The Indian Panorama

Month: October 2012

  • Lance Armstrong: Downfall of a sporting icon

    Lance Armstrong: Downfall of a sporting icon

    PARIS (TIP): Once a symbol of perseverance in the face of the most incredible odds, Lance Armstrong now seems destined to go down in history as one of the most brazen dope cheats that sport has ever seen. After sensationally conceding defeat in his fight to contest the charges against him in August, the Texan’s world caved in a little bit further on Wednesday when the US Anti-Doping Agency published a damning report that laid bare his guilt.

    Armstrong, they claim, was at the heart of “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”. “He was not just a part of the doping culture on his team,” said the USADA.

    “He enforced and re-enforced it.” The revelations and inevitable repercussions look set to leave Armstrong’s legacy in tatters but for all his detractors, there have been just as many admirers. For his supporters, the doping allegations pale into comparison beside his battle with life-threatening cancer and the work of his charitable foundation, which he founded to help others living with the disease.

    Doctors had given Armstrong a less than 50 percent chance of survival when he was diagnosed in 1996 with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. He persevered through surgery and chemotherapy and returned to cycling but was little known in his homeland when he won his first Tour de France title in 1999. His years of dominance in the sport’s greatest race raised cycling’s profile in the United States to new heights and gave him a platform to promote cancer awareness and research. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised almost $500 million (340 million euros, 310 million pounds) since it was created in 1997 and the foundation’s chairman, Jeff Garvey, expressed support for Armstrong after the USADA vowed it would see him stripped of all seven of his Tour titles and banned from cycling. “The leadership of the Lance Armstrong Foundation remain incredibly proud of our founder’s achievements, both on and off the bike,” said Garvey.

    Even in the glory days, however, many were sceptical. In 1999, it was a trace amount of a banned corticosteroid, which cycling officials explained by saying he was authorised to use a small amount of cream containing the drug to treat saddle sores. After his 2000 Tour triumph, French authorities probed his US Postal Service team but brought no charges. Critics seized on his friendship with Italian doctor Michele Ferrari, who was banned by Italian authorities over doping in 2002. In 2004, a Texas promotions company balked at paying him a $5 million bonus for his sixth tour title because of doping allegations by European media.

    In that court case, former team-mate Frankie Andreu and his wife, Betsy, testified that Armstrong told doctors during his cancer treatment that he had taken steroids and other performance-enhancers.

    Two books published in Europe, “L.A. Confidential” and “L.A. Official”, alleged he doped and in 2005, French newspaper L’Equipe reported that urine samples taken during the 1999 Tour that were later re-tested were positive for the bloodbooster EPO.

    Armstrong fought back with denials and even court action, before briefly launching a comeback in 2009, but in the end, the sheer weight of evidence against him — including testimony from 11 former team-mates — proved too much to withstand.

  • TV STING: ICC Suspends Tainted Umpires

    TV STING: ICC Suspends Tainted Umpires

    DUBAI (TIP): The International Cricket Council (ICC) today suspended the six umpires caught in a TV sting, which alleged that they were willing to fix Twenty20 matches, pending the completion of an inquiry against them. “The International Cricket Council (ICC) and its relevant Full Member Boards have agreed not to appoint any of the umpires named in a sting operation recently conducted by India TV to any domestic or international cricket matches pending the outcome of the ongoing investigations into the allegations made,” the governing body said in a statement.

    “The officials named are not contracted by the ICC and those Boards who employ and nominate the umpires directly will conduct the investigations as a matter of urgency,” it added. The channel had shown video clips purportedly taken by their undercover reporters in which the umpires were shown to be allegedly willing to give certain decisions in exchange for money.
    Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ajith Jayasekara said that they are studying the tapes of the sting operation and the local anti-corruption unit will work with the ICC in the investigations.

    The channel showed video clips, purportedly taken by their undercover reporters in which the umpires were shown to be allegedly willing to give certain decisions in exchange for money. The six umpires, who are purportedly shown in the TV sting willing to fix matches, were Nadeem Ghauri and Anees Siddiqui of Pakistan, Nadir Shah of Bangladesh, and Gamini Dissanayake, Maurice Winston and Sagara Gallage of Sri Lanka.

    All of them have denied the allegations, insisting that they were trapped by the channel. Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in Chief of India TV, stood by the channel’s expose and said it was open to any inquiry or public scrutiny of their journalistic work if the authenticity of the tapes is in question.

  • As i see it: Despite Failures, Obama is Heading For a Second Term

    As i see it: Despite Failures, Obama is Heading For a Second Term

    The majority of Indians living in America think that religion, region, caste, and color- factors playing a dominant role in elections in India- are irrelevant in American elections. But if one takes a close look at Presidential Elections in America, one can tell that all these factors do matter here too.

    Since Clinton ‘s time, Hispanic votes have remained a key factor for a Republican to win the White House. Romney, since he started campaigning, has alienated Hispanic voters by repeatedly declaring that he is not in favor of Amnesty to illegal immigrants, knowing that the majority is Hispanic. He is ignoring the fact that Bush owes both his terms to Hispanics for his promise of granting some kind of status to the illegal immigrants. The fact that Bush’s own party did not let him do so is besides the point. It looks like Romney is not practical at all for ignoring 13 million illegal immigrants as per official records, though the real number could well be in the vicinity of 20 million. Romney should know that all of them cannot be deported. They are human beings and we as Americans have to come up with some kind of amnesty scheme to honor humanity.

    If one looks at the simple mathematics, there are 16.5% Hispanics, 13.5% African Americans, and 6% Asian votes. In the last election Obama got 75% of the Hispanic vote, 96% of the African American vote and 95% of the Asian vote. Obama has done nothing wrong to this vote Bank other than annoying some African-Americans by granting Marriage Equality to gay and lesbian couples. At the same time, Obama has brought a scheme under which some of the illegal immigrants under the age of 30 can get an Employment Authorization Card and will not be deported for 2 years. The Hispanic votes will not drop; instead, they may go up slightly to keep the sum game for Obama to still lead by 32% over Romney.

    Obama’s Victory points to Immigration Reforms:

    Congress’ leading Hispanic lawmaker, Democratic Representative Luis Gutierrez, predicts that if President Barack Obama is re-elected, a weakened Republican Party will strike a deal with him on immigration reforms next year. The Illinois Democrat says he has received no promises from the Obama administration on immigration reform, but he tells The Hill he is “absolutely positive” that Obama will make immigration reform a priority during his second term.
    Now, let’s talk about 64% White votes of which Obama is sure to get 35-40% because of his support for gay marriage and some liberal views as well as support for illegal immigrants.

