India News: May 2005

Meeting of India-Russia-China next week
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | JJ

A special trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, Russia and China will take place in Russia's far-eastern port city of Vladivostok next week. Meeting will discuss new impetus to collaboration between the three countries. Indian Foreign Minister will have a separate meeting with his Russian Foreign Minister to discuss bilateral issues. Lavrov said in Moscow "Our relations are developing and they are not aimed against anybody, but are pursued in the interests of our countries."

Best Bakery Zaheera to be questioned again
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | JJ

Special court hearing the Best Bakery carnage case is likely to questions to the prime witness Zaheera Sheikh as the court received fresh evidence in the form of two videos. Special court Judge A M Thipsay also visited the site where the violent crowd had attacked and killed 14 persons in the Best Bakery Case.

French LLT Radar contract may be re-tendered
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | JJ

Defense sources said there are chances of Low Level Air Warning Transportable Radars (LLTRs) that was supposed to be supplied by French company Thales to be re-tendered. Israeli firm ELTA that had bided for supply of LLTRs were rejected, as their equipment was not found suitable and up to mark during evaluation for technology transfer.

Volcanic eruptions in Indian Ocean
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | JJ

Fresh volcanic eruptions of lava and smoke have been reported at Barren Island, 140 kms north east of Port Blair. Coast Guard ship Sagar and Dornier aircraft on patrol in Andaman and Nicobar seas said in the Coast Guard release that the eruption is from the only live volcano in India on Barren Island. The Island is accessible only to Coast Guard and is an uninhabited Island.

HIV/AIDS under control
Monday, May 30, 2005 | JJ

Union Health Ministry announced annual HIV/AIDS has been controlled by decrease in the disease’s growth. India had 5.1 million HIV infected population in 2003, which increased from to 5.19 million now. Twenty Eight Thousand new infections were reported in 2004, compared to 6 lakh in 2003. Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are the worst hit state. Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss agreed, ‘‘though it is heartening to know the figures have come down but it doesn’t matter what the numbers are we have to continue our work.’’

Harbhajan cleared of suspected bowling action
Monday, May 30, 2005 | JJ

ICC General Manager Cricket David Richardson said ''Mr Portus was unable to reach a definitive conclusion on the action used against Pakistan because of the quality of the footage and the camera angles used. On this basis the ICC has advised the BCCI that Harbhajan is able to bowl in international cricket provided his action is consistent with that used in the University of Western Australia laboratory.'' Marc Portus is an independent bio-mechanist for ICC who verified Harbhajan action.

India hot destination for Medical tourists
Monday, May 30, 2005 | JJ

According to UNCTAD expert paper on General Agreement in Trade in Services (GATS) India is becoming the favorite destinations in Asia for health tourists concerned with cardiac care, joint replacement and eye care. The paper says India attracted over 100,000 health tourists in 2002, mostly from Middle East, Britain and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Advani’s on weeklong Pakistan tour
Monday, May 30, 2005 | JJ

BJP President L K Advani is leaving for weeklong Pakistan tour where he is scheduled to meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and others in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Advani met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and top officials of the External Affairs Ministry to know about the latest developments in India-Pakistan dialogue. In a statement Advani said "I also believe that my visit is a continuation of the bold and historic initiative started by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to seek lasting peace, resolution of all the outstanding issues and normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan through a process of sincere and sustained dialogue."

Foreign remittances from GCC on rise
Monday, May 30, 2005 | JJ

ICICI bank's Bahrain-based Country Head Ajay Sharma has forecasted, foreign remittances from GCC will increase in recent months. The increase is due to appreciation of the rupee, new foreign direct investment opportunities and a vibrant real estate market. He said ''India is seen as a good investment destination today so even if the remittances from laborers do not increase significantly, the slack will be taken up in the coming months by investment-oriented.'' Remittances to India had increased sharply in recent years from 10 billion dollars in 2001 to the present figure 23 billion dollars in 2004.

Sehwag future captain, says Chappell
Sunday, May 29, 2005 | JJ

Indian cricket coach Greg Chappell told reporter "With Sehwag expressing future captaincy aspirations, the learning process for future leadership roles needs to be viewed as critical." Indian coach formed a core group of skipper Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag, Laxman, Kumble and Harbhajan of the national team. He praised Kumble and Harbhajan as match-winning bowlers and said "World class and complementary spinners, they have carried the workload admirably for a number of years."

Uma back into the BJP National Executive
Sunday, May 29, 2005 | JJ

Suspended General Secretary of BJP was inducted back into the party's National Executive. Ms Bharti is now co-in charge of the coming Bihar elections along with BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley. Ms Bharti was suspended in November last year as General Secretary for walking out of the office-bearers meeting.

Alps images by CARTOSAT-I
Sunday, May 29, 2005 | JJ

Indian President showed detailed, stereoscopic pictures on his laptop computer of the Alps Mountains taken by CARTOSAT-I India’s remote sensing satellite launched on May 5, to Swiss President Samuel Schmid. On the request of Dr Kalam to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) the satellite took images on May 21. Imagery has a spatial resolution of 2.5 metre and cover a swath of 30 km.

Indian-US discuss Security Council expansion
Sunday, May 29, 2005 | JJ

Ms Shirin Tahir-Kheli, Special Adviser to the US Secretary of State on UN reforms who just concluded during her two-day visit held meeting with Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, Dr S Jaishankar, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the External Affairs Ministry and discussed regarding India's candidature for Security Council. Except US all other four Permanent Members of the Security Council Russia, China, France and Britain have supported New Delhi's candidature for a permanent seat. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will discuss India's candidature for Security Council with US President George Bush during his visit to Washington in July.

Four Indians perish by blaze in Kuwait
Sunday, May 29, 2005 | JJ

Director of Public Relations, Fire Department, Major Khaleel Ameer said that four Indian workers were killed in a huge blaze, which gutted a building in the early hours of Saturday at New Kheitan area in Kuwait. Most of the deceased were in their early twenties. The incident occurred at 2:49 am on Saturday.

Advanced Passenger Information System at Airports
Sunday, May 29, 2005 | JJ

Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) under which the respective immigration authorities will get the passenger manifest from the airlines as soon as the flight takes off will be introduced in Indian Airports from 1 October. Arrangements are being made for separate counters for Indian passport holders returning from abroad. Tourism Minister Renuka Chowdhury had persistently demanded for introduction of APIS with Home Ministry and Civil Aviation Ministry.

Corrective surgeries to eradiate Polio
Saturday, May 28, 2005 | JJ

Under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) successfully performed operations on 139 polio-affected children in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Disabled Welfare Department is planning to perform one thousand such operations at government hospitals in this year with a grant of Rs 8,000 for each disabled children who want to perform corrective surgeries.

