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[
"Madhur Tankha"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:00 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Fostering friendly relations between the two neighbours is her top priority and fashion is her medium for creating a congenial atmosphere where peaceful coexistence, people-to-people contact can be p | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fhuma-nassr-uses-fashion-to-promote-peace-between-india-pakistan%2Farticle9036927.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27DMC_CHUMA3_2987579c.jpg | en | null | Huma Nassr uses fashion to promote peace between India & Pakistan | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Huma Nassr explains how she is using fashion to promote goodwill and peace between India and Pakistan
Fostering friendly relations between the two neighbours is her top priority and fashion is her medium for creating a congenial atmosphere where peaceful coexistence, people-to-people contact can be promoted, and hopefully materialise. Huma Nassr, designer and curator of Shaan-e-Pakistan, is giving finishing touches to the third edition of her festival “Kya Dilli Kya Lahore” to be held in Delhi in January.
Not a cakewalk it has been as she recounts instances of creating obstacles in her festival, which seeks to create a win-win situation for designers, artisans of both the nations.
“I don’t know politics; we are from the fashion fraternity. But it is our endeavour to improve relations. We do not use diplomatic terminologies like track II diplomacy to describe our event. We cannot change opinion of governments but they will have to rethink when people on both sides are eager to meet each other.”
Recent events have created negative vibes between the two countries. “ I only know about my event. In March I took Rekha Bhardwaj to Lahore where the crowd was so absorbed that the show went up till wee hours . Zeenat Aman walked the ramp for my label and was our guest for six days. When the awam wants to meet then governments should not put barriers.”
Huma, who can seamlessly blend mukaish with chikankari, wants us to see the bigger picture.“When designers of both nations converge at the same venue, there is exchange of ideas and it definitely creates camaraderie.”
Coming to fashion, the designer says, “Couturiers from both countries sharing the same platform creates lot of goodwill among the people. Manish Malhotra sharing the stage with HSY speaks about richness in outfits made in the sub-continent. Last time, Pakistani designers purchased work of their Indian counterparts. Similarly, Indian designers bought garments from us. When I take jewellery, accessories from India then I promote them. Phulkari, kantha of India are very famous there. I use lot of kantha in my work and recommend it to Pakistani designers. Earlier ajrak was only in cotton, now ajrak is in silk as well and will be showcased.”
Nearly three dozen designers are expected to showcase their works in the next edition. “Fifty thousand brands specialise in lawn. So we have to be selective. In India we have Anita Dongre, who is doing such brilliant work. Manish Malhotra is working on lawn these days. Among youngsters there is Preeti Rathore who is doing amazing work. Then there is Joy Mitra.” Huma met Rohit Bal and invited him. “He has promised he would be there.
We are contacting Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Sandeep Khosla for the Delhi show and also the Lahore one in March.” As January is the bridal season, the event will see famed Pakistani garare and sharare which have lot of detialing.
Between her hectic schedules involving behind-the-scene work, she also engages in creativity where the stamp of subcontinent is unmistakable. “As a designer I get Rajasthani gotta patti done on lawn. I take Indian textiles home and do craftsmanship on it. So this is jugalbandi.”
Explaining how the two nations are benefiting through import-export, Huma says, “When Indian turmeric is used at home then it becomes our shaan. Similarly, kaju katli is so famous there. Our naan khatai and Shaan masala are a must have here. Bundoo Khan, our famous chef who regularly cooks mouth watering Pakistani food at India International Trade Fair would also be coming this time round. Other experts in Peshawari cuisine and Sindhi food would also be participating.”
When Huma used to visit India, she would always wonder at the prospect of showcasing talent of both nations on a common platform. “I am playing a mediator for designers and artists of both nations. Sanam Margi, Asrar, Zehri sahib, known for Baluchi music, would be coming. We will put together an elaborate Sufi festival this time round.”
On hurdles faced in the host country, Huma says when she faced tax issue last year she was upset . “ I told them please don’t give me heartburn in India.
Ups and downs have been for there for 60 years but we need to do our best to bring the people together. I want Shiv Sena to host us in Mumbai. I want more flexibility and would like to invite a high ranking Minister from the government.”
One reminds her of Javed Akhtar getting his visa rejected. “Yes, and Anupam Kher also could not visit us because of the same reason. Woh bahut naraz the. This time I have promised him to take his show Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta to Pakistan. Legendary stars like Sridevi and Hema Malini, who we have been watching all these years, also need to come.”
On the future, Huma says she cannot do crystal ball gazing what will happen a decade from now. “Let us take a step forward. I started this as it is my passion and nobody stopped me in India and Pakistan.” | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/huma-nassr-uses-fashion-to-promote-peace-between-india-pakistan/article9036927.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/85cd7fa80e75c36e64e5da72dfba9994eace9c13829649a57fe498fd419ef687.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T08:54:32 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | A five-month-old foetus was found inside the compound of the house belonging to G. Subramanian on Yadavar Street in Srivaikuntam on Sunday. The foetus was taken to Srivaikuntam Government Hospital for | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Ffivemonthold-foetus-found%2Farticle9044833.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Five-month-old foetus found | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A five-month-old foetus was found inside the compound of the house belonging to G. Subramanian on Yadavar Street in Srivaikuntam on Sunday. The foetus was taken to Srivaikuntam Government Hospital for examination. Based on a complaint lodged by M. Senthil Kumar, Village Administrative Officer of Aniyaparanallur, Srivaikuntam police have registered a case under Section 318 of the IPC.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fivemonthold-foetus-found/article9044833.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/04f0e99589a4b5599e2133cd1e2d51124d9cb30424e34e4748e27535f995a4f6.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T14:52:51 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that action will be taken against managements of aided educational institutions that accept capitation fee to admit students.Acceptance of capitation fee would | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fcapitation-fee-cm-warns-institutions%2Farticle9042054.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Capitation fee: CM warns institutions | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that action will be taken against managements of aided educational institutions that accept capitation fee to admit students.
Acceptance of capitation fee would be considered as a corrupt practice, he said at a function organised by the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) to distribute scholarships to meritorious students here on Saturday. The government was keen on improving educational standards by introducing smart classrooms and other means. Skill upgradation was being given due importance along with academics. Teachers should imbibe the spirit of the reforms, he said. Over 100 students from 11th class to post-graduation, studying in various institutions, were selected for the scholarship scheme of the foundation.
K.C. Venugopal, MP, S.D. Shibulal, former CEO of Infosys and founder of SDF, and trustees Kumari Shibulal and Ramanand, were among those present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/capitation-fee-cm-warns-institutions/article9042054.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c7a1546dd3e9964ff41eba1e1be214c18456d310403ca6a65f3755bfdb5a30e4.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T00:50:53 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Commuters arriving at the Tiruvanmiyur MRTS railway station since Saturday are being welcomed with wall paintings that are vibrant and thematic. Volunteers behind the effort hope it will prevent peopl | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fa-pleasant-distraction-at-tiruvanmiyur-mrts-station%2Farticle9043585.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/CHE-TIRUVANMIYUR_M_2990166c.jpg | en | null | A pleasant distraction at Tiruvanmiyur MRTS station | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Volunteers gave a new lease of life to 18 wall panels at the Tiruvanmiyur MRTS station. — PHOTO: R. RAGU
About 120 volunteers and students of architecture took part in a daylong effort to create the wall paintings.
Commuters arriving at the Tiruvanmiyur MRTS railway station since Saturday are being welcomed with wall paintings that are vibrant and thematic. Volunteers behind the effort hope it will prevent people from spitting and defacing public spaces such as railway stations.
Over 12 hours on Saturday, volunteers gave a new lease of life to 18 wall panels in the massive railway station that is used by close to 15,000 commuters every day. About 120 volunteers and students of architecture took part in a daylong effort to create the wall paintings.
“We selected walls that are on the path of the commuters from the entry point to the ticket counter and then to the flight of steps leading to the elevated platforms,” explained Nachiappan Karthikeyan, founder of Studio of Architectural Urbanism — Sparehouse, a voluntary platform to bring art and architecture to urban spaces. While the window panels were painted in different colours, the walls in the concourse were used for creating thematic paintings, with focus on the girl child, women and environment.
They act as ‘visual barriers’ — where commuters get a pleasant distraction when they enter huge public places, Mr. Karthikeyan said.
Southern Railway officials said volunteers had contributed immensely to spruce up many MRTS stations, especially Tiruvanmiyur | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-pleasant-distraction-at-tiruvanmiyur-mrts-station/article9043585.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a6d425c7c5d9607d40c13756bc92383f9329181324095fdf0afe5a133b876e1a.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T04:51:36 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Commotion reigned supreme at Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations on Sunday as commuters ran helter-skelter, seeking information on delayed running of trains, diversion and cancellation, follo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Fchaos-reigns-at-city-stations%2Farticle9044629.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/28kijlp02_train_28_2990585c.jpg | en | null | Chaos reigns at city stations | null | null | www.thehindu.com | PASSENGERS STRANDED:The Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi Express halted at the Ernakulam Junction railway station following the rail accident at Karukutty near Angamaly on Sunday.— PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGMENT
KSRTC operates services from stations; Railways launches special trains
Commotion reigned supreme at Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations on Sunday as commuters ran helter-skelter, seeking information on delayed running of trains, diversion and cancellation, following the derailment of the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Express in the vicinity of Karukutty railway station near Angamaly.
While a few special trains operated between Ernakulam and southern districts, a large number of people who had reserved tickets thronged the stations to catch any train to their destinations.
The Ernakulam Area Manager of Southern Railway Rajesh Chandran said the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operated services from the railway stations, thereby clearing the rush of commuters to some extent. “Most of them wanted to reach their workplace on Monday, having availed leave or off during the weekend,” he said.
“Till 7 p.m. on Sunday, we operated 19 air-conditioned low-floor buses and 32 superfast and fast passenger special services from here to different districts,” said KSRTC Controlling Inspector Habeeb. The KSRTC main bus stand too saw more than the usual number of passengers.
The Railways deployed 65 hired vehicles to ferry commuters to the northern districts. It operated a total of 10 special trains to northern and southern districts.
Machinery
Newly-acquired heavy machinery units were deployed for track repair and restoration works at the accident site. This included Self Propelled Accident Relief Train (SPART) and a multi-functional crane. The seven rail fractures detected on the track post the mishap are being tended to.
‘Safety compromised’
Meanwhile, the All Kerala Railway Passengers’ Association has expressed concern at the lackadaisical attitude of the Railway towards ensuring passenger safety.
“There is shortage of personnel in many key wings. The Comptroller and Auditor General had cited how funds meant for rail safety were not being used for the purpose. Adherence to safety norms and global best practices would have prevented the accident that threw rail traffic haywire across Kerala, affecting thousands of passengers,” said Mathew Paul, the president of the association. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/chaos-reigns-at-city-stations/article9044629.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f00b9915f936a61894c4c350b1a28713fe4f696a2a48f594c7db04a5d6136d44.json |
[
"P. Sujatha Varma"
] | 2016-08-31T04:55:52 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) has opted out of the proposal to approach the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for about Rs. 3,500 crore loan after the Japanese agency put | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Famrc-drops-jica-teams-up-with-dmrc%2Farticle9053428.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | AMRC drops JICA, teams up with DMRC | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) has opted out of the proposal to approach the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for about Rs. 3,500 crore loan after the Japanese agency put forth a fresh condition.
It instead signed an agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday for the execution of the metro rail project on a turnkey basis. “The agreement has been signed for a period of four years. By February 2019, we expect to put the priority corridor between Nidamanur and Pandit Nehru Bus Station into trial run operation,” AMRC Managing Director N. Ramakrishna Reddy told The Hindu on Tuesday.
Mr. Reddy said release of funds to the tune of Rs. 300 crore by the State Government for land acquisition had given impetus for initiating the process of calling the tenders.
JICA conditions
JICA has so far been extending soft loans at around 0.3 per cent interest rate to cities like Chennai and Bengaluru without any conditions. This is called ‘untied’ loan which means that the receiving party can call for global tenders and procure various works without limiting to a particular country.
“Unfortunately, from this year onwards, JICA has made this soft loan as ‘tied’ loan insisting that 30 per cent of the loan component we receive must be utilised for procurement of rolling stocks from Japan only,” AMRC Managing Director N. Ramakrishna Reddy told The Hindu on Tuesday.
There are other hassles as well. When the AMRC spelt out its plan to utilise the services of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as a servicing agency, the JICA put a condition that it would appoint a general consultant above the DMRC for supervision. “That will be a costly affair,” says Mr. Reddy.
He said the AMRC had appealed to the JICA to have a general consultant appointed with a limited role of supervision of quality works which had not been heeded to.
“I have been constantly in touch with the Director, JICA, Tokyo and Director, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan from June 2 this year. In spite of repeated reminders, there is no proper response from their side. Since time is running out, we decided to drop JICA and go ahead with DMRC consultancy for execution of the project on a turnkey basis, duly utilising other external funding agencies,” said Mr. Reddy. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/amrc-drops-jica-teams-up-with-dmrc/article9053428.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f336837cd963a40e2d1adc6cbddbf8189c87208a13cc4326560c738f28534af4.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:51:50 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The standalone picture, “League of legends”, and the report, “Sachin presents heroes of Rio Olympics with swanky cars” (both Aug. 29), only highlight the disease in our country called “idolism”. The | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Fpointless-gifts%2Farticle9051365.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Pointless ‘gifts’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The standalone picture, “League of legends”, and the report, “Sachin presents heroes of Rio Olympics with swanky cars” (both Aug. 29), only highlight the disease in our country called “idolism”. The heroes of Rio deserve praise but it is a bit over the top that Sachin Tendulkar, Rajya Sabha MP, has had to do this. As an MP, it is his duty to raise in Parliament the problems of athletes and the issues in sports infrastructure. Luxury items and material gifts will not encourage sports in India. Instead, the money used to purchase the swanky cars could have been used to buy much-needed equipment.
Akshay Sarjerao Kamble, Mumbai | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/pointless-gifts/article9051365.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/039d5372b3b10bdf64da5cdb12c9e640b405d62f698afe7bdf1f37902fb3fbae.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T18:53:31 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Robert Lewandowski claimed a hat-trick as defending champion Bayern Munich brushed Werder Bremen aside with a 6-0 win in Friday’s opening match of the new German league season.Lewandowski, the Bundes | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fbayern-begins-with-a-bang%2Farticle9040816.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/TH28BAYERN_2988917c.jpg | en | null | Bayern begins with a bang | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Robert Lewandowski continued where he left off last season by scoring a hat-trick against Werder Bremen on Friday.—PHOTO: AFP
Robert Lewandowski claimed a hat-trick as defending champion Bayern Munich brushed Werder Bremen aside with a 6-0 win in Friday’s opening match of the new German league season.
Lewandowski, the Bundesliga’s top-scorer last season with 30 goals, could have finished with five as Bayern ran riot.
“I’m just happy I scored and that we got the win,” Lewandowski told broadcaster ARD and revealed he finished the game with a hole in his goal-scoring right boot.
After Xabi Alonso scored the first goal of the 2016-17 campaign at Munich’s Allianz Arena, Lewandowski netted either side of the break before captain Philipp Lahm added a fourth. It was no more than shooting practice for Bayern by the time Franck Ribery fired home, with Lewandowski then converting a penalty to claim his third and Munich’s sixth.
Having also hammered Hamburg 5-0 in last season’s opening game, this was another emphatic win as Bayern looks to win a fifth Bundesliga title in a row. It finished 2-0 at the break, but it could have been at least double that as Lewandowski and then Thomas Muller both hit the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes.
Bayern won last season’s German league title by 10 points, making history with a fourth straight Bundesliga title. It picked up under new coach Carlo Ancelotti where it left off under Pep Guardiola, who left in May to coach Manchester City, with long periods of possession.
The results: On Saturday: Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Meier 13) bt Schalke 04 0; Augsburg 0 lost to Wolfsburg 2 (Didavi 35, Rodriguez 89-pen); Hamburg 1 (Wood 30) drew with Ingolstadt 1 (Hinterseer 79); Cologne 2 (Risse 11, Modeste 61) bt Darmstadt 0; Borussia Dortmund 2 (Aubameyang 17, 89-pen) bt Mainz 1 (Muto 90+2). On Friday: Bayern Munich 6 (Alonso 9, Lewandowski 13, 46, 77-pen, Lahm 66, Ribery 73) bt Werder Bremen 0. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bayern-begins-with-a-bang/article9040816.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d61f7f9d8725bcd1625fd971a225a00ad3c1f796957bf00f8a30e06401eade5d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:20 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The rise in stray dogs in Kerala has taken on epidemic proportions and it is strange that no one appears to be concerned, especially as rabies is a disease with 100 per cent mortality. The perception | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Fstray-dog-control%2Farticle9046733.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Stray dog control | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The rise in stray dogs in Kerala has taken on epidemic proportions and it is strange that no one appears to be concerned, especially as rabies is a disease with 100 per cent mortality. The perception that the anti-rabies vaccine lobby is against the culling of dogs in Kerala is gaining ground. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi is right in saying that the factors leading to a dog invasion include unscientific waste disposal. The government and the judiciary must allow the culling of stray dogs that have not been immunised. After all poultry was culled when there was bird flu.
Dr. George Jacob E., Kochi | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/stray-dog-control/article9046733.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7c29221202949af1dc5115a54286781c4f5648799ecec0e46a8f76d759dbfae0.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T06:56:48 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government would help in development of the new indoor auditorium at Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Women’s College into a women badminton academy for pro | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fgovernment-will-nurture-badminton-talent-cm%2Farticle9041529.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27VJVRA2_CM-bad_28_2989208c.jpg | en | null | Government will nurture badminton talent: CM | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu trying his hand at shuttle badminton after the inauguration of an indoor stadium in Vijayawada on Saturday. —Photo: V. Raju
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government would help in development of the new indoor auditorium at Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Women’s College into a women badminton academy for promoting the emerging talent.
Inaugurating the auditorium and planting saplings on the college premises here on Saturday, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said the auditorium would be transformed into a Centre of Excellence for badminton, where 100 sportspersons would be trained every year.
About the Vanam-Manam program, Mr. Naidu said each individual in the State should spare time on the fourth Saturday of every month for planting saplings, water conservation and cleanliness to make Andhra Pradesh a clean and green State. Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas, Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan, Mayor K. Sridhar and college Principal T. Vijaya Lakshmi were among those present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/government-will-nurture-badminton-talent-cm/article9041529.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4a58d0843203aea05ab1467f72576f8039a7d76fcd32bb4b553a5ae461423b45.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T12:55:42 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Memories of the destruction caused by cyclones remains fresh in the minds of the residents of Ward 9. The remnants of such disasters seem to have instilled a permanent sense of fear among the residen | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fward-watch-ward-no-9-living-in-fear-of-disasters%2Farticle9035100.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/Chennai1_2987053c.jpg | en | null | Ward No. 9: Living in fear of disasters - The Hindu | null | null | www.thehindu.com | WEATHER-BEATEN: Abandoned houses in Tiruvottiyur Kuppam bear testimony of the natural calamities that struck the area in the past. Photo: R. Ragu.
Memories of the destruction caused by cyclones remains fresh in the minds of the residents of Ward 9. The remnants of such disasters seem to have instilled a permanent sense of fear among the residents. The abandoned houses along the sea coast in Tiruvottiyur Kuppam stand testimony to their sufferings.
“Even though the heavy flooding in December last year did not cause any major damage in the ward, the residents are scared because the neighbouring wards suffered badly,” said D. Dayanithi, a resident.
The ward is geographically at a higher elevation facilitating runoff during heavy rains. However, the development of major expressways such as Ennore Expressway has reportedly started causing inundations because of inadequate stormwater drains.
Another resident, B. Mary said that she had lost her home when the Ennore Expressway project was implemented a few years ago. Though she received alternative accommodation elsewhere, she was forced to return to the old ward after losing her livelihood.
“The construction of stormwater drains is delayed. The Ennore Expressway has been built at a great height. So the water level rises during the rains,” said Ms. Mary.
Corporation Councillor M. Dhanaramesh said he has requested the Highways Department to complete the stormwater drain project along Ennore Expressway before the onset of the northeast monsoon.
Residents said the frequent movement of heavy vehicles was bothering them especially during night hours. They have also requested the reconstruction of the marker on Pattinatharkoil Street in Tiruvottiyur.
The ward does not have any large scale industries but workers of most of the industries in north Chennai reside here. They have sought more bus and minibus services.
The burial ground for most of the wards in the neighbourhood is located here and the residents’ request for its modernisation has not been accepted yet.
Mosquito density has reportedly been leading to frequent outbreak of fever in the neighbourhood.
Most of the interior roads have been relaid. LED streetlights have been installed along all the roads. But, infrastructure for drinking water supply and drainage network is yet to be commissioned. Mr. Dhanaramesh said the work would be completed this year. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/ward-watch-ward-no-9-living-in-fear-of-disasters/article9035100.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8967d01b370e92adbfadf617e00704ba03205b1784ec0362f369d1e335b1d07b.json |
[
"Legal Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T18:51:03 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Civil rights advocate Prashant Bhushan has written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, warning the State of inviting Supreme Court's contempt action by culling stray dogs.The apex court had or | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fprashant-bhushan-cautions-kerala-cm-against-culling%2Farticle9043165.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02587/Prashant_bhushan_2587067c.jpg | en | null | Prashant Bhushan cautions Kerala CM against culling | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Civil rights advocate Prashant Bhushan has written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, warning the State of inviting Supreme Court's contempt action by culling stray dogs. File photo
The apex court had ordered sterilisation of stray dogs as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and not culling.
Civil rights advocate Prashant Bhushan has written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, warning the State of inviting Supreme Court's contempt action by culling stray dogs.
The apex court had ordered sterilisation of stray dogs as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and not culling. Mr. Bhushan said the case was still pending in the apex court and mass culling of dogs would affect the State's image as a tourism hot-spot.
“What is perturbing are the statements made by two of your Ministers — Dr. K.T. Jaleel, local self-government Minister and K. Raju, Animal Husbandry Minister. It has been widely reported in the media that they plan to bring lethal injections to kill dogs... I would like to humbly submit that this would be tantamount to contempt of the Supreme Court and we do not wish to move for contempt,” Mr. Bhushan wrote to the Chief Minister.
The letter refers to a March 2016 order of a Supreme Court Bench led by Justice Dipak Misra which found that the real problem is the implementation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and municipal laws.
Justice Misra had observed that it is necessary to see that “compassion to animals and the healthy existence of human beings are seemly balanced.”
“Yes, the people of Kerala are having a tough time with stray dogs. We agree with you there is a problem. The only thing we are saying is that the solution to this problem is sterilisation and not killing,” Mr. Bhushan wrote in his letter signed also as co-founder of Swaraj Abhiyan.
The letter refers to how the Bombay Municipal Corporation in January 2014 acknowledged that “killing is no solution and sterilisation programme is the answer”.
The letter brings to the attention of Mr. Vijayan the Kochi Corporation's Animal Birth Control Programme for Dogs (ABCD), which is “leading the way in sterilisation programme.”
“As per reports — the doctor in the programme said that 76 per cent of the bites are from pets and not strays and in Kochi, out of 2,000 sterilised dogs only two were found to be rabid,” the letter dated August 27 said.
Mr. Bhushan is likely to move the Supreme Court on August 29 against culling in the State. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/prashant-bhushan-cautions-kerala-cm-against-culling/article9043165.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ecf2b5887991aa32d63338aebdd00b0e6374dfbc0b4457fd4030e09dee00bd1a.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T12:55:40 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Delhi Police have arrested a couple and six others for allegedly running the biggest trafficking and prostitution racket in the Capital’s red light area -- GB Road.With the routes of the alleged s | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Fpolice-bust-biggest-trafficking-racket-running-at-gb-road%2Farticle9052669.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/DE31-CRIME_BRAN_DE_2993037c.jpg | en | null | Police bust ‘biggest trafficking racket’ running at GB Road | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Nabbed:Three of the accused arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for trafficking and prostitution racket at G.B. Road, in New Delhi on Tuesday .— Photo: V. Sudershan
The Delhi Police have arrested a couple and six others for allegedly running the biggest trafficking and prostitution racket in the Capital’s red light area -- GB Road.
With the routes of the alleged syndicate stretching all the way to Nepal and pecuniary gains made by the couple Affaq Husain and Saira running into crores, the Delhi Police Crime Branch have slapped the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against them, the first such case in GB Road.
Together, the two made properties estimated to be worth nearly Rs.100 crore from the illegal business, said the police. This includes houses in Delhi and Bangalore and even a school which the two run in the name of their daughter, the police added.
Six kothas
Saira, who had herself been trafficked by her first husband Talab Husain (now deceased), has been in the trafficking trade longer than Affaq. In the past 26 years, the couple have trafficked over 5,000 girls from Nepal and West Bengal. In GB Road, they run six kothas, including the biggest — number 64.
“In order to hide his criminal activities, Affaq had handed over the management of the kothas of GB Road in the name of managers and wardens, including Shamshad, Mumtaz, Shilpa alias Tulsi and Pooja. All these warden helped him with the management of the kothas . Affaq used to pay them 15 per cent of the earnings for their roles. Sarfraz alias Billi provided muscle power to the business,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav.
This network and two others account for nearly 80 per cent of the flesh trade at GB Road and slapping of MCOCA instead of the conventional IPC or Immoral Trafficking Act will ensure better deterrence, said the police. The women the couple target are sold to kotha owners at GB Road for nearly Rs.2 lakh.
“The victims are thrashed, confined in hidden cells, intoxicated and kept starved for many days to force them in this activity. While the victims are compelled to live in hell-like circumstances, their distressed family members keep running from pillar to post to trace them. The girls are paid meagre amount once the amount spent on buying them, along with interest at the rate of eight to 10 per cent per month, is recovered from their earnings,” added Mr. Yadav.
The price they would fetch from clients, mostly truck drivers or visitors who come to hardware shops in the area, are anywhere between Rs.300 and Rs.500. The daily earnings from all six kothas for the couple was nearly Rs.10 lakh. The six others arrested helped the couple run this illegal business. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/police-bust-biggest-trafficking-racket-running-at-gb-road/article9052669.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f28046e69c3c35a718a830fef771c50df7d54c2df22d8951a44be31d26cba297.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:34 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | : Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said his administration will examine the possibility of bringing a legislation making it mandatory for private medical colleges to part with 50 per cent of the seats a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fpuducherry%2Flaw-to-get-50-seats-from-private-medical-colleges-on-anvil%2Farticle9053312.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Law to get 50% seats from private medical colleges on anvil | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said his administration will examine the possibility of bringing a legislation making it mandatory for private medical colleges to part with 50 per cent of the seats as government quota.
Replying to a question raised by Congress member M.N. R Balan, he said in the current academic year the government had secured 283 seats from private colleges. Mr. Balan said a private college, at the time of getting no-objection certificate, had to sign an agreement with the government to provide 50 per cent seats. However, so far they had failed to adhere to the commitment and successive governments ignored the issue, he said. Congress member K. Lakshminarayanan urged the government to enact legislation so that it would make mandatory for the private colleges to provide 50 per cent of seats. He also urged the government to act against the management of private colleges that collected hefty fee. The demand was supported by AIADMK leader Mr Anbazhagan. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/law-to-get-50-seats-from-private-medical-colleges-on-anvil/article9053312.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fb57c4b06915c99d3ff378cee743b6ef462e6c113c6f84c7a9f664d9667d1e7d.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T18:51:37 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Known for his precise bowling, legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath, who holds the record for highest number of Test wickets (563) by a fast bowler, was accurate while comparing two star Indian b | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Fkohli-and-tendulkar-are-different-says-glenn-mcgrath%2Farticle9051323.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/TH31GLENN_2992621c.jpg | en | null | Kohli and Tendulkar are different, says Glenn McGrath | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Tests are still the ultimate, says the Aussie pacer
Known for his precise bowling, legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath, who holds the record for highest number of Test wickets (563) by a fast bowler, was accurate while comparing two star Indian batsmen – Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli – and their traits.
“Virat [Kohli] and Sachin [Tendukar] are different personalities. There is no doubt that Sachin is one of the all time greats.
Virat is confident; he has got this attitude to batting. He does not back down.
Sachin was positive and confident and went about his business.
“Virat brings a different level of attitude to the game which I like and I think that will hold him in good stead. I think he will be around for a long time. Virat probably comes a bit harder at you, considering the T20 format,” said McGrath interacting with mediapersons on Tuesday.
Asked about his famous duels with Tendulkar, McGrath said, “I would never say I dominated Sachin Tendulkar. I had some good days against him and he had some good days against me as well.
“I enjoyed bowling to the guys who were described as class players and were able to adjust to the conditions around the world. I would bowl to Sachin in areas which he did not like and he would wait for a bad ball.”
Speaking about the sliding popularity of Test cricket, McGrath said, “Test cricket is still the ultimate and young people should hold it in high regard. I used to have concerns about T20 cricket and its impact on the game but I think it can have a positive impact by bringing new people into the game to watch it and to play. That might filter up to the Test level. “You look at the guys like Virat, A.B. de Villiers, Steve Smith, Joe Root — they are quality Test players and are also up there with the best in T20. You still need to be a quality batsman to succeed at T20 level too.”
