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July 29, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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White House cat named ‘India’ Curfew lifted in Manipur Decision on truce welcomed Minorities seek nod to set up bank Indo-Bangla border fencing to begin |
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Amarinder’s book on
Kargil war released No threat to Christians in India: Sister Nirmala Centre wants 2
TN cops Indira Goswami gets Jnanpith Award Cong delegation to
visit Moradabad Women’s gesture for Phoolan
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White House cat named ‘India’ Kolkata, July 28 A proposal to this effect, which Congress leader Abdul Mannan had moved on the floor of the House yesterday, got overwhelming acceptance by the Marxists, already known for their anti-imperialist stand against the USA. They welcomed the move with thumping applaud. Mumbai BJP president Vinode Tawde, who detected on the White House website that President Bush’s pet cat had been named after India, not only promptly got registered a formal protest with the US Embassy in Mumbai against it but also wrote to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and External Affairs Minister to send a protest note to the President. BJP also launched a massive protest in different BJP-run states. But in the Marxist state of West Bengal, where the party’s presence has been virtually nil, it is the Congress that has taken up the issue of public protest as a part of their political campaign. The CPI(M) MLA, Mr Rabin Dev, extending his whole-hearted support to the Congress MLA remarked: “If Bush can disregard our country and the people by calling his cat India”, we can rightly reciprocate by calling a public toilet in the city as White House.” All other MLAs present supported the view. Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharyya was not present in the House when the matter was raised. But he too protested the naming of the White House cat after India. He however, wants President K.R. Narayanan and Mr Vajpayee to take up the matter with the US administration, conveying to them the country’s sentiment against naming the cat “India”. Former Minister of state for External Affairs Department, Ajit Kumar Panja, however, commented. “There has been no reason for raising such hue and cry over the issue. One should note even dogs and cats in all US families are considered respectable family members and treated as such. Even then, the naming of the White House cat after India could have been avoided for honouring the sentiment of the country’s people”. |
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Curfew lifted in Manipur Imphal, July 28 The indefinite curfew was lifted from the valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal, official sources said. Leaders of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) which spearheaded the over a month’s anti-ceasefire protests, held a public meeting at the cremation ground at Kekrupat on the banks of the Imphal river, attended by over 10,000 persons. The UCM leaders, however, refrained from formally announcing the end of the agitation, even though Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee said yesterday that the words ‘without territorial limits’ would be dropped from the Bangkok ceasefire agreement at his meeting with Chief Ministers of North Eastern states in New Delhi. In sharp contrast, markets and shops were closed in the hill district of Senapati in protest against the Centre’s decision to limit the ceasefire only to neighbouring Nagaland. This led to the suspension of traffic between Imphal and Senapati, the sources added.
PTI |
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Decision on truce welcomed Guwahati, July 28 Representatives of the AJYCP, the United Committee of Manipur, the Manipuri Students Federation and the Manipuri Joint Committee of Shillong told mediapersons here that they were satisfied with the Centre’s decision not to extend the ceasefire to other North-Eastern states. The AJYCP President Mr Apurba Bhattacharya, UCM representative Sushil Huidrom, MJC Convener R Thingbamjam and MSF President P. Nando Luwang hoped the restriction would be accepted positively by the Naga people. The AJYCP had successfully called a 12-hour Assam bandh on July 16 supported by the UCM, the All-Manipur Students Union and other Manipuri organisations to protest against the extension of the Naga truce without territorial limits. PTI |
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Minorities seek nod to set up bank New Delhi, July 28 Addressing newspersons after day-long deliberations at the National Convention for the Educational and Economic Development of Minorities, National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Chairman Qari Mohammad Mian Mazhari said the necessary government permission would go a long way to remove economic difficulties of more than 25 million minorities in the country. While “we demand 40 per cent equity from the government” but even if it was not possible, there will be no dearth of finances for setting up the bank, former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim pointed out, saying that an expeditious clearance of formalities from the government and the Reserve Bank of India would empower the minorities in such a way that they would move from “dependence to independence”. Jointly addressing the press conference, member, National Commission for Minorities, S. Shamim Kazim, said the establishment of such a bank would also work as a catalyst for the entire banking sector of the country to work for the poor, including those belonging to the minorities. The three said they could raise Rs 300 crore if the government gave the permission. Mr Mazhari said they would meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha shortly to seek their approval for setting up the bank. The NMDFC Chairman said the bank would provide finance to artisans, workers and students belonging to the minorities for setting up small-scale units and seeking higher education in technical institutions. |