Mahesh-Lisa moves to 2nd round
Saturday, May 28, 2005 | JJ

Mahesh Bhupathi and Lisa Raymond from America defeated 6-3 6-4 Virginia Ruano Pascual and Jonathan Erlich in the first round of the French Open Grand Slam tennis in Paris. Leander Paes and Martina Navratilova is scheduled to play there first round match against local tandem Stephanie Foretz and Nicolas Devilder.

20 injured in Anantnag - Kashmir blast
Saturday, May 28, 2005 | JJ

According to senior police official 15 people, including six CRPF personnel, were today injured in a powerful explosion at K P road near telephone exchange office in south Kashmir district of Anantnag. Senior police and civil officials have rushed to the spot and took control of the area. No body has taken responsibility for the blast and cause of the blast is unknown.

PM against free power
Saturday, May 28, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said "Giving free power will not help in self-sufficiency in power generation and it could be an obstacle in additional power generation." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicated 1500-MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydel power project to nation. "While the demand for electricity in the country is increasing, power cuts are assuming alarming proportions," he said expressing concern over electricity shortage in the country. He said that UPA is targeting to provide electricity in every village in the next four years under the Bharat Nirman Yojana.

Sonia unanimously elected Congress President
Saturday, May 28, 2005 | JJ

Sonia Gandhi was today formally unanimously re-elected unopposed as Congress President. Sonia Gandhi said ''I am grateful to the party workers and leaders for having reposed faith in me. But despite the fact that we have come to power after eight years leading a coalition government, we have to be alert and continue to work to strengthen the organization.''

Nathpa-Jhakri power project dedicated to nation
Saturday, May 28, 2005 | JJ

1500-MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydel power project was dedicated to nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Ltd completed the project in 17 years with a total budget of Rs 8,500-crore. The project will supply power to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The project is the joint venture of the Government of India and the Himachal Pradesh Government.

Russia reassured its support to India
Friday, May 27, 2005 | JJ

Russia reassured its support to India demand for the permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Joint statement the end of President A P J Abdul Kalam's visit says ''Assessing India as an important member of the international community, the Russian Federation reaffirmed its support to India as a deserving and strong candidate for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council.'' ''The visit of the President of India has become a new major step at the highest level to the progressive consolidation of Indo-Russian strategic partnership,'' the statement said.

Internet by BSNL to cost 50 per cent less
Friday, May 27, 2005 | JJ

BSNL is the number one Internet service provider in the country with more than eight lakh dial-up subscribers offers its customer Direct Internet Access Services (DIAS) 50 per cent cheaper by from June one. The rate for a maximum of Rs 3,000 will come down to a flat fee of Rs 500 and monthly rental reduced from a maximum of Rs 1,800 per month to Rs 900. BSNL offer will be applicable across 42 cities in 23 State.

Hurriyat advised to visit erstwhile J & K only
Friday, May 27, 2005 | JJ

India expressed their view that Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Bilal Ghani Lone and Fazal Haq Qureshi, traveling by Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus on June 2 should visit only Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters “government has a clear understanding with Pakistan that passengers traveling on this bus can travel only within the territory of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Any travel beyond the territory would not be in keeping with the understanding between the two governments."

Amendment of Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act
Friday, May 27, 2005 | JJ

Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided to amend the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000, to exempt ''certain class of persons'' from the Act. Cabinet also approved the proposal for the signing of an agreement between India and Croatia in the field of health and medicine for five years.

Paes in second round in French Open
Friday, May 27, 2005 | JJ

Leander Paes and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia Montinegro sixth seeded advanced to the second round by defeating Florian Mayer of Germany and Rogier Wassen of the Netherlands by 6-3 4-6 6-2 in the first round of the men's doubles in the French Open Tennis championship at Paris. Paes and Zimonjic will face Nicholas Devilder and Marc Gicquel of France in the second round, who beat Jordan Kerr of Australia and Sebastian Prieto of Argentina. Fourth seed Mahesh Bhupathi and Todd Woorbridge of Australia lost to unseeded pair of Kevin Kim of USA and Hyung-Taik Lee of Korea in the first round.

Godhra committee's term extended by 3 months
Friday, May 27, 2005 | JJ

Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh extended three months the term of the U C Banerjee committee, probing the torching of Sabarmati Express at Godhra in February 2002 which was to expire on June 4. The committee was in controversy for submitting an interim report this year on January 17 terming as an accidental fire was appointed by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad. Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after a meeting "The extension period will enable the high level committee to complete its complex investigations and finalise its report."

Clinton gets cheeky greeting at Delhi hospital
Friday, May 27, 2005 | Editor

Press Trust of India, New Delhi, May 26, 2005

It was a greeting of a different kind for former US President Bill Clinton as he visited a hospital here on Thursday -- two pecks on his cheek by a 17-year-old Delhi girl who had been longing to do so for five years. Attired in trousers and a blue shirt, Swati had read about Clinton's programme to visit Ram Manohar Lohia hospital and reached there along with her father and brother in an attempt to meet him. As the visiting dignitary came out of the hospital, the teenager fervently waved a poster of his and pleaded with security personnel to allow her to meet him. Her efforts bore fruit as she caught attention of Clinton who asked the security personnel to let her come to his car. As the former leader of the world's most powerful country opened the door of his car to shake hands with the girl, she surprised him by kissing him on his right cheek twice. Clinton, who had hogged headlines in 1997 because of his relationship with his former aide Monica Lewinsky, heartily laughed at the gesture. "Since 2000, I have waited for this day. And today, I shook hands with him, touched him. I am so happy," said an exited Swati, thanking her father and her brother for making possible her meeting with Clinton. The former US President was visiting the hospital to take a look at the treatment given to HIV/AIDS patients there. He launched an initiative of his foundation to train doctors in HIV/AIDS care here.

I will coach Pakistan but not India: Akram
Friday, May 27, 2005 | Editor

I will coach Pakistan but not India: Akram
Press Trust of India, Islamabad, May 25, 2005

Wasim Akram, who had drawn criticism for helping seamer Irfan Pathan during a tour of Australia last year, has said in no unclear terms that if given a chance he would coach the Pakistani team in future but not the Indians.

"I'll coach Pakistan but not India," the legendary left-arm seamer said in Karachi at a function organised by the sponsors of Pakistan's domestic competition.

Akram said that when he had helped out Pathan with some bowling tips he had been surprised at the reaction from some quarters over this development. "After the reaction I saw I know that the day I coach India people will kill me."

Akram, however, soon added that he did not envisage to see himself as a cricket coach in near future.

"I don't see myself being a coach since to be honest I'm not an organised person. And to make a good coach you need to be as organised as say like Bob Woolmer, Dav Whatmore and John Wright," he was quoted as saying in the local daily 'The News'.