McGrath said he liked the pink ball experiment in order to revive the longest format of the game. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/kohli-and-tendulkar-are-different-says-glenn-mcgrath/article9051323.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c9d59bca6cb3759c8c0fa7311dc2d0439270794da4008ea0bf6cc93b2ff555a1.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:08 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Zilla Kannada Sahitya Samskrutika Vedike has organised ‘Shravana Kavyotsava’, a cultural programme to commemorate the poet Da. Ra. Bendre at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan in the city on August 27, said its | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fprogramme-to-honour-da-ra-bendre-today%2Farticle9039140.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Programme to honour Da. Ra. Bendre today | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Zilla Kannada Sahitya Samskrutika Vedike has organised ‘Shravana Kavyotsava’, a cultural programme to commemorate the poet Da. Ra. Bendre at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan in the city on August 27, said its president D. Manjunath.
Music and dance performances based on the poems authored by Da. Ra. Bendre will be held as part of the programme, he said.
Writers Shamasundara Bidarakundi and H.T. Krishnamurthy will speak on life and literary achievements of Da. Ra. Bendre. Artist Ananth Deshapande will present a humour show.
The artists of Pushpa Centre for Performing Arts will present a dancedrama. Vocalists K. Yuvaraj, Sureka Hegde, Jayashree Sridhar, Pratibha Nagaraj, Lakshmi Mahesh will render the compositions from Gari, Sakhigeeta and Uyyale, the compendium of poems authored by Da. Ra. Bendre, he said.
A poets’ meet will be held in which Thimmappa Kalasi, Ganeshmurthy, D. Ganesh, Noor Samad Abbalagere, H.S. Manjappa will present their self-composed poems, he said.
The programme will commence at 6 p.m. Functionaries of the vedike Madhusudan Aithal, T. Krishnappa, S. Shivamurthy were present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/programme-to-honour-da-ra-bendre-today/article9039140.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6d9a5cd4958b7eb25c715ab060fd22bdf87d9731718b9bb0c4f755d1ac4b2f1c.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T08:51:33 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Achieving vital breakthrough in the recent robbing of around Rs.1.50 crore from an agent of a Maharashtra-based gold merchant by a group of persons at Cherkala near here, police have arrested prime ac | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fman-held-on-charges-of-looting-rs150-crore%2Farticle9044564.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Man held on charges of looting Rs.1.50 crore | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Achieving vital breakthrough in the recent robbing of around Rs.1.50 crore from an agent of a Maharashtra-based gold merchant by a group of persons at Cherkala near here, police have arrested prime accused N.K. Mrithul, 23.
The police have also launched a man hunt to trap five others involved in the crime.
The arrest of Mrithul on Saturday was carried out by a police team led by Adhur Circle Inspector Sibi Thomas, who said the gangsters were known to be actively engaged as carriers of unaccounted money, especially along the highways.
The police have spread net to trap the remaining accused, all of them hailing from Koothuparamba in Kannur, he said.
The robbery of the cash was committed on the night of August 7, as Ganesh, who is working as an employee of a gold merchant in Pune, was travelling in a car from Maharashtra to Thalasserry, along with his car driver Prajeesh.
Gun point
As the car was passing through Cherkala, a group of persons, who were said to have tacit understanding with the elusive Prajeesh, looted the money at gun point.
Ganesh, after coming to terms with the dubious role played by his car driver, returned from Thalasserry and lodged a complaint with the Vidyanagar police station here on August 23, leading to the arrest of the prime accused in the case. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/man-held-on-charges-of-looting-rs150-crore/article9044564.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ea5a7c0ed1cab3c39aff71ce7828c35cfb31f6f49e318fcb22a8eff832a9f3ec.json |
[
"B. Muralidhar Reddy"
] | 2016-08-30T18:53:21 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | More good news is in store for the central government employees who have showered with attractive benefits following the decision of the Narendra Modi regime to implement the recommendations of the 7 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fcentre-enhances-bonus-to-its-employees%2Farticle9050954.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Centre enhances bonus to its employees | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Government doubles Productivity Linked Bonus or ad-hoc bonus to Rs. 7,000.
More good news is in store for the central government employees who have showered with attractive benefits following the decision of the Narendra Modi regime to implement the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.
On Tuesday, the government doubled the employees Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) or ad-hoc bonus to Rs. 7,000 from Rs. 3,500 and that with effect from April 1, 2014.
A notification by the government said that grant of PLB or Ad-hoc Bonus to its employees for the year 2014-2015 calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of ad-hoc bonus was monthly emoluments of Rs. 3,500.
It said that the question of enhancement of the calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of PLB and non-PLB to the employees has been considered and the President has decided that the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments for the purpose of payment of PLB and ad-hoc bonus, as the case may be, shall be revised to Rs.7000 with effect from April 1, 2014 for the accounting year 2014-15.
It said accordingly, the PLB or ad-hoc bonus as already paid to the eligible Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-15 shall be re-worked out based on the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments of Rs. 7,000 instead of Rs. 3,500.
The notification said that while re-working the new ceiling all the other terms and conditions under which the payment was made shall remain unchanged.
It said the application of the new ceiling to the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments is being done in consultation with the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-enhances-bonus-to-its-employees/article9050954.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1d569ce644e98d8b2f4dc10d90f040a72acfb37493f55eea12c2531df1cc4e93.json |
[
"Atul Aneja"
] | 2016-08-26T18:51:49 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | China has quietly decided to exercise leadership in plugging the roots of instability in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, following Washington’s diminishing role in the region, and compulsions o | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fchina-now-a-major-player-in-the-afpakcentral-asia-theater-chinese-scholar%2Farticle9036046.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/OSAMAP_jpg_2987278c.jpg | en | null | China now a major player in the AfPak-Central Asia theater: Chinese scholar Hu Shisheng | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Says those in Xinjiang who seek independence and even want to go to join the battlefield with IS and other terrorists, choose this route .
China has quietly decided to exercise leadership in plugging the roots of instability in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, following Washington’s diminishing role in the region, and compulsions of its One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, says a senior Chinese researcher.
China’s decision to turn proactive along the turbulent AfPak-Central Asia corridor was anchored earlier this month. Top military commanders from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan met in Urumqi, capital of China’s Xinjiang province on August 3, to form a “Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in Counter Terrorism.”
In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Hu Shisheng, Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said: “The background to this is that we found that those in Xinjiang who seek independence and who even want to go outside to join the battlefield with ISIS and other terrorists, choose this route between China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and even Pakistan to the training grounds in West Asia. Consequently, in recent years China has dramatically enhanced its military assistance to Tajikistan. Recently, we decided to increase this kind of military cooperation with Afghanistan. We want to plug this flow between Xinjiang and Tajikistan and Tajikistan and Afghanistan.”
“Quadrilateral mechanism”
Dr. Hu stressed that the urgency of establishing the new military “quadrilateral mechanism,” followed the disruption of another quadrilateral dialogue on seeking a political reconciliation in Afghanistan, involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States. “That mechanism has become dysfunctional more or less after the killing in a drone attack of Akhtar Mansour, the Afghan Taliban leader, in Baluchistan while he was returning from Iran. This has totally disrupted the whole process. Besides relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were going rapidly downhill.”
The Chinese scholar highlighted that the new military mechanism of the quartet was “open-ended”, and would develop in tune with the rapidly evolving situation.
‘Scope of military involvement’
Asked to comment on the anticipated scope of China’s military involvement in Afghanistan, Dr. Hu said: “We have already started with the training. As for weapons supply, that has also begun. As for sending what the westerners call military advisors, the special envoys that have been appointed can more or less share that kind of role. But regarding sending troops — I am not so sure of that — as it would mark a dramatic shift from our past policies. But of course if the situation goes totally out of control and United Nations demands that they need some regional countries to contribute, then China might oblige. But China, in the near future cannot follow the U.S. and NATO model.”
Dr. Hu underscored that China was seeking a political solution to the Afghan crisis to promote the OBOR initiative, and on grounds of enhancing its national security.
“Osama killing a benchmark”
“The killing of Osama bin Laden was a benchmark, as it marked the Obama administration’s policy to scale down American presence in Afghanistan. Ever since, China has given more and more importance to its bilateral ties with Afghanistan. China has to plug the resulting vacuum because no one else would. This is necessary to secure OBOR. Then there are compulsions of safeguarding the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Xinjiang’s stability is another big concern,” Dr. Hu said.
He added: “China has to find some way to achieve political reconciliation. Of course this is through Pakistan’s facilitation, but also unilaterally, as was evident when China recently invited some of the representatives from the Doha office of the Afghan Taliban.”
Modi reference to Baluchistan
The Chinese researcher asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s references to Baluchistan during his Independence Day speech had caused a “major disturbance at least among Chinese academics,” because of its possible regional fallout. “It signals a watershed moment in India’s policy towards Pakistan in the future. We cannot figure out what could be its result and consequences, but my personal hunch is that it could be disastrous for the whole region; for all the relations — especially between Pakistan and India, China and India, especially among the three countries. That is the real concern.”
Dr. Hu signaled that China had deepened its stakes in restoring stability in Pakistan, and the CPEC was a step in that direction. “I think the focus is now on CPEC. So whatever efforts, policies, approaches that can insure that CPEC can be a success story, China and Pakistan will do that, including how to deal with Afghanistan, and address the relationship between the civil and military establishments within Pakistan.”
China-Pakistan ties
The scholar added: “The intensity of the relationship between China and Pakistan has increased dramatically. Even the anti-terror cooperation has transformed into a new level.”
Asked as to why China did not consult India in advance before starting the CPEC which passed through what India calls Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Dr. Hu said: “We are focusing on projects which are not
in the disputed area. You can see the blueprint; there is not one single impressive project in the disputed area. We know quite clearly the costs and sensitivities involved.”
But the Chinese scholar pointed out that domestic security considerations were driving Beijing not to pursue an entirely hands-off approach towards the “disputed territory.”
China faces a dilemma
“China will be facing spillover of all kinds of evil forces which will have disastrous consequences. But once you get involved in the stability of the disputed area, India says you are getting involved in disputed issues. So China really faces a dilemma here.”
Dr. Hu lauded the establishment of the high level dialogue mechanism, between India’s Foreign Secretary and China’s Vice Foreign Minister, during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India earlier this month. “The significance of the mechanism is that the officials will talk about all sensitive issues, in a very candid and frank manner. Do not bother the top leaders about these kinds of sensitive issues. It will only bring greater embarrassment.”
“For Pakistan’s stability”
Dr. Hu pointed out that the strategic objective of China’s pursuit of the CPEC was not to avoid the oceanic trade route through the Malacca Straits, but to impart economic and political stability to Pakistan, with an eye on promoting OBOR. “Our real purpose is that by undertaking construction of industrial parks, the Gwadar port construction and establishing inter-linkages within Pakistan, we would be able to transform the internal structure of Pakistan, and even shift some of China’s industrial overcapacity into Pakistan.”
Acknowledges Pak dichotomy
Dr. Hu acknowledged the dichotomous nature of the Pakistani state by referring to the dealings between Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani with his interlocutors in Islamabad. “My personal understanding is that [Mr.] Ashraf Ghani had put all the eggs in the Pakistani basket, under the belief that Pakistan has the capacity and the resources to force Taliban to the negotiating table. But he neglected one very
important aspect, that Pakistan is not a unified decision-making machine.” He added: “So if Mr. Ghani engages with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, then Mr. Sharif may not have the resources and capacity to
exert pressure, for example on the ISI.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-now-a-major-player-in-the-afpakcentral-asia-theater-chinese-scholar/article9036046.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bcc4d17c44cf357cf96637a42a44739952374ec89f0fc76ffade58a6d5048384.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:52:18 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | No eligible person belonging to the backward sections of society should be denied reservation benefits simply because he or she has changed their religion of faith, Kerala Congress(B) chairman, R.Bala | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fhope-ldf-keeps-promise-on-quota-pillai%2Farticle9039001.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/26ptkrk07-rbpil_27_2988329c.jpg | en | null | Hope LDF keeps promise on quota: Pillai | null | null | www.thehindu.com | No eligible person belonging to the backward sections of society should be denied reservation benefits simply because he or she has changed their religion of faith, Kerala Congress(B) chairman, R.Balakrishnan Pillai, has said.
Mr. Pillai was delivering the keynote address at the KC(B) State camp that began at Charalkunnu, near Kozhencherry, on Friday.
Mr. Pillai said he was hopeful that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government would fulfil the promise made in its election manifesto to provide 10 per cent reservation benefits to the economically backward among the socially forward communities. Criticising Kerala Congress (M) leaders K.M. Mani and P.J. Joseph, the KC(B) leader alleged that they were not even aware of the very genesis and original mission of the party.
Earlier, inaugurating the camp, Kerala Congress (Scaria) chairman Scaria Thomas stressed the need for a united Kerala Congress. He said it was high time Kerala Congress factions functioned as one family. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/hope-ldf-keeps-promise-on-quota-pillai/article9039001.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/82869bf70f28457bdb36dc5fdc220ffcbdc5b479b2d4552ed2f8202466e39064.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:42 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | : The South Central Railway will operate 14 air-conditioned super fast special trains between Howrah and Tirupati to clear the passenger rush during the Diwali festival.Train No. 02855, Howrah-Tirupat | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fscr-to-operate-14-special-trains-for-diwali%2Farticle9038307.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | SCR to operate 14 special trains for Diwali | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : The South Central Railway will operate 14 air-conditioned super fast special trains between Howrah and Tirupati to clear the passenger rush during the Diwali festival.
Train No. 02855, Howrah-Tirupati AC super fast special train will depart Howrah at 12.40 p.m. on October 4, 11, 18 and 25 October and on November 1, 8, and 15. The train will arrive at 7.50 a.m. the next day at Vijayawada and halt for 10 minutes and reach Tirupati at 2.30 p.m.
In the return direction, train No. 02858 Tirupati-Howrah AC special train will depart Tirupati at 3.55 p.m. on October 5, 12, 19 and 26 and on November 2, 9 and 16, arrive in Vijayawada at 10 p.m.
The super fast train will halt for 10 minutes and reach Howrah at 6.30 p.m. the next day.
The special trains will have 16 coaches, including 14 AC III Tier, and power car coaches, and will run as special fare trains. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/scr-to-operate-14-special-trains-for-diwali/article9038307.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ae4601cd2722275df7034ba10daf70759c983a2597459b5cb7faa0b4f520abd1.json |
[
"Jayanthi Madhukar"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:11 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | On the night he was killed, Rajiv Gandhi, the former prime minister of India, was travelling in a car to Sriperumbudur to address an election rally. En route, the car hit a pothole giving a group of s | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbooks%2Fliterary-review%2Fjayanthi-madhukar-talks-to-neena-gopal-about-rajiv-gandhis-final-moments%2Farticle9036027.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/28SM_neena_gopal_j_2987265c.jpg | en | null | Jayanthi Madhukar talks to Neena Gopal about Rajiv Gandhi's final moments | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Journalist Neena Gopal’s book on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi coincides with the 25th year of his assassination
On the night he was killed, Rajiv Gandhi, the former prime minister of India, was travelling in a car to Sriperumbudur to address an election rally. En route, the car hit a pothole giving a group of slogan-shouting supporters a chance to try and grab him through the open window. Gandhi’s ‘Z’ security cover had been withdrawn by Prime Ministers V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar, and his lone bodyguard was travelling in another car. Journalist Neena Gopal, wedged in the back of Gandhi’s car with leaders like Jayanthi Natarajan and G.K. Moopanar, asked him if he feared for his life. In response, Gandhi asked: “Have you noticed how every time a South Asian leader rises to a position of power or is about to achieve something, he is cut down, attacked, killed...”
At 10.21 p.m. on May 21, 1991, Gandhi was assassinated by suicide bomber Dhanu. Gopal had been waiting near the car because of the crowd and thus survived, becoming the last journalist to have interviewed Gandhi. Her eyewitness account forms part of the book The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. She writes in an email interview that the book is the first seamless retelling of the story. “It takes you from the point of the assassination and goes on to connect the dots.”
Gopal, the first Indian woman journalist to cover the Gulf War and the liberation of Kuwait, gives a comprehensive account. Some incidents are touching. When Sonia Gandhi invited her home days after her husband was killed, Gopal recalls how she held both her hands and said, “Tell me every-thing, 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.” Excerpts from an email interview:
How was Rajiv Gandhi’s mood that fateful night?
The Rajiv I met that night was a man driven. He knew he was on the comeback trail, he was filled with confidence that he would win, and that his second coming would be the chance to redeem himself. He wanted to make peace with Pakistan. For instance, he peppered me with questions on what kind of person the new Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was — I had just interviewed him — and asked me whether he was the kind of person that India could do business with. The 1991 election would have been pivotal. If he had lost, India would have been plunged into chaos. He actually won the polls, albeit posthumously. The votes cast after his assassination propelled the Congress to the kind of victory that they would never see again.
What particular incident triggered his ultimate assassination? In short, why do you think he was killed?
The crux of it? Gandhi did not want a Tamil Eelam; he wanted a province for the Lankan Tamils, not a country. Prabhakaran knew that. Every poll predicted a Congress victory, which would have put paid to Prabhakaran’s misplaced dreams of a Tamil homeland. Prabhakaran’s rivals for Indian largesse, the other Tamil parties, propped up by Indian intelligence agencies, had been brought around to the view that devolution of power to a province in the north was the best option. Gandhi could not have propagated a vivisection of Sri Lanka, and yet stood against a division of Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, he made the mistake of going public with these policy formulations to the very LTTE sympathisers who were cleverly sent by Prabhakaran to suss him out.
How do you see the series of events that led to the assassination? For instance, Gandhi’s poll itinerary being changed at the last minute to include Sriperumbudur at the insistence of the local MP Maragatham Chandrasekar.
Maragatham Chandrasekar was the local MP. All MPs push for a vote-catcher to come and campaign for them. But picking a little-known Sriperumbudur over a Chennai, which would have been far easier to guard, was a blunder. Gandhi’s affection for Maragatham, his mother’s close friend, was clearly a factor in why he chose to campaign there. Equally, the negligence in the security arrangements cannot be laid at just A.J. Doss’ (Maragatham’s pointman) door or that of the local police, who were no doubt negligent. The bigger culprits were V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar, two prime ministers who did not accord their rival the security that should have been his by right. To this day, neither man has been held accountable for this.
You write about S. Chandrashekaran, a now-retired R&AW agent, admitting that “we failed Rajiv Gandhi, we failed to save his life...” How should a nation retrospect on that admission?
Chandrashekaran’s admission that they failed to see “it” coming may have been a comment on Gandhi, but the Tamil anger at what and who they believe is behind Prabhakaran’s death cannot be discounted either. The Modi government should know that the LTTE may be gone, and yes, there is very little chance that they will regroup and pose a threat to the Sri Lankan leadership, given that their fund-raising and gun-running is at an end. But there are groups that still glorify Prabhakaran as the only leader who fought for their rights.
How many drafts did you work on for the book? Who were the people you spoke to?
There was just one draft. I finished the first seven chapters in three months, and the last in a day. And then made minor changes over several weeks to satisfy my publishers’ many pertinent queries. But it’s a book that’s been building inside me for a very long time, through the many visits I made to Sri Lanka, after Gandhi’s assassination sparked my interest in Sri Lankan politics, and the many, many Sri Lankan friends I made in Dubai and in Sri Lanka — Sinhalese and Tamil — who went out of their way to help me. And here in India were officers who served in the IPKF, intelligence officials who worked in R&AW, MI and IB, retired diplomats, all were open and forthcoming, willing to share every detail of that time with me.
After covering politics and wars for so long, what is your take on India’s security situation today?
After years of relative quiet, India is once again poised on a knife-edge. The Cold War, when we were seen as a Soviet ally, may be long over, but we run the danger of being seen as tilting towards Washington. Delhi’s goal of becoming a South Asian power is being actively challenged by Beijing. China has used every tool at hand, including malleable governments in Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, to keep India in check. The Modi government, unschooled in the diplomatic skulduggery that marks our neighbourhood, unsure who is friend and who is enemy, is on a learning curve. And a very steep one at that.
What was it like to be a war correspondent?
Covering hot spots is both exciting and challenging. I remember the first time I was in Kabul after the Taliban had exited, I had to type out my reports and then sit in the cold and dark and dictate my copy [by phone] to a long-suffering sub-editor in Dubai. My family, for the most part, was unaware of the ground situation. My children were too young. But everyone knew that as a journalist this is what one did for a living.
Jayanthi Madhukar is a freelance writer who believes that everything has a story waiting to be told. | http://www.thehindu.com/books/literary-review/jayanthi-madhukar-talks-to-neena-gopal-about-rajiv-gandhis-final-moments/article9036027.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2d8d5749cdd617c6a45871249b3b9d3fd457b4bb0fffa12c4706b7c6dff00160.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T16:52:08 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal get their US Open campaigns under way Monday in the shadow of Arthur Ashe Stadium's spectacular $150 million retractable roof and alongside rock music legend Phil Coll | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Fus-open-tennis-championships-us-open-2016-djokovic-nadalphil-collins-kickoff-us-open%2Farticle9045426.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/US_OPEN_ROOF_TENNI_2990821c.jpg | en | null | Djokovic, Nadal...Phil Collins kick-off US Open | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Defending champion Djokovic and fellow two-time winner Nadal come into the season's final Grand Slam with injury concerns.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal get their US Open campaigns under way Monday in the shadow of Arthur Ashe Stadium's spectacular $150 million retractable roof and alongside rock music legend Phil Collins.
Defending champion Djokovic and fellow two-time winner Nadal come into the season's final Grand Slam with injury concerns.
World number one Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, admits he is "not 100 percent" after suffering a wrist injury on the eve of the Olympic Games where he was a shock first-round loser.
The 29-year-old has also said "personal problems" contributed to his third-round exit at Wimbledon which ended his hopes of going on to capture the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969.
Nadal, meanwhile, is also battling the effects of a left wrist problem which forced a mid-tournament withdrawal from the French Open and sidelined him until the Olympics where he was a gold medal winner in the men's doubles.
The injury concerns, combined with the absence for the first time since 1999 of five-time winner Roger Federer, have put 2012 champion Andy Murray in the position of favourite.
Djokovic starts his bid for a third major of 2016, and 13th of his career, against Polish giant Jerzy Janowicz, who was a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2013.
A serious knee injury has limited Janowicz to just six matches all year and seen his world ranking collapse to 228.
Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion in New York, tackles Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
The Spaniard has a 4-0 career record over world number 107 Istomin, including a win over the Russian-born player at the 2010 US Open.
Nadal closes the daytime session on Ashe while Djokovic starts the evening entertainment.
In between, the tournament will stage its opening ceremony with Collins, making his first concert appearance in six years, headlining the occasion by reprising his "In the Air Tonight" hit.
Play on the cavernous Ashe stadium starts at 1500GMT with 2015 women's runner-up Roberta Vinci, the Italian seventh seed, facing Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam.
Vinci stunned Serena Williams in the semi-finals in 2015 before losing the championship match to Italian compatriot Flavia Pennetta who retired in the immediate aftermath of her first and only Grand Slam win.
World number two Angelique Kerber, the Australian Open champion who can dethrone six-time US Open winner Williams as world number one in New York, opens against Polona Hercog of Slovenia.
Action on Louis Armstrong Stadium starts with 2014 champion Marin Cilic against Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil.
That's followed by former major winners Francesca Schiavone and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
They played the longest ever women's match at the Australian Open in 2011, a four-hour 44-minute epic won by Schiavone after saving six match points.
French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, the Spanish third seed, faces Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens.
The brand new Grandstand arena kicks off with Taylor Townsend of the United States facing two-time runner-up Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.
Serena Williams and 2012 champion Andy Murray will get underway on Tuesday. © AFP, 2016 | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/us-open-tennis-championships-us-open-2016-djokovic-nadalphil-collins-kickoff-us-open/article9045426.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cd63ac68f432d99fafdb65c605ebb5985765a31dfe301149cfceddd5fbe2a110.json |
[
"Internet Desk"
] | 2016-08-27T06:50:08 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence, 7 7 Race Course Road, to discuss the security situation in the State. The meeting | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fmehbooba-mufti-meets-narendra-modi-on-kashmir-situation%2Farticle9039875.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/Cq2C6EYWEAAKOma_2988542c.jpg | en | null | Mehbooba Mufti meets Narendra Modi on Kashmir situation | null | null | www.thehindu.com | This follows a clear message from the Centre to the Chief Minister to control the growing unrest in the State.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence, 7 7 Race Course Road, to discuss the security situation in the State.
The meeting follows a clear message from the Centre to the Chief Minister to control the growing unrest in the State. According to official sources, Ms. Mufti has been told in no uncertain terms that there is need to put an end to the cycle of violence that has claimed 67 lives.
This is the first meeting between the Prime Minister and Ms. Mufti after the unrest broke. She has been under fire for failing to control the violence as the Centre has made it clear that law and order is a State subject.
Earlier this week, Mr. Modi had a meeting with a delegation of Opposition parties from the State led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. After that meeting, for the first time, Mr. Modi expressed his “deep concern about and pain over" the situation in the Valley and asked all political parties to work together to find a lasting solution to problems facing the State.
(With inputs from PTI) | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mehbooba-mufti-meets-narendra-modi-on-kashmir-situation/article9039875.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5ed8d90c5f1191eb82de0bfb10c773998440c1d993f2ac13face415de15886f0.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T02:50:43 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | An epidemiological survey will be conducted in the State to create a comprehensive map of diseases, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has said.Inaugurating the 10th anniversary of the Friends for Cancer Ca | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fplan-for-epidemiological-survey-in-state%2Farticle9042028.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/minister_jpg_G4_mi_2989301c.jpg | en | null | Plan for epidemiological survey in State | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Health Minister K.K. Shylaja inaugurating the 10th anniversary of the Friends for Cancer Care, a forum of cancer survivors, in Kannur on Saturday.— Photo: S.K. Mohan
Survey to study State’s health issues, patterns of diseases, and their prevalence
An epidemiological survey will be conducted in the State to create a comprehensive map of diseases, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has said.
Inaugurating the 10th anniversary of the Friends for Cancer Care, a forum of cancer survivors started under the auspices of the Malabar Cancer Care Society (MCCS) here on Saturday, the Minister said the survey was planned to secure a picture of the State’s health issues including health conditions, patterns of diseases, and their prevalence. “Though Kerala is known for high literacy and good living standards, high rate of morbidity is still a matter of concern,” the Minister said. The State had health-care institutions and facilities and the problems in the health-care sector were aplenty, she added. Observing that the government’s plan was to stress on prevention of diseases, she said the survey would help to chalk out decisions in this regard, she said.
Ms. Shylaja said the government had set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the health component of the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Lifestyle diseases
Under this programme, high rate of lifestyle diseases in the State would be studied, she said. She also said that the government was committed to ensure that eradicated diseases did not re-appear in the State. The reason why the rate of cancer cases were increasing in the State also had to be studied, she said.
The Minister also said that e-Health registry would be introduced in six districts in the first phase.
Also in the pipe line was the initiative to refurbish hospitals from taluk hospitals to medical college hospitals, she said. The government had already taken steps to fill vacancies of doctors in the hospitals, she said, adding her dream was to introduce family doctor system in the State. In the first phase, primary health care centres would be turned into family health care centres, the Minister said.
P.K. Sreemathi, MP, presided. MCCS president D. Krishnanadha Pai, FORCE convener M. Narayanan and District Medical Officer K. Narayanan Nair were among those present at the function | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/plan-for-epidemiological-survey-in-state/article9042028.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/897d2f2d20c75b518b2f37785fb917037b54fdd2b3c74c02f980e8a8f2ed8a80.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T22:53:37 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | A committee, comprising of educationists and senior bureaucrats, has come out with a series of recommendations and a multi-pronged approach to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and the quality o | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fcommittee-lists-suggestions-to-improve-gross-enrolment-ratio%2Farticle9046806.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30BG_KALABURAGI_GU_2991464c.jpg | en | null | Committee lists suggestions to improve Gross Enrolment Ratio | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Panel aims to better the quality of higher education in the Hyderabad Karnataka region
A committee, comprising of educationists and senior bureaucrats, has come out with a series of recommendations and a multi-pronged approach to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and the quality of higher education in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
The seven-member body, chaired by senior academician and the former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Gulbarga University B.G. Mulimani, at present the VC of BLDE University at Vijayapura, has Gulbarga University vice-chancellor S.R. Niranjana, pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Karnataka G.R. Naik, vice-chancellor of the University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur, P.S. Salimath, C. Renukaprakasad, Regional Commissioner and secretary of Hyderabad Karnataka Region Development Board (HKRDB) Amlan Aditya Biswas and economist Chaya Degaonkar as members.
The committee, after a detailed study and numerous discussions with cross-sections of society, finalised its 112-page report and submitted it to the Karnataka Higher Education Council a few days ago. According to sources, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy was highly appreciative about the findings and receptive to the recommendations of the committee.
