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Vol-02. Issue-10. Bhopal. Monday Page-12. Price-`5/-

he State

DECEMBER 2 TO DECEMBER 8, 2013

POSTAL REGD. MP/BHOPAL/4-323/2013-15 RNI NO. MPENG\2012\46415

Chauhan likely to represent Vidisha, may resign from Budhni seat

How To Woo Actress Shraddha Kapoor?

Would third front play decisive role in MP?

he destiny of the political parties and candidates who contested elections for the fourteenth Assembly of Madhya Pradesh has been sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) amid claims and counterclaims of victory. Some political pundits are predicting a close finish between the two major political players of the State, archrivals the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress. But what is interesting is that it is for the first time that some of the political analysts feel that the smaller parties might also play some role in the formation of the next Government in the State. Though both the BJP and Congress ridiculed this very idea of collision Government and claimed of forming the next Government in the State with absolute majority but the smaller parties are confidant of their role in the next Government of Madhya Pradesh. Leaders of Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Janata Dal United (JDU), Gondwana parties, left wing parties Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) are claiming that no Government would be formed in the State without their support after the result of the elections get declared on December 8. BSP Madhya Pradesh unit President IS Mourya said, It would be hung Assembly this time as no party is going to get the majority. BSP would play an important role in the formation of the government as we are confidant of wining minimum twenty

BHOPAL

seats. Mourya further said that we have posed tough challenge on over three dozen seats and the results of the 2013 Assembly elections would for the first time introduce coalition government system in the State. SP state President Gauri Singh Yadav said, Like neighboring state Uttar Pradesh SP has moved firmly towards MP and with the blend of Young leaders enthusiasm and elder leaders experience we are sure of winning on over one and a half dozen seats. Yadav like his BSP counterpart claimed that no Government in the State would be formed without his outfits support. CPI State media in-charge Shailendra Kumar Shelly said, People of the Stare are fed up with the BJP and the Congress due to the corruption and rising prices

and claimed that the results of the election would be surprising and the major political parties of the state would need outside support to form the next Government in the State. JDU state president Govind Yadav said, Our alliance with the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) have posed stiff competition to BJP and Congress in Jabalpur, Rewa and Sagar divisions besides Ratlam and Jhabua and we are sure that we would emerge victorious on half a dozen seats of the State and would play important role in the formation of next Government in State. However, it would be interesting to witness as how much substance does the claims of these smaller parties and major political players has, the picture of that would get clear on December 8.

How WE look it !

. . . C ar t o o n b y K G O JH A

kgo jha @red iff mail. com

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Capital

WE THE STATE

Chauhan likely to
BHOPAL Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who contested assembly elections from Vidisha and Budhni constituencies, is confident of his victory from both seats. According to sources, Chauhan has decided that after declaration of election results, he would resign from Budhni seat and continue as MLA from Vidisha constituency . In the last lap of election campaigning in Vidisha, Chauhan had given a clear hint to the party workers on the eve of the polling day that he would retain Vidisha seat. Chauhan had decided to contest from Vidisha seat as there was no local leader capable enough to overcome the factionalism in the party . Even Chauhan had to face several problems due to factionalism and his

represent Vidisha, may resign from Budhni seat

wife Sadhna Singh took charge of election campaigning there.A senior BJP leader said that former finance minister Raghavji had put a condition for not working against the BJP in the elections from Vidisha. His condition was that either his daughter Jyoti Shah be given ticket or Chauhan contest from Vidisha seat. The party had to accept his condition. Chauhan has decided not to surren-

der Vidisha seat after election declaration as under present circumstances, the BJP is not in a position to win byepolls from here. As far as the Budhni seat is concerned, Chauhan thinks it will be easier for the party to score a victory in bye- elections.This is the reason why he would surrender Budhni seat. Chauhan has also apprised the BJP organisational leaders about his decision.

Sasan Power Project may see more trouble, asked to provide land for afforestation

BHOPAL

The controversial Reliance Power-owned Sasan Power Limited (SPL) in Madhya Pradesh may see more trouble as they may have to provide 1384.96 hectare of non-forest land, for which it was granted exemption following a certificate of non-availability of land issued by the then chief secretary of the state in 2009. SPL will have to provide land as per the new Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) guidelines, said a senior officer in the state forest department wishing anonymity . "We have not received any official communication in this matter," he said. State forest department has shot off a letter to MoEF seeking status of the guidelines. The ministry had promised for new guidelines after being pulled up by the CAG for extending undue favours to SPL. The letter was sent by the land records section of the

forest department recently, said sources. SPL, a special purpose vehicle created for development of Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project, was a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC). In August 2007 it was transferred to Reliance Power Limited. In its recent report on Compensatory Afforestation in India, CAG said that SPL, according to guidelines and clarifications for diversion of forest lands for non-forest purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, had to provide equivalent area of 1384.96 hectare of non-forest land for the compensatory afforestation. But, the former chief secretary had issued a certificate of non-availability of non-forest land in Sidhi district instead of a certificate of non-availability of non-forest land for the entire state. "Based on this ineligible certificate issued by the

chief secretary, the ministry 'exempted' Sasan Power Limited from providing non-forest land of 1384.96 hectare in case of Ultra Mega Power Project and for the coal mining project in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980," reads the CAG report, which highlighted deficiencies in permitting diversion of forest land in the state. "Not only did the ministry not exercise due diligence in ensuring compliance with conditions it also inexplicably overlooked the deficiencies in the certificate pointed out by a subordinate authority in the ministry while granting exemption in the instant case," CAG noted. CAG mentioned, "The MoEF had insisted for compensatory afforestation over the non-forest land in latest project of the same company in nearby location in Madhya Pradesh, which clearly illustrates that in earlier two cases undue favour was extended to M/s Sasan Power Limited."

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Editorial

WE THE STATE

ASTROLOGY
4-12-2013- Wednesday - Margshrish Mah Shuklapaksh-Dwitiya Positive directions - North and East Bad time - 12:08 pm to 1:30 pm Good time - 6:43 am to 8:04 am and 2:51 pm to 5:36 pm 5-12-2013-Thursday - Margshrish Mah Shuklapaksh-Tritiya Positive directions - East and South Bad time - 1:30 pm to 2:51 pm Good time - 6:43 am to 8:04 am and 10:46 am to 1:29 pm and 4:12 pm to 5:36 pm 6-12-2013- Friday - Margshrish Mah Shuklapaksh-Chaturthi Positive directions - East and South Bad time - 10:46 am to 12:08 pm Good time - 6:43 am to 10:45 am and 12:09 pm to 1:30 pm and 4:12 pm to 5:36 pm 7-12-2013- Saturday - Margshrish Mah Shuklapaksh-Panchami Positive directions - East and South Bad time - 9:25 am to 10:46 am Good time - 8:05 am to 9:24 am and 12:08 pm to 4:12 pm 8-12-2013- Sunday - Margshrish Mah Shuklapaksh-Shashthi Positive directions - West and South Bad time - 4:12 pm to 5:36 pm Good time - 8:05 am to 12:08 pm and 1:30 pm to 2:51 pm 9-12-2013- Monday - Margshirsh Mah Shuklapaksh-Saptami Positive directions- West and South Bad time - 8:05 am to 9:26 am Good time - 6:44 am to 8:04 am and 9:27 am to 10:47 am and 1:31 pm to 5:35 pm 10-12-2013- Tuesday -Margshirsh Mah Shuklapaksh -Ashtami Positive directions- West and North Bad time - 2:12 pm to 4:12 pm Good time - 9:25 am to 1:31 pm By AACHARYA SARVESH E-Mail: acharya.sarvesh@yahoo.com Mobile: 9826609192

