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R-Day: Kalam Call to Maintain High Democratic Traditions NEW DELHI: President APJ Abdul Kalam on Saturday called upon the countrymen to strengthen India's democratic traditions which he described as a unique heritage. In a televised message to the nation ... (Details) Steep Hike in Telephone Charges NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India announced on Saturday a cut in the pulse duration for local calls from three to two minutes. The TRAI also announced an increase ... (Details) Air Space Over Delhi Closed to Flights on R-Day for Security NEW DELHI: Security has been stepped up across India ahead of the country's Republic Day on fears of attacks by Islamic militants. India would display its military might on Sunday to mark the 53rd anniversary of the country's birth as a republic, three years after its independence from Britain. Police and paramilitary personnel patrolled the streets of the national Capital on Saturday amid fears of militant attacks. Police said there were intelligence reports of plans by militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir to stage attacks in the Capital during the parade. Anti-aircraft guns have been positioned on some high-rise buildings and the air space above the city will be closed during the parade. Authorities said they were taking no chances despite an easing of tensions with Pakistan. Security forces have been conducting surprise checks, frisking people and have stepped up patrols at several sensitive points. Officials of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said that thousands of security personnel have been pressed into service for the parade. Kashmir Women Defy Militant Outfit's Fatwa (Go To Top) RAJOURI (J-K): Muslim women in Kashmir have defied the fatwa (decree) issued by separatist groups asking them to quit Government jobs. The Harkat-e-Jehad-Islami and Lashkar-e-Jabar had recently put up posters in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir asking all Muslim women to quit jobs by January 25 or face the consequences. The posters, however, did not say what would happen to women who ignored the warning. Despite the high-risk factor, most of the valley's women who are crucial earning members in their families, have dismissed the threat. "No this is not possible. How can we leave our jobs? We will not. See the financial condition of most families, it is in order to run their house that women work. How can they leave that?," asked Mehroo Sayeed, a teacher at a local college. "Girls will never agree to leaving their jobs, as they have worked really hard to get them. They will definitely not leave jobs on such a decree," added Zoya, a 19-year-old student. The latest threat comes days after another poster was found in a hospital in Srinagar, from the lesser-known Lashkar-e-Jabar, telling non-Muslim doctors to leave Kashmir. Islamic groups have in the past warned Kashmiris, especially women, to closely follow Islamic rules. Last year, men believed to be from Lashkar-e-Jabar sprayed acid on women for not wearing head scarves. More than a dozen militant groups are fighting New Delhi's rule in Jammu and Kashmir. Almost 300,000 Kashmiri Hindus, or Pandits, fled to other parts of India after opposition to Indian rule exploded into full-scale violance in late 1989. India says more than 38,000 people have died since then, although separatist groups put the toll above 85,000. US, Iraq Rhetoric Escalates (Go To Top) WASHINGTON: The United States has warned Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to abandon what it charged was his "unacceptable" refusal to allow UN inspectors to hold private talks with Iraqi weapons scientists. "Saddam Hussein is engaging in a constant pattern now, and an increasing pattern, of defying the inspectors, refusing to cooperate," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, who declared that the Iraqi leader was "making the end of the line come even closer by his unacceptable behaviour." Iraq Will Ward Off US Attack: Speaker NEW DELHI: Iraq does not want war but will repel any attack "by the USA", said Sadoon Hammadi, Speaker of Iraq's National Assembly, on Saturday. Hammadi, who is here to attend the International Parliamentary Conference, added that his country did not possess "any" weapons of mass destruction. The escalating rhetoric came four days before President George W Bush was to lay out his case for disarming Iraq - by force if necessary - in his annual State of the Union speech. Iraq has, however, denied blocking interviews. A top official said on Thursday in Baghdad that six Iraqi scientists have refused to be questioned in private by the UN inspectors. "We did our best to push the scientists but they refused such interviews without the presence of representatives" of Iraq's National Monitoring Directorate, NMD chief general Hossam Mohammed Amin said. Chief arms inspector Hans Blix and Muhammad ElBaradei, head of the UN atomic agency, are scheduled to present a report to the UN Security Council on Monday detailing Iraq's compliance with the UN resolution which gives arms inspectors the right to search for evidence of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons anywhere in Iraq. Amin noted that Blix said after Monday's talks that outstanding issues included Iraq's refusal to allow reconnaissance over-flights by American U-2 spy planes to help the UN inspectors' hunt for banned weapons programmes. France, Germany and Russia all oppose early US military action against Iraq, saying the UN inspectors should be given more time. But US Secretary of State Colin Powell said divisions with France and Germany did not mean the Security Council could not agree on how to disarm Saddam. The White House expressed confidence a coalition could be assembled for any war on Iraq, even without France and Germany. But US officials suggest a new UN resolution could be sought to authorise military action. Bid to Hijack China Plane Foiled (Go To Top) HONG KONG: A hijacking attempt on board a passenger plane was foiled but only after a man detonated a "home-made bomb" before it landed in south-west China's Chengdu city, a report said Saturday. A passenger on board the small Sichuan Airlines plane had ordered the pilots to alter the course of the plane and when they refused to comply, he detonated the "self-made bomb", the Beijing Youth Daily reported. The Daily did not say where the unnamed man had wanted to be flown