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2G: CBI Addl Director Dutta to head probe
language Row
Chorus against foreign languages gets louder
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Class X Board exams may not be optional any more
Filmmakers, not actors, steal the show on Day 2
No front seats for Capt, Rahul in Lok Sabha
Mulayam’s birthday bash a grand affair
India must be ready to use might: Prez
gujarat riots
PM: Courtesy India, world focus now on black money
Decks cleared for India’s first high-speed train
Maoists attack IAF copter, 2 hurt
Imam row: HC refuses to stay anointment ceremony of son
Freed TN fishermen reunite with families
Track-II dialogue urges Indian, Pak PMs to resume talks
Punjab, non-BJP states oppose river linking project
India to train Afghan civil servants
Azam Khan's comment on Taj Mahal draws flak
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2G: CBI Addl Director Dutta to head probe
New Delhi, November 21 Dutta, a 1981-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, is the overall in-charge of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the agency probing the 2G cases. After the SC directed Sinha to leave the 2G investigation, it was unclear whether Special Director Anil Sinha, who is second in hierarchy, will oversee the probe or Dutta, sources said. The sources said it was decided that the person heading the investigation team should be put in charge of the 2G cases, as suggested in the Supreme Court order. The court had handed over the case to the senior-most officer after Sinha in the investigating team probing the spectrum scam. A Bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu, however, had refused to pass an elaborate order, saying it would “tarnish” the “image and reputation” of the premier agency. The court’s directives had come while hearing the plea of senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan who demanded his ouster for allegedly influencing the trial in the case. Bhushan had alleged Sinha wrote to the then Special Public Prosecutor UU Lalit which could have tilted the trial in favour of one of the accused. Lalit had trashed the suggestions.
ACB in charge
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SC notice to govt over dropping German in KVs
Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, November 21 The apex court has sought the government’s response within a week. The court, however, refused to stay the order, pending disposal of the PIL. The petition has been filed by parents of about 20 affected students. There are about 1,000 KVs, also known as central schools, in the country and the order has impacted about 70,000 students. Meanwhile, Irani today defended her decision at a function, stating that students were free to choose German as a foreign language, but not as a third language which had to be one of the 22 languages mentioned in Schedule 8 of the Constitution. The minister’s decision has been welcomed by certain quarters, with the Sanskrit Bharati, a wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), urging the Government to extend the policy to all schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
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Chorus against foreign languages gets louder
New Delhi, November 21 He was saying so as the Sanskrit versus German row snowballs into a major legal controversy with courts taking cognisance of the Government move to drop German as the third language in the three-language formula. When asked of the language controversy, Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s former international president Ashok Singhal said, “See, what is in store in the future?” His statement indicated that the right wing organisations might build pressure on the government to end instruction of foreign languages in schools. His statement came on a day HRD Minister Smriti Irani called the treatment of German as the third language in India unconstitutional. “I am the HRD Minister and I took oath of the Constitution. I cannot allow anything unconstitutional,” she said today. The Congress slammed the RSS-backed right wing organisations for spreading fear and hatred for foreign languages at a time when the world is closing in and becoming a global village. “You should teach your own languages and also give space for foreign language instruction. We have to keep the changing times in mind,” said Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh
Gohil.
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Class X Board exams may not be optional any more
New Delhi, November 21 Consultations on the revocation of Sibal’s controversial decision have begun in the ministry and are scheduled to be part of the agenda of the meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), the highest decision making body on education in India. Since Smriti Irani took charge as HRD Minister this June, no CABE Sources in the government said there was an overwhelming sense in favour of the reversal of no-Board exam move with students petitioning the HRD Minister in their interactions that the current format of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation being followed in CBSE schools was weak and not serving the intended purpose.
