NEW YORK, NY (TIP): The new Permanent Representative of India to the United Nation, Asoke Mukerji hosted an inaugural reception at the Permanent Mission in New York April 30th. Senior officials at the UN, diplomats from member countries at the UN and the international media attended the event. In his first official speech at the Permanent Mission, Asoke Mukerji vowed to maintain the mission’s accomplishments and also carry forward the legacy of his predecessors. This was the first official event after the PR took his office on April 16th 2013. Before his appointment at New York, Mukerji had served as Special Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. He was in-charge of Political, Policy Planning and Review Matters and Coordinator for Counter-
Month: May 2013
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Second Edition Of Oak Tree Shopping Festival
ISELIN, NJ (TIP): Touchdown Media Inc. announced April 19 the second outing of the popular OAK TREE SHOPPING FESTIVAL. Scheduled for the weekend of May 18 and 19, 2013, this 2-day extravaganza will be held in the heart of the original ‘Little India’ in Iselin NJ. Developed by Touchdown Media, the event is being organized to boost local business and bring all that Oak Tree has to offer to the forefront and once again establish it as the premier South Asian shopping destination.
Featuring deep discounts and special deals at Oak Tree Road’s finest shops and restaurants, this second Annual Festival promises to draw a crowd of families from the East Coast and beyond. Merchants will offer discounts anywhere from 30% to an unprecedented 70% on clothes, jewelry, fashion along with a unique promotion on food – a Restaurant Weekend with varied specials for the throngs of shoppers. A $5 loyalty card can be purchased on the website www.OakTreeShoppingFestival.com so customers can get FREE items at participating restaurants at each visit. “Encouraged by the astounding success last year, we are yet again bringing this festival for the people and the businesses to get a jump start on the shopping season,” says Rahul Walia, Founder of the Oak Tree Shopping Festival and CEO, Touchdown Media Inc.
Food Application – Mypref and Malaysian Paratha major Kawan are the Associate Sponsors for the event along with local merchants Raj Jewels and Sona Jewelers. Star Plus and Life OK along with Radio Zindagi (100.7FM & 104.7FM) and Parikh Worldwide Media are the supporting media partners for the festival. Star Plus will add to the excitement, by bringing in favorite soap stars from India to shop at this exclusive event. The attendees will be availing these exceptional discounts, all the while hobnobbing and shopping with their favorite celebrities! The Oak Tree Shopping festival promises to deliver a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for its attendees.
So whether you’re a regular or visiting Oak Tree Road for the first time, be sure to join the festivities at the Oak Tree Shopping Festival this May 18th and 19th! This event will be free to attend and open to the public May 18th and May 19th, 1pm – 6pm. For more information and details on exclusive deals, please visit www.OakTreeShoppingFestival.com. Like us on Facebook at Oak Tree Road Shopping Festival 2013. (Based on a Press Release issued by Touchdown Media, Inc.)
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New Passport Service Provider Appointed
NEW YORK (TIP): A press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Washington April 26 said that BLS International Services Ltd will be the new service provider for all Indian Passport Services in the USA with effect from May 07, 2013. The Services of the current service provider VFS Global Ltd., the release said will be terminated with effect from May 07, 2013 at all Embassy/Consulate locations in USA. VFS Global Ltd will continue to receive passport applications in person until May 6 and by mail until May 3, 2013. Those applying after those dates may submit their applications to new service provider.
Their website and location details are given below: Website : http://www.blsindia-usa.com
(1) Washington DC: 800 K Street NW Suite # MR-12 Washington DC 20001
(2) New York: 28 West 30th Street Suite 202 New York NY 10001
(3) Chicago : 29 East Madison Street Suite # 1203 Chicago IL 60602
(4) San Francisco: 4837 Geary Blvd San Francisco CA 94118
(5) Atlanta: 5775 Glenridge Drive Northeast Building B Suite # 390 Atlanta GA 30328
(6) Houston: 9800 Northwest Fwy Suite 602 Houston TX 77092
For Information related to passport services: info@blsindia-usa.com -
Mandolin Shrinivas to perform in NJ May 5
EDISON, NJ (TIP): The innovative mandolin maestro U.Shrinivas with his amazingly talented brother U.Rajesh will be performing live in concert on May 5 in Edison, NJ. Shrinivas is well known for his niche in Indian instrumental music. U.Shrinivas has been captivating audiences for more than the last thirty years. He gave his first public performance in 1978 at the age of nine. He was soon thereafter hailed as child mandolin prodigy, and went on to perform all across India and in several countries around the world. At the West Berlin Jazz Festival Shrinivas was privileged to give a repeat performance of his mandolin at the request of the audience to a standing ovation, which was telecast live by German TV. Shrinivas performs traditional Carnatic Music, but his innovative approach to this classical art form creates an original style-for which he is recognized across the globe.
Shrinivas has revived and raised the mandolin, an unknown instrument in carnatic music and given it a respectable status. Shrinivas has performed with western musicians such as John McLaughlin, Michael Brook, Trey Gunn, and Nigel Kennedy as well as with Indian Classical musicians such as Ustad Zakir Hussain, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Vikku Vinaykram, Sivamani to name a few. Shrinivas is a part of the music group “Remember Shakti” which combines elements of traditional Indian music with elements of Jazz. The brothers Shrinivas and Rajesh will be accompanied by Madirimangalam Swaminathan on Mridangam and Trichy Murali on Ghatam on May 5, 4:00 p.m at J.P Stevens High School, 855 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820
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Cremated With State Honours
BIKHIWIND (TIP): The mortal remains of Sarabjit Singh, which were brought to his village here 23 years after he inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan, were consigned to flames on May 3 afternoon with state honours. Draped in the tricolour, the body of Sarabjit Singh was taken to the cremation ground from the village school in a procession. Sarabjit’s family members performed his last rites. Union minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur, an MP from Patiala, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his deputy Sukhbir Badal and a number of leaders attended the last rites of Sarabjit. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also attended the funeral of Sarabjit Singh. The government had announced a state funeral and also a three-day mourning as a mark of respect to Sarabjit, besides financial aid and government jobs for his family. The village with a population of around 11,000 and located about 36km from Amritsar, is in a state of mourning since Thursday with residents gathering near the house of the family after the news of the Indian prisoner’s death spread.
