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CPM days numbered in West Bengal, says Rahul
Never dreamt of becoming PM:
Swaraj
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14 die as docs’ strike cripples health services
Ram Gopal faces Satya of underworld
Ishrat Killing Indian firm develops wonder molecule, claims it is effective in treatment of type II diabetics
Sethna, man behind India’s first nuke test, no more
Navy foils Somali pirate attack
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CPM days numbered in West Bengal, says Rahul
Kolkata, September 6 Taking on the CPM in its bastion, Rahul accused it of looting Central funds meant for the poor and said the days of the Marxists in West Bengal were numbered. “There are two Bengals. One belongs to the CPM where there is money and glitter and the other belongs to you and me where there is darkness and backwardness and where there is no prosperity, employment, roads and electricity,” he said. “The Centre has been giving money worth crores of rupees to Bengal under NREGA and other schemes, but the money is being siphoned off by the CPM and not reaching the beneficiaries. Nearly 45 per cent of people in West Bengal do not have even a ration card,” claimed Rahul, adding that the CPM did not pay any heed to the needs of the common men, but worked for the benefit of the party. Rahul expressed hope that the Congress would get its old glorious position back in the state with the massive support of the people, who are fed up with the CPM ‘misrule’. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was also present at the meeting, was hopeful of rebuilding the Congress under Rahul’s leadership. “When, in the past, the Congress as a single party could govern for more than 45 years, both at the Centre and the state-level, there was no reason why it could not once again run the country in the same manner in future,” Mukherjee said, adding that the single party rule was not an impossible proposition. Despite hot and humid weather, hundreds of party workers and supporters were present at Rahul’s rally. The WBPCC(l) also mobilised large number of people by bringing them in buses, trains, trucks and other vehicles from the remote districts in north Bengal and other distant places in the southern part of the state. Rahul said the Congress has been revamped in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Punjab and turned into a vital political force. After the rally, Rahul went to Bidhan Bhavan and met Congress leaders and workers and told them to strengthen the party at the grassroots-level. Earlier, Rahul arrived in the city from Patna around 12-30 am and formally opened the party’s membership drive in the state. He left for New Delhi in the evening.
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Never dreamt of becoming PM:
Swaraj
New Delhi, September 6 When reminded that LK Advani had invoked the same Westminster model to seek the status of a shadow PM after he became the LoP in 2004, she curtly replied: “I am not Advani.” “I am a Krishna bhakt and believe in the philosophy of karma and therefore never in my life I feel disappointed. After Bellary (where she contested against Sonia Gandhi and lost), I never asked to be taken back in the Union Cabinet, despite being kept out of the government for two years,” she insisted. She also expressed her distaste for vehicles with the red beacon and the accompanied paraphernalia. “I have never used red beacon vehicles except when I was the Chief Minister, and have only one PSO accompanying me. I always stop my vehicle at the red light,” she said. Touching other issues, Swaraj said her party had no differences with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on tackling Maoists and was in full agreement that "action and talks" with extremists should go hand in hand. On party recent criticism of Sonia Gandhi’s election as Congress president for the fourth term, Sushma said: “Our statement was not against Sonia Gandhi per se. It was against the Congress and how it was perpetuating a dynasty.”
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14 die as docs’ strike cripples health services
According to sources, the death of seven infants took place at Ummaid Hospital, Jodhpur, where the condition of 12 other infants has been reported as critical. The other seven deaths were reported at the MDM Medical College and the MG Hospital in Jodhpur. The situation has become all the more serious in the city with the private doctors also supporting the protesters and abstaining from work. The doctors are protesting against Saturday’s lathi-charge on them in which over 60 students and doctors were injured. The resident doctors alleged that the police baton-charged them following a minor tiff among a few doctors and attendants of a patient at the Trauma Centre of the MDM Medical College on Saturday night. The incident has evoked sharp reaction elsewhere in the state also, with the resident doctors in other cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Bikaner also going on strike. In Ajmer and Kota, even the senior resident doctors have joined hands with the striking doctors. Joint Association of Resident Doctors’ chief Dr Krishnakant Sahu demanded suspension of all police officials involved in the lathi-charge. Interestingly, the resident doctors’ strike is in clear violation of the Epidemic Act which had been invoked in the state in view of rising number of swine flu cases. The state government had announced on Saturday evening only to continue with the Act and within hours the resident doctors of all the medical colleges went on strike without giving any notice. Under the provisions of the Act, the doctors cannot even proceed on leave. Rajasthan Health Minister AA Khan said it is a matter of concern, though it needs to be investigated as to how many people lost their lives and due to what reason. “The number of dead is yet to be ascertained and we will also have to find out whether they died due to lack of medical attention as is being reported,” he added.
