FUJIFILM’S MANAGING DIRECTOR MR.KENICHI TANAKA LAUNCHES ALL NEW RANGE OF FUJIFILM CAMERAS

FUJIFILM India Pvt Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation Japan, the pioneer in 3D photographic technology solutions has officially announced the launch and availability of 14 next-gen digital cameras into the Hyderabad Photography market at Byas Foto World, Himayath Nagar. FUJI Film’s M.D. Shri Kenichi Tanaka has launched new series of Fuji Film cameras at Byas Foto World. New models introduced are 'A series' compact value models (AV100, AV150, AX 200, and AX250) targeted on budget conscious casual users featuring high-definition (HD) image and video capture. Four sleek and stylish models under the 'J series' family (JV100, JV150, JX200, JX250) that come with sculpted and innovative looks. These cameras are equipped with state-of-the-art technological features like High-Definition photo and video capture, razor sharp picture clarity with Fujinon zoom lenses, Scene Recognition Auto, Panorama Shooting Mode, Movie Mode with Sound, Picture Search etc. One of the more technologically advanced cameras launched by FUJIFILM amidst the new next-gen camera releases is the FinePix HS10, which is an extreme long zoom camera with high-speed aperture targeted on the needs of professional photographers. It promises to best fit the 'all-in-one' camera's category with an assortment of features which include: world's first 30x optical zoom with manual zoom enabled, advanced photographic features as in performance hungry SLR system and full HD movie capture. It combines 24-720mm (30x) zoom lens with advanced photographic controls and is rated to deliver advanced functionality and SLR-like handling in a single compact, affordable unit.The outlet, Byas Foto World, a division of Byas Foto Retail Private Ltd, is one of the oldest in the city. It was one of the official photographers to the Nizam of Hyderabad and has been in the business for 90 years. Spread over 4500 square feet, Byas Foto World is probably the BIGGEST PHOTOGRAPHY STORE in A.P. dedicated exclusively to photography products like digital cameras of all brands like Fuji Film, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Samsung, Panasonic, digital printing where in you can get from passport size photo to a blow up size print up to 40”x60” in minutes, printing on cups, mugs, t-shirts, portrait studios, digital and normal display frames, passport and visa photos. All A to Z services in photography would be present under one roof,      (photo by RSJ THOMAS)======================================================

Sania,Shoaib get married

Hyderabad, April 12 : Indian tennis star Sania Mirza tied the knot with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik at a hotel here Monday after getting a no-objection certificate from the city police."The Nikah has been completed. Please pray for the couple," Sania's spokesperson Rucha Naik told media persons outside hotel Taj Krishna, adjacent to Taj Deccan. Sania, 23, and Shoaib, 28, signed the 'nikahnama' and said "qabool hai" in the presence of a qazi and two witnesses from each side, sources said. About 70 people, including close relatives and friends from both sides, attended the much-hyped and controversial marriage ceremony. After the 'nikah', the guests offered 'zuhar namaz'. It was followed by lunch, where they were treated with traditional delicacies, including the famous 'Hyderabadi biryani'. Since the Qazi had refused to perform the 'nikah' Friday in the absence of Shoaib's passport, sources said Sania's family got a no-objection certificate from the Hyderabad police. Shoaib's passport, seized last week in connection with a case filed by his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, is still with the police. Earlier, clad in red traditional bridal wear, which her mother wore on her wedding 25 years ago, Sania left her residence in Jubliee Hills amid drum beats and reached hotel Taj Deccan shortly after noon. From there they went to the adjoining Taj Krishna, where Shoaib and his relatives are staying. She was accompanied by her father Imran Mirza, mother Naseema, younger sister Anam and a few close relatives. Shoaib, who divorced Ayesha last week, wore a black 'sherwani'. His mother, sisters and some close relatives attended the wedding. Security has been tightened at the hotel and the media was not allowed inside. Earlier, Naik told reporters outside Sania's residence that there would be a 'mehendi' ceremony Tuesday. The 'sangeet' would be held the next day while Sania's family would hold the wedding reception April 15. The high-profile marriage was surrounded by controversies ever since it was announced March 29. It is learnt that the two families decided to solemnise the marriage Monday to avoid further controversies, especially in the light of Sunday's 'fatwa' issued by Islamic religious scholars against Sania and Shoaib living together before their wedding. Sania's media manager Sunday night clarified that Shoaib moved out of Sania's house a few days ago. The Sunni Ulema Board, a group of religious scholars, had declared that the act of Sania and Shoaib living together was against Islamic Shariat. It asked Muslims not to attend such marriages where men and women come together in close proximity in violation of Islamic rules. Additional Commissioner of Police N. Narasimha Reddy said it may take a week for Shoaib to get back his passport from a court as some formalities with regard to closure of the case would have to be completed. Ayesha withdrew the case Wednesday after Shoaib divorced her.
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India needs educated citizens in knowledge century: President

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil Monday exhorted students to contribute to nation-building through their talent and knowledge, saying India will certainly emerge a stronger country when the youth determinedly work for it.“When the 540 million youth of the country are educated and they determinedly work for the country, India will certainly emerge as a stronger country,” she said, addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Punjab Public School here.The president said that India needed educated citizens who have in them the ability to innovate and invent, particularly in the 21st century, where the progress of the nation would be driven by the knowledge base of its population.Urging students to utilise their time at school in the best possible manner, the president said they must study hard and “for true learning and understanding”.“Therefore, approach your studies with a sense of enquiry. Think independently and creatively. Be disciplined and methodical in your daily lives. Inculcate values like compassion, tolerance and harmony that will instil a feeling of welfare for humanity.”“Promote a feeling of national harmony so necessary for keeping together our country which has diverse religions, faiths, languages, castes, communities and also vast geographical distances. What we need is unity in diversity to keep our great country together.”She also asked students to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities because it was sports that could teach them to put in their best and to accept both victory and defeat in the true spirit of a sportsperson.Dwelling on the role of teachers in today’s fast changing society, the president said that teachers have a greater responsibility in interpreting developments in the world to students in the proper perspective.She conferred the school’s roll of honour for 2009 on its ex-student, Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh, general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C) of the army’s eastern command.Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal were also present on the occasion.   (way2online)======================================================

Obama asks Pakistan to punish Mumbai attackers

Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over Pakistan’s will to punish those responsible for the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, President Barack Obama asked Islamabad to move against the perpeterators.A couple of hours after meeting Manmohan Singh, Obama Sunday told Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani that the Indian leader was sincere in improving ties with Islamabad, but wants Pakistan to take action against those responsible for the Mumbai attacks.Obama, according to diplomatic sources, told Gilani at their 40-minute meeting that he also personally believes that Pakistan taking action against those responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack “would be a positive thing”.The US president also made no commitment on the issue of an India-type civil nuclear deal to meet Pakistan’s acute energy needs saying there is need to have a proper balance between progress and security concerns.Voicing his desire for an improved India-Pakistan relationship, Obama said he believes that this would be not only beneficial to the South Asian neighbours, but would also have a positive impact on the overall situation in the region.“Obama began by noting that he is very fond of Pakistan, having visited the country during college,” the White House said in a statement later.“The President discussed with the Prime Minister (Gilani) the bilateral progress made during the March 24-25 Strategic Dialogue and reiterated the US pledge to work with Pakistan to address issues of mutual concern in the long-term relationship,” it said.“The Prime Minister (Gilani) also indicated his approval of the progress made during the Strategic Dialogue and his hope that the working groups that have been established to address various aspects of the relationship would yield progress in advance of the next Strategic Dialogue meeting, scheduled for late 2010 in Islamabad,” it said.According to the White House, Gilani indicated his assurance that Pakistan takes nuclear security seriously and has appropriate safeguards in place.The Pakistani officials later said that the US president told them that he is satisfied with the measures taken by Islamabad for the safety and security of its nuclear weapons.Gilani not only sought an India type nuclear deal saying it was fully qualified, but also lobbied hard for international acceptance as a responsible nuclear state soon after his arrival.“The prime minister is arguing for Pakistan’s acceptance as a responsible nuclear state at every opportunity he gets, from his meeting with Mr Obama to his speech at the summit,” a Pakistani official said.
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BJP announces state executive commiteee

