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Ballistic missile defence shield for India in 3
years
Housing body head quits over corruption in slum rehab scheme
See you soon again, Sarkozy to Taj
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Ram
Setu Taslima unwell
Republic Day celebrated with zest
Karnataka set to start luxury train
Capt, 2 ULFA men
killed
Stone of school named after Aish laid
Pauri Garhwal Byelection
Piramal official’s abductors identified
Indian fishermen jailed in Pakistan
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Ballistic missile defence shield for India in 3
years
Bangalore, January 27 The country has spent Rs 2,000 crore on developing this capability, which includes radars, interceptors and a mobile command and control centre that are linked to each other with dedicated lines. The system would defend the country against ballistic missiles of a range of 2,000 km to effectively counter any threat from either Pakistan or China. Shaheen-II, Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile, has a range of 2,000 km while China’s DF-3 has a range of 2,800 km. Dr V.K. Saraswat, chief controller, R&D (missiles and strategic systems), said the country had successfully tested both the exo-atmospheric interceptor PAD, which involved interception of missiles within 40 to 80 km of their target and endo-thermic atmospheric interceptor AAD that involved interception within 15 km of the target area. Dr Saraswat said the AAD interceptor was a 7.5- meter- long missile with an advanced radio- frequency seeker, faster onboard computer, solid rocket motor of high impulse and a divert corrector which automatically corrected the missile to the target. He said this year the country was starting the task of integrating the two missile systems to produce an effective air defence system. He said the system in its first phase in three years would have the capability of handling 25 incoming missiles simultaneously and could also similarly guide the launching of 12 interceptors simultaneously. He said the integrated interceptors, which would be tested from a ship this year, would also have the capability to defend the nation against cruise missiles in the future. The fledgling air defence system owes its success to the successful operation of two radars - Long Range Tracking Radar and the Multi Function Fire Control Radar, which are based at Konark and Paradeep, respectively.
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Housing body head quits over corruption in slum rehab scheme
Mumbai, January 27 T
Chandrashekar, a high profile bureaucrat, who was in charge of the slum redevelopment scheme, announced his resignation from the Indian Administrative Service after citing frustration at the political workings in Maharashtra. Having earned a reputation as a no-nonsense administrator, who cleaned up and beautified Thane and Nagpur cities, the Vilasrao Deshmukh government had earlier put Chandrashekar in charge of the slum redevelopment scheme and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority
(MHADA). However, Chandrashekar angered the state’s politicians when he noted that more than 300 acres of prime land in Mumbai encroached by slum dwellers was being given to private builders for development at a loss to the government. After Chandrashekar recommended that MHADA itself develop the properties and house the slum dwellers without involving private builders, he was shunted out of the SRA. It was rumoured that he would be removed as the MHADA chief as well since the authority was responsible for giving final clearance for several slum redevelopment proposals. After Chandrashekar’s resignation was reported in the media over the weekend, it was left to Maharashtra’s deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil to defend the government in front of media persons at the Republic Day function. “We are trying to persuade Chandrashekar to withdraw his resignation,” Patil told reporters. He added that the final decision on the matter rested with Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who was away on a tour. Maharashtra’s slum redevelopment scheme has attracted a lot of attention as builders who put up buildings to rehouse slum dwellers are allowed to put up multi-storeyed buildings that are then sold in the open market. With property prices in Mumbai booming, builders who redevelop slums reap a windfall. Many of the slums are controlled by politicians who negotiate with builders and MHADA to redevelop the property. Builders close to the politicians are then roped in for the project. Often the properties are then sold and resold by builders at huge profit, while MHADA earns nothing from the deal. Under the slum redevelopment scheme, every slum dwelling unit is eligible for a free 225 sq.ft apartment. The builder is to recover the cost of construction from the housing units to be sold in the open market.
