the lowest temperature in the past five years with the mercury dipping to 2.6 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal. The maximum stood at 19.2 degrees Celsius, one notch below normal.

"This is the lowest temperature recorded in Delhi in the past five years. It could be the lowest in the past decade too but records for the same aren't immediately available," a MeT official said, adding Delhi's all time low of 1.1 degrees was recorded on 26 December, 1945.

Jammu & Kashmir too continued to reel under intense cold with the mercury in the state's summer capital Srinagar settling at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius and Leh recording the season's coldest night so far.

Leh, in the frontier Ladakh region, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 17.0 degrees Celsius, a further drop from the previous night's minus 16.4 degrees Celsius. Kargil, with a low of minus 15.2 degrees Celsius, was the second coldest place in the state after Leh.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, appreciated a little to settle at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar witnessed the coldest night of this season so far with the mercury plunging to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. Severe cold has led to the freezing of parts of many water bodies including the famous Dal Lake located in the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, bone-chilling cold wave conditions continued to sweep across Punjab and Haryana with Chandigarh recording the coldest night of the season so far at 2.3 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal.

In Haryana, Hisar shivered at 3.1 degrees, while Ambala's minimum settled at 3.5 degrees. In Punjab, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala, which were covered by fog in the morning, also continued to be under the grip of biting cold with the mercury dipping to 3.6, 3.7 and 3.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=north India cold,cold wave,cold in India

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man forced to work as bonded labour in Saudi returns

AMRITSAR: The ordeal of Punjabi driver, who was forced to work as bonded labour in Saudi Arabia, has finally ended as he returned home safely last week.

But this is not an end to his predicaments as he is now caught deep into debt trap. The jobless driver is unable to return the money he borrowed to materialize his foreign dream but he is now also loaded with additional burden of loan which he borrowed from Saudi Arabia to survive.

Resident of Bhagian village near Tanda in Hoshiarpur district, Jaswant Singh told TOI on Sunday that few international NGO's had taken up his case and managed to arrange emergency travel documents which enabled him to return home.

Jaswant Singh had gone to Kuwait on May 30th, but instead of driver's job he was sent to Riyadh and was forced to work as camel herder. The strenuous work of feeding and taking camels to pastures in desert left him severely ill.

TOI, on September 20th, had carried his story following which the issue of his release was taken up at various levels. "It is my second life, I will never ever go back to Gulf," he said.

Jaswant had struck a deal for Rs 75,000 with a local travel agent to get him driver's job in Kuwait and had also paid Rs 50,000 which he had borrowed from his friends and relatives.

"In Saudi Arabia, I had borrowed another Rs 60,000 to meet my medical and food expenses. How will I repay the loans?" he questioned adding that the travel agent and his son in Kuwait, who had sent him to a village near Riyadh, had denied receiving any money from him.

Twenty nine years old Jaswant is now searching for a job to repay his loans.

"I suffered a lot. I am lucky that I returned. There are several others like me. I want government to take strict action against these scrupulous travel agents who put life of young boys in danger for some money," he said.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Assam violence: Army chief vows to intensify operations against militants

NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: The Army on Friday vowed to intensify its operations in Assam in the aftermath of the massacre of tribals by Bodo militants, as authorities mulled coordinated action with armies of Bhutan and Myanmar to hunt them.

Normal life in Assam was, meanwhile, affected by a 12-hour bandh called by several organizations including some tribal outfits in protest against the killing of the tribals by militants belonging to National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) on Tuesday.

A fresh incident was reported where NDFB(S) militants lobbed a grenade at SSB personnel and exchanged fire with them in Chirang district along the India-Bhutan border, police said.

Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag met home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi after which the general said the Army is going to intensify its operations against NDFB militants.

READ ALSO: 7-year-old shot 7 times in Assam

"We are definitely going to intensify our operations in Assam," he told reporters after the meeting.

"The meeting was to review the security situation in Assam," the Army chief said. Singh returned from Assam on Thursday after a two-day visit to review the situation.

Home minister Rajnath Singh discussing the Assam situation with chief of Army staff Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag. (PTI photo)

Sources said the home minister is believed to have discussed the issue of coordinated operations with armies of Bhutan and Myanmar against the NDFB(S) which has bases in the two neighbouring countries.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also spoke to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Thursday evening seeking action against the Bodi militants and was "assured of support".

External affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Swaraj was also trying to seek help of other "friendly neighbouring" countries to tackle the scourge of terrorism which India sees as a "national endevour".

"The external affairs minister has talked to the Bhutanese leadership at the highest level. We are also working on having others who could possibly help in this," the spokesman said, adding, "this issue came up following possible leads which indicated that there may be others beyond Indian borders where we require assistance."

Adivasi protesters shouting slogans against the killings of members of their community by Bodo militants in Biswanath Charali, Sonitpur district. (PTI photo)

In Guwahati, a defence spokesman said the Army is carrying out intensive area domination operation in violence affected areas of Assam. The death toll in attacks by NDFB(S), retaliatory violence by tribals and police firing since Tuesday rose to 81, according to police.

READ ALSO: Centre vows tough action against Bodo militants, NIA to probe Assam carnage

"We have intensified counterinsurgency operations and area domination in all the violence affected areas to stabilize the situation," he said.

