Archives

Dhoom and Dhamaka from Bollywood

          New York, May 29: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Amisha Patel and Bipasha Basu sang and danced on Long Island in a performance that had spectators cheering for more. The stars gave the audience three uninterrupted hours of entertainment in a live show called 'Megastar Mania 2003' at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. Around 10,000 people were present at the show which was presented by Kanu Chauhan of Rajsun Entertainment. The evening was interspersed with Punjabi and Hindi songs by Meet Brothers and also mimicry by K Sanjay. The event was organised by Farhath Hussain, GS Entertainment and Popcorn Entertainment. Vijay Taneja was its international promoter.

15 militants killed in Anantnag (Kashmir) encounter

          Srinagar, May 29: At least 15 militants were killed on Thursday in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district, official sources said. The encounter began early on Thursday morning following a tip-off about the presence of militants in Lacchipora village in Anantnag district, they said. So far 15 militants, believed to be foreigners, have been killed and the encounter was still going on, the sources added. The toll could go up as the exact number could not be ascertained yet since the operation was still continuing.

Germany will ask Pak to respond to Indian initiative (Go To Top)
-by N Bhadran Nair

          Berlin May 29: Germany has asked Pakistan to respond to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's latest initiative for "constructive resolution" of the issues between the two nations, including Kashmir. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he had "respect and admiration" for the latest initiative by Vajpayee and called upon the world community to support it. He was replying to questions from the media on Wednesday at a joint press conference with the visiting premier after an hour- long talks at the Chancery.

          The German leader, who is due to meet President Pervez Musharraf here next month, said he would have no hesitation in telling the Pakistani ruler to respond appropriately to Vajpayee's peace efforts. He, however, did not give any commitment, saying that one should "never talk about a guest before you have spoken to him." Schroeder was responding to Vajpayee's request that, "when President Musharraf meets Chancellor Schroeder, I would like him to say that there has to be an end to cross-border terrorism (and) convey India's readiness to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir".

          Replying to questions, Vajpayee ruled out a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. "India is a democratic country. Elections are held at regular intervals and people of Jammu and Kashmir also participate in it. Recently elections were held for the state assembly, when Pakistan tried to scuttle it by preventing people from voting and instigating killing of candidates. But the people came out in large numbers. It is clear from the outcome what the people of J and K wants. Election has given a decisive mandate. Now there is no room for any other mandate," he said.

           Earlier, Vajpayee was given a ceremonial reception at the Chancery by Schroeder. Both the leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, international issues and about reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vajpayee said the knowledge economy, including IT, biotechnology and the entertainment industry plays an important role in the economic strategies of both the countries. He said both the countries have decided to synergise these areas, which have not been fully exploited. The Prime Minister said that he has suggested to Chancellor Schroeder to hold summit-level meetings every year and extended him an invitation to visit New Delhi next year. Both the leaders have also agreed to convene the meeting of bilateral Joint Commission soon.

US closely monitoring PM's utterances on Iraq, Kashmir (Go To Top)
-by Sanjiv Prakash

          Washington, May 29: The Bush administration is closely following Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to Germany, Russia and France as these are the three nations which had a marked difference of opinion with the US in the run-up to the Iraq war. The administration is still to forgive France and Germany in particular for the stance they took in the days leading up to the Gulf war. In the case of Russia, the suspicion is even more as many US officials suspect that Moscow played a role in the escape of several top Ba'ath Party activists and prominent members of the Saddam regime. As things now stand, these three nations are bending over backwards to get a piece of the Iraq economic pie.

          The Prime Minister's statement on terrorism in Germany has been welcomed by the administration which believes that Vajpayee is serious about normalising relations with Pakistan without " being trapped in the quicksand of conditions and preconditions". In specific terms, Amercan sources point to the speech the PM gave at the Indian community function in Berlin where he again extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan. "Prime Minister Vajpayee is dead serious about peace and in normalising relations with Pakistan and we fully support his statesmanlike approach", commented the US sources who are closely watching his visit.

