Maoist sympathiser Gaddar takes up Telangana cause

Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary balladeer Gaddar Saturday formally launched his new outfit Telangana Praja Front (TPF) to advocate a separate state of Telangana.Stating that mass struggle is the only way to achieve the goal, he said the TPF was not a mere political party but would develop into a strong political force.Addressing the first meeting of the TPF, Gaddar, born and known a Gummadi Vithal Rao, announced that the immediate goal of the TPF would be to put pressure on the central government to table a bill in the winter session of parliament for granting statehood to Telangana.“The ball is in the centre’s court,” said Gaddar, who is likely to wrest the leadership of the Telangana movement from Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao.Gaddar vowed not to rest till the goal is achieved, and said the movement to be launched by the TFP would bring the state and central governments to a standstill.The day-long meeting, attended by representatives of over 60 organisations from various parts of the region, will finalise the aims and objectives of the TPF.“We want our Telangana, self-rule and self-respect. We don’t want anything else,” said Gaddar, who also sang songs in his inimmitable style.Without naming the TRS or its leader, Gaddar said electoral politics alone cannot achieve separate Telangana. “Delhi, which was unmoved by the electoral wins (of TRS), was rattled by the mass movement,” he said, referring to the protests by students and other groups late last year.He pointed out that for 60 years the parties fighting for Telangana could not achieve anything because their struggle was not mass-based.Gaddar, who had actively participated in Telangana movement of 1969, declared that the TPF would try to bring all forces working for a separate Telangana and who are above selfish politics on a common platform.Gaddar accused the Congress of betraying the cause of Telangana. Gaddar said the TPF had not born overnight and pointed out that the consultations with various mass organisations were going on for over a year.Telangana comprises 10 districts of Andhra Pradesh, including Hyderabad. It was after a nine-day fast by TRS chief in December last year that the central government decided to initiate the process for formation of a Telangana state.The government later constituted the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee to look into the issue after angry public reaction in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.The committee is scheduled to submit its report to the government by Dec 31.
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Shiv Sena attacks Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah

In a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over their recent controversial utterances, the Shiv Sena Saturday said both “crown princes” needed to get their “heads examined at mental hospitals”.In a no-holds barred editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, the Sena has said that the manner in which the two youthful leaders have been shooting off their mouths, they pose “a threat to the nation’s integrity”. It said that both “need to get their heads examined at government expense in government mental hospitals”.Starting with Rahul Gandhi, the editorial said that he has completely lost his mental balance and must be immediately shunted to his “mother’s land” (Italy). It suggested that there they could carry out a research on his brain for its “rotten thinking” and the utterance that there is not much difference between the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI ) and the Rahtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).The editorial said that the SIMI has been banned for indulging in terrorist and anti-national activities with its involvement in many terror incidents around the country, including Mumbai.“It is functioning like a ‘chhote miya’ (junior) of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al-Qaeda in India. On the other hand, the RSS is the fountainhead of nationalism, the Sangh symbolises sacrifices and selfless service to society – How could Rahul compare the two?” the editorial demanded.Hinting at a hidden agenda, the Sena said that Rahul is trying to please the Muslim vote-bank by his utterances.“It will be better if the Muslims themselves put an end to his statements. The difference between SIMI and RSS is the same as the difference between Italian scamster Quattrochi and Shahid Bhagat Singh, or the distance between India and Italy,” the editorial noted sarcastically.In a below-the-belt remark, the editorial pointed out that the reason Rahul is making such statements is he is not getting settled in life though he is 40, though his younger cousin Varun’s marriage has already been fixed.Going on to tackle Omar Abdullah, the edit said that the statements of this crown prince also could not be ignored by anybody.Terming as “kiddish” Omar’s reported remark that Jammu and Kashmir was compelled to join India and that India and Pakistan must discuss the Kashmir issue, the Sena demanded his outster.“His (Omar’s) views are blatantly anti-national and he deserves to be kicked out as the chief minister,” the edit thundered.It reminded how Indian soldiers have been waging a war against Pakistani infiltrators and terrorists on the borders since the past 60 years and over 25,000 Kashmiris have laid their lives so far.“Someday, Pakistan will have to pay the price for all this,” the editorial warned.
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Chandrababu Naidu raises hand on tribal woman

