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[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:02 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01rewind1.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 08:52 IST
Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours.
Two men pushing an autorickshaw through a waterlogged road after heavy downpour in Faridabad on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Army personnel carry the coffin of Sepoy Hasansab Khudavand who was killed in a mine blast at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, in his village Saidpur in Hubli on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala consoles Karnataka Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah on the demise of his son Rakesh Siddaramaiah, in Mysuru on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam due to the heavy rainfall in Shimla. Photograph: PTI Photo
A child plays with a peacock after rains in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Photograph: PTI Photo
Army personnel display a missile system at Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday. The Indian Defence Research and Development Organization is organising a defence exhibition of tanks, Brahmos missiles along with other equipment at Parliament House to mark the completion of 70 years of independence. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo
Heavy traffic jam at Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway stretch on NH-8 near Atlas Chowk in Gurgaon on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal arrives at Parliament House during the ongoing monsoon session in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo
A monorail rake broke down due to a technical snag in Mumbai on Monday. Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo
A masked protester stands next to a graffiti painted on a road during a protest against the recent killings in Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8430312e5fe57821da4368f48859f4956c3d861658c065527bd5df64a8a33fe7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:03 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | If the Anandiben Patel administration was shaken by the Patidar agitation, the Vijay Rupani government would have to deal with the Jignesh Mevani-led Dalit movement. | New threat for BJP in Gujarat | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fnew-threat-for-bjp-in-gujarat%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/18mevani.jpg | en | null | New threat for BJP in Gujarat | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 11:01 IST
If the Anandiben Patel administration was shaken by the Patidar agitation, the Vijay Rupani government would have to deal with the Jignesh Mevani-led Dalit movement, reports Sohini Das.
IMAGE: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, in a blue shirt, with JNU students union President Kanhaiya Kumar and Dalit community members during a solidarity rally in Una, Gujarat. Photograph: PTI Photo
Last August, 22-year-old Patidar leader Hardik Patel caught the imagination of the nation when his firebrand speeches and ability to gather masses led to a huge agitation against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government. His demand: Reservation in government jobs and institutions for Patidars.
While the state government is still grappling with the Patidar movement, they have a new challenge -- Jignesh Mevani, a 35-year-old English and law graduate, the convenor of the Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti, which is fighting against the July 11 incident in Gir Somnath district.
Mevani is also a member of the Aam Aadmi Party's Gujarat unit. As his voice gains popularity and renews interest in the Dalit discourse, it might emerge as a critical factor for the AAP in the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections next year.
Sociologist Vidyut Joshi quips, "Historically, every movement has given rise to a new leader and the Dalit movement will not be an exception."
He said the trio -- Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor (who is spearheading the voices of the Other Backward Castes in Gujarat) -- are likely to emerge as political leaders.
Why is Gujarat suddenly witnessing the rise of youth leaders who represent the voices of disgruntled communities? Joshi says Gujarat's traditional social structure is in shambles and people are struggling to ensure secured livelihood. This has set the stage for the entry of 'angry young men.'
While the July 11 atrocity against Dalits might be the trigger for mass protests in Gujarat, followed by some high-profile visits to Una -- including those of Arvind Kejriwal, Mayawati, Rahul Gandhi, in the past few weeks -- it is largely an issue of 'identity and security' for the long-oppressed community.
The death of Hyderabad Central University Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in January, and the events that followed, led to a feeling of alienation in a large section of the community, which comprises 15 per cent of the national population and had voted for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
With atrocities against Dalits rising in the state, especially after self-styled cow protection groups unleashed violence on Dalits and minority communities, the issue of security has taken centre stage.
This is when Mevani stepped into the scene. However, unlike Hardik Patel, he has deep roots in activism. Mevani worked with the late Mukul Sinha's Jansangharsh Manch for the rights of landless communities and municipal workers.
Many feel Mevani is filling the vacuum that existed in articulating the sentiments of Dalits in Gujarat.
Unlike Hardik Patel's demands for reservation for his community, Mevani has sought something for which the government already has provisions.
A JSM survey in 2009 covering over 10 villages in Surendranagar and Ahmedabad districts showed how land was denied to Dalits. However, the Gujarat Agriculture Land Ceiling Act provides for allotting five acres of surplus government land to landless Dalits.
"This obviously has never been done. The surplus land has already been identified but the government is not willing to give it to Dalits. If they (the state government) do not initiate the process of transferring land to Dalits within the next one month, we will stage a 'Rail Roko' agitation on September 15," said Mevani.
Mevani seems to be a meticulous planner. Dalits comprise just about 7 per cent of Gujarat's population and hence cannot potentially 'swing' election results. However, nationally, they are an electoral force to reckon with.
This explains why a contingent of national leaders descended in Una last month. He says, "I am very much a part of the AAP. But the Dalit movement is open for anyone (a Dalit, or a sympathiser) to join, irrespective of his/her political affiliations."
Communist leader and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was thus by his side when the week-long rally, which started from Ahmedabad, culminated in Una.
If the Anandiben Patel administration was shaken by the Patidar agitation, the new Vijay Rupani government would have to deal with the Mevani-led Dalit movement. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/new-threat-for-bjp-in-gujarat/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/cacd7f89cf086296c4a4d3852b16c3728aa417dbe0fc6774d0161d6d579161b7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:23 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | He said it was due to the degradation of moral values that social evils such as rapes, cow slaughter and other evils are happening in the society. | Those who consider India their country, should treat cow as mother: Jharkhand CM | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fthose-who-consider-india-their-country-should-treat-cow-as-mother%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/feb/15lead3.jpg | en | null | Those who consider India their country, should treat cow as mother: Jharkhand CM | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 20, 2016 12:51 IST
Amid the raging controversy over cow vigilantism, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Saturday said those who consider India as their country should treat cow as their mother.
Das, however, stressed that there should be no violence in the garb of cow vigilantism and said cattle smugglers may be involved in the recent events of violence over cow protection.
“The entire Sangh Parivar is on the same page on the issue of cow protection. Those who consider India as their country will treat cow as their mother,” Das said.
On whether there were differences in the Sangh Parivar over the issue of cow slaughter and cow census, Das said, “The Sangh Parivar is united on this matter. Cow is our mother. Those who are living in India and are Indians, those who consider India as their country, for them cow is their mother.”
Das’ comments come in the backdrop of a controversy over cow vigilantism and attacks on Dalits over the issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 6 had hit out at cow vigilantes, saying he felt enraged at such “anti-social elements” who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by day.
Modi’s comment had drawn sharp reactions from Vishwa Hindu Parishad international working president Pravin Togadia, who said by dubbing them as “anti-socials” the PM had insulted them.
“What our prime minister has said on this issue is right. You may believe in any religion, any caste, but cow is our mother and we should protect cows. But, in the name of cow vigilance if someone is using violence, then that will not be tolerated.
“I personally feel those who are involved in cattle smuggling and export are involved in these crimes. This angle should be probed,” Das said.
Das said it was due to the vote bank and appeasement politics of a certain community by some sections of political parties that this awareness programme about cow and its benefits have taken a hit.
“Political parties should not see everything under the lens of vote bank politics. The milk that we get from cow is beneficial for people from all communities be it Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians. A politician who is saying this is also having the milk of the cow,” Das said.
The chief minister said he had already asked the police administration in his state to stop any instance of cow smuggling.
“I have given clear instructions to the police that there will be no instance of cow smuggling from the state. Recently we seized few trucks carrying cows for smuggling through Bengal. In Jharkhand there should be awareness about cow smuggling, there should be awareness in West Bengal too,” Das said.
He said it was due to the degradation of moral values that social evils such as rapes, cow slaughter and other evils are happening in the society.
“Be it rapes, illegal cow slaughter or other social evils, they are result of degradation of moral values of the society. We need to raise awareness about it. These things are a conspiracy to stop the development process started by our prime minister,” Das said.
On the opinion of some people who are on a different page on the issue of cow slaughter, Das said, “By doing this a section is only pursuing vote bank politics and there should be awareness against this.” | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/those-who-consider-india-their-country-should-treat-cow-as-mother/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/47691e0d157c676998662fb9c02e578cb773657befb1eda4a0ed4ed00b9ae5c8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:59 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | Rajiv Gandhi would have turned 72 on August 20. Had he lived.
On a humid night 25 years ago, the former prime minister of India was murdered in cold blood by an LTTE suicide bomber.
Neena Gopal was an eyewitness to the assassination, and in this exclusive extract from her new book, The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, she reveals for the first time what she saw in Sriperumbudur that night. | The night Rajiv Gandhi died: An eyewitness account | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fspecial%2Fthe-night-rajiv-gandhi-died-an-eyewitness-account%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/feb/19sd1.jpg | en | null | The night Rajiv Gandhi died: An eyewitness account | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 08:23 IST
Rajiv Gandhi would have turned 72 on August 20. Had he lived.
On a humid night 25 years ago, the former prime minister of India was murdered in cold blood by an LTTE suicide bomber.
Neena Gopal was an eyewitness to the assassination, and in this exclusive extract from her new book, The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, she reveals for the first time what she saw in Sriperumbudur that night.
IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi was just 46 when he was murdered. He was just 40 when he became prime minister of India.
As we turned off the main road, there was a mandatory burst of welcoming firecrackers. We had stopped on a slope on slightly higher ground and had walked down the approach, a few hundred yards or so to the open space in front of the main temple at Sriperumbudur, where a red carpet had been laid out.
Stepping out from the front seat, Rajiv Gandhi had said, 'Come, come, follow me' and I had demurred, walking to the back and around and then to the front of the car so I could have a bird's-eye view of the venue, without having to deal with the throng.
'I have one more question,' I had said. 'I'll wait for you here.'
A bomb, a suicide bomber, let alone the first female suicide bomber on Indian soil, was the last thing on anyone's mind as Rajiv Gandhi plunged into the crowd of supporters on his way to the podium at the far side of the ground, shaking hands, smiling warmly, as was his wont, at everyone who reached out to him.
But as the huge explosion went off a few minutes later and I, standing about ten steps away, felt what I later realised was blood and gore from the victims splatter all over my arms and my white sari, a nameless dread took hold -- something terrible had happened to the man I had just been talking with.
Minutes after he walked unhesitatingly into the crowd, there was a deafening sound as the bomb spluttered to life and exploded in a blinding flash.
A moment that, in my head, will always be frozen in time. It was exactly 10.21 pm.
IMAGE: Minutes before his death, Rajiv Gandhi greets admirers before the rally in Sriperumbudur.
Gone was the excited crowd that had been shouting and cheering only seconds before. In its place were the wails, the screams, as I ran forward; and then, someone behind me pulled me back just in time and said in Tamil, 'Watch out, you're about to step on somebody's arm.'
The revulsion, the horror was complete.
As I fought my way through to the blast site that was only a few feet away, stepping over the debris of the dead and the broken barricades, the one thought running through my head was the fate of Rajiv Gandhi.
He was in there somewhere in that mass of bodies. How serious was it? Could he have survived it? Could he be dead?
And then I saw his body. It was a sight I would never forget.
'Why is he just lying there? Why doesn't someone help him up? Someone should get him to a hospital, get him immediate emergency treatment... Where is the emergency medical team? Has someone called the hospital?' I said out loud. No one was listening.
As the terrified crowd fled from the spot where the dead and injured lay, and bewildered, anxious survivors ran through the gathering throng in the semi-darkness, I spotted Congress leaders G K Moopanar and Jayanti Natarajan, and Margatham Chandrasekhar who had been in the car with me, and at whose behest the former prime minister had made a special effort to address this oddly timed, late-night election rally.
They looked shaken, aghast, devastated at the sight of Rajiv Gandhi's prone, seemingly lifeless body. Margatham looked shattered, as if her world had ended. Rajiv Gandhi had only come to Sriperumbudur at Aunty's request.
The next day both Natarajan and Moopanar would separately tell me how they had tried to lift Rajiv Gandhi from the ground but couldn't as his body 'simply disintegrated in their hands.'
Worse, how at that crucial moment, they couldn't find a single policeman, barring Rajiv Gandhi's personal bodyguard Pradip Kumar Gupta who was lying right next to Rajiv Gandhi and had died in the blast.
There was no ambulance -- now an accepted fixture at election rallies. They couldn't find any medical personnel, or a stretcher or gurney or even a vehicle to get him to the nearest hospital.
In fact, within minutes of the blast, two cars, one a white Ambassador flashing a red beacon, and another that came from somewhere in the back, had backed on to the main road and sped away.
IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi addresses an election meeting in Kishanganj, Bihar. Photograph: Krishna Murari Kishan/Reuters
The mood on the ground was getting decidedly ugly. At the spot where Rajiv Gandhi's body lay, it was getting more and more difficult to hold one's ground as his supporters closed in, muttering unintelligibly under their breath.
From the corner of my eye, I finally saw a vehicle that I presumed was an ambulance, lights flashing, trying to make its way from the main road that we had left only minutes earlier.
Blocked by the crowd, it was inching its way forward. I had to move with it, follow the ambulance carrying Rajiv Gandhi's body, take the story to its logical conclusion.
By a stroke of luck, as I was pushing my way through the crowd, trying to find the car that I had hired for the evening, Rajiv Gandhi's driver emerged from the melee. I didn't know him personally but he called out to me and said he had been looking for me everywhere.
Catching me by the arm, he said, 'We should leave; it's not safe here. Anything can happen. Let's go, let's go, I will take you back to Madras. Once the protests start, there will be riots, they will block all the roads; we won't be able to get back.'
Brushing aside my protests about abandoning the Congress leaders if we left, and how we should stay with Rajiv Gandhi's body, he insisted that I go with him, assuring me we would follow the body, which we were anyway ill-equipped to transport.
With no sign of my driver and realising this was my only way back to the city, I jumped in as he quickly reversed the car. We inched our way out of the venue as I continued to scan the scene for my driver who was nowhere to be found.
We followed the ambulance to a hospital just ahead; checked whether Rajiv Gandhi's body would be kept there overnight and, receiving conflicting, contradictory reports from the bewildered medical personnel there, with no one ready to confirm or deny that he had indeed died, we raced to Madras before the mobs had a chance to block the roads into the city.
At the Central Telegraph Office on Mount Road, as I typed the copy, for once the sleepy telex operators were all awake. They stood behind me, their jaws dropping, reading the story as I wrote it.
Rajiv Gandhi was dead. Assassinated at 10.21 pm on 21 May 1991.
IMAGE: Rajiv Gandhi's funeral cortege makes its way through New Delhi
Once I filed the story I returned to my uncle-in-law's apartment on Harrington Road in Madras, where was staying.
My husband's wonderful uncle, M K Ramdas, was fielding all calls, including the critical one from his cousin M K Narayanan (who was also my husband's uncle). Narayanan headed the Intelligence Bureau and wanted every single detail of the night's terrible events.
He listened patiently as I described what I had seen, asking me repeatedly about the ring of fire that I insisted I had seen around Rajiv Gandhi as he lay on the ground, minutes after the bomb had exploded.
Only much later would it hit me that if there was indeed a ring of flames around the blast site, it would imply the use of landmines.
The next morning, an IE team assigned by Narayanan came to hear my account after they had reconnoitred the Sriperumbudur area. They said they saw no evidence of a ring of fire, but conceded that what I had seen must have been the flames when the victims' possessions and clothes caught fire.
They listened as I described the shocking lack of security for a former prime minister who had only four years earlier survived an assassination attempt in Colombo by a Sri Lankan naval rating.
Even at that point, as we mourned the death of a wonderfully warm human being, few had a clue about who was actually responsible for the killing. The investigators hadn't yet gone public with the fact that a senior policeman and his team had stumbled upon a camera that had captured telling images of Rajiv Gandhi's assassins.
I was in limbo, in some sort of a bubble. In shock. It was only when I got back to my parents' home in Bangalore and my normally undemonstrative parents enveloped me in a highly unusual bear hug that I began to shiver uncontrollably and allowed myself to cry and mourn the passing of Rajiv Gandhi.
The full horror of what I had witnessed, and the images and emotions that I had blocked and suppressed for seventy-two hours came rushing back.
On 24 May, the nation stayed riveted to television screens as the funeral, attended by dignitaries from over sixty countries, was telecast live.
The mortal remains of Rajiv Gandhi were consigned to flames on the banks of the Yamuna; his stoic son, Rahul, and daughter, Priyanka, the cynosure of all eyes.
IMAGE: Sonia Gandhi, her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and son-law Robert Vadra pay homage to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial on his 25th death anniversary, May 21, 2016. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI
Days later, I received a call from the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi. Rajiv Gandhi's widow had sent a message asking me to meet her at their New Delhi home at 10, Janpath.
I flew to Delhi on 31 May and, as I walked from the Congress party office to the pathway that led to the house that Rajiv Gandhi had called home, alongside the Gandhi man Friday V George, I was accosted by several senior Congressmen, saying I must find out at any cost, whether Sonia Gandhi would lead the Congress party!
Inside, in a room lined with books and a long table where Rajiv Gandhi had often been photographed confabulating with his Cabinet, was Sonia Gandhi, her face devoid of make-up, a far cry from the beautifully coiffed creature whom I had met on her visit to Dubai a few months ago.
She reached across, held both my hands in hers and said, 'Tell me everything, tell me what he said, what mood was he in, what were his last moments like. I want to hear it from you, every tiny detail. Was he happy, was he tense, what were his last words...'
Tears streaming down her cheeks -- and, I realised, mine too -- and still holding on to my hands, she listened as I recounted the last forty-five minutes of India's youngest prime minister's life; his unexpected death closing the chapter on India's all too brief Camelot.
Excerpted from The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, by Neena Gopal, Penguin Viking, 2016, Rs 499, with the publisher's kind permission. | http://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-night-rajiv-gandhi-died-an-eyewitness-account/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f8d63338ef13d057a6473dcff08b04e2d1a3f0030cadc6c375569389949f5c27.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:18:38 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | With the rise in level of the Ganga, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed apprehension of further rise in water level by Monday in view of release of water from Bansagar dam as flood-like situation prevailed in the state. | Rivers in spate, flood situation grim in Bihar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rivers-in-spate-flood-situation-grim-in-bihar%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21bihar1.jpg | en | null | Rivers in spate, flood situation grim in Bihar | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 20:41 IST
With the rise in level of the Ganga, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed apprehension of further rise in water level by Monday in view of release of water from Bansagar dam as flood-like situation prevailed in the state.
IMAGE: Transport vehicles moving at submerged national highway 31 near Fatuha in Patna district of Bihar on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Kumar, who held a high level meeting on Sunday to assess the situation, later went on an aerial survey of Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai and Khagaria.
He told reporters there is at the moment no possibility of flood waters entering into Patna city.
Meanwhile the rising water level of Ganga has more or less created flood-like situation in all the districts situated along the banks of the river in Bihar.
Ganga and six other rivers were flowing above danger mark in Patna, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Katihar, Siwan, Bhojpur, Buxar and Hajipur districts, a disaster management department statement said.
Ganga was flowing above danger mark at six places in various parts of three districts - Digha ghat, Gandhi ghat, Hathidah in Patna, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, Munger district and Buxar district.
IMAGE: Volunteers help a child to get down from the roof of a submerged house to shift him to safety near Danpur in Patna district of Bihar on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
The districts which are witnessing flood-like situation included -- Patna, Vaishali, Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar, the department statement said.
Around 15,000 people are sheltered in 82 relief camps after being evacuated from flood affected areas, it said adding that all camps have the facilities of medical team with medicines.
Stating that several districts of Bihar have been facing the threat of inundation, Kumar said that "The water level of Ganga has increased due to release of water from Indrapuri barrage and other rivers merging into Ganga.
"Besides, a huge volume of water has been released from Bansagar dam and it is expected that water level, which has reduced, will once again rise by Sunday night or Monday morning," Kumar said.
The chief minister held Farakka dam responsible for slow discharge of water from Ganga which has become shallow due to heavy siltation. This causes flood water to spread to other areas.
IMAGE: People use tube boats to commute in a flooded locality in Patna on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo.
He appealed to people to vacate the rivebank areas and come to relief camps which would provide them proper food and shelter.
National and State Disaster Response Force have already been deployed in the affected districts, Kumar said and added that apart from taking help of big boats meant to ferry sand to evacuate people and animals, the government has made all preparations to airlift the people if needed.
Besides, Army has been put on alert to help the people out from the flood affected areas, Kumar added.
"We want to assure the people that we are alert... People should not get panicky and should tackle the situation bravely," Kumar said adding that government is taking every necessary step to provide relief to the people as "victims of disaster have the first right on state's coffers."
A disaster management department statement said altogether 1,326 boats are being plied by the government to evacuate the affected people to safer places.
The statement said several other rivers, apart from Ganga, were too flowing above danger mark and they were Sone at Koilwar (Bhojpur) and Maner (Patna), Punpun Sripalpur (in Patna), Ghaghra at Gangpur-Siswan in Siwan and Saran districts, Gandak in Hajipur, Kosi at Baltara and Kursela in Katihar district and Burhi Gandak in Khagaria.
Kumar said all the relief camps would be set up as per 'Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prepared after Kosi tragedy and people coming to camps will be given utensils and basic minimum clothes for which the payment would be made through Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Kumar gave necessary directions during the meeting convened to review the flood situation in the state capital. The CM assessed the flood situation with the District Magistrates of affected districts through video-conferencing.
Villages, which have been inundated, will be monitored regularly through patrolling, he said.
The chief minister said that the leaves of all the officers have been cancelled in order to facilitate their deployment in flood affected areas.
All the DMs and SPs of flood affected districts would keep moving in order to assess the ground realities, he said, adding that DMs would carry out aerial survey of their respective districts.
He was accompanied by Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, Water Resources Department's Principal Secretary Arun Kumar Singh and CM's Principal Secretary Chanchal Kumar during the aerial survey. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rivers-in-spate-flood-situation-grim-in-bihar/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6feea5e07871e6a8112bb18153210ff9ff68a7ba46dffe1f39d9bf122857d97b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:09 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Three Madhesi leaders have supported Prachanda's candidacy. | Prachanda files nomination as Nepal PM candidate | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fprachanda-files-nomination-as-nepal-pm-candidate%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/nov/21prachanda.jpg | en | null | Prachanda files nomination as Nepal PM candidate | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 16:43 IST
Nepal Maoist chief Prachanda on Tuesday filed his nomination for the election to the post of prime minister to be held on Wednesday that could bring political stability to the country.
Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba proposed the 61-year-old Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre president as the candidate for new prime minister, while Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara seconded it.
The crucial development comes a day after Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari gave a fresh call to all political parties to form a majority government when the deadline given to them for forging consensus expired without yielding any results.
It is learnt that the Parliament has started preparation for beginning the procedure of electing the premier on Wednesday. Speaker Onsari Gharti has called a meeting of the 596-member Parliament for 11 am to elect a new prime minister after embattled premier K P Oli resigned on July 24, triggering a fresh political turmoil in Nepal.
Oli tendered his resignation after two key ruling alliance partners -- Madhesi People’s Rights Forum-Democratic and Rastriya Prajatantra Party -- decided to support the no-confidence motion tabled against him by the NC and the CPN-Maoist Centre led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
The Maoist chief and former premier known for his anti-India stance is expected to become Nepal’s 39th prime minister with the support of largest party Nepali Congress, the Madhesis and other fringe parties if there is no dramatic development.
Three Madhesi leaders -- Upendra Yadav of Social Forum-Nepal, Sarvendra Nath Shukla of Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party and Laxman Lal Karna of Sadbhawana Party -- have supported Prachanda’s candidacy.
The Madhesi alliance decided to support Prachanda’s candidacy after a 3-point agreement with the NC and CPN-Maoist Centre but will not join the government, Karna said.
With the support of the alliance, which has 39 lawmakers, Prachanda’s election as the new prime minister has become almost certain.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist–Leninist has decided not to field any candidate in the prime ministerial election but vote against Prachanda. The party of outgoing Prime Minister Oli decided to remain as the main opposition party. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/prachanda-files-nomination-as-nepal-pm-candidate/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/924feb90e30b70ffe752405123d274ac72bfc8e75ffe8fdeb7f7483e6c5b7fc1.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T14:51:14 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The four Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorists were shot dead by Pakistani police in Lahore. | Terrorists who attacked Lankan team in Pak killed | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fterrorists-who-attacked-lankan-team-in-pak-killed%2F20160828.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/cricket/2009/mar/03slide1.jpg | en | null | Terrorists who attacked Lankan team in Pak killed | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 28, 2016 18:36 IST
Four Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorists who were allegedly involved in the 2009 attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team were shot dead on Sunday by Pakistani police in Lahore.
Seven terrorists attacked a Crime Investigation Department team in Manawan area of Lahore where offices of the department are located, according to the CID of the Punjab police.
“The police team which came under attack of terrorists returned the fire, killing four of them on the spot while the remaining three managed to escape by taking advantage of darkness,” a CTD spokesman said.
He said the police have launched a search operation in the area to trace the absconding terrorists.
“The dead terrorists have been identified as -- Zubair alias Naik Muhammad, Abdul Wahab, Adnan Arshad and Attiqur Rehman.
“They were involved in attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 and Moon Market Lahore attack in 2008,” the spokesman said.
Weapons and explosives were also recovered from their possession.
In June, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore had indicted six members of banned LeJ in the Sri Lankan cricket team attack case.
The LeJ suspects who were charged by the ATC were -- Obaidullah, Javed Anwar, Ibrahim Khalil, Muhammad, Wahab and Arshad.
Obaidullah, Anwar and Khalil were on bail while the remaining had been lodged in Kot Lakhpat Jail and they had pleaded not guilty.
The ATC had already declared two other suspects -- Mohsin Rasheed and Abdul Rehman -- proclaimed offenders.
LeJ chief Malik Ishaq, the alleged mastermind of the attack, was killed last year in an encounter with the CID.
In March 2009, a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team was attacked by the Taliban and LeJ terrorists with sophisticated weapons and grenades at Liberty Chowk, near Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Seven players including the then captain Mahela Jayawaredene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana and Chaminda Vaas were injured, while six Pakistani policemen escorting the team were killed in the attack. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/terrorists-who-attacked-lankan-team-in-pak-killed/20160828.htm | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a686366e0e8d000562527fcf9aff899b06e22f4089e10d869ccd6c56238fa85b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T16:49:32 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Several Bangladeshis are 'anti-India' due to New Delhi's close ties with the ruling Awami League, a key advisor to opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia has said while asking the Indian government to build relations with the people of Bangladesh and not with any political party. | 'Many Bangladeshis anti-India due to ties with Awami League' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmany-bangladeshis-anti-india-due-to-ties-with-awami-league%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10zia.jpg | en | null | 'Many Bangladeshis anti-India due to ties with Awami League' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 26, 2016 20:19 IST
Several Bangladeshis are "anti-India" due to New Delhi's close ties with the ruling Awami League, a key advisor to opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia has said while asking the Indian government to build relations with the people of Bangladesh and not with any political party.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Emajuddin, one of the key advisors to Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson and former prime minister Zia, made the remarks at an event in Dhaka on Thursday, bdnews24.com reported.
Emajuddin, a retired political science professor, recalled how India helped Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War and asked, "Why no-one in Bangladesh can tolerate India today? Why they are so anti-Indian? It should not have happened".
"They are anti-India because of your relations with the sitting government of Bangladesh," he said, in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Emajuddin also urged the Indian government to take measures to build relations with "the people of Bangladesh, not any particular party".
"Democracy is flourishing in India magnificently. Your (Modi's) country has adopted the system, then why not here? Why don't you utter a single word on the matter?," he said.
The pro-BNP professionals' leader also criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration for being "very weak" towards India.
Emajuddin said Hasina should scrap the Rampal power plant project, an India-Bangladesh joint venture near the Sundarbans, keeping in mind that she won Champions of Earth award for her contribution to tackling climate change.
Zia has also spoken against the project.
Environmental groups are worried that the power plant's presence could alter the critical water balance in the Sundarbans, pollute the surrounding water and air, and increase the risk of oil and coal spills, all of which they say could seriously damage the mangrove forest. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/many-bangladeshis-anti-india-due-to-ties-with-awami-league/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/31a61b62e00d9970b16f099c742d40342af0d77b718a7a3763d4c4a19d16b6b0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:08:57 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Hardening its stance further, India has once again virtually rejected Pakistan's latest invitation for talks on Kashmir. | Discuss terror not Kashmir, vacate PoK: India's tough message to Pak | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdiscuss-terror-not-kashmir-vacate-pok-indias-tough-message-to-pak%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/nov/30lead4.jpg | en | null | Discuss terror not Kashmir, vacate PoK: India's tough message to Pak | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 17:50 IST
Hardening its stance further, India has once again virtually rejected Pakistan's latest invitation for talks on Kashmir, saying it is willing to discuss cross-border terrorism which was its "core concern".
Replying to his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry's fresh invitation of August 19 to visit Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss Kashmir dispute, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said in a letter he was willing to discuss terrorism emanating from Pakistan's territory which was India's core concern.
According to sources, Jaishankar's letter was handed over by Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale to Chaudhry on Wednesday. The reply again stressed on the need for earliest possible vacation of Islamabad's illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, they added.
Chaudhry's August 19 letter, second in the last ten days, invited Jaishankar to visit "Islamabad by the end of this month to discuss the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, with a view to finding a fair and just solution, as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations" of the people of the state. He had first written to Jaishankar on August 15 for talks on Kashmir.
Pakistan has also called for "putting an immediate end to the human rights violations against the innocent people" of Jammu and Kashmir and for providing medical facilities to the injured, "including the permission for doctors and paramedics to travel."
The sharp exchange of words comes amid strain in bilateral ties between the two nations over the continuing unrest in Kashmir with Islamabad issuing provoking statements on the turmoil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.
Wani was hailed as a martyr by Pakistan, which also tried to internationalise the Kashmir issue with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the country's foreign office writing to a host of countries besides the United Nations, while India has been maintaining that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the Valley is the root cause of the turbulence. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/discuss-terror-not-kashmir-vacate-pok-indias-tough-message-to-pak/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/eeca43ee16c0fff59e4b80acef73519a9bccb1bcd5927543db418d96982d4d38.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:01 | null | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | Security was strengthened in Pathankot and Gurdaspur especially Batala town with police along with army and Border Security Forces conducting massive checking operation. | 400 security guards, special nakas after terror alert sounded in Pathankot | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsecurity-guards-special-nakas-after-terror-alert-sounded-in-pathankot%2F20160820.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jan/02terror1.jpg | en | null | 400 security guards, special nakas after terror alert sounded in Pathankot | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 20, 2016 16:23 IST
A terror alert has been sounded in border districts of Gurdaspur and Pathankot after a call from Pakistan was intercepted by security agencies suggesting movement of some suspects.
Security was strengthened in Pathankot and Gurdaspur especially Batala town with police along with army and Border Security Forces conducting massive checking operation, police said on Saturday.
Terrorists who had sneaked from across the border had attacked Pathankot air base on the intervening night of January 1-2 while Dinanagar in Gurdaspur was targeted on July 27 last year.
“Security agencies intercepted a call from Pakistan on Friday evening in which callers were heard saying about movement of suspects in a truck to Pathankot or Dinanangar in (Gurdaspur),” police said.
After receiving the input, Punjab police conducted massive search operations late Friday night comprising 400 security people including Special Weapons and Tactics Team and BSF personnel.
“We are not taking any chances. Security has been tightened in the border areas of Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Batala,” said a police officer posted in Gurdaspur on Saturday.
Vehicles going towards and coming from Jammu and Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh are being checked thoroughly.
Special ‘nakas’ were put up at entry points and other areas in Pathankot and Gurdaspur by police with the assistance of BSF, police said.
Tight vigil is being kept near Indo-Pak borders areas, police said.
The Pathankot attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.
Three heavily-armed terrorists wearing army fatigues, had stormed a police station in Dinanagar town in Gurdaspur district last year killing seven persons, including a Superintendent of Police, before they were gunned down during a day-long operation. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/security-guards-special-nakas-after-terror-alert-sounded-in-pathankot/20160820.htm | en | 2016-08-20T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/137328a27ab26952503a1d35da6bd1fada1753df3d6d806f8af7289ddaa98983.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:47 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | Special CBI Judge M B Gosavi while discharging Amin observed that there was no sufficient evidence against him. | Gujarat cop N K Amin discharged in fake encounter cases | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgujarat-cop-n-k-amin-discharged-in-fake-encounter-cases%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/jun/08ishrat.jpg | en | null | Gujarat cop N K Amin discharged in fake encounter cases | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 18, 2016 21:10 IST
A special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Mumbai discharged senior Gujarat Police officer Narendra K Amin in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter killing cases on Thursday.
Special CBI Judge M B Gosavi while discharging Amin observed that there was no sufficient evidence against him.
According to CBI, the doctor-turned-policeman, who is at present serving as SP, Mahisagar district in Gujarat, was involved in the conspiracy.
The court has so far discharged BJP President Amit Shah, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria, Rajasthan-based businessman Vimal Patni, former Gujarat police chief P C Pande, Additional Director General of Police Geeta Johri, Gujarat police officer Abhay Chudasama, besides Yashpal Chudasama and Ajay Patel, both senior office-bearers in the Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank in the case.
Sohrabuddin, a gangster whom Gujarat Police claimed had links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, and his wife Kausar Bi were allegedly abducted by Gujarat ATS from Hyderabad on their way to Sangli in Maharashtra.
He was killed in a fake encounter near Gandhinagar in November 2005 after which his wife disappeared and was believed to have been done to death.
Tulsiram, an aide of the gangster and an eyewitness to the encounter, was killed allegedly by police at Chapri village in Banaskantha district in Gujarat in December 2006.
The Sohrabuddin killing case was transferred to Mumbai in September 2012 at CBI's request for a fair trial. In 2013, the Supreme Court had clubbed Tulsiram Prajapati's encounter killing case with that of Sohrabuddin. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/gujarat-cop-n-k-amin-discharged-in-fake-encounter-cases/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8eedf54c9cf0f18ac361b2b7895c408c8b514f6ff380584d70642c8e171f420f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:35 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Modi talking about Balochistan, PoK and Gilgit is a tectonic shift in India's policy towards Pakistan, says Abhay Jere. | Why Modi played the Baloch card | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fwhy-modi-played-the-baloch-card%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15lead2a.jpg | en | null | Why Modi played the Baloch card | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 19:09 IST
Modi talking about Balochistan, PoK and Gilgit is a tectonic shift in India's policy towards Pakistan, says Abhay Jere.
On Monday, it was extremely heartening to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi talking about Balochistan, Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
India should have openly supported the Balochistan freedom struggle long ago and should have used the Balochistan issue as an effective lever to counter Pakistan's global propaganda against India over Kashmir, as the atrocities committed by the Pakistani army in Balochistan are far more gruesome and inhuman than the alleged human rights violation by the Indian Army in Kashmir.
According to some estimates, since 2000, more than 20,000 Baloch people (including 5,000 children) have been kidnapped and/or killed by the Pakistan army. Minorities, especially Hindus, have been specially targeted.
Modi talking about Balochistan, PoK and Gilgit can be certainly considered a tectonic shift in India's foreign policy towards Pakistan.
Undoubtedly, our National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has played a major role behind the scene as he always maintained that if Pakistan meddles in Kashmir, then it should get ready to lose Balochistan.
For the last six months, many so-called intellectuals said India's policy towards Pakistan is very 'confused' and the Modi government has neutralised all the gains of the past.
In my opinion, the Modi government's policy towards Pakistan was never confusing. Initially, his government was keen on giving Pakistan enough opportunities before going on the offensive.
Gestures like the prime minister's surprise stopover in Lahore or allowing Pakistan's intelligence team to visit India or meeting Pakistani envoys in neutral venues were all parts of the same strategy.
As a result, the Modi government was successful in impressing upon the world that India has made every possible attempt to normalise its relationship with Pakistan, but Pakistan has not reciprocated in the same spirit.
Moreover, in the last two years through aggressive diplomacy, India has been successful in conveying to the global community that Pakistan is not doing enough to curb terrorists and terrorism.
The global community has started accepting our version that there is nothing like good terrorists and bad terrorists and terrorism in every form should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
This has resulted in the Americans cancelling the F-16 aircraft deal as well as $300 million (about Rs 2,010 crore/Rs 20.10 billion) in military aid to Pakistan.
Considering some of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's recent statements eulogising terrorists attacking India and the Pakistan high commissioner's comments with reference to Kashmir, the Modi government has decided to go on the offensive.
More importantly, by talking about the Baloch and PoK people, the PM has sent a clear message to China that India will respect and support sentiments of the native populations of that region.
Currently, China is making huge investments in Balochistan through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, but the Baloch population is completely against the CPEC as they believe that under the pretext of Balochistan's development, the real objective of Pakistan's government is to crush the Baloch freedom struggle and exploit the region's resources.
Under the CPEC proposal, China will invest $49 billion (about Rs 3.28 lakh crore) to build a network of roads and gas pipelines from Gwadar port in Balochistan to China through PoK, connecting Pakistan to Beijing's Maritime Silk Road, as part of China's ambitious One Belt, One Road initiative.