Akram also made it clear that he had no regrets leaving cricket when he did.

"I left cricket at the right time and I'm happy and content with my life now because when people say they miss me, it's a great feeling for me."

On fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Akram advised him to work on being more acceptable in the team by the other players.

"He is a match winner but he needs to work on being popular with the other players. He is not a bad person — I know that, but he needs to make himself acceptable in the team," he said.

About Shoaib getting an offer from the Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt to act in one of his films, Akram said there was nothing wrong in the 'Rawalpindi Express' doing a film.

"I've no doubt that he can do well as an actor because when he first started playing in the team we used to call him 'Shoaib Actor'," he said in a lighter vein.

Nomination paper filed by Sonia Gandhi
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 | JJ

Sonia Gandhi filed her nomination for Congress president post in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, senior party leaders and Union ministers. Mrs. Gandhi filed nomination before chairman of Central Election Authority of the party Mr. Oscar Fernandes. If required the election will be held on 9 June.

Sunil Dutt passed away
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 | JJ

Sunil Dutt who was suffering from a brief illness passed away today morning. He is survived by his son Sanjay Dutt and two daughters. Dutt was congress MP for five-time representing Mumbai North West seat.

UPA to form alliance against NDA in Bihar
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 | JJ

UPA allies are reconfiguration of alignments ahead of the polls to avoid split in the votes among secular parties. UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi met CPI(M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet and discussed about polls which is expected to be held sometime in September-October. EC will decide on the timing of the elections next week when the two-member team visiting Bihar will submit their report. BJP was the major party in the dissolved assembly with 122 legislators.

PM tours Ranthambore National Park
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toured the Project Tiger Ranthambhore National Park in Sawai spread over an area of 392 sq km in Madhopur district of Rajasthan. After late Rajiv Gandhi who had spent a week in the park in December 1985, Dr Singh is the first Prime Minister to visit Ranthambhore. His wife Gursharan Kaur, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, accompanied Prime Minister. Dr Singh succeeded in seeing a tigress.

Poll in Bihar after Monsoon
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 | JJ

Law Minister H R Bharadwaj said that chances for polls in the state of Bihar would be in the period between September-November as monsoon will be active till end of July. Bharadwaj told "We will want extension of President rule in the state and hence it has to be put before Parliament when it meets in the end of July." He said "once the assembly is dissolved, it is for the Election Commission to fix the date of election in consultation with the government of Bihar." He agreed that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and the NDA are demanding early polls.

Indian stabbed and murdered in Malaysia
Monday, May 23, 2005 | JJ

Suresh Prisnakhanth, an Indian national working in Malaysia as sales manager with a trading company was found dead with stab wounds on his neck and face and two deep cuts in his stomach, quoted police. Bloodstained knife was found from the spot, which might be the murder weapon. Motive behind the murder is not known yet. As per 'Star' newspaper jewelry and money were found in his pocket hence it is clear that the motive of murder was robbery.

Anand second place in MTel Chess Masters
Monday, May 23, 2005 | JJ

Veselin Topolov won the title of the MTel Chess Masters with a win over Russian Vladimir Kramnik in the 10th and final round. Viswanathan Anand ensured a second place finish after Hungarian Judit Polgar held him to a draw. Veselin Topolov total points were 6.5, and Anand 5.5.

President dissolves Bihar Assembly
Monday, May 23, 2005 | JJ

President A P J Abdul Kalam who is in Moscow dissolved Bihar Assembly on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters it was done to prevent "horse-trading". Political activities gained momentum in recent days as breaking away group from Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party tied up with JD(U) to form an NDA government. BJP and other NDA partners have opposed the move.

CBSE Results to be out on May 23rd
Sunday, May 22, 2005 | JJ

The much awaited CBSE results will be out on May 23rd by 8 am. The results can be accessed directly on the internet. Reliance cellular phone and Tata Indicom customers can avail their results through SMS.

Unit-III&IV of Kaiga Atomic Power near completion.
Sunday, May 22, 2005 | JJ

According KGS project director Harsh Kapoor Unit-III & IV of Kaiga Atomic Power build indigenously will be commissioned by March and September 2007, respectively. Each unit has a capacity of 220 MW, which will feed an additional 10.56 million units per day to the southern grid.

UPA to celebrate first anniversary
Sunday, May 22, 2005 | JJ

Celebration of the first anniversary of UPA government will be held at 7, Race Course Road residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 1830 hrs. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will address the meeting and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will declare report card of government's performance for the last year. Alliance leaders and Cabinet Ministers will attend the meeting in the absence of Left parties who decided to keep away from the function.

President on two-week 4 nations trip
Sunday, May 22, 2005 | JJ

President A P J Abdul Kalam started his two-week trip to four nations. Hw will visit Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and Iceland. Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Cabinet ministers,Army Chief J J Singh, Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash and Air Chief Marshall S P Tygai and top officials were among others present at the airport to see off him.

Nation pays tributes to Rajiv Gandhi
Saturday, May 21, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice-President Bhairon, Rajiv Gandhi's wife Sonia Gandhi, his son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Union ministers and other prominent leaders paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Vir Bhumi on his 14th death anniversary. Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a human bomb at Sriperumbudur during an election campaign. Leader laid wreaths on Rajiv Gandhi's Samadhi and attended remembrance ceremony at Vir Bhumi.

New Courses by IGNOU
Saturday, May 21, 2005 | JJ

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) which is operating a network of 48 regional, six sub-regional and 1,200 study centers for 1.3 million students in 31 countries will launch several new courses from July 2005. IGNOU Regional Director K Soundravalli announced that the new courses will include Post Graduate Diploma in Community Cardiology and MSc in Dietetics and Food Services Management.

SBI growth of 16.94%
Saturday, May 21, 2005 | JJ

State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman A.K.Purwar announcing financial result till March 31 said that the SBI made a net profit of Rs 4304.52 crores during 2004-05, recording 16.94 per cent increase from the previous fiscal. Operating profit of the Bank during the same period also increased to Rs 10990.36 crores. The period the total volume of business had also gone up to Rs 54535.70 crores.

Palestine President on two-day visit to India
Friday, May 20, 2005 | JJ

President of the Palesttine National Authority Mr. Mahmoud Abbas arrived in India for a two-day official visit as part of his South Asia tour. After becoming President of the Palestine National Authority this is his first visit to India. Immediately after arrival he had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister assured of India's unflinching support to the Palestinian cause and the Middle East Peace Process. Today Mr. Abbas is to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.

Air India aircraft makes emergency landing
Friday, May 20, 2005 | JJ

Air India Flight AI-191 flying between Mumbai and Paris made a safe emergency landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport at 1140 hrs. AI spokesperson told ''The Air India flight (AI-191) between Mumbai and Paris, carrying 428 passengers, made a safe landing at the airport. All the passengers are safe. The flight is likely to take off after four to five hours once the problem was fixed.'' The flight had developed hydraulic failure after it had taken off at 0856 hrs from Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport.

