New Delhi, January 26, 2012
An impressive display of armour and unmanned aerial vehicles recently added to India's military prowess was on full display at the 63rd Republic Day parade on Thursday that also showcased the country's rich heritage.
The early morning chill did not deter people along the eight-km-parade route as they gathered on both sides of the majestic Rajpath, the country's ceremonial boulevard facing the Raisina Hills, and cheered the contingents as they went past portraying the diverse culture of the country.
The well-turned out and synchronised military and police formations led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt. Gen. V.K. Pillai marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President Pratibha Patil, who is the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, took salute.
The impressive march-past was watched by Chief Guest Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh and top political and military brass.
Police and other para-military forces turned Delhi into a virtual fortress for the Republic Day celebrations as helicopters scanned from air, snipers kept a hawk-eye vigil from rooftops and armed personnel at every nook and corner provided a ground-to-air security apparatus.
Minutes before the parade began, Dr. Singh, Mr. Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame in the memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation.
After the customary 21-gun salute and unfurling of the national tricolour, President Patil presented Ashok Chakra — the highest peacetime gallantry award — posthumously to Lieutenant Navdeep Singh who died foiling an infiltration attempt by Pakistan-based terrorists along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Then, four Mi-17 helicopters zoomed in from skies on the western side showering flower petals on thousands of spectators, signalling the start of the impressive parade followed by winners of Param Vir Chakra, highest war-time gallantry award, and Ashok Chakra and mounted columns of 61 Cavalry.
The Army showcased its impressive weaponry which included T-72 tanks, Carrier Motor Tracked vehicle, Smerch missile Launcher, Multi Barrel Rocket System 'Pinaka' and Full Width Mine Plough.
It also displayed the NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical) Chemical Purification System and Jammer Station.
Demonstrating its air power, Army also conducted a flypast of three indegenously made advanced light helicopters Dhruv.
The Army contingent from Parachute Regiment, Bengal Engineer Group, The Brigade of the Guards, Kumaon Regiment, Assam Regiment, Mahar Regiment and Gorkha Rifles marched to the tunes of 'Arjuna', Thimmaya, 'Gangotri' and 'Veer Gorkha' military numbers.
The next to follow were smartly dressed Navy personnel and then the Air Force contingent, led by Flight Lieutenant Sneha Shekhawat, marching to the tunes of 'Jai Bharati' and 'Air Battle'.
The Navy showcased models of the Delhi Class guided missile destroyer and IL-38 (Sea Dragon) Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft.
The 3,000-km-range nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile, successfully flight tested in November last year, stole the limelight as people cheered and clapped when the weapons system's model came near them. Commentaries gave an insight into the capabilities of the sophisticated missile system.
The DRDO also put on display for the first time the 150-km range Prahaar tactical battlefield support missile and the Rustom-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
Other marching contingents were those of camel-mounted BSF, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, RPF, Delhi Police, NCC and NSS.
As the country's armed and police forces demonstrated their might, States and different departments put up an impressive show when they showcased their rich cultural diversity in full display in 23 tableaux — 13 from states and 10 from ministries.
Another highlight of the event was that West Bengal became part of the parade after 13 years as it showcased the university town of Shantiniketan, the living abode of Rabindranath Tagore, that symbolises the avant garde vision of an international, educational and cultural institution.
The Jammu and Kashmir tableau depicts the architectural heritage of its capital Srinagar during the medieval period, while Chhatisgrah showcased the Dondaki art and claywork by artists late Sonabhai Rajwar, Darogaram and Atmadas Manikpuri.
The one by Maharashtra boasted of its rich culture, natural wonders and historical monuments and attractive tourist destinations.
The north-eastern state of Meghalaya depicted the Jaintia Festivals and the most colourful dance by the major tribal community inhabiting the state, while Rajasthan brought alive the 'Amber Fort' which has an unique artistic style that blends both Hindu and Mughal elements.
Assam showcased its enthralling Bhortal dance, while the Punjab tableau adorned the larger than life figure of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh atop the Lahore fort.
Goa, Nagaland and Sikkim are other states who showcased their cultural heritage.
The Union Textiles Ministry's tableau displayed the range of Indian handicrafts, reflecting the journey of Indian handicrafts from the traditional to the modern world, representing the rich cultural heritage from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
EU adopts embargo on Iranian oil
DUBAI, January 24, 2012
With an eye on the dependence of recession hit economies of Greece, Italy and Spain on Iranian oil, Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) countries on Monday decided to shift the ban on oil imports on Iran to July 1.
"As of July 1, we have a ban on the import of oil and oil products from Iran," said Uri Rosenthal, the Dutch Foreign Minister in Brussels, after EU Foreign Ministers met on Monday to discuss their collective stance on Iran, which they fear is developing atomic weapons. Following the EU decision, neither the existing oil deals with Iran will be extended beyond July 1, 2012 nor will new contracts on importing oil be signed. EU member countries can receive oil shipments from Iran till the end of June.
The decision by the 27-nation bloc not to impose an immediate energy import ban on Iran, will allow the three EU countries — Greece, Italy and Spain, which consume 68 per cent of the bloc's total import of Iranian oil, to find alternative suppliers, analysts said. However, this may turn out to be an onerous exercise, as the jury is still out on the whether the world has sufficient excess capacity that can compensate for the elimination of Iranian oil from the world's energy market.
Iran's daily production of oil in December stood at 3.58 million barrels, Bloomberg estimated. In case Iran was prevented from exporting its oil, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the OPEC countries would manage to ramp up their existing daily production by 2.85 million barrels, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Notwithstanding the capacity of Persian Gulf countries to produce more oil, Iran has threatened to block flows through the Strait of Hormuz through which the bulk of the region's oil passes.
In case Iran obstructs the transit route through Hormuz, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which use this route, would find it hard to ship most of their oil and gas to the international markets. Iran's warning to impede energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz came amid threats by the United States and its allies to choke Tehran's oil supplies. Oil exports, estimated at around $73 billion annually are Iran's economic lifeline, catering more than 50 per cent of the national budget and 80 percent of the country's exports.
Some observers say that by deferring the imposition of an oil embargo on Iran, the West may have hoped to activate a debate in Iran on soon opening a dialogue with its adversaries on its nuclear programme. On Monday, Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt said in Brussels that sanctions alone are "not the answer." Instead, the EU needs to seek "diplomatic engagement" with the Iranian leadership, he observed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday swiftly rejected unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying that embargoes against Iran would be \"unhelpful\".
\"Unilateral sanctions do not help matters,\" Mr. Lavrov observed. \"We will restrain everyone from making harsh moves. We will seek the resumption of negotiations."
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
With an eye on the dependence of recession hit economies of Greece, Italy and Spain on Iranian oil, Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) countries on Monday decided to shift the ban on oil imports on Iran to July 1.
"As of July 1, we have a ban on the import of oil and oil products from Iran," said Uri Rosenthal, the Dutch Foreign Minister in Brussels, after EU Foreign Ministers met on Monday to discuss their collective stance on Iran, which they fear is developing atomic weapons. Following the EU decision, neither the existing oil deals with Iran will be extended beyond July 1, 2012 nor will new contracts on importing oil be signed. EU member countries can receive oil shipments from Iran till the end of June.
The decision by the 27-nation bloc not to impose an immediate energy import ban on Iran, will allow the three EU countries — Greece, Italy and Spain, which consume 68 per cent of the bloc's total import of Iranian oil, to find alternative suppliers, analysts said. However, this may turn out to be an onerous exercise, as the jury is still out on the whether the world has sufficient excess capacity that can compensate for the elimination of Iranian oil from the world's energy market.
Iran's daily production of oil in December stood at 3.58 million barrels, Bloomberg estimated. In case Iran was prevented from exporting its oil, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the OPEC countries would manage to ramp up their existing daily production by 2.85 million barrels, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Notwithstanding the capacity of Persian Gulf countries to produce more oil, Iran has threatened to block flows through the Strait of Hormuz through which the bulk of the region's oil passes.
In case Iran obstructs the transit route through Hormuz, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which use this route, would find it hard to ship most of their oil and gas to the international markets. Iran's warning to impede energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz came amid threats by the United States and its allies to choke Tehran's oil supplies. Oil exports, estimated at around $73 billion annually are Iran's economic lifeline, catering more than 50 per cent of the national budget and 80 percent of the country's exports.
Some observers say that by deferring the imposition of an oil embargo on Iran, the West may have hoped to activate a debate in Iran on soon opening a dialogue with its adversaries on its nuclear programme. On Monday, Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt said in Brussels that sanctions alone are "not the answer." Instead, the EU needs to seek "diplomatic engagement" with the Iranian leadership, he observed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday swiftly rejected unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying that embargoes against Iran would be \"unhelpful\".
\"Unilateral sanctions do not help matters,\" Mr. Lavrov observed. \"We will restrain everyone from making harsh moves. We will seek the resumption of negotiations."
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Arrest Musharraf on arrival: resolution
Islamabad, January 24, 2012 (Tehelkanews)
The upper house of Pakistan's parliament on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution that demanded the arrest of former President Pervez Musharraf on his arrival in the country and the registration of a case of high treason against him.
The resolution was moved in the Senate by Raza Rabbani, a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People's Party.
Mr. Rabbani accused Mr. Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in London and Dubai, of abrogating the Constitution twice, arresting members of the superior judiciary and compromising national interests.
Mr. Musharraf dented the national economy and inflicted colossal loss to the national exchequer, Mr. Rabbani said.
The rules of business of the Senate were suspended when Mr. Rabbani moved a motion and informed the chairman of the House that he and several other Senators of the PML-N, Awami National Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, intended to move the resolution against the former dictator.
The resolution alleged that Mr. Musharraf had "aided, abetted and is an accomplice in the murders of (former premier) Benazir Bhutto and (Baloch nationalist leader) Akbar Bugti."
It accused Musharraf of committing "numerous crimes" against the people of Pakistan and said: "his policies and use of state force in Balochistan led to the loss of innocent lives and further sponsored disappearance of its citizens".
Mr. Musharraf "compromised vital national security interests through clandestine deals and unwritten agreements with foreign governments" and his economic policies widened economic disparity, created monopolies, promoted cartels and "gave rise to crony capitalism", the resolution said.
The resolution demanded that Mr. Musharraf should be "arrested immediately on arrival in Pakistan" and that the federal government should institute a case of high treason against him under Article 6 of the Constitution.
Mr. Musharraf recently postponed his plans to return to Karachi during January 27 and 30 after several Pakistani leaders, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, said he would be arrested and jailed as soon as he stepped out of the aircraft.
Two Pakistani courts issued warrants for his arrest last year.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The upper house of Pakistan's parliament on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution that demanded the arrest of former President Pervez Musharraf on his arrival in the country and the registration of a case of high treason against him.
The resolution was moved in the Senate by Raza Rabbani, a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People's Party.
Mr. Rabbani accused Mr. Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in London and Dubai, of abrogating the Constitution twice, arresting members of the superior judiciary and compromising national interests.
Mr. Musharraf dented the national economy and inflicted colossal loss to the national exchequer, Mr. Rabbani said.
The rules of business of the Senate were suspended when Mr. Rabbani moved a motion and informed the chairman of the House that he and several other Senators of the PML-N, Awami National Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, intended to move the resolution against the former dictator.
The resolution alleged that Mr. Musharraf had "aided, abetted and is an accomplice in the murders of (former premier) Benazir Bhutto and (Baloch nationalist leader) Akbar Bugti."
It accused Musharraf of committing "numerous crimes" against the people of Pakistan and said: "his policies and use of state force in Balochistan led to the loss of innocent lives and further sponsored disappearance of its citizens".
Mr. Musharraf "compromised vital national security interests through clandestine deals and unwritten agreements with foreign governments" and his economic policies widened economic disparity, created monopolies, promoted cartels and "gave rise to crony capitalism", the resolution said.
The resolution demanded that Mr. Musharraf should be "arrested immediately on arrival in Pakistan" and that the federal government should institute a case of high treason against him under Article 6 of the Constitution.
Mr. Musharraf recently postponed his plans to return to Karachi during January 27 and 30 after several Pakistani leaders, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, said he would be arrested and jailed as soon as he stepped out of the aircraft.
Two Pakistani courts issued warrants for his arrest last year.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
No tussle with UIDAI, says Chidambaram
KANCHEEPURAM, January 24, 2012 (Tehelkanews)
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday rejected reports of a tussle between his Ministry and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).In fact, the Union government, he said, was contemplating incorporating 'Aadhaar,\' a unique number issued by the UIDAI, in the Resident Identity Card (RIC) issued under the National Population Register (NPR) programme to make the RIC more useful and comprehensive.
Mr. Chidambaram was speaking at a function at Pattipulam, a fishermen\'s hamlet near Mamallapuram in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. He distributed RICs on the occasion.
The RIC is a smart card with a 64-kb microprocessor chip. It is to be issued to 75 lakh eligible people out of around 1.20 crore living in 3,331 coastal hamlets in nine States and four Union Territories.
Mr. Chidambaram said the primary objective of issuing unique identity numbers to Indian citizens was to ensure that benefits extended under various welfare schemes reached the intended beneficiaries.
Bogus entries
"At present, bogus entries can be made in lists of beneficiaries under education assistance scheme, etc. Financial assistance to poor students is swindled by certain institutions by producing bogus lists. Once the 'Aadhaar\' is included in the RIC, the real beneficiary student alone can withdraw the amount credited in his bank account," he said.
Different programmes
The NPR and the issuance of 'Aadhaar\' were two different programmes, Mr. Chidambaram said. While the RIC would comprise all details and fingerprints of the card holder, 'Aadhaar\' would be nothing but a mere number.