    Obama is also getting support for his foreign policy. This policy is of not starting new wars, rather gradually pulling American soldiers out from the countries that Republican President Bush put them in under a façade of War against Islamic Terrorism.

    The only thing Obama has to talk about with the voters is about his glaring failures on economic front. His opponent Romney is exploiting this to the maximum.

    Romney’s call for more military spending means more wars and trashing illegal immigrants is Economic recovery and jobs. Even this has become a center of a big controversy for him.

    The Tax Policy Center issued a report on August 1st, 2012 saying that Romney’s numbers don’t add up and his stated tax-reform goals can’t all be achieved simultaneously. The report cited five Romney objectives: cutting income-tax rates by 20 percent, being “revenue neutral” for the government, repealing the estate tax, repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax, and preserving and enhancing incentives for saving and investment.

    The Tax Policy Center calculated that even with all tax breaks they assume to be available under Romney’s criteria were wiped out for high-income earners; it wouldn’t be enough to keep Romney’s plan revenue neutral. Middle- or lower-income households would need to kick an extra $86 billion a year to meet the target.

    In effect, the report raised the prospect of higher taxes on the middle class. In stark language, it said achieving Romney’s goals is “not possible” without shifting a higher share of tax burden onto middle- or lower-income households. This is putting fears in the minds of the Middle class and dissuading them from voting for Romney. They would rather give Obama a second term despite his failures on economic recovery and jobs rather than take a hazardous chance with Romney.

    It is a universal fact that Israel /the Jewish lobby has a big influence on America; financially, politically, judicially, militarily, and culturally. Both Obama and Romney are financed by this lobby. A majority of Americans think Obama will not put America under the Bus for this lobby, but Romney can certainly put America under the Bus and can push America into more wars to serve the interest of Israeli and Defense lobby. The proof is Romney taking money from Sheldon Adelson who keeps Israel above America. Moreover, Romney made a public statement that he will outsource America ‘s Middle East Policy to Israel .

    A majority of Americans are disgusted and disturbed with Adelson ‘s machinations with a view to creating world history as a single person by pumping in hundreds of millions from his $28 billion empire to defeat Obama for his personal reasons.

    1 Adelson does not like Obama’s 2 state formula for Palestine & Israel.

    2. He does not like Obama’s proposal to tax foreign income of US companies because Adelson makes 90% of his money from foreign countries.

    3. He does not like the Obama administration investigating him for money laundering and violation of Foreign Trade Practices.

    Sheldon Adelson’s money bomb to defeat Obama will be another factor in Obama’s favor to get him re-elected for a second term as US President.

    Looking at the above factors it looks like there is no alternative “TINA” to Obama. Americans, and the rest of the world, must prepare for Obama’s second term despite his glaring failures on economic recovery and jobs in America. Potential voters are prepared to ignore Obama’s failure on economic front in the face of an economic forecast by eminent economists.

    Macroeconomic Advisors in April predicted a gain of 12.3 million jobs followed by Moody’s Analytics prediction in August which said 12 million jobs will be created by 2016, no matter who the president is.. It looks like slow moving recovery is also in favor of Obama if Moody’s and Macroeconomic Adisors are right; that will put Obama in the leaugue of only 2 presidents Reagan and Clinton who created more than 12 milion jobs in 4 years.
    Obama is likely to stay put in the White House for another 4 years.

  • Readers Write : FIA Expose

    Readers Write : FIA Expose

    Ramesh Patel making FIA expose disrespect to Gujaratis

    It has come to my notice that Mr. Ramesh Patel is making the issue of exposure of FIA’s various violations as an issue of disrespect to entire Gujarati community. He is being supported by those who are defrauding charitable organizations FIA style. For me exposing FIA is about exposing individuals who are bringing bad name to their own community, doing corruption and misusing public funds. I am not against any community as my past speaks for itself I have raised issues against Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian Leaders of Indian origin from different states as well as politicians of NJ and Washington.

    Although I respect all the states, union territories and every religion of India for India being the birth place of my religion Hinduism but two states have special place in my life. First is Punjab for being the birth place of my ancestors and second is Gujarat being the birth place of my idol Mahatma Gandhi. Then who will not admire Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for integrating 565 princely estates in to one nation India? I had the good luck to briefly associate with the architect of modern India; Dhirubhai Ambani. Then I admire Gujaratis like Lord Bhikhu Parekh an eminent political theorist, Dr. Bhupi Patel in the field of medicines, a philanthropist and a great New Yorker, Kal Penn aka Kalpesh Modi a Great New Jerseyan, actor, producer and civil servant with the distinction of serving President Obama; for bringing glory to every Indian.

    I do not consider any one as my enemy even if I have differences with them on matters of principles and the system that is being advocated and recommended. I strongly believe multi racial, lingual and religious history of India is indeed very complex. It is culturally, socially and politically intertwined extending beyond thousands of years with a message that we are all brothers and sisters the children of one God.

    Dave Makkar

    Congratulations FIA for inducting first Pakistani Islamic member to your board

    I would like to take this opportunity in congratulating, through the columns of your esteemed weekly, the FIA on inducting Sam Khan, the first Pakistani Islamic member to their board. It is really heartening to see that an organization such as FIA has taken such a huge step keeping aside all racial indifferences. In today’s day with such religious turmoil brewing all over the world between USA and the Islamic community, they have not forgotten that the human bond comes first and I believe this step has been taken keeping only that in mind. I, as a fellow human being, salute the FIA and support them in this decision. We cannot judge others by their ethnicity but by their deeds.
    Thanks & Regards,

    Alisha Khan

  • The Exceptional Anand Kumar

    The Exceptional Anand Kumar

    Anand Kumar developed an indomitable affection and love for mathematics and possesses exceptional mathematical abilities. His role model is great Indian mathematician Ramanujan. During graduation, he submitted papers on Number Theory, which were published in Mathematical Spectrum and The Mathematical Gazette. He worked hard and dreamed of getting into one of the world’s best university, Cambridge. And one day he got admission to Cambridge.

    But very soon he realized that his father could not afford his education at Cambridge. He and his father searched helplessly for a sponsor all over India but nobody came up. And one day his family’s only breadwinner, his father died and his last hope of getting good education diminished. He gave up the dream of studying at Cambridge and came back to his home in Patna, Bihar.

    He would work on Mathematics during day time and sell papads in evenings, with his mother, who had started a small business from home, to support her family. He also tutored students in Mathematics to earn extra money. Since Patna University library did not have foreign journals, for his own study, he would travel every weekend on a six-hour train journey to Varanasi, where his younger brother, learning violin under N. Rajam, had a hostel room. Thus he would spend Saturday and Sunday at the Central Library, Benares Hindu University (BHU) and return to Patna on Monday morning.

