Chief Minister K.Rosaiah today invited UAE industrialists,

HYDERABAD:(I&PR NEWS) The Chief Minister K Rosaiah today invited industrialists from UAE to invest in Andhra Pradesh as there are enormous opportunities in various sectors here. He was talking to Ms. Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates when the latter called on Mr. Rosaiah at Secretariat. The UAE Minister was accompanied by UAE Ambassador to India, Mohd. Sultan Al Owais, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Abdulla A. Al Saleh, Acting Chairman, SCCI, Chairman of Fujuairah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Saeed Ali Khammas and CII representatives. The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of the fastest growing States in the country after recording an average annual growth rate of nearly 10% in its GSDP for the 5 years period from 2003-04 to 2007-08 which is much higher than the national average for the corresponding period. He said AP is the leader in Paper, Cement, Pharma and granite industries, 2nd in the country in textiles, 3rd in iron and 4th in steel production. Other potential sectors are food processing, engineering industries & biotechnology and now the emerging sectors are semiconductors, aerospace and precision tools. The Chief Minister said RAK cements, a UAE project is successfully implemented in peddapuram in East Godavari district. The other UAE projects for implementation, he said are ANRAK, VANPIC, Hyderabad Economic City and Airport in Ongole. He said A.P. has the highest number of Special Economic Zones and of the 107 proposals, 73 are notified. He said ours is the first State to promote a Petroleum Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in an area of 604 sq. kms in the State. The Chief Minister said the strengths of UAE are petroleum and petrochemicals, fishing, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, commercial ship repair, construction materials etc. He said there are opportunities for UAE investments in the State in ports, airports and petrochemical projects. The UAE Minister said they have lot of interests in the State and said a sizeable population of UAE are from Andhra Pradesh. Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, Advisor, Industries, Peter Hassan, Principal Secretary, Industries, Sam Bob and other officials attended the meeting. industrialists from UAE to invest in Andhra Pradesh as there are enormous opportunities in various sectors here. He was talking to Ms. Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates when the latter called on Mr. Rosaiah at Secretariat. The UAE Minister was accompanied by UAE Ambassador to India, Mohd. Sultan Al Owais, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Abdulla A. Al Saleh, Acting Chairman, SCCI, Chairman of Fujuairah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Saeed Ali Khammas and CII representatives. The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of the fastest growing States in the country after recording an average annual growth rate of nearly 10% in its GSDP for the 5 years period from 2003-04 to 2007-08 which is much higher than the national average for the corresponding period. He said AP is the leader in Paper, Cement, Pharma and granite industries, 2nd in the country in textiles, 3rd in iron and 4th in steel production. Other potential sectors are food processing, engineering industries & biotechnology and now the emerging sectors are semiconductors, aerospace and precision tools. The Chief Minister said RAK cements, a UAE project is successfully implemented in peddapuram in East Godavari district. The other UAE projects for implementation, he said are ANRAK, VANPIC, Hyderabad Economic City and Airport in Ongole. He said A.P. has the highest number of Special Economic Zones and of the 107 proposals, 73 are notified. He said ours is the first State to promote a Petroleum Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in an area of 604 sq. kms in the State. The Chief Minister said the strengths of UAE are petroleum and petrochemicals, fishing, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, commercial ship repair, construction materials etc. He said there are opportunities for UAE investments in the State in ports, airports and petrochemical projects. The UAE Minister said they have lot of interests in the State and said a sizeable population of UAE are from Andhra Pradesh. Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, Advisor, Industries, Peter Hassan, Principal Secretary, Industries, Sam Bob and other officials attended the meeting.
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Photo Exhibition put up by DAVP,

The Children from Pynursla in their traditional dress at the Photo Exhibition put up by DAVP, Shillong on Bharat Nirman & National Rural Health Mission during the Public Information Campaign on Bharat Nirman organised by PIB, Shillong, at Pynursla East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya on February 10, 2010. (Photo by PIB No.CNR-30374)
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PM-meeting the President of Palestine,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting the President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, in New Delhi on February 11, 2010. (Photo by No:CNR-30377)

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Prime Minister calls on President

(PIB NEWS) The Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh called on the President Smt.Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The meeting lasted for about an hour. The two leaders discussed about the forthcoming Budget Session of Parliament, the issue of price rise and food security and various other issues of national and international importance,

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YSR Wife Vijaya Lakshmi Elected Unanimously as MLA

YSR Wife Vijaya Lakshmi elected unanimously as MLA from Pulivendula comes out after taking Oath as legislature at APLA in Hyderabad on Thursday.in picture Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy MP, K.V.P.Ramchander Rao MP and Mohammed Ahmedullah Syed Minister for Minorities and others.
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Telangana Congress, TRS ready for any ’sacrifice’

Leaders of the ruling Congress party from Telangana and president of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) K. Chandrasekhara Rao Wednesday said they were ready for “any sacrifice” if the terms of reference of the Srikrishna committee were not for the formation of Telangana state.As the Congress party’s core committee discussed the panel’s terms of reference at a meeting in New Delhi, Telangana leaders of the Congress and the TRS discussed their future course of action here.The TRS chief told reporters that they would not accept the commission’s terms of reference if they are not favourable for carving out Telangana state.“The terms of reference should be to fulfil the Dec 9 statement of Home Minister Chidambaram that the process for formation of Telangana state will be initiated. The committee should also have a limited time-frame,” he said.KCR, as Rao is popularly known by the initials of his name, said the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) would meet to chalk out its strategy if the commission’s terms of reference were not favourable for Telangana.“We are ready for any sacrifice,” said Congress legislator R. Damodar Reddy.KCR and other TRS leaders held talks with Congress Working Committee (CWC) member K. Keshava Rao, Congress MPs and legislators from Telangana.The meeting assumed significance as it came a day after a section of Congress legislators from Telangana threatened to boycott the budget session of the assembly beginning Feb 15, if the terms of reference were not favourable for Telangana.The central governmnet Feb 3 announced a five-member panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna to deliberate on a mechanism for a separate Telangana state.The Congress core committee, which met at the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is believed to have finalised the terms of reference of the panel. Congress sources said these would be brought to the notice of the union cabinet and a formal announcement is expected in a day or two, (thanks to way2online)
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Washington shut for fourth day as record snow batters US east coast,

