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Rahul dedicates eye hospital to Indira
Nitish flooded with requests on seats
Dwivedi blasts BJP over Mathrani episode
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Nobody was sent to Iraq by IYC: Surjewala
A still from Iranian film "Iron Island", that won the top honours at the 36th IFFI in Panjim on Sunday.
Gaur among MP Cabinet ministers
Rai victim of gang war, says SP
Arjunan Elayaraja walks with a footwear made of nails in New Delhi on Sunday. — Tribune
photo by Rajeev Tyagi
Shimla needs more tunnels: minister
Detained Indian released in Iraq
Ghising to meet Patil for more autonomy
Need for “people’s movement”
to save Ganga
Rs 72 cr for Golden Temple
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Rahul dedicates eye hospital to Indira
Munshiganj (Amethi), December 4 While he provided his grandmother a guided tour of the 65-bedded hospital, Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital and Research Centre , his mother Sonia Gandhi was eager to learn the experience of the 30 local nurses who underwent a 4-month training at Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai. The elderly lady remained at the hospital guest house, while the rest of the family proceeded to the public function on the hospital campus where thousands of people and mediapersons were waiting for the family to make an appearance. With her head modestly covered with the pallu of the beige and black pochchampalli sari and her blood red tikka plainly visible from afar, the Congress president looked every bit the local bahu. Giving Rahul a pat on his back for “conceiving, planning and implementing” the project for the development of the area, she pointed out that his meeting with the renowned Dr Ventakswamy of Aravind Eye Care System in Madurai was truly significant as it had inspired Rahul to do something similar in Amethi. While expressing her worries at the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh, she said while it was understandable that those who entered politics want power. “Is merely gaining power enough” she questioned. Holding the state government and administration responsible for not working with dedication, she hastily added that she would not comment further on the subject of Uttar Pradesh’s lack of development as the day was a happy occasion. Priyanka was unmistakably a crowd-puller. Seated next to husband Robert Vadra, this was her first visit since brother Rahul won the Amethi seat. The vibe she shares with the people of Amethi was obvious when the crowds continuously cheered her and virtually forced her to speak even after Sonia Gandhi had already made her brief address. “Zabardasti bulwa rahe hain”, she jokingly remarked as she stood up to say a few words. Admitting that she was present as a younger sister to witness a great day in the life of the elder brother, she assured the people that the whole family was dedicated to the people of Amethi. The last time she was around, along with her husband, was also to cheer the elder brother on the day he filed his nomination. Sharing his experiences of touring the villages of Amethi where he discovered the widespread prevalence of cataract, to his meeting with "Dr V", Rahul Gandhi, the proud local MP, spoke about the coming into existence of the eye hospital in a record 8 months time. Calling upon the people of Amethi to consider it their own, he made it clear that the hospital did not belong to either a person or a party. “That is why I have called even the opposition party leaders to be present on the occasion”. “Every one’s right to sight” was the motto quoted by Dr Nam Perumal Samy, renowned retina surgeon and vice-president of Aravind Eye Care System, who was present on the occasion. Disclosing that Uttar Pradesh had the highest incident of curable blindness, he expressed hope that with community participation, the hospital would go a long way in rectifying the situation. |
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Nitish flooded with requests on seats
Patna, December 4 It has nothing to do with 1 Ane Marg, official residence of Chief
