13 December 2006
Ram Vilas Paswan
Chairman
Dear Friends,
A two-day Dalit & Minorities International Conference will be held at New Delhi on 27th and 28th December 2006, at G.M.C. Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building, Parliament House, New Delhi and the Inaugural Session will start at 10.00 hrs on 27th December 2006. Hon'ble Prime Minister has kindly consented to inaugurate the Conference. Central Ministers and prominent leaders belonging to SC/ST and Minority Communities are also being invited to participate besides renowned intellectuals from India and abroad. The main issues to be deliberated are social justice, secularism and socio-economic matters of Dalits and Minorities. The main theme of the Conference will be "Power to the Powerless".
On this occasion, it has been decided to bring out a Souvenir on the above subject
highlighting the theme of ''Power to the Powerless".
I shall be grateful that you may like to contribute with an article. Due to constraint of time, it will be highly appreciated if your valuable contribution is sent to us latest by 20th December, 2006 along with your photograph.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Ram Vilas Paswan)
12, Janpath, New Delhi-110011, Ph :
91-11-23792060,23015249,23017681
www.dalitminorityinternationalconference.com
e-mail: dalitminority@gmail.com
Washington, Dec 13 (IANS) The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan to the northern Indian state of Punjab for the improvement and expansion of the state's 7,400 km road network.
The loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is payable in 20 years, including five years of grace period, according to a Bank release.
The Punjab State Roads Sector Project will assist the state government to provide a targeted approach to the comprehensive improvement and maintenance of the 7,400 km of plan roads (state highways, major district roads and other district roads), which link the rural road network to the national highways and provide most of the main road links in the state.
One of India's most prosperous states, Punjab has the highest per capita income and lowest poverty headcount in India, and it ranks second in the India Human Development Index (2001).
However, since the mid-1990s, Punjab's economic environment has seen some deterioration, and its 6.2 percent economic growth in 2005-6 is still below the national average of eight percent despite visible improvements since 2004.
"Economic diversification is critical to accelerate economic growth in Punjab," says Fayez Omar, Senior Manager, India Programme and Acting World Bank Country Director for India.
"Without an effective road network, it will be very difficult to encourage the shift from the present heavy dependence on wheat and rice to higher value, more time sensitive agricultural production and distribution. Effective roads are also essential to the development of light manufacturing and service industries which rely on high quality logistics."
Better roads, lower transport costs and higher transport service standards have been identified by the Punjab government in their 10th Five-Year Plan, as core elements of the required enabling investment climate and a prerequisite for economic diversification and accelerated economic growth.
Isabel Chatterton, World Bank Senior Financial Specialist and project task team leader, said the likely growth areas are both the agricultural and industrial sectors that need efficient supply and logistics chains.
"Sectors such as textiles and contract farming are very dependent on good transport and reliable delivery."
Baghdad, Dec 13 (Xinhua) At least 10 people were killed and 26 injured Wednesday when a car bomb went off near a mosque in southeastern Baghdad.
"An explosive-laden car parked in a market place near a mosque in Kamaliyah neighbourhood was detonated after 9.00 a.m. (0600 GMT)," a police official said.
The attack comes a day after a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives in Tayaran Square where hundreds of labourers were waiting for work.
The toll of Tuesday's attack rose to 66 people Wednesday, he said, adding that 236 were wounded.
On behalf of American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin AFMI (USA & Canada)
& Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations (FAAA)
We cordially invite you to One Day International Conference on Education.
Our Theme: 100% Muslim literacy in UP.
Venue: Ganna Sansthan Auditorium
11, Buttler Road,(Tilak Marg),Lucknow
Date: Saturday, 30th December, 2006
Time: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Followed by ALL INDIA MUSHAIRA
People from USA, Canada, and from all over UP are invited
Mr. V. P. Singh former PM of India will be the Chief Guest
and Mr. Raj Babbar will be the Guest of Honour.
Irfan Ahmad Hasan Kamal Dr. A.S.Nakadar
(Conference Chairman) (President FAAA) (Trustee AFMI)
Tel: 91-522-3292239 Tel: 001-770-4548010 Tel: 001-248-4422364
irfan_lko@hotmail.com hkamal@gbcwebsite.com Arsna@aol.com
Organising Committee
Begum Hamida Habibullah
Dr. Merajuddin Ahmad
Dr. Sandeep Pandey
Zafaryab Jeelani,Advocate
Dr.Naim Hamid
Dr. Sabira Habib
Dr. Masoodul Hasan Usmani
Qamaryab Jeelani
Farid Abbasi
Sam Ajmal
Media Coordinator
Kulsum Talha - 09415418976
Contact us at:
Sae’baan, 3/A-4, Vikasnagar,
Lucknow-226022
or dial
Irfan Ahmad - 09839802306
Qmaryab Jilani - 09415026332
Farid Abbasi - 09415022942
Sam Ajmal - 09838932428
Baghdad, Dec 13 (DPA) At least 21 people were killed, including two suicide bombers, Wednesday by three bombs that rocked Baghdad and Kirkuk, Interior Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.
In Kirkuk, nine members of the security forces guarding oil facilities were killed and 13 people wounded in a double suicide attack.
Two persons drove explosives-laden cars into a gathering of troops during the change of guards.
In Baghdad, 10 people were killed and 25 wounded in a blast caused by a vehicle loaded with explosives, which had been parked by the roadside close to a city mosque in Shia-dominated al-Kamaliya district.
In a similar incident Tuesday an explosives-laden car was detonated by a suicide bomber amid a gathering of labourers in a city square of another Shia-dominated neighbourhood.
The attack killed at least 57 people and injured 150.
Baghdad, Dec 13 (Xinhua) At least 45 people were killed and 148 injured early Tuesday when a suicide bomber blew up his vehicle in a crowded square here.
The deadly bombing occurred at about 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) in Tayaran Square where hundreds of daily labourers were waiting for jobs, a police official said.
The wounded have been sent to hospitals, he added.
The blast damaged several nearby buildings, shops and cars. Gunfire sounded immediately after the blast.
A second explosion rocked central Baghdad at about 8.30 a.m. (0530 GMT), but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Guwahati, Dec 13 (IANS) At least 50 personnel of Assam's Home Guards, the civilian police, were injured after police resorted to baton charge to disperse hundreds of home guards who were demanding regularisation of their jobs.
An estimated 3,000 home guards, including women, staged a demonstration near the assembly complex here.
"As the agitating home guards tried to barge inside the assembly, we ordered security forces to baton charge them," a police official said.
Policemen on horsebacks chased the demonstrators and a large posse of baton wielding cops caned them, wounding at least 50 uniformed men and women.
"We were demanding for our rights when police resorted to unprovoked assault on us and severely injured many of our personnel," said Kamakhya Das, secretary of the home guards association.
An estimated 23,000 home guards attached to the Assam police are deployed in duties ranging from traffic control to orderlies in residences of senior officers. They are paid a daily wage of Rs.45 and are not entitled to benefits like maternity leave for women.
"We want the home guards to be regularised and paid a monthly salary instead of the measly daily wage," Das said.
Baghdad, Dec 13 (DPA) A suicide bombing ripped through a crowded square in central Baghdad early Tuesday, killing at least 57 Iraqis and wounding about 150.
"The death toll is expected to rise," said a police source, explaining that the condition of some of the wounded was grave and that the blast was intense.
Police sources said a pick-up truck loaded with around 120 kg of explosives was detonated amid a gathering of day labourers in Tayaran square, located in the Bab al-Sharqi district.
A suicide attacker had apparently driven the car into the gathering, they said. He was alone in the car.
An eyewitness told DPA that the explosion was "huge".
"Severed body parts were scattered everywhere; cars ... and nearby shops caught fire," said eyewitness Ali al-Zamly, who added that paramedics and ambulances arrived on the scene around 20 minutes after the blast.
News reports said gunfire was heard. The site, meanwhile, has been cordoned off.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki condemned the attack and described the situation in Iraq as a third world war in which several regional and international powers were supporting several sects against each other.
Al-Maliki told reporters: "My condolences go to the families of those who fell today who are from the poor working class."
At least eight similar attacks targeting day workers have occurred since the ousting of ex-dictator Saddam Hussein. In one case, a suicide driver had tricked workers into coming closer to his explosives-laden car by saying he had jobs to offer them.
Meanwhile, in a nearby district in Baghdad, an explosive device was detonated, but no casualties were reported.
In another development, eyewitnesses said Tuesday that unidentified militants shot dead an Iraqi photographer working for the Associated Press wire agency in Mosul, 450 km north of here.
Eyewitnesses told DPA that unidentified militants opened fire and killed Aswan Ahmad near his house in the Ta'meen district in Mosul and fled the scene.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev held talks with al-Maliki on Tuesday. The talks focused on means of cooperation between the two countries, al-Maliki told reporters.
The Bulgarian premier arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit 10 days after his previously planned trip was cancelled.
As a part of the US-led coalition, Bulgaria maintains a contingent of 150 troops in Iraq.
Vatican City, Dec 13 (DPA) Pope Benedict XVI has denounced terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons and has described hunger, abortion, experimentation on human embryos and euthanasia as "an attack on peace".
The Pope's views are expressed in a message marking the Church's Jan 1 World Day of Peace, which was published by the Vatican Tuesday.
"The duty to respect the dignity of each human being, in whose nature the image of the Creator is reflected, means in consequence that the person cannot be disposed of at will," the Pope writes.
"As far as the right to life is concerned, we must denounce its widespread violation in our society: alongside the victims of armed conflicts, terrorism and the different forms of violence, there are the silent deaths caused by hunger, abortion, experimentation on human embryos and euthanasia.
"How can we fail to see in all this an attack on peace? Abortion and embryonic experimentation constitute a direct denial of that attitude of acceptance of others which is indispensable for establishing lasting relationships of peace."
In his message, the Pope also calls for "international accords for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons" and denounces the difficulties facing Christians in professing their religion in some societies, including in the West.
"There are regimes that impose a single religion upon everyone, while secular regimes often lead not so much to violent persecution as to systematic cultural denigration of religious beliefs.
"In both instances, a fundamental human right is not being respected, with serious repercussions for peaceful coexistence. This can only promote a mentality and culture that is not conducive to peace."
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) The Indian government Wednesday said there will be "some adjustments here and there" to resolve the country's border disputes with neighbouring countries even as it drew parallels between Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Pointing out that special representatives were engaged in dialogue with China over the border disputes, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said: "Border is on the land and not in the sky - when you finally arrive at conclusions, some adjustments will take place here and there."
Mukherjee was responding to a point raised by Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani, who wanted the government's reaction to Chinese envoy Sun Yuxi's alleged remarks in a media interview last month that New Delhi and Beijing had been "actively negotiating" the dispute over some portions of Arunachal Pradesh.
The minister said that India had been holding discussions with Pakistan over their border though the Indian parliament had passed a resolution saying that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India.
"If it becomes the condition that it (any state) has been declared as an integral part of the country, then it is not negotiable... Then there is no point in having discussions on Jammu and Kashmir because parliament has passed a resolution declaring it as the integral part of India," Mukherjee said.
Advani said the envoy who had created a controversy on the eve of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India in November stating that Arunachal Pradesh was a part of China, said in Chandigarh that the two countries were negotiating the dispute over some parts of the northeastern state.
Mukherjee said India already had taken up the issue with China. "It is true that China has not accepted the Mac Mahon Line demarcated between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet."