Hyderabad, Oct 9 : Did former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu assault a tribal woman during a meeting in East Godavari district? Yes, says a television channel, which repeatedly telecast the scene but Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) denies it.The visuals show TDP chief raising his hand to beat a woman, snatching the mike from her and even hitting her on her arm to force her to sit down. The main opposition party, however, clarified that Naidu was only trying to restrain her.The incident took place late Friday at Prattipadu in East Godavari district when Naidu was meeting people after visiting laterite mines in Vantada village.During the interaction, a woman supporting the mines criticised politicians for frequently visiting the area. She snatched the mike from another woman to express her views. Fuming at her action, Naidu admonished her and raised his hand as if to hit her. The leader of opposition then snatched the mike from her and hit her arm to force her to sit down.Sakshi television channel, owned by Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, repeatedly telecast the visuals, claiming that Naidu attacked a tribal woman. It said Naidu lost his cool as the woman wanted to pose a question to him.Leaders of the ruling party demanded Naidu's arrest and that he be booked under the Scheduled Castes/Schedukled Tribes Atrocities (Prevention) Act. They also demanded that Naidu immediately resign from the post of leader of opposition."It is shameful for a man who served as chief minister for nine years and leader of opposition for over six years to raise his hand on a woman," said state Minister for Tribal Welfare P. Balarju.Congress legislators and tribal leaders demanded action against the TDP chief.The TDP, however, clarified that Naidu was only trying to pacify two groups of women who were quarrelling with each other. TDP leader Ramesh Rathod alleged that the television channel spread false propaganda against Naidu as the latter was on a campaign to expose illegal mining.
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Andhra government reconstitutes infrastructure corporation board

Hyderabad, Oct 8: Andhra Pradesh government Friday reconstituted the board of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), removing B.P. Acharya as the director following allegations against him in a deal with Emaar Properties.

The government issued orders bringing Ajay Mishra, principal secretary, investment, as the director in place of Acharya, who is the principal secretary of industries department.
The government also named five other bureaucrats as directors - B.R. Meena, Anantaramu, K. Madhusudhana Rao, T. Satyanarana Rao and Vikas Raj.The government continued Shivarama Subramanyan as APIIC chairman.The board has been constituted at a time when the opposition has stepped up the campaign demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the APIIC-Emaar deal.The APIIC has already admitted that Emaar Properties had sold its stake in 535-acre Boulder Hills to Emaar MGF, an offshoot of the Emaar Group without informing it.The APIIC had leased the prime land in Gacchibowli area here, estimated to be worth Rs.2,500 crore, to Dubai-based Emaar Properties for the joint venture, a township-cum-golf course, in 2003.Under the joint venture, APIIC had 49 percent stake but it was reduced to 26 percent and that of Emaar raised to 74 percent after Congress came to power in 2004. Emaar in 2006, without the knowledge of APIIC, signed a development agreement with Emaar MGF for the development of a township. The government realized after nearly four years that it had been taken for a ride and recently issued a legal notice to Emaar.The APIIC chairman Thursday exuded confidence that the issue would be resolved with Emaar as the latter has agreed to take action after verifying the records.The opposition, however, has alleged that APIIC's stake was diluted with the connivance of APIIC officials and is demanding a CBI probe to bring out the facts. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has even alleged that former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and government advisor K.V.P. Ramchandra Rao were also involved in the irregularities.
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Need better technology to prevent biological attack: Kalam

Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Wednesday said there is a need to assimilate better technology and cutting edge systems in all agencies involved with security of the nation to prevent a biological attack.“If this trend of terrorism is allowed to continue, it is possible to even see terrorists attempting biological attacks on consumables like water and milk, which are sourced from multiple points, stored and processed in a central location and distributed to multiple regions simultaneously,” said Kalam, while delivering the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Memorial Lecture here.“To match and counter such threats, there is a need of assimilation of better technology and cutting edge systems in all agencies involved with security of the nation. As defence experts, all of you may like to study, research and deploy the counter terrorism technologies of the future in all its training,” the former president said.He said the role of Armed Forces is beyond being confined to merely war scenarios.“With its skilled human resources, technological expertise and the spirit of national service, the Armed Forces has contributed (to the nation) even in time of peace,” Kalam said.
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Hyderabad's rising air pollution causing concern