The Army has, however, not launched any fresh operation codenamed "Operation All Out" as reported in a section of the electronic media, the spokesman said.

A house of a Bodo family seen burning after being set ablaze by adivasis in retaliatory attacks. (PTI photo)

"The commanders are keeping a close watch on the ground situation and reviews are being carried out dynamically to deal with the situation," he added.

Aerial surveillance of the area was also carried out by Army Aviation Corps helicopter sorties, he said.

READ ALSO: Army deploys helicopters to hunt down Bodo militants

Gen Suhag said 66 Army columns (70 personnel in each column) have been deployed in Assam for counterinsurgency operations.

Villagers at a relief camp in Kokrajhar seen preparing meal. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes due to the current cycle of violence. (PTI photo)

The India-Bhutan border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has also rushed 2,000 of its personnel to Assam.

An estimated 72,675 people in the four affected districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Sonitpur and Udalguri have taken shelter in 61 relief camps, CEO of Assam State Disaster Management Authority PK Tiwary said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=NDFB(S),Indian Army Operations Against Bodo Militants,Dalbir Singh Suhag,Assam violence,Assam Killings

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jessica Lall murder case: Manu Sharma gets 30 days parole

NEW DELHI: Siddharth Vashisht alias Manu Sharma, undergoing life term for killing model Jessica Lall in 1999, was on Friday granted parole for 30 days by the Delhi High Court so that he can appear for his post-graduation exams.

A vacation bench of Justice S Muralidhar granted parole to 37-year-old Sharma on the condition that he shall furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety, for the like amount, who shall be a family member.

The court also directed that Sharma will not leave the National Capital Territory of Delhi for the duration of the parole which shall be effective from the date of his release.

The other terms and conditions of the parole includes keeping away from the area around the residence of the deceased and her family members, the court said.

Sharma's final year exams are scheduled to commence from January 1, 2015. He is pursuing PG from Indian Institute of Human Rights here which is recognised by the United Nations.

Senior advocate Aman Lekhi, appearing for Sharma, told the court that his client's conduct has always been good while in prison and the same has been appreciated by the Tihar jail superintendents concerned, for which he was awarded.

The counsel also claimed Sharma, through his NGO, Siddharth Vashisht Charitable Trust, has done work for the education of the children of jailed inmates and his efforts have been appreciated by the Lt Governor.

After hearing Sharma's counsel as well as the fact that the sole opposition by Delhi Police to his parole was his unsatisfactory conduct back in 2009 when he was granted a similar relief, the court granted him parole for 30 days from his date of release on December 30.

"In view of the aforesaid, the petitioner (Sharma) is granted parole for a period of 30 days on the condition that he shall take his final year examination for the course in question," the court said, adding that he has been allowed to write his exams earlier, so why to deny for the final year.

"His (Sharma) petition cannot be dismissed," the judge said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=manu Sharma,Jessica Lall murder case

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM2.5 levels this week were worse than Diwali

NEW DELHI: It's not just awfully cold; Delhites are also breathing in extremely poor quality air this week with levels of PM2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) peaking alarmingly. On Monday and Wednesday, PM2.5 levels were higher than those on the day of Diwali this year.

Pollution monitoring agencies are quite shocked at how air pollution levels have skyrocketed. This being the holiday season, people are outdoors for longer durations unknowingly exposing themselves to foul air.

Some monitoring agencies are wondering if this is attributable only to the inversion phenomenon during which cold air with high concentration of pollutants is trapped close to the earth's surface and a layer of warm air acts as a lid on top of this air layer.

On Diwali day the 24-hour average for 10 stations monitored by System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) under the ministry of earth sciences (MoES) was about 230 micrograms per cubic metre, about four times the national safe standard, but on Wednesday the 24-hour average was even higher at 249 micrograms per cubic metre. On Monday, the 24-hour average was in the "severe" category at 268 micrograms per cubic metre. On Thursday, this improved slightly but 24-hour averages of Mathura Road and Noida were well above 320 micrograms per cubic metre—five times the safe standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.

"Without any firecrackers or additional pollution sources I really don't know how pollution levels are rising so high. I don't think it's only because of inversion because then they would have come down with the breeze blowing them away," said a scientist from Delhi Pollution Control Committee. DPCC's real time monitoring at various locations showed pollution peaking above 400 micrograms per cubic metre at many locations on Wednesday and Thursday.

US Embassy's monitoring station at Chanakyapuri on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday showed PM2.5 levels in the 'hazardous' category according to US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Hazardous levels are associated with "serious aggravation of heart or lung disease, premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly, and serious risk of respiratory effects in general population".

"There has been a marked increase in pollution this winter as compared to last year so far. Weather is the major reason behind the sudden and steep spike in pollution levels. Humidity is high and the air is very cold and heavy which is not allowing pollution to disperse," said Gufran Beig, chief project scientist, SAFAR. "With the exception of IGI airport and Ayanagar, the average PM2.5 levels recorded at all SAFAR stations in the city have been significantly higher than those recorded last year," said SK Peshin, head, Environmental Monitoring and Research Centre at Indian Meteorological Department. The concentration of PM2.5 was about 130-160 micrograms per cubic metre around the same time last year.
As far as policies to deal with air pollution in Delhi are concerned, the government departments seem to be silent on National Green Tribunal's latest orders, asking for a ban on vehicles more than 15 years old, a hike in parking fee, a congestion charge on vehicles and increasing of registration fee for two- and four-wheelers.