"That is the point of discussion between the special representatives of India and China. They are having regular discussions. And in the course of these discussions, various proposals and counter-proposals are there.
"But unless things are finally agreed upon, nobody discloses it. And I do not know what prompted the Chinese ambassador to disclose this. This is not a normal matter. The matter is being taken up not only here, but at the mission level also," he said.
Stating that China has "from time to time raised the Arunachal Pradesh issue", Mukhejee said: "Even during (then prime minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's visit in 2003, the issue was raised by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson."
He said the special representative was appointed by the Vajpayee government to discuss the border dispute. "Whether it is acceptable or not, this is the issue being discussed by the two special representatives".
He also warned the opposition. "Let's not get too excited on the issue.
These (the negotiations between the special representatives over the border disputes) are institutional arrangements. Let them function. Let's not get excited if some envoy says something."
Provoked by Mukherjee's comparison between Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, Advani said: "I am afraid that the statement has brought an issue which is more touchy... I have raised an issue of propriety (whether the envoy could make such a remark). But you said Arunachal Pradesh is negotiable."
A red-faced Mukherjee immediately stood up and said: "Do not put words in my mouth. I have not said so."
Advani said the government should reassure the people of Arunachal Pradesh that it is an integral part of India and that the Chinese envoy should be warned against making such remarks.
Mukherjee reiterated that the state was an integral part of the country and the issue was "not debatable".
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Mohammad Afzal, who faces death for his role in the terror attack on parliament five years ago, filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court Wednesday seeking reconsideration of the punishment awarded to him in August 2005.
Afzal's review petition had already been dismissed by the Supreme Court. The present curative petition is virtually an appeal against the dismissal of the review petition.
It is likely to be heard by at least four judges tomorrow.
In his petition, Afzal alleged that he did not get a fair trial in the case and as a result had been wrongly convicted and principles of natural justice violated.
He said the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the constitution was paramount and sacrosanct. No one's life should be taken away without following the due procedures established under law.
The Supreme Court is to later Wednesday decide on the curative petition filed by Shaukat Hussain, another accused in the case who was awarded 10 years imprisonment.
A dozen people were killed on Dec 13, 2001 when five gunmen burst into the parliament complex.
Investigation into the terror attack was completed in a record 17 days and the four accused - Mohammad Afzal, Shaukat Hussain Guru, Afsan Guru, and S.A.R. Geelani, all Kashmiri Muslims - were tried in a fast-track trial in a special court for terrorism offences.
The Supreme Court acquitted both Afsan Guru and Syed Geelani and modified the death sentence imposed on Shaukat Hussain by the high court to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. However, it confirmed the death sentence on Afzal.
Washington, Dec 13 (DPA) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad provoked another outpouring of global condemnation by saying that the "countdown" for Israel's disintegration had begun.
"With god's blessings, the countdown is now going ahead for the disintegration of Israel, and that is the will of all nations of the world," the Iranian leader said Tuesday at a Tehran meet that questioned the reality of the Holocaust.
Condemnation was sounded in Washington, Berlin and Rome against the remarks, and against the conference, which is aimed at minimising the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews under Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime.
The gathering highlighted "how dangerous Israel's situation is and the threat that Israel has to live with", German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, stressing that Germany would do all it could to oppose such meetings.
The comments by Ahmadinejad came as his country is engaged in a power struggle with the international community over its nuclear programme.
Nuclear tensions have been rising elsewhere in the region after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and a top US official have openly conceded that Israel has nuclear weapons - a long-held open secret that Israel has officially denied for decades.
Ahmadinejad has on several occasions called for the destruction of Israel. On Tuesday, he said the West "should abolish this self-created state".
"The West has created this regime, and now it must do away with it, so that peace returns to the world," Ahmadinejad said. Israel would suffer "nothing less than the same fate as that of the former Soviet Union".
Iran convened the gathering to question the Holocaust of World War II, and whether gas chambers were ever used to kill Jews. The Iranian leader has called for the formation of a so-called fact finding commission on the Holocaust.
Ahmadinejad said that after more than 60 years, the Holocaust should not be used "as propaganda and justification for further wars". The Palestinian people in particular, he said, could not help the crimes of World War II.
Eight rabbis - six from the US and two from Austria - were among over 60 foreign guests from 30 countries attending the conference. Tehran said that delegates had been drawn from the historical, scientific and research fields.
Iranian Jews have described the conference as an "insult, not only towards the Jews in Iran but also worldwide", according to remarks Monday by Maurice Motamed, the only Jewish member of the Iranian parliament.
The US condemned the gathering and Ahmadinejad's remarks as "absolutely outrageous".
"You get to a point where it's hard to find the words to describe the statements that are emanating from the Iranian president," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Israel's Olmert, who was in Berlin, said the remarks showed "the unacceptable character of Iranian politics" and underscored the danger for Western cultures posed by such a regime.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Author and academician Alka Pande received this year's coveted Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres - Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters - award bequeathed by the French government.
The French government instituted the award in 1957 to recognise significant contributions in the fields of art and literature.
The award was bestowed upon Pande by the French ambassador to India, Dominique Girard, late Tuesday at the French embassy here.
"Alka has done immense work in the field of art and literature and has brought many laurels for the country. Her work is a true reflection of how rich the Indian culture is," Girard told the audience, which comprised of stalwarts from the art, political and corporate world.
The glittering event also saw the launch of Pande's latest book - "The New-Age Kamasutra for Women" - by the ambassador.
"This award and the fact that I received it from the ambassador is a big thing for me. This day marks a very special moment in my life," said Pande, also a consultant art advisor and curator of the Visual Art Gallery at the India Habitat Centre here.
"I have been asked time and again by many as to why I write on a subject like Kamasutra and the intricacies of a relationship between man and woman. It's because when I started research on the subject, I felt that this is the beginning of creativity and the world," said Pande, who is also a reader in the department of fine arts, Punjab University.
The art historian has also written "Ardhanarishvara - The Androgyne" that dealt with the intricacies of both genders.
Other Indians who received the French honour include film critic Aruna Vasudev and Dhruv Sawhney, the Triveni Industries' chairman.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) In a damning indictment of the manner in which the Indian military imports equipment, a parliamentary body has questioned the purchase of de-mining equipment worth Rs.1.04 billion long after the need for this had ended.
"The actual utilisation of the equipment purchased due to operational urgency to de-mine 10 lakh (1 million) mines revealed that most of the minefields had already been de-mined manually due to the delay in the procurement of the equipment," parliament's Public Accounts Committee said in a report tabled Tuesday.
The equipment was purchased in the wake of Operation Parakaram, the 10-month-long mobilisation of the Indian Army along the Pakistan border that began Dec 16, 2001, three days after an assault on the Indian parliament that New Delhi blamed on an Islamabad-backed terror group. The demobilisation ended October 2002, but the de-mining equipment arrived only between June 2003 and March 2004, by which time most of the mines had already been cleared manually, the committee, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Vijay Kumar Malhotra, stated.
Thus, of the 1.6 million mines laid during the mobilisation, a mere 1,182 were recovered using the imported equipment, the committee found.
The committee's report followed that of the Comptroller and Auditor General for fiscal 2003-04 ended March 31 that had faulted the purchase of the de-mining equipment.
The committee found it "incomprehensible" that the defence ministry had adopted the fast track procedure for importing the equipment "instead of the normal procedure when they did not take timely action earlier to procure the same".
Noting the "lack of perspective planning" the committee hoped the defence ministry would "evolve a system so that the requirement for any defence equipment is assessed timely and expeditious action taken to procure the (this) under normal procedures".
"The fast track procedure should be adopted only in emergent unavoidable conditions," the committee said, adding there was "ample time available with the army authorities to conceive, plan and procure" the de-mining equipment under normal procedures.
The committee also found "inexplicable" the cumulative delay in the supply of the equipment.
While the contract for the supply of 24 pieces of equipment was concluded in March, 2003, five months after the stipulated supply date, only 50 percent of this was received between June 2003 and March 2004 - eight to 16 months beyond the date indicated by Army Headquarters. The balance had come much later.
The committee also found two other lacunae in the deal - no specification of the equipment's shelf life and the lack of a penalty on the vendor for delayed supplies.
It said it was "constrained" to point out that since the first aspect had not been addressed, "the (defence) ministry's contention of the serviceable life of the equipment being 25 to 30 years does not carry much weight."
On the penalty clause, the committee said: "While deploring the lackadaisical approach of the ministry in enforcing the contract, (we) recommend that the ministry should invariably incorporate a LD (liquidated damages) clause in all future contracts in case of delayed delivery by the supplier and impose penalty on the vendor by reducing the cost of the contract".
Some 700,000 Indian Army troops were deployed during Operation Parakaram, leading to a matching mobilisation from the Pakistani side. Over 170,000 Indian farmers were displaced as their fertile agricultural land along the border was turned into minefields.
The Indian Army lost some 700 soldiers during the operation, the bulk of the casualties occurring during the laying and removal of mines. Former army chief, Gen. Shankar Roy Choudhury, now an MP, has described the operation as a "strategic disaster".
Bhubaneswar, Dec 13 (IANS) The Art of Living Foundation of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will set up a university in Orissa by 2008 that will be an "amalgamation of science and spirituality".
Yezdi Batliwala of the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM) Trust, the educational wing of the Art of Living foundation, Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Ashok Tripathy, the secretary of the state's higher education department, for the proposed multi-disciplinary university near Bhubaneswar, an official said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and officials were present during the signing ceremony at the state secretariat.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the proposed university will see an amalgamation of science and spirituality. To be named as Sri Sri University, it will be built on 200 acres of land on the outskirts of the state capital.
It will have a capacity to cater to 15,000 students, up to 1,500 faculty members and a matching number of the non-teaching staff.
The proposed university will impart training in basic sciences, humanities, engineering, pharmacy, business management, law, art, culture and vedic studies, ayurveda, medical sciences, aviation and marine science and other disciplines, the official said.
It will also have centres of excellence for research in rural economics, rural development, alternative energy sources, rural management, agriculture, spiritual activities and performing arts.
SSRVM Trust was founded in 1999 as a charitable spiritual and educational public institution to impart value education in a stress-free and child-friendly environment.
It has established 59 schools and five institutions of higher learning in 16 states across the country.
London, Dec 13 (ZEENEWS.COM) A new study by scientists at Minnesota`s Mayo Clinic has found that Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin can cut the risk of men of developing an enlarged prostate by half.
The condition which affects almost half of men in their seventies, is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, and can make urination difficult or trigger a need to urinate frequently.
And while scientists found that painkillers may cut the risk of developing the condition, lead researcher Dr Jenny St Sauver said that that does not mean that they were advising every man to start popping NSAIDS.
"We would not recommend that every man go out and take aspirin, but if they are already taking it regularly for other reasons, our findings suggest another benefit as well," the news channel quoted her, as saying.
And though experts suggest this may be because they could be reducing prostate growth directly, or by increasing cell death in the organ, the researchers however, still haven’t figured out the reason why painkillers cut the risk of the condition.
The scientists insisted that more research was needed to confirm their findings, and then potentially to examine the optimum dose to cut risk.
Dr Chris Hiley, of the Prostate Cancer Charity, insisted that men discuss taking NSAIDs such as aspirin with their doctors, and not start medicating themselves since the researchers themselves had not figured out the lowest dose.
