 |
|
|
Women’s quota Bill in next session: PM
Pressure on PM to finalise farmers’ package
Khushwant Singh given Punjab Rattan award
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
‘Teachers’ contribute
more than politicians’
Nitish govt’s popularity worries Lalu
30 meet watery grave
in Bihar
Mamata calls it quits; TMC, Cong join hands
Deported youth gets bail
GND varsity VC honoured
2 ABVP leaders held for Prof’s murder
Grants for tourist spots hiked
Gen Chaudhary is DG NCC
Students to continue stir against quota
Four killed in explosion
Project Rohini for Army
|
|
Women’s quota Bill in next session: PM
New Delhi, August 31 Acknowledging that reservation for women at the gram panchayat had demonstrated efficacy in empowering women, the Prime Minister, said here today: “I sincerely hope that in the next session of Parliament, we will be able to bring forward a legislation to reserve seats in Parliament for women”. Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the issue, he said all those who had been opposed to reservation for women have been “brought around”. The Prime Minister also expressed his deep concern over the issue of women’s safety. Seeking a “fundamental change in mindsets”, he lamented the increasing graph of crime against women and the practice of female foeticide. “I am deeply distressed by the rising crime against women. What is most distressing is the casual approach that many educated people take to the harassment of women. The government cannot change social attitudes. People can and must,” he said at the inaugural function to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of Lady Sriram College today. Calling for improvement in the sphere of education for girls, equality of pay and increasing participation of women in the work force, the Prime Minister lashed out at the rich and the educated for sustaining female foeticide. Replying to a question on reservation in higher education, the he said the proposed quotas would not reduce opportunities for general category students but aimed to give empowerment to those belonging to the backward communities. Dr Manmohan Singh who once taught Economics at University of Delhi, said while implementing reservation the opportunities for the general category students would not be reduced. He said the government aimed to provide students from the backward communities an access to ‘genuine opportunities to empowerment’ to realise their potential. He said the quality of opportunity had to become a living reality and it was therefore, essential that people belonging to all sections of society should have access to quality. In reply to another question, the Prime Minister said there was scope to do more in the fields of investment of rural infrastructure, health and education during the economic reforms in 1991.
|
|
Pressure on PM to finalise farmers’ package
New Delhi, August 31 In what amounted to a veiled criticism of the UPA government, the party delegation comprising AICC general secretaries Margaret Alva and Digvijay Singh and state unit chiefs of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala , pointed to the delays in implementation and urged Dr. Singh to ensure that the details of the package are finalised at the earliest. While most of them painted a gloomy picture of the agriculture sector in these states, Andhra Pradesh PCC chief Keshav Rao stuck an optimistic note, saying the suicide rate among farmers in their state had dropped from an average of 150 per month to five. The PM had announced a special agriculture package for 31 worst-affected districts which included interest waiver on agricultural loans, subsidies on seeds and
fertilsiers, payment of fresh loans and improved irrigation facilities. The Congress is worried following reports that the implementation of this package is yet to commence and that there is no let-up in the number of farmers’ suicides in Vidharbha even after Dr Singh’s visit to debt-ridden districts in Maharashtra. “The nuts and bolts of the package have to be clarified at the earliest so that what is promised is reflected on the ground,” remarked While promising speedy implementation of the farmers’ package, Dr. Singh asked Mr. Prithviraj
Chavan, minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office, to get all the necessary inputs from the different states so their suggestions can be incorporated in the final plan of action. The Congress delegation pointed out that since the four affected states have different priorities and problems, these should be tackled accordingly in consultation with the state leaders. For instance, Karnataka PCC chief Mallikarjun Kharge wanted the Centre to carefully monitor the implementation of these schemes as there was widespread discrimination against areas represented by Congress legislators in his state. Kerala state unit chief Ramesh Chennithala said that in addition to the three districts already identified by the Centre, another two, Allepey and
Iddukki, be also made eligible for the Centre’s package. He also wanted crop insurance to be extended to spices.