Shops and commercial establishments in this area have also remained shut. The village witnessed angry protests with locals raising anti-Pakistan slogans and burning effigies. Officials of the district administration had made arrangements for the state funeral in the outskirts of Bikhiwind. A large posse of police personnel were deployed. Meanwhile, a second autopsy was conducted on Thursday night by a team of six doctors at the government-run Amritsar Medical College to ascertain the cause of Sarabjit’s death. The first postmortem was carried out at the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has demanded an independent probe by an international agency into the circumstances leading to Sarabjit’s death. According to his family, Sarabjit had inadvertently crossed the zero-line near here in an inebriated state while working in his fields which run along the border. Sarabjit was arrested in 1990 by the name of Manjit Singh by Pakistan army in 1990. He was accused of being an Indian spy and was charged with plotting series of bomb blasts in 1989 at Lahore and Multan. He was tried by courts and was awarded death penalty. Sarabjit’s trial in Pakistan was based on a statement which Pakistani authorities had claimed was given by him during the course of investigation. However, Sarabjit had said during his trial in court that he was a farmer on the Indian side of the border and had strayed into Pakistan while he was drunk, a stand which was also taken by his family members. His 54-year-old sister Dalbir Kaur had unsuccessfully led a campaign to secure Sarabjit’s freedom. She was joined by Sarabjit’s wife Sukhpreet Kaur (around 45-year-old) and daughters Swapandeep Kaur and Poonam, both in their mid twenties.
The two daughters were minors when their father crossed over to Pakistan and they had their first glimpse of their father in 2008 when they went to Pakistan with their mother and aunt. Dalbir Kaur had gone to Pakistan a couple of times as part of her attempts since 1991 to get her brother freed. Sarabjit, the second Indian prisoner to die in Pakistan’s notorious Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore this year, was brutally attacked on Friday last by six fellow inmates when he and other prisoners were brought out of their cells for a break. Sarabjit was convicted of alleged involvement in bomb attacks in Punjab province that killed 14 people in 1990 and spent about 22 years in Pakistani prisons. His mercy petitions were rejected by the courts and former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. The previous Pakistan Peoples Party-led government had put off Sarabjit’s execution for an indefinite period in 2008.
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Bangladesh Building Disaster Death Toll Crosses 500
DHAKA (TIP): The death toll from the past week’s collapse of a garment factory complex in Bangladesh passed 500 on May 3 as the country’s prime minister said Western retailers had to share some of the blame for the tragedy.With bulldozers now clawing away at the mountain of rubble at the site of the disaster, the number of bodies being recovered from the country’s deadliest industrial disaster has been increasing sharply. Lieutenant Mir Rabbi, an officer in a special army control room set up to coordinate the rescue operation, told AFP the “death toll now stands at 501”, a sharp rise on the figure of 441 compiled by authorities on May 2 evening.
Dozens more people are thought to have been buried alive after the eight-storey building collapsed on April 24 in Savar, which lies around 30 kilometres (20 miles) to the northwest of Dhaka. Around 3,000 garment workers were on shift at the time of the disaster in the Rana Plaza compound which housed five different textile factories. Spain’s Mango, Britain’s low-cost Primark chain and the Italian label Benetton were among the retailers who have confirmed having products made at Rana Plaza where the typical worker took home less than 40 dollars a month
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Sarabjit Singh Returns In A Coffin
NEW DELHI (TIP): The body of Sarabjit Singh was brought back on May 2 evening in a special aircraft sent by India. Two Indian diplomats accompanied the body, which was received at Amritsar airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Following an autopsy in Amritsar, Sarabjit will be cremated in his village Bhikhiwind on Friday with full state honours extended by the Punjab government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Sarabjit a “brave son of India” and said it was “particularly regrettable” that Pakistan did not heed pleas to take a humanitarian view of his case. Sarabjit, who was assaulted in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail by fellow inmates on April 26, died at 1.30 am India time on May 2 after a “cardiac arrest”, according to doctors at Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital.
The death row prisoner was reported to be in a “nonreversible coma” and close to “brain death” on Wednesday. Punjab announced financial assistance of Rs 1 crore for the family, and declared state mourning for three days. The state government has already announced government jobs for Sarabjit’s daughters Swapandeep Kaur and Poonam. A devastated Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit, called for her brother to be declared a martyr, and asked all political parties to unite for a strong collective response to Pakistan. The Prime Minister said that the criminals responsible for “the barbaric and murderous attack must be brought to justice”. The Indian government demanded that Pakistan conduct a “thorough probe” and ensure punishment for those responsible. “This was simply the killing of an Indian citizen while in the custody of Pakistani authorities,” Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a statement. “The attack highlights the need for concerted action by Pakistan to safeguard Indian prisoners in Pakistan.” Parliament observed two minutes of silence in memory of Sarabjit.
Both Houses adopted a resolution expressing Parliament’s “deep sense of shock and sorrow”, and condemning the “inhuman treatment” meted out to Sarabjit. The resolution hoped that the culprits would be brought to book. BJP president Rajnath Singh condemned the “cold blooded murder” and demanded that India call back its high commissioner in Pakistan and scale down diplomatic relations. Asked if normal ties with Pakistan were possible in the wake of Sarabjit’s death, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, “I think it is a big question that in coming days we will have to examine and see how do we work.” Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited the distraught family of Sarabjit at the residence of Rajkumar Verka, vice-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Rahul hugged Dalbir as she wept, and offered his condolences.
In Lahore, police added murder charges to the FIR registered against two death row prisoners, Amer Aftab alias Amer Tambewala and Mudassar, who had been booked earlier for the attack on 49-year-old Sarabjit. Najam Sethi, the caretaker chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, assured Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal that Sarabjit’s murderers would be brought to justice. The Indian envoy met Sethi on a scheduled visit to Lahore. Sethi also ordered a judicial enquiry and directed officials to ensure that the probe was completed in 15 days. The inquiry will be conducted by a high court judge, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Sarabjit’s body was handed over to the Indian High Commission after an autopsy at Jinnah Hospital.
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Sikhs Take Out An Impressive Sikh Day Parade In New York
NEW YORK, NY (TIP): Organized by the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, New York, the Sikh Day Parade on April 27 in Manhattan, New York, attracted, as usual, large crowds of Sikh men, women and children from the Tri -States area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Besides, contingents came from as far as Philadelphia and Maryland.
