Identification of Minority Concentration Districts

Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) have been identified on the basis of substantial minority population and relative backwardness in terms of selected socio-economic and basic amenities parameters based on data of 2001 Census. There are 90 such districts in the country. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha , the Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid, said that there is no proposal to review/upgrade the list of already identified MCDs at this stage.

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Rajya Sabha adjourned till Monday

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till Monday with angry opposition MPs, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), creating a furore demanding a discussion on the IPL row involving Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor.The upper house of parliament will reconvene at 11 a.m. Monday.The problem started Friday as soon as the house assembled at 11 a.m. and BJP members, S.S. Ahluwalia and Ravi Shankar Prasad, were on their feet demanding a debate on the issue. They were joined by MPs from the Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). The house was adjourned till noon.But the din continued when the house reassembled. Amid the din, Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan called for the official papers to be laid in the house.As opposition members continued to raise procedural issues, Home Minister P. Chidambaram stood up to read two paras from a statement laid by Tharoor in the Lok Sabha.In spite of an appeal to members to allow the house to function, the din continued and the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till Monday.======================================================

PM meeting with Brazil President,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting the President of Brazil, Mr. Lula da Silva on the sidelines of BRIC and IBSA Summits, in Brasilia, Brazil on April 15, 2010. ( photo by PIB)

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Of six GSLV launches, only two were successes

The GSLV rocket mission that failed Thursday was the sixth launched by India. Of the six, only two were successes and one a partial success. The rest could not accomplish their missions.The two successful launches by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) were in 2003 and 2004 – and put into space GSAT-2 and Edusat, an educational satellite.The rocket’s maiden flight in 2001 could not attain success as it was not able to sling GSAT-1 into the intended orbit. The satellite could not be raised to the intended orbit.The 2006 flight was historic for a dubious reason – for the first time ISRO destroyed the rocket mid-air soon after the take-off as it started backing up.The last flight of GSLV was in 2007, which is considered a partial success.In Thursday’s mission, the main indigenous cryogenic engine ignited when it was activated 300 seconds after the rocket blasted off, but two side Verinier cryogenic engines failed to igniteThe mission, costing Rs.350-crore mission, was not insured. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Development 3 (GSLV-D3) rocket deviated from its path minutes after the rocket blasted off around 5 p.m.ISRO chairman K.Radhakrishnan said: “The vehicle started tumbling and started losing altitude because two engines would not have ignited.”The GSLV D3 blasted off with a GSAT 4 satellite but stopped emitting signals within minutes, after the rocket attained 60-km altitude.The data from the rocket stopped coming after 505 seconds.“The cryogenic state ignition order was issued by onboard computers as planned. Indication of cryogenic engine getting ignited was also obtained.”“The cryogenic engine has two more Verinier engines, It seems they did not get ignited,” he said, adding a “detailed analysis will be done”.Radhakrishnan said the next GSLV launch with an Indian made cryogenic engine will be launched within a year.This is the first launch for Radhakrishnan after becoming ISRO chairman, (way2online) =======================================================

Hyderabad U.S Consul General address press conference,

A memorandum of understanding signed between Curves International, Inc and Q-Mart Retail Ventures Pvt. Ltd. in a press conference at Taj Deccan, Hyderabad. U.S. Consul General Hyderabad. U.S. based Curves International, Inc is the world’s largest women’s fitness club
franchisor with more than 10,000 locations in over 50 countries worldwide and has brought fitness to more than four million women.U.S.Consul General Cornelis M.Keur presided over the signing ceremony. The press conference is addressed by Curves India CEO David Ramadan and Q-Mart Retail Ventures Pvt. Ltd Director BVK Raju.  (photo by RSJ THOMAS)================================================================================

Moulana Israr Ahmed's death shocks Muslims,

Hyderabad, April 14: The demise of renowned Islamic scholar Moulana Israr Ahmed sent shock waves among Muslim community in this Indian city.Muslim organisations and leaders expressed their shock the death of Moulana Israr Ahmed,the founder of Tanzeem-e-Islami who passed away in Pakistani city of Lahore early Wednesday. Hundreds of Muslims offered 'Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza' (or funeral prayers in the absence of body) at Azizia Masjid, one of the biggest mosques in the city, after Maghrib prayers Wednesday evening. Sheikh Imaduddin, the imam of the mosque, led the prayers. Addressing the gathering, he termed Moulana Israr's death as the biggest loss for the Islamic world. He recalled that the 'dars-e-Quran' (or translation and interpretation of the Quran) by the scholar and his soul-stirring lectures on the message of the Quran created an awakening in the Muslim 'ummah' and reconnected people, especially the youth, to the holy book. Moulana Israr, who died at the age of 78, was a familiar face for Muslims here and in other Indian cities through his daily discourses on Peace TV and QTV. The CDs of his lectures and speeches are also popular here. Moulana Israr, who headed the Quran Academy, had also visited Hyderabad four years ago to deliver a series of lectures. He was popular in the Indian sub-continent, Middle East and North America for his thought-provoking lectures on the Quran.
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Parliament adjourned over demands for debate on Dantewada