To increase the GER of higher education in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, which is at its lowest of less than 10 per cent of the population in the age group of 18 to 23 in the region, the committee has suggested recommendations such as the improvement of the quality of education at SSLC and PU levels, an increase in the pass percentage levels, the expansion of educational institutions in government and aided sectors and the extending of low cost education at the higher education level to students of poor families.
The committee has also recommended providing financial assistance for the students from BPL families to bear the initial cost in the form of loan or minimum financial assistance equivalent to entry cost. The provision should also be made for large number of scholarships for different categories of students at degree, PG and research levels by generating resources through CSR initiatives, philanthropic grants, education cess and others, it stated.
The committee has also come out with a scheme for the introduction of the ‘earn while you learn’ option in colleges and universities, stating that outsourced work by the government can be undertaken by the students on a part-time basis. Opening more skill-based educational institutions focused on specialised polytechnics in animal husbandry at Raichur, fisheries in Yadgir, food processing in Kalaburagi, Raichur and Koppal and agro-engineering and entrepreneurship in the region, and specialised quality education centres that offer degree and diploma courses in para-medical, food and nutrition fields was recommended.
The committee also said that students of the region should get concessions and privileges on par with the North-Eastern students. The government should also establish a Directorate of Skill Development and Non-Formal Education and more community colleges. The HKRDB should also have a separate budget for higher education and its promotion. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/committee-lists-suggestions-to-improve-gross-enrolment-ratio/article9046806.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/05031478ae9070f06995726a07a6af2057473a132bf142fdbe25d693ae689dd7.json |
[
"Sergius Barretto"
] | 2016-08-31T12:51:54 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | In the absence of the Sonata, this is now Hyundai’s flagship sedan. The new Elantra comes off as a more mature version of the earlier car. Gone are the swoopy, curvy lines of the ‘fluidic’ car, and in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fthe-hyundai-elantra-an-executive-elegance%2Farticle9055543.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/01bgm_elantra2_jpg_2993517c.jpg | en | null | The Hyundai Elantra: An executive elegance | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Hyundai Elantra adopts a more subdued look and adds first-in-class features to take on its rivals in the executive sedan segment
In the absence of the Sonata, this is now Hyundai’s flagship sedan. The new Elantra comes off as a more mature version of the earlier car. Gone are the swoopy, curvy lines of the ‘fluidic’ car, and in its place is a more subdued and crisper design. It’s what Hyundai defines as Fluidic Sculpture 2.0.
The front is dominated by a large Audi-like hexagonal grille, which is flanked by angular headlights; the top-spec model gets High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights with LED DRLs. Sitting below the lights are large vertical ‘brackets’ with inset projector fog lights. At the rear, the new car gets smart-looking horizontal split tail-light units with LED lights on all but he base version.
The side is where the new Elantra bears a strong resemblance to the older car. Like the previous Elantra, the new one too gets a tapered rear window line and a sharp coupé roofline.
Like the exterior, the interior too is a departure from the curvy design of the predecessor, and gets straight-edged styling details. The dash holds a large 8.0-inch touchscreen which, apart from the regular connectivity options like USB and Bluetooth, also features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel has two circular dials for the speedometer and tachometer, and a 3.5-inch mono TFT screen that displays the trip computer info. The front seats are large, and a segment first is the three-level controlled ventilation system, which was super effective – you feel your hind sides getting cooler in just a few seconds. Given the sloping roofline, headroom at the rear is a bit tight, but the seats here are supportive and comfortable. Also, the rear windows seem a little narrow, which takes away from the sense of space.
Like the ventilated seats, another unique feature on the Elantra is the smart boot unlocking system that automatically pops open the trunk lid when you stand next to it, if the key is in your pocket.
Unlike past Hyundais, the Elantra isn’t loaded to the gills by segment standards. Yes, it does have some first-in- class features but the car does miss out on some crucial items like rain-sensing wipers, paddle shifters, memory seats and front parking sensors.
The Elantra is powered by a 152 hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 126 hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel unit, both paired to six-speed manual or auto units. I got behind the wheel of a diesel manual and a petrol automatic. The diesel is Hyundai’s tried and tested engine and, on the Elantra, it feels adequate but not really powerful. Power delivery is nice and linear all through the rev range but does not feel exciting. Refinement levels are excellent, as there’s barely any sound or vibrations entering the cabin.
The petrol on the other hand feels sprightlier and is equally refined, only getting noisy at higher revs. The auto box come with three modes – Normal, Eco and Sport – that alter the gear shifts. Even in Normal mode, it seems a little too eager to shift down a gear.
Hyundai seems to have made great strides with the suspension. It soaks up bumps really well without being too soft. The steering, though better weighted, is still typically Hyundai and not very engaging.
The Elantra enters a segment with quite a few rivals, but the Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla Altis and Chevrolet Cruze are all fairly long in the tooth now, and while the Octavia is new, well equipped and drives well, it is pricey and dealer support isn’t the company’s strong suit.
Hyundai has priced the Elantra competitively too. The base petrol car at Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) is the cheapest model in the segment while the top-spec diesel at Rs 19.9 lakh is lower than European rivals. However, the Elantra range is no longer as well equipped as before and the real goodies like the ventilated seats and sunroof, as well as safety kits like side airbags and speed-sensing door locks are reserved for the top trim automatic version only, which costs a substantial premium over the fully loaded manual versions.
As things stand, the Elantra isn’t going to singularly rev up excitement in the executive sedan segment. However, it does make for an interesting proposition with its modern looks, a well-sorted ride, comfortable interiors, decent equipment and a tempting asking price, all of which is backed by a proven service network. With all that taken into consideration, the Elantra does seem to have what it takes to be the segment leader. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-hyundai-elantra-an-executive-elegance/article9055543.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/748cbec6141acb33ddccc85bef453735bbd993a8626a2bbb8f8fe0bd7ab2e5f2.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T00:51:45 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Residents of P.S. Nagar and Pazhaniappa Nagar, both in Bikshandarkovil village panchayat, near Sri Uthamarkovil bear the brunt of damage caused to a minor bridge across the Ayyan Vaikkal in the area. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FTiruchirapalli%2Frestructure-bridge-villagers%2Farticle9046500.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/TY30_BRIDGE_2991286c.jpg | en | null | Restructure bridge: Villagers | null | null | www.thehindu.com | TIRUCHI: TAMILNADU: 27/08/2016 : BADLY DAMAGED: A view of the badly damaged minor bridge across the Ayyan Vaikkal in Bikshandarkovil village panchayat near the Sri Uthamarkovil. Residents say that the bridge has been in disuse for over five years. The parapet wall and the floor had caved in, posing a risk to the pedestrians crossing it.Photo: B.Velankanni Raj
Residents of P.S. Nagar and Pazhaniappa Nagar, both in Bikshandarkovil village panchayat, near Sri Uthamarkovil bear the brunt of damage caused to a minor bridge across the Ayyan Vaikkal in the area.
The bridge connects P.S. Nagar with the Coleroon bridge. It forms the vital link to the burial ground in the area. The floor of the bridge had caved in to a depth of about one metre forcing the residents to place boulders to reach the bridge from the road on P.S. Nagar.
Local residents said that those performing the funeral rites at the burial ground are the worst affected as they found it difficult to use the bridge to reach the other side for the past one decade. The bridge should be immediately renovated and restructured, says P. Raman, a resident of P.S. Nagar. K. Sridhar another resident said that the strengthening of the embankments in the area would ensure proper utilisation of irrigation waters. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/restructure-bridge-villagers/article9046500.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c868778cedf4eee32e6b044d6ba1c3d7f99328580d898d3fee81d87501acc9c7.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:50:55 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Authorities on Monday lifted curfew from Kashmir after 51 days since the ongoing unrest began on July 9, officials said.“Curfew has been lifted from the entire Valley. But, it will remain in force in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fjammu-and-kashmir-political-crisis-curfew-lifted-from-kashmir-after-51-days%2Farticle9045150.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/Kashmir_2990727c.jpg | en | null | Curfew lifted from Kashmir after 51 days | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The decision to lift curfew was taken at a high level security meeting on Sunday evening, sources said.
Authorities on Monday lifted curfew from Kashmir after 51 days since the ongoing unrest began on July 9, officials said.
“Curfew has been lifted from the entire Valley. But, it will remain in force in Pulwama town and in areas under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta and M.R. Gunj police stations in Srinagar,” a senior police official told IANS.
The decision to lift curfew was taken at a high level security meeting on Sunday evening, sources said.
An all party delegation comprising senior leaders of political parties is slated to visit Kashmir on September 3.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to accompany the delegation.
Meanwhile, separatists here continued their protest shutdown despite lifting of the curfew.
In a statement issued last week, the separatists have asked people to continue the shutdown until September 1.
All senior separatist leaders have been placed under detention in Srinagar city.
A total of 71 people — 68 civilians and three policemen — have been killed in this present bout of violence that started on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight.
Over 11,000 others including civilians and security personnel were injured during this period. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jammu-and-kashmir-political-crisis-curfew-lifted-from-kashmir-after-51-days/article9045150.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/91b282543f0a5979122c638275e1f83e54788661bd57bb04a75a3e67f85944ad.json |
[
"Santosh Patnaik"
] | 2016-08-27T10:55:19 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The move to construct a world-class Sports City at Ukkunagaram on the land belonging to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has kicked up a row. Union | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fsports-city-proposal-kicks-up-row%2Farticle9032687.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Sports City proposal kicks up row | null | null | www.thehindu.com | VSP trade unions cry foul over land allotment for the project
The move to construct a world-class Sports City at Ukkunagaram on the land belonging to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has kicked up a row.
Unions affiliated to various organisations are crying foul over the move following an announcement made by HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Wednesday that RINL had expressed its willingness to allot 250 acres.
Sources told The Hindu that the State government had already written a letter to RINL management to part with land for developing Sports City.
No final decision has been taken on allotment of land, the sources said.
Their bitter experience
Visakha Steel Employees’ Congress (recognised union) general secretary Mantri Rajasekhar and Steel Plant Employees’ Union (CITU) vice-presidents N. Rama Rao and J. Simhachalam said there was an attempt to acquire the land by putting pressure on the Centre using NDA connections and later hand over the facilities to private parties for maintenance.
They recalled their bitter experience in the past when pressure was brought on the RINL management to surrender 1400 acres for development of a private port at Gangavaram, on the backyard of VSP and clarified that they were not opposed to development of sports infrastructure.
“If the Sports City is developed as a joint venture by RINL and State Government we will not have any objection. Even India’s first medical devices’ manufacturing park near VSP, for which Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone recently, should have been developed on RINL land by making the public sector and the State government joint venture partners.
The unions say so far RINL despite being a Navratna company is deprived of captive mines.
Neither the State government allotted iron ore mines in Khammam and West Godavari nor considered its request so far to give preferential treatment to steel produced by RINL for use in the construction of new capital at Amaravati, they said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/sports-city-proposal-kicks-up-row/article9032687.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/90ccbffe870a8d0a1f7b494685ed27b267da81c07f7c326676cbb779bd3b0757.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T08:52:04 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | There is a Re. 1 note printed in 1917 and a similar currency note printed last year. There are currency notes with serial numbers denoting the date of birth of Mahatma Gandhi, Pope John Paul, Prime Mi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMangalore%2Fdifferent-currency-notes-on-display%2Farticle9039052.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/26mn_mnrmm_Curr_27_2988341c.jpg | en | null | Different currency notes on display | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The exhibition is on at Padua College of Commerce and Management at Kadri Hills in Mangaluru.—Photo : H.S. Manjunath
There is a Re. 1 note printed in 1917 and a similar currency note printed last year. There are currency notes with serial numbers denoting the date of birth of Mahatma Gandhi, Pope John Paul, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan.
All these and many more Indian and foreign currencies are being exhibited by 63-year-old numismatist Richard Lobo. The two-day exhibition began at the Padua College of Commerce and Management in Nantoor on Friday.
Mr. Lobo, who worked as an accountant in a firm in Dubai, started his collection of currency notes after returning to the city seven years ago. So far Mr. Lobo has collected of foreign and Indian currencies valued at around Rs. 4 lakh.
Among the currencies he has displayed include the Rs. 100 note of 172x109 mm size printed in 1950 that was signed by the first Governor of Reserve Bank of India Rama Rao.
He has also displayed the Re. 1 note printed in 1917 and Rs. 10 note with King George VI portrait printed in 1926. He has also displayed Rs. 10 note printed by the erstwhile Hyderabad State.
He has also brought unique currency notes from countries such as Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, and Yugoslavia. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/different-currency-notes-on-display/article9039052.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8752e53682a2fc8dd5f11258dc48c1f747aba432f605649829c4ad1550d73915.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:54:41 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fbringing-relief%2Farticle9053450.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/31VZVISKPAGE3CL_31_2993187c.jpg | en | null | Bringing relief | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Life goes on as usual as picturesque clouds form over industrial area of Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. The weatherman has predicted isolated heavy rain in coastal AP during the next 24 hours. —Photo: K.R. Deepak
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/bringing-relief/article9053450.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/17cc3f597875dd0ca2338af138f0b9f69710ec36f77fe869bbe31950274ee8a7.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T08:53:15 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The police and forest department officials of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka held joint discussion at Madheswaran Hills on Saturday on checking criminal activities in T.N. – Karnataka border.According to po | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fchecking-criminal-activities-in-border-areas%2Farticle9044204.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Checking criminal activities in border areas | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The police and forest department officials of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka held joint discussion at Madheswaran Hills on Saturday on checking criminal activities in T.N. – Karnataka border.
According to police sources here, the official teams of both the States discussed on the steps to be initiated to check crimes in Tamil Nadu – Karnataka border, check infiltration of anti-social and extremist elements, and put an end to forest crimes, such as poaching of wild animals etc. The officials discussed about exchanging information instantly on the movement of naxalites in the border villages, launching combing operation without any delay, and exchanging detailed information about the persons missing from the border villages.
Superintendents of Police P. Rajan (Salem), Bandi Gangadhar (Dharmapuri), D. Mahesh Kumar (Krishnagiri), Mohan Nawaz, Additional SP, Erode, M. Natarajan, Deputy SP, Mettur, along with the forest officials participated in the discussion on behalf of Tamil Nadu. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/checking-criminal-activities-in-border-areas/article9044204.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0200fe503dd880e58f7ed8becdf6e56844cb5c43c182944446076be90bed7c4e.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T06:51:05 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | A section of farmers brought and distributed porridge among themselves at the farmers’ grievances day meeting here on Friday to highlight the plight of delta ryots who were in danger of losing this ye | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fsamba-prospects-bleak-say-delta-farmers%2Farticle9038632.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/26aug-tanren02__27_2988264c.jpg | en | null | Samba prospects bleak, say delta farmers | null | null | www.thehindu.com | While Karnataka is not releasing water, the State government is not doing its best to get water, they say.
A section of farmers brought and distributed porridge among themselves at the farmers’ grievances day meeting here on Friday to highlight the plight of delta ryots who were in danger of losing this year’s samba paddy crop.
Kakkarai R. Sukumaran, vice-president, Thanjavur district unit of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam, and other farmers pointed out that for the past few years kuruvai had been lost and the chances of having samba this year seemed to be bleak for want of adequate water. While Karnataka was not releasing water, the State government was not doing its best to get water even as the Centre was remaining a mute spectator and supporting Karnataka by not implementing the final orders of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, alleged Mr. Sukumaran.
Adding that all those factors had contributed to the loss of livelihood of the delta farmers, Mr. Sukumaran and others demanded opening of porridge centres in the delta if the region was not declared drought-hit and farmers compensated accordingly. To highlight their plight, they symbolically brought porridge and distributed it among themselves at the venue of the meeting after staging a walkout.
The farmers also demanded that the distraint proceedings against the loan defaulters must be stopped forthwith, all loans availed by all sections of farmers must be waived, ponds, lakes and channels must be desilted and dredged, among other issues. If the State and Central governments were not meeting the demands of the delta farmers, then they would be forced to open porridge centres across the delta districts on September 1, they warned.
Orathanad Area Ayacutdars Association president A. Thangavel, Cauvery Delta Farmers Sangam president A.K.R. Ravichandran, secretary of the Arignar Anna Sugar Mills, Kurungulam, B. Govindaraj of Thozhagiripatti, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam district secretary Samy Natarajan and others also put forth various demands, including pressing Karnataka to release water as per the orders of the Tribunal.
Presiding over the meet, Collector A. Annadurai assured the farmers that the State government was already seized of the issues regarding Cauvery and all efforts were being made to make available water and other agricultural inputs to the farmers. In particular, the Chief Minister had announced a special samba package for the delta farmers to take up direct sowing in suitable areas.
Farmers could make use of the incentives to prepare for samba paddy cultivation, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/samba-prospects-bleak-say-delta-farmers/article9038632.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e1e792940d72f6aa62a725d40a2c49640bc43403cb2d467e54ce927ecc0388f4.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T18:50:42 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | One of Britain’s leading broadcasters has blacked out its programmes for an hour in hopes of spurring viewers to get some exercise. ITV shut down broadcasts on several of its channels on Saturday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fuk-tv-channel-shuts-down-for-an-hour-asks-viewers-to-exercise%2Farticle9040841.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | UK TV channel shuts down for an hour, asks viewers to exercise | null | null | www.thehindu.com | One of Britain’s leading broadcasters has blacked out its programmes for an hour in hopes of spurring viewers to get some exercise.
ITV shut down broadcasts on several of its channels on Saturday morning as part of its effort to entice U.K. citizens to sports clubs, which are being opened for free this weekend as part of a national event called “I Am Team GB”.
Many viewers lauded ITV’s challenge to couch potatoes, describing on social media the activities they’d been inspired to do. Others stuck to their sofas and poked fun at the gesture. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/uk-tv-channel-shuts-down-for-an-hour-asks-viewers-to-exercise/article9040841.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8ba03b8cbddd5a245e6bb8c27dd443d69b327edc7a58c24e6ad153e1448fec35.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T00:52:54 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | A comprehensive law to regulate surrogacy has been long overdue. Over the years, India has become a global hub for the practice of women being contracted to carry others’ babies, usually for a paymen | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Feditorial%2Fsurrogacy-regulation-is-long-overdue%2Farticle9036983.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Surrogacy regulation is long overdue | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A comprehensive law to regulate surrogacy has been long overdue. Over the years, India has become a global hub for the practice of women being contracted to carry others’ babies, usually for a payment. While estimates of the size of the surrogacy market vary wildly, it is one in which the woman carrying an embryo has been in a grey zone, with uncertain legal and compensatory protection. The Union Cabinet has taken the first step towards regulation by approving the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, but it has many problematic provisions. The proposed law, in line with the practice in several other countries, says commercial surrogacy will be prohibited. However, in order that “altruistic surrogacy” is available for the benefit of infertile couples who are presumably desperate for a child that is genetically theirs, the Bill allows Indian couples, who must have been married for five years without a child, to take the help of surrogates, but without any payment. Only close relatives can be ‘surrogate mothers’, and once in a lifetime. Yet, it bars foreigners, homosexual couples, unmarried couples and single people from taking the help of an altruistic surrogate — leaving it open to questions about discrimination and inequality.
It is far from evident that the ban on commercial surrogacy has been thought through for its practical and ethical dimensions. In fact, it is not clear if the ban and the allowance for altruistic surrogacy are meant to make an ideological point or to actually confront the ground situation. While surrogacy has been legal since 2002, enumerating the surrogate mother’s rights and protecting her bodily integrity has been a challenge as the fertility industry mostly remains unregulated. The rights of children born thus too have remained unclear, highlighted dramatically in the case of Baby Manji Yamada, whose Japanese ‘parents’ divorced in the course of the surrogate pregnancy. Such a dilemma of statelessness has been sought to be prevented with the bar on foreigners. But given India’s failure to administer the ban on organ donations and sex determination tests, it is anybody’s guess how effective the ban on commercial surrogacy will be. The sex determination ban is a principled one, for it underlines intolerance for gender discrimination. The question is whether surrogacy is as big an evil as female foeticide. If it indeed is — and the jury is still out on this — why not ban surrogacy altogether? How does it suddenly become acceptable if the surrogate mother is a relative and uncompensated, besides probably being coerced, as women often are in intra-family decision-making? These are questions that will remain even if the Bill is passed. | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/surrogacy-regulation-is-long-overdue/article9036983.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/46f365ac6ce40aa6ed4267f612bab8b7650f2980e142ba281cab6ebf6aca9273.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:36 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | A Plus-Two student of a Government higher secondary school in Veerapandi was issued transfer certificate by the headmaster on Friday for allegedly slapping a teacher.The boy had reportedly slapped the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fstudent-issued-tc-in-tirupur-for-slapping-teacher%2Farticle9038560.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Student issued TC in Tirupur for slapping teacher | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A Plus-Two student of a Government higher secondary school in Veerapandi was issued transfer certificate by the headmaster on Friday for allegedly slapping a teacher.
The boy had reportedly slapped the lady teacher on Thursday after he was reprimanded and beaten by her in front of others for not bringing notebooks to the classroom.
The school authorities took the incident to the notice of Chief Education Officer R. Murugan, who in turn asked another official in the department to inquire into the complaint.
Inquiry
Education department sources said that based on the inquiry, the headmaster issued a transfer certificate to the student. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/student-issued-tc-in-tirupur-for-slapping-teacher/article9038560.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6b647df04819b7d1e8c824cb99c32ea3790e432ba143f6ef9bee355f83e6931e.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T02:51:10 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | To make a difference, we need to create awareness and opportunities, inculcate self respect and promote inclusive education to lead the way towards gender equality, said filmmaker and entrepreneur Ai | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Faishwaryaa-to-bat-for-gender-equality%2Farticle9046854.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30TH_UN_WOMEN_3_2991501c.jpg | en | null | Aishwaryaa to bat for gender equality | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Chennai, 29/08/2016 : (From left to right) : Lakshmi Puri, UN Assistant Secretary General, Aishwarya Rajinikanth Danush and Rebecca Reichmann Tauares, Representative, UN Women multi country office for India, Bhutan, Maldives and Srilanka during the appointment of Aishwarya Rajinikanth Danush as UN Women's advocate foor Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in India in Chennai on Monday.
Aishwaryaa says her digital campains would focus on addressing verbal abuse against women
To make a difference, we need to create awareness and opportunities, inculcate self respect and promote inclusive education to lead the way towards gender equality, said filmmaker and entrepreneur Aishwaryaa Dhanush on Monday, after she was appointed the UN Women Advocate for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.
She was conferred the appointment by Lakshmi Puri, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and the Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, an entity of the United Nations working towards gender equality and the empowerment of women.
“UN Women has already charted out a plan and as a part of it, we hope to make more documentaries related to gender issues in the South. There is a lot being said about how issues in the South are not highlighted enough and I hope that they will be spoken about more through digital campaigns and for my part, I pledge to assist UN Women in creating awareness and supporting their cause,” Ms. Aishwaryaa said. When asked about the themes her digital campaigns would focus on, Ms. Aishwaryaa said that verbal abuse against women would be an issue she would seek to address.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Lakshmi Puri said that it was important to break down patriarchal moulds and change perceptions in the country which promote a culture of impunity surrounding the mindsets of perpetrators of violence and abuse against women.
“Women in South India too have their own share of problems which need to be addressed from the sphere of gender equality. With Ms. Aishwaryaa being in the film industry, we hope that she will use films, which is a powerful medium to influence people, and drive home a positive message,” she said.
The UN Women also signed an MoU with the SBI Foundation for a project towards making public spaces safer for women and children across cities.
Sanjukta Raiguru, Managing Director of SBI Foundation, who signed the MoU, said that this was a major step for a revolution to bring about safety and gender equality. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aishwaryaa-to-bat-for-gender-equality/article9046854.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ac2b4f92b790b321ab3a372a5fdf64a4ac06bef9fc48a2b5602dd3178c6acad9.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T20:57:15 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The Hindu Business Line
– Birla Sun Life Mutual Funds investor forum will be held at Chamber Towers here on August 27.It presents an opportunity for micro, small and medium-scale busine | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FCoimbatore%2Finvestor-forum-on-august-27%2Farticle9034256.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02986/26--cbmsp4_curt_Su_2986889c.jpg | en | null | Investor forum on August 27 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Hindu Business Line – Birla Sun Life Mutual Funds investor forum will be held at Chamber Towers here on August 27.
It presents an opportunity for micro, small and medium-scale businesses to enhance their financial understanding.
The forum has been designed to offer solutions for financial problems and to provide complete guidance. The event will start at 8.30 a.m. and conclude at 5.30 p.m. Talks will be delivered on MSME funding, opportunities, challenges, understanding and overcoming barriers to technology adoption, and India in today’s global investment landscape.
The speakers are from Deloitte, Canara bank, Krishna Sweets, and Silverstone shares and securities. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/investor-forum-on-august-27/article9034256.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c3a91801e62c54634abe710c7c660c68128462906e3bb29a39fb2a47879ae0da.json |
[
"Varghese K. George"
] | 2016-08-27T18:50:40 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments on Balochistan that sought to bring international attention to human rights violations in the Pakistani province were praised by Baloch nationalists in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fmodi-praised-at-baloch-meet-in-washington%2Farticle9040821.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/Bugti_2988921c.jpg | en | null | Modi praised at Baloch meet in Washington | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The event in the U.S. capital was organised by Ahmar Mustikhan, a Baloch activist and founder of ‘American Friends of Balochistan’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments on Balochistan that sought to bring international attention to human rights violations in the Pakistani province were praised by Baloch nationalists in exile, at an event in U.S. capital organised by Ahmar Mustikhan, a Baloch activist and founder of ‘American Friends of Balochistan’.
Mr. Mustikhan thanked Mr. Modi and “mother India” for the support to Baloch people.
Switzerland-based Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti, leader of the Baloch Republican Party — grandson of Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti, the leader of the movement who was killed in 2006 — said: “It is for the first time that an Indian Prime Minister has spoken about the human rights situation and Pakistani atrocities in Balochistan. We believe India should have taken this stand long time ago. We see it as a very positive development and hope India would soon announce its policy to raise Balochistan human rights violations internationally and support the Baloch cause.”
He said Baloch people can’t settle for anything less than complete independence from Pakistan. He said the Baloch people “do not want to live with Pakistan anymore”, as he demanded a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations.
Husain Haqqani, former Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S and now Director for South and Central Asia at Hudson Institute, said: “It’s tragic that those who advocate talks with globally recognised terrorists such as the Taliban have an intransigent position when it comes to engagement with the leaders and people of Balochistan.” He was referring to the Pakistani state.
PTI adds:
‘Pak. Army committing tsunami of rights violations’
Pakistani forces are engaged in a “tsunami of human rights violations” in Balochistan, Brahumdagh Bugti alleged on Saturday as he sought the help of the international community including India in the Baloch nationalist movement.
Mr. Bugti, president of the Baloch Republican Party and the grandson of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti who was killed in an encounter with the Pakistani Army 10 years ago, also said the Baloch people "do not want to live with Pakistan anymore”, as he demanded a referendum of Baloch people under the supervision of the United Nations.
Speaking over phone from Switzerland where he had gone for a commemorative event to pay homage to his grandfather, Mr. Bugti urged the international community, including the U.S., NATO countries, Israel and India, to help them fight for their cause.
Balochistan, of the size of France, is Pakistan’s largest Province which has been under “illegal Pakistani occupation for the last seven decades”, he said.
Use of aerial bombardment and use of gases have become routine, he claimed and added that Balochistan is the world capital of missing people. “We are political people. We want to solve this with peaceful means,” he said.
Stating that his immediate course of action would be to create awareness in the international community, Mr. Bugti, at the same time, also called for military assistance from all countries to be given for the freedom struggle of the Baloch people. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/modi-praised-at-baloch-meet-in-washington/article9040821.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1d3a06ef6f96016a0ed4f9e1374286bd6c6676f09d6f330c6f8abcee9112ff9a.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T20:58:27 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | An antique, ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ goddess idol worth Rs.2 crore, was recovered from three people who were trying to sell it. The idol is believed to be from the Chola dynasty. The accused were arreste | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fantique-worth-rs-2-cr-seized-in-ameerpet%2Farticle9034541.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Antique worth Rs. 2 cr. seized in Ameerpet | null | null | www.thehindu.com | An antique, ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ goddess idol worth Rs.2 crore, was recovered from three people who were trying to sell it. The idol is believed to be from the Chola dynasty. The accused were arrested by the West Zone Task Force officials near Big Bazaar in Ameerpet on Wednesday.
According to the police, the accused were identified as Khaled Chawoosh (30), Khaja Moinuddin (26), who are natives of Raichur district in Karnataka, and Syed Nazeeruddin, a resident of Banjara Hills. Another person involved - Patil, a native of Belgam district, Karnataka, is absconding. After their arrest, it was found that Khaled, Moinuddin and Patil are friends. A few days back, Patil informed Khaled that he had the idol and asked him to sell it to prospective customers, for which Khaled was offered 40 per cent of the sale amount.