As part of CPEC, Pakistan handed approximately 2,000 acres of land in Balochistan to the Chinese government for the development of Gwadar port. This area is very rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas, and the Pakistan government is keen on tapping into these resources with Chinese support.
Now that India has openly decided to morally support the Balochistan freedom struggle, it should aggressively highlight the killings of the Baloch people by the Pakistan army and human right violations in Balochistan and PoK in all available international fora including the United Nations.
By talking about Balochistan and PoK, the Modi government has made a very strategic move in its attempts to further isolate Pakistan and China globally.
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort, August 15. Photograph: Press Information Bureau | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/why-modi-played-the-baloch-card/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ce52db535aad1aca7684b8f1c70b26b14cad8da6a1d59e008625a99b343cf5da.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:05 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Rescuers were working through the night to pull survivors from the rubble and 'won't slow down'.
| Italy quake: Death toll rises to 247 as search for survivors continues | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-italy-quake-death-toll-rises%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25quake6.jpg | en | null | Italy quake: Death toll rises to 247 as search for survivors continues | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 25, 2016 11:00 IST
The death toll from the powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck central Italy on Wednesday has climbed to at least 247.
Fabrizio Curcio, head of Italy’s civil protection agency, revised the death toll after Prime Minister Matteo Renzi earlier gave a toll of 120 dead and 368 injured.
IMAGE: A man is rescued alive from the ruins following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy. Photograph: Remo Casilli/Reuters
Rescuers were working through the night to pull survivors from the rubble and “won’t slow down”, Curcio told public broadcaster Rai.
The quake also left a trail of destruction across several mountain villages packed with holidaymakers.
Renzi said the disaster had caused “a pain without limits”, and insisted it was too early to begin a debate on what might have been done to prevent the disaster.
“Today is the time for tears and emotion,” he said.
IMAGE: A general view of Pescara del Tronto town destroyed by the earthquake. Photograph: Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
The earthquake flattened the town of Amatrice, where the mayor said residents were buried under debris and the town “isn’t here anymore.” The town traces back centuries, to the Roman era.
Tourist Eve Read described what she felt.
“My husband and I woke up, being shaken from side to side in the bed…and probably continued for 6 or 7 seconds after we had woken up,” Read said.
Read and her family were not hurt, but their vacation home did suffer some damage, including a collapsed ceiling.
10-year-old pulled from rubble after spending 17 hours trapped upside
IMAGE: A man walks through rubble following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
A ten-year-old girl was pulled from the rubble after spending 17 hours trapped upside down in debris from the Italian earthquake.
The child was hauled to safety by rescuers who shouted ‘she's alive’ as they carried her from the ruins of a building in the devastated central Italian town of Pescara del Tronto.
Footage shows just the dust-covered legs of the youngster as emergency crews tried desperately to free her from the rubble.
IMAGE: Rescuers walk through rubble following the earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
One rescuer could be heard saying: “You can hear something under here. Quiet, quiet.” He then urged the child to wriggle free one rescue worker said: “Come on, Giulia, come on, Giulia. ... Watch your head.”
Cheers broke out when she was pulled out.
Chefs rally to help Italy quake victims
IMAGE: People cover themselves with blankets as they prepare to spend the night in the open following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
Chefs in Italy and around the world are using their talents, and Amatrice's signature dish, to help raise money for earthquake victims.
Before Wednesday’s devastating, 6.2 magnitude earthquake, the Italian town was best known for spaghetti all Amatriciana, a tomato-based sauce that traditionally includes pork jowl, olive oil, white wine, chili and pecorino cheese.
More than 600 restaurants are putting the pasta dish on their menus and have pledged to donate €2 (Rs 151) from each sale to the Italian Red Cross.
Art experts fear serious damage to historic Italian buildings
IMAGE: A statue of the Virgin Lady stands outside a destroyed niche following an earthquake at Pescara del Tronto, central Italy. Photograph: Remo Casilli/Reuters
Art experts fear numerous historic Italian buildings and their contents were damaged in Wednesday’s earthquake, across a region where almost every hilltop town and village has beautiful churches and monuments.
The Dutch classicist David Rijser, an expert on the culture of Abruzzo, said there had been damage to the central region’s many churches, funeral monuments and museums. “It has been a true drama, there is a lot that has been lost,” he told Dutch radio.
IMAGE: escuers clear debris while searching for victims in damaged buildings in Arquata del Tronto, Italy. Photograph: Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
Some of the greatest destruction was in Amatrice, which was voted one of Italy’s most beautiful towns last year and is celebrated for its Cento Chiese, 100 churches filled with frescoes, mosaics and sculptures.
Half the facade of the 15th-century church of Sant Agostino has collapsed, taking with it the beautiful rose window. The courtyard of one of the town’s Renaissance palaces has been turned into a temporary morgue.
The town clock in the 16th-century bell tower remains frozen at just after 3.36 am, the moment the earthquake struck. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-italy-quake-death-toll-rises/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/33bed2710c969269d43ea689d97dd1ddf900fe0e4b82a35ffd7af37bb5285db1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:01 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Parrikar also said that if anybody decides to attack India, he will not remain silent. | Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell: Parrikar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgoing-to-pakistan-is-same-as-going-to-hell-parrikar%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16parrikar.jpg | en | null | Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell: Parrikar | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 16, 2016 19:31 IST
Amid strain in ties with Pakistan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday compared the neigbouring country to "hell" and asserted that it should stop human rights violations in Balochistan.
Referring to an infiltration bid which was foiled on Monday by the Indian Army, he said, "Kal humare jawano ne paanch logon (terrorists) ko wapas bhej dia, Pakistan mein jaana aur nark (hell) mein jaana ek hi hai (Our soldiers sent back five terrorists yesterday. Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell)."
He also said PoK is part of India and violation of human rights must stop in Balochistan.
In his Independence Day address yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked about the situation in Pakistan- occupied-Kashmir, Gilgit and Baluchistan and said people from there have thanked him for raising their issues.
Parrikar, who later flagged off the 'Tiranga Yatra' organised to mark the country's 70th Independence Day, said Pakistan has always been "promoting" terrorism and the nation is now bearing its consequences.
He assured the people that "Indian soldiers will give a befitting reply to every attack".
Parrikar alongside Rao Singh Rao Inderjit, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Planning and Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, paid rich tributes to Rao Tula Ram at his birthplace, who was one of the key leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857.
IMAGE: Manohar Parrikar participates in Rewari, Haryana. Photograph: @manoharparrikar/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/going-to-pakistan-is-same-as-going-to-hell-parrikar/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6864bc44a2311db9ad63b692a8941aa4171ab90c40478c1697eee4119cfa3c17.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:04:21 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | RSS ideologue M G Vaidya asked Congress vice president to clarify in what sense, he thinks, were Mahatma Gandhi's assassins associated with the organisation. | Don't twist statement, apologise: RSS to Rahul | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frss-rahul-gandhi-mahatma-gandhi-assassination-defamation-case-apology%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2012/mar/09slide3.jpg | en | null | Don't twist statement, apologise: RSS to Rahul | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 11:45 IST
A day after Rahul Gandhi told the Supreme Court that he never blamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as an institution for killing Mahatma Gandhi but persons associated with it, RSS ideologue M G Vaidya on Thursday said that the Congress vice president must explain in what sense the assassins were associated with the organisation.
"If he now says the RSS was not involved, but the people who were involved in Gandhiji’s murder were RSS-affiliates, then he must come clean on his statement that in what sense they were associated with the RSS and what was their position and credential in the organisation,” said the RSS patriarch.
"He is twisting it now. He must show his generosity by offering apology for his statement and should accept before the court that what he had said was wrong,” the former RSS spokesperson and ideologue said.
Stating that somebody might have been associated with the RSS prior to Gandhiji’s murder, Vaidya sought to know from Rahul if the assassin was still a part of the organisation when Gandhiji was murdered?
“Leave aside some official post; whether he (the assassin) was even an ordinary activist of the RSS, he (Rahul) must come out clean on these things,” he stated.
“The fact is that he has made a mistake, which he should accept with generosity and should apologise for that,” Vaidya added.
When told that Rahul had refused to apologise, Vaidya said, “If that’s the case, why did he take so much time to clarify his statement? If he apologises, it will enhance his stature in people’s eyes. A person who is holding such an important post of Congress vice president should be generous, at least.”
Following Rahul’s submission, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman said if the complainant agrees to the submission, it will take the statement on record and dispose of the petition.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Congress vice president, cited the affidavit filed before the Bombay high court, saying he had only accused certain people of the RSS and not the organisation as the killer of Mahatma Gandhi.
In his complaint, RSS Bhiwandi secretary Rajesh Mahadev Kunte alleged that Rahul told in an election rally in Sonale on March 6 last year that ‘the RSS people killed Gandhiji’.
He alleged that the Congress leader had sought to tarnish the reputation of the RSS through his speech.
The case is pending before a magisterial court in Bhiwandi in Maharashtra’s Thane district. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rss-rahul-gandhi-mahatma-gandhi-assassination-defamation-case-apology/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d48cb1b6b8cfa856a9ad2873218e77fc4ad2134594b772d7e2d0f5fe94793db9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:48 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh has defended the cow vigilants in the backdrop of flogging of Dalits in Gujarat. | Support the beating of Dalits who slaughter cows: Telangana BJP MLA | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsupport-the-beating-of-dalits-whoever-slaughter-cows%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01raja.jpg | en | null | Support the beating of Dalits who slaughter cows: Telangana BJP MLA | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 01, 2016 16:45 IST
Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Raja Singh has defended the cow vigilantes in the backdrop of flogging of Dalits at Una in Gujarat, saying those who consume cow meat are bringing disgrace to the entire community and should be taught a lesson.
In a video (external line) uploaded on his Facebook page with the caption, 'My comments on recent ?#?Una Dalit incident' the legislator from Gosamahal in Hyderabad blamed Mayawati for 'dragging' all Dalits into the issue.
"I am asking those Dalits (who kill cows). Is it necessary to murder cow and eat its meat? This is absolutely wrong. It is because of such 'galeez' (dirty or disgusting) Dalits, that the image of whole Dalit community which is patriotic, follows dharma, and worships cows, is tarnished.
"I support the beating of Dalits whoever slaughter cows to consume its meat. It is apt. I also support those who taught them a lesson," Singh said in his two-and-half minute video, which was uploaded on July 30 and has so far got 65,000 views.
He said there are so many Dalits in Telangana who take part in 'Gau Raksha' along with him.
"I want to ask people who proclaim to be secular and Mayawati in particular, why Dalits are being dragged into this? I want to tell everyone, not only Dalits, but all sections of this society, be it Kshatriya, Yadav, if they resort to cow slaughter, we will teach them lesson in the same way. You please remember this," he further said.
According to him, 'gau rakshaks' should not keep quiet until the cow is declared as "Mother of the nation".
On July 11, four Dalit youths were beaten up by cow vigilantes at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka of Gir Somnath district when they were skinning a dead cow.
Though the youths pleaded that they are from the skinning community, the cow vigilantes thrashed them alleging that they were involved in cow slaughter, sparking an outrage. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/support-the-beating-of-dalits-whoever-slaughter-cows/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3b34521a5066ea62c00d105ddfa59e2016301d8fbb01a6d84945d867b27e94b2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:11 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | 'It is our good fortune that Maharashtra got a chief minister who has pledged to solve the water crisis. His political will is really strong,' Aamir said. | Dream to make Maharashtra drought-free in five years: Aamir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdream-to-make-maharashtra-drought-free-in-five-years-aamir%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16aamir.jpg | en | null | Dream to make Maharashtra drought-free in five years: Aamir | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 08:49 IST
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan on Tuesday said it was his dream to make sure that the water crisis in Maharashtra was solved for good within the next five years.
He was speaking at ‘Satyamev Jayate Water Cup Awards 2016’. The competition judged water harvesting efforts of various villages.
The actor and his wife Kiran Rao, along with the team of his popular TV show “Satyamev Jayate”, have formed Paani Foundation, which works in association with the state government to find ways to end water scarcity.
The first prize worth Rs 50 lakh went to Velu village in Koregaon tehsil. Second prize of Rs 30 lakh was shared by Khapartone and Jaigaon villages in Ambejogai and Koregaon tehsils, respectively.
Radi Tanda in Ambejogai and Wathoda in Warud tehsils shared the third prize, carrying Rs 20 lakh.
The competition was held from April 20 to June 5 and villages were judged by the amount of water storage they created through water harvesting methods.
The 51-year-old actor hailed the efforts of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to make the state drought-free.
“It is our dream to make Maharashtra drought-free in five years. And it is our good fortune that Maharashtra got a chief minister who has pledged to solve the water crisis. His political will is really strong,” Aamir said.
Fadnavis said people’s participation was of utmost importance for an initiative like this, and hailed Aamir and his team for their efforts.
“Now our ‘yug dharam’ is to end drought. That is our aim... A big movement of water conservation has started. I thank Aamir. He is a perfectionist not only in reel but even in real life,” he said.
The first edition of the Water Cup was restricted to three districts. Aamir said the next phase of the cup would hopefully involve some 30 districts.
“In round one, we worked in three districts. In round two, we are hoping to go to 30 districts and use our learning of round one there,” the actor said.
He was highly inspired by the overwhelming response to the competition, he said, and credited the local people for the success.
“It is inspiring to see (the result). We wanted to see if people will do this on their own because we are giving them only knowledge and training. Ultimately everything else they have to put in,” Aamir added.
Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/dream-to-make-maharashtra-drought-free-in-five-years-aamir/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ddd76cf38c9243c9746b1cbfdd06720166a01254870a610f5c174e8988ece732.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:38:24 | null | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | 'It is very interesting that the RSS is sending sadhus to Una.'
'They will again talk about Hindu unity to woo the Dalits.' | Why the BJP leadership is WORRIED | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fwhy-the-bjp-leadership-is-worried%2F20160803.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/31dalits2.jpg | en | null | Why the BJP leadership is WORRIED | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 03, 2016 14:44 IST
'It is significant that the PM hasn't uttered a word about the Dalits and the Una incident.'
'It is very interesting that the RSS is sending sadhus to Una.'
'They will again talk about Hindu unity to woo the Dalits.'
"At the all India level, the presence of the Dalit population is very significant. It is 15% to 20% in many states. That is why the BJP leadership is alarmed," Achyut Yagnik, one of India's finest political thinkers, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih.
What is your assessment of Anandiben Patel's exit as Gujarat's chief minister?
The BJP in Gujarat is facing many problems. First with the Patidar agitation from last year. Then with the Dalit agitation. Thirdly, they have neglected agriculture over the years and that also created problems in the rural sectors.
In the elections to the panchayats and municipalities last December, the BJP lost heavily.
The high command of the BJP leadership is very worried about the election in December 2017. To correct the situation they need at least one year. In that context, they have asked Anandiben to resign.
In the last two days, she is writing and speaking according to script. Today or tomorrow, we will know whether they are going for a Patel or the present leader of the BJP in Gujarat (Vijay Rupani).
How different will the new BJP dispensation in Gujarat be compared to the previous one?
There is a sense of disappointment in the people. In the last two years, the situation hasn't improved at the ground level.
The Patidar community, which is 15% of the population, feels deprived and is disappointed. There are multiple reasons for that. They feel the government is not doing anything for them. Since 1985, they have been the backbone of the BJP and are a dominant community in Gujarat.
So it all depends on how they are going to improve the situation.
Can the Patidars be won back by the BJP?
It depends on how the new chief minister and the BJP high command take action to improve the situation.
Anandiben was handpicked by Prime Minister Modi to lead Gujarat. In that context, it is significant that she had to step down.
Both Anandiben Patel and Amit Shah were the right and left hand of Modi in the last 15 years. Now Amit Shah is president of the BJP and is operating at the national level.
Anandiben, in a way, failed to fulfil the dream of Modi and the BJP high command. Now the BJP is passing through a critical phase in Gujarat.
With electoral battles coming up in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, how is the BJP going to manage both states?
They are facing problems in UP also. UP is more important because it is the biggest state in India. Compared to it, Gujarat is a small state with only 5% of India's population, but because Modi and Shah are both from Gujarat, it is very important for them to win Gujarat.
In your understanding of Gujarati society, what is the meaning of this Dalit upsurge in the state?
For the first time Dalits have raised their voice and mobilised without any organisation or leadership. That is very significant. Particularly, it started in Saurashtra which is a princely state.
The younger generation of Dalits is raising their voice and asserting itself against both injustice and the state government.
There is inequality at multiple levels in Saurashtra and Gujarat -- and more importantly, the younger generation wants employment.
Joblessness has created this problem for the Patidars and the Dalits. Even with reservation, Dalits are not getting jobs.
What impact will the Dalit agitation have on the Gujarat elections, if any?
The tribal population in Gujarat is 15%, while the Dalits are 7% of the population. Over and above, this will impact the UP election also.
After Mayawati raised her voice in Parliament about the Una incident, it became a national issue. It will affect the BJP's chances in both UP and Gujarat.
Are we likely to see more Dalit agitations?
As far as Gujarat is concerned, Dalits are divided into seven sub castes. In Saurashtra we find the Dalit population is going beyond the sub caste and raising their voice as Dalits. So Dalits are united and asserting themselves.
The BJP is obviously alarmed because it has triggered Anandiben's exit.
Of course, and there is the UP election also. It became a national issue because at the all-India level, the presence of the Dalits population is very significant. It is 15% to 20% in many states. That is why the BJP leadership is alarmed.
What do you think the BJP will do now to retain power in the state?
It is very interesting that the RSS is sending sadhus and saints to Una village in Saurashtra to improve their image. They will again talk about Hindu unity to woo the Dalits back.
The issue of joblessness is very important. They need to bring jobs and improve agriculture.
What will the prime minister do to strengthen the BJP in his state?
By having a new chief minister they might think they are improving the situation. It is also significant that the prime minister hasn't uttered a word about the Dalits and the Una incident in Gujarat.
The name of the new chief minister will indicate what policy they are going to pursue. Whether they are going to choose a Patel or Rupani, who is from the Jain community. Whether it will be from a dominant community or a comparatively neutral person from the caste calculus point of view.
IMAGE: Dalits attend a Mahasammelan in Ahmedabad, July 31, 2016, in the wake of the recent Una incident. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/why-the-bjp-leadership-is-worried/20160803.htm | en | 2016-08-03T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f03ac5da96a95163d294c8deb6b9bd01eab9cfe3c503bc8dd180413a3f6c9748.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:41 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of the events from the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/18rewind14.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 18, 2016 08:41 IST
Here’s a recap of the events from the past 24 hours.
A loaded truck falls in a river off a collapsed bridge at Ambassa, 65 km from Agartala, Tripura. The National Highway 44 which serves as an important link in the region has been washed off at different locations making Tripura inaccessible on road. The regions started to see acute shortage of petroleum products. Photograph: PTI Photo
Girls tie Rakhis on the wrists of Border Security Force jawans near the International Border in RS Pura Sector, Jammu. Photograph: PTI Photo
Graffiti is painted on a wall in Srinagar after an escalation of violence that officials have blamed on separatist protests that have tied down security forces for more than a month in Kashmir. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters
A eunuch applies make-up as another is reflected in a mirror before Raksha Bandhan festival celebrations in a red light area in Mumbai. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
A Royal Bengal Tiger at an enclosure at Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata. Photograph: PTI Photo
Police stops Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists protesting against Amnesty International India in New Delhi. A group of people recently allegedly raised anti-national slogans at an event organised by the NGO in Bengaluru. Photograph: PTI Photo
Rescue operations in progress after a three-storey building collapsed at Hatkoti, 104 km from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Photograph: PTI Photo
Women shout slogans during a 72-hour sit-in protest against the killing of civilians at Batamallo in Srinagar on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam treasurer and Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu assembly M K Stalin being evicted from the House by marshals during the ongoing session at the Secretariat in Chennai. Stalin and all other DMK legislators who attended the session were en masse evicted from the House following a commotion over a remark made by an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislator on Stalin’s Namakku Naame road show. Photograph: PTI Photo
Devotees take a dip at the road flooded by Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Allahabad. Photograph: PTI Photo
Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal celebrates Rakshabandhan with BSF soldiers at Attari-Wagah International Border on the eve of the festival. Photograph: PTI Photo
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pays homage to Swaminarayan sect’s spiritual head Pramukh Swami Maharaj at a temple in Sarangpur, Gujarat on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Parsi girls take a selfie at a Fire Temple on the occasion of the community’s New Year Navroze in Nagpur. Photograph: PTI Photo
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar honours a woman police officer during the ‘First Haryana Women Police Day’ function in Panchkula. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/39e7def54f41ee41631395d763911ba06e4d07983032c22aa40e12a9c5e058c3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:09 | null | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | The IS claimed the attack on social media and Twitter.
| Islamic State claims responsibility for Quetta attack in Pakistan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fislamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-quetta-attack-in-pakistan%2F20160813.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/11quetta.jpg | en | null | Islamic State claims responsibility for Quetta attack in Pakistan | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 13, 2016 19:56 IST
The Islamic State terror group on Saturday claimed responsibility for the roadside bomb attack in Quetta city in Pakistan's Balochistan province that injured 17 people.
The IS claimed the attack on social media and Twitter.
But a senior police official said the IS claim could be another attempt to gain attention as they are struggling for a foothold in Pakistan where militant outfits like the Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaeda have deeper roots in the tribal region and in urban areas.
Security officials have said in the past that the IS does not have a credible presence in Pakistan where several militant outfits operate.
The roadside bombing on Wednesday left 17 people including four police officials accompanying a judge injured. But the judge escaped unhurt.
The IS has also claimed responsibility for carrying out a suicide bombing at the Civil Hospital in Quetta on Monday in which around 73 people were killed mostly lawyers and scores others were injured.
But the IS claim came soon after the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar a faction of the Pakistani Taliban had said it had carried out the suicide attack.
The troubled Balochistan province rich in minerals and natural resources has been hit hard by sectarian violence, terrorist attacks, and separatists who claim there is corruption in the provincial government.
IMAGE: Security officials gather at the site of a bomb explosion in Quetta. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-quetta-attack-in-pakistan/20160813.htm | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d797d9bf3692a3902a234e20d5b9a23e2ceababe923bfba2e2ca1a2ded08c36f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:39 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | Besides the former Union minister, three other Congress workers were in the car. | 65-yr-old hit by Joytiraditya Scindia's car, dies | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2F65-yr-old-hit-by-joytiraditya-scindias-car-dies%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/dec/26scindia.jpg | en | null | 65-yr-old hit by Joytiraditya Scindia's car, dies | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 15:19 IST
A 65-year-old man was on Wednesday killed when his two-wheeler was allegedly hit by a car in which Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia was travelling near Alappuzha in Kerala, police said.
The accident occurred at Puthiyakavu on the Kochi-Allapuzha stretch of a national highway when Scindia was going in a chauffeur-driven car to attend a function at Cherthala after arriving at Kochi from New Delhi, they said.
After the incident, the Congress leader said in a tweet, ‘Devastated -- sad loss of life -- unfortunate accident betw Cochin-Allepy. Arranged for hospital immediately -- on way to meet bereaved family!’
Police identified the deceased as Sasi, a resident of Puthiyakavu locality.
Though Sasi was rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to injuries, police said.
After handing over the car to the police, Scindia left in another car, K C Venugopal, the Congress MP from Alappuzha, said adding his colleague would later call on the bereaved family.
Besides the former Union minister, three other Congress workers were in the car when the mishap occurred, Venugopal said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/65-yr-old-hit-by-joytiraditya-scindias-car-dies/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f5f89b53430a74875b85adfee9aea816f5f4919152477b552fba26cc4f1af6bc.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:15 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | After walking free from jail, expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dayashankar Singh on Sunday fired a fresh salvo at Mayawati claiming she 'auctioned' tickets and dared her to fight against his wife on any unreserved seat in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections next year. | Expelled BJP leader Dayashankar out of jail, dares Mayawati | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fexpelled-bjp-leader-dayashankar-out-of-jail-dares-mayawati%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/07daya.jpg | en | null | Expelled BJP leader Dayashankar out of jail, dares Mayawati | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 07, 2016 22:08 IST
After walking free from jail, expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dayashankar Singh on Sunday fired a fresh salvo at Mayawati claiming she "auctioned" tickets and dared her to fight against his wife on any unreserved seat in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections next year.
Singh demanded that a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry be ordered into the allegations against Mayawati or else he would file a public interest litigation on the issue.
The leader, who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments against the Bahujan Samaj Party chief last month, was on Sunday released from Mau jail, a day after a local court granted him bail.
He was nabbed by UP Special Task Force with the help of Bihar Police from Buxar on July 29 after being on the run for nine days.
After his release from the jail, Dayashankar paid obeisance at a temple and soon left for Lucknow, where he addressed a press conference.
"I am firm on my statement that Mayawati sells tickets. At that time I used a word, over which I expressed regret the very same day," he said.
Singh threw a challenge at the BSP supremo to contest election against his wife from any seat.
"I challenge Mayawati to select any unreserved seat and contest elections against my wife. The BSP leader will come to know the reality when she loses," he said.
Singh also demanded a CBI probe into alleged "auctioning" of party tickets for elections.
The former BJP state vice-president said, "My party removed me from the post and expelled me, but it failed to satisfy Mayawati and an FIR was lodged against me."
He said that on July 21, BSP workers led by senior BSP leaders Naseemduddin Siddiqui and Ram Achal Rajbhar, targeted his elderly mother, minor daughter and wife and used derogatory language against them.
"While the police launched a man-hunt against me as if I was Dawood, the BSP leaders, who used derogatory language are roaming freely, despite the chief minister's statement condemning the remarks made by them," he said.
"I will file a PIL seeking a CBI probe. Mayawati is the 'mother' of corruption," he alleged and also targeted her brother and Siddiqui.
Asked about BSP's stand that it will challenge the bail order in the high court, Dayashankar earlier said in Mau, "I accept all the challenges of BSP. I will not talk much. I am going to Lucknow to meet my daughter, ailing mother and family members."
Ahead of his release, a number of supporters and BJP workers from Mau and neighbouring districts gathered outside the jail premises.
Singh said that the BJP has expelled him, but he has not distanced himself from the party.
"I have been associated with the RSS and BJP for a very long time. It is in my veins," he said.
The FIR against Singh was registered on July 20 under the the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other provisions.
The complaint, which was lodged by BSP national secretary Mewalal Gautam, alleged that Singh's remarks in Mau on July 20 had hurt the feelings of BSP workers and the Dalit community across the country and were aimed at provoking them.
Singh said that the CM was also in a "double mind", as he was afraid that action against Siddiqui would affect the Muslim vote bank.
He said in Mau, he was kept like any other prisoner.
Singh wife, Swati Singh said that while media supported her all through, there was no cooperation from police and administration.
"The day Siddiqui was provoking BSP workers, the DM and the SSP were present on the spot. Later when I asked them to examine the CD, I was told that there were other issues of priority," she said.
IMAGE: Dayashankar Singh and his wife Swati Singh address a press conference in Lucknow. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/expelled-bjp-leader-dayashankar-out-of-jail-dares-mayawati/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/94c505c02c8b42efba928ddf459264f908baf9efd345d4805be8aa372c5291e2.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:52:29 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Children have to go to schools, study and come out as doctors, dental surgeons, engineers, teachers, Muft said. | Go to school, pursue careers: Mehbooba to child stone pelters | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fgo-to-school-pursue-careers-mehbooba-to-child-stone-pelters%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30mufti.jpg | en | null | Go to school, pursue careers: Mehbooba to child stone pelters | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 16:13 IST
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday appealed to students to refrain from stone pelting, and said if they keep indulging in such activities, the state will have no doctors, engineers and teachers in the future.
"Children have to go to schools, study and come out as doctors, dental surgeons, engineers, teachers".
"But if they (students) throw stones in protest rallies, we will have no doctors, engineers and teachers in future," Mehbooba said at an event in Jammu.
The chief minister said education is a necessity for the development and growth of the country.
"It was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed sahib, who always said that if you want to build a strong community, you will have to nourish it with education and strengthen their power to think."
"Education is a multi-dimensional development of self and the society. I am very happy that Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward in its journey of educational sector," she said.
Quoting an Arabic verse, Mehbooba said "as the holy month of Ramzan is very important for the Muslim world, so is it important for boys and girls to get education.
"It was my Kashmiri Pandit friends, who used to swear in the name of education (vidhya), instead of family members, Gods and Goddesses. It was this tradition that was prevalent in the Valley of Kashmir," she said.
She said the government is taking steps to create skilled and technical manpower in the state.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/go-to-school-pursue-careers-mehbooba-to-child-stone-pelters/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d0e9c0a65286f53a7c51c2639ab1bc6b9e8e93ff06e314c812976597e58deb59.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:46 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | Immediately after Modi delivered his speech, Omar merely tweeted 'finally' but, in a subsequent tweet, voiced his disagreement with Modi's view. | Development can't solve all problems: Omar on PM's Kashmir outreach | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fdevelopment-cant-solve-all-problems-omar-on-pms-kashmir-outreach%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10combo1.jpg | en | null | Development can't solve all problems: Omar on PM's Kashmir outreach | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 10, 2016 10:40 IST
Opposition National Conference asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to understand that the present turmoil in the Valley was not due to lack of development but unwillingness of the Centre to address the Kashmir issue.
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Kashmir on Tuesday, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also working president of the party, tweeted “Herein lies the crux of the problem -- the unwillingness to accept that development doesn’t solve all problems.”
He was reacting to the prime minister’s speech at Bhabhra in Madhya Pradesh where he said, “Be it the Jammu and Kashmir government under Mehbooba Mufti or the central government, we are finding solution to all problems through development.”
Immediately after Modi delivered his speech, Omar had merely tweeted “finally” but, in a subsequent tweet, voiced his disagreement with Modi’s view that development was the panacea for all problems, including the vexed Kashmir issue.
The National Conference has been insisting that the Kashmir problem was a political and not merely a law and order issue which required a dialogue with all stakeholders.
Omar, through his tweet, sought to find fault with the Centre’s perception that development could resolve the Kashmir problem.
Earlier, a National Conference spokesman reacted cautiously to the prime minister’s apparent willingness to hold dialogue to end the over a month long strife in the Valley, saying it would wait for “action” and mere words were not enough.
The spokesman said, Kashmiris have been “fed with words for long” and “we only hope that the words now get translated into action” and the unrest is brought to an end through a process of dialogue.
“While we welcome the statement of the prime minister on Kashmir today, it should have come much earlier,” the spokesman said.
The PM on Tuesday attempted to reach out to people of the restive Kashmir and indicated willingness to hold dialogue in the spirit of ‘insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat’, enunciated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Valley has been on the boil for over a month now following the killing a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/development-cant-solve-all-problems-omar-on-pms-kashmir-outreach/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/495fe646c14a4b6f2960b3dab49db867ade33d43fc569c1990b54fb6e5d98231.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:32:03 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | Vijay Rupani and his deputy Nitin Patel took oath on Sunday in Gandhinagar. | Rupani takes oath as Gujarat CM, 9 previous ministers dropped | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fvijay-rupani-takes-oath-as-gujarat-cm%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/07rupanipti.jpg | en | null | Rupani takes oath as Gujarat CM, 9 previous ministers dropped | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 07, 2016 21:52 IST
Vijay Rupani was on Sunday sworn-in as the new chief minister of Gujarat while Nitin Patel took oath as deputy chief minister at a grand ceremony attended by top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.
IMAGE: Vijay Rupani is administered oath by Governor OP Kohli at the swearing-in ceremony in Gandhinagar. Photograph: PTI
Nine ministers from the previous Cabinet, including some considered as loyalists of outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, have been dropped.
Governor O P Kohli administered the oath of office and secrecy to 60-year-old Rupani and Patel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rupani and other members of his team, saying they would "continue the development journey" of the state.
"Congrats to @vijayrupanibjp, Nitinbhai Patel & others sworn-in as they begin their innings to continue the development journey of Gujarat," Modi said in a tweet.
IMAGE: Nitin Patel takes oath as deputy chief minister. Photograph: PTI
In a separate tweet, the Prime Minister also applauded the services of Anandiben Patel who had stepped down from the top post on Wednesday.
"I applaud the dedicated service of @anandibenpatel, who has been working tirelessly for the people of Gujarat for many years," Modi said.
Eight Cabinet-rank ministers, including Nitin Patel, and 16 ministers of state were also sworn-in. The total size of the Council of ministers, including the chief minister and deputy CM now stands at 25.
The oath-taking ceremony was held in the presence of top BJP leaders including its president Amit Shah, party veteran L K Advani, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan.
IMAGE: Senior BJP leader LK Advani, party President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel during the swearing-in ceremony. Photograph: PTI
The chief ministers of Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana -- Devendra Fadnavis, Raghubar Das and Manohar Lal Khattar respectively -- were among the other dignitaries present on the occasion.
Former Minister of State for Home Rajnibhai Patel and Women and Child Development Minister Vasuben Trivedi, considered as loyals of the outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, have been dropped from the new Cabinet.
The others who were dropped from Rupani's Cabinet include Finance Minister Saurabh Patel, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ramanlal Vora and MoS for Science and Technology Govind Patel.
On August 3, Anandiben Patel had submitted her resignation to Governor, after the party's parliamentary board in Delhi accepted her offer to quit the post.
On Friday, the BJP central leadership chose Rupani for the post of the Chief Minister instead of Nitin Patel, who was considered a sure pick for the top job in the poll-bound state. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/vijay-rupani-takes-oath-as-gujarat-cm/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d99f05adb55183f9064b4f1f897acadabc84f36dd472dc8df7aea9c2b65ff8f6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:21:17 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | US Secretary of State John Kerry called up Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah in a bid to douse the simmering tension between the two Afghan leaders and save the Unity government formed as a result of his intervention and mediation two years ago. | Afghan government tottering as power centres clash | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fafghan-government-tottering-as-power-centres-clash%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19lead2.jpg | en | null | Afghan government tottering as power centres clash | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 19, 2016 10:44 IST
US Secretary of State John Kerry called up Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah in a bid to douse the simmering tension between the two Afghan leaders and save the Unity government formed as a result of his intervention and mediation two years ago.
"The Secretary spoke with both President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah just this morning about the importance of continuing to move forward with the political and economic reforms that they're trying to enact and that all those reforms," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
"We understand that they are hard to come by, will be key to try to get to that kind of future in Afghanistan," Kirby told media persons amidst reports of sharp differences between Ghani and Abdullah.
Last week, Abdullah lashed out at Ghani saying that the latter was unfit for the office he holds.
Ghani and Abdullah came to power two years ago after a deal for a Unity government was hammered by Kerry following a disputed election in 2014.
Kerry made several trips to Afghanistan but spent quite amount of his time and energy in negotiating the agreement between Ghani and Abdullah, in the absence of which many fear the country would have collapsed into chaos.
The differences between Abdullah and Ghani coming out in open might have an adverse impact on Afghanistan.
The State Department says it wants the government to continue to complete its full term of five years.
However, a State Department official conceded they were not fully confident given the sharp exchange of words between the two camps of the Afghan government.
In a speech last Thursday, Abdullah said Ghani was unfit to govern the country because he has failed to work collaboratively and implement pledges of introducing electoral reforms. "You don't have time to see your chief executive one-on-one for even an hour or two over a period of three months," Abdullah said.
"Unfortunately, statements made by his excellency Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday were in contradiction to the spirit and morale of the governance," said a spokesman of Ghani a day after.
Kerry's phone call to Ghani and Abdullah is seen in this context.
The State Department did not say if the calls were made separately or he talked to them in a conference call.
IMAGE: Ashraf Ghani (left), Afghanistan president, and Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan Chief Executive Officer. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/afghan-government-tottering-as-power-centres-clash/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c22a1686730e81c776a91ca36defaae8f716abc96535f250fd1f2d9d96f814be.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:52:44 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The 87-year-old has the distinction of being the very first South Asian origin Conservative party candidate to contest a general election back in 1979. | Indian-origin retired Major in UK returns honour in protest | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Findian-origin-retired-major-in-uk-returns-honour-in-protest%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30saroop.jpg | en | null | Indian-origin retired Major in UK returns honour in protest | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 30, 2016 23:10 IST
A former Indian-origin soldier-turned-politician in the UK has returned his Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in protest against what he feels is the misuse of the honour system by former prime minister David Cameron.
Major (Retd) Narindar Saroop, who was born in India and went on to serve in the British Indian Army before moving to the UK, was awarded the CBE in 1982 by Queen Elizabeth II on the recommendation of then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The 87-year-old has the distinction of being the very first South Asian origin Conservative party candidate to contest a general election back in 1979.
However, the Tory party member and former London councillor now feels Cameron had shown "demeaning contempt" for the honours system by recommending less deserving people as part of his so-called resignation list, when he left Downing Street following Britain's vote in favour of Brexit on June 23.
