The Indian Panorama

Month: August 2013

  • SAN DIEGO MAYOR QUITS OVER SEX CHARGES

    SAN DIEGO MAYOR QUITS OVER SEX CHARGES

    SAN DIEGO (TIP): San Diego Mayor Bob Filner agreed on August 23 to resign on August 30, bowing to enormous pressure after lurid sexual harassment allegations brought by at least 17 women eroded his support after just nine months as leader of the US border city. Immediately after Filner told the City Council he would leave office next week, the California attorney general’s office opened a criminal investigation into the allegations. Filner, a Democrat who served 20 years in Congress before becoming mayor of the nation’s eighth-largest city, was both regretful and defiant during a City Council meeting as he explained the “the toughest decision of my life.” He apologized to his accusers but insisted he was innocent of sexual harassment and said he was the victim of a “lynch mob.”

    The council voted 7-0 on a deal that ended a political stalemate after more than a dozen women publicly identified themselves as targets of unwanted advances, including touching, forcible kisses and lurid comments. “The city should not have to go through this, and my own personal failures were responsible and I apologize to the city,” Filner said after vote. The 70-year-old Filner previously insisted he still could be an effective mayor and underwent two weeks of behavioral therapy before returning to work this week. But his support diminished as more women, one of them a great-grandmother and another a retired Navy admiral, came forward and told stories of Filner touching, forcibly kissing, making lewd comments and even placing them in headlocks. Some of Filner’s closest political allies and all nine members of the council called on him to quit. On August 23 , just before the Council vote, the Democratic National Committee took the extraordinary step of passing a resolution demanding Filner leave.

  • Narendra Modi will not be granted US visa, says American official

    Narendra Modi will not be granted US visa, says American official

    WASHINGTON (TIP): A top American official has opposed the grant of visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi because of the “very serious” doubts that remain over his role in the “horrific” 2002 riots in Gujarat. “Modi shall not be granted the privilege of US visa because of the very serious doubts that remain and that hang over Modi relative to his role in the horrific events of 2002 in Gujarat,” said Katrina Lantos Swett, vice chairwoman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

    The bipartisan government commission reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the US President, the secretary of State and Congress. “There are many, many unanswered questions that remain, there are at are many grave allegations, there are huge doubts,” she was quoted as saying by the New York Times. When asked about the possibility of Mr. Modi’s nomination as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha polls, she said, “It is no outside nation’s or no individual’s role to tell them who should be the next leader of India.” “For the people of India, I think it is important for them to consider very carefully who it is who they want to be their next prime minister,” she added.

    In 2005, the US denied Mr. Modi a diplomatic visa and revoked his existing tourist/business visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes a foreign government official who is responsible for particularly severe violations of religious freedom ineligible for an American visa, the NYT said. “Obviously what happened in 2002 in Gujarat was sectarian violence on a really massive scale. I don’t think you can say that that wasn’t a religious issue. It was a religious issue and the 2005 visa denial harks back to that,” she said. Mr. Modi has been lobbying hard to get the decision reversed. During a recent visit to the US, BJP president Rajnath Singh had said he would request for a review of visa ban on Mr. Modi.

    When pointed out that courts have not yet found any evidence of Mr. Modi’s involvement in the 2002 riots, Ms Swett said: “Certainly in our system of justice you can be found not guilty, which is not the same thing as found innocent.” “Under these circumstances we should follow our laws, which say that we should not give a visa. Of course Modi wants us to reverse our position because that would be part of his rehabilitation process,” she said. “One of the things that concern us is that Modi seems more concerned with rehabilitating his own reputation than with providing recompense and rehabilitation for the surviving victims of those terrible events,” she added.

  • Yuva Hindi Sansthan’s Hindi summer program Concludes in Pennsylvania

    Yuva Hindi Sansthan’s Hindi summer program Concludes in Pennsylvania

    HATFIELD, PA (TIP): Yuva Hindi Sansthan, a New Jersey based educational organization concluded a two-week summer Hindi program in Hatfield, PA on August 16. The program designed under the strict guidelines of STARTALK, a United States funded Foreign Language initiative, targeted 60 elementary and Middle School students, most of whom, born and raised in USA, belonged to Indian American families. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Deputy Consul- General of India in New York, who attended the camp as the chief guest on August 16, the concluding day of the program, distributed completion certificates to students. She extended her support to such efforts for promoting Hindi. Dr. Khobragade said that the Government of India was making all efforts to introduce Hindi as a working language of the United Nations. She assured that her office was willing to help Hindi programs.

    Upendra Chivukula, New Jersey Assemblyman was also present on the occasion. He congratulated Yuva Hindi Sansthan for its consistent effort to teach Hindi to youngsters. Chivukula said that US administration fully realized the importance of teaching American kids one more language other than English. “United States recognized Hindi as a critical language for American students and businesses which were an encouraging step for the Indian American community”, he said. “The participating 8 to 12 years old students were placed in five different classes where our team of STARTALK trained teachers engaged them in performances based activities on topics related with ‘A trip to India’. “We used a variety of real life activities to make sure children were comfortably conversing in Hindi in meaningful and unrehearsed fashion”, said Rashmi Sudhir, who served as the lead instructor at the camp.

    “It was an intensive program for which all instructors prepared for months planning their lessons”, said Rashmi. “A typical day at the camp started with a 30 minute Yoga session followed by classroom instructions for three hours before breaking for lunch. The students were immersed in a variety of activities in art, culture and technology classes during the post-lunch period of the day which continued until 4.30 pm.We screened interesting Hindi movies during the lunch hour while students enjoyed authentic Indian meal. Each and every minute of the camp was designed for learning Hindi and experiencing the product and practices of Indian culture”, said Rashmi. “The program was hosted by North Penn School District which provided classrooms, gym, cafeteria, computer labs and auditorium for facilitating the two week long activities during the program”, said Ashok Ojha, program director, YHS STARTALK Hindi 2013 program.