Minister, the fate of which has already been decided. But there are four senior ministers in the new NDA Cabinet, including Mr Nitish Kumar, who are yet to get elected to legislature either through assembly polls (lower House) or Council (upper House). Apart from Mr Nitish Kumar, who is an MP from Nalanda, the three others are the Deputy Chief Minister, Sushil Modi (now an MP from Bhagalpur), Mr Ramashray Prasad Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, and Mr Narendra Singh, Agriculture Minister. So far Mr Nitish Kumar is concerned, he is already flooded with requests from different JD(U) MPs to contest from their seats which they are willing to vacate for him. The close associate of the NDA Convenor of George Ferndnades and independent MLA from Muzafarpur, Vijayendra Chaudhury, has already promised to vacate his seat for Mr Nitish Kumar. There is also the pressure on Mr Kumar to contest from Harnaut, which had first got him elected to parliamentary politics, in 1985 Assembly polls. During an informal chat with the media, Mr Kumar himself remarked that he was not much concerned as there was six months time for him to get elected to either House from the date of formation of the government. “Even otherwise, the NDA had fought the polls by projecting me as Chief Minister and the victory of all the 143 MLAs could always largely be viewed as a victory for me, making it irrelevant whether I opt for lower or upper House”, he observed. While Mr Sushil Modi, following his election as Deputy Chief Minister in charge of finance portfolio, has already resigned as state BJP president, he is also to decide on the route to be chosen by him, lower or upper House. The two others, Rameshwar Prasad Singh, earlier with the Congress, and Narendra Singh, formerly with LJP, are neither members of Parliament nor Assembly. |
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Nitish determined to end kidnappings
Patna, December 4 It was a different evening on Friday for Mr Nitish Kumar who, after 20 years, had spent full two-and-a-half hours at a leading cinema hall in Patna with Mr Prakash Jha to watch his newly released movie,
“Apaharan”. By the time Chief Minister had left the hall around 9 pm, he apparently appeared determined to end abductions and extortion cases which have been defaming the state across the country for long. Mr Kumar agreed that the film portrayed the social situation with a blend of reality and fiction. For Mr Nitish Kumar, who has promised to establish rule of law in the state within the next three months, some shocking revelations have been made by none other than the DGP, Mr Ashish Ranjan Sinha. During his recent submission of kidnapping-related cases in the state in the backdrop of the abduction case of the school boy,
Golu, alias Gaurav Kumar, from Danapur, before Patna High Court, Mr Sinha informed that as many as 1,111 persons, including 171 minors and 581 women, kidnapped since 1995 in the state, were yet to be recovered. During the last 10 days out of the six cases of abductions from different parts of the state, two have been recovered in past 24 hours. And going by the figures revealed by Mr Prakash Jha, in 2005 there were 2,500 cases of abductions in the country. According to Mr Jha, abduction emerged as an industry as many educated unemployed youth were getting attracted to this
profession for a quick return through extortion being allegedly patronised by a section of political system. But apart from seeking cooperation from people to check abduction related cases in Bihar, Mr Nitish Kumar has initiated another move to contain this menace. In its bid to check kidnappings and extortions in the state, the state government has taken steps to file petitions for cancellation of bails of persons accused in such cases. The Advocate-General of Bihar has constituted a team of Additional Public Prosecutors
(APPs) under the leadership of Additional Advocate General (AAG) to file necessary petitions. |
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Dwivedi blasts BJP over Mathrani episode
New Delhi, December 4 Terming the “conclusions drawn by BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Jaswant Singh and their demand for Ms Gandhi’s resignation and former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh’s arrest” outrageous, he said: “It is the BJP’s standard modus operandi of always resorting to distortions, innuendoes and outright falsehoods against the Congress and its leadership.” A former Additional Solicitor General of India and now permanent invitee of the CWC, Mr Dwivedi said Mr Mathrani’s comments had thrown no fresh light and were at best an approver’s statement since he himself was under the Enforcement Directorate’s probe. “His statement, far from being a verification or further evidence, itself requires corroboration to have any credibility,” he said. Mr Dwivedi said the entire thrust of the BJP’s malicious propaganda was to preempt and de-legitimise the finds of the high-power judicial inquiry set up to investigate and bring out the truth behind revelations made by Volcker Committee. He said