Corporations had hiked parking fee fromRs 10 to Rs 20 in November but there has been no crackdown on illegal parking yet; the charge is also not "restrictive", activists say. The Delhi government also deferred LG's high powered committee's recommendation of PUC certificates mandatory for refuelling.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=US Environment Protection Agency,PM2.5 levels,Ministry of Earth Sciences,DPCC

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM Modi to launch girl child empowerment programme in Haryana

BHIWANI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' programme, a key scheme that aims to address the dipping child sex ratio and empower girl child in the country, in Haryana in January next year.

Chief minister Manhor Lal Khattar, while presiding over a meeting of the district officers here, said the "declining sex ratio in Haryana and the country is a cause of concern and the programme would seek to correct the imbalance".

He said the Prime Minister will launch the programme in Panipat district in the state on January 22 next year.

According to the 2011 Census, the number of females per 1,000 males in Haryana in 2011 stands at 879.

Meanwhile, the chief minister made it clear to the officers that corruption would not be tolerated at any cost.

He directed the officers to discharge their duties honestly and work for the upliftment of the society.

Later, while addressing party workers, Khattar said an 11-member Vigilance Committee will be formed in each assembly area, which will keep an eye on the problems faced by the people and forward these to the government for solution.

Emphasising the need of having more educational institutes for girls in the district, Khattar announced that a government senior secondary school for girls in Bhiwani and government college for girls in Badhra town will be set up.

To rid the public of daily traffic jams, he also announced to construct a bye pass here.

Redressing public grievances at local HUDA park ground, Khattar said that Ch Bansi Lal university would have better infrastructural facilities soon.

On proposed setting up of a medical college in Bhiwani, he said government was working on it.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

No respite from cold wave in north; 2 die in Haryana

NEW DELHI: Piercing cold wave conditions continued unabated across north India on Friday with the mercury dipping substantially in Haryana, where two persons died of cold, even as thick cover of fog severely affected road and rail traffic.

Nearly 100 trains were either cancelled or delayed in the northern region due to low visibility caused by dense fog.

Delhiites woke up to another chilly morning with the minimum temperature settling two notches below the season's average at 6.3 degrees Celsius. The maximum in the national capital stood at 16 degrees Celsius.

Moderate to dense fog engulfed Delhi and its neighbouring areas disrupting rail and road traffic. While eight trains were cancelled, 79 were running late. Several trains have been rescheduled due to late running of the corresponding train.

Bitting cold wave swept across Punjab and Haryana with mercury dipping in most areas. Two unidentified street-beggars were suspected to have died of cold in Ambala. Police have recovered the body and sent for post-mortem.

Thick fog, which has in the past few days affected normal movement of road, rail and air traffic, also prevailed at most places in the two states on early Friday.

Minimum in Chandigarh settled at 5 degrees Celsius, even as freezing cold swept throughout the day. Narnaul in Haryana recorded minimum temperature at 2 degrees Celsius.

In Ambala, it was 5.9 degrees and 6 degrees in Karnal. Amritsar in Punjab also reeled under cold weather conditions with the minimum settling at 4.8 degrees.

Intense cold wave and dense fog also prevailed in Uttar Pradesh. Night temperatures were recorded appreciably below normal in Varanasi, Faizabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad and Agra divisions, according to the MeT department. Agra was the coldest in the state with the mercury dipping to 3.3 degrees.

Severe cold conditions continued to prevail over parts of Rajasthan, where four trains were cancelled and more than 15 trains were running late due to dense fog.

In the desert state, Pilani recorded a minimum of 1.3 degree Celsius followed by Churu at 1.5 degrees. State capital Jaipur was shivering as the mercury dipped to 5.7 degrees Celsius.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=north India cold,India temperature,cold wave in India

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Uttar Pradesh CM asks girls to get trained in martial arts

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government is serious about security of women and has taken a clutch of measures, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said on Thursday, and also asked women to come forward and get trained in martial arts.

He said that directives have been issued to provide martial arts training in all the schools and colleges to prepare girl students for self defence.

"The state government is serious about security and safety of women and has taken a number of measures," Yadav said after meeting the members of UP team, which participated in ninth Kung Fu competition.

So far, martial arts training has been given to around 10,000 girl students for self defence, he said.

The chief minister appealed the women to become self reliant for their safety and assured all the help from the government.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=women safety in UP,martial arts,Akhilesh Yadav

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Modi launches mission for producing teachers, links Make in India with railway

VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed ambition to make India as the largest producer of teachers to meet the world's demand. He also cleared the `confusion' of railway employee unions and also opposition that railway will never be privatized and explained how his `Make in India' campaign is going to be linked with railways to boost country' economy.

Modi was in his parliamentary constituency with a band of his cabinet colleagues on Friday to observe `Good Governance Day' on the occasion former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As a tribute to the Banaras Hindu University's founder Mahamana Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya a day after his nomination for Bharat Ratna the PM launched `National Mission on Teachers and Teaching' in the name of Mahamana and also laid foundation of Inter-University Centre For Teacher Education, an autonomous body of UGC on BHU campus.

