Militant Plotting to Kill Top Politicians Shot

          AHMEDABAD: Police in Gujarat on Monday shot dead a suspected Islamic militant who they alleged was plotting to kill top politicians, including the deputy prime minister. Saddiq Jamal, who police said was a Dubai-based member of the outlawed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was killed in a shoot-out with police in Naroda, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. (Details)

Freak Baby Draws Believers

          DARJEELING: People of Chandmoni tea estate of Darjeeling district believe that Lord Ganapati (Ganesh or Ganesha) has arrived in their vicinity when a baby was born to Mrs Shova on December 14 with a typical nasal shape that looks like a miniature trunk of an elephant.

           Thousands of people are thronging Mrs Shova's place everyday to pay their homage to the 'little Lord' and the parents of the baby are now collecting money as 'Pranami' from the worshippers. A visitor to Mrs Shova's house said that it is people's superstition that is making them come here. " I have come to see the child, the child has a small face and a big nose. He looks like Lord Ganesha. Our world works on superstition," he said.

           Doctors on the other hand diagnosed the deformity as a congenital malformation. Dr Sutapa Ganguly, Dept. of Paediatrics, NB Medical College, said that the child has been referred to another hospital for definitive diagnosis. " I believe there was some congenital malformation of the nasal peel, malfunctional development of the pharynx and some underline swelling. So I decided to refer to some other hospital for definitive diagnosis," she said. Notwithstanding the medical opinion, the rush continues at the child's place.

India Well-equipped to Retaliate Any WMD Attack: Fernandes  (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: Defence Minister George Fernandes said on Monday the country's strategic forces were in place to retaliate any 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' (WMD) attack. Fernandes said India would neither use nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear nation nor be the first to use nuclear weapons. The nuclear command and control structure recently unveiled, amended that to include WMD capable adversary.

           Talking to reporters here, Fernandes said India would stand by its nuclear doctrine. "We have our nuclear doctrine in position, our nuclear command and control is in position and we have our strategic force in position. And we stand by it," Fernandes said after a function organised by the students' National Cadet Corps (NCC).

           India, which came close to war with nuclear-armed neighbour Pakistan last year, has set up a nuclear weapons command system headed by the Prime Minister. The Nuclear Command Authority will be composed of a political council, chaired by the Prime Minister, and an executive council, headed by the national security adviser. The political council "is the sole body which can authorise use of nuclear weapons". India continues with its "no-first-use" of nuclear arms policy but maintains that nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unprecedented damage. Pakistan, which has fought three wars with India, two over Kashmir, has not ruled out the first use of nuclear weapons, saying it will launch a nuclear strike if it feels its territorial integrity is threatened.

Kashmir Terrorism Curbed, Claims Minister (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Kashmiris are not involved with cross-border terrorism, according to Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister, who admits that insurgency has declined due to deployment of troops on the borders. Taking part in the BBC World service Hindi weekly special phone-in programme on Sunday night, he firmly underlined that Pakistan as well as the global community have been told that Jammu and Kashmir cannot be captured by cross-border terrorism.

           Sinha also put it across that India is under no pressure from the US to talk to Pakistan and reiterated that Islamabad must stop cross-border terrorism to build an atmosphere conducive to talks. The world accepts the fact that India has been and is a victim of cross-border terrorism, and Pakistan would have to stop it, the minister stressed.

Buddhist Kalchakra Ceremony Begins in Bodhgaya  (Go To Top)

          BODHGAYA: The 10-day Kalchakra (wheel of time) ceremony began here on Sunday amidst tight security. More than 80,000 monks and spiritual leaders from across the world are expected to arrive here, the place where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. The inaugural ceremony was performed by Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who hoped that the auspicious time would bring wisdom for all. "The three wheels of time form the Kalchakra. This intiation usually provides some kind of positive condition to develop positive emotions and wisdom," he said.

           The Karmapa Lama, head of Buddhism's Karma Kagyu sect and third most important Buddhist leader, will also participate in the event. The ceremony is a profound system of teaching and practice of the Buddhist faith. The ritual was first performed by Lord Buddha over 2,500 years ago at the request of King Shambhala, who ruled a mythical, or historical, kingdom located beyond the Himalayas.

           The ceremony has three aspects, the Outer Kalachakra pertaining to the external environment, the Inner Kalachakra pertaining to sentient beings living in the universe and the cycles of time, life and death. And the Alternative Kalachakra, which is the third stage, consists of the practice of purification undertaken by an individual. Its importance also lies in the fact that the faithful believe that the initiation helps in promoting world peace, harmony and brotherhood.

Scientists, Spiritualists Meet  (Go To Top)

          BANGALORE: World famous scientists and spiritual gurus congregated here for a four-day seminar to discuss science and spiritual quest. The four-day symposium culminated on Saturday into a grand public event. It was a discussion about mind and body, physical and metaphysical world. The panelists agreed that mind was spiritual and the body a science. They discussed the relevance of science and spiritualism in the modern day context.

           The symposium was co-organised by a host of international organisations like Centre for Theology and the Natural Sciences, Berkeley (USA), University Inter-disciplinaire de Paris (France), Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (New Delhi), John Templeton Foundation (USA), Hanumanthaaih Foundation, National Institute of Advanced Studies (Bangalore). Great scientists like Sir Roger Penrose, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, Dr Jane Goodall, primatologist, environmentalist and animal activist from the UK, Professor Philip Clayton, Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University, Indian Nuclear scientist Dr Raja Ramanna and Guru Ravishankar of the Art of Living Foundation of India participated in the event to present their views on the subject.