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Filmmakers, not actors, steal the show on Day 2
Panjim, November 21 The opening of the Indian Panorama section had viewers engrossed with Elizabeth Ekadashi, a 2014 Marathi movie directed by Paresh Mokas. Since the country focus at the 45th IFFI is China, the inauguration of the section began with a Chinese film "Finding Mr Right" directed by Xiao Lu Xue. A touching tale of love, family and human relationships, the film — a big grosser at the Box Office — found an instant connect with viewers. It reinforced how human emotions across the world remain the same and how cinematic stories bind us in more ways than one. If packed halls were the norm for movie screenings, the stars of the day were not actors, but celebrated filmmakers Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Raj Kumar Hirani. They have given us some memorable films such Munna Bhai MBBS and Three Idiots. They delighted us with many anecdotes during the making of the film Munna bhai Lage Raho that redefined Gandhi's ideals and values for the younger generation in the language they understand. During the discussion in the Homage section dedicated to Richard Attenborough, the filmmaker India best remembers for his epic Gandhi, Raj Kumar Hirani too spoke of the film's impact on him. As it awakened him to what Gandhi really stood for, he not only read more on him but felt compelled to make a film on him. The initial idea of “What if Gandhi was alive today” finally fleshed into a delightful and meaningful comedy for Hirani, who didn't want to make a boring film and preachy yet wanted to drive home Gandhi's ideals and values. Another star attraction of the day was filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor who has defied conventions and bans to make his kind of cinema the way he wants to.
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No front seats for Capt, Rahul in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, November 21 Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Deputy leader in Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh and former Minister Kamal Nath will sit in the second row where PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti has also got a seat along with NCP leader Tariq Anwar. Sonia will have the company of SP chief Mulayam Singh, JDS chief HD Deve Gowda and Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai in whose immediate proximity Kharge will be seated in the place traditionally reserved for the Leader of Opposition. In the present House, the Speaker has decided to forego naming the LoP citing Congess’ weak electoral strength of 44 MPs. Among other Opposition leaders who will be occupying front benches when the House convenes for the winter aession are Bhartruhari Mahtab of the BJD, P
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Mulayam’s birthday bash a grand affair
Lucknow, November 21 It is the first time SP national president’s birthday is being celebrated at such a lavish scale. The BJP and the Congress have flayed the celebrations alleging that public money was being spent on a private event. It is senior Cabinet Minister Mohammad Azam Khan’s idea to celebrate the SP president’s birthday with a two-day event at his Assembly constituency and pocket borough of Rampur. The highlight of the event was the ‘dhartiputra’ Mulayam Singh Yadav riding a vintage Victorian buggy along a 12-km route from Ambedkar Part to the Jauhar University campus where the cultural programme is being held. Around 100 welcome gates were put in place along the route. The city of Rampur has virtually been painted red and green in the Samajwadi colours with banners, posters and buntings visible everywhere. The celebrations will begin mid-night with the senior Yadav cutting a 75-foot cake. As adequate accommodation is not available in Rampur for all VVIPs guests arriving for the celebrations hotels in Moradabad and Bareilly have been booked. For the security arrangements, two SP rank officers, 27 deputy SP rank officers and 1,200 constables have been put in place.
Azam Khan kicks up row
When questioned about the funding for the grand event, Azam Khan said, “Why does it matter where the money for celebrations is coming from? Some have come from Taliban, some from Abu Salem, some from Dawood, some from terrorists..."
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India must be ready to use might: Prez
Guwahati, November 21 “To preserve peace and harmony and promote all round development, it is imperative for us to have an effective deterrence and a strong defence,” Mukherjee said at the President’s Standard Presentation to 115 Helicopter Unit and 26 Squadron at Air Force Station, Tezpur. “The Indian Air Force has always been at the forefront in the projection of our nation’s might. Besides its role of safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation, it has always been a harbinger of humanitarian aid within our boundaries,” he said. The President in his address to IAF personnel and their families, both past and present: “The distinguished flying units of 115 Helicopter Unit and 26 Squadron have a glorious past and a rich tradition of professional excellence. Since their inception, they have rendered illustrious service to the nation and done us proud. Their rich heritage and stellar efforts in the pursuit of excellence have set a benchmark for others to emulate. For their selfless devotion, professionalism and courage in the face of adversity, the nation honours them today with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation.” The President also appreciated the relief operations rendered by the men and women in blue in disaster-hit regions. “The resilience and tenacity of the Air Warriors has been a source of tremendous pride for the Nation. The professional excellence, grit and determination exhibited by them over the past few decades are highly laudable.”