    “The school district fully cooperated with us for managing the camp style program while a number of parents volunteered their time to support the program.” The campers were taken on a field trip during the camp to Philly Museum of Art where they learned about various ancient mythological characters, statues and icons, instructed by well known art historian from University of Pennsylvania Dr. Pushkar Sohoni, who also took them around the UPenn library where they walked around the aisles displaying tens of thousands of books in Indian language.

  • Sukhbir Singh Badal Cancels Canada Trip For Fear Of Litigation

    Sukhbir Singh Badal Cancels Canada Trip For Fear Of Litigation

    TORONTO, CANADA (TIP): Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal cancelled his planned 10-day visit to Canada on Thursday, August 30 after the Canadian government said that they will not offer any immunity to him against any civil suit that may be filed against him there. They have also allegedly refused to provide him security during the trip. Sukhbir was scheduled to tour Canada to hold meetings with Canadian officials and business leaders from September 13 to 22. Holding Sukhbir and Punjab police chief Sumedh Singh Saini responsible for “war crimes and crimes against humanity”, American Sikhs groups through an NGO Canadian Sikh Coalition had tried to file a case against Sukhbir in a Canadian court. A confidential note sent on August 6 by the ministry of external affairs to the Punjab government, of which TOI has a copy, had warned Sukhbir to not go ahead with his scheduled visit. “MEA’s assessment is that the proposed visit is not without significant risks to dignity and legal standing of the deputy CM.

    The Canadian government has also refused to provide any assessment of legal risks that Sukhbir may be exposed to if he visits Canada,” the note by MEA joint secretary Vikram K Doraiswami said. The MEA admitted to having received inputs in the past of plans by a radical group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to file a criminal case against deputy CM if he were to visit Canada in the note. It said that it was unclear if there is immunity against criminal suit against Badal. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who practices human rights law in the United States says, “We are seeking the prosecution and arrest warrants of Badal under the Criminal Code of Canada (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) (Section 269.1) which provides that “every official, or every person acting at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of an official, who inflicts torture on any other person is guilty of an indictable offence”. The SFJ which recently opened a branch in Canada had filed a similar case against Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal last year during his visit to Milwaukee in the US, forcing him to cancel his planned visit to the US in June.

    The note was sent to Punjab chief secretary Rakesh Singh and additional director general of police of law and security Dinkar Gupta and also said that the Canadian government has refused to provide security to Sukhbir. “The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will provide security cover to a visiting dignitary only if he or she is an international protectee and is so recognized by the government of Canada…It is therefore likely that security may not be afforded to our visitors,” the note said citing the Canadian government’s reply. The MEA note went on to say that the Indian high commissioner in Canada has suggested that such an advance visit may not be necessary. “It is distinctly unlikely that a visit to the Canadian Prime Minister will materialize,” the letter said. Sukhbir hit back at the Canadian government, calling their decision “unfortunate”. “Whenever their heads of states visit we provide them full security. I am also heading a state. But it’s unfortunate that they have refused to give me security during this visit, which now stands cancelled,” he said. P

  • Floods wreak havoc in MP

    Floods wreak havoc in MP

    BHOPAL/BHARUCH (TIP): The army and air force were pressed into service on Aug 23 to expedite relief and evacuation in flood-hit areas of Madhya Pradesh. At least 21 people have died in flash floods in the past 36 hours taking the toll to 106. Heavy rains have devastated at least 12 districts of the state, the worst-hit being Hoshangabad and Vidisha. More than 24,000 houses have been destroyed. And with the Narmada and Betwa rivers flowing above the danger mark, the state government has sounded an alert. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation. All trains bound for south India, passing through Madhya Pradesh have been delayed. A 30- metre railway track between Barbatpur and Magardoh railway station in Betul was washed away early on Friday. Hoshangabad remained and cut off from the rest of the state and more than 3,000 villagers have been evacuated.


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    In Gujarat, the Bharuch district administration has pressed the panic button following heavy rains in the catchment areas of Narmada river in MP. The heavy influx of water from Omkareshwar dam in MP into Sardar Sarovar dam has resulted in Narmada flowing at 32 ft at the Golden Bridge, eight feet above danger mark. According to Adra Agrawal, in-charge collector of Bharuch, nearly 1,670 people living in low-lying areas of Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Jhagadia have been shifted to safer locations due to flood threat.

    The administration had to use boats to shift people after Narmada waters inundated many low-lying areas in old Bharuch towns like Katopor Bazar, Furja Road, Pirkanthi, Bhrugu Rushi Temple and Dandia Bazar. An alert has been sounded in 32 villages of Bharuch, Narmada and Vadodara. Rafiq Sheikh, a shopkeeper in Pirkanthi area, said, “This is the second time this month that our areas were flooded. We have lost business in festival season.” Meanwhile, the Sardar Sarovar dam touched a new high of 129.70 meters on Aug 23. Earlier, it had touched the highest level of 129.50 meters on August 3. “The dam is overflowing since July 17. If the influx of water from Omkareshwar dam continues, the dam level is expected to touch 130.40 m by Saturday,” said PM Patel, chief engineer, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd.

