The general body of the Zilla Parishad unanimously passed a resolution demanding the Government of India to table the Bill relating to the formation of Telangana state, in its meeting held here on Sunday.
The chairman K. Venkatramana Reddy presided over the meeting which was attended among others by the Minister for Medical Education P. Sudarshan Reddy, MLAs, MLCs, ZP vice-chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, ZPTC members, MPP presidents and other ex-officio members.
While moving the resolution the Telugu Desam Party member K. Dinesh urged the chairman to ensure its passage and submit the same to Justice Srikrishna Committee which was arriving in the district on April 2. The chairman immediately announced that the resolution was passed without any opposition.
Earlier, the members observed a two-minute silence in respect of Telangana student martyrs and the former Minister and former ZP chairman T. Bala Goud who passed away recently. The MLAs, MLCs and other members paid rich tributes to the late leader and martyrs in their addresses.
The meeting which was conducted after several months as it was postponed thrice, due to the agitation for Telangana witnessed pandemonium intermittently with charges and counter charges of the ruling and the Opposition members. At one stage the chairman and the TDP floor leader V. Mohan Reddy shouted aloud on each other.
After a prolonged discussion the general body cancelled the sanction of a proceeding given for works worth about Rs.1 crore in five mandals citing the reason that the works were allotted without introducing the related proposal in the ZP nor in its Standing Committee meetings.
There was a division on the issue in which even a couple of ruling party members raised hands in favour of the Opposition's demand.
Telangana activists held
About 90 pro-Telangana activists were arrested by the police when they tried to gain entry into the Zilla Parishad Conference Hall with an intention to thwart the proceedings, here on Sunday. They were shifted to different police stations and set free after execution of personal bonds later in the evening.
Some of the protestors who were taken to the Makloor police station staged a dharna inside it shouting slogans of Jai Telangana and Jai Jai Telangana. The arrested included the BJP, the CPI (ML)-New Democracy and the TRS workers and students.
Earlier there was a commotion on the ZP premises as the Telangana protagonists gheraoed Minister for Medical Education P. Sudarshan Reddy, chairman K. Venkatramana Reddy and the elected representatives demanding their resignations for Telangana. Police made tight security arrangement and enabled the Minister and other leaders to enter the conference hall standing guard to them.
Notwithstanding, mild tension prevailed with both the policemen and protesters pushing each other.
The meeting was called for after a long time and a couple of postponements due to the Telangana agitations.
The chairman took a firm stand to conduct it at any cost.
Even chappals were thrown from somewhere among the crowd of protesters. The proceedings were held smoothly after the arrest of protestors.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Praja Natya Mandali drive against price rise
The cultural wing of the Communist Party of India, AP Praja Natya Mandali, will undertake a drive, from State to village-level, to increase public awareness about the cascading effect of rising prices and the Centre's inability to check them.
After the mandali's State Council meeting, Puli Sambasiva Rao, president, told a press conference that apart from the campaign to educate people about the government's failure to contain prices, it would also mention Telangana. He said ‘injustice' done to the region for decades would be explained, along with what could be done redress it.Chada Venkat Reddy, CPI State Council member in-charge of Cultural Front, said the party would organise a ‘Jail bharo' programme on April 8 against the price rise. The programme would highlight ‘failure' of the PDS to streamline its supply chain management to help the poor. Mr. Rao said the mandali would exert pressure on government to declare April 16, the birthday of Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu as ‘Telugu Natakaranga Dinotsavam'. It would reiterate the demand for the State to declare its cultural policy, while meeting Chief Minister K .Rosaiah and Information Minister J. Geeta Reddy.
Palle Narasimha, general secretary of the mandali, said it would redouble efforts to get performing artistes into the fold, especially from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
After the mandali's State Council meeting, Puli Sambasiva Rao, president, told a press conference that apart from the campaign to educate people about the government's failure to contain prices, it would also mention Telangana. He said ‘injustice' done to the region for decades would be explained, along with what could be done redress it.Chada Venkat Reddy, CPI State Council member in-charge of Cultural Front, said the party would organise a ‘Jail bharo' programme on April 8 against the price rise. The programme would highlight ‘failure' of the PDS to streamline its supply chain management to help the poor. Mr. Rao said the mandali would exert pressure on government to declare April 16, the birthday of Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu as ‘Telugu Natakaranga Dinotsavam'. It would reiterate the demand for the State to declare its cultural policy, while meeting Chief Minister K .Rosaiah and Information Minister J. Geeta Reddy.
Palle Narasimha, general secretary of the mandali, said it would redouble efforts to get performing artistes into the fold, especially from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
Tension continues in old city of Hyderabad
Tension continued to grip the communally sensitive areas of old city of Hyderabad on Monday with mobs indulging in unabated stone hurling in different parts, even as the beleaguered police force is finding it difficult to contain the communal clashes that began on Saturday night.
Police used tear gas shells and stun grenades after repeated lathicharges, but did not have the desired impact. Heavy police contingents including the CRPF and RAF have been deployed in the old city but attacks on religious places and people at random continued.
Frenzied mobs raising full throated slogans were engaging the police forces in a hide and seek game in the labyrinthine lanes and bylanes of the old city.
Alarmed over the developing situation Home Minister,P. Sabitha Indra Reddy toured the area and assured the residents that peace would be restored in the areas. The DGP R.R. Girish Kumar too visited the troubled areas, while the Commissioner of Police, A.K. Khan is camping in the old city overseeing the security arrangements.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah convened a meeting of senior police officers to take stock of the situation and the Home Minister Ms. Reddy met the city legislators and sought cooperation in restoring normalcy.
However, trouble broke out in the old city again hours after the Home Minister left the area.
Heavy stone hurling was reported at Lal Darwaza, a locality having mixed population of Hindus and Muslims. Groups of people wielding sticks and stones positioned themselves in their respective ‘strongholds’ and indulged in what is being described as the ’heaviest’ stone pelting so far. Police moved in to disperse the crowds, but the mobs had just melted into the bylanes only to resurface as the police teams retreated.
Trouble began in the old city on Saturday night when two groups belonging to different communities clashed over a dispute on hoisting religious flags in Moosa Bowli locality. Violence spread to different areas instantly. The skirmishes continued on Sunday too with innocent people being marked and attacked at different places simultaneously, as rumour mongers had a field day using short messages to spread unfounded reports of religious places being attacked.
By Sunday night, normalcy appeared to have returned, but clashes broke out again on Monday morning.
Police used tear gas shells and stun grenades after repeated lathicharges, but did not have the desired impact. Heavy police contingents including the CRPF and RAF have been deployed in the old city but attacks on religious places and people at random continued.
Frenzied mobs raising full throated slogans were engaging the police forces in a hide and seek game in the labyrinthine lanes and bylanes of the old city.
Alarmed over the developing situation Home Minister,P. Sabitha Indra Reddy toured the area and assured the residents that peace would be restored in the areas. The DGP R.R. Girish Kumar too visited the troubled areas, while the Commissioner of Police, A.K. Khan is camping in the old city overseeing the security arrangements.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah convened a meeting of senior police officers to take stock of the situation and the Home Minister Ms. Reddy met the city legislators and sought cooperation in restoring normalcy.
However, trouble broke out in the old city again hours after the Home Minister left the area.
Heavy stone hurling was reported at Lal Darwaza, a locality having mixed population of Hindus and Muslims. Groups of people wielding sticks and stones positioned themselves in their respective ‘strongholds’ and indulged in what is being described as the ’heaviest’ stone pelting so far. Police moved in to disperse the crowds, but the mobs had just melted into the bylanes only to resurface as the police teams retreated.
Trouble began in the old city on Saturday night when two groups belonging to different communities clashed over a dispute on hoisting religious flags in Moosa Bowli locality. Violence spread to different areas instantly. The skirmishes continued on Sunday too with innocent people being marked and attacked at different places simultaneously, as rumour mongers had a field day using short messages to spread unfounded reports of religious places being attacked.
