Tea vendor, thrown out of moving train by cops, loses his legs (Go To Top)

          Agra: A tea vendor in Agra city recently lost both his legs after he was allegedly pushed out of a moving train by rowdy cops for refusing them extortion money. Pankaj, who is recovering at a hospital, was selling tea aboard a passenger train last Sunday, when the policemen demanded he give them a cut from his earning. Selling goods aboard trains without a licence is banned but hundreds of hawkers bribe cops and enforcement authortites to allow them to make a living.

          Uneducated, poor and with an entire family to support, Pankaj says he does not have the resources to initiate legal proceedings. "They (security personnel) forcibly tried to extort money from me. When I refused, they beat me up and later threw me out of the moving train ... I cannot recognise them. If I would have known that they would do such a thing with me, I would have read their names," Pankaj said. Pankaj's mother, Maya Devi, added: "We came to know from relatives that Pankaj was thrown out of the train. He was then brought here to the hospital. No police personnel escorted him here."

          The incident, which would have like many others gone unreported, has brought to light the harassment faced by poor people in everyday life. It took place a day before a 19-year- old relative of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajapayee was pushed to his death from a moving train not far from the same place. Manish Misra, who was Vajpayee's grand-nephew was thrown out of the train by passengers who thought they had been in a group of men who had harassed women on the train. The body of Misra, who had been on his way home from college, was found on the tracks.

BJP to cash in on 'feel-good factor': Vajpayee (Go To Top)

          Ranchi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Sunday his ruling BJP would cash in on the 'feel-good factor' in the forthcoming general elections. Speaking at a public rally in tribal-dominated Jharkhand, Vajpayee slammed Congress party for calling the party's development work as a web of deceit. "A net is being woven. Sonia Gandhi calls it (the "feel good" factor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party) a web of deceit, an illusion. It is not an illusion. We are working for the development of this country and whatever was not done in the last 50 years, we have completed that. We assure you that in the next five years, we will do more for you," Vajpayee said in Ranchi.

          Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -led ruling coalition had earlier this week recommended dissolution of the lower house of Parliament on February 6. This paves the way for early polls around April, after approval by the Election Commission. Ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which an opinion poll said this week, is headed for a comfortable majority, wants to capitalise on, what it says, is the 'feel-good' factor prevailing across the country. The BJP is riding on a crest of an economic boom and Vajpayee's personal popularity.

          Meanwhile, BJP President Venkaiah Naidu said a long-standing temple row would not be the party's issue for the polls. "Ram temple is not an election issue with the BJP. Our stand is clear that it is the birthplace of Lord Ram and hence the temple should be built there and that's it. Our main issues in the election are performance, development and good governance," he said. The BJP, which shot into the centre-stage by launching an aggressive campaign of Hindu revivalism in the late 1980s, has now put all such controversial programmes on hold and is hoping to fight on the plank of economic growth and good governance.

EC notification by Feb 21-22, says Venkaiah (Go To Top)

          Chandigarh: The Election Commission could notify parliamentary elections by February 21-22, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Venkiah Naidu indicated on Sunday. The notification would follow the dissolution of the Lok Sabha on February 6, he said while addressing a public rally in Chandigarh. Naidu said the BJP was fully geared up for the polls and was finalising alliances with different parties. The BJP and its alliance partners were projecting the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to take the country forward, Naidu said. The main stress of the BJP during the election campaign would be on development, he added.

          Terming the Congress a leaderless party, Naidu said neither the Congress nor its alliance partners were able to project Sonia Gandhi or anyone else as their prime ministerial candidate. He said that the BJP's alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab would continue. On Haryana, he said an alliance with Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala's Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) would be formed only after taking the state BJP leadership into confidence. State BJP leaders are understood to be reluctant to ally with the INLD, contending the party should contest all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana on its own.

