New Delhi,Thursday, January 30, 2003: Cricketer Ajay Jadeja was today prevented from playing in a local league match here by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), just three days after a five-year ban on him was quashed by a Delhi High Court appointed arbitrator. Armed with the court order, Jadeja reached the venue this morning and started playing for the club for which he played earlier. But seven overs into the match, some DDCA officials came and objected to Jadeja playing the game. They said the Cricket Board was yet to take a final decision on Jadeja and as such he could not play today. The match was abandoned and would be replayed at a later date after taking the suggestion of the Cricket Board. DDCA vice-president C K Khanna said he had spoken to BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya on the matter. "He (Dalmiya) told me that Jadeja's clearance by the court was yet to be studied by the BCCI working committee. A decision on him is pending and he could not be allowed to play now," Khanna said. 16:05 IST
PM's security breached again
Thursday, January 30, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, January 30, 2003: Security of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was breached for the second time today in as many days when a motorcycle almost rammed into the VVIP's car cavalcade near Nizamuddin in South Delhi. The incident happened while the Prime Minister's car cavalcade was moving near the Nizamuddin bridge when the motorcycle rider drove past the security cordon and came close to hitting the escort vehicle, official sources said. The details of the incident were sketchy but the motorcylce rider has been arrested and taken to Nizamuddin police station for questioning. This is the third time that the Prime Minister's security was breached in less than two weeks. The apprehended person, identified as Atul Tyagi, is employed in Hero Honda. The incident took place within two days when a Maruti Car tried to overtake the Prime Minister's convoy at Rao Tula Marg in South West Delhi on January 28. 16:05 IST
US tells Pak to halt cross border terrorism for Indo-Pak talks
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Washington,Thursday, January 30, 2003: Secretary of State Colin Powell has hinted to Pakistan that prospects of dialogue with India, will improve if Islamabad puts an end to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. "I think many people are watching activity that is occurring across the Line of Control to see whether the rate of that activity, if it went down, might be an encouraging step," Powell told reporters here on Wednesday after a meeting with visiting Pakistani foreign minister Kurshid Mahmud Kasuri. "I think we have to find a way to get the dialogue begun. Some suggestions have been made that perhaps some economic moves from one side to the other might be a way to jumpstart it," Powell said adding that he could not be more "forthcoming" to that. "We will continue to work hard at it...the United States is committed to doing everything we can to get the dialogue going," Powell said. 11:27 IST
Shourie promises to clean telecom sector of allegations
Thursday, January 30, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, January 30, 2003: Promising to clean the telecom sector of "false allegations" that corporate lobbies influence decision making, new Communications Minister Arun Shourie today vowed to eradicate such perceptions and assured full transparency in all decisions and deals. "These allegations that government can be moved by corporate houses should be eradicated. These are false allegations," Shourie, who is also the Disinvestment Minister, told reporters here after taking charge of his new portfolio. "Such allegations have not stood the test of scrutiny in the Disinvestment sector... there should not be any occasion for such allegations," he said, adding that "allegations come cheap in India." Regarding his views on privatisation of the two telecom PSUs -- Mahanagar Telephone Nigam and Bharat Sanchar Nigam ltd, -- Shourie said "I have asked the two PSUs to provide me figures as to what share they have been able to grab in incremental business to see if enterprises are competent." "Without having full information, I would not like make any comment on such issues," he said. On the controversial issue of political appointments on boards of PSUs, Shourie said "whatever appointments have been made by his predecessor would hold the field as they were made after due considerations." Shourie, however, pointed out that all appoitments should be based on professional capabilities, a system that has been followed in the Department of Disinvestment and this would be the guiding factor in future. 16:05 IST
Nations to get together to prevent war against Iraq: Sonia
Thursday, January 30, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, January 30, 2003: Asserting that all peace-loving nations should get together to prevent any attack on Iraq, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said the shocks of the war would be felt the world over. Addressing Congress workers on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Congress headquarters here, Gandhi said any unilateral military action against Iraq should be condemned by all peace-loving nations. "There should be no military action against Iraq as the war will not remain confine to one area and its after shocks will be felt the world over. All the peace loving nation should get united and condemn any attack on it. It would be a great service to humanity," she said. The Congress President said that the present Iraq issue should be resolved through peaceful dialogue under the ambit of the United Nations. "India has been a peace loving nation and has always believed in the supremacy of the United Nation. We look forward to this world body for resolution of this crisis and hope this problem is solved through peaceful means," the Congress President said. 16:05 IST