          Sir Roger Rose said computers couldn't take over human minds but essentially help mankind. Science and spirituality co-exist. Dr Jane Goodall observed that Gandhism was still relevant, and called for change of lifestyles, inculcating spiritualism. Dr Ramanna defended Indian nuclear programme, saying it was for self-defence. Delivering the keynote address, Guru Ravishankar said science doesn't exist without spirituality. They are the two sides of the same coin.

Seven Women Appointed as Pak Ambassadors  (Go To Top)

          ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Government has appointed seven women from the foreign service cadre as ambassadors to important world Capitals. All of them are career diplomats. Dawn lists their names and countries of posting as: Fauzia Nasreen, ambassador to Poland; Durre Shahwar Qureshi, ambassador to Kazakhstan; Riffat Iqbal, ambassador to Ireland; Shireen Safdar, ambassador to Portugal; Kausar Ehsan Iqbal, ambassador to Algeria; Fauzia Abbas, ambassador to Switzerland; and Humaira Hasan, ambassador to Romania. Another career diplomat, Ra'ana Rahim, heads Pakistan's consulate in Los Angeles.

           According to officials, there are about six other women officials who hold No. 2 positions in various missions abroad. One of them is Attiya Mahmood who is Deputy High Commissioner in London. Asma Aneesa, who recently served as envoy to a Central Asian Republic, is now on the directing staff at the National Defence College. Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Begum Abida Hussain and Begum Shakila Rashid were among the political appointees who held ambassadorial posts in the nineties. Dr Lodhi and Begum Hussain have both served in Washington. Begum Salma Jan was among the first career woman diplomats to be appointed ambassador. Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first woman ambassador. She served as representative of Pakistan to the 7th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1952. Begum Zubaida Habib, Begum ZHI Rahim, and Begum Ikramullah also served as representatives of Pakistan to the General Assembly in the fifties.

Arms Dump on Pak-Afghan Border Unearthed  (Go To Top)

          KABUL: American and Northern alliance troops have, in a joint operation, unearthed a huge dump of arms and ammunition in Muqbal area of Khost and taken them to a US base. No arrests were made, reports the News. A 25th Division army patrol in General Khialbaz's command had launched the search operation in the area and raided many houses in search of Al-Qaeda suspects.

           In another incident, unknown miscreants launched a rocket attack on the areas where US soldiers live. This was in Takin base of Patkia province. Heavy damage has been reported. Meanwhile, a new group calling itself a secret Muhahideen force has claimed responsibility for 50 raids on US forces and its allies in Afghanistan, the Afghan Islamic Press reported on Sunday. The claim appeared in Pushtu language pamphlets circulated in Peshawar, Pakistan, late on Saturday. The leaflet was distributed in the name of the "Secret Army of Muslim Mujahideen". The pamphlet claimed responsibility for attacks including a bomb explosion near the US embassy in Kabul, rocket attacks on the headquarters of the International Securtiy Assistance Force and the ambush of US soldiers on Jalalabad highway.

Kashmir Times Journalist Released  (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: Kashmir Times journalist Iftikar Gilani, who was arrested seven months ago under the Official Secrets Act, was released by a special court on Monday. The release follows the Government's withdrawal of the case against him for allegedly possessing sensitive documents relating to troop deployment in Jammu and Kashmir. The Government had filed an application before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sangita Dhingra Sehgal on January 10 for withdrawing the case.

           According to OS Lochab, Director-General of Military Intelligence, the documents seized from the newsman, who happens to be the son-in-law of Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani, were not classified as claimed by the police. This was stated on December 12 last. The Government's reversal of stand came as a surprise as only on Tuesday last the Home Ministry had opposed Gilani's discharge plea and questioned Lochab's second opinion on the journalist.

Petitions Against POTA Admitted in Supreme Court  (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has admitted a batch of petitions challenging the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). While admitting the petitions, one of them from MDMK leader Vaiko, and fixing the matter for final disposal in March, a Bench comprising justices S Rajendra Babu and G P Mathur said on Monday that it was an important issue and needed to be heard in detail.

           The POTA has been challenged in PILs filed by People's Union for Civil Liberties and All India Human Rights and Justice Front (AIHRJF) on the ground that its provisions violated the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution. On the other hand, Vaiko, arrested last July by the Tamil Nadu Government for alleged statements in support of LTTE, questions the constitutional validity of its Section 21 which makes any words spoken in favour of a banned organisation also an offence. Ironically, his party had supported the enactment of POTA in Parliament.

Tourist Offices Abroad to Be Revamped: Jagmohan  (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: Tourist offices abroad are being given a facelift to project the country's image as a safe and secure destination, Tourism Minister Jagmohan told mediapersons here on Monday. He also claimed that despite security threats world-wide, the number of foreign tourists visiting India went up by 15 to 16 per cent during the past three months compared to the corresponding period last year and foreign exchange earnings soared by 20 per cent.

          The staff at Indian tourist offices overseas would be augmented and more funds made available to them to increase awareness among the foreigners on Indian monuments and other little known safe and exotic destinations, he informed. The minister said that the proposal for 'visa on arrival' for 16 countries was still pending with the Government.

Tehelka Reporter Granted Bail in Poaching Case (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to the reporter of a controversial New Delhi-based Internet publication, tehelka.com (bombshell), arrested last year for his alleged role in the poaching of three leopards. Kumar Badal had been arrested in Uttar Pradesh following allegations that he had bribed two poachers to trap and kill three leopards and had filmed the animals being skinned. Killing of leopards is banned under India's wildlife laws and a case was registered against Badal and the website. The accused said he was a victim of vendetta for the expose tehelka did. (Tehalka first hit the headlines when they exposed a cricket match fixing racket. Then came the expose of a defence scandal that shook the Government.)                            

-ANI

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