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon amid noisy scenes by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and other opposition parties demanding the suspension of question hour for a debate on Dantewada massacre.In the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders M.M. Joshi and Rajnath Singh raised the demand first and were soon joined by members from the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Janata Dal-United.Parliamentary Affairs Minister P. K. Bansal tried to pacify the protesting parliamentarians and informed them that Home Minister P. Chidambaram would make a statement on the issue at 1 p.m.But the protesting MPs continued with their demand, forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the house.The Rajya Sabha also resumed work with at least 19 members who were re-elected and elected to the upper house of the Indian parliament taking oath. All the members of the Rajya Sabha also paid tribute to the late Polish president Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash last week.Soon after that, however, the house had to be adjourned following noisy demands for a debate on the massacre in the April 6 masscre of 76 security personnel in the forests of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.
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17,842 acres of land distributed to poor in AP dist

Tirupati, Apr 14: As many as 17,842 acres of land was distributed to the poor landless beneficiaries in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh which under the fifth phase of land distribution programme held on Ambedkar 'Jayanthi' today.In Tirupati division, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads and Buildings Galla Arunaka Kumari launched the fifth phase of land distribution programme at Srinivasa Auditorium in S V University campus where 3,612 beneficiaries from three constituencies were given land rights. Chittoor TDP MP Siva Prasad handed over land pattas to the beneficiaries on the occasion.After participating in Dr B R Ambedkar Birth Anniversary celebrations at Chittoor district headquarters, Ms Kumari also unveiled the prestigious land distribution programme at Market Yard in Chittoor division where 3,118 landless poor were given land pattas. In Madanapalle division, State Forest Minister P Ramachandra Reddy launched the fifth phase of land distribution programme after garlanding the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar.The district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the prestigious programme.
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Pakistan minister to represent country at Sania-Shoaib reception

Pakistan Population Welfare Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, cricketer Sohail Tanvir and singer Waris Baig have arrived here to attend the wedding reception of Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza Thursday evening.Awan, who landed in Hyderabad Wednesday night, hoped that the marriage of the two celebrities would help strengthen the ties between India and Pakistan.“I am here to attend the wedding reception and I am confident that this marriage will help in the peace process,” she told reporters at the airport.The minister, who would represent the Pakistani government at the reception Thursday, said she would present a gold crown to Sania as a special gift from the people of Sialkot, Shoaib’s home town. The minister also comes from the same town.Awan, who is on a five-day visit to India at the invitation of union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, will also hand over gifts from Pakistan President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to the coupleThe minister reiterated that the newly-wed couple would be brand ambassadors of Pakistan population welfare ministry.“We are aware of the legal process in India and the issue of passport will be resolved very soon,” she said when asked about Shoaib’s passport, which is still with a city court.The Hyderabad Police have said it could take a week for the former Pakistan skipper to get back his passport as he would have to complete legal formalities with regard to the closure of the case filed against him by his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui.Ayesha withdrew her complaint against Shoaib after the latter divorced her. But the cricketer’s passport, seized by the police after grilling him April 5, is still with the court.The Pakistani cricketer married the Indian tennis ace Monday.Meanwhile, the stage is set for the gala wedding reception at hotel Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. Sania’s family has invited about 1,000 guests, including film personalities and sportspersonsActors Salman Khan and Shahid Kapoor, tennis stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati, and ace shuttler Pullela Gopichand are among some of the celebrities expected to attend the reception.(way2online)

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Notification issued for Council polls for 3 seats

Hyderabad, Apr 13 : The Election Commission of India today issued notification for conducting Legislative Council Elections in Andhra Pradesh to fill up three seats from Hyderabad Local Authorities Constituency (two members) and Hyderabad Local Authorities Constituency(one member).Informing this to reporters here, State Chief Electoral Officer I V Subba Rao said the last date for filing of nominations would be April 20.Scrutiny of nominations would be taken up on April 21 and the last date for withdrawals is April 23.The elections would be held on May 7 and counting of votes polled on May 10, he said, adding Model Code of Conduct had already come into force from April 6.As many as 223 voters-- 150 corporators and 65 ex-officio members--were eligible to exercise their preferential vote from Hyderabad and 592 voters including an MP and six MLAs could vote from Rangareddy Local Authorities Constituency, he added.
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Chief Minister Dr.K.Rosaiah, launches land distribution prog