"Cameron's list, in my view, included a lot of people who were undeserving of what they were given. Prime Ministers like Harold Wilson and James Callaghan gave honours to their advisers, but many were very hard-working individuals. But in Cameron’s list, some of the names were only there a couple of years," Saroop told the Evening Standard newspaper on Tuesday.
He had written to the UK’s honours department at St James’s Palace in London to explain his decision earlier this month.
He described the move as a "futile cavalry charge" but said he felt he had to "make a point".
"There is little wrong with our honours system. It is the demeaning contempt for it as practised by [Tony] Blair and Cameron which has led to such disenchantment about an otherwise honourable institution," he wrote in his letter.
"Mr Cameron, often with some pride, indicated that he was the heir to Blair. This is now fully vindicated by his recent ‘Dishonour List’, which runs close, possibly even overtaking, the lists of Lloyd George and of Harold Wilson’s Lavender List," he added.
Saroop, who took senior roles at various multinationals and served as an adviser to charities such as Oxfam and Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund, said "it's obviously a wrench to return my CBE. I was extremely proud to be awarded it".
IMAGE: The 87-year-old has the distinction of being the very first South Asian origin Conservative party candidate to contest a general election back in 1979. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/indian-origin-retired-major-in-uk-returns-honour-in-protest/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5fc321fc0a7f93341954c3635c79a8a59a82e6a6e3156ccb034be92398f9e7e5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:10 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | An employee of 108 Ambulance service, who tried to rescue them fell ill after inhaling the poisonous gas, said R Kalinga Rao, Madhapur Police Inspector. | Manhole mishap: 4 labourers die inside sewerage in Hyderabad suburbs | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmanhole-mishap-4-labourers-die-inside-sewerage-in-hyderabad%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14manhole.jpg | en | null | Manhole mishap: 4 labourers die inside sewerage in Hyderabad suburbs | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 14, 2016 01:00 IST
Four persons including three sanitary workers were on Saturday found dead in a manhole in Ayyappa society in Madhapur area in Hyderabad with the civic officials suspecting that the toxic gases caused their deaths.
An employee of 108 Ambulance service, who tried to rescue them fell ill after inhaling the poisonous gas, said R Kalinga Rao, Madhapur Police Inspector.
"The workers were cleaning the manhole. As three of them did not come out after entering, a local resident named Srinivas also climbed down to rescue them but he too did not come out," the police official said.
All four were found dead inside the manhole and their bodies were sent for post-mortem, Rao added.
A Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation official said these four persons might have died due to inhaling poisonous gases.
Deputy Mayor Fasiuddin and civic body officials rushed to the spot.
The 108 employee was rushed to hospital, Kalinga Rao said adding police are yet to register a case in this regard.
IMAGE: All four men were found dead inside the manhole and their bodies were sent for post-mortem. Photograph: ANI/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/manhole-mishap-4-labourers-die-inside-sewerage-in-hyderabad/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fa7d9205b86bddba935ac55631de0e58753f50ef8f1761c2dd305863a0038258.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T08:51:40 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | 'Leak of information related to Scorpene submarine is a matter of serious concern,' Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said on Monday in his first comment after over 22,000 pages of data detailing the vessel's capabilities became public. | Navy chief contradicts govt, says Scorpene leak a serious concern | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fnavy-chief-contradicts-govt-says-scorpene-leak-a-serious-concern%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/29lead4.jpg | en | null | Navy chief contradicts govt, says Scorpene leak a serious concern | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 13:25 IST
"Leak of information related to Scorpene submarines is a matter of serious concern," Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said on Monday in his first comment after over 22,000 pages of data detailing the vessel's capabilities became public.
This is in direct contrast to the stand taken by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who had said: "Basically what is on the website is not of concern to us but we are assuming on our own that this has been leaked and are taking all precautions."
On Monday, the navy chief said, "We have ourselves set up a high level committee to investigate into this. Based on the report of the committee, we will see what mitigation measures need to be taken."
"Any leak of information is viewed very seriously. We have viewed the leak of Scorpene data very seriously and we have asked (French firm) DCNS to launch an urgent investigation into this," the Navy chief said.
"Based on the report of the committee, we will see what mitigation measures need to be taken," he said.
Asked how serious a concern the leak was, the Navy chief said, "The committee is analysing and they will see what data has been compromised and what mitigation steps have to be taken."
The high-level committee is expected to submit a detailed report to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar by September 20.
Over 22,000 pages of top secret data on the capabilities of six highly advanced submarines being built for the Navy in Mumbai in collaboration with French company DCNS have been leaked.
In fact, embattled French defence firm DCNS has approached the Supreme Court in Australia seeking an injunction against 'The Australian' newspaper from further publishing the leaked documents of India's Scorpene submarine project.
The DCNS has also sought a court order to the newspaper to hand over the documents in its possession and removal of the contents from its website.
The combat capability of the Scorpene submarines being built at Mazagon dock at a cost of $3.5 billion (over Rs 23,495 core) by French shipbuilder DCNS, went public when "The Australian", put the details on the website.
Photograph: Indian Navy | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/navy-chief-contradicts-govt-says-scorpene-leak-a-serious-concern/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fb89e474fd5fc20b91f9998e6c48032d3d1f2e1428b38fb297f9db993c47e97d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:27:07 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | This is perhaps the first categorical statement by the government on the fate of the 29 people on board the IAF workhorse. | Survivors 'unlikely' in missing IAF AN-32: Govt | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsurvivors-unlikely-in-missing-iaf-an-32-govt%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/22lead1.jpg | en | null | Survivors 'unlikely' in missing IAF AN-32: Govt | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 12, 2016 13:53 IST
There are "unlikely" to be any survivors on board the AN-32 aircraft that went missing over the Bay of Bengal on July 22, the government said in Lok Sabha on Friday.
This is perhaps the first categorical statement by the government on the fate of the 29 people on board the IAF workhorse.
Minister of State for Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre said during Question Hour that it is "unlikely" that there are any survivors after so many days of the incident.
He was responding to a question by Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai, also an AIADMK member, who insisted that the search for the missing transport aircraft will not stop till its wreckage is found.
The minister said a variety of aircraft, including helicopters of the air force and coast guard, have been pressed into service to locate the plane. Merchant vessels and the fishermen community have also been requested to look out for debris.
Thirty floating objects were located but no "concrete" evidence has yet been found.
Bhambre said the complete wreckage of Malaysian Airlines flight MH 370, which had disappeared on March 8, 2014, has not been found so far, while the wreckage of a French airliner was found over a year after it had gone missing, he said, explaining the difficulties in finding the missing planes.
The wreckage and remains of the crew of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was also found after several days, he said.
He said on the fateful day, the radars tracking the aircraft had found a "thunder cloud bad patch" but the plane was equipped with the device to avoid such a disturbance.
The ill-fated AN-32 had taken off on a routine courier flight to Port Blair from Tambaram air base near Chennai on July 22 at 8.30 am with six crew and 23 personnel, but never arrived at the destination. It was last seen on the radars at 9 am.
Responding to a supplementary, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in the last 24 months, no life has been lost in an air crash involving air force planes, barring the case of the AN-32 incident.
He clarified that the Dornier aircraft which went down last year belonged to the Coast Guard.
In his written reply, Parrikar said the air force had lost 7 aircraft in crashes in 2013-14 and 10 in 2014-15. In 2015-16, the number was six and upto August 9, 4 planes have crashed.
"Upgradation, modernisation and replacement of military aircraft depend upon the national security/threat perception, strategic objectives and operational requirements of the defence forces and is reviewed by the government from time to time. This is a continuous process," he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/survivors-unlikely-in-missing-iaf-an-32-govt/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bde668e4a12092f5ac8b74e7b69bd6cba0590b0168d7b273e15c52f26143fc85.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T12:50:12 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The Pakistani prime minister urged the special envoys to ensure their efforts for highlighting the Kashmir cause across the world. | Pakistan PM appoints 22 MPs as special envoys to 'fight Kashmir cause' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpakistan-pm-appoints-22-mps-as-special-envoys-to-fight-kashmir-cause%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/27sharif.jpg | en | null | Pakistan PM appoints 22 MPs as special envoys to 'fight Kashmir cause' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 16:50 IST
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday appointed 22 parliamentarians as special envoys “for fighting the Kashmir cause in different parts of the world”.
The Pakistani prime minister urged the special envoys to ensure their efforts for highlighting the Kashmir cause across the world so that he can shake the collective conscience of the international community during his address at the United Nations this September.
The move marks an escalation in Pakistan’s ongoing row with India over the unrest in Kashmir following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.
Sharif said Pakistan will remind the United Nations of its long-held promise of self-determination for the Kashmiri people, the report said.
Sharif’s remarks came on the 50th day of violent protests in Kashmir that have claimed 69 lives and left hundreds injured. India has accused Pakistan of inciting violence in Kashmir and supporting cross-border terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit on Saturday said that Pakistan is ready to discuss the Kashmir dispute with its Indian counterpart.
Addressing the media, Abdul Basit said, “You all know that we took a step towards having dialogue but that didn't work out. We did send invite to India but that did not move forward. We do feel talks on Kashmir is needed.” | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pakistan-pm-appoints-22-mps-as-special-envoys-to-fight-kashmir-cause/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f029a55afb8e303a02f43e803f698021ca3877a33d3936ddf132bc33a42e74a3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:27 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Swaraj also called on Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and held discussions with him on issues of mutual interest. | Sushma on Myanmar visit, meets Suu Kyi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsushma-on-myanmar-visit%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22sushma-kyi.jpg | en | null | Sushma on Myanmar visit, meets Suu Kyi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 22, 2016 17:57 IST
Myanmar will not allow its territory to be used for any anti-India activities, this was conveyed by Myanmarese leaders to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who assured ‘all help’ to the new government that came to power in March after decades of military rule.
In the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office Nay Pyi Daw, Swaraj called on President U Htin Kyaw and held talks with State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi on key bilateral issues, including cross-border activities by certain insurgent groups.
Describing India as a friendly country, Myanmarese President U Htin told Swaraj that he looks forward to a ‘very productive partnership’.
“Myanmar leadership assured that they will not allow any insurgent groups to use any territory for action against India, (that) they all recognised is a friendly country which has stood by people of Myanmar and they look forward to a very productive partnership with India as Myanmar continues on its journey of peace, progress and development,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
The issue of cross-border activities by certain insurgent groups was taken up by Swaraj in her maiden meeting with the country’s first democratically-elected President in five decades, according to sources.
Swaraj’s visit comes just days after the Indian Army had an encounter with National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang terrorists in Nagaland who were trying to enter the country from Myanmar. While reports suggested that the Indian Army had crossed over to Myanmar, it was denied officially by India.
Swaraj also discussed with the Myanmarese leadership how India can help in Myanmar’s development efforts.
They discussed a number of areas of possible collaboration, such as power. India is already supplying 3 MW electricity to Myanmar through the Moreh-Tamu link, but this can be further upgraded, Swarup said.
Cooperation in renewable energy, transport, health, education and social development was also discussed during the meeting Swaraj had with the leadership.
They also discussed the possibility of strong cooperation in area of agriculture, particularly pulses where there is a possibility of importing large amount of pulses from Myanmar, Swarup said following Swaraj’s 45 minutes-long meeting with Suu Kyi.
Congratulating Suu Kyi for the victory in the ‘first genuine election’, Swaraj assured her of ‘all help’.
“India is committed to strengthening your democratic institutions and socio-economic development of your people,” Swaraj said during her meeting with Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party won a historic landslide election last year that finally brought an end to five decades of military rule.
Swaraj said this was the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee.
“Both sides agreed to make efforts to ensure peace and security along the long shared border. The Myanmar side stated that activities of insurgent groups would not be countenanced from Myanmar territory and suggested that this issue should be addressed and taken forward through cooperation in established bilateral forums,” sources said.
Swaraj extended invitations to both the Myanmar President and Suu Kyi to visit India at their earliest convenience. Both invitations were accepted, sources said.
Suu Kyi recalled her long association with India. Both Suu Kyi and the President said they were looking forward to a visit to India.
Swaraj also conveyed India’s very strong support to Myanmar in exploring possibilities of further strengthening democratic institutions.
The Myanmarese President remarked that India is a country that Myanmar can learn from, Swarup said.
“India is the country we should get best lessons from on what democracy means,” U Htin was quoted as saying.
This visit by Swaraj will serve as a very strong foundation for development and diversification of bilateral ties which are set for a very bright future, Swarup said.
“Discussions were held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere as befitting the traditionally close ties and strong people to people links between the two countries. Myanmar leaders were deeply appreciative of the fact that the EAM represented the first Cabinet-level dignitary who had paid a visit to Myanmar after the new government took office,” sources said of Swaraj’s meetings with the leaders in the Burmese capital.
Swaraj expressed ‘fullest support’ to the new Myanmar government in its efforts to meet its developmental goals.
Suu Kyi also briefed Swaraj on the preparations for the upcoming 21st Century Panglong Conference for National Reconciliation. Swaraj, on her part, conveyed India’s full support to this process and said India stands ready to extend any necessary help.
“Both sides agreed that India's Act East Policy fitted neatly into Myanmar’s needs and as such areas of mutually beneficial cooperation should be identified in the near future,” sources said.
Swaraj was accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other senior MEA officials.
Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar and a Nobel laureate besides being a democracy icon, thanked Swaraj for the support.
Banned from becoming president by a junta-era Constitution, Suu Kyi has a strong control over the country’s first civilian-led government.
The Constitution effectively bans her from the top post as it rules out anyone with foreign-born children or spouses from becoming president. Suu Kyi married and had two sons with a British national.
The military also retains control of the key home, defence and border affairs ministries, while 25 per cent of parliamentary seats are reserved for unelected soldiers.
Incidentally, Swaraj’s visit comes just days after Suu Kyi made a high-profile trip to China.
IMAGES: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meets Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw on Monday. Photographs: @MEAIndia/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/sushma-on-myanmar-visit/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/57c66ce3f686090af6a5cc72b381dca1ac0a8a77e041ba38b57c60aeced7b08a.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:51:44 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed led Jamat-ud-Dawah has set up various new fronts and established camps all over Pakistan to collect donations and sacrificial animals in the name of helping Kashmiris in India. | Hafiz Saeed seeks donations in the name of helping Kashmiris in India | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhafiz-saeed-seeks-donations-in-the-name-of-helping-kashmiris-in-india%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2012/apr/05hafiz1.jpg | en | null | Hafiz Saeed seeks donations in the name of helping Kashmiris in India | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 19:06 IST
Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed led Jamat-ud-Dawah has set up various new fronts and established camps all over Pakistan to collect donations and sacrificial animals in the name of helping Kashmiris in India.
Tehreek-i-Azadi-i-Kashmir or Movement for Kashmir's Liberation, bears the name and pictures of Saeed in its banners and has set up camps in Lahore as well as various other cities seeking donations to help the Kashmiri people.
Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation, a sister organisation of the JuD, has also set up camps across the country to collect donations for supporting the 'Kashmiri struggle for freedom'.
Besides the pictures of Saeed, the MKL banners and posters also display photos of apparently dead and injured Kashmiris, with slogans urging the public to donate for the Kashmiris' struggle against Indian forces.
"A sum of Rs 5,000 is needed for a family's dry ration and Rs 20,000 for medical treatment of an injured person," read one of the banner.
The JuD under the banner of MKL and FIF also offer slaughter and meat handling services to those sacrificing animals on Eid-ul Azha next month.
One of its banner seeks Rs 63,000 for the sacrifice of an ox and Rs 9,000 for a share in group sacrifice of an ox, Rs 16,000 for the sacrifice of a goat and Rs 13,000 for a share in group sacrifice of a camel.
They say the meat collected in this way will be distributed among needy families in Kashmir, Palestine, Myanmar, Syria and in Tharparkar and Peshawar in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Lahore police senior officer Haider Ashraf said police have removed two camps in the city set up by the JuD and the FIF for collection of donations and funds for sacrificial animals.
"The police have been asked to remove all other donation camps of JuD and FIF in the city as both organisations are on the government's militant watchlist," he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hafiz-saeed-seeks-donations-in-the-name-of-helping-kashmiris-in-india/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/06632c40a1bd5f3c19b44518251bcf639270f0e84b842a5987fd8f3899c6e5bf.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:08 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | 'If PM has some concrete information against gau rakshaks then he must disclose it, otherwise we will take legal action against him.'
| 'Hindus will vote against Modi for his statement against gau rakshaks' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fhindus-will-vote-against-modi%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08gau1.jpg | en | null | 'Hindus will vote against Modi for his statement against gau rakshaks' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 08, 2016 13:57 IST
'Modi is now infected by the fever of secularism.'
'If PM has some concrete information against gau rakshaks, then he must disclose it, otherwise we will take legal action against him.'
IMAGE: Members of a cow vigilante group unload cows at a rescue shelter from a truck that they had chased down in Rajasthan. Photograph: Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the cow brigade, saying the business of cow vigilantism has made him very angry.
Modi told a town hall-like address on Saturday, August 6, to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative: 'I feel infuriated at some people who have opened shops in the name of cow protection. I have seen that some people who commit anti-social activities through the night, don the mantle of cow protectors by the day. I urge state governments to prepare a dossier of such self-proclaimed volunteers and big cow protectors.'
'It will be found that 70 to 80 per cent are such people who commit such bad deeds which society does not accept. To hide their bad activities, they don the mantle of cow protectors,' Modi said.
While some praised the PM for finally breaking his silence against the cow vigilantes, another bloc is miffed with him.
Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf spoke to Pandit Ajay Gautam, chief of the Hum Hindu organisation that campaigns for the cause of gau raksha and who was until now a very vocal supporter of Modi but is now deeply upset with the prime minister's remarks.
You have come out strongly against Prime Minister Modi for his comments on the cow brigade.
Prime Minister Modi has only appeased and polarised. Prime Minister Modi has hurt Hindu sentiments.
He made his statement from Telangana where over 3,100 illegal slaughter houses are operational. The statement made by Modi, 'If you have to shoot, shoot me, but not my Dalit brothers', was done only to attract Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh.
The statement is just like when L K Advani went to Pakistan in 2005 and called Mohammed Ali Jinnah secular. Atal Bihari Vajpayee too did the same thing by taking the bus to Lahore.
In the same way, Modi is now infected by the fever of secularism.
What must have been the reason for Modi's statement, in your opinion?
'In a population of 100 crore people if there is one incident like Una will you blame all gau rakshaks?'
There was no reason for Prime Minister Modi to speak against gau rakshaks. This statement against gau rakshak is a self goal by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi made the same mistake during the Bihar elections.
He made the DNA statement during the Bihar elections and that went against the BJP.
In the same way, his statement on gau rakshaks will backfire on Modi. Hindus will not vote for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Hindus will vote against Narendra Modi for his statement against gau rakshaks.
Four gau rakshaks were killed in Haryana. Gau rakshak Prashant Poojary was killed in Karnataka. The BJP will suffer due to Modi's statement in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the forthcoming elections. You wait and watch.
IMAGE: Pandit Ajay Gautam, chief of the Hum Hindu organisation, which campaigns for cow vigilantism. Photograph: Kind courtesy Humhindu.com
Don't you think gau rakshaks are creating law and order problems?
Maintaining law and order is the duty of the police. To ban plastic is the duty of the government and not gau rakshaks.
Gau rakshaks only voluntarily inform the police about the illegal movement of cattle. They help the police voluntarily and do not take the law into their own hands.
Every profession has a few black sheep. If one or two such incidents have taken place, like in Una, how can you accuse other gau rakshaks of doing illegal work?
If Prime Minister Modi has some concrete information against gau rakshaks, then he must disclose it, otherwise, we will take legal action against him.
But in Una, Dalits were beaten up by gau rakshaks.
In a population of 100 crore (1 billion) people if there is one incident like Una, will you blame all gau rakshaks or what?
If there is one parliamentarian who is charged with some crime, does it mean that all parliamentarians are criminals?
Don't you think tensions have risen in society due to the presence of gau rakshaks?
What kind of problem? Only three incidents have taken place.
If there is an accident due to the railways, does it mean you will shut down the railways? If one film producer gets caught for raping a girl, does it mean you will say 80 per cent of film producers are rapists?
Black sheep are there in every section of society, but you cannot take the black sheep as a representation of the larger section of society.
The PM must have some proof of gau rakshaks creating a law and order issue.
We will send a notice to the prime minister on this issue. How did he arrive at the figure that 80 per cent of gau rakshaks are not genuine?
When the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) can send a (legal) notice to Rahul Gandhi, why can't we send a (legal) notice to the prime minister?
But you have always been a supporter of Prime Minister Modi.
I was, but you have to know that Modi won due to Hindu votes and now he is passing remarks against Hindu sentiments.
ALSO READ | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/hindus-will-vote-against-modi/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4733a6b9e940878e0368d29f644eeaf479f43ec24fb3f98eabfc302c07645f18.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:12 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | This is for the first time the disturbed areas in the control of Pakistan have been mentioned by any Indian prime minister during his Independence Day speech. | Pak says Modi's remarks prove that 'India fomenting terror' in Balochistan | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpak-reaction-to-modis-balochistan-remarks%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15redfort4.jpg | en | null | Pak says Modi's remarks prove that 'India fomenting terror' in Balochistan | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 00:14 IST
This is for the first time the disturbed areas in the control of Pakistan have been mentioned by any Indian prime minister during his Independence Day speech.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech, Pakistan on Monday claimed that this proved its contention that India has been allegedly ‘fomenting terrorism’ in the province.
Pakistan also asserted that the situation in Balochistan cannot be compared with Kashmir.
Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, while responding to Modi’s Independence Day speech, said the Premier was only trying to divert world attention from the ‘grim tragedy’ that has been unfolding in Kashmir over the past five weeks.
The reference to Balochistan, which is an integral part of Pakistan, ‘only proves Pakistan's contention that India, through its main intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been fomenting terrorism in Balochistan’, Aziz was quoted as saying by a Foreign Office statement.
Aziz's remarks came after Prime Minister Modi brought up Pakistani atrocities on people of Balochistan and PoK in his Independence Day speech on Monday.
“From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to express my gratitude to some people -- the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pak-occupied Kashmir -- for the way they whole- heartedly thanked me, the way they expressed gratitude to me, the way they conveyed their goodwill to me recently,” Modi said.
This is for the first time the disturbed areas in the control of Pakistan have been mentioned by any Indian prime minister during his Independence Day speech.
Aziz claimed that India's involvement was confirmed by the public confession of ‘RAW’s active service Naval Officer’ Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested in March this year from Balochistan.
Thousands of unarmed youth are protesting every day for their right of self determination in Kashmir, where more than 70 innocent Kashmiris have been killed and more than 6,000 injured, while there is constant curfew and complete media blackout for the past 37 days, Aziz claimed.
He claimed that at this time, the contrast between Kashmir and PoK could not be more stark.
Aziz said India is a large country, ‘in fact the second largest in the world and this must be acknowledged, but a large country does not automatically become a great country, especially when it unleashes such brute force against innocent citizens to suppress their right to protest or when it deliberately uses pellet guns to permanently destroy the eyesight of over 100 youth.’
He said India should recognise that the core issue of Kashmir cannot be resolved by bullets and needed a political solution, through serious negotiations between India and Pakistan. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pak-reaction-to-modis-balochistan-remarks/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/02fcea226b828f2ae0b65b724a53da96120af9ff46c39668d27d28fe222d4978.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:07 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | The delegation submitted a memorandum to the prime minister expressing 'dismay at the lack of a political approach to deal with the situation.' | Development alone not a solution to Kashmir crisis, admits PM Modi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fomar-abdullah-led-delegation-meets-pm-modi%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22modi-omar.jpg | en | null | Development alone not a solution to Kashmir crisis, admits PM Modi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 22, 2016 16:12 IST
In a bid to reach out to people of Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his “deep concern and pain” over the situation there and asked all political parties to work together to find a “permanent and lasting” solution to problems in Jammu and Kashmir.
Making an appeal for restoration of normalcy in the Valley where the unrest entered the 45th day, Modi emphasised that there has to be a dialogue.
An official statement issued after his 75-minute-long meeting with a joint opposition delegation led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the prime minister appreciated the “constructive suggestions” made by them during the talks and reiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare of people.
The 20-member delegation comprising Omar and seven of his National Conference MLAs, Congress legislators led G A Mir and Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA M Y Tarigami had called on the prime minister on Monday morning and made an appeal for a political approach for resolving the crisis in the Valley and to ensure that the “mistakes” of the past are not repeated.
Immediately after the statement was released , Omar tweeted, “we welcome the statement of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji and look forward to working together to find a lasting solution to problems of J&K.”
The 46-year-old working president of National Conference Omar told reporters after the meeting that they requested the prime minister for finding a political solution to the Kashmir issue so that a lasting peace is ensured in the state as well as in the country.
The PM emphasised on the need for dialogue to find a “permanent and lasting solution” within the framework of the Constitution and also asked all political parties to work together to find a solution to the problems in Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing his “deep concern and pain” at the prevailing situation, the prime minister said “those who lost their lives during recent disturbances are part of us, our nation; whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us.”
“Government and the nation stand with the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” the prime minister said, and suggested that all political parties should reach out to the people and convey the same.
He expressed his commitment to the development of the state and its people, and appealed for restoration of normalcy in the state.
Kashmir has been witnessing unrest since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 and so far over 60 people have been killed.
Omar told reporters the PM agreed with the delegation that development alone is not an answer to the crisis.
“The PM told us in categorical terms that development alone will not resolve this problem,” he said and refused to draw any conclusion from that.
“I am not going to put words into the PM’s mouth nor am I going to draw further meaning from what he said,” Omar said.
“We talked about the same thing that we have been talking with other leaders ever since we arrived in Delhi that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in light of the present crisis, needs to be understood correctly after which a solution is required.
“We emphasised that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is more of political in nature. Time and again such situations do arise but if we are unable to find a political solution to it, we will be repeating our mistakes again and again,” he said.
Omar said the PM listened to “us with patience and accepted our memorandum”.
He also tweeted saying he is “grateful to @narendramodi ji for taking out the time to receive the delegation from J&K and giving us a patient hearing beyond allotted time.”
The leaders flagged the issue of youths falling victims to the continued protests, including a young teenager named Irfan who was killed on Sunday night when a teargas shell hit him on his chest.
“We also implore you to announce an immediate ban on pellet guns and advise relevant quarters against the policy of mass harassment, raids and arrests as this has worsened an already volatile situation in the State and also goes against the values and principles of democracy,” the memorandum submitted to Modi said.
Asked about the statement made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Jammu on Sunday that stone-pelters were no “satyagrahis but aggressors”, Omar said, “I do not wish to say anything on this as the prime minister told us nothing like this.
“And more importantly, let’s not play politics over Jammu and Kashmir. We will get ample time to play political games later.”
The delegation also comprising National Conference leaders Nasir Wani and Davinder Rana -- has been camping in the national capital and meeting political leaders from the government and opposition.
The delegation started the political initiative on Saturday when it met President Pranab Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum, requesting him to use his office to influence the Centre for initiating a political dialogue with all stakeholders in the state.
On Sunday, the delegation met Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and apprised him about the situation in the state.
Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the joint delegation of opposition parties led by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday. Photograph: @PIB_India/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/omar-abdullah-led-delegation-meets-pm-modi/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/800025e0ae960444610c62c1cf577040d9464c882337dd21bdd3254f133f53a3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:16 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Black flags were also shown to the former MP as she came out of the airport. | Eggs hurled at actor Ramya's car over 'Pak is not hell' remark | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Feggs-hurled-at-actor-ramyas-car-over-pak-is-not-hell-remark%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23ramya1.jpg | en | null | Eggs hurled at actor Ramya's car over 'Pak is not hell' remark | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 20:27 IST
Eggs were hurled at actress-turned-politician Ramya's car on Thursday during a protest by Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing Mangaluru against her 'Pakistan is not hell' remark, for which she is also facing a complaint in a court on sedition and other charges.
Black flags were shown to the former MP as she came out of the airport by the BJP Yuva Morcha activists who shouted "down down Ramya" and "Ramya go back" slogans.
After this, while on her way to the city, some eggs were thrown at her car from a distance, police said.
Police personnel who were present at the spot in good strength rounded up the protesters and whisked them away.
Ramya is in the city to attend Krishna Janmashtami event. Her car was accompanied by a police escort vehicle.
Some Morcha activists said their protest against Ramya was in reaction to her alleged comment to a TV channel on Wednesday, where she had called Mangaluru "hell".
After a recent visit to Islamabad as part of a SAARC delegation of young lawmakers, Ramya had reportedly said at a meeting in Mandya, which she represented from 2013 to 2014 in Lok Sabha, "Pakistan is not hell. People there are just like us. They treated us very well."
Her remarks had come as an apparent counter to comments of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who while lashing out at Islamabad for promoting terror, had said last week, "Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell."
The 33-year old multi-lingual actress' comments had triggered a bitter backlash but she stood her ground saying that she would not apologise for her position.
An advocate had filed a complaint in a court at Somwarpet in Kodagu district, seeking action on sedition and other charges against Ramya for "insulting" Indian patriots by her remarks.
Advocate K Vittala Gowda filed the complaint before the Somwarpet Judicial Magistrate First Class court, which admitted it and posted the matter for hearing on August 27.
The complaint has sought a direction to police to book Ramya, an ex-Congress MP, under IPC sections 124(a)(sedition), 344 (wrongful confinement for ten or more days) and 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment).
IMAGE: BJP Yuva Morcha members throws eggs at Ramya's car in Mangaluru. Photograph: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/eggs-hurled-at-actor-ramyas-car-over-pak-is-not-hell-remark/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5fabf2d0d37a75ba4aa2e9f491eef7d56e0e4e6fa530fb0f56b3309d4202294d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:56 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | Samuel Stokes made India his home and participated in the freedom struggle.
He was the only American to be imprisoned for sedition; the British CID maintained a special file on him. | The American who fought for India's freedom | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fspecial%2Fthe-american-who-fought-for-indias-freedom%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/09lead.jpg | en | null | The American who fought for India's freedom | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 10, 2016 11:09 IST
IMAGE: Samuel Stokes in a photograph taken in Pennsylvania with his Indian wife and his first born. Photograph, kind courtesy Asha Sharma
Samuel Stokes made India his home and participated in the freedom struggle.
He was the only American to be imprisoned for sedition; the British CID even maintained a special file on him.
Stokes also bought apples to Himachal Pradesh and transformed the lives of the state's farmers.
As India celebrates its 70th Independence Day next week, Asha Sharma, Samuel Stokes' grand-daughter, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih about her extraordinary grandfather and wonders why he is hardly remembered today.
When Samuel Stokes left home in Philadelphia and set sail for India aged 22, his parents had hoped he would return home after a year or two. But this did not happen.
Instead, Stokes made India his home.
A young man from a wealthy American Quaker family, he had come to India to work for a home for the leprosy-afflicted in 1904 and went on to become an active participant in India's struggle for freedom.
The brutality of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919 drew him into the freedom movement.
Stokes worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement. He was imprisoned for six months for sedition in the Lahore jail and refused bail, the only American to be jailed in India's struggle for Independence.
The British CID also maintained a special file on him.
He also fought against begar or forced labour that the British exacted out of Indians, which was finally abolished.
He wore Khadi, married an Indian, learnt Sanskrit, became a Hindu, set up a school and introduced apples to Himachal Pradesh.
The hill state's most famous produce owes its origins to the apple cuttings Stokes had brought from America to persuade farmers to start apple cultivation.
Samuel Stokes renamed himself Satyanand and never went back to the United States after a trip he made with his young wife in 1914. His family still maintains roots with Kotgarh in Himachal Pradesh where Stokes started it all.
Stokes, who was born on August 16, did not live to see India gain freedom. He died in 1946 and was cremated in the hills he loved so dearly.
The letters and articles he wrote are preserved in the Nehru Memorial Library. There is also a picture of him on its walls, but his contribution has largely been ignored.
A few years ago, his granddaughter Asha Sharma, wrote a biography on Samuel Stokes, An American in Khadi which was published by Penguin Books India. An American edition of the book titled An American in Gandhi’s India with a foreword by HH the Dalai Lama was published in 2008 by Indiana University Press.
The author, who divides her time between California where her children live and Himachal Pradesh, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih about Samuel Stokes' extraordinary life and wonders why he is hardly remembered in India.
What was Samuel Stokes' contribution to our freedom?
His contribution to our freedom was very substantial. He was very active in the first Non-Cooperation Movement and worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehru, C R Das and other national leaders.
He wrote articles, gave speeches and organised meetings. Though he was an American his fierce denouncement of imperialism and absolute identification with Indians had a deep impact.
His unequivocal support of Gandhi through these years was valuable to the cause. He had full faith in Gandhiji and believed that he was the only one who could lead India to independence and so he gave his wholehearted support to him and urged others to do the same.
What was Mr Stokes' friendship with C F Andrews (Gandhiji's friend and a Christian missionary who supported India's freedom from British rule) like? How did they become friends and how did Mr Stokes become associated with Gandhiji?
Stokes knew Andrews for a long time. Andrews lived in Delhi, but used to come up to the hills to escape the heat of the plains and that is where he met Stokes. Both men were very much alike in their thinking and so it was easy for them to become friends.
It was Andrews who brought Gandhiji and Stokes together. It was at the time when Stokes was fighting against begar in the hills. Gandhi came to know about Stokes and his work through Andrews.
In September 1920, when the viceroy of India, made a trip to Baghi in the interiors of Himachal Pradesh, thousands of poor villagers were called upon as begar labour to serve him.
The villagers were in the midst of sowing winter crops, so it was hard for them to get away at this time. Stokes was greatly troubled to see the plight of the people and wrote an article 'The Viceregal Trip' describing their situation.
The article was published by Gandhi in Young India and drew national attention. It also brought Stokes closer to Gandhi.
Can you elaborate on Mr Stokes’ relationship with Gandhji?
Stokes always admired Gandhi and had a very close relationship with him. A long abiding friendship was forged between the two men during the early years of the Non-cooperation movement when
Stokes worked closely with Gandhi, travelled and toured with him, gave speeches in support of his programme and lived in the Sabarmati Ashram with him. Their friendship sustained through life his even though they did not meet much in later years.
Gandhi and Stokes did not always agree with each other but this did not affect their relationship. If anything it brought them even closer as they could discuss their differences without any reservation.
Stokes always felt that Gandhi was one of the 'greatest and noblest of men – both simple and profound. I doubt if there is such another in the world today,' he wrote in 1921. He stands for the noblest in our nature.
He often said that his association with Gandhi was the part of his life of which he was most proud.
Gandhi in turn held Stokes in high regard and spoke of him as an example to others. 'Non-co-co-operators worship Andrews, honour Stokes,' he said.
He also admired Stokes' courage of conviction and his love for India. 'He has made India his home in a manner no other American or Englishman has,' Gandhi wrote in Young India at the time of Stokes' arrest.
He also took to khadi as a response to the Mahatma’s call?
Yes he did take to Khadi as a response to Mahatma Gandhi’s call. In fact he took to wearing Khadi in the presence of Gandhiji when he put his own clothes in a fire lit by Gandhiji himself in Parel, Bombay on 31st July 1921. Thereafter he embarked on a tour of UP with Gandhiji dressed in khadi coat, dhoti and cap. From then on he always wore khadi. His wife and children did the same. He and his family also took to spinning everyday.
As his biographer, what do you find extraordinary about his life?
His life was extraordinary in many ways. The most remarkable trait of his personality was perhaps his empathy for those who needed help. For example, when his father gave him money to start a business, he used it to start a Neighbourhood House in Philadelphia where the poorest boys of the area were taught skills like carpentry so that they could earn a living.
It was the same when he came to India. He was always willing to share what he had with those who had less.
His intolerance of any kind of discrimination and injustice and his quest to remedy it wherever he found it led him to fight against begar and join India's freedom struggle.
Your mother was his eldest daughter. What stories did she tell you of your grandfather?
My mother did tell me many stories about her father which reflect the kind of person he was. I have included all this information in the book. For example, she told me that she and her brothers and sisters always dressed very simply, just like the other village children.
She said her father would not encourage or even allow his daughters to wear fancy clothes or jewellery because the village girls could not afford to wear them.
'How would they feel seeing you dressed up in such finery?' he would tell them.
Did he speak Hindi well?
Yes, he spoke Hindi well even though his accent remained foreign. In fact, he started learning the language soon after he arrived in India in 1904 to work in a leper home in Subathu in the Simla Hills.
The motivation came from his desire to interact with the patients at the Leper Home and with other locals who only spoke in the pahari dialect or in Hindustani. Knowing the language helped him in coming closer to the ordinary people.
He was a great advocate of Hindi and encouraged his children to speak in Hindi rather than in English. He himself spoke with them in Hindi. He was also in favour of first making children proficient in Hindi and only then teaching them other languages like English.