An estimated 30,000 ( according to the organizers, 50, 000) Sikhs participated. The parade that started from 36th street and Madison Ave wound its way through the city and ended up at 26th Street and Madison Ave for the conference. The event is held annually to mark Vaisakhi, the harvest festival of Punjab that coincides with the day the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, created the order of Khalsa in 1699. All along and at the conference, placards with Prof. Davinderpaul Singh Bhullar’s photograph were carried by the participants who raised slogans for freedom for Bhullar and denounced government of India for being unjust to the Sikhs. Pro Khalistan slogans were also raised. The parade was dedicated to Prof. Davinderpaul Singh Bhullar who is in death row in India. The Parade passed a resolution requesting President of USA to secure freedom for Prof. Bhullar. The memorandum to US President alleged atrocities on Sikhs in India in 1984 (Operation Blue Star in which “1600 innocent Sikhs were killed” and killing of Sikhs in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s assassination when “3000 innocent Sikhs were brutally murdered”) and continued injustice to the community in India. It said Prof. Bhullar is being unjustly put to death even though there is no evidence of the crime he is said to have committed.
The resolution read, inter alia, ” Sikh Cultural Society on behalf of this 50,000 strong peaceful gathering of Sikhs from the Tri-State area, but in spirit of all the Sikh Americans pass the resolution to request Mr. Barack Obama, the President of USA, to use his good offices and ask Indian government to stop the execution of Prof. Bhullar” . The resolution was received by Harpreet Singh Sandhu, an official with the Director of Public Engagement, White House. The first to be asked to speak was the President of Sikh Youth of America, the most vocal Khalistani organization that was founded by Dr. Amarjit Singh of Washington. Gurvinder Singh Manna, in his 8 minute long speech called upon the Sikhs all over the world to raise their voice of protest against death to Prof. Bhullar. He said that Prof. Bhullar’s confessional statement was obtained under duress and there is no witness nor any other corroborative evidence to prove his guilt. Even the judgment of the three judge bench was a split judgment when the presiding judge Justice Shah did not find Prof. guilty. The President of India who rejected Prof. Bhullar’s mercy petition did so without following the proper process of consulting the presiding judge, since the law says in the case of a split judgment, President should confer with the presiding judge in deciding on a mercy petition. Manna called upon Sikhs to work tirelessly to have their homeland without which they will always be subjected to injustice.
Another noteworthy speaker at the parade conference was Ganga Singh Dhillon, one of the front ranking fighters for Sikh homeland, who, in spite of his frail health, was present to read out the resolution and present his viewpoint. He said, “sloganeering only helps government of India to brand Sikhs as separatists.” He noted that nothing could be achieved by raising slogans. The only way was to fight for Sikh homeland. Obviously, he was repeating himself when he went to Pakistan and from there organized the militant movement for Khalistan. Others who spoke included Boota Singh Kharaund, President of Shiromani Akali Dal , Mann (Simranjit Singh Mann ), Attorney Jaspreet Singh, Baljinder Singh Brar from Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, Carterot, Gurmej Singh, President, Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lobana, New York, and Hardev Singh Padda, President, Sikh Gurdwara, Flushing. Two former Khalistani leaders, Gurmit Singh Auluck and Paramjit Singh Ajarawat, from Washington appeared to be ignored by the organizers. Auluck used to be the principal voice of Khalistanis some 20 years ago. He held sway up to 2000 and then faded out. Paramjit Ajarawat also was a potent Khalistani voice but now seems to have lost esteem with the Sikh leaders.
They were invited to speak at the end when the gathering had almost left. Their disappointment was writ large on their faces. Contrary to their fate, resurrection of octogenarian Ganga Singh Dhillon, who has links in Pakistan, is surprising and intriguing. Among the political leaders and law makers present were Congresswoman Grace Meng, Council Member Mark Weprin, and Reshma Saujani who is seeking election to the Public Advocate in September, 2013. Gurdev Singh Kang, President of the Sikh Cultural Society which organizes the parade every year, expressed his gratitude to the participants for turning out in large numbers and celebrating the event in a befitting manner. He thanked the guest speakers, including the local politicians and law makers, for their time and valuable views they expressed.
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SC Questions Z-Class Security Cover For Mukesh Ambani
NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court today questioned the government’s decision to provide state security to billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani. The government had agreed to provide Mukesh Ambani with toplevel security cover following threats to his life. Referring to the lack of security for the common man and, especially, to rape of the five-yearold child, the apex court said the rape would not have occurred if there was proper security in the capital. Under ‘Z Category’ cover, Ambani will have 22 security guards, an escort and a pilot car, an arrangement similar to that provided for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi.
The country’s richest man, who controls the Reliance Industries Ltd conglomerate, personally requested the ‘Z Category’ security that is usually reserved for politicians and top-level civil servants. Ambani has agreed to pay the government up to Rs 900,000 a month for protection by armed commandos. Ambani received a handwritten letter about two months ago that threatened an attack at his $1 billion Mumbai residence.
He added that the Islamist group Indian Mujahideen was suspected of sending the letter, but investigations were still under way. Social media websites were abuzz with criticism of the move, with many questioning why highly trained commandos should protect a private citizen. Among them was Arvind Kejriwal, an anti-graft activist, who told Reuters: “He is such a rich man. He can hire the best security agencies. Why does the government need to provide him with security?” “None of the political parties is opposing this move. This clearly shows Mukesh Ambani is in the good books of all political parties,” Kejriwal added.
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Strike By Even A Midget Nuke Will Invite Massive Response, India Warns Pak
NEW DELHI (TIP): India will retaliate massively even if Pakistan uses tactical nuclear weapons against it. With Pakistan developing “tactical” nuclear warheads, that is, miniaturizing its weapons to be carried on short-range missiles, India will protect its security interests by retaliating to a “smaller” tactical attack in exactly the same manner as it would respond to a “big” strategic attack. Articulating Indian nuclear policy in this regard for the first time, Shyam Saran, convener of the National Security Advisory Board, said, “India will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, but if it is attacked with such weapons, it would engage in nuclear retaliation which will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage on its adversary.
The label on a nuclear weapon used for attacking India, strategic or tactical, is irrelevant from the Indian perspective.” This is significant, because Saran was placing on record India’s official nuclear posture with the full concurrence of the highest levels of nuclear policymakers in New Delhi. Giving a speech on India’s nuclear deterrent recently, Saran placed India’s nuclear posture in perspective in the context of recent developments, notably the “jihadist edge” that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons capability have acquired.
Saran argued that as a result of its tactical weapons, Pakistan believes it has brought down the threshold of nuclear use. “Pakistani motivation is to dissuade India from contemplating conventional punitive retaliation to sub-conventional but highly destructive and disruptive crossborder terrorist strikes such as the horrific 26/11 attack on Mumbai. What Pakistan is signalling to India and to the world is that India should not contemplate retaliation even if there is another Mumbai because Pakistan has lowered the threshold of nuclear use to the theatre level.
