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Friday,
January 24, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Khatami’s India visit unnerves Pak
Oppn boycotts TN Governor’s Address |
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Erosion in Parliament authority:
Sonia Cabinet expansion: Shinde meets Sonia Tarlochan Singh completes
term Move to rescue sloth bears of India Need to create 200m jobs by 2020:
report Benegal begins shooting on Netaji film Sukh Ram keeps BJP, Cong
guessing BJP’s nationalism ‘Manuwaditva’ Ambedkar ‘wanted’ Ram temple Maya may figure in Limca Book Kuwait, Egypt pledge help to fight terror Major fire near Ahmedabad Defence policy Fire in studio
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Khatami’s India visit unnerves Pak New Delhi, January, 23 The intelligence agencies are understood to have warned against major terrorist strikes at high-profile targets and have sensitised the state governments about the possible threats emanating from notorious outfits like the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Sources in the Vajpayee government told The Tribune today that the Sunni-dominated Pakistan was apprehensive of the Shia-ruled Iran coming close to India in political, economic, strategic, energy and defence spheres. Mr Khatami has conveyed a powerful diplomatic symbolism by agreeing to become the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day parade, something which no Iranian leader has done in the past. Besides, Mr Khatami also becomes the first leader from the Gulf region to be the chief guest at Republic Day’s parade. What is worse, from Pakistan’s point of view, is that Mr Khatami’s visit is going to mark a watershed in the Indo-Iran relations and several agreements in different fields are expected to be signed. The significance Iran is attaching to India is reflected by the fact that Mr Khatami’s high-level delegation includes Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani, Science and Technology Minister Mostfa Moeen, and Oil Minister Bijan Zangneh. Mr Khatami had recently visited Pakistan and his delegation had included the Defence Minister as well but that visit yielded nothing substantive. Mr Khatami’s Islamabad visit was more of a balancing act on part of Iran. |
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Oppn boycotts TN Governor’s Address Chennai, January 23 The main thrust of the Opposition's protest was the government’s alleged failure to tackle the acute drought which had affected the lives of farmers and turned them into “beggars”. The leader of the Opposition, Mr K. Anbazhagan (DMK), and leaders of other opposition parties, made identical statements and led the walkouts before the start of the Governor’s address. They did not wait to hear the announcement by the Governor that the government had declared the entire state except Chennai as drought-affected. Mr Rao said the action would enable the government to undertake relief work in all 28 affected districts. The Centre would also be approached for a further relief package to tackle the drought. He urged New Delhi to treat the drought situation in the state as a “national calamity” Mr Rao blamed the “intransigence” of the Karnataka Government for not releasing adequate water from the Cauvery as stipulated by statutory bodies and thereby rendering the delta region arid. The Governor’s address was interspersed with praise for Ms Jayalalithaa in tackling many of the state’s problems. He mentioned the Chief Minister’s decision to introduce the noon meal scheme and other relief for small and marginal farmers, farm workers and their families at a cost of Rs 164.18 crore. |
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Erosion in Parliament authority:
Sonia New Delhi, January 23 “How to have a strong Centre, strong states, and strong local self-government institutions deriving strength and sustenance from each other is one of the greatest political challenges that we face as we complete the first half of parliamentary democracy in our country,” she said. Mrs Gandhi, who is also the Congress President, was delivering the key-note address on “Parliamentary practices and procedures: need for reforms to secure greater executive accountability” on the second day of the International Parliamentary Conference here. Pointing out that over the past decade, a third layer of parliamentary democracy after Parliament and state Assemblies has re-emerged in the villages, towns and cities, she said the elected rural and urban self-government bodies were imparting a whole new dimension to the democratic edifice. “The nature and character of our parliamentary democracy is undergoing a significant transformation as local bodies become more vibrant and assertive,” she said. Stating that there had been an erosion of parliamentary authority, she said the larger public image of Parliament had suffered as its deliberations, more often than not, end up generating more heat than light. “People have come to expect more than stirring and eloquent speeches and sharp interventions,” she said adding that “we have to respond effectively to these new demands and heightened expectations. Mrs Gandhi said in recent years, parliaments everywhere had come in for criticism and, at times had, invited certain cynicism, even indifference. “It is a phenomenon not peculiar to India only,” she said. The Congress leader said to enforce greater accountability on the executive, members of Parliament have to be fully informed at all times. She suggested that up-to-date research and documentation facilities must be available to MPs and said widespread use of information and communication technologies was a pre-requisite for transparency and for making the executive even more alert. Throwing open all parliamentary proceedings to the electronic media could also enable the system to be more open and ensure better preparedness on the part of all concerned, she said adding that the way Presiding Officers themselves managed parliamentary institutions would also determine how accountable the executive would be. |