By Sunday night, normalcy appeared to have returned, but clashes broke out again on Monday morning.
Andhra Government deploys additional forces in trouble hit old Hyderabad
The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday ordered deployment of additional security forces in old Hyderabad city where tension prevails, following overnight clashes between two communities.
Over 60 people have been injured in violence between both communities in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.
Police have arrested 70 people, for indulging in violent activities.
There were reports of attacks on places of worship in several areas.
Incidents of stabbing, arson, stone pelting, attacks on places of worship, shops and vehicles were reported from over a dozen areas well past midnight Sunday.
Police opened fire in the air, used teargas shells and batons to bring the situation under control.
Addressing the State Assembly, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said his government is constantly monitoring the situation.
“We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram,” he said.
Rosaiah assured the House that the government would take every step to ensure peace and appealed to all sections of the society to observe restraint.
Meanwhile, police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of IPC, in 18 police stations of south zone and four police stations of Goshamahal division of west zone of the city. (ANI)
Over 60 people have been injured in violence between both communities in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.
Police have arrested 70 people, for indulging in violent activities.
There were reports of attacks on places of worship in several areas.
Incidents of stabbing, arson, stone pelting, attacks on places of worship, shops and vehicles were reported from over a dozen areas well past midnight Sunday.
Police opened fire in the air, used teargas shells and batons to bring the situation under control.
Addressing the State Assembly, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said his government is constantly monitoring the situation.
“We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram,” he said.
Rosaiah assured the House that the government would take every step to ensure peace and appealed to all sections of the society to observe restraint.
Meanwhile, police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of IPC, in 18 police stations of south zone and four police stations of Goshamahal division of west zone of the city. (ANI)
Jagan, CM avoid each other at airport lobby
The Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, left the commemoration meeting for the departed Congress leader, Koneru Ranga Rao, before the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, arrived.
Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy left for Gannavaram airport 10 minutes after the arrival of the Chief Minister. Though the two leaders spent about 15 minutes in the airport, they did not speak with each other. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy left for Bengaluru later.
Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy reached the city by Narsapur Express at 5 am and rushed to a local hotel. He visited the Kanaka Durgamma temple at 9.15 am and and had left at 11.40 am from the Gudavalli village.
Meanwhile, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s proposed Vodarpu (consolation) yatra from April 2 has sparked off a controversy even before it began, particularly from Congress leaders hailing from the Telangana region.
The Congress MPs, Mr V. Hanumantha Rao and Mr Madhu Yashki Goud, have reportedly complained to the party high command that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s yatra in Telangana at this juncture will unnecessarily lead to troubles when the situation across the region is now under control. Apart from these MPs, the former Union minister, Ms Renuka Chowdary, has reportedly met the high command leaders in Delhi and complained against the tour in Khammam district as some party leaders who were expelled were organising the tour.
The Nizamabad MP, Mr Madhu Yashki, told the media on Sunday that it would be better if Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy confines his tour to the coastal Andhra area.
Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy left for Gannavaram airport 10 minutes after the arrival of the Chief Minister. Though the two leaders spent about 15 minutes in the airport, they did not speak with each other. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy left for Bengaluru later.
Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy reached the city by Narsapur Express at 5 am and rushed to a local hotel. He visited the Kanaka Durgamma temple at 9.15 am and and had left at 11.40 am from the Gudavalli village.
Meanwhile, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s proposed Vodarpu (consolation) yatra from April 2 has sparked off a controversy even before it began, particularly from Congress leaders hailing from the Telangana region.
The Congress MPs, Mr V. Hanumantha Rao and Mr Madhu Yashki Goud, have reportedly complained to the party high command that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s yatra in Telangana at this juncture will unnecessarily lead to troubles when the situation across the region is now under control. Apart from these MPs, the former Union minister, Ms Renuka Chowdary, has reportedly met the high command leaders in Delhi and complained against the tour in Khammam district as some party leaders who were expelled were organising the tour.
The Nizamabad MP, Mr Madhu Yashki, told the media on Sunday that it would be better if Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy confines his tour to the coastal Andhra area.
TD seeks BC data in Census
The Telugu Desam on Sunday, demanded a separate column in the Census form to secure caste details of the people. The TD observed that this would facilitate details about Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in the population.
The party politburo which met here after four months decided to press for a sub-quota within women reservations for BCs and minorities. The party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, will write a letter to the UPA government pressing for an amendment to the Act.
“We demand an amendment to the Act. Only after amendment can the Bill be introduced in the Lok Sabha,” said Mr K. Yerran Naidu, senior party leader.
Fearing a clash between Telangana and Coastal Andhra region leaders, the politburo meeting was not held in the last four months. The TD used to convene the politburo meeting every fortnight to discuss matters of importance. But with the Telangana issue coming to the fore, the TD leadership chose not to convene a meeting. Interestingly, the poliburo did not discuss about Telangana.
Leaders from both the regions met after four months and discussed the party’s future course of action in the wake of severe criticism from other parties that the TD failed to perform its role as the main Opposition party.
The Adilabad MP, Mr Ramesh Rathod, has been nominated as head of the committee which will oversee the membership drive in the party that will start from April 1.
The party politburo which met here after four months decided to press for a sub-quota within women reservations for BCs and minorities. The party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, will write a letter to the UPA government pressing for an amendment to the Act.
“We demand an amendment to the Act. Only after amendment can the Bill be introduced in the Lok Sabha,” said Mr K. Yerran Naidu, senior party leader.
Fearing a clash between Telangana and Coastal Andhra region leaders, the politburo meeting was not held in the last four months. The TD used to convene the politburo meeting every fortnight to discuss matters of importance. But with the Telangana issue coming to the fore, the TD leadership chose not to convene a meeting. Interestingly, the poliburo did not discuss about Telangana.
Leaders from both the regions met after four months and discussed the party’s future course of action in the wake of severe criticism from other parties that the TD failed to perform its role as the main Opposition party.
The Adilabad MP, Mr Ramesh Rathod, has been nominated as head of the committee which will oversee the membership drive in the party that will start from April 1.
Teenager raped, burnt alive
A teenaged girl was raped and burnt alive by some unidentified persons in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
A semi-burnt body of the 17-year-old was found in a tin-shed in Majalta area of the district on Friday night, police said on Saturday.
During preliminary investigation, it was suspected that the girl was raped and then set afire by the attackers.
The Station House Officer (SHO), Mr Arvinder Kotwal, said that a case has been registered and an investigation was on.
A semi-burnt body of the 17-year-old was found in a tin-shed in Majalta area of the district on Friday night, police said on Saturday.
During preliminary investigation, it was suspected that the girl was raped and then set afire by the attackers.
The Station House Officer (SHO), Mr Arvinder Kotwal, said that a case has been registered and an investigation was on.
3G phone service launched
Kotla Jayasuryaprakasa Reddy, Member of Parliament, formally launched 3G phone services here on Saturday.
Kurnool MLA T.G. Venkatesh, BSNL General Manager V.V.S. Raghava Kumar, General Manager Mobile Services Govindarajulu and Deputy General Manager John were present at the occasion among others.
Mr. Suryaprakasa Reddy appreciated BSNL for launching the latest phone services in Kurnool. He said that development in the area was linked to communication facilities.
Mr. T.G. Venaktesh recalled that two decades ago telephone operators were considered VIPs and people making long distance calls were at their mercy.
Explaining the features of the new facility, Mr. Raghava Kumar said that the 3G service would support video calling, mobile TV, mobile broadband, online gaming, video conferencing and faster video downloading.
The existing 2G customers could migrated to 3G through an online request SMS, typing “M3G120” for pre-paid and “M3G25” for post-paid, to 53733. Different tariff plans would be made available for pre-paid and post-paid customers.
Mr. Govindarajulu said that 3G would usher in a new era in telephony. He said that customers could retain their old number even after migrating to 3G. He said that the service was launched in 29 major cities and towns in the State.
The project cost BSNL Rs 800 crore in Andhra Pradesh.
