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Kannada film icon Vishnuvardhan dead
Army doctrine being reviewed
One held with 12 crude bombs in Goa
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BARC Fire
Forensic experts look for clues
Ruchika kin, lawyer meet Chidambaram ‘Ragannath report anti-national’
Mumbai readies for New Year bash
Chennai is a bigger city now
CDRI emerges as world-class institute
Radhakrishnan is TN BJP chief
Ex-diplomat Rukmini Menon dead
Artistes hail govt decision to amend copyright law
N Ram to receive Tilak award
Shibu Soren three-time CM, but never MLA
Only tribals as Jharkhand CMs so far
Aamir’s 3 Idiots ride to rescue of Bollywood
Fog delays flights at IGI
TN failed to promote youth
Medical Benefits
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Kannada film icon Vishnuvardhan dead
Bangalore, December 30 Police and the riotous fans of the actor clashed at the National College grounds where the 59-year old film icon’s body had been kept for paying homage. The funeral is slated to take place later in the evening at the premises of the Abhiman studios here. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has announced a state funeral for the versatile actor, who had acted in over 200 movies. Police in Bangalore resorted to cane charge, lobbed tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets at irate fans to bring the situation under control. Meanwhile, in Mysore two persons died in the aftermath of Vishnuvardhan’s death. While a 23-year old man by the name of Somanna jumped into a well and committed suicide when he heard about the actor’s death, Kunnaiah (28), who leaped into the same well to rescue Sommanah, also lost his life. Vishnuvardhan, whom his fans had fondly awarded the title ‘sahasa simha’ (brave lion), made his debut in ‘Vamshavrukha’, a film directed by the celebrated actor-director Girish Karnad. He was launched into fame for his role as ‘Ramachari’, a wayward and rebellious student, in ‘Nagarahaavu’. As the news of his death spread, fans started forcibly closing down the shops and other business establishments in the city. This reporter saw the fans in action in the CV Raman Nagar area. Carrying the red and yellow flag of Karnataka, the fans, some of whom who were also donning red and yellow headbands, were going from street to street asking the shopkeepers to put down the shutters. Similar incidents were reported from various other parts of the city. They also pelted the buses and other vehicles with stones. More than 50 vehicles damaged. In the morning, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) withdrew most of its bus services in areas located in the southern part of the city in view of the violence. Police said 20 platoons from the City Armed Reserve (CAR) and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) have been deployed to maintain law and order. While the state government announced the closure of educational institutions in the state as a mark of respect to the departed actor, the session of the Karnataka Assembly, where the Speaker’s election was slated to take place today, was held as scheduled. Expecting cross-voting and abstinence by the legislators of the dissidence plagued ruling BJP, the Opposition Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) had put up a candidate, TB Jaychandra (Congress) to challenge the BJP;s KG Bopaiah. As the ruling party managed to put up a united show for the Speaker’s election, the Opposition created a ruckus in the Assembly demanding postponement of the contest in view of Vishnuvardhan’s death. The first action of Bopaiah, after he was declared elected as Speaker of |
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Army doctrine being reviewed
New Delhi, December 30 The Army, which is involved in fighting insurgency in J&K and the North-East, is also looking to optimise capabilities to fight asymmetric war waged by both state and non-state actors such as terror attacks and proxy wars. This will include cyber and electronic warfare. The doctrine will look at ways to enhance the strategic reach of the Army and joint operations with the Navy and the Air Force. Countries like the USA already have airborne division while China displayed its might a couple of months ago by showing rapid induction of troops. The reviewed doctrine will also touch upon space-based capability and methods to achieve technological edge over the enemy.The doctrine is reviewed every five years by the Army’s Shimla-based Training Command. The two-day closed-door review ended here today. Among those who have contributed with their opinions were retired officers like Lt-Gen SS Mehta, Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi, Lt-Gen Satish Nambiar, Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, Maj-Gen GD Bakshi and Brig Gurmeet Kanwal. Former High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarthy was also among those who addressed the meeting. The Training Command had already begun reworking on the doctrine to include the new developments in different areas of warfare.
