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Friday,
February 22, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Bids for
AJT deal hot up INSAT-3C
becomes operational Raid on
madarsa yields 2 kg RDX Advani for
greater role of women in politics
Indian
writing lacks humour: Naipaul |
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Residents
concur with SC’s view on Delhi The
political families of UP Delhi-Jind
train cancelled for four months Panel
reserves order on Sharma’s plea Karzai
arrives on February 26 CPM
conference begins today
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Bids for AJT deal hot up New Delhi, February 21 While negotiations with the British Aerospace for the Hawk trainer are still stuck over the price, the Czech Republic, Italy and Russia have put on offer their AJTs. India had earlier also had a look at the Brazilian and the Italian AJTs, but had not made any decision. The Czech team has been in Delhi for the past few weeks and had even brought out advertisements in the English dailies here giving details of the AJT they were offering. Most importantly the price at which the aircraft they are offering is much lower than what India is at present negotiating with the British Aerospace. A high-level Czech Defence delegation led by the country’s Vice-Minister for Defence Jehlik, which also includes the Chairman of the state-owned Aero Vodochody Antonin Jakubse, is now here to submit a formal AJT bid for their just rolled out two-seater L-159B. “We are offering the Indians a joint partnership, technology transfer and joint marketing for the L-159B”, Mr Jakubse told newsmen here on the sidelines of the CII organised ‘Defencexpo-2002’. He asserted that pricewise, the Czech AJT offer was 25 to 45 per cent less than the British Aerospace offer on Hawks. The Czech advanced light combat and training aircraft is being backed by the American Aviation giant Boeing, which has brought 35 per cent stake in Aero Vodochody.” “Our trainer aircraft is fully NATO compatible and currently the best aircraft in its category worldwide,” the Czech company President said. The Czech bid comes close on the heels by similar offers by the Italian Defence Minister for Aermacchi MB-339 FD and its more sophisticated M-346. Russia is also in the race after they angrily reacted to criticism that their MiG-AT was flying and not on drawing board stage as alleged in certain aviation quarters. Meanwhile the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) has invited large-scale private sector participation in its projects. “We are going to the private industry for outsourcing large number of components .... and Indian private sector is mature enough to handle all our requirements, quality-wise and on time,” HAL CMD N.R. Mohanty told the India Defence Industry Summit being held on the sidelines of CII-sponsored Defexpo. Elaborating on the projects being sanctioned by the government, he said the HAL would soon start joint manufacturing with Russia of the multi-role Sukhoi-30 MKI combat aircraft, which was test-flown at Irkutsk Aviation Production Association’s airfield on December 28 last year. “It is an over four billion dollar project,” he said, adding the Light Combat Aircraft’s (LCA) second prototype TD-2 had a technical demonstration two weeks ago. “Government has already sanctioned the money for LCA development,”he said. The HAL, Mr Mohanty said, was also producing two-seater Jaguar deep-penetration aircraft in both trainer and strike versions, besides manufacturing the Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Air Force, Navy and the Coast Guard. The HAL has handed several of these choppers to the army. Stating that “our hands are full”, Mr Mohanty said , “I can assure the private parties that we will guarantee five-year workload for them ... and also provide them with technical expertise.” |
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INSAT-3C becomes operational
Bangalore, February 21 “It has become operational from today”, the Director of Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre here, Mr P.S. Goel, told reporters. INSAT-3C was launched by Arianespace from the South American spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana on January 24. The ISRO-built second of the INSAT-3 series spacecraft has 24 normal C-band transponders, six extended C-band transponders, two S-band broadcast satellite transponders and a mobile satellite service transponder. “Payloads are now being utilised from today by the actual users”, Mr Goel said. “Already three transponders have been handed over to the users”. Asked if there were plans to lease transponders to foreign organisations such as INTELSAT, he said INSAT-3C and INSAT-3A, which was planned to be launched later this year, was targeted at domestic users. “INSAT-3C has largely been built for Indian coverage. We have a large commitment from our own users. So, we are not inviting bids from outside”, Mr Goel said. ISRO, he said, would hold discussions with Arianespace soon to fix a launch date for INSAT-3A, adding that, it was also working on INSAT-3E. Mr Goel indicated that ISRO might embark on building satellites for other countries after the completion of the INSAT-3E project. The Department of Space’s marketing agency, was holding talks with some of them in this regard, he said. “We have the capability. Perhaps, we will be able to spare some building capacity after building INSAT-3E”, he said. Meanwhile, the Programme Director of GEOSAT, Mr V.R. Katti, said India’s ambitious Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was expected to become operational in mid-2003. Mr Katti told reporters here that GSAT-2, the second experimental satellite, was scheduled to be launched by the GSLV sometime in September this year and the third developmental flight eight to 10 months from then.
