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Monday,
January 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Sitara Devi turns down Padma Bhushan Agni II steals show on Republic Day DD blacks out Sonia
Separate state INLD’s poll plank in UP |
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Parties field criminals in UP elections BJP, Cong ranks unhappy over ticket distribution DD Bharati launched
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Sitara Devi turns down Padma Bhushan Mumbai, January 27 “It is my insult and not an honour,” an anguished Kathak exponent told PTI here today. “I will not accept any award less than Bharat Ratna,” the artiste in her late seventies said reacting to honour bestowed upon her by the government. “Little known people, who are younger to me, have received Padma Vibhushan and I am being awarded Padma Bhushan,” she said and asked “is this the way to treat a leading artiste”. The dancer, who took to Kathak at the age of seven under the tutelage of her illustrious father Sukhdev Maharaj, was described as “Kathak queen” by Guru Ravindranath Tagore at the age of 16. Sitara Devi said a pat from the Nobel laureate was “the highest award in my dancing career”. “Four generations of our family have devoted their lives for the sake of this art and helped Kathak attain prestige in society,” Sitara Devi said. She recounted that her father was banished from society for promoting Kathak, which till then was not acknowledged by the people as a form of art. “Is this government not aware of my contribution to Kathak,” Sitara Devi, who enthralled the audiences for hours at a stretch in her prime, questioned. “Getting an award is nothing new for me. I have been honoured with “Nritya Nipuna” by then President R Venkataraman, Kalidas Samman and Padma Shri,” she said. To a query whether she will reconsider her decision, Sitara Devi firmly ruled out accepting the award, saying that “nothing short of Bharat Ratna will do now”. The danseuse said she was not jealous of others getting Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan but certainly expected proper honour for herself from the government.
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Agni II steals show on Republic Day New Delhi, January 27 Amidst unprecedented security, the 90-minute parade was pared down in view of troop deployments on the Indo-Pak border and the route cut down by 3 km skipping the traditional Connaught Place as the parade unfolded the rich cultural diversity. President K.R. Narayanan saluted the marching
contingents from an elevated dais at central Rajpath as contingents of paramilitary forces - the Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF, Railway Protection Force and Coast Guards - made up for the absence of the marching contingents and mechanised formations. Thousands of spectators braved the early morning chill to witness the parade on the occasion of the 52nd Republic Day anniversary after going through a spate of security checks amid tight aerial surveillance. Held amidst unprecedented security in the wake of a terrorist threat, the celebrations began on a solemn note with the President decorating three security personnel, including a CRPF woman constable, who had laid down their lives during the December 13 attack on Parliament, with Ashok Chakra. A mobile television transmitter, however, was blown up when militants rained grenades and rockets on Doordarshan’s outdoor broadcasting van in the Bandipora area in Kashmir’s Baramula district in the wee hours of yesterday. Helicopters streaked across New Delhi’s skies as President Narayanan saluted marching contingents of paramilitary forces from an elevated dais at central Rajpath. In Assam, calls for a shutdown and boycott of the Republic Day given by 12 militant outfits, including the ULFA and NDFB, failed to evoke any response. The day was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervour all over Maharashtra with Governor Dr P.C. Alexander hoisting the National Flag and inspecting the ceremonial parade at the state function at Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai. The function was attended among others by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and some of his Cabinet colleagues.
PTI |
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DD blacks
out Sonia New Delhi, January 27 Party sources said while a number of dignitaries including lowly government functionaries were repeatedly shown, the Leader of the Opposition was not shown even once. The sources said there were a number of enquiries with Congress President and the party as to whether Mrs Gandhi attended the functions, given the blackout. When contacted, Doordarshan officials declined to comment.
