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Kalam gives assent to Office-of-Profit Bill

       New Delhi: President Abdul Kalam today finally gave his assent to the Office-of-Profit Bill that was sent to him by the Parliament almost a fortnight ago, giving a respite to the Government as from August 25 the Election Commission was expected to start the disqualification process. Ending all speculations that President would either sit over the Bill till his tenure ends next year or that he would ask for a legal opinion as demanded by the Opposition NDA, President Kalam signed the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2006, after the Government announced the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to define what constitutes an office of profit as stated in Article 102 of the Constitution. Though President was bound to sign the Bill after it was returned to him by the Parliament for the second time without any changes, there were rumours that the Bill may not see the light of the day as Kalam was unhappy since the Parliament passed the bill again without considering his suggestions. On May 30, Pew delhi'resident Kalam had sent back the Bill to the Parliament for the first time in his presidency raising three questions on the constitutionality of the Bill. President's move had greatly embarrassed the Government.

Office of Profit- Chronology (Go To Top)

      New Delhi: The office-of-profit controversy that led to political crisis may now be put to rest temporarily after President APJ Abdul Kalam gave his nod to the Bill on Friday. But the entire controversy opened up a Pandora's Box which saw the exit of noted actress Jaya Bachchan and Sonia Gandhi's second renunciation act. March 17, 2006: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan disqualified as a member of the Rajya Sabha for holding an "office of profit" by being the chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council. March 21, 2006: A national newspaper carries report that UPA Government wasreadying itself to bring an ordinance that would make posts held by Sonia Gandhi and Somnath Chatterjee outside the purview of the Office of Profit, thereby saving them from disqualification. March 22, 2006: Parliament adjourned sine die after reports of impending ordinance rocked both the Houses of the Parliament. March 23, 2006: Congress President Sonia Gandhi resigns from all the official posts held by her including the membership of the Lok Sabha from the Rae Barelli constituency. April 25, 2006: Election Commission put on its official website the names of all the MPs and the MLAs against whom office-of- profit petitions were pending. The list included eminent names like Pranab Mukerjee, Sharad Pawar, Meira Kumar( all Union Ministers); Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and BJP's Deputy Leader in LS Vijay Kumar Malhotra. May 3, 2006: Election Commission gives a clean chit to seven MPs and two MLAs, including BJP's VK Malhotra and Balbir K Punj, against whom office-of- profit petitions were pending. May 8, 2006: Supreme Court rejects Jaya Bachchan's plea against her expulsion from the Rajya Sabha for holding an "office of profit". May 17, 2006: Parliament approves Parliament (Prevention of disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2006 that provided exemption of 56 posts, including the chairpersonship of National Advisory Council (NAC), from being considered the office-of-profit. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha after a division of votes, with 109 votes in favour and three against the Bill. May 24, 2006: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee objects to the Election Commission's decision to put his name along with that of other MPs without any prima facie case against him. May 30, 2006: President A P J Abdul Kalam returns the amended "Office-of-Profit" Bill to Parliament for reconsideration. July 18, 2006: President A P J Abdul Kalam refers a complaint seeking disqualification of Rajya Sabha MP and Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh for allegedly holding an office of profit by being a member of the National Advisory Council to the Election Commission. July 22, 2006: Cabinet decides to place the Office of Profit Bill in the same form in the monsoon session of Parliament. July 27, 2006: Rajya Sabha passes the Parliament Prevention of Disqualification Bill. July 31, 2006: Lok Sabha passes the Bill 230 to 71, after nearly seven hours of acrimonious debate as BJP and its allies opposed its passing vehemently. August 17, 2006: Lok Sabha approves setting up of a 15-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for suggesting a comprehensive definition of office of profit. August 18, 2006: President APJ Abdul Kalam gives his assent to the Bill.

Cabinet clears salary hike for MPs (Go To Top)

       New Delhi: The Cabinet today decided to hike salaries and allowances of the members of the Parliament from Rs 12000 to Rs 16000. In a Cabinet meeting held today, it was also decided to raise the office allowances of the MPs from Rs 14000 to Rs 23000, apart from doubling the per day session allowance to Rs 1000 and increasing the postage allowance five fold to Rs 5000. The hike for the MPs has come after five years as the last hike was granted in the year 2001. With today's decision, the perks and allowances would increase to Rs 65,000 from the current Rs 40,000 and would cost the exchequer around rupees 62 cr. The new perks would entitle MPs to keep two mobile phones on government's cost and the travel allowance has been hiked from Rs 8 per kilometre to Rs 13 per kilometre.