PTI |
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Raid on madarsa yields 2 kg RDX New Delhi, February 21 The team after interrogating a Kashmiri militant Abdul Mazid of the Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami (HUJI), a newly formed outfit, obtained information that some explosives were stored at a madarsa, raided the madarasa swiftly and seized the explosives and took a maulvi, Abdul Aziz, into custody. During interrogation, Abdul Aziz denied his involvement in the issue and told the police that he was not aware of the explosives in the packet reportedly given to him by Abdul Mazid. But, his confession did not satisfy the police team as they refused to believe his theory. The police is, however, proceeding with its intensive investigation to ascertain his alleged links, as according to it without his knowledge this is impossible to have happened. |
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Advani for greater role of women in politics New Delhi, February 21 “The image of a politician in the country is not a complementary one and the same could be said about the police as well. Greater participation of women in these areas would make the image more acceptable,” Mr Advani said, addressing the first National Conference for Women in Police. Assuring prompt action on the resolution passed by the conference, the Home Minister said the issues raised by women police personnel would be identified and instructions issued to regularly monitor its progress, besides submitting a periodic report on the action taken. In a statement issued at the end of the three-day conference, policewomen from all over the country, demanded that there be an open recruitment policy for all ranks and a single cadre for both women and men. Besides, women be given access to all job roles, postings like subdivisional police officers, station house officers, writers and munshis, and appropriate resources so that they could participate in mainstream policing. Mr Advani announced that the conference, jointly organised by the British High Commission, British Council, Delhi police and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), would henceforth be organised by the Home Ministry, modalities for which would be worked out after discussions. Regretting that the common man still does not feel “safe” while visiting a police station, he felt that if there were more women in the police force, the situation would change. As far as the implementation of the Supreme Court order on sexual harassment of women at workplace was concerned, he said it was the responsibility of the respective police forces to see how the guidelines of the Vishakha judgement could be implemented. |
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Indian writing lacks humour: Naipaul Neemrana (Rajasthan), February 21 As authors including Shashi Deshpande, Vikram Seth, Sunil Gangopadhaya, Nurrudin Farah, Roberto Colosso, Dhirubhen Patel dwelt on their ideas of history and a writer’s place in society, it became evident that their views were mostly divergent. Mr Vikram Seth, however, said that there was a place for every kind of a writer and every subject. Nobel Laureate V.S. Naipaul did not hide his disdain for “banalities on gender and colonialism” while writer Nayantara Sehgal was speaking at the media session on ‘Midnight’s Children: The Weight of History’ In the process, few angry words were exchanged between him and a member of the audience even as moderator Amitav Ghosh tried to keep the discussion on course. Addressing the session, Mr Naipaul said discussion on topics like ‘exile’ was far more interesting than listening to banalities on gender and colonialism. “I can’t stand it.... Every penny I have earned has come through writing. I have been writing since I was 11,” Mr Naipaul said. Referring to what Mr Khushwant Singh had said in the earlier sessions, Mr Naipaul said description of nature, humour and travel details were missing in most of Indian writing. Pointing to a description in Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography, he said the Mahatma had plainly stated his arrival at a place in the book whereas it could have been described in a lot more detail. Responding to Ms Shashi Deshpande’s view about biggest oppression in tradition coming from history and the colonial
language (English) being equated with the oppressor, Mr Sunil Gangopadhyay said that there was no hostility towards writers writing in English. On the other hand, he said that were instances where the British in pre-Independence times had discouraged Indians from writing in English. He disagreed with Mr Khushwant Singh’s remark about Indian
