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LOC fencing in Poonch almost complete

         Jammu: Fencing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector is almost complete, bringing a degree of comfort to civilians living in the area. The fence is covering almost all areas of the LoC from Poonch Khari to the Kharmaraha Border to Sawajian area of Mandi border. The civilians have expressed their happiness. "Now when the fence is on the LoC, we are satisfied from this fence on the border, we are living with peace. Jawans are alert on the both sides, which is protecting us," said Mohammad Shaji, Sarpanch of Karmatha. Gates are also constructed in the fence, so that the movement of the civilians can be monitored. The schools are also operating peacefully on the both sides of the fences. "Now everything is under control. Previoulsy there used to be frequent firings, there was firing even in the schools but now everything is smoothly running. Around it is benefitting 100 students who come to study here from areas nearer to the border," said Hardev Singh, the headmaster of the Malti School. The Army is also satisfied with the fencing.

GSLV carrying EDUSAT blasts off from Sriharikota (Go To Top)

        Sriharikota: India added another feather to its cap in space technology and stole a march over other countries by launching EDUSAT, its first exclusive satellite for educational sector, from here on Monday. The satellite will give a fillip to distance education in the country. The 49-metre tall Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV- F-01), carrying EDUSAT, lifted off majestically into the sky from the Satish Dhawan Research Centre here this evening, amid applause by the ISRO scientists headed by ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair, his predecessor Dr Kasturi Rangan and other scientists and engineers. A little over 17 minutes after the blast off, the satellite, weighing 1950 kg, was placed into the Geostationary Orbit. It will be co-located with Kalpana-1 and INSAT-3C satellites, already in orbit. Built for a mission life of seven years, the satellite was carried by the first operational flight (F-01) of the GSLV. The GSLV had placed GSAT-1 and GSAT-2 experimental satellites in orbit in April 2001 and May 2003 in its two 'develpmental' test flights. The EDUSAT will help in establishing connectivity between urban educational institutions imparting quality education and large number of rural and semi-urban educational institutions which lacked good infrastructure.

20-day shutdown in Manipur begins (Go To Top)

         Imphal: A 20-day shutdown called by the 32 organization strong Apun Lap has begun, bringing normal life in the state to a complete standstill. The shutdown was called after the state's Chief Minister, I.Singh reiterated that the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act will not be lifted. Claiming that there has been no invitation from the government for talks, the organization has also decided to ask for a ban on Hindi books being taught in educational institutions, including schools, colleges and at the NCC level. Meanwhile, buses and trucks have stopped plying on national highways linking Manipur to other parts of the country from midnight following the blockade call. All passenger buses plying between Imphal and Guwahati along NH 39 and Imphal and Silchar along NH 53 have stopped services, despite assurances of special security. However, there will be no blockade of the highway in Naga areas.

Don't take fresh statement from Zaheera Sheikh: SC (Go To Top)

         New Delhi: The Supreme Court today told the Gujarat police not to take a fresh statement from Zaheera Sheikh, the key witness in the Best Bakery case. The court said that the police should instead rely on the statement given by Zaheera to the Maharashtra Police. The court has also directed the Maharashtra police to make available the copy of her statement to their Gujarat counter part after 14 days. Today's order came on a petition filed by the Gujarat police, saying that they need to summon Zaheera to record her complaint against BJP MLA Madhu Srivastav.

Bharti to appear again before Hubli court on Oct 14 (Go To Top)

        Hubli: A Hubli court has again asked former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti to appear before it on October 14. The senior BJP leader had surrendered before the court last month in response to a non-bailable arrest warrant issued in connection with a 1994 criminal case. The order came on a petition filed by an NGO challenging Bharti's release from jail, following the Karnataka government's decision to drop the case against her. Meanwhile, the 16-day "Tiranga Yatra" led by Bharti entered Rajasthan today and is scheduled to reach Dholpur later this evening. She will address a public meeting at Bari-field ground in Dholpur at around 6.30 p.m.

Munde files nomination for Maharashtra polls (Go To Top)

        Ambajogai (Maharashtra): Gopinath Munde, the president of the BJP's Maharashtra unit, today filed his nomination papers to contest the state assembly elections from the Renapur constituency in Beed district. Munde was accompanied by his wife Pradnya, three daughters and party workers. Elections are to be held on October 13.

