Mumbai, August 19
Several thousand people rushed to the sea behind Mahim dargah in Mumbai on Friday night after word spread that the usually salty water had turned sweet.

All through the night, people arrived from around Mumbai after word spread of the `miracle'. Mothers with young babies in arms arrived at the site and fed the 'holy' water to them disregarding warnings from the police that the water could be contaminated.

"The word first spread from the local fisherfolk who said there were no fish in the sea near the dargah. Subsequently, people arrived in hundreds in the area," a local police officer said. By midnight, the area wore a festive look, as small shopkeepers brought out stocks of plastic bottles for people to carry the water home. The bottles usually sold for Rs 2 were priced at Rs 10 per bottle.

The police estimated the crowd at around 5000 persons, a little before dawn. Amidst fears that people may drown, the police cordoned off the beach and called for reinforcements.

Health officials later this morning warned that water from the area was heavily contaminated since raw sewage from the city was directly dumped into the sea. However, the crowd attributed the 'miracle' to Khwaja Khijar Hayat Ul Nabi, whose mazaar is situated at the dargah.

Officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation warned that 64 million tonnes of domestic sewage and 0.9 million tonnes of industrial effluents were released into the Mahim creek every year. A 100 ml of contaminated water could have a bacterial count between 1,700 to 4,000 units of bacteria, the civic body warned. 

Patna, August 19
A crude bomb kept in a bag exploded on the rail tracks near the Rajendra Nagar terminus here today, barely an hour before Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was to board a train on the line to Banka.

The bomb went off at around 10 a.m. The MR special was scheduled to pass through Rajendra Nagar for Banka. Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav was to flag off a new train, the Banka-Rajendra Nagar Express. After the explosion, the Railways Police recovered three more live bombs from the site, which were defused quickly.

Nobody was hurt in the explosion.

IG (Railways) A.S.Nimbran said prima facie, it seemed to be a handiwork of some anti-social elements.

Mr Lalu Prasad also supported the views expressed by IG (Railways ), stating that those anti-socials were perhaps carrying the bombs to commit some crime. But even though both Mr Yadav and IG (Railways) sought to defuse the tension by describing the incident as a mere handiwork of anti-social elements, the 2-km stretch from the Patna junction to the Rajendra Nagar terminus of late has turned into a vulnerable point where armed miscreants rob train passengers with impunity.

On June 4, a retired DIG, AK Singh, was shot dead in the AC compartment of the Patna-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Express near the Rajendra Nagar junction when he had resisted the criminals' attempt to loot fellow passengers.

The Bihar Assembly in its monsoon session, which concluded last week, expressed concern over the increasing number of dacoities on moving trains in the state. Officially, there were 41 dacoities on moving trains in Bihar in the past eight months since January this year.

Chief Public Relations Officer of East-Central Railway A.K. Chandra said the railway security forces were prompt enough not to allow any disruption in rail traffic following the explosion. The terminal building was also being thoroughly searched for bombs or other explosives.

New Delhi, August 19
Though the decks have been cleared for Congress president Sonia Gandhi to return as chairperson of the National Advisory Committee (NAC), she is unlikely to take the initiative in this regard and will leave it to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take a call on the matter.

After President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam finally gave his assent to the Office of Profit Bill, there is no technical or legal hitch in Mrs Gandhi reclaiming the post she held before she resigned her Lok Sabha seat earlier this year. Besides stepping down as NAC chairperson, she also put in her papers from the various trusts and organisations which she headed.

Congress sources maintained that neither the party nor Mrs Gandhi will broach this subject with the government. Since the NAC was set up by the government, it is for the Prime Minister to take a view on its reconstitution. “It is up to the Prime Minister and other UPA allies to take a collective decision on this matter,” remarked a senior Congress leader.

According to UPA sources, Mrs Gandhi is in no hurry to return to the NAC. She will wait to see the fate of the Office of Profit Bill in case the matter lands up in the courts.