Advani to hold wide-ranging talks with Thailand, Singapore
Thursday, January 30, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, January 30, 2003: India will hold wide-ranging talks with Thailand and Singapore on the fight against terrorism, ways to further strengthen economic cooperation and issues relating to Asean during the six-day visit of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani as part of the 'look east' policy. Advani, who leaves for Thailand today, would meet Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister and Law Minister Wissan Kreya-Ngam during his three-day stay in that country. Security-related issues including the campaign against terror and steps to enhance the over one billion U S Dollar trade between India and Thailand as also creating a free-trade zone would top the agenda of Advani's talks, official sources said today. New Delhi has also been discussing with Bangkok a treaty for mutual legal assistance and transfer of convicted offenders besides ways to combat drug trafficking and smuggling of arms. The sources, however, said that no no agreements would be signed during the Deputy Prime Minister's visits to Thailand and Singapore. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited Singapore in April last year and had met Thai leaders during a brief stop over at Bangkok in November last while returning from Laos. Advani is being accompanied by a six-member official delegation, including Home Secretary N Gopalaswami and OSD to the Deputy Prime Minister Ajay Prasad. 16:05 IST
Khwaish
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
The promos certainly indicate that this is a movie that is willing to address some issues that many would sweep under the carpet. Khwaish, directed by Govind Menon, is the story about a couple who get married in a fit of rebellion but end up having to fight to be together in the big bad world. Himanshu Malik, from Tum Bin, and debutante Mallika Sherawat are the main characters in the movie. Judging from the story, this is may not be a mainstream hit but it might be one of those movie that can be termed "intelligent" cinema. Lekha (Mallika) and Amar (Himanshu) are two college going students in Pune. They meet in a clothing store and the attraction between them starts off. They go to parties, hang out and do what young people in love do. The film takes the viewer through the couples process of courting and just like any other young couple they have to deal with issues of their sexuality. When Lekha says that she is only willing to bed him after marriage he spontaneously suggests that they do. This decision does''t ring well with their parents. His father is determined that the couple do not live off him and refuses to acknowledge the union. Rebelliously they get married and have a honeymoon in Manali. After the honeymoon they have to get back to real life in Pune. They live in a small chawl. She gives up a career in classical music while he pursues his MBA with some money from Lekha''s father. When he finally graduates and gets a job some time later, it looks like their troubles are over but that is just where it begins. The mundane life and boredom of marriage set in. They consider having a child to infuse life into a deteriorating marriage but even that doesn''t fructify. Cracks start to deepen in their marriage and now as a last ditch effort Amar swallows his pride and goes to his father to borrow money for a vacation. They go on the vacation but whether their marriage survives is another matter all together. The film has been shot in Pune, Himchal Pradesh and Kerala. Other cast members are Shivaji Satam and Mahamud Babai. Music is by Milind Sagar. The film is set to release in the second half of the year.
Rahul has attitude sans reason
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
He looks a cool dude who has no pretensions of being a star son and wouldn't ever be seen strutting around cashing in on his star status. But Rahul Khanna has attitude, loads of it in fact. Even after screaming from rooftops about his decision to stick around and sign Hindi films that come his way, the guy has been turning down offers left, right and center. At last count, he must have declined at least six to seven films all of which boasted of big stars like Akshay Kumar. What could be the reason for his swollen head when all his friends swear he is the most unassuming guy around? The answer is Deepa Mehta, the director of two of his films – Earth–1947 and Bollywood Hollywood, who believes that the industry has only three superstars - Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and you guessed it, Rahul Khanna. On what basis Mehta claims to club the three names together, one doesn't know. What one does know is, that her assertions have made one of the most well behaved actors in Bollywood, get airs about himself when he is not even comparable with the lower rung of actors? Agreed, your performances hold promise, but it is rather presumptuous to believe yourself to be in the same league as the Khans as yet, no Rahul?