Preparations afoot for Eid celebrations (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: Hectic preparations are on in New Delhi on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Zuha or the feast of sacrifice. Thousands of people could be seen shopping with much excitement on the eve of the big day. The 17th century Jama Masjid unarguably the biggest sacrificial goat market in the city, was bustling with activity with hundreds queuing up to buy goats for the traditional goat sacrifice.

          Sirajul Islam, who was busy shopping for Eid, said: "Quality of goats is good here...one gets good goats in Jama Masjid area." Muslims believe that the sacrifice of a goat reflects one's own spiritual sacrifice which is essential for achieving communion with Allah. Rich or poor, everybody has to offer some sacrifice according to one's ability. There are sacrificial goats which come at different prices - from 500 to 60,000 rupees according to the animal's size and health. In Delhi alone some 2,000 goats are sold daily during the festive season, making it a lucrative time for goat sellers.

          Buying and selling of goats has a special significance on Eid-ul- Zuha. According to the Holy Quran, God appeared in Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham's dream and asked him to sacrifice something that was most dear to him. Prophet Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his own son, Ismail. However, when he put a knife on Ismail's throat, God replaced his son with a goat through a miracle. The festival seeks to convey that sacrifice is supreme. Popularly known as Baqr ("Goat" in Hindi) -Id, the festival is celebrated on the tenth day of Zil-Haji, the last month of the year according to the Islamic calendar.

          The festival of Eid-ul-Zuha also marks the end of the Haj pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every able-bodied Muslim must perform at least once in a lifetime. India with about 120 million Muslims, has the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia.

British Home Secretary for stronger ties with Punjab (Go To Top)

          Phillaur: Visiting British Home Secretary David Blunkett on Sunday said India, particularly Punjab state, shared strong ties with the United Kingdom. Britain has over 1.3 million people of Indian origin, most of them from Punjab, contributing significantly to its economic and cultural prosperity. "Here in Punjab you have developed tremendous relationship with the United Kingdom...and especially with my own constituency. I congratulate you on those links. There have been two conferences which have carried forward those links," Blunkett said while addressing a state police academy function in Phillaur town. Blunkett will later visit the Golden Temple.

          India and Britain have signed an agreement on repatriating illegal immigrants and as a special gesture, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani has assured Blunkett that New Delhi will set free a British gun-runner convicted in an arms drop case. Peter Bleach, along with five airmen from Russia and Latvia, was convicted in February 2000 of airdropping arms and ammunition in West Bengal in 1995. The Russian and Latvian air crew were released in July 2000 after appeals for clemency by Moscow, which has close ties with New Delhi. The President pardoned Bleach earlier this week but his release has been delayed due to procedures.

Mulayam wins Gannaur Assembly seat by record margin (Go To Top)

          Gannaur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has won the Gannaur by-election by a record margin on Sunday. Security deposits of his rivals, one from the BSP and the other from the BJP, were forfeited. Yadav contested the seat after one of his party legislators resigned to pave way for him following his elevation as chief minister. Mulayam polled 1,83,899 votes against BSP's Arif Ali who polled 11,314 votes. BJP's Gulfam Yadav polled only 6941 votes. Polling in Gannaur, in Badayun district, was held on January 24 and the result was to be declared on January 27, but on complaints by Opposition parties the Election Commission ordered re-polling in some centres.

Deoband outfit issues fatwa against cow slaughter (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: Indian Hindu hardlines on Sunday welcomed a "Fatwa" (a religious decree) issued against cow slaughter by a Muslim organisation. The decree has been issued by a three-member committee of Muftis of the Dar-ul-uloom, an Islamic religious and academic centre based in Deoband town in Uttar Pradesh. It came days before Eid-ul-Zuha or the festival of sacrifice, where thousands of livestock, mainly goats, are sacrificed.

