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[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T00:51:23 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The 1986-batch of alumni of TVS Lakshmi Higher Secondary school recently had their reunion, ‘Together@30,’ signifying their meeting after 30 years.The alumni who had turned up for the event from dif | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Ftogether30%2Farticle9043127.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 | ‘Together@30’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The 1986-batch of alumni of TVS Lakshmi Higher Secondary school recently had their reunion, ‘Together@30,’ signifying their meeting after 30 years.
The alumni who had turned up for the event from different parts of India and other countries. Principal Ramesh, director Selvi Santhosam and teachers and staff from 1986, led by the then Principal Kamala, participated. The speeches of teachers of yesteryears were high on emotion and content. The teachers and the staff were honoured. The afternoon session was filled with song and dance performances by the alumni, as the Carpenters sang, ‘Yesterday Once More.’ | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/together30/article9043127.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/258765a8e60f6308d6dfc3382b8f2ca585d9e9c95602e11cce946ef38c8c90d0.json |
[
"Samarth Bansal",
"Anuradha Raman"
] | 2016-08-26T22:52:50 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Jalan Singh, 30, has not removed the cardboard carton that protects the sides of his new Godrej refrigerator. You cannot miss the striking red cooling machine in the room. Having spent Rs.12,000 on i | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fop-ed%2Fthe-race-to-light-up-the-last-village%2Farticle9036977.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27TH_RURAL_ELEC_2987616c.jpg | en | null | The race to light up the last village | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The arrival of electricity in areas that were off the grid has fuelled new life choices, even when power is erratic, find Samarth Bansal and Anuradha Raman
Jalan Singh, 30, has not removed the cardboard carton that protects the sides of his new Godrej refrigerator. You cannot miss the striking red cooling machine in the room. Having spent Rs.12,000 on it, Singh is proud of his acquisition. Sixty-nine years is a short time in an independent country’s life but it has been a long time for power to reach Singh’s village, Tanwarpura, an hour’s drive from Barmer city in Rajasthan. Power that arrived in the village two months ago, although erratic, nudged Singh to buy a refrigerator. He opens it to show it to us, but it’s empty. “The rains may have tripped some lines,” a government official offers an explanation. Rains did lash the village a few days ago. Having been consistent this year, they promise good harvest and some extra income. Singh’s spirits are not dampened by the temporary absence of electricity; he reels off his wish list: a fan, a cooler, and an atta chakki (flour mill).
Rukh Singh, his neighbour, has beaten him to procuring an atta chakki. The flour mill means two extra hours of sleep for his wife. In the early hours before dawn, Tanwarpura wakes up to the sounds of the chakki as women work it to pound flour. “With the manual mill, it took my wife four hours to prepare the flour for our daily meals. The electric one takes an hour,” Rukh Singh says. His wife smiles behind her veil, allowing Rukh Singh to speak on her behalf.
The Singhs got an electricity connection under the Modi government’s flagship scheme of rural electrification launched in July 2015, the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). The government’s goal is 100 per cent electrification by 2019. Official estimates peg the number of un-electrified villages in India at 18,452. Of this, the government claims to have electrified 10,097 villages till date, a figure that doesn’t go uncontested.
The lifelines of a village
“At least there is light,” says 34-year-old Chagan Kanwar, a mother of two. Two weeks ago, for the first time, solar energy lit up houses in Salam Singh Ki Basti in Barmer district where she lives. Designated as a ‘Desert National Park’ area and situated almost at the farthest edge of the State, a few kilometres before the border with Pakistan, the village has around a hundred households. Power for Kanwar means less pollution. “The kerosene lamp affected my children’s health as they studied under its light. Now I don’t have to worry as the lights don’t go off when it is windy or when it’s raining,” she says. The inhabitants of this basti were accustomed to travelling 25 km to Gadra village to charge their mobile phones. A shopkeeper there would ask for Rs.10 to charge each phone. “We used to take 10 phones once a week to get them charged,” says Pan Singh. Mobile phones, lifelines for the villagers and the only connection to the outside world, when powered ran for a week.
Their main lifeline, however, is the sun. Under the off-grid scheme of DDUGJY, houses in Salam Singh Ki Basti have been provided with a 100W solar panel which can light five LED bulbs, one standing 12W fan, and a socket to charge a mobile phone. These three utilities come as part of the solar kit, a one-time investment of Rs.1,029 which works out to 5 per cent of the total cost incurred to install the kit in every home. There is no burden of electricity bills.
The villagers have become so accustomed to the absence of power that even its presence does not prompt them to switch on the fan. The two villages, Tanwarpura and Salam Singh Ki Basti, are examples of the grid and off-grid programmes of the Centre, which are committed to providing electricity in every village. Explaining the decision for this, the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Corporation, Dinesh Arora, says: “States have generally preferred and adopted grid connectivity for most of the villages except in areas where connectivity is either not feasible or cost-effective.”
In Rajasthan, as at the Centre, a Bharatiya Janata Party government is at the helm. Both Central and State officials are racing to power villages, but they are also wary as the media has turned its gaze to the claims made by the government in rural electrification. Officials everywhere are now tutoring villagers on the art of communicating with the media. With a spate of critical reports on the app-based claims of electrification on GARV making the government more watchful, even the hint of a journalist in the remotest of villages sends officials into a tizzy.
Promise of power
Meanwhile, in distant Uttar Pradesh, power is a touchy issue, especially as elections are set to take place next year. When the Centre claims credit for any development, the State is quick to point out loopholes.
In Anandpur, a village at the edge of Hathras district which is famed for asafoetida, a dried latex that is indispensable to curries and dals (lentil), power comes and goes. A gift from Delhi, an LED bulb, has brought light into the lives of 70-year-old Ram Prasad and 17-year-old Rahul. The electricity meter, wrapped in plastic, is a prized possession and is precariously mounted on the mud wall of the house that has a small porch, a room, and a tube well in the courtyard. There is a toilet too, Prasad points out, seemingly well-versed in the drill of showing to outsiders the trappings of modernity that have crept into the village. The toilet is pitch dark; light hasn’t travelled there yet.
For rural India, the DDUGJY brings not only the promise of power to every village, but its attendant trappings too. “Our ancestors will be happy. They never saw light,” says Savitri, a resident, as she begins cooking potatoes and chapattis under the light of a solitary bulb. The bulb has freed her from having to swat insects that she would have otherwise battled with under the light of a kerosene lamp or candle.
Glimpses of a fractious relationship
Anandpur is an odd mix of upper castes (mostly Thakurs) and backward castes. Adversity and deprivation is the glue that holds these communities together. Most of the villagers wear a bemused look as officials from the electricity department come inquiring about the availability of power here. Mukesh Kumar from the State Electricity Board examines 18 meters installed in Anandpur and requests people to show their papers. He looks agitated. “We were not informed about the installation. What if the villagers refuse to pay for the power or their homes collapse in the rains?” he asks. The question hangs in the air, offering a glimpse of the fractious relationship between the Centre and State.
The Prime Minister claimed in his Independence Day address that Nagla Fatela, a village in Hathras, was electrified but the media found surprised villagers and a dark village when it reached there. The embarrassment caused by this episode has left everyone on edge here and the U.P. government is determined to keep a check on every connection by sending its officers to the field. Kumar is one of them. Other senior officials have been dispatched from Lucknow. Says Rakesh Verma wryly: “Ideally, the village should be getting 14 hours of power but that seldom happens. Let’s see what happens after the elections.” The officials wait patiently for Anandpur’s residents to show their cards. Others who also wait are the men who installed the meters, the Centre’s officials.
The scheme is premised on the Centre and the State working in tandem. The Centre provides the infrastructure; the State provides the power after working out its availability — 12-14 hours a day is what has been calculated. The reality plays out differently as power keeps tripping. Young Anshu whispers that she saw a snake first when the light came on some time at night in her thatched hut just two days ago. Snakes are common in the tiny village of Anandpur, which is ringed by paddy fields. The villagers could not steal power like other villages nearby — katiya, or the illegal tapping of power, is rampant there — as high tension wires made that impossible.
The power is erratic and the wait long and uncertain. We wait and watch; so do Savitri and Rahul. Everyone looks at the cooler fan installed upside down, a common jugaad in these parts, which works when the electricity comes. This is a welcome addition to their huts as it helps make the nights less muggy.
In Anandpur, the monthly income of a family of five rarely exceeds Rs.2,000. Electricity is a luxury. Agricultural holdings are small, and income is supplemented by selling milk. The villagers are worried; they ask as they wait for the power to come, “Do we have to pay the bill?” As per the plan, the village will get power from 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. Pointing out the absurdity of the schedule, an official on a visit to the village says, “We don’t draw the plan. We follow instructions from Delhi.” Contesting this, Mr. Arora says, “The responsibility of releasing electricity connections to individual households lies with the discoms chosen by the State.”
These villagers are the Antyodaya card holders. In other words, they are the poorest of the poor whose entitlements are a few kilograms of rice and two litres of kerosene a month. The supplies get exhausted quickly and they are forced to purchase these goods from the open market. The nearest school is 2 km away and the villagers are wary of sending their girls to school. Rahul is studying for an examination and he finds the light a godsend. “I can study now when the light comes; I don’t have to study under the lamp,” he says, wistful though for a regular supply.
The State government is working out a way to regulate the tariff so that people pay for the power they consume. From the headquarters in Lucknow, the chairperson of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Desh Deepak Verma, has been keeping a watch ever since false claims were made about electrification, by dispatching officials to the ground. He says the problem is with the definition of an electrified village. “One in 10 homes is all that a series of schemes have focussed on. What about the 9 others? And within the 10 per cent, only poles have reached some villages; last mile connectivity is still distant.”
It’s 6.30 p.m. when dusk falls to herald the night. Thirty hours have passed, but Tanwarpura has no power. Is it because of the rains? “Electricity is transformative, but only when it is available,” Rukh Singh says. “We get it for about two hours a day.” A tiny bulb dispels darkness in Jethmal Singh’s house. “I got my connection under the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government’s Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) before it was re-christened by the BJP government as DDUGJY. Only five connections have come in the last six months under the DDUGJY,” he says. Thirty of the 35 households which have electricity in this village were electrified under the RGGVY. A Tata Sky dish hangs at the back of Jethmal’s house. The TV, however, is missing.
“On August 12, the government’s field engineer encouraged us to purchase a television so that we could tune in to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address. We bought the set on the 13th,” he says. People gathered in Jethmal Singh’s house on August 15. But the TV conked off after the Prime Minister’s speech and has been sent for repair.
Bhiram, who lives ten minutes away from Jethmal’s house in the nearby village of Tirsingra, also listened to the Prime Minister speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort. “The field engineer told me that light would reach my village too,” he says. But there was a problem. In April 2015, the government identified 34 un-electrified villages in Barmer. Tirsingra was not one of them.
Un-electrified and not on the list
A hundred kilometres away from Tirsingra, Mahadev Nagar has a similar story. There is no power in the village and it is not on the government’s radar. Surta Ram, 40, calls fellow villagers to gather on the lawns of the primary school to discuss the problems related to lack of power. Photographs of Indira Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar hang prominently in his house. He calls himself a samaaj sevi (social worker). “For the last five years, we have been contacting government officials at all levels: the Collector, the MLA, and others. Now they tell us that our name is not in the government survey,” he says. “Ten days ago, the MLA said that our village will see light this Diwali. Let’s see.”
Mahadev Nagar has a primary health centre, a facility that other villages mentioned as lacking here. But it is just a building. “There is no doctor here. No one wants to come here because there is no electricity,” Surta Ram says.
Adds 39-year-old Puga Ram: “Yesterday, three malaria patients had to travel for 5-10 km for injections. The ambulance also doesn’t come inside our village.” Puga Ram teaches in the village school and is concerned about the children’s education. “This is the age of computers. How will these kids get digital literacy if there is no electricity,” he asks, distressed. There are five classrooms in the school; one is under construction. The heat inside the room compels the teacher to take his classes on the sands outside under the trees. Misra Ram shows a receipt of Rs.200 dated November 2015. “For electricity connections, we had to apply in groups of five. A hundred such forms have been sent from our village. I have applied thrice. But there is no progress,” he says.
All conversations with the villagers start and end with electricity. Its announcement and presence have fuelled aspirations long bottled up.
Back in Salam Singh Ki Basti, Abdul Khan shakes his head, disgruntled with the government’s solar-powered electricity scheme that is oddly restrictive as well as liberating. “We wanted electricity powered by the grid. The current set-up limits us to a few predefined utilities. There is nothing more that we can do with this,” he says. The power limitation of the solar kit doesn’t allow them to use other appliances. Unlike in Tanwarpura, electricity in this village doesn’t match aspirations. Also, the government is advocating for one kit that fits all. This means that the village school in Salam Singh Ki Basti gets the same set kit as the houses. There are multiple classrooms, but only one fan.
In the summer heat in Anandpur, 70-year-old Prasad dreams. “Now that we have seen light, we have become a little greedy. Dil aur chahta hai (the heart desires more),” he says. That means a few hours more hours of light. And a fan that will make the summer more bearable. | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-race-to-light-up-the-last-village/article9036977.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b47d9d182819cd4a6adcb7faae1166e2b043b65276a38b966734806506c7719c.json |
[
"Sumit Bhattacharjee"
] | 2016-08-30T06:53:56 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The city has a population of about 25 lakhs, and the number of police personnel present including officers and men from the Armed Reserve battalion is about 3,300. The police-to-population ratio is a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fcity-to-have-two-more-police-subdivisions%2Farticle9046784.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 | City to have two more police sub-divisions | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The city has a population of about 25 lakhs, and the number of police personnel present including officers and men from the Armed Reserve battalion is about 3,300. The police-to-population ratio is a low of one policeman for every 750 people, when the ideal ratio, as per the Bureau of Police Research and Development is one policeman for about 560 people.
And Visakhapatnam cannot be categorised as a city with low crime rate, as every police station records between 750 and 1,000 cases, inclusive of all types of crimes, on an average per year.
To tide over the problem, the government on the recommendations of top police officers of the city has sanctioned two more sub-divisions to the existing four, without increasing the manpower.
“Right now we have four law and order sub-divisions – East, North, South and Madhurawada,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Navin Gulati.
While two have been renamed, two new divisions have been created. The North Division has been renamed as West Sub-Division and the Madhurawada will now be called as North Sub-Division. And the newly created ones are Dwaraka and Harbour Sub-Divisions.
As per the GO issued, East will comprise police stations of Two Town, MR Peta, Three Town and Fourth Town; Dwaraka will cater to MVP Police Station, Dwaraka PS and Arilova; North will contain PM Palem, Bheemunipatnam, Padmanabham and Anandapuram; Harbour will have One Town, Harbour PS, Malkapuram and New Port; South will look after Gajuwaka, Duvvada, Parawada and Steel Plant; and West will take care of Airport, Pendurthi, Kancharapalem and Gopalapatnam.
The two new divisions would improve the supervisory focus thereby lead to better policing, Mr. Navin said.
“At a time when we have a shortage of men and keeping in mind the regular VVIP movement, two more new ACPs will improve the supervisory aspect. The load on the present ACPs will come down,” he said.
But sources said though the order has been passed it is still to be implemented on ground. And the major problem faced, is finding suitable ACPs with good track record to take over the new sub-divisions.
Madhurawada or the North Sub-Division has been without an ACP for the last three months, ever since the earlier ACP Dasari Ravi Babu was removed on certain charges.
There is a requirement of three ACPs at present to take over North, Harbour and Dwaraka divisions, and it is learnt that Commissioner of Police T. Yoganand would like to have officers with a clean track record. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/city-to-have-two-more-police-subdivisions/article9046784.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/de301d43e355cb29831b4163438159d647dc73d23bed180e7b9a0b9c1671bae3.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:42 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A showroom of Vaibhav Jewellers of Visakhapatnam was opened in Bobbili in Vizianagaram district on Tuesday. Local MLA R.V. Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao opened the showroom.Municipal Chairperson T. Atchutav | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fshowroom-opened%2Farticle9052379.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 | Showroom opened | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A showroom of Vaibhav Jewellers of Visakhapatnam was opened in Bobbili in Vizianagaram district on Tuesday. Local MLA R.V. Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao opened the showroom.
Municipal Chairperson T. Atchutavalli, Municipal Commissioner H. Shankara Rao, Vice-Chairman Ch. Ramesh Naidu, Chairman of Agriculture Marketing Committee P. Srinivasa Rao, president of district BJP Jaganmohan Rao, former Whip S. Venkata Chinna Appala Naidu, Councillor R. Krishnaveni, chairperson of Vaibhav group Grandhi Mallika Manoj, executive director Grandhi Amarendra, director Grandhi Keertana, CEO R. Satish, GM (marketing) J. Raghunath and others were present. As an inaugural offer, Vaibhav announced Rs. 77 off per gram on gold in 916 Hallmarked jewellery for customers from Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts and Odisha. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/showroom-opened/article9052379.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3fda3df74c0411757d8f10cd9c5a9eb69126dd4f4a1ce75cf80e407dcda789cb.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T22:52:50 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Two months after it passed a Bill to reintroduce indirect elections for the post of Mayor of Municipal Corporations, the AIADMK government on Monday introduced another Bill in the Assembly to empowe | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fnow-direct-election-of-local-body-chiefs-to-be-scrapped%2Farticle9046686.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 | Now, direct election of local body chiefs to be scrapped | null | null | www.thehindu.com | ‘Move aimed at ensuring cooperation between the chairman and members’
Two months after it passed a Bill to reintroduce indirect elections for the post of Mayor of Municipal Corporations, the AIADMK government on Monday introduced another Bill in the Assembly to empower councillors to elect the chairpersons in all local bodies in the State.
The Statements of Objects and Reasons of the Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920, introduced in the House by Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani stated, “It has been brought to the notice of the government that in certain circumstances, the chairmen do not get the cooperation of councillors and vice-versa and thereby, there have been impediments in the proceedings of councils and to arrive at consensus in passing resolutions to provide civic services to the public as both the chairmen and the councillors are elected directly.”
The Bill referred the recent enactment of Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Laws (Amendment) Act, 2016 and stated, “In order to have a uniform election procedures in all the urban local bodies in the State, the government has decided to elect the Chairman of the Municipalities and Town Panchayats also indirectly by the councillors or members from among themselves, as the case may be.”
Only in June this year, the State government had introduced and eventually passed a Bill that scrapped the direct election of Mayors in Municipal Corporations and enabled councillors to elected one of them as Mayor for the Municipal Corporation.
Another Bill introduced in the House by the Minister was intended to enhance the monetary powers of the Council of Municipal Administration for sanction of estimates. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill stated it was taking into account of the huge outlay of the schemes implemented by the Municipal Corporations, the escalation of cost of construction materials, the rate of wholesale price index, the general inflation and the need for expediting the developmental works.
The government has decided to accept the proposal of the Director of Municipal Administration to amend the Madurai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1971 and the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation Act, 1981 suitably, the Bill added. Both the Bills are expected to be passed in the ongoing Assembly session. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/now-direct-election-of-local-body-chiefs-to-be-scrapped/article9046686.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/375ca9b5e4dde03b1dc12ae121ba0de9db8bfa6ce547860cf23535fd14231933.json |
[
"Sumesh Rajan"
] | 2016-08-31T04:52:11 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | On August 27, at around 7.45 am, the Shaikh family on the third floor of building B-3/17, Sector 3, Vashi, heard a cracking sound. They looked up to see that a large crack had formed across their bed | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fcracks-in-vashi-building-shake-up-residents%2Farticle9046773.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30BM_ILLEGAL_BUILD_2991443c.jpg | en | null | Cracks in Vashi building shake up residents | null | null | www.thehindu.com | On August 27, at around 7.45 am, the Shaikh family on the third floor of building B-3/17, Sector 3, Vashi, heard a cracking sound. They looked up to see that a large crack had formed across their bedroom ceiling. They rushed out of the flat, to hear from the neighbours on the floor below that there were similar cracks there as well. A short while later, they found that eight adjoining flats spanning four flours had developed deep cracks and that section of the building had started tilting.
Fearing for their lives, the residents notified the fire brigade and local corporator Divya Vaibhav Gaikwad. The fire brigade asked all the residents to evacuate the building. The NMMC stepped in almost four hours later: Vashi Ward Officer Mahendrasingh Thoke declared the building unsafe for habitation and also pleaded with the remaining residents to vacate the structure immediately.
Some residents moved out with their baggage to the homes of friends and relatives, but many refused to leave, as they had no other place to go. They wanted the civic authorities to provide them with alternative accommodation. But there are no transit camps in Navi Mumbai to house residents displaced due to endangered buildings. Mr. Thoke said the residents could temporarily shift to the nearby Jhulelal Mandir, where arrangements for their stay could be arranged, but the residents protested, asking how long could they stay in such ad hoc accommodation.
Major Singh, a septuagenarian retired member of the defence forces, said, “I with my family have been staying here since 1981. And, even if I shift to a relative’s place, for how long will they host us? The civic administration should arrange for us a proper accommodation where we can move in for the time being otherwise our daily life will be thrown out of gear.”
Another resident said his children were studying in a nearby school, so the family cannot shift far away.
Talking to The Hindu, Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre, under whose constituency the building comes under, said, “I requested the residents to vacate the building as it is unsafe, and assured them that arrangements can be made for their stay. However, they have refused to vacate saying there are no proper temporary shelters provided by the civic authorities, say a transit camp. There are a lot of vacant plots in Navi Mumbai. The City & Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the NMMC should jointly construct transit camps for residents to use in such dire situations.”
Former corporator Vaibhav Gaikwad said, “As the CIDCO developed Navi Mumbai, it should have made provisions for transit camps. But, it was not done so. As the buildings built by the CIDCO in the 1970s are becoming dangerous to live in now, the CIDCO should allot land plots to the NMMC to construct transit camps for people getting displaced in such a manner.”
Asked whether permission will be given for the redevelopment of the building, CIDCO chief PRO Mohan Ninawe said, “This is not a fit case for redevelopment. The residents have gone in for additional construction without obtaining the requisite NOC from the CIDCO or paying any charges. We will take a decision only after conducting a thorough survey.”
B-3/17, which is near Sai Baba Mandir behind Vashi police station, is one of Vashi’s oldest buildings, built in the mid-1970s. In 2007, after obtaining extra floor space index (FSI), an additional room was added to each flat; the residents say a structural audit of the building was conducted before the FSI was granted. The building was never on the list of endangered buildings in the NMMC jurisdiction.
The writer is a freelance journalist | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/cracks-in-vashi-building-shake-up-residents/article9046773.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5df232dd07b6daeb958a163495d838889f22402677773234f0a3d4002966b4f2.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T16:52:02 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Bidar police have registered a case against Gangadhar Hosalli, younger brother of city municipal council member Shashi Hosalli, and six others of attempting to murder a realtor, Narasimha Reddy. P | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fattempt-to-murder-case-booked%2Farticle9050947.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 | Attempt to murder case booked | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Bidar police have registered a case against Gangadhar Hosalli, younger brother of city municipal council member Shashi Hosalli, and six others of attempting to murder a realtor, Narasimha Reddy. Police suspect old rivalry to be the cause behind the attack. Narasimha Reddy is facing charges of attacking Shashi Hosalli over a land dispute a few months ago.
The accused cornered Reddy near Siddharoodha Mutt in Gumpa area and assaulted him with knives and blunt objects. He suffered deep cuts and injuries on the forehead, neck and stomach. Reddy was taken to the district hospital and later shifted to a hospital in Hyderabad, with police assistance. Doctors said his condition was serious, but stable.
A case has been registered in the Gandhi Gunj police station. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/attempt-to-murder-case-booked/article9050947.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/abb48bc739570d90a513f029980f27371508111d91a47d0b4552b442bbb5847e.json |
[
"Vijay Lokapally"
] | 2016-08-30T18:51:46 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Even the players would concede the heroes of the day were the dedicated members of the ground staff. They worked overnight to get ready the flooded cricket field of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Spo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Fduleep-trophy-kuldeep-strikes-late-in-the-day%2Farticle9051331.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 | Kuldeep strikes late in the day | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Even the players would concede the heroes of the day were the dedicated members of the ground staff. They worked overnight to get ready the flooded cricket field of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex here. If play resumed on Tuesday, the entire credit lay with the ground staff.
Their splendid work almost came unstuck when rain returned to the venue to delay the start of the second day’s play in the Duleep Trophy match. Rain, however, relented and India Blue, resuming at 105 for no loss, finished the day at 200 for five, falling to the guiles of left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who picked up four wickets in the span of 13 balls.
The first ball of the day was bowled after three inspections, with five super-soppers employed to dry the ground. The bowlers’ run up was damaged too, but they filled up the patches with artificial turf.
The ground had resembled a large pool on Monday night following heavy downpour, but it wore a transformed look following the efforts of the ground staff. The young brigade, under the guidance of curators Taposh Chatterjee and Shiv Kumar, and organising official Rajiv Tyagi, deserved a huge pat for getting the field playable.
It was nothing less than a miracle when the teams — India Red and India Blue — took the field with Mayank Agarwal (53) and skipper Gautam Gambhir (51) aiming to keep their wickets intact.
Mayank was distinctly lucky to survive a leg-before shout against Nathu Singh, who continued to trouble the batsmen while Gambhir mostly nudged the ball in an effort to play out the day.
The left-hander was determined to come up with a big score at the start of the season, but fell to Nathu when he was late in coming down on the ball. His 77 off 143 balls was studded with 10 boundaries, most of them square of the wicket.
Mayank concentrated hard on his job. He did give himself the freedom to play some shots in front of the wicket but ran out of patience eight runs short of a century. His predetermined charge off Kuldeep ended in disaster — he was stranded yards down the pitch, a most uncharacteristic end to an otherwise sedate knock.
There was success for India Red when Suryakumar Yadav played a shocking shot — moving down the pitch only to miss the ball that gave Kuldeep his second wicket.
The left-arm spinner added two more, B. Aparajith edging to slip and Karn Sharma trapped plumb first ball, with India Blue aggregating 95 runs in 27.4 overs.
The scores:
India Blue — 1st innings: Mayank Agarwal st. Bharat b Kuldeep 92 (167b, 10x4, 1x6), Gautam Gambhir lbw b Nathu 77 (143b, 10x4), B. Aparajith c Rana b Kuldeep 19 (30b, 3x4), Suryakumar Yadav st. Bharat b Kuldeep 5 (12b, 1x4), Karn Sharma lbw b Kuldeep 0 (1b), Dinesh Karthik (batting) 0 (12b), Sheldon Jackson (batting) 0 (9b); Extras (nb-2, pen-5): 7, Total (for five wkts. in 62 overs) 200.
Fall of wickets: 1-151, 2-188, 3-199, 4-199, 5-200.
India Red bowling: Nathu Singh 13-0-54-1, Pradeep Sangwan 13-2-46-0, Ishwar Pandey 12-4-23-0, Kuldeep Yadav 18-2-49-4, Akshay Wakhare 5-0-18-0, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-5-0. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/duleep-trophy-kuldeep-strikes-late-in-the-day/article9051331.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8576917acf17f8af37f25ad4e98188c37fed6f7a87b30b05f4d3228980040bf6.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T10:52:01 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Bangladesh police on Monday shot dead a commander of outlawed militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), who was involved in an attack on a temple and a bid to kill an Italian priest | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fbangladesh-police-kills-jmb-commander-behind-temple-attack%2Farticle9045694.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 | Bangladesh police kills JMB commander behind temple attack | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Khalid Hasan alias Badar Mama was involved in a bid to abduct Italian priest Piero Parolari last year.
The Bangladesh police on Monday shot dead a commander of outlawed militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), who was involved in an attack on a temple and a bid to kill an Italian priest last year, along with his aide during a raid on their hideout.
The two militants of the JMB were killed in a shootout with police in Bogra district’s Sherpur Upazila at around 4 A.M.
