SPORTS UPDATE
India crush Pakistan in first one-dayer (update: 9 pm)

PM open to talks with Musharraf
Port Louis (Mauritius), April 1
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said here today that it was the solemn obligation of India and Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of the passengers travelling on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus.

Pak says no to J&K politicians on Muzaffarabad bus
Nation: Tighten security for Muzaffarabad bus: Patil
J&K page: Will bus service impact Kashmir issue?
Muzaffarabad-bound couple get death threat

Mauritius and India move towards free trade pact. (28k, 56k)

“I bow my head in homage to those who climbed these steps in the centuries gone by, and through their toil created a jewel in the ocean — Mauritius, that shines brighter today and will shine even brighter in the years to come”, wrote Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the visitor’s book at the Aapravasi Ghat, where 4 lakh indentured labourers, mostly from India, first landed on Mauritian shores between 1849 and 1910.  — Tribune photo by A.J. Philip

ADVERTISEMENT

NRIs Rush! Citibank Offer

Pope appears close to death
Vatican City, April 1
Pope John Paul appeared close to death on Friday after heart failure and breathing problems, but was still conscious and in a stable but serious condition at midday, the Vatican said.
Mother Teresa's missionaries pray for severely ill Pope. (28k, 56k)

Catholics hold special prayers for Pope’s recovery
World page: Cardinals run the Vatican

Tearful adieu to O.P. Jindal
Hisar, April 1
Tens of thousands of people bade a tearful adieu to the noted industrialist and Haryana Power Minister Om Prakash Jindal who was killed in a helicopter crash near Saharanpur yesterday.

Haryana Power Minister and steel baron O.P. Jindal’s eldest son Prithvi Raj lights his father’s pyre in Hisar on Friday. — Photo by Mehta

Surender’s body consigned to flames
Bhiwani, April 1
The mortal remains of Agriculture Minister Surender Singh were consigned to the flames at his ancestral village Golagarh, near here, today with full state honours.

Haryana page: Who will carry forward Bansi Lal’s legacy?

People throng the cremation ground at Golagarh village during the cremation of Surender Singh, Agriculture Minister of Haryana, on Friday.  — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

20 states switch over to VAT
New Delhi, April 1
As many as 20 states today switched over to the Value Added Tax system, setting in motion a major tax reforms initiative that would significantly change the taxation structure in the country. (Details on Nation page)
India launches VAT despite noisy protests. (28k, 56k)

Delhi gets go-ahead to host match New Delhi, April 1 The uncertainty over the sixth one-dayer between India and Pakistan ended today with the announcement that Delhi would indeed host the tie to be witnessed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. (Details on Sports page) Sports page: Committee set up to assist DDCA India have a point to prove