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Kejriwal heckled in Nagpur, protesters beaten up
Modi welcomes Advani’s yatra in Gujarat
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BJP inching closer to BSP?
Manipur CM threatens to use force to clear blockade
Digvijay tweets … why do my statements court row?
US team coming for talks on N-safety standards
Vietnam seeks ASI help in restoring ancient temples
Assam wildlife parks opened for tourists
Food parks to be set up in Bihar
Bhupen to be laid to rest
on banks of Brahmaputra
Deoband issues fatwa against birthdays
Azad to head international population body
Jantar Mantar
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Kejriwal heckled in Nagpur, protesters beaten up
About 20 activists belonging to “Ghantanad”, a local organisation, waved placards and black flags and raised slogans against Kejriwal outside the hall where the meeting was held. As soon as his speech was over, the protesters were beaten up. Later, speaking to reporters, Kejriwal condemned the incident saying it was wrong to indulge in violence. In October, the activist was attacked at a public meeting in Lucknow when a man hurled a shoe at him saying he was misleading the public on the issue of corruption. Asked about his allegation of phone-tapping of Team Anna members, Kejriwal said the government must answer whether it considered them as a threat to national security. “Is Anna Hazare a threat to the nation?” he asked and demanded an answer from the Union Home Ministry. “The government permits tapping of phone of a person in the larger national interest if that person is posing threat to the security of the nation. I don’t know why our phones are being tapped,” when asked about the alleged tapping. Asked whether he will meet top brass of the RSS at the sangh headquarters here, Kejriwal said he had no such plans. “But all are welcome to support our cause, be it people from the Congress, the BJP, the RSS or others,” he added. On the possibility of mid-term elections in the country, Kejriwal said he was not for it as the mission was to pursue the Jan Lokpal Bill. About Team Anna’s demand for right to recall, he said, “We are pursuing the Jan Lok Pal Bill first and would later take up electoral reforms.... In many countries, there is also an option of right to reject (candidate) and we are studying
it. — PTI
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Modi welcomes Advani’s yatra in Gujarat
Vapi (Gujarat), November 6 Considered a prime-ministerial candidate, Modi who was reportedly upset over Advani being also in the run for it, got into the bus and garlanded him while receiving him in the state. However, observers said that cold vibes between them may not be completely over because Modi did not take the throne-like seat next to Advani and sat two chairs away from him. Both were also not seen exchanging words. "The Congress says they are helpless about corruption, I say it is their helplessness and not ours. Fight against corruption will continue, be it through Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev or Advaniji. The corrupt government will have to come down," Modi said. Advani returned the Chief Minister's compliments lauding him for "good governance" and making the state "corruption-free". He said that he was overwhelmed by the reception he received in the state. "Gujarat is the only state in the country, where there is good governance and 'swaraj'. This has been possible under the able leadership of Narendra Modi," he said. After Advani announced the nation-wide yatra, which took his party by suprise, Modi had announced his own three-day 'sadbhavna' fast which observers had seen as a counter to Advani's plan. Advani had gone to Ahmedabad to express his solidarity with Modi in his fast. However, Modi did not attend the BJP National Executive meeting in Delhi and the reason touted was that he was upset over induction of his bete noire Sanjay Joshi into the executive by party president Nitin Gadkari. Advani also raked up the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with whom Modi does not share a good relationship. He said he had often brought the matter of Gujarat's good governance to the notice of Kumar. "When Nitish Kumar was the railway minister, I told him to conduct a survey of ticketless passengers and said that the least number of such passengers were bound to be found in Gujarat," he said.
— PTI
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BJP inching closer to BSP?
