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| Monday, July 3, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Pak for bilateral talks on Kashmir Trinamool, BJP fail to unseat LF |
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Allies support govt on
Lanka: Advani Accession to India final: Farooq Probe lawyer’s death : NHRC Missionaries ‘inciting’
tribals Mamata’s gift to Calcuttans Kashmir a bone of contention: Qazi Aiming to promote ayurveda Sindhi Sikhs — a disappointed
lot Cereal consumption in rural areas
falls Genetic change to affect races Do not sit for too long: doctors Row over Leh telescope RSS executive meeting ends Fernandes refuses comment New education policy hailed
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Pak for bilateral talks on Kashmir CALCUTTA, July 2 (PTI) — Pakistan today urged India to hold bilateral discussions on Kashmir by adopting a ‘‘pragmatic approach’’ and with an ‘‘open mind’’. ‘‘India keeps on saying that it cannot hold discussions with Pakistan on Kashmir as it is an integral part of India. Then, how can you solve this issue?’’ Pakistani High Commissioner to India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said at a panel discussion here. Challenging India’s stand, he claimed that both the international community and the United Nations regarded Kashmir as ‘‘disputed’’ territory. ‘‘No country other than India acknowledges the state of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India’’. Mr Qazi alleged that India did not want bilateral talks on Kashmir to reach a conclusive stage, as then ‘‘a plebiscite would become inevitable’’. ‘‘You need to
adopt a pragmatic approach and an open mind. You have
already lost the battle of hearts and minds in Kashmir. A
serious situation prevails there. Even the Indian press
has admitted large-scale human rights violations in
Kashmir,’’ he said. |
Trinamool, BJP fail to unseat LF CALCUTTA, July 2 (PTI) — The Trinamool Congress-BJP combine today failed to wrest the Bidhannagar Municipality from the ruling Left Front which won the crucial ward number 16 after a repoll at a polling station today amidst political clash, lathi charge and teargassing by the police. Both the Left Front and the Trinamool Congress were locked in a tie winning 11 seats each in the 23-ward civic body. Repolling was held in that ward after the electronic voting machine developed a snag during counting on June 28. Official sources here said the CPM candidate, Ms Gita Biswas, bagged the ward, trouncing her nearest BJP rival, Mr Banani Sanyal, by a margin of 224 votes. In the polling station
number 3A where repolling was held the CPM candidate got
137 more votes than the BJP nominee, the sources said. |
Allies support govt on Lanka: Advani CHENNAI, July 2 (PTI) — Union Home Minister L. K.. Advani today said NDA government’s opponents had failed to drive a wedge between the government and its allies on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue. "They have failed. All our allies have taken the stand that the centre’s policies are correct and sound," Mr Advani told reporters here on his arrival from Delhi en route to Erode. Referring to criticism over his participation in MDMK’s "Tamil Nadu Awakening Conference" at Erode, he said the rally would give him an opportunity to explain the government’s stand on the Lankan Tamil issue. Mr Advani said he had accepted MDMK General Secretary Vaiko’s invitation to attend the rally a few months ago. Subsequently, some
developments took place in Sri Lanka as a result of which
the Opposition wanted to drive a wedge between the
government and its allies, he said. |
India’s mediation sought in Lanka NEW DELHI, July 2 (UNI) — National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra today said that India has got feelers from both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to mediate for a political solution to the crisis in the island nation. "If we have a role
to play in mediating...or anything else...it has to be at
the request of both sides. It cannot be at the request of
one or the other. Nevertheless I will say this to you
that there seems to be some desire on the part of both
parties that India should play a role to bring about an
end to this conflict...,’’he told a private
news channel. |
Accession to India final: Farooq COIMBATORE, July 2 (PTI) — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today said the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was "final and irrevocable" and called for building a consensus on the autonomy issue. "We do not want to secede from India and we are not for any confrontation with the Centre on the autonomy issue," he told reporters here. On the Jammu and Kashmir autonomy resolution, Dr Abdullah said the state Assembly had put a document on true federal structure before the Centre and the people and the issue could be debated and taken to other parts of the country for evolving a consensus. "The states must have powers. If the states are weak, the Centre will also be weak," he said, adding that the Centre would have to adjust to the new thinking on a true federal structure. "Either you convince us or we will convince you. The time has come to return powers to the people and the states which were eroded in the last 50 years." Asked whether the autonomy resolution could send wrong signals to radicals, Dr Abdullah said "I don’t think so", adding that "We are asking for powers within the framework of Indian Constitution." On BJP’s opposition to more autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, he said "they are never in favour of it. They want to abrogate Article 370." Reciting an Urdu
