US Attorney General discusses headley issue with Chidambaram

(PIB NEWS) The US Attorney General yesterday discussed with the Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram various aspects relating to the plea agreement between Headley and the US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. In a statement issued here today, Shri Chidambaram said that the plea agreement should spur Pakistan to take action against all the conspirators of the 26.11 attacks. Following is the text of his statement. “Yesterday, at the media briefing, I tried to explain the import of the ‘plea agreement’ between David Coleman Headley and the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Later in the evening, Mr. Eric Holder, Attorney General and Head of the Justice Department of the US Government, called me and we had a long conversation. I am happy to state that the conversation has clarified a number of aspects concerning the plea agreement. Mr Holder drew pointed attention to the following portion under the Chapter “Cooperation”: Defendant agrees that, when directed by the United States Attorney’s Office, he will fully and truthfully participate in any debriefings for the purpose of gathering intelligence or national security information. Defendant further agrees that, when directed by the United States Attorney’s Office, he will fully and truthfully testify in any foreign judicial proceedings held in the United States by way of deposition, video conferencing or letters rogatory. Defendant agrees to the postponement of his sentencing until after the conclusion of his cooperation.” It is my understanding that India would be able to obtain access to David Coleman Headley to question him in a properly constituted judicial proceeding. Such judicial proceeding could be either pre-trial or during an inquiry or trial. It is also my understanding that David Coleman Headley is obliged to cooperate fully and truthfully in such proceedings. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already registered FIR No.4 dated 11.11.2009 against David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana. I have today directed NIA and the other Agencies concerned in the case to quickly prepare the documents necessary to start a judicial proceeding in which Indian Authorities could require David Coleman Headley to answer questions and/or to testify. There is another aspect of the “plea agreement” which is of enormous significance. The plea agreement is the most damning indictment of the role played by certain persons in Pakistan. In his plea agreement, David Coleman Headley has admitted to conspiring with LeT members A, B, C & D; he has admitted to meeting with and receiving instructions from them; he has admitted to attending training camps organised by the LeT on five separate occasions; he has admitted to meeting in Pakistan with various co-conspirators including but not limited to LeT members; and he has admitted to being privy to the attacks planned in Mumbai and the despatch of a team of attackers by sea. Pakistan was in a state of denial for many months after the attacks of 26/11. Thereafter, grudgingly and bowing to the pressure applied by India through the dossiers and otherwise, Pakistan initiated proceedings against a few of the persons involved in the conspiracy, even while key conspirators are still at large. The “plea agreement” should spur Pakistan to take action against all the conspirators and bring them to justice. Nothing short of that will be acceptable to India or will satisfy world opinion.”
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Shri Jairam Ramesh Briefing The Media,

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent Charge), Shri Jairam Ramesh briefing the media about the outcome of National Board for Wildlife meeting which was convened by the Prime Minister, in New Delhi on March 20, 2010. The Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Shri Vijai Sharma is also seen.                               (Photo by PIB No.CNR-30886)
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Watch Bollywood films to know Indians: Rani Mukerji

Cinema can go a long way in promoting positive bilateral relations between Australia and India, especially Bollywood films as they are “all about heart”, said Rani Mukerji, who was here as chief guest at the 2010 Indian Film Festival – Bollywood and Beyond.“Cinema showcases different cultures and Indian films are all about our culture, our traditions, human relations and all about heart. So when Australians watch Indian films, they will get to know Indians better and that will help in knowing each other better,” Rani said in an exclusive interview.
So will she act in a film on racism? “As an actor, I would be part of any film that inspires me as an artist. If there is a great character for me to play, if I feel there is something interesting in the film about racism and if there is a positive outlook towards changing the mindset, I would hundred percent do it.”
She would like to do diverse, challenging roles. So does she feel socially responsible while doing a movie?Giving the example of her role as a deaf, dumb and blind girl in “Black”, she said, “I do expect that people who do not know about the deaf and blind get more aware of people like them. You should never pity them because they are such spirited, lively, fun people and there is so much to learn from them.“Michelle McNally did graduate despite her handicap. The sheer fact that if you have the passion, nothing is impossible in life. That is what my character in ‘Black’ and the film taught me and that is what I would like to portray to the hundreds and millions of my fans who watch the movie”.The festival, which opened with “Black” and “Dil Bole Hadippa” in Sydney, is screening a retrospective of Rani’s distinctive films alongside recent Bollywood hits, some regional cinema gems and documentaries.For Rani, every role is a dream role, but the role that debutant director Anurag Singh gave her in “Dil Bole Hadippa” was “wonderful”.“It is wonderful being a man and to feel like a man and get attracted to beautiful women. It was a dream role because I could never imagine in my life that I would cross dress as a man. I also got to experiment with cricket, a sport I had never played in my life. I trained for eight months and fell in love with the game. And, of course, being a man and tying your hair up in a turban was the most relaxing part!”Being a Bengali, was it difficult for her to play the role of a Sardar?“Punjabis and Bengalis make a great combination; even marriages between them are lovely,” said Rani, relating an interesting episode about how she was exchanged with a Punjabi baby at the hospital and her mother had to fight to get her back.“I still have to crack the code whether I am a Sardar or Bengali,” she said.Rani also revealed that if she weren’t an actress, she would have been “a housewife with my sari tucked in my waist, making chapattis for my husband, raising two kids probably in Allahabad or Kolkata or somewhere where my parents would have married me off!”So is she ready to direct films after a career spanning 17 years as an actress?Rani was forthcoming: “I would like to do a lot of things in life, but you never get to do everything that you want to do. When an actor probably completes 10 years, you are often asked would you like to direct or write?“I didn’t want to become an actress, but I became one and so I have this thing in my head that ‘Never say never’. It is not something I have planned, but if I do get an opportunity and have this energy rush in my body to take up the responsibility of a director some day, I would definitely love to direct.”Asked if she dreams about winning an Oscar, the multi-award winning actress said: “I would dream about everything and as an actor our greed never stops for awards, recognition, fame, and love and warmth from people; so it is a never ending process for an actor.”The actress, who chooses her roles with care and takes what inspires and excites her, is looking forward to “No one killed Jessica”, a film based on the murder of Delhi model Jessica Lall in which she plays the journalist.“It is a very different film that I am doing after a long time. It is a very different and powerful role; so I don’t know how my fans are going to react to it, but I am looking forward to it because it is an interesting movie based on a true life story.” (way2online)

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Andhra Pradesh Assembly adjourned twice

The Andhra Pradesh Assembly was adjourned twice as the Opposition stalled the proceedings over alleged largescale irregularities in the implementation of the Centrally-sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MG-NREGS) in the state.The trouble started as soon as the House assembled for the day when Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy disallowed the adjournment motions given notice by the main Opposition TDP, CPI, CPI(M) and PRP on the issue.The Speaker assured the agitated members to fix the time for a discussion on the issue they had raised during tea-break and wanted them to cooperate by allowing the House to take up the listed questions.Chief Minister K Rosaiah made it clear that his Government was ready for a debate on the issue at a time fixed by the Speaker and wanted the Opposition to fulfill its responsibility by allowing smooth conduct of the House.As the members of various Opposition parties continued to remain on their feet and disrupted the proceedings, the Speaker first adjourned the House for 30 minutes.The situation was no different when the House reassembled with members of the Opposition parties raising slogans against the Government with placards on alleged MG-NREGS irregularities and demanding setting aside of the listed business and immediate taking up a discussion on alleged large scale misuse of funds allocated under the Centrally-sponsored scheme.The Chief Minister, Leader of House J Geeta Reddy and Legislative Affairs Minister D Prasada Rao, one after another, asked the Opposition members to allow the House to take up listed business and offered to discuss the issue raised by them at a time fixed by the Speaker during the tea-break.As Opposition parties persisted for an immediate discussion on the issue they had raised, the Speaker again adjourned the House for one hour.Earlier, the Speaker also disallowed the adjournment motions given notice by the AIMIM and BJP on the plight of Home Guards in the state. (newkerala.com)
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PRESIDENT OF INDIA,PESENTING AWARDS,