Hyderabad, Apr 12 : Andhra Pradesh BJP president G Kishan Reddy today announced the office-bearers and the state executive members of the party with nine vice-presidents and four general secretaries.He also announced nine secretaries to the state party, according to a release here.The president announced the State Executive with 83 members in it.He said youth and women have been given special priority in the current list, which was a ''judicious mix of youth and experience''.He said a large number of women had been given opportunity in consonance with the party policy of inducting one-third of its office-bearers and executive members with women.In the office-bearers, there were six BCs, two SCs and one ST with seven women while in the executive there were 12 SCs, 3 STs, 53 BCs and 26 women. There were 58 young leaders who got first opportunity to work at the state-level.
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Govt will take all safety measures to protect dams: Minister

Hyderabad, Apr 12 : Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah today said the State Government would take all safety measures to protect canals and dams during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon floods.

Addressing the press here, he said the government had sanctioned Rs 212 crore for taking up permanent and temporary works at the dams and canals and directed the officials concerned to complete the works before the start of the rainy season.He said the committee appointed by the government had given its report with suggestions on safety measures to protect dams and canals during floods. He said the government would consider the suggestions and take all measures to protect the 17 major projects in the State.
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Heatwave prevails in several districts of AP

Hyderabad, Apr 12 : Heatwave conditions prevailed in the districts of Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar of Telangana region, with the highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius being recorded at Adilabad.The maximum temperatures rose at one or two places over Telangana and changed little over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. They were significantly above normal over remaining districts of Telangana and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. Mainly dry weather was likely to prevail over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. Heatwave conditions were likely to prevail over Telangana and isolated parts of Rayalaseema during next 48 hours.Maximum and Minimum temperatures in and around Hyderabad would be 42 and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.
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Sania Mirza to marry Shoaib Malik today

Hyderabad, Apr 12 : Despite the interference of community leaders and controversy surrounding their marriage, ace tennis star Sania Mirza is expected to tie the nuptial knot with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on April 12.

"Sania''s nikah with Shoaib will take place shortly," said Sania''s PRO, adding that the reception will take place on April 15.However, due to security concerns the exact location of the wedding was not disclosed.The Sunni Ulema Board had issued a fatwa on Sunday, thereby further adding to Sania''s pre-marital woes.The fatwa claimed that it''s un-Islamic for a man and woman to live under the same roof before ''nikah'', and lashed out at the tennis star and her groom-to-be Shoaib Malik, who has been reportedly staying at the Mirza residence for over a week.''''It''s un-Islamic for a man and woman to see each other during the ceremonies before the ''nikah''. Therefore, what they (Sania and Shoaib) are doing is not correct,'''' said Sunni Ulema Board General Secretary Hasibul Hassan. Sania''s father Imran Mirza had earlier on Friday said the pre-wedding ceremonies would start off from April 13.Pakistan''s Interior Minister Rehman Malik had on Sunday asked Pakistan''s High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik to request the Indian authorities to return Shoaib''s passport, which was seized after Ayesha Siddiqui claimed to be his wife and filed a police complaint against him.The two sports personalities are expected to settle in Dubai after their marriage.
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PM meeting with OBAMA,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting the US President, Mr. Barack Obama, at Blair House, Washington on April 11, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-31189)
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Communal riots cases to be booked against prime accused: police

Hyderabad, Apr 11 : Additional City Police Commissioner (Crime) K Narasimha Reddy today said the communal riot cases would be booked against the prime accused in the recent communal riots in 25 police station limits, including old city in which three people lost their lives.Addressing a press conference here, Mr Reddy said the police were thoroughly investigating into the matter to know the reason for the riots and strict action would be taken against the culprits.He said it would take another 15 days to complete the investigation.He said so far 170 cases were booked and 272 persons, including the TDP Corporator Raju Singh, were arrested in this connection.Raju Singh was the prime accused in four cases, including murder cases, he added.Meanwhile, normalcy restored in all the 25 police stations without any incidents after lifting the curfew completely since yesterday.The city police lifted indefinite curfew imposed on March 29 as peace returned to the riot-hit old city of Hyderabad, providing much-needed relief to the people inconvienced by restrictions for the last 14 days.As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders would be in force in the 25 police station limits for two days. All processions, meetings and demonstrations were banned in these areas, he added.The city police after relaxing curfew for two hours on April 1 in 17 police station limits, gradually increased the curfew relaxation period every day, before totally lifting the restrictions yesterday.The indefinite curfew was clamped in the wake of killing of three people since March 27 as violence, which erupted over putting of religious flags, spread outside the old city on March 29.Altogether 30 companies of central para-military forces were deployed in the communally-sensitive areas of the old city, besides state police, including personnel of the elite OCTOPUS force raised to combat terror strikes.
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Maximum temperature rises at few places in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, Apr 11 : The maximum temperatures rose at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and changed a little over Rayalaseema, the Met department said.The maximum temperature was significantly above normal at many places over Rayalaseema and at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.The highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded at Bhadrachalam, Nalgonda, Rentachintala in the state, they added.The Met office predicted that dry weather would prevail over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema during the next 48 hours.
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Andhra Pradesh CM to launch 5th phase of land distribution on Apr 14

Hyderabad, Apr 11: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today directed the officials to prepare a special comprehensive plan to help the landless poor to make the distributed land cultivable.He also wanted them to see that bank loans were made available to them to take up cultivation. The Chief Minister said unless the distributed land was made cultivable, the landless poor would not be able to sustain and make use of the land. "It is of no use distributing land to the landless poor, unless he is helped to cultivate it and the official machinery should come forward to help them," the Chief Minister said, adding an extent of 1,00,615 acres had been identified for distribution to over 69,506 beneficiaries in the 5th phase in 22 districts in the state.Each family was given land not exceeding 2.50 acres of wet land or five acres of dry land, including the land originally held by the family. The Chief Minister said the State Government had already distributed surplus land to the landless poor in the state in four phases to an extent of 6,03,809 acres.These lands had been distributed among 4,33,723 landless beneficiaries so far.The Chief Minister, who is going to launch 5th phase of land distribution at Shadnagar (Mahabubnagar District) on April 14, the birth day of Dr B.R Ambedkar, today discussed about the preparations for the fifth phase of the land distribution with Chief Secretary S.V. Prasad and other officials."Our Government aims to fulfill the mission of Dr Ambedkar for uplift of the weaker sections, particularly the SC/ST's by empowering them with land to achieve sustainable livelihood," the Chief Minister said.Working in this direction the Government will earmark 50 per cent of the total land being distributed in the fifth phase exclusively for the SC/ST beneficiaries.The Chief Minister suggested the Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao to take all necessary steps to make the land distribution programme for poor a grand success and in particular to ensure registration of distributed land only in the name of women, which was the ambition of the departed leader Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and to keep the names of the beneficiaries in the website prior to distribution.
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'Fatwa' against Sania,Shoaib for living together before marriage