Khalid Hasan alias Badar Mama (30) of Chapainawabganj was JMB’s northern region military wing commander. The other was identified as Ripon (25) of Rajshahi. The gunfight broke out between the police and militants after police raided the area following a tip-off.
Militants started the fire: police
“Sensing police presence, the militants started firing. Police returned fire. Two persons were injured in the gun battle,” Bogra’s Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Gaziur Rahman was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com.
The two were taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them brought dead. Two police officers were also injured in the shootout. He said Khalid was involved in an attempt to murder case of Italian priest Piero Parolari and an attack at Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur last year, according to the report.
Link to professor’s murder
Ripon was involved in a meeting which plotted the murder of Rajshahi University’s English professor A.F.M. Rezaul Karim Siddiquee who was hacked to death in April while he was on his way to the university, he said.
“That meeting was attended by Khalid, ‘Bike Hasan’, who was killed in a crossfire in Rajshahi, and ‘Badhon’, the militant who was killed in the raid that ended the siege at Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery,” Mr. Rahman said.
At least 10 people were injured in December last year when unidentified assailants hurled three crude bombs inside the premises of a temple in northern Bangladesh where over 5,000 people had gathered for a show to mark a Hindu festival.
In July, five gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery and murdered 22 people including an Indian girl.
Monday’s incident occurred two days after police killed Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, the mastermind of Bangladesh’s worst terror attack at a cafe here that claimed 22 lives including of an Indian girl.
The shootout took place hours ahead of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s day-long visit. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-police-kills-jmb-commander-behind-temple-attack/article9045694.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7f421fbea1c6f6f79df7b63763c98b836fed64fd3c4c1bceb6c7322e5175c8af.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T20:51:47 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Myanmar President U. Htin Kyaw on Saturday arrived at Bodh Gaya in Bihar to offer prayers at the Mahabodhi temple, officials said.
Gaya District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said Mr. Kyaw, who is here on | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fmyanmar-president-visits-bodh-gaya%2Farticle9040866.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 | Myanmar President visits Bodh Gaya | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Myanmar President U. Htin Kyaw on Saturday arrived at Bodh Gaya in Bihar to offer prayers at the Mahabodhi temple, officials said.
Gaya District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said Mr. Kyaw, who is here on a two-day visit, will offer special prayers at the Mahabodhi temple, Buddhists’ holiest shrine, and circumambulate the Mahabodhi tree under which Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
The 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple is considered a life-time destination for millions of Buddhists across the world.
Mr. Kyaw along with his wife and a 31-member Myanmarese delegation, comprising five Ministers, government officials and family members, landed at Gaya International airport , 2 km from Bodh Gaya, in a special aircraft.
Mr. Kyaw, who did bot speak to the media, will leave for Agra on Sunday to visit the Taj Mahal. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/myanmar-president-visits-bodh-gaya/article9040866.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6522023659a90f21123e536ae9c80510c055b23e10fa896c2701c7884133a6db.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T04:51:42 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | A 23-year-old woman, who was seriously injured after falling from the top floor of a shopping mall on Thondayad bypass, died at the Medical College Hospital on Friday. The Nallalam police identified t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fwoman-dies-after-fall-at-shopping-mall%2Farticle9037023.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 | Woman dies after fall at shopping mall | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A 23-year-old woman, who was seriously injured after falling from the top floor of a shopping mall on Thondayad bypass, died at the Medical College Hospital on Friday. The Nallalam police identified the victim as A. Ansa, a native of Puthiyangadi.
The incident, suspected to be a case of suicide, took place around 11.30 a.m. Medical College sources said Ansa succumbed to injuries around 2 p.m. The body was shifted to the medical college mortuary. An inquest will be conducted on Saturday in presence of the Revenue Divisional Officer.
Ansa got married six months ago. Meanwhile, her relatives came up with complaints that she had ended her life unable to withstand torture by her husband and his family members. The police have registered a case of unnatural death. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/woman-dies-after-fall-at-shopping-mall/article9037023.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/273a1f36d32184c5af73b1bc6d75c494d16d36a21dd8d0d6462cb30463b6d9f6.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T12:50:46 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Campus Front of India activists on Saturday carried out protests before the Srinivas College of Pharmacy demanding students be allowed to wear headscarf and enter classes.
CFI activist Ashraf alleg | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Factivists-protest-against-college-not-allowing-hijab%2Farticle9040291.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/protest_mglr_2988704c.jpg | en | null | Activists protest against college not allowing hijab | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Campus Front of India activists on Saturday carried out protests before the Srinivas College of Pharmacy demanding students be allowed to wear headscarf and enter classes.
CFI activist Ashraf alleged students were being harassed for wearing mask in the classroom. They were being forced to remove headscarf while entering classrooms. Students were being threatened of being sent out of college if they do not abide by rules.
A student from the first year B.Pharm said while seniors were being allowed to wear headscarf, they were being barred from wearing it. The administration, meanwhile, has shown declaration form that students have signed which states the dress code, which disallows headscarf, jeans and T-shirt in classroom, examination hall, office and library.
Another First year B.Pharm student said they have so far not been sent out of the class for wearing headscarf. “But we are taunted when we are found with the headscarf in the classroom. This is a type of harassment,” she said.
Principal R. Shabaraya said before admission, the first year B.Pharm students were given declaration. The students and their parents have gone through that and have submitted the form.
Mr. Shabaraya said students from 2nd to 4th year had not been told this at the time of admission and hence they have been allowed to have headscarf. Students are free to wear headscarf in the campus.
He said since last one month students have been following the dress code. Some first year students entered classrooms with headgear two days ago. They were not sent out classes. Mr. Shabaraya said none of students had made representation questioning the rule.
There are 800 students in the pharmacy course, of which around 30 per cent are Muslims.
Following an hour long discussion with the CFI activists, the management representatives sought 15 days to discuss this issue in board meeting and take a decision on making change in declaration form. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/activists-protest-against-college-not-allowing-hijab/article9040291.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c7fafb47869fab9c2fbb1d09f0fa36181516c3a04c65a8c1772b8dc83076ad1a.json |
[
"Somesh Jha B. Muralidhar Reddy"
] | 2016-08-29T22:54:04 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | As the central trade unions refuse to call off the nationwide one-day strike planned for Friday, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to apprise him of the sit | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Flabour-minister-meets-modi-ahead-of-strike%2Farticle9046672.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 | Labour Minister meets Modi ahead of strike | null | null | www.thehindu.com | As the central trade unions refuse to call off the nationwide one-day strike planned for Friday, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to apprise him of the situation and discuss the measures the government is considering to resolve the unrest.
Among various proposals, the government is planning to provide social security benefits to 95 lakh anganwadi workers, revising the minimum wage for the organised and unorganised workers and considering a hike in the minimum monthly pension to Rs. 2,000 from Rs. 1,000.
The minimum wage advisory board, chaired by the Labour Minister, also met here to discuss the hike in minimum wages for workers.
In the meeting, the trade unions proposed increasing the minimum monthly wage to Rs. 18,000 per month, in line with the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for the government employees, All-India Trade Union Congress Secretary D.L. Sachdev said.
At present, the minimum monthly income for workers varies between Rs. 3,500 and Rs. 10,000 in different States. “The meeting, however, didn’t arrive at any conclusion. The government only took the views of employers’ and employees’ representatives,” Mr. Sachdev said.
The unions’ charter of demands, include hiking of minimum wages, providing social security to scheme workers, and speedy registration of trade unions. They have also opposed the government’s proposed labour law reforms.
The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) leaders met Mr. Dattatreya on Monday. The union has demanded written assurances from the government on their demands. However, it seems to be now left with no option but to join the strike.
Virjesh Upadhyay, BMS general secretary told The Hindu, “We have not heard anything from the Narendra Modi government on our demands. The Working Committee of the BMS earlier this month had decided to be part of the strike if there is no positive response.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/labour-minister-meets-modi-ahead-of-strike/article9046672.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8dc08c8c3d65b9426fc028cb78de08b960a33c85ec330213e3bdebd18bd0cffa.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T06:51:53 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | An autopsy block with state-of-the-art facilities, viewing gallery, cold storage and separate rooms for police inquest, relatives of the deceased and visitors was inaugurated at the Amrita Institute o | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Fnew-autopsy-block-at-aims%2Farticle9044572.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 | New autopsy block at AIMS | null | null | www.thehindu.com | An autopsy block with state-of-the-art facilities, viewing gallery, cold storage and separate rooms for police inquest, relatives of the deceased and visitors was inaugurated at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) on Sunday by Arul R.B. Krishna, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order and Traffic). — Staff Reporter
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/new-autopsy-block-at-aims/article9044572.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ea4fb9878a8e6ae92b01d447e3c07aa70e0da89ffddce8fc3a52761ae34ced3c.json |
[
"Sravasti Datta"
] | 2016-08-27T12:50:17 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, will be welcomed again this year on September 5. And as Bengalureans prepare to do so, some environment-conscious organisations have ensured that Ganesh Chaturthi wi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fbengalurubased-organisations-are-creating-ecofreindly-idols-for-ganesh-chaturthi%2Farticle9040518.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/29BGMLEAD4_2988749c.jpg | en | null | Bengaluru-based organisations are creating eco-freindly idols for Ganesh Chaturthi | null | null | www.thehindu.com | This Ganesh Chaturthi several organisations have created eco-friendly idols
Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, will be welcomed again this year on September 5. And as Bengalureans prepare to do so, some environment-conscious organisations have ensured that Ganesh Chaturthi will not be a festival of irresponsible revelry, but, one that respects the environment, the artist and the worshipper.
Within the aesthetic environs of Bimba the Art Ashram in Basavanagudi, where ‘green art’ pervades, there are earthy Gowri and Ganeshas created by traditional potters. Fully soluble unbaked river or pond silt, the idols are crafted in various traditional avataars -- Peetha Ganesha and Lotus-seated Ganesha, Gowri and Seyr Gowri.
Each idol is hand-painted by Deepika Dorai. She paints everything, from the clothes to the jewellery, in painstaking detail. The idols range in the sizes of small to four feet in height. “I have a strong desire to create Ganeshas for those who will take them home to worship,” says Deepika. “It is a lovely way to get into the space of the devotee and their God. It is a private space. That inspires me. It gives me the energy, ability and skill. It just flows. It is a spiritual process.”
The colours used are striking and organic. “Some are non-toxic, lead-free paints. Some are created from kumkum and haldi, and the application of these paints is a little more laborious. I also use a little bit of organic colour powders. They aren’t really plant based, but other forms of organic. This year I have used a wonderful combination of lime and kumkum. The saris of Gowri have lovely borders and colour combinations.” The Ganeshas are created by traditional potters who live in the outskirts of the city. “They are specifically Ganesha potters. They again begin work in November-December,” informs Deepika.
T.D. Deepak, co-founder of Bimba, Art Ashram says that it is not justified to say that the idols are ‘organic’. “Visually, the primary practice is to create beauty. Ganesha is a harbinger of goodness and auspiciousness. Beauty should be gentle. There should be a sacredness with reverence to earth. We make 100 to 120 Ganeshas every year. The work continues to celebrate traditional potters. We have a responsibility towards the environment and the potters. We want to work with the sensitivity, sensibility and aestheticism of the artists and with those who wants to work with a world that wants to be sensitive.”
If tradition and aestheticism is the cornerstone of Bimba the Art Ashram, innovation is key for three other organisations -- GreenMyLife, Heritage and MyTemple. They have created Suma Sumukha Ganesha idols that you can keep forever with you. Yes, you read that right. The immersion process is where its uniqueness lies. The eco-friendly and beautiful Ganeshas will actually transform into something you will treasure. “We got talking about how our lakes are getting polluted,” says Gitanjali Rajamani, founder of GreenMyLife when asked what prompted them to make such unique Ganeshas. “Heritage Trust got us in touch with an artist who makes the Hoysala Ganesha. MyTemple, on the other hand, links people to culture and temples. So together we decided to create Ganeshas made entirely of locally available clay.” The outer polish, says Gitanjali, is made of the Ganges clay. “It gives a layered sheen.”
So to what exactly does the Ganesha transform? A plant. “We have filled the Ganesha inside with desi cow manure. We will also be supplying some amount of soil. When you pour water over the Ganesha, it dissolves easily. Then we give seeds separately. At a price of Rs. 1,901, we give a Ganesha idol, fibre planter, which comes with a guarantee of 10 years, and seeds. We give a leaflet with instructions, and even have recipes for modak.” Upon placing an order, the Ganeshas will be delivered to homes. They are available at https://www.greenmylife.in/shop/suma-sumukha-ganesha/suma-sumukha-ganesha/.
Bimba the Art Ashram can be contacted on is located at 42 Ratna Vilas road, Basavanagudi. Call: 41489354. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/bengalurubased-organisations-are-creating-ecofreindly-idols-for-ganesh-chaturthi/article9040518.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/39d547f6800d797e99d6faa5e8b89cc45a7f1a73d500434a21d14f1f2d8f22e3.json |
[
"Rajeev Viswanathan"
] | 2016-08-27T18:50:35 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Host Dindigul Dragons started its TNPL campaign in style with a 14-run win over Madurai Super Giants at the NPRCET grounds here on Saturday.After over an hour of play was lost to rain, Super Giants fo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Ftnpl-dragons-overcome-super-giants%2Farticle9040811.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/TH28TNPL_2988910a_2988912c.jpg | en | null | Dragons overcome Super Giants | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Start off with a 14-run victory
Host Dindigul Dragons started its TNPL campaign in style with a 14-run win over Madurai Super Giants at the NPRCET grounds here on Saturday.
After over an hour of play was lost to rain, Super Giants found themselves facing a revised target of 146 off 18 overs after opener N. Jagadeesan’s 71 had powered the Dragons to 142 for nine from the 18 they faced.
Super Giants started the chase on a positive note with K.B. Arun Karthik smashing two sixes before left-arm spinner M.S. Sanjay had him caught at point. Sanjay struck again in the same over to remove G. Vignesh.
S. Suresh Kumar took a six and a four off leg-spinner M. Ashwin’s first over as Super Giants ended the PowerPlay at 43 for two.
Immediately after, it was offie V.R.S. Guru Kedarnath’s turn to come up with a double strike, getting rid of Shijith Chandran and Suresh Kumar in successive overs, both departing caught in the deep.
Super Giants never really recovered from that as Dindigul Dragons built pressure and the boundaries dried up.
With the asking rate going up, S. Thiyagarajan came up with a few lusty blows in the end but it was all too late.
Earlier, electing to bat, Dindigul Dragons began briskly.
A misfield in the second over, bowled by seamer M. Raja, resulted in a boundary, and that opened the flood-gates for Jagadeesan as he got two more fours off that over.
At the other end, southpaw G.S. Raju hit a boundary and a six before getting caught at cover off leg-spinner S.V. Muruganantham.
Dindigul Dragons ended the PowerPlay at 46 for one.
Dragons skipper Subramania Siva hit Muruganantham for a six down the ground and followed that up with a couple of pulls to the ropes off seamer L. Vignesh. However, Vignesh soon had the satisfaction of trapping Siva in front, and Dragons were 65 for two after eight overs.
At the other end,Jagadeesan continued playing his shots, but Wilkins Victor fell cheaply, holing out in the deep.
It was at that point that the skies opened up, with the score reading 84 for three in eleven overs.
On resumption, Jagadeesan brought up a well-deserved half century, and the 100 came up in the 14th over.
Jagadeesan then went after medium-pacer Thiyagarajan, taking two sixes and a boundary off him in the 15th over as Dragons raced to 127 for three.
Then, Muruganandham had both Sunny Kumar Singh and R. Vivek caught in the deep.
Jagadeesan finally departed in the penultimate over, castled by left-arm spinner D.T. Chandrasekar.
The scores: Dindigul Dragons 142 for nine in 18 overs (N. Jagadeesan 71, Muruganantham four for 22) bt Madurai Super Giants 131 for nine in 18 overs (S. Thiyagarajan 37 n.o., V.R.S. Guru Kedarnath two for 19, M.S. Sanjay two for 29). Target revised to 146 by the VJD Method. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/tnpl-dragons-overcome-super-giants/article9040811.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a9aacd61119f7a82bacdb6db8b5a3ac71ec50ee5f7e382333beba7e867a3a9ec.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:54:03 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A high power committee meeting of the United Democratic Front (UDF) scheduled to be held here on Thursday has been postponed to September 6. The proposed bilateral discussions between the Congress and | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Ftalks-between-congress-allies-to-be-held%2Farticle9052998.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 | TALKS BETWEEN CONGRESS, ALLIES to be held | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A high power committee meeting of the United Democratic Front (UDF) scheduled to be held here on Thursday has been postponed to September 6. The proposed bilateral discussions between the Congress and its allies will also be held on the same day. In a statement here on Tuesday, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan said the meeting had been rescheduled owing to preoccupation of some of the leaders. — Special Correspondent
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/talks-between-congress-allies-to-be-held/article9052998.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8f577184646d6359b7fab3bb09dcdcfc600bbf653ed6607255f2e91f33b3f9ea.json |
[
"Piyush Pandey"
] | 2016-08-26T18:50:56 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | S. N. Subrahmanyan, Deputy Managing Director and President, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will take over as the chairman of the $16 billion engineering and construction powerhouse from Mr. A.M.Naik.“ | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fsubrahmanyan-to-succeed-naik-as-chairman-at-lt%2Farticle9037005.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 | Subrahmanyan to succeed Naik as Chairman at L&T | null | null | www.thehindu.com | S. N. Subrahmanyan, Deputy Managing Director and President, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will take over as the chairman of the $16 billion engineering and construction powerhouse from Mr. A.M.Naik.
“He will succeed me from October 1, 2017. There’s no doubt,” said Mr.Naik (74) introducing Mr. Subrahmanyan to the shareholders at the company’s 71st AGM. “Now, he will take things forward. Ask all your questions to him,” he said.
Sources at L&T confirmed Mr. Subrahmanyan will be elevated as Managing Director.
Mr. Naik, who has been with L&T for over 50 years now, said the company is eyeing to double its revenue to Rs.2 lakh crore by 2021 banking on India’s success story. He expected his successor to take up the unfinished agenda for completion.
“Our goal is to achieve revenue of Rs.2 lakh crore by 2021 without compromising on our margins and achieving an order inflow in excess of Rs.2.5 lakh crore per annum,” said Mr. Naik addressing the shareholders. On unfinished agenda, Mr. Naik said, “Unfinished agenda are many but I have a good successor and he will finish them.”
When asked about tasks he wanted to finish before retiring, Mr. Naik said, “It is a very difficult question because there is so much to be done. But one thing is being asset-light.
“We have put on top gear all restructuring that is left, small businesses to be sold. There is a lot of restructuring work. I have done mentoring of 50 leaders. They are today on the board and they are all mentored by me,” he said.
“India is at the cusp of a turnaround. All indicators are positive. With a projected GDP growth rate of 7.4 per cent in 2016 -17, India is the fastest growing large economy in the world. The government’s thrust on infrastructure and its 'Make in India' initiatives provide a range of opportunities for your company. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/subrahmanyan-to-succeed-naik-as-chairman-at-lt/article9037005.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c0eb75142b01abac2356e046790c4a6759de174d6610e4063e304e639cedc180.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:54:43 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | : The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to inform it about the status of implementation of its stop work order at the Polavaram project.A Bench headed | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fngt-calls-for-report-on-stop-work-order%2Farticle9052424.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 | NGT calls for report on stop work order | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to inform it about the status of implementation of its stop work order at the Polavaram project.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked counsel for the Environment Ministry to submit a status report on the project and the Office Memorandum issued by it for stopping the work, by the next date of hearing on September 5. The Ministry had issued the stop work order in 2011 due to non-compliance of the condition for environment clearance, that is by conducting a public hearing in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
But the Environment Ministry last year decided to keep the stop work order in abeyance for a year, which expired in June this year.
“Counsel appearing for the MoEF prays for further time to take instructions. We hardly find any reason for the same. However in the interest of justice, we grant last opportunity making it clear that in the event of default, the concerned Officer of the Ministry shall be present before the Tribunal on the next date of hearing,” the Bench said. The tribunal was hearing a petition filed by Dari Linga who has alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government was constructing the Polavaram project in gross violation of environmental laws. The tribunal had earlier ordered a joint inspection of the Polavaram dam construction site by the A.P. government, the State Pollution Control Board and the Polavaram Project Authority following a complaint about dumping of mud in West Godavari district.
Polavaram, which the AP government claims is the “lifeline of the State,” has been declared a national project under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. – PTI | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ngt-calls-for-report-on-stop-work-order/article9052424.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5c3ccf9e172351925e697b3227d3f9afcca067cd6a54dd40c51d51c7e2445f50.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T16:58:17 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | R. Dhandapani (74) and his wife K.V. Vasantha (73) of K.K. Pudur here told the media on Thursday that they were influenced by a few persons to give an interview to the media and petitions to the polic | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FCoimbatore%2Fcouple-claims-they-were-influenced-to-talk-against-yoga-centre%2Farticle9034272.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 | Couple claims they were influenced to talk against yoga centre | null | null | www.thehindu.com | R. Dhandapani (74) and his wife K.V. Vasantha (73) of K.K. Pudur here told the media on Thursday that they were influenced by a few persons to give an interview to the media and petitions to the police against Isha Yoga Centre earlier this week.
On Monday, they had told journalists that the yoga centre brainwashed their 32-year-old daughter to take up monkhood and stay at the yoga centre.
In a joint press meet with her daughter on Thursday, Ms. Vasantha claimed that a retired professor (whose daughters have taken up monkhood at the centre), some activists convinced them to lodge a police complaint against the yoga centre and also to give interviews to the media.
Ms. Aparna, their daughter, claimed that she was a volunteer with the yoga centre but had not gone there for more than one-and-a-half months. She also lodged a complaint with Alandurai Police seeking action against those persons who made her parents talk against her.
Ms. Vasantha also wrote to the Superintendent of Police to withdraw the complaint she gave against the yoga centre. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/couple-claims-they-were-influenced-to-talk-against-yoga-centre/article9034272.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8eef598e1bf83e482e2a6c581352483a2b895f60e16eec6cb939bfd0fc81fe1f.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T02:55:59 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Municipal Commissioner S. Venkatakrishna on Tuesday exhorted people to celebrate the Vinayaka Chaviti festival by installing environment-friendly clay idols.Launching a campaign in coordination with v | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fcivic-body-launches-campaign-for-ecofriendly-ganesh-idols%2Farticle9052407.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 | Civic body launches campaign for eco-friendly Ganesh idols | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Municipal Commissioner S. Venkatakrishna on Tuesday exhorted people to celebrate the Vinayaka Chaviti festival by installing environment-friendly clay idols.
Launching a campaign in coordination with voluntary organisations, he said all people should follow the traditional practice of installing Ganesh idols made of natural clay, which has been in vogue for centuries, so that they completely dissolve in water after immersion without causing any harm to the environment.
“We have roped in voluntary organisations who have come forward to make available at least 400 big clay idols to wean away people who are used to installing plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols of late,” he said.
Free idol distribution
Idols made of PoP defeated the very purpose of dissolving the idol in water after the festival as per the age-old religious practice, he pointed out.
The Commissioner suggested that people should give up the tendency of competing with each other over putting up big size Ganesh idols made of PoP in their localities.
Meanwhile, Volunteer Environmental Organisation chairman G.Veerabhadrachari said a clay idol production centre started by it would produce 6,000 clay idols and distribute them free of cost in different parts of the city to facilitate eco-friendly celebrations. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/civic-body-launches-campaign-for-ecofriendly-ganesh-idols/article9052407.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e0f740c2790f76764c161e5a4da20a45cc5b45c831f51e9f0367618a3f4bcc92.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T02:52:45 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The police have held a 16-year-old boy for robbing jewellery, cash, and ATM card from a house in Arcot Town police station limit on Sunday. In his confession, the boy told police he committed the robb | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fstudent-arrested-on-charge-of-looting-teachers-house%2Farticle9044236.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 arrested on charge of looting teacher’s house | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The police have held a 16-year-old boy for robbing jewellery, cash, and ATM card from a house in Arcot Town police station limit on Sunday. In his confession, the boy told police he committed the robbery to buy mobile phone and clothes.
The Class 12 student had gained entry into the house of Janarthanan, a teacher, at TNHB in Arcot Town by breaking open the back door on August 18. The couple — both teachers, had gone to school.
The boy took away cash of Rs. 5000, 10 sovereigns of gold jewellery and an ATM card. The pin number was written on the card. Janarthanan received an alert on his mobile phone when the boy withdrew money from the ATM. He had rushed home to find that his house was robbed, the police said.
Following this, he lodged a complaint with the Arcot Town police. Police said the boy, apparently feeling guilty, packed the jewellery and cash in a cover and threw it at the backyard of the house with an apology letter the next day. However, the family did not notice the packet.
Police zeroed on him using CCTV footage obtained from the ATM centre where he had withdrawn the cash. They arrested him on Sunday.
The boy told the police that he was attending tuition classes a few blocks away from the house of Janarthanan, and had noticed that it was locked during day time. He committed the robbery as he wanted to buy mobile phones and clothes, the police said.
Based on his confession, police recovered the packet containing cash and jewellery. They have produced him before the Juvenile Justice Board. He would be lodged at the Government Observation Home for Boys, Kellys in Chennai. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/student-arrested-on-charge-of-looting-teachers-house/article9044236.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f2930194574e10d17d7c5e800fefbd7a29755f458234ff0642a537db5867644a.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T14:50:21 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Vijay Sakhi, who maintains form, may score an encore in the first division of the Democracy Plate (1,100m), the main event of the races to be held here on Sunday (Aug. 28). DONEGAL PLATE (2,000m), | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fraces%2Fvijay-sakhi-may-score-an-encore%2Farticle9040630.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 | Vijay Sakhi may score an encore | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Vijay Sakhi, who maintains form, may score an encore in the first division of the Democracy Plate (1,100m), the main event of the races to be held here on Sunday (Aug. 28).
DONEGAL PLATE (2,000m), 5-y-o & over, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 2-15 p.m.: 1. Buckshee (2) G. Naresh 62.5, 2. Undu Undu Undu (3) Srinath 62.5, 3. Lightning Streak (6) K. Sai Kiran 60.5, 4. Sonic (5) Sai Kumar 60.5, 5. Vijays Splendour (4) S.S. Tanwar 60, 6. Vijay Vidyut (8) Laxmikanth 59, 7. Upon A Star (7) Akshay Kumar 55.5 and 8. Danielle (1) A.S. Pawar 51.5.
1. Danielle, 2. Buckshee, 3. Lightning Streak
DEMOCRACY PLATE (Div. I), (1,100m), 5-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 2-45: 1. Staying The Best (9) G. Naresh 62, 2. Vijay Sakhi (3) Srinath 59.5, 3. Dandelion (8) Md. Sameerudin 58.5, 4. Modern Sniper (12) S. Sreekant 58.5, 5. Always Together (1) Aneel 57.5, 6. Rubyonrails (5) Deepak Singh 57, 7. Red Express (10) K. Sai Kiran 54.5, 8. Military Cross (6) A.S. Pawar 53.5, 9. Dandy Girl (7) Akshay Kumar 53, 10. Romantic Fire (4) Ajit Singh 53, 11. Symbol Of Pride (11) Ajeeth Kumar 52 and 12. Bouquet (2) S.S. Tanwar 51.
1. Vijay Sakhi, 2. Modern Sniper, 3. Dandy Girl
ELUSIVE HERO CUP (1,200m), 4-y-o & over, (which have not won more than one race), rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 3-15: 1. True Pearl (6) K. Sai Kiran 60, 2. Pamella (8) P. Gaddam 58, 3. Golden Angel (5) G. Naresh 57, 4. Racing Ruler (4) S. Sreekant 57, 5. Vijays Delight (3) Laxmikanth 57, 6. In Command (10) Ajit Singh 54, 7. Onk Onk Onk (7) Sai Kiran 51.5, 8. Golden Phoenix (9) A.S. Pawar 51, 9. Yes Baby (1) C.P. Bopanna 51 and 10. Steyn Memories (2) N. Rawal 50.5.