Registrar General and Census Commissioner C. Chandramouli said there were plans to take up NPR (Country) programme after completion of the ongoing NPR (Coastal) programme, where fishermen living in coastal hamlets would be issued with RICs by March nex .Kancheepuram MP P. Viswanathan; the Deputy Director-General (NPR), office of Registrar General and Census Commissionerate, S.K. Chakarabarti; Tamil Nadu Census Director S. Gopalakrishnan and others participated in the function.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday rejected reports of a tussle between his Ministry and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).In fact, the Union government, he said, was contemplating incorporating 'Aadhaar,\' a unique number issued by the UIDAI, in the Resident Identity Card (RIC) issued under the National Population Register (NPR) programme to make the RIC more useful and comprehensive.
Mr. Chidambaram was speaking at a function at Pattipulam, a fishermen\'s hamlet near Mamallapuram in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. He distributed RICs on the occasion.
The RIC is a smart card with a 64-kb microprocessor chip. It is to be issued to 75 lakh eligible people out of around 1.20 crore living in 3,331 coastal hamlets in nine States and four Union Territories.
Mr. Chidambaram said the primary objective of issuing unique identity numbers to Indian citizens was to ensure that benefits extended under various welfare schemes reached the intended beneficiaries.
Bogus entries
"At present, bogus entries can be made in lists of beneficiaries under education assistance scheme, etc. Financial assistance to poor students is swindled by certain institutions by producing bogus lists. Once the 'Aadhaar\' is included in the RIC, the real beneficiary student alone can withdraw the amount credited in his bank account," he said.
Different programmes
The NPR and the issuance of 'Aadhaar\' were two different programmes, Mr. Chidambaram said. While the RIC would comprise all details and fingerprints of the card holder, 'Aadhaar\' would be nothing but a mere number.
Registrar General and Census Commissioner C. Chandramouli said there were plans to take up NPR (Country) programme after completion of the ongoing NPR (Coastal) programme, where fishermen living in coastal hamlets would be issued with RICs by March nex .Kancheepuram MP P. Viswanathan; the Deputy Director-General (NPR), office of Registrar General and Census Commissionerate, S.K. Chakarabarti; Tamil Nadu Census Director S. Gopalakrishnan and others participated in the function.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Sensex up 186 points as RBI cuts CRR
Mumbai, January 24, 2012
The BSE benchmark Sensex rallied by over 186 points in late morning trade soon after RBI announced a cut in cash reserve ratio (CRR) in its monetary policy review.
After rising over 83 points in early trade, the 30-share index rallied further to trade 186.05 points, or over 1 per cent higher at 16,937.78 points at 1130 hrs.
All the sectoral indices were trading in the positive zone with gains up to 1.93 per cent.
Leading the rally, the banking index rose by 1.93 per cent as State Bank of India went up by 2.29 per cent to Rs 1,985 and ICICI Bank gained 2.59 per cent to Rs. 880. HDFC Bank was up by 0.64 per cent to Rs 487.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained 5,100—point level by rising 56.35 points, or 1.12 per cent to 5,102.60 points.
Brokers said the cut in cash reserve ratio by 0.50 percentage point to 5.5 per cent buoyed the trading sentiments as it would infuse additional Rs. 32,000 crore liquidity into the system.
Through the multiplier effect, additional credit to the tune of Rs 1.6 lakh crore would be generated in the system over a period of time
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The BSE benchmark Sensex rallied by over 186 points in late morning trade soon after RBI announced a cut in cash reserve ratio (CRR) in its monetary policy review.
After rising over 83 points in early trade, the 30-share index rallied further to trade 186.05 points, or over 1 per cent higher at 16,937.78 points at 1130 hrs.
All the sectoral indices were trading in the positive zone with gains up to 1.93 per cent.
Leading the rally, the banking index rose by 1.93 per cent as State Bank of India went up by 2.29 per cent to Rs 1,985 and ICICI Bank gained 2.59 per cent to Rs. 880. HDFC Bank was up by 0.64 per cent to Rs 487.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained 5,100—point level by rising 56.35 points, or 1.12 per cent to 5,102.60 points.
Brokers said the cut in cash reserve ratio by 0.50 percentage point to 5.5 per cent buoyed the trading sentiments as it would infuse additional Rs. 32,000 crore liquidity into the system.
Through the multiplier effect, additional credit to the tune of Rs 1.6 lakh crore would be generated in the system over a period of time
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Raucous start to Egypt\'s newly elected parliament
CAIRO, January 24, 2012
It was a raucous beginning for Egypt's first democratically elected parliament in 60 years.
Islamist lawmakers added religious references to the oath of office. Liberal lawmakers improvised too, adding a pledge to protect the "revolution" that ousted Hosni Mubarak. Some wore scarves with words protesting military trials for civilians. Shouting matches erupted. Hundreds massed outside, calling on the ruling generals to step down.
And millions of Egyptians watched it all unfold Monday live on TV.
The opening session of parliament offered a stark contrast to past decades, when Egyptians knew that lawmakers came to office through deeply fraudulent elections engineered by the authorities, including the police, to ensure that the ruling party won comfortably. Apathetic and demoralised, they paid little or no heed to what lawmakers did or said.
All that came to an end when the new legislature was elected in balloting staggered over six weeks beginning Nov. 28. Islamists led by the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest and most disciplined political group in the nation of 85 million people, won about 70 per cent of the parliament's 508 seats.
The Brotherhood had been banned for most of its 84-year history, legalised only after the uprising that began a year ago Wednesday and toppled Mr. Mubarak, Egypt's authoritarian ruler for nearly three decades.
The chamber's top priority will be to elect a 100-member panel to draft a new constitution, which will have to be put to a vote in a referendum. The next major step in the transition will be a presidential election, scheduled to be held before the end of June, when the generals who took over from Mr. Mubarak are due to step down.
The lawmakers took office at a time when Egypt appears divided and near despairing. Since Mr. Mubarak stepped down, the economy has been battered. Tenuous security has hit tourism hard and foreign currency reserves have rapidly dwindled.
Thousands of people of all political views demonstrated on side streets near parliament to voice a wide variety of demands and speak of expectations from the new lawmakers. Some repeated calls for the ruling generals to step down, while others questioned the legitimacy of the chamber or voiced their opposition to the Islamists' policies.
"We want to remind all those inside the parliament that they are there as the fruit of freedom. Therefore, we need more freedom," said poet and activist Abdel—Rahman Youssef, who said his advocacy group was concerned about calls by Islamists to place restrictions on the arts.
Voices calling for the military to immediately return to the barracks have intensified, with political activists accusing the generals of bungling the transition, torturing detainees and hauling 12,000 civilian before military tribunals for trial.
Many are frustrated by the waves of street protests, strikes and sit—ins preventing life from returning to normal. The generals have taken advantage of the disarray, stepping up a campaign portraying the revolutionaries as irresponsible agents of foreign powers while projecting themselves as Egypt's protectors and true patriots.
The divisions were on display both inside and outside parliament Monday.
Liberal and independent lawmakers wore yellow scarves saying, "No to military trials for civilians." Some of them added to the text of the oath of office, pledging to "continue the revolution" or "to be loyal to the blood of its martyrs."
That led to lawmakers from the ultraconservative Salafi movement to do some improvising of their own. The oath ends with a pledge to respect the constitution and the law, but several of them added "God's law" or said "as long as there are no contradictions with God's law."
The addition of religious references pointed to the Salafis' intention to make good on election promises to impose a strict interpretation of Islam on the nation.
The Islamist character of the chamber was also shown in the attire of lawmakers, many of whom sported long beards, clerical turbans or flowing robes. Most of the women wore Islamic scarves.
Brotherhood lawmaker Saad el—Katatni, a botany lecturer from the central province of Minya south of Cairo, was elected as speaker and sought to woo the revolutionaries.
"Our revolution continues and we will not rest until all the goals of the revolution are met and we avenge our martyrs," he said in an address that drew a standing ovation. "We will never betray the blood of our martyrs."
The Brotherhood won just under half of all seats, followed by the Salafis who won about a quarter. The liberal and left-leaning groups that organised the uprising got less than 10 per cent of the seats. Many of them were not as well prepared for the election as the Islamists, particularly the Brotherhood.
Adel Musbah, a 30-year-old supporter of the ultraconservative Al—Nour party, said outside parliament that the protests organized by youth groups to demand that the military step down were pointless.
"Democracy brought the people inside now. Those inside were elected by the people," he said. "Why are these coming to object? The people chose and it wasn't them. They (protesters) are not the people. ... The only legitimacy is inside parliament."
Adding to the tension were Brotherhood volunteers who escorted their lawmakers into the parliament to protect them from protesters.
"I want to make sure that my representatives are safe. I want to celebrate and make sure that no one ruins this atmosphere. There are many who want to ruin it," said Fathy el-Sayed, a 35-year-old Brotherhood supporter.
Others waited with flowers to give to lawmakers they supported. They chanted religious songs to the beat of drums.
The families of protesters killed or wounded in the 18-day uprising and subsequent street protests were there too, calling for those responsible to be brought swiftly to justice.
"This parliament has no legitimacy. These elections were held under the military council's eyes and anything under them has no legitimacy," said Mary Daniel, sister of a protester killed at an October rally violently broken up by army troops.
Some of the protesters wore masks made of photographs of those killed or wounded by security forces in the past year.
"Down, down with military rule!" they chanted. "No military and no Brotherhood!"
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
It was a raucous beginning for Egypt's first democratically elected parliament in 60 years.
Islamist lawmakers added religious references to the oath of office. Liberal lawmakers improvised too, adding a pledge to protect the "revolution" that ousted Hosni Mubarak. Some wore scarves with words protesting military trials for civilians. Shouting matches erupted. Hundreds massed outside, calling on the ruling generals to step down.
And millions of Egyptians watched it all unfold Monday live on TV.
The opening session of parliament offered a stark contrast to past decades, when Egyptians knew that lawmakers came to office through deeply fraudulent elections engineered by the authorities, including the police, to ensure that the ruling party won comfortably. Apathetic and demoralised, they paid little or no heed to what lawmakers did or said.
All that came to an end when the new legislature was elected in balloting staggered over six weeks beginning Nov. 28. Islamists led by the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest and most disciplined political group in the nation of 85 million people, won about 70 per cent of the parliament's 508 seats.
The Brotherhood had been banned for most of its 84-year history, legalised only after the uprising that began a year ago Wednesday and toppled Mr. Mubarak, Egypt's authoritarian ruler for nearly three decades.
The chamber's top priority will be to elect a 100-member panel to draft a new constitution, which will have to be put to a vote in a referendum. The next major step in the transition will be a presidential election, scheduled to be held before the end of June, when the generals who took over from Mr. Mubarak are due to step down.
The lawmakers took office at a time when Egypt appears divided and near despairing. Since Mr. Mubarak stepped down, the economy has been battered. Tenuous security has hit tourism hard and foreign currency reserves have rapidly dwindled.
Thousands of people of all political views demonstrated on side streets near parliament to voice a wide variety of demands and speak of expectations from the new lawmakers. Some repeated calls for the ruling generals to step down, while others questioned the legitimacy of the chamber or voiced their opposition to the Islamists' policies.
"We want to remind all those inside the parliament that they are there as the fruit of freedom. Therefore, we need more freedom," said poet and activist Abdel—Rahman Youssef, who said his advocacy group was concerned about calls by Islamists to place restrictions on the arts.
Voices calling for the military to immediately return to the barracks have intensified, with political activists accusing the generals of bungling the transition, torturing detainees and hauling 12,000 civilian before military tribunals for trial.
Many are frustrated by the waves of street protests, strikes and sit—ins preventing life from returning to normal. The generals have taken advantage of the disarray, stepping up a campaign portraying the revolutionaries as irresponsible agents of foreign powers while projecting themselves as Egypt's protectors and true patriots.
The divisions were on display both inside and outside parliament Monday.
Liberal and independent lawmakers wore yellow scarves saying, "No to military trials for civilians." Some of them added to the text of the oath of office, pledging to "continue the revolution" or "to be loyal to the blood of its martyrs."
That led to lawmakers from the ultraconservative Salafi movement to do some improvising of their own. The oath ends with a pledge to respect the constitution and the law, but several of them added "God's law" or said "as long as there are no contradictions with God's law."
The addition of religious references pointed to the Salafis' intention to make good on election promises to impose a strict interpretation of Islam on the nation.
The Islamist character of the chamber was also shown in the attire of lawmakers, many of whom sported long beards, clerical turbans or flowing robes. Most of the women wore Islamic scarves.
Brotherhood lawmaker Saad el—Katatni, a botany lecturer from the central province of Minya south of Cairo, was elected as speaker and sought to woo the revolutionaries.
"Our revolution continues and we will not rest until all the goals of the revolution are met and we avenge our martyrs," he said in an address that drew a standing ovation. "We will never betray the blood of our martyrs."
The Brotherhood won just under half of all seats, followed by the Salafis who won about a quarter. The liberal and left-leaning groups that organised the uprising got less than 10 per cent of the seats. Many of them were not as well prepared for the election as the Islamists, particularly the Brotherhood.
Adel Musbah, a 30-year-old supporter of the ultraconservative Al—Nour party, said outside parliament that the protests organized by youth groups to demand that the military step down were pointless.
"Democracy brought the people inside now. Those inside were elected by the people," he said. "Why are these coming to object? The people chose and it wasn't them. They (protesters) are not the people. ... The only legitimacy is inside parliament."
