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No SC permission for Taj Mahal festival

          New Delhi: The Supreme Court today declined to pass an order permitting the holding of the Taj Mahotsav near the 17th century monument, which celebrates its 350th anniversary this year. The Uttar Pradesh government has been asked to get the required environmental and security clearances before any decision is to be taken to use the Taj for any such celebrations. The ban on night viewing of the Taj also continues. "We cannot permit you to hold it without getting the views of the Archaeological Survey of India and security agencies under the Home Ministry," the apex court said in its order today.

Ganesh Chaturthi comes to an end with immersion of idols

         Mumbai: The ten-day long festival "Ganesh Chaturthi" came to an end today with the immersion of Ganesha idols. The festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, signifying good omen and prosperity. In Mumbai, lakhs of people carrying the Ganesha idols amidst beating of drums, reached beaches in processions and immersed the huge idols. Thousands of huge idols worshipped in public for 10 days were taken out in the procession. The height of the idols varied from five to over 20 feet. This year innovations ran high with devotees adorning their favourite god with gold ornaments and lacing him with dry fruits. "We enjoyed a lot in these 10 days. But now Ganpati Bappa is going, we do not want him to go," said Sai Gorpode. Gurvinder Singh, a Sikh who has been celebrating the Hindu festival for past 18 years, said the celebrations symbolise communal harmony. "It is a symbol of communal harmony. Everybody, irrespective of religion and caste, celebrate this festival," said Singh. For years, Ganesh Chaturthi was a personal affair celebrated within homes. But at the turn of the century, freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak converted it into a public event, using it as a platform for political propaganda and unity.

EU delegates meet Kashmiri separatists (Go To Top)

           Srinagar: A five-member delegation of the European Union (EU) today met APHC leaders in Srinagar. The delegation met the separatist leaders to invite them for the Kashmir-EU week being held in Brussels on October 11. Led by Eric F. ch. Niehe, the EU delegation also held talks with moderate leader Moulvi Abbas Ansari, who recently quit as chairman after differences with the hardline faction over talks with New Delhi. The Indian government had last week announced unconditional talks with APHC with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil expected to tour the state in early October.

Uma Bharati spits venom after completing her flag march (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday felicitated former MP Chief Minister Uma Bharati who concluded her 16-day long contrywide flag march last week. Uma was forced to quit after being implicated in a 10-year-old case of inciting riot after hoisting the national tricolour in a disputed area in Hubli. Bharti was released from the prison earlier this month after the case was withdrawn by Centre and state ruling Congress-led Karnataka government. Since her release Bharti criss crossed India in a chariot rally aimed apparently at highlighting nationalism and the shortcomings of the Congress-led central government. "When an Muslim goes for pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina, he carries the national flag to put on his tent. There is no crime to hoist a flag in that Arab country, but it is a crime to hoist a flag in that ground in Karanataka state. This is all vote bank politics," Bharti told reporters at the felicitation ceremony organised by her BJP here. Bharati's rally ended at the historic Jalianwalla Bagh, on Saturday.

Excise commissioner caught offering bribe to CBI inspector (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: The Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) today arrested Joint Commissioner, Central Excise, Umesh Kumar Goel at Nasik offering bribe to a CBI inspector. The CBI has produced Goel in a court in Ahmedabad. Joint Commissioner Goel who is a 1992 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Services had tried to contact the CBI inspector from time to time, and asked for some favour in connection with a enquiry which was being conducted. The enquiry was conducted for some diamond deal in which the Commissioner was involved and some evidence was found. On the basis of a complaint by the CBI inspector, a trap was laid and the excise official was caught while offering Rs. two lakh. Both the Commissiner and a private person , Dimple Kothari were arrested were arrested and Rs 4.10 lakhs were recovered from their car. A case has been registered against the accused persons under setion 12 of prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and further investigation is in progress. "Today we have caught a Joint Commisoner of Central Excise posted in Nasik when tried to bribe a CBI official with Rs 2 lakhs. A private person has also been arrested for helping the commissioner. A complain was previously filed against the Commissioner for which he wanted to influence the CBI official," said G Mohanty, DPIO, CBI.

Shiv Sena launches Maharashtra poll campaign  (Go To Top)

         Mumbai: The Shiv Sena today formally launched its election campaign for the ensuing Maharashtra Assembly polls, slated to take place on October 13. The party opened an election office in central Mumbai. Speaking on the occasion former chief minister Narayan Rane said that party chief Bal Thakeray will start with the campaign from Kolhapur and then move towards Konkan. "We will go to Mahalaxmi Mandir in Kolhapur and after taking the blessings from there only we will start with our campaign," said Narayen Rane. Rane also said that Shiv Sena-BJP alliance would also cash in on the differences between the Congress and the NCP in western Maharashtra. "In western Maharashtra we should get a number of seats. We want to take advantage of the differences between the two Congresses there," he added. X

Now have booze in Delhi bars till 1:00 am (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: The Delhi government has decided to allow bars to remain open till 1:00 a.m. and those at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to operate round-the-clock. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by State Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Finance Minister AK Walia said. The date from which the new timings would come into effect was, however, not decided, the minister said. This is the second major decision by the Delhi government in its bid to encourage night-life. Earlier, it allowed all the markets to remain open till 11 p.m.

Maharashtra Congress cracks the whip on rebels (Go To Top)

         Mumbai: Five rebel Congressmen were today expelled from the party, just ahead of the Maharashtra state assembly elections scheduled for October 13. They are Madan Bhosle, from Wai, Sanjay Patil from Tasgaon, Harbans Singh from Navi Mumbai, Bimrao Dhos from Srigonda and Bhimrao Dhonde from Beed. Bhosle, who is contesting as an independent from Wai in Satara district, has already resigned from the party. AICC secretaries working in different regions of Maharashtra are reportedly meeting today to assess the problem faced due to rebels. Meanwhile, the campaign schedule of Congress President Sonia Gandhi is also being finalised. There will be two to three joint rallies by Gandhi and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. The Congress is also scheduled to release its manifesto on Tuesday or Wednesday, while the Sena BJP joint manifesto will be released on Tuesday.

Veteran thumri singer Shobha Gurtu dead (Go To Top)

          Mumbai: Noted thumri vocalist Shobha Gurtu passed away here this morning after suffering a heart attack. She was 79. Gurtu had been admitted to a city hospital here a fortnight ago following cardiac problems but was discharged, as she felt better. Known as the Queen of Thumri, Gurtu's career spanned over five decades. A disciple of Kamal Khan, Gurtu, acquired a command over pure classical music, but was better known for her light classical renditions. She is survived by her two sons. Many noted names of the music industry arrived at her house in Worli to offer their condolences.She was later cremated at the Dadar Shivaji Park crematorium . Roop Kumar Rathod, a playback singer, who knew her personally, stated that he was shocked by Gurtu's demise and described her as a great human being. "It's an ending of a history...of a chapter.I feel its a great loss for us. She was not only a great classical singer but also a wonderful human being",said Rathod. "Its a great loss.I think she was the epitome of Maharasthra as she promoted Thumri in Maharashtra.She was very kind- hearted," said Pandit Ajai Pohankar, a classical singer. She had also created musical scores for several Marathi and Hindi movies. In recognition of her contribution, she was honoured with the Sangeet Sahitya Academy award and the Padma Bhusan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has expressed his sorrow over Gurtu's death. Conveying his condolences to members of the bereaved family, Singh said that the late Gurtu's "mellifluous voice enchanted generations of music lovers - professionals and amateurs alike. In her passing away, the world of classical music has lost an exceptional singer and a fine human being."