Greg Chappell next India coach
Friday, May 20, 2005 | JJ

BCCI president Ranbir Singh Mahendra announced that Greg Chappell will be the next national cricket team coach till June 2007. Mahendra said ''The six-member committee has gone through representations of all four candidates and was unanimous in its decision to select Mr Chappell as the new coach.'' The board was also considering appointing bowling and fielding coaches, he said.

ICICI Bank acquires Russian Bank
Thursday, May 19, 2005 | JJ

Russian bank Investitsionno-Kreditny Bank(IKB) with a total assets of about USD 4.4million was acquired by ICICI Bank. ICICI Bank is India's second-largest bank with total assets of about Rs.1,67,659 crore at March 31, 2005 and profit after tax of Rs. 2,005 crore for the year ended March 31, 2005 (Rs. 1,637 crore in fiscal 2004). ICICI Bank has a network of about 560 branches and extension counters and over 1,900 ATMs.

Death sentence of Dara Singh set aside
Thursday, May 19, 2005 | JJ

Division bench of Orissa High Court today set aside the death sentence to Dara Singh and awarded life imprisonment for the case in which Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines, along with his two minor sons, Philip (10), and Timothy (8), were burnt alive in their station wagon at Monoharpur village in Keonjhar district on 22 January, 1999 night. Earlier Khurda district and session judge Mr Mahendranath Patnaik had awarded death sentence to Dara Singh and life imprisonment to 12 others on September 22,2003.

Irafan gets BCCI’s NOC
Thursday, May 19, 2005 | JJ

Indian left arm seamer got the permission from BCCI to play for Middlesex in the English county cricket. Irfan told ''I received the NOC from BCCI yesterday and will leave for London tomorrow on a six-week-long busy cricketing schedule offered by the Middlesex.'' Irfan had planned to join the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai regaining his form, ahead of the triangular series in Sri Lanka. Irfan accepted the maiden offer with the hope of getting further exposure at the international level and improving his performance both with the bat and ball and said ''match practice is the best practice for any cricketer''.

UPA & Left overall satisfied
Thursday, May 19, 2005 | JJ

UPA allies reviewed the performance of the government for the past one-year, which was attended by all allies. Meeting was held at Prime Minister's official residence at 7 Race Course Road and lasted for 8 hours. As per the statement from UPA spokesperson Ambika Soni after the meeting "overall satisfaction and resolved to move forward even more purposively to implement their collective political, social and economic agenda as embodied in the National Common Minimum Programme." CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI leader A B Bardhan, RSP leader Abani Roy and Forward Bloc's Debabrata Biswas, attended the meeting, rejected UPA spokesperson statement by saying "it is not our statement. It is their statement."

UPA-Left Coordination Committee begins
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | JJ

To review the performance of Manmohan Singh Government for the last one year UPA-Left Coordination Committee presided over by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, is meeting at the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh New Delhi. The meeting is expected to discuss in detail government's achievements and drawbacks with respect to the Common Minimum Program. UPA allies leaders participating in the meeting are DMK Chief M Karunanidhi, CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat, CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja, RSP leader Abani Roy, Forward Bloc leader Debabrat Biswas, E Ahmed of IUML, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and TRS supremo K Chandrashekhar Rao. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, HRD Minister Arjun Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram are likely to brief the UPA allies.

Venues for India-Pak Series
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | JJ

Pakistan Cricket Board has proposed Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi as Test venues for the series between India and Pakistan to be scheduled in January next year. In the last series which was played in Pakistan, India was reluctance to play a Test in Karachi. Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Multan have been proposed as the venues for the five one-dayers.

Gold ores in India
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | JJ

Minister of State for Coal and Mines Dasari Narayana Rao said that Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Indian Bureau of Mines have found a total of 23.85 million tons of gold ore in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during the past three years. Government would sell around 84,000 carats of diamonds every year. As per the National Mineral Inventory, the total resources of diamond in the country were estimated to be 4580336 carats and that of Conundrum at 32932 tons and Garnet at 51736615 tons. Ruby was estimated to be 469 kg and that of Sapphire at 450 kg.

Dental tourism on Boom
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | JJ

Foreigners visiting India has increased in the field of specialized dental treatments due to the affordable costs prevailing in India. Dr Arun P Setia of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital says "There is great potential of dental tourism in India. Patients from Middle East, Europe, US, Canada and Africa are visiting India for various dental treatments, even though such procedures are available in west." Foreigners trust Indian doctors as they are English speaking, widely traveled and also these patients at one time or other have been exposed to treatment given by Indian doctors in their own countries," says Dr Setia. Treatments in demand are root canal, crown replacement and even for those fixing their teeth for a better smile.

Railway Platform ticket to be costlier
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

Railway Board notification today said that railway platform ticket will cost Rs. 5 instead of Rs. 3 from June 1st 2005. The steep increase in the cost is to regulate entry of people at the railway stations across the country.

Fifth consecutive draw for Anand
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

Michael Adams of England held Viswanathan Anand’s to his fifth straight draw in the fifth round of the MTel Masters Chess tournament. With just five more rounds to be played, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and Adams is top of the tables with 3 points followed by Anand, and Ponomariov close behind with 2.5 points. Topalov and Polgar slipped to the last spot with 2 points.

CBI framed charges against Lalu
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

CBI framed charges against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and 39 accused, in the case no RC-38(A)/96 related to the multi-crore fodder scam. CBI Special Court judge Sanjay Prasad framed the charges against Lalu Prasad in connection with fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.3.13 crore from Dumka treasury between December 1995 and January 1996 during the period Lalu was the chief minister of Bihar.

Agni III Missiles test-fire by year-end
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

Surface-to-Surface missile Agni III would be test-fire by the year-end. Top defense scientist Dr M Natrajan disclosed this at the presentation made at the DRDO Technology day awards function in the presence of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Agni I and Agni II the short and intermediate range are being inducted into the newly raised strategic command. Agni III range is 3,000 Kms, which shows India has the capability of developing intercontinental range ballistic missile.

Congress to Elect President on June 9
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

AICC General Secretary Ambika Soni told mediapersons if required election for the post of Congress president will be held here on June 9 from 1000 hours to 1600 hrs and the result will be declared the same day. Nominations for the post of Congress president would start from May 25 at 1100 hours while nominations will close on May 27 at 1500 hrs. Scrutiny of the nominations and its publication will take place the same day. June 3 would be last day of withdrawal of nominations and the list of candidates would be published the same day.