The NAC, which was headed by Mrs Gandhi was set up by the Prime Minister’s Office ostensibly to monitor the implementation of the common minimum programme but was primarily meant to provide a role for the Congress president in government functioning. As NAC chairperson, Mrs Gandhi was given a Cabinet status to enable the government to meet the requirements of its rigid protocol rules.

However, the UPA government's eagerness to accommodate the Congress president boomeranged when the office of profit controversy blew up in the wake of actor Jaya Bachchan’s disqualification from the Rajya Sabha by the Election Commission.

The opposition was quick to train its guns on Mrs Gandhi who, they said, should also be similarly disqualified as the NAC chairperson’s post qualifies as an office of profit.

Mrs Gandhi, who had stepped down in the wake of this campaign, was learnt to have been furious with the government then for not taking adequate legal measures when the NAC was constituted as it would have saved her considerable embarrassment.

New Delhi, August 19
A city court today ordered the release of passport of Rahul Mahajan, son of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, and accused in the drug overdose case. Rahul had sought the court’s permission for travelling abroad following his recent marriage.

The police had filled a charge sheet against Rahul, Sahil Zaroo, Harish Sharma, Rahul’s servant Ganesh and two Nigerians, Abdul Lateef Ashola Mohammad and E. James Taiwo.

Rahul had been charged under Sections 21, 25, 27 and 27A of the NDPS Act. Ganesh and Harish Sharma are facing charges under Sections 201 and 34 of the IPC for destruction of evidence and common intension to commit a crime, while the two Nigerians were chargesheeted under Sections 21 and 27A of the NDPS Act and 419 of the IPC. A complaint under Section 182 of the IPC had also been registered against the management of Apollo Hospital.

New Delhi, August 19
Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has said that Governor was not merely a ceremonial head but a vital link between the union and the state.

Laying the foundation of the new building of Raj Bhavan in Gangtok, he said the role and position of a Governor was sacrosanct in the country's democratic set-up.

Mr Shekhawat said Governor was a conscience-keeper who should lead by example and set the highest standards of probity in public life.

According to an official spokesman, the Vice-President hoped that the new Raj Bhavan would be the fountain head of the “raj dharma” which meant strict adherence to righteousness, making no discrimination and working to improve the lot of poor.

Mr Shekhawat complimented the Governor and the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the move to construct an earthquake-resistant building for Raj Bhavan in place of the old building which was damaged in earthquake.

He said Sikkim was on a high economic growth trajectory and the state had become a safe investment destination.

New Delhi, August 19
Members in the Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, have hailed Chairperson Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for showing fairness and above the board approach in running the House.

The members paid rich compliments to the octogenarian leader, who completed four years in office yesterday, describing him as a tall figure who did not bring in politics while running the House.

As soon as the House met, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Pachouri complimented Mr Shekhawat for completing four years in office and praised his leadership qualities.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said Mr Shekhawat had conducted himself in a dignified manner as Chairperson of the Upper House.

With members from all parties complimenting the Chairperson, the Question Hour could not be held. Some Opposition members even wished that he be elevated to the post of President on completion of his term.

SP leader Amar Singh said Mr Shekhawat was fair and impartial in his approach and was running the House as his family while AIADMK leader P.G. Narayanan said he probably was the only Chairperson who also occupied the chair of Chief Minister of a state.

Greeting Mr Shekhawat, Mr Sitaram Yechuri said, “Your conduct is above board on all occasions”.

In his emotional response, Mr Shekhawat said but for love, affection and cooperation of the members, he would not have been able to run the House smoothly.

In a lighter vein, he said the decision to lavish praise on him was perhaps intended to skip the Question Hour. He said he had always tried to conduct proceedings in a fair manner.

He said he used to pacify agitated members in his chamber if he could not do so in the House.

The Chairperson said Opposition parties could have differing views but there was no enmity between them.

He said since he was the oldest in the House at the age of 83, perhaps members considered the age factor while cooperating with him.

The Chairperson said he came with very little experience of running the House when he was given the responsibility of running the Rajya Sabha. He said he was not aware that he had completed four years as the Chairperson of the Upper House when he came to Parliament today.