Amisha & Akshaye cosy up
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
You would think that most men would fall for her like nine pins when it comes to brass-stacks. Why? Because she is beautiful, friendly, prim'n'propah and childlike. But the surprising fact is that the US-educated Amisha Patel doesn't have any actress friends in the industry and neither is she a hot favourite with the opposite sex despite her obvious charms. While Akshay Kumar, Sunny and Bobby and Ajay Devgan are her 'great friends' most others maintain a distance for the simple reason that they might rub her the wrong way. All but Akshaye Khanna, who generally breaks every rule to accommodate her requests. And she too, has a soft spot for Khanna and goes out of her way to seek advice on her career, dress sense for the overall look of the character in a particular film, selecting film roles etc. It isn't surprising to see sparks igniting between the two though. Not long ago, when the two were in school, they had dated for a while briefly. Though it died a natural death, their affair did rekindle when they shot for Humraaz last year and ever since then have been 'friends' all over again. Do we see another romance blossoming?
Juhi is pregnant again
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
After the season of the infamous breaks ups in the industry last year, it's time to rejoice with three of Bollywood's best known divas – Madhuri, Kajol and now, Juhi who've put aside greasepaint to play the real life mothers. Chawla who already has a three-year-old daughter Jahnvi, was to star as the fading actress in Tanuja Chandra's Vaasta with Priyanshu and Vasundhara Das in other important roles. This was one role, which Chandra was very excited about for Juhi. “Her potential has remained untapped for long,” she believes. Juhi too, after walking out of projects, which became super hits, wasn’t going to let go of this opportunity. “Sometimes I feel like kicking myself for rejecting such films which went on to become great hits,” she has rued many a time. But as it turns out she has had to say no to Vaasta as well, given her medical condition. At present the chirpy actress has just two films awaiting release – Jhankar Beats and Teen Deewaarein, both the films she had signed after the brief hiatus post her first pregnancy. Is Juhi happy? She ought to be, but the fact about stork paying her a visit is a closely guarded secret. What on earth for, Mrs. Mehta? At the end of the day it's just another role, another addition to your luminous career. Come to think of it, how many actresses can boast of doing roles you get to play in real life – a wife, mother, budding light classical singer and a successful business partner of a mega production house?
Kucch To Hai
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Ekta Kapoor is back with a 'K'. Balaji Films' 'Kucch To Hai' is a Bollywood adaptation of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. The story? Well, Karan (Tusshar Kapoor), Tanya (Esha Deol) and Tashu (Natassha) are part of a group of college friends who accidentally kill someone in Shimla. Frightened and scared, they all run away to different places. Three years later, a wedding brings them back to Shimla. But that incident makes life hell for all of them as, one by one, everybody is targeted. All evidences lead to one Professor Bakshi (Rishi Kapoor) who was rumoured to have killed his own wife. But the million dollar question… is it really Bakshi? Or is it someone else, present at the time of the incident, besides these college friends? Or even a third angle? The answer obviously lies in the script. But the script demands that you see it yourself to know it. The film has its moments but is loose at times for a thriller. There should have been no songs for this out and out thriller, which mars its pace, unless of course the songs too gel with the story. This is where you draw the line between Hollywood and Bollywood. Of the cast, Tusshar and Esha seems to have learned some of their mistakes, they did in Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa. They've improved here. Esha Deol's mark on her forehead should go. It's clearly visible in close-ups. Maybe a surgery will help. The other female lead Natassha (formerly, Anita) makes a competent debut. Dubbed Ekta's favourite girl, the dusky character of Kabhi Souten Kabhi Saheli, has already two more films in her kitty, with whom else than Balaji Films. VERDICT: The background score is the main attraction here. But on the whole, an ok flick. Source - glamsham.com
Khushi
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
This is a story that is based on generation next. The story of how a boy and girl are in love with one another, but are kept apart by their own inflated egos. Karan (Fardeen Khan)is born in Calcutta while Khushi (Kareena Kapoor) is born in Chamoli, a village in Gadhwal, UP. Given the distance between the two, it seems like a will of god that they meet. Karan wants to go Canada for further studies - but due to an accident, he is forced to continue his studies in Mumbai University. Khushi's father (Amrish Puri) believes that she has studied enough for a girl and she should now marry a boy who is ready to be his Ghrajamai. But Khushi insists on pursuing her education in Mumbai University. At the University, Karan meets Khushi' through common friends. These common friends fall in love with each other and it is up to Karan and Khushi to bring them together. In the process, the two fall in love. But with egos in the way, the two never get to express their love for each other till the time has come for them to say goodbye. What now? Watch the film to find out!! Starring : Kareena Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Amrish Puri, Johny Lever, Navin Nischol, Beena and Sharat Saxena Director : S. J. Suryah Producer : Boney Kapoor Music Director : Anu Malik