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One held with 12 crude bombs in Goa
Panaji, December 29 The preliminary investigations has, however, refused to attribute terror angle to the bombs seizure and has found that these bombs were being ferried for a hunting mission. "Two more people, who were in the bus carrying these bombs, fled from the scene and we will soon nab them," the police said. The gang was apparently heading for Mardol, a village next to Ponda town, where they had planned a hunting mission.The police has seized all the bombs and they were sent to forensic experts to diffuse them. Sources confirmed that wildlife enthusiasts from the state had tipped off the police about this gang, which was actively involved in killing wild animals. These bombs are usually planted and triggered to kill the wild animals. With the tourist season at its peak, the demand for wild meat in various restaurants is on rise, sources said. —
PTI
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Officials hushing up matter, allege dead scientist’s kin
Mumbai, December 30 It was only last week that Umang (27) had escaped with a minor injury on his hand when a small fire broke out last week in the same chemistry laboratory at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre where he met a fiery end yesterday. “Last Friday, there was a small fire in the same laboratory where he died yesterday. Umang had extinguished it and escaped with a minor injury on his right hand,” Umang's close friend Jairam Gholave said today. Gholave, doing his PhD in chemistry from the University of Mumbai, said he had scolded his friend for risking his life by putting out the fire with his hands instead of complaining about it to the BARC authorities. Umang had responded to the friendly advice by saying that he was very passionate about his institution and since it was not a major blaze, he did not want to make an issue out of it, Gholave said. As the distraught families of Umang and his research colleague Partha Bag struggled to come to terms with the tragedy, Umang's uncle Munna Singh demanded an inquiry into the incident alleging that there was an attempt by the BARC to hush up the matter. The families and the friends of the victims were waiting at the JJ Hospital to collect the bodies after the post-mortem. Umang was the youngest of his parents’ three children and their only son. Umang’s father retired from service a few years back and he was the family's sole bread winner getting a stipend of Rs 14,000 per month, Gholave added. Some of Umang’s friends alleged that there was carelessness on the part of BARC as the room where the accident occurred was being painted and chemicals in the paint could have spread the fire. The cause of the fire is still being ascertained by the police and fire officials. — PTI
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Forensic experts look for clues
Mumbai, December 30 The fire occurred in the bio-chemistry laboratory which is part of a huge complex housing research facilities of around 150 different departments, BARC officials said. On Tuesday evening, Srikumar Banerjee, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission clarified that the fire was confined to a single laboratory located in a complex more than a kilometre away from the nuclear reactor. BARC has also clarified that there was no radiation leak. Investigators are probing the possibility of a short circuit ignited chemicals that resulted in the high-intensity fire. The laboratory was also recently painted and had undergone maintenance work and some chemicals were possibly left behind, according to officials. Sabotage is also not ruled out though it is quite early in the investigation to probe that angle, they added. The dead scientists have been identified as Umang Singh and Partha Bagh, aged 24 and 25, respectively.
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Ruchika kin, lawyer meet Chidambaram New Delhi, December 30 Advocate Pankaj Bharadwaj, accompanied by Ruchika's father Subhash Chand Girhotra and her friend Aradhana’s father Anand Prakash, spent almost an hour with the Home Minister, who was apprised of the recent developments in the case. Union Home Secretary GK Pillai was also present at the
meeting. Later, Bhardawaj, Girhotra and Prakash, told a crowd of reporters outside that they were absolutely satisfied with the meeting.