On Wednesday, when Khaled, Moinuddin and Nazeeruddin were trying to sell the antique item near Big Bazaar, they were arrested. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/antique-worth-rs-2-cr-seized-in-ameerpet/article9034541.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c02cc26b391f82fa65ac8941c354869e287dc7a00b04c6c0e40147e2b4fe2143.json |
[
"S Senthalir"
] | 2016-08-29T08:55:07 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | While the Puducherry administration is engrossed in a cleanliness drive, their attention towards infrastructure seems to have come down over time. The roads dug up for laying pipelines are left withou | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Finfrastructure-ignored%2Farticle9044860.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/28AUGPYSSM03-RE_Pu_2990650c.jpg | en | null | Infrastructure ignored | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Roads dug up; several projectsare yet to be completed
While the Puducherry administration is engrossed in a cleanliness drive, their attention towards infrastructure seems to have come down over time. The roads dug up for laying pipelines are left without asphalting and speed breakers are wrongly laid. Roads across Puducherry, with the exception of Boulevard Town, are either damaged or dug up causing inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists. Projects like road over bridge at Arumathapuram and 100-feet Road are yet to be completed. Hope the slogans ‘prosperous’ and ‘development’ includes even infrastructure and people in it.
Complaint backfires
AIADMK legislative party leader A. Anbazhagan was caught in an embarrassing situation as he made a strong plea in the Assembly to enforce a ban on banners and cut-outs. He said parties were displaying cut-outs in every nook and cranny. As he was about to finish, Congress member R. K. R Anantharaman reminded Mr Anbazhagan that it was only a few days ago that his brother, Bhaskar, also a legislator, erected banners in Mudhaliarpet announcing his birthday. As the house erupted into laughter, Anbazhagan quietly took a back seat.
(Reporting by S. Senthalir and Rajesh B. Nair) | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/infrastructure-ignored/article9044860.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cbef3f514a31a0dae527eaf0e0feb0a4be145393b472df490b00be19c3b5fe86.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T03:01:50 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Sans Peur (Trevor up) won the H.H. Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Cup, the main event of the races here on Thursday (Aug. 25). The winner is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vijay Mallya and trained by S. A | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fraces%2Fsans-peur-wins-main-event%2Farticle9032369.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Sans Peur wins main event | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Sans Peur (Trevor up) won the H.H. Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Cup, the main event of the races here on Thursday (Aug. 25). The winner is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vijay Mallya and trained by S. Attaollahi.
1. LAVASA PLATE (1,200m), Md. 3-y-o only (terms): Brown Beauty 54.5 Trevor 1, One Step Ahead 54.5 T.S. Jodha 2, Silver Wood 56 Imran Khan 3, Water Fall 54.5 Steyn 4. All ran. 4-1/4, 5-1/4 and 2-1/4. 1m 10.84s. Rs. 19 (w), 12, 13 and 15 (p), FP: Rs. 45, Q: Rs. 30, SHP: Rs. 34, Trinalla: Rs. 67 and Rs. 43, Exacta: Rs. 146 and Rs. 110. Favourite: Brown Beauty. Owner: Mr. Ajith Kumar. Trainer: G. Srinivas.
2. VIRIJA PLATE (1200m), rated 00 to 25: Saratoga Spring 51 Vivek 1, Aretes 57 Uday Kiran 2, Everlasting Memory 59 Sahanawaz 3, Stride To Success 53 Manohar 4. All ran. 1-1/2, 1-1/4 and 3/4. 1m 12.95s. Rs. 64 (w), 19, 18 and 64 (p), FP: Rs. 262, Q: Rs. 87, SHP: Rs. 55, Trinalla: Rs. 1,801 and Rs. 2,470. Exacta: Rs. 14,476 and Rs. 24,815. Favourite: Aretes. Owner & trainer: G.T. Surender.
3. SOMANATHPUR PLATE (1600m), rated 20 to 45, 4/y/o & over: First Step 49.5 Dhebe 1, Attractive Bay 59 Rajesh Kumar 2, Czar Rule 62 Suraj 3, Repsol 52.5 Nitin Singh 4. All ran. 1-1/4, snk and 1-1/2. 1m 39.32s. Rs. 53 (w), 16, 19 and 12 (p), FP: Rs. 313, Q: Rs. 238, SHP: Rs. 54, Trinalla: Rs. 401 and Rs. 133, Exacta: Rs. 1,429 and Rs. 985. Favourite: Czar Rule. Owner: Shiju Vazhapully Joseph. Trainer: Prithviraj.
4. PUNE PLATE (Div. II), (1400m), rated 20 to 45: Perfect King 58.5 John 1, Masada 55 Janardhan 2, Hackett 59 Raja Rao 3, Cannes 56 Lalit 4. Not run: Air Dancer. 2-3/4, 2 and 1. 1m 24.77s. Rs. 28 (w), 13, 12 and 147 (p), FP: Rs. 63, Q: Rs. 19, SHP: Rs. 36, Trinalla: Rs. 657 and Rs. 3,043, Exacta: Rs. 2,257 and Rs. 770. Favourite: Masada. Owner: Ketan Mehta. Trainer: Sharat Kumar.
5. B.K. KRISHNADEVARAJ URS MEMORIAL TROPHY (Div. I), (1200m), rated 40 to 65, 4-y-o & over: Wind Wonder 59.5 Suraj 1, Veni Vidi Vici 54.5 T.S. Jodha 2, Cool Baby 53.5 Naveen 3, Dark William 61 Srinath 4. All ran. 1, 2-3/4 and 1-1/2. 1m 11.40s. Rs. 16 (w), 12, 15 and 17 (p), FP: Rs. 61, Q: Rs. 32, SHP: Rs. 38, Trinalla: Rs. 126 and Rs. 52, Exacta: Rs. 227 and Rs. 89. Favourite: Wind Wonder. Owner: Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan. Trainer: Satish Narredu.
6. H.H. SRI JAYACHAMARAJA WADIYAR MEMORIAL CUP (1,200m), rated 60 & above: Sans Peur 57.5 Trevor 1, Sir Majestic 57 Suraj 2, Secret Touch 54 Manohar 3, Siddhani 54 Madhu Babu 4. Not run: Clever Trick. 1/2, 5 and 1-3/4. 1m 09.84s. Rs. 21 (w), 11, 14 and 224 (p), FP: Rs. 39, Q: Rs. 28, SHP: Rs. 35, Trinalla: Rs. 3,074 and Rs. 2,070, Exacta: Rs. 23,636 and Rs. 5,788. Favourite: Sans Peur. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Vijay Mallya rep. United Racing & Bloodstock Breeders Ltd.. Trainer: S. Attaollahi.
7. B.K. KRISHANADEVARAJA URS MEMORIAL TROPHY (Div. II), (1,200m), rated 40 to 65, 4/y/o & over: Little Man 55.5 P. Dhebe 1, Akha Teej 59.5 Chouhan 2, Red Red Rose 59.5 Anil Baandal 3, Majestic Style 55 Sahanawaz 4. All ran. Nk., 2-1/4 and 1. 1m 10.58s. Rs. 31 (w), 14, 12 and 109 (p), FP: Rs. 68, Q: Rs. 29, SHP: Rs. 36, Trinalla: Rs. 268 and Rs. 532, Exacta: Rs. 3,281 and Rs. 888. Favourite: Akha Teej. Owner: Mr. G.V. Patil. Trainer: G. Sandhu.
8. PUNE PLATE (Div. I), (1,400m), rated 20 to 45: Fabulous Touch 62 Chouhan 1, Super Strong 61.5 Suraj 2, Artorius 59.5 Vivek 3, Secret Prayer 58.5 Rajesh Kumar 4. All ran. 4-3/4, 3-3/4 and 2-1/4. 1m 23.73s. Rs. 20 (w), 13, 16 and 37 (p), FP: Rs. 32, Q: Rs. 23, SHP: Rs. 36, Trinalla: Rs. 178 and Rs. 170, Exacta: Rs. 457 and Rs. 139. Favourite: Fabulous Touch. Owner: Mr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust rep. by Mr. A.C. Muthiah. Trainer: S. Ganapathy.
Jackpot: Rs. 642; Runner-up: Rs. 167. Treble: (I): Rs. 646; (II): Rs. 149; (III): Rs. 92. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/sans-peur-wins-main-event/article9032369.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/467c1dbb467a12f1ec22d04ca09700eee70ddbe8997aca45f6f16570c2be2178.json |
[
"Shoumojit Banerjee"
] | 2016-08-30T16:51:48 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The ugly spectre of caste panchayats in Maharashtra resurfaced yet again after a 45-year-old autorickshaw driver in Pune was driven to commit suicide after suffering sustained humiliation at the hand | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Ftraumatised-by-caste-tribunal-boycott-pune-auto-driver-hangs-self%2Farticle9050921.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Traumatised by caste tribunal boycott, Pune auto driver hangs self | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The ugly spectre of caste panchayats in Maharashtra resurfaced yet again after a 45-year-old autorickshaw driver in Pune was driven to commit suicide after suffering sustained humiliation at the hands of an illicit caste tribunal.
Arun Kisan Naikunji, who belonged to the Lingayat Gawli caste, took his own life at his home in Pune’s Wadgaon Sheri area by hanging himself after he and his family were boycotted relentlessly for two years by the caste tribunal. He suffered social exclusion for reportedly supporting an inter-caste marriage, which was attended by the victim’s brother.
According to the deceased person’s kin, the illicit tribunal of the Gawli community — the Veershaiva Lingayat Gawli Jaat Panchayat — imposed the boycott as it believed that his brother, Appa, had abetted in an inter-caste marriage.
“Following this, we were ostracised and forbidden to attend weddings and even funerals of our deceased relatives,” said Appa Naikunji.
The tribunal only relented once during this phase — during the wedding of Arun Naikunji’s son, when its leaders waived the boycott for a day.
The immediate trigger for the suicide, however, was when Arun approached the caste panchayat leaders in the city’s Camp area on Sunday last week to plead for a permanent end to the ostracism of his family.
However, according to Appa, Arun was insulted by the leaders or ‘panch’of the tribunal, who cavalierly told him that since he refused to abide by its diktats, what need had he of the panchayat.
“Despite pleading repeatedly, the leaders of the tribunal refused to budge. It proved traumatic for my brother,” said Appa. He said that it was hard for the individual to strive against the entrenched mentality of the panchayat leaders.
The self-appointed caste panchayat of the Lingayat Gawli community had six branches in the city, where the leaders often regulated the interests of the community members. Despite this, they vehemently opposed inter-caste marriages, said Appa Naikunji.
“Arun’s death was due to prolonged mental harassment and persecution on part of his caste’s so-called ‘elders’. What is more worrying is that the police are not always sensitive towards such cases, often demanding proof that the victim was indeed persecuted by such a self-appointed tribunal,” said Nandini Jadhav of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS).
Aided by Ms. Jadhav, the victim’s kin brought the incident to the notice of the police, who later lodged a case against four persons.
“Four more families in the area, including one from Nashik, are terrified and traumatized by the boycott of the Lingayat Gawli Samaj caste tribunal, but were scared to bring it to the notice of the law fearing reprisals by the elders in the tribunal,” Ms. Jadhav said.
Strongly condemning the incident, the MANS on Tuesday demanded that the Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016 be enforced as soon as possible. The bill has been passed in the State legislature, making Maharashtra the first state to pass a law against social boycott and illegal justice doled out by caste tribunals.
The brutal stranglehold of caste tribunals across the State has been evident in recent times when in June this year, a 20-year-old from Ahmednagar district, who is gearing up to enter the State police force, was abandoned by her husband and confined to her quarters by her father after she allegedly failed a ‘virginity test’ mandated by the caste tribunal.
The young woman, who was married to a 25-year-old man from Nashik, hailed from the Kanjarbhat community, a nomadic tribe.
In March, a minor, who was raped by her father in Satara district, was physically beaten as ‘punishment’ doled out by a caste tribunal. The victim and her father belonged to the Gopal community. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/traumatised-by-caste-tribunal-boycott-pune-auto-driver-hangs-self/article9050921.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/50f1f594eea45b334f90d5077d80bfc752e70d52044b9a58a33fdf075e1e8166.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T10:52:32 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Energy Department is supplying 500 to 800 Mega Watts of power to the drought-hit agriculture sector in Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool districts with effect from Monday.“The supply is for | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2F24hr-power-to-farm-sector-in-rayalaseema-ajay-jain%2Farticle9047767.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/29VJVRA1_Power-_30_2991785c.jpg | en | null | 24-hr. power to farm sector in Rayalaseema: Ajay Jain | null | null | www.thehindu.com | ‘It will be for crops on the verge of withering due to moisture stress’
The Energy Department is supplying 500 to 800 Mega Watts of power to the drought-hit agriculture sector in Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool districts with effect from Monday.
“The supply is for 24 hours where the crops are on the verge of withering due to moisture stress,” said Principal Secretary (Energy) Ajay Jain. Addressing the media here on Monday, Mr. Jain said: “The APGenco has increased production for that purpose and steps have been taken to buy (power) from exchanges if the situation warrants.”
The load in each one of these districts has gone up by 100-150 Mega Watts due to additional power supply.
As far as procurement of coal was concerned, Mr. Jain said that the flexibility allowed by the Central government to buy fuel from the cheapest source (it could be one of the three suppliers in the case of Andhra Pradesh — Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Western Coalfields Limited, or Singareni Collieries Company Limited) helped in bringing down the costs thereof. Under the previous arrangement, the APGenco was bound by the coal linkage agreements. From the ‘coal swapping’ that was cleared by the Ministry of Power, generating stations benefited a lot.
APGenco Managing Director K. Vijayanand said at 178 million units, or 7,965 Mega Watts, supplied recently, the demand for power was the highest in the history of A.P. It was successfully met from the State’s own conventional and renewable generation, coupled with a minimal purchase of 5 million units from the power exchanges.
Steps have been taken to install one lakh smart meters wherever consumption is more than 200 units a month as a pilot project. Their number would eventually touch 10 lakh. A Centralized Control and Monitoring Centre (CCMS) that would make real-time monitoring of the performance of LED lights in municipalities, is being set up. It would be ready by September 15.
Besides real-time monitoring, the CCMS would facilitate remote switching of the lights across 110 municipalities. A real-time feeder monitoring system would be ready by the same date and a prototype of it has been tested.
Mr. Jain further said the process of geo-tagging 15 lakh agricultural pump-sets had begun and it would be completed in about one month. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/24hr-power-to-farm-sector-in-rayalaseema-ajay-jain/article9047767.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4f4012d00a2a58df57dc39bbd14dca35ebe03b7a62a499c88c3ddb5836469286.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:54:31 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Seven militia members of the Korukonda area committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) surrendered to Inspector of Chintapalli Police Circle Ch. Rudra Sekhar at the District Police Office here on Tuesday.Al | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fseven-militia-members-surrender%2Farticle9053442.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Seven militia members surrender | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Seven militia members of the Korukonda area committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) surrendered to Inspector of Chintapalli Police Circle Ch. Rudra Sekhar at the District Police Office here on Tuesday.
All of them are Girijans and aged between 21 and 52. They are natives of Cheruvuru village under Balapam panchayat in Chintapalli mandal.
They were involved in incidents such as taking over coffee plantations of the APFDC in Balapam panchayat in 2011, famine raid in Balapam in 2013, destruction of the house of Gemmeli Sanjiva Rao in Veeravaram and Essar pipeline between Cheruvuru and Diguvajanabha in 2015, and attending a meeting organised by the Maoists as part of the Martyr’s Week this year, a press release from the DPO said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/seven-militia-members-surrender/article9053442.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a6455d86d97f6fae10007d8f314d716c570ecdac444eecbf0347fc4478b4eaca.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:52:49 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | At the vast open-plan headquarters of Indian telecoms start-up Jio, Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani stands in short sleeves beneath a digital tracker that logs every new subscriber to his ser | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Freliance-jio-inside-mukesh-ambanis-20billion-startup%2Farticle9055340.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/RELIANCE-TELECOMS__2993435c.jpg | en | null | Reliance Jio: Inside Mukesh Ambani's $20-billion start-up | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The ambitious Jio project could give Reliance unprecedented access to the country’s ‘big data’: how millions eat, shop and have fun.
At the vast open-plan headquarters of Indian telecoms start-up Jio, Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani stands in short sleeves beneath a digital tracker that logs every new subscriber to his service.
Now, the country’s richest man, and head of India’s most profitable company, is betting at least $20 billion on building, from scratch, a national digital empire stretching from phones and hardware to home entertainment and custom-made apps.
The ambitious Jio project could make Reliance the most comprehensive provider of telecom and internet services across India — and give it unprecedented access to the country’s untapped ‘big data’: how millions eat, shop and have fun.
“For Reliance... data is the new oil, and intelligent data is the new petrol,” Mr. Mukesh Ambani said in March, explaining his drive to move closer to India’s consumers.
Reliance has said little publicly about Jio, and even less about the potential for wide-scale data mining in a country where consumers have not, to date, made a big deal about online privacy. But top executives are clear on the opportunity.
“It’s called Deep Packet Inspection, and what you can do with the analytics of that is mind-boggling,” said a senior Reliance executive, referring to a practice that digs into ‘packets’ of data created by computers for efficiency, mining them for information.
Jio is unlikely to contribute significantly to Reliance profits anytime soon, but is hugely significant for its future. Reliance has dabbled previously in consumer sectors, yet Jio is seen as an opportunity for Mr. Mukesh Ambani to set a new course for a company still dominated by his late father, its founder.
Jio is also a potentially landmark opportunity for India, where smartphone usage has ballooned and services like mobile payments and online entertainment have become commonplace.
The prospect of Jio, which has not yet been commercially launched, has raised hopes of cheaper, more reliable data for Indian users. It has already drawn queues at some stores by offering free connections with unlimited data for a three-month period, allowing it to test its network.
That has stirred rivals. India’s largest wireless provider Bharti Airtel this week cut its 3G/4G data tariffs on prepaid connections by more than 40 per cent, after halving them a month ago.
All about ambition
But Jio — named from a Hindi exhortation to ‘live on’ — is behind schedule and over budget, say several former employees, who, like current staff interviewed by Reuters, did not want to be named. It was initially expected to launch by end-2014, with total capital expenditure within $15 billion, they said.
Reliance has never provided a specific date or figure, and declined to respond to specific queries for this article.
According to filings at the Commerce Ministry, Jio has more than Rs. 32,500 crore ($4.9 billion) of long-term debt, and other liabilities topping Rs. 58,000 crore, as of March. In addition, Reliance has spent over Rs. 29,000 crore on Jio and is expected to invest more — all adding up to more than what it has been spending on its core refining and petrochemicals business.
Reliance says its oil business is pumping out cash, and any investment in Jio has to be ambitious.
Two-thirds of India’s 1.3 billion population are not online, and Jio hopes to capture 100 million users — nearly half of India’s current smartphone users — within a year of launch.
Mr. Ambani, who employees say taught himself to code, ran Reliance’s nascent telecom operations in the early 2000s, before a feud with his younger brother Anil triggered a split and a bitter non-compete deal. Mr. Mukesh Ambani took the family’s energy business and Mr. Anil Ambani the communications assets, setting up Reliance Communications (RCom).
Before long though, Mr. Mukesh Ambani was laying fibre cables again and setting up a subsidiary, Rancore, to build its own mobile telephony technology.
In 2010, Mr. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries bought Infotel Broadband — on the day Infotel won nationwide spectrum — and decided it needed to offer more than a high-speed 4G network service. Instead, it would pitch an all-Internet service, where even voice calls would be carried as data, cheaply, beating its rivals Airtel, Vodafone and Idea on quality and speed, according to Jio officials.
Airtel, Vodafone and Idea declined to comment on Jio.
Naveen Kulkarni, co-head of research at Phillip Capital, said the Jio technology was “very efficient from a cost point of view,” but needs India’s smartphone ecosystem to evolve, making it unlikely Reliance will make money from Jio for at least five years.
Reliance city
At Jio’s biggest campus, a sprawling cluster of glass buildings, manicured lawns and giant Jio logos outside Mumbai, the scale of Mr. Mukesh Ambani’s vision is evident. Reuters was offered a rare opportunity to visit the site earlier this year.
The campus has 15,000 employees working for Jio alone, plus hundreds of consultants and service providers working alongside the group. There are large guest houses and hotels.
In a single hall, Reliance has put on show everything from its e-payment mechanism and music-streaming app to its messaging app, sleek Jio smartphones — sold at a fraction of the cost of an iPhone — connected cars, and even a replica home.
“As they go out, they will have a very aggressive posture," said Rajan Mathews, director-general of the Cellular Operators Association of India.
On campus, Mr. Mukesh Ambani, who flies in by helicopter once a week, was flanked at his desk by his eldest son, Akash, who is Jio’s head of strategy, and by Manoj Modi, a long-serving adviser, and a reminder of the influence of trusted employees, most from the oil business.
One company insider said the Jio logo is actually a mirror image of the word ‘oil,’ reflecting in a way Reliance’s journey from oil drilling to data mining. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/reliance-jio-inside-mukesh-ambanis-20billion-startup/article9055340.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fd34131b0b05390e7742d8fade0b06bfccd5e33305a689eb0b31f98f2a7d9632.json |
[
"Nahla Nainar"
] | 2016-08-29T04:53:47 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | A glossy 217-page book on Srirangam’s Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple records in loving detail, the rich religious and architectural heritage of one of the most important shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu.T | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FTiruchirapalli%2Frecording-rich-heritage-of-srirangam-temple%2Farticle9044367.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/28aug_tynnr01-B_TY_2990533c.jpg | en | null | Recording rich heritage of Srirangam temple | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A glossy 217-page book on Srirangam’s Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple records in loving detail, the rich religious and architectural heritage of one of the most important shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Titled ‘Srirangam Bhooloka Vaikutnam’, the book has been published by Tiruchi-based architect, mountaineer and photography enthusiast J. Ramanan and his wife, Bharathanatyam exponent Vrinda.
Mr. Ramanan’s eye-catching photographs of the temple city and its shrine are supplemented by essays contributed by Mrs. Vrinda Ramanan, Dr. Prema Nandakumar and Dr. Chitra Madhavan. P. Manickavasagam, associate professor, Department of Architecture, NITT, has done the illustrations, while the line drawings have been rendered by V. Devashana, assistant architect at Ramanan and Associates.
The book was launched in Chennai recently by Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, Srirangam.
Considered to be the foremost of the 108 Vaishnavite ‘Divya Desams’, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the 8 self-manifested shrines of Lord Vishnu (‘Swayam Vyaktha Kshetra’). It is spread over 150 acres and has seven ‘prakaras’ (enclosures).
Perhaps the most visible aspect of this revered temple is the 21 Gopuras (towers). The main shrine is devoted to Shriman Narayana reclining on the serpent Adisesha. Smaller shrines devoted to avatars of Sri Mahavishnu and Sri Renganayaki Thayyar are also found here.
The Ramanans worked for over a year on the photos and essays, which focus on the history, mythology, traditions and architecture of the temple. “We also wanted to do something related to the Smart City initiative, to showcase the history of Tiruchi and Srirangam,” Mr.Ramanan said.
“This book is our way of showing why we should be proud of our heritage. Srirangam is a unique town in that, there are festivals being celebrated here at least 320 days in a year,” added Mr. Ramanan.
As the floor plans of the temple’s structure show, the sacred complex has withstood the ravages of time gracefully.
The resplendent colour – whether in the varied costumes and accoutrements of the idols or the rituals – has been captured on camera as a fitting tribute to the longevity of the shrine. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/recording-rich-heritage-of-srirangam-temple/article9044367.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c96a3b29f726307d52af2ab013fa6b66d35f21292697ea9306c5dea1ed7ef2b2.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T14:50:23 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | A moderate earthquake measuring 4.4 on Richter scale jolted parts of coastal areas in Saurashtra region on Saturday afternoon. The officials said no damage or any casualty was reported from any of th | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fmild-tremors-in-parts-of-coastal-gujarat%2Farticle9040653.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Mild tremors in parts of coastal Gujarat | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A moderate earthquake measuring 4.4 on Richter scale jolted parts of coastal areas in Saurashtra region on Saturday afternoon. The officials said no damage or any casualty was reported from any of the places hit by the tremors.
According to the Institute of Seismological Research (ISM) in Gandhinagar, the epicenter of the earthquake was 50 km in Arabian sea from Mangrol town in Porbandar district. The first earthquake struck at 12:23 pm while tremors were felt in many places a few minutes later on 12.30 p.m. The origin of the tremors was also located in the mid sea near Mangrol.
The third tremor was of much lighter 1.6 intensity, centered 31 km from Bhachau in Kutch district.
This is the third earthquake measuring over 4.0 magnitude to have happened this year in Gujarat. In July, a 4.7 magnitude quake struck Surat in South Gujarat, while a 4.0 earthquake was recorded in March at Bhachau in Kutch.
The places which were jolted includes Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Jetpur, Dhoraji and parts of Rajkot district.
So far in 2016, as many as 60 tremors have been felt in various parts of the state, which had witnessed a massive earthquake in 2001 which killed almost 20,000 people and had devastated dozens of towns and hundreds of villages in the state. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mild-tremors-in-parts-of-coastal-gujarat/article9040653.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4ba59e717d9d66094392fa5d4e77f07fa56d87c5cde8b3a5b51e4b2220bcd80b.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T08:52:35 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Members of the Andhra Pradesh Vidyavanthula Vedika on Saturday hailed Telugu film actor and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan for his straightforward approach to the contentious Special Category | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fpawan-kalyans-stand-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-scs-movement%2Farticle9042432.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | “Pawan Kalyan’s stand a shot in the arm for SCS movement” | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Members of the Andhra Pradesh Vidyavanthula Vedika on Saturday hailed Telugu film actor and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan for his straightforward approach to the contentious Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.
Responding to Mr. Kalyan’s public speech in Tirupati on Saturday, they said it was timely and had come as a shot in the arm for the SCS movement.
“For last one year, different sections like students and intellectuals had been trying hard to keep the SCS issue alive. Though the Opposition parties had taken up the issue, one was not sure about their real motives. We were desperately waiting for someone strong to re-kindle the SCS issue as it would help us take the ongoing discussions forward,” said Sai Krishna Kota, convenor of the Vedika.
He said political parties had their own axe to grind and so they spoke carefully chosen words to sound politically correct.
“Here is a man who has for the first time taken a categorical stand and questioned both, the TDP Government in the State and the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, without mincing words,” said Mr. Kota.
Pointing to the fact that the actor planned to hold a meeting on the issue on September 9, he said the issue would be in the limelight till then and even further. “Mr. Pawan Kalyan should take everybody with him,” he said.
The forum members were also happy that for the first time somebody could directly question Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, a key player in the whole SCS issue.
“As part of our campaign, student JACs tried to meet Mr. Venkaiah Naidu a few months back but he refused to meet them,” he said.
Shaik Chinna Janu, Guntur district convenor of the Vedika, said the need of the hour was a ‘strong voice’ that could take to task both the State and the Central Governments for playing with the future of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
“Mr. Pawan Kalyan is that voice. When a person of his stature speaks with such conviction, it is bound to leave a positive impact. His speech was thought-provoking and it would build pressure on the ruling parties,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/pawan-kalyans-stand-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-scs-movement/article9042432.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/de2c9ba45002460ee196d38943ad9b0fff899d4601e0fc99a038b23b3f9b7852.json |
[
"M. Balaganessin"
] | 2016-08-29T08:53:01 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The 100-pillar mandapam of Sri Parvathigiriswarar Temple under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India in Kundrandarkovil in Pudukottai district has been developing a number of cracks as | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fcracks-developing-on-100pillar-mandapam-of-ancient-temple%2Farticle9044699.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/26aug_tymbg02_h_27_2988266c.jpg | en | null | Cracks developing on 100-pillar mandapam of ancient temple | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The 100-pillar mandapam of Sri Parvathigiriswarar Temple under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India in Kundrandarkovil in Pudukottai district has been developing a number of cracks as the renovation work remains unfinished.
The rock-cut temple dedicated to Sri Umayambikai - Sri Parvathagiriswarar is a marvel of engineering. The ASI took up renovation of the ‘vagana mandapam’ as early as 1999 and the work was completed three years later. Subsequently, the ASI took up renovation of the 100-pillar mandapam. Although the stones were separated from a part of the ceiling and numbered, the renovation work is yet to be completed.
The stones of the mandapam are strewn in front of the mandapam and the prakaram outside the temple.
According to villagers, though the matter was taken up with the district administration, no action was taken. V. Singaravelu, former headmaster of Panchayat Union Middle School of the village, said that he took the matter to the notice of various officials and elected representatives but to no avail.
When contacted, ASI sources said that the work would be resumed in due course of time. The project required meticulous work and it would be completed within the next three years. The official conceded that the work was suspended about a decade ago. Priority would be accorded to the temple once funds were sanctioned.