Hyderabad, Oct 7 : The level of pollutants in the air in Hyderabad are on the rise, posing threat to the health of people in the hi-tech southern city, said a report released Thursday.The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysed air quality and transportation data in Hyderabad and found increased levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution.The CSE analysis also pointed out that the recent regulation of the air quality standards by the environment ministry has changed the air quality profile of Hyderabad. "Locations in the city which were categorised moderately polluted under the earlier norms, have spiralled into the critically polluted category now, while other sites have moved from low pollution to the moderate level," it said.The report -- "Hyderabad City Dialogue on Air Quality and Transportation Challenge: An Agenda for Action" -- was released here Thursday at a public meeting and round table conference.Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director of CSE and head of its air pollution control and transportation programme, said: "The conference has been organised to enhance the action plan for reducing the pollution and congestion levels in the city, by sharing lessons from other cities like Delhi, which have similar experiences."According to the CSE analysis, there has been a subsequent increase in average annual PM 10 levels -- from 66 mg/cum in 2003 to 80 mg/cum in 2009. "This is about 1.3 times higher than the standard for a high pollution zone, according to the air quality classification followed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)," she said.The report shows that average journey speed is consistently dipping. In 1981 it was 17 kmph, and by 2006 it had come down to 12 kmph. The central business district gets bogged down with 50,000 to 60,000 passenger car units per day - a figure which is comparable to that of Delhi.Maximum air pollution in Hyderabad is caused by its rapidly growing number of vehicles. The city has 2.6 million vehicles and every year 0.2 million new vehicles are registered - which means 500-600 new vehicles roll out on to Hyderabad's roads every day.
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Picture of actor as Gandhi in government office kicks up row

Hyderabad, Oct 7 : A picture of film actor Dilip Prabhavalkar as Mahatma Gandhi at a local government office in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh has kicked up a row with the opposition seeking an apology for the alleged insult to father of the nation.

A huge picture showing "Mahatma Gandhi" behind a spinning wheel has been put up in the hall of the Warangal Zilla Parishad. The blunder was pointed out during a meeting on Wednesday by Nagarlu Venkateshwaru, floor leader of the opposition Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).The TRS leader said the man in the picture was not Mahatma Gandhi but Dilip Prabhavalkar, who played the father of nation in the Hindi blockbuster "Lage Raho Munnabhai". The Marathi actor also acted in "Shankardada Zindabad", a Telugu remake of "Lage Raho Munnabhai"."This is an insult to father of the nation. Action should be taken against those responsible for this," demanded the TRS leader.Interestingly, the huge image is flanked by the pictures of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and Zilla Parishad chairperson Lakawath Dhanawanti.Dhanawanti, however, insisted that it was Mahatma Gandhi and the picture looks different as it was framed after zooming the image. Her clarification failed to satisfy the opposition, which sought action for the faux pas.The meeting proved stormy for another reason too. The chairperson, from the Congress, questioned District Collector N. Sridhar for issuing her a notice on an anonymous complaint against her. She claimed that the corruption charges levelled against her were baseless.The opposition members demanded action against her. The collector also defended his action in sending a notice saying he has done so following directions from state Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.
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Andhra Pradesh Cabinet gives Rs 327.4-cr loan waiver to weavers

Hyderabad, Oct 6 : In a major relief to the weavers in the Andhra Pradesh, the state Cabinet today decided to give a Rs 327.4 crores loan waiver to unable the suffering weavers in the state regain their health and start their work afresh.The state Cabinet in a meeting here headed by the Chief Minister K Rosaiah, named the Andhra Pradesh Co-operative pederation (APCOP), as the nodal agency to work out the new credit limit to the weavers in the state.Loan waiver with the interest had been worked out as suggested by the Cabinet sub-committee to enable them qualify for fresh loans, said state Information Minister J Geeta Reddy in her post Cabinet media briefing here.Meanwhile, the Cabinet also decided to issue an ordinance to postpone elections to the Cooperative Credit Societies for another six months to enable completion of the reform process in the light of the Vaidyanathan report.The Cabinet sub committee which reviewed the financial health of the Cooperative credit structure after implementation of the Vidyanathan package and various debt waiver schemes, had submitted a report suggesting road map for making necessary structural changes in the Cooperative credit system ''to make it efficent, self sustaining and farmer friendly''.''It was considered desirable to hold election to the Cooperative only after detailed review of their finacial health and structural changes and reform if any to be made based on the recommendation of the Cabinet sub Committee'' and the Council of Ministers resolved the recommend postponement of the elections.
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Andhra Pradesh Cabinet commends all sections for cooperation on Ayodhya issue

