Madhuri makes a comeback!; Booking for Lahore bus opens on Monday; Congress prefers court verdict on Ayodhya; Tamil Nadu strike called off; Three-day Congress 'manthan' from Monday; Senior advocates divided over NHRC's role in Bakery case; RSS condemns Pope's interference; Residential complex of Badal's son shot by vigilance team; Massive landslides block main highway to Sikkim; Two jawans killed in Tripura ambush; Ludhiana tense after Dalit-Jat clashes; Sankaracharya felicitates Tendulkar; Train derails near Chittoor, sabotage not ruled out; Cannabis worth 70 million rupees seized in Bihar; Serving music till the last breath is my aim: Bismillah Khan; Seven Karachi picnickers drowned; Ties with India linked to Kashmir: Musharraf; US has global mission: Bush; Dalai Lama hopeful of step-by-step progress on Tibet; Bookings for Lahore bus open on Monday; Acting to take centrestage in Serena's life?; Ashton Kutcher voted world's hottest bachelor; News from India; News for Tourists and Travellers; India Travel Times; India News; India News Times; Indian News; Travel News; Travel; Tourism;

No consensus at Muslim leaders' meet on Kanchi seer's proposal

Lucknow, July 6: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has rejected Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati's new formula to resolve the Ayodhya tangle, saying there would be no compromise on constructing the mosque at the place where it was, according to a participant. "We have rejected the proposal," Abdul Mannan, AIMPLB lawyer who attended as a special invitee the working committee meeting of the Board which discussed the seer's proposal, told reporters here. However, the Board's vice-president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said the proposals had "not been rejected totally" and the doors for dialogue to resolve the issue would be kept open. Though the Kanchi seer's formula was disappointing, it had not been totally rejected as "we feel that the process of mutual negotiations should continue", he said. Sadiq said the seer's first letter to AIMPLB chairman Maulana Rabe Hasan Nadvi was encouraging, but his second letter in response to some clarifications sought by Nadvi was disappointing.

Meanwhile, Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool Chairman Maulana Syed Athar Hussain Dehlavi has said the board should find a way for continuing the talks to resolve the issue. Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Dehlavi said an atmosphere of "trust" should be created for the talks to proceed further. Referring to the Sankaracharya's statement on Saturday that people of Ayodhya don't need another mosque, Dehlavi said that it was the seer's personal comment and was not binding on anyone. Urging spiritual leaders of both communities not to make personal comments which could be used to scuttle the talks, he said, politicians were using this for their personal gains. "Stop making statements that can scuttle talks," Dehlavi said.

Hardline Hindus are campaigning to build a temple on the ruins of 16th century Babri mosque at the disputed site in Uttar Pradesh. Muslims, who make up about 12 percent of India's one billion population, want to rebuild a mosque at Ayodhya. Recently the Kanchi seer had forwarded his peace formula to the AIMPLB which lays the code of conduct for Muslims. The pontiff has gone on record that the AIMPLB was in agreement with his yet to be divulged formula. Hindu zealots razed the mosque in 1992 claiming that it had been built after Muslim invaders demolished a temple to Lord Ram at the site where Hindus believe Ram was born. The event triggered bloody Hindu-Muslim clashes across the country in which more than 3,000 people were killed and property worth millions was destroyed. The country's apex court has banned any religious activity in the disputed site. The Allahabad High Court has also ordered the Archaeological Survey of India to excavate the site to unearth evidence whether a temple existed there. The temple campaign is spearheaded by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an ideological ally of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Congress prefers court verdict on Ayodhya (Go To Top)

Shimla, July 6: Main opposition Congress party said on Sunday it would prefer a court verdict on the contentious temple- mosque row in Ayodhya. "The stand of Congress party is clear, that everybody should abide by the court's decision," Anand Sharma, spokesperson of the Congress party, said in Shimla on the eve of the Vichar Manthan Shivir (brainstorming session) of the Congress party. The statement came as Muslims on Sunday rejected an out-of-court proposal by the Sankaracharya of Kanchi mutt, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, for settlement of the Ayodhya dispute pending in court for long.