Narendra Modi likely to emerge stronger after state elections

n the short period that he has headed the BJP as its prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi has kept the party united and avoided mistakes. The BJP is generally more disciplined than other parties and not given to splitting up, but Modi has kept even minor factionalism in check. After eliminating the threat from LK Advani, he has allowed the others in the party enough space for them not to feel threatened. The party presents a united front and is unworried by its lack of alliances in many states. This is all to the credit of Modi. The coming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Chhattisgarh will set the tone for the

2014 general elections. The BJP is sweeping Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, according to a consensus in the opinion polls. In Rajasthan, the BJP has a good combination of castes, and it dominates the powerful Rajput communities. However infighting over the leadership of Maratha princess Vasundhara Raje over the Rajputs has fragmented the party in the past. This time around the problem is not as pronounced and the BJP is likely to return to power. The smaller states of Chhattisgarh and Delhi are likely to see a closer fight than the larger states, but here also the BJP is expected to prevail. In Delhi the Aam Admi Party may make a dent with its protest movement, and Poll pundits

are giving it over 15 percent of the vote, which is remarkable for an issue-based party. If this should happen, the state will get a divided house, and the difference between the BJP and the Congress is expected to be marginal. Even in states where Modi is not a factor, he helps the BJP in a few ways. First, the BJP is a cadre-based party unlike the Congress, whose freedom-movement based cadre has long vanished. The BJP foot soldier is from the RSS and is drawn to the partys Hindutva ideology. He is an ideological soldier and therefore more committed. The leader he admires most is Modi, who is Hindutvas poster boy . Modis rise nationally has fired-up the BJP and RSS cadre and this will help the party in every state. Second, Modis star power and charisma is rallying groups who are traditional BJP voters towards him. This is the factor which explains his success at holding public events. This ability to bring and hold potential voting groups is a first rate asset. Thirdly, there is already a feeling in media and also among politicians that the momentum of the 2014 elections has decisively swung away from the Congress and towards the BJP and Modi. The results of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, in particularly, will make this sentiment more concrete. This will guide the undecided voters towards Modi. Every opinion poll shows the BJP is likely to do well in the state elections. Even if Modi is not a factor in them, he is certain to come out stronger when results are announced.

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andidates found guilty of providing false information and hiding facts in election affidavits would go to jail for three years and face automatic disqualification from contesting for at least a further six years under a proposal the government is preparing to place before Parliament. The law ministry, in proposed changes to the Representation of the People Act (RPT Act), has also sought to end the practice of candidates contesting from more than one seat, pointing out that this leads to several problems including an early by-election and needless costs. The changes are the governments final attempt to push the electoral reforms agenda before the 2014 general elections. It remains to be seen whether it will manage to get the Act amended during the winter session, which has a maximum of only 12 working days. The Election Commission (EC) has long been demanding an amendment in the law that results in the disqualification of candidates providing false

False info on poll affidavit may attract harsher punishment

information in affidavits filed with nomination papers, a demand endorsed by the Justice JS Verma panel in its report earlier this year. Under the existing law, any candidate found guilty of either concealing, failing to furnish or providing false information in the election affidavit faces only six months in jail and a fine. Six months imprisonment is hardly

a deterrent for any candidate who can conceal or provide false information about the criminal record, educational qualification and even his/her property details to play a fraud on democracy , the EC had written to the government. It had strongly pitched for punishing such candidates by sending them to jail for at least two years, a time duration which would attract disqualification under the RPT Act. The ministry has also decided to push its three year-old proposal to disqualify those candidates from contesting elections against whom charges have been framed by courts for allegedly having committed heinous crimes punishable with at least seven years in jail. This proposal has been discussed at various forums since last three years and it will apply in cases where charges have been framed by a court at least one year before the announcement of elections, said an official. This safeguard has been provided to prevent any misuse of the proposed law by ruling parties.

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Politics

WE THE STATE

Fortunes of MLAs multiply several times over in 5 years

he average Delhiite's fortunes may have seen some improvement in the past five years but our MLAs have seen their fortunes multiply several times over. There are 66 MLAs who are re-contesting the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections and their average worth has risen from Rs 2.90 crore in 2008 to a massive Rs 10.43 crore this year. BJP's Sat Prakash Rana saw the biggest windfall, which took his personal assets from Rs 6.38 crore in 2008 to an astounding Rs 111.89 crore in 2013, a rise of 1,652%. Rana said that the difference was a result of a mistake he made while filing his nominations in 2008. "In the last election, I did not put down the market value of my assets but quoted rates at which the properties had been bought. This year, because I wanted political reform, I declared the actual market rate of my assets. Roughly 95% of the assets declared by me are old," he said. Despite the clamour to have significant representation for women in the assembly, only 69 of the 796 candidates are women. The highest number representing any political party is six. These details were revealed by the Association for Democratic Reforms and Delhi Election Watch after they scrutinized nomination forms of 796 of the 810 candidates who will be contesting the election on December 4. Congress candidates are the richest lot contesting these elections, with 61 of their 70 candidates declaring themselves crorepatis. The average worth of its candidates is Rs 14.25 crore. BJP is next with 58 crorepatis and an average worth of Rs 8.16 crore. The Aam Aadmi Party, the newest entrant in the race for CM, too has not so aam people in its midst with 33 crorepatis.

NEW DELHI

The average worth of its candidates is Rs 2.51 crore, despite one of its candidates, Dharmendra Singh, having the lowest declared worth of Rs 20,800. Manjinder Singh Sirsa of SAD is the richest candidate in the fray with declared assets of Rs 235.51 crore. The NGOs have highlighted 14 constituencies where at least three candidates have criminal cases registered against them. These include the high profile New Delhi constituency from which the chief ministerial candidates of Congress and AAP are contesting. Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP candidate, is one of the three against whom criminal charges have been framed. Prof Jagdeep Chhokar, founder member of ADR, said that out of the 796 candidates analysed, 129 were found to have criminal cases

against them. A person could be facing criminal charges for something as simple as violating prohibitory orders or courting arrest. However, 93 candidates had serious criminal charges against them, including attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity and crime against women. There are 14 candidates with charges of attempt to murder and related charges. There are three candidates charged with robbery and dacoity, while 13 face charges of crime against women. BJP has the highest proportion of candidates with criminal cases against them at 46% while Congress has 21% candidates with criminal cases against them. AAP too has five such candidates with criminal cases in their affidavits. While the number of

Congress candidates with criminal cases has come down in the past five years, BJP's percentage of such candidates went up from 35% to 46%. This is also quite a young election in terms of the age of contestants. AAP has fielded the largest number of 'young' contestants, 18 in the age group of 25-35. There are also 57 independents in this age group. The largest number of candidates is in the age group of 36-45 years, a total of 279 of which 29 are from BSP, 17 from AAP and 90 independents. As far as educational qualifications go, 35% of the candidates are graduates or have a higher degree. About 60% are either 12th pass or lower. There are also 22 illiterate persons including one each from SP and JD (U) and two from BSP.