    He rented a classroom for Rs.500 a month (around $10.00), and began his own institute-the Ramanujam School of Mathematics (RSM). Within the space of a year, his class grew from two students to thirty-six, and after three years there were almost 500 students enrolled. Then in early 2000, when a poor student who couldn’t afford the annual admission fee due to poverty, came to him seeking coaching for IIT-JEE, Kumar was motivated to start the Super 30 program in 2003, for which he is now well-known all over the world.

    Every year in August, since 2003, the Ramanujan School of Mathematics, now a trust, holds a competitive test to select 30 students for the ‘Super 30’ scheme. About 4,000 to 5,000 students appear at the test, and eventually he takes thirty intelligent students from economically backward sections which include beggars, hawkers, auto-driver’s children, tutors them, and provides study materials and lodging for a year. He prepares them for the Joint Entrance Examination for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). His mother, Jayanti Devi, cooks for the students, and his brother Pranav Kumar takes care of the management.

    Out of 270 students he tutored from 2002-2011 236 students have made it to IITs. All of them came from poor parents who were Hawkers, Auto-drivers, laborer etc.

    In 2010, all the students of Super 30 cleared IIT JEE entrance making it a three in a row for the institution.
    Anand Kumar has no financial support for Super 30 from any government or from private agencies, and manages on the tuition fee he earns from the Ramanujam Institute. After the success of Super 30 and its growing popularity, he got many offers from the private – both national and international companies – as well as the government for financial help, but he always refused it. He wanted to sustain Super 30 through his own efforts. After three consecutive 30/30 results in 2008-2010, in 2011, 24 of the 30 students cleared IIT JEE.

    Anand’s work is now well received and recognized all over the world.

    US president Obama read about Anand in TIME magazine and sent a special envoy to check the work done by him and offered all the assistance. However, Anand never accepts help irrespective of helper.

    Discovery Channel broadcast a one-hour-long program on Super 30, and half a page has been devoted to Kumar in The New York Times.

    Actress and ex-Miss Japan Norika Fujiwara visited Patna to make a documentary on Anand’s initiatives.
    Kumar has been featured in programs by the BBC.

    He has spoken about his experiences at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

    Kumar is in the Limca Book of Records (2009) for his contribution in helping poor students crack IIT-JEE by providing them free coaching.

    Time Magazine has selected mathematician Anand Kumar’s school – Super 30 – in the list of Best of Asia 2010.
    Anand Kumar was awarded the S. Ramanujan Award for 2010 by the Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS) in July 2010.

    Super 30 received praise from United States President Barack Obama’s special envoy Rashad Hussain, who termed it the “best” institute in the country. Newsweek Magazine has taken note of the initiative of mathematician Anand Kumar’s Super 30 and included his school in the list of four most innovative schools in the world.

    Anand Kumar has been awarded the top award of Bihar government “Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Shiksha Puraskar” in November 2010.

    He was awarded the Prof Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Puraskar 2010 by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Bangalore.

    In April 2011, Anand Kumar was selected by Europe’s magazine Focus as “one of the global personalities who have the ability to shape exceptionally talented people”.

  • Gandhi Jayanti A tribute to Father of the Nation

    Gandhi Jayanti A tribute to Father of the Nation

    Gandhi Jayanti or Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is observed every year as a national holiday to commemorate the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948). His non-violence or satyagraha continues to
    influence political leaders and movements till date. The celebration and essence of Gandhi Jayanti is not restricted within India and also observed by the United Nations as the International Day of non-violence that aims to disseminate his philosophy, principle and believe in non-violence through proper education and public awareness.
    Celebration of Gandhi Jayanti is also a moment to relive Mohandas Gandhi’s life and contribution in India’s Independence. Born in a small coastal town Porbandar in Gujarat, Gandhi married Kasturbai Makhanji at the age of 13. His childhood memories and experiences are vividly depicted by him in his autobiography My experiments with truth. Gandhi at the age of 18 went to England to study law and returned to India in 1915. After his homecoming, he led nationwide stir for achieving Sawaraj, abolition of social evils, empowering women rights and improving economic conditions of peasants and farmers. He further strengthened his movement against the British Raj and led Indians in protesting Dandi March Salt in 1930 that was later followed by the popular Quit India in 1942 calling British to leave India.

    At Raj Ghat, New Delhi, and across India, people gather to observe Gandhi Jayanti in innovative ways that includes offering flowers on Gandhi’s pictures, statues and singing his favourite devotional song Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram.
    The government offices, banks, schools and post offices remain closed on Gandhi Jayanti to pay homage to ‘Father of the Nation’. Additionally, as a tribute to this great soul, the Indian government mint rupee notes and also issue postage stamp depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s photo. In May 19, 2011 at Geneva, a 1948 10 Rupee Mahatma Gandhi stamp was auctioned for a whopping price of US $205,000 making it a world record as the most pricey modern postal stamp from any country.

    Many ardent followers make effort to preserve Gandhi’s belongings, works and writings through various means with the support of governments and non-profit organizations. Online portals are also acting as major contributors in preserving and providing information on Mahatma Gandhi and about Gandhi Jayanti celebration.

    The significance of Gandhi Jayanti celebration transcends beyond commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s birth and his life as followers renounce violence and entirely devote themselves to Gandhi’s philosophy and principles of Ahimsa i.e living a life by following non-violence.

    The celebration of Gandhi Jayanti conventionally kicks off by singing praers, offering flowers, lighting candles and garlanding Gandhiji’s photo or statue. Mahatma Gandhi’s life and principles has inspired lives of all ages. And if you are enthusiastic to explore more about him and Gandhi Jayanti, then Gandhi Jayanti 2012 is the right time to become familiar with his perpetual and valuable philosophy, and also his role as an architect of Indian Independence

  • Cabinet approves 12th Five-Year

    Cabinet approves 12th Five-Year

    New Delhi (tip): The union cabinet on oCTOBER 4 approved the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) that seeks an average annual economic growth of 8.2 percent and identifies infrastructure, health and education as thrust areas.

    “It’s an ambitious plan,” Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said after a meeting of the cabinet, adding that it gives a broad definition of inclusiveness and “expand interventions” in the social sector.

    The Plan sets targets for poverty alleviation, infant mortality, enrolment ratio and job creation.
    Chidambaram said the Plan stressed speeding up infrastructure projects, removing bottlenecks.

    A full Planning Commission meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sep 15 endorsed the document.
    The growth rate has been lowered to 8.2 percent from the 9.0 percent projected earlier in view of the current slowdown in the economy and adverse international situation. During the 11th Plan period, the average annual growth was 7.9 percent.