1. Onk Onk Onk, 2. Golden Phoenix, 3. Pamella
DEMOCRACY PLATE (Div. II), (1,100m), 5-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 3-45: 1. Sprint Legend (4) Md. Sameeruddin 60.5, 2. Symbol Of Glory (11) Kiran Naidu 60, 3. Camborne (5) C.S. Vikrant 59.5, 4. Vijays Grandeour (8) Khurshad Alam 58, 5. Vijays Triumph (9) A. Joshi 57.5, 6. Midnight In Paris (10) N. Rawal 56.5, 7. Fair And Squre (7) N.S. Rathore 53.5, 8. Altruist (6) Sai Kumar 53, 9. Green Jewel (3) G. Naresh 53, 10. Catherine (1) A.S. Pawar 52.5 and 11. Rock Heights (2) Akshay Kumar 52.
1. Sprint Legend, 2. Rock Heights, 3. Altruist
POLICE TROPHY (1,100m), (Cat. II), maiden 3-y-o only (Terms), 4-15: 1. Citi Colors (9) Sai Kumar 56, 2. Fortune Star (5) Aneel 56, 3. Golden Joy (7) G. Naresh 56, 4. Kind David (3) Deepak Singh 56, 5. Magical Skill (6) B. Dileep 56, 6. Monkey Shoulder (4) Deep Shanker 56, 7. Cash Landing (2) A.S. Pawar 54.5, 8. Chinese Thought (1) C.S. Vikrant 54.5 and 9. Vijays Wonder (8) Laxmikanth 54.5.
1. Cash Landing, 2. Golden Joy, 3. Vijays Wonder
KHAMMAM PLATE (1,200m), 3-y-o only, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 4-45: 1. George Cross (7) Srinath 60, 2. Vijay’s Dynamite (4) Deep Shanker 59.5, 3. Space Ship (8) N. S. Rathore 59, 4. Sea Castle (3) Deepak Singh 58.5, 5. Platinum (9) Koushik 58, 6. Ans Ans Ans (11) Sai Kumar 57.5, 7. Golden Adara (2) Ajit Singh 57.5, 8. Cannon Hope ( 10) Kunal Bunde 52.5, 9. Cashel (5) P. Gaddam 52.5, 10. Carnival Express (6) K. Sai Kiran 51 and 11. Vijay’s Empire (1) S.S. Tanwar 51.
1. Vijay’s Dynamite, 2. Space Ship, 3. George Cross
Day’s best: Cash Landing
Double: Vijay Sakhi – Vijay’s Dynamite
Jkt: 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6; Tr (i): 1, 2 & 3; (ii): 4, 5 & 6; Tla: all races. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/vijay-sakhi-may-score-an-encore/article9040630.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fe8cb85248fe82a3d703583ba28b93e73fb9deaac3e11817464335309e717330.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T08:53:41 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Of 65 buses sanctioned for Shivamogga city under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for intra-city public transportation, 20 buses will commence service from August 29, said K.B | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2F20-new-buses-to-commence-service-from-august-29%2Farticle9040487.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 | 20 new buses to commence service from August 29 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Of 65 buses sanctioned for Shivamogga city under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for intra-city public transportation, 20 buses will commence service from August 29, said K.B. Prasanna Kumar, Shivamogga MLA.
Of the 20 buses, 10 are standard and 10 are mini buses. According to the route schedule worked by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the buses will ply along Kashipur-Malavagoppa, Gopala-Ragigudda, Railway terminal-Ashoka Circle-Circuit House Circle routes in the initial phase.
Minister for Revenue Kagodu Thimmappa will flag-off these services. Mr. Kumar said that, based on the demand, the KSRTC would press buses for service on other routes also. The KSRTC would distribute passes for the students and for general public to ply in these buses. The remaining 45 buses sanctioned under JNNURM will also arrive soon, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/20-new-buses-to-commence-service-from-august-29/article9040487.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4b5de4e93db9eb6b26f107c6877c5e28340568a9b467fcf0c8fbeec6342da759.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:55:25 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | A 35-member all-party delegation, which will include Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, will visit Jammu and Kashmir on September 4-5. Before the delegation visits the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fseparatist-leaders-plea-not-maintainable-sc%2Farticle9051336.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 | Separatist leader’s plea not maintainable: SC | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A 35-member all-party delegation, which will include Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, will visit Jammu and Kashmir on September 4-5.
Before the delegation visits the Valley, Members of Parliament will be given a briefing by officials on September 3, a senior Home Ministry official said.
Our Legal Correspondent
Separatist leader’s plea not maintainable: SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied any relief to Ashiq Hussain Faktoo, a Kashmiri separatist leader lodged in the Srinagar Central Jail for over 23 years for the murder of human rights activist Hridhay Nath Wanchoo.
A three-judge Bench held that his writ petition asking the court to re-consider its decision to award life sentence to him merely on the basis of his confessional statements under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 was not maintainable. “The present writ petition under Article 32 by no stretch of reasoning would fit into any of the permissible categories of post conviction exercises permissible in law,” the court held. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/separatist-leaders-plea-not-maintainable-sc/article9051336.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/19b45df4f709085c73fb50e8546032ce51f2014b6e7ded985a816c559bce4111.json |
[
"Parshathy J. Nath"
] | 2016-08-31T12:52:09 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Jayaraj’s love affair with William Shakespeare goes back a long way to his childhood, when he used to sit engrossed, listening to the Kadhaprasangam shows in Kerala. It’s one of oratory art forms of p | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Ffilmmaker-jayaraj-talks-about-his-enduring-fascination-with-the-bard-and-how-macbeth-inspired-his-latest-movie-veeram%2Farticle9055554.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/01cbmpJayaraj_2993521c.jpg | en | null | Filmmaker Jayaraj talks about his enduring fascination with the Bard and how Macbeth inspired his latest movie Veeram | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Filmmaker Jayaraj tells us about his enduring fascination with the Bard and how Macbeth inspired his latest movie Veeram
Jayaraj’s love affair with William Shakespeare goes back a long way to his childhood, when he used to sit engrossed, listening to the Kadhaprasangam shows in Kerala. It’s one of oratory art forms of pre-television era, where the narrator keeps the audience hooked to his stories through music and humour. And, it’s during these nights that he came across the stories of Shakespeare. The images of Othello, Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra were etched in the little one’s mind. “The tragedy of Othello haunted me for many nights. Why would a man so much in love with his wife, kill her?” And, many years later they resurfaced when Jayaraj recreated these European narratives in the context of Kerala.
Kaliyattam, a creative adaptation of Othello seasoned with Theyyam colours and Kerala folk strains, won both critical and popular votes. And, Kannagi, a spin off from Antony and Cleopatra, featured Nandita Das as the strong-willed wife of Kovalan. Now, his latest film Veeram, a tri-lingual film, starring Hollywood technicians, is a retelling of the vengeful tale of Macbeth. It will be the opening film for the first ever film festival of the BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi on September 2. “I have seen European audience sitting spell bound watching Kaliyattam. It is a great feeling when an international crowd appreciates your take on Shakespeare,” says Jayaraj.
Veeram tells the stories of a tradition where men lost their lives for the petty whims of the royalty. It is a perfect cocktail of tragedy of ambition, and who other than Shakespeare has echoes these better, asks Jayaraj. “He is always relevant all the times. No one has known the human mind better.”
If it were the Theyyam tradition and the Tamil legends that anchored the Shakespearean narrative to the Indian contexts in his first two films, in Veeram it is Vadakkan Veeragadha, a ballad tradition of North Malabar of Kerala that forms the backdrop. The film, set in 13th century Kerala, tells the story of chekavars, the brave soldiers.“The idea to merge Macbeth and the Vadakkan Veeragadha tradition was not planned at all. It came all of a sudden to me. You cannot really track its origin. Such creative impulses spring from an unknown source.”
Recreating Macbeth was not an easy job as he had predecessors of the likes of Akira Kurosawa and Roman Polanski to look upto. “In Throne of Blood, Kurosawa using a medium in a graveyard to represent the spirits. In my film, the manthravadinis, local witches in Kerala’s ritualistic tradition, stand for the three witches. The process is called Japichu Kettal, commonly practised in Kerala.”
The Birnam forest becomes Tulu forests of Karnataka where the chekavars used to go for higher studies in Kalari, and Macbeth becomes Chandu, alive in the popular folklore in Kerala. “We have attempted a trans-creation of sorts, an interpretation of the original text, rather than a mechanical adaptation. That’s the benefit of basing a story on a classic. You can merge it into any context.” But, they have taken liberty with costumes. “The chekavan’s costume is actually not so colorful. So, we have jazzed it up a little to give it a primitive feel. After all, it’s not a documentary.”
The film also features one song of the late Kavalam Narayana Panikker, a theatre director and poet, who is also known for his adaptations of Shakespeare and Sanskrit plays into Malayalam. The song will be composed by M.K.Arjunan, known for his melodies. Dr. M.R Varrier the most authentic voice for North Malabar accent and language has penned the script and dialogues. “Most of the Malayalam films that have told the Vadakkan Veeragadha stories use Valluvanadan dialect (spoken by people in South Kerala). That is not the native tongue of these people. Veeram will be the first film to use the authentic North Malabar dialect.”
They hunted down for actors, who had the physical stature to pull off kalari. “We wanted people with fit and flexible bodies. Kunal Kapoor fitted the bill. We are also introducing Shivajith Nambiar, who will be a big asset to Malayalam cinema. All the actors, including the women have been rigorously trained in kalari.” The film has been shot in Hindi , English and Malayalam in 45 days. “You call up the actors now and they will belt out the dialogues in all the three languages,” laughs Jayaraj.
The story is the dream child of Jayaraj. “I have been traveling the last five years with the story board wherever I go. I am lucky to have producers who gave me full freedom to execute this.” A big chunk of the budget is spent on the Hollywood technicians. “Usually Malayalam films spent 90 per cent budget on their stars. Unlike them, we have spent it on the technical perfection.”
Directors of period films, involving heavy budget, often receive flak for reducing cinema into just a soulless spectacle. Does Jayaraj fear such a backlash? “We have not tried to spell-bind people with gimmicks and VFX effects. There is an element of grandeur that the script demands. Cinema for me is a deep engagement; something which has to penetrate the human mind. I will always be committed to serious cinema.” | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/filmmaker-jayaraj-talks-about-his-enduring-fascination-with-the-bard-and-how-macbeth-inspired-his-latest-movie-veeram/article9055554.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2e419c5172a5bbca94ff147270fb6bd12e76685ebb7d44f61c64516d2154873c.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T06:53:06 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | : The YSR Congress suspects that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has struck a ‘secret deal’ with his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao in the ‘cash-for-vote’ episode.Party’s State general | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fysrc-alleges-secret-deal-between-naidu-kcr%2Farticle9047777.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 | YSRC alleges secret deal between Naidu, KCR | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Face probe if you are innocent, Bhumana tells A.P. Chief Minister
: The YSR Congress suspects that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has struck a ‘secret deal’ with his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao in the ‘cash-for-vote’ episode.
Party’s State general secretary Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Monday alleged that Mr. Naidu had paid Rs.500 crore to Mr. Rao in the first phase to hush up the scam allegedly involving TDP legislator A. Revanth Reddy. He accused Mr. Naidu of going to the extent of pledging the State’s interests at the feet of the Central government by not raising the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act and also yielding to pressure from Telangana on sharing Krishna and Godavari waters.
“With the ACB court directing its officials to reinvestigate the case, fresh tremors have been felt in the Telugu Desam Party. Even party insiders know that Rs.500 crore has changed hands,” he told a media conference here. He demanded a CBI probe into the cash-for-vote scam and also an inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge into the ‘secret deal.’ | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ysrc-alleges-secret-deal-between-naidu-kcr/article9047777.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1ad11e945971e4a87114a00b90da3ace9a277baab97f533f36cd45d669185630.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T20:52:21 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Mitra Biotech, a biotech start-up that develops and provides technologies to personalise cancer treatment, has raised $27.4 million (Rs.184 crore) in a financing round led by venture capital firms Se | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fcancerfighting-startup-mitra-biotech-raises-274-million%2Farticle9046595.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 | Cancer-fighting start-up Mitra Biotech raises $27.4 million | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Mitra Biotech, a biotech start-up that develops and provides technologies to personalise cancer treatment, has raised $27.4 million (Rs.184 crore) in a financing round led by venture capital firms Sequoia India and Sands Capital Ventures. U.S.-based RA Capital Management and the firm’s existing investors Accel Partners and Tata Capital Innovations Fund also participated. The venture, founded by a team of Harvard and MIT researchers, would utilise the funds to expand the availability of its CANScript service.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/cancerfighting-startup-mitra-biotech-raises-274-million/article9046595.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e4498ef81019650821a1640efe48019986fce4b049a4da99b210ebc4ff7a7a3e.json |
[
"Manojit Saha"
] | 2016-08-26T20:51:01 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Ashima Goyal, who is a member of the Technical Advisory Committee on monetary policy since its inception in 2011 and a Professor of Economics at the Indira Gandhi Institute for Development Research (I | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FEconomy%2Fashima-goyal%2Farticle9036948.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/TH27_BU_ASHIMA_GOY_2987592c.jpg | en | null | If inflation slows, repo rate should fall: Ashima Goyal | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Ashima Goyal, who is a member of the Technical Advisory Committee on monetary policy since its inception in 2011 and a Professor of Economics at the Indira Gandhi Institute for Development Research (IGIDR), says headline inflation will slow from the present level as food prices are going to come down. She spoke to Manojit Saha. Edited excerpts:
Do you think retail inflation, which has risen to above 6 per cent in July mainly due to rise in food prices, can derail Reserve Bank of India’s 5 per cent inflation target for March 2017?
We are in a special situation as the country has seen a poor monsoon in the past two years. Despite that food inflation did not reach high double digits like in the late 2000s.
The government has taken some steps to increase the acreage of food items like pulses. Monsoon is good this year. We could see a fall in food prices going ahead.
Last time when we saw double digit food inflation, it had an impact on inflation expectations. Also, with increasing government expenditure, the rural wages were rising very fast. That led to the persistence of food inflation since food demand went up but supply side bottlenecks had not been resolved. But this time, we have seen some action on the supply side. Also we do not currently have that kind of high rural wage growth. Some select items like vegetables are seeing double digit growth but that is likely to be temporary. And, that is not going to impact expectations. Overall food inflation has not reached double digits. So, this time retail inflation is not likely to be persistent.
Even if the 5 per cent target is breached, RBI will remain well within the overall target of 4 per cent, plus or minus 2 per cent.
But inflation expectations are still high?
Household inflation expectations were in double digits but fell steeply. Then there was a slight uptick. If food prices fall after the good monsoon, then expectations will also fall. Also, it is the direction of this expectation which is important than the amount since that is subjective.
In addition, inflation targeting plays a role in anchoring inflation expectations once the average household thinks inflation is going to come down and stay at 4 per cent.
What do you think must be the two key priorities of the new RBI Governor Urjit Patel?
He has to resolve the bank NPA issue yet get credit flowing. I think some combination of discipline as well as allowing them some time so that they can benefit from the business cycle turning to that of lower rates and higher growth.
Second, since he was the author of the inflation targeting framework report, to help set it going will be an important priority. Using signals to anchor inflation expectations even as growth revives and rates fall could be a challenging and interesting task.
Inflation targeting does not mean only raising rates — if inflation is falling, the repo rate needs to fall. And if you don’t reduce the rate if inflation falls, it hurts inflation targeting itself. People say if you are an inflation hawk you will keep rates high.
But rates are dependent on inflation. If inflation falls, interest rates have to fall. That inflation targeting does not only mean increasing rates also has to be communicated.
There is a debate about targeting headline inflation as some say we need to be flexible. What are your views on this issue?
If the premier role of inflation targeting is to anchor household inflation expectations then the headline CPI basket has the prices they see. That is why it is useful to target the headline CPI.But it is true that the headline has a lot of components that are not affected by aggregate demand. So, RBI’s actions alone are not going to reduce that inflation except to the extent that it stems inflation expectations.
I think we should target CPI but there is a need for more coordination between the government and the RBI in terms of what components of inflation that the government can best address through supply side management, improving agriculture infrastructure and marketing.
Do you think the medium-term inflation target of 4 per cent is achievable?
As I said the cooperation between the demand and the supply side, between the RBI and the government is very important to achieve this. If prices of some critical commodities like oil, food, pulses, milk are brought down, in which the government has an important role to play, the target is achievable.
RBI talks about maintaining a real rate of interest of between 225 and 250 bps, which is the difference between inflation and the repo rate. Do you think there is a need to revisit the real or the neutral rate?
Internationally, there is a huge debate on this. People are saying that neutral or natural interest rate is in negative zone due to demand recession. In India, we also have a lot of excess capacity, export growth has been falling, which means we are facing a demand shock from abroad. The neutral rate is affected by temporary shocks. Negative demand shocks reduce it. The natural rate cannot be a fixed rate. It is subject to present conditions. Policymakers have to respond to demand shocks. The natural rate can be 1 or 1.5 per cent depending on the situation. Since domestic demand is also low, the policy needs to compensate for that in order to stabilise output. So, probably the natural rate is lower than 2.5 per cent.
There is a concern that GST, which is expected to come into effect from April 2017, will stoke inflation, at least in the short-run. Will that be a concern for policy makers?
If it is a temporary blip then there is no need to worry. I think any rise would be a transient issue. In case if it coincides with falling food prices, and oil prices remain soft, and so that headline inflation stays well within the target band of 4 per cent +/-2 per cent also, it would not be an issue.
Economic growth continues to be sluggish. What are the constraints?
One puzzling factor is the persistence of low private investment. That is required for growth to pull up. It suggests demand is the real constraint. Firms will not invest if they don’t see movement in sales.
There are also sectoral issues such as the high debt of infrastructure developers because projects were stuck. The payouts following the Seventh Pay Commission implementation should help revive consumer demand. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/ashima-goyal/article9036948.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bf80effc84aaf41f40ea6b0969252f42a3262fa2f9efbf74dbe1df3f65b80df9.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T15:04:28 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The city police have arrested six students who allegedly stole the hood emblems of around 12 luxury cars for selling them at a higher price. The students kept the emblems in their schoolbags.The polic | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fstudents-held-for-stealing-hood-emblems-of-luxury-cars%2Farticle9034739.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 | Students held for stealing hood emblems of luxury cars | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The city police have arrested six students who allegedly stole the hood emblems of around 12 luxury cars for selling them at a higher price. The students kept the emblems in their schoolbags.
The police tracked the students following an inquiry conducted into three such cases registered at Chevayur and Medical College stations. The students were produced before the Juvenile Court on Thursday and later released on bail in the presence of their parents.
U.K. Shajahan, Sub-Inspector of Chevayur station, said the students were planning to sell the emblems at a higher price. “Most of them hoped that they would get at least Rs.40, 000 for a single emblem,” he said.
According to the police officer, the students were falling prey to the false propagation about the price of stolen logos outside the market.
The police team found the students even stole the emblems of cars which were parked inside gated compounds. Though there were several complaints, only a few owners lodged written complaints with the police.
The six accused children in the three registered cases were high school students. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/students-held-for-stealing-hood-emblems-of-luxury-cars/article9034739.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/eea5aabe1cf838da2aa75ce0e9386ad295df75bf3a485939ce5397430ee64b58.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T02:52:23 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana on Tuesday said that he had been a perfect tax-payer with not a single case of default against him. He was refuting the allegations made against him by fo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fnarayana-refutes-undavallis-charge%2Farticle9052426.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 | Narayana refutes Undavalli’s charge | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana on Tuesday said that he had been a perfect tax-payer with not a single case of default against him. He was refuting the allegations made against him by former Congress MP Undavalli Arun Kumar.
Addressing the media here, Mr. Narayana said that there was no truth in the allegation that he had cheated the government by registering his educational institutions as a society and not paying taxes. “I had made a humble beginning by starting a coaching centre in 1979. My efforts paid off, thanks [to] quality education I offered. There has never been a single instance of default in IT returns and payment of taxes so far. Unfortunately, he (Arun Kumar) is speaking untruths without knowing the ground reality,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/narayana-refutes-undavallis-charge/article9052426.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/02e6f1daf81dc4a08c57622ea903e63c3aa8e0275865104c59d08140487e19b7.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:55:02 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday, announced a scheme to screen newborns for hearing impairment. The State government has allocated Rs. 3.30 crore for the purpose. The pilot project would be lau | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fnewborns-to-be-screened-for-hearing-impairmen%2Farticle9051389.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 | Newborns to be screened for hearing impairment | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday, announced a scheme to screen newborns for hearing impairment. The State government has allocated Rs. 3.30 crore for the purpose.
The pilot project would be launched in Chennai and Sivaganga district.
The project would be implemented in 11 maternity hospitals in Chennai and the district headquarters hospital in Sivaganga, taluk hospitals and upgraded primary health centres.
The government has also proposed to implement the AAWAZ – augmentative and alternative communication for mentally challenged children. “Children in government homes will be given an iPad to enable communication among them.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/newborns-to-be-screened-for-hearing-impairmen/article9051389.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ab2e92dfc69b9da8fed46effefa835d0a03f3bb07495a922c513cf249c3c8854.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T04:52:02 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at the Cochin University of Science and Technology has invited applications for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in an Indo-French project.The duration of the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Fapplications-invited-for-jrf%2Farticle9048345.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 | Applications invited for JRF | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at the Cochin University of Science and Technology has invited applications for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in an Indo-French project.
The duration of the project is three years. Application forms can be downloaded from http://acarr.cusat.ac.in/wordpress-4.3.1/index.php/careers/.
It should be forwarded, along with relevant documents, to kmkacarr@gmail.com or can be sent by post to The Director, Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kalamassery, before September 15. – Special Correspondent | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/applications-invited-for-jrf/article9048345.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d5eca46a4956efd0419eeecc895ad2f2541ae30a5db3ad2779ca19dd944e3508.json |
[
"T. Nandakumar"
] | 2016-08-27T00:57:25 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | : The reconstitution of the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) in June has hampered the functioning of the regulatory body and left it struggling to cope with the structural changes, lea | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Fstructural-recast-stymies-kczma%2Farticle9034629.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02986/22tvtnk03_KCZMA_26_2986950c.jpg | en | null | Structural recast stymies KCZMA | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Applications for Coastal Regulation Zone clearancepiling up
: The reconstitution of the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) in June has hampered the functioning of the regulatory body and left it struggling to cope with the structural changes, leading to concerns over the poor enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Coastal communities, including fishers, allege that applications for housing are piling up at the KCZMA office. Officials admit that the structural changes had literally grounded the authority, creating conditions conducive to violation of CRZ norms. “With the nomination of officials from different government agencies, decision-making has become an uphill task, with the result that things have come to a standstill,” says a highly placed official.
The Principal Secretary of the Environment Department now chairs the authority in place of the Principal Secretary, Science and Technology. The Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board has been nominated as Member Secretary of the authority, a post earlier held by the Member Secretary of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE).
The restructured authority includes four expert members as well as the Principal Secretary of the Local Self-Government and Industries Departments and the Secretaries of the Fisheries, Revenue and Urban Affairs departments and a representative of a non-governmental organisation.
Lack of expertise
The KCZMA secretariat continues to function from the headquarters of the KSCSTE. “Left with no representation in the KCZMA, the Science and Technology Department which has been handling applications for CRZ clearance all these years has distanced itself from its functioning. The Environment Department, on the other hand, lacks the technical knowhow to process the applications,” says the official.
Applicants confused
The Kerala Pradesh Fishermen Congress Committee has alleged that the KCZMA was making no effort to clear the huge backlog of applications, including those for constructing houses for fishermen. “With multiple agencies involved in the KCZMA, applicants are confused and many of them are approaching panchayats,” said committee president T.N. Prathapan.
He urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to establish an independent office for the authority and expedite the processing of applications. Mr. Prathapan warned that the costal communities in the State would launch an agitation to press the demand. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/structural-recast-stymies-kczma/article9034629.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a0408056e99155f9f97d0a524eccbe3863e2089c71593a81ddff7a46c84741cf.json |
[
"Internet Desk"
] | 2016-08-27T16:50:22 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | There were a couple of 'firsts' in the Twenty20 match held Lauderhill, Florida. It was the first time an International match was held at the venue. But one man decided to take the game head on, carin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Fwho-is-evin-lewis%2Farticle9040678.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/EVIN_LEWIS_AP_2988829c.jpg | en | null | Who is Evin Lewis? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | There were a couple of 'firsts' in the Twenty20 match held Lauderhill, Florida. It was the first time an International match was held at the venue. But one man decided to take the game head on, caring very little for reputation or the occasion Evin Lewis.
Lewis hit the fifth fastest hundred as he reached the milestone in just 48 balls. The injury to Chris Gayle proved to be a blessing for the 24-year-old, who replaced the star batsman in the playing XI. None of the Indian bowlers came out unscathed as they were butchered by the batting pyrotechnics of the world champions.
Today’s 245 for 6 was the third highest innings total in a T20, behind 260/6 scored by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 2007 and 248/6 by Australia against England in 2013.
This was also the highest T20 International score against India by any team, surpassing the 219 for 4 by South Africa in Johannesburg in March 2012.
The Trinidad and Tobago player was a part of the championship winning Under-19 side in 2008. He announced his arrival on the international stage during the 2013 Champions League tournament where he was the top-scorer of his team. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/who-is-evin-lewis/article9040678.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/eda05a294677ce53a80ceca826ee8d5ee12f143a9097ebba771c68fc37dcba95.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T06:54:11 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A 52-year-old woman from Veerapandi Pirivu in Coimbatore who was undergoing treatment in the special ward of the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FCoimbatore%2Fwoman-dies-of-h1n1%2Farticle9052811.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 | Woman dies of H1N1 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A 52-year-old woman from Veerapandi Pirivu in Coimbatore who was undergoing treatment in the special ward of the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and also showed symptoms of H1N1 died on Monday night. However, the result for tests conducted to confirm that she also had H1N1 that tested positive reached the hospital only on Tuesday, hours after she died. Hospital Dean A. Edwin Joe said that she was in a critical condition from the time she was brought here from another hospital (last Thursday) and was under the support of a ventilator from then on.
A 62-year-old man with H1N1 is the only other patient in the special ward for those infected by the virus.
His condition continues to be critical, a hospital authority said.
Dengue
While no fresh cases of dengue were reported over the last few days, three persons were admitted in the ward for dengue patients at the CMCH on Tuesday. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/woman-dies-of-h1n1/article9052811.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8bb24fa89a15e0b2642c100ae1326d1d1689350aba3400aefd6e1bdba8e33c2e.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T00:51:30 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The promise of peace at the end of a protracted conflict in Colombia may evoke a degree of scepticism if not undue pessimism. Peace is still contingent upon approval in a popular plebiscite. Pitted a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Feditorial%2Fpeace-on-the-horizon-in-colombia%2Farticle9036964.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 | Peace on the horizon in Colombia | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The promise of peace at the end of a protracted conflict in Colombia may evoke a degree of scepticism if not undue pessimism. Peace is still contingent upon approval in a popular plebiscite. Pitted against President Juan Manuel Santos, who seeks to sell the agreement with the rebel militia, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), is his predecessor Álvaro Uribe, credited with forcing the guerrillas to the negotiating table. The former President now opposes a proposed amnesty to FARC leaders and the prospect of running for political office as a compromise in the extreme. Official pardons and reduced sentences for confessions to crimes were part of a transitional arrangement. Mr. Uribe’s political pitch could well resonate with a populace disillusioned with decades of mass disappearances and massacre of civilians that resulted in the loss of over 200,000 lives, besides the millions who went missing. Conversely, the chances of genuine and lasting reconciliation between the government and the rebels will depend on the establishment of effective mechanisms to bring the latter back to mainstream society. A particularly formidable challenge would be the demobilisation of guerrillas, thousands of whom were kidnapped as children and pushed into drug trafficking and fighting. Many of them have been victims of sexual abuse. Their rehabilitation is vital.