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Cabinet expansion: Shinde meets Sonia New Delhi, January 23 Mr Shinde said here that he agreed with Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s criticism of Ms Mayawati over renaming of Amethi after Shahuji Maharaj. Talking to mediapersons here, he said the controversy over the renaming of Amethi would not have its repercussions in Maharashtra. Mr Shinde, who met Mrs Sonia Gandhi yesterday, is meeting her again today evening for discussions on the expansion of his cabinet. The Chief Minister, who also met central Congress leaders today, dismissed suggestions that the saffron surge in Gujarat would have its impact on the state. Mr Shinde side-stepped questions on NCP’s proposal for a pre-poll alliance, saying that nothing concrete could be said as talks on the issue were being held. Mr Shinde also hinted at tough measures to extricate the state from deep financial crisis but allayed fears that common man would be hit. Mr Shinde said he had no plans to request the NCP to give the Finance portfolio to the Congress. He said being the Chief Minister, he would be able to work closely with the Finance Minister and NCP leaders who are “experienced people”. |
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Tarlochan Singh completes
term New Delhi, January 23 Taking up the cause of minorities, Mr Tarlochan Singh and the NCM have toured various troubled spots in the country to promote amity and communal harmony, be it Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab or West Bengal. He has also been untiring in taking up the cause of the Sikh community as having its distinct identity. He has also repeatedly sought the intervention of the Centre in protecting the interests of Sikh illegal aliens in foreign lands. It is due to his efforts in large measure that External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha had got the entire issue of Sikh aliens, especially in the USA and Canada, critically examined and assured that Indian missions abroad will render the necessary assistance and provide the necessary documents, subject to certain conditions. Mr Sinha had specially sought the expditious assistance of the state governments in this regard. |
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Move to rescue sloth bears of India New Delhi, January 23 The species is listed as an Appendix 1 by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to afford it maximum protection and identified by the IUCN Bear Specialist Group as the most vulnerable of all bear species. It is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Ms Marry Hutton, founder of the western Australia-based fund, on a brief visit to India, plans to meet members of the Kalandar gypsy community in Agra on Friday who have been earning their livelihood by handling dancing bears. Since Ms Hutton received a request from animal rights activist, Ms Maneka Gandhi in May last year, she has responded favourably by raising Rs 17.5 lakh to rescue the dancing bears. The strategy to persuade the Kalandars to consider other livelihood options entails payment of an incentive equal to Rs 50,000 to give up the bears in their care. “I understand poverty. I would like to speak to the Kalandars to undertand how they would use the money.’’ Accompanied by Mr Kartick Satyanarayan, biologist and Chairman of the Wildlife S.O.S India, Ms Hutton will also visit India’s first rescue facility for bears at Sur Sarovar bird sanctuary near Agra. Home to 16 dancing bears, the sanctuary has been built in collaboration with the UP Forest Department and Wildlife S.O.S India, a non-profit organisation committed to wildlife conservation. Dancing bears are seen frequently at major tourist centres in India, particularly Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Mr Satyanarayan told TNS that the world-class bear sanctuary built on 20-acre land in Sur Sarovar bird sanctuary, has a hospital, a pathological diagnostic laboratory, socialisation pens for soft release programme, cub weaning area, food preparation area and a quarantine. He said the Wildlife S.O.S had recommended setting up a bird sanctuary after a study ‘Dancing Bears in India’ sponsored by the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA) in 1997. Acknowledging the support of Free the Bears Fund, Mr Satyanarayan said the money raised by Ms Hutton would be given to the Kalandars as initial capital to explore another livelihood option. He said that SOS Wildlife India will be able to rescue another 13 bears with the money collected by the fund. The organisation plans to continue is campaign to save more dancing bears. |
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Need to create 200m jobs by 2020:
report New Delhi, January 23 The report also identifies education as a main thrust area and calls for comprehensive efforts to obliterate illiteracy by achieving 100 per cent enrolment in primary education while broadening the base of opportunities for higher education through vocational training with the help of traditional and non-traditional delivery systems. The report, being described as an “essential step in building a political consensus on a broad national development strategy,’’ looks into the role and responsibilities of government agencies, the corporate sector and the civil society. The team which prepared this report was headed by Dr S.P. Gupta, Member, Planning Commission, and was finalised on the basis of papers by 30 experts from various fields and professions. In 2020, it envisions that India’s 1.35 billion persons will be better fed, dressed and housed, healthier, more educated and will live longer than any generation in the country’s long history. Illiteracy and all major contagious diseases will disappear. School enrolment from age six to 14 years will be near 100 per cent. According to the report, the existing inequalities among different age groups, sexes, income groups, communities and regions will come down dramatically. Regional disparties, however, will remain visible though all sectors will have advanced significantly in these two decades. “Their deliberations, extending over a period of more than two years, have raised a range of interesting possibilities, critical issues and crucial decision points for future action by government and private bodies,’’ Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K.C. Pant told newspersons here. “Every country needs a vision statement which stirs the imagination and motivates all segments of society to a greater effort,’’ Mr Pant said. “India 2020 must be one in which all levels and sections of the population and all parts of the country march forward towards a more secure and prosperous future,” the report said. The document also examines issues related to population growth, food production, health, vulnerable sections of the population, transport, communication, energy self-sufficiency, water conservation, air quality, trade, investment, peace, security and governance. Issues pertaining to ecology and environment will, however, continue to remain a cause of concern even though strict enforcement will ensure that urban air pollution will be brought under control. Water shortage in metropolitan areas will continue despite a national programme to popularise water-harvesting techniques in both urban and rural areas. |