    The 12th Plan seeks to achieve 4 per cent agriculture sector growth during the five-year period ‘critical to achieve inclusive growth’.

    Agriculture in the current plan period has grown at 3.3 percent, compared to 2.4 percent during the 10th plan period.

    The growth target for manufacturing sector has been pegged at 10 per cent.

    The Plan for final approval would be placed before the National Development Council (NDC), which has all chief ministers and cabinet ministers as members and is headed by the prime minister.

  • Himachal polls Nov 4, Gujarat Dec 13 and 17

    Himachal polls Nov 4, Gujarat Dec 13 and 17

    EW DELHI (TIP): Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat will pick new assemblies in elections on November 4 and December 13 and 17, respectively, in what will be a virtual straight fight between the ruling BJP and the Congress in both states.
    Chief election commissioner (CEC) VS Sampath told reporters here that votes in both states will be counted on December 20.

    These will be the most important state elections since Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, voted in February-March this year, along with Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

    Both Himachal Pradesh (68 seats) and Gujarat (182 seats) are ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the Congress desperate to dislodge it.

    The announcement came hours after Congress president Sonia Gandhi unleashed the party’s campaign in Gujarat with a stinging attack on the BJP.

    The Congress welcomed the polls and said these would not be a referendum on the performance of the central government.

    “We welcome poll dates. Every election is a local election, even parliamentary elections are decided by local issues. No state poll is a referendum on the performance of the national government,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters later.

    “The only one is the Lok Sabha poll, which we won decisively,” he said.

    BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, “We are sure of victory in the two states. Our workers have worked hard.”
    “We are making foolproof security arrangements in both states by deploying adequate strength of central police forces,” said Sampath.

    Armed police forces from other states would also be deployed in the two states for peaceful conduct of elections.
    Sampath said there would be strict monitoring of expenditure by political parties and candidates as well as of “paid news”.

    “Paid news is a learning process for us,” said Sampath, adding that “it will be monitored at the district, state and commission level”.

    He said all candidates would be required to open separate bank accounts and incur expenditure only from these accounts.

    The Election Commission, Sampath said, expects “the highest standards” of conduct and neutrality in election work from officials.

    “Their work will be under constant watch and scrutiny,” he said, and added that the model code of conduct for political parties would be strictly enforced.

    Sampath said the polling dates have been determined after taking into account climatic conditions, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, academic calendar, festivals, law and order, and availability of security forces.

    The number of eligible voters in Himachal Pradesh is 45.16 lakh against 3.78 crore in Gujarat. The electors will be given their voting slips a few days before the polling dates, said Sampath.

    To facilitate voting, the poll panel has increased the number of polling stations by 10 percent to 44,496 in Gujarat and by 16 percent in Himachal Pradesh to 7,252, he said. The CEC said the candidates will have to file only one affidavit, from two required earlier, to provide information if they have been charged or convicted in any criminal case and declaring their assets and educational qualifications.

  • Pay $6bn to 9/11 victims, US court orders Iran, Qaida

    Pay $6bn to 9/11 victims, US court orders Iran, Qaida

    NEW YORK: A US court formally ordered Iran, al-Qaida and other defendants on October 3 to pay $6 billion compensation to the victims of September 11, 2001.

    Although Iran denies any connection to 9/11, it was included in the list of alleged culprits by the US district court in New York, along with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Afghanistan’s Taliban guerrillas and al-Qaida, which took credit for the terror attack.

    Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is also named.

    However, the money, awarded for economic, personal and punitive damages for a total of $6,048,513,805, is unlikely to be recovered.

    This is because Iran is in a tense standoff with the US over multiple issues, especially its nuclear industry and alleged plan to build an atomic weapon. Iranian-backed Hezbollah has no relations with the US.

    Al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, also named in the ruling, was killed by US navy SEALs in a raid in 2011.
    The Taliban are in an active war with US-led troops across Afghanistan.

    The ruling caps court decisions prompted by lawsuits filed by families of 47 victims from among the nearly 3,000 killed on 9/11.

  • No full stops for Congress in reforms race

    No full stops for Congress in reforms race

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Like the Cabinet meeting that cleared FDI in multi-brand retail, the one on October 4 was brief, with finance minister P Chidambaram saying foreign investment in insurance was the need of the hour and the government should not bother about the Bill being defeated in Parliament. The decision was smooth, like knife through butter.

    For the rare display of unanimity among Congressmen on historically contentious moves, the nod to FDI in insurance and pension provided the best evidence that the ruling party had embarked on an irreversible reforms agenda, a sharp departure from political sensitivities that influenced such decisions in the past.

    Observers and insiders underlined that Congress was approving FDI decisions in the middle of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, which can have serious implications for its future, mired as it is in a cycle of defeat and in desperate search for victory.

    “It shows that the leadership has calculated that opening the market to foreign retail marts or insurance firms to foreign investment will not influence the voters, irrespective of BJP’s campaign,” a leader said citing that supremo Sonia Gandhi defended FDI in retail during her Gujarat campaign launch.

    The gung-ho reforms mode has been attributed to the economic crisis but it would be a leap of faith for the Congress if governance imperatives are delinked from their political implications.

    That has made observers see a “renewed Congress conviction in reforms”, with possibly the Prime Minister having convinced the leadership about the gains of 1991 liberalization he authored as finance minister.

    Samajwadi Party leader Mohan Singh said his party has traditionally been opposed to such proposals but stopped short of spelling out SP’s stance on insurance reforms. Clearly, Samajwadis are not too sure if the tradition holds true for the future.

    The UPA will be closely watching Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati’s rally in Lucknow on October 9 when she will spell out her views on the recent reforms decisions by the Cabinet. Finance minister Chidambaram told reporters, “Legislation is a matter of negotiation and we will talk to the principal opposition party.”

  • Russia backs Pakistan fury on US drones

    Russia backs Pakistan fury on US drones

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): Visiting Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday backed Pakistan’s position on American drone attacks in the country’s tribal regions, saying such strikes violate Islamabad’s “sovereignty and integrity”.
    “It is not right to violate the sovereignty and integrity of any state. We fully support Pakistan’s stance,” Lavrow said at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, who described the strikes as “illegal” and “counter-productive”.

    Lavrov’s two-day visit to Islamabad coincides with that of Pakistani army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s trip to Moscow. Observers say the two countries are trying improving ties due to Islamabad’s troubled relationship with the US.
    On India-Pakistan ties, Lavrov said that the two countries are capable of resolving issues on their own. “Russia welcomes the efforts of the two countries to resume dialogue and the steps towards confidence building measures.’

