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8 Pages Rs: 1.00 Jammu Edition www.thestudentage.com

STUdenT aGe
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 8

Guru Granth Da Khalsa Panth formed to counter anti-Panthic endeavors

SEVERE COLD WAVE GRIPPED NORTH INDIA

'China's anti-satellite weapons test "trump card" against US'

IN BRIEF
PM condoles demise of SAF founder Madanjeet Singh
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday condoled the demise of the founder of South Asia Foundation Madanjeet Singh. The Prime Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Madanjeet, who was also the founder of UNESCO contd on page 2

DELHI GANG-RAPE CASE: Five accused produced in court; Court orders in-camera trial
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court hearing the December 16 gang-rape-cum-murder case on Monday witnessed heated arguments between a lawyer, who sought to defend the accused, and other advocates, who vehemently objected to it even as the accused could not be produced in the overcrowded courtroom. A judge in Delhi has ruled that the media will not be allowed to attend the trial of the five men accused of raping and murdering a young medical student on a Delhi bus last month. The next hearing of the case has been set for Thursday. It is for the first time that a lawyer came forward to defend the five accused amid resolutions of various advocate bodies in the city not to represent them. The accused were brought to the court complex in the morning with heavy security cover and were kept in a prison cell within the court premises. At about 2 pm, the judge said there was no space for them to be brought into the court-room, which can seat about 30 but had more than 150 people crammed in, many of them lawyers and reporters. "It has become impossible for this court to conduct proceedings in this case," magistrate Namrita Aggarwal said, ordering anyone not directly connected to the case to exit. The men, who could face the death penalty if convicted, arrived after that in the court-room. After they get copies of the police's chargesheet, and a decision has been made on who will represent them, the case will be assigned to a fast-track court set up last week specially to handle this trial and expedite other cases of crimes against women. Throughout the day, the proceedings were punctuated by lawyers shouting against an advocate who has volunteered to defend the accused. The Saket Bar Association had said none of its members would defend the men accused of the crime that united India in anger and grief, corroborated by large protests in cities like Delhi. Advocate Mohan Lal Sharma appeared in the court and told metropolitan magistrate Namrita Aggarwal that he had received calls from relatives of some of the accused to defend them. Other advocates dismissed him as a publicity-seeker. He told the court that he was unable to take signatures of the accused in 'vakalatnama' (a person's authority letter to an advocate to represent him in court) as he could not go to Tihar Jail and sought the magistrate's permission to take the the same in the court itself. The metropolitan magistrate, however, refused him the permission and asked him to go to Tihar Jail for the purpose. Even as the court rejected Sharma's plea, two more lawyers offered their services as amicus curiae to the court. The metropolitan magistrate ordered in-camera proceedings in the case. No material linked to proceedings can be published without court's permission in the Delhi gang-rape case, the metropolitan magistrate said. contd on page 2

Haryana's Narnaul town records minus 3 degrees

NEW DELHI: Haryana's Narnaul town was the coldest place in the state early Monday with the minimum temperature hitting a new low of 3 degrees Celsius below the freezing point, Met officials here said. Officials in Punjab and Haryana said that 21 people have died because contd on page 2

CM launches Air service from Jammu to Kargil

KARGIL, JAN 07: In an ultimate step for commencement of air service to Kargil, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday himself flew in a Mantra Aircraft from Jammu to Kargil to oversee the final preparedness for a regular and commercial air service to this mountainous and remote area of the State which remains cut-off during winter. Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for CAPD, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul, President J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz and Principle Secretary to Chief Minister B. B. Vyas were accompanying the Chief Minister.

VP Hamid Ansari seeks Asaram says victim responsible corrective measures in laws, social behaviour for her rape
Political parties, activists slam Asaram over his remarks
NEW DELHI: The shocking statement given by self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, blaming the 23-year-old paramedical student for her brutal gangrape and murder has drawn some sharp reactions from all corners. While the political parties, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have termed the statement as inappropriate, women activists have stressed on the need to censor such views. Addressing his supporters, the godman had said that the 23-year-old Delhi braveheart was as responsible for the ghastly incident as the six accused. "Only 5-6 people are not the culprits. The victim daughter is as guilty as her rapists. She should have called the culprits brothers and begged before them to stop...this could have saved her dignity and life," Asaram said. "Can one hand clap? I don't think so," he quipped. contd on page 2 NEW DELHI: Describing the gruesome Delhi gangrape as an incident that "let our heads hang in shame", Vice President Hamid Ansari on Monday sought immediate steps for comprehensive corrective measures in laws and social behaviour. He said one must remember that full respect for human rights of all and on all occasions, inclusive of gender equality and gender justice, are prerequisites of a modern, progressive, society. "A recent event on the eve of the New Year gave all of us occasion for remorse and sorrow. It made us, as a people, hang our heads in shame. The expressions of anguish and anger, fully justified, must now be speedily translated into comprehensive correctives in laws, procedures, societal norms and values, and social behaviour," Ansari said, addressing NCC Republic Day Camp 2013 in New Delhi. The 23-year-old victim, a paramedical student, was brutally raped and assaulted in a moving bus in New contd on page 2

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas begins in Kerala

KOCHI: Giving a platform to Keralites in the Gulf to air their grievances, an exclusive session on NRIs in that region was held as the 11th Pravasi Divas began here on Monday. In his inaugural address, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said the Central and Kerala governments should contd on page 2

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah launching Air service from Jammu to Kargil. Speaking at a function at Kargil, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of a regular service for this area for communication and tourism. He said such a service is all the more required keeping in view the winter severity in the area alongwith blockade of National Highway for months. Emphasizing the need for putting in place all statutory requirements contd on page 2

Indian national wins $1 mn cash prize in Qatar

DUBAI: An Indian national working in Qatar has hit the jackpot by winning a whopping USD one million cash prize in a lucky-draw in Doha. Satheesa Babu, a 50year-old father of two, won the draw conducted inside the Qatar Duty Free retail area at Doha International Airport. Qatar Duty Free is a subsidiary contd on page 2

Pakistan protests LoC violation by India

ISLAMABAD,JAN 7: Pakistan on Monday protested to India over what it said was an unprovoked attack by the Indian Army on a Pakistani checkpost in the Kashmir region. India has denied the allegation. India's Deputy High Commissioner Gopal Baglay was summoned to the foreign office and handed over a protest note, Geo News reported.

Stop border skirmishes: CPI-M to India, Pak

JAMMU,JAN 7: Expressing concern over increasing incidents of ceasefire violation on the Line of Control, the CPIM on Monday asked the leadership of both India and Pakistan to intervene to end border skirmishes. "We express deep concern over increasing incidents of ceasefire violation on LoC. There is need for leadership of both the countries to intervene to end the skirmishes between troops," Jammu CPI-M Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said. Referring to latest exchange of contd on page 2 Pakistan said the attack in the Hajipir sector Sunday was a breach of the Line of Control(LoC) that divides

Centre to set up cold storage facilities at 79 localities

THANJAVUR: The Centre has planned to set up cold storage facility to avoid wastage of perishable foods such as vegetables and fruits at 79 localities across the country, Food Processing and Industries Secretary Rajesh Kakkar has said. Out of these, eight have been already set up and the process of building facility is progressing in other places, he said on the sidelines of a seminar at the Indian Institute of Crop Processing contd on page 2

Kashmir between New Delhi and Islamabad. The Indian government was strongly urged to take "appropriate measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future", the foreign office said in a statement. On Sunday, Pakistan accused Indian troops of killing a Pakistani soldier in the attack. The checkpost is located about 200 km from Islamabad. contd on page 2

India plans to launch Mars mission later this year

KOLKATA: After its successful unmanned Chandrayaan mission to the Moon in 2008, which brought back the first-ever clinching evidence of the presence of water there, India is now eyeing the Mars. The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO is planning to launch a space mission to the Red planet later this year. The unmanned satellite, Mangalyaan, will study the thin Martian atmosphere and will take eight months to reach the distant planet. The first model of the Mangalyaan was unveiled at the Indian Science Congress in Kolkata on Sunday. The Rs. 450-crore mission will be launched from Sriharikota using the workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). There is deep strategic importance to the mission. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam underlined the importance of the project by saying, "Mars is international property, all the planets belong to the international community. It is essential to establish that we have done our job and our job has important scientific goals and we should do that only then we can say then that Mars belongs to us." ISRO calls this small orbiting mission a technology demonstration project the 1350 kilogram satellite will announce to the world that India has the capability to reach as far away as Mars. ISRO's Professor J N Goswami, lead scientist, Maangalyaan mission, said, "The mission is getting ready and the engineering models are ready and main Mars exploration instruments will be delivered by March-April and later they will be flown using the PSLV sometime in October-November." Critics of the mission, however, believe the government is being profligate. "We have heard these arguments since the 1960s about India being a poor country, not needing or affording a space program. If we contd on page 2

CJI directs HCs to set up more fast-track courts

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Altamas Kabir on Monday directed the State High Courts to set up more fast-track courts for speedy disposal of cases of offences against women. Advocating speedy trial in the December 16 gang-rape case, the CJI said that the delay in commencement of trials could be one of the factors behind rising cases of crimes against women. On a previous occasion too, the CJI had said that a fast-track court particularly for trying sexual offences against women is not only necessary but also welcome and the government has also "woken up" to the need of fast track courts for such cases. Kabir also justified the public reaction against the ghastly incident, saying the offence could have been averted had the Supreme Court guidelines on removal of tinted glasses from the vehicles been followed. The CJI said that four other fasttrack courts would be made operational in different parts of Delhi to show "we mean business in tackling matters of such nature". In the aftermath of the shocking Delhi gang-rape case, the Centre and several state governments have decided to put in place a slew of measures such as increasing punishment for gangrape, setting more fast-track courts, recruiting more women in police etc to combat crimes against women. Among others measures, several contd on page 2

Cabinet expansion on cards, Congress finalizing names, NC undecided

JAMMU,JAN 8: In an effort to fill up its 3 vacant portfolios in the Omar Abdullah cabinet, the Congress party is mounting pressure on the coalition partner National Conference for much awaited expansion in the state cabinet, reliable sources said. According to reliable sources in the state Congress, the contd on page 2

Arun Maira warns of sub-5% growth

MUMBAI, JAN 7: Planning Commission member Arun Mairatoday warned that economic growth rate could fall below 5 per cent if there is deep policy and governance paralysis. Addressing an international seminar on design organised by industry body CII here, Arun Maira said: "By muddling around, and if there is a deep policy paralysis, a governance paralysis, we could get around 5 per cent or even lower growth rate in the coming years." said. The National Development Council (NDC) has already scaled down the average growth target for the 12th Plan to 8 per cent from 8.2 per cent envisaged earlier. The average growth rate was 7.9 per cent in 11th Plan (2007-12). The country recorded 9-year low annual economic growth of 6.5 per cent in 2011-12. The economy has grown by 5.4 per cent in the first half of this fiscal (April-September). contd on page 2

"6.5 percent growth for the next eight years or so is very likely if we keep delaying (some) crucial decisions", he

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The food processing technology, if learnt by farmers, would help both farmers and consumers, he said. "It will ensure that the farm produce did not get spoiled and people got quality produce," he said. He suggested that students should go into more research in the field of food processing so that food could be stored safely. Since 1960, there have been 44 missions to Mars with just about half of them being successful; attempts have been made by the former USSR and Russia, the US, Europe, Japan and China. The first Chinese mission to Mars called Yinghuo-1 failed in 2011 alongside the Russian Phobos-Grunt mission with which it was launched - so some believe that India is trying to march ahead in what has been described as the "Asian Space Race". India holds the southern two-thirds of the Kashmir region and Pakistan the northern third.

Contd. from page 1...

PM condoles ....
Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asia Regional Cooperation in Puducherry, a PMO release said. Madanjeet, a humanist and philanthropist, had concieved these institutions to provide valuable service in the common goal of building a better and closer South Asia and was recognised as an ambassador of peace and goodwill, it said.

Stop border....
fire in Uri sector in Baramulla in which a residential house was partially damaged, he said the heads of two neighbouring countries must arrest the downslide in the border situation which had sparked fear and panic among people. "The border skirmishes, whatever be the cause, risk the prosperity and security of two countries that have far more in common than areas of suspicion and discard," Tarigami said. "Incidents of skirmishes and hostilities derail efforts towards formation of better understanding and amity between the two neighbouring countries," he said. "It is in the interest of the entire region that the leadership of both the countries must rise to the occasion and ensure cessation of hostilities along the border," Tarigami said.

Myanmar's ties with India, Japan, West concern China

BEIJING: Myanmar's growing rapport with Japan, Western nations and India could influence Sino-Myanmar relations and put pressure on China's "strategic space" in the Southeast Asian nation, Chinese state media has said. "The growing rapport between Myanmar and the West could influence Sino-Myanmar relations and put pressure on China's strategic space", a write-up in the official daily Global Times said Sunday. It noted that Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged debt relief of USD 5.74 billion and a fresh loan of 50 billion yen during his ongoing Myanmar visit, an attempt interpreted as targeting China, the article said. "In addition, the Indian Defence Minister A K Antony will head for Naypyitaw later this month to "boost bilateral military cooperation and counter China's deep strategic inroads there," the article said. "Myanmar is certainly undergoing changes. Some analysts hold that China's backyard is on fire and an anti-China front is gradually being shaped in Myanmar. This exaggerates the impact of these changes and underestimates the strength of the SinoMyanmar relationship", it said. "China is now Myanmar's biggest investor and second biggest trading partner, the two have considerable common strategic and economic interests," it said. Added to the concerns is the current conflict between Myanmar army and Kachin rebels entrenched in areas bordering China. Three bombs reportedly fired by Myanmar fighter jets fell on the Chinese side of the border causing damage recently. While Chinese Foreign Ministry said a representation has been made to Myanmar to avoid similar incidents, China's air force said no Myanmar jets violated Chinese airspace. The armed conflicts in the north of Myanmar endanger the stability of the SinoMyanmar border region. China should be more actively engaged in helping Myanmar solve domestic troubles, the article said.