Federal government offices were closed for the fourth straight day Thursday as heavy snow that pummelled much of the US east coast for the second time in a week left several big cities crippled.Record snowfalls Wednesday buried the most populous stretch of the region under a foot of snow, forcing lawmakers on the Capitol Hill to take a break, closing schools and courts from Washington to New York and shutting down even the UN.The longest weather-related government shutdown since January 1996,when employees in the capital city did not have to go to work for a full week, may cost the tax payers up to an estimated $450 million, the Washington Post estimated.In Washington, the snow was falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour at one point Wednesday afternoon, according to CNN. Forecasters predicted that Washington winds would gust to 50 miles per hour (mph) overnight.Thousands of flights were delayed or cancelled to and from airports in Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, airlines reported.Rajesh Moorjani, one of the stranded travellers at the Newark, New Jersey, airport, had flown from India Tuesday night, intending to get a connecting flight to California. On Wednesday, he was getting used to the idea of being stuck on the east coast for a day, CNN affiliate WABC reported.

I’m just kind of trying to get in touch with old classmates, ex-colleagues … trying to put a message on Facebook saying: ‘If anybody is in New York, let’s get in touch’,” he told WABC.Blowing snow caused such poor visibility at midday that snowploughs temporarily parked by the side of the road, authorities said. Forecasters predicted that the storm would dump a total of 8 to 10 inches inside the Capital Beltway, with higher amounts to the north.This winter already has become the snowiest on record for Washington – where Dulles airport has received 72 inches of snow and Reagan National airport has recorded 54.9 inches as well as Baltimore, Maryland, and Wilmington, Delaware, CNN said citing the National Weather Service.It’s also on pace to become the snowiest season on record in other cities, including Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Baltimore has received at least 72.3 inches of snow this winter while Wilmington, Delaware has recorded at least 59.5 inches, breaking its previous record of 55.9 inches.Blizzard warnings also were in effect Wednesday for Asheville, North Carolina; Newark and Atlantic City, New Jersey; Baltimore, Maryland; Dover, Delaware; New York and nearby Long Island; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,New York was to be under a blizzard warning until 6 a.m. Thursday, but the snow was expected to stop falling late Wednesday night. Forecasters predicted wind gusts up to 50 mph and predicted the city will have received 12 to 20 inches of snow by the time the storm ends.At the three major airports in the New York area, flights were “very minimal”, the New York Times said citing Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that runs the airports, (thanks to way2online)

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MUGHAL GARDENS TO BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING FROM FEBRUARY 13TH

The Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan will be opened for public viewing this year on all days from 13th February to 11th March from 1000 hrs. to 1700 hrs., except on Mondays being maintenance days. Entry into the Gardens will be open only up to 1600 hrs. The entry and exit into the Gardens will be via Gate No. 35 of the President's Estate, which is located at the extreme end of Church Road, about 300 meters West of Cathedral Church. Entry for handicapped persons using wheelchairs will be through the Rashtrapati Bhavan Reception. Such persons can arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan through Hukmi Mai Marg or Rajpath along with their escorts. Entry and Exit for visually challenged persons will be through the Gate No.12 (North Avenue) of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visitors are requested not to bring any water bottles, briefcases, handbags/ladies purses, cameras, radios/transistors, cell phones, arms/ammunitions and eatables. Such articles, if any, will not be allowed to be carried into the Mughal Gardens and will have to be deposited at the entry point at the owner's risk,(Press Release From Rashtrapati Bhawan) 
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Review of cases requiring prior approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board

(PIB NEWS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a proposal of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry to review the policy on cases requiring prior Government approval for foreign investment.Presently,the recommendations of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) on proposals with total project cost up to Rs.600 crore are approved by the Finance Minister and proposals involving total project cost more than Rs.600 crore are put up to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Further, presently the total project cost, including the foreign equity inflow, is taken into consideration in deciding whether the proposal is to be put up for consideration of CCEA. With today’s approval, only proposals involving total foreign equity inflow of more than Rs.1200 crore would be placed for consideration of CCEA. The recommendations of FIPB on proposals with total foreign equity inflow of and below Rs.1200 crore will be considered by the Finance Minister for approval. Further, it has been decided that the cases where prior approval of FIPB/CCEA for making the initial foreign investment was taken, then the following types of cases would not require to approach FIPB/Government for fresh approval:
(a)Cases of entities whose activities had earlier required prior approval of FIPB/CCFI/CCEA and who had, accordingly, earlier obtained prior approval of FIPB/CCFI/CCEA for their initial foreign investment but subsequently such activities/sectors have been placed under automatic route;
(b)Cases of entities whose activities had sectoral caps earlier and who had, accordingly, earlier obtained prior approval of FIPB/CCFI/CCEA for their initial foreign investment but subsequently such caps were removed or increased and the activity placed under the automatic route;
(c)Cases where prior approval of FIPB/CCFI/CCEA had been obtained with reference to activities/sectors requiring such approval and also from the angle of provisions of Press Note 18/1998 or Press Note 1 of 2005.
With the Government’s further liberalization, the approval is expected to save time and efforts for the FIPB/CCEA and also expedite foreign investment infl
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PM- paying floral tributes,at mazaar of former president of india,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh paying floral tributes at the Mazar of former President of india, Dr.Fakruddin Ali Ahmed,peerzada shabbir naqshbandi are also seen, in New Delhi on February 11, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30357)
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UNION MINISTER SAID MINORITIES TO UTILISE GOVT FUNDS