BJP MPs leave for Port Blair (Go To Top)

          Chennai: A 49-member strong contingent of BJP MPs left for Port Blair today for the launch of a satyagraha to restore Savarkar's plaque. BJP President M.Venkaiah Naidu is leading the team. Senior party leader Sushma Swaraj will be leading tomorrow's satyagraha at the Cellular Jail. Talking to reporters before his departure, Naidu said that the BJP is committed to the restoration of Savarkar's plaque. "Tomorrow's programme should be an eye opener to this government. I only appeal to the government, to the Prime Minister to immediatley order the restoration of the plaque of Veer Savarkar," said Naidu. Naidu also confirmed that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will be attending the concluding meet of Tiranga Yatra at Jallianwala Bagh on September 25. "Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee is going to Amritsar on 25th to participate in the conclusion of the Tiranga Yatra which had commenced at Hubli and it will be cuminating at a function at Jallianwala Bagh," said Naidu.

And oh yes, it does have a name  (Go To Top)
by TNS Behl

          On Board Air India One: Given the popular perception of Air India in the high sky world, it's nothing short of a rabbit out of a hat for the country's flag carrier. For someone who's been reared on the cattle class treatment meted out by sundry airlines to economy segment passengers, Air India One - yup, that's the call sign of the Prime Minister's official aircraft - could well be called the first among equals and that, is about as literal as one can get. Granted that Indian hospitality has always sold itself on its warmth, but this was a wee bit too hot under the collar as one was greeted by a 'warm' welcome inside the aircraft since the airconditioning was off. things cooled down only once the aircraft started taxiing to the runaway.

          But hey, all is not lost - it's a Boeing 747-400 specially modified with seats spacious enough to cuddle up and snooze off with push-up footrests under the seat. And since they always order upto 50 percent more food than the specified number of passengers, gorging just never goes out of fashion 40,000 feet above the ground. Not to mention that devotees of Bacchus have a choice, that if sampled in its entirety, could leave one sozzled for over a week! Ahem! The last mentioned part is entirely 'unofficial' since the PM's aircraft never serves liquor. What is they say about what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over! Before one starts getting visions of an Indian version of Air Force One, a few sobering thoughts - remember that Harrison Ford flick by the same name? Well, without going into the specifics for risk of letting out a few security secrets, let's just say that none of the special effects that were seen in the movie are available on this aircraft. Strange, how a few minor things can make a believer out of an agnostic, especially if one happens to be more than 11 km above the ground.

         The good thing about Air India One - and this one's a genuine compliment - is the staff. Certainly not grouchy that is so much a fashion statement in state-owned airlines. For one, the smiles are genuine and the service is efficient. Like the flight attendant pointed out, it's but natural that the tension is just that little bit more when one is playing host to not only to the country's top honcho, but also the who's who of the Fourth Estate. The saving grace is that the man who's the raison d'etre for everybody aboard the aircraft himself is the most undemanding of people as far as dietary habits are concerned - a simple dal, roti, chawal and maybe the occasional fish or chicken curry. Of course, as the inflight supervisor recalled, it's often the simplest things that can cause major upsets - circa 1971 when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and the aircraft had the best of everything, right from the cheese, caviar, wines and the works, except for sandwiches. No prizes for guessing what the original Mrs G had then ordered! Of course, the menu is far more inclusive in the present era with assorted cookies, nibbles and yes, sandwiches offered as fillers on demand. This, as the veterans in hackdom point out, is the hack's version of heaven. Till touchdown come!

Three Indian 'Men in Blue' board Air India One (Go To Top)

         On Board the Air India One: Was it just sheer coincidence or a designed' commonality that saw all three Sikh gentlemen in the official Indian delegation to the UK and the US, right from Manmohan Singh to Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Navtej Singh Sarna sport a similar coloured turban - light blue. Ever since the mild mannered economics wonder man of India became the country's chief executive - even if by default - the colour blue seems to have become a favourite, even in the mandarin circles of India. For a man who's often been touted as simplicity's brand icon, setting a fashion statement would certainly have been the last thing on his agenda. Not that the venerable doctor would be complaining, we guess!

Economist Manmohan gets politically savvy (Go To Top)

        On Board Air India One: His credentials as an economist and as a finance minister were never in doubt, but now it appears that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is becoming politically consummate as the representative of a billion plus people residing in a single country. In an informal chat with the accompanying media delegation on board the special aircraft, Singh spelt out his priorities for the upcoming bilaterals with various world leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, which will include meetings with President George Bush, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. That economics and blateral relations will be the thrust of the Prime Minister's visit are evident from the inclusion of the Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.