Arun Maira....
Maira said the country cannot afford to have such low growth rates as we need to create millions of new jobs. Stating that manufacturing is very critical, he said the country has not done well on the manufacturing front during the past 15-20 years. Blaming it on poor infrastructure, Maira said, "What's coming in the way of growing manufacturing is physical infrastructure like roads, power etc. Infrastructure doesn't support competitive manufacturing here." About the regulatory environment, he said, "We are one of the worst places to do business in the world because our regulations are outdated, they are too many and they tangle with each other and they are badly administered." Calling for better governance systems, he said the Planning Commission is insisting on a study of government programme architecture, which should become more local. In the current model, the government "is working in silos", he said. "We also need to change our functioning and learn from the experiences of others. Right now our system is "learning proof" -- agendas get driven top-down and the learnings don't get implemented at all."

Haryana's Narnaul ...

of the intense cold wave in the region over the past one month. Of these, 13 have died in Punjab and eight in Haryana. Most of those who died were homeless, poor people living in the open. Hisar town in Haryana recorded a low of -0.8 degree Celsius Monday. The temperature in the town had slippede to a low of minus 1.1 degrees Celsius early Sunday. Met officials said that most places in Haryana and Punjab were reeling under intense cold wave conditions. The maximum temperatures at most places were seven to 11 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperatures were one to four degrees below the season's average. While the minimum temperatures in both the states hovered between 3 degrees Celsius below and 3 degrees Celsius above the freezing point Monday, the day temperatures Sunday were in the range of just nine to 12 degrees Celsius. Bhiwani in Haryana recorded a low of 0.5 degree, while Chandigarh had a low of 2.7 degrees Celsius Monday. In Punjab, the Sikh holy city of Amritsar was the coldest at a low of 1.8 degrees Celsius, while Patiala and Ludhiana witnessed lows of 2.4 and 2.7 degrees respectively. Met officials said the dry, cold spell along with foggy conditions in some parts will continue for the next two days.

Delhi gang-rape....
The police has said it has forensic evidence to establish the guilt of the defendants. A sixth man who was on the bus, who is 17, is to be tried in a separate court for juveniles. The police said that he was the most depraved of the group. On December 16, the student and her boyfriend watched a movie at a South Delhi mall. They then boarded a school bus that was running illegally at night. The driver, according to the police, had decided to go for "a joyride" with his friends. The couple was led to believe the school bus was a private or chartered bus, hundreds of which operate in Delhi to compensate for thin public transport. Once they boarded the bus, the six men allegedly hit them with an iron rod before taking turns to rape the young woman. The pair were then thrown out of the moving vehicle.

Cabinet expansion....
state Congress Chief Saifuddin Soz after meeting the state Governor here today, flew to New Delhi where he is expected to seek a final approval for names of candidates for the three cabinet slots. He will impress upon the National High Command of the Congress party to convince the Omar led National Conference to finalize names for early expansion in the cabinet in wake of increasing resentment among the party ranks over lying of the portfolios with the Chief Minister, the sources added. Pertinently, the state Congress has three of the cabinet portfolios of its share lying with the chief Minister with two of them having been vacated after sacking of G M Saroori and Peerzada Muhammad Syeed from the R&B and Education portfolios respectively. One portfolio of the congress share was already lying with the Chief Minister. Although, the Congress party is adamant on expansion in coming days, the National Conference is said to be undecided in wake of too many contenders for its sole vacant portfolio. "NC has not been able to decide on finalizing the name of the candidate which is hampering the expansion of the cabinet and Soz will ask the high command to use its influence on pressurizing NC for expediting its nomination process", the sources said. Congress is believed to be hopeful of expansion within next two weeks after intervention by the high command of the party to take the Chief Minister into confidence, they added. Meanwhile, according to reliable sources in the party, the NC Legislator from Kupwara Mir Saifullah in the front runner in the race for the lone cabinet berth to be filled by the party. However, there is a lot of pressure on the Chief Minister, as many other leaders are also staking claims and lobbying for inclusion into the cabinet, which is making it difficult for the CM to finalize the name, the sources maintained.

CM launches...
and safety measures for starting flights to Kargil, the Chief Minister said that he would take up the issue of subsidizing the air fare for commoners so that they are able to utilize the service especially during winter months. Omar Abdullah said that after launch of construction of Z-Morh tunnel and decision to bore Zojila tunnel this year, the air service to Kargil is yet another good news for the people of this district. He referred to his endeavour made in this direction and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, All India Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi and State NC and Congress leadership for paving the way for launch of regular air service to Kargil. "I am the most fortunate Chief Ministers of the State that a historic event of air service to Kargil is taking place in my tenure for which so many Chief Ministers cherished and worked", he said appreciating the Mantra Airlines for coming forward to start a regular air service to Kargil from Jammu. He underlined the need for a similar service from Srinagar and said that it would open the area for global tourism. The Chief Minister said that accessibility and communication are significant ingredients for growth and development. He said by the construction of Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels and 4-laning of Srinagar-Leh National Highway alongwith regular air service will transform the conditions of Kargil district and open new vistas of growth and development. Omar Abdullah said that there is greater potential of tourism in Kargil district and while showcasing this for tourist influx, there is urgent need to improve, upgrade and construct befitting tourist infrastructure in the area which cannot be done by the government alone but people of the area and private parties have to contribute in this task equally. "Yours is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and to rope in tourists from all over the world requires us to built required tourist infrastructure here", he said asking the people to develop a mindset of making Kargil round the year tourist destination and work with government to realize this goal. The Chief Minister said that all round development of backward pockets of the State is focused area in the development policy of his government and various measures have been initiated to seek fast economic development of these areas. He said Kargil has also great potential for power generation and this potential is being harnessed by launching many small and medium power projects in the area. He said the completion of Srinagar-Leh Transmission Line would give further boost to launch of projects in Leh and Kargil districts. "By this line we would be able to extract surplus power from this region to other parts of the State and the country", he added. Ministers Sham Lal Sharma, Qamar Ali Akhoon, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President Saif-ud-Din Soz, Member Parliament Ghulam Hassan Khan, Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC Kargil, Khachu Ahmad Ali also spoke at the function.

Asaram says....
Terming the statement as regrettable, the BJP demanded that the statement be taken back. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We consider the statement from Asaram Bapu as inappropriate and demand that he takes back the statement." Meanwhile, there were voices stressing on the need to teach people on giving respect to women. "Making someone a brother is not upon a woman but upon a man. Respect for women must be taught at the grassroots level, right from school, and in every home," said BJP leader Maneka Gandhi. The Congress also spoke in similar tone, criticising the self-styled godman. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "Political leaders and religious leaders must give serious thought before they speak out." The statement of Asaram Bapu also evoked a sharp reaction from National Commission for Women chief Mamta Sharma, who said such action passed on wrong signals. Asking the godman to rethink on his statement, Sharma said, "Would like to ask Asaram, how would have pleading to the rapists helped? Making such statements pass on the wrong signal. I would ask Asaram to refrain from making such statements." "I think there has to be a severe censorship of this kind of view and they will have to be told that they cannot be going against the law of the land and cannot make sexiest comment, they cannot violate the dignity and self esteem of women," said NCPCR chairperson Shanta Sinha. She further said, "Even if he is spiritual leader and godman, they have to be very very careful, should understand, because it affects minds of people."

Pravasi Bharatiya....
hear the woes of men and women "toiling" in the Gulf and urged the delegates to air their issues openly. While admitting that solutions to only some of their problems have been arrived at so far, he said there were issues galore which remain to be addressed. The suggestions which come up would be discussed with Prime Minister and at the Union Cabinet, he said. In his keynote address, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said providing the NRIs with voting rights was the biggest achievement for those living abroad. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said efforts would be made for the skill development of unskilled workers. Kerala government should also take steps in this regard. Kerala minister for Non-Resident Kerala Affairs, KC Joseph, said the government has plans to permit NRIs exercise their voting rights in panchayat and local body polls too. A bill in this regard would be tabled soon, he said. The minister alleged that the AIR India was showing 'step motherly' treatment to the Gulf Keralites. The government was determined to go ahead with the state's ambitious Air Kerala project at any cost, he said. The theme of the session is to boost economic and social engagement with the Diaspora in the Gulf region. The full-day session is also expected to discuss significant issues that impact NRIs such as repatriation, labour mobility, partnership agreements in the Gulf region and relief and rehabilitation of Indian nationals affected by recent uprisings. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would formally inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas meet tomorrow.

Budget curtailment will affect IAF modernisation: Air Chief

PHALODI, RAJASTHAN: The decision to curtail the country's defence budget by Rs 10,000 crore will affect Air Force modernisation projects and the issue will be taken up with the Government, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief NAK Browne said Monday. Air Chief Marshal Browne, who was on a visit to the Phalodi Air Force Station near Jodhpur, told reporters that the IAF is on a modernisation spree on various fronts and this has been possible "due to generous sanctioning of the budget by the Government and its full utilisation". However, he said, the "curtailment (of budget) will affect modernisation of the Air Force. We will take up the issue with the Government in order to work out some solution." Government has imposed around five per cent cut in the Rs 1.93-lakh-crore defence budget in view of the economic slowdown following which key deals like procurement of 126 multi-role combat aircraft are likely to be pushed to the next fiscal. The Ministry of Finance recently conveyed to the Defence Ministry that there would be a cut of around Rs 10,000 crore. "We look forward to complete modernisation of the IAF by 2022," Browne said, adding that the pace will be affected by the curtailment of budget. Browne was on a visit to Phalodi Air Force Station where he formally inducted the 5th helicopter unit of the upgraded MI17 V5, a medium-lift chopper. The 6th unit of this helicopter will be deployed in Eastern Command at Hashimara air force base in Assam. "Contract has been signed for 59 more such helicopters," the IAF Chief said. Referring to Phalodi station as strategically important considering its location on western border, the Air Chief said that the station is being developed expeditiously. Browne said that in the upcoming air exercises, 'Iron Fist' and 'Live Wire', it will be a base for fighter detachment and will play a crucial role. Indigenously developed fighter Tejas will also be participating in exercise 'Iron Fist' for the first time. "This helicopter squadron will now be permanently based at Phalodi base and very soon fighter squadrons will also be deployed here, which will strengthen our position in the western sector," Browne said.

LA panel inspects Brick Kiln Units in Jammu

JAMMU, JAN 07: The Members of Sub Committee (Brick Kilns Related) on Environment of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today inspected various Brick Kilns units across Jammu district to get on spot feedback about the impact of these units on environment and allied activities . Headed by MLA, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, the Sub Committee directed the Brick Kilns Unit owners to improve the surrounding conditions by adhering to the prescribed environment protection norms strictly. He directed the concerned to use clay for preparation of bricks from barren tracts to ensure minimum destruction to the agriculture land. Legislators, Choudhary Sham Lal and Prof. Ghoru Ram Bhagat appreciated the working of the Pollution Control Board(PCB), however they directed the concerned that the height of the Chimney used in Brick Kilns Units should be as per the norms prescribed by the PCB. The Sub Committee called for use of pollution control devices in all Brick Kilns Units. The panel also stressed for proper checking of brick kiln units. Earlier, the Sub Committee interacted with the Association of Brick Kilns and enquired the facilities being provided by various departments to them. Later, the Panel convened a meeting of District Level Officers of various departments and took a detailed review of the impact of Brick Kilns on human lives and agriculture. The Chairman of the Sub Committee directed the officers and engineers of the Irrigation and Public Health Engineering Departments to register all Brick Kilns Units who have not so far legalised their commercial and drinking water connections. Ch. Zulfkar also called for comprehensive policy for shifting of brick kiln units from productive agriculture land. He said it should be the joint effort of all, cutting across political ideologies, to ensure that all the viable development initiatives in the State go ahead with full vigour and without any hiccup but there should be zero tolerance on environment pollution.

VP Hamid....
Delhi on the night of December 16 and died of her injuries on December 29 in a Singapore hospital. The Vice President said this responsibility must be shouldered by all and discharged by all. "As a disciplined corps of young men and women, you can be the vanguard and trend setters," he told the NCC cadets." NCC is the premier uniformed youth organisation of the country and its contribution to nation building deserves highest commendation. It helps channelise the energy of our youth into a creative force to usher in social change to a wide spectrum of activities which are powerful instrument of awakening in the society at grass-root level," he said. A total of 2004 cadets, both boys and girls drawn from 17 NCC Directorates, covering all the states and Union Territories are participating in the camp that culminates on January 28.

Indian national....
of Qatar Airways. An aircraft technician with the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Babu, resident of Qatar for 15 years, bought his lucky ticket in April before boarding his flight from Doha airport to Thiruvananthapuram. "Buying a ticket to win USD 1 million has become a habit for me for the last four years whenever I go for annual vacation to my home town in India. I am delighted to have finally won and can call myself a lucky person. My win makes me feel more secure as I can plan my family's future and invest in my children's education," Babu said. The US Dollar Millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006 giving passengers an opportunity to win the prize as each draw is made after 5,000 tickets are sold. "This is the best prize I've ever received in my life and I'm sure that I'll never lose a chance to buy the Millionaire draw ticket again. Qatar Duty free has changed my life and I take this opportunity to wish them continued success," he said. Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said, "I offer my personal congratulations to Babu on being the lucky winner of the latest draw".

CJI directs HCs...

states have launched a single dedicated helpline for women, adopted zero tolerance for petty offences and called for bringing down the age of juveniles to 16 from 18.

India plans to...

can't dare dream big it would leave us as hewers of wood and drawers of water! India is today too big to be just living on the fringes of high technology," said a government official. The government says the satellite which will be placed in an orbit around Mars will be able to carry nearly 25 kg of scientific payload on board. According to ISRO, the tentative objectives of the mission will be to focus on remotely assessing "life, climate, geology, origin and evolution and sustainability of life on the planet". "This is technology demonstration project, a mission that will announce to the world India has the capability to reach as far away as Mars," an ISRO official said.