In tightly scheduled series of events Modi during his five-hours stay here he initially inspected Assi Ghat, where he had launched cleanliness drive on November 8 and after holding a broom show on Jagnnath temple route, he nominated another batch of Navratna including former Indian cricket team captain Saurav Ganguli Kiran Bedi, Sonal Man Singh, comedian Kapil Sharma, Ramoji Rao, Aroon Purie, ICAI and Mumbai dabbawalas for "Clean India" campaign

With the announcement of new mission of HRD ministry at Swatantrata Bhawan on varsity campus on Thursday, Modi hinted to begin a four or five year course by merging graduation and BEd programmes for intermediate passed students. The power of youth population of India can end the crisis of quality teachers in the world, said the PM adding the trend of choosing teaching as last career option should end. With the same vision the new course is being designed and the focus is on producing quality teachers, he added.

"Education system should not function as apparatus to manufacture robots as it can be done by small groups of scientists in laboratories. There is a need to put human values and developing culture of education with overall development of personality", said Modi. The PM also announced the launching of HRD ministry's initiative of developing techniques required for handicraft artisans to enhance their skills for manufacturing products as per the demand of global market. The project of wi-fi enabled campus for BHU was also dedicated by Modi on this occasion.

Mentioning how the world acknowledged Yoga and UN declared June 21 as World Yoga Day, he stressed on the need for opening schools for studies on particular saints, authors, music and arts that can compel the tourists for extending his stay here and boost the local economy.

From BHU Modi reached Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) where he flagged off a high capacity WDP4D locomotive and later inaugurated the project of expansion of DLW. Former PM late Lal Bahadur Shastri had flagged off a locomotive at DLW before Modi in the capacity of PM 50 years back. Modi also occupied loco-pilot seat for few minutes and shook hand with pilots before flagging off. While addressing the function he termed privatization bid of railway as completely rumour and said, "Railway is my love and its employees are my family. I am trying for its modernization with the help of other countries only. Opening of four railway universities is the part of same plan."

Revealing his plan to connect railway with his dream project Make in India, Modi said, railway will emerge as platform to generate employment for country's youth. He hinted that resources of railway are going to be utilised for skill development programmes and skill development centers being proposed at small railway stations will be connected with railway universities.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Narendra Modi,Indian railway

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woman who filed rape case against Asaram goes ‘missing’

AHMEDABAD: A 33-year-old married woman, who had filed a case of sexual assault against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, is mysteriously missing for over a week along with her son and husband, police said on Thursday.

"A victim of rape, who had accused Asaram of sexual assault, went missing along with her son and husband more than a week ago," sub-inspector NM Ahir of Kamrej police station in Surat city told PTI over phone.

"Police department had provided four constables to the victim for her protection. On December 14, the victim informed our personnel that her family members were going to attend a marriage in Amroli area in the city where they did not require police protection," he said.

The constables remained posted outside her home but neither the woman nor her son or husband returned.

READ ALSO: Kin of girl sexually assaulted by Asaram get death threat

This led police to file a missing complaint on December 18, Ahir said.

Asaram Bapu in white robes being produced in a Gandhinagar court. (TOI file photo by Bhadresh Gajjar)

Police later found that there was no marriage in the victim's social circuit in Amroli on that day.

Their cellphones are switched-off, making it difficult to trace them, the sub-inspector said.

A probe is underway to locate them, he added. Before disappearing, the Surat-based woman had filed an application in a court saying she wanted to change her statement recorded under Section 164 of CrPC in the case.

The statement recorded under the said Section is admissible at the stage of trial unlike the one recorded before police.

READ ALSO: Asaram now plans to contest elections

However, the court in Gandhinagar rejected her plea last Monday.

The women had last year filed a police complaint and accused Asaram Bapu of sexual assault between 1997 and 2006 when she was staying in his ashram on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Asaram Bapu being taken to a jail in Ahmedabad in a prison van. (TOI file photo by Jignesh Vora)

Her younger sister had filed a separate complaint against 76-year-old Asaram's son Narayan Sai, accusing him of repeated sexual assault between 2002 and 2005 when she was living in his Surat ashram.

Gujarat Police filed a chargesheet against Asaram in January this year.

The religious preacher has been charged with rape, illegal confinement and criminal conspiracy.

He is lodged in a Rajasthan jail in another rape case.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Surat police,Asaram Victim Missing,Asaram rape case,Asaram Bapu

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Babul Supriyo targets TMC, Mamata over Saradha scam

MUMBAI: Targeting Trinamool Congress (TMC) and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, Union minister of state for urban development Babul Supriyo said here on Thursday that the TMC was the "most corrupt" party.

"Today, saying that TMC is the most corrupt party won't be wrong. It has exceeded the ceiling as far as corruption is concerned," the minister told reporters here.

Asked if Mamata was the direct beneficiary of the chit fund scam money, Supriyo declined to comment. "If I say anything, you (media) will get breaking news," he said.

A probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would reveal everything about the chit fund scam, the singer-turned politician said.

"Earlier, Mamata used to demand CBI probes into everything. Now, the same Mamata levels allegations against CBI," he said.