          Setting the agenda for his meeting with Bush, which comes on the heels of the US lifting export restrictions on nuclear technology to Indian firms, imposed after the Pokharan blasts in 1998, Singh described it as significant given the latter's domestic political compulsions because of the Presidential elections in November later this year. "The fact that President Bush is meeting me is an indication of the importance he attaches to the US' ties with India. We would like to assure the US that whatever initiatives were taken by the earlier regime, we are committed to it," Singh pointed out. Another issue that is likely to crop up in the meeting of the chief executives of the world's two biggest democracies is debate over India's inclusion in the Permanent Members of the Security Council of the UN, something which the US has consistently dithered on or even opposed along with China while the other three Permanent Members - UK, Russia and France - have supported India's claims. "My address to the UN GA will also focus on the reforms needed in the Security Council, which is essential and making it (SC) a more representative body of a fast changing world," Singh added. He said that India has legitimate claim to the membership of the Security Council and that the world community should recognise these claims. But perhaps the most media hyped bilateral will be the meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, coming as it does after the general's rather strident tone that would tell the Indian PM in unequivocal terms that Pakistan will not give up its rights on the Kashmir issue. Choosing a firm but not-so-militant tone, Singh said that he attached great importance to the relationship between the two nuclear armed sub-continental rivals. "The two of us (himself and Musharraf) can make whatever contributions we can to normalise relations between the two countries. Fortunatley, there's a new climate since January 2004 and if terrorism remains firmly under control, I look forward to a dialogue between the two countries and we can write a new chapter in the history of the subcontinent," Singh remarked. Conscious perhaps of the fact that he is not yet an elected Member of the Parliament on a popular mandate, Singh also observed that there have to be mutually acceptable solutions for problems between India and Pakistan.

Pak journos get the special treatment from Uncle Sam (Go To Top)

         New York: It seems America's immigration and naturalisation service does'nt give damn about President Pervez Musharraf's "friendly relationship" with US President George W Bush or that the two countries are hand-in-glove in the global war against terror. This was starkly evident when Pakistani journalists covering Musharraf's six-day visit to the US, were grilled by the US immigration for nearly two hours in New York. According to the Daily Times, the immigration officials did'nt even spare two of them who had recently visited the country, one of them on a State Department-sponsored visit. In the words of one journalist, they were given "special attention." Those grilled included Daily Times Islamabad bureau chief Rana Qaiser, Rana Tahir of Jang, Sarmad Salik of The News and Riffat Saeed of Takbir.

UK condemns terrorism in J-K, backs India on UNSC seat (Go To Top)

        London: Britain on Monday condemned terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and firmly backed India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. "We totally and completely condemn any terrorism associated with Kashmir as we do with terrorism anywhere else in the world," British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here after their half-an-hour talks.

Singh, Blair ink Joint statement to expand cooperation (Go To Top)

         London: In a further boost to bilateral relations between India and Britain, Prime Ministers Dr. Manmohan Singh and Tony Blair today inked a joint statement to agree to work together to ensure that global norms against terrorism are upheld by all countries. The declatration also envisages cooperation in defence, civilian nuclear and space programmes and hi-technology trade. The statement came after one-to-one discussion between Singh and Blair, which was followed by a luncheon meeting involving senior officials of the two sides. Two sides reaffirmed their commitment to work towards promoting international peace, stability and security, they also shared the view that a strengthened multilateral system, including a reformed UN Security Council that would reflect the changing aspirations of the 21st century was an important element of this process. Under the strategic partnership covering 15 points, the two countries, among other things, decided to explore the co- production of defence equipment, work towards the objective of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery. The declaration said the two countries were deeply committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "We will work together to try to ensure that the global norms against terrorism are upheld by all countries."

IHF announces team for Indo-Pak series (Go To Top)

         Chandigarh: The Indian Hockey Federation today appointed defender Dilip Tirkey as captain for the forthcoming four-Test series against Pakistan in Pakistan. Tirkey will lead an 18-member squad for the series that starts on September 24. Announcing the team, IHF President KPS Gill said the federation was looking at the series as part of their team building process for the next year's Champions Trophy and hence he was not entertaining high expectations from it in Pakistan. He also ruled out the need for a psychologist with the team. The Indian team would play the Tests in Karachi (September 24), Quetta (September 27), Peshawar (September 29) and Lahore (October 1) before hosting the neighbours in the four match return series from October 4-10 The opening tie of the return series will be played in New Delhi (October 4), Chandigarh (October 6), Amritsar (October 8) and Hyderabad (October 10). The team is as follows: Goalkeepers - Adrian D Souza, Devesh Chauhan; Defenders - Dilip Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, Harpal Singh, William Xalxo; Midfielders - Viren Rasquinha, Vikram Pillay, Ignace Tirkey, V S Vinay, Prabodh Tirkey, Vivek Gupta; Forwards - Adam Sinclair, Arjun Halappa, Sandeep Michael, Tushar Khandekar, Hari Prasad, Girish Pimpale. Standbyes: Bharat Chhetri,Raghunath, Samuel Nag, Birender Kalra and Inderjit Chaddha.