"We advise men keen to reduce their risk of prostate disease who feel they may benefit from taking regular aspirin, to discuss it with their doctors, and not to dose themselves without medical supervision,� he said.
"The researchers themselves admit they are not in a position to recommend the lowest dose they know would work so there is still uncertainty on the best course of action," he added.
The study appears in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Guwahati, Dec 13 (IANS) The Assam government Tuesday offered to hold direct peace talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) with the aim of ending 27 years of insurgency in the region.
"We are ready for direct talks with the ULFA leadership. Let ULFA leaders Paresh Baruah (self-styled commander-in-chief) and Arabinda Rajkhowa (chairman) come for talks with the central government representatives," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told journalists.
The central government had Sep 24 called off a six-week ceasefire and resumed military operations blaming the ULFA for stepping up attacks and extortions.
The fresh offer for talks follows a wave of bombings in the state blamed on the ULFA, a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland since 1979. The ULFA has denied carrying out the explosions.
"Let the intermediaries play their roles in facilitating the peace process but when it comes to holding talks it should be the top ULFA leaders who should sit across the table and discuss their demands," the chief minister said.
According to a government statement, 49 people have been killed in separate insurgency related incidents, including 50 militants, since May this year. In the same period there were 114 explosions and 57 cases of kidnapping.
Peace talks between ULFA representatives and New Delhi formally broke down after the People's Consultative Group (PCG), a civil society team appointed by the rebels to mediate for talks, pulled out of the peace process blaming New Delhi for calling off the truce.
There were three rounds of talks between the ULFA chosen PCG and central government peace negotiators.
During the first meeting with the PCG in October last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government was ready to "discuss all issues" with the ULFA.
The ULFA wants the release of five of their jailed leaders as a precondition to holding peace talks. New Delhi, in return, wants the rebel leadership to commit in writing that they would come for direct negotiations if the jailed militants were released.
The ULFA is not willing to give it in writing, leading to the collapse of the peace process. The ULFA is one of the at least 30 rebel armies operating in India's northeast, where insurgencies have claimed more than 50,000 lives since 1947.
By Syed Zarir Hussain,
Guwahati, Dec 13 (IANS) Efforts at tackling insurgency and crime in Assam have become a mockery of sorts with the state police force having as many as 7,776 vacancies in different categories.
According to official figures, apart from 6,695 constables, the state police force is short of 17 additional superintendents of police, 135 deputy superintendents, besides inspectors, head constables, and vacancies in other ranks.
"This is nothing but pure mockery when we hear the state government talking of controlling insurgency and other crimes when there are such a large number of vacancies in different ranks in the Assam Police," Apurba Bhattacharya, a senior leader of the opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), told IANS.
The Assam government last year held interviews for recruiting 5,486 candidates to the state's police constabulary. But the drive ended in a controversy with allegations of large-scale irregularities in the selection process.
The Gauhati High Court cancelled the appointments of nearly 5,000 candidates chosen for the posts of constables citing procedural lapses followed by the government.
"We are examining the high court verdict," Assam government spokesperson and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said.
The understaffed police force has led criminals and insurgents to take advantage of the vacuum with the crime and terror graph showing an upward trend.
After the Congress-led government assumed office for the second consecutive term in May this year, the state has witnessed 666 incidents of killings, 659 cases of rape, 968 abductions, 158 thefts, and 3,487 incidents of burglary. All these incidents took place between May and October 2006.
In the insurgency front, there were 76 bomb blasts and 32 reported cases of extortions registered with the police.
"The shortage of personnel is definitely a matter of worry and hampers our work," a senior police official said.
The winter session of the Assam assembly that began Monday saw uproarious scenes with the opposition creating a ruckus in the house on the issue of the deteriorating law and order situation.
"There is nothing called law and order in Assam now with the state government failing to provide the bare minimum security to the citizens," AGP president Brindaban Goswami told IANS.
The ruling Congress government, however, is trying to put up a brave front.
"We are ready to hold special discussions on this crucial security issue and, if required, are prepared to extend the present session for a meaningful deliberation on the matter," Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) The women's 4x400 metres relay team struck gold - the first for India in three days - to resurrect the nation's sagging morale Tuesday, the day the men's 4x400m relay team won a silver and a bronze while a bronze came in sailing in the 15th Asian Games here.
The women's relay team of Sati Geetha, Pinki Paramanik, Chitra Kulathummuriyil and Manjeet Kaur combined well while changing batons and ran an admirable four laps to emerge the winner in 3:32.95 seconds.
Running the second lap Pinki made up for a poor start by Geetha. Chitra ran a good third lap to raise hopes of gold and Manjeet put the seal on the medal as she won comfortably with her long strides. Kazakhstan finished second in 3:33.86 sec and China, which took lead initially, finished third in 3:33.92 sec.
But the gold, which came late in the day, failed to lift India on the medals table. The country slipped by one place to ninth with seven gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze for a total of 42 medals.
China continued to consolidate its position atop as it took its total to a whopping 266 medals that included 135 gold, 74 silver and 57 bronze.
For the second place, it's a neck-and-neck battle between South Korea and Japan. South Korea is currently holding a slender edge over Japan with 47 gold, 42 silver and 74 bronze for a grand total of 163 medals.
Japan is placed third with 46 gold, 58 silver and 66 bronze for a tally of 170 medals.
For India, the other performance of note came in the men's 4x400m relay. Aboo Backer Thanikkal, Joseph Abraham, Bhupinder Singh and Binu Mathew combined well to clock 3:06.39 sec to finish second and won a well-deserved silver.
Saudi Arabia won the gold with 3:05.31 sec and Sri Lanka the bronze in 3:06.97 sec.
The other athletics medal came in the women's 1,500m with Sinimole Puaulose clocking 4:15.09 sec, missing the silver by 0.13 sec. Yusuf Maryam Jamal clocked 4:08.63 seconds to win the gold while Yuriko Kobayashi of Japan timed 4:14.96 sec for the bronze.
Rajesh Choudhary, who finished third in laser radial (open), behind Chinese Xu Lijia and Singapore's Koh Seng Leong, won the lone bronze. He remained the lone Indian medallist for most part of the day, before the women discovered gold.
In tennis, India is in three finals - women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles - and on way to three more gold medals Wednesday.
In the women's singles, fourth seed Sania Mirza of India will face Chinese Jie Zheng in the final after she defeated No. 1 seed Li Na of China 6-2, 6-2 in a magnificent display in the semi-finals. In the other semi-final, Jie defeated Aiko Nakamura of Japan 6-3, 6-2 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
In men's doubles, top seeds Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi booked their final berth by defeating Cecil Mamiit and Fredrick Taino of the Philippines 6-2, 6-4 in semi-finals. The Indians will play fourth seeds Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana in the final.
In the mixed doubles, top seeds Paes and Sania will face seventh seeded Satoshi Iwabuchi and Aiko Nakamura of Japan in the final.
Although the men's hockey team has been ousted from medal contention, the women's team will play for the bronze medal against South Korea Wednesday.
After failing to make it to the semi-finals for the first time ever in the games, the Indian men Tuesday thrashed Chinese Taipei 12-1 in a match to determine fifth to eight positions.
India will now play Malaysia for the fifth position Thursday.
The continent's 45 nations are taking part in the 15-day extravaganza. The games end Friday.
Washington, Dec 13 (DPA) Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has warned that a premature US pullout from Iraq would be "disastrous" and could lead to a broadening of the conflict.
Australia, a staunch US ally, has 1,300 troops in Iraq and strongly backed President George W. Bush's decision to invade in March 2003. Bush has faced domestic pressure to withdraw the 140,000 American soldiers in Iraq as violence in the country spirals out of control.
"If the US were to withdraw too quickly and inappropriately, the consequences would not only be disastrous for the Iraqi people, it could lead to neighbouring countries being drawn into military conflict over Iraq," Downer said Tuesday at a press conference in Washington with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"There must be no defeat in Iraq," he added. "The Americans and their allies must not only prevail, but above all the Iraqi people must prevail."
Downer was here for regular US-Australian discussions in which US Deputy Defence Secretary Gordon England and Australian Defence Secretary Brendan Nelson took part. Downer vowed that his country would stick with the US effort in Iraq through "thick and thin".
Earlier, England and Nelson signed an agreement confirming Australian participation in the US development of the Lockheed Martin-built Joint Strike Fighter, or F-35.
The fighter programme, valued at over $250 billion for a planned 2,400 planes over several years, is the most expensive weapons programme in history.
Rice lauded the close US-Australian relationship in the war on terrorism and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"There really hasn't been any stronger supporter and ally in (Iraq) than Australia," Rice said. "And I would never, ever use the word 'disappointment' in the same line with Australia."
Dhaka, Dec 13 (IANS) Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her 14-party alliance, soon to be joined by three more constituents, is rethinking about participating in the January polls.
Resignations of four advisors on Monday have "deepened" the political crisis caused by the actions of President Iajuddin Ahmed, Hasina said, claiming that three more advisors were likely to quit.
"Despite having all preparations for participating in the polls, now we have to think whether we will take part in the election or not as the crisis in the government has deepened following the resignation of four advisers," Sheikh Hasina said while participating in a symposium on the current political situation.
The alliance is seeking the resignation of Ahmed, who is also doubling as Chief Advisor of the interim government that is tasked by the constitution to govern the country and hold "free and fair" polls.
The alliance will broaden its base with Jatiya Oikya Front, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Islami Oikya Front, Zaker Party and other parties joining in and will launch a movement "to press home their one-point demand-the chief adviser's resignation," The Daily Star said.
Political analysts said the crux of the problem is Ahmed's decision to deploy the armed forces across the country in aid of civil authority, but after having called it "unjust and un constitutional," Hasina has refrained from making it the cause of her confrontation.
The four advisors who resigned Monday also sought to de-link their decision from their earlier criticism of Ahmed's 'unilateral' action.
Significantly, Hasina's political rival and another former prime minister Khaleda Zia has supported the action and appealed to all parties to join the poll fray.
Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, coordinator of the Zia-led alliance, said that Ahmed was acting "within the Constitution."
If three more advisors resign, as per Hasina's claim, the 10-member Council that is supposed to assist Ahmed in running the government could be reduced to three, further eroding the government's credibility.
The continuing crisis has upset Bangladesh's "partners in development" - the donor nations and organizations, including the US, the UK, the European Union, Germany and Canada, among others.
Their envoys stationed in Dhaka were "shocked and worried" by the resignations, the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) said on Tuesday after speaking to them.
A spokesman for the US embassy told the news agency that the advisers' resignation would pose a serious challenge to the concept of neutral and non-party caretaker government.
"Their decision that they could no longer serve effectively, and that they had no recourse but resignation, is unfortunate and a serious challenge to the concept of a neutral and non-partisan caretaker government," the spokesman said.
He hoped that the chief adviser would take steps to break the political impasse afflicting the nation.
British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, a diplomat of Bangladeshi origin, took it as an unfortunate development that "creates uncertainty over the functioning of the interim administration".
German Ambassador Frank Meyke noted that the resignation of "such dedicated patriots showed the seriousness of the situation."
Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson said Canada is concerned to hear of the resignation of four advisers and the stated reasons for this unprecedented action.
She said the advisers accepted a very difficult task at a critical moment and they worked with integrity and diligence to honour that obligation.
"Their departure will be a significant loss for the caretaker government and its important work," Ms Richardson said.