couplet, Dr Abdullah said those who believed in God and
themselves and had taken the correct path were not
worried of turbulent waves. |
Probe lawyer’s death : NHRC NEW DELHI, July 2 (UNI) — The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of police of Andhra Pradesh in the case of suicide by a woman lawyer in the state due to alleged sexual harassment by certain senior lawyers. It has also decided to examine the larger issue of sexual harassment of women lawyers in the country. The NHRC sources said today that taking cognisance of a complaint received from the Asmita Resource Centre for women (ARCW) of Hyderabad regarding the suicide by Ms Sangeeta Sharma, a lawyer of Andhra Pradesh, on June 15 due to the alleged sexual harassment, the commission asked the two officials to reply within two weeks indicating the current status of the criminal investigation in the unnatural death being carried out by the state police. The question of investigation into the alleged crime by some of the senior lawyers is under the consideration of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. A full Bench of the NHRC, headed by chairperson Justice J. S. Verma, however, felt that this specific incident highlighted the larger issue of sexual harassment of women lawyers whose number is considerable throughout the country. The commission issued notice to the Bar Association of India and the Bar Council of India seeking their assistance in examining the issue of exploitation of women professionals engaged in legal profession. Since the case related to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the NHRC has also issued notice to the state Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh and the Andhra Pradesh High Court Bar Association asking for their response within four weeks. Dr Kalpana Kannabiran, president of the ARCW, had approached the NHRC seeking its immediate intervention into the matter to ensure that the police investigation into the suicide of Ms Sangeeta Sharma proceeded unhampered. The ARCW president said though the police has arrested two persons in this case, the main accused who was slated for judgeship had absconded. On June 21, the accused had moved the court for stay on the investigation which was granted till June 26, she pointed out and urged the NHRC to send its observer for the hearing. The commission was requested to monitor the progress of the case so that the investigation proceed unhampered. Ms Sharma had alleged
sexual harassment by certain fellow lawyers and senior
lawyers, the petition said. The names of those directly
responsible for her death and those indirectly involved
had been mentioned by her in her suicide note and diary,
both of which were with the police. The police was also
in possession of a letter written by Ms Sharma to the
Chairman of the bar council of Andhra Pradesh, but not
delivered. |
Missionaries ‘inciting’ tribals NEW DELHI, July 2 (PTI) — The RSS-backed Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram today accused Christian missionaries of vitiating the communal atmosphere by inciting tribals against registering themselves as Hindus in the ongoing Census-2001 operation. The ashram, a front organisation of the RSS working in the tribal areas, alleged that personnel attached to educational, medical and social service institutions run by the church were asking the tribesmen either to declare their religion as Christianity or give their tribe names such as ‘sarna’. "They are asking the tribesmen to invent some names but in no case should they declare themselves as Hindus," ashram spokesman Surya Narain Saxena said in a statement here. Alleging the hand of "educated church-connected workers" behind a recent ‘sarna" convention in Ranchi where the tribesmen declared they were not Hindus, Mr Saxena said a majority of the tribesmen were opposed to such efforts. Such attempts would only serve to vitiate the communal atmosphere in the country’s sensitive tribal areas," he said. The RSS outfit’s
criticism comes close on the heels of VHP and Bajrang Dal
leaders’ meeting with the National Commission for
Minorities and their agreeing for a dialogue with
Christian leaders on July 11 "to remove discord,
disharmony and misgiving" between the two
communities. |
Sindhi Sikhs — a
disappointed lot PUNE, July 2 — Lakhs of "Sehjdhari Sikhs" who had migrated from Sindh province (now in Pakistan) to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of India at the time of partition are a disappointed lot as neither the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) nor any other Sikh organisation has made any serious attempt to keep the new generation into the mainstream Sikhism, so far. The "Nanak Nam Leva" Sindhis are dedicated followers of Guru Nanak Dev. They have built their own gurdwaras in different parts of Maharashtra and recite gurbani (holy hymns) from Guru Granth Sahib, every day. According to a rough estimate more than 10 lakh Sindhis live in Maharashtra alone. These Sindhis have said they were surprised to know that the Sikh Gurdwara Commission in its draft proposals had recommended to Government of India to delete "Sehjdhari" from Gurdwara Act, 1925. They, however, appreciated the SGPC for stalling this move. It may be mentioned here that SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur had announced