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Indo-Bangla border fencing to begin New Delhi, July 28 According to Home Ministry sources, procurement process for material like barbed wire, concertina coils and good angle iron posts, etc is going on. The construction of fencing was sanctioned by the Centre in June, 2000, and the project is likely to be completed by March, 2007. The Technical Committee held three meetings on August 17, 2000, September 15, 2000, and January 23, 2001, to accord administrative approvals for the works. The 35th High Level Expert Committee (HLEC), under the chairmanship of Home Secretary Kamal Pande, in its meeting held on November 20, 2000, decided to enhance the financial powers of the Director-General, CPWD, from the present Rs 5 crore to Rs 15 crore. The fencing will help a great deal in preventing infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into India and in checking drug trafficking, smuggling, etc. The commencement of fencing assumes great significance in the wake of the recent brutal killings of 15 BSF men by Bangladesh Rifles personnel in Pirdiwah district. As on January, 2001, the government has already fenced 147.31 km of Indo-Bangla border in Assam, 198.6 km in Meghalaya and 509.84 km in West Bengal. |
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Amarinder’s book on
Kargil war released New Delhi, July 28 Describing the book as “inspirational” and as a history with human face, General Padmanabhan said the book filled certain lacunae that remained in the existing accounts about the war. He said the book was a must-read for both the soldiers and the students of military history. Accompanied by visuals, graphics and photographs, Capt Amarinder Singh briefly presented at the book release function the story of courage and valour displayed by the soldiers of various regiments in each operation to dislodge the intruders from the inhospitable Kargil heights. Gallantry award-winners and the officers who had led the operations were honoured with a copy of the book by Mrs Padmanabhan. The audience, which included several serving and retired soldiers, police officers and political leaders, burst into applause as kin of martyrs Capt V.K. Batra, Capt Arun Nayyar, Major Rajesh Adhikari and Major V.K. Gupta came to the stage to receive copies of the book. Param Vir Chakra winners Hav Yogendra Yadav and Hav Sanjay Kumar were also cheered. The proceeds from the book, Capt Amarinder Singh said, would go to a trust being set up for the welfare of an officer and three other soldiers who had lost their eyes during the Kargil war. Informing that 499 Indian soldiers were killed in the war and 211 were wounded, he said life for those suffering visual impairment was particularly hard. Capt Amarinder Singh, who was commissioned in the Sikh Regiment and was ADC to the GOC-in-C Western Command during the 1965 war, said he had tried to bring home the contribution of the Indian soldier. “Given this terrain, no army in the world could have done what our Army did,” he said. Gen V.P. Malik (retd), who has written the foreword for the book called it “as not just filling gaps in military history but an excellent homage to the Indian soldier.” Lauding the work done by Capt Amarinder Singh, he said the book was a tribute to the soldiers who had fought the Kargil war. “I don’t think there could have been a better commemoration of the Kargil war,” he said. Admitting that there were certain lapses in the intelligence gathering during the Kargil war, General Malik said the country had learnt some lessons. Emphasising that the defence forces had emerged victorious in the war after facing initial hardships, he said selective talk in the media about the inadequacies was unfortunate. General Malik said intelligence agencies could not properly collate information about Kargil intrusions and this lacuna had even been brought out by the Kargil Review Committee. He said the forces also lacked adequate surveillance equipment. The former Army chief called for implementing all 26 recommendations of the committee. Referring to the fights in some martyr families over relief amounts, he stressed for more studies into Army sociology. The 256-page book written has been divided into four chapters. Apart from dealing with facts and clear-cut description of real-life accounts, it also contains perceptions of the author who has also written the book ‘Lest We