At least half a dozen ministers will lose: Gaur

Assembly results will not be referendum on UPA: Rajnath

NEW DELHI BJP president Rajnath Singh has said the results of the ongoing Assembly polls will not be a referendum on the performance of the UPA Government. Singh said it would be inappropriate to call it a referendum on the UPA Governments performance. Yes, the misgovernance at the Centre will have some impact, but elections are being primarily fought on local issues. Price rise is a big concern among voters. In 2003, BJP won three out of these four big States going to poll, but lost the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Still, a victory in State poll will boost our morale to perform better in the LS polls, he said while talking to the media. On asked since these are first election after Narendra Modis projection as PM candidate, should it be seen as a referendum on him, Singh replied in negative. As I have said, elections are State specific and Modi is our candidate for PMs post. A comparison between Modi and the UPA will be drawn in the nation poll.

BHOPAL
Eight days before counting of votes and declaration of results, Madhya Pradesh minister for urban development Babulal Gaur said that at least half a dozen of his cabinet colleagues will lose. The octogenarian former chief minister Gaur, who is seeking a record 10th win from Govindpura constituency, also undermined BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's effect on voters in the urban areas. According to Gaur, both Modi and Chauhan have been successful in wooing the rural voters but they had limited effect on urban voters in the state. Gaur said, "BJP will return to power for a

third term in the state with a tally of about 130 seats but some of my cabinet colleagues will lose their constituencies as their public image have taken a beating. If they don't lose, they will scrap through with very slim margins.'' Gaur's observation comes a day after BJP national vice-president Prabhat Jha and the party's state unit president Narendra Singh Tomar had claimed that all sitting ministers will win their seats. Speaking on Modi and chief minister Chauhan, the veteran minister observed, "In the cities and towns, the Modi-Chauhan effect may have worked in the slum areas but not in the other parts where choice of candidates has been a more important issue. The Congress has fielded better candidates than the BJP .''

But, Modis popularity will add to BJPs advantage in these State elections, he said. On the snooping controversy, Singh said the Gujarat Government has set up a commission of inquiry and that truth will come out. I do not want to say anything more. What more can be said when the Government has ordered a time-bound inquiry. Let the investigation be complete, he said.

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Feature

WE THE STATE

Top Female Lawyer Criticizes Tehelka, Supreme Court

I
ndias top-ranking female government lawyer says the employers of two women in the news recently for leveling sexual-assault allegations against powerful men erred in not taking the accusations to the police. Indira Jaising, an additional solicitor general, told an audience Monday that complaints by an intern against a retired Supreme Court judge and by a female journalist against a magazine editor were allegations of crimes rather than issues of ethical lapses or simple misconduct. Both the magazine and the Supreme Court set up committees to investigate the allegations instead of handing them over to legal authorities. Where the conduct amounts to a specific offense, it must be dealt with as a crime, Ms. Jaising said at a conference reviewing treatment of women since last Decembers brutal gang rape of a student on a Delhi bus. A spokesman for the Supreme Court said Tuesday he was not in a position to comment on Ms. Jaisings remarks. Officials at Tehelka, the magazine where the female journalist worked, couldnt be reached for comment Tuesday . Ms. Jaising, who represents the Indian government before the countrys Supreme Court, said that if laws are not effectively enforced, women will become disillusioned with the justice system and wont pursue formal complaints. The female journalist on Monday resigned from Tehelka, complaining that its response to her complaint was inadequate. In an email to Tehelka managing editor Soma Chaudhury, the reporter said she was deeply traumatized by the lack of support offered by the organization. A copy of the email was reviewed by the Journal. The woman, who cannot be named in media accounts under Indian laws designed to protect the identities of rape victims, wrote: Over the past years, we [at Telhelka] have collectively defended the rights of womenspoken out harshly against the culture of victim blame. She was shattered to find the magazine resorting to tactics of intimidation, character assassination and slander. The editor she alleges assaulted her, Tarun Tejpal, told the Journal on Friday that he had stepped down temporarily from his job as head of the magazine. In an email statement Mr. Tejpal said that he was resigning after serious allegations cast on him. He added that he had tried to do what was honorably demanded of me. He also said: Unfortunately as sometimes happens in life, the complete truth and the need to do the honorable thing can come into conflict. He didnt elaborate. In an earlier email to Ms. Chaudhury, which Ms. Chaudhury circulated to the Tehelka staff, Mr. Tejpal wrote that a bad lapse of judgment, an awful misreading of the situation had led to an unfortunate incident that rails against all we believe in and fight for. Neither Mr. Tejpal nor his lawyers responded to requests for comment Tuesday . Ms. Chaudhury, managing editor of Tehelka, did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday . In a televised interview last week, she said she did not regard it as her duty to take the matter to the police. Police opened an investigation into the journalists allegations last Thursday, following reports in Indian media that cited the letter of complaint she had sent to the magazines management. The next day they registered a rape investigation involving Mr. Tejpal. In response to allegations of abuse against a retired judge by a legal intern, the Supreme Court established a three-judge panel to investigate. The panel, which includes one woman, has yet to publish its findings. The name of the judge has not been made public. The intern, Stella James, told The Wall Street Journal that she didnt pursue legal action because she feared it would do more harm than good. Womens rights activists have criti-

cized the composition of the Supreme Court inquiry committee. It has no one outside judges, no one from the womens movement, not even a woman lawyer, said Kavita Krishnan, a leader of the left-wing All India Progressive Womens Association. I see it as setting a bad example, not a good example. A Supreme Court press liaison said the committee was continuing its inquiry, with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. He declined to provide further comment.

South Indias Streetside Coffee Culture

E
arly one morning last week I queued outside Sri Gopi Iyengar Coffee and Tiffin Center, a coffee bar just outside the monumental Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. My long wait under a scorching sun was rewarded with a small glass of fragrant, caramelhued brew topped with a fluff of white foam. Though a moderate coffee drinker at home, I was already on my fourth dose of the day . It would be far from my last, for in this South Indian state, coffee is as delicious as it is ubiquitous. India is most often associated with tea, but java culture runs deep in the countrys southern states. Coffee was introduced to what is now Tamil Nadus neighboring state of Karnataka in the 17th century by an Indian Muslim saint named Baba Budan, who smuggled seven beans from Yemen while on pilgrimage to Mecca. Cultivation flourished under the British, and India now produces some 300,000 tons of coffee per year. Tamil Nadu is the countrys third largest grower after Karnataka and Kerala.

