President Obama Offers Ramadan Greetings

USA,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)Aug,13,    In recognition of the first day of Ramadan, President Obama issued a statement wishing Muslims in America and around the world a Happy Ramadan. In his letter, the President spoke to what he feels Ramadan represents in America."Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality.And here in the United States, Ramadan is a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country," said the President."ISNA thanks the Administration for continuing to engage with the Muslim community and share the positive contributions of Muslims with the rest of the America," said ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson." ISNA Vice President Imam Mohammed Majid will join Dr.Mattson today, Friday August 13, for an iftar hosted by President Obama and his family at the White House. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement of Ramadan greetings and will host an iftar at the State Department for Muslim leaders and community members from across the nation.To read the full statement written by President Obama or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, please visit the White House and Department of State websites.
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Ramadan Greetings From ISNA President

USA,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)Aug,13,    Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatahu,

Ramadan greetings dear brothers and sisters! Baihaqi reported on the authority of Salman Al-Farsi that the Prophet (pbuh) delivered a sermon on the last day of the month of Sha'ban. In it he said,"O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgiveness. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honored you in it. In every breath you take is a reward of Allah, your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your invocations are answered."I pray that in this month, we remember the blessings of Allah (swt) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). I pray He makes this time easy for you and accepts your prayers. Let us enter each day with pure intentions and go to sleep each night with Allah in mind.There are so many around the world that can benefit from our good deeds, our patience, and our kindness. Let us use this month as an opportunity to multiply our blessings from Allah (swt) through charity, prayer, and purification. Let us rid ourselves of resentment and ask forgiveness for any wrong doings. Let us reach out to our community and celebrate its diversity. Let us share in our wealth with those who have less than us, so that we may strengthen the lives of our brothers and sisters and receive the merciful and multiplied blessings of Allah (swt) in Ramadan. Let us increase our prayers and thanks to Allah The Almighty, The Forgiving, The Merciful.I would like to thank each of you for your support to your community and to ISNA this year. It is only by the will of Allah (swt) that ISNA has been able to serve our community for the past 47 years, and inshaAllah, we will continue to serve you for many more.It is a blessing to serve you, and I pray that all in our community enjoy the mercy and blessings of Allah (swt) during this month of fasting and purification. In every breath we take and every good deed we perform, remember Allah (swt) and His blessings.Peace and Blessings, Dr.Ingrid Mattson
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30 more cases of swine flu in Delhi

Aug,13, Swine flu may be slowly making a comeback in the capital with 30 new confirmed cases reported Thursday.The total number of patients infected by the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Delhi this year is now 254, an official said.“Thirtyone people tested positive for swine flu but there have been no deaths today (Thursday),” Debashish Bhattacharya, nodal officer for swine flu, said.Delhi has reported 14 deaths due to the virus this year.According to the health ministry, 1,833 swine flu deaths have occurred in India till Aug 9 – since its outbreak in May last year.
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Ayodhya issue cannot be resolved by the courts: Singhal

Vijaywada, Aug 13 : VHP International President Ashok Singhal has said the persistent issue of Ayodhya cannot be resolved by the courts and elders of the Hindu and Muslim communities should sit together to resolve the problems.He made it clear the Hindu organisations would approach the apex court against the judgement of the Allahabad High Court in the Ayodhya title suit, expected to be delivered later this year year, if the verdict is not in favour of them.Vishwa Hindu Parishad International Secretary General Praveen Togadiya appealed to Hindus to come forward with determination to check the massive conversions of Hindus into Christianity.After inaugurating a five-floor building complex of the VHP, which is the biggest office in South India, Togadia charged that the Christian countries had earmarked Rs.65,000 crores per year to carry out religious conversions in a massive scale in the country.Even though their massive efforts, they could achieve meagre results as Hindus are expressing reluctance to convert, Mr Togadia said.'' What is unfortunate is that the evangelical campaigners, hailed from Hindu families only,'' he regretted.
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Telangana row: JAC denounces PC for passing buck

Hyderabad, Aug 12 : Denouncing Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's stand that it was up to the state government to decide the withdrawal of police cases registered against students, leaders of the Telangana Students' Joint Action Committee (TSJAC) castigated saying that they do not have faith in him any more.Talking to mediapersons, the TSJAC leaders accused Union Home Minister of backtracking his assurance of December 9 last saying that the withdrawal of cases against the students rest with the state government. The student leaders also said, ''They have lost faith in the Centre, as the government has kept changing its statements according to the situation.'' The TSJAC leaders pointed out even after nine months of December 9 statement, Telangana remains a dream. They reaffirmed vow to continue their fight for a separate Telangana state and said that they are not afraid of more cases being filed against them.The leaders further warned the MPs from Telugu Desam Party to resign or face the same fate as meted out to the party's senior leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy.Janardhan Reddy was beaten up by the students inside Osmania University campus when he went there to offer his party's support to their cause.
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CWG Exhibition Express on display in Secunderabad from tomorrow

