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[
"B. Kolappan"
] | 2016-08-27T00:53:08 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | It may not be The Bridge on the River Kwai, but this documentary on the tragic death of over 1.5 lakh Tamil workers is more real than the Oscar-winning David Lean film.What the 1957 film does not te | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fthe-real-kwai-killed-over-150-lakh-tamils%2Farticle9037199.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/children_final_2987841c.jpg | en | null | The real Kwai killed over 1.50 lakh Tamils | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Story of enslaved labour in Japanese railway project between 1940 & 1942
It may not be The Bridge on the River Kwai, but this documentary on the tragic death of over 1.5 lakh Tamil workers is more real than the Oscar-winning David Lean film.
What the 1957 film does not tell, this one does: the story of over two lakh Tamil emigrants from Malaysia and Burma, who were forced to labour between 1940 and 1942 on a 415 km.-railway track between Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), including a bridge on the Kwai, as part of Japan’s Greater Asia plan.
A new documentary titled Siam-Burma: Marana Railpathai (Thailand-Burma: The Death Railway) by Puducherry-based academician R. Kurinjivendan sheds light on the dark event. The hour-long film will be screened at R.K.V. Studios in Chennai on Saturday.
“The Japanese estimated that it would take five years to complete the project. If it was over in 15 months, you can imagine how these poor workers toiled to lay the track and a road alongside,” said Mr. Kurinjivendan, an assistant professor at the Arignar Anna Arts and Science College, Karaikal.
Only 35,000 returned, as per a British census after World War II, indicating that over 1.50 lakh Tamils perished. They fell victim to snakes and insects, cholera, malaria and Beriberi. “Some of them committed suicide, unable to bear the burden and the Japanese torture,” says the academician, who began his project in 2002-03. He travelled to England, Australia, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar to research documents of the Allied Forces.
Moved by poet Subramania Bharati’s evocative song, Karumbu Thottathile, on the plight of Tamil plantation workers abroad, he began a quest to trace the fate of those who migrated from the present-day Tamil Nadu after 1800. He travelled to England, Australia, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar to research documents of Allied Forces. The result was his doctoral thesis, ‘The Tamil Immigrants of Colonial Malaya—Life and Literature.’
Though many communities, including Mukkulathor and Gounder, migrated, the majority were Dalits from Chengalpattu and North Arcot, he found.
It was not just the British, but the Portuguese and the Dutch too who transported Tamils from Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Pudukottai, Coimbatore, Chengalpattu and North Arcot to various countries to work in plantations. “At least one person from a family was forced to work on the Death Railway,” says Dr. Kurinjivendan.
During his visit to Myanmar and Malaysia, he met a few survivors, like the 112-year-old Pal Pandian. He was too old to recollect the events, but on the third day of their meeting he narrated his experience in laying a mud road along the track. Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army is believed to have used it. The track snaked through 300-km of thick rainforest in Thailand and 115 km in Myanmar. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-real-kwai-killed-over-150-lakh-tamils/article9037199.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8a0c9097647cfcbc55c8f16f0ace47ef0f143ccd16b292bb319ef33e60eab6df.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:51:25 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Here's a quick glance at today's top stories:
Supreme Court admits Muslim woman's plea to declare triple talaq illegal
The Supreme Court on Friday took on board a petition by a West Bengal-based | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Ftodays-stories-you-shouldnt-miss%2Farticle9037029.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 | Today's stories you shouldn't miss | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Here's a quick glance at today's top stories:
Supreme Court admits Muslim woman's plea to declare triple talaq illegal
The Supreme Court on Friday took on board a petition by a West Bengal-based Muslim woman to declare the practices of ''talaq-e-bidat'' (triple talaq), ''nikah halala'' and polygamy under the Muslim personal laws illegal and unconstitutional.
Bombay High Court allows women’s entry into Haji Ali Dargah sanctum
In a landmark judgment, the Bombay High Court on Friday allowed women to enter inside the sanctum of the Haji Ali dargah.
Difference between shallow and deep earthquakes
The August 24, 2016 earthquake in Italy was a lot weaker than the one hit Myanmar the same day, but it did far more damage because it happened at a shallower depth. The Associated Press explains the difference between shallow and deep earthquakes.
Who is fighting who in Syria
Syria's conflict broke out in March 2011 with peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad's government but has evolved into a complex war involving jihadist groups and regional and international powers.
What it would take to probe Proxima b?
Imagine an integrated chip having among other necessities a camera and a battery in something weighing a gram or so.
Top French court suspends burkini ban
France's highest administrative court on Friday suspended a controversial ban on the burkini by a French Riviera town after it was challenged by rights groups. In a judgement expected to lead to bans being overturned in around 30 towns, the State Council ruled the measure was a "serious and clearly illegal violation of fundamental freedoms". | http://www.thehindu.com/news/todays-stories-you-shouldnt-miss/article9037029.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d13e1f3fd4bc33629d1a017223332be835d7c24802e5988031f22fba48dc9acb.json |
[
"M. Balaganessin"
] | 2016-08-27T22:51:08 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | After a gap of five years, the area under sunflower cultivation in Tiruchi district has increased thanks to attractive price for the produce. The area came down drastically over the past few years du | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FTiruchirapalli%2Farea-under-sunflower-increases%2Farticle9040494.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/TY28SUNFLOWER_2988731c.jpg | en | null | Area under sunflower increases | null | null | www.thehindu.com | After a gap of five years, the area under sunflower cultivation in Tiruchi district has increased thanks to attractive price for the produce.
After a gap of five years, the area under sunflower cultivation in Tiruchi district has increased thanks to attractive price for the produce. The area came down drastically over the past few years due to various factors particularly pest attacks. But this season has witnessed a turnaround.
A large number of farmers who bore the brunt of the poor yield due to pest attack since 2009 had given up the crop over the past five years. The district originally accounted for 250 hectares and the crop was mainly raised in Thuraiyur, Thathaiyengarpet and Musiri blocks till 2009.
But, the area got reduced gradually and stood at just 70 hectares during 2015. Farmers had raised other crops between 2010 and 2015. But, this year, the area under coverage stood at 235 hectares and Uppilliyapuram and surrounding villages alone accounted for a maximum area of 60 hectares.
“A gap in the cropping pattern for about five years and the subsequent shift cultivation has resulted in fertility of soil,” said an official of Agriculture Department. This year, the area has shot up to 235 hectares. Apart from soil enrichment, attractive price for the crop has contributed to farmers returning to the crop, the official told The Hindu on Friday.
The price per kg of sunflower stood at Rs.35 this year against just Rs. 26 last year. The average investment per acre was Rs.12,000 and farmers got returns of about Rs.35,000. “Farmers can net about Rs.20,000 in about two-and-a-half months,” the source said,
The duration of the crop was 80 days and most farmers had raised hybrid variety. “The quality of the flowers this season is quite appreciable, probably due to the enrichment of the soil,” the source added.
Farmers of Pagalavadi near Thuraiyur say that they have taken to sunflower cultivation after a gap of seven years. They have taken care to prevent pest attacks. Pushpam Pitchamuthu, a farmer, said that she had cultivated the crop on about one acre and was confident of higher returns this year.
She complained that peacock problem was a great challenge to the sunflower growers. The birds caused more damage at the time of harvest, she added and appealed to Forest officials to take action. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/area-under-sunflower-increases/article9040494.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/81324198df3d82c7df1d3a1f6098aafe1ab2ef2a3857dad036dc00a6dd33070b.json |
[
"Khyrunnisa A."
] | 2016-08-27T00:54:05 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | ‘What a lovely sari!’ I exclaimed when I sighted my friend. I don’t know how many men receive compliments when they wear nice shirts but when a woman wears a pretty sari, it is imperative to praise | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fsociety%2Fis-there-an-age-to-attend-aunthood%2Farticle9036276.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27TVM_AUNTY002_JPG_2987366c.jpg | en | null | Is there an age to attend 'aunthood'? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | What happens when aunty becomes madam?
‘What a lovely sari!’ I exclaimed when I sighted my friend. I don’t know how many men receive compliments when they wear nice shirts but when a woman wears a pretty sari, it is imperative to praise her taste in clothes. Of course, it’s a totally different matter if the sari is awful, when you would do best to be non-committal. ‘Ah!’ she gave a wistful sigh. ‘You should have seen the one I did not buy, the one that got away.’ ‘Why? How?’ I sensed an interesting story here.
Now her tone changed dramatically from wistful to belligerent. ‘That salesman, old enough to be my grandfather, rather, father, er, at least my older brother, actually called me “Aunty.” Auntyyyyyy!! What nonsense!’ She looked outraged. ‘Tell me, do I look old enough to be his aunty? Or, for that matter, anyone’s aunty?’
Not having seen the salesman, I couldn’t offer an opinion regarding the first of her indignant questions, so I made a few relevant noises. But I responded to her second question with a diplomatic silence. Having become an aunt at eight, I believe there is no particular age at which to attain ‘aunthood’. But wait a minute, she wasn’t talking about age; it was all about looks.
I examined her critically and the silence continued to be diplomatic until I broke it to ask where she bought the sari she was wearing. She brightened. ‘Oh, at another showroom. Such a sweet salesman there! So frank too. He said, “Madam, this sari will suit your fair complexion.”’
So that was the secret formula. A little less of ‘Aunty-ing’ and a little more of ‘Madam-ing’ with a bit of flattery added on would have helped that unsuspecting, honest salesman who had prompted my friend to leave his shop in high dudgeon, up the sales. Business establishments that wish to flourish would do well to invest in a ‘“Madam-ing” and “Sir-ing” skills training programme’ for their staff.
The older a woman gets the more she takes umbrage at an unflattering mode of address. How ironic, I thought, that the very girls who, while in college demanded that their juniors, if only by a day, showed respect by calling them ‘Chechi’, wanted to be called either by their names or by the diplomatic honorific, ‘Madam’ when they grew older, but not wiser.
This ‘Chechi-Chettan’ business hadn’t been in practice when I was a student for I remember how we addressed all our seniors by their names, and there was no dearth of respect shown either, especially towards those who were bossy or burly.
‘What does it matter, anyway,’ I told myself smugly, ‘whether you are addressed “Aunty” or “Chechi”?’ But when something similar happened to me the other day, it did matter.
I bought some snacks from a bakery and the bill came to Rs 61. Noticing me pull out a hundred rupee note from my purse, the owner began to fumble around in his cash box. Peering in, I spotted a fifty rupee note. I thought I could help him out by giving an extra eleven rupees so that he could give me the fifty. Handing him the hundred, I began to rummage in my purse for the change when he looked up and asked, ‘Amma, do you have Rs. 11? Then I can give you a fifty-Rupee note.’
I froze. Amma? Whose Amma? Which Amma? Wherefore Amma? This man had had this bakery when I was in school, when I was in short skirts and had my hair in two plaits. He had been around for donkey’s years, might have hit a century even. Who is he calling ‘Amma’? I closed my purse with a telling click.
‘Hunt, hunt,’ my thoughts churned indignantly in my head. ‘Turn the cash box upside down. Turn out your pockets. Look in the pockets of the long underpants centurions like you must wear. Collect all the loose change and see if it all adds up to 39. Borrow from your assistant. Go ask the neighbouring shop. There’s a grouch there who doesn’t know the meaning of help. Or ask the beggar in the corner. Go buy some fruit from the fruit seller with the hundred. You might, just might, get the change you require. But don’t expect any assistance from me. I’ll wait till kingdom come, but no way am I parting with my 11!’
‘Little one, do you have eleven rupees in change?’ asked the canny, middle-aged assistant. I smiled and opened my purse, my good humour restored...
khyrubutter@yahoo.com
(A fortnightly column by the city-based writer, academic and author of the Butterfingers series) | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/is-there-an-age-to-attend-aunthood/article9036276.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c8c38deb5f651ff630376e5bb64a6f67d1eed6df1e3c5ffaa80d49a035d24b30.json |
[
"Mohammad Ali"
] | 2016-08-26T14:51:00 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted immunity from arrest to the family of Mohammad Akhlaque in the alleged cow slaughter case till the conclusion of the investigation. Akhlaque was lynched by | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fallahabad-hc-stays-arrest-of-akhlaques-family-in-cow-slaughter-case%2Farticle9036411.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02571/Asgari_Begum_TH_2571542c.jpg | en | null | Allahabad HC stays arrest of Akhlaque's family in cow slaughter case | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Asgari Begum, mother of Mohammad Akhlaq who was lynched by a mob over rumours about cow slaughter in Bishara village in Dadri. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted immunity from arrest to the family of Mohammad Akhlaque in the alleged cow slaughter case till the conclusion of the investigation. Akhlaque was lynched by his neighbours in Bishahra village in Dadri last September over rumours of having eaten beef.
"The petitioner shall not be arrested till the conclusion of investigation under section 173 sub clause 2, of the code of criminal procedure," said the bench of Justices Ramesh Sinha and Prabhat Chandra Tripathi.
Farman Ahmad Naqvi, the lawyer of Akhlaque's family told The Hindu that this was the interim relief.
"This is the interim relief the court granted to us. We had requested for quashing of the FIR lodged in July 15, as well as stay on arrest till the conclusion of investigation," Mr. Naqvi said.
But the court did not grant relief to Jan Mohammad, the brother of Mohammad Akhlaque, who is also an accused in the alleged case of cow slaughter.
Villagers of Bishahra had gotten an FIR registered against Akhlaque's family after a government forensic report claimed that the meat seized from the spot of Akhlaque's lynching was beef. The forensic report contradicted the earlier report which declared the meat to be mutton. Cow slaughter is banned in UP inviting prison term of upto two years.
Akhlaque's family members, however, maintained that they did not slaughter any cow and the meat was changed under a conspiracy to polarise the State six months ahead of the Assembly polls.
"My father was killed over rumours about beef. We did not kill any cow. The meat which was declared to be first mutton and then later beef, was not collected from our fridge but from the place near the transformer where my father was lynched. I am not saying this but the police seizure memo says this. Now everybody can judge for themselves what is going on," said Danish, younger son of Akhlaque who was brutally assaulted by the lynching mob. Danish, a key witness in Akhlaque's murder case was critically injured in the attack and survived after two major brain surgeries. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/allahabad-hc-stays-arrest-of-akhlaques-family-in-cow-slaughter-case/article9036411.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/08c47ef723d203ef3d51eb2b8a9a6a00a72fd672f00b738e9b9e5916a52b95ef.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T12:50:49 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | A photograph of a crying elderly Canadian couple in wheelchairs, separated into two different care homes after 62 years of marriage because no beds were available together, has received international | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fphotograph-of-separated-elderly-canada-couple-gets-attention%2Farticle9040157.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/CANADA_SEPARATED_E_2988605c.jpg | en | null | Photograph of separated elderly Canada couple gets attention | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A photograph of a crying elderly Canadian couple in wheelchairs, separated into two different care homes after 62 years of marriage because no beds were available together, has received international attention.
Wolfram Gottschalk, 83, of Surrey, British Columbia was put in an assisted living home in January after he suffered dementia health complications making it impossible for wife Anita, 81, to care for him at home. Four months later, Ms. Gottschalk entered a different facility despite family efforts to keep them together.
The facilities are half an hour apart, with family driving Ms. Gottschalk to see Mr. Gottschalk several times a week.
Granddaughter Ashley Bartyik took “the saddest photo I have ever taken” when her grandparents were brought together recently. She notes that he reaches and cries out for her.
Mr. Gottschalk was diagnosed with lymphoma on August 23, 2016. Now, the family is desperate for the couple to be together to live out their remaining days.
“I see desperation,” Ms. Bartyik said. “I see people married for 62 years pulled apart by a system. I see the love they have for each other.”
She took to social media to draw attention to the family’s plight and said the family had been working to find a care home to accommodate both grandparents. But the couple’s immediate health concerns led them to be put in separate facilities.
“It’s a little bit of a broken system right now,” Ms. Bartyik said.
She said the first call from the local health authority came on August 25, 2016, after the photo received international attention. “We were told he is a top priority,” Ms. Bartyik said.
She said Ms. Gottschalk is more aware of what is happening than her husband. She said her grandfather’s dementia is growing and the family is afraid Mr. Gottschalk soon won’t remember his wife.
“With the news of cancer, our fight to have them in the same facility is even more urgent,” Ms. Bartyik said.
The couple met in Germany in 1954 and married four months later. Mr. Gottschalk was a bricklayer and a shortage of work after World War II led the couple to immigrate to Canada.
Ms. Bartyik said the couple speaks in their native German in sad situations and Mr. Gottschalk calls Ms. Gottschalk “my little mouse” in German, Ms. Bartyik said. “That’s what he calls out when he sees her,” Ms. Bartyik said.
Fraser Health was unavailable for comment. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/photograph-of-separated-elderly-canada-couple-gets-attention/article9040157.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/cebd3be063717901efcf8745f4efa15fc8c253fac39db141f4eab228258a577a.json |
[
"Jacob Koshy"
] | 2016-08-27T12:56:45 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Seed technology major Monsanto says it is suspending plans to introduce an upgraded version of its genetically modified cotton in India because of uncertainty in the “business and regulatory environm | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fmonsanto-stops-release-of-new-bt-cotton-tech%2Farticle9032692.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 | Monsanto stops release of new Bt cotton tech | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Seed technology major Monsanto says it is suspending plans to introduce an upgraded version of its genetically modified cotton in India because of uncertainty in the “business and regulatory environment”. Activists say this is a “hypocritical” position.
On July 6, Monsanto notified the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, the regulatory authority for approval of biotechnology traits in India, that it was withdrawing its application for the commercial release of the “Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex” technology.
“Our decision to suspend its introduction in India is an outcome of the uncertainty in the business and regulatory environment, which include the regulation of trait fees and introduction of the draft compulsory licensing guidelines. This decision has no impact on our current cotton portfolio being sold in India,” the company said in a statement.
The new technology used genes that not only killed cotton pests but also made plants resistant to an herbicide called Roundup that is widely used in farms all over the world, including in India. Activists say Roundup Ready GM, commercially available in a wide variety of seeds, is unsuitable to India.
“They are being hypocritical,” Kavitha Kuruganti, convener of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture and a GM critic, told The Hindu.
“While we welcome Monsanto’s decision to withdraw Roundup, we challenge them to withdraw all of their other GM events in the pipeline.”
Monsanto’s application in June to conduct advanced tests on genetically modified maize was not withdrawn, the GEAC website said. “Monsanto has been committed to Indian agriculture and farmers for decades, and we plan to continue bringing innovative research in our businesses in corn seeds, vegetable seeds and crop protection chemistries,” its statement said.
The “uncertainty” that Monsanto referred to was triggered by a notification from the Union agriculture ministry on May 18 — retracted within a week — that vastly undermined royalties and control over contracts Monsanto and its technology partners could enter into with seed companies.
Monsanto and its Indian partner Mahyco — also a seed company — are jointly the biggest licensor of genetically modified cotton technology to seed companies in India. The 49 seed companies who have licensed Bollgard technologies from the multinational now provide over 95% of the cotton in India’s fields.
Monsanto is fighting court battles with prominent seed company Nuziveedu Seeds, a former licensee, on royalty payments.
The agriculture ministry had said it was revising guidelines and was inviting comments for 90 days since it withdrew the notification, the deadline for which ended earlier this week. Sources told The Hindu that Monsanto and seed companies were in dispute due to a “misreading” of the act governing patents and another one that allowed breeders special rights over plant varieties that had been developed by their efforts. “However the notification encouraged a schizophrenic policy…encouraging intellectual property rights and Make in India while at the same time denying IPR holders their dues,” said a government source who’s involved with India’s GM seed policy matters. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/monsanto-stops-release-of-new-bt-cotton-tech/article9032692.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1804488742d8cf762bdb9b073484b796ba6252960ff7e9210febaa43f40a8b6e.json |
[
"Santosh Patnaik"
] | 2016-08-31T04:55:47 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Work on 4x1000 megawatt NTPC Pudimadaka Super Thermal Power Project is likely to gain pace once the Ministry of Coal finalises the Policy for Long-term Coal Linkage.Work on the ultra-modern project en | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fpudimadaka-project-ntpc-awaits-coal-linkage-to-start-work%2Farticle9053476.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/30vzskp1-NTPC-P_31_2993188c.jpg | en | null | Pudimadaka project: NTPC awaits coal linkage to start work | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The project site of NTPC Pudimadaka Super Thermal Power Plant at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam.— Photo: K.R. Deepak
The requirement will be around 15 to 16 million tonnes per annum
Work on 4x1000 megawatt NTPC Pudimadaka Super Thermal Power Project is likely to gain pace once the Ministry of Coal finalises the Policy for Long-term Coal Linkage.
Work on the ultra-modern project envisaged with an investment of about Rs.26,500 crore – the largest single investment post bifurcation in Andhra Pradesh will be launched after getting green nod from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. MoEF is awaiting details on coal linkage.
The tendering process, which is kept on hold, will be revived once long-term coal linkage is finalised.
The project, located about 60 km from here, was originally conceived to generate power by importing coal. However, due to Government of India’s decision to encourage power generation to curtail foreign exchange expenditure with domestic coal, the project is being redesigned.
“We will launch work on a fast-track mode once we get long-term coal linkage and clearance from MoEF,” NTPC-Pudimadaka Group General Manager P.S. Radhakrishnan told The Hindu on Tuesday.
The coal requirement will be around 15 to 16 million tonnes per annum. NTPC is making preparation to ensure 100 per cent ash utilisation for construction work and exports. The coal will be supplied by Eastern Coalfields Ltd from Ranigunj coalfield. Ranigunj block is estimated to have high-grade deposits amounting to 63 million tonnes.
Desalination plant
The entire requirement for cooling water system as well as sweet water will be met from the sea by setting up a desalination plant.
Mr. Radhakrishnan said the plant would have a capacity of 38 million litres per day. The project would install latest technologies for high efficiency and less pollution.
As part of project, gas insulated switch yard will be set up. This is stated to be one of the special features of the project and the main advantage of the switch yard is that it will occupy half the space compared to conventional switch yard.
We will launch work in a fast-track mode once we get long-term coal linkage and clearance from MoEF.
Radhakrishnan
GM NTPC Pudimadaka Group | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/pudimadaka-project-ntpc-awaits-coal-linkage-to-start-work/article9053476.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c57afca09009174c7b790fb2c95ffed84f4901660c41fa178142b8d8fcb1984f.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:11 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma on Sunday created a controversy when he suggested that foreign women tourists should not wear skirts and other “short” dresses at night in Agra and avoid moving a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fdont-wear-skirts-minister-tells-foreign-tourists%2Farticle9043229.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 | Don’t wear skirts, Minister tells foreign tourists | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma on Sunday created a controversy when he suggested that foreign women tourists should not wear skirts and other “short” dresses at night in Agra and avoid moving alone at night.
Mr. Sharma, who was answering questions from the press in Agra, said, “for their safety foreign women tourists should not wear short dresses and skirts.”
He maintained that this suggestion would be part of the advisory to tourists as Indian culture is “different” from western.
Mr. Sharma clarified that he was not calling western culture bad but only pointing out the differences between the two cultures.
He also said that tourists should be aware of the sensitivities associated with temple towns like Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan.
Mr. Sharma also suggested that foreign tourists take snapshots of cabs and autos they use so that it could be used in case of any unfortunate events. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/dont-wear-skirts-minister-tells-foreign-tourists/article9043229.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0a45159423d5442feb0a4748103af4b16dc10a4b6c62deb22e1719bbac89364e.json |
[
"Pran Nevile"
] | 2016-08-26T17:00:36 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Among the composer-singer-lyrist triumvirate of the music world, the lyricist is the one whose contribution is denied due recognition. Overshadowed by the other two, stalwarts such as Majrooh Sultanpu | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Ffriday-review%2Fstraight-from-the-heart%2Farticle9032280.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02985/26DFR_SHAKEEL_B_2985775c.jpg | en | null | Straight from the heart | null | null | www.thehindu.com | As we celebrate Shakeel Badayuni’s birth centenary, let’s go back to the life and times of the instinctive poet-lyricist.
Among the composer-singer-lyrist triumvirate of the music world, the lyricist is the one whose contribution is denied due recognition. Overshadowed by the other two, stalwarts such as Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sahir Ludhianvi and Shakeel Badayuni are marginalised by the print media. Unlike composers and singers, there is hardly any tribute paid to the lyricists on their birth and death anniversaries. Until the late 1940’s there was hardly any mention of their names on the gramophone records. So much so, that even the names of illustrious poets like Mirza Ghalib, Zauq, Daagh and others were omitted, what to say about the lesser mortals.
This reminds me of an incident at Begum Akhtar’s memorial concert organised at the India Habitat Centre. The performing artist was requested to sing the popular number “Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo”. The organiser told the audience that the artist would sing it if anyone in the audience would name the writer of this famous ghazal. Interestingly, no one in the audience of over three hundred gave the correct answer. The writer was Fayyaz Hashmi, a prolific lyricist who had penned over 500 songs before moving to Pakistan in 1947. These included most of the popular non-film songs sung by Jagmohan, Hemant Kumar and Pankaj Mallick in 1940s.
It was against this background that the lyricists of the Hindi film industry struggled to attain recognition. Shakeel Badayuni, an outstanding poet-lyricist after overcoming initial hurdles turned a legend in early 1950s. Born in 1916, Shakeel hailed from a literary family. He had earned name and fame as a poet during his Aligarh Muslim University days, winning awards at many mushairas. He moved to Bombay in 1946 and thanks to Naushad, then a renowned composer, Shakeel got his first break in Kardar’s film, “Dard” (1947). As the story goes, Naushad had asked him to sum up his poetic skill in one line and Shakeel said, “Hum dard ka afsana duniya ko suna denge-Har dil mein mohabat ki ek aag laga denge”. This was the beginning of the Naushad-Shakeel partnership that was to continue for over the next two decades. The songs of “Dard” were a great hit especially the one by Uma Devi (Tun-Tun) “Afsana likh rahi hun”. Shakeel was a rare phenomenon who was crowned with success with his very first film. Soon, Naushad-Shakeel team became one of the most sought after duo by the film industry. Their box office hits included “Deedar” (1951), “Baiju Bawra” (1952), “Mother India” (1957), “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960), “Gunga Jumna” (1961) and “Mere Mehboob” (1963). Shakeel turned a household name after his all time-favourites of “Baiju Bawra”, “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” and “Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj”. These songs endorsed his command of the Hindi language as well. Then there was “Na milta gham to barbadi ke afsane kahan jate”in “Amar” (1954), which prompted Sahir Ludhianvi to compliment Shakeel as the best ghazal writer in Hindi cinema. Shakeel reached the zenith of his fame with “Mughal-e-Azam”, with each song being a runaway hit and one of them, “Pyar kiya to darna kya” turning an all-time classic. Incidentally, with “Mughal-e-Azam”, the best of Naushad was over and so was the partnership with Shakeel.
Shakeel also teamed up with the composer, Ravi and wrote lyrics for his film “Gharana” (1961), “Ghungat” (1963) and also the famous “Chaudwin Ka Chand” (1960), whose title song rendered by Mohammed Rafi, earned the Filmfare Award for Shakeel as the best lyricist in 1961. Shakeel was also associated with Hemant Kumar and his two films “Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam” and “Bees Saal Baad” (1962) were both box office hits with the former emerging as Guru Dutt’s all-time classic. Its songs “Na jao saiyan chhuda be bahian” and “Chale aao-koi dur se awaz de” continue to delight the music lovers especially their sensational picturisation of Meena Kumari.
Even before coming to the film world Shakeel had attained recognition as an eminent Urdu poet through his participation in mushairas where he was showered with praise and superlative compliments both for his poetry as well as his recitation. He had little interest in political ideology or social causes and did not join the contemporary galaxy of progressive poets such as Faiz, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Sardar Jafri, Makhdoom Mohiuddin and others. He applied his talents to describe the beauty, love romance, emotional, sentimental and passionate experiences as well as joys and sorrows of life. The tremendous popularity of his film lyrics taught him that even the most serious and thought provoking ideas when expressed in simple words would appeal to the listeners. No wonder, his ghazals became extremely popular with the leading contemporary ghazal exponents such as Begum Akhtar and Talat Mehmood. Jigar Moradabadi, the doyen of Urdu poetry has aptly described Shakeel as ‘Shair-e-fitrat’ or an instinctive poet as his poetry was not a play of words but a true reflection of his own life. His privations and adversity did not turn him sour as he transformed pathos into love.
Ali Sardar Jafri, a staunch progressive writer though not much impressed by Shakeel’s literary style did acknowledge his mastery in penning down heart rendering ghazals. Ghazal is the predominant form of Urdu poetry. The great Urdu poets, Wali Deccani, the father of Urdu poetry, Zauk, Sauda, Daagh and Ghalib owe their fame and popularity to their mastery in the field of ghazals. Commenting on Shakeel’s poetry, Sahir noted that after Jigar and Firaq, Shakeel was the only one of his generation who chose to dedicate himself and apply his talents to the field of ghazal. He not only preserved the traditional rich literary heritage but also introduced new elements to enhance its appeal.
I recall Shakeel’s immense popularity with the All India Radio artists in 1950s and 60s. Above all, Begum Akhtar at every concert, Radio and DD programmes invariably sang two or three popular ghazals of Shakeel. These included “Mere hamnafas, mere hamnawa”, and “Ai mohabat tere anjam pe rona aaya”. Talat, on the other hand always sang his favourites “Hangama-e-gham se tang aakar and ‘Gham-e-ashiqi se keh do”. Once he paid tribute to Shakeel by singing in his memory the following:
‘Aankhon se dur subha ke tare chale gaye,
Neend aagayi to gham ke nazare chale gaye.
Jalwe kahan jo zauq-e tamasha nahin Shakeel,
Nazren chali gayin to nazare chale gaye’.
Shakeel passed away in the prime of his life in 1970. Professionally, he was then no more in great demand by the film industry. So, in a way he was spared the pain of dejection that was the fate of many stalwarts of the 1950s and 60s including Naushad. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/straight-from-the-heart/article9032280.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/11c6c2952fdd4b5458d4e73742ec47b827f3971792c45823397c2a957cb6318e.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T06:56:04 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Strong aftershocks rattled residents and rescue crews alike Friday as hopes began to dim that firefighters would find any more survivors from Italy’s earthquake. The first funerals were scheduled to | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fsearch-operations-intensify-as-italy-earthquake-death-toll-increases%2Farticle9035221.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/ITALY_EARTHQUAKE_2987082c.jpg | en | null | Italy quake death toll rises to 267 as hopes for survivors begin to dim | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Death toll rises to 267 as hopes for survivors begin to dim.