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Region

WE THE STATE

Record turnout of voters stumps bookies in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR he 'satta bazaar' of Chhattisgarh, which operates clandestinely from all major cities, including Raipur

and Bhilai, is unusually quite after polling. Thanks to the record high turnout, even the hard-core punters seem to be too wary of placing bets. If certain 'satta' operators in the city are

to be believed, virtually no bets are being placed post voting and even political parties, which try to manipulate the market by placing bets in their favour, are shying from putting any money in. A bookie said

on condition of anonymity that even the BJP, which has been in power for a decade and was a favourite prior to the polling, has virtually vanished from the market after the record turnout. Predicting a perfect photo finish in the polls, the bookie said though the odds are still slightly in favour of the BJP, the Congress is likely to win 42 to 44 seats in the 90member assembly. The 'satta' market predicts a narrow victory for the BJP with 46 to 48 seats. The bookie claimed that prior to polls, the odds were clearly in favour of the BJP and the rate was Rs 0.60:1.40 vis-a-vis the Congress. This would mean that anyone betting Re 1 on the Congress would have got back Rs 1.40, implying that the probability the Congress coming to power, was much less than the BJP, which enjoyed a lower rate of 60 paise. However, the odds, though still in favour of the BJP, have changed slightly in terms of the seats likely to be won by the Congress. While for BJP, Raman Singh seems to be the obvious choice as the next CM in the 'satta market', odds favour former chief minister, Ajit Jogi, in event of a Congress victory. "He enjoys a lower rate than his bete noire, PCC chief and Union minister, Charandas Mahant," said a bookie.

LUCKNOW: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has launched a mass awareness campaign in support of Bharatiya Janata Partys prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. VHP international patron Ashok Singhal has urged religious heads in meetings with prominent seers of the temple city to start canvassing for Modi. In the three meetings he held, Singhal said that all political parties except the BJP were busy in appeasing Muslims and were against construction of Ram temple in the temple city of Ayodhya . At the Jhunki Ghat temple and Mani Ram Chhawni meetings, Singhal targeted the Akhilesh Yadav Government and the Congress for their Muslim appeasement policy and said that Hindus were being ignored and they were feeling insecure in the present regime. Singhal urged the prominent religious heads to go to villages and hold meetings in support of Modi because in his prime ministership, the Hindus could see the grand Ram temple. The VHP international patron said only Modi could safeguard the interests of Hindu community . Meanwhile, Mahant of Maniram Chhawni Math, Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Raj Kumar Das, Mahant Brij Mohan Das, Mahant Kanhaya Das, and other religious heads assured the VHP chief to start a jan jagran programme in the rural areas.

VHP launches campaign in support of Modi

Meena, BSP hoping to be king-makers

SANGEETA SHARMA E-mail: sangeeta.dsharma@gmail.com Jaipur e will decide who comes to power in Rajasthan, said Kirori Lal Meena of National Peoples Party, floated by former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma. If Meena is stomping across eastern Rajasthan, parts of which have huge concentration of his influential caste, BSP supremo Mayawati, who was able to draw good crowd of supporters in regions bordering UP and Haryana, is hoping to improve on the tally of six seats her party won in 2008 polls. Rajasthan, which went to poll on December 1, may appear a twohorse race like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh but the anti-incumbency factor combined with infighting in BJP has raised the hopes of fringe players like BSP. Political watchers say Meena and BSP may not be hogging limelight like Aam Admi Party in Delhi but they could be very much a force to reckon with post-elections as they were the last time before Congress managed to lure all six BSP legislatures into its fold, which helped it get a simple majority in the 200-seat assembly . I did not have much time to prepare last time. We have been work-

ing on the ground for years now and results will surprise you, Meena, Lok Sabha MP from Dausa, said. He is himself fighting from two constituencies while his MLA wife Golma Devi, an unlettered woman who was elected an MLA in 2008 and became a minister in Ashok Gehlot government, is contesting from two places as well. Independents and others had won 26 seats last time with Congress and BJP getting 96 and 78 seats respectively . Wary of Meena factor, Raje has held numerous meetings with party leaders active in eastern Rajasthan to contain him. BJP has alleged that Congress is funding him, questioning his source of finance as he has been hopping across the state for months in helicopter. Meena claims his supporters have contributed for his campaign as they see in him as an alternative to the corrupt regimes of BJP and Congress. On the other hand, BSP is hoping that it will see a rise in its vote share and seats. It is the only party whose share of votes and seats have grown in the two successive elections and it came second in 15 seats last time besides winning six by pocketing close to eight percent of votes. We have chosen candidates who have been part of the organisation for a long time. We have a loyal support base and will definitely play a crucial role in the formation of the next government in Rajasthan, a state BSP leader, D K Tyagi, said.

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Glamour

WE THE STATE

Fast And Rai Bachchan onscreen Furious Star I Paul Walker Dies In Car Crash
NEW DELHI

Big B wants to play father Harivansh

f there was one character from a book that Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan would love to bring alive on screen, it would be his fathers role from his autobiography, In the Afternoon of Time: An Autobiography During an open question-andanswer session at the Penguin Annual Lecture 2013 in the capital Friday night, an enthusiastic fan out of an audience of almost a thousand asked Big B to pick one of his beloved characters that hed like to play in a film. He gave it a thought, and said: Maybe Id like to play the role that my father played in his autobiography . You mean you want to play Harivansh Rai Bachchan, asked the startled host, Rajdeep Sardesai. To that, Big B smiled and said: Its a tough call, but I want to try . Amitabh has often shared anecdotes of his celebrated father and it was no different at the event. He talked about some of his conversations with his father in his childhood, during his youth and of those that Amitabh shared with Harivansh Rai during his last days in 2003. Harivansh Rai, who died in 2003, is credited with works like Madhushala, Madhukalash, Madhubala and Agneepath. Amitabh said his father once told him he was his greatest poetry. But I do not know whether I am a free verse or a couplet, a chaupai or a shloka. I wish I had asked. Now it is too late, he lamented even as he proudly recited some verses from his fathers Madhushala in his distinct baritone at the behest of the audience. What followed obviously was loud applause.

ctor Paul Walker, best known for his role in the movies such as Varsity Blues and The Fast And The Furious, died in a car crash. He was 40. The accident took place Saturday in Santa Clarita, California. Walker was said to be inside the Porsche GT when the driver lost control. Santa Clarita Valley's sheriff department confirmed Walker's death, reported Xinhua. The cause of the collision is under investigation, police said. Walker was in Santa Clarita for a car show to support the Philippines typhoon relief effort, and went for a ride with a friend in a new Porsche GT. The accident happened during that test spin. "He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives," Walker's representative said in a statement. The representative added that Walker was "attending a charity event for his organisation Reach Out Worldwide." "All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the 'Fast and Furious' films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family," Universal Studios said in a statement. Walker was filming the next sequel of the Fast and Furious before the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend crash. The film was scheduled for release July 11, 2014. The actor, who also has films like Into the Blue and Takers to his credit, is survived by daughter Meadow.

ollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor made her breakthrough in the Bollywood industry with her 2012 film Aashiqui 2 in which she starred opposite Aditya Roy Kapur. She was recently asked why she has not yet signed another film with him. For this, she quickly replied that they havent been offered any films together after their first one together. Shraddha chose her words carefully and said that the two of them are just friends nothing more. She is aware of the link-up rumour sprees that take place in the B-Town and does not want to be caught up in one. The reporter asked the actress if Aditya is more than a co-star. She retorted, "We're friends. Period." Shraddha went on to talk about how she would want her man to be. "Cheating is a definite no-no. My man has to be all mine or never mind," she said. If someone wants to woo Shraddha, the daughter of Shakti Kapoor, she has also given us some hints and clues that will help. So if want to earn yourself a cup of tea with the gorgeous actress make sure you will be honest. "Just be honest and true to yourself. I have a huge appetite and I love ghar ka khana, particularly fried rawa. Also, ghar ka chai. Get me both and we can have a tea party," she laughed. The actress was recently seen in the newly released film Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. Although she has made an appearance for only a few scenes in the movie, she has impressed many with her South Indian look. Shraddha is now looking forward to her upcoming movies. She is working with Shahid Kapoor for a movie titled Haider. Shraddha will be in a new tomboyish avatar while she rides a bullet in another upcoming film titled Villain in which she is paired opposite Siddharth Malhotra. She has also fetched herself a role with Akshay Kumar in the movie Gabbar. We hope to see Shraddha Kapoor give us blockbusters with these upcoming movies.

How To Woo Actress Shraddha Kapoor?

8
RAJIV TIWARI

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

State president of MP class III government em-

Miscellaneous

WE THE STATE

Vindhyachal fire: Experts explore conspiracy angle, ACS says no foul play
rooms of the panchayat and rural development deploring the conspiracy angle and looking into the ernment office. partment were gutted in the blaze. Experts are expossibility of use of chemicals for torching the govJoint director of the regional forensic science

T
BHOPAL

Email: rajivtiwariwts@gmail.com wo days after a major fire broke out at Vindhyachal Bhavan, forensic experts visited the site and collected samples. At least 25

ployees association, Arun Dwivedi said that the ployees against whom various inquiries were pending.

documents gutted would benefit nearly 500 em-

that bore the brunt of the blaze has a huge annual budget with schemes like Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojna (chief minister rural road scheme), mid-day meal, Indira housing, total sanitation campaign being monitored through the department.

Panchayat and rural development department

laboratory, Harsh Sharma, who inspected the spot with officials of central forensic science laboratois cleared. ry, said the real picture will emerge after the debris

erating throughout the state were kept in the office. Apart from the files, even computers of the locked chambers have been completely destroyed in the fire, said secretary association, Bhanu Tiwari. RTI activist Ajay Dubey who is also a member of

Details of schemes worth thousands of crores op-

to departmental inquiries of many government

The files damaged include documents pertaining

the state level vigilance and monitoring committee of panchayat and rural development said the fire was an attempt to destroy evidence of corruption. Irrespective of which party would form the govmerely an accident, he added. ernment, the fire at the crucial time could not be No evidence of foul play, says ACS ordered a fire audit of the secretariat, Satpura and 2000 sq feet of the office space and service books of employees may have been lost. She said that part of the service book details can be retrieved but the

employees and officials. Many files have been also inspected the power circuits, particularly cables attached to computers.

charred beyond recognition. The forensic team

view that the fire was triggered by short-circuit starting the fire.

However, officials of mobile FSL unit were of the

and they did not find any sign of chemical use for A section of state government employees have de-

chayat and rural development Aruna Sharma has

However, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), pan-

Vindhyachal buildings and all important governthat the fire was deliberate and meant to destroy

said the fire was an accident and there was no evidocuments affected by the fire at the office of the

ment buildings. Rejecting the Congress allegation key documents that establish corruption in certain deals, the ACS said no documents were destroyed in the fire that could affect a probe in the future.

manded a through probe into the mysterious fire.

dence of a foul play . She said that the 60% of the development commissioner have been recovered. She said that work is on to recover the remaining ments may be lost completely . documents and said that about 10-15% of the docuAruna Sharma said that the chief minister has

leave records of some employees may be lost forevsaid that fire discipline in general is lax in buildings in India. She denied allegations by leader of

er, besides 5 computers that were gutted. The ACS

The blaze that broke out during the intervening night of November 29 and 30, timed after polling and before counting of votes in the state, does not appear to be an accident, claimed employees union representatives.

ried out by the police in which prima facie no evidence of foul play was found.

IG, Bhopal, Sanjay Jha said that a probe was car-

Opposition Ajay Singh that the building housed documents pertaining to purchase of computers by done by district panchayats through MPLUN. panchayats and said that the purchase is being

ACS Aruna Sharma said that the fire covered

Sabotage: BJP may take action Delhi constituency witnessing against small fries, spare bigwigs combined force of 3 generations
didates had to face sabotage. Many of the candidates have given the names of saboteurs in writing to the State president and the general secretary (organisation), whereas, some have made verbal complaints. According to party sources, names of three Members of Parliament were in the list of saboteurs. Besides names of senior office-bearers of the party and one of the ministers also prominently figured in the list. The supporters of the minister have worked against the official candidates of the party in two assembly constituencies. The BJP State president Ramsevak Paikara himself has been victim of sabotage. On figuring the names of bigwigs in the list of saboteurs pressure on the party has been mounted of action, but the organisation leaders have failed to muster courage to take action against them. State organisation general secretary Rampratap Singh said that all candidates have furnished information, though some of them verbally informed. After compiling all the information, further action would be taken, though no time limit has been fixed for action, he added. After declaration of the election result, the matter will be discussed in the meeting of senior leaders. Some party leaders assume that action would be taken against small fries only, as it would be difficult for the party to take action against bigwigs. The reason is that the parliamentary election is to be held after six months, as such, if action is taken against the leaders, it could affect the election prospect of the party . Any action would be taken only after the declaration of the election results. If the results of the constituency concerned are favourable, then the saboteur could be left out from action. S. MANI Email: sastrymani@hotmail.com NEW DELHI ne of Delhis 70 assembly constituencies is witnessing the combined force of three generations of a family. BJP candidate from Tilak Nagar, Rajiv Babbar, is a political debutant, but his campaign is unlike that of a newcomers. Even as the 46-yearold businessman has been doing the rounds of his constituency to understand the problems of his electorate, his father and sitting MLA OP Babbar has been campaigning, especially seeking votes from senior citizens in the area for Rajiv. The youngest of the family, Rajivs 17-year-old son, Pragun, meanwhile, has been running Rajivs social media campaign. Rajiv is up against Congress candidate and councillor Amrita Dhawan and Aam Aadmi Partys Jarnail Singh for the December 4 election. The senior most Babbar, a four-time MLA and one from the area, regularly holds meetings with Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the constituency. My father not only has relations with the elderly people in the constituency, but is also known to each voter of the Tilak Nagar assembly seat, Rajiv said. His experience and expertise in managing the election campaign is very handy . While Babbar senior has his feet on the ground, the junior keeps tabs on the youth in the online world. The class 12 student of a west Delhi school puts in time after school and tutions to manage content online for Rajivs campaigns. Being the youngest, Pragun knows what youngsters want and keeps me updated, said Rajiv. He manages the campaign online very effectively with the help of party workers. Pragun says the family is confident of a victory for Rajiv. We try to ensure that people in the area are updated about the promises and campaign activities. We also let our voters know about what my dad wants to achieve in the constituency in the next five years, said Pragun. This support from the family has helped Rajiv intensify his campaign in the run up to the election in the coming week. He is holding a dozen one-on-one interaction programmes across Tilak Nagar. He will also address several public meeting with senior BJP leaders, such as Sushma Swaraj, Smriti Irani, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal.