Hyderabad, April 11: Tennis star Sania Mirza's marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has sparked another row with some religious scholars issuing a 'fatwa' or religious edict against their living and mingling freely even before the marriage is solemnised.Sunni Ulema Board, a group of religious scholars, said both the sportspersons were bringing disrepute to Islam and Muslim community through their actions. The board issued a 'fatwa' terming their actions 'haram' (forbidden) and asked Muslims to stay away from the April 15 marriage. "The kind of actions the two are indulging in like living together and addressing media together are 'haram' in Islam," said Moulana Haseebul Hasan Siddiqui, a religious scholar. Shoaib has been staying at Sania's residence here for more than a week and television pictures showed them dancing and doing physical exercises together. "Islam permits a man and woman to see each other only once before marriage and it does not allow them to live together and indulge in this sort of activities before marriage," he said. He felt that all the actions of Sania and Shoaib were bringing a bad name to Islam and the Muslim community and advised invitees to stay away from their marriage as men and women would mingle freely there in total disregard of Islamic principles. "Muslims should stay away from such gatherings where men and women mingle freely in violation of Islamic principles," he said. The religious scholar had also issued a 'fatwa' against Sania Mirza for favouring pre-marital sex three years ago. He had opined that Sania committed a big sin by promoting 'zina' (fornication). The tennis ace, however, denied making the remarks. Shoaib has already come under criticism from clergy for denying marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui even after admitting that he signed the 'nikahnama'. The Pakistani star last week divorced Ayesha after the latter filed a case of cheating against him.
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BJP demands cast-wise enumeration of OBCs,

Hyderabad,Apr 11: Former Union Minister and National Executive Member of the BJP Bandaru Dattatraya today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to undertake cast-wise enumeration of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the ongoing Census 2011 to get them their due share in the reservations.In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, copy of which was made available to the press, he said it was the long pending demand and the aspirations of the scores of people belonging to the backward castes for enumeration of their population caste-wise.He said the nationwide Census 2011 was considered to the biggest ever census attempted in the history of mankind and it was going to be a mammoth exercise given the size, diversity and population of India.He also said the census was a significant exercise for two important reasons. It gives a sense of the actual population in figures with other statistical details which would help formulate developmental schemes that would benefit all and reach even to the last rung of the society.Another important reason was the increasing threat nation had been facing from terrorism which has become a global phenomenon with focus on India. There have been reports that a large number of foreign nationals, especially from Bangladesh, had been living in India with more than three crore people illegally sneaking into India and living as Indian citizens.There was a perception that those who were missing were aiding terrorists who had become a threat to the very sovereignty of India.The Census was an occasion which would help the administration to trace and deport all illegal migrants, Mr Dattatraya explained.He said democracy thrives and development happens only when equal and equitable distribution of resources takes place. In order to ensure equal and equitable distribution of resources, it was important and imperative to collect socio educational and economic status of the disadvantaged people to design schemes for their empowerment.
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Andhra girl dies in acid attack by jilted lover,

Hyderabad, April 11: A 16-year-old girl died Sunday following an acid attack by a jilted lover in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district, police said.Lalita Bai, a Class 9 student, died at a government hospital in Guntur after battling for life for four days. The girl had sustained serious injuries in the acid attack by K. Subba Rao, 23, in Tenali town Wednesday. Subba Rao, an agricultural labourer, was also injured as after throwing acid on the girl he splashed acid on himself and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. He told police that he resorted to the step as the girl had stopped talking to him and was seeing another man. Subba Rao is a native of Darsi village in Prakasam district while Lalita was a resident of Venigalla village near Tenali. He attacked the girl at Tenali when she went to her elder sister's house. According to police, he got familiar with the girl when she visited her sister-in-law in Darsi for a function a few years ago. Since then, he maintained contact with the girl over telephone. Lalita had stopped talking to him on the advice of her parents. Angered by this, he arrived in Tenali and attacked the girl. Police have registered a case against Subba Rao. The incident has again brought into focus acid attacks on women. The state is mulling a tough legislation to deal with the increasing number of such attacks. In Gutur district alone, five acid attacks took place last year. In December 2008, an engineering student in Warangal was killed and her friend was injured when three youths threw acid on them.     (newkerala.com)
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APCES Organised 184th Birthday Celebrations,

Andhra Pradesh Caste Elimination Society organised 184th Birthday

Celebrations of Mahatma Jothiba Phule at Bhaseerbahgh Press Club on 11.4.2010. On this occasion, Justice B. Chandra Kumar is addressing the meeting with Title - Our motto is to create casteless society.
Professor Keshavaraj Jadav and professor U. visweswara rao, Jb Raju,
DG Rama Rao,T.V.Devadutha, President,Dr.C.kasim, Mohammed Waheed
are also participated.     (Photo by RSJ THOMAS)=========================================================================

Statement by the Prime Minister prior to his departure for USA and Brazil

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh being received on his arrival at the Frankfurt International Airport on his way to Washington on April 10, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-31177)
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(PIB NEWS) Following is the text of the statement by the Prime Minister prior to his departure for USA and Brazil:-"I am leaving tomorrow to attend the Nuclear Security Summit being hosted by President Barack Obama in Washington DC, and the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) Summits being hosted by President Lula da Silva in Brasilia. India welcomes President Obama’s initiative to hold a Summit on Nuclear Security. Nuclear energy is poised to play a growing role in addressing the developmental challenges of our times. This will be possible only if we, as individual nations, and as a global community ensure the highest standards of security which reinforce public faith in the benefits of nuclear science. India is an important stakeholder in this global endeavour.I expect the Summit to focus on nuclear terrorism and the security of sensitive nuclear materials and technologies. These are legitimate concerns which require firm responses. India has a well developed indigenous nuclear energy programme, which dates back six decades. We have an impeccable record of security, safety and non-proliferation which reflects our conduct as a responsible nuclear power. India has been a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear disarmament. We were among the first countries in the world to call for a world free of nuclear weapons. I am encouraged by the fact that this approach is finding greater resonance today. We will continue to call for more meaningful progress in this direction. During my stay in Washington I look forward to having bilateral meetings with President Obama, President Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan, President Sarkozy of France, Prime Minister Harper of Canada and other world leaders. From Washington, I will proceed to Brasilia to attend the fourth IBSA Summit and the second BRIC Summit. These groupings reflect the growing role of emerging economies in shaping the global economic order. The IBSA process has come of age. Today, it encompasses a wide range of activities which supplement the excellent bilateral relations we enjoy with each of these countries. Our coordination on important international issues has expanded, and our trilateral cooperation is beginning to bear fruit in many sectors. The BRIC countries are among the largest and fastest growing economies with rich human and material resources. They represent the future of the global economic landscape. We have a high stake in the revival of the global economy, an open trading system, energy security, combating climate change and addressing non-traditional threats to international security. I will also hold separate bilateral discussions with President Lula da Silva. Relations with Brazil are an important pillar of our policy towards Latin America and have witnessed substantial expansion in recent years. In Brasilia I will also have bilateral meetings with President Hu Jintao of China and President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia."
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Mullahs frown at Sania-Shoaib pre-marriage ‘proximity’