Guwahati, Dec 13 (ZEENEWS.COM) Attacking RSS chief K Sudarshan for demanding a separate electorate for Muslims, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said it was a "dangerous" call and could "divide the nation".
"His call for separate electorate and Muslim representation in the legislature in proportion to their population of 1947 is a dangerous move and can threaten the integrity of the country", Gogoi told reporters here.
Sudarshan in a citizens meet here on Sunday had called for a "separate electorate" for Muslims.
The Chief Minister said the view of the RSS chief violated the basic structure of the constitution and "Sudarshan should refrain from making such statements in the future".
Gogoi also criticised the BJP for attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his mention of the minority community during his address in the National Development Council meet.
"I was personally there and the Prime Minister never made such references as was published...It is a political propaganda by the BJP to gain mileage", Gogoi said.
New York, Dec 13 (DPA) Ban Ki-moon of South Korea will be sworn in on Thursday as the eighth secretary general of the UN, and is set to succeed Kofi Annan on New Year's Day in a post considered one of the toughest in the world.
Ban, who began his diplomatic career in New Delhi, will take the oath of office in a ceremony in the 192-nation UN General Assembly, which elected him on Oct 13 in the most transparent election in UN history.
Ban, 62, had spent 35 years serving the South Korean government, rising through the ranks of the foreign ministry and becoming foreign minister in Jan 2004, which he remained until his appointment to the UN leadership post.
With the dispute over North Korea's nuclear ambitions still to be resolved, Ban has the potential to emerge as a bridge that could pave the way for easing of relations between the north and his native south.
He has also served at his country's US embassy in Washington and was director general of American affairs at the foreign ministry in Seoul from 1990 to 1992.
In 1995, he became deputy minister for policy planning and then national security advisor to the South Korean president in 1996.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch from Friday a week-long nationwide 'Campaign against the Congress politics of minority appeasement', party chief Rajnath Singh said Tuesday.
"The state units of BJP will hold rallies during the campaign to expose the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's politics of minority appeasement," he said.
"Religion can't be the basis for welfare measures. The BJP opposes divisive politics of appeasement of any kind as we believe in the doctrine of justice for all and appeasement of none," he added.
Earlier, the BJP parliamentary party passed a resolution condemning the statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the National Development Council (NDC) Saturday that the minorities, including Muslims, have the "first claim" on the country's resources.
"The poorest of the poor have the first claim on the country's resources - not a religious group as a religious group," the BJP resolution said.
"The statement of the prime minister is no accident. It is the latest step in a series by which the UPA government is seeking to appease Muslims - irrespective of the injury that would be inflicted on the national interests, and indeed on the Muslims themselves," the statement said.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (ZEENEWS.COM) BJP on Sunday said it would raise its objections tomorrow in both houses over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remark that plans for minorities, particularly Muslims must have the first claim on resources.
"These remarks are a matter of grave concern as they amount to dividing the country's resources on religious lines. Our party will raise its objections vociferously in both houses tomorrow over the Prime Minister's comments," deputy leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra said.
Yesterday, BJP chief Rajnath Singh reacted sharply to Singh's comment's at the National development Council meeting, calling them "very unfortunate and appalling".
"Indications from the government are very grave. Sometimes there are moves to reserve seats in educational establishments on the basis of religion and sometimes there are reports like that of Justice Sachar.
"We don't believe in clarifications that have come from the PMO since yesterday, we will strongly oppose in the Parliament the Prime Minister's suggestions that minorities have the first claim on resources," Malhotra said.
Washington, Dec 13 (DPA) US President George W. Bush has put off unveiling his new Iraq strategy until January, said the White House.
No date has been set for when Bush will talk about "the way forward" in Iraq, his chief spokesman Tony Snow said Tuesday. "That is not going to happen until the new year," Snow told reporters.
One reason for the delay was to allow incoming Defence Secretary Robert Gates to join the cabinet and get up to speed on Iraq, top US officials said. Gates, a former CIA director, is due to replace Iraq war architect Donald Rumsfeld, who quit last month. His swearing-in is set for Monday.
Bush met Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi Tuesday as part of an effort to reach out to leaders in Iraq to encourage them to take stronger steps towards halting sectarian violence that has brought the country to the verge of all-out civil war.
Both leaders emphasised that the only option was to stabilise the security and environment and bolster the strength of Iraq's democratic government.
"I share (Bush's) views and aspirations that there is no way but success in Iraq, we have no other option in Iraq but to achieve success," al-Hashemi said, adding there was still a chance to get his country out of its "present dilemma".
"There is a light in the corridor," he said.
Bush also had a video conference with US military commanders in Iraq, which included a "vigorous discussion" of possible options as US strategy moves ahead, Snow said.
The conference included Rumsfeld, Gates, General John Abizaid, the top commander of US forces in the Middle East, and the US commander in Iraq, General George Casey.
"Our objective is to help the Iraqi government deal with the extremists and killers and support the vast majority of Iraqis who are reasonable people who want peace," Bush said.
Bush discussed Iraq with officials at the State Department Monday and received a briefing on the reconstruction effort in various regions in Iraq.
Last week, a panel co-chaired by former US secretary of state James Baker III recommended that the US start pulling back its 140,000 soldiers in Iraq into support roles, re-launch Middle East peacemaking and seek talks with Syria and Iran.
Snow, however, played down the recommendations of the Baker panel, which was co-led by former US Congressman Lee Hamilton.
"The touchstone is not the Baker-Hamilton commission. It's the situation in Iraq. And it's the situation in the region," Snow said.
His remarks fuelled speculation in US media that Bush may actually decide to boost the number of US troops in Iraq in the short term to combat the violence.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India is still to take a decision on lifting the ban on sugar exports even as the production is expected to touch a record of around 23 million tonnes this year and the industry fears a glut leading to a further fall in domestic prices.
"We are expecting a record sugar production of 22.7 million tonnes, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu reporting increase in sugarcane yield per hectare," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).
The industry body is hopeful of a still higher production of over 23 million tonnes during the sugar year from October 2006 to September 2007.
"The cabinet will study the (export) proposal and take a decision," Pawar stated.
To the industry demand for easing the regulatory regime, he said it should be first prepared for competition and not seek government support for exports and other activities.
With India's enhanced domestic consumption expected to be around 19 million tonnes, the industry fears that the about four-million-tonne surplus stocks will affect domestic prices.
ISMA has been urging the government for the last few months to lift the ban on exports, imposed in July to check spiralling retail prices that had reached over Rs.24 per kg.
Though the retail prices have softened to levels of Rs.20 per kg, the government is still to finalise plans of allowing exports, including the obligation of exporting equivalent quantity after imports of 2 million tonnes two years back under the advanced license scheme.
So far around 900,000 to 950,000 tonnes of sugar under the advanced license has been exported but the remaining obligation is still pending, ISMA outgoing president C.S. Nopany told the media.
According to ISMA, the delay in lifting the export ban has lost the industry price advantage over the last six months as global prices have been sliding from levels of over $500 per tonne to about $350-$320.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Passengers were stranded for hours and chaos ruled the international and domestic airports here Wednesday as another foggy day led to three flights being cancelled and scores rescheduled.
A thick blanket of fog covered the sky early in the morning, forcing airport authorities to shut down the runway from 6.05 a.m. to 7.20 a.m.
Three flights, including of a Spicejet to Srinagar and an Air Deccan to Bangalore, were cancelled.
In the absence of any information on flight status, passengers waited for hours at the airport.
Compounding the situation was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's departure for Japan, which delayed the landing of some flights. As usual, the airspace was declared off bounds 30 minutes before his departure.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) said the situation improved after 8 a.m.
"A control room has been set up to monitor the fog situation. Directions have been issued to airlines to inform passengers well in advance so that they do not suffer," said an AAI official.
The director general of civil aviation has stepped in to ease the jam by directing airlines to reschedule early morning and late night flights.
The civil aviation ministry said airlines, including low cost carriers, have been directed to provide food and water to stranded passengers.
"All our flights scheduled to depart before 8.30 a.m. and after 11 p.m. have been rescheduled for a month," said Ajay Jasra, information officer of Spicejet.
He said snacks had been provided to all passengers who had to wait for one-and- a-half hours.
"We also give dinner or lunch to all, depending on the time of departure, if the flight gets delayed over four hours," Jasra added.
Several trains originating from New Delhi or reaching the capital were delayed.
The Chhattisgarh Express from Amritsar to Vilaspur via New Delhi was late by five hours, while the Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express, Awadh Assam Express, Mahananda Express and Faizabad-Delhi Faizabad Express have been delayed by about two hours.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) China took its golden tally to 137 as the continental sports powerhouse maintained its top position at the end of the 11th day of competition at the 15th Asian Games here. India is placed ninth.
Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
China 137 75 57 269
South Korea 47 42 74 163
Japan 46 59 66 171
Kazakhstan 19 15 33 67
Thailand 10 12 23 45
Chinese Taipei 9 6 26 41
Qatar 8 10 9 27
Saudi Arabia 8 0 5 13
India 7 16 19 42
Bahrain 7 8 4 19
Uzbekistan 6 9 11 26
Malaysia 5 15 10 30
Iran 5 13 12 30
Hong Kong 5 9 7 21
North Korea 5 8 13 26
Singapore 5 5 10 20
Kuwait 3 4 2 9
Vietnam 2 9 7 18
Philippines 2 5 9 16
Mongolia 2 4 7 13
Indonesia 2 2 11 15
Syria 2 0 3 5
UAE 1 3 2 6
Jordan 1 3 1 5
Lebanon 1 0 2 3
Tajikistan 1 0 2 3
Myanmar 0 3 4 7
Krygystan 0 2 5 7
Sri Lanka 0 1 2 3
Iraq 0 1 1 2
Turkmenistan 0 1 0 1
Pakistan 0 1 0 1
Nepal 0 0 3 3
Macau 0 0 2 2
Afghanistan 0 0 1 1
Bangladesh 0 0 1 1
Sydney, Dec 13 (IANS) The Australian government's plan to introduce citizenship test for migrants has been criticised by members of the ruling coalition who say it is a step towards reintroducing a racially discriminatory immigration policy.
Under the new plan announced by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, people applying for Australian citizenship need to pass a basic English language test, a general knowledge test relating to the various aspects of the country and, most importantly, need to learn about 'mateship', a concept where everybody pulls together in case of any national crisis.
"We will retain a non-discriminatory immigration policy. We will not be discriminating on the basis of race or ethnicity or nationality when choosing new migrants," Howard said while strongly defending his new policy.
Victorian Liberal moderate MP Petro Georgiou Monday indicated he might not support the changes, signalling a possible split in the coalition.
"I am concerned that the toughening of the requirements would create unreasonable barriers to the acquisition of citizenship and will prevent people who would make a wonderful contribution to Australia from becoming citizens," Georgiou said.
Another Victorian Liberal MP Russell Broadbent said: "The questions could be very difficult for many immigrants."
The proposed legislation is likely to be introduced in February next year.
Howard insisted it was not too harsh to expect migrants to be able to speak English and know about Australian culture and society after spending four years in the country.
After successfully completing the test, applicants will have to sign a statement confirming they are aware of and understand Australian society's values, including respect for freedom and dignity of the individual, equality of men and women, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law and democracy, according to the Australian newspaper.
Recent terror attacks across major cities of the world has prompted the Australian government to make its immigration and citizenship law tougher.
