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Indo-Pak new bus, rail route talks on March 9 (Go To Top)

          Islamabad: Pakistan and India will hold official talks for the re-opening of the bus route between Khokhrapar and Munnabao here on March 9 and 10. Islamabad and New Delhi are willing to re-open the rail and road link. However, the communication ministries of both countries have apprised the foreign ministries that new road and rail tracks have to be laid down as such facilities don't exist, well placed sources told the Nation.

          They said Pakistani Railways Ministry had informed the government that at least Rs. 600 million would be required to lay down a new track from Khokhrapar (Sindh) to Indian border to link it to the Munnabao railway station in Rajasthan, India. Railway Ministry sources said that the rail track from Mirpurkhas to Khokhrapar was in operational condition but no track existed between Khokhrapar and Munnabao and it would be a daunting task to lay down new track on the route. Both said would take final decision after the conclusion of technical level talks.

         "The link remained suspended for 39 years as it was functional until 1965 and it served as the trade route to Karachi port before the partition," one source said. Pakistan and India would also hold technical level talks for the re-opening of the road route between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar at the end of this month.

People celebrate Holi with enthusiasm (Go To Top)

         New Delhi: Holi, the festival of colours, was celebrated in some parts of the country on Saturday, although some calendars have listed it for Sunday. In Jammu, the fear of militant violence did not dampen the festive spirit as people came out in large numbers and played with colours. Farooq Abdullah, former chief minister, also joined in the celebrations and greeted the people on the occasion.

         In Bikaner in Rajasthan, a unique song and dance extravaganza, a day ahead of Holi, left audiences mesmerised. The unique feature of the pre-Holi celebrations here was a "fancy-dress" dance competition, where revellers dressed as their favourite characters danced to lively folk tunes. A large number of people gathered to see male dancers narrate "Holi" as played by Lord Krishna, and his divine consort Radha, which was also the main draw of the celebrations. The dances were complimented by folk musicians playing traditional musical instruments.

          Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated across northern India at the onset of spring. People put colour on each other, distribute sweets and take out processions, dancing to drums in a melange of colours. Rajasthan, or the land of kings, is a major tourist attraction owing to its rich cultural heritage. Folk dances, colourful costumes, jewellery, traditional music and dance have a powerful say in defining the identity of the state.

Over 100 injured as train derails in Chhattisgarh (Go To Top)

          Raipur: Over 100 people were injured when seven bogies of a passenger train derailed in Chhattisgarh's Korea district late on Friday night, senior officials said on Saturday. One of the passengers was killed. "The accident occurred near Darritola station, about 400 km from Raipur, when seven out of a total of eight bogies of Bishrampur- Bilaspur passenger train derailed around 11 pm, killing one person and injuring 100 others," Korea Collector Durgesh Mishra said after visiting the spot.

Eight injured in caste violence in UP (Go To Top)

          Unnao (UP): Eight people have been injured in caste-related violence in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. The clashes took place between members of two backward Muslim communities. Eyewitnesses said that what started as a drunken brawl soon escalated into a major clash when members of one community set ablaze huts belonging to people of the other community. "The men were eating food and children were playing. All of a sudden a group of 10 started hitting the men and later on burnt the houses...nothing is left," said Jahan Ara, whose hut was razed.

          Over a dozen huts were set ablaze by the mob. Police officials said that they have arrested about 10 persons for their involvement in the violence. The situation in the village is tense but under control. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area. Caste violence has flared in Unnao district in recent months. People are often burnt to death in caste-related violence and feudal disputes in rural India.

ESMA invoked to tackle truck strike (Go To Top)

          Mumbai: Authorities in Mumbai on Saturday invoked a tough law on the third day of the truckers' strike. More than 240 transporters have been booked under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) after 7,000 trucks went off the roads on Thursday. The transporters have gone off the road protesting a recent court order to phase out old vehicles. Though there was no shortage of essential goods in the city of nearly ten million people, prices of commodities have started going up and the strike has also robbed thousands of workers of their livelihood. "The amount of goods has been reduced by 50 ercent, we are unable to earn what we were earning earlier, half of it only. There is hardly any earning. We are unable to feed our family this way. We are not getting that much amount for unloading," said Manik Ram, a loader.