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IPS officer who took on govt seeks retirement
Ahmedabad, November 21 "I have sought retirement from service due to personal reasons and have given three months' notice to the state government on November 19," Sharma, who is currently DIG of Armed Units at Vadodara, told PTI. According to rules, an IPS officer can seek early retirement after turning 50 by giving a notice of three months. "I am not taking it (state's action) in a negative way. What the state has been doing does not make any difference. My decision is not inspired by government action," the 1992-batch IPS officer said. — PTI
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PM: Courtesy India, world focus now on black money
New Delhi, November 21 “I am glad that the world community took note of this because this is an issue that does not selectively affect one nation. The menace of black money has the potential to destabilise world peace and harmony. Black money also brings with it terrorism, money laundering and narcotics trade,” Modi noted in his blog summing up his thoughts on the recent three-nation tour of Mynamar, Australia and Fiji. Modi said as democracies firmly committed to the rule of law, it becomes “our obligation to collectively fight this evil and there was no better occasion than the G-20 to raise this. Our efforts paid off with the official communiqué reflecting this issue”. Detecting a new enthusiasm across leadership of 39 countries vis-à-vis India, the Prime Minister said during the 10-day journey he attended five summits, including the one with leaders of Pacific Islands that he hosted in Fiji, and met 38 world leaders. “The number of full bilateral meetings I had stands at 20. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet leaders from every part of the world! These meetings were frank, comprehensive and fruitful. We covered substantial ground on several issues. I met a wide range of business leaders as well. During these bilateral meetings, I noticed one thing — that the world is looking at India with renewed respect and immense enthusiasm! I see a global community that is tremendously keen to engage with India’’. The Prime Minister said with every leader, India discussed how the bilateral relations could be made more extensive, diverse and wide-ranging besides strengthening trade and commerce and drawing industry to India. Numerous leaders he met were optimistic about the ‘Make in India’ initiative and were keen to come to India and be a part of the extensive and diverse opportunities the country has to offer. “I see this as a positive sign, one that will bring several opportunities to India’s youth and give them the right exposure that will make them shine. Such exposure has become imperative keeping in mind the pace at which the world is developing. Several world leaders also showed keenness on our plans to create ‘Next Gen Infrastructure’ and smart cities.”
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Decks cleared for India’s first high-speed train
Agra, November 21 An official statement said the coaches for Gatiman Express had reached New Delhi from Kapurthala in Punjab and two successful trials had been held on July 3 and September 11. When the service starts, the train will leave the national capital at 8 am and reach Agra Cantt railway station at 9.45 am. It will depart from Agra at 5.30 pm and reach New Delhi at 7.15 pm. The coaches will have automatic sliding doors like Delhi Metro. An official said it was now for the Railway Ministry to decide the date for the inaugural run. — IANS
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Maoists attack IAF copter, 2 hurt
New Delhi, November 21 The helicopter, a Russian built Mi 17 –V5, landed at the base at Jagdalpur, Chattisgarh. The incident occurred 8 km southwest of Jagdalpur around 5.30 pm today, sources in the IAF confirmed. The helicopter was on a rescue mission to pick up casualties of the CRPF which was involved in an ongoing operation against Maoists. CRPF's Chhattisgarh chief and IG HS Sidhu is leading the operation indicating the seriousness and scale of the effort. The IAF helicopter had been called to help evacuate six injured men. It came under attack as it flew 200 feet above ground after picking up the injured CRPF men. An IAF gunner was hit in the leg and the CRPF man suffered injuries to his face. The CRPF men who were injured in the attack on the ground and evacuated by the helicopter are: Vipin Kumar, Sub-Inspector of CRPF's 150 battalion, constable Madhukar Rathore of the same unit, constables Chandrashekar and Manoj Kumar Gonde of 206 CoBRA battalion and constable Rupak Rawat, posted as the gunman of the IG and Surendra Bathi, constable of 150 battalion. Half-a-dozen Naxal cadre have also been injured and the area has been cordoned off. Sources said sending immediate reinforcements to the area would not be possible during the night.