|
|
|
Khushwant Singh given Punjab Rattan award
New Delhi, August 31 Mr Khushwant Singh, who was honoured here today with the Punjab Rattan award by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, said that Indian languages were rich in terms related to “joint family, the tradition of blessing and foul words” but suffered a shortage of vocabulary in areas such as medicine, science and diplomacy. He suggested setting up centres of literary activity comprising scholars in Indian languages who will constantly expand their own mother tongue by including the most suitable words even if these were taken from other languages. The nonagenarian writer said English had grown vastly because it had taken words from many languages. He said there were about 10,000 Indian words in the Oxford Dictionary. “French did not grow much because it was cursed by purists whereas English generously took words from other languages,” he said. Mr Khushwant Singh’s speech, laced with his characteristic humour, drew repeated applause from the gathering. He cited examples and narrated anecdotes to explain how Indian languages were rich in terms related to joint family and the tradition of blessing. He gave examples of abusive words used in streets to show how there were more words for foul language in India compared to European countries. Referring to the messages in chaste Hindi against smoking and drinking at public places, Mr Khushwant Singh said these should written in a way that people understand them easily. Mr Khushwant Singh said readers would not get familiar with new words unless writers use them. He said there was a paucity of good writers in Indian languages. He suggested that Capt Amarinder Singh should take the initiative to set up institutions where new words were added to Punjabi. The eminent writer said that the Punjab Rattan award had a special significance for him as it came from his own people. “This means more than earlier awards,” he said. Referring to his friends from Pakistan and Bangladesh, some of whom had come for the occasion, he said it was “for us to keep the common cultural heritage alive.” Conferring the award in the form of a silver plaque, Capt Amarinder Singh read a citation which said that the award was being given on behalf of Punjabis all over the world. Describing Mr Khushwant Singh as the youngest ‘elder’ statesman of our times, the citation said that he epitomised a generation of gentle goodness and generosity and his decades of writing inspired millions of Indians. Capt Amarinder Singh said Mr Khushwant Singh had become a legend and an icon. “He is the subcontinent’s most prolific writer and is synonymous with journalism,” the Chief Minister said. Referring to the contribution of Punjabis in nation building, the Chief Minister said a monument will be created at Chandigarh in memory of freedom fighters from Punjab. Former Federal Interior Minister of Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party leader Aitzaz Ahsaan said Mr Khushwant Singh’s writing reflected the “agony of conflict” at various levels. The gathering included union ministers, diplomats and media personalities. The Punjab Rattan award has earlier been given to Ms Amrita Pritam and Mr Yash Chopra.
|
|
|
‘Teachers’ contribute
more than politicians’
New Delhi, August 31 Describing himself as “basically a teacher”, while addressing the students of Lady Shri Ram College, he said he had spent the best years of his life in academic institutions. In reply to a question the PM said, “I do believe that teachers can contribute much more to nation-building than politicians”. He went on to add, “It always pleases me to come back to academic institutions which have done so well ." The PM had the audience cheering when he said as a member of the governing body of LSR College, he had participated in the selection of some teachers of economics.
— TNS
|
|
Nitish govt’s popularity worries Lalu
Patna, August 31 The opinion makers range from the British High
Commissioner to India, Sir Michael Arthur, to Ratan Tata to the recent visiting HCL and HSBC heads. Besides, these
hardcore professionals, the opinion-makers also include poor tea stall vendor like Kishan or PCO booth employee Balkrishna. Both have been working on the streets of Patna for the past more than 10 years. While Kishan chose to compare Mr Nitish Kumar to former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, for Balkrishna, Mr Nitish Kumar is of equal calibre like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The positive graph of the Nitish government, however, is more evident from the recent overtures made by the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad to befriend the estranged LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan in his bid to check Mr Nitish Kumar from further consolidating his hold on Bihar. The uneasiness on part of Mr Lalu Prasad is obvious because the further consolidation of Mr Nitish Kumar is only expected to be at the cost of his backward vote
bank, which once comprised extreme backward castes (EBCs) too. Unlike Mr Lalu Prasad, who was always being projected as a champion of “backward politics” in northern India, Mr Nitish Kumar is trying to opt for a more “balanced course” as the ruling NDA completed nine months in office last week. The decision by him to reserve 50 per cent seats for women at the recently concluded statewide panchayat polls beyond castes, and the related move to reserve 17 per cent seats for EBCs, the most underprivileged in the backward, further bore testimony to Mr Kumar`s effort to strive for a balanced politics, based on social and gender equalities. His support to the election of Sharad Yadav as National JD(U) president, or the election of Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan) as state JD(U) chief perhaps can also be viewed as indicators to his “well balanced “move. Besides, Mr Nitish Kumar neither hesitated to suspend the
criminal-turned-politician JD(U) MLA Sunil Pandey from the party on charges of indiscipline, nor prevented the police from the arresting another party leader Anadmohan from Patna station in the recent past. He was equally uncompromising against Sadhu Yadav and Mohammed Shahabuddin as well, as he gave the police a free hand to arrest another ruling JD(U) MLA, who was accused of molesting a Dalit woman recently. During his visit to Bihar last week, the British High Commissioner Sir Michael Arthur found Mr Nitish Kumar to be a “visionary” who aspired to lead Bihar towards development. The British High Commissioner promised to send a trade and business delegation shortly to Bihar to explore the investment opportunities here. This was closely followed by a letter from Ratan Tata to Mr Nitish Kumar, expressing his willingness to come and invest in Bihar. All these developments understandably prompted Mr Lalu Prasad to ponder over the mistake of distancing Mr Ramvilas Paswan in October-November polls, which had cost the UPA at least 30 seats to the NDA. The UPA had fought separately in Bihar under Mr Lalu Prasad and Mr Ramvilas Paswan in last Assembly elections. Talking to the media here, Mr Lalu Prasad said he had no objection to tie up with Mr Paswan for the coming byelections to the Nalanda and Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seats. |
|
30 meet watery grave
in Bihar
Patna, August 31 Until the filing of this report, around 18 persons were saved by local people while there was no trace of the rest. After visiting the spot, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared Rs 1 lakh compensation to the family members of each victim. District Magistrate B. Rajendra was personally camping on the spot to supervise the rescue operation. Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi also visited the spot. The mishap occurred near Darmiahi Ghat under Malsalami police station around 11 am, when the boat carrying over 50 persons was on its way to Raghopur, the hometown of Ms Rabri Devi in Vaishali district. Mr Rajendra said prima facie overloading appeared to be the reason behind the tragedy. The eyewitnesses said against a capacity of 25, over 50 persons and two buffaloes were on board the country boat. The DM said even though rescue boats and divers were pressed into service, nobody had been found so far.