This is nothing short of nuclear blackmail, no different from the irresponsible behaviour one witnesses in North Korea,” he said. One of the main reasons for Pakistan miniaturizing its nukes is actually to keep its weapons from being confiscated or neutralized by the US, a fear that has grown in the Pakistani establishment in the wake of the operation against Osama bin Laden. “Pakistan has, nevertheless, projected its nuclear deterrent as solely targeted at India and its strategic doctrine mimics the binary nuclear equation between the US and the Soviet Union which prevailed during the Cold War,” Saran said.
However, warning Pakistan, he added, “A limited nuclear war is a contradiction in terms. Any nuclear exchange, once initiated, would swiftly and inexorably escalate to the strategic level. Pakistan would be prudent not to assume otherwise as it sometimes appears to do, most recently by developing and perhaps deploying theatre nuclear weapons.” There have been significant shifts in Pakistan’s nuclear posture recently. First is the movement from uranium to a newer generation of plutonium weapons, which has enabled Pakistan to increase the number of weapons, outstripping India in weapons and fissile material production.
Although they are still to be verified, Pakistan has claimed it has miniaturized nuclear weapons to be used on cruise missiles and other short-range missiles. The newer generation of Pakistan’s weapons are also solidfuelled rather than liquid, making them easier to transport and launch.
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Sajjan Acquittal: Angry Sikhs Protest, Block Metro, Traffic
NEW DELHI (TIP): Scores of angry Sikh groups, waving placards and shouting slogans, blocked a busy road and disrupted the Metro service for a few hours to express their outrage over the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a case related to the 1984 anti- Sikh riots.
As the Sikh groups promised more such protests, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit pleaded that “the issue not be politicised.” Holding placards that read “Give justice to ’84 victims” and “Hang the culprits who massacred Sikhs”, different Sikh groups gathered outside the Tilak Nagar police station in west Delhi since early morning. Most of them were from the Tilak Vihar area, a resettlement and rehabilitation colony that houses the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The Sikh groups were angry at the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar by a city court Tuesday in a case related to the killing of five people in the Delhi Cantonment area during violence against Sikhs following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi Oct 31, 1984. The court convicted five others in the same case. Sajjan Kumar’s acquittal came almost three decades after an estimated 3,000 Sikhs were killed in three days of riots in India’s capital and elsewhere.
The group then barged into the nearby Tilak Nagar Metro station and came onto the track, disrupting the service for a few hours. The agitated protesters also forcefully halted a Metro train. A group of Sikhs also entered the Subhash Nagar Metro station a few kilometres away. As a result, commuters traveling on the line that connects Dwarka in the west and Noida on the outskirts of Delhi were affected. The two stations were shut down for two hours. They were re-opened after security officials cleared the protesting crowd.
“We want justice..we don’t have any faith in the Congress government. Tomorrow (Thursday) we are planning to protest outside Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence at 10.30 a.m.,” Manjeet Singh, president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, said. They demanded action against Sajjan Kumar and other accused in riot cases, including another Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, blamed for instigating a mob that led to the murder of three men in a gurdwara in north Delhi in Nov 1, 1984. A city court on April 10 re-opened the case against him.
A Delhi Metro official said: “Subhash Nagar Metro station and Tilak Nagar Metro station were opened for public around 3 p.m. Around 12.45 p.m., scores of protestors entered the station and they jumped into the tracks. A train was forced to halt for around 10 minutes.” Hemendra Singh, spokesperson of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that provides security to the Delhi Metro network, said: “Over 60 protesters barged into Subhash Nagar Metro station. The few CISF personnel could not stop them from entering.”
“A train was delayed for a few minutes. Tilak Nagar Metro station also saw similar scenes. Entry gates of the two stations were closed for over two hours,” Hemendra Singh said. “No damage was caused,” Singh said. According to additional commissioner of police V. Renganathan, the protesting crowd of a few hundreds blocked the busy Najafgarh Road in west Delhi. He said after the protest the crowd also held a “langar” near the Subhash Nagar Metro station, which led to further traffic chaos. Reacting to the protests, Dikshit said: “The court has taken a decision. If someone is not satisfied with it, they can go to a higher court. What is the need to politicise it?”
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Chittoor’s Horsley Hills Touch The Clouds
The quaint hill station of Horsley Hills in Chittoor district is the perfect refuge for weekend holidayers. Pristine air, panoramic views of the surrounding hillocks and dense forests, perfect weather and tranquillity — can one ask for more? Standing at a dizzying height of 4,312 feet (1,314 meters) above sea-level, the unspoilt and tranquil environs of Horsley Hills in Chittoor district command breath-taking, panoramic views of the lush expanse of the broken hill ranges of the Southern portion of the Eastern Ghats. Located near the South Western border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this “Andhra Ooty”, with its rich foliage, wildlife and pleasant climate is undoubtedly one of the underrated hill stations in the country. It is a little known fact that the hills, called Archeans, are geologically some of the oldest. The idyllic hill station has temperatures that range from 5 degrees celcius to a maximum of 32 degrees celcius. And on most days, the occasional clouds that pass by you, leave you in awe. Situated at a distance of 56 kms from Madanapalle, it is well-connected to Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Bangalore and Chennai, and boasts of several tourist spots and adventure sports in the vicinity. The area is a treasure trove of deciduous flora and fauna and rich in eucalyptus, silver oak, mahogany, coffee, jacaranda, allamanda, gulmohar and flowering plants. It is also famous for red sanders and sandalwood. The dense forests are home to several wild animals and birds. Panthers, sambars, wildboars, bears, four-horned antelopes, jungle-fowls, porcupine are found in the ravines. The environs of the charming hill station is home to several species of birds. Great Indian bustard for one, is the more famous and fast-disappearing species found here. The hills are also frequented by migratory birds like the red-throated flycatcher, Montagu’s harrier, blue-headed rockthrush, ultramarine lycatcher etc. The invigorating scent of the eucalyptus trees, the soul-stirring sights of the underlying expanse, the echoing chirp of exotic birds and the tranquil aura that encompasses the hill station make it the perfect getaway for adventure-loving friends, couples and families alike.
