Main Page                                                 Archives

 

Gandhiji's death anniversary observed

     New Delhi: The 57th death anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was observed today. The main function was held in the Capital where people paid homage to Bapu at Raj Ghat. Various public meetings, bhajans, and social discussion were organised across the country to mark the occasion. Mahatma Gandhi was killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic, on January 30, 1948.

      President APJ Abdul Kalam along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying homage to Gandhi and offered floral tributes at the Mahatma's mausoleum at Rajghat. The solemn ceremony at Rajghat, began with a prayer meeting and multi-religious scriptures recitals. Contingents from the armed services presented a guard of honour and bugles sounded the last post. A two-minute silence was observed at 11.00 AM (IST), across the country.

Goa CM asked to prove majority (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has been asked by the state Governor to prove his majority on the floor of the house. Earlier, Congress, which has 15 MLAs and the support of 3 regional parties MLA, met Governor S.C.Jamir and staked their claim to form the government. The BJP government in the state plunged into a crisis when three of its MLAs put in their papers on Saturday, reducing it to a minority in the 40-member assembly. The BJP tally is now 19 compared to the Congress party's 18, just a wafer thin lead. Goa has always been politically volatile with the chief minister changing nearly every two years.

Protest over burning of Naidu's copter (Go To Top)

     Ranchi/New Delhi/Patna: BJP chief LK Advani has asked the government to rein in leftist rebels after Maoists burned down a chopper used by a top leader during campaigning in Bihar. Former BJP president Venkaiah Naidu's helicopter, which touched down at Maoist stronghold Barachatti because of a technical snag was reduced to cinders after the rebels hurled petrol bombs on it. Naidu escaped unhurt from the scene. The Maoist rebels have vowed to disrupt polls. "It was very fortunate that nobody got hurt when petrol bomb was hurled at the helicopter. After the incident, I would like to appeal to the Central government to rethink about their Naxal policy," Advani, told a news conference in Ranchi. India's ruling Congress party favours talks with Naxalites. But the BJP says the government should not initiate dialogue unless the rebels lay down their arms.

    Senior Janata Dal (United) leader, Nitish Kumar, has said that the Election Commission must step in to ensure free and fair campaigning in the state. "This incident shows that all the anti-social activities are on in Bihar and the government is ineffective. In these conditions, the way the election campaigns are being held should be viewed properly. The High court has given some directions but it has no effect on the present state government," said Kumar. JD (U) president and NDA convenor, George Fernandes, said that another comeback for the ruling government would be a death knell for the state, which many analysts say is on the verge of an economic and social meltdown. "If the ruling parties come back to power in Bihar, then there will be nothing left to discuss about Bihar," Fernandes said in New Delhi after leading a protest march. RJD Lalu Prasad Yadav, however, refused to accept responsibility, saying that the state government had warned leaders against venturing into Maoist strongholds. "We have already warned them to boycott and not go to the areas. What can the government do about it? If anyone, even me, goes to remote and jungle areas, anything can happen," Yadav said.