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza’s “physical proximity” with her fiance Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has come in for strong disapproval from the Islamic clergy.The Lucknow-based Darul-Uloom Nadwatul-Ulama and the Deoband-based School of Islamic Studies have said that Sania and Shoaib’s proximity before marriage went against the tenets of Islam.“Physical proximity between a bride and groom before the marriage is not acceptable in Islam. As such, the fact that Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik were living under a common roof does not have sanction under the Shariat,” Lucknow’s Naib Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed said Friday.
The Maulana, who belongs to the Nadwa school of Islamic thought and was also the head of Lucknow’s oldest seminary, Firangi Mahal, said: “It would be appropriate if Shoaib did not reside in the same house as Sania.”The Deoband Islamic School too has serious objections against Sania and Shoaib occupying the same roof in Hyderabad, where the cricketer is living in his would-be wife’s home.“The Holy Quran does not permit a bride and groom to be living under a common roof before their nikah (wedding),” said Mufti Ashraf Farouqui of the fatwa department at the Deoband School.“Sania and Shoaib have clearly violated the tenets of Islam by living in the same house without getting married, and what is worse is that even Sania’s parents have not cared to prevent that,” he said.“Islam strictly bans private meetings, chatting or mingling of the opposite sexes unless the male and female were marries couples,” he pointed out.Farouqui was firmly of the view that Shoaib and Sania had no business to be mixing around in public “until they were declared husband and wife”.Significantly, even the All India Muslim Personal Law Board for Women has disapproved of the Sania-Shoaib pre-wedding proximity. “Islam does not believe in double standards, so there cannot be a separate law for celebrities like Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik. They ought to abide by the tenets of the Quran,” a spokesperson said.  (way2online)

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Shoaib gave false information in divorce paper?

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who is set to marry Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza, could land in fresh trouble for furnishing false information while giving divorce to his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, according to official documents.The divorce and agreement papers, which Shoaib signed April 7, have the name of his late father as Malik Saleem Hussain while the invitation for the April 15 wedding reception carries the name of his father as Malik Faqeer Hussain, the documents show.According to legal experts, Shoaib could face legal action if Ayesha’s family files a case against him on charges of furnishing false information.The wrong name given in divorce certificate and the agreement signed on Rs.100 stamp paper could be yet another attempt by Shoaib to show that he did not marry Ayesha, they said.The former Pakistani skipper divorced Ayesha Wednesday after she filed a police case against him for cheating. Sania’s family members and some community elders convinced him to end the row through divorce.It was immediately not known if Ayesha’s family would again approach the police against Shoaib.The Pakistani star is still caught in a legal mesh as the police have not yet returned his passport which was seized about a week ago.Though Ayesha has informed the police that she was withdrawing her complaint, Shoaib would get back his passport only after completing legal formalities.With police yet to return Shoaib’s passport, the qazi expressed his inability to perform the ‘nikah’, which was scheduled to take place Friday evening.Qazis in Hyderabad do not perform marriages of foreigners without verifying the passport and no-objection certificates from their respective governments.Sources said the nikah would now be possible any day before April 15, the day when Sania’s family has planned to host a wedding reception at the Taj Krishna hotel here. (way2online)
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Saif and Kareena in marriage plans!

It looks like this is the marriage season. Shoaib and Sania’s marriage seems to have brought the marriage season to bollywood. Saif and Kareena have been in the limelight ever since their affair became public and many are waiting for their marriage to happen. Although there is no official confirmation from the pair, Bollywood is at buzz about their wedding now.“They are seriously thinking of marriage and both the families are working towards it. Saif’s parents want to see their son getting married again, so are Kareena’s parents. In fact, Karisma has already spoken to her sister to tie the knot soon,” said our source.      (thanks to way2online)
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Breakthrough in probe into communal riots

Hyderabad, Apr 10 : The City police got a breakthrough in the investigation into the communal riots which broke out on March 27 with the arrest of three people belonging to a particualr community midnight last night.Police are on the look-out for three more people in connection with the violence.The accused were sent to judicial remand, a police press note here tonight said. Investigation done so far revealed that when people of majority community were trying to put flags in connection with religious festival on March 30, some members of the particular minority community objected to removal of their religious flags. Following this, some members of the majority community attacked some members of the particular minority community in the Moosabowli area. On the next day, the accused attacked the members of the majority community with lethal weapons and committed four communal offences on March 28 and March 29 wherein a member of the majority community died due to stab injuries. Another person, who was in a critical condition, died on April seven. A two-wheeler was torched and three people, including a Andhra Pradesh Special Police Constable, were injured.The six accused and others were booked for offences punishable under Sections 147, 148, 427, 153 (A), 302 IPC read with 149 IPC, police added.
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Chiranjeevi asks PRP cadre to take on people's issues

Hyderabad, Apr 10: Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) President Chiranjeevi today exhorted his party activists to concentrate on solving burning issues concerning people.Speaking after releasing the list of the 108-member Greater Hyderabad Party Committee, he said the party's base could be strengthened only by interacting with the people at the grassroots level on a regular basis and focusing attention on raising issues concerning the common man, especially price rise and power cuts.Mr Feroz Khan was named Greater Hyderabad City President and Ms Saida Begam the women's wing President.
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Indefinite curfew completely lifted in riot-hit old city

Hyderabad, Apr 10 : The city police today announced complete lifting of indefinite curfew imposed on March 29 as peace returned to thr riot-hit old city of Hyderabad, providing much-needed relief to the people inconvenienced by restrictions for the last 14 days.Hyderabad city Police Commissioner A.K.Khan told mediapersons that as Friday prayers in the old city area passed off peacefully, it was decided to lift the curfew totally during a review meeting with senior police officials.As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders would be in force in the 25 police station limits for two days. All processions, meetings and demonstrations were banned in these areas, he added.After relaxing curfew for two hours on April 1 in 17 police station limits, the city police gradually relaxed the curfew period every day, before totally lifting the restrictions today.The indefinite curfew was clamped in the wake of killing of three people since March 27 as violence, which erupted over putting off religious flags, spread outside the old city on March 29.Altogether 30 companies of central paramilitary forces were deployed in the communally-sensitive areas of the old city, besides state police, including personnel of the elite OCTOPUS force raised to combat terror strikes.Police had so far arrested over 250 people in connection with over 167 cases while another 300 people picked up for questioning were let off later.
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Andhra Pradesh govt signs agreement with Tatarstan delegation