Tamil Nadu strike called off (Go To Top)

Chennai, July 6: Government employees and teachers in Tamil Nadu called off their week-long strike on Saturday. The stir came to a halt, even as the government ordered the dismissal of about a hundred thousand striking employees and teachers. Earlier, the striking employees had challenged in a petition the State Government's ordinance which amended the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), providing for dismissal of the striking staff without any inquiry. The employees and teachers had launched their strike on July 2. The employees have been opposing some cuts in their benefits and a new rule which increased service for full pension benefits to 33 years.

Three-day Congress 'manthan' from Monday (Go To Top)

Shimla, July 6: The Congress party led by Sonia Gandhi begins a three-day brainstorming camp beginning Monday to generate fresh ideas on key issues and alliances ahead of the coming Assembly polls and general elections. The camp (Vichar Manthan Shivir) is being held in the backdrop of growing speculation of an early Lok Sabha poll as the 'Chintan Baithak' of the BJP leadership at Uttan near Mumbai last month discussed in detail the strategy for the Assembly polls in five states and general elections.

The Congress moot is expected to ponder over alliances and economic policy as also liberalisation and globalisation with a section insisting on projecting a pro-poor image like in the Indira Gandhi era when 'Garibi Hatao' paid rich political dividends. A section in the party contends that the party should come out with a "please all" formula. A victory in the Lok Sabha polls is crucial for Gandhi and the party as it has faced three successive defeats in the Lok Sabha polls in 1996, 1998 and 1999. The background paper on political challenges is prepared by a committee headed by senior leader Arjun Singh, who sometime back had openly advocated the need to sew up tie-ups early for the national elections.

Senior advocates divided over NHRC's role in Bakery case (Go To Top)

New Delhi, July 6: The pro-active role undertaken by the National Human Rights Commission in the Best Bakery case has divided legal experts on the issue whether the human rights body has exceeded its brief. The experts have given conflicting opinions on whether the NHRC could take an interventionist role after the Gujarat court had acquitted all the 21 accused.

While senior advocates PN Lekhi and MN Krishnamani feel that the Commission should avoid making observations on the judgement of the case, others like Rajya Sabha member and eminent jurist FS Nariman, constitutional expert PP Rao and Rajeev Dhavan say there is no bar on the NHRC from expressing its opinion. Justifying the concern of NHRC chairman Justice AS Anand that the acquittal of all the accused in the case was prima facie a "miscarriage of justice", Nariman, Rao and Dhavan feel that the Commission was right in suggesting to the state government to go for an appeal in the higher court. However, Lekhi and Krishnamani say that the Commission should not comment on the merits and demerits of the proceedings as its role is merely recommendatory.

RSS condemns Pope's interference (Go To Top)

Kanyakumari, July 6: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on the second day of its two-day national executive meeting on Sunday, strongly condemned Pope John Paul's criticism of anti- conversion laws enacted by some states, and his appeal to encourage the church to carry on "courageously" with evangelisation in the country. Stating that the Pope's comments were a "direct challenge" to the sovereignty of the country, as it amounted to uncalled for interference, the RSS asked the government to strongly protest against the Pope's comment. The RSS national executive in a resolution said that the Pope's comments that " unfortunately, in some regions in India state authorities had yielded to the pressures of Hindu extremists and had passed unjust anti- conversion laws and exhorted the Church to courageously continue with evangelisation", were condemnable and a direct challenge to India's sovereignty.

Residential complex of Badal's son shot by vigilance team (Go To Top)

Chandigarh, July 6: Vigilance sleuths in Punjab videographed the residential complex of the son of former chief minister Prakash Singh Badal on Sunday in a disproportionate assets case. Raids on Badal's properties and bank accounts have been conducted since last weekend. Officials said vidoegraphy of the house was necessary to avoid any dispute about valuation of articles recovered. "We have conducted the videography of the complex just to avoid any type of dispute regarding the assessment of the property since very costly valuables have been put in it and we have to put the assessed amount accordingly. So to avoid any controversy in the future...we have taken videography, photography of this building," said Surinder Pal Singh, a vigilance official.

