Hyderabad on alert after warning of possible terror attacks

Hyderabad, April 28 : Police in Hyderabad Wednesday went on alert following a warning by central intelligence agencies about possible terror strikes in the city.Police personnel with the help of dog squads took up search operations at railway and bus stations, markets and some other crowded places. Security has been beefed up at places of worship, historical monuments and vital installations.Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said the alert was sounded in view of the recent bomb blasts in Bangalore and also to apprehend some suspected terror operatives believed to be hiding in the city.As the intelligence agencies warned that terrorists could strike crowded place, the dog squads searched Begumbazar, a major trade hub, whrere communal riots occurred early this month.Security personnel stopped vehicles and checked them at several points in the city.All police stations in the city have been alerted and leave of police personnel cancelled till May 18, the third anniversary of the bomb blast at historic Mecca Masjid.The police commissioner appealed to people to inform police about any person moving suspiciously or about any unclaimed object. He advised shopping malls, cinema theatres and shops to install metal detectors, CCTV cameras and deploy private security personnel to gear up security."There is no need for panic but people should be alert about their surroundings," said the police commissioner.Khan said police were trying to arrest Viquaruddin and his associates who were believed to be in city.The alert comes a few days ahead of the third anniversary of the blast at Mecca Masjid. Nine people were killed in the blast during Friday prayers at the mosque May 18, 2007.Last year on the second anniversary of the blast, unidentified persons had opened fire at policemen in the old city killing one policeman and injuring another.Police believed Viquaruddin, an alleged terror operative, was involved. In a similar attack Dec 3, 2008, two policemen were injured. The incident took place when police were trying to arrest Viquaruddin. One of the two people accompanying him opened fire on policemen. The three then managed to escape.
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TRS warns of civil war over Telangana statehood

Hyderabad, April 28 : On the occasion of its ninth anniversary Wednesday, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) once again warned of civil war if Telangana was not made a separate state soon.
Unfazed by the criticism from other parties and even demands for booking him for sedition, TRS chief K.Chandrasekhara Rao said civil war would be inevitable if Telangana state was not carved out.Addressing a gathering of hundreds of party workers here Wednesday evening, Rao dismissed speculations that the TRS would merge with the Congress party.He declared that the TRS would remain as a separate entity even after formation of Telangana state and that it would not have an alliance with any party in future."Some people are calling me traitor and demanding that the TRS be derecognized. This for raising voice against injustices to four crore people of Telangana. Are those who snatched our water resources and jobs not traitors?" asked the Mahabubnagar MP.KCR, as Rao is popularly known by initials of his name, said people would teach a lesson to the parties that want to field candidates against the TRS in assembly by-elections.Bypolls to 10 assembly seats, which fell vacant following resignations by TRS legislators over Telangana issue, are likely to be held in August this year. Earlier, TRS ideologue K. Jayashankar said war-like situation would be inevitable if the Srikrishna Committee failed to give a report in line with the aspirations of Telangana people.Addressing the anniversary celebrations of the party here, he said the panel formed by the central government to look into the issue was the last hope for people demanding a separate state of Telangana."If Telangana state is not formed even after the Srikrishna Committee submits its report, struggle will be the only option before the people. We can't say what will be the shape of this movement," said the former vice chancellor of the Kakatiya University."People will decide the nature of the movement. They have no options as despite an announcement by the central government in parliament their dream of a separate state has not been fulfilled," he said.The five-member committee formed by the central government in February is currently holding consultations with all stake holders. The panel headed by former Supreme Court Justice B.N. Srikrishna has been given time till Dec 31 to submit its report.The TRS is celebrating its formation day at a time when the Srikrishna Committee is engaged in consultations over Telangana issue. The party conclave, attended by delegates from all 10 districts of the region, including Hyderabad, also reviewed the developments of last six months.It was KCR's fast-unto-death in November-December last year which intensified the movement for Telangana state. Rao called off his fast after 11 days Dec 9 when the central government announced that the process for formation of Telangana state would be initiated.However, the statement by Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram plunged Andhra Pradesh into crisis with massive protests in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Mass resignations by public representatives and street protests forced the central government to backtrack and it decided to hold consultations with all the stakeholders.All 10 state legislators of TRS resigned en masse after the central government made a second statement Dec 23. However, legislators from other parties refused to follow the TRS line.TRS, which initially opposed formation of the Srikrishna Committee, later submitted a memorandum to it and also put forward its arguments in favour of a separate Telangana state.It was on this day in 2001 that KCR had quit Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and floated TRS to revive the three-decade old movement for a separate Telangana state.Over 300 people were killed in police firing during violent protests for Telangana in early 1970s.  (PHOTO BY RSJ THOMAS)
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Hunger Strike by "HYDERABAD UNION OF JOURNALISTS"(HUJ) at Press Club

