Agni-II 'almost ready'

NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (UNI) — The 2,500-km plus intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) Agni-II is almost ready and will be test-fired for the first time in the "very near future", Defence Ministry sources said here today.

"The development of the superior Agni-II has reached a definitive stage and it will be test-launched in the very near future," the sources confirmed.

The development of the second phase of longer-range improved Agni was given the go-ahead by the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre soon after assuming office.

The first phase of 1,500 km Agni, a technology demonstrator perfecting re-entry technology, had been successfully completed and the previous United Front Government had said that the second phase was on "top priority".

The 1,500 km-range first Agni had been test-fired three times.

The improved second Agni was understood to possess top-of-the-line technologies besides an extended range.

In was understood that the upgraded version of the ballistic missile, besides having a longer range, would be tipped with a 1,000 kg warhead.

The sources said it would be possible to extend the range of the improved Agni up to 3,000 km with a smaller and lighter warhead.

It was disclosed that the new Agni would also have an improved circular error probability (CEP). It was understood that the 1,500 km range, Agni, which had been tested thrice, had a CEP of 40 metres.

CEP was the measurement used to define the accuracy of a missile in hitting its target.

The technology demonstrator tests of the first Agni had been completed in 1994 during the time of the Narasimha Rao Government

Khalsa celebrations begin
From Our Correspondent

PAONTA SAHIB, Sept 4 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today formally launched the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa from the historic Sri Paonta Sahib gurdwara amidst slogans of "Bole so nihal, Sat Sri Akal" and recital of Gurbani by eminent ragis.

Addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion, Mr Badal said this sacred place had been chosen for starting the celebrations as Guru Gobind Singh had ordained the Khalsa at Paonta Sahib. During his stay here for four and a half years, the Guru had launched a crusade against the Mughal forces for the protection of the poor and the downtrodden.

The Chief Minister said the Sikh religion propagated the gospel of oneness of mankind and human brotherhood. He said Guru Gobind Singh created the new order at a time when the society was being divided by vested interests and the people's aspirations were being stifled. The Guru laid down such principles which corresponded with people's aspirations for social equality.

Mr Badal said the tercentenary celebrations would be a mega event and the cooperation of world-level organisations like the UNO was being sought to attract participation of devotees from all over the world.

Referring to the steps being taken by the Akali Dal-BJP government for beautification of Anandpur Sahib and upgradation of civic amenities, Mr Badal said work on various projects was in full swing.

Mr Badal said a unique 'Heritage Complex' and "Nishan-e-Khalsa" was being set up at Anandpur Sahib, the models and conceptual designs of which had been finalised. He paid the glorious past of 300 years of Sikhism would be depicted in a befitting manner through wall paintings, light and sound programme and other modes. He said a Martial Academy was being set up at a cost of Rs 8 crore to revive sports prevalent during the days of Guru Gobind Singh.

He said the Ministry of Defence had been approached to set up a defence institute and special financial assistance had been requested for modernising the town's life. He said the Ministry of Tourism had already started work on a three star hotel.

The Chief Minister said the Centre had constituted a national level committee under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for chalking out programme throughout the country to mark this event.

Leaders of different political parties and religions were being included on this national-level panel. He expressed the hope that the Akali Dal-BJP government at the Centre and adjoining states would make all efforts for the success of the event. He invited the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, his colleagues and the people of H.P. to participate in these celebrations at Anandpur Sahib in April, 1999.

Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, speaking on the occasion announced that a park in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh would be set up at Paonta Sahib on a plot facing the gurdwara. He said the Punjabi language would be introduced in schools of Himachal Pradesh wherever sufficient number of children opted for the language. He assured assistance from his government in the successful conduct of the celebrations as a tribute to Guru Gobind Singh who strived for unification of the world order. Mr Dhumal said the Guru's teachings were not for a particular region but the entire humanity.

Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the SGPC, while giving an account of the celebrations organised by the SGPC, said programmes had been chalked out to propagate the message of the Guru throughout the world. He said seminars and conference would be organised in which intellectuals and scholars would present research paper. Processions from the birthplace of 'panj piaras' would be organised which would converge at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi. He said the Guru's teachings had revolutionised the society and the real tribute to the Guru would be to follow the path shown by him.

Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, member of the Rajya Sabha, said there was a need for propagating the Guru's philosophy as it had universal significance and showed the way to a healthy and harmonious society. He said the Guru shaped the Sikhs into mould of a soldier-soldier for upholding the values of humanism and secularism.

Among others present on the occasion were Himachal's Health Minister, MPs and MLAs. The Chief Minister of Himachal paid obeisance at the gurdwara and was presented with a "siropa".

A seminar was held in which eminent scholars presented their papers.