Hyderabad, Oct 6 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah, along with his Council of Ministers, today expressed gratitude to all sections of the people for their cooperation and maintaining peace and harmony in the state in Ayodhya judgement issue.At the meeting of the Council of the Ministers the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction on the effort of the government to maintain peace at the aftermath of Ayodhya verdict.Mr Rosaiah recalled the effort of the government in calling a meeting of all the political parties, social and religious organisations ahead of the Allahabad High Courgt Judgement.The Chief Minister also commended the effort of the police in working to maintain peace with the cooperatiion of the people.The Chief Minister said the Allahabad High Court Judgement should not be viewed as victory nor loss to any section and it was only a part of the judicial sources.The aggreived party could move the Supreme Court for relief, if any, the Chief Minister told the Cabinet meeting, according to State Information Minister J Geeta Reddy who briefed the media here.
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Journalists Arogyasree cards process starts tomorrow: Minister

Hyderabad, Oct 6 : Andhra Pradesh Minister for Aarogyasri, Pithani Satyanarayana, will inaugurate tomorrow the first DPL centre (Aadhar Enrolment Station) exclusively for working journalists of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts at Press Club, Somajiguda.In a review meeting held in his chambers today, the Minister said that the enrollment programme starts with all accredited journalists and journalists working in big newspapers and electronic media (TV Channels) in first phase. Remaining journalists will be covered in second phase after proper scrutiny. The Minister said they have to submit a letter from respective managements together with identity cards. The journalists, who intend to enroll, have to go to DPL Centre with their family members. Journalists possessing white ration cards need not enroll for health cards.The Minister informed that 22 journalists who have already taken Aarogyasri health cards availed medical facilities worth Rs 6 lakh, an official statement here said.
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PM likely to inaugurate science meet in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Oct 6 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may inaugurate Third World Academy of Sciences' (TWAS) general meeting and lay the foundation stone for the Hyderabad campus of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research here Oct 19, an official said Wednesday.State Information and Public Relations Minister J. Geeta Reddy told reporters, after a meeting of the state cabinet, Wednesday that the Prime Minister was likely to visit the city to attend the two programmes."The state cabinet meet discussed the proposed visit of Manmohan Singh. We are still waiting for the confirmation of the visit," the minister said.The 21st general meeting of TWAS will be held at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute Oct 19-22. More than 350 scientists from 35 countries are expected to attend the event.The union science and technology ministry is sponsoring the meet. The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the TWAS Regional Office for Central and South Asia (TWAS-ROCASA) are the joint hosts.Based in Trieste in Italy, TWAS is an autonomous international organisation working to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the south.The academy of sciences for the developing world was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the south under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. It was officially launched by the United Nations secretary-general in 1985.The prime minister is also expected to lay the foundation stone for the Hyderabad chapter of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).The institute is coming up on 209 acres of land allotted by the state government. TIFR plans to set up various research and academic facilities at the Hyderabad campus with an investment of about Rs.2,500 crore over a decade.TIFR, which was founded by Homi J. Bhabha June 1, 1945, with the support of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the centrally-funded University of Hyderabad to facilitate collaborative research.
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Nirmohi Akhara ready for out-of-court settlement

Close on the heels of the initiative taken by 90-year-old Hashim Ansari for a negotiated settlement on the Ayodhya issue, the Nirmohi Akhara too has expressed its inclination to talk and resolve the dispute once and for all.“I welcome the initiative taken by Mahant Gyan Das and Hashim Ansari and will be only too glad to be a party to the move for bringing the dispute to an amicable settlement and avoid another unending court battle,” Nirmohi Akhara chief Mahant Bhaskar Das said Tuesday over telephone from Ayodhya, about 130 km from here.Significantly, while Ansari was the first Muslim to stake a legal claim to the Babri Masjid after it was usurped by Hindu mobs on the night of Dec 22-23, 1949, it was the Nirmohi Akhara which sought legal right to offer prayers at the disputed site way back in 1885.It was Ansari who took the first step towards initiating a process of reconciliation instead of proceeding straight to the country’s apex court in appeal against the Sep 30 order of the Allahabad High Court.The court split the disputed land into three parts – one going to the contending Muslim group and the other two to be shared by two Hindu groups involved in the legal battle.Ansari’s talks with Mahant Gyan Das, president of All India Akhara Parishad and head of Ayodhya’s Hanuman Garhi temple, on Sunday helped in breaking the ice.And what followed Monday was yet another positive move, with Nirmohi Akhara chief Mahant Bhaskar Das too expressing his desire to join the reconciliation bandwagon.Bhaskar Das, 81, said he was confident that very soon many prominent holy men of Ayodhya would join the dialogue process with local Muslims and other contestants in the case.While he declined to divulge the names of those with whom he claimed to have got in touch, sources close to him confirmed that he had mooted the idea to a few leading Ayodhya holy men.They include Mahant Nrtiya Gopal Das, who heads the Ram Janmbhoomi Trust, the body entrusted with the task of building the proposed temple.The move is likely to witness much opposition from the Sunni Central Waqf Board, whose counsel and Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) convenor Zafaryab Jilani has taken serious affront to Hashim Ansari’s initiative.“Ansari is just an individual litigant; he is no authority on behalf of the Waqf Board which is the key contestant,” he said.
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Self-restraint needed on sensitive issues reporting: Rosaiah