28 injured in Hyderabad violence
Row over putting up of flags continues to simmer with fresh incidents being reported
The violence that erupted at Moosabowli in the old city here following a dispute over putting up flags on Saturday night continued to simmer with fresh incidents being reported in several localities in the old city and its environs.
Twentyeight persons, including video and photo journalists, were injured after mobs attacked them. Police resorted to firing of rubber bullets at Moosabowli and Shamshergunj to control the rampaging mobs.
SIT probe
Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters later that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would investigate the incidents and 70 persons were already taken into custody. Mobs set afire a shop and two wheelers at Gowliguda Kaman. In all, five vehicles were damaged in the violence. A goshala was also torched at Shamshergunj. Panic griped the residents of old city following rumours of communal clashes spreading, through SMSes. As tension escalated, shopkeepers in commercial areas of Siddiamber Bazar, Begum Bazar, Gowliguda, Afzalgunj and M.J Market rolled down the shutters.
Trouble over flags
On Saturday night, communal tension flared up over erection of flags by a community and objections by another in Moosabowli. Soon, this led to arguments and stone pelting in Hussainialam and Mylardevpalli in Rajendernagar, Siddiamber Bazar and Afzalgunj.
Small gangs armed with sticks moved around menacingly in some lanes beating up whoever they came across. Equipment of a daily's photographer too was smashed in the melee. Few shops were also selectively targeted and burnt by mobs in Begum Bazar, eyewitnesses said.
The situation turned worse at Siddiambar Bazar main road in the afternoon when some persons hurled stones on a religious structure triggering tension in the adjoining areas like Gowliguda and Begum Bazar. A vain bid was made to torch a petrol pump but alert staff thwarted it at Afzalgunj. There were reports of some places of worship being targeted at Kandikalgate, Afzalgunj, Shamshergunj and Enginebowli.
CM reviews situation
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah asked the police officials to ensure that there were no further untoward incidents in the twin cities ahead of Hanuman Jayanthi scheduled in the next two days.
Soon after returning from his tour of Krishna district, Mr. Rosaiah held a high level meeting of senior police officials. The meeting attended by the Home Minister P.Sabitha Indra Reddy, DGP R. R. Girish Kumar, Police Commissioner A. K. Khan, IG (Intelligence) M. Mahender Reddy saw the Chief Minister making it clear that there should be no compromise in maintaining law and order situation in the old city.
The violence that erupted at Moosabowli in the old city here following a dispute over putting up flags on Saturday night continued to simmer with fresh incidents being reported in several localities in the old city and its environs.
Twentyeight persons, including video and photo journalists, were injured after mobs attacked them. Police resorted to firing of rubber bullets at Moosabowli and Shamshergunj to control the rampaging mobs.
SIT probe
Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters later that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would investigate the incidents and 70 persons were already taken into custody. Mobs set afire a shop and two wheelers at Gowliguda Kaman. In all, five vehicles were damaged in the violence. A goshala was also torched at Shamshergunj. Panic griped the residents of old city following rumours of communal clashes spreading, through SMSes. As tension escalated, shopkeepers in commercial areas of Siddiamber Bazar, Begum Bazar, Gowliguda, Afzalgunj and M.J Market rolled down the shutters.
Trouble over flags
On Saturday night, communal tension flared up over erection of flags by a community and objections by another in Moosabowli. Soon, this led to arguments and stone pelting in Hussainialam and Mylardevpalli in Rajendernagar, Siddiamber Bazar and Afzalgunj.
Small gangs armed with sticks moved around menacingly in some lanes beating up whoever they came across. Equipment of a daily's photographer too was smashed in the melee. Few shops were also selectively targeted and burnt by mobs in Begum Bazar, eyewitnesses said.
The situation turned worse at Siddiambar Bazar main road in the afternoon when some persons hurled stones on a religious structure triggering tension in the adjoining areas like Gowliguda and Begum Bazar. A vain bid was made to torch a petrol pump but alert staff thwarted it at Afzalgunj. There were reports of some places of worship being targeted at Kandikalgate, Afzalgunj, Shamshergunj and Enginebowli.
CM reviews situation
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah asked the police officials to ensure that there were no further untoward incidents in the twin cities ahead of Hanuman Jayanthi scheduled in the next two days.
Soon after returning from his tour of Krishna district, Mr. Rosaiah held a high level meeting of senior police officials. The meeting attended by the Home Minister P.Sabitha Indra Reddy, DGP R. R. Girish Kumar, Police Commissioner A. K. Khan, IG (Intelligence) M. Mahender Reddy saw the Chief Minister making it clear that there should be no compromise in maintaining law and order situation in the old city.
Singing to her own tune
Neha Bhasin on her forthcoming album, and what makes some songs special
Talking to Neha feels like chatting up with a neighbour over the common fence. She's bubbly, candid (“Gawd! What am I saying? Sorry. I'm really tired”) and very serious about her music, all at the same time.
So, what's her latest album about? “Well, I've not decided on a name yet... still figuring it out. It's a bold album, very contemporary and very commercial too,” she says. The first number of the nine-song album set for a July release is hip-hop, and the second, titled “Tabaah” (destruction) is about love and what a woman needs. It has grunge elements,” she reveals.
She's written some of the songs in her album, and composed for two numbers, along with Gaurav Dayal of “Sorry Bhai” fame. Though she's notched up many film hits, Neha has not forgotten where she's come from. “I would not have been here but for VIVA {Channel V's girl band that she was part of}. I come from an ordinary background - my dad's an advocate and my mom a great believer in my ability - and VIVA was a stepping stone towards where I wanted to be,” states the singer who also has plans for an English album.
Neha made her Tamil debut with the chartbuster ‘Pesugiraen' from “Satham Podadhey”, though she recorded for it after the sensuous ‘Sei Yedhavadhu' from “Billa”. She's even sung a Telugu number. How does she cope with languages so far removed from her own? “I never dreamt I would sing in these languages. Sometimes, you struggle to do things that you've planned. That way, this was a gift from God. Some songs tell you, ‘I'm a special song, sing me well'. That happened with ‘Pesugiraen' and ‘Kuchh Khaas' from ‘Fashion'. Sometimes, my eyes well up when I am recording for a song. That's the power of a good tune.”
And, how does she plan to balance her interest in albums with film music? “My first love was and continues to be non-film music. It's a part of me. I dream of the day when I'll sing my own music. That day, I would have arrived,” she concludes.
Talking to Neha feels like chatting up with a neighbour over the common fence. She's bubbly, candid (“Gawd! What am I saying? Sorry. I'm really tired”) and very serious about her music, all at the same time.
So, what's her latest album about? “Well, I've not decided on a name yet... still figuring it out. It's a bold album, very contemporary and very commercial too,” she says. The first number of the nine-song album set for a July release is hip-hop, and the second, titled “Tabaah” (destruction) is about love and what a woman needs. It has grunge elements,” she reveals.
She's written some of the songs in her album, and composed for two numbers, along with Gaurav Dayal of “Sorry Bhai” fame. Though she's notched up many film hits, Neha has not forgotten where she's come from. “I would not have been here but for VIVA {Channel V's girl band that she was part of}. I come from an ordinary background - my dad's an advocate and my mom a great believer in my ability - and VIVA was a stepping stone towards where I wanted to be,” states the singer who also has plans for an English album.
Neha made her Tamil debut with the chartbuster ‘Pesugiraen' from “Satham Podadhey”, though she recorded for it after the sensuous ‘Sei Yedhavadhu' from “Billa”. She's even sung a Telugu number. How does she cope with languages so far removed from her own? “I never dreamt I would sing in these languages. Sometimes, you struggle to do things that you've planned. That way, this was a gift from God. Some songs tell you, ‘I'm a special song, sing me well'. That happened with ‘Pesugiraen' and ‘Kuchh Khaas' from ‘Fashion'. Sometimes, my eyes well up when I am recording for a song. That's the power of a good tune.”