Strong aftershocks rattled residents and rescue crews alike Friday as hopes began to dim that firefighters would find any more survivors from Italy’s earthquake. The first funerals were scheduled to be observed for some of the 267 dead.
Some of hard-hit Amatrice’s crumbled buildings suffered more cracks after the biggest aftershock of the morning struck at 6-28 a.m. The U.S. Geological Service said it had a magnitude of 4.7, while the Italian geophysics institute measured it at 4.8.
Seismic area
The aftershock was preceded by more than a dozen weaker ones overnight and was followed by another nine in the subsequent hour some of the nearly 1,000 aftershocks that have rocked the seismic area of Italy’s central Apennine Mountains in the two days since the original quake Wednesday.
Rescue efforts continued through the night, but more than a day-and-a-half had passed since the last person was extracted alive from the rubble. While Premier Matteo Renzi hailed the fact that 215 people had been rescued since the quake, civil protection officials reported only a steadily rising death toll that stood early on Friday at 267.
Nevertheless, civil protection operations chief Immacolata Postiglione insisted that the rescue effort continued in full, “in search of other people trapped in the rubble.”
Italian news reports said the first funerals were to be observed on Friday for some of the victims -- in Rome, for the son of a local police chief; in Pomezia Terme for two grandmothers and their two grandchildren | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/search-operations-intensify-as-italy-earthquake-death-toll-increases/article9035221.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b07f8ffb8de4aa6d998881f22cad594b2a9d271629b494920557100941afe3be.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T02:55:54 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Though the number of dengue cases in Gurgaon this year is few, the nature of “seasonal viral” affecting residents this year is quite different from the previous years with a multi-fold increase in the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Fspurt-in-number-of-patients-with-high-fever%2Farticle9052709.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 | Spurt in number of patients with high fever | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Though the number of dengue cases in Gurgaon this year is few, the nature of “seasonal viral” affecting residents this year is quite different from the previous years with a multi-fold increase in the number of patients with high fever accompanied with joint pain.
Gurgaon Chief Medical Officer Ramesh Dhankar told The Hindu that only 31 cases of dengue were reported in Gurgaon so far compared to more than 150 cases by September last year.
He, however, said there was an increase in the number of patients with high fever accompanied with joint pain.
“Though only one case of dengue has been confirmed at the Civil Hospital here, there is sudden rush of patients with high fever and pain in joints. I myself attend 250-300 such patients every day. We have no record to conclusively say that it is chikungunya as no such test is available in the Civil Hospital. But the symptoms suggest that it could be chikungunya. Last year, only 1 to 2 cases of such fever were reported,” said Civil Hospital Principal Medical Officer Kanta Goyal.
The first official chikungunya diagnosis was confirmed at the Civil Hospital on Saturday. The patient is from Bihar who works in Gurgaon. Most doctors in private hospitals also said that there is a rise in the number of cases of fever. Paras Hospital Internal Medicine senior consultant Rajesh Kumar said patients with complaints of high fever and joint pains had increased tremendously. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/spurt-in-number-of-patients-with-high-fever/article9052709.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/79db48940b04acdca680115ccf97c44e1b99c6c250e1b3224c2556c71466c022.json |
[
"K. V. Aditya Bharadwaj Dinesh Nayak"
] | 2016-08-29T20:51:32 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Exactly a year has passed since scholar and rationalist M.M. Kalburgi was gunned down by an unidentified assailant, but neither the probe into the case nor the legislation against superstitious practi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fa-year-on-kalburgi-case-remains-in-limbo%2Farticle9047126.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/Kalburgi_rally_2991507c.jpg | en | null | A year on, Kalburgi case remains in limbo | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Activists plan massive rally to mark anniversary.
Exactly a year has passed since scholar and rationalist M.M. Kalburgi was gunned down by an unidentified assailant, but neither the probe into the case nor the legislation against superstitious practices have made much headway.
On August 30, 2015 the scholar was shot and killed at his residence in Dharwad.
The event in Dharwad on Tuesday to mark the first death anniversary of scholar and rationalist M.M. Kalburgi is expected to draw nearly 10,000 people, who will highlight the failure of the investigating agencies to nab the killers.
Among the special invitees will be Shaila Dabholkar and Sau Uma Pansare, wives of Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare. The event organised by ‘Dr. Kalburgi-Dr. Dabholkar-Comrade Pansare Hatya Virodhi Horata Samiti’ would be a peaceful protest against the efforts to curb freedom of expression through violence, say the organisers.
The murder sent shockwaves across the literary establishment and triggered a campaign that saw writers return their State-endowed honours. The writers demanded a speedy trial, protection of freedom of expression, and passing of an anti-superstitious practices legislation — all of which remain unfulfilled.
Investigative agencies suspect that the Goa-based Hindutva group, Sanatan Sanstha, carried out the assassinations of three rationalists — Narendra Dabholkar (August 2013, Pune), Govind Pansare (February 2015, Kolhapur), and M.M. Kalburgi. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the Kalburgi case provided the forensic evidence linking the three murders. Ballistic reports by Forensic Science Laboratories, Bengaluru, showed that 7.65 mm country-made pistols were used in all three incidents. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing Dabholkar’s murder, is waiting reconfirmation of this from tests conducted by Scotland Yard, London.
The first breakthrough came when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Maharashtra police probing Pansare’s murder arrested Sameer Gaekwad, a Sanatan member. He has now been charged, and the SIT is on the lookout for others involved.
Meanwhile, the CBI has arrested Veerendra Tawade, an ENT specialist and member of the Sanatan Sanstha, who is accused of arranging weapons and logistics.
The CID in Karnataka is still waiting to interrogate Tawade in the Kalburgi murder case. It is now confirmed that neither Tawade nor Gaekwad pulled the trigger though both are believed to be conspirators.
Investigators have identified two other Sanatan members — Vinay Pawar and Sarang Akolkar — suspected to have carried out the attacks, who are absconding. The CID is also on the look out for one Rudra Patil, another sadhak an accused in the 2010 Goa blasts. His presence at Kalburgi’s house was allegedly corroborated through a sketch by witnesses.
Meanwhile, the proposed Bill on superstitious practices — now named Eradication of Human Sacrifices and other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2016 — has been referred to a sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa after being deferred numerous times.
The protesters will converge on RLS College Grounds for the rally. Many teams have already started out as part of the ‘Dharwad Chalo’. The event is the potential seed for a nationwide movement in the days to come to raise issues of freedom of expression, said Basavaraj Sulibhavi, one of the organisers. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/a-year-on-kalburgi-case-remains-in-limbo/article9047126.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0a968844c6d8dfcf2e24f1c7fc9f8437cd0fc04d6ccbe0b828dbbd7b345655f6.json |
[
"Nivedita Ganguly"
] | 2016-08-28T00:50:58 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The congested bylanes of the potters’ colony of Kummari Veedhi has sprung to life with the city gearing up to welcome Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The 20 potter families, who work on clay, have | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Fecofriendly-ganeshas-the-in-thing%2Farticle9040848.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28VZVISKPAGE2CLAY__2988946c.jpg | en | null | Eco-friendly Ganeshas the in thing | null | null | www.thehindu.com | K. Satyam and his daughter-in-law working round-the-clock as the demand for clay Ganeshas peaks in the city as against Plaster of Paris ones in Visakhapatnam. The campaign for eco-friendly festivities steps up in Visakhapatnam.
Sudden spurt in demand for clay idols brings cheer to potters
The congested bylanes of the potters’ colony of Kummari Veedhi has sprung to life with the city gearing up to welcome Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
The 20 potter families, who work on clay, have a good reason to be hopeful this year. More than ever before, the demand for clay Ganeshas has reached peak in the city and the potters of the colony are working overtime with a shifting preference from plaster of Paris images to eco-friendly ones. “This year we have made three times the number of small sized clay Ganeshas this year as compared to last year. We have also received bulk orders from Rajahmundry and neighbouring villages,” says 65-year-old K. Satyam, a traditional potter.
His humble dwelling is surrounded by heaps of clay Ganeshas with hardly any space to move about. His son K. V. Trinadh and daughter-in-law sit engrossed in giving finishing touches to the clay images. The entire colony has stopped making Plaster of Paris Ganeshas this year. “About three years ago, PoP Ganeshas were very much in demand. Now we have stopped making them as people only come asking for clay Ganeshas,” says Trinadh. He also took workshops in schools in the city demonstrating the making of clay images.
According to market estimates, the demand for clay Ganesha images has touched a peak of six lakh this year as against one lakh last year. Several organisations in the city have stepped up their campaigns for eco-friendly festivities by conducting workshops at educational institutions.
At A.S. Raja College, MVP Colony, Bapuji Rural Enlightenment and Development Society (BREDS) conducted an awareness campaign on clay Ganeshas on Saturday. Several students participated in the workshop and took home their clay Ganeshas at the end of it. “Our aim is to imbibe a value system among people where eco-friendly initiatives become a way of life and also bring about a change in the production and consumption side. This campaign for Clay Ganeshas is a part of such environmental awareness programmes we have been conducting in schools and colleges,” says A. Ramakrishna Raju, chief secretary of BREDS. The organisation has been conducting awareness campaigns for the past six years in the city. This year it will be conducting workshops for clay Ganesha images in 10 educational institutes.
AP Pollution Control Board in association with India Youth for Society and Gandhi Centre, will be distributing 10,000 clay Ganesha images at the cost of Rs 2 on September 4 and 5 in their effort to support the campaign for eco-friendly festivities. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/ecofriendly-ganeshas-the-in-thing/article9040848.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ea45ba887d2bff76e7354642c02d005bb92f4998ddc34a4a3b52f5140cbb1f3d.json |
[
"D J Walter Scott"
] | 2016-08-28T14:53:07 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The Rameswaram island is all set to have underground sewage system, which had been eluding the island for four years after the project was sanctioned in September 2012.After the Rs. 53.10-crore proje | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Funderground-sewage-system-for-rameswaram%2Farticle9040793.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 | Underground sewage system for Rameswaram | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Hyderabad-based company to implement the project
The Rameswaram island is all set to have underground sewage system, which had been eluding the island for four years after the project was sanctioned in September 2012.
After the Rs. 53.10-crore project was sanctioned, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, could not implement it immediately as no company came forward to take up the work citing difficult working conditions in the island. After making seven vain bids after floating tenders in the last four years, the board found a Hyderabad-based company evincing interest in the tender called for the eighth time in February this year, sources said. “The company will start work after the tender committee finalised the tender and awarded the work order in a month,” the sources told The Hindu on Saturday. Companies did not evince interest in the project as they feared seepage of seawater and sand slide when they dig channels to lay pipelines. The Hyderabad-based company has quoted 35 per cent above the project cost and it is likely to be awarded the contract, sources said. “We are confident of executing the project within the stipulated period of 18 months,” the sources said.
The project was funded by the Centre under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), State government and the local municipality on 50, 20 and 30 per cent basis respectively. As this island has been included in the Ramayana circuit, the project would get funding assistance under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
The board has identified lands for establishing two pumping stations and five acres of land at Olaikuda for establishing sewage treatment plant, P. M. Mari, Executive Engineer, TWAD Board, Sewerage Division, Karaikudi, said. The plant would have capacity to treat 4 million litres of sewage a day, he said.
The sewage system would cater to about 7,000 houses and 2,500 commercial buildings, he said. The length of the mains would be 4.31 km and the collection system would run up to 13.76 km, he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/underground-sewage-system-for-rameswaram/article9040793.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7041a4cc0967cf7ec70e62d6728c33d2ba268d68295e284d1d56f5994815e844.json |
[
"Krishnadas Rajagopal"
] | 2016-08-30T22:56:48 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a reply from Maharashtra government to a challenge raised by dance bar owners against a new State prohibition law classifying any dance which ‘arouses prurient des | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fsc-admits-challenge-to-maharashtras-new-obscenity-law%2Farticle9050244.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02585/Dance_bars_2585311c.jpg | en | null | SC admits challenge to Maharashtra’s new obscenity law | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a reply from Maharashtra government to a challenge raised by dance bar owners against a new State prohibition law classifying any dance which ‘arouses prurient desire in the audience’ as obscene.
The new law titled Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016 was passed by the State Assembly to circumvent a Supreme Court judgment of 2014 which ordered dance bars to be thrown open again and classified dance as a profession.
“Our judgment was founded on Article 19 of the Constitution (freedom of profession). How can the foundation of our judgment be taken away by a statutory law?” a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C. Nagappan observed, using notice to the State government.
Though favourably disposed to stay the law, the Bench later agreed to hear the Maharashtra government, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, on September 21 before granting any interim relief to the bar owners.
Picking up each provision of the 2016 law which they found “objectionable”, senior advocate Jayant Bhushan, for bar owners, said the law is “vague.”
One of the conditions imposed by Maharashtra government is that a member of the audience at a bar dance performance cannot “throw or shower” currency notes or coins at the performers.
Justice Misra said the court did not find this condition prima facie objectionable. “Even if the performer does not find such an act objectionable, throwing money at dancers affects the dignity of the women,” Justice Misra observed.
“But money is handed over to singers during performance. It is a gesture of recognition of their talent. So giving money to singer is alright and not to a dancer?” Mr. Bhushan asked.
Another condition in the law is that dancers should be employed and paid monthly salaries. “Can you ask Bhimsen Joshi to sing for a monthly salary?” asked Mr. Bhushan.
“Why should we be held in captive employment in one place. We are professionals who move from one show to another in various establishments. My right to perform is an independent right of a professional,” senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan, for the dancers association, contended.
When Mr. Naphade challenged him, asking whom he appeared for, Mr. Dhawan said he was appearing for the dancers.
“I appear for the conscience of the State of Maharshtra,” Mr. Naphade replied. “Good lord! A conscience! And you are throwing these girls out of their jobs with this law?” Mr. Dhawan shot back.
Mr. Bhushan raised several other objections to the law, including installation of CCTVS in dance areas and how dance bar owners are liable to be imprisoned for three years for ‘abetment’ of an obscene act while an obscene act attracts only three months under the Indian Penal Code. The bar owners said the law imposes a condition of 1 km distance from religious and educational institutions, making no place in space-starved Mumbai eligible.
To this, Mr. Naphade said the bar owners cannot put the law under a microscope and should focus on whether the law violates their right to conduct business. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sc-admits-challenge-to-maharashtras-new-obscenity-law/article9050244.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/286041631ea1189a3c2afc8a210924a18fb48383bb2871380f5a1a0bc822be7e.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T10:56:10 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A delegation from Singapore that visited the city as part of the Smart Cities Mission has offered smart solutions, including the technology for recycling waste water and desalination for augmentation | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fsmart-city-project-gets-a-singapore-touch%2Farticle9053288.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 | Smart City project gets a Singapore touch | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A delegation from Singapore that visited the city as part of the Smart Cities Mission has offered smart solutions, including the technology for recycling waste water and desalination for augmentation of water supply.
The delegation was led by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, a government agency that spearheads the overseas growth of Singapore-based companies.
According to official sources, the technology used by companies in Singapore for recycling and reuse of waste water is likely to be adopted for Chennai.
Water supply will be the most important component of the Smart Cities Mission.
More than three lakh residents of areas such as T. Nagar are likely to get 41 mld water with smart metering for 100 per cent service connections under the project.
The delegation talked about the technology used in Singapore that obtained 30 per cent of its water supply through reuse and recycling. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/smart-city-project-gets-a-singapore-touch/article9053288.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/77c32cf7f45058179083c0078325e4a1bad263f00b6313a2112257b4cd644f41.json |
[
"Kennith Rosario"
] | 2016-08-26T22:54:11 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Rarely has German poetry been translated into regional Indian languages such as Mizo, Odia, Kashmiri and Marathi. And fewer are opportunities to experience what comes about after poets from South Asia | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fentertainment%2Fwhen-poetry-transcends-languages%2Farticle9032642.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02985/26bm_pg5_Poets_by__2985996c.jpg | en | null | When poetry transcends languages | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A two-year-long initiative with 51 poets translating each others’ work will culminate in a festival celebrating text.
Rarely has German poetry been translated into regional Indian languages such as Mizo, Odia, Kashmiri and Marathi. And fewer are opportunities to experience what comes about after poets from South Asia and Germany translate each others’ work. The reinterpretation of their cultural contexts is fascinating to say the least. About two years ago, the Goethe-Institut in the city took on such an initiative and set out to transcend the boundaries of language and culture in poetry.
In October 2014, the German cultural institute initiated the Poets Translating Poets project in collaboration with sister organisations in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. An invitation was extended to 51 poets, including 17 Germans, who spoke over 20 languages. With no particular selection process, the participants’ presence was requested through common connections and word of mouth. In the last year-and-a-half, contemporary poetry from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka has been translated into German by well-known poets, and vice versa. The culmination of this project, in the form of a poetry festival, will take place across Mumbai in November.
The exercise has seen poets rediscover their own language and simultaneously resonate with poetry from a foreign language. “Usually, translators with a command of the source and native language translate poems while sitting at their desk in solitude,” says Dr. Martin Wälde, the director of the Goethe-Institut in Mumbai. “But these translations are a result of an elaborate process of understanding and questioning, involving week-long encounters.”
These 51 poets met across nine locations in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Each participant presented three or four of their works: ones they felt could be just as meaningful to the poet translating the text. But what’s noteworthy is that none of the South Asian poets knew German, nor did the European counterparts understand the language they were translating from.
The result of the project would have been gobbledygook, if not for the presence of interlinear translators who played a crucial link between the poets. They provided literal, word-to-word translation of the original texts, while resisting the urge to provide an interpretation of the poem. “They were like much needed mid-wives in the process,” says Dr. Wälde. After the requisite linguistic-hermeneutical assistance, the poets took over to translate ideas, traditions and cultures. Over long conversations, the poets packaged the texts to be relevant to their local culture and understanding.
“What is sure and inevitable about the translation is some kind of loss of poem,” says Harish Meenashru, a Gujarati writer and translator, who enjoyed a long career in the banking sector while being well-known as a postmodern poet. “I try to overcome problems by exploring all handy resources to minimise the cultural and linguistic distance as also to arrest the loss in translation.” After circumventing the loss in translation, the biggest feat for the poets was to replicate the mood, flow and meaning of the original piece.
“In one culture, certain themes may be considered important,” says Lalnunsanga Ralte, popularly known as Sanga Says in Shillong. He worked with German poets Judith Zander and Christian Filips and translated poems into Mizo, while his English poems were translated into German. “It may be considered old fashioned for another. Where one may consider certain images and metaphors as new and contemporary, they may be considered commonplace and trivial for another.” As part of discussion with his German counterparts, the north-east Indian poet focused on socio-political situations and the literary scenario in his region. “I think this would have ensured that the essence of my poem is retained,” says Sanga.
For Sridala Swami, author of two collections of poetry, A Reluctant Survivor (2007) and Escape Artist (2014), translation was a completely new ballgame. While working on the pieces of German poets Sylvia Geist and Tom Schulz, Swami found that often, there were idiomatic equivalents in English that worked quite well. “There were several discussions about the choice of a particular phrase and how, or if, it changed the poem,” says Swami, who translated poems in English during the project. “I don’t think it’s possible to ensure that nothing is lost; but if the poem gains something with resonance in another cultural context, perhaps it’s a good thing regardless.”
Once the translation process was over, the South Asian poets faced the task of trusting their German counterparts with their own work.
“At the outset, I read out an original poem to the translator to give them a taste of phonetics of my language, to let them experience the sound, rhythm and rhymes,” recounts Meenashru, who worked with German poets Thomas Kunst and Ulrike Draesner.
These translations can now be accessed on the Poets Translating Poets website. “Germans are highly curious about India and its culture, while in India, regional literature is under treat. This initiative aims to cater to both these causes,” says Dr. Wälde. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/when-poetry-transcends-languages/article9032642.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/dfda43f2a38283333439397a7ae24ca7034a10ae2f1a3a161a4b75042c27ae46.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:51:02 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fvideos%2Fnews-videos%2Farticle9036980.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/FRANCE-SUBMARINES__2987623c.jpg | en | null | The Scorpene submarine data leak: what next? | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Please Wait while comments are loading...
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[
"Aabha Anoop"
] | 2016-08-29T06:55:18 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Soil is very closely related to man’s existence. It is where the civilisations are deeply rooted. In Indian culture soil is ‘mother’ and ‘goddess’. It is nature itself and subsequently is the most exp | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fsaying-it-in-style-with-soil%2Farticle9042995.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/29-KI-VARAYANAM_2989878c.jpg | en | null | Saying it in style with soil | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Artist Manu Kallikkad with his paintings 'Varayanam' based on the Ramayana at the Lalithakala Academy Art Gallery in Kozhikode.
Painter brings about unique effects on the canvas
Soil is very closely related to man’s existence. It is where the civilisations are deeply rooted. In Indian culture soil is ‘mother’ and ‘goddess’. It is nature itself and subsequently is the most exploited.
Artist Manu Kallikkad, known for his Limca Book of Records entries in collage and his 3D street paintings, has for the first time organised an exhibition of paintings.
‘Varayanam’ is however not just another painting exhibition, but a revelation that the medium and style has a great role in making the artist’s statement.
‘Varayanam’ is a collection of around 25 paintings that are striking for three aspects – the medium, the style and the theme. Soil is the medium here.
The artist has used soil in different textures and shades to bring about a hitherto unseen effect on the canvas. A normal viewer finds it difficult to digest that he has not really used paint. “I have tried to bring about that feel of the mud huts in North Indian villages,” Manu said.
He has developed a style of his own that is quite different from any seen so far and at the same time making it as simple as possible. He has made various figures out of just single strokes or lines.
And to top it all, he has chosen the ‘Aadi Kavyam’ (the Ramayana) as his theme, for he believes it is the ultimate depiction of the Indian civilisation and held more meanings than what is out there in the open.
“It is the story of the ultimate sacrifice of a woman, born from soil and ended in soil, and of a man, with all his powers was helpless during several occasions in his life,” Manu said.
The exhibition, organised by the Bankmen’s Club, was inaugurated by writer Shoukkath on Saturday at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in the city. It concludes on August 31. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/saying-it-in-style-with-soil/article9042995.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1e955dc6f8939eee92b6caa141040a716e6d16e592a7993c343b2a1f04f93359.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T00:51:56 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | President of the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday demanded that a high-level team be constituted to study the ongoing Cauvery water crisis.Along with BJP activi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fyeddyurappa-demands-special-team-to-study-cauvery-crisis%2Farticle9040813.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28BGKRSBSY_2988915c.jpg | en | null | Yeddyurappa demands special team to study Cauvery crisis | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Difficult to release water to T.N. even under the distress-sharing formula, says BJP State chief
President of the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday demanded that a high-level team be constituted to study the ongoing Cauvery water crisis.
Along with BJP activists, Mr. Yeddyurappa visited the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) near Srirangapatna in the district to get a first-hand information about the storage level in the reservoir.
Speaking to presspersons, he demanded that the Chief Justice of India form a team to study the storage level in reservoirs along the Cauvery and the ground reality of the prevailing drought situation.
Nevertheless, the former Chief Minister did not clarify whether he or his party would approach the apex court to place this demand.
“BJP will be with the State government with regard to the Cauvery water issue. But, the government should stop releasing water to Tamil Nadu owing to low rainfall in the Cauvery basin this year. Releasing water to the neighbouring State is difficult even under the distress- sharing formula,” he said.
Meanwhile, confusion prevailed for a while at the entrance of the reservoir as hundreds of BJP activists forcibly entered the reservoir area by pushing police and the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF) personnel.
However, entry to presspersons was initially banned. Executive Engineer (CNNL, KRS) Basavarejowda and some other officials of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. (CNNL) used their employees to prevent the journalists from following Mr. Yeddyurappa and his supporters.
An attempt to assault a reporter was also reported. Subsequently, presspersons raised slogans against Mr. Basavarajegowda and decided to file a complaint against him with the district administration. Later, the CNNL personnel allowed them to enter the reservoir. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yeddyurappa-demands-special-team-to-study-cauvery-crisis/article9040813.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0c3cf0904a569233d54bfa2de08aecf9e708b41e13236312de8f59eb5be17716.json |
[
"Dinakar Peri"
] | 2016-08-30T16:52:36 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | After a long period of negotiations, spanning over a decade, India and the United States have signed the logistics pact on Monday during Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to the U.S. The L | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fan-explainer-on-lemoa%2Farticle9051141.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/000_FP6NC_2992089c.jpg | en | null | An explainer - The Hindu | null | null | www.thehindu.com | After a long period of negotiations, spanning over a decade, India and the United States have signed the logistics pact on Monday during Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to the U.S.
The LEMOA pact
LEMOA stands for Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), a tweaked India-specific version of the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), which the U.S. has with several countries it has close military to military cooperation. It is also one of the three foundational agreements — as referred to by the U.S.
What are the foundational agreements?
The three agreements — Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) are referred to as the foundational agreements which the U.S. signs with countries with which it has close military ties.
What are the foundational agreements for?
They are meant to build basic ground work and promote interoperability between militaries by creating common standards and systems. They also guide sale and transfer of high-end technologies.
What does signing LEMOA mean?
LEMOA gives access, to both countries, to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refuelling and replenishment. India and the U.S. already hold large number of joint exercises during which payments are done each time, which is a long and tedious process.
Under the new agreement, a mechanism will be instituted for book-keeping and payments and officials, who will act as nodal points of contact, will be designated on both sides.
What areas does the agreement cover?
The agreement will primarily cover four areas — port calls, joint exercises, training and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. Any other requirement has to be agreed upon by both sides on a case-by-case basis.
Will this mean stationing of U.S. troops in India?
No, this is not a basing agreement. There will be no basing of the U.S. troops or assets on Indian soil. This is purely a logistical agreement. India can access the string of U.S. facilities across the globe for logistical support and the U.S., which operates in a big way in Asia-Pacific, will benefit from Indian facilities. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/an-explainer-on-lemoa/article9051141.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/14cde7ef9f2484fc4d3f3eac0d5500de6ba77131e4d36c700dd3a9b652df2f75.json |
[
"Anuj Kumar"
] | 2016-08-26T16:48:55 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The road to Raghu Ganj is a convoluted one. The auto driver, who lives in Chawri Bazar, doesn’t know of its existence. When I tell him that Manoj Bajpayee is shooting there, he confuses him with Manoj | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Ffinding-realism-in-raghu-ganj%2Farticle9036867.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27DMCMETRO_PLUS_MA_2987542c.jpg | en | null | Finding realism in Raghu Ganj | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Manoj Bajpayee talks about fake sweat and real sweet on the sets of “In the Shadows” in the Walled City
The road to Raghu Ganj is a convoluted one. The auto driver, who lives in Chawri Bazar, doesn’t know of its existence. When I tell him that Manoj Bajpayee is shooting there, he confuses him with Manoj Tiwari. I am shocked but before I could recover he decides to drop me at the Jama Masjid and because of my familiarity with his favourite Manoj decides to stop a cycle rickshaw. He doesn’t know the destination either, but promises to find the way.
The labyrinthine lanes lined by the network of electricity wires presenting a unique indigenous Matrix take us to a slim passage that opens into a rectangular market where some of the best wedding cards in the city are made. Look up and you realise that you are at the base of a shallow well. Always bustling with activity, today there is a manufactured silence. But can anybody keep Delhi 6 really quiet? Even as Manoj Bajpayee appears on the scene from a mysterious shop called Khuddoos Repairs, a lady cranes her neck from a tiny window of a multi storey building. “Kabhi hamare yahan bhi ayiye.” It leads to “cut” and co-producer Shuchi Jain doesn’t need to tell me the challenges of shooting in Old Delhi.
Avoiding a cat, who is trying to be familiar with her, Shuchi says, “Finding silence is the biggest issue,” and we take our positions behind the monitor and discover how the world of Khuddoos is like. It is a humid day, the last of 39-day shoot of In The Shadows, and one could see beads of sweat on Manoj’s forehead. There is a bidi between his scaly lips whose glow lends a surreal auburn colour to the otherwise dark frame. But while we could afford to appreciate the aesthetics, young director Dipesh Jain has something else playing on his mind. He could sense that somebody has turned on the motor to fetch water and it can disturb the sync sound. Well, that’s the price one has to pay for shooting in a real location.
Anyway, after a series of takes and retakes, Manoj returns to our world, puts his feet up on a plastic chair and nonchalantly underlines the obvious, “I am made to shoot in real world.” The atmospherics doesn’t exist for him as long he wants. It seems the elements have conspired to help him create what he describes his “darkest film” till date. “No, I rely on my preparation and my director’s instructions. It has never happened that summer or monsoon helped me portray a character better,” he chuckles. “The problem,” he adds, “is even if you get natural sweat, the make-up man wipes it off before the shot because it shines in camera. You have to remove the natural one and replace it with a fake one.”
Manoj studied in Delhi and learnt his craft in the city but till recently he knew the Walled City as a food spot. However, in the last five years he is shooting his third film in the city. Recently he finished Saat Ucchakkey, where he is doing comedy which he admits he is not known for and here he is drawing from the dark recesses of mind to conjure up an insular man that Khuddoos is. “Space is an issue here and it is beautifully used in In the Shadows because the narrative evokes a feeling of claustrophobia in the audience. You should feel that the place will eat you up.” Turning the focus on this suffocation is the lead character, an electrician, who likes to put cameras wherever he can. Among other things the psychological drama, says Manoj, also turns an eye on the increasing presence of CCTV cameras around us. “They open up a new world. All of us create our own worlds and the outside world becomes alien to us. Khuddoos is in search of something and for this he puts these cameras.”
A part of this ‘something’, as Dipesh puts it is his search for his roots. Dipesh used to spend two months of his summer holidays every year in Chipiwara and Dharampura area where his maternal grandmother used to live. “Among other things child violence remained etched on my memory.” The memories found their way into his story which he wrote in Los Angeles, where he studied. “I knew exactly where I am going to shoot. So Khuddoos hears sounds of a boy being beaten up. His cries push him to find him but he could not figure out where he is. It is part of the dark psychological drama which captures the mindset of the people living in the place.” Dipesh was offered many options to recreate the space in parts of Mumbai and Jaipur but he didn’t want to dilute the realism of the place. He hasn’t kept the locals in the dark and has in fact made the barbers, the chaiwallahs part of the frame. “It is not guerilla shooting. Everything was planned and put on paper.” Will the residents be able to access the film? “Of course. Indian audience is very intelligent, it is the filmmakers who judge them otherwise,” Dipesh retorts.
