London, October 30
Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, known for her performances in films like 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' and 'Veer Zaara,' was yesterday conferred with the honorary doctorate by a leading UK university for her outstanding contributions to the film industry and her tireless work as an humanitarian.

Along with Zinta, two leading NRI peers, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, considered one of the great political philosophers of the 20th century and Lord Navnit Dholakia OBE, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, were conferred with the honorary Doctorate of Law by Patrick McGhee, the Vice Chancellor of the University of East London, at a special convocation at the sprawling campus at Docklands here.

Receiving the honorary Doctorate of Arts, 35-year-old Preity said: "I am extremely humbled to receive this award amid such distinguished gathering."

Underlining the importance of empowerment of women and educating girls, she said "the only way you can do that is by ensuring that you are educated."

"I am going to work towards women's empowerment in India and I'm going to work for the Loomba Foundation which takes care of children of Widows in india and elsewhere in the world," she said.

The citation, read out by Kamlesh Patel, described Preity as "an international actress, pioneering star of Hindi cinema and devoted humanitarian. Preity Zinta has carved a path for women to follow worldwide."

A versatile actress, Preity has acted in over 30 films in Bollywood as well as in Telugu, Punjabi and English language films.

Widely regarded as one of the great political philosophers of the 20th century, Lord Parekh has devoted his life to the academic study of political systems and multiculturalism in India and England.

Born in India, he travelled to England to study at the London School of Economics (LSE) where he received his Ph.D in 1966. He went on to teach at the University of Glasgow for one year as Professor of political philosophy and history of political thought.

In 1962 he took up residence as Professor at the University of Hull - a post he still holds.

Receiving the honour, he said: "Thank you for this great honour and I accept it with gratitude and humility." Lord Navnit Dholakia was given the award of Honorary Doctor of Law, honoris causa, in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to social and racial equality and the criminal justice system in the UK."

Describing Lord Dholakia as a "Tireless campaigner for social and racial equality and representative of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords," the citation said: "Lord Dholakia is the most widely recognised Indian politician in the West. He has also worked extensively to improve the criminal justice system in the UK." — PTI 

New Delhi, October 30
With an eye on the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi today came out to support the student leaders of three top central universities of the state. Along with them, Rahul met the HRD Minister Kapil Sibal to seek restoration of suspended students’ unions and elections in their respective institutions.

Rahul led a group comprising representatives of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Allahabad University and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). These universities had banned students union activities some years ago and never cared to restore them.

Students apprised Sibal of the inadequate student representation in democratic processes and how essential they were for the academic growth of the university. The minister rushed to assure them that their concerns would be looked into and their participation ensured in future.

“Student participation in university activities is important. We will not only convey their concerns to the respective university administrations but also seek their cooperation,” Sibal said after the meeting. The move is a tactful attempt by the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family to consolidate youth support for the Congress in poll-bound UP.

If Rahul succeeds in getting the ban on student elections in these institutions (together, these three central universities have 75,000 students) lifted, youth support for him would stand guaranteed. He will also be able to put down UP CM.

Sibal told The Tribune that he had not summoned any VC as he had no statutory powers to do so, but they were welcome to discuss the issue with us.

New Delhi, October 30
The Supreme Court today asked former minister Amit Shah to stay out of Gujarat and leave the state by tomorrow morning. However, it did not cancel his bail on which hearing would be held on November 15.

The decision came at a special hearing at Justice Aftab Alam’s residence here on CBI’s plea seeking cancellation of his bail granted by the Gujarat High Court yesterday in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

The Bench also directed Shah to leave the state by tomorrow morning and asked him to stay out till further order and posted the matter for next hearing on November 15.

The court asked the CBI to supply a copy of its petition to Shah by November 6 asking him to reply by November 12 after which the agency would file a rejoinder.

Senior advocate KTS Tulsi, appearing for the CBI, submitted that there was likelihood of Shah influencing the witnesses in the case.

The Bench wanted to know from Shah’s lawyer whether he would leave Gujarat. To this, his counsel, Upender Yadav told the court that he was ready for that.

Thereafter, the court passed the order, directing Shah to leave the state by tomorrow. The hearing lasted for 45 minutes. 46-year-old Shah, a close aide of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, had got a reprieve from the high court that granted him bail three months after his arrest in connection with the Sohrabuddin case.

Shah had quit the Modi government in July this year after being slapped with charges of murder and kidnapping in the fake encounter killing of alleged gangster Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kauser Bi in 2005. — PTI

New Delhi, October 30
Swedish defence equipment maker, SAAB, is looking to have a key role in supply of equipment for the three services - the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The company that is the one of the six contenders for the $11-billion deal for fighter aircrafts for the IAF, is already having tie-up for ‘Carl Gustav’ rocket launchers for the Indian Army and the stealth technology radars for the Navy.

CEO of SAAB Håkan Buskhe told reporters that he was looking for further tie-ups and was in talks with Mahindra and Mahindra in the aviation sector. 

Mumbai, October 30
Even as suspense continues over the fate of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,numerous contenders are jockeying for his job.

Among the names in the fray are former Chief Ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sushilkumar Shinde, Narayan Rane apart from second-rung leaders like Prithiviraj Chavan and Mukul Wasnik.The choices for the top job seem to be narrowing after Shinde and Deshmukh too have been linked to the controversial Adarsh Co-Operative Housing Society.

Both of them played a major role in granting various permissions to the building which grew from a six-storyed building for Kargil war veterans to a 31-storeyed tower. Sources say, detractors of both leaders are digging up documents to prove the role of Deshmukh and Shinde in the facilitation of the Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society.