Already, residency requirements have sharpened. Immigrants now have to wait at least four years instead of two before being able to apply for citizenship.
By Staff Reporter
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IndianMuslims.info) The Parliamentary Committee looking at the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005, has recommended that Clause 24 of the Bill, which provides that the State Government shall establish one or more Special Courts for the trial of scheduled offences committed during the period of disturbance, "may be re-looked".
"The exigencies visualised in this clause whereunder a State Government may request the Central Government to establish an additional Special Court outside the State for trial of scheduled offences, are impractical and highly improbable as no State Government would indulge in self indictment stating that justice cannot be dispensed with in that State," the The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs said.
The Committee also expressed "strong view" to the provision to empower the Central Government to transfer the communal case from one state to another and said such a power should remain with the Judiciary alone.
"At the moment the Judiciary alone has the powers to transfer a case from one High Court to another. Giving this power to the Central Government is illegal as it takes away the powers of the Judiciary," the Committee said.
The endeavour should be made for providing timely and adquate infrastructure for Special Courts for cases relating to prevention of communal violence in the country, the pannel recomended.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games here, Delhi Police wants its 40,000 men and women in the rank of constables to sub-inspectors to have a good command over English, which the bulk of athletes and visitors will be speaking. And it will be an added bonus if they can learn a foreign tongue.
The capital's police force is eager to start the Learn English programme at the earliest. And simultaneously, it is doing what it can to see if the attitude and conduct of its personnel also shows dramatic improvement.
"We want to start training them as soon as possible. The earlier we start, the more beneficial it would be," S.B. Deol, a Special Commissioner who heads the training wing in Delhi Police, told IANS.
"Since the inflow of tourists before the games would increase substantially, we think it would be good if our personnel have better language skills," he said.
Deol said sub-inspectors would also be encouraged to learn at least one foreign language.
"We would ask them to learn a foreign language so that they are able to converse with people of different countries who would be visiting Delhi," he said.
The Delhi Police is nearly 60,000-strong, and most of its men, constables included, are graduates. But few in the lower ranks are comfortable speaking or writing in English, preferring Hindi instead.
Even those who know English do not find themselves at home while speaking the language. Most senior officers are, however, at home in English.
And having learnt its lessons from the 1982 Asian Games, Delhi Police thinks it is time to remedy the situation.
There is a special wing that caters to tourists. Its men are better off when it comes to English. And so are members of Delhi Police's VIP Security Wing.
The capital's police force is contacting private companies to help it on the language front.
"Our men and women will go through a three-day training course in different batches over the next three years. We want private trainers and institutions to carry out the programmes for us," Deol said.
"Since most of our constables are graduates, this training would help them. People who join the force as sub-inspectors are already well educated - we only want to improve their English."
Delhi Police, which caters to a city of over 15 million people, has forwarded a proposal to the home ministry to recruit more English-speaking personnel.
The ethnic composition of Delhi Police has undergone sweeping changes in the past two decades. Once dominated by men from Haryana, the force today draws men also from Tamil Nadu and Kerala who are more at home in English.
"Well educated and courteous personnel would not only help during the Commonwealth Game but also improve the impression of the police," said Deol, one of the most senior Indian Police Service officers in the country.
"What is needed is an attitudinal and behavioural change in the force. This cannot happen in just one day, so we want to start working towards it.
"Though we have very efficient officers who can train the personnel, we decided upon private trainers to avoid any bias towards anyone.
"We have already put out tenders asking companies to come forward. The last date for submitting the proposal is Dec 26."
New York, Dec 13 (IANS) Overweight dieters who cut calories are likely to lose more bone mass than weight if they don't exercise, says a study that highlights the importance of both diet and exercise.
If you just cut calories -- and don't exercise -- you harm your bones two ways: you may cut nutrients needed to maintain strong bones, and you don't stimulate bone growth, indicated the study that looked 46 men and women with an average age of 57.
Dennis T. Villareal and colleagues at Washington University in St. Louis studied all these typical Americans who were overweight; none got regular exercise, reported the online edition of health Magazine WebMD.
Of the 46 participants, 36 agreed to lose weight. Half of them ate less -- about 20 percent fewer calories. The other half worked out more -- burning off about 20 percent more calories.
For comparison, 10 more participants got advice on healthy lifestyles but didn't diet or exercise. Compared with the 10 who only got advice, the dieters and the exercisers both lost weight.
But, unlike the exercisers, the dieters lost more than weight. They lost bone, too.
And they lost it in the areas where elderly people are most likely to suffer fractures: spine, hips, and upper legs.
"Calorie restriction is beneficial, but if you don't combine it with exercise you lose bone," Villareal was quoted as saying.
"You might get lighter without exercise -- but that's because you have less skeleton than you did before. That is a really big concern for people as they age," the researcher said.
Washington, Dec 13 (DPA) Space Shuttle Discovery astronauts have begun their mission's first spacewalk, in which they will install a new component on the International Space Station (ISS).
American Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, the first Swede in space, began the spacewalk at 2031 GMT Tuesday and were expected to wrap up the six-hour event around 0241 GMT Wednesday.
Inside the station, astronaut Joan Higginbotham will use a robotic arm to guide a two-tonne truss into place. Curbeam and Fuglesang will help guide the truss and will bolt it into place and complete its installation.
The truss they install will allow astronauts on a future mission to move another truss and its solar arrays to another location on the station.
Discovery lifted off late Saturday from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, Florida, for the construction mission to the ISS.
The flight's primary mission is to hook up the ISS' permanent electricity-generating system, replacing a temporary power system operating since the space station went into orbit in 1998. Three spacewalks are planned, including two to rewire both halves of the station.
Other spacewalks are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday.
NASA has described Discovery's rewiring mission at the ISS as one of the most complex and difficult in the history of space flight.
Discovery is also to deliver Indian origin astronaut Sunita Williams to replace German astronaut Thomas Reiter after five and a half months in residence on the space station, which has a rotating crew of three astronauts.
Discovery's flight is the second working shuttle mission to the ISS since NASA returned to flight in summer 2005 after the shuttle fleet was grounded for two years following the Columbia disaster, which killed all seven crew members.
NASA spent most of the last year testing new safety systems. A September flight by the shuttle Atlantis marked the resumption of ISS construction
By Arun Kumar,
Washington, Dec 13 (IANS) Space Shuttle Discovery astronauts conducted their first spacewalk as Indian American Sunita Williams took over as resident flight engineer at the International Space Station (ISS) and helped her two colleagues add a piece of metal backbone to her new home in the sky.
American Robert Curbeam and Swede Christer Fuglesang, the first Scandinavian in space, began the spacewalk at 2031 GMT Tuesday and wrapped up the six-hour event around 0241 GMT Wednesday.
Williams, known to her colleagues by her nickname Suni, and Joan Higginbotham, the other woman astronaut on Discovery, operated a giant robot arm to guide Curbeam and Fuglesang install a 2-tonne P-5 integrated truss segment into place. The spacewalkers guided Higginbotham with visual cues as the exacting operation was carried out.
The new truss will allow astronauts on a future mission to move another truss and its solar arrays to another location on the station.
With pilot Bill Oefelein coordinating the space-walk, the job done will clear the way for a critical power rewiring later this week.
The two-tonne P5 spacer is the fifth truss segment added to the port side of the station. The addition of the P5 sets the stage for the relocation of the P6 truss and its set of solar arrays. The P6 will be moved from its current location on top of the Destiny laboratory to the P5 during a future mission.
Two more space-walks are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday to reconfigure and redistribute power generated by the station's newest solar arrays.
Earlier, Williams replaced European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter, who will return to earth Dec 18 on Discovery along with the other six astronauts wrapping up a five-month stay on the station.
Williams will remain a member of Expedition 14 until commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and flight engineer Mikhail Tyurin are relieved by Expedition 15 in March 2007. Williams will finish the remaining time of her six-month tour of duty on the station as a member of Expedition 15 crew.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency have named two astronauts and two cosmonauts for the next ISS crew - Expedition 15.
Astronauts Clayton Anderson and Daniel Tani will travel to the station next year and work as flight engineers. Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Oleg Kotov will spend six months aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Meanwhile, the Mission Control Centre in Houston informed Discovery commander Mark Polansky that the crew need not perform a focused inspection of the shuttle's heat shield Wednesday.
DPA adds: Wednesday's work schedule will have shuttle astronauts folding up an old solar panel from the ISS. After years of exposure in space, it remains uncertain whether the lightweight array will return to its original, compact shape. One NASA scientist has compared the procedure to folding up a well-worn road map.
NASA has been meticulous about scouting the shuttle for damage since losing Columbia and seven astronauts, including India-born Kalpana Chawla, in 2003 because of a debris strike.
If the array fails to fold up automatically, NASA might dispatch Discovery's spacewalkers on an extra outing to manually retract the panel. It must be retracted at least 40 percent to leave room for the new arrays to rotate as they track the sun for power.
"Hopefully, that will work according to plan," said shuttle commander Mark Polansky.
Dubai, Dec 13 (IANS) Dubai has unveiled plans of building a $122.5 million studio complex - the largest of its kind in the Gulf - to lure international filmmakers.
The studio will be set up within the upcoming Dubai Studio City - a complex dedicated to production infrastructure - and is expected to be ready by the end of next year.
The announcement came on the second day of the ongoing Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
"Dubai Studio City has already received 300 proposals for film production, including films from Hollywood, India and Egypt. Of these, 28 films have already been given the green light for shooting in Dubai," said Sheeraz Hasan, founder of www.Hollywood.tv, in a statement.
Dubai Studio City was created to boost foreign investment in the broadcast, film, television and music production sectors.
The new studio will have two kinds of sound stages - one will be 15,000 sq ft for small features and TV production, and the other 25,000 sq ft, which can be used for full-length feature film shoots.
The complex also has a 3.5 million sq ft area for outdoor shoots and set construction. Apart from that, 125,000 sq ft is dedicated to workshop and warehousing facilities.
Some plots are also available for sale to individual investors to build their own sound stages.
"Dubai Studio City is very efficient in getting approvals and permits and coordinating with other government bodies," said Hasan.
Right now Mumbai and Cairo are said to be the largest film production centres in the region and Marrakech in Morocco is the Hollywood favourite when it comes to location. But Dubai now hopes to score above others with its absence of red tape, state-of-the-art facilities, security and infrastructure.
Two big-budget Hollywood films - "Syriana" and "The Kingdom" - were shot in and around Dubai.
Patna, Dec 13 (IANS) A rare manuscript written by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was stolen by unidentified miscreants from a Bihar school library in Gaya district, 120-km from here. Police suspect it is an organised racket by international smugglers dealing in antique.
The rare manuscript 'Gulistan', which was written in Persian language, was found missing from Tekari Raj Inter School library. Police officials told IANS over telephone that it's stolen Sunday night. The matter came to light when the school was re-opened Monday and a complaint was lodged in this regard.
However, police interrogated the school principal Brijnandan Singh as they don't rule out his involvement in the affair. "Police have started investigation into the matter," an official said.
Reliable sources in district administration said the manuscript was kept in a steel almirah in principal's room. There were eight steel almirahs but thieves only broke the locks of one particular almirah in which the manuscript was kept. It raised serious doubts that how culprits knew about it without the involvement of school authorities.
During the investigation it was also highlighted that such a rare piece of historical importance was kept casually in school library as there was no adequate security arrangement for it. Earlier, Magadh division commissioner S.K. Negi had cautioned the school authorities about its safety during his visit to the school.