In his own Tara School in Kotgarh, all teaching was done in Hindi for the first few years. English was introduced only in the 4th, 5th class.
He also learnt Sanskrit in his later life. His interest in Sanskrit grew from his interest in Indian religious philosophy. After studying the English translations of the Upanishads he wanted to study the original texts and hence learnt Sanskrit.
Did he like being called by his Indian name Satyanand or was he called Samuel too?
I do not know if he liked being called Satyanand or not, but I presume he must have.
In my interviews with his contemporaries in Kotgarh, I saw that he was addressed in several different ways -- Sahibji, Stokes Sahib, Satyanandji and even Mr Stokes. For the locals, the affectionate name for him was Sahibji.
IMAGE: Samuel Stokes teaches an outdoor class in Shimla in 1930. Photograph, kind courtesy: Asha Sharma
Did he miss anything about Philadelphia?
He did miss Philadelphia especially at first -- not the place so much as his family and friends.
In his early letters he often wrote of how home-sick he was and wanted to meet everyone. But this changed with the passing of time and with his involvement in his work.
But he remained connected with his American roots through his correspondence with his mother.
What was it about India that never made him never want to leave? I believe he never went back to America after making one trip with his wife very early on in their marriage.
He seemed to have fallen in love with India and its people from the time he landed here. When he left home in Februray 1904, his parents had hoped that he would return home after a year or two.
But this did not happen as within months of his living in India he decided to remain here permanently. While the beauty of the Himalayas was a strong attraction for him it was the simple, trusting pahari people who truly won his heart.
He did go back to America a few times during the early years, but after his marriage in 1912, he went only once. He was keen for his wife to get to meet and know his mother and other members of his family when he took her and their infant son to Philadelphia for an extended visit in early 1914.
They stayed there for about a year-and-a-half. He could never return to Philadelphia after that. He was too involved with Indian affairs, both national and local. Also traveling with his large family was unaffordable for him. But his mother came to India twice to visit him.
His brother also came a couple of times.
How has India preserved and honoured his memory and contribution to India's freedom struggle?
Hardly -- only his photograph hangs in the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi beside those of other national leaders of the freedom struggle. As a result the younger generation do not know much about him at all.
This is perhaps due to the fact that he passed away just before India became independent. Even in his lifetime very little was known about my grandfather's life even though he had done so much for the country.
Most people knew he introduced the American Delicious apples in the Simla Hills, but that is about all. Even the family did not know much about his other accomplishments. We had heard, of course, that he knew Gandhiji well and went to jail during the freedom struggle, but that is all.
There were occasional articles, but they did not add too much. When I began researching the book, I discovered a wealth of information about his life -- the hardships he went through and the sacrifices he made in the service of the country.
I hope that he will get his due recognition. How and when that will happen I do not know. But I do know that many of those who have read his life story are over-awed and feel the richer for having read it. They invariably ask why there is no mention of him anywhere among other freedom fighters.
What drew him to be a part of India's struggle for freedom?
The brutality of Jallianwala Bagh and the treatment of Punjab in its aftermath affected him deeply and made him join the struggle for freedom from British rule.
Mr Stokes responded to Gandhiji's Non-Cooperation Movement. Do you have any letters by him that reveal what it must have been in those days?
He made a compilation of excerpts from his letters for his children and grandchildren which give a fare account of his life in India. The letters reflect his thinking and also describe the situation in the country at that time.
About how was it being an American fighting for India's freedom?
He identified himself as an Indian, so this was not an issue.
I understand he was a prolific writer.
He was a prolific writer. He wrote letters, journals, newspaper articles as well as a number of books. What struck me most was his determination and truthfulness in all he did. There were no compromises in his life. He was very hardworking and continued to work till the end of his life -- even when he was in poor health.
His papers are with members of the family and some are also in the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi.
Was he the only foreigner to be imprisoned for sedition in India's struggle for freedom? What were his days in prison like? I understand he refused to be put in a cell set aside for Europeans.
I do not know about other foreigners, but he was the only American to be imprisoned during India's freedom struggle.
It is true that he did not want to stay in a European cell. He said he was an Indian and wanted to be treated as such. He requested for a change of his cell, but the administration did not agree.
He had arrived in India as a Christian missionary to work in a leper home and spread the word of Christianity, but ultimately converted to Hinduism. What brought about that transformation?
One of the chapters in my book is titled 'Came to teach and stayed to learn.' It describes his spiritual journey. Though he spent the greater part of his life fighting for justice and the rights of the common man he was also a seeker of truth.
In that sense his life was also a spiritual journey in which he was willing to take the best of what he found along the way. Thus when he discovered that there was a lot to learn from ancient Hindu scriptures he began to study these in earnest. He even learnt Sanskrit so that he could read some of the original texts in the language.
There was no conflict in his mind about religion as he found much in common between Vedanta and his own Quaker beliefs. His conversion had more to do with his family and social concerns than with religion.
Did he build a temple? Is it still there?
Yes, he built a temple near his home in Kotgarh. It is called Paramjyotir Mandir (temple of eternal light). It is a small, simple, temple built in keeping with local architectural style.
The temple has wooden panels engraved with shlokas from the Vedas engraved on them.
It was Stokes' hope that the temple would become 'a means to show the way to those looking for peace and internal strength, more so during times of difficulties and trials.'
'It is my prayer that the temple and this little booklet may bring peace to many,' he wrote in a booklet when the temple was completed.
Mr Stokes brought apples to Himachal and brought in a revolution. How difficult was it for him to do this? How is he remembered by the orchard-owning families and farmers of the region?
He was struck by the extreme poverty of the local people and wanted to help them in whatever way he could. Once he settled in, the area finding a solution to the poverty of the people became a top priority for him. The answer to his search came in the form of apples.
Some British variety of apples were already growing in the region, but they were not good in taste and were not popular, so he knew he would have to find a new strain of apples which would be commercially viable.
During a visit to Philadelphia in 1914 he studied apple growing in America and also brought some apple cuttings with him on his return which he planted near his house. In the following years he imported and experimented with over 33 varieties of apples to determine which would be most suitable for the area.
Finally, he selected the American Delicious variety which had already proved a success in America. He first planted the trees on his own land and only when he was satisfied with the results did he encourage others to do the same.
But persuading farmers to switch to apples was not easy because of the long gestation period of apple trees, and though he distributed free saplings and offered to help the farmers to grow and nurture them, their response was very discouraging.
But he persisted in his efforts and slowly the people began to be convinced. Once the apple trees started bearing fruit, there was no turning back and many farmers became enthusiastic about growing apples. The rest is history!
Is there a statue/memorial in his remembrance in Kotgarh? How have his memories and his contribution to India been preserved and remembered?
A Stokes Memorial Farmer's Community Centre was built in Kotgarh in 1974. A bust of Stokes was installed in it subsequently.
Are there any anecdotes about him that have been passed down in the family that you can share?
We were always hearing stories about him like the time he lived as a sadhu in a cave and had two snakes as pets and when he slept in the cremation ground one night to prove to the villagers that they should not be afraid of the dead.
How does the American part of the family remember him?
The American branch of the family remember him with great pride and affection. Some distant cousins have visited Kotgarh.
How is he best remembered by family and the families of acquaintances that knew him or knew of him?
I have heard of the free dispensary he ran in his house and of the way he tried to educate people about basic health care; of instances when he rushed the critically ill to Simla in his own dandi or in hired rickshaws, or brought in specialists doctors from the plains to fight epidemics in the area, all at his own expense.
What was forced labour begar in those days like and how did it move him so much to be a part of the campaign to end it?
He was largely responsible for getting begar or impressed labour abolished in the Simla Hills. Begar was a system under which villagers were obliged to provide services to traveling officials and others either free or for a pittance.
The practice was not only demeaning for them, but it also affected their livelihood as the farmers were often called in for begar during planting or harvesting times, and they lost their crops in the bargain.
Some begar, like the dak begar was dreaded most by the villagers as they had to walk long distances in the cold and snow to distribute letters in different villages and many villagers lost their lives.
When Stokes saw this injustice he decided to fight it tooth and nail. He criticised the practice in the press and complained against it to the British administration. When despite all his efforts no action was taken he decided to get the villagers together and protest against the injustice.
This organised resistance to the practice -- a kind of Satyagraha was Stokes' first battle against the British administration and brought him into the limelight and drew the attention of Mahatma Gandhi and other Indian leaders.
Would you have any idea of how the British in India thought of him?
Some Britishers admired and respected him. Others couldn't stand him. He had many British friends and could count on their support when it came to getting any kind of help for the local people. However, the British administration had very early noted his empathy for Indians and had kept a watch on him.
The CID had a special file on him even though he did not know about it. | http://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-american-who-fought-for-indias-freedom/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/67aeb231c322377fde88194271c32c9435b328ec3f2a71c30824b0a5214724e9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:27:19 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | It was also suggested that an all-party delegation should visit Kashmir to assess the situation but the government did not make commitments regarding any of their demands. | Lift AFSPA, ban pellet guns, Opposition suggests at all party meet on Kashmir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fall-party-meet-on-kashmir-lift-afspa-ban-pellet-guns-opposition-suggests%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/12all01.jpg | en | null | Lift AFSPA, ban pellet guns, Opposition suggests at all party meet on Kashmir | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 12, 2016 23:43 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the doors of the government were open for addressing "grievances" of all sections in Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution but made it clear there cannot be any compromise with the nation's integrity.
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs the all party meeting on Kashmir, in New Delhi. Photographs: PIB
An all party meeting convened by the Centre to discuss the current unrest in Kashmir, was told by Modi that the Centre was committed to finding a permanent and peaceful solution as per the basic tenets of the Constitution.
"We all are committed to the national sentiment that there cannot be any compromise with the country's integrity.
"We are ready to address the grievances of all sections under the Constitution," Modi told the marathon four-hour meeting, adding his "heart was pained" over the 35-day unrest that has claimed the lives of 55 people.
Modi, who chaired the meeting attended by its ruling ally People's Democratic Party and opposition parties, also targeted Pakistan and said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is also part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi minced no words in terming cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan as the root cause of turbulence in the Valley and said the time had come to expose the atrocities committed "by our neighbouring nation" in Balochistan and the areas of Jammu and Kashmir under its illegal occupation.
The meeting was convened on a day when Lok Sabha unanimously passed a resolution, appealing for urgent steps to restore order and peace in the Valley while asserting that there can be no compromise with the country's integrity and security.
The PDP said the concern shown for Jammu and Kashmir at the meeting was "noteworthy" but it should be followed by confidence building measures to set off the democratic political process.
Some opposition parties demanded that an all party delegation be sent to Kashmir. But, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was flanked by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at a news conference, said before sending such a team, the state government has to undertake some ground work.
"Once state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti informs me that the ground work has been done, we will consider sending it," Singh said.
Asked whether any decision had been taken on curbing the use of pellet guns which has triggered an outrage, both Singh and Jaitley said an expert committee has already been formed by the home ministry and once a report is filed, a decision will be taken.
"We have to see the security implication as well as an alternative option. The pellet guns have been used in 2010 also. It's getting highlighted this time only," Jaitley said.
Jaitley said all the political parties spoke in one voice and came out and put forth their views in right intent.
Singh said the prime minister called for launching a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan by "exposing" its actions in Balochistan and PoK.
The prime minister asked the external affairs ministry to get in touch with residents of PoK settled in various parts of the world and gather information about the "pathetic state of affairs" there and inform the world community about it.
IMAGE: Congress leader and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his party colleagues, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad attend the meet chaired by Modi. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also seen.
"Whatever lies Pakistan may spread, the world will not fall for its propaganda and disinformation," Modi said.
He said the neighbouring country has forgotten that it uses its fighter aircraft to bomb its own people. "Now the time has come that Pakistan will have to give an account before the world of the atrocities committed on the people of Balochistan and PoK," the Prime Minister said.
Asked about the take away from the meeting, Jaitley said all parties are on the same opinion and the national approach is broadly consensual and there was no laxity in the government's policy on Kashmir.
"Consensus is there will be no compromise on terror or with separatism. Security alertness will be utmost and using this as the base, we will try and ensure that normalcy returns so that as far as average citizen is concerned, life returns to normal," he said.
Jaitley added that there will be no lowering of guard as far as security is concerned, but security forces will act with restraint.
"Terrorism and violence will be dealt with effectively. As far as the life and comfort of people of ordinary people is concerned, we shall try and ensure that life is brought to normal as far as their circumstances are concerned," he said.
During the meeting, the Congress and Left parties called for talks with mainstream and non-mainstream parties and "other stakeholders" and stop use of pellet guns.
Making a strong pitch for "healing the wounds" of Kashmir to defuse the "extremely tense and tragic" situation, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad insisted that what is important is to "heal the wounds and not to close the doors of dialogue. Win the hearts and minds of people in general and youth in particular."
This, he said, should be done by "cajoling,....love and affection as we cannot win over by confrontation"
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was the first speaker at the meeting, said it is for the government of India to come up with a roadmap for defusing the situation.
Azad quoted Singh impressing upon the government that the "most important thing" at the moment was to defuse the present situation.
"We assure the government that any positive step to resolve the issue in Kashmir, they'll have our full co-operation", Singh said, adding that during the 10 years of the United Progressive Alliance, efforts were made to find "practical and pragmatic" solution to these issues.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist sought immediate start of a dialogue with all stakeholders to restore normalcy in the Valley and asked the government to take a series of confidence-building measures including stopping the use of pellet guns to quell the ongoing unrest there.
"There was virtual unanimity on the suggestion that a political dialogue should be started immediately with all stakeholders in the state to restore normalcy," CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said.
Jaitely, during the press conference, was asked about the difference in the situation in Kashmir today and in 2010, and he said there are new trends as has been witnessed world over and various speakers at the meeting gave their own analysis and assessment.
"Between 2010 and 2016 the change taking place world over, I think ideologically that also has a role to play in the Valley," he said.
Jaitley, however, said the dialogue with mainstream parties is already on and did not specify a date when it will be started with other stakeholders.
To another question on the policy to be adopted on Kashmir in bringing normalcy, the finance minister said, "There is no separate central or state government policy on Kashmir. It is a central policy. This government will decide on its policy as per the situation."
Rajnath earlier said the exercise on the Rs 80,000 crore economic package for the state is already underway and some amount has already been sent to the state and the rest will be given clearance by the finance ministry soon.
IMAGE: Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and MoS in PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh address a press conference after the all party meet. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Director General (M&C) Press Information Bureau, A P Frank Noronha are also seen.
He also said that recruitment of 10,000 special police officers in the state was on besides raising a battalion of central armed police force and five India Reserve battalions.
At the meeting, the prime minister while seeking the support of all political parties said, "When terrorism is on the rise across the world and when we are encircled by terrorism sponsored by the neighbouring country, then we will have to be united in this fight. The government expects constructive support from all opposition parties on this."
"I have complete confidence that with the dedication of the state government and with your total cooperation we will soon restore normal life in Jammu and Kashmir again," he said as he praised Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's government, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party is a partner, for its "careful handling" of the issue despite odds.
Like every Indian, he also felt "deep pain" over the events in the state, Modi said, adding it was painful that students were unable to study, apples produced in large quantity in the Valley were not reaching the markets and government offices were unable to carry out public welfare works.
"Whoever be killed, whether civilians or security forces, we all feel the pain. I have full sympathies with their families. We are committed to providing good health care to the injured and also towards restoring peace in the Valley so that people could live their normal lives..." he said in his concluding remarks.
Invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee again, he said his government would follow the path shown by him, a reference to the former prime minister's offer to hold dialogue under the framework of 'insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat'.
This is the second time in less than a week Modi has reached out to the people of the state and shown willingness towards dialogue with all stake-holders there.
The government's efforts include reaching out to the civil society and speed up measures to integrate Kashmir's youth with the state's economic activities.
Noting that Kashmiris of different religions are living in various states, the prime minister said the governments there should reach out to them and ensure that they share with their relatives and acquaintances back home the stories of progress and development in those areas. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/all-party-meet-on-kashmir-lift-afspa-ban-pellet-guns-opposition-suggests/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e33a1543e2167372184192f3c805ed3fd36a120a0af4a9a756b296931af43c5f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:20 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of the events from the past 48 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 48 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rewind-india-in-the-last-48-hours%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21rewind.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 48 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 22, 2016 08:16 IST
Here's a recap of the events from the past 48 hours.
Look who's back in town: People carry Ganesh idol to install in a pandal for the upcoming Ganesh festival in Mumbai on Sunday. Photograph: Santosh Hirlekar/PTI
BJP National President Amit Shah participating in Tiranga Yatra at Pumpwell in Mangaluru on Sunday. About 400 bikes participated in the rally that proceeded towards Ullal, where Shah would be garlanding the statue of Rani Abbakka. Rani Abbakka was the queen of Ullal, who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century. Photograph: PTI
Muslims participate in the Tiranga Yatra rally in Jodhpur on Sunday. Photograph: PTI
Temples submerged at Ram ghat due to heavy rains which caused flood in Kshipra river in Ujjain on Sunday. Madhya Pradesh has been one of the best performing pocket across the country during the ongoing Southwest Monsoon. Both the regions of the state, East Madhya Pradesh and West Madhya Pradesh, have been highly rainfall surplus. Photograph: PTI
A woman waiting for help and relief in a flooded locality in Nakta Diyara, Patna on Sunday. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, already pre-positioned in Patna, Vaishali and Gopalganj, have been put on alert while State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been put on alert in Patna and Bhagalpur. The Ganga and four other rivers, Punpun, Ghaghra, Kosi and Burhi Gandak, are flowing above danger mark in Patna, Bhagalpur and Buxar districts. Photograph: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wearing a suit with his name woven into it in gold pinstripes. The monogrammed suit, which had kicked up a controversy, entered the Guinness World Records as the most expensive suit sold at auction for Rs 4.31 crore. Photograph: PTI
A soldier shows the weapon to NCC cadets during 2nd day of Know Your Army Campaign and exhibition by Indian army in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Photograph: PTI
Congress Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi after paying tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 72nd birth anniversary at Vir Bhumi in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI
Tollywood actor Prasenjit and Rituparna Sengupta performing during annual cultural event of Kolkata Police Jai hey in Kolkata. Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI
IAF Su-30MKIs flying over the upgraded Advanced Landing Ground at Pasighat after its inauguration on Friday. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had on Friday dedicated to the nation the Pasighat ALG in Arunachal Pradesh which will allow fighter aircraft like Su-30MKI to land and take off, in a major fillip to India's military capabilities along its border with China. Photograph: PTI
A schoolboy covers himself with a towel as he travels on a motorcycle with his father during heavy rain in Chandigarh. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rewind-india-in-the-last-48-hours/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d35af9e06ea70bfabfc43c7836a11bab9757cbc0a3f755190585913c46aa0691.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T08:51:06 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The Jammu and Kashmir government has already identified 36,348 families for distribution of the package under which each family will get around Rs 5.5 lakh. | Centre plans Rs 2,000-cr package for PoK refugees | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcentre-plans-rs-2000-cr-package-for-pok-refugees%2F20160828.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/money/2014/dec/15modi.jpg | en | null | Centre plans Rs 2,000-cr package for PoK refugees | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 28, 2016 13:19 IST
The Jammu and Kashmir government has already identified 36,348 families for distribution of the package under which each family will get around Rs 5.5 lakh.
Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overtures to people of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan region, the government is all set to announce a Rs 2,000-crore package for displaced people of PoK living in the country.
The Union Home Ministry is expected to place the details of the package before the Union Cabinet for approval soon, a senior official said.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has already identified 36,348 families for distribution of the package under which each family will get around Rs 5.5 lakh.
Balochistan assembly adopts resolution against PM Modi The Balochistan assembly has adopted a unanimous resolution in which it has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the issue of alleged human rights violations in the province during his recent Independence Day speech. Tabled by Pakistan Mulsim League-Nawaz lawmaker Muhammad Khan Lehri and supported by all political parties, the resolution was signed by Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and other legislators, reported the Dawn. Lehri was quoted by the Dawn as saying that the ‘Indian prime minister has violated the sovereignty of Pakistan and United Nations charter in this regard’.
“We hope that within a month, the package will get approval from the Union Cabinet and the funds could be distributed among the beneficiaries,” the official said.
The refugees from West Pakistan, mostly from PoK, got settled in different areas of Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts. However, they are not permanent residents of the state in terms of Jammu and Kashmir Constitution.
Some of the families were displaced during partition in 1947, and others during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
The displaced people can cast their votes in Lok Sabha polls but not in the elections to Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
Jammu and Kashmir Sharanarthi Action Committee, an organisation representing the displaced people of the PoK has been maintaining that the package should not be seen as final settlement as Rs 9,200 crore was required to settle all of them.
The Modi government had in January 2015 approved certain concessions for the refugees from West Pakistan settled in Jammu and Kashmir after considering the problems being faced by them.
The concessions include special recruitment drives for induction into paramilitary forces, equal employment opportunities in the state, admission for the children of refugees in Kendriya Vidyalayas, among others.
The PM had for the first time talked about the plight of people of PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan at an all-party meeting convened to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir on August 12.
Three days later, while addressing the nation on Independence Day, he again referred to the three regions under the control of Pakistan.
In its latest diplomatic gambit, the government has said that PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan are part of Jammu and Kashmir. There have been reports that government is planning to invite the diaspora from PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan for the next Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be held in Bengaluru.
With inputs from ANI. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/centre-plans-rs-2000-cr-package-for-pok-refugees/20160828.htm | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c5474544b8152de544c675a55183d86171ad2310517b98f42b87ee456a211d49.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:35 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that youth below 18 years of age cannot participate in the Dahi Handi ritual, part of the Janmashtami festival, in Maharashtra and the height of the human pyramid for it cannot exceed 20 feet, a limit fixed by the Bombay High Court. | Below 18? You can't be part of Dahi Handi any more | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbelow-18-you-cant-be-part-of-dahi-handi-any-more%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/aug/18handi2.jpg | en | null | Below 18? You can't be part of Dahi Handi any more | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 18:29 IST
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to relax conditions put by the Bombay high court like barring youths below 18 years of age from participating in Dahi Handi ritual of the Janmashtami festival in Maharshtra and capping the height of the human pyramid at 20 feet.
"We will continue with the Bombay high court order relating to banning participation of youth below 18 (years of age) and fixation of the maximum height (20 feet). We will hear other issues in detail later," a bench of Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao said.
The order came on a plea of Maharashtra government seeking clarification of an earlier apex court decision by which it had stayed the operation of the high court verdict fixing the height of the human pyramid and banning participation of those below 18 years in Dahi Handi ritual.
The bench was unimpressed with the plea of Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, that 'Govinda' symbolises Lord Krishna and there is a belief that kids between the age group of 12-15 years are considered more appropriate for enacting 'Govindas'.
"People get hurt. We have heard Lord Krishna stealing 'makhan' but we have not heard the Lord performing acrobatics," it said.
"As a matter of fact, risk factor is there in every sport," the ASG responded.
The bench, which decided to hear the revived petition against the order of the high court in October this year, however suspended the operation of two directions passed by the high court to regulate the Dahi Handi festival.
One of the directions, suspended by the apex court, relates to amending the existing law to bar children below 18 years of age from participating in dangerous performances like being part of the human pyramid of Dahi Handi festival.
The second direction of the high court, which was also suspended, relates to the part of the order which makes it mandatory for the organisers to apprise the authorities 15 days in advance about various aspects such as place of celebration, its timing and personal information, including the birth certificates, of participating 'Govindas' on the ground of paucity of sufficient time.
The Supreme Court had on August 10 revived a plea challenging a Bombay HC order restricting the height of human pyramids to 20 feet for Dahi Handi ritual, saying it needed to hear the PIL petitioner before passing any order.
The court had sought reply of Swati Sayaji Patil, a social worker, who had filed a petition for initiation of contempt proceedings against Maharashtra government in high court for failure to comply with the HC order.
The Maharashtra government had earlier approached the apex court seeking clarification on its 2014 order by which it had stayed the high court decision banning participation of those below 18-years in a popular Dahi Handi ritual.
The high court had on August 11, 2014, while hearing a petition filed by Patil, ordered that the height of human pyramids should not exceed 20 feet and that children below the age of 18 should not be allowed to participate.
The state government had then challenged the high court order in the Supreme Court which had initially suspended the HC order and later dismissed the petition challenging it.
The Maharashtra government had taken a stand that since the apex court had not expressed any opinion on restriction imposed by the HC on the height of human pyramids, it was not bound by its earlier order.
The high court had however asked the state government to seek clarification from the Supreme Court on the aspect that its earlier order would be in force unless it had been set aside by the apex court.
Representative Image. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/below-18-you-cant-be-part-of-dahi-handi-any-more/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/2319980ac6a7089d12a1096a30c3338600762effdef36b44d943a244922a11c3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:23:11 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | A team of BJP leaders visited over 15 families of the deceased in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts and offered jobs to the kin of the victims. | Mahad bridge collapse: Maha BJP offers jobs to victims' next of kin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmahad-bridge-collapse-maha-bjp-offers-jobs-to-victims-next-of-kin%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03bridge1.jpg | en | null | Mahad bridge collapse: Maha BJP offers jobs to victims' next of kin | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 16:08 IST
The Konkan unit of the Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party has offered jobs to families of those who had lost their lives in the Mahad bridge collapse tragedy.
A team of BJP leaders, led by senior leader Prasad Lad on Tuesday visited over 15 families of the deceased in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts and offered jobs to the kin of the victims.
"Apart from the monetary compensation (announced by the state government), we on behalf of our party have decided to provide a permanent source of livelihood to the kin of the deceased," Lad told PTI over phone.
"We have arranged job openings for the needy in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Ratnagiri and they are free to choose their workplace as per their convenience," he said.
He said the jobs would be at par with government employment with all perks and facilities.
Lad, also director of Mumbai District Central Co-op Bank, said that he has sought permission from NABARD to absorb few dependents in his own bank.
"I have also written NABARD and sought its permission to absorb few eligible dependents in our bank. As soon we get permission, we would give a few people jobs in our bank too," he said.
Deepak Dalekar (25), who lost his two sisters, one brother-in-law and one nephew in the mishap, welcomed the move and said, "These job offers have come as big relief for our lives. Now I can see my future ahead."
Rescue and search agencies recovered 28 bodies so far after two State transport buses and some other vehicles were washed away in the swollen SavitriRiver following a bridge collapse on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad in Raigad district, about 170 kms from Mumbai in the night of August 2.
Nearly 12 people, who are still missing in the mishap, are feared dead.
IMAGE: A part of a bridge on Savitri river at Mahad in Raigad district of Maharashtra collapsed on Wednesday. Photograph: Chief PRO, Defence | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mahad-bridge-collapse-maha-bjp-offers-jobs-to-victims-next-of-kin/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fbf10c1268bc518e3e38b06ace4d57420028f119d8c88bbe7979a69d55079331.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:32:38 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | Salahuddin warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided valley would be forced to take things into their own hands. | Terrorist Salahuddin rants: A fourth war on Kashmir, soon | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fterrorist-salahuddin-rants-a-fourth-war-on-kashmir-soon%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08lead2.jpg | en | null | Terrorist Salahuddin rants: A fourth war on Kashmir, soon | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 08, 2016 11:04 IST
The Pakistan government has again encouraged terrorist Syed Salahuddin, chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen, to threaten war against India over the Kashmir issue, and this time, he has threatened a nuclear attack on India.
Speaking to reporters in Karachi, Salahuddin said there is a great chance of a nuclear war taking place between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.
"Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," he added.
He said three wars have already been fought between the two countries over the Kashmir issue, adding that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.
"Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nation performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood," he added.
Salahuddin warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided valley would be forced to take things into their own hands.
"If God forbid, the international community continues to cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistan's efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the Bloody Line (of Control)," he said.
Salahuddin further stated that there would be no ceasefire line, no international rules and no consideration for the United Nations observers.
"Bleeding Kashmiris will come from that side, these Kashmiris will go from this side, and God willing a decision will take place on the bloody line," he added.
He said the Kashmiri people have reached this conclusion that they have no second option except to go ahead with an armed struggle and an armed jihad.
"Neither is the international community doing its duty, nor are the international organisations trying to stand by their resolutions, nor is the Modi government ready to give any leeway. So, what remains with Kashmiri suppressed, bleeding people? Nothing less than target-oriented armed struggle. God willing, all this is already present there, but a new dimension will enter it now, which will prove very dangerous for India, god willing," Salahuddin said.
He asserted that the movement was now gaining strength every day and night.
"After the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, why did the entire state come out on to the streets against India? Actually Burhan is not the name of a person; it is the name of an ideology, a goal, the name of a dedication and a sentiment. At that point in time, the Indian troops are faced with Burhan in every street and lane. Every old person is Burhan, every child is Burhan, every young man is Burhan and every mother, daughter and sister is Burhan," he added.
Kashmir has been on the boil after security services on July 8 gunned down 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.
Around 60 people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including the security forces, since protests erupted in Kashmir after the killing of Wani. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/terrorist-salahuddin-rants-a-fourth-war-on-kashmir-soon/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/01ffa945d57608454af82352dff3bde345904346dd1adfc30f9a9107eeb6e6fd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:25 | null | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | Normal life remained paralysed for the 42nd day in the Valley which has been rocked by violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. | Curfew in Kashmir stretches to 42nd day; ambulance driver latest casualty | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcurfew-in-kashmir-stretches-to-42nd-day-ambulance-driver-latest-casualty%2F20160819.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/19curfew.jpg | en | null | Curfew in Kashmir stretches to 42nd day; ambulance driver latest casualty | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 19, 2016 12:15 IST
Curfew was on Friday extended to several places in Kashmir as a precautionary measure in view of the call for a march to Aripthan area of Budgam district given by separatists against the death of four civilians in clashes between Central Reserve Police Force and protesters on August 16.
Additionally, an ambulance driver was shot at and injured allegedly by security forces in Safakadal area of downtown Srinagar while he was ferrying a patient from Ganderbal district to SMHS hospital.
The driver Ghulam Ahmad Sofi was shot with a pellet gun at Safakadal crossing, a police official said.
He was on his way to SMHS hospital with a patient from Kangan area of Ganderbal district, the official said.
He said Sofi, even after being shot in the arm, drove the ambulance to the hospital where he was also later admitted for treatment.
“Curfew has been extended to many towns including Aripathan and Magam areas in Budgam district to maintain law and order,” a police official said.
Normal life remained paralysed for the 42nd day in the Valley which has been rocked by violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
Curfew also remained in force in entire Srinagar district, Anantnag town, Pampore town, Shopian town, Khanpora in Baramulla, Ganderbal town and Kaloosa in Bandipora district on Friday, the official said.
Restrictions on the movement of the people were in force in rest of the Valley.
The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, has extended the agitation till August 25. They had called for a march to Aripthan area of Budgam on Friday.
Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads. The attendance in government offices was thin. Mobile internet and telephony services also remained suspended.
As many as 64 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes that began on July 9.
Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/curfew-in-kashmir-stretches-to-42nd-day-ambulance-driver-latest-casualty/20160819.htm | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/639ed68904cb10aae49961a9a22cebbce8a273c0f17db78e796361f7d3df9a93.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:07 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | Three persons were on Wednesday arrested in connection with the murder of a journalist at a newspaper office in Gujarat's Junagadh district with a police probe finding that dispute over money led to the crime. | Three arrested for journalist's murder in Gujarat | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fthree-arrested-for-journalists-murder-in-gujarat%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/23dave.jpg | en | null | Three arrested for journalist's murder in Gujarat | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 13:23 IST
Three persons were on Wednesday arrested in connection with the murder of a journalist at a newspaper office in Gujarat's Junagadh district with a police probe finding that dispute over money led to the crime.
Kishore Dave, 53, the bureau chief of Gujarati daily 'Jai Hind-Sanjh Samachar', published from Rajkot, was stabbed to death by sharp weapons at the newspaper's office in Vanjari chowk area of Junagadh on Monday night.
"We have arrested three persons involved in the murder of journalist Kishore Dave.
"From investigation, it was revealed that Dave was a partner in transport business with the accused, and was murdered due to disputes arising out of payment of money," Junagadh B-division police inspector M M Makwana said.
The arrested persons have been identified as -- Firoz Kasambhai Hala, Sanjay Rama Rathod and Arif Alam Saiyed.
Dave was involved in transport business along with the three accused since about last five years, Makwana said.
"They had purchased a mini bus and Dave had to make payment in that connection, and was murdered after he failed to make the payment," he said.
Following the murder, separate teams of local police, local crime branch, and special operations group were formed to crack the case.
They also took the help of a CCTV camera footage in which the murderers were apparently seen riding two motorcycles towards Dave's office, which assisted in solving the case, the police said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/three-arrested-for-journalists-murder-in-gujarat/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f58fc29faeaf8b1d08855e59ed93cf3c588f96b05c38225c535fac6e347d6a0c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:11 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Hoque said he alerted the chiefs of NIA and CBI against Chowdhury. | Bangladesh alerts India about Dhaka attack mastermind | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbangladesh-alerts-india-about-dhaka-attack-mastermind%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/02bangla-hostage6.jpg | en | null | Bangladesh alerts India about Dhaka attack mastermind | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 20:38 IST
Bangladesh has alerted Indian security agencies that the mastermind of the deadly Dhaka cafe terror attack may have fled to India, amid a nationwide manhunt to track down the Bangladeshi-Canadian, police chief said on Monday.
“We have alerted the Indian security agencies against his (Tamim Chowdhury’s) possible escape to India to evade the arrest,” Bangladesh Police chief AKM Shahidul Hoque said.
He said a massive manhunt is underway to track down Bangladeshi-Canadian Chowdhury as he is suspected to be the mastermind of the recent terrorist attacks in the country.
Hoque said during his recent New Delhi visit accompanying Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, he alerted the chiefs of the National Investigation Agency and the Central Bureau of Investigation against Chowdhury and ‘Indian security agencies are looking for him as well’.
“Chowdhury could be the key-operative of (Syria-based) Islamic State in Bangladesh,” he said, but quickly added that no proof of IS link to the recent terror attacks were found so far, reiterating the government's stance on the issue.
A newspaper earlier reported that Chowdhury appeared as the leader and main financier of a reorganised Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh while Bangladesh earlier attributed the two attacks to the outfit.
Hoque, however, said a reconstituted JMB, which he preferred to call ‘neo-JMB’, was identifying them as IS operatives in Bangladesh.
A senior officer at the police headquarters supplemented Hoque, saying the new outfit, mostly led by close relatives of the original outfit, adopted a revised philosophy for the outfit three years ago which was inclined to that of the IS.
Independent security analysts earlier said JMB or neo-JMB was inclined to the IS while another banned outfit called Ansarullah Bangla Team was ideologically linked to al Qaeda.
The police chief’s comments came days after Bangladesh identified Chowdhury as the mastermind of the July 1 terrorist attack on a Dhaka cafe.
Police earlier this week said a security raid on a terror hideout last week provided them the clue to detect him as the architect of the recent Islamist assaults adding that he returned home from Canada three years ago.
A police officer familiar with the investigation earlier said evidence gathered from the scene of the July 26 overnight security raid at Dhaka’s Kalyanpur area, when nine presumed terrorists were killed, led police to identify Chowdhury, believed to be in his mid 30s.
The July 1 attack on the Holey Artisan restaurant left 22 people including an Indian girl and two police officers dead, while the July 6 assault on an Eid congregation at northern Sholakia killed two policemen and a woman.
The family members of the five militants, who were shot dead in a gunfight with security forces at the Artisan, have not come forward to claim their bodies. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bangladesh-alerts-india-about-dhaka-attack-mastermind/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/791303398f430704c80031ac86f7dc7e57487edb33d7460ddc7a0d3b47a7e4b5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:07:41 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | With reports of eight fresh deaths on Thursday, the total toll in Bihar flood increased to 135, with Bhojpur district accounting for 12 deaths in the second round of floods due to the swollen Ganga. | Flood situation grim in UP and Bihar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fflood-situation-grim-in-up-and-bihar%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25flood01.jpg | en | null | Flood situation grim in UP and Bihar | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 20:40 IST
With reports of eight fresh deaths on Thursday, the total toll in Bihar flood increased to 135, with Bhojpur district accounting for 12 deaths in the second round of floods due to the swollen Ganga.
The flood, caused by a spate in the Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra, Kosi and other rivers, has affected 31.33 lakh people in 1,934 villages in 12 districts, a Disaster Management Department statement said.
IMAGE: People use makeshift banana raft in flood hit area of Hajipur, Bihar. Photographs: PTI
After Bhojpur district, the maximum number of deaths in the second round of floods in the state were reported from Vaishali (7), Samastipur (6), Saran (5), Bhagalpur and Khagaria two each and Buxar, Lakhisarai and Munger one each.
The Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at seven places in various parts of four districts -- Digha ghat, Gandhi ghat, Hathidah in Patna, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, Munger district and Buxar district.
The 12 flood-affected districts are Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali, Saran, Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar, the statement said, adding 28 cattle also perished in the deluge.