"There is no logic or sense in her allegations (against the CBI)," Supriyo said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Saradha scam,Mamata Banerjee,Babul Supriyo targets TMC

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Sushaasan Express' flagged off from Vajpayee's birthplace

GWALIOR: Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar today flagged off 'Sushaasan Express' from the birthplace of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Sushaasan (good governance) Express would run between Gwalior and Gonda via Hazrat Nizamuddin and Lucknow.

The train was flagged-off by the Union minister for steel and mines, who is also the local MP, on the occasion of Vajpayee's birthday.

Addressing a function on the occasion, Tomar said railway minister Suresh Prabhu has sanctioned Rs 29 crore for the development of railways in Gwalior.

Tomar said he and BJP MP Bhagirath Prasad had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge him to implement the good governance scheme in the entire country on the occasion of Vajpayee's birthday, which resulted in 'Good Governance Day' being observed all over the country on December 25.

The minister also said that the Union tourism minister has approved a plan worth Rs 24.93 crore proposed by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation to develop Gwalior as a mega tourist centre.

Divisional railway manager of Jhansi Navin Chopra and others were present on the occasion.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vajpayee's birthplace,'Sushaasan Express

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snow fall in Gulmarg; slight respite from cold in the Valley

SRINAGAR: The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, received snowfall, breaking the dry spell in the state, even as the minimum temperature in most places in the Valley and Ladakh region appreciated, providing slight relief from cold to the people.

"Gulmarg received snowfall of 1 cm during the night," a MeT official said here.

The minimum temperature in Gulmarg dropped to settle at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 2.8 degrees Celsius of the previous night.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius, he said.

The famous hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir, which serves as a base camp during the annual Amarnath yatra, registered a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, up by two degrees of the previous night.

The minimum temperature in Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, was recorded at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.

The mercury also decreased in Kokernag hill resort in south Kashmir to record a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

North Kashmir's Kupwara town, 90km from here, recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, up one degree from the previous night's minus 2.9 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in Leh was recorded at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, over five degrees up from the previous night's minus 8.8 degrees Celsius.

The temperature in Kargil was not available, MeT official said.

MeT department has predicted light rain or snow at isolated places in the state.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Gulmarg temperature,Gulmarg snowfall,cold in north India

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

7 killed in Bodo militant attack in Assam

GUWAHATI: At least nine people, including four women were killed when Bodo militants fired indiscriminately in two villages in Assam on Tuesday evening, police said.

The attacks by militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction opposed to peace talks took place in Saralpara village in Kokrajhar district and Santipur village in Sonitpur district, said inspector general of police (Law and Order) SN Singh.

The militants attacked the villages as a response to the intensified operation by the security forces, he said.

READ ALSO: 11 killed in militant attacks in Assam

The NDFB had on Monday triggered a grenade blast in Patgaon in Kokrajhar district, injuring three people.

A joint team of Assam Police commandos and the Army had on Sunday killed two Bodo militants in neighbouring Chirang district, close to the Bhutan border.

READ ALSO: Rebels kill 30 in Assam for not voting for Bodos

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi Tuesday said his government will not bow down to any militant threat.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Tarun Gogoi,Bodo militants,Bodo militant attack

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snowfall in Gulmarg; slight respite from cold in Kashmir valley

SRINAGAR: The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, received snowfall, breaking the dry spell in the state, even as the minimum temperature in most places in the Valley and Ladakh region appreciated, providing slight relief from cold to the people.

"Gulmarg received snowfall of 1 cm during the night," a MeT official said here.

The minimum temperature in Gulmarg dropped to settle at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 2.8 degrees Celsius of the previous night.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius, he said.

The famous hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir, which serves as a base camp during the annual Amarnath yatra, registered a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, up by two degrees of the previous night.

The minimum temperature in Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, was recorded at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.

The mercury also decreased in Kokernag hill resort in south Kashmir to record a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

North Kashmir's Kupwara town, 90km from here, recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, up one degree from the previous night's minus 2.9 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in Leh was recorded at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, over five degrees up from the previous night's minus 8.8 degrees Celsius.

The temperature in Kargil was not available, MeT official said.

MeT department has predicted light rain or snow at isolated places in the state.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Gulmarg temperature,Gulmarg snowfall,cold in north India

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bodo militants kill 9, including 4 women in Assam

GUWAHATI: At least nine people, including four women were killed when Bodo militants fired indiscriminately in two villages in Assam on Tuesday evening, police said.

The attacks by militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction opposed to peace talks took place in Saralpara village in Kokrajhar district and Santipur village in Sonitpur district, said inspector general of police (Law and Order) SN Singh.

The militants attacked the villages as a response to the intensified operation by the security forces, he said.

READ ALSO: 11 killed in militant attacks in Assam

The NDFB had on Monday triggered a grenade blast in Patgaon in Kokrajhar district, injuring three people.

A joint team of Assam Police commandos and the Army had on Sunday killed two Bodo militants in neighbouring Chirang district, close to the Bhutan border.

READ ALSO: Rebels kill 30 in Assam for not voting for Bodos

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi Tuesday said his government will not bow down to any militant threat.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Tarun Gogoi,Bodo militants,Bodo militant attack

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

BSF jawan killed in accidental firing by colleague

NADIA (WB): A BSF jawan Rajesh Jadav (24) was killed when a bullet fired by another jawan and aimed at cattle smugglers accidentally hit him on Saturday, police said.

