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| Saturday, January 20, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Centre okays wider storage network NCM plea to govt on Afghan refugees National Bravery Awards announced Central rule: PM’s no to Mamata 72 addl
companies for CRPF Govt counsel
invited to Bush ceremony Hindujas to attend
Mahakumbh Mela |
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220 works of art for 10th triennale Navy to induct
2 new warships IAF appeal for
R-Day flypast Vijayaraje
coming out of coma ‘Kaho
Na Pyar Hai’ best film
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Centre okays wider storage network BANGALORE, Jan 19 (PTI) — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the Centre has decided to offer a package of incentives, including tax reliefs and encouraging private sector participation to build wide storage network for farmers to avoid distress sales. The government wanted to provide storage facility for foodgrains produced in the country to ensure that farmers were not forced to resort to distress sale and wait for a market situation which would give them remunerative prices, he said. Despite a bountiful harvest of crops, the farmers were in distress now, Mr Vajpayee said while inaugurating the “Vidya Soudha” of the BGS International School on the city outskirts. He said the country witnessed a crisis situation on the food front some years ago, during which it depended upon imports accepting conditionalities set by the exporting nations. However, following strenuous efforts by farmers and scientists, it had not only achieved self-sufficiency in food production, but has also become an exporter now. The Prime Minister struck a note of caution, saying: “Today we might be a surplus nation, tomorrow there could be scarcity. We should be in a position to manage the situation by storing the existing surplus stock.” Mr Vajpayee said the government was concerned over the fall in prices of agricultural commodities such as coconut, cashew and other foodgrains and had operationalised a
market intervention scheme to help the farmers. He said the government was also laying emphasis on augumenting irrigation facilities, the vital input for the farming sector. Referring to inter-state river water disputes, the Prime Minister said there was an urgent need to find lasting solutions to such tangles. He said the BJP-led NDA government had given a thrust to the country’s defence by providing higher allocation to the sector. The government was also moving ahead to usher in economic development and all round development in various sectors, he said. |
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NCM plea to govt on Afghan refugees NEW DELHI, JAN 19 — The National Commission for Minorities has urged the Atal Behari Vajpayee government to be sympathetic to the Hindu and Sikh refugees from troubled Afghanistan and allow them to stay indefinitely in this country or grant them Indian citizenship. Moved by the plight of these people of Indian origin who have had to flee Afghanistan, the NCM observed the 30,000 odd people of Indian origin who have taken refuge in this country firmly believe that their prospects of returning to Kabul is virtually sealed. The NCM has, therefore, knocked at the doors of the Ministries of External Affairs and Home to find some way out expeditiously as this non-Muslim population from Afghanistan is now here on a permanent basis. There is a sizeable number of Sikh families who fled from Afghanistan because of the breakdown of the social security system in that country. An official communication addressed by NCM Vice-Chairman Tarlochan Singh to the Ministry of External Affairs in August last year has since been referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The MEA has passed the buck on the ground that the issue primarily concerns the Home Ministry. Mr Tarlochan Singh had urged the government to decide the case of these homeless people of Indian origin on humanitarian grounds. He had also suggested the NCM was willing to have a meeting with the Union Home Secretary in this regard. With the impasse continuing the NCM suggested five possible remedies to provide succour to the refugees from Afghanistan languishing in this country. These pertained to (a) — granting permanent Indian citizenship; (b) — till citizenship is decided these people of Indian origin may be granted permanent visas like the PIO (People of Indian Origin) cards; (c) — those without passports or whose passports have expired to be given certificates entitling them to stay indefinitely till their case is decided; (d) — a via media be found to provide permanent visas to those still remaining in Afghanistan; and (e) — as all these people are living as refugees the prescribed charge for granting PIO cards may be waived. Most of the Sikh population after fleeing Afghanistan are now living either in Delhi or Amritsar. They have to spend huge sums of money for extending the validity of their passports and getting visas. There are still some members of the Sikh community caught in Jalalabad finding it very difficult to return to their homeland. Meanwhile, the Afghan Hindu-Sikh Welfare, Society based here has also approached the NCM for help. It said the estimated number of people of Indian origin who have migrated from Afghanistan is about 20,000. They have urged that these “poor and law-abiding” refugees should be granted Indian citizenship to enable them to stay peacefully and fearlessly. This will go a long way in ending unnecessary problems faced by the migrants and the authorities. |
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National Bravery Awards announced NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — A teenaged boy from Lambiri village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir who is among the 23 recipients of this year’s National Bravery Award can hardly enjoy the honour conferred on him. The boy’s tip-off to the special task force led to an encounter in which three militants were killed and a large