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Award for Best Actress to Ms. Priyanka Chopra for Hindi film “Fashion”, at the 56th National Film Awards function, in New Delhi on March 19, 2010.The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni is also seen.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30877)
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Andhra police gun down Maoist husband-wife duo

Police in Andhra Pradesh Friday gunned down a Maoist husband-wife duo in a gun battle in a forested area in Khammam district.Police said the Maoists, belonging to the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist, were killed in a gun battle in the Venkatapuram forest area in Khammam, about 300 km from here. The gunfight took place when policemen engaged in combing operations in the area came face-to-face with a group of Maoists. Police found two bodies after the exchange of fire, which lasted an hour. The Maoists have been identified as K. Pullaiah and his wife Lakshmi, both members of an armed squad of the CPI-Maoist. Police also recovered two weapons, two kit bags and party literature. Police were on alert in the area as several prominent politicians are scheduled to visit Bhadrachalam on the occasion of Ramanavmi on March 24. The combing operations were launched last Thursday after Maoists gunned down a trader on the suspicion he was acting as a police spy. The gun battle took place a week after the killing of two top Maoist leaders in two different incidents March 12. Shakhamuri Appa Rao, a member of the CPI-Maoist, was killed in Prakasam district while Solipeta Kondal Reddy, another top leader, was shot dead in Warangal district.
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Five held for threat letter to Andhra chief justice

The Hyderabad police have picked up five suspects in a case relating to a threatening letter to the chief justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Nisar Ahmed Kakru.Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters Friday that police were questioning the suspects. "A case has been registered," he said. The suspects reportedly include an advocate and two typists. The police are also looking for a man who dropped threatening a letter at the chief justice's residence in Banjara Hills neighbourhood last weekend. In the typed letter on a stamp paper, an anonymous person warned the chief justice not to say anything negative about pro-Telangana advocates. He claimed that these advocates had the support of Maoists. The letter was dropped a few days after the chief justice objected to the manner in which advocates boycotted the courts and staged protests March 8. The advocates, supporting the cause of separate Telangana state, were protesting an attack on them by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) activists. Police suspect that an advocate who participated in the protest could have written the threatening letter. They have stepped up security for the chief justice.
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Headley case points to threats from home-grown terrorists

Pointing to the David Headley case as illustrative of the “real threats from home-grown and international terrorists,” the US says it will continue working to disrupt, dismantle and defeat terrorism at home and abroad.Commending various US agencies in getting a guilty plea from Pakistani American terror suspect David Headley for his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said:“As we have seen, we face real threats from home-grown and international terrorists.”“And we will continue working to disrupt, dismantle and defeat terrorism at home and abroad to ensure the safety and security of the American people,” she said in a statement Thursday.“I applaud the Department of Justice and the FBI for leading the effort culminating in today’s guilty plea, and I commend the men and women of US Customs and Border Protection, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis who played critical roles as part of a true interagency investigation.”Meanwhile, at the State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid discounted suggestions about India’s disgruntlement over a feeling that Headley is getting off too lightly by pleading guilty.“I wouldn’t react to reports of their disgruntlement. It’s a very large country, and I’m sure that there are a number of opinion centres in India on this issue,” he said.Noting that it is an ongoing trial, Duguid said: “What has been clear is that he has undergone a transparent and fair judicial process. And the United States Government will support the decision of our courts.”The official said he was also not aware whether the State Department has received a request for access to David Headley’s wife. (way2online)
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Headley confession not a setback: Chidambaram

Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday said Pakistani American terror suspect David Coleman Headley’s confession that he planned the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and his deal with US prosecutors was “not a setback to India”.New Delhi, he said, would “wait and see” and continue its case to extradite or get access to him.“It is not a setback. We have not yet charged Headley. We will charge Headley at an appropriate time,” Chidambaram told reporters here.“We will continue with our extradition plea,” he said after a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Headley, a Pakistani born US national, has entered a deal with prosecutors in a Chicago court that he won’t be sentenced to death or extradited to India, Pakistan or Denmark after pleading guilty to terror charges. “There is a good chance that he will testify in judicial proceedings where Indian (investigators) will have a right to question him,” the home minister said.Headley Thursday pleaded guilty to a dozen federal terrorism charges in a Chicago court and admitted his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.Headley, 49, also admitted that he attended training camps in Pakistan operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) on five separate occasions between 2002 and 2005. (way2online)
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Kareena is highest taxpaying actress

Kareena Kapoor has become the highest taxpayer among all actresses in Bollywood, a source said Friday.While what she paid has not been disclosed, it has been said that the 29-year-old coughed up a staggering amount to the income tax department.“Kareena is a style icon and powerhouse performer. She is distinctive and has a loyal base fan which only seems to be growing. Her increasing body of work as a star and popularity with brands reflects in the taxes she’s paid for 2009-10,” said a source.Last year, Kareena was seen in films like “Main Aurr Mrs Khanna”, “Kurbaan” and “3 Idiots”. (thanks to way2online)
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India-US Trade Policy Forum Framework Signed

(PIB NEWS) Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and US Trade Representative, Mr. Ron Kirk, has signed the India-US Trade Policy Forum Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment, in Washington yesterday. The Framework seeks to build on the success of the Trade Policy Forum by facilitating trade and investment flows between the United States and India. Both the Ministers also announced the launch of an initiative “Integrating U.S. and Indian Small Businesses into the Global Supply Chain.” This initiative aims to expand trade and job-creating opportunities for U.S. and Indian small and medium-sized companies. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shri Sharma said, “By signing this Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment we want to create the right environment to ensure that the relationship brings maximum benefit to the maximum number of people. We will do so by promoting inclusive growth". We also intend to use this Framework to encourage the development and deployment of clean energy and environmental technologies as well as to support India's infrastructure growth. Further, we have recognized the contribution and potential of Small and Medium Enterprises in our Trade and Investment agenda by adopting the SME initiative to create fresh opportunities for small and medium enterprises in both the countries and help in integrating them in the Global supply chain." During his interaction with USTR, Shri Sharma spoke about the benefits of commencing negotiations on a Totalization Agreement and added that due to the absence of such an agreement, Indian companies in the US were making double payments of social security, without getting any benefits. He also raised the issues of visas for Indian professionals, restrictive trade measures and the need for reform of US export controls to promote high technology trade between India and the US. He also addressed a meeting of the reconstituted Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) to the Trade Policy Forum. The members of the PSAG were tasked to work as implementing partners for initiatives undertaken by the Trade Policy Forum, including the new small business initiative  In a meeting with US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the two Ministers discussed cooperation in the field of agriculture that could be leveraged to strengthen agricultural productivity, and promote agro based industry in India. Later in the evening, Shri Sharma addressed the Brookings Institution on “Asia’s Unfolding Economic Saga – an Indian perspective”. The Minister spoke about the transformation of the global economy, the rise of Asian economies and concluded that their growth did not threaten any other country; on the contrary; this was good for world prosperity and financial stability.
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Students from J&K meet Chidambaram