Talking of realism, Manoj who is sharing screen space with acclaimed Belgian actress Laura Verlinden, says his realism is different from hers. “Our way of responding to emotions is very different. We tried to understand each other’s rhythm between takes. When I say we are different, it doesn’t mean that our reaction is a bit exaggerated. The point is our cultures are very different. Like the way they mourn somebody’s death is completely different from what she has experienced.” Backed by Germany-based independent Swiss producer Lena Vurma, it is Manoj’s first international venture. “My hope is that the film goes to many corners to the world. I sign a film on the basis of the strength of the story. How far it will reach, is beyond my control.” Does Khuddoos trouble him at night? “Not any more. I have evolved. I no longer take my characters home. There was a time when I did. And it is good that I did. I am reaping the rewards of that hard work. But still after the shot, it is difficult to come out and talk about the character.” He makes me feel guilty and then says, “aur batao.”
At 47, he has found a new spurt in his career. Every month, he says, young filmmakers come up to him with something challenging. Does he regret the lull phase, considering every passing year is crucial for an actor? While many of his seniors from theatre world got blinded by Bollywood, Manoj preferred to wait. “They must have had their compulsions. I have tremendous amount of patience. I was born with it.”
Time to reap the rewards! “Indeed. One of the conditions that Dipesh put was that I have to lose weight. Now I will party for two-three days.” What it is like? He opens a mithai ka dibba lying on the table and finds one piece of chamcham in it. He breaks it into half and offers the rest to me. “This is it! My sister brought it in the morning for Rakshabandhan.” A day in the life of an actor. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/finding-realism-in-raghu-ganj/article9036867.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/34cc2fb6f7fee5a7ef8c8980bb1825becd883ca39f2c48af051f88d292666720.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T04:56:07 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | A day after he noticed what his office termed "incorrect and misleading" media reports on the subject, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's office hit back at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Flg-hits-back-atkejriwals-statement-on-penalties-for-power-discoms%2Farticle9045559.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 | LG hits back atKejriwal's statement on penalties for power DISCOMs | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A day after he noticed what his office termed "incorrect and misleading" media reports on the subject, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's office hit back at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the reversal of his government's decision to penalise power companies for disruptions in supply.
Newspaper reports quoting the Chief Minister of Delhi on the issue of penalty on discoms, the LG office said in a statement, in which he reportedly said, “Fifteen days ago, the LG called the file pertaining to this matter and cancelled the order" were "illegal and misleading".
The said files, the statement added, were sent to Mr. Jung's office as per directions to this effect from the Delhi High Court on August 4.
"All such files, which have come to the Lt. Governor’s office, are likely to contain Constitutional infirmities," the statement further said adding that no instructions in this regard or on the subject had been issued by the LG so far. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/lg-hits-back-atkejriwals-statement-on-penalties-for-power-discoms/article9045559.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c51a2aa4a39531d8544ecdc6d5d8ef1cf71cc3fd31217a7bc22199b59acc42ce.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:56:12 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | There are loads of magical memories and tones of nostalgic nuggets. One incident stands out to define the spirit of Blue Frog, Lower Parel, which is shutting down on Sunday, August 28, in search of n | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fentertainment%2Fnarendra-kusnur-recalls-the-milestones-in-the-life-of-one-of-the-citys-finest-music-venues%2Farticle9042688.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/showcasse1_2989586c.jpg | en | null | Narendra Kusnur recalls the milestones in the life of one of the city’s finest music venues | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Shaa'ir + Func have been among several artisteswho have electrified the venue with their perforamances. Photo: Special arrangement
Narendra Kusnur recalls the milestones in the life of one of the city’s finest music venues
There are loads of magical memories and tones of nostalgic nuggets. One incident stands out to define the spirit of Blue Frog, Lower Parel, which is shutting down on Sunday, August 28, in search of newer locations in Mumbai.
City specials
Spin back to November 2009, when the annual Jazz Utsav was to be held at Priyadarshini Park on Napean Sea Road. For some bureaucratic reasons, it was cancelled at the last minute. Hundreds left in disappointment. Within an hour, many got calls or text messages saying that the festival has been shifted to Blue Frog that same evening.
For the next three days, the place was packed. Ashok Gulati, joint honorary secretary of organisers Capital Jazz, remembers, “The Blue Frog management instantly agreed. In fact, they convinced the scheduled artists about the change, and compensated them accordingly. The festival was a success, with performances by guitarist Wayne Krantz, bassist Anthony Jackson, trumpeter Eric Vloeiman and the group BeatleJazz.”
For both musicians and music lovers, Blue Frog at the Mathuradas Mills Compound has been the ideal destination. Yes, there have been other similar venues in the past, like Razzberry Rhinoceros in Juhu and Not Just Jazz By The Bay on Marine Drive. Today, the Hard Rock Café branches at Worli and Andheri cater to the rock fans.
Spanning the spectrum
For Blue Frog, three things stood out. One was the fact that various genres were accommodated. Secondly, it gave a platform to upcoming and less-known musicians. Finally, though, it was essentially a live music venue, it also had theatre shows, book readings and brunch events.
Sumer Vaswani, managing director of Blue Frog, says that in nine years of its existence, the place became a brand of its own. He adds: “The entire team is nostalgic about the flagship venue, but yet excited about the next chapter.”
The trick obviously was the way they managed their music. Says programming head Ruchika Tiku: “The aim was to give a platform for every kind of music, and cater to different audiences. For the younger listeners, we had electronica and metal. For the older generation, there was jazz and classic rock.”
Audience connect
The musicians have their own tales. Singer Gary Lawyer did Elvis Presley and Doors tributes, besides classic rock and evergreens nights. He says: “The sound was fantastic and the audience always interactive. In fact, the listeners knew the songs I would play, and sing along.”
Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, who normally used to playing for Hindustani classical aficionados at large concert halls, performed with his fusion group Rakesh And Friends last year. He says: “The ambience was cosy and you could feel the connection with the audience who stood, danced and enjoyed the music. This ambience is missing in auditoriums.”
Delhi-based Sufi singer Dhruv Sangari has been a regular at the Lower Parel venue. He first played with the electro-acoustic Sufi ensemble Da-Saz, and then did two tributes to the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. “Being an intimate set-up, I could directly connect with the listeners. In the case of Da-Saz, people enjoyed the music even though a lot of it was new. And for the Nusrat shows, there were his diehard fans who knew all his songs.”
Interestingly, some events were totally packed and others went fairly empty. From 2013, ace jazz keyboardist Louiz Banks has curated the International Jazz Day event at the venue. Each time, the crowds have been huge.
Likewise, shows by fusion-rock group Indian Ocean, blues band Soulmate, percussionist and producer Karsh Kale, electronic-fusion outfit MIDIval Punditz, DJs Nikhil Chinapa and Pearl, multi-instrumentalist Prem Joshua, Pakistani group Mekaal Hasan Band and Malian singer-guitarist Vieuz Farka Toure were crammed. Techno nights by unknown foreign acts, though priced higher, always attracted crowds
Strangely, a show by acclaimed Shillong singer Lou Majaw once went empty. At times, the IPL and soccer World Cup prevented large attendances.
The album launches at Blue Frog have always been popular, though. Those releasing their albums include singers Vivienne Pocha and Nandini Srikar, rock band Menwhopause, flautist Rajeev Raja and guitarist Sanjay Divecha. The music of the film, Peepli Live was launched there, too.
According to flautist Raja: “I have played there with all my three bands – classic rock and blues with Wanted Yesterday, jazz-funk with Junckt and fusion with the Rajeev Raja Combine. In fact, the Combine released my debut album at Blue Frog. Friends even came from other cities, and the response was tremendous.” Adds Pocha: “My album launch of ‘Inside My Head’ attracted a great response.”
Classic rock fans vividly remember the tribute to iconic Mumbai singer Nandu Bhende, who passed away in April 2014. Singers Bashir Shaikh, Debashish ‘Babu’ Banerji and Mihir Joshi played songs of Steppenwolf, Cream, Doors and Presley, while Bhende’s own band did a few Beatles numbers.
On the downside
There were some funny moments too. Initially, in the darkness, first-timers would get confused between the men’s and women’s restrooms, leading to embarrassing moments. Outside, one would spot people having pre-mixed drinks, as they felt the alcohol prices were too steep. Another common opinion was that the entry rates were erratic. At times, entry was free, on most occasions it was Rs. 350, and at some premium shows, it went up to Rs. 750 or even more.
The sound also varied. While it was good at the pit near the stage, those close to the bar behind rarely got the same effect.
Yet, the place had its devotees. For musicians, it was a regular venue. As flautist Raja says: “It was a location where musicians could play what they wanted to, irrespective of genre. And its followers were more like a community. It’s sad that they are shutting this place, but hopefully, the venues they are relocating to will give the same vibe.”
That sort of sums up the feeling of many Blue Frog loyalists.
The author is a freelance music writer | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/narendra-kusnur-recalls-the-milestones-in-the-life-of-one-of-the-citys-finest-music-venues/article9042688.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c5fb5b8469530a9be402b7ca992f482f33a66616fdb8754b1d571460fe730a27.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T02:55:47 | 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 allegedly forced the duo to accompany them at gunpoint. Among t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fgang-held-on-charge-of-kidnapping-chennai-realtors%2Farticle9035971.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 held on charge of kidnapping 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 allegedly forced the duo to accompany them at gunpoint. Among those arrested is a rowdy 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 intercepted their vehicle at Hebbal.
His associates beat up the driver Manikantan.
They dragged Manikantan outside the car and drove away in the vehicle with the two realtors to a house in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, which belongs to one of the gangsters.
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. On reaching the spot, they found Nagraj armed with a gun. Before he could open fire, the police team overpowered him and his associates. The two realtors are safe. The police recovered two revolvers, live ammunition and the BMW car from the gang.
The police also arrested Sangeetha (38), wife of Nagraj, as she had withdrawn the ransom amount from a bank in Ballari as soon as the money had been transferred.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) P.S. Harsha said that Nagraj used to visit pubs and star hotels looking for people who came in high-end cars and spent lavishly. Once he identified a target, his gang members would trail the person waiting for a suitable opportunity to abduct him. They would demand a ransom for release of the victim. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/gang-held-on-charge-of-kidnapping-chennai-realtors/article9035971.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0338f05c5ae2b60d7a22492923bfa66d886fb1801efe202e3eb486ceb9c9275f.json |
[
"Arun S."
] | 2016-08-30T16:52:06 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The U.S. on Tuesday agreed to “look into” India’s concerns on the Obama administration’s move to hike fees for H1B and L1 visas. India Inc. raised the issue at the India-U.S. CEO Forum, saying the mo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fsushma-swaraj-john-kerry-lead-second-indiaus-strategic-and-commercial-dialogue%2Farticle9050574.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/JOHN_KERRY_SUSHMA_2992383c.jpg | en | null | Sushma Swaraj, John Kerry lead Second India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue | null | null | www.thehindu.com | At the 2nd India-U.S. Strategic and Commercial Dialogue in New Delhi, the two sides also discuss ways to enhance cooperation in key areas of energy and trade and business.
The U.S. on Tuesday agreed to “look into” India’s concerns on the Obama administration’s move to hike fees for H1B and L1 visas. India Inc. raised the issue at the India-U.S. CEO Forum, saying the move hurt Indian IT firms, which are the main users of these non-immigrant temporary work visas.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India conveyed its concerns to the U.S. during the bilateral Strategic & Commercial Dialogue.
The visa fee hike has “affected our people-to-people exchanges… I would urge you to find a just and non-discriminatory solution to these issues,” Ms. Swaraj told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said, “When [Indian] industry expresses concerns about their feeling of being targeted [through a visa fee hike]…. it is imperative that we look into that issue.”
Ms. Swaraj also sought Mr. Kerry’s support for a resolution on the delay in entering into an agreement on totalisation.
According to India, the absence of a totalisation pact is imposing a burden on the Indian software sector as they have to shell out over $1 billion per year to the U.S. Government towards social security, with no benefit or prospect of refund.
Govt Procurement
Ms. Sitharaman said India and the U.S. will look at best practices exchange as well as collaboration on government procurement.
Taking forward innovation and entrepreneurship work stream, both the nations will look at creating a platform for sharing of best practices and technology as well as address issues of finance and market access for small & medium enterprises (SME). This is to promote integration of SMEs into global value chains. India and the U.S. also have agreed on a programme called “Silicon Valley comes to India’ which will have experts from the U.S. coming to India to interact with start ups and provide the required momentum to Indian entrepreneurial eco-system.
Both sides also decided to add ‘Travel and Tourism’ as a new work stream for future collaboration.
On the delay in negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), Ms. Sitharaman said India has shared its model BIT text with the U.S. and was awaiting a response.
Ms. Pritzker said only a “high standard” BIT will help in significantly boosting bilateral investments. “It is not in our interest to negotiate a pact that does not meet high standards,” she said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sushma-swaraj-john-kerry-lead-second-indiaus-strategic-and-commercial-dialogue/article9050574.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4ab0b702c962176d19676770878a90d1b9b49b36f73893279f8b3da7b993432d.json |
[
"Jayant Sriram"
] | 2016-08-27T04:52:47 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | In any account of the Indian growth story, it is the rise of the information technology industry that is credited with changing the perception of the country globally. While it may be an exaggeration | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fgiving-the-it-industry-its-due%2Farticle9037154.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/26_BM_Kris_JPG_2987733c.jpg | en | null | Giving the IT industry its due | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Kris Gopalakrishnan (second from right ) at the unveiling of Itihaasa, a digital app that recounts the history of the Indian IT industry.
Kris Gopalakrishnan hopes the digital app, Itihaasa, will appeal to those wanting to enter the industry and looking to become entrepreneurs
In any account of the Indian growth story, it is the rise of the information technology industry that is credited with changing the perception of the country globally. While it may be an exaggeration to say we were thought of exclusively as a country of snake charmers before, there is no doubt that the rise of IT in India was the first wave of entrepreneurship that showcased the country’s economic potential to the world.
It comes as a surprise, therefore, that there is no single work of literature that documents the rise of this industry and the stories of its pioneers. The study of history in India stops at 1947 and there is little self-reflection too, from those within the industry.
This is the problem that Kris Gopalakrishnan, the former executive vice chairman of software giant Infosys and one of its seven founders, contemplated when he left the company in 2014. His response to the problem was not to write a book, but to create a digital museum called Itihaasa that would not only document the history of IT in India but also help chart its future course. Itihaasa is available as an app and it is housed in a not-for-profit that Mr. Gopalakrishnan recently unveiled at an event in Mumbai.
“After I left Infosys and through the course of several conversations with friends and colleagues I had the opportunity to reflect on how the IT industry started and how it evolved,” Mr. Gopalakrishnan said, in an interview with The Hindu.
“We were talking about how the industry was started by first-time entrepreneurs and more interestingly by engineer leaders. If you look at it most of the senior people in IT industry today are from an engineering background.”
He continues: “I thought people both within and outside the industry should know the factors that brought it all together and how significant the achievement is. This is the first wave of entrepreneurship that changed the way the world looks at India.”
There were individual articles that touched on the subject of how the industry started and one book on computing, dealing with the introduction of computers to India, but very little of the personal stories behind the IT revolution. “Rather than doing a lot of interviews and compiling them into a book I decided it would work better as an application simply because I felt it would be more accessible to the youth, who are mostly on apps these days,” he says.
Itihaasa is available on both the Android and IOS platforms. While it deals interactively with a lot of factual information around IT in India, the most captivating aspect of the app are the personal accounts and interviews with stalwarts of the industry like Nandan Nilekani and Azim Premji.
Altogether 44 prominent leaders from the industry are featured and Mr. Gopalakrishnan says the interviews were cut from three- to four-hour conversations in which they recounted their personal journeys while also speaking about what the industry would look like in the future.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan hopes Itihaasa will appeal to those hoping to enter the IT industry as well as young people looking to become entrepreneurs. He also hopes it will inspire more research on the IT industry.
Aside from the application, the not-for-profit company will be called Itihaasa Digital, and will aim to take this project forward.
“We will continue to record the accounts of more people and will do research into how the industry is evolving and how government policy has kept pace with it. Most importantly, we will look at the leadership lessons we can take from our journey so far,” Mr. Gopalakrishnan says.
In the coming months, he says, Itihaasa Digital will expand it's number of employees while also continuing to work with various partners. Now that it is registered as Section 8 company, Mr Gopalakrishnan will also seek some funding from outside. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/giving-the-it-industry-its-due/article9037154.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a97191df22929894256f202258ce39c421b12d6d7c179302ecb3af44553cc068.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T14:50:20 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The three-year-old filly In My Dream, who ran second in her last three outings during the Mumbai season, is in good shape as evidenced by her track performances and should make amends in the F.D. Wad | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fraces%2Fin-my-dream-for-main-event%2Farticle9040461.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 | In My Dream for main event | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The three-year-old filly In My Dream, who ran second in her last three outings during the Mumbai season, is in good shape as evidenced by her track performances and should make amends in the F.D. Wadia Trophy, the main event of Sunday’s (Aug. 28) races.
Rails will be announced one hour before the start of the first race.
ALGECIRAS PLATE (Div. II), (1,400m), Maiden 3-y-o only, 1.00 p.m.: 1. Aragon (4) P.S. Chouhan 56, 2. Be Bold (1) Nilesh 56, 3. Cigarello (5) Dashrath 56, 4. Drogo (10) J. Chinoy 56, 5. Vulcan (7) Kavraj 56, 6. Angel Girl (2) Trevor 54.5, 7. Artistic (6) Yash Narredu 54.5, 8. Golden Orchid (8) Zervan 54.5, 9. Kiss From A Rose (9) Parmar 54.5 and 10. Windhoek (3) C.S. Jodha 54.5.
1. Angel Girl, 2. Aragon, 3. Vulcan
FIELD MARSHAL SAM MANECKSHAW MEMORIAL TROPHY (Div. I), (1,200m), Cl. III, rated 40 to 66, 1.30: 1. Squash (2) S. Amit 59.5, 2. Turf Dancer (7) T.S. Jodha 59.5, 3. Valentino (3) Ajinkya 59.5, 4. Alishas Pet (withdrawn), 5. Batman (4) C.S. Jodha 58, 6. Critics Choice (6) Trevor 57, 7. Stand And Dance (5) Kavraj 57, 8. Stardom Calling (8) Sandesh 57 and 9. Phoenix Fire (1) Santosh 56.
1. Critics Choice, 2. Stardom Calling, 3. Turf Dancer
PARTY WHIP PLATE (2,400m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, 2.00: 1. Imperial Heritage (5) Zervan 59, 2. June (12) J. Chinoy 58.5, 3. Atalya (2) Ajinkya 57, 4. Vitesse (6) Sandesh 56, 5. Huracan (9) Neeraj 55.5, 6. Koal (11) Kavraj 55.5, 7. Imitation Game (4) Parmar 54.5, 8. Danse Debonaire (3) Dashrath 54, 9. Spontaneous Eddie (1) Santosh 54, 10. Unico Corazon (7) T.S. Jodha 53, 11. Coley (8) Bhawani 52 and 12. Sanam (10) S. Kamble 52.
1. Atalya, 2. Imperial Heritage, 3. Imitation Game
COL. KAIKHUSHROO MANECKJI BHARUCHA MEMORIAL TROPHY (1,000m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, 2.30: 1. Art Deco (1) J. Chinoy 61.5, 2. Greek Goddess (12) Zeeshan 61, 3. Advance To Contact (13) C. Umesh 56.5, 4. Ancient Treasure (8) Nazil 55, 5. Royal Sapphire (4) Bhawani 55, 6. Nicanora (2) Joseph 54.5, 7. Diwali Lights (9) V. Jodha 53.5, 8. Divine Angel (3) Altaf Sayyed 52.5, 9. Acker Bilk (11) Kuldeep 52, 10. Make It Shine (15) Sandeep Jadhav 51.5, 11. Jetaway (10) Jaykumar 51, 12. Reality (6) S. Kamble 51, 13. Espada (14) Baria 50.5, 14. Prince Of Heart (7) Merchant 50.5 and 15. Zatchi (5) Roushan 49.
1. Greek Goddess, 2. Art Deco, 3. Ancient Treasure
FIELD MARSHAL SAM MANECKSHAW MEMORIAL TROPHY (Div. II), (1,200m), Cl. III, rated 40 to 66, 3.00: 1. She Is Special (3) A. Gaikwad 59, 2. Hidden Soul (6) T.S. Jodha 58, 3. Sparkling Eyes (2) Trevor 56.5, 4. Beach Game (7) Baria 56, 5. Zoom Zoom (8) C. Umesh 56, 6. Frankest (1) G. Amit 55.5, 7. Backstreet Bay (4) Merchant 52.5 and 8. Makino (5) Dashrath 51.5.
1. Sparkling Eyes, 2. She Is Special, 3. Hidden Soul
ARMED FORCES TROPHY (1,600m), 3-y-o & over, 3.30: 1. Zachary (5) Zervan 59, 2. Colombiana (4) Yash Narredu 56, 3. Persian Prince (6) P.S. Chouhan 56, 4. Apache (7) Trevor 54.5, 5. Jack Frost (3) Neeraj 54.5, 6. Jefferson (8) Dashrath 54.5, 7. Kandinsky (2) C.S. Jodha 53 and 8. Melinda (1) Sandesh 51.5.
1. Colombiana, 2. Persian Prince, 3. Apache
F.D.WADIA TROPHY (1,400m), 3-y-o only, 4.00: 1. Carbonara (withdrawn), 2. Franz Ferdinand (6) Trevor 53, 3. Eternal Sunshine (2) Sandesh 51.5, 4. Good Thing (1) Dashrath 51.5, 5. Snow Crystal (5) David Breux 51.5, 6. Temerity (3) Neeraj 51.5 and 7. In My Dream (4) Zervan 48.5.
1. In My Dream, 2. Franz Ferdinand, 3. Temerity
ALGECIRAS PLATE (Div. I), (1,400m), Maiden 3-y-o only, 4.30: 1. Divine Magic (late Shivalik Warrior) (2) Dashrath 56, 2. Gregorian Chants (6) J. Chinoy 56, 3. Hurricane Storm (5) C. Umesh 56, 4. Master Sergeant (7) D.A. Naik 56, 5. Raees (4) Pereira 56, 6. Tchibouela (10) C.S. Jodha 56, 7. Tomahawk (9) P.S. Chouhan 56, 8. Wild Jack (3) S. Kamble 56, 9. Bounty Queen (8) Sandesh 54.5, 10. California Dream (withdrawn) and 11. Epsilon Orionis (late Rainbow Bridge) (1) Yash Narredu 54.5.
1. Divine Magic, 2. Bounty Queen, 3. Tchibouela
SUPREME STAR PLATE (1,600m), Cl.V, rated 1 to 26, 5.00:1. Show Off (2) G. Amit 61.5, 2. Sahashrabaahu (4) Yash Narredu 61, 3. Wildhorn (5) Ajinkya 61, 4. Samurai (8) V.N. Bunde 60.5, 5. Dibaba (10) Sandesh 59.5, 6. Laksh (13) Daman 59.5, 7. Ritz (6) C.S. Jodha 59.5, 8. Avakraz (11) Dashrath 58, 9. Gatsby (12) Parbat 56, 10. Sir Song (9) Kavraj 55, 11. Chivalrous Knight (1) C. Umesh 49.5, 12. Admission (7) K. Kadam 49 and 13. Moondrops (3) Zeeshan 49.
1. Sahashrabaahu, 2. Dibaba, 3. Wildhorn
Day’s best: Sparkling Eyes
Double: Critics Choice – Colombiana
Jackpot: (i): 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7; (ii): 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9.
Treble: (i): 2, 3 & 4; (ii): 6, 7 & 8; (iii): 7, 8 & 9.
Tanala: All races.
Super jackpot: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/races/in-my-dream-for-main-event/article9040461.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/3be7c1484bec8d117410812e5db5f7c70bfc80ceaaaa6d71434ab64408af4a17.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T00:53:47 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The Madras High Court Bench here on Tuesday sought the response of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to a petition filed by a complainant in an illegal Chinese crackers sale case seeking a directi | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Fhc-directs-cbi-to-file-status-report-in-chinese-crackers-sale-case%2Farticle9051040.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | HC directs CBI to file status report in Chinese crackers sale case | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Madras High Court Bench here on Tuesday sought the response of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to a petition filed by a complainant in an illegal Chinese crackers sale case seeking a direction to the Central investigating agency to expedite the probe and file a final report before the lower court concerned within a stipulated time.
Passing interim orders on the petition filed by A. Muthukrishnan of Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district, Justice P. Devadass directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police, CBI, Anti-Corruption Branch, Chennai, to file a status report on the investigation conducted so far after a Division Bench of the High Court transferred the probe to the Central agency on September 25, 2014.
The petitioner pointed out that a Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. Vaidyanathan had ordered CBI probe into seizure of banned Chinese crackers in Sivakasi on May 17, 2014 while disposing of a public interest litigation petition filed by him accusing the authorities of being mute spectators to illegal infusion of Chinese crackers in the Indian market.
Then, taking serious note of the issue, the Division Bench had also directed the Centre to conduct raids across the country and seize Chinese crackers that had been imported clandestinely owing to the “slackness” in vigil at ports, airports and border checkpoints and the “absence of coordination between different government departments”.
Shocked at the submission of Thoothukudi port officials that it was not feasible for them to examine every other consignment imported through the port, the Division Bench had said: “As the prohibited crackers are able to creep into India without authorisation, there is every likelihood of even dangerous explosive materials coming in, endangering lives, property and most importantly the security of the nation.
“The Customs authorities and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are directed to take all possible steps to check, detect and prevent the illegal imports causing danger to our economy and safety of children. Every officer in the entry points should be duty-conscious and vigilant to prevent smuggling of prohibited items. They should discharge their duties in accordance with law and with patriotism.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/hc-directs-cbi-to-file-status-report-in-chinese-crackers-sale-case/article9051040.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/881a915f1a27902946bf4b313708bde57dee9ec6ce184f6f1a939c96be942d8b.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:52:58 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | TDP will not run after BJP for an alliance in the GVMC elections if that party failed to accord special category status and special package to Andhra Pradesh, Rajya Sabha member T.G. Venkatesh has sa | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVisakhapatnam%2Falliance-with-bjp-for-gvmc-pollswill-depend-on-status-tdp-mp%2Farticle9037196.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27VZVISKPAGE3TG_VE_2987757c.jpg | en | null | Alliance with BJP for GVMC pollswill depend on ‘status’: TDP MP | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Telugu Desam Rajya Sabha member TG Venkatesh addressing the media in Visakhapatnam on Friday. (From left) Pydah Krishna Prasad, Jayanti Venkateswarlu and Mattapalli Chalamayya are seen. Photo: C.V.Subrahmanyam
Hairbabu unable to convince his party leadership on rail zone, he says
TDP will not run after BJP for an alliance in the GVMC elections if that party failed to accord special category status and special package to Andhra Pradesh, Rajya Sabha member T.G. Venkatesh has said.
If they get it, the elections will be fought together. In spite of not getting the status, if BJP wanted to contest in alliance with TDP and if that party asked the party high command would consider it, he told reporters here on Friday.
BJP should also take getting the railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters as a test case and if it got the zone ahead of the elections, it would get votes. Otherwise, it would face problems, he cautioned.
“Though the BJP State president hails from here and is a good man he is not able to convince his party leadership (on the zone),” the former Minister said.
If all the incentives and the 90 per cent of Central funds for projects were calculated and given there was no point in getting stuck over nomenclature (of special status), he elaborated. On special package, he said even Telangana got more in terms of percentage for its backward districts and “we are asking for more.”
He wanted representation to the Vysya community in the corporation elections.
Mr. Venkatesh, who returned after a tour of parts of Odisha, said Telugu people living in other States were facing problems. With TDP becoming a national party in Odisha as well as in Delhi and Maharashtra people were ready to contest on TDP tickets and it would depend on alliances there and the stand of regional and national parties, he said.
The TDP leader was critical of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy for continuously raking up the issue of Amaravati and stating that farmers were cheated though hardly anyone complained. What farmers got for thousands of acres acquired for projects and SEZs during Y S Rajasekhar Reddy’s tenure was a maximum of Rs.5 lakh to Rs.6 lakh. Now an acre was commanding a price of Rs.1.5 crore. The Swiss Challenge method was as good as tender process and not nomination.
Taking exception to the writings and language being used, he said if it were Tamil Nadu the consequences would be entirely different and the paper would not be allowed.
State Arya Vysya Sangham president Jayanthi Venkateswarlu, philanthropist Mattapalli Chalamaiah, Pydah Krishna Prasad and Dr. Visveswara Rao were present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/alliance-with-bjp-for-gvmc-pollswill-depend-on-status-tdp-mp/article9037196.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bbf8af3968805ccbc19cc78b26935cd6b546dff7e59b255fdbbb413c853c2c15.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T21:00:44 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | The mayors of London and Paris are criticizing local French bans of body—covering burkini swimsuits, saying women should wear what they want to the beach. Burkini bans in several French coastal t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Flondon-mayor-sadiq-khan-criticises-burkini-ban%2Farticle9032559.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02984/Burkini_final_2984606c.jpg | en | null | London Mayor Sadiq Khan criticises burkini ban | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The mayors of London and Paris are criticizing local French bans of body—covering burkini swimsuits, saying women should wear what they want to the beach.
Burkini bans in several French coastal towns this summer have prompted a debate in France and outrage among many people abroad.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the city’s first Muslim mayor, said during a visit to Paris on Thursday, “I appreciate that there is a state of emergency in France.” But he added “I don’t think anybody should be telling women what they can or what they can’t wear.”
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called for an end to burkini “hysteria,” saying authorities should instead focus on improving social cohesion.
Proponents of the bans argue that burkinis represent the servitude of women and violate France’s secular policies. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-criticises-burkini-ban/article9032559.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1d0d9cad4eff156211c619bef58e5ab9ba77c14acedbdb36df535fc0a377368b.json |
[
"Samarth Bansal"
] | 2016-08-30T20:54:13 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Incidents of rioting remained almost the same in 2015 as compared to 2014, but as communal riots decreased, big increases were seen in other categories — agrarian, sectarian and student riots and cas | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F327-rise-in-agrarian-riots-in-2015-ncrb-report-shows%2Farticle9051348.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/Agrarian_crime_2992633c.jpg | en | null | 327% rise in agrarian riots in 2015, NCRB report shows | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Recorded incidents of agrarian riots jumped 327 per cent from 628 in 2014 to 2,683 in 2015.