Indian engineers trained at Russian nuclear plant
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

Novovoronezh Training Centre will train a group of Indian engineers for running Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu under the guidance of Russian experts. Kudankulam nuclear power plant is being built with Russian assistance which includes two VVER-1,000 light-water reactors and first phase of the plant is scheduled to be commissioned in 2007 and the second in 2008. According to Alexander Ivanchenko, Head of Novovoronezh Training Indian Engineers after taking theoretical course, the they will go to the Kalinin nuclear power plant ( in Russia's north-west) for training to operate the VVER-1,000 nuclear reactor.

Stamp Paper with new look
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

Ministry has decided to change the stamp papers design with a special paper with security inks, special techniques and serial number so that it can be easily tracked to prevent usage of the fake stamp printed in the Telgi scam. Ministry release says "New design of stamps from Re 1 to Rs 250 bn has been approved and production and supply has started in a phased manner." Security Printing Press of Hyderabad and India Security Press of Nasik has started printing stamps upto a denomination of Rs 500. High-value stamps worth Rs 10,000-25,000 are in the process of design.

India, Russia for weapons co-production
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | JJ

Defence Ministry sources said India and Russia are to sign Intellectual Property Right agreement to undertake co-production of weapons systems and missiles. At present Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh is studying the draft of the agreement who recently led a high powered Defence Delegation to Russia. The initial draft on the IPR a bit restrictive and was revised to new terms. The agreement shall cover Ancillary supplies for Russian armaments produced in India and also addressed concerns voiced by Moscow on India upgrading Russian equipment in use with the country's armed forces with the help of third countries.

Defence Minister heckled by Congress workers
Monday, May 16, 2005 | JJ

Defence Minister and West Bengal Pradesh Congress President Pranab Mukherjee was heckled and abused by his party workers when he came to Pradesh Congress office to formally announce the list of Congress candidates for the June 19th KMC poll. Securitymen and some local party leaders immediately cordoned off Mukherjee and took into the office. Congress workers also asked newsmen to boycott Mukherjee's press conference, on refusing the protesters manhandled and injured some journalist.

BB Tandon new CEC
Monday, May 16, 2005 | JJ

Senior most Election Commissioner B B Tandon, 1965 batch IAS officer took charge as the country's 14th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on the retirement of T S Krishna Murthy. Tandon will be CEC for one year till June next year and would conduct assembly polls in five states. Regarding the recent allegation by senior bureaucrat L V Saptharishi and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad he said "The developments over the last one week have been most unfortunate. I have been greatly pained and hurt over these developments since May seven in which wild and baseless allegations have been made against me and my esteemed colleague N Gopalaswami." Information and Broadcasting Secretary Naveen Chawla will take up his office as an Election Commissioner.

Hydrogel for burn victims
Sunday, May 15, 2005 | JJ

BARC developed Hydrogels prepared from hydrophilic polymers like polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol to be used for medical purposes, particularly for burn and injury dressings. Normally burn and injury dressings have water content in excess and hydrogel have capacity to absorb wound exudates. Trail proved that product is safe and effective. Advantages of Hydrogels over the conventional dressings are the hydrogel has a cooling effect on the burn wound and this would reduce the severity of the pain. It provided moist environment, soften any slough, provided sterile cover and regulated the oxygen supply to the wound site to enable faster healing. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd for large-scale manufacturing of hydrogel.

CWC appraisal of UPA Government
Sunday, May 15, 2005 | JJ

Congress Working Committee (CWC) will take appraisal of the UPA government's performance and achievements on the basis of the National Common Minimum Programme on completion of the first year. According to AICC sources, appraisal will be review how far the government had succeeded in implementing the programme and where it had failed to do so. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress party president and UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi are due to present the specific 'Progress Report' of the UPA government to the nation.

Irfan Pathan in English County Cricket
Sunday, May 15, 2005 | JJ

English County Middlesex announced that it has signed with Indian seamer Irfan Pathan to play for the coming season. Irfan Pathan will be replacing South African fast bowler Nantie Hayward who will be out of action for the next six weeks due to a groin injury. Irfan Pathan will make his debut in the C & G Trophy against Northamptonshire next week. Pathan, has 45 wickets from 13 Tests besides 47 scalps in 29 one-day internationals under his record.

Shoaib Akhtar rejects Mahesh Bhatt's offer
Sunday, May 15, 2005 | Editor

Islamabad May 15 (PTI) Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar has rejected an offer from Indian film maker Mahesh Bhatt, saying that his first love was cricket and his fans wanted to see him as a cricket star, not a movie star.
"I love cricket and want to concentrate on it. I have absolutely no intention of featuring in films," he was quoted by local daily 'The News' as saying.

"It (report of him acting in a film) is absolutely rubbish. I have nothing to do with films. I want to fully concentrate on my cricket which is my bread and butter," he said.

Akhtar, discarded for Pakistan's tour of the West Indies reportedly on the basis of his fitness, said all cricketers get offers to act in films and he has been receiving such offers for the last six years.

"For the last six years I have been getting such offers and so do players like Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik," he said.

"I do not want any distractions as I am at the peak of my cricketing career," he said adding that he was serious about staging a comeback into the team.

Akhtar said players like players of yesteryears, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram too got fil offers. "The offers or someone talking about it does not mean that the players are serious in featuring movies," he said. PTI

India Canada flight resumes
Saturday, May 14, 2005 | JJ

Air India will start its service from New Delhi to Toronto via Amritsar and Birmingham. The first flight will land at the Toronto's Pearson International Airport on May 15 evening with special guests Trilochan Singh, Chairman, Minorities Commission and parliamentarians MS Gill, Rita Sodhi and Balwant Singh Ramuwalia. Special security measures have been taken to protect the aircraft and passengers.

Naveen Chawla as Election Commissioner
Saturday, May 14, 2005 | JJ

Chawla is expected to become Election Commissioner. At present he is Information and Broadcasting secretary. Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy is getting retired on 15th June and B B Tandon at present the Election Commissioner shall be promoted as CEC, which he will take over on Monday. Naveen Chawla was to retire in June this year will get a five-year tenure as Election Commissioner as retirement age of Election Commissioners is 65.

May 19 interview for National Coach
Saturday, May 14, 2005 | JJ

Six-member special committee of the BCCI, headed by its President Ranbir Singh Mahendra, will interview the four candidates Chappell and Tom Moody, Mohinder Amarnath and former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes at New Delhi on May 19. Sandeep Patil and John Emburey opted out of the race due to their current coaching assignments. Board President Jagmohan Dalmiya, Secretary S K Nair and former captains S Venkataraghavan, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are members in the committee.

Nuclear policy to remain unchanged
Saturday, May 14, 2005 | JJ

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told in regards to Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Bill, 2005 approved by Parliament "It does not indicate any change in our nuclear policy. It does not in any manner constrain our nuclear program, civilian or strategic." India fulfilled its mandatory obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolution by passing this Bill.