by demanding Ms Gandhi’s resignation as chairperson of the UPA, Mr Advani had denigrated the office of the Leader of the Opposition. “Ms Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acted promptly and have taken an equivocal stand that whosoever is found guilty or has misused the party’s name will be severely punished. This is in stark contrast to the Vajpayee government’s record on ministerial resignations. Mr Jaitley will do well to enlighten the nation about the mysterious circumstances in which Mr George Fernandes blackmailed his way into the Cabinet. The matter still needs a probe. Other high-profile corruption cases of the Vajpayee government are still fresh in the public memory,” he added. |
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Nobody was sent to Iraq by IYC: Surjewala
New Delhi, December 4 Asked about statements attributed to former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh’s son Jagat Singh about his visits to Iraq, Mr Surjewala, who is now Haryana Transport Minister, said here that there was no question of Mr Jagat Singh visiting Iraq on behalf of the IYC as no delegation or individual was sent to Iraq in any official capacity during his tenure. “During my tenure, no one had been sent to Iraq by the IYC,” he said, adding that Mr Jagat Singh’s latest statements had clarified the entire issue. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Jagat Singh said today that though he was not part of the official four-member Congress delegation led by Mr Natwar Singh to Iraq in 2001, but he had accompanied it in an individual capacity as Youth Congress leader to assist his ailing father and the then Youth Congress president knew about it. However, Mr Jagat Singh also clarified that he had gone on his own and expenses for the travel and his lodging were borne by his father, adding that Mr Surjewala had been informed by him that he was going to Iraq along with the Congress delegation. |
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Golden Peacock for “Iron Island”
Panjim (GOA), December 4 The top award carries a prize of Rs 10 lakh. Announcing the awards on behalf of the Latin American Chairman of the five-member jury, Mr Miguel Littin, Indian jury member Saeed Mirza said the top award was being given to “Iron Island” for its originality deep, thoughtful narration, powerful cinematic expression and great creative strength. The Silver Peacock and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh for the most promising director was claimed by Vera Eugina Fogwill and Martin Desalvo for the Spanish-language film “Kept and Dreamless” from Argentina, an intimate portrait of an irresponsible junkie mother and her 10-year-old daughter. It was chosen for unveiling the feminine universe with sensitivity and humour in the context of global marginalisation of people. The special jury award for the director of a film for his individual artistic contribution went to Tom Hooper from South Africa for “Red Dust”, for his efficient use of the cinematic language dealing with great understanding of the issue of human rights. It is a compelling drama about the secrets of the past and the healing of an apartheid-scarred country. This award, too, comprises a Silver Peacock and Rs 5-lakh prize money. Goa Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane gave away the award. The award to the directors of “Kept and Dreamless” was given away by Information and Broadcasting Secretary S.K. Arora, while National award-winning actor Mithun Chakravarthy, who was the guest of honour for the closing ceremony, presented it to representatives of “Red Dust”. The other guest of honour, Mamoothy, could not make it to the function. Nor could Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi. “Iron Island” follows the adventures of a group of homeless men, women and children, impoverished and abandoned by the society, who inhabit a sinking oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. Strange and bewitching scenes of the film are remarkably true to life and have won Mohammad Rasoulof a string of awards, including the Hamburg Film Critics Award and the Best Script and Jury Special Mention at Montreal. ***
