President focuses on swine flu, drought
New Delhi, August 14
With swine flu engulfing large parts of the country, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today appealed to the people to contribute to the government’s efforts to handle H1N1 influenza through public-private partnerships, NGOs, community groups or self help groups.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil addresses the nation on the eve of the 63rd Independence Day on Friday. — PTI

Happy Independence Day to all our readers

Ashok Chakra for 2 Majors
New Delhi, August 14
Major Mohit Sharma, who laid down his life fighting militants infiltrating from Pakistan into J&K in March this year, has been awarded with Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award of the country.

Fresh guidelines issued on H1N1 testing, treatment
New Delhi, August 14
Confronted with mounting casualties on account of Influenza A H1N1, the government today effected major changes in the testing and treatment guidelines, saying not all patients with flu-like symptoms need to be screened, put on Tamiflu, or hospitalised.

Toll touches 26; experts doubt strategy
On Janmashtami, gaiety in Mumbai but Pune stays quiet
Graphic: SWINE FLU IN FOCUS

23 killed, 13 hurt in bus mishap
Chamba, August 14
As many as 23 persons were killed on the spot and 13 seriously injured this afternoon when a private bus, (HP-48-3321), rolled down the hills near Salooni township, about 55 km from here.

Top bosses snub Raje loyalists
New Delhi, August 14
The BJP’s leader in the Rajasthan assembly, Vasundhra Raje, perceived to be a protégé of senior party leader LK Advani, openly raised a banner of revolt against the RSS and party president Rajnath Singh by sending a delegation of over 50 MLAs to Delhi to express solidarity with the former CM and “challenged” the BJP high command to remove her.

Nation page: Defiant Raje refuses to call it quits
Editorial: Trouble erupts in BJP