And, how does she plan to balance her interest in albums with film music? “My first love was and continues to be non-film music. It's a part of me. I dream of the day when I'll sing my own music. That day, I would have arrived,” she concludes.
Stephen Court fire toll rises to 34
The toll in the Stephen Court fire here on Sunday rose to 34 as one more body was found under the rubbles in the fifth floor of the fire-raged building.
Fire brigade sources said the decomposed body was recovered from under the debris in the fifth floor and it has been sent to the SSKM Hospital for postmortem.
“The charred body is beyond recognition and we cannot say even whether it is male or female,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, a family from Jharkhand has lodged a complaint with the police, saying a member of it has been missing from Tuesday, the day the fire broke out.
The family said in the complaint lodged on Saturday night that Vineet came to the city to appear in an examination at Stephen Court on that day and did not return.
Following this complaint, the number of missing persons relating to the fire rose to three.
“There is every possibility that some bodies are still there under the debris. But the condition of the bodies is very very bad. The bodies cannot be pulled out unless the entire debris is cleared,” said a senior police officer.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation workers working round the clock have to be very careful in clearing the debris and that was why it was taking so much time, a KMC official said.
“Nearly 75 per cent of the work of removing the rubble is finished and the rest will be done tonight. So there is a possibility that some bodies might be recovered tonight,” the KMC official said.
To clear the confusion regarding identification of bodies, a notice was put up at the State-run SSKM Hospital yesterday.
According to the notice, 29 bodies had been found of which 16 had been disposed off. Of the 13 remaining, DNA tests have been conducted on four and the same would be done on the remaining nine tomorrow.
Hospital superintendent D. Bhattacharya told PTI that DNA tests generally took time.
Manmohan responsible for price rise, says BJP
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has failed to control the spiralling prices of essential commodities and the United Progressive Alliance government is insecure and has misplaced priorities, according to Bharatiya Janata Party's national spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad
“Mr. Singh, who is regarded as a noted economist, has completely failed to control the rampant price rise of essential commodities. Why is it that there is always a price rise whenever there is a Congress-led government at the Centre?” said Mr. Prasad said here on Sunday.
“Prices of essential commodities remained under a tight leash when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power for six years,” he claimed.
“The government is insecure and has misplaced priorities. It is more concerned instead with banal issues such as attacking actor Amitabh Bachchan for sharing the same podium with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,” he said.
Headley issue
Terming the Centre's stand on the Headley affair vapid and a “gross failure of diplomatic initiatives” on its part, Mr. Prasad said, “Headley has named four Pakistani officers as part of the 26/11 conspiracy. Why are only the Karachi and Lahore angles being looked at and the Pakistan Army establishment's direct role in the terrorist strike being ignored.”
“During the course of his two-day dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi smugly hailed a Pakistan-U.S. ‘partnership'.
So, does the U.S. now endorse Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism in this ‘alliance',” he said.
Naxal challenge
On the Centre's armed operations to combat naxalism, he said he endorsed an armed offensive against naxals, but the nature of challenge must be well understood and the police action well coordinated.
“Naxals do not believe in capturing power by using constitutional means. They believe that power flows from the barrel of a gun,” he pointed out.
“Mr. Singh, who is regarded as a noted economist, has completely failed to control the rampant price rise of essential commodities. Why is it that there is always a price rise whenever there is a Congress-led government at the Centre?” said Mr. Prasad said here on Sunday.
“Prices of essential commodities remained under a tight leash when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power for six years,” he claimed.
“The government is insecure and has misplaced priorities. It is more concerned instead with banal issues such as attacking actor Amitabh Bachchan for sharing the same podium with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,” he said.
Headley issue
Terming the Centre's stand on the Headley affair vapid and a “gross failure of diplomatic initiatives” on its part, Mr. Prasad said, “Headley has named four Pakistani officers as part of the 26/11 conspiracy. Why are only the Karachi and Lahore angles being looked at and the Pakistan Army establishment's direct role in the terrorist strike being ignored.”
“During the course of his two-day dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi smugly hailed a Pakistan-U.S. ‘partnership'.
So, does the U.S. now endorse Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism in this ‘alliance',” he said.
Naxal challenge
On the Centre's armed operations to combat naxalism, he said he endorsed an armed offensive against naxals, but the nature of challenge must be well understood and the police action well coordinated.
“Naxals do not believe in capturing power by using constitutional means. They believe that power flows from the barrel of a gun,” he pointed out.
Fully satisfied with questioning of Narendra Modi, says SIT chief
Chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), R.K. Raghavan, said on Sunday that the SIT was “fully satisfied” with the questioning of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Talking to journalists, Mr. Raghavan, who himself was not present during Mr Modi's questioning, said if necessary Mr. Modi could be called again. “But that is only if some major gaps have remained in his answers for which he can be called again for further clarity,” he said, hinting that new issues are unlikely to be raised by the SIT with him.
The SIT chairman said the practice was the same for all witnesses and not special for Mr. Modi. He said he could decide on calling Mr. Modi again only after studying the details of the questioning.
He said the SIT would now examine the evidence, study the reports and submit it to the Supreme Court. He said he was hopeful that the SIT would be able to keep the April 30 deadline for submitting its report to the Supreme Court.
He declined to comment on filing of an FIR against Mr. Modi as demanded by many activists and voluntary organisations.
The SIT's job was to “present our findings to the Supreme Court and then await its directions,” he said.
Without naming anyone, Mr. Raghavan regretted that “some people” were targeting the SIT. “It is very hurting,” he said and claimed that the SIT was performing its assigned tasks “dutifully and honestly.” He apparently was hinting at the Citizens for Justice and Peace general secretary, Teesta Setalvad, and some other voluntary organisations, for expressing doubts about the SIT's style of functioning, particularly when Mr. Modi had not been questioned. Ms Setalvad had even filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding reconstitution of the SIT.
Talking to journalists, Mr. Raghavan, who himself was not present during Mr Modi's questioning, said if necessary Mr. Modi could be called again. “But that is only if some major gaps have remained in his answers for which he can be called again for further clarity,” he said, hinting that new issues are unlikely to be raised by the SIT with him.
The SIT chairman said the practice was the same for all witnesses and not special for Mr. Modi. He said he could decide on calling Mr. Modi again only after studying the details of the questioning.
He said the SIT would now examine the evidence, study the reports and submit it to the Supreme Court. He said he was hopeful that the SIT would be able to keep the April 30 deadline for submitting its report to the Supreme Court.
He declined to comment on filing of an FIR against Mr. Modi as demanded by many activists and voluntary organisations.
The SIT's job was to “present our findings to the Supreme Court and then await its directions,” he said.
Without naming anyone, Mr. Raghavan regretted that “some people” were targeting the SIT. “It is very hurting,” he said and claimed that the SIT was performing its assigned tasks “dutifully and honestly.” He apparently was hinting at the Citizens for Justice and Peace general secretary, Teesta Setalvad, and some other voluntary organisations, for expressing doubts about the SIT's style of functioning, particularly when Mr. Modi had not been questioned. Ms Setalvad had even filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding reconstitution of the SIT.
APPSC row rocks Assembly
The alleged irregularities in the conduct of examinations and interviews by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) rocked the Assembly on Saturday.
Telugu Desam members stalled proceedings for close to two hours demanding removal of APPSC chairman Y. Venkatarami Reddy from his post and an inquiry into the ‘lapses' which denied opportunities to eligible aspirants hailing from SC & ST communities. As the TDP members insisted on a debate after Speaker N. Kiran Kumar Reddy disallowed their adjournment motion, the House was adjourned for 10 minutes.
When the House assembled, it was adjourned once again as the TDP members rushed to the well insisting on an assurance from the Treasury Benches that necessary action would be initiatedTDP members disrupted the proceedings which were resumed after 45 minutes prompting Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to intervene. He said the government was seriously examining the allegations relating to the APPSC's functioning.