(PIB NEWS) A group of 44 students from Jammu & Kashmir called on the Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram here today. The students are on a tour, sponsored by the CRPF and have already visited Mathura, Agra, Jaipur and Ajmer.Interacting with the students, the Union Home Minister said that peace is necessary for the developmental process to gain the required momentum in J&K. If peace prevails in the State, everything that is available in other parts of the country in terms of development can be made available in J&K. Shri Chidambaram urged the students to look at the entire country and not just at J&K for job opportunities. He said that Central Para Military Forces are going to recruit about 2,000 youth in J&K this year.
DG CRPF Shri Vikram Srivastava was present during the  interaction. ======================================================

Chetana Sachivalaya Saraswathi Vedika Felicited to Sri Raavi Kondal Rao

On the ocassion of Ugadi Kavi sammelan famous telugu film writerand producer Mr Raavi Kondal Rao is felicitated by Chetana Sachivalaya Saraswathi Vedika in photo Smt S. Rama Devi Additional Seceretary BC  Welfare ,Smt M Rajyasri(President Chetana) are also seen, (photoby RSJ Thomas) ======================================================

Justice Srikrishna Committee on Telangana meets in New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 18: The five members of Justice Srikrishna Committee, convened by the Union Government to resolve the statehood issue of Telangana in Andhra Pradesh, held a routine meeting in the national capital on Thursday.The members discussed their varied observations and also assessed the steps taken on the issue so far, while a deputation of the Telangana Congress Monitoring Group (TCMG) made its presence felt on the scene to submit a memorandum in support of separate Telangana state.Holding banners, the TCMG members staged a mini demonstration and raised slogans for their cause outside Vigyan Bhavan from where the Justice Srikrishna Committee functions."Telangana case has been examined, over-examined, evaluated, over evaluated, thoroughly reported and only to be deceived. At this juncture keeping the anguish and sensitised environment of four crore people of Telangana, the Union Government is kind enough to constitute a committee, consisting of vital personalities like Justice Srikrishna and V. K. Duggal with three other members," said Praful Anand Baxi, a member of the TCMG.The TCMG activists displayed the 111-page report that they had submitted to the Justice Srikrishna Committee.The extensive report contains views, directions, and suggestions of veteran personalities and expert subgroup, which are routing for a separate state."We are here to express, to carry the message of Telangana people, to carry the message of Telangana Congress persons. We are here in an organised form, we have tried to present our case in a document of 111 pages," Baxi added.This is for the third time that panel headed by Justice B N Srikrishna has met in New Delhi.Earlier, the committee met on February 13 and issued a public notice inviting political parties and organisations to give their views on the issue of a separate state.Initially, several political outfits were not in favour of the panel, but now most of them are with the panel and have sent their respective views to it.The seven-point term of reference announced by the Union Government on February 12 has mandated the Justice Srikrishna Committee to 'examine the situation in Andhra Pradesh with reference to the demand for a separate state of Telangana as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of united Andhra'.The committee was constituted by the government on February 3, nearly two months after it had announced that steps have been initiated for the formation of a separate state of Telangana,
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Andhra resolves to protect jobs for Hyderabad locals

Hyderabad, March 18: In a moral victory for protagonists of a separate Telangana, the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Thursday passed a resolution seeking an amendment to a Presidential Order to protect jobs for Telangana people in the police department in Hyderabad.The one-line resolution moved by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah was unanimously passed with a voice vote amid protests by the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). Deputy Speaker N. Manohan adjourned the house after announcing that the resolution was passed with a voice vote. Opposing the resolution, PRP legislators rushed to the podium demanding a debate. Legislators of the ruling Congress and main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) did not oppose the resolution. The resolution is being seen as a moral victory of Telangana protagonists, who complain of injustice to people of the region in appointments to government jobs. Earlier, the chief minister had to convince the ruling Congress legislators from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions not to oppose the resolution as his predecessor Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had taken a decision to oppose Hyderabad as a free zone. Through the resolution, the assembly has urged the union home ministry to seek the president's assent for amendment to clause 14 F of the Presidential Ordinance of 1975. The amendment will ensure that Hyderabad remains part of the sixth zone along with other Telangana districts for recruitment to the police department. The resolution was passed to overcome a Supreme Court judgment declaring Hyderabad as free zone for recruitment to the police department. This means that people from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions can also be recruited in the police department in Hyderabad. The judgment evoked sharp reaction from legislators cutting across party lines and they demanded amendment to protect the interests of the Telangana people. An all-party meeting convened by the chief minister Wednesday evening had agreed to the demand for passing the resolution. The decision came a day after the Supreme Court refused to admit a petition of the state government, seeking a review of its earlier order declaring Hyderabad a free zone for recruitment in the police department. Meanwhile, Congress MP from Vijayawada L. Rajagopal met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to oppose amendment to the Presidential Order. Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who had revived the movement for separate statehood to Telangana following the Supreme Court order last year, had warned the government of serious consequences if it failed to protect the interests of Telangana people. In October last year, the Supreme Court declared that Hyderabad was not a part of Telangana but a free zone as far as recruitments and postings in government were concerned. Telangana, which comprises 10 districts, including Hyderabad, was merged with then Andhra State in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh. But the people of Telangana were given certain safeguards in appointments under the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956 and a subsequent Presidential Order and six-point formula. The latest judgment comes at a time when a five-member committee headed by Justice Srikrishna is looking into the issue of statehood for Telangana. (thanks to way2online)
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No homeless poor in Maharashtra by 2012: Governor

No poor person in Maharashtra will remain homeless by 2012, according to an ambitious target set by the government which plans to construct 735,000 houses for the poor in three years.Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, addressing a joint sitting of the state legislature Thursday, said the government had taken the decision to provide the houses in the golden jubilee year of the state’s formation.“Once the scheme is implemented, no family below poverty line in the state will remain homeless,” Sankaranarayanan said.The carpet area of each such tenement for the BPL population would be 269 sq ft, costing Rs.70,000 each. Of this, the government will provide a subsidy of Rs.68,500, while the rest – Rs.1,500 only – would be the share of the beneficiary, he said.So far, the government has constructed 96,058 tenements at a cost of Rs.5.5 billion.Besides, the government will construct 75,000 houses for Scheduled Castes and neo-Buddhists and 70,000 houses for tribal families each year, he added.In addition, the state has taken up a programme to construct 273,905 homes for the urban poor.With a view to making Mumbai slum-free, the government gas constructed 114,550 tenements for slum dwellers under 612 projects. Another 2,517 project proposals have been received, of which 1,318 have been approved for implementation, he said.“The government will wholeheartedly participate in the Rajiv Awas Yojana (which aims at slum free India) and is committed to make Maharashtra slum free,” the governor said, (thanks to way2online)
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Telugu New Year ‘Ugadi’ celebrated with gaiety