Hyderabad, Apr 10 : Chief Minister K Rosaiah today mooted a Festival of Andhra Pradesh in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia and a Festival of Tatarstan here to boost bilateral cultural ties and tourism activities.He was speaking at the signing of 'Protocol on the implementation of the agreement between the Government of Republic of Tatarstan (Russian Federation) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh at Camp Office here.Deputy Prime Minister Valeeva Zilya, who is also the Minister for Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, and State Minister for Tourism and Information Geeta Reddy signed the agreement in the presence of Chief Minister K Rosaiah and others. Describing the signing of the protocol agreement as memorable, the Chief Minister said there is a vast potential to boost bilateral cooperation between Andhra Pradesh and Tatarstan in the areas of Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnologies, Petrochemicals and Chemicals, Gas-based industries, Power Plant machinery, aerospace, manufacture of defence equipments, information technology and ITES, human resources, Special Economic Zones etc.He said Andhra Pradesh was the leader in pharmaceuticals, particularly in bulk drug manufacturing and formulations and off-shore gas. The Chief Minister said a Petroleum and Petro-Chemical Investment Corridor was being developed from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada all along the coast and there is ample opportunities for investment in this region.
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BJP wants Centre to bring law and order in concurrent list

Hyderabad, Apr 10: Bharatiya Janata Party National Executive member and  former union minister Ch Vidyasagar Rao today urged the Centre to bring Law and Order subject under the Concurrent List of the Constitution to remove confusion over its handling.Terming as 'unfortunate' the killing of 75 CRPF personnel by extremists in Dantewada, Mr Rao told a press conference here that there was a need for a stringent federal law to curb the menace. It was high time that the Law and Order subject was removed from the State List to the Concurrent List as insurgency had inter-state ramifications, he opined. Maintaining that Union Home Minister P Chidambaram should not step down when the 'war against extremists is on,' he said, the Centre should concentrate on inter-state coordination for curbing extremism. He reminded mediapersons that the Central allocation for modernisation of state police forces had been hiked from Rs 200 crore earlier to Rs 1,000 crore when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance was in power.
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Dalit Women And Girl children conference,

Smt.K.Sunita,IAS, addressing a Conference on Dalit women and girl children onganised by the Social Welfare  Department. Commissioner.Sri. K.Praveen Kumar,IAS. as part of dalit empowerment week at the Jubilee Hall on April 10,2010. D.B.Vijaya Bharati and Smt.G.Jhansi are also seen on the dias.   (Photo by R.S.J.THOMAS)======================================================

Republic of Tataristan of the Russian Federation Delegation met With Dr.Geetha Reddy,

A delegation of Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation to Hyderabad led by Ms Valeeva Zilya, Deputy Prime Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan met with Dr.J. Geetha Reddy, Minister of Information & Public Relation,Government of Andhra Pradesh at his office at Secretriate, Hyderabad. (Photo by R.S.J.Thomas) ======================================================

Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapathi Bhawan

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony and the Minister of State of Defence, Shri M.M. Pallam Raju with the Awardees, at the Defence investiture ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 09, 2010.  (Photo by PIB No:CNR-31163)
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Smt. Ambika Soni presenting GPS Media Award's,

The Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni presenting the Global Punjabi Society Media Award to Shri Vikram Chandra,CEO, NDTV Convergence, at the Global Punjabi Society Media Awards function, in New Delhi on New Delhi on April 09, 2010.
(Photo by PIB No:CNR-31170)
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Curfew timings cut short in riot-hit parts of Hyderabad

Hyderabad, April 9 : With further improvement in the situation in riot-hit parts of Hyderabad, the police Friday said curfew relaxation was being extended from 12 to 17 hours.Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that curfew would remain in force from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in areas under 25 police stations. The decision, which will come into effect from Friday, was taken after Friday prayers passed off peacefully. "The prayers were offered in a peaceful atmosphere and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere," Khan said. Elaborate security arrangements were made at the Mecca Masjid in the old city and hundreds of other mosques to maintain law and order. For the last three days, the curfew timings were from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. Though the situation had almost returned to normal, police continued with the restriction in view of the Friday prayers. The police commissioner said a decision on lifting the curfew totally would be taken in a day or two. The riots, which broke out March 27, following a dispute over putting up of religious flags, left three people dead and over 150 injured. The police commissioner said 181 cases were registered in connection with the violence and 250 people have been arrested. Special teams have been formed to identify and arrest those who were spreading rumours through SMSes.
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Sania-Shoaib wedding postponed

Hyderabad, April 9 : Controversies continue to haunt Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik as their high-profile marriage scheduled for Friday evening has been postponed.With police not yet returning Shoaib's passport, the qazi expressed his inability to perform the nikah and the two families had no option but to postpone the ceremony, sources close to the families said. Earlier, the qazi told reporters that nikah would be performed at 7 p.m. Sania Mirza's family members made hectic efforts to get back Shoaib's passport, which was seized by police Monday after grilling him in connection with a criminal case filed by his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, also of Hyderabad. Sania's father Imran Mirza met senior police officers, including the one who was handling the case against Shoaib, but they told him that since the passport was deposited with the court, Shoaib would have to retrieve it from there after some formalities.Qazis in Hyderabad do not perform marriages of foreigners without verifying the passport and no-objection certificates from their respective governments. Though Ayesha, who was divorced by Shoaib Wednesday, has informed the police that she is withdrawing her complaint, Shoaib would get back his passport only after completing some legal formalities. Sources said the nikah would now be possible any day before April 15, the day when Sania's family has planned to host a wedding reception at Taj Krishna hotel here. Sania's family has also sought security for three-day marriage ceremonies at the house, beginning April 13. Sources in 'Qazat', or a section of Wakf Board, which deals with Muslim marriages, told media that the nikahnama or the marriage document to be signed by Sania and Shoaib will clearly mention this is Shoaib's second marriage. It was only Wednesday that Shoaib divorced his first wife Ayesha, a resident of this city, following mediation by Sania's family members and community elders. Ayesha had filed a police complaint against Shoaib, accusing him of cheating. The divorce came after the former Pakistani skipper constantly maintained that he did not marry Ayesha Siddiqui but another girl whose photographs she had sent her. Ayesha claimed the marriage took place over phone in 2002 and even produced a nikahnama with Shoaib's signature on it to prove this. She had even claimed that they stayed as man and wife. Ayesha also said she became pregnant and had a miscarriage. The Qazat Wednesday issued 'talaqnama' or divorce certificate after Shoaib signed the papers and paid Rs.15,000 to Ayesha towards her maintenance for three months as per Islamic sharia. It was only to save Sania from being called his second wife that Shoaib continued denying the marriage but crumbled when Ayesha produced "solid proof" and he faced arrest in the criminal case, sources said.
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Friday prayers peaceful, day curfew relaxed till 2200 hrs

Hyderabad, Apr 9 : As Friday prayers in the old city area here went off peacefully, the authorities decided to relax the day time curfew till 2200 hrs today.This was followed by improvement in the situation in 25 police station limits, where the indefinite curfew was clamped in the wake of killing of three people since March 27.Tight security was provided for Friday prayers at all mosques.Senior police officials, including city Police Commissioner A K Khan, were constantly monitoring the situation in the curfew-clamped areas, including the old city.Mr Khan, who toured the entire old city, told media that in view of the peaceful situation and Friday prayers, the curfew would be relaxed by another four hours today and it would be resumed from tomorrow.The final decision on total lifting of the curfew would be taken after review meeting with the authorities in a day or two, he added.He said the police would take action against persons involved in violent incidents with definite proofs.The situation was ''peaceful and fully under control,'' he said, adding no untoward incident had been reported during the curfew relaxation period.
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Sania-Shoaib marriage today,