About a quarter million Colombian children were displaced in the last three years of peace negotiations, the United Nations said in March, an estimate corroborated by Unicef. That is some indication of how formidable the situation on the ground has become since the beginnings of the conflict half a century ago. Bogota’s final agreement with the insurgents comes as the culmination of four years of hard negotiations mediated by Havana since 2012. Sustaining the momentum for peace and channelling it into a credible and lasting settlement would call for huge investment by way of political capital and constructive economic incentives. Given that the State Department continues to regard FARC as a terrorist organisation, the rapprochement between Washington and Havana could serve as a crucial force to contain the rhetoric between Colombia and the U.S. Washington, in fact, could do much to facilitate the consolidation of democratic institutions in its long-troubled neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the readiness to engage the government in a dialogue by a smaller extremist organisation, the National Liberation Army, will boost the credibility of President Santos’s efforts. Latin America’s last significant armed insurgency seems well within sight of abating, at long last. The latest agreement may be just the beginning on that difficult road, but it is an important one nonetheless. | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/peace-on-the-horizon-in-colombia/article9036964.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4fa3cc9304e04f25f16c5c18af0b3b9463bb4c0d98721640e0f9682fc63fffa3.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T12:51:28 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Former Madhya Pradesh Governor Mohammad Shafi Qureshi passed away in Delhi on Monday, a Raj Bhavan official here said. He was 87.Mr. Qureshi was a prominent leader of Jammu and Kashmir and had also s | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fformer-mp-governor-mohammad-shafi-qureshi-dead%2Farticle9045948.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 | Former MP Governor Mohammad Shafi Qureshi dead | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Former Madhya Pradesh Governor Mohammad Shafi Qureshi passed away in Delhi on Monday, a Raj Bhavan official here said. He was 87.
Mr. Qureshi was a prominent leader of Jammu and Kashmir and had also served as former Union Minister.
He was the 19th Governor of Madhya Pradesh and was appointed on June 24, 1993. Mr. Qureshi remained in office till 1998, the official said.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra and Industries Minister Rajendra Shukla among others expressed grief over Mr. Qureshi’s demise. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/former-mp-governor-mohammad-shafi-qureshi-dead/article9045948.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6a9a6602a2cce3d8def2476137f50dea1ab8b642c456f4359b5e5623043d692b.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T10:58:30 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Mild showers and pleasant weather may continue for another day, bringing in some much-needed respite for residents. However, the residents have started dreading traffic jams such as those created on | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Frain-likely-to-continue-till-thursday-evening%2Farticle9051477.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 | Rain likely to continue till Thursday evening | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Mild showers and pleasant weather may continue for another day, bringing in some much-needed respite for residents.
However, the residents have started dreading traffic jams such as those created on Tuesday afternoon, after the heavy bout of rain.
The meteorological department has predicted that the rain may reduce gradually after Thursday evening.
Officials said an upper air circulation and formation of a trough had led to these light showers.
While Nungambakkam received 0.7 cm of rain, Meenambakkam got 1 cm on Tuesday.
The skies will continue to be cloudy and there may be rain or thundershowers in some areas of the city for the next 24 hours, officials said. The maximum and minimum temperature in the city was 35 degree Celsius and 26 degree Celsius respectively.
Rain in the afternoon also triggered traffic congestion in various roads across the city.
Other cities in the State including Madurai, Tiruchi and Salem are also likely to receive rain over the next 24 hours. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/rain-likely-to-continue-till-thursday-evening/article9051477.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a29f3db8d0f05469722431a0adef4c902393c16cbc6dc999581ba9fd856cdf03.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T10:50:45 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | National Award winning actor Kangana Ranaut has gone to the U.S. where she is preparing for her role in forthcoming film Simran. In Hansal Mehta’s directorial venture Simran, Kangana will play a Guja | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fcinema%2Fkangana-flies-to-us-to-prepare-for-her-role-in-hansal-mehtas-simran%2Farticle9042772.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02398/KANGANA_2398193c.jpg | en | null | Kangana flies to U.S. to prepare for her role in Hansal Mehta's ‘Simran’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In Hansal Mehta’s directorial venture Simran, Kangana will play a Gujarati NRI named Praful Patel.
National Award winning actor Kangana Ranaut has gone to the U.S. where she is preparing for her role in forthcoming film Simran.
In Hansal Mehta’s directorial venture Simran, Kangana will play a Gujarati NRI named Praful Patel.
“She (Kangana) is doing her recce and workshop session with Hansal Mental and team for Simran. She is in Atlanta right now meeting hotel staff to get the nuances correct,” sources said.
The Queen star had left for the U.S. on August 24 and she will back in Mumbai on September 1.
Simran is the story of a girl, her ambitions and how she gets addicted to the world of crime.
According to sources, the shooting for the film is expected to commence from September end. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kangana-flies-to-us-to-prepare-for-her-role-in-hansal-mehtas-simran/article9042772.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/531ae22b1718ca6258b5f5dd35770d676bac0d74e013f80ec804cfbfd8c92d62.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T22:51:08 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Kochi city police on Sunday arrested a youth on charges of raping a 15-year-old girl.The accused has been identified as Ashik Pradeep, 19, a native of Elamkunnapuzha, Vypeen. The arrest followed a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Fyouth-held-on-charge-of-raping-minor%2Farticle9043000.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 | Youth held on charge of raping minor | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Kochi city police on Sunday arrested a youth on charges of raping a 15-year-old girl.
The accused has been identified as Ashik Pradeep, 19, a native of Elamkunnapuzha, Vypeen. The arrest followed a complaint filed by parents of the victim. He landed in police custody during a combing operation at the Marine Drive walk way. He was booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act.
Meanwhile, the police also arrested three friends of the accused, identified as Sarath Kumar, Vysakh and Abhiraj, all in their 20s, for allegedly threatening the victim’s parents on behalf of the accused.
As per the complaint, the accused had barged into the victim’s house and threatened her parents at knifepoint for filing a complaint against Ashik.
The police are on the lookout of more persons in this connection. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/youth-held-on-charge-of-raping-minor/article9043000.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8d2d5349eee7e8bdd6769becfadd09b7c2c55854ae61a171583892f240ce58cf.json |
[
"Y. B. Sarangi"
] | 2016-08-28T04:53:32 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Everyone knows the house of 15-year-old gymnast Asmita Pal. It is in the Jagahari Mura area of Agartala. Twenty metres down an extremely narrow and downhill lane, you reach a small two-room, tin-roof | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmagazine%2Fcan-dipa-karmakars-feat-help-tripura-regain-its-glory-days-as-a-gymnastics-crucible%2Farticle9035974.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/28_SM_GYMNASTICS_1_2987233c.jpg | en | null | Can Dipa Karmakar’s feat help Tripura regain its glory days as a gymnastics crucible? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Can Dipa Karmakar’s feat help Tripura regain its glory days as the country’s gymnastics crucible?
Everyone knows the house of 15-year-old gymnast Asmita Pal. It is in the Jagahari Mura area of Agartala. Twenty metres down an extremely narrow and downhill lane, you reach a small two-room, tin-roofed affair that accommodates five members of the Pal family and as many pigeons.
Asmita’s father is Arun Chandra Pal, a daily-wage labourer who has not allowed his meagre earnings to become an obstacle for his daughters’ dreams. Her elder sister is doing her Master’s in English, and her second sister is an undergraduate and has tried her hand at gymnastics and judo. Pal, who was inspired by her sister to take up gymnastics, is in Class X and has already caught attention with her skills.
Every coach in Agartala speaks highly of Pal, hand-picked by Bishweshwar Nandi to join Dipa Karmakar during her final three-month pre-Olympics training at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium. The gymnast, who has won 20 medals in State and national-level meets, personifies a rare combination of innocence and confidence and wants to emulate Karmakar. And she likes the challenge. “I enjoy doing all the exercises. I learnt a lot during the three months I spent in Delhi and want to be an international athlete like Dipa didi,” she says. “We hope she will do well. She has been working hard for the last five years. She walks 10 km each way, everyday, to train,” says mother Shilpi shyly.
Pal is just one of several children who fight all kinds of adversities to learn gymnastics in Agartala, the cradle of the sport in the tiny Northeastern state of Tripura, pincered by Bangladesh from three sides, and by Assam and Mizoram on the other. Be it the 12-year-old National School Games gold medallist Dipangshu Sinha (son of an employee in the Agartala municipal office), the multiple national championship medallist 18-year-old Ashraful Zaman (son of a mason) or the State champion 15-year-old Bijay Barman (son of a rubber plantation worker), each of these gymnasts comes from a lower income group family and they all have stories to tell.
Dressed in shorts and vests, they sweat it out in the swelteringly hot hall of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Agartala. The tall, green walls and the cream-and-red equipment are hardly a match. But the mismatch between the talented children and the sub-par facilities is even starker. Yet, they fight it out every afternoon under the gaze of a well-built and determined-looking Hanuman statue.
“We enrol students who are around 10-12 years old with some background in gymnastics. We also take talented younger children, four or five years old, and observe them,” says Bijon Saha, gymnast-turned-coach at SAI.
Vivekananda Byayamgar, with its corrugated sheets, scarred cement floor, and equipment primarily meant for body-building and weightlifting, is another centre that trains beginners and has produced many gymnasts of repute. Karmakar had her first lessons here under the able guidance of Soma Nandi (who happens to be her present coach Bishweshwar Nandi’s wife.
The Netaji Subhash Regional Coaching Centre (NSRCC), the Dasarath Deb Sports School, and the Umakanta Academy (adopted by the SAI), are the other prominent gymnastics centres in Agartala. There is another centre as well, the brainchild of well-known gymnast and coach Mantu Debnath, now run by the Autonomous Development Council (administering the tribal areas) for the last three years. There is camaraderie among all these centres, at least in Tripura, and no one hesitates to extend a helping hand when talent is spotted.
Practical problems, however, abound. “We have got all the basic apparatus but we don’t have the allied apparatus, which include key support equipment that help students learn systematically. For instance, we don’t have a foam pit [the rubber base that provides support when a gymnast lands]. So, even if a gymnast wants to do difficult exercises, we cannot take the risk. Without adequate support, a gymnast can die if he or she lands awkwardly,” Saha points out.
Another major hurdle is the internal squabble within the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI). This has meant that the national championship has not been held for three years now. “Two factions are fighting with each other and the gymnasts are not getting any competition. Three or four years are crucial in a gymnast’s life and if he or she does not get to compete, how will they improve!” Saha wonders. In any sport, competitions at various levels are the lifeblood, keeping the athletes sharp, focussed and competitive.
In fact, the same GFI factional feud had threatened to derail Karmakar’s Olympics journey. Thanks to Tripura Sports Minister Sahid Chowdhury’s timely initiative, the Union Sports Ministry shifted her preparatory camp to New Delhi, putting her under the direct supervision of the SAI and thus saved her career.
Another impediment has been the slow pace of the construction work of the regional coaching centre or NSRCC in Agartala. It has been in the process of being rebuilt for the last six to seven years, but is still far from completion. Recognising that Tripura had the talent and the initial momentum to create world-class gymnasts, the idea had been to make NSRCC one of Asia’s biggest gymnastics hubs, but the inordinate delay has been a dampener. Students from here are now being trained at the State’s sports school. Now, after Karmakar’s feat in the Olympics, Sports Minister Chowdhury has promised to complete the centre as soon as possible.
Despite all these hurdles, none of which sounds unfamiliar to anyone who follows sports management in the country, just one Dipa Karmakar’s performance at Rio has lifted everyone’s spirits. Tripura used to be the powerhouse of Indian gymnastics between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s, mainly because of the efforts of armyman-turned-coach Dalip Singh from Haryana.
With sharp eyes that picked talent and enough acumen to motivate youngsters, Dalip Singh set up a system that produced gymnasts like Bikram Kishore Deb Barma, R.R. Roy, Mantu Debnath, Balaram Shil, Bishweshwar Nandi, Bijan Saha, Rathindra Kumar Ray, Kalpana Debnath, who shone at national and international meets. “Dalip Singh was passionate and worked hard to establish the sport here. He knew how to govern and spread the sport,” says Dr. Salam Sushila Devi, his 74-year-old widow, as she sits close to a black-and-white photo of her late husband in her old, tastefully done-up home. “He was very kind and would do everything to bring out the best in his students. He died at 55 but did a lot for the sport,”
Dr. Sushila Devi migrated from her native city Imphal to Agartala at a young age, where she now runs a pathology lab. She braved the scorching sun to join the thousands who attended Karmakar’s felicitation ceremony at Vivekananda Maidan. She has, in fact, not lost touch with gymnastics even three decades after her husband’s death, and neither have Dalip Singh’s students lost touch with her. Nandi feels that taking Dalip Singh’s legacy forward would be the most befitting tribute to his beloved teacher. “Our guruji prepared me and I became a three-time national champion and took part in 10 international events. Now, Dipa has taken it forward by becoming a seven-time national champion, winning international medals and coming fourth at the Olympics. When she becomes a coach, she should help her students excel even further,” says Nandi.
Karmakar, guided by Nandi, has reawakened Agartala to the possibility of reviving its rich heritage in a sport that still has too few takers in India. They have done their bit. Perhaps now the State and Central governments will step up and pump in the money, interest and infrastructure, a combination that can easily produce many more Karmakars.
sarangi.y@thehindu.co.in | http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/can-dipa-karmakars-feat-help-tripura-regain-its-glory-days-as-a-gymnastics-crucible/article9035974.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bc783a99b2676b1c2653fe5be52e68abe5bf20227b1ebc35b1c1fe8e3922b270.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T08:52:53 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | RELIGION
Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana Sabha
: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama parayanam, Kattazhagiasingar Sannidhi, Thiruvanaikovil, 6.30 p.m.
Sri Rama Nama Satha Sangam
: Sri R | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Ftiruchi-today%2Farticle9044962.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 | tiruchi today | null | null | www.thehindu.com | M.A. M. School of Engineering: Programme on Materials, engines and design for aeromodelling, Dharmaraj, NCC Senior Division Air Wing Instructor, resource person, 3.30 p.m.
Cauvery College of Engineering and Technology, Perur : Awareness seminar against eve teasing and harassment, N.Nallusamy, college chairman, presides, 10.30 a.m.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tiruchi-today/article9044962.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/81ae3170996205ba05fc2a14f593814ca738c6fb2283636d9781926d05085bb3.json |
[
"J. Praveen Paul Joseph"
] | 2016-08-31T08:51:57 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | N. Francina (24), a school teacher, was hacked to death inside St. Peter’s Church on Santhai Road here on Wednesday morning and she died of her injuries in the Thoothukudi Government Medical College | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fwoman-teacher-brutally-assaulted-inside-church-in-thoothukudi%2Farticle9054818.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 | Woman teacher fatally assaulted inside church in Thoothukudi | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The attacker later kills himself by hanging.
N. Francina (24), a school teacher, was hacked to death inside St. Peter’s Church on Santhai Road here on Wednesday morning and she died of her injuries in the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital.
The incident occurred around 8.30 a.m. when Francina was praying in the church near the school where she was working, sources said. A man believed to be in late twenties, attacked her, reportedly with an aruval (a type of billhook), and fled the scene. The woman was severely wounded on her head and shoulders.
A person sporting a red-coloured T-shirt ran out of the church after the incident, a parishioner told The Hindu.
Police personnel attached to the Thoothukudi South station inspected the scene of crime. CCTV cameras installed at two places inside the church gave clues to the police and when the police zeroed in on the attacker, he was found hanging at his residence on Marakudi Street.
The culprit, identified as J. Keegan (27), has been following the victim for the past six months. He is believed to have taken the extreme step as Francina rejected his proposal, say police sources.
The victim, a resident of Indira Nagar on George Road, was about to get married in September first week. She was about to get relieved from the school on this day, sources said.
Police are yet to file a case. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/woman-teacher-brutally-assaulted-inside-church-in-thoothukudi/article9054818.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5e44a418314ecebdf1f46203450422f2dafe6d9db45d185ad85d23765923106c.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T06:57:37 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Students of the Dr. T.M.A. Polytechnic returned to their classes here on Tuesday. The students had boycotted classes on Monday alleging that the polytechnic vice-principal had sexually harassed a wom | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMangalore%2Fstudents-return-to-classes-at-polytechnic%2Farticle9051455.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 | Students return to classes at polytechnic | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Students of the Dr. T.M.A. Polytechnic returned to their classes here on Tuesday.
The students had boycotted classes on Monday alleging that the polytechnic vice-principal had sexually harassed a woman lecturer and demanded his dismissal from service.
The woman lecturer had also filed a complaint in this regard at the Women’s Police Station in Udupi.
Prajwal D. Shetty, president of All College Polytechnic Students Union, said on Tuesday that the students had decided to attend classes as the vice-principal had been suspended.
“But we stick to our demand that the vice-principal, Srikanth Pai, be dismissed,” he said.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Women’s Police Station conducted a “mahazar”. K.T. Balakrishna, Superintendent of Police, said that the police had also issued a notice to the accused, Srikanth Pai, in the case. T. Ranga Pai, academic coordinator of the polytechnic, said that the polytechnic would begin its enquiry within a couple of days. “We want to do the enquiry in a proper and legal manner. We have been consulting legal experts in the issue,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/students-return-to-classes-at-polytechnic/article9051455.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/809f9bfd2878753318c0b6355d583bf8bfb508848290283355d74acb97b082f7.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T14:52:57 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Sri Vijaya Visakha Milk Producers’ Company Ltd popularly known as Visakha Dairy, which clocked a turnover of Rs.1,100 crore with a profit of Rs.1.66 crore during 2015-16 by focusing on diversificatio | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fvisakha-dairy-to-foray-into-overseas-market%2Farticle9040855.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28VZVISKPAGE3VISAK_2988952c.jpg | en | null | Visakha Dairy to foray into overseas market | null | null | www.thehindu.com | It registers a turnover of Rs. 1,100 cr.
Sri Vijaya Visakha Milk Producers’ Company Ltd popularly known as Visakha Dairy, which clocked a turnover of Rs.1,100 crore with a profit of Rs.1.66 crore during 2015-16 by focusing on diversification of its products, has set its eye on overseas market.
“Owing to our commitment to expand and help milk producers in all possible manner by passing on our profits, we could increase the turnover from Rs.11 crore in 1986 to over Rs.1,000-crore. The milk procurement also increased from 40,000 litres to over seven lakh litres per day over past 30 years,” dairy chairman Adari Tulasi Rao told reporters on Saturday. Stating that they were yet to finalise the products and the areas where they would do business outside the country, he said they had already expanded their business in Odisha, West Bengal, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
In the process to expand the market outside Visakhapatnam, they set up aseptic parking station wayback in 2001 to produce ultra heat treated milk (UHT) with a capacity of 30,000 litres per day. It was expanded to three lakh litres per day over the years. The dairy enjoys an estimated 10 per cent market share in UHT after Amul.
Visakha Dairy, which became a milk producers’ company in 2006 was the first in the country to introduce ultra pasteurised milk with extended shelf life up to 14 days with the State of the art technology from Elecster, Finland.
Mr. Rao, who will be completing 30 years in office on August 30, said “through constant motivation sessions, the farmers are being encouraged to increase milk production.”
Mr. Rao said to cope with the excess milk procurement, he realised that that declaring milk holiday was no solution. Hence, he focused on setting up more milk powder plants.
Asked to comment on their success story, he said they believed in zero interference in the functioning of the dairy from top to the bottom. Visakha Dairy opted for conversion into a cooperative society after introduction of Mutualy Aided Cooperative Societies Act (MACS ACT 1995) in 1999.
Managing Director S.V. Ramana and Director Reddy Ramakrishna said every year they were spending Rs.8 crore on medical expenses of milk producers. The company, which runs a super-speciality hospital in the city, pays bonus thrice a year incurring total expenditure of Rs.60 crore. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/visakha-dairy-to-foray-into-overseas-market/article9040855.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2b71b8e22324bdcf73fd6b97f2333018b076fa2d97975b68bb5cf0e15733638c.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:54:31 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Indian Air Force has invited applications from unmarried male Indian Citizens (citizens of Nepal are also eligible) for selection test scheduled to be held during January and February 2017 to join | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fiaf-invites-applications%2Farticle9044145.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 | IAF invites applications | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Indian Air Force has invited applications from unmarried male Indian Citizens (citizens of Nepal are also eligible) for selection test scheduled to be held during January and February 2017 to join as Airmen in Group X (technical) and group Y (non-technical), except automobile technician, ground training instructor, IAF (Police), IAF (Security) and musician trades. Candidates born between July 7, 1997 and December 20, 2000 (both days inclusive) are eligible. Online registration for the selection test can be done from September 15 to 29. The last date for receipt of applications by post at the Central Airmen Selection Board, New Delhi is October 13, 2016. Details can be obtained from the IAF websitewww.airmenselection.gov.inor contact No. 7, Airmen Selection Centre, No. 1, Cubbon Road, Bengaluru–560001, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on 080-25592199. — Staff Reporter | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/iaf-invites-applications/article9044145.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/29a228171c573f7cef9a97ba3bc88b33f27e66d7bd612ac013be0aa2e86ad375.json |
[
"Nikhil Varma"
] | 2016-08-29T14:52:11 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | When his contemporaries were trying their luck at penning the Great Indian Novel 20 years ago, journalist and motorbike enthusiast Shashi Warrier penned a thriller, Night Of The Krait. His portrayal | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fa-thrilling-ride%2Farticle9045741.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/30bgmshashi1_jpg_1_2990888c.jpg | en | null | A thrilling ride | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Shashi Warriers’ latest novel is a murder mystery and family drama rolled into one
When his contemporaries were trying their luck at penning the Great Indian Novel 20 years ago, journalist and motorbike enthusiast Shashi Warrier penned a thriller, Night Of The Krait. His portrayal of the life of a hangman in The Hangman's journal won critical acclaim. His latest novel, The Man Who Wouldn't Be God (Speaking Tiger, Rs.350) is a fast-paced thriller that involves alcoholic journalists, shady god men and an eclectic bunch of characters.
At the Bengaluru launch of the novel, Shashi was in conversation with writer Zac O'Yeah.
Talking about the book, Shashi said, " It is a mix of multiple elements. The book focuses primarily on a murder mystery, with an out-of-job alcoholic journalist looking at the case as a means to redeem himself. In the course of the murder mystery, he also takes a look at his own issues and arrives at some sort of realisation about the life he should lead. A spiritual quest is also thrown into the mix."
He adds, " Though a swamy and his ashram play a very important role in the book, I am rather wary of god men. I am an atheist and do not believe in a supreme power as such."
Zac O'Yeah stated that the surfeit of complex and well-etched out characters make Shashi' s books very readable. Shashi responded, "I like thrillers that holds up a mirror to me and society. I think that people show their true self under pressure. A thriller provides a writer the best device to put the characters under pressure and see how they react." Starting off with a children's book, Shashi switched genres soon. "
I realised that I do not know the craft of writing books for children well. I started writing thrillers after a routine conversation with publisher David Davidar and have enjoyed the journey."
Shashi admitted that he does not follow any writing routine. " My working day starts at 9 in the night. I tend to write at night. I tend to bumble a lot and rewrite many passages. Most of my books start with one interesting character. I do not flesh out a plot in the beginning, since the plot changes dramatically as the characters develop. I would say that I do not have much control on the writing process as such. In this book, I had to rework an entire portion, because I decided to tweak the role of a principle character."
Shashi claimed that he does not read many Indian writers. " I tend to read e-books and have discovered not many Indian authors are available in digital format.”
He added that his next book, “is a political satire." | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-thrilling-ride/article9045741.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/011fe7e2928dc95002f5d213fa563c384709233a411e8ff60251730ddb44b516.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T12:53:06 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | A film financier submitted a petition at the City Police Commissionerate alleging that SRM University Chancellor T.R.Pachamuthu’s men had threatened him to withdraw a cheque bounce case he had filed a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Ffilm-financier-files-complaint-against-srm-university-chancellors-men%2Farticle9040763.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 | Film financier files complaint against SRM University Chancellor’s men | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A film financier submitted a petition at the City Police Commissionerate alleging that SRM University Chancellor T.R.Pachamuthu’s men had threatened him to withdraw a cheque bounce case he had filed against the latter.
The petitioner has sought police protection.
S. Mukandchand Bothra told mediapersons that he had given Rs. 7 crore to Vendhar Movies’ Madhan for production of a Tamil film at the request of Mr. Pachamuthu.
Mr. Madhan gave a cheque for Rs. 1 crore towards repayment, but it had bounced and the remaining amount was yet to be repaid by him. Mr. Bothra filed a criminal case in the Chief Metropolitan Court, Egmore, against both of them in connection with the case.
Mr. Bothra alleged a few persons close to Pachamuthu recently threatened him with dire consequences if he did not withdraw the case.
Meanwhile, P.Daisy Rani, V.Seenivasa Rao and V.Madhavarao who claimed to the owners of a land located at Koyambedu, resubmitted a complaint that their property had been encroached upon by SRM Travels founder Ravi Pachamuthu and his men, and that many buses were parked on the land.
They alleged that Ravi and his men had illegally entered the property and encroached it. They too sought police protection and urged the police to initiate action to retrieve the land. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/film-financier-files-complaint-against-srm-university-chancellors-men/article9040763.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7b9efaae81ab1d31638169d3f0d7624d54ad1663e5539bfa07e882618e5a4aab.json |
[
"Aatish Nath"
] | 2016-08-28T14:52:08 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | With big shoes to fill, chef Uddipan Chakravarthy seems ready for the challenge. His predecessor Ananda Solomon, the Executive Chef at the Vivanta by Taj – President, is much beloved: both for his coo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fentertainment%2Fthe-not-so-new-kid-on-the-block%2Farticle9040868.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28bm_Chef_Uddipan__2988959c.jpg | en | null | The (not so) new kid on the block | null | null | www.thehindu.com | FAMILIAR TURF: Uddipan Chakravarthy spent close to a decade at the Vivanta by Taj - President before moving to Bengaluru in 2011, so he’s familiar both with the hotel and its staff.
Uddipan Chakravarthy is on familiar ground as he takes over as the new Executive Chef at Vivanta by Taj – President
With big shoes to fill, chef Uddipan Chakravarthy seems ready for the challenge.
His predecessor Ananda Solomon, the Executive Chef at the Vivanta by Taj – President, is much beloved: both for his cooking and his prescient introduction of Thai food to the city. With his retirement at the end July, the city lost one of its culinary titans that quietly shaped the food that we ate.
After all, the Vivanta by Taj - President is home to three restaurants, each serving a distinct cuisine: Thai Pavilion, Trattoria (the Italian coffee shop) and Konkan Café in addition to the bar, Wink (which replaced the iconic Library Bar).
Solomon’s replacement is chef Chakravarthy, who’s already done one major stint at the property though his most recent position was as Executive Chef of Vivanta by Taj - Yeshwantpur, the hotel chain’s largest property in Bengaluru.
Chakravarthy has had a peripatetic childhood, since his father worked in government education, and as a result, has lived all over the country. His tenure with the Taj Group of Hotels has mirrored that constant movement, and he’s spent time in hotel kitchens in Delhi and Hyderabad in addition to his stints in Mumbai (where he worked under Solomon).
The day we caught up with Chakravarthy, he was still living in the hotel while looking for accommodation following the move. With a perpetual toothy smile and the coolness that comes with experience, Chakravarthy elaborated on his past with the hotel group, as well as his plans for the future.