|
|
Mamata calls it quits; TMC, Cong join hands
Kolkata, August 31 According to the Congress sources, Ms Banerjee after her recent coffee-table talks with Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Mrs Margaret Alva in New Delhi, agreed to snap ties with the NDA and strengthen her anti-CPM front in the state with the Congress as a major partner. Mrs Alva yesterday phoned Ms Banerjee from the Capital and welcomed her decision. She, however, advised her to return to the Congress and lead the party in the state. The TMC leaders also admitted that there was a formal request to Ms Banerjee from Ms Gandhi and WBPCC president Pranab Mukherjee to leave the NDA and jointly fighting against the CPM in the state. Accordingly, the TMC had not fielded any candidates against the Congress in the Malda and Purulia Lok Sabha by-elections and campaigned for the Congress candidates there. Reciprocally, the Congress had not set up any candidate for the Bongaon Assembly seat against the TMC candidate Saugata Roy.
|
|
Deported youth gets bail
Hyderabad, August 31 The 23-year-old old city resident claimed that he was working as a marketing executive in Dubai from where he boarded a flight for London to catch another plane to New York as he had got admission in a US university. On his return to Hyderabad on Tuesday, Shafiq was detained under Section 41-A of CrPC on grounds of reasonable suspicion. North Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police Shikha Goel said Shafiq, who claimed he was going to New York to join an MBA programme at Johnson and Wales University at Rhode Island, failed to produce his academic certificates except for the SSC.
|
|
GND varsity VC honoured
New Delhi, August 31 Justice Swatanter Kumar and Ms Rajni Patil, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board, presented the awards to the
nominees. Since inception in 1994, the foundation has trained more than 360 women prisoners in weaving, 625 children in nursery education, 145 women as nursery teachers, 46 Peer trainers as health educators in HIV prevention and general awareness to over 600 inmates in Delhi, Amritsar and Gurgaon prisons.
|
|
2 ABVP leaders held for Prof’s murder
Ujjain (MP), August 31 Akela and Tomar, president and secretary, respectively, of the state unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, were remanded to police custody till September 2 by the Judicial Magistrate’s court here. They had yesterday surrendered to the police in connection with the alleged manhandling of Prof M.L. Nath on August 26 during student union polls at Madhav College that were cancelled following complaints of irregularities. Akela and Tomar were formally arrested today by the CID for the murder of another Professor, H.S. Sabharwal, who died shortly after the attack by students. They were booked for Sabharwal’s killing under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC, the police said.
— PTI
|
|
Grants for tourist spots hiked New Delhi, August 31 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the merger of “Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits” and “Product/Infrastructure and Destination Development” schemes at a meeting held here. The new scheme will be known as “Product/ Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits”, Information and Broadcasting Minister
P.R. Dasmunsi told reporters. The CCEA also raised the cap on the Centre’s contribution for development of destinations from Rs 5 crore to Rs 25 crore and for that of circuits from Rs 8 crore to Rs 50 crore for selectively identified circuits and destinations based on tourist traffic, he said. The decision will lead to the development of world-class tourism infrastructure in at least 15 identified major tourist destinations and circuits in the country. In a move to boost research in science and technologies through institutions of higher education and enterprises, the government has already approved an agreement to this effect with Ireland.
|
|
|
Gen Chaudhary is DG NCC
New Delhi, August 31 As a young officer, he took part in the counter-terrorist operations in the North East. He also took part in 1971 war. General Chaudhary has taken part in counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. He has been involved as an instructor in the training of cadets at the National Defence Academy, Pune, the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, and Junior Leaders Wing at Belgaum. He has received six awards for acts of gallantry and distinguished service.
|
|
Students to continue stir against quota
Kolkata, August 31 Meanwhile, some more students and doctors joined the stir at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. At a meeting at the
hospital student leaders decided to continue the agitation till their demand for setting up an independent review committee for reconsidering the reservation policy was met.
|
|
|
Four killed in explosion
Bangalore, August 31 The incident took place in a house belonging to one Venkataramappa at
Harasanahalli, according to the Devanhalli police. The gelatin sticks were supposed to be used for quarrying purposes.
|
|
|
New Delhi, August 31 The project has been named Rohini in keeping with the estblished traditions of the Army naming satellite projects based on the mythological names of various celestial bodies, important stars and constellations like Shruv, Sapt Rishi, Akash Ganaga etc. — TNS
|
|
|
New Delhi, August 31
|
|
New Delhi, August 31
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
In video (