  • HEARTLESS KOLKATA WATCHES WOMAN COMMIT SUICIDE

    HEARTLESS KOLKATA WATCHES WOMAN COMMIT SUICIDE

    KOLKATA (TIP): A woman climbed on a lamp-post on August 23 evening, took her time fashioning a noose from her dupatta, put it around her neck and jumped off. Heartless Kolkata passed by as she choked to death. It was 4pm, rush-hour on Central Avenue, and no one had the time to stop to save a life. Even when the body hung limply from the lamp-post, no one stepped up to see if there was a heartbeat left. The culture hub of Mahajati Sadan is nextdoor and MG Road Metro station right in front but commuters glanced at the body and went their way. It was 15 minutes before someone informed a policeman and 10 minutes more before the body was brought down because no passerby wanted to help the cop with the grisly job. The victim was identified as 50-year-old Soma Bakshi, who gave up after a bitter fight with her addict husband.

    The incident reveals the dark, uncaring side of the city that was not long ago known for its compassion and helpfulness. In October 2008, two police stations squabbled for four hours over jurisdiction as a 37-year-old man lay dying in Howrah and in November that year, hundreds filed past an old man who was shivering to death on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road. In August 2011, a teenage boy lay bleeding for an hour after an accident on the busy AJC Bose Road but no one tried to save him. Even on Friday, insurance agents were milling about the place when Soma carried out her suicide preparations, witnesses told TOI. They had come for a musical soiree at Mahajati Sadan but no one reacted when she climbed a tree, clambered up to one of the lamp-posts set up recently, and threw herself off. “Soma lived on the pavement in front of Mahajati Sadan with her husband Dipankar and a daughter.

    They slept under the open sky and when it rained, they would take refuge on the porch of the Metro station. Soma was the bread-earner and the couple often quarreled because Dipankar didn’t work and blew up her money on drugs. So when they fought on Friday afternoon, none of us paid much attention,” said tea stall owner Pawan Jadav. Private firm employee B S Chouhan was the first to react when he saw the body after exiting the Metro station. “I was shocked to see the woman hanging while people went about their life as though nothing had happened. I alerted a traffic constable. But when he sought help from passersby to bring the body down, no one agreed. Only when two other constables arrived could the body be brought down and taken to hospital,” said Chouhan. Police have ruled out foul play but have detained Dipankar for questioning. Gopal Das, who sells fries on the adjoining pavement and knew Soma, rued how insensitive everyone had become. “I am to blame as well for not realizing that Soma had snapped. We are too busy with our own lives and don’t bother if the person next door lives or dies. Had I turned when the quarrel intensified and seen her, I could perhaps have saved her,” he said.

  • After Oh My God comes Modi

    After Oh My God comes Modi

    AHMEDABAD (TIP): The shadow of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has hovered on Bollywood in the past. Many film-makers like Nandita Das and Rahul Dholakia even ruffled feathers with their depiction of the tragic Gujarat riots of 2002. As Modi marches towards a bigger role in national politics, Bollywood is betting on one of the most forceful politicians ever to hit the Indian political scene. There are talks about at least two films being made on Modi. One is being planned by noted actor Paresh Rawal. Rawal, who played Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in ‘Sardar’, a 1993 biopic on the Iron Man of India, will portray the character of Modi who likes to be known as ‘Chhote Sardar’.

    The upcoming movie will also be produced by Rawal, who hails from Visnagar, the twin town of Vadnagar where Modi was born. While there are other producers lining up to cash in on Modi’s nationwide popularity ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Rawal says his will be a hardcore, big-budget commercial film. “It will be a bio-pic of Modi, the man who may become our prime minister,” says Rawal, who idolizes the Gujarat CM. Rawal had even campaigned for Modi during the 2012 assembly elections. “The details are being worked out. But, this project is high on my priority list,” said Rawal, who last coproduced ‘Oh My God!’ a low-budget film which clocked Rs 100 crore at the box-office.

  • Credibility is currency: PM

    Credibility is currency: PM

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Credibility is currency, when it comes to the media, and a witch-hunt cannot substitute investigative journalism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Media Centre here, the Prime Minister said the exponential growth in India’s media sector began during the 1990s, and expressed confidence that the media would not be found wanting in efforts to consolidate India as an inclusive, progressive society. “A witch-hunt is no substitute for investigative journalism. At the end of day, credibility is media’s currency,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the spirit of inquiry should not lead to calumny. He said the media was among the principal beneficiaries of the wave of economic reforms introduced in the country, and advancements like the internet, the telecom revolution, lowcost broadcasting and social media were inconceivable just two decades ago. The National Media Centre in central Delhi has modern infrastructure and will serve as the communication hub of the government. It is likely to house the Press Information Bureau as well. It has a hall for press conferences, and workstations for media people.

  • KABUL SEEKS ECONOMIC, MILITARY AID FROM INDIA

    KABUL SEEKS ECONOMIC, MILITARY AID FROM INDIA

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Afghanistan has sought India’s economic and military assistance to help the embattled nation stand on its own feet after the drawdown by NATO troops in 2014. Visiting Afghanistan Second Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili today held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders on the unfolding scenario in Afghanistan. He is understood to have discussed the steps that could be taken by the two countries in the coming days under the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two nations in October 2011. Along with commitment to help Afghanistan develop in the fields of education and infrastructure, the agreement entails military support from India in the form of capacity building and equipment for the Afghan National Police (ANP) and the Afghan National Army (ANA).