NARAYAN SHARMA E-mail: sharmanarayan795@gmail.com RAIPUR

harges of sabotage were levelled against several big BJP leaders during the twoday review of Assembly seats. Even though there are clear evidences, the party organisation could not muster the courage to take action against these leaders. Some of the leaders consider that action against the saboteurs may affect the partys prospects in the Parliamentary election. In the presence of Chief Minister Raman Singh, review of the situation of the party after polling in all the Assembly constituencies was held. In the meeting an attempt was made to know the experience of each candidate. It has come to the fore that in two-third seats the can-

UN closes Bangkok T office as Thailand braces for more violence

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

World

WE THE STATE
United Nations security department said there could be violence (Monday) on a large scale staff should avoid government offices and other protest locations. It closed its main office near Government House, which houses several UN agencies. The French Embassy issued one of the strongest warnings of dozens of foreign governments, urging citizens to stay inside to avoid the conflict on Bangkoks streets. The French School is located in a northeastern Bangkok neighborhood where gunshots rang out over the weekend during clashes between Yinglucks supporters and opponents. It was one of at least 60 schools closed in Bangkok on Monday. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister, says his aim is to install an unelected peoples council to select a new prime minister. Sutheps demand has been criticized by many as undemocratic, and is unlikely to be accepted by a government that was elected with an overwhelming majority . However, his sustained campaign has led to suggestions that he may have the backing of the military, which has long had a powerful influence over Thai politics. The army has often stepped in during times of crisis, carrying out 18 successful or attempted coups since the 1930s. Suthep met with Yingluck late Sunday in the presence of top military officials even though he has an arrest warrant against him. He later told cheering supporters that he told Yingluck the only way to end the protests was for her to step down. The military has said it is neutral in the conflict but army commander Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has urged the police not to use force. There was no negotiation during this meeting, Suthep said. If Yingluck listens to the peoples voices and returns the power to the people obediently, we will treat Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra with politeness because we all are good citizens. Political instability has plagued Thailand since the military ousted Thaksin, who remains hugely popular among rural voters, in 2006. Two years later, anti-Thaksin protesters occupied Bangkoks two airports for a week after taking over the prime ministers office for three months, and in 2010 pro-Thaksin protesters occupied downtown Bangkok for weeks in a standoff that ended with parts of the city in flames and more than 90 dead. Any further deterioration is likely to scare away investors as well as tourists who come to Thailand by the millions and contribute 10 percent to the $602 billion economy, Southeast Asias second largest after Indonesia. It is also likely to undermine Thailands democracy, which had built up in fits and starts interrupted by coups.

he United Nations closed its main office in Bangkok, dozens of schools were shut and civil servants skipped work as stone-throwing protesters battled through clouds of tear gas in renewed assaults on key government buildings in the Thai capital on Monday . The protests, aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, have renewed fears of prolonged instability in one of Southeast Asias biggest economies and come just ahead of the peak holiday tourist season. After a weekend of chaos in pockets of Bangkok, protesters regrouped outside the heavily-barricaded prime ministers office compound Monday and repeatedly clashed with the police who fired tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. Emboldened by their leaders vow to topple Yingluck by Wednesday, they threw rocks at police and tore away sections of barbed wire and concrete barriers. At least three people were killed and 103 injured in skirmishes In a nationally televised appeal, Yinglucks deputy, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, called on protesters to stop hurting Thailands image and the economy . Yingluck has not appeared in public since Saturday, and has not been to her office since last week. On Monday, she posted a picture of herself on Facebook in a meeting with senior officials at the national police headquarters. Using a conciliatory tone, Surapong said the government will exercise utmost patience and adhere to nonviolent principles. The government would like to insist that it will lead Thailand back to peace soon, he said. The protesters, who are mostly middle-class Bangkok supporters of the opposition Democrat Party, want Yingluck to step down, claiming she is a proxy for her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was deposed in a 2006 military coup but remains central to Thailands political crisis, and is a focal point for the protesters hatred. The protesters, who call themselves the Peoples Democratic Reform Committee, say their goal is to uproot the political machine of Thaksin, who is accused of widespread corruption and abuse of power. Mondays violence took place around key institutions the Government House, the Parliament and Metropolitan Police Headquarters in the historic quarter of the capital. The area has some of Bangkoks main tourist attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho temple, the Bangkok zoo, and the backpacker area of Khao San Road. Most of Bangkok, a city of 10 million, has been unaffected. Many of the protesters wore raincoats and plastic bags over their heads, to protect against the sting of tear gas. In an e-mailed statement to its staff, the

Pakistan peace talks with Taliban at conclusive stage: Pak minister

P
ISLAMABAD
rime Minister Nawaz Sharif-led government is at the conclusive stage of revival of proposed talks with the Pakistan Taliban, a senior minister has said. Yes, were (almost) at the conclusive stage to resume talks with the TTP, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune today . The government has always had a firm belief in reopening peace talks (with the Taliban), he said. His remarks came a week after Prime Minister Sharif said that his government is still committed to the revival of proposed talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Rashid said the government would remove any hurdles existing before talks with the Taliban and would press ahead with the initiative without causing any loss to the state. Quoting sources, the report said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan discussed the resumption of dialogue with the Taliban with the former army chief Gen (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani yesterday. Initial plans for dialogue were scuttled last month after a US drone strike killed TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud. Hakimullahs successor Mullah Fazlullah ruled out any prospect of dialogue following the incident, prompting harsh criticism from Islamabad, particularly from the Interior Minister. The US does not want peace in Pakistan, Nisar had said, adding the drone attack was murder of the peace process. According to a senior Interior Ministry official, Nisar is likely to announce the governments new strategy regarding talks with the TTP by the end of this month. Before a formal announcement can be made, the government wants an assurance from the US that the drone campaign in Pakistans tribal areas would come to a halt, the ministry officials said. They added that the Interior Minister wants a categorical policy statement from Washington before he sends a delegation of Ulema to the Taliban. The Taliban had last week hinted that it was

open for talks in a statement issued by the banner group on the appointment of the new Pakistan Army chief. Nawaz Sharif also demonstrated wisdom while picking the new army chief. Had he picked killer of Muslims

of Swat, General Haroon Aslam, as new COAS then all the wishes and desires of the Taliban of holding talks with the government would have died down, the statement had said.