New Delhi, November 6 It became evident recently when the leader of BSP legislature party in the Uttarakhand Assembly Mohammad Shahzad supported the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, ostensibly patterned on the Jan Lokayukta Bill proposed by Team Anna. Shahzad, the MLA from Bhadrabad Assembly constituency in Haridwar district made a moving speech against corruption in the Assembly and declared how his leader Mayawati was doing her best to root out corruption from her state. He also supported Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption. Sources pointed out that Shahzad’s speech testified to a new bond that new BJP Chief Minister BC Khanduri has developed with the BSP. There was also some indication that this BSP support to Khanduri’s introduction of a significant legislation was no spontaneous or a one-off affair. Sources close to the Chief Minister indicated that the Chief Minister has developed a long-term understanding with the BSP that currently has only nine members in the state Assembly but is now inclined to contest all 70 seats in the state when it goes to Assembly elections, early next year. This way, BJP sources said, the anti-BJP vote would be severely divided and in turn benefit the BJP electorally by cutting into the vote bank of the Congress, the main Opposition party in Uttarakhand. The SP and the BSP have considerable following in the Terai region, where their candidates could easily cut into Congress votes and ensure BJP victory. Sources said the Chief Minister was also trying to build bridges with the SP, but there were no clear indications from the other side so far. But as far as BSP was concerned the deal seemed to be final, sources said. While the deal apparently seems limited to Uttarakhand alone, it is likely to have wider ramifications, particularly in the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh ruled by BSP supremo Mayawati. There the BJP has only recently concluded two separate “rath yatras” against “Mayawati regime’s corruption,” one by Rajnath Singh from West UP to Ayodhya and the other by Kalraj Mishra from East UP to Ayodhya. Simultaneously, BJP president has announced several times that the party would never support Mayawati government and would rather sit in the Opposition if it did not get adequate numbers. But senior BJP leader LK Advani who is currently undertaking a countrywide “rath yatra” against corruption, trained his guns only at the Congress when he touched Varanasi on way to Madhya Pradesh during his yatra. Also in a recent development, Anna Hazare who immediately welcomed Khanduri’s decision to bring in the Lokayukta Act, simultaneously announced his intent to target Congress during the forthcoming UP Assembly elections, indirectly hinting that in effect he would spare Mayawati the heat of his anti-corruption campaign.
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Manipur CM threatens to use force to clear blockade
Imphal, November 6 Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said, “The unrelenting blockade along the two highways - NH 39 and 53 - has tested the patience of the government to its limit. We have to open at least one of the highways at any cost, if required by use of force. Otherwise, how will we survive? To a question of the government is planning to enact a law in the state Assembly to impose ban on highway blockades in the state where various organisations are into the habit of resorting to blockade at the drop of a hat, Chief Minister said, “Yes, we planning to bring such a legislation to ban blockades.” “The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), too, has urged the party government to enact such a legislation and blockades have become bane of life in Manipur,” said MPCC president Gaikhangam, adding the MPCC has requested the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to deploy adequate forces along the national highways to prevent blockade enforcers to take the people of the state for ransom over various contentious issue. The Chief Minister said withdrawal of highway blockade by SADAR Hills District Demand Committee (SHDCC) had failed to ease the situation as the United Naga Council (UNC) was continuing with counter-blockade along the same two highways. “We have been talking with the UNC, but our patience has been tested to its limit. We may have to take stern steps,” he said. However, with the state going for next Assembly election within the next three months, the Ibobi Singh government will have to think twice before launching a crackdown on the UNC that has continued with counter-blockade given that the UNC has a strong influence on Naga voters of hill districts. It is really a tricky phase time for Ibobi who is aspiring to head another Congress-led government in the state for the third time on the trot. Especially when he is playing the Congress’ secular card to win over voters in the state riddled with frictions among various ethnic groups. Virtually launching the party election campaign at Wangoi near Imphal, Ibobi Singh, addressing party workers and common people, said “It is only Congress that has the firm foundation of secularism to protect the integrity of Manipur by keeping all the ethnic groups. Congress had proved in the last ten years that only it is capable of giving a stable government in the state.”
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Digvijay tweets … why do my statements court row?