Hyderabad, April 9 : Indian tennis star Sania Mirza will tie the knot with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik here Friday.Qazi Azmatullah Jafari, one of the qazis of the area in which Sania's house is located, told reporters that the nikah would be performed after the 'maghrib' prayers after sunset. Sania's parents, Shoaib's mother and close relatives of the duo would attend the simple nikah at Sania's house in Jubilee Hills. The ceremony has been kept a closely guarded secret in view of the row over Shoaib's first marriage and divorce with a resident of this city. Since Shoaib has given divorce to his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, the nikahnama to be signed Friday will clearly mention that it is second marriage of the Pakistani star. Shoaib had Wednesday divorced Ayesha following mediation by Sania's family members and community elders after Ayesha filed a police complaint against him. There were also speculations that Shoaib's marriage with Sania could be postponed as he has not yet got back his passport which was seized by police after they questioned him Monday. Though Ayesha has informed the police that she is withdrawing her complaint, police told Shoaib that he would get back his passport after completing the formalities in court. Qazis in Hyderabad do not perform marriages of foreigners without passport and no objection certificates from their respective governments. Sania's family will be hosting the wedding reception at a star hotel here April 15. ======================================================

Lok Satta warns against adopting casual approach to T demand

Hyderabad, Apr 9: Warning against adopting a casual approach to the demand for Telangana, the Lok Satta party today stressed the need to have a national, tangible and universally-acceptable criterion to reorganize states.Releasing its 117-page report to Justice Srikrishna Committee on situation in Andhra Pradesh to media, party president Jayaprakash Narayan said, ''Language has been such a marker (criterion) so far, and all non-Hindi states are formed on the basis of one language - one state.'' ''Now we need to carefully examine other markers before setting out to reorganise our states. Neither history nor geography nor development is sufficient as a marker. Once language ceases to be a marker for state formation, we should decide what a rational criterion for the division of states is...Any ad hoc approach in one part of the country will lead to escalating demands and a cascading effect elsewhere. Therefore, a rational and deliberate approach based on consensus and longterm interests is critical.'' Tracing the present crisis in Andhra Pradesh to ''genuine grievances of political disempowerment and a sense of lack of regional autonomy'', the report said, ''the local governments in Andhra Pradesh lost dynamism because they did not enjoy functional freedom, suffered from paucity of funds and, and bureaucracy was strengthened at their cost. Despite the passing of the 73rd and the 74th Constitutional amendments, real empowerment of the local governments has not taken place in Andhra Pradesh. A trend of over-centralization of political power coupled with the abolishment of the empowered, constitutional forum of Andhra Pradesh Regional Committee in 1973 has deepened the sense of political disempowerment and political alienation.'' The report recommended that institutional arrangements be made immediately to address the concerns and aspirations of Telangana and other backward regions in Andhra Pradesh. ''The arrangements can be taken up complementary to any efforts towards evolving a final settlement of the regional aspirations in Andhra Pradesh.''
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Chidambaram accepts ‘full responsibility’ for Dantewada

Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Friday that he has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepting full responsibility for the massacre of 76 security personnel in Chhattisgarh, the worst Maoist attack since the insurgency started four decades ago.“I accept full responsibility for what happened in Dantewada,” said Chidambaram, adding that he has no hesitation to accept that the buck stops at his desk.“I have been asked directly or indirectly where the buck stops after the attack. The buck stops at my desk,” Chidambaram said at a CRPF function here.Chidambaram said he had given this in writing to the prime minister, immediately after his return from Chhattisgarh Wednesday, a day after the massacre.“Let me not elaborate,” the home minister said, three days after the attack in the forests of Dantewada district that killed 75 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force and one Chhattisgarh policeman.The families of the slain personnel would be given full compensation before the end of this month, Chidambaram said.He also offered a job for a family member of each of the slain personnel.

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PM rejects Chidambaram resignation offer

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “fully backs” Home Minister P. Chidambaram and had rejected his offer of resignation following the Maoist massacre of 76 security personnel in Chhattisgarh, government sources said.“PM has declined to accept the home minister’s offer for resignation. The PM fully backs his senior cabinet colleague,”The home minister had written to the prime minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi accepting blame for Tuesday’s attack that led to the killing of 75 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and a Chhattisgarh policeman in a Bastar forest, the worst Maoist assault since the insurgency began more than four decades ago, an official privy to the letter added.He said there was “no question” of Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi accepting the resignation offer as Chidambaram, who took over as home minister after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, has largely been hailed for his role in handling internal security management.According to sources, Chidambaram wrote the letters Wednesday soon after returning from Chhatisgarh.Chidambaram had set the ball rolling earlier in the day when he said at a CRPF function that he accepted “full responsibility” for the massacre and that the “buck stops at my desk”.“I have been asked directly or indirectly where the buck stops after the attack. The buck stops at my desk,” Chidambaram said at a function to mark Valour Day for the CRPF.“I accept full responsibility for what happened in Dantewada. I called the prime minister and gave in writing that I accept full responsibility for what happened,” he said, adding: “Let me not elaborate.”Referring to the many reports on how the men were poorly trained, Chidambaram went guns blazing defending the security personnel.“It has been written that the 62nd battalion was poorly trained or lacked adequate weapons and equipment which is not true,” Chidambaram said.“I ask everyone humbly that if you can’t go on the front, please don’t disrespect our jawans.”“We have addressed issues pertaining to salaries, allowances, pensions, compensations and rehabilitation. More needs to be done, and they will be done,” said the minister.The families of the slain personnel would be given full compensation before the end of this month, Chidambaram said. The government had announced a compensation of Rs.38 lakh for the next of kin of each slain security personnel, with the central government contributing Rs.15 lakh to the kittyHe also offered a job for a family member of each of the slain personnel.“I am proud of the CRPF and its work. I salute all those who laid down their lives. The families who lost their member in the Dantewada attack will be compensated by the end of this month,” the minister assured.
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PM meets chief ministers over price rise

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his senior cabinet colleagues and chief ministers of 10 states began their deliberations on containing price rise here Thursday amid fears of inflation crossing the double digit mark.The meeting is being held even as the Left parties went ahead with their nationwide agitation during which they courted arrest to protest rising prices.The core group of chief ministers, set up in February, comprises Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia are also attending the    meeting.Inflation soared to 9.89 percent during February and is feared to cross the double-digit mark in March – the data for which is likely to be released next week. Food inflation has been ruling at over 16 percent.The prime minister on the eve of the significant meeting had said: “The country has a problem and I would like all political parties to pool their knowledge, wisdom and experience to evolve practical, pragmatic solutions to these problems.”
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Toll in Hyderabad riots rises to three,