          The bilateral discussions on Iraq's future that India is having with Germany and France is the subject which is getting most attention. The US would like India to play a role in Iraq's reconstruction but the administration is not too keen to extend the same privilege to France and for that matter to Russia and to a lesser extent to Germany. It was in this context that the administration had invited Indian troops to join the international peace-keeping coalition that is being put in place in Iraq. Sources here believe that India will accept the US offer and that it is a matter of time before Indian forces arrive in Baghdad.

          The other aspect of Vajpayee's visit which is getting heightened attention here is his commitment to normalise the situation in in South Asia and to get a dialogue going with Pakistan which will reduce the risk of nuclear war. This discussion will be followed when Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishan Advani arrives in Washington on June 9 for a series of high-level meetings with the administration. US officials have also noticed that in the German leg of Vajpayee's visit, there has been little said about Iraq, which cuts in well with the US policy of basically keeping Iraq an American affair to which only those with an invitation are welcome. At this stage neither Germany nor France nor Russia are invited. As for India, it's a different matter - the invitation is on its way.

All Iraqi oil contracts to be re-evaluated (Go To Top)
-by Ioannis Solomou

          Nicosia, May 29: For some time now the big question lingering in the mind of executives of international oil companies is what will be the fate of the various contracts or memoranda of understanding negotiated by Saddam Hussein's regime for the exploration and development of numerous oilfields in Iraq. That question was answered last week by Philip Carrol, the Chief Executive Officer of the oil sector advisory board, who said that all contracts would be evaluated by the Oil Ministry to determine whether they were made in the best interests of the Iraqi people.

          In an interview to Washington Post, Carrol made it clear that he expected that the Iraqi Oil Ministry would want to have another look in cases where such contracts were excessively beneficial to oil companies and not the Iraqi people. Back in 1997, the Iraqi regime had signed two contracts, one with Russian firms Lukoil, Zarubzhneft and Machinoimport and the second with a Chinese consortium led by CNPC. Moreover, it had signed and ratified a preliminary accord with the Vietnamese company PetroVietnam.

          Last December, the Iraqi regime cancelled the contract with Lukoil, the leading Russian oil firm, concerning the development of the giant West Qurna field, because it had failed to begin work in the oilfield. The Russian firm insisted that it could not start work before the lifting of the UN economic sanctions against Iraq. The West Qurna project provided for the production of 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The Russian side stands to lose 5 billion dollars. It should be mentioned, however, that Zarubzhneft and Machinoimport had kept their shares in the project.

          The second contract signed by Saddam Hussein's regime was with a Chinese Consortium led by China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) for the development of the Ahdab oilfield, expected to produce 90,000 barrels of oil a day. The Chinese consortium also has not carried out any work in the field since 1977. In January the Iraqi Oil Ministry initialled contracts with Russian firms Tatneft and Soyuzneftegaz for the development of Western Desert's Block 9 and Rafidain. It should be mentioned that Indian firm ONGC Videsh Ltd had reached an agreement with the previous regime in Iraq for Block 8 in Western Desert, but no work has been carried out. Moreover, ONCGC and Reliance agreed to bid for the development of the Tuba field.

Thousands flock to Kurukshetra for solar eclipse festival (Go To Top)

          Kurukshetra, May 29: Thousands of visitors are flocking to Kurukshetra to take part in a special 'Solar Eclipse Festival' to be celebrated on Saturday. Kurukshetra in Haryana would be witnessing the shadow of the moon touching the "limb" (disc) of the sun on the day of annular solar eclipse that would take place on May 31. Narhari Banger, sub-district magistrate of the town, said all arrangements, including security and basic amenities, have been made. "We have divided the entire Kurukshetra into 12 sectors. In each sector there is heavy security, we have provided health- care centres, drinking water, toilets. There are fire brigades so that there is absolutely no problem of any kind. We have made all possible arrangements," he said.