K.L. Kumarasamy, the temple priest, said that the mandapam testified to the architectural skill of the ancient rulers. It was designed on the model of Vijayanagar dynasty and the temple attracted a large number of foreign tourists. “Kundrandarkovil is a fascinating monument for study,” observes J. Raja Mohamed, former Curator of the Government Museum and a noted epigraphist.
He said that the temple was similar to the structure of the Sri Gokarneswarar Temple in Tirugokarnam. The ‘kumbabhishekam’ of the temple was performed in 2009, after the ASI completed the renovation of the ‘rajagopuram’ and ‘vahana mandapam.’ | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cracks-developing-on-100pillar-mandapam-of-ancient-temple/article9044699.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b585db4b2a9dac6b01790994927d1e56de24d17e3cbd710c16f6fb68b4ed43da.json |
[
"Sooraj Rajmohan"
] | 2016-08-30T20:56:05 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Advertisements on websites started out innocuously enough. While the ad industry found its feet on the web and discovered its reach, users browsed its depths with abandon. They did crop up though, wit | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Ftheres-no-escaping-online-advertising%2Farticle9050855.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/31bgmtech2_jpg_2_2992468c.jpg | en | null | There's no escaping online advertising | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Online advertising may be intrusive and troublesome, but it is a necessary evil
Advertisements on websites started out innocuously enough. While the ad industry found its feet on the web and discovered its reach, users browsed its depths with abandon. They did crop up though, with Google being among the first to realise that selling ads was its best shot at becoming much more than a search engine. Bloggers and small websites took the search giant’s help and started displaying ads on their sidebars and headers.
Ads, by their very nature, are intrusive, and they have a habit of creeping into territory you want them to stay out of. In print media, they graduated from the bottom right of pages to taking up half the page, then entire pages, and eventually formed jackets and pull-outs that you had to hunt around for content. Their online counterparts now do the same thing. Some pop up during your browsing session, and follow you as you scroll, some start playing videos, some play in between videos. The interactive nature of the Internet multiplied their potential many times.
Over time, ads online became annoying enough for the creation of ad-blockers. Adblock, one of the leading names in the space, is a browser plug-in that actively stops ads from destroying your browsing experience. If you have the plug-in installed, glance at its icon from time to time to check the little number that depicts how many ads it blocked on that page; the results are often surprising.
The creation of Adblock gave most people peace of mind, until recently. Over the past year, many Internet users, particularly those who frequent news websites, would have noticed a trend where the site politely interrupts your reading and asks you to turn off your ad-blocking software. Some even refuse to let you read further unless you do so, leaving you with the option of paying a small subscription fee or adding the site to your ad-blocker’s whitelist.
Recently, the plug-in got into a tussle with none other than Facebook itself, because it developed features that allowed its users to block even the sponsored posts that Facebook cleverly embeds all over your newsfeed. For a platform that thrives by selling the public data of its users to advertisers for targeted marketing, this was not a good sign, resulting in Facebook updating its code to block the blocker itself. The little open-source upstart found a way around this as well, leading to the two see-sawing over the issue for the time being.
This brings us to the purpose of this piece. If there is one thing we have learnt from the history of advertising on the Internet, it is that online ads are now a necessary evil, at least for content creators who depend on the Internet for income. While some of the aforementioned news websites do have long-running print counterparts, the balance of power is now swaying towards online, and no one can afford to ignore that any more. Many bloggers have also complained about how ad-blockers and browsers like Alibaba’s UC Browser (which has such a feature built-in), are hurting their fortunes. Content creators depend on a mix of sponsorships, affiliate programmes and ads to keep their work going, and a blanket ad-block solution dents their fortunes significantly.
As users, it is time we accepted the inevitable fact that ads are part of our lives. Everyone uses them, and most of the time, that includes people who make content we care about. So install that ad-blocker, and whitelist the sites that matter to you. Use Facebook’s upcoming granular ad-control features to keep things manageable on social media feeds, and report Google-powered ads that obstruct content or cause annoyance. All said and done, ads are here to stay. It’s time we come to terms and manage our online browsing preferences to toe that fine line between supporting good content and weeding out that annoying pop-up. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/theres-no-escaping-online-advertising/article9050855.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4eac5463e26da54bb5c2593a148c23f23dff3cb673fdf66039129c755866a48c.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T16:51:16 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The website of University of Mysore (UoM), which is observing its centenary year, was found defaced on Sunday by a self-styled Tunisian hacker group.The website, which is suspected to have been defa | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Funiversity-of-mysores-website-defaced-restored-soon%2Farticle9042874.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | University of Mysore’s website defaced, restored soon | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The website of University of Mysore (UoM), which is observing its centenary year, was found defaced on Sunday by a self-styled Tunisian hacker group.
The website, which is suspected to have been defaced late on Saturday night, was inaccessible till Sunday morning when the University authorities were alerted about the cyber attack and took immediate steps to restore the website.
Professor and coordinator, Department of Computer Science, University of Mysore, G Hemanth Kumar said the website was restored by the experts in the department with assistance from a Hyderabad-based private company, which manages the website.
“We got to know about the defacement around 7.45 am. By 8.20 a.m, the website had been restored. No data has been stolen,” Prof Kumar added.
After the defacement, the homepage of the University’s website displayed a message put up by the Al Fallaga Team, which claims to be a Tunisian Islamist hacker group. The message also gave a call for “Stop Killing Burma Muslims,” “Stop the Buddhist Terror.”
Meanwhile, the sub-domain of the University’s website - postgraduate admissions – had also been found defaced by a different group identifying itself as “D.R.S Dz Team,” which had put up a slogan for “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza.”
Though the sub-domain page continued to load slowly on Sunday evening, Prof Kumar said the University had concluded its admission on Saturday and no inconvenience was caused to any students.
Member of Global Cyber Security Response Team Mirza Faizan Asad described the defacement as an act of mischief by hackers, who exploit the vulnerability of websites.
He emphasised the need for strengthening the security of the websites and plug loopholes so that they don’t become “sitting ducks” for these hackers. He did not rule out the possibility of hackers stealing confidential data from vulnerable websites. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/university-of-mysores-website-defaced-restored-soon/article9042874.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f27414e9b58b08b5c4a01c0ae596c7ac3e57821ed5427b42cf4b98cbf3cf6717.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T12:54:34 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The National Institute of Technology (NIT) will hold its 14th convocation on Saturday where 1,451 students will be awarded degrees.National Institute of Technology in-charge Director G.R.C. Reddy said | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fgold-medals-for-toppers-at-nit-convocation%2Farticle9053332.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Gold medals for toppers at NIT convocation | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The National Institute of Technology (NIT) will hold its 14th convocation on Saturday where 1,451 students will be awarded degrees.
National Institute of Technology in-charge Director G.R.C. Reddy said that former IIT Kanpur director Sanjay Govind Dhande, will be the chief guest at the convocation. In all 40 Ph. D, 613 M. Tech and 789 B. Tech degrees would be presented. In each branch, the topper of B. Tech is awarded Roll of Honour Gold Medal and the topper of all branches is awarded Institute Gold Medal. This year Nischal Prasad Nhuchee Pradhan of civil engineering will be awarded Institute Gold Medal. Following students will receive gold medals: Chama Venkata Manjunatha Reddy (EEE), Kondaparthy Sai Vishnu Vardhan (Mech.), Kolli Srikantha Prasad (ECE), Alle Sravani (Metallurgy), Manvitha Syreddy (chemical engineering), Romin Om Nehra (CSE) and Aishwaya R. (Biotechnology). | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/gold-medals-for-toppers-at-nit-convocation/article9053332.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/57d19833dd65f43df17f6950fd12eca65304bd78193c6c3dd1507f60fa19fb36.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:52:45 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | French mayors are drawing international anger for banning the burkini, an all-encompassing swimsuit worn by a small minority of Muslim women. Here's what is at the core of the controversy. What ar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Ffrance-and-burkini-ban-controversy%2Farticle9035712.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/Burk1_2987201c.jpg | en | null | Why burkini swimsuits are causing controversy in France | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Burkinis are sold by major retailers in Britain. Elsewhere in Europe, burkinis are rare but no municipal bans exist. Photo: Wikipedia
Burkinis are full body covering swimsuit worn mostly by Muslim women. Islam, women's rights or public hygiene: what is France's defence to ban them?
French mayors are drawing international anger for banning the burkini, an all-encompassing swimsuit worn by a small minority of Muslim women. Here's what is at the core of the controversy.
What are burkinis?
They’re a recent retail invention, not a religious requirement in any country. Around a decade ago, an Australian woman of Lebanese origin created a swimsuit for Muslim women designed to permit them to keep their bodies covered while working as lifeguards on Australian beaches. Her design was dubbed the burkini or burqini.
Burkinis cover the head, torso and limbs much like a wetsuit with a hood. The word conflates the words bikini and burqa, a full-body covering with only a mesh screen for the eyes. Burqas are worn primarily in Afghanistan.
Burkinis are rarely seen in France, where you’re more likely to spot women sunbathing topless. International sales reportedly have soared in response to French efforts to restrict their public display.
Why ban them?
France is both exceptionally secular and unusually fearful of Islamic extremism following last month’s truck attack in Nice that killed 86 people and slaying of a Catholic priest during Mass in Normandy, both claimed by the Islamic State group.
While the burkini’s defenders have argued that the wearing of the garment has nothing to do with promoting bloodshed, mayors have countered that wearing the outfits could undermine public order by making other beachgoers angry or afraid.
The French, who famously ban baggy men’s swim trunks from their pools, argue that excessively large women’s swimwear poses a similar risk to public hygiene.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls says burkinis represent the enslavement of women and puts his opposition in the context of France’s promotion of women’s rights worldwide.
But France’s predominant argument is that the burkini violates France’s century-old commitment to promote secularism in public life. The first article of the French constitution enshrines this principle, while polls show French people are among the least religious in the world. France repeatedly has cited this secularist agenda when targeting Muslim practices that are seen to push religion too far into mainstream society.
Backlash on ban
(Nice police asking a burkini clad woman to remove it. Photo: Kenneth Roth on Twitter)
French Muslims say they feel stigmatised by the restrictions, while some police men have complained that the new rules are too vague or problematic to be enforced.
Images this week that showed the Nice police appearing to instruct a burkini clad beachgoer to remove her tunic stirred indignation online. Human rights groups petitioned France’s highest administrative authority, the Council of State, which plans to issue its ruling on Friday on the burkini ban.
The policy is raising tensions within French President Francois Hollande’s leftist government too.
It's politics
(Photo: Flickr)
Critics say the anti-burkini crusade reflects a far right, anti-Muslim agenda that could prove to be a vote-winner in France’s 2017 presidential election.
Many mayors to the fore on the issue are members of former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative Republicans party. Sarkozy, who is seeking re-election, said on Wednesday- “We don’t imprison women behind fabric.”
Burkinis pose a dilemma to the French left, a staunch defender of women’s rights. The Prime Minister and Women’ Affairs Minister support the ban because they say burkinis oppress women; the Education Minister and Health Minister say the authorities shouldn’t dictate what women wear.
A less secular world
France’s stringent secularism is exceptional in the western world, and much of the rest of the world is struggling to understand France’s actions. Protesters rallied on Thursday against the French ban in London and Berlin.
Burkinis are sold by major retailers in Britain. Elsewhere in Europe, burkinis are rare but no municipal ban exists.
Not yet anyway. In Belgium, the right-leaning Flemish N-VA party doesn’t want burkinis on public beaches, calling it a sign of oppressing women.
The Muslim fashion
(Photo: Reuters)
Women in Muslim countries wear a range of swimwear, from bikinis to full-length garments, reflecting their personal tastes and understanding of their faith.
Burkini wear has generated a debate in Morocco, which has a large tourism industry. In Egypt, some resorts, elite clubs and restaurants ban veils entirely and the wearing of burkini style outfits in swimming pools.
Religious conservatives, who have been gaining ground, say such bans perpetuate a colonised mentality by enforcing western inspired freedoms and styles.
Other countries have tried it too | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/france-and-burkini-ban-controversy/article9035712.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b5f547f5cf7012a4cd809011eb26019d083c93dc8ef53393a00c251be974b997.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T06:58:35 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | P. Mariya Selvam (38) of Nehru Colony, Thalamuthu Nagar, drowned at mid sea while fishing. His body was retrieved at three nautical miles off Thalamuthu Nagar on Tuesday. The deceased along with thre | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Ffisherman-drowns%2Farticle9051149.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Fisherman drowns | null | null | www.thehindu.com | P. Mariya Selvam (38) of Nehru Colony, Thalamuthu Nagar, drowned at mid sea while fishing. His body was retrieved at three nautical miles off Thalamuthu Nagar on Tuesday. The deceased along with three other fishermen had set out for fishing on August 28. Tharuvaikulam Marine police have filed a case under Section 174 of Cr.P.C. The body was taken to Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital for post mortem.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fisherman-drowns/article9051149.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5f7a0d0c664b6fd399f388a1ba3a73e2eba5447ab6505a7889bc35fddf410e8d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:23 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Cartoon from 'The Hindu' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fcartoon%2Farticle9046609.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/160830_-_US_electi_2991352c.jpg | en | null | Cartoonscape — August 30, 2016 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Please Wait while comments are loading...
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[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T18:51:31 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Reporting in India can be a dangerous business as a report compiled by an independent watchdog, the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), has observed. Twenty-seven journalists have died | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fjustice-eludes-killed-journalists-report%2Farticle9046670.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Justice eludes killed journalists: Report | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The findings point to corruption, politics as the adversaries of journalists working in small towns.
Reporting in India can be a dangerous business as a report compiled by an independent watchdog, the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), has observed. Twenty-seven journalists have died under unnatural circumstances since 1992; increasingly, the victims are from small towns.
There have been zero convictions, raising questions about the governments’ intent to allow journalists to do their work.
More than half the journalists killed reported regularly on corruption.
The CPJ’s researchers have observed that the deaths have created a challenging environment for the press, especially small-town journalists and those reporting on corruption, who are often more vulnerable to attack and whose legitimacy is questioned when they are threatened or killed.
Of the 27 murders documented, the findings point to corruption and politics as the deadliest adversaries of journalists working in small towns.
In Uttar Pradesh and Chattisgarh, the CPJ found a pattern of resistance by authorities tasked with inquiring into the deaths.
An investigation by the agency in March this year included interviews with lawyers, the press and relatives of three journalists killed in the pst five years.
Shahjahanpur case
The report found that freelancer Jagendra Singh from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who died after being set on fire allegedly by the police in June 2015, was reporting on allegations that a State Minister was involved in land grabbing and a rape.
The investigations revealed that before he was shot dead in January 2011, Umesh Rajput from Churra in Chattisgarh was reporting on allegations of medical negligence and the issue of the son of a politician who was allegedly involved in an illegal gambling business.
Similarly, investigative reporter Akshay Singh from New Delhi, the only exception to the list of journalists from small towns, died unexpectedly in July 2015, while working on a story linked to Vyapam admissions racket.
The cases examined by CPJ have also revealed that zero convictions have been made, raising serious questions about the performance of the government, the investigative agencies and the judicial system. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/justice-eludes-killed-journalists-report/article9046670.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2efbf17a45991e99c8b34dd8a72b700bd973163f39691bc032b3dcadcc0060e9.json |
[
"R. Srikanth"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:17 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The residents of Ward 31 — that falls under the Madhavaram zone — as a whole, do not have much to complain about in terms of civic woes but they agree on one thing — that the local authorities need t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fward-watch-water-remains-a-pipe-dream-in-madhvaram-ward-no31%2Farticle9053490.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/Chennai1_2993198c.jpg | en | null | Water remains a pipe dream | null | null | www.thehindu.com | GREEN NUDGE: The residents want civic officials to appoint caretakers to help with the upkeep of the two parks in Ward 31. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam.
The residents of Ward 31 — that falls under the Madhavaram zone — as a whole, do not have much to complain about in terms of civic woes but they agree on one thing — that the local authorities need to actively coordinate in ensuring that civic demands are fulfilled in a speedy manner.
A senior official of the Chennai Corporation said the merger of Madhavaram and the surrounding areas (that was previously managed under a separate municipality) with the Chennai Corporation has paved way for new roads in all of the 12 divisions.
However, residents still find that there is a lot of scope for improving the ward and that road infrastructure alone does not help matters as there are other issues requiring immediate attention.
Among the pressing issues they listed was the high-tension electricity cable passing through their locality, road encroachments, pending piped drinking water supply and drainage schemes.
Residents of KKR Nagar said that they were still waiting action from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) officials to replace the high-tension cables with the underground electricity lines.
Kadarkaraiaandy, secretary, KKR Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, highlighted that road encroachment required urgent attention as over 2,000 sq. ft. of the 1st Main Road in KKR Nagar was encroached upon. He demanded that authorities remove them at the earliest.
Residents of KKR Garden, KKR Nagar, Thapalpetty and Roja Nagar, said that piped drinking water supply and drainage schemes have been pending for several years.
With ground water not fit for consumption due to contamination, Veera Raghavan, a resident of KKR Garden, said that people were eagerly waiting for the Metro water to supply piped drinking water. The residents also wanted civic officials to appoint caretakers to the help with better maintenance of the two parks in the ward.
The local official of the Madhavaram zone listed out the various civic works carried out in the ward including relaying of 91 interior roads out of 97 street roads at a cost of Rs. 6.50 crore, construction of stormwater drain costing Rs. 40 lakh, replacement of street lights with LED lights. The new LED lights were installed at a cost of Rs. 45 lakh covering a major portion of the ward. Also the two parks in KKR Nagar and KKR Garden have been developed with footpath and good lighting at the cost of Rs. 45 lakh. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/ward-watch-water-remains-a-pipe-dream-in-madhvaram-ward-no31/article9053490.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3e261f0292af6d51ec6c3f248b3eab831b7c981562adc5d694f3ea534f01378d.json |
[
"Shoumojit Banerjee"
] | 2016-08-29T18:51:30 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Nepal on Monday barred Maharashtra police couple Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod from entering the country for 10 years for falsely claiming that they summited Mount Everest in May.Early in July, the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fnepal-govt-bars-police-couple-from-entering-country-for-10-years%2Farticle9046718.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Nepal govt. bars police couple from entering country for 10 years | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod falsely claimed they summited Everest
Nepal on Monday barred Maharashtra police couple Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod from entering the country for 10 years for falsely claiming that they summited Mount Everest in May.
Early in July, the Nepal government ordered a thorough investigation to check the veracity of the Rathods’ claimsin the face of mounting clamour by fellow mountaineers that the duo had faked their ostensibly gruelling ascent to the top of the 8,848-metre summit.
The Pune police, too, conducted a probe and recorded the statements of the couple and fellow mountaineers.
Incidentally, the Rathods have not reported for duty at the Shivajinagar police station — where they are posted — for more than a month even as the departmental enquiry against them is in progress.
“The result of the Nepal government’s probe confirms that they lied all the way. Needless to say, this affair has been most unfortunate and has blemished the image of the Pune police force, bringing dishonour in its wake,” said Pune Police Commissioner Rashmi Shukla, adding that their disappearance only confirmed their guilt. “I will take action once I get a full report of the internal inquiry against them. While they had recorded their statements, they have vanished since then.”
The Commissioner said the city police have not received any letter from the Nepal government.
While the police remained vague about the kind of penalty awaiting the couple, senior officials said the two would find their avenues for advancement blocked and their increments halted.
On June 5, the Rathods held a press conference where they claimed they were the first Indian couple and first security personnel couple to scale Mt. Everest on May 23.
Meanwhile, according to reports, the Nepal tourism department has blacklisted the two Sherpa guides, Furba and Fursemba, for allegedly abetting the falsehood perpetrated by the Rathods. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nepal-govt-bars-police-couple-from-entering-country-for-10-years/article9046718.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3ff4c3b79580bdfebbb80446b90404c8005f534ac5ac47bda661b06aecca080d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:51:17 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | There is “evidence” to link the Islamic State (IS) with militants in Bangladesh, United States Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday his first visit to the Muslim-majority country reeling unde | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fevidence-to-link-is-and-bangladesh-attacks-kerry%2Farticle9046337.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/KERRYHASINAAP_jpg_2991224c.jpg | en | null | Evidence to link IS and Bangladesh attacks: Kerry | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Remarks are a major blow to the stance of the Hasina regime that maintains terror acts on its soil are committed by homegrown militants.
There is “evidence” to link the Islamic State (IS) with militants in Bangladesh, United States Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday his first visit to the Muslim-majority country reeling under a wave of brutal attacks on minorities and secular activists, in a major blow to the government’s stance.
Mr. Kerry, after holding talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his Bangladeshi counterpart A.H. Mahmood Ali, said there was “no argument about it [the links].” ”...there is evidence that the ISIL in Iraq and Syria has contacts with about eight different entities around the world and one of them is in South Asia,” he said.
‘No argument about it’
“They are connected to some degree with some of the operatives here and we made that very clear in our conversation. There was no argument about it,” he said.
Ms. Hasina’s administration has blamed home-grown militancy for a spate of attacks on secular, liberal activists and religious minorities and denied that the IS has gained a foothold in the country. Mr. Kerry’s remarks are a major blow to the stance. He has, however, rejected accusations that the government is in denial about the nature of the extremist threat it faces and said the U.S. stood firmly with Bangladesh in its fight against the militants as the two countries agreed to boost cooperation in intelligence exchange.
“I don’t believe that the government of Bangladesh has its head in the sand. I do not believe that,” he said.
‘Keen to work closely on intelligence’
Mr. Kerry conveyed the U.S.’ interest to work closely with intelligence agencies of Bangladesh to fight terrorism and said that “we need to exchange information to combat terrorism,” Ms. Hasina’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim told a media briefing.
Mr. Kerry said the U.S. would work together with Bangladesh to fight terrorism and reiterated its offer to provide experts to this end.
“We would fight with Bangladesh to combat terrorism ... we have enough experts in this regard and we could help Bangladesh by giving these experts,” Mr. Karim quoted Mr. Kerry as telling the Bangladeshi premier at her office.
Emphasis on democracy
However, Mr. Kerry also highlighted that democracy “provides the most resilient and reliable platform we have for preventing and responding to violent extremism,” remarks that gain significance in the wake of a crackdown on opponents that has seen thousands of activists behind bars.
The jailed activists are mostly from the party of Ms. Hasina’s archrival Khaleda Zia, two-time premier.
“Just as important, we understand that to defeat terrorists, we must uphold, not betray, the democratic principles we cherish and they abhor,” he said.
Mr. Kerry’s visit to the country came on a day Bangladesh police raided a hideout of the homegrown outlawed militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and shot dead its commander, who was involved in an attack on a temple and a bid to kill an Italian priest last year, along with his aide.
‘Important discussions on security issues’
Mr. Kerry said he has had “important discussions on security issues” in Dhaka during his maiden daylong tour.
“Important discussions today [Monday] in Bangladesh including on security issues & our strong support in fighting against violent extremism,” he tweeted after his meeting with Ms. Hasina and Mr. Ali.
Mr. Kerry, who later in the day heads to New Delhi, described the visit as “significantly important.”
“Fruitful, open discussions”
Mr. Ali said discussions with Mr. Kerry were “open” and “fruitful,” encompassing issues of bilateral ties and cooperation in areas including militancy and trade.
“We had a very open discussion on issues of Bangladesh-U.S. relations ... it was a fruitful discussion,” he said during the briefing along with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam after holding talks with Mr. Kerry.
Cooperation in fight against terror
Issues of cooperation in combating terrorism and militancy largely dominated the talks, Mr. Ali said but declined to elaborate immediately. “These are issues to be disclosed gradually,” he said.
According to Mr. Karim, Mr. Kerry said the U.S. would work together with Bangladesh to fight terrorism and reiterated its offer to provide experts to this end.
“We would fight with Bangladesh to combat terrorism ... we have enough experts in this regard and we could help Bangladesh by giving these experts,” he quoted Mr. Kerry as telling the Bangladeshi premier at her office.
Mr. Karim said the one-hour meeting was held in a very cordial and warm atmosphere where the entire gamut of bilateral relations was reviewed.
The high-profile visit comes as Bangladesh reels from a wave of murders of secular, liberal activists and religious minorities. Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions including Hindus, Christians and Muslim Sufis and Shiites.
Last month, a Bangladeshi cafe located in the diplomatic area was stormed by terrorists, who killed 22 people including an Indian girl. The gruesome attack has prompted foreigners, including potential investors, to leave Bangladesh — sparking worries for its garment industry, the world’s second largest after China.
Misconceptions on parliamentary polls
According to analysts, Mr. Kerry’s visit takes place amid the perception that the U.S. is not happy with the incumbent government following the last parliamentary elections that Washington did not find “credible” as BNP-led opposition boycotted the vote.
While talking about the ongoing anti-IS drive in West Asia, he said the outfit has been cornered in the region due to the operation and many terrorists are now returning home in the face of the attack.
Tributes to Bangabandhu
Earlier after arrival, Mr. Kerry paid his rich tributes to the memory of Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visiting Bangabandhu Museum as his first engagement in Dhaka.
“What a tragedy to have such brilliant and courageous leadership taken away from the people of Bangladesh in such a moment of violence and cowardice.
“But today, Bangladesh is growing in the vision of Bangabandhu — and under the strong leadership of his daughter [Sheikh Hasina],” Mr. Kerry wrote in the visitors’ book after he toured different parts of the Bangabandhu’s residence, now turned into a museum.
On extradition of Mujib killers
When the premier recalled the assassination of ‘Bangabandhu’ and most of his family members in 1975 and requested the U.S. to extradite his killers living in that country, Mr. Kerry has said he understands the concern of Ms. Hasina.
“The issue [of extradition] is under review by the U.S. government,” he said.
Ali said Kerry was very appreciative of Bangladesh’s ongoing fight against militancy and terrorism with particular mention of Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance policy” in this regard.
He added: “The United States is proud to be a friend [of Bangladesh] and strong supporter of the fulfilment of his [Bangabandhu’s] vision. We look forward to growing and working together for peace and prosperity.”
Socio-economic progress
Highly praising Bangladesh’s tremendous development in socio-economic progress, Mr. Kerry said Bangladesh has been doing “brilliantly” in the sector.
“We have partnered with Bangladesh in its economic progress and other issues,” he said.
The U.S. Secretary of State also showed his country’s eagerness to work closely with Bangladesh in other sectors like climate, health and energy. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/evidence-to-link-is-and-bangladesh-attacks-kerry/article9046337.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b784260317be4788e4a55384153c12bbbb78fc760df2b41cba87ddd521678e69.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T12:51:08 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan on Monday said while growth is showing signs of picking up, it is still below the level the country is capable of.On inflation, however, the outgoing Gov | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FEconomy%2Fraghuram-rajan-on-indian-economys-growth%2Farticle9046133.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/raghuram_2991194c.jpg | en | null | Raghuram Rajan on Indian economy's growth | null | null | www.thehindu.com | On inflation, however, the outgoing Governor said projections are still at the upper limit of RBI’s inflation objective.
Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan on Monday said while growth is showing signs of picking up, it is still below the level the country is capable of.
On inflation, however, the outgoing Governor said projections are still at the upper limit of RBI’s inflation objective. “Economic growth, while showing signs of picking up, is still below levels that the country is capable of. The key weakness is in investment, with private corporate investment subdued because of low capacity utilisation, and public investment slow in rolling out in some sectors,” Mr. Rajan wrote in the foreword of the central bank’s annual report of 2015-16.
He said inflation projections are still at the upper limits of RBI’s inflation objective and room for rate cut will emerge as inflation falls further.
“With the Reserve Bank needing to balance savers’ desire for positive real interest rates with corporate investors’ and retail borrowers’ need for low nominal borrowing rates, the room to cut policy rates can emerge only if inflation is projected to fall further,” he said.
Mr. Rajan also said the willingness of banks to cut lending rates is muted and there is a reluctance to lend to industry and small businesses among the more stressed public sector banks compared to the private sector banks. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/raghuram-rajan-on-indian-economys-growth/article9046133.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b655c3e7c889497c70490e1e53911bdd8e70b663e744b489656babe1ad921197.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T14:53:37 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Residents of Sanaba village in Pandavapura taluk and members of some Dalit organisations staged a protest here on Saturday demanding a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into the m | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fcid-probe-sought-into-murder-case%2Farticle9040602.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/protest_1_2988776c.jpg | en | null | CID probe sought into murder case | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Residents of Sanaba village in Pandavapura taluk and members of some Dalit organisations staged a protest here on Saturday demanding a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into the murder of Geetha, a Dalit, who was found dead on August 25.
They gathered outside the office of Superintendent of Police and alleged that Geetha was gang-raped and murdered by some upper caste people who are financially and politically strong.
The police have registered a case only under some Sections of Indian Penal Code. They should arrest all the accused and book a case against them under provisions of the SC, ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, the protestors demanded.