People offered special prayers, decorated their houses and shops with mango leaves and tasted a bit of the traditional sweet-sour ‘Ugadi pacchadi’ as Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, was celebrated across Andhra Pradesh Tuesday.Thousands of devotees thronged temples to pray for happiness and prosperity in the New Year. Special prayers were held at the Tirumala, Srisailam and Vijayawada temples.People customarily taste a bit of the ‘Ugadi pacchadi’, a mixture of neem buds, raw mango, tamarind juice, pepper, jaggery and salt. The mixture symbolises that life is a mixture of bitter-sweet experiences which should be accepted together and with equanimity.
People also attended special functions where the priests read out the ‘panchangnam’ or religious almanac of the coming year. Literary discussions, poetry recitations, recognition of authors through awards and cultural programmes also marked the day.Like every year, the state government organised an official function ‘panchangna sarvanam’, at Ravindra Bharati in the state capital, where an ‘agma’ pundit read out the religious almanac of the coming year. He forecast that the coming year would bring prosperity for the state and its people.Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and some of his cabinet colleagues attended the main celebrations and tasted the sweet-sour ‘Ugadi pacchadi’.Rosaiah said he was praying for the well-being and prosperity of the people of the state.“I hope that the coming year would bring happiness to the state in all sectors. There will be sufficient rains and bumper crop and industrial sector will perform better than last year,” he sai The chief minister said his government was trying to plug the loopholes in the development and welfare of the state and its people.Many people noted that the last year was one of the worst years as the state lost chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash in September, followed by unprecedented floods in Krishna river and agitation over the demand for separate statehood to the Telangana region.Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu attended a ‘panchangna sarvanam’ held at NTR Trust Bhavan, the party headquarters. Similar functions were also held at the office of the ruling Congress party and offices of the Bharatiya Janata Party (PRP) and Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).
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Azad exhorts young doctors for rural services

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad releasing the Annual Report at the 94th Annual Day and Convocation of Lady Harding Medical College, in New Delhi on March 17, 2010.
(Photo by PIB No.CNR-30838)
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(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has exhorted young doctors to take advantage of new measures for incentivizing rural services by doctors. Speaking at the 94th Annual Day and Convocation of Lady Harding Medical College here today, Shri Azad pointed out that by simply rationalizing the teacher student ratio from 1:1 to 1:2 additional 2800 Post Graduate seats will be added to the system from this academic year itself. ‘I invite the young graduating doctors and specialists to join hand with Government and come forward to serve in the rural areas where the real India lives’, Shri Azad said.Shri Azad emphasised that some options like generating the rural health manpower, distance learning, family medicine courses and a rural health cadre are required for scaling up the human health resources in rural areas to desired levels. He assured doctors that they will not get frustrated as Government is making the Primary Health Care System fully functional in terms of buildings, equipments, medicines, diagnostics and human resources. The Minister outlined various reforms in Medical Education such as rationalization of land requirement, teacher student ratio, upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges and additional weightage to be given in Post Graduate Entrance Examination for years devoted to rural services. Speaking in the exclusive Women Medical College Shri Azad said that it is only apt that his first engagement after passage of Women Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha was in Lady Harding College. He said that once the Bill becomes reality India will go to general poll in the year 2014 which also happens to be Centenary Year of the College. The Minister also told the gathering about Rs.387 crore redevelopment plan of the Institution. The strength of Under Graduate seats would also be increased from 127 to 200 and Post Graduate from 70 to 130. The redevelopment would be done in next two years time, Shri Azad said.
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CM holds all-party meet to discuss SC ruling on 'free zone'

Hyderabad, Mar 17 : An all-party meeting began here this evening to discuss the Supreme Court's yesterday's ruling, declaring Hyderabad a 'free zone' for recruitment to government jobs under the Zoning System of the Presidential Order of 1975, and evolve a consensus on the future course of action.

Ahead of the all-party meet, Telangana Rashtra Samiti President K Chandrasekar Rao pressed for adoption of a resolution in the state Assembly, urging the Centre to bring in a bill to amend the Constitution to circumvent the ruling of the Supreme Court.The Apex Court had rejected the state government's Special Leave Petition against its order of October 9, 2009, which ruled Hyderabad as a 'free zone' on matters of employment. Leaders of the other Opposition parties, including the TDP, BJP, CPI, and CPI-M, wanted the Chief Minister to lead a delegation to New Delhi to impress upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for treating Hyderabad as part of Zone VI under the 'zoning system' evolved by the Presidential Order.
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Andhra Pradesh Assembly stalled over SC ruling on 'free zone'

Hyderabad, Mar 17 : The Supreme Court ruling on the issuance of 'free zone' led to angry exchanges between the ruling Congress and Opposition parties, adjournment of the Andhra Pradesh Assemblyh for over 15 minutes and expunction of certain remarks made by CPI floor leader G Mallesh.The trouble started as soon as the House assembled for the day when Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy announced that he was disallowing the adjournment motion notices by the TDP, CPI, CPI(M) and the BJP on the issue. Pressing for adoption of a House resolution urging the Centre to amend the Constitution to circumvent the Supreme court ruling, TDP members from Telangana region rushed towards the Speaker's podium.After repeated appeals, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled, Chief Minister K Rosaiah, intervening in view of the importance of the issue, announced that ''Hyderabad is very much part of the VI zone on matters of employment. It is not proper to discuss the sensitive issue which is before the Supreme Court. Let us evolve a consensus on the future course of action at an all-party meeting outside the House later today.'' Later, the Chief Minister offered to quit his post if he had stated that the matter was ''subjudice'' as claimed by senior TDP legislator N Janardhan Reddy and challenged him whether he was ready to do so. The House plunged into pandemonium for sometime as several Congress legislators, including ministers, were on their feet, arguing with Opposition party legislators on the issue. The Chief Minister pacified the Opposition members, saying, ''The Government will have no objection to adopt a resolution if all the parties wanted it.'' Following this, the House then took up questions listed for the day.The Speaker expunged certain objectionable references made by CPI floor leader G Mallesh on the ongoing stir for separate Telangana state, while pressing for a House resolution for protecting the interests of people of Telangana region on employment.
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Hyderabad will be a free zone: SC

New Delhi, Mar 17: The Supreme Court has said that Hyderabad will be a 'free zone' where people from any part of Andhra Pradesh can compete in police and government jobs.The verdict came against a review petition filed by the AP government.In a terse order, the SC said: ""We have perused the review petitions and record of the civil appeals and are convinced that the judgment for which review has been sought does not suffer from any error apparent warranting its reconsideration. Hence, the review petitions are dismissed."On October 9, 2009, the apex court said people from all parts of AP have equal rights in government jobs, postings and promotions. The state government filed a review petition against the ruling saying the decision will add fuel to the ongoing movement for a separate Telangana state.
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Fraudster impersonting as ACB official held.

Hyderabad,Mar.17: The City Police has arrested a fraudster impersonating as ACB official for trying to extort huge amount from the Government officials of various departments by threatening them.According to police, the accused Bathula Sai Rahul alias Rahul, Arvind,Bhaskar procured one cell phone with two SIM cards and obtained details and phone numbers of the Government Officials of various departments through Internet websites. He used to contact Government officials posing as ACB Official and threaten the officials saying that they were indulge in corrupt practices and these were recorded in the CD's by spy Cameras. He demanded huge money for handing over the CD's to them. The Central Zone Task Force team apprehended the accused yesterday, police said.
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Andhra assembly to move to protect jobs for locals in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, March 17 : The Andhra Pradesh assembly will Thursday pass a resolution urging the central government to bring an amendment to the Presidential Order to protect jobs for the Telangana people in Hyderabad.