that any amendment in the Gurdwara Act would be made by consensus and seeking suggestions from Sikh scholars and organisations. The dedication of Sindhis could be gauged from the unprecedented reception organised by them at various railway stations en route "a rail on spiritual journey" which reached Nanded — the fifth Takht of Sikhs — after visiting various parts of the country. A number of Sehjdhari Sikhs talking to TNS said nobody could separate "Sehjdharis" from mainstream Sikhism. Mr Permanand and Mr Goverdhan Dass, ‘Sehjdharis’ who were among hundreds of enthusiastic Sikhs who received the train at Kota railway station said nobody was above Guru Granth Sahib, adding that Guru Granth Sahib was the only holy book of the world which contains the "bani" of personalities of other religions. They told there were more than one lakh Sindhis and Sehjdhari Sikhs in Rewari. There are many areas
where Sikhs are in large numbers. This is why Kota is
known as "mini Punjab". In Surat, Gujarat,
Sehjdhari Sikhs have built two gurdwaras. In Pimpri,
Pune, there are approximately 90,000 Sindhis. |
Aiming to promote ayurveda NEW DELHI, July 2 (PTI) — A comprehensive ayurveda complex, including a medical college for foreign students, a free hospital for locals and a pharmacy to produce medicines as per ancient texts, supported by a farm to grow endangered herbs is fast coming up in Kangra valley in the Himachal foothills. The Himachal Heritage Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences, promoted by Ayurveda India — a Delhi-based group of Ayurvedic specialists — is being set up with a view to restoring the pristine glory of the ancient system of Indian medicine through strict adherence to the basic texts, says Dr Naveen Gupta, the brain behind the project. The medical college, scheduled to commence work from the next academic year, would be primarily catering to foreign students and focus on teaching from the ancient texts, "which are neglected and ignored by the new generation", says Dr R K Kaushal, one of the institute’s Directors. "We have already started receiving applications form China, Turkey, Holland, Belgium, Germany, the USA and Spain," says a jubilant Dr Gupta. According to him, the curriculum would be tailor-made for each student and would include short-term courses for alternative therapists and physicians of other systems of medicines and reorientation programmes for ayurveda doctors. A special feature of the institute would be the 50-bedded hospital with an exclusive Panchkarma unit, which would have a free out-patient department for the benefit of local population of the Kangra valley. "Our emphasis would be on pure Ayurveda as against the recent trend to fit Ayurveda into modern diagnosis," says Dr Gupra, adding that at the hospital too, stress would be on reducing laboratory tests and cutting down costs. A unique aspect of the institute would be its pharmacy and research laboratory which would identify endangered and extinct species of herbs and plants and encourage local farmers to produce the same. "So far, we have
only had ayurvedic health resorts meant for the rich. The
institute aims at taking ayurveda back to the Indian
masses, at a time when even US companies are patenting
our age-old herbs such as neem," says Dr Gupta. |
Mamata’s gift to Calcuttans CALCUTTA, July 2 — Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has gifted the people of Calcutta a new Rajdhani train, which will leave Sealdah twice a week. This ‘millennium gift’ which she had promised prior to elections of the municipal committees in Calcutta and Bidhannagar — under the CMP control since 1977 — had been fulfilled after the massive victory in the elections. Speaking at the flagging-off function yesterday, Ms Banerjee said the never indulged in false promises and politics of lying. Whatever, I say I mean and I do." Incidentally, all newspapers in the city carried a news item yesterday quoting the Prime Minister that he had not made any assurance to her about re-considering the decision of closing down five public sector units (PSUs) in Bengal, as claimed by the Railway Minister. Workers of these units in the industrial town of Durgapur have gone on an indefinite fast against the decision. The Railway Minister did not make any public statement regarding the report. But her party sources said she had a talk with the Prime Minister on the phone and she had been advised to come to Delhi to discuss the matter. Mr Vajpayee also denied that he had made such a statement. The bi-weekly train will start every Tuesday and Saturday at 4.45 p.m. from Sealdah and reach New Delhi the following day at 10.40 a.m. and return to Sealdah every Thursday and Monday, leaving New Delhi the previous day. At present, two pairs of
Rajdhani Express run everyday between Howrah and New
Delhi. The Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express also
runs en route Howrah twice a week. |