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See you soon again, Sarkozy to Taj
Agra, January 27 But Sarkozy kept the hopes alive of his returning with Bruni as he said in his farewell message at the architectural marvel -- “See you soon again”. The French leader, who came to India on Friday on a two-day visit, took time off from his tight schedule to visit the Taj amid heightened media interest, particularly in view of the guessing game over whether Bruni would accompany him. “Unforgettable”, wrote the 52-year-old in the visitor’s book in French about the Mughal monument. Sarkozy, the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations, came here soon after witnessing the parade in Delhi. Though most of the world leaders visiting India make it a point to travel to the Taj Mahal, the media interest was more in the case of Sarkozy’s tour because of expectation that he would be accompanied by his 40-year-old ladylove. PTI
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SC to hear
Jayalalitha’s plea today
New Delhi, January 27 The AIADMK supremo in her petition has sought from the apex court that Ram Setu, known as Adam’s Bridge, should be declared a monument of national heritage. She has also contended that the expert committee had suggested six alternative routes for completing the bridge linking coasts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka for saving navigation time for ships. She alleged that the Karunanidhi government has been adamant on demolishing Ram Setu without caring for the sentiments of crores of Hindus across the world who believe that it was constructed by Lord Rama to reach Sri Lanka. — UNI
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Taslima unwell Kolkata, January 27 She said she had sent an urgent fax message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, informing him about Taslima’s health condition and urged upon him to take appropriate measures for her quick recovery. Debi said she had phone talks with Taslima today morning when she learnt about her sudden sickness, which she felt, might be due to mental pressure and her continued loneliness in an “imprisoned life” at a government guest house in New Delhi. Debi demanded Taslima should be immediately “freed” and allowed to return to Kolkata, her second homeland. She said Taslima had no knowledge about the extension of her visa, which is due to expire on February 17. Debi said some mediapersons had misreported about the Taslima’s visa extension.
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Republic Day celebrated with zest
New Delhi, January 27 In the national capital, the Republic Day celebrations with the parade showcasing the country’s military might and cultural diversity began on a poignant note at the India Gate with remembrance and honours for the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil became the first female head of state to unfurl the national tricolour of the world’s largest democracy on its most revered national day. Manipur celebrated Republic Day amid unprecedented security in view of a boycott call by insurgents as state capital Imphal was brought under a security blanket. The Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), along with other insurgents of the north east like the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), the Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) and the United Liberation Front of Asom, had called a general strike from 1 pm to 6pm in the entire north-eastern region. In Assam, the Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully despite a boycott call by militants. Venues of official functions in many districts were changed at the last minute to thwart any possible attack from ultras while at the central function Governor Lt-Gen Ajay Singh once again appealed to the ULFA to come to the negotiation table. The day was celebrated across Meghalaya amid tight security in view of the boycott call given by the banned militant outfit, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council. Unseasonal showers marred the Republic Day celebrations in Kolkata where West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi unfurled the tricolour. In Tamil Nadu, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala unfurled the national flag and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi presented the gallantry awards as part of the celebrations. UNI
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Karnataka set to start luxury train
Bangalore, January 27 The train, which aims to give a much-needed royal and luxury feel to tourism in Karnataka, has all the props of the “Palace on Wheels” and more.It boats of a conference hall, two restaurants, a bar, gym and even a spa on board besides promising personalised care in immaculately designed suites. "It is a mix of heritage, culture, eco-tourism and beach life that we want to offer to high-end tourists visiting the state," I.M Vittalamurthy, secretary, information and tourism, disclosed here. He said the seven-day sojourn on the luxury train would take tourists through Mysore (covering Srirangapatnam, Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary), Hassan (Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola), Hospet (Hampi), Gadag (Aihole, Badami Pattadakal) and Goa. The circuit train, which would have 19 coaches and would take on 188 passengers, would leave and culminate at Bangalore. Tickets would be priced between $ 300 and $325 per night per passenger, Vittalamurthy said. Vittalamurthy said the state tourism corporation had already started marketing the luxury train in the international market and that Karnataka would soon be in the select group of states which attracted high-end foreign travellers. The Rs 40-crore "Golden Chariot" is a joint venture between the government of Karnataka, the Karnataka state tourism development Corporation , the department of tourism and Indian Railways. It has been manufactured at the integral coach factory at Chennai.