He’d spent between close to a decade at the Vivanta by Taj - President before moving to Bengaluru in 2011, so he’s familiar both with the hotel and its staff. This allowed his handover from chef Solomon to be short, as opposed to the normal month that a change of guard would normally take. He says, “I’m so used to this hotel, so the handover was just four days.”
When asked about his relationship with Chef Solomon, Chakravarthy said with enthusiasm, “I think, the best, you can say. Every second day he used to call me up or I used to call him up. Not because of the operations, ‘but I saw this, this is nice. Why don’t you try it?’ And I used to say, ‘this is very nice, why don’t you try it?’ I had a very good rapport with him.”
While talking to Chakravarthy, what becomes evident is that he knows the Vivanta by Taj - President intimately, and that he was involved in some way or the other when it came to most of the changes that have been made to refresh the lobby’s three restaurants.
So Trattoria has gone from “a pizzeria and pasta joint, which got converted into a very Italian eatery, where you get a lot of meats. Obviously pizza and pasta is an integral part, [but there’s also] lots of antipasti and good deserts,” he says.
Chakravarthy talks about introducing seafood like sea bass and John Dory to diners when the Italian eatery was re-launched in 2000 with a giant mural along the back wall, pink sofas to add more colour to the newly redesigned space.
It was renovated again in 2013, though most of the menu is still the same.
Similarly, he was a deputy to chef Solomon when Thai Pavillion was redesigned moving from the brightly lit, some might even call it kitschy interiors to the moody and minimal space it is today. The interiors, crockery and food got a facelift, and Chakravarthy remembers getting involved in all aspects of the changes: from adding new sauces to the tables to changing the cutlery.
If Chakravarthy has an overarching vision, it is not to tamper with the philosophy and passion that have built each of the property’s restaurants.
He points out that all three restaurants are “very rustic and they’re fast food,” He clarifies, he doesn’t mean the term in the sense of processed food, but that the food has to reach the table, “fresh and hot,” without skimping on flavour. When it comes to his own cooking viewpoint, he says, “make it simple.”
The hotel’s three restaurants exemplify this maxim, as each restaurant uses traditional techniques to bring a sense of authenticity to the plate. So whereas other coastal eateries use liberal amounts of butter to toss their seafood, at Konkan Café, the dish is cooked as it would be in a Malabar home. Similarly, the sauces at Thai Pavilion are made using recipes that were learned in Thailand, and not in a Thai restaurant, where tradition often loses out to efficiency.
The changes Chakravarthy plans to make immediately are to the modernise the patisserie and baked goods on offer, both for hotel guests at breakfast and that are sold through Sugar and Spice, the hotel’s patisserie.
Chakravarthy spends time in the kitchen daily, in addition to overseeing the large team of chefs that take care of hotel restaurants and banquet requirements. He makes it a point to prepare food daily whether it’s for service or just the testing of new recipes, ingredients and ideas. He says, “If you stop cooking, your ideas stop.”
The author is a freelance writer | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/the-not-so-new-kid-on-the-block/article9040868.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e5c61588bfb03894924e6018c16c53042efd5975d25cd90c3fcf5a3de009f399.json |
[
"Zubeda Hamid"
] | 2016-08-27T20:51:30 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Even as M. Dhanalakshmi feeds her year-and-a-half-old daughter, Prema, ahead of her discharge from hospital on Saturday afternoon, the family of 14-year-old M. Aravindan is getting ready to move him | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fchen-health%2Ffever-in-tiruvallur-the-why-and-the-how%2Farticle9040905.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/Tiruvallur_hospita_2989021c.jpg | en | null | Fever in Tiruvallur: The why and the how | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A patient at the Ponneri government hospital where the medical ward is full; beds placed even next to the dust-covered stairway. — Photos: B. Jothi Ramalingam
As authorities grapple with the rush in hospitals, residents, mainly parents of little children, are wary of any symptoms.
Even as M. Dhanalakshmi feeds her year-and-a-half-old daughter, Prema, ahead of her discharge from hospital on Saturday afternoon, the family of 14-year-old M. Aravindan is getting ready to move him from the Tiruvallur government hospital to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai.
Aravindan, a Class VIII student, from a village in Uthukottai block, has dengue, and since his stool turned bloody, is being referred to the larger hospital, a doctor said. Prema, from Kaverirajapuram, too had dengue, but has recovered. Her mother is looking forward to taking her home: “She is our only child, born after 10 years of marriage,” she said.
The medical wards at the Tiruvallur government hospital are full: on every bed, patients talk about a fever they have had for a few days and the treatment. The hospital is one of the hubs for fever cases that have racked the district for over 10 days now, and as of Saturday afternoon had a total of 79 patients with fever, of whom 10 had been admitted on that day. Of these, two tested positive for dengue and doctors were planning to discharge 14. Over 100 patients with fever had been seen as outpatients on Saturday, a senior hospital official said. Apart from dengue, typhoid and leptospirosis, there has been a suspected case of scrub typhus, he said.
Patients with any kind of fever are being admitted, treated and discharged after observation, a doctor said.
A few days ago, a patient said, each bed in the ward had two patients. Another patient holds a dengue positive report from a private lab, but said the hospital has not confirmed his diagnosis.
So what is going on in Tiruvallur? In the last week, five children from the district have died after contracting ‘fever’, all at the Institute of Child Health, Egmore. In all, 128 patients with fever have been admitted to hospitals in the district and in Chennai as of Saturday.
While four of these deaths were of children from two adjoining villages — Kaverirajapuram and Adi Andhrawada — the fifth was of a child from Keerapakkam, near Ponneri. Officials say the deaths are not connected: at the two villages, the infections were mixed and included dengue and leptospirosis, while the fifth death was due to Hepatitis A, they say.
But for the anxious parents at the outpatient department of another government hospital, with their children in tow, any fever now is a huge cause for concern.
Tiruvallur district, with a population of around 37 lakh, has according to the 2011 census the third-highest population density in Tamil Nadu (1,098), and sanitation and hygiene are challenges.
“Certain areas that are highly populated are prone to outbreaks. Add to this the rain pattern, the cleanliness index and the health-seeking behaviour of people, and such outbreaks may take place,” said Director of Public Health, K. Kolandaisamy.
At Kaverirajapuram and Adi Andhrawada, there were open, filthy drains earlier in the week. The drains were being cleaned and new pipelines had been laid, but it is likely, a public health official had said, that their water had been contaminated.
Tiruvallur shares a boundary with Andhra Pradesh, a fact that could make it more vulnerable as any outbreak there could flow in, said Dr. Kolandaisamy. Also, certain areas of the district such as Minjur, Puzhal, Poonamallee and Villivakkam have a lot of development work going on, with workers migrating back and forth, working on construction sites, while at the same time, families continue to rear cattle and work in agriculture too, he said. These areas were being given a special focus to prevent any potential health problem. For the suspected case of scrub typhus, cold fogging has been carried out, he said.
With dengue in particular, no district is endemic to it — its pattern changes constantly, said Dr. Kolandaisamy. “Dengue is not linked to the monsoon. With rain, mosquitoes can breed in containers thrown outside, but even when there is no rain, open containers of water can become breeding sources. In about eight to 10 days, from eggs you have adult mosquitoes,” he said.
The district administration has planned a mass cleaning drive in the 14 blocks, five municipalities and 10 town panchayats. This will involve fogging, source identification and larval clearance, garbage and bush cleaning, as well as distribution of Nilavembu Kudineer and fever surveillance, said Collector E. Sundaravalli. “We are also planning to set up a control room number and a WhatsApp number through which the public can intimate us of any lacunae,” she said.
Anganwadi workers have been trained to inform the district administration of any fever or diarrhoea cases and on Friday, 2,000 school headmasters were summoned for an awareness programme, she said.
The health department and the district administration have been focussing on quacks and drugs sold without prescriptions. In the last 10 days, Ms. Sundaravalli said, six quacks have been arrested and a search is on for more. Some patients had seen private practitioners first, while others had gone to government health centres, and others had been referred to government hospitals from the private sector.
The Health Department is working with the Indian Medical Association as well as with other private practitioners to ensure protocols for fever management, investigations and rational guidelines for dengue are followed, said Dr. Kolandaisamy. “The Directorate of Drug Control is taking action against pharmacies that sell without prescriptions,” he said.
At the Ponneri Government Hospital too, the medical ward is full. A total of 17 patients have been admitted with fever and are undergoing treatment, but none have dengue, a hospital official said. Patients’ families complained that it was only just before the Health Minister’s visit on Friday that they had been given fresh bedsheets and mosquito nets. “Just a little while after they left, it was all taken away. Will the mosquitoes not come now that the officials have gone?” one mother asked.
Another mother said the official visit had been a blessing: her child received prompt treatment. Further up, the relative of a sick boy dabbed his head with a cool cloth. A few people had been sick in her village, she said. “He has had fever for 3 days. We admitted him today.”
Even as the district gears up for its cleaning drive, the grounds of the Ponneri hospital are a mess. Empty cups, coconut shells and garbage are littered across, with goats feeding on the trash. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-health/fever-in-tiruvallur-the-why-and-the-how/article9040905.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0d15958a6a8c54ba8b8dfd0a089e10ceb852daba367a141e473779d8f8297749.json |
[
"Shiv Sunny"
] | 2016-08-28T04:50:47 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | In a shocking revelation in a case involving two abandoned little sisters in outer Delhi, it has turned out that their father had killed their younger brother just a day before the girls were rescue | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Fman-had-killed-his-son-before-abandoning-daughters%2Farticle9042531.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 had killed his son before abandoning daughters | null | null | www.thehindu.com | He allegedly carried his two-year-old son to Bawana and dumped him in the Munak Canal
In a shocking revelation in a case involving two abandoned little sisters in outer Delhi, it has turned out that their father had killed their younger brother just a day before the girls were rescued.
The two-year-old boy had drowned to death after his father, an alcoholic Bunty Gupta, threw him in Munak Canal on August 18, said Vikramjit Singh, DCP (Outer).
“The accused has said he got rid of his son as he could not afford the expenses involved in bringing up a child. He was also not able to tolerate the boy’s regular crying and sickness,” said the DCP.
The accused allegedly confessed this after he was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and interrogated about the location of his wife and son. His wife, who has not yet been given a clean chit by the police in her son’s murder, is yet to be traced.
The family of five had grabbed attention on Friday after the two neglected sisters, aged seven and three, were rescued from a tiny, dingy room in Outer Delhi’s Samaypur Badli a week ago.
Found in extremely poor health and with maggots feeding on their heads, emergency services were required to save the girls even as they continue to remain hospitalised.
Neighbours had said that the girls’ mother, Rosy, had abandoned them and taken away her son around three months ago. The father had been with them for a while before he too left them on August 15. With Bunty’s arrest, it has now emerged that the woman had briefly returned home a week before the murder and left her son behind with her husband and daughters. While neighbours would see the two sisters outside their room once in a while, they claimed to be unaware of the boy’s return.
But the boy’s demands and frequent illness had left Bunty wanting to get rid of him. On August 18, he allegedly carried his son to Bawana and dumped him in the Munak Canal passing through the area. He then fled his home. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/man-had-killed-his-son-before-abandoning-daughters/article9042531.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/44d32ba1203d9ab5d3c4353f674bc31392b39ce453581ad00519fe613d8e55c1.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T20:59:41 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | The number of cybercrime cases registered in India has risen by 350 per cent in the three-year period from 2011 to 2014, according to a joint study by PwC and Assocham.In the past, attacks have been | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsci-tech%2Ftechnology%2Finternet%2Fcybercrimes-have-risen-4fold-in-3-years%2Farticle9032520.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 | ‘Cybercrimes have risen 4-fold in 3 years’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | India has emerged a favourite among cyber criminals, reveals a study
The number of cybercrime cases registered in India has risen by 350 per cent in the three-year period from 2011 to 2014, according to a joint study by PwC and Assocham.
In the past, attacks have been mostly initiated from countries such as the U.S., Turkey, China, Brazil, Pakistan, Algeria, Turkey, Europe, and the UAE, according to the study titled ‘Protecting Interconnected Systems in the Cyber Era.’ However, with the growing adoption of the Internet and smart-phones, India has emerged “as one of the favourite countries among cyber criminals.”
Cyber attacks around the world are occurring at a greater frequency and intensity, according to the study. “A new breed of cyber criminals has now emerged, whose main aim is not just financial gains but also causing disruption and chaos to businesses in particular and the nation at large.”
In the U.S. alone, there has been an increase of nearly 50 per cent in reported cyber incidents against its critical infrastructure from 2012 to 2015. “Attackers can gain control of vital systems such as nuclear plants, railways, transportation or hospitals that can subsequently lead to dire consequences,” it said. | http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/cybercrimes-have-risen-4fold-in-3-years/article9032520.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a82283c338de8963e30d417dfc7fd7a15f6866ffc087879c65843fc2a6f0e993.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T22:52:04 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said high expectations of people and constant scrutiny by civil society organisations and media are the major challenges faced by the current generation of civil service of | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fbring-in-transparency-accountability%2Farticle9046785.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/HY30-GOVERNOR_2991450c.jpg | en | null | ‘Bring in transparency, accountability’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan says constant scrutiny by civil society organisations and media are major challenges faced by current generation of civil servants
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said high expectations of people and constant scrutiny by civil society organisations and media are the major challenges faced by the current generation of civil service officers.
Addressing over 120 trainee officers from various branches of civil services at the inaugural of the 91 foundation course at Dr. MCHRD Institute here on Monday, the Governor said that compared to his generation of civil servants, this generation faced major challenges in overcoming negative public perception. The perception would change if the young officers discharged their duties with transparency and accountability.
“The negative perception is due to inaccessibility of officers and wide disparities between the haves and have-nots, and that the officers were not catering to the most deserving. Be available to people and reach the un-reached to ensure inclusive development,” he said.
Emphasising on integrity in professional as well as personal life, he said there was a perception in the society that corruption was rampant and there was trust deficit towards civil servants. The Pay Commission had been generous and the government took care of every need of the officers.
There was no need to make more money than what the government gave the officers.
The ultimate goal of every officer should be to retire gracefully with head holding high and by keeping the fraternity together, he said.
Mr. Narasimhan said human rights did not apply to one segment of population alone, and it was for every one, including the officers. Loss of life of either an officer, terrorist or agitator due to any act would tantamount to human rights violation. The officers should be careful not to transgress human rights.
Emphasising that the officers should learn the art of living through positive attitude and work-life balance, the Governor asked them to have a sense of humour. Spending quality and private time with family would give one energy to focus better on work and reduce the stress, he said, sharing his own personal experience.
Earlier, Vinod Kumar Agarwal, director general, MCHRD said that the 15-week foundation course would have both academic and non-academic inputs, and give exposure to the trainee officers in various tracks to develop the right attitude. Trainee officers, including about 40 women officers, from the Indian Police Service, Forest Service, Economic Service, Statistical and other services attended the inaugural session. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/bring-in-transparency-accountability/article9046785.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/304f131f2ae498629385a45c5271c8c2e9153997e83eb6c0fbfd117af6419215.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:51:09 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fday-in-pictures%2Farticle9036959.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27TH_KASHMIR_BOAT_2987600c.jpg | en | null | Day in pictures | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The ‘whistleblower’ behind the Scorpene document leak will hand over the disk containing thousands of pages of data detailing the Indian su... » | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/day-in-pictures/article9036959.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3faf501ed306dad88766a3d58240f64cbeaf0b2c0fc12fc90e87e610afcc99fc.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:52:10 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Skipper Manish Pandey’s valiant century went in vain as India A lost to Australia A by a solitary run in a high-scoring thriller in the Quadrangular Cricket series here on Tuesday but still made it t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Findia-a-loses-but-still-make-it-to-final%2Farticle9051328.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/TH31MANISH_2992624c.jpg | en | null | India A loses but still make it to final | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Skipper Manish Pandey’s valiant century went in vain as India A lost to Australia A by a solitary run in a high-scoring thriller in the Quadrangular Cricket series here on Tuesday but still made it to the summit clash.
The defeat will not do any harm to the Rahul Dravid-coached side as it had already qualified for the final. The win ensured that Australia A also qualified for the title clash ahead of South Africa A.
Australia A finished on top of the table while India A came second after the round robin encounters.
Put in, Australia A made a commanding 322 for six riding on twin centuries from Kurtis Patterson (115) and Nic Maddinson (118) with Varun Aaron proving to be the most expensive Indian bowler being hammered for 65 in seven overs.
In reply, India A finished at 321 for eight in 50 overs with Pandey’s 91-ball 110 and an attractive 74-ball 87 from Sanju Samson.
India A required nine runs off the final over and it got six from the first four balls. With three required from two balls, Samson holed out to Marcus Stoinis off Kane Richardson.
With three required off the final delivery, Richardson bowled to a perfect plan as Jayant Yadav could manage only one run with Shardul Thakur run-out going for a second run.
The scores: Australia A: 322 for six in 50 overs (Kurtis Patterson 115, Nic Maddinson 118. bt India A 321 for eight in 50 overs (Manish Pandey 110, Sanju Samson 87, Mandeep Singh 56). | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/india-a-loses-but-still-make-it-to-final/article9051328.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9cb05c5122e23021cc24eb8018888b404b5c689b20685911b98712e1697c63e0.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T12:50:44 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | More than 40 people have been infected by the Zika virus in Singapore, but most have fully recovered, officials said on Sunday. Singapore announced its first Zika infection in May, with the virus imp | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Flocally-transmitted-zika-virus-infects-41-in-singapore%2Farticle9042823.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/HEALTH-ZIKA_2989703c.jpg | en | null | Locally transmitted Zika virus infects 41 in Singapore | null | null | www.thehindu.com | More than 40 people have been infected by the Zika virus in Singapore, but most have fully recovered, officials said on Sunday.
Singapore announced its first Zika infection in May, with the virus imported by a 48-year-old man who had travelled to Brazil. On Sunday, the Ministry of Health confirmed 41 locally transmitted cases of the virus.
The Ministry said in a statement that the patients were “not known to have travelled to Zika-affected areas recently, and are thus likely to have been infected in Singapore. This confirms that local transmission of Zika virus infection has taken place.”
Of the group, 34 people have recovered, while seven remain at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the statement said.
The Ministry named two residential districts of Singapore where the disease was transmitted and said that the bulk of those infected were foreign construction workers. The virus was mostly detected through tests on Saturday.
Among those still hospitalised is a 47-year-old Malaysian woman, identified by authorities as the first locally transmitted case.
Zika has mild effects on most people, but can be fatal for unborn children. Infection during pregnancy can result in babies with small heads a condition called microcephaly and other brain defects. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/locally-transmitted-zika-virus-infects-41-in-singapore/article9042823.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/53fae24de808963ce0e6d6dd8a7030e0926e51f86ee44d3b19d44ec5d461b256.json |
[
"K.V. Aditya Bharadwaj"
] | 2016-08-28T04:52:17 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, directed the BBMP to concentrate on removing encroachments on channels that inter-connect various lakes. He also directed officials to refrain from demolishin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fgovernment-makes-a-strategic-climbdown%2Farticle9041613.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27bg_bgadb_BBMP_28_2989224c.jpg | en | null | Government makes a strategic climbdown | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Citizen initiative:Sajan Poovayya, advocate, B.N. Vijaya Kumar, MLA, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, former Speaker Krishna, H.S. Doreswamy, freedom fighter, V. Balasubramanian, former Additional Chief Secretary, and A.T. Ramaswamy, convener of Anti-Land Grabbing Action Committee, at a meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday.— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
BBMP told to focus on encroachments on channels inter-connecting lakes
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, directed the BBMP to concentrate on removing encroachments on channels that inter-connect various lakes. He also directed officials to refrain from demolishing properties that have encroached on Storm Water Drains (SWDs) that are not in use, have lost the character of a drain and not causing flooding.
This is clearly a significant shift from the civic body’s drive to remove encroachments on all drains (1,923 encroachments identified by Revenue Department). The ongoing drive over the past three weeks saw several houses and commercial properties razed amidst allegations of discrimination in favour of malls and big builders.
The decision came on Saturday at a meeting chaired by the chief minister where Congress MLAs from the city, mayor, deputy mayor and senior BBMP officials were present. Sources told The Hindu that the MLAs had met last week to discuss the alleged ‘unpopularity of the demolition drive’. Pressure from within the party to go slow, apart from intense lobbying from the realty lobby forced the State government to climb down, said a source.
The decision comes just a day after the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, Karnataka held a conclave where the realtors and the banking sector expressed concern that the demolition drive is affecting ‘Brand Bengaluru’.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the BBMP has prepared a list of 38 encroached drain stretches which are flood-prone. Removal of encroachments will be taken up on a priority basis to prevent any further floods this monsoon, he said. “The government is trying to prioritise the drive in flood-prone zones. Other encroachments will be handled later, not let off the hook,” he assured.
Meanwhile, there is no clarity on the fate of the ongoing drives in various zones and properties for which the survey report is awaited — Orion mall in Rajajinagar, Gopalan Arcade mall and Ideal Homes Layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, for instance.
Mr. Siddaramaiah is reported to have directed BBMP officials not to spare anybody encroaching inter-connecting channels, blocking water flow causing floods. “It is wrong to accuse the government of sparing big builders. We have demolished many residences that are worth over Rs. 5 crore. There has been much appreciation for the drive, taken up for the betterment of the city,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/government-makes-a-strategic-climbdown/article9041613.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8f89612b3aa0fd28074799effe6299a8db43649c2022042c999f51326fecb9d2.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T04:53:50 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Questions have now been raised on Tarabai Jadhav’s eligibility to buy agricultural land in Anekal, under Section 79A and 79B of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, which prohibits any person with no | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fwas-tarabai-jadhav-eligible-to-buy-agricultural-land%2Farticle9038431.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 | Was Tarabai Jadhav eligible to buy agricultural land? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Questions have now been raised on Tarabai Jadhav’s eligibility to buy agricultural land in Anekal, under Section 79A and 79B of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, which prohibits any person with non-agricultural income of over Rs. 2 lakh from buying agricultural land.
In his clarification, Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav claimed that his mother bought the land from the proceeds of sale of agricultural land in Devanahalli.
Documents, however, suggest that through this period she definitely earned more than Rs. 2 lakh an annum, which is the upper limit as per the Act to buy agricultural land.
The question being raised is whether revenue officials have overlooked this provision of law. “It is clear that Ms. Tarabai Jadhav’s land purchase violated Section 79A and 79B of KLR Act, 1961, which should also be part of the probe,” said Ravi Krishna Reddy of Lancha Mukta Karnataka Nirmana Vedike. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/was-tarabai-jadhav-eligible-to-buy-agricultural-land/article9038431.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4e2f3d1c80af04c97186246135d55b7807020a8f17d8059a027ac8e240c2ecce.json |
[
"Jacob Koshy"
] | 2016-08-26T22:51:47 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | : Several multinational seed companies in India have grouped to form a new seed association, which marks a split among seed companies engaged in the research and sale of genetically modified seeds in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ffeud-over-bt-cotton-licensing-gives-birth-to-industry-body%2Farticle9037173.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/cotton_2987771c.jpg | en | null | Feud over Bt cotton licensing gives birth to industry body | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : Several multinational seed companies in India have grouped to form a new seed association, which marks a split among seed companies engaged in the research and sale of genetically modified seeds in India.
Though the reasons for the split were never made explicit — even at a press conference convened on Friday to announce the newly-registered Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) — they stem from differences among seed companies that have come to boil over the past year, on still-evolving government rules on how contracts, royalties and intellectual property agreements ought to be drawn between seed companies that held licenses over certain technology and those who were recipients.
The dispute majorly deals with Bt cotton, the only transgenic crop commercially permitted in India. Since 2002, when Bt cotton became legal, it has benefited 75 lakh farmers and buoyed the cotton industry from Rs. 450 crore in 2002 to Rs. 4,000 crore in 2015, according to independent estimates. This has been amidst reports on pests — which Bt cotton technology targeted — becoming resistant, and a near-dominance of Bt cotton-tech supplied by Monsanto Mahyco Biotech Ltd. (MMBL), even though at least eight other alternative Bt technologies have been developed by other Indian partnerships.
The FSII includes multinational companies such as Monsanto India, Bayer Crop Science, DuPont Pioneer, Dow Agrosciences and Syngenta, and Indian companies such as Mahyco and Namdhari seeds, which are involved in developing hybrid seeds for rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, cotton, maize and several vegetables.
Many of these companies, including Monsanto India, were once part of the National Seed Association of India (NSAI), another industry group.
Differences emerged after NSAI earlier this year said Monsanto and its technology partner Mahyco ought to be compensating farmers for losses that farmers registered in Punjab due to damage to Bt cotton.
Moreover, NSAI, led by Prabhakar Rao, Managing Director of the Hyderabad-based Nuziveedu seeds and once the most important licensee of the Mahyco-Monsanto combine, has supported a controversial order — passed in May by the agriculture ministry but later withdrawn — that said seed technology companies were bound to license out their know-how to whoever requested it, for a fee that didn’t exceed Rs. 25 lakh.
Moreover, NSAI has said, companies were bound to reduce their tech fees every year and couldn’t charge seed companies if they didn’t meet certain performance parameters. Crucially, NSAI holds that legally genetically-modified seed varieties aren’t patentable in India and so, by extension, MMBL couldn’t enforce a patent on its Bt cotton technology.
The 49 seed companies, who have licensed Bollgard technologies from MMBL, now provide farmers with 95% of the cotton in India. Monsanto is separately fighting court battles with Nuziveedu Seeds, a former licensee, on royalty payments.
FSII, and that includes Monsanto, while proffering comments sought by the agriculture ministry for fresh technology-licensing guidelines, holds that the Indian Patent Act makes recombinant DNA and protein sequences — the essence of MMBL’s technology — patentable, and therefore valid intellectual property.
“If the real time implementation of IP acts is not in harmony with industrial policy…it will lead to discouragement of research,” the organisation told the agriculture ministry.
Monsanto and Mahyco didn’t refer to Nuziveedu Seeds or their differing positions on seed technology laws in India when announcing the creation of FSII but averred that a new body was necessary so that “like-minded seed companies who are committed to the seed business, IP creation, IP protection” had a platform. “A market economy should be prevalent,” said Raju Barwale, Managing Director, Mahyco, “and that should be done through a transparent policy.”
Kalyan Goswami, Executive Director, NSAI, said he couldn’t fathom why a new federation was needed. “There’s already an Association of Biotech-Led Enterprises which has all these companies…we are confident that we’ve got the law right. Monopolies can’t be permitted in Indian agriculture,” he told The Hindu. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/feud-over-bt-cotton-licensing-gives-birth-to-industry-body/article9037173.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ed5a2478238d4d733487c5cec3ea9b18e460a14d17a2749116d10eee8072a498.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T12:53:07 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Local bodies should generate revenue equalling the revenue collected by the State government from districts, P.T. Thomas, MLA, has said. He added that Ernakulam district contributed the most to the St | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Flocal-bodies-told-to-better-revenue-collection%2Farticle9048418.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 | Local bodies told to better revenue collection | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Local bodies should generate revenue equalling the revenue collected by the State government from districts, P.T. Thomas, MLA, has said. He added that Ernakulam district contributed the most to the State exchequer. He was speaking at the release of the district panchayat’s annual plan document here on Monday.
He said the Tamil Nadu model of town and panchayat plan funding should be followed in Kerala, and that the Central and State governments should set aside funds for the purpose. The money should be utilised for the development of small towns, which are moving towards becoming larger urban areas, he added.
The MLA also stressed the need for developing and linking various tourism centres in the district.
It was suggested that the Neryamangalam district panchayat farm be developed and utilised fully to meet the agricultural requirements of the district. Mr. Thomas said more money should be set aside for health activities for youth. “Yoga,” he said, “should not be seen as a religious symbol, and it should be used to promote good health.”