Experts said that the value of manuscript was around Rs. 10 million in the market and more in the international antique market.
There are two theories on how Aurangzeb's 'Gulistan' arrived in this small town.
Firstly, in 18th century the then king of Alwar in Rajasthan had sold to this to his Tekari counterpart for Rs.10,000. It was later donated to the school that was established by the then queen of Tekari Rani Rajroop Kunwar in 1876 for education of her son Gopal Sharan, who later became the king of Tekari.
Secondly, the manuscript was presented as a gift to Tekari estate during Auurangzeb's visit. It was later donated to the school by Rani Kunwar.
"The rare manuscript was lying in the school for over 100 years," district officials said. The issue is likely to be raised in the ongoing winter session of the state assembly Tuesday by the opposition to expose the state government's failure to protect the rare manuscript.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India's ruling Congress party Tuesday urged the government to take immediate steps to reduce the spiralling prices of essential commodities.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) that met here under the chairmanship of party president Sonia Gandhi expressed its deep concern over the rising prices.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, party spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi said the CWC was also briefed about the India-US nuclear legislation, the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao, and the resumption of the India-Pakistan composite dialogue process.
Suva, Dec 13 (IANS) The Fijian military, which seized power in a coup last week, says it has intelligence reports that deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his advisers are planning to set up a de facto government in western Fiji and has warned people not to support the move.
"The military will not allow any form of government anywhere," army commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, told a press conference.
"I appeal to all of you not to allow yourself to be used. You will only put yourself in harm's way," he added.
"People like Qarase are nothing but selfish people whose only interest is to further their own agenda rather than the interest of the nation," Bainimarama said.
He said none of the interim government ministers would be allowed to contest the next general election, reported the online edition of Fiji Live newspaper.
Meanwhile, Qarase who spent much of last week in his island home in Mavana, Lau, plans to return to Suva in the next few days.
Qarase said that majority of the Fijian population want democracy restored.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Finnish flag carrier Finnair will expand its operations in India from June next year with five flights a week between New Delhi and Helsinki.
"Finnair will operate a service between Delhi and Helsinki from Tuesday to Saturday and from Helsinki to Delhi from Monday to Friday each week," said Taina Tornstrom, director (Indian subcontinent), Finnair.
"We are expecting a large number of Indian visitors to Finland and other Scandinavian countries using Helsinki as a hub. The increase in frequency from thrice a week to five times will help tap this potential," Tornstrom told IANS.
"Also, Helsinki to New Delhi is the shortest route between India and the European Union. So it is of genuine interest to travellers between these destinations."
At present Finnair - which started its scheduled operations to India at the end of October - has flights from Helsinki reaching here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the return service operates on the following days.
"We are quite encouraged by the initial response. After Delhi, Finnair also has plans to start operations from either Mumbai or Chennai. Our target is to add at least one Asian destination every year," Tornstrom said.
"Next year, Finnair would be starting its flights from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Then we may move on to another Indian city," she added.
Finnair is eager to expand its operations in Asia as almost a third of its revenue now comes from its operations in this region, Tornstrom said. "India is high on our agenda and we will like to increase our presence here."
Bangalore, Dec 13 (IANS) Five workers died and 13 were injured Wednesday in the campus of IT major Infosys Technologies here when a scaffolding crashed at the site of an additional software development centre, police said.
"The incident occurred when the victims were fixing the facade of the glass standing on the scaffolding and fell on a concrete floor from a height of 45-50 feet after one of the ropes (holding the scaffolding) gave way from the top," Bangalore deputy commissioner of police (south-east) Subhendru Mukherjee told reporters here.
The injured have been rushed to the St John's Hospital in the city and Narayana Hrudyalaya, adjacent to the electronics city, about 30 km from here, for treatment. One of them was reported to be critical, while the remaining 12 were recovering.
An official of Shoba Developers, a construction firm that executes all Infosys building projects in the country as its main contractor, said the families of the five victims would be paid about Rs.250,000 as ex gratia under the Workers' Compensation Act and a matching amount by the company after completing investigations into the incident.
The IT bellwether has one of the largest campuses in the electronics city on the outskirts of Bangalore. The specific work of fixing the glass facade was sub-contracted to CCCL Ltd of Chennai, the official said.
This is the second accident in the electronics city after three workers died last week in the Biocon Park campus when an under-construction storeroom came crashing down.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Five years after gunmen broke through tight security to attack the Indian parliament, the uppermost question is whether a hangman will loop a noose around one of the country's most infamous convicts - Mohammed Afzal.
The former Jaish-e-Mohammed militant was sentenced to death for his role in the Dec 13, 2001 terror attack on parliament. And as a nationwide debate rages over the implementation of that sentence, protests have flared both in support of and against it.
This has left the government in a dilemma. Considering the sensitivities involved, there may be more than one reason why President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's office has prolonged consideration of the petition for mercy.
On the one hand, the government has to contend with the spectre of increased sectarian violence in Kashmir that has already witnessed strident protests and shutdowns.
The scheduled execution has also led to a spate of terror threats, with the intelligence establishment revealing that these could actually turn out to be true.
"Yes, we have received alerts and also reports that airports could be on the terror scanner if Afzal is hanged," said a senior intelligence official.
On the other hand, the Manmohan Singh government wants to send down a strong message even as families of security personnel who died in the 2001 terror attack threaten to return posthumous bravery medals if the government does not reject Afzal's clemency pleas.
Never has one case polarised society so much in recent memory and elicited such extreme reactions from both the political class and civil society.
In a dramatic hour-long standoff, broadcast live on television on Dec 13, 2001, five gunmen wearing military-style fatigues burst into the red sandstone parliament complex shortly before noon, mowing down six police officers and a gardener.
Using fake identity stickers on their cars, the suicide mission breached the tight security at parliament where nearly 100 MPs were inside at the time.
No group had ever carried out an attack of such audacious scale. It came just two months after a similar assault on the Kashmir state assembly in Srinagar in which 38 people died.
Interestingly, the parliament attack investigation was completed in a record 17 days and the four accused - Mohammad Afzal, Shaukat Hussain Guru, Afsan Guru, and S.A.R. Geelani, all Kashmiri Muslims - were tried in a fast-track trial in a special court for terrorism offences.
But in August last year, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the Delhi High Court, acquitting both Afsan Guru and Syed Geelani and modifying the death sentence imposed on Shaukat Hussain Guru to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
However, the apex court confirmed the death sentence on Afzal. In September this year, a city court fixed the date for execution that was deferred after a mercy petition was filed.
All eyes are now on the president as he considers Afzal's clemency plea. But since his is a ceremonial post, the real decision lies with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
How this tale of a daring crime, which almost led two countries to a brink of another war, ends is anybody's guess.
Guwahati, Dec 13 (IANS) At least four soldiers were injured Wednesday when a landmine, suspected to be planted by militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), exploded in Assam's Sivasagar district.
Police said the army vehicle hit the landmine near village Mahmora, about 370 km from here.
"The vehicle was badly damaged in the explosion," a senior police official said.
The injured were shifted to a hospital in Sivasagar. The condition of one of the soldiers was stated to be serious.
"A team of police and army soldiers was going in separate vehicles to defuse a bomb planted beneath an oil pipeline. The army vehicle was blown up as soon as it went over a culvert. The police vehicle was a little behind when the blast took place," the official said.
Police said the blast was the handiwork of the ULFA. "There is no doubt that the explosion was the handiwork of the ULFA," army spokesperson Col Narender Singh said.
On Friday, five policemen were killed in a landmine explosion in the eastern Dibrugarh district. The ULFA is blamed for a wave of bombings in Assam since the past two months in which more than 30 people have been killed and 130 injured.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Gender equality is pivotal to the health and development of families, communities and nations, said a UN official Tuesday releasing Unicef's State of the World's children 2007 report.
"Study after study has taught us that there is no tool for development more effective than gender equality," said Kul C. Gautam, deputy executive director Unicef.
The report, marking UNICEF's 60th anniversary, stresses that gender equality produces the "double dividend" of benefiting both women and children and is pivotal to the health and development of families, communities and nations.
The report launch also celebrated the achievements of three Indian village girls who have fought against odds to get educated and are today educating others.
The youngest among the three is Anita Khushwaha, who at 17 years is a successful beekeeper in Bochacha village Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. Not only is Anita the first girl in her village to go to school but also the first girl going to college.
Stressing the issue of gender equality, Gautam said of the 750 children born in India every 15 minutes, around 43 die before their first birthday and 20 more before they reach five years of age.
"It is precisely to deal with these pressing issues of the world in an effective and sustainable manner that we believe the world needs to focus on empowering women," said Gautam.
Alongside the global report, UNICEF has also come out with a companion regional report that highlights that while there is much to be hopeful in the South Asian regions, yet women and the girl child continue to get a raw deal.
"Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal as well as India have laws to ensure a good representation of women in various levels of government," said Cecilia Lotse, UNICEF regional director for South Asia.
Surveys taken since 1996 consistently show that the majority of respondents favour women's active involvement in politics and quotas to reserve seats for them, said Lotse.
"Yet across the region, the vast majority of women and young girls are getting a bad deal," she stated.
UNICEF studies based on birth histories and census data have revealed an unusually high proportion of male births and male children under five in Asia, notably in India and China, suggesting sex-selecting foeticide and infanticide in the world's two most populous countries despite initiatives to eradicate these practices in both countries.
Some of the other challenges brought forward by the new UNICEF report are that South Asia accounts for one-third of the 42 million children of school going age globally missing out on education.
In 2000, two-thirds of maternal deaths occurred in 13 of the world's poorest countries. The same year, India alone accounted for one-quarter of all maternal deaths.
Despite some decline in the maternal mortality rate, India still has one woman dying every seven minutes due to pregnancy related complications.
"If the authentic voice of girls, mothers and young wives was being heard in the home, the council and government it is difficult to believe that such appalling statistics would be allowed to stand for long," said Lotse.
Deepa Jain Singh, secretary in the ministry of women and child development, assured that India is working towards a more gender sensitive planning for the Eleventh Plan (2007-12).
"In the next plan period we are trying to bring an integrated scheme to protect children," said Singh, stressing the need for state governments to generate their own data to protect rights and opportunities of women and children.
Berlin, Dec 13 (DPA) Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would push hard for a permanent seat for Germany in the United Nations Security Council in the coming years.
"We will have this interest - but also an interest that the UN Security Council is reformed," said Merkel at a news briefing.
The chancellor said Berlin would seek a UN revamp and an upgraded role for Germany in the world body "with great intensity".
Currently, the permanent members of the UN Security Council are Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The Security Council also has 10 further non-permanent members, positions that are held on a rotating basis.
Germany has for years sought a permanent Security Council seat. But doubts had grown over whether Merkel would continue the effort after her foreign policy adviser, Christoph Heusgen, last year said: "A German UN seat is an illusion."
Hong Kong, Dec 13 (DPA) Hong Kong is likely to get its first woman-only mosque by next year, believed to be the only of its kind in Asia outside of China, media reports said Tuesday.
The mosque would cost an estimated 500,000 Hong Kong dollars (US $64,000) and would be targeted at Indonesian maids working in the city, the South China Morning Post reported.
"Women do not have enough places for Muslim prayers in Hong Kong," said Titien Suprupti, chairperson of the Wanodya Indonesian Club.