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Capt, 2 ULFA men
killed
Guwahati, January 27 Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia informed The Tribune that Captain S.K. Chowdhury who was conferred President’s Sena Medal on the occasion of Republic Day yesterday for his outstanding service to the nation, was seriously injured during the encounter with the ULFA ultras holed up in a house in Borpathar area and later died on his way to the hospital. The Army officer received a bullet on his chest. Two ULFA militants also died in the encounter while another was hit by a bullet on his leg. The slain ULFA militants were identified as self-styled sergeant major Chandan Dohotia and corporal Tutu Moran. The Army recovered one AK 47 rifle, two magazines with 100 rounds, live ammunition and an improvised explosive device fitted with 5 kgs of explosives from the possession of the slain militants. The Army spokesman informed that the troops along with Assam police personnel launched the joint operation at around 9.30 am today acting on specific information that a large group of about 45 ULFA militants including a senior leader of the outfit were holed up in a house at Borpathar area. The Army and the police team laid siege to the hideout and the exchange of fire between the two sides started at around 12.30 pm. The Army has sent reinforcement to the area and launched a massive combing operation in search of the remaining militants.
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Stone of school named after Aish laid
Barabanki (UP), January 27 Amidst the presence of four former Chief Ministers, Farooq Abdullah, Chandrababu Naidu, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Om Prakash Chautala, the Bachchan family performed puja for Shrimati Aishwarya Bachchan Kanya Mahavidhyalaya, in what was described as a private function on the occasion of Samajwadi Party national general secretary Amar Singh’s birthday. Arriving in four choppers several hours behind schedule, Aishwarya acted like a coy newly wed covering her head with her magenta zari sari. Samajwadi Party MPs Jaya Prada and Jaya Bachchan and Amar Singh’s wife added glamour to the proceedings.
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A Cong vs Cong contest
Raju William Tribune News Service
Dehra Dun, January 27 Though sources said former Congress legislator and Army General T.P.S Rawat of the BJP and godman Satpal Maharaj of the Congress were likely to be the candidates of their respective parties. But there was no official word as yet on their candidature by the central leadership of both the parties. While the Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri had already toured the constituency twice and announced development works with an eye on the forthcoming byelection, the Congress was a divided house. In all likelihood, Rawat was going to be the BJP candidate for he was considered to be the personal choice of Khanduri, who represented this parliamentary constituency before becoming the Chief Minister. A minister in N.D Tiwari-led Congress government, he was elected again in the Assembly election held in 2007 on the Congress ticket from Dhumakot Assembly segment under Pauri Garhwal constituency. Following differences with the party leadership, he joined the BJP and vacated his Assembly seat for Khanduri. Since then stories were doing rounds that he did so with an assurance of getting the BJP ticket in the byelection. Sources said the state Congress unit had sent a panel of two contenders namely Sapal Maharaj and Mayor Dehra Dun Manorama Sharma Dobriyal. But Maharaj, a former union minister, was expected to get the party high command’s nod as he was being backed by the state party unit. In the meeting held at the state party office here today under the chairmanship of the state Congress chief Yashpal Arya, the district Congress units of Dehra Dun, Rudarparyag, Chamoli and Pauri comprising the Pauri constituency supported his candidature. Maharaj had been contesting from this seat since 1989 but won only in 1996.
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Piramal official’s abductors identified
Bhopal, January 27 From an analysis of the way in which the kidnapping was done and the place where victims were kept, the STF arrived at a conclusion that separate gangs were involved, it said.
— PTI
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Indian fishermen jailed in Pakistan
Karachi, January 27 The fishermen were identified as Dharminder, Laxman, Ramesh, Kalu, Bharat, Dodu, Babu, Devji, Ramesh and Laxman. This was the third group of Indian fishermen arrested in Pakistani waters this month. Five fishermen were apprehended on January 14 while six more were arrested on January 16. India and Pakistan arrested scores of fishermen every year for illegally fishing in each other’s waters. They had recently initiated steps for the speedy release of fishermen, who often languish in jail for months.
— PTI
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Agra, January 27
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