Adding to the tension were Brotherhood volunteers who escorted their lawmakers into the parliament to protect them from protesters.
"I want to make sure that my representatives are safe. I want to celebrate and make sure that no one ruins this atmosphere. There are many who want to ruin it," said Fathy el-Sayed, a 35-year-old Brotherhood supporter.
Others waited with flowers to give to lawmakers they supported. They chanted religious songs to the beat of drums.
The families of protesters killed or wounded in the 18-day uprising and subsequent street protests were there too, calling for those responsible to be brought swiftly to justice.
"This parliament has no legitimacy. These elections were held under the military council's eyes and anything under them has no legitimacy," said Mary Daniel, sister of a protester killed at an October rally violently broken up by army troops.
Some of the protesters wore masks made of photographs of those killed or wounded by security forces in the past year.
"Down, down with military rule!" they chanted. "No military and no Brotherhood!"
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Sukumar Azhikode passes away
THRISSUR, January 24, 2012
Sukumar Azhikode, veteran Malayalam writer, orator, scholar, Gandhian, former pro-vice-chancellor of Calicut University and ex-chairman of the National Book Trust, died at a private hospital here on Tuesday.
He was 85. The end came around 6-35 a.m.
He was shifted to the hospital on December 9 from another where he had been admitted on December 7 following complications from a fall in sodium level in blood. According to doctors, he suffered from cancer of the right lower alveolus.
"He sought treatment for paraplegia (an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities). And was diagnosed with extensive bone and skull metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body)," said Sreekumar Pillai, a member of the team of doctors that treated him.
A major presence in the State's cultural world for more than six decades, Azhikode was an intellectual giant who was passionate about all aspects of life, literature, philosophy, politics, governance and civic responsibility.
Azhikode\'s most famous work is \'Tatvamasi\' (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads.
'Tathvamasi' has won 12 awards including the Indian Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award. In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that such honours were against the Constitution.
He was the founder and president of Navabharathavedi – a socio-cultural organisation. He has also worked in several newspapers including 'Varthamanam', 'Dinabandhu', 'Malayala Harijan', 'Desamitram', 'Navayugam' and 'Dinaprabha'. He was chairman of the National Book Trust between 1993 and 1996.
His major works include 'Aasante Seetakavyam', 'Ramananum Malayalakavitayum', 'Mahatmavinte Margam', 'Purogamanasahityavum Mattum', 'Malayala Sahityavimarsanam', 'Vayanayute Swargathil', 'Malayala Sahitya Patanangal', 'Tatvavum Manushyanum', 'Khandanavum Mandanavum', 'Entinu Bharatadare', 'Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal', 'Azhikodinte Phalitangal', 'Guruvinte Dukham', 'Aakasam Nashtapetunna India', 'Pathakal Kazhchakal' and 'Mahakavi Ulloor'.
Sukumar Azhikode graduated in Commerce in 1946. He then completed a course in training, a post-graduate course in Malayalam and Sanskrit, and a doctoral degree in Malayalam.
His dissertation, 'Malayala sahitya vimarsanam' (Literary criticism in Malayalam language), is well-known.
He was a teacher at Rajas High School, Chirackal, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Devagiri College, Kozhikode and later a principal at SNM Training College, Moottakunnam, and a professor and
Pro-Vice Chancellor at Calicut University. He retired in 1986. After his retirement, he settled in Thrissur.
Thrissur plunges into grief
Thrissur plunged into sorrow after hearing the news of writer Sukumar Azhikode's death.
Azhikode had made Thrissur his home after retirement. He initially lived at Viyyur and later relocated to Eravimangalam.
The body was taken around 8:30 a.m. from a private hospital, where he died, to his home at Eravimangalam.
Cooperation Minister C. N. Balakrishnan, Therambil Ramakrishnan, M. P. Vincent, MLAs, and Collector P. M. Francis were among those who arrived at the hospital to pay their last respects.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Sukumar Azhikode, veteran Malayalam writer, orator, scholar, Gandhian, former pro-vice-chancellor of Calicut University and ex-chairman of the National Book Trust, died at a private hospital here on Tuesday.
He was 85. The end came around 6-35 a.m.
He was shifted to the hospital on December 9 from another where he had been admitted on December 7 following complications from a fall in sodium level in blood. According to doctors, he suffered from cancer of the right lower alveolus.
"He sought treatment for paraplegia (an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities). And was diagnosed with extensive bone and skull metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body)," said Sreekumar Pillai, a member of the team of doctors that treated him.
A major presence in the State's cultural world for more than six decades, Azhikode was an intellectual giant who was passionate about all aspects of life, literature, philosophy, politics, governance and civic responsibility.
Azhikode\'s most famous work is \'Tatvamasi\' (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads.
'Tathvamasi' has won 12 awards including the Indian Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award. In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that such honours were against the Constitution.
He was the founder and president of Navabharathavedi – a socio-cultural organisation. He has also worked in several newspapers including 'Varthamanam', 'Dinabandhu', 'Malayala Harijan', 'Desamitram', 'Navayugam' and 'Dinaprabha'. He was chairman of the National Book Trust between 1993 and 1996.
His major works include 'Aasante Seetakavyam', 'Ramananum Malayalakavitayum', 'Mahatmavinte Margam', 'Purogamanasahityavum Mattum', 'Malayala Sahityavimarsanam', 'Vayanayute Swargathil', 'Malayala Sahitya Patanangal', 'Tatvavum Manushyanum', 'Khandanavum Mandanavum', 'Entinu Bharatadare', 'Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal', 'Azhikodinte Phalitangal', 'Guruvinte Dukham', 'Aakasam Nashtapetunna India', 'Pathakal Kazhchakal' and 'Mahakavi Ulloor'.
Sukumar Azhikode graduated in Commerce in 1946. He then completed a course in training, a post-graduate course in Malayalam and Sanskrit, and a doctoral degree in Malayalam.
His dissertation, 'Malayala sahitya vimarsanam' (Literary criticism in Malayalam language), is well-known.
He was a teacher at Rajas High School, Chirackal, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Devagiri College, Kozhikode and later a principal at SNM Training College, Moottakunnam, and a professor and
Pro-Vice Chancellor at Calicut University. He retired in 1986. After his retirement, he settled in Thrissur.
Thrissur plunges into grief
Thrissur plunged into sorrow after hearing the news of writer Sukumar Azhikode's death.
Azhikode had made Thrissur his home after retirement. He initially lived at Viyyur and later relocated to Eravimangalam.
The body was taken around 8:30 a.m. from a private hospital, where he died, to his home at Eravimangalam.
Cooperation Minister C. N. Balakrishnan, Therambil Ramakrishnan, M. P. Vincent, MLAs, and Collector P. M. Francis were among those who arrived at the hospital to pay their last respects.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Kalam suggests solution to fishermen problem
COLOMBO, January 24, 2012
Former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam suggested that deep sea fishing, and fishing in turns in the Palk Bay, as possible solutions to resolve the contentious fisheries issue that India and Sri Lanka have been grappling with for the past few years.
He suggested that of the seven days of the week, Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen should fish in turns for three days each, leaving one day for resting. During this time, both fishermen could cross each others boundaries. "Wherever there is fish they cross borders. Nobody can stop them… Of course, both governments will have to bless," he said.
Mr.Kalam, who hails from the fishing hamlet of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, pointed out that "a very small country in Europe" had a per capita income of US $ 40,000 because its fishermen had resorted to deep sea fishing in a major way, while Sri Lanka had a per capita income of about $ 3000 and India, about $ 2000. He suggested that if Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen took to deep sea fishing, they would earn more and contribute better to the economies of their countries.
Mr.Kalam, who is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka, had discussed this and many other issues with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Mr.Kalam had come here to take part in the launch of the tri-lingual initiative, aimed at making the next generation Sri Lankans fluent in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Mr.Kalam said that he had discussed the fishermen problem with the President. "I come from the fishermen area in Rameswaram. So, I know their problems," he said
Mr.Kalam, the most prominent Tamil to visit Sri Lanka since the visit of Carnatic vocalist T.M.Krishna, said that he had also discussed empowering the various provinces with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa based on the 13 Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. "How the empowerment can take place constitutionally…We had a discussion on this," he said.
Asked for his impressions from the visit, he said that he could see that there was progress in development works. "The beginning has been made with the Trilingual mission. So many reforms, empowerment to the various provinces particularly North and the East, I hope will take place, with both governments working together. They are thick friends, I suppose," he said.
Mr.Kalam said that the reaction to his suggestion that the concept of PURA (Provision for Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) was good. Many Ministers and others felt that this could be carried out in the 40,000 Sri Lankan villages. "I personally believe that… the Sarvodaya movement here, and the PURA can be integrated and work together to build the 40,000 villages," he said.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam suggested that deep sea fishing, and fishing in turns in the Palk Bay, as possible solutions to resolve the contentious fisheries issue that India and Sri Lanka have been grappling with for the past few years.
He suggested that of the seven days of the week, Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen should fish in turns for three days each, leaving one day for resting. During this time, both fishermen could cross each others boundaries. "Wherever there is fish they cross borders. Nobody can stop them… Of course, both governments will have to bless," he said.
Mr.Kalam, who hails from the fishing hamlet of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, pointed out that "a very small country in Europe" had a per capita income of US $ 40,000 because its fishermen had resorted to deep sea fishing in a major way, while Sri Lanka had a per capita income of about $ 3000 and India, about $ 2000. He suggested that if Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen took to deep sea fishing, they would earn more and contribute better to the economies of their countries.
Mr.Kalam, who is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka, had discussed this and many other issues with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Mr.Kalam had come here to take part in the launch of the tri-lingual initiative, aimed at making the next generation Sri Lankans fluent in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Mr.Kalam said that he had discussed the fishermen problem with the President. "I come from the fishermen area in Rameswaram. So, I know their problems," he said
Mr.Kalam, the most prominent Tamil to visit Sri Lanka since the visit of Carnatic vocalist T.M.Krishna, said that he had also discussed empowering the various provinces with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa based on the 13 Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. "How the empowerment can take place constitutionally…We had a discussion on this," he said.
Asked for his impressions from the visit, he said that he could see that there was progress in development works. "The beginning has been made with the Trilingual mission. So many reforms, empowerment to the various provinces particularly North and the East, I hope will take place, with both governments working together. They are thick friends, I suppose," he said.
Mr.Kalam said that the reaction to his suggestion that the concept of PURA (Provision for Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) was good. Many Ministers and others felt that this could be carried out in the 40,000 Sri Lankan villages. "I personally believe that… the Sarvodaya movement here, and the PURA can be integrated and work together to build the 40,000 villages," he said.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged, cuts CRR by 50 bps
Mumbai, January 24, 2012
Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday injected Rs. 32,000 crore into the system by lowering the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by half-a-percentage point but kept the short-term lending rate (repo) unchanged in view of persisting inflationary concerns.
"Based on the current inflation trajectory, including consideration of suppressed inflation, it is premature to begin reducing the policy rate," RBI Governor D.Subbarao said while unveiling the third quarterly monetary policy review.
With additional liquidity by CRR cut, there is a possibility that banks may reduce the interest rate to attract borrowers.
Projecting a lower growth of 7 per cent for 2011-12, the Reserve Bank said the policy actions are meant to "mitigate downside risks to growth" and anchor inflationary expectations.
The CRR, the amount of deposits the banks are required to keep with RBI in cash, has been reduced to 5.5 per cent from 6 per cent with effect from January 28, releasing Rs. 32,000 crore in the system to ease the liquidity problems. The short-term lending rate (repo) has been kept unchanged at 8.5 per cent.
The policy said through the multiplier effect, additional credit to the tune of Rs 1.6 lakh crore would be generated in the system over a period of time.
The stock market reacted positively to the policy announcement and the banking stocks, in particular, shot up.
AP adds
Cuts growth forecast
The bank's new growth projection is a substantial cut from its October forecast of a 7.6 per cent increase in economic activity for the year ending March 2012. The downgrade reflects weakening global growth as well as domestic policy paralysis, high inflation and dwindling investment. Last fiscal year, India's economy grew by 8.5 per cent.
"The global environment is only partly responsible for the weak industrial performance and sluggish investment activity," the bank said in its policy statement. "Several domestic factors, the unhealthy fiscal situation, high interest rates and policy and administrative uncertainty are also playing a role."
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday injected Rs. 32,000 crore into the system by lowering the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by half-a-percentage point but kept the short-term lending rate (repo) unchanged in view of persisting inflationary concerns.
"Based on the current inflation trajectory, including consideration of suppressed inflation, it is premature to begin reducing the policy rate," RBI Governor D.Subbarao said while unveiling the third quarterly monetary policy review.
With additional liquidity by CRR cut, there is a possibility that banks may reduce the interest rate to attract borrowers.
Projecting a lower growth of 7 per cent for 2011-12, the Reserve Bank said the policy actions are meant to "mitigate downside risks to growth" and anchor inflationary expectations.
The CRR, the amount of deposits the banks are required to keep with RBI in cash, has been reduced to 5.5 per cent from 6 per cent with effect from January 28, releasing Rs. 32,000 crore in the system to ease the liquidity problems. The short-term lending rate (repo) has been kept unchanged at 8.5 per cent.
The policy said through the multiplier effect, additional credit to the tune of Rs 1.6 lakh crore would be generated in the system over a period of time.
The stock market reacted positively to the policy announcement and the banking stocks, in particular, shot up.
AP adds
Cuts growth forecast
The bank's new growth projection is a substantial cut from its October forecast of a 7.6 per cent increase in economic activity for the year ending March 2012. The downgrade reflects weakening global growth as well as domestic policy paralysis, high inflation and dwindling investment. Last fiscal year, India's economy grew by 8.5 per cent.