At an all-party meet convened Wednesday evening to discuss the Supreme Court's refusal to review its order declaring Hyderabad a "free zone" for recruitments in government jobs, the Congress government agreed to bring the resolution. Leaders of all the parties were unanimous that the relevant paragraph of the Presidential Order relating to jobs for locals in Hyderabad should be amended to set aside the court order. Minister for Information and Public Relations Geeta Reddy told reporters after the meeting that the resolution would be sent to the central government and the home ministry would refer it to the Indian president. The decision came a day after the Supreme Court refused to admit a petition of the state government, seeking a review of its earlier order declaring Hyderabad a free zone for recruitments in police department. Earlier, opposition parties stalled the proceedings of the state assembly over the issue, forcing Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to invite an all-party meeting to discuss future course of action. Rosaiah told the assembly that he had no objection to passing a resolution urging the central government to bring an amendment to set aside the Supreme Court order. "Hyderabad is part of sixth zone and not a free zone. Nobody needs to have any doubts over this," Rosaiah told the agitated members. He said the issue was sensitive and in Supreme Court and hence could not be discussed in an open house. Later, Congress MPs from Telangana urged Rosaiah to pass a resolution in the assembly. Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who had revived movement for separate statehood to Telangana following the Supreme Court order last year, warned the government of serious consequences if it failed to protect the interests of Telangana people. In October last year, the Supreme Court had declared that Hyderabad was not a part of Telangana but a free zone as far as recruitments and postings in government were concerned. This would mean that people from all parts of the state would have equal rights in jobs, postings and promotions in Hyderabad. People of Telangana had so far been enjoying local area status here with 70 percent quota in government jobs all these years. Hyderabad had remained part of sixth zone along with Ranga Reddy, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Medak districts of Telangana. Telangana, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad, was merged with then Andhra State in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh. But the people of Telangana were given certain safeguards in appointments under the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956 and a subsequent Presidential Order and six point formula.
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New Year will usher in prosperity to state:CM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today expressed hope that the Telugu New Year 'Ugadi-Vikruthi', would bring peace and happiness throughout the year with bountiful rain and immense agricultural prosperity.

Participating as the chief guest in 'Panchanga Sravanam', in connection with the Ugadi celebrations at Ravindra Bharati organised by the State Endowments Department, he said peace and happiness will prevail throughout the new year with alround development in the state.Especially, the industrial sector should develop more than last year to create more employment opportunities in the state, he wished.Mr Rosaiah said the recent times had been turbulent ones and inspite of all obstacles the state moving forward with unshaken faith and determination with a vision of all round development. After releasing the 2010-2011 new year calender--Telugu Panchangam--the Chief Minister said the welfare schemes initiated by the state government had captured the interest of entire country.''Apart from mother nature blessings us plentifully we will reach our goals only when law and order is maintained totally. We can live happily and peacefully in the state driven by the growth''.Earlier, the vedic pundits led by 'Brahmasri' Mulugu Ramalingeswara Siddhanti rendered 'Panchanga Pathanam'--reading of the new year calender-- in the wake of 'vikruti' nama samvatsavaram-- the year called as 'vikruti'-- and predicted that the state will see prosperity and the people live with happiness throughout the year.Mr Rosaiah felicitated the vedic pundits and presented Ugadi awards to them.   (thanks to newkerala.com)
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Maoists planning major attacks in Andhra Pradesh, say cops

Andhra Pradesh police said Monday that the Maoists were planning to resurface in the state in a big way by carrying out major sensational attacks.Two days after police recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from a Maoist dump, Director General of Police R.R. Girish Kumar told media persons here that the guerrillas were planning major strikes and some “action teams” were moving to different places for the purpose.Alarmed over the seizure of spare parts sufficient to make 3,000 hand grenades and rocket launchers from a peaceful village in coastal Andhra, the police chief appealed to people to alert police about any movement of Maoists or their arms and ammunition caches.He displayed before media the huge stockpiles of arms and ammunitions recovered from a house in Paidiparru village near Tanuku mandal in West Godavari district Saturday.The material, in 26 gunny bags, included spare parts like springs, pins and tubes used for making hand grenades, tube launchers used to assemble rocket launchers, parts used for land mines and 26 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition.The dump was recovered a day after the killing of a top Maoist, S. Kondal Reddy, by the police in Warangal district. Popular as “Tech Ramna” among Maoists, he was proficient in technical matters and had taken the house on rent for storing arms and ammunition.The police chief said if used, the material could have caused huge loss of life. “These are deadly weapons meant for liquidating the police and security personnel as well as the common man. Imagine what they could have done with this huge arms stockpile,” he said.Police claimed that Maoists were collecting the material for last two to three years from different places in preparation for major attacks.The police chief did not rule out the possibility of Maoists having similar caches in other places and appealed to people to be vigilant.The DGP said Maoists were trying to again make their presence felt following a series of setbacks they suffered in recent years. He said the number of Maoists in the state could be around 400.Kondal Reddy and Shakhamuri Appa Rao, two of the most wanted Maoists, were gunned down by police in two different shoot-outs in the state’s Warangal and Prakasam districts Friday.

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Allocation for Development of National Highways

(PIB NEWS) The Union Government has made an allocation of Rs 55,533.04 crore for development of NHs across the country during the last three years, i.e. since 2006-07 onwards to the current financial year, (up to 28-2-2010). Against the above allocation, an expenditure of Rs 51,783.67 crore has been incurred. 1869 NH projects are on going (as of 28th Februray, 2010) across the country. The highest number of projects are being executed in Karnataka(178),followed by Uttarakhand(174), UP(150), Maharashtra(133), Andhra Pradesh(119), Jammu & Kashmir(119) and Orissa(104).All NH works are being carried out as per Ministry’s Standard Specifications for Road & Bridge Works and as per relevant Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines. Where consistent non-performance of contractor is observed, the contractors are placed in the list of non-performing contractors. 20 contracting firms (13 Indian & 7 foreign contractors) stand identified by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as non-performing contractors as on date. In a few cases, due to consistent non performance, existing contracts have been terminated. So far, 27 contracts have been terminated by NHAI. This information was provided by Shri R P N Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Lok Sabha today.
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Laying of Gas Pipeline in Kerala

(PIB NEWS) The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora informed the Rajya Sabha in a reply today that GAIL(India) Ltd. is laying Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore pipeline for evacuation of gas from Kochi Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. Phase-I of the pipeline includes 26 km stretch from Kochi to Alwaye. This involves laying about 15 km gas pipeline stretch from Vallarpadam to Kalamassery along the National Highway. GAIL(India) Ltd. has applied to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for permission for the same. He further informed that gas pipelines come under the list of utilities for which Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has a policy for accommodation along and across National Highways.
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Use of bank account by terrorist groups

(PIB NEWS) Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in terms of instructions contained in the guidelines on Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, have advised the banks that before opening any new account it should be ensured that the identity of the customer does not match with any person with known criminal background or with banned entities such as individual terrorist or terrorist organisation etc. Banks are stipulated to file suspicious transaction reports pertaining to remittances/withdrawals from bank accounts and in respect of account holder. Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) has been set-up to receive information relating to certain types of transactions including suspicious transaction from financial sector, analyze received information and disseminate information in appropriate cases to relevant intelligence/law enforcement agencies. FIU-IND has received certain suspicious reports on account of matches of certain details of terrorist whose names are appearing in UN Consolidated lists and other lists. In most of the cases the matches were partial or incomplete. Enhanced due diligence was conducted by FIU-IND and thereafter information was disseminated in appropriate case to relevant law enforcement/intelligence agencies. As reported by RBI, two bank accounts have been frozen under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today. =====================================================

States permitted to procure sophisticated weapons for modernisation of Police Force

(PIB NEWS) The Union Government has permitted the State Governments to procure sophisticated weapons like MP-5, AK-47 Rifles, Carbines, Glock Pistols, Sniper Rifles, Under Barrel Grenade Launchers as well as Sub Machine Guns and Assault Rifles from abroad and Ordnance Factory Board for modernization of State Police Forces.