Incidents of rioting remained almost the same in 2015 as compared to 2014, but as communal riots decreased, big increases were seen in other categories — agrarian, sectarian and student riots and caste conflicts, data from the “Crime in India” report for 2015 released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Tuesday show.
Recorded incidents of agrarian riots jumped 327 per cent from 628 in 2014 to 2,683 in 2015.
The number of people arrested increased from 3,540 to 10,353. Sectarian riots — defined as violence between sects of the same religion not considering caste conflict — showed a significant jump in incidents and convictions from a low base in 2014. Much of these incidents occurred in Uttar Pradesh.
The decrease in communal riots recorded by NCRB — from 1,227 in 2014 to 789 in 2015 — however does not mesh with data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs in July 2016. Ministry data showed a slight increase from 644 incidents in 2014 to 751 in 2015.
NCRB data are based on FIRs, and there could be duplication in the number of cases registered. MHA data source is mostly concerned with the number of incidents alone.Twenty per cent of the overall 65,255 riots were reported in Bihar followed by Maharashtra (8,336) and Uttar Pradesh (6,813). Kerala tops the crime rate list, with 16.3 riot cases per lakh people, followed by Bihar (12.9) and Karnataka (10.6). More than half of the total 1,960 political incidents occurred in Kerala. Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of caste conflicts (724) followed by Tamil Nadu (426).
Lowest in Chennai
Chennai recorded the lowest rate of total crimes among major cites (154.3 per 1 lakh population). Among all cities, only Surat (86.9), Kannur and Dhanbad had better rates.
Kerala hotbed of political riots
The “Crime in India” report for 2015 released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Tuesday show that the number of people arrested for student riots (3,600) increased – more than double compared to that in 2014 (1,474). The incidents of student riots increased by 85 per cent, from 261 to 485.
Twenty per cent (13,311) of the overall 65,255 riots were reported in Bihar followed by Maharashtra (8,336) and Uttar Pradesh (6,813). Kerala tops the crime rate list, with 16.3 riot cases per lakh population followed by Bihar (12.9) and Karnataka (10.6).
Kerala, in fact, is the hotbed of political riots in the country with more than half (1,031) of the overall 1960 incidents. More than half of the student riots reported in 2015 took place in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala. Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of caste-related conflicts (724) followed by Tamil Nadu (426).
Reported cases on rape and assault on women showed only marginal change from 2014. Rape cases decreased by 5.7% while assault cases went up by merely 0.22%. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/327-rise-in-agrarian-riots-in-2015-ncrb-report-shows/article9051348.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/29511b4e97450edf1870c1a75597f534e0bf3606147128cd0e73931999e90f25.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T08:55:15 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s pet project, the Mono Rail, is back in the scheme of things, with two corridors planned to be set up by the government.The government plans to set up 43.48 kms of monorai | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Ffor-the-third-time-monorail-back-on-track%2Farticle9046681.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 | For the third time, monorail back on track | null | null | www.thehindu.com | ‘TN has decided to implement monorail to integrate existing, upcoming transport systems’
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s pet project, the Mono Rail, is back in the scheme of things, with two corridors planned to be set up by the government.
The government plans to set up 43.48 kms of monorail lines – a 20.68 km line from Poonamallee to Kathipara with a link from Porur to Vadapalani, and another line spanning 22.80 kms between Vandalur and Velachery –Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar informed the State Assembly on Monday.
While the Poonamallee-Kathipara line is planned to be executed through public private partnership on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis at an estimated project cost of Rs. 3,267 crore, the second line from Vandalur to Velachery is proposed to be taken up under multilateral funding with an estimated project cost of Rs. 3,135.63 crore, the policy note tabled by minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar said. A proposal for the line between Vandalur and Velachery has been sent to the Government of India, the note said.
“The share of public transport in the urban transport system of Chennai is currently 27 per cent which is eventually proposed to be increased to 46 per cent by 2026. The government of Tamil Nadu has decided to implement the Mono Rail project in Chennai to integrate the existing and upcoming transport systems,” the policy note said.
This is the third time, the AIADMK government is making efforts to set up the mono rail network. In 2006, Ms. Jayalalithaa announced a proposal to set up 300 kms of monorail comprising 18 corridors. However, when the DMK came to power later that year, the party went ahead with the proposal to set up the metro rail. In 2011, Ms. Jayalalithaa again revived plans to set up the monorail. The government had also planned to integrate the two rail systems where Metro rail would meet the Monorail at Vadapalani and Kathipara.
Mr. Vijayabhaskar also announced that initial work has begun to establish a Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), for monitoring various aspects of integrated metropolitan transport for the city. CUMTA will provide better co-ordination among various mass transport agenciess such as the MRTS, Metro Rail, proposed mono rail, MTC and agencies like the Chennai Corporation, Traffic Police and CMDA, he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/for-the-third-time-monorail-back-on-track/article9046681.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/dad69f6c5da8eb6146b61d52a35b82868bbc08ab007478109e55f6090949e53f.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T08:54:15 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Kangayam police seized 30 pirated DVDs of latest Tamil movies from the alleged possession of a youth during raids on Saturday night and Sunday.Police sources said S. Sathish (32) was taken into th | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fpirated-dvds-seized%2Farticle9044250.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 | Pirated DVDs seized | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Kangayam police seized 30 pirated DVDs of latest Tamil movies from the alleged possession of a youth during raids on Saturday night and Sunday.
Police sources said S. Sathish (32) was taken into the custody with the pirated DVDs from Kangayam bus stand.
The Kangayam police also arrested three persons on the charge of gambling at a coconut farm situated near Muthukalivalasu.
All the accused were later released on bail.
Valuables stolen
Some unidentified burglars allegedly decamped with jewellery and cash from the house of T. Jayakumar (42) at Karadivavi near here.
Police sources said that the accused gained entry into the house during the late hours of Saturday by removing the screws of the front door lock and took away two sovereigns of jewellery and Rs. 17,000 in cash.
The Kamanaickenpalayam police are investigating. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pirated-dvds-seized/article9044250.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5dc0c6c1af688effcb122b4ea3cae7e1b0324de3d677df360d04bb33ed213371.json |
[
"Vijaita Singh"
] | 2016-08-28T04:57:06 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Another Bill passed by the Delhi Assembly has run into trouble with the Centre. The union Home Ministry has sought clarifications from the Delhi government on the Minimum Wages (Delhi) Amendment Bill | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Fminimum-wages-bill-runs-into-trouble%2Farticle9032730.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 | Minimum wages Bill runs into trouble | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Another Bill passed by the Delhi Assembly has run into trouble with the Centre. The union Home Ministry has sought clarifications from the Delhi government on the Minimum Wages (Delhi) Amendment Bill, 2015, passed by the Assembly last year.
A proposal in the Bill says the head of the dispute resolution body will be appointed by the Delhi government.
But a senior Home Ministry official said “not anyone” can be appointed to a dispute resolution body as it is statutory in nature.
Since Delhi is not a full fledged State, the power to appoint a statutory body lies with the Centre.
“The Delhi government cannot appoint just anyone to the important post, which will redress the grievances of the labour force. It is desirable as well as legally tenable that a statutory body, cleared by an Act of Parliament, is instead constituted to look into grievances and disputes,” the official said.
“We have sought clarifications from the Delhi government and don’t want to reach a situation where an ombudsman is appointed, whose appointment itself can be disputed in the court of law,” he said.
The Bill proposes higher fines and imprisonment for violation of labour norms.
As per the amendments, companies in Delhi would have to periodically upload data of their employees on a website as prescribed by the Delhi government.
Earlier, a Bill seeking 400 per cent hike in the salary of MLAs, was returned by the Home Ministry as it had not come in the proper format.
In all, 14 Bills passed by the Delhi Assembly are pending with the Centre. Similarly, the Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services) Amendment Bill, 2015, has been sent to the union Law Ministry for comments.
The official said the contentious Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015, was not likely to be given the go-ahead as it was repugnant with several Central laws.
The Delhi High Court earlier this month ruled that Delhi was a union territory and that the Lieutenant Governor was its administrative head. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/minimum-wages-bill-runs-into-trouble/article9032730.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/08faac57c0deb91e6fd58058907da436503142f806ddf259686cf489b27399a7.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T06:52:22 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Pushed into a tight corner, the district administration has removed the bus bay that had been constructed at the East Fort. The action was taken in wake of the recent mishaps that had led to the death | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Fbus-bay-removed-at-east-fort%2Farticle9044932.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/28tvsbg01-East-_TV_2990660c.jpg | en | null | Bus bay removed at East Fort | null | null | www.thehindu.com | KILLER BAY:The medians built for the East Fort bus stand in the city have been removed following a spate of accidents —Photo: S. Mahinsha
Unscientific construction leads to frequent accidents in the area
Pushed into a tight corner, the district administration has removed the bus bay that had been constructed at the East Fort. The action was taken in wake of the recent mishaps that had led to the deaths of several pedestrians.
It was on Friday that an 18-year old girl was killed after her two-wheeler was knocked down by a KSRTC bus at Pazhavangadi.
Nearly 20 persons had lost their lives in accidents that had taken place in the area during the previous year.
The decision was taken during a recent meeting of the traffic advisory committee during which it was resolved to operate bus services from the unused space of the KSRTC garage nearby.
Traffic Assistant Commissioner (South) S.R. Jyothish Kumar said that the bus bay had been constructed in an unscientific manner.
Pedestrians affected
“Several mishaps had taken place when pedestrians attempted to move between the bus station and the bus bay.
Secondly, there had been no proper streamlining of buses that were headed for various destinations.
In addition, there has always been a tussle among drivers of KSRTC and private buses with none willing to provide space for other buses to pass by,” he said.
The traffic advisory committee had also decided to rearrange the stops for buses that were headed for Beemapally by way of which the vehicles will have a stoppage behind the Saj Lucia Hotel, following which it will head towards the Transport Bhavan and proceed thereafter. Besides, it had been decided to evict traders from the area in a bid to enable pedestrians to utilise the footpaths.
“However, the decision had to be put on hold with the trading community organising demonstrations in front of the Fort police station recently,” Mr. Kumar said. The City traffic police are currently weighing various options intended to decongest the area.
One of the proposals is to regulate vehicles from the East Fort area towards the Karamana direction.
The authorities are also considering preventing buses from parking in front of the Sree Padmanabha Theatre. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/bus-bay-removed-at-east-fort/article9044932.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ab72a70a1486006a5cd7eaa3c1cc40b0157707e2bfa70594ba0df65f6779d918.json |
[
"M. Ramakrishnan"
] | 2016-08-27T20:52:21 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | With the change in guard at the Reserve Bank of India amid glimpses of the age-old fault line between the RBI and the Finance Ministry, it is a good time to read or revisit Bakhtiar K. Dadabhoy’s Bar | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fop-ed%2Fshelf-help-a-longstanding-feud%2Farticle9040746.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 | Shelf help: A long-standing feud | null | null | www.thehindu.com | With the change in guard at the Reserve Bank of India amid glimpses of the age-old fault line between the RBI and the Finance Ministry, it is a good time to read or revisit Bakhtiar K. Dadabhoy’s Barons of Banking: Glimpses of Indian Banking History. The book gives a comprehensive account of banking history, understandable even to those intimidated or confused by the jargon and technicalities of that world.
Barons of Banking contains a riveting account of the first RBI Governor’s face-off with the Finance Ministry as well as his own deputy. The book is divided into four parts where the second focusses on the birth of the RBI — an institution that should have come into being at least a good eight years before it actually did. There are no points for guessing why it did not: the government wanted to retain ultimate control over money and finance.
After the initial hiccups, the RBI was finally established in 1935 with the intention of it being ‘white and sensible’ and not ‘black and political’, ultimately serving interests in London. To show that the central bank was independent of the government, the first Governor who was instated, Sir Osborne Smith, came not from the civil services but from a commercial background (he remains the only one so far in the RBI’s history). He was also an Australian.
But Smith was forced to resign within a year of his appointment — not because of technical incompetence but his views and temperament. “Relations between the Governor and his Deputy deteriorated to such an extent that the two took great pains to avoid each other,” Dadabhoy writes. The hostility was so evident that one would sail to England on duty while the other remained in India. From private letters to other people, we learn of how Smith was “sick to death of always attempted domination of the Bank”; James Taylor, the Deputy Governor, was constantly trying to handle a visibly disgruntled superior; and James Grigg, the Finance Member, finally expressed his distrust of Smith’s implied “independence”, calling him “a thorough crook” and “a double-crossing agent” because of his alleged corrupt practices with leading industrialists of the time.
The Finance Member finally had his way in the end when he used evidence from intelligence agencies to levy mala fide accusations on Smith and the Governor’s open liaison with the wife of another RBI officer. The episode is especially interesting now in the context of the current tension between Raghuram Rajan and Arun Jaitley.
ramakrishnan.m@thehindu.co.in | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/shelf-help-a-longstanding-feud/article9040746.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b6143f88c3e490196978c45b6e74b0a70b697b580c0d6e5952542d83027bef52.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-26T14:55:26 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | O.P. Jaisha has tested positive for Influenza ‘A’ H1N1, two days after her training partner Sudha Singh was found to be suffering from the same illness. The two had returned from the Olympic Games | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2Fjaisha-tests-positive-for-h1ni%2Farticle9032643.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02985/JAISHA_2985415c.jpg | en | null | Jaisha tests positive for H1N1 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | O.P. Jaisha has tested positive for Influenza ‘A’ H1N1, two days after her training partner Sudha Singh was found to be suffering from the same illness.
The two had returned from the Olympic Games on Saturday.
Jaisha’s throat swab and blood samples were drawn by doctors at the state-run Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) on Wednesday.
The RGICD Director Shashidhar Buggi told The Hindu on Thursday that the test report had been conveyed to the Health Department. “Although her symptoms were mild, we had started her on Tamiflu, the anti-viral drug for treatment of H1N1. We had asked her to get admitted but she refused,” Dr. Buggi said.
Jaisha had reported with mild fever, body ache, joint pain and exhaustion, he added. The 33-year-old, who competed in the women's marathon in Rio, had moved out of the Sports Authority of India premises and was staying with a friend. She was admitted to Fortis Hospital on Bannerghatta Road. “Our Senior Scientific Officer is in communication with the hospital,” said SAI Regional Director M. Shyam Sunder.
“Jaisha will be treated there,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/jaisha-tests-positive-for-h1ni/article9032643.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/47cc731741f9a225e5a4a5d7baea9301bc36d7bad7d6a4914ca87873bc21c7a6.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T11:00:06 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The auto industry suffered a loss of Rs 4,000 crore in 8 months following the ban on sale of diesel vehicles in engine capacity of 2,000cc and above in Delhi/NCR, SIAM President Vinod Dasari has said | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fdiesel-vehicles-ban-auto-industry-loses-4000-crore-in-eight-months%2Farticle9049944.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/30IN_DIESEL_BAN_2992194c.jpg | en | null | Diesel vehicles ban: Auto industry loses 4,000 crore in eight months | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Auto industry has suffered huge losses due to the Supreme Court ban on the registration of diesel vehicles citing concerns with regard to increasing air pollution. File Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Supreme Court had on December 16, 2015 banned the registration of diesel vehicles with an engine capacity of 2000cc and above in Delhi/NCR, citing concerns with regard to increasing air pollution
The auto industry suffered a loss of Rs 4,000 crore in 8 months following the ban on sale of diesel vehicles in engine capacity of 2,000cc and above in Delhi/NCR, SIAM President Vinod Dasari has said.
The Supreme Court, however, had earlier this month lifted the ban on the registration of such diesel vehicles with one per cent environment cess.
Speaking at the 58th Annual Session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Dasari said it was “improper information” supplied to the courts which led to the ban on diesel vehicles.
“Led by the media hype, provided with improper information, the courts decided to ban those vehicles which actually meet the standards set by the government. It is for the first time that when you meet the law you actually get penalised. The auto industry has lost Rs 4,000 crore in the last eight months,” the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) president said.
He said that everyone wanted to regulate the auto industry without looking into the real cause of pollution.
The Supreme Court had on December 16, 2015 banned the registration of diesel vehicles with an engine capacity of 2000cc and above in Delhi/NCR, citing concerns with regard to increasing air pollution in the national capital.
“It’s a matter of great pride that the auto sector provides 30 million jobs and accounts for 50 per cent of the manufacturing GDP and yet it is rather sad when there is congestion, then auto industry is blamed; when there is pollution, auto industry is blamed and when there is an accident auto industry is blamed,” Dasari said.
Dasari, MD of Ashok Leyland, added: “I feel everyone wants to regulate the auto industry. Let’s take the Delhi example. Every winters when there is fog, there is a lot of media hype, lots of NGOs get involved and they blame one industry; everyone wants to blame auto industry.”
He said that less than 20 per cent pollution comes from the auto industry.
He added that the auto industry has several times asked the government to ban old vehicles if it wants to reduce pollution.
“Ban vehicles that cause pollution,” Dasari said.
He further said the move to ban would not help in reducing pollution in the capital.
“After all of this what happened. There is environmental cess, for vehicles that are larger than 2,000 cc, of 1 per cent. People who buy such vehicles... are they going to stop buying these due to this one per cent cess? Is that going to have an impact on Delhi pollution?” Dasari noted.
He said the auto industry needs to work on its rebuilding it’s image.
“I see it as a challenge, this is where the auto industry and components industry will have to work together to rebuild our image to provide right kind of feedback,” Dasari said. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/diesel-vehicles-ban-auto-industry-loses-4000-crore-in-eight-months/article9049944.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/bf3181c7a7048dbbe75c82ab6d49b05a2559a410754e03e0cd1aa99c22d94173.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T22:51:42 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The State government effected the transfer of nine IAS officers on Saturday, including appointment of Darpan Jain as Chief Executive Officer of Centre for e-Governance and Ex-officio Additional Secre | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fnine-ias-officers-transferred%2Farticle9040716.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 | Nine IAS officers transferred | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The State government effected the transfer of nine IAS officers on Saturday, including appointment of Darpan Jain as Chief Executive Officer of Centre for e-Governance and Ex-officio Additional Secretary to government.
Mr. Jain will also hold concurrent charge of the post of Commissioner of Directorate of Urban Land Transport, relieving V. Manjula of the responsibility.
C. Shikha has been appointed Director of Department of PU Education and Ex-officio Joint Secretary to government. Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Commissioner Manjunath Naik has been posted as Excise Commissioner.
Health and Family Welfare & Ayush Services Commissioner P.S. Vastrad has been promoted to officiate in the Super time Scale and posted as Secretary, Department of Cooperation.
Principal Secretary, Public Works, Ports & Inland Water Transport M. Lakshminarayana has been posted as Principal Secretary, Department of Information and Public Relations.
Principal Secretary, Kannada & Culture, Information & Public Relations, S.R. Umashankar has been posted as Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. He will also hold the concurrent charge of post of Principal Secretary, Kannada and Culture Department.
The transfer order of M.V. Savithri as Managing Director of Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (KSSIDC) has been cancelled and she will continue as Commissioner for Social Welfare Department. Hemaji Nayak has been appointed managing director of KSSIDC.
Rural Development Commissioner Vipul Bansal has been given the current charge of the post of Commissioner for Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/nine-ias-officers-transferred/article9040716.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2fe64a102acc3824262b48c09106eca25db48248db6b0280bf62b11e7eadf4b9.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T18:51:48 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fvideos%2Farticle9042970.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/desi_man_2989851c.jpg | en | null | Desi Man? A look at India's superhero films | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Please Wait while comments are loading...
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[
"K. Manikandan"
] | 2016-08-29T22:52:39 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Nearly a year after a portion of the compound wall separating the railway lines of the Mass Rapid Transit System and Old Fort Glacis near Fort railway station collapsed, the breach is yet to be plugg | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fchen-infra%2Fcollapsed-compound-wall-puts-pedestrians-at-risk%2Farticle9046835.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30TH_WALL_2991491c.jpg | en | null | Collapsed compound wall puts pedestrians at risk | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Many commuters have taken to crossing the railway line after the collapse of the wall near the Fort Railway Station. — Photo: R. Ragu
Portion of wall separating MRTS line from road collapsed after rain
Nearly a year after a portion of the compound wall separating the railway lines of the Mass Rapid Transit System and Old Fort Glacis near Fort railway station collapsed, the breach is yet to be plugged.
Vendors near the railway station said the compound wall abutting the MRTS railway line collapsed during the heavy rains of December last year. The wall separates the railway line and Defence property, including residential quarters, schools and other Army establishments. More importantly, it separates the railway line and the road leading to the rear entrance to Fort St. George.
Auto drivers near the Fort railway station said the breach in the compound wall was risky, as the distance between the railway line and the road parallel to it was less than 6 feet. A 25-feet-long portion of the wall had collapsed, they said. Pedestrians are now crossing the railway line at this spot to reach Muthuswami Bridge and hence, the wall had to be rebuilt without delay, they added. Southern Railway sources however said the wall had been rebuilt after the collapse in December but it might have collapsed more recently again during the showers in July or this month.
The debris had fallen dangerously close to the railway line towards Velachery. The debris would be removed soon and a new wall built in its place, officials said.
They had engaged a private engineering firm for the specific task of attending to breaches on compound walls between Chennai Beach and Chetpet railway stations. The stretch around Fort railway station was accident-prone, a problem compounded by pedestrians who manage to squeeze through the steel fence along Muthuswami Bridge and walk across 5 railway lines to reach the opposite side instead of using the pedestrian foot overbridge. Officials said they would take up work on plugging the breach near Fort station on a priority basis. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-infra/collapsed-compound-wall-puts-pedestrians-at-risk/article9046835.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/f6b9e98aa0c75b8d4241e4c783df354c779fc2fe6a50a3498630d9d75011406c.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:20 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The district has been allotted Rs.1.03 crore under the special samba package announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly recently.The scheme was announced by the Chief Minister to enable | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FTiruchirapalli%2Frs103-crore-allotted-under-samba-package%2Farticle9039280.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 | Rs.1.03 crore allotted under samba package | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The district has been allotted Rs.1.03 crore under the special samba package announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly recently.
The scheme was announced by the Chief Minister to enable farmers to take up direct sowing of samba crop in the delta region if the Mettur dam could not get adequate water by August-end. Farmers are also to be supplied other inputs under the scheme.
Providing details of the allotment under the scheme at the farmers’ grievances day meeting here on Friday, R. Chandrasekaran, Joint Director of Agriculture, said farmers interested in taking up mechanised direct sowing during the samba season would be provided a subsidy of Rs.600 an acre and the subsidy would be extended for 100 acres in the district.
Farmers would also be given Rs.500 an acre for ploughing fields. The subsidy would be extended for about 1,000 acres in the district. Farmers would also get Rs. 10 per kg of seed as grant to get quality seeds. As weeds were likely to sprout in direct sowing, farmers would get Rs. 280 per acre for buying herbicide. The subsidy under this head would be extended to cover 700 acres. This apart, a subsidy of Rs.200 an acre would be provided for applying zinc sulphate and the subsidy would be extended for about 1,000 acres.
Moreover, farmers would get Rs. 2000 per acre as back-ended subsidy in areas where transplantation was done through machines. About 3,600 acres would be covered in the district under mechanised transplantation, he said.
However, a section of farmers contended that the allocation was too meagre and it was not feasible to go in for direct sowing without water for irrigation. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/rs103-crore-allotted-under-samba-package/article9039280.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5f0577758376b3a5acaf16c6d6b8c8436f8ba0a581875fed6afb349d4fdc4a1b.json |
[
"S. Vijay Kumar"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:05 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | More than 20 years after 82 residential plots were bought by individuals, including many retired government employees from a single owner at Neithavayal village in Tiruvallur district, the Hindu Relig | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fhrce-department-claims-rights-over-property-sold-20-years-ago%2Farticle9043134.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/29TH_LAND_PHOTO_2990016c.jpg | en | null | HR&CE Department claims rights over property sold 20 years ago | null | null | www.thehindu.com | More than 20 years after 82 residential plots were bought by individuals, including many retired government employees from a single owner at Neithavayal village in Tiruvallur district, the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has claimed rights over the property and written to the Registration Department not to allow any transaction relating to the land.
The plots spread over 6.3 acres approved by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in 1992 was purchased by people from different walks of life after obtaining the encumbrance certificate and legal opinion in 1993-94.
At least a dozen retired government employees bought the plots by availing home loan from a nationalised bank that referred the documents to its panel of advocates before sanctioning the loan.
Most of the plot owners did not construct houses since there was a dispute over the approach road with some local people. When some of them chose to sell the plots, they got a jolt when the Sub-Registrar, Ponneri, informed that the HR&CE Department had requested that no transactions be allowed.
Some affected people approached HR & CE Department officials in Chennai who refused to divulge any information about the basis on which the ban on sale was imposed. When they moved the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission, officials maintained that the matter was under process and no information on the reasons for imposing the ban could be shared.
The HR&CE Department Public Information Officer said the land in question was found to be recorded as ‘Chatram’ land in the ‘A’ Register (revenue record) in 1912.
It was further stated that it came to light during an inquiry that the ‘Chatram’ land was learnt to have been used by devotees of Varadaraja Perumal temple during festivities for stay and rest.
However, the department was yet to take charge of the temple and it was proposed only now to appoint an Executive Officer.
Chief Information Commissioner K. Ramanujam noted that the PIO had not established firmly the link between the three entities – HR&CE Department, Varadaraja Perumal Temple and the ‘Chatram’ land, while the claim of the plot owners was based on records, including pattas transferred to their names.
Mr. Ramanujam was of the view that while HR & CE Department had the right and duty to protect its properties, those likely to be affected by the move to ban registration after enjoying the title, rightly or wrongly, for 20 years also had a right to know the background, which deprives them of their ownership right.
Without going into the merits of the claim of ownership and title, which at any rate is beyond the purview of the Commission, he directed that in the interest of transparency, a copy of the letter given by the HR & CE Department to the Registration Department asking them to stop registrations of the land be given to the petitioners along with the inquiry report.
The CIC also recommended that in cases where the HR&CE Department approached the Registration Department not to approve registration of lands, “the fact may be publicly notified on its website so that stakeholders at least get notice and intending buyers are also warned, especially when the ‘ban’ is not reflected in the Encumbrance Certificate.” | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/hrce-department-claims-rights-over-property-sold-20-years-ago/article9043134.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a60b34a1242ebb6f5731da3227d4537e8f50e7a74eaceea67a3a58aa5521a332.json |
[
"Amarnath Tewary"
] | 2016-08-28T18:50:53 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The flood-hit people of Khagaria district in Bihar on Sunday pasted posters of their local Lok Sabha MP in town as “Missing” and announced reward of two kg Chura (beaten rice) and 500 gm Sattu (roast | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Ffloodhit-bihar-scoffs-at-missing-mp%2Farticle9043152.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/khagdiya_147237145_2990020c.jpg | en | null | Flood-hit Bihar scoffs at ‘missing’ MP | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The flood-hit people of Khagaria district in Bihar on Sunday pasted posters of their local Lok Sabha MP in town as “Missing” and announced reward of two kg Chura (beaten rice) and 500 gm Sattu (roasted gram powder) to those who would locate his address. A Union minister too was gheraoed and protested by angry flood victims at Vaishali while several other ministers, including the chief minister and alliance partner Lalu Prasad Yadav visited flood-affected areas in different districts to see the relief works and instructed officials for necessary actions.
The flood-affected people of Khagaria district plastered the town with posters of the Lok Janshakti Party MP Chaudhury Mehboob Ali Kaiser with the caption as “Missing”. They also announced reward of two kgs of Chura (beaten rice) and 500 kg of Sattu (roasted gram powder) to those who would locate the MP’s address. Mr Kaiser, complained the protestors, has not visited his constituency ever since flood water has marooned them. Mr Kaiser, earlier was state Congress President but when denied ticked he contested the last Lok Sabha election in 2014 from Lok Janshakti Party and won the poll.
“The government gives us two kgs of chura and 500 gm sattu to eat as flood relief…we’ve decided to reward those with this relief stuffs who will locate our MP’s address”, said Nawal Kishore Yadav of Khagaria. Along with other districts of the state, a large part of Khagaria district too is inundated with flood water since last several days. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made aerial survey of Khagaria on Friday and instructed officials for necessary actions in view of relief operations.
Similarly, Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata party leader Upendra Kushwaha too had to face flak from the flood-hit people when he visited Hasanpur village of Mahnar in Vaishali district on Sunday. The angry protestors’ gheraoed the minister for two hours while shouting slogans against the meager relief materials and help. Later, Mr Kushwaha had to retreat from the spot in a huff. Two other union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Ram Kripal Yadav also visited flood-hit areas of Bakhtiyarpur and Punpun in Patna district and take stock of the situation. Mr Prasad took lunch along with flood-hit people taking shelter at a relief camp in Bakhtiyarpur. “Though, the NDRF teams have been doing good work but for the relief and rehabilitation there is need of more to be done…fodder for animals should be arranged”, said Mr Prasad.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has regularly been taking aerial survey and visiting relief camps in flood-affected areas of the state, too reached Bhagalpur and Purnea on Sunday to see the relief works at camps set-up by the government for the flood-hit people. At Sabour in Bhagalpur he asked officials to set-up shelter for the animals also. From Naugacchia jail, all 252 prisoners had to be shifted to Bhagalpur jail on Saturday evening when flood water entered into the jail premises. The flood situation in Bhagalpur district continued to be grim as rail and road traffic too have been badly affected.
Meanwhile, along with his younger son and Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav, ruling alliance partner and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav too took an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts and reached Buxar on Sunday where the marooned people complained that in the name of flood relief “scam” was going on in the district. Mr Prasad and his son later assured them that stern action will be taken against those officials who would be found lax in their duties. Later, Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav visited inundated Bidupur area of his assembly constituency Raghopur in Vaishali district and took stock of the relief operation there. Earlier, the marooned residents who have taken shelter in relief camps set-up at highways had complained of meager food and fodder supply to him.