"The global environment is only partly responsible for the weak industrial performance and sluggish investment activity," the bank said in its policy statement. "Several domestic factors, the unhealthy fiscal situation, high interest rates and policy and administrative uncertainty are also playing a role."
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Rushdie video discussion to go ahead at Lit Fest
Jaipur, January 24, 2012
Ending the suspense, Jaipur Literature Festival organisers on Tuesday said the video session with India-born author Salman Rushdie will take place as planned after Rajasthan government gave the go ahead.
"We have received information that there was no requirement of any permission," Festival producer Sanjoy Roy told reporters. The five-day festival ends today.
The Rushdie session -- Midnight's Child -- is planned for 3.45 p.m. where Mr Rushdie will discuss his childhood, his work, problems faced in the past years and the adaptation of his novel Midnight's Children into a film.
Mr. Rushdie had pulled out of the event citing death threats.
"We are going ahead with the link at 3.45 pm," he said.
Mr. Roy also said the state government had not asked the organisers to give any undertaking.
Mr Roy said the video session is expected to last for about an hour and it will be according to the law of the land.
"It is needless to say that any conversation here will be according to the law of the land. We hope it would happen peacefully," he added.
He said the organisers are delighted that the entire controversy over the video link with Mr. Rushdie will be put to rest. He said yesterday that Mr. Rushdie is currently in Europe.
The 65-year-old author's Satanic Verses has been banned in India for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. The book cast a shadow on the Festival when four authors read out passages from it leading to complaints against them and the organisers in courts in Jaipur and Ajmer
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Ending the suspense, Jaipur Literature Festival organisers on Tuesday said the video session with India-born author Salman Rushdie will take place as planned after Rajasthan government gave the go ahead.
"We have received information that there was no requirement of any permission," Festival producer Sanjoy Roy told reporters. The five-day festival ends today.
The Rushdie session -- Midnight's Child -- is planned for 3.45 p.m. where Mr Rushdie will discuss his childhood, his work, problems faced in the past years and the adaptation of his novel Midnight's Children into a film.
Mr. Rushdie had pulled out of the event citing death threats.
"We are going ahead with the link at 3.45 pm," he said.
Mr. Roy also said the state government had not asked the organisers to give any undertaking.
Mr Roy said the video session is expected to last for about an hour and it will be according to the law of the land.
"It is needless to say that any conversation here will be according to the law of the land. We hope it would happen peacefully," he added.
He said the organisers are delighted that the entire controversy over the video link with Mr. Rushdie will be put to rest. He said yesterday that Mr. Rushdie is currently in Europe.
The 65-year-old author's Satanic Verses has been banned in India for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. The book cast a shadow on the Festival when four authors read out passages from it leading to complaints against them and the organisers in courts in Jaipur and Ajmer
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Monday, January 23, 2012
One more mysterious death in NRHM scam
Lucknow, January 23, 2012 c
A key accused in the multi-crore NRHM scam, Sunil Verma, who was named in the CBI case along with former U.P. minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, allegedly committed suicide today at his residence here by shooting himself with his licensed revolver.
Police here said 52-year-old Verma shot himself at his Vikas Nagar residence around 8.30 AM. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead.
Verma was named in the first FIR filed in the scam relating to upgradation of 134 hospitals across Uttar Pradesh for an amount of Rs.13.4 crores by Construction and Design Services, a unit of U.P. Jal Nigam in which Mr. Kushwaha also figured.
The CBI had alleged the work was given to a Ghaziabad-based firm on the basis of bogus and forged documents and the construction was of inferior quality causing a loss of Rs. 5.46 crore to the exchequer.
Verma, who was National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Project Manager with the Construction and Design Services, was named in the FIR and searches were conducted at his residence on January 4, this year, the CBI sources said, adding that he was neither questioned in the case nor was he asked to appear for questioning.
He was suffering from depression after the CBI searches at his residence, family sources said.
This is the fourth mysterious death related to the scam after the murder of two Chief Medical Officers (CMO) and a Deputy CMO, who was found dead inside the jail hospital here.
High Court directive
The Allahabad High Court had directed the CBI to inquire into the misuse of NRHM funds following these murders.
The CBI, probing the scam, has carried out searches at the houses of various officials, including bureaucrats and businessmen associated with the family welfare department.
The CAG has in a report strongly indicted the State's health and family welfare department functionaries, middlemen and contractors for allegedly guzzling Rs. 5,700 crore of the Rs. 8,657 crore released between 2005 and 2011 under NRHM.
\'Mysterious circumstances\'
Demanding that Verma's case be handed over to the CBI, Pramod Tiwari, a U.P. Congress leader, said his death has taken place in "very mysterious circumstances".
"I don't know...You are saying that he shot himself dead.
I have doubts....whether he was forced to shoot himself or whether he was shot by some other person. We should not believe the story suggested by the police," he told reporters.
"I strongly say that this matter should be given to the CBI to find out whether he committed suicide or was he shot," Mr. Tiwari added.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
A key accused in the multi-crore NRHM scam, Sunil Verma, who was named in the CBI case along with former U.P. minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, allegedly committed suicide today at his residence here by shooting himself with his licensed revolver.
Police here said 52-year-old Verma shot himself at his Vikas Nagar residence around 8.30 AM. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead.
Verma was named in the first FIR filed in the scam relating to upgradation of 134 hospitals across Uttar Pradesh for an amount of Rs.13.4 crores by Construction and Design Services, a unit of U.P. Jal Nigam in which Mr. Kushwaha also figured.
The CBI had alleged the work was given to a Ghaziabad-based firm on the basis of bogus and forged documents and the construction was of inferior quality causing a loss of Rs. 5.46 crore to the exchequer.
Verma, who was National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Project Manager with the Construction and Design Services, was named in the FIR and searches were conducted at his residence on January 4, this year, the CBI sources said, adding that he was neither questioned in the case nor was he asked to appear for questioning.
He was suffering from depression after the CBI searches at his residence, family sources said.
This is the fourth mysterious death related to the scam after the murder of two Chief Medical Officers (CMO) and a Deputy CMO, who was found dead inside the jail hospital here.
High Court directive
The Allahabad High Court had directed the CBI to inquire into the misuse of NRHM funds following these murders.
The CBI, probing the scam, has carried out searches at the houses of various officials, including bureaucrats and businessmen associated with the family welfare department.
The CAG has in a report strongly indicted the State's health and family welfare department functionaries, middlemen and contractors for allegedly guzzling Rs. 5,700 crore of the Rs. 8,657 crore released between 2005 and 2011 under NRHM.
\'Mysterious circumstances\'
Demanding that Verma's case be handed over to the CBI, Pramod Tiwari, a U.P. Congress leader, said his death has taken place in "very mysterious circumstances".
"I don't know...You are saying that he shot himself dead.
I have doubts....whether he was forced to shoot himself or whether he was shot by some other person. We should not believe the story suggested by the police," he told reporters.
"I strongly say that this matter should be given to the CBI to find out whether he committed suicide or was he shot," Mr. Tiwari added.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Review: Underworld 4: Awakening (3D)
Mumbai ,Saturday, Jan 21, 2012, Agency
Film: Underworld 4: Awakening (3D)
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, India Eisley, Micheal Ealy, Theo James, Stephen Rea
Director: Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein
Rating: *1/2Kate Beckinsale is back as Selene, the death trader. Seated atop a high-rise, Selene recounts the events of the previous films in the series, very helpful for the Underworld virgins who may have missed their chance to catch Beckinsale in a shiny, black leather bodysuit. This time around, Selene escapes captivity to discover that she has visions of mysterious kinds. Her captors let her loose in the hope that she will lead them to the one who helped her escape in the first place.
As she fights off cops and bad guys, Selene runs into a helpful vampire David (James), who helps her rescue scared little teenager Eve. Eve's identity, Selene's visions that lead her to Eve and the link between the two is what the movie is all about. The story, which, if not for the underworld setting, would qualify for a masala Bollywood flick, unravels in between combat, war and a little bit of preaching. Selene, faces the blazing guns, Lykans (powerful werewolves) and anyone who comes in her way, with two guns and occasionally a trenchcoat. At one point she pulls on the trenchcoat, a la Rajnikanth. Detective Sebastian (Ealy) who is intrigued by the cleansing directed towards the vampires, joins Selene on a mission to rescue Eve from the evil Dr Lane (Rea).
The film\'s plot which attempts to surprise you at certain junctures, is completely unaided by the cheesy dialogue. The story wavers between avenging the wrong done upon vampires by both humans and Lykans, to being a story of a mother who goes out on her limb (literally) to save a daughter she never knew she had. The plot seems unoriginal at best and many things remain unexplained. The dialogue induces a few chuckles and has me wondering if I ended up in a mutated version of the Twilight series.
With stuff like "My heart isn't cold, its broken," and "You came back for me!" "I said I would" the film fails to hold its own or explore the dark twisted undertones that the genre demands. One can\'t help but wonder if the directorial pair decided to focus on the action and special effects instead of creating a gripping, lucidly fffffshot tale.
There are some ardent followers of the Underworld franchise who assured me. So I managed to watch the 2003 film just before penning this review. And that made me dislike the latest film even more and Underworld: Awakening loses extra points for failing to keep up with the pace of the original film. If it weren\'t for the film\'s 3D action, I would have been the one needing an awakening at the end of the film!
Watch the film if you\'ve been a fan of the franchise, but be prepared for a lot of ho-hum moments between the actions sequences. And if slashing, biting and stabbing floats your boat, you might just end up enjoying this one. Sadly, my boat is still struggling to stay afloat.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Film: Underworld 4: Awakening (3D)
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, India Eisley, Micheal Ealy, Theo James, Stephen Rea
Director: Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein
Rating: *1/2Kate Beckinsale is back as Selene, the death trader. Seated atop a high-rise, Selene recounts the events of the previous films in the series, very helpful for the Underworld virgins who may have missed their chance to catch Beckinsale in a shiny, black leather bodysuit. This time around, Selene escapes captivity to discover that she has visions of mysterious kinds. Her captors let her loose in the hope that she will lead them to the one who helped her escape in the first place.
As she fights off cops and bad guys, Selene runs into a helpful vampire David (James), who helps her rescue scared little teenager Eve. Eve's identity, Selene's visions that lead her to Eve and the link between the two is what the movie is all about. The story, which, if not for the underworld setting, would qualify for a masala Bollywood flick, unravels in between combat, war and a little bit of preaching. Selene, faces the blazing guns, Lykans (powerful werewolves) and anyone who comes in her way, with two guns and occasionally a trenchcoat. At one point she pulls on the trenchcoat, a la Rajnikanth. Detective Sebastian (Ealy) who is intrigued by the cleansing directed towards the vampires, joins Selene on a mission to rescue Eve from the evil Dr Lane (Rea).
The film\'s plot which attempts to surprise you at certain junctures, is completely unaided by the cheesy dialogue. The story wavers between avenging the wrong done upon vampires by both humans and Lykans, to being a story of a mother who goes out on her limb (literally) to save a daughter she never knew she had. The plot seems unoriginal at best and many things remain unexplained. The dialogue induces a few chuckles and has me wondering if I ended up in a mutated version of the Twilight series.
With stuff like "My heart isn't cold, its broken," and "You came back for me!" "I said I would" the film fails to hold its own or explore the dark twisted undertones that the genre demands. One can\'t help but wonder if the directorial pair decided to focus on the action and special effects instead of creating a gripping, lucidly fffffshot tale.
There are some ardent followers of the Underworld franchise who assured me. So I managed to watch the 2003 film just before penning this review. And that made me dislike the latest film even more and Underworld: Awakening loses extra points for failing to keep up with the pace of the original film. If it weren\'t for the film\'s 3D action, I would have been the one needing an awakening at the end of the film!
Watch the film if you\'ve been a fan of the franchise, but be prepared for a lot of ho-hum moments between the actions sequences. And if slashing, biting and stabbing floats your boat, you might just end up enjoying this one. Sadly, my boat is still struggling to stay afloat.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
City welcomes Oprah royally!
Saturday, January 21, 2012,
Jaipur: Oprah Winfrey is surely getting a royal treatment in her maiden visit to India. The American talk show queen was given a warm welcome at The City Palace in Jaipur on Saturday morning. Writer Deepak Chopra and his wife, too, were present along with Winfrey at the Pink City. The royal welcome that Oprah was treated to consisted of a procession of camels, horses and elephants.
From the main gate of The City Palace to the Chandra Mahal Palace, Oprah travelled on board a royal horse carriage, and was received with a red carpet welcome. Thereafter, a traditional 'aarti' was performed in honour of the distinguished guest. Traditional attendees clad in royal attire, also known as the 'Chaddi Chobdars', escorted the guests to the Chandra Mahal. Members of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, Diya Kumari and husband Narendra Singh, greeted Winfrey, Chopra and his wife.
Winfrey's trip to India has now seen another resplendent facet of the country. The Jaipur LitFest, for which the talk show host is in the city, might have missed out on Salman Rushdie this year, but has Winfrey to lend her charm to it.
The City Palace was all decked up with lights and Padmini Devi, another member of the royal family, also met Oprah and the other guests. And apart from the many memories that Oprah will be taking along with her, she has silver Ganga urns as a gift from Jaipur, too!
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Jaipur: Oprah Winfrey is surely getting a royal treatment in her maiden visit to India. The American talk show queen was given a warm welcome at The City Palace in Jaipur on Saturday morning. Writer Deepak Chopra and his wife, too, were present along with Winfrey at the Pink City. The royal welcome that Oprah was treated to consisted of a procession of camels, horses and elephants.