Total funds released under the Scheme for Modernisation and for import of weapons including Ordnance Factory Board during the three financial years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 for supply of weapons to States is as under :-
(Rs. in crore)Year Funds released ,2007-08,88.01,2008-09,72.78,2009-10, 69.59,This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Mullappally Ramachandran in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
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Hyderabad Union of Journalist's(HUJ) New body elected for the year of 2010-11,Mr SSK HUSSAINI IQBAL(Editor DECCAN SAMACHAR DAILY) Elected For Executive Member,

(DECCAN SAMACHAR SERVICE) March,14-Hyderabad Union of Journalists a district unit of Andhra Pradesh Union of Working journalists having its office at desodaraka Bhawan,fateh maidan, Hyderabad today here with has elected a new body under the Supervision/ Returning officer Mr Narsing Rao(PTI) and Mr Aliu Ramesh of APUWJ was observer for the HUJ elected-2010-11,the following members have been elected/declared unopposed by the returning officer and observer:president.syed khaleel mohiuddin quadri, six vice president:1-V.yadagiri(andhra jyothi)2-Mohd Taher Moomani (Munsif) 3-N.Srinivasa Reddy(eenadu)4-Mohd Saleemuddin(surya)5- K.Vejayendhr(andhra jyothy)6-g.vikram goud(the hindu)Secretary:T,Koti Reddy(Andhra Jyothi) and five  joint Secretaries:1-E.Chandrasekhar(visalaandhra)2-F.M.Saleem(daily hindi  milap)3-P.jangaiah(aartha)4Dr T.sivaprasad Reddy(deccan post) 5,adil ahmed khan(etemaad) and Tresurer:T.Nagaraju Gupta(Zee24Hours) Executive members: 1,S.S.K.Hussaini iqbal(Editor Deccan Samachar daily) 2,Md Shareef(Etemaad)3,K.Ashok kumar(Andhra Bhoomi)4,Hassan Farrukh(Rahenuma-e-Deccan) 5, Md Mubasheer khurram (Siasat)6,Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin (MNS) 7,M.Venkatesh(Visalandhra)8,Yellam Raju sudhakar (Praja tantra)9,k.sravan kumar (surya) 10,J.B.chari(andhra jyothi)11,Mohd Sadullah khan sabeel(HMTV)12,Dr T.Narahari(Ruby City Cable)13,syed sadiq Ali Khizer(NBI)  Mr P.Narsingh Rao(Press Trust of India,PTI)Returning officer said a media  release,  ***********************************************************                                                                                                                            

HUJ Felicited to Press Academy Chairman Mr T.Surender

Newly Appointed Press Academy Chairman Mr Trimulgerry Surender
felicitated by Hyderabad Union of Journalists ,Me Somasunder Mr K
Amarnath,Mr K Sreenivas Reddy, Mr Devalapally Amar former chairman press academy also be seen ,  (Photo by RSJ THOMAS)========================================================================

Andhra Pradesh CM lauds Sonia for bringing popular initiatives for poor

Congratulating UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for being named as ''Woman of the Decade'' in an Online Survey, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said she was the one who courageously went ahead with the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha and got it passed by an overwhelming majority despite resistance from some parties.

The survey was done by one of the largest circulated Malayalam National Daily Group Mathrubhumi's popular women's online site mb4eves.com.In a statement, the Chief Minister said it was in the fitness of things that Ms Gandhi was selected by the women of the world on the historic occasion of 100th International Women's Day. Dr Rosaiah said, ''credit goes to Ms Gandhi, who courageously went ahead with the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha and got it debated and passed by an overwhelming majority. This is in spite of the stiff resistance by some major parties.'' He said Ms Gandhi was also named as the third most powerful woman in the world in a survey conducted by CNN.Applauding her courage, and conviction, in going ahead with the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament which was in the cold storage for more than 15 years, Dr Rosaiah described her as one of the great women of the century who always stood for value-based politics the world has witnessed. ''Her patience, perseverance, integrity and involvement are to be appreciated for the welfare of not only the women, but to the under-privileged and weaker sections of the Society in particular and the common man of the country in general.''  (way2online)
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Telangana joint committee expel TDP

Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is spearheading the movement for separate Telangana state, has expelled main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).The decision was taken late Friday at a JAC meeting attended by its convenor M. Kodandaram, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhara Rao, party ideologue Jayashankar and representatives of Telangana employees’ association.
JAC convenor Kodandaram told reporters after midnight that TDP was expelled as its legislators failed to resign in line with the JAC decision.
However, the arrest of JAC leaders during the visit of TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu to Mahabubnagar district and the recent attack by party activists on pro-Telangana lawyers triggered the expulsion
Kodandaram alleged that Naidu was acting in an undemocratic fashion by refusing to apologise for the attack on lawyers and also getting the JAC leaders arrested during his visit. “The TDP leaders from Telangana have also failed to speak out against this attitude of Naidu,” he said.The JAC had last month called upon all elected representatives from Telangana to quit to protest terms of reference of the Srikrishna panel formed by the central government.The JAC says that the terms of reference of five-member committee were not favourable for formation of the Telangana state.Except all 10 legislators of TRS and one of BJP, no other legislator has resigned.With the expulsion of TDP, the JAC now has only TRS and BJP as its political constituents. Ruling Congress party leaders from Telangana had last month quit JAC while accusing Kodandaram of taking unilateral decisions at the behest of TRS.Meanwhile, TDP leader from Telangana, Venugopala Chary criticised JAC’s decision saying it was taken under pressure from TRS. He said TDP legislators were ready to resign for creating a constitutional crisis but not for causing by-elections. “If Congress legislators had resigned we would also have submitted our resignations,” he said.The TDP leaders from Telangana will hold a meeting Saturday to chalk out their future course of action.The JAC was formed by all political and non-political groups from Telangana after the central government made a second statement Dec 23 calling for wider consultations over Telangana issue. They had alleged that central government had gone back on its Dec 9 statement to initiate the process for formation of Telangana state.  (way 2online)
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Obama to visit India later this year

President Barack Obama will visit India later this year though he and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would have a chance to discuss some bilateral issues at next month’s Global Nuclear Security Summit here.“No, mostly Prime Minister Singh’s visit in April will really be for the Global Nuclear Security Summit. That will be the primary purpose of the visit” in April, Robert O. Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs told Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper.“I’m sure that he and the President will have a chance to discuss some of our bilateral issues.”“But, I think the focus in April will be on the nuclear issue,” he said noting Manmohan Singh has “already had a state visit in November, in which we had an opportunity to discuss the wide range of activities between our two governments and our two people.”In bilateral terms, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will have a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna “to hold the next phase of their strategic dialogue, and we expect that to take place sometime in late spring or early summer.”“And then we expect the President will have the opportunity to visit India sometime later this year, but we don’t yet know exactly when that will be,” Blake said.  (thanks to way2online)
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PM-Opening The new legislative assembly and secretariyat complex,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh opening the new Legislative Assembly, Secretarial Complex, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on March 13, 2010. The Chairperson, UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B.S. Yeddyurappa, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri K. Rosaiah, the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Dayanidhi Maran and other dignitaries are also seen. (Photo by PIB No.CNR-30791)
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Eminent Islamic scholar Hazrath Moulana Aaqil passes away,

Eminent Islamic scholar Moulana Hameeduddin Aqil Hussami, who was also a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, passed away here Friday after a brief illness. He was 82.