In protest attacked on journalists by police one day hunger strike organised by Andhra Pradesh Union of Working journalists(APUWJ), CPM leader B.V Raghavulu atteneded the strike with senior journlists Mr K.Amarnath, Mr D. Amar, HUJ president Mr Khaleel Quadri, HUJ Executive Member Mr SSK Hussaini Iqbal, and others can be seen,                        (photo by R S J.Thomas)========================================================

Opposition shutdown hits transport in Andhra Pradesh

 The day-long shutdown called by opposition parties against price rise evoked partial response in Andhra Pradesh affecting transport services.State-owned Road Transport Corp (RTC) stopped plying buses in several places in Andhra Pradesh as opposition workers held demonstrations outside bus depots and staged road blockades, police said.Shops and business establishments in some towns were partially closed. Normal life largely remained unaffected in Hyderabad as buses plied normally while shops and business establishments were open.The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Forward Block and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) called for the shutdown to protest price rise.Leaders and activists of the five parties were arrested in Hyderabad and 22 other districts of the state as they tried to forcibly close shops, staged road and rail blockades, and took out rallies Mild tension prevailed at RTC cross roads here when TDP, CPI and CPI-M workers blocked vehicular traffic and police used force to disperse them. CPI state secretary K. Narayana and CPI-M state secretary B.V. Raghavulu were among the leaders who were arrested.In Uppal on the city’s outskirts, TDP leaders led by former minister T. Devender Goud took out a motorcycle rally to enforce the shutdown.Police arrested opposition activists in Ongole town in Prakasam district when they stopped RTC buses from plying. Dozens of protesters were also taken into custody in Nalgonda.Vehicular traffic came to a standstill on National Highway 9 near Vijayawada as leaders and workers of the opposition parties squatted on the road.Blaming the policies of the central and state governments for the price rise, CPI leader Narayana demanded that the government immediately reduce VAT on food items in Andhra Pradesh. ======================================================

CTAC submits report to CM on organ transplantation

Hyderabad, Apr 27 : The Cadaver Transplantation Advisory Committee (CTAC) today suggested implementation of a new scheme 'Jeevandaan' with the objective of promoting the transplantation of organs harvested from cadavers or brain dead persons.In its report, submitted to Chief Minister K Rosaiah at Secretariat here, the Committee recommended constitution of the Appropriate Authority for Cadaver Transplantation (AACT) and housing it in the premises of NIMS, establishment of a network of Non-Transplanting Organ Harvesting Centres (NTOHC) to be registered in the hospitals with specified infrastructure and manpower, a real-time information will be provided on availability of organs and allocate them to needy patients with matching requirements. A copy of the report submitted by the CTAC will be posted on the website of the AP Government, inviting comments of experts and citizens for two weeks from April 28, 2010. The Government intends to issue the required policy orders on the cadaver transplantation, taking into consideration the report of the Committee as also the suggestions to be received from experts and citizens. The Chief Minister hailed the Cadaver Transplantation Advisory Committee (CTAC) for their comprehensive report, a press release here said. Medical Education Minister P Sudarshan Reddy, Principal Secretary (Health) J Satyanarayana, Principal Secretary (Finance) L V Subramanyam and others were also present.
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Andhra Pradesh achieves 4th position in IT related exports