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Imam row: HC refuses to stay anointment ceremony of son
New Delhi, November 21 A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw made the observation after taking into account the contentions of the Centre, Delhi Wakf Board and petitioners, who have challenged the ceremony, adding that in such a situation there is no need to stay the function. The court also noted that under the Wakf Act, 1995, the law only "provides for a mutawalli (manager) of a wakf and contains no provision for appointment of Imams of Wakf properties, even if a masjid". "We are of the opinion, that in the face of the contentions of the petitioners that Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari has no right in law or otherwise to anoint his son as the Naib Imam and which is supported by the Delhi Wakf board... "...the anointment ceremony (Dastarbandi) scheduled on November 22, 2014, even if not stayed, would not amount to anointment/appointment of the said son of Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari as the Naib Imam of the Jama Masjid. We, therefore, do not feel any need to pass any ad-interim order restraining the same," the Bench said. The court also did not restrain Bukhari from holding the ceremony at Jama Masjid, as sought by the petitioners, saying he and his family have been using the same as their residence for the last several years. "However, we clarify that the ceremony so held and the anointment made therein of the youngest son of Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari or any other person as the Naib Imam of the Jama Masjid shall be subject to further orders in this petition and shall not vest/ create any rights or special equities in favour of any person," the court said. It also issued notice and sought responses of the Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi government, DDA, MCD, city police, Wakf Board, CBI as well as Bukhari by the next date of hearing on January 28, 2015. The Bench also noted that "no answer is forthcoming" from the Wakf Board as to why it "has not exercised any rights or supervision over the Jama Masjid" or why it has "allowed Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari to appropriate all earnings from the said Masjid and also not taken any action for accounts thereof being not rendered inspite of court directions". The court's order came on three PILs challenging the Shahi Imam's decision to appoint his son as the Naib Imam. Yesterday, during arguments on the three petitions, the Centre and the Wakf Board had submitted before the court that the ceremony by Jama Masjid Shahi Imam anointing his son as his deputy and successor has no legal sanctity. — PTI
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Freed TN fishermen reunite with families
Rameswaram (TN), November 21 The normally sleepy fishing village in Ramanathapuram district wore a festive mood since morning, as it awaited the return of these fishermen. Celebrations erupted soon after their arrival as they were garlanded, offered sweets and crackers were burst. It looked as if the entire village, predominantly fishermen families, had gathered for the well-organised reception for them near the Parish Church, where even the schoolchildren in their uniforms were seated on the ground facing the stage put up for the occasion. Claps and whistles filled the air, when children of these fishermen met their fathers on the stage and sat on their lap after three years. State Fisheries Minister KA Jayabal, Sports and Youth Development Minister S Sundarraj, Fisheries Secretary S Vijayakumar and Ramanathapuram MP Anwar Raja were present. Fishermen and fishing hamlet leaders hugged and offered shawls to the five fishermen, who were visibly tired as they posed for the media. They had flown from Colombo to Delhi and then to Chennai, from where they arrived here by road. —PTI
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Track-II dialogue urges Indian, Pak PMs to resume talks
New Delhi, November 21 “The Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers should not miss the opportunity for a much-anticipated resumption of bilateral talks on the sidelines of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu on November 26-27,” they said in a joint declaration at the conclusion of a two-day meet here. The meet was organised by Regional Peace Institute (RPI), Pakistan, and was attended by former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid, former Union Minister Mani Shanka Aiyar, lawmakers from Pakistan, including Isphanyar Bhandara and BJP leader Sudheendra Kulkarni among others. The declaration said the “ice-breaking” meet in Kathmandu should be followed up with an early summit-level talks between the two Prime Ministers, either in New Delhi or Islamabad, with a well-planned and comprehensive agenda, components of which were already in place in several bilateral agreements. “What is needed is a strong political will on both sides, and a determination to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir and cross-border terrorism,” it said. “India and Pakistan should not remain hostage to their history of conflict. Rather, they should become a beacon of hope for the entire South-Asian region by a genuine effort to