Govt rejects Phukan report
Saturday, May 14, 2005 | JJ

Government tabled the Phukan commission report in the absence of NDA with an accompanying note that it is rejecting the commission's recommendations. Phukan commission report which gave a clean chit to former defence minister George Fernandes in defence purchase irregularities. CBI is now investigating 15 cases gone into by the Phukan commission. BJP said regarding the rejection of Phukan report as government's "obnoxious and vindictive" attitude towards the Opposition.

World's first hypersonic missile from India
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | JJ

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Director Prahlada told in press conference on the eve of the National Technology Day, to mark the Pokhran nuclear tests India is developing the world's first hypersonic missile. Director Prahlada said though India started her missile development programme late, but the country was now on par with the major global players, including USA, Russia, France and Israel, in developing third generation missiles, following intensive research in the last five years. '' We are sure that in the next three years all these works will culminate in the development of the most integrated system in the world'', he said.

Interview for Indian Coach
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | JJ

BCCI joint secretary Goutam Dasgupta said that Interview call has been send to some short listed candidate to attend the interview to be conducted by a six-member BCCI committee for the national team's coach post. The shortlisted candidates are Australians Greg Chappell and Tom Moody and former India internationals Mohinder Amarnath and Sandeep Patil for the post. BCCI was also in touch with three other former internationals from abroad and they could also be invited to the interview if they expressed their willingness.

Meningitis spreads to Haryana.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | JJ

According to health officials two people from the Panchkula and Jhajjar districts died of meningitis and 22 are being treated for the disease. State health officials said a monitoring cell had been set up to check the spread of the disease. Medicines and medical teams were being rushed to vulnerable areas and setting up isolation ward all over Haryana to deal with the disease, they added.

India generates USD 4233 million FDI.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | JJ

S Palanimanickam, Minister of State for Finance informed Rajya Sabha that India generated USD 4,233 as total foreign direct investment during April 2004 to January 2005 against USD 3,341 million in the same period of the previous year. As per Minister, a total 727 cases involving of about Rs 13,386 crore of foreign exchange and during the current fiscal (up to April), a total 29 cases involving of Rs 147 crore foreign exchange was cleared through the FIPB route.

WMDs Bill introduced in House
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | JJ

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee introduced the Bill in Lok Sabha which is intended to prohibit unlawful activities in relation to weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related dual-use materials, equipment and technologies. According to the Bill no person shall transfer, acquire, possess or transport fissile or radioactive material, which is intended to be used to cause or threat to cause death or serious injury or damage to property. India's mandatory obligations under UN Security Council resolution adopted in April last year is also fulfilled in this Bill which control over the export of WMD-usable materials, equipment and technologies.

PM back home from Russia
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached home after a three-day visit to Russia during which he attended the grand parade commemorating the 60th anniversary of the victory of the allied forces over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. PM had a brief interaction with US President George W Bush, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder. Bilateral issues such energy, defence and space cooperation was discussed in his one-to-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin told that Moscow is willing to supply of nuclear fuel for Tarapore Plant and new nuclear reactors and look deep into issues of nuclear energy cooperation with India.

It is not a viral infection or epidemic: Dr Ramadoss
Tuesday, May 10, 2005 | JJ

Union Health Minister Dr Ramadoss informed Lok Sabha that there was no need for panic and the official machinery is fully equipped with sufficient stock of medicines. According to Health Minister ''It is not a viral infection. Nor is it an epidemic,'' it is a disease which is caused by a bacteria that is present in 20 per cent of the general population throughout the year. Dr Ramadoss said the disease was totally curable and all the hospitals were having adequate stock of antibiotics and also preventive vaccines, he replied. Minister said a total of 214 cases of meningitis were reported in Delhi since the outbreak of the disease two weeks ago.

Sunderbans is causing anxious moments.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005 | JJ

Union tourism minister Mrs Renuka Chowdhury while replying to a supplementary question on rural tourism by Mr Basudev Barman (CPI-M) said, “Sunderbans is causing anxious moments.” She said that it would be “very difficult” for her to “market” the world’s largest mangrove forests as a prime tourist location of the country unless the people’s concerns arising out of the weakening environmental situation in the Sunderbans, were adequately addressed. Sunderbans, at present is under the consideration of the Planning Commission. Tourism Minister said that for the first time in this year West Bengal had registered good business in the tourism sector with financial assistance from the Centre.

PM joins world leaders on V-Day Parade
Monday, May 9, 2005 | JJ

PM Manmohan Singh a special invitee joined 55 Heads of State and Government from around the world to mourn the Soviet World War II dead and to mark the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. Putin and his wife Lyudmila greeted leaders at the main entrance to the Kremlin. Parade began after Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and Russian Army chief inspected the marching contingents.
Leaders applauded when vintage trucks and units wearing World War II-era uniforms marched past them. Parade ended with a fly past by Sukhoi jets. Putin later hosted a lunch for the world leaders at the Kremlin Palace.

Kingfisher in Air
Monday, May 9, 2005 | JJ

Kingfisher’s First Flight a brand new Airbus 320 took off on the Bangalore-Mumbai route. Kingfisher Airlines, a 1.8 billion dollar project of the UB Group, was formally launched at an impressive function to mark the 18th birthday of company group Chairman Vijay Mallya's son, Siddarth. Kingfisher fleet would have 33 Airbus aircraft out of which 10 are A320s and three are A319s, will offer in-flight entertainment like personal video screen for every seat and five channels of video. Kingfisher airlines have only one class and promises to provide services of the executive class offered by the national carriers to all its passengers. Bangalore and Delhi service would start from next month.

Militants waiting to cross border
Monday, May 9, 2005 | JJ

BSF intelligence chief in Kashmir K Srinivasan said that as per reliable intelligence information around 400 militants which includes 50 % foreigners mostly from different cities of Pakistan, are waiting across the border during summer when snow starts melting. These militants have been trained to handle different types of weapons in the training camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Security forces have already been put on high alert to foil any infiltration attempt. Many infiltration attempts were foiled since the snow started melting this year in Baramulla, Kupwara and Poonch sectors and more than three dozen militants were killed and large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered near the LoC.

Dawood Ibrahim wanted on UN list
Monday, May 9, 2005 | JJ

Dawood Ibrahim the underworld don's name appears in the list released by the UN recently. As per UN resolution 1267, which mandates all member countries to freeze the assets, prevent their entry into or transit through their territories and to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer of arms and military equipments who’s name appear in such list. At present the Don is believed to be residing in Pakistan port-city of Karachi and operating his kingdom and having links with Al-Qaeda.