River protection
The tendency of people to dump waste in water bodies should be curbed, he said, while calling for the protection of major river systems like the Periyar. The local government bodies should take the lead in saving and protecting rivers, he added.
District panchayat president Asha Sanal presided. She said the development plans for the district would be implemented in a time-bound manner. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/local-bodies-told-to-better-revenue-collection/article9048418.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/19caa03d65d2c3e91d32bb5e6e9495a566e22934f01d4632b628bc7a3df6dc89.json |
[
"Shailaja Tripathi"
] | 2016-08-26T20:51:53 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Archana Ramchandran is the youngest ceramist at Bengaluru's first potter’s market, which is currently on at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Archana doesn’t want to be called a potter because she doesn | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fartist-archana-ramchandran-on-her-foray-into-the-world-of-ceramics%2Farticle9036345.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27BGMPOT1_2987393c.jpg | en | null | A young ceramic artist Archana Ramchandran talks about her love for clay | null | null | www.thehindu.com | No other medium offers endless possibilities like clay, says Archana Ramchandran, a young ceramist who is part of the ongoing Potters’ Market in the city
Archana Ramchandran is the youngest ceramist at Bengaluru's first potter’s market, which is currently on at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Archana doesn’t want to be called a potter because she doesn’t do wheel work. The 25 year-old artist likes to create objects in different shapes and sizes with her hand. With a background in product design from NIFT Delhi, Archana’s hunger for design innovation is understandable. Her planters, key chains, masks, toothpick holders and a three-piece sculpture of palms (a take on rock, paper and scissors) sold like hot cakes. There is hardly anything left out of the 70 pieces Archana exhibited at her stall. And she continues to receive queries and orders for her planters. For a ceramist who is just starting out, it is a big deal. “Most of my stuff was picked up by people who were in their 20s and 30s. I think they could relate to it. I want to do stuff which is utilitarian but edgy at the same time. A lot of it has come from my design background,” says the Bengaluru-based artist.
Studying design at one of the foremost institutions and then working at an interior design company, Archana never anticipated her move to ceramics. “I realised there was too much dependence on others and machinery. With clay, I found, the stuff I want to do is possible. I can do everything with my hands and the possibilities are endless. I love the pliability of the medium.” Since Archana loves working with her hands, she isn’t too fond of gas kilns, which are the rage amongst ceramists. “It gives you beautiful colour gradations and effect but it is technical. You have to keep controlling the oxygen release.”
At the moment, she doesn’t have a studio of her own. She rents the kiln at Clay Station in HSR Layout. “The potters market was my first physical sale. Prior to this I was selling through my FB page. When you start out, you don’t think of logistics, you just jump in. Now that I have got good response, I am planning to set up a studio soon.”
(Bengaluru Potters' Market is on at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath till August 28. For more details on Archana's work, visit her FB page Clay Anomaly) | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/artist-archana-ramchandran-on-her-foray-into-the-world-of-ceramics/article9036345.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/60ccc9d2e6773e3139f73b9eb48b7c39fc485cf33ff38380bbb83c8998f500cf.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T16:54:09 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University G. Nageswara Rao has congratulated Prof. Akunuri V. Ramayya, nuclear physicist at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, U.S., for discovering a super heavy element cal | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fau-almnus-lauded%2Farticle9037201.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 | AU almnus lauded | null | null | www.thehindu.com | According to the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ramayya did his Post Graduation in Physics in Andhra University during 1957-58. The V-C said Prof. Ramayya and Prof. Joseph Hamilton of Department of Physics of Vanderbilt University were the main contributors to the discovery of the new addition to the Periodic Table-element.
Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University G. Nageswara Rao has congratulated Prof. Akunuri V. Ramayya, nuclear physicist at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, U.S., for discovering a super heavy element called ‘Tennessine-117 (Ts-117)’.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/au-almnus-lauded/article9037201.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a3d7b60b43921f2af210abaa0d2babcd701d9bc2da652d65ca78191f9787362a.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T20:56:27 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Byadarahalli police recovered the highly decomposed body of an unidentified woman in a travel bag near a private college on the outskirts of the city on Sunday. Some passers-by noticed a foul sme | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fwomans-body-found-in-bag%2Farticle9043208.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 | Woman’s body found in bag | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Byadarahalli police recovered the highly decomposed body of an unidentified woman in a travel bag near a private college on the outskirts of the city on Sunday.
Some passers-by noticed a foul smell from the bag with flies hovering around it and alerted the police.
The deceased was aged around 25 to 30 years and was murdered a few days ago as the body was highly decomposed, a senior police officer said. The body has been shifted to the Ramanagaram government hospital and the police have alerted the stations in and around the State to cross-check with missing cases filed. — Special Correspondent | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/womans-body-found-in-bag/article9043208.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/db32f02f1f8c0ec4eef6f8b5c4e102c9318f6872aac51b4b4f1a91be84afa5a7.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T18:58:10 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | A Joint Action Committee of farmers’ associations in Telangana has demanded that the government release a white paper on the agreement on irrigation projects that was entered into with Maharashtra rec | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Ffarmers-demand-white-paper-on-maharashtra-agreement%2Farticle9034573.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 | Farmers demand white paper on Maharashtra agreement | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A Joint Action Committee of farmers’ associations in Telangana has demanded that the government release a white paper on the agreement on irrigation projects that was entered into with Maharashtra recently.
At a press conference here on Thursday, chairman of the Farmers’ JAC, former Justice B. Chandra Kumar, charged Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao with keeping all and sundry in the dark about the agreement and particularly about how and why the level of barrage across river Pranahita at Tummidihatti was brought down to 148 metres, instead of 152 metres as was contemplated earlier.
Mr. Chandra Kumar and other leaders, including Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy (Telugu Desam Party), Pasya Padma (Communist Party of India), M. Raghunandan Rao (Bharatiya Janata Party) and P.L. Vishweshwar Rao (Lok Satta Party) questioned the way Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao and the TRS party was going gaga over the agreement and citing it as one that was ‘historic’.
They said the way the Telangana government and Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao had ‘succumbed’ to some kind of pressure and agreed to 148 metres clearly indicated that something was ‘fishy’. “It is obvious that something is wrong and it is a fact that it’s an injustice to people of Telangana. The Chief Minister owes an explanation to the people on this count,” they stated.
The leaders also condemned the manner in which Mr. Rao had threatened to book cases against people who criticised the agreement.
They wanted him to come out with the finer details of what exactly happened, what the dispute was with Maharashtra and how the TRS government thought they have resolved it. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/farmers-demand-white-paper-on-maharashtra-agreement/article9034573.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/739b5a41e91f4d83c4314d0a7b2c5465018788370903299c3a5e0a704ca9adb3.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T04:51:49 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | In order to increase interaction and reduce strife among communities, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is organising Sadbhavana Manch committees involving Hindus and Muslims across the State.These units will | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fjamaateislami-to-set-up-sadbhavana-manch%2Farticle9041898.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 | Jamaat-e-Islami to set up Sadbhavana Manch | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In order to increase interaction and reduce strife among communities, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is organising Sadbhavana Manch committees involving Hindus and Muslims across the State.
These units will be formed at town, district and state levels. They will have 60 per cent Hindus and other non Muslims and only 40 per cent Muslims, Rafiq Ahmed, north coordinator of the programme told presspersons here recently.
Members of the committees will meet regularly and express opinions behind current affairs. A meeting of like minded citizens will be held on August 30. Rallies will be organised on September 4, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/jamaateislami-to-set-up-sadbhavana-manch/article9041898.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/26c862d3c8d4bc273d04081ce99807957242459203b0dac1b6c2b10f9aac3115.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T16:51:03 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | As part of its probe into suspected terror funds, the NIA has summoned Naeem Geelani, elder son of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, for recording his statement in connection with a P | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fnia-summons-geelanis-elder-son-for-questioning%2Farticle9046490.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 | NIA summons Geelani’s elder son for questioning | null | null | www.thehindu.com | As part of its probe into suspected terror funds, the NIA has summoned Naeem Geelani, elder son of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, for recording his statement in connection with a Preliminary Enquiry registered by the probe agency.
The National Investigation Agency(NIA) issued summons to Mr. Geelani for appearance at its Srinagar sub-office, official sources said on Monday.
The case pertains to a PE registered by the NIA to probe flow of funds into various bank accounts from overseas which in turn is allegedly being used for anti-national activities in the Valley.
The hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Mr. Geelani issued a statement terming the questioning of its leaders as an act of “terrifying and maligning” the family of its leader.
“After harassing and questioning Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie, Peer Saifullah, Altaf Ahmad Shah and Ayaz Akbar during their detention, Geelani’s elder son Dr. Naeem Geelani has been issued a notice by the NIA to report to its interrogation centre in Shivpora for questioning,” it said in a statement in Srinagar.
The amalgam termed it as a “childish” attempt by the Centre to curb “mass uprising” in the Valley. The statement claimed that NIA has been given the task to drag these “fabricated cases” to Delhi to “pressurise the separatist leadership.”
However, NIA said the allegations levelled against the probe agency were totally baseless and that the agency was probing a legitimate case where funds were being received in the state and diverted towards terrorism and anti-national activities. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nia-summons-geelanis-elder-son-for-questioning/article9046490.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bc3ee0c59b2aabe69cd7f7360f642b32f0da1816c2fb86d38af9c5941570450f.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:53:43 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | General
Goethe-Zentrum:
Screening of German movie
Max Beckmann Departure
, 6.30 p.m.Culture
South Indian Cultural Association:
Carnatic music concern by Lalgu | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fevents-in-hyderabad-today%2Farticle9052899.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 | Events in Hyderabad today | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Telangana Department of Tourism and Culture: Folk Arts Festival, Ravindra Bharathi, 11 a.m. Procession of folk artists from Ravindra Bharathi to Lalitha Kala Thornam at 5.30 p.m.
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/events-in-hyderabad-today/article9052899.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8f2bbe6021002784c120253cf1ce36803586c8bcfcfa1c3c6f58f3325f784130.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T02:55:22 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | : The NEET Rank Holders and Parents Association (NRA), which met here on Tuesday, decided to prefer a complaint to the Chief Minister and to the State Police Chief to recoup the money charged by priva | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Frankholders-to-prefer-complaint%2Farticle9053049.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 | Rank-holders to prefer complaint | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : The NEET Rank Holders and Parents Association (NRA), which met here on Tuesday, decided to prefer a complaint to the Chief Minister and to the State Police Chief to recoup the money charged by private self-financing medical colleges as application fee.
A press note said the meeting requested the government to extend the last date for submitting applications as per the decision of the Admission Supervisory Committee. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/rankholders-to-prefer-complaint/article9053049.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f635840f888edc89b4849053c5c2f9ddc1ad63ef991e4c7c50513f23d6c63d10.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:53:46 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has criticised the Kerala government’s decision to kill “dangerous” stray dogs, calling it “unlawful and unscientific,” even as she claimed that the move can make other c | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fkeralas-decision-to-kill-dangerous-dogs-unlawful-maneka%2Farticle9036076.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02340/MENAKA_GANDHI_AT_P_2340338c.jpg | en | null | Kerala’s decision to kill ‘dangerous’ dogs unlawful: Maneka | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has criticised the Kerala government’s decision to kill “dangerous” stray dogs, calling it “unlawful and unscientific,” even as she claimed that the move can make other canines even more hostile.
The Union Women and Child Development Minister also asked the Kerala government where the money given to the Atate for sterilisation of dogs has been spent.
“You say kill, kill, kill. You keep killing and they keep biting. The dog becomes hostile,” Ms. Gandhi said.
She said the Kerala Cabinet’s decision to kill dangerous canines to deal with the dog menace can be misused. “This is an excuse to kill any dog,” she claimed.
“Where is the money given by Animal Welfare Board of India to Kerala for sterilisation of dogs? Where has that gone?” she asked.
Ms. Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said that killing dogs is not only unlawful but counter-productive as it will lead to more breeding.
“If you kill the dog, females will breed more. Also, dogs will come from outside. I am totally with the people of Kerala but if you keep killing, you break the law and you continue to do things that do not work,” she said.
She said the best solution is to sterilise the dogs.
“If you sterilise the dogs they will be happy, they will be gentle. No sterilised dog ever bites. They will also be vaccinated and the problem will go,” Ms. Gandhi said.
“Delhi had 5 lakh dogs and that number would never come down. Once we started sterilising the number came down to 70,000 even though the population and waste of Delhi has gone up over the years,” she said.
The minister also blamed heavy urbanisation in Kerala leading to more waste generation and rise in number of stray dogs.
“Dogs are scavengers, they come to eat the rats. Unless you clean up the waste, rats increase. Kerala is very heavily urbanised. There is very little control on the waste. Unless you deal with the waste, your rats will come, with that dogs will come too,” she said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/keralas-decision-to-kill-dangerous-dogs-unlawful-maneka/article9036076.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3a002d5a4bc998ca48a7bd142abb170353c0c49bb5f7599e4c8982e9fc4eede6.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:53:06 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The State government has decided to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) this year by launching a scheme for construction of Gandhi Bhavans in all 30 districts.The foundation stone for the constructi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fall-districts-to-get-gandhi-bhavans%2Farticle9051388.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 | All districts to get Gandhi Bhavans | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The State government has decided to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) this year by launching a scheme for construction of Gandhi Bhavans in all 30 districts.
The foundation stone for the construction of Gandhi Bhavans would be laid in districts where land is readily available on October 2, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said after a meeting with a delegation of Gandhians, led by freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy.
Responding to a request from the delegation to distribute Khadi uniforms to students in government schools as part of spreading Gandhian ideals, the Chief Minister said orders for purchase of uniforms had already been placed for the current academic year. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/all-districts-to-get-gandhi-bhavans/article9051388.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7da4b0de97b21dafac3f428c9a87315fe33cda22463c476de3588ec6b62e1b66.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:56:02 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM-K) will host global entrepreneurship summit Start-O-Sphere on September 10.The summit, organised in partnership with Nasscom10,000 Startups, Dreamwal | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fiimk-to-host-startosphere%2Farticle9053085.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 | IIM-K to host Start-O-Sphere | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM-K) will host global entrepreneurship summit Start-O-Sphere on September 10.
The summit, organised in partnership with Nasscom10,000 Startups, Dreamwallets.com, TiE Kerala, NIT’s Technology Business Incubator, CEDI and Kerala Startup Mission, will provide aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups with funding, mentoring and networking access, according to a press release here on Tuesday. The event will host renowned speakers from various sectors. Ravi Kant, former managing director of Tata Motors; Rana Kapoor, founder, managing director and CEO of Yes Bank, Tim Eddy, global vice-chair, Business Enablement Shared Services and Global Talent Hubs, EY; Manisha Rana, marketing consultant; E. Sreedharan, Principal Adviser, DMRC; Vijay Gopalan, CEO of UDS; and Hari Nair, founder and CEO of HolidayIQ, are among those expected to attend. The start-up fair-cum-10-minute million will extend an opportunity to budding entrepreneurs to raise funds for their ideas. Start-ups are invited to register for the fair on the portal. About 20 finalists will be chosen to make a 10-minute pitch during the event.
Start-o-sphere will also host a workshop on design thinking and a management hackathon. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/iimk-to-host-startosphere/article9053085.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e199b28d11c667e1fff2ea52f713e79e25c9279146007c399d1905026cdd5259.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:54:40 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Syrian-Kurdish YPG fighters appear to be reinforcing the Syrian city of Manbij, captured this month from Islamic State, with weapons and personnel, regional security sources told Reuters on Monday.Ma | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fsyriankurdish-ypg-fighters-reinforcing-syrias-manbij-security-sources%2Farticle9045419.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/MANBIJ_2990819c.jpg | en | null | Syrian-Kurdish YPG fighters reinforcing Syria's Manbij: security sources | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Sources told Reuters that trucks and minibuses loaded with weapons, equipment and personnel were moving from east to west in northern Syria, leading them to believe the YPG was reinforcing Manbij.
Syrian-Kurdish YPG fighters appear to be reinforcing the Syrian city of Manbij, captured this month from Islamic State, with weapons and personnel, regional security sources told Reuters on Monday.
Manbij, on the west bank of the Euphrates River, was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance, which includes the Kurdish YPG militia, in an offensive backed by the United States.
A Syrian rebel commander said on Sunday that Turkey-backed rebels aimed to capture the city from Kurdish-allied forces.
Sources told Reuters that trucks and minibuses loaded with weapons, equipment and personnel were moving from east to west in northern Syria, leading them to believe the YPG was reinforcing Manbij.
The YPG said last week its fighters had withdrawn from the Manbij area, saying their presence there could not be used as a pretext for an attack. The YPG could not be reached for comment.
Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies seized territory controlled by Kurdish-aligned forces on Sunday, the fifth day of a cross-border campaign that a monitoring group said had killed at least 35 villagers.
Turkish warplanes roared into northern Syria at daybreak on Sunday and artillery pounded what security sources said were sites held by the YPG militia, after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fierce overnight fighting around two villages.
Turkey has said 25 Kurdish militants were killed in its air strikes and denied there were civilian casualties. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/syriankurdish-ypg-fighters-reinforcing-syrias-manbij-security-sources/article9045419.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0a34d52e5d6fc2b6037e083f39f16b52cdac2f79b28e06e6182c90f52362f590.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T04:53:39 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday announced that his party will hold a massive demonstration in Coimbatore on September 3 to insist that the Centre must not grant permission to the Kerala governm | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fdmk-protest-against-dam-on-sept-3%2Farticle9044212.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/28TH_MK_PHOTO_G_28_2989245c.jpg | en | null | DMK protest against dam on Sept. 3 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday announced that his party will hold a massive demonstration in Coimbatore on September 3 to insist that the Centre must not grant permission to the Kerala government for building a dam across the Siruvani river.
In a statement, he said three districts in Tamil Nadu would turn into a desert if the Centre granted permission for the dam.
The DMK chief said that after seeing the “shocking news report” in The Hindu that the Tamil Nadu government had failed to respond to several letters of Ministry of Environment and Forests and Kerala government, he and other party leaders had issued statements condemning the State government.
He alleged that after waking up to the gravity of the issue, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that she had taken up the issue with the then Prime Minister in 2012.
“But, four years have passed (since she wrote to Manmohan Singh). Has the Tamil Nadu government informed the BJP-led government at the Centre or has the Chief Minister informed Mr. Modi when she met him in person (about the opposition to the project). She also has not given the dates when she wrote (these) letters to the Centre,” Mr Karunanidhi said.
“People of Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur have raised such doubts. Whether the government takes efforts to stop the dam or not, the DMK has decided to stage a massive protest led by party treasurer M.K. Stalin,” he said seeking the cooperation of the public, particularly farmers for the protest. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/dmk-protest-against-dam-on-sept-3/article9044212.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2a14191cb01a07ae48bcb988d0d7e9b63111e8d8051bbeefa0f62154e6e61e95.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T04:52:10 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Peeved at the steep slump in the price of onion, farmers dumped the produce on the RTC Bus Stand Road and staged a ‘rasta roko’ in front of the Kurnool market yard on Saturday, urging the government t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fangry-onion-farmers-dump-produce-on-road%2Farticle9041566.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/27kn6532HI-W072_28_2989210c.jpg | en | null | Angry onion farmers dump produce on road | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Farmers are demanding that the government resort to market intervention to bail them out of the crisis.—File Photo: U. Subramanyam
Peeved at the steep slump in the price of onion, farmers dumped the produce on the RTC Bus Stand Road and staged a ‘rasta roko’ in front of the Kurnool market yard on Saturday, urging the government to provide them succour through market intervention.
Farmers, who brought nearly 300 lorry loads of onion to the market yard three days ago, stayed put on the premises and turned impatient as there were no takers.
Several farmers had been falling asleep on the onion bags in the market yard for the last three days.
The price for smaller variety plummeted to as low as Rs. 100 per quintal and the slightly bigger variety to Rs. 300 per quintal.
Farmers of Pathikonda, Adoni, Aspari, C. Belagal, Yemmiganur, and Kodumur mandals in the district and those of neighbouring Mahabubnagar district lamented that they had invested nearly Rs. 1.50 lakh per acre to grow onion, but were hardly getting an income of Rs. 20,000 per acre.
They demanded that the government resort to market intervention to bail them out of the crisis.
Kurnool Market Committee chairperson S. Samanthakamani assured the farmers that she would apprise the government on their plight. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/angry-onion-farmers-dump-produce-on-road/article9041566.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c8686b4ef74ed14636a919bd1ca3177950509aa1183ab800d795d2d4cd4e5bc4.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:53:09 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A 22-year-old youth plunged to death while participating in a ‘Mosaru Kudike’ ritual (similar to Dahi Handi celebrated in Maharashtra) at Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district.Shishir Kumar, who f | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fyouth-falls-to-death-during-mosaru-kudike-celebrations%2Farticle9051385.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/30BG_SHISHIR_2992644c.jpg | en | null | Youth falls to death during ‘Mosaru Kudike’ celebrations | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A 22-year-old youth plunged to death while participating in a ‘Mosaru Kudike’ ritual (similar to Dahi Handi celebrated in Maharashtra) at Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district.
Shishir Kumar, who fell while descending the Mosaru Kudike (curd pot) scaffolding on Sunday, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital late on Monday.
Though the scaffolding was 15 feet high — five feet lesser than the Supreme Court’s directive to limit the Dahi Handi height to 20 feet — the absence of safety measures proved costly for Shishir. After scaling a human pyramid as part of Ramanjaneya Troupe and breaking the curd pot, Shishir was moving towards the pole to get down when he lost grip and came crashing down to the horror of hundreds gathered.
A video clipping of the incident, which has since been circulating on social media, indicates that there was no safety net. Shishir was rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru where he died.
Son of P.M. Prabhakar and Shalini of nearby Punjalakatte, Shishir was recently employed in a private firm in Bengaluru and had come to his native to participate in Janmashtami celebrations. Mr. Prabhakar in his complaint to the Belthangady police said his son accidentally fell from the scaffolding and was severely injured. Meanwhile, the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti has petitioned the police urging them to conduct an impartial inquiry. The police have registered a case under Section 174 of Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates them to inquire into accidental deaths. Additional Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, Vedamurthy, told The Hindu that the event organisers had obtained permission. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/youth-falls-to-death-during-mosaru-kudike-celebrations/article9051385.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2741813251c18975fbf629c55e65748fa9beae1b7622d59399e5971d32b95b65.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T16:51:22 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Director Rohit Shetty has expressed a desire to bring real life couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol on-screen in a comedy family drama. Ajay and Kajol have both worked with Rohit separately. Rohit and Ajay h | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fcinema%2Fwould-love-to-direct-ajay-kajol-in-a-family-drama-rohit-shetty%2Farticle9042737.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/AJAY_KAJOL_2989622c.jpg | en | null | Would love to direct Ajay, Kajol in a family drama: Rohit Shetty | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Rohit said he has plans to make the third instalment of hit action entertainer 'Singham'.
Director Rohit Shetty has expressed a desire to bring real life couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol on-screen in a comedy family drama.
Ajay and Kajol have both worked with Rohit separately. Rohit and Ajay have delivered hits in franchises like Golmal and Shingham, while Kajol has worked in Dilwale.
When asked if he plans to cast the A-list couple, Rhoit says, “As of now, I don’t have a nice subject to make a film with Ajay and Kajol. I think it should be a family comedy. It will be fun to see them. But whenever they do a film together they should play husband and wife.”
Rohit and Ajay’s friendship dates back in the ‘90s when the former was an assistant director in Ajay’s debut Phool Aur Kaante.
The 42-year-old director said he has plans to make the third instalment of hit action entertainer Singham.
“We will make Singham 3 for sure but there is no script ready at present. It is a big franchise. We will definitely make the third part,” he added.
Rohit is all praise for Ajay’s upcoming film Shivaay.
“It’s simply amazing. It looks great packed with some mind blowing action sequences,” he said.
Rohit is known for ‘desi’ action stunts including blowing up cars, but he says he would love to attempt Hollywood style action.
“Time has come now for us to make Hollywood style action films. We have that kind of special effects and budget also. I would love to make something like that. We need to get right kind of subject for that,” he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/would-love-to-direct-ajay-kajol-in-a-family-drama-rohit-shetty/article9042737.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cc797b7717d1435f262520a71bffe78dc7822a2de7972f8491f32954d33cf8d5.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-27T14:53:00 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Over the last five days, The Hindu #whatsyourissue campaign focussed on how our roads can be made better — for both, motorists and pedestrians. We invited readers to write in about the problems they | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fbbmp-offers-a-road-of-hope%2Farticle9036941.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 | BBMP offers a road of hope | null | null | www.thehindu.com | #WhatsYourIssue
Civic body to repair Lower Agaram Road on Saturday after The Hindu highlights potholes
Over the last five days, The Hindu #whatsyourissue campaign focussed on how our roads can be made better — for both, motorists and pedestrians. We invited readers to write in about the problems they face during their daily commute. From pavements in disrepair to chaotic junctions with no signage, killer potholes to unscientific speed-breakers that do more harm than good, readers helped us identify neighbourhoods and roads that badly needed the attention of the authorities.
Following our reports and feedback to the authorities, some of the issues were addressed immediately. For instance, after The Hindu wrote about the shoddy condition of pavements, MLA S. Raghu inspected a bad stretch in Indiranagar and ensured that some of the broken slabs were fixed the next day.
On August 24, based on feedback from our readers, we tackled the issue of speed-breakers, the majority of which are poorly marked and badly built. D.S. Ramesh, Executive Engineer, Traffic Engineering Cell, BBMP told The Hindu that the civic body would take up repairs on a priority basis.
Potholes and craters are a perennial problem. While the civic body will be repairing potholes in the busy Lower Agaram Road on Saturday, there is an urgent need to address the problem of bad roads not just in one area but across the city.
There is no one-time solution to many of these problems. These issues require constant monitoring and engagement between citizens and the authorities. To facilitate this interaction, The Hindu has invited members of residents’ welfare associations to meet BBMP’s chief engineer (Major Roads) K.T. Nagaraj on Saturday at 3.30 p.m.
Those who are unable to attend can interact with R.K. Mishra, member, Technical Advisory Committee, BBMP and Ashish Verma, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, IISc, during a web chat on Saturday at 4 p.m. to discuss the issue.
Saturday at 4.pm. http://bit.ly/2bnPzFc
Issues taken up
* Missing lane markings and signage
* Bad pavements
* Unscientific speed-breakers
* Potholes
* Chaotic junctions
1) Thank you so much @BloreConnect for this wonderful initiative and let people speak up their mind
@BORN2BAWSOME
2) Really loved the initiative, Bengaluru has more potholes than IT companies
@SHRADDHASATLE
3) #Landmarks in #Bengaluru are created by Land #marks (#potholes)
@PARIMALRD
4) How about starting a campaign #signboardforpotholes demanding accountability by concerned officials
@ RISK_SPEED
5) Bangalore life: Lurching from one pothole to another, stumbling from one traffic jam into another
@AKHILAR | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/bbmp-offers-a-road-of-hope/article9036941.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bdfdec419bd16dd001d059b0fa4acf7fe0999b4448d4327c1c3576c9f7f1928f.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T10:50:50 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Bullish on expanding economic ties with India, the U.S. on Sunday said bilateral trade has reached $ 109 billion and it will get a further boost from new reforms including GST even as it flagged pers | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fus-commerce-secretary-penny-pritzker-to-visit-india%2Farticle9042752.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/TUNISIA-BUSINESS_2989626c.jpg | en | null | U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker to visit India | null | null | www.thehindu.com | "Our two countries enjoy a thriving trade and investment relationship. U.S.-India bilateral trade reached $109 billion in 2015, up from $37 billion in 2005." she said.
Bullish on expanding economic ties with India, the U.S. on Sunday said bilateral trade has reached $ 109 billion and it will get a further boost from new reforms including GST even as it flagged persisting concerns American firms have on issues related to business climate in the fast-growing economy.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, who will be on a 3-day India visit from Monday, also said that travel and tourism and sub-national engagement have been identified as two new areas of focus to drive commercial cooperation between the two countries in 2017, under which the focus would shift from India and the U.S. to Chennai and Charleston.