Hyderabad, April 8: The tension was back in the old city of Hyderabad Thursday with a person, stabbed during communal clashes last fortnight, succumbing to his injuries in a hospital. With his death, the toll in the communal riots has risen to three.Narasimha, 54, a resident of Lal Darwaza area, who was stabbed by unidentified people in Hussaini Alam police station area on the night of March 28, died at the Osmania Hospital Wednesday night. As news of his death spread, police went on high alert in Shahali Banda and adjacent areas near the historic Charminar to prevent any untoward incident. Even curfew-pass holders were stopped from entering into the old city. Elaborate security arrangements have been made as some groups are reportedly preparing to take out a funeral procession. After initial confusion, police relaxed the curfew in these areas along with other-riot hit parts of the city. The 12-hour curfew relaxation began at 6 a.m. in all 25 police station areas but the movement of people in Shahali Banda and surrounding areas was restricted. Shops and schools remained closed. Though the day curfew was lifted last Monday, the police are continuing with the night curfew as a precautionary measure. The riots, which broke out March 27 in the old city following a dispute over religious flags, also left over 150 people injured. Police said they have registered 152 cases and arrested 200 people in connection with various incidents of violence.
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Now it's celebration time at Sania Mirza's house

Hyderabad, April 8: A day after Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, preparations began Thursday for his marriage to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.The mood of tension and anxiety prevailing at Sania's house at Jubilee Hills for the last few days turned into that of celebrations Thursday as the arrival of relatives and friends began. Though the divorce to Ayesha would make Sania the second wife of Shoaib, the two families were relieved over an amicable end to the bitter row. The two families no longer fear Shoaib's arrest, the visits of police officials to the house for questioning and the wild accusations from Ayesha's family which had dampened the celebrations. With the arrival of Shoaib's mother and other family members Wednesday night, hectic activity was seen at Sania's house Thursday. Preparations began to treat the Pakistani guests with biryani and other lip-smacking Hyderabadi dishes. As Sania's family feared postponement of the marriage, scheduled for April 15, due to the controversy, it was only on Thursday that dozens of workers were seen bringing basmati rice, mutton and other provisions to the house. The family members were also seen driving in and out of the house to the market to do the shopping. While Sania's wedding dress is being designed in Delhi, the family would buy the other bridal wear in Hyderabad. Shoaib and Sania preferred to remain indoors ever since the Muslim community leaders Wednesday announced that the former Pakistani skipper has divorced Ayesha. They came out to receive Shoaib's mother Sultana Farooq and other family members. The guests include Shoaib's brother Adil Malik, sisters Shazia Imran and Sadaf Imran, nephew Mamoon Imran and niece Zainab Imran. Shoaib's brother-in-law Zafar Imran, who had arrived in Delhi Tuesday to consult lawyers, is likely to arrive here later in the day. Some more relatives and friends of the bridegroom are also expected to arrive from Pakistan. Sania's family has already distributed invitation cards for the wedding. About 500 guests have been invited to the reception to be held at Taj Krishna hotel. Interestingly, it was at the same hotel that Sania was engaged to her childhood friend Sohrab Mirza July 10 last year amid much fanfare. The tennis ace called off the engagement Jan 28 this year citing "incompatibility". It was on March 29 that the Pakistani media reported that Shoaib would be marrying Sania, who confirmed this the next day. However, the past returned to haunt Shoaib as Ayesha Siddiqui demanded divorce before he married Sania. While Shoaib landed here much early to clear his name, Ayesha filed a complaint with the police, queering the pitch for the cricketer. While Ayesha alias Maha claimed that Shoaib married her over phone in 2002 and they even lived together as wife and husband, the latter said he married the girl whose pictures were sent to him. As the row took a dirty turn threatening Shoaib and Sania's marriage, a compromise formula was arrived at following mediation by some community leaders and well wishers of the families of Sania and Ayesha.
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Left leaders arrested as part of 'Jail bharo' programme

Vijayawada, Apr 8 : CPI(M) Central Committee member V Srinivasa Rao, CPI National Council member E Nageswara Rao, among 200 left parties workers, were arrested today as part of their nation-wide 'Jailbharo' programme in protest against the price rise of essential commodities.Earlier, the activists staged a 'dharna' in front of the Sub-Collector's office and raised slogans against the government's failure in controlling the prices.Mr Srinivasa Rao, addressing the gathering, said the government should control rise in prices or leave the power. He alleged that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre, which had promised before elections that it would take steps to check prices of essential commodities, after coming to power had failed to control the hike in prices.Claiming that lakhs of tonnes of foodgrains were kept in government godowns, he said the foodgrains should be released and distributed among the people to curb the price rise.Alleging that the Congress Government was cancelling lakhs of ration cards in the state in the pretext of bogus cards and resorting to opportunistic politics after winning elections, he demanded that essential commodities be supplied on minimum prices to the below and above proverty line poor.He alleged that the Congress government was encouraging Maoists and Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal to attack Left party workers and making conspiracy to throw the CPI(M)-led government from the power.The speaker's demands included reduction of prices of essential commodities, release of 4.25 lakh tonnes of foodgrains kept in government godowns, strengthening of public distribution system, revoking of hiking prices of petrol and diesle and implementation of Employment Guarantee Schemes in urban areas too.The arrested were shifted to Suryaraopet Police Stataion and later released on station bail.
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Paternity suit: Court orders Tiwari's reply in 4 weeks

New Delhi, April 7: Former Andhra Pradesh governor N D Tiwari was Wednesday directed by the Delhi High Court to file his response in a paternity suit against him within four weeks.The court of Justice J.R.Midha asked Tiwari, 86, to file a written reply in the suit filed by 34-year-old Rohit Shekhar within four weeks, failing which he will have to appear before the court personally. The veteran politician, who was also the chief minister of Uttaranchal, has been asked to respond to the photographs submitted by Shekhar, showing both of them together on different occasions, and also on Shekhar's plea for a DNA test. The court, while allowing an application by Tiwari seeking more time, said that this would be the last chance for him and if Tiwari failed to furnish the reply in the stipulated time, he will have to come personally on May 20, the next date of hearing. The court had on March 17 dismissed Tiwari's plea challenging the paternity suit and said that it may consider ordering a DNA test if the issue of maintainability was raised by him. Shekhar has claimed that Tiwari began neglecting him and his mother Ujjawala Sharma after 1995 and refused to meet him after becoming the Uttaranchal chief minister. He now wants a DNA test to confirm his biological father.  Tiwari's five-decade-old political career came to a virtual end after a news channel last year showed clippings of an elderly man purported to be Tiwari in bed with three young women. A few days later, Tiwari resigned as the Andhra Pradesh governor citing health grounds.
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Day after deadly Maoist ambush, troopers scared to enter forest

A day after 76 troopers were massacred in the worst ever Maoist attack, hundreds of para-military men and state police personnel assigned to track down the killers are scared to enter the jungles of Chhattisgarh Wednesday fearing a repeat of the ‘bloody Tuesday’ incident.The shell-shocked police incumbent here have ordered nearly 40,000 policemen deployed in the restive Bastar region to retaliate.But officials posted in the interiors of the region say: “The Tuesday attack has rattled the entire police force engaged in the anti-Maoist operation and they are now reluctant to enter the landmine protected jungle terrain”.“It’s easy for everyone to dictate to us from New Delhi and Raipur sitting in air-conditioned chambers, but here the situation is completely hostile because Maoists rule the roost in jungles. The forces in Bastar now need urgent motivation,” a police officer based in Dantewada said on phone.Police officers posted in the sprawling 40,000 sq km Bastar terrain made up of five districts — Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar, Kanker and Dantewada where the Maoists staged a bloodbath in the Chintalnar hilly area say — “policemen are suffering high casualties because of an absolute lack of co-ordination between state forces and para-military men who are put in difficult terrains in Chhattisgarh”.“Despite all efforts at the police headquarters and at the state government level, the CRPF is not taking local police and special police officers (SPOs) along while entering the Maoists’ den and are thus getting killed without a fight,” noted a senior official here.He remarked that CRPF men are all outsiders and know nothing about the difficult jungle terrain. They were reminded several times by officers at the police headquarters to take along at least the SPOs who are locals but the CRPF men neither followed this suggestion nor did they stick to the 48-point guerrilla warfare manuals.
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There is no ‘Operation Green Hunt’: Chidambaram