languages being woefully poor in vocabulary compared to English. Touching the issue of regional writing vs English writing, Ms Nayantara Sehgal said that English was an Indian language now. “The position of a language is related to economic, political and cultural power and English has an advantage,’’ she said. Mr Khushwant Singh said though there was hostility between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, writers from these countries had not written a word of hatred against each other. He said a writer owed his writing to his conscience. Mr Roberto Colasso, an Italian writer, said that form was most important to writing and literature should not be treated as “sub-specie of sociology.” Stressing connections in writing, Mr Nurruddin Farah said ties between individuals could be easily explained in terms of history. Responding to questions, Mr Vikram Seth said writers do not write for making money. The literature festival, which began on February 18, would continue till February 23. After spending three days in Neemrana, the writers returned to New Delhi today for reading sessions and more discussions. |
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Residents
concur with SC’s view on Delhi New Delhi, February 21 “The MCD alone cannot be held responsible for the violations,” the Mayor of Delhi, Mr Shanti Desai, reacting to the observations by the apex court said He said, “As for as the issue of illegal construction on “lal dora” and public land is concerned it might be correct. But it is not only in the Capital. It can be seen in other cities. The judgement is against lawlessness in the whole of the Capital and not only in the MCD areas.” The Delhi police spokesman, Mr Ravi Pawar said, “The order is against the illegal construction in the Capital. It is not against the law and order situation, which is the responsibility of the Delhi police. The police cannot comment on the observation.” However, the former Delhi MLA and national general secretary of the Lok Janshakti Party, Mr Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said, “The urban by laws cannot be implemented in villages, as mere declaration of these villages does not amount to urbanisation.” Mr Bidhuri, said, “the government has declared 200 villages of the 350 villages as urban villages. However, almost all houses in these villages had come up much before the government declared them as urbanised.” Stating that none of the houses in these villages which comes under the “lal dora” have been built according to the building by laws and even the MCD had unanimously passed a resolution that the by laws would not be applicable to them, he added. Ram Krishan, resident of Hauz Khas village, said, “our complaints of unauthorised construction has been falling on deaf ears all these years. It is good that the Supreme Court has taken notice of the issue and we hope that some thing tangible comes out of it.” |
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The political families of UP Lucknow, February 21 The Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections, that concluded today, may qualify for entry in any book of records for the number of candidates that come from political families. There are at least 20 candidates whose political lineage is not difficult to trace. They are contesting not because they want to serve the people, but because it adds to the political importance of the family. Leading the pack is the husband-wife team of Ashok and Rajendra Bajpai, son and daughter-in-law of veteran Congress leader Rajendra Kumari Bajpai. The son is contesting from Allahabad North and the daughter from Biswan as Congress candidates. Then there is the more famous husband-wife team of former UP Congress President Salman Khursheed. His wife Louise Fernandes is contesting from Kaimganj in Farukhabad district. This is the second time she is contesting from the place of birth of Dr Zakir Hussain, the maternal grandfather of Salman Khursheed. If she wins, this would be her maiden entry into the Vidhan Sabha of the politically most important state of the country. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is among the bitter critics of the Nehru-Gandhi for trying to impose the dynasty on the country. His personal dislike of the number one political family of India was among the reasons that prevented him from helping Mrs Sonia Gandhi replace Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister. However, he is himself grooming his son to succeed him as the Samajwadi Party chief. For the Vidhan Sabha he has fielded his brother Shiv Pal Singh from Jaswantnagar. Another senior Samajwadi leader Beni Prasad Verma has managed a ticket for his son Rakesh from Masauli in Barabanki. The Samajwadi Party has evidently been more generous to the kith and kin of senior leaders than the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress. As far as the Bahujan Samaj Party is concerned Ms Mayawati herself has not identified political talent from her immediate circle of relatives. But she is not averse to relatives of other BSP leaders contesting on her party’s symbol. But there is a catch. She has evolved a simple formula for the distribution of tickets. For the present Vidhan Sabha elections most party tickets were virtually