AURANGABAD,(Syed Sohel Correspondent) Union heavy industries ministers and former chief minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh speking at the function organized by Mulana Azad Financial Development Corporation (MAFDC) at Mulana Azad Research Center in Aurangabad on Monday,He was speking at a function organized to distribute cheques of Rs. 2.57 Crore amongst the 597 beneficiaries of Mulana Azad Financial development Corporation (MAFDA)The union Minister also assured the audience of having a word with minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid to get sanctioned funds for the students and help group(SGHs) .And union government is also taking efforts to pass a resolution to award reservation to minority in lok sabha,Corporation Director Ibrahim Pathan made an introductory speech .Managing Director Shaikh Gaffar spoke about the MAFDA functioning. MLC M M Shaikh ,former MP Uttam Sing Pawar and Qadir Mulana also spoke.Mitcon’s Abhay Kulkarni welcomed the dignitaries and Shaikh Eliyas conducted the proceedings.Mulana Mehfooz –ur – Rehman, Vinayak Borse,Chairman of state Haj Committee GSA Ansari, AMC leader of opposition Mahrunnisa Begam,Editor of Aurangabad Times Shoeb Khusro, Chandrakant Patil,Chayya More, Adv Syed Akram,Rajkumar Jadhav and others also present.
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Action against terrorists should begin in Pakistan: US experts

With the US intelligence community warning of a new terrorist attack in the next six months, two leading security experts suggest that preventive action should begin in Pakistan that remains the locus of terrorism.

Bruce Riedel, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer who advised President Barack Obama on his Afghanistan Pakistan strategy said that for several years after 2002, Al Qaeda seemed fixated on conducting another mass-casualty attack in the US even more horrifying than 9/11.
“Now, perhaps because of the pressure we are putting on the Al Qaeda core in Pakistan, the bar has apparently been lowered,” Riedel, currently a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, wrote in the The Daily Beast, an American news reportinand opinion website.

“So if Al Qaeda is now broadening the scope of its attacks, we must adjust to the change and broaden our counter measures,” he said, calling for more diplomatic efforts to persuade all US allies in the war with Al Qaeda to pre-empt terror with take-downs of jihadist cells.According to Riedel, the US needs to aggressively disrupt and take down not just the Al Qaeda core in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but step up the pressure on Al Qaeda cells in Yemen, the Maghreb, Indonesia, Iraq, and on the group’s allies like Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Pakistani Taliban that also operate in the West
Daniel L. Byman, another senior fellow at Brookings, however, argued that “although groups like Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula are rightly claiming the attention of US national security officials, Pakistan remains the locus of terrorist activity and that any solutions have to begin there”.

“In the last five years, the Al Qaeda core has reconstituted itself in Pakistan, using it as a base to rebuild its forces and plan terrorist attacks,” he wrote in The Daily Beast.Drone strikes on militants disrupt the Al Qaeda leadership and force the organisation to keep its head down. But by themselves they are not enough, Byman said, suggesting: “Pakistan must reclaim the territory Al Qaeda and like-minded groups have seized as their sanctuary.” “Pakistani leaders, unfortunately, have made an art form of stepping up cooperation when problems are in the headlines, only to revert to form when US attention shifts elsewhere,” he suggested.Thus the Obama administration must redouble pressure on Pakistan to restart its stalled military offensive against militants in border areas near Afghanistan and otherwise take aggressive action against the militant presence in the country, Byman argued, (thanks way2online).
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CEREMONIAL RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT OF TURKEY

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Ceremonial Reception of the President of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gul and his wife Mrs. Hayrunnisa Gul, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on February 09, 2010. (Photo by No:CNR-30327)

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Andhra Pradesh High Court quashes reservation for MUSLIMS

The Andhra Pradesh High Court Monday quashed a legislation providing four percent reservation to Muslims in education and jobs.Delivering the much-awaited judgement, the seven-member constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice A.R. Dave ruled that reservations cannot be provided on the basis of religion.The court order has come as a big blow to the Congress government, which had brought a legislation providing four percent reservation to certain backward groups among Muslims.Some individuals and organisations had challenged the bill, contending that the reservations were unconstitutional. This is the third time since 2004 that the high court has quashed quota for Muslims.In 2004 that the state government had provided five percent reservation to Muslims but the high court had quashed the order.However, on the court’s advice, the government reconstituted the backward classes commission and directed it to conduct a detailed survey of the socio-economic conditions of Muslims.On the recommendations of the commission, the government issued an ordinance in 2005 and subsequently the assembly passed legislation for five percent reservation.However, the high court set aside the legislation on the ground that this would exceed the 50 percent total reservation limit set by the Supreme Court.In an attempt to keep the reservations within the 50 percent limit, the government reduced the quantum to four percent and issued an order in 2007 providing four percent quota in government jobs and educational institutions for 15 socially and educationally backward classes among Muslims.The government brought an ordinance, which was later replaced by a legislation passed by the assembly.The four percent quota was also challenged in the high court. The petitioners argued that the government identified backward classes in the community without gathering scientific data.The high court, in its interim order, permitted admissions made under the quota. This was challenged by the petitioners in the Supreme Court. The apex court stayed implementation of the order but left it to the high court to dispose off the batch of writ petitions.      (thanks way2online) 
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VHP calls for boycott of SRK film, differs with Sena

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Monday appeared to back the Shiv Sena by calling for a nationwide boycott of Shah Rukh Khan’s “My Name is Khan” but took objection to the Sena’s Mumbai-for-Marathis stand and said every inch of India belonged to all Indians.“People of India must boycott ‘My Name is Khan’ as Shah Rukh Khan is a traitor,” VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia told journalists here.“My Name is Khan”, starring Shah Rukh and Kajol, is set to be released Friday.But the star is mired in a blazing row over his recent comments advocating the cause of Pakistani cricket players who were not picked by any team for IPL.Togadia threatened that posters of the film would be torn down.