According to a government release altogether 3.03 lakh people have taken shelter in 598 relief camps set-up in flood-hit districts. As many as 58 people have died in flood so far while the government has been plying 2821 boats for 37.21 lakh flood affected population of 569 panchayats and 74 blocks in 12 marooned districts. Meanwhile, receding trend of flood water in rivers of spate has been noted. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/floodhit-bihar-scoffs-at-missing-mp/article9043152.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7486cf895bd007aac5ee6e06e5580584216f729dd7d7d667f4cc28af9883dd82.json |
[
"Vishal Menon"
] | 2016-08-27T10:50:16 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | For a film titled Goundamaniyin Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidaiyathu, it’s really strange to see how little the makers have utilised the veteran actor (he’s 77). When Goundamani is all the film has g | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fcinema%2Fgoundamanis-enakku-veru-engum-kilaigal-illai%2Farticle9040333.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/28cp_goundamani02__2988676c.jpg | en | null | Goundamani's Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Illai | null | null | www.thehindu.com | For a film titled Goundamaniyin Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidaiyathu, it’s really strange to see how little the makers have utilised the veteran actor (he’s 77). When Goundamani is all the film has going for it, why did the makers choose to look elsewhere? When you’ve got just one trick up your sleeve, why wouldn’t you use it?
It begins well enough when we’re introduced to Caravan Krishnan (Goundamani),the man credited with making Kollywood’s first vanity van. His proximity to the Tamil film industry allows Krishnan to let loose a few seriously funny wisecracks about the industry. Commenting on the growing number of horror films, week after week, he jokes about how he has started renting out caravans to ghosts. He pokes fun at film titles and wonders why a film is named Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan. An aide tells him early on about how Kollywood has changed. His example? S. J. Suryah has become a music director and G.V. Prakash is now an actor.
A rationalist and a fan of Periyar, he’s a messiah who unites lovers. So, when a production controller calls him asking for a caravan for the shoot of Singham 3, Krishnan asks if there’s a love story in it. When the answer is in the negative, he increases his rates.
He claims to be friends with both Narayana Murthy and Mark Zuckerberg, chooses to voice his opinions, and takes to Facebook and Twitter. So when he puts up a post criticising Hansika Motwani, Kajal Aggarwal, and Lakshmi Menon for using their caste names, he starts losing business. Despite the film’s amateurish presentation and tacky production values, the master comedian stills holds interest with his irreverent wit. But what do you do when he’s almost entirely removed from the film? It becomes tiresome when a couple (which could be the 51st such he’s uniting), approaches him for support after being chased by the girl’s father. From the film’s spoof-like indulgences, it shifts gears to repeat Tamil cinema’s most repeated love track—a rebel falling for a politician’s daughter. Both the boy and the girl get elaborate flashbacks that drain the film of its comic energy. The resolution of this issue too is silly. All Krishnan does to save the couple is take them back to her father, who readily agrees. It’s literally that simple.
When the film ends with a hint of a sequel, with Krishnan moving to Nellore, one wishes it’s in Telugu and doesn’t find a release here. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/goundamanis-enakku-veru-engum-kilaigal-illai/article9040333.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0b8c3170f4187eb2d821e8e6a53936e627352712c7f9972f88eee6f7da38ca42.json |
[
"Ranjani Govind"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:04 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Everyone has seen pictures of Jnanpith award winners. But in a few days, you can see their caricatures as well, with Ahmedabad-based cartoonist and caricature specialist Nirmish Thaker set to introduc | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fhis-tributes-come-in-the-form-of-caricatures%2Farticle9043121.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/29BGNIRMISH_THAKER_2990007c.jpg | en | null | His tributes come in the form of caricatures | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Jnanpith award winner Girish Karnad with cartoonist Nirmish Thaker and the latter’s caricature of him. —File photo: Bhagya Prakash
The project was assigned to Gujarat-based Thaker by Bharatiya Jnanpith a few years ago
Everyone has seen pictures of Jnanpith award winners. But in a few days, you can see their caricatures as well, with Ahmedabad-based cartoonist and caricature specialist Nirmish Thaker set to introduce his work on 56 famous personalities at a special exhibition by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in Bengaluru.
The exhibition, which will be held from September 3 to 17 at the Indian Cartoon Gallery here, will include eight caricatures of award winners from Karnataka: K.V. Puttappa, D.R. Bendre, K. Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, V.K. Gokak, U.R. Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad, and Chandrashekar Kambar, who will be inaugurating the show.
“From the first awardee, Govind Shankar Kurup who bagged it in 1965, to the latest, Raghuvir Chowdary of Gujarat, I have drawn them all. Playwright Girish Karnad particularly appreciated the caricature on him,” said Mr. Thaker.
Touted to be a rare compilation of heritage value, the caricature project was assigned to Mr. Thaker by Bharatiya Jnanpith a few years ago, after which they were published as a set in a special issue in its literary magazine, ‘Naya Jnanodaya’, last year.
“It was a privilege for me to portray India’s biggest literary awardees with my own hands,” Mr. Thaker told The Hindu from Ahmedabad.
His unusual and voluminous repertoire of caricatures includes interesting categorisations such as classical music artistes, theatre personalities, Hollywood and Bollywood actors, western and Indian writers, Indian sportspersons, space scientists and Nobel Prize winners. “Such wide classifications helped me get into the Limca Book of Records nine times, with five records set in 2016,” he said. With 4,500 caricatures in his kitty, Mr. Thaker’s collection is soon expected to be part of the world record books, according to V.G. Narendra, managing trustee, Indian Institute of Cartoonists.
But gratification comes when famous personalities recognise his “haath ka jaadu” (magic of his hands), with the list including celebrated cartoonist R.K. Laxman and actor Amitabh Bachchan.
“I have a separate book of caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been a big draw in Gujarat,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/his-tributes-come-in-the-form-of-caricatures/article9043121.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ce81a9ddba034d34ddcbb314b28236df164f6bf7f2a158477dcec6dd60083dc7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:52:31 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The US Open is investing $600 million to upgrade its grounds in Queens where the season's final Grand Slam event gets under way on Monday. Here are other key dates in the history of the tournament:19 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Fus-open-tennis-championships-2016-important-dates-in-us-open-history%2Farticle9035695.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/US_OPEN_2987149c.jpg | en | null | Important dates in US Open history | null | null | www.thehindu.com | US Open is investing $600 million to upgrade its grounds in Queens where the season's final Grand Slam event gets under way on Monday.
The US Open is investing $600 million to upgrade its grounds in Queens where the season's final Grand Slam event gets under way on Monday.
Here are other key dates in the history of the tournament:
1968: Arthur Ashe and Virginia Wade win the first-ever US championships to permit both amateurs and professional players. Prior to that year, only amateurs could compete.
1978: The US Open moves from the clubby West Side tennis club at Forest Hills to the public Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, also in Queens, but with a much more egalitarian vibe. The tournament opts for a hard court with a true bounce, avoiding grass and clay, the surface of choice at the other tennis Grand Slams.
1984: "Super Saturday" goes down as one of the greatest days in tennis history, with Ivan Lendl beating Pat Cash and John McEnroe outlasting Jimmy Connors in men's semifinal matches. Sandwiched in between, Martina Navratilova edges Chris Evert for the women's championships. All three matches go the distance.
1988: Steffi Graf defeats Gabriela Sabatini to become only the fifth player to win a calendar year Grand Slam.
1997: The USTA unveils Arthur Ashe stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world, replacing the original center court, which was named for one of Queens' most famous residents, Louis Armstrong.
An unseeded 17-year-old Venus Williams reaches the final of the women's championship, losing to Martina Hingis and announcing the arrival of one of the most dominant sibling acts in sports history. Her sister, Serena Williams, would win her maiden Grand Slam championship in New York two years later, the first of Serena's 22 championships so far.
2004: Roger Federer defeats Lleyton Hewitt in the final, an early marker of a men's tennis era with several all-time greats. Between them, the "Big Four," which consists of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, have won all but two of the mens' crowns since 2004.
2005: The US Open replaces its green courts with blue to make the yellow-green balls easier to pick up for players and fans.
2008: The National Tennis Center takes the name of Billie Jean King, honoring a tennis legend and a pioneer in women's equality through sport.
2016: The US Open unveils a roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium, the crown jewel of a $600 million expansion intended to position the tournament for the coming decades. © AFP, 2016 | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/us-open-tennis-championships-2016-important-dates-in-us-open-history/article9035695.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c243860d838dd7db03338670fdddb0ad93b2344bdb019841a2f69e6e06fd93e7.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-30T06:52:46 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | : Former Home Minister P. Kannan has sought the resignation of Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy over the leak of sector-wise allocation before the budget was presented in the Assembly.Posted on websiteT | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fpuducherry%2Ftake-action-against-cm%2Farticle9048718.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 | ‘Take action against CM’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | : Former Home Minister P. Kannan has sought the resignation of Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy over the leak of sector-wise allocation before the budget was presented in the Assembly.
Posted on website
The Chief Minister has violated the oath of secrecy by posting the budget details on the government website.
“He should either resign or appropriate authority should take action against him for the Constitutional violation,” he told The Hindu . In 1974, the government led by Ramasamy in the Union Territory had to demit office on a similar issue, he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/take-action-against-cm/article9048718.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d8af061d24fa84b8bdcc4f8ebc43d942a9e05f911d3dfcdedd0a3468f46638fd.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:52:02 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Doctors of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) in Bidar on Tuesday conducted a rare blood transfusion in dogs. A dog suffering from low blood haemoglobin was b | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Flabrador-low-on-haemoglobingets-blood-transfusion%2Farticle9051188.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 | Labrador, low on haemoglobin,gets blood transfusion | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Doctors of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) in Bidar on Tuesday conducted a rare blood transfusion in dogs.
A dog suffering from low blood haemoglobin was brought from Vijayapura for treatment to Bidar.
A team, led by Vivek Kasarallikar, professor of medicine, conducted the three-hour-long procedure of drawing blood from a donor dog and transfusing it to the patient dog and saved its life.
The Labrador was suffering from lack of energy for two weeks and its owners took him to veterinary officer Bheemashankar in Vijayapura. He contacted KVAFSU and asked the pet keepers to take it to Bidar. On the advice of Dr. Kasarallikar, they took a donor Labrador along with them.
Investigation revealed that the patient dog had anaemia and haemoglobin count was just 5 per cent, against a normal 12.
“Just like human beings, there are blood groups in dogs, but several times, it is enough if the donor dog is from the same group as the patient dog,” Dr. Kasarallikar said. Doctors determined the acceptability of the blood by cross matching the two blood samples. Drawing took around one hour and infusion around two hours, he said.
The dog is now recuperating in the university’s hospital. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/labrador-low-on-haemoglobingets-blood-transfusion/article9051188.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/eb1d6700ba9606256c2e87ec25610d1c093794bf85aa9aa6ee21f09868846e6e.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:59 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | After the Supreme Court set aside the land acquired by the previous Left Front government in West Bengal for the Nano plant, Tata Motors on Wednesday said it would pass its comment after studying the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fsc-singur-verdict-related-to-acquisition-not-our-lease-tata-motors%2Farticle9056123.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 Singur verdict related to acquisition, not our lease: Tata Motors | null | null | www.thehindu.com | After the Supreme Court set aside the land acquired by the previous Left Front government in West Bengal for the Nano plant, Tata Motors on Wednesday said it would pass its comment after studying the judgment.
“The case in which the judgment was delivered today, related to the acquisition of land by the state government (West Bengal government), before it was leased to Tata Motors. Our case relating to Singur Act of 2011, is yet to be heard by the Supreme Court,” the company said in a statement.
“We will study today’s judgment in detail before commenting further on the same,” it said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sc-singur-verdict-related-to-acquisition-not-our-lease-tata-motors/article9056123.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7f934d8a1ee21f36b74ac3bad13d4a6609ed85b23e2951c2cc114663070a0638.json |
[
"Mohammed Iqbal"
] | 2016-08-29T16:59:58 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | A huge portion of a high wall in the Jaisalmer fort caved in on Thursday. An accident was averted as people involved in restoration work had gone for lunch and there were no tourists or local residen | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fother-states%2Fportion-of-jaisalmer-fort-wall-caves-in%2Farticle9035754.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/LUCKNOW-INDIA-JAIS_2987163c.jpg | en | null | Portion of Jaisalmer fort wall caves in | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Three residential structures on the ramparts of the fort suffer damage.
A huge portion of a high wall in the Jaisalmer fort caved in on Thursday. An accident was averted as people involved in restoration work had gone for lunch and there were no tourists or local residents at the site. The fort is being restored by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
One of the largest fortifications in the world, the 12th-century fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three residential structures on the ramparts of the fort also suffered damage in the wall collapse.
The aothorities have barricaded the road leading to the fort and deployed policemen to keep visitors away from the site. Water had reportedly seeped into the wall's foundation after rains a day before, making the ground unstable.
The ASI had started the repair work on the fort's ramparts about two weeks ago. The fort, popularly known as Sonar Quila (golden fort), has a huge population residing in it, making its conservation difficult due to civic pressure and water seepage. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/portion-of-jaisalmer-fort-wall-caves-in/article9035754.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/475994c9f1587ca7ccf8529759e3e1354c2eb9cb07e5134be5024559a37c01ff.json |
[
"Happymon Jacob"
] | 2016-08-28T18:51:11 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Over the past one and a half months, a host of institutions and individuals in India have impressed upon the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led Central government to reach out to Kashmiris to bring a pea | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Flead%2Fkashmir-and-the-clash-of-symbolisms%2Farticle9043025.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/160829_-_Oped_-_Ka_2989935c.jpg | en | null | Kashmir and the clash of symbolisms | null | null | www.thehindu.com | To successfully reach out to Kashmiris, and establish good faith, the Central government needs to address the symbolism that drives the separatist quarter
Over the past one and a half months, a host of institutions and individuals in India have impressed upon the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led Central government to reach out to Kashmiris to bring a peaceful end to the crisis in the Valley. Parliament discussed it at length, participants in an all-party meeting urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a political solution, and even a senior Army general has indirectly hinted at the need to talk to ‘all stakeholders’ in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). And yet, the BJP leadership has summarily failed to act on such advice and normalise the Valley.
The BJP continues to approach the Kashmir issue either using a Pakistan angle (insisting that the Kashmir uprising is propped up by Pakistan) or from a Hindu-Muslim perspective. Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s attempts to blame the unrest entirely on Pakistan and rope in Delhi-based Muslim clerics to reach out to Kashmiris are indicative of these flawed approaches. The reality is that neither do Indian Muslims have anything to do with what happens in Kashmir nor is the ‘azadi’ struggle in Kashmir a purely Islamic movement.
This shocking inability of the BJP to meaningfully resolve or sensibly respond to the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir is not merely a result of the arrogance of power or sheer political ignorance. At a very fundamental level, this is the result of a clash that exists between the BJP’s politics of symbolism and what Kashmir’s ‘azadi’ movement symbolises. While some of the demands made and positions taken by both the BJP leadership and the Kashmiri dissidents are indeed substantive, if not entirely useful, the fact is that there are thick layers of symbolism that surround these substantive arguments, with the latter almost clouding the former. The Kashmir issue is as much symbolic as it is substantive. Hence one cannot address the substantive issue of conflict resolution in Kashmir without addressing the symbology of the ‘azadi’ movement.
In the BJP’s (and Sangh Parivar’s) hyper-nationalist cosmology, Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and the separate flag and constitution which symbolise that special status of J&K in the Indian Union, run counter to their idea of Indian nationalism. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s evocative slogan “Ek vidhan, ek nishan aur ek samvidhan” (one country, one emblem and one constitution) forms the BJP’s political approach to Kashmir. In reality though, the J&K flag and its constitution are not privileged over the Indian national flag or Constitution, and Article 370 of the Constitution has lost all meaning over the years.
In other words, while in the Kashmiri political imagination, the flag, constitution and whatever is left of Article 370 form a crucial part of Kashmiri nationalism and even its ‘azadi’ demand, the BJP, a party that rides high on exclusivist political symbolism, finds it hard to accept it. For the Kashmiri nationalist, abolition of Article 370 would be symbolic of complete ‘Indian occupation’; for the BJP and the Sangh, it would be in line with bringing Kashmir into the Indian mainstream.
What about the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA? To Kashmiris, draconian laws like AFSPA are symbolic of Indian oppression in Kashmir, whereas for the BJP, withdrawing AFSPA would be a symbolic defeat at the hands of Kashmiri separatists. The reality, however, is that revoking AFSPA from a few districts in Kashmir or even partially amending it would be a symbol that Kashmiris would find greatly encouraging. Moreover, doing so would hardly affect the Indian Army’s operational capability there.
The same logic applies to the withdrawal of Central forces from the residential areas of the Valley. Having put itself on a ‘better than thou’ nationalistic pedestal, the BJP finds it difficult to heed to such demands, which the Congress party could if it willed it. However, doing so would make a great deal of difference to Kashmiris since, for them, the gun-totting soldier frisking Kashmiri civilians, day after day, represents Indian oppression.
The only BJP leader who played to the Kashmiri nationalist symbolism, if not do anything about it, was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who by merely uttering the magic mantra that every BJP leader takes refuge in today — ‘Kashmiriyat, jamhooriyat, insaniyat’ — transformed the discourse on the relationship between New Delhi and Srinagar. His wise words did not lead to any action: the word was the act, and it made a difference.
Moreover, the BJP managed to form a coalition government in the Valley with the ‘soft-separatist’ Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite declaring in its manifesto that it would abrogate Article 370, precisely because it managed to not only go back on its hardline positions but also address some of the key symbols of Kashmiri nationalism in its ‘Agenda of Alliance’ with the PDP.
The United Progressive Alliance regime, on the other hand, was adept at symbolically playing to Kashmiri demands. Most of its Kashmir initiatives from 2004 to 2011 show that it cleverly used symbolism with an occasional sprinkling of substance: Manmohan Singh engaged the separatists without any hesitation (unlike the BJP), organised Round Table Conferences in Kashmir, set up Working Groups on key themes linked to the ‘azadi’ question, and, after the 2010 agitation, sent a group of interlocutors to Kashmir who went out of their way to meet all key separatists in the Valley. While nothing came out of any of these initiatives, Dr. Singh managed to convey to Kashmiris that he was willing to engage them in an ‘out of the box’ manner without riding high on aggressive nationalism.
The India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir is a substantive issue pertaining primarily to the State’s territoriality, and yet there are strong symbolic aspects of the dispute that can indeed transcend the substantive claims. Armed with the unavoidable realisation that a territorial change of the Kashmir border is impossible due to a variety of reasons, Pakistan has been looking for an ‘honourable exit route’ from the Kashmir quagmire, a conflict that has had immeasurable adverse implications for its own society and polity. This explains the thought-process behind the so-called Musharraf formula on Kashmir, a solution that hinges on resolving the bilateral Kashmir dispute without changing its currently existing borders.
Dr. Singh understood the symbolism behind the Musharraf formula and offered to work with the Pakistani leader to ‘make borders irrelevant’ in Kashmir. Both proposals were full of symbolism, with hardly any substantive territorial transformation in it. Dr. Singh was able to pursue it precisely because the symbolism behind his politics, and that of the Congress party, did not clash with the proposed solution.
How fundamental is Kashmir to Pakistan’s identity? There was a time when Kashmir was bandied about as the “jugular vein of Pakistan”. They continue to do so, but of late, there is a recognition in the country that it needs to focus more on its own internal conflicts rather than Kashmir though the current stand-off may help reverse it. Pakistan also regularly refers to the UN Resolutions on Kashmir, but that is essentially to put New Delhi on the mat rather than being reflective of its seriousness about the Resolutions which would require Pakistan to first vacate the J&K territory under its control. In short, it is not impossible for India to address Pakistan’s claims on Kashmir, if preceded by a proper peace process.
The BJP, however, due to its hyper-nationalist baggage and puritanical claims about Kashmir, may find it hard to address Pakistan’s need for a ‘symbolic resolution’ of the Kashmir dispute.
The BJP’s inability to resolve the Kashmir issue also stems from its domestic political compulsions. Having often termed the Kashmiri separatists as ‘Pakistan-backed terrorists’, and then ‘successfully’ sold this line to its loyal constituency at home and on social media, it has become difficult for the BJP to proactively reach out to the separatists. No wonder then Mr. Modi took more than a month to even make a reluctant statement about the ongoing uprising in Kashmir, and Rajnath Singh failed to reach out to the separatists despite two visits to the Valley.
More importantly, the BJP’s Kashmir policy will continue to be dictated by electoral compulsions. Its electoral campaigns tend to ride high (along with the developmental promises) on nationalist symbols, national pride, national power, civilisational greatness, etc. Such high-octane symbolism does not go well with attempts at negotiating with the Kashmiri ‘terrorists’ supported by Pakistan especially when the party is bracing for Assembly elections in crucial States such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat.
Kashmir’s contemporary ‘azadi’ struggle is a powerful concoction of hatred towards New Delhi, a desire to be free from Indian ‘occupation’, lived experiences of daily humiliation represented by the presence of the Indian armed forces there, a historical sense of victimhood and betrayal symbolised by centuries of being ruled by ‘outsiders’, New Delhi’s inability to keep promises, and a disturbing amount of religious influence. Sure, there is a substantive political basis to the ‘azadi’ demand. However, most of these expressions of ‘azadi’ can be addressed by a number of measures, mostly symbolic in nature, as pointed out above. In other words, addressing Kashmir’s symbolic needs then is perhaps key to the heart of the conflict in Kashmir. However, as Amitabh Mattoo, a renowned academic currently based out of Kashmir, points out, “The Kashmir issue is as much symbolic as it is substantive, but the more you wait to address the symbolic aspects of it, the less you would be able to address the substantive aspects.”
Insurgencies are almost always waged, and fought, with a great deal of symbolism. However, the use of excessive counter-symbolism by the state to defeat the separatist/insurgent narrative, without catering to the insurgent’s symbolic needs, can often have the obverse effect of strengthening the separatist narrative. Therefore, if New Delhi wishes to get to the heart of the problem in Kashmir, it needs to address the very symbols of Kashmir’s ‘azadi’ movement.
Happymon Jacob is an Associate Professor of Diplomacy and Disarmament Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/kashmir-and-the-clash-of-symbolisms/article9043025.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/d82da6ef99baade922d55af63eaadb0072ca9d8bcc7960db2cc43d3a8f99d846.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:54:18 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The first batch of six elephants, led by Arjuna, was accorded a warm and traditional welcome on its arrival at the Mysuru Palace to participate in the Dasara festival, here on Friday. The elephant | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fdasara-elephants-received-with-honours-at-mysuru-palace%2Farticle9036513.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/elephants_dasara_2987461c.jpg | en | null | Dasara elephants received with honours at Mysuru palace | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The first batch of six elephants, lead by Arjuna, were accorded a warm welcome at the Mysuru Palace on Friday. Photo: M.A. Sriram
The first batch of six elephants, led by Arjuna, was accorded a warm and traditional welcome on its arrival at the Mysuru Palace to participate in the Dasara festival, here on Friday.
The elephants, which completed the Gajapayana from the jungle camps at Veeranahosahalli on Sunday, were camping at Aloka campus on the outskirts of the city and the forest department received them at Aranya Bhavan this morning. After special prayers, the elephants were decorated and embellished with flowers and decorative motifs at 2 p.m., following which they marched through the thoroughfares of the city to arrive at the Jayamartanda Gate of the main palace.
As Arjuna and company marched through the main roads, traffic came to a grinding halt even as people lined up to behold the arrival of the elephants that signals the countdown to Mysuru Dasara. The elephants marched in a single file with Arjuna in the lead, followed by Balarama, Gajendra, Abhimanyu, Kavery and Vijaya.
The caparisoned elephants were led by a pilot vehicle symbolizing the importance accorded to them and on reaching the Jayamartanda Gate, the elephants made a swift turn to the right and lined up to facilitate a photo opportunity to the waiting cameramen. Tourists visiting the palace were pleasantly surprised at the arrival of the elephants and made a dash towards it for a possible selfie.
Dignitaries including the Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, MLA M.K. Somashekar, senior forest department officials including Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Karikalan formally received the elephants and showered flower petals, while priests conducted various rituals and performed “arathi” to the elephants to the accompaniment of music. The police band presented the caparisoned elephants the guard of honour and led them from the Jayamartanda Gate to the main palace precincts, where they were again received with honours and fed with sugarcane, jaggery and plantains.
The elephants will camp in the palace courtyard till the completion of the Dasara festivities. In the interim, they will undergo rigorous training for the Dasara procession. The authorities have already made elaborate arrangements for the stay of the mahouts and their families on the palace courtyard. Arjuna and company will be subjected to routine health check up and will be on a special diet so they gain adequate weight and strength. The second batch of another six elephants led by Vikrama, Gopi, Harsha, Prashanth, Durga Parameshwari and Gopalaswamy will join them after a few days. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/dasara-elephants-received-with-honours-at-mysuru-palace/article9036513.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/485769d043e1b6c04ecd43a7098cad5115ceda96015273729b402434a224eb8e.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T18:54:25 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The Health Department has confirmed that the stray dog that went on a biting spree near Mala in Thrissur on Thursday evening was rabid.A post-mortem conducted on the dog by experts at the Pathology De | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FKochi%2Frabid-dog-attacks-six-beaten-to-death%2Farticle9038939.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 | Rabid dog attacks six, beaten to death | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Health Department has confirmed that the stray dog that went on a biting spree near Mala in Thrissur on Thursday evening was rabid.
A post-mortem conducted on the dog by experts at the Pathology Department of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University found that the dog was affected by rabies.
The dog was beaten to death by the local residents after it attacked six persons, including four children, at Azhinjithara and Krishnankotta in Poyya panchayat.
The students were returning from school when the dog chased and attacked them.
The dog had mauled five-year-old Ayush and bitten-off his face. Doctors at the Medical College Hospital in Thrissur said that the injured children were administered anti-rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.
Others who had sought treatment at the Taluk hospital in Kodungalloor have also taken precautionary injections.
The medical college hospital authorities have set up special section for the victims at its child ward. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/rabid-dog-attacks-six-beaten-to-death/article9038939.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b890f606145ced2b7f00a414d7484fa65c251697e65dcb2075f0d006755a24a9.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T00:54:03 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday unanimously ratified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitutional Amendment Bill at a special session of the legislature. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fmaharashtra-latest-to-sign-up-to-gst%2Farticle9046665.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/GST_2991385c.jpg | en | null | Maharashtra latest to sign up to GST | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Members of the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra celebrate outside the Assembly after it ratified the GST Bill on Monday.—Photo: P. Shrusthi
Chief Minister assures house that State will be not in a danger because of it.
The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday unanimously ratified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitutional Amendment Bill at a special session of the legislature.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar assured the house that the autonomy of the State will not be in danger because of the GST. Further, it will lead to more integration between States.
Support to the bill also came from alliance partner Shiv Sena, which had in the past raised objections to it. The Sena’s contention had been that the GST would lead to price rise and inflation. The party was also worried that the GST would lead to loss of Octroi, which fetches Rs. 7,000 crore in revenue to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
The Finance Minister said the inflation is likely to come down once the GST is put in place, and it will provide a level playing field and end tax evasion.
Mr. Fadnavis said none of the municipal corporations will lose their share of revenue, and the interest of the local bodies will be protected. “Prime Minister Modiji had specifically insisted on preparedness before implementing the bill and now we are in a position to roll it out.”
The opposition alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party had earlier objected to the GST and stalled for over five years. “The GST was first evolved during the Congress regime, and when approved by many States, it was blocked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the then Chief Minister of Gujarat. He had even thundered that as long as he was the CM, the bill would never see the light of the day. We want to ask, why he delayed it for more than five years,” asked Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan.
The bill received support from the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party leading to its passage in both the houses.
Maharashtra has become the 10th State to pass the bill that needs ratification by at least 16 States before it could be sent for the Presidential assent. The other States which have ratified the bill are Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Nagaland. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/maharashtra-latest-to-sign-up-to-gst/article9046665.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6c7479bacee74bd484b769dad7868cabab05f12ba29aea939c2d5e81f2b3c0bf.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T04:54:06 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Activists owing allegiance to the Telangana Rythu Sangham, affiliated to the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), staged a dharna here on Monday demanding immediate release of funds for payment of the third | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fryots-seek-third-instalment-of-crop-loan-waiver%2Farticle9046272.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 | Ryots seek third instalment of crop loan waiver | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Activists owing allegiance to the Telangana Rythu Sangham, affiliated to the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), staged a dharna here on Monday demanding immediate release of funds for payment of the third instalment of the crop loan waiver, sanction of fresh loans to all farmers including tenant farmers.
Farmers from various parts of the district took part in the demonstration at the Dharna Chowk here.
Addressing the demonstrators Telangana Rythu Sangham State Assistant Secretary Nunna Nageswara Rao alleged that the Government had so far sanctioned Rs. 200 crore as against the total sum of Rs. 409 crore required to clear the third instalment of the crop loan waiver in the district. “Even the sanctioned amount has not yet been fully disbursed,” he pointed out.
He demanded that the Government sanction loan eligibility cards to all the tenant farmers to enable them to avail crop loans at the earliest.
The Rythu Sangham leaders M. Ramesh, M. Sanjeeva Reddy and others spoke.
Later, a delegation of the Rythu Sangham leaders submitted a memorandum containing a charter of demands including filling up of all irrigation sources with Krishna and Godavari waters, to the district authorities at the Collectorate here. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/ryots-seek-third-instalment-of-crop-loan-waiver/article9046272.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/5e6b494923a1bf849ba7d722070c205036dbf66ecefe359b367db38d84e088c9.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T04:53:07 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | It has been 116 years since someone started driving a car in Madras.A.J. Yorke, a director of Parry and Co., brought the car from England in 1901 and used it regularly in the Madras Presidency. “He us | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Ftimeless-machines-all-spit-polish%2Farticle9044162.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/Chennai2_2990686c.jpg | en | null | Timeless machines, all spit & polish | null | null | www.thehindu.com | OLD IS GOLD: Har Sahay Meena, Commissioner of Tourism and MD, TTDC, at a heritage car exhibition held as part of Madras Day celebrations at Kottivakkam. Photo: M. Karunakaran
In 1901, A.J. Yorke brought a car from England and drove from Chamiers Road to Parry’s Corner.
It has been 116 years since someone started driving a car in Madras.
A.J. Yorke, a director of Parry and Co., brought the car from England in 1901 and used it regularly in the Madras Presidency. “He used to drive it from Ben’s Garden on Chamiers Road to present-day Parry’s Corner. In 1908, he drove from Ootacamund to Madras after attending a meeting. This was one of the first instances of long-distance drives in Madras,” said V. Sriram, historian, who was telling the story of the cars of Madras to a gathering of car enthusiasts on Sunday at a Madras Day event.