Moulana Aqil, who was suffering from lung problem for the last few months, was shifted to his house from a hospital Thursday night after his condition turned critical. He breathed his last at around 4.15 a.m. Friday, family sources said. His 'namaz-e-janaza' (funeral prayer) will be offered after Friday prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and the burial will take place at Hussamia Chaman, his ancestral graveyard in the old city. The death of the Muslim leader sent shock waves among the community across the state, especially in the Muslim majority old city of Hyderabad. Hundreds of his followers gathered at his house in Panjesha locality to pay their last respects. One of the key leaders of Muslims in India, Moulana Aqil was the founder head of Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom, a famous seat of Islamic learning in the city. He was also heading the United Muslim Forum, an apex body of Muslim political and religious organisations, to fight for the interests of the community. It was formed in 2002 to fight against the harassment of innocent Muslim youth by the police. He was also chairman of Deeni Madaris Federation, which he formed a decade ago to fight the attempts to malign madrassas. Moulana Aqil and other Muslim leaders, played a key role in the 2004 Andhra Pradesh assembly elections when they declared support to the Congress and extracted a promise from Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy that he would provide reservations to Muslims. After becoming chief minister, Reddy fulfilled the promise. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and eminent personalities from different walks of life condoled the death of Moulana Aqil.
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50%Concession For PRESS CORRESPONDENTS in Shatabdi and Rajdhani Trains ,

(PIB NEWS)) Presently Railways grant concession to the following categories of persons in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains:

(i) Senior citizens – 50 per cent to women and 30 per cent to men in all classes,
(ii) Doctors (allopathic) – 10 per cent in all classes,
(iii) Amateur artists (theatrical, concert, musical and dancing troupes) for giving performance – 50 per cent in AC-2 tier, AC-3 tier and AC chair car,
(iv) Press Correspondents accredited to Government of India/State Government/District Headquarters travelling for bona fide press work and spouse (once in a Financial Year) – 50 per cent in all classes, and
(v) Recipients of President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Indian Police Medal for Meritorious service who have attained the age of 60 years – 60 per cent to women and 50 per cent to men in all classes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today. ======================================================

T.Surender assumes charge as Andhra Pradesh Press Academy head

Senior Journalist T.Surdender assumed charge as new Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Press Academy.Andhra Pradesh Information Minister Dr J.Geeta Reddy, State Information Special Commissioner Parathasarathy (IAS) felicitated him on the occasion.Joining 'Eenadu' daily as a journalist in 1978, he worked in various capacities both in reporting and editorial sections in Samachar Bharati (1978-81), Andhra Bhoomi (since 1982).He authored and published ''Prajala Manishi Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy'', ''Parutunna Jalam-Phalistunna Yagam'', ''Niluvethu Telugu Santhakam-Konijeti Rosaiah'', ''Moodella Pragathi'', ''Naluguru Metchina Naalugella Paalane'', ''Ananda Nilayam'' and ''Jai Ho YS''.Now he is serving as Member, State Accreditation Committee.
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Prime Minister’s Statement to the Press

The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir V. Putin and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, at a Joint Press Conference, in New Delhi on March 12, 2010. (Photo by PIB No;CNR-30786)
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(PIB NEWS) “We are delighted to have in our midst today a great friend of India, His Excellency Prime Minister Putin of Russia. We attach the highest importance to his visit. Prime Minister Putin has been the architect of the strategic partnership between India and Russia, and we owe a deep sense of gratitude to him for bringing our two countries so close to each other.We have just concluded very comprehensive and indepth discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues. I conveyed to Prime Minister Putin that relations with Russia are a key pillar of our foreign policy, and that we regard Russia as a trusted and reliable strategic partner. Ours is a relationship that not only stands independent of any other, but whose significance has grown over time. Our partnership covers areas as diverse as defence, civil nuclear energy, space, science and technology, hydrocarbons, trade and investment. In the run-up to, and during Prime Minister Putin’s visit, we have finalised several important and long pending defence cooperation projects which will deepen our longstanding partnership in this vital sector. We have signed the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Cooperation in Atomic Energy and agreed upon a Roadmap for construction of nuclear power plants. A Memorandum of Understanding for bilateral cooperation in Russia’s satellite navigation system has also been agreed upon.We have agreed to strengthen our cooperation in hydrocarbons through greater collaboration between our oil and gas companies. Agreements have been signed in the areas of fertilisers and pharmaceuticals. We have identified information technology and telecommunications as focus areas for our future economic cooperation.The outcomes of Prime Minister Putin’s visit are therefore rich and very substantive.We had a detailed discussion on regional and global issues. There is much that India and Russia can do together to advance global peace and stability and the process of global economic revival. We have agreed to intensify our consultations on Afghanistan and the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism in our region. I am very happy to state that my discussions with Prime Minister Putin have reinforced the strong ties of friendship that bind our two countries together.”
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PM meets to Shaikh Mohammed Ruler of Dubai,

The Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum calling on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on March 11,2010.

====================================== =================                               India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thursday held wide-ranging talks that focused on expanding counter-terror cooperation and taking economic ties to new heights.UAE's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum arrived here on a visit lasting a few hours. Al Maktoum, also vice-president of UAE and the ruler of Dubai, was received warmly at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor. He met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and held wide-ranging talks that focused on scaling up economic and strategic ties to new heights,  The two leaders reviewed an entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Expanding security and counter-terror cooperation figured prominently in the discussions, with both sides agreeing to intelligence sharing and proactive steps to combat financing of terrorists, the sources said. The discussions aimed at taking bilateral ties to a new orbit, the sources said. The two sides discussed increased collaboration in banking, finance, trade and investments and infrastructure sector. Al Maktoum was accompanied by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Department and chairman of the Emirates Airlines and Mohammed Sultan al Owais, UAE Ambassador to India, Emirates official news agency WAM said. Bilateral trade is growing and is expected to exceed USD 25 billion soon.   (NEWKERALA)========================================================================