"Some are praying in gardens and open spaces, and we feel this is not suitable. It is crowded, noisy and uncomfortable," she added.
According to Indonesian maids, the city's four existing mosques did not meet their needs. Also, mosques tend to be dominated by men even though women and men pray separately.
The Wanodya club, along with other groups, plans to set up the mosque some time next year and will finance a religious leader coming from Indonesia.
Hanoi, Dec 13 (Xinhua) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has plans to help Vietnam conduct further research and develop atomic power, according to local media reports Tuesday.
The IAEA has approved six projects valued at almost $1.5 million for Vietnam in the 2007-2008 period. The projects cover industrial application, nuclear analysis technology, radioactive solid waste management, promotion of legal capacity for nuclear agencies, medical application and related human resources development, Vietnam News newspaper reported.
The projects are a follow-up to a 2001-2006 programme, under which the IAEA offered technical assistance to 24 projects on energy development, with total investment of over $2.6 million. The IAEA has provided over $1.5 million in equipment for the projects in the five-year period.
IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei paid a three-day visit to Vietnam that concluded Monday.
The IAEA has supported the country in a number of projects on technical cooperation, staff training and laboratory construction, since it joined the world nuclear watchdog in 1978.
Vietnam's sole nuclear reactor, which officially became operational in Lam Dong province in 1984, has a capacity of 500 KW. It is used for training and research purposes.
Balasore (Orissa), Dec 13 (IANS) Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilots Wednesday successfully targeted a tow body suspended from a pilot-less aircraft in a target simulation exercise conducted for a second time.
As part of this exercise, the Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) Lakshya was test flown from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in the coastal district of Balasore, 15 km from here, at about 11.20 a.m, defence sources said.
Two Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft flown from the Kalaikunda air force base in West Bengal targeted a tow body suspended from the PTA, one after another,' sources said.
While in a similar exercise on Monday, the fighter aircrafts used were Mirage 2000 and Jaguar, on Wednesday both the aircrafts were Mirage 2000, sources said.
The exercise was conducted to test target location and precision firing capability of the jet pilots. The exercise was tracked through radars, the sources said.
Earlier scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Tuesday successfully tested the indigenously developed PTA Lakshya from the Orissa base.
Lakshya is reportedly an improved version of PTA, which was inducted into the IAF in 2000.
PTA is a subsonic re-usable aerial target system and is remote-controlled from the ground.
It is designed to impart training to air-defence pilots for weapon engagement, defence sources said.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) A solitary strike by Mamta Kharab helped India defeat South Korea 1-0 in women's hockey in the 15th Asian Games here Tuesday. India won the bronze medal.
By Sudeshna Sarkar,
Kathmandu, Dec 13 (IANS) India has chipped in to speed up the ongoing peace negotiations between the coalition government and the Maoist guerrillas, handing over 70 containers to store the arms of both sides.
The containers arrived Tuesday in Birgunj town in southern Nepal and were handed over by Indian consul-general C.G. Rao to Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana, a senior official of Nepal's home ministry.
The Indian government has footed the bill for obtaining the containers as well as transporting them to Nepal, an expense reported to be running into millions of Indian rupees.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's government signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the Maoists on Nov 21, when both sides agreed to confine their soldiers to barracks and keep an equal number of arms locked up under UN supervision.
Following the inking of the pact, Nepal requested India to provide 70 storage containers, half of which would remain in the barracks of the Nepal Army and the remaining in makeshift cantonments where the People's Liberation Army guerrillas are housed.
The containers would be fitted with locks and kept under a sophisticated surveillance system with a camera and siren.
New Delhi rushed to meet the request following a blast in a cantonment in which four guerrillas were injured after a grenade went off. The incident highlighted the need to build infrastructure quickly to house Maoist weapons, especially explosives.
More Indian assistance is likely in the coming days. Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Dec 17, his first visit after assuming office.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) India crushed Chinese Taipei 12-1 in a men's hockey match to determine fifth to eighth positions in the 15th Asian Games here Tuesday.
Drag-flicker Raghunath Vokkaliga slammed five goals from as many penalty corners while Shivendra Singh and Rajpal Singh scored a brace each. Adam Sinclair, Tushar Khandekar and Tejbir Singh scored one goal apiece.
Heng Kuo Fan scored the consolation goal for Chinese Taipei.
India, which failed to make it to the semi-finals for the first time in the history of the games, will now face Malaysia for the fifth place Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday began a four-day visit to Japan, India Inc pushed for a comprehensive trade and investment pact between the two countries given their evolving strategic ties.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which has sent a 25-member team to Japan coinciding with Manmohan Singh's visit, has even suggested to Singapore a special economic zone in India to primarily tap Japanese investments.
"The Singapore government is exploring the options of local partner and talking to (Indian) state governments in this regard," the chamber's chief mentor Tarun Das said, adding the issue had been taken up at the highest level in Singapore.
The chamber said a host of Indian parliamentarians, policy-makers and industry leaders have visited Japan in the past two years to sensitize the Japanese about India's strengths and potential areas of cooperation.
"This has helped put India on the serious mind map of the Japanese and changed the way Japan perceives India," said CII president R. Seshasayee. "Both Japan and India are both recognising each other as significant partners."
Manmohan Singh himself said prior to his departure that he hoped to discuss with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe how to move forward for more comprehensive economic ties - covering energy, transport, science technology and culture.
"In the evolving regional and international environment, India and Japan are increasingly finding that their long-term political, economic and strategic interests are converging," he said.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), which has also sent a 15-member delegation of chief executives to Japan, says India's strategic approach toward building economic ties with Japan should be holistic.
"India should strive for a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA), taking into account the changes in the Japanese trade and investment scenario, changes in the Japanese economy and its demographics," the chamber said.
"Since Japan's economy is undergoing a restructuring by phasing out old, low-value-high-volume industries to high-value, high-technology industries, India should establish synapses with critical sections of Japanese knowledge bases."
India must also diversify its export basket to Japan and focus on value added products, the chamber said and listed textile, garments, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, marine products, handicrafts, jewellery and cut flowers as among the areas that offered great potential.
"Strategically, Japan is a important and yet under-tapped market for India. The focus on Japan can only intensify now. Recognising this, CII will open an office in Japan with a local person heading it," said CII director-general S.S. Mehta.
"India should establish synapses with critical sections of Japanese knowledge bases," said a study conducted by FICCI prior to the prime minister's visit.
"For example, with Japan going into industrial engineering and designing and development of new products, our strategy should be to establish links between such institutions in the two countries," the study said.
"The National Institute of Design (NID) can become a focal point for such ties between Japan and India. And for textiles, the National Institute for Fashion Technology should become another centre to push for collaborations."
The CII delegation to Japan is led by its president and includes Maruti-Suzuki chairperson Jagdish Khatter, Sona Steering chairperson Surinder Kapur and Bharti Teletech vice chairperson Rakesh Bharti Mittal.
The FICCI delegation is led by its president Saroj Poddar and includes Wockhardt chairperson Habil F. Khorakiwala, Indo Rama Synthetics managing director O.P. Lohia and KCP chairperson V.L. Dutt.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India is the most favoured destination in the world for offshoring and the second most attractive country for investment, the country's parliament was informed Tuesday on the basis of a study by a global consultancy.
"The government has put in place a liberal policy for foreign direct investment (FDI), according to which FDI up to 100 percent is permitted in most sectors under the automatic route," Minister of State for Industry Ashwani Kumar said.
Accordingly, A.T. Kearney, the consultancy, has rated the country the best destination for offshoring of businesses processes and the second best for investments, based on their FDI Confidence Index, he said in the written reply to the Lok Sabha, parliament's lower house.
The areas where 100 percent foreign investment is permitted under the automatic route, he said, include infrastructure areas like the development of highways, roads, ports and airports, as also shipping and power generation.
"Major initiatives taken for development of physical infrastructure include greater public investment, encouraging private investment and facilitating public private partnership," he added.
The minister also said that in some sectors foreign investment was prohibited - like in retail trade, where investments from overseas are allowed only in single brand products with a cap of 51 percent.
"But foreign direct investment police, including the sectoral equity caps and associated procedures, is revised on a continuous basis," he added.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India has justified the continuation of the generalised system of preferences (GSP) regime, a duty-free trade benefit made available to developing countries, as the US reviews the programme for the next year.
The justification comes as the US has written to 13 beneficiary countries, such as India, inviting comments as to why the programme should not be suspended or withdrawn, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said.
"Out of $18.8 billion of US's imports from India, $4.17 billion were duty free under the generalised system of preferences programme in 2005," Ramesh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, Tuesday.
According to commerce ministry officials, the government has submitted detailed petitions justifying the continuation of the trade benefit to India and has also taken up the issue during bilateral meetings held from time to time.
Washington sought the justification, since countries with an annual GSP use of over $100 million, or which accounted for more than 0.25 percent of the world's merchandise exports, have been placed under the upper middle income category.
But the GSP benefits, extended by the US since 1976 for duty-free entry of more than 4,500 products from 144 countries, is generally not available to countries defined as upper middle-income nations.
On both counts India is an upper middle-income nation.
In 2004, the 10 top GSP beneficiary countries were India, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey, Philippines, South Africa, Venezuela, Argentina, and Russia, according to data with the US Trade Representative's office.
They collectively exported goods worth $14.6 billion in goods to the US - nearly 70 percent of the products receiving GSP duty-free benefits. The remaining 129 GSP beneficiary countries exported $8.1 billion in goods duty-free to the US.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) India's Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi rallied to beat Thai brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 in a thrilling final to retain the men's doubles gold medal in the 15th Asian Games here Wednesday.
The Indian pair, which had won the gold at the 2002 Busan Games, saved as may as eight match points in the second set to stage a remarkable recovery to retain the title.
Balasore (Orissa), Dec 13 (IANS) India Tuesday successfully tested the indigenously developed Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) Lakhya from a defence base in Orissa for the second time in two days.
It was test flown from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore, 215 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, at 12.05 p.m.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this is reportedly an improved version of PTA, which was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2000.
Lakhya, a sub-sonic, reusable aerial target system, is remote-controlled from the ground and designed to impart training to both airborne and air defence pilots for weapon engagements.
On Monday, scientists had test flown a PTA from the same test range as part of a target stimulation exercise.
Two fighter aircraft - Mirage 2000 and Jaguar - flown from the Kalaikunda air force base in West Bengal targeted a tow body suspended from PTA, one after another.
Scientists from the Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bangalore, were present during the exercise.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) India's Yogeshwar Dutt won the bronze medal in men's freestyle 60kg wrestling by defeating Kazakh Bauyrzhan Orgazgaliyev 3-1 in the 15th Asian Games here Wednesday.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) India won the bronze in the men's team archery by defeating Malaysia 211-207 at the 15th Asian Games here Wednesday.
The Indian team comprised Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai, Mangal Singh Champia and Vishwas.
By Syed Zarir Hussain,
Guwahati, Dec 13 (IANS) India and Bhutan have formally demarcated their 699-km border with the two neighbours signing the final strip maps, 45 years after the process for settling the boundary began, officials Wednesday said.
A Bhutanese foreign ministry official said officials of the two countries Tuesday signed the 'mutually demarcated border' maps at a meeting in Bhutan's capital Thimphu.
"This is indeed a landmark agreement as the two countries had mutually agreed to demarcate the borders without any differences of opinion," the Bhutanese official who wished not to be named told IANS by telephone from Thimphu.