Mr. Rosaiah, however, rejected immediate action claiming the government could not do so “just because the newspapers carried some reports”. Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded that recruitments be kept on hold pending completion of inquiry so that genuine aspirants were not denied their due.
Representatives of the TDP and two Left parties later called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan urging him to refer the matter to the President and seek an inquiry by the Supreme Court for ensuring fairness and transparency in the functioning of the commission. “This is an unfortunate situation where belief and confidence in the functioning of constitutional bodies has been eroded,” they said in their memorandum to the Governor.
Telugu Desam members stalled proceedings for close to two hours demanding removal of APPSC chairman Y. Venkatarami Reddy from his post and an inquiry into the ‘lapses' which denied opportunities to eligible aspirants hailing from SC & ST communities. As the TDP members insisted on a debate after Speaker N. Kiran Kumar Reddy disallowed their adjournment motion, the House was adjourned for 10 minutes.
When the House assembled, it was adjourned once again as the TDP members rushed to the well insisting on an assurance from the Treasury Benches that necessary action would be initiatedTDP members disrupted the proceedings which were resumed after 45 minutes prompting Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to intervene. He said the government was seriously examining the allegations relating to the APPSC's functioning.
Mr. Rosaiah, however, rejected immediate action claiming the government could not do so “just because the newspapers carried some reports”. Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded that recruitments be kept on hold pending completion of inquiry so that genuine aspirants were not denied their due.
Representatives of the TDP and two Left parties later called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan urging him to refer the matter to the President and seek an inquiry by the Supreme Court for ensuring fairness and transparency in the functioning of the commission. “This is an unfortunate situation where belief and confidence in the functioning of constitutional bodies has been eroded,” they said in their memorandum to the Governor.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
‘Sachin’s absence from T20 WC good for other teams’
Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi has joined the list of advocates supporting Sachin Tendulkar’s inclusion in India’s Twenty20 World Cup squad, saying the champion batsman’s absence from the next month’s event is a blessing in disguise for other teams.
Tendulkar, who quit the format along with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid in 2007, has been in red hot form in the Indian Premier League III and it forced former as well as present cricketers, including Afridi to ask the right—hander to change his decision and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies.
“The way he has blossomed in the last few years, he is only getting better and better as a batsman. If he is not playing for India in the Twenty20 World Cup, it is certainly a big advantage for other teams,” Afridi said.
“If Tendulkar had played in this World Cup, I am sure he would made big impact for India,” he added.
Notwithstanding the hue and cry, Tendulkar has recently ruled out the possibility of returning to Twenty20 International cricket.
However, Afridi feels with age Tendulkar is getting better day by day and could be a destructive force in T20 matches.
“With every match he seems to be growing as a batsman and getting better. He is playing like a teenager. There is no sign of age affecting his game at all,” the Pakistani all—rounder said.
“The biggest thing that he still enjoys playing the sport and he is hunger for runs has not died at all,” he said.
“I think even in T20 cricket you need to bat properly and at times even playing out 20 overs is a big challenge for a team. You need to play orthodox cricket,” Afridi noted.
Tendulkar, who quit the format along with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid in 2007, has been in red hot form in the Indian Premier League III and it forced former as well as present cricketers, including Afridi to ask the right—hander to change his decision and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies.
“The way he has blossomed in the last few years, he is only getting better and better as a batsman. If he is not playing for India in the Twenty20 World Cup, it is certainly a big advantage for other teams,” Afridi said.
“If Tendulkar had played in this World Cup, I am sure he would made big impact for India,” he added.
Notwithstanding the hue and cry, Tendulkar has recently ruled out the possibility of returning to Twenty20 International cricket.
However, Afridi feels with age Tendulkar is getting better day by day and could be a destructive force in T20 matches.
“With every match he seems to be growing as a batsman and getting better. He is playing like a teenager. There is no sign of age affecting his game at all,” the Pakistani all—rounder said.
“The biggest thing that he still enjoys playing the sport and he is hunger for runs has not died at all,” he said.
“I think even in T20 cricket you need to bat properly and at times even playing out 20 overs is a big challenge for a team. You need to play orthodox cricket,” Afridi noted.
NREGA workers may not get unemployment allowances
Thousands of NREGA workers, who have been waiting for the payment of their outstanding unemployment allowances guaranteed under the Act, may not get them as their entitlements cannot be established.
A high level government panel has found that the applications for demand of work submitted by NREGA workers under the Act were not “documented or dated”, and the dated receipts for such applications were not issued “in most cases“.
“As a result the eligibility of rural households for unemployment allowance, in these cases, was unverifiable...in the absence of recorded date of demand, the entitlement to unemployment allowances could not be easily established,” Public Accounts Committee on the implementation of NREGA for the fiscal 2009-10 said in its report, recently tabled in Parliament.
As per Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, the State government is required to provide employment to a registered applicant within 15 days of demand, failing which unemployment allowance at “stipulated rates” is payable by the State governments from their fund, the Committee noted.
The Act stipulates that the rate of the allowance has to be fixed by state governments in consultation with State Councils. But, it should not be less than one-fourth of the wages for the first 30 days of unemployment and half of the wages beyond this.
“However, audit review has revealed that in 282 gram panchayats in 21 States, dated receipt of applications for demand for work were not given, and employment registers were not maintained in 329 gram panchayats in 19 States,” it said.
A high level government panel has found that the applications for demand of work submitted by NREGA workers under the Act were not “documented or dated”, and the dated receipts for such applications were not issued “in most cases“.
“As a result the eligibility of rural households for unemployment allowance, in these cases, was unverifiable...in the absence of recorded date of demand, the entitlement to unemployment allowances could not be easily established,” Public Accounts Committee on the implementation of NREGA for the fiscal 2009-10 said in its report, recently tabled in Parliament.
As per Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, the State government is required to provide employment to a registered applicant within 15 days of demand, failing which unemployment allowance at “stipulated rates” is payable by the State governments from their fund, the Committee noted.
The Act stipulates that the rate of the allowance has to be fixed by state governments in consultation with State Councils. But, it should not be less than one-fourth of the wages for the first 30 days of unemployment and half of the wages beyond this.
“However, audit review has revealed that in 282 gram panchayats in 21 States, dated receipt of applications for demand for work were not given, and employment registers were not maintained in 329 gram panchayats in 19 States,” it said.
Maoists threaten to blow up Orissa CM’s house
An e-mail by suspected Maoists, received at the Orissa Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) here threatened to blow up the residence of Naveen Patnaik and other important establishments in the state, officials said on Sunday.
The mail suggests bullet injuries to top Maoist leaders Kishenji and Bikram.
“We will reply to each bullet those hit Kishanji and comrade Bikram,” said the e-mail received on Saturday purportedly sent by the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Peoples’ Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), a Maoist outfit.
“As soon as you launch joint special operation or ‘Green Hunt’, we will start attacks at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri simultaneously,” the e—mail has said.
Asking the chief minister not to rejoice over the deployment of central para—military force (CPMF) in the state, it said, “Your happiness over getting additional force is temporary“.
Describing the police personnel as a “helpless lot” in the administrative set up, the e—mail has threatened to target corrupt bureaucrats by the use of ultra—modern weapons available under cyber technology.
The state secretariat, office of the commissioner of police, police headquarters in Cuttack, armoury of 6th Battalion of OSAP (Orissa special armed police), Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC), Grid Corporation of Orissa (Gridco), Nalco and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) are identified in its target.
Claiming PLGA had successfully hacked the state government portal on March 11, the e—mail said the rebel’s acts would be more devastating this time as they were aware of the loopholes in the government set—up.
A senior official of the home department said that they are probing the incident.
The mail suggests bullet injuries to top Maoist leaders Kishenji and Bikram.
“We will reply to each bullet those hit Kishanji and comrade Bikram,” said the e-mail received on Saturday purportedly sent by the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Peoples’ Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), a Maoist outfit.
“As soon as you launch joint special operation or ‘Green Hunt’, we will start attacks at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri simultaneously,” the e—mail has said.