From the main gate of The City Palace to the Chandra Mahal Palace, Oprah travelled on board a royal horse carriage, and was received with a red carpet welcome. Thereafter, a traditional 'aarti' was performed in honour of the distinguished guest. Traditional attendees clad in royal attire, also known as the 'Chaddi Chobdars', escorted the guests to the Chandra Mahal. Members of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, Diya Kumari and husband Narendra Singh, greeted Winfrey, Chopra and his wife.
Winfrey's trip to India has now seen another resplendent facet of the country. The Jaipur LitFest, for which the talk show host is in the city, might have missed out on Salman Rushdie this year, but has Winfrey to lend her charm to it.
The City Palace was all decked up with lights and Padmini Devi, another member of the royal family, also met Oprah and the other guests. And apart from the many memories that Oprah will be taking along with her, she has silver Ganga urns as a gift from Jaipur, too!
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Wipro posts 10 % rise in profit
Mumbai, January 20, 2012
W ipro on Friday announced consolidated revenue of Rs.9,997 crore during the third quarter ended December 31, 2011, an increase of 28 per cent over the same period in the previous year. Revenue from IT services operations, which accounted for about three-quarters of the total revenue, increased by 10 per cent to Rs.7,608 crore.
However, operating margin in IT services dropped by 150 basis points from the year-ago period. The company made a consolidated net profit of Rs.1,456.40 crore, an increase of 10.4 per cent over the previous year. The management has recommended a dividend of Rs.2 per share.
Chairman Azim Premji said despite the "uncertain" global environment, the company registered a "surprisingly good" performance in the U.S. market. He said clients "are not arresting investment because they want to increase productivity levels in a volatile and uncertain environment." "Overall, this year looks much better than 2008," Mr. Premji said.
T. K. Kurien, Executive Director and CEO, IT Business, said the "changes" effected in the company in recent times had resulted in "improved customer satisfaction" and greater accountability to client needs. Referring to the attrition level of 14.2 per cent during the last quarter, Mr. Kurien said attrition levels had fallen by nine percentage points in the last few quarters. He said while the crisis in the eurozone could potentially result in lower IT-related spending, the "next big opportunity" for Wipro could come from the inter-section of analytics, mobility and cloud-based technologies, areas in which the company had devoted a "concentrated focus."
Likening the happenings in the eurozone to "a Hindi movie," Mr. Premji said companies in the continent had realised that they "have not yet taken full advantage of the benefits of IT." Wipro, he said, planned to increase the employment of "locals" onsite from the current level of 38 per cent to 50 per cent over the next two or three years. He said this would protect it from the backlash against outsourcing in the advanced countries.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
W ipro on Friday announced consolidated revenue of Rs.9,997 crore during the third quarter ended December 31, 2011, an increase of 28 per cent over the same period in the previous year. Revenue from IT services operations, which accounted for about three-quarters of the total revenue, increased by 10 per cent to Rs.7,608 crore.
However, operating margin in IT services dropped by 150 basis points from the year-ago period. The company made a consolidated net profit of Rs.1,456.40 crore, an increase of 10.4 per cent over the previous year. The management has recommended a dividend of Rs.2 per share.
Chairman Azim Premji said despite the "uncertain" global environment, the company registered a "surprisingly good" performance in the U.S. market. He said clients "are not arresting investment because they want to increase productivity levels in a volatile and uncertain environment." "Overall, this year looks much better than 2008," Mr. Premji said.
T. K. Kurien, Executive Director and CEO, IT Business, said the "changes" effected in the company in recent times had resulted in "improved customer satisfaction" and greater accountability to client needs. Referring to the attrition level of 14.2 per cent during the last quarter, Mr. Kurien said attrition levels had fallen by nine percentage points in the last few quarters. He said while the crisis in the eurozone could potentially result in lower IT-related spending, the "next big opportunity" for Wipro could come from the inter-section of analytics, mobility and cloud-based technologies, areas in which the company had devoted a "concentrated focus."
Likening the happenings in the eurozone to "a Hindi movie," Mr. Premji said companies in the continent had realised that they "have not yet taken full advantage of the benefits of IT." Wipro, he said, planned to increase the employment of "locals" onsite from the current level of 38 per cent to 50 per cent over the next two or three years. He said this would protect it from the backlash against outsourcing in the advanced countries.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Age cannot be fixed through a PIL, says Chief Justice
New Delhi, January 20, 2012
The Supreme Court on Friday frowned on the Grenadiers\' Association, Rohtak chapter, for filing a PIL seeking a declaration that Army Chief V.K. Singh\'s date of birth was May 10, 1951 as mentioned in his school leaving certificate.Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia, heading a three-judge Bench, made it clear that the court would not go into the merits of the case. The Bench included Justice A.K. Patnaik and Justice Swatanter Kumar.The CJI told petitioner\'s counsel Bhim Singh: "Show us the law under which we can do this. We will not go into the facts. The person, who has the right to approach, his case will stand on its own legs. We will be setting a bad precedent if we deal with this in a PIL."
Justice Kapadia told Mr. Singh: "Tomorrow PILs will be filed asking us to determine the rights of other parties. All sorts of conflicts will arise. It will be chaotic. It will ultimately be a travesty of justice for that person [whose interests are adversely affected]."However, Mr. Singh persisted with his arguments contending that public opinion and perception was involved in this case.The CJI retorted and told counsel that the court was not concerned with public opinion. He said: "Argue in law where a personal cause of action is pending here, how can we fix the age of a person in a PIL. The individual [concerned] has filed a petition."Justice Kapadia also took exception to the petitioner annexing the opinions of four former CJIs of the Supreme Court in support of the Army Chief\'s case. "This is improper," he said, directing the Registry henceforward not to list petitions which annexed such opinions.
Mr. Singh persisted in his arguments and said that the one million-strong ex-servicemen in the country were agitated by this issue. He said: "The whole nation is waiting for an answer." The CJI, however, told counsel: "We can understand if the person who is affected is here. We have to go by the law. The person affected has to come to court. Can we change the date of birth in a PIL filed by an Association?"
Justice Patnaik told counsel: "We cannot make a departure from the law. Newspaper headlines do not make a PIL." Since it was a service matter, it could be agitated only by the affected party and not by a third party, Justice Patnaik added. To that, Mr. Singh said: "The case concerns the whole country. Once the Ministry of Law has made a recommendation [accepting Gen. Singh\'s date of birth as May 10, 1951], how can the Ministry of Defence reject it?" Justice Patnaik observed "superannuation" and "date of birth" were service matters. "If we do this, we will be setting a very bad precedent." Mr. Singh countered saying; "Can Ministry of Defence change the opinion of the Law Ministry? There has been miscarriage of justice in this case." When the Bench showed disinclination to entertain the petition, Mr. Singh sought withdrawal of the petition, but the Bench dismissed it.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The Supreme Court on Friday frowned on the Grenadiers\' Association, Rohtak chapter, for filing a PIL seeking a declaration that Army Chief V.K. Singh\'s date of birth was May 10, 1951 as mentioned in his school leaving certificate.Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia, heading a three-judge Bench, made it clear that the court would not go into the merits of the case. The Bench included Justice A.K. Patnaik and Justice Swatanter Kumar.The CJI told petitioner\'s counsel Bhim Singh: "Show us the law under which we can do this. We will not go into the facts. The person, who has the right to approach, his case will stand on its own legs. We will be setting a bad precedent if we deal with this in a PIL."
Justice Kapadia told Mr. Singh: "Tomorrow PILs will be filed asking us to determine the rights of other parties. All sorts of conflicts will arise. It will be chaotic. It will ultimately be a travesty of justice for that person [whose interests are adversely affected]."However, Mr. Singh persisted with his arguments contending that public opinion and perception was involved in this case.The CJI retorted and told counsel that the court was not concerned with public opinion. He said: "Argue in law where a personal cause of action is pending here, how can we fix the age of a person in a PIL. The individual [concerned] has filed a petition."Justice Kapadia also took exception to the petitioner annexing the opinions of four former CJIs of the Supreme Court in support of the Army Chief\'s case. "This is improper," he said, directing the Registry henceforward not to list petitions which annexed such opinions.
Mr. Singh persisted in his arguments and said that the one million-strong ex-servicemen in the country were agitated by this issue. He said: "The whole nation is waiting for an answer." The CJI, however, told counsel: "We can understand if the person who is affected is here. We have to go by the law. The person affected has to come to court. Can we change the date of birth in a PIL filed by an Association?"
Justice Patnaik told counsel: "We cannot make a departure from the law. Newspaper headlines do not make a PIL." Since it was a service matter, it could be agitated only by the affected party and not by a third party, Justice Patnaik added. To that, Mr. Singh said: "The case concerns the whole country. Once the Ministry of Law has made a recommendation [accepting Gen. Singh\'s date of birth as May 10, 1951], how can the Ministry of Defence reject it?" Justice Patnaik observed "superannuation" and "date of birth" were service matters. "If we do this, we will be setting a very bad precedent." Mr. Singh countered saying; "Can Ministry of Defence change the opinion of the Law Ministry? There has been miscarriage of justice in this case." When the Bench showed disinclination to entertain the petition, Mr. Singh sought withdrawal of the petition, but the Bench dismissed it.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Clear policy on cloud computing sought
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 21, 2012
Infosys Executive Co-chairman S. Gopalakrishnan has urged the Central Government to come out with the right policy for cloud computing in the context of confusion over data ownership.
In an exclusive interview with this correspondent on the sidelines of a summit here, Mr. Gopalakrishnan identified cloud computing and mobile technology as the main drivers for the information technology (IT) industry in the future. Services to citizens such as banking, insurance, health care and education were moving to the cloud, mainly because it was cheaper, had infinite storage capacities and ensured mobility. "But the main challenge is to come out with the right policy for cloud computing that would also have a regulatory mechanism," he said.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan said the IT industry had established a global model that was viable and offered better services to IT companies across the world.
Mobile and cloud had great potential. The IT industry should take advantage of this transition by creating new businesses/models, he said.
Indian companies were yet to take to cloud computing in a big way.
In reply to the technology changes in the media industry and the shift to digital editions, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said the Indian media had the advantage in that they were learning from the developed market. But the situation was changing and the media industry, whether print or satellite channels, should look at value addition for their readers or viewers.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Infosys Executive Co-chairman S. Gopalakrishnan has urged the Central Government to come out with the right policy for cloud computing in the context of confusion over data ownership.
In an exclusive interview with this correspondent on the sidelines of a summit here, Mr. Gopalakrishnan identified cloud computing and mobile technology as the main drivers for the information technology (IT) industry in the future. Services to citizens such as banking, insurance, health care and education were moving to the cloud, mainly because it was cheaper, had infinite storage capacities and ensured mobility. "But the main challenge is to come out with the right policy for cloud computing that would also have a regulatory mechanism," he said.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan said the IT industry had established a global model that was viable and offered better services to IT companies across the world.
Mobile and cloud had great potential. The IT industry should take advantage of this transition by creating new businesses/models, he said.
Indian companies were yet to take to cloud computing in a big way.
In reply to the technology changes in the media industry and the shift to digital editions, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said the Indian media had the advantage in that they were learning from the developed market. But the situation was changing and the media industry, whether print or satellite channels, should look at value addition for their readers or viewers.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
2G: Court reserves order on Swamy plea to prosecute Chidambaram
New Delhi, January 21, 2012
A Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order for February 4 on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking prosecution of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the 2G scam case.
"Put up for orders on February 4," Special CBI judge O.P. Saini said after Mr. Swamy concluded his arguments in support of his allegations against Mr. Chidambaram.
During the arguments, Mr. Swamy said the evidence he had brought on court's record prima facie show that Mr. Chidambaram is equally culpable as former Telecom Minister A. Raja, who is facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
"A. Raja and P. Chidambaram had committed the offence together. Prima facie Chidambaram had conspired and colluded with Raja to commit offence of criminal misconduct," he said.
He told the court that the evidence which he had bought before it was sufficient to show that Mr. Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, has prima facie committed offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws.
"It is clear that at this stage all I need to do is to show that evidence brought on record is sufficient to show that Chidambaram, at present not an accused in the case, has prima facie committed offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws," Mr. Swamy contended.
Referring to the court's order of October 22 on framing of charges in the case, Mr. Swamy said that offloading of shares by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign-based Etisalat and Telenor respectively was only a "trick".
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
A Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order for February 4 on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking prosecution of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the 2G scam case.
"Put up for orders on February 4," Special CBI judge O.P. Saini said after Mr. Swamy concluded his arguments in support of his allegations against Mr. Chidambaram.
During the arguments, Mr. Swamy said the evidence he had brought on court's record prima facie show that Mr. Chidambaram is equally culpable as former Telecom Minister A. Raja, who is facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
"A. Raja and P. Chidambaram had committed the offence together. Prima facie Chidambaram had conspired and colluded with Raja to commit offence of criminal misconduct," he said.
He told the court that the evidence which he had bought before it was sufficient to show that Mr. Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, has prima facie committed offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws.
"It is clear that at this stage all I need to do is to show that evidence brought on record is sufficient to show that Chidambaram, at present not an accused in the case, has prima facie committed offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws," Mr. Swamy contended.
Referring to the court's order of October 22 on framing of charges in the case, Mr. Swamy said that offloading of shares by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign-based Etisalat and Telenor respectively was only a "trick".