According the protestors, the police have arrested only one person in connection with the case and had failed to make any efforts to arrest the remaining accused. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/cid-probe-sought-into-murder-case/article9040602.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/36c0a8dc19f8aac9a0328dfc55e3972da15b19e76d971deb7e818d4e5bc7ba3c.json |
[
"M.L. Melly Maitreyi"
] | 2016-08-30T02:52:37 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | CRDA has sought administrative sanction from the State government to avail a loan of Rs.7,500 crore from HUDCO for development of housing and infrastructure in the capital city and capital region. The | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fcrda-seeks-nod-for-rs7500cr-hudco-loan%2Farticle9047757.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | CRDA seeks nod for Rs.7,500-cr. HUDCO loan | null | null | www.thehindu.com | CRDA has sought administrative sanction from the State government to avail a loan of Rs.7,500 crore from HUDCO for development of housing and infrastructure in the capital city and capital region. The CRDA Commissioner represented to the government that HUDCO and the APCRDA entered into a MoU for a loan of Rs. 7,500 crore. The CRDA apparently explored the opportunities to raise the loan at competitive interest rate, but found that the HUDCO’s offer was the best. While other lending agencies quoted interest rate of 11 to 12 per cent a year, CRDA was confident of securing the HUDCO loan at 9.65 per cent. Of this, the first tranche of the loan will be Rs. 1,306.83 crore and the government has to contribute 10 per cent of the amount, Rs.130.68 crore. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/crda-seeks-nod-for-rs7500cr-hudco-loan/article9047757.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/578226ae6f3536d9a9a5ef2cdd2a182bd4c841f9289abc84abdbc42ed4c3fb1a.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T14:51:52 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Aditya, son of Amrut Birje and a 6th Standard student of Kendriya Vidyalaya-II in the city, has been selected for the national level games and sports competitions for Under -14 years swimming categor | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fone-swimmer-two-skaters-from-belagavi-selected-for-national-meet%2Farticle9036278.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/skater_2987369c.jpg | en | null | One swimmer, two skaters from Belagavi selected for national meet | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Aditya, son of Amrut Birje and a 6th Standard student of Kendriya Vidyalaya-II in the city, has been selected for the national level games and sports competitions for Under -14 years swimming category of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to be held next month.
Aditya was selected after he won four gold medals in the regional level competitions held recently in Bengaluru. He won gold medals in relay, 200 M butterfly stroke, 100 M butterfly stroke and 200 M individual medley and won the Individual Championship title as well. The national level competitions are scheduled to be held from Sept.26 to 30.
Two skaters, Tushar Prabhu and Maneet Patil, who are also from the KV-II and studying in 7th and 8th Standards respectively, have been selected for national level meet to be held at Hyderabad during October.
Both Tushar and Maneet, who are promising skaters of the Belgaum Roller Skating Academy, participated in various competitions and won two gold and four silver medals at the regional level meet held at Bengaluru. Tushar, who competed in Under-14 years category won a gold medal in Inline 300 M Rink Race and a silver medal each in Inline 500 M and Inline 1000 M Rink Races. Maneet won a gold medal in Inline 300 M Rink Race, a silver medal each in 1000 M Rink Race and 3000 M Road Race, according to Academy chief coach Suryakant Hindalgekar here on Friday. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/one-swimmer-two-skaters-from-belagavi-selected-for-national-meet/article9036278.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b379e3c176c0b77453eefc6fc4150246d67e367d52891e84b9891b690e8dd33a.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T08:52:04 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Kanchi acharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, who was admitted to a private hospital in Vijayawada after developing respiratory problems on Tuesday, is recovering, say hospital authorities.
&n | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fjayendra-saraswathi-recovering-from-respiratory-problem%2Farticle9055031.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00674/05VBG_SEER_674944c.jpg | en | null | Jayendra Saraswathi recovering from respiratory problem | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Jayendra Saraswathi was admitted to a private hospital in Vijayawada on Tuesday after he developed respiratory problems.
Kanchi acharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, who was admitted to a private hospital in Vijayawada after developing respiratory problems on Tuesday, is recovering, say hospital authorities.
Andhra Hospitals Pulmonologist Dr. Ravindranath on Wednesday said that the Swamiji’s sugar and sodium levels have improved, but he was still under observation. The hospital authorities, in the health bulletin released on Wednesday afternoon, said that his health condition was much better than what it was on Tuesday.
“Jayendra Saraswathi is shifted to a special ward from ICU. He is speaking to his disciples. A team of doctors from Andhra Hospitals and specialists from Chennai who arrived here on Tuesday are supervising his health condition,” said Dr. Ravindranath. The doctor’s team from Chennai expressed satisfaction over the treatment being given to the Swamiji, he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/jayendra-saraswathi-recovering-from-respiratory-problem/article9055031.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6598066ff78b2f66e967a6c8efb135b1c893201fab9ee5366a7036a8fb9e35bd.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T12:53:29 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Coming out against the resolution passed by the Sena-led BMC on compulsory yoga in civic schools, the Congress on Monday demanded the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena combine first improve the quality of educati | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fyoga-in-civic-schools-improve-them-first-congress-tells-sena%2Farticle9046753.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30BM_YOGA__2991433c.jpg | en | null | Yoga in civic schools? Improve them first, Congress tells Sena | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Coming out against the resolution passed by the Sena-led BMC on compulsory yoga in civic schools, the Congress on Monday demanded the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena combine first improve the quality of education and infrastructure of such schools. The resolution makes yoga including surya namaskar asana mandatory for all civic school students.
Senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said the civic body has budgeted Rs. 2,400 crore for schools, and spends Rs. 50,534 per student. “Though Shiv Sena says it is the protector of Marathi [language], Marathi [medium] BMC schools have shrunk from 385 with 81,216 students in 2012-13 to 351 schools and 59,802 students,” he said. He added that Hindi medium civic schools too are facing a similar situation, which is a cause for worry.
Mr. Nirupam said over the last four years, Hindi medium schools have shrunk from 235 to 231, and the number of students in these schools have come down from 1,21,380 to 1,07,294. Teachers, too, have decreased from 3,133 to 2,886. Similarly, Gujarati medium schools have shrunk from 81 to 68 in last four years, and there is a sharp decrease in student and teacher numbers as well. “Overall, in 2012-13, 1,150 civic schools were functional; 67 schools have closed [since], which had around 40,000 students,” he said.
Fresh students have stopped enrolling in civic schools due to poor conditions and lack of quality education, Mr. Nirupam claimed, while pointing to a Praja Foundation survey that showed 42 per cent of parents to be unhappy with education in civic schools.
It also showed a 28 per cent decrease in student enrolment. “My question is, where has this Rs. 2,400 crore gone? Where has it been spent? This is also a scam that must be probed, and Sena-BJP leaders in power must be questioned,” he alleged.
Mr. Nirupam said nearly 80 per cent of BMC schools don’t have playgrounds, which raises a question of space for yoga. He added, “We are not against yoga, but their being made mandatory. Instead, the ruling combine must focus on improving the conditions of civic schools. Surya namaskar is nothing but an emotional agenda with an eye on the forthcoming elections,” he said.
The Congress leader was accompanied by BMC Leader of Opposition Pravin Chheda, former MLA Rajhans Singh and Nizamuddin Rayeen of the city Congress’s minority cell. The leaders had petitioned the Maharashtra Governor last week to intervene and revoke the yoga resolution. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/yoga-in-civic-schools-improve-them-first-congress-tells-sena/article9046753.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/352a15d27cfbef56efc57fac774871196ff2092706c907b2401cf62e09715cbf.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T04:51:48 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has welcomed the agreement of Telangana and Maharashtra governments on irrigation projects as it will benefit farmers of seven districts of Telangana beside solving th | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fthumbs-up-from-mim%2Farticle9041973.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27hynrh06-MIM_G_HY_2989293c.jpg | en | null | Thumbs up from MIM | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has welcomed the agreement of Telangana and Maharashtra governments on irrigation projects as it will benefit farmers of seven districts of Telangana beside solving the drinking water problem in and around Hyderabad.
Addressing a press conference today, the party president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi took exception to Congress criticising the agreement for cheap publicity in collusion with the TDP. If the party continued to do the same, it will not gain politically but damage itself further. The MIM had also criticised the ruling TRS in the past, especially after the encounter killing of five Muslims at Alair, but never did like the Congress when the government was right.
He said it had become a habit with Congress to criticise any step of the government. The party had given a goby to the policies of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in irrigation sector and targeted the present government.
Mr. Owaisi advised the Opposition parties to mount pressure on the Chief Minister to deliver his promise of irrigating one crore acres, now that the agreement was over. He criticised the Congress for not taking any steps to utilise Godavari water when it was in power in both States and Centre from 2004 to 2014.
Mr. Rao took a historic decision now. The project across Pranahita is the lifeline of Telangana, he added.
It had become a habit with the Congress to criticise any step of the government.
Asaduddin Owaisi,
MIM MP. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/thumbs-up-from-mim/article9041973.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cf9cac7531331dfa4b21835d4e8b513e66649c4bed815dd3f602dac122346ca2.json |
[
"Aatish Nath"
] | 2016-08-28T08:51:47 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Guests going to Yuuka by Ting Yen, the modern Japanese eatery at the Lower Parel hotel, St. Regis Mumbai’s 38th floor would have noticed some construction at Li Bai, the bar that sprawls across the 37 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fentertainment%2Ffrom-farm-to-kitchen%2Farticle9040867.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28bm_Chef_Martin_K_2988957c.jpg | en | null | From farm to kitchen | null | null | www.thehindu.com | FOLLOWING IN FOOTSTEPS: Martin Kindleysides was born and raised on a dairy farm in Australia and started cooking at the age of 16 when he followed his brother into a restaurant kitchen.
Martin Kindleysides, the Executive Chef at St Regis Mumbai talks to Aatish Nath about his plans for the hotel’s restaurants
Guests going to Yuuka by Ting Yen, the modern Japanese eatery at the Lower Parel hotel, St. Regis Mumbai’s 38th floor would have noticed some construction at Li Bai, the bar that sprawls across the 37th level, with night-time views that look out onto our pullulating vertical metropolis.
This is in some sense long overdue. Li Bai, named for a Chinese poet, was conceptualised when the hotel was to be run by the Shangri-La, a Hong Kong-based chain. Post its management contract with Starwood Hotels and its subsequent rebranding as St. Regis Mumbai, the bar’s Asian flourishes, both in its cocktail list and its décor, didn’t jive with the new branding.
Under the newly appointed Director of Culinary, Martin Kindleysides, the bar is now being rebranded to Luna Nuda, with an accompanying fine-dine Luna Gusta opening one floor above it.
This is the most overt change being made by Kindleysides after coming on board in June 2016. The menu promises, in Kindleysides’s words, to be “eclectic European. Modern elements with a little bit of theatrics at the table as well,” that allows both chef and diner to be pushed out of their comfort zones. Mark your calendars, as the restaurant should be open before the year-end.
Before getting into his own personal journey, Kindleysides says, “I guess my backstory is pretty interesting.” From the farm to the kitchen, chef Kindleysides has had a journey that seems straightforward. He was born and raised on a dairy farm in Australia and started cooking at the age of 16 when he followed his brother (who is also a chef) into a restaurant kitchen. Since then, it’s been a slow journey across South Korea and Bengaluru, before Kindleysides’s current appointment as the Executive Chef at St. Regis Mumbai.
Interestingly, Kindleysides never wanted to be a chef. During our conversation he says that growing up, he wanted to be a park ranger, but his stint in the kitchens resulted in a change of plan. Studying environmental sciences was the original idea, but after a week, “much to my mother’s dismay, I pulled out of university and joined the kitchens again.”
He soon found himself cooking in Canberra before living in Sydney for 12 years, then moved up to Queensland and onwards west to Perth. His first stint away from Australia was in Seoul, where he admitted that language was a huge barrier. One of the reasons he moved to India was the widespread usage of English. Kindleysides says he doesn’t regret his career choice, “because it’s afforded me a travelling lifestyle, living in different countries, learning different cultures and cuisines.”
Growing up on a dairy farm, Kindleysides remembers, “Going to a supermarket was very rare for my family, and we had, like, chickens out the back that we’d slaughter, and collect eggs. We had a huge vegetable garden, an orchard. We would barter between other farming families around the community. So if we slaughtered a lamb, we’d swap like a side of lamb for something or the other that the other farming families had on their farm.” This childhood has shaped his attitude towards food, and especially how vegetables and animals are grown. He describes his mother and grandmother as “very natural cooks, not methodical — they’d never weigh anything.”
Getting back to the St. Regis Mumbai, with 10 food and drink outlets on the property, there’s a lot to keep an eye on and Kindleysides is up for the challenge. His farming background makes him interested in where the hotel’s produce comes from, in addition to working on the hotel’s restaurants and banqueting offerings.
With a two-year stint in Bengaluru as Executive Chef of the Sheraton Grand Bangalore at Brigade Gateway, Kindleysides is used to the catering requirements for lavish Indian weddings, and is familiar with both the vegetarian slant to Indian menus and our love of bold flavours.
As a result, he’s hit the ground running, working on food trails for Luna Gusta and getting to know the team at the Lower Parel property.
During his Bengaluru stay, Kindleysides interacted with small farmers around the city and is now planning to carry some of those relationships forward, by having them supply to St. Regis Mumbai. He gives the example of a supplier in Mysore who rears organic pork using best farming practises, and First Agro, which has a farm near Bengaluru that grows all its vegetables in an organic manner, even though it is not certified.
Working for the Starwood Hotel Group, Kindleysides is proud of the stand that the hotel chain has taken on being a sustainable company: like refusing to serve shark’s meat (including fins) at any of its properties around the world, including those on Mainland China, where it is considered a delicacy.
Kindleysides says Starwood Hotel Group encourages its hotels to source vegetables and meats from within a 100-mile radius of its properties; though he admits it’s hard to do the same for the Mumbai property.
As for the desi food he’s tried during his tenure in India, he admits that while exploring the city is on his agenda, he hasn’t managed to do much of that so far. While in Bengaluru, he took a trip to Chettinad, where “I fell in love with the food from that region.” We can only hope he manages to discover all that Mumbai has to offer. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/from-farm-to-kitchen/article9040867.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/95ebce06e1dcfdf480ba1270344e948065a6611366cdbdd8776beac7d78a187c.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:54:18 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Cartoon from 'The Hindu' | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fcartoon%2Farticle9051241.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/160831_-_Delhi_Go_2992583c.jpg | en | null | Cartoonscape — August 31, 2016 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Please Wait while comments are loading...
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[] | 2016-08-31T12:52:01 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A Maldivian criminal court has issued arrest warrants for Mohamad Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected President who was toppled in 2012, and other exiled leaders of the Maldives Unite | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fsouth-asia%2Fmaldives-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-nasheed%2Farticle9055683.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01058/nasheed_1058196c.jpg | en | null | Maldives court issues arrest warrant for Nasheed | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A Maldivian criminal court has issued arrest warrants for Mohamad Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected President who was toppled in 2012, and other exiled leaders of the Maldives United Opposition.
Nasheed, 49, was granted political asylum in the U.K. last May after he was authorised to travel for medical treatment while serving the sentence for a terror-related offence. “The warrant for Nasheed’s arrest was sought over an investigation into the alleged misuse of state funds during his presidency,” the police said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Maldives correctional service is seeking to have him brought back to serve the remainder of his 13-year sentence on a terror conviction,” The Maldives Independent reported, citing the statement.
Nasheed was sentenced to jail in March 2015 after he was convicted on a terror-related charge, inviting widespread international condemnation.
The police were also authorised to arrest and bring back Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Akram Kamaldeen, a senior official of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, for refusing to obey a police summons on August 4, which ordered the pair to return to the Maldives within two weeks for questioning over unspecified charges, the paper said.
Jameel, who fled the Maldives in July last year, has also been granted political refugee status by the U.K. government. He has since been living in self-imposed exile in the U.K. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/maldives-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-nasheed/article9055683.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/379fd74092d810146b9b6abc1a6f85d6a314d571632bf02bda20160087ebd927.json |
[
"Andre Rodrigues"
] | 2016-08-29T02:51:02 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The time could not be more perfect for the Deus Ex’s third prequel to come out. Mankind Divided stands as a sign of the times as today we’re all divided on several frontiers: political, religious, and | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fentertainment%2Fdeus-ex-a-stealth-game-that-maturely-tackles-todays-problems%2Farticle9043198.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/29bm_pg4_game_revi_2990052c.jpg | en | null | A stealth game that maturely tackles today’s problems | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Game Review
A stealth game that maturely tackles today’s problems
The time could not be more perfect for the Deus Ex’s third prequel to come out. Mankind Divided stands as a sign of the times as today we’re all divided on several frontiers: political, religious, and even when it comes to Pokemon Go.
Of course, Deus Ex is all about human-machine augmentation. It’s a topic that was started in the last game, Human Revolution, and now is explored further in Mankind Divided.
The third prequel is a game of corporate espionage, deep human prejudices and lots of sneaking around.
Welcome to 2029 when we’re in a time after the Aug Incident, where augmented humans were pushed to mass murder. This event was triggered in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. So the humans, who refer to themselves as ‘naturals’ have become understandably wary, bringing about heavy prejudices against Augs.
The hybrid humans are folks who prefer to replace their arms, legs and several body parts with mechanical, robotic ones, ranging from beautiful to deadly. Plus, they’ve got several sensors embedded into their skulls augmenting their abilities. On the other hand, the naturals choose to remain pure.
As a result of this rift in society, cities have adopted heavy policing. The Augs who were not responsible for the incident are under heavy oppression. This tension has led to breakouts of violence and terrorist attacks across the globe, from either side. And Mankind Divided focuses on Adam Jensen, the protagonist of the previous game. After a horrible attack, he finds himself augmented with state-of-the art bio-mechanical technology designed for combat.
The story of Human Revolution had a strong corporate espionage thread, leading up to the Aug Incident. Mankind Divided takes on a more usual route, focusing on a good-versus-bad formula, against a backdrop of social upheaval. That said, it still hits home where it needs to with deep undertones, especially visually, as you watch the world change over time after each mission.
The story touches expertly on several very mature subjects, tackling them with excellent finesse. While there is a lot of lore and names to remember, of people and organisations, the game helpfully puts together a superb video explaining everything that transpired in the previous game. For Deus Ex fans though, there was no lead-up to the classic original episode, which canonically takes place in the year 2052. We may have to wait for another game in these prequel years to tie in the franchise to the original.
At its core, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is about stealth. While you can go in gun-blazing, the entire system is built around stealth mode. The gunplay gets clunky otherwise. It’s not bad, but the best part of the game is being a ghost. With all the augmentation, Jensen can go invisible, attack enemies through walls, summon armour, throw all sorts of smoke grenades and flash bangs to conceal himself.
There are several alternate routes to a certain point in any mission, which you can explore; some lead to danger, others allow you get the jump on people.
The game’s level design is fantastic in that sense, actually making you feel powerful. It’s also indicative as to how upgraded augmented humans are. While the stealth gameplay is fantastic, Deus Ex has the augmentation powers for combat, except there could have been a better way the team could have made fights a lot more exciting.
You keep returning to Prague as a hub, where you can undertake various side missions, which are varied and entertaining. It’s an open-world here and you have freedom to execute side missions the way you want it. For example, one of the earlier missions involved getting forged papers to pass through a checkpoint.
You could either pay your way through or get creative and find out more through the excellent dialogue wheel. Also worth mentioning is the superb hacking system that looks quite complicated, but is simple once you get a hang of it. Mankind Divided is crisp and mature, with excellent wit chiming in at the right time. There are several well-thought-out decisions you will need to take as well as different conversation paths to explore.
The presentation of the game is slick, provided you’re standing still. When moving, the world seemed a bit too picturesque, lacking that infusion of life. The art is fantastic: a high-tech look combined with French renaissance art and fashion. This is undoubtedly one of the best parts of the game, along with the smoky neo-noir atmosphere.
A game that’s grown-up, tackles today’s problems in a futuristic packaging, and has some amazing stealth mechanics. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is all of this in one sophisticated package.
The author is an avid gamer and a freelance writer | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/deus-ex-a-stealth-game-that-maturely-tackles-todays-problems/article9043198.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/992f2b38e0d3c89026317b1cc79db1d10a26d9f675e22a5571e9be00d926afc0.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T20:59:59 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The BJP Telangana wing has criticised the official notification issued for delimitation of districts charging that even the assurances made by the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, at the all-party | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fbjp-flays-districts-delimitation%2Farticle9034549.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | BJP flays districts delimitation | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The BJP Telangana wing has criticised the official notification issued for delimitation of districts charging that even the assurances made by the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, at the all-party meeting was not reflected in the final draft released.
At a press conference on Wednesday, State president S. Malla Reddy and others observed that the list appeared to be more favourable to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party as the divisions seems to reflect the party’s strongholds and weak regions.
Giving out several examples of the anomalies in the exercise, Mr. Reddy said that it was strange that no division has been proposed for Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts despite the geographical size and population.
In some places, some mandals were forcibly put into neighbouring districts while some places are about to lose their identity on account of the reorganisation.
Reconvene all-party meet
The party demanded reconvening of the all party meeting by the Chief Minister to discuss several contentious aspects that have come to the fore after the notification was released. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/bjp-flays-districts-delimitation/article9034549.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7a1e58df48b5870c5fa029b777d18df4fc38d43a56a61652ae09e6bef31bb892.json |
[
"S. Anil Radhakrishnan"
] | 2016-08-26T22:50:18 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Kerala Tourism will use the services of the Kudumbasree Mission workers for its campaign to keep tourist destinations in the State clean.The Clean Destination Campaign, to be implemented by the Distr | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fkudumbasree-to-keep-tourist-sites-clean%2Farticle9036842.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Kudumbasree to keep tourist sites clean | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Its members to be employed by Kerala Tourism for work in 86 destinations
Kerala Tourism will use the services of the Kudumbasree Mission workers for its campaign to keep tourist destinations in the State clean.
The Clean Destination Campaign, to be implemented by the District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPC) in coordination with the district wing of Kudumbasree, will cover 86 destinations, including places of interest and public places in the 14 districts. Lack of hygiene in major tourist sites has been affecting tourist inflow to the State, prompting Kerala Tourism to launch the initiative.
In Thiruvananthapuram, seven destinations will be taken up for cleaning. The figures are 10 in Ernakulam, five in Kozhikode and Pathanamthitta, seven in Kollam, eight in Alappuzha and Idukki, three in Kottayam, four in Thrissur and Kasaragod, three in Palakkad, nine in Malappuram, six in Wayanad, and seven in Kannur during 2016-17.
East Fort, Shanghumughom, Ponmudi, and Veli from Thiruvananthapuram; boat jetty and bus stand, Ashramom, and Alumkadavu boat jetty from Kollam; Aranmula from Pathanamthitta; boat jetty and bus stand, houseboat terminal from Alappuzha; Kumarakom, Erumeli and Kodimatha jetty from Kottayam; Kumily, Vagamon, Munnar from Idukki; Fort Kochi, Cherai beach, Darbar Hall ground, Marine Drive from Ernakulam; Malampuzha from Palakkad; Thekkinkadu maidan, Shaktan bus stand, Guruvayur bus stand and Chavakkad beach from Thrissur; Kappad beach, Kozhikode beach, Beypore, Thusharagiri from Kozhikode; Muzhapilangad, Payyambalam, Thalassery town, and Parasanikadavu from Kannur; and Bekal Fort and beach, Chandragiri Fort and Hosdurg Fort from Kasaragod are among the major destinations on the list.
The cleaning work will be on for 12 months. The government has given administrative approval for the proposal and has sanctioned Rs.3.89 crore after the Working Group on Tourism cleared the project, official sources said.
Of the amount sanctioned, Rs.3.73 crore is for wages, Rs.2.59 lakh for purchase of equipment, and Rs.12.97 lakh for the purchase of two sets of uniforms for the workers. The amount will be made available to the DTPCs which will disburse it to the District Mission Coordinator of Kudumbasree.
Under the approved scheme, the minimum wages per head has been fixed at Rs.600 per month, Rs.500 per head for providing equipment, and Rs.2,500 per head as uniform allowances for two pairs of uniforms. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kudumbasree-to-keep-tourist-sites-clean/article9036842.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b2908609d2c3aac40bd86bda51a90c7681c8f1bfba5a739f86d8c384eb402af9.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T10:54:24 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | : Palnadu region, once a hotbed of faction politics, simmered with tension on Monday after MLAs belonging to the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress braced up for a public debate on allegations of corru | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fgurazala-macherla-mlas-put-under-house-arrest%2Farticle9047209.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30-VJ-GURZALA_MALA_2991584c.jpg | en | null | Gurazala, Macherla MLAs put under house arrest | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Police avert a showdown by denying permission for open debate on alleged corruption in pushkaram works
: Palnadu region, once a hotbed of faction politics, simmered with tension on Monday after MLAs belonging to the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress braced up for a public debate on allegations of corruption during Krishna Pushkarams.
With TDP MLA from Gurazala Y. Srinivasa Rao accepting a challenge thrown at him by Macherla MLA Pinneli Ramakrishna Reddy for an open debate on the premises of Agricultural Market Yard at Dachepalli, prohibitory orders were clamped in Dachepalli-Nadikudi, Piduguralla and other towns by the Guntur Rural police who were on the edge throughout the day.
Superintendent of Police, Guntur Rural, K. Narayan rushed to Dachepalli and monitored the situation.
“We have denied permission for any open debate. If they want to have a debate, let them have it in a TV studio,’’ Mr. Narayan said. Both the MLAs have been placed under house arrest and many other leaders have been taken into preventive custody. Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed.
Police had to use mild force to disperse followers of Piduguralla and Dachepalli ZPTC members who broke off the police cordon at Dachepalli. DSP, Gurazala, Nageswara Rao said that cases under Sections 356, 324 IPC have been registered.
It began with Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy alleging that large-scale corruption had taken place during the execution of civil works in Krishna Pushkaras and challenged Mr. Srinivasa Rao to face a CBI inquiry. Further, he also accused the ruling party of seeking to derive political mileage by painting all the ghats yellow and vowed that he would never take a dip in those ghats. True to his word, Mr. Reddy took a holy dip at a ghat in Nalgonda district.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao retorted by saying that he would face an inquiry and accepted the challenge for an open debate scheduled for Monday.
“I have never shied away from any challenge by the Opposition. Lakhs of people had a holy dip in the ghats developed in Palnadu and this is making the YRSC nervous. Mr. Reddy had gone to Telangana to take a dip and now to divert public criticism, he has started levelling baseless allegations against me,’’ said Mr. Srinivasa Rao. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/gurazala-macherla-mlas-put-under-house-arrest/article9047209.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/50a18120cf685faaf86a54bd35a2909e8745e328b0e0ce3f146e87d337353e7b.json |
[
"Shrutilaya Ramanathan"
] | 2016-08-26T14:51:28 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | When we discuss make-up, I realise we constantly talk about the eyes, the lips, the cheeks... But we always overlook the nose. I say, let’s not.SkincareWhile your skincare pretty much stays the same f | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Flets-get-nosy%2Farticle9036414.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27MP_KAREENAAP_2987439c.jpg | en | null | Let’s get nosy | null | null | www.thehindu.com | When we discuss make-up, I realise we constantly talk about the eyes, the lips, the cheeks... But we always overlook the nose. I say, let’s not.
Skincare
While your skincare pretty much stays the same for your face, except in the case of certain target areas due to pigmentation, scarring or blemishes, your nose has its own set of problems. More often than not, you will find yourself the proud owner of painful black and whiteheads that grab attention for all the wrong reasons.
An easy way to get rid of blackheads is to use toners or serums containing acids such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid. When you tone your face or use your serum, make sure to start with the nose and then cover the rest of your face. And do not forget the sides of your nose — they most often get the most congested and need more care. While nose strips work, I wouldn’t recommend them, as they can be very harsh on sensitive skin. Instead, try a face mask meant to help with congested skin.
When you take off your make-up, I suggest using a cotton pad saturated with make-up remover first, as it can get into every nook. A scrub when you wash your face can work wonders. Just make sure it isn’t too harsh.
The prep work
Do you find yourself getting shiny in the nose department through the day? There are often larger pores, open pores and congested pores, all in the centre of your face. So, a primer is almost always a must. It acts as a barrier between your skin and makeup, and can diminish the appearance of larger pores. So, make sure to primer the nose with a smoothing primer, and never forget the sides of your nose!
Make-up
The amount of make-up used around your nose generally depends on the skin. If you have blackheads, use the bare minimum product to prevent further congestion.
If you have a larger nose and find yourself wanting to take away emphasis, you can do so by going heavier on the eyes. Or, you could contour your nose. Personally, I’m never one for a strong nose contour, but I can’t deny that it makes a difference. Adding shadow to the sides of your nose and highlighting the centre can create length and give the illusion of a slimmer nose, while shading just the end of your nose can create the illusion of a higher nose. It’s a matter of trying to find out what works best for you.