Mahajan resigns, says new assignment not a "demotion"
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, January 29, 2003: High profile Communications Minister Pramod Mahajan, who is being drafted for party work, today submitted his resignation and said he does not consider his new assignment as a "demotion". Mahajan also said it would be wrong to suggest that the telecom slugfest and his name being dragged into the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case had any bearing on his exit from the government. Mahajan was talking to newsmen ater submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in connection with the reshuffle of the Union Council of ministers scheduled in the evening. Mahajan was among the ministers who were asked to resign. The Minister, who is tipped to be one of the new general secretaries of the BJP, said the decision to draft him for party work cannot be characterised as a "return to party". "Whenever the need arises, some in the government have to go for party work," he said. Mahajan said he would have been kicked out of the government long back if his name being dragged into the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case had any bearing. "Politics is a very cruel game. I would have been kicked out if it (the case) had any bearing," he said. He said the fact that he has been drafted for party work at a time when several states are due to hold assembly elections showed the confidence of the party leadership in him and in his ability to do things better. "It is not a demotion for me," he added. "The next 12 months are very crucial and it will be a Mahabharat for the BJP," Mahajan said asserting he was prepared to face the challenge. 12:14 IST
BJP appears to tone down stand on POTA against Raja Bhaiya
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, January 29, 2003: Ahead of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy L K Advani here today, the BJP Tuesday appeared to have toned down its stand on slapping POTA against independent UP MLA Raja Bhayya even as she stuck to her gun on the issue. BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here that "the use of POTA against Raja Bhayya and his father needs to be looked into." "Party General Secretary Arun Jaitley is in touch with state unit and we have asked for all details, including the FIR, to ascertain whether the provisions of POTA are really applicable in this case. We have to study that," he said. Asked whether Mayawati was indulging in "political vengeance" as alleged by the Opposition in the state, he said "I don't think so." Interestingly, UP BJP President Vinay Katiyar had described as a "political vendetta" Mayawati government's decision to use POTA against Raja Bhaiya and his father. Replying to a question about the possible fall-out of differences between BJP UP unit and Mayawati on the issue on ties between the two allies, Naidu said "this (episode) will not affect the party's relations with BSP." By contrast, BJP General Secretary and former UP Chief Minister Rajnath Singh, who vehemently opposed the arrest of Raja Bhayya and his father Udai Pratap Singh under the anti-terrorist law, said "there is no place for caste and communal politics in a healthy democratic society. If that is politics, it should be politics of the honest and honesty". 09:52 IST
Two persons arrested for breaching Vajpayee's security
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, January 29, 2003: Delhi Police today arrested two persons this morning and seized the vehicle which breached the security of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee late Tuesday night when he was travelling from the Airport to his residence. Gurgaon-based Ashok Kumar and Dharen Singh were arrested from Gurgaon early this morning and a case of rash and negligent driving and interferring in the working of public servants were registered against them at Delhi Cantt police station here. Kumar and Singh, who were drunk when they drove into the sanitised area on Rao Tula Ram Marg in south-west Delhi at around midnight Tuesday night as the Prime Minister's cavalcade was passing by. The white Maruti-Esteem car, bearing registration number HR 26Q 0427 was also seized, police sources said. The front and the rear windshield of the car was damaged in the firing by SPG. The ownership of the car has been traced to one Umesh, they said. Sources said Kumar and Singh were with a lady Neena alias Gurmeet, when the incident occurred. The duo were being interrogated, police added. 09:52 IST
Pak troops resort to heavy firing in R S Pura sector of Jammu
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Jammu,Wednesday, January 29, 2003: Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing on several Border Outposts (BOPs) in the R S Pura sector of Jammu division Tuesday night, leading to an exchange of fire with BSF troops that lasted till this morning, BSF sources said here today. Pakistani troops targetted Nikowal, S H Way, Karotna and Khurd BOPs Tuesday evening, the sources said. BSF troops, guarding the frontline along the International Border (IB), retaliated effectively and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued till this morning, but without any damage or casualties on the Indian side, they said. Pakistani forces fired about 2000 rounds with light and heavy machine guns, the sources said. Any loss or damage on the Pakistani side has not been ascertained so far, they said. Pakistani troops have been resorting to firing in this sector with the aim of disrupting the ongoing fencing work being carried out along the IB, they said. 12:14 IST