Volkswagen plant in India
Sunday, May 8, 2005 | JJ

German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen AG will set up a multi-million pound car manufacturing facility in India’s southern Andhra Pradesh state. A team of officials from the European car major would visit the state later this month to discuss matters relating to location of the car plant and its ancillary units. AP Major Industries Minister B Satyanarayana said on his return from Germany where he visited Volkswagen headquarters "Volkswagen officials have scotched speculation that their company is looking at other states to set up the plant. Initially, Visakhapatnam was to be an assembling unit with parts coming from their manufacturing facilities around the world. Now it has been decided that it is going to be a full- fledged manufacturing unit and ancillary units."

Movie on Marine Drive rape case
Sunday, May 8, 2005 | JJ

Sathi Film Combines next project written and directed by Aishwarya Chandra ''Marine Drive Police Chowky'' shall be on the recent rape case at the Marine Drive police chowky. Mr Chandra said in a release that the film intends to throw light on the socio-psychological aspect of such ghastly incidents, going deeper into the psyche of the uniformed men.

PM to attend Victory Day celebrations
Sunday, May 8, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left for a three-day visit to Moscow to attend the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the ''Victory Day'', which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany by the allied forces in World War II which will be attended by 56 heads of state and government and international organizations. Before leaving he mentioned ''We attach highest importance to our relations with Russia, which has been a tried and tested friend, and has stood by us in times of need''. PM is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 9 during which wide range of issues including energy, information technology and banking will be discussed.

Sonia Gandhi to continue AICC President
Sunday, May 8, 2005 | JJ

Congress President Sonia Gandhi will be "unanimously" re-elected chief of the party by this month end.
According to senior party sources “Organizational elections are in full swing. All the states are going to complete the process by May 31, 2005. Party chief Gandhi is all set to be re-elected unanimously to the post of Party President. When Gandhi took over the reins of the party eight years ago in 1997, it was ruling only in three states then and the number has now gone up to 15 states." AICC's Session will be announced after completion of the organizational poll process, which would formally elect the party chief

India developing Superconducting cyclotron
Sunday, May 8, 2005 | JJ

Indian nuclear scientists are in the advanced stage of developing a powerful cyclotron - K500, seventh of its kind in the world, at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) at Kolkata, which is expected to be operational in two years. According to Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) director Bikash Sinha "K500 would be indigenous and three times more powerful than the existing cyclotron here operational since 1980. It will be used by our scientists for carrying out highly advanced research experiments in nuclear science." The director informed "The majority of components were fabricated in the country and some of them, including the superconducting coil, at the VECC itself. The international nuclear physics community has also shown a keen interest in using this facility for collaborative research. We want to make it internationally available and it is our fond desire that scientists from abroad outsource from us.

CARTOSAT-I and HAMSAT in space
Sunday, May 8, 2005 | JJ

President A P J Abdul Kalam witnessed the launch from the mission control centre as the PSLV-C6 placed India's heaviest remote sensing satellite, CARTOSAT-1(1560 kg), and HAMSAT (42.5 kg ) in the polar sun synchronous orbit, about 18 minutes after the lift off at 10.15 A.M. CARTOSAT-1, India's 11th remote sensing satellite is expected to give further impetus to cadastral level applications with its high-resolution imageries and HAMSAT, a micro satellite, is meant for amateur radio services. President A P J Kalam, who witnessed the launch, congratulated the scientists for the successful mission and said, "The country is proud of you." ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said, "It's a heartening mission. This is the first flight from the second launch pad. We were working against all odds -- sun, rain and wind."

Bacterial meningitis panic’s Delhi
Saturday, May 7, 2005 | JJ

Bacterial meningitis an infection of the fluid in a person's spinal cord and of the fluid that surrounds the brain has stuck 10 people infected 54 in the capital city. People are rushing to hospitals to get immunized. Infants are the most susceptible to the disease. Last major outbreak in India occurred in 1999 with 686 deaths and over 7,400 reported cases. Bacterial meningitis spread through direct contact with infected droplets from the mouth or nose. Symptoms are high-grade fever, loss of consciousness and hemorrhage.

CBI raids nationwide
Saturday, May 7, 2005 | JJ

CBI carried out nationwide raids at eleven places in Delhi, eight in Rajasthan, five in Andaman and Nicobar islands, three each in Jaipur and Mumbai, two in Calcutta, one in Pondichery and one in Ahmedabad, major of which was in connection with a disproportionate assets case against a high rank official of the Income Tax department. CBI spokesman said various bank accounts, banking transactions and other records have revealed the nexus of the accused in the assets acquired in the names of his brother and his wife and have also brought out the role of the conduits in the acquisition of the same.

Earthquake at Andaman & Nicobar
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

Moderate earthquake intensity measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale was felt in the Andaman and Nicobar islands today at 0803 hrs at 9.7 degree north latitude and 91.6 degree east longitude off north-west of Car Nicobar islands. No loss of life or property was reported so far.

NDA to boycott rest of the session
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

NDA leaders chaired by former Prime Minister Vajpayee decided to boycott rest of the Parliament session. NDA Convener George Fernandez said at a press conference "After considering the issue of boycott in detail, the NDA leaders have unanimously come to the conclusion that in view of the Government's undemocratic and intemperate attitude towards the Opposition and its complete disregard of all parliamentary norms and standards, the NDA has no alternative except to boycott the rest of the session until 13th May." TDP leaders were not present at the meeting, who had so far supported the boycott.

IISc signs MOU with Cardiff University
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) started in 1909 through the pioneering vision of J.N. Tata signs MOU Cardiff University, Wales(UK), Both Institute will go for a Strategic Partnership for Co-operation in the Fields of Science and Technology.

BJP’s second-rung leaders launch poll preparations
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

Second-rung star leaders of BJP are in-charge of the coming assembly Elections in Assam, Kerala, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Rajnath Singh will handle West Bengal, Ananth Kumar will handle Kerala and Mahajan will handle Assam, Arun Jaitley will handle Tamilnadu and Pondicherry.

LIC with new policies
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

Life Insurance Corporation the largest insurance company of India announced six new policies in 2005-06 which includes two pension policies. LIC chairman R N Bharadwaj said, "Women and children policies are also in the agenda." LIC is also targeting first premium income of Rs 18,000 crore as compared to Rs 15,800 crore in the last year. "We will also complete asset-liability valuation by June this year. We are also talking to IRDA on the solvency margin issue," he said.

Non-stop flight from US
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

Air-India proposal to buy 50 aircraft - from the US based Boeing estimated to cost $7 billion, now awaits a cabinet clearance. The proposal includes 8 Nos. 777-200LR, 15 Nos. 777-300ER and 27 Nos. 787-8 airplanes. Boeing's senior vice president of sales and president of aircraft trading division said “777-200LR will enable Air-India to provide ultra-long range, non-stop flights between any airports in India and the US,” “777-300ER is the ideal airplane to replace the airline's current fleet of 747-200 airplanes because it offers Air-India comparable capacity with twin-engine efficiency," “787 will allow Air India to open new non-stop routes, such as Delhi-New York and Mumbai-San-Francisco, economically."