quantity of ammunition and arms were seized. Unlike other children, the 14-year-old is ill at ease recounting his brave deed. “Pray, don’t mention his name. Now that he is in news I fear he may be eliminated. The threat to his life has increased manifold,” says his father pleading anonymity. “Militants have been looking for me and my son since December 25, 1998 when he gave the police information about the militants hiding in the neighbourhood.” Covering his face with a blanket, the recipient’s father said, “We have been getting threats from time to time from the militants. I am worried about the well-being of my wife, two daughters and another son in Rajouri.” Asked whether the ICCW which initiated the award scheme would petition the Union Home Ministry to provide security to the boy’s family, the council president, Ms Andel Damodaran said, “We will write to the Home Ministry and tell them about his parents apprehensions.” Ms Gita Siddharta, secretary-general of the Indian Council for Child Welfare told TNS the Prime Minister will give away the awards on January 23. The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, will also host a lunch for the children on the eve of the award giving function. This will be followed by tea reception by the President, Mr K.R. Narayanan and other dignitaries. Ms Siddharta said the recipients include five girls and 18 boys. Two awards are being given posthumously. The youngest recipient is a four-year-old student of Loreto Convent, Lucknow who walked on hot ash to save her friend who had accidentally stepped on the ash and raised an alarm. Neighbours responded to Parul’s cries and took both the girls to the hospital. The secretary-general said the much-coveted Bharat Award which carries a gold medal, a cash prize of Rs 5000, a certificate and a memento has been given to 12-year-old Sunil Singh and Mukesh Kumar of Jammu and Kashmir who confronted militants. The prestigious Geeta Chopra award has been given to 12 year-old Henna Bakshi from Ambala cantonment, Haryana. A student of Convent of Jesus and Mary, Haryana, the girl foiled a robbery attempt in her house. Fifteen-year-old Prince Kumar of Bihar who confronted armed robbers has been given the Sanjay Chopra Award. Thirteen year-old Hanboklang Nongsiej of Meghalaya has been selected for the Bapu Gayadhani Award for rescuing a nine-month old-child from a burning house. The other recipients are Obiraj Subba and Tator Pertin from Arunachal Pradesh, P. Thirumalai from Tamil Nadu, Prince V Dominic and Vishnu Vilas Pavithran from Kerala, Laukik Rajeev Bhaktar from Maharashtra, Chanduba from Gujarat, Ashish Kumar from Bihar, Vinita from Uttar Pradesh, Kumbharam Meena from Rajasthan, Reuben Lamiaki Kynta from Meghalaya, Laishram Uttamkumar Singh from Manipur, Satyanarayan Bairagi and Vidya Kumari from Madhya Pradesh. The posthumous awards will be given to Binod Nongrum from Meghalaya and Laniliana from Mizoram. The National Bravery Award scheme was initiated in 1957. So far, 578 children, including 433 boys and 145 girls, have been given these awards. Ms Siddharta said the selection was made by a committee comprising representatives of various ministries/departments, non-government organisations and senior members of the ICCW. Deserving awards are granted financial assistance till they complete their schooling under the sponsorship programme of the council. Apart from this, the ICCW offers financial assistance under Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme to those wishing to pursue professional courses like engineering and medicine. Some seats for the awardees are also reserved in medical and engineering colleges and polytechnics. |
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Central rule: PM’s no to Mamata KOLKATA, Jan 19 — The Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee’s demand for Article 356 in West Bengal did not receive the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s “sanction” on Wednesday, even after her hour-long persuasion with a detailed account of the massacre and killing of “innocent people” in the villages by CPM workers. Instead, a two-member team of National Human Rights Commission, headed by Mr Y. Srivastava was sent to Calcutta to make an on-the-spot study of the law and order situation in the troubled areas of Chota-Angaria, Garbeta, Panskura and other places in Midnapore district, which had witnessed a series of violent incidents of killings and carnage involving two rival political parties — the CPM and Trinamool Congress. The team today visited the trouble-spots of Midnapore. The Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadev Battacharyya, does not want to give any importance about the visit of the human rights mission. He felt all these “had been the attempts to please Ms Banerjee” by the Vajpayee Government. But he is confident that Ms Banerjee “gameplan” to impose President’s rule in Bengal on the eve of the assembly poll would never succeed. Mr Bhattacharyya, on the one hand, once again visited Ms Banerjee to come to the talking table for ending political clashes in the districts, which she declined. Her condition is that the CPM should first abjure violence and allow the evicted TMC workers and supporters to return to their homes in the district and then only, she would sit with him for a discussion. An NDA team admitted that the law and order machinery had totally broken down and the party in power (meaning the CPM), had taken over police administration in the district. The team also submitted a report to the NHRC, suggesting its invention to ensure that natural human rights as permitted by law, were well-protected in the areas. The committee alleged that because of muscle power and various criminal activities by the CPM, innocent people in the villages were being tortured and subjected to merciless attacks in violation of the basic human rights. The CPM’s state unit secretary, Mr Anil Biswas, alleged that the TMC had been still creating violences in different areas at the instance of Ms Mamata Banerjee, making it a law and order issue so that a demand for President’s rule could be once again made. |
