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Pak not serious about talks, says India
New Delhi, June 21(ANI): Even though war clouds over the subcontinent have receded, India said on Friday that Pakistan was not serious about holding talks to resolve issues between the two neighbours. Spokesperson of the Indian foreign ministry, Nirupama Rao, told reporters at a press briefing on Friday that there was little genuine desire on Pakistan's part to hold consultations with India. "Pakistan refuses to formulate and to articulate a serious vision for peace and reconciliation in our region. What you see is the same tired, worn-out rhetoric coming from various quarters of the Pakistani establishment. There is very little genuine desire, there is an absence, I would say, of any genuine desire for dialogue, for reconciliation for the resolution of outstanding issues through consultations, through interaction between India and Pakistan," said Rao. The two nations currently have over a million troops deployed on both sides of the border. The spokesperson also said that India was awaiting Pakistan's response on its removal of overflight restrictions placed on Pakistani aircraft after the bloody attack on India's Parliament last December. "We are awaiting for an official response from the government of Pakistan for our decision to remove the restrictions on airspace overflight of Pakistani Airlines and Pakistani civilian aircraft. We are yet to receive a response from the government of Pakistan," she added. India removed these overflight restrictions on June 10 as a part of its sequenced efforts to defuse tension between the two nuclear-amred neighbours.(ANI) Al-Qaeda action in Mumbai feared, red alert sounded
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to top Mumbai, June 21 (ANI): A red alert has been sounded in this city following intelligence reports that Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives might target strategic installations. Earlier, police in New Delhi had warned their Bombay counterparts that an alleged Lashkar member, Mohammad Shafi Malik, was hiding in the western metropolis. Hence, the city police have launched a major manhunt. Massive security arrangements have been made at the Stock Exchange in Dalal Street, one of the greatest landmarks of Mumbai and a symbol of its financial might. Armed police personnel are also keeping vigil outside the police headquarters. Anybody wanting to enter the building has to undergo a thorough search. On Friday, senior police officials admitted that security has been upgraded at important places around the metropolis. "Related to a need of a particular building, installation or institution, yes, we have increased security where we thought after a review. We thought that it is the best to do, we have done that without naming the installation. Where we felt that we could supplement it with, let's say, more equipment or a mechanical device, we have done that. It's like a complete package, if you could put it that way," said Ahmad Javed, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order). Javed added that police were planning to sensitise the people regarding security concerns. "What we are basically trying to do is to sensitise and keep our people alert on a longer and a more sustained basis than it was earlier ever," he stated. Mumbai has previously been attacked by militants. There was a huge bomb blast at the stock exchange in March 1993 which killed over 300 people and injured over 1200. It was followed by 15 more detonations, most of them caused by car bombs which shook the center and suburbs of India's financial capital. According to bomb disposal experts, the explosions were caused by SEMTEX or RDX, packed into car bombs. Both SEMTEX and RDX are plastic explosives that are commonly used by terrorist groups.(ANI)
Lakshmi Sahgal files nomination Go to top New Delhi, June 21 (ANI): Dr Lakshmi Sahgal, presidential condidate of the Left parties, filed her nomination papers here on Friday. The election is slated to be held on July 15. Dr Sahgal (87) is pitted against APJ Abdul Kalam, the joint candidate of the NDA, Samajwadi Party and the Congress. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and a host of Left leaders, who proposed her name, were present while she filed her papers. Sahgal, a freedom fighter, had raised a women's battalion for the Indian National Army in Singapore, which fought against British rulers during the 1940s. She was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1998 for her immense contribution to the freedom struggle and later setting up free medical clinics for women. However, political observers say the contest will be one-sided as Abdul Kalam is the most favoured candidate backed by almost every political party barring the Left.(ANI)
Tiwari to contest Assembly election, seat not yet decided
Go to top Dehradun, June 21 (ANI): Hectic preparations are being made for the election of Uttaranchal Chief Minister ND Tiwari, who is not a member of the Assembly. Tiwari has been holding the post for about three months. He is constitutionally required to become a member of the House within six months from the date of assuming office. But the Assembly segment from where he would contest is yet to be finalised. The Congress high command installed him as the Chief Minister despite the fact that he was not a member of the Assembly. The decision was opposed by the local party leaders becouse the CLP leader Harish Rawat was the most favoured choice. Tiwari, a veteran Congress leader and former UP Chief Minister, was recently in the Capital, where he held a series of meetings with senior Congress leaders, including party president Sonia Gandhi. During his three-day stay, the permutations and combinations of his election were discussed at length. According to reliable sources, as many as 22 Congress MLAs have offered to vacate their seat for Tiwari. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Tiwari said, "I have taken the decision to fight election. I am very grateful to the 22 MLAs who have offered to resign.......they honoured me. But as yet I haven't decided which constituency will I be contesting from. I am likely to take the decision within 2-3 days". Meanwhile, speculations are rife that the Congress may propose his name for the post of the nation's Vice-President. Responding to a query in this connection, Tiwari said, "I don't know whether I am a candidate for the post. I will go by the decision of my party high command. All I can say is that I am here to offer my services. But I am grateful to the people who think that I am capable enough to be considered for the post."