Congress suspends Jagat Singh (Go To Top)

      Jaipur: The Rajasthan unit of Congress Party on Friday evening suspended Jagat Singh, son of Natwar Singh from the party for anti-party activities. Jagat is a MLA in Rajasthan Assembly. Jagat 's suspension comes close on the heels of his father's suspension after he made an attempt to move a privilege motion against the Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha for the "media leakage' of the Pathak report. Both father and son duo has been indicted of misusing their positions in the Oil-for food scam.

Ustad Bismillah Khan in ICU (Go To Top)

      Varanasi: 'Shehnai' maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who was admitted to Heritage Hospital here with age-related problems on Thursday, is said to be stable. Hospital sources said that over 90-year-old maestro's condition is recovering and his vital parameters are functioning normally. However, he will be admitted in the Intensive Care Unit for the next 48 to 72 hours. His family members and friends have also met him in the hospital and he recognised them all, they added. A three-member doctors' team, including Nephrologist D K Sinha, Cardiologist Ajay Pandey and Gastroenterologist Hemant Rai, have been formed by the hospital authorities to keep close watch on Khan's health. Bharat Ratna Khan, earlier, was on a liquid diet. He was put on intravenous drip by his personal physician Nadeem Jaffri two days back at his residence in Harha Sarai locality here. Recently, the 'Shenai' maestro was handed over a cheque of Rs 2.51 lakh on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a financial assistance since he has been ailing for sometime. The legendary Khan was born March 21, 1916. He is perhaps single handedly responsible for making the 'shehnai' a famous classical instrument. Khan, who started his music career in 1930, earned recognition nationally as well as internationally purely on the strength of his talent. He has played Shehnai in all the five continents and won international acclaim for his performances. Khan has been conferred with innumerable awards, including the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri. He has the distinction of performing from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15, 1947, when India became independent.

Notice on women's entry to Sabarimala (Go To Top)

      New Delhi: The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Government of Kerala as to why women passing through puberty are not allowed to enter the Sabarimala Temple. Notices were issued to Travancore Devaswom Board, Devaswom Commissioner, Chief Tantri (high priest) of the temple and the District Magistrate of Pathanamthitta based on the petition filed by the Young Lawyers Association. The notices were issued by the Bench headed by the Chief Justice Y.K.Sabharwal. The Association is fighting to ensure the entry of women in the age group 10-50 years at the Sabarimala temple. The Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authority of Entry) Rules 1965 is being challenged by the petitioners which does not allow women to enter the temple.

Sarabjit Singh's sister attempts suicide (Go To Top)

       Bhikhiwind (Punjab): Dalbir Kaur, the sister of Sarabjit Singh, who is facing death in Pakistan, attempted to commit suicide by consuming sedatives on Thursday. Dalbir has been admitted to intensive care unit of a local hospital here. According to doctors, her condition is stable. "The history is that she has taken poison. She has not taken any organic/inorganic poison, but some sedative. At present she is stable," said Dr.Vijay Dhawan of Dhawan Hospital. Dalbir's life was saved as she was taken to the hospital in time. "I was sitting outside the house at that time. When I went inside, she was lying unconscious. I called a few people and we brought her to the hospital," said Swapandeep Kaur, Sarabjit Singh's daughter. Dalbir was reportedly very tense after receiving a letter from her brother in which he alleged that he was being tortured in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail. Sarabjit also mentioned that he was being denied medical treatment. Kaur has made several appeals to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to pardon her brother, but without success. Sarabjit Singh was sentenced to death in 1991 for allegedly spying and carrying out four bomb blasts that killed 14 people in Pakistan. Pakistani officials say Singh was arrested while trying to slip back into India after the bomb blasts. Pakistan's Supreme Court has dismissed the first of four review petitions filed on Sarabjit Singh's behalf in March. Singh's family has alleged that files containing evidences that would help in his acquittal have gone missing in Pakistan. The Indian Government has sought clemency for Singh, but made no formal request on his behalf.

Christians told to have more babies   (Go To Top)
by Juhan Samuel

      Kochi: Christians of Kerala are facing a real danger that they will become practically extinct in a few generations because of their two-or-less child birthrate; this will certainly become an even lower rate later, as is happening in the Western and European countries. Concerned about Catholics demographic decline in India particularly in Kerala, Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil, the leader (Major Archbishop) of the state's largest Christian denomination, the Syro Malabar Catholic, has urged the community to have more children and lead a life rooted in Christian values with a healthy sexual life. The Cardinal issued a pastoral letter on August 10, which was read out on August 13 throughtout the Syro-Malabar Churches in Kerala, asking church followers to fight the notion that children are an obstacle to a life of ease and pleasure. The letter said that factors responsible for the huge drop in the Kerala Catholic birth rate were many, but a few key ones were working mothers, migration to other countries, the influence of media and the desire for money to buy all the things to lead a modern life. "The usage of alcohol and drugs are damaging the foundation of the family life, Bruno killing, suicide and diseases like cancer are destroying our families. At least in 25 European countries sufficient number of children to maintain the present level of population are not born. Grey population is increasing in these countries. In 2004, one person out of five was unable to work. By 2050, it is estimated that the number of the aged will be shockingly one out of two.