Pakistan protests....
India denied the accusation, saying mortar shells were first fired by the Pakistan Army at Indian civilians near the LoC. Indian officials accused the Pakistan Rangers of resorting to "unprovoked mortar shelling" at Indian positions in Hajipir area of Uri sector on the LOC. "Our troops responded with light weapons, following which the Pakistani shelling stopped," a defence spokesperson said in Srinagar. The Pakistani shelling was intended to help militants to sneak into the Kashmir Valley from Pakistan but Indian troops thwarted the attempt, the official added.

Centre to set...
Technology here yesterday. Apart from setting up cold storage facilities, the Centre has also planned to set up Food Parks at 30 places, he said, adding that one such park would be set up in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

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STATE
JAMMU, JAN 07: Chief Secretary Madhav Lal Monday underscored the need for further groundwork on the State Action Plan on Climate Change with clearly outlined areas of focus leading to optimum utilization of the highly valued natural resources of the state in a sustainable manner to meet present and future needs of energy, food and livelihood without negatively affecting its fragile ecology. Chairing the first Jammu and Kashmir Executive Council meeting to discuss the state action plan on climate change, Chief Secretary re-iterated government policy of sustainable development noting that harnessing

NEWS IN BOX

CM condoles demise of Sham Koul

JAMMU, JAN 07: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the sad demise of veteran journalist Sham Koul describing him a reputed and popular media person who made his mark in journalist fraternity. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said that in the demise of Sham Koul the State has lost a noble soul and a journalist of high calibre. He conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Only positive interventions will ensure our energy, food security needs: CS
State Action Plan on Climate Change
diverse crops and patterns, efficient land use pattern and water usage etc are significant towards sustainability and food security of the state, he emphasized adding that the state government is also promoting Eco tourism to minimize carbon foot prints and environment degradation. He asked concerned agencies to work with Government departments and stake holders to make further improvements in the plan keeping in mind present and future needs. The State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) is being prepared to integrate climate change into the future policy framework of planners.

Sagar, Tarigami condole demise of Shyam Koul

JAMMU, JAN 07: Minister for Rural development, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar and CPI (M) General Secretary and MLA Kulgam, Mr. M. Y. Tarigami have expressed grief over the sad demise of veteran journalist, Mr. Shyam Koul. In their condolence messages, they said that Koul was a reputed and popular media person who made his mark in journalist fraternity. They conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Chief Secretary Madhav Lal chairing a meeting of officials in connecting with state action plan on climate change at Jammu. sources of clean energy whether hydro power or solar power has been on government focus to meet energy needs along with thrust on improving energy efficiency and minimizing energy wastage. "Our energy and food needs are increasing hence we need to invest and intervene in a manner that would ensure that our present and future needs are met without depleting, polluting or destroying our fragile Eco system", he said adding that any action plan should be formulated keeping in mind state's needs and it's highly valued albeit fragile environment. Eco friendly agricultural practices, introduction of

Advocate Haq chairs Ethics Committee meeting

JAMMU, JAN 07: A meeting of Committee on Ethics (EC) of Legislative Assembly was held under the Chairmanship of Advocate Abdul Haq Khan here today. Discussions were held on Moral and Ethical values of members of Legislative Assembly in and outside of the State. Legislators Mr. Javed Mustafa, Mr. Jagdish Raj Sapolia, Mr. Baldev Raj, Mr. Durga Dass and Mr. Bharat Bushan deliberated on Ethics Rules presently in vogue. The Panel gave suggestions for further improvement in these rules. Senior officers of Assembly Secretariat were present in the meeting.

Skill development among labour class shall be prioritized: Malik

SRINAGAR, JAN 07: Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment, Mr. Abdul Gani Malik today reiterated Government's resolve to improve the lot of labourer class by extending all basic facilities including education, health and insurance cover for their well being. The Minister was interacting with various deputations of labourers who called on him. He said that Government is contemplating to introduce skill development in labour class and enhance their opportunities of employability in and outside the country so that the quality of life standards of labourers is improved besides making them self reliant to live a dignified life. He said that the amount of ex-gratia relief has been doubled from Rs. one lakh to Rs. two lakhs in case of death of a registered construction labourer, besides the widow of the deceased labour shall get monthly pension of Rs. 2250/- from J&K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB) so that the bereaved family is not left in lurch under given circumstances. Commissioner/Secretary, Labour, Mr. Yedullah on this occasion said revision of minimum wages with effect from Ist January shall encourage the labour class to work with dedication and zeal. Giving details of the revision, Mr. Yedullah said that current wages of unskilled labourer have been enhanced from Rs. 110/- to Rs. 150/- semi-skilled from Rs. 150 to Rs, 175 skilled. Rs. 200 to Rs. 225 and ministerial and supervisory staff from Rs. 175 to Rs. 200. Labour Commissioner, Mr. Shahid Inayat Ullah said that the department is planning to organize more such functions to extend financial assistance to labour class of the State out of cess collected by JKBOCWWB. Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, JKBOCWWB while giving details of achievements of the Board said that the Board has collected Rs. 185 crore and total registrations have been recorded upto 1.42 lakh. He said that Rs. 32 crore have been released for various schemes related to registered construction workers while Rs. 26 crore have been spent on welfare schemes, covering 21000 beneficiaries.

DDC convenes public grievance camp at Batote

RAMBAN, JAN 07: District Development Commissioner, Ramban, Shabir Ahmad convened a Public Grievances redressal camp at Dak Banglow Batote. A large number of people from Batote and its adjoining areas attended the darbar. The public raised various issues like construction of Bus Stand at Batote, improvement of drinking water supply, construction of lain drains, development of sport stadium, Shortage of LPG, proper development of roads taken-up under PMGSY & PWD Sectors, early disposal land/house compensation at the level of all District/Sectoral officers, sufficient supply of firewood during winter and proper implementation of MGNREGA scheme in all Panchayats. The DDC gave a patient hearing to the demands and issues raised by the public and assured that every possible effort shall be made to resolve the issues in a phased manner. The DDC asked all the Sectoral/ District Officers to work with zeal and dedication so that the benefits of the schemes/ works percolate down to the grass root level. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Chief Planning Officer, Ramban, Assistant Commissioner (Rev), Ramban, Assistant Commissioner (Dev), Ramban, Chief Education Officer, Ramban, Chief Medical officer, Ramban, XEN, PWD (R&B), Ramban, XEN, PMGSY, Batote and other Sectoral/ District officers.

Bhalla inaugurates HDFC Life branch at Bahu Plaza

JAMMU, JAN 07: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Mr. Raman Bhalla today inaugurated HDFC Life branch at Bahu Plaza in presence of senior officers of the bank. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bhalla hailed the opening of another branch of the bank in Jammu city and said the HDFC bank has emerged as second-largest private bank in the country . He hoped that the new branch will offer best customer services as it provides many facilities under one roof ranging from basic services such as savings account, Insurance Policy, fixed deposits, Current Account, Mutual Funds, Insurance, twowheeler loan, Auto loan to sophisticated direct access banking channels such as ATM, phone banking, net banking and international credit and debit cards. The Minister called upon the people to avail the benefits of bank sponsored schemes adding that bank has provided easiest loan facilities on lowest rate under housing, car, agriculture, horticulture and other commercial activities. Mr. Bhalla also hoped that the bank would generate more employment avenues for local educated youth and become a vehicle for economic growth of the state.

Dogra Front, Shiv Sena protest against power cuts in Jammu

JAMMU,JAN 7: Activists of Dogra Front and Shiv Sena on Monday took out a protest rally against the state government over the alleged chronic power outages and inconsistent water supply in Jammu. People of Jammu are being deprived of basic facilities and the power supply to the city is extremely poor, state chief of Shiv Sena and Dogra Front, Ashok Gupta said.

Body of elderly man fished out from Dal Lake in J-K

SRINAGAR,JAN 7: The body of an elderly man was today fished out from Dal Lake, police said. The body of Ghulam Nabi Bhagoo(55), a resident of the Qamarwari area of the city, was fished out from the lake at Ghat No 10 on Boulevard Road this morning, they said. Further probes are on, police added.

2-day workshop on 6th Economic Census begins at Bemina

SRINAGAR, JAN 07: 2-day Regional Workshop on 6th Economic Census organized by Directorate of Evaluation and Statistics, Srinagar in collaboration with Directorate of Economics and Statistics was inaugurated today at Bemina, Srinagar. Director, Economics and Statistics, Mr. B.R. Lachotra while inaugurating the workshop, highlighted the role of 6th Economic Census in providing the detailed information on operational and other variables, activity wise of all establishments of the country for comprehensive analysis of structure of the economy, to provide updated directory of establishments employing 8 or more workers up to villages/ward level for local level planning purposes and use the same as an input for development of National Business Register, which would be useful for estimation of District Domestic Product and to provide an upto-date frame from which samples could be drawn for collecting detailed information. He also emphasized for its timely completion. The Regional Joint Director, Economics and Statistics, Kashmir division, Mr. Athar Hussain Qadri while speaking on the occasion described the importance of 6th Economic Census for the overall development of the country. He impressed upon all district statistical agencies of Kashmir for its early completion in order to make it result oriented for planners and policy makers. Deputy Director, Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Dr. J.S. Tomer also highlighted the role of 6th Economic Census for planners and policy makers, researchers and other agencies, national and international levels. The officers and officials of District Statistical Agencies were also presented on the occasion.

Animal Health Camp held at Pattan

PATTAN, JAN 07: Animal Health Camp was organized by Department of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir in district Baramulla at Chukkar, Block Pattan under centrally sponsored scheme-SWIS (CWDB). The camp was chaired by District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Baramulla. During the camp free medication was given to the sheep and goats brought to the designated location by sheep breeders who participated in large numbers.

Dy CM holds public meeting at Khour

JAMMU, JAN 07: Describing development of far-off and border areas of the State as priority of coalition government, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said that various schemes have been launched in the last four years to enhance basic facilities like power and water supply, education, healthcare and road connectivity. Deputy Chief Minister said this while addressing monthly public meeting at Khour. He was accompanied by senior officers of various departments. He said that the present coalition government has embarked on a path of development for the entire state especially far-off and border areas. He said government has launched several welfare schemes for the betterment of the people and asked the people to take the benefit from these schemes. He exhorted upon the officers to ensure that benefits of various development and welfare schemes reach to the real beneficiaries timely. He said that UPA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi are making liberal funding to the State for the development and prosperity. While reviewing performance under implementation of Kissan Credit Card in Khour, Deputy Chief Minister directed SDM to make coordinated efforts with the line departments for 100% implementation of Kissan Credit Card. He also stressed for organizing regular awareness camps for ensuring benefits of Labour Act to the skilled labour class. Spelling out various state and centrally sponsored schemes being implemented in the State, Deputy Chief Minister asked the people to take maximum benefit from these schemes to empower themselves socially and economically. He directed the concerned officers to create massive awareness about different state and centrally sponsored schemes among the people. He stressed upon the panchs and sarpanchs to render their services with utmost zeal and dedication.

Admission forms available for various courses in BGSB University

SRINAGAR, JAN 07: According to Regional Officer, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSB), Rajouri, admission forms for various courses for M.Sc Mathematics, B. Tech, BBA, BCA, Diploma Lateral Entry, MBA, MBA-FM, MCA, MSC-IT, B.Sc IT, Bioresources and Biotechnology, B.A Arabic and M.A Arabic etc. are available for sale in Regional Office, Sanat Nagar Chowk near Hat-Trick Restaurant, Srinagar. For further details aspiring students can contact 9419011449 and 2441231.

10 caught smoking in public in Srinagar

SRINAGAR, JAN 07: Anti-Tobacco squad fined 10 persons including Government officials smoking in public and recovered a fine of Rs. 1900 from them. The squad comprised of Health Educator with Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar, Police personnel and Volunteers from J&K Voluntary Health Association. The squad inspected various areas, including National Institute of Technology (NIT), University of Kashmir, Chest Diseases Hospital. Two employees of University, one employee of NIT and CD Hospital were also amongst the offenders. In compliance to the orders of Supreme Court and the ban imposed by Government on advertisement against tobacco products especially at Point of Sale, the Anti-Tobacco Squad removed over 200 advertisement boards in Srinagar city.

Next two years vital for Socio-economic transformation: Slathia

JAMMU, JAN 7: Asserting that next two years will be a turnaround in the socio-economic transformation of the State, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. S. S. Slathia today said that all the promises made to the people will be fulfilled as an act of faith. Addressing a mammoth public gathering at Sakhani in Vijaypur, Jammu, Mr. Slathia said, after grappling with troubled times for more than two decades, the State under the dynamic leadership Chief Minister, Sh. Omar Abdullah, its marching forward on full pace towards unprecedented development and prosperity adding that it was our mission to provide uniform opportunities of ple. Cautioning the people about the conspiracies of some defeated politicians to disintegrate the State on regional and religious basis, Mr. Slathia vowed to defeat their nefarious anti people designs and will never allow such elements to succeeded in their evil plans. Without naming PDP and BJP, Mr. Slathia said they are the ones who flared up regional and communal frenzy in the Kashmir and Jammu divisions in 2008 and brought mayhem, death and destruction in the state besides putting the people to great hardships. "Recounting those unfortunate days are still horrible and sent shivbers down the spine", Mr. Slathia added.

Power shutdown
JAMMU, JAN 07:In order to carry out erection, testing & commissioning of 132 KV SF 6 breaker of 132 KV Janipur line Bay-II and preventive maintenance of various equipments of 132/33 KV Grid Station Sidhra, the power supply to Sidhra, Malhori Jagir, Bajalta, Ragura, Tootan-di-Khui, ASCOMS, Bahu Fort and areas being fed from Janipur and Sidhra Grid Stations shall remain affected on January 08, 2012 from 8 a m to 1 p m. Meanwhile, in order to carry out replacement of worn out jumper and carrying out preventive maintenance of 132/33 KV Grid Station Kalakot, the power supply to twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch shall remain affected on January 09, 2013 from 9 a m to 11 a m. Similarly, it is for the information of general public that the Chief Engineer, Sewa Hydel Project, NHPC, Maska is conducting a Mock Black start exercise at Sewa-2 Power House on January 10, 2013. The power supply to the district Kathua and Samba fed from 220/132/66 KV Grid Station Hiranagar shall be affected for 3 to 4 hours during the exercise.

Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. S. S. Slathia addressing a mammoth public gathering at Sakhani in Vijaypur, Jammu progress and equitable justice to all. " Infact ascending of Omar sahib on the political arena of the State is the beginning of a new dawn of hope and optimism" , Mr. Slathia said and added that inheriting the attire of his father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and vision of Shere-iKashmir, Mr. Omar has all the attributes of changing the fortunes of the State. Mr. Slathia said that NC is the single largest political party of the state which represent urges and aspiration of the people of all the three regions of the State, despite having distinct and peculiar religious and geographical characteristics. He said NC is the real democratic and secular party which is committed for unity, integrity and honour of the State and has a chequred history of sacrifices for the cause of State's peo-

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NEEDED,
BY KG SURESH ndia has produced a number of social revolutionaries who changed the people's mindset. That many of them worked against odds and at a time when the country had been under foreign rule, makes their contribution more praiseworthy. We require such people today From Raja Ram Mohan Roy to Sree Narayana Guru and Swami Vivekananda to Acharya Vinoba Bhave, colonial India has produced social reformers across the length and breadth of the country, who fought assiduously against obscurantism and social evils, braving feudal and vested interests and immense opposition from within the society itself. Most people were illiterate, an enlightened mass media was non-existent and to top it all, there was an alien ruler who was primarily interested only in earning revenue and maintaining law and order to facilitate the same. Though most of these reformers came from an affluent or middle class backgrounds, it was not a path of roses for them as they encountered the hardcore conservative and orthodox sections of the society that had a greater say as against the liberals who were in a minority. From sati to child marriage, untouchability, caste system, animal sacrifices and other superstitions, these bravehearts took headon the clergy of the time and convinced the people at large with their sound logic. They studied the ancient scriptures thoroughly to highlight how the sacred texts have been distorted, manipulated, misinterpreted and even interpolated to perpetuate selfish interests. Many of them championed causes such as women's education,

JUST A FEW GOOD MEN

Independence, social reformers have become extinct in India much like dodo. Today, we have social activists and social workers. Social workers are of two categories - people who are in politics full time and describe social work as their occupation. There are also professional social workers who are trained and work with NGOs, hospitals, corporate social responsibility activities on a professional basis. Social activists work on a variety of issues ranging from women's empowerment to crusade against corruption, both independently and under some or the other banner. Often, both social workers and social activists work among small groups and their efforts are concentrated on a smaller scale. Popular involvement, except in movements such as Chipko initiated by environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna to protect the forests and trees, have been rare, primarily due to three factors. With the attainment of independence and the establishment of a welfare state, people felt their social responsibilities were over and now it was for the state to carry out all activities, from carrying the garbage in their backyards to preventing the people from taking dowry and beating up their wives to taking care of old-age parents to wearing helmets to prevent oneself from head injury. The relegation or abdication of responsibility by the people gradually led to the "Sannu Ki" (why should I bother, as they say in Punjabi) attitude, where the citizen was just bothered about his well-being or at the most his near and dear ones. Added to this was the absence of any pan-India leader who had the moral stature to inspire the people to bring about the much needed change. Most social workers and activists in post-independent India too toed the popular line. They too mobilised people and hit the streets to force the Government to bring about the change through laws. There has been no attempt to bring about the change from within, by setting personal examples and through individual and social efforts. Compare this with Mahatma Gandhi, who fasted and visited affected areas, not to find fault with the Government but to persuade people to shun communal violence. He led from the front and made the inmates of his ashram, irrespective of their caste, to clean toilets and taught them the dignity of labour. Dependence on Government for heralding reforms was never on Gandhi's agenda. The others social reformers too saw Government intervention as a facilitator to reforms and not an end in itself. Unfortunately, the way to politics often passes through social work and many who started off well in post-independent India were unable to resist the dulcet calls of power, if not pelf. Change of mindsets or attitudes cannot be brought out merely through television debates and newspaper articles, or even by the passage and enforcement of laws. Even centuries later, the mindset of untouchability continues to haunt Indians, and even the highly educated are not immune to it to date. Laws and their strict implementation can serve as deterrents but attitudinal change would have to be brought in by a multi dimensional approach that would include among other things reforms in education, police, mass media's portrayal of women and upbringing of children. It is equally important for all concerned, particularly media, not to get carried away by the moment and turn fanatic to the extent that any alternative opinion is dismissed outrightly as chauvinist and obscurantist. So long as a view does not violate the exceptions under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, freedom of speech and expression applies equally to one and all. Demanding conformity to the views aired by students at India Gate and aired on sundry television channels from one and all is as reprehensible as the diktats of Khap panchayats. The need of the hour is for social reformers sans political ambitions to stir the conscience of the nation and provoke voluntary attitudinal conversion. The spiritual leaders too can contribute their mite in this mahayagna if their focus is on awakening social conscience and not marketing their herbal products or yoga, breathing or meditation techniques, as they enjoy a mass moral appeal way beyond the superficial popularity of film and sports stars. Only a 21st century renaissance can herald the much desired change. The time is ripe. Anna Hazare has taught us again to protest and awakened us to the power of protest. As Swami Vivekananda, whose 150th birth anniversary the nation is celebrating, aptly put it "Perfect sincerity, holiness, gigantic intellect, and an all-conquering will. Let only a handful of men work with these, and the whole world will be revolutionised".

widow remarriage and entry of Dalits into temples, which were considered blasphemous and were opposed tooth and nail. Savants like Swami Dayananda Saraswati paid with their lives for their revolutionary views. But that did not deter them. Where necessary, these change agents worked in tandem with the British rulers to carry out these reforms by pressuring them to enact laws to check social evils. They also established social reform organisations and built schools, hospitals and orphanages, often with their personal funds. They did not have massive funds coming from abroad to support their cause. While many of them kept away from the politics of the day and concentrated on social and religious work, there were also leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who fought the British on one hand and simultaneously worked on key issues such as untouchability, temple entry and rural self-reliance. Today, in the backdrop of the Delhi gang rape case, when we ad nauseum hear television debates on changing social attitudes vis a vis women, we start looking for leaders who can serve as catalysts for this much needed change. Can we expect the change from the rudderless, leaderless crowds that we see at India Gate? Can we hope for redemption from social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter? Can we see a ray of hope in the mass media, where commodification of women has become the norm rather than the exception? Can we look forward to a new order from the political class which itself lacks credibility? Unfortunately, post-

ie-hard optimists expecting that the once-in-adecade leadership transition in China would also result in a softening of Beijing, clearly had their hopes up too high. Last week, the Communist Party that rules that country with an iron hand shut down the website of reputed pro-reform magazine Yanhuang Chunqiu after the latter called for changes in the political system and pushed for a constitutional Government. In a special New Year's editorial, the magazine, which is supported by liberal retired Government officials, warned against social instability unless political reforms were implemented. This was too much for China's notorious internet censors to handle, and so this past Friday, the magazine's website was de-registered. Incidentally, that very same day an open letter was also posted online by a group of journalists demanding the resignation of a propaganda official who they allege unfairly censored an editorial that appeared in the Southern Weekly newspaper. Similar to the Yanhuang Chunqiu editorial, commentator Dai Zhiyong's New Year's editorial in Southern Weekly, also called for sweeping political reforms. In his original editorial, Dai advocated greater political accountability and more personal freedoms. However, the editorial that was published after having gone through Government censors advised the people to be thankful to their leaders and work towards shared prosperity. Interestingly, this editorial was

China remains as harsh on dissent as before

titled, "China's dream, the dream of constitutionalism". Now the phrase 'China's Dream' has been recently coined by that country's President-in-waiting Xi Jingping to encapsulate his vision of the future. While the exact contours of that vision plan are unclear, one thing is increasingly certain: It does not include freedom of speech and expression. While this is not a shocker given that internet censorship is the most stringent in China, it is still disappointing since Mr Xi has tried to portray himself as a leader who is softer, if not more open, than his predecessor. The fact that both cases deal with criticism of China's political system is telling. It comes in the aftermath of the Bo Xilai case, China's biggest corruption scandal till date, and around the same time that internet users have exposed a series of financial and sexual scandals. The political class is acutely aware of the fact that widespread graft and nepotism are hollowing out from within the steely framework that holds China together - and the people know it. There is also a general acknowledgement, at least within the more progressive sections of the ruling class, that political reform is the only antidote to this malady. Or else, there is a very real threat of a mass rebellion. In fact, outgoing Premier Wen Jiabao had even said as much last year, but he too shied away from detailing any definitive steps. The Chinese Government loosening its grip on power is, clearly, still a distant dream.

STATE WATCH

In poll mode Karnataka, Congress goes on padayatras

BANGALORE: The Congress, hoping to recapture power in Karnataka after nearly six years, Monday launched issue-based 'padayatras' (marches) and people's contact programmes that would continue for three months. Polls to the 225member assembly are due in May. The first of the four 'padayatras' got off Monday at Hospet in Bellary district, about 300 km north of Bangalore, and would end Jan 14 at Koodalasangama in Bagalkot district after covering a distance of around 130 km. State Congress chief G. Parameshwara, Leader of Opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah and party leader in the legislative council S.R. Patil would lead the 'padayatras'. The HospetKoodalasanagama march, called 'Congress nadige Krishneya kadege' (march towards Krishna river), is to highlight the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's failure to complete various projects to utilize the Krishna water, according to Parameshwara. Dates for the other three 'padayatra' would be announced after the conclusion of the first. The second, which also would be in north Karnataka, is on the theme of equality. The third, in coastal Karnataka, is on communal harmony, and the last, in southern Karnataka, is titled 'Congress march towards people's governance'. The BJP too has announced a three-phase programme, beginning Jan 20 to woo voters. The weeklong first phase would see door-to-door campaign across the state by party workers, according to state BJP general secretary and Lok Sabha member Prahlad Joshi. In the second phase - from Jan 28 to Feb 10 - boothlevel meetings of party workers would be held in each of the 224 assembly constituencies. The third phase between Feb 17 and March 3 would involve state-wide tour by party leaders. The state unit of the party has already announced that Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar would lead the party in the polls.

KARNATAKA

Five Meghalaya Congress MLAs denied ticket

SHILLONG: The Congress has denied tickets to its five legislators in Meghalaya, including a minister, to contest the upcoming assembly elections. The party released the list of its candidates for the 60-member house. The Congress, which has 28 members in the assembly, has declined to again field SW Rymbai, Adbus Saleh, Samuel Sangma, Nehlang Lyngdoh and Community and Rural Development Minister Saleng Sangma. The list of 60 party candidates for the Meghalaya assembly polls was released late Sunday night after consultations with party Chief Sonia Gandhi. However, the Congress has allotted party tickets to five legislators from other parties, including Independent legislators Manas Chaudhuri, AT Mondal and Limison D Sangma. Hill State People's Democratic Party leader Adviser Pariong and Nationalist Congress Party leader Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak have been also given the Congress tickets. The six women candidates fielded by the party are M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Roshan Warjri, Deborah C Marak, Eureka Lyngdoh, Dikkanchi D Shira and Arlene N Sangma. Prominent faces given tickets are - assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope, Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, Home Minister HDR. Lyngdoh, Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong, Revenue Minister RC Laloo, Public Health Engineering Minister Shitlang Pale and Water Resources Minister AL Hek. The term of Meghalaya assembly will end March 10 this year. The state has over 13 lakh voters.

MEGHALAYA

Goa Police rework security measures for women

PANAJI: Against the backdrop of the Delhi gang-rape case, the Goa Police have reworked its response to crime against women by commissioning a helpline, mapping vulnerable areas and redistributing women police force at various police stations. The helpline 1091 has been commissioned from today in the central police control room, which will entertain the cases against women and help those in distress, Superintendent of Police (crime) OP Mishra told reporters here today. "The calls received by the central police control room will be immediately transferred to the nearest police control room vans as well as respective jurisdictional police stations for further necessary action," Mishra said. Police have also begun mapping vulnerable areas in each of the police stations where there is more possibility of crime against women. "Individual police station incharges will map these areas based on their feedback," he said. The department will also ensure that every police station has 2-3 women police constables and lady head constable, he said. The police station incharges have also been made to spend time between 4.30-5.30 pm every day to listen to the grievances of the people, the SP added.

GOA

Cold and icy winds freeze life in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: Extreme cold conditions continued to throw normal life out of gear for the third consecutive day in Rajasthan Monday, with the lowest night temperature of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius recorded in Churu district. Temperature in the state capital went down to 2.3 degree Celsius Sunday night, the lowest this winter, Met officials said. Dense fog coupled with icy winds compelled people across the state to stay indoors, especially after sunset. A thick fog enveloped many parts of this large state, and Bharatpur, Dausa and Alwar districts, close to Delhi, were wrapped in a blanket of fog. A senior Met department officer attributed the cold wave to icy winds from the foothills of the Himalayas and said conditions would not change over the next few days. Temperatures were low in more than a dozen places, including Pilani (minus 1.4), Mount Abu (minus 0.5) Vanashthali (0.8) Karauli (0), Dausa (1.5 above the freezing point) and Bharatpur (1.9) (all degrees Celsius), the officer said. Homeless people have taken the brunt of the intense cold, as the state government has failed to make arrangements for them. "We have set up some night shelters at various places in Jaipur. We are trying to accommodate as many homeless people as possible. The number of night shelters will be increased," a Jaipur Municipal Corporation officer said.