          Ram Madhav, spokesman for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said the gesture would greatly contribute in strengthening Hindu- Muslim relations. "We welcome this move. On the occasion of Islamic festivals, hundreds of cows are slaughtered, which, according to Hindu religion, is wrong. Everyone knows that there is no connection between Islam and cow slaughter. It is good that on the occasion of Eid they have decided to stop this. We feel that if the Muslim community implements this decision, then it will be of great help in improving relations between Hindus and Muslims," Madhav said in New Delhi.

          Hindu hardliners have for long been campaigning for a country-wide ban on cow slaughter but only a few states including the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have enacted a legislation. Anyone found guilty of the crime can be sentenced up to seven years and fined. India's Hindu majority reveres cows and their slaughter has always been a sensitive issue, often provoking violence. The issue has again come to the fore in view of the upcoming general elections. With Hindus forming the majority voters, pro-Hindu parties often campaign on the issue, seeking a countrywide ban on cow slaughter. Hundreds of ill-fed cows roam around the countryside in India, which has the world's largest cattle population.

34 J-K political prisoners released (Go To Top)

          Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday released 34 political prisoners as part of peace moves aimed at ending a bloody revolt in the disputed region. Human rights groups say there are scores of people detained without trial in jails in Kashmir. The move comes in the wake of resumed bilateral talks between India and Pakistan. The nuclear-armed neighbours will begin dialogue on February 16 over a range of disputes including Kashmir which has been a point of dispute for more than five decades of and the cause of two wars. An emotional Abdul Latif, one of the released prisoners, said he hoped others like him would also be soon released.

          Kashmir's main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), which held a first-ever landmark meeting with New Delhi last month, has also demanded release of detenus. About a dozen Islamic militants outfits have been fighting security forces in the region where more than 40,000 people have been killed in the revolt so far. Separatists put the toll at more than 80,000.

Bottomlines

Jen and Ben's wedding planner is upset (Go To Top)

          New York: Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez and her ex- fiance Ben Affleck's "real-time" wedding planner is mourning the couple's big split because it has robbed her of the chance of staging a fairytale ceremony and party. According to a report in ratethemusic.com, Sharon Sacks arranged the couple's planned nuptials in Santa Barbara, California, September last year and then had to put everything on hold when the pair called their big day off at the last minute. And, now there's no chance of the wedding going ahead, Sacks feels comfortable revealing some of the details - including the fact the couple lost more than two million dollars in non- refundable fees. She told People magazine, "It was a wonderful adventure. Jennifer and Ben always gave me great inspiration." The ceremony was to be a classic black and white affair with all guests receiving a 250 dollars silver "image case" and bridesmaids each handed a 12,000 dollars pink sapphire heart necklace.

Beatles continue to reign! (Go To Top)

          Washington: The Beatles's classic album Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club band has been named the greatest album of all time by rock tome Rolling Stone magazine. The 1967 long player, which is still considered to be the group's most experimental work beat a stiff competition from runner up Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys to claim the top spot, reports ratethemusic.com Two other Beatles albums made it into the top five, with Revolver in at number three and Rubber Soul at number five. The highest placed contemporary album was Nirvana's 1991 grunge standard Nevermind at number 17.

Grammy to shine out with stars! (Go To Top)

          Washington: Grammy Awards to be held on the 8th this month will feature musicians like 50 Cent, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters and Alicia Keys. The stars have been added to the performance roster for the 46th annual ceremony, alongside acts including Black Eyed Peas and veteran singer Sting, reports Rate the music. In a bizarre collaboration, hard rockers Foo Fighters are set to play with legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea. And interestingly, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, BB King, Carlos Santana, Hilary Duff, Norah Jones and Pharrell Williams are also among the presenters at the much awaited Los Angeles show.

Outrageous Bowie's style in fashion! (Go To Top)

          Washington: Michael Houghton, Aerosmith's fashion guru has come up with a new range of colourful clothes inspired by David Bowie and Keith Richards' outrageous 1970s style. Houghton who has also clothed rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd plans to unveil his new line this month, which includes punk denim and alligator skin styles, next month. As quoted by Rate the music, he says, "It's all about clothes that will help bring out the inner Keith Richards in all of us."