IMAGE: A devotee performs prayers at a Lord Shiva temple submerged in flood water of Ganga River in Mirzapur.
A total of 3.44 lakh people were evacuated, the release said, adding 433 relief camps were being run in the flood-hit areas, giving shelter to 1.74 lakh people. A total of 227 medical teams were providing services to the affected.
Besides, 108 camps have been opened for animals, it said.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited various relief camps in Patna to interact with those residing in camps.
Kumar visited various relief camps at Maner, Digha, Patna and ohers accompanied by Water Resources Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, DGP P K Thakur, Patna DM Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and other senior officials.
Altogether 2,333 boats are being plied by the government to evacuate the affected people to safer places. National and State Disaster Response Forces have already been deployed in various parts of the flood-affected districts, the statement added.
IMAGE: A vehicle submerged in a flooded area in Allahabad.
28 districts affected by flood in Uttar Pradesh
Several rivers continued to flow above the danger mark in Uttar Pradesh, where 28 districts remained affected by floods.
According to a Central Water Commission report, a relatively lesser amount of rainfall had caused decrease in water levels of Ganga and Yamuna at some places.
Ganga's water level is decreasing in Fatehgarh, Ankinghat, Fafamau and Chhatnag in Allahabad, Varanasi and Ballia, Yamuna's water level is decreasing in Kalpi, Hamirpur, Chillaghat (Banda) and Naini (Allahabad), the report said.
However, other rivers are still flowing above danger mark in these places.
IMAGE: An aerial view of the floods in Allahabad.
River Sharda is rising in Palliakalan (Kheri), where it is one metre above the danger mark.
"28 districts are still flood affected and relief and rescue operations are on," Relief Commissioner's office said.
"A total of 8.7 lakh people in 987 villages in Varanasi, Allahabad, Ghazipur and Ballia are affected due to flood," it said.
IMAGE: A man swims through flood water of Ganga River in Mirzapur.
Cabinet Minister Shivpal Yadav visited Ballia to take stock of the ground reality and directed officers to ensure relief works on war footing.
"No laxity will be tolerated in these works. There would be no shortage of funds for the purpose," he said, adding that "over two lakh people were affected due to floods in the district".
Officers have been directed by the Chief Secretary not to sanction leaves of employees involved in relief works unless it is urgent. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/flood-situation-grim-in-up-and-bihar/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/b6160b775d30fb3c5881cb84e53f8f373af56cb6273a7154477642659ef861fd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:34:04 | null | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? Click HERE | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz%2F20160805.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02smriti1.jpg | en | null | Ready for the ultimate news quiz? Click HERE | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 05, 2016 09:15 IST
Do you follow the news? Think you know all that happens around you? Then put your knowledge to the test right here... | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ready-for-the-ultimate-news-quiz/20160805.htm | en | 2016-08-05T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3a8f8f929cde2fc8439cd02d8219b0e864a4dfa830466371b22b80c162c95641.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:27:17 | null | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | While the protesters alleged that the worker died in police firing, police have denied the charge. | BJP worker killed in police firing during protest to free 'cow smuggler' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbjp-worker-killed-in-police-firing-during-protest-to-free-cow-smuggler%2F20160813.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/13lead3.jpg | en | null | BJP worker killed in police firing during protest to free 'cow smuggler' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 13, 2016 13:17 IST
A Bharatiya Janata Party supporter died when party workers clashed with police while protesting the arrest of five persons on charges of cow smuggling in Narhi area in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
While the protesters alleged that the worker died in police firing, police have denied the charge.
Heavy police force has been deployed to bring the situation under control and cases have been registered against BJP MLA Upendra Tiwari, 35 named and 300 unnamed accused under various sections of IPC and six persons have been arrested.
Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Jha said the MLA and his supporters sat on dharna before Narhi police station and clashed with police last night in protest against the arrest and pelted stones when authorities tried to evict them.
Police then lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse the irate crowd, he said.
District BJP chief Binod Dubey alleged that police used batons and opened fire at the party workers leading to the death of Vinod Rai and injury to 50 others.
However, Jha refuted the charge saying the worker did not die in firing as police did not open fire and said the reason behind his death would be known only after getting postmortem report.
Though the SP said the MLA was absconding, Dubey claimed that he was seriously injured in the police action and was undergoing treatment in a hospital.
Heavy police force has been deployed to bring the situation under control and a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bjp-worker-killed-in-police-firing-during-protest-to-free-cow-smuggler/20160813.htm | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4dac3a9f6b1ab9bebebad0bd4d772b4a4d3bee59579f3c6fdf48b0b3623f9220.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:31:25 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | S Jaishankar called Basit to his South Block office and lodged a strong protest over the issue as he made a specific reference to LeT terrorist and Pakistani national Bahadur Ali. | India summons Pak envoy; lodges protest against terrorism | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Findia-summons-pak-envoy-lodges-protest-against-terrorism%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/dec/19basit.jpg | en | null | India summons Pak envoy; lodges protest against terrorism | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 09, 2016 17:23 IST
Amid growing strain in ties, India on Tuesday summoned Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit and issued a strong demarche over Pakistan's continued support to cross-border terrorism in Kashmir, which has fuelled unrest in the Valley.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar called Basit to his South Block office and lodged a strong protest over the issue as he made a specific reference to LeT terrorist and Pakistani national Bahadur Ali, who was captured recently in North Kashmir during an encounter.
"Jaishankar called in the Pakistan envoy and issued a strong demarche on continuing cross border terrorism from Pakistan. The Demarche made specific reference to LeT terrorist and Pak national Bahadur Ali who was apprehended recently," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Ali, born in the Zia Bagga village of Pakistan, was arrested by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on July 25 with weapons (AK 47 rifle, live rounds, grenades, grenade launcher etc) as also sophisticated communication equipment and other material of Pakistani/ international origin, according to the demarche issued to Basit.
"Bahadur Ali has confessed to our authorities that after training in Lashkar-e-Toiba camps, he was infiltrated into India. He was thereafter in touch with an 'operations room' of LeT, receiving instructions to attack Indian security personnel and carry out other terrorist attacks in India," it said.
Basit's summoning comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to people of Kashmir, which has been witnessing widespread unrest for over a month triggered by the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces. As many as 55 people have lost their lives in these incidents of violence.
The ties between India and Pakistan have seen growing bitterness after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of Wani's killing on July 8.
Not only did Sharif praise Wani and hailed him as a "martyr" but he also asserted "Kashmir will one day become Pakistan", a comment which evoked a sharp reaction from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said his dream of the state becoming a part of his country "will not be realised even at the end of eternity".
The chill in bilateral relations was on full display during Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Islamabad for a SAARC ministerial meet last week when he and his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan not only avoided a proper handshake but Singh also left without attending the lunch hosted by Khan. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/india-summons-pak-envoy-lodges-protest-against-terrorism/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a0ba3294082f6561fd783891b0a136a27eda269b22c067fe3ac7e4c724f98089.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:26 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | Odisha government has declared lightning as a state-specific disaster. | Lightning has killed 52 people across Odisha in 3 days | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Flightning-has-killed-52-people-across-odisha-in-3-days%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jun/22lead3.jpg | en | null | Lightning has killed 52 people across Odisha in 3 days | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 23:54 IST
At least 52 people have been killed after being struck by lightning in different parts of Odisha over the past three days, officials said.
While 41 people died after being struck by lightning in various places on Saturday, as many as 11 deaths took place in the state on Sunday, Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office said citing reports received from different districts.
The maximum number of eight deaths were reported from Balasore district, seven people died in Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj, six in Khurda district, five in Cuttack, four in Jajpur and Dhenkanal, three in Nayagarh and two in Keonjhar and Nabarangpur, it said.
Lightning claimed one life in Kendrapara, Jharsuguda, Puri and Deogarh districts, the SRC office said in a statement.
An amount of Rs 4 lakh would be given by the government as ex-gratia to the kin of each deceased, it said.
Odisha government has declared lightning as a state-specific disaster. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/lightning-has-killed-52-people-across-odisha-in-3-days/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8da6d1e9e04a6cda8e11a60569f7373fe594e90939aa6e0fe77707698a3f0466.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:27:39 | null | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | In her maiden Independence Day address as Chief Minister, Mehbooba made an emotional appeal to the youth indulging in violence, telling them not to be misled by the 'vested interests' who want to keep Kashmir burning, and prevent the beautiful valley from turning into another Syria or Afghanistan. | Mehbooba: Gun offer no solutions, count on Modi to rectify 'mistakes' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmehbooba-gun-offer-no-solutions-count-on-modi-to-rectify-mistakes%2F20160815.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/15mufti1.jpg | en | null | Mehbooba: Gun offer no solutions, count on Modi to rectify 'mistakes' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 15, 2016 14:38 IST
Asserting that gun will not solve any problem, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi will complete the process started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to address the state's problems which she attributed to the "mistakes" by successive central governments, starting from Jawaharlal Nehru.
In a deeply embarrassing moment, Mehbooba, who was hoisting the national flag as chief minister for the first time, pulled the string attached to the post only to see the tricolor fall from the post and land on the ground. Amid the embarrassing situation, two personnel from the security detail of the Chief Minister held the flag in their hands till Mehbooba gave the ceremonial salute to the flag. As Mehbooba left the stage for inspecting the contingents of the police and paramilitary forces, the security staff at the Bakshi Stadium hurriedly set the flag right and hoisted it atop the post. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
In her maiden Independence Day address as Chief Minister, Mehbooba made an emotional appeal to the youth indulging in violence, telling them not to be misled by the "vested interests" who want to keep Kashmir burning, and prevent the beautiful valley from turning into another Syria or Afghanistan.
Speaking against the backdrop of over month-long unrest in the valley triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, she questioned people who have been indulging in violence as she underlined that any remedy could be found through dialogue in a great democracy like India.
Emphasising that any propaganda like attempts to erode the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is false, she urged the people to give her time so that she could work on the plans and programmes she had charted for peace and progress of the state.
"Gun will not solve the problm. Guns has not solved any issue," Mehbooba said, adding there is no way other than the dialogue to resolve problems and address grievances.
"People of Jammu and Kashmir are not bad, nor is India bad. Somewhere mistakes were made with regard to elections. The leadership of the country -- from Jawahar Lal Nehru till date -- and the parties, it is their mistake," she said.
The Chief Minister said she too had a grievance at the way Kashmir issue has been handled over the years.
Army patrols Lal Chowk on the 38th day of curfew in the Valley. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
"I also have grievances. People of Jammu and Kashmir joined with such a big country, not considering the religion, and preferred a democracy. Why has our democracy remained confined to casting votes?
"The biggest part of democracy is dialogue. We have resolved so many issues but why have we failed to take forward the dialogue process here? Where have made a mistake?
"Why did it take till 2002 for the (fair) election system to reach Kashmir? Why did our system and leadership here and in Delhi in 1987 elections usurp the rights of those people (now separatists) who could have become MLAs, ministers or chief minister? They wanted to take oath of Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir along with the Constitution of the country. There is no fault of people of J&K in it," she said.
Mehbooba said the separatists were then looking for alternatives to National Conference and Congress but "it was not allowed to happen by the leaders here and there (Delhi)".
Emphasising that dialogue is the only way to resolve issues, Mehbooba expressed hope that Modi-led govenrment at the Centre will take steps for addressing the political, social and econmomic issues confronting the state by initiating dialogue with all stakeholders in the state.
"...The Kashmir situation was discussed in both Houses of Parliament... I am hopeful that 2008 and 2010 will not be repeated. This time, actually, Jammu and Kashmir's political, social and economic issues will be addressed. Dialogue should be held with everyone," she said.
The chief minister said she did not believe that there was any trust deficit between people of Jammu and Kashmir and people from rest of the country.
"If there is trust deficit, it is between the leaders of the state and the leadership of the country. There can be no quarrel between the people of J&K and people of the country.
Mehbooba Mufti addressing the gathering at Bakshi stadium. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
"If we did not trust the people of the country, then we would not send our children there for work and studies when the situation turned bad here," she said.
"It is now our duty that we take our people out of the bloody stream with dignity," she added.
Invoking her late father and former Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed repeatedly, Mehboboa said, "We joined hands with BJP whose people (supporters) did not want it to join hands with PDP in the same way as Kashmiris did not want PDP to to go with the BJP.
"But keeping the in view the delicacy of the moment and your problems and future of children, he (sayeed) joined hands with a party which had two-third majority (in Lok Sabha) with the hope that the task left incomplete by Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be completed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said.
She lashed out at Pakistan for not giving good welcome to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who visited there for a SAARC conference earlier this month and said an opportunity to resume talks with India had been missed.
"PM Modi went to Pakistan in December (last year) and then Pathankot happened. Despite some militant organisations openly supporting the unrest in Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh went to Pakistan for SAARC Conference where some countries even went unrepresented.
"May be the objective was to start a dialogue that could lead to somewhere but I wonder why Pakistan let this opportunity go!" she said.
She said Prophet Mohammad has said that Muslims should give due respect even if an enemy comes to their homes but Pakistan did not do so when Singh went there.
"I appeal to leadership of India and Pakistan that there has been enough bloodshed now. Now River Jhelum has no capacity to soak more blood. Please come together," she said.
Mehbooba told Pakistan: "If you love Jammu and Kashmir, then let us remove the borders between this Kashmir and that Kashmir without hurting the integrity of either of the country. Let us make Jammu and Kashmir model of development, cooperation and peace in SAARC region." | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/mehbooba-gun-offer-no-solutions-count-on-modi-to-rectify-mistakes/20160815.htm | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fae8e0c6d2249e9fff26c4a9914099537c42fbc4f847b25fd0a3f65033b85a31.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:39 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Starting a social media campaign, Irani has urged people to follow suit and share pictures of themselves in handloom textiles, tagging five others. | With #IWearHandloom, Smriti Irani weaves magic on social media | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-smriti-irani-weaves-magic-on-social-media%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02smriti1.jpg | en | null | With #IWearHandloom, Smriti Irani weaves magic on social media | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 12:39 IST
Smriti Irani’s stint at the human resource development ministry might have turned out to be a bumpy ride with unwanted controversies, but it seems she is off to a good start as the new textile minister.
In an attempt to encourage support for weavers, the minister shared a picture of herself dressed in a handwoven silk saree from Bihar, hashtagged #IWearHandloom on Monday.
Starting a social media campaign, Irani has urged people to follow suit and share pictures of themselves in handloom textiles, tagging five others.
Soon, the Twitter world was contributing to the hashtag.
Here’s a look: | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-smriti-irani-weaves-magic-on-social-media/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/58ae5ab56ab39505d25a1e50a26de78b59d68a15f1bf5061d444c5f5e5ec0e6a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:55 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | At present, there is no scheme to compensate victims of cross border firing. | Rs 5 lakh compensation to victims of cross-border firing | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frs-5-lakh-compensation-to-victims-of-cross-border-firing%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/oct/09border4.jpg | en | null | Rs 5 lakh compensation to victims of cross-border firing | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 19:45 IST
For the first time, the victims of cross border firing along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir will get compensation of Rs 5 lakh, similar to those who die due to terrorism or left wing extremism violence.
At present, there is no scheme to compensate victims of cross border firing.
The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its approval to enhance the grant of compensation under "Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims of Terrorist, Communal, Left Wing Extremist, Cross Border Firing and Mine or Improvised Explosive Devices blasts on Indian Territory" from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
"It is a historic decision by the Modi government. It gives a message to them the central government cares for them will go in a long way," Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said while announcing the measure.
Approximately 770 km of the Line of Control and approximately 220 km of International Border have been a witness to frequent ceasefire violation and the influx of terrorists since 1990.
More than 50 civilians die every year due to shelling and cross border firing along the Indo-Pak order in Jammu and Kashmir. As many as 13,921 civilians have lost their lives till last year.
A total of 168 civilians were killed due to naxal violence in maoist-hit states in 2015.
"Now onwards, any civilian who dies anywhere in the country due to terror attack, LWE violence, firing from across the border, shelling or IED explosion will be given Rs 5 lakh as compensation uniformly. The amount will be given to the next of kin of the victim," an official release said.
The amount will also be given to those who receive 50 per cent or more disability or incapacitation due to the same reasons, it said.
IMAGE: A man shows mortar shell marks on the wall of his house after shelling from the Pakistani side at Lalyal Camp Kanachak sector in Jammu. Photograph: PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rs-5-lakh-compensation-to-victims-of-cross-border-firing/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a03940d03f506efb00d04866a13ffceced7270cbb7647e0e0491b70aff80f5a4.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T10:52:24 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to the people of Gujarat as the state gears up for the next year's assembly polls and said that his learning as the chief minister helped him a lot when he took office in Delhi two years ago. | Whatever I learnt in Gujarat helped me a lot when I went to Delhi: PM Modi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwhatever-i-learnt-in-gujarat-helped-me-a-lot-when-i-went-to-delhi-pm-modi-%2F20160830.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30dam02.jpg | en | null | Whatever I learnt in Gujarat helped me a lot when I went to Delhi: PM Modi | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 30, 2016 15:37 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to the people of Gujarat as the state gears up for the next year's assembly polls and said that his learning as the chief minister helped him a lot when he took office in Delhi two years ago.
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Jamnagar district, Gujarat. Photographs: PIB
Prime Minister Modi, who launched the first phase of Saurastra Narmada Avataran Irrigation Yojana at Sanodara of Jamnagar district, while addressing the gathering recalled his experiences as the chief minister of Gujarat and said the farmers can do wonder if they are provided water.
"When I took oath as the chief minister of Gujarat, I would tell farmers that what is most important for you is water. Few people did not like what I said then, they disagreed with me, but I remained firm on my stand that water is of prime importance," he added.
Prime Minister Modi also called for water conservation and highlighted his government's initiatives for farmers' welfare.
"We are responsible for the future generations and that is why it is essential to conserve water. The government of India has taken up many initiatives for the welfare of our farmers. We brought a crop insurance scheme that will help the farmers," Modi said.
IMAGE: PM Modi releases water from dam gates in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani is also seen.
"The water table of Gujarat which was falling began to rise. Check dams were built in large numbers. Can you imagine, in Kutch earlier our jawans hardly got adequate water. No one imagined agriculture could happen there but it changed," he added.
Prime Minister Modi maintained that Gujarat has adopted the 'mantra of vikas' (formula for development).
"This mantra is going to transform Gujarat. We took up the issue of better road connectivity across India and particularly in the villages," he said.
The prime minister said that one must never discriminate between sons and daughters.
"We gave Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao slogan and now the people are adding Beti ko Khilao," he said.
The PM further said the SAUNI project is an initiative that will make every Gujarati proud.
IMAGE: PM Modi inspects the dam site.
"I am grateful to the Gujarat government for inviting me to the inauguration of SAUNI project which is of great importance," Modi said.
"All of us should take note of how this project has come through," he added.
The 12,000 crore rupees project will fill up nearly 115 dams of Saurashtra region which faces shortage of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Saruashtra, which comprises 11 districts, faces drought like situation often and has been reeling under severe water scarcity due to scanty rainfall in the last two years.
This project is considered to be an ambitious one for Modi as it was announced in 2012 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/whatever-i-learnt-in-gujarat-helped-me-a-lot-when-i-went-to-delhi-pm-modi-/20160830.htm | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c2fd33733b668f1467b0e3c9842b3249c360b1c95695f42fe3387fc3babc51e6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:17 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | Here's a recap of moments captured in India in the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/24rewind01.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 24, 2016 15:04 IST
Here's a recap of moments captured in India in the past 24 hours.
Villagers wade though the flooded Burdwan-Katwa road at Norjai Setu in Burdwan district of West Bengal on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
A fire fighter trying to control the fire in a cracker shop near Sadar Bazar in Gurgaon on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Bharatiya Janata Party supporters taking out Tiranga Yatra in Lucknow on Tuesday. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo
Passengers travelling on the roof of a train to participate in Sri Krishna Janamshtami Festival in Mathura on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Angry mob attack supporters of Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura after they vandalised shops and vehicles during their rally demanding for separate statehood -- Tipraland, in Agartala on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Police detain Congress workers and supporters at the party's Jan Akrosh Rally in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
People use a boat in the flooded streets in Allahabad on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
A man and his horse wade through water in a flooded residential colony in Allahabad. Photograph: Jitendra Prakash/Reuters
Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag meeting army officers during his visit to Kashmir Valley on Tuesday to review the security situation. Photograph: PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/905ce0f2afdd65da0f0476a2af1bc213121de384ddb7f53daa22f19bb0f47fe8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:58 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | Three weapons and other war-like stores have been recovered from the scene of the gunbattle | Army guns down 3 terrorists behind attack on BSF post | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Farmy-guns-down-3-terrorists-behind-attack-on-bsf-post%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/21encounter2.jpg | en | null | Army guns down 3 terrorists behind attack on BSF post | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 14:30 IST
Army on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Tangdhar sector of Kashmir, killing three terrorists who were involved in an attack on a Border Security Force post in the area two days ago.
"Army foiled an infiltration bid in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district. Three terrorists have been killed in the operation," an army official said.
He said the slain terrorists were involved in the attack on a BSF post in Tangdhar sector on August 19 in which three jawans of the force were injured.
"Three weapons and other war-like stores have been recovered from the scene of the gunbattle," the official said, adding the combing operation was still in progress.
Representative Image: S Irfan/PTI Photo | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/army-guns-down-3-terrorists-behind-attack-on-bsf-post/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f591466a157ee7eb66bbef12938b5b7ccace6b0e1f8d84c709b62ee15c67a565.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T12:51:53 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The state will be referred to as Bangla in Hindi and Bengal in English.
| West Bengal assembly clears proposal to rename state | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fits-bengal-now-not-west-bengal-assembly-clears-proposal-to-rename-state%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/30mamata.jpg | en | null | West Bengal assembly clears proposal to rename state | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 17:32 IST
The state will be referred to as Bangla in Hindi and Bengal in English.
The West Bengal assembly on Monday passed a resolution for renaming the state as ‘Bangla’ in Bengali and ‘Bengal’ in English, weeks after a proposal in this regard was put forward by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Speaking to the reporters after passing of the resolution, Mamata said, “Everyone would be happy with the change of name of Bengal. The people of Bengal have accepted the name ‘Bangla’. We have given importance to that. Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Bharatiya Janata Party have opposed to the renaming of the state. If the opposition is doing this for the sake of it, then it is very much unfortunate.”
Mamata said the Trinamool Congress government would send the resolution to the Centre as it needs to be passed in the Parliament.
“Bombay has become Mumbai, Chennai has been renamed as Tamil Nadu and there are many other instances. The base is Bengal and we want to take everyone along with us. We are proud as Bengalis. Our intention is to make Bengal world famous. I hope this decision will be good for Bengal. There should be a brand of Bengal. We are proud that with your help, we could adopt this name,” she added.
Taking a strong exception to the opposition parties who did not support the resolution, Mamata said, “Those who did not support us in this, the future won’t forgive them. It will remain as a blot. The Congress has turned into a frontal organisation of the CPI-M by opposing everything. They play ‘narad narad’ by seeing any issue.”
Further escalating her attack on the Centre, the West Bengal chief said the ruling dispensation there has sold themselves to the BJP workers in the House.
“If the people of a party control the government like this, then you can understand that their intention is to oppose at every single step. Why should any middleman take its responsibility and say they won’t allow it? This is wrong and if need be, I will talk about this with the home minister,” she added.
Mamata said she respects all political parties but they must have a responsibility.
“Just because they could not pass the resolution, they are criticising it. I don’t think they have the right to do politics in Bengal who do not support anything for the benefit of Bengal. This is very unfortunate. We are also against the policies of the Centre but we cannot allow losses of crores in the name of bandhs,” she added.
The proposal to pass the resolution was approved by the special session of the West Bengal assembly, which was convened on August 26 to discuss the renaming of the state.
In 2011, the state government had sent a proposal to the Centre for renaming West Bengal as “Paschim Bango”, but that never got the green signal.
Another reason for changing the name of the state is that whenever there is any meeting of all states, West Bengal comes at the bottom of the list alphabetically.
After the partition of India in 1947, Bengal was bifurcated as East Bengal and West Bengal. East Bengal became a part of Pakistan.
It was rechristened East Pakistan in 1956 and later emerged as the independent nation of Bangladesh after the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/its-bengal-now-not-west-bengal-assembly-clears-proposal-to-rename-state/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/df7961e4b6e24bf31b68238328237f9ebdaed0f5d936b7aefa0da2e5894ae0c9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:42:00 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | On July 25, these four youths were discharged from Rajkot hospital as doctors said their condition had improved. But they were rushed to the civil hospital in Ahmedabad next day. | Una row: Civil hospital discharges, readmits Dalit victims | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Funa-row-civil-hospital-discharges-readmits-dalit-victims%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/22kejriwal01.jpg | en | null | Una row: Civil hospital discharges, readmits Dalit victims | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 22:43 IST
The civil hospital in Ahmedabad on Monday discharged the four Dalit youths who were being treated after they were beaten up by cow vigilantes, but reversed the decision as the community members protested.
"Upon learning that hospital is forcing these youths to go home, several Dalit leaders rushed....Though doctors claimed all four were fine and could go home, we found none of them was in the condition to even walk. One of them was vomiting," said Jignesh Mevani, a Dalit leader.
Ashok Sarvaiya, Vashram Sarvaiya, Bechar Servaiya and Ramesh Servaiya, all residents of Mota Samadhiyala village of Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, were beaten up by some cow vigilantes when they were skinning a dead cow on July 11.
"We registered a strong protest, after which the hospital authorities said they were ready to keep the four youths till they recover completely," said Mevani.
On July 25, these four youths were discharged from Rajkot hospital as doctors said their condition had improved. But they were rushed to the civil hospital in Ahmedabad next day after developing serious complications.
"First, they were forcefully discharged by Rajkot civil hospital despite knowing they were not keeping well. Now, Ahmedabad civil hospital meted out same treatment. We suspect authorities are doing this due to political pressure," alleged Mevani.
However, hospital superintendent M M Prabhakar defended the decison to discharge the youths.
"They have received 21 days of treatment at various hospitals till now. This is enough time for such patients to recover. We did various tests such as CAT scan, MRI, blood test and x-ray. All the tests (results) were normal," he said.
"We decided to discharge them based on these reports and doctors' observations. However, some people made an issue and asked us to keep them for some more days. We accepted the demand. Otherwise these patients are doing well and can go home," Prabhakar said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/una-row-civil-hospital-discharges-readmits-dalit-victims/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/313b2fefd75d7958e93dd1b92b59c44056af6e7178338d5f36bcb7b78b567e9d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:49 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | Militants on Wednesday shot dead a youth and injured another, who were working as porters with the army, in Keran area of Kupwara district near the Line of Control in Kashmir, the army said. | Kashmir: Militants kill porter in Keran sector | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fkashmir-militants-kill-porter-in-keran-sector%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/aug/07kashmir.jpg | en | null | Kashmir: Militants kill porter in Keran sector | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 01:49 IST
Militants on Wednesday shot dead a youth and injured another, who were working as porters with the army, in Keran area of Kupwara district near the Line of Control in Kashmir, the army said.
"In a cowardly act, terrorists today opened fire on a group of local civilians engaged in daily labour in Keran sector, north Kashmir resulting in the death of one local civilian while injuring another," the army said in a
statement.
As the group of locals, employed as porters, was moving in the forward area of Keran sector, militants hiding in thick jungles opened indiscriminate fire, instantly killing Shaukat Chauhan (25), the army said, adding another youth was seriously
injured."Despite the poor weather, the injured, after being given first aid by an army doctor, was evacuated by helicopter to the army hospital in BB Cantt, Srinagar where his condition is stated to be stable," the statement read.The army expresses its deep condolences on the death of Chauhan and stands in firm solidarity with his family in this hour of grief and loss, it said.The army is committed to extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family and in providing the best medical care to the injured person, the statement said."Such acts are a clear indication of frustration of terror outfits who have now even started targeting innocent, unarmed locals who are earning their livelihood through honest hard work," the army said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmir-militants-kill-porter-in-keran-sector/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5cb43d67970f2278caeeb1a1d124dd18ad79db51676ca106ab9437289885b239.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:09:30 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | At her witty best, the television actress-turned-politician also said that thanks to that rejection, she got a job at McDonald's and the 'rest is history'. | Jet Airways denied me job for 'lack of good personality': Smriti Irani | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjet-airways-denied-me-job-for-lack-of-good-personality-smriti-irani%2F20160825.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/25smriti.jpg | en | null | Jet Airways denied me job for 'lack of good personality': Smriti Irani | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 25, 2016 10:39 IST
We all know that Textiles Minister Smriti Irani worked at McDonalds before she became famous playing the role of ‘Tulsi Virani’ on the serial ‘Kyunki Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi’.
However, many don’t know that she had applied to Jet Airways as a cabin crew member but was rejected.
“My application for cabin crew position was rejected by Jet Airways, which felt I didn’t have a good personality,” Union Minister Smriti Irani said on Wednesday.
At her witty best, the television actress-turned-politician also said that thanks to that rejection, she got a job at McDonald’s and the “rest is history”.
“I don’t know if many people know that one of the first jobs that I wanted and I lined up for was cabin crew at Jet. I was rejected because I was told I don’t have a good personality. Thank God for your rejection. After that, I got a job at McDonald’s and the rest is history,” she said.
Speaking at an awards function organised by the Air Passengers Association of India, the textiles minister also said that she was joining the celebration as a passenger.
Her comments came after she presented an award to a Jet Airways official. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jet-airways-denied-me-job-for-lack-of-good-personality-smriti-irani/20160825.htm | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f5e3df2d4b338d1324d4c2989290631257e84df43102a8f85b3c4ac37b733847.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:31 | null | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | As India celebrates its 70th Independence day, Rediff.com pays homage to millions who laid their lives for the country's freedom. | India@70: Reliving the struggle for freedom | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-india70-reliving-the-struggle-for-freedom%2F20160813.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/13iday1.jpg | en | null | India@70: Reliving the struggle for freedom | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 14, 2016 19:59 IST
As India celebrates its 70th Independence day, Rediff.com pays homage to millions who laid down their lives for the country's freedom.
Scroll down to see some unforgettable moments of the independence movement.
All photographs Courtesy: Photo Division & National Archives
In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi and his 78 assistants embarked on the historic 'Dandi Yatra', the 25-day march on foot to break the salt law. The march was the first act in an even-larger campaign of civil disobedience or satyagraha that Gandhi waged against British rule in India.
Udham Singh (2nd from left) being taken away after the assassination of Michael O'Dwyer who was responsible for the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre. On March 13, 1940, O'Dwyer was scheduled to speak at a joint meeting of the East India Association and the Central Asian Society at Caxton Hall. Singh concealed his revolver in his jacket pocket, entered the hall, and found an open seat. As the meeting concluded, Singh shot O'Dwyer twice as he moved towards the speaking platform, killing him immediately.
On 8 April 1929, revolutionaries Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb into the corridors of the Constituent Assembly to show their discontent and frustration against the British government's decision to enact the Trade Disputes Bill and the Public Safety Bill. The revolutionaries surrendered themselves. On June 12, 1929 they were sentenced to Penal transportation for the bombing, having defended the case themselves.
The Quit India movement was launched on August 9, 1942. On August 8, 1942, the All India Congress Committee formally adopted in Bombay a resolution calling on the British to 'Quit India'. The next day, national leaders, including Gandhi, were arrested. From August 9, a spontaneous civil disobedience movement in response to Gandhi's call for immediate independence spread all over the country.
Isolated incidents of violence broke out around the country, but the British acted quickly and arrested thousands of people and kept them in jail till 1945. Apart from filling up jails with rebellious leaders, the British also went ahead and abolished civil rights, freedom of speech and freedom of press.
It was because of the Quit India movement that the British realized that they would not be able to govern India successfully in the long run and began to think of ways they could exit the country in a peaceful and dignified manner. The failure of the Cripps Mission, which the British Government sent to have a dialogue with Indian political parties seeking their support in the war that Britain was waging in Europe, acted as a catalyst to the Quit India Movement.
Although most demonstrations had been suppressed by 1944, upon his release in 1944 Gandhi continued his resistance and went on a 21-day fast. By the end of the Second World War, Britain's place in the world had changed dramatically and the demand for independence could no longer be ignored.
A German-made Mauser pistol used by freedom fighters during the Kakori Train Robbery The Kakori train robbery took place on August 9, 1925, in Uttar Pradesh on a train towards Lucknow that was carrying passengers from central UP. Armed revolutionaries of the Hindustan Republican Association, including Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan and Chandrashekar Azad, overpowered the train driver and guards and managed to seize the box containing the money (Rs 8,000) being transported from the railway guard’s carriage near Kakori to the government treasury in Lucknow.
Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay and Sarojini Naidu at the Shimla Conference in July, 1945. At the Shimla conference, then Viceroy Archibald Wavell invited leaders of all political parties in India with a view to arrive an agreement of the Wavell plan for Indian self-government. It reached a potential agreement for the self rule in India that provided separate representation to Muslims, and reduced majority powers for both communities in their majority regions. The conference broke down on the insistence of Mohammad Ali Jinnah that his party, the Muslim League, should have an exclusive right to nominate Muslim members of the Viceroy's Executive Council. This was something which the Congress could not concede without repudiating its national composition.
The Cabinet Mission was aimed at seeking an agreement on the constitutional issue with political leaders. Provision was made for three groups of provinces to possess their separate constitutions. The Cabinet Mission also proposed the formation of a Union of India, comprising both the British India and the Princely States. An interim government was to remain in office till a new government was elected on the basis of the new Constitution framed by the Constituent Assembly. Both the Muslim League and the Congress accepted the plan. In the elections held in July 1946, the Congress secured 205 out of 214 General seats. The Muslim League got 73 out of 78 Muslim seats. An interim government was formed under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru on September 2, 1946.
Warrant officer Ireland, the caretaker of the Residency in Lucknow, hauling down the British Union Jack at 8pm on August 13, 1947. The flag had been there since 1857.
Lord Mountbatten swearing in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister of Free India at the ceremony held on August 15, 1947. It was here that Nehru delivered his landmark address "Tryst with Destiny".
British troops departing for the UK were given a very warm send off in Mumbai as well. Mountbatten estimates that there were "several hundreds of thousands" in reception with chants of "England Zindabad" and "Jai England" for, what was till the previous day, a colonial army of occupation. This photograph was taken at the Bombay Docks.
Jawaharlal Nehru, Edwina Mountbatten and Lord Mountbatten watch as the British flag is lowered and the Tricolour unfurled on August 15, 1947. When Lord Mountbatten was asked why he chose August 15 as the day to hand over power to Indians, he replied: "The date I chose came out of the blue. I chose it in reply to a question. I was determined to show I was the master of the whole event. When they asked: had I set a date, I knew it had to be soon. I hadn’t worked it out exactly then -- I thought it had to be about August or September and then I went to the 15th of August. Why? Because it was the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender."
Lord Mountbatten addressing the Independence Day session of the Constituent Assembly on August 15, 1947. Seated at his right is Dr Rajendra Prasad, President of the assembly. Nehru chose 15 other members for his cabinet. Vallabhbhai Patel served as the first deputy Prime Minister until his death on December 15, 1950. Lord Mountbatten, and later C Rajagopalachari served as Governor-General until January 26, 1950, when Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of India,
Massive crowds thronged Delhi on August 15 for the ceremonies relating to the transfer of power. The people hailed Gandhi and Nehru, as would be expected, but also, puzzlingly, cheered on Mountbatten as well. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-india70-reliving-the-struggle-for-freedom/20160813.htm | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/fe14fbd7a35903200d95abba9923d685170923ed79e7db072f51768d69ea7f2e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:51 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | A series of blasts rocked Thailand, including two famous tourist spots popular with foreigners, within 12 hours, killing four persons and injuring several others. | 4 killed, several injured as multiple blasts rock Thailand | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbomb-attack-thai-resort%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/12thailand01.jpg | en | null | 4 killed, several injured as multiple blasts rock Thailand | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 12, 2016 13:47 IST
A string of coordinated bomb blasts within hours rocked Thailand's famous tourist towns, including Phuket, killing four persons and injuring several others just days after the country voted to accept a military-backed Constitution.
IMAGE: Officials investigate at the scene of bomb blasts in the tourist beach town of Patong on Phuket. Photograph: Reuters TV
At least 11 bombs, many of them twin blasts, hit five southern provinces in the past 24 hours.
Two bombs went off in the resort of Hua Hin this morning near the clock tower, a city landmark, killing one and injuring three.
"The bombs went off while we were working on site, they were not very far from each other," according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Samoer Yoosumran.
IMAGE: A screengrab of a video showing emergency services taking the injured to the hospital.
Around 200 meters away, another two bombs exploded late on Thursday as foreign tourists were leaving local bars to go back to their hotels, Yoosumran said.
At least 11 people -- mostly foreign visitors – were injured and a woman who had a food vending cart in front of a bar was killed, according to Yoosumran. No Indian has been reported injured.