Mr Ram Deo Bhandary (RJD) hailed Mr Shekhawat as a guardian while Mr Manohar Joshi (Shiv Sena), in a lighter vein, said the Chairperson had no blood pressure problem despite handling the House for four years.

New Delhi, August 19
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up with Saudi authorities the issue of racial and communal discrimination faced by the Sikh community in the Arabian kingdom.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, SGPC member Kuldeep Singh Bhogal urged him “to ensure the protection of the religious and human rights of the Sikh community” in Saudi Arabia.

The letter said, “A number of Sikh residents in Saudi Arabia are reported to have been asked to shave off their beard without any cogent reason. This has deeply hurt the religious sentiments and feelings of the Sikh community who have reported these incidents with a deep sense of anguish.”

“This is a very serious and sensitive matter which needs your urgent attention and intervention, lest it may culminate into a situation which arose in the US post 9/11 attacks, when a number of Sikh residents were unfairly discriminated against on erroneous assumptions and belief,” it added.

Meanwhile, the SGPC has decided to gherao the Saudi Arabia Embassy in the Capital on August 25 to protest against the racial discrimination faced by the Sikhs.

SGPC president Avtar Singh stated that a number of Sikhs who had gone to the Gulf country had been issued the direction.

Kolkata, August 19
The plot behind the two arrested terrorists from Hingalganj thickened after revelations of their Mumbai mission at the behest of ISI.

Mohammed Sohail Afzal (22) and Mohammed Zuber Sanaf (25) has admitted before the investigating officers that they were indeed planning to go to Mumbai from the city.

The cops, however, have no idea about their mission in Mumbai.

The two confessed that that in Pakistan their passport was seized by ISI and sent to Bangladesh. They sneaked into Bangladesh and were given shelter by Rahim Chacha in Nurpur, who after giving them training in computers and arms helped them to enter India with the help of a tout, Nasir.

It was when they were coming from Nurpur to Hingalganj crossing the river that they were arrested at Charalkhali.

The duo said they were supposed to meet one Bashir in Kolkata who was due to take them to Mumbai to meet one Rashid who would later instruct them on their mission.

Meanwhile, a team of cops from Mumbai police arrived here to interrogate the duo. They were supposed to have collected vital information from them which they refused to reveal as it could jeopardise their probe.

However, one thing is for sure that they were on a lookout for Bashir and Rashid.

The duo were arrested on Independence Day. — UNI

Bangalore, August 19
Six months ago Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy rode on the back of young turks within the Janata Dal (Secular) to seize power in the state. He tried to douse the flames of rebellion within the ranks by calling a meeting of party legislators in a bid to close ranks and present a united force amidst growing criticism against his style of functioning.

The Chief Minister presided over a meeting of party legislators at a private resort on the outskirts of the city in a bid to allow legislators to air their grievances and smooth out ruffled feathers. Mr Kumaraswamy himself claimed that the meeting was called to discuss “development issues” and was similar to one already conducted with senior bureaucrats recently.

There has been growing discontent amongst party legislators, particularly the young turks who had been in the forefront of Kumaraswamy’s bid for power six months ago. The discontentment has grown since the June 22 Cabinet expansion in which many of these legislators did not find a place. They are also disturbed at the prolonged delay in announcing appointments to various boards and corporations in the state which could have accommodated some of them.

The legislators have been holding meetings among themselves in the past fortnight, fuelling intense political speculation in the State. Except for Mahima Patel, son of former Chief Minister J.H. Patel, none of the legislators have expressed their frustration in public. However, political sources say they are angry at the rampant interference in administrative affairs by the family members of the Chief Minister. Party legislators also feel that the Chief Minister and his brother H. D.Revanna, who is also a minister, and other family members have a tight hold over the administration and they are not given any importance by the bureaucracy. They also feel the coalition partner BJP is being given more importance in running the government than JD(S) legislators and ministers.

Meanwhile, informed sources said senior minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, who was a striden supporter of the Chief Minister but was also not feeling “comfortable” for some time, has been approached to bring about a rapproachment between the Chief Minister and the disgruntled legislators. There is talk of a solution being offered to the legislators within one week to clear the air.