Oldman to play kinky mobster! (Go To Top)

          Washington: British tough guy Gary Oldman is in talks to play a gangster with a penchant for ladies's underwear. According to ratethemusic, the 45-year-old Fifth Element actor is being lined up to star as a kinky New York mobster in the Night Job. Co-producer Michael Mailer, the son of novelist Norman, is also reportedly keen to cast Alec Baldwin in the movie, as a gangster trying to lead a life free from crime.

Unseen photos of Monroe published! (Go To Top)

          London: Over 100 previously unseen photographs of movie legend Marilyn Monroe published by Lardon media has hit the shelves. According to Hello! the pictures, which were taken by her friend Sam Shaw, were found by the photographer's son after his death in 1999. In all there are around 160 photos, of which only 40 have previously been published. Sam Shaw was the man behind many of the best-loved images of Marilyn, including the famous still from the set of the Seven-Year Itch which showed her standing over a subway vent. The new book, Marilyn Monroe: The New York Years also includes photos of her with husbands Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller.

Kidman to film in the UN headquarters! (Go To Top)

          London: Aussie sensation Nicole Kidman is set to break new ground by starring in the first movie ever filmed in the United Nations headquarters. The UN has never before given permission for a feature film to be made in its New York base, but it has decided to give Nicole's latest flick, The Interpreter, the green light. Nicole's new film, which also features Sean Penn, tells the story of a translator who overhears conspirators planning a deadly plot. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is hoping the flick will help bring its work to the attention of movie fans, reports Hello!. The film's renowned director Sydney Pollack, meanwhile, said he felt very privileged to get a chance to work in the UN complex. He said, "I'm very grateful to the secretary-general and to the UN for giving us the unique opportunity to make this film as authentically as possible."

Kiera Chaplin pays tribute to grandpa Charlie! (Go To Top)

          London: Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter Kiera is set to launch her own fashion label with a line of clothing which pays tribute to her famous forbear. The 21-year-old, whose father is the classic movie icon's son Eugene, will launch her designs worldwide in the coming months, reports Hello! Kiera herself has been wearing the first of her garments, a shirt bearing her grandfather's name. "I thought a tribute to Charlie Chaplin would be the best way to introduce the Kiera Chaplin line," says the budding fashionista. The Belfast-born beauty's collection has been in the works since the beginning of last year, when she began speaking with fashion consultants around the globe about her new project.

Britney's dad didn't approve the undie show! (Go To Top)

          London: Britney Spears was met by dad Jamie as she flew into LA and he didn't look too happy that she was flashing her undies. An onlooker as quoted by the Sun said, "There was a big crowd. Jamie and some cops cleared a path for Britney. Jamie's face dropped when he saw what she was wearing." "He couldn't believe the world was going to see her underwear," added the onlooker.

Enrique's latest album released! (Go To Top)

         Sydney: Enrique Iglesias, has just released his third English-language album, '7' and is about to embark on a world tour that, for the first time, includes Australia. The Latin music boom may be over, but the 28-year-old Iglesias is far from finished and he has managed to transcend both a change in the musical landscape and the shadow cast by his famous father, Julio. With his chart success has come a cabinet full of music awards that include a Grammy; a deal with softdrink brand Pepsi; a legion of female fans and a girlfriend who is the stuff of fantasy for many a hot-blooded man. "7 is an album I've been doing for the last year or 18 months, and it talks mainly about what my life has been like in that time," he says. After four Spanish albums and recordings in Portuguese and Italian, it may be tempting for Iglesias to rework some of his Spanish-language hits, but the star rejects that notion. Iglesias is currently dating Russian tennis pin-up girl Anna Kournikova. The two met when Kournikova starred in the video for his hit single Escape, and have been linked since they appeared at a music awards ceremony together.