     The reason for this appalling situation is the 'culture of death' (abortion) criticized by Pope John Paul II and the lack of love pointed out by Pope Benedict XVI," said Reverend George, the Vicar of St. Mary's Basilica in Ernakulam, quoting from Cardinal Vithayathil's pastoral. "Today, the tendency to avoid having children is on the increase among the couples who are motivated by selfishness to seek their own enjoyment. There is sin and injustice to society behind the decision of not having children by those parents who have the means and normal health. Children who have received life should become parents by imparting life. The future of the husband and wife is to be realised through their children. It is the love that is learnt in families that will flow into one's neighbours and the society," the Cardinal adds. Mathew C. Jose, an engineer with Air India, believes that it is not so easy for Christians to think of more children as they all are well educated and not like other religion or caste in India. Although Kerala has the highest number of Christians of any Indian state they are still an approximately 20-25 percent minority compared to Kerala's Hindus and Muslims, but an influential minority. This is because they have long been the most educated of Kerala's and India citizens. Thanks to Church mass education efforts this was the first Indian state to achieve near 100 percent literacy. Everyone goes to school here. The Church has existed here since A.D. 52 when the apostle St. Thomas landed on its shores. That is something the Syro Malabar eastern rite Catholics and the Orthodox Christians, who both date themselves back to St. Thomas, hold very dear. There are approximately 3.5 million Syro Malabar Catholics, 2 million Latin Catholics (300 years in Kerala) and perhaps 1 1/2 million non-Catholic Christians in the state. All appear to be fervent and active.

Rushdie comes out in Grass's support (Go To Top)

       London: India-born British author Salman Rushdie has come out in support of fellow author and friend Gunter Grass after the German Nobel laureate admitted to having served in the Waffen SS- the combat arm of the SS. Rushdie said the news was "disappointing" and what G|nter did, probably could be termed as "youthful mistake", but that did not undo his work or blemish his stature as a great literary figure. Rushdie said the fact that G|nter felt ashamed of having served in the Waffen SS did not make him a hypocrite, adding that the secret was a 'partial concealment'. "It is not that we don't read the work of Ezra Pound, a Nazi sympathiser as an adult. Grass has spent his adult life opposing the ideas he espoused as a child and that in itself is an act of courage, he's a friend of mine and I don't intend to change that," Rushdie told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "His stature comes from the fact he's a giant in the world of literature and the fact he's made mistakes," he said. Gunter's autobiography, 'Peeling Onions' has gone on sale in bookshops across Germany two weeks early following increased interest after he made the disclosure in an interview with the German magazine, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He said his silence had weighed upon him for many years and he felt it was the right time to speak. "There is great interest in the book," said a spokeswoman for bookshop Dussmann in Berlin.

      American novelist John Irving has also defended Gunter, calling him a "hero". "Grass remains a hero to me, both as a writer and as a moral compass; his courage, both as a writer and as a citizen of Germany, is exemplary, a courage heightened, not lessened, by his most recent revelation," a foreign agency quoted Irving as saying. But former Polish President Lech Walesa has called for G|nter to give up his honorary citizenship of Gdansk, his birthplace, following revelations that the award-winning author served in the SS. Gunter was recruited into the SS at the age of 17 and served the Waffen SS Frundsberg Panzer Division in Dresden, after failing to get a posting in the submarine service. Earlier it was known he had served as a soldier, was wounded and taken prisoner by US forces. The Waffen SS was the combat arm of the SS and fought alongside the regular army, the Wehrmacht. G|nter, regarded as the greatest literary icon in post war Germany, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1999 for his debut novel, The Tin Drum. He is widely admired as a novelist whose books frequently revisit the war years and is also known as an outspoken peace activist. Meanwhile, Kolner Stadtanzeiger, a regional German newspaper has said G|nter made the revelation because he was pre-empting the release of the information about his SS background from the secret police archives of the East German secret police, the Stasi.

Rajnath comment triggers protests in Bangla

       Dhaka: Bangladeshi Muslims took to the streets in Dhaka on Friday after noon prayers to protest against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh's recent remarks that India should send its security forces into Pakistan and Bangladesh to destroy suspect terrorist hubs there. The protest march started from Baitul Mukarram, Dhaka's national mosque. Muslim faithful marched through the streets of the capital shouting anti-India and anti-BJP slogans. Moulana Mohiuddin, a cleric, told an international news agency that "The BJP president (Rajnath Singh) must apologise to Bangladesh for his comments, otherwise we will lay siege to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka."

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