The investigation was conducted after a local court allowed the vigilance team on Friday to shoot Badal's house. In an earlier search conducted on June 26, sources claimed that fittings worth 25 million rupees, including German woodwork, Italian marble and gold plated door handles were found. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, who is also chief of state's main opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party, blamed state's ruling Congress party for the raids. "It's not that Amarinder (Chief Minister of Punjab) is doing it. Amarinder doesn't feature anywhere. This is as per the actions of Sonia Gandhi (President of main opposition Congress party)," said Badal. On Friday, officials of the state vigilance department searched three properties of Badal in state capital Chandigarh. The SAD and ruling Congress party are bitter rivals in Punjab. Since he took over from Badal in February last year, Captain Amarinder Singh has cracked down on corruption.

Massive landslides block main highway to Sikkim (Go To Top)

Darjeeling, July 6: Massive landslides caused by incessant rains in Darjeeling cut off a main highway linking Sikkim. The landslides occurred near Sevoke Kali Temple, obstructing National Highway 31, which connects Sikkim to the rest of the country. Hundreds of vehicles, including passenger buses and trucks, were stranded on the highway. "We have been stranded here for the last two hours. Its really not safe due to the landslides and people are slipping there. Big boulders have fallen down due to the landslides," said Murari Lal, a stranded passenger. No casualties have been reported so far. The General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF), a division of the military Border Roads Organisation, worked overtime to clear the road. The highway was reopned on Sunday morning.

Two jawans killed in Tripura ambush (Go To Top)

Agartala, July 6: Suspected tribal guerrillas set off a landmine in Tripura on Sunday killing two soldiers and wounding seven people. The soldiers from the paramilitary Tripura State Rifles were returning with a suspected separatist militant picked up from a hideout, when their vehicle was blown up at Baizalbari, about 90 kms east of the state's capital, Agartala. The guerrilla was among the seven wounded in the blast. The rest were soldiers. Anadhir Debbarma, a soldier of Tripura State Rifles, said the blast occurred when they were returning with the guerrilla. "We were coming with this fellow (a guerrilla) from the camp when the blast took place near the iron bridge. Seven people have been injured and two policemen have been killed," Debbarma said. Two outlawed groups, the All Tripura Tiger Force and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) are fighting for a separate homeland for tribal people.

Ludhiana tense after Dalit-Jat clashes (Go To Top)

Ludhiana, July 6: Situation remained tense in Ludhiana following the clashes that broke out on Sunday between people of upper and lower castes. People of lower castes, commonly called Dalits, blocked roads and shouted slogans against the state government for failing to provide them security from high caste Jats who, they say, are opposing their nomination in the village polls. However, no casualties have been reported so far. Shawan Kumar, a Dalit villager, said they would continue with their agitation till the state government took action against the culprits. "We have stopped all traffic and blocked all the roads here so that no one can enter. All these Jats are after our lives. They insult us and misbehave with us. We spoke with the police also but of no help. If these atrocities continue like this, then we will go on with our agitation," said Kumar. The trouble arose when two Dalits were beaten by Jats. The upper caste Jats have controlled the village body elections for the past 40 years. But they suffered a defeat in the local panchayat polls at the hands of the low-caste Dalits a fortnight ago and the villagers say tension has loomed large between the two over the issue.

Sankaracharya felicitates Tendulkar (Go To Top)

Chennai, July 6: Kanchi seer Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal on Saturday blessed cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar when he visited his child trust hospital here. The Sankaracharya felicitated Tendulkar by presenting a bouquet and a shawl. Tendulkar is in Chennai to participate in the MRF National Go Karting Championship along with West Indian captain Brian Lara, Australia's test captain Steve Waugh and former Aussie speedster Dennis Lillee. Ever since he began his career against Pakistan as a 16-year old in 1989, Tendulkar has been a constant source of cheer and inspiration for a nation hungry for quality cricket. With 65 international centuries, Tendulkar has gradually established himself as a role model for thousands of cricket fans across the globe.

Train derails near Chittoor, sabotage not ruled out (Go To Top)

Hyderabad, July 6: An engine and two coaches of Pakala- Bellary passenger train derailed early on Sunday morning near Chittoor, killing an assistant engine driver and injuring 22 passengers. This is the second rail mishap in four days in Andhra Pradesh. The train derailed between Kurapalakota and Thummalakunta stations around 2 a.m., said a senior police officer. Minister of State for Railways did not rule out sabotage as he said that some sleepers and a fish plate were missing and 13 boulders were found on the track. "It clearly indicates involvement of anti-social elements in the accident", he said. State transport corporation buses were pressed into service for the stranded passengers, said a railway spokesman.