Asking the chief minister not to rejoice over the deployment of central para—military force (CPMF) in the state, it said, “Your happiness over getting additional force is temporary“.
Describing the police personnel as a “helpless lot” in the administrative set up, the e—mail has threatened to target corrupt bureaucrats by the use of ultra—modern weapons available under cyber technology.
The state secretariat, office of the commissioner of police, police headquarters in Cuttack, armoury of 6th Battalion of OSAP (Orissa special armed police), Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC), Grid Corporation of Orissa (Gridco), Nalco and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) are identified in its target.
Claiming PLGA had successfully hacked the state government portal on March 11, the e—mail said the rebel’s acts would be more devastating this time as they were aware of the loopholes in the government set—up.
A senior official of the home department said that they are probing the incident.
Agni-I test-fired successfully
In the third consecutive success in two days, nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-I ballistic missile with a range of 700 km was successfully flight-tested from the Wheeler’s Island off the Orissa coast on Sunday.
The test carried out by Strategic Forces Command personnel met all the mission objectives and was one of the best-ever launches, according to officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The missile which was blasted off at 1.07 hrs from a mobile launcher was tracked by all the radars along the coast and two ships as it splashed down towards the pre-designated target in the Bay of Bengal with precision and accuracy after a 500-second flight. A specialised navigation and guidance system enabled the missile to close in on the target with a high degree of accuracy.
The 14-metre tall Agni-I is a single-stage, solid propelled weapon system. It has a one metre diameter and is capable of carrying a payload of 1,000 kg.
The Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Director-General, DRDO, V.K. Saraswat, Director, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), P.Venugopalan, Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Avinash Chander and other top DRDO scientists were present.
On Saturday, ship-launched Dhanush and surface-to-surface Prithvi-II were successfully test-fired in salvo mode from two locations off the Orissa coast. Both the missiles achieved their full range and conformed to the mission’s parameters.
The test carried out by Strategic Forces Command personnel met all the mission objectives and was one of the best-ever launches, according to officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The missile which was blasted off at 1.07 hrs from a mobile launcher was tracked by all the radars along the coast and two ships as it splashed down towards the pre-designated target in the Bay of Bengal with precision and accuracy after a 500-second flight. A specialised navigation and guidance system enabled the missile to close in on the target with a high degree of accuracy.
The 14-metre tall Agni-I is a single-stage, solid propelled weapon system. It has a one metre diameter and is capable of carrying a payload of 1,000 kg.
The Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Director-General, DRDO, V.K. Saraswat, Director, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), P.Venugopalan, Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Avinash Chander and other top DRDO scientists were present.
On Saturday, ship-launched Dhanush and surface-to-surface Prithvi-II were successfully test-fired in salvo mode from two locations off the Orissa coast. Both the missiles achieved their full range and conformed to the mission’s parameters.
Government schools to up standards
Parents’ meetings, weekly assessments, project work and on-time completion of the syllabus; all attributes that were hitherto confined to private schools, are finally making their way into government high schools from the ensuing academic year.
With the standards in government high schools hitting rock bottom, thanks to the callousness of the teachers and the officials of the school education department, the government had the novel idea of achieving “academic excellence” in the said schools.
Though doubts are being raised over the implementation of the new scheme as these schools are plagued by various problems, the commissioner and director of school education, Ms Poonam Malakondaiah, is confident that it will be implement in “letter and spirit” from this year.
Ms Malakondaiah, who has been working on drafting the academic calendar for government high schools, is currently in the process of conducting training classes for teachers for the effective execution of the programme.
“Education is basically a tripartite arrangement between students, parents and teachers. But unfortunately, parents are ignored in the government schools for obvious reasons — most parents are from the under-privileged sections of society and are uneducated. It’s a fact that teachers feel it belittling to talk to these parents. We want to remove this stigma,” she said.
Parents of students who perform well in studies and extra-curricular activities will be made to speak in the school assembly to motivate other parents.
The academic planner is being sent to nearly 25,000 high schools and upper primary schools, aimed at improving the overall performance of nearly 42 lakh students enrolled from Class VI to Class X. The planner talks about daily, weekly and monthly schedules apart from a continuos evaluation of students.
“Besides focus on academics, students should participate in extra-curricular activities for overall personality development. Activities on conservation of environment, safe agriculture practices and sports and games will be taken up in an organised manner. This will make them sensitive towards the environment as well,” Ms Malakondaiah said.
With the standards in government high schools hitting rock bottom, thanks to the callousness of the teachers and the officials of the school education department, the government had the novel idea of achieving “academic excellence” in the said schools.
Though doubts are being raised over the implementation of the new scheme as these schools are plagued by various problems, the commissioner and director of school education, Ms Poonam Malakondaiah, is confident that it will be implement in “letter and spirit” from this year.
Ms Malakondaiah, who has been working on drafting the academic calendar for government high schools, is currently in the process of conducting training classes for teachers for the effective execution of the programme.
“Education is basically a tripartite arrangement between students, parents and teachers. But unfortunately, parents are ignored in the government schools for obvious reasons — most parents are from the under-privileged sections of society and are uneducated. It’s a fact that teachers feel it belittling to talk to these parents. We want to remove this stigma,” she said.
Parents of students who perform well in studies and extra-curricular activities will be made to speak in the school assembly to motivate other parents.
The academic planner is being sent to nearly 25,000 high schools and upper primary schools, aimed at improving the overall performance of nearly 42 lakh students enrolled from Class VI to Class X. The planner talks about daily, weekly and monthly schedules apart from a continuos evaluation of students.
“Besides focus on academics, students should participate in extra-curricular activities for overall personality development. Activities on conservation of environment, safe agriculture practices and sports and games will be taken up in an organised manner. This will make them sensitive towards the environment as well,” Ms Malakondaiah said.
Temple awaits Big B’s promised Rs 1cr grant
Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is learning the hard way that when it comes to money, spiritual authorities can be as hard-headed as temporal ones.
The actor promised Rs 1 crore to the Sri Brahmaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple in Srisailam three years ago, but has given only Rs 11 lakh. Temple authorities have been chasing him through letters to cough up the remaining amount, but the actor has not responded yet.
Amitabh Bachchan, accompanied by wife Jaya, son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya and close pal and politician Mr Amar Singh visited the famed hill-top temple in Kurnool district on July 29, 2007.
They participated in the Rudrabhisekham at Jyothirlingam and Kumkumarchana performed at Sri Bhramarambika Devi temple.
After the rituals, Vedic scholars blessed the couples. The temple’s then executive officer, Mr Harijawahar Lal, accompanied them and presented them a memento. Before they left, he also sought a donation of Rs 1 crore for gold-plating of the temple’s Dhwaja Sthambam.
Mr Gopala Krishna, executive officer of the temple told this newspaper on Saturday that Amitabh Bachchan had promised to bear the cost of the Dhwaja Sthambam and immediately shelled out Rs 11 lakh, with the rest to follow.
Should the rest of the money not be forthcoming, Mr Krishna says the temple has another willing donor for the Dhwaja Sthambam which is in bad shape and needs 8.5 kg of gold plating.
The actor promised Rs 1 crore to the Sri Brahmaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple in Srisailam three years ago, but has given only Rs 11 lakh. Temple authorities have been chasing him through letters to cough up the remaining amount, but the actor has not responded yet.
Amitabh Bachchan, accompanied by wife Jaya, son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya and close pal and politician Mr Amar Singh visited the famed hill-top temple in Kurnool district on July 29, 2007.
They participated in the Rudrabhisekham at Jyothirlingam and Kumkumarchana performed at Sri Bhramarambika Devi temple.
After the rituals, Vedic scholars blessed the couples. The temple’s then executive officer, Mr Harijawahar Lal, accompanied them and presented them a memento. Before they left, he also sought a donation of Rs 1 crore for gold-plating of the temple’s Dhwaja Sthambam.