10

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Commerce

WE THE STATE

Fair Trade Eyes Indian Market

ndian farmers have sold products such as cotton, bananas and nuts under the fair-trade tag in international markets for nearly 20 years, helping to create a multi-billion-dollar worldwide industry . But with Indias growing middle class and more disposable income, the movement is now shifting its focus towards selling Indian-made fair-trade items in the market here. Last week, a group of farmers, business owners, retailers and civil society representatives launched the Fairtrade Foundation India, hoping to build on the success of fair trade abroad and tap into the growing ethical-consumer market here, replicating similar foundations in Brazil, Kenya and South Africa. In terms of consumers, the historical emphasis was Europe and America, but that is very rapidly changing, said Abhishek Jani, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation India. Fair trade is an internationally recognized labeling system monitored by German-based Fairtrade International, which offers farmers in developing nations higher than the market prices for their products if they comply with certain social, labor and environmental standards. The objective is to empower producers and enable them to earn a sustainable living, Mr. Jani said. Fairtrade International, which represents 28 fairtrade organizations from around the world, said consumers spent 4.8 billion euros on fair trade food, cosmetics and other items last year. Fair trade-certified goods have been made in India for many years, but with the launch of the Indian initiative, the goal is to scale up operations and make products more readily available to consumers here by partnering with retailers.

French brand Auchan, which has 14 supermarkets across India operated by Max Hypermarket as part of a franchise agreement signed last year, is one of them. It has just opened a dedicated space in each of its four stores in Bangalore to sell around 16 Indian-produced fair-trade food products including green tea, rice and spices. Max Hypermarket says more products will be added and the range will shortly be introduced in all its other stores. Senior vice president of buying and merchandising, Ponnu Subramanian, says its too early to tell how customers will respond, but he said he was very confident that the sales performance will be good. We want to promote the concept of fair trade so that more and more farmers and producers develop confidence in us as their partners, Mr. Subramanian added. Currently, fair trade is a niche concept in India, but there are signs that the ethical-consumer market is picking up pace. Research firm TechNavio, headquartered in London, forecasts the organic food sector in India will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21.34% between 2012 and 2016, with one of the key driving factors being growing health awareness among shoppers with more disposable incomes. Its very exciting, said Mr. Jani. The organic food movement shows that despite prices being significantly more than conventional food, Indian consumers are still engaging with it, he said. Marisha Kirtane from The Third Eye, a qualitative market research agency based in New Delhi and Mumbai, says many Indian consumers are seeking out organic food because they are unhappy with the low quality of produce available in their local markets and see it as an individual rather than social benefit. When it comes to fair trade, most Indian shoppers simply dont know what it is, Ms. Kirtane said. Its a question of awareness. Ethical trade practices are not part of the current Indian consciousness. The truth is no one knows about it. And at the moment, the mass market is enjoying consumerism in India and not evaluating it, she said. The Fairtrade Foundation India acknowledges that the movement is at a very nascent stage in the country,

so it plans to begin education programs in schools and colleges, and is trying to persuade companies, for example, to provide fair-trade tea and coffee for their vending machines. The hope is to imitate successes seen in South Africa, which in 2009 became the first country to produce and consume fair-trade goods. Last year, shoppers there spent $23.2 million on fair-trade products, a 220% increase from the year before, according to Fairtrade Label South Africa, an umbrella body based in Cape Town. Some in the movement are motivated by the desire to alleviate poverty. Apurva Kothari says he set up his fair-trade and organic t-shirt business in Mumbai when he found out that as many as 270,000 Indian farmers had taken their own lives since 1995 because of poverty, he noticed that consumer action to tackle the problem was missing. Fair trade as a concept has come from the West, its been around for decades, and there are people from around the world helping Indian farmers and to reduce suicides, and I thought Indian consumers need to do the same, Mr. Kothari said. Since March, Mr. Kotharis business No Nasties, started in 2011, has held a license issued by FLO-CERT, an independent international certification body for fair trade production processes and goods, allowing it to use the fair trade tag on its t-shirts. There is skepticism among the India consumer, so for cynical customers, the mark brings value and trust, he said. The certification also allows the company to be transparent in an industry, which, as it becomes more profitable, becomes prone to corrupt practices with people cutting corners, he added. Currently, there are over 121,000 fair-trade-certified producers in India who received 2.4 million euros in 2012 through the fair-trade premium, above what they would otherwise have earned in the market , giving them extra money, which it is hoped they will invest in educating their children, healthcare and other social needs. Mr. Jani, of the new Fairtrade Foundation India, says the initial focus will be to help existing producers sell their goods to Indian consumers, but the plan is also to increase the number of farmers who produce under the banner of fair-trade.

11

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Sports

WE THE STATE

Taliban invoke
Playing without Sachin Tendulkar in South Africa will be a big challenge: MS Dhoni

M
MUMBAI

Sachin Tendulkar to defend 'martyr' tag for militants

he Pakistani Taliban have contended that those opposed to referring to dead militants as martyrs are like persons who do not want cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar to be praised because he is an Indian. (Read: Stop praising Sachin Tendulkar, Taliban warn Pakistani media) In a clip posted on Thursday on a video-sharing website, Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan spokesman Shahidullah Shahid made the remarks while responding to criticism of Jamaat-e-Islam chief Munawar Hasan's comments describing slain commander Hakimullah Mehsud as a 'shaheed' (martyr). Shahid's remarks were initially mistaken by the media as a criticism of praise for Tendulkar, who recently bid farewell to international cricket. "Those in the media criticising Munawar Hasan, they are acting like those...There is an Indian player named Tendulkar who was praised highly by the media and Pakistanis while Misbah-ul-Haq was criticised," he said. "Some people may say Tendulkar may be a very good player but don't talk about his greatness because that is against Pakistani nationhood. And these people say Misbah, even if he is a bad player, should be praised because he is a Pakistani. "So those who are criticising Munawar Hasan are behaving like this," he added. Shahid made it clear he was using Tendulkar as an example while speaking about the media's coverage of the controversy over the Jamaat chief's statement describing Hakimullah Mehsud as a martyr. Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike on November 1. He claimed Pakistani soldiers "fighting for the US" were being called martyrs while Taliban fighters fighting for Islam were not referred to in the same manner. The Pakistan Army reacted angrily to the Jamaat chief's praise of Mehsud, saying he should apologise to families of soldiers who died fighting terrorists. Tendulkar's recent retirement from international cricket was extensively covered by the Pakistani mediaand his last speech was beamed live. Newspapers paid rich tributes to the icon, saying cricket will be poorer without him. Dawn wrote Tendulkar's retirement marks the end of a truly memorable career that spanned nearly a quarter of a century. Tendulkar continued to rewrite record books with his batting skills since making his debut against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989.

"The ideal would be to compare how the Indi-

ahendra Singh Dhoni says playing in alien dulkar is a big challenge for his side but the

an bowlers performed in the last 10 overs and

conditions and that too without Sachin Ten-

how Australian bowlers performed in the death istic."

overs in the same game. Then it becomes more realDhoni said fans will see good cricket in the series as top

Indian skipper is hopeful that playing One-dayers first against South Africa.

will allow his batsmen settle well ahead of the Test series India will play three-match ODI series ahead of two-

two sides in the world will be up against each other. "If

you see both the teams are well positioned in the rankbe exciting and interesting series. The key is getting adjusted to conditions as early as possible," Dhoni said.