put up for sale. The highest bidders had a better chance of getting the coveted ticket. She does not mind if the “paid ticket” candidate is defeated so long as the money keeps coming for the BSP to fund the campaign of potential winners. Of course, not all contests reflect the political harmony within the family. The Nehru-Gandhi family itself is an example of “blood feud” placing the two daughters-in-law of Indira Gandhi in different political camps. Ms Maneka Gandhi’s fall from political grace had begun in the lifetime of her mother-in-law. Mrs Sonia Gandhi has not made any effort to make up with her estranged sister-in-law. Even if she does, a head-strong Ms Maneka Gandhi may not find the offer tempting enough for her to return home. There a number of families in which the urge to make a mark in politics has proved to be “thicker” than blood. For instance in Khesra, State Water Resources Minister Diwakar Vikram Singh [BJP] is having to campaign against his own son Aditya, who defied his
authority and is contesting as an independent. The father-son rivalry is not new. In the last panchayat elections the son’s wife defeated another daughter-in-law of the BJP leader by an impressive margin of votes. But the contest that offered good entertainment to the voters was the one between Shauratgarh BJP MLA Pappu Chaudhary and his former wife Sadhna. Interestingly Pappu Yadav has abandoned the BJP and is contesting as a Samajwadi. It is not difficult to understand why the BJP has given the ticket surrendered by him to his former wife. Imagined and exaggerated home secrets were shared with the voters by both Pappu Chaudhary and Sadhna. |
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Delhi-Jind train cancelled for four months New Delhi, February 21 A press note issued by the Northern Railway today said the train, however, will continue to run between Delhi and Rohtak with a revised schedule. The IDJ passenger train will depart from Delhi junction at 1.30 pm instead of 11.45 pm. The 4721 New Delhi-Sriganganagar Intercity Express will also be diverted from February 23 to run via subzi
mandi-Panipat-Jind instead of existing route on the New Delhi-Rohtak section. The 4721 New Delhi-Sriganganagar city will now leave New Delhi at 1.30 pm and reach Sriganganagar at 9.40 pm instead of 9.10 pm. |
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Panel reserves order
on Sharma’s plea
New Delhi, February 21 Alleging that Mr Gupta had filed an affidavit under “pressure” from “higher ups” in the government, the former Law Minister, said he could prove that the affidavit was not filed by Mr Gupta as the collection of relevant facts regarding investigation were not available with him at that time. Blasting the centre for dropping Mr Gupta from its witness list, Mr Jethmalani said: “Their burden of the song is that they can drop any witness”, and added that the presence of Mr Gupta was necessary as it was on the basis of his affidavit that a notice was issued to Mr Sharma. However, contesting Mr Jethmalani’s arguments, government counsel Additional Solicitor-General Kirit N. Raval said the notice was not sent only on the basis of the affidavit by Mr Gupta but also on the basis of other available material. The application should be kept in abeyance and should be only
considered later, if required, after hearing other witnesses and considering the evidence, Mr Raval said.
PTI |
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Karzai arrives on February 26 New Delhi, February 21 A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs today told reporters that Mr Karzai would be holding wide-ranging discussions with top Indian leaders on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of his country. Mr Karzai will be accompanied by a high-level 20-member delegation, including eight senior ministers. Among the ministers accompanying Mr Karzai would be Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, the Information Minister and the minister in charge of the rehabilitation and reconstruction. During his visit here, Mr Karzai would be meeting President K.R. Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi. The spokesperson said the Afghan leader would not be able to visit Shimla. |
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CPM conference begins today Kolkata, February 21 The 20th conference to be opened by the party’s general secretary, Mr H.K. Surjeet, will discuss steps for widening the party’s network and to assume power at the Centre. Various resolutions passed at the conference will be placed at the party’s forthcoming 17th annual congress at Hyderabad for approval. Altogether 531 delegates and 33 special invitees will attend the conference which is being held after a gap of three years. Politburo members, Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechuri, S.R. Pillai and 15 other national leaders from different states will be present. |
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