To a query whether they had raised the demand for re-opening the case against Rathore and imposition of Section 306 of the IPC, Bhardawaj said: “There are many ways of re-opening the matter with 306 (of the IPC)…. Going in appeal is not the only way”. I have narrated the sequence of events and the possible things that we can do under the
law.” “The Home Minister asked a few questions to which I have replied…. Some documents are needed and the same will be supplied tomorrow,” he added. Regarding the nature of these documents, he said, “There are some papers that relate to various aspects. We have exchanged our views on what is the best possible remedy. The MHA has the power to take up any matter to its logical end and can streamline the whole
process.” On being asked how he viewed the meeting, Bhardawaj said: “We have understood each other and what best has to be done. The harassment which the family underwent is known to the Home Minister.”
Ruchika's father, who was browbeaten into submission and silence after the false cases on his son, today seemed a changed man. He said Chidambaram gave him a patient hearing and was very sympathetic towards the family and assured all help. “We have demanded that all politicians and bureaucrats, who are responsible for not lodging an FIR and not taking appropriate action at that time, should be booked,” he
added. Girhotra said his family was uprooted and the career of his son was ruined and they should be compensated for all the sufferings they underwent in the past 19 years.
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‘Ragannath report anti-national’
New Delhi, December 30 Speaking to newsmen on the issue, he threatened to take the issue to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other Hindus to enlighten them that Mishra’s recommendations were aimed at depriving them of their rightful share in the reservation pie. “Even conscious and enlightened sections among the minorities, specially Christians, have realised the kind of trouble these recommendations could spell for them and have rejected the report outright,” said Jain. —
TNS
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Mumbai readies for New Year bash
Mumbai, December 30 However hotels can stay open for an hour longer since last orders are taken at that hour, the association of hotels and restaurants said today. Private clubs and hotels can stay open till dawn behind closed doors. To ensure that celebrations remain trouble-free, the city’s police force will stay out in full strength. All leaves have been cancelled and police patrolling at beaches and important points like the Gateway of India has been intensified. Unlike last year, the police have allowed parties to be held aboard launches and boats off the Gateway of India. However, all revellers will be frisked before they board the boats for security reasons. “We are co-ordinating with the Coast Guard as part of the security measures,” Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Himanshu Roy said. The police have also set up a special helpline so that public can call up with specific information. For the first time this year, the police have decided to create separate enclosures at popular venues like Gateway of India and the beaches of Mumbai so that families and couples are not harassed by groups of single males. Stags will not be allowed to mingle with mixed crowds, police said. Such gatherings will also be videographed so that mischief mongers can be picked up at a later date. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have warned that they would take on rowdy elements and people misbehaving in public and at hotels. “Balasaheb has ordered us to crackdown on obscene behaviour and our boys will be present at all the venues,” party spokesman Anil Desaid said.
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Chennai is a bigger city now
Chennai, December 30 The move to expand Chennai and create a larger urban agglomeration on the lines of Greater Bangalore and Greater Hyderabad is intended to develop outlying areas of the city. Nine municipalities, eight town panchayats and 25 village panchayats in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts have been brought under the present Chennai Corporation limits, raising the city’s population to 56 lakh from the present 43 lakh (as per the 2001 census). The boundary of the expanded corporation will be drawn in 2011 after the term of the elected councillors ends. The city limits will expand up to Uthandi on the East Coast Road, Sholinganallur on the IT corridor, Kathivakkam and Madhavaram in the north and up to Meenambakkam in the south. The reorganisation of the city was done after Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin formed a committee to propose alternatives for a revamp of Chennai and its peripheral areas. Earlier, it was planned to create two more municipal corporations on the northern and southern ends of the city to cover suburbs. Another option was to create Greater Chennai, bringing up to 800 sq km under one civic administration. Public hearings were conducted by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in suburban areas for getting feedback on proposals. Finally, the state Cabinet, which met last week, chose the middle path, going for a relatively modest expansion of the city.