PTI |
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Separate state INLD’s poll plank in UP New Delhi, January 27 The election manifesto released by the INLD, which is contesting 105 assembly seats predominantly in western UP, yesterday also seeks fresh review of below poverty line (BPL) segment families and adequate food supply to them through a strengthened public distribution system (PDS). The party while demanding higher price for farmers for sugarcane and sugarcane purchase by the government at a minimum support price (MSP), promises some benefits for artisans and traders and also to accommodate in western UP all industrial units displaced from Delhi under the anti-pollution campaign. Aspiring to expand his base in the western UP, a Jat stronghold, Mr Chautala despite being a partner in NDA at the Centre, decided to go it alone in the Assembly poll and take on the kisan leader and son of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, Mr Ajit Singh, who is contesting as part of NDA. Speaking to newspersons after releasing the party manifesto, Mr
Chautala justified his party’s going alone in the poll saying that all 24-odd ruling NDA partners have their separate identities and will strive to maintain that. |
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Parties field criminals in UP elections Meerut, January 27 Although almost all parties have fielded candidates with criminal background, the Kanshi Ram-led BSP seems to lead the way by fielding at least three candidates with criminal background in the adjoining Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat districts. A survey of Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat districts revealed that ensuring peaceful and free and fair poll is going to be a tough task for the police. In fact, panic has gripped the state police following the filing of nomination papers by dreaded criminal Rajpal Nai on the BSP ticket from the
Chhaproli constituency in Baghpat district. Rajpal Nai, who is wanted in at least 17 cases of murder, looting, dacoity and kidnapping in UP, Delhi and Haryana, was released on parole under heavy security to file his nomination papers from the Meerut jail on January 19 for a week. Once out of jail, he went about terrorising people and the police and was ultimately arrested again yesterday on the charges of violation of the model code of conduct, terrorising people and police officials on duty. Similarly, another history-sheeter, Madan Bhaiyya, wanted in several cases of murder, looting and abduction, was a strong contender for the BSP ticket from the Khekhra constituency in Baghpat district. However, the ticket went to Mr Shamshad Chaudhury and Bhaiyya, a former SP MLA, filed his nomination as an independent candidate. Another party candidate from Barnawa Assembly segment, Satinder Solanki, is also reported to be having a criminal background. In Kairana in Muzaffarnagar district, considered to be a hotbed of ISI and criminal activities, Ravinder Bhura, main accused in the sensational Dauralia murder case of Muzaffarnagar, was declared as BSP candidate. A proclaimed offender, who once commanded Rs 1 lakh on his head, he surrendered in a Ghaziabad court on January 23 — the last date for filing nominations — to file his nomination but could not make it to Kairana on time. Anyway his wife — Ms Mamta — filed nominations as the BSP candidate. The UP Power Minister, Mr Hukam Singh, is also in the fray from this constituency. Police sources confirmed that ensuring a violence-free election will be a tough task for the security agencies. In fact, the election could not have come at a worst time for the police. With a large area of the west U.P. being declared as sensitive during Republic Day celebrations and the elections in the wake of the terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, the difficulties of the security forces have been compounded. Adding to the woes of the security agencies is the decision of the INLD to contest 115 seats in west UP. |
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BJP, Cong ranks unhappy over ticket distribution Hardwar, January 27 This is the first election to the newly created state’s Assembly. Therefore, the stakes from the BJP and the Congress, the two main contenders, seem to be very high. On the BJP side, even Union Minister for Transport, Gen Bhuvan Chand Khandoori (retd) is upset over the distribution of ticket in the Panri and Tehri areas. Mr Khandoori has representing the Panri Parliament seat for three terms. It is now irked over the wrong distribution of ticket. He is reported to have made his anger known to the BJP president Jena Krishnamurthi, Union Home Minister L.K. Advani, and former BJP president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre. Mr Khandoori is learnt to have demanded ticket for 21 candidates. He had assured the party high command that he would ensure the victory of over 18 candidates in the elections. Political observers opine that Mr Khandoori’s anger and the wrong distribution of ticket could cause loss to the BJP on about 25 seats. Besides, Mr Khandoori another two other BJP stalwarts are unhappy. Mr Tilak Raj, a minister in the Koshiari government and Mr Rajinder Shah, chairman of a corporation, have already resigned from the party. The BJP is facing dissidence on four seats in Kotdwar also. In Hardwar, a “save BJP Manch has been formed as a revolt against the ticket distribution by the party. The manch has been formed by senior BJP leader, Ram Moorti Vir. He is being supported by Mr Tejpal Singh Panwar — a former MLA from Luxar. The manch has already held two meetings to finalise their strategy. Dissident BJP workers are filing their nominations for a majority of Assembly seats in Hardwar. The BJP workers are blaming Mr Pooran Chand, state president of the BJP and Chief Minister, Koshiari for denying tickets to genuine workers, simply to keep them in power. The revolt by Mr Satpal Maharaj, a renowned saint of Hardwar, seems to have marred the chances of the Congress in Uttaranchal. Mr Satpal Maharaj has represented the Tihri parliamentary seat on two occasions and has been Union Minister also. He runs a big religious organisation whose headquarters are based at Prem Ashram here. In case the Congress failed to pacify him he has decided to form a new regional party to defeat the Congress at the hustings. The new party is likely to contest 70 seats. In fact, the revolt by Mr Satpal Maharaj may cost the Congress dear. The changes in Congress list to accommodate the Maharaj seems to be a belated effort to satisfy his supporters. Although, the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, has rejected the resignation of Mr Satpal Maharaj, yet hidden opposition by his associates and followers is likely to continue. This is so as Mr Satpal Maharaj has not reconciled himself to the leadership of Mr Harish
Rawat. |
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DD Bharati launched
New Delhi, January 27 Replacing DD News Channel, DD Bharati showcases programmes based on plurality and richness of
India's heritage, art and culture which will be one of its three broad segments. Launching the channel, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed the hope that it would fill the vacuum in informative programmes in the spheres of health, art and culture and open a window for children’s entertainment. The channel was launched at 7 p.m. last night with a live music concert at Kamani auditorium, near Mandi House, by various noted artistes, beginning with “Vande
Mataram” by Kavita Krishnamurthy. With DD Bharati going on air, the news and current affairs content on DD National is set to increase with news headlines every hour round-the-clock and two five minutes bulletins at 6 a.m. and midnight.
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