RAJASTHAN

WEST BENGAL India must do more in innovative materials search: Scientist

KOLKATA: "Innovative materials is one of the foremost areas of research today at the global level and contributions from India are making their stride but still a lot remains to be done to achieve international recognition and/or utility," said H.M. Chawla of the department of chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, at the centenary session of the Indian Science Congress here Monday. Chawla said that the science of investigating the use of indigenous natural products to obtain innovative materials in the country is still in its infancy and needs to be nurtured. According to the scientist, during recent years India has developed indigenous materials and methods for achieving food security, environmental protection and considerable value addition through translation of basic scientific findings into affordable technologies. "These technologies, if implemented correctly have the potential to provide balanced diet to millions of children, enhance exports and provide jobs to the poor and marginalized population and at the same time would also keep India at the forefront of useful science internationally," said Chawla.

Guru Granth Da Khalsa Panth formed to counter anti-Panthic endeavors

CHANDIGARH: Coming together to form a new Panthic organization 'Guru Granth Da Khalsa Panth', former Akal Takht jathedar Prof. Darshan Singh Khalsa stated that anti-Panthic organizations were trying to mix Sikh ideology with nonSikh ideologies. Speaking to the media, Darshan Singh Khalsa said, "So many socalled Panthic organizations, having Sikh appearance, are trying, knowingly or unknowingly, to shake the faith of all those who follow the Gurmat. In spite of the last commandment of Guru Gobind Singh about Guru Granth Sahib that 'All Sikhs are ordained to follow the Granth as their Guru' a book called 'Dasam Granth' is spreading anti-Gurmat and is full of obscene compositions and is being projected as the rival of Guru Granth Sahib. The said book is being installed at par with Guru Granth Sahib at two Takhts out Punjab and at some Deras also. It is imperative that the Sikh nation be cautioned about such nefarious efforts and every endeavor be made to check them effectively." He said, "Akal Takht is the symbol of Sikh polity based on true justice and all Sikhs should bow their heads before it. However, the political appointments of Akal Takht jathedars have reduced their roles of being merely a puppet in the hands of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee and are issuing anti-Gurmat, unjust and selfwilled edicts."

PUNJAB

Mayawati demands president's rule in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati Monday demanded that president's rule be imposed in UP, and c laimed there was a total breakdown of law and order in the state. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, the former chief minister said the state government has failed on all fronts and was being run by mafia and goons. "In ten months of its rule, the Samajwadi Party (SP) govt. has flouted all norms and has opened floodgates of graft," she alleged. "There are rapes taking place like never before, criminals are having a free run, such a situation is not acceptable," said Mayawati. Referring to the communal flare-ups and riots in the state, she demanded that Governor B.L. Joshi take notice of the prevailing situation and recommend imposition of president's rule.

UTTAR PRADESH

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Lazy Jack
and hired himself to a cow-keeper, who gave him a jar of milk for his day's work. Jack took the jar and put it into the large pocket of his jacket, spilling it all, long before he got home. "Dear me!" said the old woman; "you should have carried it on your head." "I'll do so another time," said Jack. So on Thursday, Jack hired himself again to a farmer, who agreed to give hima creamcheese for his services. In the evening Jack took the cheese, and went home with it on his head. By the time he got home the cheese was all spoilt, part of it being lost, and part matted with his hair. "You stupid lout," said his mother, "you should have carried it very carefully in your hands." "I'll do so another time," replied Jack. On Friday, Lazy Jack again went out, and hired himself to a baker, who would give him nothing for his work but a large tom-cat. Jack took the cat, and began carrying it very carefully in his hands, but in a short time pussy scratched him so much that he was compelled to let it go. When he got home, hismother saidto him, "You silly fellow, you should have tied it with a string, and dragged it along after you." "I'll do so another time," said Jack. So on Saturday, Jack hired himself to a butcher, who rewarded him by the handsome present of a shoulder of mutton. Jack took the mutton, tied it to a string, and trailed it along after him in the dirt, so that by the time he had got home the meat was completely spoilt. His mother was this time quite out of patience with him, forthe nextday was Sunday, and she was obliged to make do with cabbage for her dinner. "You ninney-hammer," said she to her son; "you should have carried it on your shoulder." "I'll do so another time," replied Jack. Onthe nextMonday, Lazy Jack went once more, and hired himself to a cattlekeeper, who gave him a donkey for his trouble. Jack found it hard to hoistthe donkeyon his shoulders, but at last he did it, and began walking slowly home with his prize. Now it happened that in the course of his journey there lived a rich man with his only daughter, a beautiful girl, but deaf and dumb. Now she had never laughed in her life, and thedoctorssaid she would never speak till somebody made her laugh. This young lady happened to be looking out of thewindow whenJack was passing withthe donkeyon his shoulders, with the legs sticking up in the air, and the sight was so comical and strange that she burst out into a great fit of laughter, and immediately recovered her speech and hearing. Her father was overjoyed, and fulfilled his promise by marrying her to Lazy Jack, who was thus made a rich gentleman. They lived in alarge house, and Jack's mother lived with them in great happiness until she died.

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nce upon a time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and he lived with his mother on a common. They were very poor, and the old woman got her living by spinning, but Jack was so lazy that he would do nothing butbaskinthe sun in thehot weather, and sit by the corner of thehearthin the wintertime. So they called him Lazy Jack. His mother could not get him to do anything for her, and at last told him, one Monday, that if he did not begin to work for his porridge she would turn him out to get his living as he could. This roused Jack, and he went out and hired himself forthe nextday to a neighbouring farmer for a penny; but as he was coming home, never having had any money before, he lost it in passing over a brook. "Youstupid boy," said his mother, "you should have put it in your pocket." "I'll do so another time," replied Jack. On Wednesday, Jack went out again

FAMOUS LEADER: Sarojini Naidu

was a scientist and philosopher. He was the founder of the Nizam College, Hyderabad. Sarojini Naidu's mother Barada Sundari Devi was a poetess and used to write poetry in Bengali. Sarojini Naidu was the eldest among the eight siblings. One of her brothers Birendranath was a revolutionary and her other brother Harindranath was a poet, dramatist, and actor. Sarojini Naidu was a brilliant student. She was proficient in Urdu, Telugu, English, Bengali, and Persian. At the age of twelve, Sarojini Naidu attained national fame when she topped the matriculation examination at Madras University. Her father wanted her to become a mathematician or scientist but Sarojini Naidu was interested in poetry. She started writing poems in English. Impressed by her poetry, Nizam of Hyderabad, gave her scholarship to study abroad. At the age of 16, she traveled to England to study first at King's College London and later at Girton College, Cambridge. There she met famous laureates of her time such as Arthur Simon and Edmond Gausse. It was Gausse who convinced Sarojini to stick to Indian themes-India's great mountains, rivers, temples, social milieu, to express her poetry. She depicted contemporary Indian life and events. Her collections "The golden threshold (1905)", "The bird of time (1912)", and "The broken wing (1912)" attracted huge Indian and English readership. At the age of 15, she met Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu and fell in love with him. a non-brahmin, and a doctor by profession. After finishing her studies at the age of 19, she married him during the time when inter-caste marriages were not allowed. It was a revolutionary step but Sarojini's father fully supported her in her endeavour. Sarojini Naidu had a happy married life and had four children: Jayasurya, Padmaj, Randheer, and Leilamani. Sarojini Naidu joined the Indian national movement in the wake of partition of Bengal in 1905. She came into contact with Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Rabindranath Tagore, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Annie Besant, C.P.Rama Swami Iyer, Gandhiji and Jawaharlal Nehru. She awakened the women of India. She brought them out of the kitchen. She traveled from state to state, city after city and asked for the rights of the women. She reestablished self-esteem within the women of India. In 1925, Sarojini Naidu presided over the annual session of Indian National Congress at Kanpur. Sarojini Naidu played a leading role during the Civil Disobedience Movement and was jailed along with Gandhiji and other leaders. In 1942, Sarojini Naidu was arrested during the "Quit India" movement and was jailed for 21 months with Gandhiji. She shared a very warm relationship with Gandhiji and used to call him "Mickey Mouse". After Independence, Sarojini Naidu became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She was India's first woman governor. Sarojini Naidu died in office on March 2 ,1949.

Be Careful What You Wish For

Arnie the apple hung from a tree in an orchard a mile wide. And every day the pickers would come and haul dozens of apples inside. They'd pick the prettiest of the bunch, filling their baskets and pails. But they always passed by Arnie, ignoring his whines and wails. "Please pick me!", Arnie would cry each time the pickers sauntered by. "I want to go inside with you!", cried Arnie till he turned bright blue. But the pickers ignored him day after day, while Arnie hung there in dismay, trying to nurse his shattered pride, dying to be picked to be taken inside. Each new dawn he'd do a trick like spinning around on his twig. But the picky pickers never stopped for apples that weren't big or juicy or red or bright or sweet.

FAST FACTS
1. Three- quarters of the population of the entire world depend on wood as this is the main source of energy for them. 2. Over 1.8 million hectors of dry deciduous forest disappear every year. 3. 23 % of the lands are covered by tropical forests but they are disappearing at rate of knots every year. 4. During 1914, the first coast to coast telephone line was introduced. 5. With more than 18,000 vacuum tubes, the first digital computer, called ENIAC, was developed in the year 1946. 6. In 1829, the typewriter was invented. 7. Automatic dishwasher was invented in 1889. 8. Louis Cartier had invented the wristwatch in 1904. 9. With ignition keys, the car was made for the first time in 1949. 10. The highest temperature on Earth was recorded in Libya in 1922 and it was 136 degree F (58 degrees Celsius). 11. In total there is said to be around 400 million dogs in the world. 12. The Sun is over 300000 times larger than earth. 13. Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system with a surface temperature of over 450 degrees celcius. 14. The first coin operated video games were introduced in the 1970's with titles such as 'Computer Space' and 'Pong' gaining popularity. 15. Bruce Lee was so fast that they actually had to slow film down so you could see his moves. 16. The original name for butterfly was flutterby. 17. Dogs and cats, like humans, are either right or left handed. 18. Charlie Chaplin once won the third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest. 19. Sherlock Holmes NEVER said "Elementary, my dear Watson". 20. The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from Public Libraries.

Sarojini Naidu Born: February 13, 1879 Died: March 2, 1949 Achievements: She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the governor of a state in India. Sarojini Naidu was a distinguished poet, renowned freedom fighter and one of the great orators of her time. She was famously known as Bharatiya Kokila (The Nightingale of India). Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the governor of a state in India. Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879. Her father Aghoranath Chattopadhyaya

Poor Arnie was none of these things. He wasn't completely quite full grown and he had some nicks and dings. He dreamed what it was like inside; lights and music all around. Arnie just wanted to go there so badly he flung himself to the ground. The next day the pickers came along and saw him lying there. They took him inside and Arnie thought, "This is it! I'm finally there!" But when Arnie the Apple looked around he realized his dreams were false, 'cause in less than 15 minutes he was Arnie Applesauce.

FUN TIME
1. FRIEND1: Are yaar ye mobile to mujhe kangaal kar dega. FRIEND2: Kyu? FRIEND1: Baar baar dikhaata hai "Battery Low" ab tak 56 battery badal chuka hoon! 2. A kid found a new train by his father. KID: Train chalata hai, aur har mod per train ko rok ker kehta hai" jis ullu ke patthe ko uterna hai uter jaye", phir train chalata hai aur wahi karta hai. FATHER: Gusse me, kaisi language use kar rahe ho, badtameez, aur train cheen leta hai, aur bache ko mayus dekhker phir de deta hai aur bolta hai aab aisa mat bolna. KID: Phir train chalata hai, aur mod aate hei train rok ker bolta hai" jis ullu ke patthe ko uterna hai jaldi uter jaye, pehle hi ek ullu ke patthe ki wajah setrain late ho chuki hai". 3. A girl was yelling in the Church after the CHAPEL: "Oh God! Please make Moscow the Capital of China!" THE PRIEST INQUIRED: "Why must you pray so, my child?" GIRL: "That's what I've written in my answer sheet in the examination!" 4. 2 Lovers plan to suicide. Boy jumped first, Girl closed her eyes & return back saying, "love is blind". Boy in air opened his

Craft Foam Tiara

What you'll need: Craft foam visor, Craft jewels, White craft glue, Scissors, 2 silver chenille stems, Instant grab glue How to make it: 1. Trim most of the bill off of the visor, leaving about 2 inches at the center. 2. Cut chenille stems into the following lengths: 1 at 5.5 inches, 2 at 4 inches, 2 at 3 inches 3. Bend each chenille stem in half to make the points of the tiara. Use instant grab glue to attach the chenille points to the backside of the visor. The largest one should be in the center, with the next largest to the sides of that, and finally the smallest to the sides of those. 4. Decorate the front of the tiara with craft jewels. 5. Add small craft jewels to

parachute saying, "love never dies". 5. Early one morning, a mother Sardarni went in to wake up her Sardar son. "Wake up, son. " "But why, Mom? I don't want to go." "Give me two reasons why you don't want to go." "Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me also!" "Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready." "Give me two reasons why I should go to school." "Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the PRINCIPAL!"