Interestingly, the radical VHP leader locked horns with the Shiv Sena that had also objected to Shah Rukh’s comments by saying Mumbai could not be only for Marathis.“The VHP’s stand is very clear and we differ on the Shiv Sena’s position. According to us, every inch of India belongs to all Indians and every Indian has the right to stay with dignity in any part of the country… Mumbai, Delhi, and even Kashmir is for all Indians,” the VHP leader said.“If we try to stay that Mumbai is for Marathis and outsiders have to leave Mumbai, then I would say India would not survive.” (thanks to way2online)

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UAE Foreign Minister,meets to minister for Commers & industry,

The Minister for Foreign Trade, UAE, Mrs. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasim meeting the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Anand Sharma, in New Delhi on February 08, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30325)

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SGSY grant-in-aid to ANDHRA PRADESH

(PIB NEWS) The Ministry of Rural Development has released grant in aid worth Rs. 59,79,38,000/- (Rupees Fifty nine crore Seventy nine Lakh and Thirty Eight Thousand) crore only as Central share of funds under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) to the District Rural Development Agencies in the four States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Manipur ,Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal during the year 2009-2010. The District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) of Anantpur, Guntur, Khammam, Krishna, Kurnool, Medak, Nalgonda, Nellore, Prakasam, Warangal and West Godawari in Andhra Pradesh have been granted Rs. 25,99,39,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five crore ninety nine lakh thirty nine thousand only)towards 2nd Instalment under SGSY during the current financial year. In Manipur the Churachandpur and Tamenglong District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) will be getting Rs. 5,33,000/- (Rupees Five lakh thirty three Thousand only) towards 1ST Installment of Central Shares of funds under the yozana during the current financial year. In Uttar Pradesh the Balramour, Bareilly, Basti, Bhadohi, Jaunpur, Kheri, Maunathbhanjan, Mirzapur, Padrauna, Rai Bareli and Sonbhadra District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) have been earmarked for Central Assistance amounting to Rs. 23,14,58,000/-(Rupees Twenty three crore fourteen lakh fifty eight thousand only) as 2nd installment of funds under the Central Share for SGSY during the current financial year. Similarly, the 24 Parganas North, Burdwan and West Midnapore District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) in West Bengal are to receive grant-in-aid worth Rs.10,60,08,000/- towards 2nd installment of Central Shares of funds under the yozana during the current financial year. The funding pattern for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Wsst Bengal is 75: 25 between the Centre and State whereas in case of Manipur the funding is on the basis of 90:10 between the Centre and State. The objective of the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is to bring the assisted poor families (Swarozgaries) above the Poverty Line by ensuring appreciable sustained level of income over a period of time. This objective is to be achieved by organizing the rural poor into Self Help Groups(SHGs) through the process of social mobilization, their training and capacity building and provision of income generating assets.
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Narender Modi compliments Chidambaram’s fight against terror

In a first from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunday complimented Home Minister P. Chidambaram and his officials for their “swift and positive” approach to fighting terror.

“The response of the home minister and home secretary is swift and positive whenever there is a demand from the states,” Modi told reporters on the margins of the chief ministers’ conference on internal security.
The praise comes a day after Modi took a jibe at the central government over price rise.BJP leaders have been targeting the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government for being “soft” on terror.The hostile attitude of “our neighbouring country”, Modi said, has made “security an important issue which needs to be taken seriously”.However, the Gujarat chief minister was critical of the central government for not giving the nod to his state’s proposed anti-terror act – the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime (GUJCOC) Bill. (thanks to way2online),
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Emirates plane recalled to Mumbai after threat call

An Emirates Mumbai-Dubai flight made an emergency landing at the Mumbai airport Sunday soon after take off following an anonymous call warning that there were terrorists on board. Two passengers – a man and his wife – have been detained by police for questioning.According to an airport official, the flight EK-505 was recalled by the air traffic control following the call shortly after 9.30 a.m. Sunday.
As the flight returned under full emergency at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, it underwent full security procedures.This included deplaning all the 200-plus passengers and crew, and a thorough screening of the aircraft, all the travellers and their baggage.
The procedure went on for over four hours.A male passenger – identified as Shahbaz – and his wife have been detained by the Sahar Airport police for questioning.The flight left for Dubai shortly after 2 p.m., the official said.
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India united in fighting internal security challenges: Chidambaram

All state governments, irrespective of political affiliations, are “on the same page” in fighting challenges to internal security, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Sunday after a meeting with chief ministers. “Not a single discordant note emerged in the conference. The whole nation is responding in the spirit of unity. It is in itself a big achievement… a message to all those who challenge India’s internal security,” Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting on internal security ended.“All states and union territories, irrespective of political parties of their administrative heads, are on the same page,” Chidambaram said.The home minister said the chief ministers of Maoist insurgency-affected states have endorsed the central government’s initiative to fight leftwing extremism.His remarks came as chief ministers of two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states – Narendra Modi of Gujarat and Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh – praised the central government’s approach in fighting leftwing terrorism in India. (thanks to way2online)

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PULS POLIO DROPS CAMPAIGN IN KADAPPA,

Puls Polio Drops Administered Hon'ble Minister for Minority Welfare, & Urdu Academy,waqf Shri Alhaj Mohd Ahmedullah at UHC Kadappa,                         (Photo by I&PR. No.CNR-1)

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Chidambaram,briefing the MEDIA,

The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram briefing the media on the deliberations at the Chief Ministers’ Conference, in New Delhi on February 07, 2010. The Union Home Secretary, Shri G.K. Pillai and the Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Smt. Neelam Kapur are also seen, (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30315)
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PM congratulates DRDO scientists on successful launch of Agni-III

( PIB NEWS) The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated the scientists at DRDO on the successful launch of Agni-III missile. Following is the text of PM's message: "I convey my heartiest congratulations to the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad and all members of the Project Team for the successful launch of the Agni III missile today. On behalf of the Nation I commend our scientists and engineers for their dedication, hard work and excellence in our march towards achieving self reliance in high technology areas and meeting the country’s defence needs. Our scientists have always done our country proud and I wish them continued success in their future efforts."
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Shri Salman Khurshid to LAY Foundation Stone,

(PIB NEWS) Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister for Minority Affairs, will lay the Foundation Stone of an Industrial Training Institute ( I T I ), at Lilong in the Thoubal District of Manipur on 9th February, 2010. The Chief Minister of Manipur will also grace the occasion. Thoubal is one of the six Minority Concentration Districts ( MCDs ) of Manipur, where the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is running the Multi-sectoral Development Programme ( MsDP ) for the welfare of Minorities. District Plans of all these six MCDs have already been approved by the Ministry. ITI at Lilong has been approved for Rs 7.91 crore under MsDP . Half of the approved amount for this ITI has already been released as the first installment to Manipur Government.======================================

AURANGABAD VOTERS LIST TO BE UPDATED FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Aurangabad:(SyedKhajaSohel,Correspondent)  The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has appointed 275 employees and 3 deputy collectors for updating the voters list for the upcoming Municipal Corporation Elections.All the employees of various departments-excluding the fire brigade, water supply, recovery (property and water tax) department – have been employed on the task.Municipal commissioner Dr.Purushottam Bhapkar held a meeting in this regards at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Center here today. He asked the employees to maintain transparency in the work and warned of stern action in case of negligence. There are six ward officers in the City. Deputy Commissioner M Y Kamble, Dhananjay Javalikar and Uddhav Ghuge will be the officer in charge for the task of updating the voters list. In each ward, there will be one in charge officer ,two assistant officers and a supervisor . Two surveyors each have been appointed at all the wards.

