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Sankracharya performs 'most sacred puja'

     Kalavai: A day after being released from Vellore jail, Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi today performed 'Dhanur Masya' pooja of Lord Chandramouliswarar at Kalavai mutt, about 50 kms from Kancheepuram. According to the mutt sources, Dhanur Nasya--the pooja considered to be the "most sacred", was performed at the mutt's 'Brindavan' (Samadhis) between four and five this morning. The senior pontiff was in a cheerful mood and later retired. He performed three 'Kala' poojas last night, mutt sources added. This was the first 'Dhanur Masya' pooja for the seer in the year, as he had been under arrest in the Sankararaman murder case for the last two months. The Sankaracharya is staying at 'Brindavan', Samadhis of 66th and 67th Peetathipathis of Kanchi mutt, after the Supreme Court ordered his release from Vellore jail on bail in the murder case but with the condition that he would not visit the mutt till investigations are completed.

Another politician killed in Tamil Nadu (Go To Top)

     Madurai: First a former DMK minister, then an AIADMK MLA and now a member of the Congress party. Tamil Nadu has witnessed the murder of three politicians in ten days. The latest victim, Karate Pandi, a gangster and a member of the Congress party, was hacked to death in Madurai while he sat in his car on Monday night. The first one to be killed was Aladi Aruna, a former DMK minister. Then it was sitting AIADMK MLA K Sudarsanam, murdered near Chennai on January 9. Pandi, the 36-year-old politician originally belonged to the Tamil Maanila Congress. Way back in 1998, Pandi's brother and nephew were killed because of political rivalry. A party councillor Singathevan was blamed for the murders. However, a few months after the incident, Pandi's group allegedly killed Singathevan. Now six years later, Pandi has been murdered as he stood witness in his brothers' murder trial. "Pandi did not agree for a compromise. The other group felt that they would be certainly convicted if Pandi is alive. So they finished him off," said Pandi's brother-in-law Jeyakumar. The police have confiscated the vehicles used for the murder, besides they have also got vital clues about the hired assailants. It is now being investigated that who planned the murder. "It's too early to say. We have formed three teams. It's not a political murder. It's a personal one," said S Rajendran, deputy commissioner of police, Madurai.

Amrish Puri passes away (Go To Top)

     Mumbai: Veteran actor Amrish Puri passed away this morning after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was 72. He died in Mumbai at 7.30 in the morning. Known as Mogambo, he was a versatile and acclaimed actor. Not only in India, he was known for his acting abilities throughout the globe. Movies like Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom won him the international acclaim. Amrish also played a small role in Attenborough's much acclaimed film Gandhi. Some of his Bolyywood movies, which won him acclaim are Mr. India, Nagina, Resham aur Shera, Dostana, Qurbani, Gadar and many more. He was working in the film Kisna. The veteran actor worked in more than 200 films. Amrish Puri was also president of the Cine Artist Association. Puri, the younger brother of character actor Madan Puri, stepped into bollywood for becoming a hero and screen tested for the same in 1954. The producer rejected him, and said that he had a `crude and harsh face`. Amrish turned his attention to the theatre and also lent his voice to advertisement jingles. It was at the age of 40, that director Sukhdev signed Puri for `Reshma Aur Shera`. But when producer Sunil Dutt took over as the director of the film, Amrish Puri blended into the background. However, after some time, Puri was cast by art filmmaker Shyam Benegal in films like `Nishaant`, `Manthan and `Bhumika` and his luck favoured, as they say fortune favours the brave.