Home Minister P.Chidambaram Wednesday insisted that there was no “Operation Green Hunt” against Maoists — as has been widely reported.“There is no Operation Green Hunt,” Chidambaram told reporters here. Chhattisgarh police officials say they had coined the term for one successful drive against the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in the state.But former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) director general A.S.Gill said it was wrong to call the current campaign against the Maoists by the same name.“It is a media creation and continues till date,” Gill said.Chidambaram’s clarification came a day after Maoist guerrillas massacred 76 security personnel in Chhattisgarh Tuesday in the worst attack since the Maoist movement erupted over four decades ago.
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Armed forces not trained to combat Maoists: air chief

Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal P.V. Naik Wednesday said he did not favour using armed forces in operations against Maoist insurgents.“All the armed forces – air force, army and the navy – are trained for lethal operations. We are not trained for limited lethality. Use of the air force in such situations like Naxals… I am not in favour. But it is a state prerogative,” Naik said during the inauguration of Commenders Conference here.“At present we must leave it to paramilitary forces as they have trained manpower and intelligence,” he added, a day after the massacre of 76 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Chhattisgarh Tuesday.
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Curfew to be relaxed for 12 hrs tomorrow; situation peaceful

Hyderabad, Apr 7: Giving relief to the people of old city falling under various zones affected by communal violence, the authorities have decided to relax day curfew from dawn to dusk tomorrow as no incidents of violence were reported during the 12-hour-long relaxation period today.Police decided to relax indefinite curfew clamped in Hyderabad since March 27 for 12 hours from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs tomorrow in 25 police station limits, as there was 'tremendous improvement' in the situation in the city and in view of essential needs of people, according to City Police Commissioner A.K.Khan.Normalcy is returning to the area after posting nearly 30 companies of paramilitary forces, besides state police personnel, including the elite OCTOPUS personnel who were closely monitoring the situation round-the-clock to maintain law and order. The situation was peaceful and fully under control and no untoward incidents were reported during the 12-hour curfew relaxtion period today. ''If the present situation continues, curfew could be lifted fully in a couple of days,'' he added.People came out from their houses for purchasing essential commodities. As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders were promulgated in the entire city. The situation was ''peaceful and fully under control,'' the sources said, adding no untoward incidents were reported during the curfew relaxation period.
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Andhra Pradesh to bring umbrella legislation to regulate money lending

Hyderabad, Apr 7: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today approved a Bill to bring under one umbrella all State Acts for effective regulation of money lending as suggested by Reserve Bank of India and curb high lending rates charged by unscruplous private money lenders.The Cabinet Meeting, chaired by Chief Minister K Rosaiah, at the Secretariat this evening, gave its nod for the Andhra Pradesh Money Lenders and Accredited Loan Providers Act, 2010 on the lines of the model bill suggested by the RBI.The Bill envisaged to bring under public officers all money lenders in an area and make them maintain books of accounts.Any loan in respect of which money lender or accredited loan provider had realised from debtor an amount equal to or more than twice the amount of principal should stand discharged and the amount, if any, so realized should be refunded, an official note here tonight said---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fear of arrest forced Shoaib Malik to compromise?

Hyderabad, April 7: Did the fear of imminent arrest force Pakistani cricket star Shoaib Malik to do a volte-face and compromise with his alleged first wife Ayesha Siddiqui by sending divorce papers to her?This question is doing the rounds after Shoaib, who is scheduled to marry Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza here April 15, signed the divorce papers and sent the same to Ayesha Siddiqui Wednesday after the latter agreed to withdraw the police case against him. Ayesha, during her statement to police Tuesday, was believed to have given clinching evidence against Shoaib. According to sources close to her family, it included medical evidence that Ayesha had become pregnant after the marriage and even had a miscarriage. They claimed that this would nail Shoaib. The woman had also submitted 'nikahnama' which carried the signature of Shoaib, details of his visit to Hyderabad after their wedding in 2002, the places where they stayed and the persons they met in Hyderabad. Notwithstanding his spirited defence, Shoaib was worried after police grilled him Monday following a criminal case booked against him on the basis of complaint by Ayesha and seizure of his passport. He was charged with cheating, harassment and criminal intimidation. While community elders claim to have worked out the compromise in the larger interest of the relations between Indian and Pakistan and the community, sources said the solution was arrived at after Sania Mirza's family made hectic efforts fearing Shoaib's arrest. Sania's family was worried that Shoaib's arrest, legal tangle and the continuing adverse media publicity could force the postponement of the marriage. They roped in some key Muslim political and religious leaders who contacted Ayesha's family to find a way out, sources said. With only a week to go for the marriage, Sania's parents also convinced Shoaib to agree for a compromise and sign divorce papers without bothering whether the girl is Ayesha or Maha. Shoaib was given to believe that he was giving a divorce to the girl he married over phone and not to the girl whose pictures were shown over television channels. Shoaib had maintained that he signed the 'nikahnama' for marrying the girl whose photographs were sent to him. He had declined to give divorce saying he knew her as Maha Apa or elder sister of Ayesha. The Siddiqui family claimed that Maha is another name of Ayesha.
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All clear for Shoaib-Sania wedding, Ayesha gets divorce

Hyderabad, April 7 : La' affaire Sania-Shoaib-Ayesha ended abruptly Wednesday with the Pakistani cricketer sending divorce papers to Ayesha Siddiqui, who in turn agreed to withdraw the criminal complaint of cheating against him.Shoaib Malik, who is set to wed Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza on April 15, had denied Hyderabad girl Ayesha's claims that he had married her. He had admitted to a telephone wedding but said he had been shown the photograph of another woman. After days of mudslinging, a compromise was reached with the intervention of elders of the Muslim community and representatives from the three families. "Shoaib Malik has sent divorce papers to Ayesha Siddiqui," Shams Babar, a family friend of the Siddiquis, told "My daughter is relieved and she is very happy. Justice has been done," Ayesha's mother Farisa Siddiqui told reporters, adding that her daughter would now withdraw the case. She said the compromise was reached without any compensation. Shoaib paid Rs.15,000 as monthly maintenance for three months as per Islamic law. The surprising development comes two days after Ayesha filed a complaint with the police accusing Shoaib of cheating, harassment and criminal intimidation. Shoaib, who married Ayesha over phone in 2002, was questioned by police on Monday and his passport seized for investigations. Abid Rasool Khan, general secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Congress and a friend of both families, told reporters that Shoaib sent the divorce papers after advice by community elders. He said efforts for a compromise were being made for last few days as the community was getting a bad name due to the allegations between the two sides.
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