Another Englishman, H. A. Newell, travelled around the country between 1905 and 1921 in a Sunbeam. He wrote detailed accounts of his travels and among those was one in which he drove from Madras to Mamallapuram.“Cars were only imported and Addison and Co. were the pioneers. After Independence, though car manufacturing had not begun in the country, it was Anantharamakrishna Iyer, who started his automobile component manufacturing company in 1949 — India Pistons,” Mr. Sriram explained.
Historian S. Muthiah spoke about how T.T. Krishnamachari had a Standard Herald and his son T.T. Vasu too had a Herald and when the father’s car was passed on to the son, the son’s (Mr. Vasu’s) car came to him.
Several companies, he said, had licences to assemble cars. Ford started assembling trucks in 1926 in Bombay. He underlined the contribution of two firms — Amalgamations and Ashok Leyland — in Madras developing into an automobile hub.
Rayala Corporation managing director and heritage car enthusiast Ranjit Pratap urged the State government to help in organising a heritage car rally on a regular basis.
TTDC Managing Director Har Sahay Meena said the government was open to the idea of such a rally.
Earlier, as part of the event organised by Heritage Motoring Club and Turyaa Hotels Chennai, an exhibition of heritage cars was also held. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/timeless-machines-all-spit-polish/article9044162.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9b87b5aeebcf747cf780efeeef49e5efc56bba72277a1e239169ee9959866d26.json |
[
"Telangana Bureau"
] | 2016-08-31T08:57:22 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Work-related stress, odd duty hours, irregular eating patterns and little time to spend with family members continue to pose a serious threat to the physical and mental wellbeing of men in uniform.Su | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fstress-taking-a-toll-on-police-personnel%2Farticle9051497.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 | Stress taking a toll on police personnel | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Work-related stress, odd duty hours, irregular eating patterns and little time to spend with family members continue to pose a serious threat to the physical and mental wellbeing of men in uniform.
Suicide by three sub inspectors of police since January this year, throws up disturbing trend among the uniformed personnel. These appear to be isolated incidents, but they highlight the imperative need for stress management measures to help the police personnel cope with ‘occupational hazards.’ These also bring to the fore the need for counselling support by professional psychologists for those suffering from depression.
The police personnel are facing severe stress in their daily duties and sometimes it is forcing them to take extreme step. Surprisingly no one is ready to come out openly to explain their problems stating that it was in “everyone’s knowledge” and there is nothing new to tell about it.
The Karimnagar district senior police officials have found fault with new recruits for blaming police officials and committing suicide when they have lesser workload compared to the stress that their seniors underwent in the thick of naxalite movement.
“What is the pressure and stress the fresh police recruits are undergoing when compared to their seniors two decades ago? We discharged our duties with a lot of stress and risking our lives and none had resorted to suicide”, said Karimnagar district police officers association president M. Surender.
“The Police Department is identified with stress but not to the extent of taking extreme step. The new generation of officers are unable to cope up with the stress,” said Medak Superintendent of Police S. Chandrasekhar Reddy.
The police authorities have initiated a slew of measures like weekly-offs for the personnel, yoga camps and super-specialty medical camps for the physical and mental conditioning in Karimnagar. The Khammam District Police Officers’ Welfare Association has also been conducting yoga and medical camps at regular intervals under the supervision of its SP Shahnawaz Qasim for over 3,000 personnel in 60 police stations across the district, says K. Srinivas, the district president of the association.
(With additional reporting by R. Avadhani (Medak), P. Sridhar (Khammam) & K.M. Dayashankar (Karimnagar) | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/stress-taking-a-toll-on-police-personnel/article9051497.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/080e474ccab62735c1f4f31f3c25c63e0fdd3273eaf75e0f792e4a113cf03769.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T18:51:26 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump linked illegal immigration and employment on Saturday, pledging to start deporting offenders as soon as he is sworn in should he become the White House's | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Finternational%2Fdonald-trump-vows-deportations-immediately-after-being-sworn-in%2Farticle9043079.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02985/TRUMP_2985260c.jpg | en | null | Donald Trump vows deportations immediately after being sworn in | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Republican presidential nominee links illegal immigration and employment.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump linked illegal immigration and employment on Saturday, pledging to start deporting offenders as soon as he is sworn in should he become the White House's next occupant.
Mr. Trump all the while courted the black vote, claiming that the shooting of basketball star Dwyane Wade’s cousin will make African Americans support him, but the move instead triggered a firestorm of criticism.
“On Day One, I am going to begin swiftly removing criminal illegal immigrants from this country — including removing the hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal immigrants that have been released into US communities under the Obama-Clinton administration,” Mr. Trump told supporters in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Trump’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton served as secretary of state during President Barack Obama’s first term in office. The next president will be sworn in on January 20. “I am going to build a great border wall, institute nationwide e-verify, stop illegal immigrants from accessing welfare and entitlements and develop an exit-entry tracking system to ensure those who overstay their visas are quickly removed,” Mr. Trump warned.
The billionaire real estate magnate and former reality TV host — in a white baseball cap — said that “If we don't enforce visa expiration dates, then we have an open border. It's as simple as that.”
“A vote for Trump is a vote to have a nation of laws, a vote for Clinton is a vote for open borders,” he stressed.
Details of Trump's immigration policies remain scant. He rallied much of his primary support with a controversial hardline tone against illegal immigrants and his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border.
Some of his advisors are now reportedly urging him to tone down his signature policy priority.
Mr. Trump also made appeals to black voters, promising to help African Americans find jobs.
"Every time an African American citizen, or any citizen, loses their job to an illegal immigrant, the rights of that American citizen have been totally violated," he argued.
Hours before, Mr. Trump had tweeted: "Dwayne Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago," initially misspelling the basketball player's first name before correcting it later. "Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE Mr. Trump!"
He was referring to the shooting death on Friday of Nykea Aldridge during an exchange of gunfire between two men as she pushed a ba
Mr. Trump's comments unleashed a torrent of criticism spearheaded by actor Don Cheadle, who has starred in such films as "Hotel Rwanda" (2004), denouncing the bombastic billionaire for trying to score political points on the back of a murder.
"He doesn't give a fkk. More red meat to his alt-right troglodytes," Cheadle wrote on Twitter, referring to an ultra-conservative movement largely seen as white supremacist and anti-Semitic.
"You don't get to cherry pick. All the architects on left and right have failed that city. But Drumpf ain't the ansr."
Cheadle lambasted the 2016 presidential election for being "like a Shakespearean farce except it could end in a mushroom cloud."
Several hours after firing off his first tweet on Wade, Mr. Trump offered a more somber and contrite message: "My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers." | http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/donald-trump-vows-deportations-immediately-after-being-sworn-in/article9043079.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ba56c443c6bb9be165165ef9452d3fb36ab774cb3755a02cce70cd836c0bf941.json |
[
"R. Rajaram"
] | 2016-08-27T10:51:50 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | After a lull, two conmen, in the disguise of police personnel, struck yet again in the city targeting a woman and making away with her valuables after diverting her attention.The modus operandi was si | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FTiruchirapalli%2Fconmen-strike-at-will-in-tiruchi%2Farticle9039276.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 | Conmen strike at will in Tiruchi | null | null | www.thehindu.com | After a lull, two conmen, in the disguise of police personnel, struck yet again in the city targeting a woman and making away with her valuables after diverting her attention.
The modus operandi was similar to the ones adopted earlier in the city. This time also the tricksters struck during broad daylight in a busy area at an opportune time choosing a middle-aged woman as their target. The offence, according to police, was carried out on Thursday on Sankaran Pillai Road, dotted with commercial establishments and residential buildings, falling under the jurisdiction of Fort police station.
Fifty-three-old K. Amsavalli was walking along the road carrying lunch for her husband employed as a security guard in a residential apartment when the conmen struck. The duo accosted the woman who wore gold chain and bangles and reportedly posed themselves as police personnel. The tricksters advised the woman to keep the jewels she was wearing safely, else she would be fined. They volunteered to wrap the jewels in a packet if she gave the valuables to them.
Trusting them, the woman removed the six sovereign ‘thaali’ chain and a pair of gold bangles weighing two sovereigns and gave them to the duo. Upon receiving the jewels, the duo pretended to wrap it in a small piece of paper. The tricksters diverted the attention of the woman in a flash and stealthily took away the valuables and handed over another packet before leaving the scene swiftly. On opening the packet given to her by the duo, the woman was shocked to find only small stones inside.
Based on a complaint lodged by Amsavalli, the Fort Crime police booked a case under IPC section 420 (cheating). A few months ago, offences of similar nature committed by tricksters posing themselves as police personnel were reported in Woraiyur and K.K. Nagar police station limits.
Such instances of conmen targeting gullible residents and making away with their valuables have also been reported in Srirangam, Cantonment, Edamalaipattipudur and Subramaniapuram areas on earlier occasions.
Aged women seem to be the ideal “target” of the tricksters as they had fallen victims in such cheating cases on most occasions. Ironically, most of these crimes were committed during broad daylight in areas where movements had been sparse.
Although such offences had been reported in the past, police were yet to narrow down on the accused. The culprits seem to be shifting their area of operations to carry out the crimes with ease if the recurring instances reported in different places in the city are any indication.
The description regarding the identity of the culprits given by the complaint have not been clear posing a challenge for the police, say the sources. Since most of the victims were aged persons they were unable to clearly identify the culprits easily, say the sources.
Aged women seem to be the ideal “target” as they have fallen victim on most occasions | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/conmen-strike-at-will-in-tiruchi/article9039276.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7e59dd7851d599bd3dc0cde933d7f81d0c2fcca79ce8ec2d5c4c0aed272f1d29.json |
[
"Suresh Menon"
] | 2016-08-26T14:50:00 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Q: What is sedition and how can I qualify for it?A: You cannot qualify; sedition is not like the Olympics, although politicians act as if it is when they attempt to break the previous record they have | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fsedition-sedition-everywhere-a-ready-reckoner%2Farticle9036811.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 | Sedition, sedition everywhere: A ready reckoner | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Q: What is sedition and how can I qualify for it?
A: You cannot qualify; sedition is not like the Olympics, although politicians act as if it is when they attempt to break the previous record they have set themselves.
Q: Can you be arrested for sedition if your autocorrect changes a message?
A: I don’t understand, give me an example.
Q: Well, a friend told his girlfriend to stop messaging him and signed off: “I hate you Indira”.
A: So what?
Q: Autocorrect changed that to “I hate you India”, and now he has gone into hiding in Call crater, sorry, Kolkata.
A: We reserve judgement on that.
Q: Can you be arrested for sedition if you report on Pakistan’s cricket matches and write, “Pakistan played better than India today?”
A: Of course you can. What a silly question.
Q: What if my wife is from Pakistan and I tell her “I love you” 20 times a day?
A: It is fine so long as you say, “I love myself” 21 times.
Q: What if I drop into Pakistan unexpectedly to hug the Prime Minister and wish him a happy birthday?
A: The very question sounds seditious. I will not answer it.
Q: Is it sedition to write about sedition?
A: You’ll have your answer soon.
Q: Can I say anything about Pakistan that is not seditious?
A: Of course. You can say the place is hell. That the people are all animals. That Mohenjo-daro actually belongs to India. That they have the worst leg spinner in the world.
Q: But these are not true…
A: Take that back at once – you are balancing on the edge of sedition here.
Q: Can a Pakistani be arrested for sedition if he praises India?
A: Don’t you remember what happened to their cricket captain Shahid Afridi when he said that he has more fans in India?
Q: Yes, but his detractors didn’t say, “Go live in India”. That sounds more like a blessing than a curse, doesn’t it, unlike in the case of Amir Khan and others invited by angry Indians to live in Pakistan?
A: Exactly. Sedition and nationalism are defined by which side of the border you are on.
Q: What are the no-go areas?
A: Kashmir, Amnesty International, Binayak Sen, JNU, Ramya.
Q: You mean I cannot have opinions on these issues?
A: Of course you can, so long as they agree with those who see sedition everywhere.
Q: To see sedition in a grain of sand, and more sedition in a wild flower?
A: Very clever. You have just ruined William Blake for me.
Q: Wasn’t Blake too on trial for sedition?
A: Yes, he found a drunk soldier in his garden and when he refused to leave, marched him out. The soldier swore to a buddy that Blake had ‘damned the King of England’. This was at the turn of the 19th century, but Blake was acquitted by a jury.
Q: So nothing has changed?
A: No comment.
Suresh Menon is Contributing Editor, The Hindu | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/sedition-sedition-everywhere-a-ready-reckoner/article9036811.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/7e8e97a66b43f391783b293ff97d7e50b4222919a6566aedbd77128b2e73e0ef.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T04:52:36 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Tense moments prevailed in the city on Sunday as a major fire broke out in the Rajadhani Buildings at East Fort. Several fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire in efforts that lasted | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Fmajor-fire-breaks-out-in-city%2Farticle9044946.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/28tvsbg02-Tvm-f_TV_2990661c.jpg | en | null | Major fire breaks out in city | null | null | www.thehindu.com | QUICK ACTION:Fire and Rescue Services personnel battling the fire that broke out at Rajadhani Buildings in the city on Sunday. —Photo: S. Mahinsha
25 fire tenders battle for four hours to douse the flames at East Fort
Tense moments prevailed in the city on Sunday as a major fire broke out in the Rajadhani Buildings at East Fort. Several fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire in efforts that lasted for over four hours.
The fire erupted by around 3.30 p.m., soon after which the Fire and Rescue Services were alerted by a few passersby who noticed smoke billowing from the building. The fire, which is believed to have originated from a readymade clothing store, soon spread into the godown of a prominent garment company.
While the incident occurred on a typically-busy street, there were not many persons on the road, mainly because it was a Sunday. Moreover, there were no employees in the affected establishments, which normally would have bustled with activity on any other day. Notably, the fire broke out a short distance, roughly about 300 metres, away from the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which witnessed a steady stream of devotees, even while the fire-fighting operation was on.
Over 25 tenders of the Fire and Rescue Services were rushed to the spot from various stations in the district including those in Chengalchoola, Chakka, Vizhinjam, Nedumangad, Attingal and Kazhakuttam. Besides another fire tender from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), a well-equipped modern fire unit of the airport fire and emergency service, under the Airport Authority of India (AAI), boosted the operation.
The abundance of water in the Padmatheertha Pond nearby proved to be crucial for the efforts with the fire force personnel not being required to undertake long trips for refilling the fire tenders.
Three personnel who were involved in fire-fighting had to be hospitalised after they had complained of suffocation.
A.Hemachandran, Director General, Fire and Rescue Services, who led the operation, said that the actual cause of the fire could be ascertained only after a thorough probe. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/major-fire-breaks-out-in-city/article9044946.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/05ba53fa166fe25be04200883a1b9da265455cbad675cab73b34b19d4a750569.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T22:53:58 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The visuals of a marginalised citizen trudging miles in desperation to provide some parting dignity to his dead wife must serve a purpose far larger than national self-recriminations (“Odisha tribal | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Findignities-and-the-poor%2Farticle9046729.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 | Indignities and the poor | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The visuals of a marginalised citizen trudging miles in desperation to provide some parting dignity to his dead wife must serve a purpose far larger than national self-recriminations (“Odisha tribal walks 10 km carrying wife’s body”, Aug.25). She was also a victim of TB, a scourge being vainly tackled by us for decades. Exacerbated by a lack of primary health care, every State has its tale of shame. In contrast, Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign had health care for all as his poll platform. The U.K. zealously looks after the National Health Scheme, irrespective of the political dispensation. Back in India, the focus on medical entrance test formats marks feeble efforts to lift health care. Here too, no doctor is ready to take up rural practice.
R. Narayanan, Ghaziabad
Even before the anger and anguish caused by the most wicked and merciless manner in which a poor man was made to walk a distance with his dead wife, comes another equally horrifying incident in Madhya Pradesh — of a man being made to get off a State transport bus by the conductor, and in pouring rain, with the body of his dead wife and a crying child (“Man, daughter thrown out of bus after wife dies”, Aug 28). The lawyers who helped the hapless man reach his home are the silver lining in the dark clouds of inhuman behaviour. Humanism is a casualty in these modern days.
B.S. Jayaraman, Coimbatore | http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/indignities-and-the-poor/article9046729.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e0b5dc953f90436943d387eb758d0642927f509ad2c98156e9d50f5fafd9c27f.json |
[
"Anil Mammen"
] | 2016-08-28T14:51:00 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | A critique of rote learning is an educational cliché. Much has been written about it and almost every educator will passionately argue against it. However, the textbook still continues to be the holy | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Feducation%2Fcollege-and-university%2Fanil-mammen-on-education-beyond-the-predictive-text%2Farticle9040392.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/29_EPBS_BEYOND_BOO_2988694c.jpg | en | null | Beyond the predictive text | null | null | www.thehindu.com | When knowledge gained is not acknowledged, and the textbook is considered the sole source of answers, education becomes a foreign language.
A critique of rote learning is an educational cliché. Much has been written about it and almost every educator will passionately argue against it. However, the textbook still continues to be the holy grail of learning. You can participate in activities, test yourself, memorise information and learn. But don’t forget, the textbook has the answers. This obsession with textbook answers seem to cut across both government as well as private schools in India.
To learn something is to seek out answers. But a textbook supplies readymade answers to questions that are not necessarily asked. And most times, students don’t know what to do with these answers except to write them down during tests.
In What is Worth Teaching, Krishna Kumar, former Director of NCERT, says, “The textbook symbolises the authority the teacher must accept in order to work. It also symbolises the teacher’s subservient status in the educational culture.” In other words, even teachers don’t have the autonomy to decide what needs to be taught, forget the autonomy of students to question what they learn.
Right to truth
The right to education is every student’s right to get to the truth, regardless of what kind of school one goes to. Truth may be elusive. It may be diverse and contradictory. But the pursuit of knowledge is the pursuit of truth. Why are things the way they are? Why do I think and feel the way I do? Why do I go to a local Marathi medium school while my mother’s boss’s daughter goes to an international school? These are all valid questions that deserve an explanation.
Certain kinds of knowledge and certain skills can help students get a job or set up an enterprise. No one denies the role of education in developing these skills. The idea of helping develop a productive citizenry is not something to be ridiculed at. However, it is equally important for us to acknowledge that developing economic agents for tomorrow is not the sole purpose of education. A skilled workforce is a consequence of a relevant curriculum, capable teachers, and a supportive system of education. But that is not an end in itself.
We brush aside many relevant kinds of knowledge as not even worth examining academically. Mainstream curriculum typically excludes the lived experiences of children from local communities, converting school education into an alien phenomenon for many. Most learning builds on prior knowledge, but when the prior knowledge of many children is not even acknowledged, education becomes a foreign language.
Answers for marks
Our board examination system sends out one clear message to every student: work hard to learn your answers. Clarity and understanding can wait. The question of ‘why you learn what you learn’ can wait. What pays is unquestioned hard work — although unequally, depending on one’s social and economic support. But at least it pays for some, until the next milestone — which is, securing an admission to a college of one’s choice. In the interim, a student’s identity is reduced to that of a mark or a grade, compared with other ‘marks’ or ‘grades’.
Exam results, just a series of hurdles on the path to becoming a ‘professional label’, are themselves the outcome of something short-term — the ability to store a whole lot of answers in the brain, the ability to solve problems using those given answers and existing formula, and the ability to complete all the questions within a given timeframe.
No doubt, it is a lesson in handling pressure, but in a formulaic way. Students come to accept that learning is a game of one-upmanship. A game where you play by the rules. And just like in every game, the rules are not for questioning.
Beyond patchwork
Reports such as Pratham’s Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) survey remind us that we have far more fundamental issues to address before we advocate radical changes in curriculum and pedagogy.
Perhaps those fundamental issues can only be addressed by radical changes. Many students find it difficult to read grade-appropriate books or solve basic mathematical problems.
But there is a tendency to attribute the reasons for low performance to no detention policy (till class eight) or lack of standardised assessments. Many premier educational institutions, including those modelled after Montessori and Waldorf schools, in India as well as abroad do not support detention or standardised assessments, but their students do just fine. Yes, the contexts are different. These are schools for the privileged. There is respectability for qualified teachers, a friendly environment for learning and more autonomy for both teachers and students. Does that mean if you are not privileged, you have to make do with an environment that simply pressurises you to pass your exams?
Questioning the answers around us is not just about challenging established answers in a scientific way. It is about questioning what is passed off as ‘practical’ solutions to the multitude of problems around us.
When you refuse to engage with difficult questions, you tend to accept easy answers. But believing in top down ‘easy’ answers can sometimes be more dangerous than accepting one’s ignorance. As James Baldwin put it, “Ignorance, allied with power is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
The writer is Chief, Learning Design and Social Impact at Tata ClassEdge. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/college-and-university/anil-mammen-on-education-beyond-the-predictive-text/article9040392.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/0288cdf265a184c4498ea3097c695412eb5aa2d97fe3f7f6a610bf2d65e8cc2d.json |
[
"Ashok Kumar"
] | 2016-08-29T09:00:16 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | A total of 14,893 challans were issued by the Gurgaon Police during an eight-day special enforcement drive aimed at improving traffic conditions in the Millennium City. Also, 1,828 autos were impounde | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FDelhi%2Ftraffic-drive-ends-in-gurgaon%2Farticle9034338.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 | Traffic drive ends in Gurgaon | null | null | www.thehindu.com | More than 3,000 people challaned for not wearing seat belts
A total of 14,893 challans were issued by the Gurgaon Police during an eight-day special enforcement drive aimed at improving traffic conditions in the Millennium City. Also, 1,828 autos were impounded during the drive for violating traffic rules, including not carrying valid documents.
The drive, which was launched after Sandeep Khirwar took over as Commissioner of Police, ended on Wednesday.
More than 3,000 people were challaned for not wearing seat belts while 1,226 vehicles were found wrongly parked, and about 850 people faced action for driving on the wrong side. Also, a total of 835 vehicles, mostly cars, were towed away for being parked on roads or in wrong places.
In most cases of wrong parking and wrong-side driving, documents were seized and the person concerned was asked to complete the process at the Traffic Tower challaning centre, said a traffic police officer in Sushant Lok. The challaning process involves an hour-long lecture and awareness on traffic rules, regulations and various aspects of “responsible driving”, after which the violator is required to pay the penalty.
A total amount of Rs.30,12,300 was collected as challans/fines during this period. As part of this special drive, separate teams enforced traffic rules and took action against all violators, besides educating and creating awareness.
“While this special drive was appreciated by most citizens of Gurgaon, some people may have faced some difficulty in hiring “legal autos”. The General Manager Roadways, Gurgaon, has assured to provide sufficient additional buses to address such issues. Similarly, RTA Gurgaon has also assured that the issue of exorbitant charges by autos, if any, shall be handled by his office on priority,” said a statement issued by the Gurgaon Police.
1,226 cars were found wrongly parked; 850 people fined for driving on the wrong side | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/traffic-drive-ends-in-gurgaon/article9034338.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/698dd7d0222639bfb88d89172faee97ad1080f9facebd12412307bbf27e3db4d.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T08:50:45 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | His unbeaten hundred could not help India get over the line but Indian batsman Lokesh Rahul said his side’s fighting spirit till the last ball of what could have been a world record chase, was a huge | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2Findia-versus-west-indies-first-t20-international-disappointed-we-lost-but-good-we-fought-says-kl-rahul%2Farticle9042664.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02989/RAHUL-DHONI_2989574c.jpg | en | null | India versus West Indies first T20 International: Disappointed we lost but good we fought, says K.L. Rahul | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Rahul scored his maiden Twenty20 International century in 46 balls and stayed unbeaten on 110, striking 12 fours and 5 sixes.
His unbeaten hundred could not help India get over the line but Indian batsman Lokesh Rahul said his side’s fighting spirit till the last ball of what could have been a world record chase, was a huge positive to draw from the one-run loss.
Rahul scored his maiden Twenty20 International century in 46 balls and stayed unbeaten on 110, striking 12 fours and 5 sixes in the process.
“It is very disappointing to be on the losing side but what’s good to see is that we did not give up half way through,” Rahul said after India’s epic chase of 246 fell short to lose the match by a run on Saturday.
“The West Indies had put up a big total for us to chase and what we spoke in the dressing room was to try to take the game as long as we could and the way everyone came and approached this innings was very good to see,” he added.
Speaking of his partnership with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (43) and the duo’s failure to take India home despite the team needing a mere eight off the last over, Rahul said it was disappointing.
“As soon as he came in, I knew that he will make me run a lot. I was already tired by the time he came, but he kept on pushing me and like I said we just kept things simple out there in the middle. We required 13 runs an over,” he said.
“He said that even if we get 11-12 runs till the sixteenth over, it was ok and we could go big in the last couple of overs. We were favouring one end and hit sixes on that side and we knew that they did not have overs left from their main bowlers in the death.
“That was the plan and we just kept hitting well, kept connecting. We got 11-12 runs easily in an over. Just unfortunate it was one of those days when the game could’ve gone anywhere,” he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/india-versus-west-indies-first-t20-international-disappointed-we-lost-but-good-we-fought-says-kl-rahul/article9042664.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e71fdbed701151b7999cb86109ce297b5cc59495aaf2997e16e61e97b43cd287.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-31T04:59:23 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The district administration officials stopped work and seized earthmovers hired by a temple committee as it was destroying the Karez heritage site in Naubad on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, a team of | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fofficials-seize-earthmovers-to-protect-heritage-site-in-bidar%2Farticle9050646.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 | Officials seize earthmovers to protect heritage site in Bidar | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The district administration officials stopped work and seized earthmovers hired by a temple committee as it was destroying the Karez heritage site in Naubad on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, a team of officials led by Tahsildar Jagannath Reddy and those from the Departments of Forest and Mining, inspected the work of cutting trees and levelling hillocks on a portion of the Manjra plateau. They seized equipment and filed cases against workers and persons who had ordered the work.
Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari said Karez, the medieval underground aquaducts, had to be protected. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/officials-seize-earthmovers-to-protect-heritage-site-in-bidar/article9050646.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ff2d3b4910e27cb651c81abcf9a1c291454fe4cef08661bdf6a358bc85d87315.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T06:56:08 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Health and Family Welfare Minister and district in-charge K.R. Ramesh Kumar launched the cleaning drive of tanks in the district on Sunday, beginning with Alavatta tank in Srinivasapur taluk, Muduva | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Ftanks-cleaning-programme-launched-in-kolar-district%2Farticle9045793.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/29KOLAR_TANK_CLEAN_2990905c.jpg | en | null | Tanks’ cleaning programme launched in Kolar district | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Health and Family Welfare Minister and district in-charge K.R. Ramesh Kumar launched the cleaning drive of tanks in the district on Sunday, beginning with Alavatta tank in Srinivasapur taluk, Muduvadi in Kolar taluk and Sivarapatna in Malur taluk.
The cleaning work was taken up in view of filling the 121 tanks in the district using treated water from Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley project.
Mr. Ramesh Kumar said the government has released Rs. 1,300 crore for the project. The sewage water will be treated in three stages and used to fill the tanks. This will help recharge the groundwater level, he said.
The treated water will be supplied by August 15 next year. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened a meeting on September 1 to review progress in Yetthinahole project, he added.
Malur MLA K.S. Manjunath, MLC R. Chowda Reddy, Deputy Commissioner K.V. Thrilokchandra, and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer B.B. Kaveri were present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/tanks-cleaning-programme-launched-in-kolar-district/article9045793.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1b10911788f767bc353cdf67c309238284f9aad9b463cad4dfd7b97a086ee0bc.json |
[
"Mohit M. Rao"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:02 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The smallest of pollutants seems to have slipped through the net of the State’s ambitious effort to curb the use of plastic. The ban on plastic, which came into effect in March, included miniscule pa | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fbangalore%2Fthe-plastic-in-your-face-wash%2Farticle9043191.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/05BG_Microbead_eps_2990051c.jpg | en | null | The plastic in your face wash | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The ban on microbeads is only on paper as officials remain unprepared for enforcement
The smallest of pollutants seems to have slipped through the net of the State’s ambitious effort to curb the use of plastic.
The ban on plastic, which came into effect in March, included miniscule particles of plastic polymers — barely a few millimetres in diameter — which are commonly found in cosmetics, body scrubs and even toothpastes. With this, Karnataka became the first State in the country to ban microbeads — a decision that had been previously taken by economically advanced countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Despite the headstart, the ban, it seems, is only on paper, as officials remain unprepared for enforcement.
“We have had discussions on the topic, but enforcement has been deferred. Manufacturers are in discussions with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), which is studying alternatives for microbeads. We will await directions from them,” said Lakshman, chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, which has spearheaded implementation of the ban.
Suresh N. Hari, honorary secretary, Karnataka State Plastics Association, said microbeads are not manufactured in the State; they are brought from other States.
There is inadequate research on microbeads in the State and the country. However, international studies have shown that microplastics have adverse toxicological and physical effects on marine life. A 2014 study estimated that the world’s oceans contain nearly 35,000 tonnes of microplastics.
The ban on microbeads was seemingly an afterthought. The draft notification published on October 29, 2015 did not mention microbeads. It was included in the final notification in March following suggestions from the public.
“Prohibiting microbeads was a good step, but lack of implementation shows weaknesses in the regulatory system. At least, people are becoming aware of the issue. The government should work with industry to deal with the problem,” said T.V. Ramachandra, researcher, Indian Institute of Science. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/the-plastic-in-your-face-wash/article9043191.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/449b115825b92f3f12e36c813edd8465e5ebe7fadf1575531788e67426aa0070.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:51:47 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | The rupee weakened by 6 paise to 67.08 against the dollar in early trade on Wednesday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on month-end demand for the American currency from importers.Forex dealer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2Fmarkets%2Fforex-market-indian-rupee-versus-us-dollar-august-31-2016%2Farticle9054149.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 | August 31, 2016 - The Hindu | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The rupee weakened by 6 paise to 67.08 against the dollar in early trade on Wednesday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on month-end demand for the American currency from importers.
Forex dealers said strength in the dollar against some other currencies overseas also weighed on the rupee but a higher opening in the domestic equity market capped the losses.
On Tuesday, the rupee had gained 16 paise to close at 67.02, its highest level in a month, on heavy selling of the greenback by exporters and banks.