Kashmir a bone of contention: Qazi CALCUTTA, July 2 (UNI) — The main bottleneck to developing good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan is the Kashmir issue, Pakistan’s High Commissioner in India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi has reiterated. "The bone of contention in developing a friendly relation between ourselves is the issue of Kashmir," Dr Qazi said, while participating in a panel discussion on "Beyond Kargil, Uneasy Neighbours in the New Milllennium" here last night. Among other speakers at the discussion were former Chief of Army Staff Gen (retd) Sankar Ray Chowdhury, Lt General (rtd) A.L. Kalkat, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer, former Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit, CPI leader A.B. Bardhan, Telugu Desam leader and MP Yerran Naidu and senior BJP leader Kalraj Mishra. The panel discussion was organised under the banner of magazine ‘New Approach’ and was moderated by noted columnist Sunanda Dutta Ray. The Pakistani High Commissioner said the Kashmir issue had assumed a greater significance after both the countries became nuclear weapon states in 1998. Keeping in view the dangerous proportion of the issue both the governments must resume dialogue in search of permanent peace, he said. Dr Qazi described the Simla Agreement as a total failure. Though the famous agreement had covered every aspect, there was no mention in it as to how to solve the age-old problems relating to Kashmir. He said before initiating a new round of dialogue for peace and stability in the region, both the governments must take into consideration the priorities of the people of Kashmir. He asserted that though it was very difficult, neither side should undermine the scope for a greater political dialogue which, according to him, was a real challenge in the post-Kargil era. Earlier, initiating the discussion, General Roy Chowdhury and Lt General Kalkat underscored the necessity of maintaining the actual line of control by both the countries to establish peace and stability. General Roy Chowdhury specifically pointed out that though restoration of peace and normalcy was the need of the hour, the two countries should emphasise that LoC must be respected even at the cost of "some compromises" to be made by both of them. Describing the Kargil conflict not as an isolated incident but one caused mainly by the tremendous mistrust and misconception about the real intention of both the neighbours, the two former Army Generals also stressed the need for resuming people-to-people contact. However, they maintained that a comprehensive solution to stop recurrence of Kargil like situation would only come from the division of the Kashmir area on the basis of Line of Control. CPI leader A.B. Bardhan held the Governments of India and Pakistan responsible for building up tension. He said since both the countries became nuclear powers without having gone for any deterrent, a war-like situation prevailed. Mr Bardhan and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer were highly critical of the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government for its alleged failure in developing a good neighbourly relation with Pakistan. They also described the Lahore Declaration between Mr Vajpayee and the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as ‘useless’. Mr Mishra and Mr Naidu
contradicted the views expressed by Mr Bardhan and Mr
Aiyer saying that despite all good intention of the
Indian Prime Minister to develop a long lost friendly
relation, Kargil conflict was enacted by Pakistan which
was also allegedly trying to destabilise India. |
Cereal consumption in rural areas falls NEW DELHI, July 2 (PTI) — The per capita cereal consumption levels in rural India declined despite modest increases in income during the two decades between 1972-73 and 1993-94. According to the latest statistics collected by the national sample survey, the average per capita consumption of cereals in rural India during this period declined from 15.3 to 13.4 kg per month. It, however, remained unchanged in urban areas at around 11 kg per capita per month. This has happened with relatively low levels of per capita consumption and at a time when the rate of growth in cereal production had exceeded the population growth rates. These facts have been brought out in a new book titled ‘‘Public Support for Food Security,’’ which discusses in details the working of the public distribution system in the country. The book, part of the strategies for human development in India, is a compilation of essays on the subject which has been edited by two noted economists, N. Krishnaji and T.N. Krishnan. The book is part of the project to establish whether the decline in cereal consumption in rural India is in fact an algebraic artefact, and secondly to understand more fully the nature of change in the composition of foods in the diet and its implications for the country. It also focuses on the substitution between cereals and other foods as well as substitutions among the cereals. It says apart from an across-the-board decrease in the cereal share. The quantity of cereals consumed has also exhibited a systematic decline recently. During the period under study, it was found that important commodity substitutions had occurred with the cereal groups. The 335-pagebook, with a lot of reference, graphs, charts, statistical data, tables and figures, is an academic reading. With a long introduction by the editors, the book is divided into 10 chapters dealing with such topics as food consumption trends in India, food security and calorie adequacy across state, liberalisation of foodgrain markets — its implications for food security and price stability, etc. Each chapter has been written by a specialist. For example, while
discussing the liberalisation of foodgrain markets, write
Shikha Jha and P.V. Srinivasan, it is shown through data
that freeing both domestic and external trade of
foodgrains from governmental interventions would yield
positive aggregate welfare benefits to the economy. |