The incident happened at Hanskhali-Baranberia border area in Nadia district, the police said adding a BSF team was chasing a group of cattle smugglers along the international border and when one of the jawans opened fire, a bullet accidentally hit Rajesh.

The jawan, who was a resident of Koderma in Jharkhand, was declared dead on arrival by the doctors at a local hospital and the body has been sent for post mortem, they added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=BSF JAWAN KILLED,BSF,accidental firing

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Left leaders meet PM on Saradha scam issue

NEW DELHI: Expressing apprehension about attempts to "throttle" the probe into the Saradha chit fund scam, Left leaders on Monday asked Narendra Modi government to hold "coordinated" investigation by central agencies and sought action against anyone involved, however highly placed he or she may be.

A five-member delegation of Left parties on Monday met the Prime Minister in Parliament and said that many names have been reportedly mentioned by those interrogated so far.

They demanded a thorough investigation "irrespective of the position of the person named."

Speaking to reporters after their meeting with Modi, the leaders maintained that the "massive" scam had affected thousands of people in several states and there are "genuine apprehensions" about involvement of the highest level in West Bengal government and ruling Trinamool Congress.

In a memorandum, they said "the arrests of some MPs and a senior state cabinet minister raises "genuine apprehensions" of the involvement of the highest level in the state government and the ruling party in the state.

"We apprehend that there may be an all-out endeavour on behalf of the beneficiaries of this massive fraud to misdirect or throttle the investigation," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.

He said several names have been mentioned by people arrested or detained by CBI adding that it is learnt that "various names have come up."

"We have told the Prime Minister that a thorough investigation should include everybody irrespective of the position they may be holding and proper action should be taken," Yechury said.

Others in the delegation included CPI(M) Politburo member Biman Bose, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly Surjo Kanta Mishra, RSP leader Abani Roy and Forward Bloc legislator Ali Imran Ramz.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Trinamool Congress,Sitaram Yechury,Saradha chit fund scam,Narendra Modi,CPI(M)

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sri Lankan court releases 28 Indian fishermen

RAMESWARAM: A court in Sri Lanka on Monday ordered the release of 28 of the total 81 Indian fishermen lodged in the jails in that country.

On December 9, the Sri Lankan navy apprehended 43 fishermen -- 29 from Karaikal in the Union territory of Puducherry and the rest from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.

All these 43 fishermen were produced before a Point Pedro court on Monday, and the court ordered the release of 14 Nagapattinam fishermen and 14 others from Karaikal.

However, 15 fishermen from Karaikal were remanded in judicial custody till January 5, said U Arulanandam of Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen at Pamban.

After the release of the 28 fishermen, the number of the Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan prisons has fallen to 53. They include 22 from Pudukottai and 16 from Rameswaram.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=tamil nadu,Sri Lankan court,Sri Lanka,NAGAPATTINAM,Karaikal

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Protests over conversions set back reform agenda

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reform agenda suffered a setback on Monday as protests erupted in Parliament and in the streets over a campaign by Sangh-linked outfits to convert Muslims and Christians to Hinduism.

Opposition members threw papers and swarmed to the centre of the Upper House of Parliament, forcing the suspension of the session and effectively preventing the government from tabling a bill to increase foreign participation in the insurance sector.

The long-pending insurance legislation to raise the cap on foreign investment to 49 per cent from 26 per cent, and another bill to replace a decree to overhaul the coal sector, were considered low-hanging fruits that Modi hoped to push through Parliament's winter session, which ends on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Fate of insurance, coal bills hangs in balance

But comments by the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Mohan Bhagwat, that India was a "Hindu nation" provoked a storm of criticism, snuffing out any chance of opposition support for government business in the Upper House of Parliament, where the BJP lacks a majority.

PM Narendra Modi had hoped to get the insurance and coal bills passed in the winter session of Parliament.
"This is an attempt to divide the society," Nitish Kumar, former Bihar CM, told hundreds of people at a protest in New Delhi, referring to religious conversions.

"The government is not capable of resolving the core issues of our country, so they want to divide the society and distract people."

READ ALSO: India is our Hindu rashtra, RSS chief says

Modi is facing a backlash for not doing enough to rein in hardline affiliate groups that have become emboldened in their pursuit of a Hindu-dominant agenda, threatening India's secular foundations, critics say.

Trouble erupted this month after a group of Muslims complained they had been tricked into attending a conversion ceremony by Hindu groups. BJP MP Yogi Adityanath had planned a mass conversion ceremony on Christmas Day, but that has been put off.

RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat said India is a Hindu nation.

About a fifth of India's 1.2 billion people identify themselves as belonging to faiths other than Hinduism. Conversion is a sensitive issue with Hindu groups saying many poor Hindus were forced over the ages to give up their faith, or lured into Christianity and Islam.

On Monday, Congress leader Anand Sharma urged Modi to make clear where he stood on conversions.