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Poland keen to sell tank recovery vehicles
New Delhi, September 6 MEA officials say that since most of the Indian military hardware was acquired in the 1970s from the then Soviet Union, Poland, which was a key ally of the USSR, had the spares and the technology for upgrading the equipment with the Indian forces. The proposal for selling tank recovery vehicles was made by Poland during Antony’s visit to Warsaw in April for a meeting of the joint working group (JWG) on defence cooperation between the two countries. A tank recovery vehicle is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to repair battle or mine damaged as well as broken down vehicles during combat operations, or to tow them out of the danger zone for more extensive repairs. Apart from making these vehicles available to India, Poland has shown interest in providing to New Delhi its sophisticated military hardware upgradation and maintenance technology. It is also interested in joint ventures with Indian companies. In fact, one Polish company was already in talks with an Indian company, the officials said but declined to give any further details. The two sides have also been discussing various other defence-related issues, particularly joint training programmes. Poland can help India upgrade Indian T-72 tanks, BMP II infantry combat vehicles and a variety of air defence systems purchased from the former Soviet Union. But more than defence ties, it is the prospect of a quantum jump in economic ties with Poland that excites New Delhi. Poland, a key member of the European Union (EU), is considered by India as a gateway to Europe and Central Asia. Ahead of his talks with Manmohan Singh, the Polish PM will address a meeting of captains of the Indian industry to seek Indian investments in his country. Poland, which will acquire the Presidency of the EU in the second half of the next year, also wants the grouping to expedite the free trade agreement (FTA) with India. Though the two sides have been discussing cooperation in different areas, only one accord will be signed tomorrow — a cultural exchange programme. Possibilities of exploring economic cooperation in food processing industry and higher education are also on the agenda of the two sides.
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Ram Gopal faces Satya of underworld
The ace director received calls threatening to eliminate him for depicting a politician, Obul Reddy, as a rapist in the movie. Reddy was allegedly murdered by Paritala Ravi’s henchmen as part of the gang war in the faction-ridden Rayalaseema region. His followers are incensed over portraying their leader in poor light in the upcoming film, which has created ripples in political circles even before its release. Apart from threatening calls, RGV also received a legal notice from Obul Reddy’s family for showing him as a rapist. Brushing aside the threats, the producer-director said he was not scared of anyone and asserted that he would continue to make movies with a sense of unwavering commitment. “The film has not yet been released. I do not want the people to jump to conclusions without seeing it.” The movie, starring Vivek Oberoi in the lead role, follows tumultuous events in the life of Ravi, a Naxalite sympathiser who was sucked into the gang wars of the region and later went on to become a minister in the Telugu Desam Party government. Ravi, a four-time MLA, was shot dead in January 2005 by a sharp-shooter allegedly hired by another gangster and Congress leader Gangula Suryapratap Reddy alias Maddelacheruvu Suri, who has a long-time family rivalry with Ravi. Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi plays the role of Ravi while Tamil action hero Suriya acts as his rival in the movie, which seeks to portray political violence of Rayalaseema region. Hailed by his admirers as a do-gooder and dreaded by opponents as a merciless killer, Ravi was an accused in several murder cases and had survived many assassination attempts. ‘Rakta Charitra’ is the story of his phenomenal rise to power and the intense, blood-curdling conflict between two factions in his native Anantapur district. Ravi’s father and brother were murdered by local rivals. He became a rebel, and fled to the jungles, plotting revenge for his family’s death. He had also hobnobbed with Naxalites. In 1994, Ravi was elected as an MLA from Penukonda and was inducted into the NT Rama Rao cabinet. His widow P Sunitha is now a TDP MLA. “Ravi’s life story is absolutely fascinating. He was on the verge of becoming a Naxalite and from there he embarked on a journey into mainstream politics. Ravi was finally gunned down, it is an incredible story to be filmed," Verma says. The director of popular gangster films like “Satya” and “Company” says his intention is to capture the spirit of the man and his surroundings, rather than the politics around him.
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Ishrat Killing
New Delhi, September 6 “Every case cannot be probed by CBI. We are not in favour of handing over each and every case to CBI. It is not fair,” a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar said. Advocate Kamini Jaiswal, appearing for victim’s mother Shamima Kauser, contended that since the apex-court appointed SIT, headed by former CBI Director RK Raghavan, has not done the job properly, the investigation into the case should be handed over to CBI. She drew the attention of the Bench to the magisterial report which had held the encounter as “fake” and sought prosecution of the police officers responsible for it. However, the Bench said it would wait for the adjudication of the matter by the High Court. “The High Court will be at liberty to consider the application and pass appropriate order within two weeks,” the Bench said. It also asked the HC to consider the application filed by apex court-appointed SIT expressing inability to probe the case. The HC had earlier on a plea by Shamima decided to entrust the case of the sensational killings of the teenager and three others to SIT on the basis of the findings of magistrate SP Tamang that it was a fake encounter.
