Main Page                                                                 Archives

 

Foreign experts offer to quit Planning Commission

         New Delhi: Experts from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and McKinsey have reportedly offered to quit from the Planning Commission's consultative committees because of the brewing political storm over their appointment. Officials of these three institutions have reportedly contacted Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New York with their offer to enable the UPA government to reach and acceptable understanding with the Left, one of its key allies. Neither of the organisations, however, is willing to comment on the issue. The Left's experts to have said that they will not attend today's meetings.

Meghalaya Minister, MLAs killed in copter crash (Go To Top)

        Shillong: At least eight people, including Meghalaya minister Cyprian Sangma and some MLAs, were feared killed when a Pawan Hans helicopter crashed today at Kyndemkulai near Barapani, about 20 km from here. Police said the helicopter was run by the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC). MTC sources said Sangma and MLAs, including Ardhendu Choudhuri (NCP) and Helton Marak (United Democratic Party), were among the passengers.

Karnataka HC upholds 3-tier fee structure (Go To Top)

        Bangalore: The Karnataka High Court today upheld a petition that calls for a three-tier fee structure for the year. The academic and student fraternities of professional colleges and the state government introduced the petition. This means that admissions made so far will not be disturbed and there will be no fresh counselling. It also means that students admitted that under the management quota they would have to pay higher fees. The news has come as a major relief for students who have been waiting for months to get admission into professional colleges in Karnataka.

Mufti escapes unhurt in grenade attack (Go To Top)

        Anantnag: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti narrowly escaped a grenade attack today in Anantnag. He had come here to file his nomination papers for the Pahalgam Assembly seat, from where he is contesting the by-poll. According to the latest reports, at least two persons were injured in the attack. They were admitted in the Anantnag district Hospital. The Assembly seat was vacated by Mufti's daughter Mehbooba after she got elected to the Parliament in the last general elections.

Ghost scares away students in a statistical institute in Delhi (Go To Top)

         New Delhi: What are the odds of a ghost knocking on doors in a college? The Indian Statistical Institute, a prestigious college for statisticians in New Delhi, wears a deserted look these days. Fear of a ghost who knocks on doors and wafts the scent of aftershave lotion along corridors of the campus has forced the students of the institute to bunk classes. Students say that the ghost of a dead classmate had knocked on doors, jostled them on staircases and left traces of aftershave lotion and cigarette smoke. Head of Statistical Institute, Rajeev Karandikar, denied reports of a local newspaper and said that the only logical explanation for the story could be that either the students are hallucinating things or else it is just another prank played by them. "All I am saying is that the only rationale explanation per se is that either they are imagining things or somebody is playing the prank. I am not saying that it is one or the other , also it is very likely that it is a combination of the two. A small element of prank and why students play pranks in hostel I don't have to go into that. It's just for having fun," said Karandikar. Students linked the aftershave aroma to a first-year student who died last month of a rare heart condition. Namrata, a student of the institute, said that the panic is more as a result of emotional trauma attached to the death of a classmate rather than due to a spirit. "It's more of a pyschological effect because these people experienced the death of their classmate and when you stay in a hostel you tend to get very close to each other as you spend almost all the time together. So when you see somebody so close to you lying out there, it's more of a panic and shock that has overwhelmed them rather than anything else," said Namrata. A fear psychosis has gripped some students, forcing them to quit the institute. Even as the number of students attending the classes has fallen sharply, the institute has not been officially closed down.

Court frames charges against 16 accused in Best Bakery case (Go To Top)

         Mumbai: A Bombay court today laid fresh charges against 16 men acquitted of murder during deadly Hindu-Muslim riots in 2002 in what is seen as an attempt to ensure a fair trial for the victims. The day to day trials start from October 4. A city court in Mumabi, ruled in favour of the prosecution and separated the cases of five men who are absconding. The court had given police a week to charge the men in connection with religious riots in western state of Gujarat and another week to catch the five suspects. Known as the Best Bakery case-after the Muslim-run bakery in Gujarat's Baroda city where the grisly murders took place-the trial is symbolic of the failure to win any major convictions over the riots in which more than 1,000 people were killed. DS Jambaulikar, counsel for the accused, said the court framed charges against the 16 accused after the Baroda police said they were yet to apprehend the five men and suspected they may have fled into the jungle. "The charges have been framed against the 16 accused in the riot case. And hearing will be on October 4," said Jambaulikar. Jambaulikar added that the witness list will be submitted to court on the 28th September. Manjula Rao, Assistant Special Public Prosecutor, said: "Others have been charged under section 149 like robbery, dacoity. From the 4th October trials will start."