Visakhapatnam, Apr 27 : The Andhra Pradesh Information Technology and Communication Principal Secreatry K Ratna Prabha said the state has risen to fourth position in IT related exports in the current fiscal.Talking to the media here today she said, the state of affairs of IT industry and the basic infrastructure facilities needed to be extended with the IT company representatives and officials from Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority(VUDA), Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL), and road transport Corporation. She further said Andhra Pradesh is aiming to achieve Rs 5000 crore from IT related exports in the next five years time. Visakhapatnam has currently two IT hubs in Madhuravada and Rushikonda. The third hub will be Gambhiram. So far more than 25 companies were provided land ranging from 2 to 15 acres for setting up their offices. However, nearly 12 companies did not make any beginning so far. The companies which have started functioning have pointed out lack of amenities such as transport services, scarcity in water supply, and power shortage and the recently clamped power holiday by the EPDCL. She also instructed the companies to make all positive initiatives to start their business activity within six months time in the respective lands allotted to them for the purpose, failing which the government would consider other companies which are evincing interest. The state government would bring forth a new IT policy. It will be implemented from next year which is under proposal stage now, she revealed.
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Train Fare Concession Increased to 100% for Cancer Patients

(PIB NEWS)As announced by the Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee in her Budget Speech 2010-11, the Ministry of Railways has decided to enhance the element of concession to caner patients in 3-AC and Sleeper class from existing 75 per cent to 100 per cent. The element of concession for escort in 3-AC and Sleeper remains unchanged i.e. 75 per cent. It has become effective from 20th April, 2010.Cancer patients and their escorts are given concession in railway fares for going to (and returning from) recognized hospitals for treatment and periodic checkup. The 100 per cent concession to the cancer patient is admissible only in the basic fares of Mail/Express trains and all other charges will be realized in full. The element of concession for cancer patients and their escorts in other classes i.e. 2nd, 1st Class AC, Chair-Car and 2 AC/1AC shall remain unchanged at 75 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. This concession will be admissible on tickets purchased on and after April 20, 2010. In cases of tickets already issued for travel on & after April 20, 2010, refund of difference of fares will not be admissible. There are no changes in other terms and conditions. ======================================================

Health and Wellness Clubs to be Set up in Schools: Shri Kapil Sibal National School Sanitation Iniative Launched: Aamir Khan Declared Brand Ambassador

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal has said that Health and Wellness Clubs will be set up in schools. These clubs will instill among children values of good health and sanitation. He was speaking at the launch of the National School Sanitation Initiative, being undertaken by the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development, Union Ministry of Urban Development, CBSE and GTZ, here today. Shri Sibal underlined that partnership with children is required as they are the future. He exhorted the children to take the lead and inspire all towards high standards of sanitation. He pointed out that what we have got from mother nature must be preserved.Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy stated that it was required to sensitise people about the issues of sanitation, energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources. He talked about the National Urban Sanitation Policy and how this new initiative could play a large role in improving sanitation levels in the country. A School Sanitation Manual was released by Shri Sibal which will be part of the CBSE curriculum. A Bio-dynamic waste Segregation Programme was launched by Shri Reddy which seeks to educate children about use of waste as a resource. Smt. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development released the School Sanitation Report on the occasion. Shri Saugata Roy, Minister of State for Urban Development, released a number of colourful posters focusing on the theme of sanitation. Noted film actor, Aamir Khan was declared the Brand Ambassador for the initiative. He congratulated the two ministers on this important initiative and stated that it was now up to the citizens and children to take this forward. He, along with Shri Sibal and Shri Reddy, interacted and took questions from a large number of school students present on the occasion.
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Togadia fails to appear before SIT