The district collectorate has provided the voters lists updated till January 31, 2010. On the basis of these lists, the draft lists for corporation polls will be prepared and declared on February 22.Time will be given till February 24 for recording suggestion and objections.
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Visit to Mumbai was a huge success, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress party general secretary Rahul Gandhi Saturday told a gathering of student leaders near here that his visit to Mumbai was a huge success.

“When 15 Shiv Sena activists waved black flags at me, thousands in Mumbai welcomed me. The visit was a huge success,” said Gandhi, who surprised all in the state Congress unit here with his unexpected visit.On Friday, Gandhi rode a local train in Mumbai and withdrew money from an ATM near the station, winning over the people of the city. Shiv Sena activists waved black flags to protest his visit.Gandhi arrived here by a special flight around 11.10 a.m, and drove straight to the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student’s wing of the Congress party, camp here.He asked three student leaders to speak first. After hearing them, the Congress leader said he would carry their message to Delhi.One of the suggestions that came up at the meeting was that the next time the Congress-led alliance rules the state, the education portfolio should be kept by the Congress party and not given to the allies. He assured the meeting that the next time he visits the state he will visit Kannur to address the students.He was at the meeting for more than an hour.On his way back to the airport, he gave the security people some anxious moments when he stopped and interacted with the waiting crowd.For 10-year-old Shaful, it was an exciting moment when he presented Rahul Gandhi with a flower and in return got his autograph.Later, when asked what Gandhi said to him, Shaful told reporters, “I was told that I should study well.”Gandhi returned to Delhi in the afternoon.  (thanks to way2online)

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Former Governor A.P, Shri N.D.Tiwari won’t talk,will his autobiography?

Narayan Dutt Tiwari, who quit as Andhra Pradesh governor after a sex scandal in December last year, says he has “no intention of returning to active politics and is writing an autobiography”.“I am not coming back to electoral politics any more as I have clarified earlier. I am now involved in constructive politics – the politics of development and rebuilding,” Tiwari said on a visit to the World Book Fair in the capital.The 86-year-old former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and veteran Congress leader refused to talk about the scandal and was emphatic that “he was not interested in seeking an audience with the party high command in New Delhi”.On Aug 19, 2007, he had been appointed governor of Andhra Pradesh and resigned Dec 26, 2009, after being accused of having a sex romp with three women at his official residence in Hyderabad. Tiwari had called the episode fabricated and untruthful.“I don’t want to talk about anything,”said an unsteady Tiwari, who was helped on to his feet by three personal security men at the book fair. Attired in his trademark khadi clothes and a Gandhian cap, he was there for a book release.“I am more than halfway through my autobiography which will be published at the end of the year. I signed up with Rupa & Co for the book three years ago,” Tiwari said.“The book will span my entire life, right from my childhood when I escaped from home till date. It will cover my years in politics and in public life. I have written parts of the book and now I am dictating it,” he said.Sources at Rupa & Co said “the political setback has delayed the autobiography by a few months.”Tiwari, however, was ambiguous about whether he would incorporate the “ongoing controversy” in the book.“Books have played an important part in my life. I started reading as a child and books inspired me to join the freedom struggle and then move to active politics. Books have taught me how to survive and inspired me along the way,” Tiwari told IANS.Tiwari, a former union minister who held such important portfolios of external affairs, finance and industry, as also ex-chief minister of Uttarakhand, is now keen to take stock of the development map that he had charted during his rule in Uttar Pradesh to expand the satellite townships along the border with Delhi.“I want to see Noida and Greater Noida and find out how the twin townships have developed,”he said. (thanks to way2online)

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Police frame guidelines for crime reporting by media

Cautioning the media and police over wrong reporting, the Delhi High Court Wednesday sounded a note of warning that “yellow journalism is on the rise”.

The court’s observation came after the Delhi government submitted to the court new guidelines for the media for crime reporting.Citing the case of tennis star Sania Mirza calling off her engagement and how it was played up by the electronic media, the court said, “This should be stopped.”Submitting the new guidelines, Solicitor General (SG) Gopal Subramaniam said, “Maintaining transparency and accountability is our topmost priority, and on the same hand the rights of citizens to know about a thing should not be withheld.”Citing the model of London’s Metropolitan Police, Subramaniam submitted before a division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw that “Only that information which is in public interest should be dispersed to media.”According to the new guidelines, only senior officers of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and above will interact with the media.“Only designated officers will disseminate information to the media on major crimes. Information regarding the identity of juveniles and the victim of rape cases should not be disclosed,” the SG said.Expressing unhappiness over the media portraying the city as a crime capital, the SG said, “Even in Western cities, the crime rate is much higher than in our city but the media there is rarely seen to project crimes in such an exaggerated manner.”Cautioning the media and police over the wrong reporting, the bench said, “Every wrong reporting harms the person’s reputation like anything. It seems that yellow journalism is on the rise.”The court asked the SG to incorporate the suggestions made by the petitioners as well from the National Broadcasters Association and file a detailed draft by Monday.The court was hearing a public interest petition filed by an NGO seeking action against police officials for allegedly leaking to the media confessional statements made by suspected terrorists in the Batla House case. Two terrorists and a police inspector were killed in that shootout Sep 19, 2008.“Protection of the victim’s identity is in great danger and this practice by the media should be stopped immediately,” the court had said earlier.Advocate Prashant Bhushan said: “Any information given by police to the media during the course of the investigation should be banned and should amount to defamation and contempt.” (thanks to way2online)