India's ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhir Vyas, and the kingdom's secretary for international boundaries, Dasho Pema Wangchuk, signed the border agreement.
"This is a mutually agreed boundary between the two countries. This line is not a border, it is a marker of friendship between our two countries," the Indian ambassador was quoted as saying by Bhutan's national newspaper Kuensel.
Bhutan shares borders with the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh in its east, Sikkim in the west and Assam and West Bengal in the south. The Himalayan kingdom also shares border with Nepal and China.
The two countries have decided to erect border pillars and markers to define the boundary. The India-Bhutan border is unfenced and separated by concrete pillars in some places.
"The process which involved surveys, delineations and enormous activities on the ground, in the office and on the drawing board resulted in the completion of preparing, finalising and signing the strip maps that define the boundary between Bhutan and India," Vyas said.
The process for demarcating the border began in 1961 with India sketching the boundary maps.
"The process took long because in a lot of places, pillars were either destroyed requiring re-erection or they were found to be slightly away from description," India's surveyor general M. Gopal Rao was quoted as saying by Kuensel.
"One of the most significant things that came out of the whole process was the signing of the documents, which indicated that there were no differences between the two countries."
Bhutan is, however, yet to full demarcate its 470-km border with China.
"Talks with China about the boundary demarcation were progressing well. We only have about 269 square kilometres left to be discussed with the Chinese government," Wangchuk said.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to safeguard the interests of the Indian workers in that country and to ensure their welfare.
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and UAE Minister for Labour Dr. Ali Bin Abdulla Al-Ka'abi singed the MoU that provides for the facilitation of manpower recruitment and mutual sharing of information and experience.
The MOU is the first of its kind signed by the UAE Government and has immense significance for the protection and welfare of Indian workers in the UAE.
There are approximately 1.4 million Indians in the UAE.
The annual labour outflows from India to UAE on Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) passports on the strength of emigration clearances given by the Protectors of Emigrants has been growing. From 53,673 in 2001 it has risen to 1,94,412 in 2005.
Under the MoU, all categories of workers will enjoy protection under the UAE labour law and regulations. Terms and conditions of the employment contract will have to be in conformity with the work permit that the employer obtains from the UAE government.
The MOU has come into immediate effect and will be valid for four years.
All contracts from now on will have to be authenticated by the UAE government and the employer will have no right to change the contract conditions.
Following the signing of the MoU, Ravi told a press conference that his ministry is negotiating similar MOUs with other countries in the Gulf and expects to conclude them expeditiously.
Al-Ka'abi said his ministry was taking all steps necessary to safeguard the interests of Indian workers in the UAS and to ensure that they get their legitimate entitlements.
He said that the UAE had set up more labour courts to handle the grievances of the Indian workers. Moreover, the number of labour inspectors who see to it that the companies do not violate labour laws has been increased to 2,000.
UAE's labor market is diverse and is growing. The UAE economy is growing rapidly and will create more opportunities for Indian workers in the near future. The UAE is estimated to spend about US$154 billion between now and mid-2008 to boost future growth.
"Fifty percent of the workforce in the UAE is from India and they are helping to build our country," Al-Ka'abi said.
Ka'abi admitted that there were loopholes in the recruitment process but added that his ministry was working to remove them.
Singapore, Dec 13 (DPA) An increasing number of Indian professionals working in Singapore are buying luxury apartments in upmarket areas, says a property consultancy here.
Indian nationals made up 11 percent of all foreign buyers in the third quarter of this year, up from eight percent a year ago and six percent in 2004, said DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Monday.
"They are well-heeled expats and very international" and have worked in such cities as London and New York, said Ong Choon Fah, the consultancy's executive director.
In the third quarter, Indian nationals formed the third-largest group of home buyers of all foreign buyers, up from fourth previously, Ong said. Indonesians were first with 21 percent, followed by Malaysians with 19 percent.
Indian resident population in Singapore at the end of June 2006 was 319,100, up from 257,791 in 2000, according to official figures in the city-state, which has a total population of 4.5 million.
Of Singapore's predominantly Chinese population, seven percent are Indians and 14 percent Malays.
By Sunrita Sen
Tehran/Esfahan, Dec 13 (DPA) After 30 days together, largely in the closed confines of three cars, it's a sad moment when we bid goodbye to fellow members of our expedition in Tehran - even if the farewell is premature as we find out later.
The Footsteps of Nikitin Expedition following the travel route of a 15th century Russian trader from St. Petersburg to Mumbai is being called off a week before it was supposed to end, expedition leader Phalguni Matilal tells us in Tehran.
"I am calling off the expedition for financial reasons," Matilal says soon after we entered Iran on the last leg of our journey, which has taken us across Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and now Iran.
Matilal says the price of the six snow tyres he had to buy for our SUVs to ride the Russian winter and the cost of shipping the cars and passengers across the Black Sea has eaten into his funds forcing him to cut short the expedition.
This is the second expedition Matilal has organised and his first overseas. The inexperience shows in the lack of preparedness for both the weather - the snow blizzards followed us all the way to Georgia - and for unforeseen contingencies.
The short daylight hours leaves very little time for the film crew accompanying us to get footage for a documentary on the journey for India's Ministry of External Affairs.
The huge discrepancies in estimates of distances garnered from Web sites and the actual distance on ground added to our problems. We would often set off on a six-hour drive and be on the road for 10-12 hours. For example, the original distance between Baku in Azerbaijan to Tabriz in Iran was estimated to be 400 km but turned out to be nearly 1,000 km, forcing us to make an unscheduled stop.
The cars do not have multiple driver insurance, which would have cost more, and only three persons had to do the entire driving across more than 10,000 km, putting them under tremendous strain.
But Sanjeev Thakur and Abhineet Mehta, the young drivers from Himachal Pradesh, and auto engineer Sudhir Kashyap did very well. As we say goodbye, Sanjeev and Abhineet grip my arms and ask why can't we do the last stretch together. They have to drive the cars to Bander-e-Abbas and will stop at the Iranian cities of Esfahan and Shiraz as scheduled earlier.
I'll miss my young roommate Bani Dhillon, a member of the film crew. Bani spent three years of her childhood in Vladivostok and it was both a delight and an education to see her rediscovery of Russia.
The two other women on the trip - dancer Sharmistha Mukherjee and energy expert and journalist Sudha Mahalingam - and I decide to carry on at our own expense and see Esfahan, Shiraz and the ruins of Persepolis before returning to India as originally scheduled.
Debraj Pradhan, deputy chief of mission at the Tehran embassy, tells us it's extremely difficult to get a tourist visa for Iran but agrees that we must make the most of this opportunity. He also goes out of his way to help us book our tickets and hotel in Esfahan.
So we tie our black headscarves tight around our heads and board the Volvo bus for Esfahan. I get a few worried calls from home and try and convince my family that despite our impressions, Iran is one of the safest places on earth for women to travel alone.
In Esfahan's wondrous Naqsh-e-Jahan square with blue and yellow mosque domes we run into other members of the expedition.
Persian studies expert Ramakant Diwedi is the only one to advance his flight and return home. We are a bit bewildered. Matilal had said that the film crew would be taken along as the documentary needed to be completed whether the expedition carried through to the end or not.
Hari Vasudevan, Russian history professor and the intellectual inspiration of the tour, explains to a questioning Sudha that it was felt that our expertise was not required beyond Tehran. We wonder why we were not told of this before we set off on the trip.
Sudha feels awfully let down. Especially since the haphazard planning has left her no time to follow up her meetings with energy and oil professionals along the way - one of the professed aims of the expedition along with exploring the potential of a north-south trade corridor. We have not achieved much on that front either.
But what we have achieved are people-to-people contacts. But that could have been done as individuals. The three of us are stopped at every turn in Esfahan by curious strangers who ask whether we are from India - the land of Gandhi.
"Where is your bindi? Do you really burn your dead? Are there many Muslims in India? What do you feel about our nuclear programme? We like Indians. Do you like Esfahan?"
Sitting in the warm winter sunshine in the heart of the city which French poet Renier described as half the world, I am offered a fistful of walnuts by an Esfahani, who then waits to see whether I appreciate their taste. I'm glad I did not return to India without experiencing Esfahan.
By Prasun Sonwalkar,
London, Dec 13 (IANS) India's trade and business relations with Northern Ireland has reached a new high with Indian call centre major Firstsource opening a second office in Londonderry and creating over 500 jobs.
Several Indian companies have opened offices in Belfast, prominent among them being IT major HCL, which has a call centre called Apollo Contact centre catering to European and American clients.
Facilitated by the government organisation Invest Northern Ireland, the region has forged links with Indian companies, universities and research centres, besides attracting a growing number of Indian tourists.
Firstsource has a base in Belfast and its second office in Londonderry was inaugurated by the secretary for Northern Ireland Peter Hain earlier this week amidst considerable local bonhomie over the creation of new jobs. The event was attended by Mayor Helen Quigley, among others.
Firstsource Managing Director Ananda Mukerji said the company planned to employ up to 570 people at the Londonderry centre by 2008, with around 400 other jobs at its Belfast base.
Exuding optimism over setting up the company's second office in Northern Ireland, Mukerji said that since its arrival in Londonderry, Firstsource's British business had grown to such an extent that the initial job target may soon be passed.
He said his company was attracted to Northern Ireland and Londonderry by the quality of the skills base as well as help offered by Invest Northern Ireland. The company has several call centres in India, the US and Argentina and mainly works in the area of banking, retail and media.
"Our investment is expected to deliver 14 million pounds in wages and salaries annually into the local economy. This new facility in the heart of Derry has been fully embraced by the local community and I am confident that it will strengthen our position as a global leader," Mukerji said at the inaugural function.
Welcoming the company, Hain said that by 2008 Firstsource would become a major employer and valuable contributor to the Northern Ireland economy.
Hain said: "This is a tremendous endorsement of the skills base which the region has to offer and in particular highlights the ongoing development and regeneration of the northwest.
"By locating in Londonderry and Belfast, Firstsource has not only provided a major boost to the local economy, it has reinforced the entire Northern Ireland proposition on a global scale, positioning the region for further investment opportunities, particularly from a sector with high growth potential."
Mayor Helen Quigley guaranteed the company officials that they would find an "ambitious and proactive" workforce in the city.
Doha, Dec 13 (IANS) Indian men won the 4x400 metres relay silver in the 15th Asian Games here Tuesday while the gold went to Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka got the bronze.
India's Aboo Backer Thanikkal, Joseph Abraham, Bhupinder Singh and Binu Mathew took 3:06.39 seconds to finish second.
The Saudi Arabian team of Ismail Al Sabani, Hamdan Hamed Al Bishi, Mohammed Al Salhi and Hamdan Awdah Al Bishi clocked 3:05.31 sec while Sri Lankans Pradeed Kumara Rohan, Pushpakumara Rohitha, Amarasek Dodampe and Ashoka Jayasundara finished in 3:06.97 sec.
By Prasun Sonwalkar,
London, Dec 13 (IANS) In a role reversal of history, Indian priests are not only meeting the shortage of priests in churches in Britain, but Christian migrants from India, particularly from Kerala, are helping boost dwindling church congregations.
Western missionaries in the 19th century trekked to remote tribal areas of India and converted tribes, who are now returning the favour by moving to places such as Wales to meet a shortage of priests there.
One of the first Indian priests to arrive in Wales to preach Christianity was Rev Hmar Sangk