Hyderabad, Aug 13 : The Commonwealth Express Exhibition Train, on a countrywide journey in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games, will be on display at Secunderabad Railway Station from August 14 to 16.The Exhibition train was flagged off by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on June 24 at Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi.It Will be open for public viewing with free entry on all the three days on Platform No 10, (Bhoiguda Side) of Secunderabad Railway Station from 1000 hrs to 2000 hrs.As a part of the exhibition, South Central Railway Sports Association (SCRSA) Chief Patron and South Central Railway General Manager M S Jayanth will felicitate eminent sports personalities from the City.The Exhibition train is slated to be on display at 48 Railway Stations over a period of 101 days. The journey will culminate on October 1 at Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi, a SCR release here said yesterday.
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Telangana parties urge Governor to sack Andhra ministers

Hyderabad, Aug 12: Pro-Telangana political parties and groups Thursday urged Andhra Pradesh Governor to sack ministers from Andhra for calling those demanding a separate Telangana as "anti-nationals".Telangana Joint Action Committee chairman M. Kodandaram, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao and leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party Thursday met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to demand action against the ministers. Kodandaram told reporters that they urged the governor to sack the ministers for hurting the sentiments of the people of Telangana. "If the governor takes no action, then the JAC will decide its future course of action." He said the ministers not only made unconstitutional remarks in their representation to the Srikrishna Committee but later denied making them. KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, said the ministers were unfit to continue in their posts. The ministers in their representation to the Srikrishna Committee last week termed the Telangana movement "anti national", "seditious" and a "threat to the integrity of the nation". The ministers wanted the demand for Telangana to be treated as cognizable offence.
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CPI demands cancellation of Bayyaram mining lease

Hyderabad, Aug 12 : Demanding cancellation of the mining lease to a company allegedly owned by a son-in-law of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Communist Party of India (CPI) Thursday laid siege to Khammam district.Police arrested CPI state secretary K. Narayana and other leaders and activists for staging protests on roads in different parts of the district. The road blockades brought vehicular traffic to halt at several places including on the borders with Chhattisgarh and Orissa. Alleging serious irregularities in the lease to Rakshana Steels Ltd for iron ore mining, CPI demanded that the lease be cancelled. Opposition parties alleged that late chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy's son-in-law Anil Kumar owns Rakshana Steels but the latter has denied this. Narayana, CPI legislator P. Nageswara Rao and other leaders were arrested at Paleru in Khammam district. The main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supported the CPI protest. Police also arrested CPI workers who staged a protest at the office of Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC). Last month, the state government had requested the central government to keep in abeyance its earlier notification granting 56,690 hectares of land allotted to the APMDC, that was later handed over to Rakshana Steels Ltd for iron ore mining and setting up of a steel plant. The central government had reserved 56,690 hectares in Bayyaram, Garla and Nelakondapally mandals of Khammam district for exclusive exploration, covering survey and investigation of mineral-bearing areas in favour of APMDC. The move to put the lease on hold, taken allegedly at the instance of Congress leadership, was seen as an attempt to checkmate Rajasekhara Reddy's son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy for defying the party. The state government, however, said it was done for proper re-verification of the extent of area as objections were raised about the impact of mining on habitations, railway lines and roads. Claiming that it was a bigger scam than the one in Karnataka involving Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, the TDP and the Left parties are demanding a thorough probe in the matter. The parties alleged that the lease was given by YSR government a few months before the elections last year.
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Delivery of LPG cylinder as per your convenience!

Hyderabad, Aug 12 : Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) today launched a new exclusive customer service initiative 'preferred time LPG delivery' in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with immediate effect, aiming to benefit the working couples.In a statement, IOC Executive Director N Srikumar said over 11 lakh IOC Indane households in the twin cities served through an extensive network of 45 LPG distributors would benefit from the new preferred time LPG supply. With this new initiative, the customers could choose the time and a day of the week for delivery of the LPG refills at their homes. The special service would be available to the customers at very nominal additional delivery charges ranging from Rs 25 to Rs 50, depending on the time band of the delivery time preferred.There are three options available in the scheme for scheduling LPG refill deliveries in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Under the preferred time option, the customer could choose only the time of delivery which means the refill will be delivered during the desired time band on any given day from Monday through Friday. If the customer misses the delivery on the scheduled day of delivery, it will be made during the same time band on the next day. The next option is that a customer can indicate not only the time of delivery but also the day of the week on which refill is to be delivered. The third option gives the customers the choice of receiving the cylinders refills anytime between 0800 hrs and and 1800 hrs on weekends - Saturday or Sunday.Customer, who would like to avail of this facility, must register through a stipulated format available with the distributors or by logging into the website IndianOil viz www.indane.co.in. The customers have the flexibility of changing the choice of day and time after six months of initial registration. A registered Preferred Time Customer will necessarily receive cylinders only on the day/time opted for and they will not be delivered at times other than their preference. Customers have the option of de-registering from the service by applying to the distributor or through the websites, Mr Srikumar added.
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