The benchmark BSE Sensex rose by 131.37 points or 0.46 per cent to 28,474.38 in early trade on Wednesday. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/forex-market-indian-rupee-versus-us-dollar-august-31-2016/article9054149.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/4709c242840478b4e5d9edd0975ab82eaea155eaee811cd60257f1cca9653f05.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:16 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Some persons have been trying to occupy the land that belongs Sri Lakshminrisimha Seva Ashram and even revenue records were tampered. A complaint was lodged in this regard with the authorities conce | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fashram-land-being-occupied%2Farticle9043192.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 | ‘Ashram land being occupied’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Some persons have been trying to occupy the land that belongs Sri Lakshminrisimha Seva Ashram and even revenue records were tampered. A complaint was lodged in this regard with the authorities concerned. According to R.E. Nageswara Rao, managing trustee and chairman of the Seva Ashram, the land measuring about 21 guntas is occupied by three persons and he has lodged a complaint with the officials of revenue, registration and metropolitan commissioner.
“The land value is about Rs. 30 lakh in the present market and I am requesting the authorities to cancel earlier registrations where additionally 21 guntas of land was registered. Even the records were tampered,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/ashram-land-being-occupied/article9043192.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9e529152846117c009c8f8809f53ea042c47a5597f88b2cb13871cd9b33c5436.json |
[
"Pankaja Srinivasan"
] | 2016-08-29T14:52:25 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | WhatsApp strikes again! When Inderpreet, a school friend and wife of a serving General, describes a dinner she threw recently, I am struck by both nostalgia and terror. But I decide to see if I still | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fto-serve-with-love%2Farticle9040489.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/29cbmp-dinner_2988727c.jpg | en | null | To serve, with love | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Planning a menu is nothing short of a military campaign
WhatsApp strikes again! When Inderpreet, a school friend and wife of a serving General, describes a dinner she threw recently, I am struck by both nostalgia and terror. But I decide to see if I still have what it takes. Of course, while she entertained scores of guests and had a menu that must have run into several pages, I have decided to serve a modest lunch to 10 friends.
It has been nearly 15 years since Raju left the Air Force and we entertained fauji-style, complete with table runners, napkin rings, flowers in vases, candles and long-stemmed glasses. Over time, I have stopped cooking on that large a scale. I am wonderstruck by Inderpreet’s energy and courage to cook for so many people even now. My social life barely passes muster and my fine-dining paraphernalia is gathering dust in a trunk in the loft. Raju and I still entertain, but it is usually close friends and the food is usually a hastily put-together meal or a pot luck, rather than an elaborately planned one. Of course, more often than not, we take guests out for dinner instead of having them over at home, which is quite sad.
I ask Inderpreet how she goes about it. With military precision! I quote: “First step, I decide whether it is going to be North Indian or South Indian cuisine. Second, list the dishes ensuring nothing is repeated. Write down items to be purchased for the cooking. Do the marketing preferably three days in advance. Chop, clean, grind masalas a day in advance. Cook those things that will keep well if cooked the day before. Get out the perfumed candles.” I am daunted but decide to channel my inner Nigella and start somewhere. So we begin.
Raju whips out his notepad and pen and we settle down to decide the menu. We always do this after a disaster in the beginning of our married life when I slaved all day in the kitchen and then forgot to put the bhindi and the raita on the table. Now the menu is printed in large letters and stuck on the fridge door. Then, another list is made with the ingredients that need to be bought. Raju ticks off each dish, as I complete it. The third list has the things I can prepare the day before. I have realised the importance of prep, more so since it is only me chopping, cooking and dishing up. Lists calm me down.
I first thought of cooking fancy, but good sense kicked in. I decided to go with the tried and tested. As Inderpreet advised, “Stop messing around. Stick to the delicious Madrasi khana. That is what your guests will enjoy.” Though I protest indignantly saying I can cook other stuff too, I am secretly relieved. I enjoy cooking food I grew up with and it has always been well received.
So what is it going to be? I am a lot older now, so I am keeping the lid down on too much deep-fried stuff. There was a time I slathered everything in mayonnaise. That has stopped too. While keeping ‘healthy’ in mind, I know how I always hope to see something sinful on the table when I eat at my friends. So it will be half and half. We will plan some salads and raitas but will also have something sinful enough to keep our friends. Does puliogarai, thayir sadam, kosambari, roti and ghia kofta sound like a good meal to you? And what about home-made kulfi and peanut brittle as dessert? Let me know while I send the kofta recipe to another WhatsApp buddy. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/to-serve-with-love/article9040489.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/e7612d73fe7d1150f8f1f9e0a13eb3e436cfb0e4597b9d6136ca164ce6d020fe.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T22:56:33 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | CPI State leader M. Nageswara Rao on Sunday said that the fasting students from three veterinary colleges in the State at Gannavaram will end their 18-day-long agitation on August 30.Speaking to media | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Fvet-students-to-end-fast-tomorrow%2Farticle9044984.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 | Vet students to end fast tomorrow | null | null | www.thehindu.com | CPI State leader M. Nageswara Rao on Sunday said that the fasting students from three veterinary colleges in the State at Gannavaram will end their 18-day-long agitation on August 30.
Speaking to mediapersons here, he said Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao agreed to their demands of conducting exams as per the existing pattern. "The students took up the agitation when government announced new system in the conduct of examinations.
Students representing veterinary colleges at Gannavaram, Tirupati and Produttor launched a hunger strike at Gannavaram,” he said.
The CPI which supported the students’ cause met the minister and explained the gravity of the situation. “He will formally end the agitation by visiting the students on Tuesday,” he added. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/vet-students-to-end-fast-tomorrow/article9044984.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/29e65514b193f758ab22f5ac3e4e54a145d5419c2739154daadda944267e26dd.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T06:57:33 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | I stay in Begumpet police lines, and wish to bring to the notice of the authorities about how difficult it is for students, children, employees, and the aged to cross the road. Apart from the heavy tr | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fnot-possible-to-cross-the-road%2Farticle9051487.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 | Not possible to cross the road | null | null | www.thehindu.com | I stay in Begumpet police lines, and wish to bring to the notice of the authorities about how difficult it is for students, children, employees, and the aged to cross the road. Apart from the heavy traffic, even buses stop in the middle of the road. Earlier, there was a foot over bridge, but it was removed for the construction of the Metro. There should be some facility to help citizens cross the road safely.
K. Neela Devi
Begumpet
Irregular timing
of buses
RTC bus no. 31V (service no. 139), which operates from Vasantnagar colony of KPHB to the service station, is supposed to start at 8.20 a.m. from Vasantnagar. However, it never arrives on time. The time of the service was confirmed by Miyapur 1 depot manager against an RTI enquiry that I filed. The service is useful to many industrial workers employed in Prasantanagar and Balanagar, and also to students studying in various collages on route 31V. Please initiate some action.
N. Papa Rao
KPHB colony | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/not-possible-to-cross-the-road/article9051487.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/244cf2511a9fa079b2eb855202303c36f03788e8c44d2f1a36a88593cb07ccfc.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T12:52:13 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | The benchmark Sensex recovered from its initial losses, though ruling flat with a mere gain of 5 points - helped by mild buying in auto, industrials, capital goods, metal and energy counters despite | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2Fmarkets%2Fsensex-august-29-2016%2Farticle9045256.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 | Sensex- August 29, 2016 | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The benchmark Sensex recovered from its initial losses, though ruling flat with a mere gain of 5 points - helped by mild buying in auto, industrials, capital goods, metal and energy counters despite lower Asian cues.
Down beat sentiment prevailed after US Fed chief Janet Yellen indication of raising interest rates this year.
Selling was witnessed in IT, realty power, teck, FMCG and financials and healthcare sectors.
The 30-share index resumed higher at 27,827.26 and later slid to 27,698.71. It was quoting at 27,787.32 at 1100 hrs, showing a marginal gain of 5.07 points, or 0.02 per cent, from its last close.
The NSE 50-share Nifty also trading marginally up by 3.80 points or 0.02 per cent at 8,573.65.
Major gainers were, Tata Motors by 4.56 pct, Heromoto 1.44 pct, Tata Steel 1.12 pct, Realiance 1.04 pct and Bhartiartl 0.70 pct.
Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 341.35 crore last Friday, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges.
Notable losers were TCS 1.90 pct, Wipro 1.61 pct, PowerGrid 1.52 pct, HDFC Bank 1.24 pct and Asian Paint 1.19 pct.
Overseas, Asian stocks trading lower after Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen last Friday signaled the possibility of an interest-rate increase later this year.
While, US stocks closed mixed last Friday.
Sensex- Early Trade
Weakening for the third straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 60 points in early trade on sustained selling by investors, who seem to be edgy amid rising prospects of US interest rate hike this year.
The BSE 30-share barometer declined by 60.39 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 27,721.86 with teck, realty, IT, healthare, capital goods and power were trading in negative zone, falling up to 0.90 per cent. It had lost 274.69 points in the previous two sessions.
Also, the NSE Nifty was trading down by 11.10 points, or 0.13 per cent, at 8,561.45.
Brokers said that apart from continuous selling by investors, a mixed trend at other Asian markets with US Fed chief Janet Yellen suggesting that interest rates could be raised this year also added to the weakening sentiment.
Japan’s Nikkei was up 2.24 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.33 per cent in early trade today. The Shanghai Composite Index edged up by 0.04 per cent.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.29 per cent lower in Friday’s trade. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/sensex-august-29-2016/article9045256.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/9261094e20c841666e0cc369977b85e92fd07bbc9aa9aa45788f97b0dacd5d84.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T04:51:57 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Deputy Commissioner, T. Venkatesh, said recently that officers had to respond to applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act within the stipulated period.He was speaking at a training | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Fofficers-should-respond-to-rti-queries-within-stipulated-time-dc%2Farticle9042187.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 | Officers should respond to RTI queries within stipulated time: DC | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Deputy Commissioner, T. Venkatesh, said recently that officers had to respond to applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act within the stipulated period.
He was speaking at a training programme on consumer awareness for officers of various government departments including Food and Civil Supplies and District Consumer Information Centre, here.
Mr. Venkatesh said it was incumbent on officials to give whatever information they had, when an application was filed under RTI Act. If they were not available to give the reply, they should specify the reasons whey they could not do so. If not, they would have to face action from the Karnataka Information Commission.
Sakala was another important programme, which the officials should be aware of. They had to provide services under Sakala within the stipulated time. Udupi district was already standing second in the State in the implementation of Sakala.
‘Create awareness’
It was essential that even people were made aware of consumer rights. There were usually complaints of measuring weights used in the shops, Mr. Venkatesh said.
Priyanka Mary Francis, CEO of zilla panchayat, said there was no dearth of rules and regulations. The challenge lay in implementing them effectively. It was essential that case workers in the government departments had knowledge about RTI Act.
Even cooked food given during midday meals in schools had to be checked for quality. It was necessary to work out a process to check this food and the accessibility to labs, she said.
S. Yogishwar, Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies, welcomed the gathering. Dinakar Babu, President of Zilla Panchayat, presided over the function. Veena, Child Development Project Officer, proposed a vote of thanks. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/officers-should-respond-to-rti-queries-within-stipulated-time-dc/article9042187.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b3abded4910287210c34ad21bb0db1702cee1e248ed71615fedf3e29d255cdcb.json |
[
"P. Sujatha Varma"
] | 2016-08-28T06:54:02 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | The aggressive path of reforms undertaken by the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to overcome accumulated revenue loss notwithstanding, officials at the helm of the public transport giant | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FVijayawada%2Frtc-top-brass-fears-current-fiscal-may-not-be-rosy%2Farticle9039319.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/26vjsuj_RTC-not_27_2988401c.jpg | en | null | RTC top brass fears current fiscal may not be rosy | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Revenue from cargo service may come as a face-saver, says MD
The aggressive path of reforms undertaken by the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to overcome accumulated revenue loss notwithstanding, officials at the helm of the public transport giant fear that the current fiscal may not bring them good dividends.
Sources admit that this year the picture may not be rosy and hint at measures to bring in ‘financial discipline’ in the organisation. The RTC management, which has been honouring prompt payment of DA and other emoluments, may take a call now whether it can continue doing so.
The cargo service rolled out by the transport corporation as part of its efforts to earn additional revenue that may help the organisation wriggle out of the financial crisis, may prove to be a face-saver.
“We are expecting additional revenue of Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 100 crore on cargo service we have introduced recently. If this new line of business takes off, we may have some solace,” says APSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Nanduri Sambasiva Rao.
Pushkarams expenditure
To cater to the transport needs of the lakhs of pilgrims who poured in from all parts of the State and outside, the RTC operated over 900 special buses which offered free commute to the visitors. In Godavari Pushkarams last year, the Corporation operated 200-250 free services and later received reimbursement from the government. This time too, the officials are expecting the government to reimburse the over Rs. 12 crore expenditure incurred on free bus services in Krishna Pushkarams. The fleet of RTC buses catered to the transport needs of nearly 1.5 crore pilgrims.
Rs. 45 crore extra revenue
Despite going out of way to provide comfort to the large pilgrim crowds by offering them free services, the organisation has earned Rs. 45 crore extra revenue on account of improved OR (Occupancy Ratio).
By providing a hassle-free commute to the pilgrims from bus stations and railway stations to the bathing ghats and vice versa, the RTC played a major role in the success of the Krishna Pushkarams.
As part of his resolve to galvanise the organisation out of financial crisis, Mr. Sambasiva Rao introduced a series of reforms that have changed the face of the public transport sector in a short span.
Mr. Sambasiva Rao, who is also the in-charge DGP, says his focus was completely on law and order during the Pushkarams. “I have shifted focus on RTC now and hopefully we will find ways to come out of this difficult phase,” says Mr. Sambasiva Rao. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/rtc-top-brass-fears-current-fiscal-may-not-be-rosy/article9039319.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/48ba7ba7e18c8e736796e7d3a5eb61c2483f28c0c71673fe9d25186a4a9d836e.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-28T18:51:15 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | After pitching for a two per cent cut in RBI's interest rate, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said banks have not sufficiently understood the problems faced by small and medium enterprises ( | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FEconomy%2Fbanks-unaware-of-sme-issues-says-nirmala-sitharaman%2Farticle9043059.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 | Banks unaware of SME issues, says Nirmala Sitharaman | null | null | www.thehindu.com | After pitching for a two per cent cut in RBI's interest rate, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said banks have not sufficiently understood the problems faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those related to high credit costs.
Responding to Twitterati on the issue, the minister said: “The argument here is 1. Banks haven't been understanding enough of #SMEs. 2. High interest rates for long period.”
Interest rate
Demanding a lower interest rate regime, Ms. Sitharaman had said last week: “I still hold that the cost of credit in India is high...Undoubtedly, particularly MSMEs, which creates a lot of jobs contribute to exports... are all hard pressed for money and for them, approaching a bank is no solution because of the prevailing rate of interest. I have no hesitation to say, yes 200 basis points, I would strongly recommend,” she said.
Ms. Sitharaman also wanted the banks to entirely pass the benefits arising from RBI's lower interest rate regime to the industry. She said she will ask the finance ministry to raise the issue with the RBI and banks.
Citing rising inflation, RBI has kept its key interest rate at 6.5 per cent since April this year. The central bank is slated to hold its next policy review on October 4. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/banks-unaware-of-sme-issues-says-nirmala-sitharaman/article9043059.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2a7086ba57b990fc5d76d51605f4ae338764fa8c16c3d8815bbd400371115a37.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T10:52:52 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Asserting that the nascent State of Andhra Pradesh has received unprecedented assistance during the 20 months of the Modi Government, State BJP president and Visakhapatnam MP K. Haribabu has said tha | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fandhra-pradesh%2Fharibabu-centre-will-help-expedite-work%2Farticle9037195.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 | Haribabu: Centre will help expedite work | null | null | www.thehindu.com | ‘State has received unprecedented assistance in the last 20 months’
Asserting that the nascent State of Andhra Pradesh has received unprecedented assistance during the 20 months of the Modi Government, State BJP president and Visakhapatnam MP K. Haribabu has said that the Centre would extend all possible assistance for completion of the Polavaram project by 2018.
“We are pursuing the definition given in the XI Plan that under national project 90 per cent funds should come from the Centre,” he told a press conference on the progress during the two years and his tenure as MP.
Mr. Haribabu said that the Central assistance for meeting the revenue deficit following bifurcation, for creating the new capital, and for backward North Andhra and Ralayaseema districts was a continuous process.
The fresh release under the three accounts was Rs.1,976.5 crore. The total assistance for meeting revenue loss so far was about Rs.4,000 crore.
On SCS, the MP said that all benefits would be ensured to the new State and an announcement would be made soon.
On the railway zone for the State with Visakhapatnam as headquarters, he said that the Union Minister was requested to sanction it looking from a political angle even if the official report was not favourable.
While new road and rail projects were announced for the State, the Anandapuram-Pendurti-Anakapalle access control road would be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.2,200 crore and the Sheelanagar road linked to it under the Sagarmala project with an outlay of Rs.500 crore.
Mr. Haribabu said that only two institutions promised had to be set up. For the Central university at Anantapur and Girijan University at Vizianagaram, Parliament had to pass a Bill. IIM and Petroleum University had already started functioning.
Of the projects he envisaged in 2015-16, 90 per cent positive result had been obtained.
Institute of Foreign Trade and Institute of Packaging and Packaging Park had been relocated to East Godavari as the Petroleum University proposed there was shifted to Visakhapatnam, he said.
A beginning has been made on IT Incubation Centre, Maritime University, MSME Centre, Export Inspection Agency Laboratory, and SAMEER. The 4,000 MWe NTPC power plant was in for critical technology change, leading to delay.
He said a serious exercise would be launched to find a solution to drains emptying into the sea and the port channel following strong observations made by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Mr. Haribabu did not respond to a question on whether BJP had groups – one working in tandem with the State government and another criticising it.
BJP Floor leader in the Assembly P. Vishnu Kumar Raju and city unit president P.V. Narayana Rao were present. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/haribabu-centre-will-help-expedite-work/article9037195.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/2b5e8cd287a70fddf1ab2fece5bb83f4fe8a488e89eee647cfdae95b528e020d.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T20:56:17 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Left-affiliated central trade unions will go ahead with the one-day nationwide strike on Friday, even as the Centre on Tuesday announced sops in a bid to placate the unions.
The peace offering | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Funions-reject-centres-minimum-wage-hike-stick-to-september-2-strike-call%2Farticle9051166.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/Dattreya_2992663c.jpg | en | null | Unions reject Centre’s minimum wage hike, stick to September 2 strike call | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh announces it will not take part in the strike.
The Left-affiliated central trade unions will go ahead with the one-day nationwide strike on Friday, even as the Centre on Tuesday announced sops in a bid to placate the unions.
The peace offering includes a hike in the minimum wage for unskilled non-agricultural workers in central public sector units from Rs. 246 to Rs. 350 a day and formation of a committee to look into extending benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation Act to unorganised sectors, including anganwadi, mid-day meal and Asha volunteers.
The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh saw it as a “historic victory for workers” and decided not to participate in the strike, while the others were dissatisfied and refused to drop the strike plan.
The Finance Ministry also issued a notification on higher bonus to government employees for 2014-15 and 2015-16. This will have a financial impact of Rs. 3,840 crore.
We’ve agreed to address most demands, says Dattatreya
The government measures meant to allay trade unions and make them drop their proposed strike on Friday include an advisory to States to register unions within 45 days.
They were announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a briefing with Power, Coal and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal and Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya.
Mr. Jaitley said he “will not link” the announced measures with the strike call given by central trade unions as the Group of Ministers steered by him on labour issues had been working on these proposals for over a year.
“Out of the unions’ 12 demands, there were eight labour-related issues and we have agreed to address seven of them. This is a pro-worker government. The UPA government was unable to address even one of their demands,” Mr. Dattatreya said, urging unions to call off the strike in “national interest.”
“There is no concrete proposal to address our demands. The minimum wage for unskilled worker comes out to be near Rs. 9,100 per month which is nowhere near our demand of Rs. 18,000 a month,” AITUC national secretary D.L. Sachdev said. “We have been hearing about the government’s intention to cover unorganised workers under ESIC since the last two years but it has failed to act.”
Terming the BMS’ move not to participate in the strike as “unfortunate”, he said there is no question of going back on the strike call. The BMS had similarly opted out of a strike observed by central trade unions last September. In a press statement on Tuesday, the BMS asked its State units to organise victory marches and publicise the proposals announced by the government.
The minimum wage for unskilled workers will be revised upward soon for workers involved in sweeping and cleaning, watch and ward, loading and unloading, construction, non-coal mines and stone mines for units falling under the central government.
Mr. Dattatreya said unorganised workers, implementing various schemes such as mid-day meal, will be given ESIC facilities for the first time in 45 years. “A committee will look into how much premium workers and the state will have to contribute to the scheme,” Mr. Jaitley said, adding that such people will still be treated as volunteers and not workers as they are involved in transient jobs.
Amendment of law
The Centre, however, continued to press for amending the labour laws. “We want to create a conducive environment in industry so that employment is generated. For that, labour law reforms are necessary but in a positive and pro-worker direction,” Mr. Dattatreya said.
The labour unions have been opposing several proposed amendments to the labour laws.
Mr. Jaitley said that the Centre will be “supporting” the trade unions on legal hurdles holding up the new Payment of Bonus law enacted last year.
Many industrial units in several States have filed 97 court cases in 14 High Courts and the Centre has instructed the Additional Solicitor General to vacate the stay orders, Mr. Dattatreya said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/unions-reject-centres-minimum-wage-hike-stick-to-september-2-strike-call/article9051166.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/474b2afa1fc52f5c561d6199e712ca3cfb05532bcce07f0cb93848f7f93e2709.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-27T02:59:35 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The CBI’s special court here on Thursday issued arrest warrants against two suspects in the V.B. Unnithan attempted murder case.The victim, a senior journalist with the
Mathurbhumi,
was | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FThiruvananthapuram%2Fmurder-bid-on-scribe-warrant-against-2-suspects%2Farticle9035011.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 | Murder bid on scribe: warrant against 2 suspects | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The CBI’s special court here on Thursday issued arrest warrants against two suspects in the V.B. Unnithan attempted murder case.
The victim, a senior journalist with the Mathurbhumi, was waylaid on the night of April 16, 2011, at Sasthamkotta, while returning home from work. The court issued the warrants against Punchiri Mahesh and Shafeel after they violated bail conditions.
Two arrested
The CBI took over the case at the behest of the State government after it became clear that some local police officers would become implicated.
Subsequently, the agency arrested two sub divisional officers in Kollam in connection with the crime. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/murder-bid-on-scribe-warrant-against-2-suspects/article9035011.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/51d3b9baf4639a2e7aea55b6bd5e7209c97b3c3218e01d0d9152bc3072c4a492.json |
[
"Hiran Unnikrishnan"
] | 2016-08-28T22:51:11 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Joseph Narikulam was falling into a deep sleep when he heard a massive crash and loud screams. He ran towards the noise and when he reached there, it was a hard scene to take in.“People were lying on | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkerala%2Frescue-after-the-crash-and-stunned-silence%2Farticle9042972.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 | Rescue, after the crash and stunned silence | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Joseph Narikulam was falling into a deep sleep when he heard a massive crash and loud screams. He ran towards the noise and when he reached there, it was a hard scene to take in.
“People were lying on the ground next to the coaches. They had fallen while rushing out of the derailed wagons,” said Joseph, who live metres from the accident spot. “A couple of persons were running towards me and I asked them what had happened. They couldn’t speak and it dawned on me quite late that an accident had occurred,” he said.
The screams of passengers, overheard on a dark, rainy night sent people living nearby the Karukutty railway station into panic. In fact, local people were the first to reach the accident scene to help people get out of the mangled coaches along with their baggage.
Inside the coaches, bags and clothes were strewn all over, according to Sebastian Meledath, secretary of the Karukutty Central Residents’ Association. The absence of street lights nearby added to the confusion, he said.
Meanwhile, the screeching sound of the derailing also drove reptiles living in the bushy region out to the open, raising concerns about the safety of passengers. “At least three Vellikettan (common krait) snakes were caught from the site. Had they run into the passengers, it would have been really dangerous,” he added.
Recounting the experience, Muhammad Shah and Nazeera, a couple from Kottarakkara travelling on the S3 coach along with their two-and-a-half-year-old child said it felt like the whole train was shaking. “It went far to the left, as if it was going to tip over, and eventually hurtled off the tracks. The force was so overwhelming. We were holding on to the berths all the while,” Mr. Shah said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rescue-after-the-crash-and-stunned-silence/article9042972.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b0e46ed13d171a89e0e8fc357a1770e255627a38a5070e7929bb7f751568e09f.json |
[
"M.L. Melly Maitreyi"
] | 2016-08-29T02:53:34 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Noted Mumbai-based cardiologist Dev K Pahlajani who performed the first angioplasty in the country has said due to lack of public awareness about recognising the symptoms of heart attack and the medic | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FHyderabad%2Fpreparedness-will-reduce-heart-attack-deaths%2Farticle9044924.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 | Preparedness will reduce heart attack deaths | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Noted Mumbai-based cardiologist Dev K Pahlajani who performed the first angioplasty in the country has said due to lack of public awareness about recognising the symptoms of heart attack and the medical field not ready to receive the heart attack patients and perform angioplasty, the mortality rate due to heart attacks is increasing.
“I call these as missed opportunities where with better awareness and preparedness, the mortality rate due to acute heart attacks can be brought down,” Dr.Pahlajani told The Hindu on the sidelines of 21{+s}{+t}annual conference of Cardiological Society of India Telangana State Chapter here on Saturday.
In Mumbai alone, at least 30 persons succumb to heart attacks a day. According to statistics, 7,000 deaths are due to cancer while 29,000 deaths are because of heart attacks in a year. Yet only few hundred patients were picked up for angioplasty after they suffered heart attack to open a blocked or narrowed blood vessels as the first line treatment to save lives.
Earlier delivering key note address, Dr. Dev Pahlajani said there were many sub sects of heart patients. Only in 10 to 15 per cent of cases, medicines would be prescribed for the treatment. But in 85 per cent of cases with acute heart attacks, if nothing was done, patients would possibly die. More and more hospitals should be ready to perform angioplasty, he said.
Dr. Pahlajani said that creating awareness about symptoms of heart attack was crucial to bringing down mortality rate. People either fail to read the symptoms or ignore them. “It is important to consult the doctor for any kind of uneasiness, gas, sweating, pain in the shoulder, back, chest, jaw, neck, immediately,” he emphasises. There are certain patients who benefit from bypass surgery. But for acute heart attacks due to myocardial infraction with unstable angina, angioplasty would benefit them. Those with stable blocks and non diabetic, also benefit from angioplasty. Surgery would be ideal for those with blocks in the left main artery and those with multiple blocks and diabetic, he said.
Dr. J .Shiv Kumar, President, CSITS and Chief of Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals, said the two –day conference was a platform to keep in sync with the breakthrough in technologies and trials in line with their theme ‘Attack heart attacks’ by inviting experts in the field. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/preparedness-will-reduce-heart-attack-deaths/article9044924.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/08b2e2c29c1a1c4207a8b1b3ecfc143a4f7017e6322f30c91dfca6951aa1c823.json |
[
"Bhavya Dore"
] | 2016-08-28T02:55:44 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | It is common knowledge that the 1959 Nanavati murder trial was the last case to be tried under India’s jury system. However, not many seem to know that Parsi divorce cases are still tried by a five-m | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fmumbai%2Fnews%2Fjury-trial-for-parsi-divorces-undeserved-luxury-hc%2Farticle9032662.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 | Jury trial for Parsi divorces ‘undeserved luxury’: HC | null | null | www.thehindu.com | It is common knowledge that the 1959 Nanavati murder trial was the last case to be tried under India’s jury system. However, not many seem to know that Parsi divorce cases are still tried by a five-member jury.
The cases fall within the purview of the Parsi Matrimonial and Divorce Act, 1936, and the Bombay Parsi Punchayet nominates each jury member for a 10-year term. The matrimonial court convenes sessions a few times every year to decide on the cases, but matters related to alimony and child custody do not fall in its ambit. On August 22 the matrimonial court convened at the Bombay High Court to conduct a hearing into six of the 27 cases pending at the trial stage.
The following day, a Parsi man seeking divorce on the grounds of cruelty requested that his cross-examination be postponed as he was unwell. Responding to the request, the court said, “There is a point beyond which this becomes far too much of a luxury to the litigants.” Justice Gautam Patel said: “It is now a full two years [since the litigant’s previous cross-examination] and I can’t know when the matter will be taken or the next session will be scheduled.” Justice Patel said if the man was clearly unwell, accommodations and allowances could be made. “This is being seen as an undeserved luxury to the community. I am anxious not to give greater currency to that [impression].”
The court said such sessions were specially called and jurors given several weeks’ notice. The court noted that one juror came despite being unwell.
“The sessions are specially provided for this community alone,” said the court. “They aren’t held often for a variety of reasons and since the community remains outside the mainstream of family law, the effect on the parties who are often in bad marriages can be severe.”
In 2014, the court had said in Parsi divorce cases evidence could be recorded by a commissioner and not necessarily only in the court. The court had observed, “No faith could possibly demand that its adherents be made to wait endlessly for their cases to be decided.” The hearings will conclude on Friday.
The writer is a freelance journalist | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/news/jury-trial-for-parsi-divorces-undeserved-luxury-hc/article9032662.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/97a2ce557c5a253365b1eafaeb2a5e8856e2e28c2e886b75e5bf2d1165df806d.json |
[
"Sports Bureau"
] | 2016-08-31T10:59:00 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Vishnu Vardhan got past wild card Phassawit Burapharitta of Thailand after the latter retired in the third set of their first round clash after having shared the first two sets in the $50,000 men’s C | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2Fvishnu-vardhan-in-second-round%2Farticle9051274.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 | Vishnu Vardhan in second round | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Vishnu Vardhan got past wild card Phassawit Burapharitta of Thailand after the latter retired in the third set of their first round clash after having shared the first two sets in the $50,000 men’s Challenger tennis tournament in Bangkok.
In doubles, fourth seeds Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Sanam Singh were beaten 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 12-10 by Lloyd Harris of South Africa and Amir Weintraub of Israel.
In another Challenger in Italy, Davis Cupper Ramkumar Ramanathan was beaten in the first round 6-2, 6-2 by Kenny De Schepper of France.
The results: $50,000 Challenger men, Bangkok, Thailand: Singles (first round): Vishnu Vardhan bt Phassawit Burapharitta (Tha) 7-5, 4-6, 4-1 (retd).