Normalise relations during SAARC summit: Delegates
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Punjab, non-BJP states oppose river linking project
New Delhi, November 21 The Centre is all set to launch the first ILR project — the Ken-Betwa link which had been put on the back burner by the previous UPA government —with a ground-breaking likely as early as next year. The Ken-Betwa link is one of the 30 ILR projects envisaged for the country. The Modi government accorded it a Cabinet approval in July, a month after it assumed office in May. However, the project, which may soon come out of the drawing-board stage to become a reality, today saw many states, including BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, diplomatically advised caution. The Jal Manthan held to thrash-out issue related to the long-pending project also saw emphatic resistance from many experts and non-BJP States and also from the one ruled by key NDA ally Akali Dal. Along with Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, Assam and Kerala, Punjab also raised a red flag over the viability of the controversial project. Though it is a stand which, to be fair to the state, was consistent and in line with its historic view-point on the issue. According to the Punjab delegation, the river linking concept was based on two principles — surplus water and the riparian principle. “As per the Constitution water from riparian to non-riparian state will only be given if there is surplus. Punjab definitely does not have any surplus water with 110 out of 138 blocks marked as dark blocks,” the Punjab delegation said at the conference. A statement issued by Irrigation Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that “being a riparian state, we have more right over river waters in Punjab. We already are facing acute shortage of water”. “Punjab has been historically opposed to the transfer of water from riparian to non-riparian states. There is also no dependable hydrological, ecological study to propose water transfer of a state to other non-riparian states,” state officials explained. Newly-formed Telangana was equally emphatic about its opposition to the project. “There is no way you can take away water from a State because water is a state subject. Have a realistic view, Advisor to the Telangana government R Vidyasagar Rao said, adding: “there is no way a State would be willing to part with its waters. Don’t force it (ILR) on us. You cannot dictate my needs”.
Work on Ken-Betwa next year
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India to train Afghan civil servants
New Delhi, November 21 The Jindal School of International Affairs and the Jindal Institute of Leadership Development and Executive Education of OP Jindal Global University have been awarded the contract from the by the Afghanistan Ministry of Finance. The first batch of senior Afghan civil servants, who hold the ranks of Director General to Deputy Directors in various Afghan government ministries, will arrive at the Sonipat campus during the next few weeks, the university announced today. These civil servants will be trained at Jindal University on leadership, human resource management, law and justice, organisational change, good governance and post-conflict institution building.
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Azam Khan's comment on Taj Mahal draws flak Agra, November 21 On Thursday, Khan said Taj Mahal should be handed over to the Waqf board. Another Muslim leader has asked the Samajwadi Party to allow Muslims to offer prayers five times a day at the Taj Mahal. The residents of Agra are fuming over the remarks. "He (Khan) needs to get himself checked for mental balance...," said Surendra Sharma, chief of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society. — IANS
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Senior rightist leaders, who were attending the two-day World Hindu Congress which began here today, said the era for an end to the teaching of foreign languages had begun.
Panjim, November 21
Lucknow, November 21
Guwahati, November 21
New Delhi, November 21
New Delhi, November 21
Rameswaram (TN), November 21