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Sania and Poojashree too good for Malaysians

Sania Mirza  and Poojashree Venkatesh won their singles matches, dropping a game in each set, as India beat Malaysia 3-0 to top Group II Pool. They are now one match away to be back in the Asia-Oceania Group I.India play the winners of the Pool B match between Hong Kong China and Syria in the qualification play-off.Poojashree and Sania made short of work of their opponents, wrapping up the tie 2-0 at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur Friday. Sanaa Bhambri and Poojashree then won the dead doubles rubber.Poojashree outclassed the 32-year-old Malaysian veteran Chin Bee Khoo 6-1,6-1.and Sania followed suit, winning 6-1. 6-1 against Jawairiah Nordin. Sanaa and Poojashree, replacing veteran Rushmi Chakravarthi, defeated Khoo and Nordin 7-6, 6- (thanks to way2online)

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PM- Addressing the Chief Minister's Conference in New Delhi,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the Chief Minister's Conference on Prices of Essential Commodities, in New Delhi on February 06,201.The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Agriculture, Shri Sharad Pawar, the Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia are also seen, ===================================== (Photo by PIB. No.CNR-30296)

National photographic AWARD

The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Kantilal Bhuria presenting the 3rd prize for the 3rd National Level Photographic Competition on the theme "Tribal Portrait", to Shri K. Nageswara Rao from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the Photo Division, Ministry of I&B, at the inaugural ceremony of the National Tribal Festival, "PRAKRITI" in New Delhi on February 05,2010.The Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Shri G.B. Mukherjee is also seen.

(Photo by PIB.No:CNR-30300)

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PM to inaugurate Chief Ministers’ Conference on Security tomorrow

(PIB NEWS) The Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security will be held here tomorrow. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the Conference. The Conference assumes importance in the backdrop of the proactive policy being pursued by the Government to combat nexalism, increased infiltration attempts from across Indo-Pak border and the success of anti-terror measures in the past 6-8 months. The Conference would inter-alia focus on the review of the action points that were identified in the last Conference held in August, 2009, which covered wide ranging areas of capacity building in the State Police, strengthening of counter terrorism and intelligence capabilities, police reforms, combating economic offences, especially Fake Indian Currency Notes, strengthening the border and coastal security, besides initiatives like the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).
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Welcome to GHAREEB NAWAZ EXPRESS,

Aurangabad,(S.K.Sohel.Correspondent) The citizens gave rousing welcome to the Hyderabad- Ajmer Garib Nawaz Express Train at the local station Thursday at 12.15 PM.Devotees from all over Marathwada boarded the train in large numbers so as to pay obeisance to Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chisty Ajmeri (RH) in Ajmer The devotees going to the pilgrimage were greeted and accorded warm welcome by local local citizens including Sajjada Nasheen Syed Moinuddin Nizami of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RH) Nayab Sajjada Syed Mehboob Nizami, Prof Syed Hasan ,Tauqeer Ahmed ,priest of vithal Mandir Raju Maharaj,president of Maradwada Railway Vikas Samiti Omprakash Verma , freedom fighter tarabai ladda, Rasheed Khan Mamu,Ajmal Khan ,Retair Station Master MB Khan ,CEO of Perfect Xpress Cargo Mr.Rafiq Ahmed Shaikh, Adv Bahauddin Kazi,Station Master Laxmikant Jakhade and others,The garland were also tied with the engine. The citizens also distributed sweets amongst those present on the occasion . The engine drivers Yeshwant Sitaram and BK Salunke were also accorded warm welcome The 20 coach trains comprise one two –tier AC coach, two Three Tier AC coaches, 10 Sleeper coaches, Five general and two bogies for woman,
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SYED KHAJA SOHEL (CORRESPONDET AURANGABAD REGION)
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20 killed, & 75 injured in IRAQ BLAST'S

(way2online NEWS) At least 20 people were killed and 75 injured Friday in two blasts targeting Shias in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala, al-Arabiya news channel reported.

Pilgrims are visiting the shrine of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, to celebrate the 40th day after Ashura, the holy day that marks Hussein’s death in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680.

More than 30,000 military and police officers have been deployed on the roads leading to Karbala to try to beef up security.Security authorities cooperated with US army air support to protect visitors in the holy Shia city, which lies some 110 km southwest of Baghdad.Official statistics indicated that more than eight million visitors have arrived in the city to attend the annual ritual.

Wipro seeks 50 acres near Bangalore Airport for IT Park

Global software major Wipro has applied for 50 acres of land near the Bangalore international airport for setting up an IT park, an official said Friday.“Wipro has applied for 50 acres of land in the new industrial belt coming up near the new airport. The state high-level committee will consider it soon,” state principal industry secretary V.P. Baligar told reporters here.
When allotted,the proposed park will be the third location of the IT bellwether in India’s tech hub. The company’s main software development centre is located in the Electronics City on Hosur road, about 35 km from Bangalore and another on Sarjapur road in the southern suburb, which is its corporate headquarters.In a related development, a technical team of Hero Honda Motors Ltd has inspected three sites in Hubli-Dharwad industrial belt in north Karnataka to set up a two-wheeler plant at an estimated cost of Rs.20 billion (Rs.2,000 crore).We have shown two sites near Hubli and another near Dharwad adjacent to Tata Motors bus plant. The company is looking for about 100 acres to set up the two-wheeler plant and another 200 acres for ancillary units and a township,” Baligar said on the margins of a conclave on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).Hubli-Dharwad is about 420 km from Bangalore.
The world’s largest motorcycle firm evinced keen interest to locate its first southern plant in Karnataka when its top officials met state’s large and medium industries minister Murugesh Nirani in New Delhi last week at a road-show held for the Global Investors’ Meet to be held in Bangalore June first week,(way2online NEWS)
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HYDERABAD UNION OF JOURNALIST'S(HUJ) Organised "Meet the press"

Mrs, Banda Karthika,Mayor Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.  address to "meet the press" at Press Club Basheer Bagh, in the seen of picture.1,Mr Yadgiri(g.sec,HUJ)2,Mr Taher Roomani(v.president HUJ)   photo by RSJ THOMAS,

Laxman continues to be doubtful for Nagpur Test,

Plagued by injuries, India would be hoping for the return of experienced V.V.S. Laxman to strengthen its middle order batting, but his fitness ahead of the first cricket Test against South Africa continues to be in doubt.