Test series in South Africa. "If you see there is always a new start," Dhoni said about absence of Tendulkar, who retired recently last month. Dhoni said his batsmen have and playing ODIs first will give them confidence for the plenty of experience in the shorter format of the game Tests. "Many of them have had good exposure if not in

ings. In ODIs it is us and in Tests it is they. It is going to

genuine all-rounders," he said. Dhoni said pressure was whether in India or away."

"They have a very good team, well balanced team, with

nothing new to India. "Pressure goes hand in hand Asked if the team would use a fifth frontline bowler,

Tests, but in ODIs. It is a new challenge for all of them you go outside. Which length to bowl and to adjust to the bounce of the wickets. It is good to start with ODIs. As the batsmen can play their shots and express themselves and carry it into the Tests," he said ahead of team departure. Asked who will perform the duties of the third opener

and a new learning curve. It is always a challenge when

Dhoni said it would be decided later. "Well it's something

that we have to go there and decide. We have to see the strength of our batting line up. At the same time whether four bowlers are good enough to get the opposition out. It's something that we have weigh out," he said. "In the last Test match also we played with four

in Tests, which has only two regulars in Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, Dhoni surprised everyone by namingGautam Gambhir, who is not part of the 17-member squad. "If you see, Gautam is definitely our third opener they have done really well for us. So third opener as of now is Gautam." that we are considering. As of now, Vijay and Shikhar

bowlers and Rohit Sharma was the one who batted at number six. If you see at times five batsmen are not enough, even six are not enough. And if you see the last two Test matches, the number six batsman has had a lot of impact on the game. We will weigh how it is and then decide." Asked about Ravichandran Ashwin's limited exposure of playing Tests overseas, Dhoni expressed hope that the off-spinner will replicate body starts from even scratch, greatest his home success abroad. "Every-

but he is the third opener. But he never asked if he is part of the team."

Later he clarified, "I know (Gambhir not being in team)

that Gambhir is still in the scheme of things for at least number four in the Test squad, Dhoni they are to yet to

Nevertheless, the statement by Dhoni makes it clear

Test side. Asked who was likely to replace Tendulkar at decide on that. "We are not decided on number 4. No one is going to replace anyone else," he said before adding in try to bat 1,2,3, 5,6... And 12." lighter vein, "If possible we will omit the number 4. And Bowling in slog overs has been a worry for India but

the

cricketers -- spin-

of

ner or fast bowler.

Dhoni was hopeful of a better performance in South Africa. "In different conditions the statistics would be different. There will be pace and bounce on offer for the fast and a little bit pace. So we will see how it goes," he said.

They always start from

scratch. We have to see, may be he

turns out to be brilliant outside

bowlers. Along with the yorkers, they can use bouncers "In the last few matches it has improved a lot but we are

India. He may become better than what he al-

ready has been in India. Unless you go out there and

fight it out, you don't really get to know how good he is," said Dhoni. Ashwin has played only three Tests overseas -- all in Australia -- with limited success in his short career of 18 Tests from which he has grabbed 104 wickets. Dhoni said "let it remain a secret recipe". Asked what would be the role of pacer Ishant Sharma,

trying to see how to improve (more), so that we don`t give lot of runs in the last 10 overs. If you see our Champions Trophy performance and if you compare our death bowl-

ing you will see that it is a completely different scenario.

Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli stable after suffering a heart attack F
ormer Indian Test player Vinod Kambli has suffered a heart attack and has been admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital. The former cricketer was driving from Chembur to Bandra on Friday when he suffered the attack. He was taken to the hospital by a lady traffic officer. Hospital sources say he is under observation and undergoing various tests to determine his health condition. Kambli, 42, underwent angioplasty on two of his blocked arteries at the same hospital in July 2012, but the surgery was kept well under wraps. Later in the evening, his wife Andrea said the former lefthanded batsman was stable and recovering well. "He experienced chest pain in the morning, after which he was taken to

the hospital. He's stable and recovering well," she said in a statement. Kambli, who played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India, is known for his flashy lifestyle and friendship with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, which hasn't been on cordial terms of late. More recently, Kambli was in news due to his emotional outburst against Sachin, saying that the two are no longer friends. Kambli was hurt because Sachin didn't mention his name in his retirement speech and then didn't invite him to his farewell dinner after retirement. Kambli first made news with his world-record 664-run partnership with Sachin in school cricket in 1988. Since losing favour with Indian selectors, Kambli has been spotted participating various TV shows.

12

BHOPAL December 2 to December 8, 2013

Nation

WE THE STATE

Delhi Polls: Hopes ride on Modi ...

inching closer to the majority . Delhi has a total of 70 Assembly seats. On December 4, when Delhi goes to the polls, BJPs Harsh Vardhan will be pitted against two of Delhis most popular faces, chief minister Sheila Dikshit and anti-corruption activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal. According to a BJP leader, the party is trying hard to cash in on Modi's popularity . The benefit with BJP is that Congress cannot organise a rally with Manmohan Singhs face in Delhi .Congress may not be able to drum up a decent crowd with Manmohans name. Now, an IB report on the potential outcome of the Delhi polls has added weight to these worries. This report submitted to the political leadership at the Centre concluded that the BJP was inching closer to the majority in Delhi with 34-36 seats, the Congress lagging behind with 21-23 seats and the Aam Aadmi Party making a not-somodest beginning with 8-10 seats. Residents of Slum, low income group colonies stood by Sheila dixit for long but Kejriwal is cutting the votes of Congress by targeting on these groups. The Congress initially assessed that AAP would cut BJPs middle class support base which has gone horribly wrong Modis rally on Nov 30 and Dec 1 gave momentum to BJP in Delhi Polls. As a result of his rally Congress leaders started getting jittery . Sheila Dixits interview on the TV channels in the past one week, indicate that she has the feeling on not being on a sound footing. It seems Congress has conceded defeat already . But the rules of democracy require us to go through the motions of an election.

BIPIN SASI

rime Ministers rally scheduled for Delhi has been cancelled, it seems that Congress party is unable to deal with Narendra Modi. An important publication which was used in the past for more than a decade to carry on antiModi campaign appears to be collapsing under the weight of its own immorality . Tejpal reminds me of Ravana who was a man of contrast, a paradox of sorts. On one hand he had such a great ego and considered him to be the warrior par excellence, but once he attempted to lift God Shiva with entire Kailash mountain on his hands. This was one distinct attribute of Ravana, the arrogance. When Shiva pressed his toe on Kailash, Ravana's fingers got stuck beneath the mountains. Tejpals story is very similar to the above mythological instance. His support in the Indian media who look upon this sleazebag as a moral crusader for the leftist cause is slowly evaporating. How could senior leaders of Congress Sibal, Tiwari, Digvijay could come out to openly defend someone like Tejpal? Its shows his association with party leaders and it may be possible that he is pressurizing Congress. But Tejpals downfall will give momentum to BJP in the assembly elections. The crucial Assembly Elections in the national capital is slated to take place on December 04 where BJP is
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