    India is hosting Khalili with an eye on the looming political transition that is expected to take place in Afghanistan next year after the withdrawal of foreign forces. Khalili is accompanied by Afghan Economic Minister Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, Higher Education Minister Obaidullah Obaid and Afghan Army Chief of Staff Sher Mohammad Karimi. His visit assumes significance against the backdrop of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, during his visit to India in May, had handed over a military wish-list to Indian officials. A number of Indian officials have also visited Kabul in recent days to discuss the needs of the Afghan security forces. During his meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee, Khalili thanked India for the assistance extended to his country and invited Indian companies to invest in Afghanistan, especially in the mining sector. The Indian President assured the Afghan leader that India was committed to assist Afghanistan in the critical period of transition, development and nation-building. India was committed to Afghanistan at the political and strategic level well beyond 2014 when international forces are scheduled to depart.

  • IRAQ SEEKS INDIAN HELP TO REBUILD COUNTRY

    IRAQ SEEKS INDIAN HELP TO REBUILD COUNTRY

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Iraq on Aug 23 invited Indian business to participate in the rebuilding of the warweary country which is moving toward normalcy. “India’s experience will help, we are depending much on India’s experience,” visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Kamil al-Maliki said. “Iraq is in the process of rebuilding its democratic system,” he added. The Iraqi premier was addressing a meeting of Iraqi and Indian business leaders organized by industry chambers Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ( Assocham). Iraq, he said, is rich not only in oil and gas, but offered greater opportunities for India in other sectors like infrastructure, ports, airports, health and education.

    This is the first visit by an Iraqi Prime Minister to India, and during the trip, the two countries will sign four agreements. Two of the agreements deal with energy and water management. The other two are at the diplomatic level for enabling consultation between both countries on foreign affairs and training of diplomats at the foreign services institutions of both the countries. Iraq is now India’s second largest supplier of crude oil. The agreement on energy cooperation is expected to be of significant upgrading of energy relationship from a buyer-seller one to a “strategic engagement”, sources said.

  • PM TO MEET OBAMA ON SEPTEMBER 27

    PM TO MEET OBAMA ON SEPTEMBER 27

    NEW DELHI (TIP): US President Barack Obama will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House on September 27 in a meeting aimed at dispelling a common narrative in Washington and New Delhi that the Indo-US relationship has gone adrift. The visit will provide the two leaders an opportunity to chart a course toward enhanced trade, investment, and development cooperation between the US and India, said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. The announcement coincided with Indian National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon’s visit to Washington. Menon told reporters on Tuesday evening he was confident that preparations were underway for a “successful working visit”. “You must expect it to be a substantive meeting,” he said.

    Menon met National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and members of the intelligence community in Washington. Menon dismissed suggestions that the Indo-US relationship had gone adrift saying: “In every area we are doing more together.” Menon said there had been “steady” progress on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, but acknowledged that there were some people who would like it to move faster. In his meetings in Washington, Menon discussed the recent deadly incidents along the Line of Control (LoC). Amid the LoC flare-up, India has not taken any decision on whether Manmohan will meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when the two leaders attend the UN General Assembly session in New York next month. Menon said he discussed the violence along the LoC with his US interlocutors, but that the Americans did not share their opinion on a possible Manmohan- Sharif meeting.

    The US is “very correct about not getting involved in other people’s business,” he said. Hayden said the Manmohan- Obama meeting would “highlight India’s role in regional security and stability”. Menon and Rice reviewed the Indo-US strategic partnership. “Ambassador Rice reaffirmed US’ commitment to further expanding and strengthening our bilateral relationship, including economic and commercial ties,” Hayden said. “The two exchanged ideas on enhancing our security cooperation, reviewed progress on our civil nuclear and clean energy cooperation and explored greater collaboration on climate change.” The two officials also discussed India’s support for a stable, secure and prosperous Afghanistan. On proposed defence talks, he said: “It (defence ties) could be (path breaking). It is still a work in progress. But it is significant.”

  • AMARNATH YATRA ENDS

    AMARNATH YATRA ENDS

    SRINAGAR (TIP): The annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath concluded amid chanting of religious hymns and performing of pooja on the occasion of Shravan Purnima. Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), was scheduled to visit at the cave shrine, but he could not reach there due to rain and poor visibility beyond Sonamarg, an official statement said. Expressing satisfaction over the smooth conduct of this year’s yatra, the Governor thanked the state government, the Army, the CRPF, the BSF, the ITBP, the police, the BSNL, five banks involved in the registration of pilgrims and all other organisations concerned, particularly the Indian Meteorological Department, and the people of the state, for their contribution to the organisation of the yatra.

    Shravan Purnima, which coincides with Raksha Bandhan, witnessed religious fervour with the arrival of the Holy Mace of Lord Shiva at the holy cave, situated at a height of 3,880 m, after a night halt at Panjtarni. Mahant Deependra Giri, accompanied by a large number of sadhus, carried the Holy Mace, popularly known as “Charri Mubarak”, and performed pooja at the shrine in the morning. For several months before the commencement of the yatra on June 28 and during the course of the pilgrimage, the Governor had made several visits to the yatra area, including aerial reconnaissance of the yatra routes besides visiting all camps. He had been monitoring the yatra on daily basis. The Governor has asked CEO of the shrine board Navin K Choudhary to coordinate with the Pahalgam Municipal Committee and the CEOs of the Sonamarg and Pahalgam development authorities to launch a post-yatra sanitation drive to ensure that the entire yatra area was cleaned up over the next few days.

  • 4 Cong states go ahead with food security plans

    4 Cong states go ahead with food security plans

    CHANDIGARH (TIP): The UPA’s much touted Food Security Scheme aimed at ensuring that “no Indian goes to bed hungry” was simultaneously rolled out in four Congress-ruled states in North India. Congress president Sonia Gandhi rolled out the scheme in New Delhi, while Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched a customised scheme, covering nearly half the state’s population, at a special function in Panipat. Unveiling the scheme by handing over food grain packets and Aadharbased smart cards to 12 women beneficiaries in the Capital, Sonia Gandhi said: “We made the (food security) scheme so that nobody remains hungry in the country and no one’s child sleeps hungry. Giving food security in such a large scale is unparalleled in the world.” The other two states that announced the implementation of similar schemes today were Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.