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No threat to Christians in India: Sister Nirmala Kolkata, July 28 According to her, there is no reason to feel threatened because each one has his own religion, and everyone must respect each other’s faith. “I have no fear despite belonging to a minority community”, she added with confidence. In an exclusive interview with ANI TV to be aired on Doordarshan on Sunday, the Superior General of the Missionaries said it was not mandatory for any girl, who intended joining the mission, to first convert herself into Christianity. “The only condition required is that she has to devote her life in the name of God”, she stated, adding that the girl should experience peace in working for the mission. Sister Nirmala was born in a Brahmin family of devout Hindus. Her father (Joshi) a serving Army officer in the Naga hills at the time when she took the momentous decision of her life, was firmly against the change in faith, as was her mother. But the latter accepted the idea earlier than her father, who finally gave up his opposition after she finally made the profession, realising that she was happy, the Sister said. Answering questions, she further informed that only once in 40 years did she visit her home after her conversion. That was in 1965, prior to her departure to Venezuela. Incidentally, a sister of hers also embraced Christianity and is now a Superior in Patna-based Carmel Sisters. Sister Nirmala, who joined the mission at the age of 22, said she was never forced to convert. “No one said a thing to me in this regard. It was all God’s grace”, she observed. Explaining how “the grace of God entered her heart”, the Mission head recounted: “When I was in Patna Women’s College, I saw my room-mate kneel and pray to the sound of the prayer bell and I felt the grace of God come in me. Jesus came alive at that moment in my heart and captured me”. Dwelling on the training which is imparted to a girl willing to be a nun in the Missionaries of Charity, she said the volunteer had to pass through at least nine to 10 years of strenuous exercise. The first year is of pre-aspirancy when the girl gets an overview of the system of the Mission. If the atmosphere and way of life suits her, she enters into the second stage, spanning two years, as an aspirant. This is followed by one year of postulancy. Thereafter, she becomes a Sister. And after two years from that time she enters into her real profession. During the last year, which is in fact the most important stage, the girl must vow chastity, poverty, obedience and wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor for one year, Sister Nirmala said. According to her, the girl getting the training renews her vow up to six years and the last year (sixth) becomes a period of intensive preparation to make the final profession. At the end of six years if she wants to take the profession “she takes her vow for life,” the Sister said, adding that the whole process takes around 10 years. Asked how she felt when she succeeded Mother Teresa, the answer was: “I felt most unworthy. But at the same time, I felt a kind of strength coming from the Lord, saying ‘do not be afraid’.” Answering another question, the Sister said Kolkata would continue to remain as the headquarters of the mission whose funds, she noted in another context, had increased even after Mother’s death.
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Centre
wants 2 TN cops Chennai, July 28 The Union Home Ministry in a fax message to the Tamil Nadu Government has sought their services for their posting at the Cabinet Secretariat in Delhi. The response of the state government to the request was not immediately available. The Centre’s move comes after a lull for more than three weeks of its directive to the state government to take action against the police officials who had allegedly misbehaved with Mr Karunanidhi and two Union Ministers Murasoli Maran and T.R. Baalu during the arrest drama on June 29. The state government has appointed a commission of inquiry to probe the allegations against the officials and also charges that the two union ministers had obstructed the officials from doing their duty. The issue appears to be snowballing into a major problem as the state government feels that there has been no prior consultation on the transfer. Official circles see these transfers as a “punishment” handed down by the Centre under pressure from its ally, the DMK, which has been focussing its anger on the City Commissioner over the arrest episode.
PTI |
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Indira Goswami gets Jnanpith Award New Delhi, July 28 The award carries a cash of Rs 5 lakh, besides a citation, plaque and a bronze replica of Vagdevi. Indira is the second Assamese writer to be honoured with the award after Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya who received the honour for the year 1979.
PTI |
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Cong delegation to
visit Moradabad New Delhi, July 28 According
to a press note the members include: Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, Mr Ramesh Chennithala, Mr Santosh Mohan Dev, Mr Jagdish Tytler, Begum Noor Bano, Mr Sujan Singh Bundela, Mr Khan Gufran Zahidi, Mr K M Khan, Mr Avtar Singh Bhadana, Ms Mabel Rebello, Ms Farida Topno, Mr Mool Chand Meena and Mr M. Afzal. |
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Women’s gesture for Phoolan Orai (UP), July 28 The women, belonging to the Nishad community from Gudha and Simiriya villages, will keep a fast on the last Monday of the month of “Shravan”, according to the Hindu calendar and conduct the ceremony of “deepdaan”. The decision was taken at
Gudha village today at a meeting presided over by village head Thakur Mahabali Singh Parihar.
UNI |
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