The closing ceremony was held at the 900-seat auditorium at Kala Academy. The music of Sanjay Dutt starrer “Zinda” was released on the occasion with Sanjay Dutt making a brief appearance. French film “L’enfant” (The Child), which won Palm d’Or at Cannes, was the closing film at the IFFI. It was later also screened at all four theatres at INOX. During the festival, films were also screened at public theatres and special open-air locations like Caranzalem water sports ground. The last day of the festival was titled Goa Music Day. Throughout the day, local Goan musicians performed at 101 prominent places to bring out the true spirit of Goa, and every nook and cranny was alive with the sound of celebrations. It had singers like Sudesh Bhosale, Oliver Sean, Sagarika, Shivani Kashyap, Australian singer Ayesha, London’s Bandish Project and DJ Platinum and Band of Boys regaling the audiences to the accompaniment of colourful fireworks and laser shows. ***
Last night, the premier of “Dubai Return” at the INOX auditorium was attended by director Aditya Bhattacharya, producer Manya Patel and lead actors Irrfan Khan, Ritu Shivpuri and Razzaq Khan. This premier, too, started way behind schedule because of the late arrival of the cast and when the spectators protested, director Aditya Bhattyacharya shouted back that those who were not interested could walk out. Well, a large section of the audience did walk out barely half an hour after the film had started. During the festival, Goa played host to Girish Karnad, Rekha, Rajesh Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika, Ajay Devgan, Bipasha Basu, Pooja Bhatt, Pooja Bedi, Urmila Matondkar, Nagesh Kukunoor, Rahul Puri, Ravi Gupta, Prakash Jha, Manmohan Shetty, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Alain Chabat, Noemie Lenoir French Ambassador Monsieur Dominique Girard, Regis Wargnier, Camila, Miguel Littin, Thomas Grampp, Kathinka Feisti, Vikram Bhatt, Ruskin Bond, Shyam Benegal and Dolores Chaplin among others. |
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Gaur among MP Cabinet ministers
Bhopal, December 4 Altogether 29 ministers, including 19 of Cabinet rank and 10 ministers of state, were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Balram Jakhar at the swearing-in at Raj Bhavan. Apart from Mr Gaur, those sworn in as Cabinet ministers were Mr Raghavji Bhai, Mr Himmat Kothari, Mr Jayant Mallaiya, Mr Narendra Singh Tomar, Mr Rampal Singh, Mr Kailash Vijayavergiya, Mr Gopal Bhargav, Mr Narottam Mishra, Mr Anup Mishra, Mr Kusum Mehdele, Mr Chandrabhan Singh Mr Ramakant Tiwari, Mr Vijay Shah, Mr Jagdish Devda, Mr Ajay Vishnoi, Mr Rushtam Singh, Mr Kamal Patel and Mr Antar Singh Arya. Those who took oath as ministers of state were Mr Laxmikant Sharma, Mr Prakash Sonkar, Mr Tukojirao Pawar, Mr Moti Kashyap, Mr Paras Jain, Mr Jugal Kishore Bagri, Mr Meena Singh, Mr Nagendra Singh, Mr Gangaram Patel and Mr N.S. Kushwah. Mr Yashodhara Raje, who was to be sworn in as a Cabinet Minister, was not present at the ceremony.
— PTI |
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Rai victim of gang war, says SP
New Delhi, December 4 Mr Yadav alleged that BJP and Congress leaders were propagating in the media that Mr Mukhtar Ansari was a legislator of the SP whereas Mr Ansari was an Independent who became an MLA after defeating a CPI candidate. Mr Ansari does not even have a primary membership of the SP, he said. He said the party had never sought support of Mr Ansari. On the contrary, he said Mr Ansari had given support to the BSP-BJP regime in Uttar Pradesh. Condemning the murder of Krishnand Rai, Mr Yadav said it was an example of gang war. He, however, added neither the BJP nor the Congress had ever raised their voice about deaths of several public representatives in the past, many among them did not have any criminal history. Most of the killings of political people were a fallout of gang wars, he claimed. The SP general secretary said the state government had made it clear that the killers of the BJP MLA would be punished. However powerful they were, they would not escape punishment, he added. |
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‘Nail journey’ for peace
New Delhi, December 4 Nothing particularly newsworthy if scores of similar humanitarian efforts, undertaken everyday by Good Samaritans to spread peace and harmony, are taken into account. Only that it took Arjunan Elyaraja a painfully long five-and-a-half hours to complete the 3 km journey that normally could have been completed in less than an hour on a cool Sunday morning at a leisurely
pace. Arjunan started walking at 10 am and reached the gates of the President’s House on the Raisina Hill around 3.30 pm. For this karate instructor from a poor agrarian family of Thiyagavalli village was walking with shoes fitted with iron nails for a “nail journey to make India terrorism