TRAI warns Bharti, Hutch, IDEA to interconnect or face action
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, January 14, 2003: Undettered by defiance shown by cellular operators to its authority, telecom regulator TRAI today warned of strict action in case they failed to provide interconnection for WLL-based mobile services of basic telecom companies within 24 hours. The warning came within hours of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) charging Telecom Regulatory Authority of India with showing "bias and favouritism" towards some telecom companies for their limited mobile services based on Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) technology and threatening not to comply with the regulator's directive on interconnect. Charging COAI with adopting 'pressure tactics", TRAI said in a letter to cellular operators including Bharti, Hutch and IDEA (a venture between Tatas, Birlas and AT&T), "if in 24 hours the traffic is not through, the Authority will take action." In a letter addressed to Narendra Gupta of Bharti Cellular, TRAI said "you were directed by the Authority under Section 13 of TRAI (Amendment) Act 2000 to ensure completion of calls originating from Tata Teleservices network and terminating in your network with immediate effect." "Selective blocking of calls is highly objectionable and violative of the licence agreement as well as the regulations relating to interconnection and quality of services issued by TRAI from time to time," the letter said, adding "clearly, the practice (of blocking calls) is anti-competitive and anti consumer." The directive of January 9, must, therefore be complied without any further delay and blocking of calls reaching respective network must stop forthwith, the regulator said adding "should you (Bharti) wish to make any submission in this regard, it may be made after the directive has been complied with." When contacted Bharti officials said they had not received the TRAI communication. TRAI officials also said that the two private cellular operators in Punjab today blocked the calls of private company HFCL, and expressed concern over such practices. "It is reiterated that if the completion of calls as directed under the above-referred directive is not ensured with immediate effect i.e., at the maximum within 24 hours hereof, then TRAI will initiate necessary action against you as deemed fit under the TRAI Act," the letter said. 19:39 IST
Moody's assigns negative outlook for RIL on Ba2 rating
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, January 14, 2003: International credit rating agency Moody's has changed the outlook for Reliance Industries from stable to negative while reaffirming the rating Ba2 for the corporate's "senior unsecured debt securities" even as RIL sought to counter it by quoting sovereign rating assigned to it by Standard & Poor's. The rating action, brought out by Moody's Investors Service Monday, reflected "concerns relating to the recent aggressive internal and external expansion by the Reliance group and the growing business and financial risks associated with this rapid expansion." When contacted, RIL spokesperson from Mumbai said in a statement "last week S&P, a leading international rating agency, has reaffirmed RIL's credit rating at BB, the same level as India's rating, and has also reaffirmed that RIL's rating is constrained by the sovereign ceiling." However, the statement given by RIL on S&P rating also said that strengths of India's largest private sector company with net profit of Rs 28 billion were constrained by the uncertain returns and greater risks in diversified areas like telecom, oil exploration and marketing compared to RIL's current petrochemical and oil refining business. "The rating action reflects concerns relating to the aggressive internal and external expansion by the Reliance Group and the growing business and financial risk associated with the rapid expansion," Moody's said while reaffirming the "BA2" rating but changing the outlook to "negative". Although Moody's highlighted Reliance's "strong margins in petrochemical business", it said this rapid expansion into liberalising and more competitive markets will lead to weaker profitability and operating cash flow margins. It cited refining and telecom operations in particular as reasons for weaker operating cashflow margins and said that expansion at the same time would increase the investment levels. On the other hand, RIL said S&P rating had reflected the factors like Reliance was India's largest petrochemical company, its success in commodity business, its competitive position in oil refining business and its consistent good cash flows. At the same time, RIL statement quoted S&P's analysis of the corporate's weaknesses which among other things pointed out that despite its strong position to meet its scheduled debt repayment of about Rs 3,490 crore during fiscal 2003, "the group's large capital programme could strain its liquidity in the medium term". 18:37 IST
Geelani, Sandhu challenge conviction in Parliament attack case