Hyderabad, Apr 14 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today launched the fifth phase of the land distribution to landless poor by handing over the title deeds to women at Shadnagar in Mahaboobnagar district, coinciding with the 119th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar.Later, addressing the gathering, he said the government, which was committed to the welfare of the poor had decided to distribute land to the landless poor for their empowerment.He urged the opposition parties to extend their help and offer suggestions for the implementaton of the land distribution scheme instead of criticising the state government.It was the duty and responsibility of the opposition parties to offer their constructive suggestions for its implementation in the interest of the landless poor, he added. He said an extent of 1,00,615 acres had been identified for distribution to over 69,506 beneficiaries in 22 districts in the state.''Our government aims to fulfil 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,'' he said.Each family was given land 2.50 acres of wet land or 5 acres of dry land, including the land originally held by the family.Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao said the state government had taken up the land distribution programme in a big way.He said the state government has already distributed surplus land to the landless poor in four phases to an extent of 6,03,809 acres.
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Two unknown ladies go missing after stealing new born

Hyderabad, Apr 13 : Two unknown burqa clad ladies came to Imtiyaz Hospital and took away a new born baby from the hospital in the city.According to police, yesterday, two un-known ladies wearing expensive Burqa came to Imtiyaz Hospital and started conversing with the mother of a 6-day-old baby girl and her attendant. After sometime, the lady attendant went down to settle the hospital bills for discharging the baby and the mother's. Meanwhile, one of the ladies asked the babys mother to bring the baby girl to cash counter for conducting a test.Believing them, the mother handed over the baby girl to the lady.Immediately, the said ladies sped away with the baby girl.Search was on to trace the culprits, police said. (thanks to newkrala.com)
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Ceremonies begin at Sania Mirza's house

Hyderabad, April 13: A day after Sania Mirza's marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, wedding ceremonies began at the residence of the Indian tennis ace here.The bride and her bride-groom arrived at her residence in Jubliee Hills Tuesday, formally kicking up series of ceremonies. The couple stayed at Taj Krishna hotel after their 'nikah' Monday afternoon. Since Sania and her husband were paying first visit to the house after the marriage, they were given a traditional and warm welcome by her parents. Imran Mirza and his wife Naseema along with other family members came out of the house to receive the newly-wed couple. 'Mehendi', a pre-wedding ceremony, began Tuesday with the arrival of relatives and close friends of Sania and family members of Shoaib at Sania's house, which has been decked up and illuminated for the occasion. 'Sangeet', a ceremony with musical programme, is scheduled to be held Wednesday while Sania's family will host a gala wedding reception at the hotel. The bride's uncle and Gazal singer Talat Aziz is set to perform at 'Sangeet'. Sources close to the family said since the two families advanced the 'nikah', the pre-wedding ceremonies like 'mehendi' were being held after the wedding. Sources said the 'nikah' was advanced to avoid further controversies. Islamic scholars Sunday issued a 'fatwa' terming as un-Islamic the proximity between Sania and Shoaib before the marriage. Sania's family earlier stated that 'nikah' would take place April 15. Shoaib, 28, wed the 23-year-old Sania at a brief and simple ceremony held at the hotel. Under 'nikahnama' or marriage contract, the former Pakistani skipper agreed to pay Rs.61 lakh as 'mehr' to Sania. The Pakistani batsman last week divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui after a bitter row surrounded the three families for a fortnight.
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OBAMA WELCOMES TO Dr. MANMOHAN SINGH.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the US President, Mr. Barack Obama, at the official welcome for the Nuclear Security Summit, in Washington on April 12, 2010.

(Photo by No.CNR-31221)
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MANMOHAN SINGH, MEETS TO GILANI,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh exchanging pleasantries with his Pakistani Counterpart, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani, during the official reception for the leaders, at the Nuclear Security Summit, in Washington on April 12, 2010. (Photo by No.CNR-31216)
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Dr.J.Geeta Reddy to attend of "convergence for development of tourist destination" meeting in New Delhi,

The Union Minister of Tourism & Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Kum. Selja chairing a meeting of convergence for development of tourist destinations, in New Delhi on April 13, 2010.The Minister of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. J.Geetha Reddy and the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Shri Sujit Banerjee are also seen. (Photo by No.CNR-31229)
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PM Singh, meeting with PM Canada,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in a meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit, in Washington on April 12, 2010.(photo by PIB)

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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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