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Lloyd Harris (RSA) & Amir Weintraub (Isr) bt Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan & Sanam Singh 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 12-10.
Euro 42,500 Challenger men, Como, Italy: Singles (first round): Kenny de Schepper (Fra) bt Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-2, 6-2.
$10,000 ITF men, Hua Hin, Thailand: Singles (first round): N. Vijay Sundar Prashanth bt Aaron Addison (Aus) 6-1, 6-4; Sriram Balaji bt Ryota Tanuma (Jpn) 6-3, 6-2.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Sriram Balaji & Vijay Sundar Prashanth bt Congsup Congcar (Tha) & Wang Huixin (Chn) 6-0, 6-1.
$25,000 ITF men, Calgary, Canada: Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Chandril Sood & Lakshit Sood bt Andrew Ochotta (Can) & Thibault Venturino (Fra) 6-0, 6-7(3), 11-9. | http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/vishnu-vardhan-in-second-round/article9051274.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c64ed0343414fab3d5cc992da378b606fe8d64755d0b86c3038573c45f6b8c9f.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T00:53:42 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | A team of youngsters has designed a website called ‘Heavens of Karnataka’ that presents the details of about 100 tourist destinations across the State. Speaking about the website here on Monday, Avin | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMangalore%2Fyouth-team-develops-website-on-tourism-spots-across-the-state%2Farticle9046816.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/30BG_UDUPI_WEBSITE_2991477c.jpg | en | null | Youth team develops website on tourism spots across the State | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, launching the website www.heavensofkarnataka.com in Udupi on Monday.
A screenshot of the website www.heavensofkarnataka.com which was launched in Udupi on Monday.
The site was developed at a cost of Rs. 30,000, contributed by the members themselves
A team of youngsters has designed a website called ‘Heavens of Karnataka’ that presents the details of about 100 tourist destinations across the State.
Speaking about the website here on Monday, Avinash, the team leader, said that though there already were many websites on tourism, these were being run by hotels, package tourism agencies and the like. The details these sites offered were minimal.
He said that ‘Heavens of Karnataka’ presented complete details of tourist spots along with the local history of each destination in the State. Tourist centres located nearest to these places were also listed. More details would soon be added, he said.
The photographs of the tourist spots too had been uploaded in the website. The spots were divided into beaches, spiritual, heritage, nature, waterfalls and wildlife categories on the website.
The team would be adding the details of 50 more tourist destinations in the State to the website next month. “Our intention is to include even small tourist centres in the remote corners of the State,” Mr. Avinash said.
“When compared to our neighbouring states such as Goa and Kerala, Karnataka has not been as successful in promoting our tourist destinations to tourists both within the country and abroad. The people should join hands with the government in promoting tourism,” Mr. Avinash said.
The group, which has both developed and designed the website, comprises of Avinash, Shashikanth Shetty, Tilak Raj, Divakar Hiriyadka, Rashmi Jenniker, Ashwini Jain, Gururaj B., Viraj Kaup and Nitish Rao.
This team developed the website at a cost of Rs. 30,000 that the members contributed from their own pockets. They would also look after the updating and maintenance of the website. “We are open to suggestions on any aspect of the website,” he said.
Inaugurating the website, Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said that the State had a huge potential for tourism.
The Minister added that the developers of the website should also focus on building contacts with taxi operators at popular tourist hotspots.
“The team members who have put in all their effort to create the website should consider a tie-up with travel agencies so that it helps the tourists. This will help generate funds, which in turn woill help in sustaining the website,” he said. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/youth-team-develops-website-on-tourism-spots-across-the-state/article9046816.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/ca3a52e360d53e9e1c60ac887b651a167935a616d7dfbd3271ba678a999a7d60.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T00:51:46 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | The Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) will convene a meeting of entrepreneurs of Pudukottai and Tiruchi districts to invite them to set up plants at its industrial estate developed abou | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FTiruchirapalli%2Fmeeting-of-entrepreneurs-to-be-convened%2Farticle9046495.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02991/TY30_SIDCO_2991284c.jpg | en | null | Meeting of entrepreneurs to be convened | null | null | www.thehindu.com | The Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) will convene a meeting of entrepreneurs of Pudukottai and Tiruchi districts to invite them to set up plants at its industrial estate developed about a year ago.
A decision to this effect has been taken by the SIDCO authorities in the wake of poor response from entrepreneurs to take maximum advantage of the estate located on the prime area of the Tiruchi – Pudukottai National highway.
An official said that the SIDCO had developed a piece of land measuring 19.92 acres at Mathur with 40 industrial plots. The development work with adequate infrastructure including water supply through an overhead tank and erection of street lights was completed about a year ago. “Although we had been motivating entrepreneurs to set up units, response has been lukewarm. So, the SIDCO has planned to convene a meeting of the entrepreneurs soon,” the official added.
The area of the plots measured between eight cents and 74 cents indicating that the industrialists had wide option to choose the site required in commensurate with their productivity and demand. The SIDCO would allot the plots on a long lease for 30 years and the price had been fixed at about Rs. 51.54 lakh an acre. Although the overhead tank had been constructed, it will be put to use only after the entrepreneurs set up their units. Similarly, street lights would be fitted on the poles in course of time. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/meeting-of-entrepreneurs-to-be-convened/article9046495.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8bf6131ccb84f76e5e618435c2a7fb7af07bd75d669cb79b05384ba5926e610c.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T00:53:51 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | DEYA KRISHNA Engineering student, 20What is your most prized possession?Family and friends.If you were granted a wish what would it be? To lead a happy life always.Your biggest fear?Darkness.What does | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fsociety%2Fof-darkness-sisters-travel-and-bliss%2Farticle9036235.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02987/27tvm_deya_2987354c.jpg | en | null | Of darkness, sisters, travel and bliss | null | null | www.thehindu.com | DEYA KRISHNA
Engineering student, 20
What is your most prized possession?
Family and friends.
If you were granted a wish what would it be?
To lead a happy life always.
Your biggest fear?
Darkness.
What does happiness mean to you?
My sister.
If you could what would you undo?
Nothing.
BENITHA CHERIAN
Engineer, 28
What is your most prized possession?
My parents.
If you were granted a wish what would it be?
A better job and more money!
Your biggest fear?
God.
What does happiness mean to you?
Spending time with my sisters.
If you could what would you undo?
I would have enjoyed life a bit more.
RAPHAEL THOMAS
Doctor, 24
What is your most prized possession?
Family.
If you were granted a wish what would it be?
To travel solo across borders, meet friends, make friends, enjoy new cuisines, teach and treat people on the way and finally come back home and settle down.
Your biggest fear?
Lifestyle diseases restricting my menu.
What does happiness mean to you?
Being there for others; patients, friends, family and seeing that smile on their faces as the perk up.
If you could what would you undo?
I would insist on people pronouncing my name correctly.
SHIBINA NAZAR
Student, 20
What is your most prized possession?
My family.
If you were granted a wish what would it be?
Eternal bliss.
Your biggest fear?
Fear itself.
What does happiness mean to you?
Heaven.
If you could what would you undo?
I wish I could change the attitude of the society. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/of-darkness-sisters-travel-and-bliss/article9036235.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/b0441c681c7d31e1c89123e3964e4cee291a15900edb6f7dfc398a97d7161800.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-29T08:52:51 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Collector S. Ganesh told reporters here on Friday that each panchayat union would raise one lakh saplings to be planted along the highway and on tanks besides private lands.— Special CorrespondentHe s | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Ftwo-lakh-saplings-to-be-raised%2Farticle9044363.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/oghindunew1.jpg | en | null | Two lakh saplings to be raised | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Collector S. Ganesh told reporters here on Friday that each panchayat union would raise one lakh saplings to be planted along the highway and on tanks besides private lands.
— Special Correspondent
He said that the
work on planting
the saplings would commence after the onset of monsoon | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/two-lakh-saplings-to-be-raised/article9044363.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/8beb6377c2ccdcb95376807ccd68e3a4d160c69822c6a0ebae6bfd20a98091d7.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T16:50:16 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Here's a quick glance at today's top stories: 1. Sharif to send 22 special envoys to world capitals to highlight Kashmir
2. National Herald case: court issues notice to Sonia, Rahul
3. Hold ta | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Ftop-stories-on-saturday-august-27-2016%2Farticle9040694.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/Cq2C6EYWEAAKOma_2988542c.jpg | en | null | Today's stories you shouldn't miss | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence, 7RCR, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: @PMOIndia
Please Wait while comments are loading... | http://www.thehindu.com/news/top-stories-on-saturday-august-27-2016/article9040694.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/25c6ba356968108a27163ec8da1c4d4383cd568d8044c14ba8abb1a83ac7afeb.json |
[
"Sangeetha Devi Dundoo"
] | 2016-08-30T20:55:46 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | He doesn’t like being called a star and prefers the term, actor. During the course of conversation, NTR mentions he’s happier without the baggage that comes with being a star and is happy witnessing t | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ffeatures%2Fmetroplus%2Fntr-on-janatha-garage-and-why-he-dislikes-the-star-system%2Farticle9050476.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02992/Janata_garage4_2992363c.jpg | en | null | NTR on ‘Janatha Garage’ and why he dislikes the star system | null | null | www.thehindu.com | NTR opens up on his new film ‘Janatha Garage’ and why he dislikes the star system
He doesn’t like being called a star and prefers the term, actor. During the course of conversation, NTR mentions he’s happier without the baggage that comes with being a star and is happy witnessing the slow, gradual change in Telugu cinema through films like Pellichoopulu and Manamantha. Excerpts from the interview:
There’s a shift in the kind of films you’ve been doing of late. Is this a result of gradual change or was there a trigger?
I feel change doesn’t happen with a particular incident; it happens over time after being triggered by something. For me, it happened when my career got a slap. A few films I worked on before Nannaku Prematho didn’t give me the results I expected, both at the box office and satisfaction as an actor. There is nothing that we, actors, can do about being caught in number games. It’s sad, but there’s no escaping it. At the end of the day, despite box office results, I want to be happy doing a film. I started searching for my happiness and maybe that shows in the films I do today.
Do you look for longevity of films and characters you play?
I want to be remembered as an actor, not a star. I’m happy without the baggage that comes with being a star. We tend to think that the audience wants to see us in certain roles, but they are open to watching us in good films. They liked me in Nannaku Prematho, which veered away from formula. Every Friday a new film comes by and I don’t know how many of my films will be remembered years later. I want to be happy with the work I do. You are finally left with memories; memories of working with good people and memories of the audience liking a film and saying that you’ve done a good job.
Koratala Siva pitched Janatha Garage to you two years ago. What was it that you liked about the story?
The beauty of Janatha Garage is no actor can dominate the film. Neither me, nor Mohanlal. We are all actors doing our parts for the larger concept called Janatha Garage. It’s a place where anything and everything is repaired, from vehicles to relationships. Siva told me about this story when I was doing Rabhasa. When you hear a good story or a conversation, it stays with you sub-consciously. With Janatha Garage, I realised I needed to reach a stage as an actor where I should be able to do justice to its concept. Temper and Nannaku Prematho made me ready for this film. I want to reach a stage where I am not inhibited to take up a film I like. My only fear is I shouldn’t end up spoiling a film.
Environmental concern and the need to preserve lung spaces in the city is a part of the story. How does the film convey this without getting preachy?
Siva does a good job of communicating a message. He’s done that in his previous films as well. He conveys his point neatly, with a certain film grammar. The message is not forced upon the audience. He is a fabulous writer first and then a director who can execute that writing. Talking of the concern for nature, I feel we should respect nature. It’s something that has to be ingrained in us since childhood. I am trying to do that with my son Abhay. When we got talking about nature and its power, we realised how small we are. How long will it take for 3/4 of water to take over 1/4 land on earth?
What did you learn from working with Mohanlal?
I don’t think I can even begin to fathom what a fabulous actor he is. He is immensely knowledgeable and the happiest soul I’ve seen. He’s an actor, producer and distributor and despite all the pressures of the job, is happy and content. There is no wall between him and others on the sets. He’s called a complete actor; I’d refer to him as a complete human being.
Are you an instinctive actor?
I believe acting cannot be taught. For instance, if there’s a scene in the film where someone close to you dies, how do you imagine a situation like that when you haven’t faced it in reality? How do you teach someone to cry, laugh or smile with all his heart? Acting is a reflection of how each person interprets a situation and responds to it.
At home, do you discuss work with your wife Pranathi?
My wife doesn’t talk about my films at all. She is a hard working person, a responsible mother and has dreams for herself.
She talks to me about other films, not mine, which is good. When you constantly analyse and criticise your own work, you don’t realise the world is larger than you. She is my information box when it comes to films.
How has fatherhood changed you?
I used to be a hyper kid. I’ve become calmer, feel responsible and more practical. I was a terrible, mischievous kid prone to creating trouble. Abhay is a naughty child, too. With Abhay, I’ve learnt the importance of appreciating the present. I don’t want to sit here and crib about the past. | http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/ntr-on-janatha-garage-and-why-he-dislikes-the-star-system/article9050476.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a72d123dc393303e88e6ff5bdd0ccd56f51ac39997a2d5c18ccf6c4f55813caa.json |
[
"T. Ramakrishnan"
] | 2016-08-28T20:51:55 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | : Three months have gone since S. Ranganathan, a long-standing farmer of Mannargudi, visited Beijing and Shanghai to study agricultural practices and systems in that part of China. He is yet to get ov | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftamil-nadu%2Fwhere-the-other-side-is-really-greener%2Farticle9043214.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/New_Picture_2990154c.jpg | en | null | Where the other side is really ‘greener’ | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Indian farmers learn about farming practices in other countries
: Three months have gone since S. Ranganathan, a long-standing farmer of Mannargudi, visited Beijing and Shanghai to study agricultural practices and systems in that part of China. He is yet to get over his excitement of having seen a ‘wonderland’.
In a five-hour-long train journey between the two Chinese cities over a distance of 1,500 km, the farmer noticed not only high-rise buildings, normally found in and around any major urban centre, but also extensive wheat crops.
Neither human life nor any cattle was visible anywhere. It looked to him that the entire planting of wheat crop must be by mechanical methods, without manual operations and naturally, harvesting must also be by machines. “I saw miles and miles of standing crops, which cannot be either planted or harvested manually,” he recollects.
Mr. Ranganathan’s admiration for China does not end there. His visit to Beijing’s Ecology Science Popularisation Park was quite revealing. Equating it with a rural development community or a commune, he says the Park consists of a housing colony and developed plots for an integrated farming covering animal husbandry, fishery, mini-forestry, horticulture and arrangements for full-fledged crop planning for paddy, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses besides having bio-gas power plants for self-consumption and other needs of the community.
The veteran Mannargudi farmer was one among 20 farmers from different parts of the State who went to China in May, as part of an initiative taken by the Tamil Nadu government to arrange exposure visits to four countries. His regret was that he could not get to discuss various issues with farmers or agricultural scientists of China. A private firm’s representatives had briefed his team.
V. Sathyanarayanan, another farmer hailing from Seruvamamani, near Tiruvarur, and nine other farmers interacted with scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manila. For him, the IRRI’s lack of emphasis on the System of Rice Intensification, a method being promoted by the authorities in India for better paddy cultivation, was a surprise. Besides, “contrary to the advice rendered to farmers frequently in India, farmers in Philippines do not follow the rotation of crop or provide a considerable gap of time between two crops. They seem to be adopting paddy cultivation throughout the year, without adverse effects.”
Two other groups of farmers went to Thailand and Israel.
C. Chandrasekaran from Palayamkottai, who went to the south-east Asian country, says that even though there does not seem to be extensive farming or very high degree of state support, Thai agriculturists are apparently adept in marketing their produce, a quality which is missing in Indian farmers. “They are skillful in doing value addition to what they produce and package them suitably for international market,” he says. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/where-the-other-side-is-really-greener/article9043214.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/32701a5c2ac7f7b1181bcf627094b78f08aeba026c323296fb6ea5d111386f84.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:52:46 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | A Bangladeshi national, having links with Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) terror outfit, was today awarded death sentence by a local court here for the 2005 Shramjeevi Express train blast which had | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fdeath-sentence-to-bangladeshi-national-in-shramjeevi-blast-case%2Farticle9055417.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 | Death sentence to Bangladeshi national in Shramjeevi blast case | null | null | www.thehindu.com | A Bangladeshi national, having links with Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) terror outfit, was today awarded death sentence by a local court here for the 2005 Shramjeevi Express train blast which had killed 12 people and injured scores others.
Ubed-ur-Rehman alias Babu is the second accused who has been awarded death sentence in the case.
Additional Sessions Judge Buddhiram Yadav, who had yesterday held Rehman guilty, also slapped a fine of Rs. 10.3 lakh on him.
Earlier, another Bangladeshi national and HuJI operative Alamgeer alias Rony was awarded death sentence and penalty of Rs. 7 lakh by the court.
Along with Rony and Rehman, two other Bangladeshis — Nafeequl Vishwas and Sohag alias Hilal — were also held responsible for the blast.
Vishwas and Hilal are lodged in Hyderabad jail in connection with another case, while two more accused, Ghulam Razdani alias Yahya and Sayeed, died during the pendency of the case.
Twelve people were killed and scores of others injured when an explosion ripped apart a coach of Shramjeevi Express near Jaunpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh on July 28, 2005.
The bomb, using military grade explosive RDX, had been kept in the compartment’s toilet. RDX has been used in several terrorist attacks on Indian targets, including the Ayodhya train bombing in June 2000.
Eyewitnesses had reported that two young men had boarded the train at Jaunpur railway station with a white suitcase.
Shortly afterwards, both of them leapt out of the moving train and fled without their suitcase. A few minutes later, the explosion shook the coach. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/death-sentence-to-bangladeshi-national-in-shramjeevi-blast-case/article9055417.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/09d0c95ed918676a88da8d818eaa829b1378fdea861ae2882e2c0e90630645fe.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-31T06:58:02 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Four days after his arrest on charges of allegedly cheating medical courses aspirants, SRM University chancellor T.R. Pachamuthu alias Parivendhar, on Tuesday offered to deposit Rs. 69 crore with the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fchennai%2Fpachamuthu-offers-to-deposit-rs-69-cr-in-court-for-securing-bail%2Farticle9051471.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 | Pachamuthu offers to deposit Rs. 69 cr. in court for securing bail | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Four days after his arrest on charges of allegedly cheating medical courses aspirants, SRM University chancellor T.R. Pachamuthu alias Parivendhar, on Tuesday offered to deposit Rs. 69 crore with the trial court, to be let out on bail.
The police, quoting complaints from some parents, had alleged that film producer Madhan of Vendhar Movies, who has gone missing, had in collusion with Mr. Pachamuthu collected money from medical courses aspirants promising to get them seats in medical institutions run by the SRM Group.
While Mr. Pachamuthu had denied the charge and alleged that Madhan had unilaterally collected the money misusing his name, on Tuesday his senior counsel B. Kumar submitted before a division bench of the Madras HC that he was willing to deposit Rs. 69 crore before the trial court. The bench was hearing a habeas corpus plea moved by Madhan’s mother when Mr. Kumar moved a petition seeking to implead Mr. Pachamuthu in the petition and said: “With a view to secure his liberty through bail, the petitioner is willing to deposit the amount alleged to be involved in this case Rs. 69 crore. It is necessary to mention the offences charged under Sections 406 (Criminal breach of trust), 420 (Cheating) of IPC, which are all compoundable.”
Two other similar impleading petitions were also moved by SRM University represented by its registrar, N. Sethuraman, and president of SRM Institutions P. Sathyanarayanan, who is also the son of Pachamuthu. All the three petitioners made it clear that their offer to deposit the money is without prejudice to their contention that the SRM University chancellor has got nothing to do with the monetary transaction, which the prosecution alleges against producer Madhan.
Submitting that Mr. Pachamuthu would file a memo to this effect before the Magistrate, who is hearing the bail plea, senior counsels for the petitioners B. Kumar and A.R.L. Sundaresan sought clarification from the High Court that pendency of the habeas corpus petition may not influence the subordinate court in deciding the bail application.
To this the Bench said: “In our considered view, each court has got its own independent judicial jurisdiction and one cannot interfere with the other. The trial court is free to decide the issue strictly in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the fact that the habeas corpus petition is pending before this court.”
During the course of hearing, advocate R.C. Paul Kanagaraj who represented the parents who had allegedly paid money to secure medical seats in the university submitted that instead of depositing the money with the court, it may be directly paid to the parents.
Noting that the Bench cannot express any view on the submission as the matter is now under investigation, the judges said, “It is to be ascertained as to whether any money was paid, to whom it was paid and finally to whom it had gone.”
Adding that the court leaves the issue open to the investigating officer to undertake an independent thorough probe, the Bench posted the pleas to September 15 for further hearing. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/pachamuthu-offers-to-deposit-rs-69-cr-in-court-for-securing-bail/article9051471.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/6c302006572eb9856775ec3927fdc569ad39da2d1672c01be72578728bcf780c.json |
[
"C. Hamsaveni"
] | 2016-08-28T00:51:06 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | Well-thought-out sequences, carefully placed objects that point to the subtle, hidden meanings that only a seasoned reader can grasp, and imagination that stretches beyond the literal. These and many | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Ftelangana%2Fhard-to-make-but-easy-to-consume%2Farticle9040893.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02988/hy28this_jpg_2988986c.jpg | en | null | Hard to make but easy to consume | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Javed Imthiaz familiarises youngsters with the complexities of comics.
Well-thought-out sequences, carefully placed objects that point to the subtle, hidden meanings that only a seasoned reader can grasp, and imagination that stretches beyond the literal. These and many more nuances that help understand comics better were offered on a platter recently in the city by Javed Imthiaz, a comics artist and writer with The Sequential Artists Workshop, Gainesville, Florida. And exploring the world of comics at his one-day workshop were a bunch of college-going youngsters and professionals, who were more than eager to learn.
A few hesitant, others on the ball readily took out their sketchbooks what looked more like scribble pads when asked to draw a simple strip with four panels. When shapes began sliding onto paper, Javed insisted that as a beginner, one’s focus should not be on the way it’s drawn, but on storytelling. The former does matter, but not in the initial stages as it can be reworked later, a reminder that making comics is tedious business.
“The paradox of comics is that they are really hard to make, but really easy to consume. It takes both a strong demand from the market and a compelling inner need to put in time, patience and energy to make good comics,” he told The Hindu later.
Even if both these are achieved, India lacks comic literacy – the knowledge on how to read comics the way it’s meant to be, he opined.
What readers consume in the country are the popular ones: the easy reads, some independent narratives and many based on mythology. Imthiaz believes India’s comics industry hasn’t developed to the extent that we see in the West, in part because comics, as an independent medium, cannot get readers to commit to it – unless of course they are adapted into movies that go on to become popular like Superman or Batman. But on the brighter side, India has plenty of themes that can be written about.
Do comics limit one’s imagination? Quite the contrary, he says. Referring to Alan Moore’s Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell, comics that are all layered with meaning, he says they need effort on part of the reader to understand. And that, Imthiaz says, is the pleasure of reading comics. It is both compelling and difficult, and that’s what he enjoys the most. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/hard-to-make-but-easy-to-consume/article9040893.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/1edf4399a7e13dcf6cf40f812af8c522dde44e225a9c5f616a6dbfac302fa63b.json |
[
"Special Correspondent"
] | 2016-08-30T18:52:44 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Wipro Ltd. and Stibo Systems, a global leader in multi-domain Master Data Management (MDM) solutions, announced a partnership that will see the two companies collaborate to offer MDM solutions. This | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fbusiness%2FIndustry%2Fwipro-teams-with-stibo-on-data%2Farticle9051214.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 | Wipro teams with Stibo on data | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Wipro Ltd. and Stibo Systems, a global leader in multi-domain Master Data Management (MDM) solutions, announced a partnership that will see the two companies collaborate to offer MDM solutions.
This partnership is aimed at building trustworthy data foundations to help joint customers derive accurate insights as they embrace digital transformation. | http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/wipro-teams-with-stibo-on-data/article9051214.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/c12fecf32deae69d01ab18711580167531a2eb4729dbc8eab41280be23eb2ace.json |
[
"Staff Correspondent S"
] | 2016-08-31T10:52:19 | null | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | Raghu, a young farmer from Koravihal village in Raichur taluk, left his village at about 3 a.m. in a light goods-carrier with a load of vegetables to reach wholesale vegetable market at APMC cotton m | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fkarnataka%2Ffall-of-vegetable-prices-affects-farmers-but-no-benefit-to-consumers%2Farticle9055155.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02993/market_2993392c.jpg | en | null | Fall of vegetable prices affects farmers, but no benefit to consumers | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Raghu, a young farmer from Koravihal village in Raichur taluk, left his village at about 3 a.m. in a light goods-carrier with a load of vegetables to reach wholesale vegetable market at APMC cotton market yard in Raichur an hour later on Wednesday. Unfortunately for him, vegetable prices that began to fall a few weeks ago continued their downward trend. As taking the perishable produce back home, spending a few more thousand rupees again on transport, was not a good idea, he sold ridge-gourd at Rs. 80 a bag (20 kg), bitter-gourd at Rs. 25 a bag (15 kg) and green brinjal at Rs. 60 a bag (10 kg). He got about Rs. 1,500 by selling all his vegetables and the amount was almost equal to the money he spent on harvesting and transportation.
“If I refuse to sell the crop on fallen prices, the burden of harvesting and transporting will mount on my shoulder. I have spent Rs. 35,000 for cultivating vegetables on my two acres. I have got only Rs. 8,000 by selling the crop and may get another 7,000 by harvesting the remaining crop. At the end, I will incur a loss of around Rs. 20,000,” he told The Hindu.
The story was similar for all vegetable farmers. When this reporter observed the auction of different vegetables between 5 a.m. 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday, it was found that prices of all vegetables were down: Tomato at Rs. 80 a bag of 25 kg, cucumber at Rs. 100 a bag of 20 kg, cauliflower at Rs.100 a bag of 10 pieces and green chilli at Rs. 100 a bag of 10 kg.
“I have stopped harvesting green brinjal as it could not fetch even transportation amount last week when I had to sell it for Rs. 30 a bag of 10 kg,” Venkatesh, a farmer from Ele Bichhali village, said.
Traders attribute the fall of vegetable prices to glut. Vegetables arrive from Shanti Nagar in Andhra Pradesh, Aija, Gadwall and Hyderabad in Telangana and Chintamani and Belagavi in Karnataka, apart from the villages along the banks of Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers in the district.
“The green chilli was sold at Rs. 600 a bag of 10 kg a few weeks ago. Now, the price has dropped to Rs. 100 due to excess arrival,” Aarif Hussein, a trader, said.
Consumers not benefitted
On a visit to the retail market near Teen Kandeel two hours after the wholesale trading was over, it was found that that the vegetables were being sold at much higher prices: ridge-gourd at Rs. 40 a kg (wholesale price: Rs. 4), bitter-gourd at Rs. 20 a kg (wholesale price: Rs.1.60 a kg), green brinjal at Rs. 20 a kg (wholesale price: Rs. 6). tomato at Rs. 10 a kg (wholesale price: Rs.3.20), cucumber at Rs. 30 a kg (wholesale price: Rs. 5), cauliflower at Rs. 40 a piece (wholesale price: Rs. 10) and green chilli at Rs. 20 a kg (wholesale price: Rs.10).
No regulation
The authorities said that there was no statutory body for regulating the prices of perishable crops such as vegetables and fruits, unlike in the case of pulses and cereals. Yet, the office of Deputy Commissioner is exploring possibilities for safeguarding the interest of farmers and consumers by eliminating the middlemen.
“Opening Farmers' Market where common people too can purchase vegetables directly from farmers in the wholesale market is an option before us. It is successful in Tamil Nadu and we are thinking of opening similar market in Raichur. We are also planning to open more retail vegetable markets in several points so that it would not only eliminate monopoly of a lone market and a few sellers, but also provide people an opportunity to buy vegetables in their neighbourhood,” S. Sasikanth Senthil, Deputy Commissioner, told The Hindu. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/fall-of-vegetable-prices-affects-farmers-but-no-benefit-to-consumers/article9055155.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/a5d83f45ef1a6fd459cb53361f5c0234f0f73d7b8c8cd2b06df89e65fd7de02d.json |
[
"Staff Reporter"
] | 2016-08-29T06:55:12 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Art in Medicine (AIM), an exclusive centre set up with the support of doctors and musicians to tap the possibilities of de-stressing with music, has started functioning at Pottammal. K. Jayakumar, Vic | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2Fkozhikode%2Fa-mission-aimed-at-healing-begins-on-a-tuneful-note%2Farticle9043219.ece%3Futm_source%3DRSS_Feed%26utm_medium%3DRSS%26utm_campaign%3DRSS_Syndication.json | http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02990/29-KI-AIM_2990072c.jpg | en | null | A mission AIMed at healing begins on a tuneful note | null | null | www.thehindu.com | Art in Medicine, exploring possibilities of distressing with music, launched at Pottammal
Art in Medicine (AIM), an exclusive centre set up with the support of doctors and musicians to tap the possibilities of de-stressing with music, has started functioning at Pottammal.
K. Jayakumar, Vice-Chancellor of Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, inaugurated the centre, the first of its kind in the State, on Saturday.
Dr. Jayakumar said the healing of human body from illness was too complex a process to explain and equal to a miracle where one could never predict how it would work.
“However, the humane attitude of a doctor who puts his heart and soul into the healing process has a significant role to play in getting back his patient from the pain of disease to ease,” he pointed out.
According to Dr. Jayakumar, patients naturally trust such doctors who have a genuine capacity of treating with compassion and kindling the magic of healing in their hearts. “We love to address such physicians as gifted hands,” he said. AIM coordinators said the centre would offer care to the needy with the support of a seasoned panel of doctors and musicians. AIM is equipped with all modern audio facilities, and it will function with the cooperation of experts from both public and private sectors, they added.
District Medical Officer R.L. Saritha chaired the function. AIM chief coordinator Dr. T.P. Meharoof Raj, IMA representative Dr. V.G. Pradeepkumar, and Former Medical College Principal C. Raveendran were present.
A concert featuring the songs of M.S. Baburaj was also organised. | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/a-mission-aimed-at-healing-begins-on-a-tuneful-note/article9043219.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thehindu.com/047b422abea3746c44345fe62eececaeb3c7aad48059f1960c2d3839fb04e81d.json |
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