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, January 14, 2003: Twentysix days after being sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case, city college lecturer S A R Geelani and the only women convict Navjot Sandhu today challenged their conviction in the Delhi High Court. Both the convicts, in their appeals, have sought discharge in the case claiming that there is no evidence aginst them. A Special Court here had sentenced Geelani and two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist -- Mohad Afzal and Shaukat Hussain Guru -- to death, while Shaukat's wife Sandhu alias Afsan, was sentenced to five years rigrous imprisonment on December 18. Afzal and Shauka, have not yet moved the High Court, though their counsel had stated that they would challenge their conviction and sentence in the higher court. Geelani and Sandhu, in their petitions claimed that there was no "direct or indirect" evidence to prove their complicity in the crime and their having any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy to attack Parliament. While rejecting the plea of convicts for leniency after they were found guilty in the case, Special Judge S N Dhingra while awarding death penalty to the three convicts, had said the attack on Parliament fell in the category of "rarest of rare case". Geelani, Afzal and Shaukat, convicted under the provisions of POTA and the Indian Penal Code, were found guilty by the court of waging a war against India, murder and committing terrorist acts resulting in the death of nine persons. Sandhu was held guilty of not disclosing the conspiracy thoughd had prior knowledge of it. 21:46 IST
Vajpayee reviewed the security scenario within the country
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, January 14, 2003: A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, tonight reviewed the security scenario within the country and along its borders. "It was a routine CCS meeting," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters after a 90-minute meeting. He declined to elaborate saying "the CCS discusses top security matters." Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant attended the meeting. Defence Minister George Fernandes was not present at the meeting as he is on a visit to Russia. 21:46 IST
Major fire in National Chemical Laboratory in Pune
Monday, January 13, 2003
Pune,Monday, January 13, 2003: A major fire broke out in a section of the country's premier National Chemical Laboratory here on Sunday evening but there was no casualty, fire brigade sources said. The blaze engulfed the Organic Technical branch of NCL, which conducts experiments, as leaping flames and plumes of smoke billowing could be seen from a distance. The exact cause of fire was not yet known. CSIR director Dr R Mashalkar, who inspected the site, told reporters that were no casualties. He said the room where experiments were being carried out was gutted in the fire and added that the fire was controlled within two and half hours. Mashelkar said an inquiry committee has set up and asked to submit report within 72 hours. A total of 12 fire engines and water tankers were pressed into service and massive efforts were on to contain the fire. Established in 1950, NCL, a research, development and consulting organisation, is internationally known for its excellence in scientific research in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and for its outstanding track record of industrial research. 10:16 IST
Cross-border terrorism has nothing to do with Kashmiris: Sinha
Monday, January 13, 2003
London,Monday, January 13, 2003: Aknowledging that there has been a decline in the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir as a sequel to deployment of the Army on the borders, India has said the world now accepts the fact that cross-border terrorism has nothing to do with the people of Kashmir and it is just an act to "weaken" the country. "The visible result (after deployment of troops) was that the President of Pakistan (Pervez Musharraf) himself said on more than one occasion that he was committed to fight against terrorism, he would not support any terrorist activity in Kashmir - this assurance we got. There has been a decline in the insurgency in Kashmir," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said while participating in BBC World Service Hindi weekly special phone-in programme on Sunday night. "We have sent a clear message seriously to Pakistan and the international community that Pakistan cannot capture Jammu and Kashmir by cross-border terrorism," he said. Sinha also made it clear to repeated questions that India is under no pressure from the US to talk to Pakistan. "There is no policy which is being made under pressure from the US, whether it is strategic, foreign or economic." Asserting that Pakistan would have to stop cross-border terrorism to build an atmosphere conducive to talks, Sinha said: "Only then can the talks be fruitful." He said "the atmosphere for talks would only be created when cross-border terrorism ends. The world now accepts the fact that cross-border terrorism has nothing to do with the people of Kashmir. It is just an act to weaken India". 10:33 IST
Lashkar militant shot dead in Ahmedabad
Monday, January 13, 2003
Ahmedabad,Monday, January 13, 2003: A suspected LeT militant, wanted in connection with a conspiracy case to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and VHP leader Praveen Togadia, was shot dead by police in an encounter near Sai Baba temple complex here, police said this morning. Sadiq Jamal Mehtar was killed in an exchange of fire when police, acting on a tip-off, raided his hide-out late on Sunday night in Naroda area, police sources said. When police reached Sadiq's hide-out, he opened fire, to which they retaliated and shot him down. Sadiq belonged to Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, police sources said, adding his name was included in the FIR registered in connection with the conspiracy case along with six others. While two other suspects are in Dubai, four are in Karachi, police said. A revolver and few cartridges were recovered from the dead militant, police sources said. His body has been sent to the Civil Hospital for postmortem, they added. 10:07 IST