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

each of the tiara points. Tips: 1. Instant grab glue is available where other craft glues are sold and is a safer alternative to a glue gun. 2. Buy a large variety pack of craft jewels and keep them stashed for special craft projects. 3. For an easier alternative, purchase a craft foam tiara instead of a visor and decorate it with craft jewels. A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. ~ George Bernard Shaw

CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS 1 Big animal that has one bone 3 This animal has a very long neck 6 Mans best friend 8 Lives in the cold and waddles 9 Slow moving and has a shell 12 Striped animal that looks like a horse 13 Can swim under water and walk on land and has a big bite DOWN 2 This animal has a long trunk 4 This animal likes to eat carrot and sugar cubes 5 This animal loves bananas 7 Some say this animal has nine lives 10 Has big ears and likes to hop 11 King of the jungle

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NATIONAL

Severe cold wave gripped North India

Delhi shivers at 2.4 degrees Celsius; fog disrupts flights, trains
New Delhi: Cold wave and harsh weather conditions continue to throw life out of gear in North India with the minimum temperature dipping to 2.4 degrees Celsius in the national capital on Monday. The national capital continues to remain tightly gripped by the severe cold wave. Though the minimum temperature in Delhi improved partially from Sunday's 1.9 degrees to 2.4 it still remains five degrees below normal. Making the mater worse, icy-winds forced people to stay inside their homes in Delhi. Although visibility remained normal, the early morning fog disrupted rail and air traffic. At least 16 trains have been cancelled, 11 have been rescheduled and around 70 trains are running late. Most of the affected trains are between the northern and the northern-eastern sector. At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, seven international and nine domestic flights have been delayed due to fog with the runway visibility less than 100 metres. However, the Metrological Department has announced that people will get some respite from cold winds which are expected to weaken soon and the temperature Airport. Over 70 trains ran behind schedule and 15 were cancelled due to dense fog. In Jammu and Kashmir, Leh was followed by Kargil (minus 17.4 degrees Celsius), while the night temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital, was minus 4.6 degrees Celsius and 6.9 degrees in Jammu, the winter capital. Frost in the Kashmir Valley and fog in Jammu disrupted traffic, with most trains reaching Jammu delayed and five flights were cancelled. Road traffic was also affected due to one-way traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Parts of the Dal Lake in Srinagar have frozen, making life difficult for fisherman and boatmen. Himachal Pradesh also witnessed bone-chilling cold with Keylong freezing at a minus 10.4 degrees Celsius, Shimla shivering at 0.9 degree Celsius and tourist resort Manali at 3 degrees below the freezing point. But day temperatures across the state were up by an average of two to five degrees due to the dry weather. Bitter cold conditions prevailed in both Haryana and Punjab with temperature falling to minus 1.1 degrees Celsius in Haryana's Hisar town. Narnaul town shivered with a minimum temperature at zero degrees for the second successive day, while Chandigarh had a low of three degrees on Sunday. In Punjab, Patiala town recorded a low of 3.5 degrees while Amritsar had a low of 4.4 degrees. The cold wave continued unabated for the fourth day in Uttar Pradesh Sunday, with the lowest night temperature of 0.3 degrees Celsius recorded in Muzaffarnagar. A dense fog enveloped most parts of the sprawling state, specially the western districts closer to Delhi, while icy winds, sweeping the state at 10 km per hour, kept people indoors. In many areas, day temperatures went down to 12 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees below the average. Farah in Mathura district recorded a temperature of zero degree Celsius, while temperatures kept low in more than a dozen places including Agra (1.1), Ghazipur (1.5) and Najibabad (1.1) and between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius in Lucknow, Etawah, Allahabad, and Moradabad. As many as 16 people perished due to the cold wave - five in Bahraich, and three each in Faizabad, Amethi and Barabanki. Two deaths were reported in Agra.

Hate speech: Owaisi seeks time to appear before police

HYDERABAD: Facing multiple charges for his gate speeches, Majlis-eI t t e h a d u l Muslimeen leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, who returned to India from London on Monday morning, has sought four days time to appear before the police. Owaisi, who is an MIM MLA and leader of the party in Andhra Pradesh Assembly, has citied medical reasons in his plea for time. He has been booked for delivering hate speeches against a particular community. The police seeks to record his statement in connection with cases registered against him. Owaisi was reportedly undergoing treatment in London. As part of a further probe into the two cases, notices were issued against Owaisi on January 04 and he was directed to appear before police in Adilabad district on January 07, as well as the Nizambad II Town police on January 08. Another notice was served to the MIM legislator by Osmania police asking him to appear before it on January 10. While two FIRs were registered suo motu at Adilabad and Nizamabad districts, a third case was registered by Osmania University police, following a court directive after Owaisi allegedly used inflammatory language against a particular

set to rise in Delhi and surrounding areas. The cold weather conditions are likely to continue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Meanwhile, the temperature has also dropped to a record low in Poonch district in Jammu & Kashmir with mercury dipping well below the minus and water freezing at various places in the district. It was the coldest day of Poonch in the last 35 years. On Sunday, life across the North India region was hit by bone-numbing cold and the toll climbed to well over 100 with at least 16 more people dying in Uttar Pradesh.

The mercury fell to minus 18 degrees in Leh town of Jammu and Kashmir, while several places, both in the hills and plains, experienced zero or lower temperatures as both maximum and minimum temperatures plummeted across the region and icy winds made things worse. Transport was also hit with many flights and trains delayed by the dense fog. In Delhi, the minimum temperature dipped to a five-year low at 1.9 degrees Celsius, and the maximum was nine notches below average at 11.8 degrees. Fog delayed 68 flights at the Indira Gandhi International

4 killed, around 176 injured in clashes in Maharashtra's Dhule town

D H U L E (MAHARASHTRA): Four people have been killed and around 176 people - 63 locals and 113 policemen - injured after clashes broke out between members of two communities at Dhule in north Maharashtra, official sources said. The violence started after a fight broke out at a street food stall and soon spread to Machibazar and Madhavpura areas of the city, they said, adding police used water cannons to disperse the mob. "The clash between two communities broke out at around 3 pm yesterday. Police first resorted to lathicharge, and later firing. Some people were killed and others received minor injuries. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and State Reserve Police personnel are there and the situation is peaceful right now," Deven Bharti, IG, Law and Order, Maharashtra said this morning. Curfew was imposed in the area after violence and is still in place. Two cases have been registered against unknown people for rioting, arson, destruction of public property and deterring a public servant from discharging his duty. Sources say the police had to resort to firing as the situation went out of control, adding that the deaths could be because of bullet injuries. Post-mortem reports are awaited to ascertain the exact cause of death.When contacted, Shiv Sena MLA from Dhule Sharad Patil said that a police subinspector and an assistant police inspector were among those injured. 35-year-old man Kailash Waghare was seriously injured in the incident after being hit by a bullet and admitted to a local hospital, he said.

Jaiswal for fast track court for crimes against women

KANPUR: Asserting the need for establishing fast track courts for speedy trial of rape cases, Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said justice would not be met if it would take 10-15 years to punish the guilty. "The Delhi gang-rape case has shocked the country and all governments should learn a lesson from it. Fast track courts should be set up to hear such cases and justice should be provided as early as possible," he told at a press meet here. The Coal Minister also said that there was a need for change in Indian society's perception towards women to put an end to such crimes. "An attitude change towards women can only make women and girls in the country feel secure," he said.

community last month. Fresh complaints continued to pour in against Owaisi from Malkangiri and Vanasthalipuram, though no cases have been registered, police said. Owaisi, who represents Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency, has been booked under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of IPC. The MIM legislator has also been booked under Section 121 (waging or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India) of IPC. Meanwhile, TDP and BJP leaders held protests at various places in the state, demanding action against Owaisi. TDP MLA Revant Reddy demanded that Owaisi be disqualified for his comments. Speaking at a protest, state BJP president G Kishan Reddy said that steps should be taken to ensure that Owaisi returns to India to face the law.

EGoM to begin 2G auction on March 11, says ministerial panel

NEW DELHI: The next auction of the second-generation (2G) airwaves will begin on March 11 this year, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on spectrum, headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, said Monday. Airwaves in the 1800MHz and the 900MHz bandwidth of the GSM spectrum will be auctioned first, followed by the auction of the CDMA airwaves in the 800 MHz bandwidth. In a bid to attract bidders for the CDMA airwaves-which saw no bidding in the November auction since all interested parties had pulled outthe panel has recommended lowering the base price of the spectrum by 3050 per cent. The final decision on the reserve price will be taken by the Union Cabinet. The government had earlier set the reserve price of CDMA airwaves at 1.3 times that of GSM airwaves, a price that was criticised by operators as too high. The price was set at Rs. 3,640 crore per megahertz of spectrum for all of India's 22 telecommunication zones. The CDMA airwave auction is crucial for the Indian mobile phone unit of Russia's Sistema, which has been ordered to shut operations in all but one of India's 22 zones by January 18 as it did not win back airwaves in the last auction. Two options for the auction of CDMA airwaves were under the EGoM's consideration: either refer the matter back to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), or conduct the auction after revising the reserve prices. Videocon and Tata Teleservices were the two parties that had pulled out of the race in the previous CDMA auction. The EGoM also decided that airwaves in the 1800 MHz band in Kolkata will not be re-auctioned. NDTV had reported last week that the panel may consider putting spectrum in the Kolkata circle on the block once again owing to poor response to the auction held on November 12 and 14, which saw no bidders for key circles such as Delhi and Mumbai. Even Karnataka and Rajasthan found no takers. This auction had drawn muted response from telcos, mainly due to high reserve prices, with the government managing to garner bids worth just Rs. 9,407 crore, way below its estimates of Rs. 30,000 crore. The ministerial panel, in its meeting on January 3, had discussed the sory participation from them. NDTV had reported earlier that the existing telcos, whose licences will come up for renewal in 2014, will get to retain their spectrum only if they participate in the auction as new entrants -- this means a failure in the next auction will force Bharti Airtel and Vodafone to give up their spectrum once their licenses have expired. These companies, however, will have the freedom to choose between spectrum in the 900MHz and the 1,800MHz band-both of which will be auctioned simultaneously-in metro cities. Vodafone has already written to the government opposing the compulsory participation. Bharti Airtel and Vodafone hold nearly 10 MHz of spectrum in metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, most of it in the coveted 900 MHz band. Post the flop auction, the EGoM had lowered the reserve prices for the unbid circles by up to 30 per cent. The older reserve prices per block were Rs. 693.06 crore for Delhi, Rs. 678.45 crore for Mumbai, Rs. 330.12 crore for Karnataka and Rs. 67.08 crore for Rajasthan. The government is hoping that the second round of auction will be more successful, earning the exchequer Rs. 20,000 crore.

Bill for 'Equal Opportunities Commission' soon: Minister

HYDERABAD: The bill for establishment of an "Equal Opportunities Commission" recommended by Rajinder Sachar Committee is likely to be moved soon, Union Minister for Minority Affairs K Rehman Khan said. "The bill for 'Equal Opportunities Commission' would be moved in two-three months and it will become a law," he said at a convention organised by the 'All India Minorities Forum'. The commission will have many powers and address issues of any discrimination or injustice concerning minorities, he said. Observing that seeking reservation was not wrong, he said the Congress would fulfill its promise to provide quota for Muslim minorities. Congress has promised to give reservation on the model of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. Noting that Muslim minorities did not seek reservation on the basis of religion, he said the quota was sought for Muslims as a section of the society and on the basis of their backwardness. Citing various features of the Constitution, he asserted that it provides rights to every section. The Forum, led by former Andhra Pradesh minister and senior Congress leader Mohd Ali Shabbir, voiced demands like reservation for Muslim minorities, sub-plan for Muslims on the lines of the sub-plan for SC/STs passed by the state assembly recently among others at the meeting.

States seek stricter punishment for rapists

NEW DELHI: The conference of state directors general of police and chief secretaries has suggested a slew of measures to combat crimes against women, an official press release said Monday. These include increasing punishment in cases of gang-rape, fast-track courts for crimes against women, a dedicated helpline for women across the country and bringing down the age of juveniles to 16 from 18. The conference called for a national database of sexual offenders, gender sensitisation of police, more women police personnel and their deployment at every police station and strengthening forensic capabilities and community policing. It also suggested amendments in laws. The conference held on Friday was called by the central government in the wake of immense public outcry over the Dec 16 brutal gang-rape of a young woman in the capital and widespread concerns over safety of women. The victim died in a Singapore hospital on Dec 29.

auction plan prepared by the Department of Telecom (DoT) after the Cabinet approved the sale of unsold GSM spectrum in 1800 Mhz band and in the premium 900 Mhz spectrum band. "The EGoM deliberated on several issues for about two hours, and then decided to meet again on January 7 to further deliberate on the issues," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had told reporters after the meet. "The EGoM deliberated on 1800/900 MHz spectrum but it could not discuss CDMA (800 MHz). An auction does not seem possible by January 18, but will take place during this fiscal year," a senior source said. The EGoM, in its agenda note for the auction, had recommended treating existing telecom companies such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone as new entrants, and had also sought compul-

Jharkhand: JMM asks BJP to remove Arjun Munda and name a new CM SC asks Centre to investigate
RANCHI: JMM chief Shibu Soren has threatened the BJP that his party would walk out of the alliance if the chief minister's post is not handed over to the JMM as a part of the deal under which the two parties had agreed to share it for 28 months each. But the BJP has been maintaining that no such agreement was worked out between the two parties and is firmly behind Munda, whose 28-month tenure ends on January 10. Both the BJP and JMM have 18 MLAs each in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly. If the JMM withdraws its support than the Mumnda government will fall. Sunday's meeting that went on for over eight hours at Soren's residence was attended all MPs and MLAs of the party. Sources say that a majority of JMM MLAs are in favour of pulling out from the alliance. Munda had on January 3 said he had in writing rejected JMM's claim that there was a power sharing deal between the two parties and that the latter has to take a decision keeping stability of the government in mind. "The issue (power sharing deal) which they (JMM) have raised had not been placed (during formation of government," Munda said in Ranchi without naming Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. "I have given point-wise replies to the issues raised through a letter by the ally (JMM) and given to me by the party's legislature leader (Hemant Soren). And I believe they will discuss on it, keeping the coalition's effort in providing a stable government for the last two years and will continue in the future too," he said and expected that the coalition parties would keep Jharkhand's interest in mind while taking a decision on his reply. Soren had on December 25 submitted to the chief minister a list of certain issues, including clearing Munda's stand on the purported rotational power sharing for 28 months each. Asked whether state's image was tarnished by political instability, Munda said any decision on the future of the alliance should be taken keeping Jharkhand's image in mind. "Jharkhand's image in the public eye has been very bad, and I have tried to improve it during the last two years and I am getting good results. I would like it to be carried forward in the interest of the state's progress," Munda said. "This is the responsibility of all political parties," he said. Criticising the Congress, Munda said "Democracy is all about having majority for one party or for an alliance. I would welcome if Congress has a desire to provide leadership to the state and if it has the numbers to form government, because the state requires stability." "Stability and progress are the need of the hour for Jharkhand," Munda said. Later, JMM leader and deputy chief minister Hemant Soren said everything would be cleared by January 10. "We have received the letter from the chief minister. There are two meetings of the party on January 6 and 10, and by January 10 everything will be cleared," Soren said.