Genetic change to affect races NEW DELHI, July 2 (UNI) — The sequencing of the human genome, while definitely changing lives for the better through increasing the availability of genetic information pertaining to our expected state of health, could also expose a group of persons to discrimination because of their genetic endowment, Indian scientists feel. At the same time, some scientists feel that any tinkering with the genetic structure could lead to an interbreeding of races. While on the one hand, this change in genetic structure would lead to a healthy society, on the other it would result in the present races losing their traditional roots and ethnicity. Head of the Department of Genetics in the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, D.N. Singh said in Patna that the genetic engineering would provide treatment for genetic disorders even before birth. He said killer disease, diabetes could be controlled by treating the "gene’’ responsible for the disease. He said genetic engineering of suspected carriers of diseases would give doctors a useful guide to reach at the defected gene and treat it accordingly. He said it would provide comprehensive and continuous therapy for congenital malformations, genetically determined disorders, developmental delay, abnormal or unusual physical feature, mental retardation, ambiguity of internal or external genitalia, habitual abortion, infertility, unexplained short stature, lack of sperm, behaviour problems like autism or aggressiveness and others. According to Prof P. Srivasula Reddy, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati: "The status of human genome project is only 85 per cent complete.’’ "Even this information will help the human race in the diagnosis of many genetic errors at an early stage. Many diseases which occur at a later stage of the development can be diagnosed at the early stage, which help to cure or prevent many diseases’, he said. The sequencing of the genome could also lead to, in the not too distant future, abusing of the advances of genetic information for non-medical purposes, besides resulting in non-privacy and lack of confidentiality of genetic information, they said. Prof Jacob Jayaraj, Department of Anthropology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, opined that any attempt to crack the genetic structures of the present races (human ethnic stocks) in the world-negroid, caucoid, and mongoloid-would lead them to permanently lose their traditional and ethnic roots. Nevertheless, interbreeding of races, he said, would lead to a healthy society. For example, when an European marries an African lady, it would have peculiar implications as the offspring would cover dual races. Even scientific experiments proved that interbreeding would develop an intelligent bent of mind among the offspring. This may be called change in genetic structure. Commenting on the
application of the technology in India, Dr D.N. Singh,
who spent 35 years in USA, said it was unfortunate that
medical colleges only had the passing references on the
genetic engineering in their text books. He said that
there was a need to spread the genetic testing
laboratories in the country for fighting the diseases in
an effective manner. He said that laws should also be
formulated for preventing the "misuse" of this
science. |
Do not sit for too long: doctors NEW DELHI, July 2 (UNI) — Here is a warning for all those who become television or NET addicts. And this is not for those who think it is only their eyes which can be affected. Sitting for long hours can even cause a lung attack, something until now attributed primarily to smoking. People who sit cramped for hours together without intermittent leg movement are prone to clot formation in the leg veins, which may result in lung attacks, also called pulmonary embolism. The clot travels through the right side of the heart before lodging itself in one of the lung arteries, causing difficulty in breathing or acute pain in the chest. The clot may also lead to death, depending upon its size, according to the Heart Care Foundation of India. Pregnant women or those on birth control pills, and people suffering from stress or sluggish blood flow in the veins are particularly prone to this disease, according to the foundation Vice-Chairman, Dr K.K. Aggarwal. Though treatment exists by way of clot-dissolving medicines and surgery, prevention is always better than cure, the foundation says. "While travelling, people should wear loose fitting clothes and shoes, stand up, take a few paces or at least stretch and fold their legs from time to time to avoid clot formation," Dr Aggarwal opined. "The exercise of
tightening and relaxing the muscles of the abdomen and
stomach periodically while sitting for long hours can
also be helpful", he added. |
Row over Leh telescope NEW DELHI, July 2 (PTI) — The setting up of a new 2-mt class telescope at Hanle in the Leh region — the first among the three small telescopes coming up within the next five years in the country — has drawn sharp criticism from some astronomers who say there is hardly any need for building three similar telescopes in three sites. The Hanle telescope, managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bangalore, will be followed by two more small 2-mt class telescopes. The first one by Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) will be located near Pune to be followed by another at Devasthal in UP by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) of Mumbai and the Uttar Pradesh State Observatory (UPSO), Nainital. The IIA and IUCAA telescopes are likely to become operational year-end while the TIFR-UPSO one will come up by 2005. A section of astronomers in Delhi, Pune and Bangalore say that three similar telescopes are not needed for the country due to the shortage of astronomy students. But IIA Director Ramnath Cowsik said three telescopes might actually help in attract students to astronomy. "Opportunities need