Cannabis worth 70 million rupees seized in Bihar (Go To Top)

Kishanganj, July 6: Revenue Intelligence officials on Saturday seized cannabis worth 70 million rupees from Kishanganj district of Bihar. Acting on a tip-off, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials intercepted a petrol tanker in Kishanganj locality and recovered cannabis hidden inside it. The driver of the truck said the consignment of narcotics was on its way from neighbouring Nepal and was bound for Kolkata. "The consignment was from Nepal to Calcutta...The goods are there in your sight...I have been getting 3000 rupees per trip and 2500 rupees per month as salary," said Birendra Kumar Sharma, the arrested driver. Weighing 720 kg, the cannabis is worth at least 7 crore rupees in the international market.

Seven Karachi picnickers drowned (Go To Top)

Karachi, July 6: Seven merry-makers were drowned at Hawksbay near Cap Mount on Sunday morning. Relief workers and divers found one body. The victims belonged to Ranchhore Line area of Karachi and arrived at the Cap Mount early Sunday morning, relief team incharge Zafar Khan said. Two of the young men were drowned while others jumped into the sea to save them but they were also drowned, he said. A large number of Karachi citizens arrived on the beach to get respite from the intense heat wave sweeping the city for many days.

Ties with India linked to Kashmir: Musharraf (Go To Top)

Islamabad, July 6: President Pervez Musharraf has said progress towards normalisation of relations with India was inseparably linked to movement towards a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. "I have made it clear during my talks abroad that unless Kashmir is discussed there cannot be any movement forward towards normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India," Musharraf told reporters on his return from a 20-day tour of Britain, the US, Germany and France, said the News on Saturday. He said the leaders of the four countries wanted a peaceful Kashmir settlement through talks between Pakistan and India while willing to facilitate movement in that direction.

"Pakistan wants normalisation of relations with India and would like to solve all outstanding issues through negotiations" he said. Pakistan was a nuclear, missile state, it has its strategic assets on which we would never compromise, the President said, adding nobody can and would ask us to compromise on the country's nuclear programme as "we have clearly stated that we are facing a threat and we have done this for our security and defence." "They are against terrorism, so are we and there is a complete agreement on it," he added. Similarly, he said these countries were against drug production and its trafficking. "Pakistan was also against it and we will cooperate with them," he added. Musharraf said the leaders also shared their concern over the proliferation of Pakistan's nuclear know-how and that it should not be transferred to other countries. The President said we assured them that we will never share the know-how and technology with others. "We should never do it, it (strategic assets) has to be under a protective control," the President said and added that he promised that Pakistan would never do it.

He said they also talked of sustainable democracy in the country. The President stated that all the political restructuring and reforms made during the last three years were based on the very concept of sustainable democracy. Musharraf reiterated that his government would encourage a healthy debate on the issue of recognition of Israel and said the final decision will rest with the nation. He said, both the Israelis and Palestinians are heading towards a peacefully negotiated settlement and their leaders are engaged in talks. "If this peace process moves forward then we should also review our policy," Musharraf said. He said progressive and smart countries show farsightedness and plan accordingly. However events overtake those who miss the opportunity. The issue, he said, is very sensitive and calls for holding a debate without getting emotionally entangled. He said the final decision will depend on what the nation feels like. He said Pakistan will also consult the Arab and Muslim countries to seek their opinion.

Referring to Iraq, the President said no decision has yet been taken on sending Pakistani troops to Iraq. However, it will be made after considering all modalities and keeping in view the national interests, he added. "Pakistan has been asked to provide two Brigades. We are looking into the modalities," he said. The President made it clear that "no decision has yet been taken" on sending troops to Iraq. He said the decision will be made after analysing the sensitivities and will be in national interest. To a question he said, both the US and the UK have requested for one Brigade each, "but we have not committed yet." The Pakistani troops, he said, will go to Iraq with the objective to assist their Iraqi brethren and sisters and to bring peace and stability and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country. Musharraf said changing stance of the opposition parties and efforts to protect individual interests were the main hurdles in reaching agreement on the Legal Framework Order (LFO). "We have shown immense flexibility but the problem is on the other side," the President said. Those speaking on LFO here were speaking the hearts and minds of those individuals living abroad. It is not the LFO but the problems of individuals, he added.