    Rice, wheat and other foodgrain would be provided to the needy under these schemes The rolling out the schemes coincided with the 70th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Himachal Pradesh was also scheduled to launch the scheme today, but it decided to postpone it by a week till the discussion on the Food Security Bill got over in Parliament. In Delhi, around 73.5 lakh people out of a population of 1.68 crore would benefit from the scheme. In the first phase, all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, Above Poverty Line (APL) families and Jhughi Ration Card (JRC) holders would benefit, beside beneficiaries under the Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY). It has also been decided to include homeless, daily wage-earners, ragpickers, people living in resettlement colonies and slum clusters under the scheme.

    In Haryana, nearly half of the state’s population would benefit from the two schemes that have been rolled out simultaneously. Chief Minister Hooda said the scheme was simultaneously launched in every district of the state by the minister in charge for the particular district. Initially, 90.28 lakh people from rural areas and 36.21 lakh people from towns and cities will benefit. The beneficiaries are those that fall under the Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), the Central Below Poverty Line (CBPL) and the State Below Poverty Line (SBPL). Haryana and Delhi were among the first states to clear such schemes and have implemented these ahead of passing of the Food Security Bill in Parliament. Haryana has also started a “Dal- Roti Scheme”. An announcement to this effect was made by Hooda today. Under this scheme, 12.4 lakh BPL families will get 2.5 kg dal at Rs 20 per kg. The scheme is currently held up due to a litigation in the high court. Hooda said the AAY beneficiaries would get 35 kg foodgrain every month at the rate of Rs 2 per kg whereas priority households would be given 5 kg foodgrain per person per month at the rate of Rs 2 per kg. Around 126.49 lakh people would be covered under the newly rolled out scheme in the state, Hooda said. Around 70 %of India’s population would be targeted under the Food Security Bill.

  • Karnataka LS bypolls: Congress wins both seats

    Karnataka LS bypolls: Congress wins both seats

    BANGALORE (TIP): Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah won the acid test in the Lok Sabha bypolls with both Congress candidates winning Bangalore Rural and Mandya seats by a huge margin in these constituencies, which were the JD(S) fiefdom. The results declared on Aug 24 are a huge boost to the four-month old Congress party in Karnataka as they have the set the trend for the Lok Sabha elections eight months from now. Both the seats were won by political greenhorns, who have made their electoral debut with a leap to the parliament. Kannada actor Ramya won from Mandya and senior Congress MLA DK Shiva Kumar’s brother DK Suresh Kumar from Bangalore Rural. Both the seats were held by the JD(S) with Bangalore Rural won by former CM H D Kumaraswamy in 2009.

    The bypolls were held following the resignation of Kumaraswamy and JD(S) N Cheluvaraswamy from Mandya after they got elected to the legislative assembly in May. Ramya defeated JD(S) CS Puttaraju by a margin of 47,000 plus votes and Suresh Kumar trounced Kumaraswamy’s wife Anitha by over a lakh votes. The bypolls were crucial to both the Congress and JD(S). For the first time all opposition parties giving a go-by to their ideologies came together to put up a common candidate against the Congress in both constituencies. But the results revealed that voters have once again punished the JD(S) for teaming up with the BJP. The earlier instance was the 2008 assembly polls. The results are a big blow to the Deve Gowda family, more so to senior Gowda, who at the age of 81 years, pounded the streets of Bangalore Rural and Mandya seeking votes for his daughter-in-law and shedding tears at public meetings.

    Anitha, who has been a reluctant candidate to politics, had still not come out of her defeat from Channaptna assembly polls in May, when she was fielded in this bypoll. The 30-year-old actor Ramya, who was a last minute surprise candidate, in a way brought the feuding Congress leaders in Mandya to unite at least for the bypoll. Former CM S M Krishna and actor, housing minister MH Ambareesh, who don’t see eye to eye campaigned for Ramya, of course without sharing a common platform. Getting Ramya elected had become vital for the Mandya Congress unit, if it had to stake claim in appointments of chairpersons to the boards and corporations to be made shortly.

  • GOVT SEEKS TO NEGATE SC ORDER ON CONVICTED LAWMAKERS

    GOVT SEEKS TO NEGATE SC ORDER ON CONVICTED LAWMAKERS

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Days after a Bill to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act to keep political parties out of its purview was tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Union Cabinet on Aug 22 gave its nod to amend the Representation of People Act (RPA) to ensure that convicted lawmakers are not disqualified from either Parliament or Legislative Assemblies. The Cabinet also cleared the setting up of a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Bill that seeks to replace the existing collegium system for judicial appointments to higher courts. The Cabinet meeting — chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — gave its clearance to amend the Representation of People Act that makes it clear that an MP or MLA cannot be disqualified after conviction if his or her appeal is pending before a court and sentence is stayed.

    The Law Ministry had moved the proposal to amend the Act in the backdrop of a recent Supreme Court ruling for immediate disqualification of convicted lawmakers. Under the Law Ministry proposal, such (convicted) MPs and MLAs will be barred from voting in the House and drawing salary till the court decides their appeal. The Cabinet nod to amend the RPA reflects that despite serious political disagreements that have virtually rendered Parliament dysfunctional, there’s convergence on the issue of the recent SC ruling, which has been seen by members of the legislature and their political parties as judicial over-reach into the domain of lawmaking.