to be created for young talents and the three telescopes
may do just that. Moreover, 2-mt class telescopes are
bread and butter of basic astronomy as a lot of advanced
research can be done with these smaller telescopes,"
he said. |
RSS executive meeting ends GANDHINAGAR, July 2 (PTI) — The RSS today described the autonomy resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as "a step short of actual secession," and urged the Centre to keep all options open, including firing the state government, in dealing with the issue. RSS Joint General Secretary Madandas told a news conference on the conclusion of a two-day RSS national executive meeting here that the government had several options before it to tackle the situation arising out of the issue. "Dismissal is one such option, but we (RSS) have not demanded it," he clarified. He said the Vajpayee Government should first try to convince the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, whose National Conference is an alliance partner in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government before considering any such step. The RSS said every incident of violence against minorities, including Christians, "requires to be unreservedly condemned and thoroughly dealt with by law enforcing authorities," but asserted that "conversions is the biggest irritant" for social harmony. "There can be no
two opinions as to providing security to all the
religious communities, including Christians," the
RSS resolution, released by Madandas to the press, said. |
Fernandes refuses comment COIMBATORE, July 2 (PTI) — Defence Minister George Fernandes today declined to comment about the autonomy resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, saying that he would present his views at the "appropriate place" —the Union Cabinet. Mr Fernandes, who was present along with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, at a press conference, said Mr Abdullah had answered each and every point on the issue. Both Mr Fernandes and Dr
Abdullah were here on their way to attend the conference
organised at Erode by the MDMK, an NDA constituent. |
New education policy hailed NEW DELHI, July 2 — The President of the youth wing of the Indian National Lok Dal, Mr Ajay Chautala, has hailed the Haryana Government’s announcement of the new education policy. The policy was approved by the Haryana Cabinet at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in Chandigarh on Saturday. In a statement issued here on Sunday, Mr Ajay Chautala said the introduction of English as a compulsory subject from Class I would enable students to compete and benefit those from rural areas. He said that in doing so, the government had also kept its poll promise. He said that the
decision to introduce computer education and vocational
courses in Class IX would give students employment
opportunities. He said students and youth would feel
motivated by proposed reforms in examination and
evaluation system and initiatives taken to remove
rural-urban disparities. |
47 held for rioting GUNTUR, July 2 (PTI) — The police has arrested 47 persons for rioting that broke out after a bomb blast at a place of worship on June 25. Deputy Inspector-General of Police S. Malakondaiah said today that some of them admitted that they had obtained petrol and confessed snatching gold chains from women passengers of the state-owned bus which was damaged in the rioting. The police has
registered six cases. |
Girl killed on
‘tantrik’s advice’ SAHARANPUR, July 2 — Sapna, a four-year-old Dalit girl of Miragpur village here, was killed on the advice of a tantrik, Som. The tantrik has been arrested and is reported to have confessed to 12 such tantrik killings in the past two years, according to the SSP. Tantriks reportedly
advise the killing of children to please gods. |
Heavy rain likely in Goa, Kerala PUNE, July 2 (PTI) — Rain or thundershowers are likely at most places in west Rajasthan, Konkan and Goa, coastal Karnataka and Kerala, at many places in Andaman and Nicoabar Islands, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, hills of West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, east Rajasthan, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep and at a few places in the rest of the country, according to forecast issued by central observatory here today. Heavy rainfall warning:
Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Konkan and
Goa, coastal Karnataka and Kerala in the next 48 hours. |
Flood situation in Assam improving GUWAHATI, July 2 (PTI) — The overall flood situation in Assam improved marginally today with the Brahmaputra receding further but still flowing above the danger level along most of its course, an official report said. The current wave of flood, beginning on June 12, has so far claimed seven lives and affected nearly nine lakh people across 13 districts of the state. Four persons drowned
while three were killed in landslides, official sources
said. |
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