  • Why is govt asking me to live my last years in prison? Lt Gen (retd) Brar asks

    Why is govt asking me to live my last years in prison? Lt Gen (retd) Brar asks

    MUMBAI (TIP): Lt Gen (retd) K S Brar, who escaped a murder bid in London on October 1, said on Thursday that he won’t leave his Mumbai home. Union home ministry officials have suggested that he be moved to another city since his present location is known to Khalistani terrorists.

    “I’ve been staying here for the past 28 years. My family, friends and golf ground are all here. Why, then, is the central government asking me to live the last few years of my life in a prison? The suggestion is totally unacceptable,” Brar said.

    “I live in the most secure environment provided by the Army. It’s because of this protection that no one has been able to attack me here,” said Brar. The general was visiting his daughter in Britain and walking back to his hotel in Central London with his wife around 10.40 pm, when four men attacked him. Brar fought back but was struck in the neck and face. The attackers who fled after Meena raised an alarm.

    Astonishingly, the Centre had sought to downgrade Brar’s high-security after the IB concluded there was no threat to his life. The decision was revoked. Intelligence officials told TOI that the decision to provide security is based on threat perception that his revised every year. “There were periodic warnings about threats to Brar,” said a senior officer. “That’s why he received protection. Most of the threats he got was in shape of hate mails.”

    Brar said the threats haven’t stopped in the past 28 years. “The internet is full of these guys saying I should be killed, all of which I have passed on to local military authorities. I am now reading news reports that the IB had information of plans by some Khalistani sympathizers in Germany to attack me on June 6, the day they celebrate as Ghalu Ghara or martyrdom day. What security measures did the Centre take?” asked Brar.

    Criticizing the building of a monument inside the Golden Temple in the name of those who died in Operation Bluestar, Brar said, “Are they martyrs? I call them murderers, criminals, terrorists. The top politicians of the Akali Dal, the chief minister, are attending these functions. The Centre must step in and stop this. Otherwise, we are going back to the early 1980s.”

    “On the other hand, no monuments were being built for soldiers and Army personnel going beyond their call of duty to protect national integrity and sovereignty,” he said.

  • Protests in Pakistan over reporter’s killing

    Protests in Pakistan over reporter’s killing

    QUETTA (TIP): Journalists across Pakistan staged protest rallies on Tuesday to condemn the killing of a television reporter in insurgency-torn Baluchistan on the Afghan and Iranian border.

    Police said Abdul Haq Baluch, 37, who worked for private TV channel ARY, was shot late on Saturday while driving home in the town of Khuzdar, 230 kilometres (145 miles) south of the provincial capital Quetta.

    Journalists said masked men opened fire on his car around 100 yards from the local press club. Police officer Abdul Qadir Kamrani confirmed the killing and told AFP that Baluch died of his injuries en route to hospital.

    Police have registered a case against “unidentified gunmen”.

    Baluchistan is one of Pakistan’s most deprived areas. Separatist rebels have been fighting since 2004 for autonomy and a greater share of oil, gas and mineral deposits in the southwestern province.

    Human rights groups say hundreds have been detained, killed or gone missing as government forces try to crush the uprising by ethnic Baluch groups.

    Farooq Faisal, president of the national press club, said journalists were protesting against extremely difficult working conditions in Baluchistan and northwest Pakistan, where a Taliban insurgency is concentrated.

    “Armed groups are threatening journalists but the government is taking no step for their protection,” Faisal told. Nadeem Gorgnari, president of the Khuzdar press club, told AFP that Baluch and the club had received threatening telephone calls. According to press watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Pakistan was the deadliest country for the media in 2011 with at least eight journalists killed in connection with their work.

  • Crime against children up by 24% in 2010-11

    Crime against children up by 24% in 2010-11

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India is fast earning the label of a country unsafe for children, with an alarming 24% increase in crimes against children in 2011 compared to the previous year. Nearly 33,100 cases were reported in 2011 against 26,694 cases in 2010.

    Uttar Pradesh accounted for 16.6% of total crimes against children in 2011, followed by Madhya Pradesh (13.2%), Delhi (12.8%), Maharashtra (10.2%), Bihar (6.7%) and Andhra Pradesh (6.7%).

    Maharashtra accounted for 74% of the total 27 cases of “buying of girls for prostitution” while West Bengal accounted for 77% of the total 113 cases of “selling of girls for prostitution”.

    Last year also saw a 43% increase in cases abduction, while cases of rape increased by 30%. UP and Delhi together accounted for 47.6% abduction of children while MP, UP and Maharashtra together made up 44.5% of child rape cases in 2011.

    These are the findings of the latest ‘Children in India 2012’ report brought out by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation. The last time such a report on the state of India’s children came out was in 2008.

    Feticide cases increased by 19% a year

    Feticide cases increased by 19% over 2010 to 132 cases in 2011, most of which were registered from Madhya Pradesh, followed by Chhattisgarh and Punjab, says a ministerial report. The three states together reported 56% of the foeticide cases last year.

    The report said, “The analysis of crime and children as presented here, puts forward a few upsetting revelations about the child victims as well as child offenders, which points out to the vulnerable conditions of children that need to be addressed urgently especially poverty.”

    India’s chief statistician T C A Anant said in the report, “Even today, after six decades of independence, the condition of children remains a cause of concern in the country. As the statistics speaks out loudly, we have miles to go to ensure a bright future for the children in all spheres of their life.” According to the report, procurement of minor girls saw a 27% spike—862 cases in 2011 compared to 679 cases in 2010. West Bengal reported the highest chunk of these cases (298) —a share of 34.6% followed by Bihar (183), Assam (142) and Andhra (106).

    The average chargesheeting rate for all crimes against children was 82.5% in 2011, which was the same in 2010 as well.

    The highest chargesheet rate was observed in cases under ‘buying of girls for prostitution’ (100%) followed by ‘rape’ (97.3%) in comparison to the prevailing national level chargesheeting rate of 78.8% for the IPC crimes. The lowest charge sheet rate was found in cases of feticide.

    The conviction rate at national level for the crimes committed against children stood at 34.6%. The conviction rate for ‘infanticide (other than murder)’ was highest at 46.9% followed by cases under ‘murder’ (45.5%).

    When taking all the crimes against children into account, the crime rate (ratio of number of crimes to population) saw a marginal increased from 2.3 in 2009 to 2.7 in 2011. Delhi, however, topped the crime rate (25.4) followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands (20.3), Chandigarh (7) and Chhattisgarh (7), Madhya Pradesh (6) and Goa (5.1).

