Main Page                                                                     Archives

 

Pak-backed attacks in Kashmir unacceptable: Armitage

           Islamabad: US Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Richard Armitage, who arrived here last evening, is likely to emphasize that attacks allegedly mounted from Pakistani soil on innocent Kashmiris across the border are unacceptable. Armitage confirmed in New Delhi that this concern had been voiced by the Indian leadership, and he would be taking it up with his Pakistani interlocuters. "Clearly, people are still dying and this is not an acceptable situation," Armitage was quoted as saying by The News shortly before his arrival here.

US to buy small arms from Pak (Go To Top)

          Washington: The United States will buy from Pakistan small arms and ammunition for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The US government needed small arms and light equipment for Iraq and Afghanistan. And they (Americans) have expressed their willingness to buy various kinds of weapons from Pakistan," official sources told Dawn They pointed out that the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) and its 14 allied plants were manufacturing quality weapons which were being purchased by a number of developed countries, including France and Germany. As soon as the government received formal orders from the United States, they said, the arms and ammunitions would be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Indian makes a mark in WWF wrestling (Go To Top)

          Jullandhar: At seven feet and one inch tall, Dalip Singh has literally attained dizzying heights. Known as "Giant Singh" at the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he is a name to reckon with, Dalip is the only Indian to be actively pursuing the violent, but money spinning, sport. A roadside daily wager in Jullandhar town of northern Punjab, Dalip's extraordinary talent and potential was spotted by the state's police chief who encouraged him to take freestyle wrestling as a sport and a career. Dalip started off with athletics and moved on to bodybuilding but fell short in attaining international proportionate standards due to his amazing height.

           Refusing to give up, he along with his mentor and coach Randhir Singh, moved into the WWF in 2000 and has since then featured in more than 250 tournaments, in Japan, US and Mexico, winning 200 of them. "If we see at the international level, the bodybuilders with low height are participating in 90 kg (170 pound) plus weight category. With about 7 feet height, Dalip was requiring around 220 kg (410 pounds) weight, and as per Indian diet it was very difficult to reach at the required weight. Then I thought of shifting him to WWF (World Wrestling Federation). I sent mails to different wrestling schools in different countries. We received a good response from the Hawyerd university where one of his friend lives. I requested him for his admission and send him there for a one year training," Dalip's coach Randhir Singh said.

           The 31-year old wrestler meanwhile says getting success was anything but easy and now plans to help the underprivileged sportsmen. "It is very expensive to prepare for being a good wrestler and then there is no security of getting a job. Dr.Randhir made a great contribution, spending huge amounts of money on me. In Punjab there is a need to open up a club or an institute and train the youth. They have a great talent and can perform better than people abroad, what is required for them is proper guidance, coaching and good infrastructure. They can prove better," Dalip said. Dalip has been given a job as a sub-inspector in the state police and is working hard to improve his wrestling skills. A workout addict, he spends close to six hours daily at the local gym and his daily diet includes five kilograms of milk, five chickens and two dozen eggs besides fruits and traditional Indian wheat rolls.

Fit India all set to take on UAE (Go To Top)

           New Delhi: The Indian cricket team is fully prepared to take on United Arab Emirates in the first day-night match of Asia Cup tomorrow. Four-time champions of the Asia Cup, the team went through its paces at the Dambulla Stadium today. On Wednesday, the team played a practice match against Sri Lankan Cricket Academy and defeated it by seven wickets. In the previous seven cups, Sri Lanka has won twice and Pakistan just once, i.e. in last tournament held in Bangladesh.