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
On a mission to promote peace in Sri Lanka: Kalam
CHENNAI, January 21, 2012
The former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will embark on a mission to promote peace, harmony and prosperity for all societal constituents in Sri Lanka and propagate an agenda for an inclusively developed nation.
On the eve of his four-day visit to the island nation, Mr. Kalam gave an e-mail interview to The Hindu, explaining how he plans to meet leaders of "both sides" to convey a mission of building an environment for harmony and mutual trust.
He has asked the Sri Lankan government to arrange a visit to the camps for the internally displaced persons (IDPs). Mr. Kalam is going to Sri Lanka to participate in the launch of the 'Trilingual Initiative,\' an ambitious programme of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that seeks to encourage Sri Lankans to learn all three languages spoken in the multi-ethnic country — Tamil, Sinhalese and English.
Excerpts from the interview:
How significant is the 'Trilingual Initiative\' and what kind of a change do you think it can bring about in Sri Lanka ?
Abdul Kalam: This initiative has to be a start for inclusive growth in Sri Lanka. This initiative will enable the students to learn their subjects better in their mother tongue. For example, I learnt in my mother tongue, Tamil up to tenth class. Also, it can bring cultural and civilisational unity. Above all, the individual languages can enrich each other.
Do you have plans to meet Tamils living in the IDP camps during your four-day visit to Sri Lanka? What do you have to tell them?
I am going to meet the leaders from both sides and convey a mission of building an environment for harmony and mutual trust. I have asked the Sri Lankan government to arrange a visit for me to the camps.
How important is it for Sri Lanka to accommodate the political and cultural interests of Tamils there?
In a democracy the well-being, individuality and happiness of every citizen is important for the overall prosperity, peace and happiness of the nation.
What do you think is the solution to the fishermen issue? How can Sri Lanka help in ensuring the safety of fishermen of Tamil Nadu?
We need a bipartite agreement between India and Sri Lanka, leading to a win-win situation for both the nations. The sharing of resources has to be planned and it should lead to increase in per capita income and ensure safety for the fishermen community.
Do you apprehend any criticism from political parties or organisations that may oppose your visit to Sri Lanka? How would you react to such criticism?
I am going to Sri Lanka with a mission of promoting peace, prosperity and harmony for all societal constituents. Even for this mission there could be criticism; that is what democracy is all about.
Several thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils are still living in India and abroad as refugees. How important is it for Sri Lanka to bring the refugees (Tamils) back home?
The onus is now on the Sri Lankan government to ensure a conducive environment for all Sri Lankan Tamils to come together in their motherland and work for the prosperity of the nation as a whole.
You have always advocated the youth to dream for a developed India. What is your message to the youth in Sri Lanka who have suffered years of ethnic crisis and war?
An economically peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka is the dream of youth of the nation. My message for the youth is to collectively work for an inclusively developed Sri Lanka. I am meeting thousands of students in multiple universities and schools and I will interact with them.
Wars bring the tragic situation, where fathers bury their sons, how can such an act be a solution? War is never a lasting solution for any problem. All wars signify the failure of conflict resolution mechanisms and they need post-war rebuilding of faith, trust and confidence.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will embark on a mission to promote peace, harmony and prosperity for all societal constituents in Sri Lanka and propagate an agenda for an inclusively developed nation.
On the eve of his four-day visit to the island nation, Mr. Kalam gave an e-mail interview to The Hindu, explaining how he plans to meet leaders of "both sides" to convey a mission of building an environment for harmony and mutual trust.
He has asked the Sri Lankan government to arrange a visit to the camps for the internally displaced persons (IDPs). Mr. Kalam is going to Sri Lanka to participate in the launch of the 'Trilingual Initiative,\' an ambitious programme of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that seeks to encourage Sri Lankans to learn all three languages spoken in the multi-ethnic country — Tamil, Sinhalese and English.
Excerpts from the interview:
How significant is the 'Trilingual Initiative\' and what kind of a change do you think it can bring about in Sri Lanka ?
Abdul Kalam: This initiative has to be a start for inclusive growth in Sri Lanka. This initiative will enable the students to learn their subjects better in their mother tongue. For example, I learnt in my mother tongue, Tamil up to tenth class. Also, it can bring cultural and civilisational unity. Above all, the individual languages can enrich each other.
Do you have plans to meet Tamils living in the IDP camps during your four-day visit to Sri Lanka? What do you have to tell them?
I am going to meet the leaders from both sides and convey a mission of building an environment for harmony and mutual trust. I have asked the Sri Lankan government to arrange a visit for me to the camps.
How important is it for Sri Lanka to accommodate the political and cultural interests of Tamils there?
In a democracy the well-being, individuality and happiness of every citizen is important for the overall prosperity, peace and happiness of the nation.
What do you think is the solution to the fishermen issue? How can Sri Lanka help in ensuring the safety of fishermen of Tamil Nadu?
We need a bipartite agreement between India and Sri Lanka, leading to a win-win situation for both the nations. The sharing of resources has to be planned and it should lead to increase in per capita income and ensure safety for the fishermen community.
Do you apprehend any criticism from political parties or organisations that may oppose your visit to Sri Lanka? How would you react to such criticism?
I am going to Sri Lanka with a mission of promoting peace, prosperity and harmony for all societal constituents. Even for this mission there could be criticism; that is what democracy is all about.
Several thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils are still living in India and abroad as refugees. How important is it for Sri Lanka to bring the refugees (Tamils) back home?
The onus is now on the Sri Lankan government to ensure a conducive environment for all Sri Lankan Tamils to come together in their motherland and work for the prosperity of the nation as a whole.
You have always advocated the youth to dream for a developed India. What is your message to the youth in Sri Lanka who have suffered years of ethnic crisis and war?
An economically peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka is the dream of youth of the nation. My message for the youth is to collectively work for an inclusively developed Sri Lanka. I am meeting thousands of students in multiple universities and schools and I will interact with them.
Wars bring the tragic situation, where fathers bury their sons, how can such an act be a solution? War is never a lasting solution for any problem. All wars signify the failure of conflict resolution mechanisms and they need post-war rebuilding of faith, trust and confidence.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Coup bid against Hasina foiled, claims Army
Dhaka, January 20, 2012
The Bangladesh Army on Thursday claimed that an attempt by some mid-ranking Army officers to topple the Sheikh Hasina government was foiled by it. "Specific information [evidence] has been unearthed that some officers in active military service were involved in a conspiracy to topple the system of democratic governance through the Army," Army spokesman Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq said at a press briefing here.
A top Army officer was kept under investigation and another officer, Major Syed Mohammad Zia-ul Haq, was absconding.
"Instigated by some non-resident Bangladeshis, a band of fanatic retired and serving officers led a failed attempt to thwart the democratic system by creating anarchy in the Army, banking on others\' religious zeal," an Army statement read out at the briefing said, adding that "such heinous attempts are being foiled."
The Army spokesman said, "Some unruly and derailed military officers have been actively engaged in the execution of the heinous conspiracy by maintaining contacts with fugitive Maj. Zia [Syed Mohammad Zia-ul Haq] through mobile phones and Internet. On December 22 last, Maj. Zia met a senior officer and tried to provoke that senior officer into using the Army against the state and democracy."
The senior officer immediately informed the appropriate authorities and Maj. Zia\'s leave and transfer order was cancelled. But he did not return to work and kept himself engaged in trying to organise subversive activities against the Army. On December 28, a court of inquiry was established. Stern legal measures would be taken against those involved, he said.
Recently, main Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who is critical of the ongoing war crimes trial, was publicly criticised by the Inter Services Public Relations for instigating the Army and branded her recent statement on the Army as undesirable and unacceptable.
As the trial of several top war crimes suspects, including Ghulam Azam, the former chief of the Jamaat-e-islami in the then East Pakistan, began in the tribunal, leaders of the pro-liberation forces are alleging a conspiracy by fanatics to foil the trial process.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The Bangladesh Army on Thursday claimed that an attempt by some mid-ranking Army officers to topple the Sheikh Hasina government was foiled by it. "Specific information [evidence] has been unearthed that some officers in active military service were involved in a conspiracy to topple the system of democratic governance through the Army," Army spokesman Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq said at a press briefing here.
A top Army officer was kept under investigation and another officer, Major Syed Mohammad Zia-ul Haq, was absconding.
"Instigated by some non-resident Bangladeshis, a band of fanatic retired and serving officers led a failed attempt to thwart the democratic system by creating anarchy in the Army, banking on others\' religious zeal," an Army statement read out at the briefing said, adding that "such heinous attempts are being foiled."
The Army spokesman said, "Some unruly and derailed military officers have been actively engaged in the execution of the heinous conspiracy by maintaining contacts with fugitive Maj. Zia [Syed Mohammad Zia-ul Haq] through mobile phones and Internet. On December 22 last, Maj. Zia met a senior officer and tried to provoke that senior officer into using the Army against the state and democracy."
The senior officer immediately informed the appropriate authorities and Maj. Zia\'s leave and transfer order was cancelled. But he did not return to work and kept himself engaged in trying to organise subversive activities against the Army. On December 28, a court of inquiry was established. Stern legal measures would be taken against those involved, he said.
Recently, main Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who is critical of the ongoing war crimes trial, was publicly criticised by the Inter Services Public Relations for instigating the Army and branded her recent statement on the Army as undesirable and unacceptable.
As the trial of several top war crimes suspects, including Ghulam Azam, the former chief of the Jamaat-e-islami in the then East Pakistan, began in the tribunal, leaders of the pro-liberation forces are alleging a conspiracy by fanatics to foil the trial process.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Musharraf delays plans to return to Pakistan
Islamabad, January 20, 2012
Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Thursday delayed his plans to return home from self-exile after warnings from the government that he would be immediately arrested on his arrival in the country.
Leaders of Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League told the media that he had delayed his plans to return to Pakistan later this month after consulting friends and party leaders.
"Musharraf may not return to Pakistan this month," said Muhammad Ali Saif, the former President's spokesman.
"Close friends are advising him against returning now," Mr. Saif told reporters.
He sought to put a positive spin on the development by saying that Mr. Musharraf had been advised by his aides that his return at this juncture would provide "relief" to the government which is grappling with several crises.
68-year-old Mr. Musharraf had announced earlier this month that he intended to fly into the port city of Karachi between January 27 and 30.
Days after his announcement, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan said Mr. Musharraf would be arrested and sent to jail as soon as he arrived in Karachi.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the Senate or upper house of parliament on Wednesday that Mr. Musharraf would be arrested under the law of the land whenever he arrives in Pakistan.
"The moment he lands, he will go to jail," he said.
Mr. Musharraf's spokesman Saif said the former President was not afraid of such threats or the cases that have been filed against him in Pakistan.
"Musharraf is not afraid of being arrested. The authorities will have to treat him according to his status and the law," he said.
"The former President has never refused to appear before the courts. He will face the courts and the cases against him whenever he returns," Mr. Saif said.
Mr. Musharraf seized power in 1999 in Pakistan's third military coup but was forced to step down as President in August 2008 after the Pakistan People's Party formed a government following elections.
He has been living in Dubai and London since April 2009.
In October, a court issued a warrant for his arrest over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in a military operation in August 2006.
Another court declared him a fugitive and issued a separate warrant for his arrest for failing to cooperate with investigators probing the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Thursday delayed his plans to return home from self-exile after warnings from the government that he would be immediately arrested on his arrival in the country.
Leaders of Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League told the media that he had delayed his plans to return to Pakistan later this month after consulting friends and party leaders.
"Musharraf may not return to Pakistan this month," said Muhammad Ali Saif, the former President's spokesman.
"Close friends are advising him against returning now," Mr. Saif told reporters.
He sought to put a positive spin on the development by saying that Mr. Musharraf had been advised by his aides that his return at this juncture would provide "relief" to the government which is grappling with several crises.
68-year-old Mr. Musharraf had announced earlier this month that he intended to fly into the port city of Karachi between January 27 and 30.
Days after his announcement, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan said Mr. Musharraf would be arrested and sent to jail as soon as he arrived in Karachi.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the Senate or upper house of parliament on Wednesday that Mr. Musharraf would be arrested under the law of the land whenever he arrives in Pakistan.
"The moment he lands, he will go to jail," he said.
Mr. Musharraf's spokesman Saif said the former President was not afraid of such threats or the cases that have been filed against him in Pakistan.
"Musharraf is not afraid of being arrested. The authorities will have to treat him according to his status and the law," he said.
"The former President has never refused to appear before the courts. He will face the courts and the cases against him whenever he returns," Mr. Saif said.
Mr. Musharraf seized power in 1999 in Pakistan's third military coup but was forced to step down as President in August 2008 after the Pakistan People's Party formed a government following elections.
He has been living in Dubai and London since April 2009.
In October, a court issued a warrant for his arrest over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in a military operation in August 2006.
Another court declared him a fugitive and issued a separate warrant for his arrest for failing to cooperate with investigators probing the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
GOP candidates denounce anti-piracy bill
Washington, January 21, 2012 (7starnews)
Top Republican presidential candidates have denounced the contentious Internet piracy bill arguing that it comes in the way of internet freedom and increases governmental control in the free cyber world.
The two proposed laws — Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in House of Representatives and Protect IP Act (PIPA) in Senate — if passed by the Congress would give the government the ability to block access to websites with copyrighted material.
"The truth of the matter is that the law as written is far too intrusive, far too expansive, far too threatening to freedom of speech and movement of information across the Internet," leading Republican candidate Mitt Romney said during presidential debate in South Carolina.
The State, which is governed by Indian American, Nikki Haley, goes to the primary on January 21. Haley has endorsed Romney.
The former Governor of Massachusetts was responding to questions on the controversial internet bill.