    The 2012 data showed that juvenile IPC crimes in 2011 increased by 10.5% over 2010 as 22,740 IPC crimes by juveniles were registered during 2010 which increased to 25,125 cases in 2011. Out of the total 888 juvenile murder cases reported in the country in 2011, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh reported 16.3% and 12.6% cases.

    The highest incidence of the juvenile rape cases was reported from Madhya Pradesh (23.6%) followed by UP (12.7%) and Maharashtra (10.9%). Among such disturbing trends, the report also had some good news. In 2011, buying of girls for prostitution showed a decline of 65%, and selling of girls for prostitution reported a decline of 13% compared to 2010. Cases of infanticide too showed a decline of 37 points during this period.

  • FIA Needs to Show Leadership

    FIA Needs to Show Leadership

    The Indian American community is in transition today. Never before we were so influential in academics and businesses in USA than we are today. A considerable number of Indian American professionals are making huge contribution in financial, cultural, commercial, banking and small businesses around the country whose role has been well appreciated in the highest quarters of the country.

    Yet Indian American community lacks a strong voice. We are often discriminated against because of color of our skin or our thick accent of English language. When we face injustice in our daily life we look for support which is non-existence. We don’t enjoy a visible profile in the mainstream America.

    I have been very concerned about the state of our community. We celebrate Indian festivals with pomp and show. But we don’t celebrate our culture as Indian people. We celebrate as Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil and so on. Where is our Indianness in our social behaviors? Do we need one? The answer is yes!

    Not that we Indians are less patriotic than any other people in the world. History tells us that we quickly get united in times of crisis. But we fail to demonstrate it in front of others. Why?

    In 2011, I raised all the above questions during an informal meeting with my friends. I am fortunate to have friends who represent the mosaic of India. They belong to all regions of our native land. We agreed that there was a need to launch a movement for demonstrating our Indianness. We quickly approached various cultural and social groups in different parts of New Jersey and organized an interesting event in August 2011 to celebrate India’s Independence Day. The event attracted hundreds of people representing all sections of the society. They made the event a great success. People met and greeted each other with love and affection. There was sheer joy in the atmosphere. No one ever thought of their regional affiliation on that day. We were all Indians.

    Encouraged by the success of our Independence Day celebration we, the functionaries of Indian Congress Party, USA, decided to sideline our political affiliation and work for unity in the community. With this vision in mind myself and my associates got into action to organize a grand Gandhi Jayanti celebration on October 2, 2011. We invited young kids from our community to reflect on their knowledge of Mahatma Gandhi. We used the opportunity to familiarize our younger generation with our history of illustrious freedom struggle which was fought by all under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. I bet there is no Indian who considers the Mahatma as a Gujarati. He is remembered as an Indian who experimented with truth of ‘Ahimsa’ and inspired the world. We are proud to have recently celebrated Gandhi Jayanti last week on 2nd October where we invited the senior citizens of our community to speak about Gandhi ji. Amazingly, a number of them narrated stories from their past related with the Mahatma. Many of them became very emotional and some of them were even crying on stage.

    Gandhi ji reminds us that we Indians have a lot in common. We share the same culture, same history and heritage. We don’t have to look at each other with ill feeling. If we work together we will have representation in Washington that will be good for all of us. We can tell the world that Indians are united. Nothing can divide us. We are Democrats and we are also Republicans. But above all we are of Indian origin. Our unity will even inspire our countrymen back home to learn some lessons. Is it feasible?

    A number of positive things can happen. Indian owned businesses and individuals from various fields whole heartedly support the ‘India Day Parade’ organized by FIA. The organization has been showcasing our culture since more than three decades. This organization has a potential to represent all sections of the Indian American community. Unfortunately, many of us feel that the organization must stand the test of time. The organization can represent the Indian community at large only if it echoed the feelings of every person of Indian origin in USA. It can’t afford to alienate any section of the community. It has to demonstrate leadership qualities. The leaders who are in the forefront must not engage in small time considerations. They should show leadership that is responsible, and visionary.

    I have faith in FIA. Many of its office bearers are well educated individuals with remarkable accomplishments. These leaders need to keep in mind the interest of the community and focus on three words: unity, unity and unity. If a mature organization like FIA is conscious of its duties we have nothing to worry, otherwise, a vacuum will be created that must be fulfilled sooner rather than later.

    (Atma Singh is a New Jersey based Community Leader and President, Indian Congress Party, USA. He is a passionate champion of unity of Indians abroad.)

  • Miss India Connecticut Joins AmeriCares Airlift to Guatemala

    Miss India Connecticut Joins AmeriCares Airlift to Guatemala

    STAMFORD, CT (TIP): The recently crowned Miss India Connecticut, Ronita Choudhuri, traveled to Guatemala with AmeriCares this week to tour the humanitarian organization’s aid programs. The West Hartford native was one of 75 supporters who left the AmeriCares Airlift Benefit on Saturday night on a chartered plane destined for Guatemala. Airlift passengers were taken on a whirlwind tour of the hospitals, clinics and homes for children and the elderly AmeriCares supports with donated medicines and supplies. The 24-hour trip gave supporters of the Stamford-based charity a glimpse into its work in more than 90 countries.

    “The work AmeriCares is doing in Guatemala and the impact they are having is truly amazing,” Choudhuri said. “I feel so fortunate to have been able to witness firsthand just a slice of the great work the doctors, nurses, volunteers and caretakers do every day. This was a journey of hope, and with the resources and aid provided by AmeriCares, we are ensuring Guatemalans have a better and healthier tomorrow.”

    The 25th annual AmeriCares Airlift Benefit “A Journey of Hope” raised more than $1.2 million for the organization’s relief efforts worldwide. More than 750 supporters attended the sold-out event in the Panorama hangar at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y. on Sept. 29.

    “We were pleased to have Ms. Choudhuri accompany the airlift to Guatemala as our special guest of honor,” said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling, one of the judges at last month’s Miss India Connecticut pageant in New Haven where she was crowned. “Through her community service work with HIV and cancer patients, she embodies our core values and determination to help more people live longer, healthier lives.”

  • Kingfisher Airlines staffer not paid for 6 months, wife kills herself

    Kingfisher Airlines staffer not paid for 6 months, wife kills herself

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The crisis at Kingfisher Airlines claimed its first victim when the wife of a technical officer committed suicide on Thursday afternoon, leaving behind a note that said the family was in deep financial distress as her husband had not received his salary for six months.

    Sushmita Chakroborty, 45, was found hanging from a room at her residence in DDA flats at Manglapuri near Palam. Police said they had recovered a half-page suicide note written in Bangla in which she mentioned their financial problems and her fear that her husband, Manas Chakroborty, would lose his job.