Mr Gopala Krishna, executive officer of the temple told this newspaper on Saturday that Amitabh Bachchan had promised to bear the cost of the Dhwaja Sthambam and immediately shelled out Rs 11 lakh, with the rest to follow.
Should the rest of the money not be forthcoming, Mr Krishna says the temple has another willing donor for the Dhwaja Sthambam which is in bad shape and needs 8.5 kg of gold plating.
Kingfisher bomb case solved: Police
The Kerala police has taken into custody an employee of a private cargo firm here for his alleged involvement in placing an explosive device on a Kingfisher flight to Thiruvananthapuram on March 21. The arrest is likely to be recorded later in the day.
The police has ruled out the involvement of any terrorist outfit and said that the incident was the result of personal enmity among employees of private firms.
"Right now, I will not be able to divulge the details but the case has been solved and the person who did this crime has admitted to it. The recording of the arrest and other things will take place shortly," a senior police official, who did not wish to be named, said here on Sunday.
The explosive device was found in the cargo section of the Kingfisher plane after it landed in Thiruvananthapuram from Bangalore last Sunday. The flight had 27 passengers and four crew members.
After the passengers and the crew deplaned, a routine security check of the aircraft led to the detection of the device wrapped in a school question paper and a Malayalam newspaper.
"He is not an employee of the Airports Authority of India. He works with a private firm involved in operations inside the airport," the official added.
The person in custody hails from the suburbs of the capital city.
The police has ruled out the involvement of any terrorist outfit and said that the incident was the result of personal enmity among employees of private firms.
"Right now, I will not be able to divulge the details but the case has been solved and the person who did this crime has admitted to it. The recording of the arrest and other things will take place shortly," a senior police official, who did not wish to be named, said here on Sunday.
The explosive device was found in the cargo section of the Kingfisher plane after it landed in Thiruvananthapuram from Bangalore last Sunday. The flight had 27 passengers and four crew members.
After the passengers and the crew deplaned, a routine security check of the aircraft led to the detection of the device wrapped in a school question paper and a Malayalam newspaper.
"He is not an employee of the Airports Authority of India. He works with a private firm involved in operations inside the airport," the official added.
The person in custody hails from the suburbs of the capital city.
Traffic cops enjoy a Sunday too
Come weekend and the city of Nawabs switches gear into lazy Sunday mode. Big brunches and siestas are expected, however, even traffic signals are switched off and traffic police can be seen idling on street corners. From having siestas of their own or chatting with colleagues as traffic around them goes haywire, anarchy rules the city traffic on Sundays with no lights and no cops to guide them.
Nathan Akshith, an engineer says, “On Sundays, it’s the same story across city traffic junctions. Crossroads where there are only supposed to be four directions for vehicular movement suddenly become a scene of chaos as six-seven new directions crop up. Even if the signals are working, motorists conveniently ignore them. And all the while, traffic cops lounge around lazily with not a care in the world.”
Aadesh Kothari, national head for a website is bemused. “It’s funny to watch cops take it easy and permit errant motorists to ride as they please. It’s literally a ‘free-for-all’ on weekends at traffic signals. Ironically when there’s a VIP convoy, cops snap to attention. What about us?”
The lax attitude makes negotiating through these junctions on the weekend a nightmare. “One Sunday as I rode my two-wheeler near the YMCA cross-roads, I saw a hapless pedestrian struggling to cross the road, thanks to traffic coming from all directions. The cops however, watched the drama ensconced in their cosy corner under the shade of a tree,” says Radhika P., an IT employee.
The traffic police too can’t help but admit that there is a lapse in manning vehicular movement on weekends and public holidays. P.V. Anand, ACP (traffic) admits, “I have noticed that cops don’t man the traffic as stringently as they should,” continuing with an assurance, “We are taking steps to ensure that they regulate traffic well even on holidays. We are also planning to install umbrellas at traffic kiosks to provide shade for cops to enable them to work better.”
Nathan Akshith, an engineer says, “On Sundays, it’s the same story across city traffic junctions. Crossroads where there are only supposed to be four directions for vehicular movement suddenly become a scene of chaos as six-seven new directions crop up. Even if the signals are working, motorists conveniently ignore them. And all the while, traffic cops lounge around lazily with not a care in the world.”
Aadesh Kothari, national head for a website is bemused. “It’s funny to watch cops take it easy and permit errant motorists to ride as they please. It’s literally a ‘free-for-all’ on weekends at traffic signals. Ironically when there’s a VIP convoy, cops snap to attention. What about us?”
The lax attitude makes negotiating through these junctions on the weekend a nightmare. “One Sunday as I rode my two-wheeler near the YMCA cross-roads, I saw a hapless pedestrian struggling to cross the road, thanks to traffic coming from all directions. The cops however, watched the drama ensconced in their cosy corner under the shade of a tree,” says Radhika P., an IT employee.
The traffic police too can’t help but admit that there is a lapse in manning vehicular movement on weekends and public holidays. P.V. Anand, ACP (traffic) admits, “I have noticed that cops don’t man the traffic as stringently as they should,” continuing with an assurance, “We are taking steps to ensure that they regulate traffic well even on holidays. We are also planning to install umbrellas at traffic kiosks to provide shade for cops to enable them to work better.”
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Focus on farming in T reports
In the run up to the scheduled tour of Srikrishna Committee members in Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Adilabad districts from March 31, leaders of political parties, mass organisations and groups are preparing to submit their views to the panel members.
Two members of the five- member Srikrishna Committee — Ms Ravinder Kaur and Abusaleh Shariff — will tour the district to elicit opinion from various sections of the population on the Telangana issue. Some organisations like Retired Employees Association, Nizamabad Chamber of Commerce and students organisations besides some public representatives have already sent their letters to the committee.
The main theme in the various submissions is expected to be the sorry state of agriculture in the district, which during Nizam rule itself, saw a golden age.
Even before the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the district boasts of Nizamsagar project which had 2.5 lakh acre ayacut.
However, leaders and organisations advocating Telangana state lament that due to negligence of the successive governments in the united state, the project saw its capacity gradually reduced and is now catering only to the needs of one lakh acres.
As a result, a large number of farmers have resorted to indiscriminate digging of borewells — according to estimates the number of borewells in the district is about 3 lakh — thus depending completely on ground waters and electricity. The recurring power shortage in the state led to uncertainty in farming causing huge losses to farmers and suicides.
Though Gutpa-Ali Sagar projects were built to stabilise Nizamsagar ayacut, lack of flow in Godavari due to building of projects upstream in Maharashtra, farmers got no relief.
The failure of agriculture has also triggered migration of rural populace to Gulf countries as well as other places in the country.
Political parties and organisations are in the process of preparing reports encompassing all these aspects of the problem to submit to the committee members.
Two members of the five- member Srikrishna Committee — Ms Ravinder Kaur and Abusaleh Shariff — will tour the district to elicit opinion from various sections of the population on the Telangana issue. Some organisations like Retired Employees Association, Nizamabad Chamber of Commerce and students organisations besides some public representatives have already sent their letters to the committee.
The main theme in the various submissions is expected to be the sorry state of agriculture in the district, which during Nizam rule itself, saw a golden age.
Even before the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the district boasts of Nizamsagar project which had 2.5 lakh acre ayacut.
However, leaders and organisations advocating Telangana state lament that due to negligence of the successive governments in the united state, the project saw its capacity gradually reduced and is now catering only to the needs of one lakh acres.
As a result, a large number of farmers have resorted to indiscriminate digging of borewells — according to estimates the number of borewells in the district is about 3 lakh — thus depending completely on ground waters and electricity. The recurring power shortage in the state led to uncertainty in farming causing huge losses to farmers and suicides.
Though Gutpa-Ali Sagar projects were built to stabilise Nizamsagar ayacut, lack of flow in Godavari due to building of projects upstream in Maharashtra, farmers got no relief.
The failure of agriculture has also triggered migration of rural populace to Gulf countries as well as other places in the country.