When presence of troops boosts business
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top Barmer, June 21 (ANI): Though heavy troop deployment along the border areas created some disturbance in the lives of local residents, it proved to be a boon for those who set up temporary shops selling vegetables and common grocery items. The poor farmers, who could not harvest their crops this year as the military took control of their agricutural fields, had been left with no source of income. But after the troops were deployed, business shot up, bringing the smile back on the faces of vendors in the sun-drenched desert areas. The soldiers flock to the marketplace, buying vegetables, groceries, music cassettes and other articles. Bhur Ram, a vegetable seller, says, "Business has gone up......thanks to the presence of soldiers. Whatever vegetables are coming to the market are bought by the soldiers. The town is now totally dependent on them". All the shops have piled up stocks catering to the tastes of men in uniform, giving almost a military look to the marketplace. Casual wear with military designs are in great demand and most soldiers can be seen window shopping near the garment shops. Veerumal, a shopkeeper, says the presence of the army has helped the backward area in a big way. "Earlier, business was down as this is a backward area. But, after the army arrived, business has shot up not only in the cities but in the rural areas too. The market has a new look now", according to him. The massive deployment of forces led to hordes of complaints by local farmers who alleged that their agricultural crops were taken over by the Army, and they must be adequately compensated. They had said that military exercises had almost brought the rural economy to a standstill. (ANI)
Annual "Ganga Dussehara" festival.
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"On this day, the River Ganges descended from heaven to earth. If one offers prayers today, one attains salvation from ten sins..so it is called Ganga Dussehra (Ganges that frees from ten sins). This is a traditional ritual going on since time immemorial. We all believe in this. So we are praying here," said Ramachandra Shastri, a devotee. The devouts also recited verses from the holy epics on the occassion. The festival's name Dussehara is derived from "Dus" which connotes ten and "hara" which means defeat.Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is a major pilgrimage for Hindus since times immemorial.(ANI, JUNE 21, 2002)
US may send back recalled staff to India
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Washington, June 21 (ANI): The USA may send back its diplomatic personnel it had recalled from India and rescind or dilute its travel warnings to India later this month following the reduction of tension in the region. The decision is likely to follow a meeting on June 27--a month after the first advisory was issued--to review the situation. The administration may first reverse its decision on "authorised departure" of US embassy personnel in India. The travel advisory re-appraisal will follow it.(ANI)
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(VARANASI--ANI, JUNE 21, 2002) People from all parts of India converged on the bathing ghats in Varanasi to take a holy dip in the Ganges on the occasion of "Ganga Dussehara".It is believed that the "Bhagirathi", which is one of the tributaries of Ganges, was born on this day after Saint Bhagirath's penance.Mythology has it that Bhagirath held a severe penance to bring the holy waters of the Ganges on to the earth to help his ancestors attain salvation.Devouts believe that bathing in the Ganges on the occasion will help them attain salvation and will liberate them from the wheel of birth and death.