Hua Hin is a popular coastal resort, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of the Thai capital, Bangkok. The city is home to many international hotel chains, including the Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt.
IMAGE: An e xplosive ordnance disposal official checks at the scene of a bomb blast in Hua Hin, south of Bangkok. Photograph: Reuters TV
It's also home to the KlaiKangwonPalace, the seaside residence of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The palace is located less than about 2 kilometers from the bombing site.
Two more persons were killed in three blasts in Surat Thani and Trang area.
There were reports of bomb explosions in popular resort town of Phuket in Patong beach injuring a few but no fatalities were reported.
A bomb also exploded near the governor's residence in Muang district.
The blasts came as the country celebrates the birthday of Queen Sirikit, a day also observed as Mother's Day in Bangkok.
This is is first time there have been bomb blasts in popular tourist spots like Hua Hin and Phuket.
IMAGE: Rescuers and medical officers push an injured person on a gurney at the site of a bomb blast in Hua Hin. Photograph: Reuters TV
No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts and it is not clear if they are connected.
Thai police said that the bombings were acts of local sabotage and not "terrorist" in nature.
"It is still unclear which group is behind the bombings," a police spokesman said and dismissed speculation that Muslim rebels waging a rebellion in Thailand's far south were behind the recent attacks.
The series of blasts come days before the one year anniversary of the Erawan Brahma Shrine bombing, which killed 20 people.
Thailand economy relies on tourism.
Thailand's junta chief said the bombings were an attempt to trigger unrest in a country blighted by a decade-long political crisis.
IMAGE: EDO officials said that the bombings were acts of local sabotage and not "terrorist" in nature . Photograph: Reuters TV
"The bombs are an attempt to create chaos and confusion," junta chief and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters.
"Why have the bombs occurred as our country is heading towards stability, a better economy and tourism -- and who did it? You have to find out," he said.
He ordered the security to be stepped up in the city areas and tourist destinations
"The PM has issued emergency orders to the relevant agencies in the areas to prevent other bombing incident from happening again, increase the security in the crowd areas, and appoint those who responsible to handle the situation on the emergency event," Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.
Sansern said it was still too early to identify the suspects or the masterminds, but he assured that the officers will bring those who were responsible for these deadly blasts to justice.
However, he asked all the people to keep vigilant and report to the officers, if they find anything suspicious.
IMAGE: A policeman is seen at the site of one of the blasts, in Hua Hin, south of Bangkok, Thailand. Photograph: Reuters TV
Blasts are common in the three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces of Thailand which rejected the referendum on the new military-backed Constitution passed overwhelmingly in the rest of the country in Sunday's referendum.
The new Constitution give military the final say in the future elected governments.
Meanwhile, a series of suspicious fire broke out at four locations early this morning, but it was not immediately known if they were related to the attacks.
Between 2am and 7am a fire started in a three-story supermarket in Trang province, the Aonang Market in Krabi and a Tesco Lotus hypermarket in Nakhon Sri Thammarat causing some damage.
Junta spokesman Piyapong Klinpan said officials in every province were investigating the incidents to collect evidence and track down the perpetrators.
"We still have no information about them. But at this moment, we believe the attacks are all connected. We don’t want to speculate on the motivation, but we believe it’s the work of a coordinated movement."
Klinpan added they have no information about any links to ISIS militants, whose attempts to wield influence among the southern Muslim Malay have been rebuffed in the past. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bomb-attack-thai-resort/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/784e303b4eddcb1f8fdb7d48bf74c5e84c11e4dbcb092cd58cc5b889ea22be25.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:19:58 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | The festival of Rakshabandhan is being celebrated across the country on Thursday. | Smriti, Nirmala tie rakhi to 'brothers' at borders | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsmriti-nirmala-tie-rakhi-to-brothers-at-borders%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/18bandhan4.jpg | en | null | Smriti, Nirmala tie rakhi to 'brothers' at borders | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 18, 2016 18:43 IST
Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday tied rakhi to several soldiers deployed at the Siachen Base Camp, the highest battlefield in the world, on the occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and lauded their efforts.
The minister flew into the Siachen base-camp, located on the snout of the glacier, at 9.22 am and was received by senior army officers, a defence spokesman said.
Smriti Irani distributes sweets to the soldiers posted at Siachen. Photograph: Press Information Bureau
Irani laid a wreath at the Siachen War Memorial. She later addressed the jawans and praised them for their dedication to duty.
“We are very proud of the soldiers serving here who have never thought of their own good and of their families. They serve diligently, with passion...so a thanks from a grateful nation,” Irani said.
During her one-and-a-half hour visit, the union minister tied rakhis and then praised the jawans for their dedication to duty. Photograph: Press Information Bureau
“My mother specially prepared sweets for you all. So, this is not only the affection of a sister but the love of a mother,” she said.
The minister flew back after spending around one-and-a-half-hours at the base camp.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman also tied rakhi to the jawans at Lumla in Arunchal Pradesh’s Tawang district.
Photograph: Kiren Rijiju/Twitter
“I am very grateful to the prime minister who designed this programme. He made us women ministers reach various border posts and ensured that we are here to tie rakhi, thereby making sure the message goes across that the government cares for them,” she said.
Photograph: Kiren Rijiju/Twitter
Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday tied rakhis to Border Security Force personnel deployed at the international border in Attari near Amritsar. Girls from colleges and schools also tied rakhis to BSF troops at the Attari Border.
Photograph: Harsimrat Kaur/Twitter
Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel also tied Rakhi to the Border Security Force's officers and jawans at Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/smriti-nirmala-tie-rakhi-to-brothers-at-borders/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ec0e5d88131c778667daacb5903debc6825d2883465cbf3b9e5dc7d93a2e7440.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:48 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the richter scale and epicentred in Myanmar on Wednesday shook several parts of east and northeast India. | 6.8 earthquake strikes Myanmar; tremors felt in Bengal, Bihar, Assam | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fearthquake-strikes-myanmar-tremors-felt-in-bengal-bihar-assam%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/24earth.jpg | en | null | 6.8 earthquake strikes Myanmar; tremors felt in Bengal, Bihar, Assam | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 24, 2016 18:50 IST
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake, epicentred in Myanmar, on Wednesday struck several parts of east and northeast India including Bihar, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal and Tripura, triggering panic but there were no immediate reports of human casualties or damage to property.
The epicentre of the quake was 58 km deep below the earth's surface at Chauk, a small town in north-central Myanmar, according to the National Centre for Seismology, a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences. The United States Geological Survey put the intensity of the quake at 6.8 on the Richter scale.
Tremors were also felt in several parts of north India including Gurgaon, Manesar and Bhondsi in Haryana, authorities said.
Panic stricken people in Kolkata, Patna and Guwahati were seen rushing out of their homes and offices into the streets immediately after the quake struck at 4:04 pm.
Director of Bihar's Met office A K Sen said some old buildings developed cracks following the quake but there was no immediate report of any casualty or damage to property.
People in many Bihar towns including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi, prone to quakes, rushed to open spaces as earth shook violently.
In Odisha, tremors were felt in places like Cuttack, Paradip, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Keonjhar, officials said.
The quake in Assam followed two other tremors that shook the state on Tuesday. Earthquakes measuring 3.1 and 5.5 on the Richter scale had jolted Assam at 5.30 am and 7.41 am on Tuesday.
Gurgaon's District Public Relations Officer R S Sangwan said tremors were also felt in the satellite township.
IMAGE: People vacate their offices and stand outside after the alerts of earthquake, in Kolkata on Wednesday. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/earthquake-strikes-myanmar-tremors-felt-in-bengal-bihar-assam/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4301281f16fcd1f9bd20b7be70be2ce6b53e13a66c8dbe2951b5389d076c61af.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:41:56 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | The incident happened on July 28 when police recovered the charred body of a teenage girl from a house in East Delhi. | 16-year-old sexually assaulted, killed, set on fire in Delhi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fshocking-16-yr-old-sexually-assaulted-killed-set-on-fire-in-delhi%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01rape1.jpg | en | null | 16-year-old sexually assaulted, killed, set on fire in Delhi | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 08:39 IST
At a time when the country continues to reel from the gang rape of a woman and her teenage daughter by bandits on gunpoint on Friday night after dragging the family out of a car near Bulandshahr, another sordid tale of rape emerges from East Delhi in which the perpetrators burnt the teenager.
According to the police, two young men have been detained after they raped, murdered and then burnt the 16-year-old in Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar area.
The incident happened on July 28 when police recovered the charred body of a teenage girl from a house in East Delhi. During the preliminary investigation, police assumed that it was a suicide, but the autopsy report of the deceased revealed that she was strangulated to death and her body was set on fire.
Sources close of the investigation said that they suspected that it could a case of sexual assault because lower portion of victim’s body was found burned.
Police sources have confirmed that the duo, who have since been arrested, had confessed to rape and murder by strangulation, and said they had burnt the body’s lower portion and wrapped the body in a blanket. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/shocking-16-yr-old-sexually-assaulted-killed-set-on-fire-in-delhi/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/6a8c9893ab19f63eadab2e48cc3f6b79e789d9691452897eb5c0e7734b37c25a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:37 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | Castro condemned as 'equally criminal' the bombing of Nagasaki three days later on August 9, 1945.
| Cuba's Fidel Castro lashes out at US on 90th birthday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcubas-fidel-castro-lashes-out-at-us-on-90th-birthday%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/nov/06castro1.jpg | en | null | Cuba's Fidel Castro lashes out at US on 90th birthday | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 14, 2016 00:48 IST
Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro revived old enmities with the United States as he celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, skewering Havana's Cold War foe for its repeated attempts on his life.
Castro, who retired from public life in 2006 due to ill health and appointed his brother Raul in his place, criticized US President Barack Obama for failing to explicitly apologize during his historic visit to Japan in May for Washington's decision to drop the atomic bomb.
"The US president's speech in Japan lacked the words to apologize for the killing of hundreds of thousands of people in Hiroshima, even though they (the United States) knew the effects of the bomb," the ex-leader said in an article published by official media.
(In his speech, Obama did decry the resort to war and called for a world without nuclear weapons.)
Castro condemned as "equally criminal" the bombing of Nagasaki three days later on August 9, 1945.
"That's why you have to stress the need to preserve peace and that no power has the right to kill millions of people," Castro said.
Castro recalled his own youth and confrontation with the United States while he headed the communist island.
"I almost laughed at the Machiavellian plans of US presidents," Castro said in the article published late on Friday.
According to Cuban intelligence services, Castro faced 634 plots between 1958 and 2000. Several of those have been substantiated by US officials; some reportedly involved slipping poisoned or explosive cigars to the cigar-loving Cuban leader.
Castro's brother Raul restored diplomatic relations with Washington last year.
Castro warned in his article about the risks of global overpopulation, calling it "the greatest threat in the history of mankind."
He singled out China and Russia as "great powers that cannot be subjected to threats of deploying nuclear weapons."
Castro was last seen in public on April 19 at the close of the Cuban Communist Party Congress.
Dressed in a blue tracksuit and speaking in a trembling voice, he seemed to say goodbye.
"Soon I'll be like all the rest," he said. "Everyone's turn comes."
After Barack Obama visited Cuba in March, Fidel Castro recalled the island's long enmity with the US, including Washington's backing for the failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in 1961.
His bitterness over that botched CIA plot played a part in pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis the following year.
The Soviet Union agreed to his request to send ballistic missiles to Cuba, and removed them only after a tense standoff with the United States.
IMAGE: Fidel Castro, left, beside his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro, in Havana. Photograph: Ismael Francisco/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/cubas-fidel-castro-lashes-out-at-us-on-90th-birthday/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e00a73f5b9937222b4a643cccd0047bd929c2a76f50cf92214c3e6eb78d9bce3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:25:02 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | The women said they were physically and verbally assaulted by another woman who hurled anti-Islamic insults at them. They also claimed that the Chicago police were not taking the incident seriously. | Hijab-clad Muslim women assaulted, called 'ISIS' in US | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhijab-clad-muslim-women-assaulted-called-isis-in-us%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16hijab.jpg | en | null | Hijab-clad Muslim women assaulted, called 'ISIS' in US | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 14:33 IST
A hijab-clad mother-daughter duo was assaulted, spit at and called ‘ISIS’ by a woman in an alleged hate crime incident, the latest in the US amid growing concerns over rising Islamophobic rhetoric.
The two Muslim women -- both wearing hijabs – reported being harassed and physically attacked in West Rogers Park neighbourhood in Chicago.
The women said they were physically and verbally assaulted by another woman who hurled anti-Islamic insults at them. They also claimed that the Chicago police were not taking the incident seriously.
Suzanne Damra told NBC Chicago that the woman followed her and her mother just last Thursday, and tried to spit on them while calling them ‘ISIS’.
A cellphone video, shot by one of the women, shows the alleged assailant hurling insults, as the two take refuge in their car. The woman can be heard screaming “...you Isis! ...you ISIS!”
Damra said it was at least the fifth time she and her mother had been accosted by the woman. But she suggested it was the lack of help from others who witnessed the incident, which possibly upset her even more.
“There were two very young men, I don’t think they were more than 21 or 22. And they were laughing, they high-fived her, and said, yeah, they are ISIS!” Damra said.
In the video, Damra’s mother seems to find the whole episode hard to believe.
“That’s what you get from Donald Trump?” she says on the tape. “Encouraging crazy people?”
Damra’s mother Siham Zahdam said she believed Trump’s rhetoric had emboldened those with anti-Islamic sentiments.
“People copy what he is saying. And they think he is going to make the white people more powerful!” she said.
Chicago Police confirmed they were investigating the incident as a simple assault.
However, Chicago’s Council on American-Islamic Relations called for both state and federal authorities to make a more aggressive inquiry.
“It’s very clearly a hate crime,” said CAIR spokesman Hoda Katebi.
“To file this as a simple assault is not at all close to what it actually is,” she said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hijab-clad-muslim-women-assaulted-called-isis-in-us/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/0a4ba05bd9fcdb4da7185686e11a14fe7b4eb4c0e767d819730a515084d46183.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:29:05 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh declared that there is no question of handing over Kashmir to the Army, quashing rumours that are being spread 'deliberately'. | All-party meet over Kashmir on Friday; PM to attend | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fcongress-taunts-modi-on-kashmir-issue-in-rs%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10kashmir3.jpg | en | null | All-party meet over Kashmir on Friday; PM to attend | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 10, 2016 21:45 IST
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not addressing the concerns of the Kashmiris in Parliament.
Sharing the pain of the suffering Kashmiris, Parliament Wednesday unanimously appealed to people of the Valley to restore peace and harmony even as the government expressed readiness to hold talks with moderate groups and others and decided to call an all-party meet on Friday.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh declared that there is no question of handing over Kashmir to the Army, quashing rumours that are being spread ‘deliberately’.
He also promised to consider sending an all-party delegation to Kashmir, responding to demands made in the Rajya Sabha which discussed the ‘prevailing situation’ in the valley for over six hours.
Singh, while asserting that he was speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said an all-party meeting will be held in New Delhi on Friday on the Kashmir situation. It will be attended by the prime minister.
While replying to the debate during which demands were made for stopping the use of pellet guns, Singh said instructions have been issued to security forces to exercise ‘maximum restraint’ but there will be no compromise on national security and pro-Pakistan slogans on the Indian soil will not be tolerated in any case.
With regard to dialogue with Pakistan, he said any talks on Kashmir will be about the territories under the occupation of that country.
“No power on earth can snatch Kashmir from us,” he declared, while referring to letter of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the United Nations seeking ‘plebiscite’ in Kashmir.
At the end of the debate in which 29 members from across the political spectrum spoke, the Rajya Sabha unanimously adopted a resolution, saying: “This House expresses its serious concern over the prolonged turbulence, violence and curfew in the Kashmir valley.”
It added that the House ‘conveys its deep sense of anguish and concern over the loss of lives and critical injuries caused by the deteriorating situation.’
The resolution asserted that the House ‘is of the firm and considered view that while there cannot be any compromise on national security, it is equally an imperative that urgent steps are taken to restore order and peace for the alleviation of the sufferings of the people.’
The House ‘earnestly appeals to all sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir, to work for the early restoration of normalcy and harmony and unanimously resolves to restore the confidence among the people in general and youth in particular,’ it said.
Responding to demands for initiating a political process in Kashmir, the Union home minister said the government is ready to have talks with mainstream parties, moderates and others. “We are ready. I will ask the chief minister where to start the process and with whom to talk, on which issues,” he added.
"We will also talk, you also talk, we all are ready to talk. That is why there is talk of sending all-party delegation.. Once the ground work is done, then we will talk to the chief minister that if the delegation has to go, whom all to meet there,” he said.
Singh referred to the remarks made by the prime minister about ‘insaniyat, jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat’ on Tuesday while invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said the government is walking on that path.
“We have decided that on August 12, we will hold an all-party meeting at 12 pm soon after the Parliament session ends and the prime minister will be present," he said.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad referred to the word going round in Kashmir that the valley will be handed over to the Army after the completion of Amarnath Yatra next week.
“We can’t even think of it. These rumours are being spread deliberately. Nowadays, anything can be said on social media,” Rajnath Singh replied.
“Whatever is happening in Kashmir is not because of people of Kashmir. Whatever is happening is Pakistan-sponsored,” he said.
He lauded Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, saying she and her government had done a good job in this difficult situation. In this regard, he gave details about how much ration, milk and other daily essentials have been distributed in Kashmir even during the curfew.
He insisted that only some parts of Kashmir, and not the entire valley, are under curfew and that in rest of the places, markets are closed due to ‘fear’ owing to strike called by separatists.
“I can’t say Kashmris are living normal life but despite all odds, state government is making efforts to minimise their inconvenience,” Singh said.
He blamed ‘vested interests’ for the trouble and said the state government was trying to normalise the situation.
Responding to demands for stopping use of pellet guns which have caused most injuries, the Union home minister said such weapons were not used for the first time but earlier also.
“I am not justifying its use by arguing that these were used earlier also,” he said, adding\ he had reviewed the situation to explore other options. A committee has been formed in this regard which has been asked to give report in two months, he added.
He said instructions have been issued to the security forces to exercise ‘maximum restraint’ and added that because of this, 4,515 security personnel have suffered injuries compared to 3,356 civilians.
Giving details of the injuries caused during the unrest that started after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, he said 100 were still hospitalised, 51 with eye injuries, while 2,564 have been discharged.
“The people of Kashmir should realise that our hearts beat equally for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh (three regions of the state), as any other part of the country,” the home minister said.
Responding to questions by some members as to why the prime minister had spoken outside and not in Parliament, Singh said he ‘has made me the home minister and I have rights. He has confidence in me and whatever I say reflects the same sentiments as his’.
Contending that he keeps discussing the Kashmir issue with Modi, Singh said, “One can feel his (PM’s) sentiments by what he said yesterday (on Tuesday in Madhya Pradesh).”
Suggesting the gravity of the situation, Singh said 100 ambulances were damaged due to stone-pelting, despite which 400 ambulances are still working.
The home minister said even during curfew, hospitals have treated five lakh normal patients in OPDs and 8,000 surgeries were conducted. Some of the injured were brought to All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi and another hospital in Mumbai.
Rejecting the notion that the trouble in Kashmir is because of unemployment, Singh noted that at times, flags of Islamic State and pro-Pakistan slogans are raised in Kashmir.
He condemned the IS, saying it is anti-Muslim and has killed those believing in Islam. “I want to tell people of Kashmir that Islam does not allow killings. Those who raise such IS flags are trying to defame Islam,” he said.
“Pro-Pakistan slogans will not be tolerated on this soil... Raising slogans against the country is not right. I want to appeal to people to stop those indulging in such things,” Singh said.
He said somebody may praise Islam, Hinduism or any religion but raising slogans praising Pakistan won’t be allowed.
Lashkar-e-Tayyaba terrorists are trying to threaten the families of security forces, the home minister said.
Talking about ‘effective’ steps taken by the state government, he said these include recruitment in central paramilitary forces and 10,000 as Special Police Officers.
Besides two AIIMS and Indian Institute of Management are being set up and scholarships are being distributed.
With regard to security of Kashmiris studying in other parts of the country, the home minister said he will write to all state CMs and tell them, if necessary, develop a system of building relationship between locals and Kashmiris.
Singh praised all parties for speaking in unison on Kashmir during the ‘high quality’ discussion, saying it reflects the spirit of healthy democracy.
“In 20 years, I have seen for the first time such a lengthy discussion on Kashmir... We should be proud of such a Parliament,” he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/congress-taunts-modi-on-kashmir-issue-in-rs/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/b0f064894dcaa0c5f5bf7e18fae701ae517ca7a8831ff0d7e60d346d940fc768.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:15:51 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | The bench noted that the Congress leader had filed an affidavit in the Bombay high court while seeking quashing of the defamation complaint against him stating that, at an election rally, he had not blamed the RSS as an institution for the assassination of Gandhi but a person associated with it. | Never blamed RSS as a body for Gandhi's killing: Rahul to SC | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fnever-blamed-rss-as-a-body-for-gandhis-killing-rahul-to-sc%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/may/04rahul1.jpg | en | null | Never blamed RSS as a body for Gandhi's killing: Rahul to SC | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 24, 2016 18:24 IST
Political slugfest between the Congress and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh seemed to be drawing to a conclusion with Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday choosing to set the records straight by telling Supreme Court that he had never blamed the RSS as an institution for killing Mahatama Gandhi but persons associated with it were behind the assassination.
He buttressed his stand by citing paragraphs from his affidavit filed in the Bombay high court, while challenging the summons issued to him as an accused for his alleged defamatory statement in a 2015 election rally in Maharashtra.
A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman said if the complainant agrees to the submission, it will take the statement on record and dispose of the petition.
"What we understand is that the accused never blamed the RSS as an institution that killed Mahatma Gandhi but the persons associated with it were responsible for the killing," the bench said.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Congress vice president, cited the affidavit filed before the high court saying he had only accused certain people of the RSS and not the organisation as the killer of Mahatma Gandhi.
"I never made the statement that the RSS killed Mahatma Gandhi but persons associated with the RSS killed him," said the senior advocate, who intervened midway when senior counsel U R Lalit, appearing for the complainant, was justifying intiation of criminal proceedings against Gandhi.
The bench indicated it would pass an order on September 1 that Gandhi has "unequivocally" stated that he had never blamed the RSS as an institution for the assassination but persons associated with it had killed Mahatma Gandhi.
It asked senior advocate Lalit appearing for Rajesh Mahadev Kunte, Secretary of Bhiwandi Unit of the RSS and the complainant, to take instructions on the option of disposing of the matter and posted it on September 1.
Lalit said he would take instruction as to whether the statement, given in the affidavit, is taken on record, then the petition can be disposed of or not.
At the outset, Sibal questioned Kunte's statement before the police and said the police had no role whatsoever in a private defamation case.
Senior counsel Lalit further said that Rahul Gandhi has not disputed making the speech or the relevant statement at an election rally, which was there in the affidavit.
To this, the court asked Sibal whether the statements have been admitted and added that if the accused admits making the statement, the matter ends here.
Sibal said at this juncture, the court cannot ask him to either to admit or deny the statements and what he had specifically said in the affidavit is that he has not blamed "RSS as institution of crime in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi".
"This is like jumping the gun. He has to tell on oath before the court how he understands the statement and how the offence is made out. It's not like someone drafts an affidavit and files it before the court and gets the process initiated," Sibal said.
Lalit started advancing arguments on the query, posed by the bench during last hearing, as to how the police came into the picture in a private complaint case and whether a magistrate was justified under CrPC in seeking a report from the police.
Sibal intervened by referring to the content the affidavit filed by Rahul Gandhi and said he never accused the organisation in question.
Kunte, secretary of Bhiwandi unit of RSS, had alleged in his complaint that Gandhi told in an election rally at Sonale on March 6, 2015 that the "RSS people killed Gandhiji". The case is pending before a magisterial court in Bhiwandi in Maharashtra's Thane district.
He had alleged that the Congress leader had sought to tarnish the reputation of RSS through his speech. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/never-blamed-rss-as-a-body-for-gandhis-killing-rahul-to-sc/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a5c013aa922c9985f7e0b61b4c583a54cec43cfe3cd3365209e536ed50282014.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:08 | null | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | Singh instructed officials to try their best to restore peace in the border state as early as possible. | Rajnath Singh reviews security situation in Kashmir, Assam | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Frajnath-singh-reviews-security-situation-in-kashmir-assam%2F20160816.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/16rajnath.jpg | en | null | Rajnath Singh reviews security situation in Kashmir, Assam | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 16, 2016 14:45 IST
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in violence-hit Jammu and Kashmir and is understood to have given instructions to avoid casualties of both civilians and security personnel.
Singh also took stock of the situation in Assam in the wake of militant attacks.
Top security officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and chiefs of intelligence agencies briefed the home minister on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been witnessing unrest after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani more than a month ago, official sources said.
A Central Reserve Police Force commanding officer was killed on Monday and nine other personnel of the paramilitary force were injured in a militant attack in Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar. Five persons were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in security forces action against stone-pelting protestors in Budgam and Anantnag districts.
Singh instructed officials to try their best to restore peace in the border state as early as possible and avoid casualties of both civilians and security personnel, the sources said.
The home minister was given a detailed briefing on the infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of Kashmir, where five militants were killed by security forces on Monday.
The sources said the home minister was briefed on the overall security scenario in the country and the steps taken to foil any attempt by terrorists and other elements to disturb peace anywhere in the country.
Singh also reviewed the situation in Assam where suspected ULFA militants exploded a series of five bombs in Charaido and Tinsukia districts as the state was celebrating country's 70th Independence day on Monday. However, there was no casualty or injury in any of the explosions.
On August 5, 14 people were killed and over 20 injured by National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit insurgents at Balajan in Kokrajhar district. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rajnath-singh-reviews-security-situation-in-kashmir-assam/20160816.htm | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/053b6d29f2b0fa5b34d4633f368d1422fb3f5285f5c3ce088849fb10e5282faa.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:20:45 | null | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | The fishing boats Allar-dan had 15 fishermen and Farhad 16 fishermen in them. | 31 Bangladeshi fishermen rescued by Indian Coast Guard | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbangladeshi-fishermen-rescued-by-indian-coast-guard%2F20160818.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/19sathiyamoorthy.jpg | en | null | 31 Bangladeshi fishermen rescued by Indian Coast Guard | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 18, 2016 22:42 IST
The Indian Coast Guard rescued 31 Bangladeshi fishermen aboard two fishing boats which became non-operational due to engine failure in mid seas, officials said on Thursday.
The fishing boats Allar-dan had 15 fishermen and Farhad 16 fishermen in them.
The rescue operation was undertaken during bad weather which had developed owing to the low pressure off the West
Bengal coast on August 16 and 17, the officials said.
The crew of Allar-dan have been shifted to a local fishing boat and Farhad towed to Frazerganj with the help of local fishing boats.
The fishermen were provided food and medical assistance by Indian Coast Guard.
"Coast Guard is maintaining enhanced vigil in view of the extremely rough sea conditions and we are ever prepared to render any kind of assistance to seamen in distress," said Coast Guard Inspector General KR Nautiyal. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bangladeshi-fishermen-rescued-by-indian-coast-guard/20160818.htm | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/337d5efe6ea81b16a2bc6dc2378347c479ccc1cbe1669ceef88e40f11c5c7a2c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:48 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Here are some interesting facts about this newly discovered planet. | All you need to know about earth-like Proxima b | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fproxima-b-cool-trivia-about-the-alien-earthlike-planet%2F20160826.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26proxima.jpg | en | null | All you need to know about earth-like Proxima b | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 26, 2016 09:42 IST
Space just got a new frontier or our solar system just got a new neighbour.
Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory identified an Earth-like planet orbiting our nearest stellar neighbour, Proxima Centauri.
Deemed an apropos Proxima b the planet carries a nickname fashioned after Carl Sagan. ‘Pale red dot’ as it is called could is suggestibly Earthlike.
Here are some interesting facts about this newly discovered planet.
1. According to a NASA tally, there are 3,374 known exoplanets. Of those, 1,248 are so-called ice giants, 990 are gas giants, and 775 are ‘super Earths’ with masses many times higher than the rock we call home.
Of the total, only 347 planets are Earthlike in mass, and of those only a handful in a ‘habitable zone’ that would allow for the presence of liquid water -- a key ingredient for life as we know it
2. Proxima b is the closest Earthlike exoplanet anyone has ever found, at just over four light-years away. For those of you keeping stock, that’s well over 39 thousand crore kilometres
3. Based on current spacecraft technology, a probe launched now would take around 70,000 years to reach the new planet. So don’t wait up for those hi-res images for your desktop wallpapers, you freeloaders
4. The planet is at least 30 per cent more massive than Earth. It's within Proxima Centauri's habitable zone, where temperatures are perfect for liquid water to exist. Think fishing, folks!
5. The planet encircles around Proxima Centauri every 11.2 Earth days. That means longer work hours for all you workaholics
6. Proxima b's daddy star, the Proxima Centauri, is part of an odd stellar trio. The other two stars, known as the Alpha Centauri, are binary, meaning that they orbit a common centre of gravity.
Astronomers aren't really sure whether Proxima Centauri is gravitationally bound to the other pair in some type of orbit, or if it's just passing by. Think of two elegant dancers and a third wheel just moving around them. Kinda like that
7. Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf; a particularly volatile type of star and regularly blasts waves of ultraviolet radiation into space. Any life form that may have evolved on the planet would have to have some serious shielding to protect itself from regular showers of radiation. Don’t we all just love the microwave? | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/proxima-b-cool-trivia-about-the-alien-earthlike-planet/20160826.htm | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e26d45c6c61290116eae6251a6e52ab6857a2fb8a1ea33237ee39a9a932f7b2e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:32:39 | null | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | On Monday night, Swaraj came to the aid of lovers facing, or going through, a forced separation.
| Sushma Swaraj helps couple reunite on honeymoon | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fyour-wife-will-be-there-sushmas-vow-to-man-forced-to-travel-solo-on-honeymoon%2F20160809.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/09sushma.jpg | en | null | Sushma Swaraj helps couple reunite on honeymoon | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 09, 2016 11:18 IST
She’s time and time proved how helpful she is and this time the story proves that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is a romantic at heart!
On Monday night, Swaraj came to the aid of lovers facing, or going through, a forced separation.
Faizan Patel, tweeted on August 4, days before he and his wife were to go to Italy on their honeymoon, that his wife Sana Fatima Khan lost her passport. Taking to Twitter, he said, “This is how I am travelling with my wife as of now” and a unique photo of Faizan seated along an empty seat where Sana’s photo is pasted.
And here’s where Sushma Swaraj swoops in and becomes the hero of the day when she tweets back, saying, “Ask your wife to contact me. I will ensure that she is with you on the next seat. She added later, “My office has reached you already. You will get a duplicate passport tomorrow. @faizanpatel.”
Sana’s reaction was apt. She said she was speechless.
This is not the first time Sushma Swaraj stepped in. From bringing kidnapped Indian woman Judith D’Souza home from Afghanistan or responding to requests over social media, from stranded Indians in Middle East, she has shown promptness. In fact, just 10-odd days ago, Swaraj came to the aid of another distressed Haryana couple.
Image: Faizan Patel's this image with the caption 'This is how I am travelling with my wife as of now' caught the attention of the external affairs minister. Photograph: @Faizanpatel/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/your-wife-will-be-there-sushmas-vow-to-man-forced-to-travel-solo-on-honeymoon/20160809.htm | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/4285491dbcfd06fd93d5f4569824beee0cdecb723ba9d2201bc13231763246d9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:33:04 | null | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | With Tamil Nadu's economy getting increasingly debt-ridden with each passing budget, any concession to the Centre on the tax front, the state government has argued, would only help forgotten 'minor parties' to start hoping of a revival, says N Sathiya Moorthy. | The calculations behind Jaya's opposition to GST | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Fthe-calculations-behind-jayas-opposition-to-gst%2F20160808.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/08jayalalithaa.jpg | en | null | The calculations behind Jaya's opposition to GST | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 08, 2016 18:37 IST
With Tamil Nadu’s economy getting increasingly debt-ridden with each passing budget, any concession to the Centre on the tax front, the state government has argued, would only help forgotten ‘minor parties’ to start hoping of a revival, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
Last week’s Rajya Sabha walkout by Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK may not have caused the GST Bill to be voted out, or even delayed its passage, but the party’s reservations that the Bill sought to neutralise the ‘federal’ structure of the Constitution in form (Centre-state fiscal powers) and content (reduced tax receipts for the state) can regain national focus, if its implementation in the months and years ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls proves a point or two.
It also remains to be seen if the state government or any AIADMK functionary/backer would move the Supreme Court as two-thirds of the state legislatures formally vote in the Bill, and President Pranab Mukherjee too gives his asset, in the coming weeks.
Nearer home, the AIADMK walkout may have silenced critics of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and also Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that their personal and personalised political equations are greater than the political opposition of each other’s party in Tamil Nadu. It could also silence uncharitable social media comments linking any shift in the AIADMK’s stand on any issue involving the Centre as a compromise, to benefit Jayalalithaa in one pending case or another.
There have been enough graft cases against Jayalalithaa over the past two decades, now reduced to the single, pending the Supreme Court’s verdict in the ‘disproportionate assets case’. It’s another matter that the Centre has no role whatsoever in this case -- hence not even the remote possibility of counsel for the Union weakening the arguments, to favour one person or the other.
Truth be acknowledged, Jayalalithaa had expressed her party-government’s reservations on GST when she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time after the latter’s election in mid-2014. The party has only stood firm on its position.
With Tamil Nadu’s economy getting increasingly debt-ridden with each passing budget, any concession to the Centre on the tax front, as the state government has argued, could help the forgotten ‘minor parties’ from the assembly elections in May this year, to hope of reviving themselves.
Worse could be the case of the Opposition DMK, which could now begin facing flak both within and outside the assembly, for compromising on the salient ‘federal’ principles of the Dravidian polity.
The discourse, taken to its peak, could go back to a revived war of words on who between the two had ‘cheated’ the state and its people on a series of past concerns, including river water disputes with all three neighbouring states, Katchchativu and the Sri Lankan Tamils issues.
Independent of their ability to influence electoral decisions in the state, ‘pan-Tamil revivalism’ over the past two decades and more has become a millstone for the multi-layered Dravidian polity.
Having fuelled the ‘pan-Tamil’ Dravidian fire, when it was in the ebb after the successive electoral successes of the DMK and breakaway AIADMK from the ’60s to the ’80s, the two in particular found out that they were being judged not on ideology anymore but on performance and poll promises -- and the ability to live by them, if and when voted in.
When traditional ideology began taking a backseat in the mainline Dravidian electoral calculus, the periphery had to seek its own identity. Thus was born the likes of Vaiko’s MDMK and GenNext actor-politician Vijaykanth’s DMDK and Seeman’s ‘Naam Tamizhar Katchi’.
Other parties founded during the era, like Dr Ramadoss’s PMK, Dr K Krishnaswamy’s Puthiya Tamizhagam and Thol Thirumavalavan’s Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi all had undeniable caste identities and causes. Yet, they could not escape embracing a larger pan-Tamil cause, which had fewer takers anyway in mainline Dravidian polity.
This meant that the ideological DMK parent first, and the AIADMK rival later on, too needed to take a step or two backward, if only to ensure that they did not lose out on the unidentified and unquantifiable number of GenNext ‘pan-Tamil voters’, with whom they had begun losing the much-mentioned ‘cadre connect’ from the preceding decades.
Over the past two decades and more, Tamil Nadu’s river water disputes with all three neighbouring states, namely, Karnataka (Cauvery waters), Kerala (Mullaperiyar storage) and Andhra Pradesh (Palar check dams), has silently given a 21st century twist to the Dravidian polity’s traditional ‘therku thaikiradhu’ argument.
Translated, it means that the ‘south was on the wane’ in the national politico-economic context. Earlier the slogan was aimed at contrasting with ‘vadakku vaazhgiradhu’ (‘north is progressing’), part of what was DMK founder C N Annadurai’s famous slogan. Today, it’s ‘Tamil Nadu vs Rest’, or so it seems.
As coincidence would have it, the three river water disputes, which evolved independent of one another in the decades after Independence, have encompassed all of Tamil Nadu in geographical, political and cultural terms. It’s thus Cauvery issue in west and south central Tamil Nadu, Mullaperiyar in the south, and Palar, now in the north.
To this has been added in recent years and decades, the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the Katchchativu dispute and the fishermens’ issue.
More for wrong reasons than right, competitive Dravidian politics of the past two decades -- where ‘identity’ issues too found challenges and challengers -- mutual one-upmanship has embroiled Tamil Nadu in pan-Tamil politics than ever before since inception.
Not to be left out, the mainline had to take on and also take over those identities, which they had known had lost their larger electoral relevance long ago. If nothing else, the DMK and the AIADMK could not afford lesser and newer parties to claim ownership. Nor could they afford the ‘other’ between them, to monopolise.