However, when highlighting, avoid the tip of your nose. While several influencers insist on highlighting the tips of their noses, it never translates well in real life — you just look like you’re sweating. Instead, highlight the bridge of your nose, as it adds length. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/lets-get-nosy/article9036414.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8fe4d5f29377d44c305dfb06a0bc00df5d159e10e3bcac1136f24f623f9dbc31.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T02:50:30 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has urged the public to use eco-friendly idols during the upcoming Vinayaka Chathurthi festival to protect waterbodies. The idols are usually immersed i | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Ftamil-nadu-pollution-control-board-urges-public-to-use-ecofriendly-vinayaka-idols%2Farticle9038455.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board urges public to use eco-friendly Vinayaka idols | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has urged the public to use eco-friendly idols during the upcoming Vinayaka Chathurthi festival to protect waterbodies. The idols are usually immersed in the sea, lakes and rivers after the completion of the puja.
The TNPCB chairman Hans Raj Verma said it is the duty of every citizen to protect the environment and safeguard waterbodies in order to ensure that drinking water sources are uncontaminated. He urged the public to ensure that idols are made of raw clay and other eco-friendly materials like kizhangu flour or made from sago paste and do not have any chemicals.
Only such idols shall be permitted for immersion in waterbodies.
Water soluble and non-toxic dyes should be used, he added in the statement. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-pollution-control-board-urges-public-to-use-ecofriendly-vinayaka-idols/article9038455.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/900535d83bce5c1f2c55dbb45e596cfc10999caa8d78881f21a986086f37a0c3.json |
[
"Dennis S. Jesudasan"
] | 2016-08-26T16:53:41 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Pulling up the School Education Department for not implementing its order for about seven years, the Madras High Court has directed officials to relax the age requirement for a woman, who was suppose | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fhc-orders-age-relaxation-for-appointment-on-compassionate-grounds%2Farticle9032686.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | HC orders age relaxation for appointment on compassionate grounds | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Pulling up the School Education Department for not implementing its order for about seven years, the Madras High Court has directed officials to relax the age requirement for a woman, who was supposed to be given a job on compassionate grounds following the passing away for her mother.
R. Maheswari sought a job on compassionate grounds in 1995, following the death of her mother, which was also recommended by the Director of School Education. Since it was not effected, she moved the Madras High Court and a single judge had passed an order in her favour in 2009.
The present appeal was filed by the Department challenging the single judge’s order. “The purpose of providing compassionate appointment is to ameliorate the situation arising from such demise. This the respondent (Ms. Maheswari) has certainly been deprived of by the callous attitude of the appellants (School Education officials),” the First Bench comprising Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan said.
Citing the single judge’s order which directed that appointment suitable to her educational qualification should be provided within two weeks from the date of receipt of the order in 2009, the Bench said, “There has been no interim stay of the order and thus, the order ought to have been implemented by now.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/hc-orders-age-relaxation-for-appointment-on-compassionate-grounds/article9032686.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/73e13b44d5d36e9f5ae19364de4107d58774c89eaacc3dea6a3b54bfd66cab68.json |
[
"Swathi Vadlamudi"
] | 2016-08-27T06:50:06 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | In a puzzling paradox of demand and supply theory, cement prices in Telangana have gone up significantly, despite a lull in the construction business for the past few months.Builders in the State vou | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fbuilders-up-in-arms-as-cement-prices-hit-the-roof-in-telangana%2Farticle9039556.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/27-tel_cement_2988434c.jpg | en | null | Builders up in arms as cement prices hit the roof in Telangana | null | null | www.thehindu.com | IN A FIX: There was a sharp increase of 30 per cent in the cement prices on Friday, much to the discomfiture of builders. Photo: Nagara Gopal
In a puzzling paradox of demand and supply theory, cement prices in Telangana have gone up significantly, despite a lull in the construction business for the past few months.
Builders in the State vouch that the rise in the prices has nothing to do with the off-take quantities, and that the production, in fact, had been cut down by manufacturers owing to lack of demand.
The price per bag of cement, which was about Rs.220 two weeks ago, is being quoted anywhere between Rs.300 and Rs.320 now in the market, with dealers speculating that it would go further up to Rs.340 per bag. In any case, the cement price is looking north by at least 30 per cent, which, builders fear, is not good for the sector which is already in doldrums.
Further, it could adversely affect the middle class housing aspirations too. As a precursor to the price rise, the manufacturers have stopped supplies to the dealers for the past one week or so, allegedly for creation of artificial demand.
“Supply has been stopped during the last five to six days, and reopened only today, with an increase of price by 30 per cent. There is no hike in the manufacturing costs to justify the increase. In fact, the manufacturers have cut down the production to save on labour and material overheads,” says K. Sridhar Reddy from the Telangana Real Estate Developers Association (TREDA).
Allegations of cartelisation of the cement manufacturers surface time and again whenever there is spurt in the price of cement. There are no conditions in the market to warrant a price rise, say builders. “In summer, we have received strict instructions from the government to stop all the construction activity, in view of water scarcity. Large projects have come to a grinding halt. This month, there is no activity because this is the season labourers and masons take a vacation to visit their native places in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar,” says Nagesh Gupta, a small-time builder from Ranga Reddy district.
The builders are already reeling under the skyrocketing sand price, which has gone up from Rs.850 per tonne to Rs.2100 per tonne in one year, which is one more reason for the lull in construction. “We are holding a meeting on Monday. This kind of cartelisation is bad for development of the newborn State,” says spokesperson of the Telangana Builders Association S. N. Reddy. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/builders-up-in-arms-as-cement-prices-hit-the-roof-in-telangana/article9039556.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f493486eba148c4a5fc6255a7f77efa5d897c1cebed1fb1a2fffb891820f73fe.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T14:54:36 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Academic, writer and rights activist Anand Teltumbde reportedly accused the Telangana Rashtra Samithi Government of being hand in glove with the BJP, in not ordering the arrest of the vice-chancellor | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fmeet-seeks-arrest-of-uoh-vc-others%2Farticle9046838.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Meet seeks arrest of UoH V-C, others | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Academic, writer and rights activist Anand Teltumbde reportedly accused the Telangana Rashtra Samithi Government of being hand in glove with the BJP, in not ordering the arrest of the vice-chancellor of University of Hyderabad (UoH) Podile Appa Rao and other accused in the suicide case of dalit scholar Rohith Vemula even seven months after the incident.
Addressing a meeting by the Solidarity Struggle Committee for Justice for Rohith Vemula here on Monday, Mr. Teltumbde said that the Government which got into power by the sacrifices of thousands of people is now ruling against the interests of the people and accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of not meeting his promises to the Legislative Assembly.
Activist Teesta Setalvad attributed the uprisings across the country to the ‘Hindutva rule’ at the Centre and said that people should be united in fighting it.
She predicted that the Bharateeya Janata Party would be thrown out of power in 2019, a press release from the Committee here on Monday said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/meet-seeks-arrest-of-uoh-vc-others/article9046838.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/00efe7f9809feda3c14b01faff4c13f89fbca6710e5c1d8ebd3850c1db808ad5.json |
[
"Velcheti Subrahmanyam"
] | 2016-08-27T08:54:33 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Visakha Music and Dance Academy conducted its annual seven-day festival of music, dance and drama on an impressive note, featuring a string of concerts - both vocal and instrumental - besides a dance | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Ffriday-review%2Fannual-festive-treat-to-rasikas%2Farticle9035609.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/HYF26AISHWARYA_VID_2987126c.jpg | en | null | Annual festive treat to rasikas | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The music, dance and drama festival gave a taste of talents from various artistes.
Visakha Music and Dance Academy conducted its annual seven-day festival of music, dance and drama on an impressive note, featuring a string of concerts - both vocal and instrumental - besides a dance recital and a play. The academy also presented its coveted ‘Nada Vidya Bharati’ award to maestro Pt Viswa Mohan Bhatt, the developer of the Mohana veena. After this, the maestro gave a taste of his artistry raga Jog in tandem with his son Saleel Bhatt. As the event preceded Independence Day, he played Vandemataram, Vaishnava janatho and Raghupati Raghava Rajaram. Ramkumar Mishra lent support on tabla.
N. Vijaya Siva, in his masterly performance, treated rasikas to memorable raga essays with rich shades of its salient phrases. On this occasion, he chose raga Todi for delineationDachukovalena of Thyagaraja. The exposition was reflective of his in-depth grasp of its core and attendant charms in its progress to a culmination in a layered manner that kept the audience in thrall. His swara suits and fluent nereval further beautified its presentation. He opened the concert with Janaki Ramana in raga Sudha Seemanthini and went on to regale the audience through chosen krithis with raga expositions for raga Panthuvarali and Kambhoji , his presentation of a rarely heard Vachamagocharame of Thyagaraja in raga Kaikavasi evoked warm response.
Pramod Gokhle provided vocal support supported by Charumathi Raghuraman (violin), NC Bharadwaj (mridangam) and S Krishna (ghatam).
Another notable concert in the series was that of Aishwarya Vidya Raghunadh. Well rooted in Carnatic classical idiom of music, this vocalist rendered the chosen ragas with fluid ease. Known for her effervescent presentation, she displayed her vidwat and manodharma with impeccable adherence to tradition. Endowed with a pliable voice that can traverse in three octaves with ease, she explored raga Kambhoji for Evarimata vinnavo of Thyagaraja as the mainstay of the concert. Her accent on the key notes of the raga that define its typical structural beauty and quintessential shades of appeal enraptured the ear for music. Grahabalamemi of Thyagaraja in raga Revagupti and Brahmmakadigina Padamu of Annamayya in raga Mukhari were other notables in the concert.
K.V. Krishna on violin and B Ganapahyraman on mridangam lent competent support. Vocal concert of Dwaram Lakshmi and mandolin concert of U Rajesh delighted music lovers.
Dusi Dharmarao and Perala Balamurali Kishna compeered the event well. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/annual-festive-treat-to-rasikas/article9035609.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6c465d340a11d70cd5d51048c3c1b30aedddc8a773f13d27c582a5d1eedb60b6.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T06:53:42 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Members of Parliament from the Telugu Desam Party are keen only on developing the State and ready to work with actor and founder of Jana Sena Party Pawan Kalyan or his brother, actor, and Rajya Sabha | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fpawan-making-baseless-allegations-murali-mohan%2Farticle9052430.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Pawan making baseless allegations: Murali Mohan | null | null | www.thehindu.com | TDP MPs are working on SCS issue by setting aside personal interests, he says
Members of Parliament from the Telugu Desam Party are keen only on developing the State and ready to work with actor and founder of Jana Sena Party Pawan Kalyan or his brother, actor, and Rajya Sabha member K. Chiranjeevi to achieve Special Category Status to the State, says Rajamahendravaram MP M. Murali Mohan.
Speaking to the media after flagging off a rural bus service at the RTC Complex here on Tuesday, Mr. Murali Mohan took strong exception to the allegations levelled against the MPs from the State by Mr. Kalyan.
“MPs of the UPA government were interested more in protecting their business groups. But now, all the MPs from the TDP are keen on developing the State. We are working for this cause by setting aside our family businesses,” he said.
Mr. Murali Mohan said that SCS was the need of the hour to develop the State on all fronts and that the TDP government had been striving to convince the Union government on the issue.
“We are ready to work with anyone to achieve the status. There is no scope for any doubt over our sincerity,” he said.
New bus service
Earlier in the day, Mr. Murali Mohan, along with MLAs G. Buchaiah Chowdary and N. Ramakrishna Reddy, flagged off the bus service from Rajamahendravaram to Ramachandrapuram via Rajanagaram, Pallakadiyam, and Balabhadrapuram.
TDP MPs are working on Special Category Status issue by setting aside personal interests, he says | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/pawan-making-baseless-allegations-murali-mohan/article9052430.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d83daa630232e06a93a4b72552e582bf870ddcc3ce0c4024ef2d2ee1676c3eae.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T16:51:19 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | How do we pick our next read? Is it based on what the critics say? /* Adjust the height to best suite your page */ /* Remove height property to have all text show without scrollbars. */ #cil_page | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbooks%2Fhow-reading-about-books-affects-a-readers-choices%2Farticle9046114.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/Books_2991189c.jpg | en | null | How reading about books affects a readers choices | null | null | www.thehindu.com | How do we pick our next read? Is it based on what the critics say?
How do we pick our next read? Is it based on what the critics say? | http://www.thehindu.com/books/how-reading-about-books-affects-a-readers-choices/article9046114.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a7d122a5d630a23838aa57f8e2a014b084608c1ea5454e83f97d763c106bbd0b.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T12:52:04 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | As Myanmar sets out on a new path after decades of military rule, India on Monday promised wholehearted support to it in “every step” of its journey as the two countries resolved to deepen ties and a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fpm-holds-talks-with-myanmarese-president%2Farticle9045541.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/MYANMAR_PRESIDENT_2990858c.jpg | en | null | PM holds talks with Myanmarese President | null | null | www.thehindu.com | This is Myanmarese President U Htin Kyaw’s first overseas trip after assuming charge nearly five months back following the landslide victory of Suu Kyi’s party.
As Myanmar sets out on a new path after decades of military rule, India on Monday promised wholehearted support to it in “every step” of its journey as the two countries resolved to deepen ties and actively cooperate to combat terrorism and insurgent activities in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with Myanmarese President U Htin Kyaw, in the first top level engagement with the new government of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, and conveyed India’s full support to Myanmar’s internal peace process.
The two sides inked four MoUs to boost cooperation in connectivity, medicine and renewable energy, besides resolving to deepen ties in a range of other sectors, including agriculture, banking and power.
Reading out a statement to media, Mr.Modi later said both sides recognised that each other’s security interests were closely aligned and that both countries agreed to work together to combat terror and insurgent activities in the region.
“We recognised that our security interests are closely aligned. And, we agreed on the need to remain sensitive to each other’s strategic interests and concerns. To this end, President and I agreed to work together for the safety and security of our people. And, actively cooperate to combat the common challenges of terrorism and insurgent activity in our region,” Mr.Modi said, with Mr. Htin Kyaw by his side.
Myanmar, considered one of India’s strategic neighbours, shares a 1,640 km long border with a number of Northeastern States including the militancy-infested Nagaland and Manipur.
India has been raising with Myanmar the issue of several Northeast militant outfits having training camps in that country. Referring to new Myanmarese government’s agenda of ushering all-round growth and development in the country, Mr.Modi said, “Let me assure you that at every step of the way 1.25 billion people of India will stand by you — Both as partners and as friends.”
Mr.Modi said India wants to take the relationship to “new heights”, adding “A bright future for Myanmar is not just your objective. It is also our aspiration.”
The Prime Minister said both sides also agreed to work towards a long term and a mutually beneficial arrangement for trade in pulses.
Calling Myanmar a “bridge” that connects India with South East Asia, Mr.Modi said “our discussions today have enabled us to evolve a road map and an action agenda for our cooperation.”
The Myanmarese President said his government wanted to strengthen ties with India.
Mr. Modi said two agreements signed on Monday would facilitate the construction and upgrade of 69 bridges and the Kalewa-Yargi road section of the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project.
It is Mr. Htin Kyaw’s first visit abroad after assuming charge and Mr.Modi told him that India was deeply honoured that he had chosen India for his first State visit abroad.
“Buddhist principles of ‘metta’ or loving kindness and ’Sarva Pantha Sambhava’ (equality of all religions) define our ways of life,” said Mr.Modi, while complimenting maturity of Myanmar’s leadership and commitment of its people to democracy.
Mr.Modi said he also conveyed to the President India’s full support to the peace process initiative under the ‘21st Century Panglong Conference’.
Talking about the intensity of the bilateral ties, Mr.Modi said its extent and depth were shaped by a robust development cooperation partnership, which had a strong “people first” philosophy.
“India’s nearly 2 billion dollar development assistance is touching the lives of the common man of Myanmar. Our engagement is supporting projects in connectivity, infrastructure, capacity building education, healthcare and many other sectors,” he said.
Giving example of India’s assistance, he talked about the Kaladan project, pointing out that its port and waterway segment were nearing completion later this year.
“In April this year, we took the small step of supplying power to Tamu in Myanmar. I have told the President that we are willing to substantially scale up our supply of power,” he said.
Talking about cultural ties, he said it was a “key centrality” in the foundation of the ties.
“I am happy that our partnership is restoring Ananda temple in Bagan in Myanmar. We are also ready to restore other historic monuments and pagodas, which were damaged in the earthquake, which hit Myanmar just last week,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pm-holds-talks-with-myanmarese-president/article9045541.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c1c4819e15e7fbbff50752c2b4ee3ae55501d08de3f0960f0d83967466ad0abf.json |
[
"J.R. Shridharan"
] | 2016-08-31T02:52:24 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Thirteen-year-old city skater Riya Saboo is all set to take wings to China and later to Italy to take part in her international skating fixtures, according to the Roller Skaters’ Association of Andhra | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fartistic-skater-riya-for-china-italy%2Farticle9052391.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/30vjjrs_-Riya-s_31_2992983c.jpg | en | null | Artistic skater Riya for China, Italy | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Qualifies in selection tourney held in Ahmedabad
Thirteen-year-old city skater Riya Saboo is all set to take wings to China and later to Italy to take part in her international skating fixtures, according to the Roller Skaters’ Association of Andhra Pradesh secretary Durga Prasad here on Tuesday.
The Class VIII artistic skater from the V.P. Siddhartha College won her qualification in the selection tournament held in Ahmedabad in July. “She will take part in the Asian Artistic skating championship to be held at Lishui in China from October 23 to November 12 and later she will take part in the world artistic skating to be held in Italy,” said Mr. Prasad. Riya, coached by Satyanarayana and Anuradha, has been practising at the rink for the past six years.
He said Riya would be performing her movements on the rink for three to five minutes and she was likely to face stiff competition from skaters from China and Korea. “Skaters from these countries are in an advantageous position as they learn artistic skating on a synthetic rink from the first day. But for young Riya who is honing her skills at DRRMC Indoor Stadium concrete rink it will be a Herculean task,” he felt.
He said Vijayawada was yet to get a rink of international standards forcing talented skaters to look for advanced training in other places. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/artistic-skater-riya-for-china-italy/article9052391.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e7c0d738f7f17cf531b46de6cd5166d8fcca4b4cff37127a862500df120a4854.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T06:58:12 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Farmers in Dakshina Kannada have renewed their demand with the State government to set up a monkey park to save their crops from being damaged and eaten up by the simians.This was one of the demands | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMangalore%2Ffarmers-up-demand-for-monkey-park%2Farticle9051431.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/31MN_PROTEST_29926_2992796c.jpg | en | null | Farmers up demand for monkey park | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Farmers in Dakshina Kannada have renewed their demand with the State government to set up a monkey park to save their crops from being damaged and eaten up by the simians.
This was one of the demands put forth by farmers during a protest outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner here on Tuesday.
Before gathering there, the farmers led by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene took out a procession from Ambedkar Circle. The protest was to draw the attention of the government on various issues.
Holding placards, they said that the captured monkeys should be left in the park. Ravikirana Punacha, president, Dakshina Kannada unit of the KRRS and Hasiru Sene, said that crop loss due to monkey attack could not be assessed properly. Many farmers, especially arecanut growers, suffer losses due to their attacks every year.
He demanded that the government set up an arecanut development board on the lines of coffee board for the welfare of growers. The government should fix Rs. 350 per kg as minimum support price for arecanut and Rs. 25,000 as minimum support price for a tonne of coconut. For rubber, it should be Rs. 16,000 per quintal. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/farmers-up-demand-for-monkey-park/article9051431.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a3961450fbfa2829862f6c6739fea1e121881b90c25345eba87ab75a47ab382a.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:52:35 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Aster Rose runs with a good chance in the Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes (1,600m), the chief event of the races to be held here on Monday (August 29). There will be no false rails. 1. BLUE MAX CU | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fraces%2Faster-rose-runs-with-a-good-chance%2Farticle9042872.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Aster Rose runs with a good chance | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Aster Rose runs with a good chance in the Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes (1,600m), the chief event of the races to be held here on Monday (August 29).
There will be no false rails.
1. BLUE MAX CUP (1,600m), 3-y-o only, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 1.50 p.m.: 1. Surprise Party (1) Aneel 60, 2. Elysian (2) Akshay Kumar 59, 3. Like Wise (3) P. S. Chouhan 58.5, 4. Monte Rosa (6) G. Naresh 53, 5. Ram Man (4) P. Gaddam 53 and 6. Rising Girl (5) K. Sai Kiran 51.5.
1. Like Wise, 2. Elysian
2. A. KRISHNASWAMI MEMORIAL CUP (1,200m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 2.20: 1. Tinsel Town (2) G. Naresh 60, 2. City Of Harmony (6) P. S. Chouhan 53.5, 3. Charlie Brown (3) Sai Kumar 52.5, 4. Dancing Leaf (4) A. Sandesh 50.5, 5. Aware (1) P. Gaddam 50 and 6. Dream Vision (5) Akshay Kumar 50.
1. City Of Harmony, 2. Dream Vision
3. CON AMORE CUP (1,200m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 2.55: 1. Princess Cruise (9) Koushik 62, 2. Wonder Eye (2) A M. Tograllu 62, 3. Awesome Approach (10) P. Trevor 59.5, 4. Paprika (7) P. S. Chouhan 58, 5. Roma Touge (11) Kiran Naidu 57.5, 6. Star Player (4) S. Sreekant 57.5, 7. Vijay’s Empress (6) A. Sandesh 57.5, 8. Gorgeous Lady (3) Deepak Singh 57, 9. Indian Dreams (8) K. Sai Kiran 57, 10. Dear Friend (1) Kunal Bunde 54.5, 11. Take A Bow ( 12) N. S. Rathore 50.5 and 12. Touch Of Gold (5) Md. Sameeruddin 50.
1. Paprika, 2. Awesome Approach, 3. Vijay’s Empress
4. DELAGE PLATE (2,400m), 4-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 3.25: 1. Blue Eyed Babe (3) K. Mukesh Kumar 60, 2. Strengthandbeauty (8) N. Rawal 60, 3. Rio Rojo (5) Suraj Narredu 59.5, 4. Tiger (6) P. S. Chouhan 58, 5. Humraaj (4) Deep Shanker 56, 6. Time To Climb (2) S. S. Tanwar 53.5, 7. Gunner (7) A. S. Pawar 53 and 8. Silver Passion (1) G. Naresh 50.
1. Rio Rojo, 2. Tiger, 3. Strengthandbeauty
5. STARSKY PLATE (1,400m), 4-y-o only, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 3.55: 1. Lavender (8) B. Dileep 62, 2. Royal Hero (9) Ajit Singh 58.5, 3. Accelerator (2) A.M. Tograllu 58, 4. Perfection (3) P. S. Chouhan 58, 5. Ryuzaki (5) G. Naresh 56, 6. Wonder Star (1) Uday Kiran 56, 7. Princess Rose (4) Deep Shanker 54, 8. Apache Gal (6) A. Sandesh 52.5 and 9. Blaze Of Glory (7) Ajeeth Kumar 50.5.
1. Perfection, 2. Apache Gal, 3. Princess Rose
6. DECCAN FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP STAKES (1,600m), fillies 3-y-o only (Terms), 4.30: 1. Aika Aika Aika (1) P. S. Chouhan 56, 2. Anantara (4) Srinath 56, 3. Aster Rose (5) S. John 56, 4. Cheerleader (6) Suraj Narredu 56, 5. Courtship (3) P. Trevor 56 and 6. Prospero (2) A. Sandesh 56.
1. Aster Rose, 2. Aika Aika Aika
7. DIABLO PLATE (1,200m),(Cat. II), maiden 3-y-o only (Terms), 5.05: 1. New Comer (9) B. Dileep 56, 2. Shakesphere (2) A. S. Pawar 56, 3. Super Racer (3) A. M. Tograllu 56, 4. Vijays Vision (6) P. S. Chouhan 56, 5. Good Image (4) K. Mukesh Kumar 54.5, 6. Good Taste (8) K. Sai Kiran 54.5, 7. Harvest Moon (10) Deep Shanker 54.5, 8. Ikigai (1) Aneel 54.5, 9. Queen To Rule (5) Ajeeth Kumar 54.5 and 10. War Lady (7) N. Rawal 54.5.
1. Super Racer, 2. Good Image, 3. Shakesphere
Day’s best: Rio Rojo
Double: Paprika — Perfection
Jkt: 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7; Tr (i): 2, 3 & 4; (ii): 5, 6 & 7; Tla: All races. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/aster-rose-runs-with-a-good-chance/article9042872.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9e0253cf097210364c86f15aad2e82cf4e966e4bbecf86b3d148838c10efb7fb.json |
[
"K. M. Dayashankar"
] | 2016-08-26T22:50:44 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Villagers of interior Edula Lingampet village in Medipalli mandal here have set an example by increasing the enrolment rate in government schools by involving the entire village community.When the Go | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Freversing-the-trend%2Farticle9037120.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/HY26-SCHOOL__2987695c.jpg | en | null | Reversing the trend | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Villagers of Edula Lingampet increase enrolment rate in govt. schools by forming Village Education Development Committee
Villagers of interior Edula Lingampet village in Medipalli mandal here have set an example by increasing the enrolment rate in government schools by involving the entire village community.
When the Government Primary School and Zilla Parishad High School in the village were on the verge of closure due to low enrolment of 14 and 24 students respectively last year, the villagers, with the help of government teachers, regrouped and strove to increase the enrolment to 150 and 80 students respectively, in both the schools.
It all started with the motivation given by ZPHS headmaster Kalikota Tirumal. Village Sarpanch Vijayshankar and other community elders formed into Village Education Development Committee (VEDC) and each house donated Rs. 200 for beautification of the primary school. Later, caste sanghams, youth organisations and NRIs living in the Gulf nations donated for the development of the schools.
Following an assurance given by the school management to provide English-medium education, the villagers stopped sending their wards to private schools for which they used to shell out Rs. 9,000 for each student. Now, they are just to contribute Rs. 2,500 per each student for sending their children to government schools. With the amount contributed by parents, the VEDC has purchased uniform and other accessories for schoolchildren. Besides, they have also appointed Vidya volunteers and ayahas to look after the nursery and primary school children. They are given salary from the funds collected from the villagers.
Also, the villagers have given a makeover to the ZP High School by taking up repairs and painting the building. They have also mobilised funds to the tune of Rs. 6 lakh and have constructed dais, kitchen and toilets, dug a bore-well, bought furniture and other teaching aids etc. VEDC member Janga Reddy said the villagers were saving Rs. 7,000 per annum by admitting their children in government school. “We ourselves told the teachers to provide education and leave the development part to us,” said Sarpanch Vijayshankar.
The role of community in protecting the government schools was laudable, said ZPHS headmaster Mr. Tirumal. Now that the schools’ strength has increased, we urge the government to sanction additional classrooms, toilets and compound walls, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/reversing-the-trend/article9037120.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/45161f7b7f5f92885cb275c59e3768d4e64ecdb69048a63eb54f902fa146b9cf.json |
[
"Akila Kannadasan"
] | 2016-08-29T14:51:31 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Day Two of the second week of The Hindu Theatre Fest 2016 was in stark contrast to Day One. While the Museum Theatre echoed with song and dance when Aayirathiyoru Iravugal was staged, the air was thi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fmundhirikkotte-as-real-as-it-can-get%2Farticle9045912.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30MPTHE_HINDU_THEA_2991133c.jpg | en | null | As real as it can get | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Heavy and intense, Mundhirikkotte deals with social problems
Day Two of the second week of The Hindu Theatre Fest 2016 was in stark contrast to Day One. While the Museum Theatre echoed with song and dance when Aayirathiyoru Iravugal was staged, the air was thick with emotion when Guduguduppukkari’s Mundhirikkotte unfolded. For, the story and performances were such.
A fan of actor Dhanush and cricket. One who loves muttai curry, cake, and biryani. A boy who is trying to fit in, in school. But most importantly, one who loves his mother and his village of Parangipettai very much. Karuppannasamy alias KP, around who the story revolves, is like any 12-year-old: he’s full of questions and is forming opinions about everything around him.
Watching the play, written by Sunandha Raghunathan and directed by Anitha Santhanam, was like watching events from real life unfold before us. The Government school that KP goes to is dominated by kids who are observing the Ramzan fast and the panchayat president arranges for the noon meal to arrive in the evening, in time for Iftar. But what about KP?
His mother Pavunu, who works at the salt-pans, is trying hard to make ends meet as it is — how will she provide for KP? To top this, the school headmaster, a converted Christian, is coaxing her into giving away her son to the convent, where he will be “fed and educated well”. A difficult turn of events leads her to agree to this. But will KP do the same?
Issues of religion and caste were deftly woven into the story; the problems dealt with were so real that they made us squirm in our seats. The actors, their costumes, and the simple props, only added to the effect. To us, they were real people; and we were overhearing actual conversations. Kalieaswari Srinivasan was excellent as KP’s mother.
So was Vasanth Selvam as the headmaster with a constant sly smile on his lips. “Why don’t you stay longer?” he asks Pavunu one night when she comes to talk to him about her son, and we shudder. The man is responsible for all their troubles — he even uses his students to buy alcohol for him from a shop at a crossing in the village.