Maharashtra all set for polls as nominations end (Go To Top)

         New Delhi: The Congress and main opposition BJP- Shiv Sena are all set for a crucial electoral battle as nominations ended on Wednesday for polls in the key Maharashtra. The 288-member Maharashtra goes to polls on October 13. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), desperate for a comeback after its shock defeat in the national elections, is riding high on a staunch Hindu fervor sparked by a violent campaign against a long dead and buried Muslim general. Contesting in alliance with the right-wing Shiv Sena, it has slammed the Congress for political vendetta after its senior leader was jailed and then released after withdrawal of charges by the government. In Mumbai, the BJP has roped in many new faces including political novices, mainly to cash in on mass public disgust with seasoned leaders. "I have joined politics so that I can change the outlook of the people. I am a young woman. I can contribute the best," BJP candidate Shaina NC, who is a fashion designer, said. The state is currenly ruled by a Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance. After weeks of infighting over seat sharing the alliance is finally ready for the battle.

Tiranga Yatra my last political step: Uma Bharti (Go To Top)

        Mathura: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti today declared that she would quit politics after completing the 16-day Tiranga Yatra in Amritsar. Addressing a public meeting here, Uma said: "Politics is increasingly becoming petty. I have realized that posts are not as important as campaigns for public awakening." The yatra was launched from Hubli in Karnataka on September 10, days after Bharti's release from detention in connection with a 1994 rioting case. Bharti had then played a leading role in provoking the incident by hoisting the tricolour at the Idgah Maidan in Hubli.

India formally announces bid for UNSC seat (Go To Top)

        New York: India has officially announced that it would make efforts to get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna said this in New York on Tuesday evening. "We have put forward our candidature in the context of a larger issue i.e. the need for making the United Nations more representative of the current international realities. The reality is very different from what it was in 1945, everybody knows about it. Also we are taking about making UN more representative, more effective," Sarna said. New Delhi has, for long, been pressing for its membership in the enlarged UN saying the country deserves a more dominant role in world affairs. Japan and Germany, which are amongst the most likely candidates in an expanded Council, have consistently backed New Delhi's claim receiving reciprocal support. At present there are five permanent members on the Security Council - US, UK, China, France and Russia.

Bush, Musharraf meet in New York (Go To Top)

         New York: US President Bush met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. With its major role Pakistan is a frontline state in the U.S.- led global war in terrorism, including the hunt for al-Qaida terrorists in the border region with Afghanistan. After arriving in the United States, General Musharraf warned Monday Washington could lose the war on terror if it does not address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other political disputes. He said Muslims feel their religion is being targeted, especially by Washington's strong support of Israel over Palestinian concerns. During the crucial meeting which lasted for around an hour the two presidents to discussed relations between neighbors Pakistan and India, elimination of global terrorism cooperation in defence area. Mr. Bush also met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

Musharraf says no LoC talk with Manmohan (Go To Top)

         New York: Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has ruled out any talks regarding the re-adjustment of the Line of Control in Kashmir. According to the Daily Times, Musharraf currently on a visit to the US to attend the UN General Assembly summit categorically refuted any suggestions regarding talks on readjustment of the LoC to come up in his scheduled talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. His statements carry significance as they come soon after denials by the PMO that the Prime Minister had in his interview to Time Magazine spoken about a re-adjustment of the LoC. Reiterating that Pakistan was looking forward to solve the Kashmir problem "with an open mind", he said that the dialogue process should be carried forward in earnest with a view to solve all issues including Kashmir.

HCL bucks trend to set up call centre in Belfast (Go To Top)

        London: HCL Technologies is to set up a call centre in Northern Ireland, going against the market trend of global majors from across the world offloading their call centre jobs to India. According to The Mirror, Indian IT major HCL BPO has decided to set up a call centre in Belfast as part of its 1.9 million pounds investment in Northern Ireland. "Belfast is an integral part of our business development strategy," the paper quoted Ranjit Narasimhan HCL boss in Ulster as saying. Although HCL has under its operation a 1000 team strong call centre in South Belfast, this 250 member strong new venture will be its first call centre in the country as the previous one was a takeover by the firm from BT way back in 2001. Northern Ireland Economic Minister Barry Gardiner was also very pleased with the new venture as not only would it earn the state more revenue but also create a lot of job opportunities for the people. Terming the development as "especially significant as it reverses the trend" he said that it was nice that " a leading company from India was investing in Northern Ireland."

Indian hockey team leaves for Karachi (Go To Top)

         New Delhi: After shattering the hopes of billions of Indians at the Athens Olympics 2004, the Indian hockey team left today for Karachi to take part in a four Test series against Pakistan. The team, led by defender Dilip Tirkey, will play the first test on September 24 in Karachi, followed by three other test matches in Quetta, Peshawar and Lahore on September 27, 29 and October 1, respectively.