          People from all walks of life are being seen at the place, which is also considered a holy pilgrimage spot by the Hindus. "This is a very impressive festival. It is a great experience. It's like a communion with God. We are really enjoying it," said Mauni Baba, a saint. For Rajan, a visitor, the festival just gives him and many others an excuse to spend some quality time with family and friends, and the extra frills just make it more memorable.

         "We have come here to see the solar eclipse and also visit the temple. All arrangements are very good. There is proper security. They have also provided motorboats for the people." The northern part of the country, in a belt from Gujarat to Uttar Pradesh including Delhi, Jaipur, Srinagar, Chandigarh and Agra, would be able to see the partial phase of the eclipse. The eclipse would begin at 7.16 am (IST) and the maximum eclipse will be at 9.38 am (IST). The maximum phase of the eclipse can be viewed only from parts of Greenland and Iceland. North-eastern Africa, Europe, north Asia, northern Greenland, northern Canada and Alaska will also be able to witness the eclipse.

Viral-hit Punjab poultry farms on verge of closure (Go To Top)

          Abohar (Punjab), May 29: Punjab has in the last week witnessed death of thousands of chicken due to Avian Influenza, a viral disease affecting domestic poultry and wild birds. A highly infectious and contagious disease, Avian Influenza is characterized by a diversity of disease syndromes varying from respiratory disease to loss of egg production to high rate of mortality. About 60 percent of chicken in the state have been killed or affected by the disease, resulting in a loss of more than 200 million rupees to the industry.

          Suresh Shahi, executive member of the North India Poultry Farmers Association and a farm owner, said the industry is on the verge of collapse and needs immediate government help. "About 60 percent of chicken have died due to this new disease. The egg production too has become less. Earlier there was an 80-85 percent of egg production, it has gone down to 30 percent. The government is not giving any attention to it. And we want the government to do something about this industry which is on the verge of closing down," said Shahi. Once introduced into a flock, the virus spreads rapidly by the movement of infected birds, contaminated equipment, egg flats, feed trucks, and service crews. The hatching of eggs from a diseased flock would likely be associated with considerable risk.

          Navjat Singh, a poultry expert, said the disease is incurable and it has spread to almost all parts of the state. "I think this is the Avian Influenza disease. Even various government agencies have confirmed it to be that. It is spreading rapidly and unfortunately there is no treatment for it. It has been reported to have affected almost 50 percent of farms all over the state," said Singh. Morbidity and mortality rates of the affected poultry is near 100 percent within 2 to 12 days after the first signs of illness. Birds that survive remain poor in condition and resume laying eggs only after a period of several weeks. The US. government spent over 60 million dollars between 1983 and 1994 to tackle the influenza while additional indirect losses to the industry were estimated at 349 million dollars. One outbreak in Australia cost over 2 million dollars to eradicate the disease. This is the first such outbreak in India.

Millions of drought-hit Karnataka farmers struggle for survival (Go To Top)

          Bangalore, May 29: Millions of farmers in Karnataka are struggling for survival as the state faces its third consecutive drought in as many years. While 159 of the state's 179 (Taluka) blocks are officially drought-hit, the rest are also reeling under acute water shortage. The pre-monsoon showers, crucial for the state's agrarian rural populace, have failed miserably with no rains in May. Soaring temperatures which have gone as high as 47 degrees Celsius are only making matters worse. This year is being billed as the hottest in a century.

           "There is no crop at all, everything has dried up. All the wells, the tubewells are dry, we have been left with no water source. What to do? We have no choice but to wait for rains and right now there is no sign of rain. God only can help us. For the last many years we have seen no water," said Rajeshwari, a villager. Over seven million farmers in the state stand affected. The government says it has provided relief and also started food-for-work programmes but the farmers claim otherwise. "We have no rains, we are all sitting here, no water, no work. We don't even have food to eat, days are very tough. We have no money, we dig for thousands of feet but still don't earn enough. Government is also not helping us. What do we do?" said Manjunathan, another villager.