Summoned by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2002 post-Godhra communal riots, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general secretary Pravin Togadia struck a defiant note when he sent in his proxy with a set of queries. The SIT turned down the plea and refused to accept the proxy appearance.Named in the petition submitted to the Supreme Court by Zakia Jaffri, widow of former congress MP Ehsan Jaffri who died in the communal killings at the Gulberg society in Ahmedabad, Togadia was summoned by the SIT to appear before it through a letter faxed to his office on April 19.On Saturday, instead of appearing in person Togadia sent his lawyers to the SIT office to enquire under what rule he had been summoned and what was the focus of the questioning he would have to submit to.Togadia’s advocate, Deepak Shukla, said Monday that he had sent two of his lawyer colleagues to the SIT office with Togadia’s letter raising the issues. But the SIT official did not accept the letterShukla charged that the SIT official had also insulted the two lawyers who had gone to the office.The petition filed by Zakia Jaffri names the chief minister, Narendra Modi, and 62 others as accused. The SIT refused to entertain Togadia’s lawyers and demanded that the VHP leader appear in person. The SIT also refused to accept from the lawyers some documents sent by Togadia.Shukla said that the SIT officer pointed out to the lawyers that even the chief minister had responded positively to the SIT summons and answered its questions for nearly nine hours in two sessions last month, and wondered why was Togadia reluctant to appear before it.Meanwhile, SIT chairman, R.K. Raghavan, arrived here Monday. He is due to submit the final report of the investigation before the apex court April 30.
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Congress not in favour of JPC probe into phone taps

The Congress Monday indicated it was not in favour of a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into allegations of phone tapping of senior political leaders.“It (JPC) does not have coercive powers possessed by regulatory agencies…. (The) history of JPC in terms of penal outcomes is not very encouraging,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.Singhvi said it was possible a JPC may inhibit ongoing investigations.“A final decision on JPC will be taken by the government,” Singhvi said while appealing to the opposition not to disrupt proceedings of parliament on the issue.The phone tapping issue rocked parliament Monday following a report in a newsmagazine that the government had tapped telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some other opposition parties have demanded a JPC to look into issues concerning the Indian Premier League and the phone tapping row.The CPI-M has sought an independent inquiry into the phone tapping allegations.With the demands of grants of several ministries scheduled to be taken up in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, Singhvi appealed to the opposition allow parliament to function.“It is not necessary to disrupt parliament on demand for JPC,” he said. Referring to Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement in parliament refuting allegations about the government involvement in phone tapping, Singhvi said the remarks were “fair, balanced and pointed”.
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PM’s Statement to the Media at the Joint Press Meet With President Hamid Karzai

(PIB NEWS)Following is the statement of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the joint press meet with the President of Afghanistan, Mr. Hamid Karzai:“It is a great honour for me to welcome His Excellency President Hamid Karzai to India on his first visit to India after his re-election as President. I have had extremely productive discussions with President Karzai. We discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. We exchanged views on regional cooperation in the context of forthcoming SAARC Summit and our common vision of freer and more unfettered regional trade and transit. Greater economic integration has the potential of transforming our region. India and Afghanistan enjoy a strategic partnership based on unique historical and civilizational bonds and shared goals. I conveyed to President Karzai our deep admiration for his courageous leadership in difficult times, and our support to the Government and people of Afghanistan as they build a strong, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. India believes that this process should be led and owned by the Afghan people. We reviewed the development partnership between our two countries. India remains committed to assisting the Government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts towards the reconstruction and development of their country. I conveyed to the President that India is ready to augment its assistance for capacity building and for skill and human resources development to help strengthen public institutions in Afghanistan. We discussed the issue of terrorism, which threatens our region. President Karzai assured me that the Government of Afghanistan will take all possible measures for the security of Indians in Afghanistan. We were of the view that the attacks of February 26, 2010 in Kabul were the handiwork of those who do not wish to see the emergence of a strong, independent and pluralistic Afghanistan. I conveyed to President Karzai that the perpetrators of such attacks will not succeed in undermining India’s commitment to assist the Afghan people. I look forward to continuing to work together with President Karzai for further enhancing our close cooperation. This is in the interest of our two peoples and peace and stability in the region and beyond.”
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Three language formula for Linguistic Minorities