Modi actively communicates via social media and addresses the nation every month on radio, but has not commented on conversions, letting colleagues tackle the criticism.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=winter session of Parliament,Opposition Protests on Conversions,insurance bill,Conversion row,coal bill

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ram Temple should be birthday gift to Atal: Shiv Sena MPs

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena members in LokSabha on Monday sought rolling out of Uniform Civil Code, abrogation of Article 370 and construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya as a "birthday gift" to former Prime Minister AtalBihariVajpayee whose birth anniversary falls on December 25.

Sena MP Arvind Sawant said Vajpayee, who headed the first BJP-led government during 1998-2004, used to say that these measures would be implemented when the saffron party gets a majority on its own.

"We have a majority today. Unfortunately, he is not the Prime Minister. This happy occasion has come for us to give this birthday gift," he said during Zero Hour.

Another Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire also demanded execution of Uniform Civil Code, saying followers of all religions and faiths should be covered under one law.

Sawant said the Constitution also calls for Uniform Civil Code and it was time to implement it.

Article 370 gives a special status of Jammu & Kashmir and it has prevented the state from joining the national mainstream, he said.

Though these controversial issues have found a mention in BJP's manifesto, its government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far refrained from making any move and kept silence on their implementation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Uniform Civil Code,Shiv Sena,Ram temple,Atal Bihari Vajpayee,Arvind Sawant

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thick fog hits life in Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Cold weather and thick fog affected normal life in most parts of Punjab and Haryana on Monday.

Officials said the fog hit air, rail and road traffic in the region.

But there was some relief during the day as parts of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana saw mild sunshine for a couple of hours.

Karnal in Haryana was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees celsius, four degrees below normal.

Hisar recorded 5.6 degrees and Narnaul 4 degrees. Ambala also experienced a cold night at 5.8 degrees celsius, officials said.

In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 5.4 degrees celsius.

According to the meteorological department, cloudy weather is expected in most parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Tuesday.

The weather department has predicted dense fog in most of Punjab and Haryana over the next 48 hours. The weather shall remain dry and a fall in night temperatures is predicted during this period.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=winter season,thick fog,cold wave

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dalai Lama expresses concern over violence around the world

TUMAKURU: Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama on Sunday expressed concern over violence witnessed in parts of the world and said the best thing to stop it is to give value based education to the next generation.

Inaugurating the International conference on 'Ethics in the New Millennium: Buddhist Perspectives' organized by Tumkur University and the Sera Jey Monastry of Bylakuppe, a Tibetan refugee camp in Karnataka, the Buddhist spiritual guru said that he was preparing a curriculum in close association US on cultural and educational system.

"The curriculum would be ready in two years which focuses on improving students-relationship. Moral values and ethics on religion and spirituality will also be incorporated in the proposed curriculum," the Noble Peace prize winner said addressing the well attended delegation in the Tumkur University campus.

Calling upon Indian varsities to give suggestions on the proposed curriculum, the Dalai Lama said the value based education can stop youth from going against the law of the land. It is important that ethics is included in university education so that the youth are driven in the right path. Parents will have to do more to inculcate good habits among the teenagers,"' he said.

Citing India as best example, the spiritual guru said that in this country people of different communities and sects live together and the World should learn from it. "India is a small world in itself. Other countries can learn how people live peacefully in this country. Practicing peace will be all important," he said.

Expressing concern over global warming, the Dalai Lama people need to be informed at the grassroot level and the governments should form better guidelines to safeguard environment.

Law minister TB Jayachnadra and social welfare minister H Anjaneya attended the conference. Dalai Lama's last visit to Tumkur University was in 2012 where he was invited to inaugurate the International Conference on Yoga in Education. Tumkur University also conferred the Dalai Lama an 'Honorary Distinguished Professorship' in recognition of his service to humanity.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Tibet's spiritual leader,Dalai Lama,Buddhist spiritual guru

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magisterial inquiry ordered into custodial death case

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the death of a 50-year-old man in police custody at Budhana town in the district.

Sub-divisional magistrate of Budhana J P Gupta will be conducting an inquiry into the death of Nawab Qureshi, who died in police custody, and the recording of statements by witnesses will start on December 26 at the tehsil headquarters.

Earlier, five policemen, including the SHO of Budhana police station, had been booked for Qureshi's death.

Qureshi, who was wanted in a case, was arrested but he died due to heart failure in police custody, a senior police official had said.

Following Nawab's death, irate public protested and gheraoed the police station, demanding strict action against the police.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rajasthan BJP MLA denies threatening voters

KOTA: After a video surfaced purportedly showing him threatening voters with consequences if they do not vote for BJP, party MLA Bhawani Singh Rajawat on Sunday said he was only asking the electorate to choose BJP over Congress as the latter had "done nothing for them".

A video of Rajawat, BJP MLA from Ladpura in Kota, on Saturday surfaced in the social media purportedly showing him wooing and threatening voters of driving them out of their illegally built dwellings in Kota, if they do not vote for BJP in recent local body elections.

"The matter is associated to the Municipal Corporation election and there is a scheme in my constituency under which people are residing illegally in around 250-300 houses," the MLA said.

"They had come to me and I showed pity on them considering them to be poor and allowed them to stay in those houses and later shift them to some other place under Punarvaas scheme," he said.

"When the municipality elections came, I told them that I am providing you a place to stay, and other basic amenities, so you vote for the BJP and not for Congress as it has not done anything for you and only exploited the poor," he charged.