Hyderabad, Oct 4 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asked media to observe self-restraint, especially reporting on sensitive issues.Addressing a seminar on'Protection of Media Values', organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ), Rosaiah said his government would do every thing to protect the freedom of press. His government will also look into the problem of journalists, he added. Earlier, the APUWJ had taken out a massive rally where hundreds of journalists from all over the state had participated.K Sreenivas Reddy, Secretary General, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and Y Narender Reddy, General Secretary APUWJ submitted a detailed memorandum, listing the demands, including the provisions of the Working journalists Act which provides for job security to the working journalists that should be strictly implemented. (photo by RSJ Thomas)
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NRI's problem would be sorted out: Chakrapani

Hyderabad, Oct 4 : Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman A Chakrapani today said the state government was well aware of the problems faced by NRIs.In a press communique received from Dr Chakrapani, who was on official tour in Australia where the United India Association, Telugu Association and Australian Telugu Samithi feliciated Dr Chakrapani, he said the government would be sort out problems facing by the NRIs and insure on hehalf of the state to extend maximum support. ''The government also would provide and exchange cultural, literal and language relations and social sphere,'' the Chairman added. On the occation a large number of Telugu community were present.Earlier Counsel General of India has also arranged a get-together with Dr Chakrapani and many other community representatives.Dr Chakrapani also paid his obeisance at Shirdi Sai Mandir in Strathfield.
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Gaddar set to dislodge TRS chief from Telangana leadership

Hyderabad, Oct 4: Over a year after announcing plans to float a party for mass struggle to achieve separate statehood to Telangana, revolutionary balladeer Gaddar appears all set to wrest the leadership of the movement from K. Chandrasekhara Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).The Telangana movement is poised to take a new turn when the Maoist sympathiser will formally launch the Telangana Praja Front (TPF) here Oct 9.The new outfit is expected to intensify the movement ahead of the Srikrishna Committee's report to the central government on the Telangana issue and wrest the leadership from TRS, which has been spearheading the movement for almost a decade.At the first meeting here Oct 9, Gaddar along with poets, writers and other Telangana activists will decide the TPF's organisational structure.The Srikrishna Committee, formed by the central government in February to look into the demands for and against a separate Telangana state, is scheduled to submit its report by Dec 31.However, Gaddar said that without waiting for the report, his organisation would go to the people to strengthen the movement and exert pressure on the central government to move a bill in parliament for carving out a separate state.That Gaddar's plans have already created a flutter in TRS circles is evident from the statement by one of its leaders N. Narasimha Reddy that TPF would create confusion among Telangana people and dilute the movement.KCR, as TRS chief Chandrasekhara Rao is popularly known, has refused to comment on Gaddar's outfit but the TRS cadre is worried over the impact it could have on their political fortunes at a time when the goal of separate state is "nearer"."It is KCR who has been fighting relentlessly for Telangana for about 10 years and he has almost achieved the goal. The new outfit is aimed at depriving him of the credit," said a TRS leader, who did not want to be named.Gaddar, whose real name is Gummadi Vithal Rao, has been a bitter critic of KCR and his style of functioning. He decided to launch the front after holding series of consultations with poets, writers, cultural artists, human rights activists, backward class leaders, trade and employee unions and student leaders.The Front is expected to bring all those who are not happy with KCR. Even the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has welcomed Gaddar's move to float the new outfit.Taking a dig at KCR, Gaddar said the politics revolving only around votes and fasting can't achieve Telangana state. "Telangana can be achieved only through a mass movement," the balladeer said.It was after a nine-day fast by KCR in December last year that the central government decided to initiate the process for the formation of Telangana state but constituted the Srikrishna Committee to look into the issue after angry reactions in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh.Gaddar, who had actively participated in Telangana movement of 1969, said TPF would not be a mere vote-based party like TRS but would try to achieve its goal through a people's struggle, including a cultural campaign.After the TRS suffered reverses in last year's elections, the folk artist had apologised to the people of the region for sharing a dais with KCR, BJP leader L.K. Advani and former state home minister T. Devender Goud.On the debacle of TRS, he said people rejected it because it was only running after votes without a struggle.
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Media should evelove self-regulation: Rosaiah