          The Bombay High court had ordered vehicles more than 15 years old to stop plying or change over to cleaner fuel, but on Wednesday allowed transporters time till March 31, 2005 to ensure their vehicles are CNG (compressed natural gas) compliant. Truckers want the government to either provide them with CNG kits, or allow the trucks to continue running on diesel.

BJP meet begins to review poll preparations (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday began a meeting at Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's residence to review preparations for the national polls beginning next month. The meeting is expected to discuss the internal assessment of the party's prospects in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka. General Secretary Pramod Mahajan would give a presentation on various aspects of the BJP's campaign and outline the steps that need to be taken to improve its electoral prospects. The BJP-led coalition is expected to win easily in elections starting next month, riding on Vajpayee's personal popularity. Vajpayee has called elections in April and May, nearly six months early, in a bid to capitalise on an economic boom, strong gains in state elections last December and a nascent peace process with Pakistan. The BJP is campaigning on a platform of development and good governance, and is expected to continue a gradual liberalisation of economy, Asia's third largest, if it wins another five-year term.

500 Badgam booths declared sensitive (Go To Top)

          Srinagar: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are ready to slog it out for the forthcoming national polls. The state will have polling in all four phases for just six constituencies. At least one million voters would exercise their franchise for the polls to be held on April 20, 25 and May 5 and 10. Out of 987 polling booths, 500 have been declared sensitive since they fall in Badgam district, one of the most violence prone areas of the state. The valley's main opposition National Conference (NC) party, which has ruled the state for most of the five decades since independence, has decided to go it alone this time.

         "If we wanted to go for an alliance, we would have never left NDA. We are not forging any alliance with any party. We want that we should fight alone on the six seats. And our effort will be that we should perform well on them. How much free and fair are the elections? That have to be seen by the Election Commission and Government of India," NC President Omar Abdullah said on Saturday. The NC has said Abdullah, who represented the Srinagar constituency in the last polls, is unlikely to join the electoral fray this time. Subsequently, the names of two senior leaders are being considered for the prestigious seat.

           The BJP for the first time will contest the Srinagar constituency, hoping to cash in on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's landmark peace initiative with Pakistan, in the Muslim-dominated state. "Overall, people are satisfied with the performance of political parties in the valley. We have gone to help people and not just for power. We have come as good friends and worked as social workers. People know for themselves and want to vote for BJP who have worked for them," said Ashraf Azad, BJP leader.

          The present Congress-People's Democratic Party alliance, led by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which formed the government in November 2002, is ready to take on the dynastic National Conference. "Now the morale of people is very high that we have been able to defeat National Conference. Earlier, people did not have confidence that somebody can defeat National Conference. Now after the assembly elections, people are coming to us and they are sure that the NC will be defeated," said Congress leader M.C.Vakil.

          The BJP, riding on the popularity of Vajpayee, is expected to win easily in elections starting next month. Vajpayee has called general elections, nearly six months early, in a bid to capitalise on an economic boom, strong gains in state elections last December and a nascent peace process with Pakistan. The BJP is campaigning on a platform of development and good governance, and is expected to continue a gradual liberalisation of India's economy, Asia's third largest, if it wins nother five-year term. Latest opinion polls predict that the main opposition Congress would win just 103 seats, an all-time low, although a stronger showing by its allies would lift the opposition coalition to 159-169 seats from 140 now.