Steeped in history
The hillocks got their name from WH Horsley, a British civil servant who served as the Collector of Cuddapah (Kadapa) between 1863-1867. In awe of the idyllic environs, he built the first building here — a summer bungalow — in 1862, that is now called ‘Forest Bungalow’. The tiles used for flooring were imported from England in 1863. Originally, the hillock was called Yenugu Mallamma Konda by locals and the name has a rather interesting folklore history associated with it. According to local folklore, it got its name from Mallamma, who was a saintly lady, raised by elephants in these hills around 300 years back. A temple in her name, exists 20 kms from Horsley Hills. Also situated 20 kms outside Horsley Hills, en route Madanapalle, are three hillocks situated in a straight line that house three Mallikarjunaswamy temples on their respective summits. The famed Rishi Valley School that was founded by Madanapalle-born philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, is located at the foot of the very hills.Environmental Park
The Environmental Park, known as EEC centre, was built by Hyderabadi environmentalist Balijepalli Venkata Subba Rao. The lush park is a mini-ecosystem in itself, complete with trees, coffee plants, a crocodile enclosure, a mini-zoo, lake Mansarovar and a nature study centre. The study centre has a museum and also an AV room where one can watch videos on wildlife, apart from a library.Gaali banda/Wind rock
The hillock that boasts of a cliff slope, made of a single rock that extends several thousand feet downwards, is worth a visit. One can walk down the entire hillrock, admiring the unobstructed view of the lowlying expanse. Enjoy the rejuvenating heavy winds as they blow past you.Highview seeing point
It is the most popular spot located at the highest summit, that offers allencompassing view of the underlying ravines, valleys, broken hillocks and dense forests. The view of the endless expanse, dotted by hills and forests is in itself worth the trip to the hill station. Don’t miss the sunset from this point — it is truly a spectacle not to be missed. Kalyani tree Do visit the 148-year -old eucalyptus tree — ‘Kalyani’ — that is visible from the Kadiri-Madanapalle road, that is 70 kms away, on clear days. Planted by WH Horsley in 1859, the tree was awarded the Maha Vriksha Puraskar a few years ago.Lake Gangotri and Mansarovar
Gangotri is located at the entry of the hills, while Manasarovar is found next to the study centre in the Environ-mental Park. Folklore has it that both lakes never dry up.TOURIST SPOTS World’s largest Banyan tree
Thimmamma Marrimanu banyan tree, that is located at a distance of 75 kms from Horsley Hills, was awarded the Guinness Record title of the ‘World’s biggest banyan tree’ in 1989. Spread over eight acres, the sprawling banyan tree is named after Thimmamma, a lady who jumped into the funeral pyre of her husband and transformed into the tree with her husband, according to folklore. The tree houses a temple and Thimmamma’s samadhi. The temple is very popular and is known to bestow the miracle of birth upon childless couples. The place is open from 6 am to 9 pm and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management is all set to take over the maintenance of the temple, that is currently overlooked by the village committee.The famed temples
Three temples atop three hillocks that are aligned in a straight line around Horsley Hills and Madanapalle are popular tourist spots in the Chittoor district. Devotees throng the temple on Maha Shivatri and full-moon nights. The Sri Akanda Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam is perched atop the Malliah Konda — the middle hill — located in Angallu near Madanapalle.Where to stay
The most popular choice with visitors is the AP Tourism Hill Resorts that is perched atop the hills. The resorts is a comfy haven, equipped with modern-day amenities and services. Apart from cottages, rooms, the resort boasts of a swimming pool surrounded by hills, a Kerala ayurveda centre that is a unit of Santhigiri Ashram, a bar, a full-fledged restaurant, a kids play area, a conference complex and adventure sports facilities.Adventure sports area
People can choose from a wide array of exciting activities like zorbing, rappelling and trekking that can be booked for a minimum batch of 10 participants. Burma bridge, earthquake, spider web, rope sliding, horizontal ladder are some of the high rope activities one can opt for, besides the trampoline, archery, etc. The adventure sports are open from 7 am to 6 pm and anyone above 5 years are eligible.Swimming pool
Nestled between scenic hills, the swimming pool is open from 8 am to 6 pm. Two adults and a child staying at the resort, are entitled to one hour of swimming at no extra cost. One can also opt for fun activities like water-walking in the swimming pool. -
Asthma Kill Your Sex Life?
Sex adds more pleasure to life for sure and is also necessary for a healthy relationship. But sometimes your sex life can take a hit and one of the reasons for that could be asthma. Your asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness can affect your sex life drastically. An asthmatic sufferer many not be able to experience sexual satisfaction due to those symptoms. If, asthma has brought your sex-life to a halt, then this article is meant for you.
How can sex trigger asthma?
Sex involves a combination of physical movements and increased breathing; these two factors can cause trigger asthma. Extreme emotions can also temporarily worsen your asthma symptoms. Besides, some people may experience asthma symptoms during sex and the asthma attack caused by sex is called as ‘sexerciseinduces asthma’How to control it?
If your bedroom life is going to the dogs because of your asthma then you should speak to your physician. Your physician can prescribe bronchodilators, which can help to relax your muscles in the large and small airways thus increasing ventilation. Overdose is dangerous; hence consult your doctor before taking it. Besides, you should also change your bed sheets and pillow covers regularly to avoid common dust triggers present in the sheets.Tips to enjoy normal sex-life
Change positions – Avoid putting too much of pressure on your chest. Constantly keep on changing positions to avoid asthma attack. Try a comfortable penetration position that will not threaten to trigger your asthmas attack. Adopt various love-making techniques – Don’t just focus on vigorous love making techniques. Adopt other techniques to pleasure each other in a less vigorous manner. -
Lack Of Sleep Puts You In Bad Moodnew Italian Flick
Here’s something that will interest a lot of men. And, even women. Here’s something that will interest a lot of men. And, even women. A new study has revealed that lack of sleep makes women feel grumpy the next morning — so don’t take their attitude too personally next time. While lack of sleep can affect both men and women, it seems that women are more affected because they require more sleep than men and can suffer mentally as well as physically if they don’t get their precious snooze time.
So if you haven’t got adequate sleep the night before and are looking to change your mood, here are simple ways… – Feel like biting everyone’s head off ? It is best you avoid interacting with people unless necessary. Stay alone for some time and ask yourself if it is worth saying or doing something that you might regret later. – When you’re in a bad mood, you are tempted to stick to a story that justifies it. Don’t. Let it go.
Only you are in charge of your mood and can change it. – Generate positive feelings. Read inspirational quotes, listen to songs that uplift your mood, watch a movie, read your favourite book, go out shopping or eat your favourite snack. – Spend some time with your pet. Just petting your pet will evoke a sense of calmness and well-being.
