BREAKING NEWS
Nepal king dismisses government, declares emergency

PM promises reforms in education,
healthcare
Appeals to Haryanavis to vote for govt that works in tandem with Centre
Ambala Cantt, January 31
Shun communal, divisive and anti-people forces and vote for a party which can wipe out corruption and unemployment besides introducing reforms in education and health care services was the message given by Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh to the people of Haryana this afternoon.

(More election stories on Haryana page)

Congress candidate from Ambala City, Mr Venod Sharma, presents a bouquet to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during an election rally at Ambala Cantt on Monday. Union Minister of State for Urban Employment Kumari Selja and the President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Bhajan Lal, are also seen. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

Haryana voters keep options close to heart

SUCCESSIVE Chief Election Commissioners beginning with Mr T.N. Seshan have made elections a lacklustre affair. Haryanvi women attend an election rally. — Tribune photo Pankaj Sharma

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Caste woman’s marriage to Dalit no ticket
for poll quota
New Delhi, January 31
The Supreme Court in a significant judgement has ruled that a forward caste woman has no right to contest election from a constituency reserved for backward classes merely by marrying a person from these communities, saying this would defeat the very purpose of Article 332 providing electoral reservation for people belonging to the SC and ST candidates.

Major dismissed for outraging minor’s modesty

Uri/Handwara, January 31 Delivering a landmark verdict in the infamous Handwara rape case, the General Court Martial today ordered the dismissal of the accused Army Major of 30 Rashtriya Rifles. Major Rehman Hussain coming out from the General Court Martial office in Uri on Monday. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Gen J.J. Singh takes over as Army chief

New Delhi, January 31 General Joginder Jaswant Singh today etched his name in history by becoming the first Sikh Army officer to don the mantle of the Chief of Army Staff. Outgoing Chief of Army Staff, Gen N.C. Vij (right), welcomes his successor, General J.J. Singh, during a handover ceremony at Army Headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

Near normalcy in J&K, North-East: Gen Vij
New Delhi, January 31
The outgoing Chief of Army Staff, Gen N.C. Vij, today said he believed that the country had become more secure during his tenure with near normalcy having been achieved in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir and improvement in the situation in the North-East.
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Zora Sehgal, Chandralekha get Akademi awards New Delhi, January 31 Octogenarian actor Zora Sehgal, Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Raman Kutty Nair and contemporary dancer Chandralekha are among the six artistes selected by the Sangeet Natak Akademi for its “Ratna” fellowship for 2004, it was announced today.