free”. Arjunan had undertaken a similar journey in June, 2004, when he walked from Cuddalore to Bangalore, covering almost 320 km. Though he was not able to meet President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today, in 2004, he managed to meet the Karnataka Chief Minister and submit him a memorandum to release water from the Cauveri for the farmers of Tamil Nadu. “My application was considered,” he says. “The object of my last journey was to foster friendship between people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Today, my intention is to create awareness among people of India that there is no place for terrorism in the country. We are a strong nation with 80 per cent of the population being farmers,” says
Arjunan. In his letter to the President, he adds: “youths are being misused by external forces and groups in our own society for their ulterior motives. This culminated in the form of anti-reservation agitation in Gujarat in 1985, the All-Assam Students Union agitation in Assam in 1984, the anti-Mandal agitation in 1990, agitation for Khalistan in Punjab, Kashmir problem and many more.” Why he chose such a painful and agonising way to spread awareness is because this is the one way he feels he can manage to make his voice heard on a cause so dear to his heart. And yes, it is painful walking on chappals fitted with nails. But he managed to complete the journey with a smile and moral support of those accompanying him and “blessings of God”, he says. |
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Shimla needs more tunnels: minister
New Delhi, December 4 State Urban Development Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said the city’s topography was suitable for the construction of such tunnels within town for linking city roads, which would reduce the distance and traffic problem and save the green cover. He also urged the Centre for introducing ropeways, cablecars, escalators and other innovative system as roads are narrow and unable to cope with traffic.
— UNI |
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Detained Indian released in Iraq
New Delhi, December 4 A message to this effect was conveyed by India’s charge d’affairs in Baghdad S D Sharma to the External Affairs Ministry this evening.
Sijo, hailing from Kottayam district of Kerala, has been released from Abu Gharib prison in Baghdad, the sources said adding he was on his way to the Indian Embassy. The
Keralite, who was working with a Kuwaiti catering firm involved in supplying food to the US soldiers, was arrested by the US-led forces in Iraq about four months ago on charges of entering a “prohibited” area and taking some photographs unauthorisedly. American forces had claimed he was found taking photographs of prohibited Mosul airport and was in possession of photos of some unauthorised installations.
— PTI |
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Ghising to meet Patil for more autonomy
Kolkata, December 4 Before boarding the Delhi flight from Bagdogra in the afternoon, Ghising made it clear to mediapersons that the peace in the hills was now depending much on the outcome of his meeting with Mr Patil and the state government. He said he would demand for the inclusion of the planes of the Duars and Siliguri in the hills council of which he had been the chairman since 1988. The meeting on December 6 would be attended by Mr Patil, Ghising and the West Bengal Chief Minister. |
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Need for “people’s movement”
to save Ganga
Allahabad, December 4 “The over 6,000 feet Tehri dam has already inundated a large area and more calamities seem to be in the offing,” the pontiff of Jyotirpeeth Badrikashram Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevnanda Sarasvati told reporters here. “Now, as a condescending gesture, the government has promised that it will release Bhagirathi water through a six-inch radius pipe, which means sharddhalus (devotees) will have to contend with ganda jal (dirty water) carrying wastes of numerous cities, containing a dash of Ganga jal,” the Shankaracharya said. “This is a very large and sensitive issue and nothing short of a movement on a national scale is required,” he said, adding that modalities of such a movement were being finalised,” he added.
— PTI |
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Rs 72 cr for Golden Temple
New Delhi, December 4 He said the state government plans to build a four-km elevated road at a cost of Rs 150 crore in Amritsar to facilitate movement of devotees to the Golden Temple. The minister said the state government would launch on December 11 a new initiative of Rs 200 crore to improve sewerage and supply of water in the
towns. — TNS |
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