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VIDYA BALAN: CANNES I PULL IT OFF IN A SAREE?
Anxious Vidya calls up Sabya to work out a slam-proof look for her Red Carpet stint. On April 24 morning, Vidya Balan was chosen to be a part of the nine-member jury, headed by Steven Spielberg, at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The actress, who was busy shooting for a special song at Filmalaya studio for Ghanchakkar, did not have enough time to field media queries about the honour. But she did have time to make that one very critical call: to the man who has turned her into the biggest brand ambassador of the saree, Sabyasachi.
Given that Vidya has never had an easy relationship with the fashion police, and how the Cannes red carpet comes under the severest scrutiny, sources close to the actress say she has been quite anxious about her high-profile appearance. When she called Sabya with a mix of excitement and apprehension, the feeling was mutual. A friend of the actress said: “Sabyasachi is very excited to be a part of Vidya’s big moment.
They have become thick friends over the years and Vidya trusts the designer blindly when it comes to designing her sarees. However, Sabya is a bit nervous this time, as he doesn’t want anything to go wrong on the red carpet.” The designer called up Nisha Kundnani, an independent stylist who has worked with Aamir and Kiran Rao in the past. A source added: “Sabya requested Nisha to carry alternative options for Vidya, in case there were last-minute changes.”
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I Don’t Want To Do Glamorous Roles: Mallika Sherawat
Mallika Sherawat may be known for her bold roles and glamorous item numbers but the actress now wants to do performance-oriented films. “Now I want to do performanceoriented roles. I don’t want to do glamorous roles and item songs. It is a conscious decision that I have taken. I do get lots of offers for item songs and glam roles but it is a deliberate choice not to do it,” she said.
In an image overhaul, Mallika will be seen in a complete desi avatar in her upcoming film ‘Dirty Politics’, where she essays the role of Anokhi Devi, based on Jodhpur’s Bhanwari Devi, who was killed under mysterious circumstances after her alleged relationship with politicians. The film directed by KC Bokadia, stars Om Puri, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Ashutosh Rana in key roles. In her last release ‘Kismat Love Paisa Dilli’, she played the role of a girl-next-door. The film bombed at the box office.
Despite having starred in Bollywood films like ‘Murder’, ‘Bachke Rehna Re Baba’, ‘Pyar Ke Side Effects’, ‘Welcome’, ‘Ugly Aur Pagli’ among others, it’s Mallika’s item numbers that have kept her on the film map. Also, there were reports that Mallika had moved to Los Angeles to focus on a Hollywood career but she denies it. “I have not moved to LA. It is not true that I have shifted my base there. I was doing a movie ‘Politics of Love’ hence I went there but that was only for shooting. Apart from that I do go for parties and socialdos,” she said.
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Ek Thi Daayan
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Konkana Sen Sharma, Huma Qureshi, Kalki Koechlin Direction: Kannan Iyer Genre: Thriller Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
A young boy is obsessed with the occult. As he grows up, he takes his obsession to giddy lengths—often letting the lines between reality and fiction blur. When you meet the unassuming, bespectacled Kannan Iyer in person, you will never guess that he’s the man who has served up one of Indian cinema’s taut supernatural thriller’s Ek Thi Daayan. It’s piping hot (it’s got Emraan Hashmi–who calls himself a tiger in bed), terribly scary and yet it’s aesthetically garnished.Set in contemporary Mumbai; the film tells you a believable story of Bobo(Emraan) the magician, who is a master in his craft. But when you scratch the surface, scars from his growing up years come to light. Cut to Bobo’s childhood. He’s a curly-haired, cute moppet(Vishesh; he plays the young Emraan) who grows up reading about witch-craft and is inexplicably drawn to magic. He doesn’t realise that his fascination is fast becoming an obsession.
Things reach a head, when his widower father (Pawan Malhotra) brings home a new bride Diana ( Konkana Sen Sharma). The boy equates a step-mother to a daayan(witch) and his young mind plays tricks with him. You find yourself biting your nails in nervousness and digging your heels hard into the carpet in the cinema hall as this spook-fest unfolds. Woven beautifully between the world of magic, occult and suspense, Ek Thi Daayan, makes for compulsive viewing, providing some spine-chilling thrills at short gaps. The narrative in the first half is almost faultless.
There are some nice romantic moments between the lead pair Emraan and Huma and a couple of songs too. But just when you start to relax and flow with the emotions, along comes a scary twist that jolts you back to the edge of your seat. The climax is a bit stereotype of horror/supernatural thrillers but that’s a minor hiccup in an otherwise cleverly done film of this genre. Vishal Bharadwal’s music and Gulzar’s lyrics— especially kaali kaali, yaaram and lautungi main are outstanding. Of the performers—Konkana Sen Sharma and Emraan Hashmi are in top form.
Huma Qureshi, Kalki Koechlin, Pawan Malhotra and the child actor, Vishesh are very competent. Kannan Iyer makes an impressive debut…and kudos to Ekta Kapoor and Vishal Bharadwaj for allowing him to bring his daayan to life without compromises. This film doesn’t play to the galleries nor is it one of those brain-dead movies that Bollywood churns out as assembly line.
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Penelope Goes Topless In New Italian Flick
Penelope Cruz stripped off for scorching sex scenes with Emile Hirsch in new Italian film ‘Venuto Al Mondo’. The 38-year-old Spanish actress plays a single mother who takes her teenage son to Sarajevo where his father died in the Bosnian war 16 years earlier, the Mirror reported. Cruz goes topless, as she has flashbacks to lots of steamy sex scenes with her former lover, played by the ‘Into The Wild’ star.
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PALTROW WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
Gwyneth Paltrow, who was voted as the most hated celebrity last week, has now been named as the world’s most beautiful woman. The 40-year-old actress topped People magazine’s annual list, with actress Kerry Washington coming in second place and ‘Les Miserables’ star Amanda Seyfried coming third, the Mirror reported. Paltrow has stolen the title from her friend Beyonce who was voted the fittest of them all last year.
Speaking about the accolade the Hollywood star said that her Coldplay frontman husband Chris Martin and their two kids, Apple, eight, and Moses, seven, are surprised by the news as they see a very different side of her. She said that when she is in house, she wears just jeans and a T-shirt and doesn’t really put-on any make-up. “And Chris will make a joke about it.
If I’ve gotten fully dressed up, he’ll be like, ‘Oh, wow! You’re Gwyneth Paltrow!’ Because he’s used to seeing me in like baggy shorts and frizzy hair,” she said.