    She wrote that her husband and 18-year-old son were very caring and that she loved them. But she could not deal with the family’s situation, the note added. Addional CP (southwest), A K Ojha, confirmed the contents of the note.
    Pilot retired from Air Force to join Kingfisher Airlines

    Manas Chakroborty, whose wife Sushmita hanged herself at their residence in DDA flats at Manglapuri near Palam on Thursday, had retired from the Air Force to join Kingfisher. The couple’s only son is studying engineering in Assam, police said.

    The suicide came to light around 1.15pm, after the woman did not pick up the telephone or respond to the doorbell. Police received a call at 1.25pm from one of the neighbours about the incident. “Manas was in office and had called up Sushmita around 1pm. When she didn’t answer, he asked one of the neighbours to check on her,” said a senior police officer.

    After she did not answer the doorbell, Manas reached home and entered the house through the balcony door. “When he peeped through the window, he found her hanging from the ceiling fan with a dhoti,” the officer said. Sushmita also said in the suicide note that she had made several mistakes in the past for which her husband had forgiven her. ”

    (But) I am unable to deal with things now and I’m committing suicide,” the note said. The woman was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital where she was declared brought dead. Her body has been sent for post mortem.

    Manas is believed to have told the police that Sushmita was depressed for over a year. The couple’s son has not been informed about the suicide.

    Police are investigating the case and taking down statements of family members. They have ruled out any foul play and inquest proceedings have been initiated in the matter under section 174 CrPC.

    “They were a simple family, and lived together very happily. They were social and friendly with all neighbours. Sushmita herself was very pleasant and did not get into fights or arguments with anybody. They were very active during Durga Puja, and would collect money for the festival that is celebrated in the neighbourhood park. Their son was also supposed to come during the Puja,” said a neighbour.

    “They were definitely under financial strain, and it was a struggle even to send their son to study,” he added.

  • Jordan’s King Abdullah dissolves parliament ahead of elections

    Jordan’s King Abdullah dissolves parliament ahead of elections

    AMMAN (TIP): Jordan’s King Abdullah on Thursday dissolved the country’s pro-government rubber stamp parliament, a constitutional move to pave the way for elections expected early next year.

    The announcement was made on the eve of a rally organised by the main Islamist opposition, the Muslim Brotherhood, which is hoping to stage its largest demonstration on Friday since Arab Spring-inspired protests erupted last year.
    The Brotherhood and a coalition of tribal and other Islamist groups have been pressing the monarch to speed up what they consider to be the slow pace of political reform.

    The royal decree dissolving parliament, which was carried by state media, did not mention a date for the election that will decide the makeup of the 120-member lower house of parliament.

    King Abdullah has repeatedly said he wants elections to be held later this year or at the latest early next year.
    A conservative government led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Tarawneh passed an electoral law last July that has angered the country’s main Islamist opposition, prompting it to say it will boycott upcoming elections unless its demands for wider representation are met.

    The electoral law keeps intact a system that marginalises the representation of Jordanians of Palestinians origin, on whom Islamists rely on for their support, in favour of native Jordanians who keep a tight grip on power and are the backbone of the powerful security forces.

    A boycott by the country’s only effective opposition, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, is threatening to damage the legitimacy of any future parliament.

  • 12-year-old girl has IQ higher than Einstein’s

    12-year-old girl has IQ higher than Einstein’s

    LONDON (TIP): With an IQ of 162, a 12-year-old schoolgirl in UK has been rated brainier than even Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

    Olivia Manning, from Liverpool, has been accepted into Mensa, the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world after she got a score of 162 in an Intelligence test.

    Her score is not only two points better than German genius Einstein and physicist Hawking, it puts her in the top 1% of intelligent people in the world, the Daily Mail said. Being honoured with entry into Mensa means she will join a network of brains from across the globe.

    Olivia admits having a knack for quickly absorbing and remembering new information, however, confessed being “speechless” after she discovered her score.

    She barely needs a script – she said she learned her lines for a Macbeth production within 24 hours.

  • Maharashtra irrigation scam: Nitin Gadkari in soup over letter to ministry

    Maharashtra irrigation scam: Nitin Gadkari in soup over letter to ministry

    NEW DELHI: BJP president Nitin Gadkari found himself at the centre of yet another controversy on Thursday over a letter he wrote to Union water resources ministry seeking release of funds for an irrigation project in Maharashtra, in which an associate of his is said to be a contractor.

    The Gosikhurd project is embroiled in an alleged scam involving NCP leader Ajit Pawar who quit recently in the wake of charges of corruption on which the BJP had mounted a big campaign.

    Gadkari wrote to Union water resources minister PK Bansal on July 30 this year asking him to clear the dues of the contractors involved in the project though no names were mentioned. “Due to non-payment of the dues, the contractors stop their works. This may delay the programme and would also result in time overrun and delays in creation of irrigation potential. Presently liability of Rs 400 crore is pending,” the letter said
    The BJP chief’s detractors claimed it was aimed at benefiting his associate Ajay Sancheti.

    The BJP and Gadkari himself today defended his action, saying he had asked the Centre to release funds for the Gosikhurd project to help the farmers and not for the benefit of any contractor close to him.

    “I wrote a letter to Bansal and will write ten more … It was done in the interest of the farmers of Maharashtra, to prevent farmer suicides in Vidarbha,” Gandkari told reporters in Mumbai.

    BJP spokesperson Prakash Javedekar, who, incidentally, is reported to have written a letter similar to the one sent by Gadkari, said that “it is clear that no contractor’s name is mentioned in the letter.

    “The issue is that a central government project is pending and it should be completed,” Javadekar said in Delhi.

  • 315 Return to Hindu fold in Varanasi

    315 Return to Hindu fold in Varanasi

    VARANASI (TIP): A total of 315 people belonging to 22 families, which include five Christian priests also, returned to Hindu fold on August 20., according to a news report in Organiser of September 2, 2012

    The homecoming ceremony was jointly organized by Sant Ravidas Dharma Raksha Samiti and Shri Suhedev ‘Dharma Raksha Samiti at Murdhan village under Harhua block of Varanasi on August 20. The people who retuned home basically belonged to three villages – Murdahan, Benipur and Palia. A yajna was performed on the occasion by Pt. Dhiraj Chaube and all the people offered ahutis in the Yajna.

    President of Sant Ravidas Dharma Raksha Samiti Shri Aman, convener of Shri Suhedev Dharma Raksha Samiti Shri Shivshankar, Prant Pramukh of homecoming project Shri Madhuban Yadav and Shri Rambahadur Singh of Kshatriya Ekta Parishad were also present on the occasion. The function concluded with recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and aarti of Bharat Mata.