Political parties and organisations are in the process of preparing reports encompassing all these aspects of the problem to submit to the committee members.
62 MLAs suspended from House
For the first time in the budget session, Telugu Desam MLAs were suspended from AP Legislative Assembly over “tainted officials” issue, which rocked the House on Friday.
As many as 62 opposition MLAs were suspended as they had not agree to take up regular business and tabling of various Bills in the House during the evening session.
The Speaker, Mr N. Kirankumar Reddy, who adjourned the Assembly twice in the morning and once in the evening, suspended the members as they created furore in the House, causing disruption for almost three hours.
The Telugu Desam vehemently opposed the elevation of Mr Harshavardhan as an IAS officer even after he faced corruption charges and ACB raids in November, 2009. After the raids on his properties, Mr Harshavardan was suspended from the service.
However, the suspension was revoked and he was conferred IAS and posted in Small Savings Department recently. The Telugu Desam raised the issue during Question Hour alleging that the government had favoured the tainted official by clearing the way for him to get promotion as an IAS officer.
As soon as the TD MLA, Mr Revanth Reddy, began his speech levelling charges against Mr Harshavardan, the Congress chief whip, Mr Bhatti Vikramarka, and the whip, Mr Sailajanath, objected to his observations. They alleged that the Opposition was targeting only Dalit officials.
The Telugu Desam, which got the upper hand initially, was a taken aback with the usage of Dalit card by the Congress members.
Pandemonium prevailed for half-an-hour, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.
After the House re-assembled, the TD MLA, Mr M. Narsimhulu, alleged that the Congress government had harassed Mr Harshavardan and the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, himself allowed ACB raids against him. The Chief Minister took strong objection to the remarks of
Mr Narasimhulu and said the ACB need not take prior permission from him for conducting raids on senior officials.
Congress members demanded an apology from the Telugu Desam member since Mr Narsimhulu had made false allegations against the Chief Minister. The Speaker had also advised the Telugu Desam member to say sorry for dragging Mr Rosaiah’s name in the episode.
As many as 62 opposition MLAs were suspended as they had not agree to take up regular business and tabling of various Bills in the House during the evening session.
The Speaker, Mr N. Kirankumar Reddy, who adjourned the Assembly twice in the morning and once in the evening, suspended the members as they created furore in the House, causing disruption for almost three hours.
The Telugu Desam vehemently opposed the elevation of Mr Harshavardhan as an IAS officer even after he faced corruption charges and ACB raids in November, 2009. After the raids on his properties, Mr Harshavardan was suspended from the service.
However, the suspension was revoked and he was conferred IAS and posted in Small Savings Department recently. The Telugu Desam raised the issue during Question Hour alleging that the government had favoured the tainted official by clearing the way for him to get promotion as an IAS officer.
As soon as the TD MLA, Mr Revanth Reddy, began his speech levelling charges against Mr Harshavardan, the Congress chief whip, Mr Bhatti Vikramarka, and the whip, Mr Sailajanath, objected to his observations. They alleged that the Opposition was targeting only Dalit officials.
The Telugu Desam, which got the upper hand initially, was a taken aback with the usage of Dalit card by the Congress members.
Pandemonium prevailed for half-an-hour, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.
After the House re-assembled, the TD MLA, Mr M. Narsimhulu, alleged that the Congress government had harassed Mr Harshavardan and the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, himself allowed ACB raids against him. The Chief Minister took strong objection to the remarks of
Mr Narasimhulu and said the ACB need not take prior permission from him for conducting raids on senior officials.
Congress members demanded an apology from the Telugu Desam member since Mr Narsimhulu had made false allegations against the Chief Minister. The Speaker had also advised the Telugu Desam member to say sorry for dragging Mr Rosaiah’s name in the episode.
Spare an hour for the Earth
When the third rock from the sun switches off its lights between 8.30 and 9.30 Saturday night, you know something is on.
The hugely popular and symbolic campaign against climate change has corporations, public bodies and individuals, raring to jump on to the “green bandwagon” to pledge support for action against climate change.
Come March 27, lights will be dimmed in 56 cities across the country. In no mood to be left behind, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) has written to no less than 250 welfare associations and corporations to go dark from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Public buildings such as the power-hungry Vidhana Soudha or Town Hall, large IT offices and parks — where power consumption is anyway low on Saturday evenings — and hotels have pledged to support the cause.
Last year, BESCOM recorded a drop of 80 MegaWatt peak load (against a daily average of 1,800 MW) on the occasion, a senior official said. BESCOM aims to save at least 0.8 million units on Saturday, compared to an average daily consumption of 33 million units.
This idea, born in Sydney in 2007, has since turned global. Mobilised and branded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), this year's Earth Hour has reputedly spread its wings wider with 120 countries signing up so far, compared to 88 last year. This promises to be the biggest mass event aimed at “speaking up against climate change”, WWF says. But, ask the detractors, “Why choose Saturday?” While corporates claim credit for pledging allegiance to the cause, one may wonder the sincerity of an attempt to “minimise resources” on a day when offices are shut.
A few companies, Infosys Technologies for one, have taken it beyond the token one hour by organising weeklong activities such as Earth Habba or green campaigns to build awareness. However, it must be noted that companies that provide round-the-week customer service, for clients at home and abroad, can hardly afford to join the initiative. A spokesperson of an IT major told The Hindu that it is only the R&D wing that will observe Earth Hour, while the BPO and client servicing sections cannot afford a break.
The 1,300 fans of the Facebook group Anti-Climate Change, a pittance compared to the fans that the WWF Earth Hour page has (2,18,880), maintain that this initiative is a sham. Critics point out that the carbon credits gained in the 60-minute token blackout barely makes up for the energy used to back this campaign, both online and offline.
Elaborate symbolism or not, Earth Hour has familiarised many with the critical issue of climate change.
At the end of the day, whether participants in this global campaign will return at 9.30 p.m. to their usual appetite for power or not will be an individual decision.
The hugely popular and symbolic campaign against climate change has corporations, public bodies and individuals, raring to jump on to the “green bandwagon” to pledge support for action against climate change.
Come March 27, lights will be dimmed in 56 cities across the country. In no mood to be left behind, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) has written to no less than 250 welfare associations and corporations to go dark from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Public buildings such as the power-hungry Vidhana Soudha or Town Hall, large IT offices and parks — where power consumption is anyway low on Saturday evenings — and hotels have pledged to support the cause.
Last year, BESCOM recorded a drop of 80 MegaWatt peak load (against a daily average of 1,800 MW) on the occasion, a senior official said. BESCOM aims to save at least 0.8 million units on Saturday, compared to an average daily consumption of 33 million units.
This idea, born in Sydney in 2007, has since turned global. Mobilised and branded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), this year's Earth Hour has reputedly spread its wings wider with 120 countries signing up so far, compared to 88 last year. This promises to be the biggest mass event aimed at “speaking up against climate change”, WWF says. But, ask the detractors, “Why choose Saturday?” While corporates claim credit for pledging allegiance to the cause, one may wonder the sincerity of an attempt to “minimise resources” on a day when offices are shut.
A few companies, Infosys Technologies for one, have taken it beyond the token one hour by organising weeklong activities such as Earth Habba or green campaigns to build awareness. However, it must be noted that companies that provide round-the-week customer service, for clients at home and abroad, can hardly afford to join the initiative. A spokesperson of an IT major told The Hindu that it is only the R&D wing that will observe Earth Hour, while the BPO and client servicing sections cannot afford a break.
The 1,300 fans of the Facebook group Anti-Climate Change, a pittance compared to the fans that the WWF Earth Hour page has (2,18,880), maintain that this initiative is a sham. Critics point out that the carbon credits gained in the 60-minute token blackout barely makes up for the energy used to back this campaign, both online and offline.
Elaborate symbolism or not, Earth Hour has familiarised many with the critical issue of climate change.
At the end of the day, whether participants in this global campaign will return at 9.30 p.m. to their usual appetite for power or not will be an individual decision.