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Scary Movie 5
STORY: The latest from the Scary Movie stable serves up childish gags, faux-scares and spoofs aplenty from Paranormal Activity, Mama, Inception, Evil Dead, Black Swan and more. MOVIE REVIEW: A washed-out looking Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan appear at the beginning of the equally washed-out version of this franchise, kicking off a string of puerile scenes held together by no sense of logic or reason.
The only semblance of a ‘plot’ this film has is when a couple, Jody and Dan (Ashley Tisdale and Simon Rex, respectively), move into a new home with their baby son and immediately afterwards, start to experience all kinds of ‘events’ that range from mildly depraved to downright psychotic. They then try to get to the bottom of these strange happenings. It’s as if someone with a 5-year-old’s sense of humour has been given free rein to make a film and gone overboard with – quite literally – toilet humour.
For the rest of it, the movie relies heavily on send-ups from Paranormal Activity, Mama and Evil Dead. Rise of the Planet of the Apes also gets its own goofball version here. It actually might seem that the apes manage to put on a better act than some of the real-life cast members. And who could have thought that even a movie like Inception could be spoofed? This scene starts off funnily but soon loses steam.
The genuinely funny bits (about five or so) seem to be clustered at the beginning. Snoop Lion knows how to deliver a good laugh and Sheen has made selfdeprecating humour his new ‘thing’. Lohan is just plain embarrassing to watch. And it goes downhill from there. Tolerable in small doses, it looks like it has been cobbled together from random sequences. However, while the Scary Movie series has always been slapstick, a handful of funny bits do not make a successful comedy.
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Chinese Incursion 19km, But 750 Sq Km At Stake For India
NEW DELHI (TIP): The “acne” — as foreign minister Salman khurshid described it — could well turn into a deep scar on India’s face, with the Chinese reinforcing their position across the Line of Actual Control and raising the real prospect of India losing access to 750 sq km in strategically crucial northern Ladakh. While China rebuffed India’s plea to withdraw its troops, squatting 19km inside Indian territory at Raki Nala in the Depsang Bulge area, fresh imagery from Indian spy drones has shown that the People’s Liberation Army has already started using trucks to replenish supplies for over 30 soldiers stationed there.
The pictures, which also show that PLA is trying to convert the track there into a proper road, are transforming what the government had called a “localized problem” into a first-rate diplomatic crisis. The recognition has led to India starting to toughen its response, with Army chief General Bikram Singh on Wednesday briefing the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on the “counter-measures” possible. While a military showdown is not imminent, India may escalate its protest from demarches into a reappraisal of bilateral ties just ahead of the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on May 20.
The audacious intrusion into the Depsang Bulge, a table-top plateau, threatens to cut off India’s access to some 750 sq km area in northern Ladakh: an area roughly half the size of Delhi. The face-off site is just about 35km south of the strategic Karakoram Pass, which is at the tri-junction of China- Pakistan-India borders, and overlooks the Siachen Glacier- Saltoro Ridge to the west and the Indian observation post in the Chumar sector to the east.
Indian Army and ITBP patrols to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) and the Karakoram Pass have to trek across the Saser and Depsang passes – both in excess of 16,000 feet — on foot from Sasoma, which is over 80km north of Leh. So, loss of control over the Depsang Bulge would cut off access to the areas north of the passes.Officers who have done stints there say the Depsang Bulge is the only staging area in the region from where Indian forces can group men and machines to launch any action.
This is because the bulge is the only wide open land in the region which is full of high jagged ridges of the Karakoram range in the north and Ladakh range in the south. Government sources admitted the developments over the past 48 hours, with the third flag meeting also failing to break the deadlock, have radically transformed the nature of the standoff, and the May 9 visit of foreign minister Salman Khurshid – who had initially described the incident as just an “acne” that would not impede the upward trajectory in bilateral ties — to Beijing could be in jeopardy.
Gen Singh, on his part, gave several options to the CCS, ranging from cutting off supply lines of the Chinese troops at Raki Nala to Indian troops conducting a similar maneuver in some other sector. But the government is sticking to the “no military escalation” policy as of now, even as it works the diplomatic channels. But China is insisting on the demolition of India’s observation post at Chumar as a pre-condition for de-escalation.
As ties threaten to nosedive, the observation post that can overlook troop movements on the Chinese side has emerged as the main bone of contention. China, which is already miffed with India’s re-activation of advanced landing grounds at Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyoma and building of other infrastructure along the LAC over the last four-five years, is uncomfortable with Indian being able to peep at the movement on the highway. The Chinese, in fact, have frequently tried to “immobilize” the surveillance cameras positioned at the Chumar post by cutting wires.
Last year, Indian troops had intercepted two Chinese personnel on mules across the Chumar post. Though they were subsequently let off, with language being a barrier, China got hugely irritated about the incident. Holding that the two Chinese were from its revenue department, Beijing since then has been pressing hard for the Chumar post to be dismantled.
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Half Of India’s Dalit Population Lives In 4 States
CHENNAI (TIP): Four states account for nearly half of the country’s dalit population, reveals the 2011 census. Uttar Pradesh stands first with 20.5% of the total scheduled caste (SC) population, followed by West Bengal with 10.7%, says the data released by the Union census directorate on Tuesday. Bihar with 8.2% and Tamil Nadu with 7.2 % come third and fourth. Dalits form around 16.6% of India’s population. The 2011 census recorded nearly 20.14 crore people belonging to various scheduled castes in the country. As per the 2001 census, the number was 16.66 crore.
The dalit population showed a decadal growth of 20.8%, whereas India’s population grew 17.7% during the same period. “Though there is an increase in the population of dalits in the country, many states with a considerable number of dalits don’t have any legislation to protect the interests of the community. Dalit empowerment is very poor in many states,” said former Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA D Ravikumar. Many scheduled caste families don’t own land or any other property, said Ravikumar.
“Many dalits are landless and efforts to empower them by giving free land have not been successful in Tamil Nadu. Unlike Punjab, which has a considerable number of dalits as industrialists, here there is hardly any industrialist from our community,” the leader of the dalit party said. There are around 9.79 crore women among the total SC population, and the sex ratio works out to 946 females per 1000 males. Nagaland, Lakshwadeep and Andaman and Nicobar islands have no scheduled castes among their population.
Though UP has the largest chunk of the total SC population, Punjab has the largest share of dalits in its population at 31.9%. Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal follow Punjab with 25.2% and 23.5%. In Tamil Nadu, dalits account for about 18% of the population. The state budget should also allocate funds for creation of assets for dalits, said Ravikumar.