Along with the video of threatening voters, another video of Rajawat rebuking a DySP on duty and an audio clip of another BJP leader of scolding a police official for not relaxing the curfew in Bundi district also surfaced.

In the audio tape, Pramod Jain, municipality chairman of Nainwa sub-division of Bundi district, is heard rebuking a police official for not relaxing the curfew during communal tension in Nainwa in September this year.

The audio is reported to be of September 9 this year when Nainwa region was going through communal tension and curfew was imposed.

Kota district BJP president Hament Vijayvargeya on Saturday said he has not seen the video and audio clippings so far as he was busy in state party meetings.

"I have not seen and heard them so far," he said. District SP Tejra Singh said he has not heard the clipping so far, adding that no action can be taken in the matter until a complaint from the victims is received.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=MLA Bhawani Singh Rajawat

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Karunanidhi urges Modi to drop move to hold Good Governance Day programmes on Christmas

CHENNAI: DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drop the Centre's proposal to hold various events on December 25, as a part of the Good Governance Day.

"I request the Prime Minister to ensure that the Centre drops the proposals that would disappoint Christians and minorities. At least from now onwards, perform as a secular government," the DMK chief said in statement.

Referring to reports that the ministries of rural development, labour, culture and tourism had planned various activities coinciding with the birthday of former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on December 25, Karunanidhi said officials were being forced to report for duty on that day.

"So many programmes are scheduled and officials are asked participate in them. Will Christians celebrate Christmas or attend these events," he asked.

The programmes included launching new initiatives besides holding mass blood donation drives, he said citing reports.

He said officials of the ministry of rural development were planning to observe December 25 as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Diwas to commemorate the 15 years of the launch of a rural roads scheme by Vajpayee in 2000.

The DMK leader cited reported which said Union ministers, including minister rural development Chaudhary Birender Singh, minister of state for labour and employment Bandaru Dattatreya, minister of state for culture and tourism Mahesh Sharma, would participate in various events on December 25.

He urged Modi to ensure that the NDA government's actions would not affect the sentiments of religious minorities.

Karunanidhi recalled his earlier statement on the Centre's controversial circular to Navodaya schools and universities. He had urged Modi to rein in Hindutva outfits that were making a "mockery of communal harmony" and joined other parties in voicing apprehension that observing the Good Governance Day on December 25 could hamper Christmas festivities.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vajpayee,Narendra Modi,Karunanidhi,Good Governance Day programmes,Christmas

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sonia Gandhi undergoes breathing exercises, to remain in hospital

NEW DELHI: The condition of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, undergoing treatment for lower respiratory tract infection, is improving and she went through breathing exercises without any problem on Sunday, doctors said.

"Mrs Gandhi is feeling better and her condition is stable. She has undergone breathing exercises without any problem. She will remain under observation and treatment in hospital on Sunday," said Dr Arup Kumar Basu, senior consultant and chairman, department of respiratory medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Her condition will again be reviewed on Monday morning.

68-year-old Gandhi was admitted to the hospital on Thursday evening with lower respiratory tract infection and breathing difficulty.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More

LCA naval version achieves milestone

BENGALURU: The first prototype of the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas' Naval version — LCA NP-1 — completed its maiden flight as part of the carrier compatibility tests at the shore-based test facility INS Hansa in Goa at 12.34pm on Saturday.

LCA-Navy is the second Ski Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR ) carrier-borne aircraft in the world, after a Russian deck based aircraft. And, this will be the only Carrier borne Fighter aircraft in the Light category.

The flight in Goa comes more than two years after the aircraft completed its maiden flight on April 27, 2012. Attempting to build such an aircraft for the first time, the Indian Navy and team LCA even got help from the United States Navy, which audited the aircraft in the initial stages.

"...The US?Navy Carrier Suitability Test Team conducted audits of our test findings which has been very beneficial for us given the fact that this is India's first attempt at developing a carrier-borne fighter," a senior official involved with the project said.

The aircraft designed to operate from the decks of air-craft carriers, on Saturday took off from Ski-Jump facility of INS Hansa. Piloted by Commodore Jaideep Maolankar, the Chief Test Pilot of National Flight Test Centre (NFTC), the aircraft had "a perfect flight with results matching the predicted ones to the letter," a note said.

LCA (Navy) is designed with stronger landing gears to absorb forces exerted by the ski jump ramp during take-off, to be airborne within 200-m as against 1,000-m required for normal runways.

It's special flight control law mode allows hands-free take-off relieving the pilot workload, as the aircraft leaps from the ramp and automatically puts the aircraft in an ascending trajectory.

The Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) has been created to replicate the aircraft carrier with a Ski Jump for take-off and arresting gear cable for arrested landing; by ADA with the participation of the Indian Navy, Goa shipyard, CCE (R&D) West, Pune, R&D Engg (E) Pune and the Russian agencies providing the design support and specialized equipment.

Role of the Aircraft:

* Air to Air * Air to Sea * Air to Ground

Dimensions:

* Span : 8.2m * Length : 13.2m * Height : 4.52m

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Tejas' Naval version,Stobar,LCA NP-1,LCA,first prototype

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.44 | 0 komentar | Read More