The Government has informed the Rajya Sabha that the report of National Commission for Religious & Linguistic Minorities( NCRLM), inter alia, states that a three-language formula should be implemented everywhere in the country making it compulsory for the authorities to include in it the mother tongue of every child – including especially, Urdu and Punjabi. Giving this information in written reply to a question the Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid, informed the House that the report of NCRLM says that all necessary facilities, financial and logistic, should be provided by the State for education in accordance with the dispensation suggested by it.The Minister said that the recommendations of NCRLM are under consideration of the Government.
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Women Beggars and Prostitutes,

(PIB NEWS)The number of women beggars hauled up in NCT of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata during the last three years is 319, 1818 and 19 respectively.A study on Girls and Women in Prostitution in India conducted between 2002-04 with the support of the Ministry of Women and Child Development had estimated that there were about 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 prostitutes in 6 metro cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. The Government is already taking a number of measurers for economic empowerment of women which help in prevention of such destitution. A scheme ‘Ujjawala’ is being implemented for prevention of trafficking for sexual exploitation and also for rescue and rehabilitation of victims. In addition, Swadhar Shelter Homes provide shelter and other facilities such as food, health care etc. to women in difficult circumstances including trafficked victims. The States also have their own schemes and programmes to prevent such destitution. This information was given by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of State(Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Women and Child Development in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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PM’s Statement to the Media at the Joint Press Meet With President Hamid Karzai

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the President of the Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Hamid Karzai, at the joint press conference, in New Delhi on April 26, 2010.                          (Photo by PIB No.CNR -31404)
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(PIB NEWS)Following is the statement of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the joint press meet with the President of Afghanistan, Mr. Hamid Karzai:“It is a great honour for me to welcome His Excellency President Hamid Karzai to India on his first visit to India after his re-election as President. I have had extremely productive discussions with President Karzai. We discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. We exchanged views on regional cooperation in the context of forthcoming SAARC Summit and our common vision of freer and more unfettered regional trade and transit. Greater economic integration has the potential of transforming our region. India and Afghanistan enjoy a strategic partnership based on unique historical and civilizational bonds and shared goals. I conveyed to President Karzai our deep admiration for his courageous leadership in difficult times, and our support to the Government and people of Afghanistan as they build a strong, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. India believes that this process should be led and owned by the Afghan people. We reviewed the development partnership between our two countries. India remains committed to assisting the Government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts towards the reconstruction and development of their country. I conveyed to the President that India is ready to augment its assistance for capacity building and for skill and human resources development to help strengthen public institutions in Afghanistan. We discussed the issue of terrorism, which threatens our region. President Karzai assured me that the Government of Afghanistan will take all possible measures for the security of Indians in Afghanistan. We were of the view that the attacks of February 26, 2010 in Kabul were the handiwork of those who do not wish to see the emergence of a strong, independent and pluralistic Afghanistan. I conveyed to President Karzai that the perpetrators of such attacks will not succeed in undermining India’s commitment to assist the Afghan people. I look forward to continuing to work together with President Karzai for further enhancing our close cooperation. This is in the interest of our two peoples and peace and stability in the region and beyond.”
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No statement by PM as Lok Sabha adjourned for day

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day Monday as the opposition continued its protests over reports that politicians’ phones were tapped by government agencies. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was supposed to speak in the Lok Sabha over the allegations at 3.30 p.m.When the house reassembled after the lunch at 2 p.m., opposition MPs from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP) shouted slogans against the goverment and gathered near the speaker’s podium. They were supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left party MPs.Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Raghuvansh Prasad Singh also raised the issue of the Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy.As the opposition continued its protest, Deputy Speaker Karia Munda adjourned the house for the day.Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had earlier told the house amid furious protests by opposition MPs: “PM is ready to speak in the house at 3.30 pm.”