“Instead of distributing freebies, the state governments can set aside a portion of the total allocation for dalits. In many cases, funds are being diverted and dalits lose whatever is due to them,” he said. The states with considerable number of dalits in their population must pass a separate legislation on the lines of Andhra Pradesh, which has passed the SC/ST Sub Plan Act, said a dalit activist.
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MARRIAGE BILL DIVIDES CABINET; REFERRED TO Gom
NEW DELHI (TIP): Differences over what constitutes as a woman’s right to her marital property in case of a divorce forced the Union Cabinet to refer the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill to a Group of Ministers (GoM) on May 1. The law ministry had suggested that a woman be given a share in residential property of the husband, including inherited and inheritable premises, in case of divorce, while the ministry of women and child development has suggested that a woman’s right to inheritable property and property acquired by the husband before marriage be kept out of the purview of the law. The ministers discussed the amendments for over two hours during the meeting of the Cabinet.
“When thinking men and women present different opinions, different opinions do not mean difference of opinion,” finance minister P Chidambaram said when asked whether the Cabinet was split on the matter. “Views are expressed in a Cabinet and after expressing views, the Prime Minister takes the final decision. In this case the matter has been referred to a Group of Ministers to look at one or two clauses of the Bill,” he said.
The GoM would examine the clauses over the next few days and the Bill will come back before the Cabinet, he said. Sources said that ministers, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibal, felt that there should be greater clarity on the issue. Even as the Cabinet was discussing the matter, a small group of protestors shouted slogans against the Bill outside the Prime Minister’s official residence. They were rounded up by the police and taken away from the high-security zone.
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Found: Genes That Delay Pregnancy
NEW YORK (TIP): Researchers, led by an Indian-origin scientist, have identified genes which help female mice and some other mammals delay the onset of pregnancy. Unlike in humans, the remarkable ability, known as embryonic diapause, is a temporary state of suspended animation that occurs when environmental conditions are not favourable to the survival of the mother and the newborn. A new study, published in the journal Open Biology, reveals the molecular mechanism responsible for pausing and resuming a pregnancy.
After an egg is fertilized, it forms a cluster of cells known as a blastocyst, which implants in the wall of the mother’s uterus, ‘LiveScience’ reported. However, in diapause, the blastocyst is prevented from implanting and preserved in an dormant state until pregnancy resumes. How this process occurred was a mystery till now. Researcher Sudhansu Dey, from Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, and colleagues were studying the process of embryo implantation in mice when they noticed that a gene called MSX1 was very active just before implantation.
They began to suspect that it might play a role in diapause, Dey said. Researchers used hormones to induce pregnancy delays in mice, mink and Tammar wallabies to investigate further. During this delayed state, Dey’s team measured how active the MSX1 gene and other related genes were in generating protein-making instructions. They imaged tissue from the animals to see where the gene was active.
Finally, they tested whether these genes were being made into proteins. Researchers found that the MSX genes were more active when pregnancies were delayed, and found this was true for all three animals. The results show that MSX genes, which are part of an ancient family of genes, have been preserved over much of evolutionary time, and play an important role in delaying pregnancy under harsh conditions, Dey said. He wants to know whether the same genes may enable delayed pregnancies in other animals and if it could have implications for humans.
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Knight Riders Stumble Against Warner, Chand
RAIPUR (TIP): A spirited performance on the field, followed by a resilient 95-run stand between David Warner and Unmukt Chand helped Delhi Daredevils add a third win to come level with Kolkata Knight Riders. Knight Riders are now level with Daredevils, squandering a two-point advantage. The task of making it to the playoffs, for both, remains a distant dream. Daredevils had been the happier side halfway into their innings.
The first couple of overs from Brett Lee and L Balaji indicated there was help for the bowlers, but Virender Sehwag laced a couple of boundaries to set the innings into motion. Gautam Gambhir spilled an easy chance off Sehwag at short cover, but it didn’t hurt Knight Riders much. Sehwag steered a length delivery into the hands of slip in the next over, the relief writ large on Gambhir’s face. And when Mahela Jayawardene fell in an identical manner the next over, Knight Riders had found an opening.
Unmukt Chand had a torrid time in his first four games, but he set about improving his run with a patient stay in the middle. He was at sea against Sunil Narine’s variations, but hung in and kept rotating the strike. Fortunately for Daredevils, there wasn’t much scoreboard pressure; only a couple of productive overs were needed to catch up with the required rate. That impetus was provided by measured aggression from David Warner, who pierced the boundary every now and then and helped bring the equation under control during the 12th over that yielded 15 runs.
By that time, Chand had settled down and started stroking boundaries – an upper-cut past slip being the most stylish – to bring up his best score this IPL. He fell trying to hasten the end but Warner, who scored his third half-century this IPL, switched gears, unleashed the ruthless strokeplay he’s acquired a reputation for and sealed victory with 13 balls to spare. Gambhir called the Raipur stadium one of the best in the country in terms of facilities, but the venue didn’t bring any cheer for Knight Riders after they chose to bat.
Manvinder Bisla, who was in imperious touch in the last two matches, started with a casual pull that rocketed to the deep square-leg boundary, but, off the very next ball, Gambhir called him for a suicidal single and paid the price as Irfan, the bowler, beat him in a dash to the striker’s end. What followed was a period in which the Daredevils seamers – and the fielders – started shutting escape routes for the batsmen. Bisla was beaten for pace by a sharp delivery from Umesh Yadav. Yusuf Pathan attempted to mark his authority with a huge hit off Morne Morkel, but was brilliantly caught next ball by Irfan, who took the skier running backwards from square leg.
That brought the experienced pair of Jacques Kallis and Eoin Morgan together, but their alliance was short-lived. Morgan reverseswept Shahbaz Nadeem for a boundary, but when he tried to pull the long-hop next ball, Yadav charged in from deep square leg to take a good, low diving catch. Kallis followed Morgan in the next over, as another stunning, one-handed catch at point, from Ben Rohrer, reduced Knight Riders to 50 for 4 in the ninth over.
Debabrata Das and Rajat Bhatia started the repair job, making slow progress with occasional hits to the boundary to bring Knight Riders to 83 for 5 with five overs to go. They hobbled to 110 for 6 at the end of the 18th, but some timely hitting by Lee propped up the score to 136, a good effort on a ground with bigger boundaries. It wasn’t good enough, however.