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72
addl companies for CRPF NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — To carry out its
ever-expanding tasks in counter-insurgency operations in various parts
of the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, the CRPF will add 72
additional companies to its existing strength. “We will add one company (124 men) each to the 72 select battalions in a phased manner this year,” CRPF Additional Director-General Ganeshwar Jha told newspersons here today. Stating that the government order to this effect came last month, Mr Jha informed that of a total of 140 battalions, more than 100 are deployed for counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and elsewhere in the country. “In the past few years, there has been a shift in our main role from assisting in the maintenance of law and order to counter-insurgency operations, which have been on the rise, particularly in the Kashmir valley and North-East,” he said, after reviewing the rehearsal of CRPF contingents, which would take part in the Republic Day parade this year. As of now, the CRPF has 57 battalions deployed in the valley and 39 in the North-East, besides some in other parts, including Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The force has two women battalions and 10 battalions of Rapid Action Force. Mr Jha also informed that the paramilitary force is also trying to have its own intelligence network to develop the inputs received from those deployed in the disturbed areas. “Some people have already been put in place and the process is on. It is high time to develop specific intelligence about potential strikes by militants rather than have a general and ambiguous intelligence,” he said, reacting to Tuesday’s abortive attack by members of a Pakistan-backed militant outfit at Srinagar airport. “The force had done a
commendable job in its operations against militants and insurgents. It is one of those rare examples where all six militants were killed,” he said. He said the CRPF was also providing an additional 10 companies to assist the Delhi police for the security set-up to be thrown around the Capital for the Republic Day. The force has already deployed 35 battalions in the city for various other duties, including VIP security, he
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Govt counsel
invited to Bush ceremony NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — The Central Government counsel in the Supreme Court, Mr Adish C.
Aggarwala, has been invited to attend the main inaugural ceremony of the swearing-in of the incoming US President, Mr George W. Bush, in Washington DC tomorrow. Invited by Congressman Mitch McConnell, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee, Mr Aggarwala would also have a breakfast meeting with the new President on February 1. |
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Hindujas to attend
Mahakumbh Mela NEW
DELHI, Jan 19 — Hinduja brothers, who appeared as accused in a Delhi court in the Rs 64-crore Bofors pay-off case today, indicated their plans to take a dip in the holy Ganges, where millions of Hindus from across the country converge to wash away their sins during the Mahakumbh Mela. “We plan to visit Allahabad and take bath on January 24, the most auspicious bathing date of Mahakumbh Mela, said president of the Hinduja group S.P. Hinduja outside the courtroom of Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke. While seven crore persons are expected to visit the 42-day Mahakumbh Mela, on January 24, an estimated one crore persons are expected to take a dip in the Sangam of holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical river Saraswati. Asked whether they would take bath at Sangam, Mr S.P. Hinduja said: “The persons taking bath are imbibed with spiritual energy.” Stating that there was a “scientific reason behind taking bath during Kumbh,” he said “It is to get energy from the confluence of three rivers.” He said the scientific reasons behind the Mahakumbh Mela bath have been proved by a team of German scientists and they reiterate what the scriptures of Indian knowledge Vedanth have been propounding for centuries.
220 works of art for 10th triennale NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — Nearly 220 works of art from 30 countries will be on display at the 10th triennale-India, a month-long exposition of contemporary world art beginning here on Monday. Organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi, the apex cultural body in the field of visual art, the exhibition will be inaugurated by Minister for Tourism and Culture Anant Kumar. Mr M. Ramachandran, Deputy Secretary (P&D) in the Akademi told TNS that 37 Indian artists would be participating in the triennale. He said the triennale, which began in 1968, also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Indian Republic. Artists, curators and commissioners from various countries will also participate in the exhibition. He said the Indian artists had been selected through a two-tier process. Names of international artists suggested by embassies concerned were considered for selection. Some Indian artists participating in the exposition are Amitava Das, Ananda Moy Banerji, Anupam Sud, Gayoor Hasan, Kishor S Shinde, Madan Lal, Malkit Singh, Pramod K Mann, Sandeep Bhatia, Sukhvinder Singh, Vijay Singh and Walter D’Souza. Mr Ramachandran said the exhibits would be on display at the Lalit Kala Akademi galleries, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society. Ten prizes each of Rs 1 lakh would be awarded by the jury which comprises Ms Jill Snyder (USA), Mr Michel Baudson (Paris), Mr Nicholas Tsoutas (Australia) and Mr A Ramachandran (India). The Director of the triennale, Mr Nand Katyal told TNS that 140 countries were invited to the triennale. Asked why the number of countries participating in this year’s triennale had decreased from that in the previous triennale, Mr Katyal said: “The number of participating countries is always around 45. Among the foreign countries, the maximum representation is from Nigeria.” Explaining the weak international response to the triennale, Mr Ramachandran said: “Some countries are very poor and cannot afford to send artists to participate in such exhibitions.” Mr Katyal said a colour catalogue featuring the creative process of some very senior and outstanding Indian artists as Akbar Padamsee, Amar Nath Sehgal, Dinkar Kowshik, K.G. Subramanyan, Krishen Khanna, Satish Gujral, Sankho Chaudhuri would also be available during the triennale. These essays have been written by the artists. Another welcome feature of the triennale is the Akademi’s tribute to Professor B C Sanyal who will celebrate his 100th birthday. A special section of his select work will be on display. The Department of Post will also release a special cover that carries a self-portrait of Professor Sanyal on the occasion. The Director of the triennale said workshops would also be held during the event at Garhi (on the outskirts of Delhi), Chandigarh, Jaipur, Baroda and Chennai. |
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Navy to induct
2 new warships NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — INS Mumbai, a Delhi class destroyer, and INS Kirch, a missile corvette will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Jan 22. It is for the first time in the history of the Indian Navy that two major warships of different classes built by the same yard are being commissioned on the same day. The ships will be commissioned by Dr P.C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra, at the Naval dockyard, in Mumbai. Mumbai is the third of the Delhi-class guided missile destroyers built by Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai. The first two ships, INS Delhi and INS Mysore were
commissioned on Nov 16, 1997 and Jan 2, 1999 respectively. The ship is armed with sophisticated weapons and sensors to counter any emerging threat on surface, sub-surface or air. |
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IAF appeal for
R-Day flypast NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made an appeal to the public to cooperate with it to ensure that the flypast during this year’s Republic Day parade goes off without any incident of a bird hit. In an appeal issued here, it said the IAF would carry out a flypast on January 26 as part of Republic Day celebrations. A total of 23 aircraft flying at heights varying from 60 metres to 300 metres above ground level will take part in the flypast. Birds pose a serious threat to aircraft flying at low levels. Eatables thrown out in the open attract birds. To ensure a safe flypast, the Indian Air Force has requested citizens of Delhi and its neighbourhood not to throw eatables and garbage in the open. Also, if they find any carcass out in the open they are requested to report to the nearest Air Force unit or police station. |
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Vijayaraje coming out of coma NEW DELHI, Jan 19 (UNI) — Senior BJP leader Vijayaraje Scindia was today reported to be coming out of coma, although she is still not out of danger. The veteran leader, admitted to the medical intensive care unit of Apollo Hospital here on January 2 with Meningitis and a host of other ailments, was beginning to respond to treatment and was “a shade better than yesterday”, hospital sources said. The 81-year-old former MP was still on ventilator and IV drips but was not as deeply unconscious as before. “She is beginning to open her eyes when addressed and appears to be coming out of coma”, the sources said. Besides Meningitis, she is a known patient of Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, Myasthenia Gravis and Chronic Renal Insufficiency. |
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‘Kaho Na Pyar Hai’
best film KOLKATA, Jan 19(UNI) — “Kaho Na Pyar Hai” was chosen as the best Hindi film of 2000, while the best actor and best actress awards went to Akshay Khanna and Rani Mukherjee, respectively. This was announced here yesterday by Cine Advance, a film weekly. While Akshay Khanna was chosen as the best actor award for “Taal”, Mukherjee was named best actress for “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega”. Manoj Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Jagdeep and Bengali actress Supriya Devi will be given Kalakar awards for their lifetime achievement in the film industry. The best director award for a Hindi film went to J.P. Dutta for “Refugee” and for a Bengali film, the award went to Aparna Sen for “Paromitaar Ek Din”. Prosenjit was chosen as the best actor for his lead role in “Sasurbari Zindabad” and Rituparna was named best actress for the same film. The awards will be given on January 21. |
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7 trains rescheduled NEW DELHI, Jan 19 — Seven trains, including the 2497 Shan-e-Punjab, have been rescheduled due to heavy fog. Sources in the Northern Railway said Shan-e-Punjab would now leave New Delhi station at 9.30 a.m. instead of 6.50 a.m. Other trains that have been rescheduled are the 2412 Gondwana Express, 4048 Satyagrah Express, 8604 Jharkhand Express, 3040 Howrah Janata, 2382 Poorva Express and 2306 Howrah Rajdhani. The Gondwana Express will now leave the Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 3.50 p.m., the Satyagrah Express from the Delhi junction at 6.50 p.m., the Jharkhand Express at 9.30 p.m., the Howrah Janata at 11.50 p.m., the Poorva Express at 5.20 p.m. and the Howrah Rajdhani at 5.30 p.m. |
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