"I know I have never made a wrong, false or untruthful statement in my whole life. It is hard to understand why my statements lead to so much avoidable controversies," Singh said. Later in a Sunday morning tweet, the AICC incharge of Uttar Pradesh came out in support of IPS officer DD Mishra who has been admitted to psychiatric ward of a Luckow hospital after he alleged before the media that he was being harassed for exposing a scam. "My total sympathy for Misra DIG UP. He is being sent to mental asylum for speaking truth," Singh said. "Anna team, BJP also wants me to go to mental asylum ! All with skeletons in cupboard to avoid embarrassing questions respond the same way!," the Congress leader said in his second tweet. The former chief minister said he was aware that there were a lot of hate messages directed at him on social networking sites like Facebook but stated that these come mostly from people who have only read about him but never met him and thus do not know the truth about him. The controversy around the latest post on Hazare's blog also found mention in another of Singh's tweets. "I am happy Raju Perulkar Anna's blogger has also realised how some smart people are exploiting Anna. I also have been saying the same thing!," he said. Singh said he has always maintained that Yoga guru Ramdev was "not a saint but a businessman" and there was nothing wrong in saying it as he runs a number of firms and charges money from those whom he teaches Yoga. "I have never in my life seen any saint who even faintly resembles Baba Ramdev," he said. On Anna Hazare, Singh said he held him in high respect "but those surrounding Anna were of doubtful nature and this applies to people like Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal against whom a lot is known". Singh had earlier commented on Anna's conflicting utterances on Lokpal issue claiming his campaign against Congress in Uttar Pradesh will have "zero" impact. "Anna's statements. Early October- Defeat Congress. Late October -Defeat Corrupt Candidates. Early November -Defeat Congress. Late November?," Singh had in the past commented on the microblogging site Twitter. The Congress General Secretary stated that many people do not like the way he speaks out against the BJP and the RSS outfits, "but I have said nothing but the truth". Singh said he began getting the image of a controversial person soon after he made a statement that the police officer Hemant Karkare who died in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks had spoken to him over phone sometime before he became a martyr.
— PTI
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US team coming for talks on N-safety standards
New Delhi, November 6 The high-powered delegation will hold talks with Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and other Indian agencies, and visit a variety of nuclear facilities in the country. The NRC delegation will visit the nuclear power plants in Tarapur (Tarapur Atomic Power Station) and Chennai (Madras Atomic Power Station) and laboratories at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Chennai. “I look forward to the continuation and advancement of our long-term relationships with our the AERB Indian counterparts and with other Indian organisations in the area of nuclear safety,” said Chairman Jaczko ahead of his visit to India. Issues related to the mechanics of materials, design and construction, safety and reliability of reactor operations, fuel cycle facilities, waste management, decommissioning and the challenges of new reactors will be among subjects discussed at these meetings. The visit of the delegation is significant against the backdrop of the nuclear disaster that struck Fukushima in Japan in March and the movement against the Russia-built Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu where protesters are demanding the scrapping of the project. The government has, however, ruled out scrapping the project while assuring the protestors that all safety standards would be adhered to. But the protestors have remained unmoved and their agitation has assumed an alarming shape for the government. India and the US signed a landmark nuclear deal in 2008, but they have yet to implement the agreement as Washington is uneasy with New Delhi's liability regime which it sees as onerous and had demanded that it be brought in line with international standards. Prior to the US delegation’s visit, a nine-member technical delegation from the NRC is travelling to New Delhi to participate in the 21st International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT) being held here. The 21st SMiRT is dedicated to the art, science and practice of nuclear structural mechanics. It will feature seminars on the mechanics of materials; fracture mechanics and structural integrity; design and construction issues; safety, reliability, risk and margins; issues related to reactor operations, inspection, and maintenance; fuel cycle facilities, waste management, and decommissioning; and the challenges of new reactors.