PCB ends tiff with Pak players, they can shoot Pepsi India ad (Go To Top)

          Karachi: In an apparent conciliatory gesture to four of Pakistan's senior cricket players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has prevailed upon Pepsi India to shoot their commercial involving them in Lahore instead of Mumbai. Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, batsman Yousuf Youhana, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and wicket-keeper Moin Khan were initially stopped from flying down to Mumbai last week for the Pepsi shoot by PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan. Khan, however, relented and allowed them to shoot the commercial in Pakistan.

          "From what I know the shoot will now take place in Pakistan before the series. And I don't know if the Indian players would be involved in it," a senior PCB official was quoted by the News, as saying. "But we know that the Pepsi offices in India and Pakistan have now opted to go ahead with the shoot in Pakistan," he added. Sources also confirmed that the four players had put pressure on Khan to allow them to do the shoot as there was not only a lot of money involved in it, but a professional commitment to do the job. The unofficial figures for the commercial are said to be between 50, 000 dollars and 70,000 dollars for each player, which has also caused plenty of acrimony within the Board.

          The story goes that Shaharyar initially had given permission to the four to travel to India as he was under the impression that they were doing so on behalf of Pepsi Pakistan who have a long running team contract with the PCB. But when he learnt that the shoot was for Pepsi India and was told that it had approached the players directly for the contracts, he put his foot down. "Shaharyar conveyed his displeasure to the Pepsi people in India and Pakistan and also the top man for them in the region and Middle East. He also said that this direct approach to the players was an attempt to create disharmony in the Pakistani training camp in Lahore. The top Pepsi official then got in touch with Shaharyar and sorted things out fter which the next step apparently is do the shoot in Lahore with the dates of March 10 and 11 being quoted by the Board official.

No room left in Lahore's hotels! (Go To Top)

          Lahore: Hotels in Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city, are already overbooked in anticipation of the arrival of the Indian cricket team next week. "From the posh five-star to the middle class, all hotels have been sold out in Lahore," travel agent Irfan Ahmed was quoted by the News, as saying. "The cricket enthusiasm will surpass the usual boisterous annual kite flying festival of Basant when the city of eight million goes berserk with joy," Nadeem Qadir, the general manager of a four-star hotel, was quoted by a foreign news agency, as saying. He added that his hotel was booked to capacity starting from March 15 until late April because of the cricket matches. Roadside eateries and restaurants known for traditional dishes are also undergoing a facelift, while shopkeepers are planning special lighting in main bazaars, officials here were quoted by the News, as saying.

           Even the city's taxi drivers are upbeat as the big event draws closer. Led by Sourav Ganguly, the 15-member Indian team is due here on March 10, the first to take place in nearly 15 years. The Indians will play a practice game here before flying to Karachi to play the first of the five one-day matches on March 13. Lahore will also host two day and night matches on March 21 and 23 as well as a Test match later. Lahore's three international-standard hotels have a capacity of around 1,000 rooms. Most of the 8,000 Indian fans will be arriving here through the Wagah border, the only land crossing between the two counties. Others are expected to fly into the city from different countries. "If you are calling for a booking, we are sorry we have no room until April 25," the News quoted Pearl Continental hotel's deputy general manager, Haseeb Gardezi, as saying. The hotels have also raised the tariff to 330 dollars a day from the usual 100 to 120 dollars. Smaller hotels have also increased their room rents from 30 dollars to 150 dollars a day.

Heads of state-level security for Indian cricketers (Go To Top)

          Lahore: Taking no chances for the upcoming tour of the Indian cricket team, authorities here have put in place unprecedented security arrangements. "The sort of security arrangements that are being made are usually reserved for heads of state," said Shahrayar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

          The arrangements include the deployment of five or six decoy vehicles, some 2,500 police and Special Branch plainclothesmen at the Gaddafi Stadium, the venue for the Lahore matches, bomb sweeps and an Elite Force escort for the visitors, a senior police official said here Friday. All routes and enclosures, including the pavilion, dressing rooms and hotel rooms of the Indian team, will be combed regularly for explosives, he said. A special reaction force has also been put together to respond within minutes to any reported incident.