It’s thus that Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora strategists have been able to influence Tamil Nadu’s political thoughts on the ethnic issue, war and violence in the island-nation.
At the bottom of it all is an increasing tendency against compromises that are inevitable not only for states in the Union to thrive and grow together, but also for the very survival of ‘federalism’ as a concept and the Union of India as a reality.
It’s thus that inter-state and Centre-state issues as river water disputes and Katchchativu concerns have acquired an over-arching ‘pan-Tamil identity’ more than even ‘federal’ legality.
So complete has it all become that during the ongoing Budget session of the state assembly that the House, at the instance of the ruling party, passed a unanimous resolution, seeking to rename the rechristened Chennai high court (earlier Madras high court) as ‘Tamil Nadu high court’.
It’s sad that the state government, which is conscious so as wanting to guide and direct all fishermen-level talks with counterparts in Sri Lanka, seems overlook the fact that the jurisdiction of the Madras/Chennai high court covers the Union territory of Puducherry as well, and that renaming the high court after one of the two jurisdictional states could have political consequences in and for the other.
There is still a silver lining of sorts. DMK’s P T R Thyagarajan, a technocrat who has spent much of his career overseas, delivered his maiden speech in the state assembly, in English, and confined himself to fiscal issues and principles (generally not heard much in the state, otherwise).
What was even more surprising about Thyagarajan’s content-filled assembly speech in English was the way the rest of the 89-member DMK legislature party defended him and his right when the ruling party fielded half-bit Tamil film comedian, Karunaas, to snub him in the House.
That Karunaas did not do his homework on this issue as much as on any other on which he had been commissioned to talk in the House only went on to make the comparison in perspective – that times are changing even more than two decades ago, and the Dravidian polity better watch out for the winds of change before it overwhelmed them, and possibly for real!
N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Director, Chennai chapter of Observer Research Foundation. | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-calculations-behind-jayas-opposition-to-gst/20160808.htm | en | 2016-08-08T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a54b5d1499cde5df35cf4f0129562d5a9e0d5838378eb9b4fdd06212b9dd7f72.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:16 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reported remarks that BJP needs to bring dalits into its fold as nationalists were already with the party, wondering whether he did not consider dalits and backwards as nationalists. | So now Dalits and backwards are not nationalists Modiji? Asks Rahul | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fso-now-dalits-and-backwards-are-not-nationalists-modiji%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/sep/10food1.jpg | en | null | So now Dalits and backwards are not nationalists Modiji? Asks Rahul | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 19:28 IST
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reported remarks that BJP needs to bring dalits into its fold as nationalists were already with the party, wondering whether he did not consider dalits and backwards as nationalists.
"So now 'Dalits' and 'Backwards' are not Nationalists Modiji?," the Congress Vice President said on Twitter.
Rahul was reacting to the prime minister's remarks at the BJP Core group meeting on Tuesday, where he reportedly said that without diluting the "nationalist" identity of BJP, the party needs to work to woo dalits and backwards to its fold.
Reports had it that Modi had said that nationalists are with BJP and the party now needs to bring dalits and backwards into its fold.
The BJP is seeking to woo dalits ahead of crucial assembly polls in five states early next year, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/so-now-dalits-and-backwards-are-not-nationalists-modiji/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/e725ae45f6db50776af0b36d034e0d519e69e04e7e22ffe8d7330ba4c7918dff.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:51:36 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | 'Burhan Wani's killing served as a spark for the anti-establishment fire that has been raging in the minds of Kashmiris ever since the Centre stopped engaging them for their political future,' says Air Vice Marshal (retd) Kapil Kak in an interview with Rediff.com | Kashmir: 'Worryingly, there's a growing cult of martyrdom' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Finterview%2Fkashmir-worryingly-theres-a-growing-cult-of-martyrdom%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/26kashmir1.jpg | en | null | Kashmir: 'Worryingly, there's a growing cult of martyrdom' | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 29, 2016 08:29 IST
'Burhan Wani’s killing served as a spark for the anti-establishment fire that has been raging in the minds of Kashmiris ever since the Centre stopped engaging them for their political future.'
'... before the upsurge the Hurriyat had begun to feel isolated and marginalised, many had begun to term them as irrelevant. But they are now back in the game.'
'The cardinal weaknesses shown in use of pellet shotguns are clearly due to lack of training on their use.'
IMAGE: Protestors throw stones on the police which fired tear gas shells during a clash in Srinagar. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo
Nearly two months since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces, the Kashmir Valley remains shrouded in grief, anger and frustration.
As dawn breaks everyday, mobs armed with sticks, stones and molotov cocktails emerge from homes to take on the collective might of a flailing administration for the cause of 'azadi'.
But beyond the bold headlines and blaring prime time news shows, not much has really emerged from the Ground Zero of protest.
To clear the air, Vipin Vijayan/Rediff.com reached out to Air Vice Marshal (retd) Kapil Kak, who has been part of the track II process which seeks to reach out to members of the civil society in the Valley to understand the ground reality and provide inputs to the government.
Air Vice Marshal Kak is a former deputy director of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and the founding additional director of the Centre for Air Power Studies in New Delhi. In recent years, he has represented India in a number of Track II conferences on international security and strategic issues, and been part of many initiatives on the India-Pakistan peace process and conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.
The highly-decorated officer says the onus for restoring normalcy in the Kashmir Valley lies with the Centre and the state government together reaching out to all the stakeholders.
Burhan Wani's killing seems to have touched a raw nerve with the Kashmiris. Help us make sense of the sudden spurt in anti-establishment sentiment. Or has it been that this sentiment has been simmering for a while now and simply boiled over upon the militant's killing?
The latter part of the question itself provides the answer. Burhan Wani’s killing served as a spark for the anti-establishment fire that has been raging in the minds of Kashmiris ever since the Centre stopped engaging them for their political future.
The last such effort was the interlocutors report of 2011 which has been gathering dust in North Block (which houses the PMO, home ministry, etc) ever since.
This was the unanimous opinion of a large body of civil society comprising University teachers, lawyers, traders, manufacturers and sundry professionals I interacted with during two visits to Kashmir in the last three weeks.
My second foray was as part of a 8-member delegation comprising a political leader, journalists, social activists, and a security analyst among others.
How did Burhan Wani turn into an inspirational figure for the Kashmiri?
Burhan Wani gave up studies to join militancy in 2011 when he was just 17. He soon gained a poster-boy image, and became a symbol of ‘new militancy’, in which educated, technology-savvy, social media-adept teenagers from relatively affluent families, who are ready to die, acquire iconic status.
Sometime last year, a photograph of 10 militants, including Burhan Wani, all in jungle fatigues and bearing AK 47s, went viral on the social media.
Professors at the Kashmir University told our delegation that militants spearheading the current upsurge are 12 to 16 years of age, fearless and ready to die.
And we were told elders have lost control over the young.
Worryingly enough, there is a growing cult of martyrdom.
As a journalist-friend rightly averred, "there is an ecstasy in confrontation that borders on a love affair with death."
'In the entire spectrum of civil society, there was unanimity that they would not wish to join Pakistan.'
There are reports that the writ of the government has stopped functioning in South Kashmir. Is there any truth in these claims? If so, in what manner?
In a situation of what I term 'curfewed neo-normalcy', continuing protests over 48 days, 50-60 people getting injured daily in stone-pelting and counter actions by police, there is obviously pressure on the writ of the government, more so in South Kashmir, the centre of gravity of current upsurge.
Notwithstanding the monumental challenge, the Mehbooba Mufti-led government, ably supported by the Centre, has not been found wanting in timely delivery of goods and services to public.
The security forces are fully in control of the situation; yet they are restrained enough to let the youth let go the anger steam.
Health services, hospitals, utilities, municipalities are on full throttle.
Despite attendance in offices being restricted to about 10 per cent, the top civil and police administration is performing its functions admirably.
Calls of Azadi have been heard across the Valley over the last 45 days. What's the premise of this demand?
In general, anger against the Narendra Modi-led central government and support for Azadi stretches all across the Valley.
There are small numbers who seek sovereign independence or merger with Pakistan, the latter demand having been consistently advocated by the hard line All Party Hurriyat Conference leader Ali Shah Geelani.
In the entire spectrum of civil society, our delegation interacted with over three days, there was unanimity that they would not wish to join Pakistan.
But they were equally vehement on their grievance that the special status accorded to J&K state under India's Constitution had been severely eroded ever since the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953.
One gathers the impression that genuine autonomy as an alternative to sovereign independence would be an option that would resonate among the majority of Kashmiris with suitable devolutionary checks and balances provided to the people of Jammu and Ladakh.
With violence continuing unabated and the toll rising by the day, where does Kashmir go from here? How do you see this situation being resolved?
The immediate priority should be restoration of a modicum of normalcy progressively improving the same so people can get onto routine workaday living.
The onus for this lies with the Centre and state government together reaching out to all the stakeholders.
Expression of remorse on excessive use of force and the consequences it had on young teenagers by way of deaths and serious injuries, immediate ban on use of pellet guns, promise of selective revocation of AFSPA from a few districts, opening of official and non-official dialogue channels with the separatists and others and announcement of CBMs that would serve as a balm for the wounds in the minds of Kashmiris could be measures that would help resolve he situation.
IMAGE: A policeman fires tear gas towards protesters during a protest against the recent killings in Kashmir, on the outskirts of Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters
The government alleges that the separatists have been fuelling the protests in Kashmir. What's your take on this?
The protests were spontaneous. But once these reached a critical mass, not only the separatists but even Pakistan leveraged the opportunity that came their way.
The protestors do not fully adhere to the shut-down calendars announced by separatists. In fact, before the upsurge the Hurriyat had begun to feel isolated and marginalized, many had begun to term them as irrelevant.
But they are now back in the game. And a dialogue by the Centre with them has to be a way point on the forward pathway.
Kashmiri leaders allege that the use of pellet shot guns by security forces has been a catalyst to the protests. But the troops on the ground claim there's no other way to respond to the threat from large mobs that pelt stones. Opening fire could further antagonise the mob, they say. Negotiations aside, how should the security forces deal with the protestors on the ground?
One does not want to appear cynical. Even one death is one too many.
But as far higher casualties in conflicts elsewhere in the world suggest, 70 deaths in 48 days of mass upsurge are the result of restraint shown by both the stone pelters as also police forces.
Doubtless, in some situations, possibly due to panic, police and the Central Reserve Police Force did use excessive force. But the cardinal weaknesses shown in use of pellet guns are clearly due to lack of training on their use.
Because firing these at point blank ranges caused devastating injuries, including 200 cases of eye/retinal damage. Somewhere between 60-100 youth may be blinded in one or both eyes forever.
The home minister has promised alternatives to pellet shotguns, options which need to be explored on priority.
More robust crowd control and stone-pelting countermeasures training have to be imparted to the police and the CRPF deployed in the state. These are all a reflection of our non-professional and chalta hai approach.
There is a near-unanimous agreement in Kashmir that the media has not being reporting the entire truth on the ground. Kashmiris claim television channels have kept peddling lies as news. So what is the entire truth? What is the message that the Kashmiri on the streets of Srinagar wants to convey to the rest of the nation?
The Kashmiris, through our delegation, collectively conveyed a precise and unambiguous message, pointedly referring to three television channels -- "They lie through their teeth, they misrepresent us, call us terrorists."
One television anchor, whose name can easily be guessed, is a unanimous object of hate throughout the valley.
Would I be wrong when I say that agencies in Pakistan have no role to play in fuelling protests in the Valley? Many believe that it is in Pakistan's interest to keep the Valley in a state of permanent unrest.
You are not wrong. Pakistan had no role in fuelling the mass upsurge. After Wani's killing in South Kashmir, the wave of sympathy and outrage was all pervasive and immediately spread to the entire Valley.
The fact that nearly 2 lakh mourners held about 40 ceremonies in his memory over a 12 hour period after his body was handed over to the family is indicative of his cult following.
Pakistan was clearly not involved in all this.
It is also true that the so-called deep state in Pakistan has a huge stake in keeping the Kashmir pot on the boil to distract Pakistani people from the calamitous internal problems.
Although cases of successful cross LoC infiltration are on the rise (there have been 85 cases in six months of 2016), the level of casualties because of cross border terrorism have been in a steep continuous decline from 2002 onwards.
Perhaps the time has come to initiate a serious dialogue not the least because such a move would help impart greater acceleration to the New Delhi-Srinagar dialogue which must commence first.
What should the Narendra Modi government do to assuage the people of Kashmir?
The prime minister's promises at the all-party meeting -- after a 45-day silence which deeply hurt the civil society cross-section we met -- and Rajnath Singh's second visit to Kashmir presage encouraging political initiatives in the short term for the agitators to respond appropriately.
In the medium term, initiation of a creative and innovative peace process involving multi-track dialogue with multiple stake-holders, as also a dialogue with Pakistan could lead to a political resolution acceptable to India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
My own view is that greater devolution of political power with cross-LoC trade and people-to-people linkages envisaged in the so-termed 4-point mutually agreed between Musharraf-Vajpayee and Musharraf-Manmohan Singh during 2003-2007 -- the so-called golden period in India-Pakistan and Centre-Srinagar/Jammu relations -- appropriately repackaged, is a viable way forward.
But a sincere 'uninterruptable and uninterrupted' dialogue process constitutes a critical prerequisite.
It would be a long haul, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to make the effort sincerely and resolutely.
REDIFF RECOMMENDS | http://www.rediff.com/news/interview/kashmir-worryingly-theres-a-growing-cult-of-martyrdom/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/56ea6481beeb3fce354f9578ddb979c41ff4b3c272f5e707777e96dd87746cb4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:36:09 | null | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | Indian journalists, who went to cover the SAARC Home Ministers' conference in Islamabad, had to face hostile Pakistani officials. | How Pakistan banished Indian scribes from SAARC venue | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhow-pakistan-banished-indian-scribes-from-saarc-venue%2F20160807.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03lead9.jpg | en | null | How Pakistan banished Indian scribes from SAARC venue | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 07, 2016 17:47 IST
Indian journalists, who went to cover the SAARC Home Ministers' conference in Islamabad, had to face hostile Pakistani officials, who not only denied them access to the inaugural function but also barred them from standing at the entrance of the venue where their interior minister was to receive dignitaries, leading to tense moments.
The six Indian journalists, who were given visa to travel to Islamabad to cover the event, were flatly refused entry to the inaugural function, which was attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Indian journalists then stood near the entrance of the venue where Pakistani Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan was receiving the visiting dignitaries from SAARC countries.
As Pakistani media took position to capture the moment of Home Minister Rajnath Singh's arrival, Indian journalists too joined them. Immediately, Pakistani officials curtly told them to leave the place, saying Indian journalists were not allowed to stand even outside the gate.
When Pakistani officials asked Doordarshan cameraperson R Jayashree Puri and ANI's Ajay Kumar Sharma to remove their cameras, a senior Indian diplomat tried to intervene and protested.
The diplomat hotly argued that Indian journalists be allowed to be near the gate to capture Singh's arrival as Pakistani journalists, video and still camerapersons were present and freely taking shots.
The Pakistani officials made it clear that the Indian journalists have to leave the place immediately, leading to a verbal duel between the diplomat and a Pakistani official.
The Pakistani official even directed some of his juniors to block the view of Indian journalists and soon the reporters and camerapersons were surrounded by several persons, apparently policemen in civvies, making it impossible for them to shoot anything.
This resulted the Indian journalists failing to capture the moment when Singh touched the hands of his Pakistani counterpart, a gesture short of a formal handshake, reflecting the growing chill in the ties between the two countries.
As per SAARC protocol, the inaugural statement by the host country is open to the media while the rest of the proceedings are in camera.
The Pakistani establishment was also circulating information in the local media that Indian home minister had visited washroom eight times to make calls to New Delhi when the conference was going on.
The fact is that the washroom was outside the conference hall and the home minister used it twice -- once before the formal ministers' meet started after he and his SAARC counterparts had made a courtesy call to Pakistan Prime Sharif and again when the meeting got over.
Besides, Home Minister Singh does not carry a cell phone even while he is in India and, whenever necessary, uses those of his aides. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-pakistan-banished-indian-scribes-from-saarc-venue/20160807.htm | en | 2016-08-07T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/5aaab8a4c4831c6f4ad9edc527cfa54af4cd0193574e89ac5dd39e30b05cc196.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:35 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The television cameramen had taken their positions in the bed of the dam to cover the event from below. | When PM's swiftness saved camera crew from drowning | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwhen-pms-swiftness-saved-camera-crew-from-drowning%2F20160831.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/31dam2.jpg | en | null | When PM's swiftness saved camera crew from drowning | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 31, 2016 02:27 IST
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at AJI-3 dam site of the project. Photograph: PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s quick thinking averted possible drowning of the television crew covering his programme on Tuesday when he gestured them to run away from the spot from where they were filming the inauguration function of the first phase of Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation project, just seconds before water from Aji-3 dam came gushing in.
Before delivering his speech, he went to the dam near the village in Jamnagar district to officially inaugurate the SAUNI project.
Modi, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, reached the top of the bridge where he was supposed to push three buttons to open three gates of the dam.
Patel said the television cameramen and their assistants had taken their positions in the bed of the dam to cover the event from below, so that they can capture release of water.
"They were standing at a place which was near Gate-1. As soon as Modi pressed the buttons, all the three gates opened one by one and huge amount of water started flowing below. When we all are watching the magnificent view of water falling from dam, Modiji’s alert eyes spotted these cameramen below.
"Our PM quickly realised that the television crew might get into trouble due to the rising water level. He quickly alerted them by clapping and shouting. He also asked the security personnel to inform the crew to move to a safer place, as water level in the dam bed was rising very quickly,” said Patel.
IMAGE: A video of the incident shows gushing water sweeping away a tripod-mounted camera which was left behind by a cameraman.
The entire incident was captured by the crew on camera, in which the PM could be seen asking Rupani and his security personnel to do something. He can be seen pointing at the crew and asking them to move away by waving his hand.
“Luckily, these cameramen understood what Modiji was trying to tell them and they moved to a higher platform just seconds before the lower platform, from where they were shooting, was submerged in water. Some of the crew left their camera behind and ran to save their lives,” Patel said.
Another video of the incident shows gushing water sweeping away a tripod-mounted camera which was left behind by a cameraman.
However, exact number of the cameramen, believed to be from Doordarshan, and their assistants is not known though reports say there were around three cameramen standing in the way of the water.
According to Patel, Modi’s alertness averted a possible tragedy.
"If Modiji had not spotted and alerted them, we could have witnessed a tragedy today. Such quality of our PM makes him special. Even though he was busy in such a large event, he thought of the problems of common man. This is a message to all of us that we should never forget about the last man standing in line," he added. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/when-pms-swiftness-saved-camera-crew-from-drowning/20160831.htm | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/3d0e45e6042f2526d2374e98c01692b56c1b0e57451b99f8f657b6fcb9c98945.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:07 | null | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | The mother-daughter duo has moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the case to Delhi besides registration of FIR against UP minister Azam Khan for his remarks. | Bulandshahr rape victims move SC for FIR against Azam Khan, cops | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fbulandshahr-rape-victims-move-sc-for-fir-against-azam-khan-cops%2F20160813.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/oct/06rape.jpg | en | null | Bulandshahr rape victims move SC for FIR against Azam Khan, cops | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 13, 2016 20:26 IST
The mother-daughter duo, gang raped recently near a highway in Bulandshahar, has moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the case to Delhi besides registration of FIR against UP minister Azam Khan for his offensive remarks as well as the erring policemen.
The brutal incident had happened on the night of July 29 when a group of highway robbers stopped the car of a Noida-based family and sexually assaulted the woman and her daughter after dragging them out of the vehicle which had four other occupants.
The Allahabad high court recently ordered CBI probe into the incident besides deciding to monitor the investigation.
In the plea filed in the Supreme through lawyer Kislay Pandey, the woman's husband has sought an order for "transfer the trial of the present case to Delhi from Bulandshahar in the interest of justice".
Unhappy over the probe by Uttar Pradesh police, the petitioner has said the investigation be conducted by "some other competent agency".
Referring to alleged controversial remark of Azam Khan, UP Minister for Urban Development, that there was a "political conspiracy" in gang rape, the plea said that an FIR be registered against him as the statement "substantially outrageous" the "modesty" the victims and their family.
The plea has also sought "appropriate damages" for the victims besides a direction that the state and others, including the DGP, be stopped from infringing fundamental right to life of the victims.
"Direct the respondents (State Home Secretary, Khan, DGP and SSP of Bulandshahr) to pay the appropriate damages to the petitioner as per the Law," the plea said.
It also alleged that police did come for help despite victims making several distress calls on helpline number.
"The victim dialed 100 number after the incident to seek help from the police but it did not help at all," it said, adding "Direct registration of an FIR against erring police officials for disobeying directions of law in the present case."
The plea said, "Azam Khan, Minister for Urban Development of UP called a press conference and publicly insulted the petitioner by terming the entire incident as a political conspiracy only and nothing else and thereby caused various acts and deeds being substantially outrageous to the modesty of the petitioner."
It said that six members of the family were travelling from Noida to Shahjahanpur on national highway-91 when they were waylaid, assaulted and robbed.
The offenders, who were hiding behind the bushes, emerged and took the family at gunpoint and forced the father of the victim to take the vehicle off the road, it said.
The mother-daughter duo were ravished barely 100 meters away from the police post, it said, adding that the offenders snatched cash to the tune of Rs 36,000 and some jewellery from the victims. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bulandshahr-rape-victims-move-sc-for-fir-against-azam-khan-cops/20160813.htm | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d0f2a1b4bd62bb216aa021771e8fde243cb4b305ac83166e63b1b1cdaefa646c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:17:13 | null | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | Recent polls indicate that Trump is trailing behind Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton among non-White communities, in particularly among African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Latinos. | Will put American workers first: Trump woos African-Americans voters | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fi-want-an-inclusive-country-trump-woos-black-voters%2F20160821.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/21trump.jpg | en | null | Will put American workers first: Trump woos African-Americans voters | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 21, 2016 09:58 IST
Seeking to reboot his flagging presidential bid, Donald Trump has made a strong pitch to African-American voters, saying he wants the Republican party to become their home once again as it used to be in the Abraham Lincoln-era.
"The GOP is the Party of Lincoln and I want our party to be the home of the African-American vote once again. I want an inclusive country and I want an inclusive party," Trump said at an election rally in Virginia, a swing state, which is now leaning towards the Democrats.
Recent polls indicate that Trump is trailing behind Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton among non-White communities, in particularly among African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Latinos.
This week, Trump appears to have made mid-course correction by delivering speeches to woo African-Americans. He continued the trend in Virginia on Saturday.
"We reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton who sees people of colour only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future. We've seen what the Democratic policies have done in cities like Detroit, Baltimore and Chicago," the 70-year-old business tycoon said.
"Now, Hillary Clinton wants to make things worse by raising taxes on 2.6 million African-American owned businesses in this country. My goal is to provide every African-American child in this country with access to the ladder of American success: a good education and a good-paying job," Trump said.
"This includes school choice. It means reforming regulations so young Americans can get the credit they need to start a small business. It means trade and immigration policies that put American workers at the front of the line," he said.
Trump alleged that the immigration policy of Clinton would not help African-Americans in getting jobs.
"She would rather provide a job to a refugee living overseas than a young unemployed African-American youth in Virginia," he said.
"A Trump Administration will put American workers first. Americanism, not globalism, will be our credo. We will bring America together as one country again -- united as Americans in common purpose and common dreams," Trump said.
A Trump Administration, he said, will end the Obama- Clinton "war on the American worker".
"We will unleash an energy revolution the likes of which we have never seen before," he said.
Trump said according to the Institute for Energy Research, lifting the restrictions on all sources of American energy will increase GDP by more than USD 100 billion annually, add over 500,000 new jobs annually and increase annual wages by more than USD 30 billion over the next 7 years.
"Hillary Clinton will 'Make America Poor'. I want to 'Make America Wealthy Again'. Another industry of huge importance to this state and country is agriculture," he said.
IMAGE: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally where he said that his focus will be on Americanism and not on globalism. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/i-want-an-inclusive-country-trump-woos-black-voters/20160821.htm | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/90a9ccee6f65980d736aa871637ab8e2e31a2abe0f57d07896b2c9c5e4544339.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:45 | null | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | The 35-year-old Gabrial, one among four Romanians accused in the robbery in which a large number of persons lost their money from their accounts, was taken into custody on transit remand from a court in Mumbai. | ATM robbery: Arrested Romanian brought to Kerala | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fatm-robbery-arrested-romanian-brought-to-kerala%2F20160811.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/business/2013/may/20atm4.jpg | en | null | ATM robbery: Arrested Romanian brought to Kerala | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 11, 2016 18:52 IST
Romanian national Gabrial Mariam, who was allegedly involved in the hi-tech ATM robbery which rocked the Kerala capital, was brought to Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday after being arrested from Navi Mumbai.
The 35-year-old Gabrial, one among four Romanians accused in the robbery in which a large number of persons lost their money from their accounts, was taken into custody on transit remand from a court in Mumbai and brought to Kerala by air, police sources said.
While the other three accused are still at large, Gabrial was nabbed from a hotel in Vashi by a team of Kerala Police on Tuesday night, with the help of Mumbai Crime Branch.
After the robbery came to light, a case was registered under Indian Penal Code Section 380 (theft in dwelling house, etc) and under relevant sections of the IT Act at Museum Police Station of Thiruvananthapuram.
The arrest came after Kerala Police zeroed in on four foreign nationals suspected to be the key players behind the ATM robbery and decided to seek Interpol's help to track them.
The four, found installing an electronic device inside an ATM kiosk of a public sector bank at Vellayambalam in Thiruvananthapuram, had been caught in the CCTV installed there.
Police sources said interrogation of the accused commenced on Thursday itself.
The foreign nationals, including Gabrial, had come to India on June 25 and reached Kerala on July 8.
They had come on tourist visas and had taken rooms in a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram for two days.
Over 20 people had lodged complaints, saying money was withdrawn from their accounts in a fraudulent way.
As per the preliminary assessment, about Rs 2.5 lakh had been lost, police said.
It is suspected that the electronic device at the ATM counter enabled the fraudsters collect the secret pin code and card details.
Image used only for representation. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/atm-robbery-arrested-romanian-brought-to-kerala/20160811.htm | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/ed8bd9110a12ddb7e7b281d72539a4e3815d84120216c53730be7a3994c55c73.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T08:51:42 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Universities must be the bastions of free speech and expression. It must be the arena where diverse and conflicting schools of thought contend. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred within the spaces of this institution. Further, it must act as flag-bearer for the coexistence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies, says Pranab Mukherjee. | Like Nalanda, India must remain a melting pot of civilisations | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Fcolumn%2Flike-nalanda-india-must-remain-a-melting-pot-of-civilisations%2F20160829.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/29pranab1.jpg | en | null | Like Nalanda, India must remain a melting pot of civilisations | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 29, 2016 13:11 IST
Universities must be the bastions of free speech and expression. It must be the arena where diverse and conflicting schools of thought contend. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred within the spaces of this institution. Further, it must act as flag-bearer for the coexistence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies, says President Pranab Mukherjee.
Image: President Pranab Mukherjee presents a degree to a student at the first convocation of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Nalanda, in Bihar on August 27, 2016. Photograph: Courtesy, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
I have often spoken of the time when India played a dominant role in the higher education system of the world. Renowned seats of learning like Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri were magnets which attracted scholars from all over the world. They stood at the crossroads of many civilisations and spread knowledge far and wide. Sadly, India’s modern day universities are yet to reach the top position in world rankings. We must work towards regaining that glory of the past.
As Visitor to Nalanda University, it is my hope that this university will truly attain the status of Nalanda of yore. There are many practices of the ancient Nalanda which are worthy of emulation by the new Nalanda.
One of the most important characteristics of ancient Nalanda was that it was an international institution where inter-Asian connections, in particular, flourished. Chinese monks like Xuan Zang, Yijing and Huichao among others visited, lived, studied and taught in Nalanda. At a later period, scholars from Tibet kept coming to Nalanda for studying Buddhism and other branches of knowledge. Monks from several other countries including Sri Lanka also came to Nalanda, revealing the diversity of religious and cultural influences on the institution. And, the traffic was not just in one direction. Monks from Nalanda spread their wisdom across the world and had reached China before Xuan Zang’s visit to India.
Ancient Nalanda was known for the high level of debate and discussion it nurtured. It was not a mere geographical expression but it reflected an idea and a culture. Nalanda conveyed the message of friendship, cooperation, debate, discussion and argument. Discussion and debate are part of our ethos and life. They cannot be done away with. Universities and higher education institutions are the best forums for debate, discussion and free exchange of views. Though the main subjects of study were the Buddhist texts, importance was also given to critiques of Buddhism by various schools, study of Vedas and beyond.
Nalanda was a melting pot of civilisations and modern India should remain the same. We should not close our windows and yet we should not be blown off by winds from outside. We should let the winds flow freely from all over the world and get enriched by them. We should embrace free discussion and debate, leaving behind narrow mindsets and thoughts. Prof Amartya Sen who is with us today, has written about how our history and traditions have always celebrated the 'Argumentative Indian'. The lesson for modern Nalanda is to ensure that this great tradition finds new life and vigour within its precincts.
Universities must be the bastions of free speech and expression. It must be the arena where diverse and conflicting schools of thought contend. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred within the spaces of this institution. Further, it must act as flag-bearer for the coexistence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies.
Nalanda Mahavihara flourished for about 800 years. Its survival over such a long duration of time occurred because the monastic scholars of Nalanda created social and political networks that helped them ensure its continuation as an institution of international repute. According to the accounts of Chinese pilgrim Yijing, Nalanda was granted over 200 villages for its sustenance. Scholars of Nalanda must have developed plans to maintain, regulate and retain these village grants. They also developed adequate infrastructure for these villages to ensure agricultural productivity and retention of manpower.
Engaging with the local communities surrounding the Mahavihara was as important as maintaining relationship with the world abroad. I am happy that Nalanda University is taking steps in this direction through its engagement with the local weavers, farmers and other projects in the field of environment and heritage, including academic support for the government’s efforts to have Nalanda declared as a World Heritage site.
Image: President Pranab Mukherjee with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the first convocation of Nalanda University campus at Rajgir, Nalanda, in Bihar, on August 27, 2016. Photograph: PTI Photo.
What ensured Nalanda’s rise as a premier institution of the world was its cutting edge curriculum not only in Buddhist knowledge but also in various disciplines including astronomy, medicine, general logic, linguistics, books and manuscript production, architecture and art. The discovery of a furnace at the site of Nalanda and other archaeological evidence indicate that production of manuscripts with textual and pictorial content must have happened at a large scale. The rich stone and metallic image collections from the site also demonstrate the existence of a major art atelier, which developed its distinct style and kept introducing new images.
The artists of Nalanda created a wide range of images which showed their knowledge and engagement with myriad religious traditions. In addition to teaching religion, philosophy and other subjects, Nalanda propagated knowledge of disciplines such as sculpting, metal smelting and book production. These show that the Nalanda of ancient times valued inculcating in students and the community around it multiple skill sets. This is yet another lesson worthy of emulation in modern times.
Modern day Nalanda University has a non-metropolitan location in the heart of rural India. All three pillars of the university -- the faculty, administrative staff and students -- need to make a commitment to living and working in these environs. By doing so, Nalanda is setting an example for other institutions to follow. I compliment the faculty and students from all over the world and different parts of India who have made this commitment.
The 21st century is expected to be an ‘Asian century’ with countries of this continent regaining their pre-eminence in the world through all–round development. Nalanda University is a symbol of Asian resurgence. At a time when the world is facing complex challenges and the destinies of the peoples across the continents are inter-linked, institutions of knowledge such as Nalanda are of critical importance.
Nalanda stands not merely for quality education but also for global cooperation. Nalanda stands as a symbol of inclusion, harmony, peace, knowledge, inspiration, creativity and innovation. I call upon the faculty and students to internalise these values and instil them in everyone whose lives they touch.
Excerpted from President Pranab Mukherjee’s speech at the first convocation of Nalanda University, on August 27, 2016. | http://www.rediff.com/news/column/like-nalanda-india-must-remain-a-melting-pot-of-civilisations/20160829.htm | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/989e7f619a7cab97bce4dcb3e0451a2a52835a521345fb5c911495ba14fd2dac.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:38 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | A special control room at the forces' headquarter New Delhi is monitoring the situation 24X7. | Floods: 10 more NDRF teams for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ffloods-10-more-ndrf-teams-for-bihar-uttar-pradesh%2F20160824.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2014/sep/08water2.jpg | en | null | Floods: 10 more NDRF teams for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 24, 2016 01:59 IST
Ten more teams of the National Disaster Response Force were on Tuesday deployed for rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Bihar and Uttar Pradesh even as the force rescued over 33,000 marooned people from various states.
Witnessing continuous rains and with people not wanting to leave their homes, the force has also deployed a number of 'boat ambulances' in these states on which the personnel of the force provide pre-hospitalisation treatment and medicines to the affected.
"The 10 teams that were airlifted on Monday for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been deployed. We are intensifying our operations," NDRF chief O P Singh told PTI.
A special control room at the forces' headquarter New Delhi is monitoring the situation 24X7, he said.
As per reports coming from the flood-affected areas of UP, the water level is increasing by 1 cm per hour in areas around Varanasi and about 15 cm rise in the water level has been seen in the day till now, a senior official said.
There are reports of waterlogging in Varanasi and Ghazipur, the official said.
"So far, NDRF teams have evacuated/rescued 33,210 people and provided medicine assistance to 9,197 needy people," the national contingency force said, adding rescue operations in four other states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Assam are in "full swing".
Apart from the 10 fresh teams, 17 rescue teams of the NDRF are operational in Bihar.
As per data, while 650 people were rescued from Patna, 1,580 from Didarganj, 450 from Sonepur, 65 from Vaisali, 780 people from Bakhtiyarpur and 300 people and 10 cattles were rescued from Digaghat Danapur to safer locations.
"Thus, NDRF has rescued a total of 14,178 people in last four days in Bihar," it said.
Similarly, 19 teams of NDRF are deployed in different parts of Uttar Pradesh.
In order to launch massive operations in the two worst-affected states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the NDRF has created on-ground control rooms in these two states and deputed two senior Deputy Inspector General-rank officers to take control of the situation.
IMAGE: Indian Air Force helicopters carrying out rescue, relief and evacuation of people marooned during the flood fury. Photograph: Press Information Bureau | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/floods-10-more-ndrf-teams-for-bihar-uttar-pradesh/20160824.htm | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/25819626cc9bffbc8783a63b19de4efc4805d29e8d4c202864687635643a5912.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:22:37 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | India rejected Pak's proposal to hold FS-level talks on Kashmir. | Ready for talk on terror but not Kashmir: India tells Pak | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fready-for-talk-on-terror-but-not-kashmir-india-tells-pak-%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/apr/26aziz-shankar.jpg | en | null | Ready for talk on terror but not Kashmir: India tells Pak | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 17, 2016 22:26 IST
India on Wednesday rejected Pakistan's proposal to hold foreign secretary-level talks on Kashmir and made it clear that terrorism was "central" to its relations with Islamabad, whose different view and attitude has made it difficult for bilateral ties to grow.
Responding to Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry's invitation, India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar expressed his willingness to travel to Islamabad to discuss aspects related to cross-border terrorism which are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The response, which was handed over to Pakistan Foreign Ministry by Indian envoy to Islamabad Gautam Bambawale, also maintained that the neighbouring country has no locus standi in addressing any aspect of the situation in J&K, which is an internal matter of India, except to put an end to cross-border terrorism and infiltration.
Later talking to the media in New Delhi, Jaishankar said India has made great efforts to reach out to Pakistan but it clearly faces a unique challenge in Pakistan's response.
"Terrorism issue has become so central to the relationship that it makes the ties difficult to grow," the foreign secretary said.
He also hit out at Pakistan, saying while rest of the region is with India in wanting a much more cooperative and connected South Asia, a "standout country's" view and attitude towards terrorism as an instrument of policy of diplomacy makes it a "difficult partner" in the region.
Noting that India has faced a number of cross-border infiltrations and attacks, Jaishankar said during one such assault a Pakistani terrorist was also caught, clearly showing the neighbour's involvement.
Earlier, while rejecting Pakistan's offer for talks on Kashmir, government sources said that since aspects related to cross-border terrorism are central to the current situation in J&K, India has proposed that discussions between the foreign secretaries be focused on them.
"We have also conveyed that Government of India rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in J&K, which is an integral part of India where Pakistan has no locus standi," the sources added.
Pakistan had on Monday invited India for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the "international obligation" of both the countries to resolve the issue.
The invitation was extended amid tension in bilateral ties due to the war of words between the two nations over the continuing unrest in Kashmir.