    The proposal clearly seeks to negate the apex court verdict on immediate disqualification. Reports suggested that as per the Law Ministry’s proposal, a proviso would be added to sub-section (4) of Section 8 of the RP Act which makes it clear that the convicted member shall continue to take part in proceedings of Parliament or Legislature of a state, but he or she shall neither be entitled to vote nor draw salary and allowances till the appeal or revision is finally decided by the court. The second amendment states that a lawmaker would not lose his right to vote if under arrest even for a short duration and thereby would retain his right to contest a poll. Politicians had feared registration of false cases by their rivals, especially around election time.

    The Law Ministry has proposed that the amendment to the RPA come into effect from July 10, 2013, the day the Supreme Court gave the landmark judgment. An earlier plan to amend the Constitution to negate the Supreme Court ruling has apparently been dropped. In its July 10 verdict, the Supreme Court had struck down a provision in the electoral law that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts. The apex court also made it clear that MPs, MLAs and MLCs would stand disqualified on the date of conviction. The draft bill says, “A disqualification under any of the said sub-sections shall not, in the case of a person who on the date of the conviction is a member of Parliament or the legislature of a state, take effect, if an appeal or application for revision is filed in respect of the conviction and sentence within a period of 90 days from the date of conviction and such conviction or sentence is stayed by the court.”

    The Cabinet also cleared the setting up of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Bill, which would give the government greater say in the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the 24 high courts. It seeks to replace the existing collegium system for appointments to the higher courts. The proposal to set up a JAC has been opposed by the judiciary, which now has complete control over the process. The Centre is keen to broad-base the judicial appointment system by setting up a panel comprising the Law Minister, Secretary Justice, two eminent persons and two judges of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice.

  • Dabholkar murder: Cops still in the dark

    Dabholkar murder: Cops still in the dark

    PUNE, INDIA (TIP): Four days after rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead during a morning walk, police are yet to achieve a breakthrough with hopes of getting some leads from a CCTV footage being dashed due to blurred images. The crime branch of the Pune police has now started questioning leaders of 13 gangs involved in serious crimes, in connection with the murder of anti-superstition crusader Dr Narendra Dabholkar. Police officials said the gang leaders and members, some of whom are lodged in jails across the state, are being quizzed to ascertain if the mastermind behind Dabholkar’s killing had rendered the services of shooters belonging to any of these gangs.

    There are many gangs operating in the city, but the 13 gang leaders were shortlisted as they have been involved in serious crimes such as kidnapping, extortion and murder, the officials said. These gangs have also been known to use firearms while committing crimes like robbery, dacoity and murder in the past, forcing the police to invoke stringent provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act against the leaders and members. The police are also keeping an eye on petty criminals who operate individually or jointly and are in constant touch with the gangs to provide assistance in some form or the other. Officials said that questioning the criminals may help them uncover useful information, leading them to Dabholkar’s assailants.

    The police have collected CCTV footage capturing blunt images of the two assailants fleeing the crime scene on a bike. The officials have also started collecting footage of all the major roads to study routes used by the assailants and establish a timeline of when they reached the city and fled after the crime. Officials have questioned as many as 40 people who cross the Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde Bridge during their morning walk. Most of the walkers, however, have said that they were at home on the day of the incident because of raksha bandhan. A police team has recorded statements of the victim’s family members and friends in Satara, but the officials said that they have not held any rightwing group or individual responsible for the murder. They said the family members have not given any specific information about the threats received by Dabholkar.

    Meanwhile, the police have obtained over 1,000 two-wheeler numbers from the regional transport offices across the state that are similar to the motorcycle used by Dabholkar’s assailants. The person who saw the ssailants fleeing was able to note down only part of the number, but this information has not helped the police trace the vehicle as yet. A day after anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday, August 21 decided to promulgate an ordinance to enact a long-pending bill to eradicate black magic, blind faith and superstitious beliefs. The law will be the first such in the country.

  • Second accused arrested, hunt on for 3 others

    Second accused arrested, hunt on for 3 others

    MUMBAI (TIP): A second accused in the brutal gang rape of a 23-yearold photojournalist was on Aug 24 arrested from south Mumbai even as police launched a manhunt for three others in the case, which sparked a wave of protests. Accused Vijay Jadhav was picked up in the wee hours from Madanpura area by the crime branch. On Aug 23, an unemployed youth from south Mumbai identified as Chand Babu Sattat Shaikh alias Mohammed Abdul (19), was arrested in the case. He had named all the four co-accused out of which three — Qasim Bengali, Saleem and Ashfaq— are still at large. According to Mumbai police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, more than 20 teams, including 10 from the elite crime branch, have been formed to track down the perpetrators amid mounting public pressure and anger.


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    Singh Friday, said police was trying to gather “clinching evidence” to ensure that the culprits get maximum punishment for the “shocking crime”. The victim, an intern with an English magazine was gang-raped allegedly by five men on Thursday evening when she and her male colleague went to the deserted Shakti Mills compound in Lower Parel area for taking photographs in connection with a story on city chawls. The five accused, whose sketches were released on Friday, tied up the victim’s friend and raped the woman in a chilling reminder of the December gang rape in Delhi. The young scribe, who resides in western suburbs, has been admitted to Jaslok Hospital and is said to be “composed and stable”.