India are already without Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh, who got injured during the recently concluded Bangladesh tour. While Dravid fractured his jaw, Yuvraj injured his wrist.In such a case, Laxman’s presence in the middle order becomes all the more important. The 35-year-old suffered a finger injury and had to sit out in the second Test in Dhaka

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Friday said a decision on Laxman’s availability for Saturday’s Test is yet to be taken.“There is uncertainty over Laxman at the moment,” Dhoni said on the eve of the match Friday.“He will speak to the physio on how he feels and then we will take a decision on him.”Rohit Sharma has already been flown in as as a cover of Laxman. In the absence of seniors, Subramaniam Badrinath, and Murli Vijay will also be hoping for their chances.“We will miss our experienced players, but at the end of the day somebody needs to step up and do the work for the team,” he said.

“Their absence provides an opportunity for the youngsters to step in and score runs.”“International cricket is a challenge. Pressure will be there but we have openers who have done well in the past. There is no reason why they cannot do that again. We’re a team that relies on a good start. After that, we go on to dominate,” Dhoni said.South African skipper Graeme Smith said the injuries to the key players will affect India Guys like Laxman and Dravid come with a lot of experience. It does put more pressure on their openers (Gautam) Gambhir and (Virender) Sehwag,” Smith said (way2online NEWS)
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Deepika Padukone is looking for Ranbir!

Although Deepika Padukone has personally broke up with Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika still has an open door for him professionally. Deepika is waiting for an opportunity to work with him since the actress feels that Ranbir is a great actor who has enormous talent of acting in him.The actress also feels that Ranbir puts lot of efforts in each and every scene to make it the best.The duo has earlier worked in Bachna ae haseeno which was directed by Siddharth Anand Bachna ae haseeno remained as a super hit film.(way2online NEWS)

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Uddhav after Rahul visit : Mumbai under Mussolini Raj

(way2online NEWS)AICC General secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit exemplifed the “Mussolini” rule in Maharashtra that prevented Shiv Sena workers from exercising their democratic right of protest, the saffron party’s leader Uddhav Thackeray said here Friday.Referring to the tight security blanket thrown for Rahul Gandhi’s four-hour trip, Thackeray said Shiv Sainiks all over the city were prevented from their democratic right of protesting by waving black flags.
“This shows what kind of a ‘Mussolini’ raj is prevalent in Maharashtra,” Thackeray said, referring to the Italian dictator and Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi’s Italian origins.
He described Chief Minister Ashok Chavan of the Congress as “a watchman” for waiting nearly an hour-and-a-half under a tree in Ghatkopar to receive .
Rahul Gandhi. In an unexpected change of plan, the Congress general secretary decided to take local trains instead of the helicopter to commute about the city   Referring to Rahul Gandhi withdrawing cash from a bank ATM near Andheri railway station to buy a second class suburban train ticket, Uddhav Thackeray said it was expected.Referring to Rahul Gandhi withdrawing cash from a bank ATM near Andheri railway station to buy a second class suburban train ticket, Uddhav Thackeray said it was expected“Mumbai means Delhi’s ATM,” Uddhav said, implying that the city was allegedly being exploited by the rulers in Delhi for its wealth.
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Railway land to house hospitals, healthcare facilities,Mamta banerjee

(way2online NEWS) In a major move to provide quality healthcare to millions of people, the railway ministry Friday said it will give over 1275 acres of unused land for the health ministry to build 490 health facilities, including medical colleges, around the country.“This is a historic decision by both health and railway ministries to provide healthcare to masses,” Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here.“This initiative will benefit railway passengers, railway employees and the common people living in and around railway lines. Nation’s health is nation’s wealth,” said Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.Both ministries have identified plots to open 361 diagnostic centres, 88 second-level medical units with over 100-bed hospitals and 41 multi-specialty medical facilities around railway tracks.While the diagnostic centres will come up in 200 square metre lands, the second level medical units will be set up on five acres land each. Similarly, the tertiary care hospitals will come up on 20 acre lands each.

“Encroachment on government lands is happening all over India and by sparing these unused lands, the railway ministry is helping masses in getting quality healthcare.“Currently many people fall sick while traveling on trains and these facilities will provide them instant treatment at the railway stations,” Azad explained.He said the health ministry will start working on the diagnostic centres first at major railway stations and junctions across the country.

“We are expecting to spend up to Rs.10 million for setting up diagnostic centres,” Health Secretary K. Sujatha Rao told IANS after signing the agreement with Railway Board Chairman S.S. Khurana.Banerjee said the decision was taken after a month-long discussion with the health authorities, and urged both the ministries to speed up and provide quality healthcare to people living in grass rootsThese healthcare facilities could also be used as trauma centres for emergencies, accidents and natural disasters.

Both the ministries said that they are setting up a high power working group to work out a time bound programme to take up the projects as a matter of priority.“We will also take the state governments into confidence while building these facilities. The aim is to provide better facilities to all Indians,” Azad said.

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After Amar Singh,SP finds Thakur mascot in Raja Bhaiya

(way2online NEWS) With Amar Singh out, Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav is clearly out to replace him with Raja Bhaiya as the party’s new Thakur mascot.