          The cricket board, Federal and Provincial governments have set up a control and coordinationroom and the power company has been asked to ensure stable electricity to ensure that terrorists "do not take advantage of the dark", said the senior official. Police are also advising ticket holders to arrive at the venue at least three hoursprior to the match. Parking will be at a safe distance from the stadium, into which spectators will not be allowed to bring anything, including cell phones, he said.

          "We are on maximum security alert. No one will be allowed to mar the atmosphere of growing cordiality between the two countries," a security official was quoted by the Daily Times, as saying. "Pakistanis don't want any trouble but there's always some idiot who might chuck a bottle into the arena and that may cause the Indian team to pull out," M.U. Haq, a former Pakistan cricket player, was quoted, as saying. The Indian team will be restricted to a "very limited" entertainment programme, said the PCB chairman. "Neither the Pakistani nor Indian team will be allowed to go anywhere except the grounds and their hotel," Khan said.

Bottomlines

Post-nipplegate, Janet Jackson returns to the boob tube! (Go To Top)

          Washington: Post-Nipplegate, Janet Jackson is now all set to appear on the tube for the first time. According to a report in ratethemusic.com', it has been confirmed the dusky babe will host the live weekly late-night satirical show 'Saturday Night Live' on 10 April. She last appeared on the show a decade ago, as a musical guest. Show producer Marci Klein has no qualms about hooking the star and expects her hosting appointment to become one of the show's biggest hits. "She's a huge star and this is a huge booking. We are just thrilled," Klein said.

          Aguilera drops drinks on people who don't like her! London: This is what Christina Aguilera does to people who don't like her. The singer, who won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance allegedly dropped a drink onto ex- People mag style guru Steven Cojocaru . She did it because "she doesn't like what he says about her (and her clothes) on TV." According to the Star Magazine, the incident took place at the Polaroid OutKast Grammy party held on Feb. 8 in a private L.A. mansion. A drink was dropped from a balcony onto Cojocaru. Although Aguilera's rep denies that she was the drink dumper, Star People has revealed that the dirty move was made by none other than Christina.

Charlize Theron is planning some more murders! (Go To Top)

          Washington: Charlize Theron it seems has a penchant for playing a killer. Or so it seems. The actress who won the Oscar for the best actress for her gripping portrayal of the real life serial killer, Aileen Wuornos in 'Monster' is again bracing herself for the act. According to the National Inquirer, the beautiful actress is playing the lead in the film, "Aeon Flux," which is based on the MTV animated series about an assassin living in a modern, but destroyed world 400 years in the future.

Museli nut, the new natural Viagra! (Go To Top)

          London: In Jamaica a humble museli nut is being hailed for putting back the zing into the sex lives of its men who are touting the high fibre cereal made by Dorset Cereals based in Poundbury, as the natural viagra. The cereal has been found boosting sexual stamina for thousands on the paradise Caribbean isle. Locals have been so busy getting their oats that shops have run out of the high-fibre morning meal.

          "A lot of men here have sex on the brain so they think a high fibre level will boost their sex drive."Gifford Williams, head of sales in Jamaica for Dorset was quoted as saying by the Sun. Dorset, who had been exporting the cereal since 1989,was intrigued by the sudden increase in the demand. "We asked our exporters to try to find out ... and were a bit surprised at the reasons", said Terry Crabb, Managing Director Dorset. "Apparently many local people, mainly men, said their sexual stamina improved after they ate super high - mixed with Guinness."Crabb was quoted saying y the report.

Cat treks 100 miles in 40 days to return home in China! (Go To Top)

          London: A cat in Beijing deserted by its owner has returned home after walking more than 100 kilometres in 40 days. According to a report in Ananova, the owner of the three-year-old cat gave it away to a friend because she was fed up of coping with its poor hygiene. However, the homesick cat managed to make its way back to Beijing after walking for 40 days.

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