    Preliminary reports suggested that she sustained multiple internal injuries. “We cannot give you any further information keeping in mind patient confidentiality,” Dr Tarang Gianchandani, acting CEO and director (medical services) of Jaslok had said on Friday. “We are doing the needful… she is under strict observation.” Condemning the assault, journalists took to streets to lodge protest. Scribes from various streams, sporting black bands on their arms and mouths, gathered in

  • Proposal to replace collegium system cleared

    Proposal to replace collegium system cleared

    NEW DELHI (TIP): In a significant development, the Union Cabinet on Thursday, August 22 cleared a proposal, which seeks to scrap the collegium system of appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. The proposal calls for setting up a Judicial Appointments Commission that will replace the collegium system of appointing judges to higher courts. The development comes days after Law Minister Kapil Sibal informed the Lok Sabha that there is a proposal to establish a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) that would replace the present collegium system. The government has the inprinciple support of political parties to bring such a bill which will require amendment to the Constitution, Sibal had said then.

    The JAC will give the executive a say in appointment of Supreme Court and high court judges. According to the proposal, JAC will be headed by the Chief Justice of India. It will have two Supreme Court judges, the Law Minister and two eminent personalities as its members. The Secretary (Justice) in the Law Ministry will be the Member Secretary. The body will recommend ppointment and posting of apex court and HC judges. The two eminent persons on JAC will be selected by a panel comprising the CJI, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition of either House. As of now, the judges of the apex court are appointed by a collegium comprising the CJI and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The appointment of judges of the 24 high courts is initiated by the Chief Justice of the concerned HC in consultation with two senior-most judges of that court. The Chief Minister and Governor of the state concerned are also consulted.

  • ONCE UPON AY TIME IN MUMBAI DOBAARA!

    ONCE UPON AY TIME IN MUMBAI DOBAARA!

    STORY: One deadly don. One young protege. Both in love with the same starlet. Who wins the girl in this felonious feat? REVIEW: Once Upon a Time… Bollywood movies were enamored by dreaded D’s of the underworld. They still are. Whether the story is told in retro-rap, or with stylish designer double Dons, or with gloss-free rawness of realism. This endless ‘lawless’ love affair continues. In OUATIMD, a love triangle forms the bloodline of the story, replete with ‘donnisms’, molls with maal and an overkill of ‘loaded’ dialogues pe dialogues. After Shoaib (Akshay) vanquishes his own gang-guru (in the prequel), he becomes the reigning mafioso with his terror squad spreading far and wide. Of course, Mumbai city wrapped in glam, glory and blood-soaked crime files is still fancied by the bhais (“Samundar ke baad Mumbai Shoaib se jani jaati hai!”).

    Shoaib picks up young Aslam (Imran) from the chawls and takes him under his wing. Their ‘bhaihood’ is bullet-proof, only until years later when starlet Jasmine (Sonakshi) walks in and arrests Shoaib with her charm and gullibility. The rogue turns Romeo with obsession, but she’s already Aslam’s chosen ‘item’. Suddenly, the dons drop their other deadly dhandas to deal with crimes of passion instead (unbelievable!). Milan Luthria captures the essence of the period, packed with characters living behind ‘dark shades’ with an even darker conscience. This is a love story of a gangsta, it does not reopen dons’ crime diaries. The first part is more engaging; thereon, the sluggish pace lacks the same dum.

    The heavy-duty dialogues (Rajat Aroraa) punch drama in the story, though at times too overbearing. The background score (Pritam & Anupam Amod) pitches in dramatically. This film has its moments, but it’s not as compelling as the prequel. Akshay does the bhai act with flamboyance and mojo. He gets a chance to do what he does best – herogiri (albeit less menacing, more entertaining), with charisma and clap-trap dialoguebaazi. Imran looks too suave for the part, but eventually rolls up his sleeves to play a don with dil, performing well in emotional scenes. Sonakshi pulls off a dabangg act to stand strong between two daunting dons.

  • ALL WORK, NO PARTY FOR SONAKSHI

    ALL WORK, NO PARTY FOR SONAKSHI

    Looks like its all work and no play for Dabangg superstar Sonakshi Sinha! Even after being choosy with the films Sonakshi Sinha has established herself in the film industry in less than three years. She has already done seven films, a few special appearances and several more upcoming films in her kitty. And the actress has even confessed that “I am only concerned with my work… I don’t party, I don’t go pubs and I am a very private person. And frankly, I have no time. I am happy I am concerned only about my work and I am happy being appreciated for that.” Well all this makes us belief that Sonakshi is indeed very hard working.

  • KAREENA KAPOOR GETS MOBBED BY FANS

    KAREENA KAPOOR GETS MOBBED BY FANS

    Kareena Kapoor was mobbed by frantic fans recently, when she was promoting a jewelley store in Bur Dubai, along with ‘Satyagraha’ co-star Ajay Devgan. Kapoor, who was also marketing her upcoming flick, was crowded by thousands of fans who had stormed Bur Dubai’s Cosmos Lane to get a glimpse of her, Gulf News reported. According to an eyewitness, people were getting jostled around and a possible stampede like situation was created. Kapoor and Devgan also faced difficulty standing inside the store, as they were swarmed by an army of photographers. The bouncers had to get heavy-handed as the fans were coaxed to back off to give the stars some space. A policeman was finally able to steer clear the crowd for the stars to get to their car outside.

  • THE SMURFS 2

    THE SMURFS 2

    STORY: The cute-as-a-button Smurfette has been kidnapped by the evil, scheming Gargamel who needs to get the formula for creating ‘true blue’ Smurfs. While Smurfette soon finds herself suffering from a bit of a crisis herself, it’s up to the rest of the Smurfs to rescue her, foil Gargamel’s plot and save the day. REVIEW: While the initial Smurfs flick was set in New York, this one takes a continental turn and shifts the scene to Paris, where the irrepressible Gargamel (a very eager Hank Azaria) needs something called ‘Smurf Essence’, which he uses as part of his magician’s act. So, he sends out one of his Naughties called Vexy ( Christina Ricci) to kidnap Smurfette ( Katy Perry, who fits the role pretty nicely) via an inter-dimensional portal he has opened. He believes that Smurfette is a key ingredient in his quest for world domination.