US has global mission: Bush (Go To Top)

Washington, July 6: US President George Bush has declared that the US mission in the world was "broader" than just fighting terrorism and ending the rule of dictators like Saddam Hussein. Ahead of his first official visit to Africa and marking the US Independence Day holiday weekend, Bush said the US Declaration of Independence made 227 years ago "holds a promise for all mankind". "Without America's active involvement in the world, the ambitions of tyrants would go unopposed, and millions would live at the mercy of terrorists," Dawn quoted Bush as saying in his weekly radio address. "With America's active involvement in the world, tyrants have learned to fear, and terrorists are on the run. "This nation is acting to defend our security, yet our mission in the world is broader," the US President said. "We work for human dignity in every land. We protect our friends and raise up former enemies to be our friends. "We bring food and disaster relief to the nations of the world in times of crisis. And in Africa, where I will go next week, the United States of America is leading the effort to fight AIDS and save millions of lives with the healing power of medicine. "Just as our enemies are going to know the strong will of America, people across this Earth are seeing the good and generous heart of America," he insisted.

President Bush hit back at "sceptics" of US policy in Iraq, while admitting that it would take time to get the country on its feet after the downfall of Saddam Hussein. "The Iraqi people are going to benefit mightily from the actions of the United States and a lot of other nations, because they'll be free," Bush told CNN television in an interview when asked about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. "We've been there for about 90 days, and the world says that, you know, we expect democracy to have occurred yesterday. "It's going to take a while for a free, democratic Iraq to evolve, but it's going to happen. And history will show you, or the sceptics, that we were absolutely correct in our assessment of Saddam Hussein."

Dalai Lama hopeful of step-by-step progress on Tibet (Go To Top)

Leh, July 6: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Saturday said a step-by-step progress would be made in resolving the Tibetan issue. "Even after more than 50 years, the resolve and moral strength of Tibetans have been kept intact. I believe that truth shall prevail. Currently in the present scenario, we have renewed our past contacts with People's Republic of China and have initiated new talks with China. Generally speaking, I have big hope. But the big hope doesn't mean that things will be resolved soon. Many complexities are involved so step-by-step progress shall be made," Dalai Lama told reporters in Leh city. Two envoys of Dalai Lama visited China last month to pave the way for the eventual return of the spiritual leader of the Himalayan region from more than 40 years in exile. The envoys said Chinese leadership had expressed optimism in solving the issue.

Tibetans-in-exile have been running a government in Dharamsala since the Dalai Lama fled in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama seeks greater autonomy for the region but not independence. Dalai Lama appreciated India's stand on Tibet. "India's stand or policy has remained unchanged. Whatever different words it may use, for the last 44 years, India has helped nurture the growth of education amongst Tibetans and provided immense assistance to preserve the culture and traditions of Tibetans in India scattered over various Tibetan settlements thanks to overwhelming support of the government of India. I don't think the support and policy of government of India vis-a-vis Tibet has changed and it will never change," said Dalai Lama. Tibet has been a key irritant in ties between India and China who fought a brief border war in 1962. Last month India and China signed a joint declaration to resolve the long-standing border disputes during Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to Beijing. New Delhi agreed that Tibet was an autonomous region of China and the declaration made India's position clearer, meeting a key Beijing demand.

Booking for Lahore bus opens on Monday (Go To Top)

New Delhi, July 6: Bookings for the much awaited Delhi- Lahore bus service will begin on Monday, as the Delhi Transport Corporation is all set to resume the service from July 11. Two 34-seat buses will ply between the two destinations, and those who want to travel must have necessary documents including passport and a visa, a DTC spokesman said. The cost of each ticket on Indian side will be Rs 800. The first bus will roll out at 6 am on July 11 from Delhi. During its 527-km journey, it will stop at Pipli, Sirhand and Kartarpur for food and refreshment, and at Wagah for checking. While buses from India will ply on Tuesdays and Fridays, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will ply a bus each on Wednesdays and Saturdays.