Hyderabad, Oct 3 : Andhra pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asked media to evolve a self-regulation to check the sensationalism in the news business.In a message on the 30th anniversary of the Prajasakti, a Telugu daily, the Chief Minister suggested that the media should present a holistic view of a problem.Mr Rosaiah said the his government believes in freedom of the press and it was media's fundamental right but it should exercise the right with full responsibility keeping in view the kind of impact a news item can have on the society.He said while media had the right to analyse the implementation of the governmental programmes, on which it spends huge amount to benefit the large section of the society but it should not try to sensationalise minor flaws and trivialise major issues in to headline and breaking news.Recallng the services of Mahathma Gandhi and former chief minister Tanguturi Prakasm Panthulu who had worked as editors themselves, Mr Rosaiah regretted the present media scenario in the country.
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Delhi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Sep,02, Hundreds of people, including school children, in Delhi sang devotional songs and showered flowers and petals at Rajghat in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Saturday on his 142nd birth anniversary.“I’ve been coming here (Rajghat) for the last three years to pay homage to Bapu (as Gandhi was popularly known). Me and my classmates sang bhajans and paid our tribute to Bapu,” said Moin Ahmed, a Class 8 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Gole Market.Mahatma’s memorial Rajghat was decorated with flowers and his favourite devotional songs like “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” and “Vaishnav Jan To” played in the background. The occasion was celebrated with fervour in the capital.President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance chairperson and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, US Ambassador Timothy Roemer, Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader L.K. Advani and many other political leaders also visited Rajghat to pay tributes to the Mahatma.The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation’, is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti cross the country with reverence. It is also marked as the International Day of Non-Violence around the world.Gandhi played a significant role for achieving independence for India from the British Empire, through non-violent struggle, living a simple, ascetic’s life.
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Notice to Satyam ex-chief on CBI’s plea to scrap bail

The Supreme Court Friday sought Satyam Computer Services Ltd (SCS) ex-chairman B. Ramalinga Raju’s response on a petition by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking cancellation of his bail granted by Andhra Pradesh High Court.A bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma issued the notice after it was told that the high court had erred on several counts in granting bail to Ramalinga Raju who was accused in a conspiracy of serious and grave nature involving fudging and manipulating Satyam’s accounts.In its petition, the CBI said that Ramalinga Raju’s release on bail at this stage of trial would lead to miscarriage of justice.The petition said that the high court had misread the apex court ruling on granting bail to an accused on the grounds of period of detention and the remote possibility of conclusion of trial.In this case, the trial court is already framing the charges, it said.Ramalinga Raju and other co-accused including his brother Rama Raju are accused of fudging Satyam’s accounts and records and manipulating the bank statements, fixed deposits receipts, the liquidity status of the company and other documents relating to the company’s finances.
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Follow path of non-violence: Patil

Greeting the nation on the eve of the birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, President Pratibha Patil Friday asked people to follow the path of truth and non-violence as preached by the apostle of peace.“On the occasion of the Gandhi Jayanti let us take a pledge to follow the path of truth and non-violence and dedicate ourselves towards promoting peace, tolerance and harmony and work for the progress of the nation,” she said in a statement issued here.Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated Oct 2 every  year.“Gandhiji taught us to stand resolutely against fear, to understand the importance of truth and to work for the eradication of poverty, illiteracy and discrimination,” she said. Noting that Gandhi inspired millions to unite for the cause of freedom and independence, the president said: “Let us rededicate ourselves to reflect on the life, work and message of the Father of the Nation.”
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Bulk SMS, MMS ban extended till Oct 4

The government Friday extended the ban on bulk Short Message Services (SMS) and Multi-media Messaging Services (MMS) in the country for another three days till Oct 4. The ban is to make sure that peace is maintained after the controversial Ayodhya verdict.The ban on bulk SMS, which is mainly used for marketing, has affected various information-based services such as SMS alerts on cash withdrawal and debit card spending, balance enquiry and transaction details, share-trading alerts and SMS-based Internet banking.It has resulted in inconveniences to those air and rail travellers as they are unable to get updates on travel details.Earlier, the ban was till Sep 24 to check the spread of rumours or hateful messages, which was later extended till Sep 30 again after the Supreme Court deferred the Ayodhya verdict for a week. It was again extended by a day to Oct 1.
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