'unauthorised' clinical trials

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the Centre on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which alleges that pharma company Glaxo Smithkline had conducted unauthorised trials of its vaccine on tribal girls. The petition says that the pharma company tested the vaccine for cervical cancer on 24,000 tribal girls in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The PIL also alleges that the testing had an adverse effect on the girls' health, and that the pharma company didn't bother to give treatment to the

affected. Seven girls are alleged to have died as a consequence. The apex court has directed that the Christian Medical College, Vellore should be asked to examine the medical records of the girls in question and submit a report to the court. This order comes in the backdrop of allegations by activists that multinational companies are influencing state governments to carry out clinical trials on humans, which are often not transparent nor regulated efficiently.

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once again launches a test, it will not strike down satellites, but invalidate them," it said without stating whether the test would be conducted. "China's public policy is peaceful use of space, which is also China's real desire. China has no interest in launching a large-scale space race with the US. China and Russia jointly initiated a programme to avoid an arms race in outer space in 2008, but this proposal was refused by the US", it said. "Against this background, it is necessary for China to have the ability to strike US satellites. This deterrent can provide strategic protection to Chinese satellites and the whole country's national security", it said. "The US will continue to harass and even obstruct China's developing of its space capabilities. China should make tactical adjustments to reduce trouble. It is key for China to have the ability of strategic retaliation. It is a safeguard for China to deter the US from taking risky action against China in this period of great transition," it said. The planned test by China comes in the backdrop of the launch of China's own GPS called BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) currently being used by Chinese military and a number of official bodies. China plans to launch 20 more satellites to improve its functioning. Some US officials suspect China may want to go higher than it did in either 2007 or 2010, targeting an object 12,000 miles or so above Earth's surface. This ability to reach MediumEarth Orbit (MEO) could theoretically put the constellation of US Global Positioning System navigational satellites at risk, a report in Space.Com said. "But there are good reasons for China not to destroy a satellite at this orbit, including that China plans to use this part of space," Kulacki wrote. Kulacki urged the Obama Administration to attempt to dissuade China from conducting any more destructive ASAT tests. Both the US and the Soviet Union abandoned such tests as their space programmes matured, he notes. "Hopefully, China will eventually come to a similar conclusion," Kulacki wrote adding that beginning a meaningful bilateral dialogue on space security between the United States and China could hasten the day.

'China's anti-satellite weapons test "trump card" against US'

BEIJING: Amid reports that China is gearing up to conduct one more anti-satellite weapons test (ASAT) putting US Global Positioning System (GPS) at risk, Chinese state media has asserted that Beijing had the right to carry out the test as it is a "trump card" against Washington. China may be gearing up to perform a controversial ASAT test this month, perhaps in the next week or two, the US media report said. "In 2007 and 2010, China conducted anti-satellite weapons tests, both on January 11. Rumours circulating for the past few months suggest that some within the US defence and intelligence community believe China is preparing to conduct another ASAT test," Union of Concerned Scientists, a Cambridge-

Taliban suicide wing chief killed in drone strike

ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistani Taliban leader, said to be the chief of the terror outfit's "fidai" or suicide wing, was among the 16 people killed in a drone strike in the country's northwest tribal region, media reports said on Monday. Wali Muhammad alias Toofan Mehsud was believed to be killed in the attack in South Waziristan on Sunday, reported citing local media. However, there was no official confirmation about his death. Five American drones on Sunday fired eight missiles, destroying three militant hideouts. The strike came a few days after a similar attack on Thursday killed Taliban commander Mullah Nazir and nine other militants in South Waziristan. Dawn News said Wali Muhammad was the cousin of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud. One of the destroyed compounds belonged to Qari Imran, leader of the Punjabi Taliban, an outfit affiliated to the main terror group. Sources told Dawn Wali Muhammad had been recently elevated to head the "fidai" wing after the death of its leader Qari Hussain in a drone strike in Mirali, North Waziristan. Another victim in Sunday's drone strike was identified as Sailab. Most of those killed belonged to the Mehsud tribe. Pakistan has been regularly protesting the drone strikes, but the US has turned a deaf ear to it and continues to press ahead with air strikes in the northwest tribal areas along the Afghan border.

based body of scientists, reported. China's previous tests caused concern in India too with assertions by the Indian defence officials that New Delhi also should acquire such a capability. "Just before Christmas, a high-ranking US defence official told us that the Obama administration was very concerned about an imminent Chinese ASAT test," Gregory Kulacki,

China project manager of the group and senior analyst reported two days ago. "Given these high-level administration concerns, and past Chinese practice, there seems to be a strong possibility China will conduct an ASAT test within the next few weeks. "China reportedly conducted an anti-satellite test in early 2007, which caused a great uproar. Some analysts said that even if China really

Hamid Karzai leaves for threeday official visit to US visit

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday left for a three-day official visit to the US where he will meet his American counterpart Barack Obama and discuss key issues including a bilateral security agreement, the Presidential Palace said. The discussions would focus on security, economic and political transition in Afghanistan, equipping and strengthening of Afghan security forces, and the peace process, sources reported. Talks between Washington and Kabul on the bilateral security agreement formally began in Kabul Nov 15, 2012. The agreement, if signed, would guarantee the presence of US military forces for at least several years in Afghanistan, a contentious issue that has been opposed by some circles at home and neighbouring states. Around 100,000 NATOled troops with over 60,000 Americans are at present stationed in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban-linked militancy. The president will on Tuesday visit Asadullah Khalid, director of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the US. Khalid was wounded in a suicide bombing carried out by a man disguised as a Taliban peace messenger December 6 last year.

Britain would fight to keep the Falklands: Cameron

LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron said Sunday Britain was prepared to fight militarily to keep the Falkland Islands if necessary, in the face of renewed Argentinian rhetoric over their future. Cameron said Britain had "strong defences" in place on the islands and fast jets and troops were stationed there. Argentinian President Cristina Kirchner said this week Britain was forcibly stripped of the Falklands in "a blatant exercise of 19th-century colonialism" and demanded they be handed over to Argentina. Cameron insisted he was "absolutely clear" that Britain would defend the islands with military force. In an interview, he said: "I get regular reports on this entire issue because I want to know that our defences are strong, our resolve is extremely strong." Asked if Britain would fight to keep the islands, he replied: "Of course we would and we have strong defences in place on the Falkland Islands, that is absolutely key, that we have fast jets stationed there, we have troops stationed on the Falklands." Cameron said this week that the 3,000 residents of the Falklands had a strong desire to remain British and would have a chance to express their views in a referendum on their political status to be held in March. Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, prompting Britain's then prime minister Margaret Thatcher to send a naval taskforce to successfully reclaim the islands in a war that left 255 British soldiers and 649 Argentinian troops dead.

Chinese aircraft over disputed Senkaku Islands provokes Japan

TOKYO: Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled F-15 fighter jets after a Chinese aircraft approached the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, the Defense Ministry has said. The ministry said that the Y-12 propeller plane, operated by China's State Oceanic Administration, however, did not intrude into Japanese airspace above the islands, whose sovereignty is disputed by Beijing, the ministry said. According to the Japan Times, it was the first Chinese aircraft spotted over the Japan-controlled islands since December 26, and the sixth since December 13, when a Chinese plane intruded into Japan's airspace south of the Senkakus. According to the ministry's Joint Staff Office, the ASDF dispatched F15 jets from its base in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, after the SelfDefense Forces' radar detected the Chinese propeller plane approaching the disputed isles from the northwest around Saturday noon, the report said. The aircraft passed as close as 120 km north of the Senkaku Islands, before steering eastwards and then departing towards the north, it added.

ECONOMY

Rangarajan for higher taxes for super rich

NEW DELHI, JAN 7: Pitching for higher rates of taxes for super rich, Prime Minister's economic advisor C Rangarajan on Saturday said that the forthcoming budget could look at imposing surcharge on income above a threshold. "... one need not disturb the structure of income taxsystem as it is now. But add a surcharge for income above particular level. I believe as we go along, we need to raise more revenues and the people with larger incomes must be willing to contribute more," he told reporters on the sidelines of Financial Inclusion per cent and 30 per cent. These rates were fixed in 1997 by then Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Interestingly, recently at a lecture to honour Raja Chelliah, Chidambaram had called for a debate on the need of inheritance tax in India, wondering if the country had paid enough attention to accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few. Earlier this week, the US Congress voted for raising taxes on rich Americans, as part of resolutions of crisis over the so-called fiscal cliff. The US legislation raises taxes on individual earning more than USD 400,000 per year, and on couple earning more than $450,000. The veteran economist, a former RBI governor, also stressed on fiscal discipline to promote growth. "We need to bring down the fiscal deficit over next few years. For this purpose, we need to act on expenditure side and as well as revenue side. On the expenditure side, we must focus on how to prune the subsidies and reduce them as a proportion of GDP," Rangarajan said.

Aadhaar must deliver all subsidy perks: Montek Singh Ahluwalia

NEW DELHI,JAN 7: Montek Singh Ahluwalia , deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, wants to deliver all welfare and subsidy benefits through Aadhaar-based cash transfer scheme, which is touted as UPA's "game-changer" for 2014 parliamentary polls. Ahluwalia said that it would be left to the discretion of state governments to implement it as was done for FDI in multi-brand retail. However, he maintained that the proposal to bring the entire gamut of benefits and subsidies, including those provided through the public distribution system (PDS) on Aadhaar platform, as his personal opinion. The comment came at a time many Opposition-ruled states, including Chhattisgarh, have refused to bring PDS under Aadhar-based cash transfer scheme. Many social activists have also voiced concern over cash transfer in lieu of commodity subsidy that include food and fertilizer scheme. Ahluwalia argued that while some CMs are opposed to bring commodity subsidy under the scheme, there are many like Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit who wants cash transfer to the beneficiaries instead of commodity. Adopting a cautious approach, the UPA government launched its ambitious direct cash transfer scheme in 20 districts, instead of 43 as was announced earlier, on January 1. The programme is covering a select 26 schemes such as educational scholarship for SC/ST and OBC, and widow pension. It has also kept LPG also out of its ambit for now. The government has also kept out food, fertilizers, diesel and kerosene from the scheme's ambit.

Oil companies receive Rs 100 bn cash subsidy

MUMBAI,JAN 7: Indian oil companies received on January 3 a first tranche of 100 billion rupees as part of a cash subsidy payout for the AprilSeptember period, two officials at stateowned oil companies told Reuters. The second and third tranches of an equivalent amount are expected on January 10 and January 17, the officials said. The Finance Ministry approved 300 billion rupees in subsidy payouts to oil retailers in November. An additional 100-150 billion rupees of oil subsidies are likely to be approved in February for the second supplementary demand for grants for the second half of the financial year, government sources said.

Day seminar. His suggestion comes ahead of the Budget for 2013-14 for which Finance Minister P Chidambaram has started consultations with different interest groups. India taxes income at three rates - 10 per cent, 20

Govt seeking to amend controversial tax rules next month: Sources

NEW DELHI,JAN 7: Government is likely to approach parliament next month to water down retrospective tax rules that damaged investor confidence, two finance ministry officials said on Monday, a move that may help settle British-based Vodafone Group Plc's longrunnning $2 billion tax dispute. Vodafone, the largest overseas corporate investor in India, has repeatedly clashed with Indian authorities over taxes since it bought Hutchison Whampoa's local mobile business in 2007. The government was heavily criticised by the corporate sector for introducing the tough tax rules last year at a time India was suffering a sharp economic slowdown and trying to encourage investment. Finance Minister P Chidambaram has for several months been considering recommendations by a government panel that said past mergers and acquisitions should not be taxed. Vodafone, the world's biggest mobile operator by revenue, said in a statement last week that it had received a reminder from Indian tax authorities on the disputed tax dues, adding it believed that no tax was payable on the deal. "(The) Finance Minister is likely to approach the parliament next month on the retrospective issue," said a senior finance ministry official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. He declined to say whether the government was considering a waiver of the entire tax bill or cancelling interest and penalty charges on the original tax demand. However, the officials said Chidambaram was likely to introduce amendments in the 2013 Finance Bill to revise the amendments that were introduced last year along with the budget. Then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee introduced an amendment enabling authorities to make retrospective tax claims on long-concluded corporate deals after the Supreme Court had quashed the government's tax demand on Vodafone. A committee headed by the finance minister's economic adviser, Parthasarathi Shome, has recommended that past mergers and acquisitions should not be taxed, or the government should waive both interest and penalty. The officials said Finance Minister P Chidambaram was looking at the recommendations to work out a solution to the Vodafone dispute by considering its impact on revenue receipts as well as investor sentiment. They said the government needed parliament's nod to provide tax relief to the company, as this would also affect tax demands amounting to at least $5.5 billion for other such deals. On Saturday, the Economic Times reported that tax authorities had asked Vodafone to pay Rs 140 billion ($2.5 billion), including interest on the tax dues. One official said the letter was just a reminder to Vodafone to pay the tax following last year's amendment in the Act. "It is not a fresh tax notice," the official said, adding the parliament could provide relief. The official said Vodafone had also expressed willingness to hold talks, and a solution could soon be reached. Last April, Vodafone threatened the Indian government with arbitration proceedings in its fight over the retrospective tax proposal.