She said the Obama Administration in the past seven-and- a-half years has made significant progress toward realising the potential of what could be one of the largest commercial relationships in the world.
“Our two countries enjoy a thriving trade and investment relationship. U.S.-India bilateral trade reached USD 109 billion in 2015, up from $37 billion in 2005.
“US and Indian companies are also investing in each other’s economies at record levels. In 2015, US investment in India reached more than $28 billion and Indian investment in the United States reached more than USD 11 billion. In fact, US affiliates of Indian—owned firms now employ more than 52,000 workers in the US,” Ms. Pritzker told PTI in an interview.
She exuded confidence that “India’s rapidly growing economy and the Modi government’s ambitious reform agenda, including the landmark Goods and Services Tax, passage of the recent national bankruptcy law, and liberalised foreign direct investment limits in key sectors, point toward a deeper economic relationship in the years ahead.”
Asserting that there is a tremendous potential for the US and India to achieve even more together, the Secretary said she is particularly excited over two new areas of focus that will drive their cooperation in the coming year — travel and tourism and subnational engagement.
She described increasing the number of travellers who move between the US and India as a significant commercial opportunity. More than 1 million people travel between the two countries each year.
“While that figure is strong, there is certainly potential for growth,” she added.
On sub-national engagement, Ms. Pritzker said: “Both US and Indian states play a vital role in driving economic growth and setting business climate policy. Companies choose to invest in Charleston, South Carolina or Chennai just as much as they select the US and India.”
Ms. Pritzker said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to host the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit will highlight India’s strong culture of innovation on the global stage and provide Indian entrepreneurs with an exceptional opportunity to meet with top investors and network with their international peers.
Pritzker, who has been the US Secretary of Commerce for over three years and is a key member of President Barack Obama’s economic team, will be travelling to India for the second US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue and the US-India CEO Forum.
During the visit, she will meet Indian entrepreneurs and participate in an event celebrating US-India cooperation on travel and tourism. India and the US have decided to be Travel and Tourism Partner Countries in 2017.
On whether the Modi government has delivered on its target of improving ease of doing business score and the feedback from the US companies operating in India, she said: “We welcome Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious efforts to improve India’s business climate and enable greater trade and investment. The recent passage of the Goods and Services Tax, for example, is a truly historic accomplishment with potentially far-reaching benefits for the Indian economy and our expanding bilateral trade and investment partnership with India.”
She added: “However, the GST is just one in a series of steps the Indian government has taken to improve the ease of doing business in India. Since taking office in 2014, the Modi government has passed the national bankruptcy law, raised foreign direct investment caps in sectors including defense and insurance, established commercial courts, and ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
“On infrastructure, the Modi government has established Special Purpose Vehicles for smart cities, promoted municipal bonds for urban development, and launched a National Infrastructure Investment Fund. We applaud these reforms and urge the Government of India to prioritise their full implementation.”
She further said that while the US companies have responded positively to these efforts, they also continue to raise concerns about persistent business climate issues that impede greater trade and investment between our two countries.
Ms. Pritzker said: “These include unclear tax policies, burdensome regulations, inadequate protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, and onerous localization requirements. Companies seek a more transparent and predictable policy environment, including consistent notice and comment procedures in the rule-making process, in order to plan investments and inform long-term business decisions.
“Industry also sees promising opportunities to facilitate trade further through streamlining complex and cumbersome customs processing procedures, implementing a single-window approach to government licensing, and increasing predictability and efficiency in government approvals and inspections related to cross-border trade.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-commerce-secretary-penny-pritzker-to-visit-india/article9042752.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e827da950f0921620bf3ee1fa1f122c5c0c5afa18978b2d511c04bc7fa0834cf.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T10:51:21 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | A vehicle jatha, as part of Dharwad Chalo, arrived in Tumakuru city on Monday on the eve of the death anniversary of rationalist M.M. Kalburgi. The jatha headed by Kannada writer Chandrashekar Patil | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fdharwad-chalo-vehicle-jatha-arrives-in-tumakuru%2Farticle9045737.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 | ‘Dharwad Chalo’ vehicle jatha arrives in Tumakuru | null | null | www.thehindu.com | It seeks arrest of murderers of three rationalists
A vehicle jatha, as part of Dharwad Chalo, arrived in Tumakuru city on Monday on the eve of the death anniversary of rationalist M.M. Kalburgi.
The jatha headed by Kannada writer Chandrashekar Patil started from Bengaluru and will reach Dharwad where a large rally will be held on Tuesday in which 32 progressive organisations, writers, and progressive thinkers from across the country will participate and demand the arrest of murderers of the three rationalists - Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare - besides pressing for the anti-superstition bill in the State.
Mr. Patil told reporters that communal forces are suppressing the constitutional rights of the citizens in a democratic set-up. There is a growing voice against intolerance in the country. However, communal forces are desperately trying suppress this voice by launching attacks on Dalits and those belonging to minority communities, he contended.
Leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) G.N. Nagaraj said that there is no rational freedom in the nation and researchers do not have the freedom to do research. The Union government is snatching the freedom of researchers who have to work without fear and cited the cases of suicide by Rohith Vemula, a research scholar of Hyderabad Central University, and arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Writer Vasundhara Bhupathi, former Minister B.T. Lalitha Naik and others were present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/dharwad-chalo-vehicle-jatha-arrives-in-tumakuru/article9045737.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c52265a0c0c028adb30197df90ac4403d015319e851de5920465a125f67e7d9a.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T16:57:44 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The city police on Thursday arrested a gang of nine for allegedly kidnapping two Chennai-based realtors in Bengaluru on August 21. They forced the duo to accompany them at gunpoint. Among those arrest | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fgang-nabbed-for-abducting-chennai-realtors%2Farticle9034126.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 | Gang nabbed for abducting Chennai realtors | null | null | www.thehindu.com | They would target people who use high-end cars and spend lavishly
The city police on Thursday arrested a gang of nine for allegedly kidnapping two Chennai-based realtors in Bengaluru on August 21. They forced the duo to accompany them at gunpoint. Among those arrested is a history-sheeter from Ballari and his wife.
The realtors were kidnapped late on Sunday night. The duo — Muthu Kumar and Madan Kumar — were returning from a party in a chauffeur-driven BMW when the gang leader Nagraj waylaid them at Hebbal.
His associates beat up the driver Manikantan. They dragged him out of the car and drove away in the vehicle with the two realtors to a house in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.
They allegedly beat up the realtors and forced them to call their family and friends with demands to transfer Rs. 9 lakh to different accounts.
Meanwhile, Manikantan reported the incident to the police, who managed to track down the suspects to Rajarajeshwari Nagar on Wednesday. The police also arrested Sangeetha (38), wife of Nagraj, as she had withdrawn the ransom amount from a bank in Ballari. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/gang-nabbed-for-abducting-chennai-realtors/article9034126.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e3b5a7429e69162193b6d86c0877e54d376b92179999ea2cc292069fa810b890.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T02:51:54 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Physicians from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) and Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai, have been roped in for fever case management at the Government Hospital, Arak | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fdoctors-from-chennai-to-attend-fever-cases-at-arakonam-gh%2Farticle9044705.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 | Doctors from Chennai to attend fever cases at Arakonam GH | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Physicians from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) and Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai, have been roped in for fever case management at the Government Hospital, Arakkonam.
Collector S.A. Raman in a press release said 61 persons have been admitted to the Arakkonam GH with fever. The Collector inspected the hospital on Saturday.
Appropriate treatment was being provided to them and the hospital has adequate number of doctors and nurses.
In addition, physicians from RGGGH and Stanley Hospital would assist in fever case management for a month at the hospital, public health officials said. They have already begun to monitor patients on a daily basis and treatment would be given to those down with fever, an official said.
Apart from Arakkonam municipal areas, persons from 12 villages in the border of neighbouring district of Tiruvallur have also been admitted to the hospital for treatment. Officials said none of them had symptoms of dengue.
“Though there is a slight rise in the number of fever cases, there is nothing to worry. There were patients from other districts too but their number is reducing now. The fever cases are from Arakkonam, Nemili and Kaveripakkam blocks but these are seasonal fever cases. There were enteric fever, viral fever and urinary tract infection cases too,” the official said.
Officials said instructions had been given to sanitary workers and panchayat staff to take up mass cleaning works in all the panchayats in the district.
Villages in the Tiruvallur-Vellore border would be covered under the mass cleaning works. The workers would chlorinate drinking water sources and carry out door-to-door awareness campaign.
Forty sanitary workers had been deployed for each panchayat. The three panchayat unions in the Tiruvallur district border area had been allotted an additional 30 workers for the works.
The Collector said officials were prepared to take immediate measures if any fever case was reported. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/doctors-from-chennai-to-attend-fever-cases-at-arakonam-gh/article9044705.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/80d7413ef0b78f06bfb8e392110375c6b11d05087e2153927d6186d7caec9b8a.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T22:52:20 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Singapore-based business space solutions provider Ascendas-Singbridge said it would develop a information technology Park in Gurugram at a project cost of $400 million.The 60-acre information technol | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fascendassingbridge-to-build-400-mn-it-park%2Farticle9040738.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 | Ascendas-Singbridge to build $400 mn IT park | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In India, the company has about 11 million sq. ft. of assets under management and has four IT parks
Singapore-based business space solutions provider Ascendas-Singbridge said it would develop a information technology Park in Gurugram at a project cost of $400 million.
The 60-acre information technology park will provide 8 million sq. ft. of business space that can cater to an estimated 60,000 professionals after its completion, according to the company.
In the first phase, the company would develop two buildings with about 1 million sq. ft. office space. It would complete Phase 1 in Q4 of 2017.
“ITPG will be our eighth information technology park in India and we are convinced that this development will enhance the attractiveness of the NCR and help create quality jobs,’’ Manohar Khiatani, CEO, Deputy Group, Ascendas-Singbridge, said. Stating that India is a key market for the company, Mr. Khiatani said India and China were biggest markets for the company out side of Singapore. Other big markets include Japan and Korea.
Ascendas-Singbridge India CEO Sanjay Dutt said Gurgaon was the focal point of economic growth in NCR and second largest office market in India with significant investments made by large multinational corporations.
In India, the company has about 11 million sq. ft. of assets under management. It has information technology Parks in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/ascendassingbridge-to-build-400-mn-it-park/article9040738.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d5e42958651bee32e730f860eca5f1fce727352f388549ab3982227925ca2f10.json |
[
"K. A. Martin"
] | 2016-08-28T22:51:31 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Way back in 1959 when the world was just beginning to take note of the works of a Sister Teresa, it was A. Adappur, a young Jesuit, who introduced Malayalis to the world of the future Saint Teresa of | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Fhe-introduced-mother-teresa-to-malayalis%2Farticle9042964.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/28KI_MOTHER_THERES_2989844c.jpg | en | null | He introduced Mother Teresa to Malayalis | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Mother Teresa will be declared a saint by Pope Francis in Rome on September 4
Way back in 1959 when the world was just beginning to take note of the works of a Sister Teresa, it was A. Adappur, a young Jesuit, who introduced Malayalis to the world of the future Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
N.V. Krishna Warrier, who was the editor of the publication in which the article appeared in Malayalam in January of the year, took keen interest in her works, recalled Father Adappur, 91. The article appeared over four pages, providing a quick glimpse of her works.
He said he came to know of Sister Teresa’s works through his companions from Calcutta at the Pune seminary. Among them, her works were a serious topic of discussion and Fr. Adappur felt it was time that the larger world knew of Sister Teresa. It was a time when the trailblazing nature of her work had begun to shake and stir the world’s conscience.
Fr. Adappur said he received substantial help from the busy Sister Teresa herself, who wrote to him two letters towards the end of 1958 and in early 1959. The letters, though brief, explained the nature and spread of her works in Calcutta.
He said he considered the letters special even before Mother Teresa became a citizen of the world. The letters are well-preserved and continue to be a source of inspiration for him.
A big delegation from Kerala, including a delegation representing the State government, will be in Rome on September 4 when Mother Teresa will be declared a saint by Pope Francis. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/he-introduced-mother-teresa-to-malayalis/article9042964.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b10b786d4e3a15d804dff28243f9e165e29022f21bfdc352085f362defc34dce.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:55:04 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Aimed at sanitising six cities of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Ministry of Urban Development is coming up with a new campaign named ‘Asli Tarakki’ (real development), which will be replicat | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fnew-campaign-for-swachh-bharat-mission-in-six-cities%2Farticle9051437.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/Swachch_2992694c.jpg | en | null | New campaign for Swachh Bharat Mission in six cities | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Asli Tarakki (real development), if successful, will be replicated in other States. —Photo: T. Singaravelou
450 young men and women have been selected as "lead motivators" to spread awareness on PM Modi’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission.
Aimed at sanitising six cities of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Ministry of Urban Development is coming up with a new campaign named ‘Asli Tarakki’ (real development), which will be replicated in other States if it succeeds.
About 450 young men and women with “communication skills and leadership qualities” have been selected as “lead motivators” to spread awareness on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission.
An MoU was signed by the Nehru Yuvak Kendra (NYK) in the presence of Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu. “As per the MoU, NYK will deploy 50 enthusiastic and motivated youth experienced in public speaking for 52 days in each of the five municipal areas of Delhi [New Delhi, North Delhi, South Delhi, East Delhi and Delhi Cantonment], Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida for a mass awareness movement for successful implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission,” the Ministry spokesperson said in a press statement.
A two-day orientation workshop, followed by “further training”, will be held for volunteers to fire up the campaigns through “elocution, cultural performances and nukkad nataks.”
Impressed by the features of the campaign, Mr. Naidu asked the officials and NYK to “ensure its success” so that it could be emulated by other States. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/new-campaign-for-swachh-bharat-mission-in-six-cities/article9051437.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/389b698461ebb5b3ba8807b0277d8b773f8cef6be79fd222d08ef34672443cb2.json |
[
"Legal Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T10:55:44 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition by a consortium of banks to deny the businessman Vijay Mallya a hearing in a contempt case against him for providing a “vague” statement about his ass | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fsc-disallows-consortiums-plea-against-mallya%2Farticle9046673.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 | SC disallows consortium’s plea against Mallya | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition by a consortium of banks to deny the businessman Vijay Mallya a hearing in a contempt case against him for providing a “vague” statement about his assets in violation of a court order.
Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohinton Nariman directed the banks to respond to Mallya’s petition to recall the contempt notice issued by the court on July 25.
The notice was issued after the consortium complained that Mallya failed to disclose his assets, especially the receipt of $40 million out of the $75 million (Rs. 515 crore) due from the British liquor major Diageo Plc after he resigned as chairman of United Spirits Ltd. in February.
The Bench decided to hear the case in detail on September 27 after Mallya’s counsel, C.S. Vaidyanathan, denied any case of contempt.
Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, representing the banks, said Mallya had absented himself from court on Monday. Hence, he did not even deserve any opportunity of a hearing. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-disallows-consortiums-plea-against-mallya/article9046673.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/22b45955a907ffb5bdd0c73fb83b0f5956496a56e00e0ddd84275d0fc605af47.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T02:50:50 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary P. Jayarajan has lodged a complaint with the police saying that he has received a letter threatening to kill him or his son.
The lette | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fspeech-against-is%2Farticle9042039.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 | Speech against IS: P. Jayarajan gets death threat | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary P. Jayarajan has lodged a complaint with the police saying that he has received a letter threatening to kill him or his son.
The letter, sent in the name of ‘Hail Islamic State Kannur Jihad Group,’ was sent to the CPI(M) district committee office here the other day, the complaint said. A press release issued by the party district secretariat here on Saturday said the letter threatened him for making statements on the Islamic State (IS). The complaint said the letter threatened to carry out the murder in three months’ time. It said that Mr. Jayarajan would know the pain of death when it would happen in his house. The letter begins with a warning ‘‘We are watching you,’’ the statement said.
Mr. Jayarajan in his police complaint stated that the letter was aimed at creating fear in him and in the party. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/speech-against-is/article9042039.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/17948a5c5f36330b751584c8288731a4c0c6d686220af87534b109bbd5bb05c3.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T15:04:14 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board Chairman Chadalawada Krishnamurthy on Thursday evening reportedly created a flutter by forcibly entering the premises of Prudential Sugar Factory at Ni | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fttd-chief-allegedly-creates-ruckus-at-sugar-factory-threatens-staff%2Farticle9034045.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 | TTD chief allegedly creates ruckus at sugar factory, threatens staff | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board Chairman Chadalawada Krishnamurthy on Thursday evening reportedly created a flutter by forcibly entering the premises of Prudential Sugar Factory at Nindra near Nagari, and threatening the staff there.
There has been a long-standing tiff between Mr. Krishnamurthy and the sugar factory management over financial transactions and issues like directorial positions.
The sugar factory staff alleged that the TTD chief had barged into the factory complex along with his followers numbering over 100. Mr. Krishnamurthy's followers had resorted to vandalism on the premises, it was alleged.
Meanwhile, the Nindra police told The Hindu that they had not received any complaint from the management so far. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ttd-chief-allegedly-creates-ruckus-at-sugar-factory-threatens-staff/article9034045.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b03475ab1dfbe2813b213df44e3ca7fc8342cd9b4eb6af70d18da7ea365b4bda.json |
[
"Aparajith Ramnath"
] | 2016-08-28T22:51:16 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fthread%2Fsports%2Farticle9043580.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/Title_2990257c.jpg | en | null | The aura that jades but never fades | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Watching Rahul Dravid bat against the English seamers in 2011 was a wonderful experience for any fan. The backlift was curtailed, the stance adjusted, and, as experts pointed out, the Wall tried to stay inside the line of the ball (cutting down the chance of an LBW). It wasn’t always pretty, but it was the determination and adaptation that we admired in the 38-year old Test-match veteran. Zaheer Khan, when he had cut down his speed and was struggling with fitness, demonstrated a splendid command of the art of swing and reverse swing, even adding an innovative ‘knuckle ball’ to his repertoire. Think, similarly, of the thrill of watching Boris Becker win at the Australian Open in 1996 after years in the wilderness, or of Goran Ivanisevic, well past his prime, winning his coveted Wimbledon trophy. What is it that compels us to watch these veterans battling it out?
The concept of ‘late style’, referring to an artist’s technique and performance in the twilight of his/her career, is relevant here. The critic Edward Said wrote a book on the subject, but his reviewer in the New York Times, Edward Rothstein, had a somewhat different vision of ‘late style’, and it is worth quoting: “A late style would reflect a life of learning, the wisdom that comes from experience, the sadness that comes from wisdom and a mastery of craft that has nothing left to prove. It might recapitulate a life’s themes, reflect on questions answered and allude to others beyond understanding.”
That wonderful passage could apply to what we feel about our favourite sportspersons as their careers draw to a close. It also enables me to make sense of my continuing support for Roger Federer, well past his prime.
I became a Federer fan at a time when he lost about a match a year — and when he did, it made headlines. My admiration for him stemmed not from his dominance (a reigning Pete Sampras, for instance, had never held the same fascination for me), but from the artistry and finesse with which he achieved his successes. And yet, oddly, I don’t recall very clearly any of his matches from those years. I suppose I watched the highlights most of the time, in the smug knowledge that our man could not be challenged.
Thus passed perhaps the most glorious part of Federer’s career. But the thrill of watching — and supporting — Federer only emerged fully when it became clear that he was always going to be the underdog in one contest at least: playing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. Every hero needs his nemesis — Superman his Lex Luthor, Holmes his Moriarty, Feluda his Maganlal Meghraj. Roger Federer had found his. Nadal is rightly credited with making Federer take his own game up a notch or two, something we could scarcely have believed possible. But what he did especially was to highlight the human side of Federer.
We saw him as a vulnerable mortal like any of us, except that he could produce sublime beauty on the tennis court. My own status as a Federer fan truly began to crystallise only with the 2007 Wimbledon finals, when he nearly panicked, yelling in frustration about the then-new HawkEye, but ultimately made it to the finish line. It was confirmed the following year when Nadal bearded the lion in his own den in that nerve-wracking five-setter that few who watched it will ever forget. Federer was on the verge of tears; half a year later, after the finals of the Australian Open, the tears flowed freely.
No longer could Federer’s dominance be taken for granted at the Grand Slam tournaments. But for a Federer fan, there were new phases to come. Poetic justice came in 2009 when the French Open crown finally sat on a Swiss head, although it was a touch anticlimactic because someone else (Robin Soderling) had knocked Nadal out earlier. Still, that year, with a tenacious Wimbledon win, and with stability on the personal front for Federer, gave us a glimpse of a more stoic and accepting Roger.
After his win at the Australian in 2010, he endured a barren period in Grand Slams, but he had acquired an aura of contentment, as distinct from complacency. Where he was once criticised as immodest and arrogant, he was now unquestionably gracious, grateful for whatever successes he continued to have, and seemingly at peace with himself. His resurgence in the 2011-12 hard court season raised talk about the possibility of further Grand Slam titles. That possibility was fulfilled under the roof of Wimbledon in 2012.
What had changed in his game over all these years? I don’t have the reams of footage one would need to answer this definitively, but here are some impressions. Federer started off going to the net often, then became a classic baseliner, and finally, under the tutelage of Paul Annacone and Stefan Edberg, began to use the serve-and-volley at frequent intervals. His serve grew more and more precise, but his forehand began to fail him, and his flowing single-handed backhand was his most aesthetic weapon but also his Achilles heel, as opponents’ groundstrokes increasingly caught the frame of his racquet.
His every stroke seems to ‘recapitulate a life’s themes’, and there is a certain ‘sadness that comes from wisdom’ — that awareness of one’s fallibility
Watching Federer win Wimbledon in 2012, and nearly do so in 2014 and ’15, was a treat. His run to the semi-finals this year gave nearly as much joy; and the fact that he is going to miss the US Open will add poignancy to his next major appearance. His best years are behind him, and yet he continues to tweak his strategy in subtle ways, change his racquet to a larger frame, come to the net more often, all the while striving to spare his ageing back from undue stress. What’s more, it’s the fact that he’s now the underdog in big matches that makes it interesting for his supporters.
That’s why I think Rothstein’s words capture beautifully what I feel these days about Federer. His every stroke seems to ‘recapitulate a life’s themes’, and there is a certain ‘sadness that comes from wisdom’ — that awareness of one’s fallibility — not only for Federer himself, but for his supporters who are enthralled by his late style and still drawn to watching him play, all the while thinking wistfully of the days when he routinely won Grand Slam tournaments. | http://www.thehindu.com/thread/sports/article9043580.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c52a3b1e551f4fd867d7cd7d6244677acf6a95be07f04af0ea6328044f38b667.json |
[
"Mini Anthikad Chhibber"
] | 2016-08-29T12:51:01 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | A Sunday morning with young Frankenstein, his monster, his comely assistant Inga, scary housekeeper, Frau Blücher, (complete with horses neighing in fright) and goo-goo-eyed servant with a roving hunc | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fyoung-frankenstein-with-a-twist-and-great-panache%2Farticle9046201.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30BGMFRANK_2991203c.jpg | en | null | " Young Frankenstein" with a twist and great panache | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Tap that leg, move that arm, and twist to Young Frankenstein
A Sunday morning with young Frankenstein, his monster, his comely assistant Inga, scary housekeeper, Frau Blücher, (complete with horses neighing in fright) and goo-goo-eyed servant with a roving hunch, Igor, tempered with a lot of naughty jokes was just what the doctor ordered to drive away the blues.
And that is precisely what Leila Alvares served with an excellently-produced Young Frankenstein. Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (1974) is a cult horror comedy about Frederick Frankenstein, who wants to disassociate himself from his infamous ancestor, Victor. He comes to Transylvania after his grandfather passes away to settle the estate but becomes fascinated with Victor’s work and decides to reanimate a corpse with naturally disastrous consequences. Mel Brooks wrote music and lyrics for a musical based on Young Frankenstein which opened on Broadway in November 2008.
Leila directed the musical with great panache for Bengaluru audience. The infectious energy of cast, the excellent costumes, the involved sets and the music all combined to create a wholesome experience. While the actors and dancers were uniformly good, special mention should be made of Shyju Varkey (Dr. Frankenstein), Rahael Roy Thomas (Igor) and Bhumika Anantharaman (Frau Blücher).
Dance directors Alisha D’Souza, Lionel De Nazareth and Akshay Tiwari captured the verve and vitality as well as the precision of extravagantly-choreographed numbers. With live music and singing, the nearly three-hour production called for some serious stamina which the cast proved equal to.
The CAUSE Foundation Production goes to Kochi, Mangalore and Goa before returning to town for another weekend. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/young-frankenstein-with-a-twist-and-great-panache/article9046201.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e35b727f93fc47b39c15478577c7520dcd87253852c0d9a0af261ef95b8e6c40.json |
[
"Samarth Bansal"
] | 2016-08-30T22:54:43 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The number of rape offenders known to the victim increased from 86 per cent in 2014 to 95.5 per cent in 2015, data released by the National Crime Records Bureau on Tuesday show.Of the total cases r | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fdata%2F95-of-rape-offenders-known-to-victims%2Farticle9051504.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 | 95% of rape offenders known to victims | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The number of reported rape cases witnessed a 5% decline from 2014 to 2015.
The number of rape offenders known to the victim increased from 86 per cent in 2014 to 95.5 per cent in 2015, data released by the National Crime Records Bureau on Tuesday show.
Of the total cases reported in 2015, 33,098 offenders were known to the victim. In 25 per cent of the cases (8,788 incidents) neighbours were identified as offenders and in 21 per cent cases (7,394) the head was ‘Known Person on Promise to Marry the Victim’. Overall, the reported rape cases witnessed a five per cent decline from 2014 to 2015. This is the first time in the last six years that this figure has decreased. A total of 34,651 rape cases were reported in 2015 — around 95 cases every day — down from 36,735 in 2014. Delhi and Mumbai had the highest number of total reported rape incidents.
— Samarth Bansal | http://www.thehindu.com/data/95-of-rape-offenders-known-to-victims/article9051504.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8438d9d4f66e79f43c7b0e68214305da8977b15785afca3d4b6fd0841b0f26ab.json |
[
"Saumya Ancheri"
] | 2016-08-31T13:00:19 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | In the first weekend of July, every member of Naseeruddin Shah’s family happened to be onstage in Mumbai. Shah was acting in A Walk in the Woods , directed by his actress-wife Ratna Pathak Shah. His | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fthe-shah-of-indian-theatre%2Farticle9050393.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/naseeru_2992331c.jpg | en | null | The Shah of Indian theatre | null | null | www.thehindu.com | In the first weekend of July, every member of Naseeruddin Shah’s family happened to be onstage in Mumbai. Shah was acting in A Walk in the Woods , directed by his actress-wife Ratna Pathak Shah. His daughter Heeba was directing a Hindustani play, younger son Vivaan was helming a dramatic performance of English short stories, and elder son Imaad had a music gig. And, as if to underscore Shah’s pivotal role in the theatre scene, that weekend also threw in a performance of Sapan Saran’s Waiting for Naseer , in which two actors have to choose which of them gets to catch a show by their favourite actor, Shah.
Having a family of thespians isn’t something Shah had planned, nor was his success. “In the film world, I am deeply grateful that I’ve been able to spend 40 years of my life doing something which was as intangible as a dream when I was a kid,” he says. Even as he prepares to show Jerome Kilty’s Dear Liar , based on the relationship between George Bernard Shaw and Mrs Patrick Campbell, at The Hindu Theatre Festival, Shah says it’s a privilege just, “to continue producing plays that I want to do”. “Engaging with great writing, which one does not get to do in the film world, is what has kept me going and kept me stimulated and what has contributed to my awareness and knowledge of life and the world,” he says.