India and Pakistan have been engaged in a war of words over the statements by Islamabad on the situation in Kashmir which is witnessing a turmoil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.
Wani was hailed as a martyr by Pakistan, which also tried to internationalise the Kashmir issue with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the country's foreign office writing to a host of countries besides the United Nations, while India has been maintaining that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the Valley is the root cause of the turbulence.
IMAGE: Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry after a meeting at South Block in New Delhi on April 26, 2016. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ready-for-talk-on-terror-but-not-kashmir-india-tells-pak-/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/235edd9ce6a8ae3ed3ca4366f7872e9410bafe6559e3cbc3e6fd357383513cfc.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:22 | null | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | Singh was immortalised on the silver screen by Puneet Issar in the 1997 film Border which was a fictionalised account of the soldiers who fought in the war alongside Longewala. | Subedar Ratan Singh, the war hero who inspired 'Border', passes away | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fsubedar-ratan-singh-the-war-hero-who-inspired-border-passes-away%2F20160812.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/12ratansingh04.jpg | en | null | Subedar Ratan Singh, the war hero who inspired 'Border', passes away | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 12, 2016 21:03 IST
Subedar Ratan Singh, the Indian Army veteran who fought in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, passed away in Punjab’s Tibba village on Wednesday. The 92-year-old will be laid to rest in his ancestral village on Thursday.
When Ratan Singh was posted at Longewala in Rajasthan during the war, the Pakistani army battalion, comprising 45 tanks and over 2 thousand soldiers, lost to a mere 80 Indian soldiers.
The Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri-led Indian troops, which included Subedar Ratan Singh bravely fought and won the war.
Singh was later eternalised on the big screen in the 1997 film Border, a fictionalised account of the soldiers who fought in the war alongside Longewala. The ‘movie version’ of Ratan Singh was essayed by actor Puneet Issar was part of an ensemble cast that included Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff and Akshaye Khanna.
Although the movie depicts many Indian soldiers, including Singh's character, as being killed in the operation, records show that only two soldiers from the battalion led by Brigadier (then Major) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri died that night.
Singh was recognised for his conspicuous bravery during the war and was awarded the Vir Chakra by former president VV Giri.
IMAGE: A photograph of Subedar Ratan Singh in his later years. Photograph: INC/Twitter | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/subedar-ratan-singh-the-war-hero-who-inspired-border-passes-away/20160812.htm | en | 2016-08-12T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/80de6103c30468a861e1e313a90ce36ca3402d8e228d4cf0cd2814345b23f781.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:21 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | There were no immediate reports of casualties from the bombing, which was felt across the city.
| Kabul hotel attack ends; 3 Taliban bombers, 1 cop killed | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Ftaliban-truck-bomb-strikes-foreign-guesthouse-in-kabul%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01kabul2.jpg | en | null | Kabul hotel attack ends; 3 Taliban bombers, 1 cop killed | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 01, 2016 10:23 IST
A Taliban attack on a Kabul hotel housing foreign contractors on Monday ended with the death of all three Taliban fighters seven hours after the assault began, police said.
On Monday morning, a Taliban truck bomb blasted through Northgate, a hotel for foreigners, just days after the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital for 15 years.
IMAGE: Police officials said that none of the hotel staff was injured during the gun battle. Photograph: Omar Sobhani/Reuters
The powerful bombing, which rattled windows several kilometres away, paved the way for armed insurgents to enter the heavily guarded facility, close to Kabul’ international airport.
The attack on Northgate, a compound for foreign contractors which was previously attacked in July 2013, underscores the worsening security situation as the Taliban ramp up their annual summer offensive.
Afghan commandos cordoned off all arterial roads leading to Northgate, with erratic grenade explosions and gunfire coming from the scene after daybreak.
IMAGE: Afghan policemen keep watch near the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photograph: Omar Sobhani/Reuters
“The operation is over now. One policeman lost his life and three others were wounded but none of the hotel staff or guests were hurt,” Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi was quoted as saying.
The attack comes after twin bombings left 80 people dead in the Afghan capital on July 23, in the deadliest attack in the city since the Taliban were ousted from power in 2001.
The bombings tore through crowds of minority Shiite Hazara protesters as they gathered to demand that a major power line be routed through the central province of Bamiyan, one of the most deprived areas of Afghanistan.
That assault was claimed by the Islamic State group, which is making gradual inroads into Afghanistan, challenging the Taliban on their own turf. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/taliban-truck-bomb-strikes-foreign-guesthouse-in-kabul/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/c321c309d7c9e4f087cdec3fb2204acf4e531d4d6c99a2d6783f9e24f7eab976.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:24:51 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | The recent study suggested that nearly 35 per cent of the cases were stillborn, 29 per cent were born alive and 36 per cent were born before the period of viability. | SHOCKING: Selective foeticide rampant in national capital, reveals AIIMS | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fshocking-selective-foeticide-rampant-in-delhi-reveals-aiims%2F20160817.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/22preggers.jpg | en | null | SHOCKING: Selective foeticide rampant in national capital, reveals AIIMS | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 17, 2016 15:10 IST
The posh south Delhi has a dark secret, as an AIIMS study on medico-legal autopsy findings of 238 foetuses and newborns abandoned in the area between 1996-2012 points towards female foeticide in the national capital.
The recent study by the premier medical institution also suggested that nearly 35 per cent of the cases in these 17 years were stillborn, 29 per cent were born alive and 36 per cent were born before the period of viability.
"Among the live born, death by homicide was more common than a natural death and most were left by the roadside," it says.
Among the total number of cases, males were predominant, but on closer examination it was observed that "females out- numbered males" among the foetuses five month (20 weeks) of gestational age, Dr C Behera, one of the co-authors, said.
"Owing to the societal bias in favour of a male, this could mean that selective female foeticide happened during this period. In India, medical abortion is allowed only up to 20 weeks of gestational age and criminal abortions and selective female foeticide subsequent to antenatal sex determination are more likely before 20 weeks of pregnancy," he said.
This is the first study from India to discuss all forensically-known cases of abandoned foetuses and newborns over 17 years from the region of south Delhi, claims the study published in the latest issue of Medico-Legal Journal of the UK.
"Though, we analysed autopsy reports of such cases in our own jurisdiction area, ie, south Delhi, similar cases have also been reported in other areas, though we do not have any definitive study on that. But I can tell you that 238 foetuses and newborns abandoned is only the tip of the iceberg for Delhi," Behera told PTI.
Foeticide and abandonment of newborns are important, albeit frequently neglected, issues. Concealment of child birth is often seen in the setting of unwanted pregnancy which has been recognised as one of the most important factors in both the cases.
Among the live born cases, the majority of the deaths were attributed to murder (77 per cent), followed by natural causes (19 per cent) and accidental (1 per cent), the study said.
Shockingly, the autopsy record showed that out of 70 newborns found abandoned in south Delhi during the 17-year period, 54 had been murdered.
45 of them had suffered injury on the head by a blunt force, five were smothered, three strangulated and one had the throat slit, indicating a particularly cruel attitude. Other causes of death included natural or accidental like pneumonia, congenital diseases or hypothermia and accidental suffocation, the study said.
Among the 238 foetuses, 115 (48 per cent) were males and 110 (46 per cent) were females. Sex of the foetus could not be ascertained in 13 cases either due to early gestational age or due to the advanced stage of decomposition, the study said.
It revealed that the place of disposal of the discarded foetus or a post-natal victim was mainly the roadside or blind lanes (40 per cent), followed by rivers and drains (20 per cent).
"Bodies were also recovered from dustbins, parks, jungles, railway stations, bus stands, religious places, schools and hospitals. The place of recovery could not be ascertained in 24 cases," it said, while calling for strict measures in cases of abandoning and killing of newborns.
"Abandoned foetuses and newborns constituted about 1 per cent (range, 0.54–1.82 per cent) of the total autopsies con- ducted during the 17-year period. A trend of a growing number of cases with increasing gestational age was observed," the AIIMS study said.
Behera said this is possibly the "first of its kind study and though there have always been news reports from different parts of the country regarding recovery of abandoned foetuses and newborns, to our knowledge, statistical data on the subject are scarce."
A previous report, published in 2008, from south Delhi highlighted the sudden increase in the number of sex selective abortions after antenatal sex determination became freely available in India.
"We studied and analysed the records of all the medico- legal autopsies conducted at the AIIMS from 1996 to 2012 for foetuses and newborns. The details of these cases were sourced from the autopsy records and the inquest papers of the investigating officer," Behera said.
The data were analysed for yearly distribution, gender, gestational age, viability at birth, cause and manner of deaths in liveborn, and location of recovery of the bodies.
"We are thinking of conducting a study for data available from 2013 onwards on the same subject. During the previous study our jurisdiction area involved only south Delhi but now it also includes south-east Delhi," he said.
"For central Delhi, the cases go to Maulana Azad Medical College, for north Delhi Lady Hardinge Medical College and for south-west either Safdarjung Hospital or DDU Hospital. The cases of abandoning of foetuses and newborns in these areas have not been studied though," he said. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/shocking-selective-foeticide-rampant-in-delhi-reveals-aiims/20160817.htm | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f8d669b1638cdf651cbbec6068627609a2713bb364ca05a8b4d333d0f3f0f248.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:25 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | The United States blocked $300 million military aid to Pakistan as it failed to get a Congressional certification for 'satisfactory' action against the dreaded Haqqani network, the Pentagon has said. | US blocks military aid to Pak for 'unsatisfactory' action against Haqqani Network | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fus-blocks-military-aid-to-pak-for-unsatisfactory-action-against-haqqani-network%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2015/oct/11obama-sharif.jpg | en | null | US blocks military aid to Pak for 'unsatisfactory' action against Haqqani Network | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 23, 2016 13:00 IST
The United States blocked $300 million military aid to Pakistan as it failed to get a Congressional certification for "satisfactory" action against the dreaded Haqqani network, the Pentagon has said as it asserted that it was in Islamabad's interest to take action against terrorists.
The Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets.
The group is also blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.
The Pentagon said it was in Pakistan's interest to take action against terrorists in "as many ways as possible".
"We continue to have a close relationship with Pakistan with regard to terrorism and fighting terrorism. (But) It's obviously in Pakistan's own interest and the United States interest to combat terrorism in as many ways as possible," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters on Monday.
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter did not give Congressional certification to Pakistan for satisfactory action against the Haqqani network this year, Cook said.
In the absence of the certification, the Pentagon blocked disbursement of $300 million to Pakistan under coalition support fund, which is essentially reimbursement money for the expenses made by Pakistan Army in support of US operations in Afghanistan.
"With regard to that $300 million, there was a (June 30) deadline in terms of whether or not to transfer that money or to use that money in other ways, and it was determined that at this moment in time, it was best to reprogramme that money in other directions," Cook said.
The Washington Post has described the withholding of the US military assistance to Pakistan as a "potential blow" to US-Pak ties.
The Pentagon press secretary, however, said the US will continue to work "closely with Pakistan and we've seen significant efforts on the part of the Pakistanis." | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/us-blocks-military-aid-to-pak-for-unsatisfactory-action-against-haqqani-network/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/cfebc47c4aec60c85217d7a7eac646b0d97bc73975e2efafb9b08beb33e61d9b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:59 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | 'You've never seen a potential First Lady like this,' the New York Post said on its front page on Sunday below a nude photograph of Melania. | US tabloid publishes nude photos of Trump's wife Melania | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fus-tabloid-publishes-nude-photos-of-trumps-wife-melania%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/01trump.jpg | en | null | US tabloid publishes nude photos of Trump's wife Melania | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 10:11 IST
A New York city-based tabloid caused a major stir when it published nude photographs of Melania Trump, wife of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, during her modelling days in the 1990s.
“You’ve never seen a potential First Lady like this,” the New York Post said on its front page on Sunday below a nude photograph of Melania.
The “some rarely seen and others never published” pictures were taken during a shoot in 1995 in Manhattan for a photo spread for a now-defunct French men’s magazine, the paper said.
The pictures, obtained exclusively by The Post, were shot by French photographer Ale de Basseville.
Slovenian-born Melania was then 25-years-old and known by her professional moniker Melania K. She had then recently arrived in the city after doing modelling stints in Paris and Italy.
When asked about the photos, Trump told The Post: “Melania was one of the most successful models and she did many photo shoots, including for covers and major magazines. This was a picture taken for a European magazine prior to my knowing Melania. In Europe, pictures like this are very fashionable and common”.
The photos show Trump’s wife in nothing but high heels. “Melania was super-great and a fantastic personality and she was very kind with me,” de Basseville told The Post, adding the former model never once felt uncomfortable posing for the nude pictures.
“I was quite surprised when I saw the pictures because it was a racier shoot than I expected,” said a fashion-industry insider who was present for one of the photo sessions.
“But Melania seemed very comfortable with the whole thing, and she was very professional,” De Basseville said the photos “show the beauty and the freedom of the woman, and I am very proud of these pictures because they celebrate Melania’s beauty”.
She was introduced to the billionaire Trump during a New York Fashion Week party in 1998. The two wed in 2005 in a ceremony at Trump’s resort in Florida.
Key adviser to Trump Jason Miller said there’s no problem with the Post’s publication of the nude photograph of his wife on its Sunday cover.
“They’re a celebration of the human body as art,” Miller said on CNN’s ‘Reliable Sources’.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Miller said. “She’s a beautiful woman.” | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/us-tabloid-publishes-nude-photos-of-trumps-wife-melania/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/d6d5f5c9e27ed52c1c624eeb1bfd3ecb3749f4f22bf1acc5b4480881afef318f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:52 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, will be investigated for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class. | Malaysian rapper arrested for 'insulting Islam' in music video | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmalaysian-rapper-arrested-for-insulting-islam-in-music-video%2F20160822.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/22namewee.jpg | en | null | Malaysian rapper arrested for 'insulting Islam' in music video | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 22, 2016 15:28 IST
A popular but controversial Malaysian rapper has been arrested and was on Monday remanded to four-day police custody by a court in Kuala Lumpur over his most recent music video that allegedly insulted Islam.
Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, will be investigated for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.
The charge carries a jail term of up to two years.
The 33-year-old was arrested on Sunday at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after he arrived home from abroad and was produced before the magistrate's court in Penang city.
Namewee, who is also popular in Taiwan, is known for his profanity-laced music.
The offending video of his song 'Oh My God' was first released in July.
Earlier this month, Penang police chief said Namewee's arrest would facilitate the investigation into reports lodged against him over the video which features Penang's floating mosque as a backdrop, among others.
The rapper, however, in a separate video insisted the song was intended to promote religious harmony, The Star reported.
Alleging that Namewee insulted Islam in his latest production, 20 non-governmental organisations lodged police reports against the entertainer who is no stranger to controversy, having gained notoriety for some provocative videos earlier.
The four-minute clip, directed and produced by Namewee, features a Taiwanese band called 'Nine-One-One' and was shot in places of worship in Penang.
Malaysia is generally a moderate Islamic country. About two thirds of Malaysians are Muslim, though the country also has significant Buddhist, Christian and Hindu populations.
Of late, there there have been a number of instances that led to religious tensions, with many expressing concern over the rise of conservative Islamic attitudes.
Photograph: Namewee/Facebook | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/malaysian-rapper-arrested-for-insulting-islam-in-music-video/20160822.htm | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/212b69d85a3c9a4ee22f1b4835d73d8f0603b09e77a2dcbb96bc9572f526c97d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:28:19 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | Police said Imam Maulama Akonjee and Thara Uddin, 64, were walking home from prayers on Saturday when they were approached from behind by a male and were shot. | New York gunman kills imam and assistant outside mosque in hate attack | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fnew-york-gunman-kills-imam-assistant-outside-mosque-in-hate-attack%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14imam.jpg | en | null | New York gunman kills imam and assistant outside mosque in hate attack | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 14, 2016 12:11 IST
A 55-year old Bangladeshi-American Imam at a mosque in New York and his associate have been shot and killed from point blank range by an unidentified gunman in broad daylight amid growing concerns across the country over rising Islamophobic rhetoric.
Police said Imam Maulama Akonjee and Thara Uddin, 64, were walking home from afternoon prayers on Saturday when they were approached from behind by a male with medium complexion who was dressed in a dark polo shirt and shorts.
According to witnesses and video surveillance, immediately after the victims were shot, the same male was seen fleeing from the scene with a gun in his hand. Both victims were dressed in Islamic attire at the time of the shooting. The lone gunman still remains at large.
Responding to multiple emergency calls, police found Akonjee and Uddin with gunshot wounds to the head. They were both taken to a local hospital, where Akonjee died as a result of his injuries. Uddin was also in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries.
Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner said that currently a motive has not been determined and “there’s nothing in the preliminary investigation to indicate that they were targeted because of their faith.”
He said the police is conducting an extensive “canvass of the area for video and additional witnesses”.
No arrests have been made so far and the investigation is ongoing, Sautner said.
The New York Chapter of Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organisation Council on American-Islamic Relations said it has reported an unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim incidents nationwide since Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s “bigoted call for a complete ban on Muslims entering the United States.”
The group called for the perpetrators of the killings to be immediately brought to justice.
“The perpetrator of these senseless killings must be swiftly apprehended and face the full force of the law,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “We ask anyone with information about this attack to contact appropriate law enforcement authorities.”
Akonjee, a father of three, was a respected religious leader who had arrived in Queens from Bangladesh less than two years ago.
Sarah Sayeed, a member of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s staff, was quoted by Fox News as saying that she understands the fear the community is facing “because I feel it myself. I understand the anger. But it’s very important to mount a thorough investigation.”
Shahin Chowdhury, a worshipper at the mosque, said members of the community had felt animosity lately and he had advised fellow community members to be careful walking around, especially when in traditional clothing.
Another individual Millat Uddin said Akonjee had led the mosque for about two years and was a very pious man.
“The community’s heart is totally broken. It’s a great misery. It’s a great loss to the community and it’s a great loss to the society,” he was quoted as saying.
Image: Members of the New York City Police Department establish a crime scene at the spot where Imam Maulama Akonjee was killed in the Queens borough of New York City. Photograph: Stephanie Keith/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/new-york-gunman-kills-imam-assistant-outside-mosque-in-hate-attack/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/f54b1b93438d871de5f8a648be31e3d8fe23e25c6b3c23672021ea5081a4aa46.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:39:06 | null | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | A recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours. | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours%2F20160804.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/03rewind1.jpg | en | null | REWIND: India in the last 24 hours | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 04, 2016 10:11 IST
Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan experiences a missile launch through Cinematic techniques after the inauguration of DRDO exhibition at Parliament Library Building to showcase the products and systems developed by various DRDO laboratories, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI
The remaining portion of the Mahad-Poladpur bridge which was washed away in flood water of Savitri river on the Mumbai-Goa highway in Raigad district on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI
Brahmos missile launcher on display at an exhibition showcasing products and systems developed by various DRDO laboratories at Parliament house in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI
Police chasing away protesters throwing stones on them during a clash in Srinagar on Wednesday. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI
Villagers wade through flood water in East Champaran district of Bihar on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI
Police baton charge SC/ST students at a demonstration against scholarship cuts by the Bihar government during monsoon session of the assembly in Patna on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI
BJP National President Amit Shah addressing at BJP Pradesh Parishad Sammelan in Kolkata on Wednesday. Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI
A girl plays with a bicycle on a deserted street during curfew in Srinagar on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI
Congress activists protesting against price rise of vegetable and pulses in Patna on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI
Kashmiri women react as they watch the body of Riyaz Ahmad Shah, a civilian, who according to local media was killed on Tuesday night by pellets fired by the police, being carried away for his funeral in Srinagar. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters
A woman covers her face as a municipal worker fumigates a slum area in Kolkata. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-rewind-india-in-the-last-24-hours/20160804.htm | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/bdfbf7b8298c223521a0c77490feb2aaec4dc1d3e92df0803e970afd0603a2c0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:30:35 | null | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | Modi said Kudankulum 1, an Indo-Russian project, was an important addition to the continuing efforts to scale up production of clean energy in India. | Modi-Putin-Jaya unveil Kudankulam N-plant | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fmodi-putin-jaya-unveil-kudankulam-nuclear-plant%2F20160810.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/10kudankulam.jpg | en | null | Modi-Putin-Jaya unveil Kudankulam N-plant | null | null | www.rediff.com | Last updated on: August 10, 2016 18:34 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday jointly dedicated to the nation the 1,000 MW Nuclear Power Plant-I in Kudankulam, assuring it was one of the safest atomic plants in the world.
Speaking on the occasion through video conferencing from New Delhi, Modi said Kudankulum 1, an Indo-Russian project, was an important addition to the continuing efforts to scale up production of clean energy in India.
"I have always deeply valued our friendship with Russia and it is fitting that we jointly dedicate Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) Unit 1. This also signals our joint commitment to build pathways of partnership for green growth," he said.
Putin, speaking from Moscow, said it was a big event for all.
"The power plant is updated with most modern Russian technologies. It is not just construction and commissioning of the power plant. It is well known that Russia is one of the world leaders in nuclear technology and we are glad to share with our Indian colleagues our technology," he said.
Joining the event from Chennai, Jayalalithaa said KNPP was a "monument commemorating the long standing, abiding and deep friendship between Russia and India and that she had supported implementation of the project, at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, all through her 10 years in office".
The KNPP had been set up using the Russian VVER type reactors based on enriched uranium and its second unit was expected to start operations later this year.
The completion of the first unit was delayed in view of strident protests by local people, who raised safety concerns, before it became operational.
The Pressurised Water Reactor VVER-1000 had gone critical in July 2014 and the commercial operations started from December 31 the same year, with the unit coming to the aid of the then power starved Tamil Nadu.
The Cumulative Generation of Unit I since the date of commercial operation is 6,498 million units with its capacity factor peaking to 100 per cent in June this year.
The Prime Minister said the dedication of KNPP-I marked another historic time line in Indo-Russia relations.
"In successful completion, it is not only another fine example of the strength of our special and privileged strategic partnership, it is also a celebration of our binding friendship. It is only a start of our cooperation in this field," he said.
Modi said five more units of 1,000 MW each would be built at the KNPP.
"Today's event is also a joyful occasion for the team of Indian and Russian scientists and technicians. We salute their dedication and hard work and congratulate them for the fruits of their labour," he said.
Jayalalithaa said nuclear power was "clean, green and firm power", which a rapidly growing state like Tamil Nadu, aspiring for higher growth rates and shared prosperity, really needed.
"The dedication of the KNPP is a major milestone in Indo-Russian cooperation. Throughout my 10 years in office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu I have always extended support to the implementation of the Kudankulam project while at the same time laying focus on allaying the fears of the local people by convincing them about its safety," she said.
Noting that a nuclear power plant takes long time to be built and commissioned than conventional units, she said very high safety standards were needed to be observed.
"The smooth commercial operation of this project, overcoming many obstacles--economic, political and social, global, national and local--stands testimony to the unwavering commitment to the project of the governments of Tamil Nadu, India and Russia," Jayalalithaa said.
Successful commissioning of the project was an object lesson on how the fears and apprehensions of the local population could be and should be allayed through a process of engagement and reassurance and by building community assets and infrastructure, she said.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister recalled that when the commissioning of the first unit was getting delayed due to prolonged agitation by the locals, she had taken up the matter with Central government and the fears and concerns were heeded and addressed.
Modi said he always valued the Indo-Russian friendship.
"I am grateful to you Mr President (Putin), the people of India are associated with your great country and personally I have always deeply valued our friendship.
"It is therefore only fitting that today, we join together to dedicate Kudankulam nuclear power plant Unit 1, to the strength and vigour of our friendship and cooperation particularly Indo-Russian friendship," he said.
The Prime Minister said he looked forward to meeting Putin during the coming G20 conclave in China.
Putin said making operational the "designed capacity of the first unit and in the near future the second unit will significantly enhance India’s energy supply and strengthen its economic positions."
The Russian President stressed that the unit was built based on the most modern Russian technologies and that the construction was carried out by specialists of both countries.
"I want to stress that cooperation in the area of nuclear energy is an important part of the privileged strategic partnership of Russia and India," he said.
Putin noted that 85 per cent of the funding for this project was being done by the Russian Federation.
Tracing the measures taken by her governments to allay the apprehensions of local people, Jayalalithaa said she was confident that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India would maintain the highest safety standards.
She hoped NPCIL would also ensure continuous power generation in the two units so that Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states can rely on it as a reliable base load power station.
Jayalalithaa thanked the Russian President and people of Russia for their contribution to the development of Tamil Nadu.
"I thank the Prime Minister for dedicating the plant along with Putin. I also request the commissioning of the second unit may be expedited," she said.
Jayalalithaa was seen visibly happy when Modi spoke a sentence in Tamil welcoming her to the event. She acknowledged Modi's gesture with a 'namaskar' and clap.
Modi also mentioned a few lines in Russian in his inaugural and concluding remarks while addressing Putin.
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at with the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa, through video conferencing, in New Delhi. Phootgraph: PIB photos | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/modi-putin-jaya-unveil-kudankulam-nuclear-plant/20160810.htm | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/7ce52564d7905b623d0ce33ac844948e88eecbcdf407f2f3545ae7bda56f9707.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:35 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | She claimed no one cared about people of Kashmir but everyone wanted its land. | Where is the news on Kashmir, asks NRI girl in open letter to PM | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fwhere-is-the-news-on-kashmir-asks-nri-girl-in-open-letter-to-pm%2F20160802.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/02kashmir.jpg | en | null | Where is the news on Kashmir, asks NRI girl in open letter to PM | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 02, 2016 10:14 IST
A 17-year-old NRI girl of Kashmiri origin has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi pleading that the voices of agitating Kashmiris be heard.
“Dear Mr PM, if we cared for Kashmir people, we wouldn’t find ways to turn off all communications in the Valley only to further deprive them of freedom, we’d open up all means for their voices to be heard. Because isn’t that all Kashmir people are asking for? (sic)” Fatima Shaheen, based in Georgia of the United States, wrote.
She said she arrived in Kashmir on July 10 for a visit to her relatives only to find the Valley in a situation which she had never heard of.
“Mr PM, I see the newsflash, the attack in Nice, France, is screened followed by the attempted military coup in Turkey, along with the report on the monsoon rains in southern India. But where is the news on Kashmir? Is this why I never knew what was going on in my hometown for such a long time, Sir? (sic)” she asked.
She claimed no cared about people of Kashmir but everyone wanted its land.
“Everyone wants Kashmir, but no one cares for the people of the land. Because if we cared for Kashmir people, we wouldn’t care of people’s opinion on whether Burhan Wani was a militant or a martyr, we’d try to understand why an ace student chose to continue his career holding a gun rather than a pen (sic),” she wrote.
Image: A security jawan stands guard during curfew at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/where-is-the-news-on-kashmir-asks-nri-girl-in-open-letter-to-pm/20160802.htm | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/96c63efb405e705e1fe0f49b3bd89fd88a9e04abcd9e652a8e9fac49a5852edd.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:50:00 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The earthquake has also damaged culturally important sites such as churches and cemeteries, leaving Virgin Mary statues and coffins in the rubble. | PHOTOS: Faith in ruins after Italy's quake | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpix-faith-in-ruins-after-italys-quake%2F20160827.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/27quake1.jpg | en | null | PHOTOS: Faith in ruins after Italy's quake | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 27, 2016 09:48 IST
Three days after a violent earthquake shook central Italy on Wednesday morning, the full picture of the devastation is becoming clear.
By Friday evening, the death toll had risen to 278 while it is now estimated that 2,500 people have been left homeless.
Furthermore, some 238 people have now been rescued from collapsed buildings while 388 people have been hospitalised with serious injuries.
The Italian government declared on Saturday a national day of mourning, and a state funeral for some of the victims will be attended by Italian president Sergio Mattarella and prime minister Matteo Renzi, who authorised an initial 150 million in aid and cancelling residents’ taxes.
In addition to the human loss, the earthquake has also damaged culturally important sites such as churches and cemeteries, leaving Virgin Mary statues and coffins in the rubble.
A Virgin Mary statue is seen in cemetery following an earthquake at Sant' Angelo near Amatrice, central Italy.
A damaged Virgin Mary statue is seen in a church following an earthquake at Cossito near Amatrice.
A resident helps a firefighter to set down a crucifix from San Lorenzo e Flaviano church following the earthquake in San Lorenzo.
A firefighter carries away a painting from the San Lorenzo e Flaviano church Lorenzo, which was reduced to rubble.
Damaged family chapels are seen in a cemetery.
Coffins covered by debris are seen in a cemetery following the earthquake.
All photographs: Max Rossi/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-faith-in-ruins-after-italys-quake/20160827.htm | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/69d881951d01680040a20a5f014914da02b39648f1293442de0ed7c890d7a4f4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:26:01 | null | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | In provocative remarks, Pakistan said it is dedicating its Independence Day to Kashmir's 'freedom' and will continue to extend full diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of the state. | Pakistan provokes again, dedicates I-Day celebrations to 'Kashmir's freedom' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fpakistan-provokes-again-dedicates-i-day-celebrations-to-kashmirs-freedom%2F20160814.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/aug/14pak-iday.jpg | en | null | Pakistan provokes again, dedicates I-Day celebrations to 'Kashmir's freedom' | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 14, 2016 12:48 IST
Pakistan on Sunday once again raised the Kashmir issue while celebrating its 70th Independence Day with Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain saying the country will continue to support Kashmiris in their bid for the right to self-determination.
Hussain addressed the people during the special flag hoisting ceremony in Islamabad and mostly talked about internal challenges and importance of eliminating militancy.
He, however, also touched upon the Kashmir issue and asked the people that they should not forget the people of Kashmir on the Independence Day.
“Pakistan cannot forget Kashmiris and would continue to support them to get right of self-determination in light of the United Nations resolution,” he said.
The president urged the people to shun differences and work hard for the prosperity of the country.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif too echoed similar sentiments, saying that they were dedicating today to the freedom movement in Kashmir.
“I dedicate this year’s 14th August to the freedom of Kashmir,” the Express Tribune quoted Sharif as saying.
Remembering Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, he said that Pakistan’s creation was impossible without the former’s leadership.
“When we remember the Quaid, leaders and workers of Pakistan Movement, our hearts are enlightened with the memory people who have become immortal by sacrificing their lives for the country,” he said.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, on Sunday also voiced same feelings, saying Pakistan has always made efforts to improve its relationship with India.
“As far as the relation of Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, we dedicate this year’s Independence Day to Kashmir’s freedom. We are confident that the sacrifices made by the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be successful,” Basit said.
He asserted Pakistan has always given moral support to Jammu and Kashmir’s freedom struggle and would continue to do so.
“Struggle for independence will continue till Kashmir gets freedom; sacrifice of the people of Kashmir will not go in vain,” he said.
Basit said that no matter “how much” force is used, the political aspiration of people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be suppressed, and that the “freedom movement” will reach its logical conclusion.
-- With inputs from ANI
Image: A man walks past a Pakistani flag display along a roadside in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Photograph: Faisal Mahmood/Reuters | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pakistan-provokes-again-dedicates-i-day-celebrations-to-kashmirs-freedom/20160814.htm | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/8c9a61b13b5689953870e8dbbc3c6df057b20b4d6efc7a014a98adc3843556e7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:16:34 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | The appellate authority which heard the appeals of the 21 Jawaharlal Nehru University students who were penalised in connection with the controversial February 9 event has found all of them guilty of indiscipline even as the financial penalty imposed on some of them has been reduced. | JNU row: Panel finds 21 students guilty, fine reduced for few | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fjnu-row-panel-finds-21-students-guilty-fine-reduced-for-few%2F20160823.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/feb/15jnu2.jpg | en | null | JNU row: Panel finds 21 students guilty, fine reduced for few | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 23, 2016 20:17 IST
The appellate authority which heard the appeals of the 21 Jawaharlal Nehru University students who were penalised in connection with the controversial February 9 event has found all of them guilty of indiscipline even as the financial penalty imposed on some of them has been reduced.
"The panel has found guilty the 21 students who were penalised in connection with the February 9 event. The punishments still stand but fines imposed on few students have been reduced. Fresh letters informing the decision have been issued to students," a source said.
There was, however, no clarity on who all have benefited with reduction of penalty.
In the light of the recommendation of the High Level Enquiry Committee and subsequently the recommendation of the panel constituted to assist the Appellate Authority, the university had yesterday informed that the Vice Chancellor has come to a conclusion and has taken the final decision on the appeals made by the students.
The JNU was at the centre of a controversy in February this year because of an event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.
Three students including the students union president Kanhaiya Kumar were arrested in a sedition case over the event and are now out on bail. Twenty one JNU students were slapped with varied punishments ranging from rustication, hostel debarment to financial penalty on basis of the probe by the HLEC which found them guilty of violation of discipline norms.
The students had gone on an indefinite hunger strike against the decision which lasted for 16 days. As the varsity refused to relent and withdraw the punitive action proposed against the students despite their failing health, some students moved the Delhi high court challenging the action.
Following this, the high court issued directions to Jawaharlal Nehru University Student's Union to immediately withdraw the hunger strike and to not launch any fresh agitation. It had stayed action against the students till their appeals have been decided by the appellate authority.
The JNU had then formed a four-member committee to hear appeals of those who had been found guilty of indiscipline by the varsity probe panel. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/jnu-row-panel-finds-21-students-guilty-fine-reduced-for-few/20160823.htm | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/95b381a04c82554498819196f686c81c478c0c7aaca44da1509853450525f9ea.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:40:42 | null | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | The court asked the Centre to explain why the injuries suffered by people are above the knees. | Treat them as your own people: HC raps Centre for pellet gun injuries | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rediff.com%2Fnews%2Freport%2Fhc-raps-centre-for-pellet-gun-injuries%2F20160801.htm.json | http://im.rediff.com/news/2016/jul/13kashmir4.jpg | en | null | Treat them as your own people: HC raps Centre for pellet gun injuries | null | null | www.rediff.com | August 01, 2016 20:25 IST
The court asks the Centre to explain why the injuries suffered by people are above the knees.
The Jammu and Kashmir high court on Monday rapped the Centre on use of pellet guns by paramilitary forces and asked it to explain why the injuries suffered by people are above the knees -- mostly in eyes -- despite claims of having trained law-enforcing agencies.
“You are discharging the duty of controlling a mob, the crowd, but in a civilised society how you control a mob, because they are your own people, they are not aliens, they have not descended from outer space with their own pellets throwing on you. Treat them as your own people. You are not treating them as your own people,” a division bench of the court observed, while hearing a public interest litigation.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, said the government claims Central Reserve Police Force personnel were trained to handle the pellet guns but it did not explain how the people were suffering injuries above their knees and mostly in their eyes then.
“You are not explaining how the injuries are suffered above knee, mostly the eyes are damaged. You are not explaining that.
“If you are trained, you are saying many things about their training, but you are not saying why the people are suffering injuries above knees and then their eyes are mostly damaged. You are not saying that,” the court told assistant solicitor general of India.
The Centre in its response before the court said that the CRPF personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for maintaining law-and-order duties are experienced and fully trained to use anti-riot equipment.
Each functional battalion of the CRPF has seven companies, out of which one company is always put under training on rotation basis to refresh their operational skills and acquaint themselves with the latest technology.
They are not companies formed by collecting trainees/recruits from training centre, the Centre said.
It also said in pursuance to the Ministry of Home Affairs order dated May 26, 60 companies of the CRPF (including two mahila companies) are currently deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for security arrangements during Amarnath Yatra with effect from June 18 till completion of the Yatra.
Fifty four training/reserve companies were also deployed additionally in the Kashmir Valley for maintaining law-and-order situation.
These companies are fully trained to use anti-riot equipment etc in law-and-order duties, the Centre said.
However, the bench said while the government asserts that the CRPF is trained to deal with pellet guns, the situation on the ground is different.
“It was in this context that it was said that you give this information to the court. The reason was this because the people have suffered injuries above knee and mostly in their eyes. See, if you are controlling a crowd, you have to follow your own standard operating procedure also in doing that.
“It is all on paper that you are trained, that you are fit to deal with this gun, but on the ground, the situation is different because reports have been submitted by the state government regarding injuries to the people because of the use of the pellet guns,” the court observed.
The court said the state was creating problems for itself by using pellet guns and asked it to take a conscious decision on their use.
“It is the problem for the state. They use pellet guns, their own people suffer and they have to get doctors from outside. This is the problem created by the state for itself. They have to take a conscious decision about it,” it said.
The bench asked the government to think about the use of pellet guns in the light of the statement of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament and also asked it to find an alternative method of crowd control.
“Why don’t you think about it (use of pellet guns)? Your own home minister said avoid its use. It is the home minister of the country saying avoid its use. Why don’t you find alternative methods?” it asked.
The court listed the case for next hearing on August 9. | http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hc-raps-centre-for-pellet-gun-injuries/20160801.htm | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.rediff.com/a61d65c0dc02114fceb3e6a46411009ebcb5e9c559f1530eb11742ee7aefba04.json |
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