to. Security personnel on board the plane, which was carrying 11 passengers and a crew of five, quickly overpowered the man. Police said the "bomb" was not very powerful and the explosion caused only minor injuries to himself and little damage to the plane. The plane landed safely at Chengdu airport in Sichuan province on Friday afternoon. Three Killed in Mid-air Collision Over Denver (Go To Top) NEW YORK: Three people were killed when two small airplanes collided in mid-air over Denver on Friday and one of them crashed into a home, bursting into flames. The second plane crashed into the backyard of another home several blocks away in north-west Denver. Six people on the ground were slightly injured and taken to hospital for treatment. The two planes were a Cessna-172 P Skyhawk, which burst into flames on impact, and a twin-engine Piper Cheyenne. Three Killed, 100 Injured in Bangla Poll Violence(Go To Top) DHAKA: At least three people were killed and 100 others injured ahead of voting in Bangladesh's staggered local council elections which began on Saturday. The deaths were reported from the Pabna and Goapalganj districts in the past few days during campaigning for the polls. The Election Commission and the Government have promised tight security to ensure peaceful polling in all the phases till March 16. Shinde Forms Jumbo Ministy (Go To Top) MUMBAI: Sushil Kumar Shinde has created history within a week of his taking over as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He has formed the biggest-ever ministry by inducting 69 ministers in all. This number is 11 more than what Vilasrao Deshmukh had. A total of 23 Cabinet ministers, 13 from the Congress and 10 from the NCP, were administered the oath of office by Governor Mohammad Fazal at a function in Raj Bhavan on Saturday. Fifteen members each of the Congress and the NCP were also sworn in as ministers of state in the coalition Government. Prominent among the new faces were Dilip Deshmukh, brother of Vilasrao Deshmukh, and former MPCC chief Govindrao Adik, one of the biggest critics of the former Vilasrao Government. Prominent among those who were dropped from the Shinde jumbo ministry include Rohidas Patil, contender for the chief minister's post, Shivajirao Moghe and Prof Ram Krishna More, although Sunil Tatakare of the NCP, the minister responsible for the withdrawal of support by the PWP, was also inducted into the ministry. Allotment of portfolios will be announced in a few days time. The Congress move to replace Deshmukh came after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed back to power on a Hindu revivalist ticket last month in Gujarat, scene of savage religious riots early last year. The Congress holds power either alone or in alliance with other parties in 14 of 29 States. Elections would be held in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi as well as in five other States in the near future. Expelled Indian Diplomats Reach Wagah Border (Go To Top) WAGAH BORDER: Three Indian diplomats and a staffer, expelled by Pakistan in a tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of its officials by New Delhi, reached Wagah border in Punjab on Saturday. All the four officials entered Indian territory around 2.00 pm after Pakistan ordered them to leave within 48 hours, declaring them "persona non grata" for involvement in activities incompatible with their status, diplomatic code for spying. Counsellor Vipin Handa, First Secretary RP Singh, attache Vakil Ramdas and staffer Sundram were expelled on Thursday. All the officials were in a state of shock and described Pakistan's move a deliberate attempt to harass Indian diplomats. The expulsions followed trading of charges on Monday over harassment of each other's senior diplomats by intelligence agencies and a call by both nations to abide by global and bilateral diplomatic norms. Diplomatic ties between the two countries soured after an attack on Indian Parliament in December 2001 by gunmen who New Delhi said were Pakistani militants. The diplomatic representation of the two countries was halved after the attack. The hostile neighbours, who have fought three wars since independence in 1947, regularly exchange accusations of harassment of their diplomats and dirty tricks by security agencies. They also regularly expel each other's diplomats and embassy staff. Kalam Call to Maintain High Democratic Traditions (Go To Top) (Contd) ... on the eve of India's 54th Republic Day, President Kalam urged countrymen to maintain high democratic traditions and lauded the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat for upholding these traditions. Troubled Jammu and Kashmir and riot-scarred Gujarat successfully conducted Assembly elections. New Delhi is battling a 13-year-old rebellion in its Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir which it blames neighbouring Pakistan of fuelling. Pakistan denies the charge. Kalam said, "a new society is emerging where knowledge is the primary production resource instead of capital and labour." "Knowledge" will lead the developing societies during the 21st century as it will not only help in bringing more wealth but also improve the quality of life in the country. India aims to achieve eight per cent growth rate by the end of the 10th five year Plan, he said. Kalam asked countrymen to make their contribution for transforming the country into a developed nation by the year 2020. India is one of the fastest developing economies and the second biggest market after neighbouring China. "India can become a developed nation only if everyone contributes to the best of his or her ability and capacity," he aded. Steep Hike in Telephone Charges (Go To Top) (Contd) ... of 11-12 per cent in the monthly rental for basic (landline) telephones. The consumers would now be entitled to only 30 free calls instead of 60 in urban areas, and 50 instead of 75 in rural areas. Further, there would be no free calls in the case of WLL-Mobile services. The new tariff and pulse rate would be applicable from April 1. For distances less than 50 km it will be local call charge i.e. Rs 1.20 per two minutes, while for all other distance categories, the Authority put a ceiling of Rs 8.40 per minute. The basic telephone rental in cities has gone up from Rs 250 to Rs 280 per month. At present the monthly rental varies between Rs 70 to Rs 250 depending upon the area and capacity of telephone exchange while the call charge is Rs 1.20 for three minutes. -ANI |