"It would have a potentially depressing impact on one of the fastest-growing industries in America, which is the internet and all those industries connected to it," he said.
"I favour freedom. And I think that if we have a Patent Office, we have copyright law. If a company finds that it has genuinely been infringed upon, it has the right to sue for, but the idea that we're going to preemptively have the government start censoring the internet on behalf of giant corporations' economic interests strikes me as exactly the wrong thing to do," said Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives.
"I don't support this law, and I agree with everybody up here that it goes too far," said Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania Senator.
He added, "But I will not agree with everybody up there that there isn't something that can and should be done to protect the intellectual property rights of people".
The former Pennsylvania Senator said the internet is not a free zone where anybody can do anything they want to do and trample the rights of other people.
"And particularly when we're talking about -- in this case, we're talking about entities offshore that are doing so, that are pirating things," he said.
Participating in the debate, the Texas Congressman, Ron Paul, said he was among the first Republicans to sign up in opposition to the bill.
"I am pleased that the attitude has mellowed up here, because Republicans have been on the wrong side of this," he said
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Top Republican presidential candidates have denounced the contentious Internet piracy bill arguing that it comes in the way of internet freedom and increases governmental control in the free cyber world.
The two proposed laws — Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in House of Representatives and Protect IP Act (PIPA) in Senate — if passed by the Congress would give the government the ability to block access to websites with copyrighted material.
"The truth of the matter is that the law as written is far too intrusive, far too expansive, far too threatening to freedom of speech and movement of information across the Internet," leading Republican candidate Mitt Romney said during presidential debate in South Carolina.
The State, which is governed by Indian American, Nikki Haley, goes to the primary on January 21. Haley has endorsed Romney.
The former Governor of Massachusetts was responding to questions on the controversial internet bill.
"It would have a potentially depressing impact on one of the fastest-growing industries in America, which is the internet and all those industries connected to it," he said.
"I favour freedom. And I think that if we have a Patent Office, we have copyright law. If a company finds that it has genuinely been infringed upon, it has the right to sue for, but the idea that we're going to preemptively have the government start censoring the internet on behalf of giant corporations' economic interests strikes me as exactly the wrong thing to do," said Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives.
"I don't support this law, and I agree with everybody up here that it goes too far," said Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania Senator.
He added, "But I will not agree with everybody up there that there isn't something that can and should be done to protect the intellectual property rights of people".
The former Pennsylvania Senator said the internet is not a free zone where anybody can do anything they want to do and trample the rights of other people.
"And particularly when we're talking about -- in this case, we're talking about entities offshore that are doing so, that are pirating things," he said.
Participating in the debate, the Texas Congressman, Ron Paul, said he was among the first Republicans to sign up in opposition to the bill.
"I am pleased that the attitude has mellowed up here, because Republicans have been on the wrong side of this," he said
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Friday, January 20, 2012
Cold wave continues to sweep Delhi
New Delhi, January 21, 2012
Delhi on Saturday remained in the grip of cold wave with the minimum temperature hovering around five degree Celsius even as shallow fog covered the city during the early hours.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 5.4 degree Celsius, two degrees below normal, while the maximum in the last 24 hours was recorded at 14.6 degrees, seven degrees below normal for this time of the year.
The minimum temperature on Friday was recorded at 4.5 degree Celsius.
Fog descended on the capital early Saturday morning but it did not affect the flight services at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Officials at the airport said the visibility at the main runway dipped to below 200 metres early in the morning and some of the flights landed using CAT-II instrument landing system.
The Weatherman has predicted a foggy morning on Sunday with temperature likely to oscillate between seven and 18 degree Celsius.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Delhi on Saturday remained in the grip of cold wave with the minimum temperature hovering around five degree Celsius even as shallow fog covered the city during the early hours.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 5.4 degree Celsius, two degrees below normal, while the maximum in the last 24 hours was recorded at 14.6 degrees, seven degrees below normal for this time of the year.
The minimum temperature on Friday was recorded at 4.5 degree Celsius.
Fog descended on the capital early Saturday morning but it did not affect the flight services at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Officials at the airport said the visibility at the main runway dipped to below 200 metres early in the morning and some of the flights landed using CAT-II instrument landing system.
The Weatherman has predicted a foggy morning on Sunday with temperature likely to oscillate between seven and 18 degree Celsius.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Kalas Mahal fire: CM sets up panel on heritage buildings
Chennai, January 21, 2012
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday announced the setting up of a committee to inspect heritage buildings in Chennai and submit a report on their safety following last week's blaze that severely damaged Ezhilagam, a heritage structure housing some government departments.
The committee, comprising former Anna University Dean A.R. Shanthakumar, PWD Principal Chief Engineer (Building) R. Gopalakrishnan and officials of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will work out possibilities of restoring Ezhilagam to its original beauty or build a 'replica', an official press release said.
The Commitee has been asked to inspect all heritage buildings in the city and submit a report on their safety by Ms. Jayalalithaa, it said.
The January 15 blaze had resulted in loss of property to the departments of Social Welfare and Industries located there to the tune of Rs. 2.7 crore, the release said, adding the Chief Minister allotted an initial sum of Rs. 2.46 crore towards purchasing furniture and stationery.
The fire at Ezhilagam killed a Fire and Rescue personnel and injured two others, including a senior Fire Officer.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday announced the setting up of a committee to inspect heritage buildings in Chennai and submit a report on their safety following last week's blaze that severely damaged Ezhilagam, a heritage structure housing some government departments.
The committee, comprising former Anna University Dean A.R. Shanthakumar, PWD Principal Chief Engineer (Building) R. Gopalakrishnan and officials of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will work out possibilities of restoring Ezhilagam to its original beauty or build a 'replica', an official press release said.
The Commitee has been asked to inspect all heritage buildings in the city and submit a report on their safety by Ms. Jayalalithaa, it said.
The January 15 blaze had resulted in loss of property to the departments of Social Welfare and Industries located there to the tune of Rs. 2.7 crore, the release said, adding the Chief Minister allotted an initial sum of Rs. 2.46 crore towards purchasing furniture and stationery.
The fire at Ezhilagam killed a Fire and Rescue personnel and injured two others, including a senior Fire Officer.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
2G: Court reserves order on Swamy plea to prosecute Chidambaram
New Delhi, January 21, 2012
A Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order for February 4 on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking prosecution of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the 2G scam case.
"Put up for orders on February 4," Special CBI judge O.P. Saini said after Mr. Swamy concluded his arguments in support of his allegations against Mr. Chidambaram.
During the arguments, Mr. Swamy said the evidence he had brought on court's record prima facie show that Mr. Chidambaram is equally culpable as former Telecom Minister A. Raja, who is facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
"A. Raja and P. Chidambaram had committed the offence together. Prima facie Chidambaram had conspired and colluded with Raja to commit offence of criminal misconduct," he said.
He told the court that the evidence which he had bought before it was sufficient to show that Mr. Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, has prima facie committed offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws.
"It is clear that at this stage all I need to do is to show that evidence brought on record is sufficient to show that Chidambaram, at present not an accused in the case, has prima facie committed offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws," Mr. Swamy contended.
Referring to the court's order of October 22 on framing of charges in the case, Mr. Swamy said that offloading of shares by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign-based Etisalat and Telenor respectively was only a "trick".
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
A Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order for February 4 on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking prosecution of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the 2G scam case.
"Put up for orders on February 4," Special CBI judge O.P. Saini said after Mr. Swamy concluded his arguments in support of his allegations against Mr. Chidambaram.
During the arguments, Mr. Swamy said the evidence he had brought on court's record prima facie show that Mr. Chidambaram is equally culpable as former Telecom Minister A. Raja, who is facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
"A. Raja and P. Chidambaram had committed the offence together. Prima facie Chidambaram had conspired and colluded with Raja to commit offence of criminal misconduct," he said.
He told the court that the evidence which he had bought before it was sufficient to show that Mr. Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, has prima facie committed offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws.
"It is clear that at this stage all I need to do is to show that evidence brought on record is sufficient to show that Chidambaram, at present not an accused in the case, has prima facie committed offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws," Mr. Swamy contended.
Referring to the court's order of October 22 on framing of charges in the case, Mr. Swamy said that offloading of shares by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign-based Etisalat and Telenor respectively was only a "trick".
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
My kids are also my competitors: Shah Rukh Khan
Jan 17, 2012,
Shah Rukh Khan has bagged two awards at the Screen awards recently and the superstar is happy not only for himself but also for his kids who he says are also his competitors.
\"It feels nice to win awards. There is a sense of competition with my kids because they win prizes for racing, taekwondo, riding etc. So I\'ll go home and show my kids that even I have won two awards,\" the 46-year-old actor said here at the awards function.
He bagged popular choice best actor for \" Don 2: The KIng Is Back\" and best jodi award for his pairing with Priyanka Chopra.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh had two releases this year and both the films - \" Ra. One\" and \"Don 2\" - crossed the Rs.100 crore-mark at the box office.
He says he does not work for money and added: \"I understand the rupees and crores less and you understand it even lesser. Please don\'t ask me questions on crores and stuff like that. I have been working hard for 20 years and only work to make the public happy.
\"Hopefully, this year too I\'ll work with the same motive and not count numbers. Telephones have numbers and not actors, producers.\"
SRK is currently working in Yash Chopra\'s next untitled film with Katrina Kaif. He is also co-producing \"Student Of the Year\" with Karan Johar.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Shah Rukh Khan has bagged two awards at the Screen awards recently and the superstar is happy not only for himself but also for his kids who he says are also his competitors.
\"It feels nice to win awards. There is a sense of competition with my kids because they win prizes for racing, taekwondo, riding etc. So I\'ll go home and show my kids that even I have won two awards,\" the 46-year-old actor said here at the awards function.
He bagged popular choice best actor for \" Don 2: The KIng Is Back\" and best jodi award for his pairing with Priyanka Chopra.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh had two releases this year and both the films - \" Ra. One\" and \"Don 2\" - crossed the Rs.100 crore-mark at the box office.
He says he does not work for money and added: \"I understand the rupees and crores less and you understand it even lesser. Please don\'t ask me questions on crores and stuff like that. I have been working hard for 20 years and only work to make the public happy.
\"Hopefully, this year too I\'ll work with the same motive and not count numbers. Telephones have numbers and not actors, producers.\"
SRK is currently working in Yash Chopra\'s next untitled film with Katrina Kaif. He is also co-producing \"Student Of the Year\" with Karan Johar.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
7Who in KJo’s next?
(17/01/12)
Click for larger view Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor are coming together to make a love story. But, they are yet to zero in on the lead pair. The film\'s leading lady is supposed to be a strong and sexy character, and both KJo and Ekta want a top actress for the coveted role. But there\'s a problem. While Ekta favors Katrina Kaif for the role, Karan wants to cast Kareena Kapoor for the same. Since Kareena has worked in many films under Karan\'s banner, he likes her to act in his next. While Ekta respects Karan\'s judgment and his friendship with Bebo, she is not prepared to ignore the box office. She is aware of Katrina working a certain magic with her luck factor, and for Ekta, that is important. Besides, she has already signed Kareena for the sequel of 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai' with Akshay Kumar, so naturally she wants to cast Kat for this one. Both the producers will soon decide as to which actress would suit the role and also as her dates.
Interestingly, Karan Johar has just recently got a marriage proposal from a Delhi girl. Though the filmmaker has received such proposals in the past, this time he has got the girl's photographs too. When Karan was in Delhi recently, the girl happened to meet him at an event. She fell for KJo at first sight and told her father that she wants to marry him. And after that the businessman sent a formal proposal, along with the girl`s pictures, to Karan`s office. This has shocked all those Bollywood girls who had also thought of marrying KJo , but the most eligible bachelor always disappointed them. These girls wonder if the Delhi girl would succeed in her bid.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Click for larger view Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor are coming together to make a love story. But, they are yet to zero in on the lead pair. The film\'s leading lady is supposed to be a strong and sexy character, and both KJo and Ekta want a top actress for the coveted role. But there\'s a problem. While Ekta favors Katrina Kaif for the role, Karan wants to cast Kareena Kapoor for the same. Since Kareena has worked in many films under Karan\'s banner, he likes her to act in his next. While Ekta respects Karan\'s judgment and his friendship with Bebo, she is not prepared to ignore the box office. She is aware of Katrina working a certain magic with her luck factor, and for Ekta, that is important. Besides, she has already signed Kareena for the sequel of 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai' with Akshay Kumar, so naturally she wants to cast Kat for this one. Both the producers will soon decide as to which actress would suit the role and also as her dates.
Interestingly, Karan Johar has just recently got a marriage proposal from a Delhi girl. Though the filmmaker has received such proposals in the past, this time he has got the girl's photographs too. When Karan was in Delhi recently, the girl happened to meet him at an event. She fell for KJo at first sight and told her father that she wants to marry him. And after that the businessman sent a formal proposal, along with the girl`s pictures, to Karan`s office. This has shocked all those Bollywood girls who had also thought of marrying KJo , but the most eligible bachelor always disappointed them. These girls wonder if the Delhi girl would succeed in her bid.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Hrithik: I wanted to play the villian in Krrish 3
Mumbai,(17/01/12)
Hrithik Roshan spoke about his forthcoming film Agneepath in the first part of this interview.
In part two, he talks to Patcy N about Krrish 3, his peers, and the culture of \'camps\' in Bollywood.
Because of Krrish, whenever we speak of a superhero we think of you...
I did not feel I was fit to do Krrish until two months ago. Whatever film I do, I do it because I know it will help me evolve as a person.