New Delhi, August 19
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will inaugurate a two-day South Asia meet on disaster management beginning on August 21 here at Vigyan Bhawan.

The regional dialogue, being jointly organised by Duryog Nivaran and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), would focus on policy issues related to disaster management in the member countries of South Asia.

The objectives of the proposed regional dialouge would include among others, assess and identify gaps in existing disaster management policies in South Asian countries; discuss and develop a roadmap for a responsive regional disaster risk reduction by improving visioning, planning, implementation and monitoring capacities of the SAARC secretariat; and develop a framework for multi-stakeholder participation in regional disaster management and develop tools of accountability at regional level.

New Delhi, August 19
While on one hand people are reeling under the onslaught of incessant monsoon fury in west and parts of central India, some areas of the northwest India, particularly Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttaranchal, are on the verge of facing severe rainfall deficiency.

Till date, Punjab is minus 23 per cent deficient and Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are minus 32 per cent deficient. East Uttar Pradesh is minus 15 per cent, west Uttar Pradesh minus 36 per cent, Uttaranchal minus 24 per cent and Himachal Pradesh minus 25 per cent.

This scenario appears to be bleak as the country as a whole is recording just one per cent rainfall deficiency and central India plus 22 per cent excess rain till date. The Gujarat region is plus 170 per cent in excess, central Maharashtra plus 340 per cent, Konkan and Goa plus 125 per cent and Marathwada plus 535 per cent in excess. However, the met reportcard from June 1 to August 1shows northwest to be minus eight per cent, south peninsular region minus seven per cent and northeast minus 27 per cent deficient.

In fact among the entire northwest region, the only regions going into the green are Jammu and Kashmir with plus 16 per cent, west Rajasthan plus four per cent and east Rajasthan plus 18 per cent more than normal rainfall. The silver lining to the not-so-rain-giving clouds hovering over the northwest is that isolated rains and thundershowers are likely over the region and an increase in the rainfall activity is likely over Himachal and Uttaranchal from August 20.

This huge variation, where one part of the country is facing deluge and another bordering on near drought-like situation, can be attributed to the fact that India is a big country. Monsoons are accompanied by a system and one system is not able to cover all the regions of a big country like India, weathermen say.

The Met office says that 26 to 50 per cent rainfall deficiency is termed as moderate drought, but only after cumulative rainfall between June and September is taken into consideration. As of now these areas cannot be termed under moderate drought-like condition with August yet to finish and September yet to go, they add. Though good rains are important, deficient rainfall is less likely to have a drastic effect on agriculture in a state like Punjab that enjoys the benefit of controlled irrigation, but here is no substitute for monsoon rains as they help farmers cut irrigation costs.

Weather experts say that over Punjab the monsoon current alone at times is not able to give rainfall. Good rainfall during monsoon are most likely when a western disturbance interacts with the monsoon trough.

Another monsoon fact is that as far as the northeast is concerned the area usually gets rainfall when there is a break-monsoon type situation in the rest of the country, which has not been the case this year.

Patna, August 19
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Railway) Ajay Verma has gone underground to evade arrest after a Hajipur court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him in connection with a property dispute case in Vaishali district.

“We have raided all the known hideouts of the DIG, but could not trace him,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) Kumar Amar Singh, who along with sub-divisional police officer of Hajipur Anil Kumar led the raid, told PTI.

The NBW was issued by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Hajipur, Mr Ram Priya Sharan, yesterday, the DSP said.

Mr Verma’s arrest was ordered by Inspector-General of Police (Tirhut zone) Sunit Kumar, who in his supervision report had found Mr Verma guilty of trespass, intimidation and impersonation.

Mr Verma had allegedly threatened to eliminate Mr Rajendra Rai, a teacher, at the behest of Mr Rai’s estranged wife, Saroj Kumari.

When contacted at his residence, Mr Verma’s son said that his father had gone out. The staff at his office said he had not reported for duty today while his boss in the Railway A.S. Nimbran did not know about his whereabouts. — PTI