Advani warns Naqvi
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

BJP President LK Advani advised Naqvi to be careful, while making public statements that could trigger controversy and end up creating false impressions. Naqvi had also given a written statement earlier to the BJP chief clarifying his stand on the statement to the media last weekend that the BJP would contest the next Lok Sabha election, due in 2009, under a new leadership.

India wins Asian Power lifting championship
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

India wins Asian Power lifting championship with a total of 378 points with 85 medals including (46 gold, 33 silver and 6 bronze) in the 17th Asian Power lifting Championship. Uzbekistan with 174 points (11 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) took the second place while Iran with 169 points (8 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze) finished third. Turkhanov Daurandek of Kazakhstan was adjudged the 'Strongman of Asia' while Uzbekistan's Malyugina Nadejda won the 'Strongwomen of Asia' honor.

Left to continue support UPA
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | JJ

CPI leader A B Bardhan said at a function at the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "I assure you we will continue to support the UPA government so long as it pursues policies which are laid down." "Excuse us it is not to create problem for you or problem for the community. We are very careful about the community", Bardhan said regarding the strikes.

Militant killed J&K CM's nephew
Monday, May 2, 2005 | JJ

Official sources said, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s nephew Itiqullah Shah died at the hospital. Shah was brought to hospital after terrorists opened fire at him outside his residence at Bijdehera in Anantnag district.

NDA to participate in Finance Bill voting
Monday, May 2, 2005 | JJ

NDA parliamentary party chaired by Atal Bihari Vajpayee decided participate in the voting of the Finance Bill in Lok Sabha on Monday. NDA coordination committee shall decide future course of action after the voting on the Finance Bill. Parliament proceedings were boycotted by NDA demanding the resignation of Lalu Prasad Railway Minister relating to the multi crore-fodder scam charge sheet against him.

Bangladesh Rifles opened fire: BSF
Monday, May 2, 2005 | JJ

BSF said in a media release Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) fired four rounds towards Indian territory in South Dinajpur district in the wee hours. BDR has also dug several ''strategic trenches opposite to an Indian outpost at Tungi in Krishnanagar'', the release added.

BJP chief Advani to lead next polls: Vajpayee
Monday, May 2, 2005 | JJ

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told reporter "Advani is our leader and will lead the party in the next general elections." He was speaking to reporters here after attending the national executive of BJP Mahila Morcha at Lucknow. Commenting on party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's remarks Vajpayee said "There should be no confusion over the leadership issue, Leadership keeps changing. New leaders take over from the old one and it is a continuous process. "

Dean Jones wants to coach Indian cricket team
Monday, May 2, 2005 | JJ

Dean Jones who has coaching degree from Australia applied for coach of India Team and was anticipating response from the BCCI. He told reporter " I will make an attempt to bring the best out of them with the World Cup just two years away. I will enjoy doing the job. I am prepared to live in India as India has something to offer me. It would be great to coach a team, which has several superstars and young kids as well.”

IIT Delhi, develops battery-operated electric bus
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

Instrument Design Development Centre of IIT Delhi, has developed an battery-operated electric bus which can carry about 150 people at a top speed of 65 kmph and cover about 160 km at one go. The vehicle runs free of vibration, noise and heat. "During his last visit at a test run, Minister of State for Statistics & Programme Implementation Oscar Fernandes assured that he would take up the issue with the central government."

The computer regulated engine of the bus works through a motor that draws power from a battery. An onboard charger that charges the battery runs on diesel, which is why the bus is called "hybrid electric vehicle".

India defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 in Davis Cup
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

India defeated Uzbekistan 5-0 when Mankad beat Murad Inayatov 7-5 6-1 in the second and final reverse singles tie in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania second round tennis tournament today. Earlier Leander Paes beat Dustov 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-0, Amritraj beat Denis Istomin 6-3 6-2 6-2, Amritraj defeated Dustov 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-2 in Reverse single and Paes / Bhupathi clinched the doubles event beating Inoyatov/Istomin 6-3 6-4 6-4. Reverse singles tie were reduced to three sets as India has already qualified for World Group play-offs after winning two singles and one doubles matches on the first two days of the competition.

India is now emerging as a major power: PM
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda Technical University today called for laying more stress on science and technology and investing in human capabilities to make India an economic super power. PM said ''India is now emerging as a major power. We want that our country must become an economic super power. We have to get rid of our 'chaltau' (casual) approach,'' he said.

PSLV-C6 to blast off on May 5
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle series Ninth flight PSLV-C6, for the first time carrying two heavy Indian satellites 1,560 KG CARTOSAT-1, the advanced mapping application satellite and the 42.6 KG piggy-back satellite HAMSAT, will blast off from here at 10:10.19 Hrs on May 5.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre Director K Narayana informed reporters today that the 52 hr count down shall begin on 0549 hrs on Tuesday.
''HAMSAT, was originally scheduled to be launched in 2003 along with RESOURCESAT. But due to unforseen problems, it could not be launched,'' he said.

K Karunakaran floats new party
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

K Karunakaran today floated a new party National Congress Indira splitting the Congress in Kerala. The announcement was made at the workers' convention of his faction at Thrissur.

India's Foreign currency reserves goes up
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

According to the RBI's weekly statistical supplement released today country's foreign exchange reserves now stand at USD 1,42,546 million, an increase of USD 1,001 million over last week's reserves of USD 1,41,545 million. Gold reserves and SDRs remained static at USD 4,500 million and USD five million respectively. Loans and advances to the state government were up by Rs 3.88 billion to Rs 46.08 billion while that to the central government showed a nil balance.

India and Japan pledge support for U.N. seats
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

India and Japan agreed on Friday to help each other's bids for a place on the U.N. Security Council. Two sides announced in a joint statement "They reiterated their support for each other's candidature, based on the firmly shared recognition that Japan and India are legitimate candidates for permanent membership in an expanded Security Council".
India and Japan said they would "strengthen their cooperation" to push to make the Security Council "more credible and more effective" and consult "like-minded" nations.

India welcomes lifting of emergency.
Sunday, May 1, 2005 | JJ

India today welcomed the lifting of the three-month old emergency in Nepal. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said to reporters in Raipur "it is a positive step, but they have a lot to do." "We have to observe how fast normalcy returns to the Himalayan Kingdom." External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh described the development as the the "first step" and he told reporters "We, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and myself, had conveyed to King Gyanendra that political processes should be restored, political prisoners should be released, emergency should be lifted and Indian channels should be allowed to be aired and processes should be started which culminate in multi-party elections".