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Vietnam seeks ASI help in restoring ancient temples
New Delhi, November 6 “Yes, we have been approached by the Vietnamese government to undertake restoration works at the sanctuary which houses centuries-old temples, some dating as far back as the 4th century AD,” ASI’s Director-General Gautum Sengupta told PTI. Set in a valley surrounded by high mountains, the 70-odd monuments in My Son Sanctuary’s precincts were badly damaged by US’ weeklong carpet-bombing during the Vietnam War in 1969. The surrounding terrain is considered perilous even now because of another legacy of the war - undetected landmines. In 1999, My Son Sanctuary, constructed by Vietnam’s Champa kings between the 4th and 14th century AD, was awarded the UNESCO world heritage site tag after it won recognition as an exceptional example of cultural interchange. After the Vietnamese government approached the ASI to help restore the temples, the body, on the direction of the Ministry of External Affairs, deputed a team of archaeological experts to study the ruins and submit a report to the Centre. “The team made a detailed report on the project, including the cost that will be incurred for the undertaking, and submitted it to the MEA,” the senior ASI official said. For years, teams from Italy and France have been working on the site, dotted with red-brick shrines and other structures, mainly built in the Indian architectural style, he said. On why India was approached to help restore the pantheons, Additional Director General B R Mani said, “The Vietnamese government has no expertise in conserving brick monuments. Our country, on the other hand, has a lot of brick and terracota structures, so this project isn’t new to us.” He said although a majority of the temples in My Son Sanctuary had survived years of wars and natural calamities, worries still persist regarding their structural soundness. “For conservationists, the challenge is much of the construction technique used to build the temple remains a mystery. The carvings on the temples, for example, were cut directly onto the bricks, rather than onto sandstone slabs inserted into the walls,” Mani said. The ASI is presently awaiting the MEA’s nod before initiating the project, the official said.
— PTI
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Assam wildlife parks opened for tourists
Guwahati, November 6 While the most-visited Kaziranga National Park (KNP) was thrown open for tourists on October 28, three days ahead of schedule, two other popular wildlife protection areas-Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Manas National Park (MNP) - in the state were opened for tourists today. About 35 km from the capital city of Guwahati, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density of rare one-horned rhinos. The 38 sq km park has 84 one-horned rhinos as per the last census carried out in 2009. Migratory birds of different hues have already started flocking numerous wetlands in the park. Minister for Forest and Environment Rockybul Hussain said that there had been 16-fold rise in revenue earning in Pobitora Park since year 2001 as it has become a favoured destination close to the city. Besides the one-horned rhinos inside the core area of Pobitora Park, the tourists also like the drive through the tea garden in the vicinity. The sprawling Manas National Park spread over about 1,000 sq km in western Assam bordering Bhutan, is on the bank of the majestic Manas river that flows down to Assam Valley from Bhutan. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in its 35th conference held in Paris in June decided to restore world heritage status to Manas National Park in view of the improved wildlife protection measures and regained resources. MNP is a unique wildlife protection area that enjoys five different conservation statuses - tiger reserve, world heritage site, biosphere reserve, national park and an elephant reserve. Manas Park has more than 20 Schedule I species living within it. Famous for its one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga Park is also home to highest number of endangered tigers in the region. The park is very well connected to the rest of the country through road, rail and air because of its location along the NH-37 in eastern Assam.
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Food parks to be set up in Bihar
Patna, November 6 Briefing reporters after the meeting, Agriculture Production Commissioner A K Sinha said the Cabinet decided to set up the mega food parks in a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. He said the state government would give a subsidy of 20 per cent toward creation of basic infrastructure for establishment of the parks, he said. The mega parks would ensure that the farmers receive the appropriate price for their agriculture produce and would reduce wastage of fruits and vegetables by promoting food processing industry in Bihar, Sinha said. He said about 40 per cent of fruit and vegetable output in the state goes waste at present. The mega food parks would also lead to development of a major market for agriculture produce, he said. State ministers for agriculture, land, fishery, energy, and irrigation also attended the meeting. The Bihar government has constituted a special Cabinet on Agriculture to make the state self-sufficient by boosting foodgrains production. It has set up 14 committees under the special Cabinet, which met here for the third time this year. Out of the 14 committees, 11 have placed their recommendations before the Cabinet on land, agriculture, fishery, energy and irrigation. Sinha said the state has set a target for irrigation of 44.9 lakh hectares farm land during the 'Garama' crop season and decided to complete survey and settlement for updating land records.