When I played Akbar in Jodha Akbar, I knew I did not have the strength to talk to ten thousand people as an emperor, but I wanted to do the role and do it convincingly.
For Krrish I could have worn the jacket a little loose and nobody would know that I have a paunch hiding behind it. I am not as fit as I should be. For me to take up a role, I have to be fit.
If you ask me to deliver a dialogue from one of my films, I won\'t be able to do it. Other actors can; they have that talent, but I can\'t. I have to go into a room, think of the character, read the dialogues, understand the character, get into the character for four hours and only then I can do it.
How has the Krrish 3 script shaped up?
According to me, this is my father\'s best script; everything else around it is embellishment, whether it is colours, songs, item songs, action, look or style. The script is the most important thing for any film. I have confidence in this script; the rest will all fall in place.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Hrithik Roshan spoke about his forthcoming film Agneepath in the first part of this interview.
In part two, he talks to Patcy N about Krrish 3, his peers, and the culture of \'camps\' in Bollywood.
Because of Krrish, whenever we speak of a superhero we think of you...
I did not feel I was fit to do Krrish until two months ago. Whatever film I do, I do it because I know it will help me evolve as a person.
When I played Akbar in Jodha Akbar, I knew I did not have the strength to talk to ten thousand people as an emperor, but I wanted to do the role and do it convincingly.
For Krrish I could have worn the jacket a little loose and nobody would know that I have a paunch hiding behind it. I am not as fit as I should be. For me to take up a role, I have to be fit.
If you ask me to deliver a dialogue from one of my films, I won\'t be able to do it. Other actors can; they have that talent, but I can\'t. I have to go into a room, think of the character, read the dialogues, understand the character, get into the character for four hours and only then I can do it.
How has the Krrish 3 script shaped up?
According to me, this is my father\'s best script; everything else around it is embellishment, whether it is colours, songs, item songs, action, look or style. The script is the most important thing for any film. I have confidence in this script; the rest will all fall in place.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
TRAI proposes Rs.20 crore for national level unified licence
NEW DELH, January 17, 2012
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday proposed a fee of Rs.20 crore for a national-level unified licence under the new regime, which suggests that there will be only four types of licence in future as against many across the communication sector at present.
The telecom regulator\'s draft guidelines for the new unified licensing regime said: "The entry fee for different types of unified licence shall be Rs.20 crore for national level, Rs.2 crore for each Metro and 'A\' category, Rs.1 crore for each B category, Rs.50 lakh for each C category service areas levels and Rs.15 lakh for each district level unified licence." The draft guidelines have proposed three levels of unified licence — at national level, service area level and district level.
At present, telecom service providers hold Unified Access Service Licence (UASL), which authorises them to provide mobile, fixed line, Internet and long-distance calls and other telcom services.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) also issues standalone licences separately, like the one for offering Internet services that are generally known by the nature of the service being offered.
The UASL is given to companies with 4.4 Mhz spectrum bundled with it. TRAI has, however, recommended that the new licence regime will not have spectrum bundled with it and the operators will have to bid for the spectrum separately.
"Unified licence will be given without any spectrum. Licensee has to separately apply/bid for obtaining spectrum as per the prevailing policy," the draft guidelines said. The regulator has also proposed to have no restriction on the number of players in a service area.
"Licence shall be issued on non exclusive basis, without any restriction on the number of entrants in a licence area," the draft said.
These guidelines follows recommendations on 'Spectrum Management and Licensing Framework\', issued in May, 2010, in which the regulator had recommended that the future licences would not be bundled with spectrum. It has recommended that the licences to be issued would be a unified licence covering various access services, class licence covering VSAT services, licensing through authorisation and broadcasting licences.
TRAI has proposed that the applicant company will have to pay one time non-refundable entry fee before signing the license agreement.
TRAI has invited comments on these guidelines before January 31 before giving final recommendations. — PTI
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday proposed a fee of Rs.20 crore for a national-level unified licence under the new regime, which suggests that there will be only four types of licence in future as against many across the communication sector at present.
The telecom regulator\'s draft guidelines for the new unified licensing regime said: "The entry fee for different types of unified licence shall be Rs.20 crore for national level, Rs.2 crore for each Metro and 'A\' category, Rs.1 crore for each B category, Rs.50 lakh for each C category service areas levels and Rs.15 lakh for each district level unified licence." The draft guidelines have proposed three levels of unified licence — at national level, service area level and district level.
At present, telecom service providers hold Unified Access Service Licence (UASL), which authorises them to provide mobile, fixed line, Internet and long-distance calls and other telcom services.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) also issues standalone licences separately, like the one for offering Internet services that are generally known by the nature of the service being offered.
The UASL is given to companies with 4.4 Mhz spectrum bundled with it. TRAI has, however, recommended that the new licence regime will not have spectrum bundled with it and the operators will have to bid for the spectrum separately.
"Unified licence will be given without any spectrum. Licensee has to separately apply/bid for obtaining spectrum as per the prevailing policy," the draft guidelines said. The regulator has also proposed to have no restriction on the number of players in a service area.
"Licence shall be issued on non exclusive basis, without any restriction on the number of entrants in a licence area," the draft said.
These guidelines follows recommendations on 'Spectrum Management and Licensing Framework\', issued in May, 2010, in which the regulator had recommended that the future licences would not be bundled with spectrum. It has recommended that the licences to be issued would be a unified licence covering various access services, class licence covering VSAT services, licensing through authorisation and broadcasting licences.
TRAI has proposed that the applicant company will have to pay one time non-refundable entry fee before signing the license agreement.
TRAI has invited comments on these guidelines before January 31 before giving final recommendations. — PTI
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
India’s exports continue to stutter
New Delhi, January 17, 2012
The after-shocks of the economic slowdown in the U.S. and the impact of the debt crisis in the eurozone continue to weigh on India\'s overseas shipments that continued to grow at a slow pace of 6.7 per cent in December at $25 billion on year-to-year basis.
Notwithstanding the continued slide in exports, the government expressed the hope that it would be able to achieve the $300 billion target set for the current fiscal.
Trade deficit
Exports in December were higher than in November, when overseas shipments grew by just 3.8 per cent. In sharp contrast, imports grew at a faster pace of 19.8 per cent year-on-year to $37.8 billion in December, translating into a trade deficit of $12.8 billion, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said here.
During April-December this fiscal, exports aggregated $217.6 billion, a year-on-year growth of 25.8 per cent. From a peak of 82 per cent in July, export growth slipped to 44.25 per cent in August, 36.36 per cent in September and 10.8 per cent in October. "If you get $80 billion exports in the remaining quarter (January-March, 2012), you are looking at close to $300 billion. And imports may touch about $460 billion," Mr. Khullar said.
During the first three quarters of the current fiscal, imports were up by 30.4 per cent at $350.9 billion. The trade deficit stood at $133.3 billion during the period. "If the current situation continues and exports pick up during the next three months, you are looking at a trade deficit in the neighbourhood of $155-160 billion. Exports, by all major sectors, are doing well," he said.
During April-December, 2011, engineering and petroleum exports were up by 21.6 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively, at $45.3 billion and $43.9 billion. Other sectors that registered healthy growth include gems and jewellery (38.5 per cent), ready-made garments (23.7 per cent), electronics (21.1 per cent), drugs (21.5 per cent), marine products (32.2 per cent) and plastics (43 per cent). "Even today, exports have grown, taking into account all the corrections that have been made, all the deceleration that has taken place. At this rate, you are looking at a growth rate of 20 per cent during the fiscal. It could be more," he said.
During the first three quarters of 2011-12, petroleum imports were up by 40.4 per cent at $105.6 billion. Other sectors which registered growth include gems and silver (53.8 per cent), machinery (27.7 per cent), electronics (21.1 per cent), chemicals (23 per cent), coal (62 per cent), fertilizers (35 per cent), vegetable oil (55 per cent) and iron and steel (12.1 per cent).
On the export target of $500 billion by 2013-14, he said if demand did not improve in Europe and the U.S. in the coming months, it would be difficult to achieve the target.
"The year 2012 is going to be very difficult, it\'s too uncertain at this point of time. There are uncertainties prevailing in euro land and in the U.S.," he said.
Responding to the export figure for April-December 2011, FIEO President M. Rafeeque Ahmed said that while 25.8 per cent growth in first nine months looked impressive but the same was much less than 33.2 per cent growth achieved in first eight months of the current fiscal and pointed to challenging times ahead.
He said that percentage growth in respect of most of the sectors had also come down at the disaggregated level.
"However, with still three months to go, we would be able to achieve over $280 billion in 2011-12."
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The after-shocks of the economic slowdown in the U.S. and the impact of the debt crisis in the eurozone continue to weigh on India\'s overseas shipments that continued to grow at a slow pace of 6.7 per cent in December at $25 billion on year-to-year basis.
Notwithstanding the continued slide in exports, the government expressed the hope that it would be able to achieve the $300 billion target set for the current fiscal.
Trade deficit
Exports in December were higher than in November, when overseas shipments grew by just 3.8 per cent. In sharp contrast, imports grew at a faster pace of 19.8 per cent year-on-year to $37.8 billion in December, translating into a trade deficit of $12.8 billion, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said here.
During April-December this fiscal, exports aggregated $217.6 billion, a year-on-year growth of 25.8 per cent. From a peak of 82 per cent in July, export growth slipped to 44.25 per cent in August, 36.36 per cent in September and 10.8 per cent in October. "If you get $80 billion exports in the remaining quarter (January-March, 2012), you are looking at close to $300 billion. And imports may touch about $460 billion," Mr. Khullar said.
During the first three quarters of the current fiscal, imports were up by 30.4 per cent at $350.9 billion. The trade deficit stood at $133.3 billion during the period. "If the current situation continues and exports pick up during the next three months, you are looking at a trade deficit in the neighbourhood of $155-160 billion. Exports, by all major sectors, are doing well," he said.
During April-December, 2011, engineering and petroleum exports were up by 21.6 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively, at $45.3 billion and $43.9 billion. Other sectors that registered healthy growth include gems and jewellery (38.5 per cent), ready-made garments (23.7 per cent), electronics (21.1 per cent), drugs (21.5 per cent), marine products (32.2 per cent) and plastics (43 per cent). "Even today, exports have grown, taking into account all the corrections that have been made, all the deceleration that has taken place. At this rate, you are looking at a growth rate of 20 per cent during the fiscal. It could be more," he said.
During the first three quarters of 2011-12, petroleum imports were up by 40.4 per cent at $105.6 billion. Other sectors which registered growth include gems and silver (53.8 per cent), machinery (27.7 per cent), electronics (21.1 per cent), chemicals (23 per cent), coal (62 per cent), fertilizers (35 per cent), vegetable oil (55 per cent) and iron and steel (12.1 per cent).
On the export target of $500 billion by 2013-14, he said if demand did not improve in Europe and the U.S. in the coming months, it would be difficult to achieve the target.
"The year 2012 is going to be very difficult, it\'s too uncertain at this point of time. There are uncertainties prevailing in euro land and in the U.S.," he said.
Responding to the export figure for April-December 2011, FIEO President M. Rafeeque Ahmed said that while 25.8 per cent growth in first nine months looked impressive but the same was much less than 33.2 per cent growth achieved in first eight months of the current fiscal and pointed to challenging times ahead.
He said that percentage growth in respect of most of the sectors had also come down at the disaggregated level.
"However, with still three months to go, we would be able to achieve over $280 billion in 2011-12."
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Court refuses to issue directions on EVM printouts
New Delhi, January 17, 2012
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to issue directions to the Election Commission on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea that either paper printouts be incorporated in EVMs or paper ballot be brought back as the electronic machines were "not tamper-proof".
A bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, "It is difficult for this court to direct the Election Commission to have a paper trail of elections conducted through EVMs."
The bench, however, suggested that the Commission could hold wider consultations with the executive, political parties and other stake holders on the matter.
"A matter of such magnitude requires a major change in policy decision," the bench said.
The bench disposed of the plea, saying Mr. Swamy has himself not alleged any misuse or tampering of the current system but maintained that the possibility of such an incident cannot be ruled out.
Mr. Swamy had moved the High Court seeking its directions to the Commission that a paper trail be incorporated to record the votes cast through EVMs or the old system of paper ballots brought back.
He had claimed that EVMs were not tamper proof and lacked transparency.
Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan had rejected EVMs due to their "failure" and that they had preferred paper ballots for their elections, he had said.
The EC had opposed the plea, saying returning to the paper ballots would not be feasible as it would require immense expenditure as there were over 73 crore eligible voters in the country.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to issue directions to the Election Commission on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea that either paper printouts be incorporated in EVMs or paper ballot be brought back as the electronic machines were "not tamper-proof".
A bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, "It is difficult for this court to direct the Election Commission to have a paper trail of elections conducted through EVMs."
The bench, however, suggested that the Commission could hold wider consultations with the executive, political parties and other stake holders on the matter.
"A matter of such magnitude requires a major change in policy decision," the bench said.
The bench disposed of the plea, saying Mr. Swamy has himself not alleged any misuse or tampering of the current system but maintained that the possibility of such an incident cannot be ruled out.
Mr. Swamy had moved the High Court seeking its directions to the Commission that a paper trail be incorporated to record the votes cast through EVMs or the old system of paper ballots brought back.
He had claimed that EVMs were not tamper proof and lacked transparency.
Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan had rejected EVMs due to their "failure" and that they had preferred paper ballots for their elections, he had said.
The EC had opposed the plea, saying returning to the paper ballots would not be feasible as it would require immense expenditure as there were over 73 crore eligible voters in the country.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
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