Less known by his real name, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, independent MLA Raja Bhaiya hosted a party at his residence here Thursday night, with most prominent Samajwadi Party leaders, led by former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh, on the guest list.Even as the party was ostensibly thrown “to celebrate the victory of Raja Bhaiya’s cousin at the recent state legislative council elections”, it was widely seen to be part of Mulayam Singh’s dinner diplomacy to disprove Amar Singh’s claim that the Thakur community would rally behind him.
All such SP MLAs who were considered close to Amar Singh – largely due to caste reasons – were conspicuously present at the big bash. These included former Uttar Pradesh minister Arvind Singh Gope, Yashwant Singh, Rajiv Singh, Om Prakash Singh and Mayankeshwar Saran Singh.Raja Bhaiya had also discreetly invited a select section of the media to ensure that news reached where it was intended.
Mulayam Singh told reporters: “I am here only in response to an invitation by Raja Bhaiya; and this is just a dinner, no politics.”He claimed, “It is sheer coincidence that a number of my party MPs and legislators are also present.”While initially showing reluctance to make any comment, he said: “Amar Singh chose to leave the party essentially because of his health problems. I am myself really concerned about his health, and it is my sincere advice to him to concentrate on his health.”Referring to Amar Singh’s expulsion from the party Feb 2, Mulayam Singh said: “The decision was not just mine, it was taken at a fully-attended meeting of the party parliamentary board. In fact, you people only published his statements. But once these statements were directed against the party, the matter was taken up by the SP parliamentary board, which took the final decision to expel him.”When a scribe asked how he could look so “relaxed”, the Samajwadi Party chief shot back: “Politics is always full of ups and downs. I believe in adapting myself to changes that take place in politics; as such I have reason to feel relaxed.”He did not seem too sure about party Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan’s intent and continued to shower praise on her.
“Even though she has been critical of me, I have all the respect and regard for Jaya Bachchan. She is well within the party and has not said anything against the party,” he said.
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'Mulayam took long to recognise Amar’s true face’

(way2online NEWS) Samajwadi Party(SP)Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was delayed in recognising the true face of Amar Singh, but the latter’s expulsion would only strengthen the party, SP general secretary Mohan Singh said Friday.

“Mulayamji took a long time to recognize the real face of Amar Singh… but still it’s not too late for us,” Singh told reporters in Deoria, some 300 km from Lucknow.
“We are sure that his (Amar Singh’s) departure would help the party’s revival and will strengthen it,” he added, referring to Amar Singh’s expulsion from the party Feb 2.
Singh even went to the extent of saying that Amar Singh’s kidney problems were not because of burden of work, but his “lavish and luxurious lifestyle”.
Amar Singh had last year undergone a kidney transplant in Singapore.

“No one could claim that kidney fails due to work load. It all happens due to extra-luxurious lifestyle. And the same was the case of Amar Singh,”said Singh,Clarifying his party’s stand on the English language, Singh said: “We have been misquoted and misunderstood…We are not against English, instead we have only voiced objections against the English mentality.”
Singh,however, did not elaborate on what he meant by the “English mentality”.
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Blast kills 11 in Pakistan

(way2online NEWS) A bomb struck a bus carrying Shia Muslims in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi Friday, killing at least 11 people,hospital officials said,Up to 50 people were also wounded in the attack on the bus taking dozens of Shia Muslims to a religious gathering.
“Eleven bodies and nearly 50 injured people have been brought to us,” said Seemi Jamali of the state-run Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Karachi’s police chief Waseem Ahmad said explosives appeared to have been rigged to a motorcycle.Television footage showed the mangled remains of the motorcycle and the bus with all its windowpanes shattered. Nearby buildings were also damaged in the explosion.A roadside bomb blast in Karachi Dec 28 killed at least 40 Shias, who were commemorating the seventh century death of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson,Imam Hussain.(AS)
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Shri Jairam,Announcing National environmental programme,

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent Charge), Shri Jairam Ramesh announcing the National Environmental Sciences Fellows Programme, in New Delhi on February 04, 2010.

The Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Shri Vijai Sharma is also seen. (Photo by PIB, No:CNR-30265)

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Amendment to the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993

Cabinet Decision:
(PIB NEWS) The Union Cabinet today approved a proposal from the Ministry of Human Resource Development to amend the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 to clarify its applicability to matters relating to norms for minimum qualification for appointment of school teachers and clarify its applicability to schools and school teachers. The National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 came into force on 1st July 1995 with an objective to achieve planned and coordinated development of teacher education system in the country and ensure proper maintenance of norms & standards in the above system. The Act mandates the NCTE to lay down guidelines on minimum qualifications for a school teacher with a view to ensure uniform quality of teaching in the schools. The NCTE has framed regulations to discharge this function which are binding on all States in the matter of appointment of teachers. Recently it came to the notice of this Department that Supreme Court in the case of Basic Education Board, U.P. Vs. Upender Rai & others, held that NCTE Act does not deal with educational institutions like primary schools, etc and thus in the matter of laying minimum qualification for appointment as teachers, the NCTE Regulations will not be applicable, and the State Legislation/Rule on the subject will prevail. In the above judgement a Central Law was interpreted by the Supreme Court, but neither the NCTE nor the Union of India was impleaded in the case. A review Petition filed by NCTE in the Supreme Court was also not admitted. Therefore, a decision has been taken to amend the NCTE Act in order to clarify that the Act applies to schools, teachers and the NCTE is empowered to lay down the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible as a teacher in schools.The National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill 2009 will be moved in Parliament for  consideration, ===============================================                                            

Group of Bharat Scouts & Guaides,at Rashtarpati Bhawan,

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil with the group of contingent of Nasik Bharat Scouts & guides, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on February 04, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30251)

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PM meet to fineland PM

The Prime Minister of Finland, Mr. Matti Vanhanen calling on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on February 04, 2010.

(Photo by PIB No: CNR-30255)

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1,256 Under-trials released from the custody under mission mode programme to ease congestion in jails

(PIB NEWS) As part of the National Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reforms started at the instance of the Dr. M.Veerappa Moily, Minister for Law and Justice, 1,256 under-trials have been released from the custody till now, it was decided to launch under the National Mission a Mission Mode Programme to reduce the number of cases of under-trials and to ease congestion in jails. The programme was launched on 26th January,2010. Number of prisoners released from the custody from the following States as given below:


S.No. State No. Of Prisoners Released
(1)     Punjab              164
(2)     Haryana         136
(3)     Chandigarh    2
(4)     Jharkhand     443
(5)     Delhi                45
(6)     Bombay        466
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