Reservation bill will be beacon for emancipation of women

The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha is a momentous, heartwarming step not only for India, but is likely to be an inspirational trendsetter for women’s empowerment in the entire region.Although it is only the first step, the ripples from the smashing of a glass barrier are bound to be felt in virtually all areas of traditional male dominance. Like its democracy, therefore, India will also be a beacon in the matter of women’s emancipation.The bill faces other barriers, of course, of which the securing of the Lok Sabha’s approval is the most crucial. But the expectation among its proponents is that the momentum it has acquired by clearing the roadblocks put up by its critics should make the subsequent passages much easier.There are several misgivings, which are not unexpected because of the unprecedented nature of the proposed law. For instance, the 33 percent reservations for women mean that 181 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, including 40 for Scheduled Castes or Dalits and Scheduled Tribes of adivasis, will be set aside for women. Since another 82 seats are already reserved for the Dalits and adivasis, it will leave only 280 seats in the unreserved category although women may contest these as well.It is understandable, therefore, why the male MPs cutting across party lines are uneasy although the party whips have forced them to keep quiet. The fewer number of constituencies available to them are not their only problem. Equally unsettling is the fact that the 181 seats for women will not be fixed, but will be rotated.This will mean that none of the MPs, either men or women, will be certain about their next constituency. As a result, they will not be able to nurse their constituencies in the hope of winning another term, as has been the practice till now. It is obvious, therefore, that a great deal of uncertainty will be introduced into the system, whose long-term implications are unknown.It is the fear of the tremors which the new system will cause which led to suggestions that, instead of reserving seats in parliament, the parties themselves should nominate women contestants for a third of the seats. But the matter was never seriously pursued because of the difficulty of enforcing such a writ, which might not be legally tenable.Other ideas like expanding parliament itself by another 200 seats or thereabouts were also aired, but did not find favour with the political class. In the end, it was the simpler move to reserve seats which was accepted although it, too, was challenged by the parties of the backward castes which wanted a separate quota for these groups inside the overall quota for women.It was their protests which led to ugly scenes in the Rajya Sabha for two days, finally forcing the chairman of the house to evict them with the help of marshals. But during their demonstrations, they demanded that quotas should be set aside not only for the backward castes but also Dalits and Muslims.That the bill will face further difficulties was evident from the fact that apart from the champions of the backward castes like Lalu Prasad of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) voiced her dissatisfaction with the bill.The abstention of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress from the voting was seen as a ploy to woo Muslims although she later ascribed it to a lack of communication with the floor managers. However, these signs of disquiet, along with the RJD’s and Samajwadi Party’s decision to withdraw support from the government, suggest that the ruling Congress may not have an easy time in parliament.On the other hand, the support extended to the bill by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left introduced a new element of cooperation among adversaries. It may not last, but the show of amity between the Congress and its opponents led to a relaxed atmosphere that enabled the BJP’s Arun Jaitley to persuade Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to agree to a debate before passing the bill, an idea to which a tense Congress was earlier opposed.A clear gainer from all this has been Sonia Gandhi because it was her insistence that the bill had to be passed, come what may, which forced the Congress to push it through despite the fear that its majority in the Lok Sabha might be dangerously reduced, exposing it to harassment by both friends and foes.It was clear, however, that Sonia Gandhi was taking a long-term view to project the empowerment of women as her party’s contribution to the social and political scene. If there aren’t too many hiccups on the way of its implementation, she can bank on it as a surefire electoral gambit.For the women of India, the sight of a huge influx of women into the august body of parliament will be an exhilarating sight, at least initially, irrespective of how they perform as MPs or what signs of improvement they provide. Since not only parliament, but the assemblies, too, will see a large body of women as members, Indian politics will experience a seminal, unexpected change.India has been a land of surprises. Along with a powerful prime minister like Indira Gandhi and the presence of many other prominent women in public life, like Sonia Gandhi herself, it has also seen female infanticide and dowry deaths.But never before has it seen so many lawmakers in its legislative chambers although the panchayats already have a large number of women members and office-bearers because of reservations. Even then, there is little doubt that the country is on the threshold of a new beginning.  (way2online)
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Newspapers still ‘king’ in India’s media world: Survey

Television is the main source of entertainment in India but newspapers still hold the second place as ‘Generation X’ continues to demand its daily dose of the printed word with a morning cuppa, says a new survey.“Indians, unlike in the Western countries, prefer to read their daily newspapers with their morning cup of tea,” as per the findings of a maiden survey by leading consultancy Deloitte released Friday, titled first ‘State of the Media Democracy Survey – India’.“No wonder then that newspapers still remain ‘king’ in the world of media.”According to the survey, focused on consumers between 14 and 69 years of age, 92 percent of the people rated television as the most preferred medium across all age groups, among the other mediums such as newspapers, movies, radio internet, live shows and books.“This may be due to the fact that television still has a wider reach than any other medium and visuals of television have greater impact on all, irrespective of their educational background or status,” the survey noted.“Second place in the preferred medium is taken by newspapers,” says Deloitte, adding: “Among the younger generation, going to movies, listening to music, listening to radio are high on their next preferred medium of entertainment.”This apart, says the survey, the mobile phone has become an important entertainment device for the youth between 20-25, with an average score of at least 64 percent. They also have a preference for personal computers, which has a 46-percent score.“There is also an observed trend that males are more technology-pro, as compared with women.”Among the other highlights of the survey are:- Television has the maximum impact on consumers, with newspapers a close second.-Cell phones, now owned by 84 percent of people, are no longer status symbols.- Mobile phone, followed by computers, are preferred media for gaming.-Newspapers are the most discussed during conversations at home, TV shows follow.- Feature to physically locate friends, shops, hotels most desired tech feature.The survey was conducted in late 2009 and covered all the four metro cities, along with Bangalore, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Patna, Surat and Indore. It covered both the affluent and the middle class by way of face-to-face interviews.  (way2oline)
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Zakia Jaffri’s charges against Modi,

Zakia Jaffri in her petition has levelled serious charges against Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots, and has made out a case of conspiracy and abetment to commit multiple offences of murder.The charges of conspiracy and abetment to commit multiple offences relate to sections (120 B, 114 r/w 302) of the Indian Penal Code, furnishing false information (177 IPC), false statement as evidence (199 IPC), giving false information about offences committed (203 IPC) and injuring and defiling place of worship (295 IPC), among others.The major evidence she cited in support of her charges, about commission of offences were instruction of the then director general of police, the then chief secretary and other senior officials, to give vent to the Hindu anger on the minority Muslims in the wake of the Godhra incident, the meeting held on Feb 27, 2002, evening in Gandhinagar as testified in Affidavit No. 4 of R.B. Sreekumar, dated Oct 27, 2005.The chief minister’s decision to bring bodies of those killed in the Godhra train fire to Ahmedabad and parade them in the city, as testified by Ashok Narayan in his cross-examination by the Nanavati Commission, besides numerous instructions given verbally to officials as detailed in the third affidavit by R.B. Sreekumar to the Nanavati Commission dated April 9,2004.The transfer of officers from field executive posts in the thick of riots in 2002 despite the DGP’s objection and the positioning of cabinet minister I.K. Jadeja and Ashok Bhatt in the DGP office and Ahmedabad city control room respectively. DGP Chakravarthi was critical of minister I.K. Jadeja remaining in his chamber, as testified by R.B. Sreekumar in his affidavit, it was pointed out.Some of the crucial and pertinent issues raised by Zakia Jaffri in her 100-page complaint in 2006 are:
- Why were bodies of Godhra train victims paraded on the streets of Ahmedabad?
- Why was the bandh called by the Sangh Parivar on Feb 27, 2002, not stopped?
- Why are there no records of the meetings held by Modi Feb 27, 2002, onwards?
- Why were no minutes of the meetings held by the chief minister and other senior officers for review of the situation from feb 27, 2002, onwards prepared and circulated to the concerned officials?

-Why were bodies of the Godhra train fire victims paraded through the streets of Ahmedabad city and that too when over 50 percent of the dead belonged to places outside Ahmedabad city and a few bodies were not even identified at that juncture?  (way2online)
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