— PTI
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India, Iran discuss bilateral issues
New Delhi, November 6 Recalling the ongoing high-level interaction and exchanges between their leadership, both sides agreed on the need to further strengthen the bilateral relations in various fields including political, economic and cultural fields, a Lok Sabha Secretariat statement said. Earlier, Kumar held discussions with Speaker of the Iranian Majlis Ali Larijani and members of the India-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group.
— PTI
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Bhupen to be laid to rest
on banks of Brahmaputra
Guwahati, November 6 Ironically, on Tuesday, his mortal remains will be consigned to flames on the banks of the same river that inspired the bard to pen and dedicate innumerable songs that depict importance of the river to mankind. Bhupen Da had wished to be laid to rest on the banks of the Brahmaputra, according to his family members. Dr Hazarika’s son Tez Hazarika would reach Guwahati from the US on Tuesday morning to perform the last rites of
his father. The Assam government bowing to the popular wishes of the grief-stricken people of Assam today announced that the last rites of the legendary artiste would be performed at Sankardev Park on the bank of Brahmaputra, the ‘Burha Luit’ as described by Hazarika in one of his immortal compositions. Hazarika’s body would be flown in to Guwahati on Monday at around 1 pm and will be received by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Governor J B Patnaik, besides his innumerable fans. The body will be kept at the historic Judges’ Field in the city till Tuesday for people to pay their tribute to the ‘singer of the
masses’.
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Deoband issues fatwa against birthdays
Muzaffarnagar, November 6 The query was made in reference to the birthday celebration of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of the Aligarh Muslim University. "Muslims should not follow the tradition of western culture of celebrating birthdays as it is against the Shariat law," Vice-Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Abul Kasim Naumani, said here today. Islamic seminary does not celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, Naumani added. Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor of the Darul Uloom, Maulana Abul Kasim Naumani said, "As a mark of respect for feelings of Hindus, the seminary has asked Muslims in the country to avoid cow slaughter on the occasion of Id-Ul-Zuha". He also asked Muslims to co-operate with the sanitary department in the cleanliness drive during the festival.
— PTI
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Azad to head international population body
New Delhi, November 6 The Partners in Population Development (PPD) is an inter-governmental organisation created specifically for the purpose of expanding and improving South-to-South collaboration in the fields of reproductive health, population and development. It was initiated in 1994 at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt.
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Jantar Mantar
Rahul & high-energy drinks
Digvijaya unfazed
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Nagpur, November 6
New Delhi, November 6
When NCP chief and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar along with his confidant Praful Patel called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi last week, it was assumed they had gone to complain about Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's decision to prosecute the promoters of the Lavasa township project for violation of environmental laws.
It is well known that Pawar is not happy with the action taken against the project's promoters as he happens to be a close friend of Ajit Gulabchand, owner of Hindustan Construction Company, which is developing the ambitious Rs.3,000 crore hill project near
Pune. 
It now transpires that Pawar and Patel did not mention the L-word even once during their meeting with Sonia Gandhi. The conversation was mostly general in nature as the NCP leaders insisted they had just dropped in to say hello as they had not met Sonia since her return from the US after a surgery. However, Congress leaders who know Pawar are not convinced with this simplistic explanation. They are convinced that the wily Maratha is just biding his time and will hit back at the Congress, particularly since relations between the two coalition partners are far from cordial. Keeping a wary eye on the NCP chief, the Congress is waiting for him to make his next move.
With Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections barely a few months away, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi is spending hours on the road, touring the hinterland in the poll-bound state. Given that his forays are going to pick up further speed in the coming months, the young Gandhi is busy fortifying himself for the hectic schedule ahead. Besides, following a strict exercise regimen, the Nehru-Gandhi scion has also discovered the virtues of high energy drinks, which claim to boost your stamina and keep you going for several hours. In fact, Rahul Gandhi is known to have drawn the attention of Congress leaders, who have called on him in recent days, to a new pomegranate drink promising a five-hour energy high. Urging them to try it out, some visitors have even been presented with boxes of this bottled drink.Needless to say, loyal Congress workers are busy scouring the shops for this wonder drink to help them boost their energy levels. Who knows, in the process, it may even boost the party’s sagging image.