His favourite works
Even so, Shah considers his most meaningful work to have been Shoaib Mansoor’s 2007 film Khuda Kay Liye , one of Pakistan’s highest-grossing films.
Shah plays a learned cleric who addresses issues such as the representation of humans in art. “It gave me a lot of answers to questions that have bothered me because I was brought up in an orthodox Muslim household,” Shah says. He also considers the 1983 Bollywood film Masoom his best film for its “modern approach to the family” that still holds relevance over four decades later. Nothing matches up to Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot , the first play from Motley, the group he formed with the likes of Benjamin Gilani in 1979. “It’s the most important play written in the twentieth century,” Shah says, “It states the human condition better than any philosophical treatise and it’s been our most successful production in that we spent nothing on it.”
Shah’s process of working has evolved, but the first step has always been by instinct, choosing which play or film to work on based on his first reading of a script. Parts in a Motley production are assigned after the group reads the script together, and sometimes they begin even staging the action before the set is designed. Satyadev Dubey, director of Dear Liar , was one of Shah’s biggest influences. “Aesthetics were of no concern to Dubey; he believed in pulling the intestines of the work out,” Shah says.
As much as he enjoys Western plays, Shah says it’s the work of Indian authors that particularly resonate. “I get the smell of the earth when I do something in Urdu, in my own language,” he says, “I don't have to make the effort to be Bernard Shaw.”
The majority of the audiences for his plays are the youth, much to Shah’s surprise and delight. “I'm really happy so many youngsters are involved in theatre today,” Shah says, particularly because “they are writing original stuff on subjects that matter to them, using a living language that’s spoken in cities.” The craft of playwriting has not grown over the years, Shah says, but things are beginning to change. “There’s always been this complaint by theatre people in India that we don’t have enough plays, and there’s been this primal complaint by playwrights about who do we write plays for when nobody’s doing theatre. The great deal of original writing being done particularly in alternative spaces is helping resolve that,” he says.
Ratna’s role
In Dear Liar , Shah will take the stage opposite Ratna, in a two-hander that they have performed intermittently across two decades.
“Her feedback is invaluable to me, Shah says, “I wouldn’t be able to function without her. It’s only in a play like Einstein that I’ve actually given her the credit of being co-director, the fact is she has been associate director in almost everything I’ve done.”
(Saumya Ancheri is Assistant Web Editor for National Geographic Traveller India) | http://www.thehindu.com/features/the-shah-of-indian-theatre/article9050393.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4424bb2d9ea8a4e7be7b7c9fd8daa027750af0e2a65e2f0e8019d006337b1510.json |
[
"Rajendra B. Aklekar"
] | 2016-08-28T08:51:45 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Mumbai’s citizens have historically been dependent on its three commuter rail lines. Their speed, frequency and, barring the monsoon, reliability, and their reach — they stretch out far beyond the ci | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fcan-mumbais-onceiconic-public-bus-service-recover-its-lost-glory%2Farticle9042523.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/saving_best_low_jp_2989434c.jpg | en | null | Can Mumbai's once-iconic public bus service recover its lost glory? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The city’s once-iconic public bus service is facing huge losses. Can it recover some of its lost glory?
Mumbai’s citizens have historically been dependent on its three commuter rail lines. Their speed, frequency and, barring the monsoon, reliability, and their reach — they stretch out far beyond the city’s municipal boundaries, effectively creating a metropolitan area by virtue of their span — have quite rightly earned them the label of the lifeline of the city.
On the road, though, even since the nineties, when ownership of private transport began to rise, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) has been an essential part of the city’s transport network. BEST busses are cheap, fast — or as fast as our city’s traffic and potholes allow them to be — and they cover almost every nook and corner of the metropolis.
But the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority (the state government’s umbrella transport organisation for the Mumbai region) has now decided to allow private busses to ply throughout the region on a point-to-point basis, without the need for a permit.
The BEST is going to oppose this tooth and nail and write to the government to withdraw this. But it might be better for the Undertaking to look within. Because this decision indicates that local transport organisations (including the BEST, Thane Municipal Transport Corporation, Navi Mumbai Transport Corporation and others) are just not offering the quantity and quality of services to meet growing commuter demands.
So why, then, is the BEST in trouble?
One reason is liberalisation. Consumer finance and competition between manufacturers has brought private transport within the reach of more and more Mumbaikars.
Another is simple progress: in addition to autorickshaws in the suburbs, citizens now have access to the still-fledgling Mumbai Metro and Mumbai Monorail, and technology-powered innovations like app-based taxi services, all at reasonable prices.
But the BEST itself must take some blame. It is caught in its own web of politics, trade unionism and irrelevance, and it has failed both to upgrade its vehicles and in the use of technology. It’s no surprise that it is being left behind.
The problems with the system
BEST’s transport service incurs huge losses. While the Undertaking itself has an income:expenditure surplus, the transport deficit is - Rs. 858.02 crore; the organisation is not in the red only because of the electricity division’s surplus of Rs. 925.41 crore. That surplus, plus loans from the municipal corporation, is what keeps its busses on the streets.
Now many, if not most, public transport bodies in cities around the world incur regular losses; in fact they are expected to: public transport is regarded as a public service, a social obligation, and cities find other ways to pay for them. But the BEST’s losses are much larger than could be reasonably accepted.
The Undertaking is managed by a politically-appointed committee and its own administrative wing. The thin line between political and administrative governance is often crossed, leading to losses.
As you would expect, the politically-appointed members often have their party’s agenda — and their own! — to advance. For instance, a member might demand a new bus routes to appease her or his vote bank. Aside from this kind of interference in crucial decisions, other factors come into play. The smallest of administrative decisions are scrutinised by the political wing at the committee meetings, discussed and debated for days, often delaying crucial procurement and requirements. By the time these are approved, they become irrelevant, or the lack of a decision has severely affected operations. Put another way, the committee, which should be ideally restricting itself to policy decisions, sometimes stretches issues for unnecessary political wins and gains, with the Undertaking losing out at the macro level.
The IAS officer who is the general manager of the Undertaking is often left helpless before the politically-appointed chairman and members for key operational decisions. A transport operation can never work efficiently in such a situation, What is much needed is a reorganisation of the system of checks and balances that gives transport operations freedom to make its services relevant.
Then let us look at the infrastructure.
BEST has a fleet of just over 4,000 buses. At any one time, 300 to 400 buses are under temporary or permanent maintenance. Add to that the busses on heavily loss-making routes, which can’t be shut down because political interests won’t permit that, and you get overloaded or underserved routes elsewhere.
Along with the political burden, the Undertaking is overstaffed; with this heavy workforce comes an even heavier trade union; so the Undertaking is often hampered in making commuter-friendly decisions. A small example is the passenger helpline, which the unions seem to regard as a punishment for staff.
The undertaking has also lagged behind in technology, which directly affects its services.
If you ask any regular bus commuter what is her biggest issues experienced when it comes to BEST buses, chances are you will get punctuality as your answer. Standing at the bus stop on any arterial road, choking in the heat and dust — or trying to avoid getting sprayed by slush, if it’s during the rains — and traffic fumes, in the rudimentary shelter a BEST stop offers, we are essentially clueless about when the next bus will arrive.
Making the BEST better: not rocket science
All this does not mean that the BEST is fatally wounded. There is still hope that it can at least reduce its losses and offer better services to its consumers.
Separate bus lanes to speed up bus traffic have worked in other cities, but it may not work out in Mumbai. Unlike, say, Delhi, Mumbai’s narrow roads, heavy traffic and huge number of encroachments will get in the way. It will make for a good study and analysis, but my gut feeling is it’s not practically implementable, given the city’s geography and commuting patterns.
It is crucial for the Undertaking to take a serious look at the quality of its buses. Mumbai’s neighbouring municipal transport undertakings have shown the way, using high-end buses, which are well patronised by commuters. The BEST must understand that in today’s world, people are ready to pay for quality services. The BEST deploys clattering, rattling vehicles on the majority of the routes; the few air-conditioned bus routes are served by cheap vehicles that cannot climb inclines and have to be abandoned mid-route on highways. If the BEST were to get in high-end buses which offer comfort, leg room, air-conditioning, commuters would not mind long traffic jams so much. Of crucial importance for such high-end busses is that they should be maintained well.
As to the technology that has made BEST irrelevant to a large chunk of commuters, the Undertaking can use that same technology to win some of them back.
A small example? Add on a little convenience like WiFi, enabled by a password that comes printed on the bus ticket, and you might even get commuters choosing to travel by BEST just to have a little peaceful browsing time!
Then let us look at punctuality and bus availability. The BEST has never had a public timetable, and to be fair, it probably cannot have a categorical one, as buses often get caught up in traffic jams and are delayed by bad roads. But the least a commuter can expect is knowledge of when the next bus will arrive. In a city where every minute is important, such information is if immense value in helping us plan out time.
It is not that the BEST has a fleet of millions of buses: there are just over 4,000 to keep track of.
wTo do this is not some Utopian dream; it is technology that is available to us in devices that slip into our pockets. A combination of GPS units or geo-location aware cellular devices on the busses, linked to a central network, could feed count-down timers on bus-stops that tell commuters when the next bus there can be expected. Many bus shelters have an electric supply, which is currently used only to light up advertisements; advertising is not a bad way to pull in some much-needed revenue, but that electricity could also power a simple commuter convenience like this. And of course, also using that electricity to power cheap LCD bulbs and light up the bus-stops themselves would make them that little bit safer in this sometimes dangerous city.
Extend this a little further. How about a BEST mobile phone app that piggy-backs on, say, Google Maps, where one can log in, and see a swarm of moving red dots? Zoom into the area you are in now to find the nearest bus-stop, and, based on what bus routes are operating at the time, the best connection to wherever it is you need to go, and exactly how far away the next bus you need to take is. This app could be free, or very cheap.
Maybe you could pre-buy BEST tickets on it. Maybe the Undertaking can sell ad space there too, and shut down those annoying TV screens that play in some busses! More ideas like these will come if the BEST shows itself to be open to them and willing to reward developers and entrepreneurs who create them.
A post-script, not an epitaph
Even if the BEST fails, it will never shut down. It has the government’s backing. It will always remain as a social security tool for its employees and their trade unions. But it will lose its popularity and patronage, and become something similar to Doordarshan: once practically an essential, today still performing a useful function but a pale shadow of its glory days.
*****
An icon of an iconic city
One of the BEST’s biggest assets is its rich legacy. The trust earned over more than a century keeps getting it patronage from citizens, sustaining it even today.
In 1865, an American trading firm, Stearns Hobart & Co., applied to the then Bombay government for a concession to lay and operate a tramway system. But the end of the American Civil War and related developments led to a financial crash in the city and the scheme never fructified. Five years later, in 1870, they applied again, and after a detailed assessment, on March 1, 1873 Stearns Hobart and partner G.A. Kittredge were granted the right to construct, maintain and operate tramways on the streets of Bombay. The partners floated the Bombay Tramway Company Limited and registered it in Bombay. The first sod was turned on January 1, 1874 near the Grant’s Building end at Colaba. The first tramway section, from Grant’s Building to Pydhonie via Bori Bunder, Crawford Market and Kalbadevi, was opened for traffic on May 9, 1874. Bombay Tramway’s horse-drawn tramcars continued operations for about 30 years. In 1905, the city moved to the electric tram and the company was taken over by the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Company Limited, which started operations in 1907. Electric trams, speedier, cleaner, cheaper and faster than the horse-drawn trams, were an instant hit. The crowds kept coming and the company introduced double-decker tramcars in 1920 to cope with the numbers.
Motor cars had already arrived by the early 20th century and there had been a talk of getting motor buses in Bombay since 1913. But World War I delayed the decision. Motor buses were finally introduced in 1926 as an experiment. Red double-deck buses, modelled on London’s red public transport busses, came in 1937; and became a city icon. The Company was taken over the Municipal Corporation in 1947. In 1952, a survey of tram traffic was conducted and their operations were found to be increasingly unfeasible. The service formally shut down in 1964 and only busses have been running since then.
• The BEST seems to be slowly losing the commuting race in Mumbai, despite the government talking of encouraging public transport to cut down congestion and pollution. BEST busses are now primarily used as feeder routes and as more of a back-up in absence of any other viable transport mode.
• The decision-making process in the BEST needs to be streamlined,
• Commuters have a choice of better, reasonably priced alternatives.
• Lessons need to be learned from neighbouring municipal transport organisations, which have introduced high-end busses that have proven popular.
• The very technologies that have threatened the BEST can be used to help it fight back.
Bus Division Deficit (crore)
2008–09 -Rs. 410.81
2009–10 -Rs. 504.88
2010–11 -Rs. 400.38
2011–12 -Rs. 391.73
2012–13 -Rs. 633.50
2013–14 -Rs. 767.74
2014–15 -Rs. 858.02
Other statistics
112 The only profit-making route, Rs. 35,000
AS700 (a/c) Biggest loss-maker, with a deficit of Rs. 116,665,000
163 Lowest cost of operation, Rs. 659,000 (but earns only Rs. 160,000, so a loss of Rs. 499,000)
AS461 (a/c) Highest cost of operation, Rs. 151,701,000 (earns Rs. 35,796,000, so a loss of Rs. 115,905,000)
461 Ltd. Highest revenue, Rs. 131,698,000 (operation cost Rs. 149,879,000, so a loss of Rs. 18,182,000)
626 Lowest revenue, Rs. 77,000 (operation cost Rs. 757,000, so a loss of Rs. 679,000)
(All figures per year, for 2015–16)
About the author:
Rajendra B. Aklekar has been a journalist for over twenty years and covered the transport beat in Mumbai for over a decade. He has trained himself in museology to document the city’s vanishing relics, helped the railways set up heritage galleries and worked on several prestigious projects to conserve ancient structures. He is the author of Halt Station India, the best-selling book on the Mumbai railway, India’s first train line. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/can-mumbais-onceiconic-public-bus-service-recover-its-lost-glory/article9042523.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a184ada36e617ec67682fcec8f0d6ed47b6e9d4714f9a1b29082e69857b309bc.json |
[
"Racing Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T12:52:06 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Thor Of Asgard and Frivolous showed out when the horses were exercised here on Wednesday (Aug. 31).Inner sand600m: Snow Peak (rb) 41.5. Easy. Sentosa Cove (Ikram) 39. Moved freely.800m: Cavalia (D.A. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fraces%2Fthor-of-asgard-shows-out%2Farticle9055639.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 | Thor Of Asgard shows out | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Thor Of Asgard and Frivolous showed out when the horses were exercised here on Wednesday (Aug. 31).
Inner sand
600m: Snow Peak (rb) 41.5. Easy. Sentosa Cove (Ikram) 39. Moved freely.
800m: Cavalia (D.A.Naik) 53, 600/40. Moved well. Sabiq (Zervan) 53.5, 600/40. Moved freely. Saker (Bhawani) 52, 600/39. Moved well. Safdar (Sandesh), Jabble (Ikram) 53, 600/38. Former was two lengths superior. Monte Greco (rb), Great Artist (rb) 55, 600/39.5. Former finished four lengths ahead. Millennium Falcon (C.Umesh) 55, 600/41.5. Easy. Toofan (rb) 54, 600/40.5. Moved freely. Magical Dancer (C.Umesh) 53, 600/39. Moved well. Star Highness (S.Kamble) 56, 600/42. Easy. Sir Desmond (Sameer), Cool Runnings (V.Jodha) 51, 600/39. They moved level freely. Dubrovnik (R.K.Mahesh), Quixotic (Jethu) 51, 600/38. Former finished four lengths ahead. General’s Song (Kuldeep) 53, 600/40. Pressed. Silken Eyes (Yash Narredu) 57, 600/42. Easy. Arak (Ikram) 51.5, 600/38. Moved well. Jeena (G.Amit) 53, 600/40.5. Moved freely. Zambian (J.Chinoy) 53, 600/38. Urged. Hirohama (H.G.Rathod) 52, 600/39. Moved freely. Golden Belle (Vishal), Star Ace (Pradeep) 51, 600/39. Former finished three lengths ahead. Merchantofvenice (Ajinkya) 51, 600/38. Moved well.
1,000m: Mekong Delta (Yash Narredu), Via Amoris (rb) 1-8, 600/38.5. Former finished five lengths ahead. Smart N Noble (S.S.Rathore), Star Councillor (P.S.Chouhan) 1-9, 600/39.5. Pair moved level freely. Serenita (V.Jodha), Harvey (Neeraj) 1-5, 800/50, 600/38. Former was well in hand and they finished level. Thor Of Asgard (Yash Narredu), Domination (Jethu) 1-4, 800/51, 600/39. Former strode out well and finished four lengths ahead. Gran Paradiso (Pradeep), Flying Show (rb) 1-9.5, 600/43. Pair level. Shield Of Achilles (Jaykumar), Shivalik Shine (Yash Narredu) 1-8, 800/52, 600/39. They finished level freely. Terrific (Jethu), Country’s Empress (R.K.Mahesh) 1-9, 800/53, 600/40.5. Former ended three lengths in front. Odessa (Yash Narredu), The Big Revival (Jaykumar) 1-8, 800/52.5, 600/39. Former finished a distance ahead. The Unicorn (Parmar), Commodore (Zervan) 1-11, 600/42. Pair easy. Pure Sin (Sandesh), 1-7.5, 600/41.5. Moved freely. Lady Danehill (Pradeep), Thunder Down Under (Zervan) 1-6.5, 800/52, 600/39.5. Former superior. Ageless (Sandeep) 1-4, 600/39. Moved attractively.
1,200m: Frivolous (Yash Narredu), Dancing Prince (Jaykumar) 1-21, 600/39. Former finished six lengths ahead. Germanicus (Sandesh), Magnolia (P.S.Chouhan) 1-25, 600/42. They were easy.
1,400m: Torrezzo (Kamlesh), Hunt For Heads (rb) 1-40.5, 600/43. They ended level. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/thor-of-asgard-shows-out/article9055639.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f3236effb0cd729a87a7f2e6a4c43b68f77c99422bf46b983b0408bd611e5d49.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T04:51:59 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | A group of unidentified persons attempted to break open an automated teller machine located in R.K. Pettaipudur near Tiruttani. The attempt was made at the ATM belonging to a private bank. Two persons | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fburglary-attempt-at-atm-near-tiruttani%2Farticle9041674.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 | Burglary attempt at ATM near Tiruttani | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A group of unidentified persons attempted to break open an automated teller machine located in R.K. Pettaipudur near Tiruttani. The attempt was made at the ATM belonging to a private bank. Two persons entered the enclosure and broke the CCTV installed there. While they were attempting to break open the ATM, residents and passers-by intervened. The burglars fled the scene.
Police rushed to the spot and conducted an investigation by sifting through the footage from the surveillance camera. The video footage from the camera outside the ATM branch was being checked to zero in on the culprits. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/burglary-attempt-at-atm-near-tiruttani/article9041674.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/34ce00ed49ed0b636d4e56ef113812cadacd802351bb9befad10def6270666cd.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T02:52:21 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Highlighting the need for protecting the whale shark, District Collector H. Arun Kumar on Tuesday underscored the need for creating awareness among the stakeholders about the importance of safeguardin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Frelease-whale-sharks-if-netted%2Farticle9052383.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 | ‘Release whale sharks if netted’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Highlighting the need for protecting the whale shark, District Collector H. Arun Kumar on Tuesday underscored the need for creating awareness among the stakeholders about the importance of safeguarding the Schedule-I animal from fishing nets and to allow it to undertake the job of sea scavenging.
Addressing the ‘International Whale Shark Day Celebrations’ organised by the EGREE Foundation at the Rangaraya Medical College Auditorium here, he observed that the whale sharks were subjected to killing in the fishing nets, as most of the fishermen were unaware of the importance of the animal. He said that the government would pay compensation for the fishing nets, in the event of the fishermen safely releasing the sharks into the sea.
The Collector warned that those who killed the Schedule-I animals were liable for seven years imprisonment and advised people to inform the police and the forest officials in the event of they coming across anyone harming the whale sharks. “A campaign should be carried out even on the social media,” he observed.
Mobile app released
He released a mobile app on the protection of endangered sea species, developed by the foundation and handed over a cheque to a fisherman family that released a whale shark into the sea along with the fishing net.
Arun Kumar says the government will pay compensation for the fishing nets, in the event of the fishermen safely releasing sharks into sea | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/release-whale-sharks-if-netted/article9052383.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e7e07a37d41d0916b3fb2f09df4f50ce32a4d01bca7b3bcbefb09a62a06c6c35.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T00:53:38 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A day after the Communist Party of India (CPI) mouthpiece Janayugam criticised him in an edit page article, M. Swaraj, MLA, has come out with a detailed response on a post on Facebook.
Mr. Swaraj c | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Fswaraj-retaliates-against-janayugam-article%2Farticle9050889.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 | Swaraj retaliates against Janayugam article | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The MLA had described the Congress flag as torn cloth and not that of the CPI as mentioned in the article.
A day after the Communist Party of India (CPI) mouthpiece Janayugam criticised him in an edit page article, M. Swaraj, MLA, has come out with a detailed response on a post on Facebook.
Mr. Swaraj clarified that in his speech at Udayamperur, he had spoken about having met a CPI worker for the first time during his pre-degree days in Thrissur and not that he had first come to know about the CPI then.
“I was sharing my experience and I do not need anyone’s permission for that. The AISF had neither presence in my school or college nor the CPI in my village,” he said.
The MLA also referred to Left unity sarcastically in his post for remaining silent to insult by the CPI and its leaders. However, that seems to have emboldened the abusers, reasoned Mr. Swaraj for his decision to hit back eventually.
Mr. Swaraj said he had described the Congress flag as torn cloth and not that of the CPI as mentioned in the article. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/swaraj-retaliates-against-janayugam-article/article9050889.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/fae98b25136bbd3e5acb162ec02b00f09a90802f01eeb1b5561a91d35622d23f.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:51:58 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Raheem Sterling struck twice and Fernandinho added another goal as Manchester City made it five wins in as many matches under the management of Pep Guardiola with a 3-1 victory at home to West Ham in | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fsterling-double-maintains-manchester-citys-perfect-record%2Farticle9043466.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/TH29STERLING_2990088c.jpg | en | null | Sterling double maintains Manchester City’s perfect record | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Raheem Sterling struck twice and Fernandinho added another goal as Manchester City made it five wins in as many matches under the management of Pep Guardiola with a 3-1 victory at home to West Ham in the English Premier League on Sunday.
Guardiola’s men made hard work of seeing off the Hammers at Eastlands before securing a win that left City atop the Premier League, on goal difference from Chelsea and Manchester United, who’ve also won their opening three matches.
City scored twice in the opening 18 minutes although twice as many goals would not have flattered the home team, such was its complete domination at that stage of West Ham.
Kroos stars for Real
Real Madrid extended its perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, thanks to Toni Kroos’s late winner.
The results:
EPL: Sunday: Manchester City 3 (Sterling 7, 90+2, Fernandinho 18) bt West Ham 1 (Antonio 58); West Brom 0 drew with Middlesbrough 0.
Bundesliga: Sunday: Hertha Berlin 2 (Darida 62, Schieber 90+5) bt Freiburg 1 (Hoefler 90+3); Hoffenheim 2 (Rupp 55, Uth 83) drew with Leipzig 2 (Kaiser 58, Sabitzer 90);
Saturday: Borussia Monchengladbach 2 (Hahn 45+1, Stindl 85) bt Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Pohjanpalo 79).
La Liga: Sunday: Las Palmas 5 (El Zhar 22 & 68, Boateng 51, Momo 72, Araujo 85) bt Granada 1 (Boga 45);
Saturday: Osasuna 0 lost to Real Sociedad 2 (Juanmi 45+2, Garcia 81-og); Eibar 1 (Pedro Leon 62) bt Valencia 0.
Real Madrid 2 (Morata 60, Kroos 81) bt Celta Vigo 1 (Orellana 66); Leganes 0 drew with Atletico Madrid 0.
Serie A:
Sunday: Inter Milan 1 (Icardi 72) Palermo 1 (Rispoli 48). Saturday: Napoli 4 (Milik 18, 33, Callejon 74, Romagnoli 90+4-og) bt AC Milan 2 (Niang 51, Suso 55). | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/sterling-double-maintains-manchester-citys-perfect-record/article9043466.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/87bdaeea9ec09701a7d820823a7e2a0ffc61e5a37d966b8ca86f866f3d137be8.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T02:54:58 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Motor vehicles, seized by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials, will be auctioned on September 15. The vehicle owners had failed to pay the penalties and taxes even after completion of the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fauction-of-seized-vehicles-on-sept-15%2Farticle9053458.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 | Auction of seized vehicles on Sept. 15 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Motor vehicles, seized by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials, will be auctioned on September 15. The vehicle owners had failed to pay the penalties and taxes even after completion of the deadline and hence a decision was taken to auction the seized vehicles, according to Deputy Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao. The vehicle owners/financiers can, however, can take back their vehicles on payment of the outstanding taxes and penalties till a day before the auction. Other details about the auction can be seen on the notice board of the RTA Office at Madhavadhara VUDA Colony. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/auction-of-seized-vehicles-on-sept-15/article9053458.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/21e50f288fa6d3c4bba2cf319852036129a38350d23a7b8f9fa33c3847950846.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T18:50:33 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the nation is “free of another curse” on Saturday after police stormed a militant hideout, shooting dead the suspected mastermind of a horrific attack o | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fbangladesh-free-of-curse-now-says-pm-hasina%2Farticle9040838.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/Bangladesh_2988935c.jpg | en | null | Bangladesh ‘free of curse’ now, says PM Hasina | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Bangladesh police-persons at the scene of the operation in Narayanganj, around 25 kms south of Dhaka, on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
Elimination of the extremists would bolster people’s confidence, she says
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the nation is “free of another curse” on Saturday after police stormed a militant hideout, shooting dead the suspected mastermind of a horrific attack on a cafe that killed 20 hostages.
The bodies of three Islamist extremists were retrieved after police staged an hour-long gun battle with militants in Narayanganj, near Dhaka, officers said.
Home-grown militancy
Prime Minister Hasina praised police and intelligence agencies for the operation which killed Tamim Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-Canadian believed to have planned the attack.
“The main mastermind of the Holey Artisan [attack] has been eliminated,” Ms. Hasina told reporters at her office, referring to the Gulshan cafe incident.
“The nation has become free of another curse,” she said, adding the “elimination of the extremists” would bolster “people's confidence”.
Thirty-year-old Chowdhury, who returned from Canada in 2013, had earlier been named by police as the suspected mastermind of the attack on the cafe in Gulshan, an upscale Dhaka neighbourhood.
The police raid came two days before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is set to arrive in Bangladesh, the highest-ranked Western official to visit the South Asian nation since the attack.
Officials said security issues, including Dhaka-Washington DC anti-terror cooperation, will feature during Mr. Kerry’s talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart on Monday.
“The operation went on for an hour. We can see three dead bodies. They did not surrender. They threw four to five grenades at police and fired from AK 22 rifles,” Bangladesh national police chief A.K.M. Shahidul Hoque told reporters on Saturday.
“Three extremists were killed. Among them, one of the dead persons looked exactly like the photo of Tamim Chowdhury that we have,” he said.
The Islamic State (IS) had claimed responsibility for the July 1 attack, releasing photos from inside the cafe during the siege and of the five men who carried out the deadly assault and were shot dead at its finale. But police and the Bangladesh government rejected the IS claim, saying a new faction of homegrown militant group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) led by Chowdhury was behind the attack in which 20 hostages, including 18 foreigners, were killed along with two policemen.
Bangladesh police blame the JMB militant group for the deaths of more than 80 foreigners and members of religious minorities over the last three years. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-free-of-curse-now-says-pm-hasina/article9040838.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6409d6ec5961c3201e53c188365f4aa34e9293b6b66ab0fc2733028bbaa71df9.json |
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