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Bill on punishment for torture introduced in Lok Sabha

A bill proposing punishment for torture inflicted by public servants or torture inflicted by someone with the consent of public servants was introduced in the Lok Sabha Monday. Introducing the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said: “The proposed legislation, inter alia, defines the expression ‘torture’, provides for punishment to those involved in the incidents of torture and specifies the time limit for taking cognizance of the offence.”
He said an amendment of the existing laws such as Indian Penal Code (IPC) or bringing in a new legislation was necessary for India to ratify the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Dec 9, 1975.
“Ratification of the Convention requires enabling legislation to reflect the definition and punishment for ‘torture’. Although some provisions relating to the matter are existing in the IPC, yet they neither define ‘torture’ as clearly as in Article I of the Convention nor make it a criminal offence as called for by Article 4 of the Convention,” the home minister said.Chidambaram said the matter was examined “at length in consultation with the Law Commission of India and the Attorney General of India”.“After considerable deliberations on the issue, it was decided to bring in a standalone legislation so that the Convention can be ratified,” the minister said. =======================================================

Heatwave in Telangana, rain in coastal AP, Rayalaseema

Hyderabad, Apr 26 : Heat wave conditions prevailed over the districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar and Warangal of Telangana, while isolated rain was reported in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.The maximum temperatures changed little over the state. They were significantly above normal at a few places over the remaining districts of Telangana and above normal at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Ramagundam, Met department said today.Heat wave conditions may prevail over the districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Warangal of Telangana during next two days. Isolated rain/thundershowers would occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. Kalakada in Chittoor District recorded a rainfall of one cm.Thunder clouds would develop towards evening/night in the city.The maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 41 and 26 degrees respectively, it added.
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AP Governor launches Census 2011 in AP

Hyderabad, Apr 26 : Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan today launched the commencement of house-listing operations of census of India 2011 by providing details at Raj Bhavan here.A team of officials visited the Governor's bungalow and obtained the details from him. Later, the Governor called upon the people to extend their cooperation by providing all the details sought by enumerators as this was very much needed for implementing the welfare schemes effectively for the benefit of the poor people.''Census of India is perhaps the largest administrative exercise in the entire world and has an enviable tradition of achievement and competence. The first Census was taken way back in 1872, in the then British India, and the first Census in Independent India was conducted in 1951,'' he said.''The decennial Census is a landmark event in the socio-economic history of our country. The data will provide the basis for the formulation of sound socio-economic policies at all levels,'' he said.Director of Census operations in State Y V Anuradha said the exercise would be carried out in two phases-- house-listing and housing census Operations -- from today till June 10, this year and population enumeration from February 9 to 28, next year. She said the details collected would be the foundation for all developmental programmes in the state. About 1.6 lakh enumerators and 26,000 supervisors were engaged in the exercise and each enumerator would cover 120 to 150 households.State Ministers of respective districts too launched the programme in the districts.
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Cartoonist Subhani Shaik to receive Yudhvir Memorial award

Hyderabad, Apr 26 : Noted cartoonist Subhani Shaik has been selected for the 19th Yudhvir Memorial Foundation Award for his contribution in the field of cartoon journalism.The award, comprising a citation and a purse of Rs 50,000, would be given to him by Andhra Pradesh Information Minister J Geeta Reddy at an impressive function here on April 30.Awards won by Mr Subhani, now serving as Cartoon Editor in Deccan Chronicle, included ''Award of Success'' in the second FCW International Cartoon Festival, China in 2004 and Special prize in the Leng Mu International Cartoon Festival in China.Previous recipients of the Yudhvir award, instituted in memory of eminent freedom fighter, journalist and founder of daily Hindi Milap, included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, classical musician Pandit Jasraj, Space scientist U R Rao and eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal.
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Muaythai Championship - from April 30th to may 2nd at LB Stadium Hyderabad,

Hyderabad,April-26, Muaythai Association of Andhra Pradesh an Affiliate of Muaythai India(MTI)National Federation(recognized by Indian Olympic Association)is organizing its Andhra Pradesh State Junior and Sub Junior Muaythai Championship will be held from April 30th to may2nd at Boxing hall of Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. Mr M.H.Abid,National President(MTI) Addressing the media at Hotel Grand Plaza Nampally today,Hafiz Mohammed Salahuddin Jaweed,State president Muay Thai Association of Andhra Pradesh, (MTA-AP),Mr Aziz Ahmed (Bangalore) also be seen.(PHOTO BY R S J THOMAS)***********************************************************************************