    The fact that Smurfette is herself feeling a little blue, so to speak, because the whole village has forgotten her birthday (or so she thinks) doesn’t help matters. The pursuit begins with Papa Smurf ( Jonathan Winters), Clumsy ( Anton Yelchin), Grouchy ( George Lopez) and Vanity ( John Oliver) in hot pursuit. Papa Smurf, the voice of wisdom, uses magical crystals to port into the real world to enlist the help of Patrick Winslow (Neil Patrick Harris) and his stepfather Victor Doyle ( Brendan Gleeson). The pace, along with the live action, keeps moving and the script has several witty asides. In an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, there are a few sub-plots too, among them a moralistic take on who really created Smurfette. The rest of the Smurfs also get their 15 minutes of fame and gags. Apart from that, the film’s score (Heitor Pereira) adds a non-verbal emotiveness to some of the scenes. Also livening things up a bit is the comic timing in the movie.

  • PARIS HILTON NO MORE A PARTY GIRL

    PARIS HILTON NO MORE A PARTY GIRL

    Socialite Paris Hilton says she has no time for parties because she is always tied up with work. Hilton, 32, makes accessories like bags and perfumes under her banner and her business consumes most of her time. “As a teenager, I used to love to go to parties. Every single night almost. But now I’m so busy with work I don’t have time,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Hilton as saying. “When I’m at a party it’s either I’m paid to be there, it’s a promotion for one of my products, or it’s for a special occasion. So I don’t really enjoy going out as much as I used to,” she added. She now prefers to stay indoors with boyfriend River Viiperi. “I’m more of a homebody now. I like to be with my boyfriend, stay home and cook, just chill,” she said.

  • KELLY BROOK GOING TOPLESS INTO DEEP SPACE

    KELLY BROOK GOING TOPLESS INTO DEEP SPACE

    Kelly Brook is reportedly looking stunning in her new Lynx campaign in which she is seen rubbing ice cubes on her bikini clad body before going topless. The 33-year old English model is heading up the campaign which is set to send one lucky Lynx space academy lover into space via a global competition, the Daily Express reported. ‘The Italian Job’ starlet, who recently broke up with love-rat Danny Cipriani, is seen flaunting her famous curves in the video as she lies in bed, wearing a sultry camisole inside a space ship, before she heads over to the window and strips down to a gold bikini, then moves to another side of the space ship while untying her bikini top and leaving it to float beside her, before slipping into a tight silver playsuit.

    The model-turned-actress eventually runs off with a mystery astronaut, representing the unknown winner of the competition. Brook uploaded a number of pictures during her ad campaign filming to her social networking accounts. The ‘School for Seduction’ actress has been in Istanbul to filming scenes for Lynx Apollo, the latest in a string of promotional campaigns she’s fronted for the brand since signing a lucrative 1 million pound deal in 2007.

  • A DREAM BEDROOM

    A DREAM BEDROOM

    Themes are no longer restricted to just styling up an individual, but have become an intrinsic part of many homes. Creating interiors on a theme that reflects one’s lifestyle and taste is becoming increasing popular with people getting more and more involved in home decor. In fact, one of the most popular trends in home decor today is ‘theme bedrooms’. You can design a ‘zen’ bedroom, or a classical or retro bedroom – the options are plenty; all that is required is your imagination and creativity. Says interior designer Shilpi Dokahia, “Themed rooms have existed for quite sometime now.

    However, they have become extremely popular of late, as people are becoming more lifestyle and fashion conscious. Just like they know what to wear to work, to sleep, to party, they know how to decorate their personal spaces. They no longer believe in living only for others, and have started living according to their taste and preferences.” Agrees interior designer Mallika Thakker, “Creating a theme bedroom allows you to make your own dream zone to escape into. It creates a different destination, and gives us a break from the everyday mundane world that we live in. One can extend their imagination and creativity to no limit to personalise their bedroom.

    It is the room, where one spends a lot of time in, and the surroundings contribute a lot to the comfort.” Just like changing fashion, people are more clued into changing interior trends too. They know that interior is bold or subtle, ethnic or contemporary, theatrical or classy, Mediterranean or South African, colour coordinated or contrasted and so on. So is the awareness that the moment you enter a house, it shouts out a specific theme, either through the wall colours or wallpapers, or through the accessories like the lamp shades, upholstery, cushion covers and carpets too.

    Interior designer Akshika Luthra Hemnani attributes this to the excessive travelling that people do these days. “The world is becoming smaller and smaller, and so people are getting exposed to a lot new styles and themes. They are exposed to varied eye-catching home decors at the places they travel to, and want to replicate this in their own space, especially the bedroom, which is an intimate place.” The Zen theme, Retro theme, Moroccan theme, the evergreen Classical and Earthy themes are few of the most popular themes today. In fact, rather than doing up the entire room on a theme, people are using accessories to create theme look. Explains interior designer Bindiya Chabbria, “Interiors has now become subjective. It’s got to do a lot with your own taste and so emphasising on accessories for a theme is the best option. Not only is it easy to create a theme for your room using accessories, it can be changed from time to time making it affordable and cost effective. So, using cushions, carpets, curtains and even upholstery, you can give a different look to your room.”