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Benegal begins shooting on Netaji film Kolkata, January 23 Besides Benegal’s launching of the shooting, various functions were held in Kolkata to celebrate Netaji’s birth anniversary. The main function was at Netaji Bhavan where the Governor, Mr Vireen J. Shah, and other dignitaries garlanded Netaji’s statue. Netaji’s statue at the maidan and the Shambazar five-point crossing had been decorated. The Governor and ministers garlanded the statues. Netaji Bhavan, which was specially decorated for the occasion and the exhibition hall were opened for the public today, and since early morning people from different walks of life started pouring in to pay their respects to the leader. The Forward Bloc, which Netaji and his elder brother Sarat Chandra Bose had formed, observed the day in a befitting manner by hoisting national flags at the party offices. Sweets were also distributed among children. Benegal, who met Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee yesterday to seek his help for the shooting of some parts of the film in Kolkata, said he did not want to get into any politics and as such he had decided to focus mainly on the last five years of the hero’s life between 1940 and 45. Benegal said he had to wait for one year with the script in search of an actor to play the Netaji’s role and finalise all other formalities of the shooting in the country and abroad. He said he had considered as many as 60 actors, including Raj Babbar and Paresh Rawal — who had successfully played the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the film, “Sardar” — but none were found suitable. Finally, he selected Sachin Khedekar, a Marathi stage actor who recently acted in the film, “Astitva”, opposite Tabu. The shooting started at Kolkata’s Presidency Jail where Netaji had been imprisoned. The shooting will also be held in Myanmar, Germany, Japan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Malaysia. Skirting the controversy over the plane crash near the Taihoku airport in Japan, Benegal will shoot a certain section in Malaysia. The shoot abroad will take at least three months. Some portions of the film will again be shot in Kolkata and in Cuttack, where Netaji was born and spent his childhood days. Benegal’s big-budget film will be funded by Sahara. Bengali film actors Jishu Sengupta, Kunal Mitra and Arindam Sil have been selected to play some characters who had close interaction with Netaji in the INA movement and the freedom struggle. |
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Sukh Ram keeps BJP, Cong
guessing New Delhi, January 23 “We are preparing ourselves for any situation. We are devising a constituency-wise strategy, keeping in mind whether or not Sukh Ram’s party goes with the Congress or prepares to go it alone,” a top BJP central leader told The Tribune here today. However, there are indications that the BJP is keen to ensure that whether or not the HVC aligns with the BJP, it should not go with the Congress as it would to a great extent turn the voter percentage against the ruling party. “Sukh Ram cannot sit in the middle and try to talk to both the Congress and the BJP for seat adjustment or alliance. If he is serious about having an alliance with the BJP, he will have to seriously make up his mind and put forward a firm suggestion,” he said. In a related development, BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley will be on a two-day visit to Himachal Pradesh from tomorrow to sort out various election-related issues, especially ticket
finalisation. |
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BJP’s nationalism ‘Manuwaditva’ New Delhi, January 23 Addressing newspersons, Justice Party President Udit Raj said BJP UP President Vinay Katiyar’s attempt to project Dr Ambedkar as pro-caste, a propagator of Hinduism, anti-Muslim and a supporter of construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya was “heinous and unethical”. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar were the most anti-Dalit and anti-minority forces, Mr Raj said, adding that it went on to prove that they (the BJP and the Sangh Parivar) were the most dangerous to the
interest of the country. |
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Ambedkar ‘wanted’ Ram temple Lucknow, January 23 “Ambedkar has written that Mughal emperors had demolished Hindu shrines Babar had demolished a Ram temple in Ayodhya while Aurengzeb had demolished a Krishna temple in Mathura,” said Mr Katiyar, adding that Babasahib was of the view that Hindus should construct those demolished temples. |
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Maya may figure in Limca Book
Lucknow, January 23 The Uttar Pradesh Sthapna Diwas Samaroh Samiti has written to the Limca Book of Records to add her name for this achievement. The committee, whose patron is senior BJP leader and state Urban Development Minister Lalji Tandon, said Ms Mayawati was the Chief Minister during the 12th, 13th and the present 14th state legislative Assembly. According to the committee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa followed Ms Mayawati with chief ministership during two Assemblies.
UNI
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Kuwait, Egypt pledge help to fight terror New Delhi, January 23 Speaking at the International Parliamentary Conference (IPC) here, the Speakers of Kuwaiti and Egyptian Parliaments, Mr Jassem Al-Khorafi and Mr Ahmed Fathi Sorour said their countries were keen to cooperate with India in eliminating terrorists groups. The Egyptian Speaker called for fostering international cooperation to contain and gradually eradicate terrorism. |
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Major fire near Ahmedabad Ahmedabad, January 23 Nine fire brigade personnel, including an officer, were injured while fighting the blaze.
PTI
Pune, January 23 |
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Fire in studio
Mumbai, January 23 |
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New Delhi, January 23
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