          The Central government had earlier this year sanctioned 345.80 million dollar assistance to ten affected provinces including Karnataka. The monsoon is the economic lifeline of agriculture-dependent India and usually hits Kerala on June 1. Weather officials say this year the southwest monsoon will arrive several days late but added the delay should not affect the amount of rain that falls. The delay, however, means that the rains would reach states like Goa and Karnataka much later than usual. The government agrees to the threat but says it is prepared to meet any eventuality. "We were expecting good rains but no rains are there, no good monsoons, the position is becoming worse day by day particularly for drinking water, fodder, etc. We are all worried but at the same time we want to assure the people that we will stop all (other) developmental work but we will provide work to needy people and we will provide drinking water, fodder to the cattle," said state interior minister Mallikarjun Kharge.

          The monsoon is crucial to India's economic performance as farm production depends heavily on the timely arrival and distribution of rains. Agriculture accounts for 25 percent of GDP and drives domestic demand in Asia's third-largest economy. The monsoon's arrival should bring relief to parts of southern India now in the grip of a deadly heat wave in which temperatures have soared to 47 degrees Celsius. The scorching temperatures have killed at least 519 people in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Karnataka.

Mulayam, Amar Singh hold talks with Sonia (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, May 29: Samajwadi Party leaders on Thursday held talks with the Congress in a bid to oust the Bahujan Samaj Party- led government in Uttar Pradesh. SP leader Mulayam Singh and general secretary Amar Singh met Sonia Gandhi and had a discussion. Singh later told reporters that "it is necessary that leaders of secular parties should meet regularly to counter communal forces. Not only in Uttar Pradesh, but at the national level also we want to intensify the fight of secularism against fascist and opportunistic coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party and Bahujan Samaj Party." Samajwadi Party is the main opposition in UP, where the BJP is a junior partner in the BSP-led government.

          His party has a running battle with the Mayawati government which had slapped a number of charges against Yadav and Singh after their party came out with a series of exposes against the government. Supported by video pictures, Samajwadi Party accused Mayawati of directing her deputies to divert development funds to party coffers. The party also came to the brink of toppling the UP government when several members of BJP-BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) revolted late last year. With national polls due in 2004, Uttar Pradesh is politically crucial as it sends 85 deputies to Parliament.

BJP aims to bag 300 Lok Sabha seats in 2004 polls (Go To Top)

          Hyderabad, May 29: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said it aimed to bag 300 seats in the 2004 general elections. With four states, including key Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, set to vote this year and national polls due next year, the BJP is busy firming up its poll strategies. It is currently holding a two-day convention attended by top party leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, in Hyderabad.

          "We will be discussing about the political situation but the main canvas of our discussion in the coming days will be on two vital issues. One is organisational health, building up organisational machinary. Second is preparing the party for 2004, mission 2004, 300 seats for the BJP and renewed mandate for good governance," BJP president Venkaiah Naidu said. A stiff competition is on the cards between the BJP and main opposition Congress Party, which rules at least 15 states. The BJP, which shot to prominence in the 1980s on the back of a Hindu revivalist programme, used the same card in Gujarat where it stormed back to power last year. Opposition parties accused it provoked religious riots in Gujarat to rally the Hindu majority against minority Muslims and win the state election.

Oppn threat to block budget over Musharraf's dual role (Go To Top)
Open resentment against Pak President building up

          Islamabad, May 29: Opposition parties have threatened to block next month's budget unless President Pervez Musharraf agrees to roll back powers he has awarded himself and the military. "We will not only block the speech of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz in parliament, we shall also continue our protest throughout the budget session," said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi on Thursday, reports Dawn.

          Aziz is due to present the budget for financial year 2003-2004 to the national assembly on June 7, amid a political crisis that has effectively crippled the legislature for most of the year. Law-makers from the PML-N, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Islamists from the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) alliance have stymied repeated sessions with rowdy protests by thumping of desks, standing on chairs, and drowning out parliamentary business with choruses of "Go Musharraf Go."