  • India may move WTO against US visa fee hike by October end

    India may move WTO against US visa fee hike by October end

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India is expected to soon seek consultations with the US under the aegis of World Trade Organisation (WTO) on visa fee hike for professionals, which discriminates against Indian software companies that send employees to America on short-term contracts.

    Although the commerce ministry had internally started the process in April, collecting all the relevant information and data to make a strong case in the WTO is taking time, a senior official in Delhi told media

    “But now we have finalized our case. We are putting all the evidences together. The US visa fee hike is a discriminatory move against Indian IT firms. We are expecting that by October end, we will formally file the complaint and seek consultations under WTO,” the official said.

    The US had raised visa fee in 2010 to fund its enhanced costs on securing border with Mexico under the Border Security Act. India has been protesting against the measure at different forums.

    An American law (Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010) has substantially increased the fees for H-1B and L-1 categories of visas for applicants that employ more than 50 employee in the US or have more than 50 per cent of their employees admitted on non-immigrant visas (called the “50/50 rule”).

    “… which is prima facie discriminatory for Indian companies,” Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia had said earlier.

    According to industry experts the H1B visa fee has been increased to USD 2,000 per visa application and L1 by USD 2,700 per visa application.

    Some of the top Indian companies–TCS, Infosys, Wipro and Mahindra Satyam– were affected by the US action on visa fee. The US is the largest market for the Indian software exports.

    As per the procedure of WTO, consultation is the first stage of a complaint filed with the global trade body.
    Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further. After 60 days, if consultations fail to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

    In April, India had complained that the US had wrongly imposed countervailing duties, a kind of restrictive duty, on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India.

    “We have asked for setting up of panel under the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism on the steel issue,” the official said.

  • Four arrested for attack on Lt Gen K S Brar in London

    Four arrested for attack on Lt Gen K S Brar in London

    London (TIP): The Metropolitan Police have arrested four persons, including a 40-year-old woman, in connection with the stabbing of retired Lt Gen K S Brar, who had led Operation Bluestar 28 years ago to flush out pro-Khalistani militants from the Golden Temple.

    “Officers from the MPS have this evening arrested three men and one woman on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in connection with the investigation into the attempted murder of an Indian man (Brar) in central London on September 30,” a spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police Service said on October 4.

    “All the four are being taken to a central London police station where they will be interviewed by detectives,” he added.

    In the first arrest, one 33-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were held from Wolverhampton at about 17:00 BST (2230 IST), the spokesperson said.

    Another 34-year-old man was arrested after being stopped in a car in West Bromwich about 30 minutes later, while a 25-year-old man was arrested in the same circumstances at 19:00 BST (0030 IST), he said.

    “All four are being taken to a central London police station where they will be interviewed by detectives. Inquiries are ongoing and police continue to appeal for information into the incident,” he said. Brar (78) was on a private visit when he was attacked by four men in Old Quebec Street near Oxford Street on Sunday night when he was returning to his hotel with his wife.

    Brar, who was assaulted with a knife or a sharp implement, suffered a wound on his neck but his wife was not injured in the attack, police had said.

    The four men who attacked him were described as being of Asian appearance, all with long beards, and were wearing dark clothing and long black jackets.

    One was described as younger and slimmer than the other three.

    They all fled in the direction of Oxford Street.

    After the attack, Brar said he had informed local army authorities in Mumbai about his private visit to London, but the Indian High Commission here said it was unaware of his trip.

    Brar, who returned to Mumbai along with his wife after receiving initial treatment, had said that he is convinced it was an attempt to assassinate him by “pro-Khalistan elements” for his role in the 1984 Operation Bluestar.

    “There were lot of hate messages on the net, there were online threats against me. There were pledges to kill me,” he had said. The operation was aimed at flushing out Sikh terrorists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale from the Golden Temple.

    General A S Vaidya who was the Army Chief in 1984 planned the highly controversial Operation Bluestar.

    In 1986 Vaidya was shot dead in Pune.

  • Rahul Gandhi falls back on family ties to woo Kashmiris

    Rahul Gandhi falls back on family ties to woo Kashmiris

    Z-MORH, SONMARG (TIP): Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived in Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday amid reports of growing differences between his party and ruling coalition partner National Conference and threat to panchayat members. He identified himself as a Kashmiri to reach out to the people and said he wanted to understand their pain.
    “I want to hear you, understand your problems and work for their redressal,” said Rahul.

    At the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel at Sonamarg, about 85 km from Srinagar to be built in five years by the Border Roads Organisation, Rahul said, “I am from a Kashmiri family and want to have lifelong relations with the people of J&K. No power can separate us.”

    The Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh section of the NH 1 is the first step towards all-weather road connectivity in the state. Another tunnel would be built at Zojila Pass about 22 km from Z-Morh tunnel.

    Rahul wanted the youth of J&K to be involved in the development of the state. “Every state has enjoyed its share in the development process. J&K also deserves all-round development and economic welfare,” Rahul said.

    Rahul recalled the close ties between CM Omar Abdullah’s grandfather Sheikh Abdullah and his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Rajiv Gandhi’s relations with Omar’s father Farooq Abdullah. He wanted to work with Omar Abdullah similarly for the betterment of J&K.

    Omar reciprocated with fond memories of the ties between his family with the Gandhis and called Rahul a “personal friend”.

    Omar said attempts were made to address the Kashmir issue. “My grandfather (Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) and Jawahar Lal Nehru joined hands for the progress of this state and country. Then Rajiv-Farooq accord happened. The agenda was one that somehow the political issues of J&K be solved through dialogue,” he said.

    Farooq Abdullah said there would be problems along their way but they should remain steadfast in their endeavours. “Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah joined hands for a progressive Kashmir.

  • Maoist diktat says no Hindi Films in Nepal

    Maoist diktat says no Hindi Films in Nepal

    Kathmandu (TIP): The Maoists have succeeded in preventing the supply of Bollywood films to Nepal after blocking all traffic via Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh. As a result, there is no cinema hall in Nepal showing a Hindi film at present. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), a radical faction of the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), led by Mohan Kiran Vaidya had threatened last week that supporters would attack cinema halls if they continued screening Hindi films. Simultaneously, several Maoist groups owing allegiance to Vaidya established their camps in Nepal’s border area of Bhairahwan near Nautanwa in Maharajganj on the UP side and stopped all vehicles from plying between the two countries.

    Vaidya had alleged that Hindi movies created hatred against Nepal. “They show Nepalis as servants only and portray us in bad light,” he said. Raj Kumar Rai, president of Nepal Film Producers Association, was quoted as saying that cinema halls across Nepal will incur a loss of several crores. “Since most of the people go to cinema halls to see Hindi movies, they are now deprived of entertainment here.