Heavy (there were a few attempts at making the audience laugh, some of which worked) and intense (mention must be made of the dialogues), Mundhirikkotte left us feeling the same. It took a few moments to shed it all off once the lights came back on. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/mundhirikkotte-as-real-as-it-can-get/article9045912.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a703b6bf351cb5da8e5c15b3e4c4a1ce695dbae13c9a64954358138980fe9c25.json |
[
"Telangana Bureau"
] | 2016-08-31T08:57:48 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Crime and combat apart, stress of job may also push a cop over the edge, warned psychologists while calling for measures to maintain mental health of policemen. Psychologist and IMA district presiden | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fpolice-personnel-need-motivation-doctors%2Farticle9051498.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Police personnel need motivation: doctors | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Crime and combat apart, stress of job may also push a cop over the edge, warned psychologists while calling for measures to maintain mental health of policemen.
Psychologist and IMA district president P. Kishan said new recruits are often sensitive and feel guilty of happenings witnessed on the job. Unable to bear it, some resort to suicides. The department needs to remove stress of its personnel and conduct motivational programmes, he added.
Government Medical College Department of Neuro-Psychiatry head A. Vishal said that suicidal tendencies among policemen were increasing with work pressures, harassment, lack of relaxation and addictions. Data from National Crime Records Bureau for 2015 shows 167 suicides by policemen in the country. In 2014, around 35 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel committed suicide.
Psychologists link stress and decreased levels of hormones like serotonin to suicidal tendencies and add that police personnel are often found suffering from psychiatric problems but seldom seek help.
“Being a department of the disciplined, police have no chance to express their thoughts. The stress on police includes political, financial and work-related. Some officials confided they have to make monthly payments to higher officials depending on police stations they are assigned to. Many come with minor health problems and investigations reveal their ailments are stress-related,” a psychologist said on condition of anonymity.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary replying to a question on suicide by police personnel asked by MPs T.G. Venkatesh and Supriya Sule said that the causative factors in most of the cases were personal and domestic problems such as marital discords, personal enmity, mental illness, depression. In a few cases it could be owing to work-related stress, he said.
The Minister said the Union Government had been advising the state governments on improving the working conditions of their police personnel and on undertaking necessary welfare measures.
(Reporting by P. Rammohan (Nizamabad), K.M. Dayashankar (Karimnagar), R. Avadhani (Sangareddy) & Ravi Reddy (Hyderabad) | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/police-personnel-need-motivation-doctors/article9051498.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7764e21a03f55febba983e6697a3263f345fbdbeb629b6a035fa3696ff7f0388.json |
[
"Diksha Yadav"
] | 2016-08-27T23:01:45 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Meghna Naidu is a trained dancer who has not only acted in Hindi and South Indian films but also done crucial cameos in popular television shows. She recently made a comeback on the small screen in Ze | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Ffriday-review%2Fgame-for-different-roles%2Farticle9032443.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02985/26DFR_MEGHNA_NAIDU_2985888c.jpg | en | null | Game for different roles | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Meghna Naidu is a trained dancer who has not only acted in Hindi and South Indian films but also done crucial cameos in popular television shows. She recently made a comeback on the small screen in Zee TV’s weekend serial “Amma” in which she essays a role inspired by Rekha’s “Umrao Jaan” character.
In an interaction she talks about the show, her role and career in television.
Excerpts:
Tell us about the character you are playing in the series and what made you opt for it?
My character’s name is Hanan. Basically, I am playing a role of a mujra dancer and you will see me dancing in the show. This character comes in between Amma and her husband (Parvej). She is romantically inclined towards Parvej and is involved with him from the very beginning. Hanan is nice and sweet. She is not a bad woman but always irritates Amma. She always keeps on poking Amma in all possible ways she can. She has different shades.
Basically I liked the concept of this show. The story and the cast are nice. For the very first time, they have showed that the main lead is a woman who is related to underworld Don and it’s nice not to do saas-bahu serials for a change.
Was dance one of the main reasons to choose this show?
Of course, one of the points that went in favour of playing the character was because it was that of a dancer. Also I wanted to play something different. Frankly, I am very bored of playing the ravishing Meghna Naidu all the time and TV is giving me that opportunity to play different roles like the ones I have done in “Jodha Akbar” and “Sasuraal Simar Ka”.
Your looks and mannerism in the show are inspired by Rekha’s “Umrao Jaan”. How difficult was it to adopt her style?
I would say the person who has written this character was inspired by “Umrao Jaan”. It is very difficult for me to adapt Rekhaji’s style. One can’t even touch her. I think I will go and request her to teach me but I know it is quite a task copying her mannerism and expressions.
Reflecting on your career till date, which period has been the most enjoyable and why?
It was when “Kaliyon Ka Chaman” came out because when you go through an unexpected change in your life and you start enjoying it. You don't even know what’s going to be happening next. When “Kaliyon Ka Chaman” happened, suddenly the world opened up. I was not even from the industry. It was such a big thing for me so that was the most enjoyable part of my life. Also I would say that for now TV is most enjoyable because since I started doing serials I have made so many new friends and undergone new experiences.
So, you are liking the world of television...
Yes, that I can say because earlier I did not want to do television but now I think it's a nice medium to be in. I really enjoy it because I'm not doing a show in which I have to work for 25-30 days. I always take shows where I got cameo roles and I had to play different characters so I work for three to four months maximum and then I get a break. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/game-for-different-roles/article9032443.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3ad52af4a50318ced0160bcd9aca6cc78440d86751fa6de3e0f81af85fb69b93.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:18 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | It is high time that the Indian state and the rest of India stop treating Kashmir as a prized possession that they must not let slip from their hands and which Pakistan is trying to snatch away (“Kas | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Fending-the-kashmir-crisis%2Farticle9046605.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Ending the Kashmir crisis | null | null | www.thehindu.com | It is high time that the Indian state and the rest of India stop treating Kashmir as a prized possession that they must not let slip from their hands and which Pakistan is trying to snatch away (“Kashmir and the clash of symbolisms”, Aug.29). Kashmir is not an object. It is a territory with people. Enough injury has been inflicted on the pride of Kashmiris by successive Central governments, political parties and the armed forces. Perhaps an apology is due to the people of the State by all of us as a nation. This may be a gateway to lasting peace.
Kiran P. Gandhi, Pune
Rather than engage ourselves in a fruitless exercise of talking to Pakistan, a more meaningful solution would lie in holding talks with various “leaders” sponsoring agitations in the troubled Valley, especially as these elements derive their strength and motivation from across the border. Giving publicity to human rights issues in Balochistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir will keep Pakistan on the back foot. Pakistan must be reminded about Bangladesh and 1971.
Ottoor Balakrishnan Nair,Kochi
The half-hearted approach towards resolving the problems in Kashmir and the retention of Article 370 are largely responsible for the seeds of alienation germinating. This is the time for all-party action: drawing up strategies for socio-economic uplift and psychological cohesion between Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh and in identifying miscreants being incited by Pakistan and dealing with them severely under the law. The woes of not only Kashmiri Muslims but also displaced Hindus should be addressed together and with compassion.
Mahendra Kumar Bhandari, Mumbai
Why is no one coming forward to condemn the acts of violence being perpetrated by a section of misguided youth? How long can we endlessly tolerate mob fury, stone-pelting and other such dangerous and destructive activities? Holding talks with all “stakeholders” is fine, but there should be some sincerity on the part of Kashmiri dissidents whereby they are amenable to seeing reason and resolution.
R. Ramanathan,Coimbatore | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/ending-the-kashmir-crisis/article9046605.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a215b29d560436803f453c649e8911575a3a49059a697ff7512ce188efa4b95e.json |
[
"S. Muthiah"
] | 2016-08-28T14:50:47 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | This Madras Week talk was at a home where a large number of Americans and other nationals had gathered. Amongst them was Dave, a long-time CEO of a Ford unit in Madras. And, when the long connect Ford | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fsociety%2Fthe-madrasamerican-connect%2Farticle9040430.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28mpRamanujar_Moul_2988712c.jpg | en | null | The Madras-American connect | null | null | www.thehindu.com | This Madras Week talk was at a home where a large number of Americans and other nationals had gathered. Amongst them was Dave, a long-time CEO of a Ford unit in Madras.
And, when the long connect Ford had with Madras was mentioned, taking him by surprise, what he had to say about the city would have been balm to the establishment’s ears — if there is such an expression. Ford’s not going anywhere, he said, and went onto add that Ford has had a great experience in Chennai and was now pouring in hundreds of crores to establish a huge research and development facility on the OMR that would be working on the Company’s models for 2020 and beyond, by which time all Ford units in Madras would be employing over 30,000 persons. I hope some Ford archivist is storing all this information about how Ford came looking for a site in the newly ‘liberalised’ India and found Madras in the 1990s, and what has happened since.
But, I also hope he delves into the past and preserves a Ford-in-India story that none of today’s Americans in Madras know. Ford set up an assembly plant for vehicles in Bombay as early as 1926.
In 1954, not happy with Indian policies, it decided to shut the plant down. With it at the time were 300 CKD packs, and its South Indian distributor George Oakes of the Amalgamations Group decided to take them over. The second phase of Ford assembly in India began at Graeme’s Road. This connection enabled Amalgamations to, in 1979, negotiate a joint venture agreement to manufacture Ford trucks in Madras. The latest model Ford 7 1/2-tonner came out from a factory near Tiruvallur.
It was a beauty in the age of the early Tatas and Leylands, but it wasn’t long before it was discovered that beauty and latest technology were not enough for Indian truck drivers, who would load a vehicle registered for a 10-tonne payload with 15 and 16 tonnes. The Amalgamations’ Fords were willing to accept up to 12 tonnes, but after that they began to go nose up. And so, Amalgamations, after a modest run, exported the vehicles they had to the more law-abiding trucking companies in Sri Lanka or converted them to other uses and, once the stock was exhausted, closed shop and decided to focus on tractors. All this was part of the talk that evening, which left the Americans rather surprised about the long connections Madras has had with the Americans.
Later in the evening, a VIP guest had a story to narrate about another Madras-American connection. Paul C Sherbert, who was Cultural Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate General in Madras in the early 1960s, had become friendly with C. Rajagopalachari and visited him often to dig into his archives.
Observing a common occurrence, CR seated on an easy chair, book perched on raised knees, and straining to read small print, PCS presented the then octogenarian man of letters a badly-needed reading aid. This came in the shape of a rectangular magnifying glass that could be slid down or up a page.
Not only did CR use it every day thereafter, but he kept it safely in its own aluminum case, wrapped by him in a khadi-handkerchief, with the covering note from PCS fixed to the receptacle’s base.
What better diplomatic gesture could a Cultural Affairs Officer in Madras make than this, the narrator asked me. Sherbert, he added, went on to become the first Director of the Asia Society in the US.
There was mention in the columns of this newspaper a couple of weeks ago of how Ramanujar Moulana and his Cycling Yogis had brought out a little booklet on a hundred years of cycling in Madras, 1877-1977, to celebrate Madras. I just had to add it to my library that produces much of the material for this column. And that’s when I discovered why the booklet had chosen 1877 as a starting point and why its addendum looked at more recent cycling activities from 2007.
The choice of 2007 as the start of the postscript is because in January that year the first International Cycle Race on the East Coast Road was organised. On the other hand, the choice of 1877 as a starting point for the booklet was the fact that that was the year Major Charles Bowen of the Royal Engineers imported into Madras the city’s first bicycle from a firm in Paris called Michaux. Bowen, it is stated, had in 1867 written to the firm that he’d travelled “round the Cape (on) a good two-wheeled velocipede. (a Michaux’s?)”
The first person to manufacture (read ‘assemble’) bicycles in Madras, indeed in India, was SAA Annamalai Chettiar whose Swan brand bicycles began to be available from 1925. Cycling in Madras is full of such little-known facts. A few I picked out were:
Charles Digby Roberts, who was born in Madras (1834), set up in that hub of the bicycle industry, Coventry, in 1873 a bicycle manufacturing unit: Wyatt & Roberts Ltd.
During the Great War (1914-18), the 1/25 London Regiment had a unit called the 25th County of London Cyclist Battalion.
One of the ships that the Emden sank in the Arabian Sea carried a large cargo of bicycles for India.
The Anna Nagar Tower has a bicycle ramp and you can cycle to the top (I don’t know if it is permitted now);
The RBI Subway, 1345 feet long, was designed with a cycle track when work began on it in 1963.
P Orr’s, Spencer’s and Oakes all sold bicycles in the 19th Century.
R. Nataraja Mudaliar, who released the first silent South Indian film, Keechakavadam, was a cycle retailer, his business house known as Watson & Co. It later sold American cars.
The legendary photographer of the tribals of South India, Philo Irudayanath (1916-92) (Miscellany, September 12, 2011) travelled everywhere on his work, including the Nilgiris and Western Ghats, on a specially-equipped bicycle.
• Several readers were quick to point out that my typist’s devil had got M. J. Gopalan all wrong last Monday and had him as M. J. Gopinath. I’m afraid that in this case I must forgive him; he couldn’t read my handwriting, which most of the time even I can’t.
• While on the subject of hockey and Gold winners from Madras (Miscellany, August 22), S. R. Sundaram points out that I had forgotten Ranganathan Francis, “without doubt the greatest goalkeeper India ever produced”, who helped Indian win Gold at the 1948 Olympics. In fact, he did so at the 1952 and 1956 Games as well. Mea culpa. But in the case of the other name he mentions, Govind Perumal (left half in the 1952 and 1956 Olympics), I had, as in the case of Dhanraj Pillay of a later era, never put him down as a Madras product and thought of him only as a Bombay hockey player.
• I have read recently, midst all that has appeared in the Press during Madras Week, that the Chennakesava Perumal Temple and the Kalikambal Temple in the first Black Town were “demolished and rebuilt on NSC Bose Road and Thambu Chetty Street, respectively. Is this information correct?” asks K. Arumugam. The Chennakesava Perumal Temple was certainly in the first Black Town and dated to the 1640s. It was demolished after the French siege of 1758-59. There is a tradition that sometime after this ‘Town Temple’ had been built, there had been built next to it the Chenna Mallikeswarar Temple which was also demolished. The East India Company then gave an equivalent area in the new Black Town (now George Town) and some financial compensation for a new temple to be built. The Manali Muthukrishna family led the rebuilding and a twin temple, the Chennakesava Perumal and Chenna Mallikeswarar Temple, was built and consecrated in 1766. This temple is between Nyniappa Naicken Street and Devaraja Mudali Street off NSC Bose Road, but its official address is Ayya Pillai Street, the street to its south. As for the Kalikambal Kameswarar Temple, it was never in the first Black Town and, so, did not suffer demolition. It was first built where it still is, on Thambu Chetty Street in new Black Town, and where, legend has it, Sivaji worshipped in 1677.
• The Governor’s Bungalow, Tranquebar (Miscellany, August 15), had been his home in 1959-60, writes S. Satyanidhi Rao, when he was in charge of the Government of India’s Salt Depot. The building was both office and residence, Rao occupying “the residential portion of the first floor.” | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/the-madrasamerican-connect/article9040430.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4851041b1a6b85d3ccff7a61bdee7014ed4d23242bc01737b434da86787cc7bc.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T16:51:44 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Terming the bandh in Tamil Nadu over Karnataka’s refusal to release Cauvery water “politically motivated”, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra today said, “We have built dams not | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Ftnadu-bandh-politically-motivated-tb-jayachandra%2Farticle9051015.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/30BG_JAYACHANDRA_2992495c.jpg | en | null | T.Nadu bandh politically motivated: T.B. Jayachandra | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Terming the bandh in Tamil Nadu over Karnataka’s refusal to release Cauvery water “politically motivated”, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra today said, “We have built dams not for releasing water to Tamil Nadu. Let Tamil Nadu build dams for storing water. Let it build a dam near Hogenakkal. Bandh or no bandh, we don’t have water to release to Tamil Nadu.” He was responding to a question on the bandh in the neighbouring State.
“Bandh tactics will not work,” he said, adding that deficit monsoon has put Karnataka farmers in greater distress than any other State. “We have released water to Tamil Nadu when the State has received normal monsoon,” he told presspersons here.
The government would make its stance clear before the Supreme Court on availability of water in reservoirs in Karnataka. The State would file an affidavit in the apex court explaining its inability to release water to Tamil Nadu owing to deficit rainfall and poor storage of water in reservoirs in the Cauvery basin.
3,000 tanks dry
Stating that more than 3,000 tanks in the State have dried up owing to below normal rainfall, the Minister said Tamil Nadu farmers were aware of the situation in Karnataka. “Let farmers of Tamil Nadu explain the severity of water crisis in Karnataka to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.”
Tamil Nadu reservoirs have adequate quantity of water for samba and kuruvai crops. Moreover, Tamil Nadu will get north-east monsoon next month. But the release of water to paddy and sugarcane crops of farmers in Karnataka has been stopped, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/tnadu-bandh-politically-motivated-tb-jayachandra/article9051015.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5e326d4b37c105d53fb38b47b583ced6c03b99cde4f724544560e602da80a37b.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T22:50:57 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Two youths were killed on the spot when the motorbike they were riding collided head-on with a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus in Tirupparankundram on Sunday evening.
The deceased were | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Ftwo-bike-riders-killed%2Farticle9042893.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Two bike riders killed | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Two youths were killed on the spot when the motorbike they were riding collided head-on with a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus in Tirupparankundram on Sunday evening.
The deceased were S. Karthik (22) and C. Kalidoss (25) of Tirupparankundram. Police said the speeding bike hit the bus on Big Car Street around 5 p.m. The bike also hit another motorbike, and a family of three riding it fell down. The rider, Sivakumar of Nilaiyur, was injured.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Government Rajaji Hospital. Tirupparankundram police are investigating. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/two-bike-riders-killed/article9042893.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5fc9be6e486399c65f8437feda3919df76026cebbc59b3b3fdf7fe2a920fd87a.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:55:55 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Cracklin’ Rosie impressed when the horses were exercised here on Sunday (August 28) morning.Inner sand:600m: Bohemian (rb) 41.5. Easy. Whomakestherules (Yash Narredu) 42.5. Easy. Reds Revenge (Mercha | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fraces%2Fcracklin-rosie-impresses%2Farticle9042873.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Cracklin’ Rosie impresses | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Cracklin’ Rosie impressed when the horses were exercised here on Sunday (August 28) morning.
Inner sand:
600m: Bohemian (rb) 41.5. Easy. Whomakestherules (Yash Narredu) 42.5. Easy. Reds Revenge (Merchant), Sweep Aside (J.Chinoy) 39.5. They finished level freely. Grand Paradiso (rb) 40.5. Easy.
800m: Shivalik Rose (P.S.Chouhan) 52.5, 600/39.5. Moved well. Ice Angel (Santosh), Sawgrass (Ranjane) 52, 600/38. Former easily finished three lengths ahead. Note. Frisky Whiskey (Shelar), Star Witness (A.Gaikwad) 53.5, 6000/39.5. They were urged and ended level. Alectar (I.Shaikh) 1400/600m 55. Easy. Smart N Noble (S.S.Rathore) 53, 600/40. Moved freely. Forest Flair (Bhawani) 51, 600/38. Moved well. Chilly Chilly (Sandeep Jadhav) 55.5, 600/42.5. Easy.
1000m: Classicus (Kuldeep), Allegria (Bhawani) 1-7.5, 800/52, 600/39. They were pushed and former ended one length in front. Aspen (Kuldeep), Adeline (Bhawani) 1-6.5, 800/51.5, 600/38.5. Former started three lengths behind and finished level. Royal Éclair (Bhawani) 1-10, 600/41.5. Moved freely. Charming (J.Chinoy) 1-11, 800/55.5, 600/42.5. Easy. Marvel (Ajinkya), Caielin (V.Jodha) 1-9, 800/53.5, 600/39. They moved neck and neck freely. Merabella (Jethu) 1-8.5, 600/40. Moved freely. Cracklin’ Rosie (Zervan), Mr Ford (C.S.Jodha) 1-5, 800/51, 600/39. Former strode out well and finished three lengths ahead. Nightfall (Merchant) 1-11, 800/55, 600/41. Moved freely.
1200m: Spiridon (Shelar) 1-23, 600/41. Moved well.
Noted on August 27 — Inner sand:
800m: Pracs (rb) 53, 600/40. Moved freely. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/cracklin-rosie-impresses/article9042873.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f9341491a8fe5287443e87d8c1c8d7b764feead6caedd496ff3d13edaf84d570.json |
[
"Ranee Kumar"
] | 2016-08-29T12:51:07 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | She was as radiant as her name implied. Uma Rama Rao has ended her sojourn on earth but the timeless spirit is as effulgent as ever.Uma ‘aunty’ as many of us addressed her, was an artiste to the core. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fuma-rama-raos-memorable-life%2Farticle9046164.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/HYM30UMARAMARAO_2991198c.jpg | en | null | Uma Rama Rao’s memorable life | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Artiste, guru and advocate of art forms, Uma Rama Rao’s recent demise leaves a void in Kuchipudi dance
She was as radiant as her name implied. Uma Rama Rao has ended her sojourn on earth but the timeless spirit is as effulgent as ever.
Uma ‘aunty’ as many of us addressed her, was an artiste to the core. Yes her core being spoke nothing but sollukattu and swaram; her mind was constantly caught up in research and choreography, her feet were forever ready to dance though she long ceased to perform on stage and chose to teach and give wings to her creativity through her numerous disciples. Very few artistes are lucky to have as long span a career with dance as did Uma Rama Rao. Hers was a career neatly chalked out and carried forward- first a performing artiste, post-marriage, an academician dancer who chose to teach in institutions, then the architect (along with then chief minister N T Rama Rao) of the department of dance - which she later headed - of the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, then a research scholar who secured her doctorate and finally a writer till the last, with any number of books on dance to her credit.
Every one of us remotely connected with Kuchipudi or Bharatanatyam owes something to her. Hers was an open house; we could walk in at all hours – just ascertain she’s there – and then sit with her either to get valuable inputs, get enlightened over theory of dance and its finer aspects; get trained in performing, get guidance in research and above all get a steaming cup of coffee, often followed by eats, handed over with a warmth that reminds you of a mother-guru.
To this writer, Uma aunty was also a ‘relative’ from both quarters- her affectionate husband Rama Rao who encouraged her at every step to go forward with her passion right from the day she was married to him. When she lost him a decade ago, she would always reminiscence that he was also a friend, philosopher and guide to her and that her dance would have been nailed down in the conservative families from where she hailed had she married anyone else but him. Together they looked ‘made for each other’- he a handsome lawyer and she a demure, graceful dancer. Busy as she was in the heyday of her career, Uma aunty never seemed to neglect her ‘home-maker’ role which she fulfilled with as much affection and concern as she did her dance. Health or adverse situations could never stem in her creativity. She thrust them all aside only to continue doing what she loved most-compose dance ballets and showcase them. Awards came her way in course of time and like all artistes she loved recognition but then she never worked with that in her mind.
There were many film offers for her in later life, post a guest role in a Telugu movie, which she gently declined. Her ‘Lasya Priya Academy of Dance’ was her child through which she nurtured many young aspirants, providing them a platform to showcase their art.
A woman of substance , she was never one to take it lying down when it came to dance- a vociferous advocate of Kuchipudi dance and art forms in general, she never budged from getting art and art gurus their due.
One never knew when age caught up with her and affected her health- she was a cheerful friend to whoever came her way, from a 5-year-old to a 70 plus! Today she lives in the hearts of all; in the dancing feet of all her disciples and in the pages of her books and choreographies! A life worth lived is cherished by all of us here! | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/uma-rama-raos-memorable-life/article9046164.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/83cd9bd2a7af254938ee3758ee6d6bd572ac3a840c547a62bd3ecb72f30861e1.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T10:58:50 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Employees of four State Road Transport Corporations (SRTCs) in the State will join the nationwide strike called by various trade unions seeking implementation of a charter of demands and against the “ | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMangalore%2Frtc-workers-to-join-nationwide-strike-on-sept-2%2Farticle9044712.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | RTC workers to join nationwide strike on Sept. 2 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Employees of four State Road Transport Corporations (SRTCs) in the State will join the nationwide strike called by various trade unions seeking implementation of a charter of demands and against the “anti-worker” policies of the Union government on September 2.
The Joint Committee of SRTC Trade Unions in a letter to the corporations have said that the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions in the State too had resolved to make the strike success. Hence, employees of the RTCs would join the strike.
H.V. Ananthasubba Rao of the KSRTC Staff & Workers Federation, K.S. Sharma of Akhila Karnataka RTC Workers Mahamandali, A.V. Borashetti of the Karnataka RTC Workers Mahamandali and M. Mallikarjuna Murthy of KSRTC SC/ST Officers and Workers Welfare Association have said that the letter may be considered as the strike notice. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/rtc-workers-to-join-nationwide-strike-on-sept-2/article9044712.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b1c894f0e33c101a01fd611ff0ba02ce02cec92e427b8240965a5f5aaeafbe9a.json |
[
"Krishnadas Rajagopal"
] | 2016-08-30T16:52:46 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Union Territory of Puducherry on Tuesday joined Tamil Nadu's plea in the Supreme Court for a direction to the Karnataka government to immediately release 57 TMC of Cauvery river water.Puducherry | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fpuducherry-seeks-supreme-court-direction-to-karnataka-to-release-cauvery-water%2Farticle9051014.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Puducherry seeks Supreme Court direction to Karnataka to release Cauvery water | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Union Territory of Puducherry on Tuesday joined Tamil Nadu's plea in the Supreme Court for a direction to the Karnataka government to immediately release 57 TMC of Cauvery river water.
Puducherry (Pondicherry) said it would receive its share of 7 TMC of Cauvery water only if Karnataka releases water at Billigundulu so that it may reach the Mettur Dam without further delay.
The Union Territory said the release of this water is the sole way to save the standing crops and for samba crop at Karaikal region of Puducherry.
“The Union Territory of Pondicherry is allotted seven TMC of water to enable them to cultivate 43,000 acres of land in the Karaikal Region of Pondicherry. This water was not released by Tamil Nadu for the benefit of Pondicherry since their water level in Mettur Dam is too low to release any water to Karaikal Region of Pondicherry. Generally, water allotted to Pondicherry is initially received from Karnataka by Tamil Nadu in their Mettur Dam as Pondicherry does not have a dam to reserve the water as and when it comes,” Puducherry government's application, filed by advocate V.G. Pragasm and settled by senior advocate A.S. Nambiar, submitted.
The Supreme Court on Friday last had agreed to post for hearing on September 2, 2016, Tamil Nadu government's plea for an urgent judicial direction to Karnataka government to release 50.052 TMC feet of Cauvery water from its reservoirs to feed the agricultural lands of Tamil Nadu in the “interest of justice”.
Tamil Nadu government has accused neighbouring Karnataka of diverting precious river water meant to be a life-saver for Tamil Nadu farmers during distress years for undeclared projects in violation of the final orders of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in 2007.
Tamil Nadu's application, drawn by advocate G. Umpathy and filed by advocate B. Balaji, contended that it has not received 10 daily/monthly releases of Cauvery water for the months from June 1 to August 19, 2016, causing a cumulative shortfall of 50.052 TMC ft. at Billigundulu.
Tamil Nadu has sought the apex court's intervention to ensure that Karnataka adheres to the stipulated releases of Cauvery water in accordance to the 2007 tribunal order for the remaining months, starting from August 20, 2016, in the irrigation year of 2016-2017. This would at least protect the interests of the Tamil Nadu farmers who depend on Cauvery.
The application also sought a direction to Karnataka to immediately make good the 25 TMC ft. of water at Billigundulu out of the shortfall of 50 TMC ft. within the next 10 days so as to commence the samba cultivation in the Cauvery basin of Tamil Nadu.
It asked the court to direct Karnataka to replenish the remaining shortfall of 25 TMC ft. of water at Billigundulu before the third week of September so as to sustain the samba cultivation in the Cauvery basin of Tamil Nadu. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/puducherry-seeks-supreme-court-direction-to-karnataka-to-release-cauvery-water/article9051014.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7e670e68d92bf78b76ca6024c5bc0bebae087ff8252078bf7ceb8cfe84cc32eb.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T12:50:31 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The Somwarpet court in Kodagu district on Saturday put off its hearing into a private compliant filed against actor and former MP Ramya to October 19.
The first JMFC directed the complainant to pro | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Framya-case-hearing-put-off-to-october-19%2Farticle9040401.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/ramya_2988693c.jpg | en | null | Ramya case: Hearing put off to October 19 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Somwarpet court in Kodagu district on Saturday put off its hearing into a private compliant filed against actor and former MP Ramya to October 19.
The first JMFC directed the complainant to provide necessary details to the court over his complaint against the former MP.
Advocate and Kodagu Prajaranga District President K. Vittala Gowda had filed the complaint under Section 200 of Criminal Procedure Code, urging the court to register a case against the actor under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with sedition, besides other charges.
The complainant had accused Ms. Ramya of “insulting India” by “appreciating Pakistan”. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ramya-case-hearing-put-off-to-october-19/article9040401.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8e585d56270192a3a7e897e8739966c21910da697d29555568484bf523517f3c.json |
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