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CDRI emerges as world-class institute
Lucknow, December 30 He ordered 40 replicas of the memento. And, each member of the team was presented with a memento. The cash part of the award was equally distributed among the lower staff whose contribution normally goes unsung. The CDRI received this award for the development of synthetic endoperoxide antimalarials as a substitute to artemisinin derivatives. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are now recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a first-line treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in malaria endemic areas. The efficacy of such therapy has declined due to the emergence of multi-drug resistance proving disastrous for global malaria control. It is in this context that the CDRI’s research assumes significance as it is developing next generation artemisinin-based molecules with comparable efficacy. Two synthetic endoperoxides developed at the CDRI have the potential to meet this global challenge. While one molecule is in the Phase I clinical trial, for the other pre-clinical studies have been completed and data is being compiled for Investigational New Drug (IND) for submission to the Drug Controller General of India to seek permission to initiate phase I clinical trials in human beings. For further development and commercialisation of these drugs at affordable price to common people, the CDRI has already obtained its patent rights and licensed the technology to Ipca Laboratories Limited, Mumbai. If 2009 has been a fruitful year, the coming year is full of anticipation. Chattar Manzil, the historical Nawabi palace out of which the CDRI has been operating since its inception in 1951, has been declared a protected monument. A modern campus is now coming up on the Sitapur Road. A proposal for creation of a 'World Class Drug Research Institute' on the new research premises is under consideration. The CDRI is considered to be a pioneer in the field of biomedical research where both infrastructure and expertise are available to develop a drug. Besides malaria, the other thrust areas of the CDRI’s research is other parasitic diseases, reproductive health research, diabetes, metabolic disorders, tuberculosis and microbial infections. It is also working on drugs for stroke, inflammation, hypertension and cancers. There are ten important ongoing projects related to these areas of research. Another bold initiative of the CDRI is to help the less privileged teaching institutions of the region. With a view to help the local schools and colleges upgrade their science teaching, the two CSIR organisations the CDRI and the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) have jointly started a holistic education programme for rural schools in the three districts of Barabanki, Lucknow and Sultanpur. The objective of this extraordinary initiative is to attract talented students to take up science as a career, upgrade the standard of scientific education at the undergraduation level and to promote training and motivational programmes for science teachers.
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Radhakrishnan is TN BJP chief
Chennai, December 30 In a state dominated by OBC politics, the BJP’s new president hails from a dominant OBC community in south Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Parliament for the first time from Kanyakumari constituency, and later, was a Union Minister of State under AB Vajpayee. All-India secretary Balbir Punj, who was the Central observer, announced Radhakrishnan’s election to the party’s top post in Tamil Nadu. Radhakrishnan, a law graduate, was an active member of the RSS during Emergency days and is a BJP member since the party has been formed. He rose from the ranks to become the district leader and later, held the post of the state general secretary. Pointing out how the party had grown in his home district, he said, he would work on strengthening the party throughout the state. The BJP won three seats in Tamil Nadu, when it aligned with the AIADMK in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections and improved its tally by one more seat when it joined hands with the DMK. Radhakrishnan takes over the mantle from senior leader L Ganesan at a time when the BJP had suffered routs in the last two Parliament elections and its vote share was gradually decreasing.
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Ex-diplomat Rukmini Menon dead
New Delhi, December 30 Menon served as India’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Italy and Denmark and also served in Indian Missions in Ottawa, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur and Canberra. After retirement in 1980, she was also a member of the UPSC. She was author of many articles and was a regular member of the association of Indian diplomats. The Indian Foreign Service Association, led by its president Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, has condoled the demise of Rukmini. In her message, Rao mentioned that Rukmini was a role-model for all junior IFS Officers, particularly for women.
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Artistes hail govt decision to amend copyright law
New Delhi, December 30 Those who took part in the meeting were composers, singers and lyricists. Renowned singer and compose Shankar Mahadevan said the amendments should allow artistes to retain their own creations. "This amendment when it comes out it will be something that will help each one of us, not only us but also future generations. All the young composers, their grandchildren and everybody will be able to retain their own creations," he added. Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, who has been spearheading the move for years, said royalty earned by the publisher should be split between the publisher, composer and writer. "Whatever royalty comes from any source, goes 50 per cent to publisher, 25 per cent to composer and 25 per cent to the writer, if there is any. If it is only instrumental, then it (royalty) goes obviously to composers only. Now this is what we are asking for and this is what we are supposed to get. But the fact remains in a very clever manner and seriously we have been marginalised," he added. As per the prevailing Copyright Act, music directors and lyricists do not have any right on the revenue earned by producers and music companies, once they have sold their compositions. The Cabinet on December 24 approved a proposal to introduce a Bill to amend the Copyright Act. —
ANI
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N Ram to receive Tilak award
Pune, December 30 Deepak Tilak, who made the announcement on behalf of the Kesari-Maharatta Trust said the award is conferred for excellence in journalism on a personality making important contribution to the field of Journalism at national level. Vir Sanghvi of Hindustan Times was the recipient of the Tilak Award in 2009.The award will be conferred on N Ram on January 4, coinciding with the 129th Foundation Day of 'Kesari', started by Lokmanya Tilak, one of the leading lights of struggle for independence.
-PTI
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Shibu Soren three-time CM, but never MLA
Ranchi, December 30 Soren, who was a member of the Lok Sabha then, did not get a chance to contest an Assembly seat as he had to quit nine days later after he failed to prove his majority in the Assembly.Soren became Chief Minister for the second time on August 27, 2008, when he replaced Independent MLA Madhu Koda. At that time also Soren was a Lok Sabha member and as per constitutional requirement he had to become an MLA within six months. Soren contested the Tamar Assembly bypoll on January 3 this year,
but was defeated by Independent candidate Gopal Krishna Patar popularly called Raja Patar by over 10,000 votes. Soren resigned from the Chief Minister's post on January 12 and as no party came forward to form the government in Jharkhand after his resignation, President's rule was imposed in the state. Soren still is not a member of the Jharkhand Assembly and has to become a legislator within six months. "We have not yet decided a seat for Guruji (Soren), but in all likelihood he will contest from the Santhal Pargana region (which has 18 seats)," JMM spokesman Ramesh Hansda told
PTI. — PTI
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Only tribals as Jharkhand CMs so far
Ranchi, December 30 In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, 44 seats are general, 29 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and eight seats for Scheduled Caste (SC). On November 15, 2000, tribal BJP leader Babulal Marandi became the first Chief Minister after it became a new state carved out of Bihar.In March 18, 2003, Arjun Munda, another tribal became the second Chief Minister after the NDA allies demanded the removal of Marandi following differences with him. Shibu Soren was made the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand by then Governor Syed Sibtey Razi on March 2, 2005, after a hung Assembly.Arjun Munda again became Chief Minister for the second time in March 13, 2005, after Shibu Soren resigned. Madhu Koda, an Independent tribal MLA, became the fifth Chief Minister of Jharkhand on September 18, 2006, after dislodging Arjun
Munda. Shibu Soren became the Chief Minister for the second time in August 27, 2008, after Koda resigned. —
PTI |
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Aamir’s 3 Idiots ride to rescue of Bollywood
Mumbai, December 30 According to trade reports, 3 Idiots has raked in a whopping Rs 100 crore during the extended weekend that included the Christmas and Moharram holidays. The movie, which is being distributed by Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Pictures, released in more than 2,100 screens worldwide. For the first time the movie showed up in 336 screens in foreign countries with record turnouts being reported from Australia, according to the distributor. Last time any film got such an enthusiastic opening was last year when another Aamir Khan-starrer Ghajini had its outing in Christmas 2008 which itself was one-step ahead of Taare Zameen Par also by Khan thus making the latest venture an enviable hat-trick. 3 Idiots has come as a ray of hope to the film distribution fraternity which has been reeling under a deluge of duds. Among those that bit the dust this year include films with marquee names like Akshay Kumar, Saif-Kareena and the great Bachchan. The biggest bomb happened to be the much-hyped Chandni Chowk to China which sank without a trace despite its foreign parentage. Main Aur Mrs Khanna, Kurbaan, Alladin and What's your Rashee were among the big budget flops that sent producers and distributors to thecleaners. There were a few bright spots like Kaminey, Wanted, New York and Love Aaj Kal earlier this year though they all grossed much less than 3 idiots before Amitabh Bachchan's experimental Paa came as a face-saver. |
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Fog delays flights at IGI
New Delhi, December 30 Airport officials said several in-bound and out-bound domestic flights at Delhi airport were delayed due to the reduced visibility owing to the fog. Domestic flights to Amritsar, Mumbai, Leh, Chandigarh, Pune and Patna were delayed by upto one hour. Airport sources said the runway visibility hovered between 200 to 350 metres at around 8 am, leading to implementation of the CAT-III instrument landing system. The general visibility at the airport was recorded at 150 metres while the runway visibility of main runway (28/10) dipped to a low of 600 metres. According to the Met department officials, dense fog is likely to continue and increase over a period of time and the first spell of dense fog is expected to arrive in a day or two. Insufficient number of CAT-III trained pilots is likely to affect flight operations. Last year, the IGI Airport witnessed dense fog for almost 23 days. Airport officials however claim that this year the situation has changed and they are more prepared to tackle the situation with more CAT-III-trained pilots. |
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TN failed to promote youth
Chennai, December 30 While everyone agrees that a state which does not encourages talented youngsters to take the centrestage will lose dynamism and development, a section of the people blamed the youngsters for limiting their goals to lucrative jobs and luxurious lifestyle, while others felt growing nepotism, academic oriented education and changing social values are obstructing rise of youths. The academic pressure to perform within a short span of time has left children no time for other activities like music, sports and literature, educationist V Palaniappan said. All round development is not a priority in schools and lack of extra curricular activities damage the inclination and enthusiasm of children in other creative fields, he said. “We do not encourage talent at formative years. We do not aim to generate achievers in science, sports or arts. Since, IT and other industries are growing in Tamil Nadu, we are moulding our children to the requirements of multi-national companies”, he said. Social activist and advocate A Arulmozhi said the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation of Tamil Nadu had resulted in a materialist culture. Most of the youths think lucrative jobs and luxurious life are the ultimate goals in life. |
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Medical Benefits
Chandigarh, December 30 The Ministry of Defence (MoD), in response to a query under the RTI Act, has held the DGAFMS responsible for the loss, as it was the custodian of the file. Earlier, the DGAFMS had responded to queries by ex-servicemen by claiming that the file was with the MoD. When the Ministry wrote to the DGAFMS pointing out that the file was with it, medical directorate then claimed that it was lost. In 1996, the government had extended outdoor medical facilities in military hospitals to all “ex-servicemen”. These were earlier available only to “ex-service pensioners” and the relevant clause introduced in 1983 was amended after the presidential sanction was accorded for the same. Letters on the subject were later issued by the Adjutant General’s branch, explicitly including emergency commissioned and SSC officers under the ambit of military medical facilities. Requests by the Director General Medical Services (Army) to rescind these medical facilities were also turned down by the MoD in 1997 and 1998. Last year, the DGAFMS suo-moto started refusing medical care to elderly veterans on the pretext that they were not entitled to the facility. The DGAFMS also claimed that its concurrence was not taken before granting facilities to non-pensioner ex-servicemen. The DGMS (Army) even wrote to all Army Commands asking them not to comply with letters of the MOD and the Army Headquarters. Irked by the conduct of the DGAFMS, many ex-servicemen sought a copy of the file notings leading to the Presidential sanction in which the complete concurrence of the then DGAFMS was taken. The DGAFMS, thereafter, took the pretext that the said file was lost. |
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In scenes reminiscent of the incidents that followed the death of matinee idol Rajkumar in 2006, fans of popular Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan, who died of cardiac arrest in Mysore early in the morning today, went on a rampage in Bangalore bringing the I-T capital of India to an edge.
Want abetment to suicide charge slapped on Rathore
Ranchi, December 30