Phulbani (Orissa), October 30
At least 12 persons were convicted and 46 others acquitted today in the Kandhamal riot cases by separate fast-track courts here. The courts pronounced the judgements while disposing six different cases relating to house burning and an incident of murder during the communal riots in Kandhamal in 2008.

About 38 persons were killed and over 4,800 houses and churches were damaged during the riots that took place in the aftermath of the killing of the VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008. While disposing of a case of house burning at Gresingia village in G Udaygiri area, judge S K Das sentenced two persons to two years imprisonment and a penalty of Rs 2,000 each. Twenty one others were acquitted in the case.

Similarly, seven other persons were sent to five years’ rigorous imprisonment and penalty of Rs 5,000 each after they were found guilty of setting fire on houses at Sidri village in Baliguda area. Three persons were also sentenced three years of RI and penalty of Rs 1,000 each for setting afire houses of minority community at village Kiramaha in G Udaygiri area. In another case of house burning at Rudangia, 15 persons were acquitted. — PTI

Kolkata, October 30
At least, 18 persons drowned and many went missing when an overcrowded trawler capsized in the Muriganga river near Sagar Islands in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal today.

The authorities fear the toll could rise. Three trawlers were sailing to Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas from Hijli Sarif in East Midnapore district when one of them capsized.

“Eighteen bodies have been found and more than 50 persons rescued while many of the bodies were swept away by a swift current in the river,” according to Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Surojit Kar Purokayanstha.

“There is a possibility that the death toll will rise because the trawler was overcrowded," the South 24 Parganas Superintendent of Police LN Meena said, adding that Coast Guards, marine and district police were working on a war-footing. The injured have been rushed to Kakdwip hospital for treatment, Meena said.

According to West Bengal Minister for Sundarbans Development, Kanti Ganguly, who was overseeing rescue operations, “Rescue operations are proving to be difficult because of the current and the movement of ships.” The district magistrate of adjoining East Midnapore Archana Meena said marine police and Coast Guards with hovercraft have been sent to assist operations.

A MoD spokesman said navy divers from Eastern Naval headquarters at Vishakhapatnam were being rushed to the spot. — PTI

Chennai, October 30
With increase in the number of senior citizens living alone in Tamil Nadu, social organisations have come forward to provide them the much needed company, whenever they want. It is just enough to dial a number and ask for company.

The companions, apart from spending their time with the elderly, will be ready to accompany them to the hospital, play indoor games or watch television with them.

One of the NGOs, Dignity Foundation, has about 30 volunteers enrolled with them for companionship service. But, nearly two-third of them were above 50, since they alone understand the needs of the elderly.

The NGO's charge a nominal fee for the services. Most of the old people, just want somebody to listen to them attentively for a few hours, the officials who run the foundation said. "They will like the companions to accompany them for a stroll and sit with them and enjoy tea or watch the programmes of their choice on television."

The official said the organisation needed more volunteers, since the demand was high. The NGO also wanted more youngsters to join as volunteers, since senior citizens prefer youngsters.

"However, young people are not coming forward, even though they need not do anything other than listening to senior citizens. Most of the youngsters find it boring to accompany old people and hear their views", the official said.

Another organisation, Help Age India, also provided similar service and said they got, on an average, atleast one call a day.

They said senior citizens needed company to visit hospitals and temples, besides sitting with them to listen to the music of their choice.

The organisation had 40 volunteers at the moment and they were trying to create volunteers in every locality.

The officials of Help Age India, said time was a big problem for volunteers. While, senior citizens were lonely during day time, volunteers were available after evening only, since most of them were working, since they could not depend on this income alone.

However, they were trying to enroll more members who work in night shifts and were free during afternoons.

Chennai, October 30
Strengthening speculations that the Congress was moving away from the ruling DMK, TNCC former president EVKS Elangovan, who is advocating a separate front headed by his party for the forthcoming Assembly elections, said AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who will visit Tamil Nadu on November 19, will make an announcement that will pave the way for Congress rule in the state.

The Congress should contest in all the 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and youth Congress members alone should be allocated 134 seats, he said and added that people were eagerly waiting for a change in Tamil Nadu politics. "I know the Congress cadres share my opinion and are waiting for a major shift in the party's stand. The major change you are expecting will take place when our leader Rahul Gandhi visits the state on November 19 on the last day of the youth Congress padayatra", he said, hinting at a major announcement by Rahul Gandhi over the party's ties with the DMK on that day.

Addressing a public meeting last night at Erode, an industrial town in western Tamil Nadu, Elangovan launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister and UPA ally M Karunanidhi and recalled how the DMK workers pelted stones at former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when she visited Madurai, in South Tamil, soon after she lost power.

Referring to Karunanidhi's recent remarks that the Congress would continue its relationship with the DMK as he had stood by the Nehru's family in times of crisis, Elangovan said the attack on Indira Gandhi was one instance which showed how the DMK had stood by the Nehru family. At that time Indira Gandhi suffered bleeding injuries on her head, he noted.

Coming down heavily on Karunanidhi's elder son and Union Minister MK Alagiri, the Congress leader said those who could speak neither in English nor in Hindi had entered Parliament, while the Congress had refrained from giving posts to Rahul Gandhi in the ministry. Both Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Rahul were in politics to serve the people and not for gaining power, he said..

Interestingly, Union Minister GK Vasan, considered a strong supporter of DMK, also shared Elangovan's views and said the Congress would form a government in the state under the guidance of Rahul Gandhi.