— PTI
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Locked in classrooms, students wait for Omar’s speech to end Bhalwal, September 6 While the middle block of the school was completely sealed, students of other classes were forced to stay in their classrooms by the security personnel. Not only did the cops lock the students in the school, they even asked some students in uniform to serve water to the VIPs. The school authorities expressed helplessness as it was a matter related to the security of the Chief Minister and they had to follow the directions of the security agencies. Some students on the condition of the anonymity told The Tribune that they faced harassment as the school was virtually sealed by the security personnel since the morning and they were not allowed to move out of their classrooms. They said cops were even deployed outside their classrooms. Interestingly, when teachers were taking classes, workers of the National Conference and the Congress were shouting slogans in favour of their leaders. Despite efforts of the school management to continue with the teaching, studies of the students was badly affected by today’s rally as throughout the day workers of the two parties created a lot of noise on the premises of the school. When the Chief Minister reached the venue, supporters of the NC began beating “dhols” without a thought to the classes that were being held in the school. Principal of the school Vinod Soni refused to comment on the harassment faced by his students, but said every possible effort was made to ensure that the studies of the students were not affected due to the rally. Chief Education Officer (CEO), Jammu, Natha Ram said the organisers of the rally had not taken permission from the Education Department. “As soon as I got the information about the political rally on the premises of the school, I rushed to the spot to ensure that studies of the students should not suffer,” Ram told The Tribune. He said despite the rally, the school functioned smoothly and students attended their classes normally. Sources said the organisers of the rally had earlier told the school administration that the function was official because the Chief Minister was coming to inaugurate a grid station of the Power Development Department but this morning the rally turned into a political one. The official function of grid station inauguration was held about 2 km away from the school.
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Indian firm develops wonder molecule, claims it is effective in treatment of type II diabetics The GKM-001 is a completely indigenously developed molecule and its initial clinical trials reportedly have shown excellent results, both in terms of safety and efficacy. “Our discovery program primarily focused on identifying a molecule that would be effective without causing hypoglycemia, a side effect associated with most compounds developed for this target. The data of recently completed Phase I indicates that the GKM-001is a liver selective molecule that has overcome the biggest clinical challenge of hypoglycemia. The GKM-001 is different from most other GK molecules in development due to this novel mechanism of action”, said a Advinus press release which had a statement of its MD Rashmi Barbhaiya. Advinus’s team in Pune discovered the molecule and the entire pre-clinical development was carried out at its centre in Bangalore. Subsequently, the IND (Investigational New Drug) application was filed with the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) for approval to initiate clinical trials in India. Following the approval, Phase 1 of single ascending dose study of the drug has been completed. The GKM-001 is the first Glucokinase modulator discovered and developed in India. Advinus has “composition of Matter” patent on the molecule for all major markets globally. Currently, there is no such product in the market worldwide. The strategy for early clinical development of the molecule revolved around assessing safety (particularly hypoglycemia) and early assessment of therapeutic activity (glucose lowering and other biomarkers) in type II diabetics. The Phase I data, in both healthy and type II diabetics, reportedly shows excellent safety and tolerability over a 40-fold dose range and desirable pharmacokinetic properties consistent with “once a day” dosing. The next round of clinical studies will continue with this strategy of early testing in type II diabetics.
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Sethna, man behind India’s first nuke test, no more
Dr Sethna’s funeral will be held as per Parsi rites at the Doongerwadi Tower of Silence on Tuesday. Dr Sethna went on to become chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and after his retirement from government service joined the corporate sector. He was associated with the Tatas as chairman of Tata Power and was on the board of Tata Sons, Bombay Dyeing and other companies. Dr Sethna was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his role in the nuclear test. Among his achievements include the commissioning of the uranium mill at Jaduguda in Bihar to supply Indian nuclear power plants with fuel.
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Navy foils Somali pirate attack
New Delhi, September 6 When the convoy of ships was 180 km north of the Coast of Somalia, a boat was detected approaching the formation at high speed. The captain of the naval ship immediately called the approaching boat through the onboard mercantile marine radio but the boat failed to respond to these calls. A helicopter was pressed into service to provide aerial cover to the merchant vessels and the boat named Bareeda was successfully intercepted, forced to stop and boarded by a team of marine commandos. On investigation, a cache of arms, several fuel drums and ship boarding equipment were found. There were one Yemeni and seven Somali nationals as part of the crew, Navy spokesperson Commander PVS Satish said today. Since the Indian Navy started its anti-piracy operations in October 2008, over 1,200 ships have been escorted. This is the 16th piracy attack that has been prevented and not a single ship escorted by the Indian Navy has fallen prey to pirates, the spokesperson added.
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