UP government gears up for the CII Partnership Summit in Agra

LUCKNOW,JAN 7: The state government is gearing up for the mega Partnership Summit-2013, the flagship event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries annually which would be held in Agra this year. This the first time the three day event would be held in Uttar Pradesh bringing corporate honchos and investors from India and across the globe under one roof from January 27 to 29. The event which has in the past been organised only in the metros and once in Jaipur is expected to bring the spotlight firmly on Uttar Pradesh which is eager to bring in investments and industries. Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Anil K Gupta said that UP would host the event organised by CII in association with the central governments ministry of Commerce and Industry and showcase the various investor friendly policies and projects that the state has to offer. He said that business delegations from USA, Japan, Australia, Canada, Russia, Spain and several other countries are coming to the event and the UP government led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Chief Secretary Javed Usmani would havedetailed and direct dialogue with global as well as Indian investors. He said that 83 overseas business delegations and leading Indian corporates like HCL, ABG, Jubilant Organosys, Jaypee, Reliance, L&T, Lanco, Samsung would be participating in the event. Past Chairman, CII-UP, Kiron Chopra said that specific sessions focused on infrastructure, agriculture, food processing, textiles and leather would be held at the three day event which would bring focus on several big projects drawn for the state like mega leather clusters, IT hubs, mega food parks, dairy projects, roads and expressways, international airports at Agra and Kushinagar, projects under DMIC and DFC, international level cricket stadium, projects pertaining to tourism, etc.

SBI cuts processing charges on auto loans to Rs 500

MUMBAI, JAN 7: Public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI) has slashed processing charges on auto loans to a flat Rs 500 irrespective of the size of the loan. The bank has also decided to continue with its festival offer of lower processing fees on home loans, which was to end in December 2012. SBI's car loans at 10.5 per cent are the cheapest in the industry. It also offers loans of the longest tenure up to 7 years. On car loans the bank was earlier charging 0.5 per cent processing fee. The fees were halved during a festival offer in October to 0.25 per cent, which meant Rs 2,550 on a Rs 10 lakh car loans, SBI said in a release. Now the charges will be Rs 500 flat irrespective of the size of the loan. One key difference between SBI and other private lenders is that SBI's auto loans are on floating rate and will move along with the bank's base rate. The loans can be pre-paid at anytime without attracting any penalty, the release added.

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the batting table, jumping 45 places to 31st spot. He was the top run-getter in the series from either side with 241 runs that included backto-back centuries in Chennai and Kolkata. Nasir's exploits fetched him a career best ratings of 588 points. The batting table is still headed by South Africa's Hashim Amla followed by teammate AB de Villiers in second. In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin is the lone Indian to figure in the list of top 20. NEW DELHI: Once the blue-eyed boy of Indian hockey, Sandeep Singh of late is struggling to earn his place back in the national team, but the ace drag-flicker knows a strong performance in the upcoming Hockey India League can put his beleaguered career back on track. Sandeep hogged the limelight in last year's Olympic qualifiers riding on his impressive penalty corner conversion rate. But he turned into a dud in the events thereafter, including India's disastrous London Olympics campaign, which finally led to his ouster from the national team. With India's chief coach Michael Nobbs hinting that non-performing seniors would find it difficult to make a comeback in the wake of a young team's impressive performances in the

Dhoni climbs to fourth spot in ICC ODI players ranking Sandeep eyeing return to national team through HIL
DUBAI: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has returned to the top five in the latest ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen following his consistent performance with the bat in the recently-concluded threematch ODI series against Pakistan. Although India lost the series 1-2, Dhoni scored 203 runs in three games, including a century, and that helped him move up two places to fourth position in the chart. Other Indians to have made upward movements are Suresh Raina in 26th (up national team through the HIL and for that I will have to come up with impressive performances," Sandeep said. "I will give my heart and soul in the HIL to make the selectors take notice of me," said the penalty corner specialist, who will turn out for Mumbai Magicians in the inaugural franchisebased event. For Sandeep, the HIL not only marks the new beginning for Indian hockey but also for the players, who got the muchneeded financial impetus because of the league. HIL is a boon for Indian hockey. A competitive HIL can do wonders for India hockey. The tournament will promote young talents and give them the opportunity to play alongside and against some of the best in the business

by one) spot and Yuvraj Singh, who re-entered the rankings in 41st position.However, Virat Kohli has climbed down a

place to third with 824 points. Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed has made the biggest move in

Champions Trophy and the Asian Champions Trophy, Sandeep is desperate to make the HIL count. "I am out of the team for quite sometime now and it pains. My main focus would be to make a comeback in the

Hussey ends career at 11th Like cricket, Indo-Pak hockey series position in ICC Test rankings will be successful: PHF
DUBAI: Just-retired veteran Australian batsman Mike Hussey ended his career at 11th in the International Cricket Council's Test Rankings issued on Monday. Hussey last achieved the number-one ranking on the batting table in 2008 and is one of seven from Australia after Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Doug Walters, Neil Harvey to break the 900-point barrier. Hussey achieved the rare distinction in 2007-08 after the second Test against India in Sydney after scores of 41 and 145 not out. Michael Clarke became the seventh from Australia to break the barrier during the series against Sri Lanka. Later in 2008, Hussey achieved his career-best rating of 921 following the first Test against West Indies at Kingston. This put him in a joint 17th position along with Harvey in the Reliance ICC New Zealand will start January 11 in Port Elizabeth. Philander ended the Cape Town Test with figures of five for seven and two for 76 to earn the player batsman Mike of the match award. His spells helped him collect 19 ratings points which not only gave him his career-best ratings of 859 but also allowed him to narrow the gap with Steyn to only 17 ratings points. The only bowler inside the top 10 to improve his ranking is Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath, who has now gone up a place to be ranked fourth while bowlers outside the top 10 to make upward movements include New Zealand's Chris Martin in 16th (up by one), Mitchell Starc in 43rd (up by three) and Trent Boult in 44th (up by three). NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the success of the recentlyconcluded India-Pakistan bilateral cricket series, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and players are confident that the upcoming hockey series between the traditional arch-rivals will be a huge hit. India and Pakistan will resume bilateral hockey ties after seven years in MarchApril this year. Pakistan will first tour the country for a five-Test series in March and then in a return goodwill gesture, the Indian hockey team is expected to tour Pakistan a month later in May for another five-Test series. "After the tremendous success of the cricket series, we are confident that the upcoming hockey series will be equally or even more successful. People are eager to see Asian stalwarts playing against each other," PHF general secretary Asif Bajwa said from Lahore. "Hockey is the national game of Pakistan and I am sure Indian team`s tour will be a memorable one," Bajwa said. Pakistan striker Muhammad Rizwan (Senior) said that people back home have already started enquiring about the much-anticipated series. "I have no doubts that the hockey series between India and Pakistan will be more successful. People have started enquiring about details like venues and tickets. People are also eager to apply for Indian visa so that they can also watch some matches in India," Rizwan (Senior) said. Playing in India is always a delight for midfielder Muhammad Tousiq. "We have seen the atmosphere in Delhi CWG when the (Major Dhyan Chand) National Stadium was jampacked during the IndiaPakistan encounter. The atmostphere will be no different in the forthcoming series, said Tousiq, who will turn out for Mumbai Magicians in the inaugural Hockey India League to be held from January 14 to February 10. "I still remember when India toured Pakistan in 2006. The stadiums in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad have witnessed the same euphoria. People love to see IndiaPakistan matches and even we players eagerly wait for it." Forward Shafqat Rasool feels that both the teams can learn a lot from each other if they play on regular basis. "We would love to play against each other on regular basis as we play the same Asian style of hockey. Europeans play against each other frequently and that is why they are ahead of us today. India and Pakistan will also improve a lot if we play against each other on regular basis," he said. The last Indo-Pak hockey Test series, with three matches in each country, was held in early 2006. Pakistan had won three matches, India had clinched one while the remaining two were drawn.

Just-retired veteran Australian Hussey Best-Ever Test Championship Ratings. Meanwhile, South Africa paceman Vernon Philander has edged closer to the number-one ranked Dale Steyn in the rankings for Test Bowlers after his matchwinning spell against New Zealand in the Cape Town Test. The latest Test Rankings were released following the conclusion of the Sydney Test in which Australia defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets to sweep the threeTest series. The second and final Test between South Africa and

Indian squad for ODI series against Static electricity may hold England announced; Sehwag dropped key to predicting earthquakes
NEW DELHI:The Indian squad for the upcoming one day international cricket series against England, has been announced on Sunday. Batsman Virender Sehwag has been dropped, with inform Cheteshwar Pujara coming in. The squad has been selected for the first three matches and all the other members of the squad who played against Pakistan, have been retained. Squad: M S Dhoni (Captain), Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Shami Ahmed. India and England will play 5 ODIs matches. The first match will be played at Rajkot on January 11. LONDON: Scientists claim that a rise in static electricity below the ground could be a reliable indicator that an earthquake is imminent. This way they can predict earthquakes before they happen and potentially save hundreds of thousands of lives. Tom Bleier, a satellite engineer with QuakeFinder, has spent millions of dollars putting specialist measuring equipment- magnetometers along fault lines in California, Peru, Taiwan, and Greece. The instruments are sensitive enough to detect magnetic pulses from electrical discharges up to 10 miles (16 kilometers) away, which could give people enough time to get to safety before a quake strikes. Scientists' theory is that, when an earthquake looms, activity below ground goes through a "strange change," producing intense electrical currents. "These currents are huge," Bleier said at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco. He said that they're on the order of 100,000 amperes for a magnitude 6 earthquake and a million amperes for a magnitude 7, which is almost like lightning, underground. Before a large earthquake, that background level of static-electricity discharges should rise sharply, Bleier said. And that is what he claims he's seen prior to the half dozen magnitude 5 and 6 earthquakes whose precursors he's been able to monitor. The number of pulses, he added, seems to surge about two weeks before the earthquake then drop back to background level until shortly before the fault slips. There are hitches to the project, though - magnetic pulses could be caused by a lot of other things, ranging from random events within the Earth to lightning, solar flares, and electrical interference from highway equipment. Charged particles - or ions - from deep below the earth migrate to the surface and impair the accuracy of the equipment, so special ion sensors have been added to the equipment. The ion count can also be magnified by wet weather, so humidity sensors have also been added to rule out the possibility of false alarms. His team hasn't yet monitored enough large earthquakes for him to be sure that what he's found is valid for all quakes.

Shane Warne banned, fined after ugly T20 bust-up with Marlon Samuels
MELBOURNE: Australian spin legend Shane Warne on Monday accepted the onematch ban and USD 4,700 fine imposed on him for an ugly confrontation with West Indian Marlon Samuels during a Big Bash Twenty20 clash, conceding that he went too far. Warne and Samuels had to be separated by the umpires after a bustup that involved an angry exchange of words. After a hearing on Monday, Warne, who is leading the Melbourne Stars, was slapped with a onematch ban. Samuels` hearing, meanwhile, would be conducted later as he is nursing an eye injury picked up during the match. The Caribbean player is competing for Melbourne Renegade in the T20 event. The mercurial spin legend had thrown the ball at Samuels` chest during the match. In reaction, the Jamaican tossed his bat towards the Australian. Both the players then confronted each other before being separated by the umpires. Cricket Australia charged both players with multiple breaches of code of behaviour. Warne was found guilty of three of four offences. The veteran leg-spinner was punished for showing dissent at an umpire`s decision, using obscene language and deliberate physical contact.

Janko beat Roberto to lift maiden Chennai Open title

and booming serves to negate the CHENNAI: World number nine plans of a fighting Agut.Tipsarevic Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia made a broke Agut twice in the second set brilliant recovery from a set down and led 5-0. At this stage Agut, who and destroyed his opponent had developed stomach muscle Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut's cramp, had on court medical attengame in the next two to clinch his tion before re-starting the match. maiden Chennai Open ATP tournaAgut had no clue on the proment title in four attempts on ceedings in the second set as he Sunday. was finding difficult to gain points After dropping the first set, in his own service where Tipsarevic showed his class as he Tipsarevic ruled the roost. Agut ended the Spaniard's giant-killing somehow managed to win his first spree with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory game in the second set before the in a 120-minute summit clash of Serbian claimed it 6-1. The third the USD 450,000 ATP tour event set also went in almost the same at Nungambakkam tennis stadium. manner for Tipsarevic as he main24-year-old Agut, ranked 80th tained the tempo and rose to 3-2 in the world, had defeated top seed lead with a break in the third game. and defending champion Thomas The fourth game was replete Berdych of Czech Replubic in the Winner Serbian tennis player Janko Tipsarevic (L) and runner-up Spanish opponent with rallies and Agut suddenly got quarter finals. Roberto Bautista-Agut hold their trophies after the final match at the ATP Chennai Open his act together to break the rally Tipsarevic had lost to Berdych 2013 in Chennai on January 6, 2013. and win the game with a fine effort. in the title clash last year. He had Tipsarevic was, however, not title as he ran away with the first set finished as semi-finalists from 2009 USD 37,860 and 150 points. Agut seemed to have gained 6-3 in 36 minutes. However, unduly perturbed and he held onto to 2011. Tipsarevic, who sent down eight aces to seven by Agut, collect- early control of the final match and Tipsarevic had other plans and he his own as he won the ninth game ed 250 ATP points and a cash prize looked like he would continue his dug deep into his reserves of expe- to take the decider and clinch the of USD 71,900 while Agut received giant-killing spree and pocket the rience and made use of his powerful match and title.

Facebook makes it easy for anybody to 'declare you dead'!

WASHINGTON: It doesn't take much to convince social networking giant Facebook that somebody is dead, a report has revealed. Facebook created a feature intended to hold profiles for deceased people, so that only directly connected family and friends can view or leave tributes or messages in memory of the departed. But the feature, that was intended to be a sensitive and respectful servchievous types looking to mess with other. According to ABC News, by simply going to the "Memorialization Request" page and filling out a form, including a link to an obituary, anybody can take someone else off Facebook. The obituary needs to have the same name (or at least a close name), but doesn't need to match any other details on the profile, the report said. When pages are memorialized, they are removed from sidebars, timelines and friend suggestions and searches, the report added. The report pointed out that this is